CH 53: Revelations

Esme carefully leads him back to his suite, pushing the door open with her hip and guiding him inside. "Alastor, you're shaking, you should sit down." She says worriedly. She had never seen him like this before, neither in life nor in death. He was usually stoic and strong, always wanting to showcase a tough exterior to those around him. He never allowed himself to appear vulnerable, but with her, he is slowly becoming undone.

He sits down on the bed and Esme sighs, looking down at him sadly, "I'm sorry for my behavior this evening..." He stared up at her as she mumbled her quiet apology, the sound of her voice breaking him out of whatever trance he'd fallen into.

Alastor was confused. Why was she apologizing to him? He had been the one to hurt her both mentally and physically.

"You...what are you sorry for?" He questions, crossing his arms.

Esme's eyes widen at the sight of his body language, "For upsetting you?" Her tone was just as confused, sliding up in frequency.

He paused at her answer, she was actually apologizing to him - even after everything he did.

"No, don't say that. You didn't do anything wrong." He mumbled, his expression softening as he spoke. The fact that she felt the need to do that made him feel worse about the whole thing.

There's a silence that fills the space as Esme watches his chest rise and fall dramatically. "Alastor..." She whispers in a nurturing tone. She walks over to him and goes to place a hand on his shoulder before hesitating, "Is this okay?" She asks.

He looks up at her in disbelief as she asks for permission. The gesture was...soft. So gentle. He'd never heard someone ask permission to touch him before. It was a boundary that was often not respected.

"Yes...that's fine."

She reaches over and lightly touches his shoulder, rubbing softly, until she quickly wraps her arms around him and hugs him tightly. A sigh escapes her lips. "You're okay, Al....it's okay, it's over."

He stays silent for a moment, completely caught off guard by her comfort. "Esme..." He whispered, dropping his filter. His body tensed and he made no effort to resist nor to reciprocate.

Esme tenses at his voice, immediately pulling back. Her face lands directly in front of his, their noses practically touching. "Do you not want to embrace me?"

His heartbeat increases as she is suddenly inches from him. Her eyes shine like the most beautiful emerald he's ever seen, her skin lush and like velvet on his. He takes a moment before quickly shaking his head and stuttering a response, "N-No, I..."

Esme begins to back away, looking embarrassed with an obvious flush to her cheeks, "Perhaps I should go..."

No! You've already done this once. I'm not letting you leave again.

"No." He says sternly, lunging forward and grabbing her hand. She turns and looks at him in bewilderment as his eyes scan hers. His crimson gaze holds a multitude of conflicting emotions, one being the look of panic. Seeing her leaving him made him feel panicked.

Without thinking, he grabs her other hand and holds it firmly.

"Don't go."

"...Okay." She whispers.

Esme continues to stare at him, this time seeing him looking up at her from his bed. He didn't budge, his eyes locked on hers. Her breathing begins to speed up and her heart beats faster. His gloved hand caresses hers softly.

Several moments pass by.

"Alastor..." She says softly with a slight chuckle, "Are you going to hold my hands all evening?"

His eyes widen and he looks down. He had been so focused on her not leaving that he hadn't noticed he was still embracing her. "Ah..." He drops them carefully, "Of course not..." He trails off.

What is wrong with me? Why can't I just talk to her? I - I want to say everything to her, to tell her everything that's happened.

But she would despise me. She would think I'm a fool.

Esme's eyes travel the room while he's in thought, taking in the little details that made the suite his. She walks over to a pair of antlers on the wall and runs her fingers across them in awe.

Finally, after his internal debate, he speaks up, "Humor me, will you?"

She turns back to him, eyes wide, "Hm?"

"Why..." He swallows the frog in his throat, "Why are you being so soft to me? You shouldn't be. I don't deserve it."

She doesn't waste a moment, "You're my husband." She says simply, "I love you."

His ears perk up at those three words and the casual, so nonchalant way, in which she said them. It was as if it was the most obvious thing in the world to her. Even though they had been intimate, it never dawned on him how devoted she was until now.

But, why? Do you have no shame?

"I....You..." His record returns, skipping in a dumbfounded nature.

Esme's body jumps at the sudden realization of her words, "I...well..." She stammers. "I really should be going now, good luck tomorrow!" She frantically races to the door, but Alastor grabs her by her coat.

"You can't just- you can't just say something like that and walk away."

"Alastor, please....I- I know you have convinced yourself that you don't reciprocate so please don't make this worse for me." She pulls her coat out of his grasp, heading to the door with tears in her eyes.

His hands fly to her waist, spinning her around and pressing her up to the wall. He towers over her, his arms blocking her exit. "Don't you dare..." He says breathlessly, "Don't you dare say I don't feel the same way..."

"I.." Her voice gets lost in her throat, "You?"

He was silent for a moment, his grip on her waist growing tighter. He pressed himself closer against her, desperate for her to feel the warmth of his body.

"Why do you think I've been avoiding you all these years?"

She froze, "Because you had forgotten me, discarded me like I was nothing." Small tears run down her cheeks and drip onto the floor.

"No... That's not true. I didn't forget you. I could never forget you. It's the opposite."

"Alastor..." She whined, "This could be our last night alive..." She sniffled, "I don't want to focus on why you left me all alone, please." She pleads.

Although he tried to put an unbothered demeanor for everyone, he knew she was right, it might be their last night...

He mustn't waste it...

He held her tightly by the waist with one arm, and gently lifted her chin with his other hand, forcing her to look at him.

"Look at me..."

Esme looks up at him, her large green eyes shimmering with tears.

He studied her face, taking in every feature. Even her tears were beautiful. He never could get over how breathtaking she was, no matter how many years had passed.

"I... I never forgot you. I could never forget you, no matter how hard I tried. You're... You're still..."

He trailed off, the words getting stuck in his throat.

"Still what? The most infuriating, most annoying creature you've ever met?" She retorts, using his past words.

"No... No, that's not it. That's not..."

"What were you going to say?"

"...You're still the only person I've ever loved."

Esme's eyes fill up with tears and she looks touched until she looks away, "You cheated on me..." She mumbles.

You seriously want to do this now?

He's silent. He wasn't expecting for her to bring that up.

"Was it a kiss or was it more, Alastor?"

"...It was a kiss."

Esme shakes her head, "I don't believe you." She narrows her eyes.

His body fills with static as soon as she says that. He could feel guilt and panic building up in his chest.

"I'm telling you the truth, It was just a kiss. It didn't mean anything, I swear."

"Yeah right...." She looks away.

He turns her face back to his. He met her gaze, staring deep into her eyes. His expression was a mixture of guilt and desperation, and he didn't even try to hide his emotions from her. He needed her to understand, to believe him.

"Enter my mind..." He begins, "See if I'm being honest, go ahead."

"What?" She asks in disbelief

He didn't tear his gaze away from her, his expression serious and determined.

"I said, enter my mind. Look into my memories, go through everything that happened between us. You'll see that I'm telling the truth."

He kneels before her and presses his forehead into her hands.

Esme gasps at this in disbelief. "Alastor....I..."

It was a rare moment of vulnerability and submission, completely opposite of the strong, almost arrogant persona he usually projected outwards.

"Are you positive?"

"Yes."

Esme's hands and eyes glow brightly as she makes the connection with his skin. She feels herself slipping into his mind and finds herself experiencing the memory like a dream from the third person. She watches it unfold.

She can see herself and Alastor together in a moment of happiness, and then...

Then the memory suddenly jolts forward, to a moment she hadn't known about until now.

She sees Alastor sitting at his desk when Eleanor approaches him. At first, it seems innocent, but then she leans over the table and enters his space. His eyes widened and he froze. He looks visibly uncomfortable but doesn't know what to do until she presses her lips against his and the two melt into it. She sees his eyes snap open and he pulls back.

She can see the guilt and remorse in his eyes as he pulls away from the wretched snake. He seems almost repulsed by the kiss, and he looks at her with a mix of shock and discomfort.

"El... I- I can't." He stutters out. His voice is soft and shaky, clearly conflicted.

"But why?" Eleanor's voice is seductive and suggestive, and she leans back onto the desk, running a hand up his arm. She looks up at him through her lashes, a sultry expression on her face.

Alastor visibly recoils and he swallows hard. He looks like he's trying to keep his composure, but it's clear that he's uncomfortable with her advances.

"Because... Because I have a wife."

"Well, is she here?"

He grows stern, his eyes narrowing. "No, she's not here, but that doesn't change anything. I'm married to her."

Esme watches as Alastor pushes her away, stands up, and begins to collect his belongings from the office. She lets go of Alastors head, dropping her hold of him. Tears softly drip down her face.

Alastor snaps back into the present reality, his eyes opening and looking up at her unable to read her expression. "You saw it, didn't you? I didn't want it, I swear, it didn't mean anything to m-"

Esme drops to his level and kisses him deeply.

He was stunned, caught off guard for a moment. But then, as the realization that she believes him sinks in, he feels relieved, and he kisses her back, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close.

Esme lets out a small squeak at his grasp.

He pulls back, his breath against her face, "You believe me now?"

Esme sniffles back tears, "Oh darling, I saw everything." She strokes his hair, "How I love you so."

His melts into her touch as she runs her fingers through his hair. He relished in the feeling, her words echoing in her head, and a wave of relief coming over him.

"I missed you so much, you have no idea how muc-"

"Alastor..." She whispers.

He ignores and keeps rambling, "I never stopped thinking about you, Esme. Not for a moment, not for a second. Even after I...I never stopped missing you."

"Al..." Esme whispers, trying to get his attention.

He pulls back slightly to look at her. He could see the tears still in her eyes, and he gently lifted a hand to wipe them away.

"I don't deserve you..." He trails off once again, his gaze dropping to the floor and his ears falling back slightly, "I'm sorry for hurting you, for e-"

"Kiss me." She interrupts.

**WARNING: INCOMING MILD SMUT**

He looked up, heart thudding in his chest. Without letting another damned second pass, he pulled her close and claimed her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. It was desperate and needy, a mix of relief and love all rolled into one. The years of pent-up feelings and emotions all poured out, and he pressed his body against hers, holding her close and tight.

Esme wraps her arms around his neck, moaning softly into the kiss. She presses her body into his, feeling his warmth against her.

He groaned softly as he felt her body press against his, the warmth of her skin searing into him. This was different than before. It was a stark opposite of how he desired her in that dressing room. He didn't want to ravish her.

No, he wanted to cherish her.

She pulls back and begins to take off her jacket, never breaking eye contact with him.

He watches, transfixed, as his eyes flicker over her body, taking in every inch of her skin. He swallows, a mixture of desire and longing coursing through him. He can't tear his gaze away, his breath coming in short, shallow gasps as he watches her slowly undress for him.

She throws it to the side, revealing that branded stamp on her collarbone. The mark he had left there in a night of desire and passion. She runs her fingers over it slowly before reaching to the back of her dress and playing with the zipper.

He watches her, almost entranced but with no song even playing.

"Alastor, is this okay?" She asks breathlessly.

He nods slowly, his voice low as he answers.

"Yes... Yes, darling, it's okay. More than okay."

"Then, why don't you follow suit?" She giggles seductively.

He chuckles softly at her seductive tone. He raises an eyebrow in amusement and begins to remove his own jacket, slowly and deliberately.

"Of course, darling."

He takes his time, his movements slow and purposeful, as if he's teasing her. He wants to make her wait, to make her ache for him.

Esme's hands leave her zipper and fold in Alastor's lap. She bites her lip as she watches him in anticipation.

"Impatient are we, cher?"

She nods her head slowly, still fixed on him...

"You know, I quite enjoy having your full attention like this."

Esme doesn't answer but her hands fly to his chest and she begins to unbutton faster.

The sense of urgency and need in her touch only makes his desire for her grow even stronger.

"You're in quite the hurry, aren't you?" He teases a sultry note in his voice. He can't help but find her eagerness incredibly tantalizing.

When she has the shirt open, she runs her hands over his chest, feeling his skin against hers. She lets out a shaky exhale. She leans into him, her eyes looking up at him, "Would you undress me?" She purrs, looking into his eyes with an innocent stare.

"Nothing would make me happier." He answers, his voice thick with desire as his hands move to the zipper at the back of her dress.

His fingers brush against the zipper for a moment, gently tracing the line of it before he begins to pull it down, slowly uncovering more and more of her skin. His knuckles brush against her back, feeling the smoothness of her skin against his own.

"You're so beautiful..."

To his shock and pleasure, she is completely bare from the waist up. As the dress pools beneath her, Esme gasps at the cold air on her skin, and she instinctively moves closer to Alastor, causing their bare chests to come in contact.

His eyes widen in surprise as a low, possessive growl escapes his throat without him realizing it. The sight of her, completely exposed in front of him, sends a jolt of desire through him that he can't control. When she moves closer to him, and their bare chests touch, he gasps, and his breath hitches.

"Darling......"

He whispers, his eyes fixed on her body as he pulls her even closer. His hands move to her hips, holding her tightly against him.

He's completely infatuated with her, by the way she looks in his arms, his eyes hungrily taking in the sight of her in her angelic underwear.

"You're perfect.. "

She wraps her legs around him, "Alastor..." She whispers.

He groans at the feeling of her legs around him, enveloping him with her body. The sound of his name on her lips, spoken in a soft, breathy voice, only serves to rile him up even more.

"Darling.... My sweet, sweet siren... You drive me mad, you know that? You drive me absolutely insane....." He whispers onto her neck.

She giggles at the sight of him lost in his desire. She leans up and whispers next to his ear once more, causing it to twitch, "Alastor..." She repeats.

"The way you say my name....you're not playing fair, baby, you know what that does to me..."

She giggles, "I'm trying to get your attention, my love. Are you that desperate for me?"

He pulls back and looks at her through his half-lidded eyes. They burn the faintest scarlet, "Heh, you have no idea..."

She blushes deeply, her hand brushing against his face, "This could be our final night..." She begins, "Why don't we spend it giving ourselves to one another, hm?" She pauses,

"I want you to make love to me, sweetheart, can you do that for me?"

He whispers back to her in a lustful plea, "I'll give you anything you desire, just say the word."

She lowers her hand and whispers huskily, "Take what you wish." 

~ Author's Note ~

Are we all giggling and screaming? 🥰

As you may be able to guess, the next chapter is a smut one (feel free to skip if uncomfortable). 

🖤Words: 3015🖤

~ Artemis 🦌💗