it was January first, new years, but also the one thing nobody knows, Alastor’s birthday. He didn’t care nobody knew. Or, he thought nobody knew.

a few hours in, Niffty gave him some small roach plushies. It wasn’t much, sure. But he cared deeply someone remembered. He was quite literally silently crying of happiness.

a few minutes after, Niffty had left, and Charlie came in to see the crying Al on the couch, just wrapped up in a blanket and cuddling the plushies.