Haunted (Alastor X Reader)

Chapter 29

"How are you feeling?"

His words hung in the air for a moment, you blinked at his words and hummed weakly. Your eyelids felt heavy, your body was too. Like every cell in your body was made out of led and concrete. It was maybe 3 in the morning now; you wanted nothing more than to just sleep. Alastor had stayed snuggled up to you for about an hour after he had woken up with a start.

He never did end up telling you what his dream was about, he didn't want to alarm you. He was also nervous that if he told you, it would open a door to more questions that he didn't want to answer. But you didn't pry, you just laid there with him and consoled him. Petting his ears and his hair, rubbing his back, occasionally planting gentle kisses on his head. Which was truly appreciated, he cherished you so much and this was a big part of why. You eased his nerves; even if you weren't trying.

"Darling?" He asked.

"Really sleepy." You finally answered, your voice dripping with fatigue.

"I think you're safe to rest now, if you'd like." He hummed. He lifted his head up and looked down at you, you met his gaze with tired, half lidded eyes. Yet full to bursting with love and respect. It melted his heart, you looked so unbelievably adorable. Especially when you were sleepy.

"You sure?" You asked, yawning quietly and covering it with your hand. "And are you okay?"

His ears drooped, flattening to his head at your question. His stomach feeling a bit heavy as he recalled his dream, and looked down at your neck. Bruises from where your ex had a hold on you had become more pigmented in color, painting your skin in various shades of blue, purple and red. He blinked away his thoughts and met your eyes once more. Gently raising his hand to caress the skin of your cheek, you hummed softly and leaned into his affection. "I'm fine, my dear." He lied. "And yes. You don't seem any worse for the ware, so I believe you should be alright."

You hummed again, curling up to him and this time nestling your head against his chest. He smiled sweetly down at your form, admiring how precious you looked. Your eyes fluttering closed with ease and a soft, subtle smile graced your face as you snuggled him like he was a big teddy bear. He couldn't help but blush, pulling the covers up over your tired bodies and then draped his arm around you. Sighing peacefully he rubbed your back, snaking his hand underneath your shirt and merely traced small circles on your skin with his fingertips; hoping to lull you further.

So far it seemed to be working, until he heard your voice gently break the silence. "Alastor?"

"Yes my dear?"

"Thank you for protecting me." You hummed.

Alastor, for once, didn't know what to say.

He was normally a rational man; not driven or motivated by trivial emotions such as guilt or remorse. However for the first time in longer than he could recall, he couldn't accept the praise.

He didn't think it was fair.

Sure, he did save your life and take care of your little problem with Ex/n. And Of course he was more than happy to do so. Why, he'd be so tempted to hunt your ex down in hell and put him through all that pain all over again.

But keeping secrets from you... Who he was behind this veil, the other side to who he is... Then his revitalized bloodlust for the living added to the mix... He didn't feel like he was protecting you at all. Physically, sure... But he felt like he was playing with fire when it came to your heart, by harboring his true colors from you.

He couldn't say 'your welcome'. He wouldn't take the credit. But, he did say the most honest thing he could before you drifted off to sleep.

"I love you."