𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 | 𝘼𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧
【 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐘 𝐒𝐈𝐗 】
Just as (Y/N) was dozing off, Alastor beside her humming a soft, jazzy tune whilst Vaggie and Charlie chatted quietly to themselves across from them, the front doors opened, snapping her from her sleepy state. There stood Angel Dust and Husk, both smiling at each other as they chuckled from what they were speaking about, looking anything but okay from how roughed up they were: their clothes looked scuffed, they were bleeding from various cuts and wounds, and Husk looked like he had a black eye.
(Y/N) stood up, worried.
I guess they did encounter those gang members... does this mean they also sang 'Loser, Baby?'
That would be nice.
Her lips then curved into a soft smile.
They do need each other.
They need that friendship, or something else if their relationship develops more.
"Hey, guys," she gave them a small wave as she approached them, their eyes widening when seeing her considering the last time they did, she looked to be on the verge of death. "I'm glad to see you both are okay. When Vaggie told me what happened, I—"
Instantly, she was cut off when Angel rushed forward and embraced her, deciding not to even care if Alastor was looking or not. Even though he was threatened by the feared and famed Radio Demon, when it concerned his friends' well being, he didn't care. (Y/N) was dumbfounded by Angel's affectionate actions, yet quickly shoved that feeling aside as she readily hugged him back since, after all, she cared for him as much as he did her. His expression was one of relief as his grip on her tightened, the feeling of her beating heart a welcoming signal that she was still alive.
It meant she wasn't dead because of him—because of how she stood up for him which led to the consequences of Valentino's death which in turn led to Vox trying to kill her.
If anything had happened to her, if her heart had stilled, he wouldn't have ever forgiven himself.
Husk sighed in disbelief, yet he too smiled.
As he met (Y/N)'s eyes, he returned her smile and gave her a knowing nod before returning back to his bar area to clean himself up. Closing her eyes again, (Y/N) squeezed Angel once more before releasing him and drawing away, her hands however still holding his as his upper set of hands began wiping away the free flowing tears running down his cheeks.
Alastor rolled his eyes at the scene.
But, theorizing (Y/N) wouldn't be too pleased if he interrupted, he refrained from speaking.
Oh, how he wished to rip them apart, though.
No matter if (Y/N) didn't seem interested in Angel that way and no matter if Angel's preferences leaned towards men, the very idea of someone touching her, regardless of their intention, made Alastor's smile stretch thin in vile envy.
After all, it was a simple matter.
She had stolen a very high-guarded item that she would now forever hold.
Nor never be rid of.
Turning back into the situation unfolding before him, Alastor watched as (Y/N) wiped away a few of Angel's tears before murmuring softly, "I heard from Vaggie that the reason you ran out... was because you felt responsible for what happened to me. Why would you ever feel responsible for something like that? You didn't do anything, so why blame yourself? I hate it. I hate that because of Valentino, you still belittle yourself and think you're the cause of what terrible problems occur. It was my choice to help you. I would go back and do the same thing a hundred times over if I had to." (Y/N)'s eyes then creased as her expression crumbled, continuing softly, "So, please... don't get hurt like this because of me."
"But if it hadn't been for you helping me, you woulda never become involved with the Vee's," Angel's jaw tightened. "You woulda never... been hurt."
"I told you," her eyes hardened. "I don't regret my actions—I'm sure I never will."
Angel stared into her unwavering gaze.
He wanted to believe her.
He felt as if he did believe her.
Yet, Valentino's hold over him had never ceased even after his death, whispering foully to him everyday that addict and whore trash like him would never be loved. That (Y/N), despite her words, was lying to him since he was that unlovable.
"Angel!" (Y/N) then yelled as she grabbed his face to yank him down to her eye level, by then her eyes flaming with anger and determination. "Don't listen to him. Don't ever listen to him again. Listen to my voice right now: you're my friend. All of us—Charlie, Vaggie, Sir Pentious, Niffty, Husk, Alastor... and me—will not give up on you. And again, we never will." Her smile softened as new tears started to flow from Angel's eyes, disbelief glimmering within the pink hues as she continued softly, "Now, let's clean you up. It looks like you and Husk had quite the day."
"You shoulda seen the other guys," Husk snickered from where he leaned against the bar's counter, his signature bottle of alcohol in hand. "Angel done fucked them up real good—he's a badass."
Angel scoffed, wiping away his tears.
"What?" Husk raised a challenging brow.
"I fucked them up? Oh, (Y/N), you shoulda seen how Husk stopped them with playing cards—playing cards!" Angel laughed, a new type of courage filling his heart as he straightened up. "If I wasn't so busy tryin' not to be killed, I woulda filmed the entire thing!"
Everyone laughed at that.
Of course, save for Alastor.
"That..." Charlie sniffled, looking to be on the verge of tears as well. "...was so beautiful!"
"Calm down, babe," Vaggie sighed.
"But, Vaggie!" Charlie tugged on her girlfriend's arm as her eyes practically sparkled with hope and happiness—literally, sunshine and rainbows being reflected in her gaze. "This is exactly what I wanted! This friendship... I love it. With everyone so happy and joyous, it's only natural we celebrate, right? Oh! I know what we should do!" Spreading her hands in a large gesture, she continued jovially, "Let's have a movie night to commemorate our friendship!"
"What?" Vaggie blinked, obviously confused.
"I'm in!" (Y/N) was quick to agree to Charlie's plan, her enjoyment of watching a movie previously with Angel allowing her to know she would appreciate the experience even more with everyone else.
"Sure," Angel shrugged. "Why not?"
"I wouldn't mind," Husk took a swig of his bottle.
"Yay!" Charlie cheered before grabbing both Husk and Angel by the arm before pushing them towards the stairs. "We'll pull up the movie while you guys are getting washed up, okay? Don't worry though, we'll wait for you since we do need to make the popcorn! Ah, this is gonna be so fun!"
Angel gave a small wave to (Y/N) which she returned, turning to approach Charlie to see if she needed any help only to be stopped by Alastor.
"What?" She frowned.
"My dear, instead of watching that noisy picture box Charlie seems so fond of, we should retire for the evening, especially since your wound hasn't fully healed yet, don't you agree?" He hummed as he leaned down with his hands on the top of his microphonic cane, his rather malignant, enigmatic smile highlighting the disturbing look in his eyes. "It would be quite a shame if you were to end up hurt because of a minor suggestion like this."
"I'm fine," (Y/N) brushed his words away, both still a little wary of him and irritated at him for threatening Angel and Pentious.
With no explanation, she then walked away.
She walked away from him.
And she did it so very easily.
Alastor's brow twitched from the loathsome idea, his perfectly crafted mask of a smile cracking to show his irrepressible obsessive nature.
He couldn't help it, though.
He wanted her.
And he always obtained what he wanted.