A/N:

Hi everyone! Quick early update while I have the chance : ) The spiders getting ready for the big mob conflict! Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy!

Partners

Chapter 65:

Spiffy Spider Party Pop

Angel left Alastor's office after awhile to see to setting up his siblings in his room. Now, Alastor sat at his office desk, staring at a black rotary phone he had manifested. His fingers were tented and his eyes were narrowed and his smile was more of a sneer.

His shadow watched him, arms crossed and an eyebrow raised.

Alastor sighed. "I really have no other option. Honor demands it…as does convenience…as does my clearly superior capacity to be a bigger man than certain other parties."

The shadow leaned in and gave him a dry look.

Alastor pouted at him. "I am not being dramatic! I am just going over my reasons once more to prepare myself. And now I'm ready. I'll call him…" His ears flicked in annoyance.

The shadow nudged the phone a little closer to him.

Alastor gave him a dry look. With a grin and a wink, the shadow disappeared.

The Radio Demon rolled his eyes and finally picked up the phone. He dialed. "I hate myself for still remembering that damn pompous, arrogant, uppity, technological mistake's number…" He dialed the final digit and clutched the phone to his ear as it rang. Once…twice…three times. Perhaps he wouldn't answer, then Alastor could at least say he had made the effort and be done with everything. Ugh, but what if he had one of those dreadful answering devices — all the portable phones had them, right? Then Alastor would have to leave some kind of message; a recording that could be replayed and potentially used to humiliate him. Alastor snarled. One more ring and then he would hang up and rethink this whole notion once more.

Suddenly the phone clicked, and the expected voice answered. "I don't like private numbers so if this is a sales call, just know that I'm tracking your location and ready to kill you."

Alastor clenched his jaw. "Hello and a fine day to you too, Vox."

Alastor heard a buzzing screech of static followed by silence followed by a cough and then…the sound of barking. Oh yes, Vox had a shark puppy thing these days — Alastor recalled Angel mentioning it. Finally Vox spoke again, soundly only moderately suspicious. "Alastor, if it's really you and this is some kind of death threat phone call, for fuck's sake can you just put it in writing and fax it to me or something? I'm not in the mood, and also I'm kind of busy."

Alastor sighed, rubbing his temple. "Yes, it's really me. Do you think anyone would genuinely have the fortitude or death wish to attempt impersonating me?"

"I don't think anyone would have the cheesy static to pull off the voice."

"Could we perhaps attempt to keep this conversation civil?"

"Depends — you didn't answer me yet about if this is some kind of death threat call."

Alastor clenched his fist on his desk. "It is NOT a death threat call! I—" His head buzzed, and he did his best to keep his voice level. "It is a call to…show some good faith…as a courtesy for your assistance tipping off Angel about his felonious father."

Silence.

Then Vox sighed. "So like…for real…are you an Angel groupie now?"

Alastor's eyes turned red.

Vox went on. "No judgment or whatever! No seething jealousy even. At this point I'm just curious."

Alastor suppressed a moment of sheer confusion then immediately exercised a tremendous amount of restraint. "Perhaps your taste is so lowbrow that you genuinely can't appreciate Angel's company. I, however, have found him to be quite amusing. And I enjoy preserving my sources of amusement and entertainment, as you well know." He dug his claws against his desk and added, with just a bit of a pout, "Also I AM capable of befriending others, Vox."

"Yeah, just not me…"

Alastor raised an eyebrow. The statement hadn't been biting or sarcastic — it had almost sounded sad. His eyes darted around. "I…do not think we worked successfully in that fashion, no…?"

"You're right." Vox sighed. "And I've accepted it. Oh and also fuck you for that comment about my taste." He sounded like he was smiling a little — genuinely. Alastor heard the shark give a few happy barks and Vox chuckled under his breath. Then the television overlord sighed and returned his attention to their call. "Now for real, what's up? I'm trying to make dinner for me and my pet, I'm waiting to hear back from Velvet, and I'm trying to keep an eye on the studio cameras. I do have shit going on."

"Precisely!" Alastor brightened. The sooner they got to the heart of this matter, the better. "That's what I wanted to discuss — the studio! More specifically, Valentino…and certain events that will take place tomorrow."

Silence again, then Vox spoke in a quiet, tired voice. "If you're planning to kill him, could you hold off? He's…really out of it. Like 'high as a kite and betting everything on something too big not to blow up in his face' out of it."

"Ha!" Alastor reclined back in his chair. "First of all, you don't tell me when to make my kills. And second of all, no…I don't intend to kill him yet. I have other plans tomorrow." He smirked. "And those plans are what I think will interest you. You see, tomorrow evening in the alley two blocks over from the hotel, between a string of abandoned buildings. Angel intends to have things out with his father."

"And?" Vox sighed. "Alastor, fuck, I know you want to be dramatic but please get to the point. I've got a pot roast burning."

Alastor wrinkled his nose in confusion — what the hell was going on in Vox's life exactly? "Indeed. Anywho… if Valentino is indeed in cahoots with such a brute, I do believe there's a chance your ex-partner might be present at this little rendezvous, either willingly or by force." He narrowed his eyes. "Things are going to get very dark and dismal at this encounter with the mob. Quite frankly, I'm hoping for a blood bath but I'll settle for a massacre, ha! My point is, if you're keen on preserving Valentino's life, you may want to have a presence nearby in case he needs someone to dig him out of a very deadly hole. In fact, I'd prefer if you were there to corral him so I can focus on other tasks at hand instead."

"You're…trying to help me…keep Valentino safe?"

"I'm trying to help you keep Valentino safe FOR NOW." Alastor's look grew dark and his voice lowered to something truly sinister. "I am still working out plans for his demise, and I do not want them interrupted by an accidental early departure from this plane of existence."

Vox swallowed. Then the overlord took a deep breath. "Fine. I get the gist. I'll keep an eye on the place tomorrow and the studio up until then." Alastor heard sounds of cooking in the background — sizzling and water running. "You do know that if you try to kill Val later and I don't feel like letting him die and Vel also doesn't feel like letting him die, we're gonna have a big problem, right?"

Alastor pouted a little. "A problem for another day. I have personal reasons for Valentino's looming agonizing punishment. I will not be dissuaded. And I will not be stopped."

"Is this about you…or about Angel?"

"Both," left Alastor very suddenly, and he glowed and hated himself for the slip.

"Wow, really?" Vox sounded intrigued.

Alastor snarled. "As I explained, I do not like when others dampen my current sources of entertainment — that would be the part that is about Angel. And I do not like when others attempt to take certain liberties against my person — that would be the part about me. I have to make an example."

Vox sighed. "Fine. We'll cross that burning bridge when we get to it." The shark barked again in the background. "Yeah, Vark, dinner's almost done." He cleared his throat. "Well, er…thanks for letting me know about the meeting tomorrow night."

"Thanks for never ever ever mentioning it ever again," Alastor replied with a smile.

"…You still know my number?" The question was asked with some amusement and perhaps a touch of shyness.

Alastor's eyes flipped to radio dials for a moment before returning to normal. "Keep your friends close but your enemies closer. Come now, Vox, even you know that."

"Heh…Yeah. I hate you too, Alastor."

Alastor was roiling inside and glowing now too suddenly. Why did Vox sound happy, nostalgic, amused? This call needed to end now. "Yes, well…I should hope so!"

Vox chuckled. "Goodnight, Alastor. Try to relax for once. See you tomorrow maybe." The phone clicked as Vox hung up.

Alastor hung it up as well, pushed the phone away from him like something he loathed, then snapped it out of existence for good measure.

"Alastor!" Niffty called from somewhere in the lobby. "Your dinner's ready! Double portions, just like you asked! It's on the stove in the kitchen whenever you're ready!"

He stood up tall. "Perfect timing! I intend to eat quite a lot after the stress of doing such a kindness for someone I loathe so much. Vox, always trying to throw me off my game. Almost insinuating he wouldn't mind being friends or amicable rivals. Ha! As though I would fall for such tricks" A big smile back on his face (but also a slight eye twitch), he strolled across his office and out the door, ready to eat and forget his confusing television encounter.

Vox hung up the phone in his penthouse with a small grin and a shake of his head. He looked to Vark who was sitting by the stove with his tail wagging as he smiled. "Yes, I'll feed you in a minute. Just let me get the the food out of the oven and on the table for Auntie Velvet and I first." He put on potholders and pulled the pan out of the oven. "She better get here soon and actually eat some real food — I can't believe she went to Val alone." Still, if anyone could scare Valentino straight, Vox knew it was Velvet.

He turned around to set down the pot roast on the table and jumped at the sight of Velvet standing in the kitchen staring right at him. "Velvet, fuck! Where did you…How did you—"

"Made a copy of your key and let myself in." She shrugged and skipped over to the dinner table.

He caught his breath and eyed her dryly as he set the food down on the table. "I did not give you permission to do that."

"I know." Vark pranced over and started nuzzling her, and Velvet petted his head.

Vox sighed. "I'm just glad you're okay." He grabbed Vark's dish and filled it. "Uh…how's Val?"

"Losing his cookies — like for real. Making bad choices and sticking with them. And definitely not getting enough sun. Told him to cut it out and to stop trying to get himself killed while he's at it."

"Never blunt, are you, Vel?" Vox set down Vark's dish and took a seat at the table as the shark dove in to eat.

"God no, how fucking boring would that be?" Velvet laughed and picked up her knife and fork. "Now, what are we having?"

"Pot roast and sweet potatoes."

"Did you at least put marshmallows on the sweet potatoes?"

"No, it's a vegetable, it's sweet on its own. Dessert's later."

"Fine, but I'm gonna complain the whole meal."

"I can live with that."

They both started eating.

Vox sighed. "Got a call from Alastor just now. Since I tipped off Angel about his dad working with Val, Alastor tipped me off that they're having some big dramatic meeting tomorrow night and Val might be there, in case I want to save his sorry ass."

"Aww, your old boyfriend's helping you help your new boyfriend?"

"Oh my god, shut up."

"So…ARE you gonna help Val?" She asked, head tilted.

Vox played with the food on his plate. "I'll keep an eye on things. I'm not gonna fight his battles and possibly get the shit kicked out of me by a bunch of mobsters but…if things look bad, I'll bag him, gag him, and drag him out of harm's way. He'll hate me, but he'll thank me later."

"Fun! I'll help!" Velvet beamed.

"I need you to watch Vark." Vox grinned. "It might be a late night after all."

She sighed. "Okay, but if you do kidnap Val, at least send pics so I can enjoy the sight."

Vox laughed. "One pic, and don't post it on Voxtagram — bound and gagged Val is too kinky even for my feed."

Velvet laughed and then proceeded to slip Vark some of her vegetables. And Vox just tried to enjoy the quiet, domestic, cozy moment and not think about the impending drama and violence to come.

Following her own dinner and some conversation with Angel Dust and his siblings, Charlie went back up to her room with Vaggie and Razzle and Dazzle. The goats played together in the corner while Vaggie sat with Charlie by the fire.

Vaggie put her arm around her girlfriend. "So, you sure you're okay with not helping out with the talk with Angel's dad?"

Charlie bit her lip. "They're family, and I know they need to work it out on their own terms. Just like I need to work out stuff with mine on our own terms." Her eyes looked sad for a moment. But then she blinked and added, coming back to the matter at hand, "Besides, I don't think I can get involved — for political reasons. I mean, if I did anything it might put the hotel in jeopardy as a neutral, safe place for demons. So even though I do want to help, I know it's better if I let Angel and the others handle everything in this case."

Vaggie nodded. "We could still do something for them after the meeting — maybe set up some stuff for when they get back. Like the night we took in Alastor after the radio tower attack and got him clean towels and bandages." Charlie gasped in fright, but Vaggie quickly held up her hands and added, "Not that I think anyone'll get hurt! But, I mean…we could have a nice meal ready and hot tea and warm blankets…"

Charlie smiled a little and nodded. Then she added, "And…some bandages and first aid kits too, just in case. Even if I hope things don't come to that. It's smart to do, Vaggie."

Vaggie smiled back. "We'll get everything ready tomorrow then. In the meantime, want to head to bed early? Or we could play a game with Razzle and Dazzle?"

Charlie swallowed. "Actually…maybe we could send Razzle and Dazzle to play with Niffty and, er…you and I could…" She blushed and shrugged.

Vaggie's eyes widened and she blushed too with a smile. "Oh, really?"

Charlie nodded. "I know it's been a few weeks. But I'm not as depressed anymore about my parents now, really. Everyone's cheered me up so much. And I could use some nice time together. And… I really want to." She blushed more and her smile grew.

Vaggie laughed. She looked across the room. "Hey, Razzle, Dazzle! Go see if Niffty will let you sleepover in her room."

The little goats nodded eagerly and dashed out into the hall.

Charlie hugged Vaggie, and she giggled when Vaggie kissed her cheek. "I love you so much, Vaggie."

Vaggie pressed their foreheads together, eyes hazed. "I love you too."

Charlie kissed Vaggie then grabbed her hand and lead her over to the bed.

Nightfall found the spider siblings in Angel's room, all wearing pajamas and lounging about while they laughed and talked. Niss was on the bed, cleaning his favorite gun, Molly was in an armchair playing with Nuggets, and Angel was near the door finishing up a call. He hung up and put away his phone now, a smile on his face. "Okay, so I asked Cherri if she wanted to come by to watch movies with us and eat pizza, but she said she wants to give us our bonding time. She is gonna stop by in a few though just to say hi."

"It'll be good to see her." Niss smiled, putting away the gun. "I feel bad I missed her earlier when she was dropping off my stuff. And then she was busy at Pen's of course." His eyes went down shyly.

Angel watched his brother for a moment with a curious look.

Molly noticed and quickly snapped him out of it by speaking up. "Well, it's good she's comin' by now cuz she'll get to see this little guy all gussied up!" She giggled and held up the little pig in question. She had dressed up Nuggets with a red ribbon around his collar and a purple bow on his tail with a little yellow flower tucked behind his ear. "Ain't you such a cutie? You're lookin' very presentable for ya Auntie Cherri." Nuggets oinked and snuggled against her hair, and Molly laughed. "I just hope she can get inside okay."

Angel glanced at his window. "Al's shadow says the mob surveillance right now is pretty low. Guess they're pulling in ranks for the big meeting. She'll be okay." He bit his lip. "I asked her not to get involved tomorrow. Enough friends and boyfriends are on the line, heh…" He swallowed. Then he took a deep breath and glanced at Niss. "Hey, so, Archie…? Uh, as long as we have some time before Cherri gets here, I wanna talk to you. Cuz…I think I might have figured out something, and I just want to make sure we're cool and on the same page, okay?"

Niss froze, eyes wide and mouth open.

Molly glanced between her brothers then put down Nuggets and got up to sit next to Niss on the bed, giving him a little nudge to snap out of it.

"Huh?! Oh, uh…okay, yeah, sure." Niss crossed his legs, voice cracking. "What's up?"

Angel blushed and smiled awkwardly. "Well, I—"

There was a knock on Angel's door. "Knock, knock, my favorite bitches. It's Cherri and I come bearing gifts!"

As Angel turned to the door, Niss let out a very loud sigh of relief — Molly put a hand on his back.

Angel opened the door with a grin, and Cherri strolled in, carrying three pizza boxes in one hand and a shot gun in the other. "Special delivery! Figured I'd pick up your pies for you — little homecoming reunion present. And I've got Molly's weapon!"

Molly gasped and dashed over, grabbing the shot gun with a big smile and hugging it close as Cherri set down the pizzas.

Angel looked at the hot pizza boxes then wiped a tear from his eye. "God, you are my favorite bitch, Cherri!" He wrapped her up in a hug. "Okay, for real, you have to stay and eat with us! I mean it!" He pulled back, hands on her shoulders.

She waved him off though. "Next time. This time it's sibling reunion slumber party. Catch up, you three! Whoa, Molly!"

Molly was hugging her now, lifting Cherri up off the floor. "Cherri! Grazie! I love my gun! And you're so sweet! But also I expect a sleepover soon with makeovers and gossip!"

She released her and Cherri nodded. "You got it!" She looked to Niss. "Hey Niss, looking good! Rosie really did a nice job on all those clothes for you."

Niss glanced down at his new nightshirt and pants done in a pale yellow color with gold buttons. He grinned. "Yeah, I like her style. It was swell of her to make me so much stuff. Thanks for dropping off everything, Cherri." He got up and held out his hand.

She shook with him heartily. "Anytime, Niss." She released him. "Well, I'll get—"

"Actually, wait, as long as you're here…" Angel started awkwardly. He came towards her and Niss. "Look, I don't want to make things awkward and I know it's none of my business, but I just…" He sighed. "Niss, I know you're seeing someone in secret, and you've got every right. But if you're really worried about how I'm gonna take the news about who it is… I don't want you to be anymore. So I've gotta at least ask…" Niss looked pale and Cherri looked intrigued. "Archie…Cherri…are you two dating?"

There was silence except for a small gasp from Molly as her mouth fell open.

Niss blinked a few times. Cherri just stood there with her head completely tilted and her hip cocked to the side. Finally they glanced at each other. Each of their faces twitched a little…and then they both crumbled into laughter.

"Oh, come on, that's a legitimate question!" Angel pouted. "Cherri, you've been helping him out a lot, and Niss you've gotten way friendlier with her! So maybe you both think it's gonna freak me out to have my brother and my best friend dating, and that's why it's all a big secret! It all makes sense!"

Niss and Cherri were on the floor, clutching their stomachs.

"Oh my god…" Cherri managed between laughs, "when you realize… that idea is NOT the only thing that makes sense… Oh I fucking need to see your face when that happens!"

Niss barely got himself under control. "Cherri…you'd kick my ass if I made a pass at you! Also…you're not my type. Big time!" They managed to make eye contact, barely containing themselves, and then burst into laughter again.

Angel sighed. "Okay, fine, fine, you're not dating, and clearly there's some inside joke I'm not getting. Molly, do you—" He turned to see Molly doubled over, silently laughing so hard that she was crying as she clutched the shot gun. He rolled his eyes. "Oh, for fuck's sake!" Angel flung himself onto the bed. "I'm just trying to figure out who my new in-law's gonna be, sheesh."

Niss blushed but took some deep breaths and got himself calmer. He sat on the edge of the bed next to his brother. "Tony…" Angel glanced at him warily. Niss swallowed. "I'll tell ya who it is tomorrow, after the stuff with Pops. Promise. Okay?" He held out his hand.

Angel sat up, eyes wide. He looked at the hand but hesitated. "Are ya gonna tell me cuz you want to and are ready? Or is this just to make me happy?"

"It's cuz I really want to, and I'm very ready." Niss blushed more. "And also cuz I'm weirdly excited to go on that triple date we're planning."

Angel smiled and shook Niss's hand then pulled him in for a big hug. Molly put down her gun and dashed over to join her brothers on the bed, hugging them as well.

Cherri got standing, her laughter finally controlled. "I think that's my queue to go. And Angel, despite the temptation, I promise you'll be the first to know if I ever try to seduce any of your relatives."

"Oh ha-ha." Angel rolled his eyes. "Meanwhile I was already looking forward to having the most badass sister-in-law in existence. We've at least got to adopt you as a cousin or something…"

Cherri laughed, opening the door. "I'd be down for that!" She pointed at the spiders and looked at each of them. "But I'd settle for being a bridesmaid at any weddings that may be coming up — I do throw a mean bachelor or bachelorette party."

Angel blushed and blinked shyly, Molly blushed and giggled, and Niss blushed and sighed deeply.

"I think my work here is done." She grinned. "Night, guys!" With a wave, she headed out into the hall.

"Night, Cherri!" They all called back, recovering from their individual levels of fluster.

As the door closed spiders separated finally.

Molly dashed over to the boxes. "Okay, time ta eat, I'm starving! And I'm excited about pizza in hell!" She laughed and brought the boxes over to the coffee table as her brothers joined her.

"It's gonna be a good night." Angel grinned and took a slice. "This…this is what our lives should have been like together once we grew up and got out of the house. Ya know, if we'd lived that long."

"Yeah, except the pizza would be homemade," Niss remarked, taking a slice and biting it. "Although this is really good."

"Agreed!" Molly swallowed a big bite and sighed dreamily. "We'd have had a lot of fun. But we're here now, and I'm so happy." She took each of their hands and squeezed.

The boys squeezed back. Niss sniffed and Angel wiped away a tear quickly then grabbed his phone. "All right, we got our pick of movies…"

"Ooo double feature!" Molly suggested, and Angel nodded eagerly.

Niss held up a hand, smiling. "Okay, but we still got to get to bed early. Big day tomorrow. Everyone needs their rest."

Angel and Molly rolled their eyes at the same time but nodded. They grabbed some blankets and dimmed the lights, and finally the trio settled in for food and films and a good time together like so many they should have had back on Earth.

Their enjoyment went on for hours. They cleaned all their weapons and shared shooting tips, then Angel brushed Molly's hair, then Niss tried to teach Nuggets a new trick, and then Molly gave both of her brother's a small makeover (Niss even let her put a little mascara on him, and even Angel smiled and said he looked nice).

Hours passed…and passed…and passed…and even when they were out of things to do and dead tired, the three of them just laid in bed together, quiet and thinking.

Niss finally sighed. "We're all kind of on edge, huh?"

Angel and Molly nodded.

Molly bit her lip. "Not about ourselves exactly or even Pops…more about…"

Angel finished. "More about the guys…Alastor and Husk."

"And Penny too!" Molly quickly added. "Tonight was real fun and I feel happy but…tomorrow's a little scary."

Angel nodded. "I just want to get it over with, ya know? I wish we could sneak out and meet Pops and get it done already. I feel like I won't be able to get a good night's sleep until then."

Niss considered. "We can't do that. He won't be waiting for us, and it's pitch black out anyway, and we really do need the others as back up. But I know what you mean." He hesitated. "Do ya think…Alastor and Husk are feeling the same way? Like they can't sleep either?"

Angel and Molly glanced at each other. Angel turned to the wall behind his bed — the one separating his room from Alastor's. He sighed. "If Alastor is sleeping, I don't think he's sleeping well."

Molly looked at the floor — Husk's room was just downstairs. "I'm real worried Husky's training or strategizing and not resting. He probably thinks he can just take a cat nap after breakfast and be ready to go, heh…"

"Yeah…" Niss looked up at the ceiling — up toward the airship over head.

Molly pulled at a curl of her hair. "Ya know…after the fight the three of us had, when I needed someone to comfort and support me, Husky was there. He sat with me in my room in Pen's airship while I cried, he put me to bed, he even left me a little comforting note…"

Angel pulled his knees in. "Alastor came to make sure I was okay then got me to Cherri and stayed with me while I worked out all my stuff, and then he took me home."

Niss swallowed. "My person gave me tea and snacks and listened to me and told me it was all gonna be okay." He glanced from his brother to his sister. "Do you two think that you might feel better if you went to check up on your fellas?"

"Fuck yes," Angel replied.

"Same," Molly added.

"Then I think you should." Niss smiled a little.

"And leave you all alone?" Angel frowned. "I mean, ya squeeze isn't here in the hotel."

Niss shrugged. "I'll…see if my person can meet me somewhere nearby. We'll be safe. And the three of us can try another sleepover sometime soon once tomorrow's behind us."

Angel and Molly smiled and nodded to him.

Niss grinned back. "We'll meet up tomorrow morning before breakfast to regroup. I'll have some coffee and pastries ready."

Angel and Molly smiled and hugged him before getting up and dashing over to Angel's vanity. Angel grabbed a hair brush and Molly grabbed some perfume.

"If we're doing this we're doing it right!" Angel checked his face in the mirror.

Molly nodded as she pulled back her hair. "They'll be so surprised!"

The twins grinned at each other then dashed out of Angel's door with a wave to Niss.

Niss watch them go then hesitated before casually walking over to the vanity table. He brushed is hair and dabbed a drop of the perfume behind his neck and also put back on the mascara. He bit his lip and pulled out his phone to text pen.

'Hey. Any chance you're awake? I can't sleep. Too nervous. Heh.'

The response was almost immediate.

'How could I even begin to attempt it?! I have cookies and milk! Head to the roof and I'll lower the ladder! See you soon!"

Niss grinned and quickly dashed out of the room for a rendezvous of his own.

A/N:

Yes, the spiders are so close to confronting the mob, but first some extra boyfriend bonding time is needed lol. And there's some drama coming next chapter too. I may actually be able to post the next chapter tomorrow if I have time. Thank you for your support!

Take care!

-Azure129