Here's daddy long legs

Fawn's POV

The broadcast went as usual, his normal reports and stories being told. I watched him intently, noticing how he would adjust things or give a look to the sound people every once in a while.

When there would be a break in the news, songs would play over the radio and he would use that time to show me certain things.

He would explain the dials and switches, showing me what they did and telling me when to use them.

By the end of the morning segment, I was exhausted. I understand why he drinks so much coffee now.

Leaning back into my chair, I sighed. Alastor must've found this amusing, because I heard him snicker, "a lot of work, my dear?" He asked me, earning a glance from me.

Then I let my eyes close, "yea...it's all so interesting, though, you really know what you're doing," I said, complimenting his sheer knowledge of everything in this room.

I'm convinced he would turn into a radio if he could.

"Yes indeedy! I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, cher..." his voice turned softer and I felt the back of my chair lean back as he looked over me.

A smile quirked my lips and I opened my eyes, seeing him standing directly above me now with a big smile per usual.

We shared a silent moment, looking into each other's eyes before he spun my chair around.

"Alrighty, dear! Break time, then we'll be back for the afternoon segment, and home before you know it!" He chirped, taking my hand to help me up.

I giggled, "ok, sounds good...hey, is there any coffee I can have?" I asked as he started leading me out of the booth.

"Of course! It's in the break room, I'll show you where it is," he hummed, escorting me down the hallway towards a closed door that had the words 'Break Room' engraved into it.

He was humming all the way there, not helping me with my tiredness. If anything, he was lulling me further into a relaxed state.

When he revealed the room to me, I was surprised to find it just looked like a regular break room. Actually, it was really similar to the one back at my old job.

I'm not sure what I was expecting.

"Over there, dear, have as much as you'd like...and the cream and sugar are right there as well. I think I'm going to step out for a moment and grab us something to eat, do you care for anything specific?" He asked, looking down at me.

I shook my head, smiling up at him.

He nodded, "ok, well, I'll be back shortly," he said, rubbing his hand over the small of my back gently.

Before he could leave, I grabbed the front of his suit and tugged him back towards me. Quickly I made sure no one was around before I raised to my tippy toes and gave him a kiss on the lips.

The noise he made was surprised, then he smiled against my lips and kissed me back.

It lasted much longer than I'd originally anticipated, but I wasn't going to complain.

We parted slowly, me lowering myself back down before I straightened out his suit that I'd partially placed askew.

"Don't be long," I said quietly, as if someone were around to hear us. He shook his head.

"I won't be...when I get back, we'll eat and finish up the day," he stole another very quick kiss, "and then I get you all to myself," he purred quietly.

Giving me no time to react to his borderline lewd comment, he slipped away. 

Slowly I registered what had just happened, a stupid smile etching across my burning face.

Eventually I was able to snap out of my stupor, heading over to the coffee pot to pour myself some.

I hummed a soft tune as I did so, one Alastor constantly sings and has, as a result, gotten it stuck in my head.

Just as I was putting the sugar into my cup, another voice startled me nearly out of my skin.

"You don't belong here."

The clipped voice of Mindy cut through the air like a knife, the atmosphere suddenly turning cold and uncomfortable.

My smile faded and I turned to face her, "excuse me?"

Her catty eyes were lowered in a glare, her painted lips twisted into a scowl.

"You are different. Odd. You don't belong here, and you certainly don't belong with someone like Alastor...he's simply above you," she said, turning her nose up as she approached me smoothly.

Her heels gave her a fair amount of height on me, and I looked up at her with a deep frown.

"He's above you, too," I said flatly, "he's literally your boss."

She rolled her eyes, "not like that, you idiot. He's too good for you, a gentleman like him deserves a lady...not a dog who wears rags like that," she motioned to my pants and blouse.

My brows pinched together slightly and I shifted uncomfortably, tugging at my shirt.

Is there something wrong with how I'm dressed...?

"You know, he was courting me before you were ever a thought. I bet your daddy paid him off, didn't he? You're no better than the dirt on the bottom of his shoe," she hissed by my ear, now unnecessarily close to me.

I could smell her cheap floral perfume, and I wanted to gag.

Courting her? Does that mean he wanted her before he ever wanted me...?

Did I interfere with something when I showed up?

Pushing those thoughts away for now, I narrowed my eyes in a glare. I know Alastor doesn't want me mouthing off, but this bitch needs to be put down.

"He also likes women with the ability to hold a mature conversation," I said, "so just from the couple chats we've shared, I can see why he didn't go any further with a whiny cunt like you," I finished sweetly, giving her a smile.

Her mouth fell open and she looked pissed. Her face turned fifty different shades of red as she fumed silently.

If looks could kill, I'd have keeled over six times by now just from the glare she was giving me alone.

Tension was high, and I prepared to kick her ass if she tried anything.

But before anything further could happen, the break room door swung open, revealing Niffty.

"Fawn!" She scurried up to me, smiling wildly. She shot a quick look at Mindy, her eyes narrowing before she took my hand in her own.

"C'mon! I gotta show you something!" She said, beginning to lead me away so fast I barely had time to grab my coffee.

Before I knew it, I was whisked away from the break room, speed walking down the hallway once more.

Niffty led me back to the office, and I looked around.

"So, what did you wanna show me?"

"Oh, nothing. I just noticed you looked uncomfy, so I saved you," she said, tidying things as we passed them.

I was shocked for a second until I smiled down at her, "thanks, Niff. That Mindy really doesn't like me," I chuckled.

She nodded, "I know, but she doesn't really like anyone...well, anyone except Al. But that's different," she said with a shrug, and I pursed my lips.

I thought about asking Niffty about how Alastor was perusing Mindy before me...but I figured I shouldn't talk about him behind his back.

I'll just ask him later tonight.

**

The door shut behind me as I walked into the house after Al. After his afternoon broadcasts, we stayed in town for a bit and walked around.

More people said hi to me, some of them even asking my name and if Al and I were dating.

Alastor said that, no, we were not dating.

That hurt a little bit, not aiding with this gnawing worry in my chest that I've somehow interfered with his love life...like Mindy said I did.

Although, after giving it a moment of thought, it's understandable that he would give that answer.

Things take time, and even though he and I know about our feelings towards one another, he doesn't want others to know just yet.

It's a privacy thing, I'm sure, but also just a result of his underlying trust issues.

He's not like me. He wants to claim me in private, whereas I want to shout out to every woman and man that he is spoken for.

These differences aside, he holds my hand openly, still showing me that affection that I like.

I found myself physically deflating the moment we stepped into the house together. My entire body aching from sitting in that damn chair all day.

And other things.

If this is what Al feels like all the time, I'm surprised he doesn't just strangle people in middle of a busy sidewalk.

"Well, my darling Fawn, how was your day of host training?" Alastor turned to me, throwing his hands onto his hips.

"My entire body hurts," I grumbled.

I'm sure my displeasure showed clearly on my face, and Alastor's eyes softened at the edges as he approached me.

"I know it was tedious, mon faon, but it's necessary. These broadcasts are important to me, and furthermore, you're important to me. I want you to do well just as much as I don't want you to slip up during a live take," he explained, causing me to sigh.

I know he's right.

I wouldn't want to make a complete fool of myself, I'm just not used to it yet. Once I get accustomed to it, it'll get easier.

Or at least, that's what I'm hoping.

"I know..." I grumbled softly, looking up at him as he stalked towards me. Once he was within arms length, he reached out and took my shoulders into his hands.

Gently he rubbed up and down, squeezing me every now and then to massage me.

My emotions were all over the place currently.

I'm happy that I'm here with him, but scared of what may come next. Was this even supposed to happen? Did I somehow screw something up when I confessed to him?

This is all so complicated.

"Come on, let's get upstairs so you can wind down for a bit. I'll make supper in a little while," he offered softly, to which I nodded and let him lead me towards the stairs.

My thoughts tangled around one another as I tried to get Mindy's words out of my head. We made it to Al's room, and he sighed, bringing my attention back to him.

"Alright, little darling, I have to head down to the cellar. I shouldn't be long, just some cleaning," he said, turning towards me.

I cringed slightly at the mention of the basement, but nodded silently. He let out a soft hum at my silence, one step bringing him directly in front of me.

He curled his finger and lifted my chin up, making me look him in the eyes. For a moment, neither of us spoke...he just looked at me.

Admittedly, it made me a bit nervous.

Not scared of him, but just anxious that he was reading my thoughts with this intense stare.

As if he'd be able to understand them if he could.

This went on so long that I was actually about to just apologize to him out of habit, but he finally spoke.

"Does it bother you darling?"

What?

My brows furrowed in confusion and I voiced my confusion, "what?"

"The cellar...does me talking about it bother you? You look bothered..." he said softly, and my nerves unraveled.

He thinks that's what's bothering me...of course, what else would he think it was? He can't read my mind.

I actually chuckled at this thought, closing my eyes and shaking my head as my shoulders bobbed slightly.

"No," I said through my soft laughter, "that's...that's not it, just..." a sigh cut off my words and I opened my eyes back up.

He was looking at me with confusion in his eyes, and narrowed them slightly.

"Are you alright?" He asked me, and I hesitated before I nodded, my eyes falling to the side.

It doesn't matter anyway. This is just something silly, I shouldn't even let her words bother me like this...

But I'm only human. Words hurt whether I want them to or not.

"Fawn."

Upon hearing his stern tone of voice, my eyes snapped back to his. He looked slightly irritated, but not angry, and a little spike of worry shot through my chest.

Shit...

I didn't mean to upset him!

"Yes...?" I answered him, my voice coming out mousy.

He kept his knuckle under my chin, and brushed his thumb across my jaw.

"Please don't lie to me...I don't appreciate it, especially since you know I won't punish you for telling me what's on your mind...I asked because I already knew the answer, now do you want to try again?" He said, tilting his head.

I blew a soft raspberry from my lips, shaking my head slightly, "it's...it's dumb, just something that happened at the studio today, I don't want to bother you with it," I explained reluctantly.

His stern expression lifted, being replaced by something of concern.

"What happened? Did someone touch you? Give me a name and they'll disappear, I don't want—"

"Alastor."

My voice shut him up, and I smiled up at him.

"No, nothing like that...although it still wasn't a pleasant encounter..." I grumbled near the end of my sentence, then sighed and stepped forward, closing the space between us.

My forehead pressed against his sternum and I wrapped my arms around him.

I just need a hug.

The sudden action made him freeze, then the tension left his body as he draped his arms around me.

"Let's talk about it, I want to hear about it..." he said softly, then rested his chin on top of my head.

My fingers traced shapes mindlessly into his back and, after a moment to contemplate, I relented.

"Ok..." I mumbled softly.

He held me like that for a second before I pulled away, a bit of my nerves having faded after that.

Looking up at him I gave him a soft smile, "after you go clean your mess up."

He chuckled at that, touching my cheek and caressing my face slightly before he ruffled out my hair.

"Of course...I'll be back shortly," he said.

Then he slipped away from me, leaving me to sit alone in his room with my thoughts.