mazeofrelationships | Bittersweet is the name of the game [until it's just sweet and there are weddings]

Bittersweet is the name of the game [until it's just sweet and there are weddings]

There's a lot to be happy about. For one thing, Mom finally called her back and judging by the short conversation they shared, seems proud that she was able to figure out a way to save the city and herself. Maybe she just wanted her grown daughter to fend for herself?

(She could have just said so instead of ignoring her, though.)

The hotel is full of sinners who truly want to be redeemed, Vaggi's happy with her new name, Baxter is one of them, and she's mending her relationship with her dad more and more. Plus, the Vees are leaving them alone.

But Husk...isn't in good shape. He's functional, but he always looks sad and lost and disinterested. She's caught him in Angel's room cuddling with Fat Nuggets and trying not to cry.

And Alastor's not helping. Charlie was initially glad to have him back, but he's still his usual difficult, cagey self treating the hotel like an amusement, and she's noticed a lot of his jerkish behavior is aimed at the poor bartender.

"Tsk, tsk, Husker. The bartender's supposed to be the one everyone goes to when they're depressed, not the other way around," the radio demon scolds. "You're lucky anyone comes to you for drinks lately, the clubs have bartenders who know how to smile and look appealing!"

"Alastor, maybe leave him alone," Charlie says sternly. "He's doing his job, and...it hasn't been easy for any of us."

They've gotten used to the eight-foot spider-shaped hole in their lives, but that doesn't mean they're okay with it being there. They never were.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Angel's gone to take a shower, and Husk is finally able to tear himself away from the room to go downstairs. He's left his husband a note, letting him know that he'll be back with some breakfast in a bit.

When he gets downstairs, he looks around to see who's up, and if he can find Charlie.

Charlie's cleaning up the lobby from yesterday's celebration, the confetti and streamers and everything plus the empty wine bottles. It was magical, she's so happy the hotel's had this much of a positive impact.

"Oh! Husk, good morning!"

"Hey, Charlie. You were actually the person I was looking for." He walks over, smiling, but a bit awkward.

"I should help with this clean up, shouldn't I?" He grabs a trash bag and starts pulling streamers down."

"Oh, thanks! I didn't wanna bother Niffty, she's...trying to put Cherri's room back together." Angel and Husk weren't the only ones who got frisky last night, and Cherri doesn't know when she'll actually see Pentious again."

"So...how does it feel to be married? You and Angel looked happier than I'd ever seen either of you look."

Husk actually smirks a bit. "Oh, I bet. Is there any furniture still standing?" A pause. "I'm surprised you and Vaggi weren't drowned in noise complaints." Especially considering he's pretty sure he and Angel weren't the quietest either.

A pause, and he sticks his hands in his pockets, blushing. "Better than I'd ever dreamed." Better than the first time goes unsaid. "I was trying to find a way to get him free, but I never dreamed I'd get away from Alastor too." It's clear how much Husk loves his husband.

"Well..." She and Vaggi may have been overwhelmed by feelings, too, so they may have been part of the problem.

"I know. Who knew love and emotions were his blind spot?" Charlie always suspected something was going on with him and Rosie or Mimzy, but apparently not. "But Angel claimed something Alastor never could. Maybe this will get him to behave himself if he comes back." If he hasn't shrugged off the hotel and gone back to Cannibal Town.

"Can I ask something, Charlie?" Husk looks serious for a moment. "Why'd you keep him around? Did you two have some sort of agreement or something?" A pause. "I think what I'm trying to say is... What the fuck was he doing for the Hotel? He never told me anything, just dragged me everywhere."

"Well, apparently he was here on Rosie's orders," Charlie sighs. "And he took it as a source of entertainment, he made it clear from the moment he arrived that he was amused by us." She shakes her head. "He gave us you and Niffty, which was obviously for the best, but in the end he didn't seem all that invested in anything."

"Huh." Husk looks curious for a moment, but pushes it aside. "Of course he found it entertaining."

For a moment, it looks like he's going to be lost in his own thoughts, but he pulls himself out. "I guess what I'm getting at, Charlie, is that I'm an overlord again, and if Alastor was protecting or supporting the hotel in any way, I'd like to step in instead."

"Wait, you...want to stay?"

Charlie had been suppressing it, but during all the joy and fun of last night she'd had this lingering fear that, now that they were free and married, Angel and Husk might want to leave the hotel.

Angel, meanwhile, found the note and is currently in "pig jail" after treating himself to a long shower. Fat Nuggets understood being kicked out last night, but now he's needy and Daddy owes him cuddles.

"Thanks for at least lettin' me get dressed first," Angel mutters, petting the pig.

"Of course we do. I'll have to go back and make sure people aren't robbing me blind at my casino, but Angel loves it here, and, well, I am rather fond of being your bartender."

Husk smiles, shrugging. "But, well. I get it if you don't want us here. Might be awkward or some shit."

Nuggets is just glad to have Daddy back. And now he has a Papa too!

"Oh, of course! But why would I not want you two here?! You're my friends! Angel was my very first guest, and you've done so much for the hotel beyond serving drinks!" Charlie says. "We're family, and family can stay as long as they want."

Angel sighs. Yep, Nuggs has two daddies now. And a sister, he knows that punk girl who hangs around the hotel sees Husk as a dad, so...

"Thanks, Charlie." Husk pauses, then reaches out to hug her. Surprisingly, marriage seems to sit well on him. Or at least just having Angel.

"If'n you need us to start paying rent or something, we will." A pause. "I've got a lot of money stored up. And more now that I'm not givin' half of it to Alastor."

Oh! Well...Charlie will just hug back, then, somehow restraining herself from petting his ears.

"Oh, I'm sure you won't need to now that the hotel's doing better. But thanks for the offer!" She grins. "Being free of his chain really agrees with you."

It's not as if Lucifer wouldn't give Charlie anything she wanted in half of a second, but Husk feels he needs to offer, because that's who he is.

A shrug. "You weren't around before Alastor got his hooks in me. I think it's more... Angel." His walls are cracked and he knows how to love again.

"That makes sense." Charlie grins. "After you two started bonding I did notice how your eyes would dilate anytime you looked at him."

"Well, he's..." And now Husk's back to being a bit awkward. A pause, and a smirk. "I'm assuming it's something like how you look at Vaggi. By the way, when're you two going to finally get married?"

"Vaggi...needs to clear a few things with Heaven first." Charlie smiles. "But once she does, I intend to ask her. We've been practically married as it is, but...I want to be able to call her my wife."

"Good. When the time comes, I'll help with security, and make sure that no one makes a scene." There's something about Husk's toothy grin that promises anyone who tries to make a scene will regret it.

"I'll call up some old contacts and see if anyone's heard anything about your mom."

"I know you will." Charlie sighs. "Really? I don't want to ask too much of you, but after that one phone call a while back she's gone silent again. I'd hoped maybe she would finally come back, but..."

"You didn't ask, Charlie. I'm offerin'. It can't hurt to just see, right?"

Husk smiles. "Besides, I want to see the look on your dad's face when she just shows up."

"Me too. He misses her so much, he's trying to bury his sorrows in rubber duckies and smiles and bad jokes but...her leaving really messed him up."

"I can tell. I'm glad he's been hangin' around the hotel more. It's probably good for him." And better now that Alastor is at least temporarily gone.

"Also, Charlie, can we look for a part-time bartender so you or Vaggi don't have to serve drinks if I want to take Angel out for the night?"

"That's a good idea. Crymini'd probably jump at the chance, but, well...she's more into the booze end of things, not the customer stuff." She is a teenager, after all.

"Yeah, no. She doesn't need to be around that much booze." He's rather protective of his second daughter. "Don't want her turning into me."

A pause, and he smiles. "Angel's going to start singing at the casino more. You and Vaggi should come see him. He's gorgeous."

The Next Morning

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject