DESCENT

XXI - What it means to fall

. . .

"Have you ever been in love? Horrible, isn't it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest, and it opens you heart and it means that someone can get inside and mess you up."

— Neil Gaiman

. . .

ALASTOR NYX:

It was so soft, and cozy—was the first thing his mind registered when he slowly came to...which was a whole lot of weird, since Alastor was sure he hadn't gotten back to his hotel room or even remembered falling asleep on a bed in the first place.

But he could feel warm fabrics against his bare skin as he shifted, trying to get back to sleep and he was positive the softness underneath him could only come from a bed... or probably a cloud with just how soft and fluffy it was, the scent of honey and a hint of vanilla was wafting pleasantly all around him like it was enveloping him into a hug as he sighed in pure bliss, wishing he could just tuck this scent in a bottle so he could get back to it any time he wants.

He held a dark purple duvet close to his face and–

Alastor jolted upright, never mind the way the abrupt movement made his head pound, the only hint that he was definitely getting a hangover as his wide eyes took in the large bed he was settled in, filled with dark fabrics when his vision finally righted into focus and... and who the hell needs this army of pillows?!

Staring face to face with him was the black, beady eyes of a child-sized stuffed husky and Alastor decided that yes, this is not my room.

Room was an understatement, though; this one was easily twice as large as his bedroom back in the North. Or maybe it looked larger than it should have been because there was literally only a queen-sized bed, a small computer desk in the far corner which completely devoid of any personal belongings (save for the worn stuffed toy right next to him) nothing that would give Alastor any hint if the owner was a man or a woman.

It literally looked just like a place for someone to sleep in.

Where the hell is he? Did Alistair bring him to sleep somewhere? Oh shit... did he hook up with someone else?!

Fortunately, before Alastor could officially freak the fuck out, the door suddenly opened, not even making a sound as Winters suddenly stalked inside, her dark hair completely loose for once and reaching past her waist where it seemed to curl slightly by the tips as she glared down at something on her cell phone, lips curled into a displeased scowl.

Holy shit.

Alastor felt his mouth dropping open, throat drying up almost instantly as he gaped like a fish out of water at her.

Holy shit.

It was the first time he saw her dressed in another color; brown shorts, matched with an even lighter shade of brown gladiator sandals with straps and strings wrapped around long legs that had him swallowing inaudibly and an oversized, white long sleeved-shirt that seemed to hug her slender frame and Alastor wanted to give her a hug, too, damn it!

What the hell?

What the fuck is going on?

Why...why is he still dreaming?!

For a while, his mate thankfully didn't take notice of him gawking at her like a koi fish as she silently moved across the room, gaze still focused on whatever she was glaring at on her phone.

When Winters crossed the other side of the room, she pushed the dark drapes aside without any sort of warning and a glaring sunlight suddenly flooded in the room, making Alastor yelp in shock when it struck him square in the eyes, the light feeling like it was going to burn his retinas to ashes... or maybe that was his karma for staring too much at her legs.