Chapter Rating: Mature (Explicit in future chapters)
Warnings: Manipulation, Language, Awkward Situations
After your tiff with Alastor, you stomped off to seek the solitude of your own room. Dealing with him was infuriating and confusing. He had a way about him where even though you couldn't stand him, you sometimes found yourself craving his company.
Maybe you were a masochist. That would make the most sense for why you were so fucked up and had weird, conflicting feelings about the arrogant demon.
The next day when you returned to the library, you were not at all surprised to see Alastor there waiting for you. Before you could even negatively comment on his presence, he held his hands up in surrender. "My dear, I owe you the sincerest of apologies. My behavior has been abysmal, and I am quite ashamed."
You narrowed your eyes, suspicious of his authenticity. His grin widened at your hesitance. "I'll admit, I've gotten carried away during our prior interactions. Let me assure you, I only have the best of intentions. I would like us to be friends. After all, as previously established, we can help each other. I am still dedicated to helping you return to your world."
"Whatever, Alastor," you brushed him off, pinching the bridge of your nose to indicate your lack of patience. "I really don't have the mental capacity for this right now. Just… keep your pervy hands and weird opinions to yourself. That's all I ask."
His lips peeled back further to make his already creepy grin look even more sinister. "Of course, my dear. As you wish."
You weren't stupid. You'd be a fool to think that he was being genuine, but at the same time, he was one of the most powerful beings in Hell, and it couldn't hurt to let someone like that help you, even if he had selfish intentions. It was just a matter of not falling victim to his advances.
Yet again, the two of you hit the books, making yourselves comfortable on the couch. Much to your relief, he stayed on the opposite end rather than crowd you with his overbearing presence. Instead, he kept to himself, humming softly as he skimmed through the pages of the books, seemingly content with the tedious task of research.
After intricately combing through five different books on magical travel, your eyelids started to get heavier, no longer able to really concentrate. Not long after, you found yourself dozing off, sliding down on the couch until you were met with a cushioned surface, enabling you to soundly fall asleep.
It wasn't clear how much time had passed. It could have been merely a few minutes, or several hours. Either way, you were extremely comfortable and didn't feel like moving.
Unfortunately, a voice nearby caused you to stir, interrupting your glorious nap. "Al, you soft son of a bitch."
"Good evening, Husker. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Alastor's voice sounded odd. Deeper and strangely close by, whereas Husk was clearly speaking from another part of the room.
"How long you been sitting here like this?" the cat demon grumbled.
"Oh, it's difficult to say," Alastor sighed candidly. "To be frank, my friend, I wasn't quite sure what to make of the situation."
Husk's deep laughter echoed softly throughout the library. "So your aggressive approach didn't pan out, huh? What a surprise. Always knew your bark was worse than your bite. Now you're just a teddy bear."
"Is there a reason for your visit? If so, I do wish that you'd just get on with it. I do not enjoy being mocked."
"Settle down," Husk prompted. "I'm not here to ruffle your feathers. I was coming to relieve you and help out the girl with research, but seeing as you're so comfortable, I guess I'll just be on my way."
"Do not leave me here," the Radio Demon warned, the static in his voice thickening with subtle rage. "Do something."
"You've slayed Overlords. You can't manage to push a weak human off of your shoulder?"
"Husker."
"Alright, alright," he relented, sensing Alastor's tone. "Don't get your panties in a bunch."
A sudden hand on your shoulder and shaking your body quickly alerted you to the situation that you were in. Eyes fluttering open, you tilted your head back to see that you had been pressed up against Alastor, using his body as a pillow.
You immediately shot up, giving yourself a head-rush as you did so. "Oh… Uh, Alastor, I'm so sorry. I didn't…"
At a loss for words, you felt your cheeks reddening with embarrassment as you glanced at Husk who had an amused expression on his face.
Standing from the couch and stretching his limbs, Alastor brushed off your apology. "Think nothing of it, my friend. I am glad to be of assistance, and I hope that you are now fully rested."
Okay, what the hell? Who was this new Alastor? He went from being perverted and possessive to kind and charming? No, something was off. There was no way that his personality could have changed so dramatically overnight, but now was not the time to interrogate him about it.
"Yeah, uh, much better. Thanks. I'm… going to go take a shower," you muttered, trying to find any reason to leave the library immediately.
Before either Alastor or Husk had a chance to respond, you practically sprinted out the door and ran for your room where you plopped face-down on the bed and released a muffled groan. You were slightly convinced that you were dying of embarrassment and that was the real reason you were trapped in Hell.
Sighing heavily, you eventually got up and took a cold shower, washing away the essence of Alastor that might have clung to you when you laid on him. Shortly after, you dried off and walked back to your room, shocked to find Charlie and Vaggie waiting for you with concerned expressions.
"Um, hey?" you greeted nervously. "What's up?"
Vaggie narrowed her eyes and scoffed while Charlie took a more delicate approach. "So, listen… we're so glad to hear that you're becoming more and more comfortable here, but…" she trailed off, not sure how to proceed and turning to her girlfriend for help.
Crossing her arms, Vaggie stated bluntly, "Don't hook up with Alastor."
Mouth agape, you struggled to find the words to convey your bewilderment. "Um, I'm sorry, what ? Why the hell would you say that? I have no intention of spending more time with him than necessary, let alone that ."
Rolling her eyes, she countered, "Look, we know that he's a flirtatious little shit, and that he will try to charm his way into your good graces. His whole persona is based on his ability to manipulate. It's just better to not get involved with him. If I had it my way, he wouldn't even be allowed in the hotel, but what's done is done."
"Okay? What does that have to do with me?" you questioned, still unsure as to why they were upset.
Charlie interjected again, easing the tension. "We've seen you with him and things seem to be getting very… friendly. Husk told us you slept with him…" Ugh, it was like Angel's prior accusations all over again.
" On him," you clarified defensively. "We were doing more research and I passed out on his shoulder! That's it! Listen, I don't trust him any more than you do. You don't need to lecture me about staying on guard. That's all I've been doing since I arrived here."
Charlie bit her lip and gave you an apologetic look while Vaggie's expression softened a little. "We didn't mean to ambush you," Charlie added. "We just wanted to make sure that you were okay and that he wasn't forcing you into anything. We're still getting to know him ourselves."
"No, it's fine," you replied, waving your hand dismissively. "I get it, and I appreciate it. I didn't mean to come off as bitchy, I'm just… stressed, I guess."
"Understandable," Vaggie chimed in, no longer appearing as hostile as she did a minute ago. "We're still looking for answers on how to get you back to your world, and I can only imagine how terrifying and crazy this has been for you, but we want to make sure that your head is in the right place. Stay away from Alastor."
"You called, little moth?"
Turning towards the entryway, Alastor stood proudly, twirling his staff nonchalantly in his hands.
Growling, Vaggie snarled, "Do you really have to be here all the time? Don't you have somewhere else to be? Other souls to torment?"
"Ha!" he exclaimed, amused by Vaggie's unwavering disdain for him. "Darling girl, this is where my priorities lie for the time being. Fear not, I have no intention of interjecting into what I'm sure is a very fascinating conversation."
"Then why are you here?" she snapped, flexing her fingers angrily like she was trying to hold back from choking him.
Widening his permanent grin, he turned his attention to Charlie before replying cooly, "It appears you have a visitor."
"Me?" Charlie asked, perplexed.
"Yes, my dear girl," he confirmed, resting on his staff that he had stopped fiddling with. "Your guest is waiting for you in the parlor."
The three of you immediately began to see who had arrived, but Alastor whipped his staff out in front of you, preventing you from going any further.
"No, no, no, darling. Not you." Charlie and Vaggie didn't seem to notice as they continued out of the room, leaving you with the Radio Demon.
Eyeing him skeptically, you asked, "Why not?"
He almost looked… nervous? You couldn't quite put your finger on it, but it was an uncharacteristic look for him. Though his smile remained, his demeanor wasn't his usual arrogant and unbothered self. "Believe me when I say that it is in your best interest to remain here."
Worrying your lip, you replied, "Alastor, I really don't think that it's a good idea for you and I to be alone together anymore."
Tiling his head to convey his confusion, he asked, "Why is that?"
Swallowing thickly, you muttered, "I-I just… um… people are starting to think-"
Before you could finish your thought, an unfamiliar voice was drawing nearer, distracting you.
"...permission to enter my own hotel? Foolish daughter. You may work here, but this hotel is mine, as is everything else in Hell. Now, where is our exotic guest?"
Though he was playing it off well, you noticed how Alastor went rigid as the voice got closer. Listening more intently, you could hear multiple sets of footsteps along with Charlie begging, "No! Dad, please don't-"
Not a moment later, a strange, yellow-colored eyed demon burst through the door, beaming right at you, followed by a very nervous Charlie. Vaggie was nowhere to be seen.
The excited demon was taller than you, though not as tall as Alastor. He was as pale as Charlie with similar rosey cheeks and blonde hair. He was adorned with a white and red tuxedo with dress pants and a cane with an apple on the end. His toothy smile was just as wicked as Alastor's, and left you with a queasy feeling in the pit of your stomach.
"Ah, there you are. Look at you!" he proclaimed before surging forward and taking your hands in his, pulling you harshly towards him.
You stumbled forward, tripping on your own feet but managing to find your balance before he danced around you, inspecting you closely. Quirking a brow at him, you weren't keen on the idea of someone looking you over so intimately.
Catching you off-guard, he suddenly reached forward and cupped your face with his hands as he ran his thumbs across your cheeks. Instinctually, you smacked his hands away, just as you had done previously with Alastor. "Seriously? What is it with you demons and lack of personal space?" you snapped, now seething with irritation.
He stood back, clearly surprised by your tenaciousness. "Feisty, aren't we?" he chuckled, fiddling with his bow tie before straightening his posture. "Oh, we're going to get along just fine. I can see that."
"I'm sorry," you replied with exasperation. "Who are you?"
Smiling wider, he answered, "I'm Lucifer, the King of Hell, my sweet little human. And you're coming with me."