Charlie and Angel Dust arrive at the hotel late, much to the concern and agitation of Vaggie. We learn that Charlie breaking the contract, took a lot more out of her than initially thought. Will the two sided guilt, be a little too much for a certain sinner?
Chains (Are Meant to be Broken): The Marks that Remain
The evening had arrived, and unlike the usual infernal heat, it was unexpectedly cold. The typically ruby-red skies now hinted at a deeper maroon hue, while the pentagram suspended over the residents gleamed brightly, casting its eerie moon-like glow. As denizens of damnation sought shelter wherever they could, a particular hotel was far from tranquil. A Salvadoran girl paced frantically around the lobby, awaiting her girlfriend and her least favorite resident.
"Where the hell could they be?! She was supposed to be back hours ago!" Vaggie exclaimed, her frustration and worry palpable in her tone. She sighed deeply. "I hope nothing bad happened..."
"Hmph, didn't realize you'd be worried about legs as well," Husker commented dryly from behind the bar counter.
"Oh please, I couldn't care less about him. I'm worried about Charlie... She basically went to a porn studio where the Overlord of Sex, and his Angel's boss, and—" Vaggie stopped abruptly, realizing the gravity of her words. She unsheathed her spear and made a beeline for the door. "That's it, I'm going to look for her, NOW!" Her path, however, was blocked by a certain radio host.
"Al! You better get the FUCK out of my way before I do it myself!" Vaggie snapped, her patience waning and agitation rising.
Al remained undeterred. "Now, now, my dear," he said, his signature smile in place. "I can assure you that Ms. Charlotte and our Patron will be here momentarily," he declared confidently, glancing briskly at his pocket watch.
Before Vaggie could retort, the doors to the hotel swung open, and the subjects of their discussion entered. Angel Dust led the way, with Charlotte's arm draped over his shoulder. Both looked weary in their own ways, but even to the untrained eye, it was clear that she was physically and somewhat mentally exhausted. Without hesitation, Vaggie charged up to the duo and gently but firmly took hold of her girlfriend.
"What the hell happened to her?!" Vaggie demanded frantically.
"Vaggie, you don't have to—" Charlotte began, but was abruptly cut off.
"You did this, didn't you?!" Vaggie pointedly demanded, glaring at the spider being. Angel Dust remained unreactive, arms crossed, nodding silently. That was all it took to ignite Vaggie's fury.
"Fuck! I knew it! I knew it was a bad idea to let you into this hotel! Look at her now! Thanks to no one listening to me, ugh!" Vaggie seethed.
"Don't get your non-existent tits in a bind," Angel Dust retorted, but before he could finish his sentence, Vaggie's spear was inches away from his throat.
"I swear, if you open that mouth one more time, I—" Vaggie started, but was interrupted by a sudden shout.
"ENOUGH!" The house trembled slightly from the force. Onlookers, including Husk and Nifty, were stunned. Alastor's smile briefly faltered, replaced by a flicker of intrigue. The argumentative duo froze as they witnessed Charlie's red demonic eyes glaring at them, more focused on Vaggie than Angel. Then, just as suddenly, Charlie's eyes returned to their normal color.
Angel Dust, who had witnessed Charlie's wrath firsthand, fell silent and averted his gaze.
Charlie, still weak from earlier events, sighed and summoned what little strength remained in her.
"Vaggie, Angel Dust didn't do anything," Charlotte interjected, raising a hand to forestall whatever her girlfriend was about to say. "I went to get Angel, and he's here because of my decision. I understand you're worried, but it's late and I'm tired. Can we go to bed, please?" Her voice was gentle yet tinged with exhaustion, carrying a clear undertone of 'we'll talk about this later.'
Reluctantly, Vaggie let it go for now. She shot one final glare at the arachnid, whose eyes remained fixed on the floor, sensing the intensity of her silent threat. Though Angel Dust wanted to leave, he found himself enveloped in a familiar embrace. Looking down, he saw the Princess giving him a comforting hug.
"We'll talk tomorrow... It's not your fault," she whispered gently before releasing him, offering a small smile that he hesitantly returned.
Vaggie was still speechless but assisted Charlotte to their room. Once they were gone, the room fell into heavy silence, broken quickly by the radio host.
"Well, that was quite the spectacle," Alastor's voice was amused. "I quite enjoyed the little show. I do have some questions about what I observed—"
"Not now, Alastor," Angel Dust's voice cut in firmly and seriously, leaving no room for jokes or discussion. This surprised both the Red-headed deer and Husk. Without another word, Angel Dust swiftly departed from the scene, ignoring Husk's weak call after him.
Alastor fell silent for a moment before giving in to a static laugh, which unsettled even the bar cat. "Well, it seems our arachnid friend has returned quite different than when he left this morning. I'll have to find out more, won't I?" With that, he disappeared, leaving Husk to exhale a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
(-)
As Angel reached his room, he shakily raised his hand to unlock the door to his "Atlantis." Stepping inside, he closed the door behind him and approached his vanity. Sitting down, he couldn't help but stare at his reflection in the mirror for a few moments-
"Oh, Angie."
The sudden familiar voice startled Angel Dust. He frantically looked over his shoulder but found no one there.
"Oh, Angle cakes, you've upset Daddy," Angel heard, sending him into a panic. "You think you can just leave like that? You belong to me, understand? I own you," the voice chuckled darkly, causing Angel to rub his neck as if feeling phantom pains from the chains that once bound him. "You will never be free."
Angel began to hyperventilate, on the verge of a mental breakdown. Lost in memories and flashbacks from his past, he couldn't hear his pet demon pig crying out to him in concern. He looked up from his trembling hands, feeling as if he were a child trying to vanish, and in the mirror—
Right there, stood the vile roach. "YOU ARE MINE, ANGEL DUST!" Valentino's screech pierced the air, his red demonic eyes locking onto Angel with a psychotic possessiveness. Reacting on reflex, Angel jumped out of his chair and struck the mirror with a powerful punch, shattering it into pieces. All that remained were shards of glass and his bloodied fist. Adrenaline or a high pain tolerance dulled the physical sensation.
Coming out of his distressing episode, Angel looked down at his porky companion. The warmth of concern in the pig's eyes broke through his turmoil. He swept the pig into his arms as fresh tears streamed down his cheeks, silently crying to himself.
Freedom was just in his hands, but the pain still felt raw.
(-)
In the shared room, Vaggie paced with a mixture of scowl and disbelief while Charlie recounted the events of the past few hours, at her girlfriend's insistence. Charlie did her best to explain everything, tactfully omitting the more intimate details.
"Vaggie, please relax. It wasn't a problem," Charlie tried to pacify her.
"Not a problem? NOT A PROBLEM?! Hun, you basically severed a soul contract belonging to one of Hell's Overlords! Someone not to be messed with! And you did it knowing it would leave you in this state!" Vaggie's voice reflected agitation and concern, pushing Charlie's attempt to remain calm.
Charlie sighed, "Look, Vaggie. I know it was a reckless decision, but you should have seen the look in Angel's eyes. He was so broken, and I couldn't leave him in that studio or with that monster for another second. I couldn't abandon him."
"I understand what you did, Charlie. I still don't understand why you did it. It was dangerous and reckless. It could have ended badly if Angel hadn't gotten you out before the others arrived," Vaggie retorted bitterly. "What happens when they come looking for trouble? Your hotel is just starting, and we can't afford any more chaos. And now with Angel—"
"It's not his fault!" Charlie's raised voice made Vaggie freeze in her tracks. "If anything, it's mine. Please, just relax. I understand your worry, but as Princess of Hell and owner of the Happy Hotel, it's my duty to help those in need, including those who want to change, like Angel," Charlie paused, gathering herself. "I told Angel Dust that I don't regret what I did. I would appreciate it if you could go a bit easier on him. This isn't going to be easy for him either," she added with determination, her fatigue evident.
Vaggie stood silently for a few moments before wordlessly joining Charlie in bed, a silent concession of sorts. Charlie was too exhausted to pursue the matter further and drifted into sleep, knowing the days ahead wouldn't be any easier.
The next day was as awkward as last night for certain individuals. Angel Dust woke up with a jolt, looked over to his bedside clock and realized it was eight O'clock am and he was late for work. He was frantically making his way to get ready and leave when the reality dawned on him.
"Oh, uh yeah…I guess I can stay in now," this time, he took his time to properly dress himself and not for the studio. Looking through the closet, he found a off the shoulder white top with some comfortable pair of pink pants; top off with some fuzzy shoes, equivalent to his normal boots.
When Angel made his way downstairs, he saw Niffty cleaning around the area.
"Hey, Angel! You doing okay now?" she asked, taking time away from her duty to address the spider sinner.
Angel gathered his bearings, "S'alright toots, why you'd ask?" he asked curiously.
She shrugged, "Nothing much, that you normally wake up earlier than this for work. Going to all those bad boys…" she gave a creepy giggle at the thought of that.
Angel Dust really didn't want to think about stuff like that right now. He really just wanted to calm his tits and have a good breakfast and hopefully check on Charlie.
He rubbed his neck, giving a slight chuckle, "Eh, I am going to be off for a couple of days. Which means that I will be around yous guys more. Besides, I need to give a little more colour to this drab hotel," he technically wasn't lying as he was off the clock…indefinitely. That was enough conversation to the one eyed cleaning demon, darting off to clean more areas of the hotel and the occasional bugs that were unfortunate to cross her path.
Angel Dust was surprised to find the Princess at the dining table. She still looked worn out and tired, despite sleeping her designated hours. Charlie turned to see her friend and offered a tired, warm smile for which he reciprocated it. He took note of Vaggie's unmistakable glare as he approached the table. He rolled his eyes theatrically, accustomed to her disapproving looks by now, and pulled out a chair, settling down to join them.
On the table spread a tempting array of pancakes, eggs, and a pot of freshly brewed coffee. Vaggie, with her typical no-nonsense demeanor, plated hers and Charlie's food generously while leaving Angel with what seemed like mere scraps. Angel's eyebrow raised in protest, his annoyance evident.
"What the heck, Vaggie?" he exclaimed, his voice laced with a mixture of irritation and bemusement.
Vaggie shot him a pointed look, her tone slightly accusatory. "Charlie needs to replenish her energy after yesterday. You know, all that stuff you put her through," that comment made Angel stifle a low growl.
Charlie quickly interjected, "Vaggie, I told you, it's not Angel's fault. Give him a break," she tries to soothe the situation down. She looks up to Angel, "Angel, how about we share my breakfast? I don't think I can finish this by myself," she said with utmost sincerity.
Angel Dust considered Charlie's words, his frustration tempered by concern for her well-being. He glanced at Charlie thoughtfully, realizing silently that she did look worn out, despite her attempt to appear cheerful.
He shrugged nonchalantly, trying to lighten the mood with a joke. "Ah, it's alright, Charlie. I'm on a diet anyway." The insincerity of his words was clear, and Charlie caught the hint of disappointment in his eyes.
Vaggie smirked triumphantly, beginning to eat her meal with self-satisfaction evident in her posture. Angel Dust, feeling a surge of defiance, stood abruptly and grabbed a cup of coffee from the pot.
"I think I'll pass on this breakfast drama," he remarked casually, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he glanced at Vaggie. Without warning, he maneuvered around the table and 'accidentally' nudged Vaggie's arm just as she took a sip of her juice. The liquid splashed out, landing messily across her clothing. Vaggie let out a startled yelp, glaring daggers at Angel who feigned innocence with a sly smile playing on his lips. "Oops, my bad," he quipped, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he turned on his heel and sauntered away from the table.
Vaggie seethed with indignation, her cheeks flushed with both anger and embarrassment. Charlie watched the scene unfold with a mixture of amusement and concern, knowing the dynamics between her friends often led to such clashes.
As Angel Dust walked away, his smirk faded into a frown. He couldn't shake off the worry he felt for Charlie, knowing she was still not feeling 100%. He tried to reassure himself that she will be fine, she will be. With that, he walked back to his room. It was not the first time he had ever skipped breakfast before, 'Val would always say I need to be a certain weight. 'There was not much need for a "fat" stripper,' as he would put it.' He quickly away that thought and decided he would just eat some of his snacks he keeps in case of an emergency.
As he headed to his room, he did not notice some observant pair of eyes watching the whole interaction.
(-)
An hour passed with Angel Dust lounging in his room, the morning's tension still lingering in his thoughts. Just as he started to settle down, there was a soft knock on the door. Angel opened it to find Charlie standing there, her gentle smile a contrast to the weariness in her eyes.
"Hey, Angel," Charlie greeted, stepping inside as he nodded in response. "Mind if we talk for a bit?"
Angel shrugged nonchalantly, hiding his lingering unease behind a grin. "Sure thing, toots. Come on in," he said, gesturing grandly as he closed the door behind her. "You're lucky. I don't let just anyone into my lair, you know."
Charlie chuckled softly, sitting down on the edge of his bed. "I feel honoured already. Thanks," she said warmly, glancing around the room curiously. The room itself was a typical standard sized guest room. The interior, however, wall decorated and furnished to the taste of the Spider sinner. There was a lot of pink adorning the walls and furniture, his bed coverings. It was very much, "Angel-esque."
Coming out of her observant state, she addressed the being sitting beside her "Are you still hungry? I could whip up something to snack on."
"No thanks," Angel waved a dismissive hand. "Nah, I already raided my emergency stash," he admitted with a smirk, pointing to an empty box of "hellfire muffins" on his nightstand. Charlie nodded understandingly. They settled into an easy conversation, exchanging pleasantries that slowly transitioned into more serious topics.
"Angel, I wanted to apologize on behalf of Vaggie's behaviour towards you, earlier," Charlie began earnestly, her concern evident.
Angel waved it off dismissively, though he couldn't hide a hint of frustration. "Ah, don't sweat it, Charlie. I'm used to Vagina's disapproving looks. Besides, I think I've earned this one though."
Charlie frowned sympathetically, knowing the now tenser atmosphere between Angel and Vaggie.
Angel decided to lighten the mood with his usual brand of humor. "So, what else's on your mind, doll?" he asked, his tone teasing. "Just wanted to take a gander at my exquisite decor? Or just planning to steal my yummy snacks?" Charlie rolled her eyes playfully. "I think my curiosity about your taste in décor has been satiated," she quipped back. "But you should really consider restocking these 'emergency supplies'." They shared a laugh, easing into a more comfortable rhythm
"So," Angel started, his tone softer now, "how are you feeling today? In general, I mean."
Charlie sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I'm okay, I guess. Physically, I'm about average, but my powers... they're still not where they used to be."
Angel's expression turned somber. "Oh," he murmured, genuine concern etched on his face.
Charlie reached out and gently squeezed his hand. "It's okay, Angel. It'll just take some time. It's not permanent. Honestly, my dad did warn me about the risk of using my powers without practice and I guess I should have listened," she reassured him, "I guess I have a long way to go," offering a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
They talked for a while longer, discussing lighter topics to ease the atmosphere. Then Charlie broached a more serious subject.
"Angel…now that you're not under Val's contract anymore, what do you think about really getting in to this redemption program, huh?" Charlie asked gently, her voice tinged with both caution and concern.
Angel's demeanor shifted slightly, a shadow passing over his features at the mention of Valentino. He shuddered involuntarily, but Charlie reached out, her hand resting comfortingly on his arm.
"I still want you to be redeemed, Anthony," Charlie continued softly. Using his live name caused a warm sensation to fill his chest, "I stand by what I said earlier about believing in you, I know we can get you redeemed. And the first step is to detox you from all the drugs and... everything else."
Angel Dust was hesitant about the whole thing, his gaze dropping momentarily. He still had his doubts about the whole redemption shtick and although he trusted Charlie, he was still wavering. Also the thought of detoxing scared him, but Charlie's sincerity and determination were palpable.
"I... I don't know, Charlie," Angel admitted quietly, his voice tinged with uncertainty and guilt. "It's not going to be easy."
Charlie smiled reassuringly, her eyes shining with compassion. "I'll be there for you, Angel. We'll do this together," she promised, her tone unwavering.
Angel met her gaze, seeing the weariness and resolve in her eyes. Guilt gnawed at him; he knew he couldn't keep disappointing her. "Okay, toots. I'll do it," that garnered a big hug from her. 'Seriously, she calls this strength…average?!' he internally screamed at the pain of it.
After more heartfelt discussion and reassurances exchanged between them, they eventually parted ways. Charlie left Angel to his thoughts, the weight of her words lingering in the air. Alone in his room once more, Angel Dust pondered the daunting journey ahead. He knew Charlie's offer of support was genuine, but he couldn't help feel hopeless at the idea.
Author's Notes:
Hello everyone! As I said, this is my sequel to the famous Masquerades (Are Meant to Stop).
I wanted to play around with this little work; its brother has garnered some traction and I wanted to give a little something more. I also wanted to write something to ease a much needed wish of mine.
Join me later for the next chapter, which hopefully will be just as impactful.