Charlie was excited about this team building exercise because everyone was to say something they're talented at. She had to specify that it had to be something non sexual or non violent, looking at Angel Dust and Alastor. They gathered around near the bar for Charlie to stand up and lead it.

"Ok! So has everyone thought of what their talent is?" Angel Dust raised his hand.

"Are you sure it can't be sucking d-"

"Yes, Angel. I'm sure." Charlie said quickly. Angel sighed frustratingly and put his hand out to tell Charlie she could continue.

"Alright! Who wants to go first?" Charlie of course didn't expect anyone to volunteer to be first, but hey a demon could dream.

"Aaaaaalright then I guess I'll go first!" Charlie took a deep breath and took a very quick glance at Alastor, who seemed like he was daydreaming.

"I can uh...I can play the piano." She rushed the last part. Everyone seemed to perk up suddenly, including Alastor. His half lidded eyes opened completely and his ear twitched which told Charlie that he was in fact paying attention.

"Holy shit! How come you never play?" Angel went from lounging on the couch to sitting up. Charlie played with her hair nervously.

"Oh um well... I usually only play when I'm alone." Nifty bounced up and down as she stabbed a roach with her sewing needle.

"Is it because you're bad at it?"

"Now Nifty, that is no way to speak to Ms. Morningstar." Alastor interrupted. He could see that Charlie was growing more and more uncomfortable so he decided to step in.

"Um no, I wouldn't think I'm bad at it Nifty. It's just a...more private thing." Charlie was twiddling with her hair so much she was sure she would develop split ends by the end of the exercise.

"You should play for us!" Angel's excitement spread through the room before Charlie could answer.

"Yeah yeah yeah!" Nifty was running around the couch sporadically.

"Oh I don't think-" Charlie tried to rebuttle when Alastor approached her, putting a light hand on her shoulder.

"I think it's a splendid idea!" Charlie cut her eyes to him, warning him with no words.

He either noticed and didn't care or didn't catch it.

"We could do a little performance for the hotel! It would surely attract new residents." Alastor drummed his fingers on her shoulder playfully.

"It's not the worst idea." Husk shrugged.

Charlie could see how everyone was so pumped for the idea of this little concert so she couldn't very well let them down. She was sure that was Alastor's plan which she made a mental note to scold him for it later. Right before she opened her mouth, she remembered something which caused a smirk to plaster on her face. She cocked an eyebrow at Alastor which made his right ear twitch.

"Ok ok I'll agree to it on one condition." Everyone set their eyes on her. "Only if Alastor plays with me."

Alastor felt his stomach coil tight on the spot. Her wording could've been a little better and he felt ashamed that he noticed it while she clearly hadn't.

"Um Charlie I thought you were gay?" Angel questioned. Alastor added 'throw Angel from a roof' to his to -do list. Charlie looked confused at first and then realization hit her.

"OH UM nonononono I mean I-I'm technically bisexual but that's not-what I meant was-"

"She meant for him to play the piano with her, dumbass." Husk interjected while smacking Angel upside the head.

"And to give an answer to your exception," Alastor brought his hand down to Charlie's lower back which made a tingle go from the bottom of her spine to her hairline. "I would be more than happy to play with you." Alastor cocked his head with a different type of look in his eyes. Was he trying to tease her? Charlie fought to keep her face straight and cleared her throat.

"Well um ok then." She couldn't speak confidently so she let her voice trail off. Her only idea of getting out of this just crashed and burned so she had no choice but to accept it.

"Well then let's get to planning!" Angel stood up and went to get the whiteboard to get started. Charlie had to admit, she enjoyed seeing everyone so excited about something. It was a rare thing for everyone to be on the same page so if it meant that she had to be a little out of her comfort zone, so be it.

"Great! I'm...going to make a phonecall and I'll be right back!" Charlie zipped out to the hallway and when she knew she was out of sight she leaned against the wall, putting a hand to her chest. Her heart was beating a million miles an hour. She was sure that if she were human her heart would explode out of her chest.

"Everything ok, dear?" Charlie jumped out of her skin by the abrupt voice from beside her. Alastor stood promptly, holding his microphone with both hands.

"I thought you didn't want to play with me?" Charlie crossed her arms.

Oh trust me, I do Alastor thought.

"Well after you listened to my tragic backstory, I assumed it was the least I could do for you."

Charlie's forehead crinkled as her face fell. She didn't want him thinking that he owed her now for unloading his past onto her. Even though it was a less than pleasant experience, she liked that Alastor felt comfortable enough with her to open up like he did.

"Alastor you don't owe me anything. I would...prefer it if you were to join me but if you'd rather that you didn't-" Alastor held a hand up to stop her.

"Who said I would rather not? I'm simply attempting to do a good deed for a friend." Alastor seemed sincere, but still a smidge on edge. Charlie wasn't sure when she was able to read him so well but it certainly came in handy.

"Well if that's true then thank you." Charlie gave him a half smile which seemed to relax him just a bit.

"No need to thank me, darling. I think it'll be quite the performance!" Alastor put a hand to his own chest dramatically, but he was also trying to slyly check his heart rate. Higher than usual which was unsettling to say the least. It seemed like with each time he is with Charlie his self control withers away more and more. His defenses chipping away gradually which made him panic. He wasn't even sure what came over him when he placed his hand on her lower back like he did, in front of the rest of the group none the less! Hopefully once he did this performance with her, he could get all of this out of his system and let him put it to rest. All he really wanted was for things to go back to normal.

"I'm sure it will be Alastor." She reached out and gave a squeeze to his arm. She felt his muscles flex just the tiniest bit which made a certain heat pool in her belly. That was odd, she hadn't felt that since-

Since her and Vaggie were together.

As if struck by lightening, she yanked her hand away. Alastor looked at her quizzically.

"Is everything alright?" Charlie looked like a deer caught in the headlights and Alastor couldn't come up with the foggiest idea why. She backed away a few steps.

"Oh um yes! I uh just remembered I have something I need to do! Tell the other's to not wait for me!" And with that she sprinted down the hall toward the elevator. Alastor was left standing there utterly lost. What was that about?

Charlie ran to her room and slammed it shut, hoping that Alastor didn't follow her. She felt sweat bead on her forehead and it wasn't from her sprinting. Her palms were clammy and her head felt like fuzzy static. Why would she have that feeling from touching Alastor like that? Alastor had always made it a point to make physical contact with her in some way for over a year now, so why all of a sudden was it something she enjoyed? Surely there was a good explanation. The sensation in her stomach quickly evaporated which made Charlie calm down a bit. She sat on her bed and put her head in her hands as she let her mind race. Guilt flooded through her as she thought of her ex girlfriend. Vaggie and her had been broken up, yes, but she wasn't supposed to feel this way for anyone else. Especially not Alastor! She still couldn't fully accept the fact that touching him made her react so much. Something must be wrong with her so she decided to lay down and take a short nap to clear her head.

Alastor joined the rest of the crew while they shouted out different ideas for the performance. It quickly snowballed into a Hazbin Hotel Talent Show where Angel would pole dance with Cherry Bomb and Nifty would put on one of her infamous roach puppet shows. Husk refused to participate but would of course be the bartender and make special cocktails for the event. Alastor glanced around and noticed that Charlie never returned from her sudden engagement. She was certainly acting odd when she ran off but Charlie could sometimes be a little eccentric so he tried to pay it no mind. When an hour passed though, his worry grew. Once the group was satisfied with the planning progress they achieved, they disbursed. Alastor took this opportunity to go find the princess and check on her.

He portaled to her bedroom front door. He could've easily made his way into her room but something pulled at his mind to refrain from doing so. He gave a gentle rap on her door.

"Charlie, dear?" He perked his ears to listen for a sound to indicate she was in there. He heard some kind of noise but couldn't identify it immediately. He decided to open the door and peek inside. He popped his head in to see a lump under the covers on Charlie's bed. He walked in quietly and approached the side of her bed. She was passed out cold, cuddling a pillow next to her. I wonder why she had lied about needing to do something if she just wanted to sleep? Alastor pondered this as Charlie began to toss and turn, mumbling in her sleep.

"The polar bears need a snack too." Charlie slurred out. Alastor chuckled lightly. Of course she would be one to talk nonsense in her sleep. He looked at her face and noticed a steady stream of drool coming from the corner of her mouth that had branched out into her matted golden hair. Her black eyelashes fluttering against her pink cheeks slightly and her whispering nonsensical words made Alastor's chest feel heavy.

She was absolutely breath taking.

Before he decided to take his leave because he started feeling like a creep, Charlie mumbled something else that made his blood run hot and his feet rooted to the floor.

"Alastor."

Just his name falling from her lips was enough to make his knees buckle. He leaned forward to try and hear her better.

"Yes dear?" He whispered so quietly he almost didn't make a sound.

"Alastor." She mumbled again. Was she dreaming about him? She didn't seem to be in a nightmare so could it be a pleasant dream? She mumbled something else incoherent then rolled over, facing him. A small smile grew on her and Alastor couldn't stop his hand if he wanted to. He tucked a stray golden lock behind her ear, his hand hovering above her cheekbone a bit longer than needed.

Fuck he was in danger.