Tethered to You (Alastor X OC)

Ch 45

Alastors POV

Her cheeks puffed out slightly as she ate her breakfast.

Pancakes, I've learned, make this girl very happy. She also will only eat them if they have pure maple syrup. She did not like the sugary, thick syrup.

I had my hands wrapped around my mug, the warmth almost burning me but not quite. I was too distracted to notice it, anyway.

There were so many thoughts running through my mind. So many feelings nagging at my brain.

Guilt, worry, relief, regret...

Without realizing it, I had completely spaced out. I didn't see Ariel get up, I didn't hear her put her plate in the sink, and I certainly wasn't expecting her arms to suddenly drape over my shoulders.

I sucked in air through my nose quickly, her touch startling me.

"Woah...it's me, Al," she chuckled, causing the stiffness in my back to relax. The feeling of her nose brushing against my cheek made the thoughts storming through my head go quiet.

Her scent surrounded me, and I took a deep breath, closing my eyes.

"Whatcha thinking about," her voice was soft, the question sounding more like a demand. After my detrimental slip up, it's understandable.

"A bit of everything, my love..." I responded with a sigh, "I still feel like a complete...for lack of better term...dick. Not only that, I'm also worried about you, I don't want to let you out of my sight. Although, I understand I can't always be with you..." another heavy sigh heaved through my lungs and I put my hands over my face.

Dragging them down, they fell back onto the table.

I received a very quick kiss to the temple, and then to the cheek. She pushed her nose against my cheek and nuzzled against me, "Alastor, I've forgiven you, so you can go ahead and let that go...as for being worried about me, that's understandable. I'm worried about myself, to be completely honest, but we'll be alright. I think you've displayed enough carnage to keep us safe for a while."

I chuckled slightly at her reasoning. She then rounded my chair and planted herself into my lap.

"Here's to hoping, my darling," was my response. I leaned down and connected our lips, the taste of syrup still on her mouth. Her purr erupted in her chest, causing a gentle vibration. This caused my purr to flare up in response.

I let my tongue glide over her bottom lip, preparing to deepen the kiss. Just as she opened her mouth to allow me to, the buzzing sound of someone ringing the doorbell sounded.

She jumped slightly, and I shut my eyes. I took a simple deep breath, sliding her off my lap.

I stood up calmly, buttoning my shirt up properly before heading towards the elevator.

I will be answering the door this time.

I pressed the button to open the elevator door, turning around as I stepped inside. She was sitting in the chair I just got up from, her legs crossed beneath her.

She gave me a small smile and a thumbs up, and I returned her smile with one of my own. When the elevator doors shut, my smile fell into a tired frown.

Whoever is ringing my doorbell during breakfast must have a death wish. I'm still mulling over whether or not I'll even give them time to speak before I eat them.

The doors opened and I stepped out, fixing a smile back onto my face. I straightened my sleeves, buttoning the cuffs before grabbing the door handle and throwing it open.