AN: Hey guys, I'm back! This chapter gave me so much trouble, you wouldn't believe it but I'm happy with how it turned out. Chapters should be back on their normal schedule now, thank you for being patient.

Disclaimer: Vivienne Medrano owns Hazbin Hotel.

Packing up the meager belongings they'd kept at Rosie's, everyone readied themselves to return to the Hazbin Hotel. As they were doing so, Niffty had come up to Charlie and asked for permission to clean Alastor's room before they departed, not wanting to leave such a mess for the cannibal overlord. She'd agreed, happy that the young demon was being so thoughtful, and the cyclops hurried on her way. While she was gone, the rest of the group milled about, talking quietly amongst themselves. Within ten minutes, the small woman returned to the sitting room carrying a few lumps of yarn, a pair of knitting needles, and a familiar array of homemade coasters. It was the look on her face, however, that caused Charlie to give the small demon her full attention. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the others doing the same.

"Mr. Alastor?" She called sadly, drawing his gaze to her distressed face. "I'm afraid there are slivers of glass in these. It's impossible to get them all out. What do you want me to do with them?"

Upon realizing what the female sinner held in her hands Al's face crumpled, though he was quick to hide it behind his signature smile.

"Well, my dear, if they are truly unsalvageable I suppose you'd best discard them." He said with no sign of his momentary sorrow. "Do be sure to keep the needles, though. I can always start again once I acquire more yarn, it's certainly not worth causing a fuss over."

Taking a look around, the princess could tell that he hadn't fooled anyone. In the sparse moments they'd managed to spend with their injured friend as they worked to rebuild the hotel, they'd all witnessed how much time and effort he'd put into them and it hurt her heart to know it was all for naught. She knew that if he'd been stronger, Alastor would only have needed to snap his fingers and they'd be good as new. The problem was, that no one knew how long it would take for him to regain his strength. Hypothetically, with the holy energy gone it shouldn't take long at all, two weeks at most... but that was only a theory. They had nothing to base their assumptions on seeing as no demon has ever survived a holy wound before Al. Sure, they could hold on to the coasters but by the time he recovered he'd most likely have made new ones anyway.

"It's a shame all that hard work is going to waste." Rosie expressed, echoing what Charlie had been thinking. "Don't worry, Sweetheart, I've got plenty more yarn. You're welcome to whatever you'd like."

That seemed to cheer the deer up slightly and he graced the older sinner with a grateful nod. Meanwhile, the princess's eyes were drawn to her father. He stood in the corner, far away from anyone else, though his gaze lingered thoughtfully on where Niffty had placed the ruined coasters in the top of the nearby garbage can. Her curiosity was put on hold when Vaggie moved to her side, gently wrapping an arm around her waist as she pulled her closer.

"We're ready to go whenever you are, babe." The other woman said, a warm smile on her face.

"Right, thanks Vaggie," she replied, pressing a quick kiss to the top of her girlfriend's head before turning to address her father. "Dad, can you open the portal to the hotel?"

"Huh, oh sure, kiddo," the king agreed, absentmindedly.

With a wave of his hand, a portal opened in the middle of Rosie's sitting room, the hotel lounge showing on the other side. Charlie took a moment to thank her dad before facing the rest of her friends.

"Okay everyone, let's go home!" She exclaimed, cheers rising from several of the gathered demons.

Alastor merely smiled a bit more genuinely, though it did nothing to damper the princess' mood. She watched as Angel, Cherri, Husk, Niffty, and Vaggie all went through, each carrying some boxes with them. Then it was just her father, the three overlords, and herself left in Rosie's house. Taking a few seconds to find the words she wanted to say, Charlie turned to face the older female.

"Thank you, Rosie, for everything." She expressed, eyes bright with gratitude. "For helping us in the battle against Heaven, for letting us stay here while we rebuilt, but most importantly, for helping take care of Alastor. If you ever need anything, please let me know and I'll do what I can to repay your kindness."

"Now hush, Sweetie, there's no need for thanks." The cannibal leader responded, moving forward to wrap her in a firm hug. "It was my pleasure and I would have helped Alastor whether you asked or not if I'd known he was in trouble."

"When is he ever not in trouble?" Vox joked, poking his friend in the side where they sat together on the couch.

"I'll have you know that I've been out of trouble for most of the time I've stayed at the hotel. Isn't that right, my dear?" Alastor quipped, cocking a brow at her as if daring her to say otherwise.

Choosing to ignore the two for now, she focused her attention once more on their host.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with?" The princess asked, worry etched on her face. "What if those people come back?"

"Don't you worry that pretty little head of yours, I can handle a few miscreants on my own," Rosie answered calmly. "Besides, I have duties to attend to here. I can't just abandon my position as leader of Cannibal Town, now can I?"

"I suppose not," Charlie agreed, somewhat reluctantly.

With a resolute nod, Rosie spoke once more. "Now, you'd best be on your way, Your Highness."

Laying her blackened eyes on the Radio Demon, she pointed a well-manicured finger at him and said, "I expect you to take it easy, do you hear me, Alastor? That means no using your powers until you've regained at least half your strength, no unnecessary exertion, and no being difficult for Charlie and the others."

Al let out a long-suffering sigh and the princess fought back a chuckle as he immediately agreed to the woman's terms, unable or unwilling to refuse the woman's request.

"Can I at least walk on my own, now?" He asked, ears tilted back slightly as he leaned against Vox's side, seeking the other's warmth. "I fear I'll die of embarrassment if I'm forced to be carried around like a babe for any longer."

A snicker came from the corner and she turned to find her father hiding his mouth behind his hand, attempting to stifle the sound. She sent him a small glare, although she was having a difficult time herself. Alastor acted so differently whenever Rosie was involved, it was rather endearing.

"As long as you take a break if you grow tired." She relented after a short silence, a look of concern on her face.

Charlie smiled warmly as Vox spoke up with a decisive tone, casting a grin at the older overlord. "Don't worry, Rosie, I'll make sure the fucker doesn't overdo it. You can count on me."

The cannibal nodded solemnly, moving over to a nearby table and returning moments later with something held in her hands.

"I'd like you to have this, Alastor," Rosie insisted firmly. "I think it may come in handy until you manage to repair your staff."

She handed the red demon an elegant-looking cane with ornate engravings of grape vines woven throughout the design. Alastor took it reverently, hands slightly trembling as he held it in his grasp and stared up at the woman with wide eyes.

"This was your husband's," He whispered, voice filled with awe. "I... I can't accept this."

"Oh yes, you can. I'd rather see it put to good use by someone I care about, rather than sitting around collecting dust." She assured, steadfast in her resolve as she gently patted Alastor's head between his antlers. "My Albert has been dead a long time, dearest, and you're the only family I have left. I'd be honored for you to have it and I won't take no for an answer."

Witnessing the event taking place, Charlie felt like she was intruding on something sacred. Her father must have felt the same as he'd turned away, pretending he wasn't listening. Vox, on the other hand, simply sat there with a fond smile on his face, moving to wrap an arm around Al's shoulder when the other male let out a pitiful sniffle.

"Thank you, maman," He expressed emotionally, causing the woman to gasp before he reached out and pulled her into a fervent embrace, forcing her to bend down as he was still sitting on the couch.

When they finally parted, Rosie had tears streaming down her face and she wiped them away before placing a tender kiss on the deer's forehead.

"Be safe, my son." She said, helping him stand and make his way to the portal, Vox supporting his other side. "I'll see you soon."

Following after, Charlie walked around the garbage can, pausing when she noticed the coasters had mysteriously vanished. Glancing over her shoulder, she smirked as her father turned away, a piece of yarn sticking out of his pocket. Huh, it seemed Al wouldn't have to create new ones after all.

-XXX-XXX-XXX-

Arriving in the hotel's lobby Alastor stared in hidden fascination, his ears being the only thing to give away how impressed he was. The entire place looked like some ritzy establishment straight out of a magazine. It was a lot more sophisticated than their previous residence though he would be sure to add his own touches once he was able to use his powers. There was a bit too much of Lucifer's influence for his taste, even if he was willing to give the king another chance since he'd helped him.

"What do you think?" Charlie exclaimed, excitement causing her to bounce on her feet as she stared at him in anticipation.

"It certainly is... modern," he finally said, though his smile broadened at seeing an antique radio sitting inconspicuously on a table in the center of the lounge. "Though, I'm sure I'll get used to it, my dear."

There were chuckles from the gathered demons and Alastor sighed, knowing they meant well, though he was feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment.

"Don't worry, Al, you can add some stuff later." The princess replied, lightly patting him on the arm and he was surprised to find he was growing fond of these little touches from his friends. "Now, why don't we show you your surprise?"

With a slow nod from the Radio Demon, everyone made their way toward the elevator, walking slowly so that Alastor was able to keep up without feeling like he was holding them back. Charlie chattered insistently the entire way, though he barely caught a word. He was too focused on putting one foot in front of the other. Even with the help of the cane Rosie had gifted him, he found himself tiring quickly. About halfway down the long hallway they had turned into after exiting the lift, Alastor was forced to admit defeat. Slumping against the wall he stopped to catch his breath, noting fondly that Vox had remained by his side the entire time, hand held near his elbow in case he needed assistance.

"Hang in there, pal," the other sinner said quietly, sympathy clear on his face as he took in the deer's ragged panting. "You're doing great."

"I never realized... how taxing... walking could be." He murmured breathlessly, gasping for air between every few words.

"I'm sure it's not far now," Vox reassured, running his hand in soothing circles on his back. "See, the others are waiting just ahead."

True to his word, when Alastor raised his gaze to look he found the rest of the group standing in front of a doorway just before the end of the hall. It was clear by their faces that they were worried for him but he appreciated that they were holding themselves back from rushing to his aid. It gave him a sense of independence he'd been missing the last couple of days since he'd awoken. Straightening up, he forced his breathing back under control, a slight grimace appearing on his face as sweat beaded on his forehead.

"You ready?" Vox asked, eyes taking in every detail of his friend to make sure he wasn't about to pass out.

"Yes," Alastor agreed, unwilling to give up when he was so close. "Let's not keep everyone waiting."

Together, the two overlords walked the last ten feet or so to the room, taking it slow and careful. By the time they reached the door, Al's legs were shaking and he had to clutch onto Vox to remain standing but there was a large smile on his face. He'd made it without needing to be carried and that was a great relief to the prideful sinner. Charlie stared at him for a moment, making sure he was alright before returning his smile with one of her own and throwing her hands in the air.

"Surprise!" She shouted with giddy excitement. "The door at the end of the hall leads to your new radio tower. You can check that out when you're feeling better, though. For now, we wanted to show you your room. We've all worked hard to make it a place you'll enjoy living and where you can go when you want to relax. We hope you like it!"

Pushing the door open, the group moved to stand on either side of the door, allowing him full view of the room they'd prepared specifically for him. With Vox's assistance, he moved forward as if in a daze, walking to the center of the room before stopping and taking it all in. Alastor shook off his friend's hold and spun in a slow circle taking note of every little detail. There, in the corner, was a full-size bed. It was wooden, made of walnut burl panels, and featured a sleek French design. A matching end table sat beside it with a small wireless radio on top as they knew he liked to listen to music while he slept. Across from the bed was an open door leading into an en suite bathroom, through which he could just make out a beautiful porcelain tub. The sight filled him with glee as it had been quite a while since he'd enjoyed the luxury of a nice, warm bath as the previous hotel only had showers. Turning once more, Alastor was met with a pair of elegant armchairs. A fireplace was situated between and slightly in front of them, similar to what he'd had in his old room, a half-full bookshelf standing nearby. Surprisingly, the back wall had been left blank, though the other three were full of pictures ranging from his friends, to animals, to scenery, and everything in between. Various knickknacks (many of which were voodoo-themed) were scattered about the room, resting on any available surface and giving the room a lived-in feel. Overall, it was a space he could honestly see himself enjoying spending time in and the pleased smile on his face proved it.

"Sooo, how do you like it?" A voice sounded from the door and Alastor was brought out of the stupor he'd found himself in. "We left the back blank because we figured you'd want to add the bayou once you feel up to it. Other than that, we tried to stick to the 1920s and voodoo theme since it fits you so well."

The thought they'd put into making this place special for him nearly moved the overlord to tears and he had to take a moment to compose himself before turning to face his gathered friends. He hadn't noticed until now but Vox had moved back to stand with the others at some point and was currently staring at him with a soft expression. Taking a deep breath, Alastor let a wholly genuine smile grace his features as he looked at them with warm eyes, happiness filling his soul.

"It's perfect," he replied, voice choked with gratitude. "Thank you, my dear friends. I could not ask for better lodging."

There were smiles of joy on the faces of everyone gathered in the hallway and he chuckled slightly, moving slowly until he was standing before the princess once more. Then, with barely a shred of hesitation, he pulled the young woman into a hug. They stayed there for a brief moment before he felt another body press close. Turning his head, he was met with Vox leaning against his back and his ears laid down in a relaxed manner, enjoying the feeling of his friends holding him. Soon enough, the others joined in as well and they all just stood there for an undetermined amount of time, hugging and basking in each other's company. Soon enough, however, Alastor felt the need to pull away and they let him go with no resistance.

"Why don't we leave you to settle in?" Charlie spoke again, interweaving her fingers with Vaggie's as the two women stood side by side. "I can send someone to come get you when it's time for supper."

"That sounds wonderful, Charlie." The Radio Demon agreed, worn out from everything that had happened that day.

Nodding in understanding, the Princess of Hell ushered everyone from the room. Once they were alone, she stood on her tiptoes and placed a soft kiss on his cheek.

"Welcome home, Alastor," Charlie whispered, then she turned and walked out the door, leaving him to relax in peace.

The week that followed was rather chaotic for the poor Radio Demon. At first, things appeared relatively normal though with the added effect of his friends checking up on him much more often. Though, as the days progressed, it seemed as if he barely had a moment to himself. With the hotel rebuilt the others appeared to have nothing better to do than focus entirely on his well-being and, while he knew they meant well, they were far too overbearing. The sheer amount of mother henning he was subjected to only served to drive him further toward insanity than he usually resided and yet, during the times he was left on his own, he found himself craving the company of his friends. However, that is a fact he would never admit aloud, after all, he had a reputation to maintain.

It had all begun, as it usually did, with Charlie. Sweet, innocent, naive Charlie who only wanted to make sure he was doing alright and had everything he could want at any given moment of the day. The constant questions of 'Do you need anything? How are you feeling? Are you hungry? Can I get you some water? What can I do to help? Have you taken your painkillers? Are you sure you don't need anything?' ringing on loop in his head from how often she'd asked them. The young woman seemed to pop up whenever he turned around, there with a smile and question ready on her lips. Still, he could never find it in himself to be upset with her. He knew he'd worried her greatly. So, if letting the princess indulge in her pointless fussing eased her mind, he would allow it... at least for now.

Then had been Vaggie. The princess' girlfriend and former exorcist had taken it upon herself to be something of a personal guard for him, following him around whenever he so much as stepped foot outside his room unless she was busy with Charlie. Her spear was kept at the ready, always in position to stab whatever unlucky being so much as looked at him the wrong way. He had to admit, it did come in handy at one point. A demon had come to the hotel a few days after his return pretending to seek redemption and had nearly gotten the jump on him. Luckily for him, being threatened with an angelic spear to the throat quickly put an end to it. It irked him that he'd needed such protection but he was glad to know he could rely on the former exorcist while in such a vulnerable state.

Husk was more subtle in his attempts, merely keeping a close watch from the bar whenever he ventured into the shared living space that was the lounge. When the cat happened to see him wince one day as he was taking a seat on the sofa, a glass of his favorite whiskey was placed before him unprompted. The next day, he'd humiliatingly stumbled over a raised lump in the carpet only to find the bartender there with a steadying hand, supporting him as he regained his balance. Husk never said a word about the mishap, allowing him to keep an illusion of pride as he was slowly guided to a nearby chair. The silent support was refreshing after dealing with some of the more outspoken members of the hotel and he found himself appreciating it far more than he imagined he would.

The most embarrassing interference of the bunch was perhaps the incident with Niffty. The tiny cyclops had popped out of nowhere as he'd been relaxing in the bath and attempted to scrub his back. He was certain his face had turned as red as his hair before he'd managed to grab a towel to cover himself with. Thankfully, the little darling had gotten distracted by a bug flying past the window at that particular moment, causing her to give chase. In the time she was gone, he managed to drag himself from the tub and get dressed before laying on his bed, exhaustion claiming him. He awoke to the feeling of his head resting on someone's lap and fingers running through his hair, working out tangles as they went. Gentle humming filled the air and he looked up with bleary eyes to find Niffty gazing back at him.

Cherri's participation surprised him as he barely knew the woman. He'd been reading a book on the couch when he felt a sudden chill. The hotel was far draftier than Rosie's and he'd found that since being wounded he tended to get cold more easily, most likely due to the blood loss he'd suffered. Not wanting to leave his comfortable position he'd simply curled up a bit tighter, determined to ride it out, when something soft plopped on top of his head. Freeing himself from the intrusive item, he found a blanket clutched in his hands as Cherri Bomb walked away. Wrapping himself up, he basked in the warmth it provided as he snuggled in to continue reading. Not even a minute later the woman returned with a cup of coffee, placing it down on the table in front of him with a knowing smile.

Angel Dust found him in the kitchen during one of his rare moments alone. He'd merely wanted a snack as it was still a ways till dinner and yet, as he'd tried to cook, he found himself wavering as his strength waned. The spider had entered the room with Fat Nuggets held securely in his lower arms and, upon taking one look at his slumped posture, sat him down at the table and placed the piglet in his lap. He'd been too shocked by the show of trust to object as Angel proceeded to finish preparing the food. Absentmindedly stroking the pig, he tasted the dish that was soon set before him, letting out a pleased hum. While not quite up to his mother's standards, it was rather good and he decided that once he was back to normal he wouldn't mind inviting the other sinner to cook with him sometime.

It was the middle of the night near the end of the week when he'd awoken from a terrible nightmare, a scream tearing from his lips. Vox rushed through the door not long after as his room was just down the hall. Upon realizing what was happening, his best friend pulled him against his chest, shushing his scared cries with gentle words and wiping away his tears. The dream had been so vivid and he found himself remembering every detail. Adam had returned, murdering everyone he cared about while forcing him to watch. Then, he'd turned on him, the same words he'd spoken during their fight leaving his lips as he struck the killing blow. It took many long minutes before he settled down enough to explain. Once he was finished Vox laid down beside him, refusing to leave while he was so upset. He was still there come morning.

The day after his nightmare he'd found a set of familiar coasters and a few balls of yarn sitting outside his door along with a note that read 'Hey, I know we haven't really gotten along but you seemed upset when you told the maid to get rid of these. I figured they must mean something to you. Don't worry, I got rid of the glass, they're good as new. - signed Lucifer'. Smiling, he brought them into his room and settled down with his knitting needles. He still had a few left to finish before handing them out but he was in better spirits knowing he wouldn't have to replace the ones he'd already finished. With that in mind, he got to work on a coaster with red and white coloring, a little gold thrown into the design for flare. Hopefully his gifts would bring a smile to his friend's faces and the king's as well, he supposed.

Stepping into the lounge at the end of that week, cane clasped tightly in one hand and a bag of finished coasters in the other, he slowly moved toward where his friends were waiting for him with smiling faces. As they each accepted their gifts with enthusiastic displays of gratitude, Alastor decided that maybe they weren't as overbearing as he'd originally thought. They were simply concerned and doing what they could to assist in his recovery, showing they cared in any way possible, and that meant the world to him. His strength was slowly returning thanks to their tender efforts and as he took a seat amongst them, surrounded on all sides by the people he cared for most, Alastor found himself feeling more loved than he had since he'd been a child held close to his mother's breast while she sang him to sleep.