I Remember You

-2-

It took a while until Alastor realized the fact that Angel Dust was still there, looking with concern and fright. He was clearly scared, still stunned by what looked like imminent death. As if trying to forget the situation right away, he immediately stood up, and as he did, the black appendages gripping Angel disappeared.

"I... think you've overstayed your welcome."

"...what? You do all that crazy shit and you're just going to tell me to leave? You looked like you were going to KILL me!"

Once again, static filled the air, but no action was taken. There was an awkward silence, and Angel stared intently for an explanation for whatever just happened. No such thing was given, the Radio Demon simply staring back, feeling uncharacteristically hesitant in what he was doing. Even he himself didn't know what he wanted to do. Defensively, he deflected, turning away.

"Get. Out."

Fear was replaced with fury, Angel's eyes narrowing.

"You know what? Screw you."

Turning heel, not even looking to see how Alastor reacted, he slammed the door.

Had this been a random stranger acting so rudely, Alastor wouldn't have cared. But this was no ordinary stranger. Or was he? He flopped back onto his bed, frustrated, unable to get a handle on his emotions, nor even read them. What was usually a calm, collected, suave demon was now crumbling inside. For the longest time, he never needed these feelings or felt them. He was in hell, and everything was beneath him. There were no doubts and anxiousness like this. Resisting the urge to tear even more, he dragged himself to the room's bathroom, splashing his face with water. Looking into the mirror, he shook his head at himself, feeling pathetic. He had to think rationally.

lNo. He is NOT him. No matter how much he looks like him, or sound like him."

Even then, deep in his heart, he knew these words were in vain, his feelings remaining.

----------

"So, I'm guessing it didn't go well."

Angel was slouching and plopped down on a seat, the corner of his lip giving a twitch. He had changed back to his original outfit, and his expression matched the very definition of 'annoyed.'

"What, does my face make it obvious?"

"Well, it hasn't even been 10 minutes." A drink was immediately set down as if he knew what would be asked for. It was immediately downed, as Angel gave a sigh.

"I just don't get it. If it was flat out disinterest he wouldn't... act that way. He was just sad. Maybe he's just crazier than I thought."

Husk seemed to be deep in thought for a few seconds, eyeing a particular dent on the table, then nodded.

"I've got an idea."

"What? Let me guess... he's got a certain kink that he's really into? WAIT. Did you two date before?!"

"I don't know, and hell no. It's... well, you didn't hear this from me, alright?" Angel's interest was piqued, and he gave a nod. "It's not because of you. I mean, the man has class, and I don't see him going for... well, someone like you who's sorta been around..."

"Gee, thanks, killer."

"No offense. Although, aside from that fact, there's something more important." There was curious silence, more nodding to show he was listening, waiting for the bartender to finish. "Back when I was working with him, he had this picture. He's got this office and there's a ton of paintings. He's a collector of many things, one of which is art. But there was one painting that was different from the rest. One he kept in a picture frame on his desk. I got a glimpse of it just once. There's two figures, and one of them is him. The other, I didn't recognize. Tried asking him about it, but he'd just ignore me. Would pass it off as some art he had commissioned." Husk arranged some bottles while looking around, making sure no one was around. The hotel hadn't garnered much attention as expected, but he didn't need any rumors floating around. Alastor would probably have his head for revealing private information like this. It revealed a different side unknown to everyone. A side that could be interpreted as weakness and damage his reputation. "I did some digging around, found out from a few sources that he actually once had a lover. But... a miracle happened."