Survival
"Fucking shit radio host...making me go with him...threatening to fire me after threatening to kill me...meanie...dumb attractive...",Angel watches from afar as you grumble angrily while combing your fingers through your soft locks.
Fixing the long sleeves of the baby pink dress you stand with a soft huff of anger. Your cheeks fill with air and you turn with a bit of a surprised 'oh!'. You just noticed Anthony standing against your doorframe, a slight frown on his made up features.
"You really think he'll fire you?"
You scoff and pick up your white purse while glancing in the mirror once more to check your hair,"Yes. I explained to you last night he is not a man to challenge."
Angel thought back to your walk home. You explained to him how your first day was and he was happy to hear you speak of a new friend you made. By the sounds of it she sounded like a fun gal and he beamed when you said you would arrange a meet soon.
However he knew you weren't telling him everything. All these years together it was obvious. Your eyes never lied and he could see the distress and worry deep in them.
But when he tried to pry you clammed up and he eventually just dropped it, for now at least.
Walking down stairs you give a sigh of defeat and realize this is really what your life is now. You glance up to Anthony and look at the concern riddled in his eyes and the way he is biting up the inside of his cheek.
You pout for a few seconds longer before putting on a warm smile and gently nudging your companion,"I'll be fine, Tony. Stop sweatin'." Reaching the bottom of the stairs you reach up and gently clean away the bit of smudged liner beneath his eyes.
He smiles down fondly at you as you continue,"Tonight we'll go out and explore this wondrous city...",you smirk lightly with a playful wink,"...maybe we'll find you a sheik you actually wanna knock boots with."
Anthony crosses his arms over his chest with a light laugh and he boops your nose with a lowered brow,"Only if we find one for you too." Anthony frowns slightly when he sees the saddening look in your eyes, yet it leaves as soon as it came.
You laugh softly and give a dismissive wave,"Sure thing, babes." Quickly you make your way to the exit of the apartment building. Anthony follows close behind wondering what that look was.
Yet his curiosity is washed away by annoyance and disdain at the sight of the radio host stepping out of his car.
"I'll see you later okay?",you turn to Anthony with a warm smile and pull him into a tight hug. Completely oblivious to the glare he's giving Alastor.
"Sure thing, be safe, toots.",pulling away from the hug he leans down and plants a gentle kiss against the top of your head. Your smile widens and you turn with a small wave.
Alastor watched the exchange with curiosity and slight irritation. After his "revelation" last night he had no clue what to think of you. He wasn't even sure if he saw that look of desire in your eyes correctly. And what was your relationship with this cross dresser?
Many things were running through his racing mind yet he hid it and only offered you a smile,"Good morning my dear." You gave him a short nod and polite smile,"Good morning to you too."
At least he's not all psycho now...
Alastor shut the door after you sat inside the car and his grin grew wider as he turned to Anthony. With a soft cock of his head he gave a wave,"Good morning to you too!"
Anthony simply narrowed his eyes before turning on his heel and disappearing back inside the building. You looked down and fixed the skirt of your dress, crossing one leg over the other.
Soon enough the two of you were on your way to work, your gaze faced the window yet again and Alastor was the first to cut through the slightly tense silence.
"Today I have my show in just two hours. As soon as we get to the office you will go over my cards and notes and assure I made no mistake. Small or big.",he paused as you looked to him nearly wanting to give him a good sock at the smug look on his tan features. "Although I doubt you'll find a mistake."
You let a soft scoff leave your lips and your arms cross loosely over your chest,"Someones a bit full of themselves?" He glanced to you and noticed the tight lip and lowered brow.
He gave a nonchalant shrug,"I am confident in my skills on literacy and know what my audience likes. I wouldn't be the top radio host in nearly every state if that wasn't the case."
You slowly nod. You had never listened in on his radio show. Only due to the fact that you never had the time. Constantly working your ass off you barely even had time to sleep or eat, nevertheless listen to a cocky radio host.
That didn't mean you weren't known to his reputation and his way with his audience. A few employees you met on your first day had warned you of his charming yet intimidating nature. You realized they were correct yet something led you to believe there was something deeper.
Obviously he was a killer but...maybe he only killed those that do bad? Now that you thought of it you had yet to ask of his...hobby. He had given you the opportunity but you didn't want to know then.
However after yesterdays strange feelings and emotions you grew more curious. More interested even.
"You know its quite rude to stare.",Alastor said while his brown eyes remained trained on the road. You blinked back and rolled your eyes, turning away from him for a moment you bite down on your bottom lip softly.
Alastor notices this, your lip pulled between your teeth and brows lowered in thought. Your fingers rest beneath your chin as you stare down at your lap.
"What is it?",he looks away when you turn to him with a soft hm,"You've clearly got something pressing against that noodle of yours so what is it?"
With a clearing of your throat you looked to him, losing train of thought for a moment.
Oh my look at that side profile...
"U-Um...",you clear your throat again and straighten your composure,"You implied you have killed before, how many victims?" Your voice was a bit more nervous than you would have liked but you still held your confident composure.
His grin faltered slightly,"I gave you the opportunity to ask any questions during our first encounter ,(Y/N)."
His tone is matter-of-fact and you let out a soft sigh, running a hand through your soft hair,"I know but I didn't want to know anything about it then." You admitted with a soft frown, his interest shakes when you say this. Stopping at a light he looks to you with a raised brow.
"And why do you want to know now?"
Alastor was genuinely curious and fascinated by you, however what you said next made all of his feelings for you skyrocket.
"In all honesty...you are a complex individual.",your eyes remain on his as you explain,"And if I'm going to be working aside you and beneath you for who knows how long I want to get to know you better. That including your...hobby. Especially since I witnessed it first hand I quite honestly don't think you can tell me something that would make me lose my marbles."
Alastor looked into your eyes with an intensity you had yet to see. His grin had fallen and was replaced by slightly parted lips. Had you caught him off guard?
"Alas-",you're cut off by a loud honk which makes you jump and look ahead. Alastor gives a small wave out of the window with an angered look before continuing to drive.
For a few moments you sit in silence and you worry about having stepped over a line. His angered expression was gone yet his jaw was tense. With a soft sigh you're about to apologize until his voice speaks, casually.
"Twelve."
Alastor was internally debating with answering your question. For some reason he found himself riddled with a sick feeling at the thought of you leaving him upon getting to know him more. He didn't realize what had left his lips until it hung in the air for a few moments.
He didn't dare look at you.
The silence was crushing him, the worry was making his hands tighten at the wheel. He nearly jumped when your soft voice let out a soft hum before speaking.
"I would've thought it be more. No offense."
His jaw tightened at your casual response and he blinked back incredulously.
Who is this frail...?
«»
"And that concludes our time together, folks! I hope you enjoyed this segment and have a good afternoon!"
"And we're done.",the man known as Tom says before shutting off the on-air button from outside the sound room.
Your leg was shaking lightly as you watched Tom walk into the sound booth and give Alastor praise. It had been silent the entire car ride here, and upon correcting his errors which were nonexistent he brought you to the sound studio to watch him live.
You had to admit he was quite entertaining, and unfortunately very charming. He was a natural, he managed to keep you hooked closely every minute.
You stood from the couch with a soft smile, Tom and Alastor left the sound booth and the shorter man shook Alastors hand.
"Another great one, Al!",you couldn't help but chuckle silently at the annoyance evident in his brown eyes at the nickname.
Tom walks over to you and gives your hand a shake, his grip lingering a bit longer than you'd like,"And it was a pleasure meeting the new rookie. I'll be seeing you around." You made a sour face when he shot you a wink. Pulling your hand away you give an awkward smile and nod,"Of course, a pleasure as well."
Alastor walked towards you with his hands folded behind his back. The door shuts behind Tom, now its just you two.
An amused look was on the hosts face as you wiped your manicured hand against your dress,"Tom True is quite the character. Seems he's taken a liking towards you." His tone was teasing as he stood in front of you, his eyes looking down at you.
You scrunched up your nose in disgust before laughing softly,"I sure hope not. Its quite saddening to reject someone." Your eyes fell up to meet his gaze a soft grin on your features. The amused expression is now gone, instead his face is curious.
"I can only assume you've had a lot of experience rejecting poor saps?",he grinned and you turned around to pick up your purse and some of the notes you had taken on his way of hosting and stories he chose to spread news about.
"That's none of your business, mister.",you speak with a bit of sternness on your tongue and turn around. The papers in your hand and purse slung over your shoulder. You look up to realize just how close Alastor was now.
He gives a soft eyeroll with a low chuckle,"Its unfair for you to ask about me yet I can't ask about you, don't you think?" He raises a brow and you feel your cheeks warm slightly, you maneuver around him with a shrug.
"There's a difference.",you state obviously while holding the paper against your chest. He turns to face you. For a moment he's quiet, then he pulls off his red coat with a cock of his head.
You swallow hard and begin to feel that feeling stir within you again.
"And what would that difference be, my dear?",he inquires as he begins to roll up the sleeves on his dress shirt. You practically feel your knees grow weak at such an innocent act. You also felt your cautiousness grow.
You keep your composure and confidence,"I'm not a threat to you. Therefore knowing anything about me is unnecessary.",you speak in an obvious tone yet again a 'duh' expression on your hot face,"I should know who I'm being forced to associate myself with."
He lets his jacket rest neatly over the chair in front of the buttons controlling the sound booth.
"And how am I suppose to know you aren't a threat to me?",he begins to step towards you slowly. His arms are held behind his back, his gaze doesn't even linger away from yours.
You feel your heart beginning to pound as he moves closer, your confidence wavers yet your composure remains the same.
"Not everyone is a cold-blooded serial killer.",you say with narrowed eyes as you begin to slowly back up. Your fingers begin to grip the papers tightly.
He chuckles yet again, that grin of his turns slightly sinister,"Of course not! However people do unexpected things for survival, my dear." Before you can come to register what he's even speaking about his forearm presses against your chest and he shoves you against the soundproof wall.
You let out a breath of air you were holding as your back collides with the wall, you then feel something cool lift your chin and your eyes widen.
Alastors brown eyes are sadistic behind his cheaters, that grin of his is wider than ever, more sinister. That cool barrel causes chills to run down your spine, your shaking hands are nearly tearing at the papers.
"What are you willing to do for survival, darling~?"