A/N: No sex scene in this chapter or the last because I felt it would take away from the emotion I was trying to convey. So, I instead wrote out a sex scene taking place between chapters under the name Make-Up if you want to read that instead.


After two years carrying nothing but hatred for Verosika, John never would've believed he'd have found himself happy with her once more.

And yet, here they were.

Their clothes littered the floor around them as they laid on the couch, John lying upon his back as Verosika laid upon his chest, the both of them content and peaceful, basking in the afterglow of unexpected, but more than welcome, sex.

"God, I forgot what this felt like." Verosika couldn't help but to admit, smiling softly as she laid upon his chest, listening to his heartbeat as she traced her finger in circles.

John's arm was wrapped around her, curling around her back as his hand rested on her hip, a smile on his face as he glanced down at her with a raised eyebrow. "What?"

"This." Verosika said once more. "Being so close to you… making love, instead of just having sex… just being happy."

John let out a chuckle. "I could never forget, Rose." He assured, his grip tightening ever so gently, in a comforting manner. "I never told you, or anyone, before. But underneath all of that anger… I missed you too." He admitted with a small smile, his gaze soft as he laid down with her.

However, a thought had occured to him. They couldn't just shrug off the past two years as if they'd never happened. Verosika had become a massive pop star in the two years she'd been gone, and they still needed to adress the very real issues.

They couldn't just go back to the way things were.

John's eyes found themselves wandering Verosika's nude body once more, from her perfect curves, to the way her tail seemed to perfectly flow from her back without affecting her natural beauty. If anything, it only enhanced it.

However, there was one thing that marred her beautfiul skin. Something he'd noticed before, but he'd been too occupied with their… deeds.

A tattoo on her left arm, the one whose hand was currently tracing circles on his chest. A tattoo with the name Blitz sitting inside of a heart, which had a black X haphazardly drawn over the name.

"If you hate the guy so much, why didn't you ever get that removed?" He couldn't help but question. Though the site of the tattoo very much irked him, he had no malice or irritation in his tone, only genuine curiosity.

Verosika glanced down at the tattoo on her arm, and she frowned, unconciously adjusting herself as she raised her other hand to cover the offending tattoo. "I couldn't find anyone who would remove it without insulting me." She admitted, averting her gaze away from the tattoo and John's own gaze, staring at nothing in particular. "I know Bernie would've. But…" She trailed off, letting out a soft sigh.

But John got the hint.

"You were too afraid." He guessed.

Verosika nodded. "The Hell Hole is a tight nit community. Word travels fast, and I didn't know if he'd even be willing to." She admitted.

John looked at her with a sympathetic gaze, before smiling and raising his left hand.

His hand coated itself in flames, but this one was a rather brilliant blue hue, and it flowed with a grace that was a far cry from the violent orange flames Verosika had usually seen him use.

"Here, move your arm." John instructed gently.

Verosika looked at the flame for a moment, before looking up at John.

And she knew right then and there, even without words, that he wouldn't hurt her.

She moved her arm, a little hesitant, but she allowed John's flaming hand to come up and touch the tattoo upon her arm.

Rather than the burning pain often associated with fire, John's blue flames were a comforting warmth, and Verosika found herself letting out a content sigh as as the flames sent a sense of ease through her being.

A small tingling feeling could be felt in her arm, and she was admittedly curious for a moment, but what questions she had were answered when John removed his hand from her shoulder.

And though she missed his comforting warmth, she couldn't help the shock on her features as she saw the site that was left.

The tattoo was gone.

No longer was Blitzo's name emblazoned on her shoulder, a symbol of regret and shame that she'd carried with her for so long. Her pink skin was unblemished by the marking that she was once happy with, but was now glad to be rid of.

"How did you do that?" Verosika asked curiously, tearing her gaze from her arm to meet John's own.

John simply smiled. "Another gift from my living life. When I'd absorb energy, I had the option to use what I had to heal, instead of turning it into a focused beam from my mouth." He explained, repositioning his arm back under his head so that he could look back down at her. "Now, it's a blue flame that I can use instead."

"How come you never told anyone about it?" Verosika asked, tilting her head curiously as she sat up off of John. John admittedly had to fight the urge to glance at her bare breasts, but he maintained her gaze all the same.

"I never had a reason to." John answered with a shrug. "Well, outside of…" He trailed off, and he frowned as the unwanted memory of the day he fell plagued his mind.

Something that Verosika picked up on. After all, she was there that day. "You're the reason Andre was up and walking the same day, weren't you?"

"Not the only reason." John admitted. "I mean, hellhounds have an insane healing factor. Remember when Razor broke his arm when he flipped his bike in the Wrath Ring Canyon?"

Verosika nodded, giggling slightly at the memory. "You were panicking like a madman, making sure he was okay. He just flipped his arm back into place, and smacked you upside the head for… coddling him? That's what he said, wasn't it?"

John let out a chuckle of his own at the memory. "Yeah." He nodded. "That natural healing is probably the only damn reason Madro and Arya let him keep that bike." He guessed with a chuckle.

Verosika nodded, smiling slightly.

John was admittedly waiting for her to lay back down atop of him, but after he watched her face slowly morph into a small frown, he found himself confused. "What's wrong?"

"How are we gonna do this?" She finally asked with a sigh, looking down at him. "I'm a fucking pop star, both in hell and the living world." She reminded him. "And you have responsibilities here. As much as I hate to say it, we won't always be together as much as we'd like."

John looked at her, his face morphing into one of understanding as he sat up, allowing one leg to fall off the couch and to the floor to even himself out as he met her gaze. "Be honest. No lies, no reasoning, just brutal honesty. Do you enjoy the fame?"

Verosika looked at John for a moment, before she slowly nodded. "I do." She admitted, averting her gaze. "Sure, it has its downsides, or I wouldn't need Tex, but I enjoy singing. I enjoy the concerts, the fans, the-" Suddenly, her eyes widened, and she froze as she looked up at John in realization.

John raised an eyebrow. "The orgies?"

He wasn't stupid. He'd known of her rise to stardom, and it wasn't exactly a secret what happened as some of her concerts in the living world.

Verosika couldn't help the shame that welled within her at being so blantantly called out. "I don't participate in them, I mean it… but the feeling of satisfaction from all that lust is just intoxicating." She explained to him, giving him a sincere gaze. "But I promise you, I don't participate directly, and I never will."

John looked at her for a moment, contemplating his next words, before he let out a sigh, sliding his leg from behind Verosika and turning as he sat both legs on the ground. "Let's set some ground rules, okay?"

"Okay." Verosika nodded in agreement.

"This is gonna sound weird, but first off: If your gonna have sex with someone else, at least don't shrug off my own feelings." John's words admittedly surprised Verosika, and she had to blink for a moment to see if she'd heard him correctly.

"What?" She couldn't help but say.

John chuckled. "Rose, it wasn't the act of sex with someone else that hurt me so bad. It was the fact that it seemed like you didn't give a shit how I felt." He explained, glancing over at her with a small smile. "It seemed like it was something where it was your decision, and how I felt didn't matter whatsoever."

Verosika averted her gaze. "I'm sorry." She apologized once more.

John looked at her, smiling slightly. "You're forgiven, Rose." He assured. "But I'm not stupid. Your a succubus, and a fucking gorgeous one at that. I know people are gonna be wanting you, and I know your hormones can take over at times. But all I'm asking is, if by some off chance you have some one night stand with someone else, let me know. Don't just write me off."

"So, like an open relationship?" Verosika asked.

John nodded. "Yeah." He affirmed.

Verosika nodded. "Okay… now I know the chances of you actually having sex with someone else are relatively low, but on the off chance it does happen, can you extend me the same courtesy?"

John smiled, and leaned down closer to her, giving her a reassuring kiss. "Of course." He nodded, agreeing to her own terms.

Verosika smiled. "Okay… what else?"

John couldn't help but let his smile grow, before his expression turned stern. "Another thing: cut back on the drinking."

Verosika's eyes widened at that. It wasn't exactly a secret that she was a heavy drinker. After all, she'd been in rehab for it not too long ago, before she quit it because of… well, she told people it was because it was for cheap washups, but the truth was that it was the only thing that dulled the pain she felt.

But, now she had an actual reason to cut back, maybe even stop completely.

"Okay." She agreed without hesitation. "I won't touch another bottle."

John nodded, his expression turning to one of acceptance. "Okay."

"Anything else?"

John's brow furrowed, losing himself in thought for a moment, before his eyes widened, and he let out a grin.

"I want you to come stay with me at the Hotel."

Verosika's eyes widened. She hadn't been expecting that.

"Hotel?" She couldn't help but question. "What Hotel?"

John raised an eyebrow, and he gave her a playful grin. "Don't tell me you have no idea what I'm talking about. What Hotel in all of Hell would I have any reason to go to?"

Verosika's brow furrowed in confusion, and John couldn't believe he'd ever use the words, in thought or out loud, but she looked absolutely adorable when she did it, but it didn't take long for her expression to turn to one of realization.

"The Princess' Hotel!" She gasped. "That's where you've been the past week?"

Now it was John's turn to look surprised. "You actually know about that?"

Verosika nodded, smiling up at him. "Arya may have let it slip when I showed up at the door." She admitted.

John let out a chuckle. "Of course she did." He muttered under his breath, though his tone held no ill will towards the hellhound. "But yeah. I've been there for the past week cause I wanted to help out."

Verosika couldn't help it when her smile broadened, and she leaned into John's said, taking comfort in his natural body warmth. "Always have to help, don't you?"

John raised an eyebrow. "You have to ask?"

Verosika giggled in response, before looking up at John. "Okay, I'll agree to that one." She answered, before raising an eyebrow of her own, her own expression becoming playful. "But you have to come see me record my latest song."

"Uh-" John looked ready to object, admittedly, but Verosika planted her finger on his lips to shush him.

"Don't worry, it's not sexual this time, I promise." She assured. Though that was her trademark, not all of her songs were sex fuel for hormonal demons and humans. "It's… something I've been working on lately. I want you to hear it."

John raised an eyebrow, but he eventually let out a sigh. "Okay, I'll come watch you record your song." He accepted her terms, even if it wasn't much. "Now, you got any ground rules for me?"

Verosika smiled, before she hopped up onto his lap with a grunt, causing John's eyes to widen as she looked up at him with a lustful gaze.

"Just be a good lover." She whispered, her tone turning lustful.

John's own expression turned to one of lust as well, and he smirked. "That, I can do." He assured, as he wrapped his arms around her and clashed his lips to her own.

Just when it looked as if they'd be having another romp, however…

*knock* *knock* *knock*

Both Verosika and John's eyes widened as their gazes snapped towards the door.

"John, Rose, is everything okay in there?"

Bless her heart, it was Arya, and they could both practically hear the worry in her voice.

John and Verosika both shared a glance, before John let out a chuckle.

"Perfect timing she has, huh?" John asked with a smile.

Verosika couldn't help but pout. "Unfortunately."

As Verosika climbed off of John, moving to retrieve her clothes, John called out towards the door as he stood up off the couch.

"Everything's fine, Arya." He assured as he popped his neck a little out of habit. "Give us just a sec and we'll be out."

"Did you two talk?" Arya asked from the other side of the door.

This time, it was Verosika's turn to speak.

"We did, Mum!" She called out to her mother, before turning to look at John with a playful smirk. "And then some!"

"Oh…" Arya sounded almost confused at how happy Verosika sounded, and they could both practically hear the realization hit at her next words. "Oh."

John and Verosika shared another glance with each other, laughing at the tone in her voice, before John called back out towards the door.

"Give us a bit and we'll be out!" He assured. "I know Beartrap's waiting to see his big sis."

"Okay." They could practically hear the elation in Arya's voice as she spoke once more. "We're all waiting for you in the lobby! We wanted to see you and Charlie off once you two got done talking! I'll leave you two alone, now!"

John and Verosika both looked at the door, smiles on their faces, before they turned to look at each other.

And then they broke out laughing.


The site of John and Verosika walking down the steps to the lobby, hands practically melded to each other, was a site that was quite unexpected to all, Charlie included after she'd been informed more in depth of the situation between the two.

But the glowing smiles on their faces was confirmation enough that there were no longer any hard feelings among the two.

Of course, Beartrap was the first one to greet the two.

"Sis!" The small hellhound rushed from behind his mother's leg, a large smile on his face as he ran towards Verosika, throwing his arms around her waist before she'd even made it down the steps.

"Oh my gosh, Benny!" Verosika's face had a smile on it as she looked down at her little brother with a face of pure glee. "You gotten so big!" She remarked as she swiped the pup up into her arms, holding him as she gave him a smile. "I missed you."

"I missed you too!" Beartrap replied, wrapping his arms around Verosika's neck. "Are you back for good?" He asked when he pulled away.

"I wouldn't say that, little buddy." John replied, smiling at the two of them, a fond gaze pointed at them. "Though you'll definitely be seeing a lot more of her in the future." He assured as he turned towards Charlie.

Charlie closed the distance a tiny bit, glancing over at Verosika with a feeling that she couldn't quite name, before turning her eyes back to John. "Are you okay?"

John smiled at the Princess' concern, and he nodded. "I'm fine, Charlie." He assured her.

Charlie smiled at his reassurance, before glancing over towards Verosika. "I was… filled in. Is everything okay between you two now?" She couldn't help but ask curiously. She wanted to make sure her friend was okay.

It wasn't anything more than that.

John nodded, a small smile on his face as he glanced back towards Verosika, who was currently making funny faces at Beartrap to get the pup to laugh, before looking back down at Charlie. "Rose is gonna come stay with us at the Hotel when she's not out doing popstar shit. You okay with that?"

The question had been admittedly unexpected, but she could agree to those terms. "Of course." She nodded, smiling up at him, while ignoring an unknown and unpleasant sensation within her at John's question. "I'd be glad to have her."

"So, how are you doing, kiddo?" Madro asked Verosika as he walked up to her, a smile on his face as he finally got to see the one he considered a daughter again.

Verosika smiled as she let Beartrap down to his feet, before turning over to look at Madrox. "I'm doing great, Dad."

Though she wasn't biologically their child, Verosika was technically their oldest at twenty-one, the same age as John. They'd found her as a child roaming the streets of the Hell Hole.

Well, Andre found her, actually, but he was already raising Viv and Vortex, and at the time they'd found Verosika, she was four years old, and Arya was already pregnant with Razor, so, they took her in.

Madrox was pleased to hear her answer, and he nodded, smiling as he closed the distance. "Come here, kiddo." He said, spreading his arms out and gesturing for a hug.

Verosika gladly obliged, wrapping her arms around Madrox and lifting him right up off the ground in a bonecrushing hug. "I missed you so much." She whispered, cherishing the moment.

Madrox let out a chuckle, and returned the hug as best as he could since it was a bearhug. "We missed you too, kiddo." He assured. "Now put me down! I don't like being manhandled by anyone but your mom!"

"Ew!" Verosika groaned, immediately letting go of her father as her face wrinkled in disgust at the image. "Why?!"

"Got you to let go, didn't it?" Madrox chuckled. Behind him, Arya approached the two, smiling as she looked at her daughter.

"So, I take it you got your best friend back?" Arya guessed, looking at Verosika with a joyful smile.

Verosika's own grin returned as she looked at her mother. "Even better." She responded. "He… He took me back."

Arya gasped, before she let out a cry of joy as she pulled her daughter into a hug. "Oh, I'm so happy for you both!" She declared, hugging Verosika tightly, kissing her gently on her forehead.

Verosika smiled at her mothers antics. Before, she'd be a little annoyed at them, but now, she was happier than ever to have to deal with them again. "So am I, Mum." She replied.

It was then that Andre took that moment to clear his throat, catching everyone's attention as he stepped towards Verosika.

Verosika looked up at Andre, and she couldn't help the small amount of apprehension when she saw the expressionless look on his face as he approached.

"So…" The hellhound started, stopping directly in front of Verosika. "You back for good?" He asked, repeating Beartrap's earlier question, though the meaning behind it was much more important to them all.

Verosika looked up at Andre, and gave a small smile. "Yes." She said with a nod.

Andre's face didn't change as he looked at Verosika for a moment.

And then it broke out into a grin.

"The family's back together again!" He declared, pulling Verosika into a hug, to which the succubus was more than happy to return, smiling broadly as the most respected man in Grundy's Plaza accepted her home without a second thought.

"It's good to see you, Uncle." She admitted, her hands gripping Andre tightly as she cherished the hug from the one who brought her to this family.

Everyone else watched the scene with fondness, happy to have the true missing link of their family back after two long years.

However, Charlie couldn't help but to voice the question in her head.

"Uncle?" She couldn't help but mutter in confusion, though John picked up on it.

"Andre and Arya are half siblings." He clarified, smiling as he glanced down at the Princess of Hell. "Andre's eye comes from his dad, but they share the same mother." He explained, elaborating as to why Arya didn't have the genetic scar that they all carried.

"Oh." Charlie nodded as she understood now. "That makes sense." She nodded, glancing towards them with a smile.

"So, since we're all gonna be moving to that Hotel some time next month anyway, why don't you get to know our host, kiddo?" Andre proposed as he let Verosika back down onto her feet, causing her to look at him confusion.

"The Princess is here?" Verosika asked, her eyes wandering the room, before they widened in surprise as they spotted Charlie standing next to John.

Charlie let out a smile as she approached the succubus, offering her hand. "Hi. I'm Charlie." She introduced herself.

Verosika looked at Charlie in surprise, before she slowly smiled, gladly returning the handshake. "Nice to meet you. I'm Rose." She introduced, using the name that she'd been given by Arya and Madrox.

Though Verosika was what most of the world knew her as, and it was the name she'd had before she'd been taken in by the community of the Hell Hole, Rose had started out as a nickname from Arya, that had slowly found itself being turned into the name that she prefered amongst friends. As far as she was concerned, Verosika was the persona, Rose was the person.

Charlie nodded, shaking the woman's hand, before smiling. "We'll be glad to have you at the Hotel, Rose." She declared, gladly welcoming the woman's upcoming presence in her Hotel. "I can't tell you how much John's been a help."

Verosika nodded, smiling as she glanced over at John. "That's John for you. Always trying to help." She remarked, causing John to return the smile with one of his own, before his gaze moved towards Andre.

"Just cause you're in Hell doesn't mean you can't do the right thing." John recited Andre's motto, causing the hellhound to smile.

"Oh, while it's on my mind," Madrox suddenly spoke up, catching everyone's attention as he reached into his pocket. "Razor said he had a stunt show scheduled, so he couldn't stay in time to see you off. So he left this for me to give you, Rose."

They watched as he pulled out a small necklace, a locket a small piece of paper clamped into it. He held the locket out towards her, offering it for the succubus to take.

Verosika took it from his hands, eyeing the craftsmanship of it with fondness.

Say what you will about his preferences in career, but Razor was one hell of a metal worker.

Flicking it open, Verosika pulled the piece of paper from it and unfolded it, finding it to be a note.

Sorry I couldn't stay long enough to see ya, Sis. Wanted to leave you this little gift, for the next time you got a concert away from home.

Verosika smiled at the note, before glancing over at the picture inside of the locket.

And her eyes widened.

Small though it was, it was a picture that had been taken three months before she'd left, when she and John were still together. It was a picture of everyone who called Grundy's Plaza home. Behind everyone, Andre stood up with a small smle on his face, while Arya and Madrox stood together in front of him, intertwined in each other's arms. On the other side of Madrox, Razor had a hand on his father's shoulder as he looked at the camera with a small smile on his face, and Beartrap was looking at the camera with an excited grin from within his mother's arms. John stood down on one knee next to them, while Verosika and Vortex stood on either side of him, Vortex with his arms crossed and a happy smile on his face, while Verosika herself was looking down at John with a loving gaze.

It was a family portrait that Arya had paid for as a surprise for Andre's birthday. A larger, poster sized version hung in the Hellhound's own bedroom.

Verosika couldn't help the tears on her face as she looked at the picture. Say what you will about Razor, every gift he ever gave always meant something, and it always came from the heart.

Verosika tore her gaze from the locket as she tried up the few tears that managed to fall, before she looked up at Madrox.

"I'll make sure to let him know I appreciate it, the next time I see him." She promised.

No one could help the smiles on their faces at her words, as John moved up next to her, wrapping a comforting arm around her shoulder. Verosika looked up at John with a smile, before leaning into his side.

Once again, Charlie felt the unpleasant sensation shoot through her, but she ignored it as she watched the loving scene before her.


The time came when John and Charlie had to return to the Hotel, and after a quick phone call to Vortex to let him know she'd be back some time tomorrow instead of later that night, John had quickly scooped them both up into his arms, and with a warning this time, he made the jump back to Pentagram City.

"God, I missed that so much!" Verosika couldn't help but comment with a laugh as John let her and Charlie back down to her feet.

The Princess nodded. "It's not so bad." She admitted, before giving John a glare. "When you have warning."

John chuckled, and raised his hands in surrender. "I apologized, didn't I?" He retorted as the group began their trek towards the Happy Hotel, Charlie and John more than eager to return, and Verosika more than happy to see her new home.

"What, did he get you with a scoop and jump?" Verosika asked with a raised eyebrow, smiling at the way the Princess's eyes widened.

"Wait, that really is a regular thing?" She asked in disbelief, looking between John and Verosika, both of whom chuckled.

"Yep." John answered simply.

"Like you wouldn't believe." Verosika answered with a nod of her head. "It's a common prank he'll pull on close friends and family, though it's not actually that bad of an experience when you see it coming." She admitted, smiling at the Princess. "Just wait, and you'll be asking for a ride some time."

Charlie was admittedly surprised by the succubus' words, but she nodded all the same. "Okay then…"

"So, what's it like at this hotel?" Verosika asked curiously. "I know it's main goal is to redeem sinners, but what's the main thing behind it?"

"It's a hope that maybe sinners can redeem themselves and get to Heaven." Charlie explained to the succubus. "And it's a place where anyone can redeem themselves if they want to try. It's not just for sinners. But the main thing behind it is that I'm wanting to put an end to the yearly exterminations that happen."

Verosika nodded. She could agree with that sentiment. "I wish the exterminations never happened." She admitted, her expression turning sad as she rubbed her arm out of habit.

John and Charlie both looked at her in sympathy, and John wrapped an arm around Verosika in an act of comfort.

"As heartless as it sounds, it'd be one thing if it were just sinners." John couldn't help but remark. "Don't get me wrong, a lot of sinners are good people who just did bad things, but it'd make more sense if they were the targets. But those fucking exterminators go to every ring in Hell, and they slaughter any demon in site."

"I've always hated them." Charlie admitted, her face turning to one of sadness as well. "Sinners or Hellborn, all of Hell's citizens are my people, and I'm sick of watching them get slaughtered every year."

"We lost my Aunt, during the fourth extermination." Verosika revealed, glancing over towards Charlie.

"Andre's wife?" Charlie asked, horrified at the thought.

"She was a good woman." Verosika muttered, sadness overtaking her tone. "I remember when she used to read me bed time stories. Benny hadn't even reached his second birthday yet, so he doesn't remember her."

"From what I heard, the woman saved Rose from the Exterminators, at the cost of her own life." John revealed, glancing over at Charlie. "The Exterminators are only ever arms with those spears, so they can't penetrate my skin."

Verosika smiled as she leaned into John's side. "John isn't just the hero of the Hell Hole because he stops overlords and other wackos like that." Verosika told Charlie, glancing at her with a smile. "John's first Extermination, he went outside and slaughtered most of the ones that entered the Hell Hole, drove the rest that remained off."

"I was pissed." John admitted, glancing over towards Charlie. "Alastor thinks my body count in hell is only about five or so, but he doesn't count the Exterminators I tore apart that day."

"I don't like killing." Charlie told him. "But I can't fault anyone who kills the Exterminators to protect people."

"They tried again next year, obviously, but John ran them off pretty qucikly." Verosika told the Princess. "From what Mum told me, they didn't even show up at the Hell Hole the last two years."

"Nope." John nodded, confirming the statement. "I even stood outside, waited for the fuckers to show up." He admitted, smiling slightly. "Not a single showed their face."

Charlie smiled. "You fight for your home."

"So do you, Princess." Verosika remarked, smiling at Charlie. "Even if not directly, you're making an effort to put an end to the Exterminations."

"And your doing it in a way I can't." John added, smiling down at Charlie as he rested a hand on her shoulder. "Your Hotel has a better chance of ending them than any amount of direct fighting ever could."

Charlie beamed at the praise, thankful for the support from both of them, before the Princess turned to Verosika. "You can call me Charlie, by the way. I'm not a big fan of formalities."

Verosika smiled. "Well, I call you Princess because your the only one of Hell's royalty I actually respect." She admitted. "But I think I can stick with Charlie."

Charlie smiled.

After about another five minutes of walking and conversation, the Hotel was finally in view, and Verosika's eyes widened at the site.

Yes, she'd seen pictures of it, and she had admittedly saw the News cast from Channel 666, but the actual site of the massive structure was admittedly baffling.

"Why does it say Hazbin?" Verosika couldn't help but ask curiously as she eyed the sign.

Both Charlie and John glanced up at the sign, before Charlie let out a groan while John let out a chuckle.

"You still ain't changed that back?" John asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I thought Alastor would've." She admitted as she snapped her fingers. A surge of lightning appeared out of nowhere and struck the sign, before the Hotel's sign was changed back to Happy Hotel, rather than Hazbin Hotel.

John let out a laugh, before glancing over at Verosika, and his face fell when he saw the frightened look on her face. "What's wrong, Rose?"

"Alastor's here?" She asked, more than fearful at the concept.

Though Alastor fully considered the residents of the Hell Hole off limits, and he saw the occupants of Grundy's Plaza as his friends, his reputation was extremely fearsome, and it was no secret among the Hell Hole how highly Alastor thought of John.

She was petrified at possibility that she might face the wrath of the Radio Demon.

"It's okay, Rose." John assured, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Alastor won't do anything to you, and I'll make sure he knows your forgiven." He promised, smiling down at her.

Verosika looked up at John, more than hesitant to accept the words. But one look into John's eyes, and she knew he'd meant it.

"Okay." She nodded, before looking towards the Hotel's doors. "Let's go."

John smiled, before his hand left her shoulder and intertwined with hers, causing Verosika to smile as he leaned down and kissed her temple.

And with those reassuring actions, the trio finally approached the doors to the Happy Hotel.


When the doors to the Hotel finally opened, Husk found his gaze looking up from the magazine he'd been reading, and his eyes widened when he spotted who walked through the door.

It wasn't Charlie or John who'd surprised him, oh no.

It was the site of John walking through the door hand in hand with Verosika Mayday.

"Hey Husk!" John greeted with a wave as the doors shut behind the three, smiling at the cat demon.

Husk shook himself from his stupor, and he couldn't help but smile. John's own joy was practically contagious. "Welcome back, Kid. Princess." He said, nodding towards Charlie with a smile.

"Hi, Husk." Charlie waved, smiling at the cat demon.

Husk then turned his gaze towards Verosika. Though he knew of the stunt she'd pulled on John, whatever history had happened between the two had very clearly been resolved, and so he refused to let it guide him.

"When did you come back, Rose?" Husk asked, calling her the name she preferred. Whatever had happened between John and Verosika wasn't his business anyway, and though he hated that John was hurt, that was very clearly in the past now.

"Earlier today." She admitted, smiling at the cat demon. "I finally decided to at least try and make things right. Got lucky and found John at Grundy's Plaza before he left."

Husk nodded at the explanation. "Well, it is good to see you two back together again." He said with a smile, before he turned his gaze towards Charlie. "Vaggie's waiting on you in the office, Charlie. Al's on kitchen duty, and I think Angel's in the recreation room watching a movie with Vanessa."

Charlie nodded, and immediately moved towards the steps. "Thanks for letting me know, Husk." She called back with a smile.

"No problem!" Husk said with a nod, before he turned and looked at Verosika. "So how long you in town for, kid?"

"I'm staying the night for now." Verosika admitted. "I think this is gonna be my home, since Mum, Dad, and the others are moving here next month, but I got a recording session tomorrow, and John said he'd go with me."

Husk nodded. "Alright then. Just remember, John, you agreed to work all week next week after the trip with Ness and Angel, yesterday." He reminded the behemoth, who nodded.

"I know." He assured the cat demon, smiling. "Thanks for the reminder, Husk."

"No problem." Husk responded, waving off the thanks. "Piece of advice though, watch out for Niffty. She's been on a cleaning binge today and we both know that neither she nor Al are gonna be too happy seeing Rose without an explanation."

"I know, Husk." John nodded once more, letting out a sigh. "I'll keep an eye out for Niffty, but I'm gonna go ahead and let Al know how things are. You said he's on kitchen duty?"

"He's making dinner right now." Husk nodded. "Trying his hand at Hamburger Helper and Lasagna."

John let out a chuckle. "Oh boy." He muttered, before nodding at the cat demon. "Thanks Husk, come on, Rose."

As the two walked away from the bar, leaving Husk to his magazine once more, Verosika found herself looking around the Hotel in surprise.

"There's a lot more people here than I thought there'd be." She admitted, glancing around at the groups of people walking the halls and lobby of the Happy Hotel.

John nodded. "Yeah." He agreed, glancing around, greeting a few people here and there as they walked. "A lot of them are from Valentino's studio." He revealed, causing Verosika's eyes to widen.

"How'd you get that sleazeball to agree to this?" She asked, glancing up at John in surprise.

"I didn't." He admitted. "Found out that the fucker's big turn on was raping people." He informed Verosika, who gasped in horror. "Didn't you hear about what happened?" He asked, glancing down at Verosika.

Verosika shook her head. "No." She answered, confused as she looked up at John. "What happened?"

"I tore his studio down and finally did him in a few days ago." John answered, letting out a sigh. "Most of these people here agreed to make an actual effort at redemption, sinner or not, so long as they got a safe place to live."

"Oh god…" Verosika shook her head in disgust. "How did I ever enjoy his clubs?"

"He didn't exactly advertise that he was a straight up rapist." John admitted, shaking his own head in shame. "I don't know how I let him go so long without stopping him."

"It wasn't your fault, John." Verosika assured, giving his hand a gentle, comforting squeeze. "You can't save everyone."

"Unfortunately." John sighed, before looking down at Verosika with a small smile. "But I can damn well try."

Verosika smiled back up at him, and leaned stood up on her toes with a smile. "And that's why I love you."

John smiled. "I love you too." He said as he leaned down and gave her a kiss.

When the two finally reached the kitchen, Verosika noticably tensed, causing John to remove his hand from her own and wrap his arm around her in a comforting gesture. "It'll be okay, Rose." he assured.

In front of them was the man they were looking for.

Alastor was happily stirring some Hamburger Helper in a pan, the macaroni noodles and hamburger blending together perfectly as the Radio Demon hummed to himself, his voice unhindered by the typical radio feedback that it usually held.

"Hey, Al, got a minute?" John asked, catching the Radio Demon's attention.

"Anything for you, John." Alastor said, before turning to look at the giant.

And then his eyes widened as he spotted Verosika, who froze like a deer in headlights at his gaze.

And then silence followed.

You could practically touch the tension in the air, as Alastor stared at Verosika, while John glanced between his friend and his girlfriend, contemplating on whether he should say something.

Once Alastor processed the fact that Verosika was tucked into John's side, Alastor cleared his throat as he regained his bearings. "Well, this is unexpected." He remarked, and his radio feedback was present this time as he looked between the too. "When did this happen?"

"Earlier." John answered. "She showed up while me and Charlie were visiting the others, and we had a chat." He explained, leaving out a lot more details that Alastor didn't need to know.

"Oh…" Alastor nodded as he accepted the explanation. "So how long will she be back for?" He asked curiously, though there was an indecipherable tone in his voice as he asked.

"When she's not out at a concert or at her recording booth, she'll be here." John answered, looking at Alastor with a pleading look. "Look, I've forgiven her, and she'll be living here along with the others when they get here."

At the word 'forgive', Alastor perked up, and it seemed as if he were back to his normal, jovial self. "Well, then, it's good to see you back, Miss Mayday!" He said, and he meant it. Though, he would be having word with her in private about her actions against John in the past, but he could look past them if John had forgiven her.

Both Verosika and John seemed shocked by his words.

"Y-you mean that?" Verosika asked nervously, still a little apprehensive about Alastor's possible feelings against her.

"Of course, my dear!" Alastor assured, approaching the two with a smile on his face. "If John has forgiven you, then I see no reason why I shouldn't either!" He declared as he came to a stop in front of her. "So, welcome home."

"Um… okay…" Verosika muttered, calming some as she accepted Alastor's words. "Thanks, Alastor."

"Not a problem, dear!" Alastor assured, before moving back towards the stove to manage dinner. "Will you be joining us for dinner? I've already gotten it started, and I imagine that there are others for you to meet!"

Both John and Verosika looked at each other in disbelief at Alastor's easy acceptance of her presence, but they wouldn't try to interrogate him over it. John because he knew Alastor meant it, and Verosika out of self preservation.

"She's still gotta meet Angel, Vanessa, and Vaggie." John conceeded with a nod, before he frowned. "Do me a favor though. Make sure Niffty knows not to attack her on site, please." He instructed the Radio Demon, who nodded.

"Of course." He nodded, smiling at the couple. "Now, run along you two. Vanessa and Angel are in the recreation room if you want to introduce her now." He advised, before turning back towards the pot of Hamburger Helper.

"Yeah, better get that out of the way." John nodded, before looking down at Verosika. "Now that I think about it, Vanessa could probably use some advice from you, anyway." He commented, before looking at Alastor once more. "Thanks Al."

"No problem." Alastor said with a nod as John turned around and made his way out of the room, with Verosika behind him, leaving the Radio Demon alone.

John looked down at Verosika as she moved to walk next to him, giving her a small smile. "That wasn't so scary, was it?"

"Are you kidding?" Verosika asked with a raised eyebrow. "It was terrifying." She admitted with a sigh, before smiling up at John. "But, at least he's okay with me for now."

John let out a chuckle. "He'll be fine with you in general, Rose." He assured, before raising an eyebrow. "Now, let go meet two more buddies, and then we'll meet Vaggie at dinner."

Verosika nodded, looking up at John with a small smile. "Okay then." She nodded, before leaning into his side as they walked.

She'd done it a lot in the past few hours, he had to admit, but she'd been deprived of his presence for two years, so he wouldn't complain about it. Quite the contrary, he actually enjoyed the warmth of her small frame pressed up against his.

So, with a content smile, he rested his arm on her shoulder as the walked to their next destination.