Gilded Cage - Plutoascending91 - Hazbin Hotel (Cartoon) [Archive of Our Own] (2024)

Chapter 1

Chapter Text

Aurora knew how they got here and it was all her fault- she’d made a deal with a demon. She gingerly wiped a tear away and plastered on a fake smile for her little girl. The 4 year old was healthy as a horse now. Alastor had kept his promise, now it was time for her to pay the debt, albeit she didn’t realize it was right now. She assumed, which was her problem, that the reasonable time to cash in on his side of the deal was after her death. Maybe her ex-husband was right, she did sometimes rush into things when she was desperate- but it was their daughter! The sweet little girl that was blissfully unaware of the fact they were now in Hell.

Aurora sat with her daughter, Emma, in a room perfect for a tiny princess. They were on a plush pink carpet with a tiny white table. Alastor had made sure they would “Want for nothing, Darling!” his transatlantic accent thick in her mind. And Emma certainly wouldn’t. The little girl was adorned in a puffy pink dress, satin looking play gloves, a tiara that suspiciously didn’t even fall no matter what her little girl did. They were having a tea party, with a small porcelain tea set. It was adorned in flowers and fairies. Eerily similar to the one she had back home. Aurora bit her lip when Emma looked away to insist that both her and her mama “the queen '' needed jewelry and ‘maket up!’ as Emma cutely always added ‘t’s to any word that had a ‘k’ in it.

She mused to herself as Alastor upon making the room up for her with his magic, commented something very typical of a man in his time. The room when he brought them there was blue, light blue everything. He had explained his mistake and with a snap of his finger it turned pink. Aurora wanted to say “Make it pink!” but Sleeping Beauty from Disney was well past his time. He didn’t even realize her very name made this situation slightly ironic. “You know, it's funny how time changes things my dears! Blue used to be a girl’s color and pink a boy’s! Now it's been switched!” he chuckled, twirling the little girl with her wrapped around his index finger. The magic in and of itself was something the curly haired woman was trying not to dwell on since it made her head and heart hurt for various reasons.

Aurora had wanted to defend herself. When Emma was little, the woman and her then husband tried to be neutral about things, offering all colors to their daughter, offering her “boy” things and “girl” things, but the little girl watched Beauty and the Beast one time and it was done for. She wanted princess EVERYTHING. She breached out to superheroes but only Heroines, such as Spider Gwen, Ladybug and Ms Marvel. But she sighed, resigned, there was no use explaining herself to someone who just wanted to dote on a little girl who was happy to be doted on.

As her daughter cheered victoriously upon finding the little girl's makeup kit, Aurora lost herself in memory.

This morning started normal, Aurora had her makeup on, in her business attire to go to work. Emma trailing at the slowest kid speed behind her, unicorn stuffy in hand and drinking from her Disney princess themed water bottle. Slung on her back, stuffed with all the spare things needed for preschool, was her plush pink princess cat backpack. She proudly wore her Spider Gwen dress with pink and blue sneakers that had hearts adorning the bottom. Said hearts would light up as she walked, making a light show on the walls as they went to leave. Aurora’s hands were full, her coat on one elbow, her purse slung over one shoulder, her daughter’s coat on the other arm. Lunch boxes for both of them in her left hand and the car keys in the right. She struggled to open the door only to be greeted by Him. Clad in various reds and accented with black, like an old timey movie. He grinned, casually acting as though he’d not been adjusting his bowtie and dusting his lapels.

Aurora had been frozen. Her eyes wide in horror at the over 6 foot something demon grinned down at her. Emma smiled up at him and waved, shyly clinging onto her mother’s dress pants. Aurora loved 1930s to 1940s style clothing, so she was dressed with a high waisted navy pants that flare out above her heels and a collared structured black shirt tucked into said pants. Despite the dread rising in her throat and the fear coiling in her stomach, she couldn’t panic her daughter. Parents have to remain calm or it makes the situation worse. “Good Morning, Sir.” Aurora almost choked out but she managed to make it sound smooth.

“Good Morning Dear!” He practically shouted, making Emma shyer and hiding behind her mother now. “Why is this little darling, Miss Emma?” He actually crouched down to be less intimidating for the girl. Though he was still a force to be reckoned with, his smile was politely dangerous. “Don’t you remember me from the hospital?” He took a carefully folded piece of paper out of his crimson pinstripe pocket and presented it to her. On the paper were childishly good drawings of three people, one very obviously Emma with the pink dress and crown. Her mother is in a pink dress as well but taller with long curly brown hair and an even taller man with red clothes.

Aurora was trying to steady her breathing. The beeping of the monitors at the hospital from 6 months ago became the only noise in her head. Memories of countless nights she and her ex husband spent in the hospital room. They switched turns sleeping with her in the bed when they could and the stiffish recliner and pull-out couch bed in that room. Her child, the babe she nursed and cuddled and grew in her body for 9 long months, was so tiny in the hospital bed, weak, sickly pale, and hooked up to monitors. Emma’s delighted squeal broke her invasive memory trip as she ran to Alastor in a bone crushing hug. “Mister Alastor!” He picked her up and gave her a hug back with a delighted chuckle that was echoed by a studio audience cooing and awing.

“Yes, uh, Mister Alastor, how can we help you this morning?” Aurora asks, softly chiding Emma for playing with Alastor’s bowtie. She didn’t want the demon to hurt Emma, even though that would go against their deal. But she wouldn’t put it past a demon to break a deal.

“Can’t blame the little darling for having good taste!” he boops the little girl’s nose with a softer smile. Emma is giggling and snuggling into the crook of his neck. “I am here to cash in on our deal.” With one hand he’s holding Emma and the other is out for Aurora to take.

“Now?” Aurora drops all her stuff, “What do you mean? You told me you don’t even like kids, wouldn’t it make more sense to cash in when I die?” She reaches for her daughter and Alastor grabs her hand and twirls her as if they were dancing. He brings her into him and laughs heartily.

“I don’t like children, generally, but this little darling has thawed my cold dead heart!” he smirks now, his face much too close for comfort. He sighs theatrically and leans his head atop Emma who is smiling up at him. “You know my mother always wanted me to marry a good Dame and give her some grandchildren.” he spins Aurora back out and she almost trips over her purse and their lunch boxes but she catches herself at the last minute. Alastor grabs her hand again before she can rip it away and kisses her knuckles. “I could wait, but I figured what the hell!” He brought her back up and the room got darker despite the sunshine coming in through the door behind his looming figure. “After all, I saved your daughter's life in exchange for you to become my wife.” The room illuminated again in a burst and he went back to being jovial, “Go pack your bags darlings, its time to go!”

“Go where!?” Emma asked, her little brows raised and her little body wiggling in excitement.

“To your new home!” Alastor shouted, he kissed Aurora’s hand again and released her with a small shooing motion. “You and your mama will be coming home with me, and I will have a fresh batch of Jambalaya for dinner!” He gently set the little girl down. He dutifully brushed her dress down and tucked her hair back into places.

In typical child fashion, Emma reached for his hand and once receiving it, pulled him along. “Can we bringed my bed? It's a tall bed, mommy bought it for me, when I was a baby.” as if she wasn’t barely above a toddler at this point. For Alastor’s part he listened attentively to her ramblings, occasionally answering calmly.

Following them closely, her nerves shot as this demon just casually held her tiny daughter’s hand, absentmindedly corrected her daughter, “Emma, honey, past tense is not needed for that, it’s just ‘can we bring my bed?’” She was suddenly struck with embarrassment as Alastor laughed with a laugh track echoing behind his booming voice. What made the woman’s brows frown was the fact her daughter was so accepting and taken with Alastor. They had only had 2 maybe 3 interactions at the hospital before Aurora found out who the mystery helper at the hospital was. Her daughter normally didn’t even like strange men, and barely liked the ones in their family outside of her dad and grandpa, Aurora’s father. But not Alastor, she proudly presented him with her tea pot, florals and fairies and he immediately sat cross legged on the carpet and took the tiny cup and saucer with grandiose gratitude.

He animatedly began gossiping about someone named Susan. Emma giggled profusely and tried to play along but was confused and just winged it. A tap on her shoulder from her position in her daughter's room's doorway startled her. The shadow was Alastor in features but almost all shadow. He gestured to her room across the hall from Emma’s. “Ugh, Susan would say something like that, she’s such a bore!” Alastor commented for Emma before shooting a pointed glance at Aurora.

The woman swallowed thickly, hands in fists to her sides, but nonetheless found her suitcase and started filling it with various items. “Alastor, pray tell, how long will we be staying with you?” she tried sounding polite but the whine gave away her distraught.

He called from the other room, “Indefinitely, darling!”

The tears pricked her eyes as she shoved her favorite things into the suitcase, keepsakes, some of Emma’s baby clothes. Toiletries. Her chest was heaving in quiet sobs, why did she do this? She had been so careful in negotiations with him, but she didn’t tell him that it should wait until after she died? Her stomach dropped and bile rose in the back of her throat as the tears spilled down her cheeks. She harshly wiped them away and finished packing what she could. Mourning the loss of her material goods and her home and ultimately some of her freedom. She pulled out a carry-on suitcase and began to stuff it with her hooks, needles , yarn, fabric; she even tried fitting her sewing machine into it. Much to her chagrin and his amusem*nt, it didn’t fit. He was leaning casually on her door frame, his shadow reattached.

“My dear,” he starts. She refuses to look at him, simply putting the sewing machine down. “I will simply send what you want and need to the house.”

Aurora took one deep breath, willing herself not to cry anymore, “Oh, uh Thank you Mister Alastor.” she screams when he materializes in front of her, amusem*nt dancing in his red eyes.

He tsks and offers a handkerchief from his breast pocket, a stylish A on the corner, in bright blood red on black fabric. “There, there dear.” he rubbed her shoulder as she politely took his handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. “As discussed, you and your darling daughter are under my protection and I will provide you with everything you need, you both will want for nothing, Darling~” he walks around her and gestures enthusiastically, “What kind of gentleman would I be if I didn’t!” He suddenly has a cane- a cane with a one eyed microphone. “Remember, your part of the bargain is to help me live out that fantasy I never got to experience in life.” he patted her head, then with delight dancing in his eyes he took one curl, straightened it and then released it and gave off an amused static sounding chuckle.

“I keep my promises, Sir,” she said after a sniffle and hands it back to him, he refolds it and stuffs it back in his pocket. “But, 6 months? You are really cashing this in now?” she leans in conspiratorially, he leans in as well, in her eyes is a mild hope of talking him out of this, “What is 20 some odd more years, once she’s moved out you won’t have to deal with a child.”

“I know what you’re doing.” he said in a sing-songy voice and wags his index finger at her as if scolding her. He leans away and winks at her. Her blood boils for a second. “Darling, that’s part of the fantasy, having a loving wife and daughter to greet you when you come home- my peers wanted that ideal so much-” he smacks his cheeks and there’s almost a comical squeak as he does, “And I am so bored, after 100 some odd years, it's time for something new!”

“I’ve told you before, I am not very entertaining, just so you remember what you’re getting into.” she scoffs and points to the half made crochet blanket, "I am 33 and I have granny hobbies.” He snaps his fingers and suddenly her crafting supplies, sewing machine and select items are transported to the aether? The void? Space? She wasn’t sure but she knew there was no talking him out of this.

“A woman who makes things with her own hands, who can have pride in her work?” he shakes his head, his smile is still stuck there but dare she say it seemed more genuine? “Why wouldn’t that be something to be proud of.” he puts his elbow and leans on an imaginary something, “Modern people don’t take pride in their lives, homes or ideas- something that my generation kept up- but I blame that on a certain generation.” he rolls his eyes.

"Boomers?”

“Ugh, Boomers.”

She giggled and his ears twitched, he opened his mouth, ready to delight her again with more jokes when he felt a tug on his jacket. She could tell he tensed, his smile twitched, along with his ear and eye. She readied to lunge forward to take the hit for her daughter, should he react but it never came. He schooled his features back to calm and raised his arm to look down at Emma. “Is your favorite color red? Mine is Pinkt.”

“Red is my favorite color, and pink is just a lighter shade of red!” he crouched down once again and her heart had the audacity to flutter at how he became so attentive to her, even making himself, albeit not by much, shorter for her. “So, my dear, we have excellent taste!” She pointed at his monocle.

“Do your eyes need help like my mommy does?”

“No, but also yes, I don’t wear them as much as your mama, but I like to make small letters look bigger.”

Aurora self consciously pushed her large wire glasses up her nose a little, but smiled at the scene. The demon almost seemed normal. Emma sits on one of his thighs and wraps her arms around his neck, “Thank you Mister Alastor!” he’s taken back, his smile still there but small and his hands up in the air embrace her back. Aurora arches a brow, just as confused as Alastor.

“You're welcome,but whatever for?”

“You said you were gonna take care of mommy, she needs it, she’s so sad all the time, my daddy and her are not married anymore, and now I have two da-.”

“Uh, Emma, sweetie, we don’t need to reveal all of mommy’s secrets in one breath.” She cut her daughter off, unsure of how Alastor would react to being called “daddy”.

“Oh no, Emma, do tell me more!” he said in another sing-songy voice. Aurora met his teasing look with a dirty glare. With both of them blindfolded in a ‘game’ as Alastor played it off to Emma as they were teleported to Alastor’s home. The outside looked like a dilapidated hunter’s cabin. When he escorted them inside, Emma in his arms and Aurora on his other one, everything was plush, posh and stylish.

He motioned to a room, it was neat and organized. Standing up against a wall was a plush chaise lounge, a matching deep green ottoman, floral wallpaper and ceiling to floor shelving, her already owned craft supplies arranged in the open spaces with room for plenty more. There were woven baskets with plush blankets in them, and display shelves for her keepsakes she took with her. There was even child sized furniture to accompany it. He grinned a bit too proudly when Aurora turned to say something, so she stubbornly didn’t. Only muttering a ‘thank you’ before offering to take Emma which the demon refused, nuzzling the little girl and gesturing forward.

Then to Emma’s room that had some stuff brought here and others seemed to be new. “Now, we can collect more of your things, later, I need to attend an Overlord meeting, and buy some supplies.” He gingerly places Emma on a canopied bed. He ruffled her hair and she giggled. He holds his arm out for Aurora who takes it easily. She walked into the kitchen, “Now, if you need to bake or cook anything, the pantry is stocked and if I don’t have something you need then you simply say out loud, ‘Oh my Darling Husband, please give me ___'' then say whatever you need.” He took her hand and kissed it chastely. “I should be home in 5 or 6 hours, depending on the meeting, really, and if I manage to see another deal opportunity, I expect a loving wife and daughter to greet me !” he booped the woman’s nose. Aurora smiled, although not big or happy. It was taking all her willpower not to cry, not to scream and not to shake like a leaf. Alastor is turning to leave spouting on about something but then she saw the kitchen in its glory.

A delighted squeal rips from her throat. Alastor pauses, mid sentence hung in the air and turns with a bemused smile that turns into a closed mouth soft smile. “Oh my goodness! Is this an actual Magic Chef 700 Series!?''Aurora's hands go from her cheeks to the gas stove. It's red in color with decorative geometric shapes on the oven doors. “With an artile and finish!?” she gasped and fiddled with the handles, listening to the same ‘tick tick tick flumph!’ noise that her own modern gas stove at home made.

“Yes, it is!” He walks over to her and runs a gloved finger across the surface. His chest is puffed out with pride and he gives the floor a satisfying click with his cane. “I admit it, I did like this much better than the wood burning one I had.” he sighs, his eyes are far off in another time, “It made daily cooking much easier, but I still have the wood burning one, I can always bring it out if that is something my little wife would want to see?”

Aurora eyes are sparkling, no more fear clouding them and making them look dull. Her smile open mouthed and large, she practically bouncing. “You have one? I always wanted to have one, learn how to use it!” then her sparkle fades, he almost misses it now. Her shoulders go back down, her fingers hold each other and fidget in front of her outfit. Her smile drops into a neutral line. Oh, he hated that. Despite his ever present smile, his brows quirk and his eye twitches at the site. She offers a half assed smile, “I shouldn’t keep you from your meeting, have a good day, Mister Alastor, we’ll see you later.” she tenses as a finger tips her chin up.

“Smile, darling, you know you’re never fully dressed without one!” he says, then walks away humming the tune of said song. She follows him, with some distance between them. She waits patiently at the door. “Now, do not open this door for anything or anyone. The house is perfectly safe, but one can never be too cautious!” he snaps his fingers, a gesture she often did herself when she’d remembered something. “Oh, I almost forgot, how silly of me!” he snaps the fingers and a brush of cool then warm air flits over Aurora. She is briefly surrounded by clouds of pink and black until they vanish. She gasps and looks down and instead of her pants and dress shirt, she’s in a structured but flattering 1931 wrap dress with defined waist and collar.
A wolf whistle cuts through the air from his microphone.

He admonishes it and flicks it scoldingly. “We are gentlemen, there will be none of that!”

Her cheeks have the audacity to blush. She clears her throat and steps closer to him, his grin widens. “Have a good day at work.”

“See you soon!” and with that he was gone.

Aurora tuned back into her present time when Emma pulled particularly hard on her hair. “Oh, ouch Emma, be gentle with mommy’s head.”

“Sorry mommy, but you need a crown!” the 4 year old explained. Oh that’s what just scraped the woman’s scalp. She touched the plastic crown on her head. It squeezed her skull, but anything for the little girl. She felt the sticky of the child's lip gloss on her lips and even on the skin surrounding it. She dared to glance in the mirror at the decent job her daughter did on the make up. Sure the eye shadow did go a little onto her temples, but the kid wasn’t doing half bad. Although Aurora was not fond of the fact bright orange had been picked for the eye shadow and the blush went down her cheeks instead of across.

“You’ve been practicing, I see how well you’re doing!” The mother coos to her. The little girl's eyes are bright, she grins and they hug. She pats the little girl on the back, she eyes the time and realizes it’s been 5 hours since Alastor left. “I am gonna get the kitchen cleaned up and start on something, can we clean our room up, put the make up away and then we will clean our faces?” There is a pout but a resigned nod from the 4 year old.

Aurora cleaned up her make up best she could in the bathroom just across the way from Emma’s room. That was strange, she swore she packed all her facial care stuff. Why hadn’t he teleported that? She grimaced as she washed her face with hand soap, just enough to lessen the blush and she cleaned up the eye shadow, not wanting to break the tiny girl’s heart. And fixed the lip gloss. It had been odd to find that when Alastor had changed her dress, he’d simultaneously got rid of her makeup too.
She walked back into the room with Emma still playing and a half cleaned room. “Nah, uh, missy, put the toys away completely!”

With a stuffy in hand, she sighed dramatically, “But mommy, I don’t remember where this stuff went!”

Fair, Aurora thought. “This is a new house huh? We still don’t know all the rules and where things go?” Emma nodded sagely. The mother laughs and helps her put the toys away, making an effort to emphasize that this should be remembered for next time. In true, practiced mom fashion, several wet wipes are used to erase the absolutely caked on various shades of eyeshadow, blush and lip gloss. Why the girl insisted on using every shade on every part, the woman would never know. With protest, the girl was re-adnored in just one sparkly pink eye shadow shade and one shade of clear lip gloss to tiny lips.

“I love being like you, wearing maket up, just like you.” The little girl spoke her truth with all her chest and it warmed the woman’s heart.

“Awww, sweetheart, as much as I love hearing that, you don’t have to be just like me,” she cups the girl’s cheek. “Remember, its always your choice, you choose who you are!”

With a big eager nod she announced, “I am a princess!” She does a wobbly curtsey and climbs onto her bed and resumes her stuffie play. Aurora takes her leave with a playful bow and goes to the kitchen. He had been right, everything was well stocked. The old fashioned icebox and fridge kept things well cool and it all matched the black and red aesthetics well. She cleans and dries the dishes from the fruit, salad and sandwiches that the two of them shared. She’s musing at the half eaten cherry tomato, the leaves of the salad all gone with the carrots but not the red cabbage. Typical little Emma. That’s when she hears a knock he father used to give. “Shave and a haircut”

With a sad smile, Aurora went to the door and answered it with the ending knock ‘two bits’. She announces down the hall that Alastor is home and he opens the door in time with Emma rounding the corner. He’s got one hand behind his back, and totes by his legs. Her eyes light up at the sight of him. “Alastor!” the little girl shouts and runs to him. The pure delight on this little girl’s face at seeing her new favorite person- well demon- you’d think she won the lottery. Aurora doesn’t miss the shock on his face, despite the constant smile, his eyes seem lost in contemplation as the patter of little mary janes clack on the flooring. His features seem to soften, was he touched? Aurora herself relished in the joy of seeing her daughter’s face light up when she picked her up from preschool after work. How it always made any day sunny to see just how excited the little girl was to see her. There was no better feeling, in Aurora’s opinion.

He takes a knee and opens his free arm to her. “What a delightful greeting!” he gave her a quick hug and stood up to Aurora and stuck his grinning cheek out expectantly.

The woman arched a brow at him, “Welcome home, Alastor, how was your meeting?” she kept her hands behind her back to not wrench her child away from him. Said child is currently hugging his leg and trying to get attention. He impatiently taps his cheek with an impish closed mouth smile. Oh, did he want her to? She blinks owlishly as he taps more insistently at his cheek. He did want her to kiss his cheek. She leaned forward and gave the quickest peck on his cheek. His smile turned saccharin and small.

“Hmmm, I am starting to kind of see the appeal my old co host Jon used to drone on about.” he looks down at the chattering child and boops her nose, “Daisies for my little daisy girl!” He finally reveals a small bouquet of wild daisies that Aurora wonders where in the reddish landscape he got very normal looking flowers. Emma squeals and hugs the bouquet to her chest with a large smile.

“We say thank you when someone gives us a gift,” Aurora reminded her.

“Thank you mister Alastor!” she squealed and ran off with them. Aurora shook her head with a smile and started after her little girl when she saw her world twirl for a minute. She places her hand on his chest to steady herself but then shoots her hand back when she notices. His free hand grabs hers and they’re positioned as if about to waltz. His slightly clawed hand on her mid back and their hands together.

“Did you think me a cad?” he begins dancing with her, one of his tentacles brings bags in and the other closes the door from its opening in the floor where they were just at. Aurora is trying to follow along but she hadn’t danced in years, the last time she had was for her wedding almost 6 years ago. She clings onto him for dear life as he dips her, amused static sounding chuckle. She blinks as she sees a vase on the kitchen island counter that was definitely not there before. Rose pink colored Peonies. He brings her up and gestures to them, “What kind of breadwinner would I be if I didn’t bring the Dish waiting at home for me something?”

Her cheeks have the nerve to blush as she smells them, “They’re lovely, thank you.”

She hears the echoes of her daughter calling her from the room. She excuses herself to go after her daughter, but her wrist is caught gently. “I’ll send a minion, I want to talk to my darling wife.” Aurora shook her head.

“You’re gonna scare her, I am surprised she’s as taken with you as she is.”

A devilishly amused smile cracks on his lips, “I am no fool, dear, I have lots of magic at my disposal and a simple illusion is one of them.” he gestures to a decorative mirror on the wall. She glances over and sees a very human looking Alastor reflected next to her own reflection. He’s got light brown skin, brown eyes, a slight curl to his dark hair. He’s got his monocle on, still in the same suit but he looks entirely too human. His skin is warm not ashen and gray like she sees when she looks back at him. She hates that she’s trembling now, he’s keeping an on going illusion on for her daughter, without seeming like he’s breaking a sweat. “I was quite the looker during life, wouldn’t you say?” Both he and his reflection have the same co*cky smirk with a flash of teeth, the only difference is the human one has normal blunt teeth and the other is yellow and sharp.

“Oh my goodness,” she’s backing away from him and she's shaking her head. All her self hatred coming full circle mentally. She puts a hand through her hair and starts to pant, its hitting her even harder now. Not only did she make a deal with a demon, but a powerful one. Any fantasy novel taught her that using something constantly was a drain and here he was, using a spell every second in their presence, and summoning minions. “I- I-” the tears are dripping without her consent, he’s advancing every step she takes, a wicked smile on his face as a small minion is summoned behind him and it walks down the hall at the beck and call of the 4 year old’s panicked little voice. Her maternal instincts kicking in, how she wants to run to her child’s aid despite knowing she’s fine. He coos as he wipes the tears from her cheeks.

“Tender little thing.” He croons to her, cupping her face. “Do you regret our deal now?”

Her tear stained eyes hardened, “No, you saved my daughter’s life, I regret nothing I did for her.” His eyes widen in delight and he croons at her again.

“My Darling, I love when you look like you’re about to punch me.” he laughs, as does his studio audience. “One minute, my little wife is trembling like a leaf and then next minute she’s ready to swing at me to protect her child.” he seems wistful, “Like a mother does for her child.”

“Do not get between a mother and her child.” She’s not sure why she says it, the hardened stare up at him, her hands as fists by her hips.

“My mother did many things for me,” he said and twirls one of her curls around his finger, “I know how strong a mother’s love is, I know the lengths a mother goes for her child.” his red eyes are far away and his smile fond.

“Then,” Aurora said, glancing at his finger twirling her curl and then releasing to do it again. “Why are you stopping me from tending to her?”

“Because mothers deserve breaks.” he boops her on the nose and she blinks rapidly. She pushes herself away from him and up against the kitchen sink to get away from him. She is about to dart to the side but both his hands go to either side of her hip and grip the counter her butt is currently squished on. “Don’t run from a predator dear, it makes you seem like prey.” She’s beat red from getting caught and he’s chuckling, relishing in her bashfulness. He’s so entertained.

“I will take a break when she’s down for bed.” Aurora says, she gently pushes on his shoulder and she wonders if he will resist but he doesn’t and steps aside, his cane reappearing. “I should start her dinner.”

“Her dinner?” He questions, following her over to the pantry.

“Jambalaya is great, but her stomach won’t be able to handle it, she needs to keep healing, she got so used to plain, flavorless food at the hospital, if you cook her something spicy, she’s gonna puke.” Aurora explains, gesturing with her words. “Now, I am more than happy to eat your Jambalaya, but I will need to make her mac n cheese.”

“Ugh, don’t tell me, that Craft stuff, the processed, flavorless-...” he’s cut off by her giggles.

“You sound like my grandpa.”

He clears his throat, “Oh, Darling, please don’t compare me to your grandpa- that’s not how I want you to see me, Doll.” there is a tap of his cane. His studio audience goes “ooooo” as if it's some scandalous secret.

“I’m not,” she rolls her eyes, “I make her homemade, baked mac n cheese, I just need noodles.” She bends over and starts rummaging through.

A dog whistle again, but it's cut off mid way, “Knock that off, she’s a lady.” he scolded his microphone. Once the elbow macaroni, bread crumbs, block of cheddar with a shredder, flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, milk, and butter are all on the counter. She searched for an apron, being followed by the demon’s eyes. He’s humming, with an apron hooked onto his index finger for her. Its crimson and has black words that says, “Oh Deer!” she giggles at the apron and thanks him.

“We got kinda caught up with things, should I take your coat?” Aurora asked, thinking about all the old timey movies she used to watch with her dad on Saturday nights when they didn’t want to watch Star trek Next Gen or StarWars for the nth time. She was a woman of her word, so she needed to act the wife part that he would have expected from his time.

He shook his head, “Actually,” he’s saying as a shadow is whispering in his ear. “I may have to go back out, something is happening in my territory.” he snarls, his claws tapping impatiently on the counter. “They will pay for dragging me away from you two.”

Aurora didn’t want to read too deep into an aspect of what he just said. She nodded and asked if he wanted any dinner saved for him. He said no, thanked her and was gone in a flurry of shadows. Emma came out, stuffie in hand and glanced around. “Mommy, where is Mister Alastor?”

“He had to go back out for business honey.”

She begins to whine, that he and her new friend had disappeared and she had no one to play with but as soon as Aurora mentioned homemade mac n cheese, all worries were forgotten. After a full meal, both mom and daughter were in her bed, reading stories. There was their routine, tooth brushed, face washed, bath for tomorrow, little nightgown, books, then cuddles. Emma did insist that all her yawning was not because she was tired, but simply because she had ‘hicups’. Aurora just chuckled and rolled with it, letting the little girl wiggle and giggle and then after probably a good 30 minutes of it, the little girl finally drifted off to sleep.

Aurora, so lost in her daughter’s healthy, tiny face, didn’t see the two glowing red eyes watching her from the doorway. With a caress and kiss on the forehead she managed to untangle herself from her daughter and escape. The child muttered and almost woke up but went back to sleep. As she turns, the woman gasps, but covers her mouth. THere he was, silent and observing them.

“I didn’t mean to startle you my dear.” he offers his arm to her and she takes it. Leaving her daughter to rest soundly white noise machine and night light on. She’s led to the living room, where he gestures for her to sit on a chaise lounges as he pours a whiskey for himself. He offers it to her, gesturing with the bottle and she nods. He sits on the one across from her with a contented sigh and drinks.

“How did it go?” she almost regrets asking.

“The details are not for the fairer means,” he says, another sip and he places it down and loosens his bowtie. “A disrespectful wretch decided to harass one of fairer means, he’s not one of those under my territory so I took care of him, and sent the poor dear on her way.” he snarled through a smile, “Then another group decided they would invade, trying to take some of my bordering lands, so I had to- dispatch them.” he’s purposely hiding details and she’s okay with that.

“I am sorry you had to deal with that.”

“No matter, it comes with the job of Overlord,” he looks at her and chuckles, “You have flour in your hair dear.” he points at the top of his head.

She brushes it away, she asks, “By the way, where did you put my stuff? I want to get ready for bed, but I didn’t see any in the bathroom.”

“Hmmm?” he co*cks a brow at her through his sip and glass of whiskey. “They’re in our bathroom.”

Aurora chokes on her whiskey. and oh boy does it burn in her throat, “I thought I-...”

“Darling, you’re my wife, of course we’re sharing a room.”

Aurora flushed behind her whiskey.

Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Chapter Text

Circa 6 months ago.

Alastor, although a killer, did have standards. He did not intentionally hurt women or children, but he knew his actions did indirectly hurt them from time to time. Women weren’t not on his list of killings, just that they were rare, Overlords that abused their power, etc. After all, they have to match the list. Yes, like every serial killer, he had that code of conduct. And he didn’t want to admit it, but there was one group he actually hated their suffering. Mothers.

They always triggered the memory of his mother.

Which is why, damned it all, he hadn’t meant to teleport into the children’s side of the hospital. He liked visiting hospitals in the human world because they were ripe with desperate souls. He would be so entertained by their suffering, their efforts being in vain. But they were easy pickin’ for deal making. Even though he was indifferent towards rude children, and amused by other children, he also didn’t relish their suffering. Especially if their mother was around.

During the stock market crash of 1929, he did even give some orphans small jobs to do for him around the radio station for some money. He would even try to meet them up to get jobs or set them up to be adopted. Putting them in the right street, at the right time. It was the adults that entertained him during the crash. Pitiful with their dramatics.

He’s incorporeal, wanting to preserve energy, as he briskly walks down the halls. Avoiding the rooms filled with sniffles and just silence. It would seem he came up during night time. The Radio Demon stops dead in his tracks. There is laughing and singing. He peaks into a room.

On the bed is a sickly little girl singing “the 7 days of the week song” with her mother. Her mother, a woman with long curly hair and a smile on as they sing softly together and laugh. Alastor tilts his head. The monitors of whatever new technology beep and blink incessantly. They move into another song, one he knows well. Hot cross buns, then hickory dickery dock. His mother also taught through song. He found himself humming along, marveling about how they were so happy despite the situation.

He snarled and raised his cane to strike as a man holding a toxic green looking bottle in his hand went straight through him. Alastor had forgotten he was basically invisible and ghostly but struck at the back of his knees nonetheless. The Audacity.

“How is my little girl?” the man with unkempt facial hair asked the sickly child.

The little girl in the brightly colored hospital gown smiles big and says she’s good but sleepy. Her mother crawls into bed with her and grabs one of the books from the dresser by the bed. She reads, animated with different voices of the characters. Alastor liked how animated the woman got, and the voices were ridiculous, ridiculously entertaining. The little girl did drift off to sleep. Once she detangled herself from the little girl, placing the book down, she then covered her mouth and a sob wrecked her heaving shoulders.

Alastor reached into his pocket for a handkerchief but remembered he wasn’t solid. The man gave her a hug and tears were in his eyes too. “The doctors say she might have a chance!” He says, “We have to be strong, for Emma.”

She shoves him away, “Don’t you think I know that?” she hisses in a whisper to him. Her eyes harden, Alastor likes the burning determination in them. “Do you know how hard this is? To sing songs and pretend we’re just on vacation?”

“I know, honey, but-...”

“We’re divorced, stop calling me that!”

“Old habits die hard Aurora.”

“Well, Tom, I can tell. Got yourself a Mountain Dew but didn’t bother to get me a coffee or a tea?”

“I wasn’t thinking okay, I am just as worried about Emma as you are!” Tom snapped back.

The tears are rolling down her face, her thumbs pulling her black cardigan sleeves down and her dress, a style Alastor knows well, swishes about her legs. As much as this is entertaining to the demon, he couldn’t sit by while a Ladywasn’t being handled with care. He glanced and saw scrubs on a nurse that walked into a different room. He materialized with tea in a teacup and saucer, dressed in scrubs. His physical face and body like it was as a human, rounded wire frames and all, forgoing his monocle. “Sorry to Interrupt, but I heard such lovely singing, and I thought some tea would help keep the vocal cords warm.” Both humans are startled.

Her eyes, this Aurora, looked like a doe for a minute. She was so sweetly sad, teardrops on her glasses from her eyelashes, red flushes on the tip of her nose and cheeks. He offered the cup to her with gloves hands, a detail he forgot but rolled with. She took the cup with a ‘thank you’ and sipped the warm liquid. The man, Tom, frowned in both mouth and brows.

“Uh, are you from the night staff?” he questions. “You don’t look familiar.”

“I am a-” he rakes his mind, “Volunteer, I try to come once a week, but work keeps me away.” He steps forward and offers his hand, stating, “Alastor, pleasure to be meeting you! Quite a pleasure.” They shake hands firmly and without missing a beat, Alastor wipes his hand on his pants, and turns to introduce himself with more enthusiasm to Aurora. The woman missed this, but the man, Tom, didn’t. Alastor smirked when he caught the man’s offended expression. He made sure to be as touchy as possible. Alastor took her free hand, putting her hand in both his, talking in an enthusiastic but soft voice. “Now, mother, you are doing a wonderful job, yes indeedly!”

She sniffs and looks up at him, teary eyes bright, round and so doey. “Really?”

“I've been telling you that, Aurora!” Tom interjects in the side.

Alastor is too quick however, and with an arm around her again, he’s shifting her away and gesturing for her to sit. Promptly and overtly ignoring Tom. Who is scoffing and folding his arms. “Aurora was it?” he asks pointedly.

“Yes, nice to meet you Mister Alastor.” She takes another sip of the tea and places it gently down on the saucer in her lap. He’s crouched to look her in the eyes.

“Charmed, my dear, truly!” He loves the glares Tom is giving him. The woman is too busy with another small sip of her tea to notice Alastor shift his head over his shoulder and smirk at Tom fuming behind them. Tom was boiling. Yes, this will be fun. Alastor took a guess this divorce wasn’t mutual, even if this disrespecting wretch gave her the decency of allowing it to happen. If that’s how it worked now, Alastor wasn’t sure. His mother couldn’t divorce without his father, but good thing the useless creature -the cur- ran off and left the two of them be.

“Alastor?” Tom says, his voice getting louder despite the resting child, “Do you think you could get a nurse for us? We need new blankets.”

Aurora perks up, “Oh, yes, thank you Tom,” she turns to him with a soft smile, its sad but grateful. “We don’t want to bother you any more Alastor, thank you for the tea again.”

This is his leave, he can leave with his fun and never think about it again. Go find a deal, he can feel it somewhere in his mind there is someone fading in the other wing of the hospital. But his mind kept him there, why did she dress like someone from his time?

He’d heard of historical enthusiasts but never met one when he popped up in “modern” times. Aurora reminded him of Mama, his mother, the way she would read with silly voices and be tender with care. Well, it would also be so fun to keep teasing Tom. The man was so reactive.

“Nonsense my dear, I will fetch them for you!” he said, and mock cringes, “Sorry, I am a bit of a night owl, I forget people are sleeping here.”

Aurora giggles.

His real deer ears flick happily at the sound behind his illusion. They liked the sound even if his brain hadn’t caught up to that fact yet. He looks at the crumpled blankets that Tom had gathered and dumped into his arms. There is a twitch at this sudden moment. Alastor stands and hides his snarl behind a grin when Tom pats him roughly on the back. Alastor would have grabbed him by the throat if not for the witnesses and the thought of losing this fun he was having. “Thanks, pal.” Tom said.

Alastor, unsure of what to do with the old sheets and thin blankets, just dumped them in a closet he found filled with cleaning supplies and closed the door again. He summoned a plush blanket of two for Aurora and then thin lesser quality ones for Tom. They appeared folded in his hand and he whistled to himself for a minute, patiently waiting for time to pass, then walked back in after some minutes passed.

He dumped the thin blankets unceremoniously in Tom’s hand before blocking the view with his broad shoulders and chest from Aurora to see what just happened. He gently handed the blankets to her. She marveled at their softness and thanked him again, taking them and bringing one around her shoulders. “If you,” he emphasized that word, a glance over his shoulder to see Tom red faced, “-need anything else, you let me know.”

“As thankful as we are, I am really tired,” She offers her hand to shake. “Thank you for all of this.” He took her hand and what possessed him, he didn’t know, but he kissed her knuckles chastely. She’s shocked, but a soft smile is there.

“The pleasure was mine, sweetheart, quite the pleasure!” He turns jovially to Tom and waves, “Well good bye, Pal.”

Alastor was sure that would be the last time he saw them.

Present time, Alastor’s living room.

“Darling, you’re my wife, of course we’re sharing a room.”

Aurora flushed behind her whiskey.

“You’re an old fashioned man, and we’re technically not married.” Aurora argues her case now that the whiskey stopped burning her throat. “So I assumed we would be separate.”

The Radio Demon finishes his whiskey, “I suppose we should make it legal and official, I promise I will make you an honest woman.” he chuckles, “Don’t fret.”

She asks for a refill and he obliges, taking a refill himself afterwards. Aurora isn’t much of a drinker, but she wasn’t sure where this demon stood. On the one hand, in all their interactions over those two months, he didn’t ever come on to her. Yet, he demanded in return for his help, her hand in marriage. She didn’t know how to feel about it all. She was relieved but it also gave her anxiety, would he come on to her now that she was his constant captive audience. There were butterflies in her stomach. She was hoping to drown them with the whiskey. Another sip, would he hurt her if she refused?

“You don’t dance, do you?” He asks seemingly out of nowhere.

She blinky dumbly, once her brain registers, she answers, “I learned basic dancing before Tom and I got married, but nothing ever.” she swirled her drink, “I wanted to learn, especially the Charleston,” she smiles, “snake legs, charleston kicks, all the old dances.” She looks him in the eyes and his red eyes are glinting in amusem*nt but delight.

“Well, I would be more than happy to teach you all of those ‘old dances’ seeing as I was there when they were first started.” He’s lounging, one hand propping his head up and the other holding his half drank whiskey in the short glass. He scowls with his eyes and brows, but his smile is still there, “So, Tom,” he says her ex husband’s name with disdain, “Never took you dancing?”

“He wasn’t a dancer,” Aurora shrugged.

“But you wanted to learn, so did he offer to go with you?” Alastor asks.

She looks behind him at all the dark browns, reds and maroon book covers on the tall bookshelf behind him. She just now notices the wireless on the end table by his chaise, its playing soft jazz. “No, he didn’t.”

“Selfish prick.” He said as his studio audience boos with him.

Aurora shakes her head with a laugh, “Yeah, it only took me 10 years to figure that one out.” she shrugs and finishes her whiskey. She finds the polished wooden end table next to her and places her glass on a coaster. She shrugs, “It's not that I believe a partner has to give up everything or constantly do something they don’t enjoy or like, but it would have been nice if he’d taken me seriously and at least met me halfway sometimes.” She meets Alastor;s eyes, “Healthy relationships are about compromise and communication.” she sighs, “Lordy only knows how many games and shows I used to watch for him.”

“You’re right, my dear.” It seemed to be Alastor’s turn to give a heavy sigh. “I wish I could say men in my day were better, but alas, some were like this even then too.” he looks at the last sip left in his glass, “My mother taught me to be a gentleman!” he seemed to be toasting her with a sad smile, his glass raised then back down to his lips.

“She did a good job as far as I can see.”

He makes their glasses vanish, “On a normal night, I would ask if you wanted to start dancing now, but I can see my wife is on the tired side.”

Oh, no. Does that mean they are going to bed.

“Well, don’t let me spoil your fun,” Aurora stands, she begins to walk ahead of him, she peeks down the hall where the bedrooms are and says which one.

“I will show you dear, no need to fret!” He offers his arm to her. She takes it, trying to stop her thoughts. She’s not sure what tonight will bring, she clasping her hands together over his bicep to stop them from shaking. “And I must admit, I am feeling a bit on the tired side myself. “ He gestures into the master bedroom that is catacorner Emma’s room. It has an ensuite bathroom, a dresser with a vanity, a vanity where Aurora spies some of her things, and another dresser all on walls with a large canopy bed, red in color of course, sat in the middle. The vanity was white, an oval mirror at head to waist level. With drawers and a cushioned vanity stool. There is a large, full length stand alone oval mirror just off to the left of a wardrobe. “I am going to put my coat away, you start without me.” he maneuvers her to the vanity.

Aurora inhaled sharply. Then a big inhale. Would it be so bad to sleep with him? He was gentle with her and Emma.She started taking off her jewelry and searched for her facial care products through the wooden drawers. She loved how heavy and pleasant sounding real wooden furniture was.

He comes back in, dress shirt only, discarding his vest and placing it away in the hamper. He’s unbuttoning his silver chrome skull cufflinks and rolling his sleeves up to his elbows. He bends at the waist and places a container or two on the vanity. They’re Ponds cold cream. He stands up, chesty puffed out in pride. “I almost forgot about these, not a lady in my day was ever without her cold cream! ‘It would help her wipe the day off her face’!”he laughs after quoting an old ad, she once saw herself. Alastor begins to play with her hair. Aurora loved when someone close to her played with her hair. She closes her eyes as he’s carding his clawed hand through her hair. He stops only to discard his gloves on his tall dark stained wooden dresser and back to playing with her hair. She took that pause to peek at him in the vanity.

The wolf whistle came to her mind. It was so domestic to see him, bowtie off, vest and jacket off, just his shirt, the sleeve garter almost disappearing due to rolled sleeves. Aurora bit her lips and suppressed a swoon, maybe having sex with the demon wouldn’t be so bad. She excused herself, she never used ponds cold cream but now was her chance. It felt so nice on her skin. She got the day off her face indeed. She sneaks back out to see him already dressed into a night shirt and pants, slippers on and placing his night cap over his ears, smiling as they pop out from the holes in his night cap.

Aurora grabs her pjs with haste and retreats to the bathroom with the door closed. She’s quickly changed and back to the vanity. He’s sitting on the bed facing her vanity, patiently waiting. She’s applying face cream and then the oil for her hair is gently taken by the blackened hand of Alastor. He’s brushing the oil through with his fingers and humming a song she doesn’t recognize. He’s trimpant when done, offering her a silken sleeping cap for her curls. Aurora swallows thickly. “So, let’s- uh be quiet since Emma is so close.”

Alastor blinks owlishly at her. “What now?”

Aurora is beet red. Her hands fisting her nightgown. “Emma is right there, just a room or so away, I don’t want her hearing!” she’s almost not able to get the words out. She’s shutting her eyes tight, can’t bear to look him in the eyes at the moment.

“Hearing, us, ya know.” She cringes with her shoulders.

She’s utterly ridiculous, why is she being so coy? She was a full grown woman who birthed a child! She knows about sex, but she’s feeling so self conscious. It doesn’t help that the handsome demon is still blinking blankly at her despite his small smile and raised eyebrows. Intermission music is even playing from his microphone leaning on the side of the bed with him.

Alastor seems to be in contemplation, “You don’t want her to hear-” his eyes widen, there is a scratching of a record sound, “Oh, oh, you mean.” he clears his throat and it's his turn to blush, “I didn’t realize you thought- oh, ha!” He has a hand on his temple, squishing some stray hair to his cheek from under his sleeping cap. He clears his throat with a nervous chuckle, “I don't want to have sex with you!”

Aurora choked on her spit. She coughed a little and she hated that felt the cold slap of rejection and the sting of that slap burning hot mortification.

“Wow, uh well.” She begins to cover her soft tummy pooch with her arms. “I know I'm not the most beautiful woman in the world and I am not the skinniest but you didn't have to be so blunt about it.” She stands to leave, arms going from hugging herself to her sides. “I will go to sleep in the craftroom- thing.” She's about to leave but he gently takes her wrist. She wants the ground to swallow her whole. What was she thinking!? Of course he didn't want to have sex with a fat cow.

“No, no Cher,” he pleads, smacking his forehead with an apologetic smile. “Ahhh, Mama did always say I was no good at this.” His transatlantic accent is gone and it's replaced with a more southern one. He hangs his head, then guides her to sit on the stool again. His transatlantic accent is back, and the radio static is thick, “One, do not ever talk about yourself like that, Doll. You are a Dish, I don't lie,” he kneels now and then looks up with a lopsided smile. “I- uh….” He clears his throat and rubs his forehead under his bangs and cap. “I don't feel, desire, in that way.”

Aurora blinks, “You've lost me Alastor.” She still wishes the ground would swallow her whole, but she's willing herself to be logical, despite the pit in her stomach, the want to hide.

“Holding your hand is fine with me, dancing, chatting, or cooking is what gives me joy.” He gestures vaguely to nothing. “I've always been this way,” he scratches the back of his head. “I don't need to have sex to express myself.”

Aurora blinks, “Oh, you're an Ace.”

Alastor co*cks his head to the side, “I am pretty great!” his hands go to where his lapels normally would have been, then is laying his head on his arm in her lap, “But what does that have to do with this?” He chuckles good naturedly with furrowed brows, a soft grin and a shake of his head.

Oh, 1930s slang. “Ace” or “Aces” was a term meaning “Great!”. It was her turn to smack her forehead, did they have terms for this back then? “No, Alastor, you're great and all but I meant Asexual.” His eyes are searching hers and she's not sure what. “So, you don't feel any or little sexual desire, but you still like closeness with partners.” She explains and what makes her do this, she's not wanting to think about, but she using her knuckles to gently caress him.

“Are you, whatever it is you said too?” He nuzzles her hand, chin and forearm on her lap.

“I am not, I do have sexual desires.”

“Ah, which is why you assumed we'd be -engaging- in such acts?” He deduces.

“I wouldn't do anything you're not comfortable with -Darling/Alastor.” They say in unison. Then both laugh heartily.

“I am surprised to hear all of this from a Demon.”

“Dear,” he chuckles, “I am a killer, not a monster!” He pulls away with mock offense, a hand on his chest with a teasing smirk.

He gently pats her thigh, gestures to bed. She follows after him, he seemed to be sobering up to, his little sway is gone as well. Noted, 2 drinks and he’s mister affection, a few more drinks and he’s probably a kitten. Aurora felt strange about being okay with the fact he nonchalantly states he’s a killer. There is still fear inside her, she’s a human with self preservation skills, but her logical brain tells her, if he wanted to kill her, he would have already done it. Her gut was telling her, in a tiny voice she was refusing to listen to, that he didn’t want to because there were feelings for her that were blooming. She falls asleep giggling as Alastor is holding her hand and gently telling her jokes.

“Whats a buck’s least favorite bread?”

She shakes her head with a grin, “I don’t know Alastor.” she yawns and her eyes are drifting closed.

“Sour doe!” he’s chuckling with her.

,p>As Aurora drifts off to sleep, Alastor's smile turns soft and unsure. He was never one to question himself but something occurred to him.

Why was it forbidden to bring humans down to hell? Not that it mattered, he could handle it!

Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Chapter Text

Alastor awakes to pitter and patter. Soft pitter- patter. Danger? No, his shadows would have warned him first, he wonders then in his sleep addled mind and assumes its Niffty. She comes twice a week to clean for him, as per their contract. He hopes she has the good sense to come back and meet his new companions not so early in the morning. Then there is a dip in the bed. Alastor grumbles, turning to shoot Niffty a questioning look when instead a mini version of Aurora is on the bed- next to the form of Aurora under the sheets and duvet. He quickly puts his human illusion up and faces her fully.

“Emma? What are you doing?” Aurora’s sleep husky voice fills his ears. He had opened his mouth to ask the same thing, but damn, moms were quick. “Are you okay sweetie?”

“No, I haded a nightmare.” she sniffles with a panicked little voice. “What if there is a monster under my new princess bed?”

Without missing a beat, her mother responds, “I am the scariest thing in this house, if there is a monster, I will scare it off, now go to sleep.” Aurora yawns. Alastor can’t hold it in, he snickers. Aurora turns over to hug Emma and her half lidded eyes glare, searching the dark for the snickering.

“Your mama, is the second scariest thing in this house,” He teases. “I, in fact, am the scariest.”

Emma blinks up at him then gives him the most entertaining impish little smile. She wiggles herself out from her mother’s arms and nestles herself under the sheets with them. Aurora ‘ouches’ as the little girl elbow’s gets her right in the breast. “Kid, you and my rib cage here, ever since you were in my tummy, settle down hun, mommy wants to sleep.” Alastor watches the whole scene with an amused smile and head shake. Well he was awake now.

He watched until the little girl and woman were settled then witnessed as Emma fought sleep valiantly. She wiggles and tossed and turned, much to her mother’s annoyance. “Emma.” Alastor says, “Shall I escort you to bed, dear, I will be sure to check for any monster.” He's trying his hardest not to be in stitches, since they were, in fact, sharing a room with a monster currently.

Emma eagerly nods and holds her arms out. He hums softly and picks her up, bringing himself and her out of bed. Aurora mumbles a ‘thanks’ and pulls the covers up and turns over. The 4 year old is light as a feather to the overlord. He’s carrying her in his arms with ease. She's chattering on, he's not sure what about but it's funny. She is so animated, a trait very much of her mother's, talking about how she “sawed” something. Or even how she was sneaking around the house while he and Aurora slept. Alastor’s shadow shook its head with a smile, no she had been fast asleep.

He indulges the girl, delighted by her fanciful little stories. He sits on her bed with her and makes a show with his cane, in his bed clothes looking under her bed. “Hmmm nothing under here!”

He strides to her wardrobe and throws the doors open. “Hmmmm and nothing here!”

She points at her dresser, “What about behind there!” She's got a cheeky smile on her face.

Alastor knocks the top of his cane on the dresser, “See here, monsters, I insist you leave at once!” She's squealing, unicorn stuffie tight under her elbow from the bed. A full belly laugh at him making shooing motions at nothing. “There, I think that is settled!” He ruffled her hair, “Back to sleep, little darling!”

She nods and settles back in, something he is suspicious she does not do with her mother. Alastor had wanted to get ready with Aurora. Back when he was alive, Jon used to always brag that his wife would put on his tie and jacket and it was such a good feeling to be fussed over. He wondered if it did feel good, or if that was something he wouldn't feel. They had time, so he dressed himself. His routine is only interrupted by the occasional snore or sigh from the woman in his bed. All of which he found adorable.

He's tying his bowtie when a loud sound comes from her purse. She shoots up from her sleep like a vampire from a coffin. “Ohhh, sh*t I'm gonna be late! Ooooo I must not set my 5am alarm again!” Her sleep-addled mind hasn't caught up. He watches, dumbfounded as she stumbles out of bed, snatching the loud annoying phone and silences it. She's fumbling around, “Where is my robe?” She gives a frustrated noise and starts to frantically scan the room, “I don't want to be…late…to…work.” She slows down upon meeting the red eyes of an all too amused Alastor with a half done bowtie.

Alastor is beginning to wonder if she's gonna faint. Or scream, which he hoped not, it was only 6am and he wanted to let Emma sleep so he could selfishly have time with Aurora first. “Holy f*ck, it wasn't a dream!?” she whispers. Then she begins to hyperventilate, “Oh, oh my goodness, it wasn't a dream!” The phone drops from her hand, she's in her sleep cap, nightgown and realizes it. She seems to want to cover herself until memories of last night seem to slowly fill her in.

“Yes Darling, it was not a dream.” He slowly approaches her. Aurora doesn't stop her panting, her hand now going to her head. She rips off the silken sleeping cap and tosses it on the bed. Her curls tumble down like ribbons. He gently takes one of her hands, “Do take some deep breaths my dear, you don't want to wake Emma.”

“My rent is due, I have to pay the water bill,” she clings to his elbows, “My boss is understanding but it only goes so far since I no called, no showed!” Her eyes are manic, looking everywhere for what he didn't know. And neither did she. “My friends, my family-” she gasps, her hands slapping, “Today is Tom's day to have Emma, he's probably at the rental house right now!”

At the mention of her ex husband Alastor grows cold, the room darkens slightly and his eyes glow subtly. “Tom doesn't need to bother anymore.” He stops Aurora’s panicked shifting by gently taking her chin between thumb and index. “I am perfectly capable of taking care of both you and your darling daughter.”

There is a surprised look in both eyes and mouth. Aurora seems to flush but not in a sexual way. “As much as I understand and appreciate, Tom is a good father. He was there from birth with her, changed her diapers, stayed up with me to bottle feed her, changed her, cuddled her. He's a lousy partner but he's a good father. The courts mandated she spend 50% of the time with him weekly.”

Alastor processes this information and shrugs. “I don't obey any court in the land of the living and since you two are under my care and protection, neither should you.”

“Alastor.”

Her voice is gentle but firm. “She will want to see her father.” She starts to tie his bowtie. An act that earns an intense gaze then a soft one accompanied by a small cute smile. He did like her fussing over him, she's straightening and dusting off his lapels.

“Send us back, we make the switch with Tom, let me straighten things out back home.” She’s fluttering her eyes at him. Oh it looks so cute when she does that while dusting off the shoulders of his suit jacket. She's smoothing out and dusting his sleeves, then grabs his gloves and offers it to him.

Alastor hums a loud, “As much as I don't like this, I will make, ha,” he laughs at himself, “Not a deal but a compromise.” he grabs one of her hands and the other goes to her waist, she rests her free hand on his shoulder.
“Which is?”

They start a small box dance in front of their bed. “Every day that we have to drop that little darling off with that cad,” he twirls her, “I get your full undivided attention.” She's back to the little dance. “No excuses, Doll, I want you and I to dance, have a coffee with me.” He steps forward and she almost trips over his nice shoes and lands on his chest. “Whatever my cold dead heart desires.” He's grinning wide, “What do ya say, Doll?”

“What about your job?” She blinks, giggling when he twirls her again.

“Oh, I don't need to be at the Hotel everyday,” Alastor says, ending their dance with a playful dip, “And I don't always need to go walking around my territory, meetings with other Overlords are only about once or twice a month, so I don't need to worry.”

“How do you make money?” Aurora asks, he doesn't let her go, so she feels awkward but remains in their dance position.

“Why dear,” he leans closer, Aurora almost thinks he might kiss her. “I am an Overlord and as such I get paid taxes.” He grins wider, “For my protection, I charge a tax, if you live in my territory, then you have to pay and follow the rules, but I also am duty bound to protect and provide for those under my care.”

Oh. Not like Aurora could argue, even if she had wanted to, she didn't know the rules of Hell but it made sense. “Okay, I agree then.”

“Excellent,” he gives her a little hug in which a cute squeak sounds from their contact. “Now, after some breakfast, let's get her back to Tom” he rolls his eyes. Alastor leaves her to get ready. Which she does quickly, he’s getting flour and eggs among other things out, she helps him out of his coat and into his apron. He's humming a tune she vaguely recognized as well.

Aurora asks if she needs to help him, he shoos her, insisting he can make pancakes by himself. She goes to her daughter’s room to find the child is awake, but playing quietly with her stuffed dolls. “No, sweetie, we cannot go to Target, remember we live in our new home with your new dad.” Aurora cringes at hearing the doll play, she bites her bottom lip and keeps listening. Her daughter’s voice deepened as best a little girl of 4 can, “Yes, Darling, I am your new dad, and we live in my big red house.” her voice changes back to her mommy voice, “We will be happy in our new big red house! Mommy doesn’t have to work anymore sweetie!”

Aurora’s mind is flooded with panic and guilt and worry. Emma was supposed to start kindergarten soon, how was she gonna explain her missing for a few days every week? How was Emma gonna get a normal childhood now that they were here… her heart sank, maybe she needed to give up custody of Emma to Tom. The tears welled in her eyes, her heart now in her foot it sank so low. But Alastor wouldn’t be happy about that- he was kind when he wanted to be, but she knew he could get violent, in fact, he had told her he was a killer. Her gut told her that he wouldn’t be violent with them, he seemed to have a soft spot for those of ‘fairer means’ as he put it. How was she gonna clean this all up on the living side? She would have to end her lease early or pay for a house she couldn’t afford now that she stopped working.

Should she reason with Alastor? Tell him she needed to keep living her life on the human side during the day. But then again, a chance to take it easy? To spend more time with Emma? Now her stomach twisted and churned. This was a constant guilt mothers had, time with their child vs time alone. Work vs homemaker. Not that she could do that after her divorce but even before then. She snaps out of her stupor and clears her throat. “Emma, let's get ready, you need to go see your Daddy today.”

“But, my new princess room will miss me.” Emma states.

“But Daddy is excited to see you!”

The little girl's eyes brighten, “Okay!” She was dressed, hair done in the bathroom, and when they came out, animal shaped pancakes waited for Emma and two fluffy ones waited for Aurora. They had fruit and whipped cream on the side, with milk for the little and coffee for the mother. She asked for cream and sugar that magically appeared next to her in porcelain containers. With his black coffee and newspaper, he put his pancakes down and ate with them. Peeking over his newspaper when Emma would ask him something. He did admit, it got tiresome that she couldn’t take the hint he was reading, but he rolled it off, simply choosing to ignore the girl and finish the article he was reading about Vox. It would appear the annoying tv headed demon was trying a publicity stunt. Then tuned back into her when she asked why he didn’t have any pictures on the wall. Alastor put his coffee down and looked at the walls. He had a hunting trophy or two up, proud of the bucks he’d hunted. But she was right, he didn’t have anything on the walls.

“Emma, different houses have different rules and that’s okay.” Aurora said after finishing her last bite. Emma nodded silently. But there was a glint in her small eyes that Alastor was curious about. “Shall we go? Tom is calling.” Aurora holds up her phone that she’s still shocked has service.

“I suppose we should go see the Cad.” He says.

Aurora shoots him a glare that he almost feels like a schoolboy again. The same glare his mother gave him a few times. Especially mad when he brought a snake home in his pocket.

“What's a cad?” Emma asks with a scrunched nose and furrowed little brows.

“Nothing, Sweetheart, shall we Mistor Alastor?” Aurora stands, taking Emma’s hand as the girl comes to her. He nods and they’re blindfolded again, they appear back in her house. She picks up the discarded lunch boxes and jackets. There is loud knocking on the window, Aurora rushes to open the door. “Sorry Tom, we overslept!” She doesn’t realize Alastor is still there. A threateningly polite grin on his face. Knowing full well Tom sees him in his human form but its nonetheless threatening.

“Well, I am glad I don’t have to work today.” Tom says with a resigned sigh. “Don’t you have to go to work soon?” he asks and then notices Alastor and glares. “Oh, you.”

“Good morning sir!” Alastor comes to stand beside Aurora, his hand on her waist, tucking her to him. He’s about to goad the man on, but Aurora puts a hand on his arm with the cane.

“We’ll talk later Tom.” She says she grabs the cat backpack and hands it to Emma who is excitedly chatting her father’s ear off. “Just, let it go for now, okay?” Tom shrugs with an annoyed sigh.

“Where’s Emma’s water bottle?” Tom asks. They all look around before Emma helpfully points out that its in her old room. If Tom noticed the past tense, he didn’t let it on. Aurora’s sanity is holding on by a thread. She leaves them to fetch the water bottle.

“Alastor was it?”

“Mister Alastor for you Tom.” he doesn’t miss a beat, boredly looking at his hand.

“Okay Albert.”

Alastor licks his teeth for a minute, but grins nonetheless, not showing the purposeful misnaming irritated him. “What can I do for you?”

“What’s your game?” he whispers, his eyes minding what Emma is doing.

“Game, my dear sir, I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

“Aurora is sensitive, our child almost died and you’re swooping in acting like some sort of savior, I swear to go if you hurt her-...”

“Please.” Alastor’s voice in menacing, “You are jealous little man, I have no intention of us growing apart, I will do everything in my power to make sure she’s satisfied, it's what a proper gentleman does with his Lady.” he has a dark smile and narrowed eyes, look of pure condensation after he emphasizes “a proper gentleman’. “Something you obviously couldn’t figure out.” they’re in each other’s faces, Alastor choosing to remain happy in look even if his eyes were glistening in danger intent. Oh he could off this man, it would make their lives easier, but it would hurt and upset Emma and he promised he wouldn’t. So he would behave, so much less fun, but the little irritated contortions of Tom’s face were funny.

“You’re such an asshole.”

“Tom!” Aurora walks in and scolds her ex. Alastor feigns innocence next to the angry human man. “Could we not curse in front of Emma, I know you don’t care for Mister Alastor, but that’s not your choice anymore who I hang out with or what.” There is a waiver in her voice Alastor didn’t like, a tear or two her eyes were valiantly trying not to shed. She shoves the colorful water bottle in the man’s hands, standing between her and Alastor.

Tom sharply exhales and mutter’s a sorry and cheers up for a very confused Emma who is looking between the three adults bickering in the foyer. Tom leaves with a giggling Emma. Aurora locks the door and leans back on it with a sigh before gasping as Alastor’s hand slid around her waist and up her back, his face is in theres there’s a manic look, his pupils radio dials and she’s starting to tremble.

“Say the word and I will blip off the bird.” he says, “It would make our lives much easier, and it would be sooo fun.” he’s kneeling now, his dangerous big eyes staring up at her as he nuzzles into her stomach, “Oh please, nobody makes one of my main gals cry.”

“No,” she barely gets out, “That’s not necessary.”

The room lightens up and his eyes go back to normal. He sighs and leans into her stomach, “As you wish, Darling.” He perks up, making her dizzy with his sudden mood swings and actions. “Now, what other things do we need to clear up?”

“I just need to make a few phone calls.” Should she chance it? He’s already agitated by Tom, would this make him crazy again? “Maybe I should keep working, I need to call my boss, Emma needs to go to school, she can’t be cooped up forever.” Alastor is listening, but he’s looking around the house. He’s particularly interested in all the photos they have on the wall. The child’s artwork mixed with the professional artwork he saw all around. The place was vaguely decorated like a cottage but with all of Emma’s toys and art supplies strewn around. Cozy blankets here and there. Some crocheted by Aurora and some very clearly store bought. “I need to pack all this stuff up.” he chuckled at the sheet ghost art she had on her wall. These sheet ghosts seemed to get up to many things, some in fields of flowers, some visiting the Eiffel tower.

“Darling, you live with me now,” he eyes her, “stop renting, we can discuss school later, that is very important, my mother said so as well, but as for the job, what do you need that I cannot provide?”

“Well, there is the child support I owe Tom since he’s got her on his health insurance and paying 50/50 for her dance lessons and whatever her school needs might be.”

He pinches her cheeks, “And you didn’t think I wouldn’t take care of that?” she blinks at him. She arches her brow. “How else can you do homemaking and be there to be at my beck and call like we compromised?” He goes back to the art and snaps his fingers. The entire house is suddenly in boxes. She yelps as the house is empty abruptly. “Tell your landlord you’re good to go and your boss as well.” he turns to her, his hands on the cane, “If you insist on having a job, I will not stop you, but consider my offer?” he stomps his cane and the boxes disappear in a flurry of green and purple flames.

Aurora calls her landlord and it almost empties her checking account paying the early lease ending fees. While she is calling the utilities companies, she ponders his offer. That one time she was temporarily unemployed she got so many projects done and learned so much. It was so nice to bake, and be silly, this was a tempting offer. What the hell? She’s already made a deal with a devil, she might as well make it to her advantage in some ways. Alastor sneers at the entire conversation between her and her landlord. He mutters something about, back in my day and the future went to hell. He’s bored as she continues calling, so he starts humming and swinging his cane. He taps her on the butt once and she shakes her head at him with a fond smile as she knows he’s just being playful, she’s talking with her boss and he twitches his ears to eavesdrop.

“Yeah, I am quitting.”

“Jesus Aurora, you disappeared yesterday, now it’s just I am done? Ariana and Melanie can take on the load, but couldn’t you give them a week?”

She’s biting her bottom lips and tapping her foot anxiously, “No, I think its best I just come in for my stuff and go, its an opportunity I have and I don’t want to miss it.”

“Very well Rory, I just wish you’d have told me.”

“It was kinda sprung on me, and I am so sorry.”

“Nah, I know this is just a job, we’re all here for the paycheck.” Her boss laughs, “Did you find yourself a sugar daddy or win the lottery?” she glances at Alastor who makes a confused smiling face at the word, “sugar daddy,” she laughs along with her boss,

“Something like that, just give me time to come get my stuff.”

“Yeah, I’ll give ya two days, just don’t forget to come in and say goodbye, huh?”

“Yeah, I won’t.” she clicks the end button and Alastor perks up.

“Shall we, Doll?” He offers his arm to her. She takes it and within a flurry of shadows they’re back in the living room though she now notices her artwork all over the wall as well as the photos of just her and Emma on the walls. “Now, let's go to the parlor, I need to teach you how to dance!”

Alastor is a surprisingly wonderful teacher. He’s patient and he shows her things step by step. They learn the Charleston first. He instructs her to just worry about getting motions down. Right leg swings out in front, then back to center, left leg swings out backwards then back to center. His hands are on her hips to steady her, she practices and then once getting it down, she is shown how to twist her feet to give that bowed look, they do it for a while. She’s laughing at herself and all his terrible dad jokes he’s saying. She learns snake legs, and hey practice it to the songs playing on his wireless.

After a while, she’s catching her breath and he’s lounging on a chaise, “Excellent Darling, we can foxtrott next time!” he gestures for her to sit next to him. She does so and he pushes her slightly away from him. He begins to braid her hair and she’s melting, it was so relaxing.

“What kind of braid are you doing.”

“French one,” he states, he finishes the braid and lets it fall loose at the end.

“Where did you learn that?”

“My mother, she taught me,” he’s soft spoken now, she looks over her shoulder to see him lost in memory. “She told me it would be something to keep my future wife happy, if I knew how to do hair, it also helped me take care of her towards the end. You see,” he gives her a cheeky wink, “My mother had to always have her hair up, it was the fashion of her time even though ladies of my day were starting to wear their hair down now.”

“I’m sorry, that must have been hard, I remember you told me about her- her uh, situation,” Aurora clears her throat and takes his hand, “Is she- down- uh here?”

He shakes his head with a bitter sweet laugh that makes her heart pull and twit painfully, “No, she’s an angel,” he shrugs, “It was a bitter pill to swallow, but I like bitter things anyways.”

“So more cupcakes for me and Emma.” She lightens the mood.

He chuckles, “Yes, please, much too sweet!”

Emma was with her father for three days, so their days were filled with dancing. She learned to foxtrot. Alastor sings to her with the radio as she laughs breathlessly from the physical effort of keeping up with him. She got to eat his jambalaya and she was blown away. He brags about his mother’s recipe, he’s so proud whenever he talks about her. They spend the evenings with a drink in hand, he’s usually Rye or Whiskey, she will switch it up to whatever and he indulges her. They’re usually talking about their likes and dislikes, she finds out about Susan and she’s supportive of him. Susan does sound like an ornery old bitch. Sometimes, his head is in her lap as she strokes his hair. Sometimes her feet on his lap, as she works on whatever project. He entertains her with stories from his boyhood. He was quite the little troublemaker. Their time is broken up only by him running an errand or two or her doing a video chat with Emma that Alastor will refuse to do even though he knows that this technology is not run by Vox.

Emma is back with them and he becomes part of the nighttime routine and his ears twitch happily when Aurora sings. He’ll tease her softly, calling her a songbird, her voice was ‘meant for radio’. He even talks about asking her to be on his Radio Broadcast that he does leave her at home for once a day, to check in on things since he’s got shadows to run it while he’s away.

One of the times he leaves his Doe and Fawn is to visit Rosie. He is picking up yarn for her, but he also wanted to get more intel with his friend and fellow Overlord. “Alastor!” Rosie loudly greets him. “You’ve been missing from my eyes too long!” she dusts off his shoulders and pinches at his cheek. “I thought you were gonna disappear for 7 more years!” she laughs with him.

“Nothing like that at all my Dear!” he offers his arm to her, she takes it as they walk around her emporium. “I have simply been…delightfully distracted!”

She leans in conspiratorially, “Come now Alastor, I do love a good intrigue but don’t you leave me in suspense!” Rosie swats playfully at his bicep.

“Rosie, my dear,” he grins, “Where is the fun in that?”

“Oh, you horrible tease!” Rosie says with a hearty laugh, she moves them towards her backroom, telling her employees that she will be back. Rosie sets the table for them, pouring him a black coffee and pouring herself some tea after the kettle screamed. “Now, I just found out, someone doesn’t have very good control over their territory, just south of us.” Rosie discusses, they were in fact, neighbors, Alastor even split ownership of some of Cannibal Town. “Wanna split more land with me?” she grins wickedly with her sharp teeth. “We can take them out easy peasy!”

“Hmmm, is that Sander’s territory?” Alastor asks, his grin getting wider, “The dog demon?”

“I knew you’d be interested!” Rosie squeals, “He is a dog demon, but he’s too busy chasing skirts to pay attention to his little territory.”

They discuss when and where, and they make plans, and as he’s about to say farewell he remembers, “Ah, Rosie, before I forget, I need yarn.”

“Yarn?” Rosie glances up from her tea cake, “I know you usually want twine for your meats, but yarn isn’t meant for that, it's not gonna be strong enough-...”

“No, my dear, I want yarn, particularly red varieties.” He pulls a slip of paper from his inner pocket. “In Fingering weight, Double knit and Sport weights, whatever that means!” He hands the lady Overlord his paper with Aurora’s hand writing on it. He’s grinning like the cat that ate the canary.

“Alastor,” She gives him a pointed but impish look, “This ain’t your handwriting.” he shrugs, “I won’t lie, I am a bit shocked, but who's the lucky lady?”

“Oh you will adore her, Rosie,” Alastor says, “I am dizzy for this dame.”

“That’s settled! I am meetin’ this lady! She must be the bee’s knee if she’s got you dizzy!” Rosie stands and squishes him in a hug. Alastor is still confused on how the demon is so strong. “No excuses, I am coming over on sunday!” Rosie gets him what

Aurora requested and with bag in hand, he teleports back to her. He watches patiently as Aurora is singing to herself. She pushes some pastry into the oven and shuts it with the swing of her hip. Her dress twirls with her as she does and then she spots him. She’s indignant about him just standing there, amused and with his hands resting on his cane. The Wireless is playing a song he doesn’t recognize. The noise slows down into a softer melody. She smirks, he arches his brow, intrigued.

Her eyes go hooded, “Oh and my love.” She sings with the man on the radio. “Did I mistake you for a sign from god?” he smirks with a silent snicker. Aurora begins to sway her hips in a slower manner, her hands trailing sensually up and down her hips and breasts as she walks closer. “Or just to turn me on!” She slowly takes her apron off. “Because these days, I would be lyin’ if I told you that, I didn’t wish that you could be my man.” She’s changing the lyrics slightly to match their situation.

There is a record scratch from him when she puts the apron over his shoulders and pulls him towards her, she rubs their noses as the beat of the sensual song drops. “Or maybe make a good girl, bad.” She spanks her own butt, Aurora pushes one hand off his cane and he allows her, amuse and feeling strange enraptured by this. She turns in his embrace and grinds her butt against him. She takes one of his gloved hands and runs up and down her breast and hips, “You’ve got my body, flesh and bone!” she picks back up with the song. There is another record scratch and a wolf whistle, with some hooting. The song finishes.

“Are you quite finished my dear?” his hand is now resting on her stomach where she left it, his chin on her shoulder.

“Yes, that’s what you get for sneaking up on me.” she teases. “Did you have a good day?” she pecks his cheek and gets out of his arms to take the bag. He places a hand on her mid back and they go to the door. He places his tote on the chair and lets her help him out of his coat.

“Yes, it was quite productive!” He then handed her the tote, “I picked up the ones you wanted!”

“Thank you!” She looks in and tsks, “They’re all red.” She glares playfully at him.

It's that night, they lay in bed after some slow dancing to Jazz, that he informs her is the proper genre to listen to. She rolls her eyes but shrugs and he sighs as if defeated. He's playing with her hair as she is foolishly forgoing her cap tonight. She’s actually relieved she can be so playful with him. She would dance sexy with her exs and they all would expect sex afterwards. Tom even used to just come on to her if she wore a nightgown instead of baggy t-shirt and shorts. She bought many kinds and he would scoff and scold her for them not being “sexy” enough. But not Alastor. He just rolled with it, he was entertained by it, not fussed. He mentioned how he needed to go hunting tomorrow and Aurora decided it was best not to ask him what he meant by that.
She was just content, it was so lovely to simply be romanced. Its as she’s drifting off to sleep he says

“Oh, I forgot, Rosie is coming over Tomorrow, she will simply adore you two!”

Wait. Whose Rosie? Aurora felt jealousy bubble up in her stomach.

Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Chapter Text

Alastor is called away in the middle of the night, his shadow letting him know that some of Sander’s men were causing havoc on the southern part of his border. Oh, this would be fun! Maybe he could skip his hunt so he didn’t have to leave again! And more reason for him and Rosie to attack the following week. What a delightful line up. Alastor didn’t need sleep, but he enjoyed the down time. Alas he was falling behind on a few things, so some sleepless nights were due. In a flash he’s dressed, a kiss blown to his sleeping wife and in a flurry of shadows he’s in the alleyway between two houses.

He arrives at the border, a hop in his step as he twirls his cane. He plays some upbeat electro-swing and greets the shark demon, the dog demon and the goat one. They’re emptying out various clutches and purses. Coins, cash, lipstick, condoms and many pens were clinking and scattering as they tossed the bags over their shoulders carelessly. He rolled his eyes, one of the clutches was a designer one, the clutch was worth more than the 50 bucks they swiped off the ground. Not only were they petty criminals, but amateurs at best. He whistles, “My, you certainly can tell a lot about someone by the contents of their purse, but something makes me think you all were not aiming for familiarity.”

“f*ck off smiles.” The dog demon barks. Despite his smile, the Radio Demon’s brow twitches.

“What the f*ck are you supposed to be, some mobster?” The goat mocks with the most annoying laugh Alastor had the displeasure of hearing.

Alastor laughs along with them, “No, I read the report on mobsters, they were always so messy with their tommys,” the filter on his voice thickens, his grin goes sinister as does his narrowed eyes, “I always preferred a much more controlled strike,” he swings and the sickening crack of broken bone echoes as he swing his cane hard into the side of the goat demon’s face. “Like my cane.” He’s behind the shark demon in a flash and his knife goes into the mid back, right into a kidney. “Or my trusty knife!”

The shark shrieks in pain, clutching at his back and stumbling to gain composure. The blood splatter from the goats now open head making the shark uneasy on his feet. Alastor struck him at his knees before a quick side step to avoid the raging dog demon that tried to accost him from the behind. Every strike the dog demon attempted, Alastor foiled with a side step, back step, he even did a twirl at one point, the dog demon was foaming at the mouth, growling.

Too easy, Alastor sighed sadly, he had hoped for more of a challenge. The shark demon is back in commission, trying to grapple him but Alastor disappears, causing the two demon thugs to run right into each other. He appears next to them and the force of them running into each other causes blood to splash on his jacket. Alastor tsks, “You curs got blood on my jacket, the missus is going to be furious!”

As they catch up with their dizzy head, Alastor swings his cane and takes out the shark demon. He swings at the dog but misses, the microphone making cracks in the concrete where the dog was. He scowls and then kicks the reposed form of the dog. There is a hurt dog noise that sounds like music to the Radio Demon’s ears. Alastor lays into him, cane and foot, a manic all too pleased grin on his blood splattered face. Once the demons are dead he fixes his hair and talks to his shadow while using his handkerchief to wipe the blood off his face, “That was fun, but I didn’t even get scary, they just didn’t deserve it. Well if I defend the hotel I get to put on a better show!” He adjusts his bowtie and observes all the blood on himself. The shadow shook his head and folded its arms with a scolding look. “Yes, the missus would be quite distraught to see this.”

He snaps his finger and Niffty appears, in a flash he’s in a new set of clothes and his bloody ones are folded up. “Niffty Darling, could you wash these, I don’t think the missus will be happy with me getting blood all over the floor she cleaned.”

“Sir, when do I get to meet her?” Niffty whines and grabs the neatly folded bloody attire. “She’s given your house the womanly touch, I love it!” she squeals, “Maybe she and I can talk about bad boys.”

Alastor chuckles, “Why not just after breakfast? I will summon you, wait until I am there to properly introduce you.” He’s bent at the waist, cane behind him, cleaned off of blood already as Niffty works quickly around him, tidying his missed spots of blood..

Niffty claps her hands rapidly, dropping his suit temporarily as she comes to stand in front of him again from her manic cleaning. “Oh goodie!” She is gone in a flash and Alastor is instructing his smaller minions to redistribute the stolen goods where they belonged. Reminding his minions that it's good to be both feared and loved by underlings. He stares at the designer purse and idly wonders if he should take his Darlings shopping. But that would complicate things, he’d need to extend some power to disguise them. He’d ask when he got home. He teleports to the door, a grin on his face, he opens the door. “Honey, I’m home!”

He’s greeted with a child’s scream, “You’re a bad mommy! I don’t like you!”

SLAM

Muffled angry screaming coming from two rooms.

Alastor stares into the foyer. His main shadow shoots him a questioning look to which he shrugs, eyes wide. “Darlings?” he says aloud.

No answer.

He clears his throat and strides down the hallway. From Emma’s closed door is her ranting in her tiny voice. “I don’t wanna eat eggs, you can’t makte me, meanest mommy ever! I want my new daddy, he will makte me pancakes! Then my daddy, he will let me eat pancakes too!” he can just see her crossed little arms and pout, her ‘k’s always pronounced like ‘t’s making the tantrum all the more entertaining, his chuckle sounds like radio static. He had witnessed one of her tantrums before but Aurora had expertly talked her down from it. Should he try the same? In their almost a month together he learned a thing or two surely?

Their bedroom door opens, and if looks could kill Alastor was not ashamed to admit he would have been dead on the spot. He muses, and mentally comments, ‘maybe my wife is the scariest thing in this house! hoho!’. He didn’t let it show, however, and he reaches for her hand and she tightly crosses her arms. “Ignore her, she just needs to be angry, silence is best, she’s at the age where she’s trying to get a rise out of me.” she scoffs at herself, “And it's working, but I can’t let her know that.” Aurora is saying this all through a clenched jaw, her hair a mess of sleep. Her eyes narrowed at him, “Where were you?”

“Taking care of some business, Dear.” he opens his arms to her, she knows he’s trying to dance with her. She steps out of his range. “Darling, is something the matter?” Oh he hates when she frowns. It made him feel… ungentlemanly. She arches a brow, her anger is radiating and he loves it but its also distracting.

“Business?” She averts her eyes and practically bites out, “Was it so urgent you couldn’t even leave me a note?” she thrusts her finger at the bed. “I wake up and you’re just gone!”

He really is lost, why did that make her so angry. He chuckles, “Dear, I am confused.”

“Typical man!” she scoffs with an eye roll and closes the door in his face. He clears his throat after blinking several times. His shadow is shocked too, they both look at each other and its his shadow’s turn to shrug. What did his mother always say? When someone is angry there is always a deeper reason than the surface one? He raked his memories of his life, his mother explaining things to him while cooking over her stove. She also had a good gumbo recipe, maybe he should make his darlings that. Ah! Food! Mama always did say the fastest way to anyone’s heart is their stomach! Though in his cannibal experience that wasn’t true.

He materializes in their room. She yelps when he’s suddenly beside her, he takes that as his chance and takes her hand. He kisses it, “Dear, can I make you breakfast?”

“You can- you can- you can, just - just- just…” Aurora is so flustered, she inhales deeply.

“Darling, as amusing as this is that my wife has a temper,” his smile is amused but not in a mocking way that she had expected from him. “My mother would come down from heaven and swat me for letting something fester.” he looks at his nails, a smirk, “Besides, communication is key Darling,” His grin is absolutely cheeky and she pouts but then smiles and chuckles despite herself.

How was a scary demon Overlord so dang cute sometimes?

“You have some audacity, mister.” She rolls her eyes and lets him guide her to the bed where he sits and sets her next to him. “How dare you use my own logic against me?” he shrugs, she cups his cheek to pinch it when he gives her a mischievous little smile and wink. She’s still coming down from the high of her anger, breaths calming her. He bumps her with his shoulder, she bumps him back with a smile. She sighs, she observes his cute ears and antlers. “Cards on the table, I was one, worried something happened to you.”

He laughs heartily, “Darling, something happening to me?” he waves her off, “Absurd,” he sees her hurt, “I do appreciate your concern my dear, and I…” he has to say it, he promised a marriage and this was part of it. It pained him, but he swallowed his pride (which felt like swallowing Sisyphus’ boulder), “I am sorry to worry you.”

She sniffled. The tears come without her realizing. He perks up. She hides her face now as he adjusts to look her in the face. “Thank you, I’m sorry, I am not sure what has come over me.” he’s gently taking her hands away. His gloves fingers are wiping them away, though he’s tempted to see how they taste. “Tom never apologized like that, it was always" I'm sorry you feel that way” or “I’m sorry you took it that way”, it was always my fault.”

His voice is thickly static, “What did you say?” His studio audience hisses and boos. his eyes are radio dials for a second before he composes himself. “That cur, pisses me off the more and more you tell me.” his hands are cupping her elbows, he’s bent slightly, “The only reason he remains among the living is because you’re gracious enough to reign me in.” He stands fully.

Aurora goes to check in on Emma. They have a discussion and ends in Emma being upset again, as it is hard for some concepts to come to 4 year olds versus an adult. After a snuggle, Alastor offers to take over, they switch and Alastor sits next to her in front of her Calico Critter set. Aurora leaves to face herself in the mirror.

She got so caught up in Alastor’s sincere apology that she didn’t make her second point, was he with Rosie? As she bathed and washed herself , her treacherous mind made up all these scenarios. Rosie was a bombshell blonde in Victoria Secret wear? Rosie was a black haired Hollywood babe, like Audrey Hepburn? But, Alastor was asexual, surely a seductress would have no sway over him? Right? She mentally asks the mirror in her bathrobe, at her vanity stool with Pond cold cream not fully massaged into her face yet. She tends her curl care routine when she thinks, what if she’s from his time? They would surely have more in common.

Her emotion filled and insecure state, she dresses. Her brown skirt and green button up blouse remind her of her craft room, she might spend some time in there today with Emma. She steels herself, she’s overthinking this. She shouldn’t be jealous, he’s given her no reason to be! She walks in and giggles under her breath, crosses her arms and leans on the door frame.

The big scary Radio Demon, is on his stomach, legs kicking and playing with a small suspiciously similarly attired cat doll. Aurora knew that little black cat doll had been in a blue and brown suit not the red pinstripe suit it was in now. He’s asking Emma, who is playing with the ‘sister’ cat doll and the ‘mommy’ cat doll. “How does one play, ‘The Floor is Lava?’”

Emma explains the rules of the game, “and if you get into the Lava, you are dead! Or explode, or no foot!” Aurora shakes her head amused, that wasn’t exactly what happened but the show on Netflix did make it seem dramatic. And they were learning about chemical reactions at her Preschool, the days she was there when she was with her father.

Aurora leaves them to start coffee; she convinced Alastor a week or so back to let her bring her favorite coffee creamer back with them and dug out her pour over coffee, which he was delighted to see people still used. Once coffee is in hand, she returns to them. They have abandoned the Calico Critters and they’re sitting on her plush rug talking. Emma is cuddled into his lap, and his long legs are criss crossed.

“Then Ladybug throws him over the Eiffel tower!” Emma’s arms go out, Alastor adjusted her, a brush and detangler spray appears in his hands. He’s chuckling, sometimes a devilish smirk comes across when she mentions the cartoon violence. Aurora tries not to think about how this Demon probably has new ideas about how to dispatch other demons. She is just gonna repress that. Oh, this wasn’t healthy was it? Emma, in her innocence, is just recounting her favorite cartoon at the moment, Miraculous. “Can I have Anna braids?” she asks as he's brushing the little girl's hair.

His smile is confused, but there, “Uh, what braids?” he glances at Aurora who mouths, “Two Dutch braids”.

He does it, asking with surprising patience for her to sit still when she gets animated. He's soft with her and Aurora’s heart is hammering in her chest. How dare he be so good with kids. She's twirling her own hair at the sweet scene. Oh no. Was she in love? She can’t dwell on it because he’s asking who Anna is, and Emma is answering, his expression bemused. He eyes Aurora for help and Aurora chuckles and brings up Frozen on her phone.

They are at breakfast, Alastor is drinking his coffee, legs crossed and paper up. Much to Emma’s chagrin, Alastor does in fact make pancakes on the condition that her eggs are eaten first. Defeated, the little girl eats them, pretending it was her idea the whole time. Aurora is playing with Emma, she's walking just two fingers to pretend to steal a blueberry from Emma’s plate. Emma is giggling and putting her little hand out flat to block her. Alastor smirking at their playing from over his paper

“Dad?” Emma asks. Aurora is stunned by how casual Emma is.

“Yes, my little Darling?” He responds without missing a beat. Freezing Aurora in her place again.

“Is this our house too or just yours?”

He's not looking away from the page he just turned to, “This is our home, my Darlings.”

Emma is wide eyed and her bright smile flashes. “Mama! Can we get my titt*es now!?”

The Radio Demon chokes on coffee he just finished drinking while the record scratch sounds in tandem. Aurora snorts in laughter and Alastor, though the smile is strained, his eyes and brows incredulously looking at the little girl. “Your what?”

Emma is mad she's being laughed at, or at least it's how she thinks it is happening. “Emma, we're not laughing at you.” Aurora explains while hugging the little girl. “Alastor, she means her kitties. We're still working on pronouncing our “k''s.``

It's his turn to laugh, Emma is laughing just because she wants to be involved with the two of them laughing. This earns her a hair ruffle from Alastor and another side hug from her mom. “Well, I do like cats.” He goes back to his paper, “Your mama and I will talk about it.”

“Besides, they're safe with your aunt, so we don't need to rush anything.” Aurora reminds her daughter. A shadow materializes next to Alastor. He's nodding along with the whispering.

“Well, duty calls, I am being summoned to the hotel.” He stands and hugs both of them, one in each arm. “I will be back as soon as I can, I am sorry my darlings, I did have the day off.” He puts the hair behind not only Emma’s ear and Aurora’s. “I will be back before Rosie gets here, bare minimum.” And he has the sense to walk out the front door before teleporting.

It was 8am, Rosie would be coming at 2pm for afternoon tea. She spent the day giving Emma her full attention until about 2 hours before this, Rosie was going to arrive. She dressed Emma and told her to have quiet time while she got ready.
She began to make different treats for them all to eat, while she made a quick lunch for herself and Emma. She realized she needed zucchini, so she asked for it outloud like he had said when they first arrived. Nothing happened. She made a face. She asked aloud again.

A note fell onto the island, it read:

You're not saying the right words!

She scoffs and folds her arms. “Really?

A new note in its place.

“Yes :)”

“Oh my goodness, he's really making me say it like that!”

A note dropped once more.

“ c: ”

“What cheek!” She said with hands on her hips. She felt her blush and said aloud “oh my darling husband, can I please get 3 zucchinis.”

She assumes it's gonna take time, so she starts on the sugar cookies, losing her thoughts in the butter, cream cheese and sugar mixing to a fluffy consistency. Was she falling for Alastor? This was always supposed to be a role. She played the doting little wife and he played the part of the doting husband for whatever strange reasoning he had. This enigma of a man, demon, male demon? Male buck demon? What was even the right thing to call him?

When they met up in the hospital before she knew what he truly was, she definitely had a crush on the mysterious, well dressed, jazz loving, 1930s/1920s enthusiast(or so she thought), with his charming looks, winning smile and his humor. But once the truth came out in their deal, he was standoffish, acting as if this was just for fun. She had assumed he'd get bored of her, hence why she made so many negotiations. She had detached emotions. But now she's jealous, at 33, she's acting like a jealous little school girl. And he's so sweet with Emma.

She's mixing the rest of the ingredients for the cookies, her thoughts broken by a paper bag appearing on the counter next to her rising bread dough covered in a floral tea towel. It has a red bow, she smiles despite herself at his gesture. She shreds the squash and finishes up.

She gets most of what she wants baked. Others are waiting their turn, Alastor doesn't like sweets, so his lemon scones are there for him. Between all her efforts, she checks in on Emma, who goes from book, to stuffed animal, to tea set and so on. The occasional “I’m bored” being thrown out when she entered the kitchen to inform her mother of the news breaking information. To which Aurora would respond, “It’s okay to be bored, it helps you learn.”

She gets dressed and tries not to let her thoughts go wild. She sees herself in the mirror she grimaces. Stretch marks. The tiger stripes on her stomach, hips and breasts. The scar from the c section on her lower abdomen. To be fair, she had stretch marks before her pregnancy, she was always curvy. But they were far more pronounced now and she scolds herself.

“The beauty industry is bullsh*t.” She reminds herself. “Marks on your body only mean you've lived. It means you're human.” She's chanting as she's putting her slip on before her dress.

Meanwhile at the hotel.

Niffty is whining, “Sir, I thought I was gonna meet them!”

Alastor chuckles as he writes his note to tease his wife for not asking for something the way he instructed. “Patience dear.” He hears what his wife is asking for, “Niffty, my dear, can you get me 3 zucchinis?” Niffty stabs a bug but responds and takes off.

What his darling wife was going to make with those he was curious about. She made these lemon scones that were the correct amount of tart for him. His clever little wife. He's switching his mic on, “Sinners, my faithful-” he pauses for his laugh track to que, “-listeners, I am happy to report murder is up 7% since the last quarter due to turf battles in Pentagram city, yours truly is part of that equation.” He's smirking dangerously, “here is a clip from my encounter this morning.” He plays the sounds, pained groans and yelps, his antlers grow and he elongates only slightly, “A reminder dear Sinners of what happens when you mess around in my territory.” He chuckles, his form returning as he sets up the next 10 minutes of songs, “Now grab your dame, guy, main squeeze, your whatever and dance to the next few songs!”

He’s reading through the maintenance log, oh the problems were endless. He’d gone through most of the issues. Niffty getting stuck while cleaning being one of them. She appeared with his items and chatted to him for a bit when he sent minions to handle the last bit of odd jobs left on his list. He’s humming a love song to himself, tying a red bow on the wrapped vegetables, when Charlie and Vaggie knock and then just invite themselves in much to the Radio Demon’s irritation. “Do you mind?” he retorts at Charlie’s cheerful greeting.

“No!” Charlie says with a smile. She spots the bow and dashes up to his desk. Her eyes sparkle, “Who is that for!?” She gets giggly, “Do you have a sweetheart?” her hands are clasped and she's hugging herself in delight.

Vaggie scoffs with her arms crossed, slowly making her way from the doorframe. “You think sh*tlord has a life?” Vaggie eyes the bow and rolls her eyes, it wasn’t done horribly, but it wasn’t the best bow. Charlie squeals in delight as her girlfriend fixes the bow on the package and Alastor laughs, keeping his cool, despite his glowing red eyes.

“Rosie.” he lies easily, “She asked me to pick something up, I am sending it to her now.” he yanks the package from the pair and drops it gently into a teleportation circle. He didn’t want it getting out he had a wife- that would endanger his two darlings. It was not that they weren’t trustworthy, just that Charlie had a big mouth. “Now what, pray tell, can I help you ladies with today?”

Vaggie speaks first, Charlie next to her with her mouth a gape. “We want to bring attention to the hotel, we were hoping you would have some ideas.”

“Like a musical!” Charlie piped in. “Or Karaoke!”

“Hun, no.”

“I have somewhere to be very soon,” Alastor eyes the time on the demonic grandfather clock at the back of his office in his Radio Tower. “I will think it over and get back to you Dolls in a few days.”

Vaggie eyes him suspiciously, “You’ve been gone from the Hotel a lot lately, what are you doing?” She’s putting her hands on his desk and peering in at him. The Princess of Hell is putting a hand on her girlfriend’s shoulder.

Alastor's grin widens. Oh how fun to keep them guessing. “You know, I do have a life outside of this hotel, a territory to protect, Overlords to overthrow,” He’s gesturing out and then putting his hand together on his desk. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous I am not at your beck and call?” he mocks with a wicked grin at Vaggie losing her temper.

Charlie looks absolutely nervous, her fingers are fidgeting, “As long as it doesn’t take away from your work here, it's fine!” She and Vaggie glance at each other, a nervous smile on one and a defeated sigh on the other. Alastor is guiding them out of his office, once the two are outside his door, he makes the noise of a locking door extra loud for them.

A mirror appears in front of him, he straightens out his coat, dusts himself off, and fixes his bowtie. His shadow gives him the thumbs up, “Gotta clean myself up for the missus.” he snaps and the mirror disappears.

When he had first gotten home, he was greeted by a frazzled wife. Who absentmindedly took his coat. He stuck his cheek out, patiently waiting for his kiss but deflated when she simply walked away from the coat rack. He shook the red, dark red and pink carnations behind his back. He’d gotten them before coming home. He clears his throat, moving up and down on his dress shoes waiting for her to pay attention to him. She disappeared into the kitchen. She was muttering to herself. He’s about to chase after her when he’s greeted by the excited expression of his littlest darling.

He swoops her up with one hand and rests his head on top of hers as she regales him on all the little misadventures she can fit in one breath. “Mama is making her zucchini bread!” more ramblings. Alastor still has the flowers behind his back as he rounds into the kitchen. She’s prepping things and he’s delighted to see lemon scones on a plate.

He notices Aurora has changed into a blood red dress, Emma is in pink and red, so he uses his magic to change his shirt into a pink one under his maroon vest. He’d grab his coat in a minute, change the handkerchief to pink as well to bring them all together. Alastor honeys his voice up, “Oh Darling Dame.” he rustles the flowers gently behind him, the tissue paper the carnations are wrapped in crinkling softly behind his back. “A token of my gratitude for being the hostess with the mostest!”

Her head snaps up, he’s absolutely boyish. She fixes the stray hairs of her half up/half down hair and acknowledges him. He brings out the bouquet and delights in how her eyes light up. She laughs, in defeat it would seem, and takes them to smell them. “They match us.” she gestures between the three of them. Alastor sticks out his cheek again but she’s too busy filling a vase she’s found with water from the sink. He deflates again.

“Do I get flowers?” Emma asks.

“No, but!” he tosses Emma up, who squeals in delight as she’s caught, “I have this for you!” he twists his hand, balancing the 4 year old on one hip and a pink cupcake with sprinkles appears in his hand, “A sweet treat for my littlest Darling!”

Alastor sets her down and she’s off like a bolt to eat her cupcake at the dining room table. He makes the mistake of singing Rosie’s praises as he offers to help Aurora around the kitchen. He sneaks a scone and she slaps at the back of his hand, he chuckles and bites into the scone. He notices her smile is strained after the next quick story about Rosie. Emma bounds into the kitchen asking for another cupcake. He scolds her playfully and picks her up again, he’s grabbing a tray of sugar cookies to put on the table as Aurora is looking into the oven.

A knock sounds and Alastor answers with Emma on his hip. “Punctual as always, welcome in my dear!”

Aurora’s eyes widened from the kitchen, the table wasn’t set yet and the zucchini bread was still in the oven, she thought she had more time. She takes the apron off and goes to greet the demoness. She’s wiping her sweaty hand on her dress. The big hat matches the big personality. Rosie is just as dramatic and animated as Alastor. “Alastor! Whose this?” She places a decorative box down on an end table in the foyer. “She’s as cute as a button!” The tall woman coos, she has grabby hands at Emma and Aurora bolts next to Alastor to ensure nothing happens to Emma. “I could just eat her up!” Rosie boops the little girl’s nose. Emma is in awe of her hat, reaching up to touch the long feathers in the back. “Don’t worry, I won’t, I promise!” she winks at Aurora who chuckles nervously.

Aurora reaches for Emma, and Rosie hands her over, “Nice to meet you Rosie, Alastor has told me all about you, all good things!”

“Alastor, look at her!” Rosie exclaims and gestures to Aurora, “She is also so sweet, and so polite!” she slaps at Alastor, “You should learn from her, where are you manners and introduce us!” She elbows Aurora whose smile is strained more than stretched taffy.

The Demoness was gorgeous. This is his best friend? Sure she wasn’t the Victoria's Secret bombshell Aurora had thought up, but she dressed only 20 years older in fashion from Alastor and they were both dynamic. Rosie was beautiful, her platinum blonde hair, her dark eyes and hourglass figure.

“Rosie, this is the adorable beyond measure, Miss Emma,” Emma shyly smiled and waved, tucking herself into her mother’s neck. “And this is the sensational, the cat’s pajamas herself, Aurora.” His hand is at Aurora’s waist as he introduces her, “My darlings, meet the most daring, dangerous and darling Overlordthere is, Rosie!” Rosie waves him off with a smile as he introduces her.

“The pleasure is mine.” Aurora nods her head.

Rosie slaps her cheeks and then gives the two of them hugs, “Oh, Alastor told me about you two!” she pinches their cheeks lightly, “And I can see why he’s so distracted, aren’t you two just the cutest, and you, Aurora, so beautiful!”

“Won’t you come in?” Aurora says, her face hot from the compliment, but also trying to stomp down her growing green monster. “Do you take tea, coffee, or water?”

“No!” Rosie has her hands on her hips, the Victorian era dressed demoness has one finger in the air, “I won’t have you waiting on me hand and foot, I came here to meet you.” She turns on her heels, “Alastor can get us drinks!” she winks at Aurora, "I already know all about him, I wanna know about you!" she clasps her hands together.

He nods, “Rosie is right, you have been working for hours,” he is guiding Aurora to sit. He pulls out the chair for her to sit and then goes around to do the same for Rosie. Aurora did admit that her feet in their kitten heels did ache. Emma wiggles out of her mother’s lap and sits in a chair. Rosie is smiling warmly.

“Did you make those blankets over the couches and chairs?” Rosie is pointing at the black to red ombre circular blankets laying over the furniture. Aurora mused about the slowly mixing of decors. Her bought artwork on the walls, pictures of her and Emma now, Emma’s art work proudly displayed on the walls as well.

Aurora answers, “Oh yes, I crocheted them.”

Rosie squeals, “Finally! Someone to stitch and bitch with! You will have to teach me the pattern!”

“You crochet like my mommy?” Emma

“Yes!” Rosie is attentive as well.

Emma tells her about all the things Aurora has made, they talk about sewing and books. Rosie is delighted by Emma. “Oh, I always loved kids!” Her hands under her chin.

“Oh, uh do you have any?” Aurora asks the demoness.

“Hmm, no!” Rosie sighs, “I am much too busy to dedicate the time to them. I'm also a bit selfish with my things! I do love kids. But in an auntie way!” She smiles warmly.

“Aunties are important,” Aurora comments.

“I like your hat!” Emma says. Aurora peeks into a decorative mirror and sure enough Rosie is human looking, her pale cheeks rosie in tint, blonde hair instead of pale. Brown eyes instead of black. Was Alastor doing that illusion too?

“Thank you, beautiful!” She tells Emma. Alastor comes out with a tray, he's brought a teapot, cups, a cup of coffee and a tall glass of milk. Each is given out, Alastor saves Aurora for last. He offers the tea cup and then pulls it out of her way, bending at the waist with his cheek towards her. Aurora stares at him, she arches a brow and he taps his cheek.

“I have yet to get a welcome home kiss.” he comments, he taps it impatiently.

She gave him a kiss. “Are you satisfied?”

“Maybe!” he says ending with his cute little smile.

A timer goes off and Emma follows after Aurora to get the remaining bits out. Alastor takes the seat next to Rosie. “Absolutely darling, aren’t they?” He asks his best friend.

“And then some!” she’s eyeing the kitchen and whispers, “When you asked me to disguise myself I thought it was because they were new to hell, not because they were human.” Rosie’s face frowns, concern written all over it. She whispers, “Alastor, humans aren’t allowed down here.”

“Why?” Alastor asks, “They both seem fine.”

“To be honest,” Rosie is still staring, waiting to see if they are coming back. “I am not sure, but I know its gonna lead to trouble.”

“It’s nothing I can’t handle!” His hands go under his lapel.

“Al,” Rosie scolds, “You’re powerful, I know, but you aren’t top dog- if something happens to you, then what happens to them?”

Alastor is silent, his smile closed, “I just need to be extra clever, what I lack in raw power, I can make up for in cunning.”

Aurora catches his eyes, he brightens his smile for her, but her smile is half assed. She puts a plate down for Rosie, Emma, herself and then slaps the plate down in front of Alastor. Uh oh. Was he in trouble? First no kiss, now she’s making angry body language signals. Rosie is singing her praises, insisting they have to come over to Cannibal Town so she can cook and bake for them. They spend a few hours laughing, chatting, and joking. Alastor keenly observing his darling wife. Dinner is made by Alastor, Rosie sings his praises too and Aurora is bitterly admitting he is a great cook even if she’s mad at him. Since its evening, Alastor and Rosie indulge in adult beverages, while the other two stick with theirs. Rosie decides to leave, hugging Emma and Aurora and then hugging Alastor. “Ya know, I had never heard of zucchini bread until now, but it's so good!” she waves, “Ciao sweeties!”

Emma is washed and put to bed. Aurora mutters about turning in, but his gloved hand gently claps her inner elbow. “Darling.” He waits but she doesn’t respond. He moves to go in front of her and she’s pouting, averting her gaze from him. “My mother taught me many things and one of them is how to spot when a woman is angry.” he coos at her, “You’re not still mad about this morning are you?” He softly pinches her cheeks. She sharply backs out of his grasp. His brows and eyes go up in surprise, he reaches for her again but something taps his shoulder. “What?” he snarls at a shadow.

The shapeless, featureless shadow raises it’s limbs in surrender but whispers in his ears. Aurora crosses her arms and taps her foot impatiently. She’s hesitant because she sees the face journey her husband is making with his eyes and ears. He interrupts the shadow and snatches her hand quickly.

He gives it a kiss, “I am not avoiding this conversation, we will have it when I get back.” he pulls her into him and caresses her cheek. There is an absolutely evil look in his eyes as he says, “Oh, they will pay for taking me away from you.” He's gone in a flurry of shadows and flames. His magic dusts over her like a sweet caress and she ignores the goosebumps it gives her.

Aurora sighs, she drinks iced water and it helps reset her. “What am I doing?” she asks herself once she sits on the green chaise in the crafting room. Emma’s left out art supplies and drawings still on display on the child sized table next to her chaise, she picks the knitting needles back up and works on finishing the first pair of the socks for him. It was multiple shades of red, and made a lovely chaotic pattern he would like. Stupid Alastor. Being all sweet with his communication and his words. He was bad at expressing his feelings and didn’t seem to fully catch on to the whys, but he was mature enough to know there needed to be a discussion and f*ck her it was so sexy.

She doesn’t know how long she’s lost in her craft, the soothing jazz that she’s suspicious Alastor put on her wireless on purpose seeing as its all love songs. Especially when the volume turns up by itself when “Ain’t Misbehavin” plays on the radio.

“No one to talk with,
All by myself,
No one to walk with,
But I'm happy on the shelf
Ain't misbehavin',
I'm savin' my love for you”

She smiles warmly at the wireless and chuckles, going back to what she was doing. Time passes again without her acknowledgement. She realizes towards the last few rows, she messed up a stitch and dropped one too many. She throws her head back with a frustrated groan. “f*ck me…”

“Don’t mind if I do!” Alastor snickers. She’s surprised, not only by the sudden voice but his response.

smirks at him and rolls her eyes. He’s suddenly next to her on the chaise, he has mead for her and whiskey for himself. “I thought you didn’t want to have sex with me.”

“That night a month ago, no.” his eyes are a mystery and his smile is mischievous. “I am not a priest my dear.” he’s walking his fingers up her shin, she’s got her legs straight out, back on the high part of the chaise, he’s sitting on the edge. “Do not misunderstand, just because I don’t need sex to express myself to you, doesn’t mean I won’t ever do that.” she feels her face heat, not only from the playful motions by her ankles and lower leg, but from his intense gaze. He leans in an absolutely sultry expression on his face, “My body is fully functional and perfectly capable,” his eyes wander down to her lips and then back up. Aurora could swoon.

Aurora is ashamed of herself for assuming he’d be celibate, she was ( an ally/part of the community- readers choice), she’d just never been with someone asexual before and was so scared to offend or push that she forgot to just ask questions and communicate. “You’re right, I am sorry, I didn’t mean to assume, this is new for me.”

“No offense taken, this is new for me too.” He whispers the second part before clearing his throat. “We work this out together, then hmm?” damn his charming smile. He’s twirling her curls around his finger.

“Of course,” Aurora puts her hand hesitantly on his thigh.

“Now, why is my dear wife mad at me?” he takes a drink and leans back on her legs and the wall. He eyes the sock she’s almost done knitting in her lap and softens but doesn’t bring attention to it.

“What are you and Rosie?”

“Very good friends.”

Aurora huffs, her jealousy is gone but it seems to be rising again without her permission, “You guys are awful chummy.”

“Well dear,” he’s chuckling, “We’re chums.”

“Then why don’t you marry her, then.” Aurora doesn’t like that she’s being laughed at.

“I would have done so already, if I really wanted to.” he’s serious.

Aurora huffs, he’s got her there. “I don’t know, I just, she’s so beautiful.”

“Yes, she is.” he takes a drink.

“And she’s making you laugh.”

He downs his drink, shifting uncomfortably. “Yes, but so do you.” he summons himself another drink. Aurora briefly notes this would be his 6th glass now since dinner.

“She’s a demon, I am sure she kills too, even if she’s super kind and polite, you two seem like a match made in hell. Dynamic, dramatic, matching wit and humor, she's a badass.”

“You’re jealous of Rosie?” he chuckles, “Dear, there is no reason.”

“Did you meet up with her this morning?” Aurora knows she’s not making any sense, but she’s just so unsure of herself, her future, what this man is actually doing. If he even has actual feelings for her “Am I gonna be like those housewives that find out their husband is cheating.” he downs his whiskey, and laughs nervously.

“Dear,” he swallows, “Darling, you’re so cute when you’re jealous!” he boops her nose. She swats at him but he’s too quick. His eyes are hiding something. She was gonna get it out. “I wouldn’t dream of cheating on my perfect wife.” he cooed at her again, it felt mocking, “So put that green little monster away!”

“You didn’t answer my question.” she’s glaring now. He straightens up.

“I was killing if you must know, I would have gone on a hunt, but that this morning was enough to satisfy me, there were thugs in my territory, harassing my people.” he sighs, a hand going over his face, missing his monocle, “I didn’t and I will not ever cheat on you, Rosie is friend.” His body and mind are warm and fuzzy. “Cards on the table?”

“Cards on the table please.”

He downs his glass and leans his forehead on hers and closes his eyes.”Rosie is aces, but as kind as she is, she’s sharp and vicious and cruel. I like that about her, but when I-...” he’s hesitating. She’s trying not to breath, what was this? Was he trying to be sincere? “Hell is a dark, cold, cruel, violent and chaotic place and I love it.” he’s gesturing wildly, now away from her, his eyes bright and amused but glazing over from the effects of the alcohol. He sighs and looks at her with a heart melting expression, “But I want soft, steady, light and wholesomeness too.” he takes her hand and kisses it with direct eye contact. He gently pushes the project onto an end table, “You provide that for me and in return,” he's saying it softly, walking up her body, hands on either side of her hips and then waist. Her breath hitches, “I give you anything your sweet little heart desires within my power.” He's rubbing noses with her and she's trying to control her breathing.

He drops to her neck and inhales before nuzzling, “You always smell so good.” he sighs and his breath on her neck makes her screw her eyes shut. Warmth shooting to her core from the sensation of him resting his nose on the crook of her neck. His arms are snaking around her waist, she gasps softly, taken by surprise. She hugs him back, rubbing small circles on his shoulder blades.

“Thank you, Alastor for- ”

“Call me Al.” He all but whines, his voice small and pouty even if he was smiling sweetly. “I hate when you call me Alastor or mister Alastor.” He pulls his head up, his ears were back and practically flat. oh he was drunk. There is a little bob to his head as he carefully aims to brush their noses together again. “You're my lovely lady~ you're my wonderful wifeeee~.” He's softly singing a nonsensical little song, to his own tune. He giggles.

“Okay, Al.” She pushes his bangs back to the side and caresses his cheek and he leans into it. Happy sigh as he drops his head to her breasts. She starts a little, her face hot from feeling him on her breasts. “Thank you Al, I'm sorry I was acting so immature, I guess I just might have a small crush on you.” Aurora confesses.

That causes him to peek up, that damn cute little smile, pink tinted cheeks. “You have a crush on me?”

She smiles with a nod, she's combing the back of his head with her fingers.

His face is flushed more, he drops his head back down. “Wow, I'm a lucky cat!” He is hugging her tighter. She's surprised his southern accent is back, no radio filter or transatlantic accent.

“Al.”

“Yes, Darling?” The transatlantic voice is back.

“You should get your coat off.” She says and giggles when he wobbles upright.

“My, my, my!” Alastor puts a silly voice on, his studio audience is hooting and whistling. A stereotypical strip tease song plays from his cane he set next to them. “Does my little lady want a show?” He stands, uneasy on his feet. He slowly, but sloppily, starts running his hands down the lapels of his jacket and unbuttons the top one. “We should take this slow, but if the lady wishes!” He's missed the second button twice.

“AL!” Aurora is laughing, holding her stomach. “Stop it!” She pokes his hip with her barefoot. “I wanted to make you more comfortable.” She brings her feet over the edge to stand but he holds an unsteady hand up in protest.

“I was!” He's dramatic, but he takes his coat off and puts it over her cushioned chair. He undoes his bowtie. She doesn't want to admit but his ruffled hair, flushed cheeks, he's so handsome. This wasn't a typical strip tease, but it was hot nonetheless. He's in his vest, he pushes up his sleeves, the sleeve garter moving around with it.

“Al, you're drunk, do you want me to get you water?” Her tone is light and amused, there is delight shining in her eyes.

“But I ammm drinking water!” He snorts before he even says the joke, “Giggle water, ahahhaha!” He sways.

“I'm getting you water.” She rolls her eyes and shakes her head playfully.

“No!” He waves her off and disappears.

She notices its not too late still, so she moves back to a blanket she was crocheting. She would give this one to Rosie. Now that her emotions were set straight, she realized she had enjoyed her time with Rosie and wanted to become friends. He's reappeared sitting next to her, his shirt unbuttoned at the top and vest off. He's tugging on her project, gently. She's resisting a smile, eyebrow arched, she asks, “Yes, Al?”

“Pay attention to me!”

“No.” She teases.

He gasps, a hand to his forehead. “Madame, you wound me!” He’s tugging on her ankles and she squeals as he pulls her feet into his lap. “Pay attention to meeee!” He wiggles himself between her legs and she's covering her face with the half done project. He tucks himself under the blanket to be face to face with her. Their world seems so peaceful, the two of them under gentle shades of reds enclosing them in their own little bubble.

Their low voices are sweet caresses, they're talking about the food they ate, about his day at the hotel, and what they needed to do with Tom tomorrow. She's carding her fingers through the back of his hair, watching the red to black hairs filter through her fingers. Her other hand is massaging his neck, he makes pleased little hums until those turn into soft snores.

She sighs contently. He fell asleep.

Bonus Scene: Alastor is called away from Aurora.

He’s surrounded by dog demons. “You killed my brother, I heard his screams on your sh*tty broadcast!” One of them barks and growls. Alastor’s unnaturally wide and sinister grin unnerves them.

“Yes, did you enjoy my show?” The Radio Demon offers his hand to shake, “It's always nice to meet a fan!”

“We’re gonna f*cking end you!”

“Oh no,” He begins to elongate, his antlers on full display, “I am going to end you, the missus is probably angrier I left before I knew why she was even mad!” one of the thugs off to the side perked up. The radio demon and his opponents are crouching to lunge at each other.

“You know, when my wife is mad and I don’t know why I reflect on what happened beforehand!” The dalmatian looking dog demon said. Alastor paused his lurch and held a finger up to him.

“Hold that thought!” Alastor tells him. His large tentacles come up to grab the dalmatian demon and put him in the air next to him, as the rest of the appendages grab the other more aggressive demons and throw them around the alleyway. Alastor grows large enough to pick up and eat one of the demons, it screams as he falls into the chasm. Alastor shrinks down and then looks to the dalmatian. “So you were saying?” he uses his cane to smack an advancing demon, “Ha! Right in the smacker!”

“W-w-well, I think about the situation,” the dalmatian’s eyes are up to the red sky, “When did she start acting mad and what was I doing when that happened?” there is a sickening crunch of bone and a pained cry. “But the best solution is to ask why!”

“I did, but if-” another crack and death rattle, “- you’re just going to ask, why are you reflecting?” The radio demon asks. He catches the arm of a demon who is swinging a club at him and kicks him square in the chest and the momentum rips his arm clean off. He looks up at the safe Dalmatian demon.

“Well in marriage, it takes two to tango,” he explains, eyes still up as another agonized scream is literally swallowed by the Radio Demon, “We got to reflect on our actions to see how the other person might have interpreted them, and acknowledge our mistakes to grow.” he gulps after he feels blood splattered on him. The scene is bloody when the dalmatian looks down, there is pieces of his friends. “Can I go home now, I kinda miss the missus, do you think you and yours will be able to come to an understanding now?”

Alastor is dusting himself off and shoots him a sidelong glance, “Well, no one can find out about my dame.” He raises a tentacle to the dalmatian demon’s head and it sharpens to a point. “A quick merciful kill.”

“I won’t say anything, I promise!” he begs. “In return, you can have my soul and always come to me for advice, I've been married to the same gal for 50 years down here, I have lots of experience and mistakes you can learn from.”

Alastor hums and then he glows green. “So it’s a deal!”

P.S. everytime I say cute little smile, he's doing this

Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Chapter Text

They wake to a cute voice. “Why are you two sleeping in the traft room?”

Her neck hurts, she feels the drool on her chin, and goes to wipe it off but her hand is tangled in something. A soft murmur comes from her chest, Alastor. That's right, they fell asleep. They are a tangle of limbs, she peeks up to see his socked feet hanging over the end of the chaise. “Hi baby.” She yawns, she pats Alastor on the back and pushes herself up a little to jostle him. “Mister Alastor and I fell asleep while having a cuddle.”

He pinches her softly on the hip. “Don't call me that.” He teases, sleepy voice almost sounding like his drunk one. He's crawling off her, rubbing his back as he sits up and greets the little girl who is laughing at them with a scrunched nose.

“Can I have cereal?”

“Ugh, that processed sugary nonesense?” Alastor's ears go back, “Darling no, I will make you oatmeal.” He groans as he stretches and hears pleasant pops of his bones.

“Oh! With cinnamon?” She asks, three stuffed animals clutched in her arms. Witnessing how Alastor is assisting her mother up, watching her mother stretch. She's in her princess belle nightgown, bare feet pitter patting on the floor as she rushes them both for a hug. “Thank you!”

“You're welcome petite.” He says in a normal voice but swings back into his transatlantic accent as he looks at the cat clock hanging on the wall. “But let's hurry darlings, we overslept.”

“Is it an old daddy day?” Emma asks.

“Emma sweetie, that is not a good way to say that.” Aurora crouched to be eye level with the little girl.

“I didn't think it was that bad.” Alastor teases by her ear after crouching with her. She elbows him playfully.

“Emma,” she corrects, sending a scolding glare at the radio demon who is feigning innocence. “We can call daddy, daddy and Alastor can be dad, okay?” She squeaks a little when he swats her butt lightly. “Al!”

“That's better!” He pats her head, “Good girl!”

Breakfast is made, eaten, they’re dressed and off to the human world. Aurora is signing her into preschool, and Alastor is putting her small backpack and lunch away. One of her teachers comes up to them, “Can I just say you two are the cutest!” Alastor pulls Aurora to him and grins happily. “You two are always so well dressed and put together!” The pale woman with blonde hair is thick of waist and has rosy cheeks. She’s very pretty in Aurora’s opinion and has the personality of sprinkles and rainbows, which is great for a preschool teacher. The teacher, in fact, is wearing a rainbow themed outfit.

“Why thank you my dear!” Alastor says, he holds out his hand and shakes hers, “I don’t believe we’ve met formally!” he is still shaking her hand until Aurora gently puts a hand on his arm. “Alastor, pleasure to meet you! Quite a pleasure!”

“Oh! I am Ms Baker!”

Alastor walks around the playground, his hands crossed behind his back with his cane. He’s observing the large wooden jungle gym. He knocks on it with his cane and gives a satisfied hum and nod. He waves up at Emma who is in the large, encircled, play area of the jungle gym. Ms Baker is speaking with Aurora and he’s eavesdropping.

“Oh my, he’s quite handsome Ms Johnson.”

There is a giggle from both women and Alastor’s ego gets a boost. “Yes, he is.” Aurora says and he blushes but tries to pretend he’s not. One of the boys at the playground comes up to Emma and they start to bicker. Alastor summons something to poke the boy in the side, nothing hard to hurt the child but enough to make him stop taking a toy from Emma’s hand.

Alastor calls up, “A gentleman does not treat a lady in such manners!” He corrects the little boy. “We wait for our turns!” he nods to the little boy who does let go of the toy and mutters an insincerely ‘Sorry Emma’ before sulking off.

He hears a swoon coming from Ms Baker. “And he’s good with kids, oh, does he have a brother?”

Aurora’s chuckle is so pleasing to his ears. “He doesn’t, no, he’s an only child.”

A man with locks comes up to Alastor with a smile. “Hi there dad, I’m Mr Zion,” he shakes the man hand in his. Mr Zion was a dark skinned man, with a gentle demeanor, wearing a band t-shirt and casual loose but nicely maintained jeans. Alastor was struggling with how casual modern fashion was.

“Alastor!” he says, “A pleasure to be meeting you, sir, quite a pleasure!” Both brown eyed men look up at the playing children. Alastor was happy to see all the children from different backgrounds playing together. The staff was as well, that wasn’t a thing back in his day. His mixed heritage was especially frowned upon, making him work extra hard to be the radio star he was back in his life.

“Which one is yours, I don’t think I have met all my kids' parents.” Mr Zion asks.

“Emma is my little darling!” he points up with his cane at Emma who is excitedly waving.

“Mister Zion, that’s my new daddy!” she gasps, “Oh, I mean, that’s my dad, my daddy is picking me up today!”

“Oh, step dad!” Mister Zion said, “I know the feeling, my girlfriend has two kids.” He's smiling, “It's such a great feeling when they accept you, hopefully her bio dad isn't the huge pain in the butt as my kid's dad.”

Alastor smirks, “Tom is a pain unfortunately.”

“Al, let's get going.” Aurora says he offers his arm to her and she accepts it. “Oh, hi and bye Mr Zion!”

“You know,” he starts as they are walking into an alleyway to teleport back, “When we get back home-” her phone rings and his ears flatten as he glares at her phone.

“Hi Tom.” Aurora is trying not to laugh at Alastor's angry cat look despite his half smile.

“Did Emma get to school on time?”

“Yes.”

“Is the asshole with a cane around?”

“Yes, Al is here.” Aurora is visibly annoyed. Alastor is exclaiming, ready to say something but Aurora shoots him a pleading expression. He raises a hand up and nods.

“What the f*ck is with you and him anyways?”

She feels the need to defend herself. She wants to explain, but why does she need to. “Not that it's any of your business, but he makes me laugh.” He brightens at that.

“Okay Jessica Rabbit.”

“Oh f*ck you Tom.”

"I'm sorry Aurora, its just hard to see you with someone else."

“Well, thats your f*cking problem. If you had gone to therapy with me like I asked 3 years ago, we'd still be married.” Aurora is fuming. Her anger gets the better of her, she raises her voice, “ya know what?” She clenching her jaw, “It's so nice that Al actually considers my wants and needs, he brings me flowers without the expectation of sex-”

“Hey! I didn't always expect sex-”

“Oh bullsh*t- and another thing, it's nice to wake up and not be groped and just hugged and snuggled with!”

“I'm sorry I wasn't perfect enough for you!”

“I never ever asked for perfection! I asked for the bare minimum and you still couldn't give me that!” She's trying to calm down but she's shaking from adrenaline.

“Yeah, I f*cking suck I guess!”

“Yes you do.” Alastor says by the phone.

“Yes, everything is about you Tom.” Aurora snaps. “And another thing, he orders me pepperoni pizza, he teaches me how to dance, buys me yarn, listens to my day and he rubs my feet!” Alastor stares, bemused. He had in fact rubbed her feet one night earlier, she had complained about them after cleaning all day. Did Tom not do this? If anything Alastor felt like he had been doing too little. He loved doing these things for her, he wanted her around, he wanted to make her laugh, wanted to impress her. It made him feel loved and wanted when he showed he was a provider and a protector. Rosie had told him once, “Ya know, you got mad Provider Energy”, whatever that meant. He didn’t know what Rosie’s woo woo nonsense meant, he just knew he did things and was rewarded with Aurora’s company and smiles. He was delighted when she asked him for things.

“You will never let that go, will you?”

“I was pregnant Tom, my feet f*cking hurt!” She gives a frustrated sigh, “We're done with this conversation!” She hangs up her phone and leans into Alastor's hug. She silences her phone when he tries to call her back."I could just strangle him sometimes.”

Alastor swoons, “Can I watch if you do?” He gently grips her chin, delight dancing in his eyes. “I'll even help!”

She smiles with a head shake, “That won't be happening.” She thought of something to get her pent up energy out.

Alastor responded with a displeased hum.

Aurora perks up, “Al, have you ever been to a rage room?” He’s perking up. He asks what's that and she brings the address up on her phone.

They're both suited up. Safety goggles on, safety gear on. Alastor is bouncing at the idea of just chaotic fun. They are put into a room that looks like a somewhat cluttered living room. The timer goes off in “The Rage Cage” business. Alastor goes to hit a table with a sledge hammer but Aurora has already slammed into a vase. There's an enraged battle cry from the gentle lady as she swings the hammer into a lamp.
Even though its past his time. He stares with hearts in his eyes as the instrumentals of Careless Whisper begins to play from his microphone. His heart is hammering in his chest at the sight of her. Aurora is chaotic, angry but graceful. She's laying into the table shouting affirmations. “You don't get to tell me what to do anymore tHoMaS!”

SLAM

“You don't get to cross my boundaries anymore!”

SLAM! CRASH!

She took out the table and swung like a dancer to viciously attack the end table. “You and your stupid controlling ways!” The end table wobbled. She kicked it and it rickashay off the wall and landed before her. She crouched with each swing. He had always been attracted to her but she was even more amazing now. Strong, confident and violent. He joins her gleefully, smashing another end table in one blow. She goes to a china cabinet and starts to throw the plates on the wall. He joins her, dancing around and swinging.

A plate is shattered.

“No more getting judged for liking coffee!

SHATTER!

“No more mocking my writing!”

“My darling wife is a writer?”

SHATTER!

“Yes, I write smutty romance novels.” She slows down, the plate held above her head, she's frozen in mid throw motion. “I want to publish them, but they need an edit.” She meets his gaze. He's absolutely love sick. He drops the plate, his hand it at her waist, he brings her to him. She drops the plate absentmindedly behind her. The shattered sounds in tandem with her racing heart. This wasn’t how she wanted their first kiss, ideally, but he's staring at her lips, then her eyes. His free hand slides around her neck. She wants to reach up, take his goggles off, they must look so silly, clad in their safety gear but in a romantic embrace.

A loud obnoxious timer goes off and startles her. A person on the overhead pa says, “Time is up.”

They chuckle to each other. “Darling!” He says, “We will have to do this again sometime, that was fun!” Alastor is taking off the gear, his slightly curly hair fluffs back into place from the indent.

When they're back in the house in hell, Alastor keeps her in his embrace from teleporting. He returned to his full demon form, clad in reds and blacks, his human form was browns and soft whites and beiges and splashes of red color palette for attire. He seems beat, he chuckles at her concerned expression, “Pay me no mind dear, just need to tell my minions in the human world to make newer offerings!” Aurora didn't have a chance to question him, his hand is caressing her jawline sweetly and going to her neck. “We were interrupted before I could do something!” He coos in a sing-songy tone. His studio audience is swooning like they would before a romantic moment in a movie or sitcom.

Her breath catches, she's feeling the butterflies flutter around in her stomach, she closes her eyes to lean in when he pulls away suddenly. The butterflies fall down.

“What?” He snaps at a shadow creature. His studio audience “awws” disappointed. She concurred. The shadow is whispering. He nods and sighs, leaning his taller frame forward and resting his chin on her shoulder. He's snuggling into her neck. “The Hotel needs me it seems.” he pulls up to look her in the eyes.

“Can I come with you?” Aurora asks with a sweet smile. Her hands running up and down his lapels, tracing the white lines.

“No!”

She blinks in surprise and pushes him away to look at him. “What?”

“No, I don't want you at the hotel.” he clears his throat and averts his red eyes down to their shoes.

She glares at him and crosses her arms, “Oh, are you embarrassed by me or something?”

“No, it's just that I don't want them to see you!” He’s flustered, he gestures with his cane. “You should stay at the house until I am around to escort you, I'm too busy at the hotel-'' he reaches for her cheek and she ducks out of range but he doesn't advance. He gives her space and places his hands on his cane.

“Oh?” She's got that fire in her eyes, “Is that so?” She laughs, it's cold and mocking and he loves it and hates it at the same time. “I forgot, no matter how glided you make my cage, a cage is still a cage.”

Oh. He f*cked up. “Darling, that's not what I meant, it's just that- you see.” She's taken off guard by his stuttering. The co*cky, self assured Radio demon was flustered. His accent and radio filter drops, “Sha.” He says softly, offering his hand to her. “Hell is dangerous, I- I uh…” she takes his hand and he pulls her to him and kisses her hand. “I am just, wanting to keep you safe.” His real voice is soft, the southern accent just as pleasing to her ears as the transatlantic one. Despite his smile, his eyes have concern in them. “I am selfish. And I want to be there for every moment, I know you're safe here- I can't miss your laugh or something that might catch your fancy, Doll.” He laughs and his radio voice is back, “I'm sorry, I just don't want to share you with them yet.”

Aurora adores him. Her heart melts and she nods with a resigned sigh. “I see, I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions.” He embraces her like she's a glass trinket.

“You don't have to be sorry, Darling!” He says on her head. “I'm late, but I couldn't go to work without resolving this.” his brows raise, “Wait! Niffty!”

“What's nifty?” Aurora tilts her head, nose scrunched cutely and brows furrowed in confusion.

“A little darling,” he starts to dance with Aurora. “She's one of my personal employees and she's been dying to meet you!” He kisses her hand again and holds it to his heart, “If I send her to keep you company and get her away from the hotel, will that count as a start of my apology?”

“Yes, Al.” Her brows are up in adoration. Her heart was swelling as he kissed her hand again after beaming at her. “Thank you.”

As Alastor disappears, a small woman appears almost in his spot. She blinks her one eye up at Aurora. She waves with a manic but adorable smile. “Hi! I'm Niffty!” She is grinning and shaking Aurora's hand rapidly. “You've given this bachelor pad such a womanly touch!” She squeals and dances in place. “I still come by the kill the bugs and help clean!”

Aurora thought it had been Alastor's magic that had helped with the chores she hadn't gotten too. She felt guilty for putting work on the sweet lady. “Oh Niffty. You don't have to help me clean, I can do it.” She says conspiratorially, “I think I can ask Al to stop dancing with me.”

“Ooooo! You want to talk about boys!?”

Aurora blinks, when was the last time she did sleep over stuff like this? “Uh, I don’t think I will be very fun in that conversation, I kinda hate most men right now.” she snaps her finger and brightens up, “Do you know if Al has a tv somewhere, we could watch a movie! I love romcoms!”

“Oooo me too!” Nifty is hyper but it’s adorable to Aurora. “But, Alastor doesn’t have those things, Vox might try to spy on him.”

Aurora shoots a questioning look, “Who is Vox?”

“The Boss’ old friend, now a rival of his.” she giggles and jumps onto a couch. She pats the cushion next to herself and then explains, “You see Overlords are like noblemen, they’re always making alliances and enemies, it's a cycle with a few of them.”

Aurora takes her seat, rapt in fascination, “That sounds exhausting, poor Al.”

“You call him Al?” Nifty squeals. “That’s so cute!” she’s giddy, and gets up in Aurora’s face. Much to the woman’s displeasure. “My husband wanted me to call him by a nickname too!” her grin shifts into a frown, “Until he also wanted that whor* to call him a nickname too!” her tiny fists were shaking, “So I stabbed him for every time he cheated on me with her!”

Aurora has her hand to her chest, then she puts that hand on Niffty’s shoulder, “Oh Niffty, I am so sorry, that must have been so hard for you.'' Her voice is soft, her eyes sincere. Niffty is still, they make eye contact. Aurora gives her a sad, sweet smile, “To have loved someone and for them to have thrown that love away must have hurt and I am sorry you had to go through that.”

Niffty’s lip quivers and large tears get sprayed from either side of her eye. She hugs a rather surprised Aurora and weeps, “It was! Why didn’t he love me as much as I loved him?” she’s barely able to get the words out. Aurora does her best to be comforting but she found it difficult. Her dress got wet from all the copious amounts of crying.

Aurora mentally noted that she probably shouldn’t have killed her husband, but Aurora was in hell after all, so she couldn’t be that surprised. “There, there, honey,” Aurora soothes, “The good news is when the right person comes along, they will love you just as much back!”

Niffty stares at her and nods, sniffling and wiping a tear away with her poodle skirt. “I’ll be back!” she cries and disappears in a puff of smoke. Aurora sighs with a bewildered chuckle.

At the hotel

Niffty lands on Alastor’s shoulders as he marks something off the maintenance log, “Done already?” he asks. Niffty stands on the desk in front of Alastor and looks him dead in the eye.

“Alastor, if you break up with her, I will stab you.” Niffty’s serious death glare turns into slump shoulders and tears, “She’s so nice, I love her.”

Alastor throws his head back in laughter, he pets Niffty’s head, “Oh Niffty, I have no plans in leaving my darling dame.” he’s back to the log, checking off another item. He’s about to ask if she wants to be sent back to his house, but she looks at the log and sees ‘dirty’ and dashes off. Alastor sighs and gets up to do the next thing on his list. He leaves a note and drops it on his desk. It drops on the kitchen island in their home.
Back at the house

Aurora decides to read when Niffty doesn't come back. But she just can't get into the romance novel she's reading about the lady and her tiefling in space boyfriend. She gives a frustrated groan and lays back on the chaise lounge dramatically. “I'm bored,” she whined and then laughed at herself for sounding like her daughter.

She sees the note on the kitchen island.

“Niffty got distracted, be home for lunch”

She smiled. Then she got a text from her friend. “Yo. You ever coming back to play D&D?”

She bites her lip and guilt churns in her stomach. What was she supposed to say? Oh by the way, a sweet but terrifying demon and I made a deal and now I'm crushing on him and I think he actually has feelings for me too, but I am in Hell having a good time. Sorry probably see you never again due to my distraction?

“Hey, I don't know man. I just need some time to get myself together again.” She texted back. She still had no clue how she had service in Hell but she did. Aurora rubbed a hand down her face, she had been having so much fun she almost forgot about her friends. They all had busy lives, even before the deal, they only ever saw each other once a week or maybe twice a month. Maybe she should try to get Alastor to meet her friends.

After some reading , Alastor appears in the kitchen. He bends over the back of the chaise and is singing to her. She hides in her book as he sings, “With a song in my heart,” she peeks over her book to see him with one hand over his heart and singing into his microphone, that hand goes to her face, tapping the book down. “I behold your adorable face!” He croons to her.

“Mister Hartfelt,” she wiggles her brows at her and his playful expression. “Are you trying to woo me?” She sits up and pretends to ignore him with a huge smile on her face, “I'm afraid it won't work, I have sworn off men.”

He's around the furniture in seconds, he's kneeling. The song is still playing in the background. “I am Miss Johnson,” he plays along, “Won't you give me a chance?” She stands and goes to the other side of the furniture. He stands with a devilish look on his face. A chase she wanted? He would pursue.

“You don't want me,” she sighs, a hand to her forehead, “I'm a divorced broad, we're awfully hard to impress.” She giggles as she takes off to behind the kitchen island when he rounds on her quickly. She knows he could easily catch her, but he's liking the game.

“A challenge is all the more sweeter to achieve.” He counters, he twirls his cane and puts his hands behind his back. “And I can tell you're worth the effort, Darling.” He moves to one side and she starts to run, but he stops and pivots the other way and so does she.

“Maybe I will give you a chance.” She shrugs pretending not to be interested. “If you catch me.” She knows they're playing a game, she's already giving him a chance, but it was so fun to roleplay.

“I see the game you're playing,” he observes his microphone then glances back up at her. A challenge in his eyes, “What do I win if I catch you?”

“I'll go on a date with you?” She breaths.

Alastor nods, but his smile is one of contemplation, “hmmm ahaha, what about a kiss?”

“On the cheek?” She shrugs, a teasing lilt to her voice, “Sure, mister Hartfelt.”

He chuckles and he walks towards her and she walks the opposite until they're on opposite sides again just switched. “My dear, you are so cheeky.” He leans forward, “If I win, I get a kiss from those lips.”

“If I win?” She teases.

“You won’t.” He counters.

She acts like she’s about to speak but she takes off instead, down the hall, narrowly missing his attempt to snatch her. She’s laughing as she’s running, she’s about to turn into a room, but she notices the hall is stretching out for her. He’s trying to extend the game! She glances over her shoulder to see his smug expression as he’s walking after her. Her ballet flats are suddenly making a squishing sound and she observes her surroundings. She’s running into a bayou. There are cypress trees decorated in spanish moss, the sun is gentle overhead and she can smell the moss and earthy decay that is associated with wet environments, she hears the slow running water of the bayou. He’s not in sight, and that thrills her. Her red dress makes her stand out like a sore thumb among the small white spider lilies. She feels like a poppy flower in spring, the only red in a sea of greens. She slows for a second, and then goes into the trees.

Aurora is quick but not as agile as she could be. She squeaks as her dress or hair will snag in a branch or bush, thinking it's Alastor. She’s constantly scanning, zigging and zagging. At one point she’s watching over her shoulder after hearing footsteps and the snap of a twig.

“My darling dame,” his voice seems to be coming from everywhere at once. “I'm coming for you.” She feels her thrill go down her limbs. Her stomach turned and danced as she heard a twig snap at her right. She went deeper into the woodlands, ignoring the squish of her flats. She feels something behind her and her neck hairs go on edge. There is a caress of her shoulder and she feels someone playing with her hair. She pivots.

She's down another path, her lungs are filled with the humid but nice air of the outdoors. She noticed that the bayou's smell was similar to Alastor’s smell. He smelled like black pepper, hemlock, and an earthy smell. Aurora put those thoughts aside and jumped over a mushroom adorned, moss dressed log and skidded to a halt at a small clearing. She's catching her breath for a few seconds but as she starts to go- she's yanked back.

Arms go around her waist, she gasps turning her head back to be face to face with an all too pleased with himself Alastor. He knew someone was coming up to the front door, but he ignored it. She was right in his arms, he won, he wanted his prize.

They’re back in the living room of their house and he whispers, “I win.” he dips her, and leans himself forward, thinking he has enough time. She’s breathless, her hand clutching his shoulder, her face hot and her heart hammering in her ears. Her stomach has butterflies again watching his red eyes drop to her lips and lean in. She closes her eyes with a sigh and leans up and as she's feeling his breath on her lips-

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Aurora is startled, eyes wide and a gasp. He's practically growling. In his irritation he simply uses a tentacle to rip open the door. “This better be serious Husker, my old friend.” He's biting out each word, his antlers growing and his eyes radio dials. She's still in her dip, the world upside, she sees a very grumpy black and white card themed cat.

The cat, Husker, is interrupted by Aurora saying. “Oh! You're a cat! What a cute cat!”

Husker grumbles and looks somewhat flushed. He ignores her and looks up at Alastor, “Don't kill the f*cking messenger, Charlie needs you.” He pulls a bottle out of no where and takes a swig, “I don't f*cking know why she sent me.” He shrugged, “Niffty told me you were home-” he glances at Aurora who Alastor is bringing back upright and bringing her hip to his, his hand on her waist and his other one holding her hand to his heart again.

Alastor calms down when Aurora rubs his back and leans her head on his shoulder. “Don't be mad at him, Al.” She closes her eyes, annoyed that her kiss was ruined yet again. “He's just doing his job.” She's not letting it show in her voice as she isn't mad at the cat.

“Husker, this is Aurora.” He clears his throat, his features returning to normal. “Aurora, this is Husker, one of my associates and friends.”

Husk grumbles, “Nice to meet you, Aurora, and its Husk.” he looks her over once, his gruff voice is a deep rumble.

“Pleasure to meet you Husk.”

“Boss, if you're done with, I am not sure I want to know what this is,” he gestures between Aurora and the Radio Demon, “Charlie wanted you.”

“Would you like to come back and play cards?” Aurora asks, she points at his card suit decor. She loved playing cards even if she was terrible at it. She looks up at a bewildered Alastor with excitement, “wouldn't that be fun?”

Alastor seems like he's about to protest, his finger up in the air, his brows up then relaxes and gives her a soft smile, “Well, if you want dear.” He turns to the cat, “What do you say my old friend?”

Husk gives an amused snort, “I'll play with you Sweetheart, but not with him.” He points to Alastor who shoots him an amused glance, “He's a dirty cheat!” Alastor's chuckle is radio static and he rests his head on her.

“I don't know what you're talking about Husker!” His voice is teasing.

“Go on Al,” she pulls herself away from Alastor, who is lingering on her, his hand sliding down her arm and he holds her hand. “I'll pack you something to go.”

She quickly packs up scones and zucchini bread that she slices for both of them, fruit, vegetables, and a sandwich. She hands the paperbags to both of them who are quietly speaking to each other. Husk's thick brows raise, “What the hell is-” he peeks in, “oh, thank you!”

She's kissing Alastor's cheek and he makes his cute smile. Aurora returns to her book.

Husk and Alastor

“Boss,” Husk starts as they walk. “Who's the broad?”

Alastor's static almost hurts his ears, “That's a lady. Address her as such.”

Husk raises a hand up. “So who is she?”

“My wife.”

“When the f*ck did you get married?” He scoffs, “I didn't even know you wanted that sh*t.”

Alastor shrugs, “That's my personal business Husker.”

“She's not a demon, is she?”

“No, and before I hear it from you as well, I know.”

Husk waves him off, “I wasn't gonna waste my breath on you, I know you do what you want, even if someone talks sense to you.” he runs his claw through his hair, “Just, look at this.” He looks in his bag and smells the baked goods, “She's a sweetheart, please boss, don't hurt her.”

Alastor laughs coldly, “Old friend, don't insult me,” he's gesturing as he speaks, “I always have a soft spot for those of fairer means”

Husk is snickering, “I knew you'd have a thing for moms.”

Alastor's music stops playing and there is a record scratch. He quirks a brow at the cat.

“I saw the kid's drawing on your wall.” He shrugs, “I'm smarter than I let on, you know.” Alastor nods nonchalantly. “Mama's boy.” Husk whispers with a smirk.

Alastor chuckles, “I wear that title proudly, Husker! My mother was aces!” he dusts himself off, “Her being a mother only caught my attention, she's much more than just that Husker.”

“She laughs at your dumb jokes.” Husk snickers. “You’re a sucker when they laugh at your jokes.”

“She finds them hilarious, and I value her opinion of them over yours.” He says matter of factly.

When they get to the hotel, Charlie is bursting. “Alastor! You're here!”

“Yes Charlie,” he sits on the couch opposite her in the lobby. “What is so important?”

“I wanted to talk to you about the hotel!” She fidgets and smiles awkwardly, “I was thinking we should do more events and I would need you to advertise for them on your broadcast.”

“And that couldn't wait for me to return?” Alastor's smile is strained, it wasn't just about the missed kiss, it was about his time. Yes he was here for help but it wasn't like they were paying him to be here.

“I'm sorry, I just didn't realize you were gone!” She's holding her hands up in protest.

He sighs, “I supposed I should communicate when I am out of the office and when I am not.”

“Okay! I'm sorry, I will be more respectful of your time!”

“I am here now,” he begins, “What kind of activities were you thinking about?”

Charlie's hands were together in a triangle. “So I know you need some time for a big event, but I figured we could do small things to build up to it and it would also build trust and encouragement!” As she speaks she gets more and more excited and talks quicker. “So like karaoke! Or poker night with beans instead of money! Or or or board games!” Her smile is bright as the sparkle in her eyes. “So I wanted your input as the host of the hotel!”

“That sounds like a fine idea, Charlie.” He considers it, “I would vote for poker as Husk would be a wonderful dealer.” He shrugs, “Get me a schedule and I will announce them Monday through Friday, you should host the events on weekends, more likely to actually get something here.”

“Uh, don't you mean ‘someone’ Al.”

“No, something.” He laughs, “Most sinners are things to me.” He observes his nails and smiles up at her.

“Can you cater these events?”

He hummed, “Maybe a few. Niffty would be more than happy to cook.” He opens his bag, he wants his scone. She eyes it when he munches on it.

“That smells good! Did you bake that Al!?” Charlie asks.

The Radio Demon’s brian is going 1000s of miles a minute. “No, dear. I am a cook not a baker.” He put it away much to Charlie's sadness. “Someone dear to me makes them.”

Angel comes in, an all too familiar looking slice of bread. “Yo, freaky face, who makes this delicious sh*t?” He asks with his mouth full of his darling wife's zucchini bread.

“What now?”

“I saw Husk eatin’ these things, he was saying something like ‘what the f*ck, the bread is homemade’ about his sammich.” He pops the rest of the sweet bread in his mouth. “I would pay out the nose for this sh*t.” He scoffs and crosses one set of his arms, “I know freaky face didn't make these- so i asked Husk where he got them from and he said “the f*ck should I know, I got them from Alastor.”” with his top set of arms, he beckons Alastor. “So details!”

“Your dear friend is a baker!?” Charlie has that look in her eyes. Before Alastor can comment they hear Vaggie.

“You don't even like sweets, why are you friends with a baker?” Vaggie asks walking in.

Alastor is about to answer when they hear from the bar, “Angel, don't get me f*cking involved, I heard you.” all three of them had spoken in unison and kept bickering. Alastor just disassociated until they all stopped.

“So, Al, do you think they'll do it?”

“Do what?” Alastor asked, tuning back in.

“Cater for the hotel?”

“Hun, slow down, we haven't even tried the baked goods.” Vaggie smiled at her girlfriend.

“I think I can ask her.” Alastor makes noncommittal gestures, “I don't speak for her.”

“Yes! Of course!” Charlie claps her hands together. “If she says yes, can you have her give us samples?”

“I don't think she will mind,” He says as he stands, “But I have a broadcast to do.” He leaves them behind to teleport into his Radio Tower.

“Good Afternoon Sinners!” He days after switching the on air sign as he teleports into his chair. “We're taking a break to inform you that revenge attempts are futile on the Radio Demon.” He flips a few switches and plays his recording of his most recent adventure with sinners. “Thank you!” He chuckles, “Recently Vox of the Vees has displayed yet another pathetic attempt at being relevant.” He can just feel how this will get around to Vox and is delighting in how angry the tv will be. “Truly his latest attempts make him more of the crotchety old man he actually is.”

“The Overlord just can't seem to find his groove.” His smirk is absolutely devious, “You know Vox, old pal, they make pills for that!” he plays a laugh track and a zingy sound effect. “Velvette is doing well for herself, if Vox was half as smart as he was loud, he'd have her take over.” He loved planting seeds.

He continues with the news, into gossip and forecast. He selects songs to play and then checks in with his wife via a note on the kitchen island. He hears her singing from the wireless in their home and he sighs happily. Sure she was no famous song bird, but her voice was lovely to listen to. Oh that silly man. He hears her say, he assumed she was looking at his note. Yes, I'm fine. I want to talk to you about something, whenever you come back.

He writes: what are you doing while you miss your handsome husband?

She's giggling. Reading, crafting, baking, I'm thinking of lasagna for dinner.

He writes: I could go for some pasta.

Good, I found a great recipe! I hope I can do it well.

He writes: I believe my clever wife can do it. I have something I need to ask too. He's chuckling to himself as he drops the note to her.

Oh? And what is that?

He writes: What are you wearing? He's snickering to himself.

Oh my goodness! She's laughing hard. She puts on a sultry voice, nothing but my apron and heels. Then laughs again and he laughs too.

He writes: In all seriousness, I do have something to ask you when I get back.

Uh oh, you breaking up with me? She's trying to sound like she's joking but he knows there is a seriousness in her voice.

He writes: it's a good thing, I promise. You are stuck with me my dear. :)

He's back on the air, “Sinners, just as a reminder the Princess of Hell is ready to help you find redemption down at the Hazbin Hotel. Serious inquiries only on this delusion!”

Back at the cabin in the bayou.

/em>

Aurora had been productive, she'd made some small projects and was organizing them in the craftroom. Maybe this was her chance to start her business. She admired the mushrooms she crocheted into stuffed keychains. She tucked them away and started to place the cookie stuffed keychains away. She'd work on sunflowers and ice cream sandwiches next. She could even edit her novels and maybe try to get them published! She'd learned that Rosie had an emporium. Maybe she could run a little online store. She had always wanted to, but with Tom he was always so worried about money, so the dream never took off seeing as lots of businesses were slow to start and they had bills to pay. So she didn't have the time to try and make things to sell. During the pandemic lockdowns, she still had no free time as her job at that time could easily be done from home.

She needed to talk to Alastor and see if it would be worth it to sell down in Hell or just try to make it work with making sales in the world of the living. She brought her sewing machine out and began to sew. Before she knew it a few hours had passed and she got a phone call. Tom.

“Yes Tom?”

“Hey, Rory.” He sounds miserable. “Can you take Emma for tonight? I will keep her an extra night next week.”

“What, why? Is something wrong?”

“I have a migraine, she's just being really difficult today.” He's pleading with her.

“Fine, but I expect the favor returned. I have to wait for Al to come back so we can come get her.”

“So it's okay for him to control you, but not me?” he's speaking with venom in his tone. “Not that I controlled you but you felt that way.”

“Listen, I'm not here to argue with you.” She sighs, “I quit my job so I didn't need my car anymore. He can cover all my bills and he wants a homemaker, so we're making it work.”

“Some feminist you are.”

“What the f*ck does that have to do with anything?”

“Isn't that like the opposite of a feminist?”

“No, it was about rights and choosing. And Al doesn't control me, he's just the one that helps me get around.” she decides to get nasty, “He lets me decorate rooms the way I want to.” She knows she's rubbing salt in old wounds but she can't help it. She hates that she always has to be the bigger person. Why can't she be vindictive sometimes too?

“Oh this again!” He groans, “Just text me when you're on your way.” She hung up on but she didn't care. She throws her phone on her green chaise as if it did something to her. And she's muttering to herself as she adjusts her red dress.

She goes into the kitchen, she doesn't know quite what he hears her through. Aurora thinks it's the wireless that magically moves from room to room but she can't be sure it's the same radio. So just in case, she's going to the kitchen. As she rounds the kitchen from the hallway she nearly jumps out of her skin.

Alastor is in the kitchen, he's boyish again with something behind his back. He's very obviously feigning innocence. Practically bouncing on the balls of his feet. “Welcome home Al.” He sticks his cheek out and she giggles but goes on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. She glances at the three vases of varying aging bouquets just from this last 2 weeks. She feels so wanted and appreciated.

He quickly puts the decorated box in front of himself. It's long and rectangular. “Oh, what do I have here?”

He hands her to the box, “Al, you don't have to get me something every week!” Her face is hot, she's opening the box, excitement bubbling up inside her. She feels the satin of the ribbon under her fingers as she pulls it free. The ribbon falls over her wrists and she opens the box and a gold chain rests there with (insert birthstone or favorite stone) as a pendant. “Oh Al, it's beautiful, you remembered?”

"Yes,” he's picking it up and using his finger in a twirling motion to hint to her to do the same. She turns around and lifts her hair up as he swoops it around her neck and clasps it. “I went on a stroll after the Hotel and I saw this in a shop window.”
She turns back to face him “This is the sweetest thing, oh thank you Al!” She grabs his face and covers it all but his lips in quick little kisses. His smile is squiggly and he has a love sick look in his eyes. Aurora hides a giggle behind her hand as she realizes she put lipstick kiss marks all over his face. This reminded her of the old school cartoons.

“Wow, if little tokens of my affection garner this reaction, I am doing it more often!” He wiggles his eyebrows and brings her hand to his lips, “Do I get more attention if I tell you, I reserved the best table at a wonderful restaurant here in hell?” He kisses it and she cringes. Not from him but she's feeling guilty.

“Yes it would have if not for the fact I was gonna call you and ask if we could go get Emma.” she peeks one eye open. He's mid motion to another kiss on her knuckles . His smile is manic.

“You mean to tell me the Cad cannot take care of his own darling daughter?” his eyes begin to glow, he sees Aurora trembling with her body cringing and he coos, his antlers returning back, “Don't misunderstand dearest. I am not angry we have to tend to the little darling, just that the cur is not being responsible.” He cups her cheeks and caresses them with his fingers.

“He has a migraine, he's not feeling well.” She tells Alastor who scoffs and rolls his eyes despite his strained smile.

“He's a man, he needs to- ha!- buck up!” Alastor is cracking himself up

“Now, Al, men are allowed to have bad days and rest, the same goes for you!” Her hands go to his shoulders and she rubs them.

He gives a cute little smile at the attention he's receiving. “Maybe dear, but not him.”

“Let's not be petty. I already was.” She sighs and he snickers.

“We could just kill him!” Alastor comments, the room goes dark for a second, he's green and purple hued now.

“Al.” It's scolding. It all goes back to normal and he sighs, defeated.

“Let's get our little darling!” He sighs again, dramatic, “I will make reservations for tomorrow then!”

“Well. You forgot Husk was supposed to come over tonight.” His arm is going around her, pulling her taut to himself as she wraps her arms around his neck.

“No, I told him to come another night, I wanted you all to myself!” He's beaming.

“Al! I was looking forward to game night!”

“I know, but I wanted to surprise you!”

“Al, that's sweet but let's talk about plans before changing them hmmm?”

“Very well!” He grabs one of her hands and puts it at his heart. They teleport two houses away from the old house that Tom got in the divorce. Which Aurora had been glad for, she wanted to start over. She knocks on the door, he still hadn't taken down the christmas wreath she put up for Christmas for Emma. It was the beginning of February.

Tom answers the door, holding his head. Emma is watching Princess and the Frog, clad in Tiana's dress and clutching her belle themed crown in one hand, a small dragon plush in the other. Alastor perks up at the jazz coming from the tv and he steps in after gesturing for Aurora to go first. His human disguise is in full swing, but he's wearing the same red and black attire.

“Mama! Dad! Its Tiana's movie! They talk like you dad!”

Alastor goes to her and sits next to her, allowing the little girl to crawl into his lap, his cane resting beside them. He still has an ear out to Aurora and Tom. “You let her call him dad?”

“Yes,” Aurora's voice is soft. “She really likes him, Tom, and he's wonderful with her.”

His voice breaks, “oh, i -uh see.”

“Tom.” She softens all features and touches his shoulders. He is crouched in on himself, hugging himself. “You are Emma's father, she loves you. Nothing changes that.” She hugs him, “Her family is getting bigger, that's all, she has two dads.”

“Yeah, you're right Rory.” he hugs her back. Alastor is trying to pay attention to the movie but he's snorting hot air from his nostrils. He didn't like watching his darling have anyone else's hands on her. But he needed to make peace with this. He decided to be with a single mom, this came with the territory. He scanned his surroundings, pictures were on the walls but not current, there is dust in a lot of places. Showcasing that Aurora was the one who took care of things. Their wedding photos were still up, Alastor wondered if the man still thought Aurora was his wife, a delusional thought. There was a couch and a bean bag that was colorful and definitely meant for Emma. The place seemed to lack life despite being lived in. He could tell the empty spaces left untouched was where Aurora had her things. It had been so different then the decorated and comfortable rental house he had spirited Aurora and Emma away. The same homey touches that she had done to their home, must have been here once. He almost pitied Tom. Almost. He meets the yellow stare of a fat black and white cat sitting on the rug before the french doors leading out to the back yard.

“That's Simon, he's one of my titt*es.” Emma informs Alastor. The braids he put in her hair are there, but they're dirty and loose as are her arms and legs, he remembered the giant sandbox at her preschool. He picks up the little girl easily when Aurora grabs the small pink backpack and the unicorn themed lunch box from Tom. He takes the bags from Aurora, despite her insisting she's fine. There is an emotion in Tom's eyes that Alastor isn't sure what to call. It's a mix of jealousy, regret, shame and happiness when watching the two of them interact.

“How about we give mom a break tonight? I'm too tired to cook.” Alastor asks Emma who cheers and hugs the demon in disguise around the neck. “Let's misbehave and get some take out?”

“Tacos!” Emma cheers. Aurora looks back with a sorrowful expression. She waves sadly at Tom who wishes them a good night.

“You don't need to pity him, darling.” Alastor states, his full hand of Emmas things going to her back to guide her with them. “You gave him plenty of chances.”

“It's not that Al, but let's talk about it when a clever little monkey isn't listening.” She tickles Emma. Tacos are retrieved and they teleport back to Hell. Aurora checks in on him, but he looks fine now.

“Darling, my followers have upped their offerings, I'm fine.” He kisses the top of her head. They eat and put things away, they end up all in Emma's room. She was begging to finish the Princess and the Frog. Much to his chagrin, this wasn't a hill he wanted to die on. He summons a tv, its old fashioned but played the movie she so desires like a modern tv. Their little unit of 3, used furniture and many sheets and blankets to build a fort. There are pillows and stuffed animals, among other blankets lining the floor in front of her canopy bed. They get themselves settled in, Alastor chuckling as he's a bit too tall and has to slouch to see the movie. Alastor enjoyed the movie, it was a bit too adorable but his darlings were happy. And he was getting all the attention he wanted from them. Emma is in his lap and Aurora is snuggled up to him, she's praising him and he's eating it up. He rubs Aurora's arm with the hand he has around her. She looks up at him. He whispers as the movie is ending, “Hopefully I get a better chance at romance tomorrow. “

Aurora’s eyes sparkled, her heart swelled and she asked, “were you trying to make our first kiss romantic?”

“Yes, but clearly something was out to stop me.” He chuckles, leaning his head on hers.

“Oh Al, you don't have to make any grand gesture.” She entwined their fingers, she moved to look at him in his red eyes. Her eyes go to his lips and then back up, she leans forward and he pauses but leans forward too. Emma speaks.

“Mommy! The movie is done, is it bedtime?”

“Yes my dear, let's get you cleaned up.” She chuckles and puts her forehead on his shoulder. “Later.” She winks and mouths to Alastor. She is off with Emma for a quick bath, teeth brushing and bedtime. He has minions pick up the toys, scattered blankets and take down the blanket fort.

He entertains himself and when they come back in, Emma’s in a nightgown. He's brushing her hair and braiding it. With the book read and snuggles in, Emma is falling asleep. The adults of the house go to the lounge, where they dance and drink to wind down in the evening. They’re a little later than normal. Aurora is at the bar chart, she’s pouring his whiskey and something for herself. “Darling, you don’t have to get me a drink, I would have.” he states, thanking her when she handed him his small glass tumbler.

“Tell me about work.” she says.

“No, no, no, no.” Alastor shook his head, “Ladies first, what did you need to ask me?” He takes a sip with a satisfied hum.

“I wanted to start a small business!” Aurora is beaming, “I always wanted to, but Tom was always so worried about money, so since you’re wealthy, I could use what I have left from my account to buy more supplies and I could just keep selling to the living world, I would need a computer.”

“Oh! How serendipitous!” Alastor exclaims, he joins her on the loveseat and places his tumbler down on one of her crocheted red and black coasters. “Your baked goods were a hit at the Hotel! Charlie would like you to cater some of her events!”

Aurora stares in disbelief, “Oh, I was actually thinking of selling what I crochet and sew.”

He waves a hand, “Then I will tell her no.” he takes her hands in his, “If my wife wants a small business, she can and she will!”

The idea isn’t awful sounding, she loved baking. She also always admired Osno in Kiki’s delivery service. “Well hold on, Al.” she’s grinning from cheek to cheek. “Maybe give me a few days to think about it? I just never thought about being a baker.”

“If your little heart desires to do both, then you should!”

“I couldn’t do both!” She’s blushing, her heart wants to burst. He’s so sincere in his encouragement. He’s just as excited about these ideas as she is and its so- lovely. Tom used to lecture her, warn her, always had something bad to say, but Alastor was like Gomez Addams in a way.

“You can, and you shall!” he chuckles, “What whacky nonsense, I have plenty of minions to help you and I will be there to help when I can!” He's playing with a curl.

“No!”

Its his turn to be startled by her sudden brashness.

“Sorry,” she cringes, “I just mean that I want to do this on my own,” she smiles, unsure. “If I need help, I will ask, but I want this to be something I do without anyone’s help at first.” She’s cupping his cheek. “You’re the sweetest, most handsome husband.” his cute little smile is back. She giggles and then averts her eyes, “But I might need your financial help until I can get myself going.'' She had a few grand left after she had sold the minivan. “I have some money, but I am not sure it will be enough.”

“You have but to ask!” he boops her nose. “Not supporting you would be,” he’s being dramatic again, “Ungentlemanly and we can’t have that.”

“No, that would ruin your reputation.” They are leaning in conspiratorially. “Let me think it over Al.” he nods.

“Now, I just need to think of what they want for a main event.” He says into his glass of whiskey before taking a sip.

“What do they have in mind?” Aurora asks and she stands to go behind him and starts to rub his shoulders. She touches his bicep first, she knows he doesn’t like being suddenly touched from behind.

He gives a satisfied hum and then explains, “The Princess wants a big event to draw people into the Hotel.” he gestures as he talks, “She’s very fanciful, she’s much like a princess in one of those animated features Emma watches.” he takes a sip, melting into her touch, “She wants something musical, but she fails to understand a lot of hell think such things are whacky.”

Aurora is contemplating, she thinks back to an episode of the Golden Girls, something her mother and she would watch reruns of as a kid. She perks up, “Hey! Al,” she peeks her head around to look at his interested expression, “Do a competitive event!”

“I’m listening, Darling.”

“A Dance-a-thon! Other Overlords wouldn’t want to not show, if you challenged them." She comes back around and sits back on the loveseat, Alastor turns his body to her. His hand in her hair again, playing with a curl. “One, you can raise money with it, a fee for those who enter the dance-a-thon, and free for those who just want to attend. The winner can get some sort of prize,” she’s animated and there is a shine to her eyes that Alastor loves. He feels like that frog prince fellow in Emma’s movie.

“A chance to dance and crush my enemies in competition?” he rubs his nose on hers, “My clever wife!” he pulls away, hand on his chin, “And, Charlie would go for it too!” he’s grinning, “Vox will take the bait for sure, meaning others will fall in line.”

“And people love watching competitions,” Aurora adds, “So it would attract a crowd!”

“I will let Charlie know,” he stands and offers his hand, “But for now, I want to dance.”

She’s failing at hiding her smirk, “Okay, have fun, see you when I get back.” He licks his lips with a chuckle. He takes his coat off and puts it on a chair. He offers his hand again and she takes it. “Oh, you meant little ole me?” Aurora lets him guide her to the middle of the room.

“Have you ever waltz or done the tango?” He asks.

She gasps when pulls himself flush to her. The thrill spikes into her core now that they were pressed against each other. “N-n-no.” she admits.

He whispers against her ear, which sends pleasant shivers down her spine. “Let me lead.” he begins to sway. “Don’t look down, just feel.” he coaxed her when she tried to pull apart to watch their feet as she had done many times before. He’s at her other ear, and she hears her heart in her ears. “These dances are about feeling your partner, they’re about closeness.” Alastor’s whispering. She bites her lip and her eyes close so she doesn’t sigh contently. He’s skinny but there is a muscle tone under his clothes. Someone who is active, not large in muscles. His hand on her lower back, glides down her thigh and he taps it, she lifts it and he hooks his hand under, the skirt of her dress hitching, the slip and petite coat under it bunching to reveal more skin. Oh, this was positively sinful what he was doing.

Her breath hitched as he instructed her to simply relax. She did and he dragged her across the floor like she’s seen so many tangos before. Her leg is curved around his hip and her other is gracefully gliding across the floor as he moves backwards. She feels glamorous, like she’s a fancy lady. Warmth is in her belly when she realizes their sexes were rubbing through layers of cloth. He releases her and spins her out, she comes back in and her back is against his chest and one hand is at her hip, the other is holding her’s, just under her breasts. They’re pressed so close, she can’t breathe. She can’t think as he sways their hips to a rhythm from the wireless on the end table next to the love seat. There is no one to watch them but his books, his paintings from his era, and the abandoned drinks. She can feel something on her butt, he might be getting hard but she’s so distracted by trying to keep up with his dancing that she’s insecure in that fact. His pleased hums on her temple, his hand slowly making circles on her hip, sliding carefully inwards but not daring to venture too far without permission. Oh, she felt herself wanting him to ask that permission, her breath felt heavy and she felt herself begging to be touched. He twirls her out again and they meet back face to face.

Its now or never. His eyes are on her lips, trailing too slowly back to her eyes and she screws her eyes shut and leans in.

He presses his lips to hers and she moans softly. His lips are surprisingly warm. He presses them softly, tentatively. He likes how soft hers are. She presses into him and wraps her arms around his neck and his arms go around her waist. His ears twitch happily as he parts from her. He didn’t like touch from a lot of people, it felt like pinpricks on his skin. But he’s always felt warm and soft. There were others that felt good too, but Aurora’s felt lovely. He always wanted more of her touch, its why he was always touching her. Finding any and every excuse, now he wanted more.

Aurora’s breath is small pants, her eyes glazed over and she looks utterly beautiful. He chuckles, moves so that one hand is under her chin and he leans in to kiss her again. Eyes closed in content.