#supportive al

His fingers gently raked along your scalp and you let out a soft sigh, leaning back onto him. Alastor was seated against the headboard, you placed between his legs and your back to his chest. One of his hands was holding a book while the other swirled the long locks of your hair.

You set down your pencil with a scrunched nose, putting your sketchbook on the bed beside the two of you. It just wasn't working right. Your hands weren't doing what you were telling them to and it felt like your eyesight just wasn't focusing properly. 

Alastor's fingers gave a pause and you turned slightly to look at him, his eyes glowing softly as he peered at you.

"What did you draw?" His voice was lax, the filter low and crackling pleasantly. It reminded you of a fire, almost.

"Nothing," Your tone was bitter, shifting so that your side was pressed against his chest, your legs curled slightly toward you, "It won't work."

Alastor set the book down beside him and shifted you both so that you were pressed against him, both of you on your sides. Your face was pressed into his chest and one of his arms was tucked under you, the other curled upward to your hair and he resumed slowly stroking the soft locks.

"Perhaps you need a break. You have been working rather hard for the past few days, darling." His lips brushed the top of your head as he spoke and you felt your cheeks flush a pale pink.

You shrugged, hand reaching up and fingers curling around the lapels of his jacket, "I guess. I just wanted to get this done."

Alastor let out a soft chuckle and you buried your face more into him, your words warbled as you felt your throat constrict, "I just feel like I haven't been able to do a lot lately."

His fingers dropped from your hair to rake down the back of your neck and your upper back, you shivering softly at the feeling, "You got up this morning, didn't you? Ate breakfast!"

"Only 'cause you cooked," You mumbled, eyes sliding shut at the feeling of his claws against your skin.

"I'll take that as a compliment, my dear." He began to trace soft patterns against you, goosebumps rising on your skin, "But that still means you did something today! You went to the Hotel, you helped the Princess with a few things!"

"Yeah, well, she wanted me to design this poster and I just -" You sniffed lightly, biting on your lip, "I don't really know what to put on it. Nothing's coming to me. I almost don't want to do it."

He hummed lightly, the static around you prickling comfortably on your skin, which helped calm you, "You should tell her, dearest. I'm sure that she could help you brainstorm if you wanted!"

"Maybe," You murmured, turning your head upward to look at him.

The faint shimmer of tears in your eyes caused the static to crackle and you squirmed closer, ducking your head back down. Alastor moved his hand from your back to your chin and he pulled your head back upwards, his eyes focusing on yours.

"You are doing quite well," His grin was lazily stretched across his teeth and you fixated on the movement of his lips, "Sometimes there are setbacks. Bad days; good days. You are doing splendid, darling."

You felt your cheeks burn brighter and Alastor leaned forward, his lips brushing yours softly. You let out a sigh and wrapped your arm around his neck, holding him there as he placed a series of soft kisses to your lips. After a few, he pulled away and you blinked, your head clearing as you focused on him.