Haunted (Alastor X Reader)

Chapter 12

"I'm driving."

"Ha! You're funny." You scoffed, walking with your arm linked around Alastor's. The wooden steps coming down from the front porch creaked and groaned quietly under the weight of your gentle footsteps, only to be replaced by the soft crunch of crisp autumn leaves beneath your feet. You smiled softly to yourself at the sound as you both walked over to your car. Stopping at the drivers side, he fondly rolled his eyes and smiled down at you.

"At least let me get the door for you." He offered, opening the car door and gesturing with his hand.

"What a gentleman." You hummed.

"I've been trying to tell you that I am." He chuckled.

"Do gentleman from your time normally act so... bold, so early on in the relationship?" You asked, gentle sarcasm in your voice as you sat down in the drivers seat. You snickered as Alastor shut the door on you instead of answering right away.

"Normally, no." He finally said, opening the passenger side door and climbing in the seat beside you. "But, I'm not a normal gentleman, either."

"You said it, not me." You chuckled. "You look nice, by the way." You offered, trying to ease up on the sarcasm a little bit. He seemed to perk up at this, his smile softening to that of a more sincere one as he looked over at you.

"Thank you, my dear! You look rather fetching yourself. But I'm sure you hear that frequently."

"Sort of." You hummed. He furrowed a brow at this and looked over at you once again with a look of curiosity as you began driving the two of you down the winding roads within the woods by your house.

"Usually just cliché pick up lines, cat-calling, or some misogynistic remark under the guise of a compliment. But every so often I receive a genuine one." You explained.

"Well allow me to say with the upmost sincerity, you look positively wonderful darling."

Your smile widened slightly. "Thank you, Alastor."

"Was that Jessica you were on the phone with? Her voice sounded familiar." He asked, looking out the window and staring out at the vast wilderness that surrounded you. It was beautiful, really. The lingering green of pine needles that blended beautifully with the array of reds, oranges, and yellow leaves on the other trees; and even decorated the forest floor.

"Yeah, that was her." You confirmed quietly. "She wanted to know if I'd do a guest appearance for a show the girls got coming up."

"That would be wonderful, my dear! I think you should!" He smiled at you widely, a hint of excitement in his demeanor. You smiled bashfully and scratched the back of your neck.

"It's been a while since I have... I want to, I miss burlesque a lot. Made me feel empowered."

"Such a shame that lowlife of a former lover forbid you from continuing." He scoffed. "If you ask me, I think you absolutely should take her up on her offer. Just to spite him, just to solidify to yourself that you have control again. I think it could be good for you."

"Can't argue with that." You admitted, biting your lip unconsciously as you pondered the idea. "I think I even have a good song I could perform to as well."

"Marvelous! You sing too, I'm assuming? You didn't sound half bad when you were in the shower one of the times I came over." He chuckled. You smirked and rolled your eyes.

"Yes I do." You confirmed. "My only thing is I have to double check the date for when I leave for Paris. As long as the dates don't overlap with the show, I see no reason why I can't make it. My manager is trying to get the schedule finalized today and tomorrow, so I won't know until tomorrow evening when he calls me."