"I'm very sorry it had to come to this." The demon spoke quietly, and at first observation, looked heartless. He stood, stoic, the gun his hand pointing downwards at the laying figure.

But, to the figure who sat behind the barrel, that was far from the truth. He knew the man. He knew his tendencies, what his heart desired, and had a good idea of what he was thinking. Those words were true. The man was sorry. But even knowing this, the figure resigned itself, the rain pouring on his body. His fate was sealed, and there was no escape. Years of being the one in front of the barrel, he experienced power, enjoying the thrill of taking life, and doing it all for this one person.

Now, that very same person was now going to kill him. He felt tears, but he did not sob. He let them fall, yet his breath was steady. He wasn't ready to die, but in the face of death, he'd not show weakness. He'd embrace it. After all, this was the second time he'd die. He knew what it was like to die... and the fear of what a second death meant? He figured he'd find out soon.

There was no time to register. A bullet traveled into his skull, vision embracing black, and his body falling limp.

Angel suddenly sat up, alerting Alastor to the panting spider. He looked as if he had run a marathon, his eyes wide, and breathing rapid. His hands on his own chest, he leaned down, placing his face on a pillow he had grabbed. Alastor thought to reach out, but retracted his hand.

"Are you alright, Angel?" Alastor whispered.

"Y... yeah. Just... just a nightmare is all."

Realizing just how close he had gotten to Angel, he scooted back a bit, turning around. The last thing he needed right now was a silly little crush. He had come to terms that he had grown to like the one he had once detested. Hearing Angel shuffle a bit more, he listened. It was early morning, so he was wide awake now anyways. More than that, he began hearing other soft noises. Muffled. Soon, he was able to identify just what it was, slowly turning around to see Angel face down in his pillow.

"Angel?"

He refused to turn around, not wanting to stress Alastor out, or show him how terrible he looked. Though, at this point, he probably already was making the latter worried. Wiping his tears quickly with his forearm, he turned, sighing. He could already feel how puffy his eyes were, no doubt visible even in the dim light of the waking sun. There was a momentary pause, Alastor staring, before he wrapped his arms around the crying demon.

"I..." Angel wasn't sure what to say, but accepted the hug, his arms tightly locking as he nuzzled into the other's collar.

Alastor didn't hesitate this time, his arms around Angel in a comfortable embrace. It was the least he could do. He hadn't even discussed payment with Angel or Husk, though from what the plan looked like, it felt like it ultimately wouldn't be necessary. He didn't want to think about that at all. He had thought about it the entire day, but he still couldn't figure it out, the constant thinking and doubts increasing his anxiety to an all time high. He had bonded with the two so much throughout this experience, and despite him being passive most of the time, he knew it in himself. He just never wanted to show it.

The voice on the phone was right, after all. He never intended to bond with any of them. The hotel was a simple game, and a way to kill time since, believe it or not, even he needed a break from the constant killings and dealings of a demon overlord. He let his heart get in the way of what was the more intelligent move. Now, both he and his friends were paying the price.

'I will think of something. It will come.' Alastor repeated. He knew if he couldn't, then it wouldn't just be them dying.

Feeling Angel relax in his grip, he felt some bit sense of ease, watching the heaving come to a close, and the grip on him soften. Soon, the scared spider was once again snoozing, his face buried into Alastor's chest.

"Good grief. I can't believe I feel so deeply for you." He whispered to his sleeping bedmate, who didn't respond.

Lifting a hand gently, careful not to make noise, he cupped Angel's cheek, stroking the three noticeable birthmarks that looked like dots. Then, he adjusted his position to get more comfortable, bringing Angel even closer, kissing into his hair. This... felt incredibly right to him. For even just a few minutes, he felt total comfort. But his heart would wrench as the unavoidable panic would eventually come back to him.

This could be his last days with Angel.

"Angel Dust and Husk are with him." The demon spoke quietly.

"How fitting. Two loose ends..." The voice was uncertain, and the other demon noticed this.

"How would you like to proceed?"

"...we'll let it happen, as I said. They only have a few days left."