#rentrer chez soi basically means go home

[askaalaska-vdeppressed]

I Cannot Breath (So I Must Sing) Ch.4

Alastor x OperaSinger!Reader

Masterlist

Real quick note this is a phantom of the opera crossover a bit and that plays into this chapter slightly

The sound of the latch landing into its groove in the doorframe was deafening as Alastor led Y/n into a room. He was fuming, that rat. That utterly worthless piece of wretched slime. That creature had to go. Alastor was not ignorant enough to believe that situations like what he had just heard through the door never happened. Quite the opposite in fact, he always pitied the poor girls he saw on gentlemen’s laps in clubs. Smiles on their faces but discomfort clear in their eyes. He would grimace at the thought that they would be forced into behind closed doors just to get into the good graces of a man with purported wealth or influence. But knowing something exists in theory is much different than coming face to face with it. Seeing the vague looks of discomfort on stranger's faces from the other side of a room is different than the action being three feet in front of you. The look of distress is so much more potent when you know the eyes behind it.

Alastor was going to need information, because that unnamed gentleman had just jumped to the top of Bayou Butcher’s roster. With a head full of murderous intent, Alastor turned to quiz his companion, only to be stunned out of his anger by the state of the woman before him.

Y/n looked somehow more distraught than she did previously. Her gaze was unfocused, staring off into nothing as she leaned against a wall for support. Her hand clutched at her chest, fingernails leaving indents in her flawless skin in some desperate bid to calm her racing heart. Alastor approached her slowly, arms extended like he was walking toward a wild animal. Y/n’s eyes flitted to Alastor for a moment before a sigh shuttered out of her mouth with a great deal of effort.

“Any other day I would have set him straight but today....” Y/n trailed off. She didn’t need to elaborate further. Alastor knew what she was saying, exhaustion permeated her visage and her eyes looked as if she hadn’t slept at all last night.

Alastor reached out slowly with one hand to maneuver the arm that was clutching her chest away from her before she drew blood. “I take it this never happened to you back home?” Y/n’s gaze was firmly on the floor as Alastor’s other hand came to rest between her shoulder blades, guiding her away from the wall.

“No...at least...not to me” Y/n closed her eyes for a moment before rolling her shoulder and gazing at him. Her eyes were still just as exhausted, though her face and form appeared solid and confident once more.

“What,” Y/n’s voice wavered slightly before she cleared her throat and tried again. “What are you doing here Mr. Altruist?” The smile crept back onto Alastor’s face as he saw the Y/n that gave longue lashings strong enough to shun a nun seep back into the girl in front of him.

“I’m a journalist dear, unfortunately crime scenes are par for the course.”

Y/n scoffed. “Don't tell me you play that wretched game”

“What? Golf? No, I don’t play. Just using its terms.” Alastor saw the color coming back to Y/n’s cheeks as the subject changed. “Though maybe I will pick it up, seeing as the idea bothers you so much” Alastor chuckled slightly to himself, grabbing onto the lapels of his suit coat. “I say I’d look rather strapping in argyle.”

Y/n laughed slightly, “You should, I hear such terrible waterfowl stalk the courses” Y/n walked past Alastor to the door, her arm resting briefly on his shoulder as she thought aloud. “I say you’d look rather strapping being chased by a goose in argyle”

Alastor shook himself for a moment, his brain half a second behind as he heard the door hinges creak. His eyes locking onto Y/n’s retreating form before replying. “But I'd look strapping nonetheless”

Y/n stepped with assuredness as she walked toward the theater’s exit. This whole morning had been an emotional whirlwind and she wanted to both figuratively and literally put it behind her for the moment. The quick long strides of hard soled shoes rang out behind her as Alastor quickly caught up to her and, in one swift motion, grabbed her arm and placed it in the crook of his elbow. Now leading her he asked aloud “So where too for lunch?”

“Pardon” y/n’s eyebrows furrowed as Alastor walked along, easing her out of the building like it was his job.

“Where are we going to lunch?” Alastor repeated the question, still not making any sense to his companion.

“And why would we be going to lunch exactly?” Y/n tried slowing her pace as they exited the building to a side alley. Alastor locked the muscles in his arm forcing her to keep up.

“Why? Well let’s see..” Alastor used his free hand to check his pocket watch “It’s just about noon, so I'd say we’re due for lunch. Do they not eat mid-day meals in France?” Frustration clear on Y/n’s face, she dug her heels into the pathway of the alley. The sudden jerk forcing Alastor to stop and face her.

“Now I have it on good authority that you are smart enough to know what I mean Mr. Altruist” The frown on Y/n’s face deepened the creases near her nose. The weight of exhaustion, frustration and just being plain fed up evident in the tense strain of her shoulders. Alastor heaved a sigh, a hand shot up to press on his temples for a moment before replying.

“Miss Leroux, please understand that I say this not as someone trying to control your life but I simply cannot allow you to be alone at the moment.” Alastor straightened up, arms crossed and legs wide apar. He seemed to take up the space of the alley in mere presence alone. His gaze brought a shadow over the confined space, like it was only the two of them in the whole of the city.

“Not only is it evident to me that you are fatigued beyond what is safe, but I simply do not trust that bag of sleaze inside not to follow you. If he felt comfortable enough to do that in a building swarming with officers, I hasten to think what he would be willing to do if you were alone. So, for Christ’s sake just let me buy you food woman.” Alastor noticed the exhaustion creep back into Y/n. Clearly letting someone lead her like this was something she was unaccustomed to. Unusual for a woman in theater, seeing as taking stage directions seemed like a very core component of the art. Then again Mickey did mention that Y/n had rolled up and changed the production immediately.

Y/n internally fought with herself a moment, fighting the urge to pout like a child as she realized that Alastor had a very fair point. Eventually she gave in, slotting her hand into his arm once more.

“So, where too for lunch?” Alastor picked up once more, his pace much slower now that he and Y/n were in agreeance.

“To be transparent with you, I have yet to eat out anywhere.” Alastor’s eyes widened as he stopped in his tracks to look at Y/n.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that? I haven’t found the time okay. Either I’m at rehearsals or practicing my own personal projects at my apartment. Besides I very rarely go out to restaurants back home let alone in another country.” Alastor blinked a few times at Y/n.

“So, you eat like a rabbit and a masochist.” Y/n scoffed and rolled her eyes at Alastor, whose face had lit up in a smile at her exasperation. Y/n began walking once more, tugging him along as her reply. A small quiet settled over them as Alastor lead them to a small cafe that was not too far away. Better to start small with Y/n and American cuisine.

As the rhythmic click of heels and shined shoes wafted into the air around them, Alastor felt compelled to break the silence.

“So why don’t you go out back home? It’s certainly not for financial reasons, is it?” Alastor felt a swell of pride in his chest as a small smile emerged on Y/n’s face as she shook her head gently.

“No, I don’t mean to brag but to be frank I have more money than I know what to do with.” After she said this, Y/n’s smile tensed. She bit her lips slightly as she debated internally with herself. Moments passed in tense quiet as finally Y/n seemed to come to an internal resolution and spoke once more. “It's more I don’t go out because my father wont, or rather can’t go out to eat. So, I just... don’t”

Alastor hummed in contemplation. He wanted to pry further. This was the first time Y/n had talked about anyone in her personal life, and the fact that she hesitated to do so was curious. Even better she was exhausted and her defenses were lower than usual. It’d be easy to get details out of her in this state. However, some poor pathetic shred of his morality was still active enough to make him feel bad for taking advantage of her. She was trusting him right now, more than she probably did with anybody in New Orleans, hell more than she did with anyone in the United States of America.

Perhaps it would be worth it to play the long con with this one.

“So, what you can’t go out without Daddy dearest?” Alastor decided to play it light. He wouldn't pry but if Y/n decided to provide more information on her own, then that would be just splendid!

“I go out with my uncle occasionally.” Y/n stated matter-of-factly. “It's just that he prefers to dine at home as well, so more often than not I join him at his house.”

Alastor hummed. “So you just never go out without one of your male relatives to chaperone then?”

As he posed the question they approached the front of a brightly colored cafe. The wait staff recognized Alastor immediately, leading them up to his normal spot on the balcony. It was perfect people watching position, and secluded away from other diners, bar a few other tables on the balcony that typically remained empty. As they were sat Y/n continued the conversation.

“You jest but you can never be too careful. You may not see it Mr. Altruist-”

“Alastor”

“Hmm” Y/n’s head and brow turned in the same direction and at the same time in a questioning gaze

‘Cute’ Alastor thought, before immediately shutting down that train of thought in its tracks. He didn’t have time for fancies right now. He had work to do. Still though....

“Call me Alastor, I find the formalities a bit stuffy at this point” Y/n paused, looking at him for a moment. Alastor couldn’t help but get a little lost in her gaze. She had that perfect doe-eyed expression that just lured you in. He was sure it was killer on stage, but it was even more enchanting up close, especially when it was focused solely on him.

These thoughts of his were getting dangerous.

Y/n bowed her head and began again. “You may not see it Alastor, but this world is quite a dangerous place, especially for women.”

‘Oh if only she knew’ Alastor thought. 'It's all I see, its why I do my work in the first place.’

“Secondly’ y/n’s tone was softer now. “And I don’t even know why I'm telling you this, but I’m not exactly very well liked at the opera house back home.”

“What? The woman who takes pleasure in verbal demolition isn’t well liked? Color me surprised!” Alastor's sarcastic tone clearly irritated Y/n by the look on her face.

“You know I can just get up and leave right?” Y/n made a halfhearted gesture to get up before Alastor stretched his hand out, motioning for her to stay seated,

“In all seriousness, you - and I don’t even know why I’m telling you this- are rather pleasant company when you aren't on some vitriolic quest for revenge.”

“A genuine complement? Well now I'm surprise colored!” Y/n put her hand up to her chest in mock shock.

“Alright, alright I deserve that.”

As Alastor spoke his regular coffee order and some waters were dropped off at the table along with menus.

“Truely though, you can’t tell me that everyone one of your colleagues is dull enough not to enjoy your company.”

Y/n looked at the menu in her hand, fidgeting with it while slightly curled in on herself.

‘So, there is a chink in the armor after all’ Alastor pondered.

“Y/n?” Alastor's voice was low, just a hint of concern laced in it if you were a keen enough listener

“it's not that per say, its more I don't have time for them.”

Alastor's brows raised, a nod encouraging her to keep going.

“Music has been my whole life as long as I can remember. For Christ's sake I knew how to read and write sheet music before I knew how to read and write my name properly. Finding time to make acquittances was never really a priority for me.”

Y/n’s fidgeting had moved from the menu to her glass. Holding it in both hands she looked down into it, avoiding eye contract.

“Analyzing people. Picking them apart to see what makes them tick I get. That’s easy. But actual connections that result in companionship? On that I am at a total loss.”

Y/n shook her shoulders a bit, returning as best she could to the cold mask that Alastor was realizing hid far more than he gave her credit for.

“Why do you want to know my silly problems anyway? Going to write an expose on how the Paramour’s new song bird has no friends?”

Alastor chuckled low, shaking his head. “No my dear, needless pot stirring is my colleague's department.”

Alastor said he wouldn’t pry but he just couldn’t stop this one little urge.

“It’s it so hard to believe that someone just wants to know you for you? That someone finds you interesting and wants to know more?”

Y/n fixed him once more with that doe-eyed expression, though this time it was much more somber. Like the doe-eyes themselves were a front to distract him not to look any further.

The tension was snapped as a waiter came by to take orders. After he left the subject shifted and conversation was light.

If Alastor were honest with himself, it was probably one of the best lunches he’d had in a long while.

The afternoon flew by, Alastor and Y/n walking about and talking. They weren’t going anywhere in particular, just walking for the sake of motion. The activity distracted Y/n from her hellish morning and Alastor welcomed the fresh air.

His request for a relaxing Sunday had been fulfilled after all.

All too soon Y/n had to be returned home and the facade of a modest two-story brick building came in to view.

“Thank you today Alastor, truly” Y/n spoke tenderly as they made their way up an exterior set of stairs to the apartment above. “Frankly I don’t want to think about how today would have gone if you weren’t here” Y/n turned to him on the landing, a soft smile curling onto her face.

Alastor bowed dramatically, “It was my pleasure Y/n” as he swung back up he noticed Y/n roll her eyes at his theatrics.

She then turned and the tumblers gave way to the key as she unlocked the door.

“Goodnight Alastor, I can’t believe I’m saying this but, I hope to see you again soon.”

Alastor smirked, leaning against the railing of the stairs smugly.

“Well, my dear you know what they say, speak of the devil”

Y/n looked at him from the open doorway, confused thoroughly written on her face.

“Americans” she huffed before heading inside.

Alastor stood there, slightly dumbfounded, slightly perturbed, slightly.... melancholic. He didn’t like where this Y/n situation was landing. She was getting too close to actually making an impression on him. He loathed her, couldn’t stand her and wouldn't have her. Then with a sudden flip of a mental switch now he’s suddenly pining on her stoop like some teenager?

This was going to require some serious thinking on his part.

As the thought crossed his mind, a curtain he hadn't noticed prior moved in the window. A delicate hand pressing a piece of lined paper up to the glass.

Rentrer chez soi