Chapter Text
In the wake of Vox’s attempted takeover (read, failure), things were slowly settling back into normalcy. Or, as normal as things got in a hotel designed to rehabilitate sinners run by the Princess of Hell.
The hotel was becoming more popular by the day, with more check-ins and far fewer check-outs. It seems that the general populace had finally clicked that there may just be something more for them than eternal suffering. There, of course, were still the few that thought the hotels' purpose was purely to protect them from the threat of angels. Or sinners who simply wanted to fight the angels. Luckily, the hotels manager was able to sort through the sinners who were clearly not interested in redemption, and they were quickly shown the door (with the occasional help of an angelic spear).
Standing in the lobby, Charlie took in the full splendour of the hotel. She was in her element. Now that Vaggi had taken over the managerial aspects, she was free to fully embrace her role as Head Counsellor. This meant more therapy sessions, more arts and crafts, more trust falls (only one person broke a bone last week!) and, most importantly, MORE REDEMPTION! -insert jazz hands here- Although, they hadn’t yet redeemed another sinner, but she was sure it would happen soon. Right?
Her gaze shifted to the front desk, and she waved excitedly to her girlfriend who was helping a new guest check in. Vaggi caught her eye and sent a wink Charlie’s way before turning her attention back to the guest. The fallen angel now seems to split her days assisting guests, keeping the hotel in tip top condition and trying to manage Charlie’s exuberant optimism. While she was thrilled that Charlie could finally pour all of her energy into redemption, Vaggi still had to help the Princess dial back the enthusiasm.
“No babe, not all guests want a personalised, rainbow-themed wall of encouragement in their rooms.”
“Charlie, you can’t force the guests to be friends with each other. Putting them in an extra-large ‘get-along’ sweater, will not in fact, make them get on better.”
“Sweetheart, you know that I love you, but boundaries are a thing. If one more guest calls you at 2am for a therapy session, I am kicking you out of this bed, permanently.”
Luckily, Charlie was getting much better at listening to her partner and learning to take things on board. Slowly, the hyperfocus was becoming more focused and less hyper. Their relationship was stronger than ever and even the most cynical of guests had a soft spot for the sweet couple.
Charlie’s survey of the lobby ended at the bar and a frown briefly crinkled her forehead. The mood there was somber. The absence of Angel Dust was felt across the hotel but it seemed particularly potent at the area where the spider had once spent so much time. Cherri, having moved into the hotel a while ago, was keeping Husk company with Fat Nuggets a permanent fixture in her lap (or in the nuts). Catching Charlie’s eye, she raised a hand in greeting but even that felt lackluster.
Husk was angrily cleaning a glass and muttering under his breath. It took him a long time to open up to people, normally appearing closed-off and aloof. But damn it, if that leggy spider hadn’t burrowed his way under Husk’s skin and fucking stayed there. He kept picturing Angel walking away from him, over and over again. He was far more snappy and abrupt than usual, only saving any kind of softness for Cherri and Fat Nuggets.
Charlie knew he was devastated and had tried to coax him into a therapy session, but that went about as well as you’d expect.
“If I wanted to talk about him, I would’ve fucking done it by now, Princess. So, unless you want a drink, leave me the fuck alone.”
Vaggi was less than pleased about the tone, but Charlie begged her to leave it. Husk was suffering and she understood. He needed time to come to terms with his grief and his feelings for Angel.
As she watched her friends at the bar, two demons came scurrying past, the smaller of the two talking a mile a minute about lord knows what and the taller with a fond smile on his face. Charlie grinned as she saw them passing, pleased about Baxter and Niffty’s new friendship.
Baxter had decided to continue his ‘research’ on redemption and stay at the hotel for the foreseeable future. Although, he was currently on a tinkering ‘ban’ (upheld by Vaggi) after one too many holes had appeared on the lobby floor.
“New rule Baxter, if you are going to blow something up, do it outside, not in your lab.”
“But my lab has all my equipment in!”
“It’s also directly below the lobby.”
“Well, I suppose you have a point.”
Niffty was still her same little gremlin self, somehow everywhere all at once. The hotel had never looked cleaner but the roach puppet shows were happening more often. On the plus side, Baxter’s assistance had made them much more interesting. The most recent one showed a roach with a tiny TV head being muted over and over again.
Charlie really had her work cut out for her with these two but their friendship was almost sweet (if you think animating dead insects is sweet). Now, she just had to make sure that Niffty doesn’t show Baxter how to get into the vents…
Turning towards the stairs, she saw her ‘other Dad’ on the balcony. Alastor was back and in a better mood than ever, permanent grin stretched wide across his face. He still claims that he is the ‘host’ of the hotel but no one really knows what he does and you can never find the fucker when you need him. On the plus side, having the Radio Demon in residence is an excellent way to keep away danger. Especially after breaking his bonds. Charlie is thrilled that he is back in the hotel and gushed to Vaggi about how he must want to help with her dream. Vaggi is highly suspicious and is sure that he has ulterior motives.
The last permanent resident of the hotel is missing from the scene. The King of Hell himself, Lucifer, has been seen here and there but his public humiliation and subsequent use as a power-source has sent the King back into a slump. His relationship with Charlie has frayed and neither of them really know how to talk to the other about what happened between them.
Whilst Charlie was upset that he and Vaggi went behind her back to threaten Vox, she has forgiven them both for this. She let out a soft sigh and started towards the kitchen. Coffee was definitely in order.
Back in his room, Lucifer sighed heavily and rested his head on his arms. He had been attempting to create a new rubber duck but even the normally soothing motions of creation weren’t enough to stop his thoughts wandering.
It’s been a very long time since he felt that helpless. And, although he has tried to keep up his usual bounciness around the hotel, he is finding himself retreating to his room more and more. Does Charlie truly want him here? Or would it be better to simply go back to the Morningstar home and stay out of her life. After all, she clearly doesn’t need him. Just like Lilith didn’t need him. Everything she has achieved, has been from her own merit.
Lucifer thinks back to his capture and cringes. In retrospect, it was so obvious that it wasn’t Charlie asking him to meet. He is the King of Hell, the ‘living aspect of the infinite’ (another cringe, it sounded so cool at the time) and he was captured and used by a mere sinner. He couldn’t even stop the weapon from firing, let alone break out. The thought that he could’ve been the cause of not only his daughters demise, but all of her friends (and, he supposes, the rest of the sinners) was sickening. To add insult to injury (quite literally) some of his wounds still haven’t healed. Even worse, he finds himself waking up in a cold sweat, thinking about being trapped and the weapon slowly draining his life force. He hasn’t been scared like since The Fall. That he could be hurt by a sinner and not fight back? Something needed to change. He needed a guard dog or something. A guard duck?
“How would one go about making a dog-sized duck.” He muttered. “Would fire-breathing be over the top? Would it still not be able to harm sinners because it was created by me?”
A flicker of interest passed across his face and Lucifer pulled some paper and pencils towards himself. He began a rough sketch of a dog-sized rubber duck before stopping and putting his head in his hands. What was he doing? He should be fixing his relationship with his daughter, not dreaming up new ways to look like more of a loser.
He hadn’t joined the others for breakfast in quite a while and, although the thought of interacting with all of those that had witnessed his failure was nauseating, he needed to see his Charlie.
Rubbing his face with his hands, he stood up and stretched. With a click of his fingers, he was immaculately dressed in his normal attire. Frowning at himself in the mirror, he clicked his fingers again, deciding to forgo the hat and his jacket. Rolling up his sleeves to expose his dark forearms, he peered at himself, turning left and right. With a shake of his head and a sigh, he decided that would do.
Charlie had previously asked him, gently, not to portal around the hotel. It startled guests and she felt that it put too much of a ‘divide’ between the King and sinners. Lucifer privately thought the divide should be much bigger but agreed.
With a last look in the mirror, he headed out. Luckily for him, his floor was almost empty. The only other room up here was-
“Ah your majesty, what a pleasant surprise!”
His.
Holding back a snarky remark, Lucifer turned to see that creepy red guy. Ergh. His morning really couldn’t be any worse.
Do it for Charlie, Lu.
Plastering on a smile, Lucifer mentally prepared to not rise to the radio demon’s inevitable taunts.
“Oh, Good Morning bellhop, hope this morning finds you, er, well.”
Oof, that couldn’t have sounded any more forced if he’d tried.
Lucifer watched as the other’s permanent grin seemed to stretch even further (how?!) and turn almost predatory.
“Oh, all the better for seeing someone of your stature, sire.”
The crackle of radio filter set his teeth on edge. Oh boy, here we go again.
Trying to subtly take a deep, composing breath, Lucifer kept said smile plastered across his face and let out a fake laugh. However, he could not quite control the eye twitch that he was sure the other demon had picked up on. He was annoyingly observant after all.
“Ah ha! What fun we have, Albador was it? Anyway I must be off, time to join Charlie for breakfast. See you there!”
Portal-ban be damned, there was no way he was walking all the way to the kitchen with tall, dark and creepy.
With a snap of his fingers, a flurry of red and gold sparks appeared, arranging themselves around him. Just as he portaled away, he caught a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye. The radio demons ears seemed to twitch slightly? Almost as if they were trying to flatten against his head. How had he not noticed his before? Do his ears betray his emotions? Does he even have emotions? (Is murder an emotion?) Coupled with the tensing of his jaw and slight strain of that ever-present smile, Lucifer surmised that the big, red menace was... irritated? How delightful! It appears that ignoring the glorified loudspeaker was the perfect way to wind him up.
Finally, the day was looking up.