Chapter Text
Charlie was annoyed.
She really didn’t have a good reason to be annoyed - other than Vaggie being away in Heaven on a ‘business trip’ (Emily had pulled some strings and gotten a visit to see family approved), nothing was out of the ordinary.
Alastor was more relaxed and happy than he’d been in months, the hotel had been listed on the news as in the top 5 most desired places to stay, and Rosie had found time to leave Cannibal Town for the first time in ages.
The cannibal was sat across from her in the hotel living room, talking animatedly about something with Alastor. The latter was listening intently, tapping his fingers on his knee along to the soft music playing through the radio on the mantelpiece.
Her little sister was sat in the centre of the room (as usual), playing with her favourite wooden blocks while everyone watched her fondly (also as usual). Lucifer was laid down on his side next to her, building his own little tower of tiny rubber ducks.
Calm. Content. Carefree.
A picture of domestic bliss.
She should have been delighted.
This was as close to a functioning family situation as she’d ever experienced… but then again maybe that was the problem? If it had been possible the whole time, then why couldn’t it have been there for her?
She felt frustrated with everything.
With her dad, with Marie… and most importantly, with herself.
She couldn’t even feel angry without feeling that sharp sense of guilt that she was being unreasonable and selfish, directing her anger at a baby because she was too cowardly to face anyone else.
It wasn’t fair.
A tiny shadow man ran out from under the sofa and pushed the ducks over.
“ALASTOR!”
The demon snickered under his breath, easily catching the duck thrown at his head with one hand.
“Now now darling. Let’s not be teaching the baby to throw things.”
Lucifer muttered under his breath but didn't respond further, having been distracted by Marie attempting to shove a duck in her mouth when no one was watching.
"NO! No honey, don't eat that. Its not good for you."
The door swung open and Angel strolled in, followed closely behind by Husk. Both sinners looked mentally exhausted but their tired frowns quickly shifted to fond smiles when they saw her little sister.
Oh, to be a person who made others smile by just existing.
Must be nice.
Marie gasped, her face lighting up.
“Kitty!”
“Hells sake kid. We’ve been through this.”
Husk crouched down to ruffle the kid’s hair, smiling despite his gruff words.
Charlie rolled her eyes.
“Stop complaining Mr Kitty Cat,” sighed Angel grumpily, throwing himself on the sofa beside the princess. “At least she calls you something. She just laughs at me.”
Rosie placed her teacup delicately on the table, looking delightedly at the baby.
“How many words does she know?”
“About five?” Lucifer glanced up at Alastor for confirmation.
“Seven."
The demon pulled a tiny notebook out of a jacket pocket and flicked to the first page, reading out the words written down.
"Papa. Dada. Charlie. Ozzie. Hungry. No. And of course, Kitty.”
Husk scowled, ears flattening.
Only Marie could call him that.
She was the exception to many rules in this hotel.
“Mostly names then," said Rosie thoughtfully. "When will she start saying full sentences?”
“Most children with angel blood advance quicker than human or hell-born babies,” her dad replied. “But then again, it probably just depends on the kid. Charlie didn’t speak at all until she was nearly two.”
Unnecessary comparison, she thought irritably.
“My Marie is smart,” said Alastor smugly. “She’ll figure it out soon enough.”
“Difficult visitors at the moment?” Charlie asked Angel quickly, hoping to shift the conversation away from Marie. Her voice came out much louder than she'd expected, but the spider didn’t seem to notice and just nodded.
"Room 348 had apparently been using the hotel as a place to meet up with his mistress. His wife found him this morning." Angel sighed, picking at his nails. "We thought we'd gotten everyone to calm down but then his second mistress showed up. Not much we could do then except block the corridor off."
"Oh! Maybe I could go help?"
If she remembered correctly, Room 348 was a lower Goetia demon - a bit of a dickhead but all too happy to act reasonable around royalty. Besides, something complicated to focus on would help get rid of all these frustrating feelings for a little bit...
Husk laughed.
"No point now. Niffty's cleaning him off the ceiling."
Oh.
Never mind then.
Charlie slumped back in disappointment.
Shifting about uncomfortably, Angel tsked and reached under the sofa cushion he was sat on, pulling out two white remote controllers.
A grin spread across the spider’s face.
“Hey Kitty Cat. Wanna get your ass beat by me on Rainbow Road again?”
The bartender rolled his eyes but nodded, catching the second controller launched at his head.
“Sir, you want to play?”
The king smirked, a third controller appearing in his gloved hands.
“Sure. As long as you kids don’t mind losing.”
Angel’s eyes sparkled at the challenge.
"Mr Radio Demon?"
"Absolutely not."
Alastor ran his hands absent-mindedly through her dad's hair, who had moved to sit with his back against the demon's legs so he could have a better view of the screen. A shadow picked up the teapot beside him. "Another cup of tea, Rosie dear?"
“If you wouldn’t mind.”
Excited, Charlie bounced out of her seat.
“I’ll set it up!”
They’d played this game so many times that it was almost second nature reattaching all the correct wires to the old television. The game disc case hadn’t even been put away since last time, sat on a bookshelf next to a bottle of whisky.
Unfortunately in her enthusiasm, the princess got caught in the cables surrounding the tv stand and tripped. She yelped, throwing her arms out to stop her fall and knocked the tv over, landing in an ungraceful heap with a crash.
Her dad’s voice called out worriedly.
“Charlie?? You good honey?”
“I’m fine!”
She straightened back up with a smile, carefully putting the tv back in its rightful place, but her laugh fizzled out on her tongue as she turned back to the room.
No one was looking at her.
Not one slightest question of concern.
Nope.
They were all too busy crowding around Marie, who’d been scared by the noise and had burst into tears.
Of course.
“Pourquoi pleures-tu?” Alastor swept the baby off the floor, softly wiping away her tears with the pad of his thumb. “Ne sois pas triste ma bichette. It’s just your older sister making a mess.”
The demon’s voice was light and teasing, clearly making a joke as he tried to comfort the child, but the princess felt a sharp stab of hurt at his words nonetheless.
Just silly old Charlie, being loud and clumsy like always. Nothing to worry about.
She mumbled something about going to the toilet (a lie) and slunk towards the door, gritting her teeth as the video game music started.
"Char-Char! Could you bring Mr Rattles back up with you? I think he's on the kitchen table."
No.
"Sure."
"Thanks sweetheart!"
Charlie shuffled her way angrily down the stairs, cursing her clumsiness and everyone’s clear dismissal of her fall.
It wasn’t anything worse than a bruised wrist and pride… but it was still something!
Her dad used to practically have a heart attack when she stubbed her toe for Hells sake!
Where was the continuity?
Why did Marie need all the attention?
She stormed through the lobby and into the kitchen, ignoring the way the door whacked into the stone wall.
Just as her dad had said, Mr Rattles was sprawled across the table, lying next to a half-eaten cookie and an empty bottle.
"Why do I have to fetch you?" she hissed at the stupid looking snake, poking it angrily in the head. "What happened to conjuring shit out of the air?"
Mr Rattles stared blankly at the ceiling.
Letting out a little shriek of frustration, Charlie kicked the table leg and instantly regretted it, pain shooting through her foot.
Well now she felt even more foolish.
Her pride was really taking a hit today, wasn’t it?
Collecting herself, the princess snatched up the snake plushie and walked back out the kitchen. To her surprise however, the lobby was now full of people.
Rosie and Husk were stood on the stairs, Angel was sat on the lobby desk, and even Niffty had reappeared, still covered in blood and holding a mop.
Alastor reappeared from the cloakroom, holding a pair of dark red gloves and a white top hat (this he placed on Lucifer’s head).
Spotting her, her dad hurried over with Marie in his arms, his content smile from earlier now a sharp, toothy grin.
“CHARWI!”
“Thats right honey! Here’s Charlie.”
Smiling, Lucifer handed her the baby and kissed both of their cheeks, his apple topped cane appearing in his right hand.
"Thanks sweetheart. I appreciate it.”
Charlie frowned.
Had something seriously happened whilst she was gone?
She’d been away for like two minutes!
Looking at how smartly her dads were both dressed though, they were clearly heading out… and expected a fight.
"Where are you going?"
"Gluttony," Alastor replied distastefully, adjusting his tie in the mirror. "Some exorcists found a gap in the wards and are making a mess. You'll have to watch Marie for us."
Charlie resisted the urge to stamp her feet up and down.
"Can't your Shadow do that?"
"If only that were possible, my dear.” The demon's smile stretched wider until it clicked into place like a piece of lego. He turned away from his reflection, clearly satisfied with his appearance. "Unfortunately I am still a Sinner, so I can't extend my power between two Hell dimensions. I'm technically not allowed out of the Pride Ring at all, but dating your darling father does come with certain benefits."
Charlie couldn’t quite work out what emotion was shining in the overlord’s eyes as they ran over the angel’s body, but whatever it was had made her dad’s face go bright gold.
Angel coughed pointedly.
“So are you guys leaving or…?”
”Yes! Let’s go!”
A golden portal spiralled into being beside the doors. Through it Charlie could see the colourful backdrop of the Gluttony Ring, a delicious, addictive smell wafting through it into the hotel.
Alastor’s Shadow hissed loudly, recoiling away from the portal and latching onto the banister next to the child’s head, squeezing its eyes shut. Its owner bit his lip, reaching back towards Marie and Charlie with a conflicted expression.
”Maybe I should stay here…”
Yes. Please stay…
“Woah… hold on mister." Lucifer gently but firmly pulled Alastor towards the portal. A thick golden chain appeared around the shadow’s waist, dragging it across the floor and leaving claw marks in the carpet. "She'll be fine. Charlie's got her."
"But..."
"No buts. We’re going to kick angelic ass, feast on our enemies and be back in time for Marie’s evening feed," her dad called, glancing back once over his shoulder to grin at both of them. "I'll say hi to Aunty Bee for you!"
"Okay."
The portal disappeared, leaving the princess standing in the lobby feeling slightly dazed. She was still clutching Mr Rattles in one hand.
Marie blinked up at her expectantly.
Charlie sighed.
Fucks sake.