Charlie was still locked in her bedroom when there was a knock at the door.

In a huff, she stood, already having gone through this song and dance several times during the day. Vaggie checking on her, Vaggie bringing her food, Vaggie wanting to talk. And each time the blonde demoness said to "leave me alone!"

She stomped to the door. "I told you, Vaggie, for the millionth time, I just need a little–" she swung the door open and was greeted with a bushel of red roses. "space…" she trailed off.

Alastor's alabaster face poked through the flowers and smiled at her. "Hello, darling. Trouble in paradise?"

"Er- ah-" She stuttered. He was the last person she expected to see and was struck silent for a spell. She glanced at the flowers, not understanding their meaning.

"Cat got your tongue? They're quite beautiful, no? Reminds me of a certain someone…" his devilish smile deepened as he leaned through the doorway. "May I come in?"

"Al- Umm, sure." Charlie moved aside for the Radio Demon. He usually never asked to come into her room and often just made himself right at home. Everything about him right now was weird to Charlie and for a second she wondered if it was really him.

He slipped in silently and placed the vase of roses upon her desk.

She moved to stand by the window, watching as Alastor paced around her room, admiring her mess of clothes, crumpled up papers, and tissues, with hands behind his back.

"What are you doing here? And what are the roses for?" She finally asked, lacking anything else to say. The heiress was still feeling awkward, not sure where they had left off since their previous conversation. She wanted to say something about pushing herself and her feelings about the situation on him. It wasn't fair and it was his life to–

"I came here to apologize, dear Charlie." He turned to face her and walked closer, thumbing a single stem in his black gloves. He stopped a foot away and held up the fragrant flower. "Will you forgive my insolent behavior?" he said as sincerely as he could muster. "And as for the roses, they're a gift."

Charlie wanted to laugh at the impossibility of it, but she was still stunned by the gesture. She received the rose from his hand and inhaled on instinct. It smelled of delicate rain and yet sweet morning sun. It brought a warm sensation to her cheeks.

She finally came to her senses. "A-apologize? It should be me apologizing to you!" The blonde bowed her head solemnly. "I'm so sorry, Al, I never should have meddled in your life that way. I know I'll never understand what you've been through and I know I can come on really strong but–"

Alastor pressed two fingers to her lips to silence her. "None of that now. You wouldn't be you if you didn't meddle in every demon's afterlife, including my own. I am… grateful for your insistence and I am sorry if what I said hurt you in any way." The Radio Demon paced back around the room and looked away from her. "I was frightened," he admitted quietly.

Charlie watched him in awe as he continued carefully.

"Afraid of my own demise, perhaps. That everything I've built to this moment was a complete waste. Afraid that all the years I've spent cultivating my power would slowly boil me down into weak, pathetic nothingness."

"It's a lot to come to terms with, Alastor," she said in understanding.

He looked back at her. "Afraid of you."

She glanced at him, questioning.

"Earlier, I was resigned to my fate, but the more I think about fighting it, the more fear chills me to the bone. Maybe it was denial, that there was no such thing as this so-called Mark of Judgment, and that you were wrong. But sitting with it, feeling it writhe inside my skin, the sensation is harrowing," he continued. "And I know now in my gut that were it to take me, I would live with this fear and regret for the rest of my afterlife."

He walked back towards her and fingered the petal of the rose in her hand.

"And we can't have that…"

Charlie shook her head, reeling from what the Radio Demon was confessing to her. She'd never heard him open up so much before and she would be damned if she were to interrupt his speech. He turned away from her again.

"When you brought your dear old dad into the situation, it became all too real. That I would have to re-write the manner of my being and offer myself up like… carved meat. Open to any who looked inside.

"But, what I failed to realize was, you've been looking inside all this time, or trying at least, and that scared me as well. That a treasure like you would see someone like me."

When Alastor turned back, Charlie was weeping openly, her eyes overflowing with tears.

"Oh dear, what will we do with you?" he chuckled, moving back to offer her a handkerchief from his sleeve. She accepted it and dabbed at her eyes, still unwilling to speak.

"Anyway, all that nonsense to say… I accept your help, Charlie Morningstar," he held out a hand, much like when he makes a deal. Only this agreement had no strings attached.

The Princess of Hell whacked his hand away and flung herself at the deer demon, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Took you long enough!" she hiccuped into his hair and squeezed.

Surprised, but not against it, Alastor relaxed and returned the hug, rubbing the demoness on the back as she bawled against him. So emotional she was, but it was endearing and entertaining all at once.

When released, Charlie thanked him, told him she understood, and immediately began detailing her ideas for next steps, an excitement reentering her voice. She was happy Alastor was back, and especially glad that nothing had changed between the two, and that maybe they were even closer than before. An unspoken bond of trust weaved the pair and Charlie was beyond giddy. She could work on her hotel and the redemption of Hell's sinners all while trying to assist her friend at the same time. She could do it, she just knew it.

Alastor merely watched her as she rambled on, a faint acceptance in his smile. He knew what he was getting himself into, and now he'd embrace it all.

"Starting tomorrow, let's get back to work on the hotel! I have all these applications I've been dying to show you."

"Ah, the hotel, I'd nearly forgotten," he said, faking a yawn.

"I know it's not the number one priority but I still feel like redemption is your best bet!" she squealed.

"Well, we'll give it the ol' college try!" he mustered up some enthusiasm with a swing of his fist, trying to match her energy.

Charlie clapped her hands in glee. Even if he was making fun of her, she didn't care. He was along for this ride, and right by her side.

The pair bantered and chatted the time away, but as the hour grew late, and there was still no sign of a returning gray hellion, Alastor felt compelled to ask, "Why are you locked in here away from your lady love?"

"Oh," Charlie flushed, clearly uncomfortable. "We had a bit of a fight over… Oh my gosh! Wait!" The demoness ran to her bed and ducked down next to it.

Alastor raised his eyebrow but stood by with patience.

When she popped back up, she was holding his microphone, straight as an arrow, and completely fixed.

His eyes bulged out of his head and he mindlessly meandered towards it with outstretched claws. He accepted it from her and began to twirl it in his hands. The eyeball on its front blinked to life and glared at him. "Hello old friend!" Alastor beamed.

Charlie began to fiddle with her fingers. "Carmine's daughter dropped it off, and uh, the package got accidentally opened, and your cane was broken, but–"

"It was broken still?" he questioned, not understanding what she meant.

"Yeah, she left a note, here…" Charlie handed him the note with haste, still worried he'll realize what had happened to his prized possession.

He read it a couple times before looking back at her, confusion in his eyes. "So how is it fixed?"

"Well, I fixed it, "she smiled. "Technically, I am half-angel and with that come a few perks." She flourished her hand and sparks of white magic popped out.

Alastor looked at the cane, and then back at Charlie, disbelieving. He strode to her side, picked up her hand, and placed a gentle, appreciative kiss on the back of it. Charlie screamed internally and goosebumps erupted from her fingertips to the crown of her head, a shiver coursing down her spine.

She did not expect such a positive reaction from the Radio Demon.

"A literal angel, you are," he warbled, his smile wide and gracious. He gazed up at her, heavy-lidded, from his bent position.

"I- I thought you'd be mad!" Charlie squawked, her hand still cradled in his.

"Whatever for?"

"That your privacy was violated!"

He laughed fully and his eyes glowed. "Well, I AM mad, dear! But how can I stay mad when you've given me such a gift? I might never have even told you about my microphone, and now it is like new. I am learning many a lesson today! Thank you, Charlie."

Charlie composed herself a bit, shyly moving her hand out of his grasp as he began to mess with his microphone. "You're welcome," was all she felt able to say, happy to see Alastor in such good spirits. Seeing him so grateful to her was causing a stir in her stomach, something she wasn't accustomed to. She asked a question to distract herself. "What's your microphone for anyway? Something to do with your power?"

After some adjustments to his radio, and the squeaking of static, he turned back to her. "Why, it AMPLIFIES it, darling!" Charlie covered her ears at the screeching sound. "It's a tremendous boon to have it returned to me, not to mention I missed the dapper fellow!" He peered again at it, running his hand over the metal. "Mmmm, so this is what you and Vagatha fought about?"

"Don't be mad at her," Charlie preempted. "She was just being concerned about what you'd bring into the hotel…"

"And I take it you defended me and she didn't take kindly to this?"

Charlie nodded.

"She is right to be vigilant. I can be quite… indefensible, " he smirked.

"Well not all the time," Charlie joked. Talking about Vaggie with Alastor of all people was somewhat of a strange topic. The last time she did, she ranted at him about their relationship. At the time, it felt fitting. She was upset and Alastor was there to take it all in. Now, it felt weird. Like she didn't want him to know about how things were with them, or like he didn't actually want to know. She shrugged it off. "Sometimes you do nice stuff! Like buy me flowers for instance…" she gestured to the blooms. "They're beautiful, thank you." She smiled bashfully, rubbing her hands together.

"Of course, dear. Rosie helped me pick out the perfect bunch," he replied, nonchalant.

"Oh," Charlie said, mentally cringing at how disappointed she sounded. "You hung out with Rosie?"

"Indeed I did, I needed a visit to an old friend to clear my head. She says 'hello' by the way and to stop by anytime."

Charlie played with her hair. "I should," she said, suddenly feeling untalkative. For some reason she wanted to end this conversation and bury herself in her pillow.

She walked over to the door and put her hand on the door knob. "Umm, I'm kind of tired now, actually. I think Vaggie is staying in another room anyway."

"Hmmm?" Alastor raised a brow and followed his companion to the door, stopping right in front of her. "Sick of me already?"

The demoness looked at the floor, and because Alastor was himself, he lifted her face with two handfuls of her flushed red cheeks. "No," she squeaked, "I'm just ready for bed. It was a long day!" She forced out a smile.

Her business partner hummed and released her, exiting her room of his own accord. He wasn't quite convinced. "Don't fret, dear…" he began, while standing in her doorway. He grinned mischievously. "You can have me all to yourself tomorrow."

"I wasn't fretting!" Charlie yelled, slamming the door in Alastor's satisfied face. She heard laughter on the other side.

In the hallway, Alastor debated teleporting back to his room but decided to enjoy a midnight stroll through the hotel. He admired the new colorings of the carpet, the subtle glow of the nearby lamps. He twirled his cane in his hands, gladdened with its return. He did not feel complete without it and a surge of affection went towards the red-eyed demoness.

He was pleased with how that went, and how good he felt now. His smile was genuine, and he had little control over how it stretched across his face.

His darling belle was back in the palm of his hand and he felt far more in control of the situation than before. Just a little meltdown, nothing to be concerned about. He just needed a little reminder of why he was here in the first place and what he was fighting for.

Though when he tried to conjure up images of what exactly those reasons were, all he saw was long blonde hair and ruby eyes. And rather than in the palm of his hand, he saw Charlie, standing directly in front of him, a hopeful smile plastered on her face.

What a laugh she was, so silly and naive. But there was something about it, that fanged-toothed grin of hers, that he wanted to maintain. He wanted to see it erupt in happiness, in defiance, in laughter, in confidence.

Alastor was having trouble maintaining the angle of his own inner thoughts. One second he'd be laughing at whatever current misfortune was befalling his business partner, and the next he wanted to comfort or tease her. It was a strange dichotomy that gave him pause.

He saw the way Charlie clammed up the second he mentioned Rosie. He could only assume why. He had fled the second he was uncomfortable with their last conversation and went straight to another person, another woman. Charlie was certainly feeling the strain of trust between them, wishing for his go-to person to be her in his current time of need and no one else.

But it wasn't so simple when the object of your sudden discomfort was the person who most desired your attention, and whose you desired as well.

He could admit that, couldn't he? The Radio Demon enjoyed the Princess of Hell's company quite most of all. Yes, he could admit that. And yes, he could give a part of himself to her. His time, his attention, his wisdom, his support. Whatever she needed, he could give it to her. For his own gain, his own well-being, but also hers, and hers, and hers.

His pace slowed to a narrow stop and Alastor suddenly felt like he needed to quit thinking. He teleported straight to his room.

It was going to be a long day tomorrow. One entirely of business and nothing more.

Charlie slapped herself in the forehead. How could she be so obvious and selfish?

Alastor was entitled to his friendships, he had every right to enjoy the company of others. And isn't that what she had wanted for him in the first place? To open up and enjoy life? And if hanging out with Rosie was what gave that to him, then who was she to get upset?

But she couldn't help it! All this time she had been trying to dive into who the Radio Demon was, and what made him tick, to be there for him, to help him, and he sought help elsewhere. Charlie couldn't help but feel put-out and a little bummed. Quite literally scaring him off with her incessant need to be there for him.

And when he said that Rosie had helped him pick out flowers… why, he got her flowers but the thought that they weren't from him alone… ugh, it made her feel so weird and frustrated!

She bashed her head into her bedspread, hating how much these thoughts made her squirm, how often they swam in and out of her mind like slick eels. They weren't pleasant and they made her feel sick with guilt for even entertaining them.

Charlie laid out on her bed, tossing and turning, trying desperately to figure out the next plan of action. The steps laid before her were simple… work on the hotel, and work on preventing Alastor's eventual disappearance. And maybe in-between all that, she could enjoy his company.

Their brief disconnect ended as well as it could've. He was reunited with his cane, apologetic, and agreed heartily to work with her rather than against her. The business partners spoke as normally as before, light and easy, and ready to face whatever's next.

Then why did Charlie feel so… empty? Like it wasn't enough?

She needed to focus, and get her shit together as soon as possible. There was too much to do, too much at stake for her to lose her cool like this over quite literally nothing. As much as she enjoyed speaking with the Radio Demon, she couldn't keep getting lost in the joy of it. It was too damn easy though. She adored the flowers, she adored his wit. And she adored their connection most of all.

She adored Vaggie! Her mind screamed and the demoness rammed her head back into her pillow.


AN: Hey everyone! In this chapter, Alastor finally decides to open up a bit and let her in and the two Finally have a moment. I played with the idea of Charlie experiencing a non-typical type of jealousy as well, which is something I can relate to myself. Just this feeling of shutting down. Also, I loooove Alastor's little internal monologue here about what he can do for Charlie. It's a big mental moment that gets away from him for the first time. Also I love him still making fun of Charlie and being somewhat of a nuisance lol. Hope you've been enjoying the development of their connection!

Thanks for reading and commenting!