Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"So where is your hotel staff?" Alastor asked, looking around the empty place with a raised eyebrow. 

The hotel lobby, which in any other running hotel would be hustling and bustling with foot traffic and patrons alike, was like a ghost town which was fitting for a metaphor after death. In fact, it looked more like a rundown, abandoned building rather than an up and coming business. It was just laughable the disaster he walked into, the princess of hell would be kissing his feet when he was through with this place because without his help, it was clear this ploy was doomed from the start.

"Uh... well..." Charlie nervously rubbed her arm and shyly looked down to the floor before gesturing to her girlfriend who was stood with her arms crossed, glaring daggers straight at Alastor as if already anticipating his criticism. 

"Oh ho ho, you're going to need more than that." Alastor shook his head with a cocky grin plastered on his face as he walked away towards Angel.

"And what do you do my effeminate fellow?" 

"I can suck your dick." Angel answered with a smirk, blatantly checking the deer demon out as he scanned his eyes up and down his form. Alastor's face was frozen in shock for a brief second before he composed himself.

"No." He quickly moved away from the spider, clearly uncomfortable but not wanting to show any weakness.

"Your loss." Angel said with a cheeky smile, resting his cheek on his hand watching as Alastor retreated. 

"Well this just wont do! I suppose I can cash in a few favours to liven things up." Alastor snapped his fingers and a fire immediately started in the previously unlit firepit and a black lump of coal plopped down from the chimney. Alastor picked up the black mass, uncharred and unbothered by the flame, before a large eye popped open from it making everyone jump back. The figure then chirped happily and the soot had fallen completely from her to reveal an adorable little demon to which Alastor dropped her and introduced, 

"This little darling is Niffty!"

She cutely waves at the demons staring down at her in either confusion or amazement. 

"Hi I'm Niffty, it's nice to meet you." She greeted sweetly while her eye spun around like wild, inspecting all three new people in front of her.

"It's been a while since I've made new friends! Why are you all woman?" She asks bluntly with a confused look. Angel shot her an offended look but didn't bother to correct her as it hadn't been the first time he'd been misgendered. Just meant his body was banging enough to be lumped in with the princess of hell and her girlfriend. Nifty then picked up Charlie above her head in her excitement, looking under her.

"ARE THERE ANY MEN HERE?" She shouted then abruptly put the princess down as fast as she had picked her up, realising her mistake. "Sorry that's rude. Oh man this place is filthy! Really needs a ladies touch which is weird cause you're all ladies, no offense. OH MY GOSH this is awful! Nope nope nope!" Nifty instantly started to run around cleaning everything she could, the spider webs from the window sill, the dust on the photo frames, the bugs hiding in the furniture. She was like blur, darting around the room faster than anyone could even blink, clearly distressed at the state of the place. 

Just then, when all eyes had previously been on the overexcited little cyclops, a pool table appeared in the middle of the lounge with winged cat slamming down a set of cards.

"Ha! Read em and weep boys- Ooooh-!" Husk exclaimed, looking completely dazed as he was transported to a dingy hotel surrounded by symbols and static. "What the fuck is this?" he grumbled. His eyes looked around the room suspiciously before they reached Alastor who was standing behind him smiling in amusement. "You!"

"Ah Husker my good friend, glad you could make it!"

"Don't you Husker me you son of a bitch, I was about to win the whole damn pot!" He gestured to stacks of cash in the middle of the table which then turned to static and disappeared before their eyes.

"Good to see you too." Alastor smirked, always enjoying winding up the old drunk whenever he could.

Husk facepalmed.

"The hell do you want with me this time?" He grumbled, dragging his hand down his face. He knew anytime Alastor got him involved in one of his schemes it ended up in disaster and hoped this was just a quick job so he could get back to his life of drinking and gambling where no Radio Demons pissed him off any time they could just for the fun of it!

Alastor roughly threw his arm round Husk's shoulders, despite the cat visibly annoyed with the contact.

"My friend, I am doing some charity work so I took it upon myself to offer your services." Alastor poked him in the chest, riling him up further. Husker only growled and looked even more enraged if possible. "I hope that's okay."

"Are you shitting me?!"

"Hmm.. No I don't think so" 

"You thought it would be some kind of big fucking riot to pull me out of nowhere? You think I'm some sort of clown?!" Husk demanded although he damn well already knew the answer he was going to get. Especially since Alastor was simply staring over at him with that same shit-eating grin he usually did when toying with people.

"Maybe."
 
"I ain't doing no fucking charity job." Husk huffed. 

"Well I figured you would be the perfect face to man the front desk of this establishment! With your charming smile," Alastor pulled a smile on Husk's face which then instantly dropped to his neutral grumpy expression once he was released. "And welcoming energy, this job was made for you! Don't worry, my friend, I can make this more welcoming, if you wish." He lowered his arm and there appeared a bottle of cheap booze sitting on the bar top which Husk couldn't take his eyes off of.

"What you think you can buy me with some cheap booze!" he grabbed the bottle while threateningly poking Alastor in the chest who remained grinning from ear to ear. Husk's eyes then dart to the bottle, the temptation to deny himself proving too hard. "Well you can!" Husk went to his assigned space behind the bar, aggressively chugging his bottle.

"Hey hey hey hey, no!" Vaggie interjected, waving her arms furiously then pointed to the bar. "No bar! No alcohol! This is supposed to be a place that discourages sin! Not some kind of brothel man-cave!"

In a split second at the end of her rant, Angel had tackled her to the ground.

"Shut up! Shut up! We are keeping this!" He pointed to the bar - as well as Husk - with all four of his hands then instantly left Vaggie still lying on the floor so he could slide up the bar to lean against it seductively and gave the handsome barman a wink. "Hey-" 

"Go fuck yourself." Husk growled, cutting Angel off so he could go back to drinking his bottle.

"Only if you watch me." Angel retorted quick as a whip and leaned over the bar to touch Husk's face which clearly flustered the cat.

"Oh my gosh!" Charlie leaped onto the bar, cutting the flirting off unintentionally. "Welcome to the Happy Hotel! You are going to love it here!" She squealed with her Disney Princess eyes in excitement. She leaned forward into Husk's space - to the point where he had to lean back - so she could shake his hand. 

"I lost the ability to love years ago." Husk grumbled, ignoring her hand and went to drinking. 

"And finally," Alastor snapped his fingers and in a flash of more static and symbols, a chaise lounge appeared with a beautiful young woman who looked just like a doe serenely reading a book, sitting one leg over the other like a lady. She was dressed in a black dress with long sleeves and a length that flowed to her ankles with lace up black boots to match.

"Huh?" You look around confused, suddenly sitting in what looked like a lounge of a hotel until your eyes landed on Alastor. You jumped up and pointed an accusatory finger at him. "Fils de pute! I told you I never wanted to see you again!" 

"Actually, my dear, I believe your exact words were 'I don't want to see you for the next century' and well, would you look at the time!" He stood with the same taunting grin, flashing his watch at you almost mockingly. His grin never faltered, not even when the book you were reading struck him in the side of the head from you throwing it in your rage. Everyone seemed to hold their breath at the display, wondering if the Radio Demon would snap and destroy you with a flick of his wrist but all he did was pull you to his side as he had done with the rest of the new staff introductions.

"Everyone, this is Evangeline from Hell's illustrious 'Evangeline's Edibles' before it was destroyed in the latest extermination." 

You gave Alastor a partially confused and disgusted look at the realisation that he had kept tabs on you all these years. Not only that but announcing her devastating news of her totalled restaurant that left her jobless and soon to be homeless since she couldn't keep up with her rent without a pay cheque. 

"She will be the chef for this joint."

Your eyes turn into literal flames at that and smoke starts emitting from your head. How dare this beast of a man volunteer you for a job! Like you would want or need anything from him when you had been doing fine all on your own!... Well before fucking angels destroyed your business but still. You wanted to burn Alastor to the ground and it was clear he could see it but he just patted your head, unbothered by the embers on the top of your head beginning to form.

 "Careful, darling, don't want to set off the sprinklers in your new line of work on the first day!" He laughed heartedly and quickly moved away when you tried to take a bite of his hand that had tried to rest on your head after patting you like a dog. 

"Hey, speakin' of joints - I been to your restaurant, toots, and that is the biggest false advertisement I've eva' seen! Wasn't fuckin' weed in anythin'!" Angel butted in. Vaggie's head then snapped in his direction at the outburst glared venomously at him to which he raised his hands in self defence before the moth demon could pounce at him. "Calm yer tits, it was before I came here! Geez."

"So what do ya think?" Alastor asked once he slinked up to Charlie smugly. 
 
"This is amazing!" Charlie gushed and started rubbing her cheeks in amazement. She couldn't believe the Radio Demon was being so nice and helping with her project! In just a few minutes, he had hired practically a full staff which meant more patrons which meant helping more of her people! She couldn't wait to get started! 

"Its... okay." Vaggie huffed, completely contrasting Charlie's excitement, standing by her side with her arms crossed. It was obvious she didn't like the new staff nor trust them since they all stemmed from one of the most dangerous and powerful demons in hell. She loved her girlfriend but she also knew that she was incredibly naïve and not all demons deserved a second chance but she still wanted to help Charlie help the ones who genuinely wanted to try and redeem - not help with whatever freak show of entertainment and failure the Radio Demon wanted to turn it into.

Alastor laughed and pulled both girls close. "This is going to be very entertaining!" He then distracted Charlie by lifting his hand for her to dance while simultaneously pushing Vaggie out of the way. Music could then be heard fading into the room. 

"Oh Satan, he's going to fucking sing." You grumbled, rolling your eyes and squeezing the bridge of your nose to try and stop the headache threatening to start.

"You have a dream, you wish to tell," Alastor spun Charlie, using his magic to change the both of their outfits to something far more dapper as if they were out dancing out on the town. "and its just laughable but hey kid, what the hell?"

He threw her in the air in an act of showmanship while Charlie looked overcome with happiness and excitement, her smile was almost bigger than Alastor's. She landed at the top of the staircase with him and they began to tap dance together before sliding down the stairs.

"Cause you're one a kind, a charming demon belle! Now lets give these burning fools a place to dwell!" Alastor snapped his fingers and everyone in the room was also dressed in a different outfit who all looked down at their sudden costume change, other than Husk who looked like he was either used to this or just too done with this shit to even care. You were now wearing an elegant, lacy, white dress that looked almost like a wedding dress with your hair now in an up-do and a red rose tucked behind your ear. You angrily snatched the rose from your hair and stomped on it. 

"Take it boys!" Alastor snapped again and shadows appeared from the cracks of the floorboards to all playing backing jazz band in this crazy production. Vaggie tried to go up to Charlie who was distracted by the band and enjoying a cheerful little dance but Alastor was quick to grab her and pull her into a crushing hug with the rest of the staff and Angel before letting them go abruptly.

 "Inside of every demon is a lost cause," He once again grabbed Angel and Husk close, moving everyone as if they were simply puppets on a string for him to play with, and slapped hats on each of them before dancing away. Husk waved his fist threateningly as if contemplating in risking it all to attack the Radio Demon before just flipping him off, while Angel just smirked and shot him finger guns clearly already seeing Alastor's statement as true. "But we'll dress them up for now with just a smile!" 

Alastor then wrapped a feathered boa around your neck and spun you around before smacking you in the ass with a teasing grin and a wink. Your eyes go on fire again and you grit your teeth, ready to attack him before his shadows intercept you, the bastard obviously expecting such a reaction from you. He then danced away but not before shoving Vaggie away from getting to Charlie once again and the moth looked perhaps just as angry as you did.

 "And we'll chlorinate this cesspool with some old redemption flair! And show these simpletons some proper class and style!

here below the ground, I'm sure your plan is sound!" He spun around a delighted Charlie one last time into a twirl before raising his arms for dramatic effect. "They'll spend a little time, down at this Hazbin Ho-" An explosion behind him interrupted his finale and the door went flying, knocking Niffty back who had been enjoying the song thoroughly while the rest of the group stood there sharing a shocked look before going outside and inspecting what had caused it. 

A rusty looking aircraft floated just above the hotel and out popped a snake man. 

"Ha! Well well well, look who it is harbouring the striped freak!" Everyone all stood staring at him inquisitively. "We meet yet again, Alastor." He addressed the Radio Demon directly with a menacing expression.

On the other hand, Alastor looked to be thinking. "Do I know you?" He sounded genuinely curious but his wicked smile told you differently. He was just trying to get a rise out of the other man. He got his wish because the snake visibly deflated.

"Oh yes you do!" He retreated back into his aircraft but you all could still hear him aggressively cranking levers and pushing buttons. "and this time I have the element of... Surprise!"
Out popped a giant weapon directly in front of you all at eye level looking like it was charging up and about to blast everyone as well as the hotel into erasure.

"Hahahaha I'm so evil!" The snake cackled.

Just then, a ring of fire and smoke immediately surrounded the aircraft and giant, monstrous, black tentacles reached out to grab the ship and it's weapon, pulling it down with the sound of sirens going off mixed with the snake's horrifying screams of terror. Alastor just stood there with the same grin while static and symbols appeared all around him and his shadow minions floated around the aircraft before it exploded. 

The group stood there with dazed and terrified looks other than you who was only shooting Alastor a look of contempt - you'd seen worse from him, unfortunately - while he stood grinning evilly at the destruction he just caused. 

"Well I'm starved! Who's up for some grub?" Alastor went back to his cheerful and friendly persona in the flick of a switch, turning back to everyone with his arms excitedly open. "I'm sure our darling chef will cook us something to die for, maybe even literally considering her habit to season her food with poison." He walked back towards the hotel, Niffty practically skipping next to you as you stomped behind him. You were followed by Angel, blowing Husk a kiss who stared at him in angry confusion. Lastly was Charlie giving Vaggie a reassuring smile and peck on the cheek before they too followed but Vaggie's worried expression didn't drop. "You could say the kick was right out of hell! Oh ho I'm on a roll, yes sir, this is the start to some real changes around here! the game is set, now stay tuned!"

Once you were in the hotel you had to reassure everyone that you didn't poison your food before you could even begin to start looking at the inventory to scrap up a meal for seven in such short notice. The nerve of that bastard, implying any dish you served was less than perfect! The only one you had ever poisoned was his and he had deserved it! Such a drama queen, it wasn't like he could've died from it but you always did know him to be one for the theatrics, making mountains out of molehills and the like.

However when it came to holding grudges, two could play at that game and that would always be one you would win at. 

The group all settled around the large dining table in the kitchen while you rifled around looking through the sparse ingredients for dinner. Angel was leaning over the table, resting his elbow on it with his chin in his hand and still flirting relentlessly with Husk who looked like he hated every bit of the attention and was trying to slouch away from him. Niffty was excitedly talking Alastor's ear off a mile a minute about what she had been up to since they had last seen other, and was met by him smiling almost kindly and nodding along. Charlie was rubbing Vaggie's back, who had her knees up to her chin and hugging her legs with her feet on the chair as if she was trying to curl up on herself and still shooting daggers at everyone else sat at the table. Both of them were having their own private hushed conversation, clearly about Vaggie's distrust towards the new staff but Charlie seemed to be able to sweetly smile and bat her eyes a certain way that had her girlfriend like puffy and more agreeable but it still didn't change her mind or help her unease.

You managed to whip up a large dish of Pickled Cabbage and seasoned it well, as well as stewed vegetables and spicy chicken strips. You would have to pull the princess aside and get her to stock up this kitchen because it was a miracle you could even make this with the little she had in the fridge and pantry. It was becoming obvious to you that she was just a young, inexperienced girl trying to start a business on a dream, hard work and determination alone rather than common sense and an understanding of the very thing she's trying to run: A business. Her wishful thinking is certainly an admirable trait but a foolish one, especially after seeing the spectacle she made herself on the news. Never did you think you would be dragged into this mess but here you are. 

You went around the table and set everyone's utensils as well as got their water - taking you back to your waitress days when you were alive which was kinda nice - before plating all the meals and bringing them over. As you walked around the table handing out the plates to Charlie and Niffty first, you spotted the lack of etiquette from some and raised your eyebrow disapprovingly. As you brought Angel's plate over and placed it in front of him, you whacked his elbow on the table with your large wooden spoon, hard enough for him to yelp in surprised pain and taking his elbow in his other arm to rub delicately. "What the fuck, lady?!" He exclaimed. 

"Elbows off the table."

Angel glared at you, still rubbing his arm but he quickly forgot about it and burst out laughing when he seen Husk get the same treatment when you brought his plate, only difference is he got wacked on his back which made him sit up straight and look so much taller because of it. Husk hissed at you like any cat ready to fight.
 
"No slouching!" You snapped which caused him to grumble and simply let it drop, tucking into his dinner. You then turned to Vaggie with a raised eyebrow and pointedly look at her knees which were still at her chin, waving the spoon in your hand as if silently asking her if she wanted the same thing but smart girl, she got the message and put her feet down from the chair so she was sitting properly. You gave her a smile as you brought her plate over despite her shooting you a wary look. 

"So this is gonna be fun, right?" Charlie asked with a toothy smile whilst the rest, other than Alastor, grumbled in response. "I think this will be really great to get to know one and other!" 

"Splendid Idea, Charlotte!" Alastor agreed wholeheartedly, bringing his face to close to yours when you bent over to serve him his plate which you pointedly ignored and went to go get your own plate and sit down with them.

"So how do you all know each other?" Charlie asked curiously while cutting into her dinner, making polite dinner conversation as any royal would but also wanting to seize the opportunity for her bonding moment with her new staff and hopefully, friends in the future.

Alastor interjected once again, obviously loving the sound of his own voice.  He would have to, with being a radio host in life and death, after all. Still, no matter how many times he did it, it still bothered you any time he piped up. Just hearing his voice again was like nails on a chalkboard- well he did have a lovely, charming voice but only to stupid, naïve things like Charlie who believed the lies he spewed just because it was coming from a pretty source. 

"Well Niffty and Husker are near and dear, reliable friends of mine. I can always count on them to get me out of a pickle." He held up a forkful of his dinner, grinning manically at his pun while the others gave him dirty looks varying from annoyed to incredulous. He then gestured to you with a lovesick expression which you returned with a cold stare. "And that gorgeous specimen of a woman, angel incarnate even in hell, wind beneath my wings, apple to my eye-" 

You rolled your eyes at this slime ball's words. How dare he try and flatter his ways into your good graces after 100 years of peace from him, as if you wanted to hear any words come out his mouth directed at or about you ever again. As if no time had passed between the two of you. As if you weren't still so pissed at him that you would gladly strangle the afterlife out of him then shoot him in the head just to make sure he wouldn't come back. 

"I'm his wife." You growled, glaring straight at him and flipped him off with your left hand, unintentionally showing off the thorns around your ring finger that wrapped all the way around just like a wedding ring that looked like it was stabbed into your skin. There was also scars surrounding the area as if you had tried - and failed - many times to rip the damn thing off, which you had. 

Everyone - bar Alastor, of course - stared at you in utter shock and surprise.  

Chapter Text

After the revelation of your marriage to the Radio Demon, thankfully the subject of conversation was quick to change with no one wanting to ask personal questions about him seeing as he liked to keep his life private. 

The rest of dinner was uneventful. Afterwards; Husk had drifted off back to the bar with Angel hot on his tail much to his annoyance, Niffty and Alastor disappeared with Charlie upstairs to be shown their rooms while you went to the sink to clean up the dishes. Vaggie soon joined you and without a word, grabbed a dish towel and started to dry and put away the dishes after you had washed them. 

"Thank you, dear." You gave her a warm smile for her efforts which she returned, albeit with that nervous look never leaving her eye. "You look tense. Quite funny how you and your friend have opened up a business to cater to any and all of Hell's scum only to be jumpy around a few demons." 

"First off, Charlie's my girlfriend-" Vaggie started, her grip tightening on the pan she was currently drying, no doubt miffed about potentially hearing anything homophobic from the new woman. It was obvious the way she carried herself, dressed and acted about manners that she was from an older time where being gay was frowned upon- even illegal. 

"Oh wonderful! What a charming couple!" You interrupted with a genuine smile and saw Vaggie's shoulders visibly relax when she realised there was no fight to be had. Such a shame the poor girl had to get defensive about love, you've never had a problem with it in any way, shape or form. "I didn't want to assume."

"Yeah well, thanks, anyway I'm only jumpy around dealmakers like the Radio Demon. It's obvious that he just wants to see this place to fail and you're all associated with him so I can't trust any of you as far as I can throw you- no offense." She quickly added, taking the plate you handed her to dry and put away next. You admired the girl's honesty and reserved manner, hopefully that would rub off on her girlfriend who was clearly too invested in her happy ending that it was hard to see the realistics of the situation like Vaggie did.

"None taken, darling. You're a wise girl to be distrustful." You complimented looking down at the sink, focusing on the task at hand. From the corner of your eye you could see Vaggie's head snap up and stare at you in disbelief, it was as if no one had ever agreed with her standoffish behaviour before. "Take it from me, Alastor is not to be trusted. However if you do decide to try and throw him, let me know so I can have a front row seat." 

Vaggie huffed out a small laugh. She didn't feel the same sense of impending doom coming from you that she did whenever the Radio Demon was near her so she took that as a good sign. She would still be on full alert with you until proven you could be trusted but this... wasn't bad. 

"So... If you hate him so much then why are you married to him? I didn't even know the Radio Demon had a wife - no one did." Vaggie asked curiously but cautiously. 

"I'd rather not get into it right now, dear. After all, trust has to be earned, not be a given." You gave her a knowing look and you both shared an understanding smile. It seemed the two of you aired on the side of caution with new people. "But just know, there are no divorces in hell so I hope if and when you ever do propose to your love, it's the real deal." 

The air grew tense and quiet once more but you both powered through finishing up the last of the dishes.

Vaggie offered to show you to your room and you thanked her once more before following her through the lobby to the stairway. As you passed the bar, you smirked knowingly when you saw Husk entertaining Angel with a few card tricks which the spider was eating up looking as if he were a child at a show, watching in amazement. Husk was obviously so plastered by now that Angel's sexual innuendos didn't bother him any more but it was impressive he could shuffle the cards one handed while the other was taking shots of whiskey on the side. 

You went up the stairs with Vaggie and she showed you the room that would be yours for the duration of your employ in the hotel. "Here you are. If you need help with any luggage or anything from your old place, I can help. You can also decorate it however you want so it's to your tastes." She explained with a half smile, gesturing inside.

You looked around and seen it was very plain but it was nice to being able to decorate how you wanted so it felt a bit more like home - seeing as how you were trapped into this arrangement without any say in the first place. It had a large bed, wardrobe, vanity and en suite but most impressively, a beautiful large window looking out into the city. You walked over to it and stared into the horizon. 

Vaggie watched you as you looked around the space and started to stare out the window. She couldn't explain it but she'd never seen someone look the way you did then. It was a look of contemplation, longing, deep sadness and things she couldn't describe. It became clear to her that you didn't want to be here even more than she initially didn't want Alastor to bring you - or any of his henchmen - and it made her guard drop just a fraction more around you.

She jumped when you suddenly spoke up again, breaking the silence. 

"Thank you, dear, you've been a lovely help tonight. Perhaps once everything is settled, we can get to know one and other a smidge more." You turned to look at Vaggie with a gentle smile which she once again returned but this time, there was no nervous edge to her. 

"That sounds nice... I'll let you get some rest. Goodnight, Evangeline." 

"Good night, darling."

Surprisingly, you got a good sleep that night.

Unbeknownst to you, Alastor could not say the same as he was pacing outside of your door for hours debating on whether or not to knock so he could talk to you privately. He had thought it would've been the bees knees to be in your company again, despite it being unwanted from your end, especially after being separated for a hundred years but the closeness was making it harder for him to keep his composure. It still wasn't close enough.

He briefly wondered if he had make a mistake, bringing his only weakness into this project but it just seemed destined what with the princess's pathetic excuse for a staff in her hotel. The only person he could ever imagine filling the chef position was you and your glorious cooking, oh how he had missed it. Quite the treat for him to see you serving him once again too. And your fire... He could watch those embers burning in your beautiful, passionate eyes till the retinas burned away in his. 

He decided not to disturb you. Not on the first night anyway.

You woke up bright and early and quickly got dressed in your usual long black dress before heading downstairs, ready to start a new day. 

After a good nights sleep, it was easier for you to accept the fact that you were basically stuck here - just like the other two Alastor dragged here - so you may as well make the best of it and see where this project leads. Besides, the ladies who owned it didn't seem half as bad as the majority of the rotten souls that populated this literal hellhole. 

You passed the bar to get to the kitchen and frowned when you seen Husk passed out over the counter. No wonder the man had terrible posture if that was how he slept normally.

You went into the kitchen to grab some Aspirin and cold water before going back to the bar and whacking him awake with your trusty wooden spoon.

"Satan-fucking-damn it!" He shot up rubbing his now sore shoulder and giving you the deadliest look imaginable. "Listen bitch, you come near me with that thing again and ill-!" 

You gave him an unimpressed look through his ranting and interrupted him once he started to threaten you, holding up and skooshing him with a spray bottle of cold water which he hissed at but it did get him to stand down from his potentially violent stance.

"Bad kitty. Don't throw a hissy at me if you want to get pissed on the giggle water all night then can't handle the next morning." You countered, pushing the glass of water and tablets towards him. "Get these down your gullet then get to bed for a nap, soldier." 

Husk stiffened noticeably at the nickname before grumbling and took the Aspirin and chugged the water, all the whilst still giving you the meanest looks he could muster before trudging his way to the stairs muttering something along the lines of, "Damn woman. Fucking telling me what to do. Satan damn it my head fucking kills..."

You headed to the kitchen to start on breakfast for everyone. It was easier to whip up than dinner seeing as there was a decent amount of eggs and cheese so you decided to make everyone an omelette. You tied your cooking apron around your waist and got to work, as well as putting the coffee on to brew, and felt a nice familiarity being in a kitchen again after losing your restaurant that you worked so hard to get up and running.

You shook the thoughts out of your head before they could even fully form, you hated thinking of the past.

"Good morning, love!" Alastor's agitating voice boomed through the quiet kitchen. Your shoulders immediately hunched to your ears and your teeth automatically gritted to the point your jaw hurt. It was almost as if he had heard your train of thought and decided to make the most obnoxious entrance ever. 

"Morning." You gritted out, focusing on cracking eggs and imagining it was his head you were breaking instead. 

Your surly attitude didn't deter Alastor - it never did - and he slinked up next to you with his biggest smile, looking down at you with a half lidded expression like you were something precious.

You, on the other hand, tried to control your temper before you had another sprinklers incident. 

"Now darling, where's your lovely smile? You're never fully dressed without one, you know!" He reminded as he invaded your space, practically cheek to cheek with you now.

You roughly pushed him and swung to whack him with your wooden spoon but he jumped out the way before he could get hit. After all, he was all too familiar with you and your weapons of choice. Perfectly predictable, he'd always say.

"Don't fucking touch me, Alastor! I cannot believe you dragged me here into whatever the hell this is you're up to!" You snapped, still refusing to look directly at him because he had once told you that your eye contact was a gift so you were determined to keep it from him. You started to aggressively whisk the bowl while adding spices. "You don't own me, you can't just dictate where I go or what I do or when I'm finishing never seeing you again!"

From the corner of your eye, you could still see him standing there, dapper as ever, with his hands behind his back like he didn't have a care in the world with that fucking smile still stretched on his face. You needed to let go of some pent up rage and manually lit the stove with a small fire shooting from your finger tips. 

"Dearest, you wound me so! Can I really be blamed if I heard of your predicament after the latest extermination and happened on this great opportunity where a head chef position was needed? And after all, this establishment is owned by royalty so I decided only the best cook would suffice." Alastor flattered, amping up his usual charm to try and butter you up.

You rolled your eyes, easily seeing through his wounded act but you did look at him - if only to shoot him an unimpressed look. "Besides you always did love your charity work, sweetheart." He smirked as if he knew he had already won the argument. 

"That's not the point and you know it!" You groaned, wanting desperately to hit yourself in the head with the frying pan you were using just for a reprieve in this conversation. You took a deep breath to calm yourself down so you could get your point across clearly but Satan knows Alastor would spin anything in his favour if it meant he got his way. "If we must work together and share a living space again then you best behave professionally. We both know that a marriage contract is still a contact so even though I'd love nothing more than to fry you to a crisp and have Niffty vacuum up the dust just to eat it and shit it out on a freeway, I can't. And because you summoned me here, I can't leave." You stated, finishing up with the breakfast before heading to the coffee pot to pour yourself and Alastor a cup. 

"So do me a favour and just leave me the fuck alone." You finished your point with a pointed, sarcastic smile. His smile started to look extremely strained and you could tell that you had managed to strike a nerve which cheered you up immensely.

The roles had reversed on who was now desperate to end the conversation.

You decided to throw him a bone and gave him an out so you shoved his coffee cup into his hand and pushed him towards the door away from you while you plated the breakfast, calling out over your shoulder, "Make yourself useful and wake everyone up for breakfast, except Husk, you leave him to nap off the bottle-ache!"

Alastor, somewhat in a daze, headed out the kitchen before stopping himself, realizing he was being ordered around like a common dog. Despite it, he couldn't help the dopey smile on his face.

'What a woman.' He thought to himself lovingly.

It was just like old times and even though he was obviously still in the dog house, he had to admit, he missed his little spitfire. If anyone else in hell spoke to him even a fraction the way you did, they'd be incinerated before the syllables in their sentence reached double digits but you were always special. You had only been here for a night and he was already becoming obsessed again. It was easy for him, in your time apart, to convince himself the memories he had of you would never match up to the real deal - that he had put the memory of you on a pedestal that the real you could never achieve - but he was dead wrong. It was just then he looked down at the coffee cup in his hand and realised you remembered how he took it, plain black, and his heart ached.

He missed his wife.

Alastor did as he was told and woke up the rest of the staff and Angel Dust - although he would have to wash his eyes out with bleach when he walked into his room and the spider was lying face down on the sheets, with not a damn thing covering him - so they could all go enjoy breakfast together.

Breakfast was quite enjoyable and the rest of the day passed without a fuss. 

Everyone still seemed to be getting used to each other but the princess's happiness was almost infectious and Alastor even managed to come off as pleasant rather than antagonist to the others for the day.

You had later on woken Husk from his nap to a big meal for his lunch so he hadn't given you any more shit about correcting his posture as he sat at the table downstairs. Angel then introduced you to his adorable little pet, Fat Nuggets, which made you laugh at first but the name was somehow fitting for the creature. Afterwards, you helped Niffty with cleaning up the place but you could only listen to her prattling for so long - she was a sweet girl but too many sweets can rot the teeth, so you made yourself scarce to find Charlie and inform her of the inventory needed in the kitchen in the near future.

After finding Vaggie, she informed you the princess was on the balcony. 

As soon as you had opened the door, you could see Charlie's back to you while she was on the phone nervously tugging at her own hair. "Hey mom... Me again, who else right?" She nervously laughed then clutched the phone desperately with both hands to her ear as she stiffened up like a board. It was as if she trying to put on a façade of strength so it would carry through her voice. "I don't mean to bother you so I'll just leave a message.. again. We've got new staff at the hotel and its... going great. Look, I know you and daddy have seen my interview but I promise I'm taking this seriously. I just want to make you guys proud... Anyway that was all so... love you, bye." She ended softly, hanging up and dropping the phone from her ear along with her head down in shame.

You cleared your throat purposefully and Charlie's head whipped back up and over to you. She looked embarrassed to be caught in such a vulnerable moment. "Oh! Evangeline! Didn't... see you there, sorry!" She squeaked, nervously playing with her hair and avoiding eye contact with you. It was such a shame to see her so down after a day of her practically skipping through the hotel in her sheer joy of her dreams starting to come together. 

"No I am sorry, Charlotte. I came here to talk business so I didn't want to interrupt a phone call. Especially if it was important." You apologised genuinely.

Charlie's eyes briefly lit up at the fact you thought any phone call coming from her would've been important whereas her own mother left her to leave voicemails like that one more often than not.

"Seems even the King and Queen are not perfect when it comes to parenting." You observed purely because you could tell Charlie wanted someone to talk to and you figured it would be quite rude to just step away after hearing the sadness in her voice while being ignored by her mother.

"Well... Not perfect, maybe, but my parents are great really!" Charlie assured with a strained smile. "They're just really busy, royalty doesn't get a day off, y'know?"

"I can imagine."

"Plus the fact I totally humiliated them and myself and the hotel in that interview I did on the news." Charlie said lowly, the embarrassment and uncertainty clear as day on her face. She wore her emotions on her sleeve and was an incredibly easy girl to read, almost like a child. 

"Darling, it was just yourself who you humiliated- not your parents nor the hotel!" You tried to reassure but Charlie just sank more in on herself till she was practically curled up standing, two tuffs of curly blonde hair clutched in her hands. Poor thing looked like she was ready to hyperventilate. "Listen kid, if you run a business - especially like one you're trying to do - you need to grow thicker skin. You're a sweet girl but sweet doesn't command respect. You're in Hell for crying out loud, you can't sing your points and expect people to listen, you have to grab these fuckers by the throat and make them listen to what you have to say!"

"You mean metaphorically, right?"

"If that's your style. Either way, how do you expect people to believe in your dream if you don't believe in yourself?" You asked her gently.

She looked like she was ready to burst into tears with every word you say and you were almost afraid to say anything more since none of this seemed to be helping but you couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor thing and want her to go back to skipping around on her silly rainbows. At least she was a change of pace from the other miserable cretins that filled Hell day in day out.

"Your mama should care about what you care about, but just cause she either don't or just don't have the time to show she does, doesn't mean you should feel any less proud of yourself. You got that nice girl Vagatha that supports your dream, right? Sometimes just one person in your corner makes all the difference."

Before you even realised what was happening, Charlie was latched onto you in a crippling hug with her eyes squeezed shut to stop her tears from falling. You awkwardly held your hands at your sides before returning her hug and rubbing her back in, what you hoped was, a comforting manner. 

"Thanks, Eva. I really needed this." Charlie sniffed, squeezing the other woman tighter if possible. You were struggling to breathe but you let her get it all out of her system. "Were you ever close with your mom?" 

"Not particularly. Vile woman she was, probably down here somewhere." You shrugged dismissively, not liking the direction of the conversation. "No matter. We are who we are and not who made us- for the best, really. I have full faith that your mother is proud of you for having a dream, cherub, but the one you need to be focusing on right now is yourself." You advised softly, stroking her hair gently until she eventually released you from her koala-like grip and wiped her eyes. 

"You're right, I just keep beating myself up about the stupid interview but this hotel is turning out to be fucking awesome! I can do this, we all can do this, and I'll prove to myself that I can really make a difference to my people!" Charlie declared with determination in her tone and the anime sparkles back in her eyes.

She was back to smiling her toothy grin which suited her so much more.

"There you go! You get it now, kid. The past is in the past and it's best we just leave it there." You smiled along with her. "To be honest, I'm a little surprised that one interview has you this rattled in the first place. Okay it was a little silly but any publicity is good publicity right?" 

"It wasn't just that, the news reporter lady was really mean." Charlie pouted as she recalled Katie Killjoy's treatment of her. She believed that if the spider lady wasn't such a fucking bitch then Charlie wouldn't have gotten so nervous in the first place to where she was stuttering through her entire proposal of the hotel. You frowned at the thought of anyone being mean to this kid who was basically like sunshine personified. Being rude to her? Probably, happy people got on everyone's nerves in large doses. But mean? Hell no. "She even said that she doesn't touch the gays so she wouldn't shake my hand or anything!"

"She said WHAT?!"

Charlie's eyes popped open wide and she took a step back from you. "Uhh... Your eyes... are on fire." She quietly uttered whether it be from fear or shock.

"Forget what I said about the past for a minute, to forget the past you need closure first!" You grabbed her hand and practically dragged her away to march downstairs and out the front doors of the hotel.

Charlie obediently followed you but she was going back into her nervous habits, pulling her hair and biting her lip as if she were the one to do something wrong. She tried to reassure you that everything was fine and that she also then later called Katie Killjoy a bitch and ended up in a full on brawl with her but you were having none of it. You wouldn't stop until this was straightened out and you would not have someone treat your... boss, technically, so disrespectfully. It wasn't at all ladylike.

You marched Charlie right to the front door of Katie Killjoy's mansion and knocked three times in rapid form with your knuckles and waited for all of five seconds before slamming your elbow against the door in the same three rapid motions except the door was now practically shaking and threatening to come off the hinges. 

"Alright fucking damn it, I heard you!" Comes the shrill voice from inside before the door opens and there stood Katie Killjoy in a long, luxurious robe, wearing a facemask and a towel around her hair. She looked down at the two of you disdainfully and scoffed. "What the hell do you want now? Come back for round two, princess?" 

Charlie shrank into herself but you gracefully stood in front of her and smiled up at the woman, craning your neck to even be able to meet her gaze but you didn't falter. You had a misunderstanding to settle. 

"Terribly unfortunate to bother you, dear, but my associate Charlotte seems to have misheard something you said to her before what was meant to be a professional interview on the 666 news but eventually turned into, well you know." You waved off the afterthought but smiled smugly at her, as Charlie had informed you of her kicking the spider bitch's ass in her desperate attempt to stop you on your mission and pull you back to the hotel.

You seen a twitch in Katie's eyes and felt satisfaction.

"Regardless, I would like it very much if you put it to rights. What was it you said about gays, darling?" You asked with a manic smile. Despite your grinning façade you could already feel steaming building to the surface, your rage boiling like a slow cooked meal under the lid too long.

"Your fucking shambles of a dyke friend better get the fuck off my property before I make the both of you, how's that for clarifying, bitch?" Katie spat the words out like venom. If she wasn't in the middle of her skincare, she would've transformed into her full demon form and pulverised the pair of them for even having the audacity to darken her doorstep.

"Apologize. At once." You warned quietly, smile still in tact.

You could feel Charlie shaking like a leaf behind you and you were sure she was crying quietly since you knew she wasn't scared of this tall, lanky disgrace of a thundercunt.

"Get fuc-"

You exploded in a ball of flames, fire radiating off of every inch of your skin looking like hell incarnate. You couldn't even process Charlie's gasp as she stared at your true form, or warn her to look away before her eyes started to burn from the light, you could only focus all of your attention and rage on the shivering news reporter in front of you.

You walked back into the hotel with a skip in your step, arm wrapped around the little princess who looked traumatized.

She was walking with a stunted gate as if she was still in shock the whole journey home from what she had just witnessed but you couldn't have looked more oblivious.

"There we are, cherub, aren't you happy to have all that mess straightened out? It was a good thing she finally said sorry too, I was about to burn another creator into Pride!" You said with a hearty laugh. You walked Charlie to the stairs, ready to put her to bed after the emotionally draining day she's had, when you spotted the boys sitting at the bar enjoying a drink. 

"What the hell happened to ya, Charles? Ya look like ya just walked in on ya ma and pops going at it." Angel bluntly asked once he seen the state of the princess. He then tilted his head and imagined what Lucifer would look like getting down and dirty with the Queen of hell. "Actually that's not a bad image, come to think of it."

Charlie shuddered, looking even more disgusted than before. She really didn't need to think about her parents' love life on top of the mental images she was already juggling. "Evangeline ripped Katie Killjoy's eyelashes off for calling me a slur. Also pretty sure she popped her boob job as well. And burned her house to the ground..." Charlie then started to get that faraway look as if she was reliving it.

You shook your head with an amused smile and waved her off, such a dramatic thing this one was, you thought. It was only a misunderstanding but now Katie Killjoy understood you, and she'll know never to call Charlie - or anyone - those kind of fucking words again.

Alastor made Charlie jump when he let out a belly laugh while the other two men gave a mutual suspicious side eye to you, not expecting that kind of violence from such a pretty, delicate looking package. It was starting to make sense to them, your marriage to the Radio Demon.

"Good show, love!" Alastor exclaimed once he had caught his breath from laughing, wiping a stray tear from his eye as he did. He looked at you with hearts and in his eyes and smiled proudly. "That's my gal, ladies and gents!" 

The studio audience in Alastor's microphone started applauding like crazy but the smile dropped from your face at his statement. You knew it wouldn't take long for him to ignore your warning about acting professional with one and other, but Satan Damn it, that conversation was just this morning! If you hadn't used almost all of your energy and power on kicking Katie Killjoy's ass until she apologized then Alastor would've been next on the list.

You supposed you could kick his ass in the morning. 

"I'm not your gal." You shut him down quickly before nudging Charlie gently forward again. "I'm putting Charlotte to bed after the long day she's had, you boys be mindful and don't stay up too late neither! Husk I swear to Lucifer, if I catch you passed out on that bar again, it'll be something bigger than the spoon I hit you with! At least go to the goddamn sofa in the lobby!" You called after them as you took the princess up stairs. Thankfully your back was turned so you couldn't see Husk or Angel rolling their eyes at your lecturing. 

"Night, Charlie! Night, mom!" Angel jokingly called up after you and laughed when you flipped him off with the hand that wasn't keeping Charlie steady.

Angel then turned back to the other men and continued with the conversation from before the girls came in. "So anyways, back to the story, I ended up fuckin' this guy so hard his dick snapped-" 

A screech of radio interference was so loud and sudden that Angel had to cover his ears so they didn't burst and in a flash of static and symbols, Alastor had vanished from the seat he had been occupying and Husk was face planted on the bar top, neither of them wanting to hear another one of Angel's exploits. 

"I'm in Hell surrounded by prudes. What are the fuckin' chances?"

Chapter Text

The following week had passed in the hotel and you had gotten into a bit of routine around here.

Some things never changed; like Vaggie and Angel getting into arguments over the pettiest of issues, Niffty tended to let her OCD get the better of her more often than not and screamed bloody murder any time Fat Nuggets left any sort of trail in her lobby, Charlie was delightfully optimistic as ever but she tended to put more pressure than she realised onto all of you to be better which was hard considering you all had bad habits hard to break, Husk continued drinking himself practically unconscious almost every night - but did heed your words of sleeping it off on the couch rather than on the bar after waking up with several bruises or soaked in water in the morning - and Alastor still tried his luck making conversation with you any opportunity he could but often, he would either be ignored or set off your temper which would cause you turning into flames and setting off the fire alarm. 

All and all, it was chaotic but this place was starting to feel a little more comfortable and familiar to be in. 

One night after dinner, Charlie and Vaggie had asked you to keep an eye on the place so they could go out for a date night seeing as you were basically the only functioning adult in their rag-tag team. Of course you agreed and it had turned out to be a pleasant evening. 

You, Niffty and Angel were sitting at the bar playing some black jack with Husk - and losing miserably - while Alastor stayed in his office going through some paperwork for the hotel. 

Eventually Niffty was left potless and nothing else to gamble so she took herself away to cool down. 

"So how do ya think Charlie and Vagisil's date's goin'?" Angel asked conversationally as he nursed his fifth drink of the night. You shot him a look to remind him to be nice and he at least looked a little sheepish before putting his cocky front back on like a mask. "Do ya think they're muff divin' as we speak?"
 
You and Husk shared an unimpressed glance and softly clinked both your drinks together before chugging them in solidarity but said nothing as you were both used to Angel's brand of vulgarity at this point. 

"I think they'll be having a lovely time together, It's good that they're getting some alone time - I think it was much needed. I heard Charlotte tell Vagatha before they left that she deserved an award for being with her and Vagatha told her that Charlotte was her award." You revealed with a smile and held your hand over your heart at the romance of it all.

You always were a romantic at heart but it was hard to see it in person in Hell, especially not a love as pure and innocent as the girls shared. 

Angel smirked and took the opportunity to lean over to Husk, resting his floof alluringly on the bar top, and leaned his chin on his folded hands as he shot the feline a seductive look. "You deserve an award for putting up with me, Husky."

"Damn right I do." Husk grumbled and turned his head away to drink out of his beer bottle but you could see he was still eyeing Angel up from the corner of his eye despite acting aloof. 

You burst out laughing at the quick response as well as Angel's fallen expression, clearly not getting the reaction he was after.

The spider leaned back and folded both pair of his arms, sitting with a petted lip.

"At least you're pretty, Angel, there's always that." You tried to reassure while stifling your giggle.

Angel's expression never faltered since your voice wasn't the one he wanted to hear giving him a compliment, still sitting with a dissatisfied pout. 

"He is pretty," Husk agreed. That caused Angel to perk up and smile up with hope in his eyes, opening his mouth to reply with probably some filthy offer to do something back for Husk for the compliment but then the cat continued, "Pretty fucking annoying." He smirked over at him before taking another swig of his bottle.

Once again, you couldn't help but laugh.

"You guys fuckin' suck!" Angel exclaimed and flipped the both of you off with two hands each. 

"Okay, okay," You conceded, smile still prevalent on your face. "Sorry, sweetheart."

It was rather adorable the fact that Angel couldn't see that this was Husk's horrible attempt at flirting.

The gruff man's exterior may have been one of disinterest but it was the subtle ways in which he showed his growing affection for the spider; like the way he waited up on the nights Angel would be out late at work without getting blackout drunk just to make sure he got home safe, or when he would bring him food when Angel was busy at the studio just to make sure he still got to eat, or how he would always listen to Angel's stories and really, anything else he had to say, no matter how bad of a mood he had been in previously he always seemed to make space for their talks together.

Perhaps, you thought, it wouldn't just be Charlie and Vaggie who got bit by the love bug in this hellish afterlife.

Several drinks - and quite a few more laughs - later,

"You're such an asshole." Husk groused after Angel had offered to show the cat a card trick for a change and ended up screaming 'fifty-two pick up!' before throwing the whole deck behind the bar, forcing Husk to pick them up again.

"You are what you eat." Angel smirked.

"Lucifer, would it kill you to keep a little something to the imagination, dear." You groaned despite the amused smile still on your face.

"Don't hate the playa, toots. My motto's always been, if ya got it, flaunt it! And baby, let me tell you, I got sex appeal to spare." Angel bragged with a wiggle of his chest floof and top set of arms stretched behind his head like a peacock showing off. "'Sides, if I acted or dressed like you or Strawberry Pimp, I'd be outta job cause aint nobody gonna pay the big bucks to spend a Tuesday night special taking off fifty layers of clothes - and that's even if ya manage to pull a john over rocking nun couture." 

"You could actually be wearing fifty layers of clothes and you'd still be a slut, Legs." Husk retorted from below the bar, still picking up the cards.

"And don't you forget it, daddy." Angel blew him a kiss down at him.

"Are you saying that just because I don't walk around in my undergarments or make vile, sexual innuendos every five minutes like you that I don't have a sex appeal?" You raised an eyebrow, feeling quite offended at the implication. "Word of the wise, darling, a lot can be said for a little modesty. I knew of my own charms even when I still alive and it was uncouth for a woman to show any sort of desire."

Angel snickered, not bothering to hide his disbelief.

"Oh sure I bet ya can get any guy stiff as a board in your frocks, grandma." 

Even though you and Angel looked to have died around the same age, it was apparent you carried yourself a lot older than those in the hotel due to your time and you were not ashamed of the fact. However it irked you more than you cared to admit that you could've been seen as some old fuddy duddy.

"What do ya do, whack him in the dick with ya spoon till it gets hard?" Angel asked sarcastically.

You shot him a warning look, having quite enough of his teasing.

As it so happened, just then Alastor had finally left his office having finished his work before spotting you all still at the bar and started to head over with his usual smile in place to look for some entertainment. For once you were happy with his interference seeing as a great opportunity to prove your point in your own charms.

"Hey Alleycat," you purred, leaning towards him instead of away.

He looked quite startled at the old pet name you used for him resurfacing, his smile now frozen in shock. 

"Alleycat?" Angel and Husk whispered in unison, sharing a look of bewilderment with each other.

"Do you think you could help me with a problem, hun?" You asked sweetly, fluttering your eyelashes ever so slightly.

Alastor suddenly felt hot under the collar, the position you were in - sitting down while he stood above you - was always a welcomed view but seeing you so demure and sweet for him made him perspirate. His thoughts were just a bundle of static, unable to concentrate on anything other than your beautiful eyes looking up at him to even wonder why your change was so sudden or that you both were in front of an audience. "Anything, my doe."

You softly swing your legs on the bar stool before lifting one to lightly skim the side of his leg with your ankle until your foot was resting on his hip while you maintained your innocent expression. "My boot feels too tight, can you unlace it for me and give me some... relief, honey?"

Alastor's face was the same shade as his hair at this point. With shaky hands, he gently took hold of your foot and made quick work of unlacing the boot for you despite never breaking eye contact. How could he, when you were looking at him the way you were? 

You let out a slightly exaggerated moan once Alastor had finished and that seemed to be the last straw as all that could be heard after that was sharp, distorted screeching from what sounded like a radio malfunction. You and the boys had quickly covered your ears lest they burst from it and in a flash of Alastor's usual static and symbols, he was gone. 

You looked over at Angel with a triumphant smirk. He was looking back at you with an almost appraising look. 

Husk made a whipped noise in the background.

"Alright, toots, I gotta hand it to ya, that was pretty hot." Angel conceded. "But times have changed from when Jewish orthodox porn was the hottest shit that hit the sex market. Let me show you how the professionals do it."

Before you even had a chance to blink, Angel had dragged you off your seat and up the stairs in excitement to his room.

Had you not been a little tipsy then you wouldn't have gone along with the spider's ridiculous schemes as they tended to be on the wild side but you were enjoying your night and decided to let loose just a smidge. 

Angel sat you down at his vanity chair before going to his wardrobe and pulling out practically every garment he had stored in there, all the whilst merrily talking your ear off about makeovers and polishing turds and what not. You just laughed along and pulled Fat Nuggets on your lap to give him some scratches behind the ear. 

You got to know Angel on a more deeper level once he started doing your makeup, like the fact that he was Italian and very proud of his heritage - you promised to make him any authentic Italian dishes he requested so he could feel more at home which he greatly seemed to appreciate - as well as the fact that he was in the mob when he was alive.

He also told you about his twin sister, Molly, who he had been very close to and his big brother who he didn't share the same sentiments for. He had gotten a little more reserved when the topic of his parents arose but you just gave him a reassuring squeeze on the arm and an understanding smile that he immediately returned with his own relieved one. 

"Don't get me wrong, toots, my ma was real nice even when my pops wasn't so it wasn't all bad. It's just... Neitha of them got the gay thing, y'know? I think they thought that was worse than the fact their youngest son was addicted to the same product he was supposed to be sellin' for the family business." Angel sighed wistfully, his eyes looking far away like he was relieving some painful memories. "Guess it was just the sign of the times." He concluded quietly. 

You were appalled at the fact he felt like he even needed to justify such cruelty. You have never been able to understand those - even when you were alive - who could not accept that something as pure as love could be for anyone and not just those who were part of "the norm". You halted Angel's work, who had now moved on to your head, by taking his hand in the both of yours like he was something precious.

"That's no excuse, darling, you didn't deserve that for being who you are." 

Angel's eyes started to get watery looking down at your sincere expression and hearing the words that he had been desperate to hear since he was alive and his secret was found out. 

"Come on, toots, I know you and Smiles were from around the same time so you tryna tell me that you always been okay with people like me? Wasn't it illegal when you were alive?" Angel asked in a standoffish tone.

It was like he had already convinced himself that the treatment he had received was acceptable just because of the time he was from and that broke your heart.

"Unfortunately yes, it had been outlawed. However that was during the Prohibition-"

"Woah I knew you was old but I didn't know that much!"

You raised your eyebrow in disapproval and smacked him in the shoulder for his rude interruption before continuing. "Anyway, despite the fact drinking became illegal, folk managed to still find a way and speakeasies became very popular which gathered an incredibly delightful crowd of queer people to be able to meet up in private without the fuzz finding them out. I visited quite a few in my time." You confessed with a fond smile. 

Angel's expression had softened throughout your explanation as well and he squeezed his hand in yours before pulling away to continue to do your hair. The gesture told you he was thankful without having to say the words, much to your dismay, but you were let him fly without showing his manners this one time because you were having such a nice moment. 

You didn't know how much time had passed but you and Angel went back into trivial conversation as he finished up with the last of your makeover and spun you around in the chair to see yourself in the mirror.

Your eyes bulged out of your head, turning your head to see all angles of the unfamiliar vision of yourself. He had painted your face akin to Marilyn Monroe and curled your long hair to boot. It wasn't ugly by any means, it just wasn't you and way too far out your comfort zone but you could also see from the reflection, Angel was grinning from ear to ear with both his hands clasped in front of him, waiting for approval and how could you deny him?

"It's... very creative, sweetheart." You said with a strained smile.

"Don't knock it, yet. You gotta pair it with these!" He held up a tiny slip of fabric and a pair of long high-heeled boots. You stared at them in horror, starting to sober up. 

"Surely this isn't it? I've never seen shoes bigger than the outfit." 

Angel had laughed at your stricken reaction but he didn't back down from his plan, going as far as to shove you in the bathroom with the offensive garment and refused to move until you changed.

You had eventually conceded - on the merit that it was the dead of night and it wasn't like you were leaving the hotel so no one would see - and changed. 

The dress, as expected, was dreadfully uncomfortable from the flimsy fabric threatening to expose your backside to how painstakingly tight the upper half was around your chest area which raised your bosom to practically your chin. Damn thing didn't even have sleeves! Wasn't Angel freezing wearing things like that all the time? The only thing the dress had going for it was that it was in black but you wouldn't even wear something this revealing as pyjamas. 

In for a penny, in for a pound, you thought before putting on the knee-high boots. You actually liked the height advance the heels had given you and they were a helluva lot more wearable than the dress. Perhaps you would ask Angel to borrow them in the future to pair with one of your own frocks.

You opened the bathroom door with a heavy frown and mockingly held your hands out as if to ask what he thought of his 'masterpiece'.

"I'm a fucking artist."

"Indeed. A piss artist."

Angel wanted to show off his work to Husk so he had pulled you downstairs only to find the girls back from their date and talking away to the barman.

They all turned towards you and their jaws dropped consecutively which made you a tad uncomfortable. You nervously tried to tug the hem of the dress a bit lower but the damn thing would just climb up again. 

"Wow Eva, you look so... different." Charlie gaped with sparkles in her eyes. She started to squish her cheeks in that adorable chipmunk way she did when she was excited.

"You look hot as fuck, Evangeline." Vaggie praised, giving you a once over. 

Husk simply continued to stare at you - or rather, your chest - in a glazed over state.

You snapped your fingers in front of him to take him out of it before crossing your arms to try and take the attention away from the amount of skin on display, unaware that it was simply exaggerating your bust. "Eyes up, Soldier."

"If you wanna stare at a pair of tits so bad, Husky, I'm right here and mine are bigger." Angel offered with a playful wiggle of his eyebrows. The cat flushed bright red and pretended to start cleaning an empty, unused glass to avoid Angel's knowing look.

You were quick to change the topic of conversation and asked the ladies about their date.

They endearingly recounted their events to the group, holding hands and innocently kept touching each other the entire time like they couldn't keep their hands off each other. You noticed both of them looked a lot more relaxed and it was clear that this time for them together was long overdue and needed for their relationship so you made a mental note to offer to babysit again - not that you really had any moral high ground seeing as you gambled, drank yourself silly, left an Overlord with blue balls and dressed like a tart all in one evening.

You didn't exactly scream responsible adult tonight but it had been fun.

You smiled and nodded politely throughout the ladies' stories. Once they had explained that they hadn't eaten for a few hours due to their late night walk under the stars in the park with no picnic in tow, you offered to make them a midnight supper which they both swiftly agreed and thanked you. 

"You boys want something to eat too?" You asked politely.

"Hell yeah, mamabear! Swear to Satan, ya gonna turn me fat with how good ya food is - even without the weed." Angel stated. You gave him a confused smile, unsure if that was his way of complimenting your skill.

"What're the options?" Husk scratched his head and considered. If he ate something right now then that would leave him a full belly to be able to go to bed and sleep peacefully instead of drinking himself into a stupor. 

You didn't like the rude way he had asked you as if you were one of those delivery apps that would give him a list of anything in the world at the tap of a button rather than just doing a nice gesture and feeding your fami- team.  

"Yes or fucking no. That's your options."

"Yes ma'am." 

You smiled. 

The group headed to the kitchen and you told Angel to go bring Fat Nuggets down for something to eat too and to ask if Niffty and Alastor wanted something too. Might as well make something for the whole gang and have a little midnight feast. 

When he had returned with the pig in his arms, Niffty was quickly behind squealing and practically bouncing off the walls.

"Oooh this is so fun! It's just like at sleepovers! I'm usually not up this late but I'll just have some coffee in the morning- I love coffee, even though a caffeine overdose is what croaked me but oh well! Like Alastor would say, it's to die for, hehehe-" Niffty prattled on speaking a mile a minute.

Everyone was settling down at the table and you were whipping them all up a quick dinner as well as a little dessert since they all seemed to be hungry. Alastor followed behind Niffty at his own pace, twirling his microphone as he went.

"OH MY GOSH, EVA! You look AMAZING!" Niffty gushed making you jump at the sheer volume.

"Niffty, please, inside voice, dear!" You chided, back still turned as you were a little embarrassed about your attire now that the buzz from the giggle water had well and truly worn off. It made you feel better with your cooking apron on just for a tiny bit more coverage.

Alastor, on the other hand, felt like he was malfunctioning. He had never seen you wearing something so revealing, not even the lingerie you surprised him with on your wedding night. The fact you were walking around like that, and others could see you, had his brain practically melting out his ears but he knew he couldn't cause a scene so publicly so he simply sat with the others at the table while they conversed amongst each other but his eyes never left you.

You bent down to give Fat Nuggets his bowl of boiled broccoli and potatoes that he loved so much as well his bowl of water but you quickly darted back up straight as a pole when you heard cat calls and wolf whistles coming from the studio audience in Alastor's stupid microphone. You shot a loathsome look behind your shoulder at Alastor who was smiling smugly at you and wiggled his fingers in a wave. 

Your eyes sparked but you focused on finishing the grub before they could go on fire along with your temper. 

It didn't take long to get everything ready. You served everyone their meal and only had to whack Husk with your wooden spoon once to correct his posture - and another for staring at your breasts again when you bent over to place his plate in front of him - so it was progress. Everyone seemed to enjoy the meal and pudding, chatting cordially with the group, all apart from Alastor who was across from you and stared without so much as a blink with a strained smile on his face.

You knew him enough to know that he pissed but what you didn't know was why? 

You just levelled a glare at him before joining back in with the pleasant conversation, pointedly ignoring him for the rest of the meal.

Everyone made quick work of your cooking and soon, there was nothing but empty plates and full faces. You shoo'ed everyone to bed, reminding them that it was late, and went around collecting the tableware to wash. Vaggie had tried to stay behind to help you wash up as she usually did but you simply thanked her and sent her on her way as well, assuring her you didn't mind the clean up. She gave you a warm smile before making her way out the kitchen with everyone else. 

Well almost everyone else. 

You could feel Alastor's presence still lingering behind you. 

Before you knew it, your waist was snatched by a firm grip and spun round to be slammed back against the kitchen counter. Alastor looked like an animal freshly released from captivity. He was snarling down at you and for the first time, you felt intimidated by the man. 

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Y/N?" He snapped, grinning maliciously at the uncertainty in your eyes. It took you off guard to hear your name for the first time in an age. 

"W-what do you-" You inwardly cursed yourself for the stutter but you had never seen Alastor act so aggressively towards you.

He pressed you even harder against the counter leaving no space whatsoever between either of you.

"I mean your little game at the bar earlier, attempting to paint me as a fool in front of those who work for me, and now this!" He roughly ripped your cooking apron off you and threw it away before pressing himself even closer to you which forced your legs to part for him.

You felt heat go through your body however this was not from your fiery temper as it usually was. 

"Dressing up like a two-bit whore and making a show of yourself in front of anyone who wanted to see? This will not do. You are my wife! Therefore the only one who should see you in such a state of debauchery is me." He growled with his fingers skimming up from your waist to lightly graze all the way up your sizes till they caressed your bosom. 

Your eyes fluttered shut. It had been too long since you had been touched in such a way and you were losing yourself to the sensation. Your brain had turned to mush and your body seemed to melt under your husband's skilled touch. 

One of his hands drifted further up to wrap around your curly hair at the base of your neck and tugged roughly until your neck was exposed for him to pounce. He left a trail of scorching kisses over your throat while you gripped onto the edges of the counter till your knuckles turned white.

Your body was responding to him and it felt so familiar, like coming back home after a long journey away. You couldn't help the noises slipping from your mouth at his effort and your hips began moving on their own accord to jerk firmly against his growing hardness.

"Al, Fuck..." You moaned when he bit you between your neck and shoulder, your most sensitive erogenous zone.

"I plan to, dear heart." He growled.

He picked you up one handed and practically threw you on top of the counter before continuing his work on playing your body like a fiddle. He then snapped his fingers which was followed by the door slamming shut in the kitchen to ensure privacy between your martials. 

However the noise was enough to startle you back into some sense and you could see through the cloud of lust that had overtaken you. "Wait.. No! Enough!" You pushed him away from you as if he burned you and jumped down from the counter, fixing your attire to keep at least some of your modesty in tact. "How dare you think you have any right to touch me like that again?! Or, for that matter, to tell me how I can dress?!" 

You grabbed your trusty wooden spoon and started slamming it into his side multiple times in your rage but he snatched it off you and snapped it like a twig. Your eyes set on fire as you stared him down in a fury.

His face was still flustered from your near dalliance in the kitchen - and no doubt, yours was the same - as well as his chest heaving with harsh breaths. 

"I've had quite enough of this tantrum of yours, Y/N!" Alastor chastised. He crowded in your space to tower over you so he could try and intimate you again but you were wise to his game now and would not fall for it. You stood firm, glaring up at him hatefully. "Not only have I given you the space you asked for but I have also generously given you a place to stay as well as a job doing something you love! Have I not earned forgiveness? How long do you plan on refusing me your company?" He demanded.

The fire in your eyes died as you stared up at him in bafflement. Did he really think that after your separation, him spying on you for years then forcing you into a job position that forced you to be trapped in the same presence as him that you would just fall into his arms and go back to playing happy families? 

"You don't get it, do you, Alastor?" You asked softly. You could see the look in his eyes that he really didn't which, for some reason, made you sad. "It's over between us. You lied to me, left me twice and forced me into a contract with you."

At least he had the decency to look somewhat shamefaced but he still tried to hide it by making his smile wider. You knew you would never be able to have an honest conversation while he still had his mask on. 

"That's not entirely fair, love, you were the one to shun me for a century." His words no longer held any bite. It was obvious he was trying to pass on the blame because he felt guilt about how he handled your marriage but he would never admit he had been in the wrong.

You shook your head in disbelief and simply side-stepped past him to walk to the door, opening it quietly. As you were about to leave, you looked over your shoulder to him still standing in the same position looking lost. "You broke my heart, Alastor. More than once. I promised myself I would never let you close enough to do it again so I'm sorry but I mean it. It's over, accept that."

You left him without seeing his reaction to your words because you could feel the sting of tears threatening to spill from your eyes. You held your composure with your head held high until you reached the sanctuary of your room before you let yourself cry. 

You wished you had never even met the man you had to call your husband.

Chapter Text

Time had passed in the hotel and thankfully, Alastor gave you a wide berth after that night in the kitchen. It seemed any time that you were in a room, he made it a point to quickly disappear like he couldn't even look at you. Regardless of the reason, whether it be guilt or a sense of injustice on his part, you were glad for the peace.

The hustle and bustle started to pick up in the hotel with lower class demons starting to check in when word got around of the free rooms, booze and food. Charlie was elated and even scared off some potential patrons with her enthusiasm but overall, business was starting to pick up which was a bonus. 

It also meant you were busier in the kitchen and didn't have as much time as you did for the people you were starting to see as friends. The only time you really had a chance to talk to them was when the kitchen was closed after dinner and you could have a drink before bed so often times, you would be sitting with one or more of the crew.

Tonight you were sitting with Charlie and Angel while you nursed your cocktail. 

Unfortunately, they were arguing. 

"This place is a fuckin' prison!" Angel snapped at the princess who looked affronted.

This had all started all of a sudden because Angel had gotten a text from his best friend 'sugatits' Cherri Bomb telling him that she missed him and asked him to go out with her clubbing that night. Charlie had been quick to shoot the idea down due to her fear that Angel would once again fall off the bandwagon and do something to disgrace the hotel like he had on the day of her interview first advertising the idea - especially since it was just starting to get a bit of foot traffic. 

You and Husk shared a look and decided to stay out of it. 

"It's for your own good, Angel!" Charlie snapped back. 

"Bull-fuckin'-shit, princess!" Angel slammed his glass down on the table, accidentally sloshing his drink onto the bar from the force of it. "You just don't trust me! I aint stupid, admit it! You care more about yer fuckin' hotel's reputation than you do about me!"

"That's not true!" Charlie defended, the argument getting more heated with every word from the both of them. "I just think you've been doing so well lately, why risk it for one night out? I've told you before Cherri is always welcome to come here." She reminded. It looked like Charlie was pleading now for Angel to just drop it. You could tell she hated conflict, especially with people who were close to her, but she stood firm on her point which you admired.

"What, so ya can spy on us and make sure we're not doing lines on ya shitty bar?" Angel asked mockingly with a roll of his eyes. "And anyway, my bitch wouldn't be caught dead in a snorgasm like this place." He shot viciously. 

Normally you would reprimand him for lashing out the way that he did but you knew he only did it when he was hurt and trying to push people away. He had been upset that Charlie didn't trust him after he'd made one mistake while she was constantly preaching at him about second chances and change. Honestly, you could see where he was coming from but you could also understand Charlie's caution. Either way you were just glad to be left out of-

"Eva, what do you think?" Charlie turned to you desperately while she gestured to the huffy Spider. You closed your eyes and sighed. Seems like you managed to get dragged in regardless. 

You looked over to the both of them who were watching you expectationally, both of them waiting for you to side with them. You squeezed the bridge of your nose to quell the impending headache before looking back up with a firm expression.

"I think you're both acting like children. Charlotte, it's not right for you to tell sinners that second chances are possible then hold their past above their head - you must let them make mistakes to learn from them." Angel childishly stuck his tongue out at the crestfallen princess and you leaned over to smack him upside the head for it. He yelped and started rubbing the now sore spot, pouting. "And Angel, the last time you were with this girl, you got into a turf war on the same day you knew Charlotte was advertising the hotel. She's allowed to be cautious, don't lash out because you didn't get the answer you wanted."

Both of them looked down at the bar top, rightfully scolded.

"Now, hug and make up." You gestured between them sternly. 

Charlie was the first to crack and practically leaped on Angel with one of her infamous bear hugs. "I'm sorry, Angel. Of course I trust you, I just worry too much. You can go out tonight if you want."

Angel smiled softly and hugged her back with the same warmth. "I'm sorry too, toots. I shouldn't have yelled at ya like that."

"Good, now that's finally sorted. Husker, be a gentleman and give the little tramp some money so he can enjoy his night." You demanded so that you could go back to drinking in peace and quiet, all the arguing giving you a headache that you just wanted to drown out.

Husk followed your line of thinking and smirked in understanding before handing Angel a stack. The spider squealed in delight and pulled all three of you in for a hug before leaping up from his seat, ready to bolt out the door.

You gently put your hand on his arm, stopping him before he could. "Best behaviour tonight, sweetheart." You told him with a look of warning.

He leaned down and you both kissed each others' cheek, an Italian custom he had showed you for hello and goodbye that you were fond off. "You got it, mamabear."

And just like that, Angel was gone in a flash. You turned back to the bar to see Charlie already nervously chewing her hair. 

"He'll be fine, cherub." You assured softly, running your hands through her hair so she couldn't chew it which she appreciated. She still looked too tense. "Why don't you go and watch a movie? I'll wait up for him when he comes back so you don't need to worry."

That seemed to settle her a fraction more. Charlie gave you her thanks and headed away from the bar, still looking as stiff as a plank of wood. Poor dear worried too much.

"Kids, right?" Husk scoffed and raised his glass for you to cheers it with your own which you did.

It looked like it was going to be a long night for you.

You had lost track of time of how late it was but even Husk had went to bed, only as he knew you were the one waiting on Angel for a change. You ended up sitting on a chaise lounge in the lobby with a book to occupy you while you waiting for the spider to come back home but as time dragged on, even you started to worry. You tried to call him a few times but the calls all rang out to voicemail.

You told yourself Angel had just lost track of time having so much fun since it was the first time he was able to let loose in over a month.

He was okay, you told yourself. 

Long after you finished your book, you were still waiting and growing more troubled as time passed. Every second felt like a lifetime. You were nervously gnawing at your thumbnail, staring at the door, seriously starting to contemplate going out and looking for Angel yourself and dragging him back home by the ear.

"Fretting over your pet pro skirt, dear?" 

You startled at the sound of another voice after hours of silence and whipped your head around to Alastor standing by you with a steaming cup in his hands. You glared up at him in suspicion.

"Don't call him that, and why are you here?" You asked rather rudely. You knew it was too good to be true when he initially starting giving you space after that night in the kitchen, thinking that your words had finally resonated with him but of course it was too good to be true. 

"I thought I'd give you company, love." He stated as if it was obvious. "After all, what kind of gentleman would I be if I left a little lady like you on her lonesome waiting for the troubled brat to come home?" 

You rolled your eyes and scoffed. It had been a long time since Alastor had tried to woo you with his gentlemanly charms but you were no longer a young, lovesick fool and could see through his charade as clear as a window. Instantly you started to wonder how he had even known for one, that Angel had been going out tonight and two, the fact you were still waiting on him at a time Alastor was usually in his room. 

It just so happened that you spotted his shadow on the wall where your back had been turned to previously and automatically, you shot a fireball at it in your rage. The shadow rapidly scattered, just narrowly dodging being hit which had left a noticeable scorch mark in the wall. You groaned as you were going to have to fix that in the morning before starting breakfast.

"What kind of gentleman spies on people, Alastor?" You growled. "And why the hell would you think I would want your company?" 

Alastor only graced you with a deceiving smile and sat next to you, despite your obvious discomfort. 

"What you may call spying, I call keeping a watchful eye on. Besides, I came with a peace offering!" He announced cheerfully, handing you over the mug. 

You shoot him an unimpressed look and glance down at the contents only to see your favourite tea. Your steely expression had softened somewhat due to him still remembering your favourite drink and even going out of his way to make it for you when you were visibly distressed waiting on their problem patron. You also remembered how Alastor used to go on tangents about your 'vile, tasteless leaf water' whenever you tried to get him to partake so you never thought you'd see the day where he voluntarily made it. 

"It's not poisoned is it?" You asked sardonically as you took the cup.

Alastor laughed heartedly. His eyes crinkled in amusement and he looked at you with such fondness that you had to avert your gaze. You didn't want him to see him look at you in such a way with memories ingrained into your brain of a time where you lived for nothing more than those expressions. 

"I'm afraid that would only be your forte, darling." He reminded with a chuckle. 

"Jesus, a gal puts a touch of arsenic in your supper one time and I never hear the end of it!" You groaned, rolling your eyes skyward. "Besides that's when you were getting awful cosy with that 'business associate', Minnie or something of the other. You had it coming." You took a sip of your tea and found it did settle your nerves a little. Far be it from you to not show good manners so you uttered a quiet thank you to him for the effort. 

"Ah yes, Mimzy, I remember you were quite rattled with her." Alastor reminisced, chuckling. "Such a treat whenever you let your jealousy show, cher, as if there would ever be another woman that would ever divert my attention from you." He said in the same matter of fact way he had said it in all those years ago. 

You couldn't help but feel your face heat up the same way it did then too. You put your mug on the side table and turned to face the door once again to try and hide your blush from his knowing gaze lest he try and use it as encouragement for more of these little.... talks, with him. However, you felt his hand gently clasp your cheek to pull your gaze back to him.

"No matter. I've always loved your fire, Y/N." He stated so softly that you couldn't help but lean into hand, getting lost in his sincere expression. 

Just like that night in the kitchen, your common sense had all but vanished and you fell back into the loving attention of your husband. It was easy to remind yourself why you hated him when you were apart but tender moments like these only served to remind you of what once was between you two. His attentions was like a drug, addicting and fun while in the moment but the aftermath was always life ruining. 

Still, while in the moment, your gaze lowered to his lips for a split second and you could see his smile widened before starting to lean towards you. 

Your felt his breath on your lips and your eyes had just fluttered shut when,

BANG

The hotel doors practically flew open and you both jumped apart.

Angel had finally come back and practically fell through the doors. landing in a heap.

"Angel!" You rushed over to him in a panic, kneeling down and checking him over for injuries. He was making heart wrenching noises and convulsing sporadically but he had no wounds anywhere. You held his face in your hands and turned his head from side to side and what you saw broke your heart. 

He was drugged out of his mind. Completely out of it.

His eyes were so disoriented that he knew he didn't even know where he was or who you were, his body twitching and shivering as well as burning up to beyond an unsafe level and the noises coming out of his mouth was him trying to speak but unable to even form any words. If he were still alive, the state he was in currently would've been enough for an overdose. 

You were beyond furious, and terrified, and heartbroken and- 

You didn't have time to sit in your emotions. Even though sinners couldn't die from an overdose, it would still wound them to a bedridden state in crippling pain for a few days till it wore off and you couldn't watch Angel go through that. 

"I'll get him, darling." Alastor offered as he bent down to pick the spider up. In that moment, you were grateful for his aid as you wouldn't have been able to get Angel to his room without his help. "He'll be fine, not the first time the fellow's been this hopped up."

"I don't care, just get him to his room!" You urged, panic evident in your voice.

Once you were all inside his room, you led Alastor in the bathroom before gesturing for him to place the spider down in front of the toilet. Angel couldn't even control his limbs to sit up straight once he was released and tried to lay down sprawled on the floor but you bent down behind him and held his neck so he was bent over the toilet. Once he was in position, you stuck your fingers down his throat until he gagged.

"Come on, sweetheart, get it all up." You encouraged softly, unsure if he could even hear or understand you.

Turned out not since he clearly thought he was in the middle of another activity and tried to suck on your fingers but you continued to push them down until you could feel him violently gag and start to heave. You quickly retreated from his mouth and your now free hand to smooth his hair back as he emptied the contents of his stomach.

Hopefully it would get at least some of the drugs out his system and he wouldn't feel like complete shit tomorrow. 

You both sat at the toilet for a while until there was nothing more coming up and you realised that Angel was also absolutely filthy, his fluff was practically matted to him in some places. The only good thing is that he was no longer making those gut wrenching noises and the twitches had got farther apart rather than every few seconds which was a good sign. 

"Alastor, you have to help me wash him, he's caked in filth." You looked over to him who had stayed put in his place at the door of the bathroom, looking at you both with more of a grimace than a smile at this point. 

"Absolutely not. He got himself into this state and he can lie in it. Literally." He quipped, turning away from you with a posture of complete nonchalance.

"Al, please." You pleaded, sincerely. You were still stroking Angel's hair lovingly and couldn't bare to leave him like this. 

There was a pause of silence before you heard Alastor sigh and the next thing you knew, he had bent down to put the other man's arm around his shoulders and lift him once again. You stood with them and gave him a look of gratitude before starting the shower. 

The both of you had cleaned and dried the still delirious spider before putting him in a fresh set of pyjamas and putting him into bed. You sat on his bedside and lightly traced Angel's face until he finally closed his eyes and passed out for a deep sleep. Poor Fat Nuggets was trying to climb on the bed but you couldn't let him while Angel was like this, there was no telling whether he would actually hurt the little pig and it would devastate both animal and owner if that happened.

"I'll keep watch of the spider and his gluttonous hog." Alastor offered, standing next to the bed with his hands behind his back. 

You furrowed your eyebrows in confused. You wondered why Alastor of all people would care. There was a voice in your head that told you he was only doing this as a way to get into your good graces again, just like with the tea, and you were inclined to agree with it. However, if that was the case then that would mean Angel would be safe in his care because he would ensure not to let anything to happen.

"Okay," You agreed softly. "Take care of him." 

"Of course, go get some rest, dearest. You look exhausted." 

You nodded and headed toward the door.

"Goodnight, Alastor." With that, you left to go to your own room for a night of disturbed sleep that would be filled with  traumatic memories you just wanted to forget.

Unbeknownst to you, Alastor had kept his gaze on the spot at the door you were just at and his smile fell. He was looking at that spot with such a longing and heartache that he couldn't help but drop his mask as soon as you were out of sight. Tonight had been a brief moment of genuine connection and he couldn't help but wonder where it would've went had the damned harlot not interrupted you two. 

Still, he thought, it had been lovely to be able to just talk with you again. 

His attention eventually turned back to the spider he was now tasked with babysitting and he pulled up a chair, patiently waiting until the next morning.

The next morning when Angel woke up, he felt like he took a sledgehammer to the head. The light coming in through the cracks of the curtains was stinging his eyes like tiny knives, his throat felt like it was lined with metal spikes which hurt every time he tried to even breathe and his skin felt like it was crawling.

"Oh! Look who's finally awake!" Alastor loudly announced with a taunting smile.

Angel looked at over him blearily and even that felt like it took all of his energy to do.

"Smiles?" He croaked, confusion written all over his face.

It was then he noticed Fat Nuggets perched happily at the Radio Demon's feet and he was grateful someone had been here to look after his pig. He couldn't remember a thing last night other than having a sweet ass time with his girl buddy and riding the biggest high he'd had in a long time after forced sobriety. He tried to sit up and regretted it immediately after the pounding in his head became even more pronounced.

"Ah fuck, my head kills." Angel groaned, resting his head in his hands.

"I'd imagine it would be considering the state you came in last night." Alastor pointed out smugly, making it more than obvious he was enjoying the other man's suffering. 

"Aw daddy, you look after me all night?" Angel flirted half heartedly. In all honesty, he was just trying to get the smarmy ass off his case and knew his advances were the only thing that seemed to get him uncomfortable enough to leave him alone. 

"Don't be foolish, my effeminate fellow!" Alastor bellowed with a laugh causing Angel to flinch at the sheer volume. "Had it been me that found you, you would've woken up in the lobby where you collapsed in a pathetic heap. No no, dear boy, it was our dearest Evangeline who worried herself sick waiting on you all night." 

That caused Angel to snap his head up, wincing again, and stared at the deer demon with a stunned expression. He looked like a child that had been caught red handed at the cookie jar and knew consequences would swiftly follow. Alastor loved to see the distress on his face, especially after how worried he had made you last night. 

"Shit, she seen me like that?" Angel bit his lip and scratched the back of his neck in dismay.

"Yes, indeed! And I'd imagine she'll be quite furious with you, especially after she had been the one to co-sign your night of sniffing enough PCP to kill a family of elephants." Alastor theorized with glee.

Angel rolled his eyes and waved the other man off before begrudgingly getting out of bed. "Sorry ta disappoint, Smiles, but Eva thinks I'm adorable. Aint no way she'll be pissed for more than a couple hours." 

Alastor chuckled, shaking his head as he too stood up to look the spider directly in the eye. "Take it from me, Angel, once my wife has a grudge, it would only take a miracle for her to drop it. Good luck." He relished in the distraught look in the spider's eyes before strolling casually to the door and left Angel to contemplate his next move. 

Angel quickly got himself ready and headed downstairs to the kitchen to find you alone washing the dishes from what looked like had been lunch. It just went to show how long he had been passed out for but not as long as he had thought. The last time he had been like that, he slept for two full days and couldn't even get up for three days after that. It made him wonder how much you had really helped him out last night, seeing as he woke up clean as a whistle too. 

It just made his guilt fester but he couldn't show it too much. He put on his cocky bastard persona and strolled up to you, leaning his side on the counter next to you and started to inspect his nails as if he didn't have a care in the world. 

"So you aint gonna ask me how my night went, mamabear?"

"I don't care." You continued focusing on your task, not sparing a second for the spider next to you. He looked offended at not having your rapt attention like usual when he started conversations with you. 

"Aw come on, don't be like that, toots. Didn't ya ever had some wild nights in your time or have ya always been a boring bitch?" He tried to tease as if this was an ordinary day and he hadn't put you through hell and back last night with worry last night. It was obvious he knew he was in hot water and he was trying to wriggle out of it before he got burned.

"I don't have time for this, Angel. What is it you want?" You asked bluntly. The sooner this interaction ended, the better because you knew better than most where it would lead.

"Fucks sake, I just wanted to talk to ya! Fuckin' wish I hadn't bothered now." Angel snapped, crossing his arms. He sighed and turned his head away. "So I'm guessing you already snitched to Charlie?" 

"No." Angel whipped his head back to look at you in shock. He couldn't fathom why you wouldn't get him in trouble with the princess and put on lockdown again. "It would crush her to know you broke her trust again. Why would I want her to feel as hurt as I did?" You shrugged, keeping your tone stoic because you didn't want to escalate the situation and any argument right now would just blow up.

"Well sorry I'm such a fuck up!" Angel screamed, instantly killing your hopes for leaving this conversation amicably. You wished it hadn't been the case but you knew it would happen. "Newsflash, you aint my mom and even my own ma just yelled at me when she was mad and be done with it, not this passive aggressive bullshit! If ya mad then just say it!"

"I'm not mad, Angel." You felt the same sadness and despair bubbling up in you from last night and you could feel the tears prickling behind your eyes. "I'm just so disappointed in you." You admitted truthfully.

That had felt like a knife to the heart for Angel. Despite his words, he had started to view you as something of the mother figure he always dreamed of and he knew he wasn't the only one who did so. Despite your temper and strict attitude, you radiated a warmth and motherly energy to the hotel patrons without even trying. To hear those words from you hit harder than a steel bat. 

He felt like a piece of shit. It wasn't the first time he'd disappointed someone and it probably wouldn't be the last but it didn't make it hurt less every time it happened. 

He knew he had to save face so he did what he knew best and lashed out instead of addressing his guilt. It was better that you finally seen him for who he really was rather than the person you convinced yourself he could be.

"You think I care? I don't need your disappointment, lady- I don't need shit from you or anyone except a few lines and a good time so get used to it. This is who I am and I aint changing for some old cunt that thinks she runs this place!" He worked up to a scream, practically frothing at the mouth and looking ready to attack you while you continued to casually put away the dishes you had finished drying.

"I know what you're doing, child. You want me to argue back with you so you can feel better about breaking your promise to me and Charlotte as well as my trust but this is not my first rodeo with addicts." You confessed stoically. Angel seemed to deflate as soon as you saw right through his act which just made it hurt so much more. It was like every word you said was a dagger and it was his own damn fault.

"My mother was a cokehead. I know that look in your eyes right now because I've seen it in hers my whole life. She would lash out and become dangerously violent if her next hit was denied or God forbid, I ruined her current one with my 'nagging' despite the fact I was a child having to parent my own parent as well as myself." As you spoke, horrendous memories flashed into your mind and you had to shake them out. They were the same memories that plagued your sleep last night, mixed in with images of Angel in the same disorientated state.

Your mother was a subject you never wanted to remember again and the only one you had ever confided in about her was Alastor. Maybe that was why he sat with you last night because he had known Angel would come in the way he did as soon as he was let off his leash. 

"And I had to worry and take care of her, the same way I had to for you last night, too many times to remember. As soon as she felt guilty during the comedown the next morning when she sobered up, she always promised to never let it happen again. Then, without fail, after every breakfast, she was using again."

Angel was looking at you with heartbreak evident on his face but you couldn't let yourself soften. He had cracked your heart that night and if you continued to let him in, he would be another person to break it and you couldn't let that happen again. You had promised yourself that much. 

"So snap at me all you want, if it eases your guilt, then get the fuck out of my kitchen, Angel." 

He then scoffed and stormed off, flipping the bird on his way out, and scurried back up to his room. As soon as the door was shut, he broke down in convulsing sobs. 

Angel had stayed in his room for the rest of the day, not even coming down for dinner. 

You hadn't been able to stop thinking about your conversation the entire day and it left you in quite a daze. On the one hand, you stood by your attitude with Angel because he had completely broken your trust but on the other hand, you did know he was an addict beforehand and perhaps your trauma with your mother made you judge him more harshly.

You knew Angel had more than his fair share of heartaches in life and in death so even though you would never excuse what he did last night, you knew he had his reasons for using which made you sympathize more. 

It still stung to have that mental image of him last night but you had also missed his company and didn't want him to feel isolated because of a mistake. 

You decided to make a plate for him after everyone else had finished eating and made his favourite Italian cuisine before making your way to his room and knocking. 

He opened the door and was visibly surprised to see you standing there with a fresh plate of dinner for him. 

"I thought you might be hungry, you've not eaten all day." You told him softly, handing him the plate which he looked down at still in shock. You cleared your throat pointedly, and raised your eyebrow at him almost playfully in the way you did to all of your team when they had forgotten their manners.

"Thanks, Eva." Angel said with a whisper of a smile, almost as if he was afraid to hope he hadn't completely burned the bridge between the two of you.

"The girls and I are having a movie night with facemasks, would you like to join?" You asked, offering him an olive branch. You pretended not to notice the way his eyes were visibly tearing up. You knew it was taboo in hell to cry in front of anyone.

"I'd like that." He croaked out. You gave him a small smile and nodded before turning to leave before you were stopped. "Wait!"

You tilted your head at him curiously.

"I'm really sorry, mamabear."

Your smile widened and you leaned up to gently kiss his cheek. "I know, sweetheart."

With that, you left Angel to enjoy his dinner and you could feel a weight lifted off your shoulders.

Later that night, the girls and Angel were all snuggled in front of the TV watching 'Pretty Woman' while wearing matching sheet masks, covered in cosy blankets and sharing two big bowls of popcorn. Charlie and Vaggie were cuddled up together, Niffty was lying at the armrest of the sofa with her legs resting on you and Angel was in the middle with his head resting on your shoulder. 

"How have I neva seen this movie before?" Angel asked tearfully as the scene where the rich gentleman had climbed the fire escape to be with his true love in the end. 

"Beats me. Sounds like it'd be right up your alley - an emotionally stunted man falling in love with a hooker with a heart of gold? Wonder why that sounds familiar." You pondered sarcastically, glancing down at the spider on your shoulder who met your gaze with hearts in his eyes. 

"What, do you think Richard Gere wants me?" He asked you in all seriousness which made you giggle and shake your head in disbelief. Seemed like your boys were still as oblivious as ever. 

"I'm sure he would, sweetheart." You gently ran your fingers through his hair and he threw one of his arms around you, cuddling you closer. 

You pressed play for the next movie and enjoyed your night more than the previous. 

Chapter Text

The hotel had begun thriving in the coming weeks with a lot more foot traffic. No demon had yet to reach the final goal of true redemption and ascended to the gates of heaven however, that did not mean it wasn't doing some good. 

Some demons had, of course, only checked in for the free lodging and amenities but swiftly checked out again after Charlie's programs to try and better their own lives and themselves as people put them off. Not many sinners deemed the perks worth the tough effort of trying to redeem themselves. 

Regardless, the ones who had stayed - who had all started off as cruel, selfish and self depreciating, believing themselves unable to become better people - had slowly became more comfortable in the hotel and with their Princess's genuine care in what happened to them in the afterlife.

For most people, they'd never had anyone have the best intentions in their heart so the Hazbin patrons had really started to put in the work to try and work on themselves. Perhaps they wouldn't get into heaven overall but that didn't mean the project was a bust as you could see in real time as a community of trust and compassion was being built right in the centre of hell.

Charlie was ecstatic and you couldn't blame her. You, along with nearly every other demon in hell, first believed her plan of running this place foolish and idealistic. You were pleasantly surprised when the little blonde bundle of energy proved all of you wrong and you were happy to see her achieving her dreams by making a difference in this place.

Alastor had actually been the one who suggested they do a fundraiser to boost the hotel's popularity and seize a second chance at showing off its success. 

Charlie had jumped at the chance to have a do-over in the minds of her people after that disaster interview all that time ago. She immediately started to get into party planning mode and assigned everyone their duties to make it perfect.

Her and Vaggie would set up the ball room into a main hall of sorts, Alastor would acquire the entertainment, Angel and Niffty would put up flyers all through hell, you would be making the hor d'oeurves plus setting up the snack tables and Husk would be barman during the main event. 

You had all got to work, determined to make this night special for the princess who had opened up her heart to you all and made you a family. 

The night of the fundraiser had turned out an array of demons from all rings of hell, each curious to see either how successful or disastrous the endeavour had been since the hotel was first announced.

You were all dressed to the absolute nines.

The women and Angel had all gotten ready together, sharing some wine in a toast to Charlie's big night, and Angel had even offered to help with everyone's hair and make up - apart from Vaggie who told the spider if he touched her with a beauty blender she would make him eat it.

You were just thankful he had kept it subtle for yourself, unlike the last time, although he did convince you to wear a dress a little more dazzling than your usual attire. It was a long, black, sleeveless dress with a sweetheart neck line that had a little shimmer when the light hit it. The dress still showed a little more skin than you were used to but you were comfortable and wanted to look nice for Charlie's night. 

The main hall was decked out with classy decorations, a stage that currently had Alastor's shadows playing some smooth jazz, long tables all lining the walls with a variety of finger dishes and snacks you had prepared that morning as well as a bigger bar for Husk to easier serve a larger mass of people. 

Demons were socializing and dancing throughout while Charlie buzzed around the hall like an excitable puppy on crack, shaking the hands of anyone who so much as glanced her way. 

You smiled, watching her from your position at the bar. 

You could also spot Alastor doing the same in terms of socializing with potential clientele or sponsors. He was completely in his element. Dressed in a dapper suit with a charming smile to match, you couldn't help but feel your heart flutter. 

Ever since you got here, you hadn't seen him do any of the terrible things he had got his reputation from all those years ago when he terrorized the entirety of Hell. Sure, he would still zing the patrons for their mistakes or failures whenever they tried to better themselves and fell back into old habits but that was pretty much it. No murder, no backstabbing, no deals. Nothing. He truly was just seeing this project through even if it was just for his own amusement when he seen anyone who checked in fail. 

You couldn't help but remember him making you that cup of tea the night you waited on Angel as well as sat by your side and helped you take care of him. Adding this fundraiser being his idea, and seeing Charlie so happy, on top of that made you see him in a different light. 

"My my, don't you look the bees knees tonight, darling." Alastor appeared in front of you with a smirk.

You hadn't realised you had gotten so lost in your thoughts that you didn't even notice him catching your stare and coming over. You blinked a few times to let your brain catch up to reality and tried to recover quickly so your blunder would not be pointed out.

"You don't clean up too bad yourself, hun." 

Shit you had not meant to say that. 

Just as you flushed and put your cocktail back down on the bar - telling yourself that you'd need to pace yourself with the giggle water so there would be no more further embarrassing fopauxes - Alastor simply chuckled and sat down next to you, using his magic to make a glass of bourbon appear in his hand for him to sip since Husk was still on his break from an hour ago.

"I must say, it's been quite a turn out, hasn't it?" Alastor observed conversationally, looking around the room at the crowd. You followed his line of vision and agreed quietly. 

Charlie and Vaggie were now dancing and laughing like two goofy teenagers in love. Vaggie had two left feet but Charlie looked like she didn't have a care in the world, just enjoying dancing with her girlfriend. Your heart ached for them. 

"Why are you doing this, Alastor?" You asked softly, your eyes never leaving the young couple.

You remembered a time where that was you and Alastor and you didn't know how everything got so messed up where you used to never feel alone when he was in a room to the point that it was now: Where you could be sitting right next to him and still feel completely isolated. 

"What do you mean, love?" Alastor asked you curiously, his full attention now on you. 

"I mean this," You gestured to the hall. "the hotel, helping people, all of it. What are you gaining from this?" 

There was a long pause. For a moment, you thought he would simply up and leave.

Suddenly you felt his hand on yours and your gaze darted to his face. He was grasping your hand with such tenderness that you felt as precious as his grip implied. The look he was giving you was so sincere and sweet that you couldn't look away.

"More than you know, dear heart." Alastor answered softly, his answer as cryptic as ever. 

It felt like all the background noise of the event had fazed out and it was just the two of you in this room together. 

Tragically, the moment was instantly broken once Husk stumbled back behind the bar and hit his side off the top of it, loudly exclaiming 'Fuckin' counter, poppin' outta no goddamn where', while Niffty soon followed and sat herself up on the stool on the other side of you. You secretly loved your friends but you were starting to resent that they had the worst timing. 

You glanced over to make sure Husk was okay but as soon as you turned back to Alastor, he had vacated his seat and went back to mingling with the crowd.

"Heeeyyyy Eeeva." Niffty giggled and leaned her whole weight on the side of your body. You furrowed your eyebrows, looking down at her and wondered how she was so chilled out. "You look so... shimmery. Like a pretty star." She made little bursting hand gestures before stroking your dress in utter fascination.

It just hit you what was happening. "Oh my God, Niffty. Are you high?" 

"Pfft, Wha? Why would you... Yeah." Niffty giggled again. You rolled your eyes skyward in disbelief. "Me and Husk just had a teeny, tiny, wittle, bitty brownie." she confessed with an airy tone, demonstrating - and definitely understating - with her fingers close together how big said brownie was. 

You glanced over to Husk again to see him standing still while staring off into space with his mouth hanging open. You were going to kill the both of them.

"You both ate a funny brownie on Charlie's big night?" You asked sternly with a frown. 

"It was a hilarious brownie!" Niffty raised his fist in indignation. You sighed and squeezed the bridge of your nose. "Can you pleeeease make us some of your.... Uh... chocolate chip cookies? Please please please please pl-"

"Fine!" You snapped but Niffty only clapped merrily despite your tone. 

You were beyond furious at them both for doing something like this on the night where Charlie was getting a second chance to show that her idea wasn't a joke to her people. You would chew them out for this tomorrow but for now, you needed to keep them out of sight till the night ended and everyone had left. Hiding them in the kitchen was actually a great idea.

You stood and grabbed them both by the ears to swiftly drag them into the kitchen, ignoring their yelps and gripes. 

Once you had finished making enough cookies for the pair to gorge themselves on then hopefully pass out, you went back into the main hall only to find Charlie bouncing up to you.

You forced an overly enthusiastic smile on your face to try and hide the fact that two of her staff members were stoned. 

"Oh my gosh, Evangeline, how awesome is this night?!" She squealed, grabbing your hands and jumping up and down. 

Your smile turned genuine at her excitable up close. She had been like this the entire lead up to the fundraiser mixed in with a ball of nerves and worries so you were just glad to see her with not a care in the world. You were determined to keep it that way which meant nothing could ruin her night.

"I know, cherub. I'm proud of you." You told her truthfully, brushing a stray hair of hers back into place from all her jumping around. 

Her eyes glistened with tears before she latched on to you for a hug. You were more than used to Charlie's hug attacks by now so you were expecting it and squeezed her back just as tight. 

"Thanks, Eva. I'm proud of myself too." She admitted which made your smile grow.

You still remember one of the first conversations you had with her was urging her to believe in herself and not relay on the opinions' of others. You were certain she had invited her parents to this fundraiser as well but even without them showing up, she hadn't let it dampen her spirits. She was really starting to grow up and come more into herself which had you beaming with even more pride.

During your embrace, Vaggie had made her way over to you both and gently tapped Charlie on the shoulder and the princess pulled away.

"It's time for you to make your speech and introduce the main act, babe." She reminded.

Charlie squeaked, either from excitement or fear, but before she could work herself up into a frenzy again, you gently nudged her to meet your eyes once more and gave her a reassuring look.

"You'll do wonderful, cherub. Chin up." You tapped the bottom of her chin so she wasn't standing in that scrunched up nervous way. "Remember, people want to hear what you have to say. So make them listen." You gave her a wink, a call back to the first bit of advice you had given her.

Charlie took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, nodding her head in agreement. She then gave Vaggie a kiss on the cheek before heading up to the main stage along with Alastor.

"Good evening, everyone. On behalf of the Hazbin Hotel, I would just like to cordially thank all of you for coming to our event in support of the charity we're doing here." Charlie addressed the room, speaking clearly and looking every bit her royal title. She had the attention - and most importantly, the respect - of everyone watching. 

"None of this would have been possible without my business partner, Alastor." A small applause echoed around the hall for fear of what would happen had they not. "The hotel is always accepting any new patrons or sponsors willing to help the cause so let me tell you about the great work we have already done and will continue to achieve in the future," Charlie continued and started to give her speech with no interruptions or laughter heard. She had truly redeemed that first interview she had done and had grown a lot in confidence since that day too.

It was lovely to watch.

You glance at Vaggie to see her watching her girlfriend with stars in her eyes, the pride radiating off of the moth demon. She was mouthing along the words to Charlie's speech as if they had been practicing it together over and over till Charlie got it perfect - which they probably had, to be fair. It warmed your heart to see. 

"Now ladies and gents," Alastor cheerfully chimed in, signalling the end of the speech. "Put your hands together for the live entertainment for tonight! The one and only, the cats pyjamas, the little lady with the big voice! Give it up, for Mimzy!" 

Your neck snapped back to the stage and saw Mimzy appear, dressed like the little harlot she was.

The crowd went nuts for her, clapping and cheering boisterously but the only thing you wanted to do with your hands was put them around her neck till she stopped kicking. You could feel your eyes sparking to a flame and the embers beginning to form on your head, especially when Mimzy had waved coyly to the audience before Alastor kissed her on the hand.

"Woah woah woah, Eva, you're smoking." Vaggie pointed out in a panic. 

Before you could answer, Angel had appeared next to you both and interjected, "Yeah smokin' fuckin' hot, Viagra. You'd look that way if ya let me near you with a makeup brush too." 

"Where have you been all night?!" Vaggie snapped at him, gritting her teeth in the way she only did with Angel.

The distraction managed to make you calm down and the fire inside you burned out as you braced yourself for another argument between the two. You'd never had any siblings but you imagined this would be the way they acted if you did.

"Hey! I been doing my part, I got chumps wanta fight just to check into our hotel after they had a piece of this action." Angel retorted with an offended look, making lewd hand gestures which completely discredited his argument. "Why do ya think the line to the bathroom was so long?"

"You've been having sex in the bathroom?!" Vaggie seethed, with her hands raised in tight little claws as if she was ready to strangle the spider at a seconds notice.

"Geez, that's the last time I do you guys a favour!" Angel crossed his arms and looked away, pouting. "Anyway I got nothin' else betta to do, Husky and Squeaky are lying in the kitchen staring at the ceiling so who else is gonna keep me occupied?"

You groaned and squeezed the bridge of your nose. You just thanked your lucky stars that after all of the hijinks, the night had still been a success but it was only halfway through. You just needed to make sure nothing else chaotic happened till the end.

"Why are they lying in the kitchen! Husk needs to run the bar!" Vaggie looked close to ripping her own hair out from her scalp while Angel just looked like he couldn't care less. 

"Nothing to fret over, dear. I'll take over bartending." You offered, if nothing else to settle the moth. 

She had thanked you but still went back to arguing with Angel as you walked to man the bar.

It had been a good plan, in theory, to kill two birds with one stone by not only filling in for Husk so the bar was still functioning but to also distract you from bursting into flames at the sight of the little flapper singer.

Unfortunately what ended up happening was you got a front row show to the flouncy bitch flaunting over the stage all night as she sang an array of love songs, blowing kisses into the crowd and showing off everything she had to offer with more than a few burlesque moves thrown in along the way. All of that would have been fine if she hadn't been locking eyes with Alastor. 

You weren't surprised she had ended up in hell, more than certain she had helped Alastor hide the bodies of his victims - purely because she was so obsessed with him that he could've said jump and all she would ask was how high - while you were at home and clueless about your husband's second life. The thought made you rage but you couldn't let yourself lose control tonight. There had already been too many loose canons tonight and you were determined you would not add to that pile. 

So you gritted your teeth and you focused on your job, even if you were basically throwing the drinks people ordered at them. Even so, you managed to keep your composure at first. 

However as the night dragged on, you had to resort to drinking to drown out the voices in your head telling you to burn the bitch to a crisp. You'd made it somewhat of a drinking game that every time she winked at Alastor, pulled him on stage to dance with her, wiggled her chest at him or any of the other twenty flirtatious gestures she bestowed to him, you'd take another shot. 

Safe to say, you got zozzled. 

At one point Angel had kept you company sitting at the bar and you were squeezing his cheeks and gushing over him. 

"Ma beautiful, fluffy baby. You ah sooo cute, yess you ahhh." You crooned over him, shaking his head in your hands while he was grinning from ear to ear, lapping up all of the attention. You didn't notice he had his phone held up in one of his hands, filming you in your state of inebriation.

"Aww, mamabear, you're so sweet ta me." Angel smirked. "Am I ya favourite?" He asked, blinking his eyes innocently. 

"Nooo, sweetie. Mama don't - hic - have favourites..." You assured as you released his cheeks and went to stroking his hair lovingly. You didn't notice your southern accent coming through strongly even while you slurred your words. "A love awwwll my babies. 'Cept Al, cause he's a... -hic- PIG!" You exclaimed but your mood quickly changed and you looked at Angel with wide eyes. "Nooo no notta pig- Fat Snuggle Nuggles issa pig.. And he's beautiful." 

You started to get teary eyed at the thought of the adorable animal but Angel was just cackling hysterically at you. You gave him a look of offence but you were wobbly on your feet so it didn't have the same sting as it normally did. 

"Ahahaha, can't believe I'm one of tha least plastered people at this party." Angel wiped a tear from his eye before he put down his phone, happy to just watch you in this state now that he'd secured his blackmail.

It was then that Alastor finally returned back to the bar since the beginning of the night after his talk with you was interrupted. You stood firmly - or so you thought - and pursed your lips as he approached. 

"And a good evening to you both!" Alastor greeted cheerfully even as his eyes scanned over you. "I see you've been having a grand old time." He said with a mocking tone. 

You grabbed the first thing you could get your hands on - which had been a bottle of wine - and didn't hesitate to throw it with your full force at his head. Unfortunately, he ducked before it could hit him and shattered over the floor which caused some surrounding people to turn to the scene. 

"Oops, s-silly me!" Angel jumped up, taking the fall for you. "I guess my hands lost their grip, anyone wanna help me find it again?" He asked seductively before swerving into the crowd to keep the attention on himself and away from you.

He nervously looked behind his shoulder to see you still squaring off with the Radio Demon and started to worry. He knew you could barely control yourself from attacking him even when sober so he just hoped you wouldn't ruin Charlie's night right at the end. Charlie would be heartbroken and you'd never forgive yourself so he did his best keeping as many people away from the bar as he could. 

"You're drunk." Alastor stated, looking at you in disapproval even with the smile on his face.

"You're sexy. Now what?" You retorted, stretching your arms out at your side like you were asking for a fight. 

Alastor chuckled but there was no amusement behind it. He tilted his head as he stared you down, appraising you. 

"Are you quite finished making a fool out of yourself, dear?" He asked sardonically. 

You scoffed and rolled your eyes, insulted that he thought you were the one making a fool out of yourself when he had been the one fawning over another woman the whole night.

"A dunno, you done - hic - droolin' over... Betty Boobjob?" You asked sarcastically, gesturing in a clumsy manner over to the woman still on stage.

"Oh! is that what this is about?" Alastor laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. He then leaned forward on the bar so his face was only an inch away from yours and looked at you with a devious expression. "Have I not been giving my wife enough attention?" He asked in a low, seductive tone that had your knees quaking. 

You wished you weren't still so attracted to this man.

You glanced down at his lips, so close to yours, and realised something. Even after your almost dalliance in the kitchen, you had yet to feel his lips on your own since before he died. You wanted nothing more than to give in and end that streak but him calling you his wife just served to remind you that you were just another toy for him to play with. He probably went out of his way to suggest this fundraiser idea just so he could hire Mimzy and make you squirm for his own ego and enjoyment.

"Ya know wha, suga?" You asked breathlessly, leaning your head away from him and didn't miss the disappointed look in his eyes as you did so. "A don' care nothin' if ya wanna fu-hic- fuck the bitch, or fuck yaself... but I aint desperate enough ta let yoooou touch me again." You done a sassy snap of your fingers to him and sauntered away from the bar, stumbling the whole way, and leaving him stewing.

You made your way outside, hoping some fresh air would sober you up, and sat down on the steps. 

You had only been sitting for a few minutes before you could feel the nerves getting the better of you and pulled out a cigarette from your bosom. You used to smoke when you were alive - but to be fair, everyone did then, it was one of your recommended five a day at the time - but you gave the habit up down here in an attempt to quit your vices, hoping that God would see his mistake by putting you here and let you ascend to the pearly gates. However, years after you accepted your fate, you sometimes partook whenever you were at your limit for stress.

So you had put away a few smokes on your body because there was some negative part of you that anticipated this night to go up in flames. Figuratively. 

You put the cigarette in your mouth and lit it with a flame from your thumb. Just as you took your first inhale, you heard the doors opening and you turned to see Vaggie.

She looked down at you with concern and came to sit by your side. She glanced at the cigarette but decided not to make a big deal about it since you were obviously in a vulnerable state. 

"Hey." Vaggie greeted softly. 

"Hi, darlin'. Iss everythin' okay?" You asked, the slur still evident in your words but the fresh air did seem to be helping you clear your head. 

"Yeah," Vaggie immediately reassured and waved off your worry. "Angel just told me to come get you, and that you seemed pretty upset."

You couldn't help but smile at the thoughtfulness from both parties. It was usually you who was fussing over everyone so you weren't used to being the one on the receiving end. Not only had this made you feel guilty over getting so hammered over some petty jealousy but it also made you realise that you had people who had your back. 

"I'm sorry, sweetie." You sighed and looked away, unable to let her see the shame on your face. "This 's so... silly. I dunno why a even care..." You trailed off, not wanting to reflect on the emotions trying to force their way to the surface.

Vaggie watched you take a long drag of your cigarette and stare off into the distance. It was just like that first night when she showed you to your room and you had that same look on your face. She had never seen you look so defeated than you did at that moment and she couldn't help but take your free hand in hers in show of support.

You broke out of your stare and looked back at her in surprise. After a moment, you smiled and squeezed her hand. 

Normally Vaggie would've given anyone shit for getting this drunk in the hotel on a normal day, let alone a massive event like tonight that meant so much to Charlie and the hotel's future, but she knew this was completely out of character for you and wondered what had caused such a change.

"Do you remember on my first night here you asked me why I married the Radio Demon?" You asked, breaking the silence. 

Vaggie simply nodded, not wanting to take you away from the train of thought in case you changed your mind about opening up.

"We were married when we were alive." You confessed, catching Vaggie's look of sheer surprise before looking back out to the distance and taking another draw of your cigarette. 

When you pulled it away from your mouth again, you caught sight of the thorny ring still embedded into your finger. A curse that you couldn't break free from. A reminder of all you once had and everything you would lose. A shackle to the chain of your cruel warden who kept you prisoner.

"I think I'm finally ready to tell you our story, dear."

Chapter Text

It was the roaring 20's in New Orleans. 

You were a young woman working your job as a waitress in a local diner. Your days were mundane, filled with nothing but work and looking after your sick mother. You had no friends or beau due to your surly personality - told many a times your attitude and temper was not appropriate for your sex - and busy schedule, mother demanding all of your time when you were not at your job. 

It had always been this way since you could remember; with your father having left your mother before you were even born out of wedlock, none of his or her side of the family willing to associate with their disgraced daughter or her bastard child and your mother's drug addiction forcing you to grow up in a rapid speed as well as spend all of your time taking care of her. 

It had also meant you grew up dirt poor so as soon as you were able to work, you grabbed the first job you could find at this very diner to make ends meet. Not that it helped much, any money you made that you didn't immediately spend on bills was stolen by your mother and spent on her habit. If you tried to hide your wages, you were dealt the consequences of being beat within an inch of your life. 

As tragic as your life was, you had no other option. Your mother was the only person in it and you were secretly praying every Sunday at church that God would finally free you of her. 

It was late one night when you were locking up the diner and ready to make your way home when you first met him. 

The streetlamps had long since turned on and it was a quiet night with no hustle and bustle anywhere around. You had jumped when you turned to walk the alleyway right next to the diner and seen a slender figure standing in the shadows. 

"Hey, mista!" You called out and seen the shadow startle as if they didn't expect to be seen. You stayed where you were, under the light of the streetlight and tensed up in a defensive stance. "You aint gonna rob me, are ya? Cause I gotta warn you, I'll thump your skull for you if you try." You threatened with an air of casualness. Inside you were totally rattled but you couldn't show any weakness.

The figure let out a surprised laugh and started to move closer to you. You clenched your fists, preparing for a scrap in the street, even after you spotted him raise his hands in surrender. 

You were surprised when the most attractive man you'd ever seen emerged from the shadows to stand in front of you with the biggest, charming smile plastered on his face.

"My my, you're a little spitfire, aren't you, darling?" He smirked down at you.

"Yeah well," You shrugged, feeling a fair bit sheepish that you had snapped at him in the manor you did. You knew men despised the way you spoke to them because a woman should be only be seen and not heard - it's why you didn't make great tips or any man willing to court you. "Can never be too careful, right? Especially talk around town of a Bayou Butcher." 

"And how!" The man agreed whole heartedly. "Especially being such a gorgeous doll like yourself. Good to see a dame with a brain, I always say! What's your name, darling?"

You flushed so hard you felt like flames would shoot out of you at any given second. You couldn't believe the man was still talking to you after the way you'd spoken to him let alone complimenting you. It made you questions his intentions. In an attempt to act blaze as if your guard had dropped, you fished out a cigarette from your handbag, lit it and took a long drag before responding.

"Nunya." You answered flatly. 

"Nunya?" He asked in confusion having never heard the curious name before.

"Nunya darn beeswax, slick." You dryly stated only to be met with his boisterous laughter that seemed to echo down the empty streets. You were more confused by this man with every second that passed but you didn't want to let your guard drop completely with a stranger. "Now how about you tell me who you are and why you're creeping around alleyways in the dark." 

The man's smile finally seemed to falter if only for a brief moment. His atmosphere subtly shifted from jovial to tense in the blink of an eye. 

"I..." He started, clearing his throat as if he'd had a lump suddenly stuck in it while breaking your gaze for the first time. "Unfortunately, my mother has recently passed. She was the only person I had." He admitted quietly. 

You thought it was strange that he was still smiling but you could still see the sadness as clear as day painted all over his expression. You lowered your defences and started to feel awful about cussing him out.

"I guess you could say I was out looking for a distraction, darling." He concluded with a shrug. 

It was only then that you noticed how lost the man truly looked. You completely sympathized with his situation and understood why he was wandering the streets at night. Instantly after his confession, you wanted to do something to try and ease his pain whilst making up for your rude introduction. Despite how prickly you came off, you were raised with proper manners, after all.

You glanced down at your watch and seen that it was late enough for your mother to already be in bed so there was no need of rushing home. You took a final draw of your cigarette before flicking it away.

"Well I don't know about a distraction but I could definitely offer you a cup of joe, fella." You offered as you turned back to the side door of the diner to unlock it. 

"Don't bother, dear. I've not a pot to piss in let alone enough pennies for the bean juice." He waved you off and looked like he was ready to turn back to wander off from the alley he'd came from. 

"Who said I was charging you?" You opened the door and stood in the threshold, looking back at him with a quirked eyebrow.

"I don't need your charity." He scoffed. You just playfully rolled your eyes at how much pride was held by the curious man that had been sneaking around in alleyways in the dead of night. 

"Come on, alleycat, it'll keep you off the streets for a little bit. Now get a wiggle on." You said in your no-nonsense tone and jerked your head to the inside, silently demanding he follow your lead.

He stood still, just watching you in a considering way as if a million thoughts were racing through his head, before laughing softly in with a look of disbelief clear as day on his face. You thought for a moment that he would still turn tail and disappear as quickly as he first appeared. However, he stepped towards you, into your personal space, and held the door open wide for you like a gentleman would.

"My name's Y/N, by the way. Since you're so keen to know." You informed coyly as you brushed past him with a little smile of gratitude. 

"Alastor. Lovely to make your acquaintance, my dear." 
 
And with that, the pair of you seemed to get along like a house on fire. You had made him his coffee as well as hopped in the kitchen to prepare a meal for him as you spoke to him through the little order window. The conversation seemed to flow freely between the both of you. 

Alastor had told you stories about his mother; like how she had raised him singlehandedly, her superior cooking skills, how they danced together to their favourite songs on the radio, the ways in which she sacrificed to provide for them and how much of a strong willed, opinionated lady she was.

He also told you how she had gotten sick and he had given up everything to care for her the way she did for him his whole life and that was what left him in the current financial, directionless position he was now. The only thing he had left in his life was his hobby of hunting - which he apparently picked up from an early age as a way of dealing with his issues - to break up his lonely days. His smile had dropped throughout the ever changing topics and you found he didn't look quite right without it. 

You had brought him his grub, which he thanked you for, and sat the booth across from him with only a cup of tea for yourself. 

"Why don't you try out for the radio?" You asked curiously. "You're a very captivating story teller and you have a nice voice. It might be a way to feel close to your mama again."

He looked like he was genuinely considering it for a moment before shaking the idea off and changed the conversation, perhaps from feeling too vulnerable after spilling his guts to a total stranger. Regardless, the atmosphere between you both felt electric. Now that you had known both of you had grown up into adulthood so isolated, it made sense that the pair of your strange quirks - which would disinterest any other shmuck in the town - only intrigued the other. 

He had complimented your, in his words, superb cooking and you made sure to top up his coffee as the night went on. A lull in conversation never came as you both jumped from topic to topic, like two old friends catching up after years of separation. It became evident that this was the first time either of you really had anyone to talk to like this and you were both thoroughly enjoying yourselves. 

Before you knew it, the sun started to rise and you were both surprised that time had flew so quickly. It wouldn't be long before you were due your morning shift so you decided to just stay and face the backlash you would surely get from your mother when you arrived home later that night. You felt like it was worth it, getting to know Alastor and feeling like you mattered to even just one person for once in your life. 

He had bid you adieu with a kiss to your hand which flustered you and you had told him with stuttered breath that he was always welcome back whenever he needed a distraction. 

Since then, he had visited you every day. 

You even started to look forward to his visits during your shift and it put a skip in your step to head into the diner for work. Your days no longer felt grey and lifeless but bursting with possibility and fun, even if it was just because of interesting conversations with a peculiar, charming man. There had been times where Alastor had been sitting at his usual booth - the same one you both sat at that first night - the entire day just to keep you occupied when the diner wasn't too busy or you were on break then even waited till the end of your shift to walk you home at night. 

No one had ever given you such attention before and you weren't quite yet used to it but you did enjoy his company so you never minded.

One day he had surprised you with a small bouquet of red roses and asked for permission to court you which had flabbergasted you. The fact that Alastor had consistently sought out your attention and seemingly valued your friendship had been one thing to even wrap your head around but you had it engrained into your head that any man would never want to favour you with your crass language, hot temper and unyielding stubbornness so you were frozen in shock at his request. It was only when you seen him beginning to wilt after your long silence, as if preparing himself for rejection, that you quickly snatched the roses and agreed. 

Alastor smiled in amusement as he watched your face turn as red as the flowers when he pecked your cheek afterwards.

The weeks had bled into months and you had never been happier. Sure, there had been times where you had lost your temper and snapped on your beau when he came to the diner covered in blood late at night and you had to bandage him up after a hunting incident gone wrong or when he had poked too much fun at your expense when you were raving about dealing with the rude public in your line of work or even when he insulted your favourite tea, calling it vile, tasteless leaf water. However Alastor always mentioned in those moments how much he admired your fire and it never failed to calm you down. 

One day, he had taken you on a date to walk through the park and he told you there that he had taken your advice and got an internship at the local radio studio so he could work his way up the ladder to become a presenter. You were over the moon for him and jumped into his arms in delight to which he matched your enthusiasm and spun you before setting you down gently like something precious. He had then taken your hands and thanked you for being his support and filling the space in his heart that been ripped out the day his mother had passed. 

Alastor also quietly admitted that he was stuck on you.

Tears had filled in your eyes at his confession. You both leaned in like two magnets and shared your first kiss. It had felt like sparks had lit up your entire being and you finally felt what it was like to be loved. 

From then on, the good times just seemed to keep coming. Every day felt like a fairy tail and even though you didn't see Al as much as you were used to when he started working, you were still overjoyed any time he payed you a visit. Absence truly did make the heart grow fonder, if possible. 

Unfortunately, reality had to settle in at some point. You hadn't realised how much time were spending with Alastor whether it be at the diner, going on dates or visiting him at the studio during his break to bring him a lunch you'd made. It meant that you had neglected your household duties of preparing meals for your mother and cleaning after her messes during her drug binges which led to her being left alone in a catatonic state for weeks on end. The nightmare only began once she sobered up to realise her house was in disarray, there was no food in the fridge and she was filthy and covered in bruises. 

She had beat you within an inch of your life for being such a horrible, ungrateful daughter. 

You've always been a tough cookie and able to fight back anyone else even if it was unladylike but you could never defend yourself against your mother. You had been raised with too firm a hand and had manners and respect battered into you so all you could ever do when she was like this was lie there and take it until she ran out of steam. Alas, this time she didn't stop until you were struggling to even stay awake due to the fact she had also been repulsed that the reason you had been so neglectful was because of a gentleman caller. 

You could still hear her cruel words calling you a bitch, whore, tramp and a multitude of other insults ringing in your ears long after she left you crying and wounded on the floor of your home. 

The next day you were shown no mercy and forced to get up from the floor to tend to the chores you had left for so long despite being in agony. It meant that you missed your usual shift at the diner and later that night, you heard a knock on your door and couldn't bring yourself to answer it. You knew the only person who it could've been was Alastor and you didn't want him to see you like this or worse, have your mother see you talking to him so soon after your punishment.

It had taken you three days to finish the house and food prep with your injuries. Your mother was quick to force you back to work now that she was sated and her stash was starting to run low. You had tried to cover the worst of your bruises and black eye with makeup but there was no hiding the cuts and scratches littered over you or the severe limp in your step.

Alastor had been waiting for you outside in the alleyway of your work and when he seen you, his face had first lit up with joy before he could see the way you were walking and his brow furrowed in concern. He rushed over to you and instantaneously picked you up in his arms to carry you to the step at the door to sit on. It was one of the rare times you seen him without a smile and his eyes looked wild, like he wanted to murder somebody, as he demanded you told him who had done this to you.

You couldn't hold back the tears and broke down in front of him, years of abuse finally being let allowed to come to the surface after you repressed it for so long. He held you in his arms as you sobbed like a baby. It was the first time you had ever cried in front of him - or anyone for that matter - because you didn't like showing your weakness but Alastor was the only person on this earth that made you feel safe. 

Once you managed to catch your breath, the truth had just spilled out from your lips like liquid. Although you had briefly alluded to your unpleasant relationship with your mother with him before, this was the first time you ever talked about her drug habit or the extent of her treatment towards you. He patiently listened as you confessed everything, soothingly rubbing your back and placing gentle little kisses on your head throughout it all. 

After you calmed down, he demanded throwing the awful woman in a mental asylum seeing as you were the one who paid for everything to do with the house but you couldn't stomach the idea. He offered to take care of the situation for you but refused to let you go to work in so much pain so he ushered you into a taxi to drive you to the hospital and used the pittance of cash he'd scrounged up over the last few months to get you checked over. 

It had felt nice to be cared for. 

After your injuries were healed and you make it back home, your mother was nowhere to be found and you didn't ask any questions. The next time you seen Alastor you just made sure to thank him for his help sweetly with a kiss. 

It wasn't long after, that Alastor got his big break on the radio. 

You celebrated his rising success by making his favourite meal, the jambalaya from his mother's recipe, and danced together alone in the diner after closing hours where he promised you that it wouldn't be long before you could quit this job and would want for nothing. You hushed him, never caring about the money, and told him that you were proud of him for making his dream a reality.

More weeks passed and as soon as he had gotten his first wage from presenting, he had sauntered into the diner during the lunchtime rush hour and you were run off your feet with orders. He had taken a seat by the counter on a stool - due to his regular booth being occupied along with every other seat at a table at the time - and greeted you loudly over the noise of the crowds. 

"Hi sweetie!" You called back over as you balanced three large trays stacked with plates of food. You managed to give him a quick kiss on the cheek as you were rushing past the counter to head to your next table and hand out the orders. "Sorry, I'm up to my neck with work and aint got my break for another twenty minutes!" You explained over your shoulder before turning back to another table to hand them their bill then rushing off to a booth that needed all their empty dishes stacked and taken back to the kitchen. 

"That's quite alright, love! I just popped in to ask you a quick question, it wont take much time at all!" Alastor explained cheerfully as he watched you dart around like a blue-bottomed fly, zooming from one table to another. He admired your grace as you managed to balance stacks of empty tableware on your trays effortlessly. 

"Mhhm? What's that?" You asked, still focusing on your work. 

Alastor then got up from his seat and knelt down on one knee on the chequered floor before pulling out a ring box which seemed to catch the attention from everyone there apart from you. The background chatter had simmered down and you could hear hushed whispers which caused you to turn around in confusion. As soon as you seen Alastor's position, your arms fell in shock and you dropped all of your trays as well as all the empty tableware which caused them to shatter. However you couldn't take your eyes off him, staring wide in shock. 

"I apologise for not waiting for a more romantic time, darling, however I have dreamed of this since that moment almost a year ago now that you threatened me in an alleyway and I would be remiss if I put it off any longer." Alastor said in the sincerities tone, looking up at you with nothing but sheer love in his gaze. You could feel your eyes start to water and the diner was silent with anticipation, everyone looking at you to see your answer. "Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife, Y/N?" He finally asked and went to open the box to show you the ring but before he could, you interrupted, 

"Yes!" The shock had finally worn off and you couldn't help but shout out your answer. A look of relief flashed briefly on Alastor's face before he stood up. No sooner than he was upright did you jump into his arms and kiss the breath out of his lungs, hearing the diner erupt into cheers and applause as you both embraced. 

Alastor squeezed you closer to him and tilted your head to give as good as he got but neither of you could stop smiling to be able to deepen it without knocking his glasses askew. By the time you had to come up for breath, you both rested your heads together as if you couldn't bare to be further apart. You looked into his eyes and saw your future. 

You pulled back from his embrace to call back to your manager that you were taking your break early and dragged your fiancé outside to be able to kiss the face off him in a more private setting. You both must have looked quite the scandal in the same alleyway you had first met with him pressing you against the wall with his full weight, kissing his way from your lips to your neck with your leg wrapped around his hip which kept him tethered to you. 

In this moment, you didn't know where he began and you ended. It felt like two puzzle pieces that fit perfectly finally together and unable to part. Small sighs of pleasure escaped your lips as he nipped a bit of your throat that had you tingling to the bottom of your toes. Neither of you had ever went farther than chaste little kisses - in private, for that matter - so this was like a promise of what was to come. Another adventure to take with the love of your life and soon to be husband.

"I'm afraid we must stop before we get carried away, my dear." Alastor groaned as if it physically pained him to stop despite being the one to suggest it, ever the gentleman. He rested his head on your shoulder and still kept a firm grip on your waist while you ran your fingers through his hair and giggled at his dramatics. 

"Oh Alleycat, I love you." You teased breathlessly. 

"And I you, cher." He pulled back, stealing one last kiss from your lips, and held up the ring box again. He opened it and revealed a simple, silver band. You thought it was the most beautiful ring you'd ever seen. "Now this is just what I could afford from my first wage but I promise you that I will replace it in the future with the biggest diamond you've ever-" 

"You will not!" You snapped and snatched the box from him, holding it preciously to your heart. He looked surprised at your outburst, certain that you would've been happy to hear that this ring was only a stand-in until he could afford a better one. "This is perfect, I love it!" 

Alastor smiled warmly, looking at you with even more affection if that was possible before gently taking the box back and finally taking the ring out to delicately place on your engagement finger. It was a perfect fit. 

You pulled him in by his bowtie to plant one on him again. He was your future husband, after all, so he could ravish you in the street if he wanted.

The day you both tied the knot was spontaneous.

You had both been walking through the streets hand-in-hand and happened to pass by a thrift shop with a pretty, white dress in the window. You stopped to look at it and glanced at him with a teasing smirk, a silent question that asked him if he was thinking along the same lines as you. Neither of you had any close family or friends so elopement would be the way to go with your wedding and you felt this as a sign that it was time.

Turned out, Alastor felt the same and took you in the store to buy you that very dress in the window as well as a gaudy red suit for himself. You laughed good naturedly when he showed you, it being the only suit in the store, but assured him that he would look extremely handsome in anything he wore. You also bought a little something extra for the wedding night as soon as Alastor was distracted.

Once your clothes were purchased, both of you went into the separate fitting rooms and changed into your wedding attire. It felt surreal to see yourself in the mirror, never having thought you would've been a blushing bride but you were practically glowing. 

You both hightailed it out of the shop with excitement in the air. Both of you practically ran to the local church, laughing like school children the entire time, and burst through the doors. You explained to the Priest that you were having an elopement and - despite his shock and scrutiny due to the fact he suspected it being a shotgun wedding - he agreed. 

That was how you and Alastor stood in front of one and other, unwilling to even blink as to not wanting to miss a second of the other's loving stare, holding both hands with little squeezes throughout the Priest's blessings.

"Now Alastor you may repeat the vows." The Priest graced.

Alastor cleared his throat and you didn't think you'd ever seen him look so nervous before now. His eyes were filling with tears behind his glasses and you could feel yours doing the same. 

"I, Alastor, take Y/N, to be my wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, even death could never part us."

Your breath caught in your throat as he recited the Priest's words, only changing the last part. You thought it was the most romantic thing you'd ever heard in your life and it made the vows feel all the more special like it was just something for the two of you. 

"I, Y/N, take Alastor to be my husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, even death could never part us." You repeated, feeling a metaphorical tie linking you both together for an eternity and you couldn't be happier.

"I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the-" Alastor grabbed your waist and dipped you at his hip causing you to squeak in surprise before kissing you for the first time as your husband. "Bride." The priest finished with a disapproving look.

That day when he took you back to his living quarters - a cottage near the bayou he had once lived with his mother -, he carried you bridal style over the threshold like the way you've read in your romance novels that he had teased you about. Your arms were linked round his neck and you couldn't take your eyes off him, feeling more joy in the moment that you had met him than you had in your entire life. You never even knew what love was before him. He was your soulmate, you were sure of it.

Once you had made it to the bedroom, you had taken your dress off to reveal the sheer slip over the brassiere and panties you had bought on the fly and he practically tackled you to the bed. You came together as husband and wife, consummating your marriage but also reaching new heights of pleasure that neither of you thought was possible. 

As you were laying in his arms enjoying the aftermath, you idly asked him if he wanted children and he had taken a minute to answer. After the long pause, he told you that he had worries of becoming as cruel and wicked as his own father was to him however he would give you the moon if only you asked. As flattered as you were, you also made it a point to assert that you thought he'd make a wonderful father. He smiled and kissed the top of your head. 

The days following had been Alastor helping you move your things into his home now that you would living together which meant you could also sell your previous home and finally quit your job at the diner. The money made from the sale would tide you both over for bills for the current month and Alastor's new job as radio host meant that the both of you could start saving up even after necessities were bought every other month.

Now you had time to pursue your own hobbies like gardening, trying new recipes with not just the cheapest ingredients available, reading through an entire book in one sitting and heading into town for some charity work. You loved lending a hand whenever you could in the soup kitchens, reading to the sick children in the hospice or organizing events for donations for the needy.

Alastor always teased you about your bleeding heart. 

Years of blissful happiness had gone by in what felt like the blink of an eye. Sure you both still had spats like any other couple but nothing would ever be able to split up two halves of a hole. It helped that Alastor never failed to compliment your fire and you felt at ease that it didn't matter how crazy you got with him, he would still accept and love you. By returning the favour, you never complained about his hobby of hunting that he had never given up even when he still came home some rare nights covered in blood and marks which you had to bandage up. 

Alastor also made it big time on the radio - especially after his picture had been posted to the newspaper along with reviews on his show - and he had started getting a lot more recognition from the public. He had always found it amusing whenever your jealousy would flare up as soon as random chippys in the street would fawn all over him while they asked for autographs but he always assured you that he would never stray. Although you knew that, it still drove you up the wall when they tried to touch what was yours. 

All and all, you had a wonderful life together.

The other shoe had dropped the day you had visited the hospital with questions of why you still weren't pregnant.

It didn't make sense when you and your husband had a very active sex life. After all, there had been times where you wouldn't let him out of the bed until his knees were wobbly and you could enjoy your cigarette watching him struggle to make it to the kitchen to get you a glass of water. Or when that was the resolution to most of your fights which considering how many you've had, was a lot. For crying out loud, Alastor couldn't even wear regular ties anymore because each time he tried, you always dragged him to the bed with it even if he'd get as far as just out the front door.

So when the doctor had run the tests and told you the grave news that you were infertile, you went numb. 

It felt like you were moving through water to get back home to lie in bed and all you could hear in your ears was static. You were heartbroken but unable to even cry. You felt everything but nothing. 

Once Alastor had come home from work and found you still lying in bed, you told him what happened and as soon as he brought you into his arms to hold you, the emotions had all finally bubbled to the surface and you broke down crying. He soothingly rubbed your back and whispered reassurances in your ear as he rocked you. You tried to apologise but he shushed the ridiculous notion and still claimed you were perfect to him.

For the next few weeks, you were in a deep depression and couldn't do much of anything around the house. Alastor had been lovely. As well as still going to work to be the breadwinner of the family, he had also come home every day to do all the jobs that you had previously been in charge of; like all cooking, cleaning and tending to your garden so none of the plants died. He even gave up hunting the entire time he was caring for you, refusing to leave the house for anything unnecessary when you needed him. 

It took him a good few attempts to rouse you but one night he had finally managed. He had told you to get dressed in your glad rags and that he was taking you out somewhere special. You still felt like you were going through the motions even as you got ready but you felt like you could no longer deny your husband and see his face fall in disappointment and worry once again.

The place he had taken you to was a speakeasy. As soon as you entered the secret establishment, you were confronted with crowds, jazz and blinding, flashing lights. You held onto Alastor's arm while his free hand was covering yours as he led you further into it. You were still in an emotionally vulnerable position but you had to admit, the sheer newness and excitement from the illegal building sparked a bit of joy.

As the night progressed, you had a few drinks, danced with your husband and met a few friendly faces from all walks of life. The experience had managed to shift something important in your perspective that even though you couldn't have children, you would always have love in your life and that was all that mattered. You thanked Alastor for being as supportive as he was and kissed him in gratitude as you two danced the night away. 

Things had returned to normal afterwards with the only difference being that you frequented the juice joint a few nights a week and started to make a few friends there. Alastor hadn't seemed to enjoy your attentions being focused on other men but he had quickly calmed once he learned of their sexual orientation. Both of you had even had a few date nights at the speakeasy so it was common to see the same faces.

One face you held a deep distain for was one of the singers, Mimzy. 

She was a beautiful woman with a curvy body, sultry facial features and a siren's voice that made the straight men practically fall to her feet after her performances. She had loved the attention and you had noticed that her favourite pick of the litter were always the men with the rings on their finger. You'd thought that perhaps she enjoyed the feeling of being so desired that these weak-willed men were willing to risk their marriage just for one night with her. You just seen her as willing to be sloppy seconds for fools and never paid her much mind.

That was, until she set her sights on Alastor. 

The two had got on like white on rice with them sharing the same humour and interests. They had become fast friends and eventually started to spend more time together. At first, you tried to hide your fury because although you seen how she looked at your husband like her next prey, Alastor was oblivious to her charming wiles  - despite the fact she would openly flirt with him even in front of you, that was how much she wrote you off as a threat. However, as soon as he started to make plans with just the two of them together, you lost your mind. 

You tried everything to put a stop to their bonding on days he was meant to see her; seducing him and ensuring he would be too tired afterwards to think about leaving the bed, locking all the doors and windows then hiding the keys and refusing to tell him where, even putting a touch of poison in his dinner so he was too sick to leave for an entire week and you played nurse for him the whole time. Alastor was wise to your game and he had first found it hilarious that you were so vexed over one little woman but he soon lost his composure when you made it your mission to refuse him to see her. He'd never liked being told what to do.

As if he was trying to get back at you, he hired her on his radio show to sing in live segments which meant they would see each other at his work every day and there was nothing you could do about it. 

It had led to a series of the biggest fights you both ever had.

"Honestly, cher, you're being ridiculous!" Alastor had snapped at you after yet another time you were having a strop over him seeing Mimzy. The vase you had just thrown at him, that had narrowly missed his head, lay behind him shattered in pieces. "Have I not proved myself to be trustworthy? She's only a business associate to me!" He defended.

"Bushwa!" You screamed, having quite enough of the same argument day in day out. You wanted him to just be done with that awful woman but the more he fought for her, the angrier it made you. "You see her more than your own wife nowadays! It's during the day at work, it's during night when you go hunting together and it's on the weekends to see her shows!" 

"Am I not allowed to have a friend? I've never said a word about the kind you keep for company." He dismissed, waving you off like he thought you were being overemotional. You probably were but after years of happiness with this man, you refused to let some flimsy tart swoop in and ruin it all for you. 

"They never wanted to make whoopee with me!" You felt close to pulling out your own hair at the fact that he refused to see the difference in your situations.

"Don't be crass, darling." Alastor rolled his eyes which made you want to tackle him there and then. You grabbed another object - the small lamp on the side table of the hall - and threw that at him too. Unfortunately, he dodged it easily. "When will you get over this foolish jealousy of yours? Frankly, I'm putting my foot down! So enough of this tantrum, dear, I am going to bed and you can feel free to join me once you have calmed yourself. Goodnight!" He stamped upstairs after getting the final word. 

As soon as he'd left, you felt the rage fizzle out of you which left only sorrow. You couldn't help but wonder if they were sleeping together on the side already, that perhaps Mimzy would be able to steal him away if she hadn't already. After all, they shared the same hobbies, they were a dynamic duo on the radio, Mimzy likely didn't lash out like you did when she was angry and she could probably give him children. He would leave you as quickly as your father left your mother. The more the thoughts spun around your head, the more defeated you felt.

You went into the living room to plop yourself down on the sofa and lit a cigarette that had been waiting for you at the ashtray on the table. It felt like all you did with your days now was sit here, smoke and watch the front door to await Alastor's return home. You stared off into space, weighing up your options. On the one hand, you knew it was entirely unreasonable to deny Alastor the one connection he had to another person outside of you but on the other hand, Mimzy had homewrecker practically tattooed on her forehead. 

The entire night, you wallowed in your own despair. It was only when Alastor had come back downstairs dressed for work that you even realised it was the next morning. He looked over at the wired way you were sitting and sighed before making his way over to sit next to you. Your face was like stone and you jerked away from his hold when he tried to touch you and pull you in an embrace. 

"Don't touch me." You hissed, lighting another cigarette and taking a deep inhale. The ashtray was overfilled after your night of going through near enough the entire pack. 

"Darling..." Alastor croaked. You didn't want to look at him because you knew from how defeated he sounded that his expression would have you crumbling. "Please, enough." He begged and attempted to reach out to take your free hand. You let him but made no move to squeeze his back like you normally would.

It was an intense few minutes of silence. You calmly smoked your cigarette and kept your gaze nailed straight ahead and away from him. You could hear his shaky breaths and wondered if he had been upstairs all night too fretting over your latest fight or if he was so used to them by now that he was just hoping to finally be out of the dog house. Eventually, you flicked a bit of ash in the ashtray before turning to finally face him. You ignored the way he seemed to perk up just from your eye contact alone. 

"Alright, Alastor." You seen him visibly deflate at the use of his name. You only called him it when you were furious, any other time being a pet name, Al or Alleycat. You couldn't remember the last time you'd called him any of those since these fights about Mimzy had started. "I agree. Enough is enough." 

"Berries!" Alastor had exclaimed merrily, squeezing your hand and lifting his other hand to caress your face.  The relief on his face was palpable. "Thank goodness this ugly feud will all be behind us, love! I apologise for how I yelled last ni..."

You continued to stare through him with a steely expression even as he celebrated your fight being over but when he didn't seem to get the picture, you removed your hand from his and pulled away from his touch once again. He stared at you in confusion and you didn't blame him, knowing that you could be unpredictable even at the best of times. Be that as it may, you had the entire night to think this decision through clearly. 

"I'm giving you a choice, Alastor." You explained before taking another slow drag of your cigarette. "I will not be made a fool out of by this little woman. I've made it clear that I do not trust her and if you were this uncomfortable with any of my 'business associates'," You air quoted his go-to phrase with a mocking tone. "then I would not hesitate to ease your worries and cut them off. Yet, you clearly value this woman's company more than your wife's comfort so here is your choice: It's her or me." You concluded through gritted teeth. 

Alastor sat utterly dumfounded. The fact that you were not even raising your voice told him that this was indeed serious and he had to be careful where he stepped lest he set off a landmine.

In all the spats through the years, you had never threatened to leave him and the very thought rattled him. He could not imagine his life without you and although he felt this was a very extreme way to get your point across, it made him finally consider it. This wasn't just your usual bouts of jealousy that he thought were rather adorable, this was a deep-seated insecurity that you had, feeling that he would be stolen away. It made him annoyed that the way you thought to go about that was to try and leave before you could be the one left, as if he would ever consider that thought for one moment. 

"Then the choice is simple." Alastor assured. "It's always you, love."

Your hard exterior melted as soon as you heard the words you'd been desperate to hear for weeks on end. You stubbed your cigarette out before throwing yourself in his arms and let yourself be held by your husband, relief flooding your entire being that he still chose you. You squeezed him tight and planted lots of tiny kisses over his face causing him to laugh earnestly at your switch in moods. Had he known this would've been all it took, he would've never bothered with the little flapper singer in the first place - even if she had been good with a gun. 

"I love you, Alleycat." You whispered sincerely. You were so glad he was in your arms once again and you didn't need to worry that someone else could take this from you. 

"I love you too, my little spitfire." Alastor chuckled and kissed you fully. 

He took you by surprise when he suddenly lifted you up in his arms bridal style and took you back into your bedroom, work long forgotten in the back of his mind when he had a few weeks of making up to do to his wife. 

You were smiling so wide your face hurt, feeling that everything was right once again in your world.

It was Alastor's birthday and you had stayed home all day to prepare him all his favourite meals for his return home after he went out hunting. He had never had much of a sweet tooth so instead of a cake, you made a plate of potato beignets to stick candles into for him to blow out later. While you were cheerfully working away in the kitchen, you could hear dogs howling in the distance from the open window. It sounded like a pack of them, all loudly barking and howling at whatever they were trying to catch.

You curiously looked up into the woods that surrounded the bayou but saw nothing. The sounds were far too distant for you to be able to catch a glimpse of the commotion but you found it strange and unsettling. It was usually so quiet near your home that all that could be heard was the sound of nature most days. You felt a pit of dread in your stomach but you couldn't put your finger as to why. You just hoped Alastor was okay if he was in those same woods trying to catch his own prey.

You jumped when you heard the faint, but very clear, sound of a shot gun and all of a sudden, the dogs went quiet. 

That feeling of unease never went away and only grew as the hours dragged on without any sight of Alastor. Late at night, long after the the food had went cold, you heard a knocking at your door and rushed to answer it. Your heart sank like lead when you saw the fuzz standing at your doorstep.

You only managed to process bits of pieces of what they were saying due to the ringing in your ears but the summary of it was that your sweet, loving, perfect husband was the dreaded Bayou Butcher serial killer that had New Orleans living in fear for decades and he was now dead, shot and killed after being stalked by police dogs. 

You fell to your knees in front of the police and let out a guttural scream. Your whole world had just been turned upside down and broken apart. 

You couldn't function after that, having taken to your bed after the coppers had left and unable to get back out of it again. You spiralled in the deepest depression of your life, feeling your heart breaking every second you were awake and going through everything in your head. 

You couldn't process how you had missed the signs even dating back to the first night you had met Alastor. Had you been intended to be one of his victims and that's why he was waiting in that alleyway? Or, how quickly he managed to take your mother out of your life and you never hearing from the wretched witch again. Or, even Mimzy. That woman had practically stalked Alastor, attaching herself to his side whenever she could, so it had been initially a pleasant surprise for you that after he had told you he'd spoken to her, you never seen or heard of the likes of her again, even when you both frequented the speakeasy she sang at.

Maybe you had always known and you were so desperate for any iota of love that you were willing to stay in ignorant bliss.

Nonetheless, you felt like you couldn't even breathe because your heart ached so much. You couldn't even process Alastor's crimes and just wanted your husband back in your arms. Only a few weeks had passed but you couldn't get up from the bed to do anything let alone eat, drink or bathe. It wasn't long before your body succumbed to the malnourishment but you knew, you died from a broken heart.

The next thing you remembered was opening your eyes and seeing red. 

You sat up and looked around in confusion at the strange place. It looked to be a dark, creepy radio tower with large windows that looked out onto a gloomy, red horizon. You looked around and tried to figure out where you were or how you even got here.

Before you could panic, you heard footsteps and you jumped into fight or flight mode. Grabbing the first thing you could see - a large standing lamp - you stared at the door and prepared for whatever or whoever was going to come through it. 

You immediately dropped your makeshift weapon in shock as soon as the door opened and there stood Alastor. He froze in his spot and stared back at you, both of you now at a standstill. You couldn't believe your eyes but you were afraid to close them in case it was an illusion. You couldn't help but notice how different he looked. His hair was overgrown as well as two-toned red along with his eyes and his suit, his glasses being swapped in for a monocle, what looked like deer ears and antlers at the top of his head and grey skin. 

"You look like the devil..." You whispered, still sure that this was a stress induced nightmare you were having. Being able to see your husband again but also seeing him for the monster he was. Your comment had apparently been enough to startle him out of his own shock and he loudly laughed which echoed around the room. Any other time, you would live just to hear his laugh - especially if you had caused it - but now it just sent a chill up your spine.

"Y/N! Oh, how I am so happy to see you again, my love!" He cheered and tried to take a step closer to you but you quickly backed up. You could see the hurt in his expression but you stood firm. 

"What's happening, is this a nightmare?" You asked, trying not to let your panic show. 

"Afraid not, my dear. This is Hell." Alastor told you bluntly, gesturing over to the window. It did explain the red sky but you couldn't believe your ears. You refused to believe this was real, you didn't even know you had died! Surely you would've had your life flash before your eyes... but then again, all you thought about was Alastor and unfortunately, he was your whole life. The good parts of it, anyway.

Your breathing started to get uncomfortably heavy and you were sure had you not already been dead, you would've had a heart attack there and then from the sheer shock of the situation. Alastor seen you beginning to get worked up and tried to rush closer to you again to settle you. "Fear not, cher! I know this can take a little getting used to but rest assured that I will make sure nothing ever happens to you down here, you'll want for not a thing! I'm something of a high status round these parts so you need not worry!"

"You're acting like you just got a job promotion! Not burning in the eternal fire forever!" You snapped, backing up away from him once again. Your breathing was still shaky but adrenaline was now racing through you, preparing you to take off to get out of this situation but the danger was already all around you. "How did I end up here anyway?"

"Aren't you happy to see me?" Alastor asked without his usual smile. A small part of you sympathized with the fact he must have ecstatic to see you again after being separated so your reaction was hurting him but a larger part of you, which was were the common sense was stored, was still hurt and angry over all the years he lied to you.

"How dare you even ask that! I feel like I don't even know you anymore-!"

"That's not fair." Alastor stopped you before you get on your tirade. "You accepted me even with my hobby of hunting, darling."

"I didn't know it was people that you were doing it to!" You screamed, shocked and disgusted of what he was trying to imply.

He levelled you with a knowing look. "Would it have mattered?" 

You were stunned into silence and for once, you didn't have a snappy retort for him. You felt tears pooling in your eyes and you just wanted to curl up in a ball and disappear. You couldn't believe this was how your life had turned out and the man who you once thought was an angel sent to save you was really the devil in disguise. Even so, you couldn't stop loving him even after knowing what he did. "Is that why I'm here too?" You tearfully asked.

"No no, of course not, love!" Alastor frantically reassured. During normal circumstances, it would've made you smile to see him scramble to try and cheer you up but right now you just felt sick. "You're an angel among demons, truly! I'm certain had you not tethered yourself to me then you would've had your wings by now!" 

You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion and gestured for him to hurry up and explain.

"You see, deals and contracts are very powerful in Hell. They're absolutely binding." Alastor then took off the glove on his left hand and showed you his ring finger that had a ring of thorns around it in place of his wedding ring. "When you and I had declared to God in the chapel that not even death would part us, that counted as a contract and bound our souls together for eternity. They'd never let me into heaven so that means you're down here with me, which is for the best really! After all, I am quite powerful down here." He couldn't help but brag as if he didn't realise that he was giving you the worst news you'd ever heard in your life. Or afterlife.

You looked down at your own hand to see a matching thorny ring and you instantly tried to rip it off to throw it at him but it only cut up an inch of your finger and wouldn't come off. It was like it was indented into your skin itself. For some reason, this was the thing that tipped you over the edge. Just when you thought you couldn't be hurt anymore than when those coppers came to your door and told you of, not only your husband's death, but also his crimes, you were proved wrong. Your heart felt like there was nothing more left to break and a black hole was the only thing in its place. 

You hated Alastor. You couldn't believe that he'd tricked you into falling in love with him then forcing you to fall to Hell for him too. You refused to be near him for one second longer and stormed out the door. 

"Hold on a moment, love!" Alastor chased after you. "I understand this is a lot to take in-" 

"No, you don't understand!" You whipped around to scream at him once more. In your stage of grief, you had already dealt with the denial, depression and bargaining and now you were at anger. Only worse than anger, furious. All of the betrayal this man had put you through just felt like it was simmering at the surface and you couldn't remember a time you'd ever been so enraged. "Not only have I had to deal with the grief of losing the only person I have ever loved but to find out you're a fucking monster on top of that? And now you expect me to be happy that because of you, I'm trapped in hell?! What is wrong with you, Alastor?!"

He at least had the decency to look shamed but it didn't stop him from still trying to reach out to touch you. With a scoff, you continued with storming out and made it out to the street. Of course he continued to follow you but you were determined to get away from him as you couldn't even stand to look at him any longer. 

"Wait, cher!" Alastor called after you with a pleading tone. "I know you're mad and you have every right to be but just come back inside and we can work this out-!" He finally caught up to you and managed to latch onto your arm.

His touch set off your temper fully and all you could see was red. Your entire body had set on fire and Alastor had to jerk his hand away after being burned by your flames. You turned to him for one last time with your fury burning bright on the exterior. 

"I don't want to see you for a century! Or ever, for that matter! Stay away from me, I hate you!" 

With that, you left the demon devastated and broken on the sidewalk while you ran until your legs could not physically carry you anymore. It had taken some time but you had managed to make a new name for yourself in the Wrath ring of Hell. 

You changed your identity so Alastor couldn't find you - so you thought - and after years of work, managed to start your very own restaurant. It wasn't a dream life by any means but you learned to cope with the cards you had been dealt. Most importantly though, you learned to never trust or to love again. It only ever led to disappointment and heartbreak. 

Some nights you couldn't help but flick the radio on to hear Alastor's voice again but you could never tune in for very long. After you had left him, he went on a tirade through all of hell by destroying everything and everyone in his way. He had earned the title "The Radio Demon" and you couldn't help but notice how fitting it was. Your brain separated the man you once knew from the monster who was at fault for you being down here.  

So you continued to wear black every single day to mourn your lovely husband and the life that you had lost with him. A symbol of your grief and a representation of your heart. Even as the years went by, you never once planned to rekindle with Alastor and convinced yourself that if he were exterminated, you wouldn't so much as blink. You wished you could forget about him altogether as the decades passed you by but the ring on your finger and the very fact that you were here in the first place always reminded you of the reason why and it sent the same furious fire through you now as it did on your first night here. 

After a hundred years and with your business in shambles due to the latest extermination, you were forced once again to see your husband face to face.

Chapter Text

"So he punched your heart in the ass?" Vaggie summarized after you finished your story.

You shot a look for her lack of tact, especially after you had spilled your guts. "That's one way of putting it." 

Vaggie shot you an apologetic smile and rested her hand on your shoulder as a gesture of comfort and support. You appreciated it greatly and returned her smile if only a fraction. You'd heard that it was supposed to feel good to share just like this but you'd always been secretive and didn't like how exposed your invisible wounds were. It made you feel weak.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that, Eva." She told you genuinely, squeezing your shoulder as she did. "And even more that you have to see him every day."

"It's quite alright, dear. I've accepted my lot in life." You sighed, your defeated tone contradicting your words. Your fingers itched for another cigarette with your last one long since flicked away. "But if you take anything from this story then let this be it; don't make the same mistake I did." 

"Huh? What do you mean?" Vaggie asked quietly. She tilted her head, looking at you with a look of innocent confusion. You knew you had a bad habit of sometimes nagging your little group but it was clear that they valued your opinions - on occasion - so you wanted to make sure that this was a lesson for Vaggie that would stick.

"Darling, you're the youngest one here. You're practically a baby compared to the rest of us and while you may have a tough exterior, you're naïve especially when it comes to matters of the heart." You explained gently. While you were a romantic yourself, that was the very notion that got you into this mess in the first place. The alcohol was still faintly in your system so your loose lips could've been attributed to that as you never would've said this without it.  "Charlotte's a wonderful woman but love is a dangerous thing. You can lose yourself to it and what then?" 

Vaggie's expression twisted into one of offence and she quickly removed her hand from you as if you burned her despite not one flame radiating from your body in that moment.

"Look, don't lecture me, Evangeline. Yeah, it was really shitty what Alastor did to you but don't project that shit onto me and Charlie. She'd never hurt me like that." Vaggie sneered, crossing her arms and looking away from you like a bratty teenager in a mood.

"Oh really?" You asked sceptically. "Charlotte's hell born so you're telling me, with full confidence, that if her project succeeds and you can be redeemed and get into heaven, she'll let you go without a fuss? Or would she convince you to stay with her?" 

Her answer was simply silence, proving your point exactly. You seen her go from headstrong and certain to unsure and insecure in a matter of seconds and it made you instantly regret your choice of words and how bluntly you'd said them. Some part of you knew that Vaggie was right and you were only projecting your own fears and hurt onto her relationship but you had just wanted to warn her away from the same kind of life-ruining heartbreak you had to go through. 

You got up from the step and dusted your dress off. The fresh air had sobered you up to a point where you could start to feel the hangover already creep into your system, punishing you early for drinking as heavily as you did that night. "I'm not trying to upset you, dear. Perhaps I have just gotten too loose lipped from the giggle water." You reached your hand down to her and helped her up as well. 

Vaggie still looked fragile and deep in thought even as you both went inside together.

As soon as you made it inside, you decided to bypass the main hall and go straight up to your room - the fundraiser on it's last legs before finishing anyway. Just as you made it to the hallway of your room, you felt a presence behind you and turned around to see Alastor standing there almost sheepishly. You already felt emotionally drained from your conversation with Vaggie so you didn't have the energy to even yell at him for following you. 

"What do you want, Alastor?" You asked flatly, not bothering to reprimand him for sneaking around.

"Do you truly think I was planning to kill you on the first night we met?" 

"How did you..." You stopped before you could finish your question, realising that he must have sent his shadow to spy on you once again. You sighed and squeezed the bridge of your nose in annoyance. "I don't have the patience for this tonight." 

"Well find some, because I simply cannot let you continue another night with that false narrative, my dear!" Alastor proclaimed vehemently, raising his finger as if he was ready to debate a guest on his old radio show on an opinion he disagreed with. 

You rolled your eyes and leaned your back against the wall with your arms crossed. You decided it would just be easier to hear him out so this interaction could be over and done with quicker than it would take if you argued back. You wouldn't believe a word that came out his mouth either way. You gestured for him to continue which made his smile brighten.

"I have never - and would never - kill a woman, darling! As you know, my hobby was a way for me to cope with my weasel father so my only victims were men who happened to resemble him in the slightest, simple as that. Therefore, you have never been in danger in my presence, even before I was beguiled by you." Alastor explained, ending with a little hop on his feet. His hands were held behind his back and he looked the very picture of confidence while he looked at you expectantly as if he thought this was thing that was going to solve the problems between you.

"What about my mother or Mimzy?" You asked with a raised eyebrow. Even though he sounded extremely convincing, you still didn't believe him and wanted to catch him out on a lie. You refused to let him pull the wool over your eyes again.

"Well with your mother, I'll admit I did consider it - especially after the state she had left you in on that day I seen you." His eyes flashed with bloodlust again just remembering seeing you so broken. You averted your gaze, not wanting to have that memory brought up once again and the topic still a painful one. "But I decided to go about it the humane way as respect to you. While you were hospitalized, I merely gave her a choice: Either I would take her to a head doctor to get rid of her nasty addiction and right the wrongs in her life, or a bag of cocaine big enough to kill an elephant. You can guess which one she chose." 

You felt your teeth clenching together so hard you thought you felt your jaw crack. Your eyes shot back to him to give him the nastiest glare you could muster. "So you still killed her." You concluded, not letting him spin his way out of this confession with semantics. He was trying to spin the situation in his favour, a tactic you were all too familiar with, and you were too tired to let it go unchecked.

"Indeed not! She killed herself, I simply gave her the means." Alastor waved you off, still smiling as always. However you could see his eyes almost desperate for you to believe him. "She made her decision, cher, I just didn't tell you about it to spare you from the grief of mourning a woman who only abused a beautiful soul like you." He said sincerely with full conviction in his tone. 

You sighed in disbelief but couldn't argue with his logic. Although you didn't agree with it, you remembered being so grateful that he had managed to get your mother out of your life for good plus it did make sense that even if the awful woman was offered help or drugs, she would've chosen the latter.

"What about Mimzy then?" You stood back up from the wall and levelled him with a look of curiosity now. His words were starting to become more believable and though you wouldn't admit it, they settled a deep despair that laid dormant in you since you had found out about your husband's crimes. For so long, you felt like you had led these women - horrid as they may have been - to their demise like lambs to the slaughter. 

"Ah, I got in a bit of scuffle with her the day that I had told her that our communication would cease." Alastor admitted almost shyly, bringing one of his hands up to scratch the back of his neck. You wondered if he knew how much of a jackass he was for inviting the woman back in your lives after the turmoil she had caused previously and that was what was causing his reaction. "You see, she didn't take kindly to it at all. Even less so when I told her of your unease of our friendship and she ultimately tried to kiss me aft-"

"So I was right!" You snapped and pushed his chest in frustration at his stupidity. "She wanted to fuck you and you made me feel like a crazy, possessive, dumb Dora for having an issue!"

So much for you being too tired to argue, you thought to yourself. However this was something you always knew and hearing you were right after a goddamn century was vindicating. 

Alastor continued to rub his neck and avoided your eyes, for once. You knew how much he hated to admit when he was wrong so you stood with a smug look as you watched him squirm.

"Yes." He answered simply before moving on as quick as he could. "But as I was saying, once she was rejected, she threatened to go to the fuzz about the bodies she'd helped me hide but I was still planning to brush her off because I'd knew she'd been bluffing. After all, if she turned me in then she'd only be incriminating herself. It wasn't until she started to threaten to take you out of the picture, I had to get firm and scared her out of town."

It should have disturbed you with the casualness Alastor was retelling these stories but you couldn't help - or notice - the way you had softened throughout hearing him out. You never realised how much it had truly rattled your sanity thinking that the man you loved so dearly would've potentially murdered you or anyone else because of you. A small part of you was touched that Alastor had still defended you in both situations with your mother and Mimzy in a humane way but you still couldn't forget everything else. 

"Why did it take you over a hundred years to tell me all of this?" You croaked out, feeling a lump suddenly in your throat. 

"I thought you wanted time away to think after our argument." Alastor answered genuinely, like he didn't see any fault in his own logic. You looked at him as sadly as you did that night in the kitchen. It still astounded you to how clueless Alastor seemed to be when it came to your relationship. 

"Alastor..." You began softly. All this time you had been so angry with the way you two left things - and you still were - that you couldn't help yourself when lashing out at him whenever the opportunity rose but now you realised that all that was doing was telling Alastor that this was just one of your run-in-the-mill fights, rather than the end of the relationship. You had to ignore the way he leaned into you with an expectant, hopeful smile. "I don't know how to get this through to you but the only reason I'm even here with you now is because you made me." His smile faltered. "This isn't the end of one of our arguments where we kiss and suddenly go back to the way things were. You hurt me and I've never once even heard you apologise for it."

Alastor looked crushed at the revelation but said nothing more. The words were probably stuck in his throat because they'd never come easy to him as it would involve admitting fault. 

"Goodnight, Alastor." You bid quietly, turning around to head into your room and finally fall into bed to sleep this entire day off. 

Just when you were about to open the door, you felt him gently grasp your wrist. For once, it didn't repulse you or put you into a rage. You turned back to face him and seen him looking at you with the most earnest expression you've ever seen from him. 

"I can never apologise for keeping you down here with me, cher. You know me too well to know my selfishness knows no bounds." He squeezed your wrist gently, almost in a remorseful gesture. "Even while we were apart, I could still watch you every day through my shadow and make sure you were safe, which was still better than if you'd gone to heaven and I would never be able to see your beautiful face again." Alastor cleared his throat, clearly not liking showing this much vulnerability but pushing through regardless which you inwardly appreciated. "But I am sorry for breaking your heart, my love. It's my only and biggest regret in life or in death." 

Your breath felt like it was stuck in your throat. All you could do in the next few moments was try and blink your way out of the daze he'd put you in. It was so surreal to hear the words you'd be dreaming of for the first few decades in Hell but then convinced yourself that you were never going to. It didn't make everything alright between you two, not by a long shot, but you couldn't deny you felt moved in that moment. 

"Only took you a hundred years to admit." You commented sarcastically when you finally got your breath back. Alastor let out a small laugh and looked down at you like you were something precious. You didn't like the attention, especially in the middle of such a serious conversation, yet you quirked a small smile back at him. "But I suppose better late than never. I'll accept your apology." You pulled your hand out of his grip but patted his arm in a show of this new truce you both seemed to come to. 

"Would you consider, perhaps, starting over and trying again?" Alastor asked so softly that you barely heard him even in this quiet, empty hallway. 

"When pigs fly, slick." You retorted, letting it be known that you couldn't even consider opening that can of worms again. Although you did still have feelings for Alastor, and likely always would have, you couldn't allow yourself to get hurt in that same way again. He visibly deflated on the spot, his smile wilting. "But I suppose we can work our way up to friends." You concluded.

Alastor lit up once again and you mentally cursed yourself for thinking how cute it was that his emotions seemingly changed depending on solely your words. You decided to just chalk that up to the alcohol still in your system and awkwardly reached up to ruffle his hair to try and defuse this growing tension between you. He laughed wholeheartedly and tilted his head down into your touch, not bothered at all by it. 

"Friends it is, cher." He agreed pleasantly before taking your hand from his hair and placing a small kiss on your knuckles like he used to. You didn't like the tingle it left.
 
It was like now you released your grudge the tiny bit that you did, it left room for the rest of the confusing bundle of emotions that used to rush through you whenever it came to Alastor. You swallowed thickly and snatched your hand back, giving him a warning glare not to cross a line when you were already giving him leeway as is. 

"Yep, just friends. Goodnight, buddy." You roughly punched his shoulder as an act of camaraderie - a little harder than necessary as payback for the flirting as well, two birds, one stone and all that - before finally opening the door to your room and going inside for a good nights rest.

It was the most peaceful sleep you've had since you had gotten to Hell.

The next morning was not so peaceful. 

Your head was splitting with a hangover from the moment you opened your eyes. With a groan, you managed to roll out of bed and head into a shower before getting ready and going downstairs. Apparently you had slept in and missed the breakfast rush because the patrons had already been fed and watered, even the dishes taken care of, which meant you had a morning off for a change.

You trudged your way over to the medicine cupboard for some Advil then got a glass of water before making your way to the stairs again to try and sneak back up for a nap. As you passed the lounge, you could hear Charlie's exceedingly loud retelling of a story from last night - sounding particularly exuberant this morning, still obviously riding the high from her successful event last night. Usually you were fond of Charlie's infectious enthusiasm but you could not handle it today. 

Just when you were about to make a break for it, Husk spotted you.

"Hey look who's finally rolled outta bed!" He called out causing you to wince. 

You quickly popped the medicine in your mouth and downed the water, praying they would kick in quick, before making your way over the group. Husk, Angel, Charlie and Vaggie were all sitting together while Niffty was pottering around doing some dusting in the room. 

"Morning, Eva!" Charlie greeted in her usual chipper manner. "Vaggie said you were really overworked last night so I thought it would be best to let you sleep in today, Alastor took care of breakfast!" She informed cheerfully.

You gave Vaggie a grateful look that she didn't blab about your breakdown or your drunken escapades last night. Your head felt as heavy as solid lead but you tried your best to muster a smile in place of a verbal response to Charlie. 

"And Cha Cha's been gabbing our ears off about all the new patron offers from last night." Angel added with a playful half smile so the princess wouldn't have her feelings hurt. Everyone was used to Angel's filterless way of speaking by this point anyhow.

"I've got an idea." Husk piped up. "Didn't you tell me you needed more inventory for the kitchen, Fireball?" He asked you with a devious smirk. You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion and even that caused a shooting pain through your head. "Why don't you take Eva grocery shopping and fill her in on all your fun stories, kid." He suggested to Charlie who instantly squealed in excitement and squished her own cheeks.

"That's an amazing idea, Husk!" She clapped her hands and rushed away to get her coat. 

You didn't have the energy to summon any fire even from your eyes but if you could, the way you were glaring at Husk could've set him alight then and there. "Forget the water bottle, I'm spraying you with the hose when we get back." You threatened through gritted teeth.

"Payback, bitch." Husk retorted playfully, smirk still plastered on his face. He was clearly loving the fact he could finally bug you when you were dying of a hangover when usually it was roles reversed. You made a mental note to buy an extra cucumber at the supermarket just to throw at him as it always scared the shit out of him for some reason, likely a cat habit. 

Charlie bounced back wearing her coat and holding you out your own. As she linked her arms with you and practically skipped you out of the door, you flipped Husk off who smugly returned the gesture until you left. 

"How'd you even know Eva would've had a hangover, Husk?" Vaggie asked in confusion. "You and Niffty were stoned in the kitchen by that point- oh, and that reminds me." She leaned over and smacked him over the head.

"Ow!" Husk yelped and rubbed his sore spot, glaring at moth as he did. "I wasn't the only one baked, Vags! Fuck, what is it about the crazy broads in this place..." He grumbled.

"Niffty's too cute to hit." Vaggie countered with a shrug. The little cyclops chirped a little 'thanks!' from the background, showing that she was still listening in to the conversation despite her being busy at work.

"Well keep ya claws off my Husky cause he's the cutest one here, ya one-eyed bitch!" Angel snapped before pulling Husk closer to him to give him a chaste peck in the place Vaggie had struck, causing the cat to flush a scarlet colour. Still, Husk didn't push him away and seemed to sink in to the caring touch. "It was me who filled him on mamabear last night. What the hell did you two even talk about afta' ya caught up to her? She looked ready to burn this whole fuckin' place down the last I seen her."

Niffty immediately popped up next to the group, causing all three of them to jump at her sudden appearance, and bounced up and down on the spot excitedly. "Ooooh I love gossip! Here I thought that fundraiser was gonna be a big dull dud and I was missing some juicy tea? Spill spill spill!" 

Vaggie bit her lip in contemplation. On the one hand, she didn't feel right about telling your business especially with you being such a reserved, secretive person but on the other hand, she was still a little pissed at you for the implication you made about her own relationship.

Vaggie had been in a restless sleep all night thinking about the scenario of her soul being redeemed because she knew deep down that Charlie would be supportive and that's what they were working towards this whole time but she didn't know if she could leave her girlfriend. There was times where the princess had been too hyper-focused on her project that she forgot to consider the struggles of the same friends she was trying to redeem so it did show a little of her selfishness with wanting to prove her parents wrong. However Vaggie always chalked it up to her girlfriend's hard-working attitude and reasoned that they could all be selfish, it was only human - even if Charlie was hell born. 

Nevertheless, Vaggie couldn't stop going back and forward in her head about the hypothetical situation of what would happen if push came to shove and she could enter heaven. Would she offer to stay here in Hell first or would Charlie ask her before she even could? It was weighing heavily on her mind and she had to shake the thought off again before she could spiral. 

With that, Vaggie retold your story and watched as the other three's faces fell in sympathy. 

Husk felt guilty for giving you shit this morning, thinking that he was just screwing with you after you partied a little too hard for once. Niffty was enamoured with the romantic aspects in the story, often bonding with you previously on romcom/chick flick media and literature. Angel finally understood why you were the way you were and the way you treated them all, with always wanting kids of your own and never getting the chance. It also answered the question they all had of why polar opposite people like you and Alastor were married and it broke their hearts collectively to find out you were basically tethered to the Radio Demon unwillingly.

"Holy shit, that's heavy." Husk commented before getting up and heading to the bar to get himself a drink. He was used to drinking with you in solidarity at night, both of you sick of everyone's shit in this Hotel most of the time so he felt like he was paying his respects by getting drunk this early after hearing your tale. 

"Can't ya ask Charles to call her pops?" Angel inquired sympathetically. He couldn't count on all six of his hands how many times you had helped him out, even in ways you didn't realise, these past couple of months so he was desperate to return the favour in some way. "I mean technically, it's not like she sold her soul to him, they're just bound by the marriage contract. Can't Lucifer annual it or some shit?"

"I haven't said anything to Charlie yet." Vaggie admitted quietly. "She's on cloud nine right now with how well the fundraiser went, I didn't want to bum her out so soon after it." She kept the part to herself about also being fearful of Charlie's reaction to the news. She wasn't a hundred percent certain if Charlie would've been all for trying to break you out of your shackles. After all, you were the only reason she'd stopped obsessing over proving herself to her parents because she felt like she already had a proud mother figure in you and the princess was already known for her clingy personality, attaching herself firmly to those that she loved - not that it was a bad thing. 

"That wouldn't work anyways," Niffty admitted casually as she toddled away to the windowsill to continue her dusting. "I had an aunt who made my uncle sign on their marriage certificate - and his will - that he would never move on from her if she died first so that counted as a marriage contract. She was always really jealous and possessive like that. Like one time my mom baked all these cookies for her birthday and I tried to sneak one but my aunt caught me and tried to get me to put it back because they were hers and she didn't share but I said 'listen bitch I'm fucking ten so if I want a goddamn cookie then'-" 

Vaggie boiled over with frustration at Niffty's rambling. Usually she didn't mind and liked hearing her convoluted stories but now was not the time. "Get to the point, Niffty!" 

"Oh! Right!" Niffty giggled and playfully slapped her own head, trying to regain her focus. "They were stuck here in a marriage contract and the only thing that broke it was they had to willingly take off each other's rings. My aunt was really pissed off because it meant she couldn't summon my uncle back to the house when he was at the gay bar with hookers, hey Angel you probably know-"

"That's enough outta you, Squeaky." Angel interrupted rudely, holding one of his hands up to her. She huffed and quietly continued her work, pouting. 

"So if Alastor and Eva took each other's rings off... Eva would probably go to heaven." Vaggie concluded breathlessly, her eyes widening in realisation. It was a snowball's chance in... well here, that they could possibly get at least one person from the Hazbin Hotel to Heaven's gates. "I mean, she wasn't even supposed to be down here in the first place so maybe once she's untethered, her soul will ascend to where it was meant to in the first place, right?"

"Yeah but you're forgetting," Husk chimed in from his place at the bar, stopping Vaggie before she could get her hopes up. "Alastor would rather lick the bottom of Vox's shoe before he gave up any sort of control. Or his wife. What the Radio Demon wants, he's gonna take and aint nothing gonna convince him to give it up." He grumbled sullenly with a far off look. He then chugged the remainder of his drink before pouring another.

An uneasy atmosphere fell over the lounge as they all seemed to get lost in their own thoughts. 

"I've got an idea!" Angel suddenly jumped up. "Why don't we try to get them back togetha'?"

"That's a terrible idea, Angel." Vaggie said with annoyed look. 

"How is it? If she falls back in love then she aint trapped here, she wouldn't wanna leave in the first place!" 

"We should just tell her the truth and maybe she can get Charlie to force Alastor to free her or he'll be fired." Vaggie suggested weakly, knowing herself that Charlie couldn't even force a puppy to pee outside let alone the Radio Demon to give up the wife he'd kept in secret for a century. 

Angel gave her a look of disbelief and rolled his eyes in annoyance. At this point, he was sure Vaggie just wanted to argue with him for the sake of it rather than out of necessity because his idea was the only one that would benefit everyone. Selfishly, he didn't want to lose you as much as the rest of the gang and even though it did seem like you were the only demon that anyone would witness ascending to heaven, he didn't want you to. He thought of you like the glue to their group that kept them all from killing each other on most days and he didn't want to imagine what it would be like without you for any of them to turn to in times of need. Everything would fall apart. 

"Great idea, toots," He said sarcastically. "We get Cha Cha to try and intimidate a powerful overlord then once Eva's gone, he goes on a rampage - like the one you were even shitting your pants about that you told me about when he first got here - and probably destroys the Hotel along with all of us. Yeah, genius." 

Vaggie flipped Angel off but she couldn't deny his logic. She just didn't feel good about keeping this information to herself plus, plotting to get you back with the man who fucked you over so hard felt wrong. However she didn't see an alternative so with a sigh she asked,

"What you got in mind, Angel?" 

Chapter Text

The following week after your horrendous hangover was an odd one for certain.

It was strange for you to be civil with Alastor for starters. Ever since you came to a truce on the night of the fundraiser, he didn't set your temper off at the drop of a hat so you couldn't help but notice the same mannerisms you were fond of when you both were alive now that you didn't have hate or resentment to cling onto.

Alastor would practically follow you around like a lost puppy any time he would see you alone and talk about any subject that popped into his head whether it be small talk, stories of amusing characters he'd came across in Hell or random questions he would ask you. It had been grating at first but you gradually learned to enjoy - and even look forward to - these quiet moments together just conversing like old chums.

Even, if his stories sometimes lingered a little too much on the gruesome side for your liking but you did find peace with the fact that he was finally being open and honest with you about his past during your separation. You finally managed to come to terms that he was a broken person behind that large smile and the consequences from that had the risk to being deadly.

For a long time, you had managed to separate the Alastor that you once knew and the Radio Demon in your head as two different entities but now you had to accept that they were one in the same. You could still see the man you once cared for shining through the devilish exterior so you decided that it couldn't hurt to spend some time together again.

One day Alastor had even startled you, first thing in the morning, when you opened your door just to see him eagerly waiting for you just outside in the hallway with a bright grin - just to ask you if you'd had any dreams the previous night. You'd simply gave him the most incredulous look imaginable and answered negatory before brushing past him to head down to the kitchen and start your day. 

Of course he followed you with a skip in his step and kept you company as you cooked breakfast.

That day began a pattern of Alastor also lingering around in the kitchen each day to use his magic to clean up the messes made after every meal with the snap of his fingers just so you had more time to yourself - and therefore, with him - which you did appreciate but after several days, you couldn't bite back the comment that he could've done this for you the whole time.

He simply laughed it off and made a quip about cleanliness being next to Godliness so he was doing his duty in helping the Hotel's purpose of redemption. You rolled your eyes but you couldn't hide the half-smile creeping onto your lips which only encouraged the silly rascal.

It seemed that now Alastor knew you were true to your word and were willing to allow him to make amends, he seemed to have a lighter demeanour. Not just with you but with the rest of the group as well. You noticed that he was no longer making himself scare in his office or out doing Satan knows what, only showing his face to laugh at the misery of the patrons, make more than a few inappropriate quips or rile up the staff members - including you. 

He'd actually even began to partake in movie nights which almost surprised the life out of you when you first seen him, sitting in the lounge with the group, by the time you came in with the snacks for everyone. You always thought - along with everyone else  - that Alastor would rather pull his own teeth out than sit through the talkies willingly. Even when he was alive, you recalled he never did enjoy the new-fangled technology, much preferring the memories he'd made with his mother, you and his career with the radio. 

He'd simply gave you a charming smile as you stared in shock. 

"I thought you hated movies." You pointed out obviously as you set down the snacks for everyone who immediately started digging in, still staring at him as you still couldn't believe he was there despite looking right at him.  

"I figured since you seemed to enjoy these 'movie nights' so much, we could watch a few back to back. You can be the one facing the TV, darling." Alastor ended on a quip which made you burst out laughing. It was such a silly deflection but you did always enjoy his humour despite it being dated in the modern day, it only added to the charm and nostalgia for you. 

Angel groaned loudly and boo'ed the Radio Demon. He'd hated Al's 'dad jokes' just as much as Alastor hated the spider's sexcapade stories so they often went back and forward just to annoy the other with each. It only made you laugh harder in this situation.

Once you calmed yourself, you sat down beside Alastor on the two-seater sofa and wiped the tear from your eye as the feature was started and the rest of the group were tuned in. You couldn't help but notice Alastor staring at you with a loving gaze from the corner of your eye. He'd always loved when he made you laugh but you couldn't bear to acknowledge such an intimate stare and pointedly kept your eyes focused on the TV.

Midway through the film you couldn't help but let your eyes drift around the room to your group of friends.

Angel was still devouring what was left of the snack platters you'd made while absentmindedly scratching Husk's ears, who was sitting by the spider's legs with his back resting in a slouch against the sofa with a bottle of booze lazily held in his hand. Niffty's huge eye was filling up with tears as she stared at the emotional conflict on screen with such focus as she clung onto a stuffed animal that was almost the same size as her. Charlie and Vaggie were comfortably laying down on a makeshift pillow fort on the floor, holding hands and resting their chins on their other hand. Vaggie seemed to be clutching onto her girlfriend's hand with all her strength during the sad scene playing before them and kept glancing over as if wanting comfort but unwilling to ask - Charlie still stared ahead, unknowingly, and squeezed Vaggie's hand back.

Last but not least, your gaze eventually drifted the man next to you.

Alastor couldn't have looked more bored if he tried as he stared up at the TV in distaste. It only made you feel more endeared to the fact he clearly did still hate movies - ergo would not enjoy movie nights - but still chose to spend this time with you all because it became some sort of an unspoken weekly tradition and he wanted to be a part of it.

Your mind started racing as you started to feel overwhelmed with the comradery and love in the room. You didn't know how it came to be where you managed to have such a close tight-knit group of friends - down in Hell of all places - when you felt like you were cursed when it came to any kind of relationship in life. Everyone you ever let yourself love either died or disappointed you so it took you by surprise that these people had snuck into your heart without you even knowing. Now looking at them, you wouldn't trade them for anything. 

Which brought you back to your ever-changing, confusing whirl will of emotions for Alastor. As you gazed softly at him, you couldn't help but remember him being sole reason of you even coming across this Hotel. Not only had you gotten a highly respectable job as head chef in a line of charity work but you also never had to worry about a roof over your head - which, for a lady who grew up in poverty, was a big relief in any circumstance - as well as a group of people who had your back and each other's. 

It was something you'd never had or thought you could have.

Part of you felt like a sap that it had only taken an apology and explanation from Al to make you melt like butter but it often happened like this at the end of every one of your row's. You'd take some reflection time and manage to see the bigger picture. Now that the wall of hate and hurt had lowered, all the positive emotions you'd felt for the man came flooding back as well as longing and wistfulness. 

Alastor must have felt your heavy stare and turned his head to meet your eyes with a soft smile. "Are you okay, cher?" He asked quietly, leaning in towards you to hear your response. 

Your panic flared at his proximity and you shot up like a dart. "My apologies, I hadn't realised how tired I was." You put on a clearly fake yawn and stretched your arm up. "Better be heading to bed now, enjoy the rest of the feature, everyone." They all half-heartedly waved or uttered goodnight to you as you beetled away to catch your breath. 

Once you had reached your room, you quickly changing into your nightgown and hopped into bed so you could sleep off these pesky notions spinning around in your head. You squeezed your eyes shut and told yourself that you had a good thing going in the Hotel and you didn't want to ruin it by wanting for more. You already had more in your afterlife than you could ever ask for so you could settle for having a friendship with Alastor - after all, it was your idea. Things were pleasant for the first time in a very long time so you refused to rock the boat. 

The part of you that longed to have your adorable, goofy, endearingly annoying husband back in your arms were buried with logic until you fell into a restless sleep. 

After that following week, a routine began to form with your schedule. 

Alastor would accompany you at your door first thing in the morning to walk you down to the kitchen while making polite small talk with you - or sometimes even help you with the cooking which you enjoyed - then would whisk you away for a peaceful walk through the city of Pride where you could enjoy the scenery of Hell without fear of being jumped or attacked. He'd always bring you back just in time to get started on lunch then would mosey away to deal with some Overlord business from his Radio Tower which meant you always had a few hours to yourself where you could curl up in the library with a book before dinner. After suppertime, Al had returned every day to magic away all the dishes and let you put on a movie in the lounge while he sat beside you reading his newspaper. 

You were addicted.

The stability and familiarity of it all gave you tingly feelings, almost made you feel like a young, foolish girl again. The feeling terrified you because it wouldn't be long before impulsiveness and obsession followed as it did the first time. Most people assumed that, because of the kind of man Alastor turned out to be, he was the one who harboured an unhealthy fasciation with you but it had been the other way around. You clung to anyone who dared care about you like a vice because love in any way, shape or form was so rare to you.

You barely managed to mask these emotions well enough to keep up the friendly atmosphere the two of you now shared.

"Bushwa! No chance you once got jumped by twenty hellhounds and came out the other side with nary a scratch on you!" You cried in disbelief as Alastor was helping you get your jacket on before your morning walk together. 

He let out a prideful guffaw and smoothed out the shoulders in your coat, leaving an unwelcome but admittedly fluttery feeling behind as he did, before standing next to you, extending his elbow for you to take which you did automatically. It really had become a routine between the two of you that initiating touch went unspoken. 

"Indeed, my dear! Si je peux gérer vos crises de colère, alors une meute de chiens de l’enfer est un jeu d’enfant." Alastor retorted smugly, knowing how much you enjoyed him speaking his mother tongue despite the fact he often used it to tease you. 

You rolled your eyes but couldn't wipe the smile off your face if you tried. As much as you complained about Alastor being a raving egomaniac, you secretly enjoyed the confidence he held down here. He'd always been an outspoken person but on earth, he didn't command the same power or respect that he'd always longed for and it was truly enjoyable to hear about his many interesting stories. 

"T’es un salaud." You shot back which caused him to laugh loudly once again. His laugh was infectious and you could only join in as you both walked to the front door. He held the door open for you and you gave Niffty - who you had just spotted peeping behind the front desk at you both - a small wave before you both left smiling.

You were so caught up in catching up with Alastor, swapping stories of your time apart and enjoying each other's company, that you hadn't even realised your other friends had been pushed to the wayside in your list of priorities; Angel hadn't been home for a couple of nights because he'd been too busy with work, Husk was snappier than usual and was back to drinking himself in a stupor till he was comatose where he stood at the bar, Vaggie avoided you any chance you were in the same room besides the three meals a day where she completely avoided eye contact and ate as fast as she could, Niffty kept following you and Alastor around any time you were together squeaking and squealing about 'the hottest gossip ever' until Al gave her a look for her to scatter and Charlie... Well, Charlie was the only one still acting the same, still singing and dancing to cheer up the lonely and hopeless patrons who looked like if they could stab her and get away with it, they would. 

For once, you lived in blissful ignorance to it all.

"What the fuck, Legs? You've been away damn near every night this week then you come back just to ask me to watch your pig again?!" Husk growled, holding the oblivious pig that had just been plopped in his outstretched arms. Angel was standing on the other side of the bar with one of his hands on his hip, another hand on top of Fat Nugget's head to stroke his ears and the other two clasped together in a pleading gesture.  

"Come on, Husky, I'd ask Eva but she seems pretty busy rubbing up on Smiles." Angel begged, putting on his best puppy dog eyes.

Husk was pissed not only to be stuck on babysitting duty again - even though he kinda enjoyed his time with the pig now that it had learned to stop pissing on his bar - but also because he'd barely seen the spider the past few days and his other drinking buddy was also out of commission with his boss. He looked up and down at Angel's attire and seen he was dressed to kill in his stripper boots and some sparkly one piece dress, that probably cost more than his entire paycheque, as well as heavy on the makeup so Husk concluded that Valentino was still up Angel's ass - figuratively and likely literally - not giving him even one night off for two weeks. 

"Speaking of which, the plan's still in motion - I just gotta finish these double shifts and get Vags off my dick then we're ready to go." Angel continued with determination despite his tired eyes. Even when covered with a thick layer of concealer, Husk could see through it that he was exhausted and didn't have the energy for a matching making scheme. "Can you just watch my baby tonight, Husky? For me?" He leaned over the bar and fluttered his eyelashes. 

"One, it was a stupid plan you stole from a movie, two, Al and Eva seem pretty okay without you meddling and three... Fine." He gruffly retorted. Despite his grumpy attitude, he continued to hold the pig in his arms like an actual baby and Fat Nuggets seemed used to the treatment as he slowly shut his eyes, ready to go for a nap.

"They're totes adorbs!!!" Niffty screamed as she popped up from behind the bar, scaring the shit out of the two males and making the pig squeal in fright before trying to jump out of Husk's arms. The cat thankfully caught him before he could and gently stroked down his back until Nugs settled again.

"Where the hell did'ja even come from?!" Husk looked down at the cyclops, unable to even register how she got behind the bar without him seeing.

"Fuck sake, Squeaky! You tryna kill us twice?!" Angel clutched his chest dramatically, still trying to get his breath back. 

"I heard Alastor and Eva talking French to each other this morning. It was so romantic." Niffty gushed excitedly, clapping her hands together quickly. She'd been keeping an eye on the both of you and her boss to watch for herself the romance blossom since she loved seeing it in the movies and reading it in a book but seeing it in real time was a different level of drama that she lived for. It was like her very own reality TV show.  

"Crap, she only knows the bad words in French." Husk muttered, causing Angel to snort in amusement. 

"See? They still need that little nudge to the hellishly eva' afta' and we're gonna give it to 'em! Plus she needs to get L-A-I-D like yesterday to chill the fuck out - I think she's so uptight that her pussy goes up to her belly button." Angel commented crudely as he took out his phone from his fluffy bosom to text his ride.

"Angel!" Niffty scolded, reaching over to poke him in the side. 

"What?! I ain't had my morning stash, sue me! Anyway I'm late, peace out, muthafucka's!" Angel threw up two peace signs and one middle finger with his free hands then proceeded to hop over the counter to place a quick kiss on Husk's ragged cheek. "Thanks again for watching Nuggsy, Kitty Cat." He whispered sincerely before making his exit. 

Husk's sad gaze watched Angel until he was out of eye sight and even for a few seconds after. When he finally managed to break himself out of his own thoughts, he looked back at Niffty to see she was pretty much bouncing in her spot in concealed excitement with a crazed look in her eye. 

"You ain't really gonna through with this, are ya, kid?" He asked in incredulity.

"It's gonna be more beautiful than The Notebook." She whispered manically before she too darted away, leaving Husk alone to ponder how moronic the people he called his friends could be. 

He placed the pig down on the bar top so he had hands free to chug a nearly full bottle of beer to force himself to relax. He told himself that he would just stay out of whatever mess was about to play out and whatever happened, happened.

"Guess it's just you and me's the only sensible one's in this place, huh, bud?" He slurred to pudgy little pig who just stared up at him in an adorable, spaced out way.

Fat Nugget's oinked in what Husk took as agreement, if only to get another scratch behind the ears.

It was a quiet, peaceful night when you decided to sit at the bar with Husk for the first time in a while. You hadn't realised how much time had passed since you've done this. You were actually missing the back and forth jabs between you and the grouchy cat. Plus, you didn't like him sitting alone himself for too long staring at another empty bottle - especially now that even you had noticed Angel's increasingly long absences in the Hotel. 

"Evening, Solider. What's got your back more hunched than usual?" You asked offhandedly, not wanting to let it be known that you caught the cat staring sadly at the front doors. You and Husk were one in the same when it came to hiding one's vulnerabilities. "Is Angel working again?" 

"Yeah, that fucking moth has him on double time now that the Hotel's getting him free publicity and chumps are lining up through the block to get their grubby hands on him in case he does actually manage to redeem himself and goes to Heaven - like that would ever fuckin' happen." Husk admitted, angrily snapping his head from the front door to focus on getting two glasses for the two of you. He instantly filled them both with the hardest spirits the bar could offer.

"That's terrible! Ugh and to think that a shot at freedom made those cretins even more desperate to drag him back down!" You hollered indignantly. You had no idea it was so dire, you'd simply thought that Angel was just working overtime for his next shopping spree. He had never expressed to you what was happening at work, then again, you recognised you may have been a little too occupied the past few weeks for him to even have a chance to. "I'm going to go down to that darned studio and drag him back here where he's safe-!"  

"Settle down, Fireball." Husk interrupted your tirade before you could get too worked up and do something stupid. "Valentino's got him on a tight leash and ain't shit you can do about it. Anything you try is just gonna get Angel in trouble, believe me I know." He admitted bitterly, looking down at his own glass in what appeared to be sorrow. 

You put your hand on his paw sympathetically causing him to look up for you to give him a small, reassuring smile. You felt an overwhelming amount of guilt that not only Angel, but Husk, was going through a hard time and you had been too busy having fun to even notice let alone help in any way you could. You squeezed his paw and suggested the only thing you knew to get Husk out of a funk,

"Would you like to play a drinking game?" 

Husk chuckled half-heartedly and squeezed your hand back. "Sure, let's call it 'get hammered'. You know you've won when you see double."

You both clinked your glasses together then necked the spirits, only you wincing afterwards at the strength of the drink. Husk barely blinked twice at it.

Throughout the night, Husk continued to refill your glasses and you both drank in silence. The cat seemed to appreciate the company despite the fact he never said a word. Sometimes you both had quiet drinks like this when there was too much on either of your minds' to vocalize so it became a peaceful past time on nights like this where you could comfortably just watch the world go by together.

Every time someone came through the front doors, you saw Husk instantly whip his head around with hope in his eyes - you knew he just wanted it to be Angel home safe - only to look down in woeful disappointment when it turned out to be just another patron of the Hotel returning for the night. It broke your heart each time he did it and so far, you'd counted five. 

"Husk, I'm sorry I've been lacklustre when it's come to you guys lately-" You started to apologise only for Husk to hold up his paw, stopping you in your tracks. 

"No apologies needed, sista'. It ain't your job to look after any of us, we're grown ass adults." Husk stated, bluntly. He looked at you with a touch of fondness in his eyes. You wondered if despite his words, he was still glad you were here for him in this moment. "'Sides, It's a relief not having to dodge flames from you whenever Al walks in a room now so just keep doing what you're doing." He teased without bite. 

"I thought you hated him." You countered with a raised eyebrow.

You could feel your walls shooting up as soon as Alastor was mentioned. It was illogical seeing how you both have made it no secret to your blossoming friendship but any fond feelings being acknowledged by the cat made you extremely uncomfortable for some reason. You still didn't understand how you felt for the man yet so you didn't want any of your friends - or worse, literally anyone else - making their own conclusions about what you two were before you even had the chance to. You weren't ready to talk about your own situation yet.

"I hate everybody." Husk shrugged.

You smirked at the cat with a roll of your eyes, knowing he was bullshitting. As much as Husk tried to portray himself as an unloving, husk of a man, you could see the ways he cared for your little group. Especially a particular pink one. "Sure." You agreed sarcastically.

"Alright, almost everybody." He corrected with a sneer as if he'd just insulted you by even implying he didn't hate you. "But Al's an okay boss. Could've been saddled with worse." Husk shrugged. His eyes trailed back to the door with a faraway look again. You could tell he was thinking about the spider again and comparing his boss to Angel's.

The sad sight made you contemplate as you both went back to drinking in silence.

As much as you had been enjoying your time with Alastor again, you'd also been bamboozled by his charm once before and refused to let it happen again. It had been easy to forget that Husk - and Niffty - were not just Alastor's 'near and dear friends' like he always claimed because of their banter with one and other. Sometimes they acted like family, even. However you knew first hand that sometimes when Alastor wanted something, he didn't care what lows he had to go through to get it.

You decided that you would confront him first thing tomorrow about these contracts of his as the man you once knew didn't believe in slavery. 

Chapter Text

True to your mental note, the very next morning when you and Alastor headed down to the kitchen to start prepping for breakfast, you didn't hesitate to confront him about Husk and Niffty's deals. Unlike any of your previous arguments in the Hotel thus far, you didn't so much as smoke let alone set anything on fire which you were proud of. Growth and all of that, you were sure Charlie would be pleased. 

Besides, you secretly thought it was amusing the way you two were bickering like an old marri- like two old chums, you inwardly corrected, whilst also working on whipping up breakfast side by side. It made you fondly reminisce of your time on earth where you would rile each other up like this while doing the chores just to make them more fun. 

"Why wont you release their contracts?" You demanded with pursed lips as you cracked multiple eggs in a large bowl at a time.

"Clearly, for as long as you've been down here, you don't know much about Overlord business." Alastor retorted with a sassy edge to his voice while he worked on kneading the bread. He had an air of confidence around him as if he'd already expected this topic of conversation and knew how to shut it down as quickly as it begun.

"Of course not, you were enough drama." You taunted with a roll of your eyes. He shot you a look at that but you just gave him an innocent bat of your eyelashes in return. "The only other closest thing I came close to was a sinner called Jamie Oliver who used to work in my restaurant. Apparently he was a big deal chef up on Earth but he was a complete tyrant in the kitchen - plus we caught him on CCTV screwing the chickens as well as hiding all the sugar containers." You recalled with a wince.

Alastor snickered at your story, shaking his head in amusement. He loved that he could see this side of you again rather than watch it from the side lines of when you would let the others close enough to you to have conversations like this.

"You could say, he was an impeckable chef." He quipped, shooting you a mirthful smile. He'd always been unable to resist a good pun when presented but it lit him up like a Christmas tree whenever one managed to make you laugh, like now. "Winner winner, chicken sinner. Let it be known, I made the good lady giggle." He announced in his radio presenter voice.

You had to stop what you were doing before you accidentally put any shells in the bowl from how hard you were laughing. "You're an asshole." You managed through breaths, holding onto the counter to keep you steady. It baffled you how Alastor still managed to hold the talent of making you laugh even when you were trying to be serious. It was one of his more endearing qualities that you always admired. 

"I'm sure you didn't need sugar anyhow with how sweetly you must have spoken to your customers." Alastor commented with too much sarcasm for your liking but you still couldn't stop the giggles. You had to take a deep breath and whip him with your dishcloth as a warning to give it a rest before going back to your eggs. 

"Al, come on, be serious." You asserted, trying to get the conversation back on track. You were wise to Alastor's game of distraction and wouldn't let him away with it until this matter was settled. "Why can't you release Husk and Niffty's contracts? I know you care about them." You gave him a knowing look which he quickly avoided. 

Alastor took a few moments to ponder his answer in silence. You watched as he sprinkled more flour on the bread before kneading again, looking deep in thought. "I've never been fond of letting those in my life go completely. You can attest to that more than anyone else, my dear." He admitted quietly. You noted the vulnerability that came with such a confession.

"But just because you take off their collars doesn't mean they'll run away. They care about you too." You tried to reason as you brushed past him to get your whisk to beat the eggs. You held the bowl in your arm while you whisked so you could continue to watch his movements - not because you enjoyed the rare sight of him jacketless and shirt sleeves rolled up while he kneaded the bread dough roughly with his bare hands, of course not, only to see if his body language suggested any trickery. And perhaps a smidge of the former, but you would never admit it.

"Be that as it may, dear heart, it's far more complicated than that. Souls are power down in this place, it's how Overlords get their title. With enough souls and territory, a man can have enough power to protect those he cares for." He explained with a hint of finality in his tone as if he expected that to be the end of the conversation. 

"How did you even manage to climb up the ranks?" You asked curiously. 

Alastor was right because you didn't understand anything about the Overlords, only that they were all bad news and to stay as far as you possibly could away from one - despite the fact you were fucking married to one. It meant that you weren't quite up to date with the politics in Hell concerning them, you were always content to just stay in your own little corner in Wrath away from it all. The most trouble you'd ever received was some rowdy customers but you could handle them.

"Well as you know I'd taken quite a few lives during my time on Earth which counted as souls already on my tally by the time my death came about. From there, it was just a matter of doing a few favours for favours then eventually, folk were lining up at the door outside my tower willing to trade their soul for anything from protection to vengeance to whatever else their devious little hearts desired - all for one simple price of course." Alastor explained casually. 

The way he retold his murders still sent shivers up your spine in the carelessness that he did it in. He spoke of them as one would speak of getting rid of a rat infestation and it brought you the very same fear that your first day in Hell did when you met him in this form. You concluded that you weren't great at hiding your fear because Alastor kept giving you these sad, sorrowful looks. 

"Do you ever regret murdering those people?" You asked quietly, almost hopefully. 

He sighed, tight smile still present. This was the elephant in the room that you both needed to address for over a century and he knew by now that only being completely honest with you was how he was going to walk out of this conversation still in your good graces. 

"Despite what you may think, cher, I am not a bloodthirsty machine. Those men that I killed were long deserving of their comeuppance. All drunkards, scallywags, wife-beaters and sex offenders. There were no shortage in our community and I just thought I could purge our little town from the evils of this world, like I wish someone had done with my own bastard father." Alastor confessed, gravely. He then glanced up at you once again and held your wide-eyed stare with his own wistful gaze. You noticed that it was one of the rare times his smile fell. "So no I don't regret any of them. However, when I see that look in your eyes, sometimes I... reconsider, if I made the right choice." 

You were completely stunned into silence, your hand even frozen on the whisk. Your brain was nothing but static and for once, it wasn't coming from Al's mic. There were too many thoughts spinning in your mind at once that it was hard to focus on just one.

"You've always known I was broken, love, and accepted me when no one else would. I don't blame you for this being the one thing you couldn't overlook or forgive." Alastor disclosed mournfully. He had to accept that he made a mess that could never be swept away and it cost him the best thing he'd ever had. 

He'd been truthful when he told you once that breaking your heart was his biggest and only regret. Just being in your presence now was more than what he thought was possible since he never had the heart to summon you before him any time he missed you, which would've been every second of every day for over a hundred years. He thought that he was just giving you the space you had been asking for - like you often did during big fights - but now he knew that this would be the only way to have you in his life, so he would take any shred of your attention greedily. 

More silence passed until Al eventually broke your stare and went back to his work, putting the bread in the oven. You put your bowl of whisked eggs down and went over to him to rest your hand on his arm. His back was turned to you and you could see the tension in his shoulders as if he was preparing himself for you to throw him in the oven next. You supposed it was fair but with how much forgiveness and grace you showed to the rest of your group, you decided that it wouldn't hurt to fully make amends with the Radio Demon.

"That wasn't what I couldn't forgive, Alastor." You uttered softly, turning him around to face you. His face looked so crestfallen that you struggled to remember a time you had ever seen him so down - the only memory you could conjure was the night you found him in that alley shortly after his mother's death. Just like then, a frown didn't suit him and you gently caressed his face. Your heart melted when he closed his eyes and leaned into your touch. "But you're not broken, Alleycat, not any more than the rest of us anyway. Maybe we can put all of our fractured pieces together and build something new." 

A slow smile stretched across his lips as he opened his eyes, cheek firmly resting in the palm of your hand and looking at you with such reverence that you didn't think yourself worthy of. You returned his smile with a small quirk of your lips, brushing your thumb over his own. For a second you felt his lips purse against your thumb in a whisper of a kiss.

"Splendid idea, darling." He regarded softly, glancing down at your mouth with a look of yearning.

"And we can start with you releasing Husk and Niffty's contracts." You proclaimed loudly, breaking the atmosphere around you both purposefully. You cheerfully went back to your eggs and put them in a large frying pan to simmer. You were slightly rattled with the chemistry in the air but Alastor wasn't the only one who was quick to a distraction in your duo.

You concealed your giggle as you watched Alastor blink twice before visibly shaking himself out of his shocker at the turn of events. He gave you a look of somehow both incredulity and astonishment.

"Well played, mon cher, but we're not getting into this again. Dearest, it cannot be done! Even two souls lost would be enough to dim my power and what if the Hotel is suddenly under attack? You seen what happened the first night with that snake man!" He argued almost childishly. You thought it was funny that the big, bad Radio Demon was reduced to a toddler having a tantrum with one instance of someone who wouldn't let him get his way.

"Yes and I also know that we've got an ex-mafia member, a Vietnam soldier, a temperamental Latina with an angelic spear, the Princess of Hell and an exploding fireball on our team." You listed one after the other with your free hand while giving him a look of disbelief that he seemed to think of you all like weaklings who needed protecting. "We can handle it."

"It's not worth the risk." He concluded, straightening down the non-existent creases in his shirt in an old habit he did when he was nervous. You'd never seen him do it in this form where he held so much power and it only made you want to smile as wide as him because you knew you were going to win this argument. 

"Well what does this mean for us? Do you own my soul as well since we are contracted?" You asked with faux annoyance in your tone.

"No no! Of course not, we are simply bonded! You have as much power over me as I have you." Alastor rushed to reassure you, standing practically side by side with a look that begged for you to believe him. Even though you had only asked as a ploy for a larger scheme, you were relieved to know that your marriage contract was just as much an equal partnership in Hell as it had been on Earth.

"Oh good, so I can sell my soul to another Overlord if you don't release Husk and Niffty's?" You smirked up at him, raising your chin defiantly as you stared him right in the eye.

Checkmate.
 
Al's face damn near turned into stone with how hard his expression became as he stared back down at you threateningly. "You wouldn't."

"I think you and I both know that I absolutely would to spite you." You smugly countered. Because you weren't fazed in the slightest by Alastor's icy glare, you handed him the frying pan to brush past him once again to get the bread out of the oven. While you picked up the tray with your bare hands - you turned into a ball of fire whenever angry, heat didn't bother you - you pretended to contemplate out loud. "Doesn't that mean that I'd be selling half of your soul too? Now that's a pretty big price for anyone to buy, surely far more than two working class sinners. What's that square headed one you went to war with called? The suave media man?" 

"Fine! Fine, I'll release their contracts." Alastor snapped, gritting his teeth as soon as the loathsome TV Demon was brought up. He had to admit you were a clever little Belle, knowing exactly how to get what you wanted from him without a single favour being offered in return. He couldn't help but be as impressed as ever with your wit. It was only when his anger simmered that he even registered the last thing you'd said. "You think Vox is suave?" He asked in disgust. A part of him wanted to go rip the cables out of that pompous jerk AGAIN for that very fact.

You couldn't help but enjoy Al's clearly jealous reaction and simply shrugged playfully, leaving it up in the air whether you had attraction to his biggest rival or not - if only to rile him up. 

"See how it works out when we're buddies with benefits?" You ask rhetorically with a wide smile, leaning over to bump him teasingly on the shoulder with your own. 

He barked out a sudden laugh, quick to forget his grievance at hearing that sentence come out of your mouth.

"Pardon?" Alastor asked with a continuous chuckle, sure he must have heard you wrong. 

"You know, friends with benefits? Angel taught me that phrase, isn't it simply darling? Pal's that help each other out of pickles!" You grinned unknowingly as you made fast work cutting up the bread and putting it in the frying pan with the eggs. You'd thought the phrase was akin to something like BFF's only less childish. The spider had explicitly told you not to ask any strangers to be your friend with benefits but you waved him off with a scoff and denied that you'd ever call a complete stranger so much an acquaintance let alone a best friend. 

Alastor laughed even louder, stepping back to bend over in his guffaw. You shot him an offended look and tutted. How dare he have the gall to reject your offer just because you had technically swindled him out of two souls? Pig, you thought. Although, you couldn't get too mad - after all, you did get what you wanted and Al's laugh always had been a pleasant sound for you to hear.

"I take it back, Angel is my friend with benefits. Go fuck yourself." You retorted without bite as you continued to soak the bread into the eggs and seasoned them well while Alastor was still practically pissing himself laughing at your expense behind you. 

"Dearest, that isn't what that phrase means." Alastor finally managed to gasp out, wiping the tears from his eyes as he tried to compose himself. You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion and turned to look at him over your shoulder.

"Oh. Well what does it mean then?" You asked sheepishly. 

Alastor controlled his laugh into a chuckle and managed to stand straight again, staring at you with a gaze that suggested he thought you were adorable in that moment. You raised an eyebrow in a silent demand for him to tell you.

"Do you remember the night on your birthday in 1926?"

You were even more confused by Alastor answering your question with another question that made no sense. You looked up as you tried to recall the specific date he was speaking of and it brought a light blush to your cheeks to remember the incident outside of a speakeasy in a dark corner only lit by hanging fairy lights where you both had a bit too much to drink and Al had got down on his knees to duck under your skirts in public to give you an extra birthday kiss.

You gasped loudly when your brain finally caught up to what he was trying to tell you.

"I'm going to fucking kill that spindly bitch!" You screamed and covered your, now burning brightly, cheeks to conceal your humiliation as Alastor fell apart in a roar of laughter again.

Later that day, you spotted Alastor having a word with Niffty and Husk in the hallway. You didn't want to pry into the conversation but you knew it must have been Al telling them the good news and it made you smile to know he'd kept his word. Niffty looked teary eyed and was hugging the Radio Demon's leg who was soothingly patting her on the head - you knew crying made him uncomfortable in any form - while Husk looked lost for words for a brief moment. The last you witnessed was Husk shaking Alastor's hand before you turned back the way you came to give them privacy. 

You were glad you did because you soon bumped into Angel was seemingly just coming back from the night before, looking absolutely exhausted. 

"Oh sweetheart, look at you." You cooed, reaching out to pull the spider in for a hug. You froze and your heart fell when he flinched away from you. 

A split second later, he looked panicked by his own reaction as if he'd given something away that he intended to keep hidden. "Sorry mamabear, been a long night... Well, day now." 

"You don't have to apologize, darling. How about I run you a nice, hot bath for you to soak your muscles and make you your favourite for dinner tonight, homemade lasagne? You can rest until it's made, I'll wake you." You offered gently. 

Angel looked like he wanted to cry at the kindness and could only nod his head with a grateful smile. You slowly reached down to his hand which he took and brought your joined hands over his shoulders so you could walk up the stairs to his room together and he had a comforting weight to support him. 

Once you entered his room, he sat by the edge of his bed and leaned over to pick up Fat Nuggets who had thankfully finished the snacks Niffty left out for him this morning after her morning room service. Fat Nuggets was oinking happily and snuggling up to his owner as soon as he was in his familiar arms. The invisible weight on Angel's shoulders seemed to melt at the affection.

You couldn't stand to see Angel - who was usually so brazen and brash - look so down and you desperately wished you had a way to break his own contract so he could know freedom. These thoughts raced through your mind as you ran him a hot bath with any and all soothing products you could find; muscle soak bubble bath, lavender bath bomb, synthetic rose petals with the soft skincare he liked and some fizzy crap that took care of joint aches. You desperately wished you could do more to help the poor spider but this was an instance where you were powerless.

"It's ready, Angel." You called softly once the bath was full and settled. You stood by the door and watched him give his pig a little kiss on the forehead before putting him back down and getting up on wobbly legs. He almost fell back down on the bed before you reached out to steady him. "Do you want me to help you, sweetie?" You asked sympathetically.

"I can get in it fine, mamabear, just exhausted - stood up too fast... but could you sit with me?" He bit his lip and looked at the ground like you would ever reject such a vulnerable request. 

"Of course, just call when you're ready." 

Angel gave you an appreciative half smile and went into the bathroom. A few moments later he called for you and you came in to sit on a stool next to the tub. He looked relieved, laying down with his arms on either side of the tub and neck resting on a sponge at the edge of the porcelain with his eyes closed. He sighed in contentment as the bath seemed to do the trick taking care of any physical pain.

"Do you wanna a cigarette, sweetheart?" You asked when you caught sight of his pack sitting on the side of his sink. 

"That'd be great." 

You got one out for him and lit it with your thumb. He inhaled deeply and blew out a cloud of red smoke, staring up at the ceiling as he did. You wondered what was going through his head.

"You should stay away from that studio, Angel." You stated, still keeping your tone gentle so the spider didn't take your words as a demand. You just hated to see him in such a state.

"Wish I could, Eva, but when Val says jump, I gotta say how high? And believe me, I'm always high." He retorted bitterly before taking another drag of his cigarette.

"Can't Charlotte help you with your contract? I mean she's the Princess, surely she has some sway when it comes to these sort of things?" You suggested with a hint of desperation. You already knew there was no point getting Alastor involved because although you didn't know much about politics, you could guess from the context clues that one Overlord trying to get involved in another's soul contract would cause war.

"'Fraid not, toots." Angel shot down stoically. He closed his eyes again and sank a little lower in the water, looking like he wanted nothing more than to just sit in silence. You wondered if the reason he wanted you to sit with him was so he could feel like he would be safe enough to be able to relax so you let him enjoy the rest of his cigarette in peace in case that was it.

Angel gave you another look of gratitude when you took the filter from his finished cigarette and put it in the sink so he could stay in his comfortable position. "Ya don't gotta worry about me like this, mamabear. I knew what I was gettin' inta when I signed my soul away. Sometimes I go through weeks like dis where it's just a long stretch but it means I'm off my leash for the next little bit ta recover..." What Angel didn't say but you still heard clear as a bell was the end of that sentence, 'until next time.'

Although you were glad that the spider was getting a little break, you still hated the fact he was stuck in this viscous cycle with seemingly no way out. You still went through your own stints of going through deep depressions whenever you let yourself wallow in your own entrapment in this hellish nightmare, tethered to a powerful Overlord. However, at least you could confidently say that Alastor would never physically harm you - you couldn't say the same about Angel's boss. For that reason alone, you couldn't imagine what he was going through.

"Hey, won't hav'ta worry about any this when Cha Cha figures out a way to FedEx us to the pearly gates, right?" Angel rhetorically asked with such a mocking tone that you could hear the very hopelessness he truly felt about this project come through. 

You delicately ran your fingers through Angel's hair to soothe him from his despair. He leaned into your fingers and let out another sigh. 

"I think," You started, causing him to look up to you as if hanging onto your every word. "that if anyone has the ability to reach redemption, if it's even possible, then it would be you." 

Angel scoffed disbelievingly but you weren't having any of it. "I mean it. You have a good heart." You stated firmly and poked him in the chest causing him to breathe out a little laugh. "Don't imply I'm wrong. You must know by now that I never am." 

"Yeah, I know that you believe that, mamabear." He quipped with some levity back in his tone. You let his audacity slip just this once because you seen the spark of life back in his eyes. "But thanks."

"Anytime, sweetheart." You responded sincerely.

After that, you sat with Angel until he was ready to finally wash his hair and the rest of the filth he'd brought home with him from work. You told him to go for a rest after he was done with his bath and you would wake him for dinner before you went downstairs to leave him to it. 

The rest of the day was uneventful, you'd taken Niffty to the grocery store to pick up the ingredients you needed - and had to buy the little cyclops a shiny ornament just to convince her to go, you swore sometimes she had to be a mix of Magpie in her sinner reincarnation - then you'd carried on with the busy work of your kitchen; reorganizing the pantry, getting through lunch, tidying up then eventually getting started on dinner.

As promised, you'd made Angel's favourite and went upstairs to wake him as soon as it was done.

You felt a little reprieve from your heartache when you saw him sitting next to Husk at the table who gave the spider a one-armed hug without looking up from his own plate, a silent gesture of comfort from the feline. Angel looked like he was holding back tears again but this time, with a thankful smile. You had to look away to you didn't tear up yourself. 

"You know, I just realised that even though I'm gay, I could eat these meat flaps all night and not come up for breath." Angel joked crudely with a mouth full of lasagne. Everyone at the table groaned at his comment, used to his antics by now.

"Jesus fucking Christ, Legs." Husk groaned, facepalming.

You grabbed your taped-together wooden spoon and whacked him for his crassness at the table but were inwardly happy to hear him cackling like a buffoon. 

The following day, you didn't see much of Angel - or anyone for that matter. Alastor and Charlie had a fair bit of paperwork to do so were occupied in their offices while the rest of the group seemed to be conspiring about something with Angel on the forefront. 

Anytime you walked into a room, you seen them whispering about something and would immediately stop as soon as you were spotted. Sometimes it made you chuckle with how obvious they were about it, fake whistling and all. You assumed the spider was back to being right as rain and was planning out one of his grating pranks at your expense. As much as you knew you were going to hate it, you would let him have his fun without reprimand - this time, only. Depending on what it was. Maybe.

Thankfully, no glitter bombs exploded on you, none of your ingredients in the kitchen had been swapped out and there was no sign of any clingfilm anywhere the whole day which were usually his go-to's but you kept your guard up.

You cautiously went in for a shower before it was time to prep for dinner and found that there were no unpleasant surprises thus far. You had fully expected ink or Nair in your shampoo or body wash and wanted this stupid prank to just be over. Alas, you had to stay on edge. 

However, you nearly jumped out of your own skin when you stepped out of your shower to see the spider standing in your bathroom with an excited smile on his face, holding his makeup bag along with some applicators. You screamed and grabbed your towel to wrap around yourself.

"What the fuck, Angel?!" 

"Can I do your makeup, mamabear?" He asked merrily, pointedly ignoring your scorn and surprise. 

"No. What are you planning?" You asked bluntly, crossing your arms and raising your eyebrow at him. "I know it's something and I've been on edge all day, just get it over with."

"It ain't anythin' bad, I promise!" Angel was quick to reassure. You gave him a look that told him you weren't buying it. "Honest! We all wanted to do somethin' nice for ya, for all ya do for us, so just let loose for once and let me beat ya face, grandma." He teased, shaking the beauty blender in one of his hands in what he thought was a tempting way.

You pinched the bridge of your nose and took a deep breath, still not fully believing his excuse. However you didn't have the heart to shoot him down so shortly after his rough time at work. "Fine." You sat down on the counter next to your sink with your legs crossed and arms still folded. "Make it quick, I still have dinner to prepare."

Angel made a happy hissing noise before getting to work. Luckily he had taken your words to heart and made fast work of doing your makeup, not caking your face in the way he usually enjoyed when presented with the opportunity. You always thought his application was lovely but you were far too used to your plain features that it felt too out of your comfort zone. 

However you were pleasantly surprised to see in the mirror that he had only added some eyeliner and mascara to make your lashes pop, some shiny gloss on your lips and a little blush dusting your cheeks. Because he hadn't kept you here forever like usual, you agreed for him to blow dry and curl your hair when he asked. During which, he blabbed about some fun facts about cats he had looked up - clearly a distraction tactic but still, you listened.

He didn't bother to explain anything further or wait for your compliments on his work because he exited your bathroom as sudden as he entered once he was finished. 

You were flabbergasted at the weirdness of the situation and went out into your bedroom only to see a deep red, floor-length, satin dress lying on your bedsheets. Your confusion spiked to new heights and you decided to bypass the dress to go into your wardrobe for your regular garments. Unfortunately, your wardrobe had been completely cleared. Someone had stolen all your clothes and left behind only the hangers.

"Angel!" You screamed in frustration, feeling your eyes spark into flames for a brief moment. "What the hell is he up to?" You muttered to yourself with a groan. You had no patience left for this game so decided to just bite the bullet and go along with it so it could be over sooner.

You put on the dress and your regular boots before heading downstairs with an angry stomp in your gate. 

Yet, you were stopped in your tracks when you saw Husk waiting for you downstairs, dressed up as a waiter. You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion.

"You don't clean up half bad, Fireball." Husk commented as he held out his elbow for you to take. 

"You look miles better after your monthly bath too, Fur ball." You shot back, earning a playful jab from his elbow into your side. "What are you guys doing?" You asked seriously. 

"You'll see." Husk answered cryptically, leading you into the lounge where; a large, round table was set up with two chairs opposite each other, a vase with some kind of hellish flowers inside on top of it, along with a few tea candles already lit, surrounded by fairy lights hanging from the ceiling in what looked to be a spiderweb pattern and ambient, smooth jazz playing from a radio in the corner.

You felt your jaw dropping when Niffty brought in Alastor from the other room who looked equally confused as you felt. He was dressed in his usual light red shirt - only without his jacket - with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a snazzy pair of maroon dress pants held up with suspenders and a regular tie to match in place of the bowtie he always wore.

You bit your lip at the small detail but thankfully, only Vaggie knew of your weakness to those ties so it must have been purely coincidental that he was wearing one now. 

All in all, he looked gorgeous.

The way his eyes trailed your form from top to bottom to back up again suggested he was just as enamoured with your appearance. 

Someone cleared their throat, snapping the pair of you out of your dazes. Your eyes darted over to see Angel standing at the table, dressed the same way as Niffty and Husk, putting down two silver platters while holding a bottle of wine and two glasses. "We just figured you guys have been workin' so hard on the food fa us that we'd treat yous to a nice dinner fa once." Angel answered your unasked question. 

"Why, how thoughtful." Alastor commented sardonically, squinting his eyes with an unnerving smile. It seemed you weren't the only one who could see some other strategy at play here. 

Simultaneously, Husk and Niffty led you both to your respective chairs - Alastor only pausing to push yours in like a gentleman - before making themselves scarce. Angel stayed long enough to pour the wine for you, pointedly avoiding both your interrogative stares, and remove the lids of your platters to reveal toast and barely-cooked ravioli from a tin before too disappearing to leave you both alone. 

You broke out in a giggle at the absurdity of it all which caused Alastor to join in. 

"No good deed goes unpunished, so they say." Alastor jested as he brought his fingers up, ready to snap, as if planning to change the platter to something a little more intricate and edible. 

"Wait, don't change mine." You stopped him, amused smile still resting on your lips. He gave you a questioning look. "Come on, they worked hard on this- well, they worked on this. And it's really sweet they made this plan just to say thanks." 

Alastor shook his head with a look of admiration. "You are something else, darling, truly. Alright, let's eat like peasants."

You huffed another mirthful laugh at his dramatics and rolled your eyes good naturedly. "Come on, Alleycat, we've had worse. You remember when you were interning at the radio shack and we used to play rock paper scissors for the biggest half of the lentil soup can we had?" 

Alastor chuckled at the memory. To this day, he didn't understand why you stuck by his side during that low period of his life. He truly couldn't believe his luck that he had bumped into an angel like you that fateful night all those years ago and it seemed time was only kind to your shining soul. 

He watched you in awe as you tucked in to the pathetic attempt of eatery on your plate with a smile on your face and he found himself grateful of how things played out with your relationship. For a while, he thought that it was ruined and his last resort was to keep you trapped like a beautiful bird, unable to fly away, just so he could have you in his life again - even if it meant you hating him. However, despite the fact that every second of every day he just wanted to take you in his arms again where you belonged, he was still content with the development with your friendship. Of being able to cherish moments like these in person and not through the eyes of his shadow.

For now, he would accept the crumb of affection he was offered and continued with the nostalgia. "I also seem to recall our Friday night feasts at that diner when we'd scarf all those outdated sweet treats like it was our last meal. I still believe that's what put me off sugar for good." 

You laughed and nodded along with Alastor's memory. It started a precedence of you both going back and forth reminiscing on the past. You were so captivated with the conversation that you hardly noticed when either Angel, Husk or Niffty came over to refill your wine or swap out your plates for pizza they'd clearly ordered online or dessert that hadn't been defrosted or a phony bill Niffty tried to slip Al's way. Still, it was the thought that counted and your good mood was only piqued by the silly antics of your friends.

Eventually, you were both just sitting for hours, long after the three meddling musketeers went to bed, just making each other laugh like children whether it be from funny stories traded, trivial maintenance complaints to do with the Hotel or silly jokes you both engaged in. It felt so familiar and comfortable while fun and free all at once. You hadn't felt these fluttery motions in your stomach since you were alive and you'd forgotten how happy you could be.

Before you knew it, the grandfather clock in the lounge struck midnight. 

"Goodness, I didn't realise that much time had passed." You gasped quietly and got up from the table. You still had to be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow to prepare breakfast and usually you were in bed long before now. Angel had often teased you about your 'old person bedtime'. 

"Nor had I, Cinderella, but allow me to walk you back to your abode to see you off on this lovely evening." Alastor teased, causing you to scoff in jest seeing as your rooms were only across the hall from each other and you'd be walking together regardless. 

However you didn't protest when Alastor rested his hand on the bottom of your back, guiding you to the stairs. That fluttery feeling came back tenfold and you fought to keep your composure. You had only just now realised how much like a date this night had been and what usually followed at the end of your previous dates in the past. 

You took some breaths and inwardly scolded yourself for acting so foolish, reminding yourself that this night was no different to the other times you and Alastor spent time together in a civil manner. Sure, sometimes your conversations went into dangerous territory with the flirting but that was just old habits sneaking up - it didn't mean anything. You were perfectly pleased with the arms distance length you kept Alastor in.

When you reached the hallway to your rooms, you seen Fat Nuggets waddling around wearing costume wings and a foam bow and arrow around him like a little cupid. You thought it was adorable and couldn't help but 'aww'. 

Alastor looked amused at the porcine pet and snapped his fingers, causing his costume wings to become real for a few seconds and take him slowly flapping through the hallway. "When pigs fly, right, my love?"

You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion before recalling your own words about that being the only way you and Alastor would have a chance at romance again. You backed away from Alastor's touch and ignored the hurt expression that tainted his features. His smile was still present but now held too much sadness for you to bare.

"Alley- Alastor, I can't." You tried to have strength in your statement but even you could hear how wobbly your denial sounded. You wrapped your arms around yourself in a display of firmness but it only showed how insecure you felt at being this vulnerable.

"Why not, cher?" Alastor asked almost desperately, taking a step towards you like being further away was physically hurting him. "Surely we can make another go of it and start anew if these past few weeks have been anything to go off of."

You felt the tears prickling at the backs of your eyes and angrily tried to blink them away. You'd rather for Alastor to see you in a full blown meltdown of flames than let him see even one tear fall from your eye. Though you had recently forgiven him for his past mistakes with the lying, the murders and the marriage contract, you still couldn't forgive the way he'd broken your heart. That feeling was worse than your death - that feeling had caused your death! You weren't strong enough to handle it again.

"The last time I fell for you, I fell so hard that I landed in Hell." You croaked, looking him in the eye despite every urge telling you to avoid his pleading gaze. "I don't know where I'd land if I did it again."

Alastor sighed regretfully and took a chance in taking another step towards you until he was close enough to be able to cup your cheeks with his hands. Despite the fact he had literal claws instead of fingers now, they were still as gentle as you remember as they brushed across your face lovingly. "I understand, dearest. For what it's worth, I will always be there to catch you no matter where you fall." He leaned down to place the softest kiss on your forehead, causing you to close your eyes to bask in the delicate gesture, before removing himself completely from your presence by taking a step back  and giving you back your space.

You'd never felt more cold in your life than in that moment.

"Thank you for your company during this lovely evening, I shall see you in the morning. Goodnight, love." Alastor bid politely and turned to his door. 

You wondered if he turned so quickly to hide the disappointment he felt but you couldn't stop staring at him, unable to accept that in a matter of seconds, he'd be out of your sight till morning. That felt like too long. Regardless of spending the entire night together, it didn't feel like enough. You'd lost out on a hundred years with this man and a few more seconds felt like more than a lifetime compared.

"Fuck it." You muttered to yourself before marching over to Alastor. Before he could even register what was happening, you grabbed his shoulder to spin him and roughly shove him against the wall hard enough for him to make a noise on impact, staring wide-eyed at you in wonder, before pressing yourself against him to kiss the breath out of his very lungs. 

You gripped onto the back of his hair - enjoying the feeling of longer strands than you were used to - and used it to tilt him into position to completely dominate his mouth. He moaned at the sheer boldness, feeling like he had whiplash from the rapid change in events. He wrapped one of his hands over the expanse of your lower waist to push you even closer to him while the other gripped your thigh to lift above his hip as he gave as good as he got, kissing you back with fever.

You squirmed at the feeling of his manhood pressing against your core in a whisper of a promise of what was soon to come - well, hopefully not too soon but you acknowledged it had been an extremely long time since the martials and you wouldn't blame him if it was. You tightened your grip on his hair and pulled harder until it forced a groan from his lips.

"Satan, I've missed you, love." Alastor admitted through pants of breath as he pulled back from the kiss to nip his claiming marks down your neck. His sharp teeth were teetering on the pleasurable edge of painful and you wondered what else was enhanced in these demonic forms, seeing as you'd never taken another lover in all the time during your separation.

"Then kiss me like you missed me, Alleycat." You challenge him, thrusting your hips firmly against him which brought his soldier to stand at full attention. You felt an exhilaration you hadn't felt in years when you watched his eyes darken as he pulled back from your neck to give you a look of sheer, unadulterated desire.

He roughly picked you up - causing you to make an embarrassing squeak of surprise followed by a breathless giggle - before throwing you over his shoulder and practically kicked down his own door to eagerly reunite with his little lady.

Alastor always did love a challenge.

Chapter Text

Opening your eyes the next morning, you had never felt more refreshed and well-rested than you had in that moment.

You and Al were still intertwined in the sheets, arms wrapped tightly around one and other while he rested with his head under your chin. As you peered down at him looking so peaceful in his sleep, you felt your heart bursting in your chest at the sheer love rushing back to you. The addiction to this man and his strange charms came back full force and there was no denying it to yourself now, you were hooked once again - perhaps even harder than the first time all things considered. This time, you didn't want a single thing to ruin it because the time you'd spent apart, now just seemed like a foolish waste and you wanted nothing more than to make up for every lost second.

You raised your hand to delicately trail the tips of your fingers over Alastor's eyelids, up to his forehead, down the bridge of his nose, across his cheeks, along his jaw and repeating the same path in a loop. There was a part of you that didn't think this was real and you were still in one of those hopelessly cruel dreams where you had everything you ever wanted only to wake up and realise you were still alone.

Alastor sighed in contentment at your touches shortly before his eyes fluttered open to look up at you like you hung the moon and the stars.

"G'morning, mon amour." Al croaked in his adorable, gravelly morning voice. You hadn't heard it in so long that you'd forgotten how attractive it was.

"Morning, sweetie. Sleep well?" You asked lightly, brushing hack his bangs and placing a gentle kiss on the scar on his forehead marked X - exactly where he'd been shot. You had only discovered it last night and made it a mission since then to heal it with kisses alone.

Alastor adjusted his position slightly so you were both nose to nose and he could dart his eyes all over the expanse of your face - it was like he was going through the same thought process as you had been with, thinking this moment could not be real. Waking up together after a night of pure, unbridled passion felt like too much like a wish granted and as you both knew, nobody got anything in Hell without consequence.

However this seemed to be one of those rare moments where small miracles were granted. 

"Best rest I've had since landing in this wretched place." Alastor admitted, leaning in for a lingering kiss after he did so. Your eyes closed on impact to bask in the welcomed touch, leaning into it further and opening your mouth slightly for a few moments before pulling back lest you got too carried away. 

"Hmm? You mean the hotel?" You asked breezily, ducking down to nuzzle his jaw. He squeezed you to him in response and you trailed your nails over his back and down his side, leaving goosebumps in your path. You were sure if Alastor's sinner form was any way cat related, he would've been purring by now.

"No, darling, since being in Hell." Al answered unceremoniously, causing you to freeze in your tracks and blink up at him in shock. "I would never trust anyone to close my eyes around for an extended period of time, too many cretins lurking on every corner willing to betray me down here."

"Wow, the days here must feel endless to you." You remarked in sympathy. A small part of you had been flattered that you were the only one that Alastor felt safe enough down here to truly let his guard down but the majority of your thoughts were plagued with pity at the thought of him sitting alone in that rusty, old Radio Tower.

How you wished you had just heard him out all those years ago and saved both of yourselves the heartache.

"Only meaningless without you, my love." He corrected with a sincere smile.

You couldn't resist kissing him once again for such a sweet statement.

Which had turned out to be a mistake because one thing had led to another and you ended up being extremely late for breakfast. Alastor had playfully wrestled you back to the bed at your first attempt of getting up but the second time, you held firm - even though he looked adorable smothering numerous, rapid kisses from your shoulder down your arm and to your hand until you finally managed to pull away with a giggle.

As you looked down at the gown you wore last night, currently ripped to shreds on the floor, you realised you had not a thing to wear seeing as your wardrobe had been completely cleared out yesterday. You decided to improvise and pull on one of Al's shirts and tightened the waist around it with a black, simple belt. Thankfully, it fell to your knees modestly enough albeit still shorter than anything you usually wore. Lastly, you haphazardly pulled your hair into an up do - in hopes of hiding the fact it looked like you had been dragged through a bush backwards with how much Alastor messed it up - and pulling on your boots in record time. 

"Aren't you coming to breakfast?" You asked Al who was languidly laying with his arms resting behind his head, eyeing you like he was ready to pounce once again. Even you had to admit, the picture he currently made in his naked, comfortable glory with only a sheet to cover him was not easy to resist.

"Why, of course, dearest." He snapped his fingers and in a flash of symbols followed by sounds of static, he was fully dressed and standing in front of you with his elbow held out to you in offer. You linked yours through it while giving him a contradictory annoyed look.

"Couldn't have whipped up some of that magic to get me dressed, huh?" 

"And deny myself the breath-taking view for those few blessed minutes? Now, why would I consider such a foolish notion?" Alastor rhetorically asked with his usual playful edge as he held the door open for you. 

"Jackass." You roll your eyes good naturedly.

Both of you headed down to the kitchen just in time for the others arriving.

Unfortunately because you were so behind, you didn't have time to prepare anything but cereal with a side of toast and store-bought jams. You couldn't bring yourself to feel sorry about it though. Thankfully, the hotel's straggler patrons that only stuck around for the free amenities had decided not to stick around for the lacklustre breakfast and either went back to bed or headed out which meant it was like those early days where it was just you and the gang. 

With a half-hearted excuse you'd thrown their way about sleeping in, you went to start making everyone their teas and coffees respectively while the rest started groggily getting their utensils sorted. Charlie popped up next to you in her usual perky attitude which usually, you didn't have the time for until you'd fully woken up yourself but this morning, it was like you slept with a clothes hanger in your mouth from how much you were smiling. 

"Good morning, Eva! I totally love your new outfit." Charlie chirped up at you, squishing her own cheeks in that adorable way she did when she was too excited. "Oh my fucking gosh, we're totally all matching - everyone's got something red!" She pointed out with a beaming smile until her eyes got to the spider who was leaning against the counter top under the overhead cabinets, texting on his phone absentmindedly. "Well apart from Angel."

Because you were in such a good mood, you decided to indulge the princess and her sometimes silly ideals for your group of friends. "Husk, could you be a dear and get me the sweetener from that cabinet?" You called over to the cat who grumbled but still, did as you asked and walked over to where Angel was standing, causing the spider to look up. 

You were sure Husk's brain didn't fully click on till at least an hour after he had woken up every morning so he had no subtly in putting his hands firmly around the spider's waist to fully pick him up and move him to the side with ease so he could climb up on the counter and bring you the sweetener once retrieved before sluggishly going back to flop down on his seat at the table. Angel could've been burning an inferno with how hard he was blushing.

"There, cherub, he's red now. We're all colour coordinated." You said with a smirk as you handed Charlie her mug and raised your other hand to squeeze her arm placatingly. The blonde simply snorted and went to take her own seat at the table. 

You brought everyone their drinks while they made light small talk and started to hum quietly while you went to get the bread for the toast. Usually it was quick and easy work for you as all you had to do was use the fire from your hands then flip it but as you tried to set them ablaze, you were met with nothing. You thrusted your hands out once more but again, not even a touch of smoke emerged. It seemed as though you had no anger to channel for your power to work but with determination, you tried to focus and continued trying.

Meanwhile, Vaggie was staring sour-faced at Angel who was now off his phone and covering his cereal in a disgusting amount of sugar. 

"Angel, what have we told you about letting Fat Nuggets walk around unsupervised? The hallway was filthy this morning!" She scolded with venom lacing her words, as if often did when addressing the spider.

"Why is at least one bitch in this place always on her period?" Angel grumbled with an eye roll, leaving the moth shaking in her fury.

"Sweetheart, don't be crude at the table." You reminded sweetly without turning from your focus. 

Unbeknownst to you, everyone turned their attention to the back of your head in shock. They were all used to your strict nature when it came to manners and the fact that Angel was left without a lecture or struck lightly in some form in reprimand was dumbfounding at the very least.

"You seem in an unusually perky mood, Eva..." Vaggie noted suspiciously.

"That's cause her and Smiles finally went at it last night." Angel blurted out casually before shoving a spoonful of cereal in his mouth.

A serious of events happened directly after; fire had unexpectantly shot from your hands in a more powerful blast than you had intended which scorched the walls, Alastor's eyes turned into dials and feedback went blaring through the room causing everyone to cover their ears and Husk started to choke on his coffee.

In the chaos, Vaggie kicked Angel under the table as hard as she could which the spider yelped at. "I told you not to fucking go through with it, you idiot!" She whisper-yelled threateningly. When Angel just stuck his tongue out at her childishly, she was ready to pounce over the table to attack him. 

However Alastor unintentionally beat her to it, summoning his shadows to lift Angel in the air in a restricting manner like they were ready to squish him at any second. "Why on earth would you think, let alone say, something so mistaken, my effeminate fellow?" 

Niffty pointedly cleared her throat causing the attention to turn to her as she held up her phone playing a video of her bedroom wall - that was next to Alastor's room - shaking profusely to the point where picture frames and books were falling off the shelves built into it while Al and your voices' distinctly could be heard through the video. 

Your gaze met Alastor's for a brief moment, both of you wide-eyed at being found out so quickly. He retreated his shadows, putting the spider down, as he had no way to deny the evidence. You snatched the phone and set it ablaze in a panic, melting it in your hand. 

"What the hell, Evangeline?!" Niffty squeaked in rage.

"Why would you film that?!" You snapped back at her, face beaming bright red through the interaction.

"Because it's adorable!" She yelled back in in indignation, stomping her foot as she did. 

You let out a groan and held your face in your hands. For a morning that had started off so serene, you should've expected it to delve into theatrics. Things always did in this place and usually you didn't mind, it was actually entertaining most of the time, but you wished to save yourself the embarrassment on this one occasion.

"Does this mean you're back together?" Charlie asked curiously, unable to hide her joyfulness at the idea even in her tone. 

"This means, we don't speak of it!" You barked and turned back around to do the other side of the toast now that you had no issue with summoning your fire now. 

"I believe what my good lady is trying to say," Alastor stood at the end of the table, looking every bit as composed as he could after such a chaotic moment. "is that we would greatly appreciate discretion when it comes to the subject. After all, I have a lot of enemies that wouldn't let the opportunity to get back at me with whoever they could slide."

A sombre atmosphere took over the kitchen as they all nodded in understanding. 

However things soon perked up when you brought over the black toast and they all had a chuckle at your rare blunder when it came to food. Thankfully, the rest of breakfast went on as usual with everyone going back to their conversations. If Alastor reached out to hold your hand as you both enjoyed your beverages, no one said a thing. 

After breakfast, the rest of the day continued with normalcy. You still helped out Niffty with her cleaning while listening to her gossip, went for your walk with Alastor and brought Fat Nuggets for some exercise, helped Vaggie with the laundry - though she was unusually quiet throughout it all and made a quick exit once the task was complete, brought Charlie in a surprise supper when she'd been in her office running the numbers on the hotel and finally, had a drink with Husk and Angel and played a few card games with them.

At the end of the night, you returned to Alastor's bed. As he kissed you goodnight and cuddled you into him close, you couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging. 

It felt like you finally had the family you always dreamed of.

You woke the next morning to Alastor placing butterfly kisses all over your face as you rested your head on his shoulder as a pillow. You slowly smiled with your eyes still closed, enjoying the affectionate attention for a few moments before opening them. 

"Morning, honey." You greeted with a yawn as you snuggled in closer to his warmth. "What time is it?" 

"Good morning, love, it is currently half past eight." He answered softly then went back to skimming his lips over any inch of skin he could reach. 

"Shit! I slept in, I have to-" You made a move to get out of the bed but Alastor's grip only tightened and pulled you back to him. 

"Settle down, dearest, breakfast has been taken care of." Al reassured and gestured to the wall behind you where you spotted his shadow giving you a thumbs up before leaning down to kiss your own shadow on the cheek. Strangely, you felt it as if Alastor had leaned over and pecked you there himself. 

"Well aren't you sweeter than molasses. What's the occasion?" You asked with a raise of your eyebrow.

"I simply wish to partake in a morning with you in my arms. After all, I did have to share your attentions between the rest of our ragtag team yesterday." 

You playfully rolled your eyes but you had to admit, a lazy morning laying in bed with Alastor didn't sound half bad. 

"You're a bad influence on me." You declared knowingly before leaning up to lethargically kiss the smug smile off his lips. 

Al's hands smoothed over your back as he kissed you back just as slow. He eventually pulled you on top of him causing you to giggle breathlessly at his neediness before running your nails up and down his side in the way that made him putty. You traced his lips with your tongue and nipped at his bottom lip, forcing a faint moan from him. In retaliation, he gripped your hair and pulled you back so he could bite you harshly in the erogenous zone between your neck and shoulder. You gasped loudly and just when things were about to go from good to better-

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

Both of you jumped at the sudden and booming volume from Alastor's door.

"Group meeting in five minutes, get your lazy butts up, everyone!" Charlie's called with her usual perky tone despite sounding like she was beating on every door on the hallway double fisted. "Get up, up, up!" She continued down the hallway, loud as a siren.

You groaned defeatedly and dropped your head to Alastor's chest, annoyed and frustrated that your morning off had been interrupted. You could feel Alastor's chuckle while he ran his hands through your hair. 

"You did always want children, love. I believe Miss Magne is one of the consequences to that wish." Alastor commented, not hesitating in somehow putting blame on you for being so maternal to the group that they sometimes lacked boundaries - the way children tended to do with parental figures. Perhaps he was right, you thought. 

"Don't remind me." You grumbled causing the him to laugh at your grumpiness.

You both reluctantly got up to get dressed and made your way downstairs to the lounge along with the rest of the team who was trudging in, still only looking half awake. Once everyone was all sat down and settled, Charlie stood in the middle of the room with that look in her eyes that said was determined which never meant good news.

"Good morning, everyone!" Charlie waved cheerfully. In her hands, she held an assortment of letters. "As all know, the hotel hasn't been doing great business-wise in these last couple of weeks. People have been getting disheartened that no redemption has been in sight yet and are checking out faster than they're checking in so I came up with a plan!"

"Oh brother..." Husk facepalmed, knowing no good could come from that statement from the plucky princess. 

"I have an envelope for all of you here, please keep a hold of it for now." Charlie said as she started to pass out said envelopes that had everybody's names written accordingly. 

"Ooooh It's like a gameshow!" Niffty squealed in excitement, clutching her letter preciously like it had a cheque inside. 

"We still don't know for a hundred percent certainty that a sinner can be redeemed so I figured it was time to actually buckle down and try something new." Charlie explained gently. "We need to purge ourselves of our greatest sins before we can hope to achieve forgiveness!" She announced with a little hop as she stood in place, thrusting her arm out to create a rainbow. 

Everyone looked at her display stone-faced due to her waking them up for another one of her do-gooder schemes.

Charlie wilted slightly under the pointed expressions but continued on with her presentation, holding up her own envelope and opening it. Written inside it, in rainbow coloured, glittery gel pen, were the words: Sloth = Diligence. 

"My sin has been sloth because I've been way too lax with my people's treatment in this place and although I've been trying to change that, I've been way too unfocused during this project when I should've been putting all of my attention into all of you. For this week, I'll show diligence by helping you guys with overcoming your own sins and achieving the virtues!" She concluded merrily, squishing her cheeks as if she thought it was the greatest plan ever despite the complete opposite reaction in the faces of everyone else in the room. "Go on, open your envelopes!"

With a bored expression, Angel opened his letter to read Lust = Chasity. "Welp, could'a seen that one comin'." He commented dryly as he balled up the letter in his hands and threw it carelessly behind his shoulder.

"Stevie Wonder could've seen that one coming, Legs." Husk shot back with a laugh but his good mood soured when he opened his own to read Gluttony = Temperance. "What the fuck?! I ain't no glutton!" He growled at the princess and ripped up his letter with his claws in a flash.

"It's okay, Husk, it's not meant to insult you." Charlie assured calmly, leaning over to stroke the cat's ears so he settled back down. He still glared up at her but did lean into the touch as the grumpy old cat did enjoy the simple affection and only let those in this room have the privilege in doing so. "It's more geared towards your attitude with drinking. That means no alcohol for this week, I know you can do it." She said with an encouraging smile. 

"What, does this mean I can't laid this week neitha?!" Angel cried in outrage. He preferred the princess's hands off approach better when she had just given them curfews and drug checks but this was the step too far for him.

"Think of it as your good deed not spreading herpes to any unsuspecting demons, this week only." Vaggie chimed in dryly, inwardly enjoying the spider's upset.

"Fuck you, Vagisil! I can't do this bullshit, I've got a job lined up tonight!" Angel snapped in exasperation.

"Didn't you say the other night your boss was giving you the next few weeks off?" Husk pointed out in confusion.

"I meant a blowjob! This is fuckin' gay erasure." Angel huffed and flopped back against the sofa with both pair of his arms crossed in frustration. 

"You don't know what that means, Angel." Vaggie argued with a sigh, putting her head in her hands to soothe her already aching temples. A headache was already threatening to turn into a migraine.

Through the argument, Alastor opened his envelope and simply hummed at reading Pride = Humility. He seen no reason why his was even a sin - and was actually pleased for getting it - as he seen taking pride in one's life was a very important attribute. He summoned a small portal and threw the letter into another dimension, showing how little he cared for it. 

Niffty ripped hers open ferally only to pause in confusion at the Greed = Charity. "Huh? I clean up after all your filth every day in this cesspool of debauchery and I'm still not charitable? I demand a recount!"

"Yeah that one was pretty easy, Niffty." Charlie spoke out nervously, playing with her hair as she did. "We all know you steal from our rooms when you clean them so maybe you could try...  Y'know, not... doing that, please?"

"I knew it was you that took my jewellery, pipsqueak! You betta gimme my shit back!" Angel snapped at Niffty's guilty expression and immediately jumped up to try and tackle her. 

"I'LL NEVER CRACK UNDER TORTURE!" Niffty shrieked in defence and darted away before the spider could get her. From there, they played a game of cat and mouse - or spider and cyclops - running around the rooms in a chase that had the potential to turn violent.

"I need a fuckin' drink.." Husk groused, slapping his hand over his forehead to drag down his face in annoyance then got up and trudged towards the bar.

"Stay strong, Husk, it's only been a minute!" Charlie cried in desperation and wrapped her arms around his shoulders to try and pull him away from his destination. When he used his wings to bat her away, she leapt at his feet to grab onto instead but he simply continued walking, dragging her along the way.

Alastor laughed at the free entertainment and started playing wacky music through his microphone while a studio audience laughed. He got up to follow them and keep a front row seat to the chaos while Husk dragged the princess and Angel still had Niffty on the run. 

It was only you and Vaggie left on the sofa. You felt it was fitting, being the only two sensible ones in this place.

"What's your biggest sin then, dear?" You asked curiously, smiling over at her. "Couldn't hurt to add to this havoc, go on."

Vaggie opened her letter to show you Wrath = Patience which surprised you as you had thought for sure, that would've been your own. You had to double check the name written on your own envelope to make sure it was correct. 

"Knew it." Vaggie muttered with a defeated look, dropping her gaze to the floor. You noted that you'd never seen the poor dear so down before and tried to cheer her up. 

"Don't fret, darling, you're already plenty patient. Perhaps being a little nicer to Angel when he's being bothersome will be enough to get you through this week unscathed by your optimistic belle." You suggested compassionately. 

"I know I got this because of how snappy I've been with Charlie." Vaggie admitted quietly, leaning over with her elbows resting on her knees. It was like she was visibly curling in on herself.

"Why ever for?" You asked in concern. 

Vaggie sighed and paused for a few seconds, clearly going through an argument in her own mind. "Eva... We're friends, right?" She asked, looking up at you as if she even had to worry for a second that you would deny that statement.

"Of course, darling! I must admit I've grown to treasure you all dearly." You rushed to answer honestly to settle her nerves. You had no idea where any of this was coming from but you knew sometimes that Vaggie struggled with her insecurities and assumed this was one of those rare times where they had gotten the better of her. "Despite these constant shenanigans." You gestured to the others in the background to add some levity and hopefully crack a smile on the Latina's face. Sadly, it didn't. 

"Evangeline... I kinda fucked up and I've been keeping all these secrets bottled up so I'm like a walking ball of anxiety and anytime Charlie tries to talk to me about it, I just yell at her. I can't get what you said out of my head about her not letting me go if the time comes and it's made me realise how fucking pointless this whole thing is." Vaggie confessed in a string of words that came out more rushed with every syllable. It was like she had finally let the lid off a cap that had been sealed tightly for too long and it just came bursting out. 

Your heart shattered when you seen the sheen of tears in her eye and you inwardly scolded yourself for inadvertently causing her to feel this way. 

"Oh, precious... I am so sorry I've put all this burden on your shoulders." You apologized sincerely and gently put your hand on her shoulder to give her a comforting weight to lean into. "I had no idea. You were right before when you said I was just projecting all of my own problems onto your relationship. You and Charlie will be fine, your love is pure and innocent. All you have to do is talk to her."

Vaggie sniffled quietly before turning abruptly and hugging you tightly, tension still in her shoulders. You squeezed her back as if you could take it all away with the gesture alone. 

"I should thank you as well, had it not been for you being a listening ear for my drunken venting then I would have never rekindled with my husband." You soothingly rubbed her arm, hoping the acknowledgement of her good deed would perk her up somewhat.

It seemed to do the opposite as Vaggie pulled away from you to stare you down in what looked like horror.

"So you're really back together? Even after all the crap you told me he put you through?" Vaggie asked incredulity.

"That's just what marriage is, dear." You shrugged with a small smile. Vaggie scoffed in disbelief at your blaze attitude to the whole thing after laying all of your trauma on her shoulders that night of the fundraiser. "Everything just happened to quickly that we haven't really had a chance to discuss everything with us but Alastor is honest with me now. That's all I can ask for." You explained gently. 

"What if there was a way for you to get out of your contract with him and go to Heaven?" She asked with a desperate edge to her tone. 

"I've already told you, dear, that can never be so there's no use in wondering. Besides, I'm happy here." You reassured. A part of you was touched that Vaggie cared so deeply that she still thought of your freedom but you justified it to yourself that divorce had never been an option even when you were alive - not that you would have wanted one, it was just so rare that it never happened - so a marriage contract in Hell was one in the same. Now that you and Alastor had started to mend the past, that didn't feel like the prison sentence it once used to.

"But-" Vaggie started to argue something else but before she could, she was interrupted by Alastor's presence suddenly in front of you both. You raised your eyebrow at his theatrics.

"Vagatha, your fair maiden is in need of assistance." He looked down down at the moth, not bothering to hide his distaste.

You both turned to your heads to the bar where Husk had managed to get his hands on a bottle - with multiple smashed ones surrounding him from previous failed attempts - with Charlie hanging off his arm like a monkey trying to use all her weight to pull his arm down before he could put the bottle to his lips, all the whilst Angel was strangling Niffty while she rapidly kicked him in the stomach in a cartoonish manner. 

Vaggie shot Alastor a spiteful glare then got up with a huff and went to get her angel spear to put a stop to this mess.

"Let me guess, love, your envelope is blank because you are utterly perfect?" Alastor flattered as he settled down on the sofa next to you, throwing his arm over your shoulder and pulling you into him. Your letter had still lay unopened in your lap, distracted by your conversation with Vaggie. 

"Is this you practicing your humility, Alleycat?" You ask with a teasing grin, tilting your head up to him to affectionate rub your noses together in an Eskimo kiss. 

Your smile dropped in a blink once you opened your letter to read Envy - Kindness. Now you were certain there had been a mix up with handing out these sins and virtues. 

"Charlotte, what is the meaning of this?" You demanded as you stood from the sofa and marched over to the bar, holding up your letter. "You cannot argue that I have not showed every soul in here kindness so surely my letter has been addressed incorrectly."

"Actually, Eva... I've been meaning to talk to you about something..." Charlie trailed off, looking ridiculous from her position still hanging off of the cat's arm and her legs holding down his other arm while trying to sound serious.

Before the princess could explain, the front doors flew open and heels could be heard walking through the lobby and into the lounge. You couldn't believe your eyes when you saw who it was.

"Meet our newest resident, Mimzy!" Charlie announced with an embarrassed, forced smile. Your eye twitched in silent fury. 

"Well howdy-doo!" She greeted everyone with a friendly wiggle of her fingers though stopped when she took in the scene she had walked into. "Shucks, did I show up to the party late or early?"

Uncontrollably, your entire body set on fire in your full demon form and set off the sprinklers. 

Chapter Text

"Gee, I haven't been this wet since I was in a Johnny Torrio and Al Capone sandwich!" Mimzy giggled as her and the others dried themselves off. 

Your outburst and the following flood of the sprinklers had been enough to shock everyone out of their previous disorderly manner. Niffty had managed to escape Angel's grasp and run off to get a mop to start cleaning up the wet floors while you snatched the princess's arm to pull her away for a private chat in her office.

In the background, as you were stomping away with Charlie, you could hear the others conversing with Mimzy and it made the flames inside you simmer to a burning heat once again - to the point where if you weren't drenched yourself, you'd imagine another eruption would have followed.

"What the hell, Eva? That wasn't nice!" Charlie chastised, shaking off your grip to take a hold of her own hair and ring out the water from it. She was glancing at you with looks of confusion and disappointment while doing so. 

"Why is she here?" You demanded, unable to feel shame for your actions even if you did hate the way Charlie was looking at you. Disappointing her felt the equivalent to accidentally stepping on a puppy's tail but still, you couldn't control yourself when it came to that woman. You felt restless and had to pace up and down the small office space just to feel like you were being proactive. 

"Mimzy's been keeping in contact with us after she done us a favour at the fundraiser and-" Charlie tried to explain gently while moving closer to you to attempt to settle you down however her words stopped your pacing at once.

"Who is us?" You asked through gritted teeth, staring her down while your eye twitched in silent fury. "Has that hussy been speaking to Alastor?" 

"Yeah about the hotel!" Charlie quickly answered, holding up her hands once she saw the smoke emerging from your head. Her answer had not soothed your temper in the slightest but the way she was fearfully standing, as if you were a bull who would attack her at the wrong move, did. You crossed your arms and dug your nails into your skin to suppress your rage. "Don't you remember her? She was the one who sang live-" 

"I'm aware." You abruptly cut her off, not wanting to hear any praise about Mimzy's talent nor her good deed of providing entertainment for the princess's passion project, especially at that time where it had still been unanimously ridiculed. 

"Wait, do you know her or something?" Charlie asked with a tilt of her head, looking now as if she had put two pieces of a puzzle together. 

"It's not important. All you need to know is that she is bad news. You've invited a fox into the chicken coop and it can only lead to disaster." You hissed, digging your nails into yourself further. The sting kept you grounded enough to refrain from screaming in the girl's face. As much as you usually admired Charlie's good nature and heart, this was the step too far. "Get rid of her!"

"I can't do that!" Charlie squawked in self-righteousness, going wide eyed at the very thought. "Look, she seems really nice. Her career's almost went down the drain and she wants to make a better name for herself here. Besides, this project is supposed to help anyone who needs it, we can't just turn people away because of personal grudges." She explained with that determined and compassionate tone she often held when it came to a discussion of any of her people in Hell - even the most vile.

It made you soften as your fondness for the princess was greater than your hatred for that wench. 

"I know it takes you a really long time to warm up to someone but..." Charlie continued softly, looking up at you with a pleading stare as she nervously twiddled her fingers. "Maybe this is a good chance to work on your virtue. Can you at least try, for me?" 

You groaned loudly when you were met with her puppy eyes in full force, sparkles and all. With a shake of your head, knowing you were going to regret it but unable to resist giving in to the adorable blonde, you answered,

"Very well. For you, cherub, I shall try."

Charlie gave you the biggest smile imaginable and pulled you in for a borderline too tight hug. Nonetheless, you were far too used to her aggressive affection by now and hugged her back just as firmly. The hug had been the thing to clear the last speck of anger from you and you could think logically again. You didn't want your emotions to keep getting the better of you and perhaps it was time to deal with your jealousy and anger issues before it backfired on any of the people you loved. 

Once Charlie could feel you were fully calmed, you both separated and walked out to the lobby together where everyone was gathered around the front desk where Mimzy was sitting seductively with her legs crossed and in the middle of telling a story. Everyone looked enthralled with her magnetic energy and she looked truly in her element, with all eyes focused on her. One would think she was in the middle of a one-woman show.

"So after word got out about the brothel, the coppers came and busted up the joint in the middle of our pillow fight. Feathers. everywhere! But dang, did we give those morons the slip! From there, it was known as the pillow case." She ended with a cackle, accompanied with the rest of the group - even Angel who absolutely hated puns. 

Niffty looked like she was hanging onto every word the blonde said, Husk actually cracked a smile without a sip of booze in his system, Angel was clearly impressed by whatever story she had been telling, Vaggie looked fascinated with her and Alastor was still laughing at the stupid joke that she had made.

All in all, it seemed they had all taken to Mimzy like flies on shit. 

Charlie squeaked in panic, causing everyone to turn towards you both, when she saw your eyes turn to flames and swiftly grabbed you around your waist to drag you into the kitchen away from the newest resident until you calmed down again.

You saw Mimzy smirking directly at you in what was clearly a challenge and you would not have hesitated to burn her to a crispy finish for such a blatant disrespect had the princess not been grabbing onto you, literally putting herself in the line of fire.

"Mourir salope!" You hollered seconds before Charlie managed to pull you into the kitchen and quickly closed the door. 

This was going to be a long week, you thought with a groan.

The rest of the day had not been any easier.

Mimzy was a big hit with everyone. Being the newest face they'd had in a while mixed in with her dynamic personality was the perfect combination to hold the group's attention.

Niffty had taken to her instantly, following the woman around to listen to all of her stories of stardom and celebrities. Angel enjoyed being around the only other person who flaunted their sexual energy as much as him. Vaggie gravitated to her once she'd found out about Mimzy's acts of feminism during the first wave in the flapper era. Husk was practically head over heels when he pulled out his cards to show her a trick during lunch and she showed him up with one of her own, proving to be quite a card shark herself. Charlie was mostly babysitting you that day to make sure you didn't run the little bitch out of the building with her ass on fire but even she had been beguiled when she overheard Mimzy breaking out into song unabashedly and ran off to join her. Alastor looked as though he was simply enjoying the company of an old friend.

It made your blood boil. 

You kept yourself to the kitchen most of the day - refusing Alastor's magic to help you clean up afterwards because it gave you something to keep your mind occupied - as there was no where else you'd be able to go without hearing the harlot's grating voice schmoozing with your family.

"Oh my gosh, Eva, did you know Mimzy marched with the flappers when she was alive?" Niffty gushed at dinner time when everyone was sat around the table and you were serving all their plates.

Mimzy looked pleased as punch with the clear admiration in the cyclops voice. 

"Fascinating." You stated dryly, resisting the urge to roll your eyes until your back was turned to retrieve another dish.

"Truly a wonderful time for us gals who liked to stick together. Unfortunately, some women were too concerned with their husbands to make any changes." Mimzy said pointedly with a cheeky smile as if she weren't disrespecting you right in front of everyone. 

You plopped down a bowl in front of her aggressively and went back to the counter to start cleaning instead of eating your own dinner. You had no appetite with the bile that continued to crawl up your throat any time you were forced to be in the plump blonde's presence. 

"Excuse me, doll, but why does mine look different than everyone else's?" Mimzy inquired, looking down at her bowl of steaming, mushy broccoli and potatoes with distaste while everyone else had a much nicer plate of gourmet roasted lamb with garnish. 

"Oops, my mistake." You sarcastically stated as you walked over to switch her bowl with a plate of her own. "I seem to have given you the pig's dinner. Easy mix-up." You smirked at her face going red with anger and left her fizzing in her seat as you went over to the corner to give Fat Nuggets his bowl. You stroked his back once he came toddling over, showing how unbothered you were by the shocked gasps in the background.

"Holy shit..." Angel muttered, eyes darting quickly between you and Mimzy as if he were watching a tennis match. 

A chorus of the rest of the group starting to chastise you began to erupt before Mimzy cut it off.

"It's alright everyone, she clearly has internalized misogyny." She stated flippantly. It was apparent to you, and only you it seemed, that she was just trying to make herself look the bigger person because had you been alone, she wouldn't have hesitated to snap. 

"No, I just have externalized homewrecker hatred." You shot back, uncaring of sharing any context clues of your past.

Despite your unfazed attitude, you were still fuming on the inside and just wanted an opportunity to arise where you could run that woman out of your life once and for all. 

"Get over it, it was fucking forever ago." Mimzy scoffed. You got up from your position at the pig and untied your cooking apron to throw on the counter, unable to stand in the kitchen any longer without potentially starting another fire. 

"And yet, here you are again." You hissed through gritted teeth, glaring down at her before turning to head out of the door. 

"Darling, may I have a word?" Alastor suddenly asked as he got up from his seat to follow you. 

"You can have two: Fuck off." You growled, storming out the door and kicking it closed so the slam echoed throughout the room.

Immediately, you headed to the cloakroom to grab your coat. You really needed a pack of cigarettes to calm your nerves. After all, it hadn't even been twenty-four hours with Mimzy here and you were already cracking.

Just as you were headed to the front doors with your coat on, Alastor appeared in your way in a smoke cloud of static followed by the usual sound of his feedback when he teleported. 

You sighed in irritation and crossed your arms. "What do you want, Al?"

"You must cease this petty feud, cher. Mimzy is doing you no harm and you're antagonizing her." He stated bluntly but still held a pleading look in his eyes as he looked down at you. It did nothing to settle your temper.

"I'm antagonizing HER?!"

You could feel your eyes sparking into flames again. A feeling of de ja vu suddenly overwhelmed you and you couldn't help but think of the past when you and Alastor used to fight for days on end about this same subject. You couldn't believe that a century later, the wily woman still held such high esteem from your husband that it was happening all over again.

"Yes. You know what you're doing and it can only lead to further conflict." Alastor chided with a firmness to his tone that you didn't appreciate. He let out a deep sigh and approached you, raising his hand to cradle your cheek. "I dread to see you upset. Why does she rattle your confidence so? Surely by now you trust that I would never consider looking twice at any woman other than you." He assured gently, stroking his thumb over your cheek until the flame in your eyes went out. 

You didn't know whether to bite his hand off when he'd had the nerve to try and comfort you after sticking up for that awful woman once again, or lean further into the much needed contact as you desperately longed for the reassurance that your happiness wouldn't be compromised by an insignificant little jazz singer.

You decided to meet in the middle and bat his hand away but let yourself be vulnerable.

"Perhaps Charlotte is right about envy being my worst sin. After all, Mimzy is so outgoing and beautiful and charismatic... Everything that I'm not. Not to mention, you've always had more in common with her. I don't know, I guess I just..." You trailed off and avoided his sympathetic gaze to stare at the floor instead, wishing it would swallow you up. You'd never liked being open with this subject, much preferring the illusion of the strong character you had with no insecurities, but you didn't have the patience to go back and forth in screaming matches like last time. "It's been a really long time since I've had something to lose, y'know? And this time, it isn't just you."

You heard Alastor scoff in disbelief before you felt his arms wrapping you around you in a warm embrace. Your shoulders were still tensed for a few seconds but you eventually relaxed and hugged him back, leaning further into the contact. 

"If there is one thing you should know for certain, dearest, it's that you are irreplaceable. Never doubt that." Alastor reassured softly before kissing you on the top of your head. You squeezed your eyes shut to block out the tears before they could begin to form. "And for the record," He pulled away so he could hold your chin up and force you to look him in the eyes to gauge how serious he was being. "You may be the most gorgeous, magnetic and entertaining person I've ever met."

You couldn't stop the blush forming on your cheeks at the flattery. "Back at ya, slick." You retorted almost shyly. It was always difficult for you to take compliments but even more so with Al because to this day, you didn't know how you managed to keep a man like him doting on someone like you with all your issues constantly rearing their ugly heads up.

Alastor ran his free hand through your hair as he looked at you with such warmth. You wished you could just stay in this bubble together forever, uninterrupted by any issues the outside world brought.

"Now how about we head back into the kitchen and enjoy one of your marvellous meals together?" He suggested gently as if coaxing a wild animal.

You lightly shook yourself out of his grasp and stood a few steps back.

"I'm gonna head out for a bit and get some fresh air. Clear my head." You excused, gesturing to the front doors. "You go enjoy dinner, honey."

He shot you a knowing look, no doubt feeling the same sense of de ja vu of the past since all the patterns were the same. You were creating distance between the both of you while still trying to put on a front of normality until you were at your boiling point again and the same cycle of fights would be repeated. However, this time you had to accept that the issue was your own faults rather than Mimzy's presence and learn to deal with them.

"Look, I'll have to get used Mimzy being here. Just give me some time, okay?" You testily demanded under his disapproving stare. 

"Very well, darling, enjoy your fresh air." Alastor conceded with a sigh and pulled you back over to him for one last chaste kiss. "I love you." He said earnestly once he pulled away, as if one last ditch effort to make you stay and accept that there was nothing for you to worry about.

"I know." You replied, avoiding his eyes once again so you could ignore the hurt expression taking over his features. 

Swiftly, you sidestepped out of his hold and made your way through the front doors. Ironically, once the outside air hit you, you'd never felt so suffocated. The farther away you walked from Al and the hotel, the more waves of defeat and self-loathing rattled through you but you couldn't do the logical thing and just go back. That would mean righting your wrongs and you'd be damned if you apologized to the harlot that caused this turmoil in the first place. Although, somewhere in the back of your mind, you knew had it not been Mimzy - someone else would have stirred these feelings up in you.

You'd never had a stable resource of love in your life therefore you couldn't help but act irrationally when you did and it was threatened. It wasn't an absurdity to worry that the life you had built for yourself would all come crumbling down in shambles and leave you a shell of yourself as it had before. 

You shook these thoughts out of your head and marched quicker to the store, itching to get a nicotine dose as it was surely the only thing that would settle you in this moment. 

A feeling of someone's hand linking through yours startled you and you whipped your head to the side only to see no one there. You glanced down and seen Alastor's shadow had followed you. He was currently holding the hand of your own shadow which you could feel as if Al was right there with you. The small act of kindness and care was enough to crack a smile on your face. 

"Thanks, Alleycat." You squeezed his hand in appreciation, watching little heart bubbles popping up from shadow Alastor's head. 

You continued on your journey, only now, without the invisible weight on your shoulders. If Alastor was by your side, then there was no need for you to spiral.

Or, so you kept telling yourself, at least.

The following week was, no pun intended, a living hell. 

Since Charlie was so eager about her latest mini project with the sins and virtues, she had been on all over your asses every single day and it had only taken a few for everyone to crack. 

It started with Niffty. She had thought that her act of charity was simply returning that of what she had stolen but she had a full blown meltdown when Charlie suggested for her to try giving away any of her own things. The little cyclops had done a fair bit of damage to the hotel, including the dry wood she had ripped out of the walls to barricade her room door each night to ensure no one would enter and potentially 'steal' her items.

Husk had started out testy - due to Vaggie losing her patience with him constantly sneaking drinks so she had locked up the bar - only to lose his steam when the severe withdrawals kicked in. He could barely eat as any time he did, he would immediately throw it back up. Not only that but he spent most of his days laying on a sofa in the lounge, violently shaking and sweating. Angel had sat with him throughout it all; stroking the cats fur to try and ease the shakes, slowly introducing him to light foods on the stomach so he could keep something down, cleaning him up after he'd throw up and protectively watching him sleep to make sure he could wake him up from any nightmares.

However once Husk was past the worst of it and Angel was no longer playing nursemaid, his sexual frustration was more than obvious. He would practically bite the head off anyone who so much as looked at him the wrong way, including Mimzy who would openly flirt with the cat right in front of him. You were proud of your boy any time he would give the little miss her character and was glad at least one other person could see sense when it came to her. 

That being said, Angel's outbursts were not loved by all and it caused Vaggie to fail in her own virtue as they often got into screaming matches, more so than usual. Though you did notice that her and the princess were back in a good place, often having little talks with just each other away from the crowd, affectionately hanging over each other and back to being a team which was good for their relationship but bad for the rest of you as it meant you all had two bulldogs barking at you to make sure you followed your virtues.

As tedious as it was, you were glad that they had seemingly talked everything out. Vaggie seemed a lot more settled - around anyone who didn't happen to be Angel, that is.

Alastor's pride was out in full force. It was obvious to anyone that he still didn't think he had anything to work through like the rest of you or even knew the meaning of the word humility so he was just happy to sit on the side-lines, throwing mocking jabs at everyone else's failures. His ego was also clearly flattered with the extra attention he was getting from Mimzy which was a domino effect to how clingy you were being with him. The more you witnessed him spending time with her, the more you pulled him away privately to remind him that you were the one he should be doting on.

It was a win-win for him seeing as he was getting sex more than ever, gushed over by his stalker fan girl and you weren't allowed to cause anymore fights about it - not in front of Charlie or Vaggie anyway.

That wasn't to say you were doing any better with your own sin. Having the martials with your husband was only one way for you to cope, the others being smoking and drinking yourself silly to dull out your urges of burning down the entire establishment just for some desperate way to force Mimzy out of here.

Thankfully, you'd had your own stash of wine in the pantry - that Husk didn't know about - which was intended for recipes. It just meant you spent most of the time completely numb and praying that Mimzy would just leave on her own accord. You couldn't help but feel bitter that everyone only had to deal with their sins for this one week as a test run whereas you were stuck with the homewrecking hussy as long as she wanted. 

All in all, the plan was an absolute and utter failure. Even Charlie couldn't spin her usual positive twist on how badly you had all done nor could she hide her disappointment with you all as well as herself. You didn't even have it in you to comfort her but thankfully, Vaggie had taken her out so they could spend time with just the two of them, no doubt quelling all of her girlfriends self-doubts.

Once the girls had left, you and Angel headed into the lounge where Husk had wasted no time getting behind the bar and drinking whatever he could get his paws on while Mimzy sat on a stool, prattling his ear off about another celebrity story of hers. By now, they were all sick of her constantly name-dropping and acting like she was the biggest hit since Marilyn Monroe.

"Fuck, Husky, afta' all that work gettin' sober, ya throwin' it all away like that?" Angel asked in concern.

In return, he received a incredulous look from the cat as if silently pointing out the irony in Angel Dust of all people trying to lecture him about falling off a bandwagon. The spider wilted slightly at the look.

"This is my reward." Husk stated bluntly. "Besides, it numbs the pain."

"And how!" You agreed slightly too loud, still buzzed from the stash of wine you'd had during dinner. Angel had to reach out and steady you on your feet from the little wobble you did and led you over to the stool farthest away from Mimzy and her judgemental yet smug gaze. "Pour me a double of whatever you're having and make it snappy, Soldier." You said cheerfully, banging your hand on the bar top. 

"It seems that that the lady so concerned with manners has forgotten her own. Pity, that was the only thing you had going for you." Mimzy commented with a smarmy tone that made you want to lunge at her but Angel had strategically sat himself between the both of you. 

You let out an annoyed sigh and took out a pack of cigarettes from your pocket, tossing them on the bar top before taking one out. Husk also grabbed one from your packet and you lit the both of them with your thumb. He gave you a nod of thanks before pouring your double whiskey while you inhaled the smoke deeply. 

"Don't you have somewhere better to be, Minnie? Like getting your beauty sleep?" You asked through your exhale, unable to stop the taunt of purposely getting her name wrong even when the nicotine settled your temper at hearing her voice. 

"I don't need sleep to be beautiful, and you damn well know my name by now, doll. I bet it's all you ever think about." Mimzy snarked, flicking her curly bob past her shoulder in an impudent manner.

You rolled your eyes at her cocky attitude. The audacity of this woman to think that she had any power over you or your thoughts - no matter how right she was. "Don't flatter yourself, Millie."

At your retort, she sat fizzing in her seat which cheered you up slightly. You took another quick puff of your cigarette before lifting your glass with your free hand and taking a swig.

"Why don't you go back to the kitchen, housewife. I was here first." Mimzy snarled, craning her neck past Angel to glare at you as if your very presence offended her.

The irony, you thought, seeing as once again she had moved in on your turf yet acted as if it was the other way around. 

"Why? Do you need the fuel from some grub to murder more people for fun?" You pondered sarcastically, staring back at her hateful glare with indifference. It was apparently working seeing as you could see her face getting more red with every retort and the very notion that you were sparking her temper for once gave you some vindication. 

"I didn't murder people. I murdered men, big difference." She corrected with a haughty tone.

"Ah yes, likely the ones with rings on their finger. Was that before or after you slept with them?" You asked with a mocking tilt of your head and ignored the concerned looks Husk and Angel were shooting at each other and you.

It was clear everybody knew that no good could come from this confrontation but you didn't give a damn. At least if Mimzy tried to harm you then Alastor would finally believe she was bad news. "I'd imagine before, as that's the only way you'd ever be able to snag one." You shrugged in an unbothered motion and took another swig of your drink, the burn of it all the way down your throat was a much needed reprieve from the interaction. 

Mimzy jumped up from her seat so quickly, and with such force, that the stool fell backwards with a deafening thump on impact to the floor.

"Listen, cunt-!" She screamed as she made a move to tackle you off your own seat had the spider next to you not stood up in her path, effectively using himself as a shield for you.

"Scram, toots!" Angel interjected, looking down at the little blonde quite intimidatingly from his massive height. Your heart swelled at his defence. "Eva's staying, get lost if ya just gonna rile her up."

"Stay outta this, fruitcake, she started it and she's had it coming for years!" Mimzy bellowed, thrusting her finger at you behind him. 

Husk, outraged at both the homophobic term and her threat, flexed out his wings in an formidable way which caused the short woman to snap her neck at him in fear. In the blink of an eye, she could've been sliced up with the spikes on them. She took a step back from both Angel and you. He stubbed his cigarette out and fleshed his claws in an unspoken threat. 

"Well we're ending it, shorty. Keep it pushin'." Husk growled, flicking his head to the side towards the door in a demand for her to leave.

"Oh classic, why don't you get your little gay boys to defend you instead of fighting like a real woman. Just like old times, Y/N." Mimzy taunted with a sneer. She spat your real name out like acid, as if it burned her tongue to even say which showed you just how ironic her earlier statement of her name constantly being on your mind was. It seemed that sentiment went both ways. "You're pathetic, always having to get a man to fight your battles. I guess I shouldn't expect anything less from a boring, old, little homemaker that couldn't even do the one thing the girls like you were known for and that was give Alastor a child of his own."

Her final jab made the room freeze in shock. Husk and Angel instantly dropped down to the floor, bracing themselves for the inevitable explosion that was sure to come after that. It was your touchiest subject that none of them even thought to joke about - especially since they weren't supposed to know that part of your life in the first place - and for Mimzy to use that as a dig just put her own afterlife on the line.

Yet, nothing happened.

The only smoke that emitted was not coming from any part of your body but rather, the cigarette that you were calmly taking a draw of while you stared down at the pathetic blonde, looking the very picture of composure with your straight posture and legs crossed in your usual ladylike way. 

Your infertility was still a sore spot for you to think about but you'd had over a hundred years to accept the fact that you would never be able to have a child of your own. As much as it broke your heart, you had still got a happy ending with your found family in this hotel. You had people who loved you as much as you did them and, while it wasn't the same as a child, it was more than you could've ever asked for. Mimzy's hurtful words, for once, flew over your head because you finally had enough emotional security to combat them.

After all, she couldn't steal your family.

"You do realise that I'm ahead in a profession predominantly dominated by men right? But I don't need to bump my gums about feminism to prove that I support it, or hide the fact I fucked every taken man who looked my way to fuel my own ego." You retorted, not caring about your self-righteous tone. It was time for the little bitch to get a taste of her own medicine and you had no issue flaunting your superiority over her. 

"On that note, how's your failing career going? I heard your shows are so empty that sinners are using them as extermination hideouts since no one goes there." You smirked when you seen her shaking with rage, clenching her fists by her sides and the vein on her forehead popping out. Still, you didn't stop with your barbs. It felt so good to knock her down a few pegs that you wanted to get it all out after the mental torment she had put you through.

"Now, why don't you run along and tell my husband about how much of a cunt I am and see if he gives any more of a shit than the rest of these guys do. Face it, Misty, you're in my fucking house now." You concluded with finality, turning away from her in your stool with a wave of your hand. Showing her your back in a silent way of telling her that she was absolutely not a threat or concern for you.

Inwardly, you cheered when she heard her stomping away but before she could get to the door, you called out one last time.

"Oh and Minty?" You turned your head to face her but she simply stopped with her hand on the door handle, shoulders tensed, with her back to you. "If I ever hear you throwing insults like that - at any of the people in this hotel - I will not hesitate to 'fight you like a real woman' and I promise you, not even Al will be able to stop me from burning you to a crisp." You stated with a threatening yet genuine tone.

She swung the door open in a rage and stomped away, letting it slam shut behind her.

"Proud of you for not exploding, Fireball." Husk praised from his now upright position.

"Yeah mamabear, you did good." Angel added as he sat back down on the stool next to you and gave you a one-armed hug.

You smiled sweetly at them both, finally feeling at peace for the first time since the little tramp had walked through the front doors a week ago.

"Thanks guys." You said with a soft sincerity. 

At first, you had thought that Mimzy's presence this time around would have broken you as you were sure once everybody would've seen how brightly her light shone therefore finally noticed how dull yours was in comparison but it had done the opposite. For the first time, you felt total reassurance about your place amongst this group that you held so dearly. You still had preconceived notions about love due to your upbringing with your mother, your absentee family members, your lack of friends and - even when you thought you'd finally gotten your happy ending for years with Alastor - the consequences of your marriage to the man you loved. 

However, every day in this hotel was proving those notions wrong and you felt like your heart kept growing until it was bursting with love for these people.

"Your real name's Y/N?" Angel asked curiously. 

Had a part of your past been revealed without your consent even a month ago, it would've been enough for you to completely shut down emotionally and distance yourself from anyone who was getting too close to knowing you but it just showed you how much you truly trusted these people that you didn't even care.

"Yeah, it's nice but... It reminds me too much of unpleasantries." You answered with a shrug.

"Cheers to that, mamabear. Mine is Anthony and it's such a boner killer that I'd go outta work in a day if that got leaked." Angel revealed, clinking his own glass against yours and taking a long swig.

"I got one better for you." Husk injected with his regular grumpiness evident in his tone. He pointed to himself with a huff. "Harold."

You burst out laughing and Angel started to choke on his drink. Husk rolled his eyes at the dramatics but still leaned over and patted the spider's back until he settled.

"I think I prefer Husky." Angel croaked out.

"Yeah so do I, Legs."

You watched the two in amusement as you finished your cigarette and listened to them speaking about their pasts as they enjoyed their drinks. You hadn't even realised that the rest of yours went untouched as you didn't feel like you needed it to cope anymore. You were content sitting with your friends and having pleasant conversations without a worry in your mind.

"So now my chastity belt is off, do you wanna take me for a spin, Husky?" Angel suddenly asked after a few drinks, leaning seductively over the bar and taking Husk's top hat off his head to put on his own in a playful way.

You laugh again as Husk's face went redder than the sky in Hell and he suddenly became flustered enough to drop his glass on the floor, causing it to shatter.

"I think that's my cue to leave. Night, boys." You chuckled and got up from your seat.

You kissed them both goodnight on the cheek before going upstairs to Alastor's room to crawl into bed next to his sleeping form. He had gotten so used to sleeping again at night that it became a routine for him because he knew you would always be there next to him, even if you weren't at the time he went to bed.

Once you had gotten changed into your sleepwear, you crept under the covers and snuggled up to his back. As if sensing your presence, he turned around in his sleep and threw his arm around you, pulling you in closer. You placed a feather-light kiss on his slack lips.

"I love you, Alastor." You whispered, now you weren't terrified that saying the words out loud would jinx your chances at happiness again, before tucking your head under his chin and going to sleep with a smile on your face.

Chapter Text

"Alastor, can you get me the cookie jar on top of the pantry? Pleeeease, I can't reach." Niffty pleaded with the Radio Demon as he was enjoying his morning coffee out on the balcony as he read the newspaper. 

"Did you ask Evangeline?" He asked knowingly as he skimmed over the headlines, not bothering to look up as he could presume what the answer already was.

"She said no." Niffty answered with a huff, looking down at her feet and scuffing the ground with them in a dejected manner. 

"Then why did you ask me?" Alastor chuckled and finally folded his paper and put it on the table to give the little cyclops his full attention. He'd always been extremely fond and amused by the hyperactive girl, even more so now that he'd let her out of her contract and she'd still made it a point to pester him with her average day to day activities. 

"Because she's not the boss of you." Niffty argued with a pout, looking every bit distraught over some blasted cookies although he could conjure some sympathy as he'd known she'd had issues with food and disorders in her past life mixed in with his wife's extraordinary skills in the kitchen. Still, he knew if his wife had denied the sweet treats then there was good reason to - likely so that Niffty didn't gorge herself until she spoiled a meal for herself and his darling would have to make another bout of lunch just for her when she was finally ready.

However, hearing his authority questioned in that backhanded manner triggered something inside of him. He narrowed his eyes as his smile tightened, teetering on the edges of a snarl, and his claws scrapped over the table subconsciously.

"Very well, but if you are caught, you didn't get this from me." Alastor conceded and waved his hand to transport the cookie jar into the cyclops' eager arms. 

"Oh! thank yew thank yew thank yew!" Niffty rattled off as her grip tightened around the container that was almost as big as her. She had her arms wrapped tightly around it with her eye looking more giant than usual as she stared at her prize with glee. She beetled off with it almost as quickly as she had arrived.

Alastor shook his head in amusement and picked up his cup to sip his coffee.

"How domestic." A mocking tone taunted, once again interrupting his peace. He raised his eyebrow in annoyance but smiled brightly when he saw Mimzy stepping out onto the balcony to join him. 

Alastor had to admit, he had been enjoying Mimzy's company more than he'd anticipated. When he'd met her in his first life, they had bumped into each other in the bayou disposing of two different lifeless bodies. That night, they'd struck a deal that they would forget about what the other one saw and carried on with their business. However, they'd kept in company through the years to get each other out of pickles and grew quite a strong friendship. 

To this day, Alastor admired Mimzy's bloodlust, her taste in music, her ideals on mankind and Mimzy admired Alastor's everything. 

A secret of Alastor's is that he was a sucker for praise and having his ego stroked. He hated dwelling on the negatives of the past in any way, shape or form but he always acknowledged in the back of his mind that his early years had been anything but pleasant. He'd been through hell even before Hell and that came with being told he was worthless more times than he could count, amongst many other things, by his father, by teachers, by schoolmates, by what felt like at the time everyone. 

Which only led to his aforementioned flaw. Unfortunately, the only people in his life that he loved with his entire being - his mother and his wife - were both brutally honest when it came to humbling him and keeping his head from getting too big. While he somewhat appreciated the sentiment, he did enjoy the blatant idolization that Mimzy still held for him.

"Come again, Mimzy? Surely sweet treats given to the maid haven't offended your delicate sensitives." Alastor teased with a smirk, putting down his cup in the saucer again and waving his hand so the seat across from him was pulled out by his shadow and Mimzy could sit. She looked pleased as punch with the attention as she made her way over and hopped on the chair. "And here I thought you and Niffty had something of a rapport."

"She's too much up that housewife's ass for my liking, like the rest of them." She sneered, missing the look of warning from the demon as she was too busy inspecting her own nails with a haughty expression.

"Careful, dear, for that housewife happens to be mine." Alastor hissed causing her to snap her gaze up to look at him and watch as his eyes turned into radio dials while his smile stretched in an inhuman way over his face. "I will not have you attempt to slander her in my presence."

"Sorry, Al..." Mimzy squeaked submissively, jumping right back into her 'wouldn't hurt a fly' demeanour that she often portrayed around him and meekly looked down at her lap. He settled back into his regular form, placated with her apology. "It's just- you won't believe what she said to me last night!"

Alastor burst out laughing at the distress she displayed and announced with no hesitation, "I know, I was tuned in. Gave you your character, didn't she? That's my little spitfire for you." He bragged with sheer pride in his tone.

"You heard us?" Mimzy asked in disbelief, snapping her head up in shock. She stared at him with a touch of resentment in her eyes.

"My dear girl, I think you'll find that nothing goes on in this hotel that I don't know about." Alastor smirked and gestured for Mimzy to turn her head over to his shadow on the wall next to the balcony door, who was currently giving her a smug wave. 

Mimzy shyly waved back and turned her attention back to the real Alastor in indignation.

"How could you not stick up for me?!" She snapped, standing up in her seat dramatically to try and tower over his sitting position.

Alastor just chuckled and stood up to his full height, knowing full well that he had the intimidation she was trying to feign in spades. He watched her swallow nervously as he towered above her with his arms casually crossed behind his back with malice. 

"Don't fool yourself, Mimzy. As much as I've enjoyed seeing an old friend again this past week, I will take nobody's side over hers." He informed in a matter of fact tone as he walked around the table until he was directly next to her. His antlers then grew to a potentially murderous length as he bent down at the waist until he was practically nose to nose with her. "Consider yourself lucky that you still have all your limbs attached after what you said to her." He growled through his static, showing how close he was to snapping.

Yet, in a flash, he composed himself rather quickly and stood up straight again with a jaunty hop on his feet. His antlers receded and his smile was once again warm. He felt quite generous for giving Mimzy grace that he would not allow any other living or dying creature. He was sure you would've been proud of him for his impulse control.

"Speaking of my gorgeous gal, I must pop down and thank her for her lovely coffee." He announced chirpily and made his way over to the balcony doors.

"I should've known." Mimzy scoffed condescendingly, flopping back down in her seat with force in her huff. "Never thought I'd see the day where the Radio Demon got soft."

Alastor froze mid step at her mockery and slowly turned back to her, his antlers once again growing. He had never heard Mimzy speaking so brazenly to him of all people. She usually grovelled at his feet and it said something alone that she would even think that she would be allowed to continue to do so. "Would you care to repeat that and see if you still have your tongue after the second time?"

"Actually, I think I will." She replied, uncharacteristically bold with him. He watched her with seething rage as she got down from her seat and swayed her way over to him, provocatively pointing her finger at him in accusation. 

"Because I think you'll do jack shit. Do you know what everyone is saying about you in this city?" She asked mockingly. "I defended you, I told them all that the great Alastor would never change - that you were only 'helping' this shitty hotel in some bigger picture to con Lucifer's daughter for some power or to help crumble the project from the inside - but now I see they were right! You're weak! When was the last time you slaughtered anyone? Or even made a fucking deal? All you care about now is playing happy families with some psychotic bitc-!"

Alastor transformed into his full horrific wendigo form in the blink of an eye, digging his claws into Mimzy's shoulders so deeply that they bled and slammed her into the wall next to the door with an animalistic growl. He would not tolerate any more of her slander. 

"I AM NOT WEAK!" His static was more powerful than ever, warping the very world around them both with terrifying and eerie visions. He looked at her with his radio dials, as the blaring feedback was buzzing around them, like he was ready to kill. 

Mimzy rapidly changed her attitude, shushing him even with his claws causing her extreme pain. "I know, suga', I know. There's the big, strong demon I've been looking for." She spoke softly enough to settle him somewhat and raised one of her hands - despite it causing a bigger slice of her arm - to graze over his face and snarling lips. "She's trying to change you, Al, but you can't let her. We're the same, you and I, twisted and broken. We need to go out into the world and show them what you're really made of and if anyone questions you, we'll end them. It'll be like old times."

Alastor redacted his claws at the vague mention of you and dropped the little woman. He had to admit, he was tempted by the offer Mimzy presented but he was trying to do better for his wife. It was no secret that you detested his murderous habit and had only just recently - by the skin of his teeth - come around to accept his darker nature in the past. He couldn't risk almost losing you again. 

"C'mon, Al, let's show them all how powerful you really are." Mimzy baited in a desperate last ditch effort to get him to agree.

Unfortunately, it worked.

"Meet me outside the front doors in an hour. Bring weapons." Alastor gruffly ordered and teleported away, leaving Mimzy fanning herself in a swoon.  

"Where did you get that?!" You yelled at Niffty when you caught her red-handed with the cookie jar you'd specifically told her not to go near, standing in the corner of the hallway like a squirrel burrowing their food away for the winter while shoving handfuls of the cookies into her face.

She glared at you and hunched over ferally - clearly seeing you as a threat between her and snack time. 

You glared back because it was her shift to do some cleaning soon and the sugar from her favourite treat always had her bouncing off walls and breaking stuff that poor Charlie had to replace, with never any repercussion to the cyclops. It was why you implemented the rule of no snacks before work hours. You loved Niffty's fun-loving and mischievous energy dearly but you hated it when anyone went against your orders.

"YOU'LL NEVER TAKE THEM ALIVE!" She screamed with froth coming out the sides of her mouth like a rabid animal before zooming through your legs with the jar still in her arms. You tried to catch her but she was too damn quick even without the sugar rush.

You groaned and dragged your hand down your face in annoyance. Despite the fact you could bet your bottom dollar that Niffty had beetled off to either her room or the lounge to watch some morning cartoons with her treats, you decided to just leave her be and give her the morning off. 

The next course of action was to head to Husk's room to ask him if he could take over her shift. 

"Soldier, I need you to-" You stopped mid sentence once you entered his room. Your hand stayed gripped on the doorknob as your eyes popped wide open in shock at the sight before you.

Husk and Angel were under the covers together, both looking over Angel's shoulder to stare back at you with the same wide-eyed look. 

Your jaw dropped open and they immediately jumped into panic mode. They frantically tried to get out of the sheets together, unintentionally getting tangled up causing Husk to fall face first on the floor in his scrambling as well as Angel to trip clumsily when one of his legs got caught in them. They were both, thankfully, still dressed from breakfast this morning but there was no guessing necessary as to what they had been up to. Especially with how flustered and dishevelled they were.

It was only now you understood why they were in such a rush to leave the table earlier.

"This isn't what it looks like!" Husk grunted out as he climbed to his feet to stand next to Angel and the fallen sheets. He put his hands out in a defensive position as if he could physically stop your thought process about them by blocking it.

"Yeah don't go blabbing about any tea cause there is none!" Angel added with a scowl as his top set of arms fixed his hair while the bottom pair smoothed out his clothes. It was clear he was too used to Niffty's constant gossiping about them all and that was where the suspicion came from.

"I just got new sheets and wanted to show Angel!" Husk blurted out with a desperate tone, bringing his hand up to scratch the back of his head and looking to the spider for back up.

Angel was looking down at him like he was an idiot. He rolled his eyes and glanced back over at you while you still stayed frozen and unblinking.

"Yeah..." He agreed hesitantly, despite the fact that he could see how that lame excuse wouldn't even fool a child. "I seen a lot of bedsheets in my day and these ones are the nicest so I was pretendin' to steal Husky's bed and he was trying to wrestle me off so I flipped him over and-" 

"Eva, say something!" Husk snapped, knowing their lie was already shot to shit and there was no point in Angel digging them in any deeper.

You just blinked for a few seconds before your brain finally caught up to everything. Your eyes were starting to feel misty at the realisation that your boys were finally taking that scary plunge into starting something together. Given their individual history and their own negative connotations with love, you were so proud of them for opening themselves up in that way.

However you now knew not to barge in on them so you didn't accidentally catch a glimpse of them opening themselves up in any other way. 

"Congratulations on your new bed sheets." You croaked out, smiling sincerely at them both before finally removing yourself from the door to march over and pull them into a hug.

They gave you the warmest look as they hugged you back. 

You picked up on their unspoken message that they wanted to keep their blossoming fling or potential relationship under wraps until they even knew where they stood with it. You were more than happy to oblige and wanted to calm their fears of exposure as well as give your blessing - not that they needed it. However, you knew sexuality was a touchy subject in these walls and you just hoped to settle any negative thoughts that either of them may have had.

"Thanks, mamabear..." Angel sniffed, hiding his own tearful eyes in your hair as he rubbed his face in it affectionately.

"Yeah, flames. You're alright." Husk added in a cadence so soft that you wouldn't have believed had came out of his mouth had you not witnessed it for yourself.

You patted their backs in reassurance and pulled away with the smile still on your face. "I apologize for barging in, I'll leave you to..." You cleared your throat awkwardly, gesturing towards the messy bed. "Anyway, best of luck!"

You quickly exited the room, shutting the door behind you and breathing out a small self deprecating laugh when you heard them laughing at your clear embarrassment of their more intimate moments. As much as your heart burst at the idea of Angel and Husk finding a romantic companionship within one and other, you didn't need to know any details about that part. It was the same rules for Charlie and Vaggie.

As a result of Husk being... busy, you opted to pick up on Niffty's duties for today so you made your way downstairs to the cleaning cupboard.

While you were bent down inside of it to grab the duster and pan, you heard a sudden - almost appreciative sounding - burst of radio static which caused you to jump and whip around to see Alastor standing behind you with a wide grin on his stupidly adorable face. 

"Stop sneaking up on me!" You snapped and batted his shoulder in reprimand. 

Alastor threw his head back and laughed wholeheartedly - as he always did when he'd startled you - before he looked down at you with fondness, never bothering to hide how much he enjoyed teasing you. You couldn't deny you partly enjoyed his playful mannerisms, despite the fuss you put up about it.

"My apologies, love." He chuckled, though his expression contradicted his words. "You are far too entertaining to resist the urge. Are you ready for our morning stroll?" 

"Can we go a little later, Al? I have to pick up Niffty's shift after someone hopped her up on enough sugar to make a snail shake." You informed pointedly, narrowing your eyes in suspicion at him. 

He continued to look down at you unflinchingly but stood up straighter in an act of innocence.

"Hmm, how peculiar. But I'm afraid not, mon cher, I'm away out on business shortly and only have an hour to spare." Alastor explained, quickly changing the subject as to not invoke your ire.

Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

You never asked about Alastor's time away from the hotel because you just assumed he was fulfilling deals he'd previously made or doing some tweaks on his radio station or even taking some alone time as he'd always been a bit of a loner like yourself but this time was strange because he never usually told you beforehand. It was always just a quick stint out then back home again. 

That being said, you didn't want to get back into the habit of controlling his schedule and obsessively taking up all of his time, especially when you were trying to control your jealousy and anger issues and only making some minuscule progress. You wanted this second chance with your husband to be different than the first and if he could curb his tendency to lie and murder then you could try to be understanding of his time away from you.

Through gritted teeth, you responded in a feigned cheerful tone, "How long will you be gone?" 

"Hard to say." He answered with a shrug.

You sighed at the vagueness. 

Every part of you was wanting to tell him no and make him stay here. After all, even though you'd hated Mimzy's presence - and still did - this past week, you enjoyed the intimacy with Al and didn't like that he would be parted from you so soon after your breakthrough last night. You wanted to shower him with love and monopolize his time to make up for every second of the past hundred years you had missed with him. 

You just didn't want him to go. 

"Let me make you something for the trip then." You eventually yielded, wanting to make Charlie proud after they all fumbled their virtues she'd assigned them. 

Alastor's smile brightened, if possible, at your answer and hooked his arm through yours to lead you into the kitchen before kissing you gently in thanks.

It perked up your mood immediately and you got to work on making him some creole fried pickles with some homemade dipping sauce to stick in a container for him while he hugged you from behind and started to prattle on about some jazz band he had listened to falling asleep last night before you'd came to bed. 

You realised how silly it might've looked to be making the Radio Demon a packed lunch when he didn't even have to eat or, if he had the inclination, he could easily conjure himself up some grub in an instant but it made you feel better. You felt like you were helping in some way, still being useful to any part of his life - including the ones you weren't involved in. Old habits died hard, you supposed, seeing as it was just like old times. 

Once you had finished, both of you sat at the table side-by-side and spoke mundanely about your plans for the rest of the day and he told you about the latest news in the papers. To the outside eye, it would've looked boring but you loved these quiet moments together. It was no drama, no stress and just comforting to be able to talk without significance. Your first morning sober in a week had actually turned out to be bearable - pleasant, even.  

It was another sign that your irrational fear of your life crumbling down around you was just in your head. 

The hour seemed to go by in the blink of an eye and your previously relaxed shoulders tensed up as soon as Alastor announced that it was time for him to go. Your first instinct was, once again, to demand for him to put his plans off and stay with you today but you shook it off. 

You simply walked him to the front doors with no complaint and pulled him down for a kiss that he wouldn't soon forget. If that was his only reminder that he had something to come back to at home to finish, so be it. Perhaps he would hurry back a little quicker.

Alastor practically melted into your lips, sliding his hands around your waist and pulling you into him until you were firmly moulded against him. You made a little mewling sound which caused him to jerk harshly against you. Inwardly cheering at his developing lack of control, you moved your hands from the base of his neck to the roots of his hair and tugged in the way you knew drove him crazy. He sharply gasped and moved his hands down to your hips to lightly push you away.

He tried to follow suit with his lips but he couldn't help the way they lingered on yours. With a sigh of resignation, Alastor finally pulled back albeit looking a little dazed. He visibly shook himself out of your temptation and took a big step back from you before patting your head. 

"Nice try, darling." He praised with a shaky laugh. You deflated back into annoyance once your plan had been caught onto so easily.

"Ugh whatever. Don't be too long." You grumbled, crossing your arms in a grumpy manner. 

Alastor leaned down to give you a sweet peck on the cheek.

"I love you, dearest." He said affectionately, looking at you with hearts practically in his eyes. Your icy exterior melted at that look and you couldn't help but return his dopey grin.

"I love you too, sweetie." You whispered like it was a secret for only him to hear. 

With one last chaste kiss, he was out the doors. 

You couldn't believe that you already missed him. 

Thankfully, you had the cleaning to distract you for the next few hours and Al would likely be back by the time you were even done. 

For the next three days, Alastor and Mimzy made quite the dream team laying havoc amongst more than a few rings in Hell. 

The Radio Demon had succeeded in proving himself worthy of his status once again. He had to admit, he thoroughly enjoyed being able to let loose like this. It was also plenty nostalgic as he slaughtered wretched scum on the streets with his partner in crime while swing music played throughout on his microphone as the backing soundtrack to their scuffles. He'd always liked this time spent with his chum, Mimzy, and couldn't help but think back to a time on earth so long ago when she had accompanied him just like this in times of need. 

Other than you, she had been his only friend. The difference being, she saw - and accepted - his darker nature. Encouraged it, even! Moments like these with her made him feel like he didn't have to conceal or fix a broken part inside of him whereas with you, he wanted to shield you from this gruesome side of him. You always were too good for him in general, never mind the fact that he partook in this as a past time.

On the third day, he was in the middle of choking some nefarious individual, who gained something of a reputation with sex trafficking, using his shadows to do so when he felt a burst of something through him like he'd been punched in the gut by an invisible force. His shadows retracted and he felt uncomfortably weak. The now freed demon tried to make a break for it but Alastor was too quick, even in his weakened form, stalking him like prey and eventually maiming him with the weapons on hand.

All and all, the trip had been a welcomed change of pace. Alastor was too caught up in his own self righteousness and image to even consider how long he had been reeking carnage.

However something later that day eventually snapped him out of his bloodthirsty rampage. Mimzy had tried to show off and impress him by threatening a quaint looking sinner couple with two adopted imp children - he assumed that it was anyway, due to the fact that sinners could not procreate. Anyone with eyes could see that they were just a normal family trying to enjoy a day out.

Alastor grabbed Mimzy and teleported her away to the farthest ring away from them before snapping at her for her foolishness. The pathetic creature grovelled at his feet, sniffling and crying as she begged for forgiveness. He simply batted her away with his feet and left her alone, only after a warning to never bother showing her face at his hotel again.

Now that his mind had cleared, he could finally see that she was only manipulating him into spending more time with her than at his home, and he had foolishly taken the bait. 

Alastor transported to just outside the front doors of the hotel and took a deep breath. He hadn't even had the forethought to look at the time - or the date - to see how long he had been away but he could hear something that sounded like a riot coming from the inside as well as smell a strong stench of smoke which was never a good sign. He felt a bout of nervousness that was foreign to him rattle through his entire being at the thought of stepping inside.

He remembered all too well how crazy you used to get back in the day when he'd even worked overtime and forgot to tell you about it and even now, it still terrified and excited him simultaneously. The only wrath he ever feared was that of his lovely wife, only because with your anger ironically always was followed by coldness. Alastor already resigned himself to the dog house for the next few nights as he finally opened the door and walked through the lobby.

"Where the fuck have you been?!" Vaggie snapped as soon she caught sight of him. She had been previously been running from the kitchen with a hose when she'd spotted him. He could hear a jumble of screaming and chaos coming from the lounge. 

"Well, I was-" He started but she cut him off by grabbing his arm harshly causing his feedback to screech. He had to resist the urge to shred the moth's hand off him with his teeth - especially after indulging in his hobby for the first time in so long - and simply flicked her hand away from him. He'd never liked the feeling of anyone other than you touching him.

"No one gives a shit!" Vaggie screamed over his menacing static sounds. "You need to calm down Eva!"

Ah, he thought, all of a sudden this disarray made sense and his intuition had been right.

"And what has my darling little doe been up to now?" Alastor asked with a sly grin, inwardly enjoying that his absence had put her into such a state. It may have been sick and twisted but as much as he hated causing his wife pain, he loved that you were as obsessed with him as he was with you. He knew it would only take some of his charm to settle you back down anyhow.

They entered the lounge and Alastor got his answer once he saw the state of the place. 

The room was practically black with scorch marks, as well as there being holes in the walls, bottles were lying around broken, furniture thrown in piles of breakage, all while surrounding you in your fullest demon form. 

You had manifested into a large form of pure fire, large enough to set the ceiling and upper floors alight from the inside - bypassing the sprinklers as your fire seemed to have burst too powerfully, and with such suddenness, that it melted them before they could fulfil their purpose - while Niffty was running around adding to the chaos with a manic grin and spraying a can of deodorant to add to the flames like they were her own fire powers, Angel was spraying you with a prank fire extinguisher that done nothing except pop out foam snakes that instantly caught on fire on impact, Charlie was doing her best to calm you down in front of you whilst in her demon form so the flames couldn't hurt her and Husk was frantically trying to get the few unbroken bottles of booze off the shelves to safety in the other room. 

"Honey, I'm home!" Alastor announced like one of those sitcom characters in the shows that he noticed you liked to watch during your lazy days. He put a little laugh track and audience canned cheering in the background through his microphone to add some levity to the situation.

It clearly backfired because in a flash, you had tackled him to the ground with your still flaming hands around his throat. He couldn't help but enjoy your violent contact over Vaggie's previous attempt at simply leading him into the room. He smiled brightly up at you as you tried to squeeze the very afterlife out of him.

"I'm going to kill you!" You screamed, lifting his neck to bang his head against the hard marble floor repeatedly while you continued to choke him.

"Well it's always nice to have a warm welcome home." He gasped out, making sure that his potential last words were a hilarious pun. He attempted to snap his fingers and have the sprinklers fixed so that it could put out your fire but for some odd reason, nothing was happening. His eyes widened slightly when he felt too tired to even roll you off him after his transportation here.

Vaggie finally managed to turn on the hose and sprayed you down with freezing water which both snapped Alastor out of his minor panic and forced you back into your original form. The only thing still on fire was your eyes as they continued to burn in fury, still staring down at him with murderous intent. He could look at that flame forever, Alastor thought with a slow forming lovesick smile. 

"You left with that whore!" You snapped, thumping his head on the ground once more before removing yourself from him to stand above him to put some distance between the both of you. The rest of the rabble were watching you both with intensity. 

"Angel's right there." Alastor pointed out, gesturing towards the scowling spider, as he sat up from his position and rubbed the back of his head. He couldn't help but note how strange it was that he was feeling sore when usually he healed from anything so quickly that the pain of it never had time to settle in.

"YOU KNOW WHO I'M TALKING ABOUT!" You picked up a broken piece of table wood and went to stab him with it but Charlie and Vaggie swiftly jumped in to physically restrain you back before you could. They grabbed the weapon from you and wrestled it out of your grip, throwing it out of reach.

"Come now, has my absence really caused you this much distress, love?" He asked in bewilderment as he shakily got to his feet again to attempt to walk towards you to comfort you. 

However you stepped back from him with a look of clear warning against trying that again. "Just tell me straight. Did you sleep with her?" You asked lowly, looking as if you were preparing for round two immediately after his answer - as if it would be anything other than a truthful denial.

"No! Dearest, you wound me so! I would never think of cheating on you!" Alastor assured in a rush of words. He hadn't even imagined that the thought would even pass through your head. 

While he was aware of - and extremely flattered by - your irrational jealousy, he'd never pictured you sincerely doubting his faithfulness. He wasn't the kind of man that would do such a thing let alone, you weren't the kind of rare, beautiful, precious gem that any man would even dream of trading in. In his eyes, you were perfect and he never hesitated to remind you of such. Even your stubbornness, your temper and your lack of social boundaries ignited his heart.

In fact, he was offended that you thought he was stupid enough to even think about downgrading with anyone else. 

"Then where were you for THREE GODDAMN DAYS?!" You demanded, looking like you very much wanted to try your luck lunging at him once again but you were unable to without potentially harming the girls. He had no doubt that had there not been any witnesses to this fight, you would give a damn good try to make sure he wouldn't be walking out of it.

"I told you, Overlord business! Frankly, I find this line of questioning ridiculous. I told you I would be away and I cannot help that you have gotten worked up into one of your frenzies, my dear." Alastor waved you off dismissively, trying to brush off this petty feud before it could spark into something serious.

However, he felt like the biggest fool that ever walked when he saw the flash of hurt in your expression at his words.

"You should've stayed gone." You growled, putting on your cold-hearted front before you stormed away, Vaggie and Angel hot on your heels likely to comfort you. He found that equal parts sweet and odd, seeing as he was the one who got choked out in front of everyone.

His smile was still stretched across his face but it was completely uncomfortable and no doubt looked every bit of it as he turned to the princess who was hesitantly approaching him. 

Husker and Niffty started to try and repair the mess in the room but were still, very much, clearly listening in. He felt more than a little humiliated that his wife had so rapidly diminished the very image he had tried to build up for the past seventy-two hours. The only comfort was that his friends were wise enough to keep what they seen in this hotel under wraps. Or else.

"Umm... Alastor?" Charlie peeped nervously, wringing her hair tightly around her hands in tight circles. She looked like she was going to pass out just speaking up in this moment. He looked down at her in mild irritation as he waited for her to say her peace. "There's s-something I need to tell you about... Please don't be mad..." 

"Can't it wait, Charlie?" He sighed tiredly, glancing over to the door you had previously exited out of. His mind was already in shambles from this and he desperately wanted to just wrap his lady love up in his arms for a cuddle before sleep but he knew that would be long shot tonight.

"Umm sure? But I kinda f-figured... y'know, that it's important... uhh..." Charlie continued to stutter out. Alastor rolled his eyes and gestured for her to go on, looking back at her with an unimpressed stare.

"Eva kinda burned... a-all of your contracts.. in your office. Sorry." She finally confessed before sticking her hair in her mouth to chew on in panic.

"WHAT?!"

Chapter Text

Alastor wasted no time after the princess' revelation darting into his office to see physical proof of his wife's meltdown. You had completely trashed his entire set up, broken every bit of furniture, ripped pieces of wood off the walls and most importantly, burned every piece of paperwork in sight leaving only scorched tatters left. 

He never thought he'd have to worry about his contracts - his power - being tampered with as the only way to break a soul contract was if the conditions had been met or the Overlord who made the deal decided to destroy it themselves. However, because you shared some part of his soul - a fact which infuriated him even further on the current situation since it hadn't been that long since he'd explained it to you - that meant you were the only person who could compromise his operation.

Fortunately, he'd made a few deals during his spree with Mimzy and still had a few tucked away in his radio tower so it hadn't left him completely powerless. Yet, it didn't quell his anger seeing as he was nowhere near as significant as he had been before. 

Snapping his head to the source of the nervous footsteps behind him, he saw Charlie standing in the doorway still nervously chewing her hair. Poor thing looked like she was ready for a panic attack but Alastor didn't have the patience in this moment to try and ease her. He stormed past her only for her to follow with quick footsteps.

"Alastor, please, she didn't mean it!" Charlie tried to settle him with her insipid babbling but he continued to march forward.

"Oh, she meant it." He confirmed darkly, practically taking the kitchen door off the hinges as he battered in. 

Angel and Vaggie looked to be in the middle of a lecture, standing above you as you sat on a chair with your arms crossed wearing an agitated expression still on your face. Your lips were thinned in a tight line as if trying to to physically stop yourself from lashing out at the two in misplaced anger.

All eyes darted to him with his entrance.

"You vindictive, damnable, insufferable woman!" Alastor growled in a deadly tone, eyes laser-focused onto you who was now glaring back at him defiantly. 

He had a subconscious memory, of when he was a child and his parents had gotten into screaming matches like this, flash into his mind. His father had continuously put hands on his mother while he had to hide in the other room, forced to endure the sounds of his mother's pain and unable to do anything about it. Even now with how enraged he was, he could never imagine doing the same to you. 

However, he wouldn't say no to keeping you locked in a room with a chain where you were unable to cause trouble like this for him again. 

"Who the fuck do you think you're talking to?!" You snapped, standing up from your seated position with your fists clenched. If Alastor had come in here for round two then you were more than happy to oblige his request and knock his head backwards for even thinking that he had any grounds to stand on in this argument.

Alastor let out an animalistic roar and transformed into his fullest demon form in a fit of rage. Everything from the past couple of days as well as the devastation of your betrayal had built up and snapped. His limbs all stretched out to a horrific degree causing him to be an intimidatingly tall height, his antlers grew to a deadly length, the large claws that emerged from his fingers all seemed to be permanently stained with blood, his face had thinned to a haunted looking manner and finally, his eyes were replaced with void, red radio dials. 

He looked like a nightmare.

"Hold on!" Vaggie yelled, partly in panic at the horrific sight of the Radio Demon, as she jumped in the middle of you two like a matador ready to take on two bulls with her hands out. You shot her a look for putting herself in the middle of potential danger. "Alastor, you need to get out of here! The hotel can't handle another blow up!"

"You're woefully mistaken if you think I give a darn about this hotel, Vagatha." Alastor retorted with such a hollowness to his voice that it didn't sound like him. It didn't even sound human. 

His eyes continued to drill into yours from across the room like a predator about to attack it's prey. While a logical part of you was fearful of his transformation, you couldn't find it in yourself to be scared of him. Even though you hated his guts in this moment, you knew he would never hurt you - physically at least. 

"Whoa whoa whoa, Smiles, let's just-" Angel also attempted to join in just as Charlie skittered over to where you were standing as if the three were ready to defend you from the unspoken threat Alastor was presenting. Still, you cut him off by putting your hand on his arm to stop him, never taking your eyes away from the demon as you did.

You thought the support was sweet but it was time for you and your husband to settle this matter without interruptions. 

"Kids, go to bed." You demanded, putting your free hand on Vaggie's shoulder and lightly pushing them towards the door. The three all shot you looks equal parts uncertain and incredulous but you held firm. 

"But-" Charlie tried to pipe up as the other two hesitantly shuffled to the door.

"Now!" You snapped which caused them all to bolt out in haste. Clearly, no one wanted to risk you sparking up again.

The three stood outside at the bottom of the stairs, trying to gather their own bearings after three days of stress. After all, it was them that had to deal with the fallout as soon as Al left to try and settle you when you went into meltdown mode. It just so happened that today was your worst one, somehow convinced that Alastor had ran away with Mimzy after only a short period of time with no evidence - just running on paranoia alone. 

"Do you think they'll be alright?" Charlie asked apprehensively as she kept shooting worried glances back at the closed door. She'd grown a pleasant bond with Alastor over his time at the hotel and would go as far to call him a friend but even she wasn't certain if you were safe with him alone after seeing that display.

"Twenty bucks says they fuck and get it outta their system by tomorra'." Angel piped up with an air of casualness as he leaned against the stair bannister.

"That's terrible!" Charlie scolded, unable to believe Angel's callous comment. 

"Let me get in on that." Vaggie chimed in. 

Charlie snapped her head over to her girlfriend with her jaw dropped and eyes opened wide in shock. Usually Vaggie jumped at the chance to argue with the spider any chance she could so hearing her join in with him was startling. She couldn't even tell her how proud she was for having a bonding moment because it was at their friend's expense!

"You're on, sista." Angel agreed, cocking a finger gun at her in a playful manner.

"Vaggie!" Charlie chastised once she'd gotten over the surprise.

"Come on, babe, they'll be fine. Al and Eva are just a little... old-fashioned, with their relationship." Vaggie assured with a soft smile and put her arm gently over the blonde's shoulders which seemed to settle her somewhat. 

"Ya mean toxic." Angel corrected with a smirk. 

Vaggie shot him a warning look when she felt Charlie's shoulders tense up once again at the spider's comment. She loved how much her girlfriend cared about the people in her life but sometimes she got too worked up emotionally when she tried to carry all their burdens for them. Vaggie knew that you would've had it handled otherwise you wouldn't have asked them all to leave.

"Besides the point," Vaggie kept the same softness in her tone, rubbing Charlie's shoulder in reassurance. "They're not gonna kill each other. Let's just get to bed, these past couple of days have been rough." 

Charlie put her head in the crook of the moth's neck and nodded, wanting nothing more than to relax into Vaggie's arms and start a better day tomorrow. 

Angel had excused himself to go help out Husk and Niffty with cleaning up the lounge while the girls made their leave upstairs.

Inside the kitchen, you and Alastor were both at a standstill, neither of you having moved an inch since the other three had left. You were waiting for him to make his move while he looked to still be debating in his head what his plan even was. 

You thrust your arms out in mockery. "Well? What now, you pig?"

Alastor's nostrils flared in fury at your antagonization. You couldn't stop though, these feelings had been bubbling up within you for days and now you could finally take them out on the person that caused them. Any sign of anger you seen from Alastor only ignited yours tenfold.

Even though your eyes were not aflame, all you seen was red.

"You burned my contracts." He snarled, causing you to get a flash of his teeth even sharper than you'd ever seen them if possible. "You've compromised my power, my status, my very position in the hierarchy in Hell."

"Yeah Al, and what are you gonna do about it?" You sneered mockingly. 

Too swiftly for you to react, Alastor had you pinned on the dining table with his claws pinning your wrists, his legs encasing yours and his snarling mug only inches above your face. You'd let out a small noise of surprise on impact but you refused to show any weakness to his intimidation. You attempted to thrust your knee up to right where the sun didn't shine but Alastor interjected your attack, bringing one his claws down to your leg before they could make contact and holding it still in a death grip.

"Perhaps I shall take a page out of your book and make your life hell." He taunted, clearly pleased with having apprehended you so easily. It was enough for him to let his guard down and transform back into his original form but still holding you down with a beast-like strength.

"You already did." You gritted before knocking your forehead into his harshly causing him to let you go in shock for a brief moment. 

It was all you needed because you took the free second to hold yourself against the edge of the table and use both your feet to kick him away. 

"Playing victim doesn't suit you, darling." 

Your eyes sparked aflame at his cocky rebuttal but before you could reply, he'd pounced once again, picking your legs up and throwing you over his shoulder like a bag of potatoes in an attempt to try and restrain you again.

You had been expecting it this time and wasted no time using your elbow to jab him in the side of the neck, causing him to grunt and lock his grip onto your struggling form. However you managed to get your knee into his stomach which winded him enough for you to be able to get out of his grip.

Just as you swung your hand to slap him in your rage, he'd caught your wrist in one hand and used the other to slam you against the wall.

Both of you were still glaring at the other, breathing heavily from the exertion of the tussle. His hair was dishevelled and parts of his clothes were askew or full on ripped, likely the same as you. 

Adrenaline was still pouring through your system and it had just occurred to you that as much as you hated this man, you had been pining for his company for the past seventy-two hours and now he was here.

It seemed that the same thought flashed through Alastor's head because you both locked lips in an angry, mean kiss simultaneously. 

He held your wrist to the wall above your head while his other hand slid up to your chin to manoeuvre you where he wanted, digging his nails in harshly so you felt the sting, as he nipped your bottom lip aggressively.

You'd let out a growl at his controlling body language and used your free hand to bat him in the side of the head before gripping your fingers in the root of his messy locks and pulling roughly forcing a raspy moan from his throat.

His lips were like fire burning up your very soul and it was just as addicting as it was adrenaline inducing. 

"Teleport us to my room, dumbass." You demanded through pants once you'd pulled away for air.

"Don't tell me what to do, witch." Alastor hissed but still snapped his fingers and fulfilled your order.

Needless to say, you'd both taken out the majority of your anger behind closed doors as husband and wife. 

Just like old times, you'd thought sardonically as you sat up in the bed to reach over for a cigarette from the pack on your bedside table.

"I hate it when you smoke." Alastor commented as he too sat up and folded his arms behind his head.

It seemed that as much as anger had dissipated, your fight had not and a grudge was still being held. 

"I hate it when you breathe." You shot back bitingly but you did do the courteous thing and still got up from the bed, albeit on shaky legs, to retrieve your dressing gown then take an ashtray to your window pane to sit with it on your lap. You cracked the window open before lighting your smoke and taking a draw of it. 

You could feel Alastor's eyes still drilling into the side of your head from his position but you couldn't find it in yourself to meet his gaze. Now that the anger had left your system, all that was left was sadness. The realisation that you and him were going to keep spinning in the same cycle just hit you and it always led to you feeling hurt. 

Taking another inhale of your cigarette, you decided to stare out the window at the horizon. The sun was just beginning to rise but the peaceful sight didn't soothe your pain. It always reminded you of simpler times with early morning shifts at a crappy, rundown diner and a handsome gentleman telling you funny stories to keep you entertained.

You couldn't help but mourn how easy life used to feel.

"I'll need to pop out for the next bit to regain the souls you have cost me." Alastor spoke up in a matter of fact tone, breaking you out of your melancholy thoughts.

However you didn't respond. You were conflicted with if you wanted to either throw him out with a warning to never come back here again or to beg for him to never leave your side again because you missed him all the time. It made you feel sick how much you still loved him. 

"where were you with her?" You asked softly, changing the subject to one that you knew would haunt your thoughts if left untouched. 

If he was going to leave again then you had to know or else or you would just spiral. Your gaze remained on the skyline but you could see from the corner of your eye that he was sitting up more properly, slightly hunched over with his hands on his lap. You wondered briefly if the guilt had finally settled into him.

"Mimzy informed me of nasty rumours circulating hell regarding my status and lack of action these past months. I had to put a stop to it." He answered, surprising you with his honesty. 

Getting a straight forward answer from him was like pulling teeth so the fact that he was being so open from the start of your questioning was a welcomed change. That being said, you still couldn't help but exhale through your nose in disbelief at his reasonings for being away.

"So feeding your own ego. Should've been my next guess." You muttered, shaking your head at your own foolishness. 

Sure, it didn't hurt as much as thinking that he'd strayed but knowing that his image came before you was still a devastating blow. You'd noticed the same thing in New Orleans when his radio show took off and he became a local celebrity. Alastor always knew how much you hated the extra attention when you were out and about - especially the eager fangirls who would have sold their soul just for a piece of him - but he loved the special treatment.

Clearly, being an outcast at a young age did a number on him but you only held so much sympathy because so had you been and you would never think of playing around with his feelings like this.

"And it's a mighty swell thing I did otherwise you would've let me potless with power by burning those documents!" Alastor said almost playfully, like he was arguing with a child who had no idea about the way the real world worked. 

You frowned, unable to conceal the sadness and dejection from your expression. Your head rested against the window ledge and you turned to face him.

"Why am I never enough for you, Al?" 

Alastor looked stunned into silence. His eyes went wide as he stared into yours and saw the pain you usually worked hard to conceal. His smile had dropped along with his mouth slightly agape at how much the question had taken him off guard.

"W-what? You are everything to me, love." He croaked reverently with his static even jumping out occasionally to crack his voice.

You shook your head, denying his words. "Then why were you letting her hang all over you, knowing how much I hate it? Why did you disappear for days with her and not tell me about it? Why would you keep making deals with souls when I've told you that I think they're awful?"

He paused once again at your interrogation, looking like he was having an inward battle with himself. For a few seconds, he remained quiet as he stewed in his own mind and started to get a faraway look in his eyes.

You expected him to fully ignore your plea for answers and brush you off with one of his jokes. With a sigh, you turned back to stare out the window.

"You're right." He admitted abruptly, halting the silence in the room. 

Your attention snapped right back to him in surprise as you could probably count on one hand how many times he had ever actually admitted that fact. 

Alastor got up from the bed and put some pyjama pants on before dragging a stool over to the window to sit beside you, despite the fact you were still smoking. 

"I haven't been showing how much you mean to me. Perhaps all I have now are desperate words from a foolish man, but know that they are truthful at the very least." Alastor confessed in the sincerest way that he could've, captivating your attention with his vulnerability. 

"Darling, the only reason I ever enjoyed Mimzy's company - alive and down here - was because she was as morally skewed and reckless as I. Other than you, she was my only friend on earth even before fame from my show and I've always had a loyalty to her because of that - I promise, that's all there is to her." He asserted. his pleading gaze drilling into you as if begging for you to finally believe him about that fact.

For once, you did.

"But she is truly out of the picture now. I've made it clear that she isn't to return." He clarified with certainty, clearly expecting a pat on the back for doing what he should've the second she first walked through the damn doors.

All you could think of was the last time he'd told you that very same sentiment when you all were alive and you'd only just recently found out the reason why that was.

"Why? Are you gonna tell me in another hundred years that she tried to make a move on you again?" You asked with a raised eyebrow as you took a slow inhale of your cigarette to try and keep you calm during whatever his answer would be.

"No, dear heart. She went too far and snapped me out of my own bloodlust when she threatened a family. I couldn't help but think of you and the one you've seemed to assemble here." Alastor answered openly, leaning his elbows down on his knees to almost twiddle nervously with his hands. 

You'd never seen him so visibly uncomfortable but you also knew how much he hated talking about feelings and it made you smile a little bit that he was finally learning how to overcome that fear.

Not only that, but hearing that his darker side still held some sort of grey morality even down in hell was comforting. A part of you felt inadequate because Mimzy could accept the parts in your husband that you couldn't but knowing that he still had lines that he wouldn't dare cross made you rethink how alike those two really were. Alastor may have been twisted but he wasn't evil.

You stubbed your cigarette out on the ashtray and pushed it away on the ledge so you could swing your legs around and fully face him while he was baring all of this honesty just for you. His eyes never left yours even as his knee automatically inched closed to yours in a subconscious movement, clearly wanting to be as close as possible.

"As for why I didn't tell you, I'll admit, I knew it was wrong. It's something of an old habit of mine to try and shield you from the worst parts of myself because as much as I've always loved your bleeding heart, you're too pure to understand my impulses. You turn your pain from your past into nurture for those around you, I turn mine into this." Alastor explained grimly. He'd never felt ashamed of any of his crimes because he picked people that deserved it - in his mind - until it came to your reaction to them. He never wanted you to hate him.

You reached out and gently took one of his hands, ceasing his nervous twiddling. He glanced down at the contact with both relief and amazement. You stroked your thumb across his knuckles soothingly in a silent way of telling him that you understood.

"But when it comes to those contracts... I don't know what to tell you, love." Alastor continued, squeezing onto your hand almost desperately as if thinking you would pull away at any given second. "The only compromise I can think of is simply agreeing to disagree. I need to stay on top, I need to be feared, I need to have power. Otherwise, I'm useless." He admitted, glancing down at the floor briefly at his self deprecating confession. 

You were so taken aback that your brain couldn't even catch up to everything but you felt like Alastor had finally let you fully understand him and his motives for some of the things he did. As much as you still didn't agree with the contracts, you appreciated that he just told you straight instead of trying to lie his way around the matter and cause a bigger blow up down the line. You also inwardly acknowledged that he'd already confided in you with his worries that if any of you in his team were under attack, he wanted to have the abilities to put a stop to it before anything dangerous could happen. 

So, you squeezed his hand back in reassurance.

He looked back up at you like you hung the very moon and the stars in the sky.

"I'm sorry, is what I'm trying to say." Alastor finally got out and cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with making a genuine apology but you were so proud of him for it. The last one you got took a century in the making. "I truly never mean to hurt you, Y/N, and I'm sorry that I continuously do. I wont make excuses for my lack of tact but just know, it is fault with my character but never yours."

All of your insecurities felt like they had just been washed away with his words. You could feel your eyes getting a little teary but you decided to join Alastor in his vulnerability and not try to hide them. Both of you always liked to put on a strong front like nothing could effect you but this openness was nice. 

This meant positive change.

"How about we make a deal?" You asked lightly with a cheeky smile, causing him to shake his head good-naturedly at your use of words. "I'll overlook you making deals on the side, only to deserving, unredeemable pieces of shit, if you tell me everything like this. I know you hate talking about your feelings but if you'd just told me all of this before you left, I wouldn't have flew off the handle like that."

"It's a deal, love." Alastor agreed, smiling brightly before leaning over to kiss you with reverence. 

You raised your hands to caress his face as you kissed back, much softer and more loving than previously. 

He abruptly picked you up in his arms bridal style causing you to squawk in laughter at his theatrics. He'd chuckled at your reaction and lovingly kissed down your neck while carrying you to the bed before laying you down like you were something precious that he was afraid of breaking. 

"I love you, Alleycat. Don't fuck this up again."  

"You have my word."

Unfortunately, you didn't have a lot of time to bask in the afterglow of making love with your husband because it was soon time for you to go downstairs to start prepping for breakfast again. Alastor had assured you that it would be better if he got an early start with his deals as well so the pair of you simply shared one last kiss before both going your separate ways.

Just like before, as soon as Alastor left, you missed him. 

You went through your duties at breakfast like you were going through the motions. 

During breakfast when the rest of the rabble had come downstairs, you'd waved off their questions of last night and chose to simply eat alongside them in silence. You noticed their looks of worry and sympathy which only made you realise how obvious you must have been with your blues. 

You decided that a good way to nip it in the bud was go around the table, correcting their bad postures and scolding them for talking with their mouths full, elbows on the table or feet on seats.

It settled them enough for you to stop being the centre of attention for the duration of the morning meal. 

Afterwards, you'd lightly pulled Charlie away for a chat. Now that you had calmed from your breakdown, you felt awful about causing the amount of damage that you did to her building.

"I'm terribly sorry about the way I behaved yesterday, dear. I will pay out of pocket to get anything I destroyed fixed or replaced, none of you deserve to live in a hovel because I acted irrationally." You offered, trying to mask your guilt with formalness. 

Charlie simply waved you off with a chipper smile.

"Oh Eva, don't worry about it. I've already got repair guys coming in later today to fix up the place and money's not an issue." She informed pleasantly before her smile dropped slightly as she glanced up at you. "Are you okay though?" She asked in concern.

"Fine, thank you." You answered stoically. 

You'd gotten so much better at not shutting down during these moments and learn to trust your friends with your emotions but you were too overwhelmed with the past couple of days. You just wanted to shut down for a little while and not feel a thing. 

"If the matter is closed then I best be getting-" You gestured back to the kitchen in an attempt to slink away.

"Wait!" Charlie stopped you frantically, causing you to look at her in confusion. "I just wanna say, I'm sorry too. If I had known any of this would've happened after inviting Mimzy here, I never would've-" She babbled, clearly ready to go on a tangent. 

You softened at her kind nature and smiled, bringing your hand to her cheek to pause her ramblings. 

"There's nothing for you to apologize for, cherub. None of this was your fault, you just have a good heart." You assured, causing the blonde's bright smile to illuminate her face once again. "I only regret that I failed to make you proud of me for overcoming my envy issues."

"You wanted to make me proud?" Charlie asked in bewilderment as if the very thought had never entered her mind. You found it endearing how utterly flattered she looked at the very notion.

"Of course." You answered simply, dropping your hand from her face to shrug. The blonde was practically shaking with excitement.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so fucking proud of all of you guys!" Charlie practically screamed, unable to contain her joy. She merrily squished her own cheeks, staring up at you with her Disney princess eyes with the twinkles and all.

"Really?" You ask in disbelief, quirking your eyebrow up in suspicion.

You couldn't believe that the princess held such high esteem of any of you since you all failed so miserably any task she tried to give you - especially ones that concerned issues you all needed to overcome.

"All of you sound like you've came from your own hell when you were alive. The fact that you even try to better yourselves says more about you than any of the issues you may have - I wish all sinners were like you guys!" Charlie gushed with the pride she felt practically radiating off her. 

You blinked in shock at the girl's words for a few seconds before you pulled her into an abrupt hug. She startled at first, clearly not used to other people initiating the first hug since she always beat them to it, but then relaxed into your hold and damn near squeezed the afterlife out of you. Still, you let her have her dose of love for being such a sweetheart in this hellish place.

Sometimes it still baffled you that Lucifer's spawn had a heart kinder than the majority of actual humans.

"Never change, Charlotte." You uttered quietly, swaying her slightly in affection.

Charlie suddenly pulled away, keeping her hands on your shoulders so she could stick her face as close to yours as possible with her big, toothy grin on show. 

"Hey, do you wanna help me paint the lounge a different colour? We could do a movie montage of songs!" 

You let out a light laugh at her enthusiasm as well as idea and nodded in agreement. 

"You bet your bottom dollar I do, cherub." You smiled and booped the tip of her nose before linking her elbow with yours and taking her into the lounge to get started.

As much as you felt the blues with Alastor gone, you were still grateful to have this crazy found family by your side. Not only did they all accept you, quirks, issues and all, but the fact that they were always there whenever you needed someone meant more to you than they'd ever know.

You felt a little burst of love in your heart taking over the sadness and reached over to ruffle Charlie's hair in affection causing her to squeak.

One thing had led to another and the both of you had more paint on each other than the walls did. 

But you were happy.

Chapter Text

With Alastor's new focus of regaining souls, came a different routine.

He would leave by dusk every morning, but not before giving you a sweet kiss each time, then return by sundown looking downright exhausted. Sometimes it made you ache with guilt just seeing how big of a tole losing those contracts had on him. However, he never complained once and actually seemed to thrive on the new healthy balance of your relationship. 

Every night when Alastor came back, no matter how tired he was, he always made time for just you and him. 

More than a few nights, he actually appeared in your kitchen just to whip you up a late night dinner of your favourite foods before he told you all about his ventures out. Not only that; he'd run you bubble baths, played smooth jazz music just for you to dance together in your own little bubble, set up candlelit dinner dates, sang to you in bed while he cuddled you or played with your hair and even simply sat in silence with you in the library if you were enjoying a good book, holding your hand whilst he read his newspaper. 

It was just like when you were married on earth again and you couldn't have been happier.

Even while he was away, you still had the rest of the group to spend your day with, which was always welcomed company.

Of course there were still little dramas here and then - like when Angel and Husk got stoned and accidentally flooded Angel's bathroom after leaving a tap on or when Charlie got upset after having a phone call with her father because he'd given her a lecture about how much money she'd tanked into her passion project with little to no progress so you all had to jump through hoops to cheer her up or when Niffty tried to sacrifice Fat Nuggets to the 'Pork Gods' for chewing up one of her sparkly dresses - but you couldn't complain.

It was pleasantly strange how the chaos felt like comfort around here - a sense of normality, even. 

Which brought you to today where you, Charlie, Angel and Vaggie were having an impromptu spa day in the girls' large bathroom, wearing your bathrobes and sitting with facemasks on with magazines and music in the background. Niffty had wanted to take Fat Nuggets out for his afternoon walk and Angel sent Husk along with her to make sure she didn't try to take revenge again which led to you four having some downtime together.

The conversation had led onto stories of wild, fun nights out with Angel, of course, having the craziest ones. 

"We should get Niffty and all go on a girls night together!" Charlie suggested excitedly after hearing one of Vaggie's clubbing stories on earth where she'd gotten so blackout, she'd ended up dancing Cayote Ugly style on a bar and almost got kicked out by male security only to be saved by a group of other women jumping on to dance along with her until there were too many to single out just one.

"I suppose a nice change of pace could be fun." You agreed, only because you'd never been on a girls night yourself, only ever out with Al or gay men from speakeasys. 

"Yeah, sounds good, babe. Angel, you wanna get in on this and shake some ass? Not that it's any different from your usual day to days here." Vaggie asked with her usual playful edge when it came to the spider. 

You'd noticed that their bond had been getting stronger for quite some time now to the point that, even when they argued, it was still like brother and sister - likely because the both of them did have siblings and could bond in a way that no one else could understand - because it was always playful rather than aggressive. 

"Sorry, sista', ya couldn't afford me fa' the night." Angel answered with a smirk as he stood at the mirror to take off his facemask before applying his multiple-step skincare routine, starting with eye cream. "Besides, I got a date with a hairy bartender that likes to play hard to get." 

Although he'd said it like it was one of his usual jokes, you smiled inwardly knowing that it was completely true. Husk and Angel were still sneaking around together in secret because it seemed that they were both waiting for the other one to back out of their budding romance, thinking the other was too good for them, but neither could see how crazy the other one clearly was for them. It was sweet, how shy they were. 

That being said, you were pretty sure that everyone in the hotel already knew because they were fucking shit at hiding it. 

"You're not my type anyway, bitch." Vaggie retorted with a sassy tone while she tilted her head back and rested sliced cucumbers on her eyes as if that was the end of the conversation.

"How the fuck am I not your type?" Angel snapped, halting his skincare routine to look at her in offence despite the fact she couldn't see him.

You looked up at Charlie from over the top of your magazine and both of you shared a giggle at the ridiculousness of the two. Never mind the fact that Angel was gay and Vaggie was a lesbian, both proudly and comfortably so, but it was just like them to get into petty arguments like this over nothing.

"Cause I like 'em a little more hardcore than you." Vaggie answered dismissively as she reached over blindly to rub Charlie's arm lovingly, who blushed at the compliment. 

"I'm hardcore!" Angel whined petulantly, disproving his own argument immediately.

"You're not hardcore." She shot back dismissively.

"I'm so hardcore!" He stomped his foot and crossed his arms, still glaring at her but with a petted lip to match now.

"Look at you!" Vaggie snapped, whipping her head forward to gesture to him which caused the cucumbers to fall off of her eyes. 

Angel couldn't have looked more soft and delicate if he tried - standing in his fluffy, pink bathrobe with his hair in rolling curls, the fluff on his face looking dewy soft and his childish pose, pout and all. 

"You're not hardcore!" Vaggie said with finality, daring him to deny it again with her expression alone.

"Why, because I don't wear a fuckin' flannel in eighty degree weatha' like you, you stupid bitch?!" Angel countered with no real malice behind his words, referencing to the heatwave they'd recently had where he had used it as an excuse to walk around topless while Vaggie still had on at least three layers and he'd teased her about it the whole day.

"You're too angry too, you fly off the handle, I don't like that-" She waved him off dismissively once again.

"Well that's a fuckin' hardcore thing to do!" Angel cut her off with a forced deepening of his own voice whilst striking a pose like a body builder, hunching forward towards her with his four hands clenched as if he was trying to flex his non-existent muscles at her.

It caused all of you to burst out laughing, including him.

"You don't even want me!" Vaggie argued through her laughter.

"I don't want you." Angel confirmed factually as he turned back to the mirror to continue his skincare.

"So why do even care?" She asked with a shrug.

"Because I want you to want me." He answered, showing his vanity in that he wanted to be desired by everyone even if it was impossible.

Charlie's eyes lit up at the song reference that popped into her head and started to sing, "I want yoooou to want me." 

It hadn't been that long since you'd watched the movie '10 Things I Hate About You' so you weren't surprised that the main score was still stuck in Charlie's theatrical brain. 

Apparently it had with Angel's too because he also joined in. "I need yooou ta need me."

Charlie jumped up from her chair and joined Angel in the mirror with a hairbrush to use as an imaginary microphone while they performed their little duet together, pointing at each other like they were actually on stage.

"I need you to need me, I'd love you to love me, I'm begging you to beg me!"

"Congratulations, darling, you've set them off now." You teased the moth as you turned the page on your magazine with a smirk, rather enjoying the two's offkey yet enthusiastic singing. 

Vaggie rolled her eyes with a fond smile before tilting her head back and placing her fallen cucumbers over her eyes once more.

"I propose a toast!" You raised your glass to the rest of the group sitting with you in the booth of the club.

As soon as Niffty had returned from her walk, she'd readily accepted the invite for girls night and you had all gotten ready together with some wine while sharing a few funny stories. It was lovely having that closeness.

Now, in the too loud and too crowded club, the other girls raised their glasses along with you. 

"I've never had any girlfriends in either of my lives-" Mainly due to your mother but you decided to leave that titbit out as to not dampen the merry mood. "But you ladies are more than I could've ever asked for and I'm so grateful to have known each and every single one of you." 

"TO THE FUCKING TRIBE!" Niffty screamed at the top of her lungs, causing you all to grin at both her enthusiasm and the sentiment behind it. 

"To the tribe!" You all joined in and clinked your glasses together before necking them down quickly.

The club was definitely a completely different speed to how you would usually like to spend your time but you enjoyed the new experience with the women that you loved nonetheless.

Despite the fact that you had two left feet and never danced with anyone but Alastor, you were up for practically hours with the girls individually and as a group just letting loose and being silly together.

Throughout the night, Vaggie and Charlie had gotten more openly affectionate with each other which was adorable to see since they usually kept those moments for just the two of them. They'd danced together, sang romantic pop ballads that had been playing to each other, always touching the other even if it was an innocent playing of the hair from Vaggie or Charlie rubbing her foot up and down her girlfriend's leg every time they were sat down and they'd told you and Niffty the story of how they'd first gotten together. 

The love in their eyes as they looked at each other throughout their retelling filled your heart with warmth. 

Niffty had also drank you all under the table which was both surprising and not at the same time.

You'd complimented her for always achieving the unexpected and being one of the most interesting people you'd ever met. She'd been a little teary eyed and wrapped your legs in a tight hug, surprising you with the affection. 

You wondered if it was the booze causing such a strong reaction or if - being from the fifty's where social standards for women were worse than even when you were alive - she'd never been told that before.

Either way, you'd bent over and hugged her back just as firmly until she'd gathered herself and dragged you back to the bar for more shots. 

After a few hours, when the trio had all gotten in a circle for a Destiny's Child song, you slinked outside to sneak a cigarette. Not because you were stressed but to enjoy the quiet of the outside.

As much fun as you were having, you needed a little breather. 

You'd sat down on the step of the empty smoking area. Most demons didn't care for the curtesy of smoking outside and just lit up in establishments, ready to start a fight if they were called out on such rude behaviour. You were just grateful for the peace. 

"Hey, can I bum one of those?" A sad, broken down voice asked which broke the silence. 

"Sure, here you-" You held out the packet for the stranger to take and cut yourself off when you recognised the person standing above you. "Oh! I know you, you're that media man- Vox, right?"

Vox let out an unimpressed hum, likely used to being recognised in public due to his face and brand quite literally being everywhere through the rings of Hell. 

Though, he looked anything but the famous celebrity and powerful Overlord in this moment. His clothes had rips through them which showed off multiple bruises on his skin, his posture was hunched over like it pained him to even stand and most importantly, his face had a giant and painful looking crack down the side of his screen. 

He reached out and took one of your offered cigarettes to put in his mouth then hobbled over to sit down next to you on the step before lighting it with a spark from his thumb.

You were mildly impressed that someone else could do the same minor trick as you.

"Don't think about running to the news about this, doll face, I already own them." Vox grumbled, inhaling his smoke deeply as he stared out into the distance with a far off look in his eyes. 

"Not that I ever would, but your female news anchor and I don't exactly see eye to eye anyhow." You confessed with an eye roll, taking your own inhale with a grimace as the memory of the spider bitch passed through your mind.

"Hmm, Katie? Why, did she run a story leaking your revenge porn or something?" He asked with a hint of disinterest as if he'd heard it all before.

"No, nothing like that. We sort of had a tiny bit of an... altercation, you could say, at the beginning of the year." 

Vox furrowed his eyebrows and looked at you as if he was trying to work something out in his head. After a moment, his eyes lit up with recognition.

"No fucking way, you're the one that kicked the shit out of her and burned her house down! Aw man, she's been whining about the uppity bitch who did that to her since it happened!" He revealed through a hearty chuckle, only wincing slightly as it must have irritated his injuries.

You frowned disapprovingly at his wording - and apparently the little nickname Katie Killjoy had dubbed you as - but you let it slide seeing as the small bit of information had seemingly perked him up from his near cationic state.

"She still has to wear wigs and false eyelashes, y'know? Good shit. What made you do it?" He asked with a smirk, turning his full attention on you now as if he deemed you interesting enough to talk to all of a sudden.

Maybe it was the booze that was making you feel chatty, maybe it was your newfound trust in strangers caused by the lovely folk at the hotel or maybe you could just tell that Vox needed someone to talk to in this moment.

No matter the reason, you decided to humour him.

"She was rather rude to my friend. Called her a homophobic slur and doubled down on it when given the chance to apologize." You answered truthfully, still seeing no fault in what you did. 

It may have traumatized poor, sweet Charlie from having to bare witness to it but the evil bitch had goddamn deserved her comeuppance.

"Yeah, she's a total thundercunt but what can I say? She gets good ratings." Vox shrugged dismissively before taking another inhale of his cigarette and looking like he was going deep into contemplation once more for a few silent moments. "Most people don't start fights with powerful demons like her over their friends though. No one down here knows loyalty like that." 

"Perhaps you've been surrounding yourself with the wrong people then." You suggested lightly, taking context from his current state of wellbeing as well as sitting alone with a random stranger rather than a trusted friend.

"Yeah, maybe..." He agreed before zoning out with that forlorn look again, taking another drag of his cigarette as if the nicotine could cure all of his pain. 

You knew what that felt like when you were at your lowest too. 

"Is that the reason you've been left in this state?" You asked gently. 

Vox let out a deep sigh, exhaling the smoke from his lung in the most defeated manner you had ever witnessed. He opened his mouth but closed it again, clearly conflicted on whether to answer or not.

You waited patiently for his decision, sensing that if he didn't want to release his burdens then he wouldn't have still been sitting here.

Eventually, he must have decided that he wanted to talk about it - even to a tipsy woman in a smoking area of a run down club that he'd likely never meet again.

"I broke up with my ex-boyfriend for like... the ninth time this month." Vox admitted, continuing to look straight ahead rather than at you after such a vulnerable confession.

Your heart ached with sympathy for him.

"He did this to you?" You asked in horror, unable to comprehend how anyone could do such a thing. 

Sure, you and your husband had more than your fair share of fights but you could never imagine Alastor hurting you in this way let alone you doing anything similar to him. 

"Don't feel too sorry for me, baby cakes, I'll probably end up back in bed with him by the end of the week." Vox rebuttaled, shaking his head with a look of self-loathing written all over his face.

"Why would you return to someone who hurt you like this?" You couldn't help but voice. Not out of a victim blaming stance but a genuine curiosity for his dire situation.

"Because...." Vox grew quiet again and lifted his cigarette for another desperate inhale before answering, "I don't have anyone else."

He lowered his head in what looked to be shame. 

You tossed your own cigarette away before resting your hand on his shoulder in an act of comfort. You may not have been able to relate to his abusive relationship but you understood far too well with feeling like there was no one in the world to turn to when times were at their worst.

His head snapped over to you in confusion as soon as you made contact. 

"I happen to know what that loneliness feels like and the lengths we go to in order to escape from it." You started softly with a sympathetic smile, squeezing his shoulder in reassurance as you did. 

He looked at you like he was hanging onto every word, like he'd never been expecting kind words after such a dark revelation, like he needed words of solace more than air in this very moment.

"You may think that you are undeserving of love but you aren't. There is a potential for change in every demon down here and it's never too late for you to try again with a brand new start. After all, the only good thing about being in Hell is that eternity comes with a plethora of new possible beginnings." You concluded, briefly thinking of Charlie's pep talks in the back of your mind. 

Vox blinked a few times and looked like he was taking the words in, as if he'd never considered the notion of starting anew with his life.

"What did you say your name was?" He asked, looking almost dazed.

"I didn't." You teased, patting his shoulder gently before putting your hand back on your lap. 

Vox smiled back at your response but hissed when the corner of his mouth met the crack on his screen, causing it to spark in what looked like a painful way.

"That looks pretty bad, would you like some help with it?" You offered with a wince yourself just at the seriousness of the injury. 

"Nah it's fine, I'll just need a blow torch and a couple of painkillers for the next few days." He waved you off, leaning back on the step to discreetly puff out his chest like he was trying to make himself look tougher than he felt. 

"Oh! I have something." You gestured to his head. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all, gorgeous." Vox quirked an eyebrow up on his unmarked side and looked at you with intrigue, pondering on what you were planning to do.

Turning to face him fully, you delicately held the bottom corner of his head to tilt it closer to you.

Once he was close enough, you lightly put your finger to the top edge of the crack and sparked it aflame. Due to how focused you were on your task, you'd completely missed the look of wonder he was giving you or that his cigarette had fallen from his grip with how slack his hands had gotten.

"Does this hurt?" You slowly brushed your alight fingertip down the side of his face which softened the sharp edges of the cracked screen.

"No..." Vox said in bewilderment, perhaps unused to anyone caring or handling him so preciously.

"Good." You continued to hold his face with your left hand while your right made gentle work of melting and moulding the line over and over again until it was completely even, then blew on it until it dried.

Vox's face suddenly flashed with a bright pink background. 

You startled at the sudden switch and removed your hands quickly to clench in worry in front of you.

"I'm sorry, did that hurt?" You winced in guilt, watching his screen flash back to his normal face which looked a little embarrassed. 

"Not at all." He answered just as quickly as you'd asked and shot his hand out to take hold of your wrist that was closest to him, as if wanting to pull you back into the contact. 

However his face looked as good as new and there was nothing else for you to fix so you tried to shake his hold away but it only caused him to take your hand in a firm grip and spot the thorny ring on your finger when he looked down.

"What's this?" 

"A knuckle duster for people who don't say thank you." You replied with the same matter of fact tone you were used to using with your family when it came to manners. Although you didn't feel any mistrust for the TV Demon, you still weren't one to open up to complete strangers yourself.

Though, your answer still clearly amused him as he burst out laughing without pause since he could smile again, no pain necessary.

"Thanks, doll face. Most people wouldn't have given a shit and just taken a picture to put up on a gossip website or something." He said sincerely, tilting his head slightly when he looked at you as if he was analysing you.

"Perhaps you need to stop comparing others to 'most people'." You suggest with a knowing look since it was more than apparent that he was speaking of the one particular creature who had done this to him in the first place.

"Yeah maybe." Vox huffed but didn't sound as defeated as before so you took it as a win. "So what are ya? A nurse or something?" 

"A chef actually." You corrected conversationally.

"No way! Work anywhere I would've heard of?" He wondered curiously, leaning towards you slightly.

"Well, I did have a small restaurant in Wrath for quite some time-" You began, already thinking that there was no point in mentioning it since your old place wasn't exactly popular.

"It wasn't, by any chance, Evangeline's Edibles, was it?" Vox cut you off with a genuine curiosity in his tone.

Your eyebrows raised in surprise. 

"How did you know that?" You asked suspiciously, not used to people having recognised the establishment let alone know it from one descriptor alone.

"Every other place in Wrath was a different stake house, all owned by dudes." Vox smirked, clearly thinking himself quite intelligent for cracking such a mystery. "I can't fucking believe this, that was my favourite restaurant in all of Hell! I had people who's jobs it was just to deliver me food from there! I tried to find the owner after it was obliterated with the last extermination to offer to pay for the rebuild and any other expenses but they left no trail." He confessed with sincere excitement, shocking you further.

You couldn't help but feel flattered that he enjoyed your food so much that he'd gone through all that trouble. It wasn't often that you'd received such a compliment for your culinary skills or had anyone recognise your small business tucked away in a mostly secluded part of Hell. While you may have had loyal customers, few as they were, you'd never had a fan.

"So you must be Evangeline then." He concluded, appraising you with a look of what could only be described as amazement.

"Well I suppose that puts an end to the mystery." You retorted jokingly, still a little taken aback from the praise.

"What are you doing now? I could give you your own cooking show like that, sweet cheeks." Vox snapped his fingers to make a point. Your eyes widened at the sudden and extreme offer. "You could get your recipes out there! Plus, a face like that is definitely gonna bring in some viewers even if they don't give a fuck about the meals, they'll still get to see a tasty snack."

"No thank you, I already have a job." You quickly shot him down, a little overwhelmed at how rapidly his mood had switched.

You'd also need to make sure and ask Angel what a 'snack' was in this context to see if you'd just been insulted to your face after helping this man and supposedly running his favourite eatery for quite some time.  

Vox looked stunned by your answer, clearly not used to having people turn down his offers or say no to him in general.

"Well how about-" He started again but you guessed that it would've been another generous but foolish proposal.

You assumed that he was trying to pay you back in some way for being there for him in such a dark moment so you decided to just leave it at that rather than let him think you wanted anything in return if he offered a big enough amount.

"Actually, I think it's best I get back to my friends, they may grow worried if I'm gone too long. Would you like me to call a cab so you can make it home safely?" You asked as you stood up from the step and brushed the creases from your dress. "Or for that matter, do you have a safe place to go to?" You looked at him in concern, not considering that point until now.

Vox continued to sit frozen on the step, staring up at you in sheer perplexity. 

"It's okay, I'm... I'm fine, doll face." He stumbled out his words, though his answer caused you to smile in relief. 

His screen flashed to pink again but he was quicker in switching it back this time.

"In that case, I wish you the best, Vox. I truly hope you get out of this situation and live a better life like you deserve." 

You turned to go back inside to meet up with the tribe again, missing the way Vox's eyes followed you every step of the way until you were out of sight.

Chapter Text

By the time you'd awoken the next day, you reached over the side of the bed to find your husband already gone but when you'd found a loving note addressed to you on his pillow once you'd opened your eyes fully.

'Good morning, my dearest. 
You looked far too peaceful for me to disturb your rest with frivolous goodbyes so I hope this will suffice. I eagerly await to see you tonight to hear stories of your night on the town. 
Love, Al.'

You smiled at the sweet words and tucked the note safely in your bedside drawer for keepsakes before getting dressed and heading downstairs to start the day. Thankfully, you'd slowed your pace last night with the drinking once you seen the girls getting recklessly blottoed and felt the natural urge to right yourself enough to be responsible for them. Overall, the venture had still been an enjoyable experience but you weren't too sure on how the others would be fairing this morning.

Husk and Angel had been the first ones downstairs this morning after you, seemingly in the midst of a playfully heated argument over who's chest fluff was the fluffiest - with them both saying the other. They briefly greeted you out of politeness as they took their mugs of coffee you had brewed, which made you smile at their manners, before taking their seats at the table and continuing their back and forth. 

Fat Nuggets had waddled up your legs to rub his snout against them affectionately in the way that he did when he was ready for his meal. You'd taken the pot of stewed vegetables off the stove to allow to cool before bending down to scratch his ears.

Soon after, Niffty had darted in the kitchen with her usual hyperactive energy which would make anyone think she was completely fine but as soon as she spotted the Advil you'd left on the counter, she'd grabbed it with both hands and tried to down the whole thing - packaging and all. 

You quickly shot up and snatched it off her. 

"Niffty! Two at most for the next four hours!" You chastised as you popped two pills out of the packaging and got a cold water bottle out of the fridge before handing her them both. 

She downed the tablets with one swift gulp - not a drop of water needed to wash them down - then pouted up at you.

"I need moooore! C'mon, Eva, it hurts!" Niffty pleaded while she clawed at your legs in an attempt to climb up you to retrieve the medication.

"I'm sorry, darling, but you'll feel better after something to eat and some rest." You told her gently, petting her hair in a soothing manner with your free hand while the other kept the packet from her. 

She instantly dropped from you once she'd realised that she wasn't going to get her way and instead, starting zipping around the room to rifle through drawers muttering something about finding a hammer to knock herself out until she'd felt better. 

You let out a sigh and rushed to pick her up under the armpits, with her legs still trying to go a mile a minute, to pry her away from the potential harm she would cause herself and plopped her down in a chair between Angel and Husk.

"Watch her." You ordered strictly before going back to the now cool enough pot of veggies for the pig and pouring them in his bowl as well as freshening up his water. 

"Jesus, Squeaky, you look rough." Angel commented with a smirk, reaching over to ruffle the cyclops' hair.

"Yeah, Niff, thought you could handle your booze." Husk chimed in, raising his eyebrow in suspicion as he knew from first hand experience the little woman could even take him on in a drinking competition.

"I drank lighter fluid last night." She hissed gravely then proceeded to slam her head down on the table - thankfully, Angel had managed to slap a hand in between her and the hard surface before she could make contact. 

"Rookie." Husk chuckled and passed his coffee over to her.

Just then, the last of the group had trudged in with Charlie being carried bridal style in Vaggie's arms - both of whom looked dreadful. Charlie's grey skin tone matched her girlfriend's almost perfectly while Vaggie looked like a stray gust of wind would have knocked her over despite steadily carrying the princess as preciously as she was. 

Angel burst out laughing at the sight, causing the both of them to wince at the sheer volume. 

You smiled sympathetically at them and got medicine and water for the pair once they were settled in a seat with Charlie not detaching from Vaggie for a minute, choosing to sit on her lap, cuddled into her.

"So how ya handlin' the aftermath of ya first girls night, Cha Cha?" Angel asked teasingly with a cocky half smile directed at the quivering princess, still settled in her girlfriend's lap.

"Hurts..." Charlie whimpered and proceeded to tuck her head into the crook of Vaggie's neck while the moth soothingly rubbed her back. 

Both Husk and Angel started to laugh at her response but you whacked them both with your wooden spoon as you passed by to start handing out the plates of the breakfast spread, ceasing their mockery. 

"Be nice." You warned, waving your weapon threateningly at them both before turning to face the whole table. "How about today, everybody just takes it easy? I'll set up some blankets and snacks in the lounge and you can all have a movie day?" 

They all agreed so whilst they were eating their breakfast, you grabbed your coat and went out to the store to grab everybody's comfort foods. 

While you were walking around, you couldn't shake the feeling of being watched and your eyes darted around to see if you could spot Alastor's shadow anywhere. As of late, he hadn't been sending his little minion to follow you, either because he finally seen it as the invasion of privacy that it was or he needed all the help he could get when intimidating sinners for their souls - definitely the latter, you thought. 

You put the feeling down to paranoia and kept on about your business, getting to the store to get all the snacks and ingredients you needed. 

Once you were back at the hotel, you set up the lounge with all the spare blankets and pillows you could find - as well as a basin in case any of the girls couldn't hold down the contents of their stomach - before shutting the curtains and setting up the TV so it was as cosy as possible for them. 

Once the rabble shuffled in, you made sure they were comfortable and set about your day of playing caretaker. 

The majority of your day was running back and forward with light meals/snacks with water to make sure all five of the bunch stayed hydrated as well as making sure the girls took their painkillers on time. Between shifts, you kept yourself occupied doing busy work around the hotel and within the kitchen to make sure Niffty didn't have to do a double shift tomorrow to make up for having some time off.
 
Just when you'd thought that today would've been an unusually mellow one, someone had knocked at the front door. 

You answered it and were taken aback when a giant bundle of blue roses greeting you at eye level. 

"What the fuck?" You stepped back in surprise.

Someone had cleared their throat causing you to look down to see a little imp carrying - and clearly struggling to hold - the massive assortment. 

"Are you Evangeline?" The imp asked through a wheeze. 

"Yes?" You answered in more of a question, unsure why the hotel was receiving a flower order on such a random occasion. Or why they were addressed to you of all people for that matter.

"Thank Satan." The imp grumbled then promptly dropped the bouquet at your feet and held his aching back as he turned back to head down the steps. 

You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion and looked around the massive pile until you spotted an envelope attached to the stand they were in. 

'Dollface, thanks for last night.
If you ever change your mind about my offer,
here's my number: XXX-XXX-XXXX
-V'

A slow smile stretched over your lips reading the note. The thoughtfulness of the gesture completely blind sighted you to the fact that you didn't recall giving Vox any information of where you lived. Despite the fact you didn't expect any gift of thanks for being a comforting shoulder for a stranger to share their burdens with, you'd thought it would've been rude for you to try and send them back. 

Besides, you'd always loved flowers.

You picked up the heavy assortment and quickly shuffled back into the kitchen to display them in the empty corner, brightening up the room significantly. You'd also tucked away the note, never intending to use it. After all, now that you were of a sober mind, you knew it would just be asking for trouble to involve yourself in a friendship with one of Alastor's sworn enemies. 

You'd ended up getting lost in thought staring at the bundle, trying to piece together in your mind of all the rumours you'd heard through the grapevine of the war between the Radio and TV Demon. The only reason you'd even kept updated was to make sure Alastor hadn't been erased because even though you hated him, you still loved him enough to want him to still have a life - just away from yours at the time. However, all you knew was that they couldn't be in the same room without trying to destroy each other.

Perhaps you'd need to ask Alastor later tonight. 

Your thoughts were abruptly cut off by Angel strutting into the kitchen holding Fat Nuggets' walking harness with Husk hot on his heels, eyes glued down onto his phone. You inwardly thought that it was adorable of how inseparable the two became since the start of their budding romance. 

"Who was at tha door, mamabear?" Angel asked curiously as he bent down under the table to scan for his pet. "Nuggys! Walks!" The pig sprinted out from his hiding place in the pantry to obediently sit by his smiling owner and have the harness be put on. 

"Oh it was just a thank you gift from someone. Aren't they lovely?" 

"Roses, huh? Classy." Angel smirked as his eyes darted over to see the huge bouquet. He squinted briefly as if he was getting a feeling of de ja vu that he couldn't quite put his finger on. Though he was broken from his train of thought when Fat Nuggets started squirming so he secured his harness comfortably and attached the leash before standing. "Hey Husky, how come ya don't get me roses sent here?" 

"I gave you a rosebud last night, Legs. Don't get greedy." Husk grumbled quick as a dart, eyes never raising from his screen.

Angel's face went bright red as well as his jaw dropping at the comment. 

"Aww, that is so adorable, you got flowers last night on your date?" You gushed from the sheer cuteness of the confession, clasping your hands under your chin as you grinned at them. 

"That... ain't what t-that means. Don't google it neitha'." Angel stuttered out in warning, eye twitching slightly while he stared at the cat, still clearly in shock. 

Husk smirked and briefly glanced up at him from under his eyelashes. "Cat got your tongue, Angel?" He asked lowly with a wink.

"Stop trying to one-up me on dirty talk, Kitty!" Angel stomped his foot in an attempt to hide how flustered he was rapidly becoming. 

You clocked on to the fact that whatever inside jokes they were having were far too risqué for you to even want to comprehend so you let them be and went back to work tidying up the kitchen and checking the time since it wouldn't be long until the girls were due a top up of painkillers. 

"If I had to deal with you tryna rile me up for months with ya filthy mouth then you can swallow a taste of your own medicine. Amongst other things." Husk smirked at him and blew him a flirtatious kiss. 

Angel looked like he was ready to melt into the floor, lovestruck gaze targeted directly at the cat and subconsciously even moving a little closer to him as if he had forgotten his previous task of walking his pet in place of another.

"Boys, I support your relationship wholeheartedly but if you ever make whoopee in my kitchen, I'll fillet the both of you alive." You warned with a stern look shot in both their directions, idly waving your spoon around in an unspoken threat. 

Husk held up his hands in self defence and moved past you to pinch one of Niffty's cookies from the tray that was currently cooling on the counter.

"Bite me, grandma. Like you and Al ain't ever fucked in here." Angel shot back without menace, crossing his arms to look like the tallest brat that ever walked the planet.

You gasped at the accusation and held your hand over your chest. "Rude, rude man!" You admonished, whacking him in the arm with your spoon to hide the attention from the redness in your own face. It didn't go to plan because Angel was cackling till he was breathless. "Go walk your pet, you miscreant."

"One second, Legs," Husk stopped him before he could, focused back on his phone once again. "Before ya go, what the hell does IDK, ILY and TT...YL, mean? Fuckin' dyslexic assholes on my feed..." He grumbled, squinting down at the screen.

"I don't know, I love you, talk to ya later, dummy." Angel answered, sounding both amused and charmed at once. 

"Yeah I don't know either," Husk grouched, frowning at his screen but he still took what he assumed to be a verbal cue to make his leave and made his way over to the spider to kiss him on the cheek. "Love ya too, loser." He said casually before popping the cookie into his mouth and leaving the both of you still stood there in shock.

Angel's eyes looked like they were ready to pop out of his head as he stared at the swinging door Husk had left, clearly wanting nothing more than to chase after the silly cat and show some appreciation for the unintentional admission of feelings. His eyes then darted to your own shocked gaze before looking down at his beloved pet with a conflicted look painted all over his features.

You let out a sigh and held out your hand for his leash. "I'll walk him, sweetheart."

Angel lit up like the brightest star you'd ever seen. In a flash, he'd pulled you in for a crushing hug, handed you the leash then bolted out the door to chase after his man. The display made you laugh good-naturedly. 

"Your parents are crazy, aren't they?" You asked the pig who looked up at you in what you imagined to be agreement. "Let's get you some fresh air now, baby."

Despite your day consisting of running around after everyone and making sure they were all tended to, you still had adrenaline running through your system by nightfall to see your husband. You loved the domestic moments with your little group and it made you all the more eager to settle down for a relaxing late night supper with Alastor at the end of it all. 

You'd taken the liberty to set up the table in the lounge along with lighting candles and pouring the wine before going back to the kitchen to take out the tray from the oven and checking the time. It wouldn't be long until Al would be back so you ripped off your cooking apron and attempted to fluff up your hair in the seemingly effortless way Angel often did, then plated the dinner.

It was when you had taken the meal to the lounge and set them down, you heard the sound of radio feedback and jumped. 

Al had appeared suddenly behind you, causing you to stumble and almost fall if he hadn't caught you in a dip. His smug face was above yours as his heads were secured over the expanse of your back, keeping you safely in position.

"Hello, love."

"What have I told you about sneaking up on me?" You snapped and batted his shoulder.

"That it's better to ask for forgiveness than for permission?" Alastor asked with a playful tone before leaning down and rubbing his nose with yours affectionately.

You roll your eyes in an attempt to cling onto your unbothered façade but even you were helpless to him acting so adorably. With a smile, you lovingly trailed your hands up his torso and around his neck, clasping them comfortably through the back of his hair. You noted the involuntarily shiver your touch sent through him.

"Well you're just in time, I've got a steak pie fresh out the oven for my cutie pie." You gestured to the table behind you with your head. 

Alastor's gaze never diverted from yours so you could see in real time as he softened into a hopelessly lovesick expression, that must have matched the one that was no doubt on your face, then leaned down to place a soft kiss on your lips.

Your eyes fluttered closed and leaned into the contact, not realising just how much you had missed your husband until this moment. In the back of your mind you wondered how you managed to live without this man for as long as you did when now you couldn't go more than a full day without craving his company.

Apparently Al felt the same because once he'd pulled back from the kiss, he only got an inch away before planting a series of quick pecks over your lips and across your cheeks causing you to giggle.

With one last peck, he stood you in an upright position again before leading you to your chair to pull out for you - as he always did, ever the gentleman - then taking his own seat across from you and thanking you for the meal.

"Anytime, honey. So how was your day? Any luck with the... well, y'know?" You asked mildly, still a little uncomfortable with the entire trading in souls business. That said, you wanted to make an effort in getting to know this part of his life, especially if he was doing his best to keep up with the bargain between you both by continuing to stay open and honest about his work.

"Actually, my dear, expanding my territory was the name of the game today." Alastor started with a chuckle, folding his napkin over his lap before chopping up his dinner.

He then proceeded to tell you all about territories and the power holding those pieces of land meant while he ate his meal. You listened attentively but the more you learned about the politics of Hell, the more you wished to go back to being blissfully ignorant. It all sounded like a rat race to scramble for a crumb of significance to you. Your mind couldn't help but wander even while Al described to you the values in each ring and what they provided. 

"Seeing as I've been absent from the scene for quite some time, I cannot let any other Overlord know of my dimmed power so with more territory comes with influence as well as a bargaining chip for down the line in case need be. Thankfully I still have a few businesses under my wing for a rainy day, there's also the matter of properties," Alastor continued with a self assured aura as he spoke.

Your mind automatically went to thinking up better uses of this land that Alastor apparently owned, like homes for demons trying to survive this literal hellscape or shelters for during exterminations rather than petty, superficial hoards of power just to have a dick measuring contest with other Overlords. 

Though, you decided to keep your lips sealed and not give him any shit about it, in this moment anyway. Alastor had been doing a lot better when it came to prioritising people over power lately with your own little family so you didn't want to keep being a nag when he was already making an effort. Still, there would always be some part of you that longed for normalcy with him again where you didn't have to worry about his job - or the consequences to it - anytime he stepped out the door. 

After another five minutes of him boasting about his fellow Overlords, your mind wandered again. The only ones he didn't seem to respect where the Vee's and you couldn't help but wonder why. 

"What ever happened between you and Vox?" You blurted out, causing Alastor to drop his utensils on his nearly empty plate with a loud clatter.

"Why would you care to know about that bag of bolts?" He asked disdainfully, not even hiding how much hearing the TV Demon's name irked him.

"I just remember hearing through the grapevine of your war back in the day." You shrugged.

In truth, your curiosity had simply been peaked. 

After meeting Vox the previous night and hearing briefly of his sad situation, you felt pity for the poor man and a part of you felt like he couldn't have been so bad when trapped in such an awful situation while feeling like he had no one else to turn to. That being said, everybody knew how much the Radio and TV Demon despised each other so it would be idiotic of you to bring any of that up to Al and potentially set him off. 

"Yes, well... It's a rather sordid tale." Alastor avoided your eyes with a strained smile. 

You could tell he was trying to stall enough to brush you off when he took his time dabbing his face with his napkin and drinking the rest of his wine slowly but you held firm. When Alastor glanced back at you to gauge if you had moved on, you batted your eyelashes in a silent plea and he sighed.

"The short and sweet of it is; Vox was my protégé when he first fell down here." Alastor confessed with a malicious tinge to his smile. 

The revelation visibly shocked you with your eyebrows practically raising to your hairline. Of all the things he could've said, a mentorship was not where you thought their rivalry had begun.

"After we had parted ways," He continued, gesturing between the both of you. "I'll admit, I went on a bit of a spree around Hell."

"For forty years, I'm aware." You stated dryly, letting him know that there was no point in him trying to downplay his rampage. Every ring in Hell was terrified of him during that time with how he acted - no demon safe from erasure if they so much as looked at him the wrong way. 

Alastor looked briefly surprised that you had been keeping tabs on him but it would've been pretty hard for you not to when the man that you loved so dearly suddenly turned into the devil incarnate. 

"How diligent of you to be keeping track." Alastor teased with levity in an attempt to lighten the mood but you just shot him a look. He cleared his throat and continued, "Right well, during that time I'd made quite a name for myself and demons were just lining up for a chance to work for me. Vox had been fascinated by my broadcast and the influence it held in Hell so I'd taken him under my wing, showed him everything there was to know about climbing the ranks."

Your lips thinned in sympathy when you saw the regret flash over Al's face as clear as day. You hadn't realised this would have been such a touchy subject but you were glad you had brought it up because it was another thing of his past here that he'd clearly overcome and was being vulnerable in sharing it with you. As surprising as it was that the two had a mentorship - perhaps even a friendship - it also made sense to you now why Alastor hated him so much. 

After all, he only hated as much as he cared.

You reached over the table to take his hand, squeezing it in support.

Alastor gripped onto you like a lifeline.

"But he always longed for more." Al continued gravely. "More power, more souls, more fear. He had plans to combine a group of us Overlords to take over Hell as we know it - rival even Lucifer in sheer numbers - and he would be the face of it all. An unstoppable force. By the time he'd even come to me with the idea, he'd started his very first network and cornered the drug and weapons market to start up with his plans of making demons depend on him." 

You tilted your head in confusion. It sounded to you that everything he was saying about Vox was something that the Alastor you had first seen in this hotel would've been all about. You wondered if the reason their partnership had ended was due to Al's own ego of not wanting anyone to rival his power, especially after bringing them up as far as he supposedly had for the TV Demon.

"So you dropped him?" 

"I did more than that, darling. I destroyed his frequency signals, stole his business associates and ruined his image just as it was beginning to form." Alastor answered with a malicious smile, looking like he was proud of the fact to this very day. 

"Why?" You asked with a touch of desperation, needing to know the reason why he would be so quick to destroy an ally like that - and seemingly enjoy the downfall of someone he had brought up so high in the first place!

"It's already Hell down here, dearest, the only thing that could've made it worse was Vox's vision of a dictatorship. I may be deranged but he is sadistic, no decorum or morals behind him whatsoever. I've seen the way he simply wants to control everyone and everything and will stop at nothing to get that." He hissed, body visibly tensing as if he was getting too worked up just by simply talking about the other man. 

You smoothed your thumb over over his knuckles repeatedly until you felt the tension leaving him.

"So what happened after you screwed up his plans?" You asked gently.

"The only associate he had left was that rat-faced moth, Valentino. They built up their empire of debauchery and drugs and learned to stay in their corner of Lust but through the years, we've still had a handful of run ins and they never end in a pretty picture." Alastor explained with an edge of finality of his tone, making it clear that he'd said his final piece about the matter. 

"Maybe he's changed?" You suggested with a hopeful lilt. 

It was more than obvious that Al still held an unhealthy grudge and you couldn't help but think of that being where his paranoia stemmed from when he got in his head about the hotel or any of you being attacked. It was his only valid argument for needing the power that he craved so you wondered if maybe he could deal with those issues then he could give up this constant strive for success and just be content with this family. 

"People like that don't change, love." Alastor shot down knowingly.

"You changed." You pointed out with a sharpness to your tone. There was a part of you that didn't want to address the fact that Alastor and Vox seemed far too similar in a lot of ways so you didn't want to even entertain the idea that one was not capable of changing for the better because that meant the other would be just as hopeless.

The more you learned about Overlords and the corruption they involved themselves in just for a speck of significance, the less you could tolerate Al being one and you sure as shit didn't want to compete with his status in his list of priorities' again. 

Al broke you from your spiralling thoughts by getting up and stacking the cutlery and plate ware to clear away for you.

"Only because you have the ability to see good where it is lacking, my dear." He praised softly, bending down to give you a kiss on the top of your head. It instantly brought the smile back to your face and caused your heart to skip a beat.

"There's nothing lacking, Al, I know you're good." You emphasised, looking up at him with a sincere look. "You just have some stuff you need to deal with from your past, just like the rest of us. That doesn't mean you don't have a good heart." 

You both shared a sweet smile.

"And who knows?" You continued as you got up and blew out the candles at the table then picked up the empty wine glasses to carry. "Maybe one day Charlotte will achieve her dream and we could even go to heaven together." You nudged his shoulder playfully with yours as you both walked to the kitchen.

"Now there's a thought." Alastor scoffed sarcastically, showing quite clearly how little he considered the very idea.

For a brief moment, it stung to hear him dismiss it so quickly. 

From what you'd gathered, the only way you would ever see the pearly gates was if you both managed to get redeemed simultaneously. You were happy wherever you were with Alastor but you had to accept that if Charlie ever achieved her plan then the rest of your family would be able to ascend one by one, leaving only you, Al and the princess. It hurt, knowing that a time would come when you were separated but you reasoned with yourself that it was still better than being completely alone.

Besides, when the day came that either Vaggie, Husk, Angel or Niffty got their second chance, you would only be delighted for them. You'd keep the fact that you'd miss them more than anything to yourself, because you just wanted the best for them.

"Besides, I already know heaven every moment I spend with you, cher." Alastor nudged you back, startling you out of your thoughts once again.

The cheesiness in his statement made you laugh which he beamed at in pride. 

"Cornball." You mocked but still rewarded his one-liner with a kiss once you'd both dropped the dishes in the sink. 

When you'd turned your back on him to fill up the soapy water to begin washing them, you'd heard Al's footsteps wandering to the corner of the kitchen.

"What are these?" He asked abruptly, looking at the flowers you'd almost forgotten about.

"I believe some call them roses." You shot back jokingly, glancing over your shoulder to see him staring at them in disdain. 

"Haha, very funny, darling. Where did you get them? No... No, you would never buy yourself roses and if you did, they'd be white, pink or red like the ones you used to grow in the garden. Then who got you them? Seeing as no one in this hotel buys anything that they cannot ingest, snort or drink, it's unlikely any of them were returning a nice favour. A secret admirer perhaps?" Alastor asked tersely, looking like he wanted to shred the roses petal by petal the longer that his rambling went on. 

"Holy shit, Sherlock, they're just flowers." You uttered in shock. His deduction had been both incredibly sweet from how well he knew you and more than slightly unhinged. You knew that the roses were just a token of gratitude but you weren't stupid enough to let Al know who they were from if even having them ruffled his feathers. "And of course not, it was just someone saying thank you for last night after I helped them out. It's nothing."

Alastor snapped head over to you in suspicion, clearly not liking your blasé answer. In a flash, he had shot over to you and picked you up with ease to damn near slam you against the counter, effectively pinning you. Thankfully, he'd created a barrier with his hands to stop the impact from hurting you, just the force of it shocking you with how sudden it happened. 

You blinked up at him in confusion and wide-eyed excitement. 

"Must I attend to your ventures outside now to make sure no one is attempting to woo what is already mine?" He practically growled in your ear with his nails digging into your hips to create a feeling teetering on the lines of pleasure and pain while he nosed down the line of your neck before skimming his sharp teeth over the same trail.

Goosebumps spread all through your body at his ministrations and though you enjoyed the attention, you knew how awful the feeling of jealousy truly was and wanted to ease his nerves before your night continued. You put a pause to his actions at your neck by lifting his chin delicately so you could look him in the eyes. 

"You're the only one crazy enough to want anything romantic with me, Alleycat." You reminded him with a loving smile and tenderly stroked his chin and jawline. "Though you are adorable when you're jealous."

Alastor scoffed and rolled his eyes in good nature, no doubt thinking of how ironic it was for you of all people to be pointing it out in him.

"Firstly, I am not jealous." He argued, holding up a finger and booping your nose playfully causing you to laugh. "And secondly, you're the insane one in this scenario for not seeing what a catch your quick wit, ethereal beauty and fiery passion are, mon cher. And that's just scratching the surface! I've never understood the way you doubt yourself when everyone else can see what a rarity you are. You're the bees' knees, Y/N!"

You were taken aback by his sincerity and your smile dropped slightly. You'd never been one able to take praise on the chin and no matter how many times Alastor smothered you in flatteries, it still didn't change the fact that, while you believed that he believed them, you never did. Still, it always turned your face red as a tomato when he complimented you like this as if he was just reciting factual evidence he'd read on the latest newspaper. 

"Don't call me insane, asshole." You changed the subject to get the metaphorical spotlight away from you.

"How about my lunatic lover?" Alastor suggested with a smirk, brining his hands up to pinch your still red cheeks.

You couldn't help but let out another laugh and batted his hands away.

"That's even worse!"

"Delightfully deluded dame?" He asked teasingly before abruptly bending down and picking you up to carry you upstairs. 

You shook your head good-naturedly with a bright smile at his theatrics and linked your hands around the back of his neck.

"I'm gonna kill you." You said sweetly, though the threat wouldn't land as you couldn't wipe the smile off your face if you tried.

"Now now, dear, I'd much rather hear about your thrilling tales of adventure last night during the ladies night. Pray tell." Alastor encouraged with a genuine look of interest as he carried you up the stairs. 

"I just remember laughing a lot." You informed with a half-hearted shrug before resting your head on his shoulder comfortably. "Niffty is quite the powerhouse with the shots though, poor Charlotte and Vagatha have been suffering the consequences all day today."

"Oh I'll bet. Thank goodness they have such a darling little mother figure like you to run around after them. How did you fare on the giggle water, my doe?"

For the rest of the night, you told Alastor stories of your night while he played a captivated audience. He'd looked so happy for you that you'd been able to enjoy yourself in a way that you hadn't ever had the opportunity to even when you were alive. Once you were both in bed, wrapped up in each other's arms and talking aimlessly through the night, you realised something. While you may have had a lot of fun yesterday, looking after your family and having this peaceful evening with your husband completely blew it out of the park.

You could do it every day, you thought, as you traced Alastor's lips with the tip of your finger before you gave him one last kiss goodnight.

Chapter Text

Just when you'd finally let your guard down about fate pulling yet another fast one on you to destroy your happiness, your paranoia was proven correct. 

It happened late one night when you, Al and Husk had been sharing a drink together.

You were quite content just to listen to the boys reminiscing on old stories back and forth together, taking playful jabs at one and other as well as reliving some experiences from their glory days in combat. Al kept making you laugh every time he riled Husk up enough to cause the cat to hiss at him only to respond with his usual cheeky and chipper disposition, annoying the other man further. Every time he made you so much as giggle, he gave you the warmest look imaginable which only gave Husk ammunition to tease him about being whipped and they were back at it again.

However the pleasant atmosphere quickly died when Angel Dust had stumbled in through the front doors after his shift at the studio. 

All heads turned to the spider in shock when he near enough collapsed on shaky legs, looking like... Hell. His face and body were covered in fresh bruises and cuts as well as his bottom set of arms were clearly broken with how disjointed they were, his fur was matted with what looked to be his own blood and his scraps of clothing were only barely covering him with how much had been ripped off. 

Before you could blink, Husk had flown over the bar top to catch Angel before he fell, picking him up and carrying him to the sofa while you and Al rushed over to inspect him for injuries.

"What the fuck happened to you?!" Husk demanded harshly, contrasting his fury with how delicately he placed the spider down on the sofa. Angel flinched away from the angry tone with a whimper. His reaction caused Husk's ears to drop in guilt and pace at the back of the sofa to calm himself.

"'m s-sorry..." Angel gasped out with shaky breaths, clearly struggling to breathe. 

You knelt down on the floor next to the sofa and gently ran your hand through his hair and over his face, mindful of the bruises, in an attempt to comfort him. Your heart was breaking just seeing him in this state and as much as you wanted to go crazy demanding answers like Husk, anyone with eyes could see that Angel was in bad shape and needed careful attention.

"It's not your fault, sweetheart." You assured softly. "We'll get you fixed up good and proper."

Angel's lip started wobbling as he stared at you in pure anguish before he burst out crying and wrapped his upper arms around you, sobbing into your shoulder. It seemed that your gentle approach was the straw that broke the camel's back. You hugged him in return as carefully as you could so you didn't accidentally aggravate any of his wounds and continued to stroke his hair in a soothing gesture, allowing him to let out all of his pain through his tears. 

"Can't you heal him with your magic?" You asked Alastor, unable to hide the desperate look from your face. You couldn't stand to see or hear Angel in so much pain and just wanted this to be one of those cases where Al could snap his fingers and everything would be all better.

"I'm afraid not, dear." Alastor answered almost sadly, killing your hopes in an instant. "Demon power might do a lot but healing is strictly angelic. This is the best I can do." He waved his hand causing a bag of medical supplies to appear on the table next to you as well as Angel's broken lower arms to be set correctly and held up in two slings over his neck. 

The spider cried out loudly at the sudden, sharp, stabbing pain in his broken arms and clung onto you tighter with his good set as if you could take it all away for him. You wished more than anything else that you could. 

"Fuck sake, warn him first!" You snapped at Al through gritted teeth, keeping your voice low despite your rage so you didn't scare Angel. 

"He'll still be in shock from the initial beating, it's better to act quickly. Not like it's any worse than whatever the poor pro skirt has dealt with prior to this." Alastor stated in a matter of fact way. You and Husk both glared at him for his callousness regarding the current situation. Even though you knew in Alastor's mind, this was his way of helping, his lack of empathy bothered you. "That being said, it's best to clean and wrap his wounds before they become infected. I'd suggest getting a wiggle on."

"I got it." Husk mumbled, going to the table to rifle through the supplies and sit beside the spider. He carefully lifted Angel's legs over his lap to start there and work his way up. "You alright to keep holding onto him, Fireball?" He asked gruffly as he focused on his task, dabbing the cuts with disinfectant with more gentleness than you ever thought possible from the brash man. Even from where you were sitting, you could still see the pain in Husk's own eyes as clear as day, no doubt hating this feeling of helplessness. 

"Of course." You confirmed, continuing to soothe the back of Angel's hair even as he flinched from the sting of having his wounds treated. You turned your head and kissed his temple, wanting nothing more than to take his pain away. "Al, sweetie, can you go get his pyjamas and the strongest painkillers you can find?" 

Alastor nodded once and disappeared for but a moment, returning with the requested items. 

It took well over an hour for Husk to tend to all of Angel's injuries but by the end of it all, he was cleaned, wrapped, medicated and cosy in his pyjamas. Currently he was sitting up with a hot cocoa in his hands that you'd made him with a faraway look in his eyes while Husk was wrapped around him, wings and all, like a protection blanket from behind. 

You sat on the table across from them, just watching Angel's dissociated gaze in concern. He'd stopped crying quite some time ago but he hadn't said a word the entire time and while all of you had your theories of what had transpired leading up to him being beaten to a pulp, none of you knew for certain. 

Angel leaned forward to place his cup on the table next to you, flinching harshly as even the small movement hurt him severely.

"I'm sorry I scared you before, Legs." Husk uttered quietly, breaking the tense silence in the room. Angel simply rested his head in the crook of the cat's neck and nuzzled him affectionately, sending a message of silent forgiveness. "Was just pissed that someone did this to you. But I swear to fuckin' God and Satan, I'll erase whatever fucker it was." He swore with absolutely certainty, eyes gleaming with deadly intent even as his wings curled around the spider protectively. 

"No!" Angel shot up in a panic and winced at the pain. You reached your hand out to his knee to try and steady and soothe him back into a relaxed position against his beau again but he continued to sit up. "Ya can't! If he hurt you too I could neva' look at myself again!"

"Who was it, Angel?" You asked tentatively. While you did understand Angel not wanting to relive the experience, all of you had to know what happened to stop it from happening again. You watched as his face twisted into a sneer, deflecting his sadness and fear with a mask of anger which was a tactic you knew all too well.

"Who the fuck else? Fuckin' Val." He hissed, clenching his fists on his good hands. Once Husk had felt him tense him, he gently lay his paws over the spider's hands in a gesture of support. "His stupid fuckin' boyfriend broke up with him so he was pissier than usual today a-and we..." All at once, Angel's anger dissolved as quickly as it had appeared, clearly reliving the trauma of the night. "We got inta a fight when I didn't w-wanna be his replacement."

Husk hugged Angel a little more firmly, hiding his guilt stricken expression from the spider by moving Angel's head back into his neck again and running his fingers through his hair while the other hand continued to soothe up and down his good arms. They never agreed to be exclusive because Husk knew going into their relationship of who Angel was and what his job entailed but he had a feeling that he was the reason the spider wanted to stand up to the pimp and couldn't help but hate himself for it.

You were frozen in horror at the confirmation of your worst fear. Had Angel just been jumped by clients or scumbugs on the street, that was an issue that could've been prevented in the future - seeing as none of you would let him walk alone after this - but when it came to the Overlord that owned his soul, there was nothing any of you could do about it. All of you already sat on tenterhooks every time Angel stepped out of the door to go into his work as it was but seeing the extent of the abuse the darling spider had to endure was eye opening to say the very least. 

It left you all in the same pit of hopelessness that Angel had been sitting in for the past seventy years. 

"Did'ja get any good licks in yourself, baby?" Husk asked gently causing the spider to huff in amusement. 

"You know it, daddy. Fucker ain't gonna be able to fly with one wing and a broken leg." 

Husk turned his head slightly and kissed Angel's forehead. "Proud of you, Webs."

You watched Angel's eyes filling with tears once again and cling onto Husk tighter as if he was his very lifeline. You didn't want to imagine times prior to this where he had been similarly beaten and had no one other than his friend Cherri Bomb or his beloved pet to be able to go to for comfort. 

Husk's eyes darted between you and behind your shoulder at Al, who had simply been stood silent as he watched the event unfold, for a brief moment. "You guys get to bed, we're gonna stay here for a bit." He ordered lightly before reaching for the tv remote and putting on Angel's favourite movie.

You nodded and stood from the table, leaning down to give Angel a kiss on the cheek and kindly ignored a stray tear falling from his eye. 

"Goodnight sweetheart, I love you." You didn't notice Alastor's eye twitching at your soft declaration.

"Love you too, mamabear." Angel croaked and snuggled into Husk further. 

As soon as you and Al had returned to your room, you spun on him. 

"Get him out of it." You demanded, leaving no room for argument. You crossed your arms and stared your husband dead in the eye to show that you meant business and this wasn't something you'd be backing down from. There was no way you were willing to let Angel go through another night like this again - you blamed yourself for even letting it go on this long in the first place.

"Surely you can't be serious, love. His deal is not with me so there's nothing I can do." Alastor waved you off, looking not one bit like he even cared. Your teeth grinded together at his blasé attitude, unable to comprehend how he had witnessed the entire aftermath of Angel's attack only to try and dismiss the whole incident.

"Come on, Alastor, you always brag about how fucking powerful you are - there has to be something you can do! Isn't there anything that can break his contract other than that sadistic rat choosing to let him out of it?!" 

"Darling, I understand you're upset but I've already told you how contracts work. He's made his bed and now it's simply time for him to lay in it." Alastor said almost soothingly as if this was just you going off on another pointless tantrum that he had to settle down. His answers were only enraging you further. 

On the one hand, you knew you were just taking out your anger at Angel's situation on Al because there was fuck all you could do to fix the problem by the actual source but on the other, Alastor's uncaring attitude was disturbing and unsettling. Especially when he had told you before that he enjoyed Angel's company due to how entertaining he was - when he wasn't talking about sex, that is - so it was just putting it into perspective how much Al just seen the spider as a character to amuse him rather than the sweet, self-destructive, struggling soul that he was. 

"Why are you so cold about this?!" You yelled, feeling your eyes sparking aflame along with your head beginning to smoke as a warning that you were ready to blow. His eyes narrowed and his smile tightened menacingly on his face as soon as you raised your voice.

"Why do you care so much?! He willingly made this deal long before you even met him!" Alastor matched your volume, stepping towards you with a crazed look in his eyes. If you didn't know any better, you'd say that he was jealous because it was the only time you'd ever seen him losing his cool this quickly. Though the very notion was ridiculous. 

"Because I don't want to see him hurt like this! He's fucking family!" You screamed in exasperation. How could he not see that? You felt like you were losing your mind just trying to get the very easy for anyone else to understand point across that you didn't even think needed to be clarified! 

"Angel is not your son!" Alastor snapped with a large screech of radio feedback following his words. His eyes flashed to radio dials, showing how deeply his own fury went. You froze at his blunt response, your own fire dying in your eyes as you stared at him in wide-eyed shock. "None of these people are your family! I am your only family, Y/N! And I do not appreciate you casting a kitten over a nitwit in a crisis of his own doing!"

Your bedroom was silent for a few moments with Alastor awaiting your response, quite frankly shocked that you hadn't went on fire and launched yourself at him by now, while you were still stunned and frozen in place.

It was only when you felt the tears forming in your own eyes that you snapped out of your shock.

"Get out." You turned your back on him and went to your side of the bed to sit on the edge of it. 

"Dearest..." Alastor pleaded softly. You could hear his footsteps approaching as if he was going to try and fucking touch you after devastating you so hurtfully. 

"Get. Out." You hissed, curling up on yourself.

You never saw the look of regret pass over his features, all you heard was his retreating footsteps. It was only when you heard the door close after he'd left that you allowed yourself to cry. 

"Hello Vox?" You queried through the phone, still wrapping your head around the fact that the number the TV Demon had given you was his personal phone number. This afternoon when you were looking for his card as a last resort, you were certain that it would either go straight to voicemail or through one of his many receptionists' but he'd picked up personally straight away. "It's Evangeli- Oh you remember?" Your eyes widened in surprise at his enthusiastic response on the other end of the call. "Yes well, firstly I'd like to thank you for the flowers-... oh please, no need to butter me up with compliments, they are far lovelier. Listen, I'm terribly sorry if this is an inconvenience but I was wondering if we could perhaps meet for- Oh! Um, yes of course, tonight works perfectly. Yes, seven is fine... I'll see you then... Okay, goodbye." 

Once the call ended you were a little surprised at how easily the Overlord agreed. You were fully expecting to be grovelling for a chance to be able to meet up with him to be able to plead Angel's case, only to be met with enthusiasm and eagerness. 

This morning had been awful. Watching Husk carry Angel down the stairs to breakfast only to witness the spider struggle as he tried to eat anything broke your heart. Not to mention that as soon as the girls had seen him, they were just as panicked and devastated as you had been last night so you had to see the grief strike them as well. 

They had all surrounded him with protection and care which did bring a smile to your lips but when Alastor tried to kiss you goodbye like it was an ordinary day, it dropped into a frown once more. You turned your cheek on him before he could make contact with your lips and shot him a glare, still pissed off about last night and even more so now that he was still fucking going out to get more soul contracts when there was more important matters to attend to right here.

He'd always hammered home the fact that he needed this power to protect those in this hotel but when you actually needed him to exert some of that said power, he did nothing! You had always known it was just for his own ego and status but the selfishness made your blood boil. Not only that but his words, as blunt and harsh as they had been, still rang through your head on a loop about your group. 

You seen them as your family but what if they didn't return the sentiment? What if you were all just lost souls stuck in similarly shitty situations and that was it? 

However witnessing the loving way Charlie, Niffty, Husk and even Vaggie were treating Angel quelled that fear somewhat. They hadn't left his side the entire day; making absolute fools of themselves just to make him smile, waiting on him hand and foot whether he needed a bath or a massage or a snack, caring for Fat Nuggets while making sure the pig wasn't too rough with the spider as to not aggravate his wounds, keeping his pain medicated, etc. 

As much as it warmed your heart, you still had that feeling of lingering dread that you couldn't shake. You weren't willing to just move on from this and wait for it to happen again. The fact of the matter was: Angel wasn't safe until he was free from his pimp. 

So you found Vox's card and called him in a last ditch effort. You didn't know much about Angel's work but you'd heard him mention the TV Demon's association to his boss before in passing. It was a long shot but it was worth a try.

Which is how you ended up nervously smoking outside the front doors of the hotel, waiting to be picked up.

You'd gotten Niffty to agree to cover for you should Alastor come home and try to talk to you only to find you not there - she would tell him that you were not in the mood to speak to him and had already gone to your own bed for the night. While that had solved the anxiety of him finding out you were meeting up with his biggest rival, it didn't shed the nerves of the actual meeting itself. 

You didn't know what to expect from this but you were determined not to be leaving without Angel's contract. 

Just as you were flicking your finished cigarette butt away, a limousine pulled up and the driver called your name. Your eyes widened in shock, wondering why the hell Vox had shown up in such a fancy ride. You'd assumed that when he'd said on the phone that he was picking you up, he meant on foot or by taxi at the very most. 

"Holy shit you look better than I remember, dollface." Vox greeted as soon as you slid in beside him and closed the door yourself so the driver didn't have to humph all the way back here to do it for you. 

You quirked your eyebrow in disbelief and looked down at your outfit. Nothing but a plain, white dress shirt with a comfortable sweater over it along with a mid-length skirt and your usual lace up high-heeled boots, not even a speck of makeup on your face. You were sure he was teasing seeing as the last time he'd seen you was when you were dressed to the nines for girls night.

"Haha, aren't you a chuckle a minute." You shot back sarcastically. "I'm glad to see you looking well, you clean up nicely." You complimented with more sincerity and it was true. You were glad to see him back to sorts with no hint of abuse on his person whatsoever, whether that be bruises or rips in his clothing. You only wished you could say the same for Angel in that moment.

Vox's screen flashed pink and your eyes widened in panic.

"Goodness, is your screen still bothering you?" You asked in sympathy. Perhaps you had been wrong with your initial assessment and the poor fella was still dealing with the aftermath of his own mistreatment. Thankfully, his face quickly went back to normal - though he did nervously avoid your gaze.

"Never been better..." He assured quietly but you didn't fully believe him if the dazed look in his eyes when he kept glancing at you was anything to go by. Surely he was still dealing with some effects from that bastard ex of his and he was simply trying to put on a brave face in front of company. 

He cleared his throat and put up this very clear mask of confidence, puffing his chest his out before turning to you fully.

"I'm so glad you called." Vox admitted earnestly as he leaned closer to you and started to reach an arm around you.

You held up your hand to stop him and smiled kindly. "I can get my own seatbelt, thank you." You reached around your shoulder to grab said seatbelt and buckle it. Though you did appreciate Vox's gentlemanly gesture, you did not need to be waited on. "Aren't you going to buckle yours? Safety first."

"You're something else, Evangeline." He said in amused disbelief, staring at you like you were some puzzle he was trying to work out in his head before buckling his own seatbelt. It was like no one had ever asked him to take precaution with his wellbeing before which was ludicrous and certainly couldn't have been the case. 

You playfully rolled your eyes, sure that he was thinking along the same lines as the others in the hotel had voiced many a time - that you were a nag. You couldn't help if you were trying to be helpful and sometimes it came out a little bossier than intended.

"So I've been told. Where are we headed anyhow? Surely nowhere that requires this much luxury." You asked with a confused lilt as you gestured around the interior of the limousine once it started driving off. 

"That's just how I roll, baby." Vox bragged with a cocky grin, leaning his elbow on the armrest that separated you both so he could rest his chin on his knuckles comfortably. "I'm taking you out to Alfrenzo's."

You were visibly taken off guard by his answer.

Alfrenzo's was the biggest, most popular restaurant in all of Pride - perhaps even the whole of Hell. Only the elite ever got in and you'd heard on the news that it took even celebrities years to get in. Frankly, it sounded far too snazzy for your tastes. The idea of such luxury when there were people in Hell and even up in Earth who were starving on a daily basis disgusted you.

"Oh, how generous. However I don't require all the bells and whistles, just your time." 

Unknowingly, you missed two hearts replacing the TV Demon's eyes because you were too busy looking out of the window at the sights as you drove by them. 

"If you're not opposed to compromise, I think I may have another idea for tonight." You suggested, looking back at him with a cautiousness to your expression. You weren't sure if he would take offence to turning down his preferred setting for this business meeting.

"I'm all yours, dollface." He stated with such reverence and sincerity that you couldn't help but smile at him brightly. 

His screen once again flashed pink but you were starting to get used to the malfunction by now. 

"You really should get that looked at."

That was how you ended up in Vox's penthouse, making him a burger from scratch. You'd found out that your turkey burger with lemon aioli had been his favourite from your old restaurant so you offered to make it for him again before getting into the nitty gritty of your proposal. It was only polite to feed him before asking him for something so important after all. 

Vox watched you with interest as you moved about his large kitchen with ease as you continued small talk with him without missing a beat. You were used to multitasking by now. While you were preparing his meal, he'd told you all about the in's and out's of his job on the TV; the behind the scenes insight to his most popular shows, the different revenues of money with his advertisements and sponsorships, his collaborations with a multitude of different celebrities, board meetings on new ideas pitched for different genres of media.

It was all quite fascinating and kept you entertained while you meticulously perfected every detail of the meal.

Vox's pure enjoyment from his very first bite was all the flattery you needed to make the effort worth it. He'd made noises eating that burger that you had only ever heard from your husband when you'd given him a different kind of treat. He'd briefly tried to apologise for his indulgence but you waved it off, stating that you were happy he was enjoying it so much.

It wasn't to say that those at the hotel were ungrateful for your cooking but you supposed they were so used to it by now that it just automatically came as a given so it was lovely for you to see someone appreciating your food in such a way again.

Once he was finished, he invited you out on his balcony, which overlooked the city beautifully, for a cigarette. You admired the wonderful view as you stuck the filter between your lips and simultaneously, you and Vox both lit your smokes with your thumbs in the same way - no lighters required.

The two of you glanced at the other in surprise at the habit and shared a chuckle.

"Please tell me you called to take me up on my offer cause fuck the cooking show, I'll hire you here and now to be my personal chef." Vox implored, leaning his hip against the edge of the stone railing as he faced you fully. He looked the very definition of satisfied in that moment with a full belly and nicotine stick in his hand with his bright screen outshining every light in the dark city below.

"Unfortunately not." You smiled sadly at his disappointed reaction to your answer. After taking a deep breath, you decided to bite the bullet and just come out with it so you matched his stance and turned to face him fully. "You see, someone very close to me has sold their soul to one of your business associates, Valentino, and I was hoping there was a way you could help me get him out of it." You explained with more than a bit of hesitance. You weren't even certain that the TV Demon would've been able to help you let alone want to after one nice dinner but you had to try. 

"Valentino's my ex-boyfriend." 

All the wind just blew out of your sails at his statement. 

"Oh shit." You blurted out. 

You really should have connected the dots sooner seeing as the timeline of Angel's abuse matched up all too well with Vox's but there was a lot of dirtbags in Hell and what were the chances of it being the same one with both of them? Spiralling thoughts flooded through your mind because there was no way you could've asked Vox to even attempt to contact such a piece of shit when he was also a victim of him as well as still probably emotionally attached. That meant that Angel really was fucked and there was nothing you could do about it. You were a horrible friend, you were a useless fucking dipshit, you would've been a terrible mother because who couldn't stick up for a poor, helpless creatur- 

"But lucky for you, we're still business partners!" Vox announced with faux cheerfulness in his tone, thrusting his arms out in grandeur like he was a gameshow host showing the contestant what they just won.

Either Vox had paused so long for dramatic effect or your negative thoughts were reading as clear as day on your face because his sudden outburst came out of nowhere and startled you. He was also looking at you in a mix between concern and worry. If you didn't know any better, you'd say that he looked distraught over the thought of seeing you so unhappy. However you knew his demeanour was surely caused by the displeasing topic of his ex.

"I took your advice and made a change, dollface! I moved all my shit out of his place and made it clear that if he ever tried to put hands on me again, I wouldn't hesitate to shut his businesses' down like that." He snapped his fingers in the way he did to make a statement. "He works for me, y'know? Everybody seems to think it's the other way around but without me, he'd be nothing but a lousy fucking drug peddler only in charge of a rundown, cheap strip joint."

You nodded along in surprise, smoking in silence as you listened to him boast. You couldn't help but be reminded of Alastor with the way Vox was bragging but you thought to yourself that all Overlords must have been at least a little full of their own importance with such a high ranking status in Hell. That being said, you were glad that he was at least safe from that slimeball moth and in a position of power.

"That all being said, I got some wiggle room with his contracts. Who's the guy you're tryna save this time, gorgeous?" Vox asked with a smirk as he took a slow drag of his cigarette, clearly happy to play the knight in shining armour for someone who had went through the same torment as him. 

"Angel Dust?" You answer in almost a question of your own, due to your nervousness of his reaction. You already knew it was a big ask with him having to interact with the same man you'd told him to stay away from during the last interaction you had together but to top it off with asking for Hell's biggest celebrity porn star? 

Let's just say, you weren't surprised when Vox started hacking his lungs up from his smoke due to absolute shock. You thinned your lips and patted his back, already expecting a denial before it had even left his lips.

"Shit, when you ask for favours, you don't hold back." Vox wheezed out, tossing his cigarette over the side of the balcony before thumping on his chest and clearing his throat to right himself once again. "Usually people get on their knees when they want that kinda deal."

Typical Overlord, you thought to yourself as you let out a sigh. You told yourself that this was for Angel and if there was even a slither of a chance that this would help him, you had to just swallow your pride and do it. 

"Very well, if that is what's required." You carefully stubbed out your own cigarette and tossed it as well before you got down on your knees in front of him, ignoring Vox's stupefied expression along with the sounds of crackled static coming from him. No doubt he was inwardly mocking you for your pathetic grovelling but you were driven by desperation here. Stifling your humiliation as much as you could, you forced yourself to look up at him and clasped your hands together. "Vox, please, I beg of you. Will you help me with freeing my friend?" 

Whatever you were expecting his reaction to be, malfunctioning certainly was not it.

His screen started buffering for a few seconds before flashing pinker than you'd ever seen it go then to standby with an assortment of colours through practically the entire rainbow before finally going back to his screen. The noise of broken static was starting to becoming louder and more concerning however when you shifted to stand up again to try and help him in some way, his hand shot out to the top of your head to keep you where you were, causing your eyes to widen slightly in bewilderment.

All of a sudden you were almost blinded by a flash of bright, white light and thought you seen a photo of yourself in your current position for a brief second through your now blurry vision.

"What was that?" You asked shell shocked as you blinked repeatedly to get your vision back to normal.

"Camera malfunction." Vox rasped, looking down at you in awe. "You willing to trade his soul for yours?" He asked simply with a lower cadence than usual to his voice, sounding more serious than you'd ever heard from him before. 

His offer conflicted you.

Truly the only thing that was stopping you from making that deal was that it wouldn't just be your soul you would be giving away. If that was the case then you would've took it because you were fucking stuck down here anyway for the foreseeable future - or more likely, eternity. However, Alastor already explained to you how your marriage contract worked and if you agreed to this then he would be in a situation even worse than Angel's. 

As nice as Vox seemed - weird sense of humour aside - there was no telling what he would do to Al if he realised that he had even a crumb of control over the Radio Demon. There was no doubt in your mind that he would take his revenge for Alastor screwing him over all those years ago and you couldn't risk that. Even though you were still pissed at your beloved idiot of a husband, you'd never put him in harm's way like that.

"Anything other than that." You pleaded desperately, reaching up to clutch one of his hands in both of yours in an attempt to sway him. 

"Alright, dollface." Vox agreed stoically while he looked down at you with an expression you couldn't decipher. It was like how he'd looked at the burger when you'd finished making it, like he wanted to eat you. Holy fuck, you prayed to God he wasn't a cannibal but you'd never bothered to ask. "Not your soul then, but I want you. You gotta quit your job at that hotel and be mine." 

You sighed in relief, the panic leaving your system all at once after his request. You couldn't believe your luck that all he was asking in exchange for such an important contract was for you to take the gig as his personal chef! Now his strange look had made complete sense, he was probably hungry already! 

"Oh my god, yes! Absolutely!" You leaped up to your feet in excitement, holding your hands over your chest to try and slow your rapid heartbeat from the adrenaline. You smiled so brightly your cheeks hurt at the thought of telling Angel the wonderful news.  "Thank you so much, Vox! You don't know what this means to me!"

Vox snapped his fingers and in front of you floated Angel's soul contract, signed with his real name Anthony at the bottom. 

"How about we seal the deal, gorgeous?" Vox suggested with a smirk.

You reached your hand out to shake only for him to tug you abruptly closer towards him, causing you to fall into his chest. Your faces were left only inches apart after the blunder and just as you were about to pull away and apologise for your clumsiness- 

CRASH!!! 

Vox clutched you more firmly into his hold protectively, spinning you away from the impact of falling debris due to the explosion that had came from the inside of his home. He held one hand behind your head and the other over your back, keeping you pressed against him to shield you from the destruction. 

What the hell was that? For once, it hadn't been you that destroyed a building- maybe it was a gas leak? 

"Oh darling," Alastor's chipper voice rang out through the now obliterated building, a screech of radio feedback following him as he menacingly stepped through the rubble of the penthouse. Your head snapped up over Vox's shoulder to see your husband currently wearing a manic smile whilst in his full wendigo, demonic form with shadows surrounding him - looking like a nightmare. You'd never seen him so angry, not even when you'd burned all of his contracts. "You are in so much trouble."

"Fuck." 

Chapter Text

The tension on the balcony was so thick, it could've been cut with a knife.

In that moment, Alastor looked like a caged animal who had recently been freed and ready to attack at any given moment. The emotional whiplash you felt between being overjoyed at solving Angel's situation verses being caught fraternizing with the enemy, so to speak, was sickening.

While you were still frozen in shock at seeing your husband suddenly appear whilst in the arms of another man, Vox had recovered and immediately squared his shoulders which wasn't a good sign by any means.

"You got dementia, old man? I told you the next time I seen you I'd fucking eviscerate you where you stood and you blew up my fucking house?!" Vox snarled threateningly while contrasting his rage by subtly shifting you behind him as he stood off with a feral looking Radio Demon. "You're just asking for it now, dickwad."

Initially, you thought the protective gesture to be quite sweet seeing as he had no idea of your relations to his enemy but logically, you knew Alastor would only take it as an unspoken claim. You saw your husband's eyes flash into radio dials as he threw his head back, laughing boisterously at the display.

"Oh ho! Trying to impress your female company by acting the big man, are we?" Alastor goaded with a manic grin, twirling his microphone in a way that would've looked absentmindedly if he wasn't staring at Vox with an unblinking pointedness that said he was calculating every move carefully.

You couldn't see Vox looking flustered at the provocation from your position behind him, you only heard the TV Demon's growl of warning before he raised his arms and summoned an array of cables from the rubble in his home. 

"Leave her out of this." Vox demanded with such a low cadence that no doubt would've came off as intimidating to a lesser demon. It did to you. The quickness in how this situation was escalating was jarring to say the least and you felt like your breath was stolen from your very lungs, unable to speak up in the heat of the moment.

"On the contrary, she is the reason you can kiss your worthless life goodbye." Alastor informed cheerfully, instantly snapping you out of your daze at the severeness of the statement. The way he'd said it made it crystal clear that it wasn't a threat, it was a promise.

You turned the tables and shoved Vox behind you, holding your hands up placatingly.

"Woah woah woah, Al, you need to calm down! I can explain everyth-!" 

"Wait you know this asshole?" Vox cut you off with sheer confusion and, if you weren't mistaken, a touch of pain in his tone. 

You turned your head to face him in your guilt and opened your mouth to explain but before you could, Alastor also cut you off with another obnoxious, phony and bellowing laugh. 

"Know me? She belongs to me!" Alastor announced, doing a little hop on his feet in a performance of glee. Both you and Vox watched in horror as he took off the glove on his left hand and pridefully showed off the thorny ring that matched yours perfectly on his wedding finger.

So much for not wanting people to know of your relationship to keep you out of danger, you thought with exasperation. 

Your heart shattered once you saw Angel's contract, still between you both, disappear in a flash of sparks. Even the cables around the balcony seemed to deflate in despair. This was the exact reason you never told Vox about your association with Alastor, there was no fucking way in Hell he would've even considered offering that deal if he knew you were attached to his mortal enemy.

Vox's hand shot out to grip your wrist on your own left hand and you watched him stare at the ring on your finger with what could only be described as devastation.

"No..." 

You shook your hand out of his hold and turned back to Alastor with your eyes aflame, not only for ruining Angel's possibly only chance at freedom but for his implication of owning you.

"I don't belong to anyone, you piece of-!" Before you could go off on a tirade, Alastor's shadow had slithered behind you in a split second and snatched you away from the middle of the stand-off just as quickly.

It wrapped around your whole body, keeping you immobile on the side lines, and kept a hand over your mouth to keep you silent. Panic took over when you struggled and not an inch could you move, forced to watch the carnage unfold and knowing it was entirely your fault whatever the outcome may be.

"Haven't we already been through this lesson of playing with things that aren't yours, Vox?" Alastor asked rhetorically with a level of smugness only he could've achieved. He was acting as if he'd won the fight before he even started it. 

Vox, on the other hand, looked like he was having an internal battle with himself. He kept glancing between you and the Radio Demon either from still trying to process the revelations unfolding or weighing up which one to attack first. You wouldn't blame him from feeling slighted. After all, the guilt from putting him in this very situation - as well as clearly hurting Al by going behind his back to his biggest rival - was eating you up alive. 

"Well clearly, along with the rest of Hell, your woman was looking for an upgrade from such a dusty fossil." Vox provoked, thrusting his hips out with a put upon smirk to attempt and match his opponent's smugness. 

Your eyes widened and you let out some muffled shouting, trying to convey that in no way that was fucking happening! You had no idea why the hell Vox was trying to rile up Alastor even more than he already was! When your eyes darted back to your husband, even you shrunk back into the shadow at how terrifying he looked in that moment. 

His head cracked to the side in a perfect ninety degree angle while shadow's started emitting from his deadly still form. The radio dial's in his eyes were spinning on a rapid loop before stopping abruptly and zeroing in on his enemy.

"Fuck you." Alastor growled with that haunting, inhuman voice you've only ever heard the night you burned his contracts. Not only that but you could count on one hand how much times you'd ever heard your husband curse which showed the seriousness of his animosity. Had you not been terrified that he was about to end the other man's life, you would've thought it quite attractive. "You've always been nothing but an insignificant, moronic, desperate follower. Everything you've ever done has been an imitation of me and still you've managed to make a mess of that! Face it, I am the original for a reason, you pathetic piece of plastic."

With each one of Alastor's insults thrown his way, Vox looked more and more enraged. His breathing had picked up rapidly and the cables around him tensed up like a colony of snakes ready to strike. Sounds of ever-growing static filled the air, making an eerie soundtrack to the battle.

"I'm the fucking future, you old-timey prick!" Vox screamed, thrusting out his arms with his cables following and wrapping around Alastor in a tightly encompassing grip.

In an instant, they sparked with electricity.

You let out a scream of pure terror and squeezed your eyes shut, unable to watch the man you love be fried to a crisp. However, Alastor's shadow soothingly stroked your hair with his free hand and lay gentle kisses across your cheek. You only opened your eyes when you heard your husband's manic laughter once again.

"Based on my blueprint, you flat-faced fool." Alastor retorted arrogantly, looking rather unfazed by the volts shocking through him. 

Instead of quivering in agony like Vox had expected, Alastor harnessed the very energy sent to fry him and shot it outward in a blast of explosion which not only caused the cables to recede but the sheer power had knocked Vox to the ground with a groan. Smugly, the deer demon adjusted his bowtie and dusted off his arms after such a show of his electromagnetism. 

Brutally, Alastor didn't give Vox so much as a second to recover before he was sending his shadows around him to drag the TV Demon closer to his person. It sent Vox into a frantic struggle and sparking as many volts of electricity he could which did deter the shadows momentarily. However just as he was halfway upright, Alastor had finally pounced and took a chunk of flesh out of his shoulder with his nightmarishly sharp teeth. 

Vox let out a cry out of raw anguish. All you saw before you squeezed your eyes shut again was gushing of blue blood and wires sticking out of the space between Vox's shoulder and hanging arm. You felt like you were going to be sick. You tried to focus and bring forth your fire to somehow attempt to put a stop to this carnage but you couldn't.

You'd never realised before now that you couldn't emit a single flame while scared and unfortunately here and now, you were downright terrified. 

A flash of blinding white light lit up the balcony coming from Vox's screen, momentarily blinding Alastor and buying himself enough time to make his own strike. You watched through one hesitatingly cracked-open eye Vox clawing Alastor's face with his good hand then knocking him back against the stone railing of the balcony, almost over the edge.

"Ha! T-t--take thAT y-O-ou fucker!" Vox cheered in an early victory even while short-circulating, whether it be from Alastor interfering with his frequencies or how badly wounded he was, you weren't sure. Either way, you were sure he was in no position for cockiness just yet.

Nevertheless, Alastor took the retaliation in stride as he simply smirked at Vox's display and reached up to coat his fingers in his own blood from the wound in his face then licked them clean, taunting the TV Demon with his twisted smile as he did so. 

You furrowed your eyebrows in annoyance - was this asshole fucking flirting with the same man he was trying to kill? Your teeth clenched in jealousy and elbowed his shadow spitefully causing it to laugh at you. 

Vox wasted no time attacking again after the provocation, shooting out the cables once again to attempt to knock the Radio Demon over the extremely high rise building but Alastor rather gracefully dodged the attack. Vox never let up, frantically smashing his cables into the ground wherever the deer stood in hopes of crushing him but Alastor was too quick each time. It looked like he was a predator merely playing with his prey before he chose to make the final strike.

It horrified you to see the Radio Demon in his element.  

The ground bellow you threatened to come undone with how much it was shaking from Vox's failed attacks and it seemed only then Alastor decided to end the battle. From his microphone, he shot out a blast of what looked like green light and symbols that shot through Vox's screen causing it to crack harshly and him to be knocked back winded once again. Alastor's shadows had also shot out in tendrils to wrap around the cables and hold them to the ground, immobilizing them and their power.

Which meant Vox could only lay on the floor writhing in pain with no further back up. Lights around the city below flickered threateningly but it was clearly all for show as more sparks were shooting from Vox's screen unintentionally than at the Radio Demon in defence.

Alastor calmly walked over to the defeated Overlord. Vox had attempted to lift his good arm in one last desperate attempt to wound his attacker but was quickly thwarted when Alastor dug his heel into his forearm, pinning it to the ground roughly. Vox couldn't help but let out a whimper of pain. 

"How disappointingly easy." Alastor mused almost thoughtfully. "All smoke and mirrors, no subsidence in sight."

His hand shot down to wrap his claws around the TV Demon's neck, lifting him up high above causing the other man to wheeze and automatically try to pry the hand off his throat. His screen was malfunctioning to a concerning level and his legs were frantically kicking out in an attempt to free himself.

"Truth be told, I should have scrubbed you off this plane of existence long ago but you were never worth the effort. It was far more entertaining seeing you desperately scramble for the power you oh so crave but continue to come up short with each endeavour." Alastor taunted with a hollowness in his voice that reflected the dead look in his eyes. Not one bit of conscience anywhere in sight even while actively tormenting someone before making them meet their end. 

You felt a jolt of indignation peak through the horror you felt throughout the entire spectacle. Despite being absolutely traumatized at watching the event unfold, you felt the anger at your husband for going back on his word to make positive changes down in Hell. You could feel your fury building at the senseless violence and being forced to witness it all.

"But you made one fatal flaw: No one touches my wife but me." Alastor growled lowly with his smile twitching dangerously before sticking his hand directly in Vox's chest, looking like he was trying to pull out his very soul. The other man tensed up and cried out with a roar of raw pain while his screen started dulling to a dangerous degree, looking like it was ready to black out at any moment.

You burst into flames in a mix of rage and panic, forcing the shadow to release you or be incinerated and you also noted the real Alastor flinching harshly - as if he himself was the one burned - before dropping Vox out of instinct. 

Swiftly, you dashed over to Vox's crumpled form and protectively stood above him so that there was no way for Alastor to get to him unless he went directly through you.

"It was my idea, Al!" You screamed the very sentence you had been repeating over and over again but went unheard due to the shadow silencing you. Alastor levelled you with a look so disappointed and betrayed that you damn near shrunk under his gaze but you had to push forward, albeit a little less confident. "Please stop. I called Vox, I came here, he doesn't deserve this." 

Deafening silence filled the air, only Vox's shaking, raspy breaths could be heard as Alastor continued to stare you down. You bit your lip and considered pleading more for the TV Demon's life but before you could, Al had scooped you up over his shoulders in a barbaric display of possession. 

"Consider this your lucky day, my inept fellow! Next time I will not be so merciful." He merrily announced to the wheezing demon before snapping his fingers. 

That was the last that you heard before seeing a mix of black and green smoke and passing out.

When you later awoke, you were laying down on a chaise lounge somewhere cold with something covering you to keep you warm. Blinking yourself out of a daze, you sat up to discover the piece of fabric was Alastor's jacket and you looked around in confusion to see your surroundings where that of his radio tower. You hadn't seen the place since you'd first arrived in Hell but it looked exactly the same as it had then - gloomy, dusty and lifeless. 

Your attention snapped over to the small kitchen station to see Alastor - thankfully in his regular form now - standing with his back to you, whistling a carefree tune as he stood at the stove with a wok, stirring up his homemade Cajun stir-fry he'd made you plenty of times before, if the lovely smell was anything to go by. 

Usually the domestic sight would have had your heart melting but your brain was too scrambled after the night's events to even string a thought together. 

He seemed to have heard the sound of you moving and turned to look at you over his shoulder. 

"Ah good! You're awake." He greeted with an upbeat lilt, though you could see as clear as day the rage he was trying to conceal behind his eyes. He made haste propping up a standing serving tray next to you before going back to plate the stir-fry and bring it over along with a bottle of water and utensils. "Eat something, you look faint." 

Pointedly, you ignored the meal and crossed your arms, inspecting his jittery energy. Not only did he himself look haggard - downright bone tired, as a matter of fact, likely due to the amount of power he had exhausted during the fight - but the wound on his face looked raw and painful. You raised your eyebrows in sympathy. 

"Do you want me to take care of that for you?" You asked softly, gesturing to your own face where his mark was. 

Alastor scoffed with a cruel mirthless chuckle following. "You've already done quite enough, dear. Now, I'd rather you told your story woking, as they say." He quipped as he waved around the wok before throwing it in the sink. He then dragged a chair over to sit across from you and sat with his elbows resting on his knees and his hands clasped, staring you down with an intense gaze as if it was the start of an interrogation scene from a bad cops show. 

Had he not just maimed an innocent man in front of you, you would've thought the pun and 'intimidating' stance rather amusing. 

"Don't get cute, Alastor. I can't believe you tonight- what the hell were you even doing there anyway?" You demanded sternly. While you knew you definitely had a lot of fault in this situation, the way that your husband had escalated it was unacceptable in your eyes and he wouldn't be the only one demanding answers.

"Word of the wise, darling, don't entrust your ridiculous plans to someone who can be bribed with sparkly trinkets if you do not wish to be caught in the act." Al retorted with an eyeroll. 

You inwardly cursed Niffty as well as yourself because you should have damn well knew she couldn't keep a secret to save her life. That and the fact her and Alastor seemed to share a bond that even you couldn't fully comprehend although you did think was cute. Not when it came back to bite you in the ass like this very moment but still.

"She happened to sing like a canary of you sneaking out so late so I did some investigating and found this." He waved his hand with a dramatic flair and in between his fingers appeared the card Vox had gave you with his number all the while giving you a look of pure irritation. 

You groaned and dropped your head into your hands at your own carelessness. The guilt you were already feeling about this situation was now tripled because you had practically left a trail of breadcrumbs to being found out. Not only had you fucked up your chances of freeing Angel but you left an emotionally fragile man like Vox beaten worse than from his ex-boyfriend and sent your husband into an uncontrollable rampage, nuking all his efforts to do better in the one evening.

"Tell me, my love, do you enjoy riling me up? Or perhaps it's seeing me hurt that fuels your cruel cravings," Alastor pondered out loud, sounding like he couldn't give a care in the world but you could tell it was all just a mask. You snapped your head back up and opened your mouth to deny his statements but he purposefully cut you off and continued, raising his voice to a full blown shout. "Because I could've sworn I specifically told you of my past and grievances with that tactless buffoon only for you to cosy up with him behind my back!"

"Hey!" You snapped back at him, unable to sit there and be yelled at without matching that same level. Even though you felt like shit about going to Alastor's rival, it wasn't like you were having an affair and you didn't care for the unspoken accusation. "I don't like what you're implying, we were having a business meeting about-!"

Al cut you off once again with a mocking laugh that was backed up by the canned laughter echoing from his microphone. "Is that why he had you in his arms? I must say, I've never heard of that particular negotiation tactic but perhaps I'm mistaken and it's standard practice to professionally dole out cuddles instead of handshakes." 

"You blew up his fucking house! There was pieces of building flying everywhere, he was just being nice!" Your hand shot to your chest in offence from having to take this slander, ignoring yet another one of Alastor's eyerolls. "The only reason I was there was to get Angel's contract-!" You rushed to explain but you were once again cut off, unable to get in a word edgewise.

"So you ask me for something and when I tell you I can't make it happen, you go to my arch nemmines - who would enjoy nothing more than seeing me suffer by any means necessary - therefore putting both yourself and I in danger? Really, darling, I thought you more intelligent than that." 

You felt your face heating up with both anger and embarrassment from his mockery. You weren't used to this dynamic of yourself in the hot seat - usually Al was so easy going about your transgressions and fuck ups that you unknowingly took it for granted and wondered if this was how he felt every time you were pissed off with him. 

"No one was in danger until you showed up!" You tried to defend yourself and turn the tables on his behaviour. 

Truthfully, if roles had been reversed, you would have lost your shit at finding him in the arms of another you had specifically told him to stay away from behind your back. The time he had left with Mimzy without telling you sent you in a spiral that led you to damn near burning down the entire hotel and the fact that you could overlook him going on a murderous spree because you felt more relief at that outcome than him sleeping with her was extremely telling.

"Oh really? And what did dear old Vox require for Angel's contract?" Al asked knowingly, leaning back in his chair and crossing his legs with an air of smugness. His question knocked the wind out your sails because you knew it would sound bad no matter how you spun it.

"Just, umm.. Y'know, a deal.." You nervously picked your nails, unable to hold his sharp-eyed gaze. "But it wasn't for my soul!" You hurried to assure lest he got the wrong idea and went off about that one too. "He liked my food so he was willing to let Angel's go if I just quit the hotel and worked for only him."

"Which would still leave you indebted to him for an inconclusive amount of time, allowing yourself to be a pawn in his game as well as leaving yourself vulnerable to danger, torture and pain depending on the vagueness of the deal." Alastor listed off, picking apart the faults from the top of his head in such a scornful manner. Clearly, as Hell's most infamous dealmaker, he knew a trick or two when he saw one and just assumed the worst that Vox would have exploited you because of how much they hated each other. 

While you could see that this was his way of trying to look out for you, you still didn't appreciate being spoken down to like a child. Sure, your plan wasn't exactly fully thought through but desperate times had called for desperate measures. Now it was all for nothing because your husband couldn't control his impulses for another five goddamn seconds for you to shake Vox's hand.

"Oh my god, I wouldn't have even had to go to him if you just got Angel's contract when I asked!" You shot up to your feet, standing above him in indignation. "You used to tell me that I could ask you for the moon and you'd get it for me, now I can't even get one lousy contract from another Overlord? And don't tell me you couldn't do it again cause I know that's bushwa- I just watched you beat the shit out of one tonight!"

"Don't spin this on me, I have done everything for you!" Alastor snapped while also getting to his feet, unwilling to let you take control of the argument. 

The most unsettling part was how his smile had dropped. 

You tried to take a step back but the edge of the chaise lounge was blocking your path, forcing you to remain still during your husband's oncoming tirade.

"The only way I would have been able to get that blasted contract was by killing Valentino and subsequently starting a war with, not only the other Vees, but the rest of the Overlords had they found out I went against code of conduct! Is that what you wanted? If that was the case then you should have told me instead of running headfirst into danger!" He gripped your shoulders and shook you roughly as if trying to shake sense into you.

His mask had completely vanished and you saw nothing but fear and pain in his expression. 

"I would do anything for you, Y/N! But I thought what you wanted was for me to try and be a better man for you! The only deals I even make myself now are for protection for other lowly demons, had it not been for my reputation I would be the laughing stock in Hell, I participate in your fairytale of making a family with those at the hotel - even though I know they will only hurt you with their own motivations and selfishness - just to see you happy, I bared my soul on a platter for you to do with as you pleased and allowed myself to be vulnerable with you for the first time since I was human  - time and time again! Why is nothing I do good enough for you to the point where you run to another man for any of your needs?!" 

Your heart was breaking as you saw Alastor slowly lose his sanity throughout his rant. Before you, stood a man so broken and fearful of losing something he felt undeserving of in the first place that his mind was fully driven by paranoia and self doubt. You knew the feeling all too well because it was like looking into a mirror during the Mimzy fiasco. 

You slapped him across the face on his good cheek, causing his eyes to widen in shock and his grip to loosen. 

"You listen to me, Al," You batted away his grip from your shoulders and took the sides of his head in your own hands to lower his face close to yours. "You are and have always been good enough for me! Let go of your fucking ego for once and see this from my eyes - none of this was to do with you!" 

Al stared at you in disbelief but thankfully, didn't interrupt once so you took it a sign that he was finally listening. You smoothed your hands through his hair gently even as you kept the firm tone to your voice so he knew you meant business. 

"I'm sorry I hurt you by going behind your back and meeting up with Vox. It was serendipity that we met on the girls night after he was badly beat up from Valentino and he just needed a shoulder to cry on - metaphorically speaking. We got to talking and he happened to like my restaurant back in Wrath and offered me a position to work for him, probably as a favour for being nice to him in his time of need, but I turned it down. I promise, the only reason I reached out to him again was because I knew Angel needed help and I did try to go to you first but you don't tell me anything unless we're fighting and it comes bursting out so I just thought you were being a dick when you said no." You explained as gently and as patiently as you could, feeling the tension in the air simmer down to a breathable point.

Al's shoulders had finally untensed and his hands rested on your hips in a much lighter grip, showing that his temper had been concealed to a controllable level. It was a good sign that he reacted to your insult with a half smile.

"Pot calling kettle black, mon cher." Alastor raised his eyebrow pointedly. You couldn't help but quirk a smile at the playful dig, knowing that you weren't any better when it came to commutating. "But I am... sorry, as well. If only that you had to witness that display on the balcony. I'll admit I may have lost the rag as soon as I found his card in your dresser and connected the dots with the roses just to find you in that snivelling overgrown socket's arms but... Perhaps I did take things a touch too far."

"Ya think?" You asked sarcastically. The back of your mind was entirely consumed with guilt over the state Vox had been left in because of you, when he was only trying to do something nice but you had to keep those thoughts locked away, especially with Alastor in such a fragile, emotional state. Satan only knew how he might blow up if he even suspected you thinking of his enemy in such a sorrowful way. "You're kind of sexy when you're jealous, did'ja know that?"

Al burst out in genuine laughter and looked down at you with such fondness, caressing your sides up and down affectionately. It was a stark contrast from how he was only moments ago but you were ever so glad to see the change. "Why do you think I enjoy it so much to see you in such a state?" He teased with a cheeky wink. 

"You're a jackass." You scoffed but the bright smile creeping on your lips told another story.

Alastor hummed thoughtfully and leaned down to give you a slow kiss. You practically melted into his lips, only now realising that you had gone entirely two days without the loving touch of your husband in any form. He pulled you closer to him and smoothed his hands over the expanse your back and your waist until you were pressed against him while your fingertips ran through his hair and down the back of his neck, following the line of his collar to fiddle with his bowtie in the starting process to untie it. You felt him biting your bottom lip gently and felt a flutter go through your body.

"What do you say we just leave the dinner and go back home, Alleycat?" You suggested breathlessly once you'd pulled away to focus on undoing his bowtie and starting on the buttons of his shirt. He wasted no time trailing his lips and sharp teeth over your neck, teasing your most sensitive spot there. "Come on, beam us up, radio man! Teleport us to our room." You playfully demanded, forcing an amused huff from him. 

"Afraid not, love." He muttered from the crook of your neck, pulling away only briefly to rid you of your sweater then moved his hands to your dress shirt to rip open the material, causing buttons to go flying everywhere. You let out a squeak of surprise but it quickly turned into something akin to a purr when he tried his lips over your collarbone and down to the top of your brassiere.

"What? You trying to keep all your stamina saved or something?" You asked with an airy playfulness.

The heat in the room was beginning to sizzle once again but in a way you preferred much more. You could deal with the emotional torment you both put each other through constantly another day but for now, you were quite content to make love with your husband and feel grounded in this pit of despair. Alastor was your drug and you needed a hit so that the shitty aspects in life became insignificant and meaningless. You didn't want to think about Vox or Angel or souls or anything! You just wanted to feel loved for a while and deal with the rest later.

"No, I just don't trust you to see Angel's state of wellbeing and not do something else as foolish as you did tonight." Al stated casually before nipping at the tops of your breasts and skimming his hands over the back of your brassier to the clasp.

However his answer was more of a mood-killer than one of your friends interrupting you abruptly. You froze up and shot your hands to his arms, halting his movements, and pushed him back so you could face him in your bewilderment.

"...What?" 

"I think it's best you stay here until our fuzzy friend heals up, don't you?" Alastor smiled at you with a crazed look in his eyes, still holding you preciously even with your nails now dug into his arms. You heard him snap his fingers and all of a sudden, glowing metal bars had appeared on front of the door and on all of the windows of the tower.  

It looked like a prison. 

Chapter Text

Your jaw dropped open at the turn of events and immediately, you pushed Al away and snatched your discarded sweater from the floor to put on again due to your now ruined shirt being unbuttonable. 

You didn't waste any time going towards the door and roughly testing the bars to judge their strength. They didn't move an inch so it definitely wasn't just an illusion he'd conjured. You let out a frustrated scream and sparked the damn things on fire through your hands but your flames were simply engulphed by green smoke and sizzled out as if they were never there. In a rage, you shot out your flames to the walls, the ceiling, the fucking furniture - anything! You would burn this shitty shack down if you goddamn had to! 

Yet, nothing happened. The tower was completely fire repellent with some kind of charm or magic. You turned to your husband with your fists clenched and teeth gritted along with your stance tense and agitated, likely looking like you were ready to deck him then and there - because you absolutely were.

It didn't help matters that he was now smugly sat on the chaise lounge you had been previously occupying, watching you with nothing but mirth and merriment in his expression. His legs were crossed casually and his hands were clasped over his lap, looking back at you with an amused smile while he let you get the anger out of your system. 

"This isn't funny, Al, let me out!" You demanded harshly, stomping your foot on the floor as a child would when they wouldn't get their way. The difference being, you were a fully grown, capable woman and it only felt childish because a certain asshole thought that he could ground you like one! 

"What's the magic word?" Alastor asked in that agitating sing-song tone of his while batting his eyelashes playfully. 

You threw your fist behind you and banged against the metal wall next to the door, causing an echoing BANG throughout the tower while your entire head sparked into a full-blown flame - not that it was any help in this moment but your anger had to physically be released in some way.

"Now!"

Al threw his head back in a wholehearted laugh followed by the canned laughter through his microphone. The air practically buzzed with his magic and there was nowhere for you to escape from it. You felt like a trapped bird, still in a desperate attempt to free itself when it was first caged.

"Try again, dearest." Al taunted with a cocky raise of his eyebrow, tilting his head as he watched you fondly.

"I swear to God - I'm going to knife you in your fucking sleep!" You screamed, bringing your hands up to clench in front of you as you imagined strangling him in that very moment. 

"...Wrong again." Al chirped, not looking bothered in the slightest. If anything, he seemed to grow more entertained with your every response. 

You groaned loudly and turned your back to him to allow yourself to calm down. Your flames receded until it was only your eyes still alight and you took a few slow, stuttering breaths to attempt to calm yourself down. Maybe this was one of Al's stupid games that he thought were fucking hilarious and no one else  - not even you - seemed to get so if you just played along then the joke would end sooner. 

You squeezed your eyes shut and pinched the bridge of your nose in annoyance until you could feel your eyes going back to normal. 

Turning back to him - ignoring the wide smile you got in return - you levelled him with a glare and gritted,  "Please."

"No." Al shot back with a smirk. 

You launched yourself at him and tackled him so hard that you toppled the chaise lounge onto it's back with both of you sprawled onto the floor, with you sitting on top of him and clenching your hands around his throat. Just as you were about to start banging his head against the ground, he let out yet another pleased guffaw and all of a sudden, he grabbed you by the waist and hooked one of his legs around yours to abruptly flip your positions. 

In a split second, he got you on your back with his legs clamped over yours to avoid you kicking him in a place that he definitely deserved to be kicked in, his hands keeping your wrists pinned beside your head to prevent any slaps or punches you would absolutely be throwing his way had he not and his body pressed solidly down on yours to cease your frustrated struggling, all the whilst looking down at you with such affection and love in his eyes while you glared at his. Distractingly, you felt him hard at your hip which became more apparent when he shifted to brush against you through your skirt. 

You hissed up at him, wishing in that moment that you were one of those sinners blessed with possessing venom in their bites. 

"You're absolutely beautiful when you show your fire, my love." He commented sincerely, smiling softly despite your attack on him. You hadn't even realised that your eyes had once again set on fire but the surprise from his compliment had been enough to quell it. Alastor was the only bastard you'd ever known crazy enough to see your issues with temperament as an endearment rather than the baggage that it actually was. 

Charming prick, you thought indignantly.

However, it didn't stop you from trying to wriggle away or even to use your only moveable body part by thrusting your skull into his in a headbutt. Al barely flinched at the contact but did pull away after seeing you wince at your own pain. He'd gracefully rolled away and moved to get up, offering his hand to you to assist you. 

Grudgingly, you took it and stood with a huff before shoving him away and grabbing the single chair he'd pulled over to throw it at the nearest window as a last ditch attempt of freedom. One of the legs broke after coming into contact with the bars in front of it but in a cloud of smoke, the kitchen area was completely restored back to it's original layout - the chaise lounge upright and the chair across from it as if it had never been touched.

This cursed place was like some kind of freaky funhouse/rage room and it was pissing you off with every second.

"Satan-fucking-damnit! You're really gonna keep me trapped in this rust-bucket as a punishment?!" You snapped while gripping your own hair in frustration, willing yourself not to explode. 

"Not a punishment, for your safety." Alastor corrected, patting your head in a manner that he clearly thought comforting but you seen as nothing more than a gesture of mockery. You shot him a withering glare and folded your arms around yourself to stop from reaching out and choking him again.

"Oh please, don't act like you're not enjoying this." You growled.

"Think of it as revenge served cold from when you used to lock me in our home during your many jealous frenzies." He stated with a blasé aura as he unbuttoned the sleeves of his shirt and rolled them to his elbows before sitting back down on the chaise lounge, throwing an arm over the back of it in the very picture of comfortability.

The unspoken message was very clear: He was in this for long run.  

Whether he was using the excuse as a distraction or a way to divert the conversation, it worked either way. You couldn't help but flounder at your own actions being used against you. "That was totally different!"

"How so, darling?"

You leaned down at the waist so you were eye-to-eye with his smug face. "Because you are a fucking attention whore and I had every right to keep you locked up when you let those rabid fangirls hang all over you." You answered with full conviction, not missing the tinge of red dusting his cheeks at your use of whore when describing him and his actions. It was absolutely correct, in your opinion, and you knew for a fact that the same could not be said about you so his point was a moot one.

"Thank you for proving my point." He retorted boldly then had the nerve to quickly peck your lips before you could move your face away from his. 

"Bite me." You grumbled and flopped down next to him. "Gimme that goddamn stir-fry." You pulled the serving table closer to you and angrily started to wolf the meal down, eating your feelings. 

You hadn't realised how hungry you were until you had your first bite so the dinner did manage to somewhat calm you down. You didn't eat with the group at dinner tonight and you hadn't made anything for yourself at Vox's either - too concerned with Angel's contract to even think of eating. Despite your annoyance, you ushered a quiet thank you to Al for the meal after you swallowed your bite then went back to ignoring him.

A pregnant pause whispered through the room while you ate in peace.

"So no whoopee then?" Al asked curiously, breaking the short silence. 

You shot him a withering look from the side of your eye, regarding his dishevelled appearance beside you as he sat up as proper as a gentleman. Along with the top buttons of his shirt, his bowtie was still undone and hanging at the sides of his collar, his clothes were rumpled, his hair was messy and he still dawned the wound on his face from his fight earlier. 

The only reason you resisted the urge to stab him in the leg with the fork in your hand due to his audacity of trying to get you into bed after trapping you, was because he looked more delicious than the meal in front of you. 

Oh, perhaps that was what a snack meant, you pondered fleetingly. 

"After dinner." You concluded with a huff.

"Marvellous!"

You wouldn't admit it, but his little cheer did get you to crack a smile.

Once you were basking in the afterglow, you could confidently say that the rest of your anger had dissolved from your system. 

Alastor was laying with his head nuzzling into your chest, the tops of his hair and ears were tickling your jawline and cheek pleasantly, with his arms wrapped snugly around your waist and upper back with his legs intertwined with one of yours while your other was curled comfortably around his hip. One of your arms was cradled around his head, running the tips of your fingers through his hair and over his forehead scar lovingly while the other hand was used to trail your nails over his back in absentminded patterns causing him to shiver in delight every few seconds.

He was practically purring on top of you so you couldn't resist kissing the top of his head affectionately. 

What would the rest of Hell think if they knew the big bad Radio Demon preferred to be the little spoon?  You wondered in amusement. 

Al snapped his fingers to summon a cigarette between your lips in a silent offer.

"Thought you hated when I smoked?" You pointed out as you took it out and tossed it on the dresser next to the bed while he raised the duvet up further around you both before moving his hand back to squeeze you closer. 

"Only because I know you only partake when you're unnerved, mon cher. Nothing displeases me more than seeing a frown on that enchanting face of yours." He admitted softly and you could feel his fond smile against your collarbone. 

You chuckled in amusement at how much he could read you like a book. Only Alastor could pull off a mind game, like sussing out if you were still upset with him after making love by seeing if you would smoke, and have it come off as endearing. You playfully pinched one of his ears but later resumed to running through his hair.

For a few minutes, you just lay in tranquillity.

You were so sated that you could've closed your eyes and drifted off to sleep but staring at the ceiling and around the room put you off. You didn't like the unfamiliar territory but having your husband in your arms did comfort you enough to be able to try dozing off later. Just not instantaneously. 

Your mind started to wander to the events of the night.

"This is like the world's weirdest date." You mumbled with no malice in your tone, simply thinking out loud. "Remember a time you used to just take me for dinner and a show? Now it's maiming a guy in front of me and kidnapping me in a tower." 

"Well, you always did enjoy those fairytale romances so I thought I'd give you the illusion of one." Alastor quipped.

You couldn't help but smile and roll your eyes in good humour despite him unable to see it. 

"Seriously Al, this little roleplay was fun and all but we're heading back to the hotel first thing tomorrow." You said with a gentle firmness.

"What part of no was I unclear about?"

You sighed in disappointment and moved your hands to rest on the back of his neck and cheek. 

"Look, I'm not gonna go looking for anymore deals, alright? But I want to check in on Angel, as well as the others." You confessed sincerely. You hadn't had an entire day away from your family since you'd first entered the hotel and you felt uneasy by the very thought of it. "Who do you think keeps me company while you're away on business?" 

"Then think of this as a little vacation away from the rugrats. I'll be sure to check in and see to it that they're not getting into too much trouble." He offered as a compromise, clearly trying to appease you. 

It would work for the rest of tonight and perhaps even tomorrow but you knew your stubbornness would win out over this little meltdown of his so you decided to throw him a bone for now. 

"Aw I knew you cared." You teased though you were actually happy to hear it. "Why were you so cruel about Angel's situation with Valentino then?"

Al became quiet for the next few minutes after your question, to the point where you started to think that he had fallen asleep, before he spoke again in a soft manner to finally answer. 

"Darling, one of us has to be realistic when it comes to this little ragtag group." He admitted decidedly, raising his head to be able to look at you as if to gauge your reactions. 

Okay, you could admit that you were a little touchy around the subject when it came to the rest of the group but it was only because - other than Al - you'd never had a real family of your own. That being said, you would give him grace to speak his mind and smiled encouragingly for him to go on without interruption.

"I don't mean to upset you with this again yet it bears repeating: They are not our family... But, I can admit, they are quite pleasant. An entertaining bunch for sure! Perhaps sometimes I fall into the same trap as you; of feeling some kind of parental affection for them from time to time- although I still hate it whenever Angel deems me his 'deer daddy'." 

Alastor's genuine disgust at the nickname along with the unpleasant shudder that went through his body made you giggle but other than that, you listened attentively.

"I suppose when it comes to Angel and Husker, I treat them with the same strictness and expectation that my father bestowed on me. Men have to grow thick skin and deal with the consequences of their actions alone. It builds character." He continued thoughtfully with a faraway look in his eyes. 

You stroked your thumb over his cheek soothingly, knowing not only how hard it was for him to open up like this but to talk about his father in any way, shape or form.

He gave you a soft smile and moved to kiss the palm of your hand in appreciation. 

"Angel is fearless and it's an admirable trait. I have no doubt that he cannot be broken by Valentino's hand since that white-livered cad has had no such luck already." Al concluded with a finality to his tone. 

"Just because we had to grow up with no support doesn't mean he should have to, honey." You remarked lightly. "I'm so proud of you for being so open with this but all of us have to stick together. It's not just you and me anymore." 

"Yes, well... I'm afraid when it comes to your enslavement verses his, my mind is made up and there's no changing it, cher." Alastor stated in such a matter of fact tone that it left no room for argument without another fight following. 

You hummed in acknowledgement and let the matter rest. For now. 

"Besides, aren't you and Charlie constantly prattling on about second chances and redemption? I suspect that will be his route to freedom." He added with a sincerity to his words that made your lips quirk into the brightest smile and you to guide his head back under your chin so you could snuggle him tightly. 

Even Al knew Angel was worthy of redemption and it warmed your heart.

"I hope he does, he can see his sister again." You mused quietly.

"Be careful what you wish for, love. A blessing for one is a curse for another; Husker would only fall deeper into despair." Al reminded, causing your smile to drop instantaneously.

You hadn't even thought of that prospect. 

Your mind conjured up brief flashes of a drunken conversation with Vaggie about the dangers of love, the fear of separation and the lengths one partner might put the other through when that was called into question. 

"No more questions, dearest. Rest now." Alastor told you sweetly. 

Perhaps he could hear your heart racing against his cheek or your uneven breaths as you lay wide-eyed, staring at the ceiling while you inwardly panicked over the fact that eventually, someone was going to end up hurt.

Either way, he did you a favour but snapping his fingers and magically lulling you into a deep sleep.

When you'd awoken the next morning, Alastor was already gone. 

You groaned in annoyance once you saw another note on his pillow stating that he had business to attend to but to make yourself comfortable. 

You certainly wouldn't be making yourself comfortable and once you were dressed, you got to work at getting out of this place. 

Not expecting much, you used your fire to try and burn through - or at least attempt to weaken - the bars but just like last night, your flames were engulfed. It was a long shot that the charm would lessen without Alastor's presence but still worth a try. You then found a butcher knife in the kitchen and tried to saw through them to get through the door but it left not so much as even a scrape - there wasn't even a damn lock to try and pick seeing as your pig of a husband could just appear in and out as he chose!

Eventually, you got so frustrated that you ended up trying to stab through the floorboards but you were met with solid concrete beneath the wood. 

After raging out for a good half an hour, you sat on the floor with your legs outstretched as you stared at the wall in contemplation, trying to decide your next move. 

You could break his shit as a fuck you once he got back but seeing as it wouldn't stick, it would just be a waste of effort. Other than that, you were screwed. The only thing that you could do was wait around for Alastor's return. 

Like a good little housewife, you thought in contempt.

With a sigh, you got up from the floor to explore the tower to try and find something to keep you occupied until Al got back. Not that there was a lot to inspect, it was all in the one large space like a studio apartment, besides the door to the bathroom and the other that was also barred up - no doubt his broadcasting room. 

You found some stuff in his bookshelf/unit next to his desk though. It was filled with magical shit, including an arrange of charms, potions of all varieties and cursed looking dolls - you kept your distance from them - as well as loose files and a few books here and there. Nothing important. 

You grabbed a poetry book and used the rare free time you had to catch up on reading. 

It had passed a few hours but it was barely afternoon and you were already feeling stir crazy. 

You didn't realise how hard of a tole being alone would take on you seeing as you'd done it for over a lifetime down here. Yet now you knew the joys of having people in your life to have fun with, to take care of, to talk about the most mindless subjects imaginable, this loneliness felt jarring. You always missed Al whenever he wasn't by your side but now you had five others for your heart to long for. 

Some part of you didn't know if Al had done this on purpose to give you a dose of reality about appreciating your loved ones more and not to stray - even though you weren't but you understood more than most about how a psycho jealous mindset worked - or if he just wrongly assumed that you would adjust to the 'new living circumstances for the foreseeable future' with some time alone. 

Either way, it sucked. 

Alastor had only come home by the time you were finishing up the meal for dinner in the kitchen by popping it in the oven, appearing behind you with a jovial little hop.

"Good evening, darl-" You cut off his chipper greeting by whacking him in the shoulder with a metal ladle. 

"Where the hell have you been?!" You snapped, throwing the ladle on the countertop and glaring at him with your hands on your hips. 

"Aww, did my dearest little spitfire miss me?" Al teased with a Cheshire-like grin before leaning down and planting a sweet kiss on your tightly thinned lips. Still, you didn't push him away because you had missed him but you'd be damned if you admitted that.

"That's not the point - this entire day has been an absolute nightmare! I get it, okay? Lesson learned. You can let me out now!" You implored harshly.

"Sweetheart, I have to reiterate that this isn't a punishment." Al reminded softly, reaching over to take one of your hands from your hips and giving it a kiss before soothingly stroking his thumb over your knuckles. It settled you somewhat. "In truth, I'm a little worried about Vox knowing of our status in marriage and using it against me. If word gets out, it wont be safe for you and I'd just like a little time where I know you're protected until I can game plan his next move."

"So because you were being a possessive asshole, I have to sit alone all day?" You frowned at the unfairness. It wasn't like you were the one to blow that secret out into the open yet you were dealing with the consequences - now and potentially in the future if gossip spread.

"Terribly inconsiderate of me to leave you on your lonesome, darling. I do apologise but I'm afraid I had a few matters to resolve - one being, stopping by the hotel to check in on everyone." He explained with a level of patience that you couldn't comprehend. It seemed that he was back to his mellow attitude of dealing with your snippiness.

"How are they?" You asked gently, feeling your annoyance be replaced with a bout of homesickness as well as missing them all dearly. 

"Well, Angel is recovering nicely and Husker is playing nursemaid licking his wounds, so to speak, Charlie and Vaggie have their hands full trying to contact Lucifer about changing some laws in the soul trading business and Niffty has already raided your pantry for any sweet treats you've left behind. Overall, they're just fine - mostly worried of your disappearance but fear not, I've reassured them that you're in good hands." 

Hearing about the group was bittersweet because you were glad they were doing okay but it just made you want to see them even more. You shot him a look at his ending statement. "I wouldn't go that far. Good hands wouldn't isolate me with nothing to do all day - your books are terrible, by the way." You pulled your hand away from his and crossed your arms. 

Alastor didn't seem fazed by your snarky remarks, in fact, his eyes lit up with excitement.

"Ah! Which reminds me!" He exclaimed with a genuinely pleased smile. Dramatically, he waved his hand and, in it, appeared a present of some sort wrapped in newspaper clippings. "I come baring gifts." 

You gave him a hard stare and quirked your eyebrow in the universal expression of 'Seriously?'.

"You really think buying me shit is gonna get me to forgive you? Do you even know me, Al?" You asked with a scowl. 

Your forgiveness could never be bought as you weren't materialistic in the slightest. While you did turn to mush whenever he'd gotten you something thoughtful and heartfelt in the past, Alastor - or anyone else, for that matter - had never been able to get you out of a mood with pretty packages. 

Al practically pouted with his ears flattening to his head sadly and you had to inwardly yell at yourself to hold firm because damn that man for looking so adorable! He couldn't just fucking kidnap you then give you the puppy dog eyes because you weren't happy about it!

"I understand you're still mad, love, but just indulge me with this for now." He pleaded with sincerity. You felt your resolve crumbling more at his earnest tone. "I swear, I'll not step out unless it's strictly necessary - only to scope out for trouble and check in with the rabble - and I'll make sure you have more comforts of home to keep your days occupied-"

"Okay, I want a TV." You smirk, knowing your demand would rile him up. It worked like a charm.

"HA! HA! HA! no." Al answered abruptly, giving you the most unimpressed look you'd ever seen from him. You couldn't help but giggle at the reaction, he really was irresistable when he was jealous. His shoulders untensed at the sound of your laughter once he realised you had simply played a joke on him.

"Fine, Alleycat, I'll sit nice for you - for the time being - but the next time I get pissy about another one of your lady associates, I better not get any lip from you about it cause you're just as bad as me." You said with more than a little smugness to your tone.

Alastor chuckled and wrapped an arm around your waist to pull you close to him and rest his forehead against yours, looking at you with a level of endearment that you didn't think yourself deserving of. "Was there any doubt of that, my doe? We are two halves of one whole, after all." 

You hadn't noticed your eyes sparking into two small flames in the shape of hearts or the flush on your cheeks because you were too in tuned with your own stuttering breath and chest bursting at the heartfelt declaration. After all the time you'd known this man, you still didn't understand how he could have you fuming in one second only to be flustered in the next. 

He ignited a passion in you that burned brighter and larger than even your fire could reach.

"I love you so much, Al." You whispered preciously, your lips brushing together with every word you spoke due to the closeness, while you slithered your hands up his arms and around his neck to return his sweet embrace.

"I've never loved anything more, cher." Alastor replied with as much awe and wasted no time closing the tiny gap between your lips, kissing you with so much passion that your head almost spun as your eyes fluttered shut.

Just as he had your head tilted back dominantly and one of his hand sliding down under your skirt, the egg timer had went off, signalling that your pot roast was ready to be taken out of the oven. Al tried to ignore it and growled against your lips before nipping at them and gripping you closer to him with his free hand but you giggled breathlessly and batted him away.

"Okay, you smooth rascal - enough of the funny business. Dinner's gonna go cold and I don't slave away for you to leave it." You chided with a charmed smile, pulling away fully to go take the oven tray out to leave it on the counter to cool until you plated the rest of dinner.

"Of course." He huffed in amusement, taking his jacket off and throwing it over the chaise lounge before sitting down comfortably. "But don't you want to open your gift first?" 

"Uh, sure." You'd actually forgotten about it altogether but you had time before it was time to plate so you went to sit beside him. No sooner had you plopped down, he had the gift in your lap with an excited smile, looking very much like a child on Christmas - only in reverse, practically shaking just to see your reaction to whatever it was.

You couldn't help but be endeared.

Carefully, you unwrapped the paper to find your favourite book, Pride and Prejudice, and smiled at him brightly. You admired how thoughtful the gesture was and how he had unknowingly contradicted your words of him not knowing you because this just showed how much he paid attention. "Oh thank you so much, sweetie, I love it." You leaned over and give him another kiss in appreciation. 

"Open it." Al said with a much softer smile, gesturing down to the book. 

You gave him a coy look. It wouldn't be the first time he'd written a small, heartfelt note on the inside of a book for you which is what you were expecting to find.

However, when you opened the book, you were met with a necklace. A small, simple, beautiful necklace that had a graphite coloured chain and a small glowing rock with tiny creator detailing as a pendent. You weren't normally a jewellery person but the simplicity, the uniqueness and the colours were all catered to your tastes perfectly. 

"Alleycat, you shouldn't have, it's beautiful." You praised sincerely, feeling tears threatening to sting at the back of your eyes at the sheer thoughtfulness in both the unexpected items. 

"May I?" He reached out to take the chain and you nodded, holding your hair away from your neck so he could clasp it around. His touch was so delicate during the task that he sent shivers all over you with every brush of his fingers. Once it was secured, he kissed the base of your neck sweetly before leaning back to admire it on you once you turned back to him.

The length was perfect, with the pendant hanging just above your collarbone so it wouldn't swing and get in the way during your usual busy day-to-days when you were back at the hotel. 

"You didn't need to get me either of these, honey, but thank you so much." You raised your hands to his cheeks and pulled him in for a deep kiss, pouring all of your gratitude into it.

The soft smile never left his face and even intensified, if possible, when you pulled back to nuzzle his nose with yours affectionately. 

"Think nothing of it - I did say I would get you the moon if you only asked, love! This may just be a fragment but I hope it suffices."

His words caused your eyes to widen in shock and stare at him in astonishment, darting over his face to try and pick up any sign of this being a set up to a joke but he looked completely serious.

"You... This is a piece of the moon?" You asked, completely dumbfounded, as you raised your hand to graze over the pendant.

You had only been using the example of him getting you the moon in the heat of the argument yesterday to make a point about Angel's contract being the only thing you'd ever asked him for, material-wise. You couldn't believe he actually... Your heart sped up to a level that you were sure would've caused an attack had you been human. 

"Indeed it is! I had to call in a few favours here and there but Prince Stolas was quite accommodating when I offered him a trade for an Asmodean Crystal." Al explained with a chipper tone, acting as if he just done something as simple and sweet as picking you up some takeout dinner so you didn't need to cook - not procuring the fucking moon and making it into a necklace for you!

You blinked up at this man, overtaking with a love surge so powerful you weren't sure how your heart didn't pop like a balloon.

"Screw the dinner." You muttered and ripped off your sweater before grabbing him by his bowtie, pulling him down on top of you and kissing him with more vigour and passion than before your interruption. Al made a noise of appreciation and wasted no time continuing his ministrations from before.

You ended up in nothing but the necklace and it might've overtaken your wedding dress's place as favourite outfit. 

Chapter Text

Seven days. One hundred and sixty-eight hours. Ten thousands and eighty fucking minutes and you were still stuck in this Goddamn tower. 

You were going utterly stir crazy looking at the same four walls! 

That wasn't to say that Al hadn't kept his word.

He'd transformed the bleak and frigid tower into something that resembled a cosy cabin, complete with a fireplace, fairy lights and blankets galore. Not only that but he'd made sure to fill the bookcase with all your favourites, gotten a little plant pot by the window along with tools for you to indulge in some minor gardening and made sure that the radio playing throughout the tower was always playing some love song or another. 

It had been sweet for the first few days to have your husband all to yourself, almost like a second honeymoon, and you basked in all the attention he was giving you. Just the two of you alone in a small, cosy environment brought back pleasant memories of your old home where your day was always made as soon as your adorable goofball walked through the door and chatted about the most nonsense one could think about. This venture was no different.

At one point, Alastor had strolled in twirling his microphone and randomly knocked on the fridge.

"Why are you knocking on the fridge door, dear?" You asked with a chuckle, watching his odd antics from your position on the chaise lounge, looking over your book in amusement.

"In case there was a salad dressing, of course." He quipped without missing a beat, grinning quite proudly at his pun. 

You laughed so hard that you ended up throwing your book at him for hurting your sides. 

Much of your time in the tower was spent as such; you would wake with Al cuddling into you and would always watch him with a soft smile on your face until he awoke which led to lazy mornings in bed talking about dreams from the previous night or some uninterrupted love making, you'd then eventually get up to prepare a late breakfast or early lunch, depending on the time, with Al practically hanging over you with his arms wrapped around your waist and chin on your shoulder while he made jokes throughout your cooking process and kept making you laugh - which would throw you off and you had to shoo him away to finish up- you'd then eat together before having a bit of polite silence, reading your separate newspapers with your tea and coffee, holding hands and sneaking almost shy smiles at one and other every few articles or so, then it would be time to get dressed and for Al to go out. 

Ever since that first day, Alastor made sure to only leave for an hour at most so you didn't get too lonely by yourself but every time he came back with vague news about the rest of the gang, you always pressed for more. You missed them all like crazy and with each passing day, your heart felt like it was sinking more and more just hearing about them. Alastor always kept the updates brief with 'they're doing fine' or 'they're having tiffs here and there but nothing out of the ordinary' or the worst 'they were asking for you again but don't worry, dear, I assured them that you're where you need to be.' 

Your pain must have showed on your face each time Alastor returned to the tower and mentioned the others because he was always quick to distract you afterwards by challenging you to a game of chess or cards, dragging you over for a dance to the radio or trying to pamper you in some way or another. It worked until you saw through it as the deflection tactic that it was. 

On the fourth day, you had been soaking in a relaxing bubble bath when Al had appeared back in the tower after his daily venture out. 

You put aside the book you had been reading and smiled at him through the open door of the bathroom, resting your arms along the edge of the tub and placing your chin on top of them. 

"My my, what a sight to come home to." Al announced merrily as he took off his jacket and hung it up before coming into the bathroom. 

"Would you like to join, honey?" You asked coyly, batting your eyelashes up at him. 

It didn't take more convincing than that for Al to have stripped down with a snap of his fingers and lay in the bath with you, resting his back against your front with your legs wrapped around his waist, his head resting over your shoulder and your hands diligently massaging the soapy sponge over his torso as his traced absentminded patterns over your thighs. 

You loved these little quiet moments more than anything so you couldn't resist pressing little kisses over the side of his face while he melted like butter under your hands. 

"How is everybody today?" You asked softly, breaking the peaceful silence after a few minutes.

"More or less the same, cher, you know how they get. Though, I met Charlie's father today - absolute heathen thinking he can walk into her life after abandoning her time and time again." Alastor practically spat out, hiding no venom in his tone as soon as the King was brought up. You felt him tensing up at the subject so you continued to massage the sponge over his muscles until you felt him settle again.

"Lucifer was at the hotel? Does that mean he's looking into changing laws about the contracts?" You asked in both surpise and eagerness. After all, you still felt like crap that you would eventually be going back to the hotel empty-handed without Angel's contract so it would've been extraordinary news if Lucifer could overrule the system keeping him trapped entirely - even if you agreed the guy was a total deadbeat when it came to Charlie.

"I'm afraid he has and nothing can be done with deals already made." Alastor explained causing you to deflate slightly. "However, now he's jumping through hoops to get Charlie an audience with the council of angels to preach her plan of redemption. Preposterous, really. Lifting up the poor thing's spirits just to leave them crushed in the end." 

"That's great! The extermination is only two months away, maybe she'll be able to change their minds and call the whole thing off! If anyone can do it, it's her and what better way to prove to all of Hell that they were wrong about her idea than for it to be the very key to their salvation!" You enthused despite his apparent grumpiness towards the idea. Far be it from you to point out the blatant jealousy Al was showing due to a being more powerful than him giving something to Charlie that he couldn't. 

Al huffed in mocking amusement at your reaction, shooting you a look of pure facetiousness from the side of his eye. "I must reiterate the same sentiment I gave to her over to you as well, love, don't get your hopes up too high or the fall will be devastating. Those creatures see us as nothing more than vermin and will waste no opportunity erasing every last one of us before they consider letting us walk amongst them in Heaven." He stated rather grimly. 

You smacked him on the shoulder causing him to startle in surprise but you soothed your hand over his chest to keep him in place. You were annoyed but you were comfy, damnit. 

"Don't be such a Negative Nancy, Al! You're putting doubts in her head that she already had from the start, she needs your support right now! Especially if her dad's involved, her head must be all over the place." You countered firmly before wringing out the soap from the sponge and rinsing the suds from his upper half as you got lost in your own thoughts.

You of all people understood Charlie's deep seated issues when it came to her parents so you could only imagine the tizzy she was currently in with her father. Not only that but the poor thing had such a fear of public speaking that you just knew she would be out of sorts with preparing for a meeting with literal angels in a last ditch effort to prove her project's worth. You were sure that Vaggie would be a comfort to her in this time but you didn't feel right being so far away when your darling cherub was so clearly distressed.

"We need to go back." You declared, tossing the sponge up into the sink.

Al let out a breath you hadn't realised he'd even been holding.

"I knew bringing this up would be a mistake." Alastor muttered bitterly. "Absolutely not." 

"Come on, Al, this time away has been nice but it's been days and nothing's happened-" 

"So far." He interrupted, tensing up in your arms as if preparing for a fight. "Who's to say that won't soon change? And with the way things are escalating in the hotel, I think your stay here should be extended until further notice."

Your teeth gritted in anger but you didn't want to snap. Logically, you knew that Alastor was just being overprotective which was sweet in it's own way but you didn't like having your choice being stripped. You sighed and wrapped your arms around his torso as you lovingly nuzzled the side of his face with yours, showing him nonverbally that you weren't going to freak out - which he picked up on and untensed in your arms once again. 

"Honey, I think it's so sweet that you're trying to keep everyone safe and carry these burdens on your shoulders alone but you don't have to. We're all a big team and we can handle anything that comes our way - together." You encouraged softly before placing another affectionate kiss on his temple.

Alastor was quiet for the next few moments. He lifted one of your hands and traced along your fingers as he got lost in thought.

"As much as I adore your bleeding heart, allow me more time to indulge in keeping you to myself." He finally said, interlocking his fingers with yours and squeezing them as if reassuring himself that you were still here with him. "I sometimes miss the times where it was just you and I in life, so often having to share your attentions with the rest of the rabble."

Your eyebrows raised sympathetically and all of a sudden, the others shot to the back of your thoughts. His words from the first day in the tower about him not being good enough flashed in your mind and your heart sank at the very idea that Al held the same fears and insecurities in your relationship as you did. 

"Oh Alleycat, I had no idea." You crooned, hugging him a little tighter. "You know you're my favourite person in the whole world, right? I miss you every second you're not with me and it doesn't matter who else I let into my heart, you'll always remain number one." You told him sincerely, tilting his chin so he was facing you and could see the authenticity in your statement. 

He smiled so reverently at the reassurance that it made you mentally kick yourself for letting him think even for a moment that you would ever choose anyone else over him. 

You loved your whole family more than anything in life or in death but you wouldn't have ever met them if not for Alastor. Besides, your most cherished moments was with them all - including Al - whether it be from family game nights that always ended in a fight or movie nights that everybody would argue about the choice of film then fall asleep by the time they'd even chosen one or even those silly team meetings that Charlie called for one ridiculous thing or the other.

It was chaotic but it was home, and it never felt complete without your husband's presence.

"Sometimes a man can wonder." Al mumbled almost doubtfully, surprising you with his sheer vulnerability. 

"Aww sweetie, it's so nice to see you so humble." You teased with a playful smile, leaning down to nuzzle his nose with yours in an Eskimo kiss. "But it doesn't suit you." You nudged his head back on your shoulder and went back to planting multiple gentle kisses over his cheek and jaw.

"No one can make me laugh like you." You continued sweetly before trailing your lips down the side of his neck causing him to shift slightly, humming in content. "No one makes my heart race like you." You trailed your nails over his chest to where his heart lay then over his pectorals, down his sides and up his abdomen, enjoying quite thoroughly his pleasant shivers that you could feel vibrating through your body from the contact. "No one knows me entirely like you." You whispered gravelly into his ear before nibbling it teasingly, giggling when it twitched in your mouth and the other one pointed towards you as well, silently seeking the same treatment which you happily gave. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, Alleycat, and no one else will ever compare to how much I love you." 

And just like that, the plans for the rest of the night were shot as you spent the next many hours showing your husband exactly how deeply your affections lay with him. 

However when you lying in the aftermath, your thoughts trailed back to those at the hotel. You would give Al some grace and settle for a little while longer but you weren't exactly the most patient person on the planet - especially when you knew one of your babies was in distress with a deadbeat dad, hotel to protect and a potential panic inducing audience with literal angels. 

Which is how you got to now. 

Seven fucking days and still no closer to knowing when your time-out was finished! 

You and Alastor had the biggest fight last night where you wouldn't even let him sleep in the bed with you, exiling him to spend the night on the chaise lounge.

Not only had he refused to tell you about the goings on about the gang other than 'they're fine' because, in his words, 'it's a need to know basis and you don't need to know - I'm quite distressed to see it put you in a tizzy each time, love.' but he'd also made some pointed blanket statements about extending your stay here until after the goddamn extermination! 

You absolutely were not staying here for two entire months! 

As soon as he'd left, sooner than usual as you weren't saying one word to him the entire morning, you'd got your plan into action. You were in full fight or flight mode and you'd already tried the fight option so it was time for option two. 

"Hey shadow?" You called out and no sooner than you did, Alastor's shadow appeared before you with a curious chirping noise.

The nosey little fucker was practically your guard dog again and back to full time spying on you during Al's short stints out. "I need you to do me a little favour." The shadow crossed it's arms and looked down at you with what you could only describe as suspicious.

You reached up and tickled under his chin causing it's stiff figure to practically melt into your touch, painting the most innocent look you could muster on your face as you did. "It's nothing bad, hun, I just need you to get me a couple of groceries so I can make Al his favourite meal to say sorry for my outburst. You can help me, can'tcha?" You batted your eyelashes and held out the small note of ingredients that were missing from the cupboards. 

Little shadowy hearts appeared above his head before he snatched the note from you and disappeared into the floorboards. 

By the time the real Alastor had appeared home, you were dressed in nothing but your necklace and one of his dress shirts with the collar hung promiscuously over your bare shoulder, hair mussed artfully, stirring his mother's jambalaya recipe in the crock-pot dutifully. 

"Finally, you're home." You smiled brightly at his arrival, ignoring his eyes narrowing in playful suspicion over your form as you made your way over to give him a chaste peck on the lips in greeting before taking his jacket to hang up. "I missed you, sweetie."

"Que faites-vous, bien-aimés? Bien que ta beauté soit suffisante pour étonner n’importe quelle créature assez chanceuse pour te voir, je suis habitué à tes manières rusées." Al muttered with a sardonic smile as he sat down at the table and practically stared a hole through your head, looking like he was trying to figure out a hard puzzle and enjoying every second of it.

Your head snapped over your shoulder as you hung his jacket up to glare at him scathingly with fire in your eyes, dropping the doting wife act for a brief moment in your rage. "Who the fuck is Aimee?" You demanded through gritted teeth. You'd been around Al long enough to pick up on some general French here and there but, as you'd told Husker one late night at the bar, you only really knew the curses. 

Alastor burst out laughing causing you to purse your lips in annoyance but the sound of his melodious laugh did quell the flames in your eyes. 

"You know, I made my career making people laugh on the radio yet I'll never cease being amazed at how easily you do the same for me with so little effort, my darling spitfire." He said so warmly and sincerely that you couldn't help but return his fond smile with one of your own. "How's this one for size then: Je t'aime, mon cher." Al practically purred, causing you to smile bashfully at his corniness. You'd heard that phrase enough to know it's meaning and it sent a flutter through your heart all the same.

You walked past him to get to the kitchen, reaching out to ruffle his hair as you did. "Well, je t'aime right back at'cha... espèce de fils de pute." You responded teasingly as you plated his meal into a bowl and brought it over to the table along with his utensils and a glass of water.

Al threw his head back in wholehearted laughter at your response, clutching his stomach in mirth. You smiled fondly at his glee and couldn't help yourself from leaning down and capturing his lips in a sweet kiss once he'd settled down before moving behind his chair with your hands on his shoulders to kneed any tension from them in an attentive massage.

Alastor groaned in content and instantly relaxed into your touch. He leaned back so his head was resting on your stomach and looked up at you with a soft smile and hope in his eyes.

"I gather that our fight has been put on hold?" He stated as more of a question, daring to hope that things in the tower would go back to the way they had been with the two of you enjoying each other's company with no care for the outside world.

"Maybe I just feel bad about kicking you out of bed last night and wanna try being a good wife for once." 

Al shook his head in amusement, smiling in utter incredulity at your quiet admission. 

"You're already the best wife, cher." He stated as if truer words were never spoken. 

Your lips thinned doubtfully at not only his statement but the sincerity he spoke it in. Uncomfortably, you moved away from him to compose yourself. He seemed to sense your self-consciousness, as he often did, and simply thanked you for the meal, taking the attention off his previous sentiment.

"Can I feed you?" You asked, stopping him just before the fork reached his mouth.

He looked over at you in confusion.

"Why?" 

You shrugged almost shyly and focused your attention on your hands fidgeting together. "I read it in one of my books and thought it was cute, it's silly, never mind-" You trailed off your rambling, trying to brush off the subject altogether only to be stopped by Al putting his hand on yours, ceasing your nerves.

"Whatever your heart desires, my love." He proclaimed with a genuine smile, never one to deny you anything - other than your freedom, of course.

You returned his smile with one of your own and moved to sit on his lap alluringly, feeling his hands move to rest over your thighs just underneath the shirt and on your hip to keep you steady. You moved one of your arms around his shoulder in almost a half-hug so you were pressed together comfortably and enticingly. 

His eyes practically burned into yours when you'd picked up his fork and started to feed him his meal bite by bite. 

It was quite a sensual experience that you'd never expected and you couldn't say you'd object to it again under different circumstances. Al looked quite flustered by the entire display and if his face wasn't giving that away, his grip tightening on you with every mouthful you'd let your fingers brush over his lips or dab of a handkerchief at his chin and delicately over his jaw certainly did. He wasn't used to seeing you so submissive and you didn't need to be a rocket scientist to be able to figure out just how much he was enjoying it. Especially with the way your seat was hardening with promise. 

You placed a loving kiss on his cheek in gratitude once he'd swallowed the last bite. 

"Marvellous dish as always, cher." He complimented with a gravelly tone, continuing to stare at you with a half-lidded expression. You felt his grip loosening only slightly and smiled at him gently. "But my word, has that got a kick straight out of Hell to it! Why, I could simply curl up and go for a kip right here, right now."

"It's okay if you're tired, sweetie, you didn't get the best rest last night." You pouted sympathetically and ran your hands through his hair, watching his head tilt heavily like he was ready to pass out on the nearest comfortable surface at any given moment. "C'mere." You advised lightly when you saw his eyes looking suddenly drowsy, almost like he was drunk with tiredness. You got up from his lap and helped him over to the bed. 

He'd stumbled just from the short walk and practically flopped down on the mattress, looking more limp than a ragdoll. You dotingly removed his shoes, dress pants, waistcoat and shirt before laying him down. His eyes popped open in a panic as he stared at you with something akin to horror as you fluffed his pillow and pulled the covers over to tuck him in lovingly, without a worry in the world. 

"Something's wrong..." Alastor announced wearily, his eyelids continuing to threaten to close without his consent as they seemed to be getting heavier by the second. His sheer panic was the only thing keeping him awake by this point. It didn't help that you were caressing the sides of his face and over his brow to try and lull him into a deep sleep. He was too exhausted to even lift his arms to shoo you away. "Y/N... What did you do?"

"I might've used some of your potions I found on my first day here." You admitted quietly as you continued to sit by his bedside. 

So, you may have already had the ingredients you needed for Al's favourite jambalaya and just needed the supervision of the shadow to disappear long enough for you get the potion you needed - make sure it was the right one from a stray spell book - and mix it in the pot for prep. Your only other obstacle was the taste being different but you'd provided a pretty decent distraction, in your opinion. Sure, you felt a little bad that you had to resort to tricking him but not bad enough that you regretted it. You were getting the Hell out of here.

"You poisoned me again?!" He croaked in disbelief, attempting to sit up but only groaning in discomfort when his muscles strained him. 

You shushed him in a soothing manner, trailing your hand down to his chest to force him to lay back nicely.

"You kidnapped me so we're pretty even on the crazy scale, I'd say." 

"Darling.. Don't even... think.. about... leavin-..." His breathing started to become more and more laboured as he struggled to get out the order. Not that you would've listened anyway and he clearly knew it too. Even as his eyes finally closed and were too heavy to open again, his expression was pinched like he was still trying to fight the sleeping spell with sheer willpower alone.

You stayed by his side until his face relaxed and he looked like he was having a peaceful rest. 

"See you soon, sweetie." You whispered sweetly, leaning down to give him a chaste kiss on his slackened lips.

You then wasted no time getting dressed into more appropriate attire before grabbing his microphone and smashing the damn thing over the bars in front of the door.

A blast of energy sparked through the tower, almost knocking you on your ass, before the green aura and smoke fizzled away along with the bars. Thankfully, his microphone wasn't broken upon the impact so you left it behind as a placating gesture. Some part of you assumed that he'd be more pissed at you breaking his magical shit more than you besting him at his own game so surely, once he woke up and went back to the hotel to find you settled, there would be no ill will.

Yep, you were totally deluding yourself. 

However you knew that even if - when - Al was pissed with you, you had a few tricks up your sleeve to break his temper. 

You hauled ass outside into the street and resisted the urge to stand there like a madwoman and kiss the ground. You hadn't realised how much you'd missed the fresh air, unfamiliar faces of other demons, noise from the street, life in Hell! Grinning brightly, you rushed down the street to make your way back to see your babies and give them a Charlie-approved bear hug, squeezing the goddamn afterlife out of them with how much you missed them.

You'd been so caught up in adrenaline and excitement, you hadn't noticed the CCTV cameras on every street you passed zooming in and focusing on your retreating figure.

Chapter Text

You practically skipped halfway across town until you made it to the front doors of the hotel just from how much you were looking forward to seeing the rest of your little family after an entire week. 

Throwing the doors open, you could instantly hear yelling and disarray coming from another room and you felt truly at home. 

It just so happened that Charlie was rushing into the lobby with a stack of papers but once she caught sight of you, she dropped the lot and came rushing over. You grinned with excitement and outstretched your arms, already expecting and anticipating one of her overpowering hugs. She almost tackled you with the force she flew into you, squeezing you tightly in a suffocating grip. 

"Oh my god, Eva!" She exclaimed almost tearfully, tucking her head under your chin. "Thank fuck you're back, we all missed you so much."

"There, there, cherub." You cooed gently, squeezing her back just as affectionately and patting her hair down in a soothing gesture. "I missed you too, darling."

"Are you alright now?" She asked abruptly as she pulled back ever so slightly to scan her eyes across your face as if to check for any visible damage. "Alastor's been saying how you're in some kind of trouble."

You rolled your eyes at his dramatics and made a mental note to give him what for when he returned for worrying the others with his petty paranoia's. "I'm just fine, darling. How have you been? I heard that your father has returned." 

The very mention of Lucifer made Charlie stiffen up and fully pull back with a comically panicked look on her face. "That's the tip of the freakin' iceberg!" She exclaimed, raising her hands to grip tightly into the roots of her hair. You tutted gently and covered her hands with your own so she would release and hold onto your hands instead if she needed something to grip in her distress. "Everything's went to shit since you left!" 

"Like what?" You asked softly, stroking your thumbs over her knuckles in a reassuring gesture. 

Charlie took a large inhale of breath before starting her rant in an almost inhumanly fast speed. "Well first of all, Angel fell off the bandwagon and has been doped up every single night to deal with the pain in his broken arms, then Valentino tried to come to the hotel to make him work and he licked my arm when I tried to stop him so then Vaggie almost stabbed him with her spear but Angel stopped her then he almost went with him but Husk offered to empty his bank account to pay for Angel for the rest of the month so he'd have time to recover which made Valentino fuck off but Angel's been pissy with him ever since and they even broke up about it so both of them have been absolute fucking nightmares-" 

Your eyes widened at the awful turn in events and how quickly they seem to have happened. Not only that but Al hadn't told you about any of this! You couldn't help but feel that if you'd been here, none of this shit would have happened. 

"Then a new patron checked into the hotel, his name's Sir Pentious, and he blew up the wall so Alastor has to fix it but he ended up being sent from Vox to spy on us - oh but don't worry, we ended up finding him out pretty quickly and he said sorry so everything's good now and he's actually a really great guest here - meanwhile during all of this other crap, me and Vaggie have been trying to find a loophole or a law to get sinners a way out of their soul contracts but they're ironclad and I had to call my dad who came here and he told me that it can't be done but he wants to build a relationship with me again even though it's been fucking years and I can't handle that right now and him and Alastor can't even be in the same room without starting a fight or a stupid pissing match over who's the most powerful and-and-and-" 

Charlie's face was damn near blue by now as her air supply was well and truly exhausted. 

"Charlotte, breathe!" You scolded, forcing the blonde to take a few quick breaths in and out. 

She released your hands and went to pacing in front of you back and forth, looking like the personification of anxiety itself. The poor thing clearly had too much on her plate - and from the sounds of it, so did everyone else - and this seemed to be the first time she had been letting everything out after bottling up all her stress over the past week. 

"Anyway, dad ended up getting me a meeting with the council of angels to try and pitch the hotel to them which is fucking tomorrow so I've been up all night trying to prepare but everyone keeps fighting, Niffty's set the kitchen on fire like four times trying to make your cookies and been in hysterics because she keeps missing you and Al, no progress has been made in the hotel, extermination is just under two months away AND I'VE BEEN LOSING HAIR!" 

As if to prove her point, Charlie ripped out a chunk of hair from the base of her neck and held it out to you with a frantic look in her eyes. She stood there panting like a crazy person after her long spiel and all you could feel was sorrow for her as well as the rest of the group. 

"My, that is quite... something." You responded, at a complete loss for words in your momentary shock. However, you gathered your thoughts quickly and made your way over to her again to take her free hand in a tighter grip. "But nothing is broken that we cannot fix together, cherub." You reassured with full confidence, smiling softly so she would see that there was nothing to worry about. "Everything feels scary right now but we're a family and we'll always be there for each other in the end. One step at a time, huh?"

Charlie teared up at the pep talk, the tension in her shoulders dissipating almost instantly just from the sound of someone telling her that everything would be okay. 

She gripped you into another bone-crushing hug. "I'm just so glad you're back." She sniffed, clearly choking back the tears. 

"Me too, darling." You wheezed, patting her back despite being unable to breathe.

Once the princess had settled down, you helped her pick up her discarded papers before heading into the lounge. From the sounds of it, Charlie hadn't been exaggerating when she'd said about all the fighting but you were pretty used it by now and felt confident that you could be the rational voice they might've needed to resolve things. 

As soon as you opened the door, you narrowly missed glass hitting you from one smashing against the wall.

Angel and Vaggie looked like they were squaring off in the middle of the room, Husk was practically blackout at the bar in a state you hadn't seen him in since the very first week at the establishment and Niffty was manically laughing as she stood over a strange snake man that you'd never seen before who was quivering in the corner away from her with little egg people guarding him. 

"You've been lashing out so much cause you're fucking strung out or high as hell twenty-four seven and I'm goddamn sick of it, Angel!" Vaggie screamed at the spider, both of them practically nose to nose. They'd been at each others throats for days now and the tensions only rose with each day that Angel stumbled in high enough to not even recognise where the fuck he was - the fact that it was so close to Charlie's big day with pitching her idea in the most make or break way possible only added insult to injury. 

"Maybe if you guys weren't so fuckin' useless I wouldn't have ta be, Vagatha! Do ya think I wanna be like this? I've been at this shithole fa almost a year and I'm still in the same shitty situation I was from day one so what's the fuckin' point in being sober through it?!" Angel demanded with a growl, clenching his hands that weren't in the sling like he wanted nothing more than to swing at her but was taking great effort in refraining. 

"We've been doing everything we can! It's not our fault you sold your fucking soul, dumbass!" Vaggie retorted cruelly. Part of her did feel absolutely heart sorry for the spider but she'd also been coddling him - therefore enabling him, in her eyes - into this self destructive state where one shitty thing happened and now he was totally spiralling and needed some tough love to shake himself out of it again.

Just as Angel looked like he was going to attempt to make a swipe at her, you interrupted and surprised the both of them with hearing your voice.

"Enough!" You snapped, quieting the room instantly as you stepped in it. "Why the hell do you two think it's acceptable to speak to each other like that?" 

They had the decency to look shamefaced and stepped back from the potentially violent stances they both had.

"Look, I understand a lot has happened since I've been away-" 

Niffty interrupted your scolding by rushing over to you and climbing up your body until she was cradled in your arms. "I never thought I'd miss your nagging, Eva!" She exclaimed in excitement, causing you to crack a small smile. However it fell once she'd took out a pair of scissors and suddenly cut off a piece of your hair to smell. "Now I'll always have a piece if you ever leave again." 

"I'm not leaving again, dear." You consoled genuinely, holding her to you preciously and stroking the back of her head.

"Yeah? Well where the fuck ya been this week, toots?" Angel hissed in an accusatory tone, crossing his unharmed arms under the slings of his broken ones. He wasn't entirely sure it was really you standing there - there had been a couple of times this past week he'd hallucinated you there even to scold him for how badly he kept fucking up - but he was still willing to fight regardless. He was sweaty and itchy and hurt, he just needed another fucking high and these damn broads were keeping him on lockdown because of the princess's precious meeting tomorrow that wouldn't do jack shit anyway! There was no fucking way angels would allow them to leave this literal hellhole! "I- we all needed ya here!"

"I know, sweetheart, none of it was planned but I'm still sorry." You told him sincerely. "I'm here now, and it wont happen again."

Just from looking at the spider, you could see for yourself just how hard these past turn of events had been on him. He clearly was still in pain from his attack last week as well as strung out, as Vaggie had pointed out, with a slurred speech and blood shot eyes that seemed to dart in every direction while he seemed to shake where he stood. It upset you deeply to see him in such a state but you were more than willing to take the long journey with him once again to try and get him back to the point of progress he'd been at before.

"I already had ta listen to a whole song by Cha Cha about sorries, they don't mean shit, lady." Angel shot back with an eyeroll. He pointedly ignored the crestfallen expression on Charlie's face at his backhanded insult because he was just past the point of caring - in this state at least. No doubt when he fully sobered up these would be memories that would haunt him and prove just how much he belonged down here with every other shitty sinner that hurt everyone who ever dared to love them.

"Did'ja at least get any closa' to my contract with Vox?" He asked expectantly, secretly hoping for one bit of good news.

This had been the part you'd been dreading upon return and it was only made worse by how much you could tell Angel desperately needed to hear an affirmative on the matter. You inwardly cursed yourself for even letting the spider know about your plan, if only to give him something to hope for that night after being so broken and bruised. "Umm..." 

"Un-fucking-believable." Angel scoffed and shook his head in disbelief, avoiding your eyes. 

"I'm sorry, sweetheart- it was just- well Al found us during negotiations and- uh, we got into a little bit of a disagreement in his radio tower-" You rushed out to explain in halted sentences but you were interrupted.

"Wait, is that why you've been away for so long? Was that psycho keeping you from us?" Vaggie asked suspiciously.

She damn well knew that Alastor was up to something shady when they kept asking him about your whereabouts and he would just brush them off with alluding to you being in danger and hiding out in a safe place. However any time she tried to corner the cryptic bastard about it, he would always find some way out of it or just poof away in his shadows until the next day. 

"He had his reasons." You defended quietly, shrinking in on yourself slightly as if trying to hide behind Niffty. 

"We neva' shoulda' got yous two back togetha'!" Angel shrieked, stomping his foot on the ground like a child in a temper.

"Angel!" Vaggie hissed in warning, shooting him a look from the side of her eye.

"Oh shit." Niffty muttered before finally climbing down from you and scurrying away, obviously expecting an explosion that she wanted to be well and truly away from lest she be hit from the blast.

Your eyes darted to each and every one of them in utter confusion. "Wha... What do you mean?" You asked hesitantly, not liking the direction in where the conversation was leading. Tensions were slowly rising in the room to an almost crackling heat and you couldn't help but feel you were in the blast range for once.

"You want some truth and justify ya mans 'reasons', toots? Well here ya go, that night yous fucked like rabbits and got back togetha- we all planned it! And he knew about it and tolds us about the pigs flying thing. Even threatened Vags not to tell ya about it cause she was getting cold feet." Angel confessed heatedly. 

Your jaw dropped at the admission, the shock physically knocking you back a step.

A million thoughts swarmed your mind at once like the fact Alastor had, yet again, been deceptive in your relationship after assuring you so many times that things would've been different this time. Not only that, but to have the rest of them involved in the scheme was hurtful - especially since you'd been so touched with their lovely gesture all those months ago of making you two dinner to say thank you for the help you'd done for them. Knowing it was a ruse was... Awful. 

However you supposed that it wasn't entirely their fault if they had been threatened with it.

"I didn't know about it!" Charlie piped up in shock herself, shooting Vaggie looks of concern because her girlfriend had never confessed anything of the sort to her. She was even more confused when the one-eyed woman avoided her gaze in a guilty manner. 

"Nor did I." Sir Pentious finally spoke. your eyes darting to him in surprise as you'd partly forgotten he'd even been present. "Hello, by the way, I'm Sssir Pentiousss. I've heard many thingsss about you and frankly, my dear, you ssscare me."

"Everybody scares ya, ya slimy piece of shit!" Angel huffed, causing the snake to curl up on himself.

"Shut the fuck up, Angel!" Vaggie barked at him, having reached her limit with the spider's self-pitying tantrums where he made everyone else feel just as shitty as he did.

"Everybody settle down." You tried to be the voice of reason despite the fact you were still hurt. You still loved your family more than anything and there would always be times where you fought and hurt each other so you had to be the one with a cool head in this situation to try and get them over the worst of it until they could calmly talk things through again, together. "It's been a long week for everyone, we can talk about this later."

"No fuck that!" Angel piped up again, still as heated. Usually you were the one person who could calm him down if he was this far gone but he was too hurt, too emotionally vulnerable, too fucking strung out to even be reasoned with in this moment. "Ya can't stay with that toxic piece of shit, mamabear! Take it from me, ya need to stay as far away from Overlords as ya can!" He damn near pleaded, desperation written all over his face.

In Angel's drug-addled mind, this was him saving you from a fate that you couldn't save him from. 

"That's it, I warned you!" Vaggie thrusted her spear at him, despite the fact she would never actually use it for anything other than a threatening tactic, but - just as Charlie was about to step in to hold her girlfriend back - Angel snatched the weapon off of her and broke the handle over his knee, snapping it in half.

"Take that, bitch, we all know ya agree with me anyway! You're just trying to shut me up so I don't tell Eva that you spilled all of her and Al's business like the fucking one-eyed snake ya are." He drawled cruelly, leaning down at the waist so the two were face to face and he could see the panic in her eye as it darted to you.

Despite you being the one to be a literal walking fireball, Angel was burning bridges here more than you ever could.

"Hey!" Sir Pentious squawked in offence, sticking his snake tongue out at the spider for the underhanded diss.

"Vaggie?" You questioned almost timidly. A part of you was terrified to find out the truth here and didn't even want to know, but you had to. Clearly this had been bottled up for quite some time. 

"Look it was forever ago okay?!" Vaggie defended frantically. "It was after the night of the fundraiser when you and Charlie went shopping, I sorta told everyone what you'd told me- but only because all that shit you said to me was still in my head about staying away from love and shit plus it explained why you are the way that you are and why you're even here or care about us the way you do- I didn't think it would be that big of a deal!" 

You felt like you'd just taken a blow to the stomach as you stared at her rushed explanations in sheer horror and disbelief. 

As if the situation couldn't get any worse, the breach of trust was indescribable. What was made worse was that Vaggie was always the one you felt like you could go to when you needed to vent your frustrations or worries in general when you were doing laundry or keeping each other company. You both thought along the same lines and she could always keep your irrational fears in check. To find out that she had revealed such a devastating part of your past without your knowledge or consent was genuinely heart breaking since she was the one person here who truly understood your reasons for needing privacy with certain aspects of your life.

"I trusted you." You croaked, curling in slightly as your wrapped your arms around yourself as if to shield your heart from any more aching. 

"I'm so sorry, Eva, I've felt like fucking shit about it ever since and I've tried to tell you about that stupid plan to get you back with that asshole over and over again but every time I've even tried to bring it up, Alastor stopped me! He said if I ruined you guys then he'd-" Vaggie stopped herself short and looked over at Charlie in worry, unknowingly finishing her own statement nonverbally with 'he'd ruin her relationship as revenge'.

Charlie looked back at her with just as much betrayal as you, never expecting her girlfriend to keep something so serious from her. She wondered if that was why Vaggie pulled away from her emotionally all those months ago when they were just fighting constantly with how secretive she had become. 

You couldn't wrap your head around the turn of events. Earlier, you'd been ecstatic to see these people again and now you wished you hadn't bothered to escape for them. The illusion you had of being able to trust them with anything had completely crumbled in a matter of seconds. Not only that but your relationship with Alastor was exposed like a nasty wound - you'd truly believed that he changed in these past months. What a fucking fool you were all along. 

You'd never believed in superstitions but you always heard the one of bad luck coming in bouts of three. 

The tense silence in the room was suddenly interrupted by the TV flicking on seemingly by itself to the 666 news with Katie Killjoy and Tom Trench. 

"Breaking News: The Radio Demon has a wife?" Katie Killjoy announced with a sadistic grin, looking like the cat who'd long awaited to finally catch the canary. A candid picture of you had flashed on screen for all of Hell to see. "Sources confirmed that the sexless, sadistic, son of a bitch himself has settled down with this bitch right here! Evangeline, previously known for running a shithole restaurant in Wrath for years, is currently residing in the Princess of Hell's pathetic passion project, Hazbin Hotel," A picture of the hotel then flashed along with her words so they knew exactly what the location looked like. "As head chef. Likely only because her husband is the only sponsor and the little cunt needed a job after the previous extermination when her 'business' blew up."

"I'd love to see her little cunt." Tom leered, looking back at the picture of you whilst panting through his gasmask. 

"You'd also fuck a cactus if it had holes, Tom." Katie hissed, never taking her eyes off the camera with that manic glee that never faltered. "Speculation suggests that the dumb bitch is currently trapped in a marriage contract with the Overlord himself, unable to break out of it unless they remove each other's wedding rings and as we all know, the Radio Demon would never release someone from his hold, so that being said, we have it on good authority that she has fire powers so if you have a bone to pick with Alastor then bring water if you're going after his bitch, that's all I'm saying." 

"Hey, wasn't she the one that burned your-" 

Katie cut off her co-host before he could air out her business and tapped the stack of papers in front of her professionally. "Next up, Tom's list of brand new STDs he's carrying - stick around to see if you too have contradicted Super AIDs!" 

Everybody's eyes were glued to the TV in complete and utter shock. 

You felt like you were wading through water when you brought your ring up to look at. There was no way that Alastor didn't know that you could be released and chose not to as well as keep that little titbit of information to himself. It was almost funny that his worst fear of your marriage being exposed came true but not for the reasons you'd initially thought. You'd stupidly believed him when he worried that demons would attack you if they knew you had any connection to him whatsoever but as it turned out, it was just so you didn't find out about this. 

"Did you know about this?" You asked the rest of the group stoically. 

The way they all guilty avoided your eyes said more than a verbal answer could. 

"We just didn't want to upset you, Eva." Charlie tried to reassure, flinching back as she did like she was expecting the biggest blow-up from you that any of them had ever seen. 

"Shit, do we need to take cover?" Angel asked in a way that was both serious and in an attempt to add some levity to break the tension in the room. 

You took another step back away from them, towards the door, as your head spun with everything from the last five minutes.

These people - the same people you'd thought were your fucking family - had all conspired against you this entire time. They'd been just as bad as Alastor. This devastating news hit like a semi-truck. It was like all those years ago when the police had come to your door about your husband's death and secret life but tenfold. You could actually feel your heart fucking crumbling in your chest.

Your breathing steadily started to quicken as you felt your ribs tightening against your lungs like a vice. 

"Please, Eva, just let us explain." Vaggie begged, taking a step towards you and reaching out to bring you back to them. 

Your vision blurred up as your eyes continued to dart around at them all like you were looking at complete strangers. You'd let them all into your heart just for them to completely shatter it. You never should have trusted them, you never should have given Alastor another chance, you should have learned by now that love wasn't fucking real! 

You hadn't realised your lip had started wobbling or your legs had given way until you had collapsed on the ground where you stood in a fit of bone-shaking sobs. You hated crying in general but you always made sure to never show anyone else this kind of weakness but you couldn't stop it. This was a hundred times worse than any of your tempers or your fire, you couldn't even summon the energy to be angry - you were just broken. 

Faintly, you could hear a gaggle of noises - which must have been them trying to talk to you - before you were crowded and one of them had the gall to try and touch you!

"Stay away from me!" You shrieked through your hysteria, shakily climbing to your feet again. You couldn't look at them - maybe if you had, you'd see the heartbreak on their faces match the one on your own - and you couldn't stand to be around them either. You gathered the remainder of your energy and bolted out of that shitty hotel like you had set it on fire, ignoring them calling out your name. 

You ran like you'd never ran before. 

Maybe you could go back to Wrath, or another ring of Hell, start your life over again. However you knew wherever you would go, Alastor would find you again. He was the reason you were here and he would never let you go again, he'd just fuck with your head until you were complacent with your lot in your afterlife.

You were trapped as much here as you were in his Radio Tower except the difference was, you couldn't trick him into freeing you. 

By the time you stopped running, you'd reached just the edge of Pride in amongst a street of abandoned looking stores. You balanced yourself against a brick wall with one hand while the other held your ribs as you took in gasping breaths. Your entire world felt like it had crumbled down and the adrenaline was the only thing pushing you forward. Now that you'd stopped, you had nothing but the heartache. 

The tears continued to flow no matter how many times you'd tried to wipe them away. The depression that you'd always tried to push back came flooding in full force and thoughts of just erasing yourself to stop the hurt echoed in your mind. You didn't want to start your life over again, you had to just accept that you were never allowed to be happy or find love in any capacity. It just wasn't in the cards for you and you were a fucking moron for even believing that it was. 

"Hey lookie here, boys!" A gruff male voice echoed through the abandoned street taking you out of your thoughts. 

You looked up through your teary vision and saw a group of five, three hellhounds and two sinners, menacingly strutting up to you and effectively, cornering you against the building you were resting at. You wiped your eyes once more and stood in a defensive stance, trying to make yourself look as intimidating as possible. You were sure had this happened on any other day, you could've fried them to a crisp for even approaching you but flexing your hands by your sides, you couldn't so much as summon a spark in your current mental state.

Fuck.

"We just seen you in the news, pretty lady." One of the hounds said with a smirk.

"Lucky us! I got a bone to pick with your hubby, sweet cheeks, he's the reason I'm here." A greasy looking sinner added with a nasty snarl, twirling a baseball with nails hammered through it as if anticipating using it on you.

"I'm having a turn before you fuck her up! I wanna see how good her pussy gotta be to get that prude to put a ring on it." Another hellhound announced so boldly like you weren't a fucking human being that could hear the vile things he was saying.

You bared your teeth at them and made a break for it but one of them had caught you, throwing you to the ground in a circle they had formed. 

"If you're planning on killing me then make it fast, I'd rather not have a slow death from whatever venereal diseases you definitely have." You growled back at them, unable to stop fighting even till the bitter end. 

The hellhound snarled in offence, cracking his knuckles threateningly. "Oh I'm gonna have fun breaking that spirit, bitch." 

However before any harm could be done, sounds of ear-piercing static screeched through the air. You squeezed your eyes shut and held your hands over your ears until the sounds came to a quiet. By the time you'd opened your eyes again, the five were absolutely eviscerated and a cloud of smoke from the blasts surrounded you instead. 

You blinked through the smoke and shakily stood to your feet once again, squinting at the silhouette in front of you to your saviour. 

Chapter Text

Ever since Vox met you, he knew he was well and truly fucked. 

Unlike most sinners down here, he wasn't saddled with an addictive personality so willing to indulge in whatever vice at any cost, just to escape from the reality of being in Hell. No no, what he wanted - and always did - was plain and simple: Respect amongst the masses. 

For decades, he'd spent his time building up his media empire from scratch, stopping at nothing until he was top of the ranks for a lowly sinner like him. He'd been through every trial and tribulation one could think of, including befriending - and ultimately, being betrayed - by the Radio Demon himself. However, he justified that it was all worth it to be one of the most influential and powerful Overlords in Hell. 

Vox thought he had achieved everything he could've wanted just a few weeks ago.

He was rich, powerful and virtually untouchable. Sure, he had to babysit his emotionally manipulative, psychotic, unpredictably violent boyfriend from time to time to keep him in check and make sure he didn't hurt the brand but he always told himself that it was worth it. That Val was the closest thing he would get to someone loving him and these were the sacrifices that had to be made for such a feat.

That was, until that fateful night. 

Vox still remembered how hopeless he'd felt sitting behind that nightclub with a broken screen, bloodied and bruised underneath his clothes, resigned to his fate of being a punching bag for Valentino's tantrums... And how kind you'd been in the face of it all. 

A total stranger. An enigma of a demon. A beautiful saving grace. 

How delicately you'd handled his screen, how softly you'd spoken to him, how precious your smile was. It was intoxicating. 

For the first time in his entire afterlife, Vox was addicted to something: You. 

That very same night, he'd went back to his studio to hunt down every bit of information he could find but alas, the trail went cold.

He wouldn't have even known you had been the owner of his favourite eatery for years had you not clued him into the fact because, as he'd told you, you left no trace behind. From what he could find, you lived a very private life with no friends or family, no trouble with the law, no internet usage or backlogs, no records of bank statements since everything was dealt with in cash, nothing other than tax records and receipts of rent payments back in a shitty apartment. 

It suddenly made sense to him how you could so easily and profoundly speak about that feeling of loneliness that he'd instantly related to.

Since he'd had no luck looking into the past, he'd changed tactics to find out more about you with the present. 

Vox hacked into the CCTV footage of the club you'd been at and saw the people you were with - the Princess of Hell and two other women. He'd fondly watched you dancing through the night with two left feet and laughing with your friends, looking so free and full of life. He could watch that smile for hours. 

And he did.

It didn't take him long at all to put two and two together and find out that the job you'd told him you already had, was working for the Princess in her pitiful project, the Hazbin Hotel. 

Of course you did, he'd thought to himself, you seemed the charitable type. 

However he still couldn't get over that you'd turned down a position working for him with riches beyond your wildest dreams to work at a shithole instead. You both confused, fascinated and intrigued him to the very core. He had to get closer. 

It hadn't taken him long to make the call to the most expensive florist he could find and order you flowers for the next day, hoping more than anything you would read his note and change your mind about the job position in a fully sober mind. 

He'd watched through his cameras when you'd received them the next day at the front doors and his heart fucking jumped when he watched that gorgeous, slow smile stretch over your lips as you read his note. You liked it! He'd never admit it, but he did a little happy dance in his chair as he was fully convinced that it was a sign you would've called. 

So he'd waited, and waited, and waited. 

No call. 

For an entire week, he'd sat pretty pathetically just staring at screens, whether it be his phone screen waiting for it to ring or his multiple monitors in his studio keeping track of your every move outside of the hotel - mostly, it was only trips to the grocery store or to sneak cigarettes behind the building. 

To make matters worse, Valentino kept trying to fucking bug him! 

The moth had been letting himself in and practically grovelling at his feet starting from the day after their fight. Usually Vox cracked and always took him back but he couldn't get your words out of his head about Hell being an eternity to start over. He'd gotten sick of the moth's constant rollercoaster of a relationship and decided to put his foot down.

He'd told Val that they could remain business partners in the professional sense to keep their brand afloat but they wouldn't be getting back together under any circumstances and there wasn't jack shit the moth could do about it because if he tried to so much as lay a single hand on him again, he'd shut Val's businesses' down in a flash.

If there was one thing Valentino hated more than anything, it was the word 'no'.

So, of course, the moth had flown off the handle and went on a rampage. He'd started by trashing both of their apartments, breaking anything of Vox's that he could get his hands on, slandering his name to anyone who would listen in the clubs and porn studios - though the majority of them were used to it every time the toxic couple had a fight - and finally, taking out all of his rage and frustration out on Angel Dust.

The TV Demon used to hate Angel with a burning passion, seeing him as the antagonist to his relationship with Val since the pimp was so obsessed with the slutty spider that he would always prioritize him over anyone else. It used to hurt that he never felt good enough in comparison. Now, he just felt sorry for the kid. 

Vox had broken out of the toxic cycle with Val - romantically, anyway - but Angel was trapped in it and now he was the only one who would be taking the brunt of Valentino's tempers. 

It had came to a peak when the spider had left Val's studio one night beaten black and blue. 

He hadn't even connected the dots when the very next day, his phone had rang. 

No one had access to his personal phone number other than the Vees so when he saw an unknown number appear, he'd answered it on the first ring and almost breathed a sigh of relief when he'd heard your sweet voice on the other end. 

"Hello!" Vox answered a little too enthusiastically and cringed at his own eagerness. "I remember you, dollface." He assured quickly when he'd heard you try to introduce yourself as if you hadn't been plaguing his every thought from the day and hour you'd come into his life. He smiled bashfully when you'd started to thank him for the flowers. "Anytime, gorgeous, it's only polite to get a lady a gift as beautiful as her. Just glad you liked them." He leaned back in his chair, grinning up at the ceiling as he listened to you brushing his flattery - truth, really - off shyly. However, once you'd started to ask him about meeting up, he'd shot up from his seat entirely - accidentally ripping off wires from the back of his head that had been connected to his monitors in his excitement. "Holy shit, yes! Uh, I mean, does tonight work for you? Great! How about I pick you up at seven? Awesome, I'll be there! Until then, dollface."

Safe to say, he'd scrambled in a nervous but eager frenzy, calling in favours around town until he could get a reservation at the most prestigious restaurant in all of Hell. If there was one thing he could do right, it was flash a wad of cash and impress with his connections. It worked with every other demon. 

He should've already known that you weren't every other demon but he was still taken aback when seven had finally come and you were quick to brush off his grand gesture in the limo.

It both annoyed and endeared him because he was left at a fucking loss for how the hell to impress you. On the date, any of his usual moves he'd tried to pull where thwarted and he couldn't help but love the chase you were giving. 

Then, you'd delivered the crushing news that you had called him up solely for help with freeing one of Valentino's contracts - and not just anyone for that matter, his favourite: Angel Dust.

Just as he'd been about to deny your request, he saw the crestfallen expression on your face and he was helpless. 

Valentino would be pissed that he'd taken one of his best performers out of their repertoire of souls but then again, he was always pissed. Vox was more than willing to sacrifice peace of mind for a few months with the moth's bitching if it meant putting that lovely smile back on your face - especially when you'd gotten down on your knees in front of him to beg. 

When he'd been about to make the best deal of his afterlife, his luck had turned when Alastor blew up his penthouse and beat him so bad, it made Angel's treatment from Val look like nothing more than a scraped knee. Still, finding out that the potential love of his entire fucking existence was married to his biggest enemy stung worse than all of his injuries combined. 

You put his life in danger but you also saved it at the very last second and that seemed to be the perfect metaphor for his conflicting feelings towards you. 

Even though Vox ended up laying on his balcony in the most immense pain he'd ever experienced, he was still determined to have you and he wouldn't be giving up that easily.

So, he wasted no time calling Velvette to come get him and move him to his studio where he could replace his broken pieces, repair his parts and charge up again. Once he was healed, he spent the remainder of the week scanning the entirety of Hell for a week solid, just trying to catch a glimpse of you or even Alastor but neither had been spotted. 

He'd later attempted to send a spy into the hotel, some desperate snake wannabe-Overlord always trying to suck up to him, to try and get some cameras on the inside but the idiot was caught pretty much instantly. From what he had seen, there was no sight of you inside.

As time passed on, Vox started to panic, thinking that he'd never be able to find you again. 

Until recently, where he saw you merrily making your way down the street back towards the hotel. 

It took one call to the news station to get you back out soon enough.

The smoke had settled around you from the scorched corpses and there stood Vox, standing in what he clearly thought was a heroic pose with his hands on his hips and chest puffed out, wearing an expression of sheer smugness at how quickly he'd wiped out the threats.

You'd had it up to fucking heaven and beyond with Overlords and you weren't getting wrapped up in any more of their drama.

"Fuck off." You dismissed curtly, causing the man to deflate as fast as a lead balloon. 

Vox looked at you in pure confusion, unused to your blunt nature as he'd only ever seen the sweet side. Especially since he'd just swooped in to save you. "What do you mean fuck off? I just saved your life!" He reminded passionately, outstretching his arms towards the bodies around you.

"What, do you want me to suck your dick for it?" You asked sarcastically and rolled your eyes when you saw a contemplative look pass over his features as if he was genuinely considering it. You crossed your arms in annoyance, closing yourself off. "It was your fault my life was in danger in the first place, why the hell did you broadcast my marriage on your news station?!"

"I was trying to tell you about your contract with Alastor and for all I knew, it was the only way to reach you since you fucking disappeared off the face of Hell for a week!" He defended sincerely. In hindsight, it wasn't the best idea to get that bitch Katie Killjoy - who so obviously hated you enough to try and paint an already bigger target on your back - to read the story but she was his main anchor-woman! It would've looked weird if he went on the news to deliver the story, ratings wise. "I've been looking for you this whole time, why didn't you tell me you were fucking married?"

You squinted at him at the ridiculousness of the question. "Why did you even need to know? It didn't concern you!"

Vox knew he couldn't hide the hurt if he'd tried. "It concerned me when he beat the shit out of me because of you." He pointed out stoically, raising his eyebrow as if daring you to deny his statement.

Your temper fizzled out at his words. Thinking on it, perhaps him outing you like this on the news tonight was the perfect revenge for you being the sole reason he'd had to take such an attack. You let out a sigh and looked away, unable to meet his hurtful expression head on from the guilt bubbling up within you. 

"I'm sorry, okay? Now you know, at least, and you've made the rest of Hell well aware too so we're even, I guess." You shrugged and turned away, ready to make your way further away from this entire ring. "Just stay away from me." 

In a frantic motion, Vox rushed over and caught your arm at your parting words, spinning you around to face him again. 

"I'd take that risk again for you, dollface! The deal's still up for grabs if you want it." He offered in a rushed manner, desperate to just keep you from leaving again.

Oh shit. 

With all of the crap from the hotel still plaguing your thoughts, you'd completely forgotten about the offer for Angel's contract. Thinking of the spider and how much you'd been willing to give up for him just made you upset all over again. You fucking loved that kid like he was your own, and he'd proven that he just seen you as some clueless bitch that waited on him hand and foot but nothing more. 

You roughly snatched your arm away from Vox's grip and turned away again, feeling the tears start to fill your eyes for round two. 

Satan-damnit, you hated this fucking weakness.

"Leave me alone!" You snapped tearfully, now that the bastard had opened up the floodgates again and you were reminded of everything that you had lost in the span of five goddamn minutes.

Vox was at a total loss at seeing you so upset and something told him, this went deeper than just your contract with the Radio Demon. 

"Hey hey hey," He cooed gently and slowly pulled you into him to hold as if trying to tame a wild animal.

Apparently the comforting touch was the straw that broke the camel's back because as soon as he'd had you in his arms, you broke down completely. His heart broke along with yours to hear your gut-wrenching sobs. He rubbed the back of your hair and your upper back in a soothing gesture as you let everything out, crying into his shoulder until you were practically breathless. 

"Talk to me, Evee." He encouraged lightly.

You sniffled pathetically, feeling like you were at the lowest point you've ever been. At this point, there was really nothing left to lose. While you didn't trust anyone anymore, there was nothing that Vox could do to hurt you more than the level you were at right now.

"I just want the pain to stop." You confessed in your emotional vulnerability. 

"I can make that happen, gorgeous." He assured quickly, pulling away slightly to tilt your chin so you would meet his gaze. 

"How?" 

Vox pulled away fully to snap his fingers and in between you, just like before, floated a golden, glowing contract that looked similar to Angel's only with a blank space over the dotted line at the bottom. 

"Just sign here and I promise you'll forget all of your troubles, I'll keep you safe from the rest of Hell and I'll personally make sure Alastor stays far away from you." He vowed sincerely, not taking his eyes off of you for a brief second - even to blink - in case you decided to make a break for it. If he could sweat, he was sure he'd be filling buckets with how nervous he was that you'd deny him.

"And what do you get from this?" You deadpanned, already putting the context clues together enough to know that the answer was plain and simple. "My soul?"

"Sorry, gorgeous, it's the only way to get the power to do what I need to do." 

You went quiet for a few moments, staring at the wording in the contract as stray tears continued to fall freely down your cheeks. You'd be signing away your entire afterlife but then again, what was really there to miss? Maybe this was one step above erasure and at the very least, you'd be free from Alastor in some capacity. You hoped this hurt him as much as he'd hurt you.

Faintly, you remembered joking with Alastor long ago that you would absolutely sell your soul out of spite towards him but never in a million years did you think that would've actually came true. 

Until now.

"Fine." You accepted your fate with a sigh. "Swap it for Angel's and it's a deal." 

Your brain was too scrambled to come up with explanations as to why you felt the need to grant one last parting gesture or make sure that the kid would be okay without you. It just felt right. Perhaps some part of you still believed in Charlie's cause of rehabilitation and you knew in your heart that, although he might've fucked you over, Anthony deserved peace. 

Vox smiled eagerly and snapped his fingers, adding the term to the contract in a flash. He'd already made his peace with dealing with the backlash from Val last week and if that was the only thing stopped him from finally having you then it was an easy choice. He could've easily hypnotised you into signing your soul away but he wanted - no, needed - you to choose him.

He held his breath in anticipation as he reached into his jacket pocket and handed you a pen. 

You took the pen and signed your real name over the dotted line without so much as a second thought.

How ironic that you were left-handed and had to look at the reminder of one unending contract with an Overlord as you signed yourself over into pretty much an identical situation to another. 

Vox looked ecstatic, grinning with the upmost glee despite how broken you looked in that moment. He knew he could fix you and now he had the power to do so. "Finally, we get to seal the deal, dollface." He breathed out in what could only be described as relief.

He took your hand and pulled you into him just like he had a week ago and planted a hungry kiss on your tear-stained lips. You tasted like heaven itself, it was everything he could've ever dreamed of.

Your eyes widened like saucers in genuine shock, gasping as soon as his lips met yours, but as soon as you lifted your hands to his chest to forcefully push him away - sparks exploded around you.

Literal goddamn sparks. 

The air around you both sizzled with static and lit up a cyan colour as the deal was officially set. 

The last thing you remember before you seen black was passing out into Vox's arms.

By the time that Alastor had woken up, he could see from the window that it was daybreak. 

Looking around the tower, you were nowhere in sight but he didn't think he'd find any different. He'd shook his head in amusement at your wily ways and couldn't believe that you had bested him yet again. Half of him was overwhelmingly proud of his clever little minx while the other half was filled with fear at the thought of you in trouble. 

Deep down, he knew it was cruel to keep a beautiful being like you locked up but it was just so much easier than the alternative. 

When you were here, he didn't have to scramble to keep his reputation afloat so no one dared threaten the hotel or make sure he had enough power stored to protect you from anything potentially hazardous in Hell whether it be turf battles, gang wars or plain, old, senseless violence from depraved souls looking for a pretty face to mark up. 

With that thought in mind, he snapped his fingers to change into his full suit once again and collected his microphone from the open door that you had so graciously left, before teleporting via shadows straight to the hotel to reunite with his darling little spitfire. 

Upon arriving, he noticed it was eerily quiet. 

The past week when he'd been popping in, the place was in constant turmoil - more so than usual. 

Alastor had helped where he could with a pleasant grin but ultimately, he couldn't care less about their frivolous problems. Though it did piss him off severely whenever he was forced to be around Lucifer's presence since he'd always had a trigger for deadbeat fathers and that man lit up that trigger like a goddamned firework display each time.

Other than that, it was entertaining to watch them all crash and burn without his wife's maternal ways of keeping them in check. 

Some part of him felt guilt for keeping such information from you but he knew that it would only upset you to know of problems that you couldn't be there to attempt to fix and there was no way he was letting you out so soon after you'd settled into your new temporary home - so he'd thought, anyway. 

However, Alastor knew that there was no way that, even with your loving hand, you could've swooped in to quiet the bunch down this much. There should've been sounds of merriment, laughter or even scolding somewhere. 

He sent his shadows to check each room in the building but there was no sign of anyone. 

Before he could take to the streets in an uproar, the doors flew open. 

Alastor snapped his neck around 180 degrees like an owl in hopes to see his wife, only to find Niffty standing there in a fit of tears. She gasped loudly as soon as she spotted him in the lobby and run up to cling to his legs, sobbing hysterically into his suit pants.  

"Oh Niffty, darling, whatever is the matter? And where on earth is everyone?" He asked jovially, hiding his worry through his smile as he always did. 

"WAAAAHHHHH!!!" She screamed in her hysteria, the tears coming out like a faulty tap had burst, soaking the floor below them until a puddle appeared at their feet.

"Now now, my dear, enough with the tears." Alastor shushed, reaching down to pick her up and rock the grown woman as if she were a new-born. It seemed to do the trick because she managed to calm down enough to look at him through her one large tearful eye, settling down to a light sniffling with a petted lip. "Tell Alastor what happened." He encouraged gently. 

"E-Eva found out everything and now she's m-mad at us and left."

Alastor froze, looking the very personification of a deer stuck in headlights. A screech of radio feedback echoed through the empty lobby in his panic. His biggest fear had come true and he wasn't even fucking here to see what level of damage control needed to be done. 

"Go on." He hissed through clenched teeth.

"She s-signed aw-away her s-soul, Al." Niffty admitted in a sniffle. "S-she swapped it f-for Angel's - he got it delivered last n-night with a note and none of us can f-find her, we've b-been looking all over since it h-happened." 

"Show me the note." He ordered in a no nonsense tone, snapping his fingers as if the little maid still worked for him.

Niffty wiped her tears and climbed down to rush away without a fuss, only to return a few minutes later with the note in hand. 

He patted her head in thanks and read the small attachment with a sneer.

If you ever see your 'mamabear' again, you can tell her thanks.

Unfortunately, the note was printed out so he couldn't sus out the handwriting. 

"How did she find out?" He demanded, getting more fidgety with every second that passed. 

"W-well Angie and Vaggie were f-fighting and a lot of shit ended up coming out during that but t-then the news story about you being married and your contract turned on right after-"

"Of course." Alastor scoffed knowingly, teleporting out of the lobby halfway through Niffty's explanation, leaving her alone in her misery without a second glance spared her way.

He was in panic-mode now but he couldn't show it. He inwardly cursed himself for leaving those damn potions out for you to find, if he'd been more careful then none of this would have happened! He knew he should've summoned a chain around you in that tower but it seemed excessive at the time. 

He just wanted you safe where he could always keep you protected even if it was under lock and key! Now you were free and look what happened! Ultimately, he blamed himself.

Nevertheless, he desperately needed his wife back in the next few minutes or he would absolutely spiral with grief. 

Alastor appeared back in Vox's property with murderous intent in his eyes, standing in the middle of the large open plan living room area.

"Alastor, buddy!" Vox announced cheerfully with a smug grin plastered over his screen from the other side of the massive room. He swayed over to the other Overlord with a skip in his step, looking far too casual for how close he was to death. "I was wondering when you were finally gonna join the party!"

Alastor growled ferally and immediately pounced at the other man but he was deterred from ripping apart his target limb from limb by cables shooting out and refraining him, keeping him still. 

"What is this?" He murmured in surprise, automatically struggling in his bonds. He summoned his shadows but they only appeared for a brief second before they were consumed with sparks and sizzled back away into thin air. He felt a spike of fear, no one had ever been able to suppress his power before.

"Apologies for the rude welcome, pal, but I just did the place up and can't risk you wrecking it, again." Vox explained cheerfully as he sauntered up to stand practically nose to nose with the snarling Radio Demon. 

"Where. Is. She?" 

"Geez, skip the foreplay, why don't you?" Vox rolled his eyes though the smile never left his face. He was living out his dream here, finally having the upper hand on his arch nemesis after all these years. As much as he wanted to revel in this moment for as long as possible, the thought of seeing Alastor's reaction to what was coming was too tempting to resist for a second longer. 

He waved his hand over to a large wall next to his bar area which opened up to a secret, confined space filled with only a single chair, where you sat strapped in amongst cables and wires attached to your skin.

Your eyes were open but completely white as two cables attached directly to your temples with electricity zapping you through them every few seconds. You stared ahead motionless like a doll, your slight twitching being the only signs of life.

Only Vox knew that his wires were ensured not to cause you pain, only erasure of the memories he wanted gone as part of the deal, but he would keep it quiet. The set-up looked horrendous to the unknowing eye and he revelled in the look of utter despair in Alastor's as he looked at his wife in the middle of, what appeared to be, torture. 

The ever-present smile Alastor always wore had finally fell. 

His heart felt like it had physically broke in his chest as he watched you. What was made worse was the knowledge that it was all his fault. Centuries of his own misdeeds hit him like a stampede because now, his actions had landed you here. 

"I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU, VOX!" He screamed as he transformed into his fullest demon form, struggling like a rapid animal with his gaze fully zeroed in on the smirking demon.

The TV Demon didn't so much as flinch as the cables continued to hold him tight. 

"Hmm, something tells me you won't." Vox teased playfully, reaching out to flick the other man's nose and laughing heartedly when he'd attempted to rip his hand off with his teeth had he not pulled it back quickly enough. "Or, should I say, can't?" 

Before Alastor even had the time to question the cryptic wording, Vox snapped his fingers and he was repressed back into his original form with a crushing weight around the inside of his chest to boot. He felt like he was being suffocated from the inside out with phantom hands squeezing the very life out of him. It confirmed his truest, deepest, darkest fear that you really had sold your soul to this maniac. 

Which also meant part of his. 

He wouldn't be able to so much as touch Vox when he had that kind of hold over him. 

"What makes you think I will not hesitate to rip apart everything you hold dear for this, you despicable dust-box?" Alastor wheezed out, growling threateningly as if he had any sort of upper hand here. He was simply a madman fuelled by nothing but heartache and fury at this point, unable to think logically and could only see bloodshed.

He'd start with that pimp that Vox was so close to, tear his wings off in minuscule pieces and send them to Vox in the mail, break every bone the moth possessed, tie his organs together in the shape of a smile then move onto the doll woman for the same treatment before going after every single business the Vees attached themselves to by blowing them up one by one - he inwardly vowed that the rampage he would go on would make his last forty year spree look like a pleasant walk in the park in comparison and he would not stop until Vox returned what was his.

Or at the very least, let you fucking go free!

"Because, dear old friend!" Vox announced, unknowingly interrupting his mental murderous monologue. "You try anything and I hurt her." He bluffed coolly, gesturing over to your still form causing Alastor's eyes to dart towards you again which deflated him immensely. 

For the very first time, Alastor was helpless.

"Do you remember what you said to me all those years ago when I asked you to join the Vee's to rule Hell and you fucking backstabbed me?" Vox asked almost causally as he inspected his nails. 

Alastor glared hatefully at the demon, already knowing what was coming next. 

Vox glanced up at him with a smirk. "That's showbiz, kid." He rolled up his shirt sleeves and cracked his knuckles, clearly preparing for a brutal beatdown. "One minute you're in, the next minute, you're out." 

From there, the TV Demon exacted his revenge for every grievance the Radio Demon had put him through. He'd beaten him to a bloody pulp - uncaring about staining his white carpet with the amount that gushed -, damn near squeezed the afterlife out of him using his very own soul, tortured guttural screams out his mouth like he was playing a fine instrument. The cherry on top was to do it all in front of his motionless wife, forcing the man to live out his worst nightmares by looking like a weakling in front of the only thing he ever loved.

It was incredible - better than sex, even. 

Vox could've killed him then and there but he figured it was too delicious to pass up on allowing his enemy to continue living through eternity with the knowledge that he'd been beaten by HIM. After all these years, he'd finally proved himself superior and what a prize he had to show for it! 

The Radio Demon's trophy wife was now his trophy.

Once Alastor had been physically unable to stay awake from either the pain, blood loss or sheer exhaustion, Vox transported him back to that shithole hotel for him to wallow in his misery. He knew there was nothing Alastor could do to harm him in any way now that he had permanent leverage as well as a piece of his actual soul. Now he just had to play a waiting game until your procedure was complete. 

Vox grabbed a stool from his breakfast bar and dragged it over by your side, feeling a high like no other coursing through his system, and gently held your twitching hand as he waited for it to finish and the last puzzle piece to fall perfectly into place for his happy ending.

Chapter Text

You hated Valentino and Velvette with a burning passion.

Of the very select demons you've been forced to interact with in Hell, they were both the epitome of the very reasons you tried to keep yourself to yourself down here. 

You'd only been working for Vox for just over a week now and it was already tiresome. You didn't remember much about how you'd got into this position - your brain was more scrambled than eggs for breakfast lately - but you knew you'd been in a bad position and the TV Demon had helped you out of it. 

Your life in Hell was spent in miserable, heart aching loneliness where the only thing that even kept you going was maintaining your small restaurant until it was obliterated by angels. After that, the lines got a little fuzzy and you would get a severe migraine if you tried to think back on it but you remembered that night in the smoking area where you'd met Vox and he'd offered you a job position. 

Subsequently, you must've agreed because the next thing you knew, you were a live-in chef and part time babysitter for his two bratty associates that insisted on coming here for their little catch ups in his penthouse.

Velvette was the rudest person you'd ever met in your life. Her manners and etiquette left a lot to be desired and what was worse is that she seemed proud of the way she behaved and treated others. Any time you would try to correct or chide the girl, she took it as an invitation to ridicule you in any way she could. You always just rolled your eyes and served her whatever Voxtagram-worthy meal she had asked for - only to take a picture of it rather than eat the damn thing - and then go about your business away from her. 

"Finally!" She exclaimed in utter impatience when you'd returned with her lunch.

She was slouching on the sofa with her legs sprawled in front of her on the table, sitting on her phone while Valentino and Vox were in the middle of a discussion about expanding one of their studios - honestly, you tuned out whenever Overlord talk came up. You distained it all. 

"Always say please and thank you, young lady." You chided through gritted teeth, harshly moving her feet off the table and replacing the spot that had been occupied with the plate. "It's only polite. Where you raised in a barn?"

The men ignored the confrontation, more than used to you two butting heads after over a week of non-stop bitching from both parties. 

Velvette hissed up at you before it looked like a lightbulb went off above her head. She smirked deviously and sat up to snap a picture of her annoyingly complicated lunch before batting her eyelashes up at you in a mockery of innocence. 

"Alright, please shut the fuck up before I rip your hair out of the follicles, bitch." With that, she swiped the plate off the table like an angry cat and left it smashed on the floor for you to clean up the mess. "Thank you." She ended, to add insult to injury. 

You burst into a ball of fire and tried to pounce on the little brat with no hesitation. 

Unfortunately, Vox had full control in his domain and he'd had you retrained away from her in wires before you could even blink. 

"Hey, enough, both of you." Vox scolded mildly. "Evee, she's sorry."

The little bitch certainly didn't look sorry with one hand held up to you with her middle finger raised while she focused back down on her phone and blew a bubble with the gum she was currently chewing. 

However you knew Vox was just trying to placate you out of your demon form so with a huff, you forced the fire to recede.

Once you were back to your original form, his cables released you and one even patted you on the head. Your eye twitched at the condescension but you just turned back to the kitchen to create distant between yourself and the Vees as to not cause another scene. 

Well, that had been the plan anyhow, but Valentino just so happened to feel the need to slink up and creep over to your station to seductively lean over the counters - in your fucking way - and bother you with his filth.

Which led you onto why you despised him. He was an absolute sleaze. You didn't understand why Vox even kept him around, the moth was so damn stupid that you couldn't begin to think of any reason why he'd be useful as a business partner. 

"I wouldn't mind seeing a repeat show of your fire, cosas calientes. You know what they say about moths and flames." He leered. You watched in disgusted as his long, slimy tongue stretched out and licked over his own teeth while his red eyes scanned over your form. "Do you think you could incinerate your clothes off? Now that would be a big hit down at my club. Your talents are wasted here!"

"I would spit on you if I didn't think for certain that you'd enjoy it." 

"Oooh kinky, baby." Val smirked, standing up fully to close in on your personal space. You growled and lit your eyes aflame as a warning that you wouldn't hesitate to cremate him there and then. "You've definitely got the saying 'treat 'em mean, keep 'em keen' down pat. I'll let you treat me real mean if I can return the favour, baby cakes." 

Just as he'd been about to touch you - and lose that fucking hand - Vox interjected with his cables once again. Except this time, they snatched Val's wrist and yanked him harshly away from you. In a flash of electricity, Vox himself was standing in between you and the pimp. 

"Val!" He boomed at the moth, his left eye swirling as static crackled in the air. "I've told you to leave her alone!" 

"You never let me have any fun, Voxxy!" Valentino whined like a petulant child, huffing and crossing his arms. He turned his back to you both and stomped back to the sofa, plopping down next to Velvette with a pout. 

"Are you okay, dollface?" Vox asked you softly, looking you over with concern. 

You simply shoved the remaining two plates of his and Valentino's lunch in his hands. "I'm going on my break." You informed before making your way outside to the balcony for a well deserved cigarette. 

Vox watched your retreating form until you were out of sight with a forlorn look.

He understood that it would still be an adjustment for you to settle in here and he was determined to push through this rocky start until you were as happy here as you had been in that trashy hotel. However with every day that passed, you just seemed to be getting more agitated. 

At first, it had been a shock for him to see you so snippy and cold with not only Val and Vel but him too. He'd always justified it in his mind because it was a big change for you to get used to - as well as the headaches from the aftermath of him putting the barriers up in your memories couldn't have been pleasant. Logically, you should've just gone back into the same headspace as you'd been before you'd met the Radio Demon and anyone associated with him. 

And that was the kicker. 

You had.

Vox just hadn't realised the extent of your unhappiness in that time. He simply thought that you would've been the same as him with your loneliness - in that, the first instance someone was willing to treat you with kindness and comradery down here would've been enough to break you out of your shell and have you open up in return. He desperately wanted to build a bond with you but he knew he had to be patient. 

After all, he'd already won. 

Not only was he on top of the Overlord world currently but he'd finally stuck it to that pompous prick, Alastor, and proved himself to be the better model of the two, as well as his business was booming with his Voxtek angelic security systems flying off the shelves so close to the next extermination. He was doing pretty fucking awesome if he said so himself!

He just needed to get the girl and his afterlife would be complete. 

With that, Vox abandoned the lunch and followed you out to the balcony under the guise of having his own smoke but really, he just used any excuse to talk to you. 

Another week had passed and Vox was still buzzing around you like a blue-bottomed fly. 

If you didn't know any better, the poor dear was acting like he was absolutely smitten. Thankfully, you did know better and he was obviously just bored whenever he wasn't working away with his multiple productions or product overviews and what better way to cure that boredom than to bother the closest person to him, distance-wise?

"Hey, Evee, did you notice my new suit today?"

"Check out this advertisement me and Velvette filmed today, what do ya think, dollface?" 

"What did you get up to today, gorgeous? Did ya miss me?"

"So I heard you liked funny guys, dollface. Listen to this joke I heard at work," 

"How come you only go on fire around Val and Velvy, do you like them better or something?"

"I seen you searching this bookstore in Sloth last night- I can totally buy it for you if you want, gorgeous!" 

You tried to be accommodating and keep him company whenever he requested but it was becoming grating. 

You knew Vox meant well but he was a bit of a pest, always craving your attention no matter how many times you brushed him off. Your days were spent cooking and cleaning up then mostly going back to your room to curl up into bed and sleep until the next gruelling day. That is, until he started these strings of interrogation.

You supposed that wasn't fair. Vox was simply a lonely soul and just wanted a friend. You'd never been great at making any. It was a dichotomy from the start, sure to end in disaster. 

In truth, you were numb to his pleasantries. You were numb to just about everything. You couldn't remember what it was like to even feel happy and it made your days feel endless when Vox wouldn't let you sleep through it, surrounded in your own grey cloud that refused to give you reprieve from your melancholy thoughts. 

That being said, you guessed that it was sweet for him to always go out of his way to be kind to a random employee like yourself so you did your best to keep your temper in check around him. 

"I swear if your old place wasn't in the middle of buttfuck nowhere, everybody would be trippin' over themselves trying to steal your recipes, dollface. This is the best thing I've ever tasted!"

His outburst had brought you out of your daze, as you'd been previously staring off into nothing as he sat across from you at the kitchen island with his plate of herb broiled chicken for dinner while you cleaned up in the kitchen. You quirked your eyebrow and looked at him in amusement at his overly enthusiastic reaction to your food while you dried the dishes. 

"You say that every night, Vox." You pointed out with mirth.

"Cause it's true, gorgeous! How did you even learn how to cook like this?" He asked with a large grin on his screen as he looked at you expectantly an answer.

In the next second, the thorny ring around your wedding finger - the mockery of what you would never have - started to sting, as if the pricks were indenting themselves further into your skin. Your ears rang with muffled static and you got lost in your thoughts once again. Only this time, it was like you were being sucked into your own mind. 

From this recovered memory that you'd lost, faces and voices were blurred and distorted but you could remember your surroundings as if they happened yesterday

It was one of those nights at the diner where you and -static- were sitting at your usual booth after hours, eating a meal you'd made from the fresh stock together. You couldn't do it every night or your manager would've definitely noticed but you liked to treat your best friend with something nice every once in a while as thanks for always keeping you company in this craphole place. 

"What a commendable concoction you've created once again, mon cher! I'd bet my hat that you'd be better suited as the cook in this place - I guarantee the business would go through the roof!" He cheered in his usual jovial tone. 

You burst out laughing at his silly high praise. No one other than this wonderful goofball would've ever said something so insane yet flattering. 

"What a hoot you are, slick, a woman chef! I'll never begin to imagine how your mind comes up with these crazy notions." 

The laugh froze in your throat when he'd reached across the table to take your hand like you were something delicate. You recalled staring at him in wide-eyed wonder at the tender touch. Even now, the memory of his face was fuzzy but you remembered how much you loved that beautiful smile of his. 

It always made you feel happy when he directed it at you.

"For once, I'm being fully serious, darling. If anyone could do it, I'd know it would be you with your talents." He complimented sincerely, brushing his fingertips over your wrist as he adjusted his grip affectionately. You'd wondered at the time if he could feel your racing heart in your pulse.

"Stop flattering me, it's nothing special." You brushed him off lightly, uncomfortable with the praise as always. "Ain't all gals supposed to know our way around a kitchen?" 

"Not like this. Trust me, cher, my mother was something of a powerhouse with a pot and pan but even she - God rest her beloved soul - couldn't compare. How do you do it?" He asked softly, looking at you through his glasses with the most intrigued look you'd ever seen. 

Normally, you would've shut the conversation down five steps before it had even led up to this moment but with him... He'd always been the only person you could ever open to. You bit your lip and glanced down at your hands intertwined, feeling the comfort in the gesture alone. Something you'd never had before. 

"I suppose it's because from the earliest that I can remember, more often than not, my mother wouldn't have the dough to wrangle us up any grub and any little income she did manage was better spent on... her habit." You started quietly, glancing up to meet his inquisitive gaze. "But I used to frequent the local library from a young age to use books as my escape and they had all sorts of recipe books there so I used to read them back to back until I wore the pages out just to live vicariously and imagine what all the dishes would taste like. I still remember all the different tricks each one would have to enhance flavour and use that in my own dishes."

He was silent for a few excruciating moments after your admission, looking at you with sheer sympathy in his gaze as the grip on your hand tightened, like he thought he could keep you physically grounded and away from those bad memories. 

"I promise you, Y/N, one day I'll have the means to take care of you so you never go hungry or have to lift a finger again."

"Careful, -static-, with promises like that, a girl could start thinking she can depend on you." You teased with a smile which brought out his again in full force. You hated when he frowned, it didn't suit him and it was even worse if it was to do with you. 

At the time, you hadn't realised but his thumb had been tracing over your ring finger as he had already been planning to make the biggest promise of all as soon as he could.

"Evee, you okay?" Vox broke you out of your train of thought once again, sounding concerned.

"Yes, my apologies!" You blurted out, quite rattled by the stream of thoughts. There was no way that could've been real, you never stayed behind in that diner after hours - your mother would've smacked you silly for showing up late to clean the house. You inwardly cursed your mind for playing cruel tricks on you. "Just lost in thought."

"Well?" Vox asked, gesturing for you to go on with an expectant look.

Oh right, his question.

"I guess I just have a knack for cooking." You answered just to appease him and closed yourself off, turning your back slightly to finish drying up the dishes and began to put them away in the cupboards.

Behind your back, Vox was giving you an appraising look, studying you and your odd mannerism for a few minutes of blessed silence.

"I think I get the whole mysterious shtick that you always do." He surmised suddenly.

You looked over your shoulder with a quirked eyebrow. "Shtick?" You questioned dubiously.

"You're afraid to be known by another person." Vox continued with a triumphant expression as if he'd finally figured out the puzzle.

"Or there's just not much to know." You corrected. 

In truth, you fully believed that. The only things that there were, were tragic and you'd prefer to keep them to yourself. Other than that, there was not much interesting beneath the surface and you didn't know why Vox always seemed to keen to pull back layers to your character that frankly, didn't exist. 

"I highly doubt that." He countered with conviction, looking at you like you were something precious. 

You shook your head in disbelief and went back to your task, despite feeling his eyes burning a hole into the back of your head the entire time. 

He would get bored soon enough, you thought.

"How can you be so dense, Evangeline?!" Vox suddenly snapped, taking you by surprise. 

It been yet another morning with his trivial yapping that you were used to tuning out by now. 

He'd started off by talking about wanting to try out some new restaurants opening up in the area but instantly shot the idea down when you'd suggested he take Velvette or even that putrid moth for a business dinner.

Then, he'd gone on to ask you if there was anywhere in Hell you wanted to travel to but visibly deflated when you mentioned that you hated Hell and would prefer to stay put.

Finally, before his outburst, he'd asked if you wanted to spend more time with him alone but you pointed out that you already seen each other every day. 

Just when you'd opened your mouth to snap back at him for his tone, his next words had completely stumped you.

"I'm trying to ask you on a date!" 

Your eyebrows raised in surprise and your mouth continued to hang open in shock. 

You had no idea Vox held any sort of a torch for you because he wasn't exactly obvious in his flirtation. You just thought his constant attention was due to a clinginess in his personality that you'd also seen him display with Valentino and Velvette. That and he was also desperate to be liked, constantly caring about reviews of his products or ratings on his shows. Those weren't bad traits by any means but they simply attributed to why you just thought he was this way with everyone. 

You'd never been asked out before, not to your knowledge anyhow. The men of your time were extremely put off with your attitude and you were put off by their demand for submission. It was a win-win. Or so you told yourself on those nights where you'd cried yourself to sleep when the soul-crushing loneliness had taken over, feeling like you weren't worthy of love in any form. 

Closing your mouth and glancing down at the ring around your finger, you contemplated your options.

The ring mocked you. Bated you with what you've always wanted and serving as a constant reminder of what would never be. The fact of the matter is that it was far too late for you to become someone's wife - you were too broken to build a family like that.

It would be foolish to allow your professional - and even friendly - relationship with Vox to deteriorate with foolish notions of romance. 

Your face set hard as stone as you met his desperate gaze again. He'd calmed down somewhat but his breathing was erratic and irregular as he stared at you like all his hopes were hanging on a thread. 

"First of all, I'm from the twenties, dumbass! Back then fellas had to get permission to even flirt with us gals!" You chided firmly, unable to help matching his irritated tone. 

Vox looked like a scolded dog, damn near pouting over at you while he scuffed his shoe against the ground. 

"Secondly, it's bad form to raise your voice at a lady in the same breath you've asked to court her!" 

He winced, thinking that he had well and truly fucked up his chances now. He braced himself for the sting of rejection that was almost sure to follow.

"And lastly!" He flinched as if fearing he'd be struck. "Be ready by seven and you had better take me somewhere nice." You concluded with a huff and spun to storm back into your room to spiral at your impulsiveness, leaving the TV Demon in a stupor.

Vox stared at your closed door in utter astonishment.

His processors tried to keep up with how quickly the tables had turned on him, causing sparks to fly out of the back of his head. He'd been sure that you were about to put him in his place and he could at least stop fucking pining once he knew there was no chance of you two being together.

But you said yes! 

He blinked himself out of his stupor and automatically did a little jump, throwing his fist up in excitement and opening his mouth in a silent cheer. 

However quickly afterwards, he composed himself and had to remind himself that this was his shot here that he'd been longing for so he had to stay cool, now more than ever.

That being said, he wasted no time getting to work planning the night. 

This had to be perfect.

At seven on the dot, Vox knocked on your door. 

You opened it to see him dressed to the nines in his most expensive, three piece, navy blue suit with cyan and red detailing. He'd adjusted his top hat and immediately handed you a blue rose bouquet. You were pleasantly taken aback by the gesture. You loved flowers and you don't think you'd ever received them before. 

"Thank you, they're lovely." You smiled shyly, looking up at him from underneath your painted lashes in gratitude.

Vox's screen flashed pink in the malfunction you were more than accustomed to by now. You'd always thought it was just another strange quirk of his but now you couldn't help but look at it from a different angle. You wondered just how oblivious you'd been when it came to the man before you. 

"Vox, are you blushing?" You asked bluntly with a slight smirk. 

"Goddammit, no!" He swiftly turned around and physically banged the side of his head to try and reset his screen. Whirling sounds could be heard as his monitor was heating up rapidly and a few sparks shot out from the back of his head. 

You couldn't help but giggle at his display and brushed past him towards the kitchen to find a vase to put the roses in. 

Vox turned to watch you through his pink fragmented pixels of his screen with hearts in place of his eyes at the sound of your laugh. He would have preferred not to have heard it from being at his expense but he would take what he got. You looked absolutely breath taking with your long, backless black dress, see-through shawl covering your shoulders, straightened hair and light makeup. It was the first time he got to see you dressed up since the night you'd met and he'd almost forgotten about how pretty a picture you made. 

"You look beautiful, Evee." He breathed sincerely, making his way over to you like a magnet being pulled in. "Can I make a suggestion though?" Without waiting for your answer, he snapped his fingers and your dress had turned a matching blue with his suit. He let out a wolf whistle and trailed his eyes over your figure. "Now we look like a power couple."

And anyone with eyes would see that you belonged to him.

"Hmm." You looked down at the dress with thinned lips as you filled up the vase you'd found with water. "If I must wear a colour, can you make it red?" You asked before putting the vase on the counter and organising the roses inside.

With you were distracted, Vox's screen glitched once again but for a purely different reason. 

"Why?" He gritted. 

"Because I love red?" You answered as more of a question, not understanding why he sounded so annoyed at the request. "We would still match, if that was what you were going for." You pointed out, gesturing to the red detailing in his suit and hat. When his eye started to twitch in irritation, you held your hands up in a placating manner. "If it's an issue then could you put it back to it's originality?" 

Vox sighed, unable to hide the disappointment that you didn't want to wear his colour either way. That being said, he was unable to deny you anything and he supposed you would still match with your undesirable choice. It was just a colour after all, it didn't mean anything! So he told himself. He snapped his fingers again and this time, your dress turned a crimson red which did, admittedly, look stunning on you.

"You're lucky you'd look good in anything, dollface." He snapped his fingers for a final time and suddenly, you'd both transported outside his penthouse awaiting your ride to your mystery destination.

"What a charmer." You rolled your eyes in good nature and linked your arm with his while you waited. "You look quite dapper yourself." 

His screen flashed pink and you heard him curse to himself, causing another giggle to escape your throat. 

"Oh this is going to be hours of fun." You commented with a cheeky smile, reaching up to tickle under his chin with your free hand causing him to flash you the dopiest smile imaginable through his brightly pink screen. 

"You're gonna fry my fucking circuits, baby." 

Just then, a limousine drove up just in front of you both. 

Saved by the bell, you supposed. 

Once you'd both gotten in the limo and headed off to your destination, you'd asked where you were going eagerly. You couldn't remember the last time you'd been looking forward to going out and it was somewhat exciting, especially with the mystery surrounding it.

"You'll see, gorgeous." Vox answered cryptically, looking almost nervous as he fidgeted in his seat. 

From what you'd gathered, the TV man was a bit of a control freak as well as extremely easy to read. You could practically see his worried thoughts written all over his face, planning ahead every single minute detail of the night before he'd even begun to experience it. You reached across the seat and took his hand gently, causing him to jump which just showed how deep in his own mind he'd been. 

He looked down at your joined hands in awe before looking up and meeting your eyes with a shy smile which you returned before looking back out the window at the sights of Hell that you didn't normally get to see. 

It wasn't long before you arrived at your destination and you felt a pit of heavy dread in your stomach when you seen it was some sort of dance hall with live entertainment. 

Vox led you inside with his hand guiding you gently on your lower back to the VIP booth where you were cornered away from the public but could still see the entirety of the place. 

It was a lovely little shindig which was quite reminiscent of speakeasies back in your day with booths and tables surrounding the dance floor, a fully-stocked bar with staff on standby, a large dance area with many demons already in full swing and a stage at the end with a live jazz band and singers dancing along to the upbeat tunes while they performed. 

You shrank into yourself at the booth and tried to make yourself as invisible as possible while Vox went to the bar to get the drinks. 

Once he'd returned, you practically downed whatever fruity concoction he'd given you in the one swig while he was settling down beside you, throwing an arm around the top of the booth behind you. 

"So what do ya think, baby? I thought you'd like it since you were saying this morning you were from the twenties so I searched out something with an old-fashioned vibe- uh, not that you're old, your tits are perkier than some sinners that just dropped yesterday- shit, I didn't mean to talk about your tits. I'm used to talking to Valentino's whores in clubs like this- fuck, not that you're a whore!" Vox rambled himself into a frenzy, looking more and more flustered until his screen came up with an error code apologising for technical difficulties. 

You watched him with your raised eyebrow throughout, finding it quite amusing just how many times he could stick his exceptionally large feet into his even bigger mouth. 

"Can I start over?" He asked suddenly once his screen had returned to his face smiling nervously at you. 

"I wish you wouldn't." You stated dryly, though you did feel bad when you saw him curl up slightly as if mentally beating himself up for the blunder. 

"Vox, I've seen you acting more suave than this on your morning talk shows at crack ass of dawn with no coffee after a hangover from hell. You don't need to be so nervous, relax. It's just me." You reassured. 

"Yeah, that's the problem, dollface." He muttered, looking away slightly to hide his pink-tinted screen as he adjusted the collar of his suit. 

You shook your head with mirth and handed his drink from the table. "Get this down your gullet. I'm gonna get us another round then you can talk my ears off about anything you want, okay? I'll even try not to tune out when you do and laugh at your stupid jokes for once." 

"Sounds good." He breathed out, looking up at you almost reverently as you got up and made your way to the bar. 

The following few hours went accordingly. Both you and Vox had loosened up with more alcohol in your systems and you got to talking. He'd thrived off having your full attention and rattled off about everything and anything he could think of. He'd started off by talking - bragging, really - about his business but soon trailed off into his alliance with Valentino and Velvette, how they'd came to be as the Vees and why he had such a loyalty to them. 

You were fascinated by the subject. Despite how much you hated the both of them, you were glad that Vox at least had some support in Hell. It sounded like he desperately just needed friends and those were the only two he could trust that weren't using him for his fame, money or power. It was sweet in a sickening sort of way. 

He also tried to ask you questions here and there about your own personal life even before you'd died but you always managed to brush them off or turn them back round to him again. Thankfully, he loved to talk more than anyone you knew so the tactic always worked and you didn't need to feel too exposed personally. 

All and all, it was a pleasant evening. 

That was, until the live band switched the song to some upbeat Frank Sinatra tune that Vox seemed to recognise and get quite excited over before jumping up and insisting you dance with him. 

"Vox, I can't dance." You admitted quietly, avoiding his eyes in embarrassment and pulling your shawl tightly over yourself as if it would make you invisible. Foolishly, you'd thought you'd be able to avoid this aspect of the evening despite it being the clear purpose of the outing. 

"It's okay, gorgeous, I'll guide you." He offered smoothly for the first time that night, doing a fancy little spin and ending with his hand outstretched for you to take. 

Vox still had the images that he'd watched for hours on loop of you dancing in that club you'd first met with your friends engrained into his memory. It was part of the reason he wanted to take you here of all places tonight because he needed to see that beautiful, carefree smile on your face with him. He desperately longed for you to hang over him in your clumsiness and hear your melodious laughter in his ear as you had with your friends that night. 

He just wanted you to have fun and for him to be the one that provided it. 

Unfortunately, you stayed seated in the booth and looked at his outstretched hand with dread.

Your head suddenly buzzed with another painful migraine, bringing up another hallucination. 

You and -static- were at a fundraiser event for a local charity where he'd been hosting gig for his show, interviewing the founders of the cause to promote the good they were doing. You were so proud of him as it was one of the first interviews he'd gotten to do solo and bragged about your kind-hearted, dapper, funny fella to anyone who would listen. 

Once his work was done, you both gravitated together to sit at the back tables to celebrate his growing success while the others danced the night away in the background. 

Your fella was the only one who had the privilege - more like, disservice - of seeing you dance and you planned to keep it like that. Y ou couldn't count how many times you'd stepped on his toes or flailed around like a new-born deer trying to walk, unable to synch with any beat, or tripped over yourself. Honestly, you were a complete disaster on the dance floor but -static- seemed to be even more armoured with your imperfections, using any opportunity to lift you up and spin you around like a doll or copy your ridiculous moves as if they were a dance trend just to make you laugh. 

All the while, he never made you feel less than or judged for it and his support continued to lift you up to new highs you'd never experienced before. 

That night plenty of women tried their luck with your charming beau but he refused to dance with anyone but you and seemed perfectly content sitting with you in your own little world, gossiping about the others at the function and laughing like school children at inside jokes and silly quips as you both often did. 

However, as soon as you heard a Louis Armstrong tribute act start to play on stage, you knew what would shortly follow. 

-static- gave you the puppy dog eyes, looking up at you over his glasses and tightening his grip on your hands pleadingly. 

"Just one dance, love?"

You bit your lip and considered for a moment. Usually you'd be weak to that look and voice of his but truthfully, you were scared. As much as you put on a front to not care what any of these people thought of you, it was never nice to be made fun of or seen as the weird woman who everybody was placing bets on becoming a spinster destined to die alone with no friends or family.

They already didn't like you for your temperament and you were sure this would only add more fuel to the fire. 

"What if they laugh at me?" You whispered vulnerably, letting him see a side of you that no one else ever had. 

His face softened and he leaned over to kiss your forehead in reassurance before gesturing down to your heeled boots. "May I?"

Confused but curious, you nodded your head. 

He took off your shoes delicately as to not budge up your stockings then left them by the chair before leading you to the outskirts of the dancefloor. Gently, he wrapped one arm over your waist to pull you in close to him and took one of your hands in his, held up at your side while you put your free hand on his shoulder. You were both closer than what was socially appropriate or acceptable - no room for Jesus as the preacher would yell over later - but you felt grounded. When you looked into his eyes, you didn't give a damn about anything else.

"Hop on, darling." He wiggled his shoes below you with a cheeky smirk. 

You finally understood what his plan was and couldn't help but throw your head back in laughter. Only -static- would think of something so reassuring yet ridiculous as dancing you around like a child. Shaking your head in utter amusement, you followed his request and carefully stepped onto his shoes so your feet moved with his.

With that, your dance partner set off and moved around like the absolute goof he was, taking you along every step of the way. He spun you around like a ragdoll, dipped you as low to the ground as possible, almost threw you off his feet entirely with how much he'd jumped around and you were just uncontrollably laughing until there were tears in your eyes through the entirety of it. 

There was no doubt in your mind that the others were looking at you both and judging with all the petty hate they held in their hearts for anything different but your fella's unspoken message was loud and clear: If you looked like fools then you looked like fools together. 

Your heart swelled with love for this man and you counted your lucky stars every day that you got to experience with him. 

So much so that when a mellow saxophone started to fill the room signalling a slow dance, you stayed on the dancefloor with him even after getting off his feet. Your height difference was more apparent now that you didn't have your heels on so you had to stand on your tiptoes to wrap your arms around his shoulders and rest your forehead on his tilted head as he hugged you close and swayed you side to side. 

"I love you, -static-" You murmured sweetly, raising your head slightly to nuzzle his nose with yours affectionately as you felt the love surge shoot through your entire being just like any other time in the company of this wonderful man.

"I love you too, cher." He whispered sincerely, risking a quick kiss on your lips despite you both being in public. It was so uncouth to openly display such affections, no matter the relationship status, but you couldn't find it in yourself to care.

You squeezed the bridge of your nose as the hallucination faded, leaving you with nothing but a pounding sore headache. Suddenly, your good mood had dissipated and you were reminded of what would or could never be. You weren't the courting type, it just wasn't in the cards for you and that was that.

These 'memories' felt cruel and taunting. You hated any time they flashed up because it just made your entire chest hurt with such heartache that you didn't even know was possible once you came back into reality and had to face that none of it was real. 

Looking up at Vox, you could see him hesitantly start to lower his hand as if he could sense the shift in you. 

You wanted to feel bad but you were just so fucking numb.

"I need a cigarette." You announced stoically before getting up and leaving him standing there alone, looking like a lost puppy as his sad eyes followed you out the door. 

When you'd been outside lighting your cigarette with a shaky hand as you tried to compose yourself, you couldn't help but try to relive that hallucination again but it was gone. You couldn't remember anything but a blurry face and a feeling of longing. 

By the time you'd finished your smoke, you didn't have the energy to go back inside. 

It may have been a total bitch move but you called a cab without telling your date and left him there. 

Really, you were just saving him the heartbreak of trying to get involved with someone as damaged as you before it got too deep. 

Chapter Text

When Alastor awoke, he'd never known immense pain like the kind he was currently experiencing but none of his physical injuries held a candle to the hurt in his chest once his mind had tuned in to the past events. 

The last thing he remembered was the slow, excruciating torture Vox had bestowed onto him while all he could do was helplessly watch the love of his life trapped in an equally horrid predicament that was from his own doing. 

For the very first time in his afterlife, he cursed his own stupidity. He always planned everything five steps ahead to cover his own hide with any of his ventures but to know that he'd fucked up so severely that the consequences had put you directly into the line of fire was his lowest point in both his life and afterlife.

Looking around his surroundings, he noted that he was in his own room in the hotel that was still burnt to all Hell from when you'd had a meltdown about him leaving for three days with Mimzy to keep his reputation in tact.

It just served as another reminder of his mistakes. 

He stifled his self loathing long enough to convince himself that he would fix this horrid situation just like he had with every other one in your past together. After all, you were one of the most forgiving people on this plane of existence and even though if it took you a lifetime to get over your grudges, he knew he'd be able to make things right. 

The panic started to settle in when he realised that he didn't know how long he'd been unconscious for and to his knowledge, you were still currently in danger. The emotional damage he'd done could be put on the back burner until he saved you from that egomaniac's clutches and finally ended this feud with the other Overlord once and for all. With that in mind, he gritted his teeth through the pain and attempted to get up from the bed.

However, just then, the door opened and Charlie entered with a bag of supplies. 

"Holy fuck, you're awake!" She exclaimed in joy and instantly dropped the bag to attack him with one of her infamous bear hugs.

Due to the pain he was in, as well as his fragile, fragmented mindset and wounded pride, Alastor automatically hissed at her in warning like a cornered animal ready to lunge. It was completely out of character for him. Not only to treat dear Charlie with anything other than patience and endearment, but for him to show any weakness. Not many people could claim to see the Radio Demon in a state that was anything other than completely in control of any situation he was in. 

Charlie instantly heeded his warning and pulled away with a sympathetic look.

"Right, sorry, you're still sore." She stated apologetically and simply patted his hand as an alternative for comfort. "I was actually here to change your bandages." 

"Never mind that, my dear. If you could be so kind to fetch me my microphone? I'm afraid there's important work to be done." 

Like tearing Vox a new one, he finished inwardly but hid his malicious intent from the Princess with a strained smile.

"Hell no, Alastor, you're still badly hurt. You need to rest, especially with the extermination only a month and a half away." She demanded with more authority than he'd ever heard from the usually mild-mannered blonde. 

It took him aback enough to make him pause for a few moments while the Princess went to collect her bag from the floor and proceeded to sit in the chair beside his bed. Had the situation not be so dire, and had it not been him that her tone was targeted at, he would've been proud of the girl. In the back of his mind, he still was - that she even had it in her. 

With no time to come up with a smooth lie to leave abruptly, he couldn't hide his panic nor desperation when he blurted out, "But you don't understand, Evangeline is-!" 

"With Vox. I know." Charlie finished sadly as she gently took his arm closest to her to unwrap his current bandages covered in blood and began dutifully cleaning the wounds. He stared at her in shock, completely lost for words that there seemed to be no urgency in the blonde despite supposedly knowing the situation. "I saw it all in my meeting with the council of Angels. They used that as an example of why sinners can't be redeemed. She was supposed to go up there when she died, y'know, but now she's bound by two different Overlords in a pissing contest."

Alastor gritted his teeth at both the verbal jab and the prolonged touch from the princess cleaning his wounds, a privilege he only reserved for extremely rare company. Thankfully for Charlie, he was quite fond of her despite her current out of character insolence. Had this not been a more pressing issue, he would've been overjoyed that the little blonde finally learned to grow a backbone. 

Hearing that his beloved wife, his dear heart, belonged to Heaven was no surprise.

He'd always had a suspicion that was the case but could not bring himself to feel guilt over keeping you from the pearly gates. After all, he'd always justified it to himself that you wouldn't have known anyone that resided there and he'd promised long ago that he'd never let you feel alone after so many years in isolation with your abusive mother.

Deep down, he knew the excuse was a mask to hide his own selfishness because without you, he had no one worth living for. 

"So you've seen what he's putting her through and you're doing nothing about it?!" He jibbed, narrowing his eyes in disappointment at the usually perky blonde who seemed to always have a plan to get out of a pickle, no matter how fruitless. 

"If we interfere with a soul contract then there will be war and the entirety of Heaven is watching us, we can't afford to-" Charlie started as she kept focused on her task, missing Alastor's eyes flashing into radio dials and his neck snapping at a ninety degree angle until she heard the tell-tale screech of feedback from him. She immediately ceased touching him once she met his eyes apprehensively and saw nothing but bloodlust simmering beneath the surface.

"To Hell with them all!" Alastor's voice boomed and crackled ominously. "I shall rip out every single one of Vox's innards and broadcast his screams throughout the Seven Rings as a warning to everyone not to go near MY FUCKING WIF-"

Alastor's maniacal tirade was abruptly cut short with Charlie transforming into her full demon form, roaring at him in her own righteous fury. 

"Just stop, Alastor!" She snapped in frustration with tears in her eyes, contrasting the fiery demeanour that her demon form was presenting. "Do you know what her deal was even for? She wanted to forget all of us! All because you were being a selfish, manipulative, insecure asshole - now we've all lost her!"

With that, she broke down in sobs. It was like she released something that had been bottled up for quite some time and it was all too much for her. She let her head fall into her hands as her entire body wracked with sadness. 

Alastor was stumped. 

For once, he had no response. He was not used to being called out so blatantly and he couldn't help but reflect after hearing the worst parts of himself projected back at him. He knew he was all of those things but he'd always told himself that he could keep them hidden, keep you happy. Instead of trying to better himself to be the man you truly deserved, he came up with plan after plan to make sure you both had a way back to each other because the alternative was, what if he couldn't be better? 

What if he tried and failed miserably, like the very fate he'd predicted in amusement when he'd first joined the Hotel?

Sinners couldn't change. He couldn't change. If you saw that with your own eyes then who was to say if you would stay or not? 

"You aren't the only one who loves her, Al. I feel like I've lost my mom all over again." Charlie sniffled as she slowly transformed back into her original form, the fight having clearly left her after her emotional outburst. He stared in sympathy and silence. "Ever since that week you kept her away, things have went to shit around here. Eva might have had her moments but she was the glue keeping everyone together. It didn't matter how crappy things got, we could all go to her with our problems and she'd just listen and do whatever she could to fix it or cheer us up."

He bit back the remark that was on the tip of his tongue that he knew fine well that very fact.

He'd experienced it for years with your juxtaposition of running a home with both a firm hand and a loving touch. It was an addicting feeling, to have someone care like that. As much as you presented yourself as a tough cookie, you were nothing but soft warmth underneath for those you let in. Perhaps he'd taken it for granted from being so assured that both of you came as a packaged pair after so many years. 

The ache in his chest worsened tenfold. 

"She made us a family." Charlie continued, attempting to wipe away her tears but more kept falling with every swipe of her hands. "Now Angel and Vaggie have that much guilt and blame themselves about what happened to the point that they try to kill each other any time they're in the same room, Husk and Niffty just get blackout drunk 24/7 and I've been trying my best to juggle everything, trying to keep everyone together as well as dealing with the fucking Angels and the extermination around the corner, and then seeing you almost dead, it just- I can't lose you too."

Yet again, Alastor was floored at the confession. While he'd never shied away at admitting his fondness for the woefully optimistic blonde - as an owner would care for a pet or even... How a parental figure would care for... - he'd never imagined that Charlie, or anyone from this pitiful project, would care for his wellbeing. 

Even after a year of being saddled with this mismatched gang of misfits, he'd always seen them as a means to an end. Mostly because, the very reason he'd ever gotten involved in this project in the first place was just to win back his wife's affection, using your love of charity work as a way to keep you in his proximity until he could earn forgiveness again. That being said, after so many group excursions and exercises, fights and making up, 'family' game nights which always ended up in chaos, perhaps his heart had grown a size or two larger to make more room. 
 
However, he'd always brushed the very idea off whenever it popped into his head because it just meant more people to disappoint. 

Evidentially, he still managed to do so. He thought as he watched Charlie breaking down beside him. 

Despite his pain, he opened his arms and allowed to the Princess to cling to him to continue her weeping on his shoulder. He breathed through his nose at the discomfort both from his injuries and the touch of another that wasn't you but ultimately, ignored it to comfort the crying girl. He patted her head almost awkwardly.

"There, there, dear. Fret not, that busted bag of bolts could never kill this radio star." He quipped as he smoothed his hand over her hair in what he'd thought was a comforting manner. "But I can't just sit here while my wife is trapped with that miscreant."

Charlie sniffled again and nodded in understanding before pulling away.

"Well I can't force to you to stay but I'm asking you, for me. Please Al, you told my dad that I was like the daughter you never had - surely that means I can ask for one favour." She stared in apprehension, pleading through her wide doll-like, tearful eyes. "I promise, we'll make a plan to get her back once the extermination has passed but she's safe right now and we're running out of time with the exterminators coming so..." Her unspoken worries were still clear as day. 

They both knew when, if, the time came when you came back and regained your memories: There would be Hell to pay. 

Which was time they didn't currently have. 

"You do realise that I merely made that comment simply to get under Lucifer's skin, correct?" 

Charlie raised her eyebrows in disbelief but allowed him to keep his pride by not verbally arguing against it. 

Alastor sighed and stared up at the ceiling in contemplation as he weighed up his options. It physically pained him to be away from you and with every second passed felt like a lifetime. Though, he supposed that this was his karma. 

He glanced at Charlie's hopeful expression from the corner of his vision. As much as he wanted to exert himself by using his shadows to fetch his own cane and wreck havoc on the entire Pride ring, starting with all of Vox's mindless goons and ending with the TV Demon's stupid square head on an angelic spear, he understood that it would only worsen the situation. 

"Very well. I shall stay put, for now." He adhered stiffly. "But if you plan to go down this route of taking on the Angels, then you must allow me to train you all with some techniques once I am healed. Lord knows we barely have a chance of surviving extermination as is and I would like to stay alive long enough to see my beloved again." 

"It's a deal!" Charlie croaked through her tears, smiling for the first time since he'd awoke. He returned it with a genuine one of his own. "Thanks, Al."

"Don't mention it. No really, I mean it."

Charlie let out a soft giggle at his put upon surliness and breathed an audible sigh of relief. She finally managed to wipe the last of her tears away and went back to her task of retrieving gauze and bandages to finish up dressing his wounds. 

"Now that you're awake, do you have any prominent pain I need to look at before wrapping you up again, other than the general stuff?" She asked with a newfound lightness and concern in her tone.

"Hmm, now that you mention it, my ankle has been quite bothersome." He admitted, zeroing in on the prominent shooting pains stemming from there, now that his mind had been somewhat settled. 

"Oh that's just Niffty." She announced casually as she pulled the duvet off of his legs to reveal the maid currently chewing on said ankle, looking quite content even as her large eye adjusted to the light and stared up at them daringly to try and remove her. "She's the one who first found you in the lobby and we haven't been able to get her off unless we bribe her with booze. She said something about draining your life source and becoming one so she could still hear your voice in her head."

Alastor couldn't help but laugh.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Angel was sitting in his usual spot at the bar surrounded by awkward silence as Husk was resting his head on his folded arms on the bar top while he fought through another horrendous hangover.

Vaggie happened to be walking past with a plate full of Spanish cuisine she'd whipped up in the kitchen, looking like a woman on a mission until Angel spun around to face her, drink in hand.

He trailed his eyes over her with a judgemental expression.

"Where ya goin' with that?" He dryly asked before taking a sip of his martini, looking the very picture of indifference though beneath the surface was an entirely different feeling simmering.

"Charlie's been up with Alastor for over an hour so he must have woken up. I'm just bringing him something to eat." Vaggie snippily answered and moved towards the door to continue on her journey until the spider's grating voice stopped her once more. 

"Why the fuck would ya? I say, let the bastard starve. It's his fault our chef left anyways so let him have some consequences to it." 

Husk lifted his head briefly to shoot a disapproving look towards Angel but it went ignored.

"His fault?" Vaggie hissed, gripping the plate tighter in her grip and taking a step towards the spider in a challenging way.

"Here we go." Husk groused under his breath, already knowing what was coming because it was the same shtick he'd been listening to for weeks now. 

"It's YOUR fucking fault!" She snapped and felt her temper flare further when she was met with nothing but an eye roll from him. "If you hadn't been drugged out yet a-fucking-gain and blurted out about that stupid plan - that, might I add, YOU came up with - then Eva never would've had a breakdown and ran off to sell her soul for - hmm what was it again?" Vaggie paused in her ranting to feign ignorance to drive her point deeper. "Oh that's right! YOUR soul contract, you goddamn junkie!"

By the time she was finished, Angel was practically shaking in the stool with rage. Mainly because he couldn't deny any accusation being thrown his way because it was all his worst thoughts he'd been having every night since the big blow-up. However, he couldn't allow himself to fester in it or he would be swallowed up by his own guilt so he resorted to the same tactic he'd been doing since the beginning: Blaming the next person he could think of.

"Fuck you bitch-tits! I'm sick of you playin' innocent when you could'a - and should'a - told her in the first place! Besides Smiles, yer the one she spent most of her time with and it neva' came up once?!"

"What do you expect me to say? 'Hey Eva, how's your day going - by the way, your husband's a manipulative fucking asshole, you should think about ditching that prick!'" Vaggie exclaimed incredulously.

"Well if ya had'a then we wouldn't be in this shit show!"

"Shut up." Husk grumbled quietly, squeezing the inner corners of his eyes to stop the headache the two were giving him. To no one's surprise, neither heeded his warning.

"You can go fuck yourself, Angel! Stop trying to pin this on me and take some goddamn accountability for once in your worthless afterlife!" Vaggie snapped, taking another threatening step towards him as if she was restraining herself from attacking him by sheer will power alone and her resolve was starting to crack with every passing second.

Angel spotted the unspoken threat and retaliated by abruptly standing from his chair, spilling over his entire drink as well as the stool in the process, and stretching out his four arms as a challenge for her to try her luck with lunging for him.

"I'll make myself accountable for rippin' ya fuckin' hair out of the follicles, toots. You wanna keep talkin' shit?"

"Satan-fucking-dammit." Husk groaned and slammed his head back down on his arms now that the spider's words were practically conformation that the two were determined to give him a migraine by screaming at each other till they were blue in the face.

Vaggie let out a roar of fury and launched the plate of dinner at the spider's head who luckily ducked just in time, causing it to smash behind him and sending food everywhere.

"Let's go, bitch! Bout time you got clocked in that fucking yapping trap you call a mouth, after this you're gonna learn how to keep it closed when you have to eat your meals through a straw!" She cried before tackling the taller sinner to the ground.

Angel had been expecting as much and immediately flipped her over, attempting to make good on his promise and starting ripping at her hair while she clawed at his fur ferally. "I'm gonna kill you, cunt! I don't care what way ya try to slice it, that woman was the best ma I eva' had and you drove her away!"

"You act like you're the only one she ever treated like her own kid! At least you had a mom when you were alive, it isn't anybody's fault but yours that you're not with her right now!" Vaggie's comment definitely hit Angel where it hurt because it made him pause long enough for her to regain the upper hand in their fight and slam the spindly spider over her head before slamming her elbow down on his stomach. "Eva was the ONLY one I had! Just cause I wasn't a fucking idiot that sold my soul for some moth dick doesn't mean that she wouldn't have done the same thing for me!"

Before things could escalate further - as they often did between the pair nowadays - Husk put a stop to their fight by flying over the bar and grabbing the two by the scuffs of their necks and roughly lifting them as far away from each other as he could stretch.

"Shut the fuck up, both of ya!" Husk snapped loudly, making himself flinch with his own volume that wasn't helping his pounding headache by any means. "You think fighting like brats is gonna make her suddenly come back and ground the both of you?! I'm so fucking sick of hearing you two constantly at each other's throats during the day then getting drunk and crying about your own guilt at night! Grow the fuck up!"

With that, he dropped them flat on their asses and dusted his hands.

They both look justifiably chastised as they got back to their feet.

"How about you go and have another drink before you try and lecture me, you fucking drunk." Vaggie grumbled, hiding her embarrassed red face by storming off back to the kitchen to presumably make another dinner since the last one she made was now ruined.

Husk shrugged off her final remark and simply went back behind the bar, albeit to do the very thing she'd accused him of and popping open a fresh beer bottle to chug. He'd been around everyone playing the wise old bartender for enough time now to be able to read them all like open books and he understood that Vaggie was just hurting. She was receding back into that untrusting, judgemental, brash persona that she'd hidden herself in at the very start of this project so her lashing out never bothered him. 

He empathized with her and Angel's pain. 

After all, you had been the only one to sit at his bar on long nights and actually ask about how his day was going or make sure to check up on him when he was going back into old habits of drowning his emotions with a bottle. You both shared a comradery that was as simple as it was comforting. There were no dramas, no petty squabbles, no judgement. Both of you could get snippy and bitch at each other whenever one of you were in a mood and go back to a pleasant conversation in the next breath once it was out your system. 

Husk missed your company as much as the rest of the bunch. 

However, looking at Angel's deflated manner as he carefully picked up the stool that he'd knocked over before slumping down in it, ready to follow the bartender's lead and drown his sorrows another night, Husk knew he had to keep his own feelings pushed to the backburner whenever it came to their absentee friend. 

Because since you had freed Angel's soul, it cost him something far more important to him. 

"You want the same, kid?" Husk asked softly, a stark contrast to his harsh tone mere seconds ago, as he gestured to the spider's spilled cocktail. 

"I want ya to actually stick up fer me, asshole." Angel hissed, glaring up at him. 

It seemed that he'd found his new target to lash out on.

Husk sighed wearily and took another plentiful gulp of his own bottle before mixing the spider's drink unprompted. Hopefully, he would see it as a peace offering and go to bed without attempting to burn another bridge. Again.

"What, ya ain't got anythin' to say? Ya not even gonna admit yer a fuckin' spineless jackass?" Angel goaded, crossing both sets of his fully healed arms and sitting back in the stool as he appraised the uncaring expression Husk was meeting him with. 

"Look, if you're just after someone to fight with then get your perky ass up and away from my bar." Husk dismissed lowly, looking down at the label of his beer bottle to pick at as a distraction. "I get that you're going through a shitty time, Angel, but I ain't your enemy here. Just cause you fucked up with Eva doesn't mean you have to ruin every other relationship you got going on here as a punishment."

Angel's hackles instantly raised from his motivations being blasted so clearly. "You think cause we dated for like five fuckin' minutes that you can psychoanalyse me?"

He knew it was a low blow as soon as he'd said it but he couldn't stop himself from lashing out and he regretted it as soon as he saw Husk's crestfallen expression. Once upon a time, the cat demon had called him out on his self-sabotaging behaviours whenever he was at his lowest and he knew the same to be true here. Only this time, he didn't have anyone to pull him out of it.

Angel would've bled out on the street and respawned the next day after Valentino beat everything but the shit out of him that night, had he known the consecutive events of him coming home so broken would be; of you running to Alastor's enemy therefore putting yourself in danger, having to hide away for an entire week while the Hotel fell to shit, Val trying to force him back into work when he was in recovery causing Husk to empty his afterlife's savings into buying him for a month, the two of them breaking up because Angel felt he had ruined the life of yet another schmuck dumb enough to fall for a two-bit whore, then finally, having the biggest fight ever with his mamabear which broke her heart in the process and ruined her relationship with everyone else in the Hotel. 

As if all of that wasn't bad enough, you traded your soul for his even after the shit he'd pulled that night. 

He couldn't describe that heartbreak, nor did he remember much of the next morning since he'd been so frantic with panic when he'd blazed through what felt like the entirety of Pride like a bat out of Hell just trying to find you again. 

Maybe it was a good thing he didn't, he pondered. After all, he only broke anything he loved. 

"Goodnight, Angel." Husk bid quietly, taking him out of his self-pitying thoughts. Clearly, he'd had enough of being the spider's verbal punching bag and the last remark was the step too far. The pained look on his face said as much.

Just as the cat demon was moving to leave behind the bar, Angel grabbed his hand in a panic with one of his own. 

"Please... Don't leave me too." He croaked vulnerably. 

Husk regarded Angel with a knowing gaze, more than used to his quick flips in mood by now. He'd always theorized that Angel liked to start fights with everyone he cared about because he wanted to push them until they were at their breaking point to see if they would ever lash back or put hands on him like Valentino. With a resigned sigh, he continued to move away from the bar.

And sat beside the spider on a stool before taking his hand again. 

Angel's eyes teared up at the touch and immediately clung to the comfort, squeezing Husk's paw almost in reverence. He still wondered when the bartender would finally wash his hands of him and be done with his erratic fucking ass. However, he wouldn't question it tonight for fear of breaking this silent truce. 

With his free hand, Husk picked up his beer bottle and held it to Angel's glass in an unspoken cheers. 

Angel quirked a smile and lifted his glass to clink off the bottle. 

While Husk went back to chugging his bottle like there was a prize at the bottom of it with one hand while the other was gently smoothing the edge of one of his claws over the spider's knuckles, Angel sipped his martini and stared at his friend in wistful regret. 

I'm sorry, and I love you. 

Oh, how he wished he could just say those six words out loud. To Husk, to you, to Vaggie.

To himself. 

Alas, extermination was getting closer by the minute and Angel was giving up on the idea of redemption with every passing day. 

However, sitting here with Husk tonight, he wanted to feel like it was possible: For a fuck up like him to be forgiven.

Chapter Text

"So she abandonó your ass and all you can do is sit here and bitch to me about it?" 

Val couldn't help but laugh in the TV demon's face, leaning back in his office chair from across the desk and holding his stomach with all four arms while Vox glowered at him after spewing his woes. Once Valentino had calmed down enough to compose himself, he wiped a tear from under his glasses.

"Oh Voxxy, isn't karma just a bitch?" 

"Fuck sake, Val, I thought I could still come to you as a friend but if you're just gonna make fun of me then screw it-!"

Just as Vox was getting out of his chair ready to storm out, he was swarmed by the red smoke and pheromones from Val's cigarette that he had picked up from the ashtray and blew directly at him, forcing him to sit back down. Inwardly, he seethed at how much control the moth still had over him. 

He never should've came here in the first place but Velvette was busy with a fashion shoot and it wasn't like he had a lot of friends to go to. 

Things had been painstakingly awkward with you back at his penthouse ever since that night of your date. He was still as devastated days later as he had been on the night when he had to come to the slow, hurtful realisation that you'd ditched him while he was both nervously and eagerly awaiting you to come back after your cigarette.

As soon as he'd rushed home to find you safe and sound, asleep in your bed - as well as the roses he'd gifted you in the trash - he simply resided to his own room, definitely not to cry or anything weak like that. 

You both hadn't spoken since, outside of curt interactions of you serving him his meals and him saying thank you. 

Maybe he just needed to vent, maybe he was looking for some comfort, maybe he needed advice on what to do next. Whatever the reason for coming to Valentino with his problems, it was clearly a mistake.

"Don't get your panties in a twist, cariño, I was just poking fun." Val waved him off along with a sassy roll of his eyes before flamboyantly throwing his legs over the arm of his office chair and looking over his nails while taking another slow drag of his cigarette.

"I just think it's funny that the same soul who you traded my bottom bitch and LEFT me for is giving you so much trouble."

Vox let out a frustrated groan and realised that the moth was practically revelling in the turn of events. 

It had been apparent that Val was pissed about Angel Dust since he'd traded him but the bastard couldn't throw any of his usual tantrums about it since Vox had made it clear when he'd moved out of his studio, signifying their latest break up being permanent this time, that if the moth ever put hands on him again then he'd eviscerate him where he stood as well as tank each and every one of his business's. 

Plus, Vox had a theory that Valentino seemed to think if he played nice for long enough then he'd go crawling back to him just like all of those times he had before.

"I didn't leave you for her. I left you because you kept beating the shit out of me and fucking other people when we were dating!"

"I'm a pimp, papito! What the fuck did you expect?" Val asked in genuine incredulity, looking up from his nails to level the TV Demon with a harsh stare.

"And don't act like a victim. You weren't exactly innocent yourself." He seethed, gesturing to his antenna that lacked the beautiful black and white feathers as the other. "Face it, Voxxy, you've got a degradation kink so severe that it needs to be goddamn studied. Just look at your repertoire of infatuations - small as it might be." He ended with a smirk, unable to resist putting in one last verbal jab.

Vox growled at the cocky bastard and dug his claws into the arm of the chair, tearing through the leather.

Valentino seen he was getting to the other man and couldn't help but push his luck by twisting the knife in further. He elegantly got up from his seat and sauntered over to the other side of the desk, crossing his legs and leaning forward to pinch Vox's cheek condescendingly.

"You always loved when I pushed you around, not to mention your obsession with Alastor ever since-"

"Don't even go there, Valentino." Vox warned lowly, sounding deathly serious. 

Wisely, Val moved on from the subject and pulled away from his screen to languorously lean back on his spare three arms with his bare legs on full display before taking another slow drag of his cigarette.

"Fine but you know I'm right, sweet cheeks. Evangeline is just your type because you have something dark and twisted right here," Val lifted his leg to poke the toe of his heeled boot in the middle of Vox's chest. "that craves someone putting you in your pathetic place." 

Vox gritted his teeth in an attempt to control himself from lashing out at the pimp's words but some part of him knew that they couldn't be argued. He knew he was fucked up and always sought affection from people who would never give it, likely stemming back to his mother issues from topside. He'd acted like a performing monkey on TV in his game show hosting gigs, always scrambling to gain as much notoriety, success and money as he could however nothing was ever good enough. 

He was broken out of his melancholy thoughts by Val moving to suddenly straddle his thighs and put out his cigarette on Vox's shoulder, causing him to hiss in pain, just like he used to before whenever he sensed Vox's focus drifting from him. 

"And I can give you exactly what you're craving without any of the chase." Val purred as he started to play with the sensitive wires on the back of Vox's head despite how tense the TV Demon had gotten.

"Do you want me to rip off your other wing?" Vox asked stoically, leaning as far away from the moth as the chair would allow him. "Get. Off. Of. Me."

Val scoffed indignantly but once again heeded his warning and stood up. 

"Come on, Voxxy, think of the baby!" He argued petulantly, stomping his foot and crossing both sets of arms. It seemed that his temper was slowly beginning to sizzle the longer that he was denied what he wanted. 

"What baby?" Vox asked in confusion.

"Me, of course!" Valentino snapped, kicking the side of the chair harshly as if refraining from attacking the man sitting in it. "It's been months since you fucked me, when the fuck are you gonna get over this stupid grudge?!"

Vox closed his eyes and rubbed the sides of his screen where his temple sensors were in an attempt to cease his now booming headache.

"You're never gonna change, Val, and I deserve someone who treats me better." He explained slowly as if talking to a child which was fitting since that's exactly how the other was acting at the moment.

"And the Radio Demon's wife is the one who's gonna do that?" Val snipped, turning his head away to hide his pout.

"She's more than just that prick's wife! She's her own person as well as being the most kind, smart and beautiful sinner I've ever met." 

Valentino couldn't even deny himself how much it hurt to hear that and he knew damn well that it had to be a dig at him - since everything was about him, as he saw it. He didn't care much if his ex-lover thought him stupid or mean but to hear that the flat-faced fuck thought anyone's beauty compared to his - especially someone like you who was so nothing - bit like a fucking hellhound in heat. 

"Really? Because, correct me if I'm wrong, but she's been nothing but a shell of a soul since you wiped her memories of said prick." Val shot back defensively, looking back at the other man with a challenging stare to see if he would try and deny something they both knew to be true.

Vox dropped his head woefully, unable to combat such a statement. Valentino should've been happy to have the final say in any argument between the two but there was still a small part of him that hated to see his man so sad and hurt - from anyone else that wasn't him, that is. 

"Oh Voxxy. Poor, sweet Voxxy." He said with a sigh as he soothingly starting stroking along the top of his head. "You need to wake up and smell the Stockholm syndrome you're wasting here. Have I really taught you nothing? In order to truly own something, you have to break it then it will depend on you to put it back together."

Vox vehemently shook his head at the pimp's words as well as shaking the hand off of him. He didn't want to have the same 'relationship' - if anyone could even call it that - that Val had previously with Angel. He didn't want to own you, he just wanted you to choose him. 

He still thought you both could make each other happy.

His chest started to seize up and his breathing was getting more erratic by the second. This always happened whenever he started to overthink his own misery and loneliness. He needed to get the fuck out of here. He needed fresh air. He needed...

You. 

It seemed that Val had taken his reaction as something else completely and continued spewing his poison. 

"Because I'm such a generous friend, I'll even give your little pet the professional training she needs to fall into line so she never tries to run away from you again." 

"This was a mistake, Val." Vox curtly stated as he abruptly stood from the chair, nearly knocking it over with the force. "Just forget about it and go back to doing blow or whatever the fuck you'd been doing before I came in."

With that, he quickly marched from the porn studio's office and went outside to control his breathing and gather his thoughts.

He desperately wished to go back home to see you just to make him feel better but the thought of sitting through another awkward meal made him feel hollow. He hated that he'd fucked up so severely that he'd made you this uncomfortable and he didn't even know how to fix it because he still didn't know what he'd done wrong!

Vox's screen started glitching with how fast his mind was running, his processors just couldn't keep up. 

He decided to do what he usually did: Bury himself in work until the issue could not longer be avoided.

Back at the penthouse, you were in the kitchen washing a bowl of vegetables you were planning to prep for today's lunch. 

The atmosphere was peaceful with the TV on in the background, playing a music channel called 'Vox's Vintage Tunes' where the oldest thing ever played was from the fifty's. Back when you lived yourself in Wrath, you used to listen to the radio as a source of comfort occasionally but the TV Demon was quite adamant against the idea when you'd suggested getting one for his home - back when you both were still speaking, that is. 

Things between you both have been so uneasy these past couple of days and you even started to miss Vox's constant yammering in your ear while you tried to move around him in the kitchen. 

You never thought you could feel any lower than you had the first few weeks of working here but once again, you proved yourself wrong. What was worse, was that it was undeniably all of your fault. You knew how badly you'd wounded the Overlord's pride and you just couldn't bring yourself to apologize for it. 

You simply had to tell yourself that this was for the best and you were really doing him a favour in the long run by not getting attached to something so damaged. Though, even telling yourself that, you knew it was partly an excuse to mask your guilt of just being a fucking coward. Because you were scared to take the leap with him and open up your heart. 

Before you knew it, your eyes had started to fill with tears and you harshly wiped away a few stray ones before continuing on with your task. 

You concentrated on your the meal prep and lost yourself in your work until a delicious spicy mango ginger soup was on the stove processing while you added spoonful's of water while mixing thoroughly. 

Just then, you heard the door opening behind you and checked the clock on the wall above you to see that Vox was home earlier than his usual for his lunchbreak. 

"You're home early." You commented lightly as you continued to stir, unable to meet his gaze quite yet. "Your lunch still needs an hour to chill but I can whip you up something quic-" 

You were abruptly cut off when you felt four slimly, elongated, creepy hands grip tightly onto your arms and the top of your head being sniffed. You froze up and your ears twitched uncomfortably. Your fire couldn't come out in defence because you'd been taken so off guard and were now terrified at who had snuck into the penthouse when there were only meant to be a few people with access. 

"What does he see in you?" Valentino grumbled bitterly in your ears. 

Of course, you thought in annoyance. 

Your fear was instantly replaced with rage - as was ignited any time you were forced to be in the slime ball's presence - and you quickly erupted in flames causing him to jump away from you. 

"Don't. Touch. Me." You spun to face the moth in your demon form, ready to reduce him into nothing but a scorch mark if he tried to again.

"¡Dios mío! You think you're hot shit because of a little party trick?!" Val exclaimed before quickly blowing on his burned hands to try and take the sting away.

"I'm sick of your fucking holier-than-thou attitude, puta! Today's the day where you learn your goddamn place." 

Before you could react to his menacing words whatsoever, Valentino snapped his fingers and broke off the sprinklers directly above you so water immediately gushed down and put out your flames. You gasped in shock of the cold and he'd taken that split-second opportunity to instantly pounce on you and tackle you to the ground.

"What the fuck are you doing?! Get off of me!" You yelled as you fought with all of your might to get out of the pimp's grip but it was hard to when he had multiple fucking arms. Still, they didn't deter you from scratching, kicking and even headbutting every and any place you could reach while he wrestled you to the ground. 

Despite your struggle, Valentino managed to put his full weight on you and got your arms pinned down with his upper hands whilst his lower ones started to smooth over your collarbone and down the sides of your breasts. You shuddered in disgust at being touched in such a way and felt the urge to throw up but you'd skipped breakfast today and had nothing in your stomach otherwise you would have, all over him - even in an attempt to get him off. 

"You gotta have a fucking banging body to keep my Voxxy's attention for so long, baby cakes. I mean, it ain't like it's your face that he thinks is more beautiful than mine so I gotta see for myself what it is." Val murmured as his hands copped a feel before sliding down your waist and underneath to graze your ass.

"Don't worry, pet, I bet it'll feel real good for you. After all, they say you can't turn a whore into a housewife but you can certainly do the opposite."

Just when Val had to curve his body slightly to reach for the bottom of your long skirts, you managed to thrash your knee up directly into his balls. 

"Ah! You fucking cunt!" He cried as he clutched his manhood preciously, completely hunched over.

It was enough for you to gain momentum to roll him off you and stand up to tip the entire pot of soup over him causing him to scream again in the most high-pitched, feminine way you'd ever heard from a male. 

Val lay there sizzling, still clutching himself in the worst pain he'd ever been in since rising to the top as an Overlord. It wasn't often that sinners managed to one-up him when he was so used to holding all of the power. He growled like a rabid animal and he practically felt his sanity dissolving along with parts of his skin.

He would not be bested by someone as insignificant as you, twice! 

"I'll kill you, you little bitch." Val threatened through what sounded like gravel as he scrambled to get up again. 

Before he could fully get on his feet, you grabbed your trusty wooden spoon with one hand while the other harshly pulled his feather antenna as far back as you could before shoving the handle all the way down his throat until just the curved top was wedged at his uvula. As Valentino was choking, you slammed the heel of your hand down on it to ripe out his throat from the inside and lodge as much of it down so the bastard hopefully suffocated on his own blood filling his lungs.

"Try and kill me all you want but you sure as hell wont fucking touch me, you disgusting piece of shit." You declared as you harshly kicked him again while he was struggling for breath, intending to create more distance while he was down again to make a run for it.

However, you'd misjudged just how deep the pimp's gag reflex went and as soon as your leg had been about to make contact with him, his faux choking stopped and he caught your ankle before pulling it swiftly so you fell flat on your ass. 

You instantly tried to crawl away from the now clearly erratic pimp but he just pulled you closer to him like you were nothing more than a doll. This time, he'd used all four hands to pin you down - only raising one to backhand you across the face making you feel like he'd dislocated your entire jaw with the sheer force. With the spoon still down his throat, Valentino reached a hand underneath his one and only wing to retrieve a knife. 

Your eyes widened in utter terror as you tried to struggle away but he had his claws dug into you so deep that there would definitely be wounds remaining - if you even survived. 

Just when he'd lowered the knife to your dress, you did the only thing left and screamed so loud that your throat felt raw in hopes that one of Vox's employees was around in another floor. 

What happened instead was that a large spark of electricity shot out from the TV that was still playing the music channel and there stood Vox. 

He wasted no time sending his cables to latch onto Valentino and hold him hostage far away from you, tied-up and immobilized, with the pimp struggling and attempting to gargle out comprehensible words to Vox despite the spoon blocking his ability. 

"Holy shit, Evee, are you hurt?" Vox rushed out as he stood over you and reached down to attempt to pull you to your feet. 

"Get away from me!" You screamed in terror, scrambling away backwards from his outstretched hand. 

You felt the tears gathering in your eyes and you had been more than humiliated enough for one day so your only instinct was to run. 

Your only option was your room because where else did you have to go? 

As soon as you were inside and locked the door, you rested your head against it and broke down into uncontrollable sobs, covering your mouth to hide the sound. 

On the other side, you were sure you heard Vox saying something about warning Valentino one too many times then a guttural scream before complete silence.

The following day, you hadn't come out of your room at all. 

Vox had attempted to check in on you a few times but each time he knocked on the door, you ignored him until he went away. 

He cursed himself for leaving you alone while that fucking dipshit Valentino had access to his penthouse. He should've known that the pimp would've tried something like this eventually - he never did like the word no and always took it as a challenge. Especially after how they'd left off their catch up that day and knowing Val's destructive, impulsive tantrums. 

He completely blamed himself for you being in danger. 

That night, your gut-wrenching scream haunted him every time he tried to shut down his screen. He'd never been so scared before than when he'd heard it through the TV over the music. 

The next morning, he'd gotten out of bed with not so much as a wink of sleep and planned to make you some breakfast despite his somewhat horrendous, even hazardous at the worst of times, cooking skills. He hadn't seen you come out of your room even once to eat yesterday and even though you couldn't double die from malnourishment, he didn't want you to have to respawn for his mistakes and go through any more pain. 

However as soon as he stepped out of his room, he seen you already at your station with not a hair out of place. 

You were currently cracking some eggs in a pan, looking as unbothered as any other morning. 

It was... Disturbing, to say the least. 

"Umm... Morning, Evee." Vox said with an air of caution as he slowly approached the breakfast bar. 

"Morning, Vox. How would you like your eggs?" You asked as curtly as you had the past few days. 

"Are you okay?" He asked, unable to follow along with the roleplay.

"Yes, just fine, thank you. Now, eggs?" 

"...It's alright if you wanna take some time off after what happened-"

"So scrambled then." You answered for him and starting sprinkling some seasoning along with more eggs.

Vox was perplexed, staring at you in disbelief. 

"Dollface, if this is just a way to cope with what Val did, I get it, but I'm right here if you wanna talk about it or need a shoulder to cry on or-"

Once again, you cut him off but this time, you levelled him with a hard stare. 

"Why would I talk about it to you?" You questioned bluntly.

Vox lowered his head in shame and shook his head in his own self-depreciation.

"I know, I-I'm so sorry, Evangeline." He croaked out after meeting your gaze head on, needing you to know it was sincere. "If I knew he- I never thought- I should've known- I-I-I-" He started to glitch out uncontrollably. 

The concern broke you out of your state of numbness and you paused your task to shake his head slightly. "Vox?"

You then banged the side of his head like you'd seen him do before and suddenly his screen was back to normal but his words started coming out like they were in two times the speed.

"I'm-such-a-piece-of-shit-sHiT-SHit-I-knew-what-Val-was-from-even-the-first-time-it-happened-to-me-but-I-loved-him-cause-he-was-the-only-one-there-for-me-down-here-and-without-him-and-velvette-I'd-be-alone-aloNe-AloNE-but-I-never-would've-kept-him-around-if-I-knew-you-could-get-hurt-I-got-cocky-of-my-own-control-over-him-and-I'm-sorry-It's-all-my-fault-I-don't-want-you-to-be-scared-I-don't-want-to-you-leave-I-want-to-help-"

You blinked slowly in bewilderment through his breakdown and cut him off by hitting the side of his head again to stop the malfunction of all these sped up words. 

"You use I a lot in an apology." You noted in response after a beat of silence where he was just staring at you in trepidation.

Vox opened his mouth to apologize again but closed it immediately upon reflecting on your words. He chose his next words carefully and tried not to use that word. "Me just so sorry and want to make it right."

You couldn't help but crack a smile at his blundering. 

You weren't used to apologies in general, and he did look genuinely remorseful about what happened. Besides, it wasn't like it was his fault for his business partner's behaviour and you supposed he was taken care of now. Still, you wouldn't be thanking Vox for saving you any time soon seeing as he wouldn't have had to if he just cut off the pervert when he'd first started displaying predatory behaviours, but perhaps... you could forgive him as compensation for his heroism. 

After all, it was sweet of him to still make this effort checking up on you after you'd hurt him so severely.

"Never," You grabbed a spatula and waved it threateningly at him which Vox gulped nervously at since he'd already seen what you could do with a spoon. "leave me alone with another man again or let them have access to my home when you are not here."

The pixels in his eyes flashed into hearts for a brief moment when you'd claimed this as your home. He knew it wasn't a big deal since you did live here but it was the first time he'd ever heard you call it as such. It just sounded so domestic, he couldn't help but enjoy hearing it. 

However he was quick to inwardly scold himself for this not being the right time to gush and focused on resetting the pixels.

"Done and done, dollface." He agreed firmly, nodding in affirmation. 

"Good. We're square then." You settled and waved for him to sit at his usual seat at the breakfast bar where he used to prattle on about his plans for the day while he watched you work. 

His beaming smile as he took your silent cue made you subconsciously smile too, albeit only lightly.

"Good cause after breakfast, we'll be the square root of sixty-nine." Vox quipped as he sat down on his regular stool. Your smile instantly fell and you shot him a withering look, expecting this to be the start of yet another dirty 'that's what she said' or 'title of our sex tape' jokes that you'd told him time and time again never made you laugh. "You know, we'll have eight something."

You were completely taken aback by his wordplay and burst out laughing, pleasantly surprised that he'd remembered you stating your fondness for this type of humour on your date. 

You looked over your shoulder, still chuckling lightly, to see him staring at you with his head tilted on one hand and the heart pixels now fully replacing both of his eyes. "I knew you'd be able to come up with a good joke eventually, dear. I don't know why you detest that kind so."

"Because puns are fucking stupid." 

"I think they're cracking." You commented as you purposely cracked a final egg into the pot before beginning to stir them all together. 

Vox groaned loudly in a good-natured manner. It was actually pleasant to have this rapport back between you both again. Surprisingly, for the rest of your cooking, Vox seemed to content to just sit in the comfortable silence and watch you work.

It was only when you served him his breakfast and drink before sitting beside him to dig into your own plate that he spoke up again.

"I really am sorry, Evee. And I meant what I said, I'm here for you whatever you need, whenever you want." 

You glanced over at him and considered his remorse. It was clear to you that the guilt was already starting to eat him up and perhaps he didn't want to lose this small step you had both taken with this bond. You sighed and tapped your fingers on the counter for a beat as you gathered your jumbled thoughts.

"I'll forgive you for this on the condition that you return the favour and forgive me for the little faux pas on our outing." You decided, feeling this was the fairest way to go forward. A fresh slate for you both. "I'd like us to go back to being... Well, one could say almost, friends." You looked anywhere that wasn't him, unable to possess his courage by apologizing for his wrongs head on.

Slow steps, you reminded yourself. 

"You have to actually say sorry for me to accept it, dollface." Vox pointed out damn near slyly.

"Oh come on!" You exclaimed as you turned back to him in shock, not expecting to have your plan thwarted.

He smirked and crossed his arms cockily. "Didn't think I'd clock that one, huh?"

Despite his playful attitude, you started to spiral inwardly in panic at the idea that you had to address your failed date. You damned yourself for even bringing it up in the first place but you did still yearn for a fresh start. However now, you had led yourself into a trap of having to talk about feelings that you couldn't even make sense of yourself so how the hell were you able to convey to him?

Your panic must have been evident on your face because Vox immediately dropped his smirk and reached out as if to hold you but pulled his hand away before he could make contact, as if he were dealing with a startled animal easy to spook. 

"Whoa, Evee, I was just teasing! You don't have to say sorry, I should've taken you somewhere better or stopped fucking talking so much or known you wouldn't like stupid dancing-"

"Stop!" He flinched at your outburst. "Vox, I didn't leave because of anything you did. The place was lovely, you were a perfect gentleman and how were you to know that I didn't like dancing when you met me outside of a place where most frequent to do such thing? The fault never lay in you."

"Then why did you leave?"

You stared ahead to the next wall for a few seconds and argued back and forth within your own mind. 

Just talk to him, what's the worst that can happen? He will see how broken you are and want nothing to do with you then you'll really have no one. But he seems like he likes you? He seems like someone who was abused instead of loved and is looking for anyone to fill that void. You're both lonely people that can find comfort in each other. You'll just hurt him in the end. You're too fucked up for him to handle. You wanted to go back to sleep and live in dream world where you had a family who made you happier than you knew was possible.

So lost in your own thoughts, you hadn't realised that you had completely closed yourself off while Vox was patiently awaiting an answer. Your shoulders hunched in that guarded way they often did when he pried about you, your eyes glazed over stoically and your face hardened like stone.

"You do this all the time!" He eventually snapped, forcing you out of your own mind. "Every time I ask you anything real, you shut down. I don't know if you even like me or just tolerate me because I'm your boss, because you're so hot and fucking cold! I want to be here for you, I wanna know you! Please, just let me in, dollface." He pleaded desperately. 

You frowned at the toll your behaviour was clearly taking on the poor man. It seemed that whether you let him in or kept him at arms distance, you were hurting him regardless. So with a weary sigh, you finally decided to take the leap.

"I'm scared." You answered simply.

"Of what? Of me?" He asked in concern.

"Love. I've never had it nor do I think it's for me." 

Vox furrowed his eyebrows in confusion but then he remembered you saying you were from the twenties and folk were pretty slut-shamey in that time, to the point that a pretty little woman like you would saddle down with one guy for the rest of her life no matter if they regretted it down the line - it was just terrible luck it was that prick, Alastor and even your death couldn't be an escape from him.

"But you've had friends right, swell gal like you?" He questioned knowingly. If that was the route he had to go down to get you to trust him then he was more than willing to put in the time. You both had eternity, after all. "So just treat me like you did with them."

However, Vox's heart stopped when he saw your face fall into a crestfallen expression, speaking volumes of your situation without you even having to utter a word. "Really? Your whole life?" 

You could only nod and awkwardly clear your throat as it wasn't exactly a pleasant thing to admit to. 

Suddenly, Vox understood you. No wonder you had been able to emphasize with his loneliness on such a deep level when you first met, or why you became a shell of a person without your memories of Alastor or anyone that was associated with him, or even why you were so guarded and cold towards him when he was just trying to be nice.

You thought you'd never had anyone in your life. 

"What about your parents?" He asked softly, looking at you in pity.

You gritted your teeth to stop yourself cursing at him with your patience thinning after every question he sent your way.

"One awful, one missing. Are you quite done with the interview shtick?" You asked in a stilted manner. 

"Thanks for opening up, Evee." He said sincerely, picking up that you had reached your limit for emotional vulnerability for today.

After a moment of hyping himself up to just do it, he reached across the counter and gently put his hand on top of yours slowly enough for you not to flinch and accept his touch willingly or pull away if you weren't ready. "I'm here for you, now. Whatever way you'll have me." 

You smiled in your own gratitude at his kindness and felt a lump forming in your throat from how overwhelming such a simple statement could be. 

You turned your hand in his so your palm was now against his and interlocked your fingers together. 

His screen flashed pink causing another brief laugh to escape from you.

You both ate your breakfast together in the same position with a feeling of new beginnings in the air.

That day, Vox had stayed home from work yet again just to keep you company - even when you were just reading quietly by the window or organizing the kitchen cupboards, boring tasks that anyone else would just leave you to it but he seemed content just being around you. It was comforting. 

You didn't feel the need to sleep through the day once because your reality was starting to look up. 

Chapter Text

For the rest of the week, Vox had stayed by your side the entire time, even going as far as to work from home despite having to maintain such a busy schedule. 

At first, you had been sure it was purely due to what happened with Valentino - especially since he kept on pestering you with questions to do with the matter and constantly checking in to see how you were doing no matter how many times you had assured him that you were fine. 

"Why don't you ever cry, Evee?" 

"What? Because I'm a woman, I should be bawling my eyes out every time something happens to me?"

"No! I mean, you've had a lot of traumatic shit happen and it isn't healthy to repress it so just cry like a feeling person and I'll help you through it! You'll feel better afterwards."

"I felt better five minutes ago before you started talking about this."

Somehow Vox couldn't wrap his head around how you bashed all these negative emotions down in a metaphorical box where you wouldn't have to address them. Perhaps he was right and it wasn't a healthy method of dealing with trauma but it was the only thing that kept you sane after a lifetime of misery, otherwise you would just completely succumb to it all and where would that leave you?

You were already dead. 

One time, he even went as far to suggest therapy - all expenses paid - but after you snapped, emotionally and quite literally with snapping his laptop in half, he quickly learned to drop the subject. 

Other than that, the close contact with the man had been pleasant and you were enjoying his company more with every passing day in the new routine you'd formed together. 

Vox was quite the doting little darling which had taken some time to get used to. For example, you couldn't so much as try to get yourself a glass of water without him immediately standing to attention with an eager grin and a fresh glass in his hand. The attention was incredibly sweet, though unnecessary. 

More often than not, you had to ask - demand - for him to give you some alone time. 

Whether it be in the mornings having breakfast together when you were always most withdrawn as the all-too-vivid dreams of a mystery man and loving family would still be plaguing your mind, through the day when all you wanted was a quiet read of one of your books without him yelling at underpaid and overworked employees in the background on the phone or at night when you were having a drink on the balcony, looking up at the moon and absentmindedly playing with your necklace - Vox still always complied.

Though he did whine about it like a small child. 

His mannerisms were slowly but surely becoming endearing to you, including his co-dependency. 

Because of that, and his everlasting patience with your reclusiveness, you decided to do something nice for him in return. 

You'd started by sending him out on an errand collecting more groceries for the house before starting on a spread of homemade pizza, burgers and chocolate chip cookies. In between cooking, you collected damn near every blanket and pillow you could find in the penthouse to place in the living room along with a few candles before nearly electrocuting yourself by trying to set up the annoying LED lights Vox enjoyed around the TV. Finally, you closed all the blinds in the windows and changed into your pyjamas before taking the food out of the oven and lay out the spread as well as a few beer bottles beside the assortment of comforts on and around the sofa. 

Ultimately, what you ended up with was a cosy set-up fit for lounging around all night together, similar to something you'd dreamed about.

As soon as he'd come home with the bags, Vox stopped abruptly at the doorway and looked at the living room in awe. Before he could even ask, you had already approached him with a timid smile. 

"Surprise." You offered weakly.

"What's all this?" Vox asked in confusion though he couldn't stop the smile already creeping on his face at the thought of you playing housewife, making something akin to a nest for them.

"I had a dream last night about this little set-up and figured we could try it, as my way of thanking you for being so patient with me as of late." You explained quietly before taking the bags from him and heading to the kitchen to put them away as a reprieve from the vulnerability in such a confession. "And who knows? If you enjoy it, we can maybe make this a weekly thing and call it 'Movie Nights'." 

Vox was staring at you slack-jawed, unmoved from his position, before shaking himself out of his stupor. He wasn't used to seeing you so demure let alone actually offering to spend more time with him so this was pretty much a head-fuck. However he quickly recovered and scurried up to to the kitchen to help you put away the groceries. 

"Sounds perfect, dollface." He finally croaked out, looking at you with the dopiest smile you'd ever seen.  

You returned it with a brief, soft smile of your own before waving your hand to dismiss him. 

"I can handle these, go change into more comfortable attire. Don't dilly dally now." 

Following your orders, Vox took no time at all to change into his own pyjamas and it wasn't long before you were both settled next to one and other on the sofa, wrapped up in a cocoon of blankets and lit with only the ambient glow of the candles and TV while the first movie started to play. 

"Princess and the Frog?" Vox questioned with a smirk when he spotted the title in the corner of the screen as he took a swig of his beer. "Didn't take you for a Disney gal, Evee." He commented teasingly before putting the bottle down on the side table and leaning back in the cushions, showing no protest of the choice whatsoever. 

"You wanted to see me crying, correct?" You asked somewhat haughtily, raising your eyebrows. You didn't appreciate being the butt of a joke when you were allowing him past yet another one of your emotional walls you'd carefully constructed over all these decades. "This is the only film feature that makes me cry." 

"Seriously?" Vox questioned in disbelief. 

"Yes." You answered through gritted teeth, clutching the blankets closer to you almost as a shield. "Every time the little Bayou bug dies and is reunited with his true love in the sky."

Vox remained quiet for the next little bit, allowing the opening sequence to play without further interruption. Just when you'd began to settle, he'd spoke up again albeit with more tact this time. 

"Is that why you called yourself Evangeline?" He asked grimly, looking over at you with a searching gaze.

You raised your eyebrow at him. "Of course not, this was produced nearly three quarters of a century after I died." 

"Why did you choose that name then?" 

His question halted you in your tracks and you felt a cold chill go over your body. You were already quite burnt out with all of the opening up lately you were doing for this man and as much as some of it was freeing to finally let off your chest, it was emotionally exhausting. You still had a little voice at the back of your mind constantly telling you that you were being weak and foolish to let him know you this profoundly when he could use it against you or hurt you or-

"Hey hey, don't worry about it, gorgeous!" Vox hurried to assure you when your face must have showed your distress, scooching closer to you on the sofa and putting one arm along the back of it like he was surrounding you in comfort but not actually touching you. "It doesn't matter anyways, I was just curious - it's a pretty name regardless, trust me!"

The gesture was a reminder of how considerate this man truly was with you as well as your boundaries and it warmed your heart. 

"Promise me to never bring up this subject matter again." 

"Of course! I promise, dollface." He jumped at the chance to agree, leaning closer to you as if to hear better. 

It still baffled you that he deemed you interesting enough to warrant this kind of reaction.

"I wanted to name my daughter it, if I ever had one. It translates roughly into 'good news' and that..." Your voice cracked due to the lump that suddenly appeared in your throat at the very topic of this conversation. "That would've been the best news."

Vox looked down at you in sympathy for only a beat before slowly moving his arm, that was behind you, around your shoulders as if testing the waters. 

You leaned into the contact, grateful for it in this moment. 

"Thanks for telling me, Evee." He whispered sincerely, pulling you a smidge closer to him and inwardly cheering when you followed along and rested along his side.

"May I ask what your name was before death?" You asked quickly, ready to be done with being in the hot seat for now. Though you couldn't deny, the comforting touch felt nice. Usually, you never allowed others to touch you so you'd forgotten how warm such contact could feel. 

"My last name was actually Vox topside." 

You turned your head to face him in surprise, despite the close proximity to his. After all, It wasn't often that a sinner stuck to their original name down here in a world where their life before served nothing but a cruel reminder of why they were exiled to literal Hell in the first place. 

"Really now?"

"Yep. Theodore Vox, streaming now on a platform near you." He quipped dryly before changing his screen to flash a video of him doing a performative tap dance causing you to burst out laughing at his silliness. 

"Wait a second... Your initials are T.V?" You asked through the giggles that you couldn't stifle for the life of you.

His screen flashed back to his face just in time for you to catch his good-natured eye roll. "Yeah, yeah, yuck it up, dollface. What can I say? I was born for the limelight."

In that moment, his confidence and theatrics reminded you of the man in your dreams and it caused a spark of attraction for him that you'd never quite felt before.

"I think Teddy suits you quite well." You remarked sincerely before proving your own point and cosying up closer to the man, resting your head on his shoulder and draping one of your arms across his waist. 

You couldn't see his screen glitching the pink shades it often did whenever you allowed him such privileges but knew it to be true on account of the whirling sounds of his fans inside his monitor increasing and a few outburst of static feedback noises. You could also hear his heartbeats speeding up erratically and maybe, just maybe, yours followed suit. 

Eventually he'd settled down enough to breathe regularly and went as far as to tighten his grip on you, even boldly bringing his other arm around you to run his hand through your hair whilst you both stared ahead to the movie playing before you. 

All and all, movie night had been a success.

It wasn't long before you and Vox were practically inseparable. 

Ever since you'd lowered your walls and let him in, you could finally allow yourself to fully enjoy his company as well as the many quirks that came with it. 

For instance, whenever you played poker with him at night, he without a doubt always showed himself as a sore loser when he would throw a hissy fit and accuse you of stacking the deck. You always laughed it off but you could never answer how you'd gotten so good at the card game. You'd never gambled in life and definitely not with the likes down here so perhaps it was just a natural talent. 

You think you'd dreamed about a card shark teaching you some tricks...

However, he seemed to enjoy chess a good amount and it wasn't long before it became part of your daily routine to play a game or two during the day while idly speaking about anything and everything that came to mind. 

You'd found out about his neglectful mother and how she stemmed a need for him to please and perform for anyone who would give him the time of day during one of those games and you had to make a mental note to stop brushing him off so curtly whenever you had an oncoming headache or were too busy to indulge his many tangents. 

He'd also made the mistake of showing you some very old segments of game shows that he'd hosted when he first came down to Hell in an attempt to pick up right where he'd dropped off in life. For some reason, he was embarrassed of that time but you thought his silly banter with the guests and interesting trivia that he'd drop after every answer was far more charming than his crude talk shows where he spoke down on other Overlords and celebrity figures. 

Ever since you saw the first episode, you continued to put them on and actively shouted out any answers you could think of. Even though Vox acted put out, he always participated and tried to playfully one-up you.

Velvette also still came to the penthouse frequently. Either when she needed help with PR after getting cancelled for whatever latest offensive statements she'd made, or she'd had a new business venture that she wanted money and advertisement for or simply to demand the TV Demon's time to listen to her latest dating woes or drama with fellow influencers.

You always gave them both a wide berth any time she came as you still actively disliked the rude, little cretin but for whatever reason, Vox adored her. 

Today happened to be a Velvette day and you were currently outside on the balcony having a cigarette, inwardly fizzing that the Social Media bitch had already taken up two hours of your day with Vox with an idea of new advertisement for some collaboration or the other between them. Honestly, you tuned out whenever Overlord talk was being brought up. 

"Hey, dollface." Vox greeted as he stepped outside beside you with his own cigarette already between his fingers.

Leaning against the side of the railing next to you, he put the filter between his lips and sparked his smoke alight with his thumb and taking a deep, relaxed breath before gracing you with a pleasant smile.

You couldn't deny how much your mood improved with his attention back on you again. 

"Hello, dear. Is that your meeting all done with Velvette?" You asked, trying to contain your joy at the prospect.

"Sure is. She gained new territory in the Gluttony ring so we're gonna be out all day filming there tomorrow to advertise more security systems before the big day. Sinners are gonna be scrambling to get them off the shelves right now so business is gonna be-"

"Did you say you were going out all day tomorrow with her?" You butted in curtly, unable to follow good manners and allow him to finish yet another long-winded tangent about his need for more fame and income while leaving out very key information such as leaving you alone for an entire day in favour of another woman's company.

"Uh, yeah?" He answered with no small amount of hesitance.

"She hasn't monopolized enough of your time already?" You questioned bitingly whilst smoke started to unknowingly emit from the top of your head as your temper simmered beneath the surface. "And why must you profit off fear mongering? Furthermore, you're already rich, aren't you? So explain the need to wrangle even more money from the desperate while you go gallivanting around Hell with that little bitch!"

By the end of your interrogation, you realised you were yelling and had to take a step back from him in order to create distance so you didn't pounce on him then and there. You didn't know why you felt this irrational irritation at the thought of Vox being away from you. It wasn't like you cared before when he was consistently out of the house for work or even when he went out with Velvette before - or Valentino, for that matter, and that was his goddamn ex lover!

Perhaps it was due to, this was the first time in your entire life - or death - that you'd grown attached to someone. You cared for him on a level that no other had managed to reach and the feeling was addicting. Therefore, you would cling onto it with tooth and nail before you let anyone come and steal it away from you. 

Vox was staring at you with wide-eyed perplexity, his cigarette hanging out of his open mouth in shock from your outburst. 

"...Where the fuck's all this coming from?" He finally managed to squeak out.

Your lips thinned at his question and you had to scramble to come up with an excuse, quickly. You didn't want to fight with him but you also still didn't want him to go out with Velvette nor did you want to openly admit that to him and look weak so you were kind of fucked here. 

You raised the remainder of your cigarette to your mouth and practically inhaled more than half of it in one in draw while your mind worked overtime trying to come up with something.

"I was simply hoping to ask you if you would care to venture on an outing with me on the morrow?" You blurted out in the same breath you'd exhaled, accidentally covering you both in a cloud of smoke, before tossing the filter over the side in attempt to feign casualness.

Vox frantically waved his hand to clear the air so he could see you again and be sure that what he was seeing with his own eyes was correct. This was the first time since meeting you all those weeks ago that he'd ever seen you nervous. He still didn't know what the fuck had changed so drastically for you to go from being your usual self this morning to... this, in the span of two measly hours. 

"Ask me if I want to what on the what now?" He asked in sheer confusion with a look of concern as he snubbed his own smoke and stepped closer to you as if he thought you were ready to pass out right there. Tentatively, he raised his hand to your forehead to check your temperature. "Are you feeling okay, Evee?" 

"Would you like to go on a date with me tomorrow, you buffoon!" You snapped in exasperation. 

Vox's hand accidentally let out a bolt of electricity causing you to swiftly pull your head back at the light shock from the impact. His screen was doing no better with his pixels flashing an array of different colours, representing his mind overworking with a million different thoughts all at once. Sparks were emitting from the back of his head while he tried to stabilize himself. 

"I-uh- you? DaTE?" 

You raised your thumb nail to your mouth to nervously chew on and only then considered that perhaps you'd left him waiting too long for courtship and he was quite content with just staying friends. Frankly, you also loved the bond between you both as it was but clearly that wasn't enough to divert his attentions away from anyone else who also wanted it. 

"I was thinking we could go to the fair before it closes down for all the 'end of days' riot parties and whatnot." You suggested quickly, completely pulling the idea out of your ass so last minute. 

Once Vox's screen eventually managed to return to normal, he shot you an incredulous look as if he couldn't quite believe you were having this conversation. "What, like, go on rollercoasters and shit?" 

"Don't worry, you may hold my hand if you get scared." You quipped in an attempt to bring back the light-hearted teasing that often fell in between your conversations. 

Apparently it had done the trick to convince Vox that you were in your right state of mind and his lips stretched into the dopiest, most lovesick smile you'd ever seen in your life.

"You're on, gorgeous."

True to your word, you did hold Vox's hand on every rollercoaster during your date. 

For such a last second idea, the carnival had turned out to be a lovely trip out. There was no anticipation or tension on the lead up like the last date and because you'd already been getting to know one and other over these few weeks, there was no awkwardness. 

With every ride you had went on together, Vox had screamed his head off and clung onto you like a new-born koala while you couldn't contain your laughter each time at both his reactions and the adrenaline of flying through the air. He admitted after the first one that he hated the feeling of being out of control of his surroundings however when you suggested leaving out the rollercoasters, he'd waved you off and dragged you into line for the next time.

You had a feeling it had to do with the intimacy during the rides but kept that little pondering to yourself with a knowing smile as you continued to hold his hand even in the lines. 

Though, you hadn't realised that each rollercoaster took photographs nowadays during them which had blown your mind when Vox had practically dragged you to each and every booth to buy a multitude of pictures and trinkets with both of your faces on them once you were done. You thought it was quite adorable and looking through them together was a chuckle a minute. 

You may have also purchased a small photograph for your purse, where you had both been at the top of the highest ride in the fair about to drop down. He was looking at you like you hung the sun in sky while you had your arms wrapped around him and had been complimenting his bravery at the time. 

He almost threw up after the drop in that one. 

As much fun as the rides were, Vox had really come into his own when you both reached the many stalls of games. Never one to resist showing off, he ushered you to the sodapop ring toss game and swiftly beat it on his first try, making the stall to light up with his victory. He then proceeded to lecture you about the importance of physics and aerodynamics when you'd missed almost all of the bottles on your turn. 

"You do realize you could've used this an opportunity to get behind me and show me how to do it?" You teased after his lecture if only to get his screen to turn pink.

"...No, I didn't realize. You wanna have another turn?" He asked a tad too eagerly causing you to burst out laughing.

Wiping away a tear from your eye, you rested your hand on his shoulder and gave him a warm smile. "No, I rather like you acting like a know-it-all instead."

"Hey, I don't just excel in nerd shit, dollface! Come on, let's try this one!" He excitedly took your hand again and led you to the strongman game. Once there, he picked up the hammer and handed it to you with a smug flair. "Ladies first."

"What a gentleman." You commented sarcastically with a playful smile as you took the hammer before taking your stance. 

When you'd brought it down to the lever, you managed to get the bar up to a respectable size for a lady of your stature but you knew this was simply a ploy for Vox to impress you when he, of course, would reach a higher number with his strength. 

When it was his time to go, he practically peacocked up to the podium and took the hammer with a little wink, forcing you to bit your lip in order to stifle your laughter again. 

Watching his theatrics and pride now reminded you so much of your dream that you even started to question if it was him. 

He'd broken you out of your thoughts before you could get too lost in them by slamming the hammer down and managing to ring the bell at the very top.

"Wow, that was incredible!" You gasped.

While you had been fully expecting him to beat your measly score, you hadn't realised that he was carrying around that sort of strength so if his plan was to impress you, then it certainly worked a treat.

"Yeah it fucking was! Who's your daddy, dollface?!" He boasted in his exhilaration, dropping the hammer abruptly and thrusting his hips in your direction.

Once again, you could not hold back your laughter at his display despite how confused you were by his question. "I don't know, I never knew my father." You answered obliviously through your giggles, inadvertently making Vox join in with your laughter.

"It's just a saying, Evee." He clarified with a chuckle as he stepped down and threw his arm around your shoulders, leading you elsewhere in the fair. "It means I totally owned your ass right there." 

You let out a final huff of amusement and playfully rolled your eyes. "In your dreams, perhaps." You nudged his side with your elbow but made no move to remove his arm from you. "But I suppose you may colour me impressed."

Vox glanced down at you with a bright smile and you found yourself admiring how adorable it was. 

For the rest of the date, you'd managed to hit a few stalls for games such as balloon darts, basketball, penny toss and it felt like you both were just laughing the entire time. Come to think of it, you couldn't remember the last time you'd laughed so much. When you shared the idea with Vox, he even agreed as much for himself too. 

When you both went to the busy food trucks to grab some grub, Vox had been spotted by more than a few of his fans. You'd indulgingly stepped aside each time he was approached for pictures and autographs, quite content to allow him to enjoy his time in the spotlight. Sometimes it was easy for you to forget that he was some big time celebrity but seeing him in his element with his showtime persona switched on like a light was fascinating. 

However, when two breathtakingly-stunning, female succubus demons had him practically squashed between their breasts on either side of him while they took increasingly more promiscuous 'selfies', you didn't hesitate to butt in on their fun and forcefully drag him away from the fans. 

"You were totally jealous." He remarked smugly when you were both seated with your assortment of fairground snacks and recounting the events. 

"Pfft, no." You scoffed at the very suggestion. "I just think it's uncouth for two young women to be walking around putting their massive tits on strangers for views and attention." 

Though your words couldn't have sounded more put together, the way you were burning holes in the napkin you were currently running through your fingers was more of an indication of the rage bubbling on the inside. 

"You shouldn't be jealous, Evee." Vox assured with a smirk, completely ignoring your response. You shot him a deadpan look with your eyes sparking aflame briefly to warn him from using that word again. "The only tits I would want against me are yours and I don't care if they're small, trust me! I'm used to fucking guys anyway."

His statement should have offended you but you couldn't help but be charmed due to how earnestly he'd said the worst pick-up line you'd ever heard in your entire existence. Sometimes you wondered how Vox had been stuck in such a soul-destroying relationship with Valentino for so many decades but after seeing how awful he was at flirting, it suddenly made sense of why he was afraid to try again with dating again. He really was a fucking dork underneath that carefully crafted, smooth persona that he'd created for the camera.

"Was that supposed to make me feel better?"

"Yeah, did it work?" He asked uncertainly, tensing beside you as if expecting to be struck.

"A little. Don't be crude though, it's unbecoming." You admonished with a hidden smile. "You could perhaps try the tactic of commenting on anything other than my breasts. That's twice now you've done it, one on each date."

Apparently your teasing tone had went unnoticed because Vox immediately switched up into panic mode and began to nervously babble, "Shit, sorry, dollface. I haven't been on one of these in a really long time-" 

You ceased his tangent before it could even begin by moving your hand across the table to rest gently on top of his.

"I never said I minded, Teddy." You assured softly, smiling wider as his screen flashed a faint pink before returning to normal. "I already think you're pretty swell just being who you are. You don't have to be so nervous."

"Thanks, gorgeous." He said sincerely and held your hand firmly, stroking his thumb against your knuckles. "Same goes to you so you don't have to be jealous when fans-"

"I wasn't fucking jealous!" You exclaimed as you abruptly snatched your hand away to angrily chew on your forgotten half-eaten hotdog whilst he buckled over in two laughing at your reaction. 

After you were both fed and watered, you went back to a few more games before going on the Ferris Wheel just in time for the sunset. The view was absolutely beautiful but when you'd turned to comment that to your date, his attention was solely focused on you. The intensity in his gaze was profound and you weren't quite sure how to deal with it. 

So, like a coward, you pretended not to notice his look of unfiltered yearning and simply went back to sightseeing - though you did, eventually, tuck your head under his chin to allow him to snuggle into you just like on movie nights. 

It was rather romantic but thankfully, he never saw the blush forming on your cheeks. 

Once the ride was finished, the sun had completely set and the fairground was alight with all their artificial lights which left a lovely glow, though you were both too spent to stay much longer and stated as such. 

However, just when you were heading out to grab a cab and head back home with your many bags of goodies, snacks, photos and trinkets, Vox spotted one final stall with massive, cuddly prizes hanging off it to be won. 

"Come on, dollface! Haven't you ever seen any movie ever? I gotta win you a prize, it's basically tradition!" 

You'd grumbled about your feet hurting but ultimately agreed due to his enthusiasm and dutifully went with him to the last stall, Duck Gallery. It was a shooting game where the targets would all move at rapid speed and the player only got so long on a timer to try and shoot them all down before the klaxon went off. 

Like with the other games, Vox sauntered up to the bored-looking employee with a cocky air about him and paid for a turn. When he was handed the rifle, he shot you a smug grin and wink over his shoulder before assuming his stance and closing one eye to focus on his targets. As soon as the buzzer went off for him to begin and the ducks started zipping around, he calmly pulled the trigger. 

And almost fell flat on his ass from the recoil of the gun. 

You had to cover your mouth with your hand to stifle the laughter, not wanting to wound his ego further. 

He shakily recovered and shot wildly at any and all targets but it wasn't long before the klaxon noise sounded and the game was over. Vox announced loudly that he had just been practicing that time and paid for another go, shaking his nerves away before assuming the stance again. His legs got wider and wider apart as if trying to stop the force of the kickback, like that was the only reason he was losing. 

On his second go, he never managed to hit a target. Or his third. Or his seventh. 

You had no idea that Vox was such a terrible shot but you couldn't deny how amusing it was for you to watch him becoming increasingly frustrated with each pitiful attempt. 

After his tenth attempt, he had the gun pointed at the poor employee when the underpaid carny suggested for him to just give up and buy one of the plushies online for cheaper than what he was spending.

"I'm a fucking millionaire, pal, I can be here doing this all night!" Vox snapped at the employee who never dropped his look of boredom even with a gun trained on his face as this likely wasn't the first time it had happened. With his free hand, he reached into his suit jacket and snatched out a wad of bills before throwing them on the counter. "Line it up!" 

"Hold on," You stepped in to forcefully lower the gun away from the worker and gave Vox a placating smile. "Dear, you cannot be good at everything but you still made a valiant effort. Let's just go home - I really don't care for cuddly things anyhow, tradition or not."

"No, I'm not leaving here till I won something." Vox whined, looking every bit like a petulant brat as he stomped his foot. 

You snorted in amusement at his childishness. 

Such a sore loser, you thought fondly as your shook your head.

"Very well. Take these," You took the gun from his hands to put on the counter before handing him over the bags. "As well as this," You grabbed his wallet and put it back in his jacket pocket for him before getting a bill from your purse and handing it over to the worker. 

You then perched against the edge of the counter with your legs crossed in your typical ladylike fashion to give your feet some much-needed rest and twisted around at the waist to face the game before picking up the rifle in a relaxed manner.

"Be careful, dollface. It fucking bounces back." Vox warned, glaring at the gun in frustration as if that was the sole reason for him being dogshit at shooting.

You smiled in amusement and cocked the rifle. 

"When you're ready, my good man." You told the worker diplomatically who, with a weary sigh, pressed the button to start the game. 

As soon as the buzzer sounded and the little duck figures shot off in different directions, you made quick work mowing down each and every one. Shot after shot, each figure was blasted down until one small duck was left darting around in the far background. With your last shot, milliseconds before the klaxon was set to go off, you managed to hit the slippery little bastard in the head. 

Bells went off and the entire stall light up with a golden glow of flashing lights with an electronic voice announcing 'WINNER' over and over again. 

You delicately handed the rifle back to the worker and hopped off the counter, dusting off your skirts as you did. When asked to claim your prize, you chose the large, blue teddy-bear and thanked the worker kindly before turning back to your date.

Vox's jaw had practically been swinging open during the entire display with sparks flying from the back of his head as his processors tried to keep up with such an unexpected turn of events. 

"H-How'd you learn to sh-shoot like that?" He asked through stuttered breaths, blinking repeatedly in his shock.

"You don't grow up in the deep south without knowing a thing or two about how to handle a gun." You explained with a shrug. You then held out the giant plushie to him with a large grin. "Here you go, dear. A teddy bear for my Teddy." 

All of a sudden, a screech of static was all that could be heard and the power of the nearest surrounding stalls instantly cut out from the surge of electricity. You jumped in surprise and lowered the bear in apprehension, looking at him in concern. You weren't trying to overwhelm him, you just thought he really wanted a stupid prize. 

"You're something else, Evee." He muttered in reverence, easing your worries that you'd upset him at the end of a pretty perfect date.

His choice of words also reminded you of a little something he'd taught you.

"Oh yes, I almost forgot." You stepped even closer to him so that there wasn't much distance between you both and tilted his screen down to your smirking face. "Who's your mommy?" 

You thought that he would've at least laughed at the inside joke but you didn't expect him to entirely fucking shut down. 

Vox completely bluescreened, dropping the bags and slumping down like his soul had just left his body. 

You dropped the bear to hold his shoulders steady for fear that he would've just collapsed altogether.

"Theodore?" You questioned in concern. Usually, he only malfunctioned for a moment or two but it seemed like he was completely frozen. "Are you alright? Should I call someone?"

Before you could grow too panicked, you saw a message flash on his screen apologizing for having technical difficulties'.

You breathed a sigh of relief and smiled softly at his silly message. 

For a moment, you bit your lip in thought before swallowing your fear and leaning up to kiss his screen. 

At first, you just felt solid glass against your lips and planned to just leave it at a peck but apparently Vox managed to reset back to his face and glass was replaced by the feeling of his smooth lips against yours. 

You wrapped your arms around his neck and tilted your head, relaxing into the kiss, as he followed suit and moved his arms around your waist to pull you flush against him as he took control of your mouth like a man stranded in the desert presented with a glass of water. 

It may have been your first kiss, but it was damn sure the best you'd ever had.

Chapter Text

"With all due respect, which is none, why the fuck did Charlie trust you to train us for battle and not me?" Vaggie snarked in his direction as she walked beside Alastor through the hotel to head for their first training session. 

Alastor simply smirked in response at the smaller woman's insolence. He was always so amused with her brash attitude and lack of tact when it came to matters she thought herself morally superior in and never could resist riling her up further for the entertainment of it all. In a lot of ways, she reminded him of his beloved and it was easy for him to see why you'd gotten so attached to her so quickly. 

For a brief moment, he considered fibbing about their dear princess's motives, if only to see Vaggie crumble during training after implying herself to be better at fighting than him. After all, her and Charlie were still going through a rough patch after Vaggie's lies had come to the surface - he'd unfortunately had to listen about it in great detail whilst the princess tended to his bedbound state for the past few weeks. Though it all sounded quite tedious to him, he still listened to the blonde's passionate ranting with a patient smile. 

Apparently, their relationship was not all sunshine and rainbows as they portrayed to onlookers. Vaggie's distrusting attitude was often a point of contention, stemming back to the very beginning of the Hotel's conception where she didn't believe that sinners could achieve rehabilitation or redemption - wise girl, really. That, added with her keeping it a secret about the situation with you which led to your leaving, was a ticking timebomb ready to explode. 

Charlie discovering Vaggie was an ex-exterminator in her meeting with the council of Angels was the straw that broke the camel's back. 

"In truth, it was I who insisted to train the likes of you all to ensure our victory in battle." He answered honestly as he held a door open for her before resuming to walk with his hands behind his back like a man without a care in the world, hiding his ever lingering pain from his injuries with a large smile. "As much fun as it would've been to see you using this as an opportunity to take out all of that aggression in that tiny physique on your so-called friends, we don't have much time to dawdle." 

"Why do you even care, Alastor?" Vaggie retorted with a sneer, stopping in front of him in agitation with her arms crossed. "It's not like you actually like any of us. What's stopping you from playing the hero to look good in the news stories then just leaving us to die if it came down to it?" 

"One would think that after a year of cohabiting, you would've became less skittish around me." Alastor mused joviality as he hopped slightly on his feet in place. "Word of the wise, Vagatha, don't assume my intentions or any inclinations of care towards any of you. You know what they say about assuming, my dear? It makes ass out of you and me." 

"Fuck you. You've been threatening me almost this entire time to hide your bullshit from Eva, so why the fuck would I think any different?"

"I didn't threaten you. I merely made you an offer; if you were to expose my meddling in gaining my dear heart's affections again then I would pay that favour in return by airing out your part in it to Charlie." He reminded flippantly despite his smile cracking for a split second at the mention of his wife. 

It was still a sore subject for him to even think of you, a pain that even his still healing wounds couldn't compare to. 

Of course, the day he'd awoken from his comatose state - after Charlie had left him to rest - he'd ordered Niffty to fetch his cane and like the sweet, loyal woman she was, she provided. However, what he hadn't been expecting was that his shadows could not reach the entire perimeter of Vox's fortress. 

His next step was to call in a favour from one of his lackeys indebted to him to 'check in' on his beloved yet it was a favour wasted because even they could not gain entry inside despite being a world infamous cat burglar in life, able to break inside even the most maximum security buildings.

The harrowing thing was, Alastor knew how soul contracts worked. 

When you'd sold your soul, you'd also sold a piece of his which Vox was all to eager to exploit. It meant that no one and nothing that was associated with him, including his powers, could penetrate the pompous piece of plastic's property. 

The realisation that he could not keep tabs on you for the first time in over a century was devastating. 

While he knew your view on what you perceived to be 'spying', it always settled him to be able to watch you for your own safety. Even when he'd been biding his time patiently for those hundred years, waiting for you to get over your justified grudge, he never had to worry about your wellbeing because his shadow constantly followed you out of eye sight. He couldn't count the amount of times he'd 'taken care' of unruly or nefarious demons that followed you home from work, tried to break into your restaurant for the purposes of robbery or begrudged employees ready to revolt as revenge for being fired - all without your knowledge!

It went without saying that Hell was a dangerous place and while you exercised a sensible air of caution to it on a daily basis, you would never know the true horrors it could really have because he'd done his best to shield you from worst in the shadows. 

One could say it was due to his guilt from being the sole reason you were down here in the first place but he could never feel bad enough to regret it. 

Because he needed you like humans needed oxygen, and now he was being suffocated because of his own carelessness.

"Perhaps you should've taken me up in that offer. After all, hiding things didn't quite help with your case with Evangeline or your darling belle, isn't that right?" He pointed out, unable to hide his rueful tone even through his mask of indifference. 

Vaggie narrowed her eyes in a way that told him she could see clearly through his deflection tactic, attempting to both shift blame solely onto her as well as change the subject. 

Still, he twirled his microphone absentmindedly and smiled back at her, awaiting her answer.

"I can make things right." She eventually gritted out and stormed ahead to the converted ballroom that they were using for their sessions.

Alastor hummed in intrigue but allowed Vaggie an easy escape. 

Maybe it wouldn't be the worst idea to watch how she navogated out of Charlie's bad books for the time being. After all, she reminded him very much of you with her quick temper and harsh exterior so it only made sense for him to take notes on how to potentially go about earning forgiveness from his own belle. 

It wasn't like he regretted ruining another relationship besides his own and longed to see it blossom again so he could have hope for his own as well as breathe a sigh of relief knowing that everything he associated with didn't crash and burn in complete disaster. 

Nope, nothing of the sort. 

"Ah! Some new faces!" Alastor announced cheerfully when he'd entered the training grounds to see a scantily dressed cyclops beside Angel. "You're the one frequently blasting a hole in our wall." He noted in amusement. 

"Aye mate, always been one to crash a party." Cherri Bomb smirked proudly, not fazed in the slightest by being called out so directly by the powerful Overlord where most would cower. "Heard yous were planning to fuck up some Angels and I couldn't let this little cunt have all the fun." She explained, pulling Angel down into a headlock and playfully giving him a noogie while he giggled in delight before he shoved her off haphazrardly.

"Lovely! The more, the merrier." Alastor grinned widely before turning to the snake man currently beside her, watching the tall cyclops with what could only be described as unabashed longing. "And you are?"

His question threw the snake demon completely off kilter and he sputtered out, "Sss-Sir Pentiousss... We've battled many timesss." He answered with a sudden crestfallen expression.

Alastor hummed and made a show of trying to recall any interactions with the man.

"I alssso blasssted a hole in the wall on the grand opening of thisss fine essstablissshment." He offered helpfully with an eager grin, clearly trying to impress the Radio Demon with the same stunt as Cherri. 

"Did you now?" Alastor asked with a manic smile as his eyes switched to radio dials threateningly, followed by a screech of radio feedback causing the snake to instantly cower and even dart behind Charlie for fear of being incinerated there and then.

"Okay, okay!" Charlie placatingly held her hands up which did the trick and got Alastor to flip back to his pleasant demeanour. "How about we just get started on this? I've actually got a ton of great ideas for conflict resolution that might help," She then proceeded to pull out a pile of drawn examples of her plans with all of them holding hands peacefully in a line with the Angels like some equality campaign. 

"Goddammit, kid, they're coming to erase us!" Husk snapped grumpily, swatting away her pictures while she pouted in dejection. "You're the fucking daughter of Lucifer, you have to have some serious mojo to kick some Angel ass for crying out loud!" 

"But violence is never the answer!" She argued pleadingly. 

"It is if the question is; do ya wanna get eviscerated by Angels or throw fuckin' hands?" Angel injected with a spaced out giggle. They all loved Charlie's goodness and kind-hearted nature as it was so rare to see down here but they didn't need sweetness for this battle, they needed ruthlessness. "Or, ya know, when a john don't wanna pay afta' gettin' the ride of his afterlife."

"Or when someone eats your food in the fridge that clearly has your name on it!" Niffty added, jumping up and down with her hand in the air. "That reminds me, you knew that was my fucking sandwich so die bitch!" She suddenly screamed and launched herself at Vaggie, clawing at the top of her head whilst the other woman quickly snatched her by the waist and held her at arms distance. 

"Fuck this, let's just get started!" Vaggie snapped and forcefully threw Niffty into the stadium that Alastor had magicked up in place of the ballroom. 

Alastor laughed wholeheartedly at how quickly their ragtag gang had already delved into utter chaos. 

Niffty instantly started darting around the intense obstacles he'd created in order to simulate a battle with powerful beings, jumping through fire rings, dodging knives shooting from every direction, flipping over black holes and running through swiftly swinging, heavy pendulums.

He leaned against his cane casually and gestured for the rest of the bunch to proceed with an amused smile. 

When they did, even he couldn't hold back the winch at how poorly they - bar Husker and Niffty - did. 

Watching them fight was a bigger shipwreck than the Titanic and while he thought it was hilarious to watch them fail so miserably, it made the dread that had been lying dormant in his system come to the surface in full force for this oncoming extermination. 

The reason for this exercise was so he could establish a baseline of their individual fighting skills, styles and abilities before he started giving out pointers on how to improve but it was becoming more apparent by the second that, even with a month of training, they would still need help. 

For starters, Vaggie kept getting distracted any time that Charlie was even close to being struck with anything and spent more time snatching her away from danger instead of guarding her own surroundings therefore leaving herself open to attack. 

"Watch out! Oop, not there." Vaggie muttered as she frantically moved Charlie out of the way of the pendulums and picking her up to throw her in the air to avoid the knives. As soon as she caught her in her arms, the blonde jumped out and excitedly ventured forward towards the fire. "Over here, honey!" She pushed her to the side to avoid the flames before quickly ducking down to avoid being sprayed with flames herself.

More on that matter, Charlie had already started to sing a painfully optimistic song about not giving up and working as a team whilst she danced around the stadium, only narrowly avoiding the obstacles and would've been severely injured if not for her protective partner. 

Cherri Bomb was doing quite well with the course and actually finished it with ease only to jump back in and add her explosions' into the mix when the thrill of adrenaline overtook her, laughing manically as the snake man screamed in terror and tried to slither away to safety after running into damn near every obstacle the stadium had to offer.

"Watch where you're fucking going, Legs!" Husk suddenly cried out when Angel tripped and almost fell into one of the black holes. His warning did little to prevent the obvious from happening and the spider was almost sucked into the pit of despair had he not flown down to catch him bridal style and fly him to safety.

Angel giggled and kicked his legs out happily while his bottom two arms curled around Husk's neck and his top set was used to stroke the cat's cheek and under his chin in the way that he knew him purr subconsciously. 

"Pretty kitty. So strong. My hero, always savin' me." He muttered in his ear flirtatiously with his words slurred almost to the point of incoherence. 

Husk glared down at the other man and saw Angel's pupils were dilated to the point that he could hardly see the beautiful pink of his iris's, even the bottom set of six eyes that masked as freckles. 

He knew Angel was still in the height of his self-sabotage, still determined to push all of them away and masking his feelings of guilt and pain with every drug imaginable, but he didn't think the kid would be stupid enough to put himself in genuine danger with his habit.

"Holy shit, are you muthafuckin' high during this?!" He snapped, growling angrily. Though the way he suddenly cradled him closer as if afraid to let him go and let himself get hurt told an entirely different story. 

"We can die togetha' like Romeo and Juliet." Angel whispered like a secret just for them as his head lulled onto Husk's shoulder, welcoming the comfort and warmth from the cat. 

Husk's expression in that moment could only be described as heartache. From where Angel's mental state was currently at and the fact that he couldn't help him no matter how hard he tried, to the spider's true thoughts of what he assumed would happen on the day of battle, to their failed relationship that they both still mourned. It was all just fucking painful and all Husk could do was cradle his ex-beau in fear of losing him again.

"We already got enough tragedy in our story, baby." He muttered sadly and allowed the spider to cling onto him while the chaos continued in the background. 

Eventually, Alastor was forced to step in and snap his fingers to return the ballroom back to it's original state. 

Only Sir Pentious was wounded but not too severely, and he didn't care a great deal anyway. 

More importantly, it was clear that this was getting them nowhere so he had to change tactics. 

Once the crew had slumped over to him, majority of them still rattled by the experience, he stood up straight with one hand behind his back and twirled his microphone as he walked around them all. 

"It seems that interpersonal relationships are prohibiting you all from focusing. If you are distracted in battle for even one second, you get sloppy. With sloppiness, comes death."

"And with sloppy toppy's, comes what the French call 'the little death'." Niffty butted in, just as seriously. 

"Yes, thank you, dear." Alastor deadpanned. "The point being, you all need to sort out your personal matters before you get us fucking killed."

The irony in Alastor, of all people, scolding others for letting personal drama effect their wellbeing as a team was not lost on anyone.

"See, this is exactly what I was talking about: Conflict resolution!" Charlie clapped her hands in excitement and started jumping up and down in the spot. "Now why don't we start by sharing our feelings?"

The others groaned in unison, bar Sir Pentious who looked ready to cry given the invitation, but the princess was not discouraged in the slightest. She shook like a chihuahua as she put them all in one of her sharing circles before pushing Vaggie and Angel in the middle of it.  

"Okay, you two first." She announced with a bright grin while Vaggie frowned back at her and Angel had his head tilted back, staring at the ceiling in awe as if he was looking at stars. "I know this has been a difficult couple of weeks for you both but I also know that you can get through this and become as close as you were before-... Well, let's just say 'the incident'. Vaggie, why don't you first?" 

Once Charlie said her peace, she eagerly took her own seat in the circle cross-legged with her hands tucked under her ankles, sitting beside Alastor's legs who was the only one still standing on account of his injuries that he always tried to grin through like no one else could tell he was still in immense pain. 

He leaned down and patted her on the top of the head almost proudly and her smile went from bright to beaming.

"He's high out of his fucking mind AGAIN, it's not like he's gonna remember any of this anyway." Vaggie pointed out with a huff, crossing her arms.

Angel blinked one eye at a time and slowly looked down at the tiny woman with an exaggerated amount of disgust. "Fuck you, shorty." He slurred. "Ya just hate me cause my tits are bigger- this is a bottom-on-bottom hate crime!"

Vaggie flushed red in the way she often did whenever the spider was being overtly sexual just to see her embarrassed. She couldn't help but think that if he'd said the exact same thing even a month and a half ago, it would've led to a teasing back and forth and maybe playful wrestling where they tried to get each other into headlocks. Now, it just punched her heart in the fucking ass. 

"Goddammit, straighten yourself out you piece of-!"

Angel cut her off with a loud gasp as he clutched his chest fluff in outrage like she'd just shot a slur at him.

"You're straight!"

Vaggie uncrossed her arms to clench her fingers in front of her, clearly imagining strangling him before walking out of the circle to look around the room, muttering to herself, "Where's one of those knives? I'm gonna stab him..."

"Psst, Al." Charlie whispered up to him. He bent down at the waist to hear her better as he hummed in acknowledgement. "You know, Eva was really good at putting a stop to arguments around here. Maybe you could... I dunno, try it out, maybe?"

He raised his eyebrow in disbelief. "Like make them fight to the death? I agree with survival of the fittest as much as the next demon but I'm afraid I've grown rather fond of-"

"No no!" Nothing like that! Just, y'know, do it like she did." 

"Hmm, if you insist, dear." 

Alastor then disappeared into his shadows and slithered away somewhere, confusing Charlie instantly. She thought that he would've tried to talk them down, make them address their feelings only to lead them to apologies and making up - just like you did. She hadn't realised how much she'd taken for granted having you around as a meditator for all of the melodramas that went on in the hotel but your strict tone matched with your loving affection was a perfect mix for keeping them all in check. 

Before she could get too sad, Alastor had returned with a lighter and a can of antiperspirant, immediately lighting it up so the flames were shooting out everywhere and started to chase the now screaming spider and fallen angel.

Everybody in the circle scattered like roaches and Charlie scrambled to catch up to the Radio Demon.

"NO, ALASTOR! NOT LIKE THAT!" 

"Give it to me straight, we got a chance in Hell at winning this?" Husk asked solemnly late into the night as he tended the bar, after having a quiet drink with Alastor with both of them too lost in their own thoughts for idle chatter.

Alastor chuckled, likely at the unintentional pun, and took another swig of his bourbon before answering, "I'd reckon about a million to one - though, as our woefully optimistic Princess would say, that's still a chance!" He announced merrily. Though, despite the mask he had on, Husk had known him too long to be able to see the worry that he was hiding. 

"I'd suggest," He continued with a matter-of-fact tone. "That, should there be anything you'd like to make amends with, you right your wrongs while you still can."

Husk instantly growled when the Radio Demon flickered his eyes towards the stairs where he'd carried Angel to bed after Al had ceased playing with fire and he didn't like the implication. 

"Speakin' from personal experience, Al?" He shot back before he could stop himself.

He was fully expecting backlash for bringing up the Radio Demon's own mistakes and wrongdoings, even as a subtle jab, but what he received instead absolutely floored him.

For a second, Alastor looked broken as he stared down into his glass like a lost soul.

Husk had known him for decades, fought many a battle with him side by side when he was contracted, so he'd seen Alastor at his absolute worst and most inhumane. He'd also seen him show mercy whenever women and children were brought into the mix. Truly, he thought he'd seen the Radio Demon in every manner there could be. 

But he'd never seen him like this.

"Most definitely." Alastor answered sincerely, followed by a weary sigh. In a flash, he had his mask of indifference back in place though his smile was tilting sadly. "Take it from a fool like me, Husker, don't waste an opportunity to ask for forgiveness before time runs out. You never quite know if goodbyes are even granted."

With that, he polished off the remainder of his drink and bid the cat demon adieu before disappearing in the shadows. 

As luck would have it, Angel was just then trudging downstairs wearing an oversized hoodie and looking haggard through his comedown as he had Fat Nuggets trotting beside him on a leash for his walk. 

He must have not long awoken up from his nap, indicated by him rubbing his eyes and yawning as he made his way towards the door. 

Husk was inwardly glad that the spider didn't so much as glance in his direction or he easily would've been able to clock the longing in his expression. Even with Angel looking so rundown, he still lit up the entire room just walking through it. His heart thudded heavily in his chest.

He quickly averted his eyes down to the half-empty beer bottle in his hand and considered just drowning his sorrows away in it for yet another night. 

Yet, Alastor's advice was still prominent in his mind.

Just when he heard the front doors opening, the sound was enough to snap him into a decision to leave the bottle behind and chase after the spider.

"Wait up, Legs!" He called out, stopping Angel in his tracks who looked back at him with surprise. "Want some company on Nuggs's walk?" 

As if understanding him, the pig started oinking happily and started to excitedly scatter over to Husk's feet when he'd caught up to them and lovingly snuzzled his nose against the cat's shins.

Angel glanced down at the display with a sad smile before meeting Husk's gaze again with a hard stare. "That depends. Ya gonna lecture me about today, Whiskers?" 

"The fuck have I told you about callin' me that?" He shot back grumpily. "And I ain't got any room to judge, Angel. Ain't like I've been perfect these past coupla' weeks - far from it." 

"Guess we're both losers." Angel commented with a much more softened expression. 

They both shared a smile at the familiar inside pet name that only the two of them knew and with that, made their way outside together. 

It was just like old times when they used to sneak off together just to hang out and enjoy each other's company when things at the hotel or their respective owner's shenanigans got too much. They stopped by an open field to let Nuggets run off-leash and roll around in all the mud puddles that his little heart desired while they shared idle chat, taking some time to look up at the stars and just enjoy the peace while they could. Afterwards, the cat demon took him for a burger at an old diner where they also got milkshakes - Fat Nuggets ended up face firsts in Husk's which Angel cackled over and took a picture to commemorate the moment. 

Before they knew it, time seemed to just slip away as they fell back into their old routine just getting lost in conversation and the sun started to rise in the background. 

Husk walked Angel all the way back to his room once they returned, unable to spare a second away from him again after so much time apart. 

"Thanks for tonight, Husky. I've missed this." Angel uttered sweetly as he opened his room door and allowed the pig to dash in before him.

"Anytime, Legs." 

Angel shot him a shy smile and Husk's heart stopped in his chest at the sheer beauty before him. 

Just as the spider turned to head inside, Husk reached out to grab his hand but stopped himself before he could make contact once his brain kicked in that Angel didn't like to be grabbed too suddenly. Still, the motion was enough for the taller demon to stop in his tracks and glance back at him in confusion.

"Fuck, Angel, I'm sorry for everything, okay?" He blurted out.

"Huh?" 

All the feelings that he'd been bottling up suddenly came bursting to the surface and even though he wasn't usually a man of many words, all the crap he'd been thinking since their breakup just started to spill out.

"I know I fucked us up by buying your time from that piece of shit Valentino and making you feel like a whore. I just couldn't stand the thought of you being near him again after he did that to you - especially so soon after, when you were still so fucking hurt and wounded. It killed me to see you like that and feel powerless not to be able to do anything but I just- I panicked, okay?" 

He rushed out while Angel just stared at him owl-eyed.

"I always said it was important for you to make your own decisions and I went against that by tryna swoop in and play a knight in shitty armour when I should've just let Vaggie handle him and kick him out that night he came here. I'm sorry, I should've told you that as soon as it happened but I'm a fucking coward and I couldn't stand the thought of you hating-"

"Shut the fuck up!" Angel snapped once he found his voice, causing Husk to take a step back to give him more space. His voice echoed down the hall, breaking him out of his outrage enough to realise that he didn't want to have this conversation out in the open so he swiftly pulled Husk into his room and pushed him against the door, effectively slamming it shut.

"Why the fuck are ya doin' this? Didn't ya learn the first time around that I ain't worth any of this? Husk, I ruin everything I care about so don't try to make yaself out ta be the bad guy here just to ease my conscience! For fucks sake, you drained your afterlife's savings just ta give me time to heal!" 

Husk was too bewildered to come out with a snappy comeback and started opening and shutting his mouth like a damn fish.
 
"Fuck the money, your wellbeing shouldn't have had to come with a price in the first place but I didn't give a fuck about paying it so that you could stay safe!" He finally spluttered out, raising his voice in indignation.

Angel's lip started to quiver as his eyes started to fill with tears. 

The very sight made Husk's ears droop.

"Shit- I- I didn't mean to yell, Angel. I just-" 

"It ain't that." Angel sniffled and attempted to wipe his tears away even though he knew he'd already been caught acting like a hot fucking mess. "You were always just too good for me, kitten. I didn't know how to handle it and I just neva' wanted you to pay the price for bein' with me - and I ain't talkin' about money. I'm poison ta everyone I eva' love."

"That's not true, Legs." 

"Like Hell it ain't! Open your gorgeous fuckin' eyes! Vaggie wants to goddamn kill me, Eva sold her fuckin' soul because of me, I ruined Charlie's project by being such a fuck-up that no one believes it will work and this is the first night in foreva' that you've stayed sober long enough to even respond ta yer own name!"

After Angel was through with his self-deprecating rant, he stormed over to his bed and slumped down on the edge with his arms crossed defensively and looking away from the door as if fully expecting the cat to just up and leave him there. 

Husk furrowed his eyebrows sadly and slowly made his way over to sit next to the spider, sitting down on the overly bouncy mattress with a 'humph' as it flared up his bad back. 

"Look, I admit I let my vices get the better of me when we broke up but that isn't your fault." He started softly, looking over at the side of Angel's head. "We're addicts. Turning to our habits when shit gets rough is how we cope - it ain't healthy but it's just what happens. My fuck ups aren't your burden to shoulder." 

Angel hunched his shoulders practically to his ears in a way that expressed he wasn't willing to accept the sentiment.

Still, Husk continued on with the same patience he generally only reserved for Angel.

"As for Vaggie; she's hurting, just like you. You two are like fucking siblings; fight like cat and dog, use every opportunity to tease and rile the other up, confide in each other with shit going on that you don't tell anyone else and back each other's corners when shit hits the fan. All ya have to do is talk to her and stop escalating a fight just for a chance to interact with her."

Angel's shoulders lowered as he considered the advice. 

Though he wasn't showing it, he was practically hanging off every word Husk was saying - even baffled by how well the cat demon could still see through his façade. 

"And Eva? We all had a hand to play in her leaving so it wasn't all you. But she had her own complicated bundle of problems that she never dealt with and she chose to run away, just like she chose to trade her soul for yours. That tells me that she never stopped loving you, kid." 

Finally, Angel looked up to meet Husk's eyes despite the tears spilling from his own. 

Husk held out his paw as an invitation for the spider to take, which he immediately did with a tight grip like he was the only thing anchoring him to the world.

"You also didn't singlehandedly ruin the hotel's reputation. It wouldn't matter what sinner was the first to sign up for this shit, no demon would believe redemption is possible no matter who was representing the campaign because we've all had hope beaten out of us. The fact that you stuck with this when everybody doubted you says more about your character than any of your mistakes do."

Angel used two of his free hands to cover his eyes in an attempt to physically stop the tears from flowing as he shook his head adamantly yet could not find the words to argue with the other man's logic. He was so conflicted between desperately craving the comfort and wanting to block it out because he couldn't believe it himself. However, the fact that Husk so clearly did was like a balm to soothe his soul.

"And for the record, I still think that if anybody can make it, it's gonna be you, Anthony." Husk finished vehemently, reaching out with his other hand to gently pull the spider closer to him in an embrace. 

That was the final nail for Angel to completely break down into shuddering sobs, wrapping all four arms around him like he was his last lifeline.

Husk gently rested his cheek on the back of Angel's head and smoothed his hands up and down his bath soothingly while he cried his eyes out, shaking with shuddering sobs. 

After about ten minutes, Angel's energy had depleted from his breakdown and he simply lay in Husk's arms with the tear tracks going cold on his face while his breathing evened out again. 

As soon as he pulled away, Husk cupped his face preciously to wipe away the remainder of his tears and it was then that he noticed, there were also tears in his kitty's eyes. 

He decided to follow Husk's suit of bravery and just fucking get the words out that had been sitting in his throat for way too long.

"I'm so sorry, baby, I'm sorry and I still love ya." Angel croaked out before imitating Husk's touch, cradling his face delicately so he could lean down and kiss him abruptly . "Neva' wanna be away from ya-" He gasped out before leaning back in for another peck. "Best thing that eva' happened ta me in this shithole." He started leaving fast, affectionate kisses all over the other's face as if it pained him stop even for a second.

"Fuck, baby, I love you too." Husk rasped, closing his eyes in relief. After so long of feeling like he was drowning, he finally felt like he could breathe again just having Angel being back in his arms. He would've been just as happy to have him back as his best bud but to hear that his feelings hadn't evaporated after their breakup was better than winning any gamble he'd ever placed. "I didn't know I could before I met you." 

Angel choked out another sob, though this time with joy. He pulled back long enough to rest his forehead against Husk's, stroking his thumbs against the fur on his cheeks. "This is foreva' this time, okay? No more bein' stupid, I wanna be with ya always." 

"Ditto." Husk breathed out, looking at Angel like he was his redemption. "Fresh start, Legs. We both might got our souls back but mine will always belong to you." 

"You got mine right back, Husky." 

They shared yet another secret smile together, basking in the moment as the feeling of equal consolation filled the air.

Husk gently grasped Angel's chin with his thumb and forefinger to tilt his head down so he could give him a more slow, intimate kiss in celebration for their reunion. 

Extermination day might have been creeping up on them faster than anybody was prepared for but for now, they still had tonight. 

Outside in the hallway, Alastor stepped out from the shadows with a small, bittersweet smile. He made his way outside onto the balcony and took his usual seat where he usually had his morning coffee to look at up at the moon. Perhaps it wasn't so terrible to help others through hardship without any of his own gain. 

He chuckled lowly at the thought of him yet again coming round to the idea that you were right - as you claimed you always were - but the thought of you made his smile drop completely. 

With Charlie's plentiful reassurance's that you were safe, he was inclined to believe her however it still left him distraught that he wasn't the one providing that safety. One could only imagine the life that Vox was providing for you whether that be waiting on him hand and foot like the large man-child that he was or boring you to tears with his many tales of tacky showmanship throughout his time in Hell. 

Alastor couldn't allow himself to even ponder the thought that you were actually enjoying your time with him. 

While he would give anything and everything for your happiness, it was best for his mental sanity that he didn't address the notion that he'd driven you away to the point where you found it in someone else. 

As he looked up at the moon and considered the necklace he hoped you were still wearing, he clasped his hands together and noted with dread: For the first time since falling to Hell, he prayed. 

Please let me see her again before I die. Allow me the chance to tell her I love her one last time. Permit me to do what I should have done long ago and release her back to you. 

...Amen.

Chapter Text

After your second date, Vox was on cloud fucking nine. 

That night he had been ready to sweep you off your feet into his bedroom and show you passions beyond your wildest imagination but when you'd revealed to him in the car, so shyly and adorable that he wished he'd taken a recording from his screen, that he had been your first kiss, he felt... Guilty. 

It was just another reminder of that old-timey prick. He hadn't realised just how many pivotal milestones that Alastor participated in your life. It made his chest ache the more he found out about your tragic life and had to come to the conclusion that he'd blocked the only seemingly pleasant memories, making it seem like you had lived an entire life and afterlife with no one and feeling unlovable. 

That soul-crushing feeling of loneliness was the first thing that bonded you both on the night you'd met and after Vox found out about your marriage, he just assumed that Alastor contributed to your deep understanding of the subject. 

After all, he knew from first-hand experience what it was like to care about the Radio Demon and have it thrown back in your face. 

Needless to say, after your confession which led to his spiralling, downhearted thoughts of inadequacy and self-reproach, his mood was killed. 

So, like a gentleman, he walked you back to your room and thanked you for the lovely evening before kissing you again goodnight. 

His spirits lifted significantly when he saw the beautiful flush spreading across your cheeks before you darted into your room and practically slammed the door in his face. 

The next day, he had a plan to woo the shit out of you and make your own milestones together. 

First thing he did was spend the entire morning on the phone, pushing back deadlines further for work and rescheduling meetings before calling his assistant with his tasks for the day. It was just like your regular routine by now where you both just went about your own ways in the morning, him on the phone and you making breakfast along with that crappy herbal tea that he pretended to like too, but with a huge improvement: Every time he'd passed by you in the kitchen, you leaned up to kiss different parts of his screen. 

It caused a few malfunctions which he was sure that stupid fucking eel on the phone was now privy to but he couldn't deny that the affection was worth the fried circuits each time. 

It was also why he waited until he was out of earshot to book you both into the most prestigious restaurant in Hell, Alfrezno's. When he'd asked you later that day, you'd graced him with a smile and readily agreed which eased his nerves immensely. By the time he was getting ready for your third date, he was buzzing with excitement. 

When he saw you emerging from your room dressed to the nines, wearing a blue gown, his jaw dropped and all he could do was stare like a drooling mutt waiting for a bone. 

"Didn't your mama ever tell you that if the wind changes, your face will stay like that?" You inquired with a half smirk as you went to grab your coat. 

He shook himself out of his daze and cleared his throat before donning his suave persona, sliding up next to you to help you put your coat on and brush your hair back to plant a chaste kiss on your cheek.

"You look gorgeous, Evee." He stated with awe. 

You raised your eyebrow and gave him a sly once over before returning with, "You don't scrub up too badly yourself, Teddy."

Just when he'd been ready to shoot you back, in his opinion, a panty-dropping pick-up line, you'd unintentionally cut him off by pulling him down with his tie to kiss the fucking breath from his lungs. 

He'd accidentally sparked out, zapping your lips with electricity causing you to jump away with a squeak. 

"Sorry. You took me by surprise." He uttered, distracted by looking down at your now slight puffy lips. He wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled you in closer to him, fully intent on continuing the fun.

"Well I've heard of sparks flying when couples kiss but you take it to the next level, dear." You quipped with a playful grin. 

Vox groaned loudly and instantly released you, raising his hands to rub the temple sensors on the sides of his screen. 

"Way to kill the mood, dollface. Puns are not fucking sexy." He huffed as he took your hand.

"Agree to disagree, darling." You squeezed his hand and he couldn't stay irate due to the adorable twinkle in your eyes.

The rest off the evening started on such a high note.

Vox got to flash his wealth - though you never seemed all too bothered with it - to get you both seated immediately in the fine establishment where there were elites aplenty surrounding your table. However, you seemed more interested in speaking to the waitress, Maggie, rather than the literal celebrities that came up to him to talk some business opportunities. After a few failed attempts to impress you, he ordered for you both and shooed the others away to share some quality time. 

You revealed that you used to waitress back in the day when you were topside and shared more than a handful of stories of terrible customer service experiences - one in particular where some schmuck had put in a suggestion to the owner of putting the staff in roller-skates and you'd tumbled over the counter with a tray full of drinks, soaking yourself and an array of customers - that had him clutching his sides in laughter.

Through your starters and drinks, you both traded idle chat back and forth along with a few more stories. In all honesty, he loved that when you listened to him, you really listened. Most people just tuned him out if he wasn't trying to sell them a dream or tell them what he wanted to hear so it was freeing for him to simply be able to talk with no alternative goal in mind. However, his favourite thing was hearing your lovely voice - especially when you were being so open and candid like this. 

At one point, he'd had the bottom of his head in his hands whilst his elbows rested on the table, staring at you with a lovesick grin while you spoke about your hatred for pineapples on pizza. 

All of a sudden, you stopped to pick up your tablespoon and smack his elbows in a harsh manner. 

"Elbows off the table!" You scolded firmly. 

"Yes, ma'am." He sat up straight as a pool cue with his hands now nervously resting in his lap, with his expression more wide-eyed and tight. 

You simply went back to smiling pleasantly at his correction of behaviour and went back to your tangent. 

It wasn't long before the waitress came back with a refill of the drinks and the main courses. You'd gotten lasagne, said something about it reminding you of a hug, while he'd gotten his favourite meal, a burger.

Which would've been fine had there not been pickles. 

"What's wrong, Teddy?" You queried when you noticed that Vox wasn't touching his plate when he'd usually have half of it wolfed down by now whenever you'd made it for him. 

"Huh? Oh nothing, I just-" 

Before he could brush the subject off, you'd slid his plate over to inspect for yourself and looked at him sympathetically when you saw the pickles. 

"Oh dear, did the kitchen make a mistake?" You cooed with a tilt of your head. "Fret not, let me just get it fixed."

When you'd made your way to stand, Vox shot his hand out to hold yours and halt you from your movement. "Hey, it's okay, dollface. Just enjoy yours, I'll flag down the waitress."

"Why? She's already run off her feet and I saw her writing down 'no pickles' when you'd ordered so the fault is with the kitchen. It'll just take a second, darling. Mistakes happen." You assured him gently, stroking your thumb over his knuckles before taking your hand away to get up. 

"No no, it's fine, I'll just pick them off-" He rushed to reassure you and gripped his plate close to him protectively.

"No, you absolutely will not. You're allergic!" You shot back, bemused by his insistence not to ruffle any feathers even at the detriment of his own wellbeing. "Have some breadsticks, I wont be long." You pushed the container of breadsticks towards him and picked up his plate, not before slapping his hands off of it when he still tried to keep it. 

Vox watched in apprehension as you approached the kitchen through the large open window. He couldn't help but let his eyes wander down your ass in that dress as you walked away and it eased his nerves somewhat to distract himself with more pleasant thoughts. However, his eyes shot back up again when he heard an echoing clatter from the plate you'd slammed down on the counter in front of the Head Chef and he saw speaking you with that tight smile you used to do whenever you were around Velvette - like you were restraining yourself from exploding through sheer willpower. 

The chef started to gesture wildly with an obvious sneer and made a motion to dismiss you in a way that could've been construed as rude. He couldn't hear what was being said due to how busy the restaurant was but he didn't need to be a lip-reader to know that it wasn't enough to warrant the reaction you had. Because instantly, you burst into a ball of flames and launched yourself over the counter, through the gap of the open window, to tackle him. 

The kitchen erupted into havoc with plenty of loud commotion. It was enough for the rest of the patrons and wait staff to stop what they were doing and watch the drama unfold. Vox wanted to melt into a puddle there and then. Not even in Valentino's worst tantrums had he ever embarrassed him so severely in public. 

After all, the Vees had a carefully constructed brand of perfection that he strived to upkeep - especially after decades of painstakingly clawing his way to the top to earn such respect. He couldn't risk that being jeopardized after one single night.

As soon as he saw people taking out their phones to record the incident, he scrambled to throw cash for their meal on the table before bolting to the kitchen where you were still on top of the chef, now banging a frying pan against his head in your rage. He quickly grabbed your arm and teleported both of you back to the penthouse through his cameras. 

"What the fuck was that?!" Vox snapped once they materialized back home.

Your body went back to it's original form though your eyes still remained on fire as you ranted.

"All I asked was for him to remake the damn burger with no pickles like any self-respecting fast food worker would be able to do let alone some hotshot wannabe Auguste Escoffier, charging a small mortgage for incorrect orders, and then he got fucking rude!"

"Gee, I wonder why." He deadpanned. 

You had to take a good few deep breaths to regain your composure and stormed off to the kitchen to calm down. After you'd kicked the fridge - unknowingly making Vox jump behind you - imagining it was that prick's ballsack, your eyes returned back to normal. 

"Nevermind, dear. I'll make it just the way you like." You reassured as you went to get your cooking apron and tied it around yourself before gathering the ingredients and speedily getting to work.

Throughout it all, Vox was just staring at you in utter disturbance, still in shock from the turn of events.

He knew you had a bit of a temper even before you were dating but he just assumed it was a reaction from being in a new, strange environment that you were still adjusting to. Anytime that he'd seen it really spark up was around Valentino and Velvette so he never tended to take note. However, now he was starting to see that side more often than not and though it wasn't directed at him, he was still justifiably jumpy around it - especially after dealing with Val's unpredictability for decades.

That being said, you painted such a different picture now mere moments after your outburst. You looked so nurturing and beautiful, still dressed in your gown while diligently making him his favourite meal just so he didn't go without. His nerves finally settled when you'd glanced up at him while frying the meat and graced him with a disarming smile. 

He brushed off his worries and settled down in his usual stool at the breakfast bar, content to continue on without letting your little slip disturb the rest of the evening.

Vox didn't remember much about his father - on account of him frequently residing in bars instead of being home with his family - but he always remembered the only piece of advice he'd ever given him:

Never stick your dick in crazy, son. It'll be the best pussy you've ever had but it'll ruin your goddamn life and always come back to bite you in the ass. 

He didn't like hearing him talk about mom like that.

Vox never did heed those words of advice, always putting them down to the drunk ramblings of a miserable man, nor did he learn from his past mistakes.

With Valentino, his relationship absolutely had it's ups and downs but he always justified the screaming matches, the controlling tactics and the hitting as fits of passion especially since they were usually followed by bouts of ecstasy, taking comfort in each other's bodies even after meticulously breaking them piece by piece. 

With you, the passion was... still a work in progress.

But the cuddling was cute. 

Which is exactly how he got coerced into watching yet another old re-run of one of his old, corny gameshows. 

He had been lounging on the sofa with one of his arms slung over the back of it with his free hand holding a beer as he screamed obscenities at the football match on the TV when you decided to stride over, taking his beer bottle to place on the table, before plopping down beside him and tucking yourself into his side snuggly. He smiled softly and wrapped his arms around your shoulders and waist, stroking your hip with his thumb in an affectionate gesture.

He had been so wrapped by the tender moment that he hadn't even noticed you switching the channel.

Vox really hated seeing himself back in that time where he'd degraded himself for any appearance on television just to prove something to himself, and his never-able-to-please mother, even going as far as to take bottom of the barrel gigs like hosting gigs for crummy, family-friendly, tacky gameshows. 

Nevertheless, you seemed to enjoy them thoroughly so he kept his mouth shut and held you a little closer while you got tuned into the show, content to sit through his past self's drivel if it meant it came with this closeness.

On screen, he swaggered up to the contestants with his cue cards and smug grin as he leaned against the podium. "Contestant one, why is honey considered the most convenient pantry staple?" 

"It doesn't spoil!" You called out as if you were there on the show.

"It's the sweetest condiment?" The lady on screen answered in more of a question. A blaring buzzer sounded throughout the studio.

"Wrong answer, doll! We were looking for," He glanced down at his cue cards. "It never spoils." 

You clapped your hands excitedly with a huge grin, unaware of Vox's full attention on you with undeniable fondness.

"Contestant two, what is a group of crows called?" 

"A flock!" You called out again.

"A murder, Ted." The man answered with more conviction before fist pumping in excitement when the chime went off.

"Correct!" Vox cheered before spinning with a little dramatic flair, turning towards the studio audience as well as the cameras. "Very fitting, in my opinion, because that's exactly what'll happen if you point out the Mrs' crows feet!" 

The audience roared with laughter.

Vox scoffed at the lame joke, he was sure one of the producers had written in those cheesy one-liners at the time, but his dissatisfaction was immediately quelled when he heard you giggling along beside him.

With an inward smile, he rolled his eyes in good nature. Your taste in humour was absolute dog shit but he couldn't deny that it was cute to see you always so invested in his past work that he still held a deep amount of shame for. In that moment, he felt a burst of endearment for you.

He trailed his hand up to brush your hair away from your neck and put his focus on leaving little nips and kisses over the column of skin on show. You shifted a little in his arms so he moved his hand back down to your hip to smooth up and down your side to settle you back down again as he continued his treatment. The other hand that had been resting around your shoulders, he used to run through your hair before trailing up to the top of your fluffy ears and tracing along the edges lightly causing you to shiver. 

His lips quirked into a smirk at your reaction and continued to lay kisses along the expanse of your neck, leading up to nuzzle and skim with the points of his teeth just underneath your jaw.

"The square root of two hundred and twenty five is fifteen, you fucking imbecile!" You cried out in indignation, causing him to jump in surprise as well as pause for a few moments. 

He huffed in exasperation that you were still so tuned into the crappy gameshow before cranking the heat up a notch.

The hand that had been playing with your ears came down to the other side of your neck with his thumb tilting your jaw so he had more room to work with while his other pinched the side of your waist with promise before caressing down your thigh and squeezing as if trying to memorize the outline of your body through touch alone. He kissed the crook of your neck once, twice, then nipped again at the delicate flesh before biting down only to quickly follow by soothing the mark with his tongue. 

Vox felt you freeze suddenly, like a deer caught in headlights, and took that to mean you were giving him a willing canvas to work on. 

Just when he moved his hand from your jaw to trail along your collarbone and down your chest to finally cop a feel of the first pair of tits he'd been with in almost seventy years, you'd shot your hand up to painfully grasp his wrist to halt his trajectory.

"What are you doing?" You asked with more than a fair amount of uncertainty in your tone.

Vox leaned back to take note of the startled expression on your face and furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Uh, feeling you up?" He spluttered out. In his mind, the answer being obvious so he didn't understand your reaction.

"Why?"

"Thought we could Voxflix and chill." He shrugged. At your further look of perplexity, he continued to explain. "You know, fool around instead of watching this shit."

"It's not proper!" You gasped and pushed him away so you were fully out of his hold before crossing your arms which almost always led to you shielding yourself off. "We aren't even engaged!" 

"Evee, we fucking live together." He reminded dryly.

"That's different. It's still too soon for us to get to that stage." You waved him off and even scooted further away from him towards the arm of the sofa.

"Haven't you ever heard of the third date rule? You don't classify as a slut if you wait till then and we've already been on ours."

"Theodore, in my day, you were classified as a harlot for kissing your husband in a public setting let alone sleeping with your boss. Even after three dates."

Vox groaned in frustration and moved the decorative sofa cushion over his lap since the straining goddamn tent in his pants would surely offend your delicate sensibilities if you couldn't even handle a little fooling around.

"Welcome to the twenty first century, dollface. Anyway, didn't all that feminist crap take off in your time?" 

"Correct, and with feminism comes my choice: The answer is no." You concluded firmly, putting your feet up on the sofa between you both to create even more distance.

"Unfortunate, buddy! You struck out!" His television persona even seemed to be mocking him as he dismissed the male contestant. "Better luck next time, huh?"

Vox huffed and went to go fix his issue solo. 

Unfortunately, it became a bit of a habit for him to 'take care of himself', so to speak, so he wasn't always taking out any of his frustration out on you seeing as he'd learned from first-hand experience how quickly your fuse set off whenever he so much as pointed his tone in your direction and while some part of him admired how headstrong you were overall, a larger part was terrified of your temper when directed at him. 

Which led to humiliating incidents like today where he'd been relieving himself and you'd barged into his study to find him in the most compromising position imaginable with his pants by his ankles and a firm grip on himself with an unmissable photo of you on his computer screen. 

Safe to say, it was not the ideal first time for you to see his dick.

"Good God, Theodore- what the fuck?!" You screeched and abruptly covered your eyes on reflex. Though, you couldn't hide the vivid colour of red your entire face had turned from the embarrassment alone.

Vox almost fell over as he shot up from his chair and scrambled to pull his pants back up, nearly catching his erection with the zipper while he cursed under his breath.

"Y'know for someone who's a complete fucking nag about manners, you'd think that you'd know that it's polite to knock before you barge into a goddamn room!" He'd snapped before he could even think to bite his tongue when it came to arguments. 

It had been enough for you to whip your hands down to reveal your eyes sparking into flames. Just when you'd opened your mouth to no doubt scream at him for his backtalk, your eyes darted to the computer screen and you were frozen in shock which fizzled out the fire in your eyes. 

Shit. 

He hadn't even shut off the fucking screen.

The photo was from when you'd first asked him for Angel Dust's contract with you on your knees, holding his hand as you looked up at him so pleadingly and submissive that he couldn't help but take a snapshot in real time. 

"Is that me?!" 

"NO! It's A.I." He blurted out and leaped to finally turn off the monitor.

"What?" You demanded with a confused expression.

"Artificial intelligence - it's fake!" He rushed to explain, holding his hands up to placate you.

But his answer only seemed to aggravate you further.

"My intelligence happens to be the genuine article, thank you very much, nothing artificial in the slightest! I am, however, starting to question yours."

As if he wasn't already embarrassed enough by the situation, your biting words managed to rub even more salt into the wound. His screen glitched a deep red colour as he avoided your gaze, looking away guiltily.

"Jesus man, have you no self control?" You questioned almost condescendingly. 

Vox groaned and squeezed the sides of his head, fingers digging into his temple sensors to relieve his oncoming headache that were becoming more frequent every day. "Gimme a break! My balls were already blue before you but now, they're fucking indigo! You're a goddamn cocktease, dollface." 

You scoffed and rolled your eyes as you turned to leave again. 

"Kiss my ass, you depraved degenerate." You hissed over your shoulder.

"I would if you let me!" He argued pathetically. 

You shot him a look of disgust before slamming the door shut behind you.

For the next few days, the awkwardness of the event had definitely lingered in the air but you both managed to get over it after he'd apologised - which he inwardly thought was fucking ridiculous to apologize for touching himself in his own goddamn house but hey, it worked - and you promising to make sure that you knocked in every room before entering.

It was a relief when things between you had went back to normal afterwards and he could enjoy the playful banter between you both, relaxing smokes out in the balcony whilst exchanging idle chat, games of cards and chess that he had a sneaky suspicion you kept letting him win to feel good, you fussing over if he'd eaten enough for the day or was taking enough breaks from his work when he got too stressed out as well as more movie nights where you always allowed him to snuggle in. 

He loved you when you were like this; sweet, patient, nurturing. 

However, the bliss couldn't last forever. 

The closer it got to extermination day, the more his workload doubled to the point that he could no longer push anymore schedule's back nor have it all done at home like before. 

Vox had meetings to go to, contracts to ensure, products as well as employees to overview, last minute advertisements to film, stock revenue to secure and they were all just scratching the surface. 

So it only made sense that he'd be out of the penthouse more often than not right now and while he'd made sure to supply you with any bit of entertainment that you could think of - bar the radio that you still persisted in asking for time to time - so you weren't bored without something to do, it still wasn't good enough.

It was then that he noticed you really starting to go crazy and it freaked him the fuck out. 

You'd started by continuously trying to lock him inside by breaking the TVs and security cameras inside the house so he couldn't zap through them as a mode of transport, as well as messing with the door. Thankfully, you couldn't work out the thumbprint mechanism and while he thought it was slightly amusing to watch you try and figure out a technology too advanced for your time, it still held him up in the mornings each time you tried and your multiple failed attempts locked him out for minutes at a time. 

When you'd finally accepted that you couldn't trap him inside, you'd switched up to try and make up any and every excuse in the world to try and keep him home. At first it had worked when you claimed to be to feeling unwell but then after a while with no symptoms whatsoever, he'd figured it out. 

You also flipped out and broke his shit in your rampages whenever he'd made the mistake of being truthful and telling you about working with Velvette that day and it didn't matter how many times he'd tried to explain that, not only was Velvette his best friend, she was his only business partner and he had to run everything work-related by her too. 

It was insane how you could rapidly go from so warm and sweet that butter wouldn't melt to an uncontrollable ball of rage and destruction, day by day. 

Also, he couldn't say for certain, but he was pretty sure you were mixing something in his meals that made him feel sick to his core because every time he'd gone to work, directly after breakfast, he'd been violently ill, to the point where he was projectile vomiting, until he started to forgo your cooking which led to another argument from your offence at him turning down your meals and efforts to prepare them. 

This morning had started different to the others when you'd followed him around like a lost puppy while he got ready, guilting him out of leaving you alone in favour of Velvette even after he'd explained - numerous times - that it was for work.

The little pout you were giving him was almost cute enough for him to give in but he had to stay firm so you knew that it didn't matter what tactic you pulled out to try and manipulate him into doing what you wanted, it wasn't going to work.

"I'm sorry, dollface, I can't push Velvette's advertisement back any further. It isn't long before the pentagon is overrun with rioters, looters and end of days raves so we need to film now while we have the chance." He patiently explained as he stood in front of his large standing mirror in his bedroom while he struggled to tie his bowtie. 

You gently grasped his shoulder to turn him around to face you so you could take over for him and delicately tie his bowtie correctly before fixing his collar, though you did not remove your hands after.

"But I miss you when you're gone, Teddy." You stated quietly as you batted your eyelashes up at him, looking more doe-like than he'd ever seen before. 

At the same time, your hands started to tantalizingly stroke over the sides of his neck to across his shoulders and down his pectorals in a repeated pattern until he felt hot under the collar. 

The irony of the situation was that hypnotism was supposed to be his ability but the sultry way in which you were touching and gazing up at him was successfully putting him under a spell.

"I'll be as quick as I can." He murmured, sounding feeble even to his own ears. 

He gasped in shock when you'd abruptly pushed him towards his bed, causing the back of his knees to catch on the edge so he fell fully back and bounced a little on the mattress with the force. In the next split second, you gracefully hiked up the long skirt of your dress and mounted him in a straddle over his rapidly growing bulge. His screen instantly started to spark as his processors tried to catch up with the weight of you on top of him in such a way - was he dreaming? 

His inward question was answered when you skilfully grinded your hips down further into his, causing him to hiss at the sudden friction and bite his lip until it bled to control himself from reaching his peak too soon. 

"Or, I have another idea." You suggested coyly as you leaned over him, close enough so he could feel your breath on his screen, as your hands returned to their wandering ways along the expanse of his torso.

His hands shot up to grasp your hips to both encourage your delicious motions against where he needed you most as well as anchor himself to reality with his screen threatening to glitch out every few seconds.

"I'm listening." 

You smirked and leaned down to kiss him in a way you never had before. In this instance, you kissed the way you fought; aggressively, domineering, passionate. He was helpless but to release a humiliating whimper.

Had he been in more of clearer headspace, he would've summarised that you were way too fucking good at this for someone who'd wore their purity like a badge of honour and this must have all been muscle memory from the bastard who should never even be fucking named, but the blood in his system wasn't exactly rushing to his brain at the minute.

Despite thoroughly enjoying the treatment, a part of him - what Velvette deemed many times before, as his 'old ass toxic masculinity' - needed to take back control so he gave as good as he got with the kiss as well as slapped your ass to remind you of who was really in charge here. 

However, it majorly backfired when you'd promptly pulled away to smack his screen seemingly on reflex.

He stared in utter disbelief and shock for a few seconds whilst you both caught your breath back.

"What the fuck?" He squawked.

"You hit me first!" You retorted with offense.

"I spanked you!"

"Exactly! I'm not a naughty child in need of reprimand! If you wanted me to stop then you should have simply-" 

Just hearing you even suggest stopping right now when you were still pressed so suggestively against him was enough to put him in a panic so he was quick to cut that train of thought off as fast as physically could.

"No no, please keep going! I won't do it again." He begged, bringing his hands down by his sides as if to prove his point.

You hummed and considered him.

He could practically see the wheels turning in your head and it made him sweat.

"Well now I don't trust to you to keep your hands to yourself." You finally stated.

He could've cried right then and there from the pain in his lower half.

"Though I suppose... There are other ways around this predicament." You continued seductively, giving him hope once again. "You're powerful, right? Can you conjure up some cuffs that can suppress you for the time being?" 

Kinky, he thought gleefully. 

"Sure I can, gorgeous." He snapped his fingers and in a bright white spark of electricity in the shape of a heart, soon appeared power-supressing handcuffs. 

"Perfect." You praised sweetly, taking the cuffs with one hand while the other stroked along the side of his screen.

Vox absolutely beamed under the positive reinforcement. 

You'd shifted off of him so he could scoot up to the top of the bed to rest his head on the pillows and present his hands obediently once he was comfortable. His heart skipped a beat when you'd leaned down to give him a chaste kiss for his good behaviour before resuming your previous position on top of him and leaned over to thread the handcuffs through the metal slats in the headboard of the bed so you could securely lock his wrists without chance for him to break out. 

Once the cuffs were locked in, he'd strained to test them and felt a rush of excitement when there was no give whatsoever.

While he was straining in his pants with the most beautiful woman he'd ever met pressed firmly against him, he couldn't help but feel like the luckiest sinner in Hell. 

"How do they feel?" You softly asked as you stroked the palm of your hands down the length of his restrained arms and down his chest towards his belt buckle.

"Tight." He growled out, thrusting his hips up against you in his impatience to get started. "Why don't you give me something even tighter, gorgeous? Do your worst."

Although you had let out a small gasp at his hardness abruptly rubbing against your core, for the most part, you still remained as nonchalant as ever. You looked down at him with a fond smile and mirth twinkling in your gorgeous eyes before leaning down to give him a much more soft and sweet kiss than before though he wasn't complaining either way. Vox's eyes closed in delight as he meekly melting into your lips, letting himself be the one led in this dance. 

The next second, he felt cold. 

He popped his eyes back open to see you casually getting off from him to stand up and fix your skirt, brushing it down and smoothing down the creases then walked over to his bedside table to grab his phone from the charger.

"I'll just let Velvette know that you're busy for the rest of the day." You announced cheerfully and made your way out of his room without looking back even once.

"Wha- Evee!" He snapped in outrage as he stared at the open door in sheer disbelief.

"Very funny, get back here!" He demanded with as much authority as he could muster while now struggling helplessly against his bonds in a futile effort.

No response.

As the minutes seemed to tick by and Vox had to come to terms with this not being the most messed up prank in history, he groaned loudly and thrashed in his bonds.

"Satan-fucking-dammit Evangeline, you can't use sex as a weapon if you're not actually gonna do it!" 

Chapter Text

Although there had been some minor hiccups in your relationship with Vox, you thought it was going great for the most part. 

Sure, you had been fighting a lot more than you ever did during your friendship; he started to flinch whenever you were simply airing out your grievances with his work/life balance, you were slowly but surely becoming more dependant on his time to give your day any positive meaning and the very thought of him spending any time with Velvette made your bones itch which manifested itself into stunts like you sneaking just a touch of bleach into his food or shackling him to the bed unattended for hours - but everything was fine. 

Because, even after your worst fights, he still held you as preciously as a fragile glass doll, still sought out your company like an eager puppy awaiting a scratch behind the ears, still smiled at you like that first night you'd ever met.

Vox's affection was addicting at this point. 

Which made days like this, where you were once again left alone at home - with nothing but the screaming thoughts in your head while he was out living it up with a younger, beautiful woman - feel like withdrawal. 

Due to you continuingly fucking up his work schedule - for his own good, in your opinion - by keeping him away from his deadlines, he was spending way more time outside of the penthouse. Sometimes, he wouldn't even come back until you were already in your bed sleeping. It was becoming so frequent now that you were starting to see it as a purposeful way to get back at you and that made your blood boil. 

Especially when Velvette's name was thrown into the mix since the square-headed bastard never shut the fuck up about her.

Whether it be bragging about her new fashion line as well as her shitty social media presence and ventures, telling stories of their past funny - his word, not yours - stories any time one popped into his head - which was a lot - or just gushing about her in general. 

You'd never considered yourself to be a prideful person but you knew for damn sure you weren't going to lose in this rat race to number one in your goddamn partner's life. 

The whole day and into the night, you must have chain-smoked at least two cartons of cigarettes whilst you sat in the recliner in the corner of the living room next to the bookshelf but you couldn't pick up not a single book because of these thoughts racing in your head. Instead, you were stuck anxiously staring at the door as if it would make him appear quicker. Despite the sun already set quite some time ago, you were determined to wait up until you could catch him red-handed blowing you off for another day to be with that woman.

Unbeknownst to you, the two culprits of your paranoia had not long pulled up in his limousine outside.

"I just don't get why you're putting up with such a crazy bitch." Velvette commented as she stepped out of the car door that Vox held open before slurping her overly-complicated iced coffee that he'd bought her. 

She needed the fuel after she promised Vox she would take over his extensive workload for tonight so he could spend some time with his needy little yapper dog. 

"Hey, she's only crazy like... sixty percent of the time? And most of it's been recent - she'll grow out of it." He defended as they walked inside to the elevator. He scanned his thumb on the mechanic with a pit of dread in his stomach to what he was gonna be dealing with inside. 

"You said the same thing about Val." She pointed out with a knowing look which Vox dropped his gaze from and looked away with a look of sadness that she'd never admit broke her heart anytime she seen it. She put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed reassuringly. "You're a good guy, Vox, and you deserve someone who see's you for the catch that you are."

He smiled appreciatively and reached up to pat her arm in thanks, the words stuck in his throat along with the apology for making her once again pick up the pieces of his broken love life after decades of dealing with it when he was with Valentino.

"I mean it, Voxxy. You don't have to stoop to attaching yourself to the first sinner that smiles at you - you have options! I took a poll on all my socials for sexiest Overlord and you won by a landslide." She said as she pulled out her phone to show him.

"Wait, really? Even over Alastor?" He excitedly snatched the phone, sombre mood forgotten momentarily in his elation for one-upping that pretentious prick with something.

"Obviously." She scoffed and rolled her eyes, though inside she was fighting back at a smile at his reaction. "You were the only one who ever thought he was. Well, I suppose you and granny knickers up there." She gestured to the closed doors with her head.

As soon as the words left her mouth, a metaphorical lightbulb flashed in her mind. "Actually, maybe their similarities are why you're so attracted t-!"

Her thought was swiftly interrupted by a loud buzzing of static and electricity bursting through the elevator, pausing their journey for a few seconds before Vox snapped his fingers to get it moving again.

"Nope, no no no, I don't need you to psychoanalyze me right now." He rushed out as he shoved her phone back at her.

She couldn't help but let out a cackle while she pocketed her device. 

"Whatever, Voxxy. I don't give a rat's ass who you want to stick your dick in, just remember," The elevator finally stopped and the doors opened for them to come inside. "I better still be your number one girl." 

"Duh." He replied with a genuine smile and held out his hand to initiate an inane, stupidly complicated handshake that she'd made him learn years ago.

Their fun was interrupted by the sound of you slamming down your ashtray on the side table, making the both of them jump which only confirmed to you that their display wasn't meant for your eyes. 

Vox immediately seemed to shrink into himself as you levelled him with a glare while lighting yet another cigarette and taking a slow drag of it. You knew he wanted to say something about it since he hated smoking inside the house due to staining the pristine, white furniture with tobacco but wisely bit his tongue. 

"Finally deemed it appropriate to come home, did you?" You asked pointedly during your exhale. 

"Don't know why he would bother if this is the warm welcome he gets. Or did you forget you're living under his roof and not the other way around, bitch?" Velvette piped up, taking a seemingly protective stance in front of Vox. Before you could rise to her bait, she scoffed and gave your loungewear her usual stank face. "Your outfit is tacky, by the way. Would it kill you to dress nicely when you're representing the Vee's?"

"I'd rather anything kill me than be associated with the likes of you, a rude little cretin who made her name by hanging onto the coattails of others." You hissed.

"Keep talking shite and I'll be happy to grant that wish, sweetheart." She stepped towards you with her arms raised until Vox put his hand on her shoulder to pull her back again.

"Velvy, why don't we just catch up again later?" He uttered quietly under the impression you couldn't hear but the way your left ear twitched and you audibly growled told a different story. 

Velvette let out a disappointed sigh but ultimately shrugged his hand off and tossed her curly hair over her shoulder. "Whatever. Have fun with your snorgasm of a grandma." 

After her final jab, she turned tail and went back into the elevator, sipping on her iced latte and flipping you off until the doors shut.

"Did you have fun with your whore?" You asked with faux-interest before taking another puff of your cigarette.

"Don't call her that." He defended as he shrugged off his suit jacket and went to hang it up. 

"You allow her to call me whatever vile, disgusting names at whim. Why is she allowed privileges that I am not?" 

"Can we not fight?" He asked so earnestly that it stopped you in your tracks. "I got you a present." he announced as he reached into his pocket then turned around to show off a sleek, elegant box to you as if it were the key to suddenly fixing all of his problems. 

You shot him a look of disbelief and made no move to walk over and collect his gift of guilt.

His eager demeanour faded somewhat but in a flash, he put on his mask of showmanship and practically skipped over to open the box in front of you and present the diamond-encrusted necklace inside. 

"Hmm, is this to apologize for abandoning me yet again?" You asked with an unimpressed frown.

"Evee, I didn't abandon you, I was just trying to do my job." He stated meekly, closing the box again when he realised that you weren't receptive to the bribery.

"And that includes gallivanting around with that little woman whom, as I've expressed to you multiple times, I have issue with?"

"She's my best friend, what the fuck do you want me to do?" Vox huffed.

Despite his plea to forgo arguing, you saw him swearing at you and defending that bitch as the go ahead for you to escalate.

"Get rid of her!" You snapped through gritted teeth, finally standing up to meet him eye level. "Was that not obvious?" 

"No!"

"So you're choosing her over me, is that it?" You demanded with a growl.

"I-I'm not choosing anyone!" He argued helplessly but you could only take his answer as a confirmation to your accusation. 

Your fists had balled up to the point where you had crushed your cigarette in your hand.

"You know what? You can get her to cook your fucking meals," You snippily declared, throwing the butt of it at him before storming into your room to retrieve your suitcase that you'd already prepacked for emergencies. You continued to yell back, "You can jabber your constant nonsense in her ear," Storming out of the room, suitcase in hand, you made your way to the front door as Vox still stood in the same position with his mouth gaping like a fish. "And you can rub up on her like a dog looking for a bone all you want. I fucking quit!" 

You kicked the side table on your way for good measure and tried to open the elevator with the multiple buttons on the interface but you could never work these damn new aged contraptions. You hadn't realised you were tapping away at the intercom rather than any buttons of significance and groaned in annoyance when nothing was happening. 

Holding in one of the buttons, you attempted to give it a command. "Open."

Nothing.

"Open. Door. Now!"

Still nothing. 

With that, the minuscule amount of patience you had left swiftly evaporated as you burst into flames and planned to melt the entire damn thing down.

However, you were intercepted by a multitude of wires and cables wrapping around you to spin you around where you were met by hypnotic, swirling images of blue and red on Vox's screen. 

"Evangeline, calm down."

Your flames receded and you visibly deflated under his influence and commanding tone of voice. 

"I want you to unpack your stuff then go to bed and fall asleep. I'm not putting up with this shit anymore. When you wake up tomorrow, I want you to speak to me AND Velvette with respect..." 

"Velvette and I." You gargled out with a slack expression and your eyes swirling along with his. 

It was enough to pause him. 

"Huh?"

"If you're going to try and intimidate me then at least use correct grammar." 

Your willpower of being petty must have overridden whatever the hell Vox was doing to mess with your head in this moment but it was definitely the wrong move since he stepped closer to you and cranked up the swirls until you were just a step above drooling.

He gently reached up and cradled your face between his hands like you were something precious despite the contradiction of his cables near enough squeezing the life out of you.

Vox's heart cracked just a little at having to resort to using his powers on you but he felt helpless. 

For years, Valentino used to simultaneously tease and exploit him for his people-pleasing tendencies but he just didn't know how to please you. When you got on these rampages where nothing he could ever do was good enough, it reminded him of his mother and he didn't have the emotional strength to unpack any of that crap. At the same time, he refused to stay dormant like he did back then so he was left with this.

"Listen to me and answer honestly. Do you sincerely want to leave me?" He asked firmly as he stroked his thumbs across the apples of your cheeks, trying to memorize the feeling of you before you potentially left him for good.

"No, Vox." 

Your answer surprised him. 

Okay, he could work with this. He thought in excitement.

"Why do you have such a big problem with me hanging out with Velvette?" He needed to know the root of your irrational rages so he could fix it and have you being your sweet self permanently.

"Because I fear you will abandon me for her like my father did with my mother." You answered stoically, eyes still swirling though they did become more glassy after your confession.

He removed his hands from you and furrowed his eyebrows, feeling like total shit after forcing such a heavy confession from you especially after the progress you'd already made with opening up to him. He had to justify it to himself that this was for your own good and the good of your relationship because things couldn't continue the way they've been going.

He'd taken more time off work for you than he had even for himself when he was too wounded to so much as walk, for crying out loud! 

At the busiest time of the year, no less! There was only a week and a half left until extermination and he needed to squeeze every last second of production before any of his workers got slaughtered. Had it not been for Velvette coming through for him, as she often did, his profits would be down in double Hell right now.

Vox couldn't have you hating her the way that you did, he needed her. He loved her - platonically, of course. She was his right-hand woman and he just wanted his two favourite gals to get along.

When he was with Valentino, he modified his own self and behaviour accordingly which, in his opinion, made everything go so much smoother - it's why they managed to stay together as long as they had. Vox had no doubt that you could do the same for him. After all, everything could be fixed with the right tools. 

With that, he released you from the cables into his arms and carried you to your room, leaving your suitcase by the door to be put away later.

"Forget this conversation happened and go to sleep, Evangeline." He ordered once he had gently set you down on your bed and pulled the covers over you.

"Yes, Vox."

He let out a breath when you closed your eyes and wasted no time putting his plan into action. 

The next morning, you woke up to the feeling of someone sitting on the edge of your bed and running a hand through your hair. You squeezed your eyes shut further at the instant pounding in your head, it felt like it was splitting. However, the feeling of Vox's hand was soothing. 

You sighed in contentment and relaxed your face, leaning into his touch. 

It was sweet that he had stayed by your side until morning after the disagreement last night. You couldn't remember how you'd even went to bed but you knew you'd been somewhat unreasonable - perhaps, went a bit too far with showing how much you had missed him these past few days when he'd been so busy at work. 

Your heart skipped a beat at the realisation that even after your outburst, he wanted to be by your side first thing in the morning to show you that you were still a priority.

"Who'd've thunk you'd be as pretty as a peach, Y/N."

Your eyes flew open at the strange male voice and screamed at the top of your lungs when you saw an older man in the form of a weasel-like creature.

Still screaming, you scrambled out of the bed and sprinted out of your room in a sheer panic. You were still processing the turn of events and far too terrified to even think of self defence. 

You ran straight into a solid chest and gasped in fear, thinking initially that it was another stranger. 

Thankfully, it had been Vox rushing towards you at the sound of your screams. You stopped once you had him there to protect you and clung onto him desperately, digging your claws into his back for fear that he would let go.

Whilst you shook in terror in his arms, he cradled the back of your head, pushing your forehead into his neck and smoothed his other hand up and down your back to ease your trembling.

The ringing in your ears stopped long enough for you to finally process him quietly shushing you. 

"I got you, Evee." He stroked your hair. "It's okay." 

His illusion of comfort was immediately shattered when you heard the strange man, who had apparently followed you out of your room, speaking up again behind you.

"Heavens to Betsy, girl, ain't'cha recognise yer own kin?" 

You didn't recognise the man's voice at all but something about his heavy southern accent rang familiar. Now that you could think properly, you wondered how he even knew your name when you were alive. No one knew it, you kept that part of yourself locked away.

"Pardon?" You raised your head to look at the man in confusion, still holding onto your beau for security.

"You are so gonna love me." Vox announced merrily, bringing your attention back to him. "I found your parents!" 

Your jaw dropped.

The ringing in your ears returned tenfold at both the shock and the terrifying voice of someone you never wanted to hear again.

"Why in Sam Hill would she know who yah are, ya old fool? She ain't ever known yeh." Your mother, Lucille, in the form of an alligator walked casually through the living room as if she owned the place, cigarette in hand with her all-too-familiar look of distaste as she stared you down.

How ironic, you'd always been scared of gators topside so of course the one thing that terrified you to your very core would come back as the shape of one. 

Your breathing started to pick up to an erratic level with your chest feeling more like it was being crushed by a hydraulic press machine with every gasp of air. The claws you'd dug into Vox's back now broke skin causing him to flinch painfully but all you could do was stare wide-eyed at your mother, scared to so much as blink so she wasn't out of your line of sight even for a millisecond.

"Well that don't matter none now! We can gets to know each other, 'specially in swanky digs like dis here." The weasel man - who you refused to even inwardly acknowledge as your father - spoke up cheerfully as he looked around at the luxuries on display in the home, reminding you of his presence again. 

Still, your gaze never wandered. Even when Lucille shot a withering look at the man and smoked her cigarette slowly before looking back at you to open her mouth for a biting remark. It was alarming how much she resembled your mannerisms in that moment.

"It don't surprise me none yeh ended up down here with the likes of us, Y/N, yeh always were a troubled li'l madam - bless yer heart." She said bitingly, still managing to make the pleasant phrase sound like an insult.

Suddenly, you felt like you were a young girl again and you were just tensely waiting for a barrage of cruelty in some form or the other.

"But tah find out yeh went this long without lookin' me up? Now that's just bad manners - I raised you better, girl!" She continued, looking you up and down with utter disgust. "Thank the Lord ye finally found yerself a nice man who knows a thing or two 'bout decorum."

Vox was grinning from ear to ear and even preened at the praise, hugging you close like this was a happy family moment of meeting the parents for the first time. 

If you weren't contemplating jumping off the balcony just to get away from this situation, you would've throttled him.

"How about we all sit down together and get to know each other over breakfast?" Vox offered. 

"Well that sounds mighty keen, boy! Don't let Luci near the grub 'less ya want us ta git food poisoning." 

"Don't let yah mouth run a cheque that yer ass can't cash, yeh son'uva bitch."

"I can't breathe." You finally managed to gasp out during their squabble.

"Evee?" Vox looked down at you in concern, as though finally realising that your reaction wasn't due to adrenaline from seeing your folks again.

Your laboured breathing and shaking form caught the ever-judgemental eye of your mother who scoffed in ire. 

"Ugh, she used to git like dis when she was little. Give'er here, I'll sort 'er out." Lucille grumbled and tried towards walk to you with her arms outstretched but you started screaming again. 

You think you heard the others yelling and felt Vox trying to pull you into him again but you needed to get away. You were trying to claw, scratch, kick, anything just to get the fuck away from that woman but Vox kept a firm hold on you, keeping you there until you were sobbing through your screams of terror. 

you were dying,

the air in your chest had disappeared completely,

your thoughts were screaming at you in jumbled incoherence. 

"Fuck, simulation off!"

In a flash of glitchy images, shrieks of statics and electricity sparking, your parents vanished into thin air as if they were never there.

Your brain couldn't fully comprehend what was happening in the midst of your panic attack. You hadn't even realised that your legs had given way and you were only still upright due to Vox until he picked you up fully to walk you over to the sofa. 

"Shit, I'm so sorry, dollface - I had no idea you'd react like that!" He apologised frantically as he rushed over to the kitchen to get you a glass of water. 

It had taken at least ten minutes of silence with you taking shaky tips of water and Vox soothingly stroking your back until you managed to calm down. The events of the morning finally managed to click into place and you were baffled.

"That was all fake?" You croaked in disbelief.

Once he realised that you were present in the moment, he reached over to pull off two high-tech stickers from your temples that you hadn't even realised were there and held them up to show you.

"I accessed your memories with these to create a simulation of your parents - or what your brain would think of them - so we could get over whatever issues you have with them together." He admitted solemnly.

You opened your mouth to voice one of the million thoughts that were running through your head right now but all of them seemed to be rushing to the forefront of your brain at once and you automatically closed it again.

None of this made sense and you felt way too emotionally vulnerable to begin to deal with it. Despite the fact that Vox hadn't known the extent to your trauma with your parents, it still stung like a scalding hot knife that he would ever put you in this situation.

You never thought he'd hurt you like this or break your trust so severely and you were angry, mostly with yourself, that you ever gave him the opportunity to in the first place. 

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" You asked in complete bewilderment. 

"What? I'm trying to help you here." He argued, having the gall to look flabbergasted at your question.

"No, you went against your word and left me alone with a man - not just any man but my fucking deadbeat father as well as my worst fucking nightmare!" You snapped, standing up and pacing the back of the sofa just to get some distance. 

Vox continued to sit and stared at you incredulously like he didn't understand how badly he had just betrayed you with whatever this stupid plan was supposed to be.

"What do you mean? It wasn't even real! Look I'm sorry you're upset, dollface, but this shit is clearly something you need to sort out and you flip out anytime I try and suggest therapy-"

Of-fucking-course. 

"Because people who had to go to head doctors in my day got fucking lobotomised, you moronic worm!" You screamed, resisting the urge to pounce across the back of the sofa to tackle him for his stupidity. You couldn't believe that was what he was trying to accomplish here after you'd told him countless times that you wouldn't entertain the idea. "And for that matter, you have no room to talk! Do you realise that you change your personality around EVERYONE you come in contact with to make them like you instead of just being yourself? Or simply throw money at any problem that comes your way?!" 

Even while you were throwing these verbal jabs, you knew you were being harsh but you absolutely could've went lower with the way you were feeling. You could've spoken about his co-dependency, his lack of boundaries with personal space, the hang-up's he still had from his previous relationship, his hatred for his past self and his own clearly present parental issues but even at your most furious, you knew bringing up mothers in arguments was off fucking limits!

"It sounds to me as if you are the one who needs mental attention!" You concluded before storming away. You were determined to have the last word but Vox was quick to follow you into your room.

"Look, this isn't about me-!" He tried to argue but he was cut off once again with a flinch when you spun around with fire in your eyes.

"Then what's it about? You think you can 'fix' and modify me to your liking, like you do with your fancy tech!"

"Can you fucking blame me?! You act more like a crazy bitch with every goddamn day that passes!" He shot back, obviously at his limit with trying to de-escalate the argument and reached your level of frustration. 

A foolish move, really. 

As soon as the insult left his lips, your head and hands followed suit and promptly burst into flames.

"DO NOT CALL ME CRAZY!" 

"Velvette was right, you're just as bad as Valentino!" He cried out as he shielded his screen with his arms, preparing to be blasted there and then. 

However, his words shocked you so much that your fire instantly went out and you furrowed your eyebrows in confusion. 

"What?" 

Vox lowered his arms as soon as you returned to your original form but he was still as heated.

It seemed that you weren't the only one who had been bottling up your emotions during the tough parts in this relationship because he looked like a broken man with nothing left to lose. He stepped closer to you until you were almost nose to screen and continued to take you aback with his plight.

"You're fucking mean, Evee! You hit and you call me names and I never know when I'm gonna say or do the wrong thing to upset you - it's like walking around landmines in my own goddamn house!" 

You were absolutely stunned, unable to even make a peep in response - like how you had never raised hands to him other than a playful scuff at the back of the head or shoulder in friendly reprimand or how you didn't think you were ever mean with him, only firm, or even that you hadn't realised that you were making him so stressed in his own home - but it seemed that he wasn't looking for a reply because he continued to rant.

"Then you're nice again and you look after me and make me feel-" He stopped himself this time and cursed under his own breath, looking away from you to hide the hurt in his expression but you saw it all the same and it crushed you.

Looking at Vox now, seeing the hurt on his screen and hearing the pain in his voice... It was awful.

You were entirely lost for words because you just wanted to take everything back and go back to the way you both were before. With this reality check, you were forced to confront how mercurial your moods had been with him lately and how hard that must have been to navigate as a person fresh out from an abusive relationship. 

The fact that he even saw you as cruel enough to be compared with Valentino was the final blow to the last crumb of your self-esteem.

"You know what? I've got enough shit on my plate to handle all of your baggage too, especially when you won't even let me help lighten the load. Maybe we were just better as friends." He finished with a weary sigh, sounding like it hurt him to even get the words out.

Still, even as he was dumping you, he looked back at you with so much hope in his eyes like he actually wanted you to argue him for once. Like he needed you to fight for what you had or convince him that things would be better and you'd be different, be the partner that he deserved. 

But you couldn't bare the thought of lying to him.

"Or it was better before we even knew each other."

He looked devastated as your statement lingered in the air like a bad smell.

With a flash of electricity, he disappeared into the TV and presumably left the penthouse, leaving you alone to break down alone and sob into your hands at how drastically one morning had ruined the last good thing in your life. 

It was late in the night when you were sat on the balcony edge with sounds of riots, looting and general chaos filled the quiet air from far down below. 

Extermination was the last thing on your mind at the moment - if you gave any thought to it then it would lead to a dark path where you would consider just how deserving you would be to meet the end of an Angel's spear - but the signs were looming everywhere of doomsday's rapid approach. 

You were lost in thought as you stared down at the half-smoked cigarette in your hand. It felt more poisonous with every inhale, especially after the harsh realisation from this morning of how alike your mother you had become. A motif of your own failures and how you were fucked from the start, even with the nature vs nurture argument. On both accounts, you were bound to turn out as unlovable as her. 

Just look at how you treated people who cared about you.

As if summoning him by thought, Vox appeared in a flash by the balcony doors and walked towards you looking bone-tired from wherever he had been - likely work, considering his ethic of always putting profit over personal matters and drowning out his problems with productivity. 

"Can I bum one of those?" He asked lightly as he gestured down to the pack of cigarettes, referencing back to the first time you met. 

You couldn't so much as crack a smile and simply nodded before turning your attention away to the streets below.

There was so much that you had planned to say to him when you seen him again but now that he was actually here, the words were all stuck in your throat so a few minutes of tense silence followed with only the sound of Vox sparking his own cigarette before leaning down on the edge of his balcony with his forearms, looking like he was in the same boat as you with wanting to speak up but unable to find the words. 

It was only fair for you to be the first one to do so, considering how much you'd put him through.

"I would have left by now if I knew how to work that damn door. I wouldn't want to burden you with my presence any longer than I have already."

"Don't play the martyr, Evangeline. I noticed you've had your suitcase packed ever since we started fighting about work." He retorted candidly, looking even more crestfallen than before if possible. "You gonna snap at me again if I point out that you were just looking for an excuse to run the second things got hard?"

You bit your lip to prevent yourself from just running off at the mouth. He was right after all. There was no use of throwing a hissy fit at him pointing it out. 

"That's what she said." You quipped after a beat, if only to try and add some levity to the horrendous atmosphere. 

Vox let out a surprised huff of laughter and looked at you with such fondness that it ached to see. The fact that repeating one of his stupid jokes that he'd been recycling over and over again was all it took to make him smile like that and you had to wait until things were at its worst between you both to do it said a lot. 

You really liked his smile and you inwardly cursed yourself for not doing everything you could to bring it out. 

Even though you hated being vulnerable, you knew he was owed a hell of a lot more than just a light-hearted joke to smooth things over. So, after another drag of your cigarette, you started to speak from the heart for once.

"I'm sorry, Theodore, truly." 

He raised his eyebrows in shock. 

"I never meant to hurt you. In truth, I knew when we began this dalliance that I wouldn't be cut out for it - I'm too..." You trailed off, not wanting to make a pity party for yourself. You weren't the victim here. After clearing your throat, you quickly moved on, "Besides the point, you were a good man to me and an even better friend. I should have known you were too emotionally fragile after bravely cutting off your abuser and kept our relationship the way that it was, rather than taking advantage of your vulnerability for my own selfishness. Regardless of my intention, I'm so sorry and I can only hope that you'll find it in your heart to forgive me."

Vox didn't waste any time from reaching over to take your hand as softly as ever. 

"Course I forgive you, Evee. You got me through the lowest point in my afterlife."

You teared up at his instantaneous response. 

"Then made you re-live it." You pointed out with more than a little self-deprecation but you couldn't bring yourself to release his hand, clinging onto his touch like a lifeline.

Vox gave you the saddest of smiles, so full of a contradictory amount of grief and sincerity. 

"Guess that's a problem I need to modify: I always love the wrong people." He admitted quietly, stroking his thumb across your knuckles in a loving gesture. 

His words were the final twist of the knife lodged in your heart. You never thought you'd hear anyone so much as imply that they loved you, so hearing it for the first time your whole life in this way was gut-wrenching. 

For the first time in a while, the thorns on your ring finger nipped at your skin and forced you into a hallucinatory daydream.

It was a rare day when you'd had some time off from working at the diner. Thankfully, you'd had an early start to the morning, cleaning the whole house to your mother's standard and had just finished making her breakfast when the front door was knocked by a gentleman caller. 

Your mother had answered the door to -static- while you eagerly awaited her permission to go with him behind her, grinning brightly once you saw him from over her shoulder which he instantly returned before laying the charm on thick with Lucille. 

For some unknown reason, she always hated him no matter how charming he was with her. For a woman who treated manners with a military-like mentality, his gentlemanly ways only seemed to fuel her spite. You secretly suspected it was due to her envy over how sweetly -static- treated you when her own dalliance had abandoned her. Such an ugly trait. 

However, despite her surly attitude, she had no reason not to allow you to go out with him since your obligations were completed until lunch. 

Which was how you both ended up strolling through the park, arm and arm, enjoying the peace and serenity in each other's company. The scenery was like something out of a romance novel with the sunrise shining in the background, the birds chirping merrily through the trees and the brisk springtime air making it appropriate for you both to walk pressed shoulder-to-shoulder without being judged by onlookers.

"I have some exciting news to share." He announced with his usual gorgeous smile that you had secretly already fallen for. 

In this light, you were captivated by this man's beauty - both inside and out. The very fact that you had been courting for quite some time now and he still made time for you every day, dealt with your crazy mother just to keep the peace for you as well as put up with - and even enjoyed - your attitude was nothing short of a miracle. To this day, you still didn't understand how you'd gotten so lucky when he could have had his choice of the litter. 

You hadn't realised you were staring until he reached up with his free hand to boop your nose.

"Oh do tell, these peaceful silences drain me without hearing you chip in every five seconds." You finally shot back with no shortage of sarcasm despite it being unbecoming for a lady, if only to hid your flustered state. 

As always, he wasn't put off by your teasing. In fact, you both shared such a similar sense of humour that he laughed wholeheartedly before giving as good as he got.

"My apologies, is my voice interrupting your train of thought staring at me?" He pointed out with a smirk, chuckling once again when you huffed indignantly to hid your embarrassment from being so obvious with your infatuation.

Still, he wasn't wrong. 

"Am I to be blamed for admiring my handsome beau?" You asked curtly with a raised eyebrow.

His cheeks flushed at your boldness, matching yours perfectly, as you both smiled shyly.

"Red's your colour." You said with a giggle. Playfully, he shot you a look. "Alright alright, what's your news, -static-?" 

"Well, I took your advice and applied for a position at the radio shack." He started, pausing for dramatic effect since he was always one for the theatrics. You stopped the both of you in your tracks and looked up at him in anticipation. "And I've been accepted for an intern position starting Monday."

"Sweetie, that's amazing!" You screamed, ignoring the few others in the park feeding the birds that were now shooting you daggers. You hadn't even noticed them in your excitement.

Automatically, you jumped into his arms in utter exhilaration to which he immediately spun you around, matching your enthusiasm with a fond laugh. Once he set you down, he never released your waist nor did you remove your arms from around his neck, neither baring the thought of letting the other go quite yet.

Like two magnets, your foreheads met as you gazed at each other with what could only be described as complete adoration.

"I'm so proud of you." You told him sincerely, causing him to look at you in a way you'd never been looked at before. It felt nice, though, albeit strange. It was like he'd seen an angel.

"It's all thanks to your belief and support, dearest. After my mother had passed, I never thought anyone could fill the gaping hole in my chest that her absence left. That is, until I met you." He confessed with so much affection that your eyes clouded over with mist. "Now, I feel like anything is possible with a delightful dame like you by my side."

"Oh stop." You gently pulled away from him, unable to accept such high praise no matter how many times this sweet man bestowed you with it. "Just don't forget me when you're rich and famous and we'll call it square."

"Impossible." He dismissed confidently as he took both of your hands in his and pulled you back to him. "I'm afraid I'm far too stuck on you for that to ever happen."

Your jaw dropped slightly as you stared at him in disbelief. Surely, you'd heard his statement wrong or he was just joking with you again. However, as the seconds passed and no follow up quip was made, you were left flabbergasted.

"You mean it?" You croaked out, daring to hope.

"With all my heart. I love you, cher." 

You never had this rush of euphoria before. You imagined it was like the first hit of the most addicting drug on the market, making you no less of an addict than your mother. However, it was all from a feeling - no narcotic needed. 

It felt like you were floating. 

Your heart was sent aflutter, your pulse raced, butterflies filled your stomach.

You were hopelessly in love with this man. 

"I- I love you too, -static-." 

You couldn't remember who leaned in first but before you knew it, your lips had met in a sweet mesh of pure passion. Sparks flashed behind your eyes fluttering closed as you got lost in the kiss. You'd read about such a thing in the library books but you never thought the real thing would live up to the descriptions. 

It was the perfect first kiss, with the man who owned your entire heart after giving you his so freely on a platter.

You pulled your hand away from Vox's like it burned and kept at a safe distance from him altogether. 

"You don't love me, Teddy." You told him with no condescension in your tone whatsoever and glanced over at him sympathetically. "You just loved someone being nice to you after what you'd been through."

For a second, he looked like he wanted to argue but ultimately decided against it and looked away at the horizon instead as he took a deep inhale of his smoke.

"And perhaps we're one in the same when it comes to that." You quietly admitted, showing that there was still some solidarity between you both.

Just like in that first night outside of the club, both of you knew what loneliness felt like. Maybe, with some healing and perseverance, you could get back to a place that you could alleviate some of it again. 

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry to you too, dollface. There's a lot of crap I've done that I'm not proud of and you ain't no different. I want you in my life, in whatever way you'll have me." He spoke with a heartfelt expression that you felt unworthy of but appreciated nonetheless. "After extermination, I'll help you look for a place to live if you want some space from us. Even give you some P.T.O while you're settling in."

You could tell that he was trying to lighten the mood with his last statement but you were too taken aback by his kindness that you couldn't riff with him. In fact, you couldn't help but instinctually throw away your cigarette and hop down from the ledge to wrap your arms around him in a tight embrace.

"Thank you, darling. I don't know what I've done to deserve your patience with me but I'll be eternally grateful for it." You whispered, blinking back the tears gathering in your eyes.

You could've been mistaken but you thought you felt him tensing before lightly patting your back and pulling away, hiding a guilt-stricken expression.

"Don't mention it, dollface." He firmly stated, taking a harsh drag of his cigarette.

"Is there any way I can repay you?" You offered sincerely, unable to just accept his easy acceptance without giving anything in return.

He hummed in thought before turning to you with a devious smirk.

"...Ever heard of friends with benefits, dollface?"

This time, his joke did manage to force a small exhale of laughter from you as well as a good-natured eye roll.

"Actually, I have. Can't recall where though." You buzzed his side in his ticklish spot, causing him to yelp before chuckling and lightly shoving you away. "Keep on dreaming, Teddy."

"Don't need to tell me twice, gorgeous." He leered with a lewd lick of his lips as he pointedly looked down at your breasts.

You resisted the urge to playfully slap him and just snapped your fingers in front of his face to return his gaze to your eyes.

"Pervert."

"Prude."

With that, you both shared a fond smile and sat with each other for the rest of the night whilst the world seemed to burn beneath you. 

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

You woke up with a blood-curdling scream, feeling for the first time since death that your body was burning alive.

"It's okay, dollface. I know, I'm here." Vox soothed softly from your bedside, dabbing a damp cloth on your forehead that was pearled with sweat. 

You were in the worst pain imaginable, writhing in your bed from the tortuous agony of it all.

It was indescribable just how much the very molecule's in your system seemed to throb all at once with every breath you took. The insides of you felt like you had been skinned alive, soaked in a salt bath, scrubbed clean with a rusted carving knife and stitched back together again. All in all, this is what you pictured Hell to feel from the preacher's descriptions of eternal fire and torture in church when you were alive. 

"Hurts." You wheezed, yelping sharply when even talking caused you immense pain. 

"I know, Evee, I'm so sorry. It'll pass." Vox continued to try and settle you. 

His calm and sorrowful demeanour managed to stop you from completely freaking out even as you lay in bed twitching and spasming uncontrollably. 

"Teddy, am I..." You rasped hoarsely as you blinked back tears but your efforts were for naught. A terrified whimper escaped from your lips before the tears started to flow down your face. 

You couldn't even wipe them away with how much like lead your limbs felt at the moment. 

"You're okay, gorgeous. I promise, it's- it'll be okay." Vox whispered with a clear - and failed - attempt at keeping the worry from his tone just from the sight of you like this. 

"Am I dying? Think I'm dying." You confessed in a panic, staring up at the ceiling for fear that you would see the truth on Vox's face. 

He cursed under his breath before delicately taking one of your hands to stroke his thumb across your wrist at the pulse point whilst wiping the tears from your cheeks with the cold cloth. 

"Evee, look at me." He said firmly so you complied despite your building hysteria. 

As soon as you met his gaze, his cyan-coloured eye started to swirl around in a hypnotic fashion until you were stuck in his trance.

"I want you to go into a deep sleep where you can't feel any pain. I know it hurts but just remember I'm here for you. Don't be scared."

With that, you drifted off as peacefully as you could in this state.

Vox didn't release your hand until it went heavy so he knew for sure.

He'd never been as worried as he had been yesterday when you'd passed out like that. In all the excitement of his mortal enemy finally kicking the bucket, he'd forgotten that your soul was still intertwined with his. That elation was rapidly snuffed out when he thought for a few minutes that you died right along with him - especially when your breathing ceased while he'd been screaming and frantically shaking your motionless body.

Thankfully he'd been able to use the voltage in his hands like a defibrillator machine to shock your heart into restarting. 

However, even after he'd carried you to your room into your bed, you hadn't stopped writhing and whimpering in pain even in your sleep. 

He felt so goddamn helpless and hadn't been able to leave your side since. Now, seeing what it was like when you were actually awake? That feeling hit him like a semi-truck on a highway.

"Great plan, genius. Just put her back to sleep, that'll fix everything." Velvette taunted loudly from behind him, causing Vox to jump and whip his head around to see her leaning on the doorframe.

"Hey, it's the best I'm working with right now! Maybe if she just sleeps it off..." He was scrambling for a solution here because he didn't actually know how to fix this problem.

"Right, because having half of your soul die? Pretty much the same as a fever." She drawled sarcastically, checking her nails with a bored expression.

"I know it's bad, okay?! But what the fuck else can I do - no one thought that fucking cockroach would actually die!" He snapped, jumping up from the chair to pace the room floor. "She'll get used to it... Eventually. Right? It'll just be like chronic pain or something." 

Even his frantic musing sounded crap to his own audio receptors.

It wasn't like this shit was ideal for him either! He didn't want you to be in pain at all.

This past week had been going so well and it finally felt like you were making a good amount of process moving on from the trauma in your past - Alastor included, although you hadn't realised, since he'd been scanning your head to watch your dreams - so why did this have to happen now? It was time for you both to have a fresh start and now he had to fix this bullshit too! 

Only, he was at a loss as to how. 

In all of the time he'd been in Hell, he'd never met a soul stupid enough to tie theirs with another down here. Love didn't last long - especially for sinners - so it was more common than not for marriage contracts to be used for political posturing for higher-ups in the hierarchy, way above even his paygrade as an Overlord. They were a way to ensure that properties, power and status were equally shared. 

Well, Beside King Lucifer and Queen Lilith but look how that train wreck turned out.

Hence he'd never seen the effects of what happened when half of the soul was erased with the other still tethered to them.

"Absolutely not." Velvette scoffed right next to him, startling him out of his frenzied thoughts. She grabbed him and started to push him out of the room before he could protest. "She's enough of a sore-fucking-head as is. Do you really think I'm putting up with her constantly whinging about this too?" She shuddered at the very thought, shutting the door of the room and standing in front of it with her arms crossed. "Just send her back to the bloody Princess and let those idiots deal with the fallout. She's their mess anyway." 

"She's my mess!" He snapped, sparks emitting from him in his rage and slamming the door back open with electrical currents so he could still see you.

She facepalmed.

Velvette loved Vox like he was her own blood but it was always time like these that she could throttle him without so much as a pang of remorse. 

"You don't get it, Velvette. You didn't see her that night we made the deal, she was fucking broken." Vox justified, ready to go on another one of his long-winded speeches. "And they let-" 

"The Radio Demon abuse and kidnap her so you had to jump in and be the hero and help her out like she did with you and Valentino. I know!" She finished for him in annoyance. "I've heard this shite like a thousand times! Voxxy, you're getting obsessive again."

He instantly made a squeaky noise of disbelief before making a show of puffing out air, waving her off with the most unconvincing look known to man. 

She pursed her lips and stared him down with an unimpressed scowl until he was finished with his shitty performance. 

After a beat of silence, he made another - deeper, obviously trying to recover from the girly squeak - noise of disagreement and shakily crossed his arms.

"Am not." He finally retorted, weakly. 

She rolled her eyes. 

Considering you were pretty much the only thing he'd spoken about since that night he met you, she begged to differ. 

Back then, she'd thought that you were just another fad that he was going through - like the whole podcast stage in his career, expanding his tech to other rings in Hell or that eel assistant of his - where he only got semi-stalkery until he got bored and put his efforts into more important endeavours: Making their brand money! And hey, maybe you would've been had he not found out of your attachment to the Radio Demon. It was a fucking match made in Hell from the beginning. 

Because Vox had only ever had two obsessions before you in his seventy years down here and you were an even mix of the worst parts of both of them.

Come to think of it... That was now Alastor and Valentino erased in only a couple of months apart so with any luck, Vox's wet dreams might actually be cursed and you'd follow suit shortly.

"You know what? Fine." She conceded, flipping her ponytail over her shoulder and going to the console table by the door to get her bedazzled handbag. "No skin off my nose if she stays unconscious. All the better if I don't hear her constant nagging." She shrugged, digging through her bag to find her little mirror to check her makeup.

Even though when her attention was on her own reflection, she could practically feel the sappy - creepy - look he was staring at you with from the doorway. 

"Oi!" She clicked her fingers at him before reapplying her lipstick. "Listen we've already wasted enough time with you getting zap happy and doing your Edward Cullen impression all night. We need to get back to work! You know it's always busier than a whore working on commission the day after extermination. Plus we've got that Overlord meeting to drop in for - they'll be auctioning off Alastor's contracts." 

"Fuck 'em." He muttered with a conflicted look, still glancing over to you through the door every few seconds.

Velvette groaned, rolling her eyes so far into her skull that she was sure they did a full 180 turn. 

She fondly remembered a time where her partner in crime would've jumped at the chance for such an opportunity. It seemed he just needed his bestie to wear the big boss pants and set him on the right path. Honestly, if he didn't have her as the backbone for the Vees, this brand would've crumbled in the nineties when the internet really popped off thanks to her.

"Voxxy," She waved her hand and manipulated his pant legs to walk over to her side before hitting the button for the elevator.

"Hey!" Vox objected. 

"Shut your hole, we're leaving." Velvette stated firmly, waving her hand over him to change his sloppy and haggard appearance into his usual camera ready, put-together, smart suit and top hat.

"Look, it'll be good for you to have something to take your mind off all this shit. Plus you're the only one with footage of the battle and it'll quadruple our ratings if we're the first ones to break the story of the Radio Demon dying. So here's what we're gonna do: You will go to the 666 news station and sort out the broadcast - remember to put in the ads for my upcoming fashion line in Gluttony - and I'll handle the meeting today so you can come back to check in on your pet. Afterwards, I'll take you out for lunch to Wrath's Ragin' Stakehouse, sound good?"

She dusted off his shoulders before pushing them so he flew through the opened elevator doors before strutting in herself and slamming the button to take them downstairs to their ride.

As much as Vox appreciated her trying to cheer him up but one of his faults was always his tendency to overthink even the littlest of things so it wasn't like there was a button to turn off his racing thoughts. Still, he was resigned to listen to her and sulkily slouched against the wall while they descended to the front doors. Maybe it would be good for him to have something to distract him for a couple of hours...

"Velv, what if there's more to this afterlife than money and power?" He mused thoughtfully.

"Like what?" She asked half-heartedly while she took a couple of photos from her phone on the mirrored wall.

"I dunno..." He let out a sigh. "Love and respect?" 

"Sounds gay."

Her quick and unenthusiastic response did manage to get a chuckle from him.  

"You're gay." He shot back with a lopsided smile.

"Duh." She rolled her eyes and put away her phone, turning around to give him her full attention. "And I love you, dumbass. Even when you're on your man-period."

As soon as she'd said it, she regretted it instantly when Vox's screen glitched with a static rainbow heart and he immediately pulled her in for a warm hug. 

Because she knew he was going through a hard time, she allowed him five seconds of touching her before shoving him off.

"Right that's enough! You'll wrinkle my jacket, you knob!" She smoothed out her clothes. 

"You're such a fucking bitch. But I love you too, shortstack." 

They both shared an affectionate smile and she reached out to take his hand, interlocking their fingers and giving him a friendly squeeze.

No sooner than she did, the doors had opened to reveal the limousine parked in front waiting for them.

"Now chop chop and let's get to headquarters!" She dragged him out of the lift and opened the limousine door for him. "With Overlords dropping like flies, we're gonna be on top of the food chain in no time with those contracts! I can't wait to rub it in that cunt Carmilla's face. I'm gonna make her kiss my custom-baby-seal-skinned leather boots."

'You're getting obsessive again.'

Velvette's words kept spinning around in his head like a broken Satan-damned record, especially when he was hooked up to the multiple screens in his private monitoring room in the Vee tower. 

Safe to say, he'd blown off lunch with Velvette after having the morning from fucking Hell.

Once the 666 breaking news released the footage of what happened during the extermination, the support for Alastor went through the roof. Their intercom quite literally blew up from the amount of call-ins they'd had with delusional followers and hellkind of all types praising that fucker for standing up to Heaven and paying the ultimate consequence. Already, there were idiots in the streets building memorials in his name, forming cults in devotion, scrambling to archive his old radio recordings to preserve as some sort of legacy! 

As if that wasn't enough nightmare fuel, Velvette called him after the meeting to let him know that none of his old contracts were up for grabs because he'd already composed a will in the event of his death stating that all of them were to go to the Cannibal Overlord to repay the lives that had been lost during the battle. 

Pretentious fucking prick motherfucking manipulative sociopath creepy goddamn shithead! 

If he could, Vox would kill him a second - third? - time all over again and make it as painful as possible! 

He'd glitched out - causing mass blackouts and technical problems throughout Hell - more than a handful of times already and anytime he seen anybody sucking that fossil's dead dick, it would lead to another fuse being blown in his system without fail. 

On the multiple screens in front of him was an array of different media playing at the same time, such as; different live footage of the fanatic morons in the streets through the seven rings, a constant loop of replay to the moments in the battle footage where Alastor was maimed, CCTV of his factory workers scrambling to keep up with the order influx of VoxTek technology after his running sponsors between the breaking news and, in the screen directly in front of him, a monitor showing you laying in bed - asleep, thankfully - but still spasming sporadically. 

He traced a claw slowly over your image with guilt weighing heavy on his shoulders.

It was the cherry on the shit sundae that he had to see you suffering like this - that you even had to endure it at all. Just knowing that you would potentially spend the rest of eternity feeling like you were dying because of an egotistical maniac made him want to use all of his assets to put an end to that hotel as revenge for ever putting you in this situation in the first place. What was worse, he was somewhat self-aware enough to know that he was just looking for someone to blame because he felt so goddamn helpless. 

Vox promised you he'd be there for you, that he wouldn't let anyone hurt you while he was in your corner. 

None of this crap was supposed to happen! 

He was supposed to be the hero of this story, not Alastor! 

He saved you!

Just because he didn't cosplay as bloody tampon Jesus with a fuckass bob, dying for the sins of some stupid ass has-beens, didn't mean that he wasn't the obvious good guy here!

...Oh, he finally got the name of that hotel now. 

Shitty joke. 

Either way, Vox proved himself to be the more powerful Overlord, the better entertainment medium in Hell, he was richer, he was sexier, he was smarter, he was stronger and he was funnier! All round, he won their little decades-long back and forth as to who was better. In every conceivable way, he'd finally beaten that dick.

And, of course, the bastard couldn't even die without ruining his stuff in the process. 

"Umm s-sir?"

The nervous tell-tale stutter of his personal assistant broke him out of his train of thought. With an annoyed grumble, he chugged half of his coffee from his 'Fuck Alastor' mug before spinning in his chair to face the tremoring eel who was holding a letter. 

"This better be good, idiot."

"It's, umm, sorry sir, i-it's Eeliot." The eel anxiously corrected, curling in on himself in the middle of the walkway. 

Vox shot him a look of impatience and pressed the button in his chair that opened the floors on both sides of where the eel demon stood to reveal his two sharks ready to pounce on command, an unspoken order to get to the point lest he was forced to be shark chow and regenerate from their shit in an excruciating process. 

It'd happened before.

Eelijah or whatever audibly gulped and quickly marched to plant himself at Vox's feet to present the letter to him, as a servant might do for royalty. 

"P-Please d-d-don't kill me, s-sir, h-he threatened m-me last week and g-gave specif-f-fic in-instructions." He stuttered out as quickly as possible. 

Vox narrowed his eyes in confusion and snatched the wax-sealed letter to rip open, leaving his assistant to scurry out of the room back to safety without a scratch. 

He already damn well knew who it was from, considering his assistant was usually smarter than to barge in on his PRIVATE space and risk invoking his wrath, and surmised it was during the Radio Demon's rampages where he was taking out his security left, right and centre only to always be stopped any time he'd tried to enter a distance within a hundred feet of you. 

Due to the banishing spell Vox had put on the part of his soul that he owned.

Love might know no distance but a magical restraining order sure did. 

However, surprisingly, Vox was met with nothing but good news in the letter. Such good news, that he leaped up from his seat in joy and knocked over his favourite mug without a care in the world. Holy shit, he'd have to give Eelon or whatever a raise for keeping this treasure safe!

"Yes!" He kissed the letter. "You son of a bitch, you finally did something right!" 

Wasting no time, Vox zapped through the screen to teleport back home.

"Evee? Wake up, baby."

As soon as your mind became conscious to the excruciating pain of your reality, your body automatically lurched to the side with the phantom feeling that you were going to throw up but, by this point, you'd already upchucked even the lining of your stomach and there was nothing else left to give. 

Yet again, Vox was there to help you through it and rubbed your back until you could stop dry heaving. 

"I know it hurts but I've got something to fix it." He assured with a soft smile before slowly helping you into a sitting position for the first time since you collapsed. 

You'd instantly clutched your throbbing abdomen and chest at your upright position and tried to grit your teeth through the pain, ready to take whatever medicine he'd come back with to fix this - you'd take fucking fentanyl if it stopped this torture. 

"Just sign this and the pain'll stop, dollface."

Before you could even register what he'd said, a clipboard appeared in your lap with a legal document clipped on.

"What?" You rasped, shooting him bewildered look as he took your shaking left hand from your chest and put a pen in it, closing your fist with his on top before squeezing in support.

"Trust me." He reassured, gently caressing your face with his other hand. 

Damnit, you did. 

Through the tremors, you gave him a small smile in thanks which he soon returned and sat back to let do what you needed.

Only thing was, as soon as you looked down at the document, you were sure he'd given you the wrong thing.

"These are divorce papers?" You stated more as a question. You'd have thought that it would've been some sort of medical document at the very least but this only made things even more confusing. 

Had you gone mad from the pain? Was this some sort of drug-induced psychosis from a hospital ward? Had you fallen into a coma after your heart attack in the kitchen and this was a result of delirium? 

As if things weren't already batshit insane, you watched in real time as your usually sweet Teddy Bear's face harden like stone at your hesitation. 

"Look it doesn't matter, just sign your name on the dotted line and this'll be over." He rushed out, clearly trying to get this done as fast as possible, though you chalked it up to worry or concern for your behalf. 

"Why would that-?"

"Listen to me for once and do it!" He snapped harshly causing you to startle.

You stared at him in shock, feeling fearful for the first time ever in his presence. 

Not only was this totally out of character for him but you were in such a state of agony that there was no way you could defend yourself should things become violent. 

As soon as Vox seen you look scared of him, he deflated faster than a helium balloon at a goth's birthday party. 

Slumping in his seat, he sighed wearily and resisted the urge to pull out one of his own smokes to spark up in order deal with all of this bullshit. He should've expected you to have questions but he figured with the amount of pain you were in that you would've jumped through any hoop if he said it would take it away. He didn't even know why he was so hesitant to reveal the real reason... Or maybe he did and wanted to live in ignorant bliss with you instead.

"I'm sorry." He whispered sincerely. "I didn't mean to yell. I just... The truth is..." He broke eye contact with you, unable to look at your frightened and confused expression. "That prick who died yesterday? You were married."

Your jaw dropped open in utter shock with your wide eyes darting down to the clipboard in your lap before looking at the thorny ring on your finger that was clasped shakily around the pen in your hand. 

Yep, coma dream it was. You thought to yourself deliriously as your mind tried to piece together the insane situation you'd found yourself in. 

Everything was happening so suddenly that it was hard for your brain to even keep up with the rapid change of events, and the constant agonizing pain throughout the whole ride wasn't exactly helping either. 

Whether it was a saving grace or another detriment to your sanity, Vox looked back up at you and continued his explanation while you were inwardly freaking the fuck out.

"You're suffering because your souls' are still tethered together. But if you sign this, you're off the hook!" He tried to put a positive spin on things with forced enthusiasm. "We can start the next chapter of our lives with a total fresh start - without anything to do with him!" He finished almost frantically.

Mind still reeling, you looked back down to the papers to see Alastor's signature on line one and the dotted line where yours were supposed to go next to it. Underneath there was a marking to show it was page 2 or 2. Feeling like you were participating in some weird dream, you unclipped the papers to reveal the first page folded over the staple and hidden behind. 

"C'mon hey, you don't need to see all that crap - it's just wasting time, that fuckin' yapper never knew when to shut the fuck up." Vox protested, conveniently leaving out the fact that he'd already attempted to rip that page off but because it was a contract, it couldn't be altered or destroyed by anyone other than the one who made it.

However, when he'd tried to take it from you to flip over again, you'd clutched the letter protectively to your chest. 

Vox dropped his hand mid-grab with a look of confliction. 

"I wanna see." You croaked weakly and what could Vox say to that? He hadn't been able to deny you anything thus far and this time was no exception. 

He sat back with bated breath and hoped to Satan that you would be able to see through the manipulative bullshit. 

When Vox backed off, you looked down at the handwritten letter in desperation that it would give some kind of clarity to what the hell was going on.

'My dearest, Y/N, 

There hasn't yet been enough words formed in any language to be able to depict the regret I feel for causing you so much pain throughout our lifetime. It should not have taken me until I lost you to reflect on my actions but, unfortunately, such is the case. However, before I beg for your understanding for a potentially final time, there are some things I desperately need you to know. 

You are, and always have been, the most beautiful creature God has ever created. Body, mind and soul. Despite the darkness you've had to deal with in your life, instead of succumbing to it as most - including myself - would, you always find a way to seek out the light and I don't think I've ever told you how much I've always admired that quality. 

I first found it funny that your power in Hell was fire - and thought it quite fitting - what with how I used to tease you of your fiery temper. Until this year together, I didn't realise just how perfectly matched to you it truly is. Reasons being; you are warmth, you are light, you are passion. 
You are the only thing that made my existence worth living and, like a madman to a flame, I've never been able to resist you.

And selfishly, I have always tried to keep you all for myself even when there have always been so many others who love you just as much as I: Charlie, Vaggie, Niffty, Husker and Angel. Remember them, cher. Even if you forget me for eternity, remember the people who you brought together as a family. 

Lastly, you've always been too hard on yourself.

I used to wonder why you never give yourself even a modicum of grace that you bestow onto those you love. I had simply thought it was the poison of your mother's influence during your youth but now I blame myself; for I should have showered you with praise with every word that left my lips instead of just when your insecurities showed, should have spent every waking hour playing entertainer for you instead of strangers listening to my show, should have been the man you deserved instead of becoming the monster you were shackled to. 

All this to say, I am deeply sorry for - well, just about everything, my love. 

The lies, the manipulation, the trap I entangled you into. Though my reasoning for doing so isn't just, it's the God's honest truth: I love you too much to lose you so I did everything in my power to keep you, even if it was as your ball and chain. 

I don't expect - nor deserve - your forgiveness, but please allow me to try and make amends and let my actions speak more than words could. 

Should this letter find you, it means I am unable to free you in person. 

Thus, attached behind are divorce papers with my signature already in place. You need not remove our wedding rings with this, simply sign yours too and our contract will be terminated. 

Yours always, 
Alleycat.

Page 1 of 2'

"Oh Satan, dollface, please don't cry." You hadn't realised that you were until Vox pointed it out. "See this is exactly why I never told you! He obviously just upsets you! It's better to leave that relic where he belongs: In the past!" 

Ironically, the pain in your heart from reading these sentiments from a man you had - as far as you remembered - never met managed to take over and numb your body to everything else. 

Your traced your finger over the nickname at the bottom until one of your tears hit the page beside it. 

The static is your head whenever you thought about those dreams - memories - you've been having for the past two months didn't fully clear but it did fade because you knew that name was familiar. 

What did this man mean about having a family? How was it possible that someone felt this way about you? What did he mean about freeing you? How did he know your name when you were alive? Why couldn't you remember any of this? 

A million questions spun around in your mind until they pushed you into a panic.

"Teddy, why- Owch dammit!" You hurt yourself trying to sit forward. Your automatic reaction was to do what you did best whenever feeling cornered and that was bolt faster than the goddamn wind but every movement still felt like a thousand needles pressed into your bones. "Why don't- I remember- any this?" You asked through laboured breath, swinging your legs off the side of the bed and letting the clipboard fall to the floor. 

Vox was powerless to watch you getting more worked up to the point that you were actively hurting yourself.

Impulsively, as a last ditch effort to deescalate the situation without causing you further pain and panic, he held his hands towards your temples and sparked a bolt of electricity through your head. Not only for the circulation to force your body to drop back down into a lying position but also to lower the mental block in your mind to release your memories. It was the fastest way to make you see just how much misery Alastor had put you through and why you were lucky that there was finally a way to rid yourself of him. 

Funny, you thought to yourself as your mind opened up to your lost memories, turns out that shock therapy was the only one you should've tried.

Whenever you'd read books in the past that dealt with amnesia patients regaining their memories in some big climatic moment, it was often described with sequenced significant events from throughout the story, structured one after the other, until the lost memories were fully restored as if past was slowly trickling in piece by piece. 

That wasn't what happened. 

You felt like you got hit by a fucking bus. 

It was like waking up in the middle of a dream that still felt real but as soon as you opened your eyes, reality kicked in faster than a bullet. 

You could remember practically skipping back to the hotel after poisoning your husband, so excited to see your babies again after a week that felt like eternity, only to find out on arrival of their betrayal leading to you having a breakdown. Vox leaking your marriage to the news who blasted it throughout Hell. You running away like an overly emotional, immature brat causing you to almost be attacked. 

And making a deal with the TV Demon. 

You blinked a few times and tried to steady your shakily exhales of breath before glancing over to the man at your bedside. 

Vox gave you a small apprehensive smile while you blinked back the remaining tears in your eyes and stared at him with a hard to discern look but there were no flames or even smoke coming from you so that was a great sign. 

"I know it's a lot to process, dollface." He comforted, hesitantly taking your hand to soothe you. 

He breathed a sigh of relief when you squeezed his hand back. 

"Vox, I... Need you to hold me." You begged, clearly having reached your limit for how overwhelmed you could possibly be. 

"Of course, Evee. Told ya, I'm always here for you." He readily agreed, leaning over to hug you as tenderly as he could as to not hurt your fragile body further.  

Pushing through another series of spasms, you wrapped your heavy-feeling arms around his shoulders and settled into his embrace, nuzzling your head underneath his screen and into the crook of his neck.

You then bit down on the side of his neck deep enough to latch your fangs into the muscle tendons there. 

Vox let out an ear-piercing scream and rapidly tried to push you off to get you to release but had no such luck due to your jaw being locked with a death-like grip like some sort of rabid pit bull. 

He tried to summon your cyan soul chain to force you off of him but your soul had pretty much hit it's pain threshold when half of it died and no amount pain would be able to top that - not even the remaining half being choked. 

Eventually, after Vox blew out the windows with his high-pitched sonic screeching, he quite literally had to rip you away from him with his entire force which lead to you spitting out the chunk of his neck left in your jaws towards his screen with trickles of his blood mixing with the tear tracks down your face. 

He cursed like a sailor while automatically holding the large, gaping wound in his neck which was spraying with blood and also sparks of electricity from a strange mixture of anatomy of broken cables and ripped wires along with muscle and veins. 

His screen was short-circuiting with the sound of loud, sporadic static noises emitting while he glared down at you with shock and betrayal more than evident in his expression.

"Y-czzzt-OU C-szzzzrt-RAZY BI-zzcct-TCH!" 

Chapter Text

Vox stood in front of you, fucking flabbergasted, as he clutched his painful, gushing, open wound.

He'd gotten so used to you being careful and considerate with him this past week and you just messed him up in one of the most vicious, unexpected ways ever. Although he'd seen your violent spurts with Valentino and the chef from Alfrenzo's, he'd never actually expected you to turn that aggression on him. What was even stranger was that there was not one flame in sight despite the fact your face had almost fully turned red with anger by this point.

During his momentary shock, you'd pulled harshly on your own soul chain to drag him back over to the bed and stabbed the pen in your hand as hard as you could into his screen, cracking it instantly and causing him to spark out once again.

"E-zzzrt-VEE!" He snapped harshly and had no choice but to literally throw you off the bed and away from him, causing you to land in a heap on the floor. 

He didn't know why the hell you thought you could take on an Overlord, point blank period, let alone try to do it when you were as weak as right now. Even if he wanted to throw some power around and show you who was boss here, he couldn't. It would feel too much like kicking around a cancer patient in the middle of their chemotherapy. 

"cczzzt-Stop i-iizzzzi-it." Vox pleaded in an attempt to calm you down. 

It did absolutely nothing because you crawled to him like something from a horror movie just to punch him in the nads. 

He automatically released your chain and dropped to his knees, now clutching his precious family jewels, which allowed the blood from his neck to continue to flow down the side of his body. 

Once he was eye level, you grabbed the lapels of his suit jacket and swung him down underneath you with panted breath. The exertion was quickly taking it's toll on you but the adrenaline and sheer rage was pushing you through. Your body was in full fight or flight mode right now.

You never imagined putting hands on Vox like this in any scenario, even before he'd called your toxic behaviour out for what it was, but you'd never been so fucking angry in your entire life or death. You genuinely didn't know how you hadn't exploded by now and because you were so flushed with rage, it was hard for you to even notice that you had no literal fire emitting from any part of your body like usual. 

"You.. ruined.. my.. life!" You grunted, pushing past all the pain to slam your elbow down on his clavicle before quite literally trying to rip the big stupid monitor from his neck entirely. 

Unfortunately, Vox clearly had enough of this song and dance and quickly flipped over your positions to immobilise you. The wound from his neck bled down onto you even as you struggled with all of your might, kicking your legs and arms to boot. However, he shot out a bolt of electricity that shocked - tasered, really - you, enough into stillness.

Forced to see through the red mist that was currently fogging your vision, you saw that he had the actual gall and audacity to look down at you with a hurt expression. As if he was the one who had been wronged here!

You couldn't believe he did this to you. He'd targeted you at your lowest point in such an opportunistic, sick, disgusting manner. Who in their right mind offered someone a deal for their soul during a mental breakdown? You thought he actually cared about you- worse! You thought he was the only person that ever did! 

Everything that happened over the last two months was for naught, other than being one giant mindfuck!

"I-czzzt-SAVED Y-ccczzzt-OU!" He screamed down at you with sparks still flying every which way. 

"You tricked me!" You shot back. "All of you fucking Overlords are the same! You put me in danger by exposing my marriage, stalked me in the street when I was at my lowest point then swooped in to make a deal when it was opportune! Do you believe I would've agreed to it if you told me it would lead to THIS?!" 

With him pinning you down, it was hard to keep up this surge of energy without focusing on attacking him. Even yelling took a significant amount of effort but it still made you feel minutely better. After all, the more you clung to the anger you felt, the less you'd have to deal with the despair laying below the surface.

"Yo-cczzt-u asked-szzrt me t-cccz-o ma-zz-ke-" Vox was glitching out so badly that it was growing increasingly more difficult to make out what he was saying. 

He let out a frustrated groan and shot out a bolt of electricity towards the digital alarm clock on your bedside table, transferring his voice there so he could speak through it clearly. 

"You ASKED me to make you forget, Evangeline. I'm not the fucking bad guy here, I traded you Angel Dust's soul for that deal fair and square AND I was nice enough to keep you safe like I promised!" 

"You kept me away from my family." You glared at him. 

"Look the spell was only supposed to erase all traces of Alastor - how was I supposed to know the only connections you had in your life were cause of him?! Abusers isolate the victim from friends and family, they don't provide them!" He argued desperately. 

"He isn't abusive you imbecile!"

"What?" Vox's screen glitched and not because of the injury this time. 

He was so shocked that he released his hold on you and cautiously moved away from you. 

You managed to drag yourself up to sit with your back against the side of the bed, still shooting him daggers the whole time.

"Alastor may have his flaws; he may lie and manipulate to get his own way, his ego is bigger than Mount Everest and his sense of morality tends to skew to unethical but he is a good person." You stated passionately, ignoring the TV Demon's bewildered look even as you continued.

"He always sticks up for the little guy because he hates abusers and bullies with every fibre of his being. He always stays anonymous when he donates his time and income to charities - and he's never once used that to aid his fame, he just does it because he remembers what its like to grow up with nothing. He tries to put a smile on everybody's face whenever he can because his mother taught him that smiling is the best way to deal with pain." During your rant, the reality of the situation was slowly settling into your chest with a different kind of excruciating pain.  

"And he loves-" You choked up as soon as the lump formed in your throat, once you realised that you couldn't use present tense when referring to your beloved any longer. "Loved me more than I thought was possible." 

You avoided Vox's eyes so he couldn't see the tears starting to gather in yours but you'd made the mistake of glancing down at the letter next to the clipboard you'd thrown aside, on the bedroom floor. 

The tragic irony wasn't lost on you; how all of this happened because Alastor lied yet again, trapping you down in Hell with him whilst he knew of a way of releasing you the entire time, only for him to right that wrong at a time when you wouldn't be able to remember him because you were trapped in something else.

Not only did he prove to you that he loved you enough to let you go but he also sacrificed his own afterlife to save the people that he declared would never be family to either of you.

Why didn't you just talk to him? 

You were always pressuring him to be more open and honest, allow himself to be vulnerable with you, but just look at the way you had been treating him ever since you both came to Hell. You still held every mistake he'd ever made over his head, even after you'd forgiven him for them so how could you both possibly have a fresh start when you'd never been able to trust him one hundred percent after that fateful day when the fuzz came to your door about his death and revealed his crimes.

Besides, it wasn't like you were a saint yourself - despite what Alastor says - because you seemed to hurt everyone that was ever stupid enough to care about you by doing the exact same thing and putting up a front of aloofness and stoicism to avoid the emotional toll that came with vulnerability. Then, instead of asking for help to deal with these emotions, you shoved them down in that metaphorical box in your mind until anyone did anything you didn't like and you exploded. 

No wonder he always hid big things from you - any time that you'd found out, you always went to the extreme with your reaction. 

Even now, you attacked and blamed Vox for offering that deal in the first place but... he was right. He gave you a fair trade.

You didn't have to take it, you didn't have to be in the street that night at all. If you just kept your cool for once, you could've heard out your loved ones about them keeping secrets from you. Alastor would've come home after the sleeping potion had worn off and you could've made a plan together about how to free Angel's contract. You could've been by their side during extermination day and maybe even... 

Alastor would still be here.

You broke down in heaving sobs, dropping your head into your hands and just about screaming with anguish when your brain had well and truly caught up with how badly - and irreversibly - you fucked up here.

For all that he had previously encouraged you to let out and show your emotions, Vox sat in complete perplexity during your breakdown. This was the worst that he'd ever seen you, including the night you'd made that deal. 

"Dollface..." He tried to reach out to you in some form of comfort but you instantly flinched away before he could touch you.

He shrunk back when you met his gaze to shoot him a look so full of hate that it, frankly, broke his heart. 

"I'm not signing that." You vehemently spat, snatching the letter back up and clutching it close like you were determined to keep any last bit of Alastor left on this hellscape. "You better just snap the rest of my fucking soul right now because I swear to LUCIFER, if you don't, I will spend every second of the rest of my existence finding a way to kill you." 

Vox gaped at the threat, looking very much like the kind of fish his sharks would've jumped to eat.

"You'd rather die with him than stay with me?!" 

Without breaking eye contact, you picked up the clipboard to roughly toss it into the alarm clock in order to knock it over and leave it smashed in pieces on the floor, ultimately forcing Vox to speak through his ripped vocal chords again. 

He raised his eyebrow at you in a silent, bitchy question of 'really?'

When he was met with nothing but defiance, he decided it was time to end this and shut you down while he figured out how to undo this shitstorm. 

Snapping his fingers, he summoned his cables to wrap around you and pull you closer to him so he could activate his swirling eye. Although his screen was badly cracked, he still had enough juice in him to reflect his powers through the shattered glass. 

Unfortunately, you were wise to his tricks by now and instantly started struggling to try and turn away from his gaze before squeezing your eyes shut to block out his hypnotism. 

"No!" 

Four small cables slithered over your tear-stained cheeks until they reached your eyelids and pried them both open, forcing you to fall under his trance. 

"B-ccczt-ack zzzt-to slee-zzeeet-p, Ev-ccczt-ee." He commanded, causing you to go completely limp in the cables hold. 

Once asleep, he took you into his arms and placed you back into the bed before dutifully tucking you in as well as wiping the tears and blood from your face. 

Such a strange feeling came over him as he stopped to delicately brush your soft hair out of your face. 

It felt like he was mourning the life you both could've had together. 

No, he told himself, he could fix this. That's what he did! He improved on things, made them better, upgraded problems into solutions. 

He could fix this, he repeated like a mantra before zapping away into the cameras.

Back at the tower, Vox was now hooked up to his assortment of monitors whilst his specialist machinery patched up his neck as well as his cracked screen. 

He couldn't believe the full circle moment with the first time he met you being you fixing up his screen only to be the one to break it again in the end. 

Still, even after being so slighted, he couldn't help but feel consumed with guilt.

Vox could've just chalked your reactions after receiving your lost memories to plain old shock and hysteria. It was a high pressure situation and you often didn't think logically whenever you were confronted with a lot of emotions, after all. Due to how you tended to box everything up and repress these types of things, shit just happened to hit the fan and he was standing underneath it. 

He tried to tell himself that he was the one in the right, being the good guy that he enjoyed acting like around you, but one thing put a wedge in that thought process before it could even fully form. How could he have been so wrong about Alastor's abuse? Just from personally knowing the Radio Demon, it seemed impossible.

When he was his mentee, Alastor was ruthless, uncaring, sadistic and downright cruel.

Sure, he had his moments. Like how he'd taken Vox in when he first fell down to Hell because his old TV head intrigued him, and how he trained him in all the ways of how to survive - and even thrive - in this horrible place, as well as the ins and outs of show business. But then he'd cut him loose with little to no explanation, all because Vox was finally willing to be as heartless as him and take down the King of Hell himself. For him, might he add.

Maybe you were right when you pointed out his tendency to morph his personality to fit with whomever he was infatuated at the time, Vox contemplated, but if that was the case then he liked the one that came out with you the best. 

He liked being the good guy for once, it reminded him of when he was a kid and he used to be obsessed with comic book superheroes. What guy didn't want to be Superman? Get some kickass powers, be admired for their heroism throughout the world, land the hot girl in the end. 

This really was his own damn fault for letting himself believe for a second that Hell could be anything other than... Well, Hell. 

As soon as his neck and screen were patched up again, he dismissed the machinery and looked up recordings from his own personal archive's recorded from his screen camera of the night you met. 

When he watched the interactions unfold in that smoking area, he tried to find the evidence that he was sure you admitted that you were in the same position as him with Valentino... but there was none. All you'd done is give him an emphatic ear to vent to and told him that you understood loneliness. 

Had he really just attached himself to you on the merit that you were kind to him and he wasn't used to that shit from total strangers? 

Fuck, Velvette had a point that he had grown a smidge obsessed with you afterwards. Looking back now, it was easy to be fascinated by a demon that was so sweet and different from any of the other ones in his typical social circle, plus it didn't hurt that you were a classic beauty with a winning smile that kept glitching out his screen from the dazzling brightness of it. 

However, that fascination grew into a full-scale determination to have you once he found out that you were Alastor's. Having him blow up his home and make claim to you by beating him to a bloody pulp just triggered a primal competitiveness in him, to the point that he was ready to stop at nothing to win. Vox seen you as the prize to be won in the end and it solidified in his mind that he was worthy when you'd stood up for him and saved him from being mauled by your own husband.

Satan-dammit, he should've just made that deal for Angel's soul to be for you to fuck him and he would've saved himself from this headache. 

But then he had to go and fall in love with you. 

It was strange but the more he saw the raw and ugly sides of you, it just made him want to be closer and heal those wounds. He was forced to see you as a person, not a commodity or a trophy. Yes, you had stints when you were batshit fucking insane but after you'd let him in and he learned about your past, he understood why. It also didn't change the fact that you were still one of the nicest demons that he'd ever met - which probably said more about the likes that he kept around him. 

Okay, the bar wasn't exactly high down here but he'll take what he can get. 

Vox really thought that the way you were trying for him - to heal and be better, as if he deserved the effort put into such feats - was a great sign that you would've chosen him over anyone if push came to shove. He wanted to be pissed when that you didn't but he couldn't help but think that it just showed the type of person you were, to try for anyone you cared about, and some part of him admired that perseverance. He wished he could hate you but it was impossible when he'd watched in real time as the ice queen melted her walls just for him.

Other than Velvette, nobody had shown him that kind of trust and affection before.

Deep down, Vox supposed some part of him knew that it would be in his best interests to omit the information about your and Alastor's previous dalliance. Truthfully, if the fucker hadn't died, he probably would still be playing happy families with you and his other favourite gal. He briefly pondered wiping your mind again, almost like pressing a reset button on the whole day today.

Yet, your soft-spoken, angelic voice came through the monitor from the first night you'd met. 

"You may think that you are undeserving of love but you aren't. There is a potential for change in every demon down here and it's never too late for you to try again with a brand new start. After all, the only good thing about being in Hell is that eternity comes with a plethora of new possible beginnings." 

He couldn't justify taking away everything you had ever loved. He couldn't leave you in pain and suffering for the rest of eternity just for his own selfish gain. Then again, he couldn't imagine the rest of this miserable existence without you. 

After many hours of going back and forth with his decision on what to do next, Vox finally relented that it was time to see if second chances were truly possible.

Later that night, you were once again woken by Vox, sitting in the same spot by your bedside. Although this time, you scrambled backwards to get away from him with your teeth bared like a wild animal - likely resembling more of a Chihuahua rather than anything intimidating due to your now ever-present shaking and twitching. 

"Hang on, dollface. I just got this shit fixed." He muttered stoically and his very demeanour made you pause. 

You sat against the headboard - clutching your knees close to you in an attempt to put as much distance between you both as you could - and furrowed your eyebrows in confusion, trying to work out what Vox's game plan was here. 

He was currently slumped down in his chair, looking anything but a threat. His posture was bent over his knees in defeat and he wasn't even making eye contact with you. He looked like a man who had lost everything in the blink of an eye.

As disheartened as he appeared, you kept your hackles raised high in preparation for what you were sure was another trick waiting to come.

"Remember how you said once that feminism was about choice?" He prompted as he finally met your eyes. 

"Vaguely." You answered curtly.

"Well, sign me up for the flappers. Here." 

He flicked another document on your bed by your feet and you glanced down at it warily, with your first thought being that it was the divorce papers again and all of this was just a really weird intimation tactic. 

However, your eyebrows shot up to near enough your hairline from the surprise of seeing it to be your soul contact with Vox put into writing, signed with your real name to solidify the authenticity of it. 

"What..?" You were baffled as you reached down to pick it up.

"If you don't want to help yourself by severing ties to that prick, you can at least have this back. Should ease the pain, at least." 

With your memories now able to be accessed freely, you recalled a conversation with Alastor back when he'd first explained to you about the way your marriage contract worked down here, in that your souls being bonded meant that if one were sold so would half of the other's be. 

How ironic that you'd even joked about selling yours to Vox as a scare tactic back then. 

Point being, a light bulb figuratively flashed above your head when looking down at the vital document in your hands and your grip on it immediately tightened.

"What's the catch?" You narrowed your eyes at Vox in suspicion. 

You weren't sure if he even realised what he was potentially giving you here but you weren't so foolish that you would allow him to see how important this piece of paper was to you. 

After all, it wasn't like Overlords to just do something like this for nothing. Especially when you knew how much they valued the souls they had on their chains for the power it gave. 

"No catch. I want to prove that I'm better than him and not wait for my last dying breath to let you go." Vox answered with more determination, sitting up in his chair. 

You quirked your eyebrow in disbelief but held your tongue about him seemingly falling into that same pattern of copying Alastor again, even when it came to grand gestures.

"Why would you do that?" You asked without bothering to hide the cynicism in your tone. 

After all, you had already been fooled by his 'kindness' before.

"Because, despite what you said when we broke up, I do love you, Evangeline." He stated so simply yet sincerely, like it was just a fact of life.

"Oh." You squeaked with your expression softening from sheer surprise. 

Well, that, you certainly weren't expecting.

You tried to rationalize that it could've been yet another trick but, not only was Vox not good enough of an actor to be able to fake such a heavy confession, there was also a small part of you that wanted to believe everything that transpired between you both wasn't a total ruse. 

Your romantic feelings during this two month stint had definitely been manipulated because of the memory wipe - due to the fact you believed Vox to be the only person to have ever shown interest in you like that and ever would - but besides that, you did genuinely like him as a person. 

Perhaps it wouldn't be that far a stretch to even get to love. After all, there were many qualities about the TV man that you wholeheartedly admired and thoroughly enjoyed being around. Just as you had let him past all of your walls and barriers to see the real you, all the raw and ugly parts you always tried to mask, he had done the same in return and you did love seeing the real him. 

And while it led to showing that he was insecure, clingy, smug, competitive, materialistic and the biggest know-it-all you'd ever met, it also showed that he was so inventive, caring, helpful, enthusiastic, patient, gentle and more intelligent in both academics and emotionally than anyone you'd met too. 

Without realising, your stiff posture relaxed a little against the headboard. 

"And I've heard that if you love something, you set it free... and if it comes back then it's meant to be." Vox muttered, looking down at his twiddling thumbs like his mind was in a different place. Although his sentiment was hopeful, the way he said it was like he already knew that there wasn't a chance in Hell of it happening. "So if you want to go back to that shitty hotel, fine. I won't stop you. But I just want you to know that these last two months with you have been..." He trailed off for a beat.

You stared at him with bated breath as he seemed to shut off off whatever train of thought he'd been on, before continuing with a more professional and business-like tone that he often used in front of the camera - likely a way to distance himself emotionally. 

"Meeting you was one of my highlights in this cesspit, and back then you told me that you believed in second chances." Vox concluded with finality but couldn't hide the sheer hope in his expression. 

He looked so earnest in that moment that you had to look away in order to gather your thoughts. 

As much as you wanted to hold onto your grudge against him for his actions, you couldn't - not fully, at least. You just wanted someone else to blame for this shit show so you didn't have to live with the fact you'd abandoned the people you loved in their time of need all because of your and Alastor's emotional baggage. 

Vox was the one to show you that you had a lot of crap on your plate that you needed to deal with before you added anymore. This time together had unknowingly been an eye-opener for how poisonous your behaviour had become as of late; how you unintentionally hurt those close to you, how quick you were to anger and violence, how you repressed trauma until something minor in comparison caused an explosion. Most importantly, that you needed help healing from the abuse, from your parents, so you didn't emulate it with all of your own unprocessed damage.

And, for a short time, he was a wonderful help. 

Now here he was, giving you your soul and agency back all because it was the right thing to do and he didn't want to see you in pain - even after you quite literally threatened to kill him in cold blood. It was more than apparent in his demeanour that he was fully expectant of you to just take it and leave without so much as looking back. 

Was it really as simple as accepting that he made a mistake, albeit a huge one? Of course you were still justifiably hurt by his deception and betrayal but you also were far too aware that you weren't exactly innocent here yourself. Then again, this could've been an example of Stockholm Syndrome even though you hadn't been aware that he was your captor. 

Your mind was a jumble of contradicting, emotional and confusing thoughts all running at once and the pain you were still dealing with wasn't making any of them easier to rationalize. 

All you knew for certain was that you wanted to trust him, you wanted to believe that change was possible and you wanted your friend back but you didn't want to be manipulated again. 

"Theodore..." He perked up immediately at hearing his name, to the point that if he had a tail then it would've been wagging enthusiastically. "I'm not ready to forgive you yet." You clarified causing his expression to slip slightly. You held up the contract with a very small, uncertain smile. "But, this is a start. How do I release it?"

Vox's lips quirked into a sad smile before he cautiously reached forward to take one of your hands and audibly let out a breath of relief when you allowed him. He leaned down to place a kiss on your knuckles so slowly it was as if he was trying to memorialize the feeling in real time. 

"Burn away, Evangeline. It's signed back over to you now." He answered when he reluctantly released your hand, already looking so forlorn despite the fact you hadn't so much as moved to leave yet. "There should be enough juice in there to replace what you lost." 

You hummed in understanding and gently tipped the bottom of his screen with the side of your knuckle to get him to meet your eyes again. 

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry for ripping your neck open."

He tutted and waved your apology off with feigned indifference. "Don't worry about it, dollface. Always wanted you to give me a hickey, careful what you wish for, huh?" 

Mirth filled your eyes as you shook your head in disbelief at his horrid timing for making jokes. 

"So you wanna get this show on the road, dollface? Need a one-way ticket through the telephone wires back to Hopeless Hotel?" He offered with the same fake enthusiasm that you could see through like glass, holding his hand out for you to take. It was like he was trying to rip a band-aid off quick enough that he didn't feel any hurt in the aftermath.

"That would be appreciated." You went to take his hand but he pulled it away before you could. 

"I'm guessing the blowjob you offered me before we made the deal is off the table?" Vox asked in all seriousness, looking hopeful once more.

You burst out laughing so abruptly that you completely buckled over, clutching your stomach as the absurdity of these past forty-eight hours seemed to hit you all at once. Whether it was mania or your emotions all bubbling to the top at once, it was impossible to stop laughing. It was only when your body started to throb in agony at the extra exertion that it faded into a pained groan.

"Goddamnit, why did you have to finally say a good one now?" You panted, clutching your aching chest while your other hand didn't dare release the contract even for a second.

"That wasn't a joke." He frowned grumpily.

"Hmm, If you want to let that thing near my mouth after what happened earlier then be my guest." 

Once you flashed your teeth at him as a reminder, he visibly shuddered. 

"Fair point." He took your hand in his with the same gentleness you had grown accustomed to from him. "Just remember, Evee, my door's always open if you ever want to come back." He assured with such genuineness in his offer that you couldn't help but squeeze his hand in appreciation.

"Thank you, Teddy." You smiled softly. "By the way, I prefer when my friends call me Eva." 

Fortunately, he'd picked up your unspoken message that you were still willing to see him as such and brightened almost instantly.

"Sure, dollface. Eva it is." 

With that, he zapped you away to the nearest security camera at the newly re-built Hazbin Hotel. 

Once Vox was left alone, the penthouse suddenly felt so cold and lonely without you there. Especially after being so used to your presence always around to come back home to.

It didn't long for him to crumble and call the only person that he knew he could always count on. 

Thankfully, Velvette hadn't taken long to come over. She'd practically kicked his door down, proudly carrying a case of his favourite beer under one of her arms while the other was waving bags filled to the brim with all sorts of snacks and treats, with an announcement that her diet would restart next week. 

Vox told himself that even if he had lost you forever, he was still grateful to have one demon that always had his back through thick and thin and never want to leave his side. Even if she was a total bitch that spent all of his money, used all of his resources and constantly broke his servers with viruses because she was bored, he still loved Velvette like an annoying sister and told her as such. Despite the fact she'd rolled her eyes and told him that she'd already maxed out her quota for 'gay shit' that week, he knew she felt the same. 

Apparently, she also hadn't minded blowing off work when it came to goofing off together while pigging out and getting drunk - and she even played 'Immortal Kombat' with him on his gaming console for hours despite the fact she always sucked ass at it, just to cheer him up which it more than did. 

But later that night, if he went to bed cuddling a giant blue bear won from a carnival game? Then that was his business.

Chapter Text

The first thing you noticed from across the street was just how much grander the newly renovated Hazbin Hotel now looked. Considering it was just a pile of rubble mere days ago, it was certainly a transformation to say the least. Nevertheless, you didn't hesitate to hurry your ass over - well as quickly as you could with the constant ache in your body. 

Unfortunately, another new feature added was a massive metal fence surrounded the perimeter and the gate was locked. 

Meanwhile inside, Vaggie was just coming downstairs after doing another check on Charlie.

"How's she doin'?" Angel asked from his position at the bar with a concerned look. 

Behind the bar stood Husk - who was currently downing yet another bottle of whiskey - and just next to the bar, sitting on one of the larger lounge sofas and anxiously knitting away with blunt, wooden knitting needles, was an unusually quiet and miserable Niffty. Apparently knitting helped her feel closer to Alastor, due to how many times she had sewn and fixed up his ripped or torn clothes, when she was under contract. However, they'd had to physically wrestle the metal ones out of her hands when the cyclops tried to gauge out her own tear duct 'to be like Vaggie' so she wouldn't be able to cry.

It had been a rough couple of days for everyone to say the least.

They all had their own ways of tackling the grief that was wracking their systems but through it all, they still had each other to lean on and keep a watchful eye out for. 

"Still not great." Vaggie answered as she joined the guys at the bar and tiredly slumped down on the stool farthest from the spider. 

Things between her and Angel still weren't anywhere close to being friendly again - other than the gruffly spoken, curt conversation they'd had just before battle consisting of 'Don't die or I'll kill ya twice.' to be met with the reply of 'Don't tell me what to do but you too.' - but they finally managed to be civil with one and other considering there was already too much loss in this broken family to care about petty grudges. Besides, it was mainly them that was shouldering the task of being the rock for everybody else to lean on with Alastor's death, which was ironic since they were the biggest liabilities after your departure. 

"Lucifer's with her right now." Vaggie clarified once she seen Angel's look of concern at the thought of Charlie being left alone. He nodded in understanding.

Out of all of them, Charlie took Alastor's death the worst. Or maybe it was because they were so used to her being so perseveringly optimistic about everything else that seeing her so defeated and depressed was not only jarring but truly showed the painful reality that the annoying, manipulative, strange man that they had all grown to love was really gone. If not even Lucifer Morningstar could do anything then no one could. 

What made matters even more hopeless, once Lucifer had used his powers to manifest this massive new hotel with nothing but a snap of his fingers - of course, to show off to his daughter that he could provide anything that her heart desired, other than bring back the guy that had actually been a father figure to her and put in the work to support her during difficult times instead of magicking away problems but that was none of Vaggie's business -, Charlie announced that she didn't want to follow through with her dream.

This was the straw on the camel's back that managed to completely break her to the point that she didn't see the point in redeeming souls. 

After all, if Alastor stayed as cruel and aloof as he had on the first day he'd barged into the Happy Hotel then he wouldn't have sacrificed himself for her. 

Safe to say, Lucifer was all too happy with her decision - seeing as he still openly detested sinners - and even more so, to be able to use her grief as a way to try and weasel into her life again after years of absence and disappointment. As much as Vaggie hated it though, she kept her mouth shut because everyone could see how desperately Charlie needed some sort of parental figure comforting her right now. 

Because all four that she'd had? Each one of them have now broken her heart, in very different ways. 

"Fuckin' rat." Husk grumbled, finally pausing his binge drinking to string a sentence together. Vaggie gave him the stink eye when he started to haphazardly wave around his nearly empty bottle and couldn't hide the slur from his words. "Got s'me nerve tryna -hic- play daddy dearest now when he coulda ended that fuckin' battle like-" He snapped his fingers in her face to emphasise his point. 

"Fuck sake, Husk, are you drunk again?" Vaggie snapped, clenching her fists and digging her nails into her palms in order to supress the feeling of wanting to jump over this bar to stab him. "How many times do I have to tell you to quit that shit? I'm not keeping you from choking on your own vomit again two nights in a row!" 

Husk frowned and flipped her off before defiantly taking another swig out of the bottle. "'m not drunk, tha's past tense. Am drinkin' cause I like ta'live in the here 'nd now, lady."

"Ooookay." Angel intervened with a nervous chuckle, slinking over to stand on the other side of the bar with his boyfriend and pulled him in for a hug to deescalate what was sure to turn into a brawl. Husk fell into his embrace without a fight, sinking his face into the fluffy chest in front of him. Angel chuckled and used three of his hands to soothingly rub circles along the other's tense shoulders and used his last hand to sneak the bottle away from him. "Think that's enough for ya tonight, big guy." 

As light-hearted as Angel was trying to seem, he hated seeing Husk like this but he also understood it. After all, his poor baby has been dealing with triggers from his PTSD ever since they started training for battle and now his oldest friend was dead. It wasn't like he was a stranger to using destructive vices to cope with trauma so, even though he was mourning Alastor's death too, he decided that it was his turn in the relationship to be the sober, supportive one for the other. 

Husk grumbled something unintelligible into the fluff, followed by a deep groan like he was too comfortable to move. 

"Sounds like someone needs a catnap." Angel chuckled and scratched behind his ear's which was immediately met with a purr. He then picked up his short king by lifting his knees to the spider's hips with his lower set of his arms while the top set continued to give loving scratches. The muffled yowl Husk made when he was swept off his feet was adorable. 

After the cat demon settled again, Angel carried him over to the sofa with Niffty and delicately lay him down next to her before scurrying off to the cupboard where they kept extra bedding. 

She immediately moved her bundles of yawn and shifted closer to his head so she could place it on her lap and tried to cover him with the tiny amount of fabric she'd made. Husk didn't seem to mind and, in fact, curled closer to the cyclops, tucking one of his arms underneath her legs and used her lap as a pillow. Angel returned with a blanket and made gentle work of covering his boyfriend and tucking him in. 

By the time he finished, Husk was already out cold and starting to snore. Angel smiled softly and knelt down to gently kiss his slackened lips before turning to Niffty.

"You want anything over, Niff?" Angel offered with a small smile, now that she was essentially glued in place for the next couple of hours at least.

"Can I have a piece of your hair for my collection?" She asked without hesitation, blinking a large and hopeful eye at him.

"I meant somethin' ta eat or drink, ya little freak." He huffed and moved to stand up. 

"I want something to remember you by if you get erased too." Niffty sighed sadly but soon went back to her knitting, careful of her elbows near Husk's head as to not disturb him. 

Angel raised his eyebrows sympathetically at her reason. He'll never understand the little gremlin but he knew enough to get that she had her own way of seeing the world and this weird request was part of her grieving process. 

"Y'know what, fuck it." He took her safety scissors from her pile of knitting tools and snipped off a piece of his bangs to give to her, his love for her winning out over vanity. "Here, shorty." 

She smiled for the first time since Extermination Day and kissed his hand before tucking the hair into her apron pocket for safe keeping.

Angel ruffled her hair affectionately and went back to behind the bar to start clearing up the mess that Husk left behind, not before pouring him and the forlorn ex-angel a glass of wine each first. 

Hey, they had to stay numb with something, right? 

However, Vaggie just stared vacantly at the glass and made no move towards it. She looked so lost in her own head that he wasn't even sure she noticed him standing in front of her. 

So far, it had been him and her holding down the fort with everyone else's breakdowns. Growing up in the mafia meant that he was used to people he loved dying around him and beaten for showing any weakness about it, not even one tear. He imagined it was the same for angels, especially considering Vaggie used to vaguely share some stories about her overly-religious, abusive, large family that raised their young like machines rather kids - they'd all just thought she was talking about heartless, awful humans at the time. 

Angel supposed it was only a matter of time before she needed a shoulder to... Well, not cry on, but certainly unload her own grief onto. 

"Penny for ya thoughts, Viagra?" 

She didn't so much as blink at the nickname which was worrying in itself seeing as if he'd tried that shit even a week ago, she would've tried to stab him with her spear.

"Hey," He clicked his fingers in front of her face causing her to startle. "C'mon, Vags. I know ya still hate my guts but betta talkin' ta me than lettin' whateva' shit is festerin' in ya head get worse." 

"I don't hate you." Vaggie remarked with a quiet, disconnected tone. He paused in sipping his wine, blinking at her in shock. "I never did. I'm sorry I acted like I did." She said so simply that it baffled her own mind. Had it really been that easy all along? 

"Vaggie..."

"It's my fault Alastor's dead." She confessed solemnly. It was like she had too much guilt weighing on her spirit that she desperately needed to unload it less she crumble beneath the intensity. "I should've been up on that roof with Charlie, I should've been there to help them." 

Angel recognised all too well the look of a war flashback playing across Vaggie's features. 

He put down his glass and reached out to take her by the shoulders and lightly shake her out of it.

"Don't blame ya'self. None of us knew how that shit was gonna pan out, it could'a been any one of us - hell, it could'a been all of us." He firmly reminded in an attempt to ground her again. 

"You know what I was doing after Charlie blasted up to take care of Adam? Fighting my sister." She scowled and batted his hands away from her. "The bitch that turned her back on me when I was banished from Heaven and cut out my eye for being demon-sympathising scum." She rested her elbows on the bar top and gripped the roots of her hair in shame. "I was getting revenge instead of protecting the first real family I've ever had. I don't know why I'm always angry, Angel."

Angel was so stunned at the rarely seen, raw emotion spilling out of her that he was unable to do much of anything other than stare at her with a mix of sympathy and bewilderment. 

He attempted a response but each time he opened his mouth, he quickly closed it again when he couldn't quite figure out what would be the right thing to say. 

"Maybe it's cause yer a lesbian livin' in a patriarchal society?" He finally blurted out and subsequently smacked his own forehead. 

Thankfully though, it was enough to force a throaty laugh from her which eventually bubbled into a full blown giggle where she had to cover her mouth to muffle the volume. 

Angel's shoulders untensed at the sound and for a sheer moment, everything felt alright. All the bad blood between them fizzled into nothing but a bad memory. Without realising, a genuine smile crossed his lips and his feet automatically started heading around the bar to meet her on the other side for a tight embrace. 

Vaggie hugged him back with such ferocity that it even rivalled one of Charlie's. 

Still, Angel allowed her to squeeze every bit of air from his lungs that she wanted, it felt way nicer to be strangled from the waist instead of the neck by her anyway.

"You fucking suck the worst at this." Vaggie declared though she couldn't hide the smile from her face when she released him. 

"I suck betta' than anybody, sista'." He corrected with a wink as he plopped down on the stool beside her. "Guess I ain't so good at tha pep talks, that's usually Cha Cha's jurisdicktion-" Vaggie rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Or Eva's but-" 

At the mention of your name, she snapped right back into panic as quick as a light switch being flipped. "Oh my fucking Satan what the fuck are we gonna tell her?"  

Vaggie was already barely hanging on by a thread herself here - and that was only a front to try and seem stable enough for everyone else to lean on who needed comfort more - but if she had to see your heartbreak at the horrific news, she'd break the fuck down. 

Not only had she driven you away but eventually having to break the news that your husband died on her watch? The very thought made her sick. 

And that was all only if they found a way to get your soul - and memories! - back from one of the most powerful Overlords left in the hierarchy. They didn't even have a plan! Alastor's dead, Charlie's practically on suicide watch, Husk is drunk twenty-four seven, Angel's the responsible one, Niffty's knitting - everything is all wrong! 

Her breathing sped up to rapid in-and-outs like a fucking scared rabbit running on cocaine and caffeine, in a full blown spiral, but Angel was quick to slap her out of it. 

Literally. 

"None a' that! We learn from our mistake and tell her the truth this time." Angel told her firmly. "Besides, we still gotta get through Smiles' funeral as well as find out a way ta get her outta her contract with Vox. I already tried ta call Valentino like a hundred times ta switch our souls back but it kept goin' ta voicemail."

Vaggie raised her eyebrows in surprise as she held her stinging cheek.

"But y'know what?" Angel continued, almost sounding optimistic. "We got eternity ta figure this shit out. If we survived that, we can get through this too. Togetha'."

He reached out and took her hands in both sets of his with a reassuring smile. 

Vaggie's expression immediately softened again.

"Holy shit, that was almost good as Eva's words of wisdom." 

"What can I say? It's like I can hear her amnesia ass still in my head." Angel chuckled, practically beaming from the compliment.

A pleasant beat of silence passed between them before it was broken by the sound of their metal gate rattling against the padlock by what must've been a heavy wind. 

"Come on you stupid, bothersome, rusted bastard of a fence! Yield to me! Motherfuckin-goddamn-fire-won't-work-fucking-piece-of-shit-I HATE THIS GODDAMN HELLHOLE - LET ME THE FUCK IN!" 

Angel and Vaggie shared a wide-eyed, disbelieving look.

"Was that the voice in your head or-?" Vaggie didn't even finish her sentence. They both took off running to the window, startling Niffty in the process who looked up in curiosity from her spot.

"AHHH!" Angel screamed at the sight of you standing at their gate and shaking it furiously. 

His loud reaction caused both Husk and Niffty to startle and bolt over to see the danger, only to be met with the surprise of a lifetime.

Vaggie extended her wings and flew upstairs to get Charlie as fast as possible while Niffty shot outside like a bat out of hell with Husk stumbling behind her at a much slowly, groggier place. 

Angel was still frozen at the window with his mind running a hundred miles a minute. His previous positive attitude about seeing you instantly vanished. It wasn't that he wasn't happy - he was so overwhelmingly ecstatic that his legs were goddamn shaking - but he wasn't sure if you even remembered him and if you did, were you still pissed? It was like he was a little kid again, knowing his mom was ready to whoop his ass in punishment for behaving badly as soon as she got in the house.

Niffty banged the front door with the strength she flew it open with - no doubt waking up Cherri and Pentious even at the top floor of this place - and sprinted to the gate. 

"Eva!" 

"Niffty!" Your face beamed with how much you were smiling at the sight of the little cyclops. 

In a matter of seconds, she squeezed through one of the gaps in the gate and scurried up your body until she could latch her arms around your shoulders.

You immediately squeezed her back with just as much as affection and spun her around in your joy. She tucked her in head into your neck and you could feel the wetness from tears spilling from that big, beautiful eye causing you to coo quietly and kiss her head. The elation of seeing your darling little Niffty again was enough serotonin shooting off in your brain to wane off the amount of pain in your chest for a few brief, wonderful seconds. 

That was, until she pulled back to harshly slap you across the face and left a tiny red handprint behind. 

Your jaw dropped in surprise, but also, sparks of pride.

"Don't you ever leave us again like that, old lady!" Niffty snapped, wagging a finger in your face with a sternness that even you couldn't rival. 

You let out a breathy laugh and gave her a half-smile. 

"I never will, darling, that's a promise. And please don't call me old lady." 

She brightened at your answer and went back to hugging you.

"Yes sir, young man!" She agreed as she started squeezing you so tightly that it cut off your airways. 

"Honey... Can't... Breathe." You wheezed out yet couldn't find it in yourself to pry her off.  

"Leggo of th' mailman, Squeaky." Husk slurred as he eventually stumbled over to the gate to collect his pillow. 

It didn't take a genius to work out that he had nary an idea of what was going on. 

"Harold, are you zozzled?" You scolded, holding Niffty in your arms as you directed a disapproving frown at him.

He blinked slowly before his eyes comically widened when he finally clicked onto what the commotion was all about. You could practically read it on his face the moment he actually recognised you standing there and it was enough to crack another small smile on your face. You supposed some things never changed and already, things around here felt more safe and right than months with Vox ever did. 

"Holy fuck. Flames?" He squinted and put his face closer to the gate to try and see you more clearly to clarify that his eyes weren't deceiving him.

"Hmm, yes, well about that, they don't seem to working properly at the minute so would you be a dear and let me in?"

You pointedly gestured to the padlock which was enough to snap Husk into action and went to fumble around with it. Usually he could use his claws to pick any lock but he was clearly struggling from his inebriation. Fortunately, the girls were now running towards you in a squealing chorus. 

Charlie grabbed the lock and used her demonic strength to rip the entire damn thing off which allowed you to swing the gate open. 

As soon as you were past, you grabbed all three into a group hug which might've squashed Niffty in the process but the cyclops didn't seem to mind at all.

"Eva, oh my God." Charlie sobbed, clinging onto your waist on your left while Vaggie was doing the same to your right. 

"I can't believe it." Vaggie whispered. 

Husk's wings wrapped around you all in a blanket of comfort and care. You smothered all four of their faces in rapid kisses, reaching up to squeeze their cheeks, brush their hair and just generally soak up their closeness after so long apart. There were more fallen tears from everyone's eyes than rain during a storm.

"I cannot tell you how happy I am to see you all." You croaked with all the gratitude you could physically muster. 

For a blissful moment, there was nothing but the sheer joy of a mother figure reuniting with her precious babies.

Husk was the first to pull away, taking Niffty from your arms in the process so you could breathe. Charlie gave you one last vigorous squeeze and pulled back too - not without gripping your hand tightly as if scared that if she let go then you would disappear - leaving you hugging Vaggie. 

It was only then that you noticed something different about her.

"Oh, these are new." You noted as you gently ran your free hand over the spine of her wings. "Very beautiful, just like the rest of you." 

Although Vaggie couldn't tear up, her upturned eyebrows showed you that the praise was a tad overwhelming for her. 

You kissed her forehead before also taking her hand and following after Husk and Niffty heading towards the front doors again, eager to get back home.

"We've got a lot to catch you up on." Vaggie explained almost shyly, tucking herself against your side.

Charlie's smile faded at the realisation of what said catch-up would entail and her grip on your hand only got stronger from worry. 

However, before the sombre mood of the past two months could be brought up, you spotted Angel now standing in front of the door with a rather hesitant expression and wringing both sets of hands together nervously. 

"Anthony!" You damn near flew over to him in your glee and practically tackled him into a crushing hug. You hadn't even noticed that he was shaking with tears with the way you were clinging on. Despite the fact you were just as much a crying mess right now, you automatically went into mother mode at the sight of him so upset. "Oh sweetheart, are you okay? I didn't hurt you, did I?" You asked apologetically and gently reached up to hold his face and wipe away the tears even while they continued to flow.

Angel shook his head pathetically, trying to gather all the words that he needed to say to you. Having your reaction to him being so positive and still as loving as ever wasn't what he'd been expecting and it fucking broke him. It was like winning the lottery. 

He extended all three sets of his arms just to he could selfishly grab you all to himself and pull you back in for a meaningful embrace, trapping you like a fly wrapped in a spider's web.

Your worry melted away once you realised that he wasn't in pain and you smiled as you hugged him back, resting your cheek against his collarbone while his was on the top of your head.

"I missed you so much, mamabear." He confessed devotedly into your hair. 

You soothingly ran your hands up and down his back as you patiently waiting for his sobbing to settle into regular breaths. "I missed you too, darling." You told him just as earnestly.

The others could be heard sniffling behind you before they all latched themselves back onto you both. So there you stood, at the front door of your home with your family all embracing you and each other in a showcase of love and close comradery. You'd never been so foolish as to ever think of leaving this bunch in the first place but you were more than happy to swallow your pride just to have this moment with them forever. 

Alas, a cold tone of voice was quick to break up the happy reunion.

"Who is this?"

You all looked up to see Lucifer's looming presence standing in at the doorframe, sizing you up with an unimpressed stare.

"Dad, this is Evangeline." Charlie introduced through her sniffles and squeezed you close, her smile now tainted with tension. "Eva, this is-"

You were fully aware of who the King of Hell was - or, better known in your book as, the deadbeat dad of your little ball of sunshine - and you didn't intend wasting time on pleasantries with him.

Now the sulking munchkin had disturbed your joy from seeing everyone again, the reality of the situation hit you with full force once again. Your aching pain was still persistent and there was still one very important person missing in this reunion. 

"Where's Alastor, cherub?" You asked abruptly, making no effort to hide the fact you could care less in introductions with the devil. 

Lucifer's eyes narrowed in a nasty glare but you paid it no mind.

"Oh..." Charlie's lip startled to wobble at the mention of him. 

Vaggie put a comforting arm around her girlfriend's shoulders and stepped up to the mark to be the one to tell you the bad news. 

"Eva there's something we need to tell you... Maybe you should sit down before we do." She started, trying to be as tactful as possible as she gazed at you with nothing but sympathy.

"Al's dead as -hic- a doorknob." Husk blurted unceremoniously. 

"Goddamnit Husky." Angel pinched the space between his eyes in disappointment, not making a peep even when Vaggie smacked him upside the head.

"I know. Where is his body?" You clarified, your nonchalance completely baffling the group.

They shared confused looks - and a few hushed whispers about you not taking in the news properly due to grief and unable to process - but ultimately led you inside to the main hall where there lay Alastor. 

His body was in an open casket with a memorial plaque on the wall behind him as well as the funeral wreath, chairs and podium already set up. 

You could feel everyone's eyes on you as if they were waiting for an explosion but you couldn't focus on anything other than the sight in front of you. With a determination in your step, you marched up to the coffin but the sight of him up close was heartbreaking enough to stumble you. Not only was his skin so pale and lifeless but there was no smile on those beautiful lips. 

You could feel your eyes burning with tears of a different kind. 

Wasting no more time, you knelt down beside the coffin and pulled out the soul contract from your pocket with tremoring hands. You held it to your chest and squeezed your eyes shut in a silent prayer to God himself that this work before putting it on Alastor's chest. 

You focused on summoning your flames, following Vox's words about it being the way to release it. Still, there was nothing. The one goddamn time that you needed this curse of fire to actually fucking work and it refused to so much as simmer! 

Your pulse spiked with worry as the negative thoughts went through your mind like a flood. You supposed he wasn't clear in his wording and you could always ask for a lighter to do this part? Or had he purposefully tricked you, somehow making your power the only way to break this while knowing they were suppressed? Was this all a cruel trick because you'd chosen to leave him? 

"Fuck." You cursed tearfully and glanced to Alastor's face as if he would be able to tell you the answer on how to fix this. 

Your shoulders untensed on reflex, just from the sight of his peaceful expression. 

This beautiful man, who sacrificed everything for you. 

The love of your life and even after. 

Without realising it was happening at first, your eyes and hands lit up with blazing fire, burning the contract in seconds. 

The ashes instantly started to glow with a sort of green magic before sinking into Alastor's chest, causing him to glow along with it. 

When the soul magic faded, everyone gasped in unison as the colour returned to his face - still it's usual dark grey but it was such a noticeable difference from the previous ghastly white - and they cheered when he lurched forward with his eyes popping open with the radio dials inside, waking up in full fight or flight mode. 

The feeling that came over you was like you had been drowning before and you were only now able to come up for some air. Your lungs cleared instantaneously, your chest no longer felt like it was seconds from collapsing and your bones didn't throb. Most importantly, Alastor was alive and breathing.

While the rest of the group were erupting in cheers and screams of celebration with each other, Alastor's eyes cleared into their regular red when he could focus on you in front of him. He blinked with a dazed kind of look and you were sure you were giving him the dopiest smile imaginable but you couldn't bring yourself in the moment to care. You've never been this happy before.

"Did we make it to Heaven, cher?" He garbled with an airiness in his tone as he shot you one of the goofiest and most gorgeous smiles you can ever remember seeing before. 

"Must've." You answered with a tearful smile. "Cause we just had a miracle." 

You grabbed the sides of his face and pulled him in for a kiss with as much passion and warmth that you possibly muster. It seemed that he didn't mind the man-handling one bit because he responded in similar kind. Alastor tilted your chin with his fingers before stroking the backs of them over the tear tracks on your face and used his other arm to pull you on top of him so there was no space left between you two whatsoever. 

You couldn't help but break the kiss from the joyous giggle that escaped you following his action. Especially since he kept at it until you were pulled into the coffin with him, with only your legs dangling outside of it. Your chests were pressed so closely that you could actually feel your hearts beating at the same time, in complete harmony. 

Alastor lay back comfortably and grinned up at you with a smile so bright, it was like looking into the sun. 

You rested your forehead against his, unable to look away from his beauty even to blink. 

"Hey, keep it PG for tha kiddos!" Angel playfully snapped, pushing your legs inside - causing you to now be fully straddling your husband - in order to close the crown of the coffin over so you were both embraced in utter darkness.

You could hear everybody's muffled snorts of laughter from outside and you shook your head in good humour. 

It suddenly just felt so normal and right, like someone slotted the final piece of the puzzle into place to this crazy fucking chaotic family.

You and Alastor shared a laugh of your own before he lovingly caressed your cheek in the darkness. You nuzzled closer to his hand until he guided your face back down to go in for another kiss, this time with a much slower and softer pace. Both of you took the opportunity to roam your hands around the other wherever you could possibly touch, just to enjoy the moment of finally being in each other's arms again.

"Oh shit, they're actually goin' at it." Angel stated with a cackle as soon as the coffin started rocking. 

"Gross." Vaggie scoffed, hiding her grin behind her hand. 

"I'll dig a hole outside so they can get the full experience of fucking when buried alive!" Niffty suggested helpfully before scurrying away.

Husk snorted and kicked it, laughing deeply when Angel immediately pulled him away afterwards. 

"I love you guys!" Charlie called out to them when she and the others made their way out of the hall to give you some privacy.

Both you and Alastor were too preoccupied with having your own kind of reunion to return the sentiment, though you both did. 

Chapter Text

"Alleycat, go to sleep." You attempted to sound firm in your request but your resolve was softened by the man littering your face and neck with an array of little kisses. 

You were utterly exhausted after these past twenty-four hours so you could only imagine how Alastor was feeling after coming back from the dead, though he didn't show it. 

After both of you had emerged from his coffin, you instantly burned it - nobody needed the memory of what it represented to look back on - then went upstairs to his room to take a shower with Alastor in tow. It was like when you were first wed all over again. He couldn't keep his hands off of you but there was a twinge of franticness and desperation to it - almost as if he still didn't believe you were truly with him again and needed touch to know for sure that this was real.

Not that you minded in the slightest seeing as you eagerly returned every affection.

Once you were changed into your night garments and cuddled up under the duvet together, you could take in the sight of his new room.

It was so similar to your old home - the bayou on the other side included - other than the many antlers and skull heads hanging on the wall. The fire in the fireplace burned with a soothing crackling noise and the fireflies floating around created such a relaxing environment that it would've been so easy to shut your eyes and drift off into a peaceful slumber. 

However, your beloved clearly had other ideas.

"How could I possibly rest when I have you back in my arms, cher?" He questioned like the very notion was ridiculous before going back to kissing you all over. 

You couldn't help but let out a giggle. He then pulled you in closer to him until you were practically nose-to-nose and breathing in perfect unison with the way your chests were pressed together. His grip was bordering on the edge of too tight.

Again, it was as if he feared that if he let you go or even shut his eyes for a moment, you'd be disappear. 

Your eyebrows tilted up sadly at the thought so you kissed him with all the sweetness and tenderness you possessed, feeling him practically melt like butter underneath you. 

His hands roamed over the expanse of your back and shoulders to around your waist like a vice before squeezing you even closer to him if possible. 

"Honey, I'm not going anywhere." You said with a slight breathlessness since he was almost at the point of cutting off your circulation.

Instead of fighting against it, you relaxed into his embrace and started trailing your fingers over the sides of his face, over his eyebrows, down the bridge of his nose, over his lips, up his cheeks and finally, over his eyelids to try and gently shut them. "You must be so tired after everything that's happened." 

It worked for a millisecond but as soon as your fingertips left, his glowing red eyes popped open and zeroed in on yours. You nuzzled his nose with yours which soothed him once more and started playing with the back of his hair instead, scraping your fingernails against the shaven spot and down his neck causing him to shudder slightly in pleasure.

"Nothing could compare to the bone-weariness of having to exist without your invigorating presence, my love." He admitted, with one of the most serious looks you can ever recall seeing on his face. "I'll admit, this turn of events wasn't exactly how I planned but I believe we have been blessed with a second chance and I'd like to begin it by asking that you never so much as consider leaving me again."

Such a raw and honest request took you back more than words can say. 

It was more than apparent that you and Alastor still had a lot to talk about - the ways in which you've both deeply hurt one and other being a major factor - but you had the rest of eternity to do so. 

You wanted to brush his comment off and put a pin in this conversation, as you normally had with every other emotionally-taxing talk that required too much depth. You wanted to rationally tell him that these things didn't need to be discussed straight away in hopes that you could simply move on from the topic without having to address it. You wanted to push these negative emotions down into that imaginary box in your brain where you stored these kinds of things that didn't come out until it was an explosion of emotions. 

And maybe you would have, had Vox not planted the idea in your head that the way you dealt with your emotions and relationships was unhealthy.

As much as you just wanted to brush all of the shit you and Alastor had put each other through under the rug, you wanted this time to be different. 

You wanted forever with your husband, not just until the next huge fight. 

"On one condition." 

"Anything." He said like an oath. 

"If we are to truly have a clean slate... I need to know that I can trust you, Al."

He nodded slightly, looking at you so intently which made you pause with a shaky breath. You don't think he's ever listened so actively before to anything - not even his favourite artist, Louis Armstrong, on the radio back in the day. It gave you the confidence to bare your soul. 

"I want to stay with you forever. I love you so much that it hurts and it's overwhelming and exhilarating and I- I don't want us to keep making the same mistakes. You're like a drug to me and I get so addicted each and every time to the point that it always ends in disaster and even without you, the withdrawals are life-ruining." You declared with no malice, fingertips now trailing along his shoulders.

"Now that's not entirely fair." He argued with as much as a pout as you'd ever seen on him. "You're like a drug to me as well, love. Except the kind that are used as medicine. Simply put, I need you for survival."

Your lips quirked into a soft smile.

"Likewise." You whispered, giving him another peck on the lips when your heart started to feel heavy with devotion. "Nonetheless, we're..." You glanced away as you took a moment to recall the word that Vox used to describe you before. "Toxic, together. We keep hurting each other and those around us."

He raised his eyebrow in disbelief and gave you a tight-lipped, strained smile which was obvious to you that meant he was just holding his tongue so he didn't voice his disagreement. "What then do you propose?" 

"I'd like us to attend therapy together." 

"Oh come now, dearest, let's not go to extremes here. We've done just fine without a head doctor getting involved." He scoffed, looking just as uncomfortable as you first felt when the idea was initially suggested.

"Just once a week." You blinked up at him with your best doe eyes. "I was thinking of starting my own venture into it anyhow. Maybe this could be something we can tackle together?"

There was a screech of radio feedback that caused you to startle. "I will rip Vox from limb to limb for what he did to you that put such notions into your head." He vowed, darkly. 

You panicked at the bloodthirsty look in his eyes. "It wasn't him!" Although he was the one that made you realise you needed it but that was your business and yours alone. "I mean- it wasn't like that! Vox was kind to me-" 

"He stole you from me." He growled with his claws starting to dig into your sides and his antlers growing in aggression. "For that, there would already be consequences. But to put this idea that you need a quack to scramble your brain? Death would be too kind a fate for him." 

"Alastor." You firmly held his face between your hands to ground him with you again. "This is exactly what I'm talking about. I want a fresh start, do you understand? No revenge, no petty grudges, no fighting!" You snapped, raising one of your hands to grab his antler to shake his head. "By the grace of God, you are still here and not even twenty-four hours later, you're planning to go and start shit with your arch nemesis?" 

He receded back into his normal form and had the decency to look shame-faced.

"I'm not saying it's okay what he did but the fact of the matter is: You wouldn't be here right now if it wasn't for him." You stated with finality before going back to playing with his hair.

"I-I'm sorry, love." He uttered, hesitantly nuzzling his head further into your hand and sighing in relief when you allowed it. "You don't understand how hard it was without you. These months apart have given me time for reflection and... If therapy is what will make you happy then of course I'll attend." 

You rested your forehead against his and closed your eyes with a small and grateful smile.

"I'm sorry too, honey." You responded with as much vulnerability as he was granting you. "I never should have left that night but it just felt like a wall of lies crumbling down on top of me and I just had to get away from it all and-" Without realising until it was too late that you were crying, a few tears escaped down your face. 

Embarrassed, you tucked your head under his chin. 

"Now now, dear heart." He soothed, rubbing his hands over your back and kissing the top of your head. "No need to explain yourself to me. I would've chased you down to the ends of the Hell once I learned of your disappearance... Had that annoying picture box not been involved."

You nipped the side of his neck with your teeth in warning. In response, he shivered in delight and returned the gesture to the tip of one of your ears. You were sure he could feel your smile against his skin.

"Needless to say, I broke our deal about being honest with you." Alastor continued with the guilt practically dripping from his tone. "I knew full well that keeping you in the dark about our marriage contract was lying by omission but you have to understand, darling, I was scared."

Your breath stilted at his confession. Usually his ego would never allow such a thing to be said. You nuzzled your head against him in sheer affection because you were just so proud of him.

"You were never made to be in the slums of Hell and I felt like I'd already won the lottery when our separation had ended and we could be together once again." He admitted. "Selfishly, I knew I could not live without you therefore I couldn't risk being candid about everything I did to ensure your stay by my side. Though, it seems like karma had taken it into cold, cruel hands to make that a reality despite all my efforts."

"I'm not mad about it anymore, sweetie." You assured in a comforting tone. "You made it right in the end."

For a few minutes, there was silence. 

Both of you stewed in your own thoughts as well as the comfortable touch of the other while the fire crackled in the background.

"Why didn't you sign those divorce papers?" Alastor faintly queried.

"How could I?" You moved your head to the pillow so you were once again eye-to-eye. "Vox erased my memories of you and everything associated with you, which meant I couldn't remember a single person who ever loved me." You croaked out, the pain of it still too fresh. "So when I read those wonderful things that you wrote, it made me do my own self-reflection." 

You swallowed the lump in your throat trying to stop you from laying everything out so openly, fear of rejection be damned.

"You are everything that I've ever wanted and I don't want to fuck this up again." You confessed, all but laying your heart out for him to see every ugly scar on it.

His half-lidded eyes looked into yours so dotingly that it visibly startled you when they flashed into radio dials. 

They were in the shape of hearts with the dial spinning so fast that they burst.

"Ditto, cher."

You shared a loving smile, leaning in tap the tips of your noses together. 

"So I propose-"

Alastor interrupted with a dramatic gasp. 

"A thousand times yes, dearest!"

You burst out laughing and whacked him on the chest until you could catch your breath again. 

"Asshole!" You wheezed, unable to keep the grin off your face even as you tried to go back to your serious conversation. Little did you know that your eyes matched his, burning brightly with hearts. "I suggest, we clean the slate. I want a fresh start, Alleycat." 

"As you wish, love." He agreed and leaned in for a slow, tender kiss.