A/N:

Hi everyone! Here's this weeks chapter - I hope you enjoy, and thanks for reading : )

Partners

Chapter 9:

An Open Invitation

Angel concentrated as one pair of his hands drove a wooden stake in the ground and another pair wrapped tomato vines around it. "So anyway, those are all the gory details of last night, Smiles. Oh, and to add insult to injury, and the floor show was only girls. I just can't catch a break sometimes." He sighed and wiped his brow. "Anyway, Val and Vel and Vox don't sound like they've got any concrete plans against you but…they're circling. And I'm pissed at myself for letting slip that you got two of your people here - sorry about that. But I also think they figured you'd bring in reinforcements eventually. And I think they've been seriously meaning to take you down way before you came to the hotel. Hazbin is just an excuse they won't pass up. They really got a thing for you, Al." He wiped his hands together and glanced over his shoulder.

Alastor was just serenely watering the plants - no sense of urgency or concern in his smile.

"Maronna…" Angel mumbled in Italian, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Al, hello? I just told you three overlords are definitely about to attack you. Any chance you want to take this seriously and oh, I don't know, come up with a plan?" He put his hands on his hips.

"Ha!" Alastor laughed heartily. He straightened up and shook his head as he approached Angel. "Angel, my friend, I have no need to get myself so worked up. I'll manage well no matter what they do." He narrowed his eyes; his smile curled up at the ends and his voice lowered. "You've never seen me at my worst, Angel. It's utterly horrifying."

"I don't doubt that, Smiles." Angel swallowed, frowning a little. "But…I've been there for some horrifying things with those three too…" He felt cold inside for a moment.

Alastor's evil look faded: there it was, a flicker of fear in Angel's features. An emotion he couldn't generate in the spider but that those three despicable overlords could. He wanted to ask Angel for more details but didn't relish causing him to recount his pain. Instead the Radio Demon considered and finally nodded. "It really has been too long since I put on one of my shows. I was hoping to make the next one a big one too." He adjusted his tie. "I'll admit, I…wasn't quite prepared for Vox yet, let alone others. But I can adjust my plans if you would be more comfortable. Not as part of a deal, just simply to satisfy my needs and end the risks of your spying endeavors."

Angel didn't smile and agree like Alastor was expecting. He pointed a finger at Alastor. "What I want is for you not to play fast and loose! According to Vaggie you once overthrew a bunch of overlords who had been in power for centuries - guys no one could mess with ever. That means anyone can get thrown over, even you! And I'd rather that didn't happen next week or something. So just stay away from Val, Vox, and Vel, and I'll feed you whatever info I can, like we agreed." He finally smiled a little and shrugged. "Besides, being a double agent is kind of fun: I get to trick those three and remind myself that they're not as smart and clever and great as they think they are. And I don't mind helping you, Al - really."

Alastor blinked and his smile grew at the sincere concern. He…wasn't a demon other demons often worried about. And no one had worried about him in life except his mother. "Very well. I'll attend to my own affairs for now - I do have many ridiculous hotel things to keep me amused."

Angel crossed his arms and glanced at the hotel then back at Alastor. "If what they said about overlords staying away from the Mange family is true, then you coming here was a pretty big risk, Al, no matter how good the entertainment."

Alastor smirked. "I felt like making a move of my own. I said when I came here that I've been absolutely bored lately. Besides, it's just the king and queen it's customary to stay away from - everyone overlooks the princess." Alastor snapped his fingers - the watering can disappeared and his cane appeared. He tapped it on the ground and their iron table appeared with the umbrella and two chairs. A pitcher of tea and two glasses were on the table. He gestured there. "But enough talk of overlords and royalty and dark days ahead. Why don't we refresh ourselves? We've done excellent work on the garden today and we must both be parched. I made sweet tea..."

Angel sighed, smiling more. "Fine… you've been spoiling me with that sweet tea stuff, you screwy southerner."

"Just like how you spoil me with the zeppolis. I'll really have to prepare you beignets one day so we can compare."

They sat down. With a flick of his wrist, Alastor's shadow appeared and poured for them, gave Angel a wary look, then vanished when Alastor noticed and flicked his wrist again.

"I know you like to keep your plans to yourself," Angel started, eyes down, "but no matter what…I hope you'll do right by the hotel and Charlie. She really believes in this redemption thing." He swallowed, smiling a little. "And I mean, who knows, how crazy would it be if it worked?"

"It would be impossible," Alastor observed without hesitation. "The souls in hell are mired in hell just as the souls in heaven are securely sequestered in heaven."

Angel hesitated, frowning a little - he looked away. Alastor noticed and tilted his head. Angel finally sighed and turned back to him. "Anyway, Charlie gives too much of a damn to be screwed over by a deal."

"Come now, Angel - I don't necessarily screw people over with my deals." Alastor's smile softened as he sipped his tea. "The one I had in mind for you was fair. And I may even be open to further negotiations."

Angel sipped and smiled a little. "You still interested in having me on call for talking, Smiles?"

"It's a shame to tip my hand but…yes, quite." He held his glass in his hands. "I like how you speak with me."

"How's that?"

"Like…I'm…" he furrowed his brow, searching for the words, "like I'm simply another demon!" He brightened up at finding a phrase but then swallowed, embarrassed by the simplicity.

"You do the same for me, ya grinning goofball." Angel laughed a little, and Alastor did too.

Alastor swallowed but tried to seem casual. "Angel… Valentino is offering you a great deal at the moment to be on his side. He asked what would give you the most pleasure. You never gave him a real answer…"

Angel hesitated, eyes wide. "I…I don't know. I… Nothing he could give me."

"Perhaps it's something I could give you? In exchange for the risk you're taking for me."

Angel's eyes met Alastor's and he felt himself flush a little. But then the spider shook his head. "No way! Family and friends - they just do for one another, no favors needed." He scowled a little. "If those three want to fuck with me, fine - it's my choice to be part of that place. But I don't let them near my friends or my family."

Alastor's eyes widened a little. "But why do you chose to be part of that place, Angel? There simply can't be a good enough reason to demean yourself with their company…"

Angel was looking down, but he smiled a little, in a sad dark way that Alastor did not like. "Because - I'm a demon of lust, Alastor. And the center of the lust district is where I belong. There are moments there where I feel fucking amazing…even if there are moments there where I fucking want to just…" He gripped his hands on the table. "I like being the star, and diving into everything I had to hide back in my life. I like sex work, Smiles: I get something from it that I can't…be without. I don't…" He let out a deep breath and suddenly lifted his head, blinking. "Whoa," he held up his hands, "okay, maybe you're right and I'm dehydrated because I did not mean to get that deep about how messed up I can be about sex." He grabbed his glass and downed half of it.

Alastor was just watching him intently. "I understand, you know."

Angel raised an eyebrow.

"In multiple ways actually," Alastor added, swirling the tea in his glass. "First, I'm not naive - I recognize that most demons find an excessive amount of pleasure in intercourse. And down here, moments of pleasure are one of the readiest forms of entertainment anyone has."

Angel smiled a little. "Most demons aren't that understanding and just call me a slut."

"I am not most demons. And I will never call you such a term."

Something in Angel's chest fluttered.

"Second," Alastor went on, putting down the glass, "I understand what it is to have a deep attachment to an expression of your sin. I'm the same way about my radio shows. Hosting them is…an urge I cannot resist and the only time when I feel fulfilled in hell: purging the underworld itself from the worst sinners. Ma raison d'être." Alastor blinked and quickly went on, not in French. "Perhaps being so bold puts me in danger from fearful overlords and from my own unbridled zeal. And yet, I simply must."

Angel tried not to smile too much at the French. Then he considered. "So then…is there a reason you haven't hosted one lately?"

"I've been having too much fun…here…with you. The need for one hasn't been as strong." Alastor tilted the head, realizing the truth as he spoke it. Then he quickly added, "But I'll need to do so soon for practical reasons."

"To show off your powers?"

"In part." Alastor shrugged. "The other part is to enhance my powers." His smile curled up at both ends. "Each dark heart I consume only adds to what I can do."

Angel almost chuckled. "Makes me think about being high - drugs making me able to get through anything." He shrugged. "You know, I haven't been, uh, 'partaking' as much since you got here. I guess I've been having too much fun too."

They had somehow come to lean a little closer to each other on the table. Leaning closer while speaking seemed to be a new habit that they were now both noticing.

Angel considered. "You know, uh…Cherri really liked you. She liked Rosie too. But she REALLY liked you. She…she thinks it's kind of cute that we hit it off so well."

"Oh! From the Garden Party!" Alastor blinked and nodded a bit quickly. "Yes, Rosie had the same conclusion. She likes you and is charmed by our connection!"

"Yeah?" Angel perked up then rubbed the back of his neck. "Cherri even joked that we…" And yet he couldn't say the words, couldn't put the possibility out there, couldn't see Alastor's response.

Alastor tensed up and could only think about what Rosie had teased him about and what she would say if she could see them now gardening and sitting down to tea. He felt his face warm and his glow brighten a little. A group of cannibal demonesses he could charm with a tip of his hat, but Angel flustered him and only made his fluster grow.

Angel finally cleared his throat and went on. "She, uh…joked that I was going soft, getting all mushy about the hotel and the people here. She's glad I found this place though."

"Rosie feels similarly!" Alastor replied, his smile big and tense. "She even teased me as well about getting sentimental, ha! Oh the ladies and their fantasies."

"Heh, yeah." Angel laughed and nodded. "At least they got along. I'd say we should make plans to have them over for another day but the girls would probably have a fit if we brought over guests again so soon, especially those too."

"True." Alastor topped off their glasses. "But I suppose for now you and I could just have tea out here until the coast is clear for our friends."

"Just us sounds nice," left Angel with a small smile that he quickly covered up with a casual grin. "I mean, we get along and gardening gets us out of the hotel, so why not? We got a good set-up going between us, right, Smiles?" Angel held up his glass.

"Yes indeed!" Alastor raised his too. "A fine exchange between demons!"

Their eyes met again.

"A-And, uh," Angel went on, "if we want to have some company we can always drag Niffty and Husk out here - or the girls. You know, like a group thing."

"The more the merrier!" Alastor swung a fist through the air. "Others deserve to admire our fine gardening and party throwing skills."

"Yeah." Angel nodded. Then he stood, his smile softer. "I'm gonna head inside and get cleaned up and take a nap. I'm still a little beat from last night. You stay out of trouble, Al."

"Hmm…" Alastor glanced past Angel toward the hotel, "I won't seek trouble, but I have a feeling some interesting new development is coming to me…"

Angel looked and saw what had caught the Radio Demon's attention. Charlie was approaching with a paper in hand and a giddy smile while Vaggie walked behind her, looking a little uneasy. "Uh, hey girls - what's shaking?" The spider asked.

Charlie took a deep breath, gripping the paper in her hands. "Well, the invitations are officially done for our open house - I mean, they're not 'invitations' to specific people, just flyers about the party for anyone who wants to come. We figured it would be good to drop them off at all the major locations throughout the pentagram. But, um…there's one that IS specifically addressed to someone." She bit her lip.

"Ha! Well, don't keep us in suspense!" Alastor's smile grew. "Who's the lucky special guest?"

Charlie cleared her throat. "I've decided to invite my parents." She turned the invitation over - it was addressed to King Lucifer and Queen Lilith Magne.

"Whoa." Angel's eyes widened. "The head honchos themselves right here in the hotel for the big bash." He put a hand to his head. "I need to go shopping for a nicer dress for this thing - everything I have either displays the ass, the chest, or something in between."

Alastor had a strange moment where he wasn't necessarily intrigued by the specifics of such garments but more by the idea of how especially pleasant it would be to see Angel in a fashionable ensemble. The offer to go shopping with the spider was almost out of his mouth before he stopped himself and focused on Charlie instead.

"You don't have to dress up in any way special," she went on sheepishly. "I mean, they…they might end up being too busy to come… I just at least wanted to invite them."

She pushed back her hair as Vaggie touched her shoulder. "I'm…sure they'll love this place if they can make it, Charlie." Charlie smiled a little again.

With a snap of his fingers, Alastor was now standing between the girls, arms held high in excitement. "Why of course! We're practically throwing a ball - this place will shine like a new penny that night, Charlotte, mark my words. You send that invitation and show them you're proud of our hotel! Once the rest go out, this soiree will be the talk of the town, and your parents won't be able to resist! And if they do resist, well…that is certainly their loss, isn't it?" He met her eyes and winked.

Vaggie and Angel both raised eyebrows.

Charlie smiled a little more and nodded. "Thank you, Alastor!" She dove forward to hug him on impulse.

Angel recognized the signs immediately as Alastor stumbled back in surprise. The spider shot up and got between the Radio Demon and the princess. "Whoa, whoa, Charlie - remember, Al's not too big on the touchy feely stuff. You can hug it out with me - I've got six arms, no waiting." He smiled warmly and made all six appear.

Charlie laughed and hugged him. She glanced over his shoulder to Alastor. "Sorry, Alastor, I forgot for a second. But thank you for everything." She finally let Angel go and turned to Vaggie again. "I called Razzle and Dazzle - they'll be here with the limo soon. I figured we could deliver my parents' invitation in style and then hand out the others too. What do you say?"

Vaggie smiled. "That sounds great, babe. But I thought Razzle and Dazzle were going to take care of handing out the invites on their own. Louise and Abel are officially moving in tomorrow. We've still got a lot of your welcome party ideas to set up. Not to mention the open house prep. Once invites are out, we're on a strict deadline."

"I know - but I really want to be there for putting these out into hell." Charlie pouted and considered. Then she glanced at Alastor and Angel. "Maybe you guys could help us?"

Vaggie blinked. "Them? If anyone, I was thinking Niffty and Husk!"

"Heh!" Angel laughed. "Husk doesn't exactly have the bedside manner to be a welcoming face for this place."

"And Niffty would be very distressed if you tried to make her leave the hotel all of a sudden, especially without me. Which I suppose does leave us." Alastor glanced at Angel. "If you're tired, I don't mind going alone."

"Are you kidding, and pass up a ride in the limo?" Angel grinned. "They got automatic windows and a mini bar and everything."

"For all your enjoyment of our walks, you really would prefer if you found me out front ready to pick you up in some mercilessly overpriced little red coup, wouldn't you?"

"Only if I can borrow it and the seats go all the way back."

"Ha! As though I would ever let you ride with anyone else but me!"

They had been enjoying their quips too much to notice Vaggie watching them with her head tilted and Charlie beaming, until finally a small giggle escaped the princess.

Alastor and Angel blinked. Angel sighed. "Charlie's looking at us again like we're being a good influence on each other, isn't she?"

Alastor nodded. "She's too proud of us to realize we're both merely quite witty and enjoy showing off with a worthy opponent."

Angel blushed a little at the unexpected compliment.

"Anyway, moving on!" Vaggie stepped forward with her hands on her hips. She smiled quickly at Charlie. "Hun, why don't you wait out front for the limo - we'll grab the invitation boxes and join you. And we can drop off your parent's first, okay?"

Charlie nodded and hugged her girlfriend then dashed back into the hotel.

Vaggie turned to Alastor and Angel, scowling. "Okay, listen to me - and I mean this - if Charlie's parents show up to this thing, I do not know what they will do. But I do know that neither of you is going to do anything that'll upset them enough to upset Charlie. I mean it." She glanced at Angel with a frown but absolutely glared at Alastor.

The Radio Demon sighed. "Vagatha, come now, what could I possibly gain from making a fool of myself or this hotel in front of the king and queen? If anything…what would be more entertaining than watching two potentially subpar parents witness their daughter's ascension to her own self-chosen throne? And what better advertising to bring in doomed-to-fail sinners for my entertainment than if the king and queen are impressed with the hotel?"

Vaggie considered his words but finally nodded. Then she glanced at Angel. "And you?"

He scoffed. "Oh give me some credit, Vaggie! No, I will not be propositioning Charlie's parents if that's what you're asking. I know how to act in a fancy setting, and also I plan to be off duty that night anyway with the sex stuff. I just want to drink a bunch of champagne and sing."

Vaggie sighed and nodded; her look had softened. "Sorry. I'm just worried. Charlie's parents… It's complicated."

Alastor and Angel glanced at each other and then shared a good laugh. Angel came forward and put an arm around Vaggie. "Oh Vaggs, honey, you're talking to two masters of surviving shitty parents. No matter what happens, we'll find a way to make it bearable."

"Yes indeed!" Alastor came to Vaggie's other side and tapped her shoulder with his microphone. "If anyone knows how to remind someone that the poor attitude of a poor parent doesn't deserve anything but a poor reception, it's us! Just leave the success of this spectacle in our capable hands!"

Vaggie glanced from one to the other. "You two get really weird together sometimes…but I appreciate you helping Charlie feel better about her parents coming. So thanks, I guess. Come on, let's get the invitations for the limo." Vaggie headed toward to the hotel.

Alastor and Angel watched her go with curious smiles then headed after her.

"We're not weird together," Angel observed quietly, "we're just good together. Friends always bring out the best in each other."

Alastor quickly nodded. "We are simply the most ideal compliments to one another."

Their eyes met but then they looked forward and quickly entered the hotel behind Vaggie.

Soon they had boxes in hand (or Angel and Vaggie each had a box, and Alastor had the other six balanced on a tentacle) and were carrying them out to the limo's trunk. They entered the car and found Vaggie and Charlie sitting together which left the spider and Radio Demon to sit together in the opposite seat, side by side just like the sweet couple before them - even though both boys tried to ignore that obvious observation.

The next day Abel and Louise ate breakfast together in Louise's apartment. Then Abel went to the cafe (one more extra shift) and Louise gathered the final few of their things in her bag and locked their apartment doors for the last time. She met Abel at the corner near the park when his shift was over. They walked and talked about how beautiful the day was and final ideas for decorating their room and speculated about if there were cafes and lamb chops in heaven.

Soon they were out in front of the hotel, holding hands and looking up at the doors.

Steve was on the stoop, grinning at them. "Welcome home, lovebirds." He pulled two pieces of cloth out of his pocket. "We all got a part to play in your reception. Mine is to deliver a special request from the princess - she wants you two blindfolded to surprise you." He handed them the cloths.

Abel shrugged with a sheepish smile. "Normally I…would not want to get blindfolded in hell, but I think Charlie knows what she's asking. You okay with this, Louise?"

Louise opened her mouth just as the door to the hotel opened, revealing Alastor. "My part is next. You'll be in my hands as I guide you to your room."

Louise smiled and nodded. Abel swallowed but kept up his smile and nodded as well. They tied on their blindfolds.

Angel voice sounded now from the doorway. "I'm here to bring up the rear while Smiles leads the way and to take off the blindfolds once we get there and Charlie gives the high sign. We were gonna teleport you, but Charlie and Smiles figured the suspense of the stair climb would be more fun." He went down the stoop and got behind the happy couple, urging them forward. Alastor tapped his cane on the ground. "This way!" They group headed inside with Steve following last and closing the door behind them.

Louise and Abel couldn't see but they could hear, and Niffty's voice was next. "Hi, you two! You're going to love living here so much! Charlie sent me so you can follow my voice because I really like talking! Also I like helping Alastor! You can't see it, but I'm sitting on his shoulder right now. You're going to LOVE living with him!"

"Oh yeah," Angel cracked from behind them, "Corny jokes, laugh tracks, shadow shenanigans - I wish I could sign up for it all over again."

"Ha!" Alastor laughed. "While I don't technically live here although the hotel does occupy much of my time, you will indeed be living with Angel Dust. Enjoy the innuendo and the fashion shows and worshipping a pig that glows in the dark."

Louise couldn't help snorting with laughter. "It's nice to hear you two boys are still getting along."

"Oh, they are super getting along!" Niffty exclaimed. "Angel Dust is just like our new mo—"

"Niffty!" Angel and Alastor exclaimed at the same time. Angel sighed, and Alastor quickly cleared his throat and added, "We're at the top of the stairs. You know what to do - go inform Charlotte and Vagatha."

"Right!" They heard the sound of Nifty's sprightly feet dashing down the hall.

As they reached the landing, Alastor and Angel continued to guide them and then stopped the group. Angel turned them to face in the direction of the doors.

Vaggie spoke up next. "Abel and Louise - we're so happy to have you as our new guests. We think you're going to make a great addition to the hotel. Thank you for giving our dream of redemption a chance." She cleared her throat.

With a sigh, Husk spoke up. "Yeah, we're just ecstatic. To welcome you there's a bottle of champagne in there - the good stuff. Do not ask for the good stuff at the bar. It's just for special occasions or whatever."

Vaggie sighed. "Anyway, now we'll take off your blindfolds so you can open your room and enter as official guests for the first time."

In an instant Angel had the blindfolds off. Louise and Able smiled at all of the demons they had come to know over step past weeks. Then Louise took out the key and opened the door.

"Surprise and welcome to the Hazbin Hotel! We hope we can help you get out of hell!" Charlie sang, arms spread wide as she stood under a big glittery banner filled with rainbows and wings and the message, "Welcome, Abel and Louise!"

Louise gasped and then dove at Charlie in a big hug, her tail wagging. "Thank you, Princess Charlie! It's the nicest welcome I ever got anywhere." She pulled back and wiped away a tear.

Abel pulled out a hanky for her then turned to Charlie. "You've been so kind to us, Charlie. I know you want redemption to work quick, but I hope we can stay with all of you for a while."

Charlie had tears in her eyes now too - she nodded. "Of course! I'm just so happy!" She wrapped her arms around both of them and pretty soon the three of them were hugging together.

"Okay, I'm out." Husk sighed. "I'll be at the bar with the cheap stuff if anyone else needs a break from this."

Steve grinned. "I might do some playing outside. Feeling inspired. Plus I want to give the happy couple some privacy." He nodded to the group then left.

"I'm gonna go clean everything again just to make sure it's perfect for you!" Niffty bounced on her feet then zipped away.

"I'm gonna go worship my pig." Angel smirked at Alastor.

"And I'm going to go have shenanigans with my shadow." Alastor smirked back.

Vaggie raised an eyebrow. The boys just laughed and walked away. She turned and went over to the hugging group. "I'm really happy to have you guys here. Charlie, maybe we should give them a chance to settle in. We'll see them at dinner."

"Okay." Charlie pulled back, sniffling. "If you two need ANYTHING, come find me any time - I mean it."

"They'll be okay…" Vaggie smiled gently and guided Charlie to the door. "They know we'll take good care of them."

Charlie smiled and nodded as the girls departed and closed the door behind them.

Louise let out a sigh, smiling at the room around them. Then she turned to Abel, pulled him over to the bed, and collapsed alongside him, cuddling against him.

"Louise?" He raised an eyebrow.

Her eyes were closed. "Can we just stay like this for a little while? This is the first time in hell I ever felt…safe. Not safe just for a moment but safe…for as long as I needed. And having you close makes it complete."

He smiled and put an arm over her. "Yeah, of course." Abel swallowed. "Louise, I…" His other hand moved toward his pocket; he bit his lip, hesitated, thought about it far too much for a moment, and then decided he wanted to just have this moment here now as it was. There would be a good time to ask her. He would know when it was right. "I love you. And we're gonna do something really good here for ourselves."

"I love you, Abel, and I think so too." She hugged him close.

Abel hugged her too.

They looked up at the glittery banner and felt home together.

A/N:

That's all for now! Thank you for reading and reviewing if you can! Next time Angel spends more time with the 3V, Angel and Alastor have lunch out, and Cherri shows up again.

Have a good week!

-Azure129