A/N:

Hi everyone! I wanted to make an update for Halloween weekend and because it's the end of Ace Appreciation week :) Also I wanted to give Alastor some resolution for his rough date night. I hope you like it, and thanks for reading!

Partners

Chapter 60:

Breakfast and Beignets Make Everything Better

Angel and Alastor were hugging around the pole in Angel's room at the end of their big date night. Angel looked at the window across the room and suddenly flinched, like for some reason he was expecting something bad to happen. But nothing came; their hug just went on normally. Then Alastor whispered near his ear… "Carry me to bed now, Angel — please?"

Angel shifted his head back to look down at Alastor. The deer demon gazed up at him, eyes hazed and features glowing gold, and shirt still half open to expose that svelte yet lightly muscled chest of his.

Heart racing, Angel nodded. "Yeah. I got you. Come here, Smiles…" Angel shifted around the pole and stood at Alastor's side. "You ready?"

Alastor nodded, looking very eager.

Angel grinned. "Okay, here we go…" Trying not to overthink it, he bent his knees and brought one arm behind Alastor's back and the other behind his legs, then lifted and stood tall.

Now Angel was standing on the platform with Alastor expertly cradled in his arms. The Radio Demon nestled against him with a happy grin. "Rather strong, aren't you, Angel?"

"Heh." Angel shrugged. "Just all that pole dance practice. Thanks for noticing."

"Its rather hard not to." Alastor's eyes hazed more, and he let a finger dance over Angel's flexed bicep with an almost hungry look.

Angel felt himself flush completely. "Uh, heh, well, uh…to bed then. Okay, just gotta get down from the platform first — hold on tight."

Alastor did so, looping his arms around Angel's neck. Angel did his best to keep himself steady and focused as he descended to the floor. He breathed a sigh of relief when they were safely down. "There we go. Now to the bed." He headed the few steps across the room then stopped at the edge of the bed. "Gonna set you down now, okay Smiles?"

"As long as you'll be joining me, that's quite acceptable, Angel." Alastor's voice was low and teasing.

Trying not laugh nervously, Angel nodded and set Alastor down. "I should, uh, probably change into pajamas first. Actually I guess we both should. Unless you can do one of your quick snap jobs on us?"

"Let's not for now." Alastor looked down shyly, his eyes finding Angel's legs. "I'm comfortable in what I'm currently wearing, and as for you…I like leather."

Angel sat down on the edge of the bed beside Alastor, feeling a lot of emotions at once at a reply like that. Alastor sat up, watching him with interest.

And that deer demon still had his shirt half open, showing the many dusky scars Angel had managed to kiss mere moments ago.

"Smiles?" Angel started. "Do you—" Alastor came forward and planted an enthusiastic kiss on his lips, holding Angel's face. The spider was shocked for a moment but then closed his eyes and kissed back. They separated eventually, both panting heavily.

Alastor took Angel's hands in his and gently brought them to the few remaining secured buttons of his shirt. "Angel…kiss the rest of them…my scars?"

"I…Alastor…maybe we should wait until…"

"Please?" Alastor said the word with such tenderness, tears at the corners of his big eyes, like sharing this experience together was the most important thing in the world. "I want to feel loved again."

Angel's heart warmed, and he gave a small nod. Then he found himself undoing the remaining buttons, pulling open Alastor's shirt. Angel crawled into Alastor's lap and Alastor held his hips, pressing his hands to the leather pants, almost like at any moment his claws would try doing some clothing removal as well.

Angel was completely flushed, almost breathless. With any other guy this would have been nothing. With Alastor though, Angel trembled as he kissed the warm skin of Alastor's neck to start. He felt shy at the idea letting even more of himself been seen and touched by the man he loved in return. Every bit of contact with Alastor made his heart race, and Angel almost wanted to groan at the mere idea that anything serious might happen here. Adrenaline pumping, he fell forward onto Alastor, knocking him back onto the bed, and finally started kissing down his chest again. "Alastor…Alastor…Oh Alastor…" The deer demon just chuckled warmly and moaned with faint hums of static. Then he let Angel slip all six arms past his shirt and around his slim body as one of Alastor's shapely legs hooked around his hip.

Angel wanted everything Alastor would let him have. When they were together, his heart filled was a tender and endless heat that was beyond the fires of hell.

"Alastor…" Eyes closed, Angel hugged a pillow close and moved farther over on the bed…and farther…and farther…and then he ran out of bed. "Ow!" Angel landed on the floor, waking up abruptly. He blinked and looked around at the familiar sights of Alastor's room then looked down at himself, wearing pajamas and holding a nearly mangled pillow in his arms. He sighed. "Fuck, I am not telling that I had that dream, and I am definitely not telling him that I had it in his bed." He shook his head and checked his phone. "8 AM… Yikes, I haven't seen 8 AM in ages. Makes sense though, I guess. After that fiasco last night, I did get to bed kind of early." He rubbed his temple. "Fuck, I better just dive in to dealing with Niss and Molly. And then I gotta figure out where Al is. But first I need to calm myself down a little…" He pouted, crossed his legs, and tried not to linger on his excitable imagination.

After making the bed, checking his phone, and spending a few minutes running the cold water tap in Alastor's bathroom over his face, Angel finally took a deep breath and headed out into the hall and over to his room. He knocked. "Niss, Molls — you up?"

"One of us is, at least. Come in."

Angel smiled a little at that humorous reply from Niss and found a very expected sight when he entered.

Niss was back in his suit from last night, looking neat as a pin. He had made his half of the bed and was just finishing running a brush through his hair at Angel's vanity.

Meanwhile, Molly was still in bed, completely passed out and snoring with her hair spread and tangled in every direction. Nuggets had made a little nest for himself in the better part of it.

Niss walked over and gestured to the bed. "I tried everything to get her up — reminded her about the mob, talked about breakfast, told her you'd be looking for us soon…" He shook his head with an almost impressed grin. "She just groans 'five more minutes' and passes out cold again, snoring. Nuggets love it though. He's been cuddling her hair all night."

Angel chuckled a little. "Let me try." He gently picked up Nuggets and held him close then cleared his throat. "Hey Molly, guess who's heading up here and is dying to see you? Husky!"

With a big snore she shot up straight, eyes wide. "No, no, no! I'm a mess! Ah fongul, what happened to my hair? I don't even have my face on! And look at what I'm wearing! Angel, stall him!" She was up and already scrambling across the room to take Niss's place at the vanity.

"Relax, relax, he's not coming — he ain't an early riser either," Angel waved her off as he and Niss held back some laughter. "But we did need you up so we can go explain to everyone that you're both here."

Molly sighed and rolled her eyes as she brushed her hair. "Very funny. Don't scare me like that, ya know I like my beauty rest! Also Husk already caught me once with my hair in curlers and a face mask on — it's not happening again." She put down the brush and started looking around. "Angel's where's your make up?"

"Top right drawer."

Molly opened the drawer and started putting on her face with a smile. But she suddenly paused mid-mascara, eyes wide. "Wait, Tony! Did Alastor come back to ya last night?" She turned and looked at her brother desperately.

Angel's smile tightened then fell. "Uh, I don't think so… He didn't come back to his room. He could be somewhere else in the hotel but… I think he would have let me know." He took a deep breath. "When he is back here though, I need to talk to him alone first. Then you two can talk to him with me when he's ready, okay?"

"Of course!" Niss nodded.

"We'll follow your lead, Tony," Molly assured gently. "I want to get to know him better. You like him, and we want him to like us too."

Angel smiled a little but then blinked a few times. "Wait…Molly, did you…know I was seeing Alastor?"

She smiled sheepishly and turned back to the mirror to finish applying her lipstick. "Yeah, heh. No one told me! But I was spying on the breakfast table that morning that Niss and Husk got me onto Pen's airship. I saw you and Alastor sitting next to each other — watched how he'd give you a napkin and laugh at your jokes and how you'd light up. Wasn't too hard to figure out."

Angel blushed a little and smiled more. Then he cleared his throat and glanced to Niss. "But you didn't know?"

Niss rolled his eyes and sat on the edge of the bed. "Tried to get it out of Molly every which way, but she wasn't having it. She wanted me to be surprised. And I was, believe me!" Angel raised an eyebrow, but Niss held up his hands and quickly explained. "I mean a good kind of surprised! Rosie and Mimzy got full respect for Alastor, and I've been hoping I could be his friend too. And now you and him are together…and that means you've got a really nice guy. I'm glad." He smiled.

Angel smiled a little more too. "Thanks." He considered then smirked a little and looked to Molly again. "Now the real question — Molly, do you also know who Niss is dating?"

Molly laughed as she tired back the end of her hair with a red ribbon. "Oh yeah, but I didn't tell Niss about yours and I'm not telling you about his."

Angel was instantly right in front of Niss, grinning down at him.

Niss tugged at his collar and glanced away. "Maybe not right now, okay? We've got like three crises on the table, and I haven't even eaten yet."

Angel sighed. "Fine, but I'm finding out before you leave. Last thing I need is to get an invite to the wedding one day and not know who my new in-law is."

Niss blushed a lot and rolled his eyes then playfully cuffed Angel on the shoulder. Angel playfully cuffed him back. And then the boys were wrestling and laughing and Nuggets was running around them, oinking and wagging his tail.

Molly smiled and shook her head as she put on her headband. "You two — come on, enough with the horseplay. If we're gonna be up this early, I need coffee. Oh and something else to wear. The skirt of my dress got all tattered last night from the window glass." She dashed over to Angel's closet, pushed aside some outfits, then grabbed a pink dress as a couple sets of heels. "Borrowing these!" She winked and then headed into the bathroom.

Left alone, Angel and Niss final gave up their play fighting and sat on Angel's bed, catching their breaths.

Angel glanced around the room then blinked. "Did you clean up?" He noticed that the chair and table Alastor had used were off to the side, the sarsaparilla bottle was corked and on Angel's dresser, and he watched now as Niss crawled over the bed and straightened out Molly's side of the covers.

Niss shrugged as he finished and sat back down. "Yeah. I mean, I figured it was the least we could do. I would have put away your pole and platform too, but…I wasn't really sure how to take it down and I didn't want to break it." He smiled sheepishly.

"Oh. Thanks." Angel smiled a little.

"I, uh…found this too while I was cleaning. Its was on Alastor's chair." Niss reached into his pocket and produced Alastor's undone bowtie.

Angel blushed and quickly grabbed it. "Oh, uh, yeah! Heh…thanks." He held the bowtie close and looked down at it. "It's his. I'll…give it back to him later." He resisted the urge to inhale the scent of the bowtie deeply and instead laid it carefully on his nightstand.

Niss watched him.

Angel raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"You really care about this guy, don't you?"

Angel swallowed. "I told ya once before…I love him."

Niss blushed…then he held his breath but finally made himself ask. "What's that feel like exactly…falling in love?"

Angel raised an eyebrow, then his eyes widened. "Archie, do you mean you're really…"

Niss crossed his arms and managed a shrug.

Angel's whole face brightened with wonder for a moment. Then he sighed. Niss could get flustered very easily. He got up and went over to his dresser, pulling out his clothes for the day. Casually over his shoulder her said, "Archie, is there some reason you don't want to tell me who it is you're seeing? Like…you know that, whoever it is, as long as you're happy I'm gonna support you, right?"

Niss blushed more and pulled up his knees, looking down. "I…yeah…I mean, I don't deserve that much from you but…I'm sure you would be that cool anyway cuz you're a good guy, Tony."

Angel shook his head as he put on a fresh shirt and his jacket. "No more about who deserves what. We're trying to start fresh. That means you deserve everything any brother would. But I'm glad you know I'm here for you." He raised an eyebrow. "This person…they treat ya good, right? I think Molly would have spilled the beans if they didn't. But you're starting to get me nervous, so I just want to check."

"They treat me real good, promise." Niss took a deep breath and relaxed a little. "And I don't mean ta make ya nervous. I just want to let you know in my own way and when I'm ready. Molly only found out cuz she was eavesdropping and saw us together, otherwise I'd be waiting to tell her too, heh."

"You should bring them by here, when you're ready." Angel smiled, slipping on his shorts and socks. "When Al's feeling better, he'll be around too, and then we can all get used to each other."

Niss smiled at the idea.

Angel got on his boots and headed back over to the bed. "First though we've gotta introduce you to Husk — barrel of laughs, that guy. Decent bod though, heh." He smirked.

Niss chuckled a little.

"I heard that!" Molly announced, coming out of the bathroom now wearing a pink halter sundress and heels. "And for your information his bod's not just 'decent', it's handsome and rugged and strong." She sighed dreamily.

Angel snorted. "Oh well, excuse me for not selling him enough. I'm sure we'll get to see him flex and flirt away as soon as he realizes you're here." He winked and stood up. "But let's start by going to the princess. Normally she's one of the first people up in the morning, but lately she's been spending a lot of time in her room dealing with something. I think seeing you two will really cheer her up though. Come on, I'll lead the way." He picked up Nuggets and kissed him on the head. "Nuggs, you stay here, and if Alastor shows up you act really cute to make him stay put til I get back." He set the little pig down then led his siblings out into the hall and to the stairs ascending to the next floor up.

Alastor was awake but he wasn't happy about it — as such, he had chosen to remain lounging in bed in the dark with his hair sticking out at odd angles and his clothes from last night still on his body and his blankets pulled tightly around himself.

His shadow had been watching this little display for about an hour with patience after returning from observing the hotel to make sure the mob didn't attempt an attack. At this point though, he just eyed Alastor with a dry look, arms crossed.

Alastor noticed and grunted. "Getting up this morning means I'll have to begin dealing with the consequences of last night. Staying in bed is a rather neat solution to avoiding that mess, in my opinion."

His shadow flew around to the other side of the bed, frowning now. He made a heart shape with his hands.

Alastor saw. He sighed. "I know… I do at least owe Angel the courtesy of letting him know that I'm all right, relatively speaking. After all, I didn't go on a murder spree or lose myself in dark magic or declare war on another overlord to manage my emotions — that counts as being well, I suppose." He pulled in his knees and wrinkled his nose. "But Angel will want to discuss other details too that I don't have words for yet. And then there's still the major matter of returning home and trying to meet his siblings properly." He considered then glanced at the shadow again. "Will you go back to the hotel and assure him I'm all right for me?"

The shadow eyes hazed more in impatience.

Alastor sighed. "If I promise to get out of bed will you do it?"

The shadow was unmoved.

"How about if I promise to get out of bed and out of this apartment? Perhaps I'll go see Rosie and Mimzy and seek their discrete advice."

The shadow smiled and nodded.

Alastor sighed in annoyance but pushed himself up. "Very well, we have a deal."

The shadow winked and disappeared.

Alastor snapped into a change of clothes, then snapped again to quickly clean and freshen himself up. He rubbed his temple. "Well, Rosie and Mimzy should find this to be an interesting discussion." He took a deep breath, tried not to think about how he should have been waking up this morning wrapped in Angel's strong arms instead of tucked away in his penthouse like a skittish fawn, then snapped his fingers and teleported himself away.

After knocking on Charlie's door, Angel had been kind of bummed to hear how tired her 'hello' sounded. But once she opened the door to see three spiders and Angel introducing them as his brother and sister, she perked up right away. Good old 'full of rainbows' Charlie was back for the moment and full of questions and greetings and hugs. And Razzle and Dazzle joined in the fun, each of them clinging to one of the new spider siblings in fascination. Charlie's mood did falter a little though when Angel quickly mentioned the fresh mob situation brewing outside, but he assured her that it would be taken care of soon, and she nodded with relief and said she trusted him.

Then with a bright smile that Angel was happy to see back on her face, Charlie led the group down the stairs through the lobby and to the dining room where everyone was seated around the table eating breakfast.

"Everyone!" Charlie beamed. "May I present…Angel's sister Molly and his brother Niss!" She stepped aside to reveal all three spiders together; Angel at the center while on either side of him Molly gave Razzle and hug and then let him scamper off to Charlie while Niss tried to pry a clingy Dazzle off of himself and send him back to Charlie too.

Angel grinned. "Heh, yeah, they got in late last night and now they're gonna be staying here discretely for a few days while we take care of the mob problem. Molly, Niss, meet everyone!" Angel pointed each hotel member out. "That's Vaggie…Louise and Abel…Baxter…Niffty…" He smirked. "And, uh, I'm pretty sure we're missing someone…"

Niffty was already out of her seat and dashing to the kitchen. A second later she pulled a confused Husk into the dining room. He scowled. "What?! I was waiting for the fresh pot of coffee to brew—" He froze, and his eyes widened along with his wings.

"Husk!" Molly yelled with a bright smile and a wave. She grabbed her bothers and dragged them over to him. "Surprise!"

"Molly!" In a rare turn of events, Husk smiled. When everyone at the table proceeded to say 'Aww!' Husk blushed and instantly shut his mouth, but his eyes never left her as she came right up to him.

Molly giggled. "Good morning."

Husk blinked a few times, eyeing her up and down. "Wow, you look…" He'd always seen her wrapped up in a coat or a robe, and with a hat on or last time wearing a face mask. But now, in a simple beautiful dress in the full morning light, her arms and legs and bright face fully on display, she looked… "You look…a lot like Angel." He blinked. "Sorry! I just…uh…never noticed before. You've even got hearts all over your, uh…you." He vaguely gestured to her torso.

She laughed. "Aww, don't be sorry! I guess I forgot to mention, but we're twins!" She hooked arms with Angel. "Not identical of course but pretty close."

Husk glanced back and forth between them blushing.

Angel smirked. "Oh this is cute, he's going through Pan Panic."

"Am not!" Husk grumbled. He blushed more as he realized everyone was still watching them and then cleared his throat. "Good morning, Molly. It's great you're here. I've missed you."

Molly giggled again, eyes hazed. "Same to you. Oh, and say hi to our older brother — this is Niss. Niss, this is Husk."

Niss stepped forward and held out his hand. "Hey, nice ta meet ya, Husk."

Husk stood tall and shared a firm handshake with Niss. "Nice to meet you too. You got a decent brother and a real good sister. Happy to have you here."

Niss smiled more as they separated. "Glad my brother has such a decent friend and my sister has such a good guy."

Husk blushed, and his ears twitched.

Molly was beaming. Then she noticed a small demon looking up at her with the most eager expression on her one-eyed face. She smiled down at her. "Hmm, now could this be Husk's best friend Niffty?"

"Yes!" Niffty dove at her in a big hug. "It's so nice to meet you, Molly! Husk says you're funny and nice, and I think you're the prettiest spider lady ever!"

Molly blushed shyly. "Thank ya, Niffty. You seem wonderful too and I can't wait to get to know ya." She playfully whispered. "Also thanks for looking after Husk when I'm not here. I'm happy he's got such a sweet friend."

Molly giggled as Niffty squeezed even tighter. Then the little demon dashed away and instantly had two extra chairs ready for new place settings at the table. "Here's a seat for you and a seat for Niss! Alastor should be down soon, and then we can really have a fun breakfast."

Just as Molly and Niss shared an awkward look (which made Husk raise an eyebrow) Angel spoke up quickly. "Actually Al's away right now, Niffty. He'll…be back later, heh."

Niffty tilted her head then frowned a little. "Oh, okay. I just wish he wouldn't go without breakfast."

"I'm sure he'll eat something." Angel assured with a warm smile as he took a seat. "Anyway, Molly, Niss, sit — everyone else can introduce themselves too now."

The other two spiders took their seats along with Angel and Charlie and Husk and Niffty. Vaggie smiled and started first with introducing herself, while Baxter, Louise, and Abel eagerly awaited the chance to do the same.

Angel got up for a moment to grab the fresh coffee and some extra cups from the kitchen. He tried not to worry too much about Alastor but was failing miserably until Alastor's shadow appeared in the room all of a sudden. Eyes wide, Angel went to speak but the shadow put a finger to his lips to quiet him. The shadow held up fingers over his head like antlers, signifying Alastor, and then made a heart with his hands and finally smiled and gave a thumbs up. Angel smiled too — he understood the shadow well enough to get that Alastor was okay. He nodded, and the shadow nodded in return then disappeared.

Angel reentered the dining room feeling a little easier inside, even if he did still wish he could see the deer demon in person as soon as possible.

Alastor teleported into the shop floor of the Emporium, currently empty since the establishment hadn't opened yet for the day, and strolled upstairs where he gave a firm rap on the door. There was no response so he tried again. Then he sighed and snapped his fingers to manifest a key. "If they're not home now, they'll be back eventually." He let himself in but did clear his throat and announce himself as he walked down the hall, just to be safe. ""Rosie! Mimzy! Surprise visit from yours truly…if you don't mind? I'm afraid I've gotten myself into a fresh pickle — which I suppose would be a cucumber, but I digress, ha!" He was nervous and he always rambled when he was nervous and he hated himself for it sometimes.

"Alastor?"

Alastor's ears perked up when he saw Rosie pop her head out of the kitchen. She smiled brightly and dashed over to him. "My what a lovely surprise! Sorry dear, we didn't hear the door. Come, come, let's get you settled in the kitchen! We have a—"

Alastor sighed. "I'm afraid I couldn't eat a bite!" He stepped into the parlor and dramatically laid himself down on the sofa. "I've really outdone myself and I…could use some reassurance." He glowed.

Rosie stood in the parlor doorway, hands on her hips. "I understand completely, but first you should—"

"I know, I know, first I should at least have some coffee or sherry or water… But while I still have the gumption I have to get everything off my chest!" His ears were down, and he flung an arm in the air dramatically. "Communication — I've been abysmal at communication for so long! And the irony of being a demon who's presence is based entirely on a form of communication doesn't escape me! But I refuse to let myself languish in silence any longer. There are too many others who suffer now if I continue acting so stubborn."

Rosie sighed as Mimzy dashed into the parlor now. "Alastor!" She beamed then she glanced at Rosie. "Rosie, why didn't you bring him to the kitchen with us?"

"I believe he's about to monologue dear." She tried not to smile.

Alastor rolled his eyes and stood up brandishing his cane with flare. "If it's the only way I can make myself relieve the weight of the thoughts on my mind, then so be it! And I'd like you to hear this too, Mimzy!"

"Of course!" Mimzy assured. "But Alastor…"

He shot up, pacing the room, already too caught up in his thoughts to heed anything else. "Last night I participated in a rather enthralling date with Angel Dust and let my guard down most exquisitely only to have his siblings burst in on the whole affair and catch us quite…in flagrante delicto!" He turned to them, glowing considerably.

And then his head buzzed with considerable static as he heard slow clapping from the hallway upon which Cherri Bomb entered the doorway to stand between Rosie and Mimzy, grinning.

"Wow," she mused, "I have heard overlords monologue but never like that. You just went full soap opera. Loved it."

Rosie rubbed her temple. "Alastor, dear, as we were trying to tell you, Cherri Bomb is here — we were all in the kitchen together when you arrived."

"She's picking up Niss's stuff since he and Molly are going to stay at the hotel for a bit," Mimzy added.

"And," Cherri chimed in, "I already knew the broad strokes about the date fiasco since Angel texted me the vaguest version possible. But now after hearing your spiel, I've gotta know — what exactly happened that was so devastating?" Her eyebrow lifted, and she crossed her arms. "Angel's pretty worried about you jumping ship, you know…"

Clutching his microphone, Alastor took a very deep breath. "For starters, his siblings surprised me and I used an eldritch tentacle to shatter a widow and drag them forcibly inside the hotel." He cringed at the memory, the corners of his mouth turning down.

Cherri shrugged. "Radio Head, for real, I almost kill people ALL the time. I'm sure they get that you were just being protective, especially if they were eavesdropping and you had Angel to keep safe."

Alastor glowed a little more. "Yes, well…perhaps. But…there's more to the situation."

"Is that part of what you meant when you said 'in flagrant' whatever?"

Alastor sighed and turned away. "Cherri Bomb, though I respect your position as Angel's dearest friend and value your assistance as an acquaintance, we do not know each other well enough for me to fathom offering you details about the nature of…our romantic endeavors. Suffice it to say that Angel's siblings have excellent reason to think me a cad."

Cherri just sighed. "Look, I'm not trying to pry. I'm just saying, I've known Molly and Niss for years, and they are not the type to judge two grown adults on a date doing whatever's getting done."

"She does have a point," Rosie offered. "I know Niss is mature enough to accept his brother's love life, and I'm sure Molly is as well. If anything, perhaps it's a relief that they now know you're seeing Angel so you don't have to find a time to make an announcement."

"Yeah, exactly!" Mimzy offered with encouragement. "Now you can jump right into knowing each other, and one day this whole thing will be an awkward memory to smile over."

Alastor bit his lip. "You don't understand. I…I was letting Angel…" He sighed. "I was letting him hold me and…kiss me in new ways… and I was letting myself enjoy it." He cringed like he was swallowing a spoonful of medicine.

"Hun," Cherri's voice was more tender now, "even given that basic description, I can tell you for sure that Molly and Niss do not think you're a cad. And they do not think you're dangerous because of the tentacle. Fuck, they could have walked in on so much worse, and the bottom line is everyone's safe and no one got impaled — in the violent or the sexy way." She added the last part under her breath.

Alastor's entire head sizzled with static. "We are not having this conversation anymore!" He announced far too forcefully.

Cherri held up her hands and tried not to smile too much as Rosie rubbed her temple and Mimzy held back a small giggle.

"Okay, okay," Cherri agreed. "No more talking about the date. But I want you to know one more thing about the spiders. Besides Angel being worried about you, Molly and Niss…feel pretty bad about interrupting your night." She frowned. "I know you need some time to process, but I hope you'll go back and talk to all three of them soon so that Angel knows things are okay between the two of you and so that Molly and Niss don't start thinking that you hate them just like how you're convincing yourself that they hate you." She shrugged. "Whenever you're ready, they'll be waiting for you. That's just what family does for each other."

Alastor's eyes widened, and his smile became small as that concept sank in. "Er…but I'm not family…"

"Oh please. Fuck blood or a ring: Angel already consider you family — trust me."

Alastor glowed excessively.

Cherri smiled more. "Well, anyway, I should get going and bring Niss his stuff. Good to see ya, Radio Head. And you ladies too of course." She smiled at Rosie and Mimzy and then turned to leave the room.

"Cherri," Alastor said suddenly.

She paused and glanced back over her shoulder.

He still wasn't blinking or moving. "If you're going to the hotel now…will you let Angel know that I'll be back there this evening? Please."

Cherri smiled more. "Be glad to." She gave him an approving nod then sauntered out of the room.

Mimzy smiled brightly and clapped her hands together. "Oh, it's wonderful to hear you're going back that quickly, Alastor! We'd have put you up for a bit if you wanted more time of course, but I hate to think of Angel missing you for so long!"

Rosie smiled approvingly as she came toward Alastor. "You've grown very much from this relationship, Alastor. Before, you would have brooded for days over an awkward encounter. I'm very proud of you."

"Yes, well…" Alastor's voice cracked a little and he cleared his throat. "Perhaps just getting the situation resolved before it has a chance to fester is best. And I would miss Angel too if I stayed away." He swallowed. "But before I go back I would like to prepare a little surprise. Would you two indulge me by letting me borrow the kitchen? And also your services as assistants?"

Rosie's eyes sparkled. "Of course! What did you have in mind?"

"Beignets." Alastor announced. "After a lot of thought, I had intended to make them for Angel's siblings when they arrived as a welcome gift. And possibly to impress them. All of my other plans for our first meeting have gone wildly out the window now, but I can still manage the beignets at least."

"I love helping with the beignets!" Mimzy was eagerly beside them. "Molly and Niss will love them, Alastor! What a swell surprise!"

"Agreed!" Rosie nodded. "And we already had coffee on for Cherri — we can all have some more while we bake."

"Indeed." Alastor nodded and snapped — aprons appeared on all three of them. His eyes hazed. "And while we bake I'd also like to have a good catch up. I'm afraid I haven't had a chance to spend time with you both ever since your flirtations turned into quite the exclusive dalliance after there radio tower attack." He smirked. "Do I hear wedding bells?"

Mimzy giggled. "Oh Alastor, you charmer." She smirked too and leaned in close to Rosie. "But, really, what's wrong with living in sin?"

Rosie rolled her eyes, smiling more. "Alastor, you'll hear wedding bells when we're good and ready to let you hear them and not a moment before, cheeky." She winked at him.

He laughed and strolled toward the kitchen. "Fair enough."

"Especially considering I could ask you the same thing about Angel," Rosie replied in a low voice as she came alongside him while Mimzy dashed off ahead of them. "You know how I would love to sink my teeth into constructing wedding clothes for that event…"

"Indeed!" Alastor just gazed forward, smile bright and eyes quite wide. "And a very excellent point I suppose, ha."

With a shy glance down and some glowing, he entered the kitchen behind Rosie and tried to put all of his thoughts on baking and Angel and all the good things to come.

A/N:

Thanks for reading! I'll try to update weekly again for a bit as we get to the big mob confrontation. I hope you like what's to come!

Take care!

-Azure129