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Something was wrong with Alastor.
Granted most people wouldn't have been able to recognize that there was anything wrong with him, that there were any changes whatsoever in his personality, since he was so good at flashing that huge smile of his. Then again most people weren't you. You held a particularly larger than normal spot in Alastor’s life, certainly one of the few people he genuinely cherished and certainly the only one he ever allowed himself to be truly seen by. And because you had been with him for so long you were able to see the… Cracks.
You watched from the bar now, somewhat interrupted from your conversation with Husk, as Alastor had a little interaction with one of the sinners staying at the hotel. His back was ramrod straight, his posture just a bit stiffer than normal, and you could also see a slightly crazed edge to both his eyes and his smile. That and the subtle ambience of radio static that was slowly growing larger was enough of a warning that he was NOT in a good mood.
Alastor hadn't been in the best of moods for going on a week or so now. You could tell in the private moments when you were together that he was bordering on being uncomfortable, but this morning was the first morning he was outwardly acting so crazed and cranky. The fuse was short and you had been trying your best to keep most of the permanent residents away from him. Angel made it a bit difficult but you had managed so far, considering you didn't want him to lose any limbs.
You cast a very brief look at Husk, and he was watching just as you were as the sinner Al was talking to finally split off as fast as his multitude of legs could carry him. Alastor almost looked gleeful. Almost, which was concerning since normally he loved flexing the natural fear he brought out in most of Hell's population.
“You better go and do something before he ends up tearing another person apart.” Husk sighed.
“I know. This is the first morning it's gotten so bad since the beginning of the week…” You hummed, standing from your seat as you abandoned your drink and started walking after Al, who started heading back up the hallway he had emerged from only a few minutes before.
Husk knew what was going on. He had known Al for years longer than you had, and was definitely privy to a lot more about the overlord the most would be. Thankfully now that you knew what was going on, it would be more than easily able to help him if he let you.
You waited until you were in the safety of the abandoned hallway before you approached him. He had seemingly sensed your presence, and had paused his step long enough for you to catch up to him.
“That time of the year again?” You asked, voice soft.
Alastor's head whipped around, and now that you were alone you could see the smile fade just a smidge and sharp annoyance in his eyes. Not at you. At the circumstance.
“Perhaps.” He muttered through gritted teeth, ears flattened.
You smiled gently. “Do you want me to help you with it tonight?”
It was subtle, but you watched as a bit of the tension left him, and his smile was just a touch more relaxed.
“I’d appreciate that, my doe.” He admitted.
You nodded. “Just a few more hours Al, then we can sneak off without any interruptions.”
He sighed in mild annoyance, but nodded in agreement.
You stayed near enough by Alastor for the rest of the afternoon, mostly to run interference between him and the others. He was definitely still on edge by the time dinner concluded, but thankfully you were both able to retire early for the night without any of the usual antics.
Alastor let out an audible sigh as his antlers started cracking and growing out as soon as you reached the privacy of your room, until they were fully spread and branched out.
He leaned his microphone against his dresser and sat down on the edge of the bed, shoulders sagged as he watched you approach until you were standing in front of him. He tapped his foot as you ever so gently touched his antlers, where you could already see the start of the velvet beginning to shed.
Your other hand very soothingly rubbed his shoulders.
“Just try to relax, okay?” You smiled, and carefully clambered onto the bed behind him.
You remembered the very first time you had done this, only a few months into your relationship actually. You had stumbled across Alastor rubbing his antlers against the walls of his room, long bloody strips of what you thought was flesh hanging from them. He actually had to calm you down for several minutes, insisting that he hadn’t actually harmed himself (laughable, he had said) or anyone else this time. What was actually going on was part of the dreadful animal tendencies he had gained when he had died, where he had to annually shed velvet from his antlers. After realizing that it was as normal as anything could be down here, you had tentatively offered to help him out with it. He was understandably hesitant, but after a few days he eventually agreed to your help. He had to talk you through the process the first time, but it ended up being a rather fond bonding activity.
You used your claws to gently loosen the velvet from where it was still stuck stubbornly to his antlers, until you could peel it off in long strips. Each spot you cleared you rubbed with your thumbs until the bloody residue was completely gone and the antler underneath was shiny and smooth. Alastor started to relax as the pile of sheddings beside you grew, and he also snuck a few pieces of velvet in his mouth when he thought you weren’t looking. Disgusting to most, but not to you; he was a cannibal after all, so why wouldn’t he enjoy a few bloody morsels from himself?
After the better part of an hour, you had finally finished. His antlers were velvet-free and shiny, and more importantly he seemed much more relaxed and relieved.
“Feel better?” You smiled, biting back the urge to grin as the shed pile vanished in a wisp of Alastor’s magic.
“Much!” He beamed, twisting his head back to look at you. “The sensation was dreadfully itchy.”
“Mhm. I can imagine.” You mused, lightly tapping your fingers under his chin. “I’m glad I could help. I don’t like seeing you so uncomfortable.”
His eyes softened. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure, my buck.”
You tousled your hair through with a towel as you strode out of the bathroom, tossing it in the hamper on the way out. You were completely exhausted after the day you just had; something had exploded earlier that morning, Nifty had gotten stuck on the chandelier, and Angel had dragged you into one of his usual escapades… And that was before your morning coffee with Alastor.
You plopped down on the edge of the bed, casting a rueful glance at your large fox tail, mentally debating on whether or not you wanted to take the time to brush it out or leave it for a project tomorrow morning. It was dry, but the fur was still unkept from the shower, and it looked awful. Something like that took a long time to brush out, and you were really leaning towards not wanting to.
Your ears perked at the sound of the door opening, and you glanced over just as Alastor stepped though.
“Evening my dear.” He cocked his head towards you, seeming to take note of your tiredness. “You seem exhausted. Are you alright?”
You chuckled quietly. “I am… I’m debating on whether I want to brush out my tail or not tonight.”
His eyes slid towards your tail. “Would you like a hand with it?”
Your shoulders sagged in relief at the offer.
“I’d love that.”
Alastor abandoned his microphone to the side and sat down on the bed next to you. He swept your tail into his lap as you dragged a pillow over to prop yourself up with, and you slightly melted as you felt his fingers comb through the fur cautiously.
“Do you have any particular routines I should know of?” He asked, one hand turning up as a brush was summoned in it.
“Hm?” You shook your head. “Oh, not really. I just brush it until it’s fluffy.”
He hummed in acknowledgement as he started to brush out your tail. You wouldn’t lie, the sensation was very soothing, and it made you go limp against the pillow surprisingly quickly just a few brushstrokes in. Your eyes even started drifting closed, and you wondered if you’d be able to fall asleep like this.
“This must take a fair bit of time.” Alastor remarked.
“It does.” You cracked open your eyes and chuckled. “Normally I have the strength to do it, but I can’t when I’m this exhausted.”
“I understand.” He looked thoughtfully at you as you resettled, but went back to the task at hand.
Your eyes drifted shut once more as Alastor tended to your tail.
It felt like you had only just closed your eyes when you felt a hand very gently shaking your shoulder, which roused you from the little half-sleep you had fallen into. Alastor glanced over you bemusedly as he lightly nudged you back against the pillows of the bed and the covers. He was quick to join you, of course, and you just as quickly found yourself curled up in his arms as you both settled down again.
As you shifted, you glanced at your tail, groomed to perfection, and smiled.
“Thank you, Al.” You hummed, letting your head rest against his shoulder.
“You’re welcome. It was actually quite soothing.” He smiled as your tail draped over both of you.
“It was…” You yawned quietly. “You know, I wouldn't mind if this becomes a regular thing.”
“I wouldn’t mind it either.” He chuckled quietly as your ear twitched up and brushed his nose.
“Deal.” You hummed, eyes closing as you finally drifted off for real.