Bad news: in quarantine again. Good news: got more time to write.

Many of you brought up concerns in the last chapter about Alastor and Tina's relationship. I can assure you, I know exactly what I'm doing here, and if they didn't have problems, there would be no story. And their dynamic here is somewhat inspired by La Muerte and Xibalba's relationship in "The Book of Life."

Song for this chapter (at least the second half): "Say Something" by A Great Big World.

Also, I've decided to make my playlist for this fic series available to everyone who wants to hear all the songs that inspire this fic. I can't share links on here, so go to YouTube and search the "Let's Fall in Love (Hazbin Hotel Fic)" playlist!

"I do not require a kitchen staff!" Alastor crossed his arms and sneered at the ten demonesses lined up in the kitchen. "I'm perfectly capable of making dinner on my own!"

"Come on, Al," Charlie said, trying to mediate the situation. "Everyone here has the experience. And if you're going to be cooking for a hundred and fifty people, you're going to need some help."

"Nope!" Alastor turned away and held up a finger. "This kitchen is organized in a very particular manner and I will not have anyone disrupt it!"

"Tina's right," a green demoness with leaves for hair whispered to the girl next to her. "He is a pompous bastard."

Static crackled as Alastor's eyes snapped towards the leafy-haired woman. "What did you say your name was?"

The rest of the kitchen staff stepped aside, leaving the poor girl to quiver in the Radio Demon's shadow. "R-Rosemary?"

Alastor bent down, much too close to Rosemary's sweating face. "If your name is anything to go by, you could help by offering up your scalp as a salad."

"Al, stop!" Charlie pulled Rosemary back. "You're scaring her."

Alastor straightened up and walked down the line of ladies. "Further proof that these spineless, tasteless amateurs aren't fit to be in my kitchen! Look at this!" He took a long strand of black hair from a pink succubus. "This one didn't even bother to tie her hair back! It'll be all over the food if it doesn't catch fire first!"

One of the other demonesses quickly handed the succubus an extra scrunchie before she could cry.

"And this one—" Alastor pointed to a short, red imp. "—is as skinny as a twig! Like she hasn't eaten a day in her life!"

The imp sized up his skinny form. "But you're—"

"And talks back to the boss too!" Alastor shook his head. "No, no, no. This simply won't do!"

"Y-You haven't even tasted our cooking yet," Rosemary whimpered.

"I've seen enough!" He waved his hand. "Remove these disgraces to the culinary arts from my sight!"

"But Al, I've already hired them," Charlie said. "Filed their paperwork and everything."

"Don't care! I refuse to share my sacred cooking space with anyone! And that is—"

"Thought ya'd be causin' problems in here," the Songbat said as she entered the kitchen.

Alastor spun on his heel and grinned brightly at her. She had removed her hat and donned an apron, which clashed with her flapper dress but she didn't have anything else.

"Tina, darling!" He clapped his hands together. "Delighted as always to see you! Have you come to assist me with dinner?"

The new members of the kitchen staff shared confused looks.

"I'm here to make sure you," Tina said, poking him in the chest, "don't sneak any suspicious meat into the food."

"Moi?" Alastor dramatically put a hand over his heart. "Now when have I ever played a cruel joke like that?"

Tina placed her hands on her hips. "Wilbur Adelman?"

"Ah-ah-ah!" He held up a finger. "He wasn't in your dish, remember?"

The Songbat looked over at the quivering demonesses. "You weren't just harassin' my employees, were ya, Al?"

All ten of them nodded. Alastor narrowed his eyes and grumbled, "Snitches."

"I-It was just an honest disagreement," Charlie said, forcing a laugh. "Al wanted to cook dinner on his own, but I already promised these girls jobs in the kitchen."

"That so?" Tina glanced at her husband. "Well, if Al doesn't need help, I guess there's no point in me bein' here."

She was about to walk back out the door when Alastor called, "Wait!"

Tina turned back to him with a smirk. "Yeah?"

Alastor scowled at his wife. She knew very well he was desperate to spend time with her. And he wouldn't resort to magic for the massive food order, as he had told her food that hadn't been properly nurtured with time and care wasn't worth consuming. Years of living with the Radio Demon had taught the Songbat the art of manipulation. He both hated and loved her for it.

"I suppose," Alastor said, clenching his fists at his sides, "it would go along faster if I had extra hands."

"Excellent!" Charlie clapped her hands. "Looks like you've got everything under control here! I'll see you all at dinner!"

The Princess pushed through the swinging doors, leaving the new recruits to the mercy of the Radio Demon, who by a warning glare was at the mercy of the Songbat.

"Alright." Tina faced the staff. "We got a hundred fifty demons to feed, so we're gonna need somethin' we can make a lot of within two hours. Any ideas?"

Before anyone could open their mouths, Alastor held up a finger. "No need for that! I've already planned our main course for tonight! Gumbo!"

Tina scowled. "We're supposed to be a team here, Al. Ya can't make all the—"

"My kitchen, my rules! Besides, I already bought all the ingredients."

Tina crossed her arms. "Fine. We'll make the gumbo."

Rosemary raised her hand. "Is that vegan?"

Alastor squinted at the leafy-haired girl. "I knew I didn't like you."

Rosemary's shoulders slumped as she hid behind her colleagues.

"Of course, Rosemary, we can make a batch without meat." Tina elbowed her husband in the side. "Right, Al?"

Alastor rolled his eyes. "If your tastebuds can handle the blasphemy, dear."

"Good." Tina looked around. "We got six stoves in here, so this should work. Al, if you would write down a copy of the recipe for everyone so we can—"

"Share my mother's secret recipe for gumbo?!" Alastor's eyes glowed red. "Never!"

Tina groaned. "Come on, Al, how are they supposed to help out if they don't know the recipe?"

"Nope!" He crossed his arms and turned away. "I draw the line at exposing my mother's secrets to a bunch of amateurs!"

The new recruits sent him glares, but were too afraid to speak up.

"Sweet Jesus, Al." Tina facepalmed. "Why ya gotta be such a big baby sometimes?"

"Mother entrusted me with that recipe!" Alastor stuck up his nose. "I take it to the grave and beyond!"

Tina didn't remark how he had once shared the recipe with her, but it had been so long, she didn't remember all the steps. Aside from that, if Alastor wasn't willing to collaborate, they were never going to get dinner done in time. Tina regretted bringing her girls here, as she had promised them work, only to be snubbed by her psychotic ex.

If ten years with Alastor had taught her anything, it was that he was very stubborn. Once he had his mind set on something, it was nearly impossible to change it.

Well, there was one way. Tina loathed to do it, but everyone was counting on dinner to be served.

She took a deep breath and said in a childlike voice, "Pwease, Al?"

Tina laid a hand on his elbow. He stiffened and turned his head towards her. Her violet eyes were wide and glossy, her lip curled in a puppy-dog pout.

"For me?"

Alastor's face flushed a deep crimson. "I-I know what you're trying to do, and it won't—"

"Pwetty pwease?" Tina batted her eyes as she slid a hand onto his chest, fiddling with his lapel.

His ears fell flat against his skull. He tried backing away, but she stepped along with him.

"D-Darling." His back hit the sink and he gripped the edge for support. "People are watching."

"Pwetty, pwetty pwease?" She traced a finger down his front, her other hand moving up to his shoulder. "With a whole lotta demon chunks on top?"

Alastor stared down at her, his shoulders shaking. He knew she was just trying to manipulate the situation and wasn't serious. All the same, he couldn't resist those big, pleading eyes and that adorable little pout. He also knew that if he didn't cave, she would continue embarrassing him in front of these strangers. Already, they were whispering their speculations.

Then Alastor realized the one tiny flaw in her plan and his ears perked up.

"Nice try, chère!" He covered her face with his hand and shoved her back. "But you said you didn't want to get back together, so your little seduction techniques are without credibility!"

Tina dropped the nice girl act and scowled. She had tried the easy way, but he'd left her with no other choice but to resort to the hard way.

She reached up and grabbed Alastor's ear, yanking him down to her level.

"Ow, ow, ow!"

At that moment, Vaggie peered into the kitchen, unseen. When Charlie had told her Alastor was giving the new staff a hard time, Vaggie wanted to give him a piece of her mind.

But Tina had beat her to it.

"Listen here, ya fuckin' mama's boy," Tina growled into her husband's ear. "You're gonna share that gumbo recipe so these nice girls can get to work. And if ya refuse to cooperate like a good little team member, I'm gonna rip off those antlers and use 'em to stir the gumbo! We clear?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Alastor's voice came out squeaky like a frightened child, but on the inside, he was admiring the threatening tone in her voice and the furious look in her eyes. It didn't matter if she was pleading or pummeling him. She was beautiful.

"Good." Tina smiled as she released him and faced the bewildered staff. "Let's get started then, shall we?"

Vaggie suppressed a snicker as she backed out and closed the door. The Songbat had everything under control.

Alastor rubbed his sore ear, blushing once again. God, I love that woman!

"Al?" Tina said. "The recipe?"

He shook his head and snapped his fingers. A sheet of paper appeared in each demonesses' hands. Alastor went on to explain the particulars of the recipe, but the ladies found it difficult to pay attention as he did this while shedding his jacket.

Although the Radio Demon was a lean man, his broad shoulders called attention to his masculinity. And when he rolled up his sleeves, the ladies gasped at the thin but muscular arms. Alastor prattled on, not noticing their fawning.

But Tina noticed. Even Rosemary was blushing heavily as he pulled back his long, fluffy hair to tie it. The ladies were seeing him as less of a dangerous Overlord, and more as a man.

Tina clenched her hands into fists. A minute ago, these girls were cowering in fear of Alastor, and now they were swooning over him. Right in front of his wife too!

Tina quickly shook her head. No, she was not getting jealous over this. She had no right to anymore. And besides, Alastor wouldn't pay them any mind.

Then the new recruits suddenly squealed in delight. Tina followed their gaze and gasped. Alastor was hanging up his jacket on a hook, taking down a red apron. His back was to them, and without his jacket to conceal it, his fluffy little deer tail was sticking out of his trousers.

He must've forgotten. Alastor was so used to working in the kitchen alone. It had taken ages for him to even let his wife see the most adorable part of his body. Now he was unknowingly flaunting it in front of ten other women he didn't even know.

That was the last straw for Tina. Just as Alastor was putting the apron on, she bolted forward, reached out and shoved that tail down his pants and out of view. Alastor was so startled, he pulled the tie of his apron too tight, and would've suffocated if he actually needed to breathe.

There was a loud record scratch and the new staff members gasped in horror. Static filled the room and Tina finally processed what she had done.

No matter how accustomed to Tina's touch Alastor had grown over the years, his tail would forever remain off limits.

His head turned slowly, the joints in his neck cracking. His eyes glowed as they narrowed down at the Songbat.

"Tina, dear." His smile became more twisted and sadistic. "Did you just grope my tail?"

"N-No, I…" Tina held up her hands and backed away. "It wasn't like that, I swear! I was just—"

"Because if you did," he said in tone that was both threatening and playful as he fully faced her, "you know what happens when you touch me in places I don't like."

Alastor held up his hand, curling his fingers in a claw-like manner as he advanced on her.

"Al." Tina tripped backwards and caught herself on a counter. "L-Let's not be hasty now. Not in front of—"

"Remember our agreement," he said in a singsong voice.

She hated when he used her own deal against her. If one of them did something the other didn't like, the other had the right to retaliate. Tina had added that clause to their marriage pact to protect herself from Alastor's wrath. But it didn't protect her when she was the offender.

The others were too scared of the Radio Demon to do anything. At least they weren't caught up in his looks anymore.

Before Alastor could reach her, Tina grabbed a carving knife from a block and pointed it at his throat.

"Don't even think about it," she said.

Alastor stared down at the blade, then at her. Then he chuckled and lowered the tip of the knife with his finger.

"Later, then." He turned back to the stunned staff and clapped his hands. "Alright, that's enough dillydallying! Grab an apron and a pair of gloves, ladies! Chop, chop! Let's get a move on!"

Preparations for dinner were underway and Alastor was perfectly cooperative with the new kitchen staff. For the first five minutes.

"Roll up those sleeves! Keep those arms close to the body! Miss Rikki," he said, pointing to the long-haired succubus, "I better not see any loose hairs in that dish!"

He stopped behind Rosemary, who shivered under his shadow. She was stirring the roux, a mixture of flour and oil that was the key to making gumbo.

"No, no, no!" Alastor turned the dial on the stove. "It's medium-low heat, not medium heat!"

"S-Sorry," Rosemary said, pausing in her stirring.

"Don't stop stirring!"

Rosemary squeaked and slumped her shoulders.

"And don't hover so close to the pot!" Alastor forced her chin up. "Unless you'd like to boil your face off!"

He left Rosemary alone. Tina went up and patted her shoulder.

"Back straight, sweetie," Tina said reassuringly.

Alastor's next victim was the imp, Gertie, who was on vegetable duty. "No, no, no! That is not the way you mince mushrooms!"

He grabbed the knife from Gertie and twirled it in his hand. "Observe."

With lightning speed, Alastor chopped up the mushrooms, the knife and hand blurring with every motion. Gertie watched with her mouth agape, her eyes unable to catch up.

"See? Simple!" He gave the knife another twirl before handing it back to her. "Now you try!"

When she didn't take it back, Alastor picked up her hand and placed the knife in it. Then he moved on to inspect the next girl, leaving Gertie to stare at the knife.

"Uh…"

"Here, hon." Tina wrapped her arms around Gertie and guided her slowly in mincing the next set of mushrooms. "Just keep your slicin' steady and swift."

Once Alastor was finished with his critique, he went to cut the sausages. The meat was the one thing he didn't trust the others with. Tina was stuck with the stove nearest to him as she dumped the rice for the side-dish into a boiling pot.

"Ya always were a slavedriver in the kitchen," she remarked.

"I know what I like and will have it no other way." Alastor sent her a smirk. "Why do you think I married you?"

Tina rolled her eyes. "Just pass me the salt, will ya?"

He handed her the salt shaker and she stirred it in with the rice.

"Well, would ya look at that?" Tina pointed to the label on the shaker. "Still takin' my advice and labelin' everything?"

Alastor took the shaker from her. "You've learned some things from me, I've learned some things from you."

Tina cracked a smile as she continued stirring the rice.

"No butter?" Alastor asked.

"Nah," Tina said. "It ain't vegan and since it's not necessary, it'd be easier to just make one batch of rice than one with butter and one without."

Alastor huffed. "Did that Rosemary put you up to this?"

"Be nice, Al. That girl's been through a lot."

"She's in Hell, how is that supposed to gain my sympathy?"

Tina glanced back at Rosemary to make sure she was far enough away. Then she whispered to Alastor, "Up top, she fell in with an ecoterrorist group."

He cocked his head. "Eco-what?"

She forgot sometimes how old he was. "They fight to help the environment, but through violence. Rosemary's friends blew up a power plant one night with her inside."

"Hmm." Alastor returned to slicing sausages. "Still don't like her. Although the irony of doing the wrong thing for the right reason is amusing to hear."

Tina groaned. "Well, you're gonna have to be nice to my employees if ya expect me to be even remotely nice to you."

Alastor's grin widened at the small prospect of hope in that statement. It seemed Tina's temperament had mellowed after their little tussle earlier. At the very least, she was speaking to him civilly again.

No one noticed the kitchen doors creaking open and Niffty and Angel Dust poking their heads through. They were eager to see if which one of them would be winning the bet concerning Alastor and Tina.

"Well, if you're not going to add any butter," Alastor said, peering over Tina's shoulder at the pot of rice, "you should at least add—"

"Basil?" Tina already had the shaker in hand.

Alastor blinked. "Y-Yes. But also some—"

"Thyme?" she said without looking up. "Could ya grab that for me?"

He took the thyme shaker off the spice rack and handed it to her. Alastor then got a pan to cook the shrimp.

"I've taught you well," he said, placing a stick of butter in the pan. It didn't matter, as the vegans weren't going to eat the shrimp anyway.

Tina scoffed and shook her head. "With the way ya harp on my girls, I don't know how I survived ten years of cookin' with ya."

"And look at how much you've improved as a result!"

"I wasn't that bad."

Alastor raised an eyebrow. "When we met, you couldn't tell your basil from your oregano!"

Tina giggled. "Ya have to admit, they look pretty similar."

"Dear, where did I put that bucket of shrimp?"

"On the counter there, hon." She pointed the stirring spoon over her shoulder. "While you're at it, can ya get me a strainer? Don't know my way round this kitchen."

"Certainly, darling!" Alastor opened a high cupboard and got a large, metal strainer. "Here you go!"

"Thanks."

In the kitchen entryway, Angel looked down at Niffty. "Ain't they supposed to be fightin'?"

Niffty shook her head. "Kitchen's neutral ground for 'em. Tina's the only one Al will ever cook with as he's a stickler when it comes to food. He won't even let me touch the stove."

When one of the new staff members looked their way, Angel and Niffty quickly ducked out of sight.

As the cooking process went on, Alastor and Tina continued to work in surprising harmony. Much to the relief of the rest of the chefs. They didn't fear the Radio Demon so much when their longtime boss was present.

Tina couldn't deny the familiarity she was feeling, cooking alongside Alastor again. She found herself glancing at him from time to time, taking in the sight of him in that silly old apron of his that said "Don't Kiss the Cook." She had forgotten how much she liked seeing this domestic side of him. This side that made him seem more human.

Alastor looked her way and Tina snapped her gaze back to her pot of gumbo. Ten years on her own had made her smarter and harder. She was not going to fall prey to his charms again. No matter how nostalgic the situation was.

Then Tina felt a gentle but firm pinch on her behind. She squeaked and slapped Alastor's hand.

"The hell was that for?"

"Payback, dear. Remember?" Alastor chuckled as he nonchalantly stirred his gumbo. "Now we're even."

By dinnertime, each chef had a pot of gumbo ready. They waited anxiously in two lines for Alastor's verdict as he tasted each one.

"Not enough salt! Another shot of tabasco! Too much pepper!"

Alastor stopped in front of Rosemary, who kept her gaze to the floor. He eyed the steaming pot on the counter beside her. Then he picked up the stirring spoon, scooped it into the gumbo, and took a sip. Rosemary watched anxiously as he smacked his lips, saying nothing for a long moment.

"Adequate." He set down the spoon. "Though meatless."

Rosemary released the breath she'd been holding in. Rikki the succubus patted her on the back and whispered, "Good job."

"And last but not least…"

Alastor came excitedly to Tina's pot at the end of the line. But she was too busy loading the rice onto the cart to await his seal of approval.

"Mwah!" Alastor kissed his fingers. "C'est délicieux à la perfection, mon amour! I expected nothing less from you!"

"Starting to suspect nepotism here," Gertie whispered.

She squealed as Alastor materialized in front of her. "Don't believe me? Taste it yourself."

He stuck a spoonful of Tina's gumbo into the imp's mouth. She nearly choked, but once she'd swallowed it, she took a moment to savor the taste.

"Damn, that is good." Gertie looked over at Tina. "Boss, why didn't you tell us you were such a good cook?"

Tina shrugged. "Never came up."

Alastor turned to his wife with a raised eyebrow. "You don't cook for your employees?"

Before Tina could answer, Charlie entered the kitchen and inhaled the scent of gumbo.

"Mmm, smells good you guys!" The Princess rubbed the back of her neck. "So, uh, as much as I'd like you all to serve the guests, there's one teeny problem I didn't consider until now. We only have the one dining table, and I don't want everyone eating on the floor or in their rooms, so…"

She looked hopefully up at the Radio Demon. "Is there anything you can do about that, Al?"

Alastor glanced at Tina, who gave him a stern look with her arms crossed.

He sighed as he left the kitchen. "I have to do everything around here."

By the time the staff came out with the food, the dining room had transformed. The long table had been pushed closer to the wall to make room for five round tables, each large enough to seat ten. Another table was added beside the kitchen door to hold the dishes, silverware and glasses, so the guests could serve themselves.

"This satisfactory?" Alastor said from the middle of the room, holding his arms out.

He was looking at Tina, but Charlie was the one to answer, "This is perfect, Al! Thank you!"

The dining room was flooded with demons as soon as dinner was announced. They were hungry and had been standing around the ballroom all day, so they were more than happy to get a place to sit an eat.

The original crew sat at the long table, along with some of the new staff. Tina strategically placed Hildegard and Carrie Canary on either side of her. Alastor narrowed his eyes at the hellhound, who growled in return. Although the canary was too timid to even look his way, the Radio Demon didn't dare risk setting the nearby hellhound off. He regretted ever telling Tina his extreme dislike of canines.

Alastor shrugged and instead took the seat directly across from Tina. It was better to watch her from this angle anyway. She tried to ignore him as Charlie pitched ideas for the hotel.

"Since we have demons from so many backgrounds, we should plan some group activities! They'll be less inclined to do bad if they've got a harmless hobby to keep them busy!"

"Ha-ha-ha!" Alastor shook his head. "If that were enough to stop sinners from sinning, I would've stopped murdering ages ago!"

"He's right," Tina said, poking at her rice. "When Al's not learnin' a new instrument, he's killin' and eatin' demons."

Carrie Canary looked at the meat in her gumbo and stood up. "I th-think I'll get the v-vegan dish."

Alastor eyed the now empty seat beside Tina. He was about to get up and take advantage of the situation when Hildegard slammed her paw on the table, rattling the dishes. She locked gaze with Alastor and shook her head.

"Where'd you pick up this," Alastor said with a sneer, "delightful bodyguard, Tina dear?"

"She started a brawl in my club," Tina said, still not looking up. "Instead of kickin' her out, I offered her a job."

Hildegard snorted in Alastor's direction. "I know martial arts."

"Maybe you could teach a class!" Charlie exclaimed. "It'll get everyone's negative energy out, and teach them to defend themselves without killing!"

Hildegard raised an eyebrow at the Princess. "You really daughter of Devil?"

"While I highly doubt it'll make a difference in demons' behavior," Alastor said, "might I suggest a music class of some sort? Tina, you could give voice and or piano lessons! Or perhaps a comedy club?"

"How about an open mic night!" Charlie said. "Now that we've got the ballroom all set up, we could make it a weekly thing!"

"Might be too busy," Tina grumbled. "But Al knows more 'bout music than me."

Alastor leaned forward. "Oh, but you can't expect me to teach every instrument to these sinners! I'll need you to take the load off! We could even work together on some new rou—"

Tina stabbed her rice. "No."

The corners of his mouth dropped an inch. "Come now, darling, I'm trying to be help—"

"Don't." She pointed her fork at him. "Besides, I don't really s—"

A scream and crash cut her off. Carrie Canary had slipped and dropped her bowl of vegan gumbo, spilling it all over the carpet.

"I'm s-so sorry!" She grabbed her napkin from the table and tried to soak up the stain. "I c-can be s-so clumsy!"

"Jesus Christ." Angel rolled his eyes.

Tina sighed and finally met Alastor's gaze. "Would ya?"

Alastor wordlessly snapped his fingers and restored Carrie's bowl into her hands, as if it had never broken in the first place.

"Th-Thank you!" Carrie squeaked, bowing her head.

"Anyway," Charlie said, "I was also thinking we could require the guests to take group therapy sessions twice or thrice a week. Give everyone a safe space to talk about their problems."

"I think that might be good for ya, Carrie," Tina said. "Of course, if you're not comfortable—"

"N-No." Carrie sat back down. "I th-think if I w-work things o-out, I m-might h-have a ch-chance at H-Heaven."

"You mean you believe?" Charlie's smile brightened.

"W-Well." Carrie touched the choker around her neck. "I d-deserve p-punishment for what I d-did—"

"Really?" Angel scoffed. "What a s-stammering k-klutz like you do to get to Hell? Run over a puppy? Step on a snail? Jaywalk?"

"H-Hanged myself."

An awkward silence fell over the table. Angel Dust shoved rice into his mouth, feeling guilty for bringing the subject up.

Once Alastor had finished eating, he dabbed his mouth with his napkin and stood from the table. "If you'll all excuse me for a moment, I'll fetch us dessert!"

"Dessert?" Tina looked up with a raised eyebrow. "When'd ya have the time to make dessert? I was with ya in the kitchen the whole time!"

He smirked. "I have my ways, darling."

Alastor reached over and booped Tina's nose. Hildegard snapped her jaw towards his hand, forcing him to retract it. He sent the hellhound one last angry glare before turning to Niffty.

"Niffty, be a dear and lend me hand, will you?"

Niffty quickly wiped her mouth and leaped off the chair. "Coming!"

Charlie waited for Alastor and Niffty to disappear behind the kitchen doors. Then she smiled at the Songbat.

"So, uh, Tina." Charlie stirred what was left of her gumbo, trying to look as innocent as possible. "Vaggie tells me you got Al to behave himself in the kitchen."

Tina hated that they were talking about Alastor again, but politely replied, "It's easy once ya know what buttons to push."

"That's the thing." Vaggie put down her spoon. "You do know what buttons to push. And as I'm sure you're aware, Alastor can be…" She circled her hand towards the kitchen. "Difficult to work with."

Tina huffed as she brought a spoonful of gumbo to her lips. "Understatement of the century."

"Which is why," Charlie said, glancing at her girlfriend, "Vaggie and I were wondering if you'd be willing to…keep an eye on Al for us?"

Tina dropped her spoon and choked. Hildegard stood, ready to perform the Heimlich, but Tina held up her hand and picked up her glass of water to sip.

Once the Songbat had properly swallowed, she turned to the Princess. "I'm sorry. What?"

"Everyone else here is scared of him," Vaggie said, gesturing around.

Carrie Canary nodded while Hildegard held up a so-so sign.

"But you aren't." Vaggie put her hands together and pointed them at Tina. "On top of that, he actually listens to you. And is a lot less of a pest with you in the room."

Tina crossed her arms and slumped back in her chair. "So ya want me to babysit my ex-husband."

"Not all the time!" Charlie waved her hand. "Just when he's around other staff and guests! They seem to be more comfortable with you around."

"It's t-true, M-Miss Twinkle," Carrie Canary said. "I kn-know you and the R-Radio Demon have a h-history, but—"

"You catch more flies with honey." Hildegard smashed her fists together. "If honey not work, I swat him."

"He does seem to have a soft spot for ya," Angel said, pointing his fork and winking. "Can't deny that, can ya, toots?"

Tina looked at everyone in disbelief. "This some conspiratorial ploy to set me up with my ex?"

"No," Vaggie said firmly. "But he's been a pain in our necks for weeks, and we know of no other way to handle him. He won't bother the other guests if he's preoccupied with you."

"Preoccupied?"

Vaggie winced. "That came out wrong."

Tina straightened up. "So I'm just the sacrificial lamb for the Radio Demon to focus all his energy on?"

"We're not asking you to get back together with him," Charlie said slowly.

"Just let him harass me so he leaves everyone else alone."

"We know, it's a stupid idea." Vaggie pinched the bridge of her nose. "But you could at least step in when he's—"

Tina slammed her hands onto the table. "Al's not my husband anymore! I ain't responsible for him!" She stood up so fast, she knocked her chair backward. "So stop tryin' to smush us together like we're a package deal!"

She eyed everyone, from Angel Dust to Charlie. "All of ya!"

Tina stormed out of the dining room, ignoring the questioning whispers from the other guests. As soon as she left, Alastor and Niffty came in with a cart of ten round, white-frosted cakes topped with candied fruit.

Charlie tried to pretend that nothing eventful had occurred. "Ooh, what kind of cake is that, Al?"

"Lane cake!" Alastor replied as he began slicing the cakes and placing them on plates. "A popular dessert in Alabama! Contains four layers of raisins, coconut, peaches, bourbon—"

Angel stood up and raised a hand. "I'm sold!"

"Is that…vegan?" Rosemary weakly called from her seat.

Alastor eyed her. "Sure."

Not hearing a comment from a certain someone, Alastor finally noticed the knocked over chair. "Where's Tina?"

Everyone at the long table either looked downward or up at the ceiling. Alastor gave a tired sigh.

"She left again, didn't she?"

Their silence was all the answer he needed.

Tina should've expected the "Shave and a Haircut" knock at her bedroom door.

"Don't ya ever quit, Al?"

"I bring a peace offering!" Alastor called from outside. "And I refuse to leave this spot until you accept it!"

Tina groaned as she draped a lavender shawl over her shoulders. Her wings made it difficult to wear jackets or robes, so she needed shawls to keep her warm. Not to mention she felt a little exposed in her nightgown, despite Alastor having seen her in it thousands of times.

She opened the door. Alastor stood there with a slice of lane cake in each hand. Tina had taught him to make it, insisting that he try it, even though he didn't normally like sweets. Strangely enough, he didn't mind lane cake so much. Maybe it was the bourbon. Nonetheless, he'd made one special cake without sugar, and with sour cherries instead of peaches. And he'd always eat it with her.

"You missed dessert," Alastor said.

"Ya ain't spendin' the night," Tina said.

"I wasn't asking." He held the slice with peaches out to her. "Can't we simply sit together and enjoy some cake like civilized demons?"

She snorted. "Bit of an oxymoron, don't ya think?"

There was disappointment in his eyes. "I was up all night baking these cakes so that your employees would have dessert. The least you can do is be courteous enough to try it."

He was turning her own words, from when she'd first made lane cake for him, against her. Tina sighed and took the plate.

"Five minutes." She opened the door further and stepped back. "No funny business."

"Ha-ha!" Alastor ruffled her hair as he passed by. "I'll leave the funny business to the professionals, dear!"

Tina sent him a death glare as she shut the door. She was already regretting this.

She sat down on the loveseat in front of the fireplace. Thankfully, he didn't sit beside her, but settled in an armchair adjacent to the loveseat. They ate their cake in silence for the first minute.

The scene was familiar. They'd sat in a position like this the night Alastor had proposed. The only differences were that Tina didn't have her leg bandaged and they were having cake instead of tea and coffee. Once again, she was fuming to herself, tolerating his presence at most. And he was watching her, contemplating.

Tina had always been a stubborn little bat. When Alastor had rescued her from rapists and she'd cut her leg, she'd refused his help at first. Then she'd realized the foolishness of such resistance and allowed him to take her home and tend to her wounds. But that hadn't stopped her from voicing her strong opinions that would've put off most men. Alastor, however, had found them stimulating from the start.

He remembered the exact moment when he'd decided to make her his wife. When it was just the two of them, enjoying a hot beverage, and he could see himself sharing many more quiet moments like this with her. And here they were again, doing exactly that.

But in returning to the past, so had Tina's bitterness towards Alastor.

"I see you had no trouble finding your clothes," he said, gesturing to her shawl.

Tina glanced at him briefly. "Ya didn't have to get me a new wardrobe. I may have lost a lot, but I still got some money. I can buy my own clothes."

"They're not new." Alastor shook his head. "They're already yours. You left them at the manor."

"Oh." Her voice became softer. "Why'd ya wait so long to return 'em?"

He looked down at his plate. "I assumed you would come back for them."

Alastor took a bite of his cake. He didn't need to explain his reasons further.

Tina tried to dispel the awkwardness by keeping the small talk going. "The shoes look brand new though."

He swallowed. "Those are to make up for the nine other anniversaries we missed."

"Right." She bit her lip.

She didn't want to be cruel. Really, she didn't. No one in the hotel blamed her for wanting to get as far away from the Radio Demon as possible. But the fact of the matter was that Tina knew what kind of person Alastor was behind closed doors. The role of the doting husband wasn't just an act for him. When he wanted to, he could actually be caring, considerate, kind. A side he would show only for people that mattered to him.

Tina knew he was trying to remind her how great they used to be together. But it only added onto her growing guilt.

"I appreciate the peace offerin'." Tina put down her empty plate on the coffee table. "But this changes nothin'."

Alastor sighed and set his own, unfished plate down. "You're so naïve to think you can ward me off with your brashness and aloofness. Quite the contrary, dear." He stared at her with a half-lidded gaze. "It only makes me more determined."

Tina slumped forward, dropping her head into her hands. "And why is that?"

He rose from the armchair and sat on the loveseat, but still kept a respectful distance. "Do you remember when we first met?"

She ran a hand through her hair. "I try to forget."

Not taking his eyes off her, Alastor leaned on the armrest. "When Luci tricked me into having that drink with you, I thought you were going to be another one of those dizzy dames who'd either cower in fear or throw yourself at me with misplaced affection."

He rested his cheek on his fist. "But you weren't afraid or infatuated at all. You weren't even polite."

He chuckled. "I'd encountered countless women in my life and afterlife, but none had ever been so brutally honest and upfront with me before. You surprised me. And from that moment on, I saw you as a being worth my time and energy."

Tina looked up to find him still staring at her, that same spark of interest in his eyes from the night they'd first met.

"Yeah?" She crossed her arms and leaned back. "Well, when we first met, I thought you were a pompous, egotistical psychopath."

She cast a sideways glance at him. "No surprise there."

Alastor shrugged, offering no argument.

"But," Tina said, looking down at her knees, "ya did surprise me when I rejected your invitation to dinner, and ya didn't try to force me into sayin' yes."

Her cheeks flushed. "No man ever gave me that kind of respect before."

"You still have it, mon amour," Alastor said softly, placing his hands in his lap. "I didn't force you then, I won't force you now. You'll come back to me in your own time. I have an eternity to wait."

Tina scooted to the farthest end of the loveseat. "You're naïve to think bein' so courteous and generous is gonna win me back. But it's just gonna push me further away."

He tilted his head. "Would you rather I be cruel?"

"Honestly?" She closed her eyes. "Yes."

"Hmm." He rubbed his chin, pretending to think about it. "I'm afraid you ask the impossible of me, darling."

"Why?" Tina snapped. "It's easy for ya to be cruel to everyone else! Especially those who've wronged ya!" She muttered, "What makes me so different?"

She felt his hand on hers. She turned to see his sorrowful eyes burrowing into hers.

"Do you really have to ask?" He cupped her chin. "Or are you afraid to acknowledge the answer?"

Before she could lose herself in his touch, Tina moved back and wrenched her hand away. "I'm not worth your trouble, Al."

"Trouble? Ha!" He threw his head back. "I can handle a little trouble. And you, my dear, are worth all the trouble in the world."

"Well." Tina stood and walked around the loveseat. "In twenty-nine days, I'll take that trouble with me."

Alastor followed her. "And where will you go then?"

She stopped and leaned against her vanity, anchoring herself. "I'll find something."

His gentle words were falling on deaf ears. Alastor decided it was time to change his tactic into something sterner.

"I realize my being here isn't ideal for you." He placed his hands behind his back. "But you wouldn't have needed to resort yourself to this situation, had you called for my assistance from the start. I could've restored your club with a snap of my fingers. I still can, if you'd only ask."

He narrowed his eyes. "Or are you too stubborn to admit that you still need me?"

"I don't need ya." Tina gripped the edge of the vanity. "I haven't needed ya for ten years."

"But you can only rely on yourself for so long. That's the way it's always been, hasn't it?"

Alastor gripped his claws behind his back. What he was about to say was cruel, but if that was what she wanted, so be it.

"You find some lovestruck fool willing to bend over backwards for you," he said bitterly, "so you entertain him with pretty little promises and sensual touches. Manipulation disguised as affection."

Tina looked up, seeing her reflection and his in the mirror. His scowl threatened to destroy that everlasting smile.

"That's what people say about you." Alastor took a step forward. "And frankly, my dear, I'm almost inclined to believe there's some truth to it. Or do you intend to prove me wrong?"

She lowered her gaze, not liking what the mirror held. "Your five minutes are up."

At least she assumed they were. She'd lost track of time ages ago.

Alastor bowed respectfully and headed for the door. As he touched the knob, he turned back to catch one last glimpse of her.

"Don't mistake me, dear," he said. "Your sins never mattered to me. And your stubbornness, savagery and brazenness are but some of the many things I adore about you." He opened the door. "In fact, they were the very reasons I proposed."

When Tina next dared to look in the mirror, he was gone. And she was alone again.

"I'm sorry, Al," she whispered, removing the shawl from her shoulders. "But you'll see it's better this way."

She draped the shawl over the mirror so she could see no more.

Outside, Alastor leaned against Tina's bedroom door and sighed. At least she had accepted the cake, and taken the time to talk with him. He would just have to be patient a little longer. For now, he would have to pull himself through another sleepless night.

Alastor was so lost in thought he didn't notice the pair of eyes watching him as he walked down the hall. The observer then retreated to their room and pulled out their hell phone.

Somewhere on the East Side of the Pentagram, a demon with the head of a chameleon dressed in a business suit sat in his office. His hell phone rang on his desk and the caller ID made him smirk.

"Hey, babe." He leaned back in his rolling chair and sipped a glass of whiskey. "What dirt ya got for me today?"

What he heard on the other end caused him to spit out his drink.

"Whaddya mean the Radio Demon's at the hotel?" The chameleon slammed his glass on his desk. "You told me the bitch would rather die than crawl back to that bastard!"

The person on the phone explained everything.

"Well what am I supposed to do now, babe?" He got up and paced the office. "You were supposed to make sure her relationship with Radio Boy stays severed, and that he wanted nothing to do with her no more! We can't have our revenge until we're absolutely sure he won't come running in to rescue her!"

He rubbed his temple as he listened. "Uh-huh. Yeah. That so?"

The chameleon smirked. "In that case, see that Radio Boy's little wooing attempts fail miserably. We can't have the little bat making nice with her Sugar Daddy again. Not after how long we've both waited for this. Right, babe?"

He waited for the caller's response. "That's right, honey. Don't you worry. You just let me know the minute the bitch is alone and friendless."

He looked at his wall, covered with newspaper clippings of Tina Twinkle. Including her marriage to Alastor, the grand opening of The Reckoning, and its most recent destruction. He found a picture of her performing onstage and tore his claws through her smiling face.

"Then she'll pay for ruining our lives."

The plot thickens!