A/N:

Hi everyone! Here's the final part of the Mob Fight chapters — very long, very dramatic, a lot of things going on ^^ I'll be taking a small break after this chapter and posting more again next month. Thank you for reading!

CW - Implied homophobia (no slurs), character injury, family trauma

Partners

Chapter 71:

Mob Mentality Part 4: Disowning A Don

Alastor watched impatiently as the mob members started to depart. He wanted them to pick up the pace. He usually didn't deign to leave survivors in battles, and he didn't like the risk that leaving so many standing right now could pose. He just wanted himself and Angel and all the rest of their group to be safely back at the hotel with this experience long behind them.

Alastor dug a claw into his wrist and closed his eyes in concentration, trying to see if he could muster the magic to teleport their whole group that far. But he instantly grew dizzy and swayed a bit on his feet. After spending so much magic in this fight already (and his recent lack of cannibalism radio shows again — he really needed to put another one on soon), the failure wasn't a surprise. Thankfully, he still had some reserves left just in case anyone tried anything funny. But he hated not having enough power to whisk everyone away in one fell swoop.

Suddenly he saw Molly and Husker emerge from their building. Molly dashed over to her brothers as Husk headed toward him. Then, from the other side of the street, Alastor was surprised to see Sir Pentious slithering toward him too with Cherri of all people! She patted the snake on the shoulder then headed over to the spider siblings.

Alastor wondered for a moment if the snake and the pyromaniac were dating. If so, good — perhaps she would keep him distracted from the hotel and the spider siblings so Alastor wouldn't have to suffer frustration as he watched Sir Pentious easily make friends with Angel's siblings while he himself still felt the anxious tug of a desire to prove himself to them.

Husk and Sir Pentious reached him at the same time. Alastor's eyes widened as he noticed many scrapes and bruises on the snake's body, and several bloody areas on Husk's wings. "You're both hurt!" He exclaimed without thinking.

"Oh I'm fine, I'm fine — just a little roughed up, but it's all superficial. I can fix it in a trice," Sir Pentious assured before his gaze went to the cat demon and he blinked. "But Egads, Husk, are you certain you can still fly? Those are bullet wounds!"

"Yeah, I can manage. They just sting a little, but I'll remove the bullets later." Husk shook out his wings, wincing a little but otherwise staying strong.

Sir Pentious brought a hand to his chest. "Phew, excellent news!" He looked to Alastor. "Glad to see you aren't injured Alastor. I'm afraid I need your help! My air ship control was destroyed, and I have to get up there. The egg bois can't pilot alone, and the ship could crash into the middle of the street at any moment!"

"I'm gonna fly up there to help out — he needs you to teleport him," Husk added.

Alastor's eyes widened. "The ship… Could we possibly use the ship to bring everyone on board and take them back to the hotel?"

Sir Pentious tilted his head but then nodded. "Certainly! Provided we got everyone to a rooftop or something to ascend the rope ladder."

Husk raised an eyebrow. "Does someone need to be carried? Who got hurt?"

"No one." Alastor gripped his cane tightly, ears and eyes darting around nervously. "I would simply prefer that we all safely departed this area together immediately and completely out of harm's reach. Just because the fire's doused doesn't mean there still aren't a few embers. Not to mention the leader of this motley pack is still alive and kicking somewhere."

Sir Pentious raised his head with a determined smile. "I'll whisk everyone to safety, you have my word!"

"Excellent!" Alastor beamed. "I'll teleport you immediately. And I'm coming with you of course, in case you need further assistance. Besides, me coming will make trying to relocate to such an unfamiliar location easier. Just a moment." This would be a complicated teleportation. But Alastor had enough magic left…he hoped. He closed his eyes, drew blood from his palm with one of his claws , and let the magic start to rise up in him… But he knew the second it surged forward that it wasn't stable enough. He could teleport himself and the snake, but they might end up twenty feet above or below the ship. He unclenched his hand and barely managed to keep from swaying again as his eyes opened once more.

"Oh dear." Sir Pentious frowned and came close as if to steady him. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine!" Alastor snapped, eyes flickering to radio dials as he stepped back. He took a breath, calming his tone. "I'm fine. I just need a moment…"

Husk and Sir Pentious shared a brief look. Then Husk held up a hand to the snake and went closer to Alastor, leading him off to the side. He spoke quietly. "You running out of juice?"

Alastor scowled and pouted. "It's a rather tricky teleportation, and I have been using quite a lot of magic to fight." He rubbed his head. "And also it's been yet another span of days when I haven't eaten demon flesh — just extra venison."

Husk scowled. "Why the hell didn't you roast a sinner? You know the cannibalism gives you the most power, and you knew this fight was coming, and you knew it would be dangerous!"

"Because I don't want Angel's family to be afraid of me, all right?" Alastor hissed, looking him in the eye with a stubborn glare. "I am not good at making friends and I'm even more abysmal at keeping them — I'm either too intimidating or too odd or too lethal. But I MUST be friends with them! I want them to want me and Angel to be together —because family is everything. Yet I can't stop feeling like a socially awkward wreck whenever I'm near them for too long because I'm terrified I'll say or do the wrong thing — AGAIN! I already accidentally attacked them when they first arrived, and I'm an infamous overlord, and I murder people! I'm certain all of that is difficult enough for them to stomach. I didn't want to add me roasting a body in the kitchen into the mix!" Alastor found himself trying not to shake as he realized what he had just admitted. "I thought the reserves of power I had would be more than sufficient for a simple shoot out with an egotistical monster in a cheap suit. I admit I was wrong. Are you happy?"

Husk's mouth twitched up on one side and a small laugh escaped him.

Alastor glared at him more.

Husk held up his hands. "I'm not laughing at you. I'm laughing at that description of Henroin. 'Egotistical monster in a cheap suit' — sums up the bastard pretty well." He coughed, covering up another laugh.

Now Alastor's smile twitched and a small laugh left him as well.

They shared a few chuckles. Then Husk sighed and took off his hat. "First of all…come on, Angel's family is not scared of you. You're a pain in the ass, and kind of oblivious, and reckless as fuck, but you're not terrifying all the time no matter what your ego says. So I think Molly and Niss are less focused on you scrambling during small talk and cracking nervous cannibal jokes and more focused on how you make Angel smile and how he makes you smile too and all that sentimental stuff." He reached into the hat, under the lining. "Second of all, Niffty and I have this thing where if you bring one of us on any sort of potentially suicidal mission, we always bring a little snack for you just in case you need to recharge." He pulled out something small wrapped in wax paper and tossed it to Alastor who caught it. "Demon jerky. Probably tough as hell at this point, but hopefully it'll do the job."

Alastor eyed the parcel then looked to Husk. "You both…do this for me?"

Husk shrugged. "Hey, if you're gonna take us into a rough situation we'd rather you didn't die and leave us fighting our way through the cluster fuck alone. Plus Niffty always worries about you so, you know, I go along with it or whatever."

"I…Thank you. Both of you." Alastor already had the strips of cured flesh out of the paper. He popped them one by one into his mouth and swallowed, his eyes lighting up as he finished the last one. "Ah, I do believe we're back in business." Green magic glowed in his hand. He pointed at the snake. "Sir Pentious, we're ready to teleport! Ha!"

Sir Pentious slithered over with a smile. "Oh wonderful! Ready when you are!"

"To make this transport as accurate as possible, we'll have to be in contact I'm afraid. Holding hands should be sufficient." Alastor held one hand out to Sir Pentious who took it gladly to Alastor's slight surprise. Then he held his other out to Husk who raised an eyebrow. Alastor rolled his eyes. "Come, come, Husker, I'm not going to let you torture yourself by flying that high on your own with bullet-riddled wings. There's room for one more." His eyebrows went high in some nervousness. "If you wish…?"

Husk blinked but finally nodded. "Yeah, makes sense… Thanks." He took Alastor's hand too.

With a bigger smile, Alastor summoned his magic and teleported them away.

In the quiet of an alley, a bruised spider demon slowly pushed himself up from the concrete. Henroin winced and spit; a blob of blood landed on the pavement along with a fang. He took a wrinkled handkerchief out of his front pocket, wiped his mouth clean, adjusted his bent fedora, and then got himself standing. His red eyes blinked, and he looked down at himself and saw how horribly he had been worked over — by his daughter, by Valentino, by that strange television demon… His hand weakly clenched where his ring had been — a ring he had a feeling he wasn't going to get it back.

He had a feeling he wasn't going to get A LOT of things back.

Henroin hobbled to the edge of the alley, where he caught a full view of the street that confirmed the fight seemed to be over, with his side taking the loss and retreating. A glint near a sewer grate caught his eye…and it took him a moment to recognize the remains of his ring beneath the grate, clearly warped by a bullet that had hit true, and the stone cracked and embedded in the pavement. And then finally, past his men, his eyes found the unmistakable forms of his three children, standing together, talking, smiling.

Maria Lucia, brazen and full of betrayal.

Archibaldo Nestor, defiant and a deserter.

Antonio Angelo…Angel… unnatural and unwanted.

The three of them, especially together and encouraging each other, were a disgrace — not just to themselves and the family, but to himself personally as well.

The rules of the family dictated only one thing…he would have to make an example of them. And he would have to do it while his people could still see it being done. And he would have to do it right now when he was too enraged and pained and humiliated to think about the memory of their good mother and stop himself.

Henroin finally stepped fully out into the street and grabbed the nearest mobster roughly. The demon gasped and blinked. "Boss?"

"Give me a gun. Now."

The mobster nodded and pulled one out of his coat.

Henroin grabbed it swiftly and pushed the mobster away. "And tell everyone not to clear out of the area so fast. There's one more thing to be done before we leave."

The mobster nodded. "Yes, Don." He swiftly went around and started whispering into the ears of some of the other men.

Henroin spit out some more blood and then reached down to the inside of his waistcoat. There was a secret pocket there, stitched into the fabric with unassuming black thread and sealed up tight. Henroin tore open the stitches at the top with a quick swipe of his claw and pulled out the contents.

A round of bullets, all inscribed with gleaming silver white lines.

He'd been bluffing a bit the day he'd met Valentino and told him that he had heavenly guns he could use to erase him permanently. Henroin could get them if needed, but doing so involved calling in a lot of favors and paying a lot of money and dealing with multiple groups across rings of hell: a task not to be wasted on insignificant garbage like Valentino.

But weapons enhanced somehow by angel spears…those items were a little more manageable. Angel spears or their pieces were rare and expensive too of course. But some people melted down bits of the spears and sold them in discrete amounts for a reasonable cost to be used for enhancing a variety of items — knives, ropes…bullets.

Henroin always kept on his person a round of bullets tipped with the substance of angel spear. They couldn't erase demons like a full spear or a heavenly weapon, but they could cause some serious, permanent damage…enough to change a life…and make a demon vulnerable enough to be taken out completely by something else soon enough.

Henroin scowled and sniffed and tried not to think about the tear threatening to come to his eye. He just looked to his kids again, so obscenely proud of all their miserable flaws, and then down to himself in his broken state. He loaded the gun. "I gave you three every chance. If I had pulled even once on my father what you three have pulled on me all these years, I would have been beaten within an inch of my life. A few times I nearly was. But I became a better man for it. I really am sorry I couldn't make you three become better too. I think that's one of the sins I'm down here for. And now it's my responsibility to end whatever it is you think you're starting." He clenched his jaw, eyes glowing red with a moment of rage. "Bambini…senza valore!"

He started dragging himself through the remaining mobsters, trying to reach his kids quickly before they could catch sight of his approach. His hand held tight to the gun as he mentally considered who to shoot first.

But when Angel laughed at something one of the other two said, then glanced at the retreating men and smirked and blew them a kiss with a little wave goodbye, he knew who to start with: the one that had started the unraveling of their family. Then he would Molly before she could get another bright idea and use her wrath to overpower him. And then finally he would shoot Archie so his oldest could fully appreciate that all of this was his doing.

Henroin didn't see any Radio Demon or flying cat or pompous snake around to stop him. The timing was perfect.

He would retreat today, but first he would leave a legacy. And his kids would at least see the error of their ways for the rest of their very shortened afterlives.

Cherri had been fighting off mob henchmen with Sir Pentious until Molly had made her grand announcement and shot Henroin's ring in mid air (damn, she was an expert with a gun). The fighting had ceased almost instantly, like Molly had pulled a drain in the tub and all the water was swirling away, which was good, because Cherri had been getting a little burnt out at this point from dealing with so many attackers and keeping an eye on Sir Pentious. She knew Niss would already definitely have a cow about how banged up the snake gotten earlier. The last thing the poor spider needed after a fucked up day like today was to be stressed out about his boyfriend getting hurt even worse.

Then things had gotten even more complicated when Cherri's phone rang, and what answered her was the sound of a bunch of Egg Bois screaming that the ship was starting to go off course and they couldn't fix it because driving was hard and also because some of them might have been playing with the ray guns earlier and shot a few good-sized holes into the hull. Instantly Sir Pentious had become all panic and fluster until Cherri had finally grabbed the dramatic Victorian ass and told him to radio Radio Head and Husk for help. They could get him to the ship.

Sir Pentious had beamed and hugged her, lifting her off the ground (she was never going to get used to all this mushy stuff with him). He got Husk on the radio, and then he and Cherri existed their building. Cherri went over to the spiders to make sure they were all okay, then hung back a bit when she noticed sir Pentious, Husk, and Alastor disappear. They were going to get the ship. Which meant she going to keep an eye on the spiders just in might have wounded Henroin's authority and ego today, but they hadn't incapacitated the guy, and Cherri still didn't trust the situation.

After a few minutes, bored and anxious, she pulled out her phone and called up Sir Pentious on the ship. "Hey, it's Cherri! What's up, ship okay now?"

"Oh Cherri! Er…yes, heh!" Sir Pentious replied possibly a bit too eagerly, "It's not in imminent danger anymore. We're just…getting our bearings…"

In the background she heard voices. First Husk. "Oh my god, yes, I'm Molly's boyfriend! Hey, get off of me! Pen, can you call off your eggs!" And then Alastor. "Why in the blazes are the mechanics of this contraption so convoluted? I swear if people were meant to fly we'd have been given wings."

"Egg Bois, please focus and let Husk be! And go show Alastor the schematics!" Sir Pentious sighed and came back on the line to Cherri. "We'll be fine, I'm sure. Everything okay down there as well?"

Cherri nodded. "Yeah, but I still don't like it. Angel's dad is a bitch, he's not gonna give up that easily, mob protocol or not. We need to leave, now. Want me to round up the spiders and walk them back to the hotel, and you can take the guys home?

"Actually, Alastor thought it might be best if I lowered the airship to pick up you and the siblings. That was we can all be removed completely from the situation and no one can follow us to try anything."

Cherri nodded. "Good plan. I'll keep an eye out til then."

"Thank you, Cherri! For everything…" Sir Pentious sounded so sincere. "I appreciated your help in the fight today. Perhaps you are not so infuriating after all."

She smirked. "Oh please, it took weeks for me to get you and Niss to get together, I wasn't gonna let anything happen to you now. But yeah you're not such a pain in the ass yourself. I'll see you soon. Don't be afraid to put Radio Head and Husk in line if they get testy."

"Oh I run a tight ship, I assure you." Sir Pentious chuckled. "See you soon!"

Cherri put away her phone. The crowd was thinning considerably, and she decided it would be best to rejoin the spiders and guard them up close.

She kept her eye peeled as she moved away from the crowd, watching for any funny business and giving every mobster a don't fuck with me look. When she got close, she relaxed and let her attention turn to the spiders again. She couldn't help smiling a little at how they were smiling and standing close at the end of everything, all safe and sound.

But then Niss went to tuck away his gun, and turned his head in doing so. He blinked twice, his head tilted at something out in the crowd.

He was probably trying to figure out what he was seeing. Niss was careful like that, always wanting to assess things thoroughly before acting.

Cherri, however, had no time for such discerning bullshit. If he was seeing something strange enough that it could grab his attention away from his brother and sister, that was good enough evidence for her. She ran in the direction he was looking just as Niss's eyes widened and he went to pull out his gun again.

Three shots rang out as Cherri threw a grenade. When the smoke cleared there was yelling and screaming as mobsters scattered everywhere. And only two of the spiders were still standing.

On the air ship, most of the blaring warning sirens had been silenced and the sources of smoke (and in one instance a small fire) had been doused and dealt with. Sir Pentious was ushering the last of the Egg Bois out of the cockpit, and he sighed as he closed the door behind him. "They always get so restless whenever they're left alone. I'll have to make them all extra tea and cookies before bed tonight just to get them to sleep." He slithered over to the helm.

Alastor, who had just finished using a tentacle to wrap a leaking pipe, glanced to the snake with his head tilted. "Why make so many then, and why continue to repair and make more? They're interesting distractions to use against an attacker but clearly not equipped for the heavy lifting this contraption requires to stay airborne."

Sir Pentious shrugged, adjusting various controls. "Because it's convenient to have servants for menial tasks. Because however simplistic they are, they're also genius creations in my opinion. And because I didn't want to spend most of my days up here being all alone I suppose. You have the Cannibal Colony, Alastor — I just have me." He managed a weak smile then forced a lever and grinned when a whirring sound came from the engines. He glanced at Alastor, head held high in pride. "And besides, as you say, they do make excellent distractions in battle. They gave you and Angel quite the run for your money the evening you two attacked me after all."

Alastor froze…because Sir Pentious recalling them so distinctly was uncomfortable. And because he and Angel really had been dressed to the nines that night and working so in sync on their first date. And because the snake…should have asked that question with perplexity about why the Radio Demon and spider had worked together. He shouldn't have asked it like Alastor and Angel attacking in tandem was the most natural thing in the world.

The snake couldn't know that he and Angel… No, certainly not. But even the thought that Sir Pentious might have the notion was making Alastor's head spin.

Husk, who had been on the upper level patching a broken window, flew down to the main level. "You and Angel attacked this ship? When?"

Alastor's head whipped around. "When we felt like it, that was when, ha! Quite the evening of hijinks brought on by no particular reasons. I barely recall it — I nearly topple so many overlords every week, you know." Then he turned himself entirely to the wall and focused very intently on letting his tentacle put a steel panel back into place as he glowed immensely.

Husk noticed and sighed and decided to move the conversation along. They really didn't have time for this. He looked to Sir Pentious. "Okay, Pentious, nothing's on fire or beeping or spewing smoke anymore. Can we head down to street level now? I'll radio Cherri to have everyone start heading to a roof."

"Yes, please do —we're quite ready to take on our passengers!" Sir Pentious pushed a button, and the ship started to move forward. "I'll man the helm. Husker, please move to the navigation panel over there and keep an eye on our altitude and the pressure gauges." He looked to the Radio Demon. "And Alastor, perhaps you could man the ray gun?"

Alastor nearly jumped at being addressed again and whipped around to Sir Pentious, then wrinkled his nose. "I'm afraid guns aren't my area of expertise. Perhaps Husker…"

"Alastor, I'd switch, but aircraft is also not your expertise. At least I know what to look for in the gauges," Husk interrupted. "Besides, you saw how the eggs were using it. Just aim with the sight and squeeze the handles."

Sir Pentious smiled in understanding. "Honestly, Alastor, we probably won't use the gun — in fact I'm certain we shouldn't when we're so close to the ground. But it's good to have someone quick and cunning on them just in case." He gave a sheepish shrug, his smile warm. "Frankly I'd consider it an honor to have an overlord of your caliber manning it."

Alastor buzzed with perplexed static at the reply. First Vox had cracked little playful jokes with him a few days ago and now Sir Pentious was complimenting him sincerely, and he still didn't understand anything about how or why it was all happening or why he liked this sudden camaraderie. Ears twitching in confusion, he just shuffled over to the ray gun with a nod.

Sir Pentious grinned, smiling in determination. "Now then, the old girl's in need of quite a tune up but she'll suffice for the moment. Let's ease her down, perhaps one street over to avoid the crowds, and the others can meet us there."

Husk nodded. "I scouted the area last night. The next block is a bunch of shady cheap bars and brothels — nothing open this early, so we won't have to deal with anyone on the street."

"Perfect, I'll call Cherri back and let her know!" Sir Pentious pulled out his phone again, but before he could call, it rang on its own. He answered and instantly heard Cherri's voice harsh and yelling against a background of loud noises and screams.

"PEN! ALASTOR! HUSK! GET THE FUCK DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW! Henroin came back and he had a gun and some kind of fucked up semi-divine bullets! He tried to kill them! Shit…"

Husk was instantly at the helm, eyes wide. "Are they hurt? Cherri! What's happening?"

"Niss has Henroin pinned down. The fucker missed him. Molly…looks like the bullet only ripped a hole in her dress, but I can't check on her yet. She went full feral demon as soon as she realized what happened! And Angel…I'm with him and holding him. That bastard's bullet grazed Angel's leg — it's bleeding and he can't walk… WE NEED YOU DOWN HERE NOW!"

Sir Pentious and Husk were too frozen for a moment to answer her, their wide eyes on Alastor.

The Radio Demon stood there, his demeanor shifting. His eyes became dark pools, his antlers and fangs and claws elongated, his joints contorted, static built around him. And red and black and green magic and symbols swirled over his head, growing and darkening.

"Oh dear…" Sir Pentious swallowed.

"Alastor?" Husk, still shaking a little, held up a paw tentatively…especially as he saw Alastor raise a hand to snap his fingers. "Alastor, calm down. We've gotta keep our heads — for them, remember? Let's get back to our posts and fly this thing down—"

"Ha…no," left Alastor in a dark voice thick with static, and then his fingers snapped.

There was an instant of darkness and cold and spinning for everyone. And then suddenly it was over.

Sir Pentious adjusted his askew hat, trying to get his bearings. "What did he do?"

Husk shook his head. "I don't know I…oh. Fuck." He looked out of the main window.

They were no longer in the air. Alastor had teleported the entire ship immediately down to just above street level. "He, uh…teleported us down low. Very low."

Sir Pentious blinked in surprise. "Oh that's—" And then alarms started blaring and gauges started flashing and the snake was clinging to the helm as they watched the ship nose dive toward the pavement. "The ship can't handle such a sudden air pressure change! We need to steady her. Husk, there's a lever on the left near the hull and one on the right — they'll adjust the cabin pressure and release the emergency docking gear. They need to be pulled at the same time though! Can you get Alastor to help?"

Husk nodded and ran over to Alastor, swallowing at the sight of the Radio Demon now — he loomed high above them, his proportions distorted, his magic practically pulsing in the air. "Alastor! Snap out of it! If we want to help them, we need you back!" A whining buzz came from Alastor's head as dark rivers of blood fell from his lips and fangs now. Husk decided to do something he rarely did and get physical with the Radio Demon — he grabbed his shoulders. "Alastor, so help me, get a grip! I know you want to beat the shit out of that prick father of theirs because I do too! But THEY are more important than him or us because they are in trouble and we can help! Angel needs you…" He whispered the last words, his face right up to Alastor's, scowling as he looked fearlessly into those lethal eyes that were flickering red like the dial on a radio ready to broadcast the last thing a soul might hear before sinking into a fiery abyss.

Alastor stilled for a moment at Husk's words.

Then his magic and static began to dissipate slowly. The elongated pieces of himself gradually returned to normal, the blood disappeared, and finally his eyes returned to their usual yellow and red shade…though with tears at their edges. Husk could feel that Alastor was faintly trembling.

Husk took a deep breath. His voice was quiet. "I'm scared too. And angry. And hurt. None of them deserve any of this. But it's gonna be okay. Okay?" He could feel some of his own tears now threatening to push forward.

Alastor managed a single nod. "Yes. Yes, it will be okay, my…I…Husker," he replied in the kindest tone Husk had ever heard him use, Then he blinked a few times and snapped his fingers — his tears were wiped clean and his trembling stilled. He gave Husk a final overwhelmed look before swiftly heading over to the lever on the opposite side of the room.

Husk, unfortunately, didn't have time to ponder their brief tender moment. He went over to his own lever.

Sir Pentious strained against the helm, trying to pull up. "Pull your levers in three…two…one!"

Husk ripped his back with all his might as Alastor had a tentacle dislodge his.

With a jerking motion the ship leveled out and the alarms ceased. But there was a loud grating and rumbling sound too that they quickly realized came from the sides of the hull (and several struts that had just extended out) scraping against buildings as the ship nestled over the center of the street, a mere few hundred feet above the pavement.

Alastor ran over to the window and pressed his face there, eyes roving with great speed. He gasped when he saw pink and white colors and held up his hand to snap himself away. But his knees buckled as he tried to summon the magic and failed.

Husk came over and caught him just before he hit the floor. "Fuck, Alastor, you can't teleport down there. You used up everything teleporting the ship, and also you could end up teleporting right into a bullet. We're going down the old fashioned way. And we're getting them out of here with this ship."

Alastor scowled, squirming in frustration as he righted himself. But then he took a deep breath and nodded. "Very well. Let's go. But if I see Henroin…" His eyes turned to dark pools again.

Husk nodded. "I get it. And he'll get his, one way or another some day. But for now let's go down there and show him why the fuck he shouldn't fuck with his kids." Alastor's eyes returned to normal and he shared a small smile of understanding with the cat.

The Radio Demon headed away from the window, his bearings restored, Husk following.

"Hurry, this way to the ladder bay! Oh, I have to make sure that brute doesn't lay a hand on Nissy!" A fretful Sir Pentious led them down a flight of stairs to a small hanger where the exit hatch and ladder awaited (and Alastor and Husk were so frantic with urgency that they barely had a chance to find the little nickname of 'Nissy' curious).

On the ground, Cherri tucked away her phone and held her friend close as the chaos played out around them. "Angie?" He'd been passed out for the last few minutes.

Angel groaned now and winced in her arms, eyes finally blinking open. "Fuck…what happened?"

"Fucking christ, you scared me." Cherri hugged him in relief. "You passed out after my smoke grenade hit. And after you were shot."

"Shot? I…" He blinked, the memories coming back. "Pops… Where is Pops? He… hit me? Where, I—" Angel gasped as he tried to move again. "My leg? Oh fuck, of course. I lose that and it'll fucking take months to grow back. Not to mention I can't walk out of here. Shit, it hurts. What did he do, blow it clean off?"

Cherri shook her head. "It just grazed you, but the wound doesn't look right. I think those things had something angelic in them."

Angel sat up and looked down his body.

The bullet had indeed grazed one side of his leg, tearing through the leather of his long boots and taking a good chunk of skin and fur with it. There was bleeding, and something white was wedged in the wound. The area glowed bright white like Alastor's angel burn had done. Speaking of burns, his leg felt like it had been touched with a hot poker. The fiery pain pulsed in waves, spreading up and down his limb. "Charlie…Charlie's powers…she can help, at least with getting the bullet out." He clung to Cherri. "Come on, let's see if I can stand, then maybe we—" He tried to put weight on the leg, but he collapsed back down immediately, panting.

Cherri held him close again. "No way, Angie. We're staying put and waiting for your scary boyfriend and Molly's scary boyfriend and Niss's scary…er, friend. They'll be here any second to get us on Pen's airship."

Angel's eyes widened. "Molly and Niss! Fuck, are they okay too?" He winced in pain from moving too quickly, trying to look around.

Cherri held him firm. "Hey, shh, yeah, he didn't…I think he was mostly aiming at you." She blushed, frowning. "I'm sorry, Angie. I know your dad's a piece of shit but I… I'm sorry." She hugged him.

Angel sniffed and blinked away some tears. He didn't have the energy to process his own bastard father finally shooting him clearly to kill. He just sighed and hugged Cherri back. "My brother and sister are safe, that's what matters. And…Pops doesn't matter. I mean, he's probably finally dead now, right? Molly or Niss must have taken him out."

Cherri bit her lip and shook her head. "He's still up. Niss is dealing with him. And Molly is…uh…Angel, Molly's a little pissed — like full-blown demonic pissed. And she's scaring the shit out of your Dad, which is great, but I also think it might be getting out of hand. I'm not sure if she's okay."

"What the hell?" Angel sat bolt upright. He saw Niss with his sniper rifle aimed at Henroin who was collapsed beside some debris and pointing his gun back at him. And not far behind Niss he saw Molly…all fangs and claws and glowing electric pink, her extra limbs extended as she growled and glared at their father while Niss tried to keep them apart. Her dress was singed and there was a bullet hole there. "Oh my god, I thought you said he didn't hit Molly!"

"He didn't! She was close to you, and the bullet only got near her by accident." Cherri assured. "It went through her skirt, no contact… But between the close gunfire and almost getting hit and seeing you fall to the ground, she kind of lost it."

Tears were building in Angel's eyes at the sight of his sister. He scowled. "Cherri, go help Molly. She doesn't know how to control being in that form yet, and she's distracting Niss. They could get hurt."

"I am NOT leaving you." Cherri looked at him firmly.

"No one's here trying to hurt me! But Pops is over there trying to hurt THEM! Please!" Angel looked into her eyes.

Cherri hesitated but finally nodded. "Okay…okay. But you stay still and don't pick any fights. And here, to keep yourself safe." She handed him a few grenades. "And I'm still gonna keep an eye on you." She hugged him once more and then let him go.

Angel tried to show her a smile as she left, but once her attention was on Molly he swallowed and collapsed back to the ground, breaths shallow. He felt so sick and hot and cold all at once and like his leg was one big burning mass. He tried to just look up and focus on the red and yellow clouds.

A moment later when an airship — Sir Pentious's airship — slipped down from those clouds and actually wedged itself between two buildings to block out the red sunlight overhead, Angel genuinely thought he was hallucinating.

Breaths ragged, Niss stood facing their father. He was grateful the moment he heard Cherri approach and start talking down Molly (though he was worried now about where Angel might be — he'd seen him get hit and drop, blood splattering the ground).

Niss needed to focus now though. Because this was it. Angel's way of dealing with Pops had been to ignore and avoid him — and Pops hadn't respected that agreement. Molly's way of dealing with Pops had been to show him up by out-mobbing him and humiliating him —and Pops hadn't respected that agreement either. So now Niss was the only one left — the oldest son. And he had a birthright, which also came with a duty to protect his family — his real family — no matter what.

Niss glared at Henroin's form, crouched against some debris and aiming at him. "Come over here and face me like a man, you foreflushing coward! Shooting at us from the back…Disgraceful!" Niss spit on the ground.

"Heh…" Henroin chuckled, catching his breath as he stood up as tall as he could manage. "I was just…tying up loose ends. I hit true with Angel. Almost nicked Molly — damn grenade, blocking my view. Only missed you when the smoke hit because these eyes aren't what they used to be. And because even down here, you're so damn short, Archie." Henroin laughed then coughed, and Niss could see specks of blood . "And who are you calling a coward, Archibaldo? You let your sister — a woman — stand up to me in your place today. And you let me put Angel in his place all your lives. What's so different now? Why are you trying to leave me, boy? Just tell me the truth."

Niss swallowed and felt the gun shake his hand. His face heated as images came into his mind of trying on make up with his brother and sister at their sleepover last night and singing opera in Rosie's kitchen and holding Sir Pentious's hand as they had their first kiss last night. "I…Cuz I found something better than you to live for."

"Like what?" Henroin shook his head, stepping closer. "Your fruity brother? Look at him lying behind you, half in women's clothing. Or is it your banshee sister? Look at the monster she's let herself become. Or maybe it's that pointless redemption hotel? You stayed there for a night." He smirked. "What, you got something going on with that princess, hmm? That's my boy…"

Niss steeled himself again, tension and anger and disgust flooding his senses. "I…I'm…I…" The words churned in his stomach, pushing up like bile.

But then behind his father he saw, of all things,Pen's beautiful airship floating down toward the street. And he smiled. "Actually, the thing I found to live for that's better than you — is ME. All of me. My whole life and everyone I love who's in it. In fact, here's some of those people coming along right now." He gestured behind Henroin with a nod of his head.

Henroin blinked as a shadow came over the street, and he turned his head to look. He stumbled back at the sight that met his eyes. "Marone, what the hell?!" he gasped as the airship passed dangerously low overhead then wedged between two buildings. Before Henroin could regain himself, Niss ran forward and punched him square in the jaw. Henroin stumbled back in shock, lip split open, gun skittering to the ground, all eight red eyes wide.

Niss glared, his own eyes flashing red. "That is for fucking SHOOTING AT MY BROTHER AND MY SISTER AND ME! And for PUNCHING ME IN THE EYE! And for EVERYTHING ELSE!" He grabbed his father's collar and pulled him close. "Now, that is our ride. We're getting on it. And you're not going to bother us ever again. And do you know why?"

Henroin's dull eyes glanced at the sniper rifle in Niss's hands then back up to his son. "Because you're going to tear me into so many pieces with bullets that I can't manage to come back? Or some such dramatic nonsense? Really, Archie, you're a thinker, not a killer. You and I both know it. So just take the empty threat you want to make and be done with it."

"No, not an empty threat. And not a violent one either." Niss's gaze was firm. "You won't bother us anymore because…you're not stupid." He jerked him closer. "You've got bigger problems than us, Pops…like the decimation of half your forces, and the fact that I know at least eighty percent of your territory must be unguarded right now. And then there's the very pissed off henchmen who just had the crap kicked out of them over your stupid personal vendetta." Niss half smiled. "I think if you want to keep your little position down here, you'll let go of your kids for good and be happy with what you have. Dons who piss off too many of their men too much of the time get taken out, just like you always told me. If you come after us again, we will humiliate and emasculate and decimate you every single time… So be smart and don't." He narrowed his eyes, and his voice lowered more. "Because the next time you do, there won't be a shoot out or a talk or a fight. I know your organization might not mind some fresh blood in their leadership after today's shit show. And I know I got a birthright. And I also know that we got all the time in the world down here. Stay away or I'll steal this entire mob out from under you until you have nothing left, not in earth, heaven, or hell. Capiche?"

Henroin looked at his son, eyes wide. Then he looked out at the remains of his men, a few still waiting to see what he would do but most of them looking less than happy about still being here. And he was already so weak… If one of them wanted to take him out, it would be too simple right now. His eyes went back to Niss — his oldest son, right here, poised to take command and actually acting on it for the first time in his life.

There was a pause. Then Henroin cleared his throat. "Very well…Don Archibaldo. You stay in your territory and we'll stay in ours. No favors, no family, no fraternization. And if you betray that treaty you know the consequences."

Niss resisted rolling his eyes. And he tried not to blush at the strange feeling of being addressed as don by his own father. He slapped a hand to his chest. "Then let us never speak of this again. Arrivederci, Signor."

"Arrivederci," Henroin snarled.

It was at that moment that Alastor, Husk, and Sir Pentious made it down the rope ladder and to the ground.

The Radio Demon's eyes darted around and quickly found Henroin. "YOU?!" He screeched and rushed forward, demonics raging.

Niss got in front of him quick. "Alastor! Hey, no, cool it, it's okay. It's over. We've got an agreement. Go see An—go see the others. I…oh, fuck, how's Molly?!" Niss glanced over and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Cherri holding a sobbing Molly who had returned to her normal form now that Husk was at her side. Niss looked back to Alastor. "I got this," he whispered. "I'm the head of the family now, right? Go see Angel. I'm not sure how bad that bullet hurt him."

Alastor took a breath, shot an enraged and deadly glare at Henroin (who visibility trembled, much to his satisfaction) then nodded to Niss and went past the others to find his spider.

His eyes quickly found Angel's form stretched out on the ground, eyes closed in pain. Alastor could see the tear in his boot and the blood and the hot glow at the center of the wound. His smile almost went all the way away, and his eyes felt hot with tears again. "Anthony…"

Angel's eyes opened and a smile bloomed on his face. "Al? Oh Al…It's so good to see ya. I could just kiss ya…but we're in public and also I can't quite sit up, heh."

"Don't worry yourself about either of those situations, mon ange." Alastor concentrated very hard and dug his claws into his hand, drawing blood — he still had just a little magic left. A small tentacle unfurled from the ground. It wrapped around Angel's waist, lifting him up as the spider winced, then Alastor put Angel's arm around his shoulder for the spider to cling to.

"Al, you're holding me. People'll see…" Angel frowned, trying but failing to bear his own weight.

"It doesn't matter," Alastor said simply, eyes meeting Angel's. "Only you matter."

Angel blinked, tears in his eyes, and finally let his weight rest against Alastor with a heavy sigh. "Smiles… shit, why couldn't I have an extra set of legs like Molly? This would be easier."

"I'm only sorry I can't help more, darling" Alastor whispered. "I would teleport us directly aboard ship, but I'm running a bit low on magic at the moment and I wouldn't want to jostle you. I have enough to get us up there on a tentacle though." One of his ears flicked down as he watched the tentacle tightly curl about Angel's waist. "I know being in such close contact with these can be a slightly unsettling experience for some, but…"

"Are you kidding?" Angel mused, clearly a bit dizzy from the pain, as he stroked the tentacle around his waist. "I love this these things. They're so sleek and curvy and powerful…"

"Really?" Alastor's voice cracked a little and his glow grew.

"Yup. Heh, plus they remind me of dicks." He giggled.

"Angel!" Alastor barely resisted the urge for a laugh as well.

Angel laughed again, leaning more on Alastor.

Then he stopped laughing as he eyes caught sight of his father, wiping blood from his mouth, battered and bruised and scowling while Niss kept a close eye on him.

Alastor noticed where Angel's gaze was. He glared too. "Not to worry, dear, your brother assures me your father has been bested and has backed down. And he's not in any position to attempt yet another attack even if he wanted to. And even if he was…I'm here too now. You will NOT be harmed again." His eyes flickered to radio dials.

Angel blushed. Then squeezed Alastor's shoulder, whispering near his ear. "I know, Smiles. You're like my own personal guardian angel."

Alastor blinked and his eyes returned to normal as he glowed immensely. "I, er…pardon?" He stuttered.

Angel chuckled. Then he took a breath. "Smiles…before we go, I gotta do one quick thing. And I gotta do it alone. But I still need ya right behind me. Can you do that?"

Alastor nodded.

Angel's smile grew. He took a deep breath and got himself standing as tall as he could manage, kicking back his injured leg. "Could I lose the tentacle for moment and borrow your cane instead? For walking?"

Alastor snapped to unfurl the tentacle as he handed over his microphone, eyes never leaving Angel's. "All that is mine is yours, Anthony."

They both blushed a little at that sentiment as Angel held the microphone close to steady himself. "Be right back, Al." He swallowed then looked forward and headed toward Niss and their father, feeling the safety of Alastor's eyes watching him as he went.

When Husk had reached the ground, he had approached Molly and Cherri right away, frowning at the sight of Molly seeming so enraged and out of control. She'd started to calm from Cherri's efforts, but the moment her eyes had met his and he'd said her name, she'd started to return to normal all the way. Finally she ended up collapsing into Cherri's arms, shaking and crying.

Husk breathed a sigh of relief as he came close. "What happened?"

Cherri patted Molly's shoulder. "When she realized Henroin shot at them, she went a little feral demon. Between that and everything else today, I don't blame her…"

"Husky…" Molly sniffed. "Angel…I have ta go see Angel."

"Alastor's got Angel," Husk assured gently. "It's okay, we're all going home now." He glanced at Cherri. "You showed up today even though you said you wouldn't. And you helped them, and her. Thank you." He took one of Cherri's hands and shook it firmly in both of his.

Cherri smiled a little. "I'm always here, any time, for whatever they need. Just like you and Alastor."

Molly let out a deep breath. "I love ya, Cherri." She blinked and pulled away from the demon and then looked to Husk, lip trembling. "Husky…I didn't want ya to see me like that. I've been tryin' to hold it back since we got here."

"I like seeing you all the ways you are," Husk assured without hesitation. "You be however you need to be, and we'll work through it. Okay?"

Molly nodded and then hugged him tight and he hugged her back, brushing his hand through her hair.

She let out such a relieved sigh against him, smiling a little. Then she stiffened. "Cherri…where's our Pops?"

"I think Niss got him to back down," Cherri replied. "And he punched him. That was cool."

"Good…" Molly pulled back, wiping away her tears. "Let's go home then. I'm ready." She squeezed Husks' hand. "That man doesn't deserve any more of our time." She turned away from Henroin, holding her head high, and Husk squeezed her hand in return.

Niss had been ready to watch his father depart for good while the others tended to his siblings when suddenly Sir Pentious was in front of him, holding his shoulders. "Niss! Thank heavens! I was worried you'd been hurt! Oh, let me look at you!" The snake glanced him over every which way until Niss had to laugh. "It's okay, Pen. I'm okay. We're all okay…except Angel." He frowned. "We need to get him on board and back to the hotel."

Sir Pentious nodded. "Of course. Of course, right away, let's go." He smiled and sniffled.

Niss blinked, finally giving the snake a good look over as well and noticing all the bruises and cute. "Pen, you're hurt! What happened?!"

"Oh, again about the injuries — I promise it's quite all right. Snakes are…resilient." Sir Pentious waved him off. "These little scars will be gone before you know it, trust me. Now stop changing the subject. We're leaving, and you are getting a well deserved rest after this whole ordeal."

Niss's eyes hazed and he nodded. But then he blinked and looked past Pen's shoulder behind him. "Angel?"

Sir Pentious turned too and sure enough they saw Angel approaching, using the Radio Demon's microphone as a crutch.

Angel first stopped near Molly, now back in her normal form. Her dress was very tattered at the edges and blackened with gunpowder on one side, but otherwise she looked okay, just holding Husk's hand while Cherri patted her shoulder.

"Molly?" Angel smiled a little. "You okay?"

She gasped and looked at her brother with wide, shining eyes. "Tony!" She lunged forward and hugged around his shoulders, keeping him steady as she held close. "I was so scared about ya. And what are ya doing, walking' around? You need ta get somewhere safe!"

"I got one more thing to take care of before we all head home," Angel explained. "I just wanted to check on you first." He sniffed, blinking back tears. "Pops could have hit you too. I can't handle getting scared like that any more either, heh."

Molly's lip trembled. "You're gonna go try to talk to him, aren't ya?"

Angel nodded. "Gotta say goodbye, right? Never did that when we parted ways back in life. I'll be careful, promise. Just stay here with Husk and Cherri. I'll be done in a sec."

Molly nodded and gently let go of Angel, then took hold of Husk's and Cherri's hands. Husk gave Angel a reassuring nod, wings spreading a little to protect Molly, while Cherri gestured to another grenade in her hand, making it clear she would protect them too no matter what.

Angel continued onward. He saw Niss and Sir Pentious talking not far from Henroin, who was paused for a moment, coughing up blood again and wiping his brow.

His brother's eyes found his own, and the snake stood aside so they could meet each other directly. "Fuck, thank god you're okay, Angel. We need to get you on the ship before you lose much more blood. Pen, maybe you could carry him—"

"I'm talking to him first," Angel replied, holding up a hand, gesturing to Henroin.

Niss frowned. "Tony, don't bother. He's not…"

"I heard you saying your piece to him, and I'm sure Molly did earlier. Now it's my turn. I got just enough left in me for that." His gaze was firm.

Niss bit his lip for a moment then finally nodded. "Don't get too close though. Just in case." He blinked a few times, and Angel saw tears shining in his eyes. "I'm so glad he only grazed ya," he whispered.

"I'm glad he didn't hit you and Molly at all," Angel replied, sniffing.

Sir Pentious just watched them with his hands clasped and his eyes wide and shining. "I really am available if you'd like any back up or walking assistance for seeing your father, Angel."

Angel smiled but shook his head. "It's okay. Alastor's got me." He clung more to the cane and gestured over his shoulder where Alastor stood not far oof, still looking after him carefully.

"Ah, understood." Sir Pentious smiled warmly, eyes a little hazed.

Angel raised an eyebrow but there wasn't time to overanalyze the response. He turned his sights to his father, who was finally steady enough to start walking away.

Angel hobbled after him then called out. "Hey - Henroin! Enrico. Don. Whatever you want me to call you cuz you ain't a dad to me."

Henroin paused. Then he turned around slowly, sneering. "What? I've already heard an earful from your sister and brother. Now you think you're gonna come up with a third way to tell me off…my former son formerly named Anthony?"

Angel hobbled closer until they were a few feet apart. He didn't scowl, he didn't flush with anger, he didn't spit or swear. He just looked the man before him in the eye. "What's between us is different than what's between you and them. And you know it. So I'm not gonna tell you off. I'm gonna tell you who I am for the first time, without shame or fear or regret." He took a deep breath. "I am a gay man who loves other men with a passion. I am a drag queen who likes exploring every inch of my gender using everything from striped suits to bikini swim suits. I am a sex symbol who gives repressed and resented people the time of their lives in hell when they couldn't have them on earth. I love myself! And I'm not going anywhere." His eyes narrowed. "So, you don't get to disown me, signore. I. Disown. You." Angel brought the back of his hand under his chin and shot it forward abruptly in an old gesture of disinterest, of dismissal, of no longer caring — one his father had made to him long ago before disowning him. "And I'm glad I got sent to hell just so I could finally say that to you." And then he turned around.

He heard his father huff and puff a few times then grumble. "You are not right. Nothing is right about you. Any of you. If I'd ever spoken to my father the way you just spoke to me…"

Angel didn't turn back though, he just shook his head and continued forward until he was past Niss and Pen, past Molly and Husk and Cherri, and then finally there was Alastor. Tired and feeling lightheaded now that the small adrenaline rush of that moment was gone, Angel stumbled forward and just barely made it to Alastor's arms before his good leg gave out entirely.

Alastor made the cane disappear and propped Angel up again with a tentacle around the spider's waist to aid him. "Angel… Angel?"

Angel blinked a few times, head swimming. "I…I'm done, Al."

Alastor nodded. "Good. Because I am taking you home immediately." He drew blood from his wrist, struggling, and a giant tentacle raised up from the ground beneath their feet. He beckoned the others to join them on the appendage.

Angel managed a weak smile. "Oh, good. I like home. It's where you are. I love you…" He rested his head on Alastor's shoulder, eyes half lidded.

Alastor's knees almost gave out at the warm feeling that came over him. Tears gathered in his eyes and his heart raced. He felt so many things yet felt at a loss for words at the same time. "I know, I know…" he cooed. "Angel, darling, please try to stay with me."

But Angel was fading fast, his vision full of spots and the heat and pain in his leg escalating again. "Sorry, trying… Even if I go…I'll come back. Promise."

The others clambered aboard the tentacle. Molly and Niss frowned at the sight of their brother. Cherri came forward and put the back of her hand to Angel's head. "He's getting a fever and his pulse is fast. He's probably going into shock. We need to get him back to the hotel — now."

"Yes, indeed." Alastor's eyes never left Angel's as he made the tentacle lift then up to the ship's open hatch. They all climbed onto the platform and were preparing to enter the hull when Niss paused, gazing down at the ground, the mob, their father… He'd overheard Angel's conversation with Henroin. He swallowed.

Cherri noticed his hesitation. "Niss?" She tilted her head. The others paused to glance at him.

Niss continued to watch their father retreating with his remaining men, looking beaten and used up. If he ever did bother them again, Niss knew it wouldn't be for a good long while. But just to make sure to put a knife in his dream of Niss 'rejoining the flock', he decided to do one final thing before he left the battlefield.

He glanced at Alastor. "Alastor? Can your mic project a voice over the whole street again? I got something to say." He blushed, especially as Sir Pentious's eyes widened in curiosity beside him. Alastor nodded then tapped the microphone twice on the hatch below them and held out the end toward Niss.

Niss cleared his throat…then quickly took a surprised Sir Pentious's hand tightly and held it tightly. "Attention, remains of Don Henroin's mob. And Attention Don Henroin. This is Ni—Don Archibaldo speaking. Before we part ways, one final bit of news in case you're interested in knowing just how pointless today's fight was for all of you. Your boss likes his soldiers and his sons a certain way. And I don't fit the bill for rejoining his 'family' — I never have." He narrowed his eyes, trembling with power and lightness and curiosity. And then he said the words. "I'm gay. Always have been. I like guys. And I got a great one! So suck it, Pops!" And then he jumped into an elated Sir Pentious's arms as he flipped off his father.

Henroin seemed to positively melt in embarrassment as the mobsters narrowed their eyes at him, swearing and grumbling. Face flushed and shaking his head, Henroin made the sign of the cross and spit and stomped. Then out of breath he merely raised his weak hand formerly bearing his ring and made the same gesture Angel had done under his chin. Disinterest, dismissal, a withdrawal of all caring.

Finally he turned away and followed after his men in retreat, his head hanging low.

Sir Pentious beamed down at Niss. "Oh Nissy, that was captivating!"

Niss beamed back up at him. "Thanks, Pen."

And then they recalled that they weren't alone and turned to the others. "Uh," Niss started, blushing, "so…I'm gay, and Pen and I are a thing. Surprise, for those of you who didn't know. A lot of you knew though… Uh, heh…"

Molly was smiling and crying and laughing, and Cherri just gave a thumbs up, and Husk eyed the couple and nodded his approval, and Alastor looked so pleasantly intrigued as he took in the information.

Angel blinked woozily, one eyebrow lifted. "I…Okay, I think I'm definitely delirious from the pain cuz I…I think Niss just said he likes dick. AND Pen? I…uh oh…" He blinked and then fainted against Alastor, who held him up as best he could, eyes wide in alarm.

The tentacle brought them all into the ship then disappeared. Sir Pentious got the hatch closed while Husk found Molly a seat and Cherri helped Alastor support Angel. "We'll lay Angie down here," she said, making a place for him on the floor by the exit. "We'll get to the hotel soon. He'll be okay. He said Charlie can help him. It was some kind of angel bullet that hit him."

Alastor nodded. "She can remove and destroy the bullet. That'll help the pain. Then he'll have to heal on his own with all the support we can give." He touched Angel's face, brow furrowed in worry. "Darling, you're safe now. You did so well. And I got to carry you from your battlefield just as you once carried me from mine. Everything will be okay." He leaned down and kissed Angel's forehead, then held his hand.

Cherri watched with a frown. Then she went up to the deck to give them a moment alone and to help Sir Pentious navigate the ship.

The spiders and their lovers and friends finally all headed home to their hotel.

A/N:

Yes, the harrowing ordeal is finally over! I promise the next several chapters are fluffy and sweet and feature lots of Alastor nursing Angel back to health and all the spiders spending time with their boyfriends again ^w^ Thank you for reading and for your support!

Take care!

-Azure129