A/N:

Hello everyone! Here's the start of the sequel story to "Blooming" :) I'll try to post regularly, especially since all the chapters will be short like this. Prepare for epic amounts of fluff and awkwardness and drama!

Partners

Chapter 1:

A Walk Alone

Angel Dust stood before a mirror on the wall of the hotel lobby; he adjusted his hair i then smoothed down his usual suit and adjusted his chest fluff. "So is Smiles SURE he won't miss me too much on his stroll today?" Angel glanced over his shoulder and grinned.

Alastor's shadow was watching him from around a nearby corner. The shadow blinked in surprise at being caught. Alastor stepped out of his office down the hall, an eyebrow raised at Angel Dust. "How did you know he was following you?"

"Eh, I'm pretty good at knowing when I'm being watched - I just get a feeling." Angel smirked at the shadow and struck a pose. "Free to look, cash to touch." He winked.

The shadow scowled then flew behind Alastor. Alastor sighed, and with a snap of his fingers the shadow disappeared. "I merely asked him to let me know when you were leaving so I could see you off properly," the Radio Demon assured with his usual wide grin, approaching the spider.

"And he went along with it. Oh yeah, he's definitely starting to like me." Angel chuckled.

Alastor smiled more and adjusted his tie. "Yes, well, regardless, I'll be perfectly fine, Angel. I could use a good dose of demons cowering from me in fear. And you have to go meet Cherri if you're going to invite her to our little garden party with Rosie this weekend."

"That, and I've really missed getting in some good target practice." Angel extended all of his arms and flexed his fingers - three of his hands bore different types of firearms.

Charlie entered from her office, frowning a little as Vaggie followed with a scowl. "Angel, remember, you promised us…"

"NO turf wars!" Vaggie thrust her spear at the spider. "If we see ONE item on the tv, in the paper, on the internet - anywhere - I'm coming for you."

"Vags, honey, sweetie, light of all our lives…" Angel cooed, delicately pushing away the spear, "I told you, target practice only. Besides, Sir Pentious isn't even back in full swing yet after that ass-kicking Al gave him."

Alastor chuckled and puffed out his chest. "I should hope not - him recovering so quickly would be a bad stroke for my reputation."

"Yeah - see Charlie!" Angel held out his arms "And besides, Cherri and I'll probably have to plan for months to even begin to follow up how Smiles took him down." He winked at Alastor who nodded to Charlie. When Angel turned back to Charlie, she was pouting distinctly. He held up his free hands to her and quickly added, "Not that Cherri and I are planning anything! just, you know… I'm just saying." He shrugged sheepishly, glanced to either side desperate for a distraction, then pointed upstairs. "Hey, we got new guests moving in this week, right? The sheep and the fish guy. You girls should totally be putting together a little honeymoon suite for them or something!" He smiled encouragingly.

Charlie tried to smile as she approached Angel. "Just…make good choices, Angel. I know Cherri Bomb is your friend so I'm sure she'll respect what you're trying to do for yourself."

Angel sighed, and for a moment his wit and sarcasm disappeared in the face of Charlie's pleading eyes and trusting look. "Yeah… she won't like it, but she'll get it. And I promise…I'll try…about the good choices thing."

Charlie's smile grew and her eyes lit up.

"Ah, Miss Angel Dust is leaving!" Nifty shot out of the kitchen and dashed behind the bar - in a second she was pulling a sleepy Husk up from the floor to lean against the counter.

"I…what? Oh come on!" he grumbled then groggily batted her away. "Respect my hangover and leave me out of your productive lives." Husk dropped his head to the counter as Nifty dashed around him and cleaned up his fur and straightened his hat. Then she came over to Angel Dust. "I'll take real good care of Nuggets while you're gone! He's the nicest pig - he lets me ride him around so I can clean faster."

"He likes playing with you too." Angel bent down and tapped her on the head. "Thanks a ton for looking after him while I'm out with Cherri, Nifty, I appreciate it. He's sleeping in the garden right now. You just let him in whenever you need him."

Nifty beamed. Then she looked to Alastor. "Are you going out too, Alastor?"

Alastor nodded. "I thought I'd take a pleasant stroll and check-in on cannibal colony."

She glanced back and forth between them with her head tilted. "You're going to different places? But you've been doing everything you can together the last couple of weeks!"

Angel snorted with a smirk. Alastor's ears had a distinct buzzing in them - and it grew when he saw Charlie trying to hide a big smile at Nifty's point. "Ah, well," Alastor twirled his cane, "we're all very busy, Nifty, just like you - I'm afraid I can't monopolize all of Angel's time for my entertainment."

"He couldn't afford it - or at least he'd go broke trying. I'm high-end." Angel crossed his arms and chuckled.

Alastor's eyes lowered in a dry look and he nudged Angel with his cane. Charlie giggled. The Radio Demon ignored her and focused on Nifty. "Angel and I simply both have important demons who require our time. For example," he leaned down, "I think it's been far too long since you and I sat down together, Nifty. How about we have dessert at the bar tonight? You can fill me in on everything you've been doing around here, and I can compliment you properly. I'm afraid I'm quite overdue for acknowledging your efforts."

Nifty bounced back and forth on her feet in excitement. Then she glanced behind her and back to Alastor. "Can Husk come too?"

"I'm always at the bar anyway!" Husk grumbled, finally standing up fully and looking somewhat alive.

"If he wants dessert too and he's not feeling exceptionally grumpy then why not?" Alastor put on his laugh track. He gave a bow to Nifty and the girls. "Have a pleasant afternoon, ladies. And you as well, Husker." Husk sighed and gave him a weak wave before slumping down and pulling out a pack of cards to shuffle and play with. Alastor turned to Angel and bowed his head. "And you have an exceptional day as well, Angel."

"You too, buddy." Angel winked and gestured to Alastor with finger guns. Then he waved to the others. "Later, sinners! No one go in my room or you're dead!" And then he strolled out the door.

Alastor watched him go.

Charlie watched Alastor watch him go. She crossed her arms and smirked a little. Alastor noticed out of the corner of his eye. He quickly turned around to her. "I'll be leaving now as well. And no one go in my office." His eyes turned to radio dials and static and black symbols formed around his head. "OR YOU'RE DEAD…" left him in a distorted grumble. Alastor flicked his head to the side, and the spooky atmosphere disappeared as his normal voice and smile returned. "Farewell, all!" He waved, conjured up a hat, then strolled out the door.

As soon as the door closed behind him, Charlie burst into excited giggles. She dashed over to the bar. "Husk, have Al or Angel said anything to you about being new best buddies?"

Husk rubbed his head and sighed. "No."

"Ooo ooo!" Nifty raised her hand. "They haven't said anything to me either, but they smile so much around each other that they definitely must be."

"Alastor always smiles…" Husk mumbled.

"But not the way he does around Miss Angel!" Nifty held her head high.

"I think they at least like each other, babe." Vaggie came over to Charlie, smiling. "It's good for them - making friends could really help them both be a little less…self-destructive in Angel's case and homicidal in Alastor's."

Charlie hugged Vaggie tightly then pulled back. "This is so great. Angel's reform is looking brighter and we've even got an overlord acting nice, and now our first new guests are coming. Let's go set up Abel and Louise's room - I want it to be extra special. Ooo I can make a welcome sign! We still have so much glitter left from the last time we made posters."

Husks' eyes went wide and his ears drooped - he ducked behind the counter. "I'm busy with anything but that."

"And I have to take care of Nuggets," Nifty added, biting her lip. "So please try not to be too messy with the glitter."

Vaggie nodded to her then smiled at Charlie with hazed eyes. "How about just you and me do it, Charlie? It can be sort of like a date? We haven't had time for one of those in a while."

Charlie blushed then her eyes hazed a little too. "That would be great, Vaggie." She pulled her along by the arm upstairs, both of them laughing.

Nifty turned to Husk with a smile. "Want to hang out with me and Nuggets today? I could use someone tall to help me clean."

Husk sighed very deeply. "As long as we stay far away from those two and their date, fine… Just no hug—"

"Thank you, Husk!" Nifty yelled as she attached herself to him in a big hug.

Husk sighed again, his look dry, as he let her get the emotional moment out of her system.

Alastor's walk to Cannibal Colony was refreshing, and yet also a little boring. Angel's conversation had proven quite addictive after only a few strolls together. Yet the silence did at least offer the Radio Demon a chance to think through the rather perplexing relationship he had developed with the spider: a relationship Charlie and Nifty and certainly the others at the hotel had noticed. Alastor and Angel were friends but Alastor felt a certain attachment to the spider that he was not used to feeling. Each evening when Angel went to the studio or to ply his sexual trade Alastor felt a distinct frequency of tension pass through himself that was only relieved when Angel came home safe and sound. The Radio Demon could tell that Valentino had done some truly bad things to Angel in the past… and perhaps Velvet and that despicable Vox had as well. He couldn't stand the thought of Angel potentially at their mercy whenever Valentino called upon him. And he couldn't stand Angel behaving so casually about the situation. Hell was a dangerous place, and the risks Angel took were…difficult to accept.

Going through the park, Alastor passed by the rose bushes. He paused and reached out for a moment. It would have been nice to bring Angel one, to return the favor of Angel picking a rose for his lapel during their first walk. But Alastor knew what would happen if he tried - he would touch the precious flower and end its life in doing so.

Alastor swallowed and moved along. And he tried to smile on the inside just as he was always smiling on the outside. After all, at least he had discovered Angel Dust as a source of entertainment. Yes, his decision to sponsor the hotel had certainly proven a good one so far. The place was a ludicrous playground for his whims, and Nifty and Husker were content, and Charlie and Vagatha were tolerable. And their little group as a whole was an enjoyable one to come back to at the end of his days. Not to mention more demons were getting to try his mother's jambalaya. Indeed, overall, everything was looking up in his life! Why dwell on a few imperfections regarding Angel Dust?

Once he reached the Cannibal Colony, Alastor's spirits lifted and he felt right at home. Here was his territory, here was where the Radio Demon who ripped out the blackest hearts thrived, here was where he had first found his calling in Hell! He twirled his cane and strolled forward with his head held high, baring his teeth at demons to watch them stand at attention or slink off in fear. It really was nice to be reminded of how much delicious power he held in this place.

He rounded a corner and saw several familiar ladies feasting on a corpse while Rosie observed, dabbing blood from her mouth with a handkerchief. "Thank you for saving me the heart, girls! Feel free to do what you will with the rest."

The ladies nodded but then noticed Alastor and waved and smiled and swooned.

Rosie didn't even have to turn around. "You're acting like school girls - that can only mean one thing…" She turned to find Alastor giving her a slight bow.

The Radio Demon tipped his hat. "Darling Rosie, I can't help if they have excellent taste in demons." He straightened up and waved over her shoulder to the others. "Charming to see you as always, ladies!" Hw tossed his hat. They dove at each other to get it.

Rosie shook her head with a smile. "Feeling very cavalier today, aren't we, Alastor?"

"I'm in an exceptionally good mood after an exceptionally refreshing walk. Speaking of which," he held out his arm to her, "would you take a small stroll with me to the corner? I have a proposition to make."

She raised an eyebrow, smiling more. "Well, this should be interesting." Rosie hooked her arm with his and turned to the other cannibals. "I'll be back in a moment, girls! And no chewing off each other's arms to get that hat - honestly, he throws one every time." Sheepishly, the ladies went back to enjoying their meal while Alastor and Rosie sauntered off.

Alastor hummed to himself, a light tune playing from his ears.

"Hmm, who did you eat that you're so thrilled? I didn't hear a radio show last night."

"No one, I'm afraid! Poor luck finding any guests to fill my time until my next big show. But I'm quite content to wait - things at the hotel have been going just swimmingly!"

Rose nodded. "Ah yes - the new guests you told me about. And…" she sniffed the air, "you've been making your jambalaya for them, haven't you? That's the fourth time I've smelled it on you in the last few weeks."

"Ha! Guilty." Alastor twirled his cane. "Mother always did love sharing her food. And Angel and I have grown a masterful garden in the backyard for ingredients!"

"You? Gardening? How do you swing that, Mister Black Thumb?"

"Angel touches the plants, I touch everything else. We've developed quite a system."

"I'd imagine so."

"Speaking of the garden, that's what I wanted to talk to you about." His smile grew. "You're invited to a little garden party." With a flick of his wrist a formal invitation appeared that he handed to Rosie. "No demon flesh served I'm afraid, but Angel and I will be cooking together. We'll prepare a lovely spread. He has a friend coming as well - a Miss Cherri Bomb."

Rosie grinned at him. "You're really proud of this hotel, aren't you?"

"I'm impressed with how far it's come under my support, and I'm sure you will be too!"

"I was expecting you'd invite me over soon. But I didn't realize you'd invite me to a soiree with Angel and a guest of his own as well." Her eyes hazed and her own smile grew. "You're quite keen on your new companion, aren't you?"

Alastor's smile grew to its fullest extent and he straightened up. "We are…quite compatible!" He swung a fist through the air.

Rosie continued to eye him curiously "I'm surprised you haven't roped him into a deal yet."

"He…has requested no such 'strings' to attach us. He would like to continue our misadventures on a solely voluntary basis." One of Alastor's ears flicked and he gripped his cane a bit tightly but otherwise he kept himself together.

"What a novel notion?" Rosie's eyes hazed. "I'm glad to hear he wants to stick with you, deal or no deal. He makes you laugh. Usually YOU'RE the only one who makes you laugh. And sometimes me if I land the joke just right. I think it's good for you having a character like that around." She folded up the invitation and put it in her pocket. "I'd love to get to know him better and his company too. I'd be happy to attend, Alastor."

"Marvelous!" They had reached the corner. Alastor bowed and took her hand. "I'll see you this weekend then, Rosie."

She gave a small bow. "I'll be looking forward to it." As he straightened up she touched his hair again. "Alastor really, you and that hat for those girls. Promise me no hat at the party for show - you have such nice hair and ears and antlers. An absolute dear in both senses of the word. I'm sure Angel likes you better like this too." She stepped back to admire her handiwork.

Alastor felt his face warm a little but ignored it and nodded. "Nothing for show at this party. Just a visit to bring someone I admire to see a new venture I've come to take pride in."

Rosie's smile grew. "You be a good boy, Alastor."

"Aren't I always?" He turned on his laugh track then gave her a wave and headed off, trying to walk to not think about how he was suddenly a little nervous about this party.

He had gone a block, not paying attention to the change in neighborhood, when the sensations of some television waves hit his ears and a snarl came to his lips. He had been avoiding Vox's territory due to concerns that he would spontaneously shred the television to pieces on an impulse if that digital filth made one off color comment or threat or request regarding Angel.

Instead of risking the conflict and the upset to any of his current plans, Alastor took a breath, and with a snap of his fingers disappeared. He decided a small repast was in order, and he knew just the place to go these days.

Alastor reclined in his familiar chair at the cafe, sipping a nice glass of red wine. Certainly he missed the lively conversation of having Angel across from him, cracking jokes and getting frustrated and flirting when no one was around. The spider was always walking that fine line between Alastor's tolerance and Alastor's temper - it was a delicate game that the Radio Demon had grown rather fond of. And the thrill increased when they were completely alone and Angel let the smart remarks really fly. His boldness was utterly refreshing - if a little unnerving when Angel brushed too close to something intimate. But overall Alastor wouldn't trade that quick tongue for anything, and certainly not for the simpering Angel that vile trio of overlord idiots enjoyed. Making him put on such a silly show was like watering down the finest of wines. But Angel in his truest form made Alastor's mouth water and his ears straighten and even his tail twitch…

"Radio Demon, sir? I'm happy to have you here, but when you stare at your wine glass like you're ready to bite it, it makes some of the other customers stop being customers." Abel glanced around the now empty courtyard as he placed a platter with a sandwich down in front of Alastor. The waiter swallowed but managed to speak to the Radio Demon with a steady tone. "I really need the extra tips. Louise and I are starting a life together after all."

Alastor sighed. This one had gotten better at not acting like a fearful doe around him, but he wasn't nearly as entertaining as darling Angel Dust. "Sometimes my thoughts get ahead of me. Red wine does look so much like blood." He took a deep draught of the wine then set down the glass.

Abel cringed a little but even managed a smile as he set down another small platter from the tray he was carrying. "Organ meat - for the crows."

"Ah perfect!" Alastor flashed all of his teeth in a wide smile and tossed some of the bloody bits to the lawn where the vicious crows attacked them and each other. Then he looked to his plate. "And wonderful, this caprese sandwich Angel enjoys. I can't understand why since there's no meat, but I might as well try a new culinary experience. And besides, I can always tear into some flesh later on my own." He chuckled to himself.

"And some deviled eggs," Abel added as he set down a final plate.

"I'm afraid I didn't order any—"

"On the house."

Alastor tilted his head, intrigued.

Abel sighed, his voice low. "The guy who saved the love of my life needs to get something. This is the best I can do for now."

Alastor paused for a moment. Then he folded his hands, his eyelids low. "I'm afraid you're mistaken. I don't 'save' demons - that's Charlie's preoccupation. That day in the butcher shop, I merely decided upon reflection that I was hungry for beef. So I re-entered the establishment, ripped meat from bone with my own teeth and claws to get to the dark heart of that butcher, and then left your 'love' behind. I've never liked lamb - she didn't appeal to my interests."

Abel nodded, his voice quiet. "And if anyone asks either of us ever, that's the story we'll tell too. But at the very least, whatever happened that day brought her and I together. And she likes you. Everyone at Hazbin does I think. So just take the deviled eggs - as a courtesy from one person involved in the hotel to another." He swallowed, not wavering.

Alastor just stared at him with a wide, curious smile for a moment. Then he laughed. "Ha! Very well - if it will entertain you. Besides, you do make delicious ones."

Abel smiled. "And you can tell Angel he gets free sides of meatballs the next time he comes back."

The Radio Demon's smile grew. "Why? He didn't conveniently decapitate a butcher."

"No… but he's always your guest here. It wouldn't feel right to treat one of you and not the other. And besides, Louise and I like him too."

Alastor's eyes brightened. "A demon with a sense of decorum. Hmm… yes, you'll be a fine addition to the hotel. I look forward to you and Louise living with us." Alastor swallowed a deviled egg whole.

Abel smiled a little. Some new customers entered the courtyard. He noticed and took a step back. "Let me know if you need anything, Radio Demon."

"Alastor…" Alastor corrected after a second of thought.

Abel swallowed but managed to sheepishly nod. "Alastor." Then he headed over to help the new guests.

Alastor tried a bite of the sandwich Angel usually got. Still disappointing to eat something without meat. And yet…the tastes reminded him of Angel. They were cooking together more often now. And, as long as strict instructions for no one else to enter the kitchen were given, Alastor was even tying his apron a little differently, letting the deer tail show. Angel noticed, and Alastor relished the attention. Putting on a show for the spider was simple and challenging all at once.

Indeed, no demon preoccupied him so fully. At the very least the addition of Abel and Louise and the Saxophone Player Steve to the hotel's company should have been amusing him thoroughly as they all clearly set themselves up for failure. And yet…Angel still engaged most of his interest, and without even trying.

Alastor clenched his hand on the table. If only the spider had agreed to a deal to bind them. Then Alastor could have everything he wanted. And maybe he would stop having the preposterous feeling like he was at the spider's service, of all things. Like Angel had given him something he couldn't quite describe, and therefore didn't know how to repay. What he had wanted originally was simpler: conversation forever in hell - a friend eternally bound in his service…and maybe even a partner for his radio shows if Angel could work around the slaughter.

Alastor's face warmed as he felt his tail wagging quickly beneath his coat and a spark racing from his fingertips to the tops of his ears and almost a twinge of fear pass through his heart at what he had gotten himself into with the hotel and his slender spider companion.

He put on a light tune between his ears and sipped his wine deeply again. He had forgotten how delicate long term interactions with others could be. He would simply have to relearn how to cope, for everyone's sakes.

A/N:

Thank you for reading, and please review if you can! Writing this story has been very helpful for me right now, and I hope you enjoy it as well!

Take care!

-Azure129