Unease settled into the corners of the room as whispers and murmurs broke out amongst the crowd. Several had fainted from Alastor's display but a number of them hadn't even noticed, used to the hub-bub of Hell. Soon the tense energy dissipated back into normalcy. Music resumed its melody and all was forgotten for the easily distracted masses.

Charlie's shoulders sagged with relief, knowing how close things came to violence, and was grateful for the de-escalation. She knew things weren't over as they never were when it came to the Vees.

Angel was still on his hands and knees. He squeezed his hands into tight fists until they shook with the effort.

Charlie was on him in a second. "Angel, are you okay?" she asked, rubbing a comforting hand over his back.

He looked like he wanted to cry, but was more pissed off than anything. "That fucking bastard," he spit out, his voice quaking. He pounded a hand into the floor in frustration before finally looking up into Charlie's bright sad eyes. "I'm so sorry, Char. I ruined your big night."

"It's not ruined," she smiled through tears, "this was the best night of my life. It couldn't have gone better if I tried. And everyone is still having a great time!" Charlie gestured to the room of dancing demons. "Not to mention you are a wonderful dancer."

"You're just saying that," Angel said, finally standing up. "I can't do anything without that psychopath hounding me. I never thought he'd actually come to the hotel. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. I'm just glad you're alright."

"Yeah, I've been better. He's gonna take it out on me later that's for sure. Tale as old as Hell itself." Angel dusted himself off, sighing. "And thanks Smiles er– Alastor. I'm sure he wasn't expectin' havin' to deal with the likes of you."

"Valentino is an imbecile that relies on brute force and intimidation tactics. Send him my way next time he gives you any trouble," said Alastor, surprisingly calm and not recognizing the irony in him saying that.

"You know, that's the nicest damn thing I ever heard you say t' me!" said Angel.

"Oh you guys," chimed in Charlie, already tearing up again. She resisted the urge to pull them both into one big group hug.

Sensing her line of thought, Angel patted Charlie on the head, ruffling her hair. "I'm going to need one helluva drink after that." Angel looked towards the empty bar with disappointment. "Can't believe Whiskers missed my dance…"

By night's end, Alastor was back in his bedroom. He tore off his outfit, examining the current wear on his person. Using his powers tired him to breathlessness but he was getting rather used to the pain. When it comes down to it, he will do what he must to get by. In this scenario, he sought to scare off Valentino rather than actually come to blows. It's what he did best, threatened by association and by reputation. Those incubi certainly knew what was coming to them if they stuck around even a second longer, preying on his darling belle. That was his job.

Though his current threats were performative, knowing deep down he wouldn't have lasted ten minutes in a real head to head battle. He was nowhere near the level he was at when facing Adam, and even that was a fight that had nearly ended him. But the anger was real. Seeing Charlie reckless in the face of danger made him act, almost on instinct, coming to the blonde demoness's side before she got herself into trouble. Though he was sure she could've handled herself, it wouldn't do for the hotel's owner to get into scuffles within property grounds.

On the other hand, the hotel's co-owner's moments were numbered. His empty threats would become more and more pathetic as the days wore on. Eventually someone would call his bluff and that would be the true end for the Radio Demon and his friends. For a second he contemplated what would happen if he did die before the Mark consumed him. Would he respawn in Hell? Go straight to… that place Charlie could never describe?

And what will happen when the Mark does eventually destroy him? The hotel would be lost to those who now consider it a target. His enemies will come for the one place he once protected and that would be it for the hopeless Hazbin Hotel.

Alastor's smile grimaced, picturing the reckoned ruins of the building, its walls turned to ash and fire. Charlie weeping at its carcass, as her dreams are again cast into oblivion. Foolish dreams filled with folly, but her dreams nonetheless.

The thought gave him pause. The Hazbin Hotel relied on him at this point. As co-manager, co-owner, and facilities manager, he was the hotel. As much a part of it as the foundation itself. It was as Charlie said, she can't do this without him and damned would he be if he wasn't there to see it rise and eventually fall as all good things in Hell do.

No… he couldn't disappear. He had too much to do, too much to finish. Valentino disrespecting his territory and co-owner of this hotel was tantamount to signing his own death warrant! The Vees would come for him, in their pathetic little bid for power and Alastor would be there to beat them back into their holes. The deer demon slammed his fist against the wall, recalling all that happened tonight and all that he could not do. It infuriated him beyond measure. His skin pulsed with the rage of blood, boiling through his pale skin. The Mark on his chest surged and waved with energy, sensing his own emotions. It felt his intentions and trembled.

What was he thinking, giving up? He was the fucking Radio Demon! He had a deal to dissolve, power to gain, and authority to command! He was immutable, unstoppable, and all-powerful! He regretted the sad sob he was just days ago, spurned anew by this urgent need to survive and remind the rest of Hell of who he was.

Whatever sought to judge him could witness him defy his very fate.

Charlie wanted to permanently engrave the events of last night into her memory. Besides Valentino's brief disruption, the rest of the night went off without a hitch. She couldn't believe how many people were in the hotel… at the same time!

After Valentino left, and the party wound down, Charlie very diplomatically escorted everyone out of the building (Alastor by her side), but not without them taking at least a pamphlet about the hotel. She shook hands, claws, and feathers, and promised them all a beautiful and hopeful future.

She felt it was a resounding success! When she checked her booth and went to read who had signed up, there were a number of genuine inquiries. Amongst all the crumpled up pieces of paper, the Hellborn seeking redemption they'll never receive, and the ones propositioning people at the hotel, there were those special few who sought to truly better themselves.

Charlie spun down the hallways the next morning, waving the applications in the air, eager to get started on the vetting process.

She felt light as a feather, not even remotely hungover from the previous night, the adrenaline having burned all traces of alcohol out of her system.

Her girlfriend, on the other hand, was not so lucky.

Vaggie awoke groggy, tired, and sore. Her hair sticking out at all angles, her ribbon crumpled, and clothes wrinkled. She smelled of perspiration and hard booze. Head pounding, she listened to Charlie regale the details of the night before.

When she got to the tale of Valentino's entrance, (tactfully, and perhaps dishonestly, skipping over some minor details of earlier…) Vaggie shot awake.

"The Vees were here? Why didn't you come and find me?!" Vaggie yelled.

Charlie waved her hand. "Not the Veeeees, just Valentino! Besides, what would you have done in your state?"

"It doesn't matter! That guy is dangerous, Charlie, I should've been there to protect you." Vaggie shook her head. "I shouldn't have drank so much. I'm sorry."

"There's no need to be sorry and I didn't need protection! We had it all under control. I wasn't alone."

Vaggie immediately became suspicious. "Who was there?" And without skipping a beat, "Was it the Radio Demon?"

"Yes, Al was there. And Angel too. We shooed away the moth guy without any issues."

"Next time, there might BE an issue."

"Well, I will call you then! Gosh Vaggie, can't you just be happy about what a great turn-out it was? Look at all these applications!" Charlie waved the papers in her girlfriend's face, trying to summon up some positivity that had drained from the room in a matter of seconds.

Vaggie fell quiet, mulling further over the events of the evening and the sore feeling of regret she now felt. "I am happy for you, hon."

"Happy for us! Now, you stay here and rest up." Charlie pecked her girlfriend on the cheek. "I'll have Niffty bring you some breakfast, okay?"

Vaggie felt she had no more room for argument and merely nodded in compliance, the blonde speeding from the room. Her head still pounding, she fell back on her side and groaned loudly into her pillow. She'd been doing a lot of that lately.

After a visit to the kitchen, next up was a visit to Alastor. The pair didn't get a chance to talk much last night after Valentino's little visit and she wanted to touch base on how he was feeling. Charlie also wanted to show him the potential candidates and get some feedback. As the facilities manager, she owed him a bit of a say in who should be allowed within these "hallowed walls."

As she made her way up to his bedroom, Charlie hesitated, her cheeks flushing without warning.

She distinctly recalled the events of last night, despite her intoxicated mindset. The half-angel was always used to the deer demon invading her personal space. A poke here, a twirl there, him brushing his face up against hers. She never dwelled on it, and it truly didn't bother her one bit. Yet, upon reflection, she realized they often found themselves pressed against each other without a hint of reservation.

She was too damn comfortable with the Radio Demon. Too damn fine with his touch, his company, his words of mockery and wisdom. Since when? Charlie wondered. Since when had they become so close? In feeling and in physicality. She held her hand to her chest for a moment, trying to conjure up any specific memory or incident that thrusted the pair into closeness.

It feels like since day one really, since the second he stepped inside the hotel and whisked Charlie off her feet into a dance unlike any she'd danced before. There was a 'click' and off they were towards somehow dissenting goals and yet an intersecting future.

'Bonded by the soul…' the phrase came unbidden to her mind. She wasn't sure what it meant, or why she had thought it, but it felt right. Souls took on a whole new meaning in Hell. It was all they were and all they had to themselves, their very being. To be bonded in souls was to mean something significant. Something inescapable.

Or maybe it didn't mean anything, and maybe Vaggie was right to be upset that she was too trusting. Maybe putting all of her faith in some perfect stranger who landed on her doorstep one day was the wrong move? Maybe she was just conjuring excuses for herself and for the Radio Demon's right to exist in this space with them. Maybe she felt if she could put all the weight of her dreams onto Alastor, maybe somehow they'd come true?

Or maybe she was just ashamed at how much she enjoyed their closeness and how she just wouldn't mind dancing with him again.

At the landing to his door, Charlie shook away all the thoughts and feelings that were currently occupying her mind and put on a smile. Her and Alastor were friends, good friends even, comrade in arms, bonded by adversity, and the fact that they were so close and also co-workers was a match made in… well, Hell.

When she knocked and he didn't answer, Charlie assumed he must be out. Out of the hotel, or out in the city, she couldn't be sure. She quelled her disappointment and went about her business, sure that she would run into him along the way.

Evening had come and still there was no sign of the Radio Demon. He wasn't in the lobby, the kitchen, on the balcony, or in his radio tower. At one point, Charlie decided she needed to locate him at all costs, cursing the fact that Alastor refused to use modern tech like a 'cellphone.' She contemplated visiting Cannibal Town to see if he was with Rosie. She even had the desperate thought of visiting Vox's tower, wondering if the Vees had gotten to him somehow.

He could be weakened, dying somewhere and no one would know because no one even knew about his injury! Her mind went haywire and for a second she wondered if the black spot had already consumed him and he was gone forever.

Her stomach dropped at the thought and she felt ill, anxiety coursing through her bloodstream at the thought that she was too late. That he wasted his final days planning the stupid grand opening.

Husk tried to calm the blonde hotelier, telling her that he could still sense his connection to the Radio Demon, that he was definitely still on this plane of Hell at the very least. She could barely listen to reason. No one knew but her what was wrong with him and every second ticking by was a second wasted!

Charlie had to do something, no matter what it was. She took out her cellphone and made a frantic call.

When Charlie went down late to the kitchen for dinner, she was making a plate of leftovers for herself and Vaggie when she spotted Niffty bustling about the sink, mumbling something cryptic about how there are barely any bad boys left.

Charlie greeted the hyperactive maid and asked if she had fun yesterday at the grand opening, trying to quash the worry about the deer demon that was still hovering around her consciousness.

Niffty scurried around before answering in the affirmative, "I was surprised there was no mess to clean this morning!"

"Oh yeah, Alastor took care of it," she commented, a pang in her chest at saying his name and still not knowing where he was.

"He's replacing me!" the little demon murmured in panic.

Charlie ignored her strange outburst and changed topics, or rather, talking about the only topic she had on her mind all day. "Say, Niffty," she drawled, "speaking of Al… have you heard from him today?"

Niffty shook her tiny head back and forth like a wet dog shaking out water. Charlie's smile fell.

He'd have to return eventually, she thought. There was no way he would just abandon the hotel and his friends. There's no way something happened to him and no one anywhere knew about it. Alastor vanished all the time! He had his own life and own business to conduct. As did she, as did they all!

Then again, a new thought entered unwelcome into her mind, he had supposedly gone missing for a whole seven years before reappearing again recently.

The half-angel was picking up her plates of leftover jambalaya with a minor dread when another thought occurred to her.

"Um, Niffty…" she began again, trying to get the maid's sporadic attention. "Did you make this?" It was jambalaya, an Alastor specialty. Him sharing bits of his home and culture was such a welcome addition to Charlie and a surprising bit of humanity from the Radio Demon. It warmed her to experience something that he brought with himself into Hell. He was a cruel, sadistic, Hell-deserving demon, but he was human once.

"Alastor did this afternoon. I helped!" she replied.

Charlie wanted to scoff in shock. "I thought you hadn't seen him today!"

"I said I haven't heard from him. He pointed. I chopped." Niffty brandished a large knife with a shiny gleam in her single bright eye.

Charlie wanted to shake the little demon. "Well, where did he go after?"

Niffty blinked her eye in such a way as if to say: "You think I'd know?"

The blonde demoness understood, knowing Alastor wasn't much for sharing. She asked how he seemed instead.

"Tired," was all the maid managed before scampering off to perform another task.

Charlie could work with that.

When she reached his bedroom door, Charlie knocked, still having the sense to be polite, despite wanting to slam the door open.

The door opened silently, not on its own, but by Alastor's shadow. Its blue face glowed softly at her. The shadow stared at her at length before it indicated towards the bed. Charlie blinked back in surprise but nodded at it, not sure how else to interact with the floating phantom. She mentally planned to revisit that topic later as she made her way into the room.

Alastor was asleep. She almost couldn't believe the Radio Demon had been under her nose all this time and mildly scolded herself for becoming so panicked; blushing at the memory of her worry. It was embarrassing how distressed she'd become at the brief absence of her co-manager.

Even Vaggie couldn't understand her sudden haggard state after being so cheerful that very morning. Charlie thought it best not to disclose the object of her fretting and so managed a careful explanation about the hotel. She hated 'lying' to her girlfriend but she gets so mad at even the mention of the Radio Demon! She was just getting ahead of any potential argument.

And here she was, in the very same demon's bedroom. She was making this somewhat of a bad habit. Maybe she should move their interactions to a more… proper locale. But it felt comfortable enough. It was warm, personal, and sometimes one half of it became a foggy bayou, but most of all it was a little glance into the mysterious world that is Alastor's.

A mound of books sat next to him on his bed. Charlie leaned over his prone form, peeking at the titles. One read: " How to Destroy Your Enemies and Dismantle Their Reign" and another said " Chicken Soup for the Cursed Soul." She glanced at his sleeping face and frowned. He was trying alright, looking where he could, to the point of exhaustion.

The one open on his chest read: " Hotelier's Handbook: Essential Tips for Running a Successful Hotel (in Hell)" and Charlie couldn't stop the audible "awww!" that escaped her mouth at the sight.

The Radio Demon shot up instantly, saw Charlie standing over him, and then immediately whipped the book across the room, rustling her hair. It thudded against the wall in a flutter of worn parchment. Her smile at him remained tender, barely registering his violent reaction.

"Charlie, my dear!" he began, breathing heavily, "I didn't hear you knock! Nor do I recall letting you in!"

"Your shadow friend let me in," she said, still touched. "Who is he anyway? Is he you? Do you guys talk?"

"A story for another day," he said, not at all wanting to dive into the story of himself. He had a woman in his bedroom to deal with at the moment, one who caught him in quite the vulnerable position. "Now, what brings you here?"

Charlie ignored him for a second, roaming her eyes over the other book titles. "Where were you all day?"

"Missed my presence, did you, darling?" he crooned, returning to his usual peskiness.

"Actually yeah…I did," Charlie replied, a soft ember in her voice. "I looked everywhere for you. And when I couldn't find you, I feared the worst."

Alastor's smile dimmed at the too real confession, expecting a jape and getting quiet honesty instead. "Ah, I was looking for answers," he replied seriously, feeling a little like he didn't deserve her worry.

"And did you find any?"

"Mostly discovered that I hardly even know what the question is."

Charlie looked downcast, upset at the lack of progress but she reaffixed another look instead, one of gentle teasing. "I saw that book you were reading," she sang.

"I was afraid of that," he mumbled. "Now don't get a big head. It would behoove me not to invest in my investment! Wouldn't you say?"

"Still though, it was nice to see. Thank you," she spoke earnestly.

"So serious today, Charlie dear! What's got you in such a mood?"

She moved to sit beside him on his bed and fiddled with a stray thread, avoiding eye-contact. "For a minute today, I thought you were gone." Charlie glanced up at him then and he was watching her carefully. "And I felt sick to my stomach knowing I didn't do everything I could to help you. That you had wasted precious moments on my dream." Her ruby eyes fell back to the bedspread in shame.

"I spend my time how I choose, darling..." He lifted her face back up and poked at her frown disapprovingly. "Those moments with you were not a waste. Not to me." They locked eyes and Alastor mushed her cheeks together. The blonde's lips pursed until her sullen expression broke into a grin. "Remember what I said about a smile?" he hummed.

Charlie shook her head, chuckling, breaking out of his grasp. "I know, I know." She stopped to look up at him. He was watching her as he always did, a half-lidded red gaze, complete with lengthy grin. He hadn't even mentioned the time with the hotel. Just her. "I feel silly now, but I was originally looking for you to talk about hotel stuff."

"And we'll have all the time in the world for that, my dear! I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."

Charlie wanted to argue, remembering Alastor's earlier resignation but didn't want to spoil the mood. He was being kind to her in his own way and she appreciated it. He was looking for answers. She probably needn't have worried at all. "You're being so nice right now," she said after a moment of reflection.

Alastor looked at her, mock appalled. "You say that like I am incapable of ever being a genial sort! I am nothing if not a gentleman." When he wasn't tearing his enemies to shreds, perhaps, the sentiment was unspoken.

"You are. And a gentleman wouldn't refuse a lady, right?" Charlie suddenly asked, shifting topics. She blinked up at him with big eyes, trying to turn up the charm.

He raised a brow in suspicion. "Depends on what this lady is offering…" he replied, already wary.

"My support! I'll set up a meeting with my dad. He'll take a look at the mark," the demoness announced proudly.

Alastor was instantly unsettled, his grin tightening. "You told that loathsome lout about my predicament?"

"No, I told the King of Hell, who is a bastion of ancient knowledge, and angelic insight, that we needed to meet with him as soon as possible. And I know you don't like other people in your business and that you don't want anyone to know about it but if you haven't made any progress yourself, I still wanted to try and figure out a solution and I hope you would let me!" Charlie tried to explain in a rambled outburst, her eyes scrunching closed as if afraid to see his expression. "Please?"

The Radio Demon's teeth ground lightly, but he soon released the tension in his jaw and exhaled a sigh of utter defeat. He could do nothing to dissuade the princess once she got her claws into something. He had wanted help and who was he to refuse some now that it was offered? Zestial was the only other who knew and he hadn't turned up any leads and Carmine was still in possession of his prized microphone. His constant trips around town haven't done him any good either. He had little options at this point and besides, he had made the decision to fight, had he not?

But something about the whole situation bothered him. Something sticking like a barbed pin in the side of his head, poking at him until he acknowledged its presence. His eye twitched and annoyance built up in him so suddenly, like a fast-acting poison, drowning out all previous rationality.

Besides not wanting to be further scrutinized by the angelic leader, Alastor didn't enjoy the idea of Charlie doting on him or treating him like one of those pathetic demons in need of "redemption." That wasn't him and never would be. He didn't wish to be "saved" by the demoness or pitied by those red doll eyes of hers. His ego was bruised by the Valentino incident and now he has to get help from the Princess of Hell's father? It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

Alastor backed away from her then, feeling rankled and a bit perplexed if he was being honest, his body almost moving of its own accord, and he began to gather up his books. "I appreciate the concern, Charlie, as misguided as it is." He looked away from her then and she crawled towards him in confusion. "I may be wounded but I am not a broken plaything that you feel you must fix."

"Al, what?" She held her hand up as if to grip his sleeve but he was already walking away from her. "That's not what this is at all. Are you- are you angry with me?" The mood in the room had shifted in a matter of seconds.

Alastor dropped all of his books back in a pile on the floor with a loud 'thump.' "Forgive me darling, if I choose to walk a path that doesn't include dear old dad," he sneered.

Charlie was up in a second, meeting Alastor's dismissive gaze with her own defiant one. "What choice do you have right now?" she said, emotions flaring. "The path you're on has you alone and aimless!"

"I've weathered far worse storms than this by myself before, worse than you can even imagine, princess." His eyes flashed, and he made for the door, leaving a flabbergasted demoness in his wake. "Do not presume to know the darkness that lurks in the hearts of demons," he said over his shoulder. "You are not one of us, you realize?"

Though the comment stung, by the time he reached the door, Charlie was already there. Her hair suspended in a blaze of heat with eyes a harsh crimson. "No one could know what's in your heart! You guard it so fiercely!" She began, worry etched upon her brow. "Where is this coming from? Things were fine a minute ago!"

Alastor couldn't answer, his own disgrace reading plainly on his face. He didn't know where this was coming from either.

"I'm trying to help you," she choked out in a subdued plea. "Not as the hotel owner, or a princess, but as your friend!" Her anger snuffed out in an instant, replaced with a drained frustration. "As hard as this is to believe, considering your awful attitude," she mumbled, "I care about you, Alastor!"

The pair fell into silence, the room buzzing with unspoken emotion. Charlie's chest heaved from the sudden admission, her cheeks alight. As she looked at him, she could see something dark hovering around him like gray mist. It mystified her for a brief second before the Radio Demon spoke through static.

"Then you are a fool," he said quietly before vanishing in a swirl of darkness.

"Alastor!" she yelled to the empty room.


AN: Longer chapter today! Can't have things be peachy between the two of them all the time... especially with what's going on with him. He's already a bit of a wildcard, now he's even more hot and cold lol.

Thank you to everyone who has been reading and commenting so far! I love hearing from you guys and getting your thoughts!