Wait For Me

Chapter 5 - A Proper Introduction

Anthony sighed. "Some mook tried to mug me. I put 'im down." Except now that he had time to think about it, maybe he acted too hastily. There were other ways he could've scared the mugger off, without killing him. But he had been frustrated, tired, and not thinking. In any case, it was too late now. He could feel bad about it later...maybe.

Alastor looked to the dead man on the ground. The shot was so clean, there wasn't an ounce of blood. Just a hole in the man's head. "I'll say." If the final blow was given in self-defense, Alastor supposed he couldn't really fault the younger man. After all, he did the same thing when a mugger tried to steal from him on his first few days here.

Anthony moved to stand in front of the body once he realized the older man had seen it, and was most likely going to turn him in, gun now visible once again in his grasp. The biggest thing that was drilled into his mind during training had been that he couldn't let anybody outside of the Family see him kill. He couldn't be turned in, connections to the police or not. He raised the gun with a shaking hand, though from the biting cold, or a sudden bout of nerves, he wasn't so sure.

Alastor's eyes widened slightly at the movement, but his grin stayed. "Say, what're you doing?" He damn well knew, but he was going to play dumb while he ran through his options. He really didn't want to kill anyone else today. Especially this man, with whom he'd had such entertaining conversation for once.

"Y-you saw-" the blonde stuttered. He wasn't usually so hesitant to end a life if he needed to, but he desperately didn't want to kill the man that literally woke him up to his true sexuality with just a damn smile!

Alastor shook his head. "Oh, my friend. You are right, I did see, but rest assured my lips are sealed. You said it was an act of self-defense, and I have no justification to say you are lying. Therefore, I will not turn you in, you have my word."

Anthony huffed a dry laugh. "Yeah right. Ya might have a fancy way with words Smiles, but ya ain't the first to beg for their lives in some way." Realizing he said way too much, Anthony quickly shut his mouth, but the damage was done.

Alastor's mind was buzzing a million miles an hour. Did this fellow just imply that he's killed others before? How many others? For what purpose? Was this just commonplace in New York? But despite all the wily thoughts, the word that tumbled out of his mouth was, "Smiles?" He scoffed.

Anthony's face flushed in embarrassment again over the nickname he came up with for the mystery man, being exposed by said mystery man. "Y-yeah, well I don't actually know yer name so, that's what I've been callin' ya."

Alastor tilted his head, and then gave his namesake, a bright, beaming smile. Of course! Neither of them had given the other his name the first time they met. How utterly foolish. "The name is Alastor! What's yours?" he said cheerfully, holding out a hand for the blonde to shake, despite still being held at gunpoint.

Anthony's heart raced as he was shown that charming smile that started this whole damn mess. He released a shaky breath as he lowered the gun. He had absolutely no idea if he could trust the man in front of him, but he just couldn't bring himself to pull the trigger, which was very dangerous in his line of work.

At least now he had a name to the handsome face and charming smile. Alastor. How interesting. Anthony looked up at Alastor, and then back down to his hand when it was offered up. He swallowed. The brunette wanted to know his name? Protocol said he was supposed to give his street name for safety. He didn't really want his first proper introduction with this man to be a lie, but he supposed he didn't necessarily have much of a choice. "Uh, Angel," he replied after a moment of staring, before he too reached a hand out and gave a firm shake.