Tethered to You (Alastor X OC)

Ch 40

Ariels POV

After Vox left, Alastor physically collapsed onto the couch. I was staring down at him, face down in the couch wearing flannel pajamas.

I knelt beside the couch, running my fingers through his hair and smoothing it out. It was caked with dried blood and sweat.

He groaned into the couch cushion and I chuckled.

"Are you ok?" I asked him, amused.

He fixed himself to where he was facing me, his lips formed into a soft pout, "no."

I pouted back, reaching forward and pushing the fallen hair away from his cheek. He closed his eyes and sighed.

He really needs a bath. Some relaxing hot water will be perfect for him right now.

"Come on..." I grabbed his arm, tugging at him, "let's go get you a bath...come on," I tugged again and he groaned.

"But I don't wanna..." he whined like a child, and I lowered my eyelids at him.

"Alastor, you have blood, oil, and sweat caked into your hair, and it will feel good against your muscles..." his body healed itself just fine, which is why he wasn't scratched up, but I can tell he's sore.

Reluctantly he sat up, wincing slightly. He held up his tough attitude pretty well when Vox was here, but as soon as the elevator door shut he was down for the count.

I grabbed his hand and lead him to the bathroom. The large marble bathtub was huge, and plenty big enough to fit him.

I knelt down and ran the water, making sure it was nice and hot, before adding some bath salts I bought. They should help, as well.

He was sitting on the closed toilet with his head laid back against the cabinet and I chuckled softly, going over to him.

"Let's get these off, hm?" I said softly, unbuttoning his nightshirt. He took care of me today, so now it's my turn to take care of him.

His eyes opened just barely, and a tiny smile formed on his once relaxed face. I got the last button undone and he shrugged the soft flannel off, letting me take it from him.

Next he stood up and dropped his pants and boxers, stepping out of them lazily. He kicked them to the side, and I let out a short laugh, tossing his shirt into the small pile of clothes.

I reached up, smiling softly at him. I used my fingers to push his hair back, smoothing his ears down as well before gently rubbing them. Then I trailed my fingers down his neck and to his shoulders.

Then down his chest, over his scars. After I gave them a little love I pulled him into a hug. He gets a little extra lovin' tonight.

I pulled away, and he had a cute blush dusted across his face, then his eyes widened and he jolted forward when I smacked him on the butt.

"Ok, get in," I pointed to the water and he glared at me, causing me to giggle. He settled into the water and I saw him visibly relax. His ears lowered and he moaned softly.

I held my hand out in front of me and summoned a small stool to sit on. I'd been getting better with my magic, and summoning things was easy for me now.

I've moved on to healing and spells, but those are proving to be...difficult.

Dragging the stool behind the tub where Alastor was resting his head, I sat down and waved my hand, forming a cup.

He's getting babied whether he likes it or not.

I dipped the cup into the water and started humming quietly. I made him lean his head back and poured the water over his hair, avoiding his ears. He sighed and slowly opened his eyes, looking up at me.