A/N:

Hi everyone! Thank you as always for your support ^w^ I hope everyone is having a happy and safe start to the year.

Partners

Chapter 4:

The Quickest Way to a Demon's Heart…

A knock on Angel's door woke him up. And though the light coming through his curtains suggested it was rather late in the day, it was still far too early for the spider. "Mmm…" he groaned, "go away… I'm basically dead again."

"Hmm…no, I don't think so! I would have definitely sensed a fresh corpse in this hotel - I get quite peckish around them. Ha!"

Angel's eyes opened wide and he sat up in his mess of twisted blankets and pink throw pillows. He looked at a clock. Noon: around the time he'd told the deer demon to knock on his door today. Then he blinked and pouted and turned in the door's direction as he processed Alastor's joke. "Oh ha, ha, Smiles, you're a riot." He rubbed his eyes and stretched all of his arms. Angel blinked and sniffed the air. "Wait…do I smell food? Like hot, fresh, non-cannibal food?"

"It's a distinct possibility. Why don't you open the door and find out? Or I could just teleport in and—"

"No! Ugh, Al, gimme a sec - I'm a nightmare." Angel got out of bed, ran a brush through his hair, straightened out the pink sweatshirt and black shorts he'd fallen asleep in, and shoved on a pair of black ankle boots. He attempted to pull the blankets over his bed in a way that looked semi-made, spritzed himself with some perfume, put Fat Nuggets in his bed, then strolled over to the door and opened it. His jaw fell.

There stood Alastor, looking bright-eyed and smiley as ever, holding a large covered silver tray with a glass of juice and a small vase with a dead flower. "Good afternoon!"

Angel yawned then leaned against his doorframe and crossed his arms. "Why do I get the feeling that you're this perky even at like 6am?"

"The early bird does get to mercilessly consume the worm alive."

Angel had to smile and shake his head. He glanced at the tray again then back to Alastor. "You in charge of room service now? Or is this a really fancy way of giving me an eviction notice."

"Not at all." Alastor shrugged. "It just occurred to me that even if you were sleeping in late, you still might want to start your day with a traditional breakfast. And you might not want to wait. I had Niffty help me prepare something for you."

"But I thought you wanted to grab a bite together."

"Yes, well…I thought you might prefer to eat first and then we can get together to discuss our plans for the garden party right away whenever you're ready." Alastor cleared his throat. "My apologies regarding the rose's state - I'm afraid I picked it myself."

Angel chuckled."Hey, dead or alive, I appreciate the gesture. And okay then, Al…thanks for the extra hospitable wake up call." He took the tray but hesitated. "Do you want to come in maybe? I'm from an Italian family; I'm not used to eating alone." The spider smiled and shrugged.

A bit of static buzzed between Alastor's ears and they twitched.

Angel noticed. His eyes hazed a little. "I promise it's minimally sexy in here right now. Still not the neatest room but…don't you at least want to hear me compliment you and Niffty while I'm eating?"

Alastor glanced over the spider's shoulder then looked back to Angel. "Why not?" He swung a fist through the air.

Angel chuckled. "Knock yourself out, Smiles." He turned and strolled inside with the tray, leaving the door open.

Alastor took a breath, arms and cane behind his back, and stepped over the threshold.

It really wasn't a den of seduction now that he had a proper look at the place. There were still movie posters of a pornographic nature on the walls but the shadows right now kept them hidden. His eyes went over in another direction just as Angel quickly pushed a box of colorful 'items' under the bed, so that unfortunate eyesore was gratefully dispatched. Otherwise it was a simple room with a lot of pinks and some purples and reds in the decor. There was a big bed strewn with pillows, a large vanity full of many cosmetics, and a closet filled with numerous outfits. Alastor also noticed the little pink radio he had given the spider as a gift on Angel's nightstand and smiled more.

It was then the little pig walked up to him. "Hello, Fat Nuggets!" Alastor greeted him. "Shall I pet you?"

The pig oinked, and Alastor patted him twice on the head.

Angel laughed. "He's looking for pets AND for food. Also I think he likes you." Angel set down the tray on an end table and removed a few outfits hanging over the back of two chairs on either side. "Come on, Al - have a seat, take a load off. You said you'd take me to see your radio tower one day - well, for now come see my room."

Alastor strolled over and sat on the edge of his seat.

Angel plopped into his chair and eyed the platter with a big smile. "Oh man, I'm so excited for this. Seriously, I'm starving - all I had to eat last night was stale coffee and half a cookie." He lifted the tray and his eyes widened at the contents. "Whoa…what's all this?"

Alastor held his head high. "Andouille Sausage with scrambled eggs and cheese, pecan waffles with bourbon maple syrup, fresh grits, and biscuits with honey."

Angel tilted his head at the Radio Demon. "Where - literally in hell - did you get the ingredients for…?"

"I'm dangerous, powerful, and rich. I get most things I want, Angel. And I have an appreciation for good food." Alastor clasped his hands together on his lap and crossed his legs.

Angel smirked. "Apparently so, on all accounts." He picked up his fork, dipped into the sausage and eggs, ate a bite, then slammed his hand on the table and moaned as he swallowed. "Oh god, this is so good - this is better than sex!"

"Hmm, I've found all food to be preferable to sex so I'm not sure how to take that reaction!"

Angel laughed so much that he nearly choked. He drank some of the juice and shook his head. "Smiles, I swear, if the cannibal radio show doesn't work out, you've gotta get into standup. You're a riot!"

"It's important to be a performer of many talents," Alastor assured proudly.

"Seriously though, this grub is delizioso!" Angel ate another bite then considered. "Growing those cajun spices out back, loving jambalaya, cooking up stuff like this… It's funny - I mean, clearly you're from somewhere way down south but I don't hear a drop of it when you speak. I couldn't pin a background on you at all til you started cooking here."

"My past is not important." Alastor's eyes went down and his smile tightened.

"Everyone's past is important. Shitty or great it's part of what makes you yourself. And I like who you are, Al." Angel ate more, a faraway look in his eye. "But if you don't want to talk about your past, that's a different story and I respect it. I'm the same way."

Alastor's eyes drifted over to Angel. When Angel smiled at him a little, he considered for a moment. Then he took a breath, his voice quiet. "Louisiana. I'm from Louisiana, and I had a mother, and I enjoyed cooking as a hobby. And my voice only sounded this way topside when I was putting on a show. But down here I'm always putting on one. And that's all I prefer to share."

Angel listened attentively as he ate. "I bet your pipes sound nice no matter how you're talking. But if you're more comfortable doing the radio voice, I get it." He shrugged sheepishly. "Sorry I'm always asking so many questions. It's just…nice that you actually give me answers instead of just telling me to shut up and to make more coffee or to take off my clothes." He frowned and stopped eating for a moment.

Alastor gripped his cane. "The party last night…how did it go?"

"Bunch of bull shit. Surprise, surprise…" Angle rolled his eyes. "S'okay though. All that matters is I got through it." He grinned again and went back to eating. "And now I'm eating the best damn breakfast in hell with the damn best looking guy in this hotel - except for me of course." He winked.

The Radio Demon's eyes became radio dials and a black haze appeared over his head.

Angel laughed. "Oh quit denying it, and have some breakfast. Eat a biscuit." Angel picked one up and held it out.

Alastor took the biscuit, almost crushing it a little in his grasp. But then he sighed and his gaze returned to normal. "Your ability to flirt with death is truly unmatched in hell."

"Al baby, I told you - I flirt with everyone I like. It's how I give compliments. Even when it backfires, I'm usually charming enough to get out of it."

Alastor smiled a little more and ate a bite of the biscuit. He gave half to Fat Nuggets who oinked in thanks.

Angel smiled at the sight and dug into the waffles. "Uh…so, Cherri's coming officially coming to our party tomorrow. But she's also gonna on guard. She doesn't really trust anyone ever."

"Hmm, then she and I already have something in common," Alastor observed.

"Heh, yeah…" Angel rubbed the back of his neck. "My point is, she's a little protective of me and a little perpetually pissed at overlords. So she might be kind of defensive. She doesn't mean anything by it though; she just wants to be a good friend."

"You mean she's not going to cower in fear of me and my prestige." Alastor smiled more to himself, leaning back in the chair with his hand resting under his chin. "Splendid! A lack of such simpering has been a tremendous source of entertainment for me at this hotel!"

"Oh yeah, Cherri doesn't simper for anyone." Angel laughed. "She's sort of like a loud Rosie, from what I know about Rosie. Rosie's definitely coming too, right?"

"Indeed - she's quite keen on observing the fruits of my little venture here." Alastor finished his biscuit. "If Cherri does threaten me, by the way, she may receive one in retaliation from Rosie."

"Yeah, I figured - so basically we're bringing two lit powder kegs into this joint." Angel smirked. "This is gonna be a good party."

"A fine soiree!"

"Soiree?" Angel raised an eyebrow.

A quick jolt of static passed between Alastor's ears and his eyes widened at the realization of the French word he had let slip so easily into the conversation. "Get-together, fest, affair, social function - so many words to describe our charming plans. Why choose just one?"

"Right..." Angel eyed him with a curious smile. "Anyway, I'm sure as long as no battles break out, Charlie and Vaggie will be cool about it."

"Yes, Charlie especially." Alastor's eyes lowered and his smile tightened a little. "She's quite taken with you and I being a 'good influence' on each other."

Angel burst into laughter. He struggled to catch his breath and speak. "No one has EVER called me a good influence! And you!" He pointed at Alastor. "Has anyone EVER called YOU a good influence?"

Alastor tilted his head but then felt his own smile grow and his raucous laughter break forth. It was utterly true. And for a few moments, the two of them just shared in their revelry while Fat Nuggets watched and oinked to join in.

Eventually they both calmed down enough to speak again. "Eh, she's a good kid," Angel mused, "horrible judge of character, but a good kid. If she wants to imagine you and I are saving each other, let her have her fun."

"That's how I feel about her delusions of reform all around!" Alastor nodded. "For the princess of hell, her perspective on this place is quite clouded. You could give up every sin and live as an absolute saint here…but you would still be in hell, and hell is where you would stay. We're all here forever because somehow that's what we deserve." Alastor was looking up at the ceiling, smile strangely wide, his hand gripping his cane.

Angel watched him, frowning a little. He opened his mouth then glanced away. He sighed.

Alastor noticed and raised an eyebrow. "But…" left him on an impulse that he thought might have been utterly foolish but that he couldn't help, "Hell and this hotel have had enjoyable merits, at least for me. In Hell I can ply my trade of entertaining audiences and disemboweling villains all at once. And in this hotel, I've rekindled my companionship with Niffty and Husker. And I've now had the fortune to discover you, Angel Dust. Life, even after death, is full of uncanny surprises."

Angel's eyes were wide as he looked back at Alastor. "I…yeah, I guess hell's had some perks. I found Cherri down here…and Nuggets… And I got to be more of myself with liking guys and cross dressing and performing. And ever since the hotel, now I got you too, I guess." He smiled a little.

The Radio Demon's smile filled his whole face. "Frankly, I'm not sure if I would leave for heaven even if I could."

He waited. Angel hesitated then opened his mouth but closed it. His eyes went down in thought.

"Alastor! Are you upstairs somewhere? I want to talk to you about the open house!"

Charlie's voice echoed from the lobby.

Alastor blinked and stood up. "I'm afraid I should go and get an idea of how utterly chaotic Charlie's attempt to attract demons to this establishment will be." His eyes hazed, and his smile became a coy smirk. "I wonder if there'll be any carnage." He chuckled low than quickly resumed his normal wide grin. "Or perhaps I'll help her throw the best bash hell has ever seen! I need to attract sinners if I want to be entertained by them. Ha!"

"Oh," Angel smiled again, "you mean that open house shindig she wants to throw to attract guests? She was texting me about it last night. Yeah, no problem - sounds like she wants you." He shrugged. "Personally I hope you help her make it really good, Al - I think more guests would make everyone happy, including the guests. And you and I would have more demons to impress with our cooking. And, uh…after what I put her through with the turf war fiasco on the news, I think Charlie deserves a win." He rubbed the back of his neck.

Alastor tilted his head, just watching the spider with wide eyes and a smile for a moment. Then he bent low at the waist to meet Angel's gaze. "Your instinct with entertainment has been quite excellent since I've known you, Angel Dust." He straightened up. "So, a successful party it is then!" Alastor held his head high.

Angel laughed and stood up. "You really are all right, Al."

Alastor glanced over his shoulder, teeth bared in his grin and his eyes narrowed. "And you've done an excellent job so far of not letting that fact get around."

Angel smirked a little and crossed his arms.

"When I'm done with Charlie, perhaps you and I could have a drink and discuss our garden party plans."

"Yeah, I'll finish the food and get changed and see you down at the bar in a bit." Angel walked across his room and grabbed a fluffy pink towel out of a drawer.

Alastor shook his head as he headed to the door. "Meet me at my office instead. Husker has been getting a little cheeky lately."

Angel nodded as he sauntered over to the bathroom with the towel over his shoulder. "Whatever you say, Smiles." He winked. "I'll see you after I get cleaned up and put my flawless self back together."

Alastor bowed with a flourish of his free hand. "Very well! A bientot!" His eyes went very wide for a moment. "Farewell, I mean!" He snapped his finger and disappeared.

Angel chuckled to himself as he watched him go, an eyebrow raised. Then he sighed and headed into the bathroom.

Afternoon in the park found Steve playing his saxophone for tips. Ever since the Princess had allowed him to play by the hotel to drum up business, he had also agreed to put out fliers for the place when he played in other locations to spread the word. He was getting more attention now and also starting to enjoy the dinners together with their new crew of people. And speaking of their new crew, there was Abel heading right for him - probably just off of work at the cafe.

"Steve, hi!" Abel waved as he reached the cat demon. "Sorry, I know you're still working. Do you have a minute? I wanted to ask you about something."

Steve smiled. "For you, I've got all the minutes. I'm due for a break anyway." There was a bench nearby. Steve sat down and gestured for Abel to do the same. "What's up, fish guy?"

Abel took a deep breath and tugged at his collar. "So, um… when we first met, you mentioned you had a girl in life - and that she was in heaven, right?"

"Yup." Steve nodded, looking skyward. "Sweet Sally - she was a love. Put up with my saxophone obsession like a champ, even when I forgot to put her first sometimes."

"She sounds nice." Abel smiled. "If you don't mind me asking, were you guys married?"

"Naw - always thought there'd be time for that but…time runs out quick topside." He shrugged, eyeing Abel with a curious smile. The fish was blushing a lot.

"Yeah…" Abel nodded. "Did you ever THINK about asking her?"

"Sometimes."

"How would you have gone about it? If you had asked her?"

Steve grinned, his eyes bright. "Any particular reason you're curious?"

"I-I just…" Abel reached into his pocket and fumbled with something small, "well, there's…you know, Louise and I… And I never had anyone I wanted to try asking in life, so I hoped you might have some ideas on how to go about…" He stopped fumbling - the item in his hand was a little black box. "How the hell do you propose in hell?"

Steve clapped him on the back and laughed. "Congratulations, my man! You're gonna tie the knot!"

Abel held up his hand, "Shh! Not so loud! I don't want to risk someone overhearing and telling Louise." He cleared his throat. "And, I mean, it's going to depend on whether she says yes." He looked down at the ring box. "Even if we do love each other, getting married in hell is…a little insane. Trying to bring a good holy happy commitment into this place: maybe I'm crazy for even suggesting it but…" He looked at Steve. "She means the world to me. If the only way we could ever have met was by being here, I'd have signed up to be damned from the beginning. And I want to to be together in a way no one can tear apart."

Steve wiped a tear from his eye and nodded. "I think if you just say some of that poetic stuff to her, she'll be more than happy to oblige you. But if you want to add a little extra into the mix… I say find some place that's special to both of you, then take her there and talk to her about everything you both love about each other. Let her know exactly what you told me about being grateful for hell if it means meeting her, and then just ask. Don't worry so much about the exact words - you'll find them in the moment. Improvise." He winked.

Abel smiled and nodded. "Okay." He put away the ring. "Thank you, Steve." He stood up. "Steve could we keep this just between us - like not even tell anyone at the hotel? I don't want anyone at the hotel to know and accidentally let something slip up."

Steve winked. "You got it, man. And if you need any more pep talks, I'm here."

Abel smiled more. "I've got to get back to the apartment. I want to help pack up some more things. I'll see you at dinner tonight."

"See ya!" Steve waved. As Abel walked away, Steve pulled out a pocket watch. "Speaking of the hotel, might as well head over since I'll be playing on that corner for my evening shift. I'm almost due for a drink anyway." He picked up his sax. "Who knows - all these changes. Maybe I'll check in too soon." With a smile he headed through the park back to Hazbin Hotel.

An hour after Charlie's initial call to Alastor, the Radio Demon as well as Vaggie exited the ballroom downstairs, both seeming quite worn out.

Husk glanced up from the bar and raised an eyebrow. "What happened to you two?"

"An hour of trying to educate Charlotte on the most effective way to host a social function in hell," Alastor replied, gritting his teeth through his big smile.

"She's out shopping now for the decorations we all settled on," Vaggie added, shoulders slumped. "It's really hard to gently explain to her that not everyone appreciates glitter and rainbows and pictures of puppies the way she does." She frowned and took a seat at the bar. "I want her to express herself, but I also want to help her make this hotel a success. I just want to be whatever she needs." She glanced at Alastor, arms crossed. "In a shocking turn of events, you were actually helpful, Alastor."

"Really? How so?" Alastor took a seat at the bar as well, casually twirling his microphone.

"You told her things in a tactful but encouraging way. By the end she wasn't even disappointed at the idea of black and red decorations." Vaggie raised an eyebrow. "You caved pretty quickly at her suggestion of pink streamers though…"

Alastor perked up a little. "Pink is a fine color!"

His eyes found Husk who was giving him a look with an eyebrow raised. Alastor ignored it. "Besides, you actually suggested the rainbow props to go on the stage."

"Charlie likes rainbows - there should at least be some." Vaggie smiled to herself. "That's her slogan for this place after all - inside of every demon is a rainbow."

Husk grumbled. "Inside of me is mostly cheap booze and the effects of a lot of unfiltered cigarettes from back in my life. But whatever makes the princess happy." He leaned on the counter. "Anyway are you two gonna drink or just loiter?"

Vaggie glared at him. "I'll have a club soda. No alcohol at all."

"I pity you." Husk sprayed the soda into a glass. "You, Alastor?"

Alastor pulled out a pocket watch. "Actually I'm due for a brief meeting in my office - I'll be drinking there instead."

Vaggie blinked. "A meeting? In your office? You never let anyone in your office."

"I never let anyone in my office UNINVITED," he corrected.

Vaggie eyed him suspiciously. "So who…?" Alastor refused to provide any response or acknowledgment. Then she blinked and sighed and leaned over the bar counter. "Alastor, whatever's going on with you and Angel Dust just…promise me it's not newsworthy in a bad way. We really need his reform to go smoothly from here on out. I get you don't believe in our mission - if you want to watch people fail on their own, I can't stop you, but don't go tempting demons to it." She glared at him. "It's cheating. And I don't care who you are or what you can do - if you hurt Charlie, I'll hurt you."

"Oh yeah, that threat should go over well," Husk observed dryly as he poured himself a drink and got ready to watch the challenge play out.

Alastor glared down at Vaggie for a moment, dark symbols spinning over his ears. But then he threw back his head and laughed. "Ha! Always with the dramatics, Vagatha - you're such a card! In case you haven't noticed, Angel is quite capable of sinning without my help! And my sins of murder and torture and cannibalism don't interest him, just like his sins of lust and substance abuse and desire don't interest me. It would be boring to watch the outcome of a rigged game anyway." He shrugged. "He and I are merely discussing our garden today, among other things. And besides, as your sponsor it is my duty to have a good relationship with the guests, no?"

Vaggie eyed him. She took a single swig of the seltzer, wiped her mouth with her hand, and took a breath. "You're half the reason Able and Louise are moving in here so I guess you have a point." He look relaxed a little. "And maybe I'm not being fair. Maybe you and Angel Dust just genuinely get along…somehow." She frowned again. "Just… promise me if you've got anything up your sleeve it can wait until after the open house? This is important, Alastor."

Alastor smirked a little and held out his hand - green and black magic swirled around it. "Would you like to strike a deal about the matter?"

Vaggie scowled and pulled out her spear. "Brujo… Never. But I can make you a promise - if we don't get new guests, you don't get new potential sources of entertainment. Remember that."

Alastor's face didn't betray any surprise, though a surprising thought did occur to him at those words - simply that, for the moment, Angel was entertaining enough that the thought of others to contribute really didn't matter to the Radio Demon that much. And he had assisted Charlie less because Angel had made a good point about more guests and more because Angel had been the one making the point. He felt his face warm uncomfortably. He covered it up by simply shrugging and replying, his smile bright. "Fair enough!" He stood and gave a slight bow. "Have a pleasant afternoon, Husker, Vagatha." Then Alastor strolled over to his office, twirling his cane.

Angel came down the stairs now, dressed in his usual pink and white outfit. "There you are Smiles! Time for that drink!" He noticed Vaggie eyeing them and gave her a smirk and a wave.

Vaggie glared at him but Angel just laughed and strolled through the office door that opened when Alastor tapped his cane twice on the floor. Alastor followed him and shut the door behind them.

Vaggie rubbed her head and turned to the bar. "Husk?"

Husk shook his head. "I don't know anything, and I don't want to know anything. Whatever's happening just go along with it - that's the simplest thing to do with Alastor."

Vaggie groaned. "Okay, you know what, never mind - I'm going to go design the invitations and figure out how we're going to cater this thing. As long as Alastor is putting up the money and supplying the entertainment, I'm just going to enjoy it."

"I don't care, and I'm going on break." Husk walked out from behind the bar, two bottles in hand.

"Break from what? And where are you going with those?"

"Drinking out in the alley with Steve. You people are too uptight - I need another cat demon to hang around." He headed to the front door.

Vaggie just rested her head in her hand. "I need help."

"Did you say help?"

Vaggie nearly jumped as Niffty suddenly raced up to her. "I can help! The whole hotel is clean right now and I have nothing to do! Please!" She climbed onto Vaggie's lap with a big eager smile.

Vaggie took a breath and then had to smile. "You remind me of Charlie, you know that?"

Niffty gasped. "Thank you! Miss Charlie is so nice and wonderful and organized!"

Vaggie laughed. "Come on - you can help me figure out what to write on the invitations. I think whatever you come up with will capture Charlie pretty well." Vaggie set Niffty on the floor then headed over to Charlie's office as the little demon followed eagerly behind her.

A/N:

Thanks for reading and reviewing if you can! Next time, the garden party happens - so everyone meets Cherri and Rosie and they meet each other! And Alastor and Angel continue to flirt without trying lol 3

Take care!

-Azure129