Alastor X Reader: Blood For Freedom

18. Rome

*** Your POV ***

"Alright ya'll, I got everybodies tickets!!! THIS IS SO EXCTING!"

Charlie was bouncing up and down as you came down the stairs. Very aware of the fact that you were expected to be all dressed up and ready to go with everyone to LuLu World, but you were not. Instead you were still in your pajamas and a comfy tank top, leaning against the corner wall near the main entrance. You almost opted for not coming down at all, but figured that would only cause them to go looking for you so you might as well just tell them you weren't coming yourself.

To your surprise Alastor was there too, standing to the side with his general bemused smile and his cane behind his back. He was not paying attention to you at first, but then Charlie bounded over to you.

"Why are you not ready yet Y/n!" She pouted, "Come on! Go get dressed we are leaving soon!"

"No Charlie, I'm good I wont be coming." Her expression melted into puppy dog eyes. "Theme parks are not my thing." You lied. It actually did sound like fun, and you've been before - though on the literal leash of one of the Goetia family kids.

"Oh come on, please!" She shook her fists at you.

"No no. Go on, really, you will be late." You told her, trying to look reassuring and amicable. To your relief Vaggie grabbed her by the arm and pulled her away with a "Come on, if she don't wanna go, she don't wanna go."

With that the group made their way out the door and you watched, trying to hide your melancholy behind a pleasant smile. As Alastor was about to round up the rear and exit you turned on your heals to head towards the kitchen for some coffee, your fake smile already faltering. You were not Alastor when it came to keeping it up. You didn't notice the man himself stopping briefly and looking back at you, assessing your whole posture as you pushed yourself away from the wall and walked solemnly away.

You decided to just take it easy, making yourself a large mug of coffee and taking it upstairs to the library, where you picked the dustiest looking history book and started reading. At least you had coffee and books, and food if you wanted. At least you weren't stuck in a damp dungeon or being paraded around in a fancy garden like a trophy. But it still felt cold and lonely realizing that the rest of them went off without you with not a care in the world.

*** Alastor's POV ***

I had walked with the rest of the group to LuLu World and even made it past the entry gates before the gnawing feeling in my chest made my step falter. I was thinking of you. The way you smiled at everyone as they left, making sure they didn't feel your sadness as they did so. The way your whole body resonated loneliness as you walked away. It just... felt wrong, as have many things you've done for others at your own expense. My thoughts continued, swirling in my head. Didn't I offer companionship, whatever that meant? I didn't really know, I used your word because it seemed to fit, but isn't helping someone not feel lonely a part of that? But why didn't you ask me then? And what was I doing over here in this mess of people that almost got me killed in a place I would never normally be interested in? A day of peace with you sounded like a much more appealing idea.

"Alastor, you alright?" Charlie came around from behind me, looking at me with innocently.

"Yes. But I think I will be going back to the hotel." I replied coolly, "I don't think this will be my cup of tea after all."

"Oh." Charlie clearly looked disappointed but wasn't going to argue with me of all demons, "Okay, see you back there."

With that I disappeared into shadow, leaving Charlie to stand there awkwardly until Vaggie walked up her with a large ball of cotton candy. "Where did he go?"