This is Hattie Valhalla, or "Medusa".

Don't let the eyepatch fool you...she has deadly aim with that gun of hers.

We'll be seeing more of her later 🤭 this is just a teaser.

Fawn's POV

I watched as Alastor zipped up the small duffle, humming a quiet tune.

He stood up smoothly, throwing the strap over his shoulder before directing his attention towards me.

"Alrighty, my love! This shouldn't take more than a few hours or so, and when I get back, we'll be having fresh venison for dinner!"

I smiled at him from my place on the bed. My legs unfolded from beneath me and I stood up, walking over to him.

"Ok...just remember to be careful," I reminded him, patting down the front of his hunting suit.

He let out a sharp 'HA!' and then bent down to kiss my forehead.

"Darling, I've been hunting since I could walk. From the age I could hold a gun, I was shooting one," he stated, rather proudly.

I giggled softly, "I know. Just promise me you'll be careful, it'll make me feel better," I said, looking up at him with a smile that was just slightly dampened with worry.

Hunting has never been a sport I was fond of. The act of killing animals simply for fun...nah, not for me.

However, Alastor may kill for fun, but he also uses every piece of whatever he kills. Nothing goes to waste with him...

That makes it a little less barbaric, I guess.

His eyes softened and he brushed his gloved fingers over the side of my head, pushing my hair back.

"I promise," he said, a gentle smile on his face.

Silly as it is, those words made a bit of my worry melt away and I perked up.

Getting on my toes, I laid a kiss onto his cheek, "thank you..." I whispered.

He chuckled and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me into his chest, "what kind of a kiss was that, woman," he said playfully before he swiftly pressed his lips against mine.

I squeaked in surprise, then smiled and put my arms over his shoulders.

He dipped me slightly, and I held onto him tighter.

Then we parted, and he shot me a charming smile.

Several more kisses were peppered across my face, making me giggle and try to wriggle out of his hold.

We stood back up straight as he kept kissing my face all over, and I just accepted it.

When he was satisfied with the amount of affection he'd given me, he stood back up straight with a triumphant smile on his face.

A few little giggles escaped my throat and I tried to calm my burning cheeks.

You'd think after living with him and knowing how he is, I'd be used to it...I swear I think he just likes to see my cheeks flush.

He laughed softly and started towards the bedroom door. I followed him, and once we'd gotten downstairs to the front door, he turned to face me once again.

"I'll be back before dinner," he said, gently touching my face. I leaned into the touch, smiling.

"Ok...I'll be here," I said, and he furrowed his eyebrows slightly.

"Y'know dear, you can still come with me...I wouldn't mind having you there, just...to make sure you're alright," he added, to which I rolled my eyes slightly and ushered him towards the door.

"Go, Al...I'll be just fine," I reassured him with a little smile, "besides, I'd be absolutely no help, and I'd probably cry," I tacked on, and he sighed.

"You're right...you're right, dear, just lock the door and do not," he emphasized, turning to face me one last time, taking me by the shoulders, "open it. I have a key, and I can get into the house myself."

I nodded, still smiling.

"Yes, sir," I chirped playfully, and his expression softened.

He bent down to kiss my lips, this time being short and sweet.

"I love you," he said when we parted, finally grabbing his rifle from where he'd placed it beside the front door.

"I love you, too!" I called after him as he left.

His form got smaller and smaller, and I leaned against the doorframe, just watching him until I could no longer see him as he disappeared into the tree line.

My little smile fell, and I sighed.

God, I really hope he's careful...I mean, I know I'm definitely being irrational, but the thought of anything happening to him terrifies me to my core.

That's one reason I'm happy he's kept his promise to chill out with the killing. I know it won't be a forever thing, but it's been a couple weeks and he's done well.

I stepped inside, locking the door and testing it to make sure it locked properly.

Then I turned and faced the living room, putting my hands on my hips as I scanned for anything to occupy myself with...

As if my surroundings had somehow changed drastically within the few seconds I'd been facing away from them.

My gaze landed on his bookshelf, and I lazily made my way over.

Scanning through his many books, I looked at a few before ultimately putting them back when nothing sounded even remotely interesting.

I let out a groan and started trying to think up ideas...hmmmmm...

I guess I could do chores?

Really, that's all there is to do. Without Alastor here, it's lonely and boring.

Which really makes me think......how long had he been all by himself...? I couldn't even imagine...

Just...this. All day...every day. No one around, just himself and his thoughts.

Maybe the day we met...he spared me because deep down he was just...

Lonely.

I shook my head, chuckling to myself as I made my way towards the linen closet.

How silly...I know that's ridiculous to even consider, knowing him.

But it's still a sad thought that it was just him and this big empty house for years before I came along.

Opening the closet, I began humming the same tune Alastor had been earlier, grabbing a couple of his shirts that needed mending.

Along with that, I gathered the small sewing kit that he owned.

Once I had my supplies, I headed back to the living room and sat on the couch. After setting everything down, I reached over and flicked on the radio.

A song I didn't recognize was playing, and I sat and listened for a second.

Hm...maybe I'll have to ask Al what the name of it is later, it's not too bad. I'm sure he knows.

I shrugged and picked up my sewing needle, threading it.

With that, I got to work on these clothes. I'm sure Al will appreciate me knocking this out while he was out hunting for us.

**

Bored.

I'm so bored.

Checking the time, I saw Al has only been gone for two hours...two long, boring hours.

My finger tapped against the arm of the sofa as I combed my brain for ideas.

I can't go outside...if I went out, and Al came home and saw me out, he'd undoubtedly get mad.

I don't necessarily feel like getting scolded.

Hopefully once he realizes the entire world doesn't want to kill me, he'll chill out...but for right now he's on edge about the very earth itself swallowing me whole.

Glancing towards the kitchen, I tilted my head.

I wonder...maybe there are some more recipes I could follow tucked away in that drawer.

My interest piqued, and I got up to travel into the other room, curiously opening the drawer that Al keeps his mother's jambalaya recipe in.

Last time, I hadn't really looked...but it seems, this is where he keeps all of his recipes.

Most of them are written in his handwriting, some of them are from newspapers.

Digging though the papers, I was looking for one that could be useful and also easy.

Then my eyes widened and I perked up when I found one for bread.

Bread!

That's useful, and easy!

I used to make bread all the time with mama, and she used to tell me I was the best dough kneader she'd ever seen.

Now, whether that was true or not is up for debate...but it made me feel special, and that's why she said it.

Looking over the ingredients, I made sure we had everything I needed before I started. Alastor keeps things pretty stocked around the kitchen, so it wasn't a surprise when he had what I needed and then some.

Gathering everything together, I began to sing. The tune was one Al frequently plays on the radio, and the first thing that came to mind.

Which is odd...you'd think I'd sing something I grew up listening to.

But, as time passes here...I find myself drifting further and further away from what my reality used to be.

Old memories seem like a dream...like they didn't ever really happen. I find myself remembering things back home...and sometimes, I remember them as if they happened in this time period.

Even though I know for a fact they did not.

I barely even recall the songs I used to like. Sometimes they'll play in my head for a brief moment before they're gone.

Something that I was once so familiar with, now so far away...the thought of ever reaching it again seeming as irrational as me being blasted back in time to begin with.

The ingredients came together nicely, forming into a nice little ball of dough.

I sighed softly as I used my palms to knead the sticky ball, thinking about Al...

I wonder what he's up to right about now.

Probably killing some poor buck...minding its own business...

The thought began to dampen my mood, so I quickly thought of something else.

Oh! How about the fact that when he gets home, I get a hug and a kiss!

Yes...that's a better thought.

My smile returned and I thought more about how when my man gets home I'll get all the love and attention I could ever desire.

With each time I rolled and pressed the dough, the ball became smoother and smoother. Until finally, it was nice and round, bouncing back when I pressed my fingers into it.

I smiled, satisfied with the result.

Gently I transferred the ball into the baking pan, and then went to the oven to turn the gas on so it would preheat.

Now the dough needs to proof...

I looked down at myself, seeing that I had forgotten an apron and I was now covered in flour.

And it looks like I need a shower.

Swiping my hands together, I turned away from my masterpiece to head upstairs.

Showering without Al is going to be weird, but...I'll manage.

It's but a small price to pay for the reward of freshly baked bread.