Alastor watched Angel go, the kitchen around him turning black as the little shadow creatures swarmed him, cautiously approaching him to do what Alastor had no idea Angel had wanted to do. He chewed the inside of his cheek to try and calm himself as he clutched the pocket watch tighter.

Breathe...just breathe...

----------

Back at the bar, Husk gave a casual shrug to Angel's question. "Sure."

While Husk went to work, Charlie walked over. "Is everything okay with you two?" She chewed her lower lip, guilt all over her face. She'd thought her little manipulation of the Secret Santas would help things but it seemed like she'd just made things worse. "I could talk to him if you want." She fidgeted with her hands. "Or if you just wanna talk, that's good, too."