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“I can hardly believe they ain’t fucking.” Angel took another sip of his drink, eyes glued to the piano.
“Sometimes, I can’t either but believe me, even I don’t know what they got going on.” Husk joined him, taking a gracious swig of his own bottle, simply ignoring the display on stage. “They can fuck or not, for all I care.”
Angel's eyes glanced at him for a moment, smiling more gently, before continuing his focus back to the stage. His hand absently stirred his drink with a straw, the ice clinked against the glass.
“They look happy, though.” Husk stared at Angel for a second, then at his bottle before finally following the others gaze.
Alastor and Rosie both sat at the piano, playing with delicate fingers. Their hands danced across the keys without them having to look and, occasionally brushed, their arms crossed and a small giggle interrupted their song on the occasion.
It was Rosie who led the song, her voice joyful along the melody and it was Alastor whose voice joined her for the refrain, for once not claiming the spotlight but giving, sharing it with his friend.
She’s resplendent, so confident
La Seine, la Seine, la Seine
I realize, I’m hypnotized
La Seine, la Seine, la Seine
I hear the moon singing a tune
La Seine, la Seine, la Seine
Is she divine? Is it the wine?
And they looked happy, more like lovers than the cannibalistic serial killers they were known as. Carefree, as if they both weren’t two of the most powerful beings controlling hell. Like young lovers drinking from the same strawberry milkshake using two straws and like an old couple sharing an umbrella during a walk on a rainy afternoon. Like rays of sun shining past the leaves of tall trees, illuminating beautiful patterns onto the forest floor, like a rainbow reflecting in a puddle or the petrichor smell of rain in the afternoon.
It was a strange thing to see, Husk sneered.
Alastor who he had stood next to as he ripped fellow Overlords skin from flesh and sinew from bone until there was nothing left but red against the asphalt singing what was almost a love song together with Rosie.
I feel alive when I’m beside
La Seine, la Seine, la Seine
From this angle like and angle
La Seine, la Seine, la Seine
I don’t know, don’t know, so don’t ask me why
That’s how we are, la Seine and I
I don’t know, don’t know, so don’t ask me why
That’s how we are, la Seine and I
Alastors hands left the keys then as Rosie took over the refrain, legs swung over the seat and he stood. With the snap of two fingers an arrangement of shadow creatures appeared, wide smiles stretched their faces and they manifested their own array of musical instruments to join the melody. Their feet tapped the ground rhythmically, their heads bobbed along the song. Only two of them stood, waiting for Alastor to turn towards Rosie with a bow and a hand outstretched.
“If I may have the pleasure, my dear?” His voice barely audible through the music.
And Rosie giggled like a young girl on a school dance, her hands leaving the piano to Alastors shadows, instead curling her fingers against his. He pulled her up, close against his chest, both her hands held in his own as they got ready to dance.
His finger snapped again, changing her usual simple dress to one more elaborate, light pink adorned by flowers, it flew over the ground as she moved, heels clicked with every slow step. Long sleeves and a veil behind her like smoke, Alastor truly knew how to make her beauty shine.
Soon, the pair's steps fell in place alongside the music as they danced through the room, separating, pulling close, twirling and gliding across the floor smooth as if they danced on ice.
Upon the bridge
My heart does beat
Between the waves
We will be saved
The air we breathe
Can you believe?
Learn to forgive upon the bridge
Husk watched them as he would a circus attraction. Like a curiosity, a trick for sure, something about the sight in front of him just felt off. And yes, of course, he has seen the pair dance before but it was Angel's comment that made him think about what he saw, curious about unveiling the ruse.
They slowed, eventually. Alastor dipped Rosie backwards, one hand curled around her waist, the other still holding her hand, her remaining one resting on his shoulder. Eyes fixated on each other for what felt a little too long for them to be nothing ‘more’ than friends.
“They should kiss now.” Angel teased, nudging Husk by the shoulder, he responded with a grunt and another swig from his bottle.
“Not gonna happen.”
Alastor helped pull Rosie back up, close to himself, only her hands resting against his chest separating the two. It was an odd sight in a way, Alastor hated being touched as much as he loved invading the personal space of those who did not want to be touched themselves. Only when it came to Rosie and Nifty, would he always make an exception.
And they smiled, well, they always did, Husk mused, but their smiles were genuine and there was some sort of love there. Perhaps one not of romantic nature, perhaps something twisted yet genuine regardless, as much was clear.
He averted his eyes to look at Angel instead as Alastor brushed a strand of hair from Rosies face.
Angel no longer looked at them, instead, a soft smile only directed towards him.
Husk's heart skipped a beat.
The bond Alastor and Rosie shared may not be romantic yet Husk knew it was love regardless, genuine love.
He smiled back at Angel.
That's how we are, la Seine and I