Tethered to You (Alastor X OC)

Ch 24

Ariels POV

I knocked on the hotel door, and then my hands returned to Alastor's bicep. He had his hands behind his back, and was not happy to be here, but he came anyway.

Just to be with me.

The door opened and there stood Charlie, a big smile on her face. This time it didn't fall when she saw us, but she actually looked relieved.

She snatched me away from Alastor and wrapped me into a big hug, earning a bit of radio feedback from the radio demon.

"Oh my gosh! I'm so happy you're alright! I offered you a room here but Al said you were alright, but I wasn't sure and I didn't know what happened I felt so bad-"

She kept rambling and I hugged her back, "hey! Hey, shhhh, it's alright," I chuckled, and she finally stopped blubbering.

I pulled her to arms length, and smiled, "Alastor took care of me..." I reassured her and she let out a soft breath, then returned my smile.

"Good...and I can't thank you enough for what you did for the hotel, seriously," she said as she invited us in.

I returned to Alastor's side, and he grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers.

The hotel was brighter and looked more open and welcoming. The girl Vaggie from last time was over at the arcade machines, playing Pac-Man.

I smiled softly at the image, and then looked around more. It looked like a real hangout now, it was clean and well organized, and if a demon happened to walk in it would seem welcoming.

Suddenly Alastor's hand slipped away from mine and I turned to face him. He looked down at me, his eyes looking affectionate whereas his body language was cold and stoic.

"Dear, does this silly hotel truly mean a lot to you?" He asked softly, and I gently grasped his arm, not enjoying the lack of contact between us.

"I just feel like it's a good idea...not everyone is proud of who they were before, this is the opportunity to change themselves," I said sheepishly. Charlie had gone to talk to Vaggie so it was just us.

He sighed, and closed his eyes before waving his hand. A microphone appeared in his hand and he tapped the face of it, earning some feedback as a reply.

"Very well..." he mumbled and then threw on his radio host persona, bringing the microphone close to his lips.

"Hello sinners!" My eyes widened when the radio in the lobby screeched and tuned itself suddenly to where Alastor's voice was echoing through it.

Unbeknownst to me, every single radio in hell was doing the same exact thing.

"Now, I know you've all been busy with your loathsome hellish activities, but I have a little announcement to make!" He went on, and both girls were now staring at us, mouths dropped.

"As you know your princess, Charlie, has opened a little-experiment, shall we say?- to help rehabilitate sinners! Why, it's simply preposterous, but-!" He held up his finger and looked down at me, throwing me a wink.

"I've stopped by and the decorations are simply to marvel at! Oh how wonderful, yes indeedy! I'd advise you to give it a little stop-by yourselves!" He added a little chuckle and then signed off, the microphone in his hand disappearing.

I gave him a big smile, "oh Al! That was so sweet you didn't have to-"

He turned to me and gently grabbed my face, "my darling, I'd move Heaven and hell to see that gorgeous smile...it was nothing," he said softly, and I blushed.