Love Most Unexpected - Radiodust

Chapter 4 - Apologies

(This chapter is longer than I planned, lol.)

    Another day had passed, and Alastor's mind was still running at a hundred miles an hour. He'd continued to think about his encounter with Angel in the living world. That memory had never bothered him so much before. The last time he'd willingly thought about it was during the first few days in the hotel. It hadn't taken him long to realize Angel had a familiar aura. 

    After thinking about it, Alastor had noticed the similarities in speech pattern, choice of style, and family members. He'd always listen in when Angel mentioned something concerning his living life. 

    Despite everything, Alastor was surprised he'd connected the dots. Sure, Angel was obvious, but Alastor never thought such a strange and meager memory would hang around as it did.

    It humored him as much as it tortured him.
    Of all the people Alastor could be drawn to, it was Angel. The most annoying being Alastor had yet to meet in all of hell.
    Alastor was sure the two didn't have much in common, and he never made a point to find out. Getting to know Angel wasn't exactly on his bucket list, but...

    Alastor grinned, raising his hand to his chin. 
    Just because he found Angel engaging didn't mean it had to be a big deal. It didn't have to be anything more than an interest. Angel didn't have to know about their human encounter, either. 

    He chuckled to himself. 

    It'd all been exaggerated in his head. 
    Alastor took a deep breath and wiped his monocle with a handkerchief, then set it back on his face. He closed his eyes and re-evaluated his thoughts, grinning. It was simply a coincidence they'd bumped into each other again in hell. Alastor was never the type of demon to let thoughts get in his way. He'd always pushed his mental and emotional baggage aside to reach top performance at all times. 

    Or so he told himself.

    The deer thought about the day prior. "I have never fancied you." Snapping his fingers, his eyes widened. He'd completely forgotten about their little argument and was sure the spider was angry about it.

    Swinging open the door of his room, he stepped outside and shut it gently behind him. Alastor had taken "quiet time" to think alone, as Charlie called it. (Quiet time was something Charlie came up with. The staff is required to take an hour off every day around 3 pm. During this time, they retreat to their rooms for time alone.)

    Alastor walked silently down the hallway. He wasn't exactly supposed to be out of his room, but he wanted to clear up the situation with Angel to avoid any further drama. Though he enjoyed commotion, he'd rather not think about it all afternoon. He sighed, knowing he'd have to apologize.

    Making his way to Angel's door, he lifted his fist, hesitating. After a moment, he knocked quietly.

    He heard shuffling before a half-hearted "yeah?" Alastor sighed. "May I come in?" he asked. 

    There was a moment of silence before the door abruptly opened a crack. Alastor looked up to see Angel's face peeking out at him. Alastor's expression didn't waver as he noticed the mascara running down the spider's face. 
    "Are you-" "What do you want," Angel said, abruptly cutting Alastor off. 

    Alastor adjusted his bowtie, avoiding eye contact. "I came to address our argument," he said. Almost immediately, Angel shut the door on him. Alastor rolled his eyes. Angel sometimes acted as an emotional teen, locking himself up in his room and crying as he did. "Go the fuck away," Angel said coldly. 
    Alastor adjusted his hands behind his back, unamused. "I'm afraid I won't leave until you let me say what I must," he said in a hushed tone. 

    There was another moment of silence before Angel opened the door again, frowning. He gestured Alastor inside and closed the door gently. Turning around, he glared at Alastor, his arms crossed. 

    "Spit it out," Angel said. Alastor turned to face Angel, his arms still behind his back. "I understand I may have hurt you yesterday," he began. 
    "No shit..." Angel said under his breath. 
    "And I have been insensitive to it," the deer continued. "So I came to apologize." 

    Angel stared at him blankly. Alastor couldn't read Angel's expression at the moment, so he waited for a response. Angel chuckled, receiving a confused look from Alastor.

    "You think a fuckin' apology is gonna make me feel better? You ignored me, snapped at me instead of admitting you were wrong and told me almost directly that I ain't shit to you," Angel spat. Alastor furrowed his brows. "I will admit, my reply was harsh, but practically everything you just said is a result of overthinking," Alastor said. 
    "Then tell me, Alastor. What happened." 

    Alastor relaxed his posture and seated himself, signaling to Angel he was no threat. He crossed his legs and held his hands in his lap. 
    "While you were talking, my mind was on about other things. My intention wasn't to snap at you. In fact, I surprised myself. Normally, my sentiment is a bit more laid back. I suppose both of us had subconscious stress," Alastor said smoothly. 

    Angel's bitter expression hadn't let up just yet. "Right. And of course, you'd tell me, as anyone would do, you hate me. Is that it?" he said. 

    Alastor looked up at Angel with his brows furrowed. "Work with me here, Angel. I didn't mean to snap at you. I should have read the situation better," he said.

    Angel looked down at him, his expression a bit easier now. He thought for a moment. "Say it outright, and I'll forgive you," Angel said. 
    "What?" Alastor said.
    "Apologize," Angel demanded.

    Alastor raised his hands to his temples and sighed. "I'm genuinely sorry for what I said, Angel. I don't plan on making the same mistake again."

    Angel nodded. "Thanks, smiles. I forgive ya," Angel said. "And for the record, I purposely made this harder for you. I knew you were here to apologize from the start, but I wanted ta see how determined you were," he said, snickering. 
    Alastor shot Angel a dirty look. Angel simply smirked in return. 





[BONUS (FLUFF?) BECAUSE I COULDN'T STOP WRITING.]

    Angel sighed and sat down on the bed next to Alastor, who tensed. "I'm sorry too, smiles. Sorry for makin' this whole thing a lot more complicated than it needed ta be. I'm goin' through shit of my own if it ain't obvious. Not that I wanna talk about it..." he said, lifting a hand to the nape of his neck. There was a moment of awkward (gay) silence. 

    "I meant to tell you... I, ehm, really enjoyed cooking alongside you," Alastor said, struggling to get the words out of his mouth. 

    Angel chuckled, looking over at the deer who was trying so hard to avoid eye contact. He wanted to mess with Alastor so badly, but, thinking it over, he decided it wasn't the best time for that. 

    "I did too," Angel said, grinning like he had the morning prior. "You ain't so bad." 

    "...I can say the same about you," Alastor admitted quietly. 

    "Ohh~, where'd that confidence come from, hot stuff?~" Angel prodded. 
    "Shut up," Alastor said, giving Angel another dirty look. 

    "In your dreams, deer," Angel teased.

    Alastor checked the time and stood, fixing his hair. "I should go," he said. 
    Angel nodded, watching Alastor make his way to the door. 

    "A tout a l'heur, chéri," Alastor said, stepping outside and shutting the door gently behind him. Though Angel didn't understand what he said, he giggled to himself, enjoying Alastor's charm. 

    "Bye, Al."