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Chapter Text

The Pilot Light Is On

The extermination this year seemed more brutal than normal... Vox looked out from his protected, clear glass window, inspecting the destruction that was leveled on Pentagram City with a keen eye. He vaguely thought about getting into construction... but then quickly shook his head. He had enough projects to worry about at the moment. Shaking his head, he still grabbed his phone, opening his notes app, saying, "Note to self--look into buying construct companies as subsidiaries."

Vox had just pocketed his phone when someone knocked on the door to the living quarters of his private building. He turned away from the carnage and walked over to the door, curious. He opened it to see Peppermint, nervously drumming his fingers on his tablet, "Sir?"

"Yes?"

"You have a call from Katie Killjoy on line two."

"I'll patch into it," Vox said, letting Peppermint into the living quarters, "Thank you... and also--" he paused, nodding towards the outside, "--feel free to crash on the couch tonight. You're safer here than out there for a while."

Peppermint looked over at the couch before coming back to Vox, eyes wide, "Ah...! Yes sir!"

Vox zapped himself into a camera--travelling through to his main power station--connecting cords to the back of his head--and then he was answering a phone line.

"Katie!" he kept his voice jovial, leaning to the side to place his head in his hand, "Calling about the extermination counter?"

"No," she answered almost immediately with disgust, before her voice flowed into gloating, "You're never going to believe who I scored for an interview."

Vox boredly sighed, "Verosika Mayday? She's about to go on tour."

"I WISH!" Katie Killjoy grew louder, cackling almost, "Fuck me that succu-bitch can get it but--" 

Vox was rolling his eyes, about to hang up, surprised by the mean-girl spirited chuckle when she continued.

"The Little Princess of Hell wants to talk to her people."

"Oh...?" Vox sat up straighter.

"I got to her about her project first, Voxxy-Baby."

"Ms. Killjoy--"

"Ah--well, gotta get ready!" Katie made kissy noises into the receiver and Vox jolted upright, seething knowing she was about to hang-up, "Buh-bye now...!"

The dial tone rang in his head and he ripped the cables out.

"Fucking--!" Vox turned from his many monitors, clenching and unclenching his hands, calling out hurried, "PEPPERMINT! QUICK! GET YOUR ASS UP HERE!"

...

Alastor stepped into Hell--decay following him like a breeze. He cracked his neck, his shadow slithering behind him as the sigil portal closed... he glanced around, noting the destruction of Pentagram City look particularly disgusting today.

"Oh... well... that's interesting..."

He found himself outside of a bar, where people gathered in the aftermath, drinking sorrows and trying to move on. There was a television light flickering on inside and he smiled more readily.

He walked in, just for a moment, to see what station was playing... disappointed to note it was only the local news. Alastor was about to turn away and continue his wandering trek through the city... when he noted the news was interviewing none other than his next assignment--The Princess of Hell.

"--and I call it, The Happy Hotel!"

Alastor huffed a laughed, even as the bar around him roared and cat-called. 

Seems he had his work cut out for him... however, now that he knew where to find her, he began his search for his beloved partner.

...

"Well..." Vox sighed, swishing his drones around the streets and eying the wreckage, absentmindedly listening to the Princess and her grand plan on Killjoy's station, "Can't say she's not ambitious."

"Sir?" Peppermint asked, turning from the monitor with the Princess, "Should I attempt to reach her people and book our own interview? Katie Killjoy didn't exactly... perform the best interview."

Vox paused considering the idea. Ultimately, he was unconcerned, flying his drones around the outside of the news building, looking for a way in that wouldn't be too conspicuous. He mostly wanted to keep abridged of the on-goings of the little Princess.

"--and! We have a guest already!"

"Oh really? Who?" Kaite didn't question so much as scoff.

The Princess took in a proud breath, exclaiming, "Angel Dust!"

Vox crashed his drone, startled by the name, yanking wires from his head and fully focusing on Princess now, crying out, "Did she just fucking say what I think she said?!" 

"Uh... maybe?" Peppermint hid behind his tablet.

"--Breaking news! It appears the infamous Porn Star Angel Dust has been seen engaging in a turf war...!"

Footage of Angel hopping over debris and aiming home-made bombs at an airship flashed on screen. Vox cradled his head in his hands, muttering as the Princess slinked off Katie's screen, "Ohhhh... this day can't get any worse, Pep."

"You are correct, darling!" a voice answered, startling Vox, and he wheeled--breath stuck in his throat. Alastor smiled at him eagerly as he stepped out of the shadow of the entry way, "It can only get better."

...

Alastor had his arms full of Vox in an instant--catching the other demon as he launched himself in Alastor's direction and spinning the both of them about. The shadows around them dancing just as excitedly.

"Alastor...!"

"... Vox," Alastor was quieter, holding the other overlord securely, and setting him back on his feet carefully, "I'm home."

"Welcome home!" Vox wasted no time grabbing his face and pulling him into a deep kiss.

Alastor hummed, the static in the air surrounding them as his hands placed themselves on Vox's lower back, dipping him just the slightest. Vox--perhaps more use to such actions now--reached up to find his antlers. Alastor popped away from him, raising a brow, "Missed me, then?"

"Of course I--!"

"Um... uh?" a little eel intruded upon the scene, tablet held out to show the drone footage following Charlie Morningstar picking up a familiar spider in a limo and driving off into the city, "Should I follow up with the Princess's people or...?"

Alastor blinked at the intruding eel, "You're the assistant?"

"Y-Yes?"

"Keep Vox updated on her whereabouts," he ordered.

"Al, that's my assistant--"

"Vox and I have other business to attend to."

"Eh!" Vox yelped when a tentacle wrapped over him, pulling him into a puddle of shadow, "Alastor...!"

"Until then," Alastor inclined his head, "It was a pleasure meeting you...!"

...

Vox was glad this wasn't a seemingly frenzied need to be close. Just in general, their reunion was a lover's warm greeting after being gone for so long. Alastor kissed him like he was glad to be of his faculties, and in fact, their impromptu coupling seemed to end too soon...

Vox was petting his face regardless, the giddiness rising in him, asking, breathless, "Really? You're really back...?"

"Mmm, I finished--" he was panting, pulling Vox down for a desperate kiss, "--all done on Earth. Hell bound forever, I'm afraid."

Vox was laughing, little stars of static between them, "You're back...!"

"Can't believe it?"

"I thought--"

"Lilith was gone when I returned..." Alastor explained, calming faster than Vox, tracing his face--eyes darkening just a touch, searching him, inspecting him, "She left me instructions... but she never returned. I do not know where she's hidden herself."

Vox gulped, hands fluttering over Alastor's neck, "If... If you really encountered an angel last time... maybe she's keeping her distance. Making sure Heaven is unaware she's behind what you were doing on Earth... she could be using you as a scapegoat."

"It's a possibility..." he sighed, "But so far, I hadn't seen any other angel tailing her targets."

"Well, thank someone for small miracles..." Vox sighed, resting his forehead on Alastor's.

"My tasks aren't over though," Alastor warned him, sad, "I'm to aid her daughter in whatever she's doing."

Vox blinked, confused, "Why?"

"The implication I understood..." Alastor shifted Vox from his lap careful just then, wary, "... was so The Princess could rehabilitate sinners for the purpose of undermining Heaven's own population. Fighting her battle on two fronts--newly turned sinners to angels could easily sit her in a position of power in Heaven."

"She is beloved by the masses..." Vox mused.

"So, I must find a way to..." Alastor waved his hand, frustrated, "... gain the Princess's trust and help with this laughable excuse of a--a hotel."

"Okay--" Vox took Alastor's hand in his--their scarred ring fingers standing out in the dimly lit bedroom, "--let's see if Peppermint has an update on where this hotel is."

Alastor stared at their joined hands.

Vox was reaching for his phone on the floor with his free hand. Alastor pulled him back up, closer to him. Vox took in a startled breath, squeezing his hand, confused, "... you said weren't in rut--why are you--?"

"Do you... I--" Alastor squeezed back, "--Are you aware I will probably need to stick close to the Princess?"

"Is that what Lilith told you?" Vox asked.

Alastor just nodded, jerky, ears flattening.

"Alright..." Vox sat beside him, thinking, "I guess... since it's a hotel... we can just live there then?"

"We...?"

"Yeah," Vox smiled, "Obviously, I'm going to be there, too."

"You are?"

"Where you go--" Vox pulled Alastor's hand to his mouth, kissing his fingers lightly, "I'm going too, remember?"

"... I do."

...

Vox's little assistant was most helpful--and more so--Alastor was enjoying strolling arm and arm with Vox down the streets of Hell once again. The sun was shining, hot, and bodies were being collected by cannibals, waving affectionately at the pair. Vox waved back, and Alastor inclined his head in greeting.

"Remind me to wait a few weeks before visiting the butchers in Cannibal Town," Alastor murmured, eying the blazing hellish sun.

Vox chuckled beside him, "Will do, love."

"I didn't ask last year--how are our girls?"

"Fairly well, I think," Vox said, before tilting his head, "Though, Vel still refuses to move into Cannibal Town."

"It's so lovely, though...!" 

"Sure, but Vel is..." he started, before sighing, "Ya know, I honestly think she's afraid to make such a big step--this is probably her first relationship ever."

Alastor shrugged, "Well, I'm sure Rosie's endless patience is helping."

"Oh, for sure--" Vox agreed, nodding, his feet slowing as the pair made their way up a winding driveway. He blinked up at the... hotel... frowning. It was a hodgepod of recycled other buildings, gaudy with it's bright neon sign placed atop it. "Oh... yeesh."

"I quite agree," Alastor eyed it, but his smile remained light.

Vox waved his hand toward the double doors, "After you then."

Alastor walked up the steps to the front door, jaunty almost, and Vox followed, hand under his chin as he eyed the area critically. Alastor knocked with his microphone cane, spinning it carelessly as they waited for the door to open.

There were vague noises from inside the building, and after a moment, a young lady was opening the door. Her long blonde hair was tied off at the end, and her fancy hotelier jacket was removed. Vox recognized her from the Overlord Gala not that long ago. It was definitely the Princess.

"Hello--?" she began, cordial, before her eyes ticked upwards, meeting Alastor's face.

She then slammed the door shut.

Alastor and Vox shared a look, the TV Demon bemused, "Did she really just...?"

The door opened again, and the Princess stared.

"Hel--" Alastor tried, but the door once more was closed on him. Vox leaned on the other door, waiting.

The door opened again, Alastor continuing with a, "--ll--"

And yet again, as if testing him, the Princess slammed the door.

"--o?" Alastor asked once it was opened fully.

"Excuse me," the Princess held up a finger and then closed the door carefully. Vox heard her shout a name--and a whine answered. Her muffled voice began uncertain, "I think the Media Demons are at the door...?"

"Aw!" Vox pressed his hands to the sides of his face, "They still call us the Media Demons!"

Alastor simply sent him an exasperatedly fond look, "Focus, darling, we have a job to do."

"Focus is all I do--" Vox waved off, just as the door opened once more. He tilted his head in from where he was leaning, waving in greeting, "Hello."

"May we speak to you now?" Alastor inquired.

"You may!" she attempted to be regal.

Alastor bent into her space, holding out his hand for her to take, "The name is Alastor--pleasure to be meeting you! Quite a pleasure!"

"Huh, oh--!" the little Princess went to shake and Alastor used that as an excuse to push his way in, and Vox sauntered in after him, patting her shoulder as she seemed a little shook by his brashness.

"And I'm Vox," he said, not crowding her as harshly, attempting to play a roll of a more mellow and cooler associate, "Head of the Vees."

The Princess was looking up at Vox, about to open her mouth to speak when another woman slid into the foyer, shoving a spear practically under Alastor's nose. He halted immediately, both of them quick to recognize the angelic steel of it, even as the young woman cursed the both of them in a native earthly language.

"I know your game--" she warned Alastor, before shaking her head at Vox, "--and I won't let you hurt anyone here, you pompous talk show host and cheesy broadcast shit-lords!"

Vox internally sighed as Alastor began tensing. He calmly pushed her weapon away with a finger, tapping it lightly with a nail, "My dear, if I wanted to hurt anyone here... I would have done so already."

The air around him fizzled and popped, less a threat and more a promise if she brandished that weapon around him again. Vox noted Angel Dust's head popping around the corner, grinning, when he saw the TV overlord the Princess was scrambling away from to stand next to the other woman.

"Actually!" Vox walked up, demurring as he tried to make up for the scary Radio Demon blustering in the entry way, "We're here to help!"

"Say what now?" the Princess looked at her companion, clearly at a loss. A shrug was all she received in turn.

"Help," Alastor emphasized, tapping his cane as his voice reverbed.

"Help with...?" the Princess still looked confused, hand gesticulating lamely in the air.

"With this ridiculous hotel!" the Radio Demon insisted, encircling the two women and sending a startlingly wide-eyed glance at Vox, uncertain, "I want to help you run it...!"

"Uhhh, but... why?" she raised a brow, also uncertain, looking at Alastor now, who was still looking at Vox for help. Vox crossed his arms, shoulder's raising in a subtle shrug. 

Apparently, Alastor had not thought his reasons for showing up unannounced on the Princess's doorstep too deeply. Vox deflected for him the best way he knew how, answering a question with a question himself, "I mean, why does anyone do anything?"

"Sheer, absolute boredom, my dear!" Alastor laughed, pressing his hand under his chin as he nodded in thought. The other young woman, gray and much shorter than the other beings in the room, soon became an arm rest for Alastor, as he quickly spun his lies, "I've been lacking inspiration--been lacking in work--for a while now...! I crave some real entertainment!"

Vox supported his beloved as he walked around the Princess, pretending to appraise the hotel as the Princess looked between them, awkwardly, "Uh... and does getting into a fist fight with a reporter count as entertainment?"

"It's actually the purest kind..." Vox replied, smirking at the image of the girl decking that fucking bitch Katie Killjoy. He was ignoring the other smaller woman as she began pushing Alastor off of her and returning to the Princess's side. Vox continued for the Radio Demon, plan already formulating, "It's reality entertainment! True passion at its finest! After all--all the world's a stage--"

"And the stage is a world of entertainment...!" Alastor added, the pair of them grinning down at the Princess.

She looked charmed, hopeful, "So... you think... it's possible to rehabilitate a demon?"

"Sure!"
"Oh, no!" 

Vox and Alastor spoke at the same time--clearly going for different approaches here. They shared a quick look and Vox decided to roll with it, giving a subtle shake of his head, pretending to plead, "Alastor, come on!"

Alastor forced a laugh, catching on quick, "No, no, Vox my dear! It's wacky nonsense! Redemption?!"

Alastor turned toward the head peeking about the corner, eying Angel Dust and chuckling. That smaller woman was shooing him away, while Vox walked behind the Princess, hands on her shoulders.

"Where's your humanity, Al?!" Vox was lying it on thick, siding with the Princess. Alastor's smile quirked up the tiniest bit, eyes lidded.

"Nonexistent, Vox, you know this--" he teased, twirling his cane to wave at the sinners behind him, "I doubt there is anything that can save such loathsome creatures! The chance given was the life they lived before!"

Vox tsked at him, playing the good cop to his (very) bad one, "But extermination seems like too much punishment...!"

"There's just no undoing what was done before," Alastor continued.

The Princess shook her head between them as they playfully volleyed. She held up her hands to stop them, pointing at Alastor first, "So then... why do you want to help me if you don't believe in my cause?"

"Simple!" Alastor bluffed, pointing at Vox as he spun her around to him, and only Vox could see his harried flickering expression, "It's an investment of entertainment...!"

Vox rolled his eyes, hands out to the side in his favorite show of empty handedness, "What Alastor means is we've been arguing about this premise since seeing your interview."

"Yeah, that's apparent..." Angel Dust's voice seemed awfully amused from where it was hiding. Everyone seemed to ignore it.

"And well--" Vox pointed at himself, grinning devilishly, "I think it's a worthy investment--a good humanitarian cause--which my company is all about--" 

Alastor snorted, fingers drumming on Charlie's shoulder, "Please. Your company's about cheap entertainment--and what's more entertaining than watching souls struggle to climb a hill of betterment... only to fall repeatedly back down into despair!"

"Princess--" Vox narrowed his eyes at his beloved over the girl's head.

"Er, you can call me Charlie."

Vox's gaze flicked down to her forlorn face. He softened a little--Alastor could cut deep when he wanted, even deeper when he was thoughtless. He held out a hand to her, finding some part of him deep down that wanted to play this next part true, "Charlie... settle this argument. Let Alastor help run the hotel and let me film it for my company. We'll see who's right in the end."

...

Alastor took in a breath as Charlie moved out of his hold, looking at Vox's hand thoughtfully.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa--!" the spear-wielding woman from before was suddenly grabbing the Princess, moving her away, not bothering to whisper, "I--I don't trust this, Charlie!"

Angel Dust leaned against the wall he was also no longer bothering to hide behind, "To be fair... you don't trust anyone, Vags."

"Not my name--!" she shot back, before groaning and turning to the Princess, taking the pale hands between her gray ones, "Listen, Charlie... they are Overlords. Deal-makers! They don't do good--they're chaotic. Evil. Irredeemable! They'll destroy everything you're working towards...!"

Alastor twisted his mic, eyes sliding over to Vox, who just placed his hands back at his sides, waiting.

"Look, we don't know that for sure..." Charlie tilted her head back and forth, clearly fighting with herself, glancing over at Alastor, who quickly pretended to eye a portrait hanging up that was of the royal family, "And, really, the point of this is to give people a chance. Maybe they won't change... but we don't know if we don't try."

Vox turned the opposite direction to smile in Angel Dust's direction, who smiled back, giving him a wink.

"I have to have faith things could be better..." she seemed to be deciding quickly, bleeding heart getting the better of her, "How could I turn anyone away? I can't! It goes against I'm trying to do! Everything I believe in...!"

The Princess placed her hands on the smaller woman's rounding shoulders.

"Just... trust me?"

"Charlie--" the other woman sighed, before glaring out of her remaining eye towards the so-called Media Demons, "I do. I trust you--Not them. Whatever you do, promise you won't make any deals with either of them."

Alastor's hand curled itself, almost disappointed, but to be honest he didn't expect his current assignment to be without some stop-gaps.

"Don't worry...!" Charlie brushed off, walking over to the Alastor and Vox determined, "My dad taught me not to take any shit from any demon...!"

Alastor's smile widened, and Vox stood closer to him, face much more naturally congenial.

"OK! Sooo...!" Charlie took in a breath, "Vox--you're clearly sketchy as fuck!"

"Wha?! I'm on your side!" 

"And Al--" she glared at the Radio Demon, his shadows responding to that familiar look in her eyes he had grown use to over the last 7 years, "--You clearly see what I am doing as a joke..."

Alastor's smile twitched the faintest bit, keeping any quip to himself.

The Princess continued, face contorting sadly, "But I don't... I think we all deserve a chance to be better...! So--"

"So?" Alastor parroted, waiting.

"So, I accept your offer to help!" Charlie nodded, triumphant. 

Alastor relaxed, Vox's shoulder bumping into his as he did so.

"Er! On the condition that there is no tricky strings attached!"

Chuckling, Alastor this time waved his hand toward her, green magic growing out from the center of his palm, "So... it's a deal then?"

"Ah, no!" Charlie practically bent over backwards to get away from his hand, cautiously batting it away, "Nope! No deals--no shaking...!"

Alastor's hand returned to pose behind his back, while Vox crossed his arms, amused.

Charlie groaned, gesticulating awkwardly, "... As Princess of Hell and Heir to the Throne--I uh--hereby order that you help with this hotel...! For as long as you desire...! Er, please?"

Alastor hummed in pseudo-thought.

"She did say please, Alastor," Vox teased, smiling at the girl.

"Does--Does that sound... fair?" Charlie's eyes darted over to her companion, who was glowering at the ground, clearly uncomfortable.

"Fair enough, I suppose!" Alastor magicked away his mic-staff, walking out of the foyer (that they were loitering just at the end of), and finding their way into a wide-open lobby area. He was nodding along. There was a couch that Angel Dust meandered toward, and Vox followed, the Princess sighing behind her new... patrons.

"Cool--Cool beans...!"

Alastor brushed past the smaller woman, gray skinned with equally gray hair, smirking more wildly, "Oh... you should smile more, dear. You're never fully dressed without one, you know...!

She growled at him as he stalked by, eying the area.

Vox gave Alastor a quick look, who ignored it to turn to Charlie instead, inquiring, "So where is your hotel staff?"

"Err, well..." Charlie glanced over to the same woman Alastor had just been picking on.

Alastor hummed, "You're going to need more than that."

Vox was leaned over the couch Angel was perching on, catching Alastor's attention briefly while he surveyed the run-down area.

"I didn't know you left Val's studio, Angel--" Vox sounded proud, the smile very real, and Alastor was distracted for a split second by it, "--When did this happen?"

"Oh, I gave Charlie my number at the Overlord Gala...!"

"That long ago?" Vox blinked.

Angel Dust was shrugging, "Sure, but she only called me a few weeks ago when she finished setting this dump up."

"Hey!" the gray woman--what did Angel say earlier, Vags?--shouted at him from where Charlie was trying to soothe her.

"Well... he's not exactly wrong," Alastor was loathe to admit it, snapping his fingers, "Guess I'll have to bring in reinforcements to spruce this place up a bit...!"

From the fireplace, green flames sprang out, and out fell a small, charred silhouette. Vox perked immediately upon seeing it. Alastor walked over, grasping the small soot-covered sinner from the floor. Her one eye popped open, and she shook off her dust quickly.

"This little one is Nifty!" he announced as he dropped her. She bounced to her feet easily enough.

"Nifty!" Vox greeted, holding out his arms.

"Bad-boy-boyfriend Vox!" she dashed over, jumping into his arms and giggling, "Hi! It's been a long time!"

"Nifty will be the housekeeper!" Alastor said, glancing down at his nails, disinterested.

"Oh my gosh! Look at all these new friends, Bad-Boy Boyfriend-Vox!"

Vox chuckled awkwardly as she launched out of his arms, zipping around the Princess and displacing the other girl to check around them, "We've been over this, you can just call me Vox."

"Where's the men?" Nifty pouted, "It's all women!"

Angel made an offended noise, sweeping his arms over his body, "Excuse you."

"Oh! Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude!"

She rushed around, gasping at the uncleanliness, making unthinking comments. Vox shook his head, coming to stand beside Alastor now as the trio watch her bounce around the room dusting. As the others were focused on Nifty, Alastor's eyes slid to an unadorned wall behind them--a flash of green light and shadow creatures popping in and out as another sinner--a cat with wings--plopped into the room out of thin air, holding a hand of cards and smirking.

He dropped them, grinning, before his eyes widened and he spun around, "What the fuck is--oh no... it's you."

"Husker, my old friend!" Alastor greeted as now the whole room turned toward this cat sinner.

"Don't you Husker me...!" he growled, pointing at a long-gone gambling table, "I was just about to win, you sonovabitch!"

"Yes, good to see you, too...!"

The cat scrubbed a hand down his tired face, "What the hell do you want from me this time?"

"Well, as you can see...!" Alastor swept his hand over the pathetic excuse for a lobby, "I'm doing charity work now and I have taken it upon myself to volunteer your time...!" That same hand came around Husker's shoulder, pulling him in close and dropping his voice, "I do hope that's okay."

"O-Okay?" Husker repeated.

"It is okay?" Alastor purposefully misinterpreted his words, "Great!"

Husk shook himself out of Alastor hold, pointing, "I'm not some fucking clown! You can't just demand charity work of me...!"

"Oh, come now..." Alastor waved his hand over a front desk station, and suddenly, it shimmered and was morphed into a bar area, a glowing green bottle on the counter, "You know I'll make it worth your while."

"If you think you can bribe me with cheap booze...!" Husk stalked forward.

All Alastor really did was tilt his head, smile deepening as it fell into shadow. Husk gulped, hand about to reach for his neck automatically before he quickly reached for the bottle, taking a swig.

"Well... I guess ya can."

"No!" the gray woman cried out, rushing forward like she should shoo the magically renovated bar area away with just her wildly moving arms, "No...! No bar! No alcohol! This is suppose to be a place discouraging sin! Not some kind of--"

Angel practically tackled her, shaking her, before pointing at the bar, "Shush! Shut up! We are keeping this...!"

Charlie nervously chuckled, coming to awkwardly stand beside Vox as they watched Angel Dust dash over to the bar immediately. Alastor snorted as Husker was soon behind the bar, inspecting the bottles with a scowl.

"Hey..." Angel leaned over, flirty.

"Yeah, go fuck yourself..." he tried to brush off, not bothering to look at him.

"Ohhh," Angel reached out, stroking the cat's face so they could make prolonged eye-contact, "Only if you watch me."

"Oh gosh! Ha-ha!" Charlie was quick to get between Angel and the new bartender, forcing excitement as she bounced on her feet, "Welcome to the Happy Hotel! You'll love it here! Promise!"

Husk just rose a brow, unamused, "I doubt it. Lost that ability years ago."

Alastor chuckled like Husker told a hilarious joke, and the Princess spun back around to him. He was sauntering over to Vox's side, smug smirk growing as Charlie looked around at the quickly changing hotel, additional staff, and really, two very powerful overlords willing to help her cause.

"So... what do you think, your majesty?" Alastor asked.

"This is--it's just amazing!" she squealed.

Her companion sighed, "It's... just okay."

"Well, I think it will be very entertaining!" Alastor swept his arms out, catching the two girls and twirling them about--grinning madly.

Vox stretched his arms above his own head, pleased with himself, adding a quick quip, "Can't wait to see you lose this argument, Alastor!"

"Oh, there's no way in Hell--" he started before being interrupted by a loud explosion.

Part of the hotel's wall back wall blew off with a shuddering concussion. Nifty ducked barely in time--still dusting. Everyone turned to the new hole--Vaggie grabbing her spear and glaring. 

Outside, there was an airship, and a snake-sinner opened a porthole to taunt down at the hotel and its guests, "Well, well, well! My sources were true!"

"Do I know you?" Alastor asked, adjusting his monocle to better see the person shouting down at them.

"Yes! You do!" the sinner insisted, disappearing from the port view window, "And I come barring a gift for your return...!"

Vox turned to Angel Dust, pointing at the airship, "Weren't you just fighting this guy earlier."

"I mean, my gal pal was--" he shrugged, "Think he's got a thing for her."

Alastor merely sighed as a large gun was dropped, pointing at the residents--new and old--of the hotel.

"It's the element of surprise!" 

"It's not very surprising," Vox tilted his head at the overkill weapon, and Alastor snapped his fingers. A very large hole for shadows swirled opened, amassing tentacles from its center. Like a scene from 2000 Leagues, the tentacles wrapped over the airship, dragging it down and destroying it in a ridiculous show of power.

The ship then exploded.

Everyone but Vox stepped back, eying Alastor with serious concern.

He turned, smiling brightly as he gestured back to the hotel, "Well, that made me hungry! What do we say I make some jambalaya and we can talk more about this Hazbin Hotel, hm?"

Alastor was already walking back into the hotel, Charlie bouncing as she followed suit. Angel Dust slung an arm over Vox, leering, while Husker and Vags dragged their feet, following at a more sedate pace--Nifty was zooming in, picking up the wreckage already... the snake-sinner crawling out of the crater left by his demolished ship to slink away into the night.

"We're gonna make some real changes around here," Alastor continued, tossing a promising look to Vox, who merely smiled widely in return at the secret subtext, "I can just feel it."

TBC...

Chapter Text

Promotional Material

Vox was holding his food, not eating, as he chattered on, "--and using drones means we can get so many different angles and shots and we don't even have to worry about paying a camera crew!"

Charlie's brows tilted, unsure, and she looked at her--apparently girlfriend--Vaggie, for help.

"Yeah... about this reality TV thing--" the Princess began, looking awkward.

"I mean, we could put in a confessional booth," Vox tilted his head, and Alastor just shrugged beside him, eying his bowl. Vox handed it over--and Alastor frowned, concerned. Vox ignored it, "Or have specifically interviewed reviews for the season. Peppermint's fairly good at that."

"Oh, yeah, Peppermint's real soothing when he runs those interviews, " Angel Dust was nodding in agreement.

"Vox--" Alastor interrupted, moving the bowl back to him.

Vox blinked, glancing down at his food. "Oh! My bad! I've been talking over Charlie so much--it's her hotel, after all."

"Y-Yeah," Charlie nodded, her fingers twirling around in the air in front of her, watching Vox taking small bites of the jambalaya with a nervous energy, "About this whole... filming the hotel thing..."

"Hmm?" Vox smiled, eager to seem open to her ideas.

"Maybe we... don't... do that?"

"Wha--?" he blinked, not expecting such a refusal, "Why not?"

Charlie gulped, looking over at Vaggie for support.

The other woman scoffed, waving her hands about, "Because it's exploitative!"

"Exploita--" Vox almost echoed before shaking his head, "What? How? Don't you want people to know what you're doing? How this whole process works? Get them in the doors...?"

"Well, personally," Angel leaned over grinning at Charlie as his hands brushed over Vox's face, "I love being exploited--what's the harming in filming?"

"You're not helping, Angel Dust," Alastor mentioned--plucking the spider's spindly digits off of the edges of Vox's screen.

Vox was much more focused on the Princess, who avoided his gaze.

"It's just..." she rubbed the back of her neck, "I don't want people coming here for fame... I want them to want to be better. That's the only way this hotel can work."

"I just want to help," Vox found himself saying, almost surprised by his own words, "That's all. It's not like that."

Charlie looked even more uncomfortable. Vaggie grabbed her hand, holding it tight, "Charlie said no, Vox. No means no. No cameras in the hotel."

"Uh, yeah," Vox quickly glanced down at his mostly full bowl, "Right. Of course, Princess. It's your hotel. Whatever you're comfortable with. I'll just--find something else to do, I guess."

The silence in the kitchen grew too awkward after that.

...

Alastor was furnishing their suite through his magic, Vox pacing back and forth, the wires in the building threading and writhing from what Alastor could see. It appears since the last time they were together, he had upgraded and now instead of only traveling through wires, could control them similar enough to tentacles.

"Vox--"

"Can you believe--!" Vox cut himself off. Alastor sighed when he turned to see his beloved grabbing the stuffed shark and screaming into it in frustration. He pulled away from it, thrashing it on the bed, "I'm the Demon of the Screens! What else did she think I was going to--?!"

"Vox--Darling..." Alastor moved away from his private office--really just a fireplace attached to his favored swamp of New Orleans.

"Is it really that bad of an idea?!" 

"I don't know," Alastor shrugged.

Vox looked up from their new bed, watery glare sent his way. Alastor just opened his arms, waiting. His beloved decided to pout instead, cradling the shark to his chest and sniffling into it, "I didn't even suggest anything... like... sinful."

Alastor dropped his arms, instead coming to sit on the bed and giving Vox a softer smile.

"Do you really want to even involve yourself in this venture?" he asked.

"I--" he began, turning his head into the stuffed toy, "I don't want to be useless to you..."

"Useless...?" Alastor parroted, pulling at the soft plush so he could find Vox's eyes.

"I just mean..." Vox started, looking anywhere but Alastor, "I don't even know what I mean...! I got too into the role of helping her."

"Well, your theatrics is what sold the Princess on allowing me to aide her in this ridiculous idea of hers," he assured, thumb tracing the split eye careful, wicking away the gathering moisture there.

Vox took in a deep breath, admitting, "I just... what if she sends me away from you? What if she decided that there was no point in me being here--I'm just--"

"No one will separate us again," Alastor swore to him, reaching out to take both edges of Vox's screen in his palms, "Not Valentino. Not Lilith... and certainly not her dreamer daughter."

 Vox relaxed, but still, he couldn't meet Alastor's eyes, dropping them down to his plush.

"This is not a rejection of you, darling..." he murmured, "Do not think it so."

Vox gulped, plucking at some loosening string in his hands, asking carefully, "... do I--Am I...? Was there a time I pushed you into things you didn't want...?"

"Like...?"

Vox shrugged one armed, the other lifted to swipe across his eyes, "Like... about... me. Us?"

"Not in the slightest," Alastor whispered. He leaned over, placing a warm kiss to the top of his head, "That girl shouldn't have spoken the way she did to you."

"It's fine..." Vox sighed, loudly.

"Mmm," Alastor leaned on one arm, taking in their new accommodations, "I can always... correct her... if need be."

Vox breathed out a snort-sort of laugh, "That's not necessary. You don't want to get on Charlie's bad side already."

"She has other friends, I'm sure."

"I--" Vox opened and closed his mouth a few times before questioning, "You do know what girlfriends are, right?"

"Friends who are girls."

"You're fucking with me."

"I could be--" Alastor countered, casual, hand not quite touching Vox's folded leg close to him.

Vox sat very still, holding his shark, head lilting to the side as his screen dimmed.

"--but you are correct. Perhaps I am misunderstanding something," he added, smile much smaller, "Why don't you explain it to me?"

Vox shook his head--whether he believed Alastor was obtuse enough was not so important as Vox's security in this moment--and the TV-headed overlord pet the downy head of his shark, "They're together like Rosie and Velvette."

"Ahhhh," Alastor scrunched his nose, "No accounting for taste on the Princess's part."

"You really don't like Vaggie?"

"Do you?"

Vox laughed, "She's feisty! It's cute!"

"I thought I was cute?"

"I thought I wasn't allowed to call you cute?" Vox rose a brow.

Alastor hummed, "No... but you can't call someone else cute either."

"Even if it's true?" he teased, the shark finally moving to rest across Vox's lap placidly.

"Doubley so if it's true!" Alastor declared, grinning.

"Vel's a cutie."

"Pretty sure our dear Velvette would also cut out your tongue if she heard that."

"You--" Vox pointed at first, before frowning, "--are actually probably right about that."

Alastor laughed, the radio waves trembling, staring at Vox... Vox who was finally at ease, distracted, and... so far, as safe as could be. Vox tilted his head, his mesmerizing eyes staring at him, a slow smile spreading, asking, "What?"

"Nothing," Alastor lied. His hand fell over Vox's where it rested on the bed.

Vox did not pull away.

...

Vox was definitely pouting--enough so that the little Princess of Hell was going out of her way to be extra friendly to him. Alastor and he were using their powers to help stablize and pretty up the hotel, with Charlie would follow behind, directing Alastor, but mostly asking Vox his opinion on things.

It would be annoying, save for the fact she landed on his favorite topic during one of their "break" times where Alastor cooked a meal for everyone. It was basically a roast, and Vox mostly had a vast helping of root veggies drenched in aux ju. 

"Um--so...!" she began, looking a little too eager as they flopped on the couch together, "How long have you two been together?"

"A while."

"Not that long."

Charlie looked almost perturbed by their unified answering with different responses again. Vaggie was walking in just then, bringing the Princess her own plate of food. She kicked over an extra chair so they could all sit and eat together.

"We've known one another for many years, Vox," the Radio Demon rose a brow, confused.

Vox sighed, glanced over at Alastor and shaking his head, "That's not what Charlie is asking, love."

"How long have you two been an item?" Vaggie clarified.

"Well..." Alastor smirked too wide, clearly amused, "Vox has always had a television for a head so--"

"You asshole," Vox rolled his eyes, purposefully turning away and crossing his legs so they weren't touching as they ate, "You know what they're asking."

Alastor just shrugged, bringing food to his mouth.

Vox took it upon himself to turn a much more friendly face to Charlie, awkwardly picking at her own plate in worry, "Don't mind him. His least favorite subject is love and romance."

"You more than make up for it," Alastor quipped, "You hopeless romantic."

"I am a romantic, yes!" 

"Hopeless romantic."

Vox stuck out his tongue, and Charlie's laughter surprised him. He brought his tongue back in his mouth, screen brightening in embarrassment. Alastor kept eating, uninterested.

"Sorry... you guys--" she looked at them with a growing fondness, one that was shadowed by something if her flickering gaze was anything to go by, "--you just remind me of my parents."

"How so?" Vox blinked, curious.

Alastor remained silent, but he did put his bowl down, to tap at Vox's impatiently. Vox went to eating carefully. Charlie waved her hand to the interaction.

"You just... care about one another," she said, "You have been through a lot I bet, over the many years you've known each other."

Vox hesitated, glancing over at Alastor. Alastor was also looking at him, face neutral (for him), as his eyes roamed over Vox's screen with care. Vox couldn't help but feel the tension in himself ease. "Yeah... Alastor has always been there for me."

"I mean--" Angel Dust's eat coast vibratto peaked as he suddenly hopped over the back of the couch, landing between the pair, "--I wouldn't say that, Voxxy!"

Alastor's eye twitched when Angel, apparently emboldened by the demon's many years of absence, flopped over Vox's lap dramatically, back arching obscenely. One of his legs poked at Alastor's face.

"Didn't this strawberry pimp abandon you?"

"Angel--" Vox sighed, lifting his food away from the spider. Alastor took it from him gingerly, and suddenly, Nifty was running by, grabbing it. She paused, looking at Angel Dust with a narrowed eye.

"No body touches bad-boy boyfriend-Vox!"

Vox caught her just before her needle-like teeth latched onto Angel--who quickly scrambled off of Vox and over to the other side of him on the couch. Alastor smiled more widely as he said, "Did I mention Nifty likes to squash bugs, Angel?"

"Uhhhh--" Angel gulped, as Vox held the little thing with no issue.

"Oh, that's right...!" Charlie gasped, pointing at Angel Dust, "You said you worked for Voxtech! That's your media company, isn't it, Vox?"

"Multi-Media, in fact!" Vox grinned, Nifty still struggling in his hands. 

Alastor yanked the housekeeper from him, tossing her without a care. She landed with a small thud--but her giggles could be heard as she skittered away back to the kitchen. He pulled Vox next, closer to him, arm over his shoulders, saying, "Vox has expanded from television to all sorts of ventures...!"

"I mean, I mainly focus on creating content for the masses to consume..." Vox shrugged, before remembering he had been toying with the idea of construction. He supposed this hotel could be a soft-launch in a way. He tilted his head up in thought.

"I've probably known Vox the longest," Angel Dust said, loud, gathering the rooms attention.

Vox blinked at him, coming back from his brain running amok with more business plans.

"Really?" Charlie asked, intrigued.

Alastor tsked, "Only on a technicality."

"Oh... that's true," Vox pressed a thoughtful finger to his mouth, "Though I think I met you both on the same night."

Vaggie looked perturbed, "Do we even want to know what went down between you guys?"

Alastor looked properly scandalized, lips curling as his expression tried to stay in its signature smile. Angel cackled, slapping a hand on Vox's thigh, which Vaggie made a disgusted face at. Vox just sighed, looking over at the confused Charlie.

"Angel works for my--uh..." Vox stumbled just a bit, almost hating the fact he had to still say it at all, "I have business partners. Valentino was the first Overlord I went into business with... Angel works for him."

Angel took in a breath, his hand slipping away from Vox.

"I had been invited to Val's studio and met Angel on set."

"Ew." Vaggie shuddered.

"Prude bitch..." Angel tore his eyes away, scowling, but no longer cloying onto Vox.

Vox paused--the story was a little too personal. Still... Angel looked so down, and the truth was... Vox owed him, in a weird way. He couldn't help the soft sigh, "I hadn't seen much of Angel before then. He kind of... opened my eyes to some stuff."

"I... did?" Angel blinked, eyes snapping back to Vox.

"Yeah," Vox subtly shifted his eyes down and Angel gasped, just a little to himself.

"Oh!"

"You're the reason I have half the confidence I do about--" he started, but Charlie made a curious noise and Vaggie was beginning to shrink back... not to mention Alastor's hand on his shoulder was starting to twitch. Vox reached up and patted that hand, "... uh, relationships and stuff. I owe alot to you."

"Well, I..." Angel Dust smoothed down his coat, smile dripping with a splash of some erotic confidence, "I shouldn't be so surprised. I am very inspiring."

Alastor snorted.

Angel smacked his lips, eyes narrowing, "I met Alastor before he confessed his love to Vox, you know."

"You make it sound like--" Alastor glowered over at the porn star, before forcing his gaze away. Vox just shook his head, smiling at Charlie.

"It's a... story," he hedged as she looked between them all with shining, curious sparkles in her eyes, "But to answer your earlier question--"

"We were friends first," Alastor told her, and his hand clenched under Vox's almost hidden by the other's prying eyes. His face dusted a pink color, one that was rare enough that it entranced Vox at that moment as he watched it wash over the high points of his cheeks and across his nose, "... before we transitioned to something more. It's almost been a decade since then."

"Who confessed first?!" Charlie exclaimed, and Vaggie shook her head, glancing at her girlfriend with a small smile.

Vox rose his hand at the same time Alastor pointed at him with his free hand.

"Oh! Of course! Because you're a romantic!" the Princess sounded so pleased, clapping her hands together.

"Well..." Vox murmured, screen brightening at the many memories inside him, "Mostly because I'm hopeless."

"Awww...!" Charlie cooed.

Vaggie, however, had her brows drawn as she glanced over to Angel Dust, who has scuttled his eyes away, gaze hardening as they find the ground. She looks at him warily, saying, "You said Alastor abandoned Vox. Was it after his confession?"

"Uhh...?" Angel startled, eyes widening as Vaggie waited for a response.

Alastor scoffed, "I did not abandon Vox--I was on a sabbatical."

"Vox almost died..."

The room went deadly silent.

Vox closed his eyes, taking a moment before demurring, "That's also a story. But... the point is--"

"No." Alastor stood suddenly, startling the Princess and her girlfriend. Angel continued to look elsewhere while the Radio Demon turned to Vox, holding out his hand, "I believe story time is over now."

Vox stared at him, his face careful, hand tense. The airwaves were slowly becoming audible, even to those who weren't as well tuned into the Radio Demon's frequencies. Vox took his hand, squeezing lightly, "It's fine, Alastor."

"It is fine," he agreed, "But the past should remain in the past for now."

Charlie fidgeted in her seat, "Vox--I'm sorry! I didn't mean to--"

"If you'll excuse us, Princess..." Alastor nodded, pulling up Vox from the couch. He was already tugging the other overlord away.

"I--I'm sorry..."

Vox glanced back at her--the poor girl lowering her gaze to her lap and clenching the fabric of her pants harshly.

Alastor's shadow swallowed them and then they were in their room.

...

It's late, and neither Media Demon had been seen since lunch. Charlie is standing before their door, biting her nails. She breathes, calming gulps in and out, before reaching out her hand and committing to knocking.

"Come in...!" 

Charlie, bravely, pushed open the door, already babbling, "Alastor! Vox! I am so, so, so, so, so--!"

Vox is standing in the middle of the room, towel over his head, a casual shirt and flannel pants with the silhouette of sharks on--no socks. Charlie realizes it's perhaps bedtime... but there is a huge disconnect in her mind happening.

Here was the big, evil, Television Demon... just... in pajamas, in her hotel, looking at her with what appeared to be a fresh hickey on his neck.

Charlie, belatedly, realizes he must not be entirely aware of it--and her vision fixes itself on his curious eyes instead.

"Uh... is... Is Alastor in the shower?"

"Oh, no he's..." Vox pauses, towel now dropping from his head to his neck, "He went to go cool off."

Charlie lets out a deep sigh, "Vox... I'm so sorry. I didn't realize I was prying."

"You weren't," he assures. He unhurriedly moves over to the bed and sits down, patting the spot next to him. Charlie nearly jumps at the chance--butt on the covers and hands grabbing his quickly, remorsefully.

"No, no! I asked you guys such personal questions!" 

Vox laughs, the amusement brightening his face, "Charlie, sweetheart, it's really alright."

"But--But Alastor--!"

"Alastor is a private person," Vox tells her, squeezing her hands before dropping them. Charlie stares at the bedsheets forlornly.

"I still feel guilty..."

"Why?" he asked, and his hand came up to tilt her chin so she could see his sincere expression, "I love talking about Alastor. I always wanna talk about him and me."

"You... do?" 

Vox nodded, smile much too sweet, "Of course I do. I'm very much in love with him."

"Ohhh...!" Charlie couldn't help the way her heart nearly swooned by such affection in his voice.

"I never thought he'd love me back, ya know," Vox glanced away, face brightening before slowly going back to normal as he turned to her with a softer expression, "I'm very lucky to have met him, to be with him in this way."

"That's..." Charlie found herself sniffling, feeling lighter, "... so beautiful!"

Vox was clearly stifling a laugh at her, shoulders shaking, "I dunno about that... but I think Alastor's beautiful. I can't believe he decided to be with me."

"I can!" the Princess exclaimed.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah!" she nodded enthusiastically, "It's true love!"

"True love?" he repeated, hand over his mouth, that grinned too wide at her. She saw his finger--the one for wedding rings--was terribly scarred, so much paler than the rest of his form.

"I can tell...!"

"You're a sweet girl, Charlie," Vox said, seeming to calm down as his hand slowly moved over his collarbone in thought.

"Vox...?"

"All I want..." he sighed, looking a little lost for a moment, "... is just to be by Alastor's side. That's enough for me most days."

Charlie hesitated... but reached out more surely now, placing her hand over his scarred one, saying, "You don't have to tell me those stories you mentioned... but... if you need a friend, I'll be here to listen. No matter what."

"Thanks."

...

Alastor always felt better after a good hunt. It relieved stress and replenished him. Plus, killing and cooking one's own food just tasted better.

The dawn was coming up, and he took his breakfast back to his room, a little fruit parfait in his other hand for Vox.

Vox, of course, was no more than a lump under the pillows. He had apparently shoved himself under everything--blankets, pillows, his plush shark--which normally meant he was unconsciously hiding from something. Alastor sighed, thinking it could only be the Princess had been too prying and Angel Dust had been too giving.

Alastor was setting down the parfait and his own plate. He went to removing the pillows, finding Vox's head, face down. He tapped the back of it, "Wakey, wakey..."

"Mmmm...!" 

"Can't understand you when you lie like that...!"

Vox sat up, elbows coming up underneath his chest, and he took in a big gasping breath. Alastor sat back as Vox yawned then, hanging his head. He blinked sleepily, glancing around, almost confused.

"Sleep well?"

"You didn't come back last night...?"

"I--" Alastor sighed, tilting his head, "--had a lot more anger to work through than I realized."

"Hmm," Vox placed his chin in his hand and tried to lie back down. Alastor summoned a tentacle to pick him up by the back of his shirt so he could sit up properly, "--ahh...! No... I'm too soooore...!"

"Sore? Was I that rough?" Alastor still had him sit up but was more graceful about arranging Vox's body to sit at the edge of the bed with him.

"Ah... I did it to myself..." Vox whined, coming to sit on his heels and rubbing at his thighs carefully, "I shouldn't have fallen asleep on my stomach..."

Alastor relaxed only a little, fingers touching the edge of his screen carefully, "Why don't you stay in bed today...?"

"You'd like that, wouldn't you...!" Vox teased, letting his head be held by Alastor softly.

"Enough, you--" those red talons flicked at him in playfully scolding way, "You're sore enough already."

"Meh, you've done worse to me," Vox was moving his legs out from under him to scoot off the bed. He seemed to notice the food on the nightstand, but not Alastor's wavering smile.

Vox looked at him, just in time to see Alastor's face right itself. He blinked.

"Love...?"

"Yes?"

"Do you..." his eyes searched Alastor, following some kind of pattern Alastor had no way to discern, "... Do you want to talk about it?"

"About what?"

"Your feelings... maybe?" 

Alastor took in a breath, reaching over for the food. He presented Vox his own, ignoring the growing shadows in the room.

"Alastor...?"

"I would never abandon you."

"I know."

"Good..."

...

Vox was sitting at the bar, mostly because he could, texting on his phone. Vel sent him pictures of Peppermint wearing his coat, apparently, as he had slept on the couch in the living quarters--and the poor assistant must have done something to piss her off because she her caption was fairly mean-spirited.

Vox huffed a little laugh--sending her a quick behave caption.

"So--" Husk started, catching Vox's attention, looking around the empty lobby area, "Are you just gonna sit there or did you want a drink?"

"Oh," Vox put his phone in his pocket, resting his head in his hand, "What do we got?"

"Whatever ya want," the sinner said, eying him warily.

Vox knew he had been to Husker's bar before--he vaguely knew Alastor owned his soul... but this was the first time they had probably spoken for so long, and just the two of them.

"Whiskey's fine."

"Coming up," Husk grabbed a bottle--top shelf--and poured it neat, setting it in front of Vox. Vox swirled the drink, watching the way it coated the glass and slowly trickled in long, smooth drops, the color like a pale amber.

"So..." Vox started, then took a cautious sip and let the whiskey sit on his tongue. It burned well, sliding down his throat with ease.

"So...?"

"Rosie told me about you."

"I would rather not talk to you at all if I could help it--" Husk cleared his throat, grabbing a towel to wipe down the whiskey bottle he had poured from--but he hadn't spilled or missed the glass at all.

"Er--"

Husk steadfastly ignored him.

"Okaaay then. Thanks for the drink..." he raised the glass lightly, sipping it to pull out his phone again.

He was updating Peppermint, having him change some paperwork around, when several hands slid up Vox's back, and suddenly, Angel Dust's head was leaning over him, "Hey, daddy. Working hard or hardly working?"

"Angel!" Vox greeted; phone placed on the bar now.

Husker tsked, scrubbing down the other end of the wood counter rather forcefully. Vox turned on the bar stool as Angel leaned into the one next him, smirking, "Where's smiles today?"

"Hm, he's arguing with Charlie about shrubberies."

"Any reason you're all by your lonesome?" the porn star nearly simpered, "Drowning your sorrows?"

"Nah, just quiet in here--was talking with Vel earlier," he explained, gesturing to his phone.

Angel tilted his head back to Husker, "Hey, barkeep! I'll have whatever he's having!"

Husker growled low, picking up the bottle he had just finished reshelving. He brought out a glass and made a drink, raising a brow. The cat slid it down the counter expertly, and Angel Dust caught it, shooting it straight, before slamming it back down.

"Easy, Angel Cakes," Vox shook his head, holding up his half-finished class, "This will fuck you up fast if you do that."

"Maybe I wanna get fucked fast," he leaned, grabbing Vox's drink and throwing it back. 

"Jesus Christ...!" Husk muttered, swiping the empty glasses while eying Angel Dust. 

"Fuck you," Angel shot back, flipping him off and swiveling into Vox's personal space, "This is an A-B conversation so--C your way out of it, Kitty!"

"Call me Kitty and I'll--!" Husk pointed with a claw, snarling.

"Alright--alright...!" Vox calmed, taking Angel off his stool, and moving him away from the bar, "It's a little too early in the day for you to be drinking and fighting... Come on!"

"I barely had anything...!" he waved off but leaned heavily into Vox.

"To drink--" Vox took a second, grasping Angel Dust by the face and pulling him down to stare into his blown-out eyes, "What drugs did you take?"

Angel Dust smirked, throwing his arms over Vox and smiling leisurely, "Not Val's..."

Husk went still behind the bar, no longer cleaning, just watching warily. Vox sighed, patting the side of Angel's face, "How long have you been--?"

"I won't tell..." he whispered, leaning down, closer and closer still, "I didn't tell."

"Hey!" Husk looked uneasy, moving away from the bar, voice growing louder. 

Vox just held up his hand, "It's okay, Husk. This isn't the first time I've had to deal with an Angel Dust bender..."

"He just--" Husk gestures at how clingy Angel was, wrapping around Vox, pressing him uncomfortably close, "--fucking comes on to you like that and you what...?"

"Mostly, I give him water and put him in a bed so he can sleep off whatever he's high on..." Vox sighed, looking over at Husk and holding out a hand, "Do you got any bottles or anything? I'll take him to his room."

"Is that safe...?"

"He only finds me when he's coming down from being blasted," Vox explained. Husk deflated, trudging back behind the bar and bending down. He popped back up, a couple of bottles of water in hand.

"You lead, I'll hold these," Husk offered.

Vox nodded. He glanced up at the dazed Angel Dust, patting his side. Angel was already wrapping his legs around Vox's waist, and Vox held him as the spider then koala'd himself across Vox's chest, slurring his words, "I love being carried... you're so strong, Voxxy..."

"Been working out 'cause of you," Vox retorted.

Angel was nuzzling, and Vox stumbled a little, but luckily the porn star's room wasn't too far away, being located on the first floor. It was clearly marked, and Vox opened it easily enough, entering the dark room--finding a cute little piggy curled up on Angel Dust's bed. He made sure to place him down, so he didn't disturb the pet, unbuttoning Angel's clothes for comfort, but not removing them (he made that mistake before and felt bad about shocking the poor spider when things escalated, and he had to run for safety).

Husker was placing one water bottle near the dozing Angel's hand, and the other on a nightstand. The winged cat looked down at the scene, shaking his head, "Does Alastor know?"

"About what?" Vox turned to look at him, hands dropping off Angel.

"This whole..." Husk waved his hands, "... situation?"

"He knows Angel's soul is owned by Valentino," Vox said, eye aching as his expression flattened seriously, "And that I'm doing what I can to help him break the contract."

Husk put a hand to his head, "Alright... got it."

"Thanks, Husk--"

The cat waved his hands, "Don't thank me--if Al asks, I didn't see nothing, and I don't know nothing... and I didn't do nothing except whatever you asked me to."

"Right," Vox took in a steadying breath, "Got it."

...

Alastor was tired--sitting against their headboard, eyes closing--and only rousing when Vox turned his face from where it was bobbing in sleep. He blinked at the soft blue light emanating from his beloved. The night had fallen faster than he realized. That shadow of his was peeking over his shoulder and pecking Vox softly.

"You've been waiting for me?"

"Hmm--" Alastor nodded, "Didn't want you to sleep alone again."

Vox's hands traced his face, "I'm sorry, love... I got caught up in my new office..."

"What time is it...?"

"Unfortunately..." Vox placed a kiss on his forehead, whispering, "Very late. We should go to bed."

"Already in bed--" Alastor snapped his fingers--the pair of them now in silk pajamas.

Vox chuckled, "You keep manifesting physical things, you'll get even more tired."

"Could... do... this..." he yawned, nuzzling into Vox, "...all day..."

"Mmm," Vox was lying in his arms, Alastor tipping over around him, surrounding him... the shadow swirling over the both of them like blanket, "Sleep now... I'm here."

"Missed this..."

"Me too..." Vox sighed into him.

"Never leave... again..."

"... yeah... me too..."

...

Vox raised a brow, Alastor frowning at the video camera in his hand, while Vaggie just crossed her arms.

"I don't think I'm the right Demon for the medium--"

"You're helping run the hotel...!" Vaggie all but barked, "So make some promotional material. You know what a commercial is!"

"That's not really my--" Alastor started.

"Ah, ah, ah!" she wagged a finger, and the Radio Demon's eyes narrowed when she looked at him in challenge, "You gotta prove you're on board! That you'll be ready for anything! This hotel needs guests--so you gotta make a commercial!"

"You're testing me..."

Vaggie shook her head, oddly brave in the face of Alastor's ire.

"... testing my patience, at least, girl."

"It's Vaggie," she emphasized, glaring.

Vox watched this interaction between them, wondering where in the world Charlie was. He didn't have to wait long, as she came bounding down the hallway, excited, exclaiming, "There you all are!"

"Good news, Charlie!" Vaggie smirked, triumphant, still looking at the Radio Demon like she was daring him, "Alastor said he'll make us a commercial to promote the hotel!"

"Whaaaaaa?! Really?!"

"I--" his lip curled, before he schooled his face, "Well--Vox does it all the time! How hard can it be?"

Vox frowned, one eye twitching, "Excuse me now?"

Alastor froze.

"Ohhhhhh, you better materialize a doghouse...!" Vox about faced, pulling out his phone and texting Peppermint for a car, "Because you're sleeping in it, Mister!"

"Vox, wait--!"

Vaggie just snickered while Charlie looked between them, uncertain.

"Yeah... I feel like you made a mistake there, Alastor."

"Ahhh... fuck."

TBC...

Chapter Text

Episode 1: The Commercial

Alastor stood beside the frankly ancient television set, waiting. Vox was smirking, leaning over the couch where Charlie and Vaggie sat--one of them awkward, the other pissed.

"What..." Vaggie began, hands gesturing to the TV, "... the fuck was that?!"

"My commercial!" the Radio Demon smiled too brightly; face stretched thin.

"Oh, Alastor... Thank you so much buuuuut it's..." Charlie pressed her hands together, clearly trying to find the right words, and Alastor stood waiting, brow raised. "It's--uh, what's the word I am looking for?"

"Bad," her girlfriend spat out, "The word you are looking for is bad."

Vox didn't bother hiding his laughter, shoulder's shaking as he hung his head, missing Alastor's flattening expression. Charlie winced next him.

"What Vaggie means to say is that--" the Princess began gently.

"It doesn't say anything about helping sinners! That was the point of the commercial!" the smaller woman stood up on the couch, tone much less gentle.

"Well," Alastor kept his voice as pleasant as possible, knocking at the TV with his cane--and Vox flinched, the reverb hitting off his own set as he looked up when Alastor moved his cane back to Vox, "I told you this isn't my medium! It's not my fault you insist on the visual bombardment of the modern era!"

"It'll reach more sinners!" Vaggie argued, and Vox tilted his head towards Charlie, who was trying to calm the other woman, "Everyone has a TV! Even you!"

Alastor waved away her comment while Vox frowned at his now de-personalized status (apparently). Alastor clicked forward on his heels and bending into her face, "Yes, but my TV is a media mogul you refuse to use."

"We're not exploiting the guests!" she insisted.

Vox rolled his eyes, as he rested his head in his palm almost triumphantly, "What guests? You don't have a commercial."

"You couldn't help him?!" Vaggie rounded on Vox now, pointing at the television that had played Alastor's truly God-Awful commercial, "Are you that petty?"

"Yes."
"Viciously so."

Vox and Alastor answered at the same time; Vox keeping his one twitching eye open boredly, tapping his nails on the side of his face while Alastor sighed and began straightening himself to brush off imaginary dust.

"Vaggie... maybe having Vox make a commercial for us won't be too bad...?" Charlie suggested, tapping her pointer fingers together in thought.

From the other couch that was resting on at a catty-corner angle to the new sitting and entertainment area, Angel Dust quickly rose his hand, waving it excitedly. "If-in yer filming a commercial... might I suggest you make use of the talented actor you have right here...?"

"You're a porn star, Angel," Vaggie deadpanned, barely sparring him a glance as she shook her head.

"Exactly!" Angel kicked out his long legs, trailing a finger up them and smirking, "You film Smiles and Bossy Voxxy making an Angel sandwich, and you'll have the horniest sinners knocking these walls down!"

Alastor chuckled darkly, the shadows growing around him, "Never gonna happen."

"He's just joking, Al--" Vox was pulling himself up to stand as well, waving away the shadow that tried to encircle him protectively.

"No, I'm not!" Angel Dust insisted, running his hands over his chest, "I got the legs, the lung capacity, the holes, the gag reflex... the chest fluff people think are tits. Did I mention the legs?!" He kicked his feet into the air now, smirking over at Vox--who huffed in exhasperated fondness at the obvious friendly flirtation.

Charlie was quick to jump up, holding her blushing face, "Oh no...! We--um--We couldn't use your talent like that for free!"

"We're not shooting a porn anyway!" Vaggie grew louder, waving at the television set, "We need a commercial!"

Vox was about to offer his expertise--for a price--when Charlie's phone started ringing. He glanced over to see the text reading DAD. She startled, hopping away while staring wide-eyed at her phone screen. To no one she squeaked, "Hold on...! I'll be right back."

The television demon just glanced over to Alastor, who watched the Princess leave with a smile glued in place. The shadow slithered over to her while Vaggie was distracted, hand on her forehead, muttering in her native tongue.

"Look...! This place needs to be a sanctuary for sinners, a place to start over and possibly redeem themselves!" Vaggie explained, like the lot of them were children.

"Ha...!" Alastor spun his cane in an impressive showmen ship, as if he had been paying attention at all to her ire, "This place has a faulty premise! You can't save the already dead!"

Vaggie growled, stomping up to the Radio Demon, "We don't know that! Just 'cause it hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it could never happen!"

"Stranger things have happened, love," Vox pointed out, sitting on the arm of the couch, enjoying her fearlessness. It wasn't every day someone tried to go toe-to-toe with the Radio Demon. She clearly thought she could handle him, despite her low sinner-status...

"Oh, please...!" Alastor slid his eyes over to the corner where Charlie suddenly emerged, bouncing excitedly. Vaggie followed his vision, body softening as she padded over to her girlfriend to talk in a stage whisper.

Vox looked over at Alastor, shrugging off his disbelief. The truth of the matter was, Alastor was not at the hotel for solely entertainment... he was ordered to help the Morningstar Princess in whatever way he was able--if Lilith was aware of Charlie's ambition... surely redemption wasn't too far-fetched an idea? The Queen was too pragmatic a woman, it seemed to Vox, to allow the girl to flail in a quest of saving as many poor souls as possible. Would a someone as powerful and seemingly wise as her let her own daughter persue an endevour that would ultimately end in failure?

Vox doubted it--and he had a fairly decent grasp on people. It's what got him this far in both his life on Earth, and afterlife in Hell.

"Charlie...!" Vaggie called as the Princess headed for the front door. She seemed uncertain, muttering to herself as Vox listened intently to the scene, "Why would the exterminators call for a meeting so soon after this last time?"

Vox hummed in thought--narrowing his eyes as the young woman looked distraught for a moment. Alastor was already walking toward the open door, Angel Dust laughing as he watched the Princess practically skip down the road, not having heard a word Vaggie tried to say (or say to herself).

"Oh please tell me she isn't--"

"Yeah, that bitch is half-way down the street...!"

"Oh Charlie..." Vaggie groaned, "Why can't you listen to me for a second! Angel's can't be trusted!"

Vox pulled out his phone, texting Peppermint--

Do me a favor and release all the drones. Search the extermination wreckage that hasn't been got to yet.

??

Just do it, Pep. 

Yes sir

Standard grid pattern. Call with updates every hr

...

Alastor watched as Vaggie paced in front of everyone, hand holding a camera not an hour later.

"Alright! Since Charlie is in this important meeting--we will be making a commercial!" the short woman declared, fire in her voice. It would be uplifting... if Alastor was not already done with this ridiculous request. Her one eye zeroed in on Vox, texting distractedly next to the Radio Demon, "All of us!"

"Huh?" Vox glanced up, blinking, pointing at himself, "Me? The exploiter?"

"Vox!"

"Pass, sweetie!" Vox stretched as he stood up from his place beside Alastor, waving at her as he sauntered away with a bit of contempt, "You didn't want my help in the first place, you don't get it now...!"

Alastor just shook his head, lying a cheek in his hand, as he watched his love zap his way up the stairs and head to his new office connected to their bedroom. Alastor raised a brow at the fuming Vaggie, saying, "You really shouldn't have upset him in the first place. He's been difficult for days."

"God he's such a little bitch..." Angel sighed, wistful, watching him turn into the hallway, "Would have loved to film with him."

Husker balked beside the spider, and Alastor just breathed in deeply, while Nifty giggled.

"What?!" Angel stood, crossing his many arms, "Haven't you guys seen his shows?! He's mesmerizing! As an actor we'd probably make the best team-up!"

"Whatever...!" Vaggie shook off not only this conversation, but Vox's refusal to help. 

Alastor himself stood, and if anyone noted his shadow was absent, no one said anything. Vaggie was already bullying people further into the lobby and toward the bar. She went to directing, but Alastor stepped back, glancing up the stairway, humming to himself curiously.

...

Vox was monitoring the footage, slowly, going over every pixel carefully. He didn't know what he was looking for exactly... but he would find it. There was an inkling he couldn't shake--Alastor was undeniably picking fights with Vaggie--Vaggie, who used some odd-terms, who moved unafraid in both his and Alastor's presence.

What did she know of exterminating angels and their motivations...?

Why did she think angels were untrustworthy?

She seemed even more eager to help Charlie than even Alastor--who's very soul was on the line.

It just--It screamed of projection to Vox.

... but maybe Vox was paranoid. Maybe he was reaching.

Maybe he just wanted to prove he could be of help to Alastor the hotel.

...

Alastor left Vaggie at some point, exhaustingly trying to get the unruly sinners to do anything worthwhile on camera. He went to his and Vox's room. When he opened the door, Vox was not in their main, shared area--meaning he was still in his connected office.

Alastor crept over, hesitating, before finally knocking, "Vox?"

"Hmm?" Vox's hum sounded from within.

He didn't sound pissy, which was a plus. So, Alastor opened the door, head tilted as he eyed the various screens with various channels labeled Voxtech in the corner. He smiled more genuinely, glad to see he was not sulking over such an unimportant slight from an unimportant wretch. "Working remotely?"

"Might as well," Vox sighed, leaning back and unhooking cables from his connection ports. Alastor winced, seeing the sparks sputter and die.

"My dear," Alastor touched those ports, checking for damage, "Don't feel obligated to neglect your company on my behalf."

Vox tilted his head back, glancing up at Alastor from where he was seated, tapping his foot nervously, "I'm not... Pep's running point."

"Hm..." 

"Really--I'm over it," Vox insisted, hands in the air, and Alastor caught them, "--the Princess doesn't want my help. I get it. I made myself... uh, this." He squeezed Alastor hand, rather than wave it over his own face, closing those saddening eyes, "But it's not like I don't... I wanted to be a journalist. I just wanted to show people what was going on in the world. I wanted fame and fortune too but--" Vox released a long breath, giving Alastor that lopsided smile again, "Well. Like you said, we're in hell. We made our mistakes, I guess. Mine was wanting too much, I think."

"My silly Television man..." Alastor smiled down at him, "What do you want right now?"

"I have everything I want," Vox brought Alastor's ring finger to his mouth, kissing lightly, "I'm happy with this."

Alastor tilted his head, letting those electric lips graze over the sensitive scar, "You name it... I'll give you more, darling."

"Mmmm..." Vox closed his eyes in thought, before one opened coy, teasingly, "I wouldn't say no to a proper kiss."

"Oh, I see..." Alastor leaned down.

That seemed too simple a want--Alastor could do more.

...

Vaggie sat in the dark, groaning, frustrated by her lack of proper content. The wires of the camera were hooked uselessly into the TV. Alastor walked into the lobby where she struggled, Vox following after him, holding his hand.

"Well, well..." Alastor taunted, amused by her anguish, "Looks like you've been productive."

"Not now, Alastor...!" she hissed, head in her hands.

"Oh, come now! You've done all this work, for hours, no less... and you still haven't made a better commercial that I did!" he sounded too gleeful, bending into her space, lip curling. Vox just shook his head behind the overlord at the antagonism.

Vaggie responded by grabbing the camera, immediately pointing it at Alastor, livid as she started saying, "... and here's Alastor! The no-good, mother fuc--Ah!"

Alastor's image contorted, the camera glowing hot, jumping and glitching as a more demonic visage of the man could be barely gleaned between pulsating shadows and dark, bloody magic. Vox, quite use to this, barely dropped Alastor's hand before it affected his own body.

"I wouldn't do that, dear..." his voice distorted, fuzzing out the airwaves with warning, "This face was made for radio."

"God dammit!" Vaggie pulled her stinging hand back, it was turning pink and she held it close to her chest, staring at him, finally, in vague alarm.

"Look, Vaggie--" Vox began, putting his own hand on the Radio Demon's back softly as his image calmed to normal.

"No, you look!" she thrusted her hand to the television, clearly exhausted, "I have nothing to show Charlie when she returns! Are you going to help me or not?!"

Vox sighed, a little gutted by her obvious devotion to the Princess... but Alastor just smiled wider, holding out his hand. He offered another solution almost too amicably, "How about this... Vox helps, and I don't."

"What are you suggesting?" Vaggie took a step back, eying the hand warily.

"Oh, stop fussing!" he wiggled his fingers, tone lightening, "I'm not asking for your soul! I'm asking for you to give Vox a chance to prove he meant what he said before...!"

Vaggie glanced from Alastor's hand, to Vox, who was also looking equally confused.

"Let Vox make on-going promotional material!" Alastor continued, "Think of his reality filming like one really long commercial!"

"But Charlie--!" the young woman began, face falling.

"Charlie believes in second chances, right...?" Alastor pressed, twisting and needling as he was so good at. He did not become a powerful overlord by playing fair.

Vaggie eyed his hand, before looking at Vox seriously, as if studying him for some kind of betrayal. His face flickered, screen brightening, hopeful, "You really don't have to agree."

"Argh!" Vaggie was frustrated but swayed apparently. She grabbed Alastor's hand fiercely, nodding, "Fine. But I get to approve everything before it goes on the air!"

Alastor grinned, the area exploding in green light, "Excellent. Good choice, really."

Vox--with Alastor's blood magic inside him from their earlier activities alone--finally got a chance to snap his fingers to draw physical manifestations and shadowy creatures from the ether. Camera crews, set pieces, cue cards, and wardrobes dropped into existence, swirling around people in a new tealy color as Alastor and Vox's combined power flooded the area.

"Oh!" Vaggie looked down at a beautiful blue, flowing dress she was now wearing, a sun hat placed at a jaunty angle, "I think I got the better end of this deal."

Vox flicked at a director's cap that Alastor just plonked on his head. Alastor was already rustling the airwaves with his laugh, "She would think that."

"Hey! I'm an amazing producer, slash director, slash writer!" he grinned, already thrumming with excitement.

"Hmm, have fun, darling. I'll be on the look-out for Charlie...!"

"Alright!" Vaggie drew in her fists, manic grin directed at Vox, "Let's film a fucking commercial...!"

...

Vaggie excitedly approved the very quick commercial--and Vox slotted it in across his stations readily... and just to be a bitch, the local news with a hefty bribe. He collapsed on the arm of the couch that Alastor was standing by, alerting the hotel to Charlie's return.

Everyone was gathering toward the couch, as Vaggie began dragging her girlfriend to take a spot in front of the television. Charlie looked around at all the eager faces--and popcorn buckets Angel Dust was bringing, handing out to anyone who would take them from his arms.

"Did... Did you guys make a commercial while I was gone?" the Princess asked, voice watery as she walked into the parlor.

"We did! It's about to air...!" Vaggie beamed, sweeping her hand out to the waiting television set.

"It's one of my better performances," Angel said, confident with his hand on his fluffy chest, before softening, "If I do say so myself."

Charlie's eyes grew wide, full of love as she held her hands over her heart, "Oh... you guys...!"

"Hush!" Angel held up a finger, before pointing it forward, "It's starting...!"

Everyone leaned in, excitement palpable as the image on screen was of Vaggie, arm's swinging out as the camera zoomed out to show the background of the outside of the hotel, "W--"

The commercial was interrupted by a close up of Katie Killjoy--everyone sitting back, slightly jump-scared--Vox harrumphing, "Oh that bitch...! She did this on purpose!"

"We interrupt these programs to bring important news!" Katie's camera switched over to a phone recording, zooming in on the angelic embassy, "After a devastating extermination day... we are receiving reports that Princess of Hell, Charlie Morningstar, met with the leaders of the Angelic Legion and now... The next extermination day has been moved up!"

"What could this mean, Katie?" Tom Trench asked, off camera.

Katie Killjoy's eye twitched, "It means we are all royally FUCKED."

The scene changed to the panic of sinners shrieking, running rampant in the streets as the clock count-down on the embassy dropped to a new six-month window date.

"Charlie..." Vaggie turned to her, worried, "Is this true...?"

"Uh... yeah..." the Princess glanced down at the floor, awkward, rubbing her arms.

"What? But why?" Angel asked.

Why was the question indeed. Briefly, Vox looked over at Alastor--his expression was placid, careful, mouth closed in a tight smile. Vox subtlety pulled out his phone, sending off another text to his assistant.

Double over-time AND overnight shift, Pep--you better have something for me in the morning

yes sirr

TBC...

Chapter Text

Episode 2: (Memories) Stayed Gone

Alastor was sitting on the balcony to his and Vox's room, enjoying the cool breeze. He was sipping his bitter coffee peacefully when he heard a strange buzzing noise. It was not unlike a wasp and was a little startling. The Radio Demon glanced over to where he heard the sound... and a flying contraption was coming up from the ground area. It made little shutter noises before Alastor realized it was a camera.

His form started to respond, until he heard a, "Oh, nonononono...!"

And suddenly, his face was thrusted right into Vox's navy-blue chest; those pretty hands having come around his head, turning him so he couldn't focus on the camera. Vox had still been dressing for the day, apparently, and his button-up was open, fluttering around the edges of Alastor's vision--which was mostly mottled scars discoloring the flesh lightly. 

He smelled of generic hotel soap and was nearly as cool to the touch as the breeze of the morning. Alastor blinked, ears flicking. One of Vox's arms left his head and pointed behind him, directing the contraption, "Inside, please--and don't focus on the deer man if you guys can help it!"

Ah, so that contraption was Vox's.

"You can talk to machines now, my love?" Alastor asked, face still partially smooshed into his surprising pliable chest. Vox tipped his head down, grin lighting up his features.

"Kinda!" he sounded very excited to share this new development, and Alastor set down his coffee to wrap his arms around Vox's midsection, looking up as the other Demon continued explaining, "Mostly my drones! I've been developing them for months and can control them remotely! Neat, right?"

Alastor nodded, teeth showing.

Vox stared down at him for a moment.

Alastor opened his mouth--aiming for a nipple--and Vox attempted to jump away.

"No...! I'm wearing white--!"

Alastor chuckled, letting go of Vox abruptly so that he stumbled and fell back into their room in his hurry to protect his precious white button-up, a vague crashing sounding from behind the curtains.

"Asshole...!"

"You love me."

Vox's head peeked out of the curtain, "You're mean."

"Very--" Alastor agreed, flashing him a smile, "But you still love me anyways."

"If you want me say it back you have to be nice!"

"I know you love me," Alastor sipped his coffee, content. Vox emerged from the curtains, finished with buttoning up his shirt, and walking over to take Alastor's mug from him.

"Do you love me?"

"Hmm," Alastor tilted his head, hum vibrating on the radio waves, "Possibly."

"You're very playful this morning," Vox noted as he took a sip of the coffee, before sticking out his tongue, "Blehhh...! So bitter...!"

"It's coffee, dear," Alastor chuckled, leaning back as Vox set down the mug. He then leaned over the small patio table, leaving a warm kiss over the invisible X mark on the Radio Demon's forehead. A shiver ran down Alastor's spine at the feel.

Vox pulled back, setting his hip on the little table, asking, "So then! What's the plan for today?"

"Well--" Alastor started.

The whole hotel suddenly shook before Alastor could finish his sentence.

...

Vox peered over the balcony edge, and around the corner was an airship. It was that snake sinner from before bellowing down at the residents of the hotel as they left through a new gap in one of the walls of the buildings. A small, unstoppable "Huh..." escaping Vox's mouth as he watched the sinner rage fruitlessly against the residents slowly trickling toward the hole in the wall.

"Come out and face me, Alastor!" the sinner cried, looking around before realizing Alastor wasn't among the small group. He blinked, finding him on the balcony and pointing, "There you are!"

Alastor stood from his seat, raising a brow. He turned to shadow and started to flow down toward the entrance, standing in front of Charlie specifically. Vox hopped off the balcony, letting his form cascade down as electricity briefly. When he rematerialized, his feet hit the ground at a light jog as he came to stand beside Alastor.

"Do I know you?" the Radio Demon asked, ears drooping as his head turned in a confused tilt.

"Tis I! The inventor of doom and destruction!" the sinner exclaimed, hand on his chest, "Your greatest enemy!"

Alastor tilted his head, eyes scrunching in thought, "I don't think so...?"

"What? We've done battle like... 20 times!" the snake swore, sounding as equally confused.

"OH!" Nifty scuttled up Vox's back, pointing excitedly, "Another bad boy?!" 

Vox started sifting through his own memories, taking in a breath when recognized the face, and dropping a fist into his palm in remembrance, "Ohhh! You're that little twerp that use to follow us around...! What was your name again...?"

"Uh... it's... Sir Pentious?" the poor thing twiddled his fingers together, looking a bit more hopeful now that Vox recognized him at least.

"Mmmm, nope!" Alastor shrugged, his cane emerging as he tapped it on the ground, "Still not ringing a bell."

"Did you really fight with this guy?" Angel Dust asked from behind the pair of them, sounding unimpressed as he looked at the airship and then back to the Media Demons.

Vox shrugged, helping Nifty to the floor, saying, "No, not really. He just kind of... use to follow us from bar to bar back in the--was it the 70's?--ah, back in the day at least...! Well, until Alastor would launch him into the sky that is."

"Oh, boo...!" Nifty immediately grew bored and started to dart away, scrambling over the new hole in the wall.

"They were battles! And I was here last just last week!" Sir Pentious cried out, indignant.

"Well, you must be really bad at this then..." Alastor waved a hand and the hellish earth tore open, shadowy tendrils raising from its depths. The ground shook and everyone was jostled the tiniest bit at such a show of strength.

"Oh no... not again...!" 

Alastor started to giggle to himself, shoulders shaking as he watched the tentacles rend the airship apart. Vox placed his head in his hands, enjoying Alastor enjoying himself. He was correct before, Alastor was in a playful mood. Which, in Vox's world, was always a wonderful thing.

The snake sinner was trying to hold on to something in his airship, trying not to tumble to the ground. Charlie startled, concerned face turning from Vox and then to Alastor, hands up asking, "Um... maybe he's had enough?"

"Hmm?" Alastor briefly turned to her, maneuvering the tentacles with vague finger waves, "Oh, alright...!"

Sir Pentious was falling, airship crashing into the ground. Then, the ship was being entirely swallowed by the gapping maw of tentacles... and it eventually withdrew back into nothingness, the split in the ground slowly sealing. Vox heard Husker shuffle behind the lot of them while Vaggie raggedly sigh in relief.

The snake sinner landed in a coiled heap in front of Alastor and the anxious Princess. Vox peered around Alastor, getting a better look at the annoying thing--realizing Sir Pentious had not changed so much since the last time he had seen the snake (it was at the very least a good decade or so).

"Well, that was fun while it lasted," Alastor straightened his jacket, while Vox crossed his own arms, smiling at the bravado. "Thanks for another forgettable experience...!"

"T-Thank you...!" Sir Pentious raised a shaky hand--before reaching out and swiping at Alastor's coat, ripping off a piece, "... for leaving yourself open...!"

The static around Alastor grew louder, his eyes turning black as he glared down at the snake. Vox blinked, surprised at such a quick mood change.

"Oh... shi--!" was all the poor thing managed before being punted into the sky (just like old times).

"That seemed unnecessary...!" Charlie gulped, watching the figure of the sinner disappear like a twinkle into the horizon line.

"That was actually fairly subdued for Alastor," Vox told her, hand on her shoulder, with encouragement, "It seems you're a really good influence on him, Charlie!"

Alastor calmed himself, tilting his head back to give Vox a deadpan stare, "Looks like I'm going into town to find a tailor. Have fun with your drones...!"

"Hey...!" Vaggie tottered after him, gesturing to the large gaping wall, "What about the hotel?!"

"What about it?" Alastor asked, sounding genuinely bemused.

"The hole...?" Angel now stood beside Vox, pointing a thumb at the rubble still crumbling down from the side of the building.

Alastor snapped his fingers--shadow minions, or other contracted souls maybe, popped into existence. Many of them holding tools, and some construction equipment was leaning against the less destroyed parts of the hotel. 

"Right...! Can't let this new venture fall into disrepair already!" he taunted, twirling his cane and skipping out of the work entirely.

"Alastor...!" Vaggie shouted at him, "Wait...! What?!"

Vox watched him leave, shaking his head fondly, "He's such a cute bastard..."

Husk hissed behind him--Vox forgetting the bartender was in the group entirely--and then flapped his wings to fly back into the hotel through its new (but non-permanent) hole. Angel Dust gave a nervous laugh next to him, and Vox looked up at his pretty face to see it troubled, "You sure do have some bad taste in men, Voxxy..."

"You know you--" Vox beginning to joke off his concern, but frowned, his memories a little too bold and red-flaggy, "--probably have a point, actually. I can't argue that."

"I shudder to think of the kinky shit you two get up to."

Vox glanced around, but Charlie was already calming down Vaggie, who was gesturing toward Alastor's disappearing figure sauntering into the city proper. Angel laughed at his worry, but Vox found himself mumbling, "It's pretty kinky, yeah..."

"Oh...?"

Vox was saved from embarrassing himself further when his VoxTech company phone buzzed in his back pocket. He pulled it out, seeing Velvette's contact information displayed brightly (his favorite picture of the girl, getting ready for a date with Rosy). The spider leaned over, grinning, just as Vox answered it and held it up to his face. 

"Hi Vel!" Angel threw his arms around Vox, trying to get close to the speaker.

"Velvette!" he greeted, pushing away the fluffy face, voice warming immediately, "How are you this hellish morning?"

"Vox--" she sounded thoroughly displeased, enough that Vox froze, "--you're needed at the original building."

"Something wrong with our mutual friend...?" he asked, rubbing at the side of his head in phantom pain.

"He just tore up my best model--!" she exclaimed, frustration rising. Breathing steadily, she tried to control herself, "--she'll pull herself back together but you need to calm him down. He's waiting for you."

Vox was still, and Angel, very slowly, disentangled himself from around his body.

"Vox?" Velvette asked, slightly more subdued.

"Yeah, I hear you," he said, glancing over at Charlie who was now instructing the shadows, "I'll be there soon--are you staying in the building?"

"No, I'll head to my own studio soon," Vel's voice faded as she called out for her assistant.

"Good, good..."

Vox was nodding at the sudden dial tone, dropping the phone from his face and placing a hand over his eye. He was shaking his head, "Great... just another fucking day dealing with Val!" he groaned straightening, "Fuck my life..."

"You don't have to--" Angel started, many hands reaching for him

Vox shook his head, waving off the concern, "No, it's fine. Stay with Charlie, please. Ignore whatever phone calls he'll make, okay?"

"Vox...!" 

Vox was already stalking his way back into the hotel, pulling out his phone to call his own assistant, demanding a car immediately. Hopefully, Peppermint had good news for him by now.

...

Charlie was startled as Angel Dust appeared, leaning on one of the beefiest, burliest handymen, saying, "Hey big daddy... ya know, I appreciate a man who knows how to use his... tool... heh heh."

"Angel...!" she admonished gently.

"Stop harassing people!" Vaggie barked out, less gently. 

"What?" he asked, feeling muscles not too subtly--ignoring everyone as he continued to flirt.

Vaggie threw her hands, noting Vox walking out the door, cell in hand. She called out to him, pointing, "Can you control him, Vox?"

"I'll be back!" he shot back instead, "Emergency happening at VoxTech!"

"Oh...!" Charlie walked after him as he jogged up to a black limo pulling into the drive, "Is everything alright? Does it have to do with... uh... filming the hotel?"

Vox was opening his limo door, pausing briefly before saying, genial, business-like, "No, nothing like that. The drones will film regardless--if you don't want them somewhere... just shove them back in our room."

"Um, okay...?" Charlie watched him enter the limo. Her unsure face was reflected in the window that slowly rolled down.

"Hey, don't worry, sweetheart!" he soothed, waving at the destroyed wall, "Alastor will be back soon--and hopefully this emergency won't take all day. You guys just do what you normally do. Think of the drones like... well, like new furniture pieces."

"I just... I wanted to talk to you some more about this whole filming thing..." she said, uncertain.

Vox nodded, almost emphatically, "Of course--when I get back. Promise."

Charlie gave him an awkward thumbs up, stepping away as the limo drove off into the city. Vaggie was soon at her side, hands on her hips, angrily asking, "What's the point of these guys if they just abandon us like this?!"

"Well, he promised to talk more when he gets back..." Charlie said, turning to her with a slight smile, "I'm sure it'll be okay."

...

Vox was holding Peppermint's personal tablet, staring at the image seriously. His gaze flicked up to the shaking assistant, "Have you retrieved it?"

"A-Already on it, sir..."

"Good..." he handed the tablet back, crossing his legs as he drummed his fingers over his knee, "When you find it, take it to Vel's studio. She has a smaller lab there and can run tests to confirm."

They rode in tense silence the rest of the way--and Vox sighed, seeing a wave of people at the original building. Which was just great. Journalists and other news-types were lingering at the entrance. Vox left the limo, unfolding himself with a resigned type of gravitas, and walking right into the fray. Immediately, he was bombarded by flashing lights and questions. Vox held up his hands, walking through the crowd, saying genially, "Please, ladies and gentlemen...! One at a time."

"Mr. Vox! Mr. Vox!" someone shoved a microphone at him, "What do you have to say about the deadline of the extermination being moved?"

"Well," Vox held his hands behind his back, leaning down into what he was delighted to see was a live feed, "People of Hell... we are proud to announce a new product--a home security feature to keep you and your family safe from Angelic Interference!" His eye pulsed as his hypnosis seemed to radiate more out of anxious energy than pure intent, "Trust us with your safety...!"

He stood back up straighter, Peppermint quickly following after as Vox continued into the building and called the lift. "Uh sir...?"

"Yes?"

"When did we start working on security systems?"

"About 30 seconds ago," he said, low, then eyed his assistant, "Once we have that head, it shouldn't be too difficult to discern what killed it."

The little eel nodded.

As the lift dinged open, Vox smiled, affixing a more charming face, "Now, I'm off to put out a fire upstairs...!"

Vox stepped inside, turning into electricity as he used the cameras to travel faster throughout the building, looking for Valentino... who was in the main living area. Over the years he had converted and reverted it to his whims--and was smoking on the couch, face twisted in contempt.

Vox popped out of the feed, stepping into the private living space, and waving his hands to dispel the pink smoke, beginning seriously, "Val--"

"Fucking finally!" the moth rolled off the couch, tossing his cig into an ash tray waiting on a coffee table.

"What seems to be the problem today?" Vox asked with a faux causality as his business partner stalked forward, pacing. Vox then pulled out his phone, about to text Velvette where he was, when Valentino snatched the device and flung it into the wall. Vox watched it spark as it shattered with a growing annoyance building in his gut. 

"It's that ungrateful whore!" Val raged, rolling his r's as his accent peaked with his emotions.

Vox tried to keep his expression neutral, looking at the smashed pieces of his phone, before turning back to Val, eying his erratic behavior, "Which... whore... are we talking about?"

"Angel Dust!" he snapped, moving past Vox to stalk toward a gun cabinet on display, pulling out his Carmine crafted weapons, "Who the hell else would I be talking about?"

"Oh? Did Angel quit?" Vox perked up, only slightly.

"No! It's worse..." Valentino checked the chamber, turning to Vox with narrowed eyes, "He moved..."

Vox waited, aware there were a monitor display in the corner--feeling the sparkle of its energy. Apparently, Valentino had access to his drone displays here in the original building. He was going to have to fix that.

"... into some ratty hotel with Lucifer's daughter--"

"Lucifer's daughter...?" Vox repeated these words without fully grasping them at first.

"I'm going to go over there and I'm gonna fuck everyone in that rancid shit hole and--" the moth strutting over, with purpose. Vox grabbed him around the shoulders suddenly, pulling him away from the exit quickly.

"Val...!" Vox responded, shoving his face closer to daze him with a bright screen display, voice getting lost in a haze as his hypnosis activated for a split second, "You're not going over there."

"Wha--" Valentino shook off the moment quickly, "But, I--"

Vox shook his head, plucking the gun from the laxing hold and tossing it elsewhere (safety on of course), "If you go around the city chasing whores--what will that do to our image?"

"Fuck... it up?" he asked, sounding confused.

"Right!" Vox patted his back in encouragement, turning him away from the monitor display to stare out at the city instead.

"But... I want to shoot someone!" he seemed to be shaking off the hypnosis quicker and quicker. His original ideas, intentions, wants or needs were managing to break through all of the Television Demon's suggestions. Vox narrowed his eyes, allowing the moth to pull a new smoke from the pocket in his shirt, thinking quickly.

Distracting him, Vox lit it, offering, "Let me call up the lowest earners this month."

"Ahh..." Valentino took a deep drag, letting out a new plume of pink smoke, much calmer, "You know me too well, baby..."

Vox just hummed, moving to the monitor display, and running through the programs with quickening fingers--pretending to play along with Val--in reality he was moving through his private cameras. He just had to restrict access to any and all drone footage. Instead of it being sent to all VoxTech media, he would rewrite it to just a single VoxTech Admin--himself. The fact that Valentino was snooping through his company records shouldn't have been surprising... but then again, Vox had been distracted with Alastor's return.

"You know..." Val was chuckling, hip swaying from the brief reflection Vox caught of him. Valentino grew closer to him, continuing, "I know Angel's not the only person at this hotel."

"Who--?" Vox started, and Valentino was pressed right up behind him now, keeping Vox staring forward, still busy fussing with the numerous screen displays. His hand fell over Vox's scarred one.

"The Radio Demon is there..." 

Vox dug his hand into the console, sparks erupting.

"But you knew that... didn't you?"

"If you knew Alastor and I were there--" Vox spun, pushing away the moth's hand to instead yank on the fur of his wings. It startled Val enough that he didn't do much more than grimace, "Why wasn't that the first fucking thing you said to me?!"
 

"Well, I thought he was gone for good--"

"He's back," Vox emphasized, glaring.

Valentino rolled his neck, almost lazily, leaning into Vox, "What are you so pissed about then?"

"Seven years--" Vox dropped his hold of the white collar, explaining, "He was only gone seven years, Val. Not forever."

"He should have been," he insisted, moving a hand to Vox's face like he was concerned, "He tried to kill you, if you remember."

"If he did--" Vox stepped away, snapping, "He's changed!" Quickly he was making his way towards the door, shoulder's raising as he tensed, "A lot has changed--and if you remember I--"

"I remember more than you."

Vox stopped, hand on the doorknob at his dark words.

"Why haven't you announced your reunion, Vox?"

He yanked open the door, Valentino's footfalls chasing after him, "I was actually on my way to do so--before you started terrorizing Vel...!"

Valentino chased him all the way into the smaller, original studio--eyes watching him intently.

Fuck. There was no way out of this trap.

...

Alastor left the tailor (one who's soul he decidedly owned), coat much better, and was walking along the sidewalk--only to pause at the large crowd gathered around television displays in a shop window. He stopped his confident stride, intrigued when he saw Vox on screen, sitting at a News Desk. 

"Top of the hour and we are discussing a certain Hazbin Hotel!" Vox was cheerful, smacking papers on the desk, "Current project of Miss Morningstar, Princess of Hell--the Radio Demon is running it! What does this mean for you and your family? Well stayed tuned because--"

This broadcast would not be concerning... except for the fact he was soon joined by Valentino.

"Vox is about to announce, of course, that the Media Demons appear to be cavorting around town now--" Valentino sauntered in, pulling Vox from his seat, and changing the scenery to a talk show--Vox sitting across from him, "Go on and let your viewers know all about this new and interesting project, Voxxy!"

Vox's face flashed briefly, enough for Alastor to catch his immediate fear at this turn of events, "Well you see--!"

"I mean he's been gone what--" the moth leaned in, leering, "Seven years? What's he been doing? Does anyone even care? Why should you--we--give him the time of day?" Valentino stood, walking around Vox and sweeping a hand toward the camera, leaning to down to pinch a square cheek with another one--the display running a rainbow on the flat face as Vox winced. "I mean! You're visual and he's barely audible! The viewers rely on your gospel--that's the truth!"

"Val--"

Alastor twisted the mic on his cane, glaring at the live feed as if Valentino could see him, "Salutations, listeners! It's great to be back on the air."

...

Vox startled when the radio on the set piece buzzed to life--and Valentino glared at it, "Ignore his chirping!" 

"I know it's been a while since you've all received news in this style--"

"Because this is the future," Val grabbed the radio holding it in one hand as he taunted, "... and you were the shit that came before that!"

Vox snatched the radio out of his hand, protectively holding it to his chest, "No need to be insecure. Yes, we have pivoted to video, but his medium isn't rare--"

"No, it's a mediocre podcast, at best!" Val insisted, leaving the stage... but the crew still followed him back to a green screen... and Vox set down the radio and ran after him to do damage control. The moth was already spinning around, the screen behind him changing through scenes, "Is this demon truly as strong as he seems? Perhaps he should have stayed away!"

"Oh--" Alastor's voice rang through the studio and Val turned, trying to find it, but he was patched into the speaker system, it seemed, of the building itself now, "You know you're powerless without the other Vees...!"

"Hold on...!" Valentino stalked forward, pushing past cameras and tossing the crew around, "Where--?"

"Here's the sugar on the cream, Val--" the Radio Demon chuckled, "Vox asked me to be part of this new project he's going to stream--"

"You old timey--!"

Val had ripped a head set off a boom guy, finding the radio channel Alastor was using--and Vox could barely hear a much more private broadcast from it, "He told you no and now you're pissy--"

"Listen, there's certainly more tea...!" Alastor's voice broadcasted assuredly, louder, echoing menacing over the building.

Valentino was about to lose it--his crew was already running scared--and Vox's grasp of these optics was quickly disintegrating. He did the only thing he could think of and called the all the fiberoptic cables toward him--a new trick he was barely managing. Since the camera's weren't focused on him, it was easy enough to draw a majority of his power and send a bolt of current much too strong through the lines.

However, he miscalculated how much power he had since his last upgrade, and unfortunately not only cut off the live feed... but the whole building powered down. From the cascading shadows that flicked around him--all the windows dimming from the loss of ambient electric light outside... Vox realized he, in fact, blew out central power grid for Pentagram City.

"Fuuuuuuuuuck..." 

The headset in Valentino's hand had that lovely voice float out of it, "It's just beginning... I'm gonna make you wish I stayed gone."

Val crushed the headset in his hands--veins throbbing from the strength. Vox dropped the cables he was holding, taking a step back, panting from his exertion, "Val--"

"Where was he?"

"I don't--"

"Liar!" Valentino turned on him, wings fluttering behind him as he reached for Vox. Vox had enough energy left to zap across the studio. He was crashing into an exit door--pushing it open with the metal push bar--before stumbling into an emergency stairwell.

Vox was already dashing down the steps, hand sliding on the railing. He startled when the reverberating sound of the door was bashed open into the adjacent cement wall. Vox's head peered up the stairwell, and Val was leaning over the railing, eyes focusing on him.

"Shit!" Vox pushed away from the rail--trying to use another burst of adrenaline to propell himself further down to the ground level exit. If he remembered correctly, when he reached the final floor, it should dump him out into docking door's alleyway.

"Vox!"

A whoosh of air landed behind Vox--who jumped at the sudden looming presence--causing him to miss those steel-grid steps, stumbling into the landing halfway between one floor and another. Lucky for Vox, he just rolled onto his knees, which he was aware were scraped and bleeding, but he couldn't exactly feel it--he was much more focused on continuing to escape.

Vox shot back to his feet--but was too late--screaming when Valentino's hand clasped around his forearm. He wrenched it behind Vox's back. He was forcing Vox forward--toward the cement wall--and Vox held up his other arm, saving his face from being smashed into the concrete and drywall.

"Why are you running?"

Vox's eyes went wide. He reacted on instinct. He didn't think. He just wanted to get away.

"Voxxy..." Valentino purred almost as he leaned forward, one leg slotting between Vox's shaking ones. With his height on Vox, it lifted him, pressing uncomfortably into the center of him, "What are you so scared of, baby...?"

"Val--!" he tried not to gasp, to quiver, to give him even an inch of satisfaction--but Vox's mind was still trying to run while his body was pinned.

"You don't think I'd ever hurt you, do you...?" the moth leaned in, another hand of his running up Vox's front suddenly, encircling his throat. He pulled Vox's head back--nail's dipping into the collar of his shirt, pressing into the healed seam of Vox's neck where his head was often disconnected from. "Do you have some memories of such a thing...?"

Vox wondered if he would die right now--his heart was beating too fast. His lungs seized, as Valentino stared into his dimming face, eyes much too wide.

"Did he find them for you?" Val asked, sounding sickly sweet, "I never did find that missing video of our time together--my collections of you."

"Val--please...!" Vox's fingers curled against the pain, his other hand scratching into the wall, "L-Let go...!"

"I could never let you go..." Valentino sighed, his tongue rolling out of his mouth to trace the edge of Vox's face, and Vox flinched as it moved the moth even closer into his body, "You belong to me, Vox. You always have."

He plunged his too long tongue inside Vox's mouth--choking him immediately. Vox kicked out his feet, trying to reach anything for leverage--eyes screwing shut--losing oxygen fast. He banged his fist nearly bloody against the wall, struggling.

Valentino didn't seem to be deterred. 

Memories then did indeed flood through him--juxtaposed with memories of Alastor--and Vox, in a flash of genius, barred his teeth. He bit down, hard, on the tongue in his mouth.

Valentino yelped--dropping Vox in surprise. 

Vox spit out something wriggling behind his teeth. Val's eye's widened at the flopping purple tongue sliding down the wall Vox pushed away from. Vox didn't wait--feet hitting the steps hard enough to give him vertigo as he careened around the landing--making it to the ground floor with the bright red EXIT door standing out like a beacon in the dim stairway.

Getting outside was like be dunked into an ice-bath. Everything felt cold and dark. He thought he might be drowning, looking around for anywhere to keep running towards.

There was a shadow weaving around the ground--rushing right for Vox--before it crested upwards like a wave. Vox vaguely noted the antlers, relief almost hitting him, "Alastor's shadow..." 

The exit door was ripped open and Vox spun around to find Valentino leaning out of the doorway--his tongue dripping from his palm. He was staring at Vox with hard eyes, a promise in them.

The shadow wrapped around Vox when Val pushed off the door jamb, reaching out for him. The world went black.

...

The shadow returned to Alastor soon enough--materializing with Vox in it's arms. The red light of the radio tower blinked, and Alastor saw the blood dripping from his mouth first--not blue at all--but his collar was sliced open, a bruise blossoming on his neck. His hand had a steady drip of his own blood, and the knees on his pants ripped with an oozing of scrapes there as well.

"Vox...?" 

Vox's face flickered, eyes dull, and his legs gave out. Alastor tried to catch him--but the way Vox grabbed the side of his face that had once been so terribly broken--then grabbed his shaking arm--had Alastor pause, hesitating.

"He..." Vox's voice strained, and Alastor was horrified to see the tears spark, leaving him, "He knows..."

"Vox--"

"He knows I remember--" 

Alastor fell to his knees, grabbing Vox by the shoulders and holding on, voice staticky, "Vox...!"

Vox startled, eyes finally focusing. After a second, he was sitting back and dropping his hands. He looked around Alastor's face, the tears still bubbling, albeit much slower. "Alastor...?" 

...

Vox winced, Alastor dabbing at his knees with something to clean what was probably going to be gnarly scabs. He was just in boxers, shirt open, and Alastor knelt, very focused on this task.

They had been quiet until this point.

At Vox's noise of pain, Alastor glanced up, his careful mask slipping for a moment, murmuring, "This was my fault..." 

"No, Alastor," Vox shook his head, firm, "Val--"

"He baited me and I fell for it...!" Alastor's voice grew darker, the shadows responding.

Vox placed his non-bleeding hand on the side of Alastor's face, raising dark eyes back to Vox's, "It wasn't you. I panicked and ran and... he put the pieces together. That's all."

"What happened?" Alastor demanded, standing, holding Vox's hand now with one of his own. The other dropped the gauze he was holding, moving to Vox's neck, eying the bruises there. "Tell me exactly--!"

"I just..." Vox looked away from him, gulping down a far-away tinny quality to his voice, "I tried to cut power to the building--and he grew angry. So, I ran for the emergency exit. He followed me--caught me in the stairwell--I..."

Alastor ran a thumb over Vox's lips, concerned, "You bit him?"

"Not then... He asked me why I was scared, and I realized--" he closed his eyes, frustrated by his own actions, "I shouldn't be. I should have been angry--if I didn't have memories of--he..." Vox realized he was probably a little more than shocked, and took a deep breath to continue, "He thought you had come back with my memories. So he... pushed me against the wall. Shoved his tongue down my throat--"

Alastor was frozen, listening.

"I bit it off--" he sighed, glancing away once more, as if he was guilty of something much more terrible than an act of self-defense, "Gave me enough time to run out of the building. Your shadow got there just in time. I'm--I'm out of energy for a bit after the stunt I pulled."

"Vox--" he began, hands on the side of Vox's screen, "What else? What aren't you telling me?"

Vox shoved his face into Alastor's chest, like he couldn't stop himself, and held on too tight, "I don't belong to him--Only you... I only want to be yours...!"

"Oh, Vox... of course--You're mine. You've always been mine..." Alastor murmured, careful as his hands moved to the back of his head. He pressed Vox's face closer--right against his black heart--holding him there securely... a reminder to both of them that he was finally safe and back where he belonged... in Alastor's arms.

...

Vox had pulled on a deep V sweater, since it was the only way to get his head through one easily. He was inspecting the image of his neck, sighing at the bandages there. After a second he made eye contact with Alastor through the mirror--apparently surprised Alastor was watching him dress. 

"I'm fine."

"I don't want you to leave the hotel for a while," Alastor decided, ears flicking with his words.

Vox sighed, shaking his head, "Alastor--"

"I'm serious," he said mouth flattening as much as it was able, "I left you for a moment and this happened. Again."

"Vel called--" Vox turned around, frowning, gesturing outside of the hotel, "What am I supposed to do? Just let him--"

"She can take care of herself."

"Alastor, she's--"

Alastor's horns itched and he snapped his razor-sharp teeth, "He's not after her!"

Vox went quiet, glaring at the floor.

"Tell her to stay with Rosie--" Alastor waved off, voice hardening, "I won't have you running to her rescue. He did it on purpose. His jealousy had him act out and we will not fall for it again."

"If he hurts her because of me..." Vox started.

"I'll kill him now. Just say the word."

"Alastor, if Charlie finds out you--" he began before his eyes widened. He glanced down at his sweater, fisting it, "Fuck! Charlie...! I promised to talk with her when I got back..."

Alastor sighed, expression softening as he held out his hand, "Come... we'll speak with her together."

"No, it's my fuck up..." Vox placed his head in hands and shook it, "I can--"

"Nonsense, my love..." Alastor rested his palms on Vox's shoulders, before carefully sliding them down to take those (pretty) hands and moving them off of Vox's glowing face, "If you won't blame me, you cannot blame yourself... you had a bad experience just now. Charlie will forgive you for forgetting to run to her immediately."

"I--" Vox looked at him, pulling his sweater closer, "Y-Yeah. I... You're right."

Alastor smiled, "I always am."

"Dick--" he huffed, before his expression fell again, "Alastor... we should warn Charlie. He threatened to come to the hotel. He knows we're--"

"In due time," he promised, kissing the shaking hands in his, "Let's find the Princess first."

...

Finding Charlie was fairly easy, she was apparently escorting Sir Pentious around the Hotel's lobby. Alastor, still holding Vox's hand, came to a stop at the end of the stairs, and Charlie waved her hand over to him.

"And you know Alastor...!" she declared, "He's our... director of managers?"

"I run the hotel," he said, easily (because with his control issues, of course he would). 

Vox sighed, holding the top of his sweater closed to hide his neck as best he could, "Charlie, what's this guy doing here?"

"Well!" Charlie smiled wide at Vox, "He said he wants to reform! And now's the perfect time for his first lesson...!"

Sir Pentious was shoved forward in front of Alastor, and when Vox glanced around him, noted Angel Dust slinking over to the bar, glowering lightly at what was occurring. He tilted his head, curiously, but Charlie could be quite demanding of attention.

"Sir Pentious! It's time to make amends!" she swept her hand out to Alastor.

Alastor's face almost shadowed, "Ah yes... you're the reason my coat was ruined... I'll definitely remember you now..."

Vox just squeezed the hand in his.

"Er, uh... Mr. Radio Demon!" Sir Pentious almost squeaked, rummaging through his waistcoat pockets and pulling out a red scrap of fabric, "I'm very sorry for ruining your coat."

"Huh," Alastor plucked it up with a free hand, "Not many have been able to get even this much off of me..." He raised a brow at the snake, "I'm sure it meant a lot to you."

The fabric lit up in green fire, dissolving to ash.

Sir Pentious did squeak in alarm then.

"Alastor--" Vox began.

"Well...! Let's continue on!" Charlie quickly shook off the scene, hand waving over to Vox, "And this is Alastor's boyfriend! Vox is going to be filming our progress to showcase for Hell! Hopefully, if people see what we're doing here, they'll want to join too!"

Alastor was twitching at her cheerful explanation and bulldozing.

"Charlie, I need to speak with you--" Vox started. 

"Oh! Right!" Charlie's happy laughter was almost a joy to witness, and she pointed toward the entertainment area, "We're actually about to play an introduction game! Did you want to join Vox? Or! Oh! You could get some really good shots of--"

"You go ahead without us for a moment, Princess," Alastor told her, apparently deciding he was finished with her overly familiar attitude, "Vox needs to rest. Find him when you are ready."

Charlie blinked, her excitement dying down enough that she took in the image of Vox, still half-hidden behind Alastor, holding his clothes tight to his body. Her eyes widened when she spied the bandages. "Vox...?"

"Don't worry, sweetheart," he found himself saying, trying to muster up some semblance of control and authority, "Introduce your guest to the rest of the staff. I'll... be in our room."

"Vox--" Angel Dust was already walking toward the stairs, freezing when got a better look at him, hiding away, "Oh no... do you need--?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine!" Vox smiled quickly, turning up the charm, "Just... technical difficulties today. I need to recharge so--you all enjoy your afternoon...!"

Vox made to drop Alastor's hand--but Alastor refused to let go.

"Al--?"

"You're vulnerable when recharging," he whispered, following him back up the stairs, "Charlie can be without me for a few hours."

Vox's shoulder's drooped, and he stopped holding on to his sweater so tight. "Thanks... but you know I don't dream when I'm doing a recharge?"

"I'm not risking it."

...

Alastor had only been witness to Vox's recharge a handful of times. Sleep and recharging were different. One was basic rest--the other was, if he understood the intricacies behind it, like refueling Vox's electricity. Normally, sleeping was enough to level off his energy consumption... but if he discharged too much, or drained himself of his reserves, he would have to plug into an energy grid and slowly leech from it.

The first time he witnessed it was years ago, before they were a thing. Their friendship was well enough established--and it was an extermination day--and perhaps they were too reckless. Alastor was having a good time--not paying attention--and had been pinned by an exorcist.

Vox jumped in--all blue static and fury. At the time, Alastor was grateful, and later on, he could admit to himself, a little bit excited. Vox was tricksy and fast and though he couldn't do much more than confuse and disorient the thing--he managed to get the exorcist to drop it's weapon--losing the holy blade in the chaos.

Vox had pulled Alastor to his feet, and they retreated to safety. Vox had collapsed in Alastor's foyer--saying he needed to recharge. Alastor had taken him to his couch--but Vox had crawled over to an electrical outlet and dug out a plug from the back of his head and pushed it in. Alastor just watched him slide down the wall, lying his bulkier head on the floor and then, he was out.

Alastor had left him there until he woke up.

It wasn't until much later that Vox actually explained he had probably been fairly close to his whole body shutting down--but these days, Vox was much better at controlling the way he could manipulate electricity, and he more so, he knew his limits.

Alastor helped prop him up carefully in their bed--and Vox instructed him to pull out the electrical panel above their headboard. Vox was very subdued, his screen dimming, helping Alastor navigate to the specific ports that needed to be inserted.

"Nnngh!" Vox had grabbed Alastor's forearms, jerking away from the insertion of the jacks, "Fuck--that actually hurts...!"

"Should it...?"

"F-First time with this head..." Vox traced the edges of his face, "I think I need to power down--can you...?"

Alastor hummed, skimming around the flat screen until he found the power button, "Alright... breathe deep for me..."

Vox took in a breath--and Alastor firmly pressed that button--and Vox let go of the breath as his screen dimmed further. His whole body seemed to float forward, and Alastor caught him, double checking the connections at the back of his head. Alastor, himself, had to breathe deeply to remain calm.

...

Vox came back, yawning almost immediately.

He felt a bit better, and Alastor was stroking the side of his face.

"How are you doing?"

"I'm..." Vox felt the energy spark slightly under his fingertips, "... about a quarter or so charged up. I can store a lot of charge right now."

Alastor smiled, looking more at ease, "We'll finish charging you later. The Princess has requested us for one of her games... and to be honest, I would very much like to find you something to eat."

"Yeah, that sounds..." Vox blinked tired, "Fine. I should text Vel--"

Vox frowned.

"Fuck. I forgot... Val broke my phone."

...

Angel Dust is given a (clearly thrifted) bloody trench coat and a page of hand-written dialogue. He is not exactly sure why he has to do this--but Charlie's cute, eager little face gets the better of him. Angel sighs, and is shrugging on the coat, when curses of curses his Nona probably bestowed upon him, Vox of all people is walking down the stairs.

Stupid Smiles, with his stupid smile, is using a poor excuse of keeping the television overlord steady, probably, by having his arm out and Vox is practically wrapped around it. His screen is fairly dim, but he doesn't look to be hiding behind the Radio Demon anymore.

Angel Dust wishes he was subtle--but he's staring too blatantly.

"Don't you have a script to read through?" Husker is asking, twirling his beer bottle before taking a drink--eyes flatly keeping track of Alastor. It's lucky for all involved that Alastor seems to be uninterested in the goings-on of the general clump of hotel residents and staff.

Vox has socks on--which strikes Angel Dust as odd that it's what he is focusing on as Vox walks right up to him. It's weird, but since gaining a spidery body in hell, he particularly envies people with human looking feet... and sue him, but he thought Vox had cute feet.

"Angel," Vox has unentangled himself from Alastor enough as he stands in front of Angel Dust, looking up at the porn-star sinner with a rather sleepy looking expression, "How's the games going?"

Angel hates the stupid trench coat, waving the script, "You missed the singing."

"Dang," Vox says, his joke lilting awkward--and Angel knows something is wrong. He's been distracted since Vox had tried to get the Princess's attention earlier. He saw the bandages--can still see them now, a flash of white when he moves too much when his clothes shift. Angel can guarantee more is hidden beneath those layers.

"Vox... are you alright?" he says it straight out because he needs to know. He has to know. 

Vox's eyes shift away from him and he lifts a hand--it looks like it hurts, the way it shakes almost, bandaged stiffly--and his voice drops, "Not the worst we've been dealt--" and the way he says this, Angel is certainly concerned, "--but... Val broke my phone. Do you mind if I borrow yours to contact Velvette?"

"Sure thing," Angel is already reaching for his own, placing it gently in that damaged hand.

"Thanks--" Vox seems to relax, his fingers curling beautifully, delicately, over the VoxTech company phone, "--I'll be right back."

Vox leaves the lobby area--Angel is aware he's watching. The Radio Demon stands beside him. There's a flash of hatred that hits him harder than he expects, "You could have stopped this--couldn't you?"

"It's up to Vox..." Alastor sounds like he loathes to say it, but it's the truth.

"They were friends," Angel manages to glare, with all his eyes, "Fucking grow a pair and--"

The air cackles with static all around them, "Speak for yourself. Why haven't you--?!"

"Alrighty!" Charlie swoops in--clearly missing the dark energy and anger radiating out from both the men (Husker having fled nearly immediately in Alastor's presence), "Let's get started! Where's Vox?"

"Phone call!" Angel said, trying not to spit out those words, before twisting away from the demon next him.

Alastor glowers and waits--Charlie glancing between the two, perplexed. Vox returns a moment later, sighing. He notices Charlie and smiles apologetic, "Don't mind me--just had to call in a favor. We can start your game whenever, sweetheart."

Angel Dust feels his own heart almost sweeten with how he speaks to the Princess. 

"How was Velvette?" Angel asks, holding out his hand and Vox is already dropping the phone into his palm. 

"You know Vel--" he begins.

Charlie bounces on her feet, "Oh! Do you have a daughter, Vox?"

"Uh--" Vox is blinking.

"Vox wishes," Alastor chuckles, and is already looping his arm over the small of Vox's back, directing him toward the couch.

"She's young!" Vox throws his hand up in the air, "Why does everyone assume I--?!"

"It's your smile!" Charlie's eyes twinkle.

Vox just rolls his eyes, "Velvette's my business partner. I asked her to bring me a new phone since mine got damaged today."

"How?" Vaggie asks, taking a seat furthest away from Vox--who is perching on the edge of the couch. Alastor sits next to him--and Nifty is already scrambling into Vox's lap, despite Alastor's flattening ears, but Vox doesn't seem to mind.

"Oh..." Vox tilts his head, "I can tell you the full story later. Didn't Charlie want to play some kind of game?"

Charlie makes jazz hands, "Not a game! A morality play!"

"A what now?" Husk pipes up--hiding behind the couch basically still drinking.

"A play!" Charlie repeats, standing straighter and sweeping her hand out to Angel and then Sir Pentious--now dressed in a full sailor boy outfit, a large loli in hand. "Teaching us how to avoid temptation!"

Vox looks amused, and Angel could die, feeling all of him overheat as Vox is looking at him, waiting.

"Angel will play the tempter--"

"Ah, a good role for Angel," Vox teases, soft almost. Angel can feel the blush welling up--but Alastor snorts, which is irritating like a gnat buzzing in his ear.

"--and Sir Pentious as the temptee!" Charlie finishes. Soon, she is ducking, making her way to the couch and sitting between Alastor and Vaggie, holding up her hands to her face eagerly. "And... action!"

Angel blinks--he hadn't looked at the script in his hands at all, so distracted as he was by his friend Vox secret crush. He shakes his head of his throughts to get into character and begins to look for the first line... and his is the first line.

"Hey kid," he starts, not sure about voice work, and even less about what this... play... is going to be about.

"Who?" Sir Pentious twirls on his tail, eyes a-twinkle, holding up that lollipop, apparently having memorized this one page of scene work already, "Me?!"

"Yeah, you--" Angel is reading a little ahead, voice falling flat in disbelief, "Can I interest you in some..." he blinks, "Devil's dandruff?" He starts more incredulously, definitely breaking character and the fourth wall by looking around, "Who wrote this?!"

"It's great, right?!" Charlie giggles, and Vaggie sighs next to her, smile fond. Charlie just waves at Angel hurriedly, "Keep going!"

"Oh, no, sir!" Sir Pentious continues with his line, "One must always say no to drugs!"

Angel drops his hands, sighing out his last line on the page, "Come on, kid. Don't you wanna be cool like me...? The crack head."

Vox actually laughs--a surprised kind of laugh, the sound catching Angel off-guard. He's looking over at the television overlord, who is trying to hide his amusement behind bandaged hand. Angel focuses on a swell, a surge of feelings at how Vox seems so happy for a moment--the way it does something to him, making his hand crinkling up that little page of dialogue--and completely misses whatever Sir Pentious is preaching, only catching the tail end.

"--Now I am off to not have sexual intercourse before marriage!"

"Pft! Wha...?" Vox is wiping a small tear from his eyes, screen unconsciously growing brighter in his mirth at such bad writing, clearly trying to keep his opinions to himself as he glances over at Charlie with growing fondness.

Charlie's enthusiastic clapping startles Angel--who now focuses on her as well. She's dashing over to Sir Pentious, exclaiming, "Oh my gosh! That was so good! Wonderful! You will so totally be redeemed in no time, Pentious!"

Angel drops the script from his hand, glancing away from her glowing praise.

"Angel...?" Vox is standing, sounding worried for him, Nifty hopping out of his lap and scuttling away.

"I--" he begins, only briefly make eye contact with him, heart doing flips as his face burns for several reasons, "Uh, I'm going to bed early."

He rushes past everyone--the only one reaching out is Vox. His socked steps the thing that gives Angel pause, fumbling as he makes his way around the lobby corner and toward the first-floor rooms.

"Angel..." 

"Sorry--" Angel takes in a breath, barely glancing back. There's shadows dancing down the hall. It strikes the spider then... he may never have Vox just to himself ever again. He should have tried harder--he screws his eyes tight. "Just been a long day with Charlie."

Vox's answering sigh has Angel's shoulders raising to his ears, as if he could block the sound, "I didn't mean to--"

"It's fine!" Angel turns, waving his hand, "Just a long day! I can already guess what went down today so--"

Angel Dust's performance breaks a little, just a little, and Vox is holding his sweater to his chest.

"You should rest, Vox..." 

"I will. But we need to warn--"

Angel holds up one a hand, his other arms wrapping around him, "Stop...! Stop talking to me."

Vox goes quiet. Alastor, behind him, darkened--in shadow--is stepping forward. He lays one hand on Vox's shoulder--Vox barely responds. He's just looking at Angel Dust with his mesmerizing eyes. It's unfair how he can clearly see the worry in them.

"Stop being nice to me," Angel turns away, "I don't want to hear it right now."

He struts down the hallway, staring at the floor instead--entering his room to collapse on his bed--ignoring how hard he slammed his own door.

...

Vox is sitting at his desk, going over the drone footage for the day--cutting and clipping images and moments. Alastor watches him, for a moment.

The television demon is intense. Focused. His face is clean, dim, eyes moving from screen to screen--hands flying over controls Alastor doesn't care to figure out. He's plugged into the electricity of the building--so no worry he was losing charge... 

Still, Alastor walks in, placing down a mug somewhere he figured was safe from being spilled.

Vox startles--whole body flinching at Alastor's sudden appearance. Alastor almost feels guilty, but Vox is already unplugging himself, turning in his chair to look at him, blinking past his work-induced insomnia.

"It's chamomile," Alastor whispers.

Vox takes the drink, hesitating.

"There's honey in it."

He drinks it slowly.

"You didn't do anything wrong."

Vox sets down the mug, fingers running along the rim, "I know..."

"You need rest. You're injured."

"I've suffered worse--" Vox answers, looking back to Alastor still standing before him, body tense in the dark, "Angel's had it worse."

"Because of Valentino," Alastor drops to his knees, taking Vox's hands into his own--the mug warming, seeping into his skin. He's imploring, almost, "Not you. Everything that that sick creature does is of his own volition! You know this, Vox. Tell me you know this."

Vox nods after a moment, eyes darting over Alastor's face. He opens his mouth, closes it, and then glances away. The question is surprising, "Do you... really not believe in redemption?"

"What...?" Alastor shakes his head, "Vox, we're demons. All of us are here for a reason."

"I--" Vox looks over at him, soft, "Then why is the Queen demanding you help Charlie? What can demons do to save sinners?"

Alastor can only shake his head, "I don't know."

"Maybe the only way to save Angel is to redeem him..." Vox murmurs, eyes falling to his mug of tea.

"Listen to me," Alastor moves his hands up to Vox's chin, forces him to look back at the Radio Demon's determined face, "It doesn't matter. Whether any sinner is redeemed enough for heaven--Valentino's days are numbered. We're closer than we ever have been before to usurping the throne. We will run Hell and you can place Angel--Velvette--Rosie--whoever you wish to--wherever you want to. Anyone we care for... we can change Hell. Reshape it for ourselves."

Vox smiles at him, glowing, warm, "Yeah... we can. We will."

...

Vox yawned, about to kick off his socks for the night--when a ruckus, a crash almost, caught his attention. He was leaning on the bed, and glances over at Alastor. Alastor nods--and the shadow peels itself off the wall to pull them into a nothingness void. Vox is blinking at Alastor's back--the shadow having deposited them outside a small library Charlie had asked for them to include in their amenities--and the Radio Demon has his cane out, stopping Vox from moving around him to see what the odd noise was.

They are hidden by the shadows and are missed entirely when the Princess and her girlfriend are flying into the room--Vaggie with her spear out, and Charlie in a cute set of red pjs and fuzzy slippers.

"What's going on?" Vaggie demands.

"This little bitch is a traitor!" Angel shouts, slurring almost.

Sir Pentious's laugh is nervous, and Vox is blinking up at Alastor, also listening intently to the drama quickly unfolding. "What? Nooooo...! You're my best friends!"

His acting is still ham-fisted and awful.

"Really?" Angel says almost smugly amused, and a shuffling is heard, "Then explain this!"

Charlie gasps and Vaggie lets out an angry, "You were spying on us?!"

There's the sound of a body hitting something, vague thudding that was probably books, and a slithering noise while Sir Pentious shrieks--not even trying to bluff or talk his way out of it. A latched window begins rattling.

"Abort! Abort! Agent Pentious calling!" he tries, sounding horrified. Alastor is already bringing his cane down, shaking his head. Vox peers around him, seeing Sir Pentious fiddling with something on his wrist. "Mission is compromised! Request immediate evacuation!"

"What?!" Vox freezes, recognizing Valentino's anger even as his tongue is tripping over words with his new injury. "It hasn't--been a day...!"

Alastor can't catch Vox in time as he swings around, entering the room with a new vengeance. As soon as he does, he can feel the low pulse of a video feed. It almost draws him in--intoxicating in a way, tempting him to travel to its original signal--and Vox has zapped his way over to Pentious, yanking off a video-call watch.

"You fucking son of a--" his eye aches, and he places his hand over it, "--are you FUCKING kidding me?!"

"Voxxy...!"

"Cameras?! Cameras?!" Vox laughs, harsh, and he glares at the image of Valentino's leering face, "My own cameras?! You absolute waste of space--" he hisses low, eying him seriously, "--If no one else in this hotel decides to kill you... why don't you just do it yourself?"

Vox cut off the feed--dropping the watch on Sir Pentious, who had collapsed onto the floor while Vox went on his tirade. Vox next snatched the camera and, blasphemously, smashed it on the ground. He wheels on the snake next.

"How long have you been working for him?!" 

"Just..." Pentious raises his hands, covering his face, cowering--it's enough to stop Vox in tracks as the tone turns depressed, "... make it quick, please."

He's huffing and puffing, when Charlie gently places a hand on his arm, "Vox... I think we should hear him out."

"Or, we could shoot him..." Angel suggests, surprisng Vox entirely by pulling out a tommy gun from somewhere mysteriously.

"Kill him...!" Vaggie suggests, spear pointing at the quivering snake, "Spill his blood kind of thing."

"That's... an option," Charlie says after a second. She looks over at Vox--and Vox can see how she looks determined, imploring him almost with her wide eyes. She turns them on Sir Pentious, bending down into his space, and Vox just sort of... hunches over, crossing his arms tightly against his chest. "Or we could start with sorry."

"Sorry...?" Sir Pentious parrots, shocked.

Charlie smiles at him, and Vox is beginning to understand that... if nothing else, Lilith wanted someone to watch over the Princess. She was too ready to forgive. Too ready to jump in and help.

"The path to forgiveness is long and winding--" she continues, "But it starts with a simple sorry. It's your first step to making amends... if you really want to be here and be redeemed."

Sir Pentious is staring at her with watering eyes.

"It's that or you die," Vaggie says behind Vox, voice flat.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Vox!" Sir Pentious leaps up, grabbing Charlie's hand--spinning her from him--before bowing his head in sorrow. Vox just blinks at him, "My sincerest and deepest apologies, Media Demon..."

"I..." he opens his mouth, but all the anger has been drained from him. He's more stunned. He's more concerned. "Just... how long?"

"O-Only today..." Sir Pentious wrings his hands, "The Moth said Alastor would notice me if I planted cameras for him."

Vox rubs at his forehead, tired, "Yeah... Alastor would notice you. He'd kill you, no questions asked for this."

"I--I don't want that," Sir Pentious chuckled nervously.

"Then..." Vox sighed, looking over at Charlie, "You gotta do as Charlie says. Redeem yourself... and stay away from Valentino. Alastor isn't as forgiving."

Charlie blinks at him, like she can't comprehend the words Vox is saying.

"I will! I will do whatever the Princess requires of me!" Sir Pentious declares, hand over his heart.

"Great!" Charlie begins before a yawn nearly splits her face. Vaggie and Angel are (disappointedly) lowering their weapons. "Then I think it's time for bed! Good first day, good progress...!"

Angel Dust almost snorts, Vaggie is ushering the sinners out... but before Charlie steps in line with her, Vox calls out, "Charlie...?"

"Yes, Vox?"

"We should really talk in the morning... okay?" 

Charlie nods, her face losing that excited glow, eyes serious as they take in the way Vox barely turns to her, still, as he stands amidst the broken electronics. "Okay, Vox. See you in the morning."

The group leaves--presumably to bed... and the shadows creep into the room.

Alastor picks up the watch, it sparks to life, and Valentino's voice glitches out of it, "V-Vox?!"

"You'll have to try harder than that..." Alastor says this not as a taunt, but a warning, crushing the watch even as Valentino screams across the other end of it in frustration. When he looks over at Vox... who is barely standing--his eyes closed.

"Why...?"

"Oh, Vox..."

Vox dugs his heel into his eye, "Why me...? I thought--"

"... you were friends?" Alastor asks, sounding nearly forlorn.

"I trusted him..." Vox hiccups, and Alastor is careful, pulling Vox into him, even as he admits shamefully, "I thought--if I pretended--we could go back to the way it was before but...!"

"There's no but..." Alastor breathed, nails catching in the soft sweater over Vox's back, "He sealed his fate--" Vox cried into Alastor's chest, legs going wobbly, trying not to collapse, "--he's irredeemable. He doesn't deserve your friendship--least of all your attention."

Vox dug his shaking body into Alastor's embrace, letting the words soothe over him.

"And soon..." Alastor promised, lying his head over Vox's, "... soon, you won't have to worry about him darkening your doorway ever again."

 Vox desperately wanted to believe Alastor's words.

So, for that night... he did.

TBC...

Chapter Text

Episode 3: Meetings and Trust Falls

Vox slept in, groggy, not exactly feeling up to much. Faintly, the smell of something... sickly, but sweet wafted into the bedroom. Immediately Vox was up, brain registering he knew the smell, but after such a good cry session from the previous night, he felt a little out of sorts. He glanced around--Alastor's private space was open.

Vox left the bed, dragging Brucie behind him with one hand, almost unaware.

"What... am I smelling...?" Vox opened the door further into Alastor's space, forgetting to knock.

He blinked at the image of his beloved causally cutting into a deer carcass.

"Where'd you get that...?" Vox asked. 

"You're up early," Alastor said instead, clearly a little surprised. 

Vox shrugged, leaning on the doorway, trying to wake up. "Smells sweet."

"Ah," Alastor smiled more widely, "It's not, I assure you."

"Mmm..."

"If you weren't exactly cables and a television-head..." the Radio Demon chuckled, cutting into a new piece, "I wonder if you would have been a shark."

Vox grinned back, "I like sharks."

"I know, dear," Alastor held up a dripping piece of venison.

It took Vox a second, but he walked over opening his mouth and accepting the meat.

Alastor smiled more deeply.

Vox chewed it, thinking as he mumbled around the piece, hand over his mouth carefully, "It's not sweet. Gamey."

"I told you."

"I need to stop eating whatever you have in front of you," Vox finally swallowed, shuddering only a little. He then cradled his shark to his chest, hiding his yawn in the plush body of it.

"I don't mind--" Alastor dabbed at his mouth, "At least you're eating."

"I want cinnamon rolls."

"Cream cheese frosting?"

"Naturally!" Vox was smirking over the shark, "It's the best part."

Alastor was looking at him, expression almost... sweet, himself. Vox felt his screen brighten.

"Please?"

"Get dressed first, and then we will head to the kitchen."

Fuck yeah, cinnamon rolls!

...

Alastor noted Vox on his new phone--part way through dressing--as he walked back to Alastor (who was still eating, taking his time). Vox was in normal attire once again, save the coat and shoes. He was frowning at the screen.

"We have a slight issue," he sighed. 

"What issue?" Alastor questioned, eying the phone warily.

"Overlord meeting."

Alastor gave his own resigned sigh, severely put off by the idea. 

"Alastor... I..." Vox looked at him, uncomfortable, "I don't think I can go. If Val is there--"

"You let me deal with it."

"Alastor--" he began, head shaking the tiniest bit to argue.

The Radio Demon's nose scrunched, "I won't kill him, I will just go in your place."

"In my place...?" Vox blinked, looking fondly bewildered, "Alastor. You represent yourself. I represent Voxtech. You never--"

"Does it matter?" Alastor raised a brow, "Everyone should know you are mine, anyways."

Vox tilted his head, phone pressed under his chin, "... you have a way with words, my love."

"I am a Radio Host," he reminded his love as he waved his fork in the air.

Vox chuckled, pocketting his phone. He looked like he was going to speak more--but Vaggie's annoying voice called out from the entrance to their room. Vox turned, and the small woman was already stomping in, calling out specifically for Alastor.

"Ah, Vaggie..." he greeted, trying to seem calm despite the reverb his voice unnaturally pitched in and out of on the airwaves, "Do you mind? I'm in the middle of breakfast." Alastor wrenched out a piece of rotting meat, popping into his mouth.

"Euck!" Vaggie looked at Vox clearly judgmental, then back to Alastor, "Look. Pentious has eggs crawling all over the hotel. I need you to get rid of them."

"Oh!" Alastor stood, dropping the fork now, with a devious expression darkening his face, "It would be my pleasure!"

Vaggie gave him a glare, "Humanely."

"Well," Alastor shrugged, walking up to Vox and leaving a kiss on his bandaged hand, "That's a lot less hot..."

"Alastor!" Vaggie looked disgusted. 

Vox just chuckled, "It's just trying to rile you up, don't fall for it."

"I have an errand to run anyways," Alastor said, giving Vox a squeeze to that hand in his.

"You don't have to--" Vox was shaking his head once more, uncomfortable expression flitting across his screen.

"No, no! I'll take care of it!" Alastor waved off jovially, walking past the girl in the doorway.

She shuddered, glancing at the table with the dripping venison, "Well that's revolting."

"It's not the worst thing he's eaten, actually," Vox mentioned.

"And you kiss that guy?!"

"I mean--" Vox's voice nearly glitched, sputtering, "He's a good kisser!"

Alastor smirked, finding the weird egg creatures to corral and bring with him toward the Carmine Compound.

...

Vox had left his room, coat and shoes on, not too much later. Cinnamon rolls forgone for the day, he figured he could maybe have cereal. So, the television demon began toward the kitchen. The drones buzzed around lowly, catching his attention from the stairs. Vox paused, peeking into the lobby. He stopped when he noticed a shoddily built stage in the midst of it.

The hotel staff and it's residents were gawking (unimpressed) at it, Charlie and Vaggie standing in front of everyone. Vox walked in, fingers directing the drones to keep better angles of the goings-on. 

"Hey everyone," he greeted, curious.

Charlie gasped, dropping her girlfriend's hands to bounce over even though he was growing closer, "Vox! Will you be joining us today?!"

"Depends," he teased, then glanced over to the banner on the stage--reading TRUST 101.

"We're doing trust exercises today!" the Princess waved her hand over at the stage, eyes bright and cheeks chubby from her excited smile.

Vox grinned, unable to help himself as he squished those cheeks between his hands, "I absolutely would love to join, Charlie! Trust is all apart of my brand!"

Charlie giggled, clearly ecstatic, grasping his hands off her face and pulling him to stand among the rest of the small group of sinners. Nifty was immediately hooking around Vox's leg, dancing about. Sir Pentious was at one end, and Angel the other, with Husker slouching between the two. Vox let himself carefully rest beside Angel Dust but focused on Charlie.

"Okay, then...!" Vaggie cleared her throat, "Charlie! What's the exercise?"

"Oh weeeell...!" Charlie had dropped Vox's hand, sweeping it out to her girlfriend, "I thought you could take the lead today!"

Vaggie actually got a little paler, blinking profusely, asking, "Me? Why?"

"Well, I trust everybody already--" the Princess smiled at this admission, much to Vox's horror. He knew for a fact she should not trust him, and definitely not Alastor. They were actively working to steal her birthwritten throne from her... He crossed his arms, hand under his chin as he struggled to keep his face neutral as the girl continued unaware, "--so I thought you would have a better idea on how people gain trust!"

"Okay..." Vaggie nodded, taking a deep breath. She eyed the lineup of sinners, hellborn, and an overlord, before about-facing and marching along them, voice growing gruff, authoritarian like a general, "Listen up, people! Today you are doing trust falls! You will share something vulnerable with the group, then fall and be caught! DO WE HAVE ANY VOLUNTEERS?"

Charlie hopped in front of Vox, hand raising and blurring with how fast she wanted to be picked. Vaggie sighed with a relieved sort of fondness, pointing at her. Charlie scattered on up to the stage, facing everyone with watering eyes.

"I just... I want to say..." she placed a hand over her heart, "I love you guys so much! And I really mean that!"

The girl twirled around on her heel, letting herself fall backwards. Vox was a little startled by how ready she was--almost endeared, but he was still kind of reeling from all this new information both said and unsaid--nonetheless, Vaggie was much more prepared, snatching the princess out of the air and hugging her close, breathing out a pleased, "Gotcha...!"

Charlie was still only a second, eyes big and gleaming, "That felt... so good!"

Vaggie sagged in relief, setting her girlfriend down. Vox watched her for a moment, something scratching inside his head. He knew he was noticing something, but he couldn't figure it out exactly at the moment.

"Why don't you go next, Angel?" Charlie suggested, pointing at him.

"Alright...!" Angel shrugged, brushing past Vox. He briefly glanced at the overlord, before focusing elsewhere. He climbed up, tapping a finger on his chin, eyes toward the ceiling purposefully, "Something vulnerable about myself...?"

"Okay, everyone catch him this time--" Vaggie reminded the group, urging everyone to huddle closer to the edge of the make-shift stage, "--not just me!"

Angel chuckled, hands held behind his back suddenly as he started saying, "Oh! How about this, I just love to SUCK--"

"I swear to GOD if you say dicks--" Husker pointed at him, startling Vox with such vehemence, that he looked down at the cat sinner with a raised brow.

"No! Popsicles! Get ya mind outta the gutter!" Angel retorted. He didn't fall off the stage so much as he jumped suddenly--looking like he was aiming for the overlord. Vox scrambled, arms coming up, but Husker apparently decided to follow the spider's trajectory and caught Angel easily, both of them letting out a little oof!

Angel seemed taken aback, staring at the cat. He was practically in a straddle position, the both of them face to face. Vox blinked, noting the cat ears swiveled forward, focusing on Angel Dust exclusively--spine finally straight as it had to be to carry the weight of the porn star.

Angel leaned in closer to his face, and Vox could see Husk's hackles raising, "But ya know... dicks too."

Angel was promptly dropped, Husker stepping back into line with the group, grumbling under his breath. Vox tried to keep his excitement down, but--it seemed to him at least--Husk was actually... maybe... attracted to Angel? 

That could be really good television.

Angel rubbed at his poor backside, glancing over at Sir Pentious, probably with a little more ire than needed, "Okay, new guy's up next then!"

Sir Pentious slugged over to the stage, lifting himself on it. He wiggled to the middle--hands held up dramatically, sniffling.

"I..." he sighed, forlorn, tears in his eyes, "I can't live without my egg boys! NO ONE CATCH ME!" Sir Pentious swooned off the stage, and Vaggie was quick to grab him, since he seemed to be aiming for the ground. The tears dried instantly and he crossed his arms, pouting, "Dammit...!"

"Oh, you are slimy--" Vaggie shuddered, letting him slip to the floor, upright and unhurt. She glanced at the rest of the group and noted Nifty still lingering at Vox's feet. "Why don't you go next, Nifty?"

Nifty gasped--her fast little feet quickly racing up the rickety steps to the center stage. She seemed to dance on it, back and forth, fingers twitching as she confessed, "Sometimes--ehehehe--I kill mother bugs in front of their children as a lesson to the other bugs...!"

Nifty tossed herself off the stage--everyone else taking one big step back, save for Vox. Vox just held up his arms, fulling expecting she would leap into him as she so often does, but she missed him. Nifty landed face-first on the ground and Vox spun to her, hand over his mouth in mortification he misjudged her jump.

"Nifty! Are you--?!"

"YAY!" Nifty cried, almost muffled, arms coming up in triumph, "PAIN!"

She pushed herself back up and was on the stage again in the blink of an eye. She leapt off the edge, belly-flopping back onto the floor, madly giggling. Vox quickly took a step back himself, a little relieved, but mostly perturbed, muttering to himself, "Okay... so she's into pain. Did not see that coming..."

Vaggie and Charlie had stepped away from the scene, and Angel perked up, watching them. He glanced from Vox and then back to them, grinning, "Oh! That gives me an idea!"

"Huh?" Vox shook off his surprise, about to ask Angel what he meant, but he was already slinking over to the two women, contemplating how to continue their trust exercises for the day.

...

The eggs were chattering incessantly behind Alastor, asking annoying questions about his staff-thing, his hair, his ears, where they were going... and it was causing a stress twitch to his eye. Which could only exemplify how annoying they fucking were. He never developed one working directly in Lilith's presence... and that was stressful indeed.

"Hark, Alastor!" a dark figure slithered into the Radio Demon's path, and Alastor immediately halted, the echoey and ancient rattle of Zestial surprising him. He had not expected to run into another overlord on the way to the compound. "How fare thee this day?"

"Hey! Who's this guy?!" one egg asked.

"Yeah! Want us to rough him up for ya, boss!" another asked, it's little arms and legs jittering.

Alastor quickly bent to them, putting as much authority into his voice as possible, "If you value your shell, you will remain quiet...!"

The eggs nodded, gulping and glancing about. Since they understood, Alastor straightened his coat, placing his cane before him as he turned and affected a more carefree attitude.

"Greetings, Zestial!" Alastor inclined his head. There was noise behind him as some sinner was unlucky enough to catch sight of not one, but two powerful overlords, and quickly let out a curse--fleeing back where they came if their harried footsteps were anything to go by.

"Ah, the weather doth become this fine day..." was the reply, one of Zestial's many eyes trained on Alastor. In ally nearby, another sinner noticed them, simply standing, exchanging meaningless pleasantries--and from the crash of doors and trashcans, was clearly attempting to hide from their presence.

"Indeed...!" Alastor agreed, hand gesturing towards the heavens, blase, "Looks like we might have some acid rain this afternoon!"

A sinner across the straight-away screamed in fear, self-emulating and racing away from the overlords.

"Oh, if our luck doth hold! I do revel in the screams..." Zestial responded, watching that same sinner with a keen smile, "But, how art thou?" He repeated his earlier question, and Alastor fell into step with them as they ignored the very chaos their mere images presented to the unfortunate sinners they crossed in their path, "It has been an age since thy graced us with thy presence..."

Alastor knew, from what Vox told him, that his absence was left as a great mystery. Truth be told, the final days of them together, they had not entirely came up with a plan for how Alastor's disappearance would be seen. Nonetheless... it was probably better that way. Vox often said that the masses, when working together, came up with much better ideas than a single mind alone.

"Some have spun wild tales of you..." Zestial's dark body circled Alastor as they continued their trek, his voice deepening as he attempted to ascertain the truth, "... falling into holy arms?"

Alastor's laugh was contrived, not because he was wrong, but just because it was amusing how rumors seemed to land sometimes too close. Lilith was not holy, but her goals, perhaps, dipped into the territory of the holy. "Oh no...! I was on a sabbitcal, nothing serious of course...! But I do love to keep people on their toes...!"

Alastor knew he was lying it on thick. His eyes darted about, scanning the area, but sinners kept fleeing enmass and the compound was still a few blocks ahead. Nonetheless, Zestial was chuckling, and their walk was stalled.

"There, too, have been rumors of thy involvement with the Princess of Hell..." his lanky form bent in, trying to capture Alastor's attention. Alastor stared at him pleasantly, unintimated, "... and her recent flights of fancy."

Zestial twisted about him again, and Alastor followed his movements. Zestial spread his coat, raising up, making himself bigger much like an animal in the wild might to scare and subdue prey. Alastor, a deer he may be, was no prey to be threatened.

"Tell me!" Zestial demanded, voice booming, jovial almost, "How doest thou fall into such folly?"

"That is for me to know," Alastor spun his cane, tapping it once on the ground--scattering the eggs as they had cowered around him at Zestial's grandstanding. The other overlord settled down, apparently dropping the subject, and Alastor continued, "But please! Do guess...! I would love to know the theories."

Zestial chuckled as Alastor walked past him, "T'would be a grander folly by far to assume the inner working of thy mind, Alastor! Thou have been nought but an enigma since thy manifested in this realm!"

"Coming from someone as ancient as you--" Alastor nearly stabbed his microphone toward the bending Zestial, offering only a little space between them as they rounded the entrance to the compound, "--I take that as quite the compliment."

It was true too, mostly. Zestial a creature from the medieval period--a dark time in human history. He had lived and outlived other overlords far numerous and more, decidedly, wretched. Zestial hardly looked human--and whatever humanity was left in him... he reserved for a close few. Alastor was not one of those few, nor was Alastor foolish enough to get on his nerves. As long as one played nice with Zestial... well, Alastor had no way to confirm, but he was near certain this overlord devoured souls.

Alastor would stick with meat.

Carmine's Compound was welcoming to the both of them--the sound of a camera zooming catching Alastor's attention as they approached an outdoor elevator toward the inside of the weapon's facility. He stared into the camera for a moment--his reflection fuzzing out--glitching the ability of it to truly focus.

Zestial stepped into the elevator, and Alastor followed... the tip-tapping footsteps of the eggs also following. Quickly, Alastor spun and used his cane to stop the group of eggs. He drummed his pointed talons on the mic, shaking his head, "No, no! I have an important task for you...! Stay here and guard the entrance!"

The eggs saluted and Alastor stepped back behind the doors. They shut with a quick, air-compressed sound, and smoothly... the pair of overlords began their ascent. There was a quiet whine at Alastor's feet.

He glanced down, surprised to see an egg boy had managed to make it inside.

Internally, Alastor sighed--but Zestial had yet to notice, staring out at the vast, cluttered landscape of Hell's pride ring as the glass elevator rose.

He supposed there were worse things to bring into an overlord meeting.

...

"Come on, Angel!" Vaggie's arms shot out, sweeping indignantly at the scene before the hotel group, "WHAT THE FUCK!"

Angel leaned onto Vox's shoulder with one arm, the other sweeping out, "What? There's no greater bond formed than through bondage, baby!"

Indeed, Angel had suggested a great place to learn trust--and it turned out the club was a sex club exclusively for bondage and BDSM practices. Husker had been grabbed by someone in a gimp suit immediately, and Sir Pentious was looking around confused. Nifty scampered off--but Angel, Vox, Charlie, and Vaggie were lingering by the entrance... mostly because Vaggie was quick to stop more people from being scooped up into the activities happening around the large room, all kitted out in gear and toys.

"Ya know, that's their motto," Angel was gesturing toward a poster behind them on the wall with cartoon sinners giving thumbs with heart eyes in a classic shibari scene. "This stuff is all about trust...!"

Charlie was shielding her eyes while Vaggie was glaring at Angel, who tilted his head at Vox.

"Ain't that right, Voxxy?" the spider simpered, looking coy--Vaggie gagging the slightest bit while Vox gave him a lopsided sort of smile.

"Safe, sane, and consensual!" Vox repeated a phrase he read more than practiced himself, "That's the key tenants of BDSM, yeah. Angel isn't wrong, really."

"Yeah, ya know..." Husker purred as someone was massaging his back, "I--I don't hate this place..."

Angel was grinning wide, about to pull Vox into the area, despite Vaggie's groan of frustration. Charlie was still avoiding eye contact with people. Until there was Nifty, sliding in a full leather body conform suit, smacking a riding crop into her palm with fire in her eyes, exclaiming with twisted excitement, "Yes! Let's punish the bad boy...!"

"Er--Actually...!" Husk held up his hands, eyes widening at her as he leapt up from his massage and started back toward Vaggie and Charlie loitering by the exit, "I--I think I'm out...!"

Sir Pentious gave a sniffle, falling on the floor before Nifty. His snake tail was scrunched up as he buried his face into his arms, "Yes! Punish me...! I have abandoned my eggies...!"

"Argh!" Vaggie shook her head, "No...! This is not happening...!" She grabbed Nifty up by the crop, swinging her back toward the door. Angel and Vox had to duck, and Charlie was quick to step over the still wailing Pentious.

"It's okay, Vaggie...!" she said, only barely lifting her eyes to the naked bodies strolling from scene to scene, the low sound of moaning like a white noise, "M-Maybe we could--"

"No!" Vaggie cut her off, "No...! You asked me to lead today and I'm not going to let you down!"

Charlie nervously avoided watching anything. Vox was really, really worried about how sheltered she was. She was a Princess--no, the Princess of Hell! Had she really not experienced such places...? Or at very least be aware of them? Supposedly, the Sins were Lucifer's and Lilith's to command... hadn't she interacted with Lust at all?

Then again, Vox had limited interactions with that Sin as well--probably because of some of his company's unfortunate business practices...

"I know...!" Vaggie gasped in realization, "I just have to teach these guys how I was taught!"

Vox tilted his head at the fire that burned in her one remaining eye.

His own ached. He rubbed at the one he nearly lost in quiet sympathy.

...

Alastor took a seat beside Zestial--who was positioned as close to the end of the long table as possible--ignoring the egg that hid under his chair. Other overlords were entering in various manners, but all came through the dozen or so outside elevators that surrounded the compound's entrance to the overlord meeting room.

Alastor smiled wider as Rosie stepped out of one such glass door, nodding at others in greeting. She took a seat beside Alastor. A small sound caught her attention, and when she noticed the egg--her razor smile came out--the egg gasped and hid better. Alastor himself smirked at her.

There should have been more time for conversation, but Carmilla Carmine and her offspring were already coming into the room. One daughter held papers; the other was pressing buttons on the wall to lower a screen. Carmilla's sharp daggered stilettos sang as she walked to the front of the table.

She noted the oldest overlord first, gracious, "Zestial... so good to see you, my friend."

"Enchanted as always, Carmilla..." Zestial said, waving a hand to conjure tea. He sipped it, waiting patiently. Carmilla followed from him round the table to the next overlord, raising a brow.

"Alastor...?"

"Oh, yes, I know! It's been quite a while...!" Alastor chuckled, leaning his elbows on to the table impolitely, "I'm sure you're all wondering where I've been."

"Not really," Carmilla shrugged.

The growl in Alastor's throat came unbidden as he narrowed his eyes at her--but with Zestial so close, he dared not comment again. Rosie's hand quickly patted his knee under the table in sympathy of his bruised ego.

"In any case, welcome back--" Carmine continued, nodding to her daughters. She began her meeting, as she does, with dramatics, gesturing to graphs Alastor did not care to understand, "Sovereign overlords...! I have called you here because collectively, you own millions of souls between you! From our estimations at least 20% of the populations has been lost... and now the Angelic Legions are returning twice as quickly. I think it prudent we--"

The whole room shuttered as the closed meeting room doors were kicked open. Every overlord swiveled their head to see Velvette saunter in, on her phone, as she carelessly talked--much too loud.

"Yes, yes, I've got it handled, Vox!" Velvette crossed over to a chair at the end of the long table, and Alastor raised a brow. She pulled it out, laughing with mocking frivolity, "Are you doubting me? Really, me?" Velvette smirked, eying Carmilla Carmine as she plopped back into the chair, kicking up her legs, voice growing cold, "Yeah... that's what I thought!" 

Carmine was already sighing--and Alastor noticed Rosie was sitting, ramrod straight watching the interaction, smile blankly plastered on her face while Velvette laughed behind her hand, as if to hide this conversation. Unfortunately for Alastor, he could not hear the other overlord on the other end of the line. He was entirely unsure if the girl was playing some sort of power game with the other overlords in the room.

"Oh, I know... but they're all a joke..." Velvette was only looking at Carmilla as she said this, smile not reaching her eyes. She then turned into the reciever, quite pleased with herself, "Oh, thank you, Voxxy! Kisses, darling! See you soon...!"

She hung up and Alastor tilted his head, ears flicking. He had yet to greet the girl since returning and today, she seemed to be done up to the nines. She was showing off her mid-riff, a little crop top with hearts over the breasts, long flowing jacket that made her seem taller, and her hair was very long, twirled and in voluminous pigtails down either side of her shoulders. Her waist was sinched by a belt, showing off an illusionary hour-glass figure accentuated by her high-waisted pants... and she carried a boxy purse with her that sat in her lap, readily.

"Nice of you to join us, Velvette," Carmilla's voice lost its passion immediately, turning much cooler as she eyed the young overlord, before her face twisted in vague disgust, "Will your... colleagues be joining?"

Alastor watched the volley as Velvette sat straighter, phone in hand, voice pleased, "Oh no! They have better shit to do than listen to an old wind bag who thinks she tough shit!"

Carmilla narrowed her eyes as Velvette took a selfie to post her very fashionable, and well-put together self.

"I'm just here to represent...!" Velvette smirked over her phone. Alastor could hear vague noises as she did something on it, ignoring Carmine's ire building. He briefly glanced to Rosie, who seemed not to pay attention to him much, she was just focused on Vel.

"As I was saying..." Carmilla clicked through a slide show, now showing angels attacking sinners, "I think we need to discuss--"

Quickly, Velvette's hand rose in the air, waving back and forth, almost excitedly.

Carmilla let out a put-upon sigh, perhaps ready for another jab, "Yes, Velvette?"

"On the subject of discussion...!" Velvette reached into that bag in her lap, throwing the contents onto the long table. Every overlord at the table gasped, sitting back in their seats as what appeared to be a masked angel head bounce down the meeting table. It rolled to a stop right before Alastor... a trail of golden sludge left in its wake.

"Oh!" Alastor was the only overlord leaning in, eying the dead thing seriously, "Tasty..."

"Where did you find this?" Carmilla demanded, taken aback by the gruesome thing.

"We found it after extermination day," Velvette stood, hands on the corners of the table, voice darkening, "If these holy rollers can be killed... the game has changed." The girl hopped up onto the table, turning to the different overlords and pointing, "We can take the fight to them!"

Velvette had nearly leaned into Rosie, excitement in her voice palpable--Rosie blinking up at her and grasping Alastor's leg with her sharp nails. Alastor hid his wince, glancing between them, and Velvette was back up, affecting a much cooler posture, inspecting her very well-manicured nails now.

"Vox is already developing Angelic Security Measures from the find--" she said, and it was Alastor's turn to blink in surprise. Vox had yet to mention it to him... but he supposed after Valentino... well, they had been distracted. "All we have to do is come up with a full assault plan!"

Zestial sipped noisily at the last of his tea--the rest of the overlords turning to him in equal surprise. He set down his cup, looking like he was enjoying her frown at being disrespected. "This is rather meager proof an angel can be killed..."

Velvette scoffed, walking closer, to place her foot on the head, using air quotes as she repeated, "Meager proof? It's a dead fucking exorcist! I'd say that's pretty fucking definitive! Are you going blind, old man?!"

She was gesturing to the head beneath her.

"We know not how this came to be felled," Zestial shrugged, unaffected. He stared at her seriously, "If we raise up against heaven based on this--they would not hesitate to raze all of Hell and its inhabitants!"

The overlords around them chattered, the anxious discussion following his critique. Velvette crossed her arms, glowering at Zestial with renewed ire. Alastor sat back, looking at her--and she ignored him almost assuredly. So, Alastor quipped, "It could happen--"

Velvette's eyes darted about, and Rosie was shrugging, glancing over at Alastor. But Velvette's gaze went back to Carmine, cautiously avoiding any words or stares.

"It's possible, I suppose..." Alastor told Rosie more seriously.

"Ohhh, I get it!" Velvette pretended to sigh, walking past these concerns, definitely ignoring much more than Carmilla and Zestial standing beside one another awkwardly. "Grandpar is too pussy to fight--so I guess there is no point, right?" She tsked, moving down the table to crouch into his face as his many eyes narrowed at her, "Aw, what's the matter, fossil? Too senile to make a real power grab?"

"You better show some respect!" Carmilla slammed her hands on the table, forcing Velvette to stumble away, "Check your behavior! No one speaks to Zestial that way!" Velvette almost looked stunned, but Carmilla kept going, clearly snapping as her eyes hardened and she swept her hand out to the other overlords along the meeting table, "Did you really expect us to sit back and take your brazen insults?!" 

Velvette laughed, hands on her hips now as she shook her head, long hair waving about, "You got it twisted, mum! I'm not the one who needs a new attitude!"

Carmilla scoffed at her, even as Zestial was attempting to calm her down, raising a hand.

"Maybe you missed it but--" Velvette spun from them, ignoring the hatred in Carmilla's eyes directed toward her, smirking over at Rosie, "--I'm that hashtag-bitch! I will do nothing less than what I please! I have a backbone, ya know!"

Alastor glanced over to Rosie, who had the lightest dusting of pink cross her face, staring up at Velvette's posturing. Curious indeed...

"Since when were overlords too scared to fight?!" Velvette demanded, walking back down toward Carmilla and taking a snapshot, "You are long past your prime! Sorry, babe, but I ain't swiping right--" Her laughter directed at the weapons overlord before nodding at Zestial, "--And you've lost your relevance!" 

Zestial was shaking his head at her antics, "We cannot act without more intelligence!"

"No wonder I'm so respectless!" Velvette rolled her eyes as she tsked. Then smirked a little too cruelly as she leaned into Carmilla, "I could probably eat you lot for breakfast...!"

Alastor rose both brows, wondering if he heard that right. He turned to Rosie--who was now avoiding his eye contact entirely, focused on the tense argument happening at the table.

"You and your Vees are inane and uninformed!" Carmine had banged her fists on the table, hair loosening from her their high-horned position. She pointed at Vel as the girl backed up, crossing her arms in triumph, "You smug wannabees! You need to learn to heed when you've been warned!"

"Oops...!" Velvette giggled, hand over her mouth, "Did I strike a nerve?"

Camilla just growled, and Zestial turned his face away--nearly catching Alastor's intrigued eye at this display.

"Because..." Velvette reached down to pick up the head, shoving it in Carmine's face, "... when I brought out this angel head, I couldn't help but observe your wrinkled old face looked rather upset!"

Carmilla dug her nails into the table, snarl twisting there. Both Alastor and Zestial watched--Zestial himself starting, before he remembered there was a whole watchful cast of overlords.

"Why are you avoiding war?" Velvette demanded, advancing on her seriously, "Isn't that what the guns you sell are for?" The girl dropped the head back into her box like purse, snapping it closed, as she chuckled, "Ya know, thanks to me being the way I am... I'm starting to suspect you know why this angel is--"

"This meeting is over!" Carmilla decided, cutting the girl off with a frustrated yell--pointing her toward the door.

Velvette shrugged, walking down the length of the table to jump off. She flicked her hair behind her shoulder, "Fine! Safe travels back to the nursing home, fuckers!"

Rosie sighed, watching the girl push open the door and leave, flipping off perhaps not the room, but Carmilla specifically as she glared behind her.

"Kiss my ass!"

Alastor turned to Carmine, drumming his fingers on the table, "Well, that was a productive meeting!"

Carmilla's shoulders just drooped, leaving the meeting room--her daughters rising from their own seats, calling out for her. Zestial stood as well--while some of the other overlords huffed, variously amused and annoyed.

"What the hell! We just got here...!"

Alastor himself pushed back his chair, the little egg creature tumbling as he did so--he had nearly forgotten about its existence. The door to Carmine's private office was still open, Zestial slithering into it. 

"You!" Alastor pointed at the egg with his cane, seeing Rosie loitering just before the glass elevators, wringing her gloves in her hands.

"Yes, boss?"

Alastor pointed the cane toward Carmine's office, "Follow them!"

"On it, boss!" the egg hupped his way into the office, squeezing in just in time for it to slowly shut behind the group hiding away there. 

Satisfied, he turned to Rosie, deciding to ask what the hell he just witnessed.

...

"THIS IS HOW YOU LEARNED TO TRUST PEOPLE?!" Charlie exclaimed, clearly aghast as her hands were thrown up to the sky.

Vaggie nodded--gesturing past the roof they all stood a-top. Below them was a frenzied fight from various other sinners. It was still in a zone yet to have been cleaned and picked through since the extermination a little over a week ago.

"There is no greater trust than that between comrades-in-arm on the field of battle!" Vaggie scooped up Sir Pentious--who wiggled in fear--trying to claw his way out of her arms as she teetered toward the edge of the roof, "So you guys are gonna fight together and learn! to! trust! each other!"

Sir Pentious went down with an honest cry of distress--and Angel Dust and Vox stared after him as he splatted on the floor and slithered to hide behind rubble. Angel yelped with Vaggie grasped his legs and flung him off the side of the crumbling retaining wall of the top of the building.

Vox startled, trying to reach out to him. He turned to Husk--already inching toward the door they used to access this place. He anxiously pointed toward the porn star, "Husk! Go grab him!"

"Wha?!"

"Do it or I tell Al!" 

"Ahhh! Fucking--" Husker pushed off the roof, wings beating, and he glared at Vox, jumping off the edge of the building, before turning and pointing at Vaggie, "I blame you for this you stupid bitch...!"

Nifty was jumping at Vaggie's feet, unable to see, really, what was happening.

"My turn! My turn!" she reached up her little arms to be picked up.

Vaggie hauled her up by the back of her dress, "Alright!"

"VAGGIE, NO!" Charlie quickly snatched the little housekeeper--who wilted, disappointed. She wiggled out of the Princess's hands, scrambling over to a missing portion of the wall to scale it.

Vox tried to snatch her out of the air--but she was too small and slippery, cackling as she tumbled into the fray below. He watched the group dodge improvised bombs and bullets, meaning to make their way out of the area.

"Come on, there has to be a better way than this...!" Charlie said, hand waving to the scenes down below. Vox was directing his drones to follow the group--and to be honest, this would be a fucking fantastic segment... but someone bashed one of his contraptions out of the air, probably assuming it was some death machine.

"Ah! No...!" Vox deflated against the edge of the roof, "That was an expensive piece of equipment...!"

He turned back to Vaggie and Charlie, about to whole heartedly agree with the Princess... but Vaggie had the most devastated look as she stared at her girlfriend, "Charlie... I--"

"You don't need to go this far to prove yourself," Charlie placed her hands on Vaggie's back, sounding worried.

"What is the point of me if I can't keep you safe?" Vaggie asked, eye watering, "I'm here to make your dreams happen and I--I--I think I need to be alone right now...!" The smaller woman broke away, holding herself despondently, staring down into the chaos below.

"Vaggie--!" Charlie started. Vox quickly touched the Princess's shoulder, shaking his head. Charlie looked at him, confusion welling up in her pale face.

"Just give her a minute, Princess," he suggested, "It's difficult playing leader."

Charlie looked at him with a kind of dawning depression, stilling at his words. She touched the hand at her shoulder, casting one last look at Vaggie, small against the horizon line. Just as she turned from such an image, the door behind them burst open--a crispy looking Angel had Pentious slung around his shoulders.

"M-Made it...!" he sing-songed, out of breath. 

"Come on, everyone..." Charlie's voice went soft, sad, "Let's go back."

"What?!" Angel Dust reared back, upset, "But I just made it back up--whooa!"

Angel tipped over with Sir Pentious's weight still on him--and the sound of bodies thudding down the stairs could be heard. Husk was carrying Nifty, hovering in the air over the stairs, shaking his head at the two sinners lying in a heap on a lower landing.

Vox winced, "Ohhh... I hope we have some first aid kits...!"

He guided Charlie off the roof, taking just a second to see Vaggie stand at the edge of the building, hands bawled into fists. Vox watched her leap down, face determined, until her figure disappeared.

He nodded to himself; certain he was correct before.

Vaggie was hiding something, and she was making up for it by protecting Charlie... perhaps to both their detriment.

...

"Alastor...!" Rosie greeted, warm, her dark eyes looking at him fondly.

Alastor inclined his own head, stepping into the elevator with her. She was dressed much more conservatively, dark gray, all covered, with her wide brim hat appropriate for her particular time period. "Rosie...!"

"I was wondering if you'd show today," she said, lightly tapping him on his arm that was holding his cane, "I expected you and Vox to be strolling in arm and arm, you know!"

"Mm," Alastor leaned against the glass wall behind him, shaking his head, "Velvette hadn't told you of yesterday's fiasco, then?"

Rosie shook her head, "No, she called to tell me she was stuck in her lab and wouldn't be making it to our dinner date..."

"Well, we saw why..." Alastor nervously drummed his fingers on his cane.

"Vox did not mention finding an angel head?"

"Again... yesterday was--" Alastor began before Rosie gasped, grabbing his arm.

"That electrical outage across the city! Did Vox do that?"

Alastor startled, "Yes, but how would you--?"

Rosie's smile drooped sadly, "Oh, of course...! My sweet Velvette always works overtime after incidents with Valentino. I don't know why I didn't put it together sooner..."

"Sweet?" Alastor found himself chuckling, gesturing back up to the overlord meeting room. The elevator by now was slowing down, coming to the ground floor. "You call her sweet after such a scene?"

"Oh, Alastor..." Rosie pats his cheek, ignoring how he scrunched his nose, "You truly are a hopeless one."

The doors opened, and she brought her hands back to herself, exiting primly. She pulled out a parasol, eying the sky and it's gray, dim clouds. Alastor followed after, head tilting, "What do you mean, my friend?"

"You know...!" Rosie raised a brow at him as they stood beside one another, the Carmine Compound's cameras focused on them--and Alastor stood in front, listening to the camera glitching out--sizzling the longer he stood there.

"I am afraid I don't," he calmly said, eying the area for those egg creatures. He noticed them happily playing in a dumpster. They could remain there until the last creature descended.

Rosie gave a soft huff at him, "It is good to see you again... but you've missed so much. I do not know how to begin."

"Vox has told me some things..." Alastor's eyes slid away, near embarrassed, "But I confess, I have... spent more of my focus on him than--"

Rosie laid on a hand on his chest, "I do not mind, Alastor. I understand. I am happy, if you are happy..."

"You are too good a friend," Alastor carefully took her hand to leave a delicate, platonic press of his mouth there. It returned to the handle of her parasol soon enough. Rosie glanced up at the compound, eying the camera with a kind of guilt he only noticed on her face whenever they had to appear at the Carmine Compound.

"Some may argue you on that, Al..."

Alastor followed her gaze, but the buildings windows were tinted. It loomed as gray as the sky above them. Dour and depressed, filled with objects that were destruction to all demonkind and sinner-souls.

"Rosie--"

"Vox avoids sending Velvette to these meetings," Rosie took in a deep breath, turning to Alastor with a wink, "Her jealousy could almost rival yours, Alastor!"

Alastor just blinked in return, "I'm sorry. What?"

"Oh, Al!" she shook her head, laughter escaping much more freely, "This is why you're hopeless!"

"Well..." Alastor relaxed a little, leaving another goodbye air-kiss to the side of her cheek, "I suppose we will have to make our way to Cannibal Town for teatime soon... so you can explain it to me."

Rosie gave him a warm smile, nodding, "You and Vox are always welcome. Come whenever, I will make the time for you."

"I won't keep you--" he insisted, waving down the way, "I am sure you need to soothe the young Vee!"

"Indeed, I do!" the cannibal declared, turning as she waved at him, "Farewell for now, Alastor!"

Alastor waved back, before his hand dropped to his cane. The lift behind him let out a hiss of air as it opened. He turned in time to see the little egg stumble out. He smirked widely, "Ah! Just in time! What news do you have for me?"

"Oh! Oh!" the egg waved it's arms excitedly, "First, the tall guy's all--what's wrong? And--And then knife lady is all, No! I don't wanna talk about it--" Alastor stared with a flattened expression as it bounced about, gesticulating wildly, "But then! She was all--I'll do anything to protect you! She was like, slash, slash, slash with her knife feet! AND THEN--"

"Ohhh," Alastor leaned in, smirking at the knowledge that Velvette actually was on to something. Carmilla Carmine does know how to kill an exorcist. "I see... little egg--you will tell no one of what you heard, alright?"

"Uh... but--"

"No one," Alastor waved a sharp finger, tsking, the shadows growing around him, "Is that understood?"

The egg shrunk itself, backing away, "Uhhhh, yes, boss..."

"Good! Let's return to the hotel!" Alastor began walking, breezing past the dumpster as the rest of the creatures scrambled to follow.

...

Charlie was retreating up the stairway after handing over some first aid kits. Vox had the drones focus on that as he bounded up the steps, two at a time, just to catch up with the Princess on the main landing.

"Charlie, wait...!" he started.

"Not--" she sighed, turning to him with duller eyes, "Not now, Vox. I'm not in the mood to be lectured."

Vox stood before her, sighing, "I'm not going to lecture you."

"Then what?" Charlie sniffled, asking almost petulantly as she rubbed her nose dry with her sleeve, "What did you wanna say?"

"Oh, sweetheart..." Vox opened his arms, not unlike the trust fall exercise, "Do you want to talk about it?"

The Princess looked up at him, a little more than surprised. He gave her a smaller grin than normal, brow raised. She wibbled--arms out when she launched into his chest and blubbered there almost immediately, "I'm a terrible girlfriend...!"

Vox tried to hold in his laughter, only barely succeeding with sound, but not in the shaking of his shoulders.

"Oh, Charlie! No, you're not...!" he assured, rubbing her back as she hugged him tight.

"Yes, I am!" she insisted, losing the petulance but finding a self-conscious conviction, "I just made my girlfriend cry because I asked her to do something she didn't feel ready to do! Who does that?! I'm a terrible leader! A failure of a Princess...!"

"Charlie--" Vox took her by the shoulders, having to pry her off so he could meet her eyes, "Come on. Don't talk like that... You're doing fine. I promise."

The Princess looked up at him, breath leaving her as she still held onto his coat, not ready to let go of his comfort, apparently. "Vox... Do you and Alastor fight like that?"

"Do we fight...?" Vox tilted his head in thought, "Dear, what I witnessed between you and Vaggie, wasn't a fight. Believe me--Alastor and I can show you a fight--" he shook his head at her wide stare at his words, "But... what I can say is we have had our fair share of misunderstandings and hurt feelings."

"W-What do you do?" she gulped.

Vox was careful as he helped whisk away a tear that threatened to roll over her rosy cheeks, "Charlie, you two have to be honest with one another. Tell her what kind of a partner you would like to have, what you would like to be... She clearly wants to protect you. What do you want from Vaggie? Knowing her devotion, she'll probably give it to you."

"Ohh..." Charlie's eyes seemed to light up at his words, "Well. I want what you said."

"What did I say?" Vox tilted his head curiously.

"A partner...!" 

Vox smiled at her, "Well... I know just how you feel then."

Charlie startled when, surprise of all surprises, Vaggie was walking down the main hall toward her. Vox let go of the girl so she could pad over to the shorter woman, taking the smaller hands into hers to grip tightly.

"Hey..." Vaggie spoke first, not seeming to mind touch now.

"Hey..." the Princess gave her a soft look.

Vaggie sighed, losing tension, not looking at Charlie, "I'm sorry I got so crazy today--"

"No," Charlie shook her head, squeezing the hands in hers, "No. I am the one who is sorry... I--" The Princess took a deep breath, taking the girl's face in hand, "--I put pressure on you. I shouldn't have. We work as a team."

Vaggie's one eye went wide, before it filled again with tears... but there was a growing smile on her face.

"I thought this hotel would be easy but..." Charlie pulled other girl in--and Vaggie wrapped her arms around Charlie, holding tight, "... we will figure it out. Together."

Vox, hand on his heart, fucking died at the cuteness before him. Young love. So pure! So honest! He had to look away, blinking down at Angel, Pentious, and Husk--their laughter seeming to raise. Vox leaned over the rail a little, watching as they remininsced over their day--especially the battlefield part.

"Vaggie," Vox caught her attention, and the young woman almost jumped out of Charlie's arms. He pointed down at the sinners, wrapping one another's minor injuries without care. "Take a look...!"

Vaggie and Charlie also came up to the banister, looking down as Angel started miming some incident, "--and then, when that guy started beating you?!" 

"Oh, yes! With the dismembered arm...!" Sir Pentious pointed at his own arm in a sling, "That was--uh... particularly unpleasant."

The group laughed, Nifty running between everyone in her excitement as bandages rolled around the floor. Husk patted her head as he passed the maid, "Well... at least we know you can take a beating like a champ."

"Yeah! Good job, man!" Angel Dust nodded, while Sir Pentious seemed to blush heavily at the praise.

"And..." Husk nudged at Angel, holding out a cold beer bottle towards the bruised parts of his pretty face, "... you know... you too, kid."

Vox gripped the banister, excited. He was absolutely on fire today--Husk had to be into Angel! Who wouldn't be, really?!

"Well..." Vaggie slowly murmured to herself, crossing her arms on the wood beam with a content kind of smile, "Whaddaya know?"

"See," Charlie let their shoulders rub together as she also leaned on the banister, "I knew I could put my faith in you."

Vaggie was quiet, and Vox barely caught it... but it was there, the quick look of guilt that flashed in her eye. He was then distracted when the entrance to the hotel opened, the door closing and echoing in the lobby.

Alastor strolled in--the gaggle of eggs behind him.

"Alastor!" Vaggie called down, clearly ready to change the subject, "Failed to get rid of the eggs I see...!"

Alastor shrugged, "Yes well... the little creatures proved to be quite useful."

"If you say so," Vaggie shrugged.

"So... I can keep my eggs?" Sir Pentious was slithering over, staring up with wide eyes at the gallery at the top of the stairs.

Vaggie waved at him, less reluctant, "Yeah, okay...! I guess you can keep them--"

"OH MY EGGIES!" Sir Pentious slid on his belly, scooping them up from behind Alastor, bubbling tears of joy. 

"But no more weapons!" Vaggie exclaimed, pointing at him with narrowed eyes, "I mean it!"

Sir Pentious was nodding, leaving little kisses on their forehead in gratitude. He dropped them to the floor, nodding, "Now eggies...! CLEAN MY QUARTERS THIS INSTANT!"

Alastor watched with a raised brow as the eggs were marched away, quite happy to be bullied and pushed around by their original boss. He turned to Vox and looked up, disappearing his cane.

"So! What did I miss, darling?"

Vox just smirked, bringing one knee up and onto the banister, "Know what a trust fall is?"

"A wha--VOX?!"

Vox let himself tip over the edge, spinning in the air--not quite worrying about how hard he could hit the ground--but he did not particularly have to worry, of course. Alastor was fast, sprinting forward, arms outstretched as Vox landed into them.

It was quite thrilling--just letting the fall happen, being found in the arms of his beloved--Vox's eyes only closing because he anticipated the impact. Alastor let out a breath, hands gripping him around the legs and upper back, in a proper princess carry. Vox blinked open his eyes, looking up at Alastor's wide-eyed stare. His ears were at attention, and those antlers grew a little bit in his shock.

"Why in the seven rings of Hell would you do that?!"

"Because I knew you would catch me!" Vox laughed, "Obviously."

"What if I--!" Alastor started, and Vox leaned up and gave him the quickest kiss, effectively cutting off his angry tirade.

"Have more faith in yourself, love..." he whispered, embolden with his racing heart, "I do."

Alastor sighed, his antlers retreating to normal size, and one ear flicked at the soft words, "Hopeless... absolutely hopeless."

...

The residents and staff of the hotel bid one another their good nights--Charlie and Vaggie walking arm and arm to their room--Nifty left chasing bugs--Sir Pentious long gone with his eggs--Husk and Angel sitting at the bar. 

Vox remained in Alastor's arms as he materialized them to their room. He carefully placed his beloved on the bed, letting out a relieved breath.

"So..." Vox said, hands on the sheets as Alastor bent down, removing Vox's shoes without thought, readying them for bed--in fact, Vox should probably recharge tonight, having not finished yesterday. "What did I miss at the meeting?"

"Did you really send Velvette?" the deer demon asked, voice falling in pitch, almost upset.

Vox rubbed at his forehead, "Unfortunately... yeah."

"Well, she made a scene..." Alastor glanced up, face carefully blank, tossing the heeled shoes over his shoulders as he stood, "... you didn't tell me you found a dead angel."

Vox's eyes went wide, snapping up to Alastor's face, "She--What?"

"Velvette came baring a decapitated head from an exorcist."

"Are you fucking serious?" Vox launched off the bed, scrambling to find his phone in a pants pocket. Alastor grabbed his hand, stopping him.

"So, you did find it?" the Radio Demon narrowed his eyes, the shadows moving behind him, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Vox froze in his hold, blinking into the darkening eyes before, "I... Sorry. So much happened yesterday--Peppermint had the drones. He saw it, I had him retrieve it to confirm. It should have stayed in Vel's lab so we could--"

"Vox," Alastor stopped his explanation, lifting up a hand, "Were you going to tell me?"

"O-Of course, why wouldn't I--?" Vox sounded confused, almost nervous, eyes trailing away from Alastor... and above him.

His antlers were growing.

"I do believe you have some theories about angels and demons... don't you?" 

Vox took in a breath, purposefully looking Alastor in the eye this time, "Nothing concrete. Not without tests."

"Vox--"

"Alastor!" Vox broke from his hold--and Alastor's nearly broke his neck, head swiveling as Vox walked away from him--towards his office.

"You cannot just walk away when I'm talking to you!"

"I'm not!" Vox barked, spinning, "And you're one to talk! I let you go cool off all the time when you're angry! Why don't you fucking do it right now--"

The room almost grew pitch black, "I will not leave you when you could possibly be smitten by a fucking exorcist!"

That seemed to stop Vox's tirade.

"Velvette was quite clear...!" Alastor found himself walking forward and grabbing Vox by his upper arms as if to shake sense into them, "Are you planning to fight the angels when they arrive?! Do you think you have to the means to discover anything--anything from a single head?!"

"Alastor--"

"If anyone discovers you cannot die--" Alastor's voice broke on the airwaves, "Vox... why didn't you tell me first? Why did you send it to her? Is it because the last time I--"

Vox was reaching up, taking hold of Alastor's forearms with shaking fingers, "Alastor... I do trust you. I'm not... It wasn't anything like that. I just--"

"I need you safe..." Alastor murmured, running his eyes over Vox's screen, "Please. I--"

"Oh, my love..." Vox pressed his forehead against Alastor's, closing his eyes, "I... I didn't mean to worry you. I didn't--I wasn't sure it was even real... you spent so much time on Earth... I'm worried it's still affecting you--"

"Impossible, I'm--"

"Alastor..." Vox wrapped his arms around the radio demon, "I'm sorry. I am not hiding anything from you. You know the plan--whatever Velvette said... she jumped ahead without my say so." He pulled back, running hands up to the still growing, velvety antlers, "Let me take care of you... we can talk when you're in the right mind."

"I'm--"

"Your eyes are black, deer..." Vox gripped tight, and Alastor's body responded in a very startling manner, "I think I know what you're really feeling right now."

Alastor was as hopeless then, as he had always feared.

TBC...

Chapter Text

Episode Four: Content Warning

It had been almost two months. Vox had released the first episode of the new reality show focusing on the Princess's attempt to rehabilitate sinners. It took a lot of editing, but Vaggie finally gave an okay, and now, the TV Overlord just had to keep it up. Personally, he was quite excited--it was perhaps the best thing he had aired to date. He was absurdly proud of it.

Well, he was in the Pride ring for a reason.

Days were beginning to fall into a routine, too. Alastor and Vox would wake together, would have breakfast, and then... well, there was normally some hotel antic they had to contend with in-between their own schemes.

Said scheme, currently, was investigating that decapitated angel head (for Vox's own curiosity really). All Velvette could do was confirm it was an angel--she was analyzing blood and bone samples, but... nothing was overly interesting save for the fact the contact with "holy" blood seemed to cause mild irritation to demons. It depended on the demon, of course, and Vox was sure to keep the stuff away from Alastor.

Now, however, Vox was holding the exorcist mask in his hand. It was... nearly like an LED screen. He was planning to take it apart and toy with it later--hiding it in his desk when there was a knocking on his and Alastor's door.

Alastor had already opened the door to greet Charlie waiting there with a little bit of a bounce on her heels.

"Oh!" Charlie noticed Vox leaving his office and brightened considerably, "Vox! We're gonna do show and tell today! Did you want to join us?"

"Sure, I'm done editing for the day," Vox said, walking over to where his coat was lying on the bed.

"What are you going to show?" Alastor taunted, "Brucie maybe?"

Vox gave him a playful glare, "Brucie stays on the bed! Vel use to steal him all the time--I'm not giving Angel or Charlie the chance!"

"What do you like about sharks so much, Vox?" Charlie asked, peering over Alastor's shoulder and toward the bed where the stuffed shark was lying belly up. Vox flipped the soft thing over, straightening the floppy fin.

"They're super neat!" he insisted, shrugging on his coat and walking over to the door ushering Alastor and Charlie further into the hallway, "Predators that live all over the ocean! Fast! Powerful jaws! They haven't changed much in millions of years! Can you believe that?!"

Charlie giggled, staring up at the two overlords fondly, "I can, yes."

"Anyways--" Vox cleared his throat, not at all embarrassed he got caught for his dorky enthusiasm, "Uh--what about you, Princess? Do you have a favorite animal?"

"Well..." the girl tilted her head, thinking seriously, "I have Kiki. She's kind of like a cat. My dad made me Razzle and Dazzle so--"

"He made them?" Vox asked. Razzle and Dazzle were not quite pets--more like companion-servants; Flying goat-like creatures that tended to the Princess's needs. Vox had almost screamed, finding their images on his drones like cryptids. Charlie had assured him they weren't intruders, but harmless, and wandered the hotel doing odd chores as they saw fit.

"Yeah," Charlie seemed confused, "Of course he did."

Alastor chuckled, taking Vox's hand into his own, "Lucifer was an angel. I assume they are capable of some type of creation."

"Huh..." Vox found himself thinking about it, looking at Charlie. She smiled at him, and Vox smiled back almost automatically, "You never answered about the favorite animal though--if you could pick one, either created or not yet created for you."

"Mmm, maaaaaaybe..." Charlie began, sing-songy, "I will pick sharks, too!"

She was a sweet girl. 

Shame about the whole... secret coup and throne usurpation he and Alastor were working on.

...

Show and Tell did not start well--Angel Dust lying his ridiculously tall body all along the love rest--leaving Charlie and Vaggie to take up the couch, Sir Pentious and Nifty sitting on the floor, with Alastor himself leaning on an arm rest that Vox had taken a seat on. Husk, wisely, stuck himself behind the bar to ignore what was happening in the palor.

Vaggie was shielding poor Charlie's eyes from the television playing Angel's pornography. The twitch under Alastor's eyes had returned. Vox could only place one hand over his mouth, apparently keeping his comments to himself at the moment, screen brightening in (and he could admit this now) mortification.

"Oh, Angel, uh--" Charlie was attempting to take her girlfriend's hands off her face, "--it's very honest but--but why did you choose... this?"

Angel waved his hands over to the screen, "Well! You said it was show and tell! So I'm showing ya my best work--and telling ya this flick finally beat out that cunt Tiffiany Titfucker!"

"He's not wrong," Vox murmured--and Alastor glanced over at him, unimpressed. "What? It really boosted profits for a few weeks!"

"Well--" Husk spoke up from the bar, wiping out shot glasses, "I can tell ya that interrogation scene is not very convincing."

The spider rose himself over the back of the couch he was on, raising a brow, "Yeah? And what do you know about any of my work?"

"I can tell ya it's cheap and overproduced," he answered, flinching at the too-loud erotic audio as it echoed in the lobby.

Vox tsked, waving a hand and cutting off the electricity from that outlet, effectively turning off the television. Angel swiveled back to Vox, mouth agape as he exclaimed, "You're just gonna let him talk about your company like that, Voxxy?!"

Alastor eyed Husk as he cautiously left the bar, drumming his fingers on an unopened beer bottle. The sinner was willing to back up his claim--but Alastor could admit if he dared to upset Vox, he would perhaps punish the cat later... the Radio Demon would just have to wait and see what his chained soul was so harangued about.

"Well, technically speaking Angel..." Vox hedged, darting his gaze away from the spider, "I don't... give Val big budget after all the shit he pulled... barely before, really. His studio isn't operating above starting salaries from when I began the company."

"But... we rake in so much money," Angel looks confused.

"Yeah, Val hasn't--" Vox gulped, not catching anyone's eye as he went for a casual tone, "--hasn't really figured that out."

He briefly did catch Angel as he roughly blinked, pointing at himself, then made a little square symbol. Vox just nodded.

"Oh...!"

Charlie looked between them confused, inquiring, "What's that mean?"

"Wow--" Husker finally flicked open his bottle, taking a swig. Angel spun back to him frowning, only to find the cat smirking, "--maybe I was wrong about you. For all that complaining about your boss, you don't know how all this works, do ya?"

"Yeah, well! What role are you playing, Whiskers?" the porn star spat back, "A wise old bartender?"

Husker snorted, waving his bottle around, "I don't have to play nothing--you bitches get drunk and tell me everything! I know everything about you and these motherfuckers at this point."

Angel Dust rolled his eyes at the antics, and silently, Alastor had to concur. At this point, the cat sinner was just begging for attention--though the Radio Demon still couldn't figure why. 

"That one--" Husk started with a frown, gesturing with the point of his beer bottle to Sir Pentious, "--is an insecure buffoon whose lonely ass watches everyone sleep..." Husk took a drink while the room turned to the snake to stare incredulously while Pentious shrunk down and hid his face. "The Princess is a bleeding heart who wants to solve everybody else's problems 'cept her own--"

"Whaaaaaat...?" Charlie waved him off, very unconvincing as she asked more than said, "Noooo?"

Husk moved on to Vaggie next, "This one judges everyone and everything because she hates herself!"

Vaggie growled at him, but Husk simply shrugged as she turned away from the truth.

"And Nifty...?" he asked, and the little one blew a kiss to him with a manic grin, "You don't want to know. I know--and I'm telling the rest of you--you don't want to know!"

Angel Dust fell back onto the couch, laughing hysterically, "Oh, you weren't kidding! You got these losers pegged alright!"

Husker was drinking his beer, not quite with sparkling eyes as Angel rolled up to the arm rest, tapping at the bottle.

"Now do Vox and Alastor..."

"Uh, I--" Husker swallowed quickly, wide eyed as he turned to the demon who owned his soul.

Alastor raised a brow, leaning forward and crossing his legs to stare at the cat. "Well... go on, Husk. You started this fascinating topic of discussion... please, finish it."

"I--" Husk tsked, looking at the ground first. After a moment he crossed his arms, growling, "Well, it doesn't take a genius to figure out! We all know Alastor is greedy and selfish. He's practically a devil incarnate--power hungry!"

Alastor smirked.

"And whatever Vox sees in him, I can't begin to understand..." Husk continued, sounding irritatingly confused, "Or vice versa. Vox is pathetically two-faced--constantly in need of upgrading to a better version of himself...! His lack of love for himself is the reason why all of the terrible things have ever happened to--"

"Alright," Alastor stood, the shadows in the room shivering, "I've grown bored of this game."

Husk shrank away, clutching his bottle, "Yeah well... you asked."

"What happened to those claws, Kitten?" Angel Dust asked, clearly pleased with this turn of events. 

"Don't get me started on you!" the cat pointed at Angel, glaring with misplaced anger for this situation, "You're probably the worst of this bunch! Fake!"

Angel Dust gasped, raising up to loom over the cat, "Fake?!"

"Pretending to be someone you're not!"

"Maybe that's because I'm an actor, asshole!" Angel poked at Husk's nose, who nearly jumped back at the sudden touch, "It's my job!"

"Your job?! What job?!"

Angel Dust's phone vibrated in his back pocket, and in a moment of pure muscle memory, dragged it up to his ear and answered, "What?!"

He went stone still--and Alastor saw out of the corner of his eyes, Vox's face flash in concern, standing when Angel Dust quickly padded away, hand over the receiver as he talked into it.

"Y-Yeah... no! I'm--" Angel flinched, before nodding, "Sure, sure! I'll be right there...!"

He hung up quickly, spinning back around with a tight smile and grabbing something from the pocket of his vest. Vox was already walking towards him--and Alastor slid his eyes over to Husk... who was swinging heavily from his alcoholic beverage to avoid eye contact.

"You don't have to--" Vox's voice was quiet.

"I'm contracted," Angel shrugs, "And I don't hate my job. It's been a while--I can survive a shoot or two, get my funds back up. Yours too, apparently."

"Angel, I--" the television demon began, face glitching through different emotions.

"Angel!" Charlie was bounding over, grasping his hand, "Wait, wait! We haven't finished! Y-You can--"

"Charlie!" the sinner yanked his hand away, "It's my job! Unless you can do something about my actual boss--I gotta go."

Angel Dust stalked out of the building--practically slamming the door closed. Vox watched him go... and Alastor stared at the straight line of his back, seeing the tension there. He knew exactly what Vox was thinking about in that moment.

Charlie whined, turning from the closed door and sliding down it. She seemed to pout, and Vaggie was by her side in an instant. Alastor nearly followed her lead, coming to stand beside Vox. He did not dare touch his beloved, just watched the two women interact.

"Ugh! Why is this so hard, Vaggie?!" the Princess curled up into a ball, "I just want to help him!"

"I know," Vaggie sighed, a small smile appearing.

Charlie looked over to Vox, her pouting mouth and teary eyes focusing on him, "Can't you talk to your business partner, Vox? Get him to give Angel more time for the hotel?"

"I--"

"No," Alastor cut him off immediately. 

Vox went dead quiet beside him.

"Alastor," Vaggie started, voice turning harder, "She didn't ask you--"

"Charlie is the Princess of Hell," Alastor waved his hands, his cane appearing as he did so. It stopped in a line across Vox's already immobile body. "If she wants to bend an overlord's will to hers, she can. She does not need Vox as the middle-man."

"But..." Charlie gulped, clearly uncertain.

Vaggie let out a long sigh, "You do have power, but you don't use it often... I guess, it is sort of the long way around the issue."

"Isn't that... mean, though?" the Princess asked, looking between everyone.

Alastor chuckled, "How so? You're wasting your influence if you don't use it."

"You don't have to be mean--" Vaggie said with emphasis, throwing Alastor a look that could almost kill. She turned a much softer face to her girlfriend. "Think of it as--as aggressive kindness!"

"Yeah..." Charlie slowly stood up, gaining confidence, "Yeah! I can be aggressively kind!"

Vaggie let out a fond huff, "That's my girl!"

Charlie immediately grasped the doors and dashed out.

Finally, as if coming back online, Vox startled beside Alastor, "Wait! Charlie--!"

The door had already closed, and Alastor's cane continued to press hard into his chest, barring him from running after. His gaze snapped to Alastor's pleasant smile. He looked less than pleased, himself.

"Alastor--" his voice started, almost echoey, eyes sharpening.

"She's the Princess of Hell," the Radio Demon reminded him, "She'll be fine."

"Vox...?" Vaggie asked, looking wary suddenly.

"Vox is fine--" Alastor said, turning as his shadow fell over him, "We just have things to discuss about the hotel."

"Alastor--!" the young woman started, but the pair had already disappeared into the airwaves.

...

Vox was in his office, ignoring Alastor... not that Alastor seemed to care. He was quite content with this arrangement apparently--Vox being sequestered as he worked--Alastor reading in bed with the shadow standing creepily in a corner, because, of course... Alastor was in one of those controlling moods.

His paranoia around Valentino had him act out the worst.

Vox rolled away from all the editing, screens, emails, meetings... 

He rested his head in his hands... thinking about Husk's earlier words.

Vox left his office, not bothering to even look at the Radio Demon. He was heading to the door. He was unsurprised when he did not reach it. A tentacle was wrapped around his arm, stopping him. Alastor still wasn't physically touching him--that almost hurt worse.

"Don't worry. I'm not leaving the hotel."

"You're not leaving this room--"

"God dammit, Alastor!" Vox jerked away from the hold, finally turning to his beloved, now standing at the edge of the bed, rigid. Vox held his arm to his chest, glaring through the tears, "You just sent her to--"

"Valentino would not be stupid enough to incur the Devil's wrath," Alastor sounded sure, uncaring.

"You're fucking incurring mine--!" Vox shot back, his hand moving over his eye as it throbbed. Alastor seemed to start to him, and Vox, mostly on instinct, backed up to the door. Alastor stopped moving. "Seven years... I had to deal with him alone for seven years--"

"And he was playing dumb then!" Alastor reminded him, pointing out past the hotel vaguely, "He knows now! I barely got to you in time--"

"I escaped!" Vox screamed, and Alastor startled. Vox zapped to him, grabbing the other demon by the lapels, "I always escape! I always find my way back to you!"

Alastor was silent, wide eyed.

"You can't keep sending sacrifices to him! It won't work!" Vox's voice broke, and he felt himself crumble into Alastor's body.

Alastor finally wrapped around the shaking figure, nails digging in wherever they found purchase. Vox's hands tried smoothing down the fabric separating their bodies, but it felt nearly impossible--like his computerized brain was misfiring and his fingers couldn't stop trembling, unable to work properly.

"Alastor..." he whispered, watery, "I never, ever want to leave. Never of my own volitian... I always will find a way. I promise... Please... Please don't--don't do this to me. Don't make feel like we have to feed him victims to keep him away. I--I can't. I know what he's like--!"

"I know..."

"Alastor," Vox shivered in his hold, unable to look at the Radio Demon, "I could never wish this feeling on anybody. I don't--I don't want anyone else to be caught in his traps. I--"

"Hush--" Alastor held tighter, moving one of his hands to the back of Vox's neck to pet there, "I--I understand..."

"I promise--" Vox hiccupped, "I promise. We'll kill him soon--but--but please let me--let me just--I--!"

Alastor was warm, breathing along with Vox, calming him. There was a low hum of music, almost, around him. Vox dropped his hands, energy drained as he rested there.

"It's not my fault..."

"No," Alastor murmured, "It's never been your fault."

Vox closed his wet eyes, tired, "I should kill him... why can't I just... do it?"

"He was your friend."

"I'm weak--" Vox sighed, pulling away to rub at his aching eye, "--I should have let you kill him when you had the chance. I--"

"I can do so right now..." Alastor ran a hand along the side of Vox's screen.

Vox sighed, feeling almost numb, "It changes nothing... it still happened. I still--what's done is done. I can't change it. I can't fix it. I just--"

Alastor is looking at him, his expression so strange and calm, his eyes dark as the shadows around them. His hatred and anger so palpable. Vox can almost taste it on the air. He smiled at the Radio Demon, nonetheless--something small, sad.

"I just have to heal from it, Alastor..." he said, reaching out to cup Alastor's beautiful face, "We both do."

"I was not hurt--"

"Not in the same ways, no..." Vox pressed their foreheads together, "But you have to let go of this. For me."

"I can't."

"One day?"

"Not yet."

Vox nodded.

It was as good as it was going to get.

...

All of Alastor's skin felt like it was trying to crawl away from him. He was absurdly restless. He hated this idle feeling--this waiting for a bomb to detonate, hiding away from it because he could not recover from the blast. The truth was, he could not, ever, leave Vox again. It seemed like every time he did, Valentino knew. The moth would be there--he would alienate Vox, mess with him, confuse him, cut him to the quick...

And Alastor did not know if he could survive another person he loved being hurt like that again.

Vox kept seeming to collect more and more souls he wanted to shield from Valentino's manipulation and violence that Alastor could not keep up--all of whom had the abilities to fight back or escape just as well as Vox did, no less. 

Alastor's concern was that... maybe Vox felt as if he couldn't truly fight back because... God forbid it... maybe Vox thought he did deserve this kind of hell. 

Alastor is sitting on the couch, Vox resting on him, sending his drones around the hotel for aerial shots. He's subdued, but not fighting Alastor's constant following, not at the moment.

It's just his luck the hotel's front doors burst open, banging harshly, and Charlie is running up the stairs in a flash. Vox is up--after her--and Alastor goes with him.

Vox catches the girl in the hallway of the upper floor, sobbing. He is quick to grab her and pull her into his chest, shushing her. She's babbling something, and when Alastor stands behind Vox, can see her clenching her eyes to stop the tears as she rests her head on his shoulder.

"I didn't mean to...! I didn't mean to...!"

"It's okay..." Vox tells her, rubbing her shaking back, "Take your time... let it out."

Alastor hates that Vox was right--that he understood how this situation would play out.

He doesn't know if he has hated another soul more than Valentino.

...

Vox is sitting with Charlie in her room, Alastor guarding the door. Vox thought maybe she would feel better if she was in a space that felt safe. He was unsure what she would tell him, but she calmed down enough that she was no longer sobbing as violently.

"In your own time, sweetheart..." Vox told her.

"I went to the studio--" Charlie said. She looked over at Vox, and he just nodded to show he was listening. "And... I tried to talk to Valentino--I tried to talk to anyone, really, and I just... I made a mess of things."

"I'm sure you--"

"I lit the studio on fire."

Alastor let out a surprised laugh--clapping a hand over his mouth when Charlie startled, and Vox glowered at him lightly. He placed a hand on Charlie's shoulder, "Well, nothing that can't be fixed. You didn't--"

"Valentino put it out but..." Charlie hugged herself, looking away, "He grabbed Angel and took him into a room and--and he wasn't bothering to hide how angry he was. I heard everything. He threatened Angel--he hit him. He..."

Vox closed his eyes, hand dropping from Charlie to place a hand over his eye.

"How can you be business partners with someone like that?" her voice was small.

"It's... complicated..." the overlord's own voice growing smaller.

Alastor snorted, twirling his microphone until it disappeared, "You run the company, Vox. I'm right here. I'll kill him whenever you--"

"Alastor--!" Charlie startled, standing, eyes wide, "Are you serious?!"

"Charlie..." Vox sighed, attempting to calm her... he just ended up hanging his head between his legs, "Look, I'm--I can admit I am a sentimental idiot. He was--There was a time when all I had was Valentino. I... don't have the cleanest history. No one in Hell does, I'm sure... but--"

Charlie settled, only a little, her smaller hands landing on his legs as she kneeled next to him, trying to find his eyesight. He gave her a slight smile that dropped easily as he looked over to Alastor. Alastor's ears flicked, and he leaned on the door, shrugging lightly.

"You asked how we got together," Vox recalled, glancing over to Charlie, who nodded, patient. Vox smiled, much more warmly, "Alastor and I danced around each other for a while, I think. Valentino... didn't appreciate that. He had apparently been obsessed with me... I didn't realize until it was too late."

The Princess looked at him, eyes growing misty, "Vox... what are you saying?"

"I've been hurt by him before," Vox took in a breath, glancing away, "Alastor is who I went to... right after. I--" He sat back, rubbing at his mouth, "Val won't stop until he can control me entirely, I think... I... Since Alastor's return, he's grown more violent. I can't stop him from abusing Angel. I can only try and help Angel break free but--"

"But?" Charlie interrupted, seeming more upset than before.

"I don't know how without offering myself in his place..." Vox placed a hand on his collarbone, unwilling to maintain eye contact, scared of her reaction to his cowardice.

Charlie, however, was much stronger than either demon gave her credit for. She moved her hands to Vox's shaking one, grasping it firmly between her palms, asking with mounting dread, "Have you... before?"

"No. That isn't happening," Alastor told her, growing more serious, even with his controlled closed mouth smile, "Not again. Not while I am around."

"Alastor is fairly protective," Vox huffed, patting the Princess's hand.

"I understand, I would be the same way if something like that happened to Vaggie..." she said, standing taller suddenly. Vox blinked at the deadly look in her red eyes. It was the first time he realized she truly was the Princess of Hell.

"Charlie... I am sorry you had to witness that. I should have gone to calm him down--" he took in a breath, readying to admit his fault in this disaster.

"I said, no, Vox. Not you. You can blame me," Alastor reminded the both of them.

Vox sighed, "No... I... I panicked again."

"You'll be safe here, Vox," Charlie promised, squeezing his hand, "I won't let Valentino get to you or Angel... if I can help it."

"With Angel...?" Vox shook his head, giving her a pathetic little half-hearted squeeze back with his strengthening fingers, "I've been trying for years. He... I don't know. I don't know why he won't run. The contract is thin at best. I've been giving him hints--giving him money--taking him to safe houses and he just..."

"Maybe it's the same reason you won't let Alastor just kill him," the Princess offered.

Vox nearly wilted. His eye ached and he hid it as he dropped her comforting hold, nodding. "Yeah... maybe you're right."

"Would you kick us out, Princess, if I did kill him?" Alastor questioned, light--his attempt at a joke.

Charlie frowned at him, admonishing softly, "Alastor...!"

"Simply asking..." he raised his hands, sauntering over from his stance at the door, "My only concern is Vox's wellbeing and safety."

"I'm fine..." Vox assured. He took in a breath, bouncing back onto his feet purposefully. "Really! The important part is that Charlie knows now and I don't--" he paused, tripping over his own words, eyes darting around her ornate and homey room, "--well. I don't tell just anyone. I... don't know what I would do if everyone knew."

Vox was back to rubbing at his clavicle nervously. Charlie, of course, looked at him with softening eyes that seemed to see more than he intended at that moment, "Thank you for trusting me with this. I won't tell anyone...! Not if you are uncomfortable with it!"

"Alastor and Angel know... but, yes, I would appreciate that," Vox said, soft.

"Charlie--" Alastor began, catching the girl's attention. She turned to him, hair floating around her as she did so, "--there is a real possibility the hotel will be targeted... so, please. I am trusting you. If something were to happen and I am not here, for any reason... I need to know Vox is safe."

"Alastor," Vox couldn't help it, rolling his eyes to hide the way his heart swelled at those words, "We've been over this. I'm not powerless."

Alastor wagged a finger, tsking, "But Valentino is surprisingly crafty. He's manipulative. We cannot take chances again."

"Angel said..." Charlie blinked suddenly, turning back to Vox in alarm, "Before he said you almost died. What... What happened?"

Vox looked down at her as she fidgeted, waiting for any answer. Silently, he pulled down the collar of his shirt. He lifted his head just enough to show off the various decapitation scars on his neck. His fingers ran over the slight raised edges, explaining, "Short explanation is I have to replace my head every so often... and Val thought he could erase my memories of Alastor by forcing me to update without anyone who was more knowledgeable about the procedure to help..."

"Whoa..." Charlie seemed to rock backwards in shock. 

Vox shrugged, letting go of his shirt collar so it hid the scars again.

"So... is that why Alastor left you?" Charlie asked, turning sad once again, "Because you couldn't remember him? Or--"

"That's Alastor's story to tell," Vox told her, shaking his head.

She turned to Alastor.

"You'll know one day, Princess," the Radio Demon said, cryptic, "But suffice to say... yes, it was in Vox's best interest for me to leave him for a moment. It was not forever... and it will not happen again."
 

Charlie's eyes grew back a little bit of that former sparkle, "Wow... this is just like a fairy-tale, almost!"

Alastor scoffed as he turned away from her (not at all interested in such wide-eyed whimsy), but Vox was laughing, amused. He looked from the girl and back to his beloved, a relief washing over him. Charlie knew--she was aware of the dangers--and more so... he hoped she could talk some sense into Angel Dust where Vox failed to do so. Alastor, too, seemed much calmer--his paranoia quelled at the moment.

...

Alastor was at the bar with Husker, getting drinks for Vox and Charlie--the Princess looked like she needed a little something, digesting all this new information with a new type of melancholy look suddenly. Vox had asked, at this point, if Valentino did anything to her at all. She hesitated, but apparently the moth did attempt, poorly, to recruit her for own features.

"Disgusting creature..." he muttered to himself, taking the drinks.

"What do you expect?" Husk said, low, wiping the counter from the minor spillage of a rum and coke, "--He's an overlord. His method of control is sex. You're lucky he had sense enough not to push her."

"Your comments," Alastor retorted, eying him seriously, "Are as unhelpful as always, Husker."

Husk, shrugged, "Just saying, boss. Stay out of it--Vox made the decision to get into bed with him--"

"I would watch my phrasing, were I you..." the static in Alastor's voice cut across Husk, startling him as shadows slithered around him, "Least someone gets the wrong idea in their square head."

"I--" Husker stuttered, hands up.

"Don't think we won't have words when the Princess isn't around, Husk," said words were menacingly dancing on the airwaves, filled with a darkness that seeped into area briefly.

"U-Understood..." Husk backed up, turning to the bottles to rearrange and clean.

Alastor smiled widened, brightening the atmosphere immediately, "Good... and thank you for the drinks."

He walked back to Charlie and Vox--handing over Charlie's rum-and-coke first. She took it between her hands, sighing. Her legs came up as she took a sip. Alastor took a sip of Vox's--whiskey on the rocks--before handing it over to him. Vox swirled the glass to rest his mouth where Alastor's had once been.

"Where has Vaggie gotten to?" Alastor questioned suddenly, looking at Charlie with a tilted head.

"Oh, she sent me a message saying she was going to put up flyers around the city..." Charlie let out a breath, "If she had seen me after everything she would have--well, I can only assume she would want to go and get revenge of some kind."

Alastor hummed, "I am beginning to see her appeal."

"She's doesn't talk about her past, much..." the Princess took a sip of her drink before sighing, "I think she was betrayed by someone she thought she could trust. It took her a while to open up to me... all I know is she had been kicked out of her home, and had nowhere to go, and no more friends to rely on."

"That does explain her pissy attitude," Alastor twirled his cane in hand, and Vox was looking at the girl in thought.

"Well, you can tell her when you're ready--" he began.

"I won't tell her what you told me," Charlie insisted with a firm shake of her pale head.

"Alright," Vox nodded. He finished off his drink fast, breathing out a ragged sigh, "Man... today has fucking sucked for everyone but Vaggie I guess."

Nifty popped up out of nowhere, giggling, "I'm having fun today!"

"Oh, Nifty...!" Alastor plucked her off the back of the couch and held her aloft in his arms. Charlie smiled wanly, while Vox stood, walking back to the bar and handing his glass to Husker. Alastor turned to watch, almost unconsciously.

That was when the front doors to the hotel opened roughly--Angel Dust slinking in, one hand out as he walked along the wall and into the lobby. Vox waited, standing at the bar, immobile, the guilt and worry dimming his face. Angel made eye contact with him with a blank look.

"Well--" Husk was the only one willing to break the tension, "Don't you look like shit."

Angel glared at him briefly. He ran his hands through his hair, before stretching out his long back, and sauntering over to the counter. He hopped onto the stool closest to Vox. He sent a grin Vox's way, "Not possible. You've all seen my body."

"Yeah... unfortunately," Husker grumbled, washing up Vox's glass.

"Oh, shut up and make me a drink--" Angel waved his hands at the cat, spinning to face Vox, coy now as he forced eye-contact, "--whatever Voxxy's having."

"Just whiskey," Vox told him, looking over Angel, inspecting every bruise, every mark, every careful movement like he was cataloguing the pain for himself.

"Hmm, you're favorite," the spider noted, lying his head in his hand.

Vox chuckled, forcing some kind of ease into the situation as he teased, "Only thing I can drink that doesn't have to be sweet."

"Don't tell me you're scared to drink a cosmo in a room full of men?" Angel asked. Husker was sliding them both small glasses--whiskey on the rocks once more. The porn star was quick to lift the glass to clink with Vox's. Angel nearly finished his in one gulp.

Alastor glanced back to see how Charlie was fairing--she was also watching, legs nervously jittering on the floor where she was sitting behind Alastor.

"I plead the fifth, Angel Cakes," Vox answered, taking his own much more sedate pace with his second drink.

Angel smirked as he let one leg kick out in an attempt to pin Vox closer into the bar with him, "We haven't gone out drinking in a while--let me get you a cosmo and show you how to be brave."

Vox blinked, setting down his glass. He glanced over to Alastor, who was already shaking his head (mostly at the audacity of this spider sinner).

"Oh, fuck off, Smiles!" Angel glowered at the Radio Demon, voice grower more caustic... but his leg came back down as he turned back to Husk, pushing his empty glass for a refill, "Vox doesn't need anyone's permission to have fun--!"

"Angel, maybe you should--" Vox reached out, and Angel slapped his hand away before it made contact with his face.

"You know what?! You fuck off too, then!"

Vox flinched back. Alastor dropped Nifty, already stalking over--Vox put up one hand. His eyes were pleading with Alastor to wait a moment. So, Alastor stood, fighting the urge to yank that sinner off the bar seat and toss him back out to the gutter where he belonged.

"Ya know," Husker was filling the glass, eying Angel with vague disappointment, "If you're looking for a drinking buddy--telling the few allies you have to fuck off doesn't leave many options."

Angel laughed, meanly almost, swiping the whole bottle Husk was pouring from and chugging it. He slammed the now empty bottle on the counter, sighing near in relief. He stared at Husk, pointing, "You offering then, kitty? Get drunk with the bartender? Maybe... leave ya a little tip for your services?"

"Christ--!" Husk backed up, hands up as his eyes widened.

"Angel, please," Vox started, trying once more to take a bottle away from him.

"No, no...!" Angel leaned past the bar, leering at the cat, "I was hoping to eat pussy for a change!"

Husker pushed him back, looking almost horrified as well as angered, "Fucking--would you just stop?!"

Angel Dust stumbled off the bar stool--and the rage flashed across his face for a split second--the bottle was knocked from his hand, shattering on the floor. Charlie made a gasp, standing and walking over, hand over her mouth. Angel himself had to struggle to balance on his feet after that push.

"I don't know why you keep doing this!" Husker shot out, "It's never gonna work on me! I don't care! I don't want you! And Vox--!"

Angel scooped up the neck of the bottle brandishing it wildly, "Do you have any idea how much I am worth! I am Angel Fucking Dust! Anyone would be lucky to sleep with me! People would kill to fuck me! Do you understand?! Do you get it?!"

Angel threw the bottle--Husk just tilting his head as it missed him fairly easily.

"Angel--" Vox tried again, near desperate.

"You know what--" Angel wouldn't look at Vox, just spun around, flipping off the room, "Fuck all of you! I don't need this after the day I had--!" He was leaving, and on the way out, pushed past Vaggie as she entered the hotel, clearly having returned from her long day as well.

"Ah! Angel, watch it!" she stumbled into the lobby, and Charlie rushed to her. She turned around, brow raised, pointing back at him with her thumb, "Where's he going?"

"Out!" Angel shouted, slamming the doors to the hotel.

Vaggie turned, confused, looking around, "What did I just miss?"

"Oh... Vaggie..." Charlie drooped, "It's--It's all my fault... I went to the studio and made a mess of everything... I--"

"No, we've been through this," Vox sighed leaning against the bar in a familiar exhaustion, "It's not your fault. Angel's just... He's struggling and I don't know how to help him."

Alastor felt a grin light up his face in a wonderful idea, "Husk, go after him."

"What?! Why me?!" the cat's hackles rose at the mere idea.

"You antagonized him first," Alastor pointed out. He walked over to Vox and took the drink sitting at the bar to sip from. His serious look rose over the whiskey glass, ordering with no room for arguments, "Drag him back here."

"No!" Charlie cried. Alastor turned to her, and she was deflating somberly. "No, don't... don't force him. Can we--Can we just make sure he's safe?"

Alastor shrugged, before turning his smile back to Husk, "You heard the Princess. Keep an eye on him."

"Fucking--" Husker growled, before throwing the towel over his shoulder onto the bar counter instead, "Fine! The shit I have to put up with..."

"Oh, thank you, Husk...!" Charlie sighed, hand over her heart. Vaggie looked at her worriedly, then over to Vox, who could only give her a pained smile in return. "Now! If you all excuse me, I am off to make a lesson about... boundaries!"

Husk was already leaving. Charlie twirled about, heading back up to her bedroom presumably. Vox sat heavily on a barstool, sighing. Alastor just leaned against the counter, contemplating getting another drink.

"Vox...?"

"Yes?"

"Did... anything happen with Angel while I was gone?"

"Happen?" Vox turned to him, sounding confused.

Alastor let out his own sigh, the squeeze on his heart lessening, "Right. Sorry for asking."

"I just--" Vox leaned on the bar, blinking at Alastor, who turned to give Vox a soft smile, "--what do you mean?"

"Do you still think Valentino uses him the way he wanted to use you?"

Vox dropped his eyes, arms folding over the bar as he too, leaned over it. He pulled up a whiskey bottle from under the counter. He filled up the glass sitting between them.

"I'll say it as many times as you need to hear it--"

"Alastor--"

"It's not your fault. You don't have to save him. Not at the cost of your own peace."

Vox grabbed the glass--and Alastor placed his hand over the top of it. It took a moment, but Vox nodded. 

"Say it, Vox."

"It's not my fault."

"And...?"

Vox let the glass rest between them, hand over his mouth as if it could keep what Alastor wanted to hear at bay.

"Vox--"

"If you want still want to kill Val--" he finally said, slowly, hand coming down to rest between them, shaking, "You have to let me still want to save Angel, then."

Alastor tapped his fingers on the glass in thought, "I suppose... that's fair enough..."

Vox nodded, and the waiting began again.

"We'll have to work on it..." Alastor murmured, staring into the split in Vox's eye, "... won't we?"

"Yeah, 'fraid so."

"Well..." Alastor smiled, small and genuine, "I'm not going anywhere... so..." 

He pushed the glass toward Vox. Vox placed his hand over Alastor's, voice echoey, saying, "Yeah. Me too."

...

Angel Dust knew it was only a matter of time--he was waiting, sitting amongst the table of shark-sinners, purposefully. They lathered him with compliments and attention--but most importantly... they had to be carrying something. Anything was acceptable, as long as he could forget tonight happened. He could stop feeling Val's touch. He could get Charlie's face out of his head. He could stop hearing Vox's soft voice in his ears...

Someone is handing him a drink, it's pink, and he's ready for it, smirking.

And then, the shark sinner is being thrown clean across the bar. Angel starts, surprised, but suddenly, Husker is grabbing him, pulling him out into the cold, putrid street.

"Husk?!" he fights against the grip on his arm, the strength making his blood go warm, "What the fuck are you doing?! Let go!"

Angel Dust is being released, and he stumbles down the sidewalk, farther from the bar. All he can do is turn and glare at the cat, who is glaring back. Said cat is pointing at the bar, accusingly, exclaiming, "That fucker put something in your drink!"

"You think I don't know that?!" Angel scoffs, tossing his hands in the air, "I do this shit all the time!"

Husk looks aghast, "What? You mean just let people drug you?!"

"Why the fuck are you here?!" the spider demands, ignoring his question.

"The fuck you think I'm here for!"

Angel just starts down the sidewalk. There were plenty of places to get fucked up at--this was just the first he found, closest to the hotel. Husk's footsteps sound after him in the damp air, claws on cement.

"Fuck!" Angel yells, spinning around and pointing back to the hotel, "Go back, Husk! Go back to the hotel and fuck off!"

"Not without you!" 

"Oh, like you give a shit...!" Angel glares, bending low into his face.

"You're self-destructing," the cat glowers harder, standing his ground.

Angel Dust practically falls backwards, letting out a cruel laugh, "Oh, I see... still trying to be a stereotypical bartender? Wanna hear all my deep, dark secrets...! Peel back my fake mask? See behind the act?"

"Yeah!" Husk reared up, flapping his wings to reach the spider's eyeline, "Maybe I am! Maybe I would rather get to know the real you rather than this bullshit version of yourself!"

"This is the real me!" Angel's voice broke, snapping back with tears, as he pounded on his own chest, "This... is me, Husk..." 

Husk seemed stunned, falling to his feet as Angel stumbled back. He could blame the alcohol, the drugs, whatever he wanted to later. Currently, the pornstar felt like all the air left his lungs and he leaned against the wall of some dilapidated building behind him, legs nearly giving out with the weight of his own words barring down on him.

"I... I am a mess--" he forced out the words, cradling his face, "I fucked up. I keep fucking up. I--I just want to forget who and what I am... I have to be just this. I can't be more--I'm not more because if I--" Angel shook, looking at his hands now, vision fuzzing in and out, "--if I'm sober too long I'll remember. I'll be reminded that I--I'm not getting out of this alive."

Husk was quiet. Angel shook his head, hugging his body now.

"I'm just waiting to die again--" he confessed, closing his eyes, "I'm just trying to enjoy this while it lasts."

Husk took in a breath. Angel looked at him, ready for the platitudes.

"That's fucking dumb."

"E-Excuse me?" Angel Dust found himself blinking.

Husk shrugged, "You heard me. You're fucking dumb."

"Okay, asshole--" Angel found himself sniffling and quickly wiped at his nose. He walked toward the curb, plopping down sourly, unable to keep standing now, "Kick me while I'm down why don't you."

"That's not what I'm trying to do," Husk padded over, sitting with him, arms hanging over his knees.

"What the fuck are you trying to do, then?" 

Husk sighed, looking up at the hellish night sky, expression falling, "I--I don't know. Just be honest, I guess... and I think you're dumb."

"You are so not helping," Angel wrapped his arms around his legs, feeling coldly sober, sitting on this wet curb.

"You know..." the cat began, "I was an overlord." His eye darted to Angel Dust's shocked face. He grinned a little, "Yeah. I was... and I lost all that power. I gambled away all the souls I owned--so I sold myself to the Radio Demon just to keep what little power I could."

Angel rose a brow, intrigued but ultimately, confused, "And? What does this have to do with me?"

"Well, I just..." he awkwardly scratched the back of his neck, "I know what it's like... in my own ways. Feeling trapped. Losing yourself. Regretting every choice you've made to get to this point."

"Hm..." Angel nodded slowly.

"But... you're different than I am--" Husk let out a huff, leaning back on his arms, "--you have all these people willing to--to help you... ya know, back at the hotel."

Angel stayed silent, looking down at the ground, holding his legs closer.

"That's why I think you're dumb," Husk waved off, back toward the hotel somewhere, "You just... won't be honest, you don't say what you mean. I understand it, sure, but--"

Angel rested his forehead on his knees, "Husk. I'm a fucking a loser. I'm in love with--"

"I know."

Angel blinked, sitting up straighter and looking at him with aplomb.

"I'm sorry... you know?" Angel repeated, turning his body to the cat and grabbing him by his suspenders to shake, "What the fuck do you mean you know?!" 

Husker let himself be shooketh, expression flat, "I mean. You're kinda obvious about it."

"Holy fuck... does--does Vox know?!" 

"I doubt it, to be honest," Husk shrugged.

"Well!" Angel shouted, head bent to the sky as he yelled in frustration, "How do I know if what you say is even true?!"

"Wise old bartender," Husk pointed at himself with a growing smirk.

Angel let go of the suspenders and Husker fell flat onto the sidewalk--a meow escaping him at the impact. Angel started laughing, shaking his head in his hands, "Oh my god... I can't believe I even--"

They were interrupted by the door to the bar opening--a whole group of sharks rushing out. Someone pointed at the pair.

"There they are! Get 'em!"

Husk clucked his tongue, flying up in front of Angel and taking his hands. Angel gasped, once more, by how soft the pads of his palm were--the razor-sharp claws gentle, but no less strong. He left himself be pulled to a car parked on the opposite end of the street while the shark sinners sprayed bullets after them.

"Stay here! I'll take of it!" Husk briefly looked at Angel's wide eyes, before vaulting over said car--explosions and laughter swiftly following his absence. Angel pressed his fingers into his palms, chasing the warmth of the touch now gone.

He shook it off though, hearing Husk's shout of vague pain.

Without much thought, Angel was pulling out his own guns and retaliating. Husk was released from the grip of one of those sinners that Angel Dust had quickly made into pulp. It felt like a blur, fighting back-to-back with the bartender--putting down the fuckers he was not that long ago drinking with. 

When all was said and done, Angel's out of bullets and Husk is out of breath. They are standing among blood and gore and guts--and Angel, absurdly, feels lighter than he has in a long time. It was a familiar moment... almost. In a strangely good way.

"Well... I didn't expect that," Husk stands up straight, stretching out his back.

"I'm in hell for a reason, kitty-cat," Angel Dust tucks his tommy guns away, uncaring of the mess he's made of himself.

Husk doesn't seem to mind the quip, grinning, "You know... if this is the real you... it's not so bad. You should let him out more."

"Yeah... maybe I will..." Angel Dust thinks about it. Awkwardly, he points behind him, "And maybe it's time to split before the coppers show up."

"Back home then?" the cat raises a brow, head tilted toward the hotel.

"Y-Yeah," Angel can feel his face flush, "Walk me home, Husk."

Husk's pupils dilate, but he quickly shakes it off, leading the way to the hotel. Angel catches up to him with those long legs. Shoving his hands decidedly into his pants pocket, Husk sends him a quick look, clearing his throat, "Just so you know, Angel--"

"Yeah, Husk?"

"I, uh..." Husk turns back to the road ahead, expression unreadable, body lax despite being covered in grime and blood as it was, "I'm... kind of a loser, too."

"Are you now...?" the spider starts laughing, not unkind after everything, just amused.

Husk glances at him, mouth almost lifting into a smile, "Yeah. I think so."

They walk in companionable silence for a while. Angel Dust slows his steps so they can walk side by side in the night. Husker keeps his hands to himself--hands decidedly hiding in his pockets. Angel only sneaks a peak once, thinking about how they felt in his.

It had been a long time since he simply wanted to hold someone else's hand.

...

Alastor had not seen a tipsy Vox in a long while. His face flashed through colors, and he was singing. Alastor actually really loved Vox's singing voice--he only heard it when he was drunk tipsy. Vox claimed to never get drunk, but here he was, all over Alastor, murmuring near incoherent in his ear.

Alastor was quick to scoop him up at this stage, settling the bottle back on the bar. As long as Vox was relaxed--content even--Alastor did not mind.

"When you are sick in the morning--" he chuckled, "--you can't be mad at me."

"Yes, I can!" Vox declared, throwing his arms around Alastor's neck.

"Let's get you to bed..." he suggested, smiling down at the television-man in his arms. 

Vox was already cupping Alastor's face, a very pleased smile on his bright face, "I like that we share a bed."

"Mmhm," Alastor agreed, already heading toward the staircase. Vaggie and Charlie were walking down at the same time.

"Oh, Alastor!" Charlie skipped down the last couple of steps, stopping to inspect Vox humming in his arms. "Is Vox okay?"

"We drank a little too much," Alastor said, knowing he hadn't had as much as Vox.

"Oh... poor Vox...!" she reached for him, and Alastor stepped back a little.

"I wouldn't--he's clingy when drunk."

"Tipsy!"

"Yes, sorry, darling--" Alastor's voice lilted amused, "Tipsy."

Vaggie snorted, while the Princess just nodded seriously.

"I'm going to take him to bed--" he went to explain.

Once more, the door to the hotel opened, and he turned. As expected, Husk and Angel Dust came strolling in. They seemed to be in good spirits, smiling at one another, speaking quietly. They stopped, realizing everyone seemed to be awake.

Charlie was the first to run up--grabbing the spider around the waist and blubbering her apologies into his midriff. Angel didn't respond at first, looking stunned. The girl pulled back continuing, "I'm so, so, so, so, so--"

"Charlie...!" he stopped her, hands coming down to her shoulders, "It's okay. I'm okay."

"Can you ever forgive me?" she sniffled.

"Yeah, I forgive you," he nodded, patting her shoulders now.

Charlie pulled away, rubbing at the tears spilling from her eyes, "D-Did you hear that, Vaggie?!"

"Yep, I'm right here--" the other woman started, but Charlie draped herself over Vaggie, sobbing happily. Vaggie let out an, "Ooop!" and quickly picked up the Princess, who turned into a koala as she held her girlfriend.

"He--He forgave meeeee...!" she sounded so relieved, "Friendship is so beautiful...!"

Vaggie gave everyone a nod, "Right. To bed with you too, missy! We've all had a long day...!"

Alastor looked over at the pair, pausing. Angel Dust's eyes landed on Vox, who was slowly losing his ability to stay awake. That was probably why he was humming, fingers dancing along the nape of Alastor's neck. 

"Tipsy?" the sinner asked, brow raised.

"Tipsy," Alastor acknowledged.

Angel Dust chuckled, arms crossing over his chest as he glanced away, "Guess he doesn't need me to watch out for him anymore..."

"Did you go out often...?" Alastor inquires, hands grasping just a little tighter, a little more unsure.

"He... really missed you."

"Oh..."

Angel shrugged, finally bringing his eyes back to Alastor seriously, "We looked out for one another while you were gone... and he always said you would be back. I just didn't believe him."

"Did--"

"He was a perfect gentleman," Angel said primly, arms dropping as he smoothed down his blood-covered clothes, "And I may be a porn-star and a slut, but I ain't a homewrecker."

Alastor hummed, turning away. He glanced down at Vox, breath evening out as the whiskey had finally lulled him to sleep. He sighed, closing his own eyes to admit, "I don't like how much his care for you puts him in danger... how it reopens wounds made by Valentino... but... your companionship helps, strangely."

Angel was quiet behind him.

"Begrudging..." Alastor tilted his head toward Angel, "You have my thanks... I'm sorry, but it's all you can have of him."

"I--" Angel blinked, surprised he wasn't torn to pieces already, "I think I am actually okay with that."

"Good night, Angel Dust--" Alastor said, walking away, barely nodding to the pair, "Husk."

"Night, boss," the cat waved off.

Angel's voice sounded playful, "Well then... how about a nightcap, Mr. Bartender?"

"Sure, but that'll be last call."

"Ah, serving the best for last...!"

Their laughter floated through the hotel, warm, and Alastor hummed to himself now. The song Vox had tried to sing was an oldie, a love song of some kind. It was now an unfortunate earworm... but Alastor didn't mind. He would play it on his broadcast until it faded, like an audible nightlight for the hotel.

It wasn't a bad way to end the night.

TBC...

Chapter Text

Episode 5: Too Many Dads

Alastor yawned, stretching. Vox muttered something, his stuffed shark falling over his face. The Radio Demon sat up, straddling his beloved. He carefully set the plush aside, checking Vox's face. Vox started to blurrily come to life, blinking.

"Good morning, darling," Alastor leaned over, fingers stroking along the edges of a flickering screen.

"Morning..." he mumbled, "What time is it...?"

Alastor glanced over to an analog clock--surprised to see it was 10 o'clock exactly. He hummed, "Seems we slept in. It's 10 AM."

"Let's stay in bed all day..." he sighed, arms flopping to either side of him like a starfish, "I'm exhausted!"

"I told you not to work all night."

"But I'm sooooo close to cracking the exorcist mask...!" Vox was whining, ignoring the way Alastor's ears flicked lightly.

He plopped down, tapping the middle of a fuzzy screen, "You need to focus on something else for a while. Take a break from that thing."

"I guess..." Vox sighed, taking Alastor by the wrist to stop his (anxious?) tapping, "But if I can figure it out before the extermination--"

"What? Do you think you might be able to disarm the exorcists?" Alastor tilted his head, curious, but no longer scolding.

"Well, that or blind them--confuse them. It's definitely used as face shield so..." Vox shrugged, trailing off tiredly.

Alastor smirked, leaning in to leave a lingering kiss, "You are very clever, my love... I'm sure you'll figure it out soon."

Vox hummed in vague agreement, hands running along his beloved distracted him this lazy morning.

...

Alastor and Vox were heading downstairs--Vox on the Radio Demon's arm as he was directing the drones about during this apparently exciting morning. There were banners, streamers, a table with refreshments--all the staff and residents in attendance. While Alastor was taking the time to glance around, mostly unimpressed, Vox broke off to head over to Vaggie, sending a drone somewhere, as he asked with growing interest, "What's going on?"

"Oh! Charlie called her dad--" she explained, before scrunching her brows and pointing at the two demons with wary, "--wait, where have you guys been all morning?"

"Uh--!" Vox looked away, screen brightening before glitching like it was having technical difficulties.

"Vox was editing all night so I let him sleep in," Alastor smoothly lied. Only Angel Dust sent a leer towards them, sitting on the refreshment table.

"Well," Vaggie sighed, eying her girlfriend that was lint rolling Razzle and Dazzle, "Charlie also was up all night, too. She's stressed about the hotel."

"Why?" Vox tilted his head, face fixed when he tapped the side of it, and graphs popped up, "We're doing really well with the ratings! I'm talking to Peppermint about creating a website for extras, merch, and sign-up programs for season 2!"

Vaggie crossed her arms, "You didn't run that by me or Charlie yet!"

"Well, I am now," Vox tapped his face again, nails making a satisfying clack as his grin split the screen, "Plus, it's just an idea, Vee!"

"Don't call me that," Vaggie gave him a deadpan glare.

Vox couldn't help but tsk, pout forming unconsciously, "It just works so well, though...!"

"You know, I would love to see Velvette duke it out with Vaggie for favorite Vee--" Alastor mused, hand under his chin as his eyes deviously darkened at the thought, "Would be very entertaining to watch."

"My name is Vaggie--" she insisted, hands making an X across her body, "Call me Vaggie."

"Vee is such a cute nickname though..." Vox muttered, and Angel Dust snickered behind him. Briefly, he made eye contact with Alastor as Vox continued to sulk at this constant rejection of his affections. Both of them seemed to give a fond, if bemused sigh, while Alastor gave Vox a pat on the back for sympathy for his bruised pride.

"Okay, guys!" Charlie suddenly tossed the lint roller over her shoulder, spinning to everyone, and bounding for the door, "My dad is gonna be here soon, so let's show him all that we're doing and--and--! Ahhh...! I'm so nervous!"

Alastor turned to her, hands folding behind his back now, to sedately follow her into the entrance to the hotel, "Whatever for, dear?"

"It's just... it's been a long time!" Charlie gulped, pausing to fidget with her coat jacket.

"You gave the speech at the last Overlord Gala--" Vox recalled, voice lilting in confusion as he stood to the other side of her, confused, "You didn't see him then?"

Charlie shook her head, eyes dropping, "No... he just... called me. That's all he does. He calls--asks me for something random... and I don't see him. I haven't seen him since--" She began counting on her fingers, "--Gosh! It's been at least two centuries, I think."

"That--" Vox's voice came out, a little strangled, and Alastor hid a more sardonic smile behind his hand, "That is a long time, sweetheart."

"Oh! No, no...!" she waved off, "That isn't even the longest time! The longest was after my mom first left him--uh... yeah. I didn't seem him until I was, like, 15 or whatever."

"When did your mom leave him again?" Vaggie asked, cautious and gentle with her questioning (maybe she knew, but she certainly did not want to open any emotional wounds from the topic).

Charlie shrugged, "I was a kid. Really little. Barely in my 2nd or 3rd hundreds."

"So... when you say 15--" Angel began, frowning as he started mentally calculating ages of the people in the hotel.

"My 15-hundreds, yeah."

"Well--" Vox blinked, coming over to put a hand on her shoulder and possibly change the subject so his once more mortal mind would stop itself from imploding from so much information, "--the important thing is he's showing up today! He's... trying?"

The Princess nodded, looking up at Vox with a grateful look in her eyes, "Yeah. I have wonderful memories of him... and I've been trying, too! To build a better relationship with him--I try not to ask him for much, so I'm just... I really want him to see what I am doing and give me his blessing, at least."

Alastor hummed to himself, a plan already forming.

...

Vox stood beside Alastor, eyes narrowing. He could feel the shift in the air--Alastor's ears twisting to attention in front of him. The devious, beautiful bastard was planning something. Vox knew it--the static zinging around him nearly imperceptible to anyone who wasn't aware of electromagnetic and static radio waves in the unique way he was suited to catching.

Vox barely had time to look over Charlie's head to catch the extreme shit-eating grin on Alastor's face.

"Alright...!" Charlie whispered, as she bounced away from them and to front doors, "Showtime!"

She opened the door--almost anticlimactically quick--and Vox was surprised to see a very short humanoid all dressed in white. The top hat and apple cane stood out before he recognized so many of Charlie's features in him--mostly the cheeks and eyes. His hair was a touch more golden, but the grin was very endearing... but Vox probably had a thing for razor sharp smiles.

"Charlie!" Lucifer--as Vox assumed it was based on nothing more than it had to be the King of Hell if this was Charlie's father--exclaimed, excited. He launched up, squeezing the girl tight, "OH! It's so good to see you!"

Vox couldn't hide his own growing grin.

Lucifer was fucking adorable.

"G-Good to see you too, dad...!" she wheezed, patting his back. He leapt off her, but remained focused on staring at his daughter--and it hit Vox suddenly, that despite Charlie's earlier comments... he clearly adored her.

Vox thought about it--Lucifer was often an absent figure in Hell--or at least, in the entire time Vox had been in Hell. Even for things like the Overlord Gala's--one of the sins normally gave a speech, rotating out, and or sometimes an Ars Goetia... Charlie, as Princess, was the first of the Royal family to actually interact more with lowly sinners than Lucifer (Vox had been a powerful overlord for a good number of years now, and this was the first he has actually seen of this mythical, biblical figure himself). 

"Welcome--to the Hazbin Hotel!" Charlie swept her arm out to the lobby behind her, ushering Lucifer in.

He gasped when Kiki walked up to him, and he stooped down to pet the sentient key, "Aw, hello Kiki!" This of course, was followed by Razzle and Dazzle flying in, and he took them in his arms as well, "Razzle and Dazzle! Are you two taking care of my little girl? You better be--!"

Vox blinked at the low threat, suddenly a little uncertain as he glanced at Alastor while the King snickered, shooing away his own creations. The Radio Demon's eyes just narrowed, watching the Devil himself, as the small man walked in, glancing around with an anxious energy.

"Wow...!" Lucifer was clearly doing his best to find kind words for his daughter, staring at Nifty's suspicious looking cookies that were suddenly presented to him, "This place sure looks... uh. Huh." He moved away from the refreshments, taking in the scenery. "Yeah... It has got a lot of... character!"

Lucifer turned, startling himself--pointing mostly at Alastor's contributions to the hotel, namely, the bar (to be fair, it is fairly gaudy in comparison to all the royal red decor, suffused with dark magic). "Whoa! What in the name of unholy Hell is that?!"

"Oh... just some of the renovations we've made to the hotel," Alastor explained, his shadows moving unnaturally as he walked over. Vox tried to nonchalantly saunter after him, drones hovering around inconspicuous.

"And you are?" Lucifer questioned, brow raised.

Alastor used the shadows to materialize behind him suddenly--the King spinning around so as not to be caught unaware. Alastor was fast enough to grab the apple-adorned staff coming at him to shake in place of a hand, "Alastor! Pleasure to be meeting you--quite a pleasure!"

Alastor was already wiping off his hand on his coat, despite having not touched Lucifer at all. Lucifer seemed to scramble, trying to right himself after the Radio Demon's trickery. All Vox could do was sigh, watching the interaction carefully--trying to figure out what game his beloved was playing.

"You know it's nice to finally put a face to the name!" Alastor continued, and Lucifer's face fell the longer he went on. Alastor's fingers scrunched together as he looked through them at the devil, "You're much shorter than I thought you would be, though."

"Who--" Lucifer looked around, confused, even as Charlie came up, grabbing Vox by the arm and dragging him to better stand beside Alastor, "Who is this guy? The bellhop?"

"Oh, no! I run the hotel!" Alastor laughed, spreading out his arms, "The host, you could say!"

Vox rolled his eyes, and Lucifer looked over at him, gaze sharpening, "And what are you then? A walking check-in desk?"

Alastor's eye twitched.

"In a manner of speaking!" Vox held a hand over his heart, ignoring the way it almost stopped beating at such a serious look. He decided to give one of his more genuine smiles in an attempt to disarm him, "My name is Vox. I am Alastor's partner."

"Right..." Lucifer now eyed the drones hovering at Vox's shoulders. Vox lifted his hand, shooing them away effortlessly.

"Forgive Alastor's showboating--" Vox demurred, holding out his hand for a proper shake, "While he takes care of the day-to-day at the hotel, I help by promoting it and maintaining its media presence."

"Media?" Lucifer asked, pulling a face as he glanced at Charlie. He still had yet to take Vox's hand. Charlie just nodded eagerly. The King looked back at Vox, readying to finally grasp him, when Alastor suddenly walked between the two, twirling his cane.

"Yes!" he began, smug, "Perhaps you know of my radio show--or Vox's own programs?"

Lucifer snatches his hand back, eyes wide. He shakes off the interruption, brushing down his arms instead, "Mm! Nope! I guess that's why Charlie called it the Hazbin Hotel!"

Lucifer nudged his daughter, letting out a laugh at his attempt at a joke, who only looked worried.

"Hahaha!" Alastor joined in, glancing down at his nails unimpressed, "It was actually my idea."

"Haha!" Lucifer was pretending to hold his stomach from obviously fake laughter, "Well it's not very clever is it?!"

"HA HA!" Alastor's nose was scrunching, and he bent into the King's space--and Lucifer for his part just grinned manically back at the demon, "Fuck you."

"WOAH--!" Charlie jumped between them, while Vox's hand that was held out to shake was now pressed over his mouth. The Princess continued, loud, de-escalating, "Okay, okay! Anyway--!"

Charlie sent a quick glance to Vox, who just nodded subtly, eyes turning to his beloved. Charlie was already moving her father to see more of the parlor. Vox grasped Alastor by the back of the coat, "What are you--?"

"Just go with it, dear--" Alastor sent him a much less frustrated smile, voice imperceptible to any besides Vox because of the radio waves, "--It's for Charlie in the end."

"Hm," Vox mumbled, letting go of him, to place his hands on his hips, "Sure. Like I believe that..."

He then focused on Charlie's voice as it wafted back over to the Media Demons, sounding soft and grateful, "--without Alastor and Vox, we wouldn't have been able to make it look so nice or get the word out there about it!"

"Well--!" Alastor looped his arm through Vox's, meandering over to Charlie and having the two of them lay a hand on either of her shoulders as they stood behind her. Alastor was grinning down at Lucifer, specifically, but Vox focused on how Charlie glanced up at him and gave him a grateful smile. "Charlie has a unique version... and we are more than happy to fullfill any and all of her requests!"

"Oh, thank you, Alastor--" Charlie looked over at him touched, lifting one hand and holding onto Vox's, "--Vox. I'm happy you're here."

"Charlie is quite an impressive young lady!" Alastor continued pointedly, staring at Lucifer in challenge.

Vox nodded, agreeing as he caught on soon enough, "We're very proud of her for following her dreams."

"Ahem!" Lucifer's fake cough almost went into a wheeze, "Charlie! Dear!" The King steam rolled over Charlie, pushing her out of Alastor and Vox's arms, and toward the other residents just watching the drama from the refreshment table. "Why don't you introduce to your OTHER friends?"

"Oh, yes! Of course!" Charlie quickly grabbed the shorter, more judgmental woman of the pair, "This is Vaggie--my girlfriend!"

Lucifer gasped, "Oh! You like girls! Well--Well me too! We have a lot in common! So much!"

Vox winced when Lucifer hugged Vaggie suddenly, laughing with a nervous energy, "Put'er there, Maggie! Hi! Hello!" He let go, hands fidgeting, stuttering, "She's p-pretty... Yes! Hi. Heh heh heh?"

"Oh, thanks..." Vaggie shook off the too exuberant hug, looking a little uncertain, "Lovely to meet you too, sir."

Charlie was quick to turn her father towards the two sinners picking up their own snacks, "And these are our guests! Sir Pentious and Angel Dust!"

"Your majesty!" Sir Pentious saluted.

"Heya, short King," Angel winked.

Lucifer just waved, looking uncomfortable.

"And that's Husk, our bartender!" Charlie pointed out the cat slouching beside Angel. Nifty was running out from under the table, so Charlie waved at her, "And that's Nifty!"

Nifty jumped up, grabbing the white lapels of the King with a giggle, "I clean."

No sooner had she said this, than the chandelier fell not a few feet away from the group. A large, dark cloud of dust swept through the area, suffusing everyone in the filthy haze. Coughing sounded from all the residents... except for Lucifer, chuckling to himself.

"Alright then..." he smiled wide, sliding over to Charlie, "Looks like you could use some help!"

Charlie just smiled when he gave her a side hug, sweeping his arms out to the area.

"You know, as the boss of Hell, all you need is a couple of Pentagrams and--" he waved his hands magically over the area, lifting the chandelier, adding sparkling magic throughout the air as he "cleaned" up the lobby, a deep glow lighting all he touched, "Wap--Bam--And boom!"

Razzle and Dazzle circled around him as he did so, and he poked at one of their noses, teasing as he looked back at her, "Usually we charge a sacrificial lamb, but you'll get the family rate!"

"Thanks, dad...!" Charlie looked slightly unsure, eying the fixtures Lucifer began adding to. She sent a glance over to Alastor and Vox--perhaps checking in on them. Alastor glaring more and more, but Vox could only gawk at the incredible power the Devil was flexing.

Lucifer noticed, pushing past the two of them, nose up in the air, "Who needs busboys when you've got a chef at your disposal? I can get you champagne fountains and mountains of caviar...!"

He spun around--snapping his fingers as said expensive and decadent items fell onto the refreshment tables, displaying the poor sinners there.

"And that's just to start!"

"Who has been here since day one, dear?" Alastor asked, tugging Vox behind him as the stood on either side of the Devil, "We've been more faithful than nuns!"

In a show of his own power, Alastor snapped his fingers, and Vox glanced down to see they were in nun uniforms. "Ah. Great. Thanks Al..."

"We've laughed, we've cried together!" Alastor ignored him, clothes changing back as he walked away from Lucifer twirling his cane, "Vox is your producer and I'm your steadfast hotelier! Remember all the things we fixed just yesterday?"

"That's true..." Charlie nodded, smile grateful, and more confident on her face. 

Vox went to shucking off the nun costume--relieved his clothes were on underneath the habit--while Alastor walked up to Charlie and took her hands in his. Lucifer narrowed his eyes at the Radio Demon before turning to Vox... who could only shrug as he smoothed down his sweater vest. 

"Over these past few months, I feel we have created such a bond, Charlie!" Alastor went on, vaguely turning to give Vox a little smirk. He cradled her face similar to how Vox often does, "Sometimes I think of you as our own hellish spawn..."

Ah. Time to put his acting skills to the test.

Vox looked back at Lucifer, embarrassed he was really about to say this to the Devil, but Alastor said he had a plan... so Vox glanced away, mumbling behind his hands, "We really do care for her--I've always kind of wanted a daughter..."

"You know, you could almost call us your dads!" Alastor declared.

"Hold on now--!" Lucifer practically jumped, rushing over to Charlie whose eyes sparkled up at Alastor, but Alastor twisted her away--hand out to the rest of the hotel.

"You know, they say when you are looking for assistance..." the Radio Demon took her by the shoulders, almost insistent, "It is best to choose the past of least resistance."

Lucifer, not to be forgotten, pushed Alastor away as a set of six wings exploded from his back. Vox barely reached him in time to keep Alastor from falling on his surprised ass. Lucifer grabbed Charlies hands exclaiming, "Others say in your needy hour to call upon pure angelic power!"

Vox was stunned, never having seen such a thing before--Lucifer lifting off the ground and was practically floating around Charlie, gaining her wide-eyed attention. The wings were gorgeous--pure white outside, with a ruby down inside, beating powerfully and creating little whirl winds. Vox, unfortunately felt the deep reverb of Alastor's growl under his hands.

"--And! Charlie! I just so happen to be your blood!" Lucifer continued, wildly desperate.

Charlie looked uncertain, and Alastor was already grabbing the girl and moving her away from her father's very presence, "Yes, well, sadly sometimes birth parents are duds! Trust me, I would know--the family you choose is much better--!"

"Yeah, well--you're a loser!" Lucifer took Charlie's hand and tugged her away.

"Excuse me--" Alastor tugged her back, "We're talking here!"

"No!" Lucifer argued, flying above Charlie to glare down at Alastor now, "She called me and we're--"

"Well, I was here first--without having to be asked!" 

"OH YOU TACKY PIECE OF--"

The front door burst open suddenly--a loud bang that rained now a new plume of dust much like confetti and a sinner slid into the hotel, dressed like a 1920's flapper. She was very short, nearly human looking save the pitch-dark eyes and red pupils. 

"It's meeeeee...!" she cried in a heavy Jersey accent, unaware of the mounting tension in the hotel lobby, "I've arrived at last!"

...

Everyone stared, the absolute whiplash from angry ranting and one-upping to a sudden joyful introduction from a bombastic woman. Only Lucifer spoke after a whole awkward 10-second rewiring of everyone's concentration, asking seriously, "Who are you?"

"Mimzy!" Alastor greeted, leaving Lucifer, who floated back down to the ground. Charlie took a breather, being let go by both men now.

The Radio Demon opened his arms readily and Mimzy walked into them, cooing, "Alastor! Sweetie! Dollface! How ya been? Got caught up with the latest tech, last I heard...!"

As they hugged, the airwaves hummed and Vox walked up, bending down to the smaller woman when she stepped back. She looked up at him with a bit of grin, eying him up and down--which Alastor became wary of immediately.

"And I have heard many things about you, Ms. Mimzy!" Vox held out a hand for her to lie in his palm. He brought up the back of her hand and placed a soft kiss there--and she nearly swooned.

"Oh...! It's probably all true if you're interested...!" she offered. He had not told Vox much about her checkered past. It was entirely littered with the bodies of men she had fallen for that were often... not the kindest souls. 

"Mimzy--" Alastor started before sighing, then sent a look to Vox, who merely rose a brow, standing up straight (and probably thanking whoever that Mimzy had come in and distracted the entire hotel from Alastor's earlier display... but now Alastor had to contend with the fact Vox's charming face was on once again).

"Oh, what are you worried for?" she waved off, "You know I like 'em married! Easier to extort, right?" She went to elbowing Alastor, who tried his damnedest not to sigh. Vox hummed, blinking at her as she twisted herself cutely. "But, I wouldn't do that to my bestie!"

"Oh! Are you a friend of Alastor's?" Charlie piped up, hopping over quickly and looking at the sinner with hope, "Are you here to stay at the hotel?"

"Sure, sure...!" Mimzy said as she sidled up to the girl, "Me and Alastor go way back to when we were alive!" Charlie looked at her with wide eyes as Mimzy elbowed her, "Ran in the same circles more or less! Use to frequent the bar I performed at!"

"Preformed, hm?" Vox inquired, looking at her appraisingly. 

Alastor fisted his hands behind his back, saying pointedly, "Mimzy was quite the it gal back in her heyday."

"Watch it Mr. Tall, Dark, and Creepy--" she spun around, wiggling her fingers before winking at Vox, "I'm still in my prime. Better, in fact."

"Well, why don't you introduce yourself to the others then?" he suggested, hiding the budding annoyance at her obvious flirtations. 

As she peered around Vox, she gasped--seeing Lucifer was unmistakable--and of course, his gold ring glinted on his finger enticingly. Which was nearly a relief, since her target seemed to switch automatically. She softly punched Alastor as she moved past him, "Alastor! You have to warn a girl when she's in mixed company!"

Lucifer's face twisted as she ran up to him and curtsied deeply, "Your majesty...!"

"Oh, yes! Hello!" the Devil quickly fixed himself, holding out a hand.

"Mimzy, your highness! Your grace...!"

"Uh, charmed... I'm sure," he said when she took his hand nearly reverently.

Alastor did sigh then, the airwaves thrumming about him, and Vox glanced over, looking relieved in a way. He held out his hand for Alastor--who would have taken the offering--but Mimzy spun past them, eying the hotel critically now.

"So, what is the King of Hell doing in this tacky place?"

"Oh!" Charlie smiled, holding out her hand, "It's mine! I was just about to give a tour of the rest of it to my dad!"

"And Vox and I were about to accompany you!" Alastor injected, pushing Vox to stand with Charlie as he wheeled around to Mimzy, smile too wide, "Why don't you relax and we'll catch up in a bit?"

"Oh, I'm sure Charlie is more than capable on her own!" Lucifer grasped Charlie, already walking away. 

Alastor used his shadow to travel and stand in their way, taking Charlie by the elbow and tsking, "Nonsense! We started the hotel together, we'll show it off together!"

"Uh, actually--" the girl tried to say, but Alastor ignored her.

He glanced back at Vox, who was now walking with a subdued Vaggie--both of them giving a thumbs up. Each of the partners went to stand by their significant other as Charlie enthusiastically began her tour around the rest of the hotel. Lucifer did not seem to mind much, listening and looking at his daughter with big eyes.

Alastor didn't know why... but his antlers grew the tiniest bit. His teeth itched.

...

The tour was underway upstairs when Husk rounded upon them. Alastor stopped, and waved off the group, "Go on, I'll catch up."

Vox waited a second, but the Radio Demon just gave him a determinded nod.

So, Vox continued, now walking beside the Devil--not to put too fine a point on the fact this is the King of Hell--Lucifer. Involuntarily, he straightened his back and tried to keep his eyes forward... but every so often, they would dart back down to see Lucifer's face.

It was... honestly very lovely. Endearing. Pale, sharp, beautiful. Nearly flawless, timeless, even. Inhumanely breathtaking and Vox--fuck, Vox was having a hard time not looking. He knew, logically, from stories that Lucifer was an angel--that angels were beings made of grace and starlight and beauty and--

Well, so on and so forth. 

Vox felt entirely small and unworthy--despite being a very powerful overlord, being taller, being... well, what he was, he was suddenly feeling a little shaky. The whole idea that Charlie was Princess of Hell sank in just then. 

If Vox made one wrong move--that was it for him, for Alastor. Even now, the accursed Radio Demon might be a touch too reckless, fearless even... but Vox, ultimately, was a bundle of insecure wiring and anxiety ridden electricity, if he was honest with himself.

Somehow, at this point, the Princess had taken her father to the balcony, explaining, "--and we nearly found all the drugs Angel's been hiding!"

"Angel's been hiding drugs?" Vox asked, brain coming back to him stupidly.

Vaggie just raised a brow at him, leaning against the railing of the balcony.

Charlie stood before her father, arms out to the side similar to how Vox attempted to gain people's favors, hopeful, "So, what do you think?"

Lucifer was staring at his daughter--before shaking his head, apparently also coming back to his own brain. He turned around, hands on the rail of the balcony and shook it, "Uh, not very sturdy. Little too low! One good push and woop! Splat! Right to the ground!"

Vaggie stopped leaning, and Vox shook his head, holding it.

"No, daaad!" Charlie whined, frustrated as she tugged at her own hair, "Not about--I'm asking you about the hotel! What I am trying to do here! What do you think?!"

Lucifer took one hand off the railing, holding over his heart, uncertain, "I, uh... Charlie... I don't know. What are you even trying to do?"

"I'm trying to save our people, dad!" she shot back, impassioned, before her whole figure nearly deflated, "Haven't you been listening?"

Vox knew he probably hadn't been. He had just been basking in Charlie's attention... Vox recognized the look that flash across his face--loneliness--and he remembered some of those old Bible study groups he use to be in. Maybe Milton hadn't been wrong, painting the fallen angel as a sympathetic figure after all.

"Our people...?" Lucifer repeated, voice losing its luster before he grasped his chest, wheezing, "They're--They're awful! They got gifted free will and look what they did with it!" His arm swung out past the railing, over the image of the ransacked, cluttered, hazy landscape that was the Pride Ring, "Everything's terrible!"

He clutched his hat, clearly looking on the verge of a panic attack--which Vox knew very well--before shaking his head.

"Dad...?" Charlie sounded let down, confused.

"Look, I--" Lucifer tried to snap himself out of it, brushing down his coat, "I love that you wanna see the best in people but--" he waved over Vox, who was coming up to stand behind Charlie and place a hand on her shoulder in sympathy, "These sinners are the worst. They don't really care about you."

Vox felt Charlie still beneath his hand. The truth of his statement almost hurt--Vox sighing, as Lucifer glared at him lightly--so Vox began to lift his hand away.

Charlie, surprisingly, grabbed on to him--nails digging into his skin.

"You don't know," she said, not quite bitter but close enough, "You've haven't been here."

"Charlie...!" Vox gasped, surprised by the vehemence in her voice.

"I'm not asking you to approve--" the Princess almost sniffled, but her voice was strong, "I just need to speak with Heaven. What's happening down here is terrible. There has to be another way."

"Charlie--!" Lucifer looked even more startled, beginning with a wide-eyed look.

The whole hotel was suddenly shifting to the side--the sound of explosion occurring down at the side of the building. All of the occupants on the balcony rushed to it's edge, looking down. 

There were a group of loan-sharks, dressed in mafia attire, and the strongest, bulkiest ones--

"Ahh, bull sharks...!" Vox's eyes lit up when he recognized them. Charlie let out a fond, if bemused sigh beside him.

--were trying to ram down the front doors. Another few were lobbing explosives and busting down the side walls.

"Hammerheads, Charlie!" Vox pointed at the ones holding dynamite.

"Thanks, Vox," she patted his shoulder, "Let's get down there...!"

They all turned about, Vaggie jogging beside Vox to say, "You know they aren't real sharks, right?"

"Real enough down here!" Vox shrugged, "I never got to see any when I was alive!"

"Any...?" Vaggie asked, curious, huffing, "You said you lived in coastal cities...?"

Vox didn't answer. He didn't want to talk about his home life. Lucifer glanced at him briefly, raising a brow to ask, "Sharks? You're excited about--"

"I'm not excited!" Vox cried out, clearly lying as a grin split his face.

...

Alastor was not pleased with Husker--having to stalk off and cool down a moment. He was aware Mimzy was a user. That she had bad habits when alive... and worse when dead. She suckered him in before--taking care of a damsel in distress was his hardest earthly habit to break. 

Of course, when the whole hotel shuddered, he knew instantly what was wrong. Someone was clearly coming for the flapper. Alastor materialized downstairs, in time to see Sir Pentious scoop up the panicking Nifty. She was trying to clean as pieces of the building were blown into the lobby. That same chandelier crashed not far away--Mimzy hiding behind the bar--Husker having grabbed Angel Dust and flipping over the couch to avoid a spray of bullets from the new opening in the side of the building.

"Who are these guys?!" Angel shouted.

"Just give us the broad and we'll leave!"

"Mimzy--" Husker growled, "Who'd you piss off this time?!"

Alastor stood amidst the chaos, feeling his bones crack unhurriedly in this atmosphere. 

"Nobody important!" she insisted... then squeaked when a stray bullet imbedded itself into the wall above her head. "Okay, okay! I owe a couple-a sharks some money...!"

Husker glared over at Alastor, who was just rubbing his aching forehead now.

"You bitch! You'll pay for what you did!"

Mimzy nervous played with the fringe of her dress, "... I might have also stolen his car... and ran over his girlfriend--but that bitch had it coming!"

Vaggie slid into the scene, spear in hand. Mimzy went back to hiding. Pentious was trying to keep Nifty from entering the area and getting squashed by debris. Husker huddled with Angel, both avoiding the downfall of more debris. Charlie and her dad were just behind Vox--who zoomed in with a wide smile.

"Haha! Sharks!" 

Another explosive landed at Vox's feet. Alastor almost startled--but Vox, clearly uncaring, kicked it back from where it came. Some of the mafia sharks ducked--one was not so lucky, catching it in his hands. He looked down at it, fins drooping. He exploded into a fine mist a second later as the wick reached the end of the dynamite.

Vox zapped forward, arms out as he caught a fin--only to turn and wave it at Charlie, "Look! This a black tip reef fin! These guys are so cute! I love them!"

Well, at least Vox was having fun.

"Vox! Stay back!" Vaggie sounded aghast, rushing forward as the mafia sharks creeped closer, eyes narrowed at Vox's back.

"Huh? Why?" he asked, turning his head behind him as if he could not fathom the very real and present danger.

"Actually, my dear--" Alastor felt himself elongate and stalk to the crumbling wall--pulling himself out of the building as the mafia sharks scattered across the gravel, "It's time I remind everyone not to mess with the Radio Demon."

"Alastor, wait up!" Vox called after him--zapping up and landing on one of his tentacles. He pointed at another sinner excited, "Oh! That one's a tiger shark! They are very aggressive!"

Alastor smashed his overly large fist on said-sinner-shark. Vox zapped over to the other side, "That one is a thrasher--" Alastor focused on the voice guiding him rather than the itchy feeling... until Vox was sitting placidly on his head, holding an antler with a tender, careful grip, "That's a Great White like Brucie! Iconic!"

Vox's excited static carried over the screams--or maybe mixed in with the screams--and it was... soothing, strangely.  It released all that concerning feelings of needing to maim, to kill, to dominate...

Alastor was huffing, the mafia sharks scattered about the courtyard, no more than limbs and blood and pulp. Vox was sliding down the tentacles retreating back into Alastor's back as the Radio Demon's body slowly shifted to its normal height. His own silly TV Demon went to scampering about and collecting any fins he could find, face bright and ecstatic.

"Alastor! Can you make me shark fin soup tonight?!"

Alastor let out a breath, feeling all the tension in him ease at the sight--and other parts of him grow warm by this request. 

"I didn't realize how much I needed that..." Alastor wiped off his hands, crackling his knuckles carefully. Vox was laughing--walking back to him with a precarious stack of fins--and Alastor used his shadow magic to transport the fins to the kitchen for now.

They had barely made it back to the rubble opening for the hotel when Charlie's voice carried, angry.

"--stop it, dad!" she demanded, hands thrown out to the pair. Vox stopped walking, blinking, and Alastor watched as Lucifer flinched when Charlie rounded on the King, hugging herself. "How come they believe in me when my own father can't?!"

"Charlie...!" he cried, wheeze in his voice as he reached out, but she stepped back. "You don't understand--Heaven never listens. They didn't listen to me, they're not going to listen to you."

"You don't know that!" 

"I do!" Lucifer emphasized, clutching his chest. He glanced around the hotel, at all the destruction and sinners. Shaking his head sadly, he turned from her, "You weren't born yet but... I tried this all before..."

Vox took Alastor's hand, as he watched Charlie's face slowly fall. Alastor sighed, holding tight. Alastor was becoming aware that Vox was becoming attached to the Princess... he didn't know how to cease it from growing further, exactly.

"My dreams were too hard to defend--" Lucifer's palm lit up in a golden light, staring sadly at it... he tossed it to the ground. Charlie looked down, kneeling to pick it up. Lucifer stopped her, "--and in the end, I decided I would rather not lose the only thing worth fighting for."

He picked her up from the ground, grasping her hands and staring up at her with frightened eyes. Alastor could almost pity the man... almost.

"More than anything," Lucifer promised, "I will shelter you. I adore you, Charlie... More than anything."

Charlie shook her head, "Dad... I don't need you to protect me from this."

"I just don't want you to be crushed by them like--" his shoulders drooped, as did his eyes as he let go of her hands, voice no more than a breath, "--like I was..."

"When I was young... I didn't really know you at all," the Princess confessed, hand over her heart, "I was small... but the stories you told me? I remember them all. I was enthralled--these tales about all your lofty dreams? I imagined it could be me."

Lucifer looked back up at his daughter's hopeful face, eyes wet as she reached out to him.

"In the end, it was you that made me believe that this dream can be worth fighting for--" Charlie swept her hand back out to the hotel, the unharmed, smiling residents standing among the debris and carcasses, "--more than anything... I need to save my people."

Lucifer pressed a hand to his eyes, swiping away tears, a bit of life coming back to them He sighed, "I've been dying to find out who you are."

"I've been waiting--wanting the same," Charlie told him, walking up to him with a growing smile. Warm and true. Just like her intentions. Lucifer held her face in his hands.

"Looks like the apple doesn't fall far, huh?" he asked, looking at her with love, "Oh, how I missed that smile."

"All I am hoping for is to start again," Charlie said, placing her hand over his as her own eyes watered.

"We'll never be pulled apart, again--" Lucifer moved again, hugging his child, holding her closer, "You are a part of who I am...! More than anything, I am so proud of you. You're my daughter, Charlie."

"You're part of me, too!" she hiccupped, "You're my dad! I've missed you!"

Lucifer let go enough to begin wiping away her tears, "I'll support your dreams, Charlie... of course. Whatever lies in store, I want to be there for you."

"Who could ask for more than that?" 

"I am so grateful to have you as my daughter..." Lucifer admitted, "You know that, right?"

"Oh... dad...!" Charlie shook her head at first.

Once more, they were hugging--and Vox made his own sniffling noise. Alastor glanced at him, Vox quickly trying to hide his sympathetic crying. He leaned in to whisper anyways, "Silly Television-head!"

"Shut up!" Vox's screen brightened delightfully, "It's just--It's really touching! Great--Great moment for TV...!"

Alastor barely hummed in acknowledgement. Lucifer had stepped away from Charlie at this point, wringing the cane in his hands, nodding. "Alright. I can get someone from Heaven to see you... but you will have to go alone. I cannot come with you... will you be alright?"

"Yeah, I think I will," Charlie said this like she was answering more than just the direct question.

"Then..." Lucifer gave her a smile, red magic raising around him like a swirling whirlpool of glittering waters, "Good luck, kiddo."

Charlie was staring at the spot he disappeared from, eyes wide. So many emotions crossed her face... Alastor did not know what he should do next. Vox seemed to, though, making his way over to her and touching her arm.

"Sweetheart...?" 

"Yeah...?" she seemed almost at a loss, turning to him.

He gave her a smile, "Did you want a drone to take with you to heaven?"

"Oh my gosh...!" she realized, eyes widening, "I'm going to heaven! To talk with someone about the hotel!"

The Princess jumped into Vox's arms, who squeezed her tight, spinning her in triumph. 

Alastor let out a relieved sigh--until, of course, Mimzy was sneaking past all the rubble and hubbub, trying to tip-toe out of the building. He tilted his head at her, asking off-handedly, "Leaving already?"

"Oh, well...!" she laughed, glancing around. Her eyes landed on Vox.

"It was good to see you, dear, but--" Alastor turned to her, voice flattening, "You should go."

"I mean...!" she started, poking at him with a pout, "You love taking care of me!"

"I am serious, Mimzy," Alastor loomed over her, the radio waves crackling about him, "You deliberately brought danger to this place with the express purpose of having me clean up your mess."

"So?" she scoffed, waving her hands about the lobby, voice almost loud enough to break the excitement of Charlie and Vox chatting away about this new venture. "You don't actually give a shit about this--this tacky hotel, do you?"

Alastor hummed in consideration of what she was actually asking him, "You are always welcome to stay if you wish to give redemption a shot... but I think we both know that's not your style."

Mimzy looked shocked, the hurt settling on her face in a way Alastor almost didn't expect. He turned from her, leaving her in the debris, behind him.

"Well... fine! Who needs you anyway!"

Her heeled stomps faded, and when Alastor passed Husker, the cat was wise enough to only comment under his breath, "Good riddance to bad rubbish."

Alastor stood beside Vox, and the bubbling Charlie. Vaggie had joined and Charlie was now setting her sights on the smaller woman, lifting her up in an impressive show of hellborn strength, "Can you believe it, Vaggie?! Heaven!"

"Oh!" she blushed, before rapidly blinking her one eye, "Uh... Yeah. That's great, babe!"

"We have so much to prepare for...!" the Princess continued. 

"Wait... we?"

"Yeah! We're going to heaven!" Charlie said, smile big as she stared at her girlfriend.

"Oh, I don't know if I--" the other girl tried to demure as Charlie placed her back on the ground.

Charlie just took her shoulders in her hands, tilting her head, "Of course you can come! I wouldn't leave you behind! You're my girlfriend! My partner! We're figuring this out together, remember?"

"Right--" Vaggie sounded almost strangled, "Yup."

Vox watched the scene, before his eyes darted over to Alastor, a contemplative look to his face. Alastor just gave him a toothy smile back, inquiring, "Ready for soup then?"

...

Most of the residents had gone to their own rooms by the time the soup was simmering, and Alastor's shadow minions were patching up the hotel--Charlie and Vaggie had decided not to eat with them--which was fine by Vox. More fin soup for him.

Alastor was ladling into a bowl while the electricity leapt off of Vox in excitement.

"You're never this happy about food," Alastor sounded pleased, "I could make this for you more often."

"I mean--" Vox held his face in his hands as he watched Alastor, "It's kind of a guilty pleasure... but it's sharks! I can have a shark in my body...!"

Alastor rose a brow, "Hm. I don't know if I like it phrased that way."

"Is this considered cannibalism still...?" Vox asked, taking the bowl Alastor presented him, "... they were sinners."

Alastor paused. There was a lot of conflicts happening in his mind. He did not know how to untangle one idea from another... nor all the flooded, aroused feelings building low in his stomach as he warred with this question.

"I guess it depends," Alastor finally settled on saying, watching Vox as he held his spoon over the bowl, anticipation rising in both of them.

Alastor stood across from him at the small table inside the large, industrial like kitchen--that itchy feeling back. Vox dipped in the spoon--bringing close to his mouth. He blew on it softly, mouth a tight ring that had Alastor almost entranced... and soon, it was inside... his thin throat bobbing as he swallowed. 

He placed a hand over his mouth, features almost glitching.

"Yeah... it's..." he closed his eyes, sighing happily, "It's savory. Really good, Alastor."

Alastor was surprised by how strangled his own voice came out, "I'm glad."

"Charlie gets to go to heaven--" Vox murmured, taking another spoon, "--and I get to eat it."

"Y-Yeah--" Alastor gulped, lifting his head away and covering his eyes, "--Productive day!"

"Something wrong, Alastor?" Vox asked.

"No--"

"Learning something new about yourself?"

"Not new--"

"Oh, so this is cannibalism for you?"

Alastor could only nod.

"Well... you'll have to wait until I'm finished."

"Fucking--" Alastor ran his hand down his face, deciding to watch Vox now, "--cocktease."

"Really?" Vox asked, popping the spoon in his mouth and slowly gliding it out, "Where'd you learn that phrase? I didn't teach it to you--"

Alastor leaned over the table, pulling Vox's face closer and chasing the flavor on his tongue, "So you admit you're teasing me?"

"Turn about's fair play..." he responded, nipping at Alastor in retaliation, "So be good and wait until I finish."

Alastor, sated for a second, pulled away, "Fine--but you're gonna regret it later."

"Regret teasing you?" Vox smiled, eyes filled with love, "Never."

Alastor, for just a moment, filled with want... felt satisfied. He was standing in a kitchen with someone who loved him--who looked at him and saw him and found him lovable. Who wanted just as much as he did--who accepted his flaws, his sins, and more. Vox was someone who Alastor could not imagine gone from him. Vox was...

Vox is... is staring at him. The silver spoon in his hand stirs food Alastor made--and Alastor never wants Vox to go hungry again. To never worry about being starved for anything Alastor has to offer.

"My love..." Alastor smiled, antlers growing, "Don't offer me a challenge."

"I thought you loved a challenge?"

"I love you more."

"More than anything?"

Alastor hummed, his scarred hand reaching out cradle the side of Vox's face, "More than anything."

TBC...

Chapter Text

Episode 6: The Hotel is Empty, but the Beds are not Vacant

It is a full week later when Charlie gets a confirmation call from her father. He tells her the portal to heaven will arrive, and approximately where, in the Hotel for her visit to Heaven. Vox and Alastor are waiting in the lobby--the Princess dragging her bags and Vaggie down the stairs, excitement bubbling out of her.

"We'll only be gone a day!" Vaggie cries out, trying to wheel the bags away.

"Oh...! I know but--" Charlie is bouncing, and Vox puts his hand on her shoulder.

"Deep breaths, Princess."

Charlie does so, dutifully nodding at him, "You're right, you're right! I'm just working myself up. This is for the hotel."

Everyone in the lobby jumps when the front door slams open. Vox looks over to see Angel Dust stumble in. Nifty is cleaning the foyer, quickly becoming offended as he brings in dirt and who knows what else.

"What happened to you?" she asks, not-so judging, following after him with a duster.

"It's who happened to me--" he corrects, holding his lower back, "--And it was everyone... twice."

"Yikes... need a drink?" Husk prompts from the bar, trying to seem blase and failing spectacularly (Vox trying not to grin as his drone vibrates beside him in his excitement for this developing relationship).

Angel waves him off, walking past the group standing around for this portal, only to flop on the couch and sigh. Vox leaves Charlie for a moment to check on him, unable to stop himself from asking, worriedly, "Long night, Angel Cakes?"

"Voxxy...!" he whines as Vox lifts the spider's head from the pillow it's burrowed into.

"No, no..." Vox lifts one of his smudged eyelids, checking his pupils... and they look normal. Not blown out at all. Vox blinks back, "You aren't high? You shot without substances?"

Angel shrugs him off, flopping back into the couch, "Fuck... I really did. I'm sore...!"

Vox looks over at Charlie, who is grinning--proud almost. He turns his gaze to Alastor, much more concerned. In response, the radio demon simply leans hard on his cane, a subtle shrug happening. Husk emerges out from the bar, a drink already in hand. 

"Well, I'll find the first aid kit and you can take some pain killers--" Vox started, already walking to where they stashed the kits. Lucky for him, that's when the back wall blows up and Vox--in a moment of panic--turns into static and escapes the debris spewing into the parlor. When he's back to his normal form, he is standing behind Alastor on instinct. He just clutches his chest as he breathes out raggedly.

Charlie and Vaggie are coughing through the dust caused by exploded dry wall. Angel Dust only sits up to gesture to the new opening in the hotel, exclaiming, "What the fuck is with that wall?!"

He's flopping back down as Alastor turns to check on Vox. He can only give him an embarrassed thumbs up, hoping no one noticed (no one seems to except for Alastor).

"What up, hoes?!" an Aussie accented voice exclaims, and suddenly, Angel is straightening to sit up once more.

"Holy shit!" he laughs, voice perking, "Is that my girl Cherri Bomb?! What are you doing here?"

A darkened silhouette hops in from the wreckage of the hotels wall, juggling small, round bombs--per her name--and points at the resident porn star. As if spot lighted, it's easy to see this new character to the hotel is a humanoid sinner, covered in tattoos and tattered clothes. Her form is that of a cyclops, which Vox has mentally categorized as a materialization of her personality--a singularly focused individual. He didn't mind Cherri Bomb, as a person, but...

"Angie! You've been texting me depressing shit all day!" she explains, already walking over to pull Angel off the couch--Nifty zooming in trying to sweep the mess. Charlie is watching, tip-toeing over with eyes wide. "We haven't been out in forever, so I figured..." She lights one of her bombs, waggling her brow, "... we could tear some shit up!"

Cherri tosses the bomb toward Charlie, who takes a few tries to actually catch it. Vaggie is beside her in an instant, "Oh no! I got it--!"

Vaggie chucks the bomb out of the side opening of the hotel.

"Oh, you know I love seeing ya, Cherri," Angel begins, sounding exhausted, drooping even as he stands. The bombs goes off outside, blowing in more debris. "But I'm too tired. I'm just gonna pass out."

He makes to fall back into the couch, but Cherri grabs him by the back of his shirt and lifts him to standing, laughing anew, "Naur! You can sleep when you are double-dead, ya fuckhead! Come on...! What you really need is--is a reinvigaration! A re--"

"A responsible night on the town!" Charlie offers, hands up and shaking with excitement, "What a great idea!"

Cherri places hand on her hip, looking the Princess up and down. Charlie immediately grabs her unoccupied one, greeting the cyclops almost too causally.

"Hi, I'm Charlie! It's so nice to meet you!" Charlie is gesturing toward Angel, "You know he never brings anyone around."

Cherri folds her arms over her chest, snorting, "Wonder why..."

"Yeah, me too..." Charlie isn't looking at her, voice sounding confused as she glances over at Vox and Alastor. Vox could only guess why Cherri had not shown her face until now--he use to go out drinking with the pair after Alastor's "disappearance"... but Cherri made it clear she didn't appreciate him, so Vox had steered clear when she occasionally exploded back into Angel's social life.

"I think it would be a great idea for everyone to have some fun!" Charlie continued, nodding, "Yeah! Why don't you take everyone out for some relaxation!"

"Everyone?" Cherri swept her gaze over the room. She noticed Vox, only just then, her eye narrowing at him. He stayed behind Alastor for the moment, not even waving. She was shaking her head, "I'm only here for Angie--"

Cherri had held up her hands, and Charlie, being the generous soul she is, dug into her pockets to dump the fattest stack of cash Vox had the pleasure of witnessing transfer hands.

"Ooooh! Nevermind! Let's go!" Cherri excitedly exclaimed, fingers not even able to curl over all the bills.

"Make sure they have the best time tonight!" Charlie told her, before turning back to Alastor and Vox, anxiously tapping her fingers on her chin in thought, "The portal to heaven should open soon and I--"

A burst of wind and energy swirled in the center of the lobby and Charlie gasped. She quickly grabbed her girlfriend, lifting her and tossing Vaggie unceremoniously into the portal. She was stepping through waving, "Bye everyone! Have fun! Be good 'til we get back! Byyyeeeee...!"

The portal closed in holy flames just as the rest of her made it through, Vox having flicked a finger so a drone could follow. The bags were still left in the middle of the lobby. Vox was sighing in relief that his tech made it, too. He had no idea if any signal would broadcast, but he was having the thing physically record as well as live stream it to a private feed of his. 

Cherri was counting the money in her hands. This cued Angel into properly standing to brush himself off of the dust still lingering from Cherri's previous explosion. Nifty was excitedly hopping on the couch--and soon, Sir Pentious was coming down the stairs after all this ruckus, falling over forgotten luggage as he mostly stared at the new hole in the side of the building.

"Well, well!" the snake cried, standing and trying to make light of his embarrassing trip, "If it isn't my arch nemesis, Ms. Cherri Bomb!"

"What am I, then?" Alastor asked, mostly to cause the snake to hiss and slither away, eying the disinterested Cherri with vague disapproval. 

"Have you come to be defeated in battle?!" Sir Pentious continued to loudly ask.

Cherri rolled her eyes, pocketing the cash, and shaking her head, "Look. I came for Angie--but I guess now I gotta take all your sorry asses out for a good time, too!"

"O-Out...?" Sir Pentious asked, suddenly growing demurer, "Like... like going out?"

"Yeah, I guess?" Cherri asked, pulling out a stick of gum and unwrapping it. Angel Dust was already snickering, and Vox almost felt bad for Pentious as he started blushing heavily.

"Like... for fun?" 

Cherri just stared at him with a raised brow, chewing her bubble gum.

Sir Pentious made awkward finger guns, before dropping his hands nervously patting down his clothes, "I--I never thought this would happen. What do I do? What do I wear?"

Her bubble gum popped, and she walked away from him--back towards Angel, who was now being checked over by Husk--sans the drink. Cherri was pointing behind her.

"You want the mounted dickhead to come with?" she asked.

"Pent?" Angel chuckled, "Yeah. He's cool now, Cherri. This is Husk by the way--" he introduced the cat sinner, who just nodded his head.

Cherri smirked, "Ah, so you're the bartender..."

"Yeah?" Husk asked, brow raising.

"AHAHA!" Angel Dust span the woman around, loudly laughing before shoving her over toward where Alastor and Vox were just... kind of loitering, watching the interactions. "And obvi, you know Voxxy--"

"Yeah. TV Bitch, hi," Cherri chewed her gum noisily, smile a little too sharp.

Vox took it in stride, even though Alastor was already shadow traveling to stand behind him, hands on Vox's shoulder in silent support, "Nice to see you again, Cherri."

"And this is Alastor--" Angel waved over to him.

"Ah! This is the demon you use to bitch and moan all about!" Cherri looked said demon up and down, nodding. Vox did not bother to turn around and see whatever expression must be on his face, because Cherri leaned in, grinning.

"A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Cherri," Alastor's voice hummed and reverbed behind Vox's head. 

"Can't see what all the fuss is about myself--" Cherri shrugged, pulling back, "--but maybe you'll be less of pain tonight."

"Cherri...!" Angel Dust admonished, throwing an apologetic look over to Vox.

"It's fine, Angel," Vox said, holding up a hand, "I don't--I mean, someone should probably patch the hole in the hotel. I wasn't planning on joining you and Cherri tonight."

Angel looked at him, a little surprised--before his eyes settled on Alastor. He just gave the pair a slight smile, encouraging and soft, "Ya sure? The more the merrier in my opinion."

"Vox is right, Angel," Alastor said, much more certain, "While Charlie and Vaggie are away, it's up to us to care for the hotel. We promised to be of help."

"Hey! They already said they can't make it--" Cherri patted Angel on the chest, smile growing into it's own kind of genuine and infectious, "--so come on! Let's fucking get wrecked tonight! Let off some steam, babycakes!"

Angel sighed, looking at his friend and nodding, "Alright, I guess--!"

He let out a cry as she dragged him with a holler and woop, dashing toward the needed to be fixed exit for the hotel. Nifty trailed after--and Husk started pushing Sir Pentious to follow after them.

Vox walked over to the rubble, waving, before calling out, "Stay safe everyone!"

Alastor joined him, fingers already snapping so that the shadow creatures under his control could work their dark magic. It wasn't until long after the small figures of the residents and staff left that the Radio Demon turned to his beloved, not so subtly inquiring, "She doesn't like you much, does she?"

"Cherri Bomb?"

"Hm..."

"She thinks Angel fell in love with me--" Vox told him, huffing a self-depreciating laugh, "--and that I was making his life worse by leaning on him when I missed you."

Alastor wnr silent beside him. Vox looked over at him, noticing how Alastor's face was very careful.

Vox tilted his head, expression turning serious, "Alastor?"

"Yes, my love?"

"Angel and I are only friends," he promised, hand over his heart, "He's important to me, because we've gone through similar hardships, but I would never, ever--"

"I know," Alastor whispered, and there looked like something of a disbelief in his eyes, "I've never doubted you."

"Then why do you look like that?" Vox raised a hand to Alastor's face, hand caressing carefully. 

"What do I look like?"

"Like... you can't believe a word I'm saying?"

Alastor turned his face into Vox's palm, leaving a soft kiss at it's center, "I just can't believe you don't realize how important you are--"

"To you?" Vox gave him that slightly lopsided smile, "Well, sometimes I like to think I know."

Alastor closed his eyes, holding a scarred hand between his.

...

When the wall is fixed, finished, re-painted and drying... and Alastor and Vox have finished with a meal, it dawns on Alastor that the two of them are alone in the hotel for the first time. No one else is there.

Alastor can't help the excitement that rises in him--it's almost concerning.

Vox is eating a strawberry shortcake, pausing suddenly as he glances up at Alastor, brow raising in surprise.

"What?" Alastor asks, trying to sound annoyed, but the nerves in him break through.

"I... uh--" Vox starts, and he waves an impotent hand in the air, "--your radio waves are very... noticeable right now."

"What?" Alastor blinks--and indeed--the air around them almost hums, heavy with some mounting anticipation.

"What are you thinking about?" he inquires, placing down his fork with strange caution. 

Alastor gulps, glancing away, "Just that... we're alone... for a while."

"We are..." Vox says, almost shy.

Alastor hums.

"So... what did you want to do now?"

"That's... a good question."

Vox hums in response this time.

...

Alastor had held Vox's hand the entire time they walked back to their room--and though they had... reunited... a good handful of times since Alastor's return... the moment felt packed with a sense they had no one to attend to--no duty other than to themselves. A selfish moment in which they could wrap up in each other.

"Oh..." Alastor breathed, taking Vox's hand in his, "Can I... there was something I wanted to try before. Can we try now?"

Vox nodded, even though he asked, "What did you want to try?"

Alastor's face started to go pink at the edges, ears flicking.

"Alastor?"

"The--The dress thing."

"Dress...?" Vox blinked, before the memory came back to him. "Oh! Yeah. Okay. We can do that."

Alastor's ears stood at attention and Vox leaned in to kiss him briefly. Alastor seemed to relax, sighing into the kiss as he chased Vox's mouth. One of his hands left Vox's--fingers snapping in the air--almost deafening in the quiet of their bedroom. 

When Vox pulled back, he glanced down to see himself in a pale-blue, drop waist dress. It was almost flapper-style, a little ribbon and bow tied at the side. He had tied stockings and Mary Janes on. The sleeves dropped off his shoulders whenever Vox moved--he was spinning a little to see if the skirt did that twirly thing and just generally inspecting the outfit--which was very much in the fashion of Alastor's era.

"Oh, this is really cute. I actually like this!" Vox found himself saying. In his opinion it was less scandalous than some of Vel's own fashion, and actually... it was fairly practical. He glanced back at Alastor--

Who looked a little more shocked than Vox felt. His hand was already covering his razor-sharp mouth.

"Uh..." Vox stopped his little spins and twists, the realization hitting him that he probably, actually, looked ridiculous. He pat down the skirt, "Not... living up to the fantasy?"

The buzzing and humming started up again, and Alastor cleared his throat to be rid of it, "It's--It's good."

"Oh!" Vox's screen brightened, "--alright. Well--"

"You'll ride me first--" Alastor suddenly decided, cutting off whatever Vox's stupid mouth was about to say.

Vox felt like he couldn't catch breath--Alastor pulling him to the bed where he sat soundly, looking up at Vox, eyes filled with a dark sort of hunger. Vox barely caught the wording, repeating as he brought his hand up to that lovely angular face, "First...?"

"First--" Alastor murmured, hands moving the skirt up Vox's thighs.

...

Alastor loved Vox's face. It was expressive. It was bright. It hid so much of him--it was only for him, this specific face--devotional, devout--all for Alastor. Vox was staring in Alastor's eyes--looking at him, being taken, loving it, craving it, needing it...

Alastor could get lost in that stare.

"E-Enjoying yourself...?" Alastor breathed, leaning in.

"... kiss?" those eyes fell to his Alastor's lips, body rolling against his.

Alastor could give him a kiss--pulling Vox in with one hand splayed at the back of his head, nails dipping into ports, making Vox shiver. Alastor's other hand was sliding over the thighs flexing. Vox rose and dropped himself onto Alastor. The dress stayed on, and Alastor felt too hot, his own clothes barely gone from him--shirt unbuttoned, pants undone, but nothing off, not truly... Alastor was beginning to feel the slickness from Vox soak through layers of fabric now.

Vox broke away first, taking in a shuddering breath. His hands moved from Alastor's hair down to his shoulders, digging in as the rolling movements came at a faster pace. Alastor gasped when Vox pushed him down into the bed, legs spreading wider--Vox sinking further, back arching.

"C-Close...!" 

"Go on, then..." Alastor watched, hands traveling underneath the skirt, finding bare skin.

Vox looked like he was fighting himself, rhythm becoming desperate, hands fisting in Alastor's shirt as he struggled to stay upright. The pathetic desperation colored his features nicely, as he begged, "H-Help...? A-Almost--!"

Alastor grasped his hips, angling him better. It was that circular movement, a gliding, sliding along nerves inside Vox that had him snapping down harder, chasing the feeling. Little jolts of static zipping across Alastor--who breathed through the sudden crash--Vox arching, stilling, spilling further... the wet sound causing a shudder through Alastor.

Vox trembled, body remaining on top of him, as his eyes looked dazed. He was breathing harsh, chest rising and falling--the pale fabric of the dress dipping to reveal sweat soaked skin just barely beginning to bruise.

"Y-You're..." Vox's eyes closed, head tipping back, "You're still hard."

"I am."

"I--"

"Next position--"

Vox cried out sweetly when Alastor moved to stand, arms wrapped around him.

...

Alastor had only released himself from Vox to deposit the poor TV Demon at their bathroom counter. It wasn't overly big--but there was enough of a shelf of it that Vox could rest the length of his forearms on it.

Alastor had turned him toward the mirror, and Vox was embarrassingly staring at himself as Alastor bent him down over the counter. Vox could see how wide-eyed he was when Alastor lifted the skirt up, folding it over the small of his back. The stockings on his legs already growing a damp trail from the fluid dripping out of him.

The briefest flash of skin happened in the reflection, and suddenly, Alastor was inside him again.

"F-Fuck--!" Vox leaned hard on the counter from the new, deeper angle. Instinctually, one of his hands hit the mirror, helping him push himself back into his partner. "A-Alastor--!"

Vox looked back at him, legs shaking, almost worried he would not be able to stay upright.

"Look in the mirror, Vox," Alastor ordered. He punctuated it with a slow thrust.

Vox whimpered, turning back to his face, not realizing he was biting down on his lip until he was staring at his own reflection.

"Good..." Alastor sighed, hands full of fabric as they found the bend at his waist and gripped there, "Very good."

It seemed Alastor was in no hurry. He pulled himself all the way out... and then waited, before pushing into Vox, who could feel every inch almost too intimately. His body seemed hungry to be filled--he felt the throbbing heat of Alastor with every pulse of his heart. The sounds were mortifying--a constant dripple of liquid from him as it hit the marbled floor--and the soft slide of flesh caressing flesh. 

"Alastor--" Vox gasped, thighs uselessly squeezing together as he tried to stay standing, "I--" His eyes flew up to Alastor's in the mirror, watching him with growing interest.

"Hypnotize yourself."

"Wha--?!" Vox let out a low moan, the thrusts coming faster. His eyes squeezed shut, as he scrambled to use the counter to stay standing... but he was having trouble.

"I'm curious to see if you can..." Alastor breathed, his excitement palpable as he grabbed one of Vox's legs to push onto the counter, forcing Vox closer to the mirror. Vox's breath was just barely hitting the glass surface, causing a little misty cloud that disappeared between one hiccup and the next.

"D-Dangerous...!" Vox tried to warn, not sure how Alastor was even capable of full sentences at this point.

"H-How so...?" 

Vox reached out behind him, trying to slow Alastor's increasing pace, but only succeed in allowing him to capture Vox's hand and pin it to the mirror instead. Vox's forehead rested over their entwined digits as he shook his head, "N-Need clear--clear instructions."

"Like...?"

"Alastor...!" Vox could feel the build-up inside him, squeezing, and Alastor stuttered only a second... his pace and force lessening... even though Vox whined--wanting that sensation to return--he knew he had to at least be focused enough to give Alastor what he wanted.

"What do you need, darling...?" Alastor's free hand encircled Vox across his stomach, traveling upwards smoothly to neck, tipping Vox's face back to the mirror, "Do you want to try?"

Vox nodded, eyes leaving his own face as he thought of the idea briefly. "J-Just... command me--s-stop the hypnosis w-when I'm away fro-from the mirror--a--a kiss--should work. Before and after."

"Alright..." Alastor murmured, face pressed to the back of Vox's head. Vox took in a deep breath, lifting his eyes back up to the mirror. "Ready?"

"Y-Yes..."

Alastor gave him a small kiss on the back of his neck, and Vox activated the hypnosis.

It was strange, staring into the swirling pulse of his eyes--a deep, passionate red--almost lovely in it's hue. Alastor's favorite color was red, Vox knew this, and his voice was there--like a thrumming intrusion in his mind. He allowed it to consume him.

...

Alastor was breathing in the smell of ozone... the way Vox's body relaxed into him... the little gasps as Alastor slowly ran his hand down Vox, pulling him in closer.

"Vox...?"

"...ah...?" 

He sounded dazed.

Alastor felt another little jolt run over his spine.

"It worked... didn't it?" he hummed, beginning his steady pace again, "Your mind belongs to me, doesn't it?" Alastor's horns grew--his teeth grazing over the sensitized skin below his reach. "You'll do whatever I say, won't you...?"

"... yes..." Vox was pliant, voice no more than a breath.

"I know you'd let me, anyways, but--"

"Y-Yes...?"

"Both hands on the mirror, darling--" Alastor demanded. Vox laid both his hands on either side of his face, staring there, palms flat--letting Alastor pump into him with only the smallest of noises escaping him. Something that was uncontrollable, unable to be stopped. "Tell me how you feel."

"Good--" Vox was trembling, voice staticky, his body warm and wet, "Empty..."

Alastor laughed darkly, pressing in deeply, "Empty? I'm inside you, my love, right now. Can't you feel me?"

"--yes!" Vox gasped, those insides fluttering hard at the words.

"Is your mind gone? Empty?" Alastor asked, fingers dipping lower, tracing the stuffed edge of him, "Are you waiting for me to fill you?"

"--" Vox gulped, mindlessly rutting against the teasing words, "--fill me...!"

Alastor's fingers left where they were teasing, shiny and dripping, and tapped at Vox's mouth. "Open then, tongue out... and keep it there."

Vox did as told, Alastor cleaning his digits along the length of Vox's tongue.

"Let me hear you, dear..." Alastor began an earnest thrusting, fingers caressing, plunging and Vox made every noise imaginable--whimpers, moans, sobs, mewls, hiccups. He was drooling, body bending under the relentless pace--face still focused in the mirror. Alastor felt the tension in him raising as he chased a too-sweet release.

"Ah--Al--Ahhh...!" 

"That's right--" Alastor bent pressed harder, rubbed faster, teeth bumping against the back of Vox's neck, "--you'll come when I mark you--understood?"

"Y--Yu--uus...!"

Alastor knew he was close--teeth scraping along scarred skin--Vox's body tightening--the sounds echoing in the small room--the mirror fogging--it was all so much... and yet not enough. He wanted that extra bit, that thing that thrummed in his blood.

He bit Vox almost by accident, unable to stop himself. Teeth sinking in, blood cascading into his mouth, the electricity burning across his tongue. Of course he came suddenly, snapping into Vox--who was a mess of soaked fabric and tears, his cry cutting through Alastor. The Radio Demon went immobile, vision wavering almost from the pleasure.

All of Alastor was drained into Vox--panting into the mirror, sliding down its steamed surface as Alastor tried to collect himself. He tried to remember Vox's words from earlier.

"A-Away from the mirror, love--" Alastor breathed, tired hands smoothing over the small of Vox's back, trying to get him to stand on wobbling legs. The puddle under them was not helping.

Alastor gathered him--mechanical body laxing--turning his face away from his own reflection. The hypnosis seemed to stutter, his pulsing eye flickering to normal, but he made no move to close his mouth, to reach for Alastor--just allowed himself to be held. Vox was more than dazed--blank nearly.

"Oh, I see..." Alastor realized, shaking hands soothing over the edges of that square face, "Dangerous, indeed."

Alastor guided Vox to close his mouth, hands moving over dull eyes until Vox's lids fluttered shut. He was pulling Vox into him, careful as he made sure they were nowhere near the mirror. His memory ran over Vox's instructions--and he scooped Vox up to place a small kiss on his cooling head.

"Time to come back to me, Vox."

...

Vox seemed to return to reality almost instantly. not exactly like waking from sleep, more like, stepping back into his right mind. He felt thoroughly used--but in a good way. He felt entirely too... sticky and drenched. The dress and the stocking clung to his skin, and Alastor's warm body was surrounding him... but no longer inside him (for the most part).

He blinked, staring out towards their bedroom as Alastor breathed unhurriedly beside him. Vox felt tired and really wanted to lie down, body slumping into his beloved, "... Alastor?"

"Alright?"

"I think so."

Alastor pulled away a little, looking into Vox's eyes, "You seem back to normal."

"Did you have fun?" Vox asked, surprised how calm he felt. He realized he would have to put so caveats on hypnosis play if Alastor continued to be interested in it. Vox forgot to tell him to add in reminders so he could actually recall whatever just happened.

"Very much so--" Alastor said, his smile slowly growing smaller, "Didn't you?"

"Uh--" Vox glanced down between them, "Yeah. I think so. Looks like I did."

"Vox... do you not...?" 

Vox wrapped his arms over Alastor's neck, carefully sighing as he laid his head on Alastor's shoulder, "Bath, please. I'll explain what happened."

...

Alastor relaxed, Vox lying between his open legs. The bath was soothing, and Vox was holding his hand along the rim of the tub, the peaks of his knees almost distracting.

"... so, no. I don't really know what happened..." his voice was soft, and Alastor sighed in response. Vox tilted his head back to see Alastor glance down, his free hand gently soothing over the brow above his split eye. "It's really okay. I don't mind."

"I would prefer you always remember when we're together."

Vox looked at him with such deep love, that Alastor felt wrecked.

"You can hypnotize me--" he offered, "--to make up for the missing experience."

Vox blinked, lifting his head away so he could turn around to look at Alastor fully. "But, Alastor, I want you to always remember our time together too--"

"You can do whatever embarrassing experience I may refuse to do. I'll never know."

Vox frowned, "That's--That's not really fair to you."

"It would feel fair to me..." he insisted, "And that's all that matters at the moment."

"Mmmm, I'll think about it..." Vox leaned into him, "I'll give you a list to pick from--I don't know what I could possibly come up that you wouldn't give me."

Alastor chuckled, "Because I spoil you."

"Yeah..." Vox kissed his cheek, "Maybe I should spoil you."

...

Vox is lying on the bed, only in a long shirt, while Alastor is sitting against the headboard.

"69ing?" Vox asks.

"Explain," Alastor says.

Vox rolls over on his back and gestures over his body, "Oral at the same time. Either of us on top works for me. I suck you, you eat me--that kind of thing."

"Mmmm, no... I could do that, sounds fine," Alastor decides after a second, "What else?"

"Role play?" he suggests, rolling back over to continue writing down a list.

"We... play roles?" Alastor infers easily enough.

Vox hums a yes, "Something like teacher and student or doctor and nurse--uh... pizza delivery guy and the person who as no money."

"Sounds weird..." the deer demon raises up one knee to rest his chin on it, "But if I get to pick the scenario, that would be fine."

"What would you pick?"

"Serial killer and victim?"

"Ah," Vox nods, not at all surprised by the request, "Yeah. I mean--you've cut me up before."

"You could cut me up--" Alastor offers, waving a hand at the list, "Since I don't think I would prefer that role."

"But... I don't want to cut you up," Vox points out--he really wasn't keen on that sort of thing.

"You could play my stalker."

"I really wish you'd let the stalker thing go."

"It's cute," Alastor shrugs, mouth twitching up higher.

Vox almost worries for a second--but then again, Alastor was the one who would prefer to cut up people. Makes a weird sort of sense he would enjoy a partner who had a tendency to stalk their prey. He flops back over, "Why do you wanna cut me up so bad?"

"Lots of reasons," he dodges the question expertly. 

"Okay--" Vox gets back on track, thinking of his own fantasies, "--I've tied you up before and you didn't mind."

"Frustrating, but not bad..." Alastor agreed, almost bored. He paused, voice accidentally falling into a sort of secret air wave with softness, "After Valentino... did you ever...?"

Vox himself time to examine the thoughts about being restricted in bed, "You'd just have to be careful, I think... I like the tentacles. It doesn't feel like leather straps."

"Rope then?"

Vox hummed, "Sure. We'll try rope one day."

"What else would you like to do with me?" Alastor inquired this so casually, Vox almost blue-screened. He glanced over at the Radio Demon, who looked at him like this was any other Monday discussion.

Vox was so in love with this weirdo.

"Face sitting?"

"I sit on yours or you on mine?" he asked for clarification. 

"Ah, mine on yours--" Vox was quick to say, sitting up, "After Val I don't think I could--"

"It's whatever you are comfortable with, Vox," Alastor reminded him, "I love being with you just like this. We don't have to do anything on your list--or we can take one suggestion at a time. It makes no difference to me."

Vox sighed, holding his face in his hand, "I know... I just... I should be over it by now."

"Should you?"

He shrugged, not looking at Alastor, "If you wanted... I could. We could hypno--"

"No," Alastor shook his head, leaning over to capture Vox's gaze with hard eyes, "You will remember everything that happens between us. I never want you to feel like you need be gone when we're together. I always want you right here. With me. In the Now."

"But what if one day you want something I can't do?" 

Alastor's look softened, "I worry about that with you, too, remember?"

"But you don't have to do any of this--" Vox closed his mouth, shoulders drooping, "Ah. Yeah. Right... I see your point."

"Clever Television..." Alastor murmured, leaning in for a kiss.

Vox hummed nearly blissful, moving into his beloved. He pulled his face back only to rest his forehead against Alastor's. "So... Why do you insist I hypnotize you as payback, then?"

"That's mostly for me, I suppose..." Alastor sighed, "I just... you tried to warn me and I insisted. That was more dangerous than I realized for you."

"I told you enough that you would have snapped me out of the trance anyways," Vox assured him, "Plus. We didn't even know if I could trance myself--"

"But you can."

"I mean, how do you kill a gorgon?" Vox reason with a snort, "Mirrors."

"You don't turn sinners to stone--" Alastor argued, "You can control their minds."

Vox tipped Alastor's face toward his, a little teasing smirk growing, "If you just want to feel free from the pressures of always being in control... all you have to do is ask, beloved."

Alastor went still under him.

"O--Oh... my god, do you?" Vox blinked, not expecting such a blatant response.

Alastor pushed him off and Vox was staring up their bedroom ceiling with wonderment.

"Well, I'll be damned."

"We are damned!" Alastor retorted, and suddenly Brucie was shoved in his face, "Shut up! It's not like that!"

Vox couldn't stop the mad giggles raising out of him, excitement building, "Al--Alastor! It's fine...! It's totally norma--"

"I said shut up--!"

Vox let himself be accosted while Alastor ran out of steam, his ears pulled so far back it almost looked like he had none. The antlers had grown and shrunk, and his arms shook with the effort of trying to smoother Vox's face with the plush shark. He huffed and puffed as he pulled back, hands coming up to his face this time.

"Fuck me... it's not fine."

Vox pulled himself up, head tilted, "Tell me what you want, love... I'll do it. You won't have to remember if it upsets you that much--if that's what you really want. I'd give you anything, you know that."

"I--" Alastor sighed, dropping his hands, "I just want to feel good. I don't care how--just... just the one time--I'll allow you to do whatever with me. I don't--I don't care to remember it, I just... I want to feel the pleasure you described."

"Ohhhh..." Vox fidgeted with his ring finger, undoubtedly growing morbidly aroused, "I see. Yes... I'll do that. You'll never have to know what I did--you'll only feel the euphoria, alright?"

Alastor looked at him, before his eyes darted away, "Yes. Alright..."

"Now...?"

"W-Whenever."

...

Alastor loved Vox's voice--he always had.

He could listen to Vox for hours.

He liked listening to Vox.

He would do whatever Vox asked of him.

He was more than glad to.

Alastor, as much as he tried to keep it secret, loved Vox.

He would do anything to keep Vox with him.

...

Vox was careful, taking Alastor's beautifully sharp and dangerous face in his hands--those dazed eyes focused on him. He could honestly stare at him for the rest of eternity... but then again, Vox had some serious issues.

He left a kiss on him, Alastor's eyes closing at the proximity.

"Alastor..." Vox murmured, "I am going to count backwards from ten--so listen carefully. When I finish, you'll be back to yourself... the only memory you'll have is the pleasure I gave you... are you ready?"

"... ready..."

"Good... 10--" Vox pulled away, fingers tracing over his jawline, "--you're relaxed."

"9--" he brushed through the soft, red hair, "--you're safe."

"8--" Vox made sure his night shirt was buttoned, "--you're warm."

"7--" he turned Alastor's scarred hand over, "--you're home."

"6--" fingers entwined with fingers, "--you're loved."

"5--" Vox took in a deep breath, "--you're half-way there."

"4--" the smile crept into his voice, "--you're doing so well."

"3--" Vox laid beside him slowly, "--you're going to wake up soon."

"2--" he squeezed the hand in his, "--your mind is stronger than ever."

"1--" Vox's own eyes closed, tired, "--and you're free now."

Alastor seemed to gasp, his hand twitching in Vox's. Vox breathed out himself, holding Alastor's hand tighter. "Vox?"

"Welcome back..."

"Are you--?" Alastor reached over, tracing his face--if he was sore, or bothered, or anything else, he didn't act it. He was just caressing Vox in return.

"Little drained..." Vox enjoyed the soft attention, "But I'm fine--how do--?"

"Good--" Alastor moved his body into Vox, relaxing, "Very good."

"I'm glad..." Vox yawned.

Alastor chuckled, "Perhaps it's time we rest now?"

"Mmmhhmm...!" 

...

Alastor startled awake when the hotel seemed to quiver. He was instantly up--shadows roaming restlessly. Vox sat up in bed, shaking his head, "What's wrong--?"

"Don't know--" the Radio Demon snapped his attention to where a loud crash sounded from down below.

"The lobby?" Vox asked, moving out of the comfy bed.

Alastor turned to shadow, disappearing. Vox followed shortly, zipping his way down the corridor. He rode through a drone, dropping out of it just as Alastor rematerialized in the lobby.

If any other residents returned from their night on the town, it was uncertain. But--a portal was swirling shut, a whirl wind of heavenly power shuddering the building as it closed. Charlie and Vaggie laid against the floor--Vaggie with an absolutely shattered expression, while Charlie was in a heap, weeping, holding herself.

"Charlie--!" Vox rushed past Alastor, sliding into the girl on his knees to look for injuries. He glanced over to Vaggie, "What happened? Were you two harmed?"

"I--" Vaggie's one eye widened, looking at Vox with a paling face. She turned away from his searching gaze--and Alastor walked up to the scene, head tilting as those ears drooped.

"Charlie, dear," the Radio Demon almost sighed, "I assume Heaven would not hear you out?"

The Princess broke away from Vox--pushing past Alastor with surprising force--who could only watch her rush away, disappearing into the depths of the hotel. The TV Demon let out his own sigh, shoulders dropping, before looking over at Vaggie, "It was a long shot, but at least she tried. Just give her some--"

"They moved up the extermination date..." she cut him off, sounding defeated, "They're coming for the hotel specifically. In a month."

Alastor went still. His eyes fell on Vox, who was still staring at the girl with a shocked expression. "What do you mean? What happened, Vaggie?"

"I--" she grabbed at her heart, shaking her head, "I should have told her. It's my fault. She was so close and--" Vaggie broke down into her own sobs, "I put her in danger...!"

"Charlie is hellborn," Alastor reminded the girl, "She will be fine. It's the rest of us who need to worry."

Vox nodded in agreement, reaching out to help her upright, "Rest for now, we'll speak with Charlie after you've both recovered from the news. Alright?"

"R-Right," Vaggie quickly pulled back her shoulders, nodding, voice still watery and eye still wet, but her face was quickly schooling itself. She breathed through some sniffles, "I--I'll check on Charlie... if she wants to see me that is. We'll have to break the news to the residents."

"In the morning--" Alastor told her, "Do as Vox suggests. Rest. We'll have to come up with a plan... and it cannot be half-thought through."

"Y-Yeah..." Vaggie started up the stairs, looking lost. 

Vox got back on his own feet, coming over to stand beside Alastor as they watch her ascend slowly, like the life was draining out of her. When her figure was swallowed by the hallway into the upper rooms, Vox shook his head, "I knew she was hiding something from Charlie. Whatever it was--it came out while they were in Heaven."

"What do you think she was hiding...?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but--" Vox glanced around the lobby, scanning for mechanical signs of life, "They didn't return with my drone. I can try and access it--see if I get a broadcast from it. It may have recorded something."

...

Vox was plugged into the hotel's power-grid, which was free-standing from the rest of Pentagram City. It would have to do--and he started to focus on the long-distance drone--twitching as he focused.

"You alright?" Alastor's asked over his shoulder.

"F-Fine--" Vox's voice glitched, and he could only vaguely see through the drone... which was stuck in what looked to be a much nicer, cleaner hotel room than the one they were currently occupying. It was blindingly bland--cream and white and light. Vox could move the drone... leaving him with a vague sense of vertigo.

"Can you access your drone's memory?"

Vox breathed out, closing his eyes as he tried to connect to it better--it was quickly losing memory capacity--so he started a playback. He fast-forwarded the footage... until it was just Vaggie alone in the hotel room--he let the scene play out normally.

You really think I wouldn't recognize one of my best girls?

Vox startled, eyes opening, and the video feed glitched out--losing the scene. He looked up at Alastor, pointing his hand at the monitor where he ran the playback, "You saw that too right?"

"I did--" Alastor was still eying the screen, narrowing his vision, "The girl was an exorcist..."

"Alastor--" Vox also turned back to the screen, moving his hands enough that the drone started to fly, "I'm about to lose the feed soon--I need to destroy it."

Alastor hummed, "Will you be alright when you do?"

"Yeah, it'll be--" Vox started, sending the drone out of a slightly open window. The drone bumped into the glass, before it continued into the sky. His vision was assaulted by bright blue skies, fluffy skies, and glittering rays of golden sunlight. Vox did not know when he last saw something so soothing. The drone spun around--and he saw spires and skyscrapers and clean streets--creatures of wonder with wings walking or floating along the way. "... Wow..."

"Well," Alastor chuckled, looking at the images on the screen with a scrunched nose, "Isn't that cliche?"

"It's really--" Vox kept the drone moving, if he could find something to smash it into, or maybe water fountain to drown it in, he could destroy it and possibly keep the hotel from more danger, "It's definitely something."

What's this?

Vox startled in his chair--the connection ports expelling static--as a voice behind the drone asked. It fuzzed through his connection, sending his brain haywire. He unintentionally swiveled the drone--meeting with an indescribable image that scattered his screen--the pixels defragmenting, breaking apart. The vertigo returned and he was aware enough that the drone was being grabbed.

"Vox--!" 

Vox's eyes stuttered--the back of his head felt overheated. He lifted his hands to find the wires had been ripped out. He glanced up from where he was lying on his desk, pushing himself to sitting. When he looked at Alastor, the Radio Demon was holding the thrashing wires in a white-knuckled fist.

"You said--"

"I didn't destroy it--it was--" Vox blinked at him, turning back to the screen, fingers flying over the monitors and keys, he paused the image from the last connection he had to the drone, "--someone grabbed it... I think... an angel."

"Vox--" Alastor dropped the wires, hands going to Vox's face, "--what happened?"

"I don't know," Vox shook his head from the lingering sense of vertigo, "I... can only assume my tech can't handle whatever holy image it was seeing--like how cameras can't capture your form--"

Alastor's eyes roamed over Vox's face. "Are you okay...? Should we see Velvette?"

"No, no--" Vox shook his head, "I'm fine... Just... I didn't expect that."

"I would still prefer you call her--"

"Alastor--"

Alastor pulled him in, hands moving over the back of Vox's head as if he had any idea what to do with all this new technology, "I have an idea. Call Velvette. Tell her to be in Cannibal Town tomorrow--just to check--I'm thinking Charlie should meet with Rosie."

"What...? Why?" Vox asked, feeling a little slower and lost, wondering what in the world Rosie had to do with drones, or heaven, or Charlie.

"Many reasons--" Alastor said, voice humming in relief was his hand left Vox's head, apparently satisfied he wasn't overheating, "--but... first, your drone...? Should we worry about whatever entity found it?"

"No, I don't think so," Vox said, more confident than he felt, "Whatever it came into contact with probably fried it."

Alastor breathed a deep sigh, "I suppose that's one way to destroy it."

Vox nodded. Alastor was rising, pulling him out of the chair he was using... Vox glanced back at the still image--a glitchy mass of gold and blue and broken chromatic pixel configurations. He could make out no image other than what might be a hand. Pale, maybe, if that's even what he was seeing.

Vox felt like he should understand what he was seeing.

He understood nothing.

He didn't even know what they were going to do now.

Vox looked back at Alastor--holding his scarred hand tight--and had such a dark and foreboding feeling. Alastor stopped, looking over his shoulder at Vox, "Are you really alright?"

"I can't die anyways--"

"That's not what I asked, Vox."

Vox paused, before nodding. Alastor still looked at him, eyes moving over that television face of his. He tried for teasing, voice breaking, "Why do you look like you don't believe me, again?"

"Because I don't."

Vox held his hand tighter.

"Vox...?"

"I'm terrified--" Vox admitted, face dropping to blurrily stare at the floor, "--that I'm going to lose you. That you'll--"

Alastor tilted his face up, pressing their foreheads together, "I'm not going anywhere. We're not helpless... trust me."

Vox nodded.

He trusted Alastor with more than his life--it all belonged to him anyway.

TBC...

Chapter Text

Episode 7: Rosie the Cannibal Overlord

Vox and Alastor stood with Vaggie while she gave the news to the residents and staff. The morning had not dawned particularly well--and Vaggie looked rough around the edges. Vox placed a hand on her drooping shoulder for support, while Alastor stayed in the shadows.

"--and where is the Princess, anyways?" Angel Dust questioned, sitting with an anxiously bouncing leg.

Vaggie sighed and glanced upwards, "Our room... alone... working on a plan, I'm sure."

Vox had glanced over to see Alastor give him a smirk... and he melted away, presumably to go see Charlie. Vox sighed, squeezing Vaggie's shoulder to distract her from the Radio Demon's absence.

"It's alright, Vee--"

"Not my name."

"Veeeeaggie," Vox continued, not as smooth as he would have liked, "This news is devastating, but nothing we sinners haven't faced before."

"I wouldn't say that--" Angel tsked, slumping on the couch, "I ain't even been targeted specifically by an exorcist before so...!"

Vox dropped his hand off of Vaggie, taking in a deep breath, "I mean, we aren't totally helpless. I'm working on something with Vel--I'm going to meet up with her and see how far our security project has gotten."

"Pep's mentioned--" Angel sighed, "But, what could we possibly do?" He gestured to the ragtag group loitering about the parlor of the hotel. Pentious was busy cuddling his scared egg-bois, Nifty was stabbing at roaches as they scattered to and fro when she moved decor, and Husker was immediately day-drinking at the devastating news.

"I don't know if I should say... I don't want to get our hopes up," Vox awkwardly avoided the sets of waiting eyes on him.

Husker snorted, "Then why bother mentioning it? You want praise? Money? What?"

"I can always lend my assistance, Mr. Vox!" Sir Pentious piped up, silencing Husk (who was glaring subtly at Vox). Angel sent the cat sinner a quick look. Pentious was making his way over to Vox more readily, "Two engineering minds are better than one!"

"Thanks, Pen," Vox sighed, patting the back of the snake as the sinner slithered about him and Vaggie. 

Only Nifty seemed unbothered, still scuttling around the lobby chasing her bugs.

"Vox, can we...?" Vaggie began, motioning behind her.

He followed her gesture, barely catching Angel's hiss to Husk about manners. Vox tilted his head at the girl, "What's up?"

"Look... I appreciate you trying to keep everyone's spirits up but... you don't know the whole truth," Vaggie gulped, nervously throwing a look towards the stairs, "I don't know how to bring it up but--"

She was saved from spilling her secret when a malicious energy flooded over the hotel. A sickly green light that traveled over the grounds--and Vox's static field fizzled and popped around him, as he jumped at the unexpected dark magic. Vaggie's eyes widened, and she spun around towards the stairs, already rushing, "Charlie! No, no, no...!"

"Oh boy," Vox shook his head, "That's not a good sign."

Vox pulled out his phone, seeing if Peppermint had arrived yet.

...

Previously, when Alastor had materialized in Charlie's room, she was being catered to by her Razzle and Dazzle creatures. She was sniffling in a lump on her bed, burrito-ed by her deep red covers. Alastor kept his voice light, "Oh, Charlie, dear! You look an absolute mess...!"

"Ugh!" the Princess hid deeper in her blankets, "Go away, Alastor!"

"Now, now...!" Alastor did the opposite of her instructions, sitting on the end of her bed casually, "Is that any way to act after picking a fight with all of heaven--" Alastor plucked the end of the blanket away from her face and leaned in with a sinister grin, "--thereby dooming everyone you love?"

Charlie threw the rest of the blankets off, grabbing at the sides of her face in frustration, "I have enough on mind without hearing your sadistic idea of a joke, asshole!"

She rolled over in bed again, meaning to hide away in depression, more than likely. Alastor rematerialized next to her, asking louder, more forcefully, "Who's joking?"

It startled the Princess out of her bed with a yelp--falling onto her ass, blankets fluttering along with her as she laid on the floor in a huff. Alastor laid himself out along the bed, getting more comfortable.

"You know you have a captive audience downstairs waiting to hear what kind of inspiring performance you have planned next!" 

"Ohh! I can't!" Charlie pulled herself up to the bed, anger pinching her face tight, "How can I face them after failing them all? They came here to be saved and all I gave them is more pain...!" 

The girl collapsed at the side of her bed, hanging her head onto her bent knees. Alastor quickly rolled over, legs kicking in the air almost excitedly. This is exactly what he needed to be able to get the Princess on his side--a bit of... desperation.

"I'm just as bad as the cruelest overlord in Hell...!" Charlie wiped at the tears in her eyes.

Alastor leaned over, grinning--and Charlie shot away from him. He wasn't going to take it as an insult.

"Or maybe I'm worse...!" she exclaimed, beginning to pace, "At least they don't go around giving out false hope..."

Well, Alastor certainly didn't, that was for sure. He shrugged lightly, "Well, well, well...! I never expected to see such a miserable display of self-loathing from you."

"Oh, fuck you, Alastor!" Charlie pointed at him, glaring, "All you do is stand there--smiling--while you watch everyone one else struggle and fail!" She turned away from him, hugging herself, "I know you said you wanted to see suffering but--can you really? If it was Vox--"

Alastor stopped her questioning, finger's tapping over her shoulders before he grabbed on to turn her back to his face, which bore its most gregarious expression, "Just because you see a smile, don't think you know what's going on underneath."

He let go of her to wave a hand over his smiles as she eyed him cautiously. Then, grabbed her face with one hand--perhaps much less carefully than she was used to with Vox's easy affection--stretching out a smile for her.

"A smile is a very valuable tool, my dear..." his voice fuzzed out over the airwaves, "It inspires your friends... keeps you enemies guessing and ensures that no matter what comes your way--" he let go of her to pick up his cane instead, tapping it lighting to her heart, "You are the one in control."

She smacked his cane away, "But I'm not...! I am the farthest thing from in control!"

"No? You're the Princess of Hell, dear."

"The person I trusted most has been lying to me for years...!" Charlie's voice raised as she walked toward her window, sweeping her hands out to her rightful kingdom, "Heaven refuses to listen--even if they did--I can't prove the hotel works!"

The poor girl slammed her fist into the window glass--a small fracture, a crack, splitting through the reflection of Alastor's shadow, right across his chest.

"Adam has an invincible exorcist army pointed right at my doorstep and there's nothing I can do about any of it!" the girl twisted back to him, huffing and puffing, angry tears flooding her eyes.

Alastor's smile sharpened as he sang obnixiously, "Oh, well... I know something you don't know...!"

"Huh...?" Charlie blinked, wiping away tears.

Alastor slid closer, pulling an arm around the girl and taking her from the window, "Those big scary angels are not quite as indestructible as they seem..."

"What...?" Charlie twisted her head to follow Alastor as he circled around her, airwaves humming excitedly, "What are you talking about?"

"Just that you and your little band of misfits might stand more of a chance than you think," Alastor began walking toward the door to her room.

"H-How?!" she asked, begged really, as she chased after his slowing gait, "I'll do anything!"

 Alastor stopped, turning his head toward her, "Anything...?"

"To save the hotel and everyone in it--" The Princess stared at him determination, giving one sharp nod, "Of course!"

"Then..." Alastor's fingers drummed over the microphone of his cane before extending out to her, "Let's make a deal."

Charlie took a step back, eyes growing bigger. They flicked up over Alastor's head, where the antlers extended in excitement, "You... You want my soul?"

"Your soul?" he repeated, shadows gathering around them. Charlie almost startled, but Alastor waved her off with that same hand, laughing, "Heavens, no--if you'll excuse the pun--all I need from you is one itty, bitty favor." The Radio Demon laid both hands on her shoulder and tilted his head, "What's a favor between friends?"

She shook him off, shaking her head, "I won't hurt anyone for you...! Not even Valentino--"

"Who's asking?!" Alastor shrugged his shoulders, almost delighted she went straight to that idea, teeth glinting in the red sunlight, "No... I am perfectly capable of that errand myself, Princess."

"Alastor--" she looked at him seriously.

He lifted a finger in the air to halt her righteous tirade, and to emphasis his next words, "One favor at a time of my choosing where you harm no one...! In return, I will tell you what I know...!"

Her serious look softened to one of sad reluctance.

"So," Alastor extended his hand, the green magic glowing there, "Do we have a deal?"

Razzle and Dazzle, from wherever they'd scurried off to when Alastor arrived, where suddenly growling, floating about the Princess, trying to keep distance from him and her--as well as perhaps to scare Alastor into backing off... Alastor just waited.

The Princess took a deep breath, calming the creatures, walking through their protective posturing. Her horns rose, and her eyes grew redder even than the Hellish sun. Charlie held out her hand, decided, "Deal... Alastor the Radio Demon."

It almost reminded him of her mother.

...

Vox hung up his phone, and Charlie was stalking down the stairs, determined. Vaggie followed more sedated behind--Alastor's shadow materialized next to Vox, hands behind his back, smile too wide.

"What did you do?" Vox questioned, face neutral, words quiet.

"The Princess owes me a favor," Alastor told him, "That's all."

"Al--"

"The car ready, darling?" he asked, expertly ignoring the vague warning in Vox's tone.

Vox swept his hand toward the front door, "Peppermint just arrived."

"Good...!" Alastor gave him a quick peck, and Vox followed, passing the despondent Vaggie. He gave the would-be-Vee a quick squeeze on the shoulder.

"Don't worry--" he whispered, "No harm will come to her."

"Vox--!" Vaggie hissed, grabbing his hand, "What is he planning?! What are you two hiding?"

Vox shook his head, "Nothing. I swear. We're just here to protect Charlie."

"What do you--?" 

"Vox...!" Alastor called at the doorway, eyes narrowing at the hold Vaggie had on him.

"Yeah, I'm coming!" he shouted back, unworried. He looked back at Vaggie, imploring, "Trust me, Vee. I like Charlie. We're gonna take her to an old friend. Someone who can help--I promise."

Vaggie deflated, letting go of Vox so he could catch up to Charlie and Alastor, waiting patiently at the door. She didn't even protest his nickname for her--which Vox almost kind of felt sad about. Vaggie just watched, before turning back to the other residents that remained with wide, uncertain stares.

...

Charlie sat next to Peppermint, who flinched every time she made a loud noise. He was Vox's assistant, and she had only met him a handful of times as he brought supplies or delivered paperwork for Vox to look over--and he seemed... well, a little slimy, but ultimately, he was loyal to Vox--which wasn't hard, in her opinion.

Vox was actually listening to Charlie as she continued, "--I tell her everything!"

"Everything?" Vox asked.

"Yes!" Charlie insisted, tossing her hands up (Peppermint squeaked, holding his tablet close to his chest for safety), "Even my favorite brand of deodorant!" 

Vox gave her a lilted smile, "That's... uh, okay--"

"Sir!" Peppermint glanced outside, "Looks like we're here!"

"Oh!" Vox waved at Peppermint, who fell over himself to open the doors for the occupants inside. Charlie took his hand when offered, but when he went back to help Vox, Alastor had materialized right in front of the assistant, knocking him away. Alastor held out his own talons for Vox to take. 

Peppermint shrank himself, tapping on the tablet while Charlie glanced around.

"Wow... this place is actually..." she blinked, "It's nice."

"Welcome to Cannibal Town!" Alastor held out his arm, offering it to the Princess, while Vox directed his assistant somewhere. Charlie was too distracted to pay attention to all that--instead staring with her mouth agape.

"This is Cannibal Town?!" 

The town was scenic, the residents nice, dressed in an era of fashion that she guessed was around the 1800s or into the early 1900's, if she had to pinpoint it. People of all ages were chatting, the air was surprisingly sweet, and the majority of it was clean and orderly. It was quaint, nostalgic, almost. Like a snapshot of a specific time in the past. Most everyone was smiling.

"Never been before?" Alastor asked.

"Uh... no, not really..." she said, in awe.

"It is nice, isn't it?" Vox walked on the other side of the Princess, smiling down at her.

Charlie couldn't help but give him a returning smile. It was much easier to feel calm and comfortable in his presence... maybe it was how blue he was--a bright and different splash of cool colors this hellish landscape--and while he was much like Alastor in that he tightly controlled his image... Charlie felt he wore much more real emotions--his feelings unable to truly be buried, no matter how hard he tried.

It was easier to see he how much he cared for Alastor... which made Alastor, in Charlie's opinion, much more sympathetic. He was a powerful demon--and Vox trusted him. Charlie trusted Vox. So... theoretically, Alastor could be trusted... somewhat.

"Why are we in Cannibal Town?" Charlie asked, looking between them. 

Alastor twirled his cane carelessly, "Oh, several reasons..."

"Alastor has been friends with its reigning overlord for many years--" Vox explained as they wound their way through these friendly streets lined in roses, a host of sinners waving and smiling at Vox and Alastor as the trio made their way to a building labeled Rosie's Emporium.

"--and Rosie always has an open invitation to tea for Vox and Velvette!" Alastor chuckled.

"Well," Vox shrugged, demurring as he pushed open the Emporium's door, "It's because Rosie thinks I'm cute."

"Darling--!" Alastor started, voice sounding almost scandalized.

Charlie was laughing when Vox sent her a wink, "I told Vel not to warn her--just watch...!"

"Is that Alastor I see?!"

Charlie gasps when patrons are parted and Alastor is suddenly being bodily hugged by another overlord. The Princess lets go of Alastor's arm and stands beside Vox, unsure of what exactly it is she's witnessing. This other overlord is fussing about Alastor, swatting him, generally being overly friendly and Charlie looks over at Vox, who has crossed his arms and is grinning at the scene.

"And--" Charlie startles when the woman gasps, "Voxxy! You've come too?!"

"Hi, Rosie!" Vox opens his arms, just as she dives into them, hugging him fiercely.

"You set me up!" she laughs, pulling away, "I thought sweet Velvette was being quiet today...! She's upstairs, let me just..." Rosie bustled past the trio, turning over a sign on the entry doors to CLOSED. 

Charlie still felt a little at a loss as this character waved her patrons out, speaking to them and offering quick advice--only pausing when she noticed Charlie staring with wide eyes at the overlord.

Rosie seemed to be a very lovely woman--short blonde hair hidden in a large hat, a mermaid style, old-fashioned dress, and gloves, but it was her dark eyes. Pure black. Charlie hadn't necessarily seen eyes like that before. Her smile was just as razor-like as Alastor's though, when she flashed it. Charlie waited anxiously beside Vox--jumping when another voice loudly filled the emptying Emporium.

"Well, well, well--" a very accented and young voice sang out, "If it isn't our flat-faced Prince and his ol' ball and chain...!"

Vox turned in time to catch another sinner sprinting into his arms, crying out, "My baby girl...!"

Charlie took a good look at this girl--having heard a lot about Velvette but never being properly introduced. She was small, her hair trailing behind her in a long fishtail braid. She was wearing a much different fashion than Rosie--modern crop top and high waisted jeans. She had on cardigan, and her nails and make-up were expertly applied. 

Alastor walked over to Charlie, placing a hand on her shoulder as they both watched Velvette and Vox spin in a circle--Vox lifting Vel in a hug that looked, honestly, really joyous and Charlie was kind of envious.

Vox had put the girl on her feet, taking her by the face as he smiled down at her, "Look at this...! Are these new colors?!"

"Just trying out a palette inspiration--" Velvette hedged, glancing down at her nails, "--but the nail lacquer will be the real ticket. It's got magnetic flakes in it...!"

"Ohhh!" Vox took her hand, waving over it as his static jumped--the colors on her nails shifting in the direction with it.

"Focus, love," Alastor reminded him. Vox chuckled, glancing up from Velvette's hand to give Charlie a nod.

"Right, right...!" he walked Velvette over to the Princess, bowing almost as he extended his hand out between them, "Velvette... this is Charlie."

Velvette just raised a brow, cocking out her hip as she placed her hand on it, "Yeah--hey, Princess."

"Oh, it's so nice to meet you, Velvette!" Charlie suddenly felt nervous as Velvette's well-decorated eyes looked her up and down... finding her wanting.

"Absolutely hideous outfit," she declared instead, turning away.

"Velvette...!" Rosie's voice floated over, but the younger overlord was already shrugging, "That's no way to speak to our Princess...!"

Vox shook his head, awkwardly apologetic as he looked at Charlie, "Don't take offense, sweetheart. Vel has said worse about my pinstripes--"

"It's boring...!" she insisted, "What are you trying to be--a 1920's gangster? Update, Vox!"

"I'm sure Velvette's just jealous--" Alastor leaned over Charlie, voice a touch too dark, "After all... Vox hasn't paid her much attention since working with the Princess's Hotel."

Velvette glared over her shoulder at Alastor, and Charlie nervously held up her hands, "R-Really... it's fine...! I-I'm not one for fashion."

"Alastor--" Rosie smacked at the Radio Demon, who stood up straighter, turning to her, "Introduce me, why don't you...! Vox had some manners--"

"I see in my absence Vox has become your new favorite too," Alastor mentioned, brow raised.

"He's cute."

"Told ya!"

Alastor's eyes deadpanned over to the TV Demon, who smugly walking through the Emporium to a corner area where seats and a coffee table were placed. Velvette was following him, glancing up at the back of his head. Nonetheless, Alastor cleared his throat, turning Charlie about to the other woman.

"Charlie, this is Rosie--" he introduced, and Rosie held out her hand for Charlie to take, "The Cannibal Overlord."

"It's very nice to meet you Ms. Rosie!" Charlie was careful, taking her hand.

Rosie looked delighted, "So polite! You could learn a thing or two, Alastor...!"

Alastor sighed, motioning over to where Vox and Velvette were already sitting.

Charlie suspected Alastor of several alteirior motives, especially after being cornered into a deal, but luckily, it looked like Alastor was not going to get out of these interactions unperturbed himself.

...

Rosie was pouring tea, delighted to be playing hostess, and more so, to Vox it seemed. Then again, Alastor had been gone for a bit. Now he was so focused on his task of keeping the Princess safe, aiding in her goals... it left him little time for socializing. Had Vox not insisted on joining... Alastor wondered if he would have thought to interact with anyone at all outside of hotel.

Alastor hid these troubled thoughts as he leaned on the chair Charlie rested in, casually watching Velvette poke at the back of Vox's head, subtly checking him for malfunctions. She raised her eyes to him, and they looked relieved. Alastor breathed out another quiet sigh.

Rosie looked between them all, sitting opposite the anxious Charlie. "Now... I know this isn't a social visit--Alastor and Vox have been very busy with this venture--" Rosie glanced over to Vox and smiled, "--which, Vel and I are all caught up! When's the next few episodes releasing?"

"Once Vaggie approves them--" Vox said, shrugging.

"Vaggie..." Charlie sighed, her body scrunching in the chair nervously, "I--"

"Oh! That's a tough cookie if I ever saw one...!" Rosie chuckled, looking over at Charlie, "And so pretty."

"She's fine--" Velvette shrugged, "But you really should do an end of season interview with everyone. The audience can watch the cast's progress toward redemption."

Charlie sagged. Rosie reached out to the girl, "Oh, I'm sorry, Princess. Are we being too critical?"

"N-No... that's not..." she glanced away.

Alastor cleared his throat, catching everyone's attention, "You are right, Rosie. This isn't a social visit. This is about the hotel--in a month the exterminators are coming specifically for us. We need help."

"Exterminators--you mean the exorcist angels...?" Velvette asked, looking over at Vox in new alarm.

Vox merely nodded.

"That's why I told Vox to contact you, Velvette--" Alastor continued, waving his hand out to Rosie, "--and to meet us at Cannibal Town. I have an idea that could potentially turn the tide for the hotel's favor."

"Y-You do?" Charlie gasped, looking over at him with a scrunched expression.

"Yes," Alastor smiled, lips curling up to reveal his deadly teeth, "Hopefully Rosie is willing to lend us some Cannibals soldiers--that is, if Velvette's findings allow it."

Velvette stood, eying Alastor as she moved over to Rosie's seat, placing a hand on the other woman's shoulder, "What do you want to know, Horn-Head?"

"Oh, nothing much..." Alastor placed his chin on his wrist while he leaned on Charlie's chair, "Just whether or not angel blood is toxic to sinners."

"Alastor--" Charlie gasped, turning towards him.

Alastor looked at her, "What? It's an honest question!"

"Al--" Rosie began, glancing over at Vox, who was setting down a teacup he barely touched. 

"Alastor... are you suggesting Rosie lends her cannibals to fight the exorcists...?" Vox clarified. Alastor just smiled at him. 

Charlie looked between all of them, hands held up, "Woah, woah...! I--I haven't asked anyone to fight anybody!"

"Princess--" Alastor looked over at her, brow raised, "--you know angels can be killed, because I know angels can be killed. Velvette has the head of an angel in her lab--Vox had her run tests to determine how it died, and how it affects us--"

"Us meaning demons like you and Vox," Velvette shook her head, "I haven't done a conclusive study with regular sinners or cannibals."

"Wait..." Charlie looked over at Vox, eyes wide, "Vox--you... you've known angels could be killed?"

Vox sent a look over to Velvette, unamused, "Unfortunately, I don't--not for certain. I had my suspicions when the exorcists were still in the embassy even a week after their last extermination--I had my drones searching the wreckage for clues about why they felt the need to slash the time in half for the next purge of sinners."

"Why didn't you tell me...?" she asked.

"Because we still don't know what killed the angel, exactly..." Vox sighed, "And sadly, Charlie, most of the overlords were shown the head when Velvette had to show it off at a meeting!"

"I apologized!" 

Rosie chuckled, crossing her legs, "Mm, yes, thoroughly."

"Not the time, dear--" Alastor shuddered while Charlie sat back in her seat, looking stunned, "--the point being... I know who does know."

"What?" Vox blinked, "Who? You never told me--"

"You didn't mention the angel head when you found--"

"Alastor," Rosie cut in shaking her head, "I have cannibals to protect... to feed."

Alastor smirked, "And feed them you will--if angelic flesh is safe to consume... they can eat their fill. You don't have to go after other sinners--or scrape by with rotting meat from extermination day."

Rosie looked at him, fingers tapping on the arm of her chair in thought.

"Vox..." Charlie started, glancing from Rosie to him, "Why are you studying how angels and demons can interact...?"

Vox, who was apparently still reeling from the information that Alastor had pettily kept to himself, was staring at Charlie with a look Alastor didn't know how to describe. Vox was normally keen to lie through his teeth whenever the opportunity arose... but currently he had a flash of something that could be called... reluctance, if it wasn't so heartbreakingly unsteady.

"I have reason to believe demons, specifically, are more dangerous if they come into contact with angelic beings."

"I don't understand--" she glanced from Alastor to Vox, looking for more clarification.

Alastor could give none, shrugging. "Vox has many theories about hell and its inhabitants. You're lucky I pay enough attention to believe this is a viable option."

"Charlie," Vox started, shaking off whatever feeling he was struggling to contain, "From Velvette's reports... demons can become more aggressive in the presence of angels. The more power a demon has... the more unstable I believe they become."

"Do you now...?" Alastor asked, heading tilting.

"Yes," Vox looked over at him, face serious, "And I know nothing of Heaven's power structure--on top of the fact my initial observations have mitigating factors... there are too many variables, Alastor."

"You're working on that exorcists mask--" Alastor waved off, "Have you made sufficient progress to hack into it?"

"Mask...?" Charlie shook her suddenly spinning head, "You've been hiding angelic tech, Vox?"

Vox's hands curled into fists, and he looked away from Charlie, "Not hiding, your majesty. Not entirely--" His eyes darted back to Alastor, almost angry, "--I didn't think we would ever be in a position where I would have to fight exorcists any more than you did."

"We have a month," Alastor reminded them all, "We have time."

"Okay..." Charlie breathed out, looking overwhelmed, "Okay. My hotelier and my media guy are at least knowledge enough to help me when things get dire--they could have ran, Charlie, so let's... let's take their advice and focus--"

Rosie sighed, reaching out a hand to the Princess to halt her nervous blathering, "My dear, you seem like a good girl. A princess who cares for her people... if Alastor thinks my cannibals can help guard and protect you--they are yours."

"R-Really...?" Charlie perked up, almost stunned.

"Of course!" Rosie began, then sighed, patting at Velvette's hand still on her shoulder, "Providing Velvette can ascertain angel flesh won't hurt them."

"The head's on ice--" Velvette tapped her finger on her chin, "I can get you brain, blood, and meat samples by tonight. Pick your least favorite cannibals and we'll run some tests."

Rosie laughed, standing, "Well then...! All that's left is for Charlie to inspire my cannibals!"

"Uh--excuse me...?" Charlie looked uncertain, glancing between Rosie and Velvette, uncertain.

"Ah..." Vox sighed, "Rosie's cannibals work as a hive-mind."

"You gotta convince all of them to your cause..." Rosie nodded, "Or none of them will join you. I can't force them, exactly, to lay their afterlife on the line for your hotel."

"Oh... great...!" Charlie visibly wilted.

"Not like you've failed to give an inspiring speech before...!" Alastor exclaimed, quite proud of himself for this idea.

The other three overlords looked at each other with carefully blank stares.

...

Rosie was gathering the cannibals into the town square, while Vox fumed at Alastor's side. Charlie was busy being dressed down by Velvette--affixing her hair and adding some make-up to her face with the new testing palette, apparently.

"Why didn't you tell me about Carmine...?" he tried to inquire, but there was a bite to his voice.

Alastor tapped his fingers on his cane's microphone, "You know why."

"Alastor--" Vox whispered, serious, eyes sliding over to him, "--tell me you won't fight, and you won't consume angel flesh."

"My dear--"

"Alastor!" he insisted, turning and rounding on him, "You, specifically, need to stay away from angels. Please."

Alastor's eyes flicked away from his face, nose scrunching, "You cannot order me and then tack on a please at the end of it--"

"I am begging, Alastor..." Vox felt his heart squeeze, "Please. I--Listen to me, I'm trying to tell you--"

"My love," the Radio Demon sighed, hand raising up like he knew Vox's heart was racing in his chest, placing itself over that thudding organ, "I will be fine. I'm not on Earth. I won't lose my mind. I won't be lost to you. I know what I'm doing."

Vox grabbed his hand, "If Charlie finds out--"

"What can the Princess of Hell do to me?" Alastor scoffed, eying the girl who inspected her own face in a hand mirror, apparently surprised by it's well-put together reflection. "She's inherited none of her mother's vicious streak. I will be fine."

"Alastor..." Vox's heart almost stopped at the words, "How often did she abuse you...? What aren't you telling me?"

Alastor shook his head, smile brightening, "Nothing, love. Nothing like that. I promise. You have nothing to worry over."

Ironically, was much more worried now.

...

Charlie's eyes sparkled, practically, and Velvette smirked at her from the reflection of the hand-held mirror. "Wooooow...!"

"I know--" Velvette tittered to herself, "--I'm that good."

"You are...! This is amazing--" Charlie blinked a little, turning to her, "I kinda didn't realize how much I look like my dad, though."

"That's a good thing, yeah?" Velvette asked, brow raised, "He was God's most beautiful, most favorite, wasn't he?"

Charlie felt a little shocked, looking over to Vox and Alastor--Alastor already walking toward her, mic held out to her, and Vox approached with a much more contemplative face on. "I--I never heard about that."

"Heard about what, sweetheart?" Vox asked, sounding concerned.

"About my dad--" she said, repeating Velvette's words, "--he was God's favorite? Says who?"

Vox opened his mouth, looking confused, before he quickly crossed his arms, one hand coming up under his chin, looking at Charlie seriously. "You've never read a mortal bible, have you? Or any other literary works from Earth, huh?"

"Why would I?" Charlie asked, sweeping her hand over herself, "My mom taught me everything I needed to know. My dad--he, uh... he doesn't talk about it at all. So..."

Alastor hummed, tapping his cane on the gazebo they stood next to, "Charlie, humans know nothing about Heaven and Hell until they end up here--we all had ideas. It's your job to tell us the real truth."

"Oh... I--" Charlie blinked up at Vox, "Is that why you never told me about the angel head? Were you scared I would worry about my dad?"

"I'm scared of a lot of things, Charlie," Vox admitted, low, and from the way Velvette and Alastor were walking up the steps of the gazebo--Alastor complementing Vel's make-up skills--they seemed unaware of his words.

"Vox... I'm scared, too."

Vox sighed, placing his hands on both her shoulders and squeezing, "I'd be more worried about you if you weren't."

"Am I... doing the right thing? Fighting back against Heaven?" she asked, looking terrified, "I wanted to save sinners--to rehabilitate them--to give them more than... this."

"I think..." Vox looked like he was searching her face for something. Then, slowly, a lopsided little smile appeared--one Charlie was quite charmed by. "You need to try. Whether it means rebellion or redemption--you were already fighting Heaven. You just didn't realize it yet."

Charlie sucked in a breath, surprised by those words.

"And I'm gonna be there, okay?" he promised, leaning down and pressing his forehead against hers quickly, "You're not gonna fight alone."

"Okay..." Charlie gulped down a wave of grateful tears.

"Charlie," Alastor called, and she broke away from Vox to start up the stairs. The Radio Demon handed over his mic, just as Rosie ushered Vox up the stairs to the gazebo with her.

"T-Thank you, Alastor..." the Princess took the mic, letting out a stuttered breath. 

She turned to the crowd just as Rosie began waving her hands, gesturing with an old-fashioned megaphone, "Listen up cannibals! Our Princess has words for you...!"

"Thank you, Rosie," Charlie held the mic closer.

"No need to worry, dear," Rosie comforted, hands sweeping out, "They're a good bunch... the only one you have to watch out for is--"

"Ugh, Susan...!" Alastor crossed his arms.

"Susan?" Charlie repeated.

"Susan," Velvette nodded in agreeance while Rosie gave an unlady-like shrug.

"What's wrong with Susan?" Vox asked, leaning over to eye them all.

"Well, she can be a little..." Rosie waved her fingers, demurring, "... kind of a bit of a--"