A/N:

Hi everyone! Thank you for your patience, I'm finally back with more Partners :) We get to go into the aftermath of the mob battle and what's next for some of our favorite couples, and Charlie's parents are back too! I hope you enjoy it, and thanks for reading ^w^

Partners

Chapter 72:

Two Days, Three Spiders, One Deer

Charlie was there at the Hotel, clutching her radio for any updates on the spiders' fight, when a huge shadow blocked out the sunlight on one side of the building. She was there when Vaggie looked out the window to let her know the shadow was caused by Sir Pentious's airship which had nearly hit street level. She was there when Niffty and Baxter and Louise rushed in with blankets and medicine, ready to help. She was there when the front door finally burst open to reveal Molly and Husk and Niss and Sir Pentious dashing inside and clearing the way… She was there when Alastor brought Angel forward, trying to support the spider's passed out body all on his own, though he allowed Cherri to help a little. Charlie was there as they all shouted various words — 'angel-laced bullets, shot in the leg, Henroin's gun'." She cried in sadness to see Angel hurt even as her horns grew in rage that someone — his own father — would wound him so gravely.

Alastor, stumbling, eyes full of tears, breaths shallow and quick, admitted that he didn't have energy to teleport the spider upstairs. So Molly and Niss joined Cherri to help him gently carry Angel to the top floor as the others followed. Charlie watched as Alastor's gaze never left Angel. The deer was barely smiling as he touched the spider's face and assured him in whispers that all would be well soon.

Charlie knew that learning to let people into your life could have so many good effects — friendship, love, trust. But she also knew there could be devastation, like when one of those people was hurt and nearly taken away from you.

She wasn't going to let Angel be taken away from Alastor though.

Thankfully, as they set Angel onto his bed and Charlie got a chance to examine his leg, she realized the wound wasn't too bad — definitely less serious than Alastor's divine wound had been on his chest. There was a small gash with little cuts peppered around it. The bullet must have grazed him and burst apart, sending out shrapnel. Either way, the sooner the injury was assisted, the better. For one of the rare times in her life she was glad to be part angel. She set her hands to the spider and let her eyes glow gold and her horns whiten and extend, almost curving together like a halo. She drew out all the bullet pieces and held them tight in her hand. She felt her anger and fear rise and then fade as the bullet bits grew hot then turned to ash in her grasp.

At that point, she needed a moment to rest herself. The angelic branch of her powers wasn't easy to summon and always took a lot out of her. While Vaggie helped her to a chair, Niffty and Baxter got to work cleaning and dressing the wound. She heard Louise say there was sweat on his brow — he had a fever, which might mean an infection was setting in. Alastor instantly touched Angel's brow and focused. His hand glowed softly green then white, and then he sighed and nearly collapsed against the bed. Angel's furrowed brow relaxed in his sleep and his breathing slowed. Niffty pulled him over to the wall to rest against it. Louise laid a fresh blanket over Angel. Husk ran in with some water from the bar. Sir Pentious held and soothed a terrified Niss and Molly.

Eventually they had done all they could. Angel wasn't in danger anymore thankfully. But he was still passed out and he needed to rest. Charlie continued to sit, trying to regain her strength and let her nerves calm as Vaggie held her hand. She watched Louise and Niffty and Sir Pentious and Baxter eventually step out into the hall to offer Angel and his family some more breathing room. She watched Molly and Niss sit at their brother's side, holding his hands until Niss sniffed and brushed back Angel's hair, and Molly kissed her brother and wiped away tears. Charlie watched Alastor linger in a corner the entire time, as pale as a ghost and as still as a shadow, eyes never leaving Angel.

She had a feeling he wasn't planning to leave at all for a while. And the same went for Angel's siblings.

Charlie wanted them all to have privacy. She got up and headed out of the room with Vaggie.

"Charlie? Why don't we get you some water?" Vaggie asked softly.

Charlie smiled a little but shook her head. "I, um…I'll be okay. I just want to lie down for a little bit. Next to you. You help. Everything's going to be fine. I just…today was a lot."

Vaggie kissed her forehead and nodded. She led Charlie back to their room.

Charlie laid down beside her in their bed and held Vaggie's hand and closed her eyes.

She slept for the rest of the day. Which meant she also never looked at her phone following the return of the spiders.

If she had, she might have noticed her father starting and stopping to type her a message several times.

Nothing new ended up being sent though, so she could have no way of knowing that he had been seriously considering telling her something, let alone guess what it could be.

In the illustrious mansion of the King and Queen of Hell, Lucifer finally bit his lip, gave up on his message to his daughter, and tucked away his phone. He was out of time for trying to sort out his words — he heard Lilith coming, and now she was in the doorway.

"Dear? What are you doing in the bedroom in the dark?"

He turned around, his smile bright and perfect. "Nothing, darling! Just considering changing jackets — I thought we might go out for dinner this evening, hmm?" Lilith entered with a curious smile.

She always knew when people were lying to her.

He just hoped she wouldn't care enough to call him out on it. He didn't feel like talking about things right now.

She approached, frowning a little. "Dear, were you looking at the footage again?"

The rosy corners of his own smile fell. He could at least answer that question truthfully because he had indeed been reviewing the footage before he'd tried to message Charlie. "Yes. There was so much going on, after all. It seemed best to try and understand the events that took place as clearly as possible if we're really going to…" He hesitated.

Lilith sighed. For just a moment she almost looked as weary and conflicted as he felt. "This isn't going to be easy. But we need to do it for her…and for you." She looked into his eyes. "I know how much her leaving our home under the circumstances broke your heart. Doing this will make things better so we can put it all behind us. You'll be back together, and the hotel won't have a chance to break her heart later on. She wants to come home, deep down — you remember her phone calls at first. She just needs a push. She has her father's pride, after all."

Lucifer swallowed then looked up into her eyes. "I know all of that. But I still don't know if I can do this to her. Spying and plotting and the publicity…it doesn't feel right."

Lilith's eyes hazed in thought. She nodded. "We don't have to if you don't want to. But…remember, we've already sent over the footage, darling. Even if we shut things down, eventually it might be broadcast anyway and then there'll be no context, no spin, no chance for us to use it to her advantage. We have to keep her safe."

Lucifer swallowed but eventually he nodded in return. "You're right. We started this. We have to see it through. We owe her that much. And we owe her whatever consequences she deems appropriate for us when she finds out." He swallowed and felt his lip wobble.

Lilith tried to smile. "We'll find a way through this." She wiped gently at one of her eyes. "You know I don't want to hurt her or you, right?"

"Yes." Lucifer's eyes stung with tears. "But in this case both might happen anyway."

Lilith blinked. Then she took a breath. "We'll sort that out when it comes then. But I'd rather we be the ones to cause her grief than that cannibal overlord or sinner spider or even that blustery girl she's taken up with. Not to mention all the others at the hotel who have their own interests and plans. You know they're only human — you know they can't understand her."

"You were only human once as well, my love," Lucifer replied softly, eyes meeting hers.

Lilith hesitated, some tears shining in her eyes. "Yes. But she is not. And I have changed."

Lucifer watched her for a moment. Then he took a deep breath. "I need a drink. Excuse me, dear." And then he moved past her and teleported himself away — not to the kitchen but to the basement. His wine cellar. He kept many bottles in there — Hell actually produced delicious wines in certain circles.

He passed by every rack of top notch Hell vintages though and unlocked a dusty back room instead. There were a handful of bottles on a shelf — all with the appearance of clouded crystal with substances inside that reflected rainbows as the light hit them. Each label bore a faded drawing of an eye.

Hell and Earth weren't the only places that produced fine wine. And though Lucifer had been far away from his first home for a long time, he still kept some pieces to remember it by.

He had planned to save each of these bottles for special occasions — perhaps Charlie's wedding day, maybe the day she delivered a child or chose an heir, or even her first grand campaign of evil in hell.

She was never going to want him around for any of those things though, whether they happened or not, was she? Not after this. Even if they got her back, they'd never really get her back. But it was too late now to change things.

He sat in the dust and dark, uncorked one of the bottles of liquid light, and drank deeply.

For the king of a place of depravity and sinners, he certainly did find himself suddenly longing to know the right thing to do.

Two days. For almost two days Angel Dust slept, sometimes moaning in pain as though he would awaken only to drift back to sleep again. And the burn on his leg, patterned like a small sun surrounded by dots of distant stars, glowed white on and off.

During that two days everyone visited him at various times. Alastor, however, never left his side. Sometimes he was perched on the edge of Angel's bed, sometimes he sat in a chair near the fire, sometimes he brooded in a corner, holding himself and conversing with shadows. He would only disappear when Molly visited (usually with Niss on her phone), wanting to give them privacy with their brother. Even then though, Alastor merely hid just behind the secret door to his room, ready to return to Angel the moment Molly hung up with Niss and left. He would have done the same for Niss if he had visited, but the other spider had accompanied Sir Pentious back to his airship (which was now anchored over the hotel) and hadn't physically returned since. Instead he sent baskets of homemade pastries down and called Molly almost every hour. Alastor had a feeling he knew why the other spider was hiding — all the more reason to hope Angel would awaken soon so they could settle things about Niss's grand personal revelation at the battle.

Alastor couldn't linger too much on the state of the other spiders though. His mind and body and powers were all for Angel right now. Caring for the spider was the only thing keeping his head together and his turmoil soothed. Each day he did everything he knew Angel had done for him during his own recovery after the radio tower battle. He brushed the spider's hair and gave him new blankets, he fed Fat Nuggets and tidied the room, he changed the sheets and summoned shadows to bring in fresh flowers. He brought water and gently poured sips into Angel's mouth. He made soup (he was too shy to ask Niss or Molly for the wedding soup recipe, but he prepared some mild gumbo) and fed Angel spoonful by spoonful. He tried to use his powers to help heal Angel's leg…though he had suspicions the burn would have to be healed by other means, much like how the divine wound on his chest had been healed. And he kept careful watch to make sure Angel's fever did not return. The only thing he hadn't done was change the spider into nightclothes — he had asked for Molly and Niss's help with that delicate situation, glowing and wringing his hands, trying not to think about his beau's beautiful if unwell body.

Alastor would have crawled into bed beside Angel if possible too. But he wanted his love to have space. So he just stayed close and held his hand and talked about all of the lovely things they would do once Angel was better.

Alastor had left the care of Cannibal Colony to Rosie and Mimzy for now. He had no idea how long Angel's full recovery would take, but he planned to be here for the entire duration, no matter what. Because Angel was his world, and his world was hurt, and without his world what was there? He knew the argument could be made that he was too attached. But the attachment was not born out of obsession or possessiveness. He was merely a man who almost never opened up…so when he did let someone in, the connection got deep quickly. Nothing would feel right until Angel was all right. He needed his Anthony. It wasn't a weakness, it was a strength. And he didn't want his darling to have any risk of finding himself alone when he came back to them.

The only compromise Alastor made was allowing himself to sleep at least a few hours here and there, and only because doing so gave him more energy for helping Angel.

Charlie tried to persuade him otherwise just once around midnight after Angel had first been brought back. She had just awoken from her own long rest after using her powers to destroy the angelic bullet.

"Alastor? It's okay. You can go to your room and sleep. I'll watch him until you wake up. I won't take my eyes off of him. I promise."

She meant well. And it was a logical suggestion. But Alastor had to look at her with a weak smile and shake his head. "Ha, Charlie…don't you see, I can't leave him any more than I could leave behind a limb for you to watch over? He's part of me. And he promised to come back, you know. It wouldn't do for him to wake up and think I hadn't taken that promise seriously."

She just nodded. She understood. She left and came back a few minutes later with a hot pot of coffee and a few sandwiches. It was nice. Alastor ate and tried not to cry, sentimental for a moment about the idea of how much everyone here loved each other… and about how much he cared for Anthony even if he didn't seem able to muster love in the right way.

By the morning of the second day, sitting at Angel's bedside, Alastor even found himself praying. Not begging of 'the powers that be' or anything, but rather…acknowledging heaven's light and asking his mother's spirit, if she had any strength or magic to lend, to please send it to Anthony so he could return to them.

Anthony didn't wake up in that moment of course, but Alastor could be patient. He pulled in his legs and cuddled into a chair he had placed by Angel's bed. "Goodnight, ma raison d'être. I'll see you soon." He pulled a blanket around himself and lightly hummed songs for Angel's pleasure until he fell into slumber.

Alastor slept longer than he had intended. When his eyes blinked open the light coming through the curtains was considerable. He supposed the late morning made sense — he had been stressed and running himself ragged and barely sleeping for almost three days now after all. He was about to accept the situation and begin his usual daily tending of his spider when he looked to the bed and saw no spider present. His heart clenched. What if Angel had gotten worse in the night? What if they'd taken him away to treat him? Or worse, what if somehow the mob or Valentino had snuck inside and spirited him away? Alastor's whole head buzzed with angry static threatening to boil over. He would rip the Pentagram to shreds to get Angel back. He went to reach for his microphone and his eyes widened in alarm to not find it beside him.

Suddenly he heard a sink running and a door open and close behind him, followed by a familiar sigh. "Smiles? You up?"

Alastor bolted up to see Angel, pale and exhausted and a bit gaunt, hobbling across the floor using his microphone as a crutch.

The spider smiled at the sight of him. "Hey! Sorry I borrowed this again, I can't walk so good, heh. Uh oh…" His good leg started to give out, and he clung to the microphone desperately.

Alastor shot forward and wrapped him in a tight supportive hug. He couldn't speak or breathe or move, he just held him and closed his eyes and let hot tears escape his eyes.

"Al? Hey, shhh…I'm okay. What, was I out a couple hours?"

"Ha!" Alastor sniffed. "Two days. For two days I've…" he looked up at him. "I don't mean to pressure you in such a weakened state, darling, but please don't leave me again like that."

"Two days…" Angel looked down into his teary eyes and then his own became teary too. "I won't. I…" He blinked and winced in pain and slumped into Alastor, leg pulled in. "Ow! My leg… It burns…"

The deer's eyes widened. "Then back into bed, right away!" He guided Angel to the bed, put the microphone aside, and tucked him in eagerly. "Are you hungry, thirsty, un-entertained? Whatever you need darling, let me know…"

Angel smiled a little bit. "I'm…mostly confused. Two days…? Can ya give me a rundown of what I missed?"

Alastor nodded, fully prepared to explain. "Oh yes, of course!" He wrung his hands — he'd been going over the events in his mind a lot as a means of distracting himself and preparing for this very moment. "You collapsed after boarding the airship following the end of the mob battle. We brought you back here and got you under Charlie's care. She removed all traces of the bullet and destroyed it so your injury wouldn't get worse. Niffty and Baxter and Louise dressed and cleaned your other wounds. You had a fever, an infection. I…tended to that."

Angel blinked. "How? Some kind of medicine?"

Alastor blinked then shook his head. "My powers. But not the ones born in carnage and wrath… There's another side to them. A better side. Actual voodoo is about healing and cleansing. I tapped into what little pure flame of that remains in me and sent it into you…much like the time my shadow transferred some of your spiritual energy into me in my radio tower to help me. It broke your fever. I was very glad." He felt more happy tears burning off at the edges of his eyes.

Angel's smile was so tender. Then it grew smaller.

"What?" Alastor's ear flicked down.

"Oh, no, it's…it's silly." Angel sighed. "I just…when your shadow used my energy to help you, you said you owed me something, and we agreed on a car ride together one day. But now if you did the same for me, maybe that makes us even." He shrugged.

Alastor leaned down, eyes wide as they met Angel's. "I will ride with you in a car, a horse drawn carriage, a motor cycle, a rowboat, even one of those preposterous jet planes any time you like. Forever. I promise you."

Angel blinked a few times, flushing a little. "I, uh…I'd like that. I'd really like that."

Alastor's smile grew.

Angel swallowed, clutching the blankets over his chest shyly. "Uh…anything else happen?" He blinked. "Oh, Niss, Molly, Pen, Husk, Cherri — you! Are you all okay?"

Alastor nodded. "Right as rain! No serious injuries…though last I saw Pentious he was still a bit banged up. But he insisted he's fine. Ha! And from what little I've seen of the others they're all well too still."

"Has everyone…been scarce for some reason?" Angel raised an eyebrow.

Alastor shook his head. "In point of fact they've all been keeping rather close to the hotel. Even the airship is docked overhead."

"Then why are ya seeing so little of them all?" Alastor swallowed. "I…I have been tending to you, cher." He took a breath. "Making your meals and telling you stories and seeing to your needs… Where else would I be? Ha…"

Angel blinked a couple times, tears in his eyes. "Just like…what I did for you…after the radio tower?"

Alastor nodded.

Angel sniffed. Then he burst into emotional tears. "Oh Alastor!" He flung himself forward and hugged the deer demon so tightly that Alastor nearly fell off the chair. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to spring all this touch on you, I just—"

Instantly Alastor hugged him back, flinging them both onto the bed. "Never apologize! I missed you. I need you. I wanted to hold you all this time, but I was afraid to disturb you."

The deer glanced into the spider's eyes for a moment, glowing and flushed. Suddenly the two of them found themselves kissing passionately as they sunk into the pillows, hands touching each other so gently, unable to resist being together.

They caught quick breaths between kisses and finally Angel groaned. "Alastor…" He let his hand slide down the deer's back, and his fingertips brushed Alastor's tail.

Alastor gasped, and tail and ears went up straight. "Angel…!" He pulled back for just a moment, breathing shakily. "Angel…I…perhaps… You still need to rest. And the others will want to see you. And I…I don't want to hurt you."

Alastor said those last words with such care, and even though Angel appreciated them and knew they came from a place of concern about his injuries, the spider couldn't help but blush at the sudden idea of Alastor ever getting a little…rough with him in a bedroom setting like this one. He swallowed and nodded, leaving the thoughts behind for now. "Okay, yeah…I know. And maybe I am kind of thirsty and hungry too now that you mention it. Just one question first." He smirked, unable to help himself. "Who got me out of my suit and into pajamas, Smiles?"

Alastor glowed brightly. "Your siblings, of course, ha!"

Angel giggled. "Drat. Oh, well…mind if I fantasize that it was you next time I'm feeling better?" he asked cheekily but also with his heart pounding at the notion.

Alastor smiled more and nodded shyly. Angel grinned and gave him a kiss on the cheek then released him, already feeling his pulse and heartbeat calm a little. "Do me a favor? I'll stay resting, and I'll be happy to see everyone and let 'em know I'm okay. But first could you just send my brother and sister up here? I don't think I can handle too many people all at once, but I really want to see them first."

Alastor sat up, awkwardly adjusting his tie and fixing his hair after the sudden heavy embracing with angel. "Er, well…I'd be happy to get your sister, she's just downstairs. But your brother…has been on the airship the last few days, tending to Sir Pentious."

Angel raised an eyebrow. "I thought Pen said all his injuries were just scratches?"

"I believe they are. I think your brother…" Alastor raised an eyebrow. "Angel how much do you remember from before you passed out on the airship?"

Angel considered, brow furrowed.

Then Angel blinked a few times.

Then Angel's eyes widened.

Finally Angel dragged a hand down his face and sighed. "That thing Niss said about, uh…liking dick and liking Pen — that wasn't just something he made up to piss off our Pops, was it?"

"I don't think it's my place to say for certain. But…it's doubtful."

Angel took a deep breath. "Can you just get my sister then? We gotta talk this out." He rubbed his head. "Did she finally take a room here or—"

"Er…she's been in Husker's room." Alastor swallowed, smile softening.

Angel blinked then grinned. "Good. Those two are all right for each other. And Niss is crashing with Pen… At least that's one good thing about him hiding out. The only thing that would make everything perfect is you crashing with me." His eyes hazed and he patted the bed at his side. "I'm sure I could handle a sleepover partner now, Al. Maybe tonight? I've been missing you for two whole days without even knowing it, after all."

Alastor glowed and grinned but shook his head. "All better first. Then sleepovers, darling." He winked.

Angel had to blush and giggle at the charming reply. "Okay, okay, fair I guess." His stomach grumbled. "Uh…could you bring me some lunch too maybe?" He looked at Alastor hopefully.

Alastor stood up and bowed. "One nutritious lunch and nurturing sister coming right up! And while you wait…." He snapped. His shadow appeared, holding Fat Nuggets.

"Nuggets!" Angel beamed as the little pig oinked and jumped into his lap while the smiling shadow flew around them.

"My shadow and myself have been keeping him company," Alastor explained. "But I'm certain Nuggets would like to spend some time with you now that you're awake."

Angel laughed and wiped away a tear. "Thanks Smiles and Shadow Smiles." He cuddled Nuggets close. The shadow saluted and disappeared.

Alastor took Angel's hand. "Be back shortly with your sister and your meal, darling. And we'll…see to healing your angelic burn soon, by whatever means necessary." He glowed then teleported away, leaving a happy Angel safe in bed.

Molly and Husk were downstairs at the bar. Husk was relaxing with a beer while cleaning some glasses. Molly was sewing up the bullet hole in the dress she had worn to the battle. She bit her lip and furrowed her brow as her hands worked steadily. "Hole's almost patched up. Then I gotta figure out what ta do about the gunpowder stain. Rosie said she could try ta get it out, but maybe I'll keep it — like a symbol of triumph or somethin'." She sighed, hands working faster. "Or maybe I'll do some embroidery around it so it blends in?" She scowled darkly. "Or maybe I'll just burn the whole dress cuz somethin' from Papa touched it. Ow!" She pulled back from the needle and thread, and clutched her pricked finger.

Husk put down his bear and instantly took her hand, holding it gently. "Whatever you do, Molly, I know it's gonna be for the best. Why don't you take a break now though, huh?"

"Maybe you're right." She held his hand in return, smiling a little. "But hey look — I got angry and my demon form didn't try ta come out. At least that's one good thing. I feel like I got a better handle on it now after what happened during the fight."

Husk nodded. "It'll keep becoming even easier to control, don't worry." He grinned. "So, wanna get some lunch? Niss has been sending the Egg Bois down from the airship with some really great stuff over the last few days. That focaccia of his is amazing."

Molly smiled a little but then sighed. "I just wish Niss would send himself down here instead… I know he's scared about facin' Angel when Angel comes to. But he's also gotta know that it's gonna be okay." She blinked back a few tears. "Plus I miss him. And Angel.

Husk got her a napkin to wipe her eyes. "I know. They both miss you too. Niss'll come back soon, and Angel'll wake up soon so you three can be together again. And in the meantime you just take care of yourself and let me help you with whatever you need, okay?"

Her smile came back and she blushed and nodded.

His smile grew. "Want me to do a trick to make you feel better?"

She nodded even more, her eyes bright.

Husk let her hand go. He took off his hat and tapped the bottom to show it was empty. Then he poured the rest of his beer inside, swirled his hand over the opening, and finally held it up over his head. Instead of beer raining down over his ears and face, a bunch of white flower petals fell out instead. He gave a little bow as Molly laughed and clapped.

Then Molly caught his petal-covered face her in her hands and kissed him deeply, and Husk returned the gesture, placing his hands over hers.

It was at this moment that there was a flash of magic in the lobby followed by a very startled, "Oh!" in a very familiar static-laced voice.

Husk and Molly's lips separated, but their foreheads stayed together as they grinned at each other.

"See, I told you Alastor pops up at the most awkward times," Husk murmured, eyes hazed.

Molly giggled. "I know. We'll continue this later behind closed doors, hmm? I wanna check your wings again for any bullets I mighta missed anyway." She winked, dragging a finger over his feathers on one wing.

He chuckled and nodded as they finally separated and looked over to see the Radio Demon all aglow and turned almost entirely away from them as he looked up at the ceiling.

Husk sighed, unable to help still smiling. "Alastor, nothing's happening anymore."

The deer finally turned around. "Ah wonderful! So sorry to interrupt regardless, ha!" He cleared his throat. "Er, Molly…he's awake. And he wants to see you."

"Ah!" Molly gasped with a high pitched squeal and jumped up, then nearly threw herself onto Alastor in a hug before Husk flew over the bar and caught the embrace for him as the deer demon stumbled back in shock. Molly sighed, clinging to Husk but beaming at Alastor. "Oh, sorry, Alastor — I keep forgettin' you're not a big hugger." Tears were in her eyes. "He's really awake? And he's okay?"

Alastor nodded. "Fid as a fiddle and already acting cheeky as can be!"

She giggled and gave Husk a final big hug then looked to Alastor again as she wiped her eyes. "Thank ya so much for taking such wonderful care of him, Alastor. You're the best fella he could ask for." She blew him a kiss then dashed up the stairs as fast as she could.

Alastor watched her go, beaming a bit. Then he turned back to Husk and swallowed. "Thank you for…er…intercepting that embrace."

"It's okay. I know a lot of touching isn't your thing." Husk shrugged. "And Molly knows too. She's trying… She's just a hugger." He smiled a little again.

"She is exquisite in every way. And I am delighted you have each other, "Alastor replied.

Husk blinked a couple of times. Even if they were seemingly on better terms after the battle, a sudden sincere compliment from Alastor was not something he was used to. "I…thanks? Yeah, she is… I, uh…"

Alastor took some pity on his fluster. "I promised to bring Angel some lunch. I thought I'd heat up some of my gumbo and perhaps a bit of that fresh bread his brother sent down. Shall I add some extra servings for you and Molly?"

Husk nodded, still a little dumbstruck. "Sure, thanks."

"Of course! What are frien—" Alastor hesitated. "What are allies for? Ha!" He was already looking away, already heading toward the kitchen.

Husk knew what Alastor had been about to say though. A few decades together made anyone easy to read. And even though he wasn't ready yet to assure Alastor that they were actually 'friends' now, he was definitely willing to think about it. And he was willing to admit that the development of their relationships into something like a friendship was definitely a stronger possibility than ever before.

Husk went back behind the bar and tossed out his beer bottle, considered the bottles of liquor for a moment, but then just decided to pour himself a glass of club soda. Stiff drinks were nice but being clear-headed wasn't so bad these days. And he really wanted to think this friendship situation through carefully.

Niss moved briskly around the airship kitchen, all burners going, all counters filled with bowls and pans and cooling racks, and several Egg Bois with dishtowels running around as they attempted to help him. The room was full of steam and heat and a variety of good smells. Loaves of bread were baking in the oven and zeppolis were frying in oil and some crepes were bubbling on griddles and cookies were cooling on racks and platters. He had everything perfectly timed, every ingredient flawlessly weighed, every potential course or side dish or dessert planned for the next two weeks if needed depending on how long it took for Tony to wake up.

Tony…

Niss picked up the pace, flipping crepes with one hand and plucking zeppolis from oil with the other and kneading a fresh bowl of bread dough with two more. His heart was racing and his breaths were shallow and his mind raced. He wanted his brother to be okay, but being okay also meant that he would have to face his brother again and…

"Mister Niss? Why are you crying?"

"Are you sad? You can shoot us if you want!"

"Should we get boss man?"

Niss realized three frowning Egg Bois were now at his side and that there were indeed tears falling down his face. He blinked a few times and shook his head. "No, no…I mean, yes, I'm crying. But I don't want to shoot you — thank you anyway. And no please, don't worry Pen. He's still healing up. Uh…speaking of which…" he wiped at his eyes with his sleeve, "It's almost time for lunch! We have to get something ready for him…even if he hasn't wanted to eat much lately." He frowned and felt tears in his eyes again. "Are you…sure Boss Man is okay?"

The Egg Bois all nodded, smiling.

"Oh yes! Of course!"

"He gets like this sometimes after big fights!"

"Trust us, in a day or two he'll be like a brand new snake!"

The Egg Bois all giggled together.

Niss had to smile a little at their enthusiasm. "Okay. Well, uh…today, let's just give him something light — tea with milk, pizzelle cookies with powdered sugar, and a couple slices of that sausage bread I made."

The eggs all nodded and started putting together a tray. Niss pulled the baking loaves from the oven and got the last of the zeppolis out of the oil and set aside the crepes to cool. By then the Egg Bois were all done — they'd prepared a perfect tray, even including a little vase with a rose.

One of the Egg Bois smiled. "We added the flower for romance!"

The others giggled even more.

Niss giggled a little too and blushed. "I'll uh…I'll take it to his door."

The Egg Bois all waved goodbye as Niss took the tray and headed out of the kitchen.

He went down the few halls and finally came to Sir Pentious's door. He knocked. "Pen? It's me. I, uh…I have lunch."

"Oh, splendid!" came Sir Pentious's cheerful (if tired) voice. "Thank you, Niss. I'm sure it's delicious. Just leave it outside the door and I'll come grab it shortly."

Niss hesitated. "Pen? I know ya want some privacy while ya heal up. I get it. I just…will you promise me that you really are okay? Cuz I'm…I'm starting to get worried…" The tears were falling again despite the smile he tried to maintain.

There was quiet at first. Then Sir Pentious's voice spoke again. "Archie…why don't you come in and bring me the tray? Just be careful, it's rather dark in here — I prefer it that way right now. I…Really nothing is wrong, I don't want you to worry, I just don't care for my appearance at the moment. But I'll be just fine in another day or so."

"Are you sure you're okay?" Niss bit his lip. "I believe you, I do, I just… A lot happened."

"Yes, I'm well. I promise. Please come in. I've missed being near you anyway," came Sir Pentious's sleepy reply.

Niss sighed in relief and opened the door and stepped in.

There was a dim fire but otherwise no source of light. He could see Sir Pentious's silhouette in bed and the faint shine of the snake's eyes but all other details were lost in the darkness.

Niss approached and slowly set down the tray on the night table. "Tea, sausage bread, and pizzelle cookies. I know you're not hungry, but if you want to pick at anything to keep up your strength I figured these would be good."

"It's all perfect," Sir Pentious assured softly. "And believe me, in a couple of days I'll be famished — I hope you'll indulge me in a full dinner together then. I want to sample all of your culinary creations, you know."

Niss blushed and felt all of his fur go on end in a good way. "Sure! I mean…I hope ya like 'em, I've been making a lot, heh…" His eyes went down. "I'd offer to take you out to dinner, but I want to stay near the hotel in case…you know…"

Sir Pentious understood. In the dark his eyes shifted over to Niss. "Is Angel still resting?"

Niss nodded and sniffed. "Uh, yeah."

"You could go visit him if you'd like, or even stay at the hotel until he's better," Sir Pentious assured gently. "Your help here has been invaluable to me, but you've prepared and stocked us with so much food and the Egg Bois are reliable enough for domestic affairs. I'm sure Angel would like you near him, and that you'd like to be near him."

Niss sighed and swallowed. "Yeah. But…I don't know what to say to him…about…"

"He loves you so much. All the parts of you. Even the part that fancies fancy snakes."

"Pen…" Niss snorted and grinned.

Sir Pentious laughed too. "There's that beautiful laugh. I just wish I could see that smile…"

"I can come more into the light," Niss offered.

"Ah, I'm afraid that wouldn't work," slipped out of Sir Pentious with a sigh.

Niss blinked. "Pen…can you not see? Cuz that's…that's a big deal."

The snake swallowed. "If I promise that I'll explain to you later what's going on, will you trust that I really am quite all right…even if I can't see much at the moment?"

Niss hesitated but nodded. "Yeah. I do trust you. Always." He swallowed. "Maybe…when you're feeling back to normal, along with eating together, we can spend some extra time together too? We could go to the solarium and hold hands and design new ray guns? And I could tell ya how lucky I feel to be going with a fancy snake?"

Sir Pentious chuckled. "It's a date, my dear."

Niss smiled so much. Then his phone buzzed. He grabbed it. "Sorry, I just…I'm just waiting for messages about…" His eyes widened. "Pen…he's awake."

"Ah splendid!" Sir Pentious announced. "Archie, I wanted to be able to go with you when the time came but I'm afraid I can't just yet. Let the Egg Bois know you're leaving. I'll be down to visit Angel in the next day or two."

"I…" Niss just kept staring at his phone, his hand shaking. "I…I want to go but…I need to think a little more first…At least over night." His breaths were shallow and he felt himself blinking away tears. "I'll…I'll explain to Molly. He's awake, that's what matters most. Me going there right away would probably just stress him out, heh…"

"Archie…" Sir Pentious reached out in the dark, sounding so concerned.

Niss shook his head. "Please don't worry about me. Just rest. I want you to feel better. I'm okay." He gave him one more smile then headed out the door, closing it behind him.

Left alone in the dark, Sir Pentious sighed, his hood flaps folding down sadly. "I have to get through my current situation immediately. He needs me. I'll see what I can do." He took a deep breath, sat up, and made himself eat some of the food and drink the tea. Hungry or not, he was going to need his strength for what was to come, especially if he was going to try to push himself through it all as early as possible.

A/N:

That's all for now! Lots of emotional and fluffy stuff is coming for everyone, and you'll see Val, Vox, and Vel again soon too ^w^ I'll try to update regularly again for now. I appreciate all of your patience and support 3

Take care!

-Azure129