A/N:

Hi everyone! Thank you for your support - here's the latest chapter : ) I hope everyone is enjoying their holidays!

Partners

Chapter 3:

Bar Talk

As night fell after dinner, Alastor made his way to the bar with Niffty. Husk was behind the counter, resting his arms on the edge.

Niffty twirled on the barstool then looked up at Alastor, beaming. "Dessert time! What did you get us? I hope it's not too sticky! Or crumbly! Or flaky!" She frowned. "Maybe I should have brought my rag with me just in case."

"Now, now, no need to fret, dear," Alastor assured in a warm tone. "I know your preferences. We'll have the cleanest dessert imaginable! And with minimal dishes to wash too!" He snapped his fingers - three drinks that look like large chocolate milkshakes with whipped cream appeared on the counter. "Chocolate egg creams! No bits to fall anywhere and just three simple glasses to clean!"

Niffty's fists shook in excitement. "Thank you, Alastor!" She grabbed her egg cream and happily began to sip.

Husk sighed deeply. "Chocolate egg cream - what am I, thirteen years old and visiting the five and dime?" Still he quickly grabbed the sweet beverage and started to sip. "Needs booze."

"One non-alcoholic drink won't kill you, my flying feline friend!" Alastor narrowed his eyes as he raised his glass. "Let's all drink to our new happy venture at the Hazbin Hotel!"

Niffty stood up on the barstool and touched her glass to his, and with a roll of his eyes Husk reached out his glass too.

They lowered their glasses and went back to drinking.

"I'm still trying to peg what this 'happy venture' is exactly, Alastor." Husk swirled his glass and eyed the deer demon.

"Entertainment!" Alastor answered without batting an eye.

"Bullshit. Everything's always more complicated with you. Plus you take your plans in crazy directions at the drop of a hat."

"Ha! Perhaps I do! And isn't it thrilling?" The Radio Demon beamed. "Besides you should both be happy." He glanced at Niffty. "Niffty, you have plenty of space to clean and decorate, and all these colorful characters relying on your help."

Niffty nodded. "I like it here a lot! I'm so happy we came!"

"And Husker, you have gainful employment, a roof over your head, and all the spirits a spirit could stomach! Ha!" He put on his laugh track.

Husk rubbed his head. "Just promise me that if you're going to fuck with the princess, you do it quick and neat and get us out of here. She's an emotional train wreck waiting to happen, and I don't know if I can handle it..."

"Husk means he'd feel bad if Princess Charlie was sad because she's so nice," Niffty translated simply.

Alastor laughed heartily.

Husk scoffed and glared at her. "Don't tell me what I mean! And I won't feel bad!"

"Oh come now, Husker." Alastor wiped a tear of mirth from his eye. "It's all right. Even a churl such as yourself feels sorry for the poor dear and her fruitless efforts. But I'm really not here to set her up for failure - the circumstances alone already guarantee that outcome." He considered, teeth flashing, eyes hazed in deep and delightful thought. "Of course, having the Princess of Hell bound in my service for any reason would be…quite an interesting factor to add into my grip of power as an overlord." Then his normal bright smile returned. "But that's a consideration for another day compared to the endless fun we're already having by just being here and watching this fresh little chapter in Hell unfold and crumble! Ha!"

"Yeah, I guess." Husk took a deep sip of his drink and eyed Alastor. "Speaking of having fun… you've been doing an awful lot of that with the spider guy. Is there something we should know?"

Alastor's entire body tensed up and his eye behind his monocle twitched slightly. He snapped his head around to face Husk. "Such as what, pray tell?"

Husker swallowed at the creepy look but didn't back down from his point. "Like is our terrific trio about to become a fun foursome?"

"Ooo, I vote for dealing in Miss Angel Dust!" Niffty raised her hand. "She's pretty and she cleans up after herself and she makes you smile in a nice way, Alastor. And also I think she would be the best mommy!"

Alastor just stared at Niffty in utter perplexity for a moment. Then he turned to Husk, scowling behind his smile. "What in the seven circles have you been filling her head with?"

"Nothing!" Husk pointed at her. "She comes up with this stuff all on her own because you two have been prancing around this hotel like giddy schoolgirls!" He crossed his arms. "What I don't get is what does he have that would help you? You were right before - Charlie is the one it makes the most sense for you to have a deal with. So why make Angel Dust a priority?"

Alastor's ears subtly twitched in different directions and a bit of static buzzed between them as he came up with an accurate enough response. "I…have been intrigued to discover a fresh form of entertainment in Angel Dust! I thought I already knew every bit of delight this hotel venture could offer, but he surprised me with an unexpected one. His conversation is a marvelous addition to my daily routine!" Alastor held out his hand like he was observing his claws. "And if he did accept a deal from me, I think our little group could only be improved by his presence."

"If he did…?" Husk considered, then he blinked and actually smiled a little. "You offered him a deal already and he turned you down? Huh, Angel's smarter than I thought."

Alastor's smile tightened and he gripped his cane. "He merely knows what he wants and what he's worth and refuses to accept anything less. Besides, Charlie turned down my first offer of a deal as well. There always needs to be a first one, just to test the waters…"

"So you want to…deal this guy into being your friend?"

"He already is my friend. A deal would just put a more permanent spin on the subject." Alastor's face softened a little. He was thinking about their brief evening together in his office; that night had amused him considerably. He was eager for a guaranteed supply of more.

Husk raised an eyebrow. Then he opened his mouth like he was about to speak, but hesitated.

Alastor came out of his reverie when Niffty reached out and lightly tugged at the end of his coat. "Alastor - I think Miss Angel Dust wants to stay friends with you no matter what. I think I'd want to stay friends with you too even if I didn't have a deal." She sipped her drink, her big eye looking up at Alastor.

Alastor's smile warmed - he picked her up and set her on his lap. "And that is why you get special desserts and Husker isn't even allowed to spike his." Alastor clenched his fist - a small tentacle appeared and quickly removed and destroyed a small bottle from Husks' hand that he'd been about to secretly pour into his drink. Husk pouted and went back to sipping the egg cream. The tentacle disappeared.

Niffty took a big sip of hers with a smile. She blinked a couple times, looking sleepy. "If Miss Angel Dust joined our group she would take good care of Husk and me - that way you wouldn't have to all the time. I think she'd help take care of you too."

"Really?" Alastor patted her hair, amused. "How so?"

Niffty yawned, her eye hazing as she finished her drink. "Husk and I have each other - we're best friends. With Angel around, you'd have someone special too. He wouldn't ever let you be alone." Her eye closed and she rested against Alastor.

"Indeed…" Alastor tilted his head, "such amusing notions."

And Husk watched Alastor, frowning, but not with his usual scowl.

It was then that he sound of footsteps followed by a familiar voice interrupted the almost tender moment.

"Hey, whoa, you guys having a bar party? Looks tame, but how was I not invited?" Angel Dust grinned as he stepped into the room. He was wearing a short sleeveless black dress, long black high-heeled boots, and a pink short jacket along with a dash extra of make up.

Alastor straightened up at the sight, and his smile filled up his entire face, which glowed a little brighter than usual. A new side to Angel's fashion sense - how amusing.

"Sorry," Husk shrugged at Angel and held up a hand level with the the top of his and Niffty's heads, "You must be THIS eternally screwed to come to this gathering."

"Ha!" A laugh escaped Alastor as he quickly used his microphone to give Husk a very firm nudge in the shoulder. Niffty shifted and almost woke up. Alastor looked down then handed her off to Husk. "Husker, be a sport and put the little darling to bed in her room. Then why don't you turn in early as well, hmm?"

It wasn't a question - it was an order. Husk rubbed his sore shoulder then got a grip on Niffty. He paused for a moment though and looked warily back and forth between Angel and Alastor.

Alastor glared at Husk and held his empty egg cream glass so tightly that cracks were forming on the surface.

"Whatever…" Husk finally replied half-heartedly as he walked out from behind the bar. "If you need me…don't come get me. I don't want to get involved. Night." He trudged off and away.

"Aw," Angel pouted, "and here I thought I could get a quick night cap before heading out to work." He shrugged and glanced at his phone. "Eh, I should probably just get going though."

"You're in quite a different ensemble than usual," Alastor observed, relaxing a little without an audience now. "What is the occasion?"

Angel swallowed and shrugged, arms wrapped around himself. "I just, uh…have that little party tonight with Val and Velvet and, you know, Vox."

Alastor's hand clenched against the bar counter and scratched a deep groove into wood. "Well, you could go to that party. Or I could go instead and just kill and eat them. Ha!"

"Yikes, getting dark pretty quick tonight, aren't ya, Smiles?" Angel relaxed a little and grinned. "Don't trouble yourself. They'd probably give you indigestion. And make you high. And give you an STD. Seriously, not worth eating."

"Just the killing part then?"

"Aw, are you trying to rescue me from their big bad clutches?" Angel's grin warmed and he batted his eyelashes. "So chivalry ain't dead - apparently it just came to hell in the form of you."

"Heaven or Hell," Alastor held up his head and twirled his cane, "a gentleman should always be willing to assist someone in need."

Angel shook his head. "Al, thanks but don't worry. If you go on an overlord murder spree, Charlie will lose it and kick you out. Then I'll get so bored here that I'll get into shenanigans too and be next to get the boot." Alastor continued to look at him expectantly, refusing to accept a joke as a reasoning for why the spider going into a den of dangerous ingrates wasn't something Alastor should involve himself in. Angel noticed and finally sighed. "Okay, seriously, tonight won't be bad, just a pain in the ass. They'll get drunk and high and talk shit, I'll agree with them, flirt like hell, and make sure that they don't kill each other. It's basically babysitting but wearing sexy clothes and occasionally getting a slap on the ass." He glanced down at himself then cocked his hip to the side and struck a pose. "By the way, what do you think, Mister Fashion Forward? Any additions you'd like to make."

"No, I believe you're more of an expert at 'sexy clothes' than I am." Alastor tilted his head. "Your body…strangely conforms well to both traditionally masculine and feminine dress."

"Yup, I'm just that hot." Angel winked at him and chuckled. "Look, I gotta get going but I have off tomorrow. Let's do something then. It'll need to be in the afternoon because I won't get back here til late but…around lunchtime give a knock on my door to wake me up. I'll always answer for you,"

"And I will always answer for you!" Alastor blurted out before realizing what he was saying. He cleared his throat and quickly added. "Should you knock on my office door and should I be in, I'm always ready to assist our first Hazbin patron."

"Oh, so official! You trying to say you're gonna get me to heaven, Al?" Angel's grin picked up on one side.

"Ha! Perish the notion! No one is going anywhere ever! And that includes you!"

Angel hesitated. He crossed an arm over his chest, looking down for a moment. Then he took a breath and managed a smile at Alastor again. "Well, anyway, I'll see you later. Have a good night, Smiles." Angel turned and sauntered out of the room.

Alastor blinked but then waved too. "You as well, Angel! As best you can manage under the circumstances."

Angel was out of sight, and when Alastor heard the door close he knew Angel was out of the building too.

Alastor's brow furrowed. Why had Angel's wit and charm suddenly gone away at the end of their conversation? It couldn't have been something that the Radio Demon had said - they had just been making witty banter after all. How perplexing. But perhaps it had just been Alastor's joking offer to cannibalize Angel's three 'benefactors' that had made the spider uncomfortable. Alastor really couldn't barge in and murder them without provocation of course - so many sticky political details. Yet, if they harmed Angel perhaps something could be arranged since Angel was a patron at the hotel… And yet that situation required Angel to be hurt - a notion which made Alastor seethe.

Alastor twirled his cane and seriously considered stalking the streets for a new victim and putting on a surprise radio show tonight. Any familiar activity to clear his confused head.

But then one of his ears twitched to the side and he turned at a faint sound.

He found Charlie peeking around a corner at him - her eyes went wide as he caught sight of her. She bit her lip like she was considering running away but then swallowed and stepped out with a wave. "Hey, Alastor! Sorry, I didn't mean to bother you. I just heard voices and I wanted to wish everyone a good night."

Alastor was sure she had other reasons for lingering, especially since she had been watching him secretly at first. She was such a terrible liar. How Lucifer and Lilith could have spawned such a chronically pure person was something he was still theorizing about.

"I see." Alastor replied - he snapped his fingers and his shadow appeared again and took the three empty glasses to the kitchen. "Well, I'm afraid you've missed almost everyone. Darling Niffty dozed off and I had Husker take her to her room. And he claims to be retiring for the night too. And Angel Dust just went out to work. And as for Vagatha, I'm sure you would know her whereabouts better than I would."

Charlie blushed but continued forward to stand before him. "Oh, she's in my office planning some more marketing ideas for the hotel. We're thinking of having an open house to let demons visit and get an idea of the place - just a no pressure informative evening of fun."

"Hmm, brining in some 'fresh meat' - ha! A very interesting notion." Alastor nodded. "I look forward to attending. Perhaps we'll make a regular party out of it! My shadow band does love an audience."

"That would be wonderful, Alastor - and it would help us save on hiring entertainment. Thank you!" Charlie smiled up at him in that big, genuine way she had. Angel Dust was right - she really was like a too kind mother trying to keep them all together and encouraged.

"I was also thinking of asking Angel Dust to perform." Charlie quickly held up her hands and added. "Not perform in the way he does on stage usually…in those clubs…with the pole…and the outfits…" She blushed a lot. "I just meant, people know him and I hear he sings pretty well and I thought it might help him feel like an even bigger part of what we're doing here."

Alastor took a deep breath, his large smile managing to grow. "I would like Angel Dust to have that experience. What a superb idea, Charlotte."

Charlie clasped her hands together and beamed in wonder. Tears were at the edges of her eyes - she blinked and quickly wiped them away and tried to put on her normal cheery smile.

A moment of vulnerability meant a moment to learn something. Alastor tented his hands together, holding his microphone in his elbow. "Now now, no need to get so overwhelmed. You had an excellent thought - of course it deserves recognition!"

"Sorry." Charlie sniffed and wiped away one more tear. "I'm just used to being told other things about my ideas. Vaggie's usually the only one who cares."

Alastor tapped her with his microphone. "Well, those days are over. We're all in this little hotel caper together." His eyes narrowed. "And certainly your parents must be thrilled at this initiative of yours!"

Charlie's smile fell and she looked down.

And now Alastor knew her weak point. But rather than wanting to pry open the wound he had a sudden desire to punish those who had caused it. He recalled about Angel's allusions to his father, and memories of his own father… Cruel parents had some of the darkest hearts to feast upon. "And if they're not," Alastor added with a shrug, "it's certainly their loss! Some parents can't appreciate a truly gifted child!"

A little of her smile returned. "You know, I was really nervous when you first came here, Alastor-"

"So I assumed - you slammed the door in my face twice."

Charlie rubbed the back of her neck. "But I'm happy now. We got a chance to know each other and…I think it's good you're here somehow. And I'm glad you're settling in." She brushed back her hair behind her ear. "You know, ever since you came…Angel hasn't done anything to get on the news as one of the top sinners in hell. I know that doesn't sound like much but it's actually huge!"

"Yes, well, he hasn't had time, I'm sure." Alastor shrugged, gripping his cane in both hands. "Between our work and entertaining each other, who would?"

"I think he's a nice friend for you. And you're a nice one for him."

Alastor took a deep breath and didn't correct her language.

"You two actually remind me of Vaggie and I when we first met."

And now it was time to stop her. "Ha! Oh Charlie, you and that sinful sense of humor. Such a notion would require a tremendous shift in character for Angel Dust and myself! Don't let Vagatha hear you make such wacky comparisons! Or anyone else for that matter!" He narrowed his eyes and clenched his jaw, looking directly at her.

Charlie didn't respond with fear or nervousness. She just nodded with a small smile. "Well, either way, I'm happy this project means you two get to know each other." She gave him a wave. "Have a good night, Alastor."

He nodded, relaxing a little, and waved as well. "And you as well, Charlie!"

She smiled a little more then headed out of the bar.

Alastor took a very deep breath. Then he snapped and teleported into his office.

He appeared sitting on the same red sofa he and Angel had shared the other evening. His shadow appeared - it sat beside him, looking at Alastor with an expectant scowl.

Alastor glanced at him. "Yes, I'm aware Charlie is clearly aware that I place some value in Angel. Prying creature. And Husker as well." He sighed. "I like that Angel Dust has provided me with a new form of entertainment - and that this hotel has provided me with new entertainment. And yet… there's a distress I haven't experienced in a very long time." He rubbed his brow. "If only I had this entire place and everyone in it under my control - everything would be so much simpler!"

When he glanced over, his shadow was giving him a dry look.

Alastor rolled his eyes. "Very well, to be fair, having total control would make ANYTHING much simpler." He straightened up. "For now I'll just have to settle for all I've gotten and play my cards delicately." And yet he bit his lip, one of his ears twitching.

The shadow flew in front of him, staring him down.

Alastor's smile tightened. "I'm resisting the urge to have you follow after Angel Dust and make sure his little party is as benign as he claims it will be." The shadow's eyes went wide. "Yes, I know that makes no sense! And of course I won't have you do it - if Vox sense you around, I'll have a devil of a time explaining it and will probably put Angel in even more hot water." The Radio Demon composed himself and stood up. "Just let me know when he gets back. I'm going to rest." He headed to his room in the back, closing the door behind him.

In the dark and cold, Alastor laid down and thought about…heaven oddly enough. And he wondered how happy is mother was there. And missed her until his eyes turned to radio dials and his horns grew a little and dark static surrounded his head and he finally passed out into a place between asleep and awake.

Angel strolled into the studio heading for Val's private lounge. He put on his best flirtatious smile and hoped those three would pass out early tonight so he could just play games on his phone and not have to deal with all of their dramatic and controlling and temperamental bullshit.

Angel rapped on the door with his hand. "Val, daddy? Uncle Vox, Auntie Vel? It's your Angel Cakes." No answer but the lights were on and he could see the shadow of Val through the frosted glass. Angel knocked again and the door creaked open. He opened it the rest of the way, grinning as he struck a pose. "Ready to party?"

He found Vox slumped on a chair frowning with his screen black and white, Val hugging a lamp and groaning, and Velvet rolling on the floor in silent laughter. "Angie's here! I drugged all the cupcakes - I did it so good! Party!"

"Heh…" Angel turned around for a moment and scowled as he rubbed his temple and murmured to himself. "Son of a bitch - not again with the damn drugged cupcakes. What are they, fucking five?" He took a deep breath, composed himself again, and turned back to them with his flirtatious look. "Aw, yes you did, Aunty Vel. Look how much fun! Now come on, Angel will make sure everyone's cozy and entertained while you all get a second wind."

"Angel…" Valentino glanced up, frowning, clutching his lamp, "this is your fault somehow. If you had come sooner you could have just eaten all of her damn cupcakes."

"Shit, I want to die again," Vox moaned. "Angel do something! What the hell are you waiting for?"

"Oh, Val, I still would have made you guys eat the cupcakes too! And Vox, don't give me any ideas!" Velvet teased, sticking out her tongue. "Angel, tell them to go to hell! Oh wait - we're already here!" He held her sides, doubled up in laughter.

"Angel get us some damn coffee!" Val snapped.

"And bring us something to eat that Velvet DIDN'T TOUCH!" Vox added.

"Find cookies! I want cookies!" Velvet demanded, pointing to the sky.

"Of course, of course - Angel Cakes is here to serve." Angel, with a sweet smile, glided around the room. He popped a pillow under Vox's head and scooped up Velvet on the floor to put her in a chair, and covered Valentino with a blanket. "I'll order the food right now and put on the coffee. You three just sit here and take a load off. Then we'll get this party started."

They all grumbled and groaned as Angel worked to get the room and them all straightened up. He texted an order to the kitchen then went over to the coffee maker to brew a pot. Away from the trio for a moment he sighed, his eyes down. He just hoped they'd be in a good enough mood once they were sober and functioning that they would have a good laugh and move on and not take how they felt right now out on him.

Angel sighed and braced himself for a long hotel might have been corny but at least it wasn't a shitshow minefield like this place.

At some point, Alastor felt a cold presence touch his shoulder. She shifted and growled low. But then he blinked a few times until his eyes were normal and he saw his shadow's red eyes close in the dark. He opened his mouth, about to question, but then realized what this must mean. Alastor sat up and shifted his ears until he got a radio signal that told him the time. 4AM. He straightened up his hair and bowtie then snapped his fingers and teleported himself to a shadowy corner of the hotel lobby.

Angel Dust had just closed the front door behind himself. He didn't look injured, just tired. His hair was mussed and his dress was a little uneven. He wrapped his arms around himself, obviously cold. He had a paper cup of coffee in one hand - he drained it and tossed the cup in a wastebasket then stumbled up the stairs, rubbing his head.

Alastor snapped and teleported himself to the dark side of the hallway upstairs. Angel made his way to his room, pulled his room key out of his chest fluff, and opened the door. He smiled. "Nuggies - shh, mommy's home. You can stay in bed. That's where I'm heading too." He closed the door behind him.

Alastor sighed and snapped his fingers again. He was in the back room of his office once more. His shadow sat on the edge of his bed. Alastor nodded to him. "Thank you." He laid down and faced the wall and finally felt comfortable enough to doze off into a deep and restful sleep.

A/N:

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing if you can! I'm going to try and update this story about once a week. Next time Angel and Al continue to plan their garden party ^w^

Happy New Year!

-Azure129