Chapter Text
"It was only a kiss? How did it end up like this? It was only a fucking kiss!"
It was so early in the morning. Charlie hasn’t had breakfast yet, nor showered, or even brushed her hair. Heck, her eyes haven’t even begun to adjust yet. Alastor suddenly knocked on their penthouse doors, Vaggi was spooked, but as soon as Charlie’s girlfriend opened the door, in a sing-song tone Alastor said. "I quit—oh, I mean it this time." Before he handed Vaggi his resignation form which was a bit weird because he didn’t even signed an application form in day one.
Charlie chased after Alastor down the hall leaving Vaggi behind in their room who was looking at the papers in her hand with bright eyes. She has been waiting for that moment for so long. "Wait! Alastor, this time? What do you mean?" She asked in a frantic tone as she grabbed Alastor’s coattail. The Radio Demon didn’t stopped walking.
"This is actually my second time quitting, my dear. The first one I told your father."
"Dad!" Charlie snapped. "Why didn’t he told me?"
"None of it matters." Alastor said in a nonchalant tone. "What’s done is done."
"But you said you were gonna stay? You said—"
"Yes, but I have changed my mind. It occurred to me that I do want to quit after all."
"But you just got back? Please, Al!"
Alastor pressed a button on the panel by the elevator. "And now I’m leaving." He shot Charlie a sideward glance, his back facing her. "I don’t understand why you’re making a big deal out of this?"
"The hotel needs you!" Charlie begged.
"No we don’t." Vaggi said with a chuckle as she flew behind Charlie.
Alastor chuckled. "Vanessa and I agree on that."
"Ew, it feels gross that we agree on something." Vaggi bantered back. "And don’t call me that!"
Charlie couldn’t believe it and began to panic. "But I need you! I can’t do this without you! Haven’t you seen what happened last week when you weren’t around? You got kidnapped! I nearly got heaven blown up!" Tears began to form in Charlie’s eyes and she began to crumple Alastor’s tattered coattail unknowingly. "Niffty nearly set the hotel on fire! Angel is still gone—please, Al. I need you now more than ever. I can’t afford to fuck it all up."
"You saved both heaven and hell, did you not?"
"Well, yeah—"
"You saved your pathetic father, did you not?"
"It was actually Carmilla and Vaggi."
"You made the overlords unite for once, right?"
"Please Al, don’t do this."
"I even have you to thank for my longevity."
"Fucking hell, Al! You cashed in on the favor I owe you! You saved yourself. I didn’t do anything for you. I couldn’t do anything for you! I was so overwhelmed, I can’t do this!"
Alastor giggled. "You’re being too modest, my dear. There is strength within you—a potential I saw on the day I saw your disastrous commercial. You need to see that, but you’ll need to do it on your own." Alastor complemented, but Charlie didn’t feel great hearing it. It felt like a half-assed goodbye. Like Alastor was merely justifying why it was ok for him to leave her behind. "Your dad is here, Vaggi has been the one doing my job in my absence, the overlords see you in a different light now, you have allies in heaven, and I heard your mom is coming over or you’re coming over to her? It doesn’t matter. I don’t care. Point is, you have more capable help than little ol’ me. You’re nothing like the sad, pathetic, and helpless girl I found in a rotting hotel. With a bit of effort, you can go places."
What Alastor says is true, but Charlie didn’t want to let him go. There are things left unsaid. "Please, Al. Don’t say that, don’t do this to me, don’t leave me behind. I just got you back—fuck! Angel is gone. I can’t lose you too. Whatever I did wrong, let’s talk about it." Why did that sound familiar? Right, those were the same words Charlie said to get her ex boyfriend, Seviathan, to stay. "Please talk to me, Alastor. Tell me what I did to piss you off. This—you, just can’t."
Alastor’s patience grew thin. He clicked his tongue. "You can’t force me to stay, princess."
"Princess? Why did he call me princess? He never called me that before." Charlie thought.
Alastor turned to look at her. He was still smiling, but you could feel his annoyance.
"Unless you order me to, my liege."
"You know I don’t do that." Charlie gasped.
"I know." Alastor chuckled as he looked at Charlie’s hand still grabbing his coattail. "Now let go. I’m in a hurry." He said coldly.
Charlie was left speechless. She couldn’t do nothing but let go. She watched as the elevator doors closed and Alastor leave her life. Why does this always happen? Whenever she wins, she loses something else. The goodbye was so sudden and heartbreaking that she fell on her knees and broke down in tears.
Vaggi quickly went to her side and tried to comfort her. "Hey, it’s okay, sweetie. It’s gonna be okay. I’m here. I won’t leave you. Alastor is just an asshole. We don’t need him."
"No he’s not." Charlie said close to a whisper as she wrapped her arms around herself. "He’s not." She said as memories floods back into her.
After the successful negotiation with Rosie. Alastor and Charlie were on their way back to the hotel when she broke down in tears, the heartbreak of her fight with Vaggi was finally catching up with her. She didn’t want to cry in front of Alastor. She didn’t want to appear weak in front of The Radio Demon. She didn’t want to get mocked at by him, but Alastor didn’t say a word. In fact, he helped her into a bar. It was empty because it was still early. It was just one guy cleaning up the place. The janitor wanted to kick them out, but Alastor threw money at him, and the janitor said they can raid the bar, he’s gonna turn around, and go for a lunch break.
Alastor helped Charlie by a stool and jumped over the bar. He then tapped his cane on the floor and music, classy, slow, and soothing music began to play.
As Charlie wiped her tears with her sleeves, she was shocked to see an Old Fashioned in front of her. "What’s this?"
"Liquid courage! The prescribed medicine for an ailing heart." Alastor said cheerfully.
Charlie smiled. She was still crying, but Alastor’s joke made her smile. "No, I shouldn’t. It is too early and we have much to do."
"You want to stop feeling like shit, don’t you? Down the hatchet, my dear. We’re sinners. We can be sinful from time to time."
Charlie smiled. "I suppose there is no harm." The Old Fashioned turned into a Highball, the Highball turned into a Revolver, Rusty Nail, a couple La Louisianes were added into the mix, and they washed it all down with a Monte Carlo. Being hellborn, Charlie can handle her alcohol pretty well, but Alastor was red. Well, more red than usual, and he couldn’t focus on Charlie. She thought he looked adorable in a drunken state.
Alastor smiled at Charlie. "There we go! I told you you’re not fully dressed without a smile. It suits you." He complemented groggily.
Charlie blushed. She’s not actually smiling because of the booze but because of how goofy Alastor looked. "I think you had too much Al—"
"You look pretty." Alastor suddenly blurted out.
"What?" Charlie blushed even more, shocked by his words.
Alastor suddenly reached in, held Charlie’s cheek, gently pressed his thumb on her skin, leaned in over the bar, and kissed Charlie’s left cheek. "You’re very pretty." Alastor said before he moved in to kiss Charlie’s lips.
Charlie wanted to push him off her, she should have, but she didn’t. She didn’t know why she kept still. Alastor’s breath smelled like booze, his sharp teeth were were grazing her lips, and his long tongue was ticking the roof of her mouth, but the sensation was soothing. It made her feel grounded, safe, and even warm. Without knowing it, her hands began to move towards Alastor’s suit collar. She wanted to pull him closer and pushed their lips deeper.
Suddenly, Alastor passed out, unconscious by the bar. Leaving Charlie red, confused, and speechless in her seat. She never talked about that kiss to anyone else. She kept it to herself and Alastor doesn’t seem to remember it, only that he drank a lot while trying to impress her on how many poison cocktails he knows.
Another memory popped into Charlie’s head.
That time before Adam started to attack the hotel. Charlie went to check up on Alastor.
"Come in, my dear. It is open."
Charlie entered Alastor’s room. The swamp was gone. It was a normal hotel room now. She spotted The Radio Demon fixing his bowtie, and his coat was not on. She spotted his red tail. It looked soft and adorable, and his waist looked so lithe. Charlie bet she can wrap her arms around him and there would still be more room for two Alastors. She grew self-conscious of her own swelling waist. "How does this guy keep his girlish figure? Oh right, he eats little to no sugar. I can’t do that!" Charlie thought. "Hey, Al…"
"Hm?"
"Are you really sure you’re gonna be okay fighting Adam all alone?" Charlie said as she began approaching Alastor, closing the door behind her.
"You doubt the most powerful demon in hell?"
"No! No… It’s not like that—"
"Then you have nothing to worry about. Focus on your task and trust I can handle mine."
Charlie was behind Alastor. "Okay… Okay. Just promise me you’ll be careful. Promise me you’ll come back."
Alastor turned around and wrapped his arms around her. "I will, Charlie… I will. So don’t worry about anything. I will handle it."
Charlie found herself resting her face on Alastor’s chest. She could hear his heartbeat and smell his intoxicating perfume. She looked up and saw Alastor was looking at her, she blushed. His lips were mere inches from hers. If she tipped her toes or if he leaned in they would touch, and she would get to taste his lips again, but Alastor only caressed her hair, patted her head, and told her to move along.
Charlie was disgusted at herself for being a bit disappointed that Alastor didn’t kissed her. He was just drunk when he passionately kissed her. Besides, she already has a girlfriend. Why was she fantasizing about Alastor kissing her before the battle starts like some common slut? Still, the thought and the regret lingered.
Charlie was done reminiscing. "You fucking liar." She whispered and gritted her teeth, her fangs pricking her black lips.
"What was that, babe?" Vaggi asked.
Charlie suddenly stood up, ran for the stairs, and jumped off each floor until she reach the lobby, but she was too late. She looked around and didn’t see Alastor, all of the other guests were looking at her. She burst out of the main lobby doors and scanned outside to spot Alastor, but he wasn’t there anymore. He was just gone. "You fucking liar!" She screamed at the top of her lungs, her horns and tail popping into existence, her eyes burning with hellfire. "You promised you’ll come back." She broke down in tears. "So why did you leave? You stupid asshole!"
Alastor arrived at Rosie’s emporium. He fixed his bowtie one last time before entering through the front doors.
"Come in! Welcome to my!—" Rosie chirped but she spotted Alastor and she wore a toothy grin as she approached him. "Oh Alastor! You mangey mutt!" Rosie’s words defeated her sunny disposition. "I want to crush your skull and use your eyes to spice my coffee."
"Rosie, you bitch!" Alastor giggled before he hugged Rosie and spun her around. "I want to snap that pretty neck of yours."
"So what can you cheat me out of this time, today? Remember, I already owe you." Rosie said as she placed a palm on Alastor’s left cheek, caressing his dark brown fur. "Are you planning on strangulating me with the interests?"
"Hm… As enticing as that sounds I have something else in mind." Alastor unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his scar. "You see, I’m in quite a pickle." He ripped out the stitching and it began to bleed. Like sharks in a feeding frenzy, all the cannibals in the shop looked at Alastor, but none dared to move in fear of invoking their master’s wrath. "The damn thing won’t heal! I need more power, Rosie. More power than you provided. The pain and bleeding is irritating."
A drop of Alastor’s blood fell on Rosie’s upper lip. She licked it clean and also licked the blood on Alastor’s chest clean—noisily, slurping down every last drop until nothing was left, she even licked on the wound until no drop of blood was left. The other cannibals also licked their dry mouths in anticipation, but it would be a death sentence for them to disturb Rosie’s meal, so they stayed put. "Not all the power in hell can help you now, Alastor." Rosie said as she wiped her lips with a handkerchief. "Not even the most powerful demons in hell can heal an angelic wound, but thank you for the meal. I should have taken a bite out of you when I still had the chance." Rosie said and her mouth began to water. "You’re very tasty."
"Don’t feign ignorance, my dear. You took a bite—you took many bites! But never mind that, I’m not asking for your help, my delightful and sweet Rosie. I’m not Vox who can’t wipe his own ass without a hand or two. No, I was merely asking if you wanted to tag along. I need power, I need clues, and I need answers. I’m going to try if old Zestial knows something. He loves reading old dusty books and he has a soft spot for me.
Rosie giggled. "Okay, I’ll tag along, but you won’t like this."
"What?"
"Zestial is at another meeting. He and Carmilla are seeing each other again he’s been very supportive recently. I was about to go but then you showed up."
"Shit."
Rosie and Alastor arrived at the meeting. Carmilla was glaring at them. "Why are you two late?" She snarled as she tapped her claws on the table. Clearly she waited for them and she didn’t liked the wait.
"Because I wasn’t planning on attending." Alastor scoffed in a jolly manner and flicked his wrist at Carmilla, as if dismissing her. "Your voice puts me to sleep and everything you talk about bores me." Alastor looked to his left and spotted Vox’s head being held by Valentino. "And that picture box is an eyesore. Nothing like the classy TVs of old. The black and blue is making my head hurt just by looking at it."
"I can hear you, you know, asshole!" Vox spat.
"Right back at you, asshole!" Alastor spat back. "I wanted you to hear it on purpose. That’s for carrying me around like luggage and even making me watch you two turn into disgusting pretzels!"
"Oooh, you owe me a pretty penny for that, mi amore. I ain’t no cheap whore." Valentino moaned. "I’m a professional—an artist!"
"Best I can do is blood money!" Alastor growled. The windows shattered, the shadows came to life, and shadow tentacles writhe wildly behind Alastor’s back, making most of the overlords duck under the table. Zeezi got her butt spanked because she was too big to fit under the table. Velvette just leaned forward to avoid Alastor’s outburst and went back to typing on her phone.
"Oh fuck! Calm down, will you! I’m not the one who dicked you over. It was this dick!" Val panicked as he used Vox’s head as a shield.
"Whoa! Whoa! Not the face! It’s all I have left." Vox screamed.
"Enough! Thou shall cease thy shenanigans." Zestial commanded.
Alastor reverted back to normal, turned to look at Zestial, and he looked as innocent as a puppy. "I just have a question for you, old friend, and we will be out of your hair."
"Oh! What is thy burning question, Alastor?"
"What do you mean, we?" Carmilla asked.
"I’m with him. No offense, Carmilla—sweetie, but you also bore me." Rosie giggled.
Carmilla rolled her eyes. "For fuck’s sake—fine! You idiots do what you want to do. I give up." She snapped. She was fuming as she took a seat beside Zeezi.
"What? Wait! Where are you going?" Vox asked.
"You’re not invited!" Alastor growled before he turned at Zestial, sporting his most charming smile. "So Zestial… What do you know about demons who are not in hell?" He as as his entire visage cracked and contorted.
That made Zestial’s ears perk up. "Interesting… Why the sudden interest?"
"This wounded puppy thinks he’s no longer hot shit." Rosie said nonchalantly. "He’s hoping he could get help from the other side."
"The wound Adam made?" Zestial asked curiously.
"That dickwad really did a number on me. It stings like the dickens! I’m just glad it is not festering. It just bleeds out occasionally."
"It is very tasty!" Rosie chirped, making everyone look at her in utter shock.
"That better not turn you on!" Val snapped at Vox.
"What? No!" Vox chuckled sheepishly. "Maybe I’m just a bit curious."
"Gross." Velvette said while not taking her eyes off her phone.
"Anyway, I told Alastor I got nothing for him." Rosie explained. "I can make wounds, not fix 'em. We need something with more hutspah to snap Alastor’s wound away. I’m no genie!"
"Eureka!" Alastor cheered. "That’s it!" He suddenly grabbed Rosie by her arms and kissed her lips. "I love you, my dear!"
"Oh…" Rosie blushed.
"You’re still a bitch though." Alastor returned.
"Yeah, I thought as much."
Alastor looked at Zestial. "Let’s start with that, Zestial—old buddy, old pal. What do you know about Djinns?" He asked as his smiled formed a twisted grin.
Zestial smiled as well. It is not everyday he can share a few of his interests with his friends. "Not much, but my studies led me to the knowledge that genies or Djinns art very powerful earthborn demons who can grant wishes. They art so powerful that God considered thy kind a threat and imprisoned their lots—not in lamps! But in tombs."
"Do you know where they are entombed?"
"No. I believe heaven holds the answers thou seeketh."
Alastor began to cackle like a madman. "Interesting! Most interesting." His neck snapped and his expression turned more twisted.
"I believe thou haveth a plan?"
"Oh yes, and it is a very good one. I think I know how to get a free ticket to heaven."
"I know not if heaven would easily impart the knowledge we seeketh?"
"Oh, do you worry about that! I know the perfect angel to play like a fiddle. She will be of use to us, indeed! Because I know what she wants and I’ll tell her what I want. I’ll make her an offer she’ll be too stupid to refuse."
"I like where this is going." Rosie giggled.
"I don’t." Carmilla grumbled.