A/N:

Hi everyone! Here's this week's update - I hope you enjoy! Thank you for reading and reviewing if you can : )

Partners

Chapter 11:

Making a Move

Abel was covering only one shift at the cafe today - thanks largely to a surprisingly generous tip from the Radio Demon yesterday. He needed the free afternoon to do some proposal planning anyway. But brainstorming alone only left him overwhelmed and - on at least two occasions so far - hyperventilating. So Abel had asked Steve to meet with him to offer some advice. Steve was laid back, Steve had been close to a girl in real life, and Steve was a good friend.

But Steve also should have been here twenty minutes ago to grab a bite and then talk with Abel at the end of his shift.

Abel glanced over the fence enclosing in the courtyard to the street but still didn't see Steve coming. He frowned. The cat demon was usually very reliable - always showing up to play at the corner by the hotel exactly when he told Charlie he would. Abel sighed and wondered if Steve had gotten held up some place.

And then Abel's eyes were covered from behind by a pair of small hands. "Guess who?"

"Ah!" Abel jumped and turned around to see Louise smiling at him.

"Sorry." She shrugged. "I just wanted to surprise you. Since you're getting off early today, I thought we could walk back to the hotel together." She raised an eyebrow. "Is everything okay? You look a little preoccupied."

Abel blushed as he held up his hands 'casually'. "Nope, nothing's wrong, heh! Uh…just… Steve said he would stop by for lunch today at the end of my shift. But I haven't seen him yet."

Louise's ears fell a little. "That's not like him. He wasn't at the hotel either and I didn't see him on my way here." She considered. "Were you two going to head somewhere afterwards? Maybe he went there first instead."

"No, no!" Abel grinned. "Just, you know…we were going to chat and shoot the breeze and talk hotel stuff." For someone in hell, Abel knew he was a horrible liar.

Thankfully, Louise seemed too distracted by the predicament of finding Steve too notice. She considered then smiled again. "Well, why don't we head back to the hotel and look for him together along the way? Then we can all have lunch together at Hazbin - maybe some of Alastor's leftovers from last night! You know he doesn't like the jambalaya to go to waste." She laughed a little.

Abel hesitated but then smiled a little. She really was cute when she was excited, and doing something nice for Alastor always made her excited. Besides, better to find Steve and talk proposals with him later than to wait here alone and leave Louise worried about the cat demon. "Okay, let's go. Maybe he just found a really good corner to play on with some great tips and couldn't pass up the opportunity." He held out his arm to her.

Louise hooked her arm with his. "You're probably right. He doesn't like ending a concert early if people are enjoying themselves. If we take the long way back to the hotel, I'm sure we'll spot him."

Smiling, the couple strolled out of the back gate of the restaurant and down the street.

"Okay!" Charlie stood with her hands on her hips, smiling at the empty stage in the ballroom while Alastor and Angel stood at a distance behind her. "I've bought all the decorations and arranged the seating. But now we have to work on the lighting and the sound." She turned to the boys, beaming. "And that's why I've asked you two here! You're both performers after all - you probably have a bunch of ideas for how this place should look for our big night."

Angel crossed his arms and smirked. "I mean, I'd personally have naked guys dancing in cages along with strobe lights and a smoke machines, but that's just horny me."

Alastor rolled his eyes and nudged him with his microphone, making Angel chuckle. Alastor beamed then quickly turned his attention back to the princess. "And you know my aesthetic already, Charlie!" He snapped his fingers. The room filled with neon lights and black lights and shadows, and everyone's outfits changed as well. Charlie was in a flapper dress. Alastor was in a top hat and a black suit with pinstripes that glowed in neon colors. And Angel Dust…

"Whoa…"

Alastor turned at this reaction from the spider - and his face glowed considerably once he realized how he had let his impulsive mind dress Angel Dust.

Angel stood there in knee high black boots and sheer stockings that left the white fur of his legs glowing in the black light. Around his body was a modest, slightly flared glittering black dress that went down to just above his knees and up to cover most of the fluff of his chest. Tying the ensemble together was a long sleeve tuxedo-like jacket with two elegant tails that extended down to the floor like a train. The upper part of the jacket buttoned at the waist and had a wide collar and wide sleeves that ended just above Angel's wrists. And the tuxedo jacket had white pinstripes that glowed in neon colors…just like Alastor's tuxedo.

In short, unable to decide between the two, Alastor had not only dressed Angel in a stunning combination of a suit and a gown…but he had made their outfits match.

Alastor snapped his fingers, but not before clenching his jaw so much at his indiscretion that he drew a blood from his gums. Everything was back to normal, including everyone's clothes. Alastor quickly spoke, looking at Charlie and nowhere near Angel. "Our point is, Charlie, that you know our styles. Perhaps you should impose your own style on the lights and atmosphere. No one does a bash fit for royalty like a royal after all."

Charlie swallowed, wringing her hands. "It's just…I know my style of things can be a little…off-putting to other demons. I hit a happy medium with the decorations I think, but… I want the lighting to be warm and welcoming but also a little dark and spooky. And I'm not sure about strobe lights and smoke, but I'd at least like some effects to highlight what's happening on stage." She shrugged, looking up at Alastor and Angel. "Maybe if you guys work together, you can think of the best way to do something like that?"

"Al?"

Alastor almost jumped but covered it up with a jaunty turn in Angel Dust's direction.

The spider observed the stage… and did not look at Alastor even though he spoke to him. Angel's voice was strangely light. "Your shadow band probably works best with shadows, right?"

"Always and forever!" Alastor replied, probably with a bit too much manic enthusiasm.

"And mingling works best when people can see each other." Angel looked out to the ballroom - Alastor swore at this angle he saw an extra flush of pink in Angel's cheek. The spider cleared his throat and pointed to a wall. "Al, can you shut the windows and light the candle sconces?"

Alastor snapped his fingers. The windows all shut. Then his shadow appeared and floated in a quick circle around the room to light each sconce before rolling his eyes and disappearing.

The room had a warm glow now even if the lighting was a little dim.

Angel smiled and nodded. "Perfect. But we need a central source of light…"

He walked past Alastor, and when he passed Alastor noticed the spider's smile grow. The hair on his ears quickly stood up end at the realization, dancing with static.

When Angel got to the center of the ballroom, he looked up and grinned. "Okay, how do we get that baby lit? That'll catch and spread light for days." Overhead was a large glass chandelier.

Charlie glanced at it and then to Angel. "Sorry, Angel, it doesn't light up."

"Not yet maybe…" He winked. "I've got some string lights stowed in my room for decorating. We wrap a few lines of those around it and this place'll be perfect."

Alastor considered the room, swallowed, then spoke up. "Normally at shows the audience is in shadow and the stage is lit. Are you suggesting the audience be lit and the stage be…"

"Do your thing, Smiles." Angel nodded in the direction of the stage.

Alastor nearly fumbled his fingers but managed to snap - the stage was bathed in varying tones of blacklight and neon light.

"And I might add in just a little fog for the floor - I got a machine upstairs for that too." Angel looked to Charlie. "What do you think?"

Charlie was smiling very much. "It's perfect! Thank you both for everything. You make a wonderful team!" She clasped her hands together. "Speaking of which, I was hoping that you'd perform together for a number at the open house? Alastor's band playing and Angel singing…?" She looked back and forth between them eagerly.

Alastor's smile threatened to snap his face in half at the glorious notion that he unfortunately couldn't imagine finding a good enough excuse to accept on the spot. "Ha! My band only plays for my singing. Besides, I'm certain Angel wants the stage to himself for his time there."

"We could…work something out maybe…" Angel offered quietly, looking down with a small smile. Alastor raised an eyebrow at yet another strange sudden affectation from the spider.

"I'm sure everyone will love it!" Charlie beamed. "I'm going to work on the menu ideas and tell Vaggie everything! I have a really good feeling about our open house!" She dashed out of the room.

Alastor snapped his fingers and the lighting returned to normal everywhere. "Well, perhaps I'll work on some of my own personal menu ideas. If I'm going to do a show soon, I'll have to decide how to prepare my guest. Ha!" He twirled his cane and turned to walk away.

"Actually, Al - could you come with me for a sec? To my room?"

Alastor froze on the spot and felt his shoulders tense and his smile go too wide. But he turned around with all the confidence he could fake - especially at the sight of Angel glancing away shyly with his arms crossed. "There's no chance you caught and slaughtered a heinous demon's corpse for me and stuffed him under your bed, is there?"

Angel cracked a bigger smile. "Afraid not. It'll be quick - promise." He held out his hand like the last time Alastor had teleported him but then hesitated. "I thought we could teleport. But, uh, if your hand's still hurt, we could always just—"

Alastor switched his cane to his other hand then grasped Angel's hand in his. "All of me is right as rain, Angel. Besides, even if one of my hands is injured, I have the good fortune of having a spare! Ha!" He snapped the fingers of his other hand.

They disappeared and reappeared in front of Angel's door. Alastor released him.

Angel smiled and opened the door. Fat Nuggets ran up to him and kissed his boot then Alastor's pant leg. Angel smiled a little more. "You like Alastor, huh?" He picked up Fat Nuggets and put him on the bed. Then he turned back to Alastor who was watching in curious interest. The Radio Demon felt strangely good being with the spider again in his private quarters.

"Al…I'm not sure if it's a lot to ask but…" Angel rubbed the back of his neck. Alastor couldn't breathe as he imagined once again in his existence Angel suddenly confessing strange feelings for him. "Could you put that outfit back on me? The one you made downstairs?"

Alastor blinked at the request but nodded. He snapped his fingers. The ensemble reappeared on Angel Dust. Angel smiled and walked over to his closet. He opened the door to reveal a full length mirror. He observed himself. "And could you…put yourself back in your outfit?"

Alastor took a deep breath and did so. Angel turned and walked over. "I could't help but notice we match."

Alastor remained perfectly still.

"You…trying to ask me out to the open house, Smiles?" Angel asked almost jokingly. Except he was clearly waiting for an answer as his eyes met Alastor's.

Alastor's mind shut down for a moment. Then he swung a fist through the air, speaking quickly. "Ha! What a quip, Angel! I…merely thought as performers, we should be easily recognizable and stand apart from the crowd. And how could I 'ask you out' when we'll both be working at the event on behalf of the hotel instead of attending as guests? And also you must know that coordinated styles under any circumstance are just swell!"

Angel chuckled a little. "Oh…I see." He bit his lip. "Well, I know you were just spitballing for Charlie but… is there any way I could keep this? I'd actually really like to wear it to the open house."

Alastor's tail twitched back and forth. He nodded. "Of course! No need to be so shy - you're usually so straightforward about fashion!"

Angel shrugged then pointed to Alastor. "And are you going to wear that to the party?"

Alastor hesitated only for a beat. "Maybe." And then he snapped his fingers. His normal clothing was back. And Angel's was too. The dress was on a hanger on the closet door.

"Thanks, Al." Angel swallowed. Then he sat down on the edge of the bed. "Hey…so…I kind of want to tell you something but…I also don't want you to get mad."

Alastor's eyes hazed a little and his smile grew. "Well, this subject sounds intriguing. Please continue. You know my insatiable appetite to be entertained."

"Well," Angel sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, "it's why I was acting so shy about the dress and…why I guess I haven't made as many semi-dirty jokes to you lately when we're alone. Heh…" He smiled and placed his hands in his lap. "I like our friendship, Alastor - a lot. We get along so well… so well that… Well, Cherri had this loopy idea that you and I were angling to be more than friends." He quickly held up his hands. "Not in a sexy way, just… I don't know, like we were dating or something. She made some weirdly accurate points and I guess they kind of got to me. Anyway don't get mad at her - she just thought we seemed cute together or whatever." He swallowed. "But with the matching outfits for a party just now, I…figured I should check in…to make sure we're on the same page…in case you were trying to tell me something?" He bit his lip, an eyebrow raised.

Alastor was silent and smiling for a long moment. And then he chuckled, and then he laughed, and then he was laughing so much that he had to sit on the edge of Angel's bed beside him.

Angel blinked. Then he pouted and crossed his arms. "Okay, dating me is not THAT funny."

Alastor wiped a tear from his eye. "No, no, you misunderstand, my effeminate friend! I've been acting a little strange as well - matching outfits included - because Rosie made the same presumptuous suggestion! She believes we're courting each other!"

Angel's jaw fell. "Are you serious?"

Alastor nodded. "I'm afraid she's decided you're quite smitten with me and that I should be quite smitten back."

Angel's jaw stayed open for a beat and then he started chuckling until he was laughing fully as well. Alastor joined in, and both boys shared a hearty laugh until they could barely breathe. They were resting on their hands now, leaning a bit closer to each other.

"You know this means Charlie's got it in for us too, don't you?" Angel smirked.

Alastor's eyes became radio dials.

Angel rolled his eyes. "Relax, Smiles. I'm sure all of Abel and Louise's newlywed cuteness will put her off the scent for a bit."

Alastor's eyes returned to normal. He sighed. "I…had noticed a slight strain in our relationship come to think of it… Some hesitations on both of our parts." He adjusted his tie, eyes rolled off to the side. "Imagine, such dramatics all because our friends came up with a wacky emotional assumption."

"Yeah, well…" Angel shrugged, grinning sheepishly and looking down, "Now that we brought it up and cleared the air, we can go back to normal, right?"

Their gazes met for a moment, hesitant, curious. They were strangely close to each other once more in their lives.

And then they both noticed Fat Nuggets staring up at them from the floor like he was waiting for something.

The brief trance broken, Angel quickly scooped up Fat Nuggets and tried to smile again. "I mean, you'll crack corny jokes and put on the charm to get your way and playfully threaten to kill me sometimes, and I'll crack inappropriate jokes and flirt to make you do stuff and playfully threaten to act sexy. Right?"

Alastor quickly cleared his throat and patted the pig on the head. "I suppose have missed threatening to kill you when you act 'sexy'. Ha! Very well." He nodded. "And my band would be happy to play for you at your show!"

"I'd really like that - it sounds cool." Angel perked up a bit. "I never had a live band before."

"Excellent!" Alastor stood up. "My shadow is at your disposal for rehearsals." He snapped - his shadow appeared, arms crossed, but gave a complacent nod.

"Aw, my other new best friend." Angel came close to the shadow, acting playful as ever. 'We're gonna have fun. By the party night, you'll be in love with me."

The shadow scowled. Angel chuckled.

Alastor flicked his wrist to make his shadow disappear for now. "Well, I'll leave you to—"

"Alastor!" suddenly came Charlie's voice from downstairs, laced with concern. "Angel! Come quick!"

Both boys blinked then Angel put down Fat Nuggets and raced out the door. Alastor snapped his fingers to leave.

They arrived downstairs at the same time to find Charlie and Vaggie standing with Louise and Abel while Husk and Niffty looked on. Louise was holding a dented saxophone. Steve's saxophone.

Abel put his hand on her shoulder "Steve - he was supposed to meet me at the cafe but he never came. We walked here looking for him and we found this in an alley."

"It was the same alley where we met - where he got attacked by that squid guy and we fought him off! There were tentacle marks in the dirt." Louise blinked back some tears then shook her head and put on a determined look. "I wanted to follow the trail but Abel said we should get help first…" Her words sounded like a general appeal to the room but she was looking up at Alastor, her eyes wide.

Alastor's eyes narrowed and met hers. But he didn't say a word back. The others looked on.

Louise stepped right up to him. "You know you're the most powerful one here. Please, Alastor."

"I am not on call for 'heroics' - I'm here to be entertained. The others combined could certainly do the job. And cleaner, you know." His smile spread to show his razor sharp teeth.

Louise flinched a little but held her ground. "But you could do it quicker. And we don't have time. And I understand…everything. And you do too."

Alastor's look darkened. Angel came closer to him. "Al?"

Alastor held up a hand and stared down at Louise. "Tell me about the squid."

"He tried to kill Steve when we met - he was mad Steve was playing on corners in his territory. Steve offered to leave and pay him but the squid said that wasn't enough. He wanted to make an example of him. Steve didn't want to fight back too much because he needs his hands to play music. The squid knew that - he wouldn't stop." Her hands were clenched at her sides, hot tears spilling from her eyes, her face full of anger. "No one ever stops! Stronger demons act like weaker ones are there to be killed whenever they get bored. It's not right!"

Abel knelt down and put his arms around her. She calmed a little. Abel considered then looked up at Alastor. "We know maybe you will and maybe you won't. But we hope you will." He sighed and spoke meaningfully. "After all, you like Steve's music, right? So, er… who is that squid guy to take it from you?"

Alastor's eyes met Abel's. Then suddenly the Radio Demon's smile brightened and he swung a fist through the air. "Sold! I'm going for a walk!" He strolled to the door.

"Alastor, wait!" Charlie held up her hands. "It's almost dark! Maybe we should go too and -"

"Charlie," Angel started, putting a hand on her shoulder, "I don't think you want to do that." He walked up to Alastor who had the door open and got close so they could talk low. "You need to do a show soon or Val and the others are going to come for you. Don't be stubborn waiting for a big evil kill. If this squid guy is enough of a son-of-a-bitch for you to take down, broadcast the damn thing. I'm due at the studio tonight for another little party anyway."

Alastor had an almost serene look of evil on his face. He didn't reply just gave a very slight nod. Angel smiled a little in relief and Alastor departed. The door closed behind him.

Angel headed back over to the others, smiling fully. "Okay, Smiles is going to look into it! No sense worrying to death while he's out. How about I heat up the leftover ziti and jambalaya and we all have a nice meal and maybe a little chianti to settle our nerves. Husk, you got any bottles?"

Husk lifted a few up from behind the bar. "I've got ALL the bottles."

"That's my guy!" Angel winked. He went over to Niffty, who was frowning in the direction Alastor had gone. Angel held out his hand to her. "Want to help me in the kitchen, Niffty? We can set aside a plate for Alastor when he gets back."

Niffty looked to Angel and smiled a little and took his hand. Angel headed to the kitchen with her. Charlie and Vaggie went after them, brows furrowed in concern. Abel and Louise followed last - Abel watching in concern as Louise wiped away tears and tried to smile but failed.

"Angel's due here soon!" Velvet sang as she entered the studio VIP room with a cupcake platter. "This time instead of drugs, I put a razor blade in one of the cupcakes. Talk about painting the town red tonight!" She laughed maniacally as she set down the tray and threw herself into her seat.

"Great, another night talking about Radio Fucker…" Vox grumbled, slumped in his seat with a drink. He stared dully at his monitors.

Valentino narrowed his eyes at Vox. "Yes, another night of getting the info we need to take down that meddling cannibal once and for all. You haven't forgotten that's the goal, right?"

"Of course not!" Vox snapped back. "It just seems like we're doing an awful lot of TALKING ABOUT Alastor and not much SLOW MURDERING of him."

Valentino shrugged as one of his girls handed him a drink. "You agreed it takes time and a plan to silence that radio once and for all."

"Yeah, well…who the hell knew Angel would actually be able to get close and stay close to that static-filled fucker?" Vox grumbled.

Velvet popped a whole cupcake in her mouth and swallowed. She swung her legs. "Val, I think if you just promise Vox he can fuck Alastor just once before we kill him, he'll be happier. Oh, or maybe just give him the corpse for a few hours to have fun with! How about it, Voxy?"

A high-pitched whine came from Vox's antenna and his screen glowed red. He picked up the bottle of vodka on the table in front of him and threw it right at Velvet's cupcake platter. The bottle crushed the confectionary creations and sent them to the floor.

Velvet's smile grew too wide as her eyes glowed. "It took me hours to make those, and NO ONE GOT THE RAZOR BLADE!" She pulled out a large kitchen knife from her dress.

"Enough!" Valentino stood up. He turned to Velvet. "You know you have a back up batch of cupcakes ready - you always do. Go get some razor blades for them, and feel free to cut a few whores while you prance through the studio to do it."

Velvet's happy smile returned and she nodded. "Yay! I like cutting people by surprise!" She smirked at Vox. "Besides, it sounds like Voxy's in trouble…" She giggled to herself and dashed out of the room before Vox could reply.

Valentino looked to his girls. He snapped his fingers. "Get out - and make sure Velvet doesn't damage my goods too badly." The girls instantly nodded and raced after her.

Vox swallowed - Velvet's words about being in trouble rang in his ears.

Valentino walked over and stood in front of the monitors, looking down at Vox. He was not smiling. "The Radio's in your head, Vox. But if we're going to pull this off, you and I need our heads in the game."

"Damn - if this is about what I said when I was drunk in the limo the other day -"

"This is about a lot more than that!" Valentino scowled. "Velvet is enough of a wildcard to corral. I can't have you going rogue on me too. Understood?"

Vox pouted a little. He sighed. "Alastor… just fucking bothers me! It feels like no matter what we plan or do or know, he's going to be sitting somewhere waiting for it all with that stupid smug grin and prim and proper attitude and elegant little voice. Like he's too motherfucking pure for the rest of us—"

Vox stopped when Valentino bent low, reached out, and grabbed his chin.

Valentino's look was cold and calculating. "You got a hate-fueled 'thing' for Alastor. Fine, I get that - angry sex is good sex. And virgins are always hot in a forbidden fruit sort of way. Believe me, I wish more would drop into hell - I could put on some serious shows with them."

"I-I don't know…"

"Shut up." Valentino's eyes narrowed. "My point is, there's no room for this sentimental mindfuck bullshit in what we're trying to do. You have to get over him…and the best way to do that about anyone is always by getting under someone else." Vox's eyes widened. "And I do mean UNDER. You need someone to take control and fuck you silly until you can't even remember Alastor's name or your own." Valentino grabbed Vox's head hard suddenly kissed roughly - the moth's tongue was down his throat instantly and his teeth bit at Vox's lips, drawing blood. He pulled back just a roughly, nearly making Vox fall out of his chair.

Valentino stood up, face still stoney. "I'd give you Angel, but he's always a bottom. And Velvet has a fifty-fifty chance of cutting off your dick, which does no one any good. So when you decide to quit screwing around, I'm here to screw you." He adjusted his coat. "I've got to go round up Velvet. I'm sure she's already given those girls the slip. Think about what I said." He strolled out of the room and closed the door.

Vox just sat there, barely breathing. After a moment he looked down and realized just how much the sudden action had aroused his interests. He crossed his legs. But he couldn't stop his heart pounding wildly - a feat which even Alastor at his most tempting had never managed. Maybe he would indeed take Valentino's advice… But if it was only a one-time thing, he was afraid he'd end up going even crazier with frustration and attraction for Valentino than he had for Alastor. He couldn't figure out what was wrong with him. So he just sipped his drink like everything was fine and waited for the others to return and for the problem in his pants to ease.

Alastor found the alley quickly. And he saw the trail so easily. This wasn't even a fun hunt. But it distracted him from thinking about how Angel had all but confirmed that the idea of a special relationship together had never crossed his mind…or thinking about how that revelation made Alastor feel. So alone, so cut off, so beyond the reach of anyone - some souls really did not deserve any grace. He was just a madman who belonged out in the streets, lurking to bite the hearts out of living prey. He was a solo act for eternity. He was nothing but entertainment for his spider friend, and ironically just this once being entertaining wasn't enough to feed his soul. He felt dark enough inside to put on many shows, but one would do for now. Besides, he really didn't like demons who showed no mercy to the weak and genuinely repentant.

He followed the trail to an old warehouse and used a dark tentacle to lift himself up to see inside a dusty window. There was Steve, beaten and tied to a chair. The squid demon moved in the shadows. Alastor noted a few cheap torture items - some rope, a few knives, a bat. Amateur.

"Please…" Steve mumbled. "You took my money and ruined my sax… and I won't be able to play for weeks beat up like this. All I did was play on a corner - months ago. Why…"

"To make an example of you... And because I can," the squid demon merely replied. "And you won't be playing anymore once I smash your hands to a stain on the pavement."

Steve struggled a little in his restraints but he was so weak already.

Alastor's jaw clenched. The squid wasn't among the most heinous sinners but he was certainly a fitting candidate. Just like the butcher - having power over the weak and abusing it for fun.

Alastor snapped his fingers. He was in the room, standing by Steve. He put a finger to his lips and met the cat demon's eyes. He snapped and Steve was gone, teleported to the hotel.

Alastor sat in the chair in his place, hidden by shadow, and waited…summoning small tentacles to hide in the shadows with him. What a delightful surprise for when the squid demon came over to finish the job. What better way to repair his own heart than by eating the heart of another.

Steve appeared on the sofa in the hotel lobby and called out for help. The others rushed in from the dining room. Abel and Angel put him in him clean clothes and made tea and soup, Husk got him a stiff glass of brandy, and Charlie and Niffty tended to his wounds. Vaggie got a room ready for him to lie down and rest. And Louise helped everyone she could until Steve was resting peacefully. Then she looked out the window, waiting for Alastor to return.

Abel came beside her. "Louise…he probably won't be back for a while. I have a feeling he's going to do one of those shows of his."

"I know… I just wish he wouldn't go that far." Louise frowned. "He's good deep down. I feel bad he has to show it in so many dark ways."

Abel took her hand. "Let's get some tea. We can wait up for him tonight together if you want."

Louise smiled and they shared a hug then brewed some tea and headed to their room.

They weren't the only ones waiting for Alastor.

Angel sat on his bed with his little pink radio turned on. He knew he couldn't stomach hearing a full show but he just hoped to hear his friend safely on the air before leaving.

His friend… the idea of Angel as anything more had made Alastor laugh. They were just friends and Angel couldn't forget, even though a glance at the dress hanging on his closet door made his heart ache. He imagined showing up to the open house matching Alastor, and the Radio Demon would take his hand and sweep him around the dance floor, the two of them smiling together. He imagined Alastor telling him 'the real reason' he had made their outfits match. He imagined finally having a guy in his life who cared - who more-than-cared. He imagined having someone to come home to each night just like so many other people in this hotel did.

Angel felt hot tears at the edges of his eyes and held them back - both out of pride and because he knew fixing his mascara would take forever, and he didn't have a lot of time left.

Finally, he couldn't wait any longer and had to head out to the studio. Angel just hoped word of the show would spread fast and put Valentino and the others off Al's back for a while.

Angel left wearing his usual outfit. He wasn't in the mood to play the silly slut fully tonight. Besides, those three would expect him to show more independence as their fourth soon.

He walked along the street and just hoped Alastor would be home when he got back.

A/N:

That's all for now! Yes, things are getting a little dramatic now! ^^ There will be a regular update next weekend and then I may take a weekend off to work out some of the more complicated parts of the upcoming chapters. Thank you for your patience!

Have a good week, everyone!

-Azure129