A/N:

Hi everyone! Here's this weeks update! Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy : )

Partners

Chapter 8:

Fake It 'Til You Make It

Cherri Bomb was hunting around her turf for signs of Sir Pentious (who had been oddly quiet for a while now) when a crow landed in front of her with a note tied to its talon. Not giving a fuck, she moved along to continue her surveillance. But the crow followed her, cawing. She would have lit a firework to scare off the stupid bird, but just taking the note seemed like the best way to maintain the element of surprise in case Pentious really was nearby plotting. Sure enough, as soon as she grabbed the note, the crow flew off.

"What kind of relic sends notes by carrier bird instead of just texting?" she whispered as she unrolled the message,

The note was addressed to Cherri and signed from Rosie and directed Cherri to come to the Cannibal Colony this afternoon for a chat about their mutual male companions.

Cherri sighed and rolled her eye. "Of course, it's from the only ancient relic I know apart from Radio Head. Great, now I gotta go to the Cannibals…" She wrinkled her nose at the thought. "You're fucking lucky I love you, Angel." Cherri stomped off.

She completely missed reaching the underground cavern a hundred yards away where the familiar hiss and laughter of a snake could be heard followed by the occasional goofy echo of 'Yes boss!'.

Rosie sat at a table inside of the Emporium sipping tea and inhaling the tantalizing scent of a few fresh demon kills who had been brought in for processing. If cannibals couldn't buy their demon meat cut and parceled from her, they tended to just make their kills in the streets, and it was always such a mess cleaning up the leftovers to keep Alastor's territory looking jaunty. She hoped her guest wouldn't mind the atmosphere too much, although Miss Cherri seemed like quite the hardened demoness.

It was then that Mimzy ran through the door, panting. "Rosie! Did you invite a dame here?"

Rosie nodded. "Yes, indeed! Good, she must have mentioned my name like I told her to do!" She stood up. "I'll go fetch her. Please stay here and tend to the Emporium for me, Mimzy."

"Okay - but you'd better hurry. Some of the girls licked their lips when she said her name was Cherri, and now she's surrounded by cannibals and holding lit dynamite sticks!"

Rosie sighed deeply but couldn't help smiling. "That does sound like her." She was swiftly out the door and down the street. She turned a corner and came upon the sight described by Mimzy. Rosie's eyes glowed red, she stretched her grin to show her fangs, and she even grew a little taller and contorted her body slightly. "Enough, ladies!"

The other cannibal women gasped and parted to let Rosie through. Cherri just watched her with her eye wide as she swallowed.

Rosie approached and returned to her usual appearance. "Really, this is no way to treat a guest - and certainly not one of mine. Now go find a fresh one to fight over and leave us be." She glanced to Cherri. "And would you mind if I put those out, dear? Explosions are terribly messy." She reached out and doused each fuse with her fingertips. The other cannibals scurried away.

Cherri frowned and scowled. "Okay, do not send me any more messages because I am NEVER coming back here. You want to talk? Fine, either we do it on my turf or you get a cell phone."

"No sale, I'm afraid, Cherri. Alastor doesn't like modern technology in his territory."

"Then meeting on my turf it is."

"Very well." Rosie sighed and turned. "You're here now anyway though, so we might as well chat."

Cherri glanced around: that group of chick cannibals were brooding on the far street corner with fangs bared, in alleyways glowing eyes appeared and the sound of licking lips echoed, then a demon rounded a corner chewing on a severed arm. She cringed.

Rosie's smile grew. "You're perfectly safe now that you're with me. But if you're this distressed, how about we take a nice stroll together back to the edge of the colony territory? We can catch up, and the farther away from the heart of this place you get, the less…unsettling sights you'll see." Rosie turned in the opposite direction and headed forward.

Cherri scowled and followed after her. "Hey, I'm not unsettled!" She could still hear the demon chewing on the arm nearby and cringed. "Okay, fine, I'm a little unsettled. I'm down with all the sins, but not with how all of them get done. Everyone's got a limit - mine involves picking people out of your teeth. You and Alastor want to do it, fine - but I don't want to watch people do it."

Rosie glanced at her as Cherri came by her side. "Fair enough. It really is an 'acquired taste'." She flashed her fangs and laughed.

Cherri pointed at her. "And no jokes like that! Now come on…" She kept her eyes forward and down. "What's up? Did Alastor write a diary entry about like-liking Angel or something and you read it?"

"Heavens no!" Rosie laughed. "Alastor would never put a personal secret in writing. But I did speak with him about Angel. A few well-placed questions to get him pondering the finer details of their relationship, and he was quite the frazzled overlord. I think this is the first time he's been genuinely smitten. Of course he denied everything, but it was the WAY he denied it that spoke volumes, you know. Skittish as a fawn." Rosie winked.

"Good, at least we're on the same page then." Cherri rolled her eye, arms held out. "Angel denied it too, but he was dramatic as hell about it. He's got something inside brewing for Alastor that he doesn't want to deal with. Probably worried all the 'special' parts of the relationship are in his head." She frowned. "He doesn't give himself enough credit."

"Yes. I thought there might be some trust issues on both sides." Rosie considered. "Your boy is moving through Alastor's defensive layers fast though I believe - like a knife through fat without even trying. And if Alastor already preoccupies his thoughts too, then I think we're getting close to something interesting." She smiled again.

They had reached the edge of the colony and stopped walking for a moment.

Cherri crossed her arms. "So what do you want to do? I know how to be there for my friend when he needs me, but this romantic stuff isn't really my specialty."

"Not to worry - I'm matchmaker enough for the both of us," Rosie assured. "I think that we should be as supportive as possible for our boys wherever needed in other parts of their lives so that they can focus more on this new, special part of their lives. I've been running a tight ship here so Alastor can keep his interests on the hotel…where Angel happens to be. Perhaps you could keep an eye on Angel's affairs and offer to assist if any grow too distracting."

Cherri nodded. "That I can do. I'm already keeping an eye out for Pentious - I figure he probably wants to make some big stupid display against Alastor by attacking the hotel. If I take him out first, Alastor won't have to worry about keeping the hotel safe and Angel won't get distracted by fighting that snake again."

"That sounds fine, Cherri!" Rosie nodded. "Your cooperation is most appreciated."

Cherri smiled as she eyed Rosie. "Any particular reason you're bent on marrying off Alastor?"

Rosie laughed. "Think of me as his big sister or his aunt - I want to see him happy and to see him grow. I think Angel could help him take out those two birds with one stone and that Alastor could learn to provide the same comfort in return." Her eyes hazed. "Why are you willing to put in so much effort for Angel's love life?"

Cherri looked to the sky. "Because this place put him through shit he didn't deserve. And so did life. At least if he gets to give a damn about someone who gives a damn back about him, that's something. The universe or god or whatever owes him one big time." She sighed and shook her head to clear it.

"I see." Rosie held out her hand. "Well, he's to both of our boys getting some well-deserved peace in hell."

Cherri hesitated but then reached out and shook. "Yeah, I'll shake to that. And I'll keep trying to make this work with you." She released her hand. "But remember, we meet on my turf next time. You can send the stupid crow when you want to meet, I guess, and I'll send a place and time back to you."

"Of course." Rosie nodded. "Have a delightful afternoon, Cherri."

"See you, Rosie." Cherri gave a little salute, turned and sauntered off. A male demon whistled at the sight of her and she tossed a bomb at him that blew up in his face.

Rosie laughed and headed back into the Cannibal Colony to continue seeing to her affairs for the day.

"Angel Cakes, there you are." Valentino crossed his legs and grinned as he reclined back on a large plush red chair. "Now, why are you using the performer's entrance tonight, hmm?" Vox and Velvet were seated on either side of him. Vox smiled, his eyes narrow - he had multiple monitors hanging from the ceiling showing different areas of the studio tonight. And Velvet was swinging her legs in her chair while she carved slices of red velvet cake with a very large knife.

The two scantily-clad female demons who had 'escorted' Angel to this room set above the main stage floor came forward and clung to Valentino on either side with sultry smiles. Angel - wearing black sequin shorts, high-heeled boots, a black crop top, and a pink coat, shrugged and swallowed, not liking being on unfamiliar ground here. "Uh I came in the performer entrance…'cuz I'm a performer?" He took off the coat.

Valentino laughed. He nudged Vox, who laughed too, and Velvet joined in right away. "No, no, no, Angel," Valentino assured. "You're not just a performer anymore. You're a demon who sometimes performs here, sure, but remember what we talked about the other day? Status. You're moving up - you're practically one of us. And WE come in through the VIP entrance and end up here in the VIP lounge. Welcome." Valentino snapped his fingers. One of the female demons pranced over to the bar and grabbed a fancy bottle and glasses - she served everyone. The other demon pushed a smaller chair out from a corner and set it between Valentino and Vox. Valentino gestured to the seat as the girls returned to cling to him. "Take a load off, Angel baby. Drink some champagne. Can I order anything else for you? Some food? Some music? A little company?" He chuckled and held the girls closer.

Angel took a deep breath and prepared to be whatever they wanted him to be for Alastor's sake and for his own as well. He sauntered over with a sheepish smile. "Aw, Daddy, I appreciate the offer. But this too much already. And I'll remember about the VIP entrance from now on - promise." He sat down and sipped - high-end champagne: wow, they were really laying it on thick. He glanced to either side of them. "Hey Uncle Voxy, hey Auntie Vel - what's shaken?"

"Everything now that you're here!" Velvet giggled wildly to herself and stabbed her knife into the heart of the red velvet cake. Angel kept up his smile as best he could.

Vox cleared his throat and put on a grin. "She means we're all doing fine now that we have our fourth here. Don't worry - she knows better than to use the knife on one of us. This room is about pleasure - Velvet finds pleasure in shiny, sharp things." Vox glanced at the screens above him. "And I find pleasure in knowing everything that's going on around here."

Valentino lit a cigarette and popped it into his holder. "And I find pleasure in watching my whores work to make me rich. Hence the view." The entire wall they were facing was glass, and indeed Angel saw the perfect view of the stage below where a few pole dancers were already strutting for the crowd. "Now, what would give you pleasure, Angel Cakes?"

Angel considered carefully - there wasn't a right answer but there were certainly many wrong ones. "Maybe some stronger booze? Champagne's great, daddy, but is there any vodka back there? Heh…"

Valentino burst into raucous laughter, and the girls joined in. Vox contributed some chuckles and Velvet was already giggling anyway as she hacked at her cake. "Of course, Angel Dust." Valentino snapped, and one of the girls dashed off to the bar again. "And that's an okay start for now. But I mean big picture - think about what would give you some serious pleasure, and we'll work on getting it for you. When you're with us, nothing is off limits." Valentino blew out some smoke that curled around Angel's head. He reached out a finger and gently lifted up Angel's chin.

Angel felt very nauseous inside but still smiled. "You're too good to me, Daddy."

"You've earned it, baby."

Valentino released his finger. Angel grabbed the vodka as it was handed to him and took a big sip.

"By the way," Valentino went on, admiring the show down below as the second girl returned to his side, "word around town is the Radio Demon went to his tower last night - but no show aired. Then he went back to your little hotel the next morning. Did something happen?"

Angel shook his head and scowled. "No - the jerk just bailed for the night, acting all mysterious. Barely got a word out of him edgewise all morning. I, uh…guess he just didn't find anyone to take home for dinner, heh."

Velvet laughed wildly at the joke. "Alastor should have always just stayed in his own lane. He could have made a fun cannibal cooking show host on tv." She ate a large bite of cake.

Vox rolled his eyes. "Yeah, like I would let that smug mug of his on the airwaves. He wants to hide all those sharp, prim features behind a radio microphone, let him."

Angel tried not to snicker at the fact that even Vox had to admit Alastor looked good, even if he hid it in an insult. Then he tried not to think about his feelings on how Alastor looked. "I think he just has a lot on his plate, working on the hotel and on his radio stuff he's so obsessed with. Sheesh, we're in hell - instead of multitasking just enjoy yourself, right?" He took another swig of his drink.

"Not quite." Vox scowled and slumped in his chair. "Being an Overlord means always being a step ahead of everyone. And unfortunately Alastor is gifted in that department…" He smirked. "Though I'd rather be playing catch up than have no one to play with me if you know what I mean."

"Vox means he likes being part of a power trio - and also he'd rather be a little distracted by fucking than never get anything at all," Velvet explained with a manic grin. "Not that he gets much."

Vox's screen glitched and he looked past Angel to glare at her. "No one asked you! And you don't need to explain my jokes, Velvet!"

"I'll stop making jokes and explaining yours once you start making some good ones, Voxy." She winked.

"You watch it or—"

"Enough!" Valentino held up a hand, his smile faded for a moment. Then he turned to Angel and grinned again. "You'll have to excuse them, Angel Cakes - they get a little fussy when they're frustrated. And we're all a little frustrated. You see, Alastor really has a monopoly on power, and it curbs a lot of our projects. That's bad enough. But now he's gotten involved with the Magne family - and that's a big no-no. There's an unofficial policy among Overlords that no one goes off by themselves to get to Lucifer. And I'm afraid our little Radio Demon just broke that agreement."

"Oh." Angel kept up an easy smile. "Well, that's just rude, am I right?" He shrugged. "But he says he's just at the hotel for entertainment - you know, to watch demons try to get reformed and fail. With yours truly being the prime example." He smirked proudly. "Still sinning and still getting free rent - what a way to be. Best scam I ever pulled." He laughed and took another swig.

Vox leaned in closer. "And how did the princess agree to let him be part of her little enterprise? What were her exact words? Must have been an interesting exchange." He gripped the arms of his chair.

Angel watched him with wide eyes. "Uh… he just said, hey, I want to help. And she super needed help. He didn't say anything about Lucifer - just that he liked the mess of a news show she was on and wanted more of that wacky stuff."

"Did they strike a deal?" Vox's screen glitched.

Out of the corner of his eye Angel saw Valentino give Vox a look to cool it.

Angel laughed, "Radio Guy wanted to, but the princess held her own - just ordered him to keep helping as long as he wants to help. He'll probably try offering again though. Deals seem like they're his whole schtick. I mean, he's got two of his deal demons there now."

"So he's brought in reinforcements." Valentino sipped his champagne, his voice low. "Interesting."

Angel cringed a little inside at letting that information slip. He was just grateful that as far as he could tell, Husk and Niffty never left the hotel grounds. Anyone there definitely had to be safe.

Valentino went on, an eyebrow raised. "Has he tried making deals with anyone else who's there?"

Angel instantly shook his head. "No way. I mean, who there would be worth making a deal with except for the princess?"

"Well, you're our fourth which makes you powerful now," Velvet observed, holding a hunk of cake in her hand as she swallowed a bite. "He could try to make a deal with you.

Valentino's cigarette holder snapped in half. Vox looked like he wanted to kill her.

Angel burst into raucous laughter. He was slapping his leg and wiping a tear from his eye. Velvet giggled. Vox watched warily as Valentino turned his stony face to Angel. Angel caught his breath. "A deal with me? Not the princess of hell - just me? What's he gonna deal me into doing? NOT blowing him or fucking him or jacking off while he watches! A deal with a sex worker - probably the worst one he would ever make! Ha!" Angel went back to laughing. And after a moment a small smile appeared on Valentino's face and a few chuckles left him. Velvet giggled more and Vox let loose some hesitant laughs too.

Angel finally let out a deep breath and swung his legs over one side of the chair in a perfectly relaxed pose. "Wow, thanks you guys - I really needed a good laugh."

"I, uh, think we all did," Vox offered, relaxing a little again.

"Mostly I just need cake and murder - but laughs are good too." Velvet licked frosting off of her knife.

"Yes, and that was really a good one." Valentino held his girls closer, flashing his gold tooth in his grin. "You probably scare the hell out of that virgin, Angel."

"Heh, yeah…" Angel swallowed and sunk a little lower in his seat and crossed his legs, sipping his drink. "He just keeps an eye on me so I won't fuck up the hotel thing before he's had a chance to have his fun. Probably annoyed I take up so much of his time."

"Hmm…" Valentino's smile grew, "now there's a thought. He really must be stretched thin by now. And he's always at his most deadly after one of his shows but he just hasn't had time for one in…quite a while." Valentino glanced at Vox who nodded, considering too. Valentino turned back to Angel. "If he plans a date for one, you'll let us know - right?"

Angel nodded. "Of course - no secrets ever, Daddy."

"Good." Valentino nodded. "In fact, I think you'll let us know about his movements whenever you're here. You'd like to help us with that, right?"

"Anything I can do." Angel winked.

Valentino smiled more and held up his glass. "A toast - to our little group running hell one day."

Vox held up his glass. Angel raised his with a grin. Velvet stood on the chair as she held up hers. Then they all drank. Velvet jumped down from her chair and held up her knife. "Who wants cake to celebrate? I have a fresh one in the back!" The one that had been in front of her was carved into an unrecognizable pile of frosting and crumbs.

Valentino sighed and rubbed his temple. "Go knock yourself out…"

She dashed over to the bar, pulled out a cake from underneath, and started slicing viciously. Angel watched with an eyebrow raised. Vox just sighed. "You get used to it."

Angel put on his best smile and went back to watching the floor show with their group. The conversation went to other topics and eventually died down, and he was grateful to move on from the subject of Alastor. Especially since, even though Alastor had said to say whatever he needed to make these three happy, Angel felt like he was doing something wrong to his friend each time he agreed with a joke or an insulting opinion about the Radio Demon. He would find Alastor tomorrow and fill him in on everything the trio knew and had said - it was the only way to make this mess of a situation feel worthwhile.

By the time Angel Dust got back to the hotel and dragged himself up to his room, it was nearly sunrise. Apparently VIP parties went all night. By midnight those three overlords had been high as kites on every designer drug in hell, while Angel had only pretended to sample the goods - he was not about to lose his wits in this increasingly weird situation and potentially leak something important about Alastor. When they thankfully finally passed out hours later, he just took the knife out of a sleeping Velvet's hand and laid Vox down on the floor so he wouldn't fall out of the chair and crack his screen, and he'd sent Valentino's two girls to their dressing rooms for sleep and put a bucket next to the pimp for obvious reasons. Their 'new fourth' or not, he knew if these three woke up in a complete mess, he was the one who would be blamed. They did bad things when they blamed him…

Angel took a deep breath as he stood before his door and hugged his pink coat around his body. "It's okay. Get in there, take a shower, crawl into bed with Nuggets, and sleep til dinner. I've got this. I'm Angel Dust." He yawned, opened his door, stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

He was met with a dark room except for two glowing red eyes at the center of everything.

Angel stumbled back. "Che cosa? What the fuck!" His eyes glowed and his other arms came out as he lunged for the figured.

With a snap of fingers, the lights came on and there sat Alastor in a chair, legs crossed, smiling as much as ever.

Angel paused and blinked a few times. "Godamnit, Al!" He scowled then blinked and looked around. "Hey, where's Fat Nuggets? He's my guard pig - he should have sounded the alarm with oinks!"

Fat Nuggets trotted out from behind the side of Angel's bed and went over to Alastor. He pressed his nose against Alastor's pant leg then pulled back.

Alastor's smile grew. "Your pig likes me, remember? He let me right in and didn't make a sound."

Angel sighed as he went over to scoop up Fat Nuggets for a hug. "Traitor." He smiled a little and set the pig down. Then he rubbed his head. "Al, seriously, are you kidding me with this spooky shit?"

Alastor shrugged. "No, I don't think so. After all, you snuck into my office, and now I've snuck into your room. We're even."

"I'm too tired for this." Angel rubbed his eyes. "Are you up late or just up super early?"

"Sleep is a fickle state of being!"

Angel tilted his head.

Alastor did not explain. His eyes hazed a little. "But aren't you quite late? I do believe I see the sky growing lighter. Someone once told me that if you're going to stay out all night you should really call. Now who was that…?"

"I think it was the guy who's about to kick you out so he can get some sleep." Angel pouted a little though he felt a smile pull at the corners of his mouth.

"Oh but you can't keep me in suspense!" Alastor swept his microphone forward, and the other chair in Angel's room zipped across the floor to face his. "I'd like to know how tonight's little get together went."

"Well, I'm not dead and you're not dead, so I'd call that a success." Angel's voice took on a whining pitch. "Al, come on, can't we do details tomorrow over a super late lunch?"

Alastor sighed and his smile fell a little. He hesitated. "Very well. For now…will you at assure me that you are okay? After all, there's a large painful spectrum of existence that can happen outside of death."

Angel blinked and felt a blush build in his fur. "Yeah, Smiles. You don't have to worry. They're treating me real good to butter me up. They let me into the VIP room and everything tonight. They were on their best behavior…which doesn't say much for them but they're easier to keep happy like this at least." He hesitated, looking down. Then he walked over and sat. "This is harder than I thought it would be. Not convincing them - they're stuck up idiots, and I know how to play them as long as I prepare and give them what they want. But I don't…I don't like being part of saying bad things about you."

Alastor's smile grew and he leaned on his arm rest to come a little closer to Angel. "You're simply following our plan, correct?"

"Yeah, but… you're my friend." Angel's eyes met his. "I feel like I've got to say sorry to you each time they say something shitty and I agree."

Alastor sighed. "I appreciate your concern. And your guilt - such an intriguing emotion and an elusive one for me. But whatever has to be discussed certainly doesn't bother me, and I'm sure it's nothing I haven't overheard before thanks to so many well-placed radios all over hell." Angel looked at him in concern. Alastor's eyes went forward and his smile became smaller. "The Radio Demon is unstable. The Radio Demon has no friends. The Radio Demon…avoids sins of the flesh."

Angel swallowed. "That about sums it up. But your way of saying all of it was…less mean." He started to reach out a hand, wanting to touch his friend to comfort him, but hesitated. He finally put his hand on the armrest beside Alastor's arm. Alastor looked. Angel's voice quieted. "None of them know you though, so fuck all those things they say. They just…don't understand. And they're jealous they'll never be as powerful a demon as you. I know you got problems, Al - hey, we all do down here. And we all did up top. But there's a lot about you that's good just as it is."

Alastor's eyes were very wide. He brought them up to meet Angel's small, happy look of trust. "Perhaps we are such good friends because the same is true for you as well, Angel."

Angel's eyes widened and he blinked twice. "I, well…I-I don't know about… but maybe…"

Alastor let one of his fingers touch Angel Dust's. And the touch didn't feel bad. And Angel Dust's eyes hazed a little whether the spider realized it or not. "You know, having this secret thing together…it's dangerous but it's kind of fun," Angel murmured.

Alastor's smile grew even more. "Fun and dangerous can be a very entertaining combination."

"Fun and dangerous basically describes me and you respectively, Al."

They chuckled.

Angel hesitated. "I never had a friend like you, Smiles."

Alastor nodded. "The feeling is quite mutual."

They were very close now, alone in the dim room. And somehow Angel's fingers and Alastor's fingers had mixed on the arm rest.

But then Angel swallowed and stood up. "I, uh…I am really tired. I-I need to take a shower and go to bed. I'm a train wreck at this point, heh." He quickly strode over to the bathroom and opened the door. "I'll see you tomorrow, Al! We'll…garden and talk over any details. G'night!" Angel put on as much of a smile as he could.

Alastor stood. "I'll…be going then! Farewell!" He snapped his fingers and teleported away.

Angel closed the bathroom door and leaned against it with a sigh. "Fuck, Angel… he DOES NOT have 'feelings' or whatever for you." He shook his head. "I can't believe I almost thought about trying…anything! I'm so tired, I almost held his hand. I could have…" And yet none of the things he 'could have' done were things he would have done with a client - in fact, the thing he had almost wanted to do was the one thing he never did with clients: kiss. He blushed very much at the odd thought then frowned. "I need sleep. And I need to be careful." Angel turned on the water, took off his clothes, and slipped into a hot bath to clear his head.

Downstairs in the backroom of his office, Alastor sat on the edge of his small cot, holding his microphone and looking down. His shadow sat beside him, frowning with his head tilted. "Why do I let him know he matters to me? It can't possibly be good for either of us."

The shadow moved closer, looking into Alastor's eyes. Alastor blinked and looked away - his ears flattened a little. "Don't you start too. I have no designs of 'that nature' on the spider. We merely have an understanding." He gritted his teeth. "I just don't like to be dismissed so suddenly - before Angel's story progressed." He took a breath and laid down. "Seal both doors. I don't want to be disturbed in the morning. I need sleep as well. And he's back now so I can finally get some. I wish he didn't preoccupy me so much." Alastor closed his eyes and snapped to make a red blanket appear over his body. His shadow simply nodded and faded away. And Alastor dozed off, clinging to his single pillow in the darkness.

A/N:

That's all for now! Thank you again for your support! Next time, Al and Angel talk more details about the 3V while they garden and bond, Charlie has an announcement, and Louise and Abel finally move in!

Take care, everyone!

-Azure129