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It had been an accident. Truly. On her way rushing back to the hotel on extermination day, delayed unintentionally on getting errands due to the general state of pandemonium, the Princess of Hell had been cornered by three angels, who simply could not pass an opportunity to lay low the antichrist. She had attempted to flee, but when that failed, she engaged them in battle, her full demonic form bleeding into her appearance as Hellfire surrounded their impromptu battlefield. By the time she fell to her knees, two angels lay motionless at her feet, but the third, though injured, raised its spear to finish her. Her world spun as her body finally yielded to exhaustion, but the last thing she remembered was a familiar smell of woods and spice, a static-filled musical melody playing just beyond her reach.
Like the dead she slept for what seemed like an entire day, her throat dry and eyelids heavy when she finally woke. Silver hair was the first thing she noticed when she came to, and it was with a tired, but genuine smile that she opened her arms to her dearest friend. The moth looked almost as exhausted as she felt, her under eyes dark as she fell against the blonde.
“Oh, Charlie,” the demoness cooed, as if she would crumble from the weight of her relief. “I’m so happy you’re awake, hon.”
“How long was I out?” The Princess croaked, clearing her throat harshly against the desert in her throat.
Pulling back to sit up, Vaggie looked down at her, a miserable expression of worry on her face. “A month.”
“A month?!” The blonde moved to try to sit up too, but only managed a pitiful rocking motion, falling back onto her pillows with an irritated huff. Stretching her arms out, a sheepish smile on her face, Charlie grinned when her friend laughed and helped her until her back was upright and leaning against the headboard.
“Your dad was fucking pissed,” the moth mused. “When he found you and Alastor, he hunted down the rest of the angels and pretty much barbequed them.”
Blinking slowly, the golden-haired demoness took a moment to process the new information. “Alastor?”
Nodding as she crossed her arms, the moth looked away for a moment, which only served to set the princess’s anxiety in a tailspin. “Yeah, he went out to look for you, but when neither of you returned, I called your dad. When Lucifer found you, you were both really banged up. Not sure of the whole story, because you’ve both been out like lights since the King brought you back.”
“Is he okay?” Before her friend could answer, a deep growl sounded from her stomach. “And, maybe could I get some food and water please?”
Standing promptly, the silver-haired demoness kissed her friend on the forehead. “Of course, I’ll be right back.” At the doorway she turned around to call over her shoulder, “And Alastor's okay, I think.”
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches might have been filet mignon for how reverently the princess ate her meal, gulping down water as though she was a fish that had been floundering on land for days. Vaggie watched her wolf down the refreshments with barely concealed happiness, grateful as she was to have her friend back. When Charlie hadn’t returned on time the day of the extermination, a stone of concern and fear had settled in her stomach, growing malignantly until those dark black eyes had finally blinked open again.
“Oh my gosh, thank you, Vaggie!” The blonde huffed as she panted, catching her breath from her speedy meal. Swinging her legs over the side of her bed, she stretched, several bones popping into place, before sprang to her feet. “I want to check on Alastor, but…I definitely need a shower,” she said with a grimace.
“Freshen up, babe,” the moth smiled. “Angel’s watching him right now.”
Giggling, the blonde leveled her with a smirk. “Well, knowing Angel, I’m sure it’s a dream come true to have Alastor all to himself, and in a state where he can’t defend himself.”
Her friend’s echoing laughter followed her all the way to the washroom. The warm shower felt like paradise, and she stayed in the soothing water for longer than was necessary, puffs of steam escaping into the ensuite as she exited. Wrapped in a towel, she brushed her teeth and her hair, going about her typical daily routine as though she hadn’t been comatose for a month. Her typical suit seemed a bit too restrictive after being bundled in bed for so long, so she opted for a simple, flowy black dress with flats, her wet hair done in a bun to keep it off her back.
Vaggie was gone by the time she left the bathroom, along with her dishes from her meal, and a thankful smile spread across the princess’s lips to have such a wonderful friend. Hurriedly, Charlie left her room, seeking to check in on her business partner as quickly as possible, worry and guilt eating at her that Alastor was in a similar state of unresponsiveness, because of her. If she had just finished her errands the day before, if she had been quicker about getting home, so many ‘what ifs’ filled her brain that, by the time she reached his suite, she had gone a bit dizzy.
Just as she was about to knock, the door flew open to reveal a surprised Angel Dust. When mismatched eyes landed on her, they grew to the size of saucers, his mouth splitting into a wonderfully handsome smile, unrestrained joy filling him at seeing her awake again. The expression only lasted for a few seconds, as he seemed to wake to the fact he was showing too much emotion, dialing back his smile to an amicable smirk.
“Heya toots.” Such a simple greeting, yet it had her giving him a dazzling smile in response.
“Hi, Angel!” Without warning, she swung her arms around his waist for an enthusiastic hug.
Looking down at her affectionately, he wrapped his lower arms around her to return the warmth. “Glad ya’re up n’ about. Dis place ain’t da same wit’out ya.”
Nuzzling him for a moment more, her large eyes gazed up at him. “Thanks for helping keep the hotel in one piece. How is Alastor?” Nervously, she pried herself away from the spider, looking apprehensively behind him to try to catch a glimpse of the Radio Demon.
Watching her for a moment, he seemed to consider his response, before his lips tugged down. “Ain’t great, babe. Still radio silent fa Smiles, if ya catch mah drift.” He raised his voice a little, though why she didn’t know, so she nodded numbly, biting her lip, as she moved into the room. Angel took the hint to leave, grinning to himself as he shut the door behind him, casually tossing a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign onto the doorknob.
Steady, smooth jazz played from a record played in the corner and Charlie couldn’t help but smile at the thought that her friends were playing music while their resident overlord recovered. The soothing melodies helped, a little, to ease her discomfort, though it was still with feet that felt like lead that she eventually made her way to his bedside. As much as she wanted to see him, she was also afraid to face him.
Still as though frozen in time, he laid on his bed, which appeared to be in pristine condition, the sheets and comforter with barely any wrinkles save for where it dipped around him. His face looked younger, peaceful, and her heart filled with fondness to see that even in a state near lifeless, he lips still quirked in a smile. There were no outward signs of injury, at least none that she could observe from the exposed skin of his face and his pajama covered arms.
Quietly, she pulled a chair next to the bed to be near him, settling down and taking her time to study his handsome features, a gentle hand reaching up to slide some hair away from his face. As the music played on in the background, her companion still not stirring, a self-deprecating anger filled her. If she had been smarter, she would have done her shopping tasks on another day; if she had been stronger, she could have defeated all three angels by herself; if…if…so many ifs.
Delicately, she collected one of his dark, clawed hands in hers, relieved a small amount by the warmth she felt there, then rested her cheek against her arm, her doe eyes watching his serene face. “Oh, Alastor…I’m so sorry I let this happen. I’ll stay with you as much as possible until you get better. This is all my fault…”
Tears blurred her vision as her guilt ate at her, and blinking furiously, she rubbed at her cheeks to be rid of them. She couldn’t be a blubbering mess if he woke up; he’d only want to see her smile. The thought of his signature phrase made her lips move of their own accord and her heart felt immediately lighter.
“Seems everyone took great care of us while we were laid up in bed. Isn’t our little family amazing?” She giggled. “You’d probably hate for me to say we’re a family, huh? I can’t help feeling that way though. Even if you’re right, and my dream is silly…it’s still so wonderful to be here with you all; with you.”
Blush darkened her cheeks as she continued her line of thought, subconsciously squeezing his hand. The idea of the dangerous Radio Demon willingly being part of her hotel, always entertaining her, protecting the patrons, and even willingly seeking to ensure her safety on extermination day; he was closer to her heart than he probably would feel comfortable knowing, adverse as he was to sentimentality.
Smirking, she huffed a laughed. “You’d probably be disgusted if you knew how I felt about you, Alastor. If you knew......how much I love you. You’d say something like…” Pushing herself up straight, though careful to keep her hand intertwined with his, she closed her eyes and raised a hand, doing her best to lower her voice in an impression of his. “Charlie dear, I’m a strong, powerful overlord and I don’t do feelings.” She giggled to herself again.
“Darling, as talented as you are, that was a horrendous representation of my simply one-of-a-kind voice,” the demon chuckled deeply, static crackling in amusement, while the blonde sputtered and choked as he sat up in bed.
Instantly, she tried to pull away from him, her hand retreating from his. He had no intention of letting her run, so he tightened his grip and tugged, the princess pulled onto the bed until she was nearly seated in his lap. He grinned at how frozen she had become, her face a charming shade of pink, dark eyes looking anywhere but at him.
“Now, what was it you said about ‘love’, dearest?” Stubbornly he kept her in place when she made to move away again.
“I-I…um…n-nothing! You were supposed to be asleep!” Indignantly, she faced away from him, the best she could muster without him allowing her an escape.
“I woke earlier, before Angel Dust left.” Patiently, he used his free hand to turn her face back to him, his smile soft, but ruby eyes piercing. “Rest assured, I am a strong and powerful overlord, sweetheart, and I would prefer not to repeat myself.”
Under his mesmerizing gaze she felt like puddy, wanting so desperately to melt against him, but his commanding tone brokered no room for argument. She blinked slowly, processing how best to get out of this situation with minimal humiliation. “I said that I love you, Alastor. But! But…uh, I know you’re not into romance or anything, so you can forget I said anything.”
“I see,” he muttered, eyebrow raised and tone slightly condescending. “Because ‘I don’t do feelings’, if memory serves.”
Biting her lower lip, her eyes fell, feeling ashamed of herself for opening her big mouth in the first place. “Listen, I don’t want you to feel pressured. It’s not your fault I fell in love with you. I mean I guess it kinda is…I mean, you’re so amazing!” Her eyes lit up as her gaze returned to his face, his smile turning lopsided in amusement while she rambled. “You’re the only one who ever sings and dances with me. Your cooking is so good and you’re always kind enough to share it with all of us. And you’re such a big help to the hotel, even if you think redemption is dumb. Oh! And—"
Lips softly pressed to her own to end her babbling, her eyes wide as she watched him kiss her, his lids closed to savor the moment. When he pulled back, he wore an impossibly charming grin. “My darling belle, as entertaining as it is to listen to you list out all of my excellent qualities, I feel compelled to respond to your confession.” He chuckled softly when he heard her take an anticipatory quick inhale, leaning his forehead against hers as she held her breath. “I love you too, Charlie.”
The gorgeous smile spreading across her tempting lips had him eager to lean in for another kiss. “R-Really?”
“There are certainly few others for which I would be willing to take on angels, darling,” the demon mused, sneaking forward to steal that second kiss.
Indulgently she clung to him, her heart nearly beating out of her chest as she sighed sweetly against his lips. When he laid back down onto the bed, pulling her with him, she gasped in surprise, then in happiness as he pulled her close. For a few contented moments they lay together, his arm around her waist, her front pressed in close to his side, simply enjoying being present with each other. Then her large eyes flew open.
“Wait, you said you had woken up when Angel was here, and he told me you weren’t doing great,” the blonde took a deep breath. “You guys set me up!”
Boisterous laughter filled the room, his grin wide as she struggled to get out of his hold. “Dearest, calm down. It was not malicious. In fact, it had been my intention to visit you. Neither of us knew you had already awoken and our resident degenerate had encouraged me to try confessing to you in your unconscious state, as it might help me practice. What a coincidence that you took the same approach, my darling!”
Puffs of air against his throat preluded the end of her fit, her face lighting in another adorable blush and an arm draping across his chest. “…You’re lucky I love you…”
Easily he nodded in agreement. “Most assuredly I am, beloved. Very lucky.”
Blushing, she kissed his neck, giggling when his own cheeks lit in a blush. “I’m pretty lucky too.”