Charlie wasn't in the habit of taking a day trip to the Hazbin Hotel bar but today she would make an exception.

She plopped on a barstool and watched as Husk's eyes went wide. She gave him a small smile and a half ass wave.

"Charlie? What're you doing here?" Husk finished polishing off his last whiskey glass and placed it on the shelf behind him. Charlie placed her head in her hands sullenly.

"Long day, longer story. Can you make me a Jack and coke?" Husk answered by placing a can of coca cola on the bar while grabbing a glass and a bottle of whiskey.

"I have time for a long story, if you wanna talk about it." He watched as Charlie flicked a piece of dust from the bar. He couldn't remember the last time she looked so depressed.

"Have you ever said something that you immediately regretted?" Charlie mumbled as Husk placed the drink in front of her. She took it and threw back the dark liquid, hitting the back of her throat. She felt the burn of the alcohol but was too upset to be bothered by it. She now had a better understanding of the alcoholics in Hell.

"More than you can count." Husk leaned against the bar toward her. "Something happen with you and Alastor?"

Charlie couldn't disguise the stunned look on her face if her life depended on it. "H-How did you know? Did he say something?"

"Nah, but I saw him storm out of here not too long ago. Not a lot of people can make him that noticeably upset. Other than you." Charlie rolled her eyes with a groan. She laid her head on the bar, her face to the side.

"Fantastic." Charlie felt even worse knowing that he was so upset that he had to leave the hotel. Where could he have went? It was obvious that he didn't return to his Radio Tower.

"If it makes you feel any better, you're able to make him that upset because you achieved the impossible." Husk said as he walked around the bar and took a seat next to her. Charlie raised her head and looked at Husk confused.

"The impossible? What's that?"

"You made him care for you."

Charlie let out a breathless laugh. After today's argument, she was positive that any amount of feelings Alastor may or may not have had for her were long gone.

"I'm serious. I've known the man for many years. Unfortunately." Husk cleared his throat. "And I can tell you with full confidence that he has never cared for someone like he cares for you. It's weird and odd but...pleasant, I guess. A reminder that the monster was once human."

"He thinks so little of me though." Charlie shook her head. "Or I mean, I think he does. I just...I need him to clarify so many things for me but it seems like anything involving feelings is a touchy subject for him."

"No? Really?" Husk asked, sarcasm dripping from his tone.

"I'm serious, Husk. How am I to talk to him about this when he won't listen to me?"

"Make him listen. If anyone is able to do that, it's you." Husk sighed. "My best advice? Go find him. Talk to him and make him listen. You're the only good thing going for him right now and even though he would never admit it, he needs you. More than you know." Charlie furrowed her brows in thought. The idea of Alastor needing her almost made her abrupt in laughter. Alastor has always been so independent, still was, and even the possibility of him needing her in any way seemed so far fetched. Charlie did realize something though in her deep thinking.

"He doesn't need me." Charlie said flatly. Husk sighed with a gravely voice.

"You don't know tha-"

"But I need him."

Charlie balled her hands into fists in determination. She wasn't going to let Alastor go that easily. She was stubborn like her father and there was no way that she was going to let this crash and burn between them. She shot up from her seat and looked and looked at Husk.

"I gotta go find him. Call me if he returns ok?" Husk shot her a half smile.

"You got it."

Before Charlie could second guess herself, she ran out the front door and began her search.

"Now now what to do what to do." Alastor needed to let some of this aggression out that had built up to a crescendo. Every time he pictured Charlie's face he could hear her words that brutally penetrated him. He loathed that he was so hurt by it and even more so, that he had let her get to him in such a way. Sure he had developed feelings for her, but is this what he had come to? Brought to his knees by a few mere words that four months ago wouldn't have bothered him in the least. He was beyond frustrated with the princess but also with himself. He thought back to his conversation with Lucifer and how His Majesty had confided that he still held deep feelings for Charlie's mother, even though she abandoned them both. Of course he wasn't in the same situation, it's not like Charlie was leaving him. But she did hurt him in a way that blistered his soul and it brought up the question: could he still love her?

"Charlie? Are you alright?" Alastor noticed that Charlie had been kind of down today. She had been held up in her room and hadn't spoken to hardly anyone, which was beyond unlike her. She was wrapped in her quilt from her bed, scrolling on her phone. Alastor sat down gently next to her.

"Today would've been me and Vaggie's six year anniversary." Charlie had been staring at a picture on her phone of her and the long white haired angel. Charlie had her arm around Vaggie's shoulders as Vaggie was forever kissing her cheek. Alastor cocked an eyebrow at the picture, wondering why Charlie was still so upset about their separation. It had been over five months since Vaggie returned to Heaven, yet Charlie was still moping around like a slug.

"I assume that this upsets you." Alastor stated. He was in no means an expert at feelings or emotions, but Helen Keller could see that Charlie was depressed.

"You would be correct." Charlie's voice was muffled as she tightened her blanket cocoon around her. She threw her phone at the end of the bed and squeezed her eyes shut, as if trying to keep the pain from getting in. From the tears rolling down her face, Alastor could see that it wasn't working.

"Is there anything I could do?" He couldn't imagine him doing anything that would make her feel better, but knowing Charlie, even an offer of helping would cheer her up slightly. She was the embodiment of 'It's the thought that counts'.

"What's wrong with me?" Charlie whispered. If it wasn't for Alastor's impressive hearing, he wouldn't have caught it. He craned his head to one side.

"Pardon?" Charlie pulled her blanket down so she could speak more clearly. Alastor didn't have an issue understanding her though. It was more like a difficulty wondering why Charlie thought something was wrong with her.

"What is wrong with me that made Vaggie want to breakup? Am I that annoying? Or am I just too much of a failure?" Charlie's bottom lip trembled. Alastor shook his head as he subconsciously scooted closer to her. He placed a gentle hand on her upper back.

"You are far too good for her. I assure you that there is nothing wrong with you." The words flew from Alastor's mouth before he could realize. Did he actually mean that? Where did that come from? Charlie turned her head to look at him with glassy eyes.

"How do you know?" Charlie mumbled. Alastor thought about it for a moment and after a minute of careful consideration, decided to work a different angle to lift her spirits.

"I prefer doing hotel chores with you." Alastor rushed out. Charlie blinked in confusion. Alastor could almost see the question marks form above her head.

"What?"

"I...prefer doing things with you. I-" Alastor paused and took a deep breath. "I feel your absence in everything that I do alone. It bothers me more than I would like to admit and that should be enough to convince you that there is nothing wrong with you." Alastor's breath hitched as Charlie threw her arms around Alastor's shoulders. He could smell her strawberry shampoo from her golden hair that was now in his face. It was soft and comforting. He robotically placed his hands carefully on her upper back. She pulled away, her face far too close to his.

"You have no idea how much I appreciate hearing that, Alastor. Thank you."

Alastor felt his heart beat like a war drum, thinking it would surely break his ribs any minute now. His smile felt tight as he gave a stiff nod. His hands were now on her upper arms, basically hovering there.

"Do not get used to it." Alastor's stomach now flipped hearing Charlie let out one of her infamous giggles.

"Of course not." Charlie sniffled and wiped her eyes. Alastor quickly placed his hands on the bed once he realized that he had still not removed them from her arms.

"I'm going to go to the grocery store to get some things for dinner tonight." Charlie hopped from the bed and put on her red jacket. Alastor hadn't moved a muscle. He just watched at how quickly she had recovered, simply because of him saying a few words to her. The thought that his words could have that much impact on her burned in his chest but he quickly drowned it out.

"Would you like to come?" Charlie asked. She held her hand out for him to grab. He looked from her hand to her glowing face and couldn't help but take hold.

"It would be my pleasure."

Alastor had absentmindedly leaned against a random building as he let his mind drift off to a memory. That had happened before his feelings had blossomed into what they were now. If he really thought about it, he truly had always had some kind of feelings for her. He had just buried it so deep down that he never thought it would see the light of day. Realization hit him with such a force that it put Adam's strike to shame. He still cared for her. He still loved her.

"I need to go back." Alastor mumbled out loud, not letting his thoughts run wild. There was still a chance to mend things. He just had to return back to the hotel and find her. He would tell her everything. He would tell her that he loved her and that he couldn't imagine existence without her. As much as it will pain him though, he had to tell her about the love potion as well. He couldn't keep such a thing from her any longer.

He finally was able to make it back to the hotel. He burst through the front doors and started calling Charlie's name. He expected her to pop out from a corner any moment, but she was no where to be seen.

"She's not here."

Alastor looked in the direction from where the voice was coming from. Husk was cleaning the counter where multiple empty glasses were scattered. Alastor stride over to him and slammed his hands on the counter. A few glasses fell over from the force.

"Where. Did. She. Go?" Alastor wasn't in the mood for Husk's attitude.

"She went out looking for you. Couldn't tell you why, that girl is a mystery." Husk mumbled out. Alastor looked back to the front door and back to the bartender.

"Did she say where she was going?"

"Don't you think I would've lead with that?" Husk's eyes went a little wide remembering something.

"She did tell me to give her a call if you had returned though." Husk pulled out his phone and looked through his contacts. "By the way, it's moments like these that having a phone would be of great help, ya know."

"Bite me." Alastor growled.

"No thanks, don't eat junk food." Husk casually stated as he brought the phone to his ear. Alastor could hear the insistent ringing until it went to her perky voicemail.

"Odd. She always answers her phone." Husk said under his boozed breath. Alastor felt a chill up his spine. Something was wrong. Husk dialed again and just as last time, went to voicemail. Husk hung up and looked at Alastor.

"You need to find her. Now." The seriousness in Husk's voice made Alastor spring into action. He turned and sprinted toward the door. Charlie never ignored her phone calls. Hell, she answered the phone once even though she was vomiting from food poisoning. She always picked up.

Except for now. Charlie could be anywhere and wherever she was, she was unable to answer her phone. And this made Alastor, for the first time in many years, feel genuine panic.