A/N:

Hi everyone! Alastor and Angel continue their saga of accepting that they're dating now, and Baxter shows up at the hotel. I hope you enjoy the chapter, and thanks for reading : )

Partner

Chapter 28:

Changes

Baxter arrived a few hours after Charlie's announcement - just enough time for breakfast to end and for everyone to finish preparing the hotel and the tour schedule. But not enough time for Alastor and Angel to share any further words in private regarding their new circumstances. As they worked with the group, the pair just exchanged their usual witty banter and acknowledgments. Nothing seemed different between to them - and yet little lingering glances and slightly larger smiles from both demons reminded them that everything was different now and would be for the foreseeable future.

Alastor especially wished he had time to sit down and sort out more about their situation, with Angel or in private. But just as their preparations finished, Baxter arrived, and so the staff had to start the tour. Angel went upstairs with Abel and Louise - Alastor watched him depart. He was ready to trail behind Niffty and Husker for the tour and get lost in his thoughts on everything. But he was prevented when Charlie decided Alastor should lead the tour as the hotel's benefactor while she and Vaggie hung back with Baxter to answer questions.

Finally, after an hour of parading through the building while Charlie and Vaggie chatted up Baxter, and Niffty showed off everything she'd cleaned, and Husker grumbled about needing a drink, it was time for the tour to end. And for the Radio Demon to claim a moment's peace.

They had all just come in from the back yard. "And that is the garden! " Alastor twirled his cane. "Feel free to set up a corner for yourself for some planting. But if you want to use any of the vegetables Angel and I have planted for cooking, do ask one of us."

"Did I hear my name?" Angel smirked as he came down the stairs. He shared another glance with the Radio Demon and then came forward to Baxter with a wave. "Hiya, Baxter! Angel - nice to meet ya. Hope you're thinking of staying around. This place has good company. Charlie keeps everyone optimistic, Vaggie makes us stay motived, Husk and Niffty keep everything running like clockwork, and Smiles is our muscle ready to flex." He winked at Alastor.

Alastor's ears twitched with static then he straightened up. "Ha! Angel! Always with the quips! I'm here first and foremost for entertainment of course!" He nudged the spider with his microphone, and Angel laughed and mimed a little nudge back with his elbow.

Then Alastor had a feeling Charlie might be eyeing at them with one of her optimistic smiles, and he quickly turned and led everyone over to the kitchen door. "And in here you'll find our kitchen facilities. I'm sure Niffty would be happy to prepare you a repast, and then you can go over any further questions you have with Charlie and Vagatha."

"Come on, Baxter!" Niffty grabbed his coat sleeve and started pulling him toward the kitchen.

"Oh, well…" Baxter tried to keep pace with her. "I suppose I would benefit from examining your culinary facilities. Sometimes I need refrigeration for certain experiments."

"Husk, you come too! I'll need help!" Niffty grabbed Husk's arm with her other hand.

Husk grumbled. "I was gonna go to the bar - I'm already behind in my day-drinking."

"Please…" She looked up at him with that eye of hers so big and pleading.

He sighed. "Ugh, fine…. Let's go."

"Thank you!"

Baxter cracked a small smile as they headed through the door. "The dynamic and power structure you've established in this hotel is fascinating…" They disappeared into the kitchen.

Charlie beamed at Vaggie. "This is going so well!" She rubbed her cheeks and squealed.

Vaggie smiled. "It is - you're doing a really great job. And I know you're excited. But remember, keep playing it cool and casual."

Charlie took a breath and nodded. "I know. If he wants to check in, amazing, but if he needs time, that's okay too. I never want our guests to feel pressured. Let's just go and have a nice snack with him." She took Vaggie's hand and squeezed it then looked to Alastor. "Alastor, you did so good with the tour. I'm sure Baxter wants to hear more from you."

"Actually, I'm afraid this is where I take my leave." Alastor side-stepped away. "I'll be in my office attending to other affairs. You can take it from here, Charlie! You're fine on your own - the open house proved that as a certainty."

Charlie smiled gratefully and nodded, determined. She glanced at Angel. "Angel, Baxter had a lot of questions about what it's like living here. Maybe you could answer some?"

"You got it, cupcake." He winked then strutted into the kitchen. The ladies followed him.

Alastor took a deep breath and teleported into his office to sit in the chair at his desk. He closed his eyes and tented his fingers. He twitched his ears to play some light music between them. There was peace for a moment… until he felt a frequency in the air that was not right.

His eyes shot open. His shadow appeared directly behind him. With only his eyes, Alastor glanced at him then to the door. His shadow slid along the floor and under the door frame.

Alastor clenched his hand. Symbols swirled over his head, and as drops of black blood fell from his wrist, tentacles rose up from the floor to darken the room. Alastor's eyes turned to radio dials as his smile stretched wickedly.

There was a sigh from outside his window. "You already know I'm here, don't you?"

Alastor snapped the fingers of his other hand: Vox appeared and landed hard on the floor.

The television overlord stood and shook his head. "You don't have to be that rough about it."

"Rough about your death? You do understand I"m going to kill you now, yes?" Alastor asked in a distorted voice, tilting his head. His antlers grew.

Vox held up his hands. "I'm not here for fighting! I'm here to ask a favor!" He blushed a little.

Alastor's demonics remained throughout the room for a moment longer. Then with a snap, all tentacles disappeared and he looked like his normal self. "Are you saying you want to…make a deal?" He stood and held out his hand; green magic swirled around it.

"My life isn't that far in the gutter yet, no. More of a…convenient exchange."

Alastor pulled back his hand. "You have nothing I want. Also, you being in my territory without an invitation is an act of aggression. Last night's open house was an exception - not the rule."

"Well it's not like you have a phone I can text!" Vox flung out his arms. "Anyway would you just listen? Fuck, this is why we never got along - you are impossible to talk to."

Alastor's smile tightened. "You have two minutes of my time. Talk - before I get bored."

Vox took a breath and crossed his arms. "I know that YOU know who attacked you in your tower. And we all know that it's just a matter of time before you attack them back."

Alastor did not correct him.

"Anyway…I'm asking you to WAIT before you do any attack." Vox glanced away. "I need a goddamn break from all of this overlord drama. And I just had it out with Val. I'm not in an ideal place to be an entertaining match against you."

"Well…I do like my prey to at least think they have a sporting chance." Alastor tilted his head. "Of course, I also despise all three of you. Your reasoning isn't good enough - do you have anything else to offer."

Vox scowled. "Actually, I do. You back the fuck off from all three of us, and your precious 'first hotel guest' Angel goes back to his normal studio routine instead of dealing with our shitty private parties. I guarantee Val won't lay a hand on him or keep him away from this place."

Alastor hesitated, his eyes wide. "You have the authority to broker these terms?"

"I have the authority to take all of Val's commercials and porn movies off of all screens for a while if he doesn't play ball. Trust me, he'll go with it." Vox sighed. "Besides I'm guessing you could use a break too - waging war against three overlords at once probably wouldn't be easy right now with this hotel to get off the ground and your tower to rebuild."

Alastor slowly walked out from behind his desk. But he made sure to leave a few feet of space between himself and Vox. "Very well. You see to your end of our exchange, and I'll see to mine. But as soon as I sense you're up to snuff - or as soon as Angel is inconvenienced - you and those other two will hear from me. And it will go BADLY." His eyes flashed red.

Vox swallowed but held his ground. "Fine. Good. Thanks. Angel should get a text from the studio later tonight telling him he's on his usual shifts. Pleasure doing business."

Alastor held up his fingers to snap. "I'll send you back to your district then. And Vox…don't EVER sneak up on me here again." He flashed his fangs then gave the television overlord a little wave. "Ta ta!" Vox flipped him off with a pout before Alastor made him disappear.

The Radio Demon leaned back against his desk and flexed his fingers. "It feels quite invigorating to have my powers back to normal for displays like that!"

Suddenly there were rapid knocks on his door. "Smiles!" Angel called out. The door opened immediately and Angel tumbled in with Alastor's shadow behind him. The shadow closed the door as Angel got standing. "Are you okay? Shadow Smiles basically dragged me here!"

Alastor blinked. "Shadow Smiles?" He suddenly remembered Angel using that term last night as well.

Angel shrugged. "Your shadow's part of you. It just feels like I should call him some kind of real name now, considering everything." He blushed a little.

Alastor felt his face warm but then shook his head and scowled at his shadow. "I sent you out there to keep the others away, not to drag Angel into this! I can handle Vox!" The shadow rolled his eyes and just nudged Angel forward.

Now Angel blinked. "Wait, Vox was here?" He glanced around. "Where's the body?"

"I didn't kill him! I do have some self control! And who wants to eat someone made of wires and grease anyway. I did terrify him a little bit though," Alastor couldn't help but add proudly.

Angel grinned a little. Then he glanced behind him and back to Alastor with an eyebrow raised. "Did Shadow Smiles open the door for me?"

Alastor's eyes widened and he swallowed. "No. I cast new magic on the door earlier. Before, it would only open by Husker or Niffty's hand along with my own. Now…it opens for you too."

Angel's smile softened. "Neat trick."

Alastor's face glowed a lot. His breaths felt shallow. He was having many distinct memories about last night…like at one point when Angel's finger had twirled his bow tie and loosened it, and then Alastor had run his fingers deeply through Angel's hair. "Vox," His voice cracked with feedback, and he quickly adjusted his tone, "Vox is having a brief falling out with Valentino and Velvet. He merely requested that I hold off on any retaliation against them for their attack on my tower until they sort matters out. In exchange, he promises you won't have to attend anymore private parties or deal with Valentino's power plays - your usual schedule only."

"And you agreed to that…for me?" Angel smiled a little more.

"I agreed to that for US." He gripped his cane and as he realized what he had just said. "I mean for YOU as well as for ME. I like having Vox under my thumb, and I'm not currently in the mood to make a mess with those three. Ha! I have other more pressing matters at the moment."

Angel held back a small laugh. "The pressing matters - one of those IS 'us', right?"

Alastor gave a small shrug. He noticed his shadow chuckling beside him and dismissed him with a pout and a wave of his hand.

Angel sat on the edge of his desk. "Hey, Al? You get that part of me going back to work is me…doing a lot of sexual things for other guys, right? I mean, it's not personal, but it's still kind of intimate stuff. And you are I are…something kind of intimate now." He cleared his throat. "You did get a little demonic when I made that 'sausage fest' comment about Baxter."

"That was a reflex! I did not get enough sleep last night!" Alastor blinked when he realized his word choice again. He glowed brightly as Angel held back a laugh. Alastor sighed and composed himself. He turned to Angel. "It's not as if you're attempting to date your customers. As long as I don't have to witness or hear in detail about your indulgent intercourse, I'm quite content. Your work is how you entertain others. If it makes you smile, it makes me smile."

Angel's smile softened. "You're a really cool guy, Smiles." Alastor tilted his head at the compliment. Angel went on. "Being with YOU makes me smile most though. What we got is special to me…and intimate…and personal." He swirled his finger over the desk, almost shy.

Alastor relaxed his grip on his microphone slightly. "My shadow still shouldn't have brought you here just now. Vox and those other two seem to think I only care for you as the hotel's star guest, thankfully. But if they suspect the truth, they might try to take advantage.

"Don't worry about it, Al." Angel shrugged. "Besides I think your shadow just wanted to get you help just in case anything got serious. And after all, I did carry you to safety out of a burning radio tower once." He grinned proudly.

Alastor smiled a little more. "Yes, I suppose if I were to turn to any demon in a time of need, it would be you, darling."

Angel's eyes widened and he flushed pink. Alastor raised an eyebrow. "I kinda like when you call me darling," Angel quickly explained. "Mio cervo…" he added.

Alastor's eyes widened. "I…suppose I like calling you darling. And, as long as we are alone, you calling me that Italian term is…a small delight." His tail twitched.

Angel leaned in a little closer, smirking. "You charmer. Forget you worrying about me turning Baxter's head — I gotta worry about you getting him as a new groupie."

Alastor's glow brightened and he grinned. "Ha! As though I would ever speak to anyone like this except for you, mon ange…" He hesitated but then put his hand over Angel's on the desk.

Angel bit his lip, appearing so shy again. "I want to hug you with all six of my arms. I won't, I know that's a lot for you. I just like you so much."

Alastor almost glitched at Angel's tender words and the idea of the overwhelming sensation. Yet he was more curious about perhaps wrapping his own arms around Angel Dust. He'd gotten so close last night. He remembered resting against Angel's soft chest, near the spider's heart. He wanted more. And…they could have more now that they had admitted everything to each other.

Alastor didn't understand why he couldn't look away from Angel's eyes. But he was relieved to find Angel's gaze equally locked with his own. The circuits in his head buzzed pleasantly. And he wondered one more thing: what it would be like to bring a kiss to Angel's mouth all on his own instead of all the other little places he had set his smile to last night.

And then there was a new knock on the door. "Alastor!" It was Louise of all people.

Alastor's eyes flew open wide enough that his monocle popped out. His quickly grabbed Angel's shoulders, moved him in front of the door to the back room and snapped. His shadow appeared, pulled Angel into the back, and shut the door before the spider could say a word.

Alastor shoved his monocle back in and turned to the door with his smile too wide and his head cocked to the side at a strange angle. "Come in!" he announced far too forcefully.

The door opened at a snap of his fingers and Louise entered with a smile, wagging her tail. "Alastor, hi! I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"Ha! NO!" He clutched his cane so tightly he genuinely wondered if it would crack in two. "I was just - handling overlord matters! How can I assist you?"

Louise clenched her hands together and looked up at him with a hopeful smile. "Well, um…we haven't told anyone else yet but…Abel and I are gonna get married."

"Ah, what a fine turn of events for you two wacky sinners!" He swung a fist through the air. "I'm sure the entire hotel will be ecstatic! Ha!" He made a little some static leave his microphone.

Louise laughed and nodded. "Thank you kindly. We're gonna tell the others later today. But I wanted to ask you something first. You see, we'd like to have the wedding here with everyone. But I don't just want you to be a guest. I want you to…walk me down the aisle."

Alastor's entire head glitched. His eyes darted from side to side. He heard some shuffling in the back room and dug his nails into the desk, carving deep grooves. "That is a horrible idea!"

"Oh I knew you'd say that." Louise rolled her eyes. "But why? You're special to me and to Abel even if no one else knows why. And you play a big role in this hotel. And cannibals and junior cannibals should stick together right, heh? And I don't have anyone else down here. And - if I can't have my daddy to walk me since he's in heaven, I'd really like to another swell guy who's looked out for me." She was still smiling but had to wipe away a quick tear.

Alastor hesitated. "Your father is in heaven?"

Louise nodded. "Yeah. I'm glad. He was nice. He died when I was younger." She swallowed. "Even if there was some way to have him down here for it…I don't think I'd want him to be in hell and see me the way I am now." She glanced down at herself. "I know he'd still love me but…" She shook her head. "Anyway - if you really don't want to, Alastor, I'll understand. But if you change your mind, let me know. I won't say a word to anyone until I've got your answer."

She started to leave but Alastor held up a hand. "I…will walk you down the aisle, Louise."

She blinked then beamed, wagging her tail. "You will?" He nodded. "Oh Alastor thank you!" She ran up, and he cringed a little, bracing for a hug's impact. But instead she wrapped her arms around his microphone cane for an embrace. She pulled back and wiped away happy tears. "Abel and I will announce the wedding to Charlie and everyone later. I just wanted to check about you first. And I've got to find Angel too - I want him to be my maid of honor."

"I'm sure he's around!" Alastor's smile grew, eyes wide and on the edge of panic. There was more shuffling from the back room. Alastor dug another groove into the desk.

"I'll go tell Abel!" Louise practically skipped to the door. "Thank you again, Alastor!" She left and closed the door behind her.

The back room door swung open. Angel grinned. "You're cute when you panic, Smiles."

"I did not panic!" Alastor's eyes flashed and he pouted despite his grin. He glanced at Angel then glowed and glanced away. "I merely made a quick decision."

"A COUPLE of quick decisions," Angel corrected as he strolled back over to Alastor. "That was nice of you to agree to walk her down the aisle."

Alastor's stubborn look softened. "I've grown far too soft with everyone here. But…after all, I know what it's like to have heaven separate you from a dear parent. To wonder what they would think if they knew…if they could see you now." He shook his head and lowered it. "I…told you all of this the other evening when I was inebriated beyond repair, didn't I?"

Angel nodded. "Yeah. And I get it." His voice softened and he moved closer. "For what it's worth, Al…your mom…she wouldn't hate you. She sees the you that's underneath everything else - like I do. She loves you, and she always will."

Alastor was very still. His eyes were shining.

"Al? Alastor? Are you cry—"

"Ha!" Alastor tried to laugh but it came out static-filled. He turned to Angel and gadded his wrist - unblinking, not letting any of those possible tears fall. "How do you…make me feel….?" He shut his eyes tight and shook his head then opened them back up. Before the tears could fall they burned off as steam as his face glowed warmly. "How do you make me feel ANYTHING? How did last night happen? And just now when we you came in here, how did we almost end up…?" He glowed so brightly he practically lit the room.

"Making out but this time in broad daylight and on your desk?" Angel suggested sheepishly.

Alastor scowled clenched his jaw. "Are you sure you possess no overlord powers? No supernatural abilities? No hypnotic skills?"

Angel pouted. "I'm a regular old sex worker spider. No, I didn't mystically seduce you, Smiles."

"Then what is it?" Alastor had desperation in his wide eyes. "Why are you so compelling to me? You're delightful of course, but the pull is SO strong. I am quite unsettled! Normally I'd eat someone this disturbing to my thoughts. But I would bite out my own heart before I let anything happen to you by my own hand or another's!"

Angel blushed and swallowed. "Wow, you really got that knight in shining armor thing down. But Al, seriously, look at me." He hesitated then lightly touched his hands to Alastor's shoulders "It's okay, Caring about someone special is…a big thing. We have chemistry, and you're just experiencing it for the first time. It's normal. And I'm here for you."

Alastor swallowed. "I didn't mean to make it sound like I thought you had duped me. I know we both agreed to this. My powers are restored, and yet I'm not quite myself ha!"

Angel smiled a little. "It's okay. I feel different too…around you. I'm scared sometimes and confused and - sheesh, you let me kiss you last night and my heart's still pounding."

"I assure you none of my own powers went into making that happen."

Angel chuckled. His eyes hazed.

Alastor swallowed. "Do couples normally need time in between attempts to act intimately?"

Angel's eyes widened, and his fur pinkened. "It depends on the couple. Do YOU need time?"

"I can manage the occasional spontaneous moment for now," Alastor quickly replied, glowing. "I like…getting used to the sensation.

Angel smiled a little. "How about I meet you half way, cutie?" He came forward and set his lips to Alastor's cheek, brushing the corner of his smile. Alastor felt his heart flutter like electric sparks. Angel's mouth left him, and the spider's giddy gaze caught Alastor's wide eyes. "Christ, Al…before I lose my nerve, I-I know we probably couldn't go together to something public like the wedding, but could we dance at it? Just once? Even if it's on the roof alone. At the open house, I just wanted you to grab me and spin me and dip me back…"

Alastor's tail was wagging. "Dance. Yes! Fine, I would like to dance! But now I need to sit down, ha!" The laugh was weak and he collapsed into his chair, staring at the ceiling.

Angel's gaze softened. "Okay. I'll give you privacy then, hun. I should get going anyway - let Louise bump into me so she can ask me to be the maid of honor. You take all the time you need, Alastor…Al…Heh…" He composed himself then slipped out the door.

Alastor could have used an ice cold glass of sweet tea. He thought about how he would indeed dance and twirl and dip back Angel at that wedding. Mostly he just wanted to be warm with him again, sharing secrets and banter and memories. Perhaps on their date…

His shadow appeared, an eyebrow raised. The Radio Demon sighed and couldn't help a laugh. "I know it seems like I'm weak at the moment, but I actually feel beyond powerful. Damn that agreement with Vox - I'm sure I could indeed crack three overlords heads and then some right now!" He took a breath. "Still, you're right, I should take more time to understand this new experience…and my happiness - and how best to move forward safely." He considered. Then as he heard Charlie and the others pass his office for the end of the tour, a thought occurred to him. His smile tightened at the notion, but he would keep such an option in mind for now.

Husk figured Baxter should have left already, but no - he was sitting at the bar with Niffty having a rapt discussion about different chemical cleaning compounds. Niffty was happy to talk with someone who shared her obsession, and Baxter was content to take notes about her opinions and also on the hotel. Husk had a bad feeling this could go on forever. The two of them were practically acting like best friends. Not that he cared - not that he really considered Niffty his 'best friend' like she always said he was. But still it bothered him a little, being left alone behind the bar while everyone else was off with someone else. Or like Niffty here, who was having fun with Baxter instead of asking Husk a million questions and trying to clean every bottle on the shelves like usual and making sure to talk to him even when no one else did.

"I usually create my own sanitizing blends in the kitchen since there's more ventilation! I have lots of glass beakers - Alastor snaps them up for me all the time!" Niffty beamed.

"Really?" Baxter smiled. "Do you think he would lend me some supplies if I needed?"

"Of course! I'll ask Alastor for you - he always listens to me."

"And perhaps if I was in need of a lab assistant, you'd be kind enough to help me, Niffty?"

"As long as it doesn't interfere with my chores around here, and as long as it doesn't make a mess, of course!" She nodded.

Husk sighed very deeply and uncorked a fresh bottle for himself. "All these new guests - if we get too many more, Alastor's gonna have to rope in another bar tender so I can still have enough time to drink on the job."

Baxter glanced at him. "If you'd ever like assistance with the bar, I can help. Mixing drinks isn't very different from mixing chemicals."

Husk frowned. "No, thanks. This isn't the open house - this bar is not here anymore to give people fancy cocktails. We're here to get 'em wasted fast so they leave and I can have peace."

"Oh Husk," Niffty turned to him on her stool, "a busier bar like at the party last night could be fun! I think all the small talk and meeting new people would make you feel better!"

"I drink alone."

Baxter raised an eyebrow. "But you weren't drinking alone out here last night. You were with some blonde - I saw you."

Husk spit out his mouthful of liquor, eyes wide.

Niffty's eye widened. She leaped over the bar and grabbed Husk. "You made a friend!?"

"I did not!" He pried her off. "I just caught some chick lurking behind the bar and called her out on it! And she wouldn't stop talking so I shared a bottle with her! That's all!

Niffty stood on the counter beaming. "I want to meet her!"

"I don't even know her name!"

"Oh my gosh, is that why you asked Charlie about the guest list at breakfast?!"

"That's it!" Husk stormed out from behind the bar just as Alastor left his office.

The Radio Demon snapped and teleported Husk right back over to the group. "Husker my good man, where are you off to? We have a guest - leaving would be terribly rude !"

Niffty clapped her hands together. "Husk, made a friend!"

"Ha!" Alastor laughed. "Well there's a first time for everything I suppose!"

Husk glared at him.

Charlie and Vaggie came out of Charlie's office. Charlie approached Baxter, hands clasped. "Well, Baxter, we're so happy you visited us. We think you'd make a wonderful guest! But, take as much time as you need to decide…okay?" She bit her lip.

Baxter stood up and straightened his lab coat. "Two weeks should be sufficient, I believe."

"You'll let us know your decision in two weeks?" Vaggie clarified.

Baxter shook his head. "I would like to check-in in two weeks, if that timeline works for you."

Charlie's eyes filled with stars. She dashed forward and grabbed Baxter's hand and shook. "Yes! We'll give you a suite so you have room for your experiments! We're thrilled to have you!"

"Yay, Baxter! I wanted you to stay!" Niffty hugged him from the side.

Baxter grinned. "Thank you for the extra accommodations. I think my time here will be productive. But I should go and start making arrangements. I have a lot of lab equipment to bring here." Charlie started to walk him to the door and Baxter went on, "I'll need a power generator too and a lightning rod and a lot of tarps…" Charlie just nodded eagerly.

As soon as Baxter left, Charlie turned back to everyone, squealing in delight. She called up the stairs. "Angel! Louise, Abel! Steve! Can you come down here please?"

Quickly all four descended the stairs.

Alastor watched Angel descend with so much casual grace.

Charlie turned to them. "We officially have another new guest! Baxter will be moving in a couple of weeks from now! Isn't that exciting!"

"I knew he wouldn't be able to resist this place or you, Charlie." Angel winked at her and Charlie smiled shyly.

"That's wonderful," Louise assured. "And, well, as long as we've got everyone together, Abel and I have an announcement." She looked to Abel who nodded back to her.

Abel looked to the crowd. "Um…Louise and I are engaged. We're going to get married."

There was silence followed by applause and congratulations. Blushing, Louise added, "And we were hoping we could have the wedding here, Charlie. And that you'd be the one to marry us."

Vaggie smiled and sighed. "Oh boy, now you've done it…"

Charlie had tears in her eyes and a beaming smile. "I'd love to officiate! I LOVE weddings! And of course you can have it here!" She cried happily, and Vaggie got her a hanky.

"Thank you!" Louise wiped away some of her own tears. "Angel and Alastor already agreed to be part of the ceremony too. And Steve, I hope you'll play as our band."

Steve winked. "Be happy to. Congratulations!"

"We want all of you there," Abel went on. "You've all kind of become like family to us after all."

"There's so much to do!" Charlie announced. "Louise, whatever help you need with the planning, I'll do my best!" Murmurs and chatter started throughout the group.

Alastor was intrigued to find that Angel had slipped alongside him. The spider kept his voice low. "Maybe all of them being distracted with the wedding will make it easier for us to slip out for our date this weekend, huh?"

"I thought I'd just teleport us away," Alastor replied.

Angel shook his head. "Naw. I want it all to be a surprise. And I want you to be surprised at my outfit. We can meet at the spot I picked for our activity. You just leave saying you've got some overlord stuff, and I'll give you directions. I'll sneak out after."

"What an entertaining concept…" Alastor mused. "Should I dress for any particular occasion?"

"Just like your normal classy self. But we'll be walking a bit so decent shoes and don't wear anything you don't mind getting a little ruffled. And maybe a hat too, so we match."

"Hmm…if you're going to be so mysterious about our activity, I'll be mysterious about the location of our dinner together afterwards."

"That's hot."

Alastor sighed and his ears twitched. "Never a dull moment with you, Angel Dust." He turned, twirling his cane, and headed to his office. He did give Angel a glance over his shoulder with a little extra smile. And Angel gave him a wink back before joining the planning among the others while Husk shuffled back to the bar, looking grumpier than ever.

A/N:

Thank you for reading and for reviewing if you can! I'm so excited to get to Al and Angel's date ^w^ I've had some computer trouble this week, so I'll have to skip next weekend for updating, but I'll be back after that with more. Thank you for waiting!

Take care, everyone!

-Azure129