A/N:

Hi again everyone! Just trying to get more of this fic posted before Christmas week when a lot of stuff gets busy for me lol. Boyfriend meetings and other shenanigans abound! Thanks for reading!

Partners

Chapter 66:

Various Ways to Spend the Night

The moment the door was closed on Niss and Molly disappeared down the stairs to head to the lobby, Angel went straight to the Radio Demon's door and gave a very light knock. If Alastor really was managing to rest, Angel didn't want to wake him. And Angel also knew from experience that even the lightest knock could summon Alastor if he was indeed still up.

Angel saw the movement of a shadow at the bottom of the door frame accompanied by the sound of light footsteps.

He smiled and whispered in the dark, "Al?"

Instantly the door opened and there stood Alastor, wrapped up in a long red robe over his red silk nightclothes, almost like a gown around his slim form. His eyes were bright, and his monocle rested in one. Clearly he had indeed been wide awake. "Darling? What's wrong?"

Angel's eyes hazed. "Nothing. Just can't sleep. Guess we got that in common…" He swallowed and shrugged. "Can I spend the night with you?"

Alastor glowed so brightly. "But…your siblings?"

"They couldn't sleep either. Niss is going to go chat up his squeeze on his phone and try for a meet up, and Molly's downstairs now probably already all over Husk, heh." Angel blushed and added, "Plus, I'm scared about tomorrow…but you always make me feel better."

Without hesitation (and with a smile so pleased that it created dimples in his cheeks for a moment), Alastor guided Angel inside and closed the door behind them.

Angel smiled and looked around. The fire was lit, and there was a scroll of paper unfurled on the coffee table, full of writing that glowed faintly green with magic.

Alastor held up his fingers to snap. "Can I get you water? Wine? I'd offer coffee but that doesn't bode well for trying to sleep, ha!"

"Nah, I don't need anything. Just you." Angel winked and tried not to giggle at how Alastor's ears flicked and his smile brightened. The spider demon turned back to the warmth of the fire then glanced down at the paper. "Were you in the middle of something? I could help…"

Alastor's ears twitched and his eyes widened as he came around in front of Angel. He removed his monocle as he took one of the spider's hands. "Nothing pressing. Just trying to take my mind off of things with a bit of standard overlord paperwork. But you are a far more appealing way to end any way." Eyes hazed, he snapped. The paper rolled up, tied with a red ribbon, then glowed green and disappeared. Alastor cleared his throat. "Besides, we really should try to rest. And I do think I'll be better able to attempt it with you. Thank you for the marvelous idea, Angel."

"Thanks for being here." Angel beamed a little, eyes hazed too. He glanced to the bed. "I spent the other night in here, by the way. I just…figured if you came back, you might be here."

"I know." Alastor's smile grew. "The blankets and pillows still smell like you. It was a lovely surprise."

Angel chuckled. "Well, I'm happy to assist. And speaking of assistance…" He stepped closer, gently squeezing Alastor's hand. "How's about I carry you to bed, Smiles?"

Alastor glowed so much that his cheeks became red at the centers. He released Angel's hand, suddenly very occupied with straightening his robe. "I was strangely impulsive last night, asking you for a favor like that…"

"But…you still want me to…right?" Angel asked softly, all tenderness and understanding.

Alastor looked to him again and nodded, his rosy golden glow strengthening. "Indescribably."

"As you wish, cutie." Angel bent down and gently brought an arm behind Alastor's back and one behind his legs. When Alastor seemed comfortable, he lifted as the deer demon to cradle him in the air. Alastor let out a little burst of static then held tightly to Angel's shoulders. With the robe hanging around his legs, Angel noticed that Alastor looked like a princess in his arms. "Doing okay, Smiles?"

Alastor nodded, glancing around at his new position with interest. "Yes…yes indeedy."

"Okay then, here we go!" Angel strolled across the room slowly, headed around the bed, then stopped at the side near the door. "Last stop. Gonna set you down real easy. Just say when you're ready." He paused to see Alastor's eyes half lidded, head resting against Angel's chest.

"I'm ready," Alastor sighed. "Thank you, Anthony. For everything. Always."

"Anytime…" Angel replied, blushing as he laid down Alastor. Then he crawled across the end of the bed to get to the other side. They each pulled the blankets over themselves and laid down, facing each other.

Alastor gazed at Angel joyfully. "I really must get a picture of you to keep nearby. Your presence is most delightful, but for times when we aren't together, even just the sight of your face would be a tremendous comfort."

Angel giggled. "I can arrange that. I'll get one done special for you." He swallowed. "Could I get one of you too?"

Alastor's eyes flickered to radio dials for a moment then returned to normal. "That request is more complicated. I don't care for photographs… For you, I would make an exception of course, but I also don't photograph well. I have compatibility issues with newer technology. Ha…" He glowed a little. "I'll find a way though."

Angel nodded in understanding. "Whatever you need to do, no pressure." His eyes hazed again. "Just the sight of that cute mug of yours comforts me too, Alastor."

Alastor's eyes hazed again in return. Then his hand came up and moved toward Angel's face, but he hesitated. "May I?"

Angel raised an eyebrow but nodded.

Alastor touched his face, tracing the contours. "I'm glad you came to me tonight, when you needed comfort. I never like to see you distraught. But look at your smile now! It makes your eyes brighten and your cheeks round and your freckles crinkle." He tapped a freckle.

Angel winced. "Oh, hey, wait…"

Alastor's ears went down, and he instantly pulled away his hand. "Did I hurt you? How?"

Angel shook his head. "No, no! Not exactly. It's just…uh…these ain't exactly freckles." He swallowed. "I don't usually show people what they are. It's weird. But you did handle me making webs pretty good, so…" He sighed. "Okay, you know how spiders usually have eight eyes along with the eight limbs? Well…" Angel's little eyes under his main ones blinked open.

Alastor's eyes and smile went wide in delight. "Oh Angel, they're stunning!"

Angel blushed and closed the small eyes shyly. "Al…come on, they're kind of weird even by demon standards."

"Don't be modest — they're like little jewels set into your face," the Radio Demon assured. He tilted his head. "Your extra eyes under your dark eye aren't dark though. Unusual that the natural color change wouldn't affect them."

"The color difference ain't natural." Angel's eyes went down, and he hugged his knees to his chest.

Alastor stared back at him, brow furrowed, unsure of what to say.

Angel bit his lip, then asked, "Al…can I see your monocle for a sec?"

Alastor nodded and handed it over from his robe pocket.

Angel put it on his dark eye. "Yeah…just like I figured. This helps you with reading, right?" When Alastor nodded, Angel went on. "It doesn't help me at all. My eye's not just a different color or even a little strained — it's a bum eye, Al. Nothing glasses could ever fix. I can kind of see out of it, but I don't got any peripheral vision and things are a little dim. I've gotten used to it though; had it ever since I came down here."

Alastor's smile was so small. "I don't understand."

"Guess maybe it's like your scars — a little mean-spirited present from life." Angel swallowed. "I died out on the streets, Al. Big drug overdose. Right before that happened though, my Pops…he found out what I was doing with dresses and make up and other guys. He kicked me out. But first he punched me out. More than a shiner — I'm pretty sure he detached my retina or something. And now I get to live with it forever." He blinked a few times, tears at the edges of those mismatched eyes.

Alastor's jaw clenched so hard he felt blood draw from his gums. He brought an arm around Angel and pulled him close. Angel rested his face against Alastor's chest, and Alastor could hear him take a few shaky breaths. The deer whispered. "You were too good for that world and you're too good for this one, so much so that frankly I'll never understand how heaven does not open up for you at your merest word, darling. Most of all you are too good to have that deplorable creature as a father. He won't hurt you ever again. Not tomorrow and not ever."

Angel sniffed and looked up at him. "I don't want nothing bad to happen to you either — to anyone. We're all so close to just being together and happy."

Alastor nodded. "The trials never end in hell, I'm afraid. But…now that we are all together, we are much safer I believe." His gaze met the spider's. "I despise that he left a mark on you. But I will always love looking into your eyes. All eight, whenever you feel inclined to grant me the privilege."

Angel blushed a little, finally smiling again. "We could arrange that, heh…" He took a breath and seemed calmer once more. "Will ya hold my hand while we sleep, Al? Whenever things get to be too much sometimes, I just close my eyes and imagine being back home and holding your hand, and it helps."

The Radio Demon's hand clasped the spider's immediately. Alastor met Angel's gaze. "I would have your hand forever, mon ange." He lightly kissed the back of it.

That reply with the gesture seemed like a corny pun about marriage. Angel was about to laugh and make a joke in return…but Alastor just finished the kiss and looked at him with a pure smile and his eyes so full of feeling. Maybe…that reply wasn't a pun but…something else? Angel's heart raced. He just sniffed and nodded and rested his head completely against the pillow. "Goodnight, Al."

"Goodnight, Anthony," Alastor hummed in a warm whisper. He nestled his head against the pillow and closed his eyes, fingers entwined with Angel's, the leather of his glove warming against the spider's soft palm.

Angel closed his eyes and let himself hold onto this moment until he fell asleep beside Alastor.

Molly was barely holding back giggles as she snuck downstairs, but she completely silenced herself once she reached the lobby. Husk was at the bar, cleaning glasses and whistling to himself. She tiptoed to the middle of the lobby, keeping low, then popped up at the counter and cleared her throat. "Hey, who are you and whatchya doin' at the bar after hours, mister?"

Husk jumped, and his wings puffed up. "Molly!?" He caught his breath and barely kept the glass in his hand from falling to the floor. "What are you doing up? And what are you doing here? And what are you talking about?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Sorry, didn't mean ta startle ya." Molly shrugged sheepishly and took a seat. "I'm up cuz I couldn't sleep. And I'm here to see if you're having the same problem. And I'm talking about the first time we met, at the Open House. You caught me sneaking around the bar and tried to catch me. And now you're here sneaking around late at night, and I'm the one catching you." Her eyes went half-lidded, and she leaned on the counter toward him.

Husk blushed a little. "Oh. Yeah, I remember…" He swallowed with a little smile. "Meeting you was kinda the highlight of my night, after all."

Molly blushed and beamed. "I felt the same way. You made me laugh. I like that in a fella a lot."

Husk grinned and leaned on the counter toward her as well now. "You pinned me to the bar — you didn't take any shit. I like that in a lady a lot."

They shared a small laugh.

Molly had a dreamy, faraway look in her eye.

Husk's smile faded just a little, and his voice was gentler. "Everything definitely okay? I know you were looking forward to your sleepover with your brothers."

"Oh, yeah!" Her eyes met his as she nodded. "And we had a lot of fun!" Molly assured. "But at the end of the night we just realized we were all worried…about tomorrow…about us and the rest of you. So we figured we might try some other kind of sleepovers." She gazed at him. "Angel's probably already cozy in bed with Alastor, and Niss said he was gonna try and meet up with his own special someone. So now I'm here with you…if ya want me."

Husks' eyes were very wide, and he was instantly blushing very much and trying not to think about all the ways in which he indeed wanted her.

She saw his cute panic, and her smile and gaze turned more playful. "Come on, it's not like we ain't done a sleepover before. Remember the night you hid me out?"

"Yeah, but…that was different. We weren't, ya know…together yet." Husk shrugged, pouting a little. "Look, I want to do this right, what we have going on. Take our time and stuff." He rubbed his head. "I'm not the best at relationships, and I really don't want to mess this one up. It's special after all cuz of, ya know…the 'love' thing." He swallowed.

Molly's heart fluttered. "Aw, mio gato. Ya don't have to worry so much. I'm not an expert in relationships either but…I think together we're making this one work out real nice. ESPECIALLY with the 'love' thing."

Some of the panic left Husk's face, and a smile threatened to come to his lips again.

Molly smiled more at the sight. "Besides," she went on, blushing a little extra, "I didn't mean we should spend the night 'together' together. I've told ya, I'm not subtle — you'll know when I'm suggesting that, heh…" She tugged at her hair shyly. "For now, I'm still getting used to this spider body, and I'm not ready to try using it in any intense kind of way. I can't even figure out how to make my second set of legs go away or my second set of arms come out. And I'm still a little nervous about how I look…and about letting you see more of me."

Husk reached out and gently touched her hand. "You look so beautiful. I know all of you is beautiful. And you'll figure out the limbs. And, hey, at least you're not a giant cat with wings… You should have seen me trying to figure things out when I first got to hell, heh." He cleared his throat. "Also, uh…I'm a little nervous about doing anything serious too. It's…been a while." He blushed a lot. "And you're really something special, and I want us to be ready so we can make sure everything is perfect. And now I need to shut up about this." His eyes were down, and he was practically hiding in his wings.

Molly sighed in perfect contentment, and she fell in love just a little bit more in that moment. "Then we'll figure all that heavy stuff out when we're ready, huh?" Her eyes hazed. "Anything we do together is gonna be perfect to me though — cuz it's gonna be with you. You're so sweet and gentle, Husky, and handsome too. Sometimes I swoon a little just thinking about ya." She gazed at him, and Husk blushed all down his neck. "In the meantime, why don't take it slow tonight? Maybe we can start with just some cuddlin'?" she suggested in a soft voice.

Husk let out a relieved breath and nodded. "Yeah. That could be good." He glanced at her hesitantly. "And then maybe if that's going well, we could do a good night kiss?"

"Of course — that's just natural." Molly nodded. "And, ya know, if both those things are going all right, and since we do keep getting interrupted around here… maybe we could share a few extra kisses too? Just to tire us out?"

Half of Husks' mouth went up in a smile, and his eyes brightened. "Well…if it'll help you sleep, yeah. We could do that too. And, uh…as long as we're doing all those things, maybe I could also help you try to figure out your limbs and stuff?" He blinked, flustered again for a moment. "You know, just how to manifest them and send them away, I mean!"

She giggled. "I bet ya could. And maybe I could play with ya wings a little, just to limber 'em up for tomorrow." She winked then added in a whisper, playing with his bowtie. "See, there's lots of fun stuff we can do without goin' all the way. I'm game for any of it if you are."

Husk took a deep breath, eyes very wide. "We should go to my room — now."

Molly felt flushed with heat. "Sounds good ta me!" She grabbed his arm and dashed with him over to his room as Husk shut the door behind them. Instantly Molly's arms went around Husk's neck, and then Husk scooped her up off the ground and sat on the edge of his bed with her in his lap. She leaned up to meet him for a tender kiss, which quickly progressed into a flurry of heated kisses full of giggles and sighs. Molly shifted to sit with her legs framing Husk's and let her hands drift into his wings as Husk let his own hands shift over all of her curves that he had been dying to explore, eventually settling on her lovely waist.

Molly eased completely into his hold. "Husky…" she whispered. Then she gasped and blinked.

Her extra set of arms had come out — each fresh hand eagerly holding one of Husk's hands that had just been around her body. "Husky, look! Ya helped me get the extra arms to come out!" Her eyes brightened with excitement as she looked back to Husk. "Heh, I guess I just wanted to hold your hands and…they came out to take care of the job. Is this weird?"

Husk chuckled. "It's not weird. And I'm glad I could help." To prove his point he squeezed her extra hands then came forward and kissed her passionately on the mouth again. Her extra hands squeezed his in return, and she swooned a little. He pulled back for a moment and caught his breath, completely flushed as he glanced down at her legs then back up at her eyes. "Now, I know your next goal is to make the extra set of legs go away when you want. But honestly I like that you have four gams going at once. I've always been a leg man."

"Really?" Molly burst into giggles, eyes narrowed playfully. "Well, I've always liked a guy who's tall, dark, and handsome." She let her chest press against Husks' and her voice lowered. "And one who has whiskers too. Very rugged." She traced his jaw line.

His back arched, and his wings extended out more. "Molly…" Husk's eyes were hazed. "Can you say the thing again? How you feel about me…"

She nodded, head tilted. "I love you, Husk."

He held her more tightly, almost dipping her back a little. "I love you too, Molly."

She smirked as Husk grinned, eyes narrowed. Then they were kissing wildly again, laughing and holding each other, ready to wear themselves out in the best possible way before bed, finally with no interruptions.

In the sky over the hotel, wearing his suit jacket and fedora over his pajamas, Niss climbed the rope ladder leading into the clouds. He moved quickly before any mob goons could spot him…and before he could lose his nerve. He was about to be alone with Sir Pentious at night on the airship. Niss's heart raced at the idea. He wasn't sure what would happen or if he was even ready for something to happen. At least it wasn't like they were going to sleep in the same bed together! The airship had so many rooms after all. And either way Niss still couldn't even imagine…though he had indeed tried to imagine…not to mention the number of dreams he'd had about being wrapped up in warm leathery muscle and scales squeezing him tight.

Niss shook his head and willed away his blushing. His only definite goals tonight were giving Sir Pentious some reassurance about tomorrow and letting him know that Niss was planning to tell Angel about them after the mob meeting. Whatever happened afterwards, romantic or not…it would be up to fate and whatever they both wanted.

Niss finally reached the top of the ladder and pulled himself through the portal into the airship. He closed it behind him and dusted himself off. "Pen! I'm here!"

"Niss!" Sir Pentious instantly slithered down the stairs, dressed adorably in a long night shirt and cap as he held a platter of cookies in one hand and a pitcher of milk with glasses in his tail. "Perfect! Come, come, I thought we could sit out on the balcony — it's lovely at night under the black and red sky with heaven shining overhead." He bent down and held out his free hand.

Niss smiled and placed his hand in the snake's. "Yeah, that does sound lovely. Let's go…."

Sir Pentious proudly led him through the ship and up and outside to the balcony. Niss sat on the balcony floor, legs hanging out between the bars over the edge, as Sir Pentious set down the cookies and milk then coiled into a seat beside him.

"Are you sure I'm not keeping you up?" asked Niss, taking a cookie with a sheepish smile.

"Heavens, no!" The snake waved him off with a giddy grin. "Who can sleep before a grand battle? There's so much to think about! And I'll get to help you as part of participating. It's enough to keep me awake with elation for days." He blushed and shrugged.

Niss's smile grew. "Even if I'm worried about you being part of whatever happens…I also feel better knowing you're gonna be us tomorrow, Pen."

"Thank you, Niss!" Sir Pentious looked utterly elated. Then he cleared his throat as he poured them each a glass of milk. "Er, I hope your siblings are sleeping well," he asked shyly, taking a cookie for himself.

"I'm sure they're getting a better night's rest now," Niss explained. "We had fun at our slumber party, hanging out and catching up. But we all ended up kind of restless, so we decided to check in on everyone. Molly's with Husk and Angel's with Alastor. And now I'm here with you." Niss blushed a little and quickly swallowed the last of his cookie.

"Ah, what good fortune for me." Sir Pentious blushed too, eyes hazed.

Niss felt his heart pounding. And sweet heavens, that snake was so beautiful in the dark with the heaven light shining around his hood, so demonic and regal and pretty. "Uh…listen, I…I'm not trying ta put ya on the spot tonight. I mean, I'm planning to sleep in Molly's room here, heh! Cuz you and I…we barely just started going out." He felt himself flush with heat and tried to change the subject slightly. "Oh, uh, speaking of that, I told Angel I'd tell him about us after the meeting with Pops, so then everyone can know we're together, and we can make this whole thing official! Like going on real dates and spending more time with each other and figuring out what we want next. Uh, but still taking things slow cuz I wanna be respectful, and I want to do this right! And cuz I-I've never tried this with a guy before!" Niss was bright red by the time his mouth finished saying a lot of things he hadn't necessarily meant to say. "Wow, okay…I did not mean for all that to come out like that. I…Pen?"

Sir Pentious was looking out at the clouds, his smile faint. "I tried this…with men…a few times in life, under discreet circumstances. Nothing worked out well back then. And as for death…I've never tried with anyone here in death. Not for all these centuries…" He swallowed, smiling sheepishly, hood drooping. "To be frank, I'm an overlord, but not a very popular one. Finding people who want to spend time with me for ANY reason is a challenge, let alone someone who wants other things with me…" He pulled his tail in toward his chest. "You're not alone in being nervous, dear Archie."

Niss reached out a put a hand on Sir Pentious's. "Being popular is overrated. And if people don't get you or like you for who you are, that's their loss. I like you, Pen. And so do my brother and sister, and everyone at the hotel too. Even Alastor — the guy seems like he's always on edge so it's harder to tell, but I'm sure he does. You're such a swell guy, Pen. You're smart and witty and classy and creative and funny. And it's amazing that you made yourself into an Overlord. Sometimes I still can't believe ya picked a two bit hood like me to care about, heh."

Sir Pentious brightened, eyes brimming with appreciating as they turned to look at Niss. "Oh Archie, I want you to see yourself the way I see you. You are charming and brave and brilliant — a paragon of a demon. It's not your fault that you were stuck with a miserable group of miscreants that would squander your talents and potential instead of celebrating all that you are capable of. I'm just glad that now you have your true family back and people who respect you in your life. I have never met a man more honorable than you."

Niss was red all through his face. He squeezed Sir Pentious's hand. Then he swallowed. "Pen…I'm not ready for a lot yet. But I'd really like to kiss you now, I think. If you want."

The snake straightened up, beaming "Oh…yes! I've wanted to kiss you for so long."

Niss's heart pounded. "Can I…stand on your tail?! I mean, so you don't have to bend over. Cuz you're so…" he held a hand high, "And I'm so…" he lowered the hand significantly. "Unless that's rude?" He wrung his hands. "I'm so sorry if that's rude! I've been trying to figure out the physics of this for a while. I haven't been doing great at coming up with answers, heh…"

Sir Pentious blinked but then just smiled and shifted his tail forward.

Niss calmed down and smiled a little too at the sight. He stood on the tail to even out their heights. Then he looked into the snake's eyes, fists nervously clenched. "I only ever kissed girls before. And it was awful and I hated it and just tried to get it over with as quick as possible. So I have no idea if I'm gonna be any good at this, is what I'm getting at." He wiped away a tear.

Sir Pentious frowned. His voice was quiet. "It sounds like things turned out so unfortunately because you didn't care for those ladies — they weren't what you needed. Let's take our time and not worry about bad or good. I just want to be near you."

Niss smiled a little and nodded. "Yeah… I want to be near you too."

"You're so handsome, Archie…" Sir Pentious cooed down at him.

"…And you're beautiful, Pen." Niss felt shaky and happy and warm all over. "You're the most beautiful guy I ever saw."

Sir Pentious's whole face lit up in delight.

Then Niss brought a hand to the snake's cheek and leaned in, and Sir Pentious touched Niss's cheek in return. Their eyes began to close as they felt themselves drawn closer and closer.

Their mouths met perfectly. Sir Pentious's tail curled at the end, and Niss's free hand came up to hold the snake's other cheek. They stayed like this for a long moment, holding each other dearly, everything connected perfectly.

Eventually they separated, breaths shallow. Their eyes opened.

"Niss?"

"I liked that." Niss sniffed and wiped at his eyes, almost laughing. "I liked that a lot. I used to be afraid that I couldn't like it for some reason, like something was wrong with me."

Sir Pentious frowned and held him close. "There is nothing wrong with you. The world you lived in was wrong, and so was your wretched father. But everything will be well now." He rested his forehead against Niss's as the spider nodded.

"Did you like it too?" Niss asked quietly.

"I adored it personally." Sir Pentious chuckled, and Niss cracked a smile too. The snake went on, voice just a little teasing. "Would you like to try again? Not to be forward, but I would do that with you all night out here if you wanted."

A laugh that sounded like a giggle came out of Niss as he took a breath. "Oh, I…Pen I want to…soon. But I think one kiss is all I can handle for tonight with everything that's going on. It really was so good, Pen." He moved forward and hugged the snake tightly.

Sir Pentious nodded and hugged him back.

They separated after a moment, gazing at each other dreamily.

Niss sighed. "Can we just sit out here and talk and have more milk and cookies before we head to bed? I'd really like that."

"Of course. I couldn't think of a nicer way to spend the evening." Sir Pentious winked.

They shared a smile. Niss climbed off Sir Pentious's tail and sat down on the balcony again and took another cookie as the snake did the same.

A gust of wind blew past, and the spider shivered.

Sir Pentious frowned. "Oh dear, you're cold! Here, this might help." He wrapped the end of his tail around Niss.

Niss brightened then pulled the warm, strong tail close with a smile. "That's perfect. Thank you, Pen." He nestled into the snake's body.

Sir Pentious smiled and cuddled a little closer to him as well.

They had milk and cookies and watched the night sky until they were sleepy enough for bed and finally went inside. In his own bedroom, Sir Pentious dreamed of his Niss, and in Molly's room Niss dreamed his Sir Pentious.

The spider siblings all went to sleep feeling happy and safe and loved with their special people.

Henroin sat in his dark office by the docs and took a slow drag of a cigar. He was looking at photographs laid out on his desk — ones taken by his men. They gave him a summary of the situation around the hotel. Along with the princess and her squeeze and Angel and that Radio Freak and his two cronies — the big cat and the one-eyed little demon — the place also played host to some other guests; a sheep and fish demon who seemed cozy, that brash troublemaker Cherri, and that uppity overlord snake no one liked. The one who's air ship Niss and Angel had been seen climbing aboard.

Henroin crushed his cigar in his hand. "What the fuck are you doing, Niss?" He grumbled to himself. "Even if this is some kind of secret score for the family, ya certainly didn't clear it with me. That's not good for anyone. Especially you." He snarled and crushed the remains of the cigar into an ashtray. "You are all I have left. You kept it together in life. You're gonna keep it together in death. If that little lesson with your eye a few weeks back didn't teach ya, I can do something more permanent. It's for your own good, boy. You'll thank me one day."

He sighed and rubbed his forehead under his fedora. There was a knock the door. He growled a little under his breath. "Enter."

Two of his lieutenants came in and shut the door, hats pulled low, guns at their sides.

"You been watching the hotel?"

They nodded.

"Any sign of my boy? Anything from Niss?"

They shook their heads.

One cleared his throat. "But last night—two unknown demons got to the roof and entered the hotel through one of the windows. They were disguised. We don't know who they are, but they haven't left."

Henroin's eyes glowed red. "And you two fucking let this happen?"

The men stood still, heads down.

Henroin grabbed a fresh cigar and his lighter. "You're lucky I need you right now." He put it in his mouth and took a drag. "Two new demons…interesting. But these pictures…the snake came in broad daylight, so he couldn't have been one of them." He considered. "Did the hotel get the note at least?"

"Yes, Don," the other lieutenant replied. "It was brought inside."

"And no response…" Henroin's eyes narrowed. "Ballsy little fuck I disowned, isn't he?" He picked up his phone and started typing. "Think you two can manage to pick something up for me without a fiasco? Cuz if there's another blunder like last night at the hotel, I'll kill ya."

They nodded in unison.

Henroin pressed one more button his phone and then put it down. "Valentino's taking too long, and I don't like Angel's attitude. For all we know they could actually be in cahoots. We're calling the moth's deal a day early. I want him secured and ringside for whatever goes down in that alley tomorrow night."

The lieutenants nodded.

"And boys…make the nab discrete…but also make it hurt — his body and his pride."

They nodded again.

"Dismissed."

They turned and headed out the door, closing it behind them.

Henroin went back to his cigar. He looked out his window, up at the reddish night sky and the pearl of heaven overhead. "Straightening these boys out ain't easy. But I'm gonna do it. Just because we're in hell doesn't mean we stop being respectable. At least I got things almost right with the girl back on god's green earth." His eyes glowed red as he smoked and reminisced and watched heaven like he was waiting for a sign.

Valentino, stubborn ass that he was, had found the macaroons Velvet had left behind but hadn't eaten any yet. They looked and smelled so good, and he didn't think she was lying about them only be lightly laced with the good stuff to calm his nerves (if she wanted him dead she would have just stabbed him during her visit). But still Valentino felt like eating them was somehow a sign of giving in, an admission of weakness, a concession that meant Vox and Velvet were right and he was wrong even if those two would never know about it.

So Valentino just sat in his office, staring at the cookies, gripping his head. Finally he let out a sigh that sounded more like a growl. "Shit, I'm sitting here fighting myself over fucking cookies!" He swept the remaining papers off his desk in a moment of rage. "How the hell is this happening? I'm an Overlord! I'm Valentino! I run this whole fucking corner of the Pentagram! And now I'm letting some mysterious mafia motherfucker — Angel's fucking father, no less — turn everything inside out!" He got up and paced. "No, no…Angel will come back to me, Angel will call me, Angel will beg me to save him and he'll bring me to his brother and I'll bring his brother and him to his father, and I'll lure the Radio Demon to the whole shebang, and then I win! Me, alone! I'll have done it all on my own!"

Valentino was shaking and smiling but also trying to avoid the fact that maybe his eyes were prickling with something warm and wet. And then his phone buzzed.

He released a shaky sigh. "Angel…It's gotta be Angel. Thank fucking god this'll be over."

He grabbed the phone. And then he stopped breathing. The message was from a private number.

'Mister Valentino. You're taking too long, and I've seen no progress. So I've made an executive decision. I'll be handling the rest of what's to come with Angel. You can have him back when I'm done with him. For your sake, I sincerely hope nothing happened to my son Niss in the last few days of time I gave you to sort out this mess. I'm not sure if I'm gonna need ya or not, so I've decided not to kill ya. But your presence is required tomorrow evening at the alley down the street from the hotel. I'm certain you'll comply. - H'

Valentino blinked several times, feeling too many emotions. Did this mean Henroin was taking the reins but he'd still scare the shit out of Angel and go after Alastor? Or did it mean he was going to make Angel talk by torturing him and taking him commission for months before fucking up the Radio Demon separately? Or did it mean fucking up Alastor was no longer on the table at all? All he knew was that Henroin could get fucked with his threats and his invitation. "I'm not going anywhere near that fucking alley tomorrow night."

He heard a floorboard creak and felt a gust of wind. As he went to turn around, the lights went out and then he was grabbed by two demons. Valentino thrashed and railed, but one got a rag over his mouth with the latest roofie drug of choice, and the moth was out cold in a few seconds.

His last moment of awareness was spent thinking about Vox and Velvet and how he wished his stubborn ass could have been dozing off from some of Velvet's drug-laced macaroons instead of passing out cold in the arms of ruthless thugs.

A/N:

That's all for now! Thank you so much for reading! I think I'll be able to get one more chapter up this year for this as the stakes rise for everyone here lol.

Take care!

-Azure129