burdens
You and Husk were driving towards the diner and he noticed how quiet you were. You wore his oversized clothing and he hated to admit how amazing you looked in them, how cute. His long sleeves were over your fists like sweater paws.
He sucked his teeth and looked away from you. She really is cute.
"I'm sorry..."
You soft voice cuts through the air. Husk glances back to you. Your chin rests on your knuckles and your expression is one that holds nothing. You turn your head to look further out of the window and he can no longer see your face.
"I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable last night. I'm sorry you had to take care of me. And I'm sorry I've been nothing but a mess around you.",you apologize profusely in that same soft yet slightly shaky tone,"God I'm a mess around everyone..." That last part is muttered but the bartender can still make it out.
You swallow hard and Husk looks out to the road before you two. The sky is a gloomy gray, one you'd usually be enjoying. But now it felt like mocking.
Husk grips the wheel and his brows pinch furiously. He inhales deeply and shakes his head. "We've all seen this type a shit before." Husks heart beats as he attempts to do what he should've done last night. Comfort you. "Hell, we've all experienced this shit before."
You scoff and shake your head. Your heart and mind was heavy with guilt and self-hatred. "You don't needa lie to make me feel better...I'm just a screw up who burdens everyone 'round her." You stare out of the window and watch the scenery go by until it begins to slow. You realize Husk is pulling over. Blinking back you turn to see him staring down at his lap. His hands grip the wheel so hard his knuckles have gone white.
"Husk are you—"
"You're not a burden to anyone. You don't need to be saying shit that ain't true.",your lips part in surprise when he looks up at you with a deathly serious expression,"We're all screw ups in our own ways. For fucks sake Angelo is a ex-prostitute junkie, I'm an alcoholic gambler, and Alastor is fucking Alastor."
Your eyes are slightly wide when he reaches out and grabs your hand. He takes it with such a gentleness that was so foreign to you. His eyes refuse to look at you.
"You're not alone, so stop actin' like it."
Your eyes fall down to his large and calloused hand holding yours. You look up to notice his cheeks are tinged pink. With a soft exhale through your nose you feel your dark thoughts and worries falter away. A soft smile spreads across your lips and you use your other hand to pull his chin to look at you.
"Careful, Husk, someone might catch you being a big softie.",your tone is teasing and he scoffs pulling his hand away and knocking you on top of the head.
"Shut up.",he states while you whine and rub the top of your head. He starts up the car once more and drives towards the diner.
Once you two arrive there he leads you inside and you inhale the amazing and wondrous scent of black coffee, pastries, and greasy fattening food. A smile is on your face and you look around the cute joint.
"This is a cute place, do you come here often?",you inquire as Husk nods. He begins to lead you to the booth he most frequents whenever he stops by.
"Yeah actually Al—"
"Well what a small world!"
Oh my goodness.
You both look to see the show host sitting in the booth you were led to. Alastor grins widely while bringing down a cup of black coffee from his lips. You place your hands on your hips with slightly narrowed eyes. Not a big fan of the host. "What are you doing here?"
Alastor chuckles and lowers a brow,"Enjoying some coffee. What are you two doing here?" Alastors eyes fall to your oversized attire and casual look. His heart pounds and his eyes narrow when the scent smells familiar. Why on earth is she is his clothes?... He can't help but think before Husk crosses his arms over his chest loosely.
"I brought the lightweight here to eat something before we nod off to the hotel. Mind if we sit?",he asks and Alastor shakes his head. Husk nudges you into the booth despite your glaring and wide eyed silent protests. Eventually you wound up between Alastor and Husk both much larger men looking down to you.
You reach up and rub the nape of your neck.
Why does the air feel tense...?
You puff your cheeks full of air and thank whatever lord above that the waitress comes by,"Husk! It's nice to see you again.",you blink back when she reaches forward and punches his shoulder roughly. He winces and glares at her.
She's a short woman. Long brown hair tight back neatly in a ponytail and her skin is a soft brown tone. Her eyes are just the same color. She was quite naturally beautiful.
You can't help but notice the scowl she wears on her face when her eyes land on Alastor. He simply grins at her with a cocking of his head. Her expression shifts once more to a more positive one when she looks to you. "Well aren't you a pretty thing. Did you finally manage to tie down one of these saps or are you available?" She places down two menus for you and Husk.
You feel your cheeks warm up at her playful and flirty tone. Husk cant help but chuckle at the sight of your reddening cheeks,"Leave the poor kid alone, Vagatha. She's too hungover for any bullshit."
"I-I'm (Y/N), I'm assuming you know both of these fellas?",you ask with a bit of a smile on your lips. You take the menu and look through it as she speaks.
"Nice to meet you. And yes, ever since I started working here. These two are regulars.",she states quite simply. But you wonder what the nasty look to Alastor could mean. You and Husk order your simple orders and Alastor just asks for another cup of coffee. Vagatha promptly leaves to do her job.
You turn to Alastor and feel your cheeks redden. Swallowing hard you bow your head slightly. "I'm truly sorry for making such a scene last night. I'm sorry if I embarrassed you or caused any damages I'd be more than happy to pay Rosie."
Alastor looks down at your bowed head with furrowed brows. His eyes look up to Husk and he's looking away from the situation. Alastor chuckles and the gears in his head turn.
"Yes I had to pay Rosie for your damages to a few bottles of wine. Oh you were quite embarrassing indeed!"
You frown and look up at him, maybe I deserved that.
"But there is a way you could make it up to me."
You and Husk eye Alastor suspiciously. His tone has shifted to one of smugness and cockiness. You narrow your eyes and straighten your composure,"And what way is that?"
Alastor pushes up his glasses,"Come to me home tonight and you'll find out." You are beyond confused at first but Husks eyes widen and lips part in surprise. He shoots daggers at a grinning Alastor. After a few moments your cheeks tinge red once more and you gasp.
He rolls his eyes,"My goodness it's nothing like that my dear!" You fiddle with your fingers in your lap and cock your head gently to look up at him.
"Couldn't I just pay you back?",you ask with an accusatory tone. He nods while leaning uncomfortably close to you,"Yes I suppose so. But that would not fix the embarrassment you put me through." You sigh heavily and hang your head, your face rests in your hands for a few moments.
"Fine...",you grumble out with your hands beginning to shake. Alastor laughs jovially and nods,"Splendid!"
❦
You were glad Charlie had accepted your apology for last night. You were even more so glad she didn't question you about the outburst. You thought that was bizarre but you decided to take the win. You also teased Husk about his suggestions to accompany you. Obviously he knocked on your head again.
He was a strange one.
Now you felt quite uncomfortable outside Alastors penthouse. You bit down on the inside of your cheek.
A part of you contemplated just leaving and taking the humility.
But he was an arrogant bastard as it was, you didn't want to add more fuel to his fire.
Raising your fist to knock you jump back when the door opens on its own. Your eyes narrow and you hesitantly push the door open wider. Stepping into the penthouse you glance around to notice no one around.
"Alastor?",you call out in a puzzled tone. His penthouse is alarmingly nice and neat. Most of the decor and color scheme being dark tones and simplistic furniture. Though you can't help but notice the latest radio just across the ways and how lonely this place feels. The door shuts behind you and you jump once more.
At this point you felt ridiculous for being so jumpy.
"Jesus christ...",you mumble out. You hear a door shut and turn in the direction of the hallways.
“Oh you’ve let yourself in, well welcome to my home.”,he continues to grin and you look over his attire. You feel your heart thump at his casual attire. His usually neat chestnut hair is slightly tousled and his oval-rimmed glasses rest low on his nose.
He wears his usual white dress shirt but he lacks a bow tie and jacket. A few buttons are undone at the top and his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Your breath catches in your throat at his collar bones tensing when he moves and the muscles in his arms.
You clear your throat as he walks towards the radio,”U-Um yes. Tell me why I’m here.” You don’t want to be alone with Alastor for too long. Truth be told you never wanted to be alone with any man for long.
Except Husk.
Alastor chuckled darkly as he played a soft jazz tune on the radio. He turns to you and folds his hands behind his back. “Sit down.” He gestures to a chair across from where he stands. “I want to propose...a deal to you.”