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Something about Charlie was DIFFERENT today.
It wasn’t her hair. That was in her signature pulled back style. She wore pretty much the same thing to work every day. What was it?
Then she stumbled on her way to the printer and he saw them.
“Charlie, what on EARTH is on your feet?”
“These? Oh yeah!” She held up a foot, wiggling a tall, sparkly silver heel. “It’s a long story.”
“And we’re in hell for eternity.”
“Good point. Angel is always wearing the most insane high heels. I asked him how the fuck he did ANYTHING in those, because they looked dangerous. He told me he could do anything in them, but there’s no way I could wear them. I told him I totally could, I just like to still be able to feel my feet. He laughed at me and said I wouldn’t last a week. Aaaaaand I don’t like to lose.”
“Seriously? You’re going to wear those ridiculous things all week?”
“No. He’s giving me a new pair to wear every day. So these are my Monday shoes!”
“And how are you faring?” Alastor smirked at her pained expression.
“Great! Not at all like my feet are blistered and bloody.”
“Charlie, you’re in the office. You can take them off in here.”
“No! Because then I’ll lose!”
“No one will know.”
“I will know!”
Alastor just rolled his eyes and returned to his work. “Fine, break your ankles for a silly bet. I don’t care.”
Except he DID care. Not at first, until he saw her that evening. She’d changed out of her work uniform and was in tight shorts and t-shirt. She bent over to get the paper he’d dropped and his eyes nearly popped out of his head. The high heels seemed to have made certain…features more prominent.
Angel watched the radio demon with a smirk that evening. All through their evening meeting, which Alastor usually ducked out of early, if he came at all, his eyes were glued to Charlie’s legs. He seemed laser focused on them, and when Charlie crossed one leg over the other, there was a crackle of radio static. They all looked at him and he cleared his throat. “Apologies.”
Well this was an unexpected bonus! He thought he’d just be laughing his ass off all week watching charlie try to walk in hooker heels. It seemed they’d flipped some sort of switch for Alastor (turned him on, Angel laughed to himself.)
“Yo blondie, can I talk to ya alone when you have a minute?”
“Sure!” Charlie smiled. She stumbled and dropped her papers again, and this time when she bent over to retrieve them, a piercing squeal made them all cringe, and then Alastor was just gone.
Charlie was stirring her tea in the kitchen and Angel was leaning on the counter next to her. “So how’s it going with the heels?”
“Pretty good, I think! I’ve stumbled a few times, but I’ll get used to them.”
“Put all your weight on the balls of your feet, don’t try to walk with the whole shoe. But I did wanna ask you something. You notice anything different about big red tonight?”
“No. What is it?”
“He couldn’t keep his eyes off you!”
Charlie groaned. “I knew it! I look like an idiot in these shoes. He’s probably going to tease me about them.”
“No, that ain’t it. He seems to like ‘em.”
“Like…he wants a pair?” Charlie looked at him in confusion.
“No! Like he likes the way YOU look in them.”
“Oooh. OH!” Charlie blushed. “Al? No, no way!”
“I didn’t think so either, but those weird noises he was making? That happened every time you bent over.”
“Huh.” Charlie gave it some thought, and he was right. “That’s weird. Should I not wear them?”
“Fuck no, the opposite! You got any skirts?”
Alastor was in the kitchen preparing the coffee, black for him and overly sugary for her, when Charlie walked in. “Morning, Al!”
“Good morning!” He hadn’t turned and seen her yet.
“Do you know if we have any bagels?” She walked over to the fridge.
“Bottom shelf, dear.”
“Thank you!”
He heard her open the fridge and turned to address her. Then he dropped the damn coffee.
“Al! Are you ok?” Charlie stood and turned to face him. “Shoot, I’ll get some paper towels.”
“I’ve got it. Apologies, I suppose I have butter fingers this morning!” Alastor waved his hand and cleaned up the mess. “That’s a different look for you.”
Charlie was in a snug black pencil skirt with a slit in the leg, and a red blouse tucked into it. Tall red heels completed her look.
“Yeah, I felt silly wearing heels with my normal clothes, so I thought I’d dress up a bit! Unless it looks bad?”
“No no no no no, not at ALL, dear!” He reassured her. “Could you be a peach and start another pot of coffee? I’ll be right back.”
Alastor quickly slipped through the shadows into his room. He needed to PULL HIMSELF TOGETHER. The heels had already caused an unexpected reaction, but now the SKIRT? He’d never understood the obsession some men had with a woman’s backside, but now he saw the appeal. But he wasn’t just any man! He was Alastor, the radio demon! And he was completely in control.
Until he returned to the kitchen.
Charlie looked up at the loud burst of static. “I left you the finance section!”
“What?”
She gestured to the newspaper. She was perched on the countertop reading the paper, one long leg crossed over the other, the slit in the skirt showing a hint of supple thigh.
Alastor used every ounce of will power to NOT look at her legs as he came to retrieve the newspaper.
Charlie sipped her fresh coffee and made a face. “Not enough sugar.” She leaned over to reach the sugar bowl and heard more static. “Hey Al, could you-“ she looked up and he was gone.
This week was going to be hell. Ironic, since he was actually IN hell, but now especially. Every day, Charlie wore different heels and a variety of skirts and dresses. He couldn’t stop thinking about how she looked in them. He couldn’t sleep because as soon as he closed his eyes, there she was. It was beginning to take a toll on him.
Angel knocked on Charlie’s door. “Hey toots, I got your shoes for tomorrow! Can I come in?”
“Sure!”
Angel went in her room and placed the last pair of heels on her dresser. “We gotta talk.”
“What’s up?”
“Do you wanna bone Alastor?”
“ANGEL!” Charlie flushed bright red.
“I’m not hearing no!”
“It’s…complicated.”
“No it’s not, it’s a simple yes or no.”
Charlie was still blushing. “I mean…I MIGHT be…kind of interested.”
“Good, cuz this either needs to happen or you need to turn him off, because strawberry is being a bigger asshole than usual. I think we’re gonna have to turn up the heat.”
“How do we do that??”
Alastor examined the bags under his eyes. He needed to get a grip and figure out what to do to make this go away. He really just wanted to hide out, but Charlie had left him a note asking if he could come by her room when he had a moment. He headed down the hall and knocked on Charlie’s door. “Come in!”
Alastor entered and didn’t see her. “What do you need, dear? I’m quite tired, and-“ a screeching emergency broadcast signal came out.
Charlie came out of her bathroom in a red sparkly flapper dress and heels. Her hair was fashioned in 20’s finger waves and her lips were bright red. “I know I probably look pretty silly-“
“Not at all.” She’d never seen his gaze so intense.
“But I have a reason! Dad hosts a talent show every year and I wanted to sing a song I heard in a movie. I think you’ll know it, and I was hoping you could let me know if it’s any good.”
He visibly swallowed, then nodded. “Of course.”
“Thanks, Al! I won’t take up too much of your time. Have a seat!” She gestured to the plush couch she had in her room. He moved a small pile of stuffed animals aside and sat down.
Charlie shook her hands nervously and turned around. She pushed a button on a remote and tossed it aside. Sultry sounding jazz music began playing and she gently swayed her hips.
“No one to talk with
All by myself
No one to walk with
But I'm happy on the shelf
Ain't misbehavin'
I'm savin' my love for you!”
He was so SCREWED.
“I know for certain
The one I love
I'm through with flirtin'
It's just you I'm thinkin' of
Ain't misbehavin'
I'm savin' my love for you!”
She was an enchantress. And since this would live in his brain for eternity, he might as well make it magical. Green swirled around Charlie and she was in awe as the scene changed around her. Her room looked like a jazz club, complete with a spotlight and a full band. She grinned and continued.
“Like Jack Horner
In the corner
Don't go nowhere
What do I care?
Your kisses are worth waitin' for
Believe me!”
Alastor was grinning like a madman (more than usual) as she swayed her hips and crooned one of the classics. She began walking towards him, and if his heart was still beating, it would’ve stopped!
“I don't stay out late
Don't care to go
I'm home about eight
Just me and my radio
Ain't misbehavin'
I'm savin' my love for you!”
She gave him a flirty wink at the radio line and he nearly swooned. She continued her sultry dance as the song played out, then “accidentally” tripped. Alastor had a firm grasp on her waist and she giggled. “So? What do you think?”
He looked deep into her ruby red eyes with a smile. “Perfect.”
“Can I tell you a secret?” She practically whispered, and turned slightly towards him, perched on his knee.
“Of course.”
She motioned for him to lean closer. “There’s no talent show.”
He blinked at her in confusion. “What?”
“There’s no talent show. I did this…for you.”
The gears finally clicked into place and he gave her a wicked grin. “You sneaky little minx.”
“I noticed that you seemed to like my heels. A LOT.” In a flash, she was straddling his lap. “And I figured that maybe you’d finally give in if I went the extra mile.”
“You’re a temptress.”
“Yep. Soooo was I right? You like the heels?”
“Very much so. In fact, I like them SO much that I want you to take off everything except those.”
“That could be arranged.” Charlie smirked and kissed him.
When Angel opened his door the next day, he was surprised to find a gift basket. The note simply said “THANK YOU!” And the basket was full of his favorite snacks. He noticed a small box and pulled it out and opened it up.
He really could’ve used those ear plugs last night, but he got the feeling he’d need them again, sharing a wall with Charlie.