Tethered to You (Alastor X OC)

Ch 20

Ariels POV

"I think your little receptionist thinks I'm dead," I giggled softly, browsing through his books.

He chuckled, "she probably thought she herself was going to meet her end. With the way I answered the phone I'm surprised she even dared continue telephone your request," he said smoothly.

I'd grown used to the eloquent way he spoke.

I pulled out a particularly old looking book and looked over it. The soft leather cover had no name on it, just soft creases showing it's been given attention.

I turned to him, the book clutched in my hand. He looked soft in this different lighting. The red hue from outside accentuated the red in his aesthetic.

Now that we had reunited, I could observe his living situation more closely.

It was beautiful, to say the least. And to think most nights he chose to stay at my place rather than his own...

In his living room where we were there was a large sofa, and the back wall was lined with 12 ft tall bookshelves.

In front of the sofa was a solid oak coffee table, deep scars and scratches giving it an old look. On that, there were coasters.

Cute.

Then, instead of a television he had a grand fireplace, real brick and cast iron gates to close the front off.

Above that fireplace, each having its own plaque, were demon heads. Upon closer look, engraved under each head was the name and specific role they once held.

All of them seemed to have once been overlords.

I shivered slightly, and looked at the small radio that sat on one of the side tables.

It looked old, but well taken care of.

"Alastor this place is magnificent..." I wondered aloud, and he chuckled.

"It is, it took me decades to build up my empire. My territories span far and wide, but none of that amounts anything to what it felt like seeing you walk through those elevator doors," he responded sincerely. I blushed heavily.

"Oh shut up..." I mumbled with an embarrassed smile, "everyone thought I was out of my mind," I snorted softly remembering the look the arachnid woman gave me.

"Why?" He asked with a short laugh after hearing my small snort.

"Because I was running around with a poster that said "beware the radio demon", a wild look in my eyes, frantically asking people where you were," I couldn't keep back my giggles.

He burst out laughing, and I turned around. He had a hand over his eyes and one on his stomach as he laughed heartily.

"You're joking me, darling! You did not..." he chuckled and I shook my head.

"You should've seen the look on that poor girls face when I nearly knocked the doors off their hinges," I giggled, approaching him.

He glanced at the book I held, and his eyes lit up.

"Ah! You've found my spell book," he said with enthusiasm lacing his voice. I held it up, having forgot I was even holding it in the first place. It looked worn, and old.

"I just picked it up because it looks the most used," I shrugged, causing him to chuckle. He took it from me gently and a green glow surrounded it as it floated back to the proper place on its bookshelf.

I just blinked and then shook my head.

Alastor checked his pocket watch, and hummed.

"Dear, it's only 6:30, how about I show you around hell?" He suggested, and I nodded.