A/N:

Hi everyone! More RadioDust sweet adventures and special bonding moments for other couples too. I hope you enjoy, and thanks so much for reading w
Partners

Chapter 115:

What a Weekend Can Change: Part 2

This weekend away together had been…interesting so far. Not exactly what Angel had expected, but not NOT what he had expected. He had expected to spend time with Alastor, of course, and to relax together away from the hotel and to talk about Angel's plans for his future career — and all of those things had happened. But he had also expected, based on the deer's own words, that Alastor would want to use this private time to explore some details about the sexual part of their relationship (especially after what had happened in this penthouse after their radio show).

Angel squeezed his legs together and recalled for a moment dragging his hands down Alastor's curved spine and caressing his soft tail and copping a feel below the deer's firm hip while Alastor raked his claws tenderly over Angel's fluffy chest and shoved his tongue just right down Angel's hot throat and moaned little eager sounds that made Angel melt into the deer's tender (and tentacle-supported) embrace.

The spider took a deep breath to calm himself. The point was, Alastor hadn't made a single sexual move yet this weekend. Last night after dinner they'd come back the penthouse and danced to some records and sat on the rug in front of the fire with a bottle of wine and reminisced about their night spent here together after their first date. But then, as the fire grew low, the deer simply smiled brightly, held out a hand and lead Angel to the bedroom where he offered the spider full use of the powder room for changing and cleaning up, then tucked Angel in and nestled in close beside him with a chaste kiss to his forehead before dozing off with a big smile.

Now morning had come, and they were both up, and Angel was back in the powder room brushing out his hair and straightening his pink gloves and trying to sort out if Alastor just needed some extra time or if the deer was politely waiting for Angel to make some kind of move of his own.

Angel bit his lip as he observed himself in the mirror. "Maybe I'll see what he's got planned for today. If it looks like he still ain't bringing up bedroom stuff, then I'll try to talk to him." He blushed, looking down shyly. "If…If something big might be coming soon, I'd like to prepare. Cuz that man makes me feel ways I didn't know I could."

There was a musical rap on the door. "Darling?" Alastor called out, a smile in his voice, "Not to rush you but I had a surprise planned for breakfast, if you're game."

An image flashed into Angel's mind of the surprise turning out to be Alastor, totally unclothed except for his microphone in hand, laid out playfully on the kitchen table. The thought made the spider flush immensely and grin a bit. He shook his head and cleared his throat before replying. "A surprise, huh? You're having fun with this weekend away, ain't ya? I'll be out in a sec, Smiles!" Angel struck a quick pose to make sure he looked flawless then strolled out to the bedroom. He found his beau dressed in a red suit as usual, though this one appeared to be new and freshly pressed and maybe a shade brighter than his other ones. His shoes were even shiny, and his hair had a little extra curl at the ends. Angel crossed his arms and grinned. "Okay, spill about the surprise, cutie—Mmm!" Alastor took gentle hold of him, twirled him around, then dipped him back as best he could (while standing on tip toe) for a kiss.

The deer separated their mouths with a satisfied sigh and smile. "First things first — we hadn't even had our good morning kiss yet, mon ange."

Angel giggled, totally dreamy-eyed and giddy for a moment. "I, uh…forgot. Sorry, Alastor."

The deer's eyes gleamed in delight. "Never fear, my dear. I can remember for both of us." He carefully lifted Angel back up and gazed at him in adoration. "Now then, the weather is getting nippy so I took the liberty of putting aside a fresh jacket for you." Alastor gestured to the bed where a lovely peacoat was laid out, in a dusty rose color with black buttons and white trim. He lifted it up, and Angel found himself letting Alastor slip it over his arms.

"Oh, it's beautiful." The spider settled into the coat, smiling and lot and twirling a lock of his hair. "I, uh…thanks, uh…" He tried to get himself coherent again. "Um…oh! What's the surprise for breakfast, heh?"

Alastor chuckled. "Why, the surprise is Rosie and Mimzy! We're going to have a lovely feast with them at the emporium." He shrugged shyly. "They've really wanted me to bring you by for a meal. After all, they're my family, and now you're, well…you and I…we…" He clutched his cane, glowing brightly — the radio demon getting tongue-tied.

Angel reached out and lightly touched Alastor's hand holding the cane. The deer's eyes came to his own. Angel smiled gently. "I'd love to have a family breakfast together, Alastor."

Alastor beamed then launched forward to wrap up Angel in a tight hug. Angel blinked in surprise then lightly patted Alastor's back and hugged him in return. That was another thing about this weekend so far — Alastor was…having very sudden displays of emotion and compulsions for direct physical touch. Angel loved the openness but wanted to make sure things were all right as well. However, before he could say anything, Alastor pulled back (and seemed to blink away a tear). "Splendid — let's go!" He bowed low and gestured to the door. "The emporium is just down the street, so I thought we'd stroll there together. It's a lovely day and…I'm certain the cannibals would like to see me, and you…and us." He glowed rosy.

Angel nodded, blushing a little himself. "Then let's give 'em a little show, Smiles." Angel strolled forward and reached a hand behind himself to beckon Alastor with a coy curl of his finger.

Alastor straightened up and followed right after Angel, and the two headed out side by side.

Angel would ease into talking to Alastor about the things on his mind — his beau was clearly a bit overwhelmed this weekend and needed to take things in stride. Angel would respect whatever he needed, just like always, and just like he knew Alastor would always do for him.

Katie groaned as she flopped onto a bench in a rough part of the park after hissing at some demon creeps eyeing her in her disgrace. She'd wrapped herself in a cheap trench coat to continue avoiding Vox and his prying camera eyes everywhere, keeping to the shadows and alleys as much as she could. She was even more of a wreck now after a few more days skulking the streets and sleeping at seedy bars, and she knew it. The flask she kept nursing and the amount of cigarettes she was chain-smoking certainly weren't helping either. But at this point she was running low on pure spite and needed help from anything she could get to keep herself going.

She let out a big belch and slumped on the bench. "This is fucking pointless. Can't even find a huge ass fucking spider in hell. What kind of shit reporter am I? Fuck, if I still had my credentials and resources and Tom doing all the boring legwork, for me then I'd get this done no time flat! Ugh…" She clutched her head. "Son of a bitch. I hope Vox does find me right now, I'll throw up all over him." She belched again.

She heard rustling in a bush nearby. She flinched and her eyes narrowed, then she did her best to stand — though she immediately winced and clutched her head again and sat back down. "Alright, whoever's there, get your ass out here, I'm too hungover for dramatics. And Tom, if it's you, all is forgiven for now if you have coffee. And Vox, if it's you, I hope your screen is easy to clean." She brought a hand to her mouth, wavering in her queasy state.

Dressed in a dark grey suite with a fedora hiding their features, a demon stepped forward who was neither Vox or Tom. He said nothing, just extended their arm into the light, bearing sealed note. The demon dropped it on Katie's lap, tipped his hat, and disappeared.

Katie sighed. "Eh, fuck you anyway. And what's this. A physical note? Too old school for Vox, he'd just DM me that I'm fucked. And Tom's too incompetent to get a lackey to do anything for him." She it a cigarette then opened the letter. As she read, her eyes widened then narrowed in interest.

Miss Killjoy,

It has come to my attention that you are asking around about me and my family affairs. I would advise that you stop. If you are too stubborn to obey this message, then you may have an hour of my time next week over lunch where I will impress upon you in person the need to keep to yourself. I'm a gentleman, so I always give upstarts who are ladies a fair warning…but I don't like reporters. Especially right now. A map to my current hideout is sketched on the back of this page. If this image should end up on some news story, the next one might just be about you. And it won't be pretty.

Ciao

Don Enrico Henroin

Katie's grin was a mile wide. Fuck the spider's macho threats, she now had an in to see him. "Heh, being a nosy pain in the ass always gets results." She sighed and staggered forward. "Okay, if I'm gonna pull this off, I'm gonna need to clean up good. Time to use the last of my savings to spring for a new outfit, a spa day, a nice place to stay, and bribe money to make sure no one blabs to Vox. Mommy needs to make herself pretty for getting what she wants." She held her head high (with only a slight wince) and strolled out of the park as best she could in heels and half-loaded with liquor. No one kept Katie Killjoy down.

Crymini was hanging out on the hotel stairs and swinging her legs through the banister slats, lost in thought, when the hotel front door opened. She gasped when Husk and Molly walked inside holding hands and smiling at each other. They'd been fighting for days and then they'd been kind of scarce for days, and Crymini had worried that maybe they were having even more trouble. She'd been too distracted keeping an eye on Louise to seek them out, but she was immediately overjoyed to see Husk and Molly acting like their old selves together.

She couldn't help dashing down the stairs and right up to them, her nose sniffing the air around them as her tail wagged.

"Crymini!" Molly beamed and giggled. "What, do I still smell like the perfume I tried on while me and Husky were shoppin'?"

"Oh, uh, maybe…" Crymini blushed and instantly made herself stop the sniffing. "Sorry, it's a dog thing. I just, uh…I…uh…"

"You okay, kid?" Husk bent his knees a little, trying to meet her eyes.

Crymini nodded and shut her eyes tight, feeling some tears escape. "I'm just really happy you two made up!" She dashed forward and wrapped up Husk in a tight hug. She managed to blink open her eyes and saw Husk and Molly staring at each other with raised eyebrows.

Husk patted her shoulder. "Uh, thanks, but how did you know we were fighting?"

"I could sense the tension. It's another dog demon thing. Lots of dumb empathy…" She let go of Husk and shrugged, trying to get the tears under control and play it cool again.

Molly smiled softly and produced a handkerchief from her dress pocket. She handed it to Crymini. "Aww, Crymini. You're sweet ta care so much, but please don't upset yourself. It wasn't a bad fight, just a misunderstandin'. And we worked it out real good. Husky and me are okay, and we hope you'll feel better now too."

"Yeah. And if stuff ever upsets you like that, you can always talk to us or Charlie or Abel and Louise — we're here to help you," Husk assured Crymini with a smile.

Crymini dabbed at her eyes and sniffed, looking down. "I…I know. I…" she wiped at her eyes again, "I can't go to Abel and Louise right now though. Louise is…going through a lot."

Husk lowered his voice seriously. "Is it her injuries acting up? From the attack?"

Crymini shook her head. Then she hesitated. "Not her physical injuries. But it is from the attack. I think… I think she's depressed."

Molly and Husk shared a concerned look.

Crymini went on. "Abel knows. Louise is trying to work through it, and Abel is helping her and I'm helping her. So I think she'll be okay, I think she just needs time. But she shouldn't have to feel so bad. It makes me feel bad too." Her tail curled around her body. "But I'll be fine. Just dumb dog demon empathy again, heh… You know, I asked Charlie if I could turn the storage closet down the hall into a room for myself. That'll probably help me feel better once it's done. At least I'll have my own space if I need a minute."

Husk and Molly shared one more look then turned back to Crymini. "How about we help you with feeling better, huh?" Husk suggested. "We'll take some time to look after Louise so you can rest more."

Molly smiled a little. "You're trying to take care of her, and that's kind of ya. But It's okay if you need time ta take care of yourself too."

Crymini felt her lip tremble. It was all true. And she was getting so tired. "I might need some time out in the garden right now. Is that okay?"

Husk nodded with a smile. "Here's what I want you to do. Open the ice box under the bar — in the back you'll find some of Alastor's special sarsaparilla soda. It's really good. Take a couple bottles and also the tin of cookies from Niss on top of the ice box, head outside, and play some punk teen music on your phone while you doodle some design plans for your new room. Sound good?"

Crymini nodded, feeling herself starting to smile, her tail start to uncurl.

Molly grinned at the sight. "And speaking of dinner, what's your favorite meal?"

"I, uh…I don't know. For the last twenty years down here, it was anything hot and not going bad. But um…" She shrugged and her ear twitched in thought. "Burgers and fries?"

"Great! Husky and I will make sure to add that to the menu tonight." Molly winked.

Crymini's taił actually started to wag. She hugged Molly tightly now then pulled back and smiled at both of them. "I love you both!" She blinked and blushed as she realized the confession that had just popped out of her mouth then quickly dashed behind the bar and outside. She did glance over her shoulder once though, and when she saw Husk smiling so brightly while Molly waved in her direction, Crymini smiled too, and her heart felt seen and loved.

Tom was in his private VIP room in Val and Vox's studio, drinking a Shirley temple from the bar and working on some knitting. This morning his arm had finally felt better enough to remove his sling, and he knew the knitting would help to relax him and strength his hand (and maybe allow him to make something special for someone special). He'd been at it for hours now, totally focused and at peace.

Suddenly his phone buzzed. Tom flinched — even now, too many memories of Katie calling to berate and demand things from him at all hours made phone calls put him on edge. But she was blocked and still MIA, and when he looked over at his phone he saw the caller was only Vox. Odd of the overlord to call instead of just stopping by in the evening like usual. Tom swallowed and wondered if maybe he was calling because he had just caught Katie somewhere in the pentagram.

Tom swallowed and picked up the phone. He put it on speaker so he could continue the grounding experience of his knitting. "Hi, Vox!"

"Tom, heeyyyyy…"

Tom raised an eyebrow. Vox sounded oddly…on edge. "Uh, hey! Is everything okay?"

"Oh, yeah, sure, heh, all's well!" Okay, the television was definitely hiding something — Tom's reporter instincts could tell right away. Vox cleared his throat. "Anyway, uh…just calling to say I can't come by the studio for the rest of today…the next few days…maybe the next week. Some, um…stuff has come up."

Tom frowned a little. "Is it…Katie?"

"Huh? Oh, no, no… Sorry, I haven't found her yet. I've got some leads but nothing solid. She's lying so low that she must be in a gutter somewhere…" For a moment his tone was normal — steady and concerned and pensive. But then the nervous tone returned with a swallow. "Anyway, uh, feel free to put in any food orders with the kitchen like usual. Or if you want something delivered to the studio just call one of the local restaurants and have them put it on my account—"

"Vox, you don't have to do that."

"I mean, I put you in a very dangerous longterm employment situation that caused you trauma and pain — believe me, I owe you a meal and so much more." Some of the normalcy returned to his tone again.

Tom sighed with a small smile. "Thanks, Vox."

"Of course, Tom." A smile came back into Vox's voice again. "And hey, if you want, feel free to have someone over to keep you company. Just let the bouncers know you're expecting a guest. A new friend or…whoever."

Tom blushed a little. "I'd like that. I think Travis would too."

"Good." Vox chuckled. "I'll try to be back soon, Tom. I just…it's complicated, and I need to give Va…uh, the studio some space until I figure it out."

"Take all the space you need," Tom assured. "That's what I'm doing. It helps."

"Thanks. Talk soon, Tom."

"Bye, Vox."

The call ended. Tom looked at his knitting. A green scarf with black fringe that would look good on a certain dark grey friendly sinner when finished. In fact, it could probably be completed by this evening… He thought for a moment then made himself put through a call on his phone. It rang only once before being picked up.

"Tom! Hi!"

"Travis, hello!" Tom smiled, swinging his legs a little off the edge of the loveseat. "Vox is gonna be away from the studio for a few days. He said if I want company I can invite someone over. And that I can order in some good food. Uh…Velvet hasn't been around to bring more sweets, but I think we could still find some decent takeout for dinner and for dessert. So…would you be interested in coming over tonight to be together and eat? I've actually got a surprise for you…" His eyes hazed.

"You…wow! I…uh…I mean…" Travis giggled then cleared his throat, "I-I'm normally down for sudden sex, but I didn't realize you'd want to do it this soon—"

"Wait, WHAT?" Tom's voice cracked and his eyebrows shot up far past the edge of his gas mask.

"Y-You just invited me over to spend the night at a strip club alone with you, right? And you said you had a surprise! I…oh my god, did I just completely misread everything?!"

Both men's tone immediately descended into panic and anxiety.

"I-I meant I have a present for you — an actual gift!" Tom blurted out. "Also w-we're still just getting to know each other! And I-I'm Demisexual!"

"Oh!" Travis choked on the word then quickly cleared his throat. "A gift is nice! A-And I've always wanted to learn more about Demisexuality!"

"Yeah! I can share!"

"Okay! I'll come by then soon, heh. As long as I'm still invited, I mean, I—"

"You are! I'll be waiting!"

"I'm really sorry again! I-I'm terrible at making friends…"

"No, no! You're fine, I'm terrible too, I didn't even think about how what I was saying might sound…"

"No, no… It's fine." Travis cleared his throat. "Um…thanks for understanding. I…see you soon, Tom!"

"Heh…" Tom let out a shaky laugh. "Of course! I…see you, Travis."

The call ended.

Tom collapsed back onto the love seat, completely flushed and nearly sweating. "Well, that was spectacularly awkward." Possibly made even more awkward by the fact that he…was not entirely opposed to the idea of eventually going to bed with Travis. He pushed the fanciful thought aside. "He is separated, he is just getting over a really big co-dependent crush on Angel, and he is a very new presence in your life. And you've just been through a big personal upheaval. Just go slow and do your best." He sat up and chose to focus on his knitting again.

In lieu of sex, he was determined to give Travis the best damn scarf in hell when he came by.

In his penthouse following his call to Tom, Vox collapsed into his desk chair with a sigh while Vark snuggled his head into his lap. "I can't seriously just abandon Tom there alone now indefinitely. I need to talk to Val about what happened or at least tell Velvet what happened and get advice. But I also really need time to work up to either thing. This is just…so damn weird. Last year walking in on Val like that wouldn't have phased me at all — just Val being horny, big deal. But now that we're friends and I care about him and know how fragile he's been…it just feels…I don't know, weird isn't even exactly the right word!" He looked down at Vark, who just smiled up at him with such a silly face that Vox had to smile in return. "I know, I'm probably just being dramatic. But I need to be for a little bit so I can deal with all these feelings." Vark barked and licked him. Vox laughed. "How about to distract ourselves we get some snacks and try putting out some feelers for Katie again, hmm? Tom doesn't deserve to keep looking over his shoulder for her."

Vark flopped over so his head was sideways. The tv chuckled and kissed the little shark on the head then got up and headed to the kitchen, Vark happily at his heels.

At least he could escape the awkwardness for an afternoon… though Vox knew he would have to confront it eventually, for the sake of his friendship with Valentino.

At the emporium, Angel and Alastor lingered with Rosie and Mimzy over a long breakfast that soon turned into brunch that eventually turned into sipping coffee by the piano in the early afternoon while Mimzy played and Alastor sang (practically serenading Angel), and Angel and Rosie clapped for their sweethearts and encouraged them with praise and blown kisses.

The whole time, the ladies made Angel feel so at home. No wonder his brother and Cherri had loved staying here. He barely wanted to leave, even to go back to Alastor's place in the tower, all alone with his bright-eyed buck.

Angel giggled to himself as he rinsed out their coffee mugs now in the sink in the kitchen. "Bright-eyed buck. I should call him that. He'll get so shy and glowing, just like the time I told him he had big doe eyes…" He sighed to himself — it was a sigh of love but also a sigh of confusion.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Rosie strolled into the kitchen with a grin. "Also, you set those cups down right now, Angel Dust. You're our guest, and you're not to clean at all. I had to give up and let the natural-born chef Archie have his way in the kitchen eventually while he was here, but I'll put my foot down with you, mister."

Angel laughed and turned off the sink. "You're too late, they're already drying."

"So I guess that just leaves the penny and your thoughts then?" Rosie prompted, resting against the counter.

Angel blushed a little. "Oh, just…thinking about Al. This weekend… it's been interesting. I mean, we basically live together at the hotel, but being at his tower is different. Special. I guess I'm just confused about why he asked me to go away with him this weekend out of the blue, cuz he's usually got a reason whenever he's spontaneous…"

"I'm fairly certain a large part of the reason is to woo you severely."

Angel snorted. "Fair. But he can do that any old time or place." He bit his lip, leaning back on the counter too. "This is so new for me — a serious relationship. A very serious relationship. So stuff about it still throws me for a loop sometimes, but I'll get there. Me and Al are great at helping each other with feeling loved."

"I know you are." She smiled, her tender gaze catching his. "And I know our dear Alastor will make his intentions known soon. He's shy and meticulous — he needs time to work himself up to fresh endeavors."

"But once he does, it's always beautiful." Angel's eyes hazed.

"Oh yes — a stunner every time," Rosie agreed. "You were the last big thing he worked himself up to, and look at you both now."

Angel blushed and smiled so much. "Thanks for looking after him…and for looking after my brother…and my best friend. You and Mimzy are the greatest."

"Anytime, Angel dear — we're always ready to help friends and family." She winked.

Something about the playful phrase made Angel's heart race. He swallowed. "Hey, Rosie? Will you and Mimzy…start calling me Tony? I've been getting used to more people doing it, and that's what my brother and sister call me. And even Alastor calls me Anthony — but I kinda like saving that version of my name just for him. So Tony, yeah…"

"Tony it is, dear!" She took his hand in both of her own and gave it a firm shake as Angel laughed. They headed back to the parlor, Rosie with her arm hooked in Angel's the whole way.

Meanwhile, in the parlor, Alastor had been tuning the piano while Mimzy straightened some throw pillows but mostly watched the deer with an eyebrow raised. Finally, fit to burst with curiosity, she casually stepped closer to him and cleared her throat. "So, Alastor…we're jazzed you finally brought Angel here for a family dinner."

"Oh, yes, well, it was long overdue, and the timing this weekend couldn't have been better!" Alastor smiled as he fiddled with piano wire.

"Mmm hmm…and speaking of this weekend…" she climbed onto the piano seat, getting into his line of sight, "what are you cooking up, Alastor?"

Alastor froze for a moment, his eyes wide. "Beg pardon?"

Mimzy rolled her eyes and lowered her voice. "Alastor, you brought a boy home for the first time in forever. And you're showing him off in public around the colony." Her look went dry. "Oh, and you had me and Rosie help you set up your bedroom in the tower like a honeymoon suite. So, what gives?"

Alastor glowed so brightly and proceeded to snap them both to the corner of the room farthest away from the way to the kitchen (where a certain spider currently dwelled with Rosie). "Ha, I did no such…well, I did do the first two things, but as for the third thing…not exactly, I…" He bit his lip, his ears twitching. Then he looked to her and spoke, his voice quiet and full of worry. "Was it so very obvious? Do you think it was obvious to Angel? Do you think he realizes?"

Mimzy smiled comfortingly. "I think he just thinks you're a very gracious host and beau. Don't worry, Alastor, I bet he's too giddy and grateful to analyze it too much. Me and Rosie are a different story though." She put her hand on his hand that was clutching his cane and looked up at him. "Whatever you're cooking up, whenever you're cooking it up for, it's all gonna work out and be spectacular, okay? We just want you to know we're here for you — for both of you — whenever you're ready to share more."

Alastor looked so relieved and so happy — and then so cute as he furrowed his brow and opened his mouth to speak but glowed and hesitated like letting out the words would be too much. He sighed. "I'm ecstatic to share more with you both. Soon — not yet, but soon. Angel first…" He looked down shyly.

Mimzy nodded. "I'm so happy for you two, Alastor."

"I'm so happy for you and Rosie as well, Mimzy." Alastor's eyes hazed. "I've been waiting for you to get together for decades, and each time I see you so in love now it makes me confident to keep moving forward in my own affairs."

Mimzy blushed and beamed. "I know, we're very inspirational." She snorted as he laughed. "You inspired us first though, you big lug. After seeing everything you and Angel went through to get together, Rosie and I decided we were done dancing around each other anymore. And it's been swell — and sexy." She smirked playfully.

Alastor rolled his eyes but grinned. "And on that note, I do believe I hear our paramours approaching to make our goodbyes for the afternoon. I have more plans with Angel, I'm afraid. This weekend was…carefully constructed." He shrugged sheepishly.

"Good luck with the next phase, then!"

Before Alastor could respond, Rosie and Angel strolled in, arm in arm. Angel dashed right over to Alastor with a smile. Alastor looked up at him with a big happy smile of his own.

Rosie and Mimzy watched both boys, trying not to giggle. They were just so beautiful even as they waved and said their goodbyes to the ladies and strolled together to the door back to the emporium and the street below.

The ladies looked to each other when they were alone again, sharing special smiles.

"I do believe we'll have a wedding to look forward to one of these days soon, Mimzy dear," Rosie mused.

"Oh yeah, a real humdinger of a one for our dear Alastor and Angel," Mimzy agreed. Then she smirked. "And who knows, maybe another wedding some time soon too, depending."

Rosie tilted her head with a curious grin. "Depending on what?"

"On how amenable you are." Mimzy grinned and kissed her cheek.

Rosie blinked, puzzled for a moment, then scoffed in realization, blushing red, "Mimzy, are you implying—"

"Just laying groundwork, dearest." Mimzy winked at her and skipped off to return to the emporium floor down below. And after a moment of quiet blushing and deep thought and staring at her (currently yet perhaps not permanently) ringless hand, Rosie composed herself as best she could and dashed after her.

Husk and Molly came downstairs after spending some time with Louise (who seemed as down as Crymini had said, but also hopeful in small ways and mostly in need of support from her hotel family and time to think). They were surprised and rather intrigued to find Charlie, Vaggie, and the King and Queen poring over documents on the dining room table, joined by Pen and Niss (Niss actually sitting in Pen's lap while they went over some papers). Niffty and Baxter now entered from the kitchen, bearing coffee and cake for the table.

"Hey — quadruple date night or random meeting?" Husk couldn't help grinning a little.

Charlie glanced up and beamed. "Husk! Perfect — we could really use your help. And you too, Molly! If you're free, please join us."

"I made cake!" Niffty offered, sweetening the deal as she set down the tray on the table. "And Baxter made coffee!"

"Not as elaborate as cake, but I did my best," Baxter shrugged modestly, setting down his own platter. He pulled out a chair for Niffty, and she gave him a curtsy before hopping up into it. Baxter sat beside her, and they moved their chairs close together.

"Definitely a hotel meeting by design and only a group date by coincidence," Vaggie offered in amusement, looking to Husk. "We want to have the king and queen—"

"Lilith and Lucifer, dear…" Lilith piped up hesitantly with a nervous smile.

Vaggie's smile grew a little. She nodded to the queen then turned back to Husk. "We want to have Lucifer and Lilith on the radio with me and Charlie as soon as possible, to talk about their support for the hotel. Since Alastor's away we're trying to get as much pre-planning done for it as possible so that when he comes back and signs off on it, we can get on the air right away."

"We'd really like to do the show on Monday," Charlie added. "Husk, you helped build the tower upstairs and you've been with Alastor for so many years of him doing his own shows. We could really use your help with the logistics of setting up this one." She looked to Molly. "And, Molly, we could also use as many positive and enthusiastic suggestions as possible for how to handle the show when it happens. Most of mine usually involve bursting into song, but…in this case we really want to be as to the point as possible, heh." She shrugged sheepishly.

"Ooo, sounds fun! I'm so glad you're all makin' up like this and gettin' ready to share it with all of hell!" Molly beamed.

"I'd be happy to help you hammer out the details of the broadcast," Husk added with a grin. "It'll make things as simple as possible for Alastor. After unwinding this weekend, he can just walk into a nice, simple show on Monday."

"Unwinding? I thought he had business in the Cannibal Colony?" Lucifer tilted his head.

Molly spoke up before anyone could awkwardly freeze and give anything away. "Oh, he says 'business' but he just likes to go there to soak up local color and get pampered by his fans. That's what his dear friends there, Rosie and Mimzy, say at least, heh." She took Husk's hand. "Let's take a seat, Husky." Husk followed after her, sighing in relief. She lead them to two chairs positioned next to Pen and Niss's shared seat. Molly grinned at her brother and his beau, ready to steer the subject as far away from Alastor (and Angel's) whereabouts as possible by focusing on the love life of another spider. "Penny! So good ta see ya!" Pen tipped his hat and grinned. Molly looked to her brother with a smirk. "Archie, good ta see you too - comfortable?"

"Just trying to be economical about the seating," Niss assured with a small grin, not taking his eyes off some papers.
She chuckled and looked to Husk. "Husky, you wanna try bein' economical too?" She patted her lap.

Husk blushed and rolled his eyes with a grin. "If I didn't have to focus right now on another radio show, I'd already be sitting pretty right on you, promise."

Molly snorted and poured some coffee for the two of them.

Lilith smiled, watching both couples. "It's very sweet how you all are together. I've never seen siblings get along so well. And couples too."

"Me and Angel and Niss were apart for so long, in life and in death," Molly explained. "Now that we found each other again, who has time to fight?"

Lilith nodded, thinking deeply, then turned to Lucifer. He had been watching the conversation, but now his eyes quickly went down, pretending to read a piece of paper. Lilith sighed. "It really has been a while since…everything between you and your kin, darling. Do you think perhaps the same will hold true in your case? It would make matters proceed much more smoothly, especially if we want to negotiate letting the sinners expand into other rings."

Lucifer took a deep breath, hesitated, but then leaned back in his chair and finally spoke. "I don't know, honestly. I…" He noticed the rest of the table eyeing him curiously, except for Charlie whose expression held more worry than anything else. Lucifer cleared his throat and addressed the others. "So, the other six sins and I are sort of 'found family' siblings. Except we lost touch after the whole 'damned for eternity'/ 'fall from heaven' / 'cast ye into the place of no hope' thing. Or…I guess I'm the one who lost touch with them? I just…felt bad. I started this whole war and then I was the first to admit defeat and… I harbor a lot of guilt about the effect my decisions had on their lives. Therapy twice a week for a few centuries helps, but shaking the shame all the way is not an easy task." He shrugged awkwardly. "What if they don't want to ruffle any feathers in heaven by helping us? Or what if they see sinners as a nuisance? Or what if they don't care about anything going on in Pride? Or what if they hate me, heh?"

Charlie stood up, walked over to her dad, and gave him a hug. "They don't hate you. Trust me. I have a good feeling."

Lucifer's eyes widened and were instantly brimming in tears. "Charlie, no, I can't get emotional again, it took us an hour to stop crying last time! And another forty minutes for our eyes to stop being red and puffy!"

Lilith laughed. "Oh dear, Charlie, maybe you should be merciful — we really do have a lot of work to complete."

Charlie laughed and pulled back, wiping away a few tears of her own. She gave her mother a quick hug, much to Lilith's surprise and the delight. Then Charlie went to sit down next to Vaggie again. She put an arm around Vaggie's waist and they held hands, leaning against each other.

"Aww," Niffty cooed at the whole emotional sight. She took Baxter's hand. He blushed and slumped in his seat with a dreamy look.

"Are we sure this isn't an official date along with being an official meeting, because it's starting to feel like both," Husk joked, holding hands with Molly on the table while he jotted some things down.

"We can't help that everyone who comes here falls in love," Vaggie joked.

"Not everyone yet!" Lucifer offered, now mostly composed and back at his work with a smile. "As far as I can tell there are still a few hotel-related parties without partners. That Cherri Bomb girl, for instance—"

"Uh, she's…seeing someone, I think. She's just not ready to share who." Charlie blushed very much.

"Yeah! Uh…what Charlie said," Niss piped up then looked to the princess. They shared a meaningful gaze then quickly looked away from each other.

"Oh!" Lucifer blinked. "Hmm, well then what about Helsa—"

"Same!" Charlie quickly replied. "And same, she's not ready to share who yet." Vaggie eyed her curiously. Charlie cleared her throat. "But she'll tell us very soon." Vaggie grinned, looking intrigued.

"Hmm — ah, well, there's also your young ward, Crymini," Lucifer offered.

"Dad, she's so young. And there aren't a lot of teens in hell, for better or worse. She's focusing on herself and her friends here right now, and I think that's really healthy," Charlie offered.

"What Charlie said!" Crymini piped up, poking her head out from down the hallway. "And even if there was someone I liked enough to date, there's nothing for teens to do here! Please at least make a section of Lulu Land that's dedicated to older kids!"

"Crymini, you need any help with the room?" Husk asked, trying not to laugh.

"Not yet, but thanks! Still doing some planning!" She smiled and gave him a thumbs up then dashed back down the hall.

"A teen section of Lulu Land…" Lucifer mumbled to himself as he wrote the words down on a piece of paper. "Thank you, Crymini!" He called out.

"Hey, someone had to tell you!" Crymini called back, a smile in her voice.

Lucifer chuckled then turned back to the rest of the table. "Alright, very fair, I can't really count the teenager in these adult shenanigans." He shrugged. "So that just leaves Alastor and Angel respectively without lovers."

"Alastor and Angel, who are both really private about that part of their lives, so we just…let them do their own thing, heh," Charlie assured, hoping she was doing a decent job of covering. Molly and Niss looked at her in appreciation. She was trying, at least.

Niffty came in with the save. "But Mister King Lucifer, you're forgetting the most eligible bachelor in the whole hotel!" She whistled. Nuggets dashed in from the kitchen and jumped into her arms. "Nuggets is still a baby pig, but once he's older and bigger and gets his little tusks, I'm sure he'll be excited to meet any nice little piggies who come around to visit. Plus there might end up being baby piggies!" She hugged him close.

Lucifer laughed. "Ah, how could I forget. Nuggets, good luck in your endeavors. And I would be honored to raise any of your offspring if the opportunity ever arises!" He raised his coffee mug. "To Nuggets!"

"To Nuggets!" Lilith raised her own mug with a laugh.

The whole table toasted the little pig and breathed a collective sigh of relief that cute animals could distract anyone from even the most tantalizing of revelations.

Travis entered the studio in the evening (he was on the list now, so no need to sneak in) and headed straight Tom's VIP room. Even if he was expected, he didn't want to dawdle anywhere and risk being seen by Valentino. That guy was temperamental as hell and Vox wasn't around tonight to bail him out.

Also he sort of hated Valentino. Valentino was bad to Angel, always had been. Angel deserved better. Travis could accept now that he himself wasn't the 'better' that Angel should be getting, mostly because he had been selfish with the spider in his own way. It still hurt but…he was moving on. And if he could have some closure with Angel soon, he'd really get to move on. But for now at least Angel was safe far away from Valentino like how Tom was safe far away from Katie.

Tom.

Travis spent a few long moments outside the news anchor's door, taking deep breaths and bracing himself before finally knocking and being let in.

Of course, after their severely awkward phone call, things were a little strained and unsure to start. But eventually they found themselves sitting at a small table, enjoying take out and asking about each other's days. Travis wondered for a moment if this was what a happy marriage was supposed to be like — just sharing a warm meal and conversation together at the end of a long day. Things with his wife had never been happy…

Travis quickly shut down those thoughts. He could not get attached to the peaceful domesticity of this moment, and he could not get attached to Tom so quickly. Look where that clinginess had gotten him with Angel. He would just enjoy what they had, no expectations and no assumptions.

When he finally saw the scarf Tom had knitted for him — the first thing the news anchor had chosen to do with his newly-healed arm — Travis felt like this tender yet beautiful friendship could be enough for eternity.
"I hope you like the colors," Tom said shyly as they sipped coffee over dessert.

Travis marveled as he wrapped the scarf around his neck. "They're beautiful. It's beautiful. You're—" He barely stopped himself from calling Tom beautiful. "You're a really good guy — thanks, Tom. And I'm so glad your arm is feeling better. And I'm just glad you're here." Travis could see the corners of Tom's smile peeking out from behind his mask.

He knew he was pushing it but…he wanted to ask something. "Hey, Tom? Would you…still be up for explaining the Demisexual thing to me? Only if you wanna. No pressure. I'm just…curious. I kinda know what it is, but I also wanna make sure I respect your boundaries." He blushed a little.

Tom blushed too, but his smile remained. He nodded. "Sure, Travis. Demisexual means that I don't feel attraction to someone unless we establish a really strong emotional bond first. Like…if you and I went out into the studio now and watched the strippers dance, you might find them arousing but it really wouldn't do anything for me because I don't know them or feel close to them."

"Oh." Travis furrowed his brow in concentration. "So like, some kind of close feelings have to kick in before the attraction can kick in?"

"Exactly." Tom smiled and nodded.

Travis bit his lip."And is…is what genders you're attracted to related somehow?"

"In a way." Tom blushed a little. "I guess you could call me both bisexual and demisexual. Bi in the sense that, when I do feel attraction, it can be to several different genders. But Demi in the sense that I only experience that attraction if we have a special bond." He shrugged. "I know it can sound a bit…over complicated."

"No," Travis assured. "It just sounds like you understand yourself really well. I'm glad you do. It's nice to know who you are. I wish I'd known who I was sooner. I…I'm actually thinking about starting therapy to help with that. We'll see how it goes."

"I hope it goes very well. You deserve to understand and appreciate yourself completely. You're a wonderful person, Travis," Tom assured.

They shared a tender look and smile.

Then Tom looked down a little and said, "Travis, about earlier… the mix up over the phone. You're very nice to bond with, but I'm not…I'm not…" He blushed so much.

Travis heated up completely, and his ears drooped. "Not interested. I-It's really okay. Probably better that we're clearing that up right now, heh. Besides, I'm not in a great place personally. I messed up whatever I thought I had with Angel, and I don't wanna risk messing up with you in the same way. You're nice to bond with too. I'm okay just being your friend." He blushed and quickly added to lighten the mood, "Honestly if you really had propositioned me tonight, I probably would have ended up saying no just because…I don't think I should engage with that part of my life for a little while longer, while I figure out some things."

Tom looked at him, head tilted. "Travis…recent events have taught me that, if I have something to say, I'm only hurting myself by not saying it, so here it goes. On the phone before, I wasn't going to tell you that I'm not interested. I was going to tell you I'm not ready…yet. But I could be, someday soon. Maybe."

Travis eyes went wide as he froze in surprise.

"Travis?" Tom's smile faltered. "Whatever space or time you need on your end is okay. I just…I just wanted to be clear. Communication is very important to reporters, heh."

"I always thought good communication was sexy," Travis suddenly quipped. He blushed more when he realized the words had left his mouth. Tom's eyebrows raised up high. Travis swallowed. "I…wouldn't mind the option being on the table. For when we're both ready. I like you."

Tom's shoulders eased down like he'd been holding so much tension and it finally was melting away. "I would be very open to keeping the option on the table as well. You're nice and funny and caring and cute."

"Right back at ya, slick." Travis winked.

They both burst into laughter. Then they just smiled and went back to coffee and dessert and talking. And Travis felt both sad but also better all at once. He wondered if maybe that confusing feeling was part of healing too.

After their time with Rosie and Mimzy, Alastor took Angel on a full tour of the colony and all his favorite haunts and views, and he even introduced him to more of the cannibals. The whole thing felt so welcoming and sweet, and Alastor's joy was so obvious. The man was going completely domestic on him, and Angel felt flattered and loved but also a bit nervous. After all, as he'd told Rosie, Alastor always had a plan. And what he was building up to now, Angel wasn't exactly sure. But he was getting more and more flustered with each grand gesture.

As evening came on, they cooked and ate together in Alastor's penthouse then put on a 'picture show' and watched in the living room and cuddled and reminisced about their first cinematic date together — the screening in Alastor's office that had descended into necking as the evening wore on.

Soon, under the cover of night as another cheesy horror movie played behind them, the boys were sharing kisses and touches again, with only one difference from their previous movie date — this time instead of Angel sitting on Alastor's lap, Alastor had climbed onto Angel's.

The deer spread his legs just wide enough to frame Angel's thighs, and he looped his arms around the spider's neck. Angel held him close, feeling both blissful and slightly terrified about how this situation might escalate. Alastor's charming little rear was pressed into his knees, Alastor's delightful tongue was playfully grazing his lips, Alastor's legs were technically open and facing Angel. And part of Angel wanted to return to some of their antics from the other night by dragging his all over Alastor's body to express all of his desire. But a larger part of him needed and wanted to let Alastor set their pace, and for their pace to remain slow. Even this much necking was was making his head swim and his body burn with new feelings of subtle yet expanding arousal.

Alastor gradually slowed their kisses until he ended by giving Angel a strong hug and then just sitting up on the spider's lap with a smile. "Well, that was lovely!"

"Huh?" Angel's heart raced, warming his whole body. He blinked a couple times.

"Kissing you. Lovely as always," Alastor explained with a twinkle in his eye. "And thank you for…indulging my seating preference this evening." He glanced down shyly. "Being on your lap is rather fun. I understand why you liked being on mine the last time. Though the other way around does seem to match our heights better, ha!" He shrugged.

Angel came out of his daze. He smiled at Alastor and tilted his head, brow furrowed in thought.

At being watched so closely, Alastor's eyes darted around. "Er…Did you have a nice day?"

Angel blinked. "Oh. Yeah. I was with you and I got to see all these people and places you love."

"And yesterday too?"

"Yeah, Smiles, of course. We got to settle in here, and you showed me your whole tower and the place you work, and we got to have a nice talk and a beautiful dinner at sunset."

"Good, good…" Alastor nodded to himself. "I…am still trying to determine the plans for tomorrow." He glowed.

Angel sighed. "Alastor…would you please tell me what your angle is here? You clearly got something in mind for us to get out of this weekend away. So…what is it?"

"I-I, well…"

"Alastor, please."

Alastor sighed. "I…want to share my life with you in more ways. So I…thought I would start by welcoming you into home…and into family…"

Angel raised an eyebrow. "But I already felt welcome. You make me feel great in your place and with your people—"

Alastor shook his head. "Not my place and not my people. Our place and our people." He bit his lip. "I need to climb off of you to do this right. Pardon…" He managed to slide off Angel, got himself situated comfortably, then looked to the spider and took his hands. "Right now you and I dwell at the hotel. But hotels are meant to be places of transition, which means some day for whatever reason we will probably leave there. In which case, we would need a permanent home. When that time comes, I would be honored if you would share this one with me. Just like how I'd be honored to have you call Rosie and Mimzy family the way you have honored me by letting me think of your brother and sister as….as…" Big tears were in his eyes.

Big tears were in Angel's eyes too. "Our home? Our family? I…" Angel looked around at the place then looked back to Alastor with a big grin. "Oh Smiles, yeah, yes, absolutely." He squeezed Alastor's hands. "I…" he sniffed, "I haven't had a home since I died, not a real permanent one of my own."

"And this place has never felt more like a home to me than when you first arrived." He pressed his forehead to Angel's. "And I've never brought someone home to Rosie and Mimzy before. You're the first and last and only."

"My brother and sister are gonna teach you Italian and start calling you paisan! And it's gonna be so cute and hot!" They were laughing and crying, holding close. Angel finally sighed, wiping his tears. "Al, why didn't ya just tell me that was your plan for this weekend?"

"I wanted to be subtle and build up to a grand reveal," Alastor shrugged sheepishly. "Day one for our home, day two for our family."

"Heh, what did ya have planned for day three?"

Alastor glowed like a firework and his eyes widened.

Angel blinked. And then Angel's heart raced as he knew. "Is it us, Smiles? Us and what we did after the radio show…and what we're gonna do next? As lovers?" His breaths felt shallow.

Alastor nodded.

Angel took a deep breath. "Well, I think that's good. We've got privacy and time here, and we can go slow. Hey, tomorrow, wanna just spend the day in bed together?" Before Alastor could utterly shut down, Angel held up his hands. "Just, ya know, hanging out, talking, being lazy in our pajamas and eating off fancy trays on pillows. Could be fun?"

Alastor swallowed then looked into his eyes. "I would like to spend the day in bed with you, Anthony. And…I may have some strange questions or notions — intimate ones. I hope you will indulge me."

"As long as we're not actually having sex tomorrow, you got it." Angel let out a big sigh.

Alastor blinked and blushed and tilted his head.

Angel explained. "I, um…so, here's the thing — I'm over the moon for you, Al. Everything we try together gets me off in ways I never even imagined before. And it's so damn good…But we're really escalating now. so it's also so much. And at this point I need to come at the next phases of our intimacy real slow so that I can actually… process it." He sighed. "I'm saying this all wrong. I even tried to talking to Molly and Niss about how I'm feeling, and it helped but…it's just a new experience to try and express, ya know?" He took a deep breath. "Basically, after what we did the other night after the radio show, I realized that anything we might do that's even more intense is something I really need to make sure I'm ready for in advance. My body can handle all the loving you can dish out, but my heart and head need a little extra time to catch up. I never had someone care for me like you do, and it overwhelms me in an amazing way. I need to ease into how good it is. We can talk more about it tomorrow if ya want. Maybe I'll make more sense then." He looked down, so shy and uncertain.
Alastor's eyes widened with such understanding and care. "Darling, you make perfect sense. The way we engage is potent, so of course we need time and a gentle hand as we grow closer. You have shown the same respect and grace and patience for my needs and boundaries. I would be honored to do the same for you. And I'd like to talk more tomorrow. I want us to understand each other so completely."

Angel smiled in such relief and nodded. "We will. We already do. Thanks, Alastor." He gave the deer a hug then held out a hand. "Wanna turn in early, Al? Get a good night's rest for tomorrow?"

Alastor nodded.

"Want me to carry ya to bed?"

Alastor nodded again. Then he smirked and popped himself back onto Angel's lap. Angel grinned and held him as he stood up. The two of them laughed to each other the whole way to bed where they would spend a peaceful night before a very personal tomorrow.

A/N:

Alastor and Angel are going to have such a sweet and tender time tomorrow, and I hope you all enjoy it. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Take care!

-Azure129