Chapter Text
It was a quiet afternoon for once, seeing as all the kids were out of the house hanging out with their friends. Amity and Luz had gone to have a cute picnic together where they intended to work on ideas for an Azura fanbook. Edric had gone to The Owl Lady’s to practice his growing potion making skills - Emira went along just to have something to do. Bonus if she could playfully bully her brother if he messed something up. Hunter had arranged plans with Gus and Willow for the weekend. He was super excited to show his friends the progress on the new skill he was trying out. Turns out he is pretty nifty at wood carving!
With a silent house, Alador started to become restless. He fidgets with a piece of cardboard someone left on the counter from some toy package. He is so used to working hard that having days off like this is bizarre to him. He couldn't even think of inventions to make for fun, the man was creatively blocked and burned out, even.
Continuing to fidget with that piece of cardboard, Alador shuffled into the living room, sitting down on the couch with a heavy sigh. He bent the cardboard to and fro before he began anxiously tearing it up. Darius strolled into the room, making his way to the kitchen. The man paused when he noticed Alador sitting there.
“There you are! I had assumed you were in your workshop…”
Alador gave a soft growl. “Why would I be in there? I have nothing to create. I can not even think of something that would be useful…” His tone came out more snappier than he’d realized. Darius observed him quietly for a moment before walking in to sit next to him.
“It doesn’t have to be useful. You can make things for fun, you know.” Darius set a hand on the other man’s shoulder. “But in any case, you don't have to force yourself to create right now. You deserve a long overdue break.”
Alador’s face contorted to look frustrated and a hand immediately moved up where he anxiously scratched at his cheek. “But I was used to the system, even if I hated it. I feel…lost.”
Darius offered a reassuring smile. “We can create a new system. One that does not grind you into dust.”
Alador then released a soft sigh through his nose. He seemed to be satisfied with that response. It was helpful that Darius could understand. His amber gaze shifted to look into Darius’ own eyes but then he just looked down again. “Darius…”
“...Yes, my love?” It was said with such a genuine tone, too.
Alador paused, his face slowly grew red. Now he'd forgotten completely what he was even going to ask. Darius tilted his head, looking at him with a concerned look.
“Is everything alright, Kitten?”
Suddenly Alador was completely red in the face and ears. “K-Kitten…?!”
“Yes~” Darius chuckled.
“Y-you hate cats…!”
“I have grown rather used to them.” Darius reached up, lightly stroking under Alador’s chin like one would a cat. Alador sputtered and essentially froze up.
Darius grinned at him. “You are absolutely adorable when you're flustered, did you know that?”
“Darius!!” Alador buried his face into his palms.
“What?~” Darius teased playfully. “I’m only speaking facts~”
Alador then looked up at him from between his own fingers. “Why on Titan did you choose Kitten, though…?!”
A sly smirk from Darius. “While I was out with Eber the other day, we saw this kitten chasing after a butterfly. It reminded me very much of you because you used to…” he trailed off and then looked down…sadly?
Alador slowly removed his hands from his face. “...Darius?”
Darius blinked, surprised he’d been caught but he gave the other witch a soft smile. “I remember you used to chase butterflies when we were younger. It was utterly adorable.” Alador’s face flushed again and fumbled with the shredded cardboard in his hands, neatly putting it into a pile subconsciously.
“I uhm…still have a habit of doing that..” Alador replied, his ears lowering some. “Odalia never liked it when I did, though.” He frowned, remembering whenever she’d crush one or destroy it some other way. “They’re just so..” he looked up at Darius again. “They're fascinating! There are so many different ones and that doesn’t even include the ones that live in the human realm!”
Darius watched him with a loving gaze. “You are delightful.” He then leaned down, giving Alador a soft kiss to his cheek. Alador gasped softly, blinking back into focus and he looked up at Darius, confused. Darius however still had that smile on his face. Alador took in a light, shaky breath and released it just as shaky. After a moment he then leaned up to return the cheek kiss.
Darius then placed his gloved hand gently against Alador’s cheek and his green eyes studied the other’s face. Alador began to once heat up in the face. He anticipated a kiss and slowly moved in closer to initiate it further. Darius, taking that sign of permission, then leaned in to kiss him tenderly on the lips. Alador melted into the kiss little by little until he found himself pressed close against Darius just as the kiss ended. He blinked a few times before he realized and he quickly sat back.
“Sorry…!”
“There’s no need to apologize.” Darius said with a soft, reassuring smile.
Alador ran his fingers through the strands of hair that lay against the side of his face and he kept his gaze averted. He and Darius have been officially going out for over a month now, however he still found it very hard to get used to positive interactions from a romantic partner. Even from Darius. The man he’d wanted to be with since they went to school together at Hexside.
Thinking about how patient Darius has been with him so far, how kind he was being. The terms of endearment… Alador could feel himself starting to get overwhelmed suddenly.
“Alador, are you alright?”
Alador jumped in surprise, snapping out of his thoughts and he looked at Darius, briefly terrified. “What?”
“Something seems wrong…” Darius replied worriedly.
“Oh. No.” Alador shook his head. He frowned though and looked down at his lap. Darius knew better though. He always sees similar reactions when Hunter tries to hide what is bothering him. It pained him… two people he cares for so deeply that got hurt by terrible, terrible people…
“Alador… May I suggest taking a nice, relaxing bath? It will help ease your mind.”
Alador shoved the paper scraps into his coat pocket and he scratched his cheek again. “...O-okay. I can do that…” Though initially he hadn’t registered it as a suggestion but rather an order or command.
“I will meet you in the room a bit later. In the meantime, I’m going to go prepare snacks for the kids when they come home tonight.” Darius gently suggested Alador’s chin to turn so he could face him before he leaned down to kiss the man on the forehead.
Red-faced, Alador just gave a simple nod in response.
***
Alador had absolutely no idea how to set up a bath properly, at least not in the same way Darius could. The bath salts could never dissolve right so he skipped them all together. He accidentally made the soap extremely bubbly when the bottle had slipped from his shaking hands. By some stroke of luck though he did manage to create somewhat of a decent looking bath.
Alador had been in the bath for a while, his minding turning with all of Darius’ affections. He was trying to grasp it all. Trying to understand why anyone would feel such a way about him. Briefly he thought perhaps Darius had a motive. No. While Darius was an incredible actor, his love for Alador and the children was very much genuine and true.
Tears slowly began to form in Alador’s eyes. The overwhelming emotions had finally caught up to him. He sniffled, trying to restrain the tears once he realized they'd started. He haphazardly felt around for the drain stopper, pulling it out so the bath could drain. The man then carefully pulled himself out of the water, grabbing a towel that an abomination was holding out for him.
Alador then patted himself dry before wrapping the towel around his waist. He sniffled those tears again and he shuffled toward the sink counter.
He looked down at a jar of lotion given to him by Darius. It had a nice smell but honestly, Alador has not even touched the stuff yet. The texture of it was just too uncomfortable on his palms. He couldn’t bare to tell Darius though. What if he scolded him? What if he made fun of him, considering it was pretty stupid to be texture adverse to lotion when their profession deals with gooey monsters all day…
Alador frowned. He knew Darius wouldn’t do that kind of thing, but that stress remained.
There was a knock on the door.
“Kitten?”
Alador jumped with a sharp gasp and he quickly spun around to look at the door. “D-Darius, I…”
The door slowly cracked open and Darius peaked in. He immediately noticed Alador crying, which made him throw the door open and rush inside.
“Alador! What's wrong?!” Darius made sure not to speak too loudly and he gently held Alador’s face in his hands.
There was no trying to deny it now. Alador frowned, bracing for punishment or harsh words. Again, Darius was prepared for this. He learned while taking care of Hunter.
“Alador, it's okay. I want to help you.” Darius spoke softly.
“...Overwhelmed…” Alador managed to respond. “Your affection… I'm still trying to tell myself it's real and not all a dream… or a manipulation…” Darius was quiet while the other spoke. He once again felt that sharp pain. Curse Odalia for breaking this man. Alador used to have such a fun and lively spirit that not even his parents could break down that bad. Alador could always be himself around Darius when they were kids. Franky, Darius missed that.
“...Dari…” Alador whimpered. Darius froze. While Darius himself loved to give out nicknames, he absolutely despised when others gave him one. However, in their youth, Alador used to call him Dari. Darius thought it was cute… though maybe that is because it came from Alador specifically…
“...Please don’t be mad at me… I’ll stop…” Alador spoke before he balled a hand into a fist, moving to hit himself in the head. Darius quickly caught him by the wrist before the fist made contact. He was utterly horrified at the idea of that.
“I’m not mad, Alador. Why would I be?”
“B…Because, I'm not being a good partner… Right…?” Alador asked anxiously.
“That’s ridiculous. Of course you’re a good partner. Please, Alador, let yourself cry…” Darius said as he gently pulled Alador close to himself and he wrapped his strong arms around the smaller man. “I got you…”
Alador was tense but he slowly let himself relax and melt against Darius. His sobs were stifled but he did let them out. Darius ran a hand through Alador’s hair, which helped to further calm him. When Alador was resolved, he slowly turned his head, pressing his cheek against Darius’ chest.
“Feel better now?”
“Yes…”
Darius smiled. “Good…”
Alador spoke again but his voice was quiet and hesitant.
“What was that…?” Darius glanced down at him questiongly.
Alador’s face and ears were blood red and he repeated a little louder.
“...I love you, Dari…”