Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Year 1638

She’s burning.

Tied to a spike, in the middle of the village.

Beaten within an inch of their life, tortured and set on fire by people she’s known her whole life.

Reason?

Simple, she’s a witch.

Evidence?

She is often found in the woods, takes walks at night, tried to save a cat, but most importantly.

She killed her mother while the poor women birthed her.

As she burns, she doesn’t scream. She won’t give them the satisfaction of knowing she’s in pain.

Instead, she mumbles a few words. Barely audible over the flames but those closest to the fire heard the last four words before she died.

‘Lucifer, take my soul.’

Too many years later (about two weeks after Adam’s Death)

Everything is rebuilt and running back to mostly normal at the hotel.

Except.

There’s a cat. A fluffy grey Maine coon cat.

In the lobby, just sitting, almost looking for something.

Charley spots the cat first.

‘Hey, when did we get a new kitty!’

‘What are you talking about? Nobody got a god damn cat.’ Husk replies with a grumble.

Angel and Charlie go to pet / pick up the cat only for the cat to partially dissipate into smoke.

‘HOLY FUCK IT’S A GHOST CAT!’

Angle screams as the cat reappears the parts that had dissipated.

‘You idiot! We are in Hell, there aren’t ghosts in Hell’ Husk replies with an unenthused eye roll.

Niffty runs into the lobby, wanting to know what the hubbub was about.

‘Where? Is it dirty? I can clean the kitty.’

 Then she lays her eye on the cat and with unbeknownst excitement. She shouts.

‘MAMA! You’re back! When did you get here? Have you been eating? I haven’t seen you in four months!’

She promptly scoops up the cat. Even though it is almost half her small size.

‘So, she’s your cat Niffty?’ Charlie questions.

Angel gives a quizzical stare at Niffty and her cat ‘Mama’

‘Since when do you have a damn cat? Why is her name Mama?’

Niffty is too wrapped up hugging the cat to answer any of the questions.

Over the course of the following week, the occupants of the Hotel have learned four things about this strange cat.

1. The cat’s name is Mama.
2. She is not a ghost.
3. She is very quiet.
4. She holds a strong hate for the Radio Demon.

Every time Alister gets too close, she hisses. It is really the only time the strange feline makes any noise.

Husk hated the cat, and it was like she knew it.

Mama would lay on the bar whenever she was not with Niffty and when Husk tried to shoo the cat away either with words or rags. She would not budge, and anything he tried to hit her with would phase through her like he was hitting a cloud of smoke.

He learned to deal with the feline, for she was not going anywhere.

Everything was normal.

One night, Alastor awoke abruptly from a dream, except it wasn’t a dream but a memory of a woman, Vivian. His Vivian. They were sitting under a giant oak tree in the park right by the water. The way she smiled, how the sun would catch her eyes. He shook his head, trying to rid himself of the memory. Even though he could still hear her humming.

He stilled. The humming was not coming from his head, but the hallway. He remained unmoving; afraid he was losing his mind. Then he heard the humming grow distant.

He jumped up, rushing quietly to the door. He opened the door slowly and stepped foot into the dark hallway, humming growing more distant as the being making the noise left down the dark corridor. Then a painfully familiar scent hit him like a semi, firewood smoke and rain. It was her, his Vivian, it couldn’t be. After all these years, why now? Unable to come up with an answer, he followed. The humming lead him to the kitchen, he stopped just before the doorway, almost nervous. Taking a deep stilling breath, he slowing stepped into the doorway, the sight before him almost made his smile fall. In front of him was a woman, tall, muscular yet feminine, pale olive skin, long obsidian hair falling in soft waves, and a fluffy grey tail, he could not determine the animal in the dark kitchen. She was turned away from him, peering into the fridge. Now that wouldn’t do, he needs her to look at him.

‘Excuse me’ He says with a calm he did not feel.

The woman stilled, undetermined animal ears twitching and turned around, staring at him with wide azure eyes. He knew those eyes. They were her eyes but he needed the lights on the be certain. Without removing his eyes from the woman, he reached over and flipped the light switch. He watched with wide eyes as the second the light turned on, the mystery woman in front of him disappeared into smoke. He blinked. Once, twice, a third time and looked around the kitchen. He sniffed as if trying to find her scent. Alas, he found nothing but the lingering scent.

He sighed, understanding she was no longer track able at the moment and turned around to go back to his room. He knew the probability sleep was low. So, he decided to pick up reading where he had left off not too long ago that evening.

Everyone was in the front room of the Hotel, dealing with Charlies group activity for the day. When suddenly, cylindrical canisters came crashing through the windows near the lobby. Promptly knocking everyone out.

Chapter Text

The occupants of the hotel stir. The first thing they notice, they are in what seems to be a dingy basement. Chained to the wall bye the neck, wrists bound with the same glowing chains. Vaggie and Alastor recognize the material immediately, angelic steel.

‘Is everyone okay?’ Charlie questions.

‘If being chained to a fucking wall means were okay then yea. I’m just dandy.’ Angel states with a strong attitude.

‘Now is not the time to be an asshole, Angel.’ Sternly says Vaggie.

‘Really?!?! Cause I don’t know if you’ve noticed but we are currently locked in a dark ass basement CHAINED TO A WALL! This is the kinda shit that leads to being fucked, tortured and murdered.’ Angel replies with the same strong attitude.

‘Now, now, my dear arachnid friend, lets calm down and take a moment to become accustomed with our new surroundings. So, that we may plan our escape.’ Alastor says calming with his usual charming smile.

Before Angel could even try to respond, the door opens revealing three big shark sinners all armed with angelic weapons.

‘Look who’s awake’ the first goon said.

‘Why are you all making such a racket for?’ Stated angerly the second goon.

‘This on looks like fun.’

The third goon says as he reaches a hand towards Niffty with a sharp tooth smile.

‘No Derek, that is not what the job is. We are to kill the one-eyed bitch. You can play with the others’ The first goon responds.

The second ‘Derek’s hand makes contact with Niffty. She whips her head around and bites his hand, hard.

‘Satan Damnit! That fucking hurt. You dirty disgusting bitch!’ Derek screams as he yanks his hand back and slaps Niffty. Niffty’s head snaps to the side and her eye wells with unshed tears.

‘Come on, lets cool off’ The first goon says with a sign.

The three shark sinners leave the room and shut the heave door with a slam.

‘Niffty, are you alright?’ Charlie asks with concern.

‘Its okay Niffty, He deserved it’ Angel says trying to make the poor girl feel better, sensing her distress.

Niffty takes a deep breath as the tears leave her eye and says. ‘Mama!’

As soon as the word leaves her mouth, a woman steps into existence from a sheer cloud a smoke. The woman is tall, muscular yet feminine, pale olive skin, long obsidian hair falling in soft waves, a fluffy grey cat tail with grey cat ears. She is wearing baggy dark green cargo pants, a skin tight black tank top with chunky black combat boots. Her face holds a stoic almost bored expression. Azure eyes scan the room and immediately find their target.

Bending down, she places a hand on Niffty’s face. ‘What happened, Niff?’

‘He said I was dirty and disgusting. Am I dirty or disgusting Mama?’ Niffty says with a sniffle before more tears fall.

‘Aunt C?’ Charlie says confused.

‘Aunt C? Do you know this woman, Charlie?’ Angel questions.

‘Yes, I would like to know as well, just how you know this woman my dear Charlie’ Alastor states.

Ignoring their conversation to focus on the task at hand. She holds Niffty’s face and takes a long look before saying calmly, like a mother calming their child.

‘No, my dear, you are neither of those things. Would you like him to apologizes Do tell me what this man looks like.’

Niffty looks up and slowly nods her head in the positive.

‘He looked like a shark; medium build and he had shaggy brown hair.’

‘Alright, I will be right back with him, and he will apologize. While I’m gone, please try to release your friends.’

Before she stands, she quickly picks the lock on Niffty’s cuffs, then handing her the picks she used. So that Niffty could release her friends.

With that done, the strange women steps into nothing, disappearing mid step, the way she appeared.

‘Can someone please explain what the fuck just happened? Who even was that?’ Angel states.

‘That was Mama. You guys met her like two weeks ago.’ Niffty mumbles sniffly while she finished unlocking Charlie.

‘Mama is a cat, that was a grown woman’ Vaggie says.

‘I had no idea Aunt C could turn into a cat!’ Charlie states with excitement.

‘So, you do know her, Charlie?’ Alastor questions as Niffty works on unlocking his cuffs.

There’s a distant bang.

‘Oh, yes I do know Aunt C, but I guess you guys might know her as Cersei.’ Charlie answers, trying to be helpful.

‘You are trying to tell me that the actual Boogey Man, Cersei Baine, has been living at the hotel for weeks and the only person who knew was Niffty?’ Angel questions in bewilderment.

‘I thought you all knew and just didn’t care’ Niffty mumbles as she moves to work out Husks cuffs.

‘Charlie, how long have you known this boogey man?’ Alastor questions.

‘Well, awhile honestly, she’s worked for my dad for as long as I can remember. Why? Do you know her, Al?’ Charlie responds.

Niffty starts on Charlies cuffs now that she is done with Husks restraints.

‘Just curiosity, my dear. I am familiar with them, but I was unaware you knew them as well.’ He says.

Before Charlie can respond the big door opens. Cersei walks in the room, calmly dragging behind her Derek as if he weighed nothing. Like she was taking out the trash. Her cold eyes find Niffty softening as the find her.

‘Is this the man who said such mean things, Niff?’ Cersei says coldly.

‘Yes ma’am, how’d you find him so quickly? Weren’t there a lot of bad boys to get through?’ Niffty responds with intrigue.

‘Well, you gave such a detailed description. It was quite simple, I just killed everyone else who didn’t match the description.’ She said as if she was talking about the most mundane of tasks. She turned her head to the sorry excuse for a man, who lay on the floor bleeding and crying.

‘Now, what do we say?’ She says calmly. The man mumbles something.

‘I apologize, but you will have to speak up. Now, say it like your life depends on it.’ She leans closer, eyes taking a dangerous glow as she whispers. ‘Because it does.’

The mans eyes go wide and he gulps, turning to Niffty he lowers his head.

‘I am deeply sorry for both my actions and my words. You are not dirty or disgusting. Please forgive me.’

Niffty looks at the man then Cersei then back to the man, with a devilish smile she says.

‘I don’t forgive you, now die.’

With that, the man starts to cry as Cersei reaches for her knife strapped to her thigh then hands it to Niffty.

Niffty smiles up at her Mama, takes the knife and stabs it into the man.

As the light leaves his eyes, Charlie looks at Cersei.

‘Aunt C, how do you know Niffty?’

‘Oh, Charlie, I didn’t see you there. Why don’t I get you girls back to the hotel and we can have a chat there. How does that sound?’

She said as she turns to Charlie.

‘You mean everyone right? We can’t just leave them here.’  Charlie questions.

Cersei takes a analyzing glance to the girls friends, raising an eyebrow.

‘I did not. I can take you, Niffty and your girlfriend back. You must have a certain power level to travel with me. If you don’t have a deal with me, that is. Don’t worry, Rebecca can take them back.’ Cersei responds with ease.

‘Rebecca?’ Charlie questions.

‘Is that not her name? The woman with the lovely bob in the red pinstripe suit.’ Cersei questions.

‘Oh! You mean Alastor.’

‘I am not a woman.’

Charlie and Alastor respond at the same time.

Cersei takes a moment to register what they said. Then she says with a dry laugh.

‘I have been around long enough to know what a woman looks like but alright if you say so. He can still take the rest back.’

And with that said she grabs hold of Nifty and Charlie who in turn holds hands with Vaggie, and they vanish into the same cloud of smoke.

Chapter Text

'Well, she seems just lovely. Do you think she knows how to smile?’ Angel says with dripping sarcasm.

‘Cersei is a good person. She’s just been here awhile. If you were down here half as long as she has, you’d be the same if not worse’ Husk says in defense.

 ‘Wow, the kitty is defending a cat, I never thought I’d see the day.’ Angel states.

‘Trust me, you spend more than five minutes with them, and you’ll see what I mean. It may not seem like it to you, but they are a good person. She’s very loyal and will put her life on the line for the people she deems as her family.’ Husk responds.

As the argument continues, Alastor takes a deep breath quietly. He recognizes the scent, it’s the same scent from a couple nights ago, the same scent that haunts his memories. It’s her scent. He relishes for a moment, taking in more of her now stale scent.

‘What an interesting development.’ Alastor states with a coy smile.

With that Alastor shadows the remaining occupants back to the hotel.

First thing they see upon arrival, is Charlie, Vaggie and Cersei sitting on the couch. Niffty is laying in Cersei’s lap, while Cersei hums as she rubs the little woman’s back and head. Alastor recognizes the haunting tune.

‘You must have a lot of questions Char. Now that Niff is settled, go ahead and ask away.’

Cersei says with a smooth calm.

‘Yes, Aunt C, I do. Why are you here? Does my dad know? Weren’t you on a job? He said you were on a job. Why were you a cat? Why not be you?’ Charlie rapid fires her questions. Giving everyone besides two people whiplash from the speed of the questions.

Cersei is not phased, her sharp feline features holding the same stoic calm.

‘I finished with the job Luci asked of me. He knows I am here. I am here to spend some long overdue time with my child, Niffty. I did not want to startle or make your residents upset because of who I am. So, I appeared as a cat to avoid that. Also, I did not feel like speaking when I first showed up. I hope you can understand.’ Cersei spoke calmly.

‘Okay, I can understand that. You aren’t really a big talker but why are you here for Niffty? Is she actually your child? I didn’t know you had kids. Do you have a deal with her? What kind of deal do you have with her? I thought Alastor had her soul?’ Charlie returns with even more rapid fast questions, trying to understand and knowing that she doesn’t need to slow down for her aunt to understand.

‘Yes, I have a small deal with her. No, I did not birth her, but she is my child. I own a small portion of her soul, maybe 1/3 if my memory is correct. My deal with Niffty came before the Radio Demons, Fabio owns the rest of her soul. Niffty’s deal with me is simple, she wanted someone to take care of her and spend as much time as possible with her. Someone she could call so that she would not be lonely. Basically, she wanted a mother. Who am I to say no?’ Cersei responds with the same calm, like she isn’t being asked a million questions at a time.

‘Aww, that’s so sweet. Do you mean Alastor? It does sound like a deal you’d make cause at first, I was super confused cause like you don’t make deals really, you just kind of eat souls and even then, it’s only the really bad ones. Are you going to stay in this form? Do you need a room?’  Charlie returns with even more questions while also thinking out loud.

‘Is that his name? I see no reason to return to a cat. Seeing as though the metaphorical cat is out of the bag. I would like my own room, if that is no trouble.’ Cersei says.

‘What do you mean she EATS souls? Can sinners even do that or is that just an overlord thing?’ Angel questions with worry. As he peaks down at a fast asleep Niffty from the back of the couch.

‘Oh hello. Is that Husker I see? How are you, old friend?’ Cersei turns her head to look at the newcomers. She turns to Angel to answer his questions. ‘No, I am not an overlord, and it is not something an overlord can do. But don’t worry, I only eat the truly terrible ones.’

She responds with a small, barely there, smile; trying to ease his worries.

Husk lights up, moving to sit by his old friend.

‘Hey, Sei. I am as well as I can be seeing as I’m shackled to the damn Radio Demon. How have you been?’ Husk says with a happy tone.

Cersei ignores his question and responds with her own.

‘Really now, has he been treating you well?’

‘He treats me better than he does most people. It was hard at first but once you understand how he works, it’s not so bad.’ He responds trying to ease his friends worries, sensing her loaded question.

‘Well alright, if you are content, then that is my only concern.’ She seemly relaxes, turning to face Niffty resting on her lap. ‘I better get her to her bed before she starts drooling on me, please excuse me.’ She slowly moves Niffty into her arms, close to her chest, and stands. She takes a step and mid step she dissipates into a sheer cloud of smoke.

Alastor moves to sit in her now vacant set, closing his eyes and fully taking in the scent of rain and fire smoke. It feels like the first breath he’s taken in years. His smile grows. As he does, Husk stands and moves away from the Radio Demon.

‘She does not seem to like you very much, Alastor.’ Charlie says.

‘Yea, she can’t even get his name right! What did you do to make her hate you so much?’ Angel question with a laugh. Alastor opens his eyes. ‘I haven’t the faintest idea. We have been in the same room before, but I have never spoken to her before.’

‘Maybe she just doesn’t like you overlords?’ Angel questions, trying to find reason for her dislike.

‘Nah, I met Sei when I was a small overlord. She is friends with Zestial, Rosie, Carmilla and the Vee’s. Niffty was an overlord when she met her too. So it can’t be that.’ Husk replies. ‘Well, then. I have nothing’ Angel says defeated.

‘Even if she doesn’t like someone, I’ve never seen her get someone’s name wrong, like ever.’ Charlie said seemingly concerned.

Back in Niffty’s room, she slowly sets down the small woman and tucks her into bed. She sits on the bed and pets Niffty’s head making sure she is content in her new resting place.

Her thoughts are running wild in her head. ‘Even after all this time, he still smells the same.’ She thinks, ‘This is going to be very tiresome; I’ll just have to keep my distance.’

Not wanting to disturb Niffty, she vanishes from the room and back into the lounge room.

Seeing Alastor in her seat she sits in a lounge chair, turning to Charlie.

‘Now that the little one is settled, is there anything else that needs to be done. If not, may I please be shown to my room.’

‘I have a couple of questions.’ Angel says with a confidence he did not feel.

‘Alright, go ahead then. Ask away, I’ll answer honestly.’ She says coolly.

‘Oh yea, like I believe that. Nobody is honest.’ Angel says with skepticism.

‘No, she’s being serious.’

‘She can’t lie.’

Charlie and Husk say in unison.

‘What do you mean, she can’t lie?’ Angel questions.

‘Because of how my deal with Luci came to be, I can’t lie. That’s the theory anyway.’ Cersei states. Angel takes a moment, then with a laugh he says. ‘Really, damn that must suck ass, not being able to lie.’

‘Not really, there are ways around not being able to lie.’ Cersei says.

‘Well then. Back to my questions. Why do you hate Alastor?’ Angel questions.

Cersei blinks, internally screaming, face holding a stoic mask. ‘Who?’ She questions.

Angel laughs while Alastor sighs.

‘Wow, you know Smiles, the guy you thought was a woman.’

‘Oh, I don’t hate Phillip. What made you think that?’ Cersei questions, while trying to think of a way out of this conversation.

‘Sei, his name is Alastor, you keep getting his name wrong. It’s obvious you don’t like the Radio Demon.’ Husk responds since Angel is still laughing.

‘I hold no issues with the Radio Demon, Husk. I apologize if I made you feel that way. It has been a long day. Charlie, may you show me to my room, please.’ Cersei says apologetically while her face shows nothing but the same stoic almost bored expression.

‘Of course, let me show you.’ Charlie starts to say only to be cut off by Angel.

‘I can show her. I wanna have a chat in the way up.’ Charlie looks unsure as she turns to Cersei.

‘That’s fine.’ Cersei says seeing nothing wrong with it.

They both stand up and start the track up the stairs to the room. Cersei starts the conversation. ‘So, what do you want to talk about, Angel?’

‘I just want to get a feel of who you are. Husk says you’re a good person, that your loyal and Niffty seems comfortable around you…’ He trails off, not knowing how to continue without offending the woman. Cersei finishes for him.

‘But you need to see for yourself. Let me guess, someone you were told is trustworthy ended up not being who you thought they were?’ Angel stops and stares at the woman like she had grown another head. ‘How did you?’ He questions.

‘I’ve been around a long time, Angel. I’ve seen the best and the worst a person can be. Once you’ve seen what I have, you recognize that hurt in people.’ She says calmly with a hint of sorrow in her eyes. Angel takes a moment to look at her, trying to sense if she is lying. He could not find anything other than understanding honesty.

‘I think I misjudged you, toots.’ He says in understanding.

‘That’s alright, you are valid to hold as much skepticism as you want.’ She responds with a soft smile and kind eyes. They arrive to her room. As she reaches for the door she turns and looks at Angel. ‘I know we just met, but if you ever need anything, my door is always open. Don’t worry about waking me, I’m a light sleeper.’ She says eyes holding a kind tone. Before he can respond, she opens the door, enters the room and closes the door behind her. She showers and changes into a cropped red tank top and baggie boxers. Then she lays down to sleep after a long day.

Chapter Text

She is sitting under a giant oak tree, in a familiar park. The sun warms her olive skin as she looks around trying to find her bearings. A warm hand finds her shoulder as a warm deep voice says.

‘My darling, what is the matter?’

 She turns her head and spots him, the love of her existence. He was tall, lean but muscular, dark fluffy hair combed to perfection, beautiful tan skin, deep brown eyes that turned honey when the sun hit them just right, and his perfect straight white teeth framed by his kilowatt smile that he always wore. A warm full-bodied smile finds her features at her love, Alastor. Her Alastor.

‘Nothing is the matter, my love. I must have fallen asleep.’ She responds.

She leans into his broad chest as she places a chaste kiss on his lips, taking in his scent, sandal wood and citrus. He blushes as he says.

‘My must have been some dream, if you are being this affectionate in public. Not that I mind at all, my darling.’

As she looks up, the scene changes. She is now in their shared bedroom as she watches him leave. ‘Where are you off to, my love?’ She questions.

‘I didn’t mean to wake you. Since you have not been feeling well. I was just going to go hunting, you are free to join me if you feel up for it.’ He responds with a soft smile.

Deep down, she knew. Today is the day he dies. As she opens her mouth to beg him to stay home and not leave. The words that leave her are the words she said on that fateful day, words she wished more than anything to change. To save him from his fate. As unshed tears well in her azure eyes, she says.

‘Alright, you go ahead. See you as soon as you get back.’

A tear falls as he responds.

‘Yes, my dear, see you very soon.’

And with that he leaves, as more tears fall.

She wakes up with a start, tears threatening to fall. She looks down at Niffty, who had a nightmare earlier that night, still fast asleep. Cersei stands slowly, still in her pajamas, as she makes her way down to the bar. Where she finds Husker, seemingly waiting for her.

‘Now why are you awake at such an hour, Husk?’ She questions her friend with sad tired eyes.

‘I remember what today is, from when we were drinking buddies.’ Husk replies.

‘Ah yes, it is a good day to drink.’ She says eyes not meeting his.

Without saying a word, he pours her a whiskey neat.

After a couple hours and many drinks later, the other residents start to come down to start their day.

Charlie’s eyes hold an understanding, as she comes. Down to the lobby with Vaggie. She sees her aunt sitting at the bar still in her pajamas with Husk.

‘Good morning, aunt C and Husk! Make sure you both eat something solid today. Let me know if you need me to make anything.’

Cersei looks over at her niece. ‘Thanks Char but Niffty will make sure we eat today. She’s always been weird about making sure I eat.’

Charlie nods in understanding as she walks away to the kitchen with Vaggie.

Angel makes his way down shortly after.

‘Woah, did we start drinking early today or is this from last night?’ He asks as he sits at the bar.

‘Last night, well was it morning? Husk what time did we start? I can’t remember.’ Cersei questions with a slightly pink tinge to her cheeks. The only thing giving away that she had been drinking.

‘Uhm.. Shit, like 3 am? Maybe, I didn’t think to check when you came down.’ Husk replied while thinking.

‘Wait, you were waiting down here for her? Is this something you guys do often?’ Angel questions.

She simply looks to the stairs as if knowing who is walking down. She vanishes in a shear cloud of smoke, just as Alastor along with Niffty enter the main room.

Unphased, Husk answers Angel’s question.

‘Nahh, this is a yearly thing. She’ll explain later, once she drinks enough.’ Husk leans into Angel and whispers. ‘A drunk Cersei holds no secrets.’

Angel looks from Husk to where Cersei was and back to Husk as his eyes widen with understanding.

Cersei appears back at the bar about an hour or so later, fully dressed in her dark green cargo pants and a black long sleeve. Shoes nowhere to be seen and only in dark tan fluffy socks. Husk looks up, already expecting her back at the bar, he says nothing and pours her drink.

The day carried on like that, both of them drinking. Niffty stopped by multiple times to make them both eat. Angel joined them after returning from a long day shooting.

‘I’ll have what she’s having.’ He says with a sigh.

‘Didn’t take you for a whisky drinker.’ Husk says skeptically.

‘Ew, wait. You’re telling me she’s been here all-day drinking whiskey? How is she still awake, I’d be double dead.’ Angel responds with disgust on his face. He turns to Cersei. ‘Toots, what are you drinking to forget? It’s gotta be real bad if you gotta drink all day like this.’ Angel says with concern written on his face. She looks up at him with a drunken smile plastered on her sharp face.

‘It’s just a good day for a drink, buddy.’ She responds, voice clear and smile wide, showing off her sharp canines. Angel takes a long look at the woman’s face, noticing her eyes, the sorrow they hold is enough to make him want to sob as he holds her. What kind of pain must have happened to make such a strong person’s eyes hold this kind of sorrow?

‘Sure, it is. You can tell me later, toots.’ He says instead of pressing her on it.

Everyone besides the four of them, Cersei, Angel, Husk and Niffty, had gone to bed for the night. What the four of them didn’t know was that Alastor’s shadow was listening in on the conversation.

Angel leans on Cersei, draping his arm over her shoulder and says with a drunken slur. ‘You ever gonna tell us why you’re drinkin, toots?’

Cersei looks at Angel, smile falling just a hair, as she says.

‘Today is the day he died.’

She looks back down, trying to keep herself together.

Angel stills, not expecting that answer. He asks his next question slowly.

‘Who died today?’

Niffty moves to sit closer to Cersei, as she holds her hand.

Husk takes a breath, knowing that she’s going to have to answer.

Her eyes well with unshed tears, as she answers.

‘The love of my existence. He was my everything. My love, he died today.’

A tear rolls down her face, she leaves it. Knowing more will follow.

‘Oh shit, did you meet him when you were alive?’ Angel questions, trying to tread lightly. She laughs, but it held no humor.

‘No, I met him long after I had died.’ She answers quietly, seemingly lost in thought.

Knowing she was going to shut them all out if this continued, Niffty swiftly changed the subject.

‘Mama, you still haven’t told me about your last job.’

Husk, catching on to what Niffty is doing, says.

‘Yea, I used to love hearing stories about your jobs. What did Mr. Lucifer have you do this time?’ Angel goes to speak but as he catches Husker’s glare, he decides against it.

Cersei sniffles, wipes her face and looks up.

‘Luci had me working for Ozzie in the lust ring. He needed a singer for a couple of years.’

Husk and Angel blinked, not expecting that answer.

‘Wait, so you were in the lust ring? Is that even possible for sinners?’ Angel questions.

Cersei looks at Angel.

‘I’m not a sinner, Angel.’ She says like it’s obvious.

‘What do you mean you’re not a sinner? You said you weren’t an overload neither. So, what are you, toots?’ Angel says.

Cersei looks at Angel like he said something stupid.

‘I’m the Boogie Man, Angel. You know the thing that goes up top to collect souls that belong to Lucifer?’ She points her finger up and raises her brow.

Angel turns to Husk, who just shrugs.

‘She can’t lie, man. She’s been here for a stupid long time. When did you die, Sei?”

Cersei looks to Husk and answers his question.

‘Like the 1600’s? Somewhere during that time, it was a long time ago.’ She says with a shrug. Niffty raises her hand. ‘Oh, I know, I know! She died in 1638! She was 28 when she died.’ The group turns to Niffty. ‘Wow Nif, you sure know your Cersei trivia. Do you know how she died?’ Angel says.

Niffty stilled and looked down. ‘I .. I don’t wanna talk about it.’

‘It’s alright, it was a very long time ago. I was burned at the stake, Angel.’ Cersei says as she comforts the small woman. She turns to Angel with a cold gaze. ‘That’s all you need to know.’ Husk, sensing the tension, says. ‘Sei, I haven’t heard you sing in sometime. What kind of songs did the Sin of Lust have you sing?’

‘Probably songs about fuckin. Bet you got laid like crazy.’ Angel says.

Cersei laughs, ‘While there were some songs about fucking, not every song is about that. Oz’s clubs embody lust, the feeling, sights, sounds, all of it. And no, I did not ‘get laid like crazy’ or even at all.’ She used her fingers to quote Angle’s words.

‘What does that even mean? No offense but I can’t see you, with your stone-cold bored face, embodying lust?’ Angel says jokingly. Cersei turns to Angel with a hint of mischief in her eyes and speaks.

‘Would you like me to show you?’

Chapter Text

Angel takes a second to think before he speaks.

‘Maybe some other time. I get the feeling if you start singin, were not gonna want you to stop and I know I have work in the morning.’

‘That’s true, I also have a meeting to attend tomorrow.’ Cersei says calmly.

‘But I will sing for you one day, Angel. You get two songs, whenever you wish.’ She adds with a friendly smile and kind eyes. She takes a breath.

‘Thank you all for making today bearable. I greatly appreciate it. Well, are you ready for bed, little one?’

Niffty slowly lifts her head from the bar, already mostly asleep.

‘Yes ma’am.’ She says as she lifts her arms. Cersei without any thought, and with motherly ease, lifts the small woman into her arms. She bids the remaining two a good night as she leaves to carry Niffty to her own bed.

As she had left the room Angel turns to Husk.

‘What kind of afterlife has she lived?’

Husk sighs.

‘If you know them long enough, she’ll tell you. But I have never heard any more about her mystery love, than what you heard tonight. So, don’t get your hopes up on that story.’

Angel sighs and nods his head in understanding.

After Cersei has gotten Niffty settled, she heads to her own sleeping courters to get ready for an unrestful sleep. Slowly, sleep finds her though, as she dreams of him. Back when he was hers and she was his.

Alastor is not so lucky. Not matter what he tries, he can not fall asleep. Instead, his restless mind lands on the newest resident. As he is riddled with questions.

- Alastor POV -

Who exactly is this infuriating woman? Why was she so upset today? Who lacks so many manners that they lose the common decency to remember a simple name?  Why does he even care?

Because it’s rude? Yes.

Because it is demeaning? Also yes.

Because she reminds you of her.

Her smell, her azure eyes, and the way her cold hard gaze softens when looking at Niffty or Charlie. The way she carries herself even. It’s the same, it must be her! No, focus on the facts.

She died in 1638, that’s almost 290 years before you met Vivian when you were alive. Could Cersei go to the mortal plain for the little king? As part of their deal?

He’ll have to ask Charlie about it tomorrow. Maybe Rosie would know?

He goes to stand as if going somewhere before he stops himself. What is he doing, going to her to what? He remembers overhearing Charlie talking to Vaggie about Cersei being a very light sleeper. What if he wakes her? He doesn’t care, his brain already deciding that if he doesn’t see her right that moment, he would not be sleeping. Plus if she awoke he could ask her himself his questions. Though she most likely wouldn’t answer him.

Not caring if he gets caught, he shadows to her room. The first thing that hits him, is fire smoke and rain, her scent. It is everywhere. Finally, it feels as though he can breathe again. He peers down at her from the corner of her room, fully expecting her to wake up, but she stays peacefully resting. Deep even breaths. Her face holds a calm smile, like she is having the best dream. He wonders what she dreams about as he moves closer to the side of her bed. Seemingly without thinking, he slowly reaches a handout to her face. Just before he makes contact, he stops. Then softly, he lays the back of his hand on her cheek. He is surprised, every other time prior when he has tried to invade her personal space, he would simply phase right though her.  She is warm and soft. She doesn’t move but lets out a content sigh. He retracts his hand at hearing movement in the hallway. Her face contorts, almost like she is in pain or afraid. He freezes entirely when she slowly reaches out her own hand to grab his. She says almost like a plea.

‘Please, ma lumière, don’t leave me.’

Hearing the footsteps draw closer, he removes his hand from her grasp.

Without another breath, he shadows back to his own room. As he stands in his room, he feels the walls start to close in as his thoughts run wild. A new question forms.

How does she know that name?

- Third person POV -

Niffty reaches her mama’s door, she knocks.

Cersei’s eyes snap open at the sudden noise. How had she not woken up before they reached her door? She breaths a sign realizing it is just Niffty.

She makes her way to the door, opens it and looks down at the small woman.

‘Yes dear, what is the matter?’

Niffty looks up as she speaks.

‘I had a bad dream.’

‘Do you want to talk about your dream over a cup of tea?’

She questions, knowing if Niffty doesn’t talk about her dream she will not be able to fall back to sleep. Niffty nods, taking the taller woman’s hand as they make their way down to the kitchen. Once in the kitchen, Cersei starts the tea on the stove top and turns to Niffty who is sitting on the island counter.

‘What was this dream about, Nif?’ Cersei questions in a calming tone.

‘It was the same dream I had a couple nights ago. Except this time, you lost and died.’

Niffty says with a sniffle. Cersei nods in understanding remembering the first time Niffty had this dream.

 The first time she had the dream was about a few months after she made her deal with the Radio Demon. The poor girl had been so frightened she woke up screaming bloody murder for Cersei. The dream is simple, Cersei and the Radio Demon get into a fight. The ending varies on who wins, on the strange occasions neither win, but more often than not one of the two dies.

‘Well, as you can see, I am not dead. I promise, if I ever get into a fight with Jasper, I will not kill him and I will not die.’ Cersei reasons as she hands Niffty her cup of Sleepy Time Tea.

‘Mama, you can’t promise that you won’t die! That’s not how promises work and you know it.’ Niffty argues. Cersei takes a breath, trying to find the solution.

‘Hmm. You make a good point, tiny. How about this. I promise not to kill Axel. Now we just need the Radio Demon to promise not to kill me.’

‘Why would I kill you?’ Alastor questions, looking between the two, seemingly appearing at the tail end of the conversation. Cersei glances his way with a bored stare, while Niffty jumps in surprise. He does not meet her eyes, his smile unwavering but tense.

‘Niffty here has been having a nightmare for some time that you and I get into a fight and one of us kills the other. My solution was to promise not to kill you or die, but tiny disagrees. Saying that I cannot promise not to die.’ She explains as Alastor nods.

‘I understand.’ He turns to Niffty, bending slightly to meet her eyes.

‘My dear, I promise not to kill your friend Cersei. Does that make you feel more at ease?’

Cersei stills for a brief second, going unnoticed by all. Niffty nods in the positive.

‘Would you like some tea, sir?’

‘Why yes, I actually came down for a cup myself.’

Niffty turns to Cersei, eye wide in question. Cersei sighs.

‘Fine, I’ll poor him a cup as well.’ She turns to complete her task.

‘Are you having trouble sleeping, sir?’ Niffty says as she turns back to Alastor.

‘I’m afraid so, I can’t seem to still my mind.’ He responds, trying his best not to look at the woman who keeps his mind racing.

‘You should ask Mama, she’s really good at getting people to sleep.’ She says matter a factly. The two freezes for a moment. Alastor trying to process what she had just said and Cersei trying to think of a response. She recovers faster than the Radio Demon.

‘I don’t think that Steven wants to lean on others for his issues. He was once a man after all.’ She almost sneers as she turns to hand the man his tea, already tired of the conversation. Alastor doesn’t know if it’s the lack of sleep, or the fact she had not once gotten his name right, but something snaps for a moment and before he can think better of it. He looks into her eyes and sneers with a stranded smile.

‘I doubt you have the knowledge to help me, and my name is Alastor. Might be best to remember it, darling.’

Her eyes widen with excitement as her lips pull ever so slightly into a small smile.

‘My, look who has a backbone after all. Seems Vox was wrong.’

Her smile only widens as his smile becomes more strained. She wants to wipe that smile from his face. She wants him to crack. He wants to play, she’ll play. His eye twitches.

‘If I had known that is who holds your company, I wouldn’t have wasted my time trying to teach you.’

Her smile only grows at seeing him try to win a losing battle.

‘And what exactly are you trying to teach me? How to be a creepy buzz kill?’

 ‘HAHA. No, I was trying to teach you how to have manners? Since you seem to be having a hard time remembering my name.’

He is seething and it only urges her on more.

‘Oh my, I apologize for the confusion. I know your name. I just do not want to use it as I quite enjoy watching you squirm, darling.’

Her voice starts out light and airy but turns low and sultry when she says darling. He blushes slightly as his eyes widen at the suggestive tone. Sensing if she pushed anymore, he’d leave. She ends the conversation, feigning boredom.

‘Come on tiny, it is time to get you back to bed. Lovely conversation, as always.’

She lifts Niffty to sit on her shoulders. With a wave of her hand, her and Niffty phase from the kitchen. Leaving Alastor alone and confused.

Chapter Text

The next day. Cersei makes her way down to the lobby so she may say bye to everyone before she leaves for her meeting.

‘Aunt C, can I borrow you for a second? I need some advice.’ Charlie calls out from her office. Cersei turns and makes her way down the hallway to the office. As she stops just outside the door, she knocks.

‘Charlie, you asked to speak with me?’

‘Yes, please come in!’

Cersei opens the door and makes her way inside. Charlie’s office is beautiful, with dark woods and rich reds that are highlighted by gold accents. The style reminds Cersei of the girl’s father. She sits down in a cushioned chair to the left of the front of her desk.

‘What did you want to speak about?’

Cersei questioned. Charlie sighs and deflates.

‘It’s been three months since the last extermination, and we haven’t had a single new guest! I was wondering if you had any ideas. I know you are just here to spend time with your daughter, but I would really like some help here.’

The poor girl says in one breath whilst putting on her best puppy dog eyes. Cersei thinks for a moment, trying to find the best solution for her niece.

‘Charlie, I may be here for my kid, but you are my family too. I will always have time for you and your passions. I could get you an interview with Vox. He owes me a favor.’ Cersei offers.

‘That would be perfect but what would I even say? I don’t know if I’d be the best fit to do that sort of thing.’

‘You would be perfect for that sort of thing. I can help you with what to say and if at any point you do not feel up for it, I can go in your place.’

 Cersei knows how Charlie gets when she is nervous but after some practice, she will do fine.

‘Really? Thank you so much Aunt C, that makes me feel better knowing I won’t have to prepare alone.’ Charlie is back to her usual beaming self.

‘Charlie, you are never alone. May it be in this plane or the next, you will always have people who love and care for you.’ Cersei states.

Charlie’s eyes well with happy tears as she gets up and moves around her desk to hug her aunt. Cersei stands to excepts the hug with ease. She’ll never admit it aloud, but she does love hugs, especially ones from Charlie.

‘Thank you, I need a reminder sometime. Wait, don’t you have a meeting today?’

 She says as she pulls away. Cersei checks her phone for the time.

‘I do but don’t worry, I have time.’

She did not have time and was late for her meeting.

‘Okay, well I won’t keep you any longer. Have a good meeting and thank you again!’ Charlie steps away and waves to her aunt. Before she leaves, she responds.

‘Goodbye Charlie, I’ll tell your father you say hi.’

She dissipates from the room, knowing the only way she can make up for being late was not being more late.

She appears in front of a door; it is a dark wood with gold accents. Before she could knock, she hears a voice call out to her.

‘Cers, good of you to make it, come on in!’

She opens the door and makes her way into the study. Once inside she sees the man who owns her soul. She takes a seat in his study.

‘Sorry for my tardiness, Charlie wanted to speak with me this morning.’ Cersei apologizes.

‘Oh? How is my daughter? How is your daughter? How have you been? Ready for a little job?’ He rapid fire questions. Cersei doesn’t miss a beat, used to the speed of the king and his family.

‘She is good, a little concerned about patrons but I suggested an idea this morning. Niffty is good, she is glad to spend more time with me as am I. Yes sir, I am always ready for a new job.’ She responds, hoping he doesn’t catch that she didn’t answer one.

‘I see, and what was your suggestion?’

‘She was worried because they have not had any new patrons. So, I suggested doing an interview with Vox to get the word out there.’

‘That’s not a bad idea. How long will this take to setup, you think?’

Cersei took a moment to think, trying to find an accurate timeline.

‘Maybe a week, I could set it up sooner, but Charlie seemed very nervous. I want enough time to calm her nerves.’ Lucifer looks at Cersei for a moment.

‘Well, the soul I need you to receive isn’t due for ten days. So, after you are finished with Charlie, you can head up whenever. Here is his file.’  

As he finishes, he hands her the file. Cersei opens it and glances taking in the bare minimum. There is everything you could ever want to know. Name, picture, height, blood type, all of it. The man wanted wealth, normal. Lucifer gives all his deals a timeline, 10 years. It always seems like a lot of time when the deal is made, but time flies when your given an end date. She closes the file, not needing to know anymore right now. She’ll read up while she’s up top before she hunts.

‘If that’s all you need from me, I will bid you goodbye.’

He stops her as she goes to stand.

‘Cersei, you didn’t answer my question. How are you doing?’

He says sternly, like an older brother scolding his sister. She stops, looking at him before sitting down with a sigh.

‘I am as well as I can be, Luci.’ She says calmly.

‘I see, how are the residents treating you?’

‘Husk is an old friend, it’s as if no time at all ahs passed. Angel is a sweetheart; he was skeptical of me at first, but he is trying to get to know me better.’ Lucifer interrupts her.

‘That is not an easy task’ As. He laughs Cersei rolls her eyes as she continues.

‘Yes, ha-ha very funny. Vaggie is very similar to me but her first response is anger while mine is interest. All in all, we get along well.’

‘And what of the Radio Demon?’

At the mention of Alastor, she hesitates.

‘I am dealing with Alastor the only way I know how. I have been keeping my distance from him, trying at least.’

‘Does he know?’ He says with curiosity. She sighs, looking down.

‘I believe he does and just doesn’t care for me anymore. Like I’ve lost my entertainment value.’

Lucifer grows angry at her confession.

‘I will go there right now and erase his fucking existence.’

‘We both know that would not make me feel any better. I should never have told you.’

Cersei says trying to calm the king of hell from going on a rampage on her behalf. Lucifer scoffs.

‘Oh please, like you could’ve hidden it. You were a wreck when you first came back. Then there was the first time you saw him, and he didn’t recognize you. I have never seen you look like that before.’

Cersei rolls her eyes.

‘Like your one to talk, I remember very clearly how you looked when Lilith took Charlie away.’

They both blink before bursting out laughing. Lucifer wipes a tear before speaking.

‘Man, we suck at love.’

‘Nah, we just have terrible taste and timing sometimes.’

‘Very true, it was good chatting Cers. Until next time yea?’  He says with a melancholic tone. Her gaze softens.

‘You do know you are welcome at the hotel anytime? Charlie would be thrilled to have you.’ He looked at her confused.

‘I just don’t want to bother her.’ At this statement she couldn’t help but laugh.

‘HA! Luci your daughter loves you so much and would be ecstatic to have you over more. I’m not going to push the matter. See you next time. My phones always on.’

She phases to the inside of Vox’s office.

He wasn’t there, strange.

She walked across the sleek office to the shark tank that encompasses the left wall. As she finds his desk, she plops down into his chair leans back and props her combat booted feet on his desk.

She will just have to wait for Vox to come back.

Chapter Text

Vox was making his way back to his office irritated. He had to pause his work for another one of Val’s hissy fits. Rolling his eyes as he opens the door to his office, the sight before him would have had a normal sinner begging for their life or running for the hills.

The Boogey Man was longing in his office, her feet crossed leisurely as she reclines in his chair. Vox only takes a moment to resume his stride as she turns to look at him. She is calm, as always. He has known her long enough to know if she wanted him dead, he would be. No question about it. She speaks first as he makes his way into the room and to the chair in front of his desk.

‘Voxie, where have you been?’ 

‘I had to deal with Val. More importantly, what has caused you to pay me a visit?’

He knew there are only two reasons she’d be here, one of the V’s time in hell was up and she was being courteous by giving him a warning, or she needed a favor. He hoped for the further. Her face gave nothing away. No matter how much time he spent analyzing her face, he could never get an accurate read of the woman. She removed her feet from his desk as she stood, turning to the shark tank.

‘Do I need an excuse to visit m favorite V?’

‘I thought Velvette was your favorite?’

Shock was evident in his voice, to think he was her favorite. He would have bet his soul on her favorite being Velvette. She turned to him; confusion written on the sharp feline features. She raises her eyebrow and points a finger to the shark tank.

‘I was talking about Vark. While Velvette is a close second, Vark is my favorite.’

Fuck, of course they were talking about his shark. He’d never been jealous of a damn shark before. He groans as he places his index and thumb to where the bridge of his nose would be if he still had one. An old habit.

‘Do I even want to know who holds the number three spot?’

‘Well, Val of course.’

Her face was dead serious. He stills, eyes wide. After a moment, she bursts out laughing. A real laugh, Vox notes. It’s not something he hears often; he has only heard it once before when she was with Velvette.

‘You should have seen your screen, Vox. That was priceless.’

She says between giggles. After she calmed down, she answers his question honestly.

‘You are my third favorite, Vox.’

She holds his gaze as he processes the new information.

‘As for why I’m here. I need a favor. Charlie is concerned that her hotel has not had any new patrons.’

She pauses as he blinks. Seeing she is not going to continue he responds.

‘What does that have to do with me?

‘I would like for you to schedule an interview with her on your late-night show.’

Cersei knew Vox would hate the idea of helping with the hotel, he’d think of it as helping the Radio Demon.

‘And why the fuck would I do that, Cersei? Can’t you have that old timey prick interview her on his little radio show?’

Vox was trying his best not to yell. Cersei took a breath preparing to feed into his ego to get what she wants for the sake of Charlie.

Hook.

‘Well, you see Voxie. Why would I have a has been with a, as you said, little radio show do this big of an interview?’

Line.

 ‘When I can ask my good friend the Media Demon, with his giant reach, to help me out here. Think about it, you get to say you interviewed the princess of hell.’

He looks unsure, like he is fighting himself internally. Time for the finishing blow.

‘You’d be doing me a huge favor, Voxie. I’d owe you one, big time.’

Sinker.

At this his face lights up. What better than having the boogey man owe a favor. He could ask for anything. She doesn’t give out favors easily, he knew.

‘You drive a hard bargain, Baine. When does this interview need to happen?’

He asks knowing she already has a plan for when this interview should happen.

She nods, eyes closed.

‘We are planning for the end of this week. To make you aware, Charlie is nervous, I may have to take her place if she chooses not to go through with the interview.’

Internally, Vox is screaming with joy. He may get to interview THE Cersei V. Baine. That has never been done before. He would go down in hell’s history as the demon who got the boogey man on camera for a live interview. Even so, he kept his cool.

‘That’s fine, we can work with that. Is there anything else I need to know?’

‘Just stay on topic. Don’t talk her into a corner. You would be wise to remember you are interviewing my niece, Vox.’ 

Her voice grows stern, cold and calm. The Cersei vocal range trio for a warning. Vox nods in understanding.

‘Don’t worry, I know better than to cross you and yours.’

If only he knew his arch nemesis was once hers.

Cersei smiles and her gaze brightens.

‘Beautiful! Now I must be going, lots to do and so little time in the day.’

‘See you in a few days to go over details, Baine.’

Vox says with a wave as the woman steps into nothing turning into a cloud of dissipating smoke. Vox sighs in relief.

‘No matter how long I know her, they will never not be scary.’

He mutters to himself with a shiver.

Back at the hotel, Cersei appears in the lobby where Charlie is conducting one of her trust exercises. Alastor noticed her arrival first, though he didn’t show it. Niffty notices her second, she jumps up and runs to the woman, she asks.

‘How was your day? What did you do? Have you eaten yet?’

Cersei’s face holds a soft smile as she looks at her daughter.

‘My day was fine. How was yours? No, I have not eaten today but I must speak with Charlie first, tiny.’

Charlie raises to speak with her aunt. Cersei meets her halfway in the lobby.

‘How did it go? Can he do the interview?’

‘Yes, Vox can do the interview, said a week was more than enough time. That it is okay if you decide against doing the interview yourself and I could fill in for you if you make the choice.’

Charlie beams, full of excitement. At the mention of the Media demon, radio static fills the room. Everyone shrinks at the sudden noise, besides Cersei who’s ears twitch at the noise. Alastor’s smile is borderline manic as he speaks.

‘Why, may I ask, are you dealing with that sad excuse for a demon? When you could’ve asked me. No need to go through all that trouble, I would love to have you on my show, Charlie.’

Cersei responds before anyone else. Seemingly unphased by the Overlords tantrum.

‘It was my idea and Vox is a close friend of mine, it really was no trouble. Plus, it is no secret that Vox has a wider… reach than you do. Charlie can do an interview with you as well if you would like. It would be great practice.’

Cersei finishes calmly, like talking to a toddler throwing a fit. Alastor’s eye twitches as he feels a pang of jealousy harden in his chest. Charlie not wanting a fight between the two, quickly says.

‘We didn’t want to bother you, Al. We know how busy you are.’

‘Is he busy? I’ve never seen him doing much of anything really.’

Cersei smiles at the jab as Alastor fights to keep his composure.

She cuts him off as he goes to speak.

‘Niffty dear, would you like to come with me to the kitchen? I would love to hear about you day.’

Niffty nods in the positive. With that she lifts Niffty to sit on her shoulders then head to the kitchen. Alastor stares after the infuriating woman, realizing he had lost yet another argument. Angel whistles.

‘Hey, hold up Sei!’

He leaves to follow the two to the kitchen. As he makes in to the kitchen, he sees Cersei sitting on a stool at the island. 

'Sei, Can I ask why you keep starting arguments with Smiles?'

She looks at Angel as he takes the seat to the left of her. 

'Honestly, I find it quite entertaining watching his smile crack.' 

She also loved watching him squirm, it reminded her of their argument when he was alive, but she would keep that to herself. Angel's eyes widen as he watches a sinister grin find her face.

'You can be very scary sometimes; you know that right?' 

'So, I've been told.' 

They carried on in calm conversations about their day as Niffty served food.

Chapter Text

Four days later.

Cersei and Charlie are about to leave the hotel for the V tower, when a certain radio host stops them. He appears in front of them as he says.

‘Where are you ladies off to today?’

Charlie smiles.

‘We are heading to V tower to plan out the interview!’

‘I have not been a lady for some time now.’

Charlie says with excitement while Cersei huffs under her breath. Alastor caught her words and looks at her questioningly.

‘My sounds like a busy day indeed!’

He says to Charlie even though his eyes never leave Cersei. Who for some old reason will not meet his eyes. It has not missed him how she has been avoiding him like the plague. Not even arguing with him, which he was finding that he missed such interactions. What bothered him the most was the way she refused to meet his eyes, not even bothering to glare at him in boredom. She was flushed, was she feeling unwell?

- Cersei POV -

Cersei’s mind was a mess at the moment, had been for three days.

Three days ago, she had a glorious dream – NO! Not glorious, Terrible.

It was a terrible, wretched dream. She had a dirty dream about a certain radio host. She has had these types of dreams before, but they were always memories from when she was with him while he was alive. Never had her brain created a new moment between the two. Especially with him being as he is now, it had been so vivid.

Felt so real.

The way she could so easily remember the way he touched her, how he felt as he –

DEAR SATAN!

 Stop thinking about it! She couldn’t help it, the way he sounded, the grunts and little whines. How his sharp teeth felt as he bit her neck.

It was glorious terrible, horrible even.

She couldn’t help the blush that rose to her cheeks. She could not bare the thought of looking at the poor demon she violated in her mind. She couldn’t meet his eyes, couldn’t even bare responding to him with her usual vigor.

She had never felt so sinful in her entire existence in hell.

Needing an out, seeing as the damned overlord was still staring at her, she turns to Charlie. Speaking calmly as if nothing was wrong.

‘Dear, we are going to be late if we don’t leave now.’

Charlie looked to her aunt with concern.

‘Yes, of course.’

As the two turned to leave, Alastor spoke softly.

‘Cersei, are you feeling alright? You look flushed.’

Cersei’s blush deepens to an almost crimson as she turns around to face him but not look at his face. She stuttered for a moment. Was he teasing her? Does he know!?

Oh, dear Lucifer, she hoped not.

‘I-I am fine, James. No need to worry, it is just warm in here. You know with it being Hell and all. Goodbye now.’

With that she grabbed Charlie’s hand and the two dissipated into smoke.

- Third Person POV –

They appeared in one of the V’s meeting rooms. It is a sleek conference room with the back wall being entirely a window, and a big oval table in the center of the room. Cersei pulls out a chair for Charlie before pushing it in for her. As Cersei sits to her left with both the window and door in her sights. She trusted Vox and Velvette. Who she didn’t trust was the majority of hell. Charlie breaks the comfortable silence.

‘I wish you would warn me before you phase us.’

Cersei looks at her niece concerned as she scans her for injures.

‘Are you injured?’

‘No but I would still like a warning in the future.’

Cersei nods in understanding.

‘My apologizes, I will give you proper warning in the future. I was a little distracted this morning.’

‘That’s unusual, do you want to talk about it?’

Cersei’s blush returns to her face full force.

‘Uhm, no. There is no need to do so. Thank you for your concern but I am fine.’

Before Charlie could respond Vox enters the room with Velvette behind him.

‘Babes, when did you get back? Where you just not gonna say hi to your favorite bitch?’

Vox rolls his eyes at the youngest V. Why her and Cersei clicked so instantly, he will never know. Cersei smiles at her friend, she meant to stop by, but she was busy trying to make up for lost time with Niffty.

‘I was going to, but I got a tad bit sidetracked. Maybe we could grab a coffee tomorrow?’

‘Works for me babes. We have a lot to talk about.’

Vox huffs, trying to keep his professionalism.

‘Her Royal Highness, it is a great honor to meet you. I am so glad you decided to ask VoxTec to assist you in this matter.’

He finishes with a bow. Cersei stifles her laugh as Velvette fully laughs.

Charlie seems to tense.

‘Oh Mr. Vox, there is no need for formalities, Charlie is fine.’

And with that the meeting went by smoothly, going over all the details of the interview.

They return to the hotel, Cersei giving her niece proper warning this time.

‘I’m going to head up to shower. Something about the V tower always leaves me feeling sticky.’

Cersei says to Charlie with a faint grimace. She nods bidding her aunt farewell and thanking her for today.

As she makes her way through the hallway to her room, she almost bumps into the demon who has been flooding her mind.

‘Please excuse me.’

She doesn’t meet his eye. He reaches a handout to grab her arm, not being able to stand her recent change in attitude.

Surprisingly, he makes contact as he holds her arm. She turns to face him, eye not meeting his. Pushing his luck, he reaches out the other hand. It finds her chin as he lifts her face so that her eyes will finally meet his. She looks hard to the left, still not meeting his eyes.

‘It is rude if you do not make eye contact with who you are speaking with.’

He says calmly with a smile. She flushes as her eyes meet his.

‘I did not know you were such a stickler for eye contact.’

‘I am when it is your eyes I want to look at.’

He says lowly, like it is a secret. Her eyes grow wide as her blush deepens.

She is not in the right head space to be dealing with Alastor looking and speaking to her like this.

Without a second thought, she dissipates into smoke right before his eyes.

Chapter Text

- Alastor POV –

Alastor stands in the hallway, alone, not understanding why she is acting so strangely. Even more so why it is bothering him. He should be overjoyed by the sole fact she is leaving him alone. Instead, he finds himself almost missing the bored glares, the pointless arguments, the way her eyes would light up when she notices him faulter, the slight curve of her small grin when he responds. What is happening? Why does he care?

Entertainment? Perhaps.

He feels a tug.

With a jaded sigh, he shadows to the radio tower to find out what his owner wants.

He arrives to an empty room. As he looks around, he feels a strong tug on his leash.

Falling to his knees he does not make a sound. She wants to hear his pain.

‘Alastor, how is my daughter?’

Lilith says with grace. He does not look up, staying in his kneeling position.

‘She is well and safe. She became even more bubbly when Lucifer’s cat arrived.’

For the first time since he made his deal, he saw Lilith faulter.

‘That witch is here. How long?’

He thought for a moment.

‘Three months, I believe.’

‘What has the cat been up to since its arrival?’

Lilith spoke the word cat like it was venom on her tongue.

The way she refers to Cersei is not missed by Alastor.

‘She has been spending time with .. Charlie, helping her with the hotel. Seems she’s on some type of sabbatical.’

He couldn’t say that she was here for Niffty. He wouldn’t put Niffty in danger.

Lilith lets out a humorless laugh as she yanks his chain, pulling him to his feet. She roughly grabs his face, making him look at her.

‘Let me make one thing clear. That thing does not do anything without reason. Do not let it fool you.’

Alastor nods as best he could with her holding his face.

‘I understand, my lady.’

She releases him and leaves, stating she will see him in four months.

After the conversation, if you could call it that, he is left drained.

He wants to see her, wants an argument, wants to play. Walking down the hallway, he turns in the direction of her room. Coming to a slow stop as he meets Angel, standing outside her door.

Angel doesn’t notice Alastor as he raises his hand to knock but stops as he looks to his left spotting Alastor.

‘Hey, smiles, whatcha doin out this late?’

He notices Angel’s face now that he is closer. He has a busted lip and a rapidly bruising right eye.

Before he could respond to the arachnid sinner. Her door opens abruptly, revealing a very tired Cersei. Her hair is up in a very messy bun. Her voice is raspy when she speaks.

‘Ang, everything okay?’

Angel’s eyes well as he shakes his head in the negative.

‘Sorry to wake you but I-’

He cuts himself off with a sniffle before he continues.

‘I could really do with a Mama right now.’

Cersei nods in understanding eyes softening greatly. She responds in a calm motherly voice as she turns around.

‘Alright, let me grab a hoodie before we head elsewhere. I don’t want to wake Niffty. She just settled down again.’

As she turns around, Alastor gets a view of her back through her tank top in the light from the hallway. Sliver scars cover her back, contrasting intensely against her olive tone.

It is not just one type of scar, it’s as if someone went to town on her back just to see how much damage they could do.

Alastor freezes, eyes widening slightly.

He has seen scars like this before, but he would have to see her whole back to be certain.

While he was busy fighting with his mind. Angel spoke as Cersei made her way back into the hallway.

‘What happened to your back?’

Cersei stills for a brief moment as she finished closing her door. With a calm smile she turns around.

‘Don’t worry Angel, it was a lifetime ago, a story for another time.’

Angel nods. The woman turns to Alastor.

‘Angel, why don’t you go wash up while I go make some tea?’

Angel shakes his head.

‘Don’t go, please. I – I don’t wanna be alone.’

She nods, understanding the man.

‘Alright, I am right here. I am not going anywhere. Whatever you need.’

She turns back to Alastor eyes holding nothing but motherly care.

‘Al-ex, did you need something important or may it be dealt with tomorrow?’

She almost said his name!? Internally, he was shocked. Outside, his face held his smile, giving nothing away.

He had never seen her look like this, eyes so soft and full care for someone other than Niffty. Her guards were down.

Why had he come here again? He couldn’t remember.

‘I suppose, how about over breakfast tomorrow?’

‘That would be perfect. We can chat on the balcony you normally eat breakfast at.’

With that he turned and left.

- Third person POV -  

She turns back to Angel, giving him all of her attention.

‘Is it alright if I touch you?’

Angel nods in the positive. She moves slowly and keeping eye contact. She did not want to startle him. She puts her left hand on his shoulder, bring the other to cup his face softly to access the damage. Her face shows nothing but care and worry. Angel was scared she would close the door in his face after telling him to suck it up or worse she would look at him with pity.

He hated that look; it made him feel weak and small. She tilts her head to the side, her eyes never leaving him.

‘Why don’t we get you cleaned up? I can stay right outside the door if that would make you more comfortable. Whatever you need, Angel.’

He almost wanted to laugh. She was asking the porn star about privacy. Trying to make light of this shitty situation.

‘Toots, Ima porn star. You really think I care if you see my dick?’

‘That’s you job, not who you are. Your comfort is top priority at the moment. I will bath you myself if you ask.’

She spoke with certainty. Angel looks at the woman as tears well back to his mismatched eyes. For the first time in his death, someone really cares about him and not just what he has to offer.

‘You can sit on my bed.’

She nods.

‘Alright, I’m going to phase us to your room, is that okay?’

He nods and in a blink he is back in his room. Angel goes to shower but stops just in the doorway.

‘Do you think I could cash in one of those songs now?’

‘Sure. What kind of song do you want?’

‘Something calming.’

She thinks for a moment before the perfect song comes to mind.

‘I have just the song.’

She uses her power to create a soundproof smoke screen around the door of the room, not wanting to disturb any of the other residents.

As he turns on the shower, he hears her start singing.

What surprises him, is the soft jazz vibe she sings.

‘I wish you bluebirds in the spring.

To give your heart a song to sing.

And then a kiss, but more than this.

I wish you love.’

Never did he think, she would sound like this. It was exactly what he needed.

‘And in July a lemonade.

To cool you in some leafy glad.

I wish you health, and more than wealth.

I wish you love.’

She sounded like a goddess. He continued listening as he showered. Feeling all the shit from the terrible past 12 hours wash down the drain.

‘My breaking heart and I agree.

That you and I could never be.

So, with my best, my very best.

I set you free.’

At that, he wonders who this song is about.

‘I wish you shelter from the storm,

A cozy fire to keep you warm.

But most of all, when snowflakes fall.

I wish you love.

I wish you love.’

He turns off the shower and walks into his closet.

 ‘My breaking heart and I agree.

That you and I could never be.

So, with my best, my very best.

I set you free.’

As he steps back into the room, she stops and looks up at him. For a moment, her eyes held a heart break somber and he knew this song was written for someone she loves but can’t have.

‘Are you feeling a little better?’

‘Yea, that shower song duo really hit the spot.’

‘That’s good. Can I take a look at your injuries?’

He nods. As she is cleaning his wounds, he can’t help but be shocked. Every time either himself or Val would clean his wounds it would be just as painful as when they happened. But she was so genital, like she had years of practice, he could barely feel it.

‘Alright, ready for tea? Or are you a hot chocolate person?’

‘A hot chocolate would be great right now.’

They walk to the kitchen, and he sits at the island. She is humming as she makes the hot chocolate. It is an old soft jazzy tune.

He had never heard anything like it, making his assume that it’s an original.

She turns back, handing him a cup of hot chocolate. How long had they been down here? He couldn’t tell, having gotten lost in thought.

‘Do you want to talk about it?’

Normally Angel would’ve said no, but for some reason he knew she would understand and not judge him.

As he talked, she listened intently. She didn’t speak the entire time he spoke, fully giving him the floor and all her attention. Once he had finished talking, she asked a simple question.

‘Do you want to be free of him?’

Angel laughs.

‘Of course, I do kitty, but I kinda can’t unless he releases me himself and Val is not that type to give away his favorite toy.’

Cersei blinks and says in the same calm voice.

‘You are not an object Angel. If Val agreed, would you want to be free?’

Angel notices the seriousness in her eyes.

‘I would but I don’t want him killed. I don’t want that on my conscience.’

She thinks for a moment.

‘I can understand that. Do you have any other qualms?’

Angel at first was shocked she would even ask. Then he thinks for a moment.

‘You’re not gonna ask for my soul are ya?’

Cersei snickers at the comment.

‘I don’t ask for souls Angel; they are offered to me.’

He looks shocked.

‘Wait, really? Why?’

‘Lots of reasons, protection is common but a most just wanted a friend or a person in their corner, so they are not alone.’

‘Do I have to give you my soul for those things?’

‘No, the main reason is once I own a piece of their soul. They will pick a word and if they say it, I hear and appear. Sometimes they don’t have enough time to pick up a phone and call me.’

‘Like what Niffty does?’

‘Exactly what Niffty does. It doesn’t have to be ‘Mama’ it can be any word they want.’

 Angel thinks for a moment.

‘Does it have to be all of their soul?’

‘No, it can be however much or little the sinner choses. Niffty only gave me a third.’

‘Do you want my soul?’

Cersei blinks and starts laughing. A deep blush of embarrassment falls on his face.

‘I don’t want anyone’s soul, Angel. I just have them for easy connection if I’m needed.’

At that the blush lessens.

‘I want you to have a piece of mine.’

Her face grows serious.

‘What do you need in return?’

‘I want my freedom and I want someone in my corner.’

‘Angel, I want you to really think on this. We can revisit this in the morning.’

 Sensing a finality in her words, he nods.

Chapter Text

- Alastor POV –

It’s a late summer night in New Orleans, he is sitting at the base of a tree in the woods near downtown. It’s quiet, calm.

‘You falling asleep old man?’

She snickered lightly, making fun.

He looks up to where he heard the sound and there laying in a branch, he finds Vivian. Still laughing at her own joke, even though he is only two years older than her. She has her hair down in long black waves, her cheeks are rosy from her laughter. She is in her hunting clothes; a loose white button up, brown trousers and a pair a shoes that she could run in.

‘I am not either, smokey. I am simply enjoying the evening.’

‘Would you like to play a game?’

As he looks at her, he notices her eyes take a mischievous gleam. He knew that look; she wants to play.

‘What do you have in mind?’

She smirked.

‘How about a game of tag?’

His eyebrows shot up as he smiled. This game was a favorite of theirs.

‘Who’s it?’

‘Well, you of course, I was it last time. It’s your turn.’

‘Fair, I’ll count to ten.’

She shot up, standing on the branch and stepped off, landing on the ground gracefully with a light thud. Looking up at him, a good five inches shorter.

‘Ready when you are, smokey.’

Without his eyes leaving hers, he starts counting.

‘1’

She dashes fast, heading deeper into the forest.

‘2’

He’s lost visual.

‘3’

He wants to count faster but won’t.

‘4’

She will rip him a new one if he cheats.

‘5’

He can still hear her running.

‘6’

She’s laughing, in a daze from the game.

‘7’

He hears a branch break. She’s in a tree.

‘8, you know the trees are cheating.’

‘Only because you suck at climbing.’

‘9, everyone sucks in comparison to a cat.’

‘Fine, I’m down.’

He hears the thump when she lands.

‘10’

As the final number leaves his mouth, he bolts in the direction he heard her last. He spots her movement on the left; he turns catching up quickly. She is running slower than normal. She wants him to catch her. He does the same when she’s it. He’s right behind her, reaching out to grab her. She turns, he follows. She’s making it challenging.

Suddenly she trips on air, falling to the ground. He quickly reaches on top of her, pinning her down. As he paints from the exercise. She laughs, full bodied and loud from beneath him.

Her cheeks are pink from the run. She is a goddess. He leans down and kisses her. The kiss starts out soft but quickly builds to a faster, harsher pace full of passion. He breaks the kiss so they could breathe.

He freezes entirely.

No longer is he on top of Vivian but instead Cersei.

 She is looking at him with a look of longing as she slowly speaks.

‘Ma lumière, I am-’

Before she could finish, he wakes up.

What in the world kind of dream was that? More like a nightmare.

Why did his brain switch Vivian with Cersei? That makes absolutely zero sense.

Not wanting to dwell on the matter anymore, he gets ready for the day.

- Third Person POV –

Alastor makes his way to the balcony to meet Cersei, only to find her already there. Waiting on him.

‘Good morning, Phineas, hope you slept well.’

His eyes go wide.

‘Good morning, what an interesting question. Did you mess with my dreams?’

She blinks.

‘It’s not really, and no I don’t have that ability. Whatever you dreamt is all you.’

He moves to sit in his usual seat, directly in front of her. He goes to poor himself a cup of coffee only to find he already has a cup. When did he pour that?

‘I poured it just before you came out. I didn’t do anything to it.’

She says as she sips her own cup of coffee.

‘I thank you.’

A comfortable silence falls around them. After a few minutes, she speaks.

‘You said you had something you wanted to talk about?’

She offers, knowing she has to see Velvette in an hour.

‘Ah yes, I was wondering what your plans are.’

She blinks.

‘In regard to what?’

‘Everything.’

She thinks for a moment.

‘After this I am grabbing a coffee with Velvette then I am helping Charlie prepare for her interview.’

‘That’s all well and good but I was thinking a bit more in the future.’

‘Ah, after Charlie’s interview I have a job to do for Luci.’

His brows furrow.

‘Working already? You didn’t take a very long vacation.’

She chuckles.

‘I’m not on vacation. I don’t really take them. I have only taken one in my years.’

‘Really now? How long was this vacation.’

‘Well, it was supposed to be two years, but it got cut short.’

‘That’s quiet awhile. Where did you go?’

She doesn’t respond in words, only by pointing up while looking in his eyes.

‘You can actually go topsi-’

Angel pops open the door, cutting Alastor off, he looks at Cersei. He says with the up most certainty.

‘Hey, Kitty, I thought about it like you said. I want to give you half of my soul. In return I want my freedom from Val and for you to appear when I say kitty.’

She blinks, not expecting him to actually want to give her his soul.

‘Angel, it hasn’t even been 10 hours.’

He shakes his head.

‘I’m aware and I’m serious, Kitty. I want to make a deal with you.’

As he finishes his statement, he holds out his hand. She looks from his hand to his face and back before sighing.

‘Fine, but I have one condition.’

‘You name it.’

‘I want the half Val has.’

‘Done.’

She shakes his hand as dark black smoke waft from the point of contact. Her azure eyes turned a bright teal as the deal was made. To Alastor, it would appear she was burning him. Angel felt no pain, but a soft warmth caressing him like a parent welcoming home a child after a long time apart.

She turns back to Alastor.

‘Apologies, but I have a pest to deal with.’

Angel holds his hands up in a slow motion.

‘Wait, Kitty, you can’t kill him.’

‘If he gives me what I am due then he won’t die.’

Before anyone can respond, she dissipates.

Chapter Text

Appearing in Val’s room in the V Tower.

 He is sitting at a vanity / desk with his back to her. Even though she is visible in the mirror doesn’t notice her.

She leans on a table right behind him.  This is not the first time she has relieved Val of one of his deals and she doubts it will be the last. For some reason though, this feels personal, she’s never wanted to kill the moth before but when she heard what exactly he has done to Angel. She wants nothing more than to give the pest a slow painful end. Unsure when it started but she feels very protective over Angel, he deserves the world. Quickly shooting Vox a text out off courtesy.

{I won’t kill him, if he gives me what’s mine.}

In a low sultry whisper, she says.

‘Valentinooo.’

He jumps and freezes, he knows that voice. She has never visited him without setting up a meeting before.

Deep down he knew.

This was very bad.

‘It is rude to ignore your guest.’

Not wanting to make a bad situation worse, he crosses his arms as he turns the chair around and faces her.

‘What do I owe the pleasure, Miss. Baine?’

She crosses her arms to match his stance.

Her face holds a sinister smirk.

‘You have something of mine. I came by to retrieve it.’

Val’s face holds a cocky smirk full of fallacy.

‘And what may that be?’

Her smile grows slightly.

‘A soul. One of your actors to be precise. You just need to release both of you from the deal.’

His eye twitches.

‘And why would I do that?’

Her smile grows even more.

‘Because, Valentino, if you don’t, I’ll just have to remove the issue, you.’

His smile falls.

‘Who?’

‘Angle Dust.’

He stands abruptly, face flushed with anger as he yells.

‘You must be out of your fucking mind if you think I am just going to give you MY ANGEL!’

Her smile grows manic, eyes glowing a bright teal.

‘That’s the thing, he’s not your Angel, not anymore anyway.’

He takes three big steps towards her, getting in her face.

‘Who the fuck are you to think you can just waltz in here making demands?’

She doesn’t flinch, just staring at him with the same manic gaze.

Oh, how she wishes she could kill him, but Ang said no, she will respect his decision. That doesn’t mean she couldn’t play with him.. right?

‘I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this was me asking. Want me to show you demanding?’

Her had tilts to the side at the question.

He backs up but she follows staying in his space. When he stands up to his full height, she strikes his abdomen with a swift and hard blow. He leans over in a grunt. She grabs him by the back of his neck, bringing his face close to hers. She speaks in a cold calm, pale grey smoke bellows from her mouth with each word. Her smile grows harsh and manic as her teeth sharpen.

‘Lets me make this clear, Val, because I know you are not the brightest. Either you release your deal, or I will rip your still beating heart from your chest and shove it down your throat.’

He is shaking in her grip, trying to pull away but doesn’t let go, trying to save face he pulls his ‘trump card’.

‘You wouldn’t kill me. What would Vox think? He will destroy you for even thinking about touching me.’

Her face shows nothing but mania.

‘Oh really? Why don’t we give him a call?’

She reaches into Val’s pocket, pulling out his phone. Quickly unlocking it, calling Vox and putting the call on speaker. Neither of them says anything as he answers on the third ring.

‘She kill you yet?’

Cersei speaks first.

‘I told you I wouldn’t kill him Vox. Though he is making it rather difficult to restrain myself.’

Vox sighs through the phone.

‘Just give her what she wants Val. Quit being a fucking pain.’

Val sucks in a harsh breath.

‘You know what she wants?’

‘No and frankly, I don’t care.’

Before Val could even respond Vox speaks again.

‘Baine, I don’t care if you kill him anymore. Val, do whatever.’

With that he hangs up.

Cersei’s eyes hold Val in a trap, he can’t look away. She doesn’t move, keeping his face close to hers. He realizes now, there is no way he can keep both Angel and his life. She has him in a corner. For the first time since he has joined the V’s, Val is scared for his afterlife. He knows she can kill him without a second thought. There is no winning here, no way out. He can’t buy, fuck or threaten her to get her to comply. He only has one thing she wants and that’s Angel. With a defeated sigh.

‘Fine.’

She doesn’t move. Her face falls to a bored look.

‘Well, go on then. I don’t have all day.’

Not wanting to push his luck, Val releases his contract with Angel. As soon as its done Cersei throws the moth to the ground. Wiping her hands on her pants, she says.

‘Riveting seeing you as always.’

She turns to leave to meet up with Velvette when she stops and turns to face the moth still on the floor. Her voice stern and cold.

‘And Val, you even think about doing anything to Angel. I will give you a slow painful death.’

He nods frantically.

She calmly walks out the door of his apartment.

Chapter Text

As she steps into Velvette’s studio, she notices the usual ruckus that surrounds the studio.

Sinners running around franticly, fabric being thrown about and Vel shouting orders. Cersei walks up to the woman and hands her coffee.

‘Busy day.’

Velvette looks up to the woman.

‘Yea babes, very busy. Sorry we can’t step out; this needs to get done.’

Cersei nods.

‘No, it’s okay, I’ve always enjoyed watching you work. How you command a room.’

‘Doesn’t help that Vox is in a shit mood.’

She looks at Vel now.

‘Oh? Why’s that?’

Vel gives a knowing glare.

‘I think you know, someone tried to kill Val this morning.’

She can’t help but let out a little chuckle.

‘I do not try Vel, if I wanted him dead. He would be. I just wanted to play a bit because he was being difficult.’

She raises her cup.

‘Ain’t that a true statement, man doesn’t know how to shut up.’

She responds with her own giggle.

‘Vox won’t stay mad for long; this isn’t the first time I’ve released a soul from him or Val.’

Velvette nods in agreement.

‘Yea, never taken one from me though.’

‘Yes, but that’s because most of yours off themselves.’

Velvette laughs at the comment.

They continued talking for most of the day.

Back at the hotel.

Niffty and Angel are worried, for different reasons. Niffty is franticly cleaning when Angel approaches her.

‘Hey Niff, have you seen Kitty recently or like heard from her?’

He felt when Val released him from the deal, but he hasn’t heard from Cersei all day and he is starting to worry something happened to her.

Niffty stops her cleaning and looks at Angel.

‘No, I haven’t seen her since this morning. She’s been gone all day and I know she hasn’t eaten today.’

Alastor joins the conversation along with Charlie, Vaggie and Husker.

‘Why do you assume she hasn’t eaten? She is a grown woman. I’m certain she can remember to feed herself.’

Charlie responds a second before Niffty.

‘Aunt C is bad about caring for herself. She gets so focused on taking care of those important to her, that she doesn’t give much thought to anything else.’

‘Mama doesn’t eat when you don’t feed her. She just forgets she needs stuff like that, and she disappeared before I could give her breakfast this morning.’

Alastor thinks for a moment.

‘She didn’t even drink her coffee this morning. She poured me a cup but didn’t drink hers.’

Niffty looks like she’s about to cry as tears well up.

‘She hasn’t drunk or eaten anything all day?’

Angel sighs.

‘This is my fault, I showed up first thing to make a deal. I was only thinking of myself. It didn’t occur to me that she hadn’t eaten anything before she left.’

Charlie places a hand on his shoulder as Vaggie speaks.

‘A deal? Why did you make a deal?’

Angel looks at Husk.

‘I-’

Before he could finish his sentence, he is cut off by Cersei.

‘You don’t need to answer that Ang.’

Vaggie responds in anger.

‘And why not? If you are making deals in this hotel, we deserve to know.’

Cersei picks up Niffty as the little woman bolts to her, placing the woman on her shoulders. Niffty is quick to start playing with her hair and ears.

‘It was not my intention in visiting your hotel to make deals, and I made him think it though before I agreed.’

She turns to Angel before continuing.

‘Also, Val has been dealt with, don’t worry he is still alive, though his ego may be bruised.’

Angel releases some of the tension in his stance.

‘Wait, how did you deal with one of the V’s?’

Cersei turns to Vaggie.

‘Simple, I asked him to release his deal with Angel and when he argued, I got a little more persuasive.’

As she finishes speaks, her face lifts to a small smile as she relives the memory.

‘Great now the V’s are gonna be on our ass and try to retaliate.’

Cersei’s face gives nothing away as she responds to the little fallen executioner.

‘Well, Velvette was a doll as usual, and I gave Vox warning before I dealt with the moth and Val should just be grateful, he is still of this plain.’

Sensing an end to the conversation, Niffty jumps down and looks up at Cersei.

‘Are you ready for dinner?’

Cersei gives a loving smile as her eyes soften.

‘Yes, little one, but I would like to shower first. V Tower always makes me feel sticky.’

Before she leaves, she apologizes to Charlie for not being able to practice for her upcoming interview in a few days.

As she makes her way through the hallway, Angel follows her up to her room.

‘Kitty, I just wanted to make sure you’re okay and all.’

She turns to face him.

‘Ang, don’t beat yourself up about this. I would give you the world with a smile if you asked.’

Angel looks at her face, trying to decipher what she means by that. The only thing he can see on her face is care.

‘Alright, thank you Kitty.’

She pulls him in for a hug as she whispers.

‘Anything for you.’

For the first time since he has been in hell, he believes the statement.

As Cersei leaves to enter her room, she finds herself wondering when she got a new kid. She doesn’t know exactly when it happened, but she views Angel the same way she views Niffty. With a final thought, she starts her shower.

‘Guess I have another kid.’

She smiles at the thought.
Her family is growing again, and it brings her nothing but joy.

Chapter Text

After her shower, she is still brimming with unused energy.

This is bad.

 Unused energy will lead to unsound decisions. She wonders if she can ask Charlie. Besides Luci, Charlie is the only one that she won’t have to hold back in fear that the other dies. It can’t hurt to ask.

Cersei now stands outside Charlie’s room, after a deep breath she knocks. She hears the footsteps come towards the door, she is too lost in her thoughts to decern who the foot falls belong to.

Vaggie opens the door.

‘Cersei, can I help you?’

Vaggie watched Cersei’s eyes widen as she noticeably stills.

‘Oh... Uhm is Charlie available?’

Vaggie has never heard Cersei sound like this before, so unsure of herself. Without another world, Vaggie walks back into the room as Cersei follows as she leads her to Charlie sitting on the floor in front of the bed.

‘Char, Cersei wanted to speak with you.’

Charlie sits up straighter.

‘Aunt C is everything okay?’

Cersei stops in front of her niece.

‘Yes, I just wanted to know if you wanted to go for a spare?’

Charlies’ eyebrows shoot up in understanding. She takes a side glance to her girlfriend before speaking.

‘Well, you see I totally would but I... have a headache so I can’t. But you should spare with Vaggie! She is a really good fighter.’

Both Cersei and Vaggie look shocked at the suggestion. After a long pause Cersei speaks first slowly. She knows what Charlie is trying to do.

‘That wouldn’t be a terrible idea. Only if Vaggie is okay with it, that is.’

Charlie beams with excitement. Vaggie still looks shocked, but she nods.

‘It could be fun, I guess.’

Cersei returns her nod.

‘Are you ready now? If you need a moment, I will be out front.’

Without another word, Cersei dissipates from the room back to her own to change into proper attire.

Vaggie turns to her girlfriend once Cersei is gone.

‘What are you doing?’

‘I have no idea what you mean.’

‘Charlie, you don’t have a headache. I’m not even sure you can even get those.’

‘I just want my girlfriend and my aunt to get along, Vaggie.’

With a defeated sigh, Vaggie gets changed into sparing attire.

Cersei is already outside with Niffty, Angel and Husk when Vaggie and Charlie arrive. They stop their conversation when the two walk outside. Cersei looks to Vaggie.

‘Should we stretch first?’

‘That would be a good idea.’

Vaggie and Cersei head to the roundabout to start their stretching. A few moments later, Cersei drops into a deep split. Angel lets out a wolf whistle.

‘Damn Kitty, didn’t know you were so bendy.’

Cersei just rolls her eyes with a smirk.

After finishing their stretching, Vaggie looks to Cersei before asking.

‘Weapons, or no?’

‘I will not be using weapons but if you are more comfortable with them that’s fine.’

‘I’ll keep my spear then.’

The two stand face to face a few feet apart, waiting, analyzing.

Vaggie rushes forward to strike Cersei in the gut, but she sidesteps just when the spear was about to land. Cersei swipes up a clawed hand to disarm.

Vaggie steps back abruptly with a scoff. Cersei doesn’t let up as she encroaches Vaggies space. She goes to spear her again, but Cersei repeats her previous movements, faster this time. The spear clangs to the ground. Cersei angels in a way that keeps Vaggie from reaching her spear.

Vaggie responds by throwing a punch, Cersei ducks and sweeping a leg out knocks Vaggie off her feet. The second Vaggie lands with a thud, Cersei has her pinned. Her own spear angled to her neck.

‘I appear to have won. Would you like to go again?’

Vaggie huffs as Cersei helps her to her feet.

‘Best 2 out of 3?’

They continued to spare as 2 out of 3 turns into 3 out of 5 and so on.

‘Damn, Kitty sure can fight.’

They all keep watching from their vantage point as Charlie and Niffty respond.

‘I knew they would enjoy sparing with each other.’

‘Mama loves playing.’

‘Nif, they’re not playing. They are sparing.’

Before Niffty can respond, Alastor appears next to the group. He squints as he watches the two women spare.

‘It would appear Niffty is correct. Cersei is playing with Vaggie.’

At hearing her name come from the Radio Demon, she halts her movements and turns to the overlord. In turn Vaggie also stops her advance.

‘I beg your pardon?’

‘You are excused.’

Vaggie yells to Alastor for stopping the spare she was actually enjoying.

‘Hey! Where do you get off saying she in not taking this seriously!?’

‘I am simply making an observation in agreement with Niffty here.’

Cersei sighs.

‘It is not that I am not taking it seriously.’

She turns to face Vaggie before continuing.

‘I am taking this seriously, you are an excellent fighter, Vaggie. But I do have to hold back to a degree. The only people I can fight all out are Luci and Charlie.’

Vaggie goes to argue. Cersei holds up a hand to stop her as she continues.

‘Even if you are a former exorcist. I cannot in good conscious fight you all out.’

At this Vaggie stills, eye wide.

‘How did you know that?’

Cersei blinks.

‘Is it a secret?’

‘Well, no, I mean kind of.’

Charlie buts in.

‘Sorry Vaggie, I should have told you Aunt C can see souls.’

‘Charlie, I think you and Vaggie should have this conversation privately.’

Charlie and Vaggie nod before walking away.

Alastor takes this as an invitation to keep talking.

Chapter Text

‘Such a shame the show had to end so soon.’

‘Soon? They’ve been sparing for two hours now, Smiles.’

Alastor’s eyebrows raise at the statement.

‘And we would’ve kept sparing if Carter could keep his mouth shut.’

Alastor’s smile strained.

‘Are you ever going to use my name properly?’

Cersei’s eyes took on a mischievous glow as her face took on a Cheshire grin.

‘I’ll fight you for it.’

Alastor tilts his head to the side in question.

‘Fight me for what exactly?’

‘If you beat me in a fight, I’ll use your name properly.’

He took a moment to think.

‘And if you win?’

She snickered.

‘Already losing confidence?’

He moved closer to her in the roundabout.

‘HA, no. I just want to know what I am wagering.’

She thinks for a moment as he continues to move closer. Then she remembered what Niffty had told her about his room.

‘Trees. If I win, I would like for you to put trees in my room.’

He stilled completely; he was not expecting her to want that. She could have asked for his soul or anything. Trying to appear cool and calm, he asked.

‘What kind of trees?’

‘Water oak and weeping willows.’

She answered immediately, they were her favorite and she missed them dearly.

He knew those trees; they grew in his hometown of New Orleans, but he wondered how she knew them.

‘If you win, I will only use your name when speaking to and about you. If I win, you will put water oak and weeping willows in my room.’

He thought for a moment, then outstretched his hand.

‘Sounds like a deal.’

Green light emanated from his outstretched hand. She shook her head, loose obsidian curls swaying in the motion.

‘No need for formalities, I trust you.’

This took him by surprise, she trusted him but won’t use his name. Ridiculous. He would have accused her of lying if he didn’t already know that she was incapable of the action. He turned to walk a couple feet away from her.

They both stand facing the other. After a beat, she speaks with a mocking bow.

‘After you, good sir.’

He thought she may be joking. So, he waited. After five minutes, she was still standing patiently.

Seeing she was not going to make the first move; he shot out a black tendril. As the tendril rushes towards her chest, she stays unmoving. The tendril reaches its intended target and passes through as if it was stabbing through smoke. He slices another tendril at an angel, only for the same thing to happen. He retracts both before saying.

‘It is not very fair, my darling.’

She flinches at the name.

‘Hmm, alright. Fair is fair.’

Visually, nothing changes but Alastor could almost feel her become tangible. Not wasting a second, he shoots out another tendril, aiming for her face. She just barely tilts her head in time. Before he could retract the tendril, she reaches out a clawed hand and grabs ahold of the tendril. With a sly smirk, the tendril dissipates into a dark black smoke.

The back and forth continues, he would strike, and she would barely dodge only retaliating to transform his tendril into smoke.  

Charlie and Vaggie had come back outside.

Niffty’s face holds worry because the scene in front of her reminds her of her nightmare. Angle notices.

‘You alright there, Niff?’

Niffty only nods.

‘Kitty and Smiles are playing, not fighting. No need to worry.’

Charlie chimes in, trying to soothe Niffty’s worry.

‘Yea, as long as he doesn’t draw blood, it should be fine.’

As if she had spoken it into existence, the group turns back to the fight just as Alastor sends a tendril to her face. She tilts her head to dodge the attack.

Everything goes silent.

 Everyone watches in horror as a drip of sliver blood makes its way down her face from a cut on her left cheek.

Her eyes glow teal as her smile grows.

Suddenly she is in front of Alastor, she jabs a clawed hand directly to his face. He leans back to avoid but she shoves him down with her other hand. She straddles his waist as she pins him to the ground.

 Leaning forward in his face, she brings up her right hand and drags her clawed pointer finger across his cheek. Perfectly mirroring her own injury.

Lost in her own mind, she leans down and licks the blood that started to drip from his face.

Eyes closed she hums.

‘Delicious as ever, my love.’

As she opens her eyes, she sees a blushing Alastor.

Quickly, she leans up.

‘Apologies, I seem to have gotten carried away.’

As soon as the words left her mouth, Alastor shifts.

In a blink they have swapped positions, with Alastor now being on top. He leans his hips forward; she feels his bulge pressing against her core. She looks up at him with a wide eye as she takes in his features.

His eyes are half lidded, a rosy blush is spread across his cheeks, his smile is calm but strained and his breaths are coming in rapid beats. Before she could say anything, he leans down copying her earlier movements as he swipes his hot tongue against her cheek to collect the fallen blood. Her breath hitches. He pulls back slightly, and he says in a daze.

‘Truly delectable, smokey.’

She stills, eyes wide and she dissipates from her pinned position, completely vanishing from the area. Finally comprehending what he had just done, Alastor sits up abruptly and without another word, he shadows back to his radio tower.

Angel spoke first.

‘Can someone explain to me what the fuck just happened.’

Chapter Text

- Alastor POV –

Why did he do that? Why did he call her those names? Just why?

He had no answers. His body reacted to Cersei as if she is Vivian. Could she, no! That is not possible.

He would know if it was her.

He sits on the edge of his bed with his head in his hands.

He thinks back to the fight, if it could even be called that towards the end. The mischief in her eyes, the Cheshire grin, the weight of her on him, the feel of her beneath him, her taste. All of it is so familiar, that it confused him in the moment.

Wait.

He remembered one of the first conversations he heard about the damned feline.

“You just kind of eat souls and even then, it’s only the really bad ones.”

She eats souls.

Could it be that she ate Vivian’s soul before he had the chance to meet up with her down here?

The thought alone makes his blood boil.

That was the reason. She had ate Vivian’s soul and now has her attributes.

His eye twitches as he comes up with a plan.

- Cersei POV –

He was messing with her.

After all this time, why now does she have entertainment value? What changed? Maybe because they are under the same roof?

Cruel.

For the first time since she has known him.

He was cruel.

Her heart aches as she sits on her floor. The interview was tomorrow. She had to rest if she was to be on her A game for Charlie.

She doesn’t know how long she is stewing in her thoughts before a knocking is heard at her door. Once the door opens, she sees Niffty and Angel waiting for her.

Niffty holds up a plate of food and Angel has a cup of tea. She lets out a soft laugh.

‘How cute. My kids are bringing me comfort.’

Niffty smiles wide as Angel rubs the back of his head with a soft smile.

She lets them in, and they sit in the sitting area of her room.

- Third Person POV -

After she had eaten, Angel speaks up first.

‘Can I ask what that was about, Kitty?’

She looks down but nods. He deserved to know. She sends out her smoke to make a sound barrier around the room.

‘I suppose so. Remember a couple weeks back when I spent all day drinking?’

Angel nods as Niffty moves to sit on Cersei’s lap, trying to provide comfort.

‘Yea, you said it was about your love dying.’

Cersei nods.

‘Long story short, the man I love is Alastor.’

Angel sits straighter.

‘What do you mean? If you love each other why do you argue all the time?’

‘Because he doesn’t love me, Angel.’

Tears well in her and Niffty’s eyes.  She hated this story, it always made Mama cry.

‘What do you mean?’

Cersei sighed.

‘When I first saw him down here, it was for an overlord meeting. He looked at me, saw me, turned away and did not look at me again. I tried talking to him after the meeting, but he just left.’

Angel’s face held shock. This is not what he was expecting, he was expecting hate filled tenson boiling over but not…this.

‘Maybe he didn’t recognize you.’

Cersei let out a humorless laugh as a single tear falls.

‘My human form looks very similar to this form. I’m tanner without the cat ears and tail but everything else is the same.’

Angel was speechless.

No wonder her eyes held so much hurt and pain that day. She came down here to meet up with her love only to find him not wanting her anymore. Now she is forced to see and interact with him every day. She couldn’t even find peace in his death knowing he would be down here because he dismissed her.

He treats her like a stranger.

That thought pissed Angel off. How could Alastor do this? Because she wasn’t entertaining anymore?! If anything, she is more entertaining now!

Understanding that look on Angel, she interrupts his stewing by placing a hand on his shoulder.

‘Angie, it is okay, I am fine.’

His eyebrows scrunch in question.

‘I know that look.’

She says calmly with a soft smile. Niffty speaks in a mumble.

‘Can we sleep now?’

Cersei and Angel look down to the little woman. Cersei lets out of soft chuckle.

‘Of course, tiny, it is rather late. Angie, will you be sleeping with us?’

Before Angel could respond, Niffty raises her hands in celebration.

‘Sleep over!’

Angel and Cersei laugh.

‘Would that be okay?’

Cersei nods as she stands with Niffty in her arms.

‘Yes, you are always welcome here Angel.’

He smiles as he stands to head to bed.

They spend the next hour doing skincare, telling stories until they all fall into a deep peaceful sleep.

The next morning, the group head down to breakfast. Alastor is nowhere to be seen.

Cersei is dressed in a black suit with a white button up complementing Charlies red suit. They meet up with Charlie and Vaggie in the dining room. After everyone is done eating, Cersei looks to Charlie.

‘Are you ready to go?’

Charlie looks up and nods excitedly.

‘Yes ma’am, ready when you are.’

Cersei nods, grabbing ahold on Charlie’s hand and bidding farewell to the occupants of the hotel.

‘Alright, we’re going to phase now.’

She waits for Charlie to confirm she’s ready.

In a blink they appear in Vox’s office.

Vox looks up.

‘Ah, Welcome. We need to go over some minor changes for the interview later today.’

Chapter Text

Cersei remains calm as Charlie looks surprised.

‘Changes? What are we changing?’

Charlie is internally freaking out trying hard not to spiral because this is not what they planned. Cersei notices, placing a hand on her shoulder.

‘Now let’s hear him out, he wouldn’t change anything without reason.’

Vox grins.

‘It is not a big change, don’t worry. It’s just a time strain, the interview may be a bit shorter than we originally planned.’

Charlie seems to calm down at this statement.

Cersei blinks.

‘Charlie, do you mind waiting outside for a moment.’

Charlie nods in understanding before quickly leaving. Cersei doesn’t move as she turns to looks at Vox.

‘What game are you playing?’

Vox shows nothing as he looks at Cersei. Truthfully, he’s pissed and is going to make her suffer.

‘There is no game, there was a scheduling error and that lead us to be pressed on time.’

Cersei raises a quizzical brow.

‘Alright, just remember who you are dealing with.’

Cersei stands to get Charlie and head to Velvette for any wardrobe changes.

Five minutes before interview start, Vox is greeting his audience. The camera pans over the small studio audience of about 50 sinners, three camera men and two sinners holding up que cards to the audience. Vox’s face holds his tv winning smile as he speaks in a charismatic voice.

‘Hello and welcome back, tonight we have live never before seen Vox Network exclusive interview with Princess Charlotte Morningstar!’

Vox goes through the usual motions of his show before finally getting to Charlie.

‘Now, everyone please give a big round of applause for Princess Charlotte.’

A que card with the word APPLAUSE written on it is held up to the audience as they clap. Charlie takes a calming deep breathe as Cersei whispers with a comforting hand.

‘You can do this. I’m right here if you need me.’

Charlie makes her way on stage and sits on the couch to the side of Vox’s desk.

‘Princess, such an honor to have you on tonight!’

Charlie looks stiff as she responds to Vox.

‘It’s great to be here and please call me Charlie.’

‘You are here tonight to talk about your passion project.’

‘Yes, the Hazbin Hotel.’

‘And what are you trying to accomplish with this humble endeavor?’

‘We are working towards the goal of redemption.’

‘And what success have you had.’

‘Well, we have had one of our residences ascend.’

Vox’s eyebrows raise.

‘Oh really, and who might that have been?’

‘Sir Pentious.’

Vox lets out a laugh as the audience joins in.

‘That coward did not ascend; he was obliterated by Adam. I have it on camera.’

‘Yes, but in doing so he sacrificed himself to save another which in turn lead him to be redeemed.’

‘You heard it her first folks. If you want to be redeemed, all you need to do is this.’

He points to a screen as it shows Sir Pentious being vaporized by Adam.

Charlie stills, that is not what she meant. He was twisting her words.

‘How do you even know he ascended?’

‘Emily the Seraphim told me when he arrived at the pearly gates.’

‘Oh. So, you don’t have any proof. You are just trusting an angel’s word.’

‘That’s not what-’

‘So, she gave you proof?’

‘Well, no but I-’

‘Just took her word without any proof.’

Charlie is getting overwhelmed by Vox. She can’t speak without fear that he will twist her words against her. She looks from Vox to off camera to where her aunt is standing. Cersei is smoking, literally, the tips of her ears and hair are diffusing into a dark stream of smoke.

Charlie gives her aunt a firm nod before standing up and walking off stage. Cersei looks at her niece as she passes by, tears well in the princess’s eyes. She looks back to Vox as they have a conversation silently between the two.

[Are you sure you want to play this game, Vox?]

[Yes, and I intend to win.]

Vox not missing a beat, carries on.

‘Looks like it’s time for our surprise guest, the Boogey Man herself, Cersei V. Baine.’

Cersei walks on stage with poise and grace. As she sits down, she sits relaxed and smiles to Vox.

‘Cersei, such an honor to finally have you on my show!’

Cersei responds sweetly.

‘Well, you were so very insistent in your near constant begging. It was only fair to humor you.’

Vox’s screen glitches slightly at the comment.

‘You have been gone for three years. What have you been up to?’

Cersei leans back, completely calm under the scrutiny of the camera.

‘I was doing a job for a Sin. Now I am enjoying some down time before my next job.’

‘Which Sin?’

‘Asmodeus.’

‘Ah yes, I heard that you are quite the little songbird. Am I correct?’

‘That would be correct. Though just because you are taller than me doesn’t make me little.’

‘I heard that you could tell what song it is just by the first couple of notes and that you don’t need to rehearse or practice.’

Cersei nods, trying to understand what angle Vox is trying.

‘That would be correct. If it’s a song that I wrote, that is.’

Vox grin turns manic, right where he wants her.

‘Would you be willing to put that trick to the test?’

She laughs as she shakes her head.

‘That is not necessary.’

‘Think of it as a favor to an old friend.’

She stills her laughing. He’s got her in a corner.

Keeping her smile as the tips of her ears turn into a long trail of dark smoke.

‘Well, when you put it like that who am I to say no.’

She stands to make her way to the stage as the crowd roars in applause.

The microphone is already set up and the band is ready. This was his plan all along; she should have known but at the same time she never would have seen this coming.

She stands behind the mic and readies herself. He could play any song; he’s known her long enough. Anything from her time with Beelzebub to Asmodeus. Anything from Sad Soulful to Party Pop to Lustful Love songs. She prepared herself for anything.

As the song starts, she freezes eyes wide. She knows the song at the first note, but how does Vox know this song? Then she remembers, Vox was friends with Alastor a long time ago. Could he have told him but why?

Not wanting to miss her que, she starts singing.

‘Wrapped me in your arms, leaned in and whispered.

Keep me in your heart.

I’m so bewildered.’

She fixes herself as she sings. She will not mess up this song, it means too much to her.

‘What’s this new desire called?

I didn’t know that much at all ‘bout love before but now, I think I’m learning.’

As she sings, the crowd stills, seemingly under a trance.

‘You bewitched me,

From the first second you kissed me

Waited all night,

Then ran down the street in the late Orleans night.

The world froze around us, you kissed me good night.

You bewitch me.

Every damn second, you’re with me.

I try to think straight but I’m falling so badly,

I’m coming apart.

You wrote me a note, cast a spell on my heart and bewitched me.’

The crowd starts to slowly move to Cersei as she finds her groove in her performance.

Bewitched me

As she becomes more in tune with her performance, the crowd becomes more unstable.

Some members crying, others wanting nothing more than to get to the singer.

The guards are struggling to keep them at bay.

‘You’re not even gone,

I already miss you.

What’s going on?

I’ve never been through,

This all-consuming fire fuming,

Cursing at the moon and losing all control and crying

‘Cause I think I’m falling,

You bewitched me,

From the first time that you kissed me.’

A solemn smile falls on her face.

‘Waited all night,

Then ran down the street in the late Orleans night.

The world froze around us, you kissed me good night.

You bewitch me.

Every damn second, you’re with me.

I try to think straight but I’m falling so badly,

I’m coming apart.

You wrote me a note, cast a spell on my heart,

And bewitched me.’

A single tear makes its way down her face at the memories.

‘Bewitched.’

The crowd is growing rowdier as they push through the guards.

‘You bewitched me.’

As her song finishes, Cersei goes into a deep bow. As she looks up a Cheshire grin is plastered on her face and with a tilt of her head, she vanishes into a cloud of dark black smoke. As she appears before Charlie, they watch from the green room screens as the stage room turns into chaos.

‘Are you alright, Charlie?’

‘Aunt C, what did you do to them?’

With her smile still in place, she looks at Charlie.

‘I gave them a bit of my rage.’

Charlie nods as they phase back to the hotel.  

Cersei leaves her niece in the lobby as she leaves to her room.

Chapter Text

Morning of the Interview

- Alastor POV –

He waited until she left before he made his way down from his radio tower. He was not hiding in fear but waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Simply bidding his time until the perfect moment when her guard was down.

Later in the day, everyone was down in the sitting room with their eyes glued to the picture box, waiting for the interview to start. Husk, Vaggie and Alastor sitting on the couch with Angel and Niffty sitting on the floor. Right on time, the tv shows the opening scene for ‘Late Night with Vox!’ with some catchy jingle. Alastor can’t help but roll his eyes at the idiotic display. With a false looking grin Vox speaks.

 ‘Hello and welcome back, tonight we have live never before seen Vox Network exclusive interview with Princess Charlotte Morningstar!’

Vaggie looks annoyed at the use of Charlie’s full name. Alastor is on the verge of leaving as Vox goes through the usual motions of his show before finally getting to Charlie.

‘Now, everyone please give a big round of applause for Princess Charlotte.’

The echo of applause is heard through the room from the tv.

Charlie makes her way on stage and sits on the couch to the side of Vox’s desk.

Vaggie and Angel sit up straighter at the sight of the woman. Angel says what everyone is thinking.

‘Charlie looks nervous.’  

‘Princess, such an honor to have you on tonight!’

Charlie looks stiff as she responds to Vox.

‘It’s great to be here and please call me Charlie.’

‘You are here tonight to talk about your passion project.’

‘Yes, the Hazbin Hotel.’

‘And what are you trying to accomplish with this humble endeavor?’

Vaggie scuffs.

‘Humble? As if and it’s not a passion project!’

Charlie replies calmly but the nerves are still evident in her posture.

‘We are working towards the goal of redemption.’

‘And what success have you had.’

‘Well, we have had one of our residences ascend.’

Vox’s eyebrows raise.

‘Oh really, and who might that have been?’

‘Sir Pentious.’

Vox lets out a laugh as the audience joins in.

‘That coward did not ascend; he was obliterated by Adam. I have it on camera.’

‘Yes, but in doing so he sacrificed himself to save another which in turn lead him to be redeemed.’

‘You heard it her first folks. If you want to be redeemed, all you need to do is this.’

Vox points to a screen as it shows Sir Pentious being vaporized by Adam.

Everyone, besides Alastor, stills at the sight.

‘This is bull shit! He’s totally steam rolling her!’

‘He’s twisting her words, that’s not what she meant, and he knows it.’

The rest of Charlie’s interview went on the same. Vox would talk over her and whenever she did answer, he would twist her words. The poor dear looked uncomfortable as she looks off screen and nods. Then she slowly stands and walks off screen. Vox’s eyes follow the moments then he holds that position for a moment before he continues blabbering.

‘Looks like it’s time for our surprise guest, the Boogey Man herself, Cersei V. Baine.’

Angel jumps as Niffty tilts her head.

‘I didn’t know Kitty was doing an interview?’

Niffty answers Angel’s question.

‘It wasn’t in the plan.’

Confusion settles on everyone watching the scene unfold as Cersei walks on stage with poise and grace. As she sits down, she sits relaxed and smiles to Vox.

‘Cersei, such an honor to finally have you on my show!’

Cersei responds sweetly.

‘Well, you were so very insistent in your near constant begging. It was only fair to humor you.’

Vox’s screen glitches slightly at the comment.

Angel and Niffty laugh as Husk speaks.

‘Oh, Sei is pissed. Give’em hell!’

After a moment Vox continues.

‘You have been gone for three years. What have you been up to?’

Cersei leans back, completely calm under the scrutiny of the camera.

‘I was doing a job for a Sin. Now I am enjoying some down time before my next job.’

‘Which Sin?’

‘Asmodeus.’

‘Ah yes, I heard that you are quite the little songbird. Am I correct?’

‘That would be correct. Though just because you are taller than me doesn’t make me little.’

‘I heard that you could tell what song it is just by the first couple of notes and that you don’t need to rehearse or practice.’

Cersei nods. It was the only break from the breakneck pace they were speaking. She was responding just as fast as he asked the questions.

‘That would be correct. If it’s a song that I wrote, that is.’

Vox grin turns creepy.

‘Would you be willing to put that trick to the test?’

Cersei laughs as she shakes her head. Everyone in the room can tell it’s a fake laugh.

‘That is not necessary.’

‘Think of it as a favor to an old friend.’

Cersei stops laughing, keeping her smile as the tips of her ears turn into a long trail of dark smoke.

Niffty and Husk speak in unison.

‘Uh oh, Mama’s mad.’

‘Oh shit, Sei’s pissed.’

Alastor spares a glance to the two and he see’s a mix of fear and worry.

Cersei speaks sickly sweet as the dark trails of smoke continue.

‘Well, when you put it like that who am I to say no.’

She stands to make her way to the stage as the crowd roars in applause.

The microphone is already set up and the band is ready. She stands behind the mic.

As soon as the melody begins Alastor stills. He knows this song.

‘I didn’t know she sang covers.’

Niffty looks almost offended.

‘Mama writes all her own songs. She doesn’t do covers.’

Of course, she does, he knew the woman who wrote this song, she had written it for him. Before he could argue more, she starts singing and he feels the air leave his lungs.

‘Wrapped me in your arms, leaned in and whispered.

Keep me in your heart.

I’m so bewildered.’

He stares wide eyed as his smile falls a fraction.

‘What’s this new desire called?

I didn’t know that much at all ‘bout love before but now, I think I’m learning.’

It was Vivian’s voice echoing through the screen.

‘You bewitched me,

From the first second you kissed me

Waited all night,

Then ran down the street in the late Orleans night.

The world froze around us, you kissed me good night.

You bewitch me.

Every damn second, you’re with me.

I try to think straight but I’m falling so badly,

I’m coming apart.

You wrote me a note, cast a spell on my heart and bewitched me.’

It’s not possible, he watches in horror as Cersei sings with his lover’s voice.

Bewitched me

He feels all the emotions from the first time he heard the song come rushing at him.

‘You’re not even gone,

I already miss you.

What’s going on?

I’ve never been through,

This all-consuming fire fuming,

Cursing at the moon and losing all control and crying

‘Cause I think I’m falling,

You bewitched me,

From the first time that you kissed me.’

A solemn smile falls on his face.

‘Waited all night,

Then ran down the street in the late Orleans night.

The world froze around us, you kissed me good night.

You bewitch me.

Every damn second, you’re with me.

I try to think straight but I’m falling so badly,

I’m coming apart.

You wrote me a note, cast a spell on my heart,

And bewitched me.’

He doesn’t notice the tears that well in his eyes at the memories.

‘Bewitched.’

He watches as the crowd grows rowdier as they push through the guards and make their way on screen.

‘You bewitched me.’

As the song finishes, Cersei goes into a deep bow as she looks up a Cheshire grin is plastered on her face and with a tilt of her head, she vanishes into a cloud of dark black smoke. Suddenly, he becomes full of rage as his mind comes up with the solution.

[She stole her voice, her song and is parading them around as if they are hers.]

Chapter Text

Screw the plan, he needed answers now.

He shadows to outside her door and raises his hand to knock before stopping himself. Why would he knock? To be a gentleman? She doesn’t deserve his shivery.

He whips to door open as he shoots.

‘CERS-’

The words die on his tongue as he takes in the scene in front of him. She is topless with her back turned to him but that is not what halts his words. Her back is covered in silver scars; burns, craved marks and what looks like whip scars are covering her back. He knew these scars; he had memorized them over the course of 18 months. Only one person can have scars like these, in exactly the same spots and patterns.

She jumps at the sudden noise as she quickly pulls on her hoodie and turns around, ears twitching as she scolds him.

‘Alastor! It is rude to barge into someone’s room without knocking!’

He isn’t paying attention to her yelling, too distracted as the dots finally connect in his mind.

Still standing in the doorway, unblinking, all radio static gone as he slowly says.

‘Vivian.’

She stills, eyes widening before falling back to her stoic bored expression, but her ears flatten, giving away her displeasure.

‘Don’t call me that, you lost that right a long time ago.’

He tilts his head in confusion.

‘When did I lose my right to call my darling by her name?’

Her heart pangs at his statement spoken with false confusion. He was trying to make a fool of me, she thought. Standing her ground, leaning on her anger if he wanted a walk down memory lane, she would gladly guide him.

‘You lost every right when you looked at me as if I was a stranger as if I was nothing.’

His face only became more confused as he blinks.

‘Why didn’t you set me straight?’

She scoffs.

‘Oh, don’t pretend you didn’t know, Alastor. You are no fool.’

His heart leaps as she says his name, but a pang is quick to follow at her words. She thought he knew.

‘I am a fool.’

Her building anger falls, brows furrowed in confusion.

‘You didn’t know?’

He shacks his head and takes a step forward. She looks up at him with wide eyes, tears wanting to well. This is all too overwhelming. As he raises his hand to caress her face, she vanishes. Leaving Alastor in a stunned silence only one thought running through his mind on repeat. She thought I knew.

Cersei appears in the only place she felt safe in this moment. She collapses to her knee and lets out a strained cry like scream as her grief and heart break comes out in waves of all-consuming pitch-black smoke.

Hearing the noise, Lucifer runs to the room, and he finds the room suffocated in a solid black smoke, leaving no visibility. Not caring about anything but finding the woman he views as his sister; he leaves to door open to hopefully give him some visibility and trudges through the smoke. Finally finding her, he places a hand on her shoulder as he speaks softly.

‘Cers, Cersei, come back to me. What happened?’

After a few minutes of trying, she responds coldly with a far of look in her eyes.

‘He did not know.’

‘Who didn’t know what, Cers?’

‘Alastor. Did. Not. Know. All this time, I thought he didn’t care about me anymore, but he didn’t even know it was me. That I was right here. I am right here, Luci, right here.’

As she says the last thing, she looks into the king’s eyes. Her eyes are growing less distant but more solemn.  

‘I know, Cers, I know.’

He brings the woman into a much-needed hug. Whether it was for her or him, neither could tell.

After a long while, Lucifer managed to get Cersei off the floor and to her room. It is rare to see Cersei like this, even rarer to have her go nonverbal. She is always one to talk things out, but she has not uttered a word since their conversation earlier.  Giving her time to process, he leaves her alone as he makes his way back to his office.

The next day, Lucifer is sitting at the dining room table when she makes her way down. Not a hair out of place, he second guessed himself if yesterday actually happened. She looks at him and speaks once she made her way to the table.

‘I would like to apologize for my actions yesterday.’

He blinks.

‘Cers, you don’t need to apologize. Do you want to talk about it?’

She holds up her hand to halt the conversation.

‘That is not necessary.’

‘I think it would be best if we talked about it.’

‘No.’

She stands from the table and turns to leave but before she leaves, she says.

‘I will be leaving shortly to complete the task. I will be back in two days. If possible, I would like to stay here after I return.’

‘That’s fine, you are welcome for as long as you need.’

Without another word she leaves to pack her bag to ready for her departure.

She looked fine, but her demeanor. She was cold and did not meet his eyes, it was very unlike them.

Lucifer was growing more concerned for his sister.

Chapter Text

Sitting in a café, top side, Cersei is in her human form sipping on a tea as she reads the file.

The target is Simon Smith, 42.

He made the deal in his early 30’s after his business’s stocks crashed causing him to go bankrupt. He is not a terrible person, but he is far from a saint. Even though Luci gave him all the money he could want, he launders money and actively commits tax fraud, not to mention the infidelity.

A man taken over by his greed.

Cersei can’t help but roll her eyes behind her round glasses, the gull of man. Nothing is ever enough. She comes up with a plan as she finished her tea. Standing to leave she can’t help but smirk thinking, this is going to be fun.

Over the course of the day, she stalked him.

He would be walking and out of the corner of his eye he would see a cat. At first brushing it off, but slowly throughout the day he realized it is the same cat. He was walking back to his home with a few acquaintances when he saw glowing eyes staring at him in a tree. He stops abruptly and points to the tree.

‘You boys see that right?’

They stop and look to where their boss was pointing in the empty tree.

‘The tree? What about it?’

He shakes his head and grabs a flashlight.

‘No, not the tree the fucking cat that’s been following us all day with glowing eyes.’

He shines the light in the tree but as the light hits the eyes it shows, nothing. When the light is removed the eyes appear. He runs the light to and from the spot watching in amazement and horror as the pair of glowing eyes appear and disappear.

‘Are you guys seeing this?’

‘No boss, it’s just a tree.’

‘Maybe you should get some rest, it’s been a long night.’

Simons stops as he turns to his boys.

‘You guys are fucking with me.’

They all shake their heads in the negative.

The cat jumps down from the tree and sits right in front of Simon.

Growing more fed up with their attempt at a prank, he walks up to the cat who only stares with azure eyes and what he would swear is a cat like grin but as he reaches down to pick up the cat, his hands only phase through as if the cat was made of smoke. Startled he says in amazement.

‘Did you guys see that!? My hand went straight through!’

His acquaintances look concerned. Simon’s face fell, maybe he was going crazy.

They continue walking, not wanting to anger their boss. He did not bring it up again.

He continued to see the cat the following day. He couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of dread every time he saw the cat.

It felt like a bringer of death. Almost as if the cat would drag him to hell. What a stupid thought, he mused.

The next night, Simon is sitting alone in his office finishing up some paperwork. When suddenly the solid oak door to his office opens. He looks up and waits for someone to enter. After a few moments he stands to close the door. As he turns around, he freezes. Sitting on his desk is the cat, staring at him. He moves closer to the desk, not caring about sounding crazy since the office building was empty beside Harold the security guard down in the lobby. He sits down at his desk and looks at the cat.

‘How did you even get in here? Are you some diluted figment of my imagination?’

The cat blinks and stares.

He knew the cat wouldn’t respond; he really must be losing it-

‘I let myself in and I can assure you, I am as real as you.’

Simon falls back as the cat snickers.

Snickers? Can a cat even snicker? Does it matter at this point?

Cats aren’t supposed to talk and yet here we are.

He sits up from his position on the floor making eye contact with the cat. Who is no longer there. Instead, a woman sits on his desk.

She is tan with dark hair tied back in a bun. He would think her an entirely different person, if not for the same cat like azure eyes staring back at him.

‘Why have you been following me? Why can’t anybody see you?’

She remains unmoving as he fixes his chair and returns to his prior sitting position at his desk.

‘I am viewable only by those I chose. They didn’t need to see me.’

He nods, trying to wrap his head around this whole situation.

‘But why have you been following me?’

She tilts her head and smirks.

‘You really don’t know what today is, do you?’

He thinks for a moment trying to remember what could be today. After a few minutes, seeing as though the stupid man needs a hint, she says slowly with a hint of humor.

‘Times run out, Simon.’

He looks up at his name. How did she know it? Wait, she said times up. When did a timer start? Suddenly, it clicks, he says with fear.

‘The deal.’

Her smile grows a fraction.

‘Yes, you need to come with me.’

‘Hold on, there’s no way it’s been ten years already?’

She holds up her wrist to look at an invisible watch.

‘You have 3 minutes.’

He shakes his head as his anger grows.

‘No way, where is the paper trail. I refuse to believe without proof.’

She looks at him, nods and holds her hand beside her face as a file appears from thin air in a poof of smoke. She opens the file, after shuffling through some pages, she holds the file for him to view.

The file reads.

Name – Simon George Smith

Age – 42 Years

Date of Deal – October 17^th XXXX, Time 2350

Sin – Greed

He looks up from the file.

‘This can’t be happening. I must be dreaming.’

With no warning she reaches her free hand forward and pinches his cheek.

‘OW! What the fuck.’

‘You feel that? Its real.’

The file vanishes the same way it appeared as she stands.

‘Times up. Are we doing this the boring way or the fun way?’

He doesn’t respond as he suddenly bolts to the door. She smirks.

‘Fun way it is.’

He rounds the corner of the dark office corridor; the elevator is in his sights. As he reaches the elevator doors, he glances behind him, nothing. He rapidly presses the button, trying to get it to open faster. The elevator finally opens, and his smile falls once he gets a look inside. There she stands inside the elevator, leaning leisurely against the back wall.

He turns and runs to the opposed wall of the office to the stair well. Before he could get more than a few feet from the elevator, he feels a sharp pain in his chest. Looking down, he sees a red clawed hand piercing though his chest holding a throbbing red mass.

Once he processes what the hand is holding, his heart. He feels cold as the hand removes itself the same way it entered causing him to fall backwards to the ground. Laying on his back looking up at the dimply lit office ceiling, blood pooling around him, he hears movement as he struggles to breath. She comes into his line of view and the sight is truly terrifying. Glowing eyes stare into his soul, her face is pulled in a demonic painful looking smile full of sharp teeth. She perches beside him.

‘This would have been a lot nicer for you, if you didn’t run. You mortals need to learn to be responsible for YOUR choices.’

He tried to respond but only managed gargled breaths as blood falls from his mouth. Panic written on his features.

She sighs as her faces falls bored. She places his heart back in his chest and he can breathe again. He sits up and looks down, his shirt is not ripped, he’s not covered in blood, there is no wound. Confused he looks up at the monster.

‘How?’

She sighs again.

‘Just a mirage, nothing more but I will be taking this.’

Before he could process what she had said, a hand lands on his chest. It is not painful; it is just resting on his chest. She slowly pulls her hand away from his chest as a soft blue light comes away with her hand. He feels a cool fuzzy feeling run through his body as his eyes become unfocused and a feeling a drowsiness falls upon him.

‘You will not feel pain in your death.’

That is the last thing he hears before the world goes black and he loses his pulse.

With his soul in hand, she vanishes back to hell to deliver him to Lucifer.

Chapter Text

(Right after Cersei left her room)

Alastor is stood in Cersei’s room, startled and unmoving as his brain tries to process everything that just happened.

Cersei was Vivian.

No, not was. Cersei is Vivian, or would it be Vivian is Cersei.

How did he not know?

How had he missed something that is now so blatantly obvious?

The scent, the eyes, the way she walks, her mannerisms, the tone she speaks in, her just her.

All of her.

She truly changed nothing besides the skin tone to be livelier and the animal features but everything else is the same.

Everything.

She’s been right here in front of his face the whole time and he did not know.

To be frank, he has never once in his existence felt this idiotic. He must be, to not recognize them and to make the whole situation even sweeter, she thought he knew. She honestly gives him to much credit.

Alastor doesn’t know how long he stands in the room, in the same spot, fully drowning in his mind. Niffty comes running into the room but stops short when she spots him. Angel is following closely behind.

‘Mam- Oh! Hello, have you seen Mama?’

‘Watcha doin here, Smiles?’

For the first time since the revelation, Alastor blinks and breathes before turning his head to the little lady.

‘I have not seen her since she left yesterday.’

Angel flinches slightly at the somber radio static free voice that comes from the radio demon.

Niffty notices but doesn’t comment.

‘Okie dokie! She won’t be back for a couple days because she has a job.’

She says before leaving just as quickly as she arrived. She doesn’t want to be in the room any longer.

Angel stares at the other demon.

‘What did you do?’

Alastor’s eyes connect with Angel’s.

‘I did not know.’

Angel scuffs and sneers.

‘How could you not know?’

‘Because I am a fool.’

Alastor shadows to his room.

He does not leave his room for the following week.

As he makes his way down to the kitchen, he notices Niffty and Angel whispering to each other. Alastor catches the tail end of the conversation before he is noticed.

‘And you haven’t heard from Kitty at all?’

‘No, I’m starting to really worry.’

‘Well, what are we gonna do then?’

‘She must have a good reason but- Oh hello sir!’

Niffty notices Alastor mid-sentence. Both tense before relaxing.

The kitchen is completely silent in the wake of Alastor’s arrival. He takes it upon himself to break the quiet.

‘They’re not back yet? They should have been done by now.’

Angel scuffs, blaming Alastor for Cersei’s disappearance.

‘Yea, it’s almost like she is avoiding someone. I wonder who?’

Before Alastor could respond, Angel left the room.

He resided himself to wait for your return, patiently.

It had been a month since he last saw Cersei.

One Whole Month.  

To say he was losing his patience would be an understatement, but what was cause for his concern was the sole fact none of the other occupants seemed to share his worry.

Strange.

Niffty would say with cheerful glee, ‘She must be really busy’.

Charlie would only say, ‘She’ll return when she’s done.’

Angel would roll his eyes, ‘Maybe she doesn’t wanna see you.’

Husk ever the professional liar, ‘Must be a hard job, for her to be gone this long.’

Everyone was oozing lies, it irked him to no end.

During the days, everyone was normal but when night falls, everyone who normally would spend their time out in the sitting room or at the bar would be nowhere to be found. He later found out, through some light stalking, they were mostly if not all gathered some nights in a singular room. Niffty’s room.

Alastor tried to listen in or send his shadow after the fact but with no success. As if someone has sealed the room.

Tonight, would be different though, he already has his shadow in Niffty’s room for when the seal is placed, the crack would already be set.

Only Niffty and Angel were in the room when suddenly Niffty spoke.

‘Mama, are you there?’

The woman appeared in the room, and it was a weight lifted from Alastor’s chest.

She was okay.

Suddenly without reason, Cersei’s gaze fell on his shadow, and she vanished.

So she was avoiding him.

Chapter Text

The next night when Angel and Niffty tried to summon Cersei, all that appeared in a small puff of smoke was a single note.

Not Available at the Moment.

Currently on a job.

Try again at a later date.

This continued over the course of the following month. The pair had even asked Charlie to try and summon her aunt.

No luck.

It had been a month since anyone in the hotel had heard or even seen Cersei. Everyone is concerned and decided to hold a meeting in the lobby. With Angel, Husk and Alastor sitting on the couch. Niffty on the floor back against Angel. Charlie and Vaggie sharing the love seat.

The meeting begins.

Charlie breaks the tense silence.

‘I’m sure you all know why we are here today.’

Everyone nods in some form. Niffty answers solemnly.

‘Mama hasn’t come home, and she isn’t answering.’

Charlie’s eyes well with tears. Vaggie speaks for her girlfriend.

‘Does anybody have an idea as to why?’

Angel responds with distain.

‘Why don’t we ask Alastor. I’m sure he has an idea.’

‘Alastor? What did you do?’

‘What do you mean?’

Vaggie and Charlie question at the same time.

Alastor remains smiling but his eye twitches. He was a man who prided himself with his immense patience, but it was waring very thin. Internally he was not doing well.

‘It is not off your concern.’

Angel scuffs.

‘Oh please. She left because she realized what a buffoon you are!’

‘Angel.’

‘Bold words coming from a porn star.’

Charlie tries to diffuse the situation unfolding but it becomes too much, sniffling she takes her leave not being able to handle it anymore. Vaggie swiftly follows with comforting words.

‘Oh yea, poke fun at the porn star, like I care you old fart.’

‘My mistake, failed porn star.’

Husk seeing that the meeting was over, quietly made his way back to his bar that felt too empty without his drinking buddy and best friend.

‘I mean come on really that’s all you got. At least I would have recognized Cersei.’

‘Well at least I can say someone loved me and I didn’t have to buy someone in my corner.’

Niffty moved to the far corner, not being able to watch the people she views as her brother and father fight. She places her hands over her ears and squeezes her eye shut, wanting nothing more than her Mama to swoop in and fix everything.

‘Does she love you?’

‘Does she love you?’

The pair are both standing staring at each other, when the front door slams open. Valentino storms in as he yells in Angel’s face.

‘ANGEL! You think you can just leave me? Huh!?! You are mine Angel!’

Angel takes a step back and studders for a moment before he remembers Cersei’s words.

You are not an object Angel.

He settles himself and with the most confidence he has ever spoken to Val.

‘I’m not yours anymore Val. If you don’t leave, I’ll call Cersei and she’ll deal with you.’

Angel knew Cersei was on a job and most likely wouldn’t show up, but Val didn’t need to know that.

‘Oh please! You think she cares about you? You were nothing before I found you! You actually think I’d let my best star leave me?!’

 ‘All you did was fuck up my afterlife! Cersei does love me! Unlike you they are actually worthy of my love’

Val scuffs.

‘You think just because I no longer own your soul you can stop showing up? You will be in the studio tomorrow where you’ll be going all night and we both know you’ll like it like the good little slut you are.’

Angel rolls his eyes.

‘Wow you really are stupid. I quit Val!’

Val tenses for a brief moment before he raised his arm to strike Angel.

‘I MADE YOU!’

‘I MADE MYSELF!’

As Val’s arm comes down, Angel shuts his eyes not wanting to see and waited for the hit.

The hit never came.

 Angel opens his eyes to see Alastor standing in front of him with his cane in the air blocking the strike and holding in the air.

Swiftly and calmly, Alastor moves Val’s arm to the side, like he was waving a dust to the side.

Alastor speaks calmly.

‘Now now, no need to throw a tantrum like a child.’

Val raises him arm to strike again when Angel speaks up.

‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Trying to harm me, fine you’ll most likely live but hurting Alastor. Tsk Tsk.’

‘What are you blabbing about Angel?’

‘Just think Val. You know how the Boogey Man reacts to you harming what’s hers but what will she do when she finds out you tried to harm her lover?’

All color leaves Val’s face.

His brain is working overtime trying to work out what the actual fuck Angel just said. Then it dawns on him, oh fuck I am so fucked.

Without another word, he leaves, on his way out he kicks over a vase, mumbling about everyone being stupid bitches.  

Angel and Alastor are left standing for a moment. Before Angel turns around and leaves up the stairs with Alastor following close behind.

‘Not even a thank you, you have not been trained well.’

Stopping in the hallway, Angel turns around lashing out at Alastor.

‘Why should I thank you? I didn’t ask you to save me. I had it handled.’

Alastor quirks an eyebrow.

‘You most certainly did not. Unless your plan was to be a punching bag.’

Angel sneers.

‘Why did you even budge in? You don’t even like me.’

‘I don’t have to like you.’

Angel rolls his eyes.

‘Cersei would’ve come save me. She actually likes my presence.’

Alastor’s patience snaps in that moment.

His shoulders hunch as his limbs lengthen and his smile grows impossibly large. Eyes turn into radio dials as a radio static rings through the hallway.

‘You seriously think they would enjoy your presence and come to your rescue? Have the past what two months taught you nothing?’

Angel freezes under Alastor’s and presence.

‘You mean nothing to them, just an insignificant thing and you are alone.’

Tears well in Angel’s eyes as fear builds inside him. Not knowing what else to do, he says the only words that are left in his head.

‘Kitty, please.’

The lights flicker and dim as the hallway grows irrevocably long. A being almost too big for the space is encapsulated in a pitch-black smoke that swirls and bends along the impossibly long hallway.

 The being with long feline ears perched atop a sinisterly tilted head with glowing teal eyes and a menacingly sharp toothy smile.

As the smoke dissipates and the radio static calms, both Cersei and Alastor stare at each other. She speaks first with an unhinged calm.

‘Care to tell me why you are threatening my child?’

Alastor blinks.

He had planned the words he would say when he saw her next. How he’d apologize, confess how he’d never stopped thinking about her, loving her, maybe he’d even try his hand at wooing her. But now, with her standing before him in all their glory, there were no words.

Rolling her eyes at his speechlessness, she turns to Angel stopping in front of him and reaching forward slowly before stopping just before making contact.

‘It is alright if I touch you, Angie?’

Angel stares in shock at the fact she was standing here. Remembering the question, he nods. As her hand makes contact, it dawns on him.

She’s real.

Without a word, Angel collapsed into Cersei and holds her tight, scared she would vanish.

He mumbles four words before he delves into sobs.

‘Please don’t leave again.’

Processing quickly, she catches Angel with care as one hand holds his head and the other hugs him back. She assures.

‘I won’t leave unless I have too, I promise.’

Chapter Text

Cersei pulls back from the embrace slightly to peer down at Angel.

‘Are you alright?’

Angel looks up and nods. He is almost taken aback, the normal bright azure eyes he has grown to find comfort in have turned a deep midnight color.

‘Yea, I’m just glad your back.’

Sensing movement behind Cersei, he looks to find a goat sinner in a sleek black suit with gold accents.

‘Heyya Kitty. Who’s that with ya?’

Without looking back Cersei sighs.

‘That would be Simon. Luci’s new secretary.’

Angel laughs as Cersei continues.

‘I’ll explain more in a moment but first where’s Niffty?’

Angel’s laughs subside.

‘I think she’s still in the lobby.’

Cersei nods.

‘Do you want to come with me to get her or would you rather wait in my room?’

In response Angel holds Cersei tighter, not wanting them out of his reach.

Cersei pulls away slowly and grabs his hand.

‘Alright let’s go. Come on Simon.’

Simon rolls his eye but follows.

As they walk away Alastor is still frozen as he silently watches them leave. He wanted to reach out, to speak with her but they look like a shell of themselves.

They look tired.  

With a slight nod to himself he decided he would speak to them later.

The make their way into the lobby, stopping by the bar Cersei softly smiles at Husk who’s face lights up at the sight of his closest friend finally returning.

‘Really took your sweet time.’

‘I am sorry for my absence, Husker but I did bring you a new friend. Please keep an eye on him while I check on my kids.’

Husk nods and looks at the newcomer.

‘You gotta name?’

Simon huffs.

‘Simon, you a bartender or something?’

Husk huffs back.

‘Something like that.’

‘Can I get a gin martini, extra dry.’

Husk goes to make the drink as Cersei and Angel make their way to the corner where Niffty is still crouched with her hands over her ears.

Cersei kneels in front of the small woman and places her hands softly over Niffty’s. Slowly trying to pull her hands away from her ears, she says calmly.

‘Niff?’

Niffty shakes her head.

‘NO! No no no.’

‘Niffty, please open your eye.’

Convinced that what she’s hearing and feeling is her mind playing a cruel trick on her, Niffty shakes her head harder and starts to hyperventilate.

‘You’re not real!’

She screams.

Cersei pulls Niffty into her arms holding the fighting woman close not caring as she kicks and hits her. Just wanting to pull her from the brink and calm her down.

‘Niffty, I need you to breathe. I’m right here.’

Niffty freezes momentarily as she tries to breathe.

‘That’s it, breathe with me in… and out.’

After a while of breathing, she pulls her head back and opens her eye.

‘Mama?’

Cersei’s eyes soften as her child finally calms.

‘Yes, my little one.’

Niffty sniffles and throws her arms around Cersei’s neck.

‘You left. You didn’t... We couldn’t reach you.’

Cersei holds her child as she rocks back and forth.

‘I know, I am sorry.’

Cersei stands with Niffty still in her arms.

She looks at Angel as she holds out her hand for Angel.

Quietly they make their way to Cersei’s room.

Simon watches the whole ordeal, not really understanding his new keeper.

‘Just who the fuck is that monster.’

He mumbles to himself.

‘Not a monster.’

Simon looks at the bartender in shock.

‘Have you met that thing?’

Husker squints at the goat sinner.

‘I have known Sei longer than you have existed and she has been around a lot longer than that. They are not a monster.’

Simon scuffs and rounds his eyes.

‘Yea, sure whatever you say old man.’

Back in Cersei’s room, the trio are sitting on the couch.

Angel breaks the comfortable silence.

‘Niff has been having a hard time since you went AWOL.’

Cersei nods, knowing the past month has not been easy for either of her kids.

‘I am sorry for leaving.’

‘Why did you stop answering?’

She looks down at the sleeping Niffty in her lap. Cersei became very aware of the fact she had not slept in weeks as she thinks,

I am so tired.

She sighs and looks up at Angel.

‘I didn’t want to face him after I made such a stupid mistake. So, I focused only on work. You can’t be a failure if you make yourself useful.’

Angel understands her thought process.

‘You’re not a failure.’

‘You only say that because I am useful.’

She bites back in a tone so unlike herself.

‘Kitty, that’s not heathy.’

‘I’m aware but old habits.’

Angel nods, not wanting to push her in fear of them leaving again, he changes the subject.

‘What have you been doing? I’m sure you have some stories.’

For the first time since she’s been back, she softly chuckles.

‘That I do.’

She began to catch Angel up of the past two months.

Chapter Text

- Cersei POV –

 Two months ago.

Appearing in Lucifer’s foyer, she sets down a chained recently deceased Simon. Wildly he looks around as Cersei’s face hold no emotion. She speaks in a bored tone.

‘Luci. Were back.’

A loud crash can be heard in the distance as a masculine voice yelps before a seemingly frazzled Lucifer jogs into the room.

‘Cers, you know how I feel about yelling.’

Cersei blinks.

‘I didn’t yell?’

Lucifer studders.

‘Yes, but you are too quiet.’

He mutters something about getting her a bell.

As the two quiet down, Simon speaks up.

‘What the fuck is going on? Where am I?’

As Lucifer curiously looks down at the sinner on his floor, Cersei replies bluntly.

‘Hell.’

‘Ha! Very funny. Like I’d listen to a bitch with a tail.’

She slowly slides her dark blue eyes over to the boy. As she goes to speak, Lucifer starts laughing.

‘My Cers, he called you a bitch with a tail. That’s just hysterical.’

He hunches over in laughter and slaps his knee for cometic effect.

‘It’s like he has no care. He does remember you killing him, right?’

Simon sneers.

‘I’m already dead. What more could you do?’

As Lucifer calms down and goes to speak, Cersei speaks as well.

‘I could make your eternity nothing but pain.’

‘I like him. Let’s make him my secretary.’

Everyone freezes at the king’s words.

‘Excuse me?’

‘What?’

After showing Simon to his room, Cersei makes her way to her own when she hears it.

Her kids are summoning her.

They talked for three hours, after she put Niffty to bed and told Angel good night, she finally makes it back to her room.

But sleep evades her.

With nothing better to do, she starts writing all the thing Simon would need to know.

The next month is spent dealing with Simon, who does not seem to fear anything and seeing her kids at night.

One night, she is summoned and as soon as she appears in Niffty’s room. She feels him, his shadow to be exact but that’s not what rattles her. His sent hits invades her senses and suddenly Niffty’s decently sized room becomes far too small.

She can’t breathe.

In a fraction of a second, she leaves. Once back in her room, she falls to her knees as she tries to breathe, trying to force her lungs to do their job and take in air.

All she can think about is how she failed.

Failed herself.

Failed her kids.

How can she be useful if she is nothing but a failure.

Suddenly, she sees a ghost she knows no longer exists but there he is standing before her.

Her father.

‘Now you see child, you are nothing. No matter how much you try, all you do is fail and bring harm to those around you.’

His words are pure venom as he speaks.

‘You killed your mother, you failed to protect the man you love.’

Her voice fails her as she tries to speak through sobs and erratic breaths.

‘Stop.’

He laughs but continues. She squeezes her eyes shut.

‘You are a monster.’

‘no.’

‘You are a witch.’

‘no.’

‘If I could burn you again, I would.’

‘stop.’

‘BURN THE WITCH!’

She can feel the heat from the flames.

‘Stop it!’

‘BURN HER!’

‘NO!’

Her vision is spotting around the edges, lungs tight as a cold sheen coats her skin.
It’s overwhelming.

She is nothing but a mistake.

Lucifer hears her scream as her panic floods his being. When he appears in their room, he finds her in a pile on the floor with smoke swirling around her as some sort of barrier. He has seen this before but never this bad. Slowly yet quickly he makes his way to her side.

‘Cers, Cersei, breathe.’

As his hand makes contact, she looks up panicked eyes open but not seeing him. She sees her father.

‘No! Get off of me! Stay Away!’

He speaks as if he is talking to a wounded animal as he cradles her in his arms, not caring as she hits him.

‘Cersei, it’s Luci!’

Her movements stall before her eye’s focus.

‘Luci?’

‘I’m right here. Breathe with me. Come on, in … and out.’

As her breathing calms, she pulls back and looks up. Her voice rough from her panic.

‘I need to be useful, let me be useful.’

Lucifer knew, as much as he didn’t like it, he had to let her process in her own way. She would come around when she was ready, he couldn’t force her. He would give her small jobs every week and in her down time she can help Simon settle.

Cersei knew in that moment; she would not be going back to the hotel unless absolutely necessary.

The following month was simple in its weekly schedule.

Job, work with Simon, prepare for the next job and make a list for Simon.

 Every time Cersei would hear Angel or Niffty summon her, she would just lower her head and keep working on her task.

Chapter Text

After Cersei had zoned back into the conversation, fully concentrating on filtering what Angel should know about the past 2 months and what he shouldn’t.

Peering down she sees Niffty asleep soundly on her lap and turning her head she sees Angel’s head resting on her shoulder. For the first time in months, her heart is full. Slowly she moves Niffty into her arms and stands while placing Angel to lay on the couch. Cersei moves Niffty to the bed and returns to the couch to pick up Angel. It was a bit of a struggle giving the drastic size difference between the pair. As she gets them both settled in, she stares down lovingly. Her babies are safe. Taking a moment to peer around the room, she notices something that bothers her. Her room is missing something, but what. Walking around the room, trying to remember what is missing. Suddenly realization hits, trees. Her room is lacking trees. Her room never had trees, but it feels like they are missing.

Normally, this would seem unimportant but right now this fact is irking Cersei. Not wanting to completely leave her children alone in case they wake while she is gone. Cersei waves her hand as a shadowy cat appears and perches on the end of the bed. Satisfied with the cat watching over her kin, she turns and steps into smoke.

Stepping into existence from a puff of smoke, she looks at the door leading to his room. Steadying her fast-beating heart, she raises her hand to knock. The door opens after a quick moment, like he was waiting for her.

‘I didn’t think I’d be seeing you tonight.’

Alastor speaks, his radio filtered voice holding a hint of shock.

‘May I come in?’

Cersei’s tone is calm as she responds.

His eyes widen as he nods.

He makes room for her to enter and closes the door behind her. She is looking around the room but her eyes land on the woods in the far wall. Making her way to the woods, stopping once she crosses the threshold of the woods. Taking in every detail. The trees, the grass, the night sky, the lake. All of it is exactly how she remembers it. On one end, it’s the park they would spend summer days. On the other, the woods they would play games in under the night sky. She could see it now, the ghosts of their past replaying how they would laugh under the sun or how they play chase in the night. A smile finds a way to Cersei’s face as the memories play out. Alastor watches, seeing that look of familiarity gleam in her eyes.

‘How may I help you?’

He forces himself to speak, almost as if he doesn’t want to ruin the memories.

She blinks suddenly, not realizing her mind had drifted from her.

‘You failed to uphold your end of the deal.’

Cersei turns to face him. He looks confused. She takes his silence as a hint to continue.

‘My trees, Alastor.’

His heart can’t help but leap as his name rolls off her tongue.

‘I wasn’t sure if you’d return. So, I did not see it necessary.’

Her anger flares.

‘Why does that continue to surprise me.’

‘Pardon?’

She steps closer.

‘You deem things as ‘not necessary’! In reality you are the only thing that comes close to being unnecessary.’ 

Alastor’s own anger spikes. This woman really knows how to press his buttons.

‘It was logical, seeing as you ran away instead of dealing with the problem. Not to mention, none of this would even be an issue in the first place if you would stop assuming everything.’

Cersei scuffs.

‘Well, excuse me if I thought that a man who has said he loved me and would find me anywhere DID NOT RECOGNIZE ME!’

‘I’m sorry that if I didn’t recognize you after months. What took you so long huh? I WAITED YEARS FOR YOU!’

‘I HAD TO BURY YOU!’

They have moved closer during the argument now standing close enough to feel the heat radiating off the other, but not touching.

‘What?’

‘I had to plan your funeral. I had to grieve you while everyone called you a murder. If… if I didn’t you would have been placed in an unmarked grave. I knew you would have wanted to be buried beside your mother. I had to argue and fight with a broken heart to get your body placed where it belonged. It took longer than I would have liked but I did it. I got you your place because I knew when I returned, you’d be here. But then when you dismissed me, I thought that…’ 

She looks down as tears well in her eyes.

In that moment, he realizes just how much damage he has done.

‘I understand how you feel.’

Her head snaps up to look at the man.

‘You understand how I feel? No, you don’t.’

He nods.

‘I do. I under-’

‘No. You really don’t.’

She pokes his chest while looking at him.

‘I am angry. Angry at you for not seeing me, angry at the world for being so cruel. Angry at myself for writing you off so easily and creating my own personal hell where YOU were right there but didn’t love me. Because I believed you didn’t, that I couldn’t be loved.’

‘I… I’m sorry’

He holds the hand that is jabbing his chest.

‘Excuse me?’

‘I know that doesn’t fix everything, but I need you to know that I am sorry. Not once since the day we met have I thought of anything else other than you. I have loved you. No, I have adored you, every day, every second.’

His hands softly hold her face, as he continues. The sudden touch surprises her but she doesn’t pull away as his thumb strokes her cheek.

‘You are loved. You are loved by everyone dear to you. Niffty, Angel, Husker, Charlie, even the little king, and by me. I have been a fool but as long as I am of this plain you will always be loved. I even convinced myself you ate Vivian’s soul and that was why I was so drawn to you. Even before I knew it was you, my soul knew, and I fell in love with you all over again and I hated myself for loving another when the only woman for me was Vivian. You.’

After he finished speaking, they just stared at each other. His eyes move from hers to her mouth briefly before returning just to see her eyes make the same movement. Slowly, as if a sting is pulling them closer, they lean into each other. As their lips meet, electricity radiates through the pair as it feels as if they are finally complete.

The kiss starts out slow and soft but quickly turns harsher. Cersei’s hands find his chest moving up to his shoulders and into his hair, softly tugging at the strands. Alastor moves one of his hands to hold the back of her head turns to deepen the kiss as the other moves from her hip to her back, pressing her closer until their bodies are flush to one another. They move together in sync. As his tongue goes to ask for permission, she opens her mouth allowing passage. As their tongues meet, Alastor groans as Cersei lets out a soft moan. She steps forward moving the pair back until the back of his knees meet the bed. He allows himself to fall back, at the last second turning the pair around. As her back hits the bed they pull apart to take in a breath of much needed air. He presses their foreheads together as he pears down into her eyes. They take a moment to just bask in the others presence. He sighs pulling further back to rest on his knees still straddling her as he speaks. 

‘We should stop here. I don’t want to overwhelm you.’

She sits up, reaching out her hand to hold his face.

‘I understand if you do not wish to continue but I promise, you will not overwhelm me. I need to feel you, unless you don’t think you can keep up, old man.’

She lets out a snicker at his shocked face.

‘You can no longer call me that. Especially since you are the old one in this relationship.’

She gasped.

‘Relationship? I don’t remember agreeing to that and I am not old!’

It is Alastor’s turn to gasp fawning hurt with a hand on his heart.

‘You wound me, my dear, and you basically cradle robbed me from my mother.’

‘Claudine loved me! Thank you very much. Practically handed you to me on a silver platter.’

They share a laugh at the memory of Claudine basically pushing the pair together.

‘Mother was always five steps ahead of everyone.’

Their smiles turn solemn.

‘I miss her dearly.’

‘Me too.’

Just before they can continue, Cersei hears it. A subtle panic in her kids as they summon her. She pulls away as he moves to sit beside her.

‘Excuse me, it seems Niffty has woken up.’

As she stands, Alastor stands with her and grabs her hand.

‘I’ll go with you.’

She smiles, then they walk back into her room.

Chapter Text

On the way back to Cersei’s room the pair walk hand in hand, a peaceful silence surrounds them. Only once Cersei reaches the door to her room does Alastor let go and take a step back.

As Cersei opens the door the noises inside become clearer. Niffty is up and pacing the length of the bed whilst calling for Mama over and over and over.

‘Mama. Mama! Mama!’

In a blink Cersei is sitting right beside Niffty halting her movements.

“Niff, I am right here.’

Niffty throws her arms around her, holding tightly.

‘You said you wouldn’t leave but when I woke up you were gone.’

Cersei speaks in a calm tone, stroking her daughter back.

‘I know but I needed to speak with Alastor.’

Angel and Niffty look to the radio demon in shock. Niffty looks back to her mother as Angel squints at the man.

‘Woah! You said his name!’

‘Why are you here?’

Cersei responds to the pair simultaneously.

‘Yes, well we came to an agreement and Angel play nice.’

Angel shakes his head in the negative.

‘No, I aint gonna play nice with that.’

‘Angie!’

Cersei warns.

‘Nah, he hurt you and now ya are playin all buddy-buddy.’

‘Angel...’

‘No, why is he even here. I’m still waitin.’

Cersei looks at the man in question, not sure why he followed in the room.

Alastor is standing with his usual confidence.

‘I am here to make good on our deal.’

Angel jumps off the bed and gets into the radio demons face.

‘What the fuck deal are you talking about?’

Alastor remains unmoving as Cersei responds.

‘Angie calm down. He is referring to the deal that we made before our sparing.’

Angel rolls his eyes.

‘If that’s what you call sparing, invite me next time. I mean if it ends with dry humping on the ground.’

Cersei’s face flushes.

‘Angel!’

‘Ah yes, it was an exhilarating experience but being a former porn star, I doubt you could keep up.’

Angel is taking a back momentarily by the sudden humorous tone in Alastor’s voice.

Cersei’s face flushes a crimson color as Alastor chuckles. She recovers quickly clearing her throat before changing to the original topic.

‘Trees. He is holding up his end by giving me trees.’

As if on que, Alastor snaped his long fingers, and the blank far wall changes to a forest.

Water oak draped with Spanish moss, stand with thick trunks as the solid branches reach for every direction, towards the center a little lake with lush ferns holding the perimeter, in the middle of the lake sits a small land mass with weeping willows leisurely standing.  

Cersei looks at the scene before her, eyes wide in awe.

‘Alastor, it looks just like the park!’

He nods as he softly responds.

‘It was the first place I thought of when you made the request. Though the dots didn’t fully connect until later.’

She looks at him eyes full of wonder and a flash of sadness.

‘Thank you.’

‘A pleasure, my darling.’

With a second glance Alastor excuses himself and shadows from the room. Truly, he didn’t want to leave but he understood that she needs space and time, even if she said she didn’t. He knew her.

Cersei gets Niffty settled and soon enough she is back asleep. Angel takes this as his que to start on his many questions.

‘Kitty, what the fuck is going on?’

Cersei looks to Angel, eyes soft but tired.

‘With Niffty asleep, I figured we could have a chat before we follow in her foot falls.’

‘So, you know what I’m gonna ask?’

‘I have an idea, but I will only answer what you ask.’

 Angel had a plan for his questions. He just needs to stick with the plan.

‘Did you fuck him?’

Fuck. He thought, this was not the plan.

‘Recently? No.’

He stills, looking over at them. He didn’t expect her to answer so quickly.

‘What do you mean recently?’

Cersei stands and walks over to the recent addition to the room.

‘I mean, we have not had relations in that matter since he arrived in hell.’

As her foot crosses the threshold, and she feels it. She feels him but where?

Strange.

She steps further into the forest as Angel continues speaking.

‘So, you have done that with him?’

She responds while looking and feeling around.

It’s like he’s right there.

She steps further.

‘We were married Angel. Technically still are.’

And further.

‘I just don’t like it Kitty. I don’t want you getting hurt.’

And further.

‘I understand your worry, Angie but we are taking things slow.’

She stops in front of the lake and closes her eyes.

Where is he hiding?

‘So, you admit to you being something?’

She opens her eyes and turns around to face Angel.

Who is standing at the edge, not stepping foot in the forest.

He couldn’t help but feel it was wrong, like it was her space and for once he wasn’t allowed. Even though, she never said he wasn’t allowed, he just couldn’t bring himself to cross the threshold.

‘It’s a recent development but sure there’s something.’

Angel nods as Cersei makes her way back to him. She can go searching later.

‘I still don’t like it but if you’re happy then I guess I am too.’

She smiles at him. He has grown a lot in such a short amount of time.

Stopping in front of Angel, she looks up and slowly places a hand on his cheek.

‘I am so proud of you Angel.’

Angel flushes.

‘That was random.’

Cersei chuckles, shaking her head.

‘Maybe but I am. You have grown so much.’

Not knowing how to take such a genuine compliment, he turns to humor.

Placing the back of his hand on her forehead, chuckling. Even if he was taking aback by just how cold she was. Normally she gave of this comforting warmth but right now she felt frigid against his hand.

‘Wow, you must be comin down with something. Let’s get you to bed.’

She giggles at his antics but nods.

‘If I’m being honest, I can’t remember the last time I slept.’

With that the pair go to bed and for the first time since she left, Cersei sleeps through the night.

Chapter Text

The next week, Cersei spent time with her kids never leaving either of their sights. They both were attached to her hip, not that she minded. She loved spending time with them, but she would like a moment to herself.

Currently the trio were sitting in the lounge room with Cersei and Angel sitting on the couch. Niffty was running around cleaning. Alastor is sitting in the loveseat pretending to read, while Cersei is reading out loud to the room, some scary story. She pauses her reading when her phone buzzes with a text message from Lucifer.

LUCI – Can you drop of Simon when available?

CERSEI – package in route.

‘I need to bring Simon to Luci. I’ll be right back.’ Cersei stand.

Angel is quick to stand with her.

‘Can Niff and I come with?’ Niffty nods rapidly in agreement. Before Cersei can respond with no, Alastor speaks.

‘Now you two, she won’t be gone long. I think you will live being away from her for an hour.’ Angel scoffs as Cersei responds.

‘He’s right, I will only be gone for thirty minutes.’

As Cersei goes to leave, she makes eye contact with Alastor giving him an imperceptible nod.

‘It’s alright if it’s only for thirty minutes.’ Niffty agrees.

Angel rolls his eyes but nods in the positive as he sits back down.

Cersei steps into Charlie’s office as she takes in the scene in front of her. Charlie is sitting on the floor looking up at Simon with mild concern. Simon is standing in front of a white board covered in red yarn, various photos, and jumbled writing. Simon looks to Cersei as he yells.

‘DO YOU GET IT?’

She did not.

‘Simon, Lucifer has requested your company.’ She says calmly. Charlie is the first to speak.

‘Maybe that’s a good idea. Simon maybe we should take a break and when you get back, we can pick up where we left off?’

Simon shakes his head as he responds.

‘NO, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND!’

The pair did not understand.

Cersei makes her way to Simon as he shakes his head in the negative. As she grabs one of his horns, he yells again:

‘NO WAIT IT’S -’ His sentence is cut off as he poofs from the room.

-In Lucifer’s Office-

As Lucifer is pondering whether to change out the duck on top of his scepter, a loud noise causes his to jump, throwing both items behind him in response.

‘A PRYAMID SCHEME!’ Simon finishes his statement.

He is quick to recover, lacing his hands together as he states.

‘I take it you’re fitting in at the hotel?’

A small explosion is heard where his duck and scepter had landed. As a fire breaks out Lucifer continues to smile as he ignores the spreading fire. Cersei sighs as she vanishes for a brief moment before appearing again behind Lucifer as she takes care of the flames.

Lucifer continues to ignore the scene behind him as he looks at Simon expecting an answer to his question. Simon blinks before tearing his eyes away from the chaotic scene behind the King of Hell.

‘Ah, yes sir. I’ve been helping Charlie out with her business.’

Lucifer nods.

-Back at the hotel, moments after Cersei vanished-

Angel and Alastor are still sitting in the same spots while Niffty is finishing up her cleaning. A smirk grows on Angel’s face as he looks to Alastor.

‘You know what I don’t understand Smiles.’

Alastor does not look up from his reading.

‘I would assume quite a bit of things, my arachnid friend.’

Angel’s smirk doesn’t falter as he says.

‘How you mister creepy managed to bag a literal smokestack.’

Alastor’s eye twitches at the mention of the pet name ‘smokestack.’

Niffty plops down on Alastor’s lap as she looks up at him and says with excitement.

‘Yeah, how’d you put her in a bag?’

Angel laughs as Alastor holds back his laugh.

‘I simply courted her as a gentleman does a lady.’

Angel rolls his eyes but before he could respond, Cersei appears in the room with Simon. The goat sinner runs back toward Charlie’s office.

Angel is quick to recover as he sets his sights on Cersei.

‘Kitty, just the being we we’re just talking about.’

Cersei sits down as she makes eye contact with Alastor, seeing something burning beneath the ever there smile.

‘From that look, I feel I should be worried.’

Alastor gives an imperceptible squint, confirming her worries. Angel continues.

‘Niff and I were just asking Smiles here, how he bagged you.’

Niffty nodded in agreement as Angel goes on.

‘He said he courted you like a gentlemen would a lady.’

Angel could barely finish the sentence before Cersei started laughing.

‘Oh, that explains that look, Ha! He was not a gentleman, and I was not a lady.’

Alastor is quick on the defense.

‘You speak lies. We were respectable.’

Cersei rolls her eyes as she retorts with a wave of her hand.

‘Maybe during the day, but even you must admit once night fell, we were anything but respectable.’

Alastor goes to respond, but he pauses in thought before he closes his eyes and nods in agreement.

‘You do have a point, but we did have fun.’

A look of nostalgia crosses the pairs eyes as they reflect. Angel perks up.

‘You gotta tell the story.’

Niffty nods excitedly as Cersei starts to shake her head.

‘Oh, come on! Please Kitty, I have to know the story of you and Smiles.’

‘Yeah please!!’

Angel and Niffty beg for the story. Cersei locks eyes with Alastor as they have a silent conversation.

[Are we doing this?]

[Nothing quite like a walk down memory lane to keep you young.]

[More like a forced free fall.]

[Do you not want to? It could be fun.]

[No, you’re right, it is going to be fun.]

They both smile a bit wider as Cersei looks to Angel.

‘Alright but buckle up it’s a long story.’

Angel, Niffty, and Cersei settle into the lounge area of her room. Cersei sitting on the plush sage green love seat. While Niffty and Angel cozy up on the couch, Angel lounges across the entire couch with his feet hanging over the edge adjacent to his head with Niffty laying on his stomach, her head on his chest. Cersei stands up to grab a couple blankets for the group, the bigger of the bunch she places on her seat and hands the others to Niffty, knowing she likes a lot of blankets. Just as she sits down again, Alastor shadows into the room, sets down a tray of snacks, tea, and hot chocolate for the group. He takes his seat next to Cersei, relaxing into each other.

Once everyone is fully settled, she begins their story.

‘Alright, I guess I should start at the beginning.’