This song makes me feel some typ'a way. They put crack in their music I swear to god.

The lyrics? Ugh...just...*chef's kiss*

Fawn's POV

When I woke up, I felt like I'd been hit by a semi.

I had to blink a couple times before I could get the room to actually focus, and when it did I realized my head hurt just barely.

Slowly I pushed myself up, bringing one hand up to rub my eyes.

"Nnm...babe?" I croaked, then cleared my throat after hearing how terrible my voice sounds.

My hand mindlessly felt around the bed, searching for Alastor, only to be met with empty sheets.

"Al?" I called out tiredly, searching the room with my eyes.

It took my brain a few seconds to register the sound of the shower running, and I looked towards the bathroom. The light was on, and I could hear faint music spilling out through the slightly cracked door.

Oh...duh.

Throwing the covers off myself, I slunk out of bed. My body ached slightly, and I winced, stretching out my back.

"Did I sleep funny last night or something...?" I muttered to myself, rubbing my back with both hands as I walked towards the bathroom.

As usual I began to peel off my nightclothes, laying them in a pile by the door with his. While I was doing that, I caught a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror.

It was slightly fogged with steam, but even through that I could see the dark circles under my eyes.

"What the hell..." I murmured, leaning in closer to take a better look. My brows furrowed and I shrugged, sighing softly.

I guess stress will do that to ya...

Alastor must've heard me talk to myself, because next thing I know his voice pipes up from a few feet away, "darling, what are you doing?"

"Shit!" I jumped, spinning to face a wet-haired, slightly confused Alastor peeking out of the shower at me.

Although, the confusion melded with amusement at my quick fright.

He snickered and I scrunched my nose, mocking his laughter while I approached the shower with my arms crossed.

"Haha, so funny," I mocked, climbing into the small space.

He hummed, "it very much was...and I suppose that's extra payback for the time previously when you gave me a fright."

I lightly punched his shoulder, "we already got even on that," I reminded him with a scolding glare.

He narrowed his eyes on me, a smug grin on his face as he bent down to be more eye level with me.

We made intense eye contact for probably 20 seconds before I couldn't hold it anymore and I blinked rapidly to moisten my poor eyeballs.

"I swear you cheat," I grumbled, and he laughed.

"I just have superior staring abilities, no need to be a sore loser," he taunted and I couldn't help but smile.

Then I sighed, rubbing my eyes again to try and push away the exhaustion. That was followed by a yawn, which was then followed by a tired groan.

"You ok, cher?" Al asked me softly, and I felt his hand slide up my arms and over my shoulders before he massaged me gently.

This pleased my aching muscles greatly, and my eyes rolled shut. I let out a softer, less disgruntled sigh and nodded as I turned around to face him again.

"Yea, just really tired this morning...and my body hurts...I think I may have slept funny," I said, and he hummed in thought, still massaging by my neck and shoulders.

"Perhaps...it could also be stress, I myself feel a bit sluggish, but I went to bed a bit later than you last night...I have a bit of morphine, if you'd like some for the pain," he suggested casually, and I quirked an eyebrow at him.

"...morphine?" I questioned him, wondering if I heard that correctly.

He nodded, "yes, pain medication...you have pain medication where you're from, right?" He joked with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes, "of course we do," I chuckled, "just not morphine, for gods sake...is morphine just like a pharmacy drug that you can pick up without a prescription?"

"Yes, why wouldn't it be?"

I stared up at him blankly, blinking slowly as I processed this.

Then I drew in a deep breath, "okay, Al...just gonna put this out there...morphine is a highly addictive opioid and should only be handled by medical professionals...now with that out of the way, no, I would not like any morphine," I said with a little head shake.

He shrugged, "Alrighty, but I don't have anything else that would be of use for the pain," he replied and I watched his lips as he spoke.

Stepping closer to him, I smiled and wrapped my arms up around his neck before pressing our chests together.

I noticed immediately the blush that covered his face, and felt his hands rest at my hips.

"Yes you do..." I purred, pulling him down slightly to brush our lips together. His grip tightened on my hips and he pulled me forward to connect our bodies completely.

His response to my words was to press his lips against mine, kissing me softly.

He smiled, pulling up slightly to look me in the eyes, "that good enough?" He said quietly, lowering his tone.

I bit my lip, shaking my head as I got on my toes to try and kiss him again, "nope...I think I need a few more..."

Our lips met again, and I slid my hands up into his hair, brushing through the wet strands. His hands occupied themselves with my hips and bottom, squeezing me gently.

I tilted my head to deepen the kiss, but he pulled away before I could.

My brows furrowed and I pouted, trying to bring him back to where I could reach him.

He shook his head, "nuh uh...if you start all that, I'm going to have to finish it, and then we'll be late for work," he reasoned, making me roll my eyes and lean against him dramatically.

"C'mon...let them wait..." I pleaded, looking up at him with my best 'pretty please' eyes.

I watched as he swallowed hard, looking down at me for a second before he looked away and shook his head.

"No...no, I can't be late today," he chuckled, "I have already missed too much work recently, darling, we've got to start being on time..."

I blew a raspberry from my lips, laying my forehead against his chest disappointedly.

He was quiet for a second, all I could hear was the sound of the shower and his heartbeat.

Then he sighed, running his fingers through my hair and down my back, "how about...a compromise?"

My interest piqued and I looked up at him curiously. He smirked and gently turned me around to be facing away from him.

My confusion only continued, at least, until I felt his hands on me after a second.

They were now covered in soap, sliding along my body easily. His chest met my back, and he started kissing my neck and shoulder.

My lips parted and a blush slowly rose to my face. His hands continued roaming my body, gently rubbing soap into my skin.

All the while he was leaving his mark on my neck.

I couldn't stop the gasp that left my throat when his hands slid up to my chest and he began to massage both of my breasts.

My legs immediately felt weak, and I actually moaned softly. The feeling was so nice, a little better than usual...strange.

He stopped kissing my neck to bring his lips closer to my ear, and then he whispered, "how's that, baby...all better, or are you still angry with me?"

"Alastor..." I moaned his name in response, a pitiful attempt to let him know I'm far from angry with what he's doing.

He hummed low, still by my ear. The noise rumbled through his chest, and he laid a kiss on the shell of my ear.

"Don't moan my name like that or I may never go to work again..." he said, still speaking in that same sultry tone.

I chuckled, "now that doesn't sound too bad..." I mused, tilting my head back to see him better. He smiled at me, then brushed his thumbs over my nipples, making me bite my lip to quickly suppress another moan.

"Bastard," I hissed at him, but couldn't contain my smile.

He shot me a charming smile before continuing the gentle attentions to my body.

"That's my name, sweetheart, don't wear it out."

**

When we got to the office, I wasn't necessarily expecting a full on mourning service for Lilly or anything.

But, come on people...you couldn't even act a little sad over what happened?

Everyone was going about their business per usual, laughing and conversing...and while I understand the world still turns and such, I mean...it was Lilly.

She filled their coffee, and sorted their files.

She knew them all by name, and asked them about their day or their morning. She smiled and had a fantastic attitude despite her position and living situation.

The least they could do was be sad that she's gone.

But I guess that's just it, isn't it...I'm slowly coming to terms with the fact that this world isn't very kind to women. They're second class citizens in a world run by old white men.

It's sick.

It was sick when I learned it in history class, and it's even sicker being a literal breathing part of it.

A soft sigh departed from me as Al and I entered his office. Once the door was shut, he turned to me with furrowed brows.

"Everything alright, dear? Still feeling unwell?"

I shook my head, "no...well yes, but that's not it...I just...Lilian was a wonderful worker and it's just...like she was never even here..." I mumbled slightly.

Alastor was quiet. Then he sighed, and I looked up at him.

"I know...I know, it's difficult for me, too...I'd known Lilian for a while, I gave her the job she had...she was a sweet girl..."

My eyes softened as his smile slowly fell, and so did his eyes.

"I'll miss her...and give them time, they'll miss her too...but it might take a second for them to realize it."

His words soaked in, and I stepped forward and took his hand with a soft smile, "you're right...now let's get some work done...er...you can get some work done. I'm going to go talk to Niffty," I giggled sheepishly, and he rolled his eyes playfully.

"Ah, yes, the equality of it all," he scoffed, chuckling as he trudged over to his desk.

I went the opposite direction, heading over towards the door that leads deeper into the office towards the recording room.

Niffty is normally back here with Tom before she comes to Al's office, so I figured I'd meet her halfway.

Humming quietly, I looked around me as I walked. The walls were littered with awards and certifications...then, as I passed the recording booth I actually stopped to take a good look at the plaques and framed awards on the wall around the door.

"Woah..." I breathed quietly, my eyebrows raising as I read them all.

Every single one of them was for Alastor...

I knew he was good but I didn't know he was this popular...

Really, I'd never stopped to think about it...to me he's always just been himself...not famous, not powerful...just Alastor.

"He's quite impressive...isn't he?"

I jumped at the sound of another voice, spinning to face Mindy.

"Uh..." I glanced to the side, "yea, he is...I'd just never noticed them all before, so..." my voice trailed off, and I looked down the hall, contemplating just walking off.

She scoffed, approaching slowly. Her eyes were trained on the wall, and she hummed, "I've been here the day he got every single one of them..." she said quietly.

Her arm came forward and she rested her fingers against the wall right next to a shiny plaque, and I watched her curiously.

She looks sad.

"Hey, uh..." I cleared my throat slightly, "y-you...ok?"

Those icy blue eyes flicked over to me, and the soft frown on her face lifted slightly.

She sighed, "I think I'm getting there...come on, I'll tell you more about his history here in the break room, if you'd like?"

My eyes lit up slightly, and I smiled and went to accept her offer, but paused.

Why the hell is she being so nice to me...?

My gaze narrowed in skepticism, and she'd already begun walking off to the door down the hall.

Quickly I debated with myself whether or not I should follow...

I mean, on one hand, what if she's just luring me away to do something unspeakably mean to me, and then we'll have a "Carrie" situation...

Or, she could be trying to make amends.

This brief battle with myself made me bite my lip nervously, and I glanced around one last time.

No Niffty this time to bail me out...and Al is busy...

Ah, fuck it.

"Sure," I replied with a smile, beginning to follow her towards the break room.

"I'd love that."