RadioDust - Deer Season

Chapter 4: Familiarity

Alastor looked down at Angel's form as he stood in front of the couch he was resting on. He could tell Angel was lacking in sleep, as dark circles and the slight hint of bags could be easily be seen under the spider's eyes. He watched as Angel would twitch every so often but overall remained asleep. Alastor couldn't help but think that Angel must have been really tired to stay asleep however this allows him to watch the other demon sleep.

It has been a while since he had gotten this close to anyone to really examine them. Most demons flee at the mere sight of him and those who didn't often didn't stay long enough near him for Alastor to really notice these fine details. A soft sound could be heard escaping Angel dragging Alastor out of his thought, he watched as Angel turn over on the couch facing the back of it. He moved quite a bit that Alastor almost thought that the other demon woke up but quickly found out that Angel was adjusting his body so his tail didn't get mushed.

Alastor felt himself chuckling as he watched Angel moved around a bit more before finding a comfortable position that he continued to sleep on. He realized that he had been watching the other demon for quite some time he felt his face heat up just a bit at it. Shaking his head he turned away from the sleeping demon and went on to gather a book to read as he originally planned.

He spent quite some time among the bookshelves but his thoughts continued to plague him as time continued to tick. His thoughts were fighting his body as he continued down the bookshelves. His body wanted to go back to Angel making sure that the other demon wasn't alone as his thought told him that Angel was fine. It wasn't long before he gave in, he quickly grabbed a random book off the shelf as he headed back toward where Angel slept.

Alastor gave a quick glance at Angel before taking the lounge chair across from the couch the other demon occupied. Once he was settled he began reading however, he found himself distracted as he read. By now he would have been able to finish at least 3 books but here he was still on his first one. A small sigh escaped the red-cladded demon as he noted his page closing the book he placed it on the small end table next to him. He leaned back into the chair before he placed one of his hand on the armrest placing his head on it as the other remained in his lap.

He glanced over at the still sleeping demon on the couch across from him as he collected his thoughts. 'Sooner or later...' He thought to himself as he found himself full-on staring at the demon. Rustling noise caused Alastor attention to come back his tufts shot up at the noise as he watched Angel began to stir from his nap.

He quickly picked up the book he was reading before as he pretended to be reading. Alastor couldn't help but scold himself mentally as he thought why did he do that. Angel began to rise as he sat upright on the couch, rubbing the remainder of slumber from his eyes. Alastor didn't need to see over his book to know that Angel had taken note of him as he heard the spider demon let out a gasp.

There was more rustling as he folded the book in his lap to see Angel getting off the couch walking toward him. His eyes widen at the other demon approach, but he willed himself to grin at him as he stayed still. Angel looked at him curiously before leaning in toward Alastor, causing Alastor to back a little in his chair at the action. Angel must have failed to notice as he got closer, he was inches away from Alastor face before he looked up at him.

His pinks eyes looking into his red ones and he spoke "Hey Al? How come you seem different?"

Red eyes blinked at the spider's question before he composed himself enough to smile at the demon. He summoned his staff to push the demon away from his personal space as he too can smell the other demon. With a light chuckle, he merely replied watching the demon dust himself off the floor. "Angel, I don't think I'm the one who changed remember."

He expected a sassy remark but Angel looked at him in curious as he had before as he said slowly, "Yeah... I guess so."

This caused Alastor interest to peak as he found himself questioning the other demon before he stops himself. "Are you alright?"

Angel had sat back down on the couch as he looked up in surprise at Alastor's question. Angel thought to himself for a minute before he gave Alastor a weak smile. "I'm just very tired" Angel said honesty as he ran a hand through his locks before leaning back against the couch.

"And you know... it fucking sucks. I don't even know my body anymore." Angel said looking at the ceiling. Alastor just watched in silence at the once spider demon and for once he found himself feeling sympathy toward the other's words. A small choked laugh dragged Alastor out of his thoughts as he focused on Angel who was looked torn between emotions.

"I don't even know why the fuck I'm even telling you any of this shit." Angel said grimly before he gave Alastor a small smile. Everything in Alastor screamed to go over to the other demon and comfort him to protect him even from himself. But Alastor willed himself to stay seat as he said "Sometimes we just need a moment, even with people you least expect."

Angel merely nodded in response before turning his head toward one of the windows in the library noticing the darkened sky. He watched as Angel turned toward him with a smile he never seen before.

"Thanks."

Alastor felt like his heart stopped, was Angel always like this? Or was it the change? Alastor didn't know what it was but he couldn't help the small heat blossoming in his chest as he could only smile back.