Just because of all of the drama involving Alastor, didn't mean the hotel stopped functioning as is.

Charlie still had redemption activities in the works, ones that she had yet the opportunity to enact. She couldn't let all these… entanglements… with Alastor get in the way of her goal. In fact, she found she really rather needed the distraction.

The demoness fumbled around her bedroom, looking for her notebook that had been carelessly tossed aside after that night with Alastor. It seemed like forever ago already. That their lives had been upheaved and soul-crossed in such a permanent way. Charlie couldn't even bring herself to feel bad about that. It just had to be done to save his soul.

So it was a little nice to return to something a little less dire. And a date… As silly as she might've felt following the declaration, Charlie also swooned at the thought.

Not brought on through some dramatic happenstance. Just an honest to goodness… outing with a companion. Charlie squealed internally at the prospect. It was just like she said… the anticipation of a date was always a thrill in itself. And in this case, she'd be showing something Alastor had probably never really experienced before. At least in Hell, she realized.

Had he dated much in his human life? Was he popular? Well-liked? As irksome as he is now? There was still so much Charlie didn't actually know about the man, besides the larger and more upsetting bullet points of his life. And she had claimed that they were so close… An outing with just the two of them actually would be a much-needed excuse to talk, without interruption and (hopefully) without turmoil.

She flipped over a blanket on the floor and there her notebook lay, undisturbed.

"A-ha!" she exclaimed, bringing it up to eye-level.

"What's that?" said a voice from behind.

She spun around and there stood Husk, a flask of something undoubtedly strong in his hand.

"Oh, Husk! You startled me," Charlie said, clutching the notebook to her chest.

"Didn't mean to," he grumbled, taking a swig before tucking it away. "Can I talk to you for a second?" he asked after a pause.

"Of course," she replied, serious. It wasn't often she was approached by the cat demon.

"You never did explain what happened that day with your dad. What happened to Alastor. And well, we're all curious to know. Specifically me. And we both know I ain't getting answers from the boss," he scratched at his arm, shifty.

"Er, it's a bit complicated!"

"Trust me, I can take it."

"He might not want–" Charlie began, hesitating.

"Forget about him for a second and please tell me, as a friend," Husk interrupted, face stern.

He pulled the friendship card and Charlie knew she couldn't resist. She sighed, ushered Husk inside, and dived into a brief summary of the Mark of Judgment and what it can mean for the Radio Demon. She didn't even bother to sugarcoat the truth, knowing by now it was pointless to hide.

Husk's face was impassive as she spoke, his face betraying no extreme emotions except for the occasional quirk of his brow.

When she had finished detailing the mark's expanding blackness and Alastor's potential loss to the dark, Husk nearly smiled.

Charlie stopped speaking. "What's that face?" she asked.

"I thought hearing that the boss was on his last legs would give me some sort of…" he paused, rubbing the scruff at his chin, "... joy. That I'd finally be free of this damn deal and escape this place. But–"

"But?" asked Charlie, leaning forward on the tips of her shoes.

"But instead I feel… fucking bad."

"So why does that make you smile?" she questioned, still confused.

"'Cause I can't believe what this place has done to me," he grinned. "This damn hotel." Husk shook his head, baffled. "I feel bad. Unbelievable."

Once the weight of his words sunk in, Charlie's own smile stretched across her face. She was doing it; Redemption was working. People were changing, feeling, caring! If anyone wanted Alastor out of the picture, it might be Husk, and here he was, lamenting his potential loss.

If that didn't show a change of heart, she didn't know what did.

"Oh, Husk," she said, tearfully. "You do care!" Charlie gripped his paws and pranced him around in a circle, overwhelmed with happiness.

He let himself be pulled, groaning the whole while but a grin tugged at his lips.

"Let's not get carried away. I feel bad for you too," he continued once she finished her lap around the room.

"Me?"

"Seeing the boss hurt like that, it can't be easy."

He placed a hand on her shoulder, and patted. "He's a tough bastard if I've learned anything since coming here. And so are you. We'll get through this, or drag him kicking and screaming back from the brink." Husk smiled, kindly this time.

Tears swam in Charlie's eyes as she flung herself at the cat demon. So much warmth from so many different places these days. Charlie was overwhelmed by what she was witnessing within her hotel. The growth of her staff and guests, the strength that they were imbuing in her, even during times of crisis and emotional turmoil, Charlie sometimes felt like she could do anything.

Gripping him by the fur, Charlie bawled into Husk's shoulder, shaking her head back and forth as she cried. "Please know I'll do whatever it takes to free you as well!" she reassured him. "I promise." Her focus was so solely on Alastor sometimes, she forgot that there were others hurting. Even others hurting because of Alastor. She inwardly cursed her blindsightedness.

Husk awkwardly rubbed her back. And nodded in acknowledgement of her promise.

The hotel was changing him– had changed him. And despite how much he complained or told himself he was merely there for the free booze, Husk knew deep down that there was nowhere he'd rather be.

Even when Alastor was missing, all those weeks ago, and nothing was tying him to the Hazbin Hotel, Husk had already long decided to stay.

…

"My, my, two-timing me already, dearest?" Alastor sang from the doorway, his neck bent sideways.

Charlie and Husk sprang apart at the interruption.

Alastor's eyes immediately darkened upon seeing the tears on Charlie's cheeks. The grip on his cane tightened and his hackles rose. He fought to reign in this sudden surge of emotion as quietly as he could, internally stunned at the rash reaction.

"It's n-not what it looks like," Husk stammered out, far too keen and aware of Alastor's emotions not to notice when he was angry.

"Of course not!" said Alastor, his grin sharp.

Charlie whipped her head between Husk and Alastor, sensing the change in atmosphere. Surely, there was nothing untoward going on here? Unless Alastor had heard what she'd told Husk?

Husk's eyes had shrunk into frightful yellow dots, his fur standing on end. His discomfort became apparent and Charlie unconsciously shifted her body in a way to shield Husk from Alastor's hardened gaze.

"Husk, are you alright?" Charlie asked, concern evident in her voice. She reached out a hand to place it at his shoulder, but Husk shrugged it off. He was also working to reign himself in, his fear response automatically triggered by the deer demon's unhidden ire.

"I'm fine, princess," he sighed. His eyes returned to normal and his shoulders relaxed. "I'll leave you to it," he frowned before slipping out the door, his wings drooping in his wake.

So much for being changed by the hotel…

Charlie instantly turned on Alastor, her arms crossed in deep disapproval. "Now what was that all about? Why was Husk so scared of you?"

Alastor shrugged, eyes closed in artificial ease. "Who's to say what bothers ol' Husker these days! He frightens as easily as a kitten." He entered her room without invitation and her red gaze followed him.

Charlie's displeasure was palpable. "He looked terrified, Alastor. And I've never seen him act like that before. What's going on?"

The truth of his reaction rattled through his skin like an itch he refused to scratch.

She didn't wait for his response. "I don't know the exact situation between you two, but you can't treat him like that. We're supposed to be helping people, remember? I don't want Husk living in fear."

Alastor held back a scoff. If he wanted Husk to live in fear, the cat demon would be in a quivering state at all times.

"I did not mean to frighten him!" he huffed out instead, exasperation winning out over his annoyance.

Charlie crossed her arms tighter. "Whether you meant to or not, you did. So can you please go check on him? And apologize."

Alastor's scoff escaped this time. "I will do no such thing!"

She chewed at her lip and widened her big red eyes at him. "Please, Al? It would mean a lot to both of us…"

"Nice try," Alastor said, pulling his gaze away from her with an extreme effort. Where did she learn how to manipulate like that? If that was even what she was trying to do. It did not bode well. He switched the topic swiftly. "Why were you crying, my dear?"

"Huh? Don't change the subject!"

"Tell me," he repeated, his voice softening. Threatening perhaps, but not towards her.

"Those were happy tears," she replied after a moment of consternation.

"And their cause?"

Charlie huffed, her arms falling to her side. "Must you know everything?" She turned away from his stare.

"When it comes to you, yes," he admitted.

Her shoulders jumped at that and she flipped back towards him, eyes wide, attempting to discern some sort of alternative meaning. He gave her nothing but his usual grin, his lips lightly quirking at the edges.

"We were talking about you," Charlie said after a moment.

"Oh?" Alastor raised his brow with interest. He took a step directly into her space, his body looming over her. "What about?"

She ought to just tell him. There was no use hiding things anymore. They were beyond secrecy weren't they? Or so she hoped. She steeled her nerves and sighed.

"I'm sorry, I told him about the Mark. He saw it himself, that day at the party. And he wanted to know what he was seeing. So I explained it and he understood and we talked about how tough you are!" she rambled out, squaring her shoulders in preparation for anger.

"Oh," Alastor paused, watching her after a breathless explanation. "Well…now I really must go scare Husk out of his skin, excuse me." He turned away.

"Wait, Al, don't!" She grabbed his arm, tugging fiercely. "He really cares! I cried because he cares so much about you and the hotel! Don't take it out on him, take it out on me! I'm really–!"

He spun immediately back to her. Though his face was not the mask of fury she was expecting. Instead he was… laughing?

Her grip tightened on his arm. "What's so funny?" she demanded.

He waved his hand, shoulders still shaking with mirth. "Oh, nothing dear. Just laughing at my own foolishness."

"I… so you're not mad?"

"Hardly. I have far more pressing issues to worry about than whatever Husker chum must be thinking."

She dropped back away from him, relief spreading across her limbs.

But Alastor's smile grew even more as he took her in. He casually stepped forward, back into the space she had just been occupying.

"Hmmm, though you were saying something about taking things out on you, yes?" His voice was smooth, tinged with playfulness or not, she wasn't quite sure anymore.

Something about his gaze made her stomach twist and she resisted taking another step back. She swallowed hard and returned his look with a serious one. "If you think I deserve it… I'll take whatever punishment you deem fit."

Her words, sincere and steady, hung in the air for a beat too long.

Alastor's grin faltered, his mind short-circuiting. "Punishment?" he repeated, nearly choking, his radio voice breaking slightly at the word.

Charlie tilted her head, her brows knitting together. "Yeah, for telling Husk…"

Alastor shook his head, incredulous. He fought with a dangerous smile. "Darling, you better watch yourself saying things like that. Someone might take you…seriously."

"But I am being serious!"

He put a palm over his eyes, waving his hand beseechingly. "Please, sweetheart, I can't take much more of this."

"What're you even talking about?"

He attempted to banish the imagery from his mind before he lost all composure. "I will apologize to Husk," he said, strained.

Her face gleamed once more at him. "Really?" she said with too strong a hope.

"Yes, if only to spare myself more of this punishment."

She eyed him in confusion once more.

He'd apologize, but only because she was so delightfully charming. And because he truly did, somehow, for once, actually– mean no harm.

…

Husk was not so forgiving. In fact, the moment Alastor opened his mouth, the cat demon was already turning his back, spreading his wings, and pretending the Radio Demon wasn't there.

Not one to be deterred so easily, Alastor teleported as many times as it took in front of Husk. Soon enough, he had Husk by the shoulders, his smiling face pressed into his whiskers.

"Christ!" yelled Husk, squirming out of his clawed grasp. "What do you want!?"

"To apologize, my dear Husker chum!"

Husk grunted in disbelief. "That won't be necessary."

"I didn't mean to frighten you," Alastor continued, contrite, a hand across his chest.

The cat demon's eyes momentarily widened, caught from the surprisingly sincere gesture, but he would not be persuaded. He knew the demon far more than he wished. "Did Charlie put you up to this?"

Bullseye. Alastor's eye twitched. "You don't think I would apologize of my own accord?"

"No."

Hating being so predictable, Alastor doubled down. "Well, what if I did?" The Radio Demon bowed low, his ears sweeping the hotel carpet. He looked up with his cheshire grin, and apologized again.

A chill went down Husk's back. "You can quit it, seeing you like that freaks me out. Plus I know you weren't actually mad at me… it was just… instinct."

"Instinct?" Alastor returned to his usual position, brow raised.

"I've seen you pissed before, pissed at other demons, pissed at the world. That anger wasn't for me…" Husk paused, eyeing his companion before continuing. "That was for Charlie."

Alastor didn't want to hear this from Husk. But he urged him onwards anyway with the tilt of his chin.

"You're protective of her, that's obvious enough. You care more than you let on. Hell, maybe you even–"

"Guard your tongue, kitty! Or I will have to snip it right off!" Alastor interrupted swiftly.

"Whatever, boss…" Husk managed a weak grin, testing the air between them. "I'm not the only one who thinks so. But it's basically all but confirmed now–"

Alastor silently waved his hand, conjuring a black hole beneath Husk. Husk's incredulous yelp echoed briefly as he fell through, before the hole disappeared, and the hotel floor returned to its original state.

Alastor sighed. He didn't even know why it should bother him. It's not like he's at all tried to hide his emotions towards Charlie. In fact, he reveled in the attention surrounding their little intrigues. Actually, Alastor realized, soon after Husk had disappeared into the carpet, he didn't much care at all.

He waved his hand again, and in fell a disoriented Husk through the ceiling.

"I suppose another apology is in order!" sang the Radio Demon.

…

It was finally another redemption activity day. Charlie had lost count of how many days had slipped through her fingers where she wasn't focused on the hotel.

Her break up, Sev's party, Alastor missing… it was a constant, never-ending, run around of heightened emotions, misery, and some very brief solemn joy.

It was a miracle that Charlie could keep it together most days at all, figuring that she was one more incident away from falling into the void herself. Her constant mental chant of perseverance was one thing she could turn to in order to keep going.

Besides that, sometimes she even day-dreamed about the song that Alastor had once sung her on one of her low days. She sighed, remembering the sweet, hopeful lyrics that for a moment managed to spring up her mood. And she smiled, thinking of the way Alastor held her face, in that typical way of his, and yet not typical at all.

She couldn't stay mad at him, even when he was so confusing and irritating. Not to mention, when he was dying somewhere in a ditch. It was hard to hang onto whatever she was feeling when it came to him. Especially lately.

She'd been feeling emotions come and go that she wasn't even familiar with. She felt an attitude that was unknown to her. A determination sometimes, a sadistic anger, an enigmatic amusement…

These unknown feelings, as strange as they were, weren't exactly bad, but could be somewhat of a nuisance while she was busy trying to get a handle on her regular emotions, as well as the Radio Demon's–

Charlie shuddered and curled her blackened palm into a fist. These unknown feelings reminded her so much of him.

But she shook her mind of the thought. She was getting sick of the self-analyzing she always put herself through. She had enough to deal with and her own self-inflicted worrying wouldn't help anyone. She had to push through this.

"Perseverance," she mumbled through black lips.

"Speak up, darling."

Alastor peered at her from the newspaper he was casually, oh-so casually, reading from his seat within the hotel's lobby. Just the image of him was enough to send her reeling. How could he be so relaxed at a time like this? Is his mind not a jumble of constant distractions and rumination like hers was?

She finally looked up towards her full surroundings, and was met with the curious stares of the entirety of the hotel.

"Oh, uh–" Charlie looked left, saw Angel's sympathetic grimace and then glanced right, at Husk's more pitying concern. Directly in front of her was Seviathan, eyeing her with eager anxiousness. Today was meant to be his first foray into redemption, post-welcome-party-incident.

"Right!" Charlie clapped her gloved hands together, producing a duller sound than she had hoped. They had been waiting patiently for her to begin since they all sat down in a circle together. Charlie was seated in the very middle.

"This is the Empathy Circle," she began, getting her mind back in order. "One person sits in the middle and says something about themselves. It could be how they're feeling, things they've done, even things they aren't proud of but it must start with "I…" And if you relate to what they say, you get up and swap seats with them or someone in the circle. Like musical chairs!

"This is an exercise in empathy. It's a way to see that we aren't all so different after all! And we all struggle with the same problems in life… or death. We can understand one another."

She looked around at the circle. People nodded in understanding, but most were wide-eyed. Whether out of fear or what, she couldn't tell. But hopefully she was about to find out.

"Got it? I'll go first!" Charlie began, "I… sometimes feel like a failure," she exhaled a calming breath, opting for a heavy-hitter right off the bat.

No one stood immediately and she wondered if it was too much, too fast. But after a moment of quiet reflection, a few members of the hotel stood and swapped seats. Charlie smiled, off to a good start.

Shawshank took her seat in the middle. "I… struggle to forgive."

...

AN: Thanks for reading!