AN: Hey all! So sorry for disappearing for a few weeks, work has been crazy! I haven't forgotten you all I promise!
Angel casually stepped over another body on the street, pink shades on his face to hide the bags under his eyes. He wasn't bound to Valentino anymore, but it was hard to pass up the work. Of course Val still tried to get his way but Angel was getting better at putting his foot down. Not perfect, but definitely an improvement.
Things had gone back to normal, although no one would have guessed the absence of the Radio Demon would leave a lasting mark on the hotel. He did find it a bit odd Charlie seemed to bounce back so quickly, but she was an optimistic bundle of energy so he didn't think about it too much.
The corners of his lips pulled up a bit at the thought of seeing Husk. Since being freed he decided to stay at the hotel. Said he couldn't pass up free booze and a free place to crash, but Angel knew better. Little whiskers liked it there too much to leave and even though he would never admit it, Angel saw the slightest twitch of his grumpy grin whenever a jazz piece played over the radio. Everyone knew when the Radio Demon returned, he'd stop by the hotel and Husker seemed to be banking on it.
Nifty on the other hand was a bit of a…mess. Most wouldn't see it, she still darted around looking for bugs and cleaning, but she seemed a bit more unhinged. She attached herself very closely to Husk, much to his dismay, and there was one stain on the carpet she seemed overly…friendly with.
Angel shook the thought, a slight shiver running down his spine.
He maintained his upright posture as the light of dawn started spilling over the tops of the buildings. He didn't know what time it was and he didn't care. As long as he got back to his bed to pass the fuck out, nothing else was important. Or so he thought.
It was as he was climbing up the hill to the hotel that he noticed a figure standing around the back. They weren't moving, simply standing. His first thought was it was clearly a corpse. Someone that tried sneaking in or causing trouble resulting in them getting gutted. But Vaggie wouldn't have left it there. Charlie would have had a conniption if she found it.
Maybe someone had finally made a scarecrow for the small vegetable garden in the back. But it wouldn't have been in the right spot, nowhere near the garden.
He tried sorting through his tired mind to figure out what may have gotten a sinner so caught up in that particular spot. It wasn't until he was about 20 feet away that he realized, or more so saw, what had captured the sinner's attention. The little monument that was made for Ellen.
Ah, so someone just came by to pay respects. Not common but not impossible. He was going to leave whoever it was but a snorted laugh paused his steps. Was this sinner looking at trashing the site? With a disgruntled huff he turned to make sure this person was not going to be troublesome.
He couldn't exactly see who it was, but from the back it was not someone he recognized.
"Hey uh, she a frienda yours?"
The person flinched, but didn't turn to face him, still staring ahead.
"Something like that yeah."
The voice was high pitched, feminine and definitely held a bit sass. While it was impossible to know everyone in Hell he prided himself on knowing most, and of course most knew him in return.
He moved a bit closer feeling a bit more at ease that this wasn't someone looking to stir up shit. They'd had a few of those already. He turned his gaze to the etched name in stone, a sad crooked grin lifting one side of his face.
"She was somethin," he whispered softly.
The person turned finally to face him and she jumped at the sight of him, eyes trailing up to his face with a look of horror.
"Jesus fuck! You're a spider!"
He quirked an eyebrow, arms crossed his chest. "Yeah, no shit, toots"
His eyes traveled down the sinner in front of him. Well, she didn't have any animal-like features, not any obvious ones anyway. If he had to guess he would say she was a doll sinner, looking like a knockoff copy of Velvette.
"Right sorry just, trying to get used to all this," she gestured to the hellscape around them.
"I take it you're new ta Hell."
She nodded, though it seemed she had a hard time looking at him. A normal thing for new sinners. He remembered his first few weeks in Hell and the adjustment period to get used to it all.
He also knew how difficult it was to get on your feet in the first few weeks. Things down here were a lot more messy. Poor thing probably hadn't had a warm bed or meal since she got…wait a second. His eyes narrowed at the sinner.
"If you're new ta Hell how'd ya know Ellen? She's been gone for-"
"-about three months." Her little nose crinkled, pale brows furrowing in thought. "Has it been four?"
His gaze relaxed a bit but he was still a bit skeptical. Clearly she wasn't as 'new' as he thought. It seemed his first suspicion was correct. Someone paying their respects. But then why did she freak out at the sight of him? A few months was enough to shake the shock, it was usually those in their first few weeks that still reacted like that.
He shook the thoughts, clearly his mind was far too tired to be putting this much effort into trying to decipher this. The sinner wasn't a threat so he could be back on his merry way. His bed was calling him and he had left it waiting long enough.
He turned away to leave her but felt compelled to say," if ya ever need a place to crash talk ta Charlie. She'll hook ya up if ya thinking about betterin' yourself."
"Wait, this is the Hazbin Hotel right?!"
He never thought all the advertising would actually work, but the hopeful and excited tone seemed to beg to differ. It brought a warm smile to his face knowing others were seeing Charlie's work and taking it seriously. He stopped to turn again, his gold tooth flashing with his smile.
"Sure is toots. Ya lookin to check in?"
The sinner smiled. "Yeah actually I am."
He closed the gap, throwing an arm around the girl, directing her to the front. The sooner he passed her on to Charlie the sooner he could sleep. As much as he wanted to get to know who this lady was, he had time to do that tomorrow.
"Then let's get ya settled. Charlie'll be ecstatic ta get ya checked in. I'm Angel by the way."
It seemed she recognized the name, not that he was surprised, Val made it a point to have him well known throughout the ring.
"Angel as in Angel Dust?"
He lay a hand on his chest, his tone lightly flattered. "Well ,well I'm doing better than I thought if even the fresh faces already know me."
"So did you pick that on purpose or…?"
"Obviously I picked it on purpose." He slowed the two of them down to a stop in the center of the lobby, gaze moved up toward the stairs.
"Hey Charlie! We got company."
"Damn it Angel, it's too early for that shit."
His smile lit up, turning to find Husker at the bar. The girl beside him jumped again at the sight of the bartender. She pointed a finger at Husk, her interjection stating the obvious.
"You're a cat."
"Jesus Angel, you gotta stop bragging the dumb ones in, I ain't dealing with that shit on a daily basis."
Angel laughed when the sinner scoffed clearly offended. "Don't worry about it toots, he's just a grumpy, old sourpuss."
Husk flipped him off, but he could see the faint upward turn of his lips. He happily flipped him off back.
"Angel! Oh and a neeeww guest! Well hello, I'm Charlie, so nice to meet you…"
Angel slid the new girl closer to Charlie before moving to slip by the two starting for the stairs.
"You look like Lucifer."
The room fell silent, Angel turned back to find Charlie tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, an awkward laugh tumbling over her lips. The doll sinner was inspecting Charlie carefully, head tilted to the side slightly, eyes squinting in thought.
"You're a lot taller though," she continued.
The room stayed quiet, though Angel was pretty sure they all had the same question swirling their heads.
This girl simultaneously knew more and less than the average sinner. There was no way this sinner knew how short Lucifer was unless she had seen him in person. All the news coverage of the last extermination had him in the air, not to mention this girl clearly hadn't been around long enough to even know about that. It hadn't been covered in months even if she did manage to watch tv.
Charlie finally asked the question everyone had but wasn't brave enough to ask.
"So um, how do you know my dad?"
"Uh, he's the king of Hell, I would assume everyone knows their king right?" She turned to see the faces of those in the room, the confident look slowly slipping.
When she turned back to Charlie, her face looked worried. "He's the guy in the white suit right? Has angel wings? Horns and a tail? Likes ducks, like REALLY likes ducks? He's like… the King of ducks."
"The what?"
Angel knew it was kinda shocking she knew so much about the short king, but to instantly tense seemed like a bit much, even from Charlie.
He looked over to Husk and it seemed he was just confused. He shrugged and the cat responded likewise.
"Uhhh, come with me." Charlie wrapped an arm around the sinner directing her up the stairs past him and towards the elevators. He followed, the need for sleep temporarily forgotten.
The ride up to the top floor was quiet Charlie trying hard not to stare at the sinner, the sinner seemingly enjoying taking in the sights. It only solidified the thought that she was new, very new to Hell. Things weren't adding up here and he would be damned if he was going to bed before he figured it out.
The silence continued as the elevator dinged at the top and they worked their way down the hall toward the extravagant wooden door that had an apple carved in the center painted in red, with golden accents. Charlie knocked, calling in for her dad saying it was kind of urgent.
It took longer than he would admit to get his room back in order, but eventually his furniture had been righted, his ducks loosely organized in their haphazard piles scattered around the room. He had started on the duck he promised Alastor's shadow, though it still left a bit of a bitter taste in his mouth. He had no problem with the spectre, only the person it was attached to. Stupid deer. Of course the moment he has let loose upon the mortal realm he went about killing humans. He shook the thought, his gaze looking to his familiar duckie friend stationed on his work bench.
"At least we know things are going well up there." He let out a sigh, resting his head on his hand. "If Remiel isn't too worried, then I guess it's smooth sailing from here."
"Dad! Uhh, it's kinda urgent."
He sat up straighter, head turned to his bedroom door a bit confused. What would need to be addressed so urgently this late at night? Was it night? Shit did he forget to go to bed again? He must have been at his work bench a lot longer than he thought. That would explain the slight tension in his neck, shoulders and back.
A hasty knock, reminded him that he had let himself get distracted, again. Standing, he quickly made his way to the door pulling it open with a worried look on his face. He was expecting to see Charlie, but the presence of Angel and some random sinner was a surprise.
His eyes darted from his daughter to the sinner and back. He saw the flicker of recognition in the sinner's eyes, but chose to ignore it, focusing on Charlie instead.
"I'm sorry for bugging you so early but umm…"
Early. So he had been up all night. Drat! He had promised Charlie he wouldn't pull all nighters, getting a restful night of sleep, even though he didn't really need it every night. He could probably get away only having to sleep once a week and even that-
"Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes. How's it been, Lucifer? Miss me?"
He blinked a few times pulling himself back to Charlie and the sinner, who now had a large smirk stretched across her face and arms crossed her chest.
"I-uhh." He turned back to the sinner, trying to sort through his foggy thoughts to put a name to the familiar tone and stance of this woman. Why did she seem familiar?
A few blank blinks and it clicked, eyes widening in disbelief. No, it couldn't be.
"Julie? What- how- you're- what?"
She rolled her eyes amused at his stammering. "Yeah, yeah I know, didn't think I'd be dying so soon either."
Charlie's eyes and a pointed finger flicked between the two, lost and confused. "Wait, so you two know each other?"
"She knows Ellen, too," Angel added, eyes squinting suspiciously.
Lucifer tried hiding his grimace. While he was fairly certain it didn't matter too much about keeping the plan secret, he still didn't really want to have to explain it all at the moment. His hand moved to rub the back of his neck, forcing an awkward laugh trying to ease his nerves.
"Yeah…Um," he gestured to his room. "Julie, why don't you come in and we can catch up. I think there are some things we need to discuss."
"Okay who the fuck is she? She hasn't even been here an hour and she's got one on one time with the short king?" Angel crossed both sets of arms, eyes flicking between the two looking skeptical.
Julie just shrugged. "He just wants to know what's up with Ellen and Alastor."
Charlie's eyes widened, clicking into what this was really about.
Angel only looked more confused. "I'm sorry what?"
Charlie turned, a forced smile on her face as she gently guided Angel back to the elevator. "Thank you so much Angel for bringing Julie in, I'm sure I can handle the check in from here."
His stuttered protests did nothing as Charlie practically threw him into the elevator the second the doors opened. "Good night Angel! Or… good morning! See you at breakfast, I mean lunch.. or…tomorrow. Later today!"
Charlie was bouncing on her toes as she walked back to the door, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "This is about getting Xander back right? You're from the mortal plane?"
Lucifer waved the two into his room, closing the door behind them.
"I was." Julie gestured to herself. "I kinda died," she said flatly.
Charlie's face fell, a light tinge of pink heating her cheeks. "Uh… right."
Before the two women could get further engaged Lucifer cut in, gaze turned to Julie.
"Is it done? That Dolion guy dead?"
Julie shook her head, her gaze sweeping the room. "I think they're close. Al seems to think he's got it all sorted out. Now it's just a waiting game."
He hummed in thought. "And do you think Ellen will do it?"
Julie sighed, falling heavily onto a chair. "That's the question isn't it? She's had a few chances too but didn't. It's why I'm here. Alastor said it would be the push she needed."
"Dolion? The guy that took Xander? What's he got to do with all this?"
Julie laughed. "You might as well take a seat and get comfortable, there's a lot to catch you up on if you don't know."
Charlie turned to her dad, eyes clouded with a hint of hurt. "Dad?"
His gaze flipped between the two women stuck between trying to comfort his daughter and asking Julie what she meant by her previous statement. Running a hand threw his hair he let out a huffed breath before deciding to catch Charlie up. He had promised her he would when he could and while he had no intention of lying to her, he may have been putting it off since his meeting with heaven.
He took a seat taking the next hour and a bit reciting everything he felt necessary to get the big picture. The reason for the mortals' arrival in Hell, to her supposed death and Alastor's 'disappearance' as well. Minus his trip to heaven and Lilith's involvement. She probably didn't need to know that.
When everything had been aired, Julie jumping in near the end with what she knew, the three sat quietly letting the weight of everything sink in. In a way they all had a role to play and now coming to the final portion of this elaborate plan, all they could do now was wait. The rest was no longer in their hands, hoping that their assistance was enough to push them to where they needed to be.
"So there's nothing we can do to help," Charlie asked, breaking the lingering silence.
Lucifer shook his head but Julie sat relatively still, eyes squinting in thought.
"Well…," she started. "It won't exactly help with the Tucker problem, but since I have Hell's royalty at my disposal there is something you two could help me with…"
He may not know Julie well, but the tone of her voice had him unsettled. His daughter on the other hand seemed to brighten up at the idea of assisting the sinner.
Julie turned to look at the king of hell, a knowing smirk pulling to her face. "You have the authority to wed people right? You've done it before."
His eyes widened knowing exactly where this was going. Before he could stumble out a rejection, refusing to do that again considering the last time was so hastily put together, Charlie jumped up squealing. He was a goner now.
"You want help planning a wedding?!"
Julie must have realized the can of worms she had just opened because she braced her hands in a placid manner. "Woah there girly, I got a lot of the planning done already. Alastor and I have been working on it for a while. What I would need help with is the officiating and some decorating. Maybe some help with getting her parents here to celebrate too."
Lucifer almost choked, eyes widening in disbelief. "I'm sorry, her parents? They're alive."
Julie shrugged. "Well yeah. He got their blessing and if you can make portals then why not have you guys and her parents there? Make it official."
Charlie gasped, hands covering her mouth. "He asked Ellen's parents for her hand and they said yes!? Oh my gosh! That's a human custom thing right? What else have you got planned?" Her face turned serious. "Wait do they know about Alastor being-"
"-a demon? No. But I figured he can get married in his human disguise."
Charlie had that all too knowing look in her eyes and Lucifer had to get a hold of the situation before it got out of hand.
"No, no no. We can not mix living and dead souls for a wedding, not happening."
Both girls scrunched up their faces, Charlie beating Julie to retort. "You married them before while she was still mortal."
Lucifer opened his mouth to retort. It wasn't the same as joining two souls that were in hell that …oh wait. His mouth snapped shut.
"And right now you have Alastor wandering the mortal realm, interacting with the living so I don't see how a wedding would be much different. In fact it would be a more controlled environment," Julie added.
It was becoming clear this was a battle he was going to lose. Oh man, how was he going to explain this one to Sera?
"So who down here would know Alastor best? I know Ellen, but I don't really know Al. He has a best friend right?"
Charlie perked up. "Oh! You'd have to go see Rosie. She's in Cannibal Town."
Lucifer watched as Julie tried, unsuccessfully, to hide her grimace. "Cannibal Town?," she squeaked. "I uhh, don't suppose I should be surprised such a place exists here."
The king cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the other two. "Charlie, why don't you get Julie settled in and once things have calmed down a bit you two can go see Rosie."
In a flurry Charlie shooed Julie from the room excitedly talking about the Hotel and life in Hell, finally leaving Lucifer to his thoughts.
He turned, running a hand through his gold locks, a tired sigh filling the silence. His gaze went back to his bench, whatever he was working on before long forgotten by this point.
"I don't suppose I can hide this wedding from heaven, huh?," He asked the black duck. He sat down with another defeated sigh, hands and gaze falling to his lap. "Can't have it here, it'd probably be a lot more difficult keeping mortal souls safe, then doing it on the surface where I'd have to keep the sinners out of trouble." He took a second to think about his options. "Well…" His gaze moved up to address the room full of ducks. "We've already wed the two before and they've defied the odds and had a kid. Why not add a demonic wedding on earth to the list of ridiculousness these two seem to create? Doubt I could stop it anyways."
AN: So the next chapter is still in the works, though it is long enough to be split into two. If you don't want to wait, let my know I'll post the first half. If you can grace me with a bit more patience I'll work on finishing it up and post it at once it's done. (Its a little over 7.5k words atm)