Alastor manifested himself in the courtyard of the Hotel. The Radio Demon was expecting a lot more fanfare, perhaps Charlie singing a song about their victory or at worst the destruction left behind by the Exorcists. Yet there was none of that, rather there was an eerie quiet. Glancing around, Alastor was stunned to see the hotel so different, a complete and utter transformation from what it had been a few hours ago. Still strewn about were fallen angelic weapons but that didn't matter now. It appeared as though they had won and he could continue to exert his influence on the Hazbin Hotel.
Alastor entered the new lobby and spotted Husk at his usual spot. He was cleaning glassware, occasionally glancing at Cherri Bomb, nursing a glass of whiskey. Alastor adjusted his suit and strolled over to the bar. His footsteps must've alerted Husk who looked up at first with shock then with malice.
"Oh fuck off," he grumbled.
"Suprised my old pal?!" Alastor greeted with his signature grin.
"And here I thought you were gone for good," Husk told him.
Alastor laughed, though the sound held less of its usual manic energy. "Don't look so down, Husker! Now, where is everyone? I thought beating the Angels would warrant more celebration."
Husk scoffed, "Not much to celebrate about."
"Oh? Do tell?"
Husk glanced over at Cherri who had said nothing since sitting down. He sighed before turning back to Alastor.
"We thought when Adam started fighting the main force, that you had been killed."
"Merely wounded my friend. I had to retreat or else I would've met a gruesome fate," Alastor explained.
"Yeah well… your retreating got Pentious killed."
Cherri gripped her glass a bit tighter, turning away from the conversation. Alastor glanced at the woman, he could see tears starting to well up in her eye. The Radio Demon tilted his head in confusion before returning his attention to Husk.
"Pentious was a fool and a coward…"
"He put up more of a fight than you!" Cherri ground out before slamming back her drink and storming away.
The two men watched her leave, Alastor looking on in confusion. He looked back at Husk who was glaring at him. Husk shook his head and grabbed the empty glass.
"Bad timing, Pentious did actually try and save the day."
"She'll get over it," Alastor replied with a shrug. "Now, is that all? Surely everyone's absence from celebrating isn't the result of-"
"Vaggie's gone," Husk cut in, his voice dropping to barely above a whisper.
Alastor reeled back, his smile faltering. "I beg your pardon?"
"Vaggie, she... she's gone," Husk repeated, each word weighted with grief.
"Did I hear you correctly, did you say Vagatha…"
"Yeah…"
"How?"
Husk's claws traced patterns on the bar's surface as he spoke. "Lucifer showed up and he took care of business when all seemed lost. We had Adam beaten then Nifty got Adam, stabbed him from behind and he died in that one bitch's arms, Lute, I think her name is. Anyway, no one was paying attention. Lucifer was talking about something, watching as the soldiers left. That bitch tried to get one more hit in. Fucking tried to kill Charlie by throwing a sword at her. Vaggie was the only one close enough to see it coming. She..." Husk's voice cracked slightly. "She put herself between it and Charlie. The sword went right into her chest. Died in Charlie's arms."
"I see..." Alastor responded, his voice uncharacteristically quiet.
Vaggatha was dead? Surely this must be a trick from the former overlord, trying to play at his nonexistent heartstrings. But Husk simply said nothing further, looking down at the now clean glass.
"Maybe you should go check on the princess. She might be the only one glad to see you're alive. Poor girl doesn't need any more heartbreak," Husk told him.
"Perhaps I will…" Alastor responded quietly.
Alastor left the bar, his usual springy step was notably absent as he climbed the stairs. He passed clusters of Sir Pentious' Egg Bois, huddled together in uncharacteristic silence. Outside Pentious' room, Nifty cleaned with slow, deliberate movements - so unlike her usual frenetic energy. When she noticed Alastor, her single eye conveyed a depth of sorrow he'd never seen in her before.
Alastor let the poor girl be and continued his walk. He soon walked past Angel Dust's room whose door was open. The Radio Demon glanced inside and his smile faltered slightly. The normally flamboyant porn star sat quietly holding Fat Nuggets, barely acknowledging Alastor's presence.
"Good to see you're back, smiles," Angel muttered. "Just wish ya hadn't left in the first place. Maybe..."
Whatever he was gonna say died in his mouth. Angel simply pulled the pig closer and held him there. Alastor considered making a joke at Angel's expense but the gravity of the situation was now starting to take hold.
"I wish my return was under more jovial conditions," Alastor simply told him.
Alastor left without saying more, his walk needing to continue. He turned a corner and he could feel the dread starting to build in his gut. Alastor could hear distant crying, sobbing even. He knew who it was, the dumbest sinner in hell could make out who it was. As he got closer and closer to his destination, the sorrow grew louder and louder.
Alastor stopped in front of the door. He was about to enter normally, barging in like nothing was wrong but something stopped him from doing so. Slowly he raised a hand to the door and knocked it twice. The sobbing didn't cease but he could hear shuffling. Footsteps approached the door and Alastor could feel the overwhelming presence of…
Lucifer opened the door and immediately glared at the Radio Demon. Alastor said nothing, simply taking in the king's disheveled appearance. Lucifer looked back inside the room before walking out into the hallway and closing the door behind him.
"You've got a lot of nerve coming back," Lucifer angrily told him, jabbing a finger into Alastor's wounded chest.
"I wasn't expecting to return under such circumstances."
"Yeah, well, because you failed this place, people under Charlie's care paid the price."
"I'll have you know I wasn't planning on losing to Adam," Alastor argued, some of his usual spark returning.
"Well, you did. Not so high and mighty now, are you, Mr. Radio Demon?"
"Listen," Alastor's voice crackled with static, "failure on my end or not, you certainly can't act like you did much to save lives. You showed up and acted like you'd earned your Father of the Year award, but guess what? Charlie is in there absolutely in shambles because of the loss of her girlfriend, and you've done nothing to console her."
Lucifer took a step back as Alastor continued, "Let me see her so that she can see not all is lost. I can not fill the void left behind but I can certainly do more for her than you can evidently."
Lucifer glared at Alastor but relented, "Fine… But if you dare take advantage of Charlie in her current state, I will-"
"End me, yes, yes, I know the gist. The last thing I'd want to do is rile up your very short temper."
Alastor brushed past him and entered the room, closing the door softly. The sight before him caused his smile to falter more than it had all day. Charlie lay wrapped in sheets, clutching one of Vaggie's bows and the gift from Cannibal Town. Tears streamed down her face as sobs echoed off the walls. So lost in her despair that she didn't even notice the Radio Demon in the room.
"Charlie my dear, are you alright?" he asked softly.
Charlie stopped sobbing but didn't look up nor did tears stop flowing.
"Charlie?" he asked again.
"Al?" she managed to croak out.
Charlie slowly opened her bleary eyes and saw Alastor standing over her, concern etched into his features. The fact that he was even here after Charlie thought he was gone too, brightened her up just a little bit. Slowly she sat up, fighting back more sobs that threatened to escape.
"Al?"
"Yes, I'm here," he answered, taking a seat on the edge of her bed.
Alastor turned to her, Charlie was a mess. Her eyes were bloodshot no doubt she hadn't stopped crying since it happened, her hair was unkempt, and her clothes were untidy.
"I thought…" Charlie began.
"Almost my dear. I was lucky to escape," he told her.
"Oh…" Charlie responded.
Charlie sniffled and Alastor summoned a handkerchief, giving it to her. Charlie said nothing, setting aside the trinket and grabbing the cloth from his hand. The two sat in silence Alastor for once at a loss for what to say.
"I'm sorry…" he managed.
Charlie said nothing, simply wiping her tears away with the handkerchief. Alastor watched as she set the cloth aside and stared at the red bow that Vaggie normally wore. He couldn't imagine the thoughts going through her head.
"Why?" she suddenly asked. "Why her? Why couldn't Lute just accept the loss and leave?"
"Anger often leads to violence," Alastor responded gently.
"Why did she do it?" Charlie turned to him, fresh tears welling up. "She could've just pushed me out of the way or yelled or..."
"Vaggie was nothing short of selfless when it came to you. She'd do anything for you, even if..." Alastor let the sentence die.
"She died in my arms," Charlie's voice cracked. "I felt so helpless watching her bleed out and I couldn't do anything to stop it. I-"
A sob cut off her words. What happened next surprised them both - Alastor moved closer and wrapped Charlie in an embrace. After a moment of shock, she buried her face in his chest, arms clutching him like a lifeline as her body shook with grief. One of his clawed hands cradled the back of her head while the other rubbed soothing circles on her back.
Time seemed to stop as Charlie's sobs gradually quieted to whimpers. Alastor didn't know how long they stayed like that. Emotions had never been Alastor's strong suit, but Charlie needed something - anything - to hold onto. She needed to hear anything that could try and spin a positive light if there even was one.
"Vaggatha loved you very much; anyone could see it," he began softly. "Remember just days ago when you had doubts about your relationship after she lied to you? Yet she continued to believe in you and your dreams through everything. Perhaps sacrificing herself for you was her way of redeeming her own sins. I'd like to think that if anyone in this damned hotel were to ever be redeemed, it would be her."
Charlie remained silent against his chest.
"I never saw eye to eye with her. Heaven knows we could never get along, but she and I both had the same goal - to keep you and the hotel safe. In the end, Vaggie completed that goal. I can never replace her or fill the void she left behind, but you have my word, Charlie Morningstar, I will continue to assist you in this endeavor."
"Promise you won't leave me?" came Charlie's muffled voice.
"I promise."
The hotel crew gathered in the garden behind the hotel. On a makeshift pyre lay Vaggie's body, draped in white cloth, her spear placed above her as if still in her grasp. Flowers adorned her sides, and a simple wreath lay at her feet. Rosie and Carmilla had joined them, offering condolences to Charlie, who remained silent.
Cherri and Angel approached first. They each placed a black rose on her chest before Angel whispered, "You did good, toots. I'll miss ya."
Husk and Nifty followed. Nifty placed a roach crown on Vaggie's head while Husk set a bottle of whiskey between her arms. They paid their respects in silence before rejoining the group. Rosie and Carmilla followed, though their tributes were brief, not having known Vaggie well.
Finally, Charlie, Alastor, and Lucifer approached. Lucifer manifested a halo, laying it on her spear before stepping aside with a mournful nod. Charlie and Alastor moved forward together, his arm supporting her.
Alastor stared at the pyre imagining Vaggie lambasting him for even daring to show up to her funeral. He didn't know what to offer her, he too didn't know her well enough. Alastor simply manifested a bouquet and laid it at her side. Charlie though, had brought a bouquet of roses with her. They were tied together with one of Vaggie's bows. Charlie laid them down on top of the flowers Angel and Cherrie placed down. She then reached into her pocket and pulled out a photo. Alastor glanced at it, it was herself and Vaggie standing proudly before the original Happy Hotel - and placed it on Vaggie's chest. Charlie gave her a sad smile, tears threatening to fall.
"I'm sorry, Vaggie," Charlie's voice trembled. "I wish- I- I should've-" She struggled until Alastor squeezed her hand. "It's my fault. I wish I could've done more for you, for everyone. You paid the price, and now I have to live without your smile and your laughter. I have to now wake up in an empty bed because I couldn't keep the ones I loved safe. I hope wherever you wind up, you know that the years we spent together were some of the best of my life. I love you more than anything, Vaggie. I miss you..."
A tear slid down her cheek as she fought to maintain composure.
"Vaggatha…" Alastor spoke, surprising everyone. "Our interactions were hostile at best, but you and I had the same goals in mind, just different approaches. You have my word that I will continue protecting Charlie in your stead. Hopefully, you can rest knowing that she is and will continue to be safe. I cannot possibly fathom filling your shoes, nor do I believe in Charlie's cause as you did. However, if you were so loyal to her that you would die for her, perhaps there might be some merit to her silly little dream after all. Rest well, my dear."
Alastor ushered Charlie away, rejoining the small crowd. The two of them took their spots as Lucifer lifted a hand. Suddenly the pyre caught fire and the group watched in silence as Vaggie's remains burned. Charlie finally broke, twisting her head into Alastor's side as she cried once more. Angel looked away, tears falling freely. The others watched with varying degrees of grief while Alastor held Charlie close, letting her cry until she had no tears left.
Patrolling the hotel felt strange to Alastor. It wasn't his usual role, but with Vaggie gone, someone had to do it. The residents were subdued, whether from his presence or the fresh loss of two of their own. Lucifer's decision to move in added another layer of complexity, though the king had shown unexpected kindness towards the Radio Demon since the funeral.
His thoughts though wandered to Charlie, wondering how she was holding up. Her lack of enthusiasm and joy was something Alastor did not like. It was unbecoming of Charlie but he knew she would never be the same again. Whether he noticed it or not, Alastor made it to the hallway in which Charlie's room was. The Radio Demon cautiously walked up to the door and knocked.
Charlie answered, still adorning the black dress she had worn to the funeral. Her eyes were puffy and red, and tear streaks and ruined mascara adorned her cheeks.
"Good evening my dear," Alastor greeted.
"Hey," Charlie answered quietly.
The two stood in an awkward silence, Alastor not knowing what to say and Charlie still emotionally drained.
"Al-" Charlie suddenly started. "Thank you… for everything."
"No need to thank me, my dear. I am merely making sure my investment is safe and sound."
Charlie laughed - a sound Alastor hadn't expected to hear so soon.
"I mean it… I- I don't think I could've made it through the… you know without you and Dad there. I appreciate it, a lot."
"Don't worry about it, you needed someone there for you and I am more than willing to fulfill that role."
Charlie quickly ran into him and wrapped Alastor in a hug. Alastor briefly stood in shock but he smiled at the princess before returning the gesture.
"I'm glad you're alive," Charlie murmured.
"I am too, dear."
The two remained like that for a while before Charlie pulled away. She then looked down to the ground, brushing hair away from her eyes. For a moment there Alastor could've sworn she was blushing.
"Umm…"
"What is it?"
Charlie looked up at him, a blush now clear across her face.
"Could you stay with me… At least until I fall asleep. I don't want to be alone tonight."
Charlie looked away, expecting rejection. Alastor's expression softened before chuckling.
"Of course, why don't you get changed and I will wait out here for you. Just grab me when you're ready."
Charlie smiled before closing the door softly behind her. Alastor waited for a moment expecting her to take a while but a few moments later the door opened again, this time Charlie wearing her night clothes. Alastor followed her inside, the princess almost reaching out to him, dragging the demon to her bedside. Charlie lay down on her bed, Alastor smiled at her as he took a seat beside her.
He watched as she slowly closed her eyes, the day's events catching up to her. The blush hadn't left her face, her hand absentmindedly reaching out to him. Alastor took her hand with his own and held it as she fell asleep. A smile, a small one crept onto her face and sleep finally claimed her. Alastor didn't dare move watching her sleep peacefully almost calming the Radio Demon. When Charlie began to snore, Alastor went to leave but a small voice in his head told him to stay. Alastor leaned back in his chair and settled into what he expected to be a long night.
But for his heartbroken demon belle, he'd do anything.