You Won't Get Away Twice (Alastor x Reader)

Chapter 22: What would it take?

I feel frozen in place. I'm pretty physically uncomfortable since I'm still on my tippy toes, but I don't know how to respond. Is he actually asking me? My eyes still don't move from his, trying my best to figure out if I'm in danger right now.

"What am I... doing to you?" I repeat his question slowly. Once I ask him it's like his mind snaps back into focus. His eyes blink and they're back to normal as he shakes his head a little. He lets go of his hold on me, making me much more comfortable. I don't back away, still curious to see if he'll answer. I notice how he doesn't make eye contact with me anymore. It's almost like he just realized he asked the question out loud when he meant to keep it an internal thought. There are a few more seconds of silence before he finally says something else.

"It's nothing." Alastor shuts down, still not making eye contact with me. I can see in his facial expression that he's frustrated, but not necessarily angry. The grip on his staff is pretty tight, like he's trying to recover from this moment. A moment of vulnerability.

"It's not nothing." I clarify, doing my best to stand strong and not back down. This does get Alastor's attention back to me, but he still looks frustrated. I have to tread carefully. "You know... if you don't plan to kill me, and I don't plan on dying again, we'll be stuck together for... well... forever." I state. This seems to have peeked Alastor's interest. "I feel like we can continue to butt heads for all of eternity, or we can try to learn to work together so that it's not miserable." I offer.

This makes Alastor laugh. He's definitely not frustrated anymore, but he's amused by my little speech. Still holding his staff he crosses his arms, looking down at me. "My dear, I think you're the only one who's miserable." He clarifies. Now that I think about it more, he's not wrong. It's not his problem at all, just mine.

I roll my eyes. Why did I even try? "Forget it." I mutter, turning around to leave. I take a few steps down the hallway before his voice stops me in my tracks.

"What would it take?" Alastor's question makes my ear twitch as I contemplate what he's asking. I turn to look at him. Still standing confidently, but with a look of sincerity. This is interesting.

"What would it take for you to not be... miserable?" Alastor asks again, putting the end of his staff on the floor in front of him, both hands on the top. "Didn't you just tell me yesterday that you were happy? And now you're miserable? Your emotions are so strange." He tilts his head to the side like he's genuinely confused.

"Well..." I begin to argue, trying to find my words. It's a little difficult to argue against his questioning. "Ugh. I am as happy as I can be given the circumstances, Alastor." I begin, walking back towards him. "But did I want to end up in Hell? No. Did I want to end up in eternal debt to the psychopath that tried to kill me? Absolutely not. Who would?!" I explain further. But back to his original question...

"What would it take?" I repeat his earlier question, thinking. "It... it would be nice to feel like I mattered." I explain vaguely, making Alastor look intrigued. "To feel like I'm more than just a pawn in your sick and twisted game of domination. You don't need to like me or anything, but..." It's hard to explain. Now I feel vulnerable. I put my arms around myself, head down. "I never got to live a life where I truly mattered to someone. I just... wonder how it feels." I hope I did a good job at explaining.

"And you want ME to be that person for you?" Alastor questions, really putting an emphasis on the word 'me.' "Why?" He counters.

"I don't have anyone else! Okay?!" I throw my arms up in defense. "I have Husk, but he's more like a concerned dad. Which is nice in its own way, I'll admit. But I want to matter to someone in a different way. Is that so bad?" I argue.

Alastor shrugs. I'm not sure if that was a dismissive gesture or if he doesn't follow. "Don't know, and honestly I don't really care." Okay, it's both.

Even though he says he doesn't care, there's something about the way he said it that makes it hard to believe. I think he cares more than he lets on, even just a little.

"So, what would you have me do to show you that you... mattered?" Alastor's question is more specific. That is a good question. What should I ask?

Then it hits me!

"Set Husk free." It's a clear statement as I smirk at him. I think he sees it as a challenge.

"Nice try, darling." Alastor remains calm as he pats his sleeve from any dust particles that could be on it. "I don't end contracts that easily." His decision is clear. Well, that's disappointing.

I sigh. "Fine." I sound a little sad as I shrug. "I just don't matter enough. Message loud and clear." I challenge further.

"You should know better than most I enjoy a good deal." Alastor laughs as he walks closer to me. "Can't make another deal with you, so that's out of the question." Once he's standing close to me again, he stops, a mischievous look on his face. "But... I believe we can still make an arrangement." Oh no, what did I get myself into?

"And what arrangement would that be?" I skeptically ask.

Alastor holds his hand up with three fingers raised. "Three favors from you. Favors that will not be challenged of my choosing that I can ask for at any time." That seems steep. Who in their right mind would do such a stupid thing?! Alastor calmly walks past me as he continues. "Once all three favors are fulfilled, I'll give you Huskers contract. You can do with it as you wish." This catches my attention again.

I look at Alastor in shock. Would he really? I think he can feel my eyes on him. He stops walking and looks back at me, a confident smile on his face like he knows he has my attention. "Would this offer prove to you that you and your wishes... matter... to me?" He asks. Before I can say anything else he shrugs. "I can't just give away his contract for free, you see. A favor for a favor. Well, in this case, a favor for three favors."

Alastor faces his body so that he's fully attentive back at me again. He leans down so he's closer to my level and puts his hand out. "What do you say, mon cher?" Isn't that French for 'my dear?'

Three favors that Alastor can call on at any time that I can't argue with in exchange for Husk to be free. Technically he is providing a solution for what I asked of him, but not for free. This is stupid, I know it's stupid! But if I hold my end of the deal and Alastor does set Husk free, it will make me pretty happy.

I know I can't technically be in another deal with Alastor since he already owns my soul, but the gesture reflects my agreement. I shake his hand. "It's a deal."