WARNING: STEAMY, ALMOST SEXUAL CONTENT AHEAD!

Title Song: "In the Mood" by Glenn Miller (recommend listening to the Andrew Sisters' cover)

Other song used: "Ain't Misbehavin'" by Fats Waller

Something had changed between the Radio Demon and the Songbat. It was obvious to anyone who came across them that Valentine's Day morning.

When Tina entered the kitchen to help make breakfast, she and Alastor froze as they held gaze for a long while. Until he finally greeted a good morning, and she looked down at her feet with a sheepish smile.

As they cooked the eggs, they shared a stove. It seemed that every other second, they were sending each other looks, or brushing their hands, or giggling. When Charlie came in to check on breakfast, she noticed Alastor's hand rested on Tina's hip, and she showed no sign of resistance.

Then once breakfast was served, Tina took the seat beside Alastor's, earning several raised eyebrows, as well as a glare from Carrie. At one point, Angel Dust dropped his fork, and as he crouched under the table to pick it up, he spotted Alastor's foot nudging Tina's. Instead of kicking him, she ran her toe up his leg in reciprocation.

The sight was so startling that Angel banged his head on the table.

Charlie relayed everyone's duties for the party. That at 6:30 tonight, the food needed to be ready, the stage needed to be set, and everyone needed to be dressed and in their positions.

"So, if I am correct," Alastor said, raising a finger, "we have no additional duties this morning?"

Charlie thought for a moment. "Well, no. Mostly we just need to get everything clean, and we won't start on the food until after noon."

"In that case." Alastor glanced at his wife. "Tina, may I have a private word with you?"

Tina blushed as she felt his ankle hook hers. "O-Of course."

"Good." He got up and took his plate. "Come see me when you're finished."

After he sent her a wink, Tina found that she was no longer hungry for food. So, she also stood from the table. But then Carrie grabbed her arm.

"Miss Tina," she whispered. "Don't do anything reckless."

The Songbat yanked herself out of her grasp, picked up her dishes, and followed Alastor.

"Am I tripping?" Angel said. "Or does Bat Girl seem…out-of-character today?"

"Well, it is Valentine's Day," Niffty said. "Maybe Tina's had a change of heart." She smirked at the spider. "And maybe you owe me fifty bucks."

"Nothing's confirmed yet, babe." He pointed his fork at her. "But if something did happen, I'll ask Tee about it." Then out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Alastor and Tina leaving the dining room together, hand in hand. "That is, after she's had her…private time with Al."

Carrie followed his gaze and gasped. "No, she wouldn't."

The canary got up and chased after the couple. Once she reached the lobby, they were already up the grand staircase, headed for the same floor as Tina's bedroom.

Carrie balled her hands into fists. It would do her no good to interfere directly. Last night had been definite proof that Tina didn't care what her employee thought about her relationship choices. Carrie bit her nails and paced the lobby as she contemplated her next move.

When she was given the task to break up the Radio Demon and the Songbat for good, she'd thought there'd be nothing to worry about, as the bickering couple did all the sabotaging for her. But when they started getting chummy again, she had to take matters into her own hands. She'd thought sending that forged love note to that trumpeting feline would make Tina interested in someone new, or at least make Alastor mad with jealousy. Copying the Songbat's handwriting had been easy after working for her for seven years. How was Carrie to know that Skinny was gay?

Then she'd tried using money to drive a wedge between them. It had almost worked, convincing Tina to beg her husband for additional investment in the hotel. If only the damn spider hadn't waltzed in, that glorious quarrel could've ended the marriage for good.

Despite all of Carrie's efforts, and the couple's constant friction, they had somehow wounded up closer than ever before.

If only Carrie could get ahold of that engagement ring that bound Tina to the Radio Demon. She'd swiped one of the maids' skeleton keys to search Tina's room, but found no ruby ring. The higher-ups had suggested that it was hidden in her broach, but she never took the damn thing off. Except for bathing and sleeping, but entering Tina's room while she was there would be too risky. If Carrie were caught, she'd never succeed.

"Think, think, think!" The canary pounded her head.

The two had driven each other apart before. What would drive them apart now?

Then Carrie stopped and grinned, rubbing her hands together.

Of course. All she would have to do was remind them of what broke them up to begin with.

But first, she would have to make a call.

Once Alastor shut the door to Tina's bedroom, she sauntered over to the loveseat.

"So," she said, sitting down, "what'd ya wanna talk about?"

He opened his mouth to speak, but then noticed her removing her hat and putting it to the side. As he rounded the loveseat, she fluffed her hair out. Then she crossed one leg over the other and brushed out the wrinkles in her skirt. The actions were so innocent, but the grace of them caused Alastor to blush.

Trying to maintain his composure, he sat at the other end of the loveseat. "W-What I wanted to talk to you about was…" He trailed off as both her hands reached behind her neck and fiddled with the tie of her blouse. "Was…"

He watched as Tina undid the knot and then retied it. His fingers tingled as he recalled what had happened last night.

The look she sent him implied that this was the reaction she was going for.

"Ya know," she said, dragging the edge of her skirt up an inch, "we could put that talk on hold for a few minutes."

The Radio Demon gulped as his eyes unintentionally focused on her thick, furry legs. Although he didn't usually care about stuff like that, he couldn't help but find every part of his wife unbelievably lovely.

Would it be inappropriate for him to indulge? They were technically on the clock, after all.

"Do it."

Alastor blinked out of his daze. "Hmm?"

"Whatever you're thinking right now," she whispered, leaning in, "do it."

That was enough to convince him. With a snap of his fingers, the fireplace roared to life as the Radio Demon snatched up his wife.

A minute later, Tina was on his lap, her blouse hanging loosely over her breasts as they pressed up against chest. Alastor had removed his coat and was kissing her hungrily. She guided one of his hands to her breast, the other to her thigh, moaning against his lips as he caressed them. She reached behind him and pinched his tail. He squeaked in surprise, but did not protest. He was so happy, he would allow her to touch the tail this one time.

"There a reason," Tina said as she tugged on his collar, "you're so much bolder than before?"

He sighed as he felt her butterfly kisses along his neck. "I just feel so much…closer to you, chère. And I know how important this sort of thing is to you."

His hand slid further up her thigh, groping her rear. She inhaled sharply.

"I know, but…but…" She found it difficult to speak as he stroked her thigh. "You sure you're…okay with this?"

"Hmm." He kissed her collarbone. "Does this answer your question?"

He pulled down the front of her blouse, fully exposing her breasts. For a moment, Tina wanted to cover them back up, as she'd come to hate how scarred, and devoid of nipples they were.

Then Alastor ran his hand over them, noting every detail. "When you first showed these to me, I thought I'd be disgusted, as I didn't see the appeal of nudity. But all I could think of was how your body had come to be like this."

Tina lowered her head in shame. Then he lifted her chin.

"I don't think it was until that moment that I realized," he said, leaning in, "just how beautiful you truly are."

Then he kissed the space between her breasts. She closed her eyes in pure bliss as his lips closed over every one of her scars. She wrapped her wings and legs around him, and he took that as his cue to lower her back onto the loveseat.

It would be several minutes before either of them could manage to talk again. No other clothing was removed, but Tina was reeling from this intense intimacy. Alastor didn't complain when she ground against him in longing, as she was only doing it to relieve herself.

Don't worry, my love. Soon, all your desires will be satisfied. Just wait a little longer.

Finally, Alastor ceased his kisses and collapsed on top of her, his head resting on her chest.

"You're so soft," he murmured. "Like a fluffy little kitten."

Tina giggled as she threaded her fingers through his hair. "Back at ya, Deer Boy."

They remained like that for a while with their limbs entangled, enjoying each other's warmth.

"Al," Tina whispered. "Someone's bound to be lookin' for us at some point."

He moaned into her collarbone. "Five more minutes."

She rolled her eyes. "Took me twenty years to get ya to do this much, now I can't get ya off."

He tightened his hold on her. "That's what you get for staying away from me for so long."

"Wasn't there something you wanted to talk with me about?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes." Alastor sat up. "It's concerning Valentine's Day."

"Ya mean the party?" Tina rose to retie her blouse. "Damn, I didn't forget something, did I? I knew I should've triple-checked—"

"No, no, dear." He chuckled. "I wanted to talk about my gift to you."

"Gift? Gift!" She facepalmed. "Damn! Our first Valentine's Day back together, and I don't have a gift for ya! Granted, we only officially got back together yesterday, but—"

"Tina." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about getting me anything. Your decision to come back to me was gift enough." He looked at her disheveled hair. "Among…other things."

Blushing, she quickly smoothed out her hair. "So, uh, what's this gift of yours?"

"Ah-ah-ah!" He wagged a finger. "You'll have to wait until after the party. Once the last guest leaves, meet me in my suite."

Tina's heart pounded at the implication. "Mr. Alastor, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you're plannin' to seduce me tonight."

She waited for him to laugh it off. Instead, his gaze focused on the dancing flames in the fireplace.

She frowned. "I'm, uh, joking, of course. I know ya wouldn't…"

He hummed innocently as he examined his fingers.

"Al?"

He showed his teeth. "You'll just have to wait and see, precious!"

"Oh, you!" Tina grabbed a pillow and struck him with it. "You just love teasin' me, don't ya?"

"Maybe." Alastor swiped the pillow and tossed it aside. "Maybe I simply like seeing you so adorably flustered."

She snorted. "In that case, you're just plain mean."

"Oh?" He crept closer to her. "I didn't hear you complaining about my teasing a minute ago."

She scooted away. "Now, Al, we just…"

His hand on her knee silenced her. "Relax, dear, I'm only teasing."

She tensed as his fingers picked at the edge of her skirt. Just when she had cooled down, he had to go and rile her up again.

"Aw, screw it." Tina lunged forward and pinned him to the loveseat. "This is your fault, ya know?"

He batted his eyes as her puckered lips approached his. "I have no idea what you mean."

It was another ten minutes before Alastor and Tina finally got up from the loveseat.

"By the way," Tina said as she smoothed out her skirt, "have we decided whether or not we're tellin' the others?"

"I'm glad you brought that up." Alastor buttoned up his jacket. "If you're alright with it, I shall like to make the announcement tonight, during my performance."

She turned to him. "Weren't we gonna broadcast the show on your mic?"

"Mmm-hmm. Which is why," he said, running a comb through his hair, "I'm asking your permission first. But I would very much like to make it clear to all of Hell that you are mine again."

He'd done the same thing when they'd gotten engaged, so this didn't come as a surprise to Tina. Although she'd never really admitted it to him, she rather liked hearing him declare his love for her on the air, even in the days they weren't in love. It felt like reassurance that there was always someone out there who'd be looking out for her.

"Go for it." She took his hand. "Although I'm sure Carrie's squealed to somebody by now. And, uh," she giggled, "we weren't exactly discreet at breakfast, were we?"

Alastor smirked as he cupped her cheek. "No, we weren't."

He kissed her again. Tina quickly pushed him away.

"Nuh-uh." She put a finger to his lips. "We start that again, we're never gettin' outta here. You're gonna have to wait until after the party."

"Oh?" He cocked an eyebrow. "So I take it you have a guess as to what I have planned for us tonight?"

Tina shivered as his finger traced the bone of her wing. "I-I mean I assume we're gonna be alone and that we'd…ya know, continue this?"

We're not having sex, she repeated in her head. We're not having sex. We're not having sex.

Too late. Her mind was already going there.

"Y-You should go." She pushed him, much harsher than she intended. "Sorry. Just… Later, okay?"

Alastor sighed. "Very well then, mon amour."

With one last peck on her lips, he teleported from the room. Tina touched her lips, smiling like a drunken idiot as she went out the door.

The minute she shut it, someone screamed, "Oh my God!"

Angel Dust snatched her by the shoulders, her nose thrust into his fluffy face.

"You two were totally fucking just now!" He shook her excitedly. "Fucking Christ, you finally got his dick in your vagina, didn't ya? Go on, tell me I'm wrong!"

Tina shoved him off. "You're wrong."

"Damn it!" Angel put his upper hands on his head as he hung it back. "I catch you two playin' footsy under the table and you're still not back together! I don't fucking get you two!"

"Now, hold on." She didn't see any point in hiding this from the spider. "I didn't say we weren't back together."

Angel gasped, then pumped his fists. "Yes! Finally! You idiots were taking longer than Rachel and Ross on Friends! Wait." He grabbed her shoulders again. "When exactly did you two get together?"

"Last night. We kissed."

"Damn it!" He snapped his fingers. "Well, I just lost fifty bucks."

"Fifty bucks? What?"

"But hey!" He shrugged. "Silver lining, my matchmaking skills are impeccable!"

"Okay, but keep it down, will ya?" Tina whispered. "We don't want everyone knowin' just yet. Al's gonna make the announcement tonight, and we want it to be special."

"Alright, I got ya." He winked. "But first…"

Angel snatched her arm and dragged her to his room. Then he threw her onto his bed, hopped up onto his knees and leaned towards her.

"I need all the deets, girl. Tell me there was at least some tongue action!"

"No." Tina blushed. "I mean…not in the mouth."

His hands flew to his cheeks in a gasp. "He got oral on ya?!"

"No! But…he did lick my neck." She shifted awkwardly on the mattress. "And…my cleavage."

Angel squealed. "Oho, girl, ya can't stop there! Tell me more!"

Everything spilled out. Which was strange, as Tina had never shared intimate details like this with anyone before. Maybe because before Alastor, she'd felt ashamed. Or maybe it was because she didn't have that many close friends. But she supposed it was easier to talk about this sort of thing with a former sex worker who held no judgement.

By the time Tina had finished relaying every single detail, Angel excused himself, grabbed a dildo from his toy box, and disappeared into the bathroom.

When he emerged a few minutes later, he heaved a sigh of pleasure. "Damn, you two didn't even go all the way, and just hearin' 'bout that shit was hot!" He tossed the used dildo back into the box. "So, what? Bambi savin' the best stuff for tonight or what?"

Tina blinked. "Huh?"

"Ya know, it being the day of lust and all."

"Well, uh…" She bit her lip. "He did ask me to meet him in his room after the party, and said that he had a surprise for me."

"I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!" Angel leaped back onto the bed. "Honey, you're gettin' the big, hairy dick tonight!"

"Stop it, will ya?" She gave him a shove. "Just cuz Al pushed his boundaries a little, doesn't mean he's changed his mind about sex."

"Aw, come on!" He threw up his arms. "Why else would he invite ya to his bedroom?"

"Sex isn't the only thing people do in a bedroom, Angel. He may just wanna…cuddle."

"Cuddle?" The spider frowned. "How'd you two go from hot to boring as fuck?"

"It ain't boring. It's nice to have someone cuddle ya through the night." Tina smiled as she wrapped her arms around herself. "To protect ya from nightmares, in the dream and waking worlds."

"Yeah, that's fucking poetic and all, but it's obvious ya want more than that."

"So what if I do? I know it's enough for Al, and I ain't gonna fight with him over this again. Sex or no sex, I'm gonna stay loyal to him."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." He held up his hands. "You tellin' me that you're alright with havin' a sexless, monogamous relationship with this guy? Which, by definition, means that you're never gonna have sex again, period?"

Tina nodded. Angel facepalmed.

"Fucking Christ. I was gonna say I was happy for ya, toots, but now I'm just feeling sorry for ya."

"Maybe Al and I don't fit your ideal relationship," she said, "but as long as we're both happy, it shouldn't matter, right?"

"Yeah, right." He crossed his arms. "And what ya gonna do next time ya get that itch your hubby won't scratch, huh?"

Tina gave him an incredulous look. "Why do ya think people invented vibrators, dumbass?"

Angel glanced at his toybox. "Be that as it may, that stuff alone can only satisfy ya for so long. If it did, there wouldn't be bitches like me workin' the corners. But you already know that from experience, don't ya, toots?"

She regretted telling him everything. "That kind of satisfaction is cheap and emotionless. And I did that more for punishment than for pleasure. I'm done with that. Al loves me, despite my mistakes. And from now on, I'm not gonna take any of that for granted."

The spider snorted and shook his head. "Man, I need to get me some action. This romantic drama is gettin' way too wholesome for my taste."

The day went on with preparations for the party. And Alastor and Tina still couldn't go a minute without sharing a knowing, affectionate glance. Carrie Canary watched as they walked into the kitchen together, attached at the hip. Then she spotted Vaggie a little ways off, staring at the swinging kitchen doors, cringing, as if in disapproval.

Carrie smirked as another idea occurred to her. While she had everything she needed to set her ultimate plan in motion, it didn't hurt to have a backup plan.

Plastering on the most distressed, pitiful look, and scrunching her beak to get her stutter ready, Carrie approached Vaggie.

"M-Miss V-Vagatha?"

Vaggie turned. "Everything alright, Carrie? You look…distressed."

Tears welled up in Carrie's eyes, though on the inside, she was giggling. "I s-saw something rather d-disturbing last night and…w-well, I d-don't know if I should s-say anything or n-not."

Vaggie's eye widened. "What happened? Was someone breaking the rules?"

"N-Not necessarily, b-b-but…" The bird winced. "I d-don't wanna get in trouble—"

"It's okay." Vaggie took her by the shoulders. "Whatever it is, you won't get in trouble. If you think someone is hurt or doing something they shouldn't, then I can help. You can trust me."

Carrie sniffed. "You w-won't tell the P-Princess?"

Vaggie bit her lip. "That depends. If this involves someone's health or safety, I'll have to tell her."

"O-Okay then." Carrie took a deep, dramatic breath. "I w-went to the ballroom last night l-looking for M-Miss Tina w-when…" She covered her eyes. "Oh, it was s-so sh-shocking!"

"What? What did you see?"

"I s-saw…the R-Radio Demon…"

Vaggie narrowed her eye. "What did he do to her?"

"They were at the p-piano…m-making out."

"What?!"

"Y-Yes, he w-was all over her, k-kissing her and t-touching her breasts!" Carrie squeaked and covered her beak. "Oh it was just so s-scandalous!"

Vaggie blinked as she processed this information. "Did you talk to Tina about this? Did she say why she was letting him do this?"

Carrie wrung her hands. "W-Well, she s-said she was b-back together with him, b-b-but… I c-can't help b-but think… She looked so tr-troubled. I th-think…" She met Vaggie's gaze. "H-He may have s-something over her? I d-don't know what b-but he could be m-making her do these things?"

Vaggie scowled. "Blackmailing her, you mean?"

"M-Maybe?" Carrie brushed the hair out of her face. "She d-didn't seem to b-be enjoying w-what he was d-doing to her."

"Carrie," Vaggie said, patting her shoulder, "thank you for bringing this to my attention. You just let me handle this, okay?"

Carrie nodded. "I c-could be wrong, but I just d-don't want M-Miss Tina hurt."

"It's alright, Carrie. You're a good friend. Don't worry about this anymore, and take care of yourself, alright?"

The canary smiled. "Th-Thank you, M-Miss Vaggie."

The party was in two hours, and everyone was rushing to their rooms to get dressed. But before Tina could reach the stairs, she was suddenly pulled into a supply closet and met with a pair of lips. Fortunately, she realized who it was even in the dark.

"If you ain't my husband," she said coyly, "you're in for a real ass-whooping."

The light bulb above them flickered on, illuminating Alastor's grinning face. "Convinced?"

She giggled as she slid her hands up his arms. "You'd think we were a couple of teenagers playin' seven minutes in Heaven."

He tilted his head. "I'm afraid I'm not familiar with that particular game."

How was it that Tina kept forgetting how ancient her husband was?

"It's a party game," she explained. "When a boy and girl are locked in a closet together, and get to do whatever they want with each other for seven whole minutes."

"Seven minutes, hmm?" Alastor kissed her neck. "I like the sound of that."

As his hand slipped under her blouse, she pushed against his chest. "We're supposed to be gettin' ready."

"Of course." His fingers teased the edge of her skirt. "Would you like some assistance with your clothing?"

His sudden innuendoes were becoming too much for her to handle.

"Easy, tiger." Tina gently removed his hand from her skirt. "I already promised Angel we'd help each other with our makeup and hair."

Alastor sighed. "I still don't approve of your friendship with that whore."

"Hey, I'm entitled to some girlfriends." She smirked. "Unless you wanna paint my nails, put on my mascara, and do my hair?"

He ran a hand through her hair. "I could do it with a snap of my fingers."

"You just don't get it. Doing it all by hand is part of the fun." She shook her head. "Besides, lettin' someone else help me with my look will make it a surprise for you."

"I do love your surprises. But first," he leaned in and whispered, "if I'm playing by the rules correctly, I do believe I have you for another six minutes?"

Tina pretended to think about it. "I'm sure Angel won't mind waitin' six minutes."

Then she reached up and switched off the bulb.

Vaggie was about to head upstairs to change when she heard rustling in one of the supply closets. As she got closer, she could make out moaning and kissing noises. And then a loud thump against the door.

Thinking that Angel Dust had fallen back into his hold habits, or that Dr. Cougarton was entertaining another "patient," Vaggie opened the door. To her shock, the people who came tumbling out were neither Angel nor the psychiatrist, but the Songbat and the Radio Demon, the latter landing on top of the other. Vaggie gasped and covered her eye once she realized Tina's breasts were exposed.

"Fuck." Tina covered herself up as she scrambled to her feet. "Al, why didn't ya lock the door?"

"I thought everyone was upstairs!" Alastor stood and quickly buttoned his jacket. "How was I to know Vagatha here was so snoopy?"

"Never mind what I was doing!" Vaggie shouted. "What the fuck were you two doing?!"

"What?" Alastor said. "Is it suddenly against the rules for a man to be in a closet with his wife?"

"But you…" Vaggie wanted to look at Tina, but her eye was still closed. "Are you decent?"

"Yeah," Tina said. "Well, I guess ya know now. We were gonna tell everyone at the party, but—"

"Whatever." Vaggie opened her eye. "When did this happen? Less than a week ago, you said there was no way you two could get back together. Now I find you sucking face in a closet?!"

"Oh, would you look at the time?" Alastor glanced at his wrist, devoid of any watch. "We really must get dressed for the party!"

"Right." Tina spread her wings and flew up the stairs. "See ya!"

"Oh, no, you don't." Vaggie grabbed the Radio Demon's arm. "I'd like a word with you, mister."

Sighing, he turned to face her. "Yes?"

She crossed her arms. "What do you think you're doing with Tina?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Why, what's normal for married couples, I suppose."

"No, no. I mean what are you doing to make her suddenly this…physical with you?" She gestured to the closet. "And what was that, anyway? Didn't you say the other day you weren't into that sort of thing?"

"I said I wasn't interested in sex." Alastor took a comb from his pocket to fix his hair. "I am, however, open to…other forms of physical intimacy. And I can assure you, what you just witnessed was entirely consensual."

Vaggie scowled. "She told me everything. About why you two broke up."

"Did she now?" He slid the comb back into his pocket. "Then you are aware that what happened wasn't due to any physical harm brought upon Tina by myself, as you have insinuated countless times."

"Yeah? Well there are other ways to manipulate people that don't involve physical harm." She stepped forward. "Are you threatening to expose the truth about her affair to everyone if she doesn't get back together with you?"

Behind his back, Alastor clenched his hands into fists. "I would never do that to her."

"Why not? You're capable of worse."

"Because when she was alive, someone else exposed her secrets to the world out of spite." The static in his voice dissipated as he said this. "And I made a promise that no matter how angry I got, I would never stoop to that level."

He recalled the day Tina had found a news article dictating her past, thanks to that ex-agent slash lover of hers. How she'd had a panic attack and nearly lost control. How scared he'd been for her in that moment.

They hadn't even been married a month, and even then, he cared deeply for her wellbeing.

"You're an intelligent woman, Vagatha, not to trust me," Alastor said, "as I am not the most trustworthy individual. But my love for Tina is sincere. I may not be opposed to harming others, yourself included, but if I ever intentionally cause any form of harm to Tina…"

He trailed off. "I…dare not even think about it."

Vaggie was taken aback. Never had she heard the Radio Demon's voice without a filter. So soft, yet so emotional. She was almost inclined to believe him.

"Okay," she said. "But even if you didn't intend it, what if she's only with you now because she feels guilty over what she did?"

"She doesn't have to feel guilty. She knows I love her, and that I forgive her." He narrowed his eyes. "And whatever her reasons for coming back to me, I do not believe it is any of your business.

"Now, if you'll excuse me," he said, straightening out his jacket, "I must get ready for the party we've worked so hard to throw together."

Alastor turned on his heel to leave, but Vaggie was not finished.

"What if Charlie's plan works?"

He stopped. "Ha! If demons had the capability to redeem themselves enough to get into Heaven, don't you think it would have happened by now?"

"Just pretend it does for a moment. What would you do if Tina had the chance to go to Heaven?"

Alastor's shoulders tensed. "What does it matter? It isn't possible."

"But if it was, you know Tina has the potential to redeem herself. She's made so much progress already." Vaggie approached him. "My question is, if she could get into Heaven, would you let her?"

He gritted his teeth, not wanting to think of a scenario where he'd lose her again. Not after he just got her back.

Though the seed of doubt had been planted. On the off chance the Princess was right, and demons could become angels, would Tina leap at the chance? Of course, she would. A woman with a conscience like hers didn't belong down here. Given the proper environment, she could reach that level of redemption eventually. She'd want to see her mother and daughter, if they were up there.

And what of the Radio Demon? He was a murderer, a cannibal. Maybe Tina could forgive those sins, but the Lord wouldn't.

Tina would be gone. And Alastor, left behind. For good, this time.

When he took too long to answer, Vaggie said, "That's what I thought. You claim to love her, but not enough to let her go."

With a snort of fury, Alastor spun around. "And what about you, hmm? What if there is a way into Heaven, and you are redeemed? What does that mean for your precious demon princess, hmm?"

Vaggie flinched. "That's…not fair."

"Oh, but it is fair to ask that question, isn't it?" He stepped towards her. "Do you think Charlotte would be so willing to let you go? Or better yet, would you be so willing to leave her behind?

"Think about it for a moment." He now loomed over her. "Charlie isn't a sinner like us. She's the daughter of Lucifer, a hellborn. She won't be allowed in Heaven no matter how good and innocent she is. So, even if she succeeds in her plan, and all of us magically get a pair of wings and a halo, she won't be joining us. She won't be joining you."

Vaggie's face was scrunched into a hard scowl, but she could not mask the tears in her eye.

"Ah, see?" Alastor pointed at her. "It's crossed your mind, hasn't it? But you don't want to think about it, do you? Well then, Vagatha, you understand."

He bent down to stick his face in hers. "So, do us both a favor, and worry about your own relationship, and stay out of mine."

With that Alastor left Vaggie to drink in his words, too upset to argue.

"How is it ya ain't got one fucking bra in here?" Angel asked.

"I don't recall givin' ya permission to go through my drawers," Tina said.

Her body and hair were wrapped in towels, as she had just showered and blow-dried her fur. Having Angel Dust blow six hairdryers her way had sped up the usually lengthy process. As he was also covered in fur, he understood the difficulty. Now she was searching her closet for a gown while Angel was trying to find some lingerie for her.

"Just answer the question."

"Two reasons." She pointed to her wings. "One, two. Can't strap on a bra with these damn things in the way."

Angel huffed. "So ya tellin' me there's only gonna be one layer tween you and Smiles tonight? While I respect going commando, ya gotta make it interesting for him."

"For the last time," Tina said with a roll of her eyes, "Al and I ain't doing that. And even if we were, lingerie wouldn't do anything for him. I know cuz I already tried that. Ah, perfect."

She pulled out a dress and pressed it to her front. "Whaddya think?"

Angel whistled. "Fits the theme, and looks damn sexy on ya, toots." He snapped his fingers. "So much so that Bambi will be going down on ya for sure."

"Angel—"

"Come on!" He threw up his arms. "One of us has gotta get laid tonight!"

"Then why don't you?" Tina asked as she went into the bathroom to change.

"Cuz thanks to you," Angel said, leaning beside the bathroom door, "I've gone cold turkey. No more clients, no more sex. And you ain't likely to get in trouble with the bitchin' prudes for porkin' when you're married and all."

"Here's a thought," she called through the door. "Why don't ya try flirtin' with some guy without askin' for pay?"

The spider laughed. "Good one."

"Can't be that hard for ya. I mean ain't ya got millions of fans who'd jump at a free pass at ya?"

He snorted. "You're not wrong there. Course, that also means once word gets out I'm no longer on the market, those fans will be jumping at me like an army of frogs. Hey, did ya know a group of frogs is literally called an army?"

"Changin' the subject won't work on me, Angie. I get enough of that from Al."

She emerged from the bathroom in her dress. After another string of compliments from Angel, Tina sat at the vanity so that he could get started on her hair.

"Ya sure ya know how to do this?" she asked. "Not everyone knows how to deal with black girl hair."

"Honey," Angel said as he picked up the flat iron, "when I ain't watchin' porn, I'm watchin' hair and makeup tutorials of all kinds. You're in good hands." A third pair of arms popped out of his sides. "Six of 'em, to be exact!"

"Okay, but if ya set my head on fire, I'm askin' Al to rip those extra limbs off."

As he straightened out her hair, Tina said, "Speakin' of gettin' laid tonight, ever thought of, ya know, doing more than just a casual fuck with someone?"

Angel sighed. "I don't got your kinda luck, toots. Them johns only want one thing from me."

"Even Husk?" Her head jerked backwards as Angel tugged on her hair. "Ow!"

"Sorry." He steadied himself before any damage was done. "As hot as Husky is, I'm startin' to get the impression that he's straighter than your hair's gonna be in a few minutes."

Tina smirked. "What if I told ya he wasn't?" Another sharp tug. "Ow! Angel, I'm about to yank that iron outta your hand and bonk ya over the head with it!"

"I got it, I got it!" He raised his middle hands, his lower ones gripping her shoulders. "Now what was that about Husk not being straight?"

"I've known him as long as I've known Al, so I can tell ya with certainty, though he did have a wife in life, he actually doesn't care about gender. At least that's the impression I got when I found him drunk one night and he started mumblin' 'bout tossin' Al's ass like a salad, and then something 'bout hammerin' dick while pinchin' boobs."

Tina caught Angel's impish grin in the mirror. "You ain't shittin' me? Husky's…pansexual?"

"If that's what they're callin' it these days, sure."

The spider squealed and clapped his middle hands like a child on Christmas. "That's my favorite kind of sexual! I mean Val's pan too, but to have a shot at a pansexual who doesn't fuck everything that moves, even though he really wants to?"

"Now hold on," she said. "Just cuz he's into guys, doesn't mean he'll be into you."

"But still, a shot's a shot, right?"

Tina didn't want to damper Angel's spirits, but she didn't want to get them too high either.

"Husk is pretty closed off," she explained, "and even then, I ain't so sure you're his type."

He huffed, placing his lower hands on his hips. "I'm everyone's type, baby." One of his middle hands scratched his head, while the other rubbed his chin. "But…just to be sure, what is Husky into?"

"I don't know." She shrugged. "Booze? Gambling? Card tricks? He doesn't talk much about dating. Though based on his social circle, my guess is he likes people with guts, who aren't afraid to insult people, or swear like a sailor. He has a soft spot for people with emotional baggage, being a bartender and all. I suppose he wouldn't be into all the touchy-feely stuff and would prefer someone more direct who wouldn't beat around the bush and…"

She blinked. "Huh. Ya know? You just might be his type."

"Yes!" Angel pumped his middle fists. "But wait. That could easily describe you too, toots."

"I'm married. And Husk is more like a grumpy old grandpa to me, at best."

"Ain't your hubby also an old geezer?"

"And when did you die, exactly?"

He chuckled. "Well, it's no mystery why Smiles fell for you."

"Whaddya mean?"

"Al shuts down every one of my quips, come-ons, and insults. So do you." Once he was finished straightening her hair, he put down the flat iron. "And if you're able to shut me up, you're able to shut him up."

Tina looked down shyly at her lap. "When we first met, I ripped him a new one and called him a pompous, egotistical psychopath. I expected him to fillet me right then and there, but he laughed instead. And then he just never went away."

"The guy obviously likes a challenge, and I don't blame him." Angel picked up a brush. "Why do ya think I keep comin' back to Husky every time he tells me to fuck off?"

"Cuz ya just don't know when to quit?" She raised an eyebrow at him in the mirror. "Kinda like someone else I know?"

"Well here's the thing," he said as he began brushing her hair. "I'm so used to people takin' one look at me and wantin' to fuck me. I don't get that reaction from Husky. So, by the time he does make a pass at me, I'll know it ain't just cuz of my perfect bod, but cuz…"

He paused in his brushing. "Gee, I don't know. Whatever's worth seeing in me, I guess."

"Whoa."

Tina wondered if that had been Alastor's logic too. He was a handsome devil who got flirted with all the time. If she'd been as flirtatious as every other woman he'd come across, he wouldn't have given her a second glance. And she knew he wasn't one to fall for a pretty face.

Which meant he started liking her just for being herself.

Then she smirked at Angel. "You're a real romantic at heart, ain't ya?"

"I can still yank all your hair off," he said.

She laughed. "Well, if ya wanna shoot for Husk, just know that he ain't a one-night stand kinda guy."

"So at least two nights, then. Got it."

Before she could make another snide remark, there was a knock at the door. Not just any knock, but his knock. Tina jumped in her seat.

"Fuck, he's early."

"I'll handle it, honey." Angel put down the brush and marched to the door. "Your little wifey ain't ready yet, Smiles. You're gonna have to…"

But when he opened the door, no one stood there. All he found was a flat, red gift box wrapped in pink ribbon. The spider picked it up and read the tag.

"Looks like your hubby left ya a valentine, Bat Girl," he said as he carried the box over to her.

Tina spun around on her stool. "That's funny. He said he was savin' his gift for me after the party."

"Must be related to whatever he's got planned." Angel held up the tag. "Says: Wear this tonight."

She rolled her eyes as she took the box and placed it in her lap. "If he wanted me to wear a special dress, he should've done it before I got changed."

Once the ribbon and lid were out of the way, she was met with some scarlet lace. Tina froze, staring at the fabric with wide eyes.

"You okay, toots?" Angel asked.

Slowly, she lifted the piece of clothing out of the box. The spider gasped.

"Babes, that's a negligee."

Her fingers shook as she held it. "It's…mine."

It was the same negligee she'd worn on their sixth anniversary, the first time she'd tried to seduce Alastor. The first time he'd rejected her.

"But I…I never packed it."

She hadn't seen this thing since before she moved out of the mansion. Which meant…

"He…kept this?"

Tina had already found one of her nightgowns in his drawers, but she hadn't imagined he'd have more of her things, let alone the thing that had caused him to push her off the bed.

Then she recalled what he'd said the other day, that he'd actually liked seeing her in this negligee.

"Oh, ho, ho!" Angel clapped his hands. "You know what this means, don't ya, toots?"

"No." Tina bunched the slip back into the box. "There's no way."

"Honey, if this ain't a sign that he wants to rail ya tonight, I don't know what is!"

"No one to talk with
All by myself.
No one to walk with
But I'm happy on the shelf.
Ain't misbehavin'
Savin' my love for you
For you, for you
For you, for you."

Alastor sang as he put on his freshly ironed jacket. Then he kissed his wedding ring as he spun over to a full-length mirror.

"I know for certain
The one I love."

He summoned a comb for his hair.

"I'm through with flirtin'
It's you that I'm thinkin' of."

The comb was replaced with cologne, which he spritzed on his neck.

"Ain't misbehavin'
Savin' my love for you."

A loose bowtie popped onto his neck. He tied it up and smoothed it out.

"Like Jack Horner
In the corner
Don't go nowhere.
What do I care?
Your kisses are worth waitin' for
Believe me."

He touched his lips a moment, sighing at the memory of his most recent kiss with Tina. With a snap, his staff appeared in his hand, and the Radio Demon sang the last verse into the mic as he danced around the penthouse.

"I don't stay out late.
No place to go.
I'm home about eight.
Just me and my radio."

He chuckled as he traced the mic with his finger.

"Ain't misbehavin'
Savin' all my love for you!"

On the last note, Alastor faced the mirror again. Then he poofed the staff away so he could lick his finger and slick a stray hair into place.

Tonight was the night. Alastor was sure of it. Given how heated his last few interactions with Tina had been, their consummation was imminent.

Surprisingly, he wasn't as nervous thinking about it as he'd been ten years ago. Seeing her half-naked three times within twenty-four hours was, perhaps, a factor. Or maybe it was because he'd had all these years to grow accustomed to the idea. Or because he finally understood just what had been bothering him, and that he wasn't the only person to ever have this problem. Or it was simply because he was overjoyed to have his love for Tina reciprocated again.

Whatever it was, Alastor was confident about tonight. His heart raced, imagining how thrilled his wife would be once he revealed his surprise.

"Oh my, this is really happening, isn't it?" he asked his shadow. "Hell's about to have one less virgin."

Chesterfield gave a questioning look.

"Well, yes, I suppose I am excited." He blushed. "I mean…Tina and I are closer than ever now. What better way for us to get even closer?"

The silhouette of a vial appeared in Chesterfield's hand.

"Hmm. Do you suppose I should tell her about Lilith's blood tonight? After all, I am doubly indebted to Lucifer, and he's going to want results." Alastor rubbed his chin. "On the other hand, I want to see if I like it first before trying for a child, as there's no guarantee it'll happen on the first try."

A part of him also wondered if he'd be able to go through with it. After all, past attempts hadn't been so successful.

"No." He shook the doubt out of his head. "I won't back down this time. I want to do this. I have to do this. For Tina."

Because if he didn't, she might leave him again.

A knock on the door caused him to turn. "Now who could that be?"

For a moment, Alastor's heart pulsed with excitement, thinking Tina had decided to meet him here rather than downstairs. He bounded to the door, and after one final brush of his hair, he opened it.

But instead of Tina, he found a pink gift box wrapped in red ribbon. Picking it up, he read the words on the tag, recognizing his wife's handwriting.

A preview of tonight.

"Well, would you look at this?" Alastor shut the door and brought the box over to the kitchen counter. "My little darling got me something after all."

He untied the ribbon and lifted the lid. Inside were stacks of photographs, all face down.

"Interesting." He took a handful of the photographs from the top. "She's never sent me—EEE!"

The moment he flipped the photos over, his voice glitched into a long beep, and his pupils transformed into flat lines.

Once he got his bearings, he sifted through the rest of the photos, heat rising to his cheeks and sweat trickling down his brow. Chesterfield peered over Alastor's shoulder to see what was so shocking, then he widened his eyes and covered his mouth.

"Why is she…?" the Radio Demon sputtered. "When…? Why would she…?"

In every single one of these photographs was his wife.

And for a man who'd only recently discovered his asexuality, it was not a pleasant sight.

What? You think we aces can't reach that level of steamy?

...

Well, I myself have never even gone as far as a kiss (for a whole stack of reasons other than asexuality), but let's just say I wasn't complaining about writing those scenes.

Oh, and have I mentioned that writing Angel's dialogue is SO fucking hard?!