By The Light Of The Blood Moon

Tit For Tat

Angel sat upright on the blanket as it dawned on him that he hadn't heard how Alastor felt about this whole curse business. They still needed to figure out how to deal with this, how were they going to manage, what exactly were they to one another now? Obviously they were soulmates, but were they more than that, or what exactly? Alastor had also sat up, at least partially, he was leaning on one elbow while lying back and turned towards Angel Dust. Although he was still grinning, as always, Angel was sure that he was thinking through things, he could just tell by the expression in Al's eyes. Angel was the first to break the silence that had fallen between them. 

"So, uh, Al," he stammered out awkwardly, "what are your feelings on all of this? Do you have any ideas on how we can make this work, or what do you plan to do?" Alastor had been looking down at his hands but as Angel finished speaking, he glanced up, still smiling, of course. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, looking as if he were trying to find the right words. 

"I know that when we are apart it is, no pun intended, hell for me. I assume it's the same for you. I don't see how we could manage to go on as we had before all of this happened. "Then again", he said with a heavy sigh "I don't know that you have thought about who I am, what I've done, you know, all the things that are important to know going in." Alastor's eyes had a shinier look about them, making them sparkle in the light, but Angel knew that it was because he was tearing up, even if the other demon wouldn't admit it. 

"I mean," Alastor sat up, facing Angel, "I know I told you I gutted my father when I was alive, but I also killed him for good once I got here" he said, gesturing with his left hand. Angel nodded, he could handle that, especially if Al's dad was anything like his own. 

"Given the circumstances," interrupted Angel, "I think that was probably warranted." 

Alastor shrugged. "Alright, but then I went on to become a serial killer while I was alive." 

Angel shook his head. "I used to do hits for my old man. Me and my brother, so I got no room to judge." he looked away as he said the last part. He didn't like to think about the things that he had to do for his dad, but he had done them all the same.

Alastor snorted. "Not the same thing, my dear, but alright." He took a long drink of water. "I also raised quite the ruckus once I got here, you know." 

Angel grimaced. "I can't top that one, smiles, but seeing as I already knew that, like I said," he picked up Alastor's hand "I ain't here to judge ya. Don't bother bringing up the overlords you killed, 'cause I already know that too. Besides, I killed a few of them myself."

Alastor looked up at Angel in surprise. Angel refused to break the gaze between them. 

"Dammit, Angel," Alastor was becoming visibly shaken, and although he was still smiling from ear to ear, it didn't reach his eyes. "Why aren't you afraid to be near me? Aren't you scared that I could wipe you out at any time, even for no reason at all? It isn't as if I haven't done it to others and I don't even feel bad for it. Aren't you even a little afraid?" Alastor was standing over him now, and although it was outside of Angel's comfort zone, he wasn't afraid. 

"Nah." said Angel, not breaking eye contact with the Radio Demon staring down at him. "I ain't scared of you at all, because you won't hurt me. I know it."

Alastor threw both hands up in the air, a loud snort following as he turned away from Angel Dust. "And just how do you know that? How can you trust that I won't kill you too?"  Angel stood up, slowly approaching the red demon and walking around him so that he could stand toe to toe and face him. 

"That's easy, babe." he said, laying a hand on the other demon's shoulder. "I trust you because I know that you love me just like I love you." Alastor looked away. Unfazed, Angel continued, "You might not admit it to me yet, maybe not even to yourself," he said gently, "but you do, and you know it." Angel waited a moment to let the words sink in. "All that other stuff?" Angel made a dismissive wave. "Forget all that. It don't bother me. 'sides, if you can love the biggest slut in the city, I think I can love the biggest murderer, right?" 

Alastor laughed and pulled Angel into a tight hug. "Do you realize that you have no sense of self-preservation?"

"I mighta heard that before," laughed Angel. 

"So" said Alastor, "if you want to know what I think," Angel nodded mutely. "I think we should just take things slow. We can court, if you like, but we need to know each other before we make any big decisions, at least that's what I think."

"I think I can live with that." agreed Angel. In his mind, anything beats a solid no. "Besides," said Angel, "It ain't like we can undo this curse, I guess," he thought for a moment then continued, "It really ain't like I want to anyhow. Like I said, I had already fallen for you, even before the dance." 

"Likewise, my dear" agreed Alastor. "Shall we return before our compatriots send out a search party?" Angel nodded, and they both began to gather things up to leave, then make the walk back to the hotel, then Angel stopped and spoke.

"Hey, um, Smiles?" he said, as if he had just thought of something. 

"Yes, darling?" 

"Just what did you do with Val yesterday?" Angel asked over his shoulder.

"Oh, that?" he answered with a malicious grin. "I'll show you on the way back, if you like."