A/N:

Hi everyone! Another chapter tonight full of drama and tender times 3 Just a note, there's also some description of Alastor's cannibal antics here but I tried not to let it be graphic. Thank you for reading!

Partners

Chapter 106:

La Vie en Radio Part 2: No Rest for the Sinful

As the night grew later, the door to Baxter's lab opened, and Charlie entered once again this evening, this time with a pile of blankets. Her hair was unkempt, her face was pale, and her brow was furrowed in worry and weariness. But there was some relief present too because, along with Abel, Louise was now also safe and sound in this room. And thankfully the sheep hadn't suffered nearly as many injuries as her fiancee. They had fed her and cleaned her up and asked her how she was doing. Louise had been very quiet, lost in thought — she just wanted to sit at Abel's bedside. Charlie supposed the reaction made sense — Louise was probably in shock. They could try talking to her more in the morning. For now, she needed rest right along with Abel.

"Louise," Charlie started, trying to look past the stack of blankets in her arms, "I just wanted to check on you and Abel one more time, and see if you wanted any extra—" Charlie paused and fell silent. Louise was curled up on Abel's sick bed, fast asleep, ears twitching and brow furrowed.

Charlie silently laid a few blankets over Abel and a few over Louise. She glanced at each of them with a smile that couldn't help but be puckered with worry. But then, seeing their breathing steady and their injuries still clean and bandaged and how at peace they seemed together, she felt content to let them be and snuck out of the room.

The moment she closed the door behind herself she jumped in surprise — Helsa was standing right there in the hall. "Helsa! Sorry, you scared me. Is everything okay?" Charlie raised an eyebrow.

Helsa fumed at the question… Then eyed Charlie in a look of near fright. "Lottie, is that blood on your blouse?! Did you get hurt? How?!"

Charlie blinked and glanced down at her shirt then looked back up and waved her hands. "Oh, no, no. It must have gotten on me when I leaned over Abel and Louise just now to cover them with some blankets. I'm okay, promise." She smiled and stepped toward her but then felt herself nearly stumble forward in a moment of exhaustion. Helsa's eyes immediately widened, and she caught Charlie before she could fall. "Oh, thank you, Helsa. I think I'm just a little tired from today… I haven't gotten much sleep this week, preparing for the show. I'll be fine though." She smiled, seeming stable again, and gently pulled herself from Helsa's (oddly unrelenting yet gentle) grasp. "Now, what's up?"

Helsa blinked and tilted her head to the side.

She had left behind a very cozy time with Cherri just now, sitting side by side and scanning the internet with their phones and talking and maybe even laughing together a little, all because she couldn't stop worrying about Charlie. Her friend had always seemed like an unstoppable force of kindness, but after tonight Charlie had never seemed so mortal… and it was scary. And it was too much to handle on top of all her other baggage and secrets about Charlie and the past.
Helsa she shook her head to clear it and, with a renewed scowl, she took Charlie's sleeve and led down the hall and down the stairs to the second floor landing. No sense in disturbing those injured guests. Sinners were out there injuring guests… Who knew who a sinner or an angel or anyone else might injure next? "What's up? Seriously?" Helsa repeated, rubbing her brow and shaking just a little with rage as she turned to face Charlie again. "Lottie, I…" Her breaths were shallow and short. "Two of your guests here nearly died tonight! Another two of your guests are out trying to murder their attacker! And YOU are exhausted! And this is just the start. Who knows how many fucked up desperate demons might descend on this place soon if they think that much homicide means this hotel is just a joke. And what if they attack people here? What if they attack YOU?!" Tears were in her eyes as she suddenly took hold of Charlie's shoulders. "For fuck's sake, it's bad enough heaven will probably end up gunning for you harder than usual during this year's extermination, but if part of hell has already been doing the same thing then…"

Charlie frowned a little, dark eyes meeting Helsa's. "Helsa, I know you said before that you support me, and I believe you. But really, if you're worried about being part of the hotel or you're feeling unsafe and need to step back, I understand—"

"Fuck the hotel and me, I'm worried about YOU!" Helsa shouted. And there was no more scowling, no more anger… Her lip trembled as she spoke, and her eyes were wide as tears fell and mascara lightly streaked down her face.

Charlie blinked a couple of times, her own eyes wide and curious. "Helsa…"

Helsa tried to scowl again but she was failing miserably as her lip trembled and her fists clenched and her body shook and more tears came. "Your parents, heaven, these demons… How could I have left you alone with all of this for all these years? How could I have made Sev leave you alone with it all too?"

"I-I'm sure you didn't make Sev do anything…" Charlie assured, trying to smile. "We broke up, it was awkward, and we needed some time apart. And…you didn't want to get caught up in the middle of things between me and your brother. It's understandable."

Helsa pulled at her hair, pacing briskly back and forth. "But that's not what…And Sev didn't feel like he had a choice because… And I thought having Vaggie meant you didn't need… But you deserved to have us too! You deserve to be in charge peacefully! You deserve to be safe!"

"I am safe! Really! I'm so strong, Helsa, I promise, and I have strong people on my side, like you. And it's okay — things happened but things are getting better now…" Charlie smiled brightly, stepping closer. "Come on, why don't I make us some tea and you can sit down and we can rest for a moment, and then I'm sure…"
"You should hate me for leaving you all alone!" Helsa cried out desperately as she took a stance in front of Charlie.
"Why would I ever hate you, Helsa?" Charlie smiled so tenderly, reaching out for her.
And then the possibility of touch coupled with the heat of the moment and Charlie's uncanny ability to forgive broke down a final dark wall inside of Helsa. "Because I love you, Lottie!"

Charlie blinked, her smile wavering. "Oh, I…I love you too, Helsa. You're one of my best friends, I—"
"NO!" Helsa's eyes glowed green. "I LOVE…I loved you, Lottie. One woman to another, I was so in love with you. Our whole damn lives! But not enough to keep you safe. Not enough to ever tell you the truth. And not enough to not ruin…everything. And you should hate me for that."

Charlie froze, her moth slightly fallen open, her dark eyes shining.

There was a gasp from behind her.

Helsa's eyes shifted to look past her friend.

Vaggie was on the stairs along with Sev and Steve and Cherri, all standing still with wide eyes.

Sev brought a hand to his mouth, blinking back tears. "We…heard yelling. Helsa, you…you told her." He took a deep breath, glancing from a stunned Vaggie to a confused Charlie to his hysterical sister. Steve and Cherri lingered behind him, arms crossed uncomfortably. Sev held out his arms and took a breath, speaking up a bit more. "Okay…okay, I know everyone's probably really confused and emotional. Let's just sit down and maybe talk about this. It's overdue."

"No, no, no, oh fuck no. I can't do this, I can't do this…I can't…" Charlie hadn't just heard her confession — EVERYONE had. Breaths rapid, Helsa's eyes darted around and then she sprinted down the stairs, nearly stumbling as she went.

"Helsa!" Sev called out, starting to follow.

"NO! Leave me alone, Sev! I mean it!" She glanced over her shoulder, her glare acidic. "Stay here and help make everything better — you've belonged in her life the whole time! You and Vaggie keep her safe. I…" Her gaze found Cherri but she winced and turned away before she could make out the expression on the one-eyed sinner's face completely. "I'm a fucking wreck, and I wreck fucking everything." And then she was gone and out the hotel door.

Sev bit his lip, caught up for a moment in indecision about going after her or staying here. Then there was a soft thump sound from the hallway. He turned to see that Charlie had dropped to her knees, tears falling silently from her eyes.

Vaggie was at her side in an instant, kneeling down and holding her girlfriend's hands with a frown. "Charlie, shh, it's okay…Come on, let me help you up. You should rest, I…" But the tears only fell faster. Vaggie sighed. "I didn't know. You didn't know either, did you?"

Charlie shook her head. "I don't understand…." Her eyes scrunched up and she clung to Vaggie for a moment. Then she blinked. "We…we have to find her! Helsa needs us…"

"Uh, pardon, but I think Cherri's already on it," Steve interjected, pointing his thumb down the stairs to the front door. The others looked down just in time to see Cherri exit and close the door behind her. Steve cleared his throat, then glanced from the ladies to a frowning and distraught Sev. "How about I brew some tea for you all, and then I'll take a cat nap in my room and leave you to chat. You all….probably need to sit down and talk together."

Sev looked to him. "No, Steve, you don't have to…I mean…I'm sorry that…"

Steve only smiled. "You got some history to work through right now. I respect that. And I'll be here when you're done."

Sev smiled a little and nodded in appreciation. But he frowned as he watched Steve head downstairs. Then with a deep breath he looked to the girls.

Charlie's eyes were down and her brow was furrowed in thought. Vaggie frowned and then glanced his way and raised an eyebrow.

Sev sighed and headed toward them. "Char? I…I think it'll help if I explain to you what really happened in the past between all of us. I promised Helsa I'd never say a word, but she kinda just did on her own so…I think it'll be okay. Especially the parts that are more about stuff I was going through at the time. I just don't want you to worry, and I don't want her to think she has to go over a bunch of uncomfortable details when she gets back — unless you both want to. Okay?"

Charlie nodded, looking at him with full attention. "Tell me everything. Please, Sev."

He swallowed. Sensing his nervousness, Vaggie nodded too. "It's okay, Sev. Whatever happened, Helsa cares about Charlie and we want her back here with us. We care about her too."

"Let's…let's go somewhere private maybe. Upstairs. I…I don't know…" Charlie gestured vaguely to the stairs behind them, leading to the third floor.

Vaggie nodded and gently guided Charlie to stand. She turned back to Sev. "Sev, are you okay waiting here to get the tea from Steve? So you two can, uh…say goodnight?"

Sev swallowed, an eyebrow raised, but nodded. "Yeah. I'll meet you up there after, uh…Steve."

Vaggie managed a brief smile then guided her shaky girlfriend up the stairs.

Sev took a deep breath. When Steve returned a few minutes later he took the tea and spent a few minutes apologizing again for the interruption to their night, thanking Steve for all of his help and support, and asking if they could maybe try another date sometime. Steve said yes, of course, and nearly made Sev melt when he took the fish demon's hand and kissed the back of it then said, 'See you soon, Scales.'. When his heartbeat finally got under control again, Sev waved goodbye with a giddy grin and headed upstairs to find Charlie and Vaggie for their very overdue talk about the real reason why his relationship with Charlie had ended so long ago.

Helsa walked briskly through the streets, barely resisting the urge to run (people might notice and gossip) but almost stumbling on her heels several times regardless. She kept her fists clenched, her mouth set into a snarl, her teary eyes cast downward. "Oh fuck…Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck — fuck me!" She kept saying to herself over and over, nearly shaking. "I TOLD HER. I told her that I love her…that I used to love her… That it's my fault Sev left her. I…Oh fuck, what did I do?" She turned a sharp corner, wiping at her eyes, almost feeling sick inside. "I didn't even explain — I left Sev to deal with it! She needs to know, I need her to know, I wanted it over and done with, but maybe I'm just being stupid selfish Helsa like usual. She deserves to hate me. I hate me. Sev should have hated me too." She brought her fists to her eyes "And everyone heard…Cherri heard…" she whispered to herself. Finally Helsa had to stop walking. Her eyes were so tired, her breaths so shallow, her face so flushed.

She just stood there in the quiet and dark for a moment. "I don't know if I love Charlie anymore. But now Charlie knows I did once. And Cherri knows I might still. And I can't fix it." And then she felt tears falling. She was ages overdue for a cry. She was very tired from a lot of years of a lot of things. But not here, not now. She couldn't risk being seen. She had to go away somewhere, anywhere.

With a gasp she took off at a near jog down the next few streets. She needed to be alone But she couldn't go back to her parents' mansion obviously — she hadn't been there in months, and she and Sev had basically just told them to fuck off on air today, plus she hated her parent's oppressive bullshit. She couldn't go to any of the properties she and Sev owned — he would find her quickly. She couldn't go to a hotel, ironically, of all places. High end ones barely existed in hell, and everyone there would know her and see the state she was in and spread it all over the Pentagram by morning. She also couldn't go to one of the plentiful seedier hotels — too loud and gross, and the sounds of lovemaking were not what she needed to hear right now.

"So, I'll just walk," she told herself, steeling her resolve. "This town is practically mine socially. I can walk it just fine, all night long. I'll figure something out. Maybe I'll buy an entire new building and never tell Sev or anyone else and just stay there forever— I don't care anymore!" Then she was heading off in some random direction, scared but determined.

She was too worked up to notice the one-eyed figure following her, always keeping Helsa in her sights. Cherri was quiet and careful. She had overheard some of what Helsa had said just now but had decided not to intrude. Helsa needed some time to calm down first, some time to get her thoughts clear and to be alone. Afterward, maybe Cherri could talk to her and help. Maybe they could both talk, about a lot of things. But until then, Cherri just had to watch and wait and simply be present for this new person in her life.

Cherri followed Helsa, and never wavered.

Alastor and Angel had teleported to the radio tower with their bound prisoner in tow. Then they had dragged him into the center of Alastor's studio, wriggling and snorting, and left him there. Finally they had made their way alone into Alastor's sound booth where all of his broadcasting equipment was, intending to begin airing the show.

There was a slight delay though as, the moment they were shut away in the soundproof space, Alastor turned around and looked at Angel with such a gaze of excitement and desire that the spider nearly dropped to his knees yet again today. Angel was reminded of their first date, after fighting the Egg Bois, how Alastor had pulled him from the battlefield, pressed him safely to a wall, and then gazed at him with burning fascination and hunger.

Angel managed to brace himself against the soundboard and grin a little. "Uh, Smiles? You okay?"

Alastor's eyes glowed a burning red before cooling to their natural hue. He swallowed and nodded. "Yes. Merely…transfixed at the sight of you in this studio after having you in my other one not long ago. You are my cohost eternal."

Angel blinked and blushed. "Aw, Al…" He chuckled shyly, feeling giddy inside at the intensity of Alastor's attention right now.

Alastor snapped his fingers. Buttons on the soundboard lit up, his microphone glowed, and a spotlight shone down on the struggling bull demon out on the studio floor. "I want you here for as long as you're comfortable being here tonight. But when you're no longer comfortable, I want you to let me know, and to step aside." He swallowed. "You have compelled me to display the same mindfulness and self care with you in the bedroom, and I hope I can count on your reciprocation here in my tower. No secrets or suffering, just being together to both of our satisfactions."

Angel blinked back tears, his smile was so big. "Yes, yes to all of it." He nodded. "Heh, god, have I mentioned to you that communication and consent are sexy?"
"Indeed." Alastor swallowed, and his beautiful doe eyes widened…and didn't break away from Angel's gaze. "Many times…"

Angel felt a little shiver run up his spine. "Good! Uh…well, then…I think we got an arrangement. What do ya want me to do for your show once ya start?"

Alastor's chest puffed out. "I want you to stay by my side until I'm ready to begin the bull's demise. And I want you to hold my hand. And I want you to kiss me before I begin my feast." There was a little curl of desire at the end of his smile.

Angel nodded, face flushing a little from how rapidly his heart was racing. Alastor's passion and emotion were overwhelming. "You got it, il mio cervino. And I might…turn away once ya get started on the bull out there, but I'll stay as long as I can, see how it all feels for me."

"When you need to leave, just whisper my name and I'll teleport you away."

"Then you come join me soon, okay? I know this bull guy ain't got nothing on ya, but I still wanna be sure you're safe."

Alastor chuckled. "As you wish." He reached out his hand, and Angel reached out and clasped it with a hand of his own. Then snapped the fingers of his other hand and faced his microphone. An On Air light overhead flickered on, glowing red and gold, and all the lights in the recording booth came up.

Alastor's smile grew so wide. "Attention sinners! You're in for a double treat today - how fortunate for you. And how unfortunate for my unlucky guest this evening who had the nerve to tempt my temper, ha… Say hello!" Alastor tapped his microphone — the sounds of the bull struggling and snorting could be heard. He tapped the microphone again to silence him.

Alastor opened his mouth, clearly about to deliver more witty banter about his current kill. But then he paused for a moment, looking pensive. Angel watched him, still holding his hand tight. Finally the deer spoke again…and his tone was just a little gentler than the low, vicious one he liked to use for these shows. "You know, listeners, I'm not sure if any of you have caught the pattern over all these years, but I'm feeling a little extra talkative tonight so…why not share, hmm? You see, I keep a strict diet of sinners who are truly despicable. Say you bumped into me in the street — literally, ha! You accidentally slammed into my cane, sending my dear microphone to the ground. I know most of you would be utterly terrified, but there's really no cause for such concern — mistakes happen! I would merely accept your apology, dust off your jacket and be on my way with a smile. However, were I to stumble upon you, say…tackling a well-meaning demon to the ground and taking liberties just to cause someone weaker than you pain…well, that's a different story. I'm not a moral figure or a hero or a saint certainly! But I do despise a cad…"

Angel watched him with wide eyes. Alastor was opening up a little — to millions. It was kind of wonderful to witness.

Alastor grinned, holding his microphone and head a little higher. "Now, this fellow here — well, he made the horrific mistake of trying to hurt one of my new entertaining and endearing friends from our charming hotel. That simply WILL NOT DO." His eyes became radio dials and his voice boomed. "All hotel guests are decent demons, and they will not be hurt on my watch. This is not the first time one has been accosted, but it had better be the last." His eyes snapped back to normal. "Though, if a holy angel wants to take a harmless potshot at us come next extermination day, I wouldn't mind, I suppose — I have always wanted to sink my teeth into divine flesh, ha!"

Angel rolled his eyes and gave Alastor a gentle nudge and a grin. Alastor shrugged cheekily. "Ah, well, now that I'm done waxing ethical, on to the main portion of this evening's show." His eyes went to the bull. "I always have enjoyed a tender piece of beef. Not as good as venison but…still a treat for me." He licked his lips, trembling a little. But he managed to hold himself back for a moment and look to Angel, some shyness in his expression. "Ready, folks?"

Angel squeezed his hand and then gave Alastor the pre-show kiss he had requested. When he pulled back, the deer seemed almost serene. "Well then, showtime!" Alastor tapped his cane to let the sounds of the bull be heard on the air again and teleported himself to his guest's side. "I'd introduce you, my bovine fellow, but I don't know your name and I don't care to. All I do know is that you frightened my friends, squandered my pity, and hurt demons weaker than you for no reason. That cannot stand, and soon neither will you, ha!"

Angel turned away and flinched a little as Alastor summoned a tentacle that ripped off one of the bull's legs. Angel could handle being exposed to some rough physical stuff and the sounds of dying, but…dismemberment was a bit extreme. He was used to kills from his mob life involving a few well-placed bullets and a pair of cement shoes; clean and neat and no rending of flesh. He just tried to breath, and thankfully the sounds of slaughter soon stopped and Alastor was speaking again for a few minutes until the next sudden injury and moment of feasting would take place. Angel could follow the pattern. Alastor had explained to him on the way over that he preferred to let the carnage slowly build in his shows, taking time to talk in between death blows before he lost himself to consumption.

So Angel would easily be able to sense when things were finally getting too intense, and he would take his exit. For now he just tried to enjoy how entertained Alastor seemed…and how passionate he had seemed all evening ever since beginning this hunt, and even before then, back in the hotel's tower… Radio shows actually turned on Alastor. Angel bit his lip with a little smile and tried not to daydream about how much fun they could have with that fact in the future while Alastor reiterated the bull's crimes and then dove in for his next delicious bite.

The television studio was dim and empty and quiet tonight — the hour was long after most live programs went on the air and most pre-recorded programs wrapped shooting. However, there was some movement and sound near the news desk as a pair of familiar anchors worked together on scrubbing down their set. Katie was on all fours, grinding a sponge into the hardwood floor while Tom unsteadily approached with a heavy bucket of water in hand. He set it down on the news desk, next to a small radio playing some music. Katie had original kept it nearby to listen to Charlie's hotel show and seethe, but now that the show was thankfully over Tom had changed the station to music to keep the atmosphere from becoming too unbearable.

"That water better be fucking warm, Tom. My hands are freezing and chapped." Katie snarled, wiping at her brow with one arm.

Tom sighed. "It was warm, but by the time I carry it here from the sink and you start using it, it's usually just room temp. It's the best I can do."

"Like hell it is!" Katie shot back, eyes flashing fiery. "You just have to fill the bucket and get it here faster! It's the least you could do!" She stood up and tossed the sponge down.

Tom scowled at her reply (though he also swallowed nervously at her fury). "Katie, I think I'm doing a lot just by being here. Cleaning up the studio was part of YOUR punishment. I only agreed to help when you asked…demanded… just to make it go by more quickly. And so things could get back to normal." By 'normal' he meant Katie's usual level of bitchiness as opposed to her additional rage and frustration at getting punished by Vox for her surprise royal news show, but of course he wouldn't risk his life by actually saying those words.

Katie stepped forward slowly, her heels clicking. She stopped before him and bent low, glaring. "You are not 'a help'. You are an assistant anchor, so it is your job to assist me, so you HAVE TO BE HERE, so shut up and do what I say before I shove your head into the bucket and see if that gas mask lets you breathe underwater…or if I even care whether or not it does!" She stood up and swiftly and bumped the bucket of water off of the desk with her hip, knocking over the radio and soaking Tom and the floor. She smirked. "Now then, be useful and go get me some water that's actually hot. And a new sponge. And a fifth of vodka, I know you've got some bottles stashed around here. The GOOD stuff."

Tom scowled as he wrung out his jacket But as she continued to grin down wickedly at him he finally just sighed, grabbed the bucket, and began to trudge back toward the bathrooms. As he walked away, he heard Katie groan mumble complaints as she tinkered with the radio, trying to fix it and get a station to come in again.

Tom paused for a moment just beyond the stage, setting down the bucket and sighing, a hand to his temple. He was going to need a minute. Katie was a great anchor but a shit co-worker or boss or whatever. He could just barely handle her normal level of unbearable, but this was pushing it…

"Oh my sweet Satanic Sweeps Week!"

Tom blinked and turned around at the sound of Katie exclaiming those words with an almost giddy squeal. He stepped closer, listening. He could hear something coming from the radio, but it wasn't music — it was screams and grunts and then…a familiar voice. The Radio Demon.

"Ha! Halfway done and he's still kicking! Well, figuratively anyway. No legs left after all!" Static and laughter peeled through the air.

Katie grinned wickedly. "That pathetic princess has the Radio Demon put on a show for her about how good and virtuous her hotel is…and then he turns around the same night and starts devouring a demon live? Oh I couldn't buy a scoop bigger than this one! She'll be humiliated! The whole insufferable royal family will be screwed — fucking Lucifer, couldn't even be bothered to stand up for me to Vox! Everyone will hate them! And then it's bye bye to that stupid hotel! And hello to Katie Killjoy as new contender for media overlord!" She smirked. Then dashed over to the broadcasting console off to the side. "Hmm… when Tom comes back I'll have to trick him into setting up this stupid machine to get us on the air. Or I'll just order him to do it like I make him do everything!" She continued to fiddle with some of the dials on the console then finally huffed and shut off the radio and started pacing. "Come on, Tom, get back here — be useful for once!" She kicked over Tom's chair at the desk. "Dickless little ingrate, can't even carry a bucket of water. He's lucky I let him sit next to me while I anchor… Weak waste of space that he is."

Tom turned away from her, his back resting against a wall. He'd gotten so used to Katie's abuse over the years that he normally just let it roll off of himself. Besides, he had to admit, compared with her he was kind of pathetic and useless and a waste sometimes…but he wasn't those things ALL of the time. And a better part of him knew that she had no right to make him feel that way.

He was also just..angry in this moment. Because not only was Katie being an ass to him but she was suddenly trying to do something that risked both of their livelihoods AGAIN. So the princesse's antics had made her look bad on a show? So the Princess was rallying despite Katie's efforts to make her seem ridiculous? So the King and Queen hadn't wanted to get into some kind of political drama with Vox to 'defend' her when they barely knew her and she had been the one to give the go-ahead for the news show in the first place? So what? He didn't want to lose his job just because Katie hated everyone who was more powerful than herself and because Katie couldn't control her own ego and because Katie had no respect for boundaries.

"Tom? Where's my fucking hot water?! Also I need you to do something else! Stop being a whiny little bitch and get over here!"

He took a breath and scowled. He knew Katie might try to kill him if she found out what he was about to do, but to hell with it. If she could be impulsive enough to try a stunt like showing up the princess yet again, he could be impulsive enough to take a damn stand before this entire station (and possibly both of their careers and lives) were shut down.

He took a deep breath and pulled out his phone and dialed a contact. He hugged it close to his ear, just hoping the call would get picked up.

When it did get answered he swallowed but found his voice and whispered quickly. "Hi, Vox. I'm sorry to call this late. It's…Tom, from the tv station. I…I don't have time for too many details but I thought you should know that I'm at the studio right now helping Katie clean. She heard the hotel radio show all about redemption and now she's hearing Alastor's radio show all about cannibalism, and she's trying to get on the air to break the story that The Radio Demon's carnage proves princess is a liar and the Magnes are unfit rulers. And I just…I can't go along with it again. I don't care if she hunts me down for the rest of my life. I'm not strong enough to stop her myself. So I'm calling you because you are." There was a swift, quiet reply. Tom nodded. "I'll stall her for as long as I can. Yes… Thank you, Vox." Vox gave him another reply, then Then he tucked away his phone and took a deep breath. No turning back now.

Leaving the bucket hidden, he stepped out from behind the wall and approached Katie. "Sorry, Katie, I had to wait for the water to heat up. Did you need something?"

Katie smirked. "Yes, something more important than scrubbing this stupid set. The Radio Demon just completely undermined redemption by putting on one of his cannibal shows right after the hotel's little show on virtue, which means the princess finally has a scandal we can exploit. We're going on the air to roast the whole royal family, and you're going to make it happen." She looked at him threateningly.

Tom just nodded and tried to smile. "Oh, uh, sure! Just, uh…give me a little time to get everything warmed up — the system and the lights and the cameras and mics. You can work on hair and makeup and getting your copy ready in the meantime. We'll be on soon."

She crossed her arms, the threatening look faded. "Good. Make sure we are." Then she stalked away.

Tom let out a sigh of relief as she left. He turned to the console to slowly press buttons that did absolutely nothing. He could only string Katie along about getting on the air for so long. He swallowed and just hoped Vox would get here soon.

Valentino shot up from the couch and a dead sleep, snorting and blinking his un-lensed eyes. "What? Huh…" Someone was knocking on the lounge door - loudly. He felt around for his glasses and put them on. "Vel, you hear that?" He glanced at his houseguest, but she was still pleasantly passed out on her chair. Val sighed and rolled his eyes as he shambled over to the door in his boxers and a loose robe. "Better be the hooker emergency of the century…" He grabbed the handle and flung open the door. "What the fuck is it?" He blinked and paused because…there was Vox.

The television overlord smiled sheepishly and gave him a wave. He was holding a sleeping Vark.

Valentino's wings nearly flew open in shock (and…other feelings). He quickly shut the door (thankfully he remembered at the last second that Vark was sleeping, so he made sure the door lightly clicked closed into the doorframe instead of slamming). Heart pounding and breaths shallow, Val glanced down at himself and quickly proceeded to tighten up his robe and smooth back his antennae. He also pinched himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming because Vox showing up in the middle of the night without warning to rail him was kind of a frequent one at this point. The pinch only made him grimace though, as suspected. Of course this was real. After all, Velvet as a weird interloper and Vark as an innocent bystander were never part of his Vox dreams.

There was a knock again, lighter this time. "Uh, Val?" Vox whispered.

Valentino gave himself a quick smack across the face to get it together then put on his best 'who gives a fuck' frown and opened the door. "Yeah, uh, here — sorry, the, uh…the light from the hall almost made me get a headache. Needed a sec for my eyes to adjust." He cleared his throat and tried not to frown in worry. "Is everything okay?" He raised an eyebrow. "And why the hell are you knocking — you have a key?"

Vox shrugged sheepishly. "Well, you and Vel weren't answering your phones…"

"Yeah, Vel's passed out cold." He jerked his thumb back into the room.

Vox blinked. "She stayed here tonight?"

Val nodded. "She's still trying to take care of me. Whatever." He cleared his throat. "And as for me — my phone, uh…died before I fell asleep." No need to mention that he had anxiously turned it off after sending Vox a vulnerable message.
Vox nodded in understanding. "Well, since I couldn't get hold of either of you to give you some warning I was coming by, I decided to knock. I wasn't about to come strolling in here. If I woke up Vel doing that, she'd just see an intruder in the shadows and knife me first and ask questions never. And if I woke you up by just walking in, you'd have just freaked out and tossed me out the glass window down to the studio floor. So, knocking seemed safer." He held back a chuckle.
"Oh! Yeah, yeah, cool…" Val shrugged and felt anything but cool. He felt like a total dork.

Vark shifted in his sleep and Vox readjusted his hold on the baby, and his look became more serious. "Anyway, everything's okay, mostly…" He bit his lip. "But I need you to watch Vark for an hour."

Val eyed him curiously. "What's going on, Vox?"

Vox sighed and rolled his eyes with an exhausted sigh. "Apparently Alastor couldn't help himself and decided to put on one of his cannibal shows tonight right after the hotel's show about redemption. And also apparently Katie realized what he was going and got determined to sneak on the air for a late night breaking news special about the princess and the hotel and possibly the whole royal family being a big hypocritical mess, with Alastor's broadcasted homicide as the proof. Tom just called me up and told me everything — I asked him to stall her until I can get over there and deal with it." He looked down at the sleeping baby shark. "But I can't leave Vark by himself. If he wakes up alone he could panic. I'd normally have Vel come over but when I couldn't get a hold of her or you…I just felt like coming here made the most sense." He smiled a little again. "Especially after that nice message you sent me. Thank you for that, by the way."

Valentino thought the look on Vox's face right now was so cute and sexy and perfect that one day he wanted to be brave enough to ask Vox for a screenshot of that exact smiling expression to use as his phone wallpaper. "Of course. And you can always come here…" tumbled out of Val before he could stop himself. And then, as Vox's eyes brightened and his smile grew, Val held out his arms and gently scooped up the sleeping shark. Holding him like this — like a baby, a very big baby — felt weird but good. He patted the shark and gave him an awkward, jerky little rock, unsure of what else to do. Vark's eyes blinked sleepily and he smiled and nuzzled Val with a purr before falling asleep again.

Vox looked so happy at the sight.

Val swallowed, steeling his courage. "Go kick Katie's ass. I never liked her anyway — repressed bitch always seemed homophobic as hell. And abusive as hell too. Trust me, it takes one to know one." He winced in shame at the attempted joke, even as Vox frowned for a moment. His eyes found Vark again. "I'll look after Vark. We'll be waiting for you right here."

"Thank you, Val." Vox patted Valentino on the shoulder before giving Vark a kiss on the head.

"Anytime. Seriously."

Vox nodded then turned and headed out of the studio.

Val just sighed deeply as he watched him go. "I've got it bad for your Daddy, Vark."

"Yeah, you're a real emotional basket case."

Valentino jumped, thankfully clinging close to Vark and keeping him held steady. "Vel, shit, when did you wake up?" He whispered acidly to the familiar voice approaching him from the darkness..

She giggled, sidling up to him. "Oh, about the time you whipped the door shut to make yourself all presentable for your true love."

"Don't you have a home of your own you can sleep in, Vel?" He replied grumpily.

"Yeah, but here's much more fun. And here has my little Varky now!" She beamed at the little shark. "Come on, let's get him inside and tucked in all cozy. He's a baby and needs his rest!" She skipped back inside.

Val sighed. "Whatever…" He turned around and swallowed. "Vel…when Vox comes back to get him…could you be scarce again?"

Velvet winked, already putting extra pillows and blankets on the couch for their guest. "I'll hide in the bedroom. You two flirt so cluelessly. It's precious. I think letting it take its course is the only way you'll both finally realize what's going on and get on the same page."

Val blushed and pouted but finally mumbled. "Thanks."

He carried Vark over to the couch and tucked him in with Vel's help. The little shark snuggled into his new bed and snoozed happily. Velvet resumed her place on her chair and Val took his place at the end of the couch again, knees pulled in to give Vark room.

Velvet smiled. "While we pass the time, wanna listen to Alastor's radio show?"

"Listen to Radio Freak eating a demon? Yeah, no, I'll pass. I think cannibalism is the only thing that isn't a turn on for me. And Alastor's the opposite of a turn on too." He crossed his arms.

"Hmm, suit yourself." She shrugged. "Even if he's kind of annoying I do appreciate a little well-done carnage AND a good cooking segment." She giggled.

"You're so weird." Valentino rolled his eyes. "Why don't you just…frost some cake or something? I could eat, and Vark might wake up hungry. And Vox'll probably be starving when he gets back from taking care of business…" Valentino tried not to shiver pleasantly at the thought of the television taking charge. "And, uh… you're always down for cake, right?"

"Yes, of course! Late night frosting and cake! I thought you'd never ask! Finally, things are getting extra fun around here again! " She popped up and skipped to the kitchen, rummaging in the fridge and humming to herself.

Valentino sighed and tried not to shake his head and smile. He patted Vark's head again. He hoped Vox would get done quickly and be okay. There were so many things — people — to care about these days, but it wasn't so bad at all.

Lucifer had listened to his daughter's entire show, and Lilith had returned for the ending (after thoroughly telling off Madame Von Eldritch, who wouldn't stop calling to complain and whine and panic about Lilith's traitorous daughter). Once it was all over, Lilith went to get ready for bed while Lucifer just listened to the soft static of the radio and gazed up at the ceiling with a carefree smile. His daughter was so perfect and brilliant and special. And today she had made sure everyone knew it. He had never been more proud.

After several strings of yawns he finally conceded that he needed to get ready for bed as well. Lucifer changed into cozy pajamas with apples on them and was just putting on his night cap when Lilith entered in her black robe and purple slippers. "Madame Von Eldritch is in an absolute snit, but I think she's moved on to trying to contact her children instead of me at least. Sev and Helsa were always forces to be reckoned with — frankly I don't think she stands a chance." She grinned as she stretched up then observed her husband's current state with a sleepy smile. "Ready for bed, dear? I'm glad we made up. I've missed you at night…" She blushed, meeting his eyes.

Lucifer blushed too. "I've missed you to, Lily. I don't feel right not hugging you close, snuggling into your hair, smelling your pretty perfume." He glanced down shyly. "I'm lonely without you."

She smiled more and came closer. "Then I will not leave you again." She put her arms around his shoulders and pulled him into an embrace. Lucifer hugged her in return, resting his head beneath her chin, letting out a happy sigh against her.

Lilith kissed the top of his head. "Now, tonight, to celebrate being back together, what would make you happiest? A quiet evening…or a not-so-quiet evening?" She smirked a little.

Lucifer blushed, feeling her ample chest rise and fall beneath his smaller one. "Well…we could make just a little noise and see where it goes…" His hand drifted to the sash over over robe.

But then another little noise came into the room. From the radio. Along with the soft static, there was a voice — Charlie.

"Um…hello? I'm not sure if anyone's still tuning in to this frequency. And I might not even be using this equipment right, but… Hi, it's me, Charlie. I just wanted to say thank you all for listening to the show today and for hearing us out about redemption. And I also wanted to say…I'm aware of the other show going on right now. And…it's okay. Alastor is his own, free demon just like all of you. Even if he's part of this hotel now, I don't control his life. When you come here, you don't have to be 100% virtuous from the start. You just have to be willing to try sinning a little less. And believe me, Alastor's already done that on his own terms. So, I know the two shows might seem like a conflict of interest, but they're not. They're just…part of the process. And part of Alastor's way of keeping people safe. Thank you. Goodnight."

And then her voice was gone.

Lucifer's eyes widened. He stumbled past Lilith and played with the knob on the radio until he found the new frequency he was looking for. "Ha! Oh, listeners, this bull's tender flesh reminds me of an old family recipe for steak tartare. I'll have to take the time to prepare it on air for you all one day. But until then… I've always enjoyed cow tongue." Alastor's voice grew dark and static-filled, and then there was the wet sound of flesh tearing followed by a loud bellow.

He turned it off and sat on the edge of the bed, breathing heavily. "Alastor's doing a show! One of his shows! NOW?! How could he do that to Charlie?" His eyes blazed. "Oh I'm going right down to that radio station, turning into a snake, swallowing him whole, and letting him digest for a good week — see how he likes it!" He was already up and raring to go.

"Luci!" Lilith ran over, frowning. "You and I both know you can't do that."

"I'd like to see him stop me!"

"No," She rolled her eyes, "I don't mean you physically couldn't do it — this isn't some macho contest of strength. I mean you can't do this because it's not right. Because it's going against Charlie's explicit wishes and doing something behind her back again…all because we think our decisions might ultimately be good for her." Tears were in her eyes. "I know you're upset, but Alastor might have his reasons and at least he made Charlie aware and she's consented to the situation. Luci, I…our relationship with her is so fragile. One more bad move and I don't think we'll be able to mend it. Please, let's just sit and think."

Lucifer took a deep breath. And finally his fire subsided a little and he gave a nod. "He had better have an absolutely doozy of a reason. At the open house, I told him not to hurt her."

"And do you remember what you told me he said in reply?" Lilith replied gently.

Lucifer sighed. "He said he wouldn't…and then a bunch of vaguely pompous and threatening typical overlord nonsense. But he did agree to leave her be, and he doesn't go back on his word at least." He bit his lip. "Lilith, this isn't going to be good. Charlie already knows there'll be backlash. We can't let all the good her show managed today be undone."

Lilith smiled and knelt down on the floor to gaze up at him, holding his hands. "Then we will postpone our night of rambunctious make-up sex — which we both know will only be even more fabulous the longer we wait…" That comment got a snicker and smile out of Luci. "And instead we'll spend tonight working on plans for how we can genuinely support our daughter and her hotel and her friends and her plans. But before we act on any of them, we'll go to her first. We'll apologize. We'll share our ideas. And whatever she wants us to do is what we'll do, okay?"

Lucifer smiled and nodded, tears in his eyes. "I like that idea a lot." He bit his lip. "But, um…maybe just a quick round of makeup sex first? I really do get my best ideas after watching you come undone. And I really have been lonely. And, well…" he pressed his knees together, "…I'm already ready if you are. Getting angry about the radio show got me a little riled up."

She chuckled. "Well, I suppose it couldn't hurt. And I never was able to resist you. And I'm always ready, sweet King." With a chuckle she stood, held Lucifer by the hips and shifted him back on the bed then climbed onto all fours over him, the two of them laughing as clothes were flung away and familiar bodies crashed together in heat and comfort and inspiration.

A/N:

Three more chapters are coming, and it's going to be an interesting night for everyone. Thank you for reading and I hope you like what comes next!

Take care!

-Azure129