Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hello

Previously I had written mini-stories about Baxter before the season was released. With Season 2 coming and Baxter officially being greenlit to arrive I've decided I want to do some more short stories.. For the most recent (stories made after the teaser of season 2) will be after chapter 62.

These stories were made on assumptions, theories and requests given by you the amazing comments. Some characters might not be 100% accurate to their personalities in the previous chapters and storylines will differ. Aswell, because we're still unsure of the dynamics Baxter will have with the others so newer chapters will also have some guessing involved, but that's the fun of it I suppose. I am unsure if I'll re-open this as a request book but you can give your ideas if you wish. r

I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter Text

Baxter was busy once more on a very important experiment which he said would change the world of science forever

But that's what he said with every experiment

The laboratory that when demons passed heard maniacal laughter, screams of distraction or whispers was unusually silent

This was because the usual busy fish scientist was stood staring deadly at a test tube of a yellow glowing liquid

Usually, he would be on his way to recording the results and using them to power his other experiments

But right now he couldn't move, as his brain refused to focus

He tried shaking himself back into his senses but nothing worked

except for a single thought plaguing his brain that caused his immobile state

Today was what the humans called "valentines day"

He never took part in it himself, even when he was alive, finding it pointless and ridiculous as lovers fonded over one another

The Hells hazbin hotel residents seemed no different

The princess and her protector were giving each other wholesome gifts and were planning on going to watch a romantic movie

the catbird hybrid was taking the pornstar to a fancy restaurant

and the radio demon was even treating himself to a night of hunting and cannibalism

However, Baxter couldn't help but notice the smallest member of the hotel had no plans

"oh you know me, I'll be too busy cleaning to go out anywhere" Niffty simply laughed as she continued her handy work

Baxter couldn't help but feel the word...sympathy?

sympathy was something the mad scientist rarely felt

causing explosions for the pursuit for his scientific studies, no sympathy

, the odd fires here and there, none whatsoever

and even when getting Alastor to spare him some poor demons organs in secrecy to test out these experiments

notta

(it wasn't much anymore but it still happened)

never once did those did he feel sympathy, nor guilt

but this feeling wasn't going away

Baxter enjoyed the tiny cyclops company

she was very persistent at first which he didn't like

but after a while, she had grown on him

she never seemed too disheartened at his cruel words, trying to shoo her away when he was in the middle of an experiment

she learnt the times he would usually take tiny breaks and come then, offering treats like cookies and cakes

he didn't eat that much or slept in all honesty so he appreciated her gifts

it got to the point that he allowed her into his laboratory to see what he was always up to

she respected he needed silence when in the zone and responded excitedly when he was successful

Baxter looked to her many times expecting a bored expression as many had

they found his world boring and laughed when it sometimes failed and blew up in his face

calling him nerd, geek, looser and so many more hateful and infuriating words

but each time he looked she always had a smile, when catching her eyes she laughed and smiled brighter

causing his face to feel hot and his heartbeat to race faster

not that he let that get in the way...but...he didn't mind it, it was much different from his anxiety attacks

and so he knew he should repay her kindness, with participating in this festivity

he still didn't understand it properly, but he is open to learning more

and despite the tiny cyclops attitude, she seemed very fascinated by the subject

outside of work, she tended to spend her time reading and writing stories that were named "fanfiction" which when reading them out loud contained around 89.9999% of romance

(he did the calculations)

this seemed to cause his sympathy to rise, especially just knowing how important this was to her

with a sigh, he slammed his head onto the work desk whilst digging his hands into his slicked-back hair

this was giving him a headache

but looking back up to the yellow mixture he knew what he had to do

just before he left his metal fortress of solitude he grabbed a different mixture he was recently working on, believing he may need it later

breathing in and out to keep himself calm as he walked to the main area where he knew she would be cleaning away, he prepared himself for what he was going to say

mumbling possible sentences to bring up his question that his mind hadn't been shutting up about

"oh hello Baxter, what brings you out of your habitat, " the voice of Niffty asked happily as she took a moment to stop dusting and see the fish scientist coming towards her

Baxter was frozen on sight, he hadn't realised how little time there was from his lab to the reception

"I..uh, um....was wondering.. since today is the day which people spend time with one another romantically, well, not romantically as that is not always the case but with people with close connections with each other that they care about, that they like spending time with one another which is weird since I do not like to be with demons at all but I wouldn't mind spending time with you as I enjoy your company and your nice and so I was wondering if you would like to....go on a what demons call "date"... with... me" Baxter rambled and stuttered quickly, slowly burying his head into his lab coat where only his hair and glasses could only be seen

his face was burning with a hot sensation as his heart was racing

"it's too quiet, this was a mistake" his thoughts plagued his mind

but a happy squeal from niffty caused him to come out of hiding only to see Niffty was jumping up and down at rapid speed

"yes "yes! yes! oh we are going to have such a fun time, I know the perfect place to go, I finally have a date for valentines day, I am so happy" she rambled and smiled excitedly, hugging Baxter and almost crushing his spine

he had to hold in a little yelp of surprise at the touch, not enjoying the sensation

but the look on her face told him to bare with it....it was tolerable

"oh my goodness, I need to get ready and I have to book a table and-" she continued as she let him go, rushing out of the room but not before quickly giving him a "won't be a minute" at the door before scurrying away

a small smile crept on the little demons face, proud of himself and making the little cyclops happy

"ay, you finally grew a pair" Angel dust's voice came from behind

Baxters face instantly dropped in shock

turning behind he saw a very smug-looking angel dust and husk

"how.. how long have you been there?" Baxter questioned in embarrassment

"enough to see your little nerd panic" angel answered with a little chuckle

"honestly kid, you need to calm down, looked like you were having a fucking seizure" Husk added

"I was nervous ok! I've...never been on a date before" Baxter yelled before it turned into a whisper, his gill-like ears falling flat against his head

"Fucking shocker Mr "leave me alone or I'll pour acid on your face" Angel added with sarcasm and mockery

Baxter simply rolled his eyes

"shouldn't both of you be on your way already?!" Baxter questioned, wanting them to leave

"not before we get you prepared" Alastor announced, appearing out of nowhere

earning a shrill scream from Baxter and a "for god's sake" from both angel and husk who held a hand to their heart

"would you stop doing that already!" angel groaned whilst the radio demon laughed

"sorry my dears, couldn't resist the drama" Alastor continued to laugh

"now then if you are going on a date with our dear niffty it is only fitting you look your best " Alastor announced as he clicked his fingers

and at once Baxters chemical stained lab coat changed to a smart and neat black suit, white shirt and black bowtie, his hair slicked back properly, along with his hat and glasses

"there now much better" Alstor announced proudly

Baxter observed the suit,

he had to admit it was a good fit, couldn't remember the last time he wore anything but his lab coat

or the last time his hands were exposed, he didn't exactly like them due to where chemicals burnt too much into the gloves, as well as them being webbed, but he'd ignore it for now

He reached into the pockets to see that his vial was still there to his relief, giving a look at Alastor who returned it with a knowing one

Baxter couldn't help but be a little unnerved by this

"alright sugar, time for us to head on our way, just don't forget to be a gentleman" Angel began as he held husks arm walking to the door, but not before giving the fish scientist a good few tips

"hold the door, compliment her on her outfit, offer to buy the food and all that jazz" Angel winked before the two left

leaving Alastor with Baxter alone

Alastor was about to leave before smiling menacingly at the smaller demon

"now then, if I hear you treating Niffty with anything but great respect, you will be part of my scientific research," Alastor said as radio static filled the room

Baxter nodded his head so fast it was a miracle it didn't snap

once Alsator was satisfied the static left the room just as quickly as it appeared

"Jolly good then, I hope you both have a wonderful time, as I know I sure will hahaha" Alastor stated as he walked to his date

Baxter was left alone in his thoughts

not even out of the hotel and he felt so overwhelmed

already exceeding his daily dose of social interaction

he wanted nothing more than to go back to the laboratory

"ok I'm ready" a sweet voice announced happily

and suddenly those thoughts went away

he looked at his date and he was memorized

niffty was wearing a dress similar to her usual outfit, except that it was a proper dress, a cocktail dress that was yellow at the bottom which faded to an orange in the middle and pinkish-red at the top, her hair in a clean bun with silver diamonds

"Woah...." Baxter simply let out, it wasn't usual that he was left speechless, but Niffty was just too beautiful

"hehe, don't look bad yourself" Niffty giggled, watching as Baxters face glow brighter than a million blue glowsticks in the darkest cave

"oh um I sorry, you look very pretty, that dress, very pretty, on you" Baxter stuttered bashfully

"thank you, you ready?" Niffty blushed as she began walking out of the hotel

"oh yeah," Baxter said snapping himself back into reality, hurrying to the door to open it for Niffty as they walked out

"thank you, sir" Niffty giggled as they excited

Baxter prepared himself to head out into the demonic world of hell, knowing danger could come at any sector

even if they had protection by being in the association of the radio demon and princess, there being an alert if they were in danger, he couldn't help but still be on edge

but to his surprise, he saw a limo right outside the hotel

"called in a favour from Charlie, so don't be surprised if she demands details when we get back" Niffty explained

Baxter couldn't help but grimace at that thought

Charlie was kind but she was extremely excitable for reasons he didn't understand, and now that she knows of what they were doing, there was no way in hell she was going it let it go

it wasn't long until they arrived at their destination

as Baxter got out he noticed it was a little cafe, supposedly to be symbolising the great era of the '50s

not that Baxter was truly surprised, everything about Niffty screamed 50's and it was clear she enjoyed her time before her death

not that it could be said the same for Baxter

once more the little fish opened the door of the cafe to enter

the cafe was everything you expected to see in a 50's cafe, the booths, the neon signs, the patterned floor and so on

it wasn't the two were seated

as they walked Baxter also noticed that the cafe was fit for smaller demons like Niffty and himself,

easier to sit chairs that he didn't have to grab a stack of pillows or books just to look over the table, like both he and the little Cyclops had to do before they got better-adapted chairs in the hotel

The two were seated opposite to the windows and were given menus

both of them weren't really in the mood for a big lunch, so they decided on something sweet

Niffty decided on a strawberry milkshake with chocolate sauce

Whilst Baxter settled on a vanilla milkshake with little sprinkles of some sour candy on top that resembled tiny lemons and limes

Baxter enjoyed the moment but it was soon getting quiet

The two looked to each other, chuckled sheepishly and take another sip of their milkshake

It was time to bring out the big guns

Looking around he spotted a dead flower pot on the table

Perfect!

He grabbed it and placed it in the middle of the table

"What are you doing?" Niffty asked in curiosity

"You'll see, I just need your saliva" Baxter stated

Niffty simply blinked her eye

"My..saliva?" she asked, she knew Baxter wasn't what demons call normal, but neither were the others she spent time, not even herself

but this was a new one

"Yes, if you put some in this liquid It will cause a reaction I believe you will like" Baxter answered as he held a test tube of clear liquid to her

"O,k, just look away while I do it, it's not very ladylike" Niffty agreed

Baxter simply nodded his head as he turned to look away

When Niffty was done she told him to turn back

Baxter happily took the liquid back and told her to watch as he began to pour it on the dead plant

Slowly it came back to life, glowing brightly as it did, and now the petals resembling Niffty and her dress

Niffty's eyes practically turned into hearts, gasping as looked at the flowers

"Oh Baxter, their beautiful" she sighed happily

"Heh, well, they're supposed to resemble you so if they weren't then there would be an error in the reaction" Baxter stated sheepishly

Causing a blush from the tiny Cyclops

Unfortunately, their moment was ruined by a much taller demon, his head hitting the ceiling wasted demons

Not looking where he was going, he crashed into the table, knocking the leftover milkshakes onto their outfits and causing stains

Baxter although annoyed didn't mind the mess, getting much worse on his lab coat

But looking at his date she looked like she was ready to either cry or kill...possibly both

"Heh, sorry cutie, say, (hic) how about you ditch this looser and I (hic) make it up for ya" the random demon smirked, the smell of booze spreading throughout the room

But before Niffty could even respond the demon put a hand on her wrist to whisk her away

Like hell that was going to happen

Baxter dug his sharp nails into the demon's hand to make him get off and hissed at him

"back of!" Baxter shouted angrily, getting himself in front of Niffty to protect her

"or what little tadpole, gonna bite my knee caps?!" the demon asked dangerously, shoving him into the booth

but before the demon could continue the beautiful flowers began to grow taller than the building itself and began to attack, wrapping their vines around the demon's wrists and hoisting him into the air

his screams cut short as a mouth formed in the flower which swallowed the demon whole

and instantly shrunk back into the vase

the cafe was silent but soon carried on doing what they were previously doing, now known not to interact with that table

"What...was that?" Niffty questioned as she whipped the remains of the fallen milkshake of her dress, but not keeping her eyes of Baxter nor the flowers

" a mixture of silver roses, Yellow Acacia's and with a few added chemicals" Baxter explained, they protect those whose DNA it has synced with" Baxter finished

"Another reason why you brought that along?" Niffty stated happily

"Indeed, now that buffoon is dealt with, allow me to get you another milkshake" Baxter offered

"thank you, but where exactly will that Baffoons went to?"NIftfty questioned once more

to this Baxter simply shrugged his shoulders, he had theories but he needed more data

and so the two went back to their evening

Niffty seemed on edge about her dress but Baxter assured her she still looks beautiful, and he would give her his own personally made stain remover to deal with it

and so the two happily talked, until they had to leave for the night

usually, the owner would throw people out if they overstayed, but seeing what had happened before, they guessed it was wise to put on a charming smile, plus they knew Niffty so that added to the politeness of the demon manager

and so the two left, Niffty gently wrapping her hand around Bxters arms so he could prepare himself for the touch

he was still wiping his hands after touching the random demon, wishing he had his gloves with him

but for once, he enjoyed the embrace

"I enjoyed tonight Baxter, it was really special, especially when this pretty flower attacked and devoured that very very rude man," she said as she hugged her gift, grinning happily at the memory

"yes that was something to put in the records, but I mostly enjoyed spending time with you..and...I hope it won't be the last time" Baxter blushed

Niffty looked to Baxter and laughed

sliding to his side and sitting up to kiss him on his cheek

"I'd love nothing more" Niffty whispered as the limo stopped

Baxter was left a blushing mess as the two left the limo and back into the hotel

only when they arrived back they were met with the other members of the hotel

Charlie squealed as she bounced up and down "so how'd it go?" she asked excitedly

the two tiny demons looked to one another before turning back to the group

where to begin

Chapter Text

Requested by Niglie_Trollster

If Niffty was asked who was the oddest resident of the hazbin hotel

She would have to say the latest resident

Baxter

... just Baxter, she didn't know of the last name

He was a scientist that resembled an angler fish that had come to fix some faulty lighting

It was Funny how a fish with a lightbulb hanging from his head had come for the task

Charlie had pointed him to where he began work

But it seemed the little fish had some questions about the hotel, the residents especially

Asking what brought them here and what they had in common

Charlie was surprised by these questions, not usually having demons interested in the hotel and the possible idea of redemption

Only that dream was cut short as he didn't believe in that thought

But she saw his fascination with the resident's mindsets to be a good starting point

After he had finished Charlie offered a place at the hotel for him, not exactly to be redeemed (as of yet) but as a member of staff

A therapist exactly, to see exactly how the residents felt like in the hotel and the thoughts of redemption which she also found interesting to find out

But so the Angerler fish was also requested to have his therapy sessions with the princess

Saying that it would be best to get to know him better and to ensure he was fit for the role in the hotel

As it wasn't long as Baxter just came into the hotel

Niffty watched as both patrons and staff seemed to grow attached to him

husk finally had a drinking buddy that he didn't actively hate, especially with the new drink knowledge he brought with him, seemed that he had more than just electronic knowledge

Alastor seemed to find him charming, enjoying the energy he brought with him, it was different from the others and found it entertaining but was respectful of not wanting to be touched

Angel dust had started flirty but that soon changed after Baxter had no interests

And if the hotel shaking scree from the angler fish didn't stop Angel from advancing nothing would have, so their relationship turned more into a sibling relationship

Vaggie had even trusted him to be her therapist, finding him a good person to talk and listen to,

The most she talked about was her relationship with Charlie which she expected to be judgemental but to her surprise, Baxter wasn't, he didn't, he didn't understand it at first but it seemed that in the subject of romance he was a guppy

But other than that, he interacted very little with anyone

He was almost always in his room

When Niffty see him enter she swore she could see something ominous glowing in the background

Niffty found him suspicious, but intriguing

So when she knew he was off to a therapy session

She picked the lock on his room

(since she was maid she was entitled to everyone's room, even when they were so persistent on cleaning it themselves)

once unlocked she slipped inside

Now Niffty knew Baxter was a scientist but she never knew to what extent

there were vials and vials of chemicals, some bubbling and boiling others in a frozen container

there were also notes plastered high on the walls and electricity sparks flying ever now and then

nails and bolts littering the floor which Niffty had to ignore just for now

there were signs and symbols of equations and things she had never seen before

she was about to reach out to a nearby vial before a voice caught her off guard

"What are you doing?!" Baxter asked

Niffty whirled around in shock

There was a very questioning looking angler fish

"What is all of this?" Niffty asked as she tried to shift some of the attention of her

"My lively work, everything I've dedicated my life and afterlife to" Baxter answered with a sigh, walking past the little Cyclopes and stared proudly at his noted

"And what are you planning with all of this?" Niffty continued to ask

"What do you think" Baxter questioned himself

"That's not an answer" Niffty stated

"You didn't answer mine before, like why you're in my private sectors" Baxter stated with a little smirk

Niffty blushed, he got him there

"I just saw some weird glow from your room and I wanted to find out what it was about" Niffty admitted

Baxter simply shrugged his shoulders

"Just a side project, just because I'm the hotel therapist doesn't mean my studies just stop, but it's on standby till I finish my research on the resident's mindset since once I've dedicated my attention to something I don't get easily distracted" Baxter explained as he added to his notes

Niffty simply watched as the fish did this

Baxter every once and a while be noticed a strange blurb of speed and cleaning utensils when he was entering a session, so when he saw it when just as he entered his room he knew that the cleaning lady was suspicious of him

So when he saw it scurrying of towards his private suite downstairs today and his door being open

he decided he should finally give and get some answers

Both stood silently, really unsure of what to do next

"So, you're not here to harvest our organs for your experiments or something?" Niffty asked

"No, I agreed with Charlie that I wouldn't do anything except ask them questions for my studies, Yes it's disappointing I can't dissect at least one brain to see if it's different than regular demons but I can manage " Baxter explained, chuckling at the end

Niffty was a little unnerved but relief flowed through his body non the less

"Sorry to burst your bubble but I'm not this super evil mad scientist, yes I'm a scientist, people have suspected me of being crazy when in the zone and yes I did do the odd bad thing here and there but I'm not stupid to start something where the radio demon and princess of hell designate, it's a double death sentence " Baxter exclaimed

Niffty nodded, all he said was true and he hadn't done anything yet, which caused even

"Ok, I'm sorry, I guess I was just...interested in you" Niffty admitted with a blush

"...why?" Baxter continued to question

"Well one was because you were new and suspicious but the other part is because...oh it's embarrassing" Nifty began to explain before messing with her hair

"No tell me, if I'm here to be a therapist perhaps I can-" Baxter began before the tiny cyclops cut him off

"But I don't want to receive therapy I want to tell you I have a crush on you!" Niffty exhaled

....

"What?" Baxter asked in pure shock

"Look when you came here my first thoughts were wow, he's cute and I didn't think it matters since I'd never see you again, but you stayed, and those thoughts continued to rise, and I saw you getting along with everyone and well..I..for some reason couldn't get the nerve to tell you, and your the only available guy here, everyone's either in a relationship, gay, ace sexual or can't love anymore" Niffty began to explain as she now began to play with her scarf

"So, yes, I have a crush on you...as weird as that is" Niffty finished

"...oh and, was this still when you thought I was a killer scientist?" Baxter asked as he grabbed a notepad

"Put that down!" Niffty groaned

Baxter simply chuckled sheepishly

"This was a mistake" Niffty sighed with embarrassment as she was about to leave before Baxter's voice called out

"No, wait...I'm sorry...love is... a confusing subject... any type so please forgive my response and, thank you...for the compliment, you're... really cute too" Baxter stuttered

Leaving a two blushing messes

"So...perhaps instead of stalking, how would you enjoy what many Charlie suggests of a date" Baxter offered as he played with his back neck fin

"Heh, I would love that" Niffty agreed

Chapter Text

Requested by Justice

"Hello everyone, great work today! I believe we've got some progress" Charlie congratulated the hotel's residents happily

Today there were no explosions, gunshots and 12% fewer swearing and sex references

Which to Charlie was a big achievement

However, only 3 was paying attention

Vaggie smiling happily at her girlfriend, Niffty bouncing up and down happily and Alastor grinning with amusement

The other two members in the lobby were Angel dust on his Instagram and husk drowning down another bottle of cheap booze, his 36th so far

"Soooo, to celebrate, I thought we'd treat ourselves to a movie night" Charlie continued happily

Now this got everyone's attention

Everyone sprouting an opinion of what to watch

"Wait, shouldn't someone get the hermit to join too?" Vaggie interrupted

This caused everyone to go quiet

That hermit happened to be their resident scientist Baxter

the very antisocial last member of the hotel that rarely came out of his cave

"Well he is part of the hotel and it would be good for him to join in more of the activities" Charlie concurred

Baxter when he first came was here to help with the hotel's defenses, and to see if redemption was scientifically possible

And other than showing of something he's created or getting something to eat he barely came out of his laboratory at all

They did try to get him out but he was very stubborn

Some tried pulling him out but the scream revived due to them touching him was ear-splitting and painful

Alastor laughed, saying it was exactly like fishing, they had to be patient

But it was getting ridiculous

Charlie wanted everyone to get on and be happy

And in her eyes, Baxter being cooped up in his lab all day without friends or sunlight was the complete opposite of her goal

"Yes, I'll go get him" Charlie announced in a superhero pose as she went to the lab

"I'll come with, it's funny to see his reaction," Angel said as she followed behind

Charlie ignored that last comment

So the two walked down to the basement which had now turned into Baxter's laboratory

His lab and room was different but he insisted he was in the first room closest

Little muffled yelps and crackles could be heard from inside

Charlie couldn't help but feel slightly fearful of what was going on behind those doors

And with a inhale she knocked on 3 times

"WHAT?!" A screechy voice asked from inside

This was always the response anyone got, especially when he was in the middle of an important experiment

"Baxter, it's Charlie, could you please open the door," Charlie asked sweetly

It was quiet before a loud groan was heard, along with a rumble of locks opening entered the air

And with a creak, the door opened

Revealing an annoyed-looking angler fish but was trying to contain it

"Sorry Charlie, what is it that you want," Baxter asked whilst gripping the metal doors hoping it would be quick

"We're just here to invite you to a movie night, there's going to be popcorn and slushies and-" Charlie began before Baxter stopped her

"I appreciate you inviting me but I'm just in the middle of an experiment so-" Baxter began as he slowly began to shut the door

Only for Angel to hold the door open

"Well, what's new from the other last nights, one night off not gonna hurt, or is tonight special ?" Angel asked cheekily as he made a gesture that meant "masturbating"

"Angel!" Charlie yelled in shock

Baxter's face practically glowed bright blue at his statement

"NO!" Baxter shouted in embarrassment

"Ok, bad way to phrase it Angel, but I do agree a break would be beneficial"

"I really think-" Baxter began before Charlie continued

"So as princess of hell and manager of this hotel I am ordering you to take the night off, for your mental well-being and mindset" Charlie continued proudly

"Ok fine! But I need to-" Baxter tried again was cut off by an explosion was heard from behind the fish

flames being visible and alarm sounds ringing

...

"Great" Baxter grumbled sarcastically

Earning a sheepish smile from Charlie

Baxter groaned as he grabbed a nearby fire extinguisher and tended to the flames

"I'll be sure to replace those later, I promise," Charlie said reassuringly

Baxter simply glared as he threw the empty extinguisher behind him

shutting the lab doors as he stomped his way upstairs, grumbling how his night was ruined

Angel gave Charlie a questioning look to which the princess simply smiled

"at least he's out" Charlie chuckled

so the two followed the fishy scientist

"we're having it in the main living area" Charlie explained as she saw Baxter waiting for them, obviously not knowing where it was taking place

so the three went to join the others

Vaggie being on the opposite side of the couch to Alastor, husk on another couch and Niffty on the floor on a pile of pillows, the girls being the only ones munching away at popcorn

"ah, you caught the fish" Alastor stated with surprise

"was there any doubt" Angel announced proudly with a wink, he about to put his lower arms on Baxter's shoulder before it was quickly smacked off with a hiss

"yep, so what did you all end on deciding," Charlie asked as she stopped Angel before he could say anything

"Greece" Niffty announced happily

"thought as much," Angel said as he joined, trying to sit next to Husk but the cat wasn't going to let that happen

Charlie smiled, about to see where for Baxter to sit, only to see the fish sit on the floor in a humph

like a child forced into the naughty corner

Charlie chuckled at his putting, finding it hard to take him seriously and joined the seat next to her girlfriend

not soon when Angel got the message Husk wasn't going to let him on the same seat he joined Charlie and Vaggie, allowing himself into the middle causing a laugh from Charlie and an annoyed growl from Vaggie

and thus everyone was situated and watching the movie

lots of comments from Angel saying he had never seen so many horny humans in his life, earning Alastor's eyes to blackout and static filling the air, shouting at Angel to shut up

and soon no one was talking, the only noises that could be heard were crunches of popcorn and slurps of slushies

However, in the middle of the movie the channel had changed unexpectedly

everyone was surprised

"awww, and when it was getting to the best part" Niffty groaned sadly

"it's alright, let's find the remote and change it back," Charlie said as she searched around her

but as they looked for the device, they simply couldn't find it

instead, it continued to show the movie

of a cruise in the middle of the Atlantic

the screen showed the ship crashing into an iceberg

people scurrying to avoid the cruel cold water but it was fruitless as it sucked them under and water, never to be seen again

"oh this is so sad" Niffty stated

only for deep and shaky breaths to enter the air

everyone looked to see where it was coming from

and as they looked down they found the source

Baxter's hands were wrapped around and scratching his neck as he stared into space, struggling to breath

"can't breath" so cold" help!" help!" cold!" I'm going to die" alone" he repeated, whispering and shaking uncontrollably as tears fell from his eyes

"Baxter!?" Charlie exclaimed with alarm

"somebody find that fucking remote already!" Husk demanded as he saw what was happening

"hey! it's over alright, you're not there anymore" Husk reassured the fish, holding his hands so he stopped harming his neck

it was an odd sight to see Husk being comforting, but not everyone knew what he went through, they didn't know what he dealt with, the triggers he knew too well

Alastor caught a movement out of his eye

"ah angel my dear, seems your little pork chops is responsible for this hassle" the radio demon pointed out

Angel turned to see what the strawberry pimp was refusing to when he saw his pet fat nuggets, holding the remote in his mouth

"bad nuggets bad" Angel scolded as he turned off the TV

"it's gone now, just keep taking deep breaths" Husk continued

so Baxter tried, but his face showed that he was going to be sick

"Niffty grab a bucket or something" Angel called out as he recognized that face

like a bullet, she zipped out of the room only to quickly return with a bucket

Husk let go of Baxter's hands so he could hold the bucket, holding it close and tight as he filled the bucket with his insides

Angel patting his back so he got it all out

eventually, Baxter stopped, breathing hard as he rubbed his eyes, trying to stop the tears from flowing

he was about to wipe his mouth with his sleeve before Niffty stopped him, grabbing a paper towel to wipe away the remaining puke

"you ok shorty?" Angel asked, with genuine concern

"mm, fine" Baxter whispered, as Niffty finished and took the sick contaminated objects away with a dash

Baxter was still having ragged breathing and shaking slightly, but it seemed he was finally coming back to reality

"Does this happen often?" Vaggie asked with worry

Baxter stayed silent, not sure how to answer the question

when Baxter looked up he saw everyone looking at him with worry and sympathy, he looked down as his fins lay flat against his face

it was obvious to see that the little fish was uncomfortable with all the attention on him

"let's just fucking watch something else, the popcorn's getting cold" Husk groaned

although it sounded cruel, he was trying to do Baxter a favor, trying to get the others to leave him alone and continue as normal

which he could see that was what he wanted

luckily the others caught onto this and nodded

"I shall make us another batch" Alastor declared as he disappeared from the room

Baxter simply watched as everyone got another movie ready, happy that the attention was no longer on him, he hated feeling weak and pitiful, the only time he wanted it on him was when he had created something that would make other scientists weep in their boots

"here, I know some people say it's mean to offer you for the reason why you...you know, but after vomiting it's important to stay hydrated" Charlie said as she crouched to meet Baxter's eye level, holding a glass of water in front of her

Baxter knew how important it was to drink, being a fish also made it more important for him to do so

"thank you charlie, but I assure you drinking water is fine, I am in control of what happens and thus no reason to make a fuss," Baxter said, trying to wave away the princesses worry

to this Charlie simply smiled and handed the water to Baxter

"oh and here, everyone's got a blanket so I didn't want you to miss out" Vaggie added as she handed the little angler fish a blanket

"thank you," Baxter said in surprise, still not used to such kindness from demons, the water included

and so the hotel crew continued their movie night

this time they settled on the movie "the greatest showman"

as Baxter wrapped the blanket around him tightly he couldn't help but feel...comfortable

looking around he saw Angel dust Vaggie Charlie and fat nuggets in a sleep hug

Alastor snoozing and husk snoring on separate single sofas

(perhaps this house of nuts isn't so bad as I thought) Baxter's last thoughts were as he turned off the TV and drifted to sleep himself

Chapter Text

Request by HazbinGoodSoFar

when he was a child he had always been excited by the result of mixing two things and seeing what new thing had been created

he loved seeing it up close

he loved doing it in science class

and he loved reading about it

reading of every chemist and inventor in history

looking with awe as he felt excitement with each page

however, this was not met with the same excitement by his classmates or family members

whilst the other children played with skipping ropes and marbles

Baxter was happy enough reading a book under a tree since he was forced to be outside

the other children didn't bother with Baxter, ignoring him and continuing their games

which the boy didn't mind at all

he didn't see the need for friends

but every now and then, there would be the odd few who loved to pick on him

just for the sake of it

they would come out of nowhere and grab his book, holding it over his head and when Baxter tried to reach for it, they would punch him in the stomach

"All you do is read you teacher's pet! making us all look bad! pack it in, or else!" they threatened and shouted as they threw the book into a puddle next to him

which just made it worse since he had borrowed it from the library

coughing he quickly grabbed the book and tried to dry it, as best he could

not that it made it much difference

the librarians would see the smudges and give him a good whacking

he tried to explain himself but they simply wouldn't hear him, beating him more

no matter how well he did in lessons, all they saw was a child, and all children were stupid compared to adults

warning him if another came back smudged he would be banned

which was his worst nightmare

he had no other access to his books

all because his father was very disapproving of his passion

saying it was "the devil's work" and how " we are not to play god!"

he was very religious and ignored all that wasn't mad by "god"

this included medication and even some furniture

he liked to keep things simple and basic

to fit his lifestyle he and Baxter lived in the woods and tended to their own animals

everything was natural and "exactly how god would want it"

Baxter didn't understand his logic

everything scientists made in his eyes were to help the world

that's why he could never forgive his father for letting his mother die by not getting medication for her medications that could have saved her life

the two had a mutual hatred towards one another

his father was only happy when he came with dirt on his face like the other children

and he was only happy when he got hurt and Baxter knew there was something out there to help with the pain

but when Baxter tried to argue he would be beaten by his father and would have a bar of soap shoved into his mouth to shut him up

regardless of what all was said and done, he didn't stop

he continued his pursuit of scientific study, no matter how others saw him

but at the same time, the bullying got worse

his father didn't even bother to talk to him anymore, forget cooking either

didn't even bother to beat him anymore, completely ignoring his existence

but it was all worth it as he graduated with honours and was offered so many science scholarships

and at the age of 20, he was invited to join a VIP meeting with VIP scientists to discuss his future in science

everything had been building up to this

he had been inventing, studying and experiment all his life

he had even done things he know he'd go to hell for

directions and electrocution on animals he found into the woods

and the very few times humans that got wasted or had to take refuge in the woods due to being homeless

but not that anyone found out, he had a secret lab close, but not too close to his "home"

he wouldn't have gotten that far if he hadn't

he remembered the night he the woods

leaving his home to never return

he remembered his fathers final words

his face

so filled with regret and shame

"you leave, you shall never be accepted by either me or by god! do you understand, I can do no more for you, you will sign your fate for eternal damnation!" his father warned just before he left

the very first words spoken in years

Baxter simply looked at him with disgust

"you think I care?! this is all I've ever wanted, and there's no way an ignorant bible thrasher is ever going to convince me otherwise, you have done nothing for me! and I won't stay a minute longer in this dump! only when you die will I return, and dance on your grave!" Baxter shouted angrily and slammed the door behind him

Baxter, wore his favourite lab coat and hat for that night, slicking his hair back and ensured all his equipment and chemicals were packed to perfection, ready to show what he had to offer

but he had to get a medium-sized boat before he could get to the party

in all the things Baxter mastered, swimming was not one of them,

and with all the books that landed from puddles to thrown over into rivers did not make him keen on the liquid

regardless he proceeded to get on

when he did he was surprised and thrilled to see many guests of the party there

it seemed like it was the party in itself

he usually hated being part of a huge crowd, many experiences of when he was part of one he would be beaten blue came to mind

but now he could be on the same side, and the ship wasn't that big, giving him good practice for the actual event

so when he gathered the courage to join in, he shared his opinions on similar topics which instead of being ridiculed were met with interest

it was the best 2 hours of all his life

unfortunately, like Baxter, many brought their concoctions to show off to the world

sharp rocks caused the captain to stir the boat swiftly and some cases that were not as safely secured interacted

causing a large explosion at the bilge, making the boat shake

as well as producing a large hole where water soon began to fill the boat

peoples screams entered the air as they ran to the escape emergency boats

but more explosions were blocking the way and causing burnt large objects to block other paths

the water was fast and cold and sucked many of the individuals under

Baxter was terrified

this couldn't be how he died

faster and faster the water was rising and the boat was sinking

luckily Baxter saw an opening where he could get through

but so did many others

it was dog eat dog right there

Baxter tried to get through but people dragged him back so they could get out

he was shoved and pushed to the back due to his weakness of water and not having much muscle

only for another explosion

the individuals in front of him got the full fire and impact

instantly killing them and sinking them to the bottom of the boat

Baxter took his chance, only to see the exit was gone

water was up to his neck now

and he was alone

the boat sinking deeper and pushing him under

he couldn't see any light

he couldn't see at all

the only thing he could do was feel as the water covered his entire body

he begged to be saved

he begged that this wouldn't be the end

but he was alone

he was alone in the dark

and alone drowning

and it wasn't long until he had to breath, only for the salty water to enter his lungs

it hurt

if felt like his lungs was on fire

he wanted to throw it up but it continued to enter his body

but other than his lungs, his body was cold

so cold

he curled into a ball and grabbed his neck in fear for his life

he expected his life to flash before his eyes

but it didn't

not that it mattered

all his life he dedicated to something no one ever supported and ridiculed him,

ignored him

hurt him

and tortured him for

saying how it would be the death of him one day

he couldn't help but laugh in his mind, seemed like they were halfway right

his vision was going blurry

he couldn't tell if it was because of the salty water of the ocean or the salty water that was produced from his eyes,

out in the corner of his eyes, he saw something glow

beautiful glowing turquoise chemicals rippling in the water

chemicals responsible for his death

and yet, they brought comfort to his very last moments on earth

Chapter Text

Requested by TheLunchKing

Charlie sighed in peace

Alastor was out with nifty and husk getting supplies, Vaggie ensuring they were responsible and got no more than what was required

whilst Angel was getting ready for a party and Baxter was in his lab once more

finally giving her time to relax and breath

"CHARLIE!!!"

Scratch that

The princess ran fast to where the screams were coming, only to bump into a very infuriated fish and a spider running after him, trying to shut him up

"Guys?! What's going on ?" Charlie asked with both confusion and shock

"this slut has been in my lab and switched my chemicals! Theirs pink reminisce everywhere and some of my inventions are missing!" Baxter shouted looking up to charlie but pointing an accusing finger at Angel dust

"No, I didn't" Angel (lied) said as he looked away defensively

"Yes, you did! I saw my camera feed! you know I record everything in there so don't bother lying!" Baxter argued, turning his attention onto the pornstar

"kinky" angle couldn't help but let out

"not for that reason and you know it!" Baxter continued with a flustered expression

"Ok ok break it up, Angel, you know how important Baxter's stuff is, you are to return his inventions and clean up after that mess," Charlie said as she tried to break up the fight, scolding Angel's actions

"Like hell, I'm letting him back in there" Baxter shouted with horror

"Great, have fun cleaning," Angel said happily as he was about to leave, only for Charlie to block his path

"No angel, you're going to make amend, and if you do anything else to poor Baxter then you'll be doing more cleaning" Charlie instructed

Angel sighed and Baxter tried to hide his smirk, liking that someone was on his side for once

"fine, can I at least get changed before I do so, my hairs a mess" angel groaned sadly

"Ok, but get on with it," Charlie said as she waved him away

"I'm sorry Baxter, tell me if he pulls anything else ok," Charlie said sympathetically

to this Baxter simply nodded his head and went walked back to his lab, grumbling how he now has to start from scratch

Charlie sighed, she knew it was too much to ask for one normal day

once back, Baxter tried to salvage his experiment, muttering how much he hated the spider when he heard a knock

He made a note to hide away all his most important experiments and devices so Angel dust couldn't take anymore

Only when he opened the lab door he found the spider dressed up in a sexy maids outfit

"Hello sir, rumours say you've made a big mess which I can happily clean up" angel whispered seductively

Not that he meant any of it, simply doing it to mess with the little fish

Which worked well

Baxter's face practically lit up the room as he proceeded to shut the door in angels face

"Why are you wearing that take it off!" Baxter's yells were heard clearly through the metal door

"Oh, not even a glass of wine before we go there huh?" Angel continued through the door

A scream of embarrassment from the other side was exactly what the pornstar wanted to hear

"Alright alright, I'm done, let me in and we can get this shit done," Angel dust said with a hint of amusement

"You are clothed correctly?" Baxter asked before opening the door

"Unfortunately for you, yes" Angel dust sighed dramatically as he leaned against the door

Only for the door to pull back

And causing Angel dust to fall to the floor

Looking up he saw Baxter looking down at him with a blush and an unimpressed face

Angel smiled cheekily before a wet sponge was thrown on his face

"Get up, the faster you clean, the faster you leave" Baxter groaned as he went back to his table

"Ey watch it, this makeup is expensive" Angel yelled

"So were my equipment, yet I see no sympathy from you" Baxter argued with no hint of care

"Oh boo hoo, go cry yourself a sea and swim in it" Angel cried sarcastically

Baxter rolled his eyes and grumbled a "likewise"

So Angel huffed and grabbed the sponge to clean

eventually, nearly all of the remnants were gone and only little spots remained

Whist Angel cleaned Baxter tried to focus but he wasn't used to people in his lab

Especially those who get on his nerves

Speaking of, out of the corner of his eye he saw angel had taken a break to mess around with his switches

"Hey be careful with those!" Baxter warned

this Angel looked at him and with an innocent look flicked one of the switches

Baxter tried to insult the spider before a hole in the floor appeared and revealed a small gun right next to Angel

"ey, what's that?" Angel asked with pure interest as he picked it up

"put that down!" Baxter demanded as he tried to stop angel

"relax I'm not gonna-" Angel began smugly before he slipped on pink slime he had yet to clean

and leading to Angel pulling the trigger

Baxter dove to the ground as a large burst of energy was sent his way

looking up there was now a massive hole in the wall

so big it was twice the size of angle and much larger than him too

...

"holy shit!" Angel gasped as he saw the damage he just did

he could use some of that power in his Tommy guns

but by the look of Baxters infuriated face

that wasn't going to happen anytime ever

Baxter was practically boiling

his teeth getting longer and sharper as he tried to contain his rage

"GET OUT NOW!" Baxter screamed as he proceeded to push the spider out of his lab

Angel had to admit, for a tiny thing he had some strength, but he mainly put that to the adrenaline and fury

but angel was having too much fun with the little fish

"oh no gravity is increasing on me" Angel gasped dramatically as his 4 arms grabbed the door frame

"NO, IT'S NOT!" Baxter continued to scream and push Angel out

"yeah it is, the same thing happened yesterday, ask husk" Angel let out dramatically once more, only now he had fallen right on top of Baxter and trapping him under his back

"you rotten whore! you're bodies crushing me! why do you have to be such a dick!" Baxter asked and complained as he eventually crawled out

getting quickly up and slamming the door shut before the spider could walk back in

"Aww but I thought we were bonding" Angel whined to the door

but when he got no response he decided it was time to call it quits, deciding he may have messed with the fish just enough

Angel soon decided to give back Baxter's stolen goods before he could complain to Charlie once more

Valentino was wanting him to do a show tonight which was going to be a big cash builder, so he couldn't miss that just because the guppy was "sensitive" as he put it

so he gathered the devices and took them just outside the lab

knocking on it 3 times before leaving

Baxter slowly opened the door, annoyed someone was knocking in the first place, wanting to be left alone

but was surprised and happy to see all his inventions in a little trolly

"ah, finally, seems that Charlie was able to convince that stupid spider to pack it in" Baxter simply said as he sighed, hugging the trolly quickly happy to see them back in his position

as he looked inside he counted and made note of the devices ensuring they were all there

if angel messed with any of them he was going to make him pay

but looking closer he saw a note

picking up the small piece of paper he began to read

"hey fish lips, here's you're toys, don't worry I didn't break any of them, you gotta learn to share though, anyways I won't be back till tomorrow, so here's something to remember me by"

at the bottom of the page, it said "look up xxx"

Baxter with confusion looked up

only for a can of paint to land on him

covering the majority of him in pink paint

"ANGEL!!" Baxter screamed angrily

Angel could hear his screams as he left for the night, laughing as he entered the vehicle

ok, now he was done for the day

Chapter Text

Requested by TheLunchKing

Charlie tried sleeping

and to others, it seemed like she was already in dreamland

But she was not

how could she?

She wanted to forget what happened tonight, but her mind wouldn't let her

She and the others had just single handily seen Baxter in a very vulnerable position

and that was rare

Baxter was either extremely closed to screaming maniacally

so this was a very different side to him

and it made her worry

And her worries did not ease as she heard whimpers bellow

Opening her eyes she instantly looked at him

Baxter was shaking and sweating rapidly in his sleep, whispering for help as he grabbed tightly onto the pillows instinctively

She hated seeing her friends suffer, so slowly she unlatched herself from the sleepy hug of angle dust and crawled over to Baxter and his make shape bed of pillows and blankets

"Baxter" Charlie whispered, trying to wake him up but not the others

but he was still shaking and curling into himself

"Baxter" she stated a little louder

this time luckily it worked as Baxter eyes flung open, but took a few moments before his body made any movement

Looking up he saw the princess of hell looking down at him with a small sad smile

"Charlie? What's wrong?" Baxter asked shakily as he rubbed his eyes from both tired and tears

Charlie didn't know if he was whispering because he knew the others were asleep or he simply didn't have the strength to talk louder

"Baxter...I know you might not want to hear this but I'm worried about you" Charlie began

to this Baxter simply looked down to the floor, he knew exactly what she was on about

"I don't want you to suffer alone when you don't have to, I..this is the first time I've, we've seen you like this and...I fear this isn't the worst case of it" Charlie began calmly and kindly

"I don't mean to make you feel bad, I just want you to know that you can always talk to us, I...know how hard it was for the others and me as well, I. just want to help" Charlie continued whilst Baxter listened and focused on his breathing, gathering strength to continue the conversation

"What are you suggesting?" Baxter asked although he had an idea of what she was going to suggest

"Therapy" Charlie stated confidently

Baxter was about to roll his eyes before the princess continued once more

"I know it might sound silly to some, but it does help to talk to someone about this stuff, getting it off your chest, it might help to reduce these attacks" Charlie tried to persuade

But the fish simply played with the end of his blanket, seeming to be trying to figure it out in his mind

Charlie understood if Baxter was hesitant to the idea, and wouldn't force him to do anything he didn't want to do

So she simply smiled in understanding

"If you choose not to then it's fine, but if you do, my door is always open.. goodnight," Charlie said as she went back to her couch

She'd usually go back to her room but Angel dust was just too fluffy!

And she wanted to be there for Baxter if he had any more nightmares

Baxter himself simply watched as Charlie went back to her temporary bed

He would have liked to go back to his room, but he felt both physically and mentally drained, and so he went back to sleep and prepared himself for more mental torture

he knew it was coming, and after all these years, he had learnt just to bare with it

The next morning everyone woke up to the smell of bacon

luckily not fat nuggets as he was sleeping soundly in Angels arms

seemed that Alastor was an early riser, not that it wasn't too out of character

The same applied to Niffty as she was zooming around the hotel, already so full of sugar and hyperness

Charlie being a close third

When Alastor called everyone to breakfast, Charlie had to wake up the rest of the hotel's residents, since they weren't waking on their own anytime soon

Other than vaggie who greeted Charlie happily, the rest weren't as warm

Angel complained about needing his beauty sleep and clung to his head in pain, he did move out of his bed eventually, but only to get some painkillers, bringing fat nuggets with him

Husk is not much different, except swap beauty sleep for just sleep and pain killers with booze

lastly, it was Baxter time to wake up

but it seemed he was already half-awake

lying still on the pillows as his eyes blinked slowly

he looked practically exhausted

more so than usual

and by the dry tear marks highlighting his freckled face, it was a clear answer as to why

eventually, all made their way to the dining area

no matter how bitter of a mood anyone was in, Alastor's cooking could always bring a joyful smile of satisfaction

once everyone had finished eating, they went to their daily activities

Charlie was about to inspect the hallways before she felt a small tug on the leg of her pants

looking down she saw Baxter, who let go of the fabric quickly and looked away

"is...that offer still available?" Baxter whispered

Charlie had to hold in an excited squeal, the little fish was finally coming out of his shell, but it was a sensitive subject so she needed to be professional

"of course, come to my office, we'll get started," Charlie said as she began walking

Baxter followed close behind but kept looking out for the others

she guessed he found it a bit shameful

but she said nothing, she didn't want him to back out

eventually, they got to the office

Charlie locking it behind them and putting a "do not disturb sign" on the door

she got countless jokes from Angel about this, but it didn't always mean sex!

regardless she asked Baxter to sit down on the red therapy treatment sofa

it was ridiculously comfy but when Baxter laid down he sunk into it, he edged himself closer to the top where it was more sturdy and he could lay back where he could see Charlie

looking like she was about to cry?

The reason why he had no idea

Charlie was dying from the cuteness, she didn't know how long she had left until she tried to wrap the little scientist into a hug, but she held herself still

"Ok Baxter, I'm not going to pressure you to start big, so how about we start with something small, possibly something you wish to get off your chest at this moment " Charlie began as she got out her notes

Baxter saw this as an experiment

He loved experiments

Although he wasn't sure if he liked being the test subject this time around

regardless he still thought he should take upon Charlies offer

Many of the nights ended like last nights fiasco, sometimes worse

Something would trigger his PTSD and he couldn't concentrate

he hated not being able to as it got in the way of his work and usually ended up in disaster, so when Charlie offered therapy to help, he thought it be a way of finding the core of his problems and possibly reduce them

But the other side of his brain scoffed at him, saying he'd gone centuries without talking about his feelings and he was practically fine

But he wasn't

Baxter wanted his mind to stop battling against him

He just wanted to be in control of oneself

So he had taken Charlie's offer

But the problem was

He didn't know where to start

She said he didn't have to start big

But that meant it takes longer to find solutions

and he guessed she was expecting him to explain himself about last night

So with a deep breath, he decided to begin

"Well...as you've seen from last night... I do experience the odd panic attack here and there...especially when it comes to...drowning" Baxter began, slowly and shyly

But Charlie simply listened

"I can remain composed if people talk about it but...watching something of a similar experience...it brings it back" Baxter continued

"your death?" Charlie asked

"of course! Isn't that obvious?!" Baxter stated, finding the question stupid to answer

but Charlie didn't differ from the harsh words, it was natural for Baxter to get frustrated with a very easy question, but she had to ask it

"Sorry, but perhaps you would like to talk about it" Charlie apologized and asked

"what's to say! I drowned and now I'm here!" Baxter asked, huffing getting frustrated

"how did dying make you feel" Charlie continued as she dug deeper

now that was a question that Baxter couldn't answer with ease

making him properly think of an answer

his death was cruel and torturous

it was slow and painful, but not in the sense of someone slicing you with a knife or punching you

it was from the inside

like you were being set alight from inside as your body froze on the outside

"What did dying feel like to you, what were you thinking ?" Charlie pressed on

"I...I mainly thought...why do I have to die like this" Baxter stuttered as he said the very first answer that popped into his mind

"I thought did I truly deserve it" Baxter continued

"Would anyone care ?" the fish carried on, looking to the floor with wonder and sadness

only to slap himself from his thoughts

"no, I know that no one would" Baxter seemed to say strictly, shaking himself back into reality

"and why," Charlie asked, slightly worried about the slap of self-harm, being sure to put that into her notes

"no one cared about me, not when I died and especially when I was alive, called me crazy, freak and mad...which was true I guess" Baxter explained chuckling a little at the end

"no ever cared for me and so I decided I didn't want to care anyone, I hid, and I grew to that lifestyle" Baxter continued

"do you regret it," Charlie asked with wonder

"....no....after what they did, I know it was for the best," Baxter said with a small nod of confidence in oneself

"what did they do?" Charlie asked with concern

"Charlie, only when my father was sick of an illness did he and my mother finally acknowledge me, half my life was gone without a hint of praise of care, and it was only when they wanted something out of me did they call me "son" Baxter explained, his face showing that he was trying to piece a memory together

"saying how I owed him my life and how I should repay it, after years of physical and verbal abuse did they demand me to lend my herbal knowledge and you know what I said to them..." Baxter continued before asking the princess a rhetorical question

"I'm sorry...but who am I to play god" Baxter quoted as couldn't help but grin with pride

"laughing at my mother's distraught face as she held my father, looking at me like I had betrayed him when he had done the same thing" Baxter carried on, but the grin soon turned subtle

"fucking hypocrites" was the last thing Baxter spat

Baxter seemed to curl within oneself

it didn't seem like they were going to get any further than that today

but Charlie didn't mind, it seemed that they made good process

she wanted to get to the main root, and although it seemed the little angler fish deflected and changed subject it was another road to breaking down his barriers

he just needed more time

and Charlie was ok with that

parts of his tale concerned her, but he wasn't in hell for no reason, and she had heard worse...but some could be classed as worse in some aspects

"Alright then, great work today Baxter, we made a lot of progress" Charlie congratulated as she put down her notepad

but quickly picked it back up when she saw the fish staring holes into the cover, longingly to see the results of this session

but by doing that it could compromise the "experiment"

"thank you, I, shall be leaving now," Baxter said as got off the sofa shakily

Charlie wasn't that surprised, seemed that talking about this after so long of keeping it bottled up would take a lot out of you

Charlie opened the door to allow both of them out

" Baxter" Charlie began before the scientist was out of sight

"yes?" Baxter asked

"I want to continue these sessions if that's alright with you, so same time next week ok" Charlie continued

Baxter nodded in understanding

he wouldn't admit it, but other than a little shaky, he did feel better getting his thoughts out, he might even get a good night sleep this time

doubtful but he's trying to be optimistic

"oh and also" Charlie called out once more

Baxter had to swallow a groan, he wished she got it out of her system so he could leave

"if you ever feel like you need a talk, even after or before these sessions, my door is always open

"as you always say," he said as he walked off

but he couldn't help a tiny smile of relief appear on his face as he did so

Chapter Text

Requested by TheLunchKing

Baxter banged his head against the bars/receptions table

repeatedly

"oi! knock that off! gonna damage the wood" Husk scolded

to which he simply gave it one last thud before resting his head on the table

"rough day?" Husk asked as he washed his glasses

his only reply was Baxter's screams muffled into the table

"that bad huh" Husk stated

"why is everyone in this fucking hotel so goddam intrusive!" Baxter yelled as he lifted his head, screaming to Husk

"yeah, they like that" Husk stated, knowing exactly what Baxter was on about

"thanks to them my lab is once more covered is destroyed and for the second time covered in pink slime....which is weird how that keeps happening...But do you know how hard it is to find some ingredients?! I'll give you a hint, very!" Baxter continued to scream, his voice getting higher with every sentence

making husk rub his ear for a split second

"Seems you're in a desperate need of a drink" Husk offered

"trying to get money in my angered state?" Baxter growled and asked

"I've seen angrier, want one or not?" Husk asked once more

Baxter pondered on the offer

he wasn't one to drink

he was naturally anxious and suspicious, hell didn't help that and alcohol in such a place could be dangerous

but he was in a safe place and that place was stressful today

"eh sure" Baxter agreed

to this Husk crouched to the liquor cabinet and got out the alcoholic beverage "Bacardi Rum"

"I'll warn ya, it pretty strong, especially if you're a lightweight" Husk warned as he got two glasses and began to pour

Baxter wasn't paying attention, all he cared about was getting this concoction in his stomach

"I'm sure I'll be able to handle it" Baxter groaned as he took the tiny glass

"cheers" Husk grumbled

clinking the glasses they drank

in only 7 minutes did Husk see how much of a lightweight the fish was, he expected it, but it was still interesting to see

Baxter the usual neritic screechy panic attack about to happen was nowhere to be seen

all that was left was a smiling swaying cloud head

"you know, you are .. are nice, only one that... don't you know...uh-" that sentence being cut off by his laughter

Husk had to hold in a snort, this was so bazaar

he wasn't affected half as much but that was because he was a constant drinker and built immunity

but Baxter looked like he hadn't had a sip of alcohol in his life

the laughter had seemed to bring attention to the intrusive members of the hotel which had driven him to drink

"Hello you two, whats happens to be so hilarious to get our dear little fish to laugh like a hyena I ask" Alastor did indeed ask, turning his head in curiosity

"just a bit of rum" Husk answered

"Husk! we agreed, no alcohol Wednesdays" Charlie said sadly with disappointment

to this Husk shrugged uncaringly

"listen, he needed it," Husks said as his only defense

Baxter at that moment was about to get off his chair, except he forgot how high the seats were and tried walking it

"Jesus Christ" Angel called out as he quickly caught the fish before he could face plant the floor

"you spider" Baxter only said, only it was phrased like an insult

"yep and you fish" Angel stated with obviousness

only Baxter seemed to take that personally

"why you say that," he asked like he had been insulted

causing a few tears to form in his eyes and fins to lay against his head

"you sure it was just alcohol," Vaggie asked in concern

Husk simply nodded

"Baxter, stop it" Charlie ordered worriedly as the little fish began to chew on his esca, the princess wafting it from his mouth so he couldn't try eating it again

to this Baxter simply stuck his tongue out before face planting into angels chest floof

"fluffy" Baxter's voice muffled happily

"Please tell me you're getting this" Angel laughed

"yep" Niffty stated as she giggled at the sight

this was going to be a fun night

when Baxter woke up he had the worse headache in existence

and an aftertaste of something disgusting

he couldn't remember what he did last night, he didn't even remember climbing into bed

his bed felt much comfier than usual

he was half tempted just to stay in bed when heard a chuckle from above him

looking up dizzily he noticed the face of Angel dust smirking at him with the amusement of a child taken to an amusement park

he was close

too close

but then he saw the position he was staring at

where was his usual tall body that he had to sit down to meet his eye level

he wasn't sitting down

he was lying down

Baxter looked around him

only to realize he was laying on the porn star's chest

"Morning babe" Angel dust winked

....

a scream echoed around the hotel, threatening to shatter the glass

"aw, what's wrong sweetheart, you didn't mind last night whilst you were snuggling, literally wouldn't let me go and begged me to go to sleep with ya" Angel explained with a chuckle

"I. I would never do such a-" Baxter was about to argue before the spider got a phone from the side

there it showed Baxter and last nights fiasco

there were videos

so many video's

one was him singing the "periodic table song" on a karaoke machine

eating an entire jar of pickles in under 3 minutes

crying how other people were stupid into the floor

and then proceeding to climb a fridge with a jar of chocolate spread in hand

and that wasn't even half!

Baxter watched in mortification and disgust

that explained the after taste at least

his entire face glowed with embarrassment

Baxter never felt so humiliated

he wanted to beg Angel not to show it

but within each video, he saw every member of the hotel

half trying to stop him and the other half encouraging it

Baxter proceeded to get of Angel's chest and out of the room

where are you going glowstick?" Angel asked with amusement

"going to vaggie, perhaps her weapon can end my suffering" Baxter simply stated

Chapter Text

Requested by TheLunchKing

Charlie flicked through her notes as she walked through the hotel

Other than a few little arguments between angel and Vaggie, then Vaggie and Alastor and then Alastor and husk and then husk and angel

To be honest it was a pretty normal day

Just needed to ensure the water tanks were working and that-

(begin song now) https://m.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=46KHDxWZvs0

Charlie stopped

She was surprised at the sudden start of a song

it started of as a small muffle but as she walked closer it grew with volume and beauty

the voice was almost angelic

The powerful words bouncing off the walls

it was deep and connected with the soul, mind and heart

being able to feel every ounce of emotion, putting everything into it, as if they were telling their life story

each note had a punch of passion greater than last

Charlie seemed to forget herself as she walked into a door

she didn't seem to notice anything around her until reality struck

and now she was directly outside the last door she expected to hold such a voice

Baxters lab

no offence to the little fish but his voice was not the most...smooth

always screechy and panicked

but at the moment it was as smooth as caramel

and as impactful as if someone punched a hole in her chest and took out her heart

the words spoke truth

and she was listening

carefully she opened the door

Baxter didn't like unexpected guests but Charlie was so lost in trance she didn't seem to remember

not even the large sign that said: "KEEP OUT!"

inside was the normal scene of glowing green tubes of some horrific beast within

Charlie thought she already talked to Baxter about this!

she would get back to it later

right now her attention was on the little angler fish himself

he didn't seem to notice her arrival

continuing his sensuous song as he poured two solutions together

to Charlie's second surprise he was dancing

not fully but swaying slowly

his expression was concentrated and deep, sometimes singing to the ceiling as if he was asking to a higher power of his misfortunes before staring back to the workbench

it was like he was singing to an audience

but himself more

slamming the table at points and then slowly spinning in his spot

poring the solution once more

and a high and deep vocal of "cus he walks the world alone!" the solution caused a massive explosion of glowing smoke

repeating alone as the cloud disappeared

and as the final note took place he placed a cork in the beaker and closed his eyes dramatically, his head facing the table

only when claps of excitement did Baxters eyes open, very quickly and pupil shrinking in shock

looking behind him there was the princess of hell clapping as she witnessed his secret show

"Ch, ch, charlie?! what are you doing here!?" Baxter asked in horror as his face began to flush, his fins pressing against his face and his esca glowing pink with embarrassment

"oh I just heard some beautiful singing and I just had to find out who it was" Charlie admitted honestly

that didn't make Baxter feel better, in fact, it made it worse

"Get out! I, you! you should have knocked!" Baxter practically screamed

"I know, but I couldn't help it, you have a beautiful voice, it was almost hypnotic" Charlie continued not moving from her spot

Baxter pressed his face into his hands and let out a flustered whine, the embarrassment was too much

"you know what we should do! we should have a singing competition, oh it'll be so fun!" Charlie suggested although it seemed she was talking more to herself

"Why won't you leave me alone!" Baxter grumbled as he thought that it would be a great opportunity now to test if his new mixture was lethal

Chapter Text

Requested by ratratratRATRATRATRAT and HazbinGoodSoFar

(Warning- sexual assault)

Baxter wandered through the shops of hell for new equipment

Charlie said it would do him some good to get out for fresh air

He didn't understand how it was fresher outside than inside his laboratory

Especially when the red sky was polluted with smoke, pollution and the smell of weed lingering every corner

Regardless he did as he was asked, hoping to get the princess off his back

So he went to his favourite area to shop

It always had new items that caught his interest

And since it was what other demons found "boring" it was quiet, less chance of being harassed

But that nothing was ever 100%

Just taking a moment to peer into the glass of the new display

He didn't notice an only slightly taller demon take interest in the little fish

"Well then, what's a cute little girl doing all alone?" A dark flirtatious voice asked behind Baxter

This made the scientist jump in his skin, looking around he saw a demon with a dangerous smirk on his face, a blue-ringed octopus demon to be exact

Baxter did not trust that smirk one bit and slowly began to reach into his lab coat

All residents in the hotel needed to carry a small radio so if anyone was in trouble Alastor would be informed immediately and just as quickly, help would come

"First of I'm not a girl and second, I'm not alone" Baxter stated, trying to keep confident to stall time

"Hmm, I'd love to test both those theories" the demon continued

Baxter was about to reach for one of his weapons, he wasn't that tall and he wasn't helpless, wanting to prove he could handle himself

Only Baxter suddenly began to feel woozy, feeling lightheaded and nausea

He felt his limbs feel heavy and shake as he began to sink slowly to the floor

"What...did you do to me?" Baxter asked as he struggled to breathe, forgetting his weapon and using the last piece of strength turn on the radio

"Just a little love bite" the blue-ringed octopus admitted as he indicated to his arms

They were tentacles Baxter noticed but they had teeth

The scientist didn't even feel the bite, but now he felt the full effect

Baxter sunk to the floor, unable to move his limbs

"Don't worry baby, this is going to be very enjoyable" The Octopus laughed as he began to strip the fish

Baxter cried as he tried to move, but he couldn't, to make it worse another tentacle covered his mouth to stop him from screaming

Not that it would do anything

This happened all the time in hell, he even saw demons look and then look away like it was normal

"Oh!" The evil demon let out

Baxter's favourite lab coat was ripped and ruined

Revealing Baxter's chest where two symmetrical gills lay underneath his chest plate

"My apologies sir seems I was wrong," the octopus said with surprise before continuing his devilish act

"Not that it matters, but then again, there are more ways to tell" he finished touching the chest and about to continue with the pants

Baxter closed his eyes, he couldn't bare to see himself being molested

Only there was a gasp of pain and wet droplets splattering on his face

Looking up hesitantly he saw the demons head being impaled by an angels spear

The octopus's body stood still before it collapsed next to Baxter

Baxter stared in shock as the octopus died in cold blood

Looking up slowly he saw a very enraged vaggie and Alastor

"Oh oh gracias a dios de mierda Baxter" Vaggie cried as she rushed to the little fishes side whilst Alastor created a portal to dispose of the rotten demon

"Thank goodness we got to you before he could do anything, such revolting acts and within such a nice part of hell too" Alastor sighed in disappointment and lingering rage

"Where are you hurt can you walk?" Vaggie asked when she noticed that Baxter made no movement

"He paralysed me...I can't move" Baxter admitted dizzily, still finding it hard to concentrate, the adrenaline was all that was keeping him awake, but as he saw the two familiar demons, he couldn't help but feel safer

"Sick bastard!" Vaggie spat in rage, holding her weapon tightly

Baxter felt cold, and only then did he remember he was exposed

"Could you....um...please rebutton my coat...as best as possible" Baxter asked weakly, face burning with shame

He hated his chest

It was a painful reminder of his past and how people used to tease him

He only kept the esca because it proved its usefulness but his chest would never change, he transitioned when he was alive and the curse carried on with him in hell

But when he was surrounded by the Hazbin crew he forgot it only for a split second

He wouldn't admit it but he trusted them about his secret

Because when it came to sensitive topics they were understanding

"Oh of course," Vaggie said sympathetically as she began to put the coat back on

"We are extremely sorry we were not here sooner, the terrible signal here you see" Alastor apologised and even through his sadistic nature he did seem sorry

"It's hell, it happens, the reason why I don't get out," Baxter said sighed

"That and your bad social anxiety" Vaggie commented trying to get their minds of what had almost happened

"Can't disagree with that" Baxter sighed with a tiny amount of amusement

"Let us get out of here shall we" Alastor suggested as he walked to the fish and picked him up

Both didn't like being touched but the difference has Alastor loved hugging and touching others but not the other way

And Baxter liked neither

So Alastor picking Baxter up wasn't too much of a shock, but Baxter not screaming was different

Vaggie suspected that since the little fish had no other way of moving and wasn't able to feel anything, he simply grinned and bared it

"Seems that octopus was a failure, the real species could kill The venom can kill more than 20 humans in just a few minutes, so it's most likely it'll just wear off on its own" Alastor informed with a smile

Earning two concerned faces to appear on the other demons faces

"Hmm, interesting, where exactly dis you send that demons remain?"

"Baxter you are not stealing the guys remains," Vaggie said tiredly

"It's not like he's using them" Baxter argued

Vaggie rubbed her temple

(Great, there's two of them now) the grey moth demon said to herself as the two other demons talked about Alastors portals and if Baxter could use them for his research

Chapter Text

Requested by WUTBOIWHOISDIS and HazbinGoodSoFar

The snake was back

the day had started normal

everyone was in the living room due to Charlie's idea that everyone comes together to unwind and relax for 1 hour every day

only for that peace to be destroyed

including the wall

"haha! tremble in fear of my mighty machine you loathsome sinners!" the voice of sir Pentious bellowed, crackling in amusement

the defenders of the hotel were up instantly to protect the others

Vaggie with her spear, angel dust with his Tommy guns and so on

the snake was continuing to laugh before his many eyes caught sight of a familiar figure

Baxter who was simply reading his book like many of the other residents before the snakes random ambush had fallen to the floor due to the rude entrance

shaking himself to high alert he looked up to the last face he wanted to see

"Doctor Baxter?!" Sir pentious asked in shock, his machine slowing down ever so slightly

"Sir pentious?!" the fish replied with the same level of surprise

the shock soon leaving their faces and replaced with agitated ones

the snake hissing and making his fangs seen

the same going for the fish as he bared his many sharp teeth and his lure glowing a blood-red

"wait you two know each other ?" Vaggie asked in surprise, the other hotel misfits following along, unsure of what to do at that moment, lowering their stances and weapons ever so slightly

"Unfortunately," both of them said in unison, not moving their cold stares from one another

"I'm guessing not for best reasons" Angel whispered to Alastor as he watched the exchange with interest, the radio demon himself simply watching in entertainment

"Oh I am going to love destroying you and sending you back to the deep sea from once you came" sir pentious declared as he readied his machine once more

it was a hovercraft with a highly sophisticated cannon

only Baxter didn't seem scared, in fact, he got closer to get a proper look at sir pentiouses invention

giving an analytical look he responded to the snake with a "wait...that's what's going to destroy us ?"

Sir pentious was slightly stunned but continued with his rant "but of course, now you will suffer the full wrath of sir pent-"

only he was interrupted by Baxter letting out a "pffft" sound from his lips before hysterical laughter filled the air which echoed the room

Everyone turned to the small fish who was dying of laughter in surprise

Baxter rarely laughed, so this machine had to be completely hilarious to get this type of reaction

"what are you laughing at?!" the snake asked angrily, as an embarrassed blush could be seen on his face

"What am I not laughing at ?! your design is so fucking stupid" Baxter let out before he fell back into hysterical laughter

"what?!" Sir pentious asked once more with discompose

"you...you put the detonator at the bottom! it's so easy to see and activate, also your cannons charge only aims in one direction that can't be moved during attacks meaning you can never hope to get a perfect shot with a moving obstacle....you realize demons aren't going to stand right?! plus you've left yourself completely defenseless, there's nothing to cover you if someone was to come from the back with a sneak attack, also the weakest points in the metal are once more extremely obvious, not to mention-" Baxter began to point out the flaws with amusement, only to dodge the snake's machines blast by ducking at the last minute, earning another large hole in the hotel's wall

"Silence!" Sir pentious demanded with pure anger and embarrassment

"I will not take criticism from a low ranking demon such as yourself, let alone a failure of a chemist" the snake continued with a huff

the hotel crew looked to Baxter, knowing exactly how he got when his science was mocked

the fishes good mood completely gone in just one hateful statement

"excuse me?!" Baxter asked with pure outrage

"you heard me, how many of you're experiments have you failed in the past, more than 10 centuries worth," Sir pentious asked with a grin

"the ones that exploded are mean to do that" Baxter shouted defensively

"oh so that makes every single one you've ever created" Sir pentious continued to pry, the snakes smirk now turning into a victorious smirk

"I don't hear you complaining about the solution of artificial life I brewed, that you begged me to make for you just because you were too hopeless on your own" Baxter pointed out

now that news to the misfits, but non said a word

"like you can talk with your pitiful lifestyle, hidden like a hermit that throws a tantrum when he's forced out like a child"

"don't go after my lifestyle, unlike your sad ass that needs constant reassurance by you're egg boyfriends, at least I can survive on my own" Baxter said as a matter of factly

"I should have never asked for your help, they're weak and crack easily, what chemist creates artificial life that can't even survive a simple fall on the stairs" Sir pentious hissed, his tone in a judging tone

"you chose to pour it on EGGS! what did you think was going to happen?!" Baxter exclaimed

sir pentious was about to aim another shot before Baxter pulled out a small gun with a purple liquid in it and shot it very close to sir pentiouses face only to land on the wall behind them and burn it, dissolving largely

"Please not in the hotel!" Charlie cried out, not knowing how many holes the hotel could take before it came crumbling down

"what was that Baxter ?" Niffty asked in pure curiosity

"a simple toxin, extremely harmful to reptile demons but will only leave a normal demon with a few burns here and there"

"Why do you even have that on you ?" husk asked

"I am never without a means of defense" Baxter stated plainly

"how...you know what, I don't want to know" husk was about to ask another question but soon decided he'd rather leave it be

"now then, I suggest getting your sad excuse for an inventors ass out of here before I show you the many improvements I have made since the last time we encountered one another, need I have to remind you the last time I used this, now think about if I've made it so harmful you possibly wouldn't regenerate and cease to exist" Baxter warned, his mad scientist side showing greatly as he smiled wickedly and widely at the thought

the snake hissed with aggression, this was not how he thought this day was going to turn out

and by the serious yet Malicious grin plastered on the fishes face, he decided it was best to try another day

"very well then doctor, but next time, don't expect me to be so merciful" Sir pentious huffed as he backed off

powering on his hovercraft and exciting the beaten hotel

and with that, the snake had gone

but leaving a massive hole in the hotel's side

only when Baxter was satisfied that he placed the gun back into his lab coat

"Alastor why didn't you stop them, those two could have caused damage to both the hotel and its residents," Charlie asked worriedly

"why deprive our dear Baxter time in the limelight, and you, my dear can't deny that it was entertaining now can you" Alastor answered with a grin

Charlie was about to argue but decided it was best not to

with a snap of the radio demons fingers, the wall was gone

Vaggie simply wanted to return to her book at her girlfriend's side before a suspicious movement caught her attention

"Baxter what have you got there," the moth demon asked as she saw Baxter collect what appeared to be parts of sir pentiouses devices on the floor

"the dingbat foolishly left some of his devices here, must have fallen out when he came crashing through honestly, he has no care for his work, then again what demon can call these worthy" Baxter laughed as he tried to balance the technology in his arms

"what are you doing with them?" Niffty asked as she joined in the conversation

"either use them for scrap metal or try and find some advantages to them" Baxter answered as he left with the electronics and back to his lab

"Are we really going to let him go into his lab with whatever that lunatic concocted ?" Angel asked with a smirk, loving where this was going

".....yeah, no we should probably deal with that" Charlie said quickly as she sped walked right after the mad scientist

Chapter Text

Requested by Niglie_Trollster

Alastor was in nature a leader

being the hotel's main source of income being one of the many examples of this

how his arrival boosted the hotel's success and started it all together, he was a man of action and always one in control

That's why the hotels newest resident struck a threat within Alastors eyes

The little scientist loved nothing more than to open the minds of people and expose who they are

At one point he'd been able to make husk open up about his trauma!

Husk!

The demon bird cat hybrid that told you everything and nothing by just hearing his name

Alastor hated not being the one in complete control over any and every situation that came his way

He had the right mind to tell the scientist to back off

Of course in the "nicest" way possible with charlie around

"Greetings doctor," Alastor said charmingly as always when seeing the angler fish finally come out of one of the therapy sessions

Due to the scientist's gift to unmask the hidden truths behind a sinners motives, he was assigned to help with unpacking sinners problems

But although he was great at his job, Alastor couldn't help but feel at unease by how a person with barely any social skills was able to do this

He believed it was due to poisoning within the sinners calming tea

and he would expose him right here and now

"Alastor" Baxter greeted, although not sharing the same level of enthusiasm as the radio demon

"mind if I pick your brain for a quick mo" Alastor grinned as he continued

Baxter wasn't expecting a conversation from the simple greeting, but then again, the radio demon was always searching for a source of entertainment and socialism

"what has caused such a high demand of your counselling I must ask, it takes aeons for demons to elaborate their sins, and yet you simply skip and hop in here and the floodgates open instantaneously" Alastor questioned in amusement

"I wouldn't phrase it like that but I would say the ques and the right questions help a great deal" Baxter answered once more, hoping that he could just leave

"ah! are there examples of these extraordinary methods doctor?" Alastor grinned with interest

it seemed the radio demon wasn't letting him go that easily

Baxter had a thought that Alastor was testing him, he suspected that he thought he was doing something against the princesses whishes of torture and poisoning

those methods would be quicker for the results but he was flexible

so he decided to use these methods on the radio overlord, to give him the answers he so desperately wanted it seemed

Baxter was not putting his findings in valuable slots in his brain, he was just good at remembering what happens to get the perfect outcome

"very well, if we are to start, then tell me Alastor, you're a former serial killer in life, a notorious entity in Hell and one of its many overlords known for his frightening demeanour, extraordinary power and sadistic sense of humour" Baxter began

"correct, you have done your homework" Alastor congratulated with a laugh

"Indeed, but one does not become so sadistic overnight, there was a motive to your personality and how you became the first human sinner to gain such power to topple overlords who had run hell for centuries" Baxter concurred

Alastor simply listened to the scientist's ramblings with the first sign of boredom, although his smile remained

"but of course, I killed and ate humans, I hunted them for sport and did not show an ounce of remorse, by doing so I gained more power with the more mortals I consumed" Alastor added with a laugh

"what would your mother have to say about your actions?" Baxter asked

now this caused Alastor to become quiet

"I've been observing you radio demon, you're the pure definition of evil, and as you say, you have no remorse but there is something that I note that simply causes you to be pushed over the edge

"what do you mean doctor?" Alastor asked with a growl of both warning and interest

"a sons love of their mother, nothing purer than that now is there....making jambalaya with her and such....imagine her seeing the twisted man you had become" Baxter pondered allowed

"do not speak of her as this" Alastor warned with a grin of danger

but Baxter wasn't going to back down

"ah, so there is someone more important than you in your life, what makes her that important I must ask?" Baxter pointed out with a smile of his own

"guys what's with the commotion?" the voice of charlie entered the room

the heated argument had gathered the attention of the main cast of the hotel

not that the other two gave them any mind, simply continuing with their session

"you asked me to test you radio demon, I am simply giving you what you want, so let us continue, what was she like, kind, caring, supportive?" Baxter asked

"....she was all of that and more" Alastor admitted

"if so, how can such an angelic woman raise such a tyrant....but then there is the third individual that must be taken into account now isn't there" Baxter pondered

now there was static in the air

but the fish scientist wasn't backing down, not with this static and not even the shouts of warning from Husk and Niffty who knew Alastor the most

"in early years it wasn't uncommon for women to be abused by their husbands, especially in our times, being the good son you were you tried to protect her, even when he beat you black and blue, yes, eventually you were old enough to fight back and ended the abusive bxxterds life, not that you ever let your mother know, telling her he left when she was still resting from fresh wounds" Baxter elaborated

luckily for Baxter Alastor was allowing him to finish, looked like he just manoeuvred himself perfectly to avoid the suffering of the overlord, but was still able to keep him where he wanted him

"you got a thrill from your first murder, it was a rush of adrenaline and it was exciting, now you view all those around you abusers and loathsome sinners, growing up with those who were too occupied in their own lives to help, that no one helped and even if you tried to get the help they would hurt you the same, watching them do similar actions constantly that you believed that hurting or even killing others didn't matter, we were all going to die and go to hell anyway so why not make a game out of it" Baxter continued

"you are a charming fellow, you are a cannibalistic, sadistic killer that views all those unworthy of mercy and you are a man who loves his mother that you would kill anyone who dares speak ill of her.....that is who you are and you love it, you have no intention of changing because in your eyes you are the only one that understands the true purpose of this world and that no one here can be saved, not even yourself, but your hope of your mother simply being a lucky one is what enables you to get out of bed each morning, the hope that the only being you've ever truly loved is safe....you have hope for those up there....but you can't help but hope that one day you'll be able to see her...even though you know it's hopeless" Baxter finished

the hazbin crew were speechless

Alastor was backed into the corner and for the first time, they were seeing Alastors smile waver, not as confident as to how he started

"Are you satisfied with my methods overlord," Baxter asked with a questioning look

"....more so than desired, doctor" Alastor replied ruefully as he tried to gather his thoughts, taking all his willpower to not fall to the floor in exhaustion, as the truth could hurt as much as a speeding bullet in the mind

Baxter nodded in satisfaction as he was about to level, only to stop at the very last second

"oh and one more thing" Baxter began

"I never stop adding to my notes....so I look forward to our next session" Baxter stated as he finally walked out

leaving the hazbin crew staring as he left and one uncharacteristically silent radio demon,

his signature grin returning to his face

"very well doctor....very well" was all the radio demon could say

Chapter Text

Requested by Keira123

"I said no!!!" Baxter screamed

"come on! it's going to be fun and. good for you. too. join. in. ACTIVITIES!" Charlie grunted as she tried to drag the little demon out of his lab

Just the last week Charlie had brought up her latest idea that was a group game night, believing it would help to build connections within the hotel, staff and residents alike

many were very interested in the event

that was before Charlie stated that there were to be sin-free games, meaning no gambling, poker and other events

husk was no longer interested

Baxter as usual disagreed with the event and tried to seal himself away, but the princess caught him just in time before he could slam his lab door

now the princess was dragging the little angler fish by the arm and pulling him to the lobby, of course, the fish struggled from the grip

it looked as if she was a mother dragging a temper tantrum tot around a shop

luckily she was much stronger and wearing a soundproof set of headphones to muffle his screams and successfully bring him into the lobby with the others

when he was finally there he settled down, not wishing to bring more attention to himself and just huffed, leaning against the bar's table and hoping that he would be able to get back to his samples

"ok, everyone's here, well first let me say welcome all to our first game night and I hope you're ready to play!" Charlie welcomed warmly

the residents and staff simply watched with no commentary, Niffty looking extremely excited, angel and husk not looking bothered and both Vaggie and Alastor smiled although kept an inconspicuous eye on Baxter as instructed by the princess as she knew he would take any opportunity to quickly walk of

"anyways, we have got a whole variety of games to start it off" Charlie squealed as she plopped a tree-sized stack of board games into the lobby

"got enough there Boardgameguru ?" Husk asked sarcastically, earning himself an elbow jab by vaggie

"well I wanted to make sure there were multiple games that everyone would enjoy," Charlie said sheepishly with a chuckle

"why not go old school with a good game of truth and dare" Angel suggested

"because we all know the type of questions and dares you would come up with" Baxter answered with his eyes rolled

"fine then, why not a good game of battleship, I'm sure you're well-acquainted with their rules huh Bax" Angel shot at

it was a low blow and causing a few whispered gasps and cringes

"as much as you are with strip poker I believe Phencyclidine" Baxter growled

another course of whispered gasps

things were already getting heated so Charlie tried to bring the attention back to the fun that was going to be tonight

"now now, we aren't going to start anything that's going to hurt others feelings so early in the night are we?" Alastor asked as he came in the middle of the bickering two

the two simply gave each other a short glance before huffing and looking away

"now my charming demon bell, what shall we start the night with" Alastor continued to ask, but now directing it to the princess

Vaggie huffed at the nickname as Charlie went to pick out a good starting game

"how about snakes and ladders," Charlie asked

"ah, I haven't played that game since I was about 3," Angel said in nostalgia

Alastor, Niffty and husk smiled in the same sense

"what are the rules?" Baxter asked

this caused everyone to look at the small angler fish with surprise

"Are you kidding, this is the original game" Vaggie stated with confusion

"Well, actually The board game Snakes and Ladders originated in ancient India. Originally played as a part of moral instruction to children. The game was transported to England by the colonial rulers in the latter part of the 19th century, with some modifications. The modified game was named Snakes and Ladders and stripped of its moral and religious aspects and the number of ladders and snakes were equalized. In 1943, the game was introduced in the US under the name Chutes and ladders, therefore it is plausible for our fishy friend to not know about it since he died much later and doesn't seem the type of chap to take part in games" Alastor explained happily

the misfits simply looked at the radio demon with surprise but also intrigue

"I do enjoy the odd history story old crazed demon spouts on my walks, do you not?" Alastor explained further

"right..anyway I'll explain it to you, Baxter," Charlie said as she brought the attention back to the event

"it's really easy, Each player puts their counter on the space that says 'start here. Take it in turns to roll the dice. Move your counter forward the number of spaces shown on the dice. If your counter lands at the bottom of a ladder, you can move up to the top of the ladder. If your counter lands on the head of a snake, you must slide down to the bottom of the snake. The first player to get to the space that says 'home' is the winner" Charlie explained

"sounds straightforward" Baxter stated

and it was

Baxter was blessed with a real counter (green) seeing it was his first time

Alastor gained the red counter

charlie the yellow

Vaggie blue

However, there weren't enough counters for everyone so they had to improvise

Angel had a random spare sparkly nail in his pocket in case the ones in use snapped

Husk used a random bottle cap from his booze

and niffty used a shiny rock that looked like she polished every day out of her pocket

so the game began

as simple as it was

it was quite aggravating

many swears bounced around the room as their "counters" fell snakes when getting the wrong number of dice

"aww, you mother fucker!" Husk growled as he watched angel go up the largest ladder, angel simply laughing at the cat who was between two very long snakes

"come on I need a 6!" Vaggie whispered as she shook the dice, she was so close to the finishing line

"4" the dice proclaimed

"gah!" she grunted as she fell a snake that led her down two levels down

poor Alastor watched in amusement as he was still on the second to first of layers

Niffty and Baxter were silently waiting for their turn as the rest fought over how they believed someone was cheating, such as husk knowing how to shake the dice when he suddenly starting winning

"I do not get it, it is a game of chance, it takes no skill and it appears it causes you all to become paranoid and angry with one another for no reason" Baxter stated after Vaggie's win, which was responded with some congratulating and shouting of dismay

"well that's part of the fun, to see how it goes and even though we can get excited" Charlie explained as she nervously watched vaggie and angel stare at one another with proper stink eyes

"It requires no skill and no mental development, games are just pointless" Baxter pointed out with miffed confusion

"you're just sad you lost" Husk stated as he began to walk to get another bottle of booze

"why be sad about something that a mere dice controls? it's not like I put any of my efforts into it" Baxter questioned

"ok then, another game, you decide this time" Vaggie stated as she joined in the conversation

"very well....then I suggest the game monopoly, a popular game when I was alive and helped to mathematical skills, although I did not care for the social side" Baxter suggested with reason

"I don't know...guys," Charlie said nervously, knowing monopoly's rumours to tear friendships apart

"it's not like we're playing with actual money princess, just paper" Angel said whilst rolling his eyes

"I guess if you put it that way" Charlie considered before she felt the reassuring hand of vaggie on her shoulder

"don't worry hun, the games innocent and besides, see how much fun EVERYONE is having, " vaggie said as she pulled her girlfriend to one side to treasure her

as they turned back she noticed that the moth demon was right

Niffty was getting the next game out

"hmm, they've adapted it from the last time I played" Baxter voice was heard as he observed the box

"Many things have my extremely deceased friend" Alastor voice pointed out with a chuckle

but the friendly attitude seemed to dissipate as it soon turned into every man for themselves situation

"I hate you!" Baxter screamed

"well next time don't steal my money!" Angel dust shouted

" Angel give Baxter his 200 dollars, you landed on his property" Charlie scolded, being the banker

"no! he's in jail, I'm not giving my money to a criminal!" Angle argued,

"that's not HOW YOU PLAY!!!" Baxter screamed as he flipped the board and scattered the pieces on the floor

"Alastor? why is Baxter screaming?" Niffty asked with shock and worry

"Niffty my dear I am not talking with you after you stole my last rail rode" Alastor huffed

"I wish I was never born!" Husk growled

"Me too, you think I wanted this?!" Vaggie asked as she screamed herself

Baxter simply let out a high pitched scream of rage

"This...this is fine...." Charlie whispered to herself as the tears and sreams rose, Alastor watching in pure joy

Chapter Text

Requested by HazbinGoodSoFar

Since the first success of their first date, the tiny cyclops Nifty and the ever so slightly taller angler fish scientist Baxter decided to continue the tradition 3 times a month

it was usually the same cafe of their first date because there were limited areas where it felt safe, height appropriate and had good catering

they were welcomed warmly compared to their first date as they soon became regulars that paid good money to keep the cafe afloat

to which the couple found pleasant due to the nicer personalities and any unwanted attention would be scatted away by the manager

could never go wrong with a greedy imp who wanted good money to ensure that their regulars stayed

Niffty and Baxter were celebrating their 6th month anniversary

they didn't celebrate each month but getting through the first half of the year seemed a good reason for celebration

they had grown so attached that Baxter agreed to Niffty that they could share a milkshake

the sappiest but sweetest signs of new romance

the two were talking pleasantly before Baxter's eyes seemed to draw away

Niffty continued to ramble a hundred miles but Baxter couldn't take his eyes of a particular new couple that had just been seated

the two themselves seemed to be on a date themselves, and a reflective light had attracted Baxter's sight to a very impressive and powerful device attached to one of the imps sides

unfortunately, the other imp seemed to catch the anglerfishes stare and alerted their partner, both soon turned to stare back at the scientist

"Sir please explain what you're looking at" the male imp stated with a raised eyebrow

Baxter seemed to shrink back into his seat and only then did Niffty finish talking

"oh apologise for my wandering eyes, but does that happen to be a premium class cut 985 Twisted Plasma Shooter?" Baxter asked, apologising for his rudeness but giving his excuse

"oh yes, you know your weapons," the male imp said with surprise

"Indeed, I like to experiment to improve my own you see" Baxter explained further

"you make weapons?" the imp asked with more surprise and now with an interest of his own

"chemicals are more my speciality but I do create here and there" Baxter explained further, reaching into his coat to produce some examples only for Niffty to place a gentle but firm hand on his arm

"no weapons on the table sweetie, no more work for tonight" Niffty scolded sweetly, although she found it cute how her boyfriends face always brightened up when someone shared his interests in science

"ah, sorry" Baxter apologised with a sheepish chuckle

"now where are our manners, my names Niffty and this is my boyfriend Baxter, sorry for interrupting you" Niffty apologised for the two and began to turn away but it seemed the imps weren't done with them just yet

"nonsense, nothing wrong with pleasant conversation, I'm Millie, a pleasure to meet ya and this is Moxxie, my husband," the new named Millie said as she brought the also newly named moxxie to their table

"Greetings," Moxxie said with an awkward smile as his wife brought him to sit with the new couple

there was enough room and it seemed Baxter wasn't bothered by the new company for a change, although he kept close to Niffty who was the only one allowed to touch him, keeping the new imps on the other side

"so what brings you, sinners, to this cafe? only imps come here, no offence intended of course" Moxxie questioned

"well for a variety of reasons, but mainly because it is our 6th-month anniversary and the only place that serves the best milkshakes, reminds me of home" Niffty answered with nostalgia

"aww, that's so sweet" Millie couldn't help but let out, her husband seeming to agree by his smile

the night was continuing well, it was funny how much the pairs had in common, millies and niffty's sweetness that hid a deep bloodlust and Baxter and moxxie were both experts in the weapons department and were ones to take things seriously compared to their colleagues

speaking of which

" Hey guys, mind scooching over a little?" another imp asked as he forced himself next to millie and moxie, startling all members

"Boss?!" Moxxie seemed to scream with anger whilst millie simply laughed

Baxter and niffty were surprised by the new arrival, the confusion is quite clear on their faces and was unsure of what to make with this new much taller imp

"Niffty, Baxter, this is our boss, blitz" Millie explained

"The O is silent" the newly named blitz stated with a proud smile

"where's the O?" Baxter asked with an even more questioning look

"aw well, aren't you the sweetest, anyway why didn't you guys tell me you were on a double date? I could have brought some condoms and lube" Blitz said with fake hurt and making hand movements of why those objects would be used

"Sir!" Moxxie shouted warningly

"We just met them blitz" Millie explained with a sheepish chuckle, looking at the horrified faces of the extra couple

" it wouldn't be a double date if there wasn't a sudden 5th figure now would there ?"Blitz added before leaning to take a better look at the sinners

only takes a few moments before letting a "holy shit"

soon turned into laughter and stating a "there are sinner versions of you guys!"

the imps and sinners looked to one another....they could see it

but how Blitz could with just a stare was a mystery

....or he had been here longer to analyse the situation

Which would have made a lot of sense

"wonder if this guy is a tiny wiener haver too" Blitz whispered very loudly

"Blitz!" Millie shouted, trying her best to control her bosses impulsive nature and not have the sinners horrified or threatened

if this angler fish made his weapons he could be a threat, and there was an ominous glow behind that lab coat, even if he hadn't pulled anything out it just made him more threatening, after all, they had just met them

and she and her husband were still trying to figure out his girlfriends deal, she seemed so sweet...but she was in hell for a reason and had mentioned Alastor "THE RADIO DEMON" which was also a big deal

even if Blitz could build strong connections with his soon to be boyfriend prince stolas, he still needed to be worried about sinners and even more sinner overlords

"excuse me but my boyfriend is perfectly built!" Niffty protected her boyfriend with a matter of fact like tone

"don't say it as you've seen it!" Baxter shouted with embarrassment and horror

"what? you two haven't had a good tug and pull" Blitz asked with surprise, but his calm smugness remained

"NO!" Baxter shouted in outrage, his true demon form ever so slightly showing

the m&m couple had to shut this down now!

"Damm, at least you ain't the virgin this time Mox" Blitz continued while elbowing Moxxie

"Sir we're trying to enjoy a night out with this nice couple, rare that we find sinners with some class so would you please fuck of," Moxxie asked sternly through gritted teeth

Millie nodding her head saying it would be best to listen to her husband

as Blitz looked back to the sinners he noticed the angler fish glowing a bit more brightly and his teeth looking sharper and longer, his date seems to have a horrified but yet with an amused creepy face and reaching in her purse for what blitz could guess was a weapon

"very well, got to get me and looney lunch anyways, have fun you two, don't get too hammered," Blitz said with a chuckle, standing up and walking away, giving a wink to his employees as he walked off

all 4 members seemed to sigh in relief as the 5th wheel left

"so he's the imp version of angel it seems" Niffty stated as she locked herself in her mirror, ensuring she still looked presentable after that encounter

Baxter couldn't help but a small chuckle let out, his teeth and glow returning to normal

"Sorry about him, he gets lonely and just randomly shows up, he's crude but he's got a good heart," Millie said with an embarrassed sigh

her husband simply rolling his eyes with a huff, knowing that was not the case

only for a few seconds before blitz's voice to be heard once more

"hey so I know, do we have a schedule for that orgy or-?"

looking just behind them they saw the taller demon staring at them with deep interest, face smushed against the window

"GO AWAY!" all members screamed as blitz ran away laughing his head off

Chapter Text

Requested by Op On

"seems the radio demon and that house of nut are more formidable than we gave credit too" Valentino muttered underneath his breath, flicking soot off his suite

he had just come back from the hotel to try and retrieve his "property" Angel dust, only the hotel's staff didn't seem to like how Valentino treated the spider and sent him packing

this wasn't the first time they tried to attack, and they were getting nowhere

Vox understood this, leaning with his hands on his table and looked across pentagram city in his sky scrapper

"Indeed, Alastor has always been able to pull something from his sleeve....but he isn't the only one that has tricks," Vox said with a deep sigh, he went over the situation in his mind

"What are ya suggesting?" Valentino asked as looked at himself in the mirror

"I believe it's time for that band of misfits to meet my little friend" Vox answered with a grin, turning around to his boyfriend

"Vox, you can't be serious! your "little friend" is a maniac! so insane not even I would fuck him" Valentino argued anxiously

"he's our best shot and besides, aren't we all a little crazy down here?" Vox asked with a sinister grin

"although, he might not be too happy with us interrupting our work" Vox chuckled to himself

"Please, no, mercy! please! it hurts too much" demons voiced cried in anguish

deep down in a hidden lab, a small angler fish scientist demon observed a captured beaten random demon with nails attached to his neck

"We are in hell you insolent fool, there is no such thing" the scientist explained with amusement, his grin

attached to the wires was a medium-sized device which the scientist was admiring greatly

"now then, let's see if you come back," the scientist said to himself before pulling out a small tape recorder from his lab coat pocket

"specimen was introduced to 20% of an angels power through my device when killed specimen did not disappear but simply reset...seems a voltage is required," the scientist said into the smaller device, before staring with a sinister look at his victim

"you're a sick bastard you fucking fish!" the demon spat out

"I'm well aware" was all the scientist said as he set the power to 40%

the demon cried once more

the scientist watch in maliciousness

only for a loud knock to interrupt

with a grunt, he stopped his experiment to answer his door

a "phew" of relief was heard as he walked away

"what! oh...." the scientist began angrily before realising who it was

a large tv demon staring down at him with happy surprise

"vox..pleasure," the scientist said as he cleared his throat

"now that's a lie if I have ever heard one Baxter" Vox laughed

"what do you want of me vox?" the newly named Baxter asked as he knew there was a reason for the tv overlord for being here

"I need your help doc...with a particular radio demon" Vox explained

Baxter's face was something of pure shock, he even took a step back in defence

"whoa whoa wait! the radio demon?! seriously?! but I'm not-" Baxter began to panic before vox cut him off

"strong? an overlord? no, but your inventions are, are they not?" Vox asked

"that is what I've invested your work into right? it is what you have been working on since when I gave you protection from the rest of the world" Vox asked once more, leaning down on the much MUCH smaller demon, making the fish quiver in his boots, although he tried his best not to show it

"well, it is true I've been developing more weapons to kill demons than the boring spears, acids, knives, pills and so on...but for the radio demon it will take more time" Baxter explained as he slowly made his way back into the lab to show off the said weapons as evidence as the tv overlord followed the angler demon

"How so?" Vox asked with curiosity

"vox please, small demon no doubt, a medium-sized demon, a large demon sure....but an overlord?! that's an entirely different powerhouse!" Baxter continued to explain with shaking fists

Vox simply sighed

"Baxter, if you had that power, would you try to kill an overlord?" Vox began as he made his way to inspect the specimens and samples of the scientist possession

"n, no" Baxter answered honestly

"and why is that?" Vox continued as he held a small vial of orange liquid

"I, don't care about territory or making myself a target, I just want to be left alone to do my research" Baxter answered once more

"and that is exactly why I'm instructing you with this mission" Vox stated with a glorified grin

"your a simple man which is odd as a man of your position, all you want is solitude and science, to be alone and unbothered, your smart in that aspect which makes you less likely to try anything stupid for power and popularity" Vox explained as he placed the vial in the test tube rack and walked back to the scientist

"extremely unlikely to betray me as you're intelligent enough to understand what will happen if you do" vox finished

Baxter couldn't help but feel pride as the overlord congratulated him on his skills, not used to it at all, but he waved his emotions to one side for now

"The percentage is dangerously low I do understand the parrels and attention if I do so" Baxter replied

Vox laughed, he loved how serious the little fish could be

"However, you still haven't said what this mission is besides including the radio demon" Baxter pointed out

"easy, I want you to go to this place where Alastors occupying at this moment, it's called the hazbin hotel, and I'm instructing you to infiltrate it, see where the weakest points are and report back" Vox instructed

"very well, I'll do it, but I just need to finish one thing before I go" Baxter agreed before quickly going back into his lab

the victim who was taking his last moments to live over his sad afterlife was rudely interrupted as Baxter shocked it after turning it to 70% angel power

Baxter smiled and showed all his long giant teeth as he watched the electricity flow through the demons veins and caused him to explode

the demon never came back

the tv demons voice continued to ring in Baxters head

he had arrived just outside the hotel and was preparing himself in his mind

This hotel was open with the idea to "redeem" sinners to try and get into heaven

he had to hold in his laughter when he heard the idea

redemption? in hell?!

oh it was too good, and he suspected that the radio demon had this same amusement

the only plausible reason Baxter could think of for him to be in such a ridiculous place

regardless he pressed on

when he came in he saw a large spider and a medium one crossed eye lady arguing like mad, too busy to notice him come in which he appreciated

he looked around when he saw a desk that he suspected he was going to be shining in by

as he came closer he saw a drunk cat avian with his chin balancing on top of a bottle of booze, there was a little card that read "Husk"

so Baxter guessed that was the cat's name

working up some courage to talk to the quite intimidating demon

"umm, excuse me" Baxter began

the cat looked around his eye level before looking down

he seemed surprised

"what do ya want?" Husk asked as he continued to inspect the new arrival

"I wish to stay at this hotel, can I have a room, possibly the darkest one and if there is a pool, the furthest away from it" Baxter requested

"um sure, fist, name ?" Husk said as he got a book out from underneath

the book was extremely dusty and looked like no one had ever used it in a long time

"Baxter, just Baxter" the scientist answered as he watched the cat put his name in the book, next to one that looked like "Angel dust"

(a demon named after a drug, very original) Baxter sarcastically thought

"very well, here's your key, it's room 17 on your left, there's a schedule in your room," Husk said as he gave the fish the key

Baxter nodded as he walked to where the cat was pointing too

Husk simply watched as the fish went around the corridor

something seemed of

but that's when the princess of the entirety of hell's voice entered his ears

"hi husk, anything new to report," Charlie asked happily, although she didn't have much intention of stopping

"We need more peanuts, the slut and vaggie won't stop yelling and we've got a guest," Husk said with boredom

"oh of course I'll be sure to get more and-" Charlie began before stopping in shock

"guest? what guest?!!" the princess asked with great urgency, going straight into the cats face, her eyes practically into stars

"just like I said, they just came in right now" Husk answered as he back away from the princess

"where?!" Charlie asked/screamed

"room 17" Husk simply answered before Charlie zoomed off

The little scientist expected the area around him, the

Baxter was just about to open the hotel door before he heard fast thudding footsteps behind him

looking back he saw an extremely happy demon that just stopped right in front of him

as they flicked their blond hair back into place

it was only then did he realise who had just run down to meet him

Princess of hell Charlotte magne

(VOX SAID NOTHING ABOUT LUCIFERS OFFSPRING BEING HERE!) Baxter internally screamed, suddenly feeling very lightheaded

Charlie meanwhile was taking in the sight of the newest resident

His skin is a grey-blue tone and he has fish fins that resemble ears that share the same colour. He has three cyan freckles dotted on each side of his face, located under his eyes. His hair is short and swept back, and both his hair and eyebrows are a dark shade of blue, having grey streaks and cyan dots running through them. He has pointed cyan teeth. He has cyan sclera, and pink/light red irises, and his eyelids are a dark blue shade like his hair. The frame of his goggles is also pink/light red and the lenses are pastel yellow. Also sporting a laboratory suit, with pastel yellow buttons. He is also wearing a tiny grey hat with an esca. The "light" is a yellow gradient, and there are two cyan stripes above the light. Also wearing dark grey gloves and boots. He was also really small, Charlie would have to say second smallest in the hotel only being a few inches taller than their resident cleaning cyclops Niffty

He seemed shocked by her arrival, but Vaggie always said she could be a little too excitable at times which could confuse demons which were fair enough

So instead she took in a big breath to calm herself down and properly introduce herself

"Hello, I'm Charlie, manager of the happy hotel and I'm here to welcome you and congratulate you on your first steps to redemption and a better life" Charlie greeted warmly

"Happy hotel? It says hazbin hotel on the sign" Baxter couldn't help but point out

"Alastor" was all Baxter made out through her sighed mumble

So the radio demon truly was part of this scheme

"Anyways, what's your name and why do you wish to reform," Charlie asked as she got back to the subject

"Baxter and I'm here to see if the theory of redemption can be proven true" was all the fish said

But the princess was too happy to have another resident to truly question his reasons

She squealed to herself, even jumped a little before grabbing the scientists hand

"Oh this is so wonderful, You won't regret your decision and I'll be sure to give you the tour of your temporary home we-" Charlie began to rant before the fishes hand was yanked out of her grip

"Please. Refrain from touching me!" Baxter growled, clearly repressing a scream as his esca glowed red

Charlie smiled sheepishly and apologised while waving her hands frantically

"Great going Charlie!) she screamed at herself, worried she had scared him off

But to her relief he was still there, looking at her with suspicion

"So to properly get you set up we will need to know your sins so we know exactly where to work on, just say the top things on your head, we'll dive deeper into the root as your stay," Charlie said as she took out a note pad and pen

Baxter thought about it, as long as he just gave the bare minimum it wouldn't seem suspicious or he would be giving too much away

"testing my weapons and chemicals on both humans and demons, electrocution and harvesting mainly" Baxter stated as a matter of factly

"great," Charlie said shakily

Baxter didn't understand really, as princess of hell she surely should have heard worse

"ok and cause of death" Charlie continued to ask

Baxter paused, stopping for half a moment before his facial features grow cold

"relevance?" Baxter asked lowly

"well to work fully on a demon we need to know what makes them tick, what causes them to sin you see, your death is just as important" Charlie explained

Baxter simply growled and glared, he wasn't sharing something that personal for a cause he didn't even believe in

Charlie saw his features and decided it would be better to explore that aspect later, after all, she couldn't expect a demons trust or friendship before building it up

"But you don't have to answer that right now if you wish" Charlie added

Baxter's face soon turned back to normal

"so instead he about we get you and everyone introduced?" Charlie asked with a smile

Baxter had no intention of getting to know the other residents, other than the radio demon vox just wanted him to lay low, to which he had no problem with, he wanted to just get this done with and return to his home

only for his thoughts to be interrupted by quiet but hyper chants of what Baxter could make out as "it's a man"

looking back he saw nothing

but when he turned back around he was faced by a small cyclops girl grinning widely at him

"gah!" the fish let out, jumping back with shock

"hi I'm niffty," the cyclops said with a high pitched voice, ignoring his surprise

"it's a pleasure to meet a man, other than Alastor and husk there aren't any other men, well there's angel dust but he's gay so that means he can't date a lady, what about you, what's your name? are single? how-" Niffty began to rant before she was cut off by charlie

"Niffty we're doing an introduction with everyone in the lobby so we don't have to keep repeating," Charlie said kindly as she had to hold in a chuckle of Baxters terrified face

"oh of course, the sooner, the better" Niffty chuckled sweetly before whispering seductively into Baxters ear

Baxter simply walked on the other side of Charlie to keep distance between them

"hey everyone, in the lobby for an announcement" Charlie Hollard happily

3 figures appeared, 1 was the cat he had seen before

the other 2 were a large spider and a medium-sized X lady

it didn't seem too bad, not too many people, bad for the hotel it seemed but good for the fishes social anxiety

"um charlie, who is that?" the X lady asked with a suspicious look

"well everyone this is Baxter, our newest resident" Charlie answered as she stood behind the fish, so all attention was on him

looking around he saw the princess looking at him encouragingly, the spider was smirking, the X woman now named Vaggie was continuing to observe him, the cyclopses gaze was getting lower and lower and the cat didn't look bothered (which he appreciated)

but where was

"Greetings my fine fishy fellow" a loud announcing voice began behind him

Baxter felt the colour drain from his face

spinning around he saw the radio demon himself looking down at him with a smug but welcoming smile

"How does it feel to be the lucky 2nd resident of this fine establishment?" Alastor asked, holding his radio staff to his mouth

it looked like he was being expected to make a speech or something

everyone looked at him to see what he had to say

"Ummm...I'm, I, interested..to, in the involvement of this study, I'm looking forward to seeing the outcome" Baxter admitted and a part of him was being honest,

he never felt this nervous before, he felt himself shrinking into himself and it was very obvious #

all the misfits watched as the little demon stumble on his words and his fins lower and press against his face

it seemed to make himself seem harmless as Vaggie's hard gaze soften

"arent we all, now how about a nice welcome to pension for our newest sucker" Alastor suggested in excitement

"Alastor be nice and speaking of, change the sign back please," Charlie said as she pulled the radio demon to one side

Baxter looked back to where the other demons attention was still on him

"so Baxter, what's the blue stuff in your hair," Niffty asked as she zipped right in front of him

"m, my hair, it's just my hair," Baxter said with confusion, not exactly sure what she was asking

Niffty simply sighed lovingly, muttering "so neat"

"Anyway, welcome to the hotel, to be the first demon to seek it out or go here willingly...it means a lot to our cause so..thank you" Vaggie smiled as she went to

"Welcome to the true hell kid" was all husk said as he walked out the lobby, alongside Angel who simply winked at him

"come on guys! Alastor's got the room all set up!" Charlie's voice echoed through the hotel

come on guest of honour, your one of us now" Niffty said she zipped into the "party" room

Baxter took this moment in the lobby alone to just breath

(don't expect me to get attached) the fish whispered internally before entering the party room

Chapter Text

Requested by HazbinGoodSoFar

Sir pentious wiped the black liquid of oil and ink from his face from another territory takedown failure

he had been in hell for 72 years now and he had gotten nowhere

yes, machines were impressive

yes, they worked,

but they simply weren't enough

he was a great inventor but he was missing something

he just couldn't figure out what

he decided to go out for a slither to clear his mind

he hadn't gained any more territory but the demons around him knew not to attack due to his firepower

didn't stop them from mocking him though

with a deep sigh, he tried to empty his head, at least before a conversation brought him out of his thoughts

"dude do you know what happened to gordan? haven't seen him in weeks" a teenage looking demon asked

"You didn't hear, you're never going to see him again, he's....sleeping with the fishes now if you know what I mean" the second teenager answered his friend

"agh, jeez what a way to go," teenager 1 said with a shudder

"excuse me, gentlemen, I can't help but overhear, what happened to your friend" sir pentious asked as he came into the conversation

The demons grimaced as they recognised him from the news but decided to answer him, a small smirk shared

"All I'm saying is that once that doctor gets you, you are finito, done, no coming back" the first teenager answered

"who is this doctor" sir pentious continued to ask

"that's the thing, no one knows, their infamous, the only thing we know about them is that when they done with the victims, the first ones at least were frown into the lake to be discarded and forgotten, but recently nothings been found, but more bodies have been disappearing around those parts," the second teenager said although as he explained, he seemed to be scaring himself

"We know what happens, but we don't know who does it" the first teenager interrupted

"where can I find them," the snake asked with a true interest

"if you truly want to be erased then it's here," the demon said as he gave pentious a map where an area in the outskirts of pentagram city with a huge circle with a "avoid at all cost!" sign on it," the first teenager said as he gave the snake the map

there were other areas with the same, more closer to where the royals and overlords were, which made this one more curious

"cya never old man!" the pair said as they ran off

"That guy's so dead, the good residence" the second demon laughed as he high-fived his friend

sir pentious simply hummed as he looked to the map

seemed the snake was going to be doing some investigating this afternoon

sir pentious followed the map to an abandoned alleyway

on his way, he had to shoot some random demons who were getting too close but as he got closer to the destination less and less followed until they were scared of

seemed that the rumours were true

he ensured his weapon was ready

he heard a creaking noise from his left

he hid behind a close crumbled wall and using a discrete eye on his tail saw who it was and where they were coming from

and he was surprised to find one of the overlords, tv Deamon vox walking from a secret entrance

looking closer, where the tv overlord was currently walking away from, the snake could see that entrance was connected to a well-camouflaged building that both look ready to collapse when glancing it

but as the snake slithered closer just before the entrance could close, it looked quite sturdy and high tech

as he entered there were immediately stairs to go down and uncover secrets

being silent as he could he looked around to discover a variety of weapons, chemicals and fridges he could guess were storing samples

(ugh, of course, it would be a chemist) the snake sighed internally

"what brings you here snake?" he heard a voice asked with a growl

a glowing corridor that sir pentious guessed was where the action took place, and the where the scientist did the action was speaking to him

when he entered he came face to face with the chemist

a small angler fish wearing a lab coat, goggles and holding a small gun to which he was pointing at the inventor

"simply heard some rumours on my way and it caught my interest" Sir pentious admitted, his eyes observing the room, more inventions and a camera feed, he suspected the fish had the security camera's in this lab, where he saw the snake sneak around

sir pentious wasn't as keen on such modern technology, which seemed to be his downfall

"well now you know, but curiosity killed the cat you know, I don't like those knowing my identity, could put a target on my head you see," the scientist said with a smile, trying to sound reasonable as he charged the gun

"come now, doctor?-" sir pentious began shakily as he saw the gun glow brighter

"Baxter, sir pentious" the newly named Baxter introduced himself

"you know me?" the snake asked with surprise

"I do listen to the news, a failure of a fake overlord, but an impressive inventor, your mechanical know-how is much more developed than most in this dreaded world" Baxter pointed out

"seems that we can make an exchange, inventor between investor" sir pentious said, trying to use this to his advantage

"I'm listening" Baxter lured

"you don't kill me, I won't tell your secret and I'll even show you some of my work if you wish" Sir pentious offered

the fish pondered on the thought before agreeing

the two boarded sir pentious'es ship that was the snakes main base

"good equipment up here, I guess," Baxter said, although whispering the final part

"thank you, it is nice to have someone with a similar interest, knowledge even" the snake admitted before his friendly attitude turned sinister

"But I don't have those too close to a brain"

the snake pressed a button which set all his weapons of torture lock onto the angler fish

"makes you a threat in my eyes, and I already have too many of those" sir pentious explained

But Baxter simply folded his arms with a small smug smile on his face

"Hmm, your not shaking in fear, very odd for someone in your position" sir pentious said with surprise

I may not have been in hell as long as you sir, but I've been long enough to know the true intentions of any demon, no matter how dignified, they'll all betray you the same" Baxter announced

before the snake could respond the power turned off, as well as the weapons

the only light came from the angler fish

the scientist grabbed his gun and shot a gas at the snake and made pentious cough in pain

"I'm not a very social person as you can guess, I do not care for others, especially those who try to stab me in the back" Baxter explained darkly

The snake simply coughed in anguish, he couldn't breathe, he was scrambling in the dark to open a window, to which he was just lucky to get

"you crossed the wrong scientist inventor, but this a new coat, I'd rather not contaminate it with your filthy blood" Baxter continued as he examined the snake's weapons and see if there was anything worth keeping

When he collected his favourites he shot another round of snake poison gas

"tell anyone about me....and I won't be as unusually merciful" Baxter whispered as he came to the window, the gas does not affect him

and with that, he left

when the lights came back on there was no trace of the scientists

"that (cough) infuriating, arrogant, pipsqueak" the snake screamed in rage

Luckily he had gas masks ready, although it continued to feel uncomfortable on his skin

but he didn't care at that moment, his attention being in a small vial he had stolen from the scientist's lab when he was sure he had him distracted

it was marked "synthetic life"

when he had finally got the poisonous gas out of the ship he had gone to test the chemists chemical

on eggs

the first thing that caught his eye and snake, eggs, they link

as he put a droplet on the first egg he was amazed to see what happened

the egg grew a few inches with a little outfit and a whole face

"Daddy!" the egg let out in joy

"it's, alive! it truly is!" Sir pentious yelled in joy and went on his way to make more

he had to paint numbers on their backs so if he was to give orders they would know which one he was talking to

he was soon finished but kept some of the chemicals in his vial

he was already planning schemes for territory take over

only the eggs were clingy, very clingy

like they were children which sir pentious found annoying

And small...and weak

he looked to the vial to see if there were any other descriptions, something he needed to do to make them stronger

but looking closer he saw the label was bent

unpacking it he read "prototype 1- synthetic life"

the snake read with horror

"Failure"

meanwhile, the fish noticed that one of his vials was missing

he was about to yell in fury before noticing which vial it was

looking closer he looked in surprise

and then amusement

"That fucking idiot" the fish laughed manically

Chapter Text

Requested by X

the water had filled his lungs

he was dying and was nothing he could do

he was trapped

he pounded the ceiling in hopes of someone hearing him

but no one was coming

as the last air bubbles were leaving his mouth, he knew that even if someone did hear him, they wouldn't care

he had no one

he was alone

and he was dying

he dying in the worst possible way imaginable

he felt himself drop to the bottom of the floor

only the bottom of the floor never came

it felt like he was crashing through the floor actually

there was a weird whooshing noise and new energy filled his body

opening his eyes slowly

the only thing he could see is red

he wasn't drowning

but he was falling

fear began to take over his lifeless body

looking down made it much worse

if he wasn't dying in the boat he was dying by this fall

as he got closer to the ground he saw that he was going to fall into this new worlds water

it would break his fall

but as he opened his eyes he was back in the sinking boat

"no, not again!" he thought as the suffocating feeling came back into his lung

it was a never-ending loop

"no more! no more!" he screamed

and suddenly

he was back in his bed

his body covered in his sweat and tears, shaking as his hands were still wrapped around his neck

letting go he simply wrapped himself into a little ball in his covers, allowing his tears to run their course until he cried himself to sleep, just like all the time he had these night terrors

"Baxter?"

the fish heard a familiar voice call out

"n,niffty?" Baxter whispered in question

it was only then did he remember that the bedrooms of the hotel where he was currently staying weren't exactly as soundproof as his lab

but without warning the little cyclops opened the door with a spare key

"I, I didn't say you could come in!" Baxter screamed as he pulled his covers higher, not that he had anything to hide, wearing full lengthed blue checkered pyjamas

"well when you didn't immediately yell at me to go away I knew something was up" Niffty argued with worry

"well nothing is up so go back to-" Baxter was about to lie before the hyper woman came closer to inspect the angler fish

"you've been crying," she said with surprise, her worry becoming more evident

"crying?! who's crying?!" a new voice asked frantically

this voice belonged to charlie, princess of hell who was accompanied by her girlfriend vaggie who had her spear at the ready, when even trying to sleep it seemed she was always on guard

"no one! go to-" Baxter tried to yell and lie before being interrupted by his first invader

"Baxter" Niffty answered sadly

"wait, Baxters crying?!" Vaggie asked with surprise

all 3 simply looked at the fish in question who was trying his best to hide his face in his hands

"why can't you all just leave me alone! go away!" he asked as he tried to cover the tears that just wouldn't stop falling

only for a feeling of an embrace fall onto his body

a warm and reassuring weight of charlie who was hugging him not too tightly but not too lightly either

"it's ok, we're here"

"wait I-" Baxter began to argue as he struggled in the grip before the princess continued

"it's over now" was all the princess needed to say

at once Baxter stopped his fighting

her words proved comforting to the little fish, wanting to believe her and for his endless cycle of torture to never continue within his mind

the embrace was stable, strong and secure

and for once he accepted the embrace, not wanting to reenter the weightless woe that was his mind

the other 2 demons simply watched in shock as the little demon returned the embrace with a hug of his own, burying his tears into her shoulder, hiding his face and his misery

Vaggie and Niffty slowly went to join the embrace, Niffty at Baxter's side and Vaggie covering his back where she smiled at Charlie who was trying to prevent tears of her own, tears of sadness for her friend's tears but also joy that the demon was accepting her embrace

the girls didn't say anything, but simply continued to hug, worried that if they talked they would frighten him

"ey, um, are we interrupting something?" the voice of angel asked

just outside the scientist's open door, they noticed the rest of the crew

"Baxter had a bad dream" was all Charlie said

"yeah, and by the way, he isn't freaking out by you all surrounding him, seems it must have been a bad one" Husk added which Alastor nodded with agreement

speaking of the fish he seemed to have settled down now, wiping away the remainders of his tears and looking less shaky

but the look of embracement seemed to be replacing his upset and shocked facial features, as everyone knew he wasn't used to this much attention

"um, thanks for...that...but I assure you I'm fine now, so if you wish to return to your sleep," Baxter said trying to coax the group out as he gently pushed the girls off him, only this did not go as planned as Angel dust joined in the hug

"ain't letting you off that easy shorty," the pornstar said as he booped the scientist's nose and wrapping his many arms around the group

this was soon joined by Alastor and husk (who had to be pulled by the radio demon) to join the embrace

"Indeed, we are all here to comfort you in your misery" Alastor stated happily

the misfits groaned at how the radio overlord phrased that sentence

(I need to get a soundproof room) Baxter sighed internally, although he didn't mean a word of it

Chapter Text

Requested by Falconlover1234

it was a quiet day in the happy hotel

Charlie had to give that credit to Angel and Alastor who had gone out for other events

the princess herself was simply going over the hotel

things were much tidier now that Niffty was their maid, speaking of, she was zooming with a hoover and skipping, she seemed to be enjoying herself which was good

and when she got to the lobby she saw Vaggie trying to convince Husk to cut down his booze supply, but she was simply met with blank stares and the cat continuing to drink

she was about to cut in before she felt the floor shake underneath her

a loud boom was soon followed

the other two demons seemed to notice this as well and stopped what they were doing

"what the fuck was that ?!" Husk spat out with confusion

then Charlie remembered the last member she hadn't taken into account

Charlie began to run to the bottom of the hotel, the rest of the hotel staff soon following her

she didn't stop running until she was faced to face with the last resident's area of work

Baxters lab

"Baxter we heard an explosion, what's going on in there?!" Charlie called worriedly and urgently

there was no answer, but the doors were metal and soundproof (almost)

"Baxter we're coming in" Charlie declared as she had to ensure that the resident was ok

"no! go-" Baxter's voice was heard as she opened the doors

but it was too late as they saw the alarming sight

chemicals were spilt over the floor, a bottle was thrown around with pieces of paper getting dampened

but then came the true area of concern

"Holy shit Baxter" Vaggie shouted as she and the other misfits ran to the scientist's side

in the corner there was the scientist in question was, holding his arm and grunting in pain, his leg he tried to lay still, but the fact he wasn't trying to get rid of them and out of his lab was what caused their fear to intensify

"what happened?!" Niffty asked with fear

(flashback)

the scientist was simply taking his samples out of his fridge as he waited for his solution to boil on the side

but he hadn't noticed that the two very harmless chemicals mixing was bubbling over and creating sparks

Baxter heard some clicks from his left but as he turned he was met full-faced by a large explosion

sending him zooming to the wall and a cracking noise to be heard within

only that wasn't the only pain as the samples that he was carrying were sent flying everywhere, especially on himself

causing chemical burns on his unprotected face, his cheeks and forehead producing black blood and bruises

he tried to grab for something to wash the chemicals of but his arm let out a dreadful crack, earning a yelp of pain to come from his lips

using his other hand he tried to stand but he was unbalanced, the crash and fall had bent his right ankle to bend funny, to which he guessed it was now sprained

the burning sensation eventually stopped but he knew that if he didn't wash it off soon there could be permanent damage

letting out a grunt he tried to get up once more, but the pain was unbearable and he wasn't the strongest demon in hell, and he fell back to the floor

only that caused more pain in his chest, poking at his chest ever so slightly he had to yank his hand away as it hurt too much

add broken ribs to his injuries then

it honestly couldn't get worse

"We heard an explosion, what's going on in there?!" he heard the recognizable worried voice of Charlie from the other side

(this is such a movie cliché) the fish internally groaned

(back to the present)

"I'll get the first aid kit," Niffty said hurriedly as she ran out of the lab

meanwhile, Vaggie and husk were scolding the heck out of the fish

"I can't believe you were this careless! you have to derive your attention to one thing when your handling these chemicals! I mean, you should know this

"I've tested them before, they were harmless" Baxter began to defend himself before a fist landed on his head, a punch, a soft one, but a punch non the less

"have you ever heard of the phrase, two negatives can make a positive" Husk asked sarcastically who's fist had just hit the fish

"listen. these two chemicals shouldn't have exploded, there was possibly some residue still in the beakers" Baxter began to explain but was once more cut off

"don't you clean your beakers?" Vaggie questioned accusingly

"yes!.....but...it is possible, I could have accidentally used one from my to be cleaned pile" Baxter admitted sheepishly

"what piles?! this place is a mess" Vaggie exaggerated as she pointed at multiple examples of mess in the lab

"maybe to you, but it is an organized mess to me" Baxter defended his workplace

"can't be if you got yourself hurt, you look like you've just been dragged through a hedge backwards" Husk pointed out

Baxter couldn't argue with that, he felt like the expression itself and he hurt all over

whilst the two continued to scold Charlie had gotten him a clean cold cloth to wash the remainder of the solution but also his broken scales and blood from his face

she was being kind, but he could sense she was going to scold him much worse than these two could

then there was Alastor and angle who were out, when they came back he knew they would want to find out what happened to him, he's sure he'll be the source of their amusement for when they return

Niffty came back with bandages and stitches

Baxter knew how to patch himself, having the experience to do so

but as he reached out for the equipment husk took it out of the little cyclops hand and out of his reach

"nice try pipsqueak" he whispered with amusement

he watched as Vaggie got closer and he knew what she was trying to do

"don't you dare" Baxter warned

Vaggie simply smirked and proceeded to crouch to his eye level

"it's either let us carry you to the medical wing, or we leave you here to suffer on your own with broken bones, no equipment and no way of walking," Vaggie said, the smugness in her voice not leaving

Baxter was stuck between a rock and a hard place

but he decided it was better to get his injuries treated so there was no risk of them getting infected or growing back incorrectly

"fine!" he groaned

and so the X marked woman picked the little fish up with ease

he focused more on his pain to ignore the other person's touch, he hated both sensations but couldn't tell which one was worse

eventually, they got to the medical room to see the damage

and it seemed that they were correct

the scientist had 3 broken ribs, a dislocated and fractured left arm, a twisted and bruised left ankle, very severe chemical burns on his face whilst including bruising and open wounds

they could tell the scientist was holding in his grunts and screams of pain to seem stable, but it was too plain to see

"ok so just lie down and we'll get you all wrapped up in no time," Charlie said reassuringly

but to the scientists surprise it was mainly husk and niffty working on his injured body

Niffty was tasked with the smaller stitching which included his face as well as putting soothing cream to ease the chemical burns, it was extremely uncomfortable but he'd just have to push through the sizzling pain

meanwhile, Husk was working on the more serious areas

being a war veteran it was no surprise that he had to practice in these sorts of situations

to take his mind of it the rest of the crew continued to shout how irresponsible the fish had been

"Baxter, this is bad, what would have happened if we hadn't heard the explosion or weren't here?! what if the damage was much worse?!" Charlie asked worriedly

Baxter didn't bother fighting back this time, all his energy was being used to keep awake and hold in his noises of distress

although the odd little whimper and grimace was sure to be heard

"so I think until you truly better you're banned from your lab" Charlie declared

now this caused Baxter's eyes to pop in fear

"What?!" he screamed

only he moved too fast and caused his injuries to twist unnaturally, earning a gasp of anguish and become silent

the crew allowed Baxter to collect his breathing as husk held him still so he wouldn't hurt himself further

"relax ya brat, your undoing our work" Husk scolded, but his voice was quieter to try and keep a calm atmosphere

"I'm sorry Baxter, but as you can see you're in no condition to continue your work, we don't want you getting worse and we want to ensure that your keeping safe" Charlie continued

"but" Baxter began before Vaggie cut in

"no buts, you're not going in your lab and your going to let those injuries heal, don't make us put you on bed rest" Vaggie finished

and that was the last of it

Baxter sighed in defeat as he knew there was no reason to continue fighting, they had won

"I dare say, what happened here," the voice of Alastor asked as he appeared out of nowhere

"an experiment went wrong" Vaggie stated, although a judgmental stare could be seen towards the currently injured fish

spots of his face were still covered in cream, although where some had dried off there were still pink aggravated patches, but better than the red ones seen before

for ribs, it was best for them just to treat themselves, but he was given pain relievers which he would need to have regularly as well as an ice pack to reduce the pain and swelling around his chest

the same also applied to his ankle but he had to rest it and keep it elevated with a bandage to support it

and finally, for his arm, it was relocated back into its socket and placed into a sling

not that the last one was an easy task

(flashback)

"ow OW OW NO, OF GET OF IT HURTS TOO MUCH, LET GO, LET ME GO!!!" Baxter screamed and cried as he tried to get away from the cat's grasp

it's going to be more painful if we don't get it secure, so HOLD STILL

but the fish wouldn't listen, screaming in pain and wriggling around which just made it worse

the rest of the crew came to hold him still, doing it for the greater good

"Hey, what's with all the screaming?" the unmistakable voice of Angel dust asked as he came from his event

when he came back into the hotel he hadn't expected to hear anguish filled screams and shouts of his friends trying to calm the screamer down

now he was faced by the misfits trying to hold down the squirming yelling figure of the fish scientist as his crush tried to push his arm into its socket

"we'll explain later, just help us keep him still!" Vaggie yelled to the surprised spider

Angel dust did as he was asked and helped to keep the fish boy still

eventually, the cat had managed to get the dislocated arm back

earning the final but loudest scream yet, tears of pain coming down the fishes face as he took a tired breath

whimpering as the pain settled

the hotel crew giving him space to breath

(back to current)

Baxter was still trying to regulate his breathing but kept an eye on Alastor, knowing he was going to laugh at any moment

"ah my dear chap, seems that luck simply wasn't on your side today now was it" Alastor chuckled

Baxter just looked away

"be nice Al, he's been through enough today" Charlie whispered sweetly, yet warningly

"very well, but perhaps our injured little fellow would feel more comfortable in the lounge, I have brought back a delightful little surprise and I would hate it for anyone to miss out," Alastor said cheerfully

"he really should be resting" Vaggie began before Niffty cut her off

"I have the wheelchair ready," The tiny cyclops said as brought out the said item

she was about to offer Baxter a hand before the fish interrupted

"Actually, I think it's better if I just stay in here just for now, kinda tired after all that," Baxter said quietly and sleepily

the others seemed to understand and didn't try to convince him otherwise

Vaggie smiled, happy that the scientist was finally listening to reason

"very well Baxter, we'll check on you later, have a good rest ok," Charlie said as she escorted the others to leave the fish to relax

Baxter nodded as he watched them leave

only Baxter to smile in amusement and look around his surroundings, sure he could do something to pass the time

they said he was banned from the lab, not exactly to do his work outside

he was about to use his good arm to try and reach for a medical tool

only for angel dust and husk came back

retracting his arm, Baxter watched in displeasure as they took all the medical tools and equipment out of the room, leaving only Baxter, his bed, the wheelchair and a phone that he could contact the others with

"Don't think we don't know what you're capable of planning mad scientist" Husk stated with a knowing look

"nighty night sweetheart" Angel finished with a smug laugh whilst closing the door

(well there goes my plans for tonight) the fish thought with annoyance as he huffed and tried to sleep

Chapter Text

Requested by Niglie_Trollster

Baxter x Nifty (secretly dating for about a year, but it's an open secret at this point, but the others keep quiet about it to not mess with things)

the yearly extermination was once more upon the citizens of hell

but this year they were taking no prisoners

not even the most heavily guarded of places were able to avoid the merciless angels

and the hazbin hotel was no different

the residents and staff fought bravely and strongly

being well adverse to how the angels attacked did they have some advantage

the day was long, and each demon fought till their dying breath to survive

only when did the fireworks announcing the purge was over did the angels finally back of

the crew sighed in relief as no one was killed

but killed didn't mean injured

The problem with angelic weapons is that even if they do not plunge their weapons into a demon, even the slightest graze or cut could "Taint" the surrounding flesh until it spreads through the whole body and kills them

this was the situation of their resident cleaning lady, Niffty

the wound wasn't too deep that it punctured any vital organs, but the wound was tainted

the killing process was already beginning as the skin was burning off and she wasn't waking up

the crew gathered around the poor girl before a particular figure rushed her straight to the medical room

the crew all knew that Baxter was the only one capable of performing emergency surgery to remove all the tainted flesh, being the only one that truly knew how angelic weapons worked and how to adapt them to his and other demons use

but what made it more anxious was questioning the thoughts of the scientist himself

he and Niffty had been secretly dating for about a year, although it was more of an open secret at this point, it was obvious that the two had feelings for one another and the fact they were always going somewhere just the two of them made it stand out more, but the others kept quiet about it so not to mess with things and allow them to admit their relationship to the others when they feel ready

but at this moment the fishes only objective was saving his girlfriends life

she looked so odd being so still, not even in sleep was she ever this quiet and it was terrifying Baxter

the tainted skin was continuing where he could practically see her organs

he needed to act quickly

"faster"

"It hurts too much"

"MOTHER PLEASE"

"what did I do to deserve this"

"Someone please help me"

memories and thoughts plagued his mind as he removed the tainted skin

his breathing sped up and many of these thoughts made it out of his mouth as if he was having a conversation

this continued for many moments before his concentration was caught off guard as he felt a weight land on his head

looking up in alert he tried to see what it was

was it another attack

was it a threat

but his guard was knocked down as he saw his girlfriend smiling at him sympathetically, her hand continued to brush his usually slicked back hair

due to the stress and panic, he hadn't had the time to look at his appearance

through Niffty's eyes, he looked a wreck

eye bags, messy hair, sweating with fear but face serious on her procedure

but since she was awake it meant that the tainted flesh was almost all gone, only a few bits left to go

"Niffty," he said in relief

he desperately wanted to hug her, but he needed to complete the procedure before he could do such actions

Niffty understood but continued to brush his hair in encouragement and soothing

he couldn't be more grateful

as the moments continued Niffty said her first sentence since she had fallen unconscious

"I remember things too, both good and bad"

this caught Baxter of guard a little but didn't stop the procedure

"The memories I mean, sometimes I do something and they just infect the mind" Niffty explained

"Niffty, please save your strength, you're in a critical situation" Baxter simply answered, trying to avoid what his girlfriend was referring to

"you seem to know about these situations a lot, you're not a war veteran like Husk and a chemist so although you test on organs and chemicals it doesn't mean you would know how the body is arranged and how to practice surgery on the right?" Niffty ignored her boyfriend's warning

Baxter simply grumbled, he didn't want to get into that now, this was about Niffty's circumstance, not his past

"you're talented Baxter but I heard you, parts at least, please tell me what happened"

Baxter took a glance at Niffty

her big beautiful eye full of worry and empathy

he looked away before he could be captured in it

but under her spell, he felt himself explaining himself

"....my mother.....she...she was deranged...I believe she had a mental illness of some sort, not that it was obvious in those times....on the outside she was the perfect mother and hostess, never speaking out of term and always respectful and pleasant...it was all a front" Baxter began

looking up he saw Niffty nodding encouragingly at him to continue

"she was a drinker, loved her wine...not that anyone knew...but it caused her to become violent...father had died which made it much worse....by then she refused to come out of the house some days, but at night she would always go out to drink....giving me time to stitch back my ripped skin... was the only one where she could take her rage out on....knives she would use to rip my skin, called me an abomination due to.....well...you know" Baxter continued before taking a breath to indicate his chest

"the cuts started small, simple stitches only being needed....but as time progressed I daily had to stitch and bandage larger wounds....one being where I had to enure my stomach stayed in place" Baxter carried on shakily

"Can you imagine how painful that is...no painkiller, no anaesthesia...I had to feel every ounce of pain as I stopped my organs from falling out of my body..the world became fuzzy and I just wanted to give up....but that would mean that bitch would have won, and I couldn't let that happen...I fought through the pain and proceeded with the surgical process" Baxter said as he grabbed the last part of tainted skin from Niffty's side and threw it as far as possible

getting up for the bandages he finished his tale

"I ensured that I knew everything about patching myself so in situations like these I would know how best to handle them and make sure I never lost against my so call mother....but what goes around comes around" Baxter laughed as he grabbed the materials and walked back to Niffty who was still listening attentively

"no one discovered her crimes, even when I tried to tell others of them, simply brushing me off as a child wanting attention, but one fateful day on her way back to the house we shared she was mugged and stabbed in the back, rumors around that since she went out every night she was rich, the insides of the broken house saying otherwise, but no one other than me or herself knew the truth...she opened the door and rushed to the kitchen where she searched for the first aid kit, not knowing I had it stored in my room as on instinct, I was currently in the living room reading a book as she walked in as blood watered like a fountain, by this time she hadn't the strength to stand properly but yet demanded that I help her, calling me a "good for nothing" and ordering me to stitch her wound...I simply watched in disappointment, was this the same woman that caused me endless nightmares, the same terrible beast that I hid away as much as possible? it was pitiful...I stared as she doubled over, but her empty threats continued, saying she would make sure my insides were ripped to shreds...but I simply watched as she got weaker and weaker, she was getting more scared and her shouts got quieter and quieter, in a final attempt she crawled over to the phone...but I simply walked over and took it out of her reach....she whispered I was a miserable bastard, but I simply laughed and kicked her in the face, going into the kitchen I grabbed a bottle of her wine and poured it on her, called her the miserable slob that she was as her breaths got shallower and shallower until her breathing stilled...at long last she was dead, I was so fucking happy I was crying tears of joy, and as I calmed myself I grabbed the phone and told the police that my whore of a mother had died, bringing her drinking buddy around and he got too careless and stabbed her....it was too perfect, but not too much to be true" Baxter finished

he had been so lost in his explanation he hadn't noticed that he had been crying, nor laughing

looking to Nifty she was simply watching him with a loving smile, not being disturbed in the least

in fact, she seemed proud of him, and she truly was

"I'm so sorry that ever happened to you Baxter, but even though you had to go through hell even when on earth, I'm grateful for your knowledge, how you never let those who push you down keep you down, and I'm so grateful that you're here to help me in my darkest moments," Niffty said lovingly as she pulled Baxter into a gentle side hug (her good one obviously)

Baxter sighed as he hugged his girlfriend in massive relief

"I will always be there for you" Baxter assured with a gentle kiss on her head

"as I will be for you" Niffty simply replied as the two stayed there until they had fallen asleep in each other's arms

Chapter Text

Requested by Jack

It was dinner time at the happy hotel

only it wasn't all smiles and sunshine within the establishment

tension was at a full-time high

particularly with two of the residents of the hotel

the staff simply picked their food and ate in silence as they tried to ignore the intense stares that were being darted across the table

"marcio piccolo fastidioso twerp pensare che sei meglio di tutti noi non è ben notizia flash non sei" angle sneered

husk being the only one able to translate decided it was best not to, unsure if it would make matters better or worse

to this Baxter simply handed angel a piece of paper, not once stopping his stares

"01101010 01110101 01110011 01110100 00100000 01100010 01100101 01100011 01100001 01110101 01110011 01100101 00100000 01001001 00100000 01100100 01101111 01101110 00100111 01110100 00100000 01101011 01101110 01101111 01110111 00100000 01110111 01101000 01100001 01110100 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00100111 01110010 01100101 00100000 01110011 01100001 01111001 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01100100 01101111 01100101 01110011 01101110 00100111 01110100 00100000 01101101 01100101 01100001 01101110 00100000 01001001 00100000 01100100 01101111 01101110 00100111 01110100 00100000 01101011 01101110 01101111 01110111 00100000 01101001 01110100 00100000 01110111 01100001 01110011 00100000 01100001 01101110 00100000 01101001 01101110 01110011 01110101 01101100 01110100 00100000 01110011 01101100 01110101 01110100 00100000 01101010 01110101 01110011 01110100 00100000 01101111 01110111 01101110 00100000 01110101 01110000 00100000 01110100 01101111 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00100111 01110010 01100101 00100000 01101101 01101001 01110011 01110100 01100001 01101011 01100101 01101110 00100000 01100001 01101100 01110010 01100101 01100001 01100100 01111001" the note read out

"The fuck is this?!" Angel asked angrily as he tossed the note to the side

"binary code, but then again I don't see how you could understand something so advance, especially when you can't read a simple note of basic understanding" Baxter sighed with boredom

"learn to let things go already shrimp, the world didn't end so stop acting like it did" Angel argued back

the two fell into another round of silence before charlie couldn't take it anymore

"Why are you two fighting? we know something happened but you haven't told us what!" she exploded

"he knows what he did," both of them said simultaneously

"But we don't, so perhaps we can get a deeper perspective if you tell us" Vaggie added, getting tired of the evening's stress, she didn't want to deal with anymore after a day of it

the two figures simply growled at one another before elaborating what the fight was about

it all started with a note

Angel had just finished his nightly routine and called out to see if anyone was still up, many of the HH residents were night owls after all

only he didn't find anyone except for a tub of a medium-sized cookie and a note

it read "dear angel dust, please enjoy the last of Niffty's cookie, sincerely Baxter"

Angel was surprised but took the cookie non less, it was a tiring night and he decided that he deserved a treat

"sweet" he muttered as took a bite, he was surprised by Baxter's sudden generosity but he'd take it

speaking of the little fish, here came now

he too was still up (but that wasn't a surprise) and was coming to fetch something from the kitchen

he had noticed the spiders presence and was preparing himself for a short but uncomfortable moment of social interaction

but when Baxter looked up to see angel dust eating the cookie

his sudden calm and calculating features turned to boiling anger and confusion

"what are you doing?" Baxter asked

"nothing, just eating a cookie" Angel answered, unsure of what Baxter was suddenly getting upset about

"That was my last cookie" Baxter stated

"And you said I could have it" Angel finished as he took another bite

"I did no such thing!" Baxter shouted accusingly

"yeah you did" angel stated back matching the fishes tone

"I was saving it for a snack tonight for a sugar boost, Niffty baked them especially for me and so I wrote a note saying hands paws and claws" Baxter explained further, his anger growing

"you left me a note saying I could have it" Angel shouted

"show me the note" Baxter stated as he tried to calm himself down

"you want to see the note" Angel egged him on

"show me the note!" Baxter demanded

"I'll show you the note" Angel dust said as he waved his hands mockingly and lead Baxter to the said note

"property of Baxter, do not eat, HA!" Angel dust said proudly

before taking a moment to think about what he just said

"oh.." angle let out as he re-read the note

"oh," Baxter said sarcastically

angel simply stared before shoving the last bit of the cookie in his mouth

(pure audacity) Baxter thought in disbelief and fury

"Hello chaps, any more of Niffty's wonderous cookies left," the voice of Alastor asked as he made himself seen, putting himself in the middle of the two sinners

that soon lead to multiple instances of each other stealing their food, or tampering with it

such as, stealing angels spaghetti and breaking it right in half in front of the spider, and burning it to a crisp then making baxters fish tacos ridiculously spicy that his mouth was literally on fire

which made dinner suspenseful

the food war didn't seem done, not by a long shot

that was why the staff wanted to resolve the problem and fast

by analyzing the story something felt of

especially at the end

the staff simultaneously stared at the constant grinning figure, who seemed a bit happier today

"Alastor, please tell me you didn't have anything to do with this" Charlie sighed

"very well" Alastor responded with a chuckle

the hotel residents simply groaned

and both spider and fish looked dumbfounded before realizing the missing piece to the story

"of course it was him" Baxter facepalmed, unsure of how he missed that, blaming his emotions getting in the way

earning a joyous laugh track from the radio demon, who decided that he would be helpful and give Niffty a hand with washing the plates

only charlie and vaggie weren't going to let him go without lecturing him and followed the two into the kitchen

leaving husk, angel and Baxter

"Well this is awkward," Angel said sheepishly

he knew it was a jerk move eating the rest of his cookie when he was in the wrong, certainly not making it any easier

"but if it's any consolation, if he hadn't swapped the notes I wouldn't have touched it....probably," Angel said aloud, some to himself although

"Anyway, I'm just gonna say I'm sorry and ask if we can put this behind us" Angel finished

"I appreciate your apology and to wish for the bickering to end" Baxter stated with a calm smile

only to push a button that poured green food colouring on both the spider and his food

...

"now I can forgive" Baxter smirked as angel cried over his new appearance, husk laughing at the spider's new look

but deep down angel dust accepted that he deserved it, the only reason why he didn't retaliate

instead, he would put his rage into the plan of how the two would get Alastor back

when it came to revenge, they were not merciful

Chapter Text

Requested by Cdxx

When Charlie said she was throwing a small party for the yearly anniversary of the hotel start he imagined a simple evening out to a restaurant or a movie

That was what usually happened, and since he was waiting for his vials to boil (which usually took hours) and he was quite hungry he thought he'd partake

Not that Charlie would give him much say in the matter

So as all the residents and staff got into the limo to where Charlie's secret surprise was going

He was surprised that it was not what he had envisioned

Now here he was

Staring paralysed at the sight in front of him

Charlie had gleefully exclaimed that she had pulled strings and prepared a pool party for them all

All cheered or at least smiled in contentment

They all ran to the changing rooms ready to dive in

The princess had even taken the liberty of preparing swimming suites for everyone, by the help of niffty sneakily measuring everyone without their knowing

Baxter didn't want to think about it too much

But as everyone came out and rushed to the pool, either dive-bombing or grabbing a floatie to relax on the water with

Baxter remained still and staring at the water

He had eventually told himself to stop being stupid

As long as he didn't get in there was nothing to worry about and it wasn't like they could force him into the revolting bowl of blue liquid

So instead, he simply sat on one of the pool chairs and waited for the event to end

luckily he always had a book on his person so he wouldn't be too bored

However, his actions did not go unnoticed

they watched as he slowly dragged an umbrella over himself and chair to block the sun as it dries his scales and then proceeds to lie on the seat with a heavy sigh

"hey Baxter, you going to come in?" Niffty asked, the first to break the ice, swimming to the edge closest to the fish

"no" Baxter simply answered, without looking up from his book

"come on babe, you're a literal fish, you should have been the first to dive in" Angel added with a smirk, swimming next to niffty

but the only movement the scientist made was a large exaggerated eye roll

"hard pass, I did not agree to this, besides I hate surprises" Baxter growled

"we're sorry we didn't tell you Baxter, but I hope you do join in, if and when you are ready of course" Charlie added with a sheepish smile, she, vaggie and husk in a group floating on doughnuts

"thank you" Baxter let out sarcastically as he flicked his books page

however, niffty, angel and even Alastor weren't ready to let this go

"Come now my friend, your princess did something very nice for you and we, you should at least give it a go" Alastor added as he appeared next to the fish, although he was still dripping from the chlorine-filled water

Baxter was about to argue before he felt the radio demons magic surround him

next thing he knew he was wearing a striped black and white swimming suit, similar to the ones wore when he was alive, meaning that his knees and arms were exposed revealing a pair of medium-sized fins on his arms and legs similar to his ear fins

it also revealed another fin in the middle of his spin, which luckily there was a hole so as not to make it seem he had a random bump on his back

his webbed hands and feet were also exposed

he was immediately self-conscious, curling in on himself shouting at the radio demon for the wardrobe change

"hey! what do you think you are-" Baxter began before he felt himself being dragged off the chair and towards the pool

his flustered face immediately going into panic mode

"relax my friend, with your anatomy I doubt you'll drown" Alastor laughed as he was quickly joined by a smiling niffty and angel dust

to them, it was an innocent game, banter if you will, only seeing it as him being his usual stubborn self

but to Baxter

it was as if they were pushing him to his death sentence

he tried to get out of their grasp, wriggling and jolting to try and avoid the pool

begging them to stop as tears began to drop

shivering as the tips of his toes touched the water

"Please, no, please, no, I don't wanna die, please, please, I won't, I, I'll do anything, just please no, nonononon, please, please" Baxter whispered as his voice failed him

he however wasn't heard as he was picked up by his limbs and slowly swung back and forth

only to be thrown in the middle of the pool

a splash and ripple as he slowly sank to the bottom of the bowl

Baxter immediately held his breath in instinct

closing his eyes tightly to try and block out the sights he was reminded of every night

but like his voice, his body failed him too

he felt an odd sensation in his neck

he had never once gone in water since his death, and this was the first time he was taking oxygen out of the water and letting the water carry away carbon dioxide

the water wasn't burning, but it was still going inside him

it made him want to throw up

he wished to pass out

the screams echoed through his mind as the sloshing and bubble noises were created as he tried to cover his ears and shake his head

he needed this to end

he needed to open his eyes, he couldn't tell where the exit from this terror

but he soon regretted

the water was lighter than he remembered

he had hoped this would make things seem less frightening

but the ghostly figures were as clear as day and just as petrifying

they were surrounding him

haunting him

following him as he backed slowly into a corner

their ghostly cold and clammy pale faces and skin limbs limp and pressured down

their grey lifeless eyes staring at nothing

and their blue mouths, mouths in the positions of screams that were drowned out

his esca being the only source of light, highlighting these features

just like his lantern before the water extinguished the light

and extinguished his lives

he quivered in that corner and stared back at those figures around him

only to feel arms wrapped around his waist

and himself being hoisted out of that corner and out of the water

the figures did not follow, only to be trapped down as he rose up

"I got him!" a familiar voice called out as it gasped out for air

Baxter was being raised lion king style by angle dust as his other set of arms tread water

slowly directed out of the pool and back to his seat

"get him some towels!" husk shouted to niffty as he and the gang rushed to his side

"Baxter, talk to us," Vaggie said with worry, trying to use her most gentle voice,

the way he wasn't responding, his blank stares, he was clearly in shock

they had to wait until he was able to snap back into it

it was a slow process

but slowly baxters reactions came back

tears flowing before heavy breathing came into play

he shook and sweat as his eyes came back into focus

but yet he seemed to still be in his nightmare

"everywhere........floating down...and ... down...down....lifeless bodies...I down with them.....down...it's cold....cold......." Baxter muttered weakly and shakily

"it's ok Baxter, just breath" charlie reassured as she wrapped another fluffy towel around him

but was interrupted as Baxter suddenly rose to a sitting position

"NO!" he screamed, causing the other figures to jolt in surprise

"I want to leave! I want to be away from here!" Baxter shouted as he tried to bolt out of his towel covers if husk and angel held him back

"we will but right now you need to rest and calm down, you have so much adrenaline right now but your gonna burn out fast and feel terrible, if not pass out!" husk stated as he tried to lay back down a squirming fish

"Leave me alone! I didn't even want to be here, I didn't even want to go into that pool, you don't listen to me! you push and push and I hate you all!" Baxter screamed as his squirms slowly settled, but transitioned into a foetal position and broke into a crying fit

"no one ever listens...nothing ever changes" were the last words they could make out from his sobs

they all felt awful, they never wanted to push Baxter to crying, let alone for his hatred, what they did, and whatever happened down there must have been extremely mortifying

"Baxter we are so sorry, you're right we didn't listen, we should have it's just....we thought you were being your awkward self" charlie began as she almost put a reassuring hand on his arm, but decided it was best not to

"you shut us out a lot that we don't see you" Niffty added as baxters cries softened, they could only hope he was listening to his reasons

"We thought that this could be a chance to spend more time with you, and visa versa" Vaggie finished

Baxter slowly turned himself to face the others once more, wiping the remaining teardrops from his face

"I, I didn't think that you all wanted.....I'm sorry, for not realising.....and I'm sorry for shutting you all out...and ruining your surprise party" Baxter apologised lowly as his fins drooped

"no-no, hey, you didn't ruin anything, we're still going to have a good time" charlie reassured warmly

"and it's a party for you too, we're going to make it just as fun for you" Angel stated with a genuine smile

"indeed, and...as an apology for my actions, let me make it up to you" Alastor finally added

although he still had a smile on his face, it was smaller, and his somewhat sympathetic eyes never left Baxter for even a minute, he must be genuinely sorry

with another snap of his fingers baxters seat was transformed into a black fort, filled with a mini library, blanket and pillow and even a warm cup of hot chocolate appearing in his newly gloved hands, his outfit returning to his normal black labcoat

"and next time you say no, we'll at least allow you to give the reason for your answer" husk whispered as he simply walked off, but not before ruffling with the scientist's hair

Baxter simply nodded with contentment

but true to husks words, he began to feel weaker and weaker, and slowly laid down into the fort

but ensured that he still had the energy to join in conversations, even laughing at some of the comments of his group

he couldn't help but smile as his friends played water polo and pushed each other of floats, him being a referee and laughing at their shocked faces

and there he laid happily knowing that if any nightmare tried to come from the deep, they would be there to reassure and protect him

and even though they could be jerks, ignorant jerks definitely, he couldn't help but trust and care for them

not that he would ever let them know that

Chapter Text

Requested by Niglie_Trollster

Baxter's sociopathy and Autism always made it very difficult to understand others emotions and emphasize with them

Hell it's hard enough to acknowledge that aspect about himself

Recently the workers of the hotel, including himself have been swamped with new work as slowly more patrons come in

however, in recent weeks he has noticed the rest of the staff have become more and more irritated with him...WHY?

He does all his work, never misses his appointments, and most of all he has been pulling overtime due to him shortening his schedule for unnamed reasons!

Is he the only sain one here?!?

Nifty knew what she had signed up for

she loved Baxter, more than all the crushes she has had in her whole lifetime put together

And Baxter truly loved her, as much as his lack of empathy would say otherwise

For the last few months, however, a new thing had popped into the cleaning lady's mind

marriage

She had picked the engagement ring, how she would propose, everything!

She had sat down with everyone (except Baxter of course) her plan and asked Charlie if she could free up some time for him

But every time there was a chance, Baxter was at work, doing overtime, or sleeping after days of no sleep

...WHY?

She just wants some time

why can't he see that there is clearly something going on?

He can't be that cruel to let her hang like this!!

.....right

The crew watched in anticipation and exhaustion as the couple ran in circles with one another

they needed to do something about this situation

and fast

because if they don't

then their afraid that a heart is going to get broken

so they split into teams to get the couple together to do what was needed

Niffty sat on her bed with a sigh, holding a pillow close and looking at the engagement ring on her bedside table

she wasn't as sure she'd be able to use it anymore

she was ready to put it back in her draws before a knock was heard from her door

"hey niffty," Charlie said as she entered the door, alongside her girlfriend vaggie

although the little cyclops tried to hide her disappointment, the girls could see that they were not who she wanted to see

"oh, hello," she said softly

"so I know you've talked about plans for you and Baxters future, and we want to help" charlie continued

"how?" Niffty asked with surprise and hope

to this charlie and vaggie sat on her bed alongside her and began explaining their plan

as husk and Alastor entered the lab they couldn't help but grimace at a terrible odour

the little scientist was a mess

his hair was a mess and flying everywhere

he had dark eyebags from the lack of sleep

and he seemed much thinner than usual

"what do you want?" Baxter asked, not looking away from his workload

it was so silent in the lab, apart from pen on paper noises, that it was no surprise that the fish could hear the two arriving

"charlie sent us, to tell you to take a mandatory break" husk answered/stated

"a break? with all this work...I don't think so" Baxter chuckled at the idea

"If I stop now, it's only going to get higher and higher" the fish added

"what part of mandatory don't you understand?" husk said with a slight snowl, placing a paw on the paper so Baxter couldn't write anymore

"we'll be taking your place as you catch up on other necessities" Alastor added with an amused smile as the fish looked up with a surprised and accusing face

and by other necessities, he means your boo which you say you love" the voice of angel dust said as he dramatically made his way into the scene

"Niffty?" Baxter began/stated with surprise before continuing with a sheepish voice, rubbing the back of his neck in awkwardness

"I guess I have been a bit distant with her...." before being interrupted with a sarcastic remark

"ya think?! you've practically been avoiding her" Angel dust said heatedly

"Hey, it's not all my fault! I've been really busy trying to keep up with my workload" Baxter shouted defensively

"come now, we are not here to fight" Alastor started as he came in between the bickering two

"We are just here to simply ADVISE you strongly to take our dear Niffty out to make up for your arrogance and lack of social courtesy" Alastor grinned as radio static filled the room, the radio demon gripping the fishes shoulders so he had to stare at Alastor's radio-like eyes

this wasn't an offer, this was a threat

and Baxter knew this and decided it was best to heed their words

nodding frantically as they took this as him finally agreeing to take a break

"golly good then, now we shall allow you to get ready," Alastor said as he returned to his usual creepy cheerful self

husk and angel dust following as they allowed Baxter to collect his thoughts

he loved Niffty with all his heart

he never purposely ignore her, he loved every moment spent together, he couldn't get enough of her

but now as he was thinking back it must have been weeks since the two properly talked or even interacted

Baxter had to make it up for her

and he had an idea of how to do so

when Baxter was ready he slowly made himself towards his girlfriend's door

trembling slightly

he knew she must be so pissed at him for ignoring her

but collecting his breath

he knocked on the door 3 times and awaited an answer

"Hello?" Niffty asked as she walked to open the door

but seemed surprised as the little fish stood outside alone, looking extremely nervous with an awkward smile

(cute) Niffty said to herself, although she ensured her composer stood strong and calm

"oh Baxter...what a surprise" niffty sighed

"it..is?" Baxter asked and sadly

"well yes, considering I haven't seen your faces in weeks" Niffty answered looking to the floor

"Niffty I'm so sorry...I allowed work to get in the way and I didn't think of how it could affect our relationship....but I'm on break now and I hope that we could go out...or something...to make it up to you....and possibly forgive me..." Baxter rambled and apologised

"and why would I do all this?" Niffty pressed on although inside she was dying of wanting to simply smush his adorable face and say she forgive him for everything

"Because I love you and I hate making you angry with me...and from now on I'll ensure to make more time for you, no matter how busy I get" Baxter proclaimed

that did it

"oh, my little starfish" Niffty cooed as she went to embrace her boyfriend

Baxter sighed in relief as his girlfriend hugged him, glad that she wasn't angry with him anymore, or at least not as much as before

"oh and I just so happen to be going out, I have another seat ready to go if you want?" Niffty asked sweetly

"of-of course! I'd love to, um, let me just get ready" Baxter nodded as he quickly left the hug and ran back to his room

however, he did trip in eyesight on the rug, earning a sheepish chuckle and continue to run, not before letting out a

"meet me in the lobby"

"dork" niffty chuckled as she shook her head lovingly, going back inside her room to get herself ready, along with the special piece of jewellery

"guess I will be needing this after all" she laughed to herself

Baxter had just got to the door of his room when he realised there was something on the handle waiting for him

a clean black and white suit with polished shoes, a tub of his usual hair gel and comb along with a note that read

"overheard, don't screw it up xx"

internally he thanked the spider for once being a decent friend and went to change

when he exited once more he felt much more presentable

with a new surge of confidence, he walked to the lobby where his beautiful girlfriend was waiting for him

in a beautiful orange skirt, a pink top and a yellow cardigan

"How is it you always look more beautiful every day" Baxter swooned

Niffty blushed as she came closer to Baxter, only then did the fish realise that he had stated it out loud, earning a blush of his own

that was before something caught Baxter's eye

"oh shoot" Baxter whispered, only Niffty heard him

"what's wrong?" she asked in worry coming closer and trying to see what the fish was referring to

"I must have set the timer earlier than expected" Baxter sighed to himself

but as the scientist sulked, Niffty finally saw what he was referring to

in the air of the lobby, she saw two types of glowing bubbles

one a mix of yellow and blue and the other an orange, magenta and yellow

she watched as they floated around with one another but when the two collided

they swirled around each other

as they attached themself to one another

it bursts into a shape of a smokey heart of multicolours

"I...I chose this room since it was where I first met you" Baxter said with a small smile

but Niffty was only half listening

completely mesmerised by the sight

and as the gas flowed down she was once more surprised that it was a mix of all her favourite smells, each bringing a memory of their experiences

Niffty couldn't help the tears of joy flow down her cheeks

Baxter was surprised by her reaction

instantly worrying what he had done

"what's wrong? did I upset you? did it offend you? I admit I did make them before we got swamped with work so it could be outdated and-" Baxter asked in fear

"no-no, sweetie, it's, oh, I, I was hoping I could do this at the restaurant but...I can't wait any longer!" Niffty exclaimed as more tears flowed down her cheeks, taking her boyfriends hands as a blush and smile spread across her face

"so um Baxter" Niffty continued as she got down on one knee

"will you make me the luckiest girl in all the rings of hell and be my loyal crazy lovable husband ?" Niffty asked

Baxter's face turned from worry to surprise to joy at rapid speed, tears flowing down his cheeks as he gave his answer

"YES, of course, yes!" Baxter exclaimed

Niffty couldn't be happier, sweeping her new fiancee off his feet and twirling him around, both laughing and crying as they slowed down to place the ring on baxters finger and kiss each other deeply

only to hear deep sobbing behind them

seeing the entire cast of the hazbin staff looking proudly whilst charlie sobbed at the beauty at the sight

"were you stalking us?" Baxter asked in suspicion who did not move to get out of his fiancé's hold

"I..may have told them about what I was planning" Niffty answered for them, chuckling sheepishly

"oh so that's why you all were pressuring to have a break" Baxter stated in a new understanding

"which was needed, proposal or not squirt" Husk stated

"This calls for a celebration, let us go out, we still have that reservation after all," Alastor said with a large smile

"I thought that was only a table for two?" Niffty asked with a knowing smirk

"Please my dear, we were going to join you regardless" Alastor laughed

"well, let us get going...future wife," Baxter said with a blush

"let's...future husband" she answered as she walked to the exit with a blush of her own

"you can put me down now," Baxter said as the gang followed the tiny couple

"never" Niffty stated as she held him closer with a smirk

Chapter Text

Requested by Mara

"Merry almost Christmas everyone!" Charlie announced giddily to the residents and staff of the happy/hazbin hotel

She was just lucky to get everyone in the living room

However, her enthusiasm was met by very surprised faces

"Heh, thought you'd be the last person to celebrate Christmas princess" angel dust smirked as he sucked on a candy cane

"Indeed, especially with who it celebrates" niffty added

"Oh we do it ironically, where we celebrate the gifts and completely ignore his sacrifice" Charlie answered sheepishly

"Like the majority of the population, in and out of hell" Baxter chuckled to himself

"Anyways, since it is coming up I believe we should celebrate," Charlie said deciding that she should get the conversation back on track

"What are you thinking?" husk asked with a deadpan look

To this Charlie's eyes practically turned into stars as she rushed out of the room, only to come back with a calendar of sorts with a range of activities

"Glad you asked because I have so many ideas" Charlie giggled

"You choose now to get interested? " Baxter asked accusingly through gritted teeth

"She was going to talk about this shit anyways" husk answered taking another swig of his drink

"Relax guys, I'm not going to make you strain yourselves, all you have to do is join in the festivities and have fun," Charlie said in a relaxed tone

And so the festivities began to take place

Charlie using her magic had made snow to cover the outside hotel for snow-filled fun

There were some like Baxter, husk and Alastor whose bodies were adapted to the cold so they had just one layer of warm clothes

Whilst the others were adorned in multiple scarfs hats blankets and gloves

At once everyone went to play

Charlie and vaggie making snow devils

Alastor and niffty making husk into a snowman, which he simply accepted his face

And whilst Baxter was catching snowflakes he didn't realise angle dust devious plan

"Hey nerd!" angel dust called to Baxter who didn't turn to face his insulter

"I'm not going to answer to ne-" Baxter began before he got a snowball to the face

"Hey!" Baxter shouted as his esca turned red

Angel simply finding it hilarious

To this Baxter made a ball of his own, even adding a bit of "water" to it

"Baxter no!" vaggie shouted as she rushed to the spider's aid

"Let me do this!!!" Baxter shouted as he tried to grab his snowball out of vaggies hand, jumping but she simply held it above her head

"No, but I will help you get revenge WITHOUT harmful chemicals," vaggie said as she threw the snowball to an open piece of land

She then proceeded to grab and ball a new piece of snow and thew it at the still shocked spider in his face

"Agh! Hey watch the money maker!" angel dust shouted

But was ignored as another made its way, but this time landing on his chest

Earning a laugh from the fish and moth

Before they realised the spider pulled out all his arms, each holding a snowball

"Retreat!" the rest of the other habits heard as they watched two demons running away from a laughing yet miffed spider demon

To warm themselves up they decided it was time to make gingerbread houses

Which was going great

All iced up and cover with frosting, peppermint's, gumdrops all other such

Niffty and Baxter had just finished

Before it caught on fire

"How?! I haven't left your side! There was nothing to cause flames" Niffty exclaimed in confusion

"Interesting" was all Baxter added to the conversation

So they tried again, only Baxter was sent with a different partner

But they all caught on fire the same

"And this is why you're not allowed in the fucking kitchen!!" husk shouted as he tried to help extinguish the flames

"I don't understand, it just keeps happening" Baxter stated flabbergasted

And he was not the only one

The activities carried on

Ensuring the entire hotel was dressed up

Starting with the tree, which was recently chopped by Alastor himself

Which they had to keep husk away as he kept whacking the ornaments of

Earning him a spray in the face with a water bottle and a response of "fuck of!" from the grumpy cat

Then there was mistletoe

Vaggie and Charlie fumbling before kissing passionately

Angel pestering husk every time he was under the plant and wouldn't let go until the flustered cat gave him a small peck on the cheek, which surprisingly gave angel a blush of surprise

Niffty unexpectedly kissing Baxter as he unknowingly stood under the plant, and when she did he was so overwhelmed with emotion that he fainted in her arms, a blushing muttering mess of glowing bright putty

And then there was Alastor

"Pathetic" he would smirk as he happily sipped a glass of wine watching the entertainment

Then there was a Christmas photograph
To which by alastors magic sealing of every exit of the hotel, they were forced to do it

The scene is a standard Christmas background, with a sleigh and snow and trees
Charlie of course was Santa
Vaggie was Mrs clause
Alastor and husk were dressed up as raindeers with red noses, husk having more work done as Alastor fit the part perfectly already
Angel dust was jack frost
And niffty and Baxter we're dressed as elves, niffty wearing a red and white candy cane-like elf dress and Baxter a green and yellow standard elf outfit

"Okay everyone, say Christmas!" Charlie shouted as she prepared the camera

Christmas they mumbled in embarrassment but tried to put their best smiles on, though Baxter and husk needed help from alastors smile magic to make their grins wider

and it wasn't long until it was finally Christmas

The group decided that instead of buying everyone a gift they would start small this year, seeing it was their first and do a game of secret Santa

And on the day

Angel got a bag of self-care products, including curlers (from Charlie)

Charlie got a beautiful necklace that had a small symbol of a bell in the middle (from Alastor)

Alastor got a new pristine suit, similar to the one he wore but with no rips and made of a more velvet-like fabric (from niffty)

Niffty got a music box that played all her favourite songs (from Baxter)

Baxter got a pair of light-up boots and a lava lamp that he wouldn't admit but liked, regardless of being joke gifts (from angel)

Vaggie got a Christmas styled bow with golden bells at the bottom of the tassel's all the standard Christmas colours (from husk)

And husk got a set of "I can't believe it's not alcohol styled eggnog" (from vaggie)

All those who got new clothes and jewellery ensured to wear them

And soon it was time for the Christmas dinner

Everyone had pulled their crackers and were wearing their Christmas crowns ready for the dinner

All the standard Christmas foods on the plate such as roast and mashed potatoes, carrots, pigs in blankets (not fat nuggets who wore a tiny Santa hat and sat in his little chair at the table) sprouts (you have to have them, regardless of how horrible they taste) parsnips, stuffing, gravy

And of course a Christmas chicken

"Gotta admit Charles, you throw an amazing Christmas" angel dust concluded as he dove into the food

"Indeed, it was fun, much better than last Christmas's I've ever experienced" Baxter added

"Yeah, we need to do this every year!" niffty shouted excitingly

Charlie couldn't be happier, for once everyone was happy with an idea of hers and she couldn't feel anymore overjoyed

"You ok hun?" vaggie asked as she noticed her girlfriend crying with a smile

"Of, of course. I'm just so grateful," she said with a laugh, wiping the tears from her face

"Now, let's cut this bitch" Charlie exclaimed happily as she dove a knife and fork in the kitchen

"Yeah!" the crew joined in

It was the greatest Christmas the group ever had and they hoped it would not be the last

Chapter Text

Requested by Liv

Death is an unavoidable reality. Our fear of it causes us to play it safe and shuts off our emotions. It's a losing proposition. You're already dead if you don't have passion. Perhaps the knowledge that death is unavoidable motivates some of us to live meaningful lives.

when living for centuries after such an event and ending up in a flame-filled hole of rejects and nothing it was rare for those not born within the nightmare to have any passion of any kind

they fool their brains into thinking there's still purpose down here

a routine of work to pay the bills like the ones when you were alive helped to build this wall of obliviousness

but there was always one day where the walls crumble and attacks of regret pain and despair

this day is no other than when that passion died and you were forcefully taken to this prison

Baxter growled at himself as he passed the corridors

he had just run out of a key ingredient for his work and was found near to impossible to find more or even a substitute

if this were more important he would have ignored the curious new noises that entered the atmosphere

stopping he used his sensitive hearing to pick up where the sound was coming from

walking slowly he picked up the similar frequencies of crying

of course, this was an assumption seeing as many of the staff and residents would never be caught dead making such weak noises

however, as he got closer he couldn't make his brain think of any other sounds that resembled it

he was slowly led to a small bedroom of the hotel

Baxter stared at it with a grimace

he was probably the least likely person to handle emotional problems, barely able to comprehend his own at times

but again he didn't like being ignorant

slowly he pressed his fin-like ear against the door to ensure that the sound was coming from there, which he could 89% argue that it was

however, he misplaced some movements whilst doing so, accidentally leaning against the door handle so that it began to open

the next thing he knew he was tumbling face-first into the room

he groaned as he rubbed his temples in pain, luckily the floor wasn't too hard though

however, this caused the sobs to stop and a startled gasp to be made

looking up he saw an unexpected sight

a tear-stained demon moth

Vaggie, the hotel's personal wrathful protector

was crying in a room that isn't even hers

a shocked face on the one he could guarantee was planted into her pillow

"b, Baxter?!" she asked and gasped in shock

"uh.." was all the little fish could let out, surprise paralyzing his body

"g, get out!" she proclaimed as she recovered quickly, on her feet fast and grabbing her spear which was soon placed closely against baxters chin

Baxter simply looked in fear as the weapon came very close to him

but even as he saw the moths eyes fill with rage, he simply couldn't look past the pain and anguish behind

"vaggie, please let me explain" Baxter began to reason

"I said get out you stupid fish, or I'll gut you right here and now!" she threatened

a few months ago he may have believed the threat, but now he didn't, couldn't, wouldn't believe it

"Why are you crying, are you hurt? I can he-" he began to question and reason before being interrupted with the spear slowly approaching his neck

"no, you can't! you can't help me because I don't want your help! the reason why I'm crying isn't anything I have to explain to you!" she yelled

the spear was getting too close to his neck

"vaggie, please" was all the scientist could get out, the fear of the weapon tainting his flesh was still strong

the moth wavered before she stood up straight, walking away back to the bed with her weapon and using her hair as a barrier to him

Baxter took this time to regain his normal breathing

"I'm, I'm sorry, I shouldn't....shouldn't do that.." Vaggie whispered

Baxter would usually yell, he was a grudgeful and spiteful person in all honesty and would love to torture those who dared intimidate him

but seeing the moth demon in such a state, it didn't seem right to him

and that was talking about everything

vaggie would have been one of the last demons he would catch crying

the porn star would have been less of a surprise then this

and by that, he knew it had to be serious

so that was why he didn't leave

that's why he pressed on

"no, but it's clear you are upset, wish for me to get charlie?" Baxter asked

"no...she, wouldn't understand" vaggie continued, still not looking at him

"but you two share everything between one another, why couldn't she-" Baxter began to ask with confusion

"because its something only sinners will understand" Vaggie huffed

Baxter pondered the thought, only to reach the highest plausible reason and bit his lip in the final understanding

"it's....your death day, isn't it," Baxter said lowly

....

"doesn't take a genius" Vaggie chuckled lowly, finally looking back to the fish, her eyes puffy as she wiped away her tears

"jeez, the one time you haven't huddled away in that lab" she continued to chuckle

"I was going out to get more ingredients, then I heard your crying, although I did not know it was you nor was it crying before the time, I couldn't help but investigate" Baxter explained

Vaggie nodded in understanding

...

"do you miss it?" Vaggie asked as she huddled into herself

"being alive?" Baxter asked, wanting to know exactly what he should be missing

Vaggie once more nodded, although her eyes held a bit of a "what else?" look

"well...I guess some aspects I suppose, I'm not exactly sure...it's been decades since I was.. but, I guess not needing to look over your shoulder twice a minute was nice" Baxter answered, although he continued to ponder on the thought

Vaggie guessed she should have expected that much of an answer

despite his attitude, Baxter was one of the longest living sinners she knew his memories would have passed through the years

but she died in 2014, very recent

and so the memories were still fresh

her family

her friends

and her murderers

because no matter how old you got, you would always remember the day you died, and how it happened

"I miss my mama's quesadilla's" Vaggie stated with a small smile

Baxter turned to the moth who begun to shake

"I miss the smell of freshly cut grass"

"I miss non-mutated or monster-like animals"

"I miss...I miss my house"

"my family....even when they embarrassed me in front of my girlfriends, they were supportive, didn't care I was a lesbian, because blood is stronger than any hate, regardless of my countries views on it.." Vaggie stopped, trying to keep her breaths regulated, however, she was finding it near to impossible

but Baxter didn't dare interrupt, wanting her to get it all out

"that's what I truly miss...the obliviousness" she continued with hopelessness

"there were hecklers of course but the verbal abuse simply built me tough skin, but then it got worse....the abuse just continued day after day until....they pushed it too far"

Vaggie didn't press further as she fell into a deep pit of misery

Baxter simply watched in pity as his friend curled closer in herself, crying into her dress as she hid away her sorrow

Baxter against his better judgement didn't want to leave her alone like this, so slowly he sat next to her on the bed and sat there waiting for her to catch her breath

slowly placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder, unable to think of how else to provide comfort

vaggie after a round of newly made tears once more caught her breath,

but it was baxters time to do some talking

"There are cruel people in the world that simply don't know when to quit....they push and push you and sometimes you brush it to the side because it's easier than to face the challenge face on"

but even after you uncrumple the paper, there will always be the scars of the pain brought

"I'm..sorry for what you went through, I won't ask how as that your business, but if this proves to give you comfort, it does get easier with time, you won't forget but the pain won't be as impactful, at least, that's from my experience of decades distracting oneself...but the good thing is that you have happy memories to look back to instead of just hate-filled regrets, you can focus more on how they made you smile and grateful to have them before your death, it hurts truly but that's only because you know how much you were cared for" Baxter finished reassuringly

Vaggie placed her hand on his own but found no energy to reply

Baxter decided that now would be a good time to give her some space

"I'm going to get my ingredients..but I'll make sure the others don't come down so you can have some privacy," Baxter said reassuringly, he'd just have to remember to set the lasers before going out so vaggie would know if someone is coming down

"Thanks, Baxter" was all vaggie could let out with a gentle smile

the fish nodded and walked to the exit, closing it behind him as he gave vaggie a moments rest

the moth was grateful for the scientists understanding and took the opportunity to simply have a nap before continuing her duties

it had been some hours before she heard a knock on her temporary room

groggily she got up from the bed and walked to the door

she expected the sight of Baxter, probably checking up on how she was doing

but instead, there was a medium-sized box at her feet, along with a little note on top

she picked the piece of paper up and began to read

" Dear Vaggie, I was lying when I said that I couldn't remember anything...I remember some parts that just stuck with me through all these decades, the new smell of newly stacked books in the library, the sights of museums on school trips, and my grandmother freshly baked biscuits when I came from school beaten black and blue, these memories are important to hold onto to give us solace in this world so that being said I made you something that you may like"

looking in the box was a batch of freshly baked quesadillas, along with another note

"I remember you saying that you miss these and although cruel, it is nice to have things you remember on your anniversary to remind us of the life lived before, you seem to have enjoyed the majority of your life so I assumed you wouldn't mind being reminded further, not saying these are the same as your mothers, I don't bake much and so I cannot guarantee that they will taste good, but as your friend, I could at least try...I hope that this doesn't upset you and that once you are ready, you will come down and join us for tea, I have an excuse made up for you just in case you don't however, there is no rush, sincerely Baxter"

Vaggie couldn't help the soft tears dripping down from her eyes as she took one of the deserts and began to eat

a little burnt and could have used a bit more sugar and sesame seeds, but overall was a nice effort

but it was the fact that he had tried to do something nice for her, that caused her to cry, not in sadness but contentment

smiling she decided it was time to join the others

she still wasn't 100%, but she no longer wanted to be alone

walking back up into the main part of the hotel she saw all the residents partake in a game of UNO, but she knew they were linking it to poker somehow

just at the side of her sight, she noticed the small fish on the couch

acting more twitchy and nervous than usual, watching the game from afar, as though he was waiting for something

she smiled as she came towards the scientist, who as he saw that it was she arriving he seemed very interested in her presence

"Vaggie, glad to see you," Baxter said genuinely

vaggie guessed it was also relief, guess keeping up the charade of not knowing her secret wasn't sitting well in his stomach

"glad to be back" Vaggie chuckled before whispering the rest of her sentence so the others didn't pick it up

"thank you for your concern today, it was nice to know I had a trusted friend on my side, and your quesadillas were good for a beginner" Vaggie complimented

Baxter didn't say anything but his face blushed slightly blue due to the kind words, she could tell he was trying so hard to stop a flustered smile from appearing on his face

looking closer, it was only then did she notice some remainder of flour on his cheek and hair, along with a clean looking lab coat, everything was a science experiment to him apparently

and that caused a final deep thought to come to her head

"hey Baxter?" she began to ask

"yes?" Baxter asked with surprise at the new question, the blush slowly disappearing

"do you ever regret the choices made ?" Vaggie pressed on

"what do you mean?" Baxter asked once more

"that you could have not done something and gone to heaven...to escape total damnation" Vaggie answered curiously

Baxter pondered on the thought for a few minutes, before answering

"no"

"no?" Vaggie asked with confusion

"no" Baxter stated once more

"why?" Vaggie continued, wanting a deeper reason for the statement

"because I would only be doing that for others" Baxter began

"I am who I am because of my choices, if I did not do what I did it wouldn't be me, I would be a different person and rules all alter to each individual, others would see it as witchcraft or the devil's work, to which it was in all fairness, but unlike my peers I did not care, I did as I loved and I continue that set of mind, I wouldn't be able to do the things I love if I changed" Baxter finished

Vaggie simply looked in awe, she hadn't thought of it in that way before

"would you have changed your ways?" Baxter questioned

now it was time for to Vaggie think

if she did she too would have been a different person, have different experiences and a whole new life

but she would have missed out on everything she loved

and would have never met the love of her life down in this fiery abyss who made it seem better than it was without her

she wouldn't have made friends who couldn't care less of her "sinful" ways because they were just as bad as her, although most likely much worse

and accepted her regardless

she made friends who truly cared for her, even though yes they could be irritating and hard on her, she remembered countless times they had been there for her through thick and thin

looking around she saw the same chaos that was the hazbin hotel

lots of arguing

swearing

and laughter

her girlfriend catching her eyes and smiled brightly as she came over

"hi vaggie, Baxter told me that you were out taking a little break out of the hotel, I hope that you're feeling better, I know you've been putting a lot of strain on yourself lately, so I'm glad you took some time for yourself, you deserve it," Charlie said as she hugged the moth and gave her a gentle kiss on her head before running off to check on Alastor's cooking

vaggie smiled as she looked away from her girlfriend back to Baxter

she knew her answer with full certainty

"no, not at all" she stated as she pulled the fish into a quick side hug as a way of thanks

and for once, the fish accepted the gesture, happy that his friend was starting to feel better

Chapter Text

Requested by Niglie_trollster

Within the depths of hell, there were many things to make an individual feel uneasy

both physical, psychological and or emotional

and out of those many twisted figures that got their kicks out of making those suffer, the radio demon was one of the sickest schadenfreude's

Alastor thrived on making people feel uncomfortable, it was like a hobby to him

so when he heard rumours of the newest residents hatred of water and the cold

how could he resist?

Baxter was a squirmy, screechy neurotic individual yes

but did not show his fears easy

he hid in his room for the majority of the time, making Alastor even more eager to make the fish twitch in horror for what he planned for him

Baxter had run low on equipment and decided to leave the hotel to receive more

to this Alastor saw his chance and offered to escort the scientist to his destination

charlie being the only one to encourage it as she saw it as Alastor trying to be a good friend, the others being suspicious and knew something was off

not that they got a chance to stop it as Alastor had led (pushed) the fish out the door

Baxter snarled at the contact and slapped Alastors hands away, telling him to keep to himself

this seemed to make Alastor smile in joy

the day already going to a great start, according to the deer demon

Baxter's face stayed the epitome of annoyed until he saw the road to where he wanted to collect his items

only he was blocked off by Alastors radio stand like staff

"ah ah ah, I have a much-prefered path to take," Alastor said with a little finger wag

Baxter tried to get past the staff but he only felt himself walking with the radio demon, regardless of free will

"what are you planning radio demon?" Baxter snarled, he knew that he was up to something but tried to hide his fear off as he tried to think of what it could be

"planning? I simply want to take my little friend on a more scenic route" Alastor smiled innocently

"bullshit" Baxter spat

Alastor's smile simply grew at the fishes tension

"language doctor, that tongue could get you in trouble one day" Alastor scolded playfully as they began to enter a nearby park

but behind the facade of rotten roses and shrivelled trees, he knew there was a possible attack just around the corner

and as they turned that corner, he saw it, clear as day

a long medium-sized body of splashing cold water

there was a bridge to get over but Baxter's eyes shrank and began to sweat as he noticed that they were heading directly towards it

"it's such a beautiful day today, the water looks just perfect for swimming, wouldn't you agree?" Alastor asked as he inspected the dark blue liquid

"Alastor I beg of you, anything other than this!" Baxter did indeed beg, his head being the only thing he could properly move, to which it shook in fear, his features getting defensive as his teeth grew longer as if ready to bite the radio demon if he got too close

"Baxter my fine fellow, I have no idea of what you are talking about" Alastor lied

"Now why don't you come over here and see the beauty of this river" the radio demon trailed on, beckoning the fish closer

and to Baxter's failure, he found himself walking closer to the aqua's blue

"Alastor I'm not joking. stop it now! I don't like this! please!" Baxter pleaded desperately

"Come now my friend, no need to get yourself into a tizzy, nothing wrong with a little water now is there?" Alastor asked with a tint of malice

Baxter's brow was sweating profusely as he inevitably found himself side to side with the deer devil and directly in front of the river

"you can see how the current sweeps every single grain of ground, like death itself, every day with one scoop it pulls a handful of humans of the surface of the earth and to its rightful place in the afterlife" Alastor quoted as he placed two firm hands on the fishes shoulders and pushing him closer and lower to the rushing water

just a few centimetres away was he held, not muttering a word as he screamed internally

eventually, Alastor had his fill of fun and decided that it was time for the fishes torture to end for the day

Alastor's hands pulled baxters shoulders and thus the rest of his body back away and allowed him to fall back onto the solid dirty ground

with a click, he unlocked the fish from his paralysis

Baxter twitched for a few moments before scrambling to his feet

his body shaking as his face couldn't pick between anguish, fury or relief

the radio demon found it hilarious and began laughing his head off

quite literally

"how dare...how dare you!" Baxter began to yell, although it came out shakey his betrayal made it crystal clear

"oh my friend, you should see your face right now, extremely amusing" Alastor continued to laugh

"We are not friends! friends do not exploit others traumas for their amusement!" Baxter shrieked

Alastor was lucky that Baxter was too much in shock to use any of his toxins on him

but Alastor didn't take his word seriously and continued his ear-splitting laughing

never more in his life did he feel so small

nor humiliated

and to make it worse the radio demon, once finished laughing

simply walked away

"the shops you wish to go to are just over that bridge, of course, you could always choose to swim it, your choice of course" Alastor grinned just before disappearing with no trace

Baxter simply looked in horror and rage to where the overlord once stood

Baxter growled in fury

there was no way Alastor was getting away with this

he would have his revenge

and he would make him pay

when he returned he didn't dare tell the others of the events he had the misfortune of partaking

no matter how much they pestered

it was just too degrading

instead, he took action

sneakily he began to question the hotel's residents of what they knew of the radio demon

specifically

his fears

but the vital piece of information came from non-other than his girlfriend Niffty

"I hear you going around the hotel, asking about Alastor" Niffty began to interrogate

Baxter and Niffty were within the fishes lab, where he focused on his experiments and her writing, the green glow-giving her a perfect atmosphere for her angsty fanfic's

Baxter hummed in acknowledgement

"apparently, you want to know what he fears....any particular reason why you want to know about this" Niffty continued

Baxter didn't want to lie to her, but neither did he want to reveal the truth

so instead he continued his work

or that was before Niffty wheeled him away by dragging his spinny chair, turning him to face her directly

"Baxter, you've been acting of ever since Alastor took you out to the shops, only to come back separately, one looking like a kid gathering his spoils from a sweet shop and the other looking ready to strangle some daemon, can you guess who's who?" Niffty stated and asked rhetorically

Baxter huffed, there was no way of getting out of this, especially with how persistent he knew his girlfriend could get

"so what exactly happened ?" Niffty asked finally, folding her arms

and so with a deep breath, he told his girlfriend exactly what happened

every agonizing

painful

and infuriating part of the entire experience

"well....that's defiantly Alastor for you" Niffty finally said with a grimace

she didn't want to believe that her friend Alastor was so unnecessarily cruel to her darling

but she knew him for years

he loved to make demons miserable

but no one did that to her boo

"well then, seems that Alastor was indeed unnecessarily savage" she whispers menacingly, contrasting with the gentle hand cupping his chin

"If you truly want revenge, I will be happy to give you the key ingredient to the poison your creating" she softly whispered as placed herself on top of her boyfriend

"I love it when you talk deviously" Baxter grinned as he held his girlfriend close

they decided that after a session of heated and passionate lovemaking would they enact vengeance

it was soon nightfall

and Baxter spent no time in enacting his plans

with Niffty's help, she had gotten close enough as Alastor drank a cup of tea, to pour in a clear liquid made by the scientist himself

drinking the solution unknowingly he went to bed

snuggling into his sheets after a day of his usual terrorizing

but as he entered the realm of dreams

he was surprised by the sudden vision of the woods

he was back in his human body, along with his favourite gun

so he decided to play along with the dream

walking carelessly he tried to spot any unsuspecting prey

but only after a few moments of nothing

a very recognisable noise entered the foggy atmosphere

barking

Alastor whipped his entire body back and forth in shock and newly grown fear, gripping his gun close and trying to keep a brave smile

but with an earthquake of a shake

looking behind him were three glowering dogs

eyes red

teeth razor sharp and drooling

barking menacingly at Alastor who began shaking and shrinking in terror

he tried to shoot but to his horror, there were no bullets within the gun

the dogs were getting closer

he tried running

but he found himself stuck in place

"not again! just a dream, just wake up! wake up!" he screamed as he slapped himself in the face trying to go back to reality

but he was stuck

and was petrified to see that the dogs were next to him

and opened their giant razor-sharp tooth-filled mouth to rip his flesh to bits

he bawled and cried out in agony as he felt every bite, ripping his limbs and body parts apart

it felt like hours until he eventually woke with a start

yelping in shock as he checked his body, ensuring that it was all still intact

satisfied he allowed himself to cry in relief after the amount of adrenaline he had felt

but through his cries, he couldn't help but hear the distant sound of...laughter?

"good morning radio demon, sleep well?" Baxter asked as the two crossed paths, ready for breakfast

the anglerfish having an unusual chipper tone

he was not a morning person, that as well as not being a joyful person, nor even one to give greetings

instantly causing the radio demon to become suspicious

"it was pleasant" Alastor lied as he hid a yawn

"oh really, because I thought I heard some screams of terror from your room, something about...dogs?" Baxter continued curiously with an interested look

Alastor flinched at the memory, but doing so he could see Baxter's smile grow bigger

"what were you doing out of bed so late at night coming outside of my room?" Alastor asked matching Baxters curious tone, although hiding his fury

"couldn't sleep, thought a pleasant walk through the hotel would tire me out " Baxter lied with a sing-song-like tone

"you lie, you did something to me, I know it was you I heard you laughing, what was it ?" Alastor demanded with a strained smile

"guess we're both liars...so what makes you think I'll tell you the truth, and even if I did, why would you believe me ?" Baxter said, not letting up his cheerful tone

"you will pay," Alastor said lowly and dangerously

"Not necessarily, as we are even now" Baxter pointed out

"oh! so this was about revenge?" Alastor asked with a new understanding, his smile no longer being as strained, but with a new sign of amusement at the fishes actions

"yes, your little stunt didn't sit right with me, so if you try to do anything like that again, I'll pull something like this once more" Baxter threatened

"trying to intimidate me little maceral?" Alastor asked with a toothy grin

"no, simply addressing the facts, you push me, I'll push back harder" Baxter answered matching the Alastors tone and grin

to this, the two stared at one another with glaring fiery eyes

"well I guess I did have this coming, but if you truly try something like this again I will not hesitate to gut and grill you into a delectable dish to only feed it to the pig" Alastor threatened with pure evil eyes

"Please, that's merciful compared of what I plan to do to you, if there be a next time" Baxter warned, no longer feeling fearful by the overlord's words

the two were at an impasse

staring and smiling vindictively

"well, best it be we do not continue" Alastor smiled through gritted teeth

"Indeed, best we leave this conversation before we say anything else one of us could regret" Baxter agreed

and so slowly the two backed away, their eyes not once leaving each other until safe in different rooms

and with that, baxters and Alastor's relationship stayed as threatening and tension high

every time they were in a room together they would grin fake dangerous sharp tooth smiles in acknowledgement of their presence

it was more time spent with one another ever spent between the two which some optimists like charlie and Nifftty tried to see

but all this dangerous energy had to go somewhere

"who touched the thermostat?" Baxter asked angrily, being a person who stood by the rule of "don't touch my thermostat"

only for his preferred temperature of 6°C to change to 30 degrees

"that would be me" Alastor grinned as entered the scene

to this Baxter glared at the deer, and switched the heat back

Alastor's response was just as petty as he walked to the temperature changer and convert it back

this went back and forth before it got serious

Alastor threw Baxter to the other side of the room with his magic and changed the temperature

Baxter ran back and splashed a beaker of acid at Alastor who was just lucky to avoid it and changed the temperature

"you do not want to get into a fight with me you little maggot" Alastor warned as he walked back to the device

"bring it on you annoying outdated horn head" Baxter proclaimed as he met Aalstors challenge head-on

of course, they couldn't kill each other under the hotel's number one rule of "do not kill"

but when the rest of the hotel inspected the reasons why there were the noises of thrashing, yelling and screams

the sight of Alastor and Baxter in their demonic forms battling one another, both trying to bite each other's limbs of along with ear-splitting radio sounds and pointy needles of poisonous substances

perhaps it was time to update the extremely specific rules of what not to do that could inevitably put the other into a coma

they were surprised to see Baxter last long to stand up against the overlord, but for once his fast reflexes, tinyness and brains truly proved their worth

but they needed to end this before one of them got hurt

"When will you two ever get along," the staff asked as they pulled the two away from one another

"Never!" the two shouted in unison

this was going to be a long forever the hotels sighed

Chapter Text

Requested by Random person

"ok Baxter, let's continue from where we left off" Charlie announced as she and the said sinner was once more in the therapy room, where the princess was hoping to make more progress with the little fish

"or we don't" Baxter grumbled, not exactly feeling to talk about something that happened a week ago

"or we can talk about something else that you feel more comfortable with telling me" Charlie pressed on, trying a different approach

"Which is?" Baxter asked with annoyance, he hated it when people dragged things out

"well, how about an easy one, the day you arrived in hell?" Charlie suggested brightly

"How will this benefit you?" Baxter questioned, not thinking that knowledge would help in the slightest

"you'd be surprised, now, would you like to tell me," Charlie said with a calm and happy smile

"fine" Baxter simply sighed, if this would get the princess of his back for a while

"zikes, it's been ages, I think, oh wait, yeah, ok, this is basically what I remember," Baxter said allowed, pondering as it was a long time ago

111 years ago

as Baxter had taken his last breath, bubbles of oxygen leaving his mouth he slowly flowed down to the floor

His vision was foggy as he embraced his death

He didn't know what to expect when he died

But he wasn't expecting to feel the hot sensation as well as the wind against his body

Slowly and dizzily he opened his eyes to see red

It felt like he was falling

Crashing

But as his thoughts got less cloudy

He was shocked once more to feel himself crash into a cold liquid

Water spluttered and splashed around him

But only taking a moment for his mind to the process he began to panic, he needed to get out

He flayed around before swimming out of the dark water and onto an earthy surface

Scrambling out he breathed heavily as he clawed himself out and into the grassy land

Breathing shakily he spat out the reminiscence that entered his mouth

he felt cold, freezing even

his thoughts were rocketing out of control in panic and confusion

(I'm alive?)

(n, no that's not right...)

(I died?)

(I died, I drowned, I died!)

(I died, so why?-)

his thoughts were interrupted by the simplicity of his palms on his knees, staring in shock as they took a break from grabbing the grass for a feeling of something real

they were a grey-blue

webbed

turning them over he looked in the horror of what his appendages had become

crawling over to the murky river he went to see what had happened to his appearance

and to his added shock and fear, it wasn't just his hands

his entire body changed

he no longer had a nose

he had gilled ears

he had blue teeth

he had blue and red eyes

and he had a weird dangling light that was attached to his head

by deduction, he came up with one possible explanation

he had turned into a fucking angler fish!

Sitting back he felt a headache slowly begin to make itself present, this was way too much

only he didn't get time to complain as he heard mocking, ridiculing chuckles

looking around he tried to pinpoint where it was coming

but it was only as three shockingly disfigured looking beings appeared from behind the tall grass

they all looked like sharks

but with human-like arms and legs

it was truly horrifying

"whoa boys, we got ourselves an apex predator here" a frilled shark looking creature laughed as they stepped out of the grass, the other two demons following suit

They were circling him, keeping him in the middle with no hope of escape

He was trembling in fear, his eyes couldn't believe what they were seeing, how could there be something more terrifying than sharks

"Apex? she looks like a little bitch scared of her own shadow" a Scalloped Hammerhead laughed coming closer, only for Baxter to back away with fear

"guys were not here for this fucker, we're here to rob the meth lab, so ditch the newborn and let's go" a bull shark sparked

"Nah, no, I wanna have fun first, rare we see what happens to a sinner when they first arrive" the frilled shark smirked as he came closer to Baxter, going to grab him

"gah! Stay away from me!" Baxter shouted, his defensive and natural reflexes kicking in

"satan, were we this pathetic when we first arrived?" the scallop shark said, ignoring the smaller beings wishes and dragged him into the air by the collar of his coat

"Alright little man, let us be the first to welcome you to hell, where no means yes more please and the bible is just the book tutorial of the real thing" the frilled shark announced, using his hand to do a half-circle in the air in wonder

Baxter went limp, this couldn't be happening

"Yeah, good thing we found you before anyone else did" the scallop shark continued once more

"uh-huh, death arrival in the chemical corner, lots of sickoes around these parts" the frilled shark said whilst elbowing his teammate

"Listen, I'm not messing with a weird gender combo freak, what do you even call that shit? let's just go already" the bull shark groaned in impatience

to this, the scallop shark demon simply threw him back onto the ground and began to follow his teammates to their destination

"ugh my head" the scallop shark groaned holding his temple

"don't be such a priss" the bull shark commanded

"Hey kid, just a little extra advice, if it were any other demons not coming off a high, you'd probably be raped, skinned, and sold right on the spot, so either hide in the darkest place you can find or hope that the exterminators erase you quick before you're caught" the frilled shark laughed, giving a last piece of advice before Baxter was once more left alone

and his mind took no time in making notes of what he had just learnt

hell is real

demons are real

and he had to get to a safe place

wherever the fuck you could find that in a literal hell

but even so, he tracked through the muddy land in hopes of finding a base

but when he came to the end of the grass he was petrified to notice he was heading directly to where he didn't want to go

a massive city where more different types of "sinners?" roamed

tall, small, skinny, fat, prey and predator-like, not one was the same from the distance he could see

but he was not ready to join that

never in a hundred years

so instead he reentered the grass and walked in the opposite direction

hoping to find a more isolated zone

in which he finally did

except there were still two figures

it was a rocky terrain that Baxter could only guess was a little estate

only now it was a complete wasteland

and due to how the two new demons were fighting, they were obviously responsible for it

he watched in curiosity, although the other half of his body was begging him to leave shouting that he had to leave before he was found out

but still, he continued to watch a humanoid bird-like demon fight a snake-like demon,

unholy screams caused the rocks to tumble and crack further

Baxter had to hold back a yelp as he barely avoided a pointed boulder crashing from above his head

luckily the other two demons didn't notice, too busy fighting

but all fights had to come to an end

with a final slash of claws and fangs

a defeated hiss and victorious caw rang in the battleground

Baxter pressed his back firmly against his hiding spot

black blood had sprayed the floor

and the bird had taken no time in devouring the defeated

he covered his mouth to hold back his heavy breathing and bile as he heard the disgusting noises of guts being digested

after a while, it finally stopped

but then a new noise entered the dismembered ground

"ha! I showed this slimy sucker not to mess with me"

and Baxter could only guess it was the carnivorous bird

"ah, this place is barely salvageable, nothing here at all" the dark voice grumbled with annoyance

"eh no need, I'll just keep this my own personal junkyard" the bird finished proudly

looking around secretly he saw him picking up what was left of the snake and taking it away with him

"hmm, I could use this to my advantage" Baxter grinned as he finally walked away from his hiding spot and looked around the desolated rocky area recently sprayed with blood

(back to the present)

"so that's how I started, I built a shelter within the land, built it up and soon found ways to get food without getting too close to the city, like the bird said he mainly used it as a rubbish pile, which funny enough had samples from the chemical part of the pride ring, enabling me to make something similar to a lab" Baxter continued his story

"and whatever happened to this bird friend of yours, eventually he must have seen what was happening if he kept coming back," Charlie asked curiously

"he did, eventually" Baxter admitted, although ending it on a dangerous note

"Baxter, what happened to him?" Charlie asked with a slight uneasiness, although she had a feeling she already knew the answer

"the guy didn't like that I was messing around with his stuff and demanded I leave immediately.....but that was home for centuries now, I wasn't going anywhere," Baxter said darkly

"Baxter" Charlie tried to say before the fish continued further

"He got so angry, yet I didn't budge, nor was I going to let him keep the knowledge of my whereabouts, he was a good supplier, but I had enough of his business" Baxter began to chuckle

"and with my new weaponry, he became my first sinner experiment" Baxter smiled evily

"and you feel no remorse for your actions," Charlie asked sheepishly

"princess, I still hold his skull in memory of my first demon dissection, so I think you can figure that out for yourself" Baxter finished as his teeth grew sharper, showing a proud smile that would challenge the likes of the radio demon

Chapter Text

Requested by Opal

"ok everyone, let me be the first to welcome our newest resident, crymini!" Charlie exclaimed excitedly, bouncing on the spot

she had gathered everyone was more into the lounge

it seemed to be a tradition within the hotel to get the new member and the rest of the hotel to meet and greet in that particular room, being how the hotel started up in the first place

and now the residents and staff were welcoming the 3rd resident

Crymini, the princess had proclaimed was a teenage demon that resembles a hyena, her fur was white with countless red spots. Her sclera is light orange and her iris is hot pink. She has very thick hair and a very thick tail. Her hair is white, where the lower parts and ends are dyed bright pink. The same palette is in the tail, but the upper part is dyed. She is wearing a black collar with spikes, a bright red tunic with a printed skull and a brown unbuttoned sweatshirt with torn sleeves

"damm, digging the punk look babe" Angel dust was the first to say anything

"thanks" the hyena simply replied, chewing on her bubblegum

she looked around the room, scanning each individual

it wasn't like she didn't go into this hotel with no clue of what was going on there

she recognised the most obvious faces

Alastor the radio demon, princess charlie, her bodyguard who never left her side, and the porn star angel dust

the other residents however she had no clue

everyone had said hello, some as enthusiastically, some barely paying attention

the princess said she had arrived a little early before the food arrived for the welcoming party, so Crymini was simply advised to get to know the others a bit more, socialise

although she didn't exactly want to

Charlie and her always ever glaring girlfriend had duties to do so they were out, not that she would choose to

the same could be said about the smiling deer, he was metal when creepy but calm he was just some happy old man who was stuck in the old days of music, it was boring

the porn star was someone she thought she could relate to with their similarity of porn and rebellious streak, but unfortunately, he had to go out too, and Crymini couldn't help but feel he was too...fluffy compared to her edginess

the cat was defiantly out of the picture, she didn't bother with his name, he looked as edgy as her but why did he have to be a cat!? regardless of the knowledgable distaste, the two shared he just went back to the bar and got a bottle of..."cheap booze"? like who would name a bottle like that?!

the tiny cyclops woman was way too hyper for her taste, like a mini cuter version of the princess, it almost made her sick

so that left the final member

a fish looking thing

seemed taller than the little maid but not by much

seemed that, unlike the others, he didn't have a proper duty to be getting back to

instead, he just walked over to a couch and grabbed a notebook out of his pocket

just from a look, she could tell he was a nerd

but she didn't have any better options, like charlie said, she was early, also meaning her stuff wasn't going to arrive until much later

she began walking over and it seemed the fish noticed out of the corner of his eye

"what do you want?" he questioned as he held the book close to himself

Crymini simply shrugged

"nothing, the princess said to get acquainted, so that's what I'm doing?" Crymini stated

"and you couldn't have done that with anyone else first" Baxter questioned as he slowly put the notebook back into his pocket

"eh, they seem busy, you on the other hand do not" Crymini grinned as the fish shuffled himself away as she made herself comfortable on the sofa

"I'm just waiting for my samples to finish developing and unfortunately charlie said I had to come out to welcome the new guest and stay out of the lab for the day" Baxter grumbled in annoyance, half of which the hyena could tell was supposed to be said within his mind

"sucks, but I'm guessing charlie's word is law here, ain't it?" Crymini continued, trying to pull some information out of the glowing introvert

"yes, but being the princess of hell you would expect nothing else" Baxter simply replied with an eye roll, thinking this question was too easy

so Crymini tried something more advance

"so, why are you in this crap hole?"

to this, the fish simply answered her answer with an "I could ask the same about you"

the hyena chuckled at the mirth

"eh, can't be assed to get into that shit" she responded, waving a careless hand in the air

"hmmm" was baxters response

he hoped she would grow bored and bother someone else but to his displease she was still there, looking like she expected him to carry on the useless conversation

"look, I'm not one to hold conversations, that's more....practically everyone else's thing" Baxter groned

"you mean like the rainbow and smiles patch kids, yeah no, fuck that shit" the 90's themed demon snarled

that seemed to peak Baxters interest, noting that she didn't seem like the others, more like husk, and he would deny this to anyone else, but he was fond of the cat and decided to at least try to be civil to the newcomer

and so he opened up

"Please, you don't know the half of it" Baxter sighed

"This is only day one for you, prepare for the world of overbearing" Baxter continued

"got any tips to stay sane?" Crymini asked with interest at the fishes words

"I'll tell you exactly what I would have told myself back before joining this mental asylum" Baxter began with a pointed finger

"don't let them get attached, they will never leave you again" Baxter finished

Crymini couldn't help but laugh at the fishes seriousness

"for real?" she began

"and here I was hoping to make some lifelong friends," she said sarcastically

earning a small smirk from the fish

"sooo, who's on your list of worst to best," Crymini asked once more

"Good question" Baxter pondered

"taking the first place has to be the porn star" Baxter groaned

"what, pinky pie crosses with a cum creamed cupcake isn't your favourite?" Crymini chuckled sarcastically

"sprinkles with a bratty attitude, not a chance" Baxter chuckled at the new insult

unknown to them charlie and vaggie had returned once more

the sight caused two very different reactions

"awww, they're getting along," Charlie said joyfully, happy to see the new resident getting familiar with the others and to see Baxter socializing for once

her girlfriend on the other hand wasn't as enthusiastic

"wonder what is so god damm hilarious?" Vaggie asked with suspicion, she wasn't sure of what to make of Baxter's new friendship, it took the fish a long time to get civil, let alone friendly, so she was sure to keep an eye on it

and that eye met 2 others looking back as the hyena looked over the hotel, only to be met with a grimacing moth demon

"oh, seems mothy is giving me some dirty looks, what's her problem anyway?" Crymini stated before questioning the reason, grimacing back

"huh, no no that's just vaggie, long as you don't pull anything that threatens the hotel's lives or the hotel then all you'll get is an angry face, sometimes a nag if you've done something, other than that you got nothing to worry about "sinful" Baxter explained with a shrug

"I ain't worried, just don't like being stared at" Crymini hissed

"she'll ease up, just give it time, that goes for husk to" Baxter stated

"husk?" Crymini questioned, although she had a little idea of who the fish was going on about, and it didn't seem that little zipping lady would have such a name

"the avian cat demon" Baxter simply stated, surprised Charlie hadn't stated their names like how he was introduced, but then again she was busy with family business

"stupid cat" she grumbled under breath, but Baxter caught it

"what he or you do, because he's the laziest guy I know, so he wouldn't start something unless the other person did something beforehand," Baxter asked with curiosity

"Nothing, it's just primal instinct, and don't worry, by the look in his eyes, it's mutual" Crymini answered, although waving the question away

"well if it's just that, then it'll pass, he's the most bearable in my opinion" Baxter stated

"and how do you know that'll pass?" Crymini asked, not seeing how he could relate

"I'm a fish, he's a fucking hybrid of a cat and bird, my "natural" predators," Baxter said with a face of "you serious right now?"

"ok point taken," Crymini said with a cough, feeling slightly stupid that she didn't realise that

suddenly a red blur passed by, the floors that once held dirt were now brushed away

"and uh, what about her?" she asked pointing to the speeding bullet of a person

"uhh, in all honesty, she scares me" Baxter admitted, his esca dropping down slightly as he scratched his cheek in embarrassment

Crymini burst into hysterics

"how?! she's like the least scary figure in this fucking place, she looks and sounds like a child's doll!" she screamed in laughter

Baxter growled before continuing his reasons

"you'd be surprised how an adorable front can hide such a malicious and sinful side....even challenging the likes of angle dust perviness" Baxter mumbled

(but why only at me!" Baxter internally screamed, remembering the many, MANY times she had hit on him

"Can the same be said for princess sparkle face, that happy act has to be a facade right?" Crymini asked, pointing over her shoulder

"no, she's actually the most innocent in this place" Baxter began

"she believes in this cause, truly wants to help her citizens, she has done nothing her in my stay that has proved otherwise" Baxter continued to explain before his face turned cold

"unlike sadistic smiles of course"

Crymini's ears seemed to focus more, out of them all, probably except the princess, she had to say she was the most interested in the radio demon

"he's just here to fulfil his twisted needs of watching us all daily miserably at the idea of redemption" Baxter growled

"so, you're here to be redeemed?" Crymini asked with curiosity

Baxters features seemed to get sharper at the question

"Ptsch, as if! hah! yeah, like there's an actual chance" Baxter said loudly and defensively

"then why are you here?" Crymini asked with a confused look, finding it a bit hypocritical, but wanting to know the real reason

"I have my reasons, as I'm sure you do," Baxter said as he closed his eyes and raised his head to the ceiling

"yeah" Crymini answered, looking away,

playing with her hair for a few minutes she decided to try once more, trying to get rid of the newly grown tension

"names Crymini by the way" the hyena stated

"yes, I know, Charlie did introduce you to us all" Baxter said with a voice that screamed "well yeah, that's obvious"

"and you?" Crymini asked as if she was pulling teeth trying to get Baxter back into the conversation

"come on, if we're going to be bitching buds, I should at least know your name," Crymini said with a smirk and exaggerated rolling eyes

"very well, I'm Baxter, Dr Baxter" Baxter said, inducing himself

"doctor huh?" Crymini asked with slight surprise, but by the fish's get up, she should have expected such

"not the healing kind, however," Baxter said with a grin

"good scared you'd be the boring kind for a second" Crymini laughed

the two simply shared a mischievous smile

it was clear the two would be good devious friends

for worse or much worse

Chapter Text

Reqauested by Niglie_trollster

Vaggie walked away from another rage-filled night that was game night

since she was out and it was the last game of the night she decided to go to bed

at least that was what she told the others

instead, she began heading down to where the only individual that didn't partake in the weekly game night was

most likely sulking in his bedroom and fixing his equipment

as she headed down further she could hear the clear grumbles of annoyance through the door

chuckling she knocked on the door and asked if she could come in

Vaggie couldn't tell how her relationship grew with the little fish

platonic of course

she did find him annoying at times just like the others, but she cared for him, just as surprisingly he did for her

they had become good friends

which meant she going to be there when she knew he was in a mood

which she had to admit wasn't for no reason

walking in after hearing a grumble of acknowledgement she was faced with annoyed-looking fish on his red bed, his arms were folded and eyes looking down to the floor

"Thought I'd find you here" Vaggie laughed

but all she got back was a "humph" as he looked to the wall

saying he was upset was a no brainer

"come on Bax, do you want to spend time with a bunch of....what do you call us...Munz-watcher's?" Vaggie questioned, smirking at the insult, being a new one she never heard of before he showed up

"I like games" Baxter simply stated

Vaggie rolled her eyes

"We know you do, but you can be a bit-" Vaggie began to explain before being cut off

"competitive?" Baxter questioned

"more of a stickler to the rules" Vaggie finished

"well someone has to be! you've seen how everyone else plays, it's disorderly! it's not how you play the game!" Baxter shouted defensively

"you brought an encyclopedia to a game of scrabble" Vaggie pointed out

"traffit is not a word! how would you even use that in a sentence?!" Baxter pointed out once more

"and a rule book to a game of UNO"

"You have to shout Uno once you get to one card or you have to get more cards, everyone knows this!" Baxter shouted back

"yes, but you don't need to shout it each time" Vaggie sighed

before the fish could counter back the moth tried to reason with him with a different approach

"look Baxter, I get you really get into these games, and as you said competitive, but we have a lot of people in the Hotel that love to bend the rules and aren't happy being called out on it, it kinda drops their self-esteem, which I know you don't know you're doing it, but to majority vote, they don't want you playing with them, much to some others disappointment" she explained, although whispering that last part as she knew some residents did seem to enjoy him being there, but for different reasons, but she didn't want to get into that just yet

"so I know it's a bit unfair, but look at it this way, you get more time alone with on one trying to bother you, and that means your anxiety and rage levels get a chance to settle down" Vaggie tried to convince

and to her relief, the fish saw it her way

"I guess" Baxter sighed

Vaggie knew he was still upset about it so she tried to offer him some solace

"how about I ask Charlie and the others to let you at least join one game once a month, I could probably convince them to let you choose the game where the rules will need to be followed"

"tsch, whatever" Baxters response

regardless of the attitude, Vaggie knew he was just being his usual prideful self

she knew him well it was just a front

she knew how much he wanted to be respected by others and to show them his skills, he could come off a little egotistical, but behind that confident front she saw layers of low self-esteem and insecurity, sometimes even self-loathing

so as a friend and head of staff next to Charlie she was sure to help to change that

one game night at a time

Chapter Text

Requested by Ollie

There were many rules when joining the happy hotel

no drugs or smoking within the walls, only to do it outside and 10 meters away from the proximity

reduced alcohol (only at the bars and of course Husk's alcohol problem)

swearing tried to be reduced, but they saw that they were just nowhere near that stage just yet

and pornographic images had to be hidden away from the other residents and only have them in your room, needing to keep them extremely concealed if you didn't want them being taken away due to the weekly random room inspections

if this wasn't enough to tell you that they took redemption seriously, then nothing would

staff and residents alike knew it was best to learn this lesson early

except for one individual who was intentionally disobeying these rules

"Crymini!" Charlie called out as the named demon entered the building

there the teenager was met with 3 scolding looking demons

"This is the 3rd time you've come back after curfew, you know all residents are expected to come back by 7 for dinner, and unless you've notified us of late time activities, you're not allowed out without an escort" Charlie began with a stern yet disappointed face

"I just went out for some magazines, no big whoop" Crymini huffed annoyedly

"It is when you let good food go to waste, it simply does not have the same taste after it's been freshly cooked you know" Alastor informed with a joyful smile that hid a feeling of deep disrespect

"not to mention your inconsideration to others, thanks to your thoughtlessness we have been up worried about you, you didn't call nor even text and I know that you've got your phone with you, now we're going to bed late regardless of how early us three need to start" Vaggie scolded, trying to keep calm although she was very furious with the youngest member

"didn't ask for any of you to wait up, nor to cook me up some shit that I wouldn't have liked anyways" Crymini argued back

"Listen you little brat, when signing up to the service we expect some level of respect and dedication to us, or would you like to be thrown back into the streets" Vaggie fumed, forgetting her mantra and going into a full furious rant

Crymini growled as she stomped her way back to her room, shouting a "whatever you flatchested bitch!"

Vaggie was about to run after her before charlie placed a hand on her shoulder

"maybe we should give her space" Charlie began before her hand got swatted away

"what?! Why are you being so easy on her? she's being completely unreasonable and selfish!" Vaggie asked with frustration

"I know, but we're not getting anywhere if we're just shouting at one another" Charlie tried to reason

"then what do you suggest my dear, we simply can't let her actions go unpunished," Alastor asked with curiosity

"Indeed, she needs to learn what she did isn't going to sit here, tomorrow I will inform her of her punishment" Charlie nodded, knowing exactly what she had to do

the hotel was full of screams of complaints, wrath and fury when morning came

due to Crymini's rebellious streak that needed stopping she was "grounded" as Charlie put it

meaning that ALL her magazines were confiscated until further notice, along with her phone and that she wasn't allowed outside until she learnt a lesson

and to say she was pissed was an understatement

verbally abusing anyone around her to take out her anger and kicking everything that she could in her sight

causing many complaints from other residents and staff

Alastor was half tempted just to chain her to the stairs and let her be

Unfortunately, the princess was much more merciful and said no magic was to be used as it would be going against the point she was trying to make

this response was again met with complaints of how they didn't deserve to be punished too

"I know it's bad at this moment, but once she calms down she'll see the error of her ways and listen to reason," charlie's said sheepishly, but always the optimist

however, the unexpected event had put them in a tight spot as all had prior plans

Angel, Niffty, Charlie, Vaggie and Alastor had all booked tickets to watch an upcoming film that had great reviews and had everything that they all enjoyed

whilst the others such as Husk had a casino event that he had been practising hard for ages now and Baxter had planned the night for some very intense brainstorming for a "classified" project

meaning that someone had to give up their night to watch out for the brat so she didn't try anything whilst being unsupervised

So now Charlie, Vaggie and Alastor were walking to the resident that they believed didn't have the "most important" event booked that night to take up the "babysitting" position

"you want me to what?!" Baxter's voice boomed around his metallic fortress

the 3 demons winced, the high pitch noise irritating their ears

"it'll only be for one night, the others are busy and we wouldn't be asking you unless we didn't have another choice" Charlie explained

"Charlie, why not just I dunno, LET HER DO WHAT SHE FUCKING WANTS?!" Baxter screamed once more before continuing

"she's a menace, she's come this close to breaking my glass beakers! and then I have to deal with Niffty banging on my door whenever she's upset due to all the mess she created! why not let the mutt out of her cage so she can do it outside?! maybe lock her out and put her in a dog house for all I care!" I don't have time to deal with that shit" Baxter continued angrily. showing that Crymini's actions had left a bitter taste in the fishes mouth

"now Baxter, I know that you're frustrated, we all are quite frankly, but there's no need for such crude thoughts....although" Alastor tried to be responsible before his voice went into that mischievous pondering noise

"no we are not going to lock her out, we are doing this to show that her actions do not go without consequences, and thus we need to implement them until she's willing to comply" Charlie interrupted, interrupting the plot which she was scared to see that Vaggie made no effort to disagree with

"that's why we need you to do this, please Baxter, it'll just be for one night" Charlie continued to negotiate

"what do I get out of this?!" was what Baxter was about to shout out, but the ever-smiling man prevented such a question, his aura growing dangerous, telling him to just do it

"....fine, but only because there is no other choice" Baxter agreed through gritted teeth

"thank you Baxter, and rest assure your kind effort will be rewarded," Charlie said with a happy sigh, glad that it put less strain on her for one night

"Good, now get out! I want to enjoy my calm before the storm" Baxter said gruffly

respecting his wishes, they left, going to relive husk of his babysitting duty

and by the shouting and crashing of beer bottles, it was right about time

"Him?! Satan you must have been desperate" Crymini laughed hysterically as the hotel's managers told her who would be keeping an eye on her this evening

The fish stood there with a grimace, folding his arms as he knew he was being insulted in a way, but not in a way that was directed at only him

"now Crymini, not that it matters who's keeping an eye on you, I expect you to try and reflect on why you are being grounded," Charlie said softly

"because you're a controlling bitch that doesn't let shit go-" Crymini groaned, her laughter halting at once

"now now, no need for such rudeness, we are leaving for the theatres and you and Baxter shall stay here and be good just like we are here," Alastor said through gritted teeth

Using his powers he put coats on everyone that was leaving and began walking them out

"Cherio" Alastor sang as the doors began to close

"Be good" was the last thing heard as the fish and hyena were left alone

"well looks like it's just us two," Baxter said awkwardly

"Nope just you" Crymini growled a response as she began stomping to her room

Baxter merely watched with a sigh

On one hand, he was glad she was doing as she was told

On the other, he had never had the hotel just to himself

It was different to his lab where it was filled with piles and piles of science equipment and paper,

here it was in a more open and colourful space

It made him feel small and unsure with what to do with himself, especially with how he thought he needed to keep an eye on Crymini

He felt stranded

yet he decided to try and relax, after all, he would surely see Crymini escape if she dared to try

"Fucking dammit!" a loud familiar voice cried outside the hotel

it had only been 30 minutes since the others left and he got into his notes of the project he was meant to be doing tonight

he had been drifting off to sleep before the loud noise shocked him awake

rapidly throwing his book to the side and outside the hotel's doors

he found that the teenager had made a rope of her and possibly other rooms bed sheets and climbed down the walls, only to get her foot caught as she dangled just an inch from the floor

Baxter winced as gravity came into play and dropped her on the floor headfirst, along with a cloak of sheets

"that hurt" she groaned rubbing her head

"no surprise" Baxter muttered aloud, alerting Crymini of her failed attempt of being sneaky

"shit, swear you'd go back to your cave" she mumbled in disappointment and annoyance

"well I didn't, so how about you come back in and-" Baxter began, trying to be authoritative before noticing that the hyena was still making a run for it

"Hey wait! where are you going?! you can't leave!" Baxter shouted with horror and panic as he rushed after her

"I'm going out to meet my mates, and watch me!" Crymini laughed

the way she saw it was that she was already out, and what exactly could the little shrimp do, try miserably to pull her back

but as she walked she was surprised that the small fish had run after her and was now walking with her

"what the fuck do you think you're doing?" Crymini asked with annoyance

"Charlie put me in charge of you for the night, and thus you can't go out without an escort" Baxter informed, knowing that because of Charlies stupid rule he couldn't use any magic or chemical weaponry on her (the last part being completely directed at him) and he knew it would be useless to try and force her back in

"and what do you care if princess sparkle face says, you don't have to tell her shit...unless you're going to be a snitch" Crymini scoffed

"There is no reason to be a"snitch" if I stay with you" Baxter informed smugly

"Are you being serious?! you just gonna follow me like a fucking creep" Crymini shouted as she halted suddenly, making Baxter skid to a stop

"escort! I am no creep" Baxter empathised

"yeah tell that all of your monstrosities in that dingy asylum you coop yourself in," Crymini said as she smirked

"I wish I could, but unfortunately I have to be on guard duty" Baxter groaned as he folded his arms

"Oh boo hoo, you have to go outside, fuck of you fucking lightbulb," Crymini mocked as she continued to walk

"listen, thanks to you my evening is ruined and I don't appreciate you trying to act like your the one being punished, after what? she's just asking you to stay in the hotel for a few days? oh what a tragedy" Baxter stated as he rushed after her

"for satan's sake! why can't you assholes just back of?!" Crymini asked and snarled as her patience grew thin

"maybe because you joined the hotel?! charlie thinks your worth it, so maybe be thankful someone cares about your sorry ass" Baxter informed heatedly

"she's just pitying me! she saw me in a sad and desperate state and used it to her advantage" Crymini sighed, some of her fury subsiding

"you seriously think that's why you're here?" Baxter questioned

"she goes through the streets daily, she sees lines and lines of homeless demons, she offers them help, yes, but the only difference is that you and them is that you chose to go with her, and you stay regardless of how you act, face it, you don't stay because they force you, you stay because you don't want to leave" the fish shouted as he ran in front of her, making her stop once more

"it's better than the streets" Crymini mumbled

"Are you seriously that stubborn you can't admit that you like being at the hotel?! I know you have your "mates" and I know they've offered to take you out of this "rainbow factory" and crash at their places but I know you say no because you always come back" Baxter yelled once more with disbelief at the others "stupidity"

"stalker much" Crymini chuckled lightly

"no quiet button much?" Baxter responded, matching her smugness

"ugh whatever, if you're not going to go then stick close, the people these parts are proper sicko's, but I don't care if you get uncomfortable cus I've got shit to do" Crymini sighed as she decided it was just best to let the fish "escort" her to where she wanted to go

"thank you for the advice" Baxter thanked sarcastically

"uh crim, who's the fish?" the hyena's friend asked

they had arrived at their destination, the more lustful side of the hearing, most likely where Angel dust worked

it was a small slum of sorts, full of rubbish, poorly built buildings and many demons hiding in every corner

it made Baxter extremely on edge and discreetly sticking to the only familiar face, not noticing that he was being talked about

"oh, uh, this is one of my hotel roommates, yeah I'm just taking care of him till the others get back" Crymini answered, that got Baxters attention

he tried staying silent as the hyena asked was about to shout in disbelief before he felt her paw close his

"yeah poor little guy, doesn't get out much, very shy, doesn't speak at all" Crymini answered, but it was a clear warning to the fish to start quiet

her friend didn't seem bothered

"well whatever girl, here's my emergency loot since your sudden imprisonment" her friend laughed as he gave her a box

in it, there were piles and piles of magazines, which unfortunately were open to the most explicit images

"Good lord!" Baxter said in shock horror, covering his eyes in embarrassment

"ha, thanks man, I owe ya one" Crymini laughed as she grabbed the box and began walking out

"no probs, see ya crim, bye baby blue~" her friend waved off, finishing with a wink to the fish

Baxter didn't get enough time to ponder the nickname as he felt himself being led away, out of the area and back to the hotel by a light hand against his back which he did his best to not shiver at

"This is what you've been so desperate to get back?!" Baxter asked in pure horror as he shakily put his hands down away from his eyes

"don't be such a prude dude, come on, you don't think this isn't a little bit guys sexy?" Crymini scolded lightly before deciding to have fun, grabbing the top magazine and practically shoved it into the fishes face

"put it away! I don't ever want to see such indecency in public ever again!" Baxter screamed in fluster, his esca glowing a bright pink and he once more put his hands to his eyes

"Jesus, you act older than Husk" Crymini laughed

"technically that is because I am" Baxter stated as he looked to the floor so he could see where he was going but not be victim to the hyena's cruel prank again

"ah yeah, guess I find it hard to guess how old people are when you think of when you died instead of the age that you were" Crymini pondered

"is that why you act so immature regardless you've passed your teenager age" Baxter smirked

"oh haha, so you must have been what 30? 45? if you're still stuck in a midlife crisis" Crymini laughed

"I'll have you know that I was only 19 when I died, but if I had got to 45 that would have been a big achievement in my days" Baxter informed

"you were 19?! god no wonder you're a fucking twink,," Crymini said aloud

" a what?" Baxter questioned as he allowed his head to look back up

"nothing, but satan, I would have never guessed that" Crymini dismissed with slight surprise

"well that's because times are different, nowadays that's classified as young but back then it was in the middle....so I guess you were right about me being in a "mid-life" crisis" Baxter explained, finishing with a light chuckle

"HA, dark" Crymini guffawed

the two actually had a pleasant walk back, a hell hound walked their way, and by the look in their eyes, something about them caught their attention

"Well hello little lady" one of them began as they walked to them

"lady, you're obviously blind" Baxter chuckled with serious eyes, although this earnt him a hard jab into his chest

not that it made much impact as a large paw swatted him away

"Baxter!" Crymini yelled as she tried to help him up, only to feel her be dragged back by a strong hairy arm

"forget the fish girl, you should spend some time a strong man such as myself, I can show you a good time" the grey shaded hound growled excitedly, almost crushing her paw, making her drop her magazines in front of her

"let go of me you dick!" she yelled as she kicked him right in his privates

earning a yelp as he let go and nursed his hurting balls, rushing to get her magazines and check on Baxter who was holding his hand underneath his coat

"oh you bitch!" he growled as he was about to go for another snatch

that was before a shocking pain landed in his shoulder

looking at it he saw a small needle sticking out of his flesh

"what the fuck?!" he questioned as he took it out, only to see there was nothing inside of it

he then looked to where the sharp object came from

Baxter was holding a small gun as remained on the floor, Crymini at his side looking in shock as the hellhounds veins began to glow a bright orange

the beast landed on the floor crying in pain

"w, what did you do to me?!" he cried, shaking in agony

"I have inflamed your body with an internal mixture, making it feel like you are internally growing in lava" Baxter answered as he slowly got to his feet, placing the gun back into his coat

"I, I'll kill you" he declared as he shook uncontrollably

"not likely as either this solution will kill you internally before that happens or you can choose to commit suicide before it takes you apart" Baxter informed calmly before walking closer to the hounds head, resting his left foot on it

"Take this as a lesson for your disgusting acts as you melt from the inside" Baxter whispered menacingly

"well we better be off before the others come back, I do not wish to deal with either Alastor's, Charlies or even Vaggies scolding" Baxter declared, walking away from the scene and back to the hotel

Crymini taking a moment to process, looking at the glowing crying hound before following the scarily calm fish

the two walked in silence before they had finally come face to face with the hotel's doors

"Listen, dude, before we go in I just wanted to say, thanks for all you did today, especially with that bastard, it was epic and....nice that someone was looking out for me," Crymini said with a soft smile

"think nothing of it, really, it's weird of you being this nice to me" Baxter chuckled

"Well don't get used to it" Crymini chuckled as she opened the doors

to their relief, it didn't look like anyone was back yet

"I don't expect any less" Baxter smiled as Crymini began to take herself and her new box back to her room

not before stopping and walking to the scientist, extending her knuckles

Baxter closed his eyes, expecting a punch, putting hands around his face

only the blow never came

"be cool dude, I'm only ever going to do this once," her voice said as Baxter opened his eyes in confusion

"it's a sign of respect between mates, be grateful I class you as one," she said, her fist hovering in the air

with slight hesitation he bawled his fist and extended it out as well, to this she bumped her knuckles against his making a satisfying noise

"you'll get there" she laughed as she went back to what she was up to

Baxter couldn't help the tiny smile on his face once the hyena's door closed

just in time as another door opened as a familiar variety of demons entered the building

"Baxter! Crymini! we're back!" Charlie sang, looking for the two demons

the first demon being on the couch with his notepad and pen

"hi Baxter, how did it go?" Charlie asked happily, still giddy from the movie

"well, I ensured she was never out of my sight, except now as she is in her room"

"really, cus there's a rope of bedsheets outside" Vaggie intervened with a stern look, trying to see any tell tales of a coverup

"her attempt at escaping, it failed miserably" Baxter answered back calmly

"well it is expected that she would try to do something, but as long as you stopped her and nothing else happened then all is good," Charlie said brightly

"indeed" Baxter responded, trying to seem concentrated in his notes

"I wish you could have come with us baxy, it was soooo good!" Niffty exclaimed as she came back from placing the sheets in the washing and came crashing into the fish, knocking him off the couch and notes scattering everywhere

"Niffty, of!" Baxter commanded as he struggled in her grip

seeming somewhat satisfied Charlie and Vaggie went to check on the hyena

And once Niffty had her fill of harassing the small fish she went off to see if there were any other messes

leaving him and the radio demon alone, seemingly the deer devil was very amused, and something told Baxter it wasn't because of the movie

"I will not spread any rumours but a little shadow told me you and our captive left the premises this night" Alastor smiled amusingly

Baxter paled at the statement, of course he knew, it was the radio demon for peat sake, but he ensured his facial features didn't waver

"is that so?" Baxter questioned

Alastor's smile seemed to grow

"Indeed, but it seems that by how content and quiet she is acting much more level headed, I will keep this to myself and ask for nothing in return, seems you have done us all a favour to quiet her barks" Alastor informed, with a happy tune in his step

"goodnight little bait" Alastor waved as he went to bed

when Baxter was sure he was alone he allowed himself to take a breath of relief

looking to his fist he remembered the new symbolic representation it now held

they were friends now, and friends do not snitch on one another

Chapter Text

Requested by Jarod

Pink wasn't Baxters colour

when you think of fishes, pink wasn't the first colour you thought of now was it

It possibly wasn't in the top 5

But here he was

Adorned in the stuff

Head to toe in the bright colour in the form of paint

Dripping from his body and creating a puddle of the pink liquid below him

He stood there in befuddlement as he heard the drips from his fins layer and tap on the floor and shoes

He was grateful that he never went out anywhere without his signature lab gear as if it were anything else it would have stained

Slowly taking his glasses that prevented the brightly coloured goop get into his eyes he wiped his lips as to prevent it from getting it into his mouth

Taking a big breath as he yelled in fury of the culprit to his new colour design

"ANGEL!!!!"

his outburst, unfortunately, caused unwanted attention

the staff coming to see what was wrong

but one look at the little fish and his new colour scheme seemed absolutely hilarious to them

Vaggie, Alastor and even Husk were letting out bellyaching chortles

and although charlie was shaking in her boots to stop her chuckles, he knew she found it just as funny

"Awwww, you look so cute" Niffty gushed whilst wiping the floor with the cloth

Baxter growled with embarrassment and disagreement

"where is he?! Where is that infuriating gutter sniping arachnid!" Baxter demanded angrily

"he, he went out, w,won't be back till, till night" Charlie answered through her snorts

"he will pay! he will pay for this humiliation!" Baxter declared as he walked to his room for a shower

"what do you plan my fishy little fellow?" Alastor asked with interest

Baxter paused, some paint spilling on his cheek due to the halt

Baxter hadn't thought of a punishment as of yet

This wasn't the first time he'd been pranked by the spider, nor was it with paint, it seemed that the spider loved to target him with the paint can

he tried getting back with his own painting, yet this didn't seem to do anything but increase the porn stars attacks

he even had the unfortunate of the pink spider saying how they had made such a "big mess" and Baxter couldn't help but cringe at knowing exactly what he meant by that

he needed a different approach

still pondering he noticed a little figure trotting through the hallway

or

he needed a different target

"fat nuggies, where are you, baby, come back to daddy" Angel's voice rang through the hotel

it was only 5 minutes since he got in from a night with Cherri, and he knew that everyone was asleep so he decided to simply go to his room

but when he got there he noticed something off

something wrong

someone missing

his beloved little piglet

he ran around in worry, even knocking on the resident's doors to ask if he had seen him

Husk who was his usual babysitter said that he'd left him in his room with some food but that was the last since he saw him

and then he immediately went to the radio demon since he always feared one day he would just think "why the fuck not" and eat him

but the radio demon, despite being woken up, smiled and said that he was not the one that had him

but the last he saw of him he was with the fishy scientist

Angel didn't know either to be relived or more fearful

one the piglet wasn't with the scannable and was possibly still alive

but on the other, mad scientist + guinea "pig" = NOT GOOD

and so he made a mad dash to the lab

there he had found the door open and eerily quiet

with a chill, he entered the room

only to be shocked at what he saw inside

"fat nuggets!" Angel screamed as he saw the little pig in a cage just above a medium-sized pool of green liquid

"greetings angel dust" Baxter said with a small smirk from the shadows

"what the fuck you little-" Angel was about to scream, coming close to knock him out before the fish held out a small remote with 2 big red buttons

"now now, no need to be so violent, especially when I have the upper hand" Baxter waved the spider away

"did you enjoy humiliating me today, adoring me with pink paint? running off before I could enact my revenge? well, now it is time to pay your dues" Baxter chuckled

although the fish had changed gear and had a wash, there were still remnants of pink paint in his usual smart slicked-back hair

"seriously! that's what this is all about?! it was just a prank!" Angle began to shout in disbelief before he was cut off with a screaming Baxter

"Prank?! no pranks are funny! changes! not daily! I hate needing to have a wash every single fucking day! so let this be a lesson to when you throw a mad scientist off the edge!" Baxter yelled as he began to press a button

"no, no, please stop I'll stop with the pranks I swear!" Angel cried in fear

"too late" Baxter stated as he pressed the button, releasing the pig out of the cage and into the green pool

"NOOOOO!" Angel screamed as he jumped into the pool to save his pet but as he jumped in he realised 3 things

the sludge was ankle-deep

the solution wasn't do anything to him, it smelled of...PAINT?!

and thirdly...

This wasn't fat Nuggets...

it was a plush

"huh?!" Angel let out in confusion as he squeezed the plush

only to hear maniacal laughter to the side

there he saw Baxter holding his stomach, battling for breaths as he collapsed to the ground which he pounded as happy tears formed

"what's going on?!" Angel asked as he wiped the green sludge out of his fur

to this Baxter pressed the other button, revealing a side room where the real fat nuggets soundly watched on his fluffy pet bed

"It wasn't really your pig, he's safe and sound, witnessing your humiliating attempt to save his fake" Baxter explained as he regained his sanity

"so...this, you" Angel stumbled on his words

this made Baxter laugh once more

before getting a face full of green paint to the face

"you jerk!" Angel screamed as he continued to stand in the kiddie pool

"gah! you started it!" Baxter's response was

"I never made you think I put the light of your life in mortal jeopardy!" Angel cried

"it wasn't like I actually did" Baxter grumbled, only to receive another paint clump to the face

"stop that! this is my revenge, not yours!" Baxter screamed as he gathered the paint and threw it back, only landing back in the pool

"you really know how to go too far! how dare you think my little precious was hanging just above their death" Angel argued

"and you really know to continue something for too long, this is the only way you would have listed to me when I say STOP! It may have been funny in the beginning but it isn't anymore!" Baxter argued back

the two took a moment of breath before Baxter walked to the side room to retrieve the piglet

"here! I'm done with this "paint prank war" Baxter declared as he raised the pig back to Angel with a huff

with a clean pair of hands Angel held the pig with a relived face

he was about to walk out the lab before stopping

with a sigh, he placed the pig into the floor and turned back to the fish

"what are you doing angel?" Baxter asked

"well we ain't exactly even you see, so I'll give you-" Angel began before he was completely drenched in green paint

blinking in shock he spat out the paint and looked to where the little scientist pressed a secret 3rd button

"Sorry, I thought you offering a free go," Baxter said with a sheepish chuckle

"Not this much! oh, your gonna get it!" Angel cried before smiling determinedly

and so the war continued once more, grabbing the paint as if they were snowballs and launching it at one another

whist fat nuggets simply trotted away, ready for bed

Chapter Text

Requested by Niglie_Trollster

"Where sunless rivers weep

Their waves into the deep,

She sleeps a charmèd sleep:

Awake her not.

Led by a single star,

She came from very far

To seek where shadows are

Her pleasant lot"

Baxter sighed as he rested his head on his desk

watching in mirth as he listened to his crush read out the story set for the school project

she had such a way with words, yes she maybe went a little fast and needed telling to slow down, but regardless Baxter focused on her sweetly beautiful voice scan every syllable

" Mr magne!" his teacher called out

making him jolt out of his relaxed mood and to see every student staring his way, including Niffty

"Since you seem so immersed in this chapter perhaps you can explain what was said to the rest of the class

"The main character of the poem has found a way into a "charmèd sleep" somewhere "Where sunless rivers weep". This location is somewhat magical in what the initial descriptions are of "rivers" separate from the sun that appear to weep. Rossetti's speaker continues to warn the listener not to wake the woman up. It is important to help her maintain her transcendent moment." Baxter answered as if he was at gunpoint

"um, yes, very good" the teacher answered a little shaken that he'd given a good answer, making her seem a little foolish

the students were a little disappointed that the boy didn't get in trouble but went back to their studies

meanwhile, the reader looked with amazement at the black-haired boy, a quick smile before going back to the poem

it was at that moment he swore his heart melted

at the end of class, the students quickly packed their belongings and rushed out, the teacher going after them to warn them not to run into the hallway

leaving the slowest packers, both of which liked to organise their bags so everything is where it needed to be

that was when Baxter notice her accidentally drop her rubber onto the floor during her rapid packing

"oh, here you....go," Baxter said as he quickly picked up the rubber designed as a little cupcake and extended her hand to her to give it back, only to fluster as their hands touched

"thank you" she praised as quickly flinched, drawing his hands back and into his pockets

there was a moment of silence before Baxter bolted

"sorryIhavetogoityouhaveareallypreetyvoiceBYE!" Baxter rambled gathering his booklongings as he rushed out of class, almost tripping on the rug as he dashed

leaving a confused yet mirthed Niffty in her wake

"wow, and here I thought I rambled fast" she giggled

he didn't think he'd ever run that fast in his life as he closed the front door behind them

letting a sigh of relief he took a moment to cringe

"Could I be any more pathetic" Baxter sighed

"Baxter hon, is that you?" Baxter heard the familiar voice of his mamá asked further into his house

(shit, what is she doing home so early?) Baxter internally panicked

"a all good mama'" Baxter called out as he took a deep breath, and walked further into the house

but it wasn't just her that came home early

it was also his mum who came walking towards him

"hi honey, how was your day?" she asked as cuddled him

"g, good" Baxter answered with a little uncertainty

he was still unsure of to ask his mothers about his situation

yeah you'd think a lesbian couple would have all the tips to asking a girl out

but he was unsure, especially of how the two had different approaches

"you sure hon, you seem a little off, you got a fever?" Vaggie asked as she took a break from making dinner to inspect her son

"I assure you I'm ok, I'm just going to rest until dinner is ready, it's been a long day" Baxter explained

"very well, but if there is anything you want to talk about you know we're always here for you" Charlie assured giving his head a little kiss before he walked to his room

he knew these words were true, years of getting this trust up proved it

if it weren't already obvious, he was adopted by both Charlie and Vaggie when he was 10, them both being 29 at that time

Charlie is a prisoners therapist and Vaggie is a prison guard, both work in the same prison which is how the two first met, sharing a lot in common and grew fond with one another

and they've always wanted a child

so when the opportunity made itself apparent they jumped at the chance

going to the adoption agency, reading on the files there was a boy named Baxter, having just become an orphan due to a horrible boating incident where he had almost died, but he was the only survivor, his biological parents dying right in front of him

regardless of his withdrawn and unstable attitude, the couple believed everyone should be given a second chance for a better life, and thus wanted to be his parents

they stook by him during his tantrums and nightmares, they were patient and kind

and he was proud to call them his mothers

but yet, 9 years later, he couldn't bring himself to talk about his crush on Niffty

when he reached his room he didn't bother undressing into something more comfortable, just landing on his bed and smashing his face into the pillows, letting a groan out

"well isn't this a sad sight?" a familiar voice asked

lifting his head slightly he looked to where the happy voice was coming from

"hey bax" the voice of Anthony or as all his friends called him, Angel dust chuckled as he waved and entered his room through his opened bedroom window, soon followed by his boyfriend Alastor

this wasn't an unnatural sight to see the two figures bombard into his room whenever they saw fit

with being childhood best friends, it was expected

Baxter remembered the first time he met them

with recently losing his parents he was a quiet child, usually holding onto either Charlies or veggies leg and hiding

but when with a small neighbourhood, news spread like wildfire

he remembered just reading a book on the sidewalk when he noticed two pairs of legs approaching him

"Hey, your the new kid right?" a voice asked

yet Baxter didn't raise his head, hoping that they would leave him alone

only his book was snatched away

"you know it's rude not to answer someone who is introducing themselves" a new voice scolded lightly, most likely the one who took his book

up he looked to see two figures, children like himself, one with a bright smile, slender build and brown fringe whilst the other had more fluffy looking blond hair, an interested smile and something pink in hand

"I think he's just shy Al," The blond boy said

"well there's no need unless you're a dog I'll be your friend to the end," Alastor said enthusiastically before extending his hand

"the names Alastor, my house is the one with a red door and closest to the woods" the newly named Alastor declared

"and my names Anthony, I'm the door next to yours..with the stupid black door" the newly named Anthony added

Baxter was still a little worried, but they seemed friendly enough, and if they were going to be his neighbours, it would be best not to make enemies of them

"m, my name's, Baxter" Baxter whispered

"Baxter, does that mean you're a good baker?" Anthony asked as he got into Baxters face

"w, what?" Baxter questioned

"it means baker doesn't it, like how Alastors mean defender and mine means praiseworthy" Anthony exclaimed

Baxter blinked, he never heard of names meaning anything

"anyways we're going into the woods, maybe you can make us some mud pies" Alastor laughed as he grabbed Baxter's wrist and began running to the woods, Anthony grabbing his other, discarding the book

"wait!" Baxter shouted in confusion but his cries were not heard

and to this day he was glad that they didn't

even if they were undeniably annoying

he was 10 when he first met them, Alastor was 12 and Anthony, now known as Angel dust was 8

now they were 19, 21 and 17

Alastor and Angel were dating and completely toward Baxter

so when they jumped on the bed with them, he braced himself for him to be flung off

"what's up my compadre, you seem down?" Alastor laughed as Baxter rubbed his face after it crashed into the ground

"wonder why" Baxter grumbled as he dusted himself off

but the red wearing boy knew him well enough he wasn't mad at him

"come now Baxter, we both saw you run like you were on fire, and as your best friends in the entire world, we came to check on you with the good of our hearts," Alastor said dramatically

"you mean you wanted to gossip, curiosity killed the cat Al" Baxter scolded lightly

"just get to it, you know we're not going to let it go" Angel laughed as he rested his head on Alastors shoulder

Baxter knew this was true, they were ridiculously persistent when needed to be

"ok, fine...um...so...there's, um" Baxter began

"go on," Angel said encouragingly

"well, there's this girl in my class" Baxter gulped as he finally got the sentence out of his throat

"WHAT?!" his friends shouted in shock and excitement

But not before his bedroom door was slammed against the wall

"you like a girl?!" Charlie's voice screamed throughout the house

"mum!" Baxter screamed, surprised that the door didn't rip off its hinges but horrified that his parents were listening in

seemed both of his mothers were listening closely with the how Vaggie fell to the floor when the door opened

"I'm sorry honey, I knew something was up but-oh, my babies growing up" the blond woman blubbered

"Are you crying?!" Angel asked with a chuckle

"no!" she lied, wafting her tears

"Why didn't you tell us? we can help, we are pro's at this stuff" Vaggie asked as she walked to her son, pulling him into a side hug

"it, mm, it's complicated...I can't, I can't even get a word in before I run away, regardless of a sentence" Baxter grumbled, leaning his head onto his mamà

"well, who is it?" Alastor asked

All eyes were staring at him intensely, waiting for the big reveal

"Niffty" Baxter stated sheepishly

"my cousin?!" Alastor asked in shock

"um, possibly" Baxter said as he scratches his head

"oh this is perfect, we'll all be family, I'll be married to Al, you niffty and since they related we will be too," Angel said enthusiastically

"I am not thinking marriage!" Baxter yelled in pure fluster, way too early to be thinking of that

"oh you'd look so handsome in a suit" Charlie continued to cry, her wife patting her shoulder as she nodded with agreement

"mum!" Baxter yelled once more

"ok, this is what you have to say "hey good looking" Angel began to proclaim as he did a hair sweep, leaning against Alastor

"not a chance, you need to know what she likes, her favourite books, food, movies" vaggie stated as if making a list

"d, do I need to write this down?" Baxter asked with confusion

"yes!" they all shouted in excitement, the enthusiasm almost knocking him to the floor

Baxter was exhausted, and it was just morning

his family and friends were telling him all the ways to go about asking a girl out all night!

all he ever wanted to do was ask her to go out for a drink

he never thought there'd be so many steps into such a simple task

regardless he kept the notes into his satchel and waited for the best time to meet with Niffty and pop the question

however, that opportunity only seemed to occur at the end of the day

molly and Niffty were always together and when they weren't the actual worst "sir pentious" as everyone dubbed him wouldn't get off his back about going to do better than him in engineering class or husk asking if they had any homework from his week of "sick" although he knew he went to the casino to try and earn more family for him as he was independent

but now it was the end of science class, which he usually adored, but today, he was much too focused on something else

when the bell rang and left the two alone finally

he gathered his courage and spoke

"Niffty" he called out

the small girl looked at him with a bright smile

seemingly to make all his courage disappeared

"yes Baxter ?" she asked

"ah, ah" he let out as he shook, his throat going dry

but Niffty waited patiently

"um, well, I was, uh" Baxter continued, his words failing

"Baxter, would you like to grab a drink with me? maybe when you wet you're whilst you can tell me what you want

"oh, yes...um, that's, exactly what I want, yes, please?"

Niffty chuckled as she lugged her backpack onto her back

"well we better get going, don't want to get all the traffic of students now do we" she smiled as she gently pulled him by the hand

"no! we do not" Baxter answered shakily as his face shined with red

and with that, the two walked hand in hand

"what the fuck was that?!" Angel asked with amazement as she watched within a tree her closest friends attempt to ask a girl out, only for it to UNO reverse

"There is a God, Ha!" Alastor laughed

Meanwhile, two proud parents were crying as their children went on their first date

They would have followed but they knew when not to intervene...

For at least 2 minutes

Chapter Text

Requested by Rose

the hotel was quiet

too quiet

yes (almost) everyone was sleeping

but the ones that weren't were trying to be as silent as they could

yes the hotel is most likely the safest place for a sinner to stay

and yes they had the two most powerful being residents within the proximity

but the uneasiness of what today was just made those thoughts of closer disappear and fill those who simply couldn't get to sleep with dread

Baxter was the newest to the hotel and was still processing that it was apparently "safe" to not bunker down into the smallest crevice within hell

and that included today

exterminator day or easier put as the purge

the little fish was shaking in pure terror as the glass of water threatened to shatter with how hard he was holding it

luckily there was another figure keeping an eye on him to ensure no glass shards went flying

"you need to calm down kid, even if any exterminators were to infiltrate the hotel, there is literally no way that the princess, radio demon or even myself is going to allow anyone to get hurt, and I can bet all my money and booze on that" Husk stated as he took a swig of cheap booze

Baxter didn't seem too sure but his shaking seemed to simmer by the cat's words

and with that Husk stepped out of the kitchen for who knows what

leaving Baxter alone with his thoughts, trying to tell himself to calm down and looking out of the window to try and see if he could see anything that was happening outside

unknowing to that there was a stealthy calm exterminator behind him

readying their spear to throw at the fish

only they did not get this chance as husk came soaring back in and slapping the weapon out of his hand

causing Baxter to look back in shock

"you picked the wrong house bub" Husk muttered calmly as he held back the struggling angel

only for their conversation to be cut short by the sound of screaming from upstairs, Niffty's screams

almost shattering the glass and bursting out eardrums, alerting the hotel they had just been infiltrated

only that caused the angel husk was holding to panic and throw out all their weapons with no aim

Baxter ducked down behind the kitchen corner to avoid being hit

Husk fought to make the angel stop with hits and slashes as the ear-splitting screams finally ceased

the angel was strong and was able to pin husk on the kitchens table and hold the angelic blade close to his flesh, but husk was able to stop this by using his claws to pierce through the exterminator's hands and push them to the wall, only to plunge his claws into their chest killing them instantly

Baxter merely watched in amazement at such a feat as the body of the angel crashed to the floor, leaving a bloodstain on the wall

husk breathed heavily but wasted no time in getting Baxter and getting them to safety, pulling him by his arm and into the hallway

only to usher him into another room as he saw a pack of exterminators surveying the hallways

silently he crept through the shadows and took them out by surprise, covering their mouths as he plugged his bloodied claws once more into their hearts

although fearful Baxter couldn't help as he slowly walked out of the room, hearing the screaming from upstairs get louder and louder, with more voices chiming in

thudding as sinners of the hotel ran in a panic trying to escape the exterminators

Alastor was livid that his slumbers were interrupted as he went to fight along with his cat friend, going upstairs to try and help deal with their pest problem

opening the door he was faced with three exterminators who were looking ready to dive their weapons to cleanse him, one which held the unconscious body of niffty

with his tentacles, he grinned and slapped all three out of the way, all through the wall and crashing into a wooden cabinet

Husk meanwhile was so far from done, regardless of what the angels threw at him he ran, yelled and slashed his claws at the attacker

as well as an electric cable

Baxter rushed to the lift, pressing the button repeatedly in the hopes it being faster

Alastor gently picked up the unconscious body of niffty, carrying her safely as he watched the other sinners who were being led by charlie and Vaggie to safety

"This way!" Charlie shouted as she saw more and more exterminators begin to swarm the hotel

Husk shook of the tranquillizer that he just momentarily realised was attached to his chest, only to look down and see that he wasn't the only one who had been hit with the weapon

just bellow him was the unconscious body of angel dust with another tranquillizer but in his neck

the sinners pounded on the wall of the "secret emergency escape"

Alastor gave Niffty to Vaggie as he began to open the entrance, and then ensure all the sinners rushed inside

Husk walked hastily with the unconscious body of angel dust

only to see Baxter walk through the hallways, ensuring that no one was being attacked or were trapped

"he's stunned, try to get him to the exit" Husk muttered as he gently laid angel on the floor close to the angler fish and began to walk off, but Baxter had different ideas.

"I can help you" Baxter stated

but husk also had different ideas

"help them" Husk stated as he continued his march

taking this as an order Baxter nodded and began taking angel to the exit

whilst husk stealthily waited for the next exterminator to cross his path

waiting behind a wall he watched as the angel's foot grazed the floor, and the cat took no time in plunging his claw into the foot

earning a yelp that was cut short as husk plunged his other set of claws into the angel's neck

Baxter was able to get Angel to safety but noticed that Crymini and mimzy hadn't been seen, running to find them he saw that they were simply the last ones to the party and ushered them to the exit

but not before the big window in front of them exploded

entering a whole hoard of exterminators

not that they had the upper hand as Husk once more came to their rescue, jumping off the balcony

plunging the dripping red claws into their backs, necks and stomaches and throwing them to the other side of the room

the three simply stood in awe

but husk knew now it wasn't the time to be celebrating

"let's go" Husk commanded as he lead the final three to the exit where they were to hopefully find a better shelter to wait out the purge

the three not wasting a minute to rush after him as they knew husk was always going to be there to save them in crisis

because nothing could keep this old cat down

Chapter Text

Requested by Time_game 23

couples fight

that is just how it goes

sometimes it's over something serious

and sometimes it's over something stupid

the last usually being 80% of the time

it was just how it was

no one is perfect after all

but whatever had caused such a scene was most peculiar

niffty and Baxter

the cutest little couple in the hotel, even topping the sweetness that was vaggie's and charlie's relationship seemed to be in a bit of trouble

the two did fight over who was to make tea one night, who was to go out shopping, not getting particular tasks done, disagreements over movie preferences

all the typical couples fight

but snowballs always lead to an avalanche

the two came storming into the hotel, alerting the others of their presence and their attention

"I just don't get why you're so mad, it's just a couple of

chips," Niffty said angrily

"it's not just a couple of chips, I wanted those because I ordered them, and when you order a salad and when it arrives you suddenly want chips and now you're stealing my food!" Baxter shouted back

"When is it stealing when I'm your girlfriend," Niffty asked offendedly

"when you don't ask for them! , you just reach out and scoff em, and you always pick the crunchy ones" Baxter pointed out

"you hate the crunchy ones" Niffty retaliated

"..... yes but regardless, I don't like not being asked," Baxter said shakily

"well remember that next time you steal my cleaning supplies" Niffty stated as she began stomping to her room

"that's different!" Baxter shouted after her

"How so?! just because you're not engulfing it? also, do you know how much that stuff is?!" Niffty asked halting at the spot

"as expensive as your dress that you said you didn't want to cover with a coat, and then I have to give mine to you because then I'll look like the inconsiderate man that doesn't give their cold girlfriend their coat and then I'm cold" Baxter mimicked as he too walked to his room

"ugh! of course, you'd change it to that, you're like a broken record!" Niffty shrieked

"at least I'm concise" Baxter remarked

"what does that even mean?!" Niffty asked with pure confusion, flailing her hands in the air

"giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words!!" Baxter yelled as he slammed the door

"GOOD TO KNOW, UGH!!!" Niffty yelled back as she too slammed her door

and with that, silence filled the room

and that silence rang for nearly the entire next day

the rest of the hotel were nosey and loved drama but knew when to leave those to work it out for themselves

especially with how the two seemed absolutely miserable with one another

Niffty was simply on the couch and staring into space, sighing sadly as she moved sluggishly around the hotel, no longer the speed demon that she was

and Baxter just didn't have the energy to meet the day, face-first into the floor and refused to do anything, and that even included eating

the rest of the hotel was extremely tempted to intervene, especially charlie but vaggie assured her that the two would work it out themselves

which was proven true as Niffty was seen hesitantly heading towards the little fishes room with a plate of chips

"Baxter...I'm here to apologise for eating your chips before asking your permission, it was uncivilised and if I truly wanted them I should have got a plate" Niffty whispered sadly

this suddenly caused his door to open

"no no I should have anticipated that you would have wished to have some chips, it is date 101, and I shouldn't have pulled out an argument from the past, it was uncalled for, and with the cleaning supplies I will be happy to pay you forward with what I've used" Baxter responded with panic

this was responded with his cyclops girlfriend kissing him on the lips

"I think I know how you can pay me back" she slurred as she placed the chips to the side

Baxter blushed as he was pushed back into the room, Niffty entering it and shutting the door with a lock

causing the spying crowd to look in confusion

how could something so heated cool of that quickly?!

"at least their finally talking again" Charlie smiled

"and then some" Angel commented with a smirk

leaving the door plate of chips to hear the pleasurable noises just behind the wood

Chapter Text

Requested by Fanfic_Bookworm0126

Husk sat outside his apartment as he drank his sorrows

of course, this was just the norm wasn't it

come back from the casino and rush before those sore losers tried to gut the guy who stole their money

probably run into that annoying baster Al and listen to his bullshit broadcasts which he usually found himself roped into

go to his empty apartment that just contained a broken flatbed that just barely did its job, a cabinet to store his bow, hat, phone and loot, and the litres and litres of discarded booze bottles

it wasn't the homeliest but it kept the rain off his fur

but he'd go back once he finished his bottle and smoke

only a strange and peculiar noise made his ear twitch to a nearby bin

he shouldn't be too bothered, after all, it was when most sinners were getting home, but for some reason, it sounded weird

as if someone was rummaging through their bin and.....actually entering it?

"ugh, fuck me" Husk grumbled as he let his curiosity take the better of him as he went to inspect the noise, seeming not even death could kill off his suspicious instincts

creeping closer he tried to hear where the noise was

deeper and deeper into the shadows he went

luckily he had developed glowing features to help him survey dark surfaces

and so did it seem with this suspicious being

out of the bins, husk noted a dim glow of light blue contrasting with his bright orange

the figure gasped in shock at the new presence

but it wasn't long until he bolted of

"hey wait!" Husk stated as he began rushing after him

whoever this was fast, really fast

but didn't seem to know the area well as they found themselves running into a dead end

husk heard angry growling as they backed themselves into the wall and the furthest away from the cat

and thanks to the new light he could finally make out just who exactly he was chasing

a fish demon it seemed, having three cyan freckles dotted both of his cheeks, hair a dark royal blue, with blue-grey streaks and cyan dots running through it, styled short and swept back a full-length green-grey laboratory suit and a weird light rod thing on the head

but that wasn't the only thing

looking closer it seemed he was in a deep state of starvation with how his skin stuck to bone, his clothes seemed baggy on him and had dirt covering head to toe

from what husk guessed was that this character was a scavenger, and a very lucky one just to be alive at that

husk cursed his soft spot for kids

especially as he saw behind those angry eyes were a pool of deep fear and sorrow

"you alright?" Husk asked, but knowing full well he wasn't

"no! you fucking chased me and now you're going to kill me, just do it" the shrill yelling voice was heard as the figure struggled to breath

"I'm not going to kill ya kid, regardless of how easy it would be, I just wanted to know what you were doing in the bins" Husk explained hastily

"what do you think? I was trying to find something to eat" the fish answered back, but his energy seemed to be depleting as he slowly sagged to the floor

(satan give me strength) Husk internally sighed as he walked closer to the fish

and without thinking began picking him up and hoisting him over his shoulder

"hey! let me go!" the individual demanded frantically as he punched the cat avian hybrid, or that was what husk thought his movement was called, it was nearly a graze, a bit pathetic in all honesty

but husk couldn't really blame him with the state he was in

he knew he must be starved but he couldn't believe how light this guy was

regardless he settled the steps of his apartment and rushed to where he knew there would be a little hot dog cart, both very desperate for money and dick

but he'd have to settle with money as husk ordered a quick food bag

and to his relief...or worry, he saw the individual had made no effort to move

"here" Husk offered as he gave the other demon the bag

the blue demon looked at the bag and cat with confusion

"just get that food in ya, satan knows ya need it if your trying to survive in hell of all places" Husk stated as he sat down next to him

he watched as the fish smelled the food before reluctantly taking a bite

not before his razor-sharp teeth seemed to grow tenfold as he chomped and completely devoured the food

husk had to pat the kids back a few times cus he went too fast and began to choke, he scolded him slightly but let him finish the dish

after the blue demon's breaths seemed stronger and he looked the tiniest bit better

but when their eyes met there was still the reminisce of distrust, but it was hell, couldn't blame him

"Why are you doing this...you don't even know me," the fish demon asked

"eh, call it me being in a generous mood, and didn't want a dead fish on my porch" Husk replied sarcastically

"Baxter" The fish mumbled

"eh?" husk let our with confusion

"that's my name, not fish, nor kid" the demon continued with a grumble

"well Baxter, names husk, and I'm gonna call you whatever I want" Husk responded with a smirk

the now named fish demon Baxter was about to argue but decided against it, not having the energy to do so

"whatever" Baxter muttered

a few moments of blissful silence before the fish began to stand up once more

"thank you for the meal, I appreciate it, but I need to get going before daylight" Baxter thanked as he began to leave

"you nocturnal?" Husk asked genuinely

"no...kinda...I just don't do well when the majority of demons are out and about" Baxter explained bashfully

"smart, but...if you run into any trouble I'll be here ok" Husk offered

"...thanks" was all Baxter said

and with that, the little fish ran of

Husk told himself it was going to be a one-time thing

and yet he couldn't help himself but put out some food in the worry of the fish not making another day

and every morning he would wake up to see the food was gone

and replaced with a small but sharp tooth-like razor blade

a way of thanks husk told himself

which had come in handy when some casino clients got angry and tried to attack him

those little blades he had turned into a battle fan to warn of any attackers and it really worked

especially as they saw what it could do when it gets too close to a sinners neck

Chapter Text

Requested by Niglie_Trollster

Ten more steps

if he could take ten more steps it would be over, but his legs wouldn't move

He tried to will them to work, but they wouldn't listen to his brain

Ten more steps and it would be over but it didn't appear he would be able to do it, instead, he dropped to the floor in pure exhaustion

he felt like he could lay there for the rest of his eternity, letting his headache engulf him whole

that was before a sound of swishing liquid and what he could only assume was ice cubs being dropped into a glass was heard just above

using the rest of his energy, he turned his head above where he saw an avian cat named husk holding a glass of orangy-brown liquid

looking closer husk seemed just as tired as Baxter felt, the cat's eye bags darker and somewhat paler

"come on, I know you need this just as much as I do" was all husk said as he handed the glass to Baxter's outstretched arm

and so with a sip, his energy rose enough to get himself to the bar in which husk lead him, pouring more liquor and about to start their daily ranting, only to be greeted with another face for the meeting

looking as she approached, Vaggie also seemed as tired with her droopy red eyes, but despite her seemingly saddened facial expression she still held an irritated glow

"just a beer tonight please," vaggie asked polity as she landed her head on the table of the bar

"you too huh?" husk muttered/questioned as he finished pouring the moth demon her drink

"when not, Satan if I didn't have charlie I'd have started drinking in the first hour" Vaggie replied as she snatched the glass out of husks claw and began to chug

Baxter simply hummed as he finished his bourbon, playing with the glass and wobbling it boredly

husk looking at the defeated demons decided that with the day the three had, perhaps it was time for something stronger

going below deck he checked if he still had it

"ah, there you are" husk whispered as he fished out his prize

"what have you found ?" Baxter asked with curiosity, standing on the edge of his seat to try and get a look, vaggie keeping close as it looked like he was going to fall off

"devil springs vodka" was all husk stated as he pulled out a nearly empty bottle of said alcohol

"80% alcohol" Baxter stated as he inspected the bottle

"yup" husk merely stated as he got out 3 tinier glasses

only as he began to pour did he see that it only filled one glass

the three simply stared at the glass, and then back to each other

"so I'll be having that" vaggie stated as she was about to reach for the glass, only for a claw to slap her hand away

"whoa, what do you think your doing, this is mine, I earnt this" husk growled

"how's that fair?! I have had it much worse than you today!" Vaggie pointed out with a scoff

"you?! have you seen what I had to put up with this evening, dealing with everyone's demands with wanting me to create easy fixes for their situations, every single second! If anyone deserves that vodka it's me" Baxter finally speaking up

"oh please, what you had to put up with was child's play, I've done that daily, having to keep you all in line, especially like today Alastor bringing twitching sinners to his radio tower and dragging blood all over the corridors like I needed Nifty's preppy little ass on my case" Vaggie argued

"so you've built resilience, cut me some slack! I've had all these nut cases following me around, my head feels like it's internally bleeding thanks to all those mind-numbing fuzzy rainbow, ugh" Baxter began to defend and rant, only for his headache to increase tenfold

"not a chance, you have to through it a few more times before you get to have this" Vaggie wagged her finger condescendingly as she tried to reach out, only for husk to smack her head away once more

"by that logic, once again, I deserve it, I've dealt with one of the most annoying bastards in hell, not to mention today's example, you think you got off easy with having to clean up the blood, who the fuck do you think had to sent out to weaken the poor fuckers?!" Husk commented with a slight smirk

"no you chose, don't you have a deal with him or something?" Vaggie asked as her own smirk appeared

husk grumbled as a result, for she had a point

"so with today's conclusion, I'm just gonna-" Vaggie said victorious as she for the third time reached for the glass

only for Baxter to snatch the vodka and gulp it full

"gah you brat!" vaggie yelled as she tried to grab the fish only for him to jump out of her reach

"I don't care how you view my day to yours but by your logic of dealing with hells shit the longest, I've been here the longest than everyone in this hotel! I've had to manage for much longer and I don't care how irritating Alastor or angel dust or even niffty can be! you both fell down here with a promise, vaggie with the princess and husk with Alastor, practically making you invincible, not to mention your demon forms, do you know how hard it is being in a pitifully weak and tiny demon body?! daily I was running from sex slave owners, cannibals, organ stealers you name it! so if you're judging by how much bullshit we all endured for the longest time in hell then I have you both beat!" Baxter ranted and declared angrily as the drink burned his throat

husk and vaggie merely stared in surprise, this possibly being the most open Baxter had been telling the group of his past, the drink seems to make his emotions much more expressive and thus himself

he was a lightweight they knew but this was a side effect they had never seen on Baxter before

but they decided they wouldn't engage as he was clearly not in a clear set of mind

"guess we can't argue with that, sides you already drank the last of the vodka" Husk grumbled

"I still want to forget today, so what else you got husk?" vaggie questioned as she still kept an eye on the swaying fish, with his rant over and alcohol in his stomach it seemed his mood was starting to improve, seemingly much calmer and relaxed, laying his head on the table with a warm blue glow on his face

"follow his lead and have a shit ton of beers" husk stated as he began to pour from the barrels

and with one came another, and another, and another

"morning! rise and shine!" the irritatingly happy and high pitched voice of angle dust was the first thing to greet the hangover crew, letting grunts and whines at the spider's voice

"my, haven't you all had a fun night, and didn't invite me?" angel dust continued, having fun with their torture that was their own heads, ending on a fake sadness and pout

"Did someone have a party? why wasn't I invited?" Niffty said with pure sadness as she entered the chat, her voice much higher and unfortunately more painful to their sensitive ears

"Please, stop talking" vaggie begged as she clasped her hands over her head

"ugh, I think I'm gonna hurl" Baxter moaned as he held his head with one hand and the other on his stomach

"here you go," niffty said helpfully as she grabbed a bucket and somewhat slammed it on the floor next to the three, only making their headaches worsen

"Well don't you all look horrible, I expected much from our husk but Baxter and vaggie dears I do have to say I am surprised, or perhaps I have it the other way around haha" the worst voice commented as the radio and laugh track added more and more to their pain

"come on guys, let's leave them alone" Charlie's sweet voice chided

"like they do when I'm coming off a high? not a fucking chance" Angel laughed sarcastically

"your always fucking high!" Husk grumbled

"and you're always fucking hungover," Angel said smartly

only to be interrupted by the sound of an uneasy stomach being purified

"well then, someone can't hold their liquor" Alastor commented unhelpfully

only to be followed by the other two drinking buddies as they ran out to the nearest bathrooms

"be hopeful they don't miss" Alastor unhelpfully chimed to which Niffty couldn't help feeling that the comment was directed at her

perhaps the next time they go out for drinks, they'll choose a different hotel to do it at

Chapter Text

Requested by Mento

"5 more minutes.." Baxter grumbled as he heard someone open his door

he pulled an all-nighter and he knew without Alastors annoying morning jingle it was still dark, and so he was too tired to bother with shouting at them to get out

which was unfortunately as charlie dared to say he was unable to boobytrap his room to prevent trespassers

"come on Baxter, we need to go" Charlie whispered as she came closer to his bed

"whyyy" he groaned as he rubbed his eyes unable to register what was happening before he felt himself being pulled out of bed and out into the hallway

over the few weeks, he had learnt the princess hadn't an evil intention in her sole, ironic as to who was her father after all but it still caused panic

"Charlie!" Baxter yelled in surprise as he was held in the princess's arm, being brought outside the hotel still in his nightgown

"what is going on?!" Baxter screeched as he squirmed, only to be placed into the limo where all the other residents of the hotel were sitting, also in their PJs

the drivers, Razzle and dazzle finally press on the gas

"Please, can someone just explain what is happening" Baxter grumbled, doing his best to stop his rapid heart and get to the bottom of it

looking around the residents all wore worried facial expressions, hell even Alastors usual smile had a slight twinge of worry

"Angel didn't come home" Niffty was the one to answer

Baxter was surprised by the reply, but now that he realised it, the porn star was indeed not present

was that all about?

"Why are we even looking for the stupid arachnid, doesn't he spend nearly all his nights out anyway?" Baxter asked with confusion, not seeing the alarm

they seemed to look at one another with looks of exhaustion but understanding

Baxter was the most recent addition to the group, so he obviously he still had a lot to learn about their dynamic

"Not like this, he always leaves a note, an Instagram post, something! nor is he ever this late" Charlie explained fright

Baxter paused, any reply he would think about would cause more alarm for them to go searching

"he could be anywhere so we need all hands on deck for this to check his usual spots" Husk added as he stared out of the window

Baxter grimaced not liking the thought of going into areas that the spider would lurk

"I don't even like him, why should I give a tiny little cell of my brain for him," Baxter remarked

"We used to think that too, but he's proven that he's not all that he seems" Vaggie whispered

"an arrogant, selfish, prissy, rude, crude and gross drug addict?" Baxter commented, only to respond with a light flick by the moth

"yes, but he's much more" Vaggie continued with a faint smile

this seemed to evolve into stories of what made Angel such a likeable and worthwhile guy

Angel defending vaggie as she was being harassed by homophobes, threatening to punch their lights if they ever touched her again

comforting husk on the bar floor as he suffered through flashbacks as fireworks were heard from above and no booze to drown out the sound

holding and comforting Charlie as she cried into his chest fur after a meeting with her father, soothing her that she was not a disappointment and how great of a person the princess was

simply talking with Niffty, spending time with her and being someone she could truly engage with that have the same interests that no one else in her life has, even willingly giving her books for her fanfictions and ideas for them

and surprisingly Alastor even had a story, where they helped each other with meals for the team, introducing recipes to one another, a safe space where usual flirtatious and static-filled tensions dissipated and they see each other on a personal level

the car stopped and started like these stories and there was still no sight of angel

but it gave Baxter a chance to think, he never saw this side of the arachnid, but clearly, the others did, maybe he should investigate further into these apparent good actions

that was before out of the corner of his eyes he saw something twitch in the darkness

being transformed into a fish that lived in utter darkness did wonder for his night vision

"wait, stop I think I saw something" Baxter stated as he looked further into the window

his request was accepted as the car halted

allowing the fish to walk closer

"be careful Baxter" Charlie called as she walked behind him, only to loose sighting as he went deeper into the night, being unable to see anything other than the light blue glow of the angler fish

Baxter didn't respond as he walked closer

where he was met with a twitching gloved arm

this was linked to a body lying on its side, the other hand on its torso, hair rustled barely covering a black eye and a gun close to the beaten body, pointing to where several dead bodies laid

"holy shit, angel?!" Baxter couldn't help exclaim in surprise and alarm

"Baxt..er?" Angel asked weakly, with confusion and pain

what the hell happened to you? Baxter would ask if it were not an obvious question, and with the state, the spider was in, there wasn't any time

"Husk!" Baxter yelled as he ran back to the gang

"Bax-" Niffty began only for the angler fish to continue

"Angels here, he needs medical attention and urgently" Baxter informed rapidly

"I'm on it" Husk answered, the cat having the second-best night vision in the hotel, headed into the fog,

husk has much more strength than Baxter to go into the dark and bring the beaten spider back into the limo, the rest on his tail and telling razzle and dazzle to head back to the hotel, the arachnid being comfortingly held in husk's protective grip as the others worried and hoped they weren't too late

a piercing white light shone and awoken angels' dreamless sleep

(was this the second afterlife he thought) as his eyes struggled to open

only a piercing pain in his side, eye and leg was greeted unexpectedly, making him groan and moan in the not sexy kind

a cutting sound could be heard as the buzzing in his brain dissipated

the blurriness of his eyes also seemed to disappear and the lights dampened, he saw in the side of his eye a dark blue and grey figure to his side

suddenly he remembered the last memory he had before this weird out of body experience

"Baxter?" Angel asked once more in confusion

a second of silence before wiring was heard from underneath, suddenly he felt his upper body rise where he could finally see the world above without the need to strain himself

"Angel, welcome back to the realm of the living, or whatever you call it" Baxter answered as he continued with his task, which was helping to stitch his leg wound

"you were shot in the leg, hit in the face causing a black eye and stabbed in the chest, your clients must have been desperate" Baxter noted without taking his eyes off his task

the spider couldn't help but chuckle, only to cause his ribs to hurt

"They wanted me to gang bang, but saying they weren't gonna pay as the 3 extra dudes were a "special" surprise for me, yeah fuck that shit" Angel spat

Baxter simply hummed

"be sure to inform the others, they're very eager to hear your side of your story" Baxter added

"you all went searching for me?" Angel asked with surprise

"yes, they were very worried about your wellbeing" Baxter continued

Angel couldn't help but smile, touched that they cared for him so

yet his mind couldn't ponder why Baxter of all residents was tending to his wounds, usually, husk would do it, and that brought more questions, the last he could remember Baxter , couldn't remember anyone else, so why him? they weren't the closest, mainly because he was so new but also because their chemistry didn't add up, pun intended

a final snip of scissors brought his thoughts as he watched Baxter finish the bandaging, placing the metal tool close to where a bloody bullet laid

Angel could only think of how long it took to remove, and then came how long it took for him to re-stitch his stab wounds

"it's done, I'll leave you to rest, there are some pain killers if you feel any pain, that's their purpose and if you feel any further discomfort please alert me, I'll let the others know you're awake" Baxter stated as he walked to leave

"hey wait" Angel called, making the little fish halt in his footsteps and turn back

"yes?" Baxter asked

"why are helping me? I really thought you hate my guts?" Angel continued to ask

"I don't particularly like you, nor other people, you being the least liked in this social bubble" Baxter began, which lead to the angel looking at him with a face that said "geez thanks"

"but, the others informed me that you do have qualities that are helpful for the others to keep them off my back and less distressed, so I'd rather you live to deal with them than me" Baxter finished

"so you saying I'm a good person to be around" Angel smirked

"It seems so, I don't see it, but I'm still new, needs further research" Baxter pondered

this seemed to cause the angel to laugh once more

"I look forward to being your test subject" Angel winked

earning an eye roll from the fish as he once more tried to leave, only for angel to call once more

"and Baxter"

"yes" The fish groaned

"Thanks for saving my life, I owe you one"

Baxter merely stared with confusion, but quickly nodded as he left the room, ignoring the confusing genuine praise, deciding that he was too drunk on morphine to know what he was saying

Chapter Text

Requested by HazbinHotelFan16

"ok everyone, I want you all to give a nice warm welcome to our latest addition to the hotel" Charlie's over-enthusiastic self spoke as she and the rest of the hotel's residents waited in the lobby for the grand announcement

seems that behind the scenes Charlie was making more rounds to try and recruit, without even Vagatha's knowing about

they all pondered about who this mystery guest was as charlie loved to be dramatic and give the have them all stand in front of a large "mystery" box

only for the blond to open the doors of the box to reveal a much too familiar face

Sir pentious

looking as smug and proud as ever, a big comparison to the surprised faces of everyone else

"that old geezer?!" Crymini asked with befuddlement

"now now, no need for name-calling" Alastor scolded lightly, although the static in the air showed the real emotion behind the cheerful facade

"Charlie, are you serious, him?!" Vaggie asked with wild scepticism

"ok I know we've had our differences but he wants to change," Charlie said gently as the snake exited the box, seeming less prideful with each negative comment

"he tried to blow up the hotel and doing so hit niffty with a door!" Husk remarked gruffly, keeping his piercing slit eyes on the snake at all times

"he what?!" Baxter asked in shock that soon turned into a face of defensiveness

"That was a long time ago" Charlie noted, still trying to be eager about her decision

Sir pentious finally chose a time to speak

"and for what it's worth I truly apologise for that, and I truly am looking to redeem," the snake said, his face actually looking remorseful as he directed his apology mainly at the little cyclops who waved it off with a polite smile

"How can we trust that? it is hell, my dear, lying is simply a learnt language" Alastor asked with a raised eyebrow

"because everyone is given a second chance at the happy hotel" Charlie stated proudly, quoting her favourite slogan

"I think that chance left when he tried to join the 3 V's" Husk continued to growl, Niffty and Crymini nodding at his side

"please everyone, just try to give it a chance, no case is too hopeless" Charlie begged

"so nieve and sweet, so refreshing and yet so pitiful" Alastor laughed in full amusement

Vaggie could see the hope in her girlfriend's eyes start to dampen, so with a sigh, she went to her to give her a piece

"how about a trial stay, see how it goes and then we can put it to a vote" vaggie suggested

charlie's eyes widened in joy as the others pondered the idea, they were defiantly still unsure but if Vaggie was willing to give it a shot then maybe they could too

"fine, just lock up the chains, this guy is surprisingly kinky with them" Angel sighed in agreement, not before adding a cheeky remark

making half the group laugh and the other fluster

so with that, the snake was on trial for redemption

the snake tried his best to interact and gain trust, but due to their history he was constantly being ignored

that was before on a simple evening he spotted a rambling being, reading a book on their way to their room

the snake knew very little of the demon, mainly because other than the odd arrival there was bearly a sighting

which he was slightly relieved as that meant he had done no wrong to them and thus gave him an opening to make some connections within the hotel

"good evening, might I ask what are you heading?" the snake made no time in wasting in making a fool out of himself

making the figure that resembled an angler fish stop in their tracks

"to my room" the fish stated as he tried to walk off, but the snake simply followed

"oh but it's still so early in the evening" Sir Pentious pointed out

"my labs out of commission for the day due to toxic chemicals being stupidly mixed, so I have to make do with a temporary base in my sleeping quarters" the fish announced, although it seemed more to himself than the snake

"oh you're a scientist" the snake exclaimed with surprise but intrigue

"indeed, and from that ship, you've attached to the hotel I'm guessing you're a mechanic of some sort" the angler demon stated once more

"correct, my life is dedicated to making machinery to strike fear and claim dominance, sir pentious is the name" the snake exclaimed proudly as he held a hand out for the demon to shake

"Baxter and if that's the case then you've come to the wrong place if those are your goals, the princess isn't one for spreading fear more than her infection with hugs" the fish stated as he ignored the hand, shivering at the thought of Charlie's constant affection

"oh contraire, by joining this hotel I will be able to gain a hierarchy as the triple V's sworn enemy" the snake continued with pride as if this plan was full proof

"not intentionally I can assure, but I'm not going to interfere with your death wish" Baxter sighed, all he wanted to do was go to his room

"come now doctor, I know we haven't properly gotten to know one another but I can tell you have great potential for the aid of large territorial takeovers" Sir pentious continued to try and convince

"flattery aside, I really think you need to re-consider your stay, if charlie gets wind you don't want to redeem then you're going to be out as fast as Niffty is with dust" Baxter waved off, ignoring the reptiles proposal, never having an interest in territorial takeovers

"oh, well never mind, I suppose I was wrong about you" Sir pentious sighed as he slowly slithered away

"excuse me?" Baxter asked with confusion and suspicion

"It was foolish of me to simply assume you were something great, by your attitude alone I can tell your worth as a cracked eggshell" The snake snarked with disappointment as he began to exit the lobby

only for a dart to be shot just a millilitre away from the snake's face, releasing an oily liquid that is azure in colour onto the floor that created a circle around the snake that formed something of a birdcage

the snake tried to grip the bars only to pull back with a pained hiss

"don't you ever dare talk down to me about my work, you have no idea what I am capable of" Baxter growled dangerously

only the snake simply smiled

"this! this is exactly what I need, come now doctor, our brains together, we could be unstoppable!" the snake exclaimed excitedly

the fish merely looked tired, was he really easy to be reeled in by a bit of banter? he really needed to work on that

"how about we start easy, I still don't know what you're capable of nor if I or the others trust you,

"I intend to earn this trust I assure, we all need allies if we are to band together to get rid of our enemies"

Baxter thought about this, getting rid of the triple V's would help to eliminate the constant interruptions to his work, plus with them out of the way it could help the princess in her goal, reducing evil in her domain and opening a gateway for her to spread her idea of redemption, not that he cared but it would help get her off his back

"fine, I agree to work with you, tomorrow as I already have plans tonight"

"Excellent!"

the snake expected the cage to be gone with the agreement but was disappointed to see it was still there

"um, would you mind letting me out? please" the snake said sheepishly

"it wears off in a few hours, think of this as a warning of what will happen if you double-cross me and a punishment for insulting my science and for hitting my girlfriend with a door" Baxter stated as he left the snake with his thoughts

after that awkward meeting, it was surprising to see that Baxter and sir pentious beginning to warm up to each other

the two spent time with other as they complimented each other's work

the snake even being allowed to observe the scientist's prized possesions in a newly de-toxic lab

and even cracking jokes that only the two would understand

"ok, ok, a photon checks into a hotel. When asked if it needs a bellman, it responds "No, I'm travelling light" Sir pentious punned, resulting in the angler fish bursting into hysterics, slamming his fist on the table as if it was the most hilarious joke ever to be written

the rest simply stared in confusion

"nerds" Angel commented with a smirk

" they're getting along quite nicely now arent they " Alastor quipped

"Yeah, still not sure if letting a mad scientist hang out with a crazy mechanic though" Husk stated with suspicion

"But look how happy he is, he has someone to talk about that weird shit without getting bored!" Charlie awed, the conversation being ignored by the two as they continued their jokes

"I never got bored" Niffty stated

"don't lie nift" Angel rolled his eyes playfully

to this, the cyclops simply continued with her food

"oh! oh my god I got it, if we add 2.0 more magnesium and piranha solution we can make that make that blood of the sinner Alastor brought in able to-" Baxter began as his genius mind began to sprout

only to see he was being watched by the observant eyes of the hotel's residents

"um, I mean, Pentious, would you mind coming to the lab to work on a very not deadly solution," the fish asked as he changed his clearly exciting thought to a much more suspicious one

"yes, I need to pick up my new target shooter anyway" the snake lied as he followed the fish to his lab

"if you use Tungsten it might work more effective" Baxter suggested as the two left their sight

"we're just going to let that happen ?" Crymini asked sarcastically

"not a chance, I do not trust that glint in their eye" Vaggie stated as she began walking toward them

"I am not dragging my boyfriend back from the hospital again" Niffty sighed as she joined the moth

"at least" Charlie began before husk interrupted her

"no more at least! let's just stop those two from creating the newest nuclear bone" the avian cat remarked as he joined the following

Chapter Text

Requested by York

Crymini as "the young one of the hotel" dying at the age of 19, should have maybe seen this coming

due to her biological age, the others suggested giving her further education by the older members of the hotel, as, by her personality alone, she could use some more tutoring

all were designated a position

Alastor was maths and drama

Charlie was geography and art

Husk was a history teacher

Vaggie was a language teacher

Niffty was English and Culinary arts

and of course, Baxter would take up the role of science teacher of physics, chemistry and biology (with the occasional appearance with Alastor who was happy to donate some of the organs he'd gathered before eating)

not that the fish was happy about it

today was his first day and he was still fighting the princess on the idea

"why do I have to do this again," Baxter asked with annoyance, finding it trivial to waste his time and effort for someone that he knew would simply not pay attention

"come on Baxter, we all know you love to share your knowledge on science, even if it can come off as condescending sometimes, you're our only substitute for a science teacher," Charlie said trying to be encouraging with her good reasons

"substitute? Ha, I 20 times more knowledgeable then-" Baxter began to boast before meeting Charlie's raised eyebrow and smirk

"fine, just let's get this over with" Baxter gruffed as he knew he was caught in the trap

he was led to a medium-sized room that was currently being used as Crymini's study

when opening the door the hyena teenager had her feet propped up on the table and reading a very 18+ magazine

"Crymini" Charlie announced as the two walked further into the room

the teenager throwing her magazine into her bag before seeing who charlie brought in with her

"wow, you got the shrimp dropped into this shit? you must be super desperate for teachers" Crymini laughed

"no Crymini we asked Baxter to help as he's the best at everything science so he'll be able to teach you many exciting things" Charlie explained softly, which made Baxter's ego boost ever so slightly

"wow, I am so excited to learn," Crymini said sarcastically with a mock jazz hands

Baxter regretted agreeing to this already as the newfound confidence dissipated

"glad to hear it, I'll leave you two to get started," Charlie said happily, ignoring the sarcasm and closing the door on the two

"ok..um" Baxter began awkwardly as he walked to the whiteboard put in place

"let's start with something simple, like gasses, particles and liquids" Baxter continued as he reached for the pen and began to write down the easy equations

only for a splash and droplets of water to be sprayed on the whiteboard and close to the fishes head

"gah! what the hell?!" Baxter exclaimed with panic, looking from the whiteboard to the hyena who had a water balloon in hand, playfully bouncing it up and down in her palm

"you said liquids, water in a balloon is liquid" Crymini remarked smartly

"that is true but you are here to learn, not mess around so put it away!" Baxter demanded as he smoothed his clothes to try and feel composed

"Jeez, I can already tell you ate your lunch in the toilets at the break as a kid" Crymini commented with a scoff

"enough, again, we're here to learn so please pay attention" Baxter simmered

the teenager simply sighed as she placed the balloon back

unfortunately, this wouldn't be the only disruption they had of the day

Baxter was finally getting into his teaching without hassle, being able to quote the books and definitions word by word, he did have to say, he was kinda impressed with Crymini, she hadn't said a word after the balloon incident so he thought she must really-

(snore)

soft but nasally noises were heard bouncing off the walls

turning back he saw the teenager had fallen asleep

and they weren't even in the first 20 minutes of the lesson

with a growl of annoyance, he spotted a wooden ruler at the side of the class

he knew what needed to be done

THWACK

"OW!" Crymini cried as a powerful blow landed on her head, making her wake up to a red hot pain she knew had a bruise she knew on the way

"wake up!" Baxter stated with an annoyed face before getting back to the front of the class

"did you seriously just hit me with a ruler!" Crymini exclaimed with shock and anger

"yes, that's what happens when students refuse to learn" Baxter answered, folding his arms as he stared at her unimpressed

"that hurt you fucking bottom feeder" Crymini continued to yell

"It was supposed to, now can we please get back to your lesson,," Baxter asked as he ignored the teenager's complaints

"Alright doc, I'll play your game" Crymini whispered meanciling

"finally, so now where did I leave off before you fell asleep," Baxter asked as he didn't acknowledge the comment

"that part" Crymini stated as she pointed to the board

"what par-" Baxter began to ask as he couldn't see where she was pointing to, but as he turned around he felt a sudden wet force against his freckled cheek

using a gloved hand-peeled the wet object from his skin in utter horror

"did you just spit a spitball at my cheek?!" Baxter pretty much shrieked as he threw the ball the furthest away from him

"Sorry, I was aiming for the mouth" Crymini mocked with utter pleasure at seeing the fish in distress

"disgusting!" the fish snarled as he grabbed a cloth and sanitiser and rubbed his cheek with force

"meh" Crymini simply said as she took a piece out of her newly appeared lunch

"where did you get that sandwich?" Baxter yelled in dismay

"in my bra, wanna bite?" Crymini answered as she offered the fish the bread

Baxter had to hold in his vomit, not knowing how much more he could take

"so professor, when are we gonna start detecting frogs or some shit ?" Crymini asked with genuine interest

"that's for people that at least get through the basics" Baxter growled as he finally started to feel his stomach ease

the teenager rolled her eyes as she wrote in her books

"ok, now that we've finally gotten through particles I want you to complete these questions

these 4 questions included

A gas can be compressed because gases have-

A substance with a fixed shape is called-

Boiling happens when-

diffusion provides-

the hyena groaned but did as she was asked, swiping the paper from the fish and quickly writing her responses

clearly, not enough time to have written them properly as she threw back the paper

which held the answers of

small penis

fuck you

you eventually get laid

and chair

Baxter was practically frothing at the mouth with rage

"how dare-" Baxter began to scream, only to see the teenager listening to music and drawing

coming closer she was drawing a horrible pencil drawing himself with a massive head with a "blah blah blah" speech bubble next to said head and worse a small body attached to said head with a small dick drawn on

that was the last straw

"I can't do this" Baxter began to laugh hysterically as he threw the paper onto the floor and began to march to the door

"where you going ?" Crymini asked with surprise

"anywhere from you, class dismissed!" Baxter yelled as he continued his marching and towards she could only guess was his lab, still laughing as if he had just lost the plot, again

"Baxter wait!" Crymini heard charlie yell before seeing the princess chase after

"wow, maybe next lesson I should teach him how to take a joke" the teenager laughed as she reached for her magazine once more, most please with how her new class went

Chapter Text

Requested by Minx

"and in you go for precisely 50 minutes" Baxter announced as he placed his specimen tray into a fridge

he really wanted to have these completed and ready for testing as soon as possible, wasn't every day you were able to collect a sample of DNA from demon royalty to experiment on now was it

he was ecstatic and all he had to do is stay and watch over the hotel as the rest of the residents left for outdoor activities, could not have gone

now there wouldn't be any distractions for an entire day and he could do whatever he wanted without fear of people barging in and messing everything up, he could properly get into the zone and-

(grumble)

a rumble from the stomach broke the scientist out of his thoughts of limited possibilities and stary eyes

-focus, but right now, he would attend to his hunger

perhaps today would be the day when he could just eat one of his favourite foods without someone trying to bombard him with questions or try to sneak a bite of whatever he was eating

right now he was in the mood for something sweet, perhaps they still had some canned peaches, husk always had a stash of canned food so it wouldn't be out of the realms of possibilities

as Baxter made up his mind he walked to his quadruple locked door and went out to get his snack, only as he walked towards the kitchen, passing the living room, he couldn't help but pick up the odd frequency of...crying

pausing as his curiosity got the best of him he poked his head to where the noise was coming from

"shit!" Baxter could only utter as he saw what was causing the noise

a crying figure of Crymini hugging a pillow on the couch and looking at a piece of paper with shaky hands

"And remember Baxter, you're in charge of Crymini while we're out, and that means making sure she doesn't go out past her curfew and positive morale keeps high" he heard the reminder of Charlie's voice in his mind as she instructed him with a positive singing note, handing him one of her hairs and bottled saliva in the process

Baxter wasn't good with emotions but he knew crying was defiantly not good for morale, if she walked in and saw this he knew the princess wasn't going to leave him alone again, she would probably try to give him a lesson on sympathy and empathy and....ugh he couldn't bring his mind to continue those horrifying futures

he hated lessons, they got in the way and put the limelight on him

so sucking up his pride to avoid future conversations he walked into the room

"uhhh...crymini?" Baxter asked through gritted teeth

truly thinking about the situation, it was even more awkward than it first appeared

Crymini was what vaggie called an "edgy" teenager, constantly annoyed and giving the silent treatment or lewd comments, especially when with angel dust

not someone he thought he would ever see in such a weak situation

and by her reaction to him seeing her in one was also surprised and clearly not happy about it

"oh for FUCK'S SAKE!" Crymini cried as she hid the piece of paper and used the pillow in hand to throw it at him

"get out of here fish lips!" she yelled as the pillow made contact with the smaller demon, which may or may not have actually thrown him to the ground

Baxter would have gladly if it weren't for his obligation

"sorry can't do that, charlie told me to keep morale high, and your crying is going to ruin that" Baxter explained sheepishly as he got up as looked for any other attacks

"oh bite me! like you actually give a shit!" Crymini groaned as she turned her head away from him

"I do actually because this won't be good for either of this if she finds out" Baxter responded as he fully raised from the floor and folded his arms

"like I don't know that? just leave me alone and get back to your nerd crap and I'll head off to my room, that way you can say you kept an eye and forget this whole night" Crymini stated as she wiped her eyes vigorously to get rid of the rest of her tears

"as much as I would also love to, we both know charlie has her means to seek out the truth, plus you're really bad at keeping your emotions secret" Baxter once more retorted, earning another pillow being thrown, only this time he dodged

"oh please, don't pretend you know me! hell you don't even care about me" Crymini yelled furiously, her patience wearing thin by the fish's persistence

"That's 40% correct" Baxter stated as he adjusted his lab goggles

"..how am I supposed to respond to that ?" Crymini asked with seriousness, allowing her rage to fizzle lightly

"you are annoying, crude, loud, sarcastic" Baxter began to list only to be interrupted by a "get to the point dipshit!"

"but regardless I have grown...acquainted with you and the other's presence and it brings me displeasure to see you cry, and I would rather give comfort than let it continue, possibly even without obligation" Baxter finished, although it was extremely awkwardly, very shakey and pause it was hard to watch

"you....really are bad at this dictionary" Crymini admitted, a short chuckle unable to hide away

"then explain how I could do it better, maybe giving the reason why you're crying in the first place" Baxter suggested

"it was nothing" Crymini's amusement was short-lived and replaced with a sad tension

"didn't seem like nothing, anything to do with that piece of paper you're hiding" Baxter pointed out as he assessed his observation

"how long were you watching creep" Crymini growled and joked defensively

"I'm not a creep, I just saw it as I made my appearance" Baxter stated as he got defensive himself

crymini gave a light eyeroll

"Alright, since you won't let it go" Crymini stated as she unhid the paper and looked at it with melancholy

"it's stupid but...I was missing my mum"

Baxter blinked but found himself walking over to the couch, destroying the unsaid barrier between the two and sat on the couch, allowing her to continue

"When I first got down here, I was afraid that I was going to forget her, with being in hell and not knowing how time or memory works down here, trying to all the colours and stuff to try and replicate her, along with writing special things like her birthday and her favourite snack and movies we used to watch together and I almost stupidly soaked it by spilling my water, I ran downstairs to dry the edges before it destroyed it and I guess I was crying because I was so panicked about losing it, I kinda remember what she looks like but when I see this picture it weirdly makes the memory of her brighter"

she held the picture up to Baxter who looked at it thoughtfully

it wasn't a mona Lisa but you could make out what she was trying to portray, around her several information was written but no letter ever touched the drawn features of the kind and warm-looking woman

"she died when I was 10..9 years after me and when I did I hoped to be re-connected to her, but I'm in hell and I know for a fact she went to heaven, she was a saint and I'm not clearly, I guess that's more of a reason to come to this shitty hotel then what I told you all and charlie huh?" Crymini continued with a sad smile, tears once more beginning to form

"not at all" Baxter stated with an unreadable emotion

this seemed to catch Crymini by surprise as she looked over to the other demon, a distant look in his eyes, focused on nothing other than their voices

"I didn't have the best family life, and I never had someone as close as you seem to be like your mother, it's personal and for many something truly desired by most, me perhaps in my life on earth, it's not weak and not stupid either, water is a cruel substance but your reaction time was impeccable, you can hardly tell, but the panic of time is understandably worrisome, especially for something you hold dear"

Crymini merely blinked

Baxter looked over to her, seeing her questioning face, so with a sigh he tried again

"What I mean is that it's not stupid to miss what was once was, your feelings are valid and wanting to protect something important like this is a new trait that I have now learned to respect you for" Baxter stated as he tried to put it in simpler terms

"still kinda don't know what you're saying, thanks" Crymini smiled as she rubbed her eyes once more, only a little lighter now

"of course, I could possibly try and get rid of these watermarks for you if you want" Baxter nodded as he offered his service

"Nah, thanks but it's my responsibility to keep it safe and this will be a reminder to be more careful, and how you of all demons can actually be....comforting?"Crymini explained happily

"don't get used to it, I don't think I have it in me" Baxter replied honestly, although his tone could indicate sarcasm

Crymini gave a light punch to the fish who may or may not have been fully pushed off the couch

"you really need to build some muscle dude" Cryimimi laughed her head off as she watched the fish fall

at least she was crying happy tears now he supposed the fish rolled his eyes, but before Baxter could respond the door opened revealing refreshed-looking charlie and vaggie

"Baxter! Crymini! we're back!" Charlie hollered as the door closed behind them, only to look in shock as she saw the two sitting on the same couch, or make that Crymini on the couch and Baxter leaning against it

"oh you're both here, everything alright?" Charlie quickly continued with happy surprise

"yeah, we're just hanging out" Crymini sighed as she slid her paper back into her pocket and Baxter stood up, brushing his lab coat with a nod

"really?" Vaggie asked sceptically

"yup" the two responded simultaneously

the moth demon continued to eye them before a timer echoed in the room

"oh look at that, my samples are done!" Baxter exclaimed excitedly as he ran out of the room, glad to have an excuse to leave the awkwardness

"yeah well on that note I'm gonna...." Crymini began to stutter, trying to figure out an excuse to get out of talking to the two other demons who seem in a very talkative mood

"Crymini, care to help me out" Baxter's voice called out as he dipped his head back in, also sensing new the preppy tone in the atmosphere and now establishing some sort of friendship with the hyena did not want her to ensure the full force of Charlies "joy"

"oh satan yes" she quickly yelled as she ran out to join the fish

Vaggie and Charlie merely blinked as the room was once more shrouded in silence

"did you see that Vaggie, they're getting along! I'm so proud" Charlie stated with pride, one singular happy tear coming to her eye

"yeah, don't know if we should be worried or not about that" Vaggie responded with a grumble, not believing those two and what energy they brought would be a peaceful mix

"oh it'll be fine so right now, let's get back to where we were up to" Charlie waved of as she cupped her beloveds face in hand and ready to place a kiss

that was before they heard a

"HOLY FUCKING SHIT, WHAT THE FUCK ARE THOSE?!"

".....we should check on that" Vaggie instantly stated as the mood was instantly turned off

"yeah" Charlie responded sheepishly and with deep concern as the two rushed to where they knew the excited scream came from

Chapter Text

Requested by Royal

since the success of individualized group therapies, Charlie decided that the best step forward was to introduce group therapy

1:1's would still be offered but she believed that this would be a good step forward

she wouldn't force anyone to talk but she needed them to at least go to these sessions to give it a try, that's where she decided to make them mandatory for both staff and residents to attend

now to the present day where demons occupying the hotel huddled in their seats as a large tension in the room, an awkwardness that not even the world's sharpest machete could cut through

only three seemed as enthusiastic as the princess

her girlfriend Vaggie smiling supportively as their maid Niffty and demon overlord Alastor grinned in the interest of what would come of these meetings

the others however weren't as cheerful, half looking annoyed and bored while the other half seemed uncomfortable, shifty and defensive

earning a sheepish chuckle from the blond princess she began to present

"good morning everyone, and welcome to the first happy hotel's group therapy" the princess announced to the demons in the circle

other than an excited clapping of hands from Niffty, the room remained reticence

"sooo, how long is this thing?" Angel asked with a bored expression as he man-spread and sucked on a lollipop

"just an hour, this time every week" Charlie answered with a tired smile

"right, go out for booze every week this time" Husk whispered out loud, earning a chuckle from the group

but also earning a distorted laugh track from the radio demon

"oh dearest husker, such a jokester, you know there's no escape for any of you by now," Alastor said slyly

"This being one example" Baxter commented as he hid closer into his seat

"come on guys, it's not going to be as horrible as you guys think, it'll be good to get us all closer as a group! because we could all really benefit from this" Charlie tried to persuade (a little desperately)

"What are ya saying, I'd say we're already really close as is-" Angel began as he tried to snake his arms around his neighbours

only to be stopped with a "touch me and I'm putting toxic waste in one of your lotion bottles" from a growling Baxter, slit eyes eyeing the pornstar

"seconded that!" Husk added with similar eyes, watching the spider sheepishly pull his hands back

"third!" Alastor popped in happily as he used his magic to pop himself between husk and Baxter so now angel was sitting next to charlie and Niffty

"ok ok, enough, we're getting off track, let's bring it back and start simple" Vaggie shouted, her patience growing thin as she saw her girlfriend's excitement die

"Vaggies right, maybe something happy, maybe childhoods" Charlie suggested positively before once more being interrupted

"hah! you think any of us be down here if we have "happy childhoods," Angel asked sarcastically as he finished his lollypop, throwing the stick to the side

"you're getting really defensive about that" Niffty pointed out

but before the spider could answer and to everyone's surprise, the scientist came to back him up

"That's only natural and for once the pornstar does raise a good point, most sinners who become murderers, thieves and more had unhealthy childhoods and lead to their sinful actions" Baxter pointed with a logical tone

"that makes sense, but on that note I can only imagine the type of childhood toothy had" Angel added with a chuckle, winking at the deer demon in the process

"it had to be better than popping pills at the age of 4" Alastor retorted

"Nah didn't start that shit till my teens, but thinking back maybe Arackniss could have left some as I and molls were crawling around" Angel answered without picking up the overlord burn, but smiled at the light memory he recalled

"sounds like mine, except swap the pills for cigs and alcohol spillage" Husk added his thought to his past

Charlie sat back down and allowed it to happen, almost afraid to do anything to stop this process from continuing

"my mother made sure nothing like that was accessed easily on the floor unless you count pistols that I'd help my father bring back food" Alastor added with a pleasant less sadistic smile

"my parents didn't even let that on the floor, completely spotless and when I got old enough got me to help out, I used to get my teddies and pretend their the ones cleaning with magic" Niffty continued with a light giggle

"awwww, that's really sweet, I used to do similar stuff, not cleaning but defiantly tea parties" Charlie gushed as she added her stories to the pot

"I used to join molls with hers, loved playing dress up with her too, though had to make sure pops was out of the house before doing so" Angel continued, but with more of a sad smile and a snort at the memory of his father

"I wish I had a sibling to do that stuff with, got a little lonely being an only child" Niffty responded sadly

"better than having too many, loved them all, taught me how to do my hair but when you just wanted to read it was next to impossible but any not silent like baking and darts were the best hobbies we used to do together as a family" Vaggie laughed as added to the memory pot

laughs and smiles were shared as all shared their stories

or almost everyone

after a few minutes of sharing it was noticeable that one voice had yet to add in

"how about you Baxter, you haven't said much?" Charlie asked as she exposed the elephant in the room

eyes all pointing to the fish who before the spotlight on him looked ready to go to sleep

"We only have 10 more minutes, no reason to" Baxter yawned, hiding his discomfort

"oh come on, we've all shared something" angel dust groaned with annoyance, being responded with a "yeah!" from an intrigued Niffty

"yes because you all pleasant memories to talk about, I have non that come to mind, it was many, many years ago" Baxter noted with a growl

"not even a favourite game or toy?" Vaggie suggested as her interest peaked

Baxter sighed, once more they were not going to get off his back unless gave them something they wanted, so he began to think

"Baxter doesn't have to say something unless he wants to" Charlie tried to defend, but the fish had already thought of something

"no, it's fine, besides thinking on it I lightly recall playing with some empty glass bottles out in the woods, pretending to mix the same water together, maybe adding some odd bits of grass or stolen droplets of my step-mother's shampoo and pretending I made a potion of sorts" Baxter recalled, unable to stop a light smile from forming

but the memory of what came after made his smile drop, but he didn't elaborate further

"there, see, isn't this good and fun, this great progress and it'll only improve over time if we just" Charlie began to give a speech as she and the others watched in surprise by Baxter's story, so proud of them all

that was before an alarm of the timer filled the room

"oh that must mean our time is up" Alastor stated happily

"must be....see ya" Husk answered before quickly getting out of his seat, the others quickly following

"no wait" Charlie called out desperately as she didn't want this to end

"Relax sweetheart, we've got next week to pick up" Angel dust laughed at the princess's expression

Charlie stopped in her tracks

"Really?" Charlie asked with hopefulness

and to her astonishment, all members nodded before continuing with their day

The princess let out a gushing smile as she bounced happily, getting her book out with an imps design and happy face, writing down all her thoughts, ideas and observations

"that'll buy us the rest of the night, anyone up for poker?" Husk asked with a smirk

"I'm gain" the others followed the cat's lead once more, Vaggie running quickly to stop that

and letting the princess smile fondly as she drew a picture of all of them happy and marking down the success of the first group therapy

Chapter Text

Requested by Teto

a voice screaming "Husk watch out!"

an explosion

and yells of distress and worry filled the hotel as a gaping hole was left in the destruction

Baxter didn't mean it

if he did there would be a much more murderous grin upon his face

but not this time, he had only wanted to show off his newest creation

it was a simple concept for the hotel's defence, with how many overlords were currently targeting the hotel it was clear that even with the radio demon they needed some extra fire-power, especially with the princess trying to remain pacifist like

but in the middle of the night, the idea came to him

instead of fighting fire with fire

what if you were able to take that fire away and use it against your opponents

it kept him busy most nights and it wasn't until he was made to join the others did he grab something to eat

but now it was here

it was complete

and it instinctively allowed the mad scientist in him to laugh wickedly, loud and proud

he wasted no time in showing the other residents of his progress

slamming his lab door open and ready to call them down

but oddly the group were already on their way to meet him

saying how they could hear his laughter from the highest rooms of the hotel

but on both parts the scientist didn't care, all he cared about was proclaiming his accomplishment to those who were there

the group waited through his excited ramblings until he finally showed a small globe-like device in his hands

earning confused "huh's"

and caused Baxter to halt, of course, he had to explain what they were in the presence of

"I'll put this as simple as I can, this here is what we can use to gain an advantage against our enemies, it takes the power of demons, traps it and then allows it to use them against them " Baxter stated with the delight of his own genius holding the orb even higher

"so you gonna take it for a spin?" Angel dust asked with the internet as he tried to take the orb from the fishes claws only to be swiftly taken out of reach

"Nah-ah, not a chance, it is still needing to be tested if not it could have damaging effects on your already used body," Baxter said smugly as he held the orb back into his chest

"Come now doctor, how do we know if it's as good as you say if you don't give us a demonstration?" Alastor persuaded hauntingly

"it's too risky, as I just said it needs testing, it's supposed to take the majority of strength and power away, leaving those weak and defenceless, but enough to not kill them" Baxter explained with disagreement

"I'll volunteer, I am by far the strongest here and quite interested in seeing this little do-dad do as much as you say it should" Alastor quickly inputted, much to Charlies and Vaggies clear distrust

perhaps it was a little pitiful with how easy the scientist was to be baited into the social pressure, may have been his ego, may have been their persistence but whatever it was, it ended up with the fish agreeing and activating the device and pointing at the radio demon

watching in awe and astonishment as a bold red power surge coursed from the deer and into the globe

"Woah!" Niffty couldn't help but utter as the red swirled vibrantly

"ugh" Alastor uttered, bringing attention to the overlord, his smile still present but looking much paler, leaning against the couch to gain as he breathed harder

"Al, you ok?" Charlie asked with worry, going to his side but he waved her off

"I'm fine my dear, just how the doctor said I would" Alastor chuckled lightly as he allowed himself to sit down on the couch

"well the effects shouldn't be permanent, I tried to configure it that after time the power would come back to the owner, just stealing it long enough to stop their actions, I would need much stronger materials to completely steal powers and keep them if that was the goal" Baxter assured and muttered to himself

he had his worries about this if he was truly honest, but he was pleasantly surprised that it had gone all to plan, of course, it was, he was a great scientist and he worked hard, proving he was a valuable part of the

CRACK

Baxter blinked in surprise as the vibration of glass breaking in his hands

(what was-) Baxter internally questioned with panic

another CRACK

this time loud enough for the others to look in concern

"uh, is it supposed to do that?" Vaggie asked with concern as she backed away slowly, the others following suite

"n, no! it should be able to contain it!" Baxter admitted through panic before a third Crack of the globe entered the room

"hit the deck!" Husk stated as he saw what was going to happen

they all did as instructed, all but Baxter who did his best to point it away from the others

and husk pushing a weak Alastor away from the chair and onto the floor

putting himself at risk as a blast of red energy came coursing out of the now shattering globe

a stressed yell, partnered with an explosion echoed the halls as one of the walls now had a newly furbished hole

when the shock wore off the group all ran to where the cat laid

flung to the corner with his body bruised and bloody, but still breathing and groaning in pain

luckily he wasn't fully in the range of the fire, but by just being by the outskirts, it was terrifying to think of what would happen if he was in the eye of the storm

with a light pause, it was a relief as Angel proclaimed he felt a pulse and with amazement seemed to look about to wake up despite what he had just experienced

regardless the others allowed themselves to breathe with the reassurance that the cat would be ok, now being attended to by the spider demon and quickly joined by Niffty to attend to his injuries

so as the dust settled, the rest of the group drew their attention back to the demon who caused the mayhem

ready to give him a scolding of a lifetime before the fish met their eyes with fear, he didn't say anything but instead simply dropped the remains of the device, ignoring the blood from his own hands and ran

"BAXTER?!!!" they cried as the fish made his escape

The thought lingered and tormented Baxter's mind

he tried shaking himself out of it but the wounds were still fresh, just like his bloody hands that stained his ticket

the thoughts were a distraction from the pain, but still made him sick, an emotion he never thought he'd feel

he had never had such a group that he cared for and never in a million years would he believe he could feel regret for his action

at yet here he was, in a train station ready to run away from it all, leaving all his possessions behind, all to ensure they could be rid of him faster

to cause no more harm to those who for the first time in all his existence, heaven and hell, he has allowed himself to trust and feel comfortable with

"heh, you sure blew that up" Baxter couldn't help but chuckle out loud

nothing stayed good for long

and he should have seen that coming

for now, he would curl up in his seat and wait for the train trying to forget all the present memories he knew he would never have again

that was, before a shadow of a figure towered over him

putting his defences high before a very familiar voice caused surprise and so much relief to fill his body

"thought I'd find you here"

Husk

the demon he had put in danger thanks to his own stupid pride and excitement

he had bandages and plasters all around but other than that he seemed good enough to walk around, despite what his sleep-deprived eyes told you

"what the hell are you doing? you should be resting!" Baxter wasted no time in stating the obvious as he watched the cat sit in front of him, his weak wobbly legs practically collapsing under the chair

"I'm fine, dealt with worse shit than this back in the day, just a scratch" Husk exhaled tiredly

Baxter wanted to disagree but with the look the cat gave him, it was not up to discussion

so instead he gave up and sighed, continuing to curl in himself as he allowed himself to ask the question that was lingering on his mind

"how'd you even find me?" Baxter mumbled with curiosity

"Al tracked ya, the guy couldn't get a proper pinpoint but I know the area good and had a feeling of where you were, getting his energy and power back like you said" Husk answered lazily but seemed to secretly reassure the fish of his others concerns

"the others aren't here are they?" Baxter asked with worry

"nope, told em to stay there till we came back" Husk answered as he pulled out a bottle of booze and gave a swig

where he even produced it from Baxter didn't know, perhaps his wings?

that was a question for another time

for now, he had to make something clear

"Husk I'm waiting for a train, even in an intoxicated state should be able to be able to draw the dots that I don't plan on going back" Baxter scoffed defensively

"I know what it looks like, what I don't get is where you even planning on going. all your shits back at the hotel" Husk added as he ignored the fishes tone and asked his own questions

"you can throw it out if you wish, I'll be heading to my old ruins, best part about living in a secluded area where all fear (your) experimentation" Baxter stated with sureness chuckling lightly at his own humour

this however did not make the cat avian demon even crack a smile, seemingly to be getting more tired, but it wasn't due to his injuries

"Look kid" Husk began tiredly with a sigh

"I am much older than-" the fish tried to interject, but the cat wasn't having it

"I don't care, so shut up and listen to me alright?" Husk continued tiredly, his raised tone making the fish do as commanded

"It's unusual down here that demons would go out of their way to help and try to get along with, and it's even rarer for a demon, even after the other made a mistake, would give them a second chance" Husk began as he finished a drink of cheap booze, knowing very well he was going to need it

"What?" Baxter once more interrupted

"why would they even think about giving me a second chance, why would you, hell why are you even going out of your way to finding me? I hurt you and took the radio demon's magic! I could have easily ended up hurting the others because of my recklessness and that all of that goes against everything Charlie trying to accomplish, I must have broken the majority of her rules so why the hell-" Baxter continued to question, angry with himself and even starting to hyperventilate

"Because charlie truly wants to help us hopeless lot and it took me a while to get my head around it, especially when she's the daughter of Lucifer for fuck's sake but...once you accept it, you see that it's her deep honest desire" Husk interrupted as he tried to get the fish to breathe and understand this new and confusing information

when you first here ready you were ready to blow shit up and experiment on the guests who even just looked at you funny, and now you're here feeling remorse for a little busted arm that wasn't entirely your fault, all that considering, I'd say your too far in for us and especially princess smiley face to let you go" the grumpy cat finished as he recalled the memories

"is that a threat?" Baxter questioned with sincerity

Husk merely eye-rolled, this time with a chuckle

the fish unable to stop producing one of his own before another wave of sadness washed over him,

"thank you for going out to find me but I still don't think I can go back, not after what I did" Baxter whispered quietly, his gill-like ears lowering in the process

"give yourself a break kid, as long as you apologise you can go back whenever you want, you know how much the princess loves apologies and I know the others won't hold it against ya, probably some banter but they know it wasn't on purpose, hell I of all them lot wouldn't be here if I thought you did now would I?" Husk argued calmly as he showed his rare side of sympathy

making Baxter simply shake his head, unable to argue against the cats logic

"sides it can't be worse then what the others have done" Husk quickly added as he finished his booze

"what have-" Baxter began to ask before he saw the cat stand up, looking less tired and literally scooped the fish out of his seat

"Alright, enough of this mushy shit, way too sober for this" Husk drawled as he began walking out of the translation

"GAH! PUT ME DOWN!!!" Baxter tried to yell as he wriggled in the cat's grip

that was before he felt the gravity shift and saw the world around them getting smaller

"you want what?" Husk teased wickedly as the two began flying, laughing at the fish's pale fearful face

"SHUT UP AND DON'T DROP ME!!!" Baxter instead screamed with a death grip on the cat's arm

when the two arrived back at the hotel they were immediately met with a group of worried hotel residents

Husk lowered the fish to the floor and happily sunk down into the dirt

"Never do that again!" Baxter commanded as his body shook, not being used to flying in the slightest

"don't run off again and I probably won't," Husk remarked, this didn't make the fish feel any better

regardless Baxter regained his strength and stood back up, all in good timing as she saw the princess running over with relief

"Baxter! oh thank the stars you're safe!" Charlie exclaimed as she held herself away from giving the fish a hug

"I'm fine I assure you but I'm sorry I worried you and for all this, I didn't think it would affect you so" Baxter admitted

"babe, have you met us? sure we pull shit and pranks but in the end, you don't mess with your gang" the pornstar chuckled proudly as he tried to hold husk close, although still not 100% the cat was able to get out it fast

"Well I appreciate it and I'll make sure it doesn't happen again," Baxter said determinedly

"well it wasn't entirely your fault, I did seem to "egg" you on so I hold no grudges, but I will hold you to your promise doctor" Alastor stated who seemed in much higher spirits and energy enough for those words to sound menacing

"u, understood" Baxter gulped with slight fear

"well with that settled I'd say we get back inside and let this day be done with" Charlie exclaimed to which most of the residents agreed with

all about to go inside before Angel dust quickly interrupted the calm atmosphere

"ok I just gotta say it, I do crack in the toilets one time and you "ground" me for a week and this crazed sushi roll blows a hole in the wall, and you let him off Scott free?" the spider asked with confusion

"Unlike you, it was a mistake, but we are thinking that you have some days away from the lab, don't think we haven't seen how little you've been eating and drinking, plus it would be good to get those hands disinfected and checked over" Charlie stated before turning her attention back to the fish

he seemed to hold his hands back defensively but knew they had a point, all their observations were correct and he didn't want to upset them further

"fine, but only if husk does it, he seems to have the second best medical experience out of us" Baxter mumbled but loud enough for only Charlie to hear

"That's fine, ok everyone, let's get back inside" Charlie whispered with agreement before running to the front to say for the others

allowing the fish to get a last-minute exchange with the cat

"husk" Baxter stated

"yeah, kid ?" Husk asked drowsily, ready for bed like many of the hazbin crew

"Thanks, for what you did back there I mean" Baxter once more stated, unable to stop a blue blush from forming

"no problem, and remember, it wasn't just me that wanted you back" Husk muttered back as he quickly ruffled the fishes hair and walked back into the hotel

the words of "STOP TOUCHING ME!" echoing in the night followed by kind-hearted laughter

Chapter Text

Requests d by Tibuwron1234

(I changed it slightly due to that I wouldn't say I like writing original characters unless they're for a minor plot device and don't focus on them or ship them with one of the main cast)

Baxter hadn't known Niffty that long until he had stayed in the "happy" hotel, hell he hardly even knew her until he was forced to come out of the shadows and interact with her

she was hyper and bubbly and no matter how best he tried to avoid it, the two began spending more and more time with one another that eventually, he didn't mind her presence

he learned to quite enjoy it

these feelings of merriment which he had never really felt before started to overcome him, the need to see her for at least an hour a day

talking with her and watching her smile either sweetly or terrifyingly as she killed her victims were his favourites

if he could, he'd spend every waking minute with her, wanting the little cyclops all to himself

not that he saw he claimed niffty as his own, she was her own person and had the right to talk with anyone, but seeing her talk and laugh with those who she spent the longest time with, made him yearn for that level of closeness and connection, that time of truly getting to know all niffty

how one person acts is a completely different experience for each individual, and Baxter hated not knowing all and watching her talk to their resident radio demon so easily while he, himself still had to repeat the sentences in his mind before saying them out loud

he had to hold in a growl of jealousy as she saw the two happily chatting away

chewing his food with a grimace and stabbing his food with his fork

holding his glass tightly as he made her laugh merrily

"um, bax? you alright?" he heard Vaggie call

looking at her she pointed to his glass which now had light cracks thanks to his sharpened claws, along with being able to notice his sharpened teeth and light glowing esca

"Oh, I'm fine, just bit the inside of my mouth" Baxter lied as he got back to his food

the others didn't buy it

watching the demon hold his esca in his palm to hide the red glow

but there was no need for them to call him up on it

especially when seeing the suspicious face his girlfriend was making, knowing it would be dealt with by a relationship professional

"honey, are you ok?" Niffty asked as she hurriedly caught up with her boyfriend after lunch, knowing well he was dashing his lab

"I'm fine dear" Baxter huffed as he did his best to walk off his frustration, wanting to ignore these feelings that he knew he shouldn't be feeling

"Because you seemed to be giving Alasror quite a glare that could have killed him again, you hardly ever meet his eye level" Niffty stated as she sped in front of the fish, stopping him in his tracks so they could properly talk

Nifty reached out to hold his hands, reassuringly rubbing them calmly and lovingly

"you two are usually quite civil with one another, has he done something to upset you?" she began to question soothingly

"no, I am not upset with that stupid yellow-teethed cannibal" Baxter grumbled

"well that sentence says otherwise," Niffty asked with a smirk

at that Baxter sighed, he guessed he should perhaps explain his...ugh, feelings

"ok, I admit, I perhaps am not keen on Alastor at the moment" Baxter stated finally

"why?" Niffty asked with curiosity

"It's a petty and stupid reason," Baxter said defensively and with embarrassment

"Please tell me anyway" Niffty pleaded

Baxter didn't want to, but his girlfriend just had those eyes that made him melt, a special type of magic that just made him spill his guts

"ok, it's about Alastor...and you" Baxter admitted with a whisper

"me? what have I-" Niffty began to ask defensively before her mind connected the dots almost instantly

the way he was acting, she had seen it before, it had to be only one thing

"wait...are you...jealous of my and Alastor's friendship?" Niffty quickly asked with astonishment

Baxter seemed to shrink back into his labcoats neck, blue almost shinning the entire room

(adorable) Niffty couldn't help but think with awe

"It's stupid I get it" Baxter began before Niffty held him close into a hug

"oh sweetie no, it's ok, I'll admit I'm surprised, you don't seem to be the jealous type but you're allowed to feel how you feel, but with this, maybe you explain why you feel like this" Niffty cooed as she led him to a close sofa, allowing him to rest his head on her lap as she played with his hair

"I can only guess it's because you two seem so in sync and so close" Baxter admitted as he allowed himself to be calmed down in her presence

"that's only because" Niffty tried to say before Baxter cut her off

"of time to connect, I understand that part, I know how connections are made I just...I-" Baxter stated frustratedly before himself being interrupted by a peck on the head

"and we'll get there, slowly and easy, I understand that this is your first time being properly intimate with one another but there's no need to rush, we still have eternity to get there" Niffty assured with a calm smile

"after all, me and Alastor, and the others, they're just friends, it's you who gets every part of me" she whispered as her smile stretched excitedly, swapping their positions as she pinned the scientist underneath him

"Ohh, golly!" Baxter exclaimed as the cyclops climbed over her boyfriend, trapping his torso with her thighs and running his with her fingertips

"you don't have to be jealous of anyone" she continued to whisper, wrapping his esca around her little finger, clasping the light in her palm

"because there's no one or either been one I'd rather be in a relationship with more than you my little sushi roll" she giggled as she booped his nose before the two fell into a comfortable and passionate make-out session

and coming from the demon who had been obsessed with the male population, that said A LOT!"

Chapter Text

Requested by Niglie_Trollster

"ok dear I'm off to meet the von eldritch's," Charlie said sweetly after getting herself ready for the day

"you sure you don't want me to come with you?" Vaggie asked with unsureness and unease

"relax Vaggie, I'll be fine, just knowing my amazing girlfriend is doing the greatest job and keeping an eye on things here is what'll keep me going in that boring meeting" Charlie assured lovingly

so with a final kiss, Vaggie waved her off and Charlie skipped off and into the limo waiting for her

the moth demon sighed, thinking about what she would do

Angel was off to a pole session and Alastor had gone hunting meaning the two characters of the most chaos were someone else's problem

Husk wouldn't be awake until 12 and Niffty didn't like being interrupted whilst she cleaned

and then that left the last figure who she knew wouldn't be out till

"good morning Vaggie" Baxter's voice alerted her

oh, perhaps not

"oh, hey Baxter, what's up ?" Vaggie said with surprise, as she looked down, rare to see the fish seeking out other individuals

"Could I trouble you for a quick moment ?" the fish asked as she saw a notepad and pen suddenly being in his hands

"I am not being a part of your exper-" Vaggie began to dismiss before the fish quickly interrupted her

"It's not that, it's simply a series of questions" Baxter stated

"...ok?" the moth demon agreed sheepishly, this being very out of the norm for the fish

"well my first question is why did you kiss the princess on the lips this morning?" Baxter asked as he opened his notepad

"......excuse me?" Vaggie uttered after a moment of silence, trying to process what he just asked her

"I will repeat if you wish, why-" Baxter stated as he tried to ask his question once more before the moth quickly dismissed it

"no, no I heard you, but, why are you asking me that of all things?" Vaggie said as she shook her head rapidly, quickly getting defensive and agitated

"I saw you and miss Morningstar share a kiss this morning as I came down for fresh coffee, I was confused as to why you would do it and wanted answers?" Baxter explained, almost tired that he wasn't going anywhere

"because I'm a lesbian!" Vaggie practically yelled

she was fuming, if she knew he was homophobic then there was no way she would ever-

"ok, and what exactly is a lesbian?" Baxter asked as he finished writing a note

"What is a!-.....wait you really don't know?" Vaggie shouted before quickly quieting down, looking at his facial expressions closer she finally realised there was no malice in his expressions, just simple confusion and the usual interest he had when learning new things

"I wouldn't ask if I knew now would I" Baxter stated with obviousness, obliviousness to her very mixed emotions

"Alright, alright smartass" Vaggie stated with a scoff

this looked like it was going to take a while so she signalled for the two to sit at the kitchen table

"Alright, so do you know what people mean by their gay or homosexual ?" Vaggie began to ask as she waited for the fish to adjust his seat and rest his notebook on top of the table

"Homo refers to being the same, is it the same in this context?" Baxter answered and asked with interest

"yeah, so being homosexual means that you are attracted to the same sex" Vaggie explained

"wait so why call yourself a lesbian? where does that word tie into it ?" Baxter asked with confusion

"lesbian is just another word to refer to a woman who likes another woman, similar to how gay means a man is attracted to another man" Vaggie answered back

"so they changed the meaning, back in my day gay only meant happy" Baxter uttered as he made plenty of notes

"Well times have changed" Vaggie sighed, unable to chuckle as she saw him being enthusiastic

"so it would seem, thank you for elaborating" Baxter expressed as he finished, thanking the moth for her knowledge

Vaggie felt proud that she was able to share her wisdom and spread awareness, it was also fun to spend some time with someone in this hotel who wasn't sexually crude or didn't tell her to be more "ladylike" or spill booze in her hair

it was nice

and she decided that this was something she wanted to do today

"wait Baxter" Vaggie called out before the fish was out of sight

"yes?" Baxter questioned

"you can't just leave like that, you only know the beginning" Vaggie declared

"wait there's more ?" Baxter asked with surprise as he ran back to the table

"oh yeah, way more" Vaggie confirmed with a laugh

"well please continue then" Baxter requested with a genuine smile

"Gladly, ok, so there are other-" Vaggie began as she and Baxter spent the rest of the day talking about the subject

going for so long that the two were even spotted by Charlie who finished her meeting at 6

who may or may not have been secretly recording the exchange, very glad to see her amazing girlfriend was keeping the place afloat and doing so made the impossible and being was able to teach and make a friendship with the little fish

a day truly worthwhile and complete with a lot and a lot of notes

Chapter Text

Requested by myself

When Baxter first came out to eat with his girlfriend he was expecting a night of cheesy love-sick romance antics, greasy but oh so worth the treat foods and deserts and going back home to watch a good movie and then...see how it went

it was the usual and Baxter was very happy with this routine, something he looked very forward to every week

and now he was happily minding the table as Niffty went to the toilets, ready to try the new foods this place had to offer

even though the cafe' had just opened recently, business was booming and highly recommended

usually, Baxter would be worried about the large crowd, but in the rare happy mood he was in, it would have to take more than that to scare him

"Baxter?" the voice of a million nightmares asked with astonishment from behind

horror filled his face as he looked in the direction of a face he never wanted to see again

"Velvet," Baxter said with a grimace

"what are the chances?!" the heart-themed tall overlord asked with surprise and joy as she walked over to the scientist

"not in my favour," Baxter grumbled before she felt an arm wrap around him and a bright light

another one of her dreaded selfies, leaving her smiling and typing away as he rubbed his eyes irritably

"um excuse me!" a new voice interrupted the exchange

a voice that was the complete opposite, one that aqua-themed demon couldn't get enough of

"what are you doing?" Niffty asked with a growl, marching to the middle of the two, folding her arms impatiently

"oh just catching up with my best friend in the whole wide world" Velvet answered, oblivious to the cyclops's clear infuriation, bending down to their height with a bright grin

"We are not friends, hardly even acquaintances" Baxter retorted with discomfort

"aww baxy, always so mean to me, I love it!" she laughed as she tried once more to rope him into an embrace, the fish pretty much jumping out of the way

(BAXY?!") Nifty screamed internally as she readied her weapon behind her back

"since baxy used to work with Vox we had a LOT of time together" Velvet added unhelpfully as she now saw the anger in the cyclops's eye, finding it very amusing and ready to add it onto her voxagram

"no we didn't, I pushed her out as much as I do anyone else, I promise" Baxter assured as he looked to Niffty, her practically steaming, wanting to reassure her that nothing happened

"Not that it did you any good baxy, especially when vox and Valentino were doing the-" Velvet continued with a giggle, sitting on the floor and about to use hand signals of doing the dirty before the little fish cut her off

"don't need to continue with that, and would you stop using that infernal nickname" Baxter grumbled as he was ready to walk off, having enough of this interaction before he was brought to a halt, the overlord blocking his path, clearly not ready to let this conversation end

"but it's cute, just like you" Velvet interjected as she continued to get on the fish's nerves

but that was the final straw

"Miss Velvet!" Niffty practically screeched as she grabbed the fishes arm tightly

" I'm sure it was nice to meet you for some, but I and MY boyfriend should be heading back" she finished with a deadly teeth-gritting smile, fake as fuck and unnerving

but if this was meant to be intimidating, it flew right above the overlord's head as she looked in more astonishment, letting a silence flow before responding

"boyfriend?! and here I thought I knew you!....but seriously, this little thing...." Velvet yelled with shock and awe before turning into amusement, pointing down to the cyclops condescendingly

"don't talk about her like she's not even here, Niffty deserves respect!" Baxter yelled as he was quick to defend her as she did for him, not letting even overlords talk down to his girlfriend

"I'm an overlord baxy, I decided who I give and don't give to anyone, or has lived at that gross little hotel finally turned that brain to jello" Velvet explained with a humoured expression

"The hotel has done wonders for Baxter! he's finally happy" Niffty interjected, the two holding hands side by side

"can't be if you're the one he's fucking" the heart-themed overlord commented with a mean laugh

"VELVET!" Baxter screamed with a bright blush, his teeth bared and growling angrily as his girlfriend hid her face in her hands, this was not how she thought this night would go

"look baxy, I'm gonna get back to the point, vox told me to tell you that when you're done with your little science experiment, he's willing to give you a second chance, you'll probably have to be one of Valentino's sex slaves but I'm sure you'll have your little desk and hole like old time sake" Velvet explained with a sigh

"wow, you are a horrible negotiator" Niffty couldn't help but chuckle

"Indeed, but as I said, I'm not going back, I am happy where I am, and especially with Niffty at my side, this hotel has opened my eyes and I truly feel welcomed there" Baxter announced with a genuine smile, looking at Niffty as he proclaimed, looking at her with true love as she looked with love and proudness

"ugh, talk about cheesy" Velvet groaned as she rudely broke up the tender moment

"but it'll at least give me a fun little Instagram story to upload, vox's sure gonna get a kick out of it" Velvet added with a shrug, taking a quick pic of the two and got back to typing, the last part of her sentence made Baxter visibly cringe, to which Niffty squeezed his hand, telling him without words that it would be ok

"anyways, I'll see ya later baxy an... stereotypical 30's chick," Velvet said as she gave the two a final look above her phone

"Again, her name is Niffty" Baxter defended once more but clearly she wasn't paying attention as she began walking off

"uhuh, k, bye~" Velvet finished as she clearly finally went away

leaving the two staring with relief that she was gone and an unknown emotion of how they felt after the interaction

"I didn't like her," Niffty said pep and through a fake smile

"completely understandable" Baxter laughed as the two held each other close

the two looked at each other with a tired smile, it was clear the mood had taken a turn after tonight's events

"honey, I know it takes a lot to get out but I'm not feeling it tonight" Niffty admitted

"me neither, so how we pick some milkshakes to go, get back to the hotel, microwave some popcorn and we can still watch that movie you like, 'singing in the rain' was it called" Baxter offered kindly

Niffty nodded as she laid her head against his neck, this being just another example of why he loved him, he defended her, loved her and all above knew her, she was the luckiest gal in the entirety of hell, and not even a stupid phone obsessed would ever take him away from her

after the two ordered their milkshakes they began to walk out, ready to get their mood back, only for the cyclopses hand to wander down under

"Niffty!" Baxter almost shrieked as he felt her hand directly on his ass in public

"what? I'm simply holding MY super sweet, amazing boyfriend" Niffty giggled as she let it go and pulled the angler fish closer

the sound of back and forth laughter soon followed, completely forgetting tonight's interruption and getting back to what made these nights perfect, just them, good fun and deliciously good milkshakes

Chapter Text

Requested by myself

it all with a quiet night and a dark desolate sea

a singular little boat bobbing as a group of arrogant demons went out to go swimming

there had been rumours of a sea beast attacks around the area, and those who entered the deepest parts were beginning to disappear

the boats themselves were found at the shore a short time after, but the only thing that remained were stains of blood and oddly missing parts from the more advanced boats

anyone with sense would go out of their way to avoid the area

but then again, hell wasn't filled with many geniuses, these demons especially as they paddled in the pool without a care in the world

only for one to be pulled down without a sound

and once reemerged, blood inked and there was a considerable amount of neck flesh missing

the demons screamed as they did their best to get back onto their boat, but all suffered the same fate

...

bodies of the dead were dragged below and into an underground lair of the dastardly sea beast, grinning to itself as it continued to chew their fresh remains

it was clear that the creature had to have some mind with how it planned its murders, but how much may have been a surprise

over time a rare population of older demons would morph, becoming mindless and more animalistic due to hells exposure, mainly animal sinners

many of the beasts were killed in the exterminations as they were unfortunately made more of a target, leading to the sighting of sinner beasts becoming 'rare'

those who were either able to keep their mentality or were not too far gone were even rarer

perhaps another reason the sinners that went to the sea but in doing so overestimated their skills as they met they're....well you couldn't call it demise

sure they were dead, but as all sinners did they would respawn, but trapping the sinners under the water and using their bodies for a food source and for this specific type of demon, science experiments

it would take a while until their consciousness returned

the sea beast was the only source of life was the sea beast

Its glowing yellow and blue form lit its cave as it crammed the demon's lifeless bodies into its lair, allowing the bodies' oxygon to leave as it floated to the roof of the cave

then slowly re-directing its attention to the older bodies

scooping a sharp-clawed hand-like fin into one of their guts, filled with bacteria and perfect specimen to observe, grinning with sharp teeth as its tail swished excitedly, the fin adorned with lures shimmering the watery dark abyss

ready to happily rest after a full stomach and raid

or at least, that's what it was planning on if there wasn't an odd presence in the water

(a topsider?) it thought with curiosity, not used to two foreigners on the same night

regardless it swam to poke his head out of his cave, dimming his lights to avoid detection

another boat with more swimmers

the sea beast deciding that he would allow this group to be, having already a collection of bodies and full

but as it re-entered its cave he made sure to record their presence, and both to its worry yet astonishment they were getting closer

it shouldn't be possible, with the pressure of the sea, the darkness and not to mention the whole, under the water part

peaking out once more he saw a group of interesting demons swimming close, two he counted, each holding a light source and squinting he was sure he could see one with a weapon

(time for them to go) the sea beast concurred as it once more sank back into its lair, allowing the two to come to it

...

"you sure this is where it resides?" A bubbled question was asked by one of the divers, an oxygen tank securely fastened to the mouth

"very sure, all the attacks all pinpoint to this area, a good thing people put trackers on the rented boats" a new but also muffled answered

these voices belonged to two demons, one grey moth-like girl, one eye crossed out and with a spear and lantern in hand whilst the other was designed more like a kind clown with long hair and red eyes, she only holding a lantern and a secret weapon on her back

"hey wait! look there," the blond said as she swam in the spot, pointing to a large but very secluded cave

"you think?" she continued with a light weary voice

"with how empty this place is I wouldn't cross it off the list" the X-designed woman stated with a nod, raising her weapon as the two shared an agreed nod

and began swimming closer

when the two entered the cave they were met with a disgustingly horrible sight that only hell could provide

drowned demons with, dark veined and bloodshot eyes as holes filled with the disease showed clear signs of stolen organs

if they could smell they could guarantee it was rancid and putrid, those even being an understatement

"Oh, this is horrible" the blond couldn't help but utter

"we're defiantly dealing with a beast, but where is it lurking," the moth asked as she pressed backs against each other, keeping an eye out as she wafted her lantern

the clown designed girl followed a similar route before spotting a little fish in front of her

"oh hello their little guy" she began to utter before a shock of realisation struck

the little fish suddenly began to get bigger, a chest with two scars under the chest emerged, along with a long swishing tail, large razor-sharp teeth grew as a much sinister smile matched, lights of blue and yellow strayed and glowed from the fin's hair and especially from the large glowing esca floating the brightest

"Vaggie!" the blond cried as the beast made a snap at her, almost taunting but very much deadly

"I see it!" the newly named vaggie announced as she pushed the blond behind protectively

it made some more snaps but when the weapon was poked its arm, causing it to instantly bleed it soon realised these people might be a threat

growling dangerously, no longer having fun with this interaction

going for slashes and fast speeds to try and attack them

but it couldn't get too close without more jabs of the spear, it couldn't even get close to get rid of the stupid thing

it was obviously an angel weapon and the beast decided it would the smart move to leave, with how it was going it was getting backed into a corner and it had no idea of what these crazed demons were planning on doing with him, obviously they had seemed it out

deciding that it wasn't worth it, swam to the side, startling them enough not to get a hit but to escape

the beast decided they could find a new place to reside, it wasn't hard to find this little dark secluded area which he drove out all the wildlife, surely it could do the same again, perhaps it would be better to avoid more persistent intru-

these were the frantic thoughts of the beast as tried to swim away

only to be blocked by a heavy force

stretching in surprise as the weight towered over them and trapped them on the floor

swishing its tail aggressively it made its way to bite what it now saw was a net

but as it did it electrocuted them

it once more screeched, only now in pain and fear

what was happening?! how had this happened so fast?! who were these demons?! what were they going to do to him?! it questioned rapidly

only to realise that he was no longer on the floor

the water version of gravity he noticed was not applying to him as he saw the world get brighter and the pressure getting lighter

this was it, wasn't it?

after all these years, he had finally been caught

but he still had so much to do!

so much too!

its thoughts were interrupted by the exposure of hells air

maybe when he first came here it would have been fine, but as the years passed and his body morphed he found it unbearable to breathe in the air, his water phobia he could no longer hide from and accepted his fate, the memory of his death was still as painful but he had no choice

and now as he was lifted into the atmosphere he could only gag and repel, wriggling in a new type of pain only before being placed into another set of water with a splash

but with the pressure and how he could feel his tail touch the bottom, he knew it wasn't the sea

allowing his eyes to adjust to the light, so long had it been since he properly saw the sun, usually hunting in the night

but as they did, he found himself looking at three blurry figures discussing themselves as they along with himself were now on a much bigger boat

...

Princess Charlot Morningstar had a feeling that this cave was where the creature lurked

placing her secret weapon at the entrance in case the beast tried to make an escape

and she was very glad she did

she hated resorting to such measures but she couldn't have any more demons being slaughtered, they were her people after all

along with the sinner beasts themselves

they were a vulnerable group that were exploited but dangerous and so she put together a project to protect them as well as help them maintain their mentality and keep them safe

at the moment only 3 sinner beasts resided within what she called the 'happy hotel'

one slithered around every now and then but he was a slippery thing

and then news of an aquatic sea-beast came into the papers, and thus the search began

they had caught the clearly very smart creature and now had him up on their boat within a suitable tank

to be honest, with how tall Alastor, husk and especially angel dust had been she expected this one to be as big but it was surprising that he was-

"much smaller than we thought" Charlie heard her girlfriend Vaggie comment with a chuckle as she and her finished placing the sea beast into the tank

"well that's fine, make it better to transport him back to the hotel" Charlie commented happily as she twisted her long hair from seawater

"you sure this cutie isn't just a hell creature?" a new voice asked bringing attention to the little figure who was able to bring their real boats to their location

"trust us Nift, this guy doesn't seem the most powerful or big, but you should have seen him down there, it has a very twisted but developed mind" Vaggie announced as she wiped her cheek, unhappy to see she and even charlie had not got out unscathed, little nips of skin and dried blood patterning their body

"We don't need to worry too much though, he's pretty much a mermaid, after all, can't do much out the water" Charlie reassures her visibly shaken girlfriend

"oh speaking of our new guest, looks like it's finally spotted us" the cyclops quickly sang as she turned her neck over to see the angler-fish-like demon staring intensely at the three, head out of the water but not enough that the gills were out

vibrant blue and red eyes eying them with curiosity but rage clearly boiling

"wonder what it's thinking" Vaggie questioned with a defensive whisper

"we'll soon find out!" Charlie stated as they soon approached the docks, water hitting the ship as it made its stop to land and away from the sea beast home

Chapter Text

Requested by _A_Gay_Bitch_

Within a hotel with plenty of patrons and staff, electricity is a need to sustain plenty of devices

one patron, in particular, needed a lot with having a hairdryer, hair curler, foot spa bath, nail dryer and superstar mirror at all the same time

and then came one that used their electrical needs for weaponry and the invention of machines

it just so happened that when these two collided at the very same time, the hotel stated it was unwelcome by cutting the power off completely

causing the light of the hotel to become dark and barren

confused murmurs and plenty of loud "oh fuck of's" filled the hotel as everyone exited their positions to try and find an explanation

"ok everyone, no need to panic!" the worried but trying-to-keep positive voice of Charlie Morningstar sang within the halls to anyone who was close by

even though many demonic eyes created a glow within the dark, it was very minimal and not enough to give them an advantage

"what the hell happened!" Husk growled with annoyance, as the noises of demons bumping and falling into objects echoed throughout the halls

"clearly a power outage, by the overuse of electronic devices no doubt" the analytical voice of Alastor tsked

"easy on the scorning gramps, thought a hotel this big would be enough to handle a bit of electricity" the annoyed voice of crymini grumbled

the boiling of vaggies building rage could be heard after that statement

only for the sound of very heavy footsteps to come closer

as well as a very ominous electric blue glow to come closer and closer to the group

only to reveal a very angry-looking Baxter stomping to meet the group, the room now filled with colour and light emitted from the little fish

"where's the electric box?! I am in the middle of something and I don't have the patience to wait for you lot to get to it!" Baxter asked with hurry and irritation, his focus on Charlie to answer, but she and the others were too mesmerised to respond

Baxter allowed a second to fall before his impatience stepped in

"What?" Baxter asked in confusion as he felt everyone's gaze on him

"um, have you always been able to do that?" Husk asked as he pointed to the fish

"to do what?" Baxter continued to ask, the anger falling as he slowly felt himself feeling insecure

"you're glowing" Niffty answered as she sped closer to him

Baxter couldn't help but feel dumbfounded

it was true, spots of his hair and the long appendage that was his lure emitted a blue-coloured light that filled the room, but it always did when it became dark, he was sure they had caught on by now

"Great observation, now will you all stop gawking and tell me where this electric box is," Baxter asked

"It's outside, I'll come with to show you" Charlie offered happily

the fish wouldn't have accepted but seeing how he didn't know its location he didn't have much choice

"I will come with, it is always good to have a genius mechanic on hand for these situations" sir pentious proclaimed proudly

Baxter rolled his eyes at the snake's misplaced ego

fine! 2 tagalongs, as long as he can-

"me too, I don't trust what demons might do when they see the lights are down here" Vaggie added as she joined the party, getting too close for baxters liking, her pupils completely focused on his esca

"well if that's so I shall tag along, to ensure your protection" the radio demon laughed as he walked close to vaggie much to her rage and baxters growing annoyance

"Hey, I wanna join too!" Niffty called as she preferred being close to Alastor, although, like vaggie, she practically attached herself close to Baxter's side

he'd thought that would be it, only for the other 3 to join, not even explaining as to why they wanted to join

it was a massive huddle, with a glowing Baxter slap bang in the middle, just barely out of the lead with Charlie directing the group

At least to say the fish was not happy with the amount of taller demons (excluding niffty) so close

but luckily the electric box wasn't too far and he was able to take a look at it

opening up the box Baxter could see the problem straight away

Too many wires

stuffed into the box and caused dangerous overheating and short-circuiting

they were lucky there wasn't a fire with how bad it was

"why are there so many wires?!" Baxter questioned with astonishment as he backed away from the box

Sir pentious couldn't help but give an embarrassed chuckle

"I may or may have not instructed some of my eggs to go and attach some more electrical currents as we needed them to power my ship electrics alongside the stripent freaks beauty products, Alastor air show and your laboratory" Sir pentious explained

"well as much as I appreciate your help" Charlie began to sweetly explain before her girlfriend stepped in

"No way Charlie, he should have done it himself instead of asking his scrambled brain eggs for something like this, hell he should have asked for your permission in the first place" Vaggie stated fiercely

but now wasn't the time to get into that right now

"look you can bicker all you want but we need to turn everything off and let the box cool down before touching it again" Baxter grumbled as he shut that argument down as quickly as it started, closing the door with a sigh

"is there at least a backup generator?" Baxter continued

"we do but....it's attached in there," Charlie said with a sheepish chuckle

"WHY WOULD-you know what...no, I'm done with this conversation, let's just turn everything off" Baxter was ready to seeth before tiredness engulfed him, he could question for the rest of his afterlife about the princess's thinking and still wouldn't know everything

so instead he began to walk back into the hotel, only for the rest of the hotel to rush towards him

"wait up fish cakes!" Angel was the first to say

"you're the only light source" Niffty inputted unhelpfully

"you can't be serious" Baxter grumbled once more, rubbing his temples, it shouldn't have to be this hard to do a simple task

"yes indeed, how can we turn everything off if we can't see?" Alastor laughed, clearly enjoying the discomfort of the fishes situation

"I'll do it! just...continue with your night" Baxter almost shrieked, he wanted to be alone

"We can't!" all of them practically chorused

Baxter was nearing the end of his rope, why did the dark turn them into whiney babies that suddenly needed him ?!

"Charlie, surely you have some of your magic to create candles or even Alastor" Baxter suggested almost desperately

"sorry Baxter, I don't want to set off my fireworks within the hotel in case of a fire, plus we didn't know what types of demons would be coming into the hotel so we didn't want to give them access to fire" Charlie explained who's points made perfect sense

"I conquer my powers could make it darker if possible, hahaha" Alastor added which Baxter couldn't help but feel uneased by the answer

"torches?" Baxter questioned

"We didn't think to purchase any" Charlie once more stated sheepishly

...

this hotel has no preparation!

it was like being back on the...

Baxter didn't finish that thought

shaking his head he simply sighed

unfortunately, everything glowing in his lab is either too dangerous, precious or attached to the walls, meaning that the only light source provided within the entire hotel

was himself

"oh for the love of satan, fine, just flip the switches as we pass through, you all might as well make yourself useful" Baxter sighed as he succumbed to his fate as being a walking torch

(many minutes and flights of stairs later)

Baxter sat up on the couch with a tired groan

he was exhausted

going through all the active rooms of the hotel in the dead of night with the very extroverted company was tiring

and yet he still wasn't allowed peace as everyone continuously followed

Crymini with her magazines

Niffty gathered cleaning supplies

Angel with his pet

and the rest with a book

well except for vaggie who was still entranced by his esca, he had to swat her hand away numerous times away from it, it was strange to see this side of her

regardless, they weren't ready to sleep so Baxter couldn't go to his lab to continue with his...no, he just wanted his bed at this point

closing his eyes lightly to try and relax, he wasn't surprised to hear something that couldn't even grant him that

"Baxter, you ok?" The voice of Niffty asked, way too close to his ear/fins

"I'm fine, just closing my eyes" Baxter grumbled as he re-opened his eyes to meet some concerned-looking faces back at him

"do you not glow when you sleep?" Vaggie asked with a hint of sadness

(he mustn't or else maybe they would have left him alone) Baxter thought sarcastically

"guess I don't if you're asking" Baxter decided to answer

"well it is getting late, so we should get to bed" Charlie said as she stood up as a signal for everyone to do the same

Baxter almost felt relief before feeling the familiar set of eyes all on him

"come on, do I seriously have to walk you all to your rooms?" Baxter questioned pitifully

and to his utmost bafflement of the day, they all nodded with each making their impression of "puppy dog eyes"

with an eye-roll, he leads each one to their room

with each resident being dropped off, the light was glowing dimmer

"thank you, doctor, goodnight" Sir pentious thanked as he closed the door on the fish whose light was now practically the same as a dying fire

Alastor and sir pentious being at the very top of the hotel and thanks to the lifts being out he had to walk...all the way...back down

Baxter was too tired, his legs moving on their own as it had now been 2nd time going up and down the entire massive hotel

he had just reached the 1st floor when his legs said "fuck it" and refused to walk any further

Baxter fell to the floor and in the middle of the lobby

his esca dimming completely and Light snores to start

(the next morning)

Niffty yawned lightly as she opened her bedroom door

always the first awake to get the most out of the day she was quick to get some breakfast

or that was her plan before coming to a halt with a bump in her road

Luckily the natural light of the morning alerted her or she would have tripped over...Baxter?!

Niffty looked in awe as she saw the rare sight of the fish, completely vulnerable and looking for once at peace

"poor thing" Niffty cooed as she concluded that he must have been too tired to make it to his bed

she wanted to leave him in peace but where he was anyone could trip over and wake him, especially the taller demons

so with her superhuman strength, she picked him up with ease

walking towards the couch and placing the scientist on it before pulling a closed blanket across his form

"sleep tight nightlight" Niffty rhymed with a chuckle as she left him to get back to what she was doing

not before placing a "do not disturb sign" in front of the couch, he was now curled up upon

after all the kindness he displayed last night, it was the least she could do

Chapter Text

Requested by Historyperson

Velvet and the other members of the three V's were sat within their headquarters

currently, Val and Vox were flirting...or fighting, Velvet wasn't really paying attention, flicking through her phone subconsciously

she'd been zoning out before a strange series of noises came to her attention

if she'd been a new employee she may have been very concerned with the sounds of horrendous shrieking and drilling noises

but she knew exactly what she should say, who was causing those noises

looking up she wasn't surprised to see the other two continue to, ah flirt...it was a 50/50 guess

so with an amused eye roll, she went to see the demon that seemed to always catch her attention

skipping she opened the door to hear the previous noises being replaced by crazed scribbling of pieces of paper

"There is a thing called a computer ya know" Velvet began, making no need to announce herself resulting in the writing demon jumping in surprise much to her amusement

"gah! Miss velvet, I have requested for you to please stop doing that" the demon, a fish, gasped as he caught his breath, turning around in his swivelled chair he may or may not have almost fallen off on

"hmm, mustn't have heard the memo," the overlord said mischievously as she made her way closer

"back to the matter, what do you need from me?" Baxter asked as he scrambled to straighten his notes

"Nothing, just bored and wanted to see what was going on in here" Velvet muttered as she looked around the makeshift lab

"though I don't think it was a birthday party" she added as she noticed the slumped corpse of a pig demon, blood once warm dripping from the incisions made to its skin

"I needed a good supply of blood samples, I apologise if the squealing was interrupting you three" Baxter apologised with worry

Velvet could see the apprehension on the fish's face, although he was one of Vox's most valuable assets, it was clear to see he was quite fearful of the TV overlord

it was kinda adorable

"nah you weren't interrupting anything important, and with how those two are going down at one another, probably won't be till next Wednesday" Velvet laughed, harder even when she saw the awkward face the fish was pulling

"so till they've stopped I got nothing to do but lounge around and relax" Velevt announced as she lay happily against the metal bed frame, stained in old demonic blood, not that she cared

Baxter hummed as he awkwardly turned back to his notes

she grinned, whenever the fish didn't know what to say, she would see him usually try to make himself as invisible as possible

not that it would do him any good, she needed someone to talk to, and he was exactly what she wanted

"say doc, how long have you been cooped up in here ?" Velvet asked as she turned to lay on the table chest first opposed to her back, scrapping her nail against the dried blood

Baxter's confusion was growing

it wasn't the first time Velvet made her random appearance

starting with her going around and touching his equipment, usually, he would absolutely have used some toxins as punishment

but seeing how she was an overlord and part of the 3 V's, he had no choice but to hold his tongue

it happened more in the beginning than presently, the excitement dwindling much to the scientist's relief

but she would still come by

mainly due to boredom and needing someone to gossip with, or at least who seemingly is listening

but this conversation seemed different like she wanted something else out of him

"I couldn't say" Baxter admitted

earning a heartfelt chuckle from the heart-themed overlord

"well that goes for me, sooo" Velvet admitted before drawing on her words scrapping her finger against the surface before finishing on an offer

"how about you and me get out of here for a bit, I am hungry so we could go for a bite" Velvet Offered

the comedic pacing deciding to play a part as a grumble of the stomach entered the room

"nutrients could be needed" Baxter admitted sheepishly

"perfect, I know a great place to grab a bite" Velvet stated as she jumped up and began walking out, walking for a bit only to notice the fish didn't follow

"ya coming ?" she asked as she quickly popped her head back in like a flimsy jesters hat

"oh yes, sorry," Baxter said in a hurry, as he didn't catch on that he was invited, regardless of the obviousness

Velvet couldn't help but laugh at the scientist's antics as he triples checked he locked the door

...

soon the two were off

the pedestrians who saw them were quick to move out of their way

making Baxter feel weirdly safe being close to the cheerful overlord

cheerful putting it lightly

he knew it wasn't just rumours, a crazy psychopath that would blow up on screen, he'd seen it himself

but never directed at him, or as much as it is to a stranger or enemy

especially how she opened the door to a cafe to allow him in first

(well because he was too small to reach the handle but it was still quite thoughtful)

the waitress hurriedly clearing a table so the two could sit down

Baxter understood why this happened but it was so surprising to see it happen right on the front lines

"so what are you in the mood for, they have a good halloumi, sweet and spicy lettuce wrap" Velvet Offered

the scientist didn't really care about fancy food, usually served on energy bars so he would simply go for what Velvet kindly told

"you have convinced me to have that" Baxter informed much to Velvet's joy

"Hey, what's a girl gotta do to get some service here," Velvet asked, clicking her fingers and at once all the waiters came to her need

"sorry miss velvet, how can we help you today one of the waiters asked

"2 halloumi spicy wraps" Velvet ordered before quickly pulling the waiter's tie

"and don't hold up on the halloumi k honey" Velvet warned with a wide grin

"oh and an espresso and um, what you want to drink bax?" Velvet asked as if she was holding someone to a choking point

"um just a water," Baxter asked as he looked at the waiters with twisted amusement

the defiantly shitting his pants waiter nodded as fast as his neck allowed them before rushing towards the kitchen

"you have such power" Baxter uttered as he couldn't help but laugh at how fast they scampered away like rats on a heater

"that a start of a pickup line or are you complimenting me?" Velvet asked with a genuine smile

Baxter chocked on air, flustered as he realised he said it out loud

"an observation that can be taken as a compliment" Baxter informed awkwardly

Velvet knew what he meant, she just liked messing with him, she loved seeing the reactions she could get out of the fish

the thought being interrupted as the food was placed in front of her

blocking her sight of him which if she was in a worse mood would have done something more than let out an annoying grumble

"I hope you enjoy it," one of them said

Velvet simply waved them off, sending them scattering in fear of her wrath

Baxter meanwhile looked at the food in awe

it had been so long since he had proper food

he was ready to reach out only for Velvet to gently swat his hand away

"hold it, need to take a picture" Velevt informed as she took out her phone

"why?" Baxter questioned as he tried reaching for the water instead, only to be swatted again, the overlord looking at him with a knowing grin before turning back to her phone

"need to update my followers" Velvet informed

"on what you're eating?" Baxter asked with confusion

if it were anyone else Velvet would take this as offensive, but she'd grown to know that the scientist was too wrapped up in his mind to know the importance of social media

"Trust me bax, when you're as popular and powerful as I, knowing what I'm eating gives demons life

Baxter merely nodded, not understanding, but waited regardless

if it was important to her then he wouldn't ask further

she was soon finished and allowed him to eat

"How is it?" Velvet asked as she took a bite

"tasty" Baxter stated as he took a bite of his own, his razor-sharp teeth piercing through the meal in a quick swoop

all demons had naturally sharp teeth, but seeing them in action, it was clear to see that they were one of the sharpest in hell

it was exhilarating to watch

it made her wonder what those pretty babies could do in action

the two had fallen into a comfortable silence

each subconsciously nothing of the awe the two had for one another

"I must thank you for offering" Baxter thanked respectfully

"thank you for joining, have to say this is one of the nicest dates I've ever had in hell" Velvet sighed as she had to forget the previous dates that ended horribly

Baxters esca practically burned with light at her words

"...this is a date?" Baxter questioned as a blush appeared on his cheeks

Velvet looked with a face that went from befuddlement to complete joy

laughing full-heartedly, scaring those around as they began rushing out of the building, not that she cared

"...wow, you really don't get out much do ya pudding?" Velvet asked with a small amount of pitty

But looking at the fish in fluster she ensured to get a grip

"yes, yes it is" Velvet answered more gently leaning closer to assure him

"Well, this is the first date I have been on and, I indeed have enjoyed my time" Baxter admitted bashfully, relieved that she didn't seem to be laughing at him

it was velvets time to blush but unlike others who would go into a silent splendour, merely giggled as she got close to the fish, knowing his need to keep space but enough to show her passion

"well if that's the case, we need to mark your first date" Velvet announced as she grabbed her phone to selfie mode

Velvet smiled as Baxter followed the suite

"cute" Velvet announced as she stored her phone back in her pocket and bounced back to her feet

"Um, don't we need to pay?" Baxter questioned as he looked around the now-barren cafe

"Seeing how they all left I wouldn't say so, sides, you never need to pay for anything with a reputation like mine" Velvet giggled as she opened the door once more for the two to get back to the V tower

the two having the streets once more completely

"so bax, I had a good time, so how's about we make this a regular thing" Velvet suggested as she twirled her spiral-like hair

"I am fond of that idea, too had pleasure in your presence" Baxter conquered

Baxter was ultimately surprised to feel a pair of lips placed on his cheek by the overlord

"you such a way with words" Velvet chuckled as she left the fish staring in utter shock at what just happened

smiling as she re-entered the meeting room where she wasn't surprised to see that the two were still not done with their fighting/flirting

so instead she sat on her usual chair and pulled out her phone

looking through the day's pictures and clicked on the one with her and Baxter

she was about to post the picture only to quickly pause

being an overlord meant a target on her head, which she was fine with since she had the power to fight back

and although Baxter had some untapped potential, he simply wasn't at the same level, he could be used as leverage by those wanting higher power

she didn't want to do that to him, not to someone she really cared about

so instead for once in her life, she kept it in her photo album

only for her to see

Chapter Text

Requested by Someone

Vaggie sighed as she gathered the fruit from the basket

just finished dealing with the electricity demons to sort out the hotel's bills which left her mentally drained

a few minutes of loud whirling would be worth it for a time of peace

but as she started blending the fruit she could hear a light voice come forward

taking her finger off the button she saw the figure that was Baxter who she guessed was talking to her

"ah sorry bax, did you say something" Vaggie asked as the fish kept looking from her to the blender

"yes, I asked what is that?" Baxter nodded as he pointed to the device

"The...the blender?" Vaggie asked with confusion

"Yes, I was wondering what is its purpose" Baxter continued to ask

"It just blends up fruit for juice or veg for sauces?" Vaggie explained,

"How?" Baxter questioned once more

unsure how to answer vaggie simply pressed the button once more, causing the usual blending noises and for the mushed fruits to be properly cut with the blades

"Fascinating" Baxter uttered in awe as he came up to the table to watch it in action

"Really? it's been created for centuries ?" Vaggie asked as she allowed the fish to press the button, many times that ensured no chunks were left at least

"when ?" Baxter continued with his questioning

"um..." Vaggie tried to think before the figure that was the radio demon decided to join the conversation

"1922" Alastor inputted helpfully from where he was now reading a newspaper and sat at the table of the kitchen

"ah, makes sense then" Baxter noted, having died before then

"so you just didn't use anything after you died," Crymini asked, he presence being unnoticed as she was suspiciously quiet on her phone

"I lived in a secluded cave for most of this afterlife, I know some stuff like electric vacuums and TVs but clearly not everything" Baxter admitted awkwardly

"well if that's the case then you missed out on a whole lot" Vaggie chuckled as she poured her smoothie

"Like what?" Baxter asked as he was now fully intrigued

Vaggie couldn't help but admit it was cute, like an excited puppy

so Vaggie thought and tried to find something that Baxter would find super interesting

she was sure he knew about the technological advances as they were constantly by them, even Sir pentious had one for voxagram, but he was much more outgoing than the hermit

then something came to her mind

"Have you heard of space rockets?" Vaggie suggested

Baxter shook her head, allowing vaggie to type in the footage to show

bending down to his height she proceeded to show him the footage

Baxter gasp in wonder as he watched the wonder of what the 1940s gave to the world

esca glowing bright and fin-like ears perking as his pure joy of discovering something new filled his body

"This is extraordinary! how did I miss this?!" Baxter asked as he practically snatched the phone out of her hand, Vaggie for once didn't seem to mind

completely mesmerized in the spot vaggie chuckled as she sat down, drinking her smoothie as Alastor also took amusement from the fish's reaction

"Perhaps you should tell him about the moon landing" Crymini commented

"Come now, we wouldn't wish the little fellow to faint" Alastor laughed

Vaggie for once had to agree before watching Baxter mumble to himself in pure awe, of most likely creating notes of his own still while having the phone still directly tapping at his goggles as he moved

"Great, you've created an iPad kid" Crymini snorted

"I'm not too worried Vaggie stated as she tried to take a sip of her extremely blended smoothie

"Have you ever gone on the internet?" Crymini continued to ask

not before the concerning question "Wait the earth is flat now?" echoed the halls

"yeah, nevermind" Vaggie stated as she rushed to retrieve her phone and save Baxter the idiocy of the world lunatics

Chapter Text

Requested by Usher

No one knows who started it or where it came from

but one by one the occupants began dropping like flies

each acquiring a horrible flu

an all-included package of wheezy coughing, snotty noses, high temperatures, headaches and weakness in the limbs

and highly contagious

groans of discomfort and pain echoed through the halls from their beds

all except for one, the singular lone survivor lucky enough to avoid the deadly disease

it shouldn't come to too much of a surprise as the demon did his best to avoid others' company and stayed in a practically uncontaminated space

yet Baxter seemed to pay the price for his preparation as he was now placed in charge of taking care of the sick

wearing a full-on hazmat suit as he prepared to tackle the zombie-like demons

each provided a bell to alert the fish of their needs

which did indeed, get old fast

Sir pentious, Angel, Alastor and Niffty are the ones constantly ringing the bell for the most annoying of reasons

if someone asked him to floor their pillow one more he was going to suffocate them with one

the ones that did not ring the bell however were the ones that worried Baxter the most

Husk for one who was already dead looked worse, needing to keep a close eye on the cat avian, ensuring awoke at least once in the day to eat

that being said Angel also had to be the most difficult to persuade to eat

luckily he was able to create a food that was as small as a pill and once properly in the stomach would expand so the body could get its nutrients

he couldn't be any more happy to have made it than at that moment

a ding of the dreaded bell broke his concentration

so with a sigh, he followed the noise

"yes?" Baxter asked as he rigidly sprayed disinfectant before entering

"Hi Baxter, can you please help me to the bathroom...I don't feel so good" Charlie whispered weakly

seeing the princess like this was saddening to see

usually, he wouldn't care about demons suffering, yet seeing the princess like this slip through the cracks and into where his sympathy laid

"of course" Baxter ushered as he helped the princess from her bed

the hazmat suite doing wonders for his hatred of touch, perhaps he could convince her to keep it

regardless with Charlie using his shoulders as a balancing act he helped her to the bathroom where she proceeded to spew her guts

his exposure to worse sights saved him from throwing up himself

"Thanks, Baxter" Charlie thanked as he grabbed a piece of tissue so she could wipe her mouth, flush the toilet and wash her hands

by the time he helped the princess back to the bed, falling asleep almost instantaneously he heard another bell close by

"coming" Baxter whispered as he left the princess to rest

going to where her girlfriend was blowing her nose

"more tissues please" Vaggie stated as she leaned her head back with exhaustion

Although coming off a little rude Baxter was grateful that the moth was able to get to the point

reaching into his pocket, he gave the tissues he prepared

he had been doing this for a week so he knew exactly the demons routines

"Thanks, bax," Vaggie said as she got back to blowing her nose

"you ready for your food," Baxter asked as he collected the tissues with a grabber to put them into the bin he was ready to incinerate, placing a squirt of sanitiser on her hands once she was done with the tissue in hand

"yeah, can I just try some toast please," Vaggie asked

Baxter took it as a good step that the moth was ready to get back to eating real food

the fish nodded as he left to prepare her and the other's meals

instances like this made it seem that taking care of 7 other demons in the hotel was easy

but it was only morning

when afternoon came it soon became transparent that it wouldn't be this simple

the new normal looked more like this:

ding ding

running to the left "Baxter! Can you please get my painkillers"

running to the right "Baxter! olbas oil please!"

at the same time, 2 demons shouted "Baxter! water please!"

2 voices from the top and the bottom of the hotel "Baxter I'm cold", "Baxter I'm hot!"

"Baxter"

Ding

"BAXTER"

DING

"BAXTER"

DING

"BAXTER!!!"

The fish shuffled his feet as he succumbed to the day as he usually did

his hazmat suite was covered in puke, snot, sanitiser, soup and healing oils

removing it when he finally made it to the couch to remove and incinerate it and have a quick shower

now needing to sleep on the surprisingly comfy makeshift bed if anyone needed him during the night

as when he tried sleeping in the lab and didn't hear the radio demons' calls, he found himself being weakly transported to be asked for water

why the demon couldn't make the water himself the angler fish suspected he either wanted to cause the fish more misery or the demon was still weak and didn't want to spill water on himself, perhaps both

regardless he succumbed to the fate of sleeping on the uncomfy couch, the sounds of his name and bells ringing in his fin-like ears loud enough to make sleeping much harder

but after plenty of tossing and turning, he finally managed to rest, unaware of the singular infected tissue that had gotten stuck onto his shoe

(in the morning)

when the scientist awoke he was welcomed to the world by a pounding headache as well as a soft voice?

"I'm coming I-" Baxter began to whisper and get up before the looming and giddy face of Niffty made him stop

"wait, you're out of bed?" Baxter questioned as he noted her less pale and clammy composure

"uhuh, feeling much better now" Niffty answered happily

"oh, that's good to hear, how about the others" Baxter continued to ask, but unable to bring his voice above a whisper, feeling oddly weak

"all healthy and well!" Niffty proclaimed, and true to her statement he could see the other members of the hotel roaming around like normal

"finally" Baxter sighed in relief as he leaned back into his current sleeping spot

no more snotty noses or whiney voices calling for his assistance

now he could finally get back to his-

his thoughts were interrupted as he was suddenly caught in a quick cough

the resident's necks seemed to snap in the baxters direction as the fishes eyes bolted wide

"masks on everyone" Charlie sang as she knew what was to come

"no, how is this possible, I was so careful" Baxter questioned with a cry as he was now approached by the recently sick residents, approaching him with a blanket to take him to bed, where there would be no escape

"damm you flu! DAMM YOU!" Baxter ranted as he was practically dragged to his bed, knowing full well there would be no mercy from the "caring" that was the hotel's residence

Chapter Text

Requested by Cattie

"I hate this" Baxter stated as he was dressed in a fisherman hat and wearing a bag containing snacks and a camel pack

for some stupid reason, the princess decided today was the greatest day to take everyone out for a dreaded hike

Baxter not being the most physical or naturally loving fought tooth and nail to try and persuade the princess not to come

"it'll do you good to get out, fresh air, a new surrounding, it's all good for dopamine and serotonin," she said

she clearly researched that before going to him but it wasn't working, especially how she was trying to take him away from the main source of his happiness

although that was the gentle approach, as it didn't work Vaggie was sent in to practically force him to partake, threatening the revocation of his lab and dragging him by his esca

to him it was the equivalent of a raccoon being scruffed, there was simply nothing he could do

and here he was now from where this story started

but it didn't stop him from making the trip unbearable in the hopes of either letting him go back or instantly teleporting him back, he didn't care if he would be "grounded" he just wanted to leave

"my feet hurt, there's rocks in my shoes! I don't have the proper hiking gear

fish demons can't handle this heat!

and much to Baxter's delight, his complaints were getting to the others

Charlie looked drained as she was holding a very pissed-looking vaggie, Alastors eye twitching in annoyance, Angel groaning in exhaustion and looking ready to throttle him, Husk taking a big swig and Niffty being the only one unaffected as she was too busy zipping to see the sights

"don't give him what he wants" Charlie whispered, hoping that the fish would tire himself out

Angel however not getting the memo

"Can you stop your bitching for one second!" Angel exploded

"They were the ones who dragged me along, they brought this upon all yourselves," Baxter remarked taking a drink of the pack

"Charlie" Angel continued Baxter grinned knowing his plan was working

"calm your tits" Husk stated as he dropped his own bag in front of the fish and kicked him inside

"HEY!" Baxter as he was practically backpacked

"just shut up for the love of satan" Husk growled as he placed him on his back ready to continue

although no longer needing to walk Baxter was still unhappy, especially with the sun glaring and roasting his eyes and scales, but not wanting to be dropped he opted to simply murmur his complaints

anyone who would look back would see a head of fluffy hair whose eyes were piercing to anyone just above the zipper line

for a few seconds, the world was filled with beautiful silence, with hells water rushing through a black but beautiful waterfall

only for a scream of pain to enter the scene

"Angel? what's wrong?" Charlie questioned with fear as everyone rushed to his side where he was currently holding his leg on the floor

"Something bit me, shit that hurts" Angel uttered

they inspected the bite, only for Baxter to come out of the backpack to see that it was not a bite at all

"no, you have simply come into contact with Urtica dioica" Baxter noted

"...what" the others uttered in confusion

"stinging nettles, hells stinging nettles" Baxter grumbled as he flicked through the bushes, luckily he was still wearing his lab gloves

"what are you doing," Niffty asked curiously

"wherever these stinging nettles there's always- Ahah!" Baxter stated as he held out four big leaves

" jewelweed, put this on your leg and it'll stop the swelling, but you'll still need an antimilitary drug to get rid of the painfully" Baxter instructed as Angel did as told

"how do you know about-" Angel began to ask as relief came from the leaves before the fish cut him off

"I've had centuries in hell and an unquenchable taste for science, don't question my actions" Baxter

"For someone who hates nature, you sure know your plant facts" Alastor quipped

"I simply know my ingredients" Baxter stated as he blocked his sensitive eyes from the sun, ruining his good mood and ego-boosting

"so, now that's done, CAN WE PLEASE LEAVE" Baxter yelled and asked as he continued his complaining, all to everyone's annoyance

but eventual defeat

"We have to give to him" Vaggie admitted, too tired to be angry

"Angel can't walk like that and I'm tired of dragging the brat up and down mountains" Husk inputted which Charlie had to admit were good reasons

"ok, we got a good amount of outdoors anyways" Charlie agreed, sad she couldn't get everyone to enjoy the outdoors

"Finally," Baxter said in victory, looking the most enthused within the whole group

"so...how do we get back," Alastor asked as he used one of his shadows to help the spider up

"Al you're holding the map" Charlie muttered with a chuckle of confusion

"This isn't a map my dear, this is a catalogue for the newest suits, these gloves are quite snazzy wouldn't you agree" Alastor admitted as he showed the piece of paper to the rest of the group

...

"Are you serious?!" Vaggie yelled as the last of her buttons had been pushed

as everyone began panicking about where the hell they were, Baxter simply turned in the opposite direction and began walking off

"Wait, Baxter?! Where are you going" Niffty called in worry

"to either eat random berries or be mauled by a bear, I don't care at this point" Baxter yelled as he was truly done with hiking for the rest of his afterlife

Chapter Text

Requested by Mer98

Baxter gelled his hair and straightened his coat, clicking his teeth and finger-gunning his reflection

tonight was the night

the one night when he would indulge himself in a nice time and spend his money on limited edition products that only opened once a century

having his slit eye on a particular set of tranquillizer guns that he was hoping would be sold

he needed to calm his thoughts as he reminded himself going out wasn't going to be as easy as it sounds

the hotel, he was staying at implemented the stupid rule of a curfew

like they were children, everyone needing to be in their bedrooms at 11:30 ready for morning sessions

usually, he abided as he didn't have a social life

but tonight was different

as long as he was quiet and didn't trigger the alarms he would be fine

creeping up from the basement he surveyed the scene, to his recalculation and testing, the 2nd window to the front wouldn't activate as long as he was careful

he continued his stepping before a tail tripped him up

"What the"Baxter questioned as he looked up to see what/who caused his fall

"fish lips?" the confused voice of Crymini asked as Baxter brushed himself off

"Crymini, what are you doing up?" Baxter questioned

"going to a party, what are you doing" Crymini answered and questioned

"classified, don't ask and I'll keep quiet" Baxter answered ominously but the hyena didn't push further and allowed him to continue

he now had an accomplice in this midnight escapade

so with that diversion crossed he continued-

"oh good morrow Baxter" the irritating voice of sir pentious greeted much too loud for baxters linking

"shh" Baxter shushed aggressively

"ah sorry, I am reading a fascinating tale of mechanical engineering, care to join" The snake offered

no, I am to be off, enjoy" Baxter stated hastily as he kept an eye on the clock, he was already running late and didn't want the good stuff being sold

"oh, where too?" Sir pentious asked as he didn't pick up his social ques

"classified" Crymini answered for him much to the fish's annoyance

"oh a nighttime stroll of mystery, I shall accompany you" Sir pentious announced as he closed his book

"no, I" Baxter tried but it was clear the snake's mind was made up

(fine, I'll just shake him off later, the both of them) Baxter grumbled internally

(no more distractions, just need to get-OH COME ON!" Baxter thought as he turned to the final corner, only for it to be blocked and used by the one and only angel dust who looked as high as a kite

alongside his bestie who seemed to be doing their best to keep in their laughter

"oh hey, it's a shrimp" The other cyclops named cherry bomb took note of his appearance

"Hello, sorry to bother your drug-snorting session but I need to ask to use that window," Baxter said as he pointed to the window

"there's one right next to ya, use that one" Angel dismissed

but Baxter wasn't going to let himself be a doormat, not when he was so close

"no I need that one, and I'm in a rush so," Baxter said as he tried to push the other two aside, much to his dismay that they didn't move an inch

"satan fine" Angel groaned as he reached for the window

"Wait!" Baxter called out as he knew what was going to happen

only for the spider to lift the window open without care and at high speed

"ya happy now?" Angel asked sarcastically as Baxter merely looked in horror

the shock being perfectly warranted as a loud alarm rang throughout the hotel

the open window is completely shut and locked alongside the others

causing shock to those who were also a past curfew

even more so when the shape of the radio overlord looking at them through his shadows

"Well well well, looks like we have, not one but five wandering souls out of their beds" Alastors voice slurred

"dr Baxter, I am surprised to see you of all demons accompanying the usual suspects" Alastor commented offhandedly making Baxter feel flustered

"but this certainly will not do, so off to bed with the lot of you" he rhymed as he clicked his shadowy heels

Baxter tried to protest only for himself to be transported straight back into his lab/room

blinking in surprise only for his body to move on its own and reach towards his door

only to find it locked

his plan was completely ruined and now he had to wait another 10 years until it came into town once again

eye twitching and mouth-frothing his body began to shake with unimaginable rage

"FUUUUUUUUUCK!" Baxter screamed at the top of his lungs

the rest of the hotel occupants who were in the same position sweated sheepishly and the ones who were asleep awoke with a start

tomorrow there would be hell to pay, that coming from an infuriated fish who had the means to dangerous devices

Chapter Text

Requested by Sampson

Baxter wasn't a good person

This was a fact he was not oblivious too

When he had been alive he had done horrible things, terrible things

Things that had made the princess of hell herself cringe

113 years worth of unspeakable acts

it was impossible to keep state every one from memory

And when he arrived down at hell, it only encouraged his behaviour

Here he did not need to hide his actions or feel regret,

He was in hell!

a good conscience and morals no longer applied now that he found where he was going to be for the rest of his afterlife

He was free to do whatever he wanted

no more hiding his madman actions from the police or in secrecy

there was no one to tell him no as everyone was just as twisted, it would have just been hypocrical

he had been free

until one day, he hadn't been

suddenly, extremely recently, his behaviours had started being addressed, frowned upon and even scolded

If not so taken back he would have laughed in pure disbelief

Someone had tried to place morals into him after all these years in this fire pit

But this had been addressed by someone that made his mind even more unpuzzled

The princess of hell, Charlie Morningstar, the demon royal that Baxter was able to make a grimace

Her entire being confused the fish as much as it intrigued him

the last force he would have ever imagined to become uncomfortable by his deeds

And for that, after a long time, he decided to reflect on himself

His goal was never to be the villain, he wasn't looking for world domination or anything public, he just wanted to explore his passion

It was just unfortunate that it caused the lives of those around to pursue these questions

But here

at this "Hazbin Hotel"

it showed that some still upheld...somewhat of morals

but more so, close relationships, support and kindness

those who truly wished to redeem

in his time here, other than some teasing or his personal space being breached, he had never felt that he needed to escape in the fear of his soul being in danger

for once he felt...safe

on one side he hated it, he didn't want to believe it was true, but he didn't want to let himself be drawn into this facade, completely wanting it to be a ruse to prove what he knew, that this was hell and no one could be trusted, every man..uh...demon...for themselves

yet on the other side, he craved it

Even on his time on earth, he watched as those around him were able to make close relationships instantly, and yet he struggled with just getting along with his own family, his flesh and blood,

he did his best to ignore these urges and put them into his work, very common in his period

only a rare few were still roaming from his decade, even more so with those from Sir Pentuious's

The two due to time had grown mad, perhaps mortal souls weren't made to last this long and keep their sanity intact Baxter pondered

But the snake had created his egg minions to prevent these thoughts to build

The fish had no one, his own doing in honesty, and before coming here he had been very well ok with that fact

But here at this dammed hotel, he was reminded of how lonely he had been, using his work as an excuse to ignore this want of something that was a positive outcome

He tried sticking to the shadows as he never liked the attention on him, it always ended up getting him hurt

But one day when the princess asked what he was working on it made him shakey

no one ever asked what he was up to

but he explained what he was trying to accomplish anyways

waiting for the laughter of pity or a bored look he kept his voice as he usually did

But she did something that the fish would have never expected

she smiled and complimented his work

said admitted she didn't truly understand what he was doing, but otherwise said it look "impressive"

Baxters breathes hitched at the positive praise

he did his best to hide the smile from the comment

simply nodding as he turned away to continue

the princess simply left at that point

When she was gone Baxter allowed his smile to beam and lure her to glow bright

he hated how good it felt to be acknowledged and praised

he hated how giddy he felt, like showing a parent something he had at school

and he hated how much he wanted it to happen again

and it did

Vaggie, Niffty, husk, sir pentious and even angel dust and the radio demon had one day come down to see what he was doing, everyone but Niffty coming down to boredom

to see what their resident was working on next

many confused, many intrigued

but many positive

it made it so much harder to want to dislike being here

He knew he was not a good person

a maniac psychopath with no hope of redemption as much as the princess told him otherwise

and yet

he wanted to try

he wanted to try to be better

to fill this void

and for them

as much as they irritated and annoyed him

they were all he had filled this void

and after all these years he didn't want to lose the small thread of belonging

for once he found himself wanting to stay

so if for not for himself

but for them

he would try

Chapter Text

Requested by Starlord2017

"I need a drink" Angel mumbled as he stumbled into the Happy Hotel, holding himself close as he slammed the door shut

With the night he experienced, he didn't care if anyone came down and lectured him on being quiet at 4 a.m.

No, he much more cared about finding something to soothe his aching body and growing headache

squinting his eyes as he walked and searched the contents of the bar/reception

"I know Husk stores the good stuff somewhere down here" Angel stated to himself as he bended down shakily to the bottom shelves and searched through the bottles

Perhaps he should find a light

"Back from your nightly escapades?" a familiar voice asked from behind the spider

Turning around he was the new presence and light of one peeved-looking scientist

not that Angel showed much notice to it but instead believed he could use this to his advantage

"ey doc, perfect timing, mind just standing here, no need to crouch, I just need to find the right brand," Angel asked as he continued his search

"No I'm not going to do that, I'm only here because Charlie told me to say I was still awake to say she wants to see you in the morning about being out during curfew" Baxter informed

"Jesus that shit again? nah, ain't doing that, so you either be a good little torch or go blather to your imaginary friends or something" Angel groaned as he didn't bother looking up where Baxter was now quite gumming

"Ugh, I don't know why Charlie even puts up with a harlot like you" Baxter growled as he began walking away

"Excuse me?" Angel said with a low voice, looking up to where Baxter stared

"You heard me, You slamming the door, parading yourself like you a miracle on legs when in fact you are a seamen covered no worth condom replacement that is too proud for the disgusting lifestyle you live" Baxter exclaimed with an accusing finger pointing and teeth bared

A moment of silence filled the low-lit room

only being broken as Angel placed whatever bottle he had in hand back in the cupboards to stand up

"Well that's a new one for the books I guess" Angel quipped with a fake laugh

Baxter would have continued if the spider hadn't already been on the move to the stairs

"Night doc" Angel finished as he walked to his room, alcohol-less and Baxter could swear he was shaking

Confusion filled the fish as he watched the display, surly the pornstar had heard worse, right?

only for him to shake those thoughts out of his head

No, he said what needed to be said, The spider was in due need of being taken down a peg

so with the task requested by the princess done, he moved to head to bed himself

In the morning, things continued normally for the fishy scientist, working as he crushed his ingredients into a fine powder

only for the thumping noise of two individuals at his door to interrupt his concentration

"Hello?" Baxter answered with annoyance, but that soon changed into surprise as Charlie and Vaggie stood outside his lab, looking with unease

"Hi Baxter, we just came by and were wondering if you saw Angel last night?" Charlie questioned

"I did, and I told him what you said to tell him" Baxter informed, very slowly closing the door to make this interaction quick

"OK, but did anything else happen or did you see anything strange about him?" Vaggie asked as she leaned against the door

"Why do you ask?" Baxter asked sceptically

"he hadn't come out of his room, not even when Niffty said Husk was going back all-natural-" Charlie began to explain which was halfway interrupted by Vaggie's input of "Which thank fuck isn't true"

"Yes, but it isn't like Angel to not at least see it for himself" Charlie added, more directed at Vaggie

Baxter was quiet, for some reason he felt like he was in the wrong

Charlie seemed to catch up on the fish's squirminess

"So Bax? Did anything happen?" Charlie continued to pester

The fish continued staying quiet,

"Are you not talking because you might have said something that you know was wrong to say?" Charlie continued with the tone of a scolding teacher

and yet Baxter stayed quiet, he knew he couldn't lie to save his afterlife, so why even try

but Charlie, with the best talent for reading people, carried on as he had confessed to everything

"Because if that's the case I think you and Angel will need to talk and work things out, won't interfere but if this continues I will need to, This hotel is a shelter and a break from hell judgment and I must make sure all of you are safe and happy, ok" Charlie explained with passion and authority

The fish's silence was not broken, instead, a weak nod of understanding was made in the effort

"Good, I hope things between you two get settled" Charlie finished as gave a determined smile towards the fish before escorting herself and Vaggie away

"You sure that's gonna work out?" Vaggie asked as she looked back to the lab where the door was once more shut

"Don't worry Vaggie, those two have grown a lot since first coming to the hotel, Everything will be fine" Charlie stated assuredly as she and Vaggie walked back to the living room, allowing motions to take place

Baxter sulked upstairs to find Angel's room

Why did Charlie have to get in everyone's business!?

Now he had to go to a selfish egotistical room and beg forgiveness for something he... wasn't proud of...

(Whatever, the soon as I find him, the sooner this is over with) Baxter grumbled internally

Which wasn't too hard when there was a massive fucking star reading the name of the pornstar in lights and fancy writing

"Angel" Baxter announced with gritted teeth as he knocked on the door

only for the door to be pushed open

"Angel?" Baxter asked once more, only this time with more anxiousness in his tone

There wasn't an answer, but that made Baxter even more curious

so despite his better judgement, he walked in, his lure being the only thing to illuminate the room

coughing as red drug smoke passed into his gills and out the hallway, The room reached of smoke and a nauseating smell of multiple drugs, along with a hint of Victoria's Secret perfume

He could already feel his lungs collapsing

Luckily there was a vent button with all the rooms, Flicking it on, it didn't take long for his breaths to become more stable

"oink"

A little nasal grunting noise broke Baxter out of his thoughts as he looked down to see where the noise had come from

a tiny piglet-like creature looking up at him with a curious face

"A hell beast?" Baxter quipped as he bent down to inspect the little pig, still looking at him with the same expression

(interesting) Baxter thought, only to remember the reason why he came up here in the first place

(I'll be back for answers about you) the fish thought before turning his attention to the large bed in which a tall figure occupied the sheets

"Angel?" Baxter announced for the 3rd time

the figure turned over to the scientist with a grunt of tiredness, pulling the sheets away from its head to reveal the face of the spider porn star

"What do YOU want?" Angel barely whispered but was filled with clear annoyance

He was hungover, from what, however, Baxter didn't know

Regardless he looked much worse than what Baxter saw last night, mascara ran down like tears, his hair matted and pulled, he looked very clammy, and it seemed a black eye had formed

"I um, came to talk" Baxter informed awkwardly

"Yeah, translation to Charlie sent you up" Angel coughed

"Regardless of if she did I-" Baxter tried to continue before the spider glared at him with a groan, he must have a headache also

"Ugh, I am not in the mood! just piss off!" Angel ordered as he snuggled further into his stain-covered bed

Baxter rolled his eyes,

"Fine, see if I-" Baxter finished as he decided he didn't have the patience and he gave it a good shot

only to see the little hell beast hold something in its mouth

"Hey drop that!" Baxter demanded as he grabbed the small pill out of the piglet's mouth

"the fuck are you-" Angel growled as he had just enough of the scientist being in his room

"Your little pet found one of your pills" Baxter announced, holding it high to see

"Wait what! Nuggets is he-" Angel began to panic as he practically leapt off his bed

"Found, not eaten" Baxter continued as he showed the pill, Seeing that it had any slobber on it, using just the outside of his mouth, brilliant Baxter had to admit

"Fucking satan! don't scare me like that you dick!" Angel yelled tearfully and took a moment to breathe

"You used these instead of alcohol?" Baxter questioned as he ignored the spider's distress to slowly find any other pills lying around

"Doesn't take a genius" Angel added with sarcasm

"Why didn't you just take a bottle of alcohol? You had one in your hand before?" Baxter interrogated further

"...I didn't wanna be in there anymore" Angel admitted pitifully

translation= I didn't want to be around you anymore

Baxter sighed as he continuously realised that his words had much more effect than he anticipated

Perhaps he did take it too far, from the state of what the spider looked like it was a fair assumption that it was the wrong night to have had a petty argument

"Take this" Baxter grumbled as he fished out a small tablet from his inside coat pocket, dropping it into the spider palm

"What is it?" Angel asked sceptically

"I always keep 2 all-purpose antidotes on me for any occasion, It should solve your ailments, and start your demonic healing faster than usual" Baxter informed as glanced away from the spider to see if there were any more pills in the room

Angel looked at the medicine before looking at the fish thoughtfully

"I don't get you" Angel admitted, causing the fish to look back with confusion

"You go from insulting me and my lifestyle, calling me worthless trash, to cleaning my room, healing my wounds" Angel further explained his confusion

To this, Baxter merely sighed again

"Look, I am really bad at, any aspect of interacting with people, I realise I had acted out because I hated how it felt like you were just wanting to use me, you just weren't listening to me and I had enough of that when I was alive, I wanted to hurt you and make you feel just as worthless as I was made to feel, I now realise I was wrong to do so, I don't know what day you had and I realise I made it worse, so I just wanted to rid you of my actions" Baxter solemnly explained as he took the time to truly look into what caused him to act like that

Angel looked in pure astonishment before placing his head into his hands against his knees

"ugh shit, I did that, didn't I? Look, Bax, I was thinking selfishly last night and it's true I didn't listen to ya, I had a bad night but I should have just been a big boy and just gone to bed, I'm sorry I made you feel that way, wasn't my intention" Angel apologised, realising himself the effects of his actions

"It's fine, and again I'm sorry, you are worth much more than a condom replacement" Baxter apologised once more, feeling a weight he didn't know he had been carrying being released from his chest

"Heh, thanks bax, means a lot" Angel smirked as a weight was also taken off his shoulders

"...can I ask why?" Baxter quickly asked

"I dunno, I guess one part is that you're a fish and I've always found them relaxing" Angel admitted

"And the other?" Baxter questioned further, only for the porn star to merely shrug

oink broke the sudden silence, to which his owner happily reached down to hug him affectionately

"Where did you even acquire a hell beast like this? I read that this species is only born and raised in the wrath ring?" Baxter couldn't help but ponder

"My sweet baby was a gift, and you never ask where gifts come from unless it's a dress "too big" for you" Angel winked with a laugh

Baxter merely nodded, slowly feeling his limited social battery running out

"Well, I should dispose of these before Charlie and Vaggie find them" Baxter announced as he offered a hand to where Angel kept the last of them on his bedside table where the original canister stood

"Or ya could give 'em back?" Angel suggested with a hopeful and playful tone

Only for Baxter to give Angel a look saying "Really?"

"Fine, they were lousy anyways as Angel passed the plastic tub to the fish

but as the transaction was in session, fat nuggets gave a little nuzzle against the scientist's arm as a way of saying goodbye, making the fish jump and squirm and the spider laugh

"he seems ta like you?" Angel noted playfully

The scientist nodded as he tried to hide the displease of having something touch him, although he still felt honoured by having such a title

"Oh and bax," Angel said before the scientist took his leave

"Yes?" Baxter asked

"You are worth much more than a condom replacement yourself" Angel laughed with a playful but completely honest tone

The scientist let out a mix of a groan and a laugh as he closed the door, feeling slightly happy at the indication that he finally had someone with whom he could have an inside joke with

Chapter Text

Requested by Herring

"Hello everyone and welcome to the hotel weekly meet-up We need to first announce all the chairs are booked up" The princess of hell announced as everyone had finally taken their seats

"On the front row," Crymini snarked as she continued typing on her phone, only for it to be snatched away from their resident warrior moth

"Nothing wrong with celebrating the small wins Crymini" Charlie stated happily, ignoring the clear dismissal of her joy

"That's what she said" Angel shouted with a laugh, which earned him a good elbow jab from vaggie who had finished fighting the young hyena from her phone, promising that she would get it back later

"Why do we even need these measly meetings? We literally see each other every day, I've seen these harlequins more than I did my own family" Sir pentious asked

"Unlikely, but I agree" Husk grumbled giving the snake a quick lookover

"It's just to update everyone together on stuff that may have changed" Charlie informed as she readied her notes

"Can we just make this quick, I need to meet with some...friends" Husk grumbled as he got comfy

"Of course, now, first on the agenda-" Charlie stated as she began to read her notes

...

Angel grumbled as he leant back in boredom, ready to not pay attention

only for it to be brought to the two shortest couples sitting next to them, clearly gossiping over something juicy

"Oi, short stacks, feel like filling me in?" Angel whispered with intrigue

"Sorry, confidential maid information" Niffty apologised

"But I get boyfriend privileges" Baxter added with a proud smirk

"Oh come on, I'm dying here" Angel whined

"OI, Keep it down!" Vaggie growled to the spider before turning back to her girlfriend

"Guess they haven't started with the list yet" Baxter whispered to Niffty mischievously

"Oh stop it Bax" Niffty giggled, much to Angel's annoyance

"Oh come on, I need to know now" Angel whimpered more quietly

"Try putting it together yourself, After all, it is in your territory" Baxter smirked

"wha-OH!" Angel began in confusion before his mind finally caught up

"No wonder vags been so "uptight" Angel laughed

"Could you all stop being so vulgar?" Sir pentious whispered with a sneer

"Don't be such a prude" Crymini seethed as it was clear she had also been eves dropping

"Maybe you need a good list yourself sir Up your pentious" Angel joked with a flirtatious look

"Tch, bohemian" the snake exclaimed

"Guys, are you paying attention?" Charlie asked as she caught the outburst

"yes!" they chorused boredly

So with an uneasy look, Charlie continued

allowing the group to continue their conversations

"satan, can Her Highness talk about anything else other than this stupid hotel" Crymini grumbled

"Yeah, I mean, get a life, She's the princess of hell and she doesn't have anything else better to talk about" Anegl happily agreed

"Or in her case sing, I mean did you see that disaster of the hotel preach" Cryming added into the conversation

"Re-watched and saved, like how naive do you have to be?" Angel laughed with an evil smirk

"I thought it was catchy" Niffty quickly admitted

"Can you show it to me later" Baxter whispered to his girlfriend, only for the others to hear

"What? how the fuck did you not see it?" Crymini asked with astonishment

"I was with the Leviathan company, anything regarding the Lucifer name was strictly forbidden" Baxter explained with a straight face

"Wait I'll find it" Angel stated as he happily fished out his phone

"Angel please no phones, we're almost done," Charlie said as she saw what the spider was doing, only to look around the room where she saw the same face being plastered around by everyone, except for vaggie who looked annoyed and Alastor who had been listening happily

"Is anyone listening? non of you reacted when I said we will be getting a new chocolate fountain or-" Charlie began sadly before being interrupted by Baxter

"Maybe we would if you hired a chef that won't try to pass demon flesh for chicken korma"

Everyone nodded, including the cannibal himself

"AL! Charlie exclaimed tiredly

"You can't taste the difference I assure" Alastor smiled without regret, much to everyone's amusement and laughter

"Laugh it up you guys, but you're missing out on-" Charlie tried once more before Husk yawned who had been happily napping

"Are we done yet?" Husk asked as he wiped his eyes

"That's enough! Since no one was listening I'll just have to start from the very beginning" Charlie huffed with authority

"fuckin hell I'm gonna- Woah!" Angel started to yell and stand up before being yanked back down by a newly attached seatbelt

"Slow your roll now" Alastor tutted as these seatbelts were added to everyone's chairs

"The princess shall repeat with everyone in a seat" Alastor sang as he sat back down

"th, thank you al" Charlie thanked awkwardly as she tried to ignore the clear grumbles of the displeasure of the discussion

"Right well like I was saying" Charlie stuttered as she shuffled through her notes

"Is bondage on the-" Angel tried to whisper to the little couple only to let out a resounding "OW!" Angel as the back of his head smoked by the backhand from Vagatha

finally shut the spider up as Charlie was finally able to get all the news of the hotel out

Chapter Text

Requested by Tiktqc

Baxter hummed as he tapped his pencil against his table

watching his potions bubble in waiting

Usually, he would have been savouring these moments with how loud his upstairs neighbours could be

It's always nice when you can hear your thoughts

But recently things had been really quiet, perhaps a bit too quiet

He suspected it had to do with the princess implementing the weekly 1:1 mandatory therapies

No one enjoyed them and seemed to be trying to avoid them at all costs,

trying to keep as quiet as possible to avoid detection

Not that it mattered, the princess always found them

By the past month, Baxter simply gave up

The princess was dead set on this idea and there was no hiding from her

Not like he could anyway, he was as hidden as a whale,

If that whale was in a puddle

...in the desert

Simply put, he could not hide in the shadows like the majority of the party

and it didn't help that his very few whereabouts were very easy to point out

Either way, Baxter knew when to accept the facts

however, these demons seemed to like trying to test these never-changing facts, even when fruitless

"Hey doc|" the voice of angel dust croaked from his door

"drat!" Baxter grumbled, already missing the silence

the one time he had to open his door to let out the fumes so as not to gas himself out until his new vent could be fixed and here came the most annoying demon of them all

"You only call me "doc" when you want something of my expertise" Baxter stated as he raised his eyes to examine the spider, dressed in a massive and ridiculously lush and fluffy dressing gown, hair frizzy and honestly looking a little green under the gills

He hated that expression but there was no way else to put it

"Well on that note, I was wondering if you could give me a diagnosis," Angel asked with a cough

"A diagnosis?" Baxter questioned

"Yes, see I'm not feeling good but I'm not sure what it is?" Angel explained miserably

"Ugh, how many times do I have to say this, I'm a doctor in chemistry not in a medical sense!"

"Come on doc! You're the closest this stupid hotel got and, I'm too weak to ACHOO!" Angel cried, only to be interrupted by a sneeze

Baxter backed away as far as he could from the invisible liquid

"Fine, fine! I can try but it's not going to be 100% accurate" Baxter declared, wanting this infected mess gone as soon as possible

"I don't mind" Angel cooed

"Just tell me your symptoms" Baxter demanded impatiently

"Well, from what you can see I have a sneeze, a cough, I feel hot and shivery and feel woozy, a headache and I can't sleep," Angel said as he leant against the fish wall

"That just sounds like the flu, You just need to sleep, drink and have paracetamol" Baxter stated as he still tried to stay out of the spider radius

"Oh, thanks doc!" Angel exclaimed as he tried to get closer, clearly making the fish more unease

"Yes yes, just get out" Baxter ordered quickly

"I will, but can you just write me a note, I worry if I don't have proof, Vaggie will be mean and make me get out of bed and I'll never get better" Angel cried with puppy dog eyes

"fine! just leave my lab and I'll put it through the mailbox" Baxter exclaimed as he hurriedly wrote a letter to avoid any more germs entering

Angel happily did as told, waiting a few minutes until the letter with hurried black ink dropped into his hands

"Thanks, doc" Angel coughed pitifully

"LEAVE!" Baxter yelled

The spider just happily did so as he dropped the sad sick facade, tying his dressing gown tighter to hide the glamorous dress for tonight's plan

...

"Hey everyone, if anyone wants to have their 1:1 today I have an opening," Charlie said to where the majority of the hotel was

"Isn't it Angels time or some bullshit?" Husk questioned with a hungover

"Yes but he's sick so I can fit someone in earlier" Charlie explained sadly

"Sick? Bullshit" Crymini spat

"Trust me I thought so too" Vaggie admitted with a roll of her eye

now that made everyone more curious

"So what makes this time the truth?" Nifftty asked sweetly

"Baxter gave him a look over" Charlie added

"Baxter?!" the majority questioned

"Yeah, he's the closest thing we have to a doctor, so if he says Angels sick then he must be" Vaggie admitted

Jaws were dropped at the proclamation,

(Interesting?) The resident's mind screamed

Once news got out that Charlie trusted the word from Baxter's letter, hell, even getting vaggie to trust off all demons

It was a no-brainer to get one themselves

Soon everyone in the hotel had been coming to Baxter, pretending to be sick and to "diagnose them"

pretending to go to bed but instead sneak out for a night of personal fun

Slowly as not to cause suspicion but

it still got notice from the princess and her warrior

"I just don't get it vaggie" Charlie began sadly

"How is everyone getting sick? Nothing is going around in Pentigram City and everyone has a different illness! Do you think it's something inside the hotel" Charlie asked worriedly

"Don't think so hun, Maybe we should get an answer from the diagnosis himself" Vaggie suggested

only for the note writer himself to appear, sporting a new if not more extreme look

"Baxter, what are you wearing ?" Charlie questioned with surprise as she had to take a double look back at the fish

"A hazmat suit! With all this sickness around suddenly I don't want to get whatever they have been contracting" Baxter exclaimed as he sprayed his food with a germ-repellant spray

"Yeah about that, how do you know what they have?" Vaggie questioned

"I DON'T! I am not a medical doctor! They just say what they have and I did my best to guess what it was, but I kept telling them to just go to a doctor" Baxter yelled, having been fed up with the false title of the hotel resident medical doctor

"So, they lied?" Charlie asked with alarm

"They probably knew Baxter wouldn't get too close and could say what they had out of a book to convince him?" Vaggie answered back as she was putting the pieces together

"So I was just getting played?" Baxter questioned as he joined in the conversation

"Afraid it seems so," Charlie said sadly, sad that all three of them had been so easily taken advantage of

"Of course!" Baxter grumbled as he broke out of the hazmat suite"

"Now hold on now, we won't be letting them get away with this" Vaggie stated determinedly

"What are you thinking?" Baxter asked as he liked where this was going

the three of them sharing a grin

"A little bit of karma" Vaggie declared

...

"everyone! please come into the living room for some urgent news" the news speaker announced in the morning, When everyone was present

the individuals grumbled but did as told as they made their way towards the room

but as they all arrived in the area they saw it was covered in bubble wrap

"what's going on?" Sir pentious asked

only when the last of them entered the door locked

"What the?" Angel exclaimed as he tried opening the door, but it wouldn't budge

"You've all been gathered because you've exhibited the symptoms of demonic flu, a very serious and deadly virus!" a panicked voice came through the speakers, the voice belonging to the one and only Charlie Morning star

"We did?" Husk questioned

"Oh yes, and it's so serious you will need to stay in confinement for a full year" a new voice added, this one belonging to Vaggie

"WHAT?!" the hotel "sick" demons exclaimed with panic

"don't worry, a year will fly by, but during this time, every day you will need to have mandatory injections inserted into your thigh, arm, torso and anus to start the healing process" Charlie explained as a series of needles were raised into the air from the wall

"Now hold on" Sir pentious tried but failed to stall

"However this medical side effect can include hair loss, purple tounges, delusion and weight gain, but it will be for the best" Vaggie practically sang

The walls started to move

"Now please prepare yourself for your first dose" Charlie sang with

The hotel watched in pure terror as they could do nothing to stop it

only for desperation to fill their beings as they revealed themselves

"No, we lied! we don't have a stupid sickness! I just wanted to go to a stupid fancy restaurant" Angel was the first to cry

"I just wanted to hang out with my gang!" Crymini added

"I just wanted to get my hair done!" Niffty also admitted

followed along by the other members before the walls slowly slowed down as the confessions were stated

as did the door unlocked as the truth was revealed,

Outside were the very proud faces of Charlie and Vaggie

...

After the lying reveal and scare session died down

"Now because you all missed your therapies due to lying, we will be having a group therapy to talk about, why we feel the need to lie

At once everyone groaned

"Hey wait, where is Baxter"

Vaggie and Charlie looked at each other with a shared hidden grin

"he's sick" they both stated

"Bullshit!" the rest of the hotel exclaimed

"The hell would he have to lie for, thanks to all you pretending to cough into his face, it's no wonder he contacted something" Vaggie scolded, shutting them up quickly

"Now, let's start with Angel who was the first to lie

"Oh satan" Angel groaned as he was half tempting the butt needles

meanwhile Baxter very happily

enjoying the silence as he enjoyed a good book with a glass of water and a sponge cake, quite a delicacy in his time and courtesy of Her Highness herself

it was true what they said, Karma was a bitch

Chapter Text

Requested by _A_Gay_Bitch_

As the upcoming princess of hell, Charlie was taught many things about the ways of hell and the people she would rule over

As much as Lucifer seemed to take little sight of his citizen's well-being, there was a way he ensured that he provided at least some way of care

Not in the sense of class or social status, but more so in the environmental environments

The pride circle in which sinners were to reside for the rest of their afterlife as overpopulated, did provide sectors for the environmental needs of the demons

such as, if you had an ice type of demon it was only natural to find them to migrate towards the colder sections of the ring to keep up with their needs

fire types in the more volcanic, the grassier in more natural etcetera, etcetera

This has been segmented into Charlie's mind since she was old enough to remember

It also made her more watchful for concerning behaviours when it was clear the demon's needs were not being made

For instance

When Charlie first met Baxter her eyes and mind could not overlook how dry his scales looked

Recently, however, ever since arriving at the hotel, the angler fish's conditions seemed to have been getting increasingly worse

patches of grey skin had started turning angry and red

He also seemed to be getting more agitated and snapping at other demons, more than regularly

and as an extreme empath, Charlie knew she couldn't let this continue

"Hey Baxter, you got a minute?" Charlie asked as she knocked on the library door where the fish was currently occupying

"What can I do for Your Highness" Baxter asked as he quickly dropped his work, still seeing her status of high to be on guard

It was okay, she would slowly ease that worry in time

"Please call me Charlie, We're friends remember" Charlie reassured

"OK...." Baxter murmured awkwardly

"anyways, I just wanted to check on you, You seem a bit more...um...stressed" Charlie started gently, slowly coaxing Baxter into a conversation

"I'm not" Baxter stated with a sullen face

"Oh that's good, but you seem to be scratching yourself quite a bit" Charlie continued as she couldn't help but stare at the damaged skin

"It's just a habit" Baxter tried to assure as he held his hand from scratching the back of his neck

"Doesn't it hurt though? It looks sore?" Charlie questioned worriedly

" I believe it to simply be a demonic equivalent of Ichthyosis or perhaps it is a type of demonic psoriasis...whatever it is, it is no concern," Baxter said with a dismissing tone

"Seeing how you are just saying dry skin but something medical tells me that it's no concern isn't the case Baxter" Charlie informed logically

"Whatever it is, it's getting everywhere" the gruff voice of Husk added as he came passing

"Husk" Charlie warned

"what? you complain when my feathers and fur end up everywhere" Husk defensively said with an eye roll

"That's because it's normal for cat and avian demons to shed, fish....just don't unless they are physically injured," Charlie said out loud, her gaze going back to Baxter in the hopes he would reveal anything that she didn't want to say

"That is not the case, pri, Charlie" Baxter assured once more

"My scales have always been dry, I use a moisturiser that I tested to be the best to combat this, but for reasons it has stopped working" Baxter explained but soon turned into a mumble, more to himself than to the others

"Weird" Charlie stated with curiosity

Charlie gave a quick thought to the reasons before something clicked into her mind

"Oh! Of course, when you worked with Vox you were close to the sea area" Charlie stated

(classic dad, wanting to keep the electronic and sea areas close)

"meaning you were getting enough of the sea air to not cause that much of an issue, but now that you're living further away, and not having that exposure, you're no longer getting the minimum requirement for sea demons like yourself" Charlie revealed as the pieces came together

"So what you're saying is" Baxter whispered as he knew the answer

"You're in serious need of a sea bath" the voice of angel dust added very unhelpfully as the private chat slowly became public

"Angel!" Charlie groaned as she saw the scientist become defensive, backing away from any danger he saw

"Not.Happening" Baxter growled as his teeth became slowly bared

"Not a bath, but it wouldn't hurt to" Charlie stated as she tried to calm down the fish as he slowly became more panicked

"I do not want to hear it, I hardly tolerate warm washes, I will NEVER return to that salty, pitch black, freezing..body pulling_" Baxter's speech started so loud and angry but slowly fizzled into a fearful list of his greatest fear

"Baxter, deep breaths, deeeeep breaths" Charlie tried to calm as she tried to remind him of what they practised

"Indeed dear doctor, you must calm yourself, surly With your new form I highly doubt you could-" Alastor tried to say before Vaggie cut him off

"For the love of Satan do NOT finish that sentence" Vaggie warned dangerously

"As I was trying to say, we will never force you to do something that makes you uncomfortable, We could just get some sea water and just dab a bit to your scales, a super controlled environment where you won't even be a pinky deep" Charlie convinced slowly and quietly, making sure everyone gave the slowly calming scientist enough space to breath

"But the smell...the cold" Baxter muttered quietly

"We can come up with solutions to those, just one try? Just to focus on where it looks very painful?" Charlie continued with a gentle smile

"I won't try to understand your fear, but I'll always acknowledge and be there for you if you decide if you do or do not want to do this" Charlie finished as she allowed the fish to think

Baxter Took a few minutes to mull it over,

but eventually agreed

The next day, the room closest to the therapy room that occupied a bathroom was deemed the new "sea therapy room"

Alastor happily clicked his fingers and teleported the seawater into the bathtub where the fresh sea water would lie in wait, for 3 weeks at least before being replaced to avoid algae growth

Alastor seemed to take this new responsibility with a stride

But Baxter believed that his Misery was paying the radio demon very handsomely

There was no smell like had foolishly believed, but knowing it was in there overwhelmed the senses like a punch to the face

Baxter did his best to ignore it but the feeling of himself becoming cold and ready to vomit was hard to ignore

If Charlie had noticed she wasn't saying anything

especially as she walked in, flicking the light, holding a new fluffy-looking towel, only for it to be plunged in the rancid liquid

Squeezing it enough so it wasn't dripping she turned to the fish with an encouraging look as she held out the little towel towards him

Baxter shakily and slowly reached out his hand to receive the damp cloth

As he felt it in his gloved hand, the trembling of his being tripled

The water although not absorbed in the glove, dispelled a freezing feeling that was not helping matters

"Want me to do it?" Charlie asked as she saw how much he shook, staring at the wet fabric

"N, no" Baxter shuddered as the growled at the cloth

The longer in his hand, the further the cold would spread

So much to Charlie's amazement yet concern, Baxter swiftly placed the cloth on his face

grunting in pain as he placed it on one of the most exposed and sorest areas

only for the towel to be pulled away carefully from Baxter's loosening grasp

The fish demon looked with confusion but did nothing more than that

"Let's take a break, I don't want you forcing this experience," Charlie said with a stern but comforting tone

"But, I want this to be over with" Baxter muttered with complete honesty

"I'm sorry Baxter, but we both know it's not that simple" Charlie whispered apologetically before smiling happily

"You've made great progress today! I am so proud, but we need to keep this up so you don't-" Charlie continued more positively before the shakey trembling voice Baxter cried

"No, no, I can't do this again!" Baxter began tearfully

"I've spent over a decade avoiding the sea, I...I" Baxter started to hyperventilate, pulling on his glowing hair and grinding his teeth against his philtrum

"No no, that's not a healthy coping mechanism" Charlie couldn't help but state as she searched her pocket, She always had one on her-

"Aha" she exclaimed to the tool in her hand

"Chew or squeeze on this instead," Charlie said as she placed a stress ball into baxters clutches

His teeth immediately bit into the hard foam ball and bit into it repeatedly

Charlie was there for him through it as the scientist's breaths slowed to a calmer pace

"I'm sorry you had to see that" Baxter sighed as he released the ball, now displaying permanent holes from his teeth and iron-pinching grip

"You have nothing to be sorry for" Charlie assured with a kind patient smile remaining on her face

but let's take a break, and you tell me if you want to or don't want to try again, OK?" Charlie asked as she slowly escorted herself and Baxter out of the bathroom

"ok" Baxter nodded as he let himself be led out and to a more comfortable area of the hotel

...

Baxter after the experience found himself tired and told Charlie he was going to sleep in his room

When he had awoke he noticed how much calmer his skin felt

Going over to the mirror he couldn't help but stare in disbelief

The red sore areas had calmed down and his scales were looking just as healthy and smooth as the first time he had arrived in hell

He understood the facts but he hated it still

He had hoped that nothing would change and that what he needed wasn't what he was dreading

yet he couldn't argue against the facts

"Perhaps if I expose myself quicker, the less I will need to do it in the future" Baxter concluded

Deep down in his mind told him he was delusional, but that sensible side was being blocked by the pure hatred of the experience

and following this delusional screaming part of his mind he walked himself towards the "sea therapy room"

Shakingly holding his hand to the door, his mind unhelpfully increased his heart rate as it remembered the way the sea swallowed him whole, the smell, the crates that dragged him under the

"Baxter?" a voice called

Looking suddenly he saw Charlie Morningstar look at him with concern

"Do you want to try again?" she asked as she came closer but not too close

"Will I need your permission each time?" Baxter asked coldly

"No, but I think we would feel more comfortable with someone with you for support" Charlie answered sheepishly

(so no) Baxter thought with a huff

"Can we just, do it" Baxter grumbled

"If you want to" Charlie sighed as she unlocked the door for her and Baxter to go in

(So I wouldn't have been able to get in anyway) Baxter noted with annoyance

Baxter sat where a chair had been placed for the therapy as Charlie re-dampened the cloth to start the routine again

only stopping midway as she looked back to the tense scientist

"Remember Baxter, you don't have to push yourself if you aren't feeling up to it" Charlie reminded

"But it hurts either way" Baxter revealed as he held himself close

"It hurts physically if I don't do it, but it makes me hurt internally if I do" Baxter mumbled as he did his best to hide the tears

"Like I said Baxter, I can't imagine how painful this can be, and I am sorry you have to be put through this" Charlie sighed warmly as she threw the cloth away

"But through it all, I'll be here to help you" Charlie continued as she bent down to his level

"You will never have to be alone in this" Charlie stated determinedly

Those words made Baxter want to cry the most

He was so scared of drowning

and he was so scared that no one had helped

no one came

He had been truly alone

yet, looking at the princess's warm and caring gaze

He couldn't help but be reassured that he would never be alone again

"Promise?" Baxter questioned to dismiss his fears

"I promise" Charlie answered, honest and true

and that was all Baxter needed to hear

"Thank you" Baxter sniffled as he slowly uncurled himself

"How about we finish for the day and we can discuss what you want to do, but right now all you need to think about is Al's famous spicy gumbo" Charlie nodded as she stood back up waiting for the scientist to stand himself

"Sounds great" Baxter sighed as the panic in his body slowly dissipated as the two once more exited the room

In the end, Baxter and Charlie came up with a nice easy schedule, having seawater-exposed therapy every Monday afternoon until his scales cleared up properly for a controlled 5 minutes and then every start of the month to prevent his scales from ever getting that bad again

Charlie talks to Baxter every step of the journey for a healthier lifestyle and personal growth

as well as a huge increase in money with no longer needing to buy such expensive moisturiser

Chapter Text

Requested by Rat man

Charlie woke up with a bright and cheerful smile

happily kissing her girlfriend's head before jumping out of bed and getting dressed

ready to prepare breakfast for herself and the rest of the hotel, She was in the mood for eggs

But to her surprise, she wasn't the first one there

Baxter, their resident scientist was sitting at the kitchen table table, drinking a cup of pure dark coffee, staring into space with a grumpy face, his lure which was mostly affected by his mood was darker than usual
Well no for much longer if Charlie had anything to say about it

"Good morning Baxter!" Charlie greeted as she hoped to turn that frown upside down

but that only seemed to have the opposite effect as Baxter merely groaned and took another sip

"I didn't know you were an early bird" Charlie continued as she seemed to be oblivious to the fish's continued negative mood

"I'm not, the coffee in my lab's empty" Baxter stated

"Well I'm glad you got out for a bit, I worry you spend too much time alone in the dark, I don't want you to miss out on-" Charlie started as her concerns started to surface and leak out of her mouth

"Please stop before you start singing" Baxter begged with a deadpanned voice

"Maybe a song would lighten up the mood" Charlie suggested with a sing-song tone

"Unlikely, so keep the peppiness down" Baxter grumbled with another sip

Only for the princess to sit directly in front of him and grab the coffee from him

"Come on Baxter, you need to turn that frown upside down" Charlie continued with delight

"Is this what this day going to be about now?" Baxter questioned rhetorically as he pitifully reached for his cup

"Until I see a smile" Charlie answered without spotting the clear annoyance and pointed to her face with her smile

To this, Baxter quickly flashed a fake grin before trying to walk out of

"A genuine smile, now What makes you happy," Charlie said as she simply walked with him

"Silence and solitude" Baxter sighed as he trodded away

"Maybe painting?" Charlie suggested

"Too chaotic" Baxter answered as he turned left

"Baking?"

"Too sweet" turned to the right

"Drawing?"

"wasted paper" upstairs

"Video games"

"has no real achievement" downstairs

"Shopping"

"expensive" right again

"Maybe we can head to the park? fresh air, feed the dromornithidae's?"

"I don't-" Baxter seethed as he turned left

only to find him and Charlie had walked in a full circle and back to the kitchen

"Oh, we can pack a picnic!" Charlie stated excitedly as a true idea popped into her mind

"You're not listening to me are you?" Baxter groaned as he saw the princess run to the fridge

This seemed to answer itself as the princess began making sandwiches

The fish groaned as he slammed his head against the table once again

Going to the park, with most likely homeless hungover demons in a park with a certified Disney princess who could spout a song at any moment sounded like Baxter's true hell

All he wanted was to have some coffee!

He needed an excuse and fast

She was already chopping cucumbers

Slowly creeping away he

only to back up into a strong but fleshy figure

"Gah!" Baxter yelled as he jumped forward to see what or who he bumped into

The figure is the only Vagatha, who seemed to still be a little groggy and still in her PJs

"What's happening here?" Vaggie asked curiously as she saw Baxter look up at her nervously and the princess picking and washing grapes

"Oh, good morning Vaggie, me and Baxter were just going to go to the park for a picnic, Want to come?" Charlie answered happily and hopefully

Vaggie with confusion looked down at the fish who seemed to be looking back with pleading eyes

"Don't make me go PLEASE!" he mouthed with begging hands

At which Vaggie couldn't help but take pity

on one introvert to another, she decided she would grant Baxter this small mercy

"Hey Bax, don't you have that important quota to fill?" Vaggie asked as she walked a little to the left so Baxter could leave

"You do?" Charlie asked with surprise

"I do?" Baxter asked with the same attitude as the princess, only before realising what Vaggie was plotting

"Ah I mean I do! Maybe next time Charlie" Baxter recovered with a laugh as he quickly grabbed the coffee pot and ran off

"Oh, sure," Charlie said with a sad tone but still tried to hide it with a smile

A split moment of silence filled the kitchen before Vaggie came to hug her girlfriend

"Hey, cheer up hun, we can still have a picnic if you want?" Vaggie suggested

"Yes, but I just wanted to" Charlie agreed but with a small sigh before the moth placed a hand against her cheek

"I know what you wanted to do, but both of your definitions of "fun" are very different, I have a feeling that one of you may not have enjoyed it as much" Vaggie informed, trying to explain for both sides

"Yeah, you're right, but I still want to help him lighten up, I worry about him being all alone" Charlie admitted with concern

"Trust me, you leaving him alone will give him the most amount of joy, I know it does for me" the unhelpful voice of Angel Dust inputted as he came from behind and tried to grab a sandwich

only for his snide comment to be rewarded by having a shoe thrown at his face

"Don't let him get to you, You and Bax will find something to do which you'll both enjoy," Vaggied said as she gathered the food and drinks and placed it in a closed basket

"I hope you're right" Charlie sighed as she allowed Vaggie to escort her out of the kitchen

"Just give it time" Vaggie reassured as she made sure to shut the door that led to the lab

Allowing the now happier scientist to work, lure brighter and unknown to the princess her mission had failed successfully

Chapter Text

Requested by Rat man

When the Niffty had first laid eyes on the scientist

She knew right there that she wanted to make him hers

he was perfect

not just because he was the only man

Well technically there were 4 including Baxter but

Alastor was asexual and more of a best-friend figure

Husk "lost the ability to love years ago" and was more of a father figure

Angel was gay and was trying to pursue Husk

and sir pentious was....sir pentious

But Baxter to her was perfect

He was mysterious like in her fanfics

He made sure to keep his room clean and that was a lot from a man in her time!

and he was the only one who didn't triple the size of her, he was still taller but only by half a head

But also because she couldn't help but feel an immediate attraction to him

She had never felt such a rush since her last stalking victim when she was alive!

sure that led to her demise, but now, she didn't have that factor to worry about

And since then Niffty has done everything that came to her mind to win Baxter's attraction

Baking cookies

writing anonymous love letters

wore glamorous outfits, on the curiosity of Angel who had figured out this crush practically the day it started

yet nothing worked

for reasons that seemed to only be pushing her further away from her goal

Niffty reflected on her mission with a sigh

Was she going about it wrong?

Was she never going to have her knight in latex armour?

Niffty walked with displeasure before hearing an odd low voice from the hallway leading from the lab to the outside of the hotel

"ugh! stupid!" the voice of Baxter grumbled from inside the room

Looking inside she saw the poor scientist scrub at the floor relentlessly

There seemed to be a stain, a black stain and Niffty knew exactly what it was

yet the idea of the mad scientist killing random demons for his tests did not disturb her

It excited her

but she could see why he wouldn't want the others, especially the princess and Vaggie know

so without Baxter realising, she sped off to retrieve her material before making her appearance

"Hi Baxy," Niffty said with a flirtatious tone as she held her tools

"Gah! What do you want?" Baxter asked as he jumped from surprise and fear

The little maid hadn't stopped following him ever since he arrived

He once found her in his bathtub!

it freaked him the fuck out and he did not trust that smile at all

"Well, I heard you were having a hard time getting a stain out of your floor and wanted to help?" She whispered

"Right," Baxter said with unease

but to his surprise, Niffty knelt on the floor with her cleaning supplies and sprayed the carpet

"There, just let the hydrogen peroxide do the work and no one will be the wiser" Niffty winked

"oh of course! Why didn't I think of that" Baxter grumbled as he looked lightly baffled at his stupidity

"Well you are a man with a lot on his mind" Niffty laughed as she pointed to the clear body bag

"Here, let me help Doctor" Niffty offered as Baxter could only watch the little Cyclops hold the bag in one hand and hold it above her head with little to no ease

Niffty looked back to the visibly impressed fish, only to take it as horror

"Oh, that's not very lady-like is it" Niffty stated with disappointment at herself

There was no way Baxter could love a girl like her now

but instead, the opposite of what she expected happened

"No, please continue" Baxter encouraged

much to the Cyclops's surprise and the fish himself

Regardless Niffty smiled and continued, taking the body bag to where she knew Alastor stored his "food"

throwing it with very little care and dusting her hands off proudly

"Thank you, for your assistance," Baxter said with fluster, himself not realising to be so impacted by such a feat of strength

Niffty was about to say something before realising how close she had gotten so close to him

She had NEVER gotten this close before

so close to those adorable little freckles, she could now see how his scales were softly reflecting the light

He smelt of harsh chemicals and something that had been burnt

It made her feel comfy

and without better judgment Niffty kissed his cheek, containing herself from playing with fire by attempting his lips

"Don't worry about it!" Niffty giggled as a warm blush spread across her face before standing back up and rushing away

leaving a burning blue blob that was the mad scientist, eyes wide and what had just happened

Chapter Text

So if you're seeing this and have gotten this far in the book, first, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING THIS FAR! I really appreciate it and seriously couldn't keep this book going on for this long as it has you're all amazing!

secondly, I have a question for you

Keeping up with this series it's an ongoing thing where It is stated that Baxter will start on Vox's side or from enemy lines

this is due to a personal headcanon that Baxter will be the Zuko/the period/the hunter of the series

the one that will be from enemy lines but then be won over by the protagonists or forced into a situation where they need to keep working together and eventually be won over, if very VERY unwillingly

but recently I have been thinking that vox isn't an option

such as Leviathan

I first thought of Vox since their colour palates are really close, he and his team are going to be the main antagonists so it would only be more ironic and that is basically the link of Vox having a pet shark

very little reason but it was enough

but then Leviathan, the sin of envy and sea serpent, fitting with Baxter's trauma and demon form, perhaps having more of a need for a scientist than a TV demon but we haven't got much info until we see them I guess

but please let me know if you all think

Vox or leviathan

or someone completely different

or no one

(P.S this may be a hint to the next chapter)

also, HOW EXCITED ARE YOU FOR HAZBIN?!

JANUARY LET'S GO!

Chapter Text

Charlie contemplated quietly as she sat at the kitchen table, her surroundings just as silent and brooding as she

Recently an overlord who had a bone to pick with Alastor had come to the hotel to break said bones

but if you messed with one of them, you messed with all

But that had caused a fatal error

one in which now had vaggie in bed, unconscious with a conspicuous mark and ailments that the doctors were simply refusing to treat

that had caused Charlie the most stress, how the doctors seemed to recognise what was wrong but simply refused without explanation, not even her royal title overruled their "policy"

and without an answer, she was left to think and do her best not to panic

she didn't know how long she had been sitting there but must have been enough to cause the others to become concerned

"my demon bell, please do tell me you sleep with your eyes open like myself, it is the only reason I can imagine you being so quiet and still" Alastor prided as he made his appearance known

"not the only reason you fucker" Husk grumbled as he passed by to stop Alastor teasing before going back on his day

"ah yes, vagatha, how is the poor dear" Alastor questioned

"the same as before Al, I have no idea of what to do, she could be like this forever for all I know and no one can help, I just don't know what to do, I can't ask my dad, the doctors are refusing to listen and I can't find anything on it" Charlie cried as she hid her face into the table

"Please do not frett your Highness, vagatha is much too strong-willed to let, whatever this is, keep her down" the new voice of Sir Pentious tried to console as he also joined in the conversation

"Thanks, pen...you wouldn't have books on it would you?" Charlie asked out of desperation

"sorry no, I am an engineer, not a doctor or scientist" Sir Pentious grumbled at the 1 of 1000th inaccurate comparison

"scientist" Charlie repeated in thought

before her eyes almost popped out of their sockets in realisation

"a scientist! that's it! sir pentious you are a genius" Charlie exclaimed as she hopped out of her seat and rushed out of the room, too fast to explain her thoughts to the others who merely watched in startled confusion

Charlie dashed to the lobby and opened the phone book, flipping it to the end pages where they kept important bits of paper with emails, info and numbers

"I just have to hope this number's still in use" Charlie muttered as she picked out the number she needed and entered the phone number, allowing it to ring and hoped that whoever she needed would answer

...

Meanwhile, in the lab of Vox's industry, a small angler fish scientist demon was sorting out pills with accurate precision, tweezer in hand to ensure each one was counted for

he had just finished his set when the phone attached to the wall began to ring

"I just sent the last delivery, who could-" Baxter mumbled to himself as he walked to the phone

"Hello?" Baxter asked with boredom and irritation, hoping this interaction would be swift

only for his fin-like ears to wilt, attacked by a very loud and chipper voice on the other side

"HELLO, BAXTER, IT'S ME CHAR-" the voice rang loud enough that it was a surprise his ear drum hadn't exploded

"GAH, NOT SO LOUD!" Baxter yelled back with a shrill voice, half tempted to put the phone down, but knew that would do nothing to stop her from calling again

he brought himself and the conversation into the corner, remembering that he was still at work and needed to not cause suspicion

"How did you even get this number?" Baxter asked with a whispered growl

"Sorry, Niffty found it the last time we uh...visited" Charlie explained sheepishly, knowing the last time they came to V.O.X's industry, it was NOT on friendly terms

"satan" Baxter cried tiredly away from the phone, holding the rim of his glasses before taking a deep breath to continue

"Look, can you just tell me what you want, I shouldn't even be," Baxter asked exhilarated before Charlie cut him short

"I know, but we would really appreciate your help, if you could visit the hotel and-" Charlie's voice sang awkwardly, herself twirling the cord of the phone as she cringed as she tried to find the right words

"I'll stop you there" Baxter stated as he stopped her request on the spot

"I'm not allowed to even talk to you, let alone go and "pop in" Baxter continued to explain

"I understand, but I wouldn't be asking if this wasn't important, you see my girlfriend is really sick with something and the doctors...they're..just, please, I can vouch with Vox to see if" Charlie sighed as she tried her best to reason with the fish, her desperation plain to see as she pleaded her case

Guilt never affected the demon fish, even when alive

so instead his brain rationalised that it was just annoyance and curiosity that made his decision

"sigh, what are the symptoms" Baxter sighed as he locked the door shut

"huh?" Charlie uttered, not believing what she just heard

"your girlfriend's symptoms! is she vomiting, coughing etcetera!" Baxter explained further, but with a bite of hurry, the longer this phone call lasted, the more he would need to work destroying the evidence on the camera

"Oh, um, well she's not waking up, sweating, white bumps...orange tongue" Charlie began to list, still in a stunned state

"hmm" Baxter hummed

he remembered something along those lines, many years ago but he was sure he had heard of it

Charlie on the other end waited for a response, she could hear the phone being put down and a scraping noise

she waited, there was a scraping noise, an outburst from the fish but he oddly sounded like he was above, the noise of what she could presume was books being pulled and inspected

only for an "AHA" to be heard as the sound of heeled boots returned closer to the phone

the sound of pages flicked for a few moments before the whistling noise of air was heard until the familiar voice of the fish demon was finally heard once more

"are her eyes cloudy as well?" Baxter asked

Charlie blinked wide when she tried to wake her up she remembered Angle lifting her only eye up and instead of her gorgeous pink and yellow eye was pale and glossy grey

"yeah, she does! how did-" Charlie gasped in disbelief

"Well it's no wonder the doctors can't do anything, it's overlord poisoning

"Overlord poisoning?" Charlie asked in confusion

"it's similar to if one was to be bitten by a venomous snake, only in this case by overlord teeth or claws" Baxter began as he began to paraphrase the page in front of him

"Due to the high rankings of overlords, doctors can refuse to treat the patient as they can find themselves being at risk of said overlord. Also, this policy was published in the 1900s of hell when more overlords gained this power, further copies were most likely never further published as of course overlords threats" Baxter finished

he must have bought or found this book and put it into his lab library shelf, never to be touched since today if the dust upon the top pages where anything to go by

(her being royalty should have overruled this procedure, but with her humiliating reputation after that speech it's no wonder doctors stuck to those rules) Baxter internally noted

"is there a cure?" Charlie asked with hope

"There are, two actually, 1 being the fastest but more complicated in gathering ingredients, or the second where you would wait 4 months for it to wear off, apparently this was to ensure a good meat supply for the overlord where the demon could still revive eaten body parts, but couldn't run away" Baxter noted, light intrigue into the possibilities of having such power

"Oh, uh, yeah, I prefer option 1, but what about these ingredients, you wouldn't already have some would you?" Charlie cringed before getting back on track

"Not here, they don't have the right ones, I cannot use my company resources" Baxter huffed, being wary of time

"But if we were able to, would you be able to come and make the antidote" Charlie suggested

"as I said before, I cannot be seen talking or being anywhere near your hotel, so if you want my help, you need to get me out" Baxter sighed

"Are you trapped?!" Charlie asked with fear and concern

"NO!..no, I'm just saying I cannot be seen going in or out of that hotel, plus it would look suspicious if I suddenly ask for some time off when I...don't, really, leave" Baxter tried to elaborate, only to hear how pitiful that sounded

"oh is that all? I can totally help with that!" Charlie confirmed happily if that was the only obstacle then they finally had a chance

"Good, I will call you tomorrow night, I need to delete this conversation and camera security" Baxter muttered to himself

"oh that's perfect, I promise I- " Charlie cried in joy and relief, wanting to know how grateful she was for the fish's help

but before she could finish, the phone went dead

a moment of silence filled the hotel before Charlie placed the phone back in its stand

letting out a small "thank you" as she walked slowly to vaggies room

....

The next morning was filled with the same mundane tasks as usual

Niffty cleaning, Alastor broadcasting, angel filtering, husk drinking to avoid the flirting sir pentious tinkering with the egg bois

But as much as Charlie tried to continue her own tasks she simply couldn't look at the clock in wait, she had never been a super patient demon but her jitters were really jumping

"it won't be long!" she reminded herself as she gnawed on her pen

"just a few more hours to go"

...

Baxter sighed as he looked at the clock and back to his work

never had he found himself this distracted in a long time

he found his nerves on high alert after all it was his lab he was putting on the line

perhaps he was losing his edge, this adrenaline being nothing like how he dealt before coming into this work perhaps this was a good thing

"Doctor Baxter" vox announced as his face appeared on the monitor

"yes sir?" Baxter replied, putting on his best poker face while he internally panicked

he was just grateful the tv demon hadn't come down properly, that was the moment you knew you were fucked

"the pills Valentino wanted, they ready?" Vox questioned

"yes sir, mind control, uncontrollable libido, all of it is ready" Baxter confirmed, although he had to hold back the bile in his throat, to make such potions made him disgusted, but it was usually only once a month when he had to make these disgusting concussions

"Good, oh and also" Vox announced only to add on before signing off

"The cameras were being very twitchy last night, shut off a good amount of areas for a good 10 minutes know the reason?" Vox asked

"no sir, I've been here all night working on these pills, if someone was messing with them then I wouldn't know who" Baxter lied with a good tone "I have no idea what you are talking about"

"probably barry, fuckers always watching porn when he should be working, using our electricity then his cheap ass one" Vox grumbled as he took the bait

"as I said, I wouldn't know, I don't even know the same of my so-called colleges" Baxter continued to deceive

Vox nodded as everything seemed to check out

"right, get those pills ready" Vox ordered as he finished his inspection

"ok sir" Baxter replied as he got back to work

when Vox's face disappeared he had to hold his breath of relief so as not to be caught on camera and cause even more suspicion

....

eventually, the day finished and Baxter packed his bag to go "home"

it was more of a bunker close to work but far away to not be disturbed by the loudness of the city

no one seemed to live there due to the area being an empty area where rubble was placed to make it look trashed when actually it hid the fish's bunker better as to avoid detection

unlocking all 5 locks and relocking them when he was sure he hadn't been followed, the stairs just at the start leading him to a small but comfortable middle-sized one-room makeshift home

Baxter didn't really care, he only came here for sleep or to keep his private notes, his real home was the proper lab at Vox's

"I cannot believe I am doing this" Baxter sighed as he picked out his simple flip phone, it's not like he had anyone to call anyways

"This is just a one-time thing" Baxter declared as the phone began to ring

but instead of the cheerful joyful voice of the princess, the voice he received was a gruff and bored-sounding man's voice

"Happy hazbin hotel, whatever the fuck their calling it, what do you want?" a gruff old voice "warmly" greeted

"um, is Princess Charlie there?" Baxter asked as the voice gave him a little surprise

"yeah, who's asking?" the voice asked again, seemingly to get more defensive

"she is, Her Majesty has asked me to come to the hotel to help with her girlfriend's condition" Baxter explained as he began to get impatient

"right, one sec" the man grumbled as Baxter knew he threw the phone down and the sound of feet walking away

(that's the welcome? no wonder no one goes there, well, that may be the least of the reasons) Baxter internally thought as he rolled his eyes

only for the noise of fast stomping shoes to be heard

"BAXTER! I am so happy you are calling! I am so grateful you are-" The hyper voice of Charlie replaced the gruff voice

and Baxter instantly wished this wasn't the case as his ears once more wilted esca raising in alarm and practically throwing the phone in the air in surprise

"PLEASE, lower you're voice!" Baxter shouted and interrupted back as he picked the phone up from the floor, there was never hope he would have caught

"oh, sorry" Charlie chuckled sheepishly

"I am just calling if there's somewhere I need to meet you or-" Baxter began as he was still curious as to what she had planned to get him there without being seen

"Oh that won't be necessary, I have located your location and can happily teleport you to us" a new voice interrupted the conversation, it was a man but unlike the other's gruff voice, this one was more songlike, despite clearly hiding a sinister meaning

the radio demon

"sure" Baxter answered sheepishly as he could suddenly feel himself sweating

"splendid, now hold on tight, it can be nauseating and painful for first-time travellers" Alastor laughed

"wait, what do you mean-WHAO" Baxter asked in poorly hidden terror before his vision danced and swirled around him, the simplistic gray of his home replaced by the fiery demonic colour of blood-red

...

When his head stopped spinning from the sudden change of surroundings

his body stiffened in alert bracing himself for whatever was waiting for him in this new terrain

his head slowly he saw multiple sets of eyes looking at him, very observant like he could feel it in his soul

"Welcome to the happy hotel! I know you're risking a lot to come and-" Charlie began to greet as being the only friendly face among the suspicious

but there was no time for friendliness As Baxter opened his bag, Alastor's neck cracked in warning

"here is the book explaining overlord poisoning, depending on the types of markings you recognise on the affected being tells you which added ingredient is needed, all of them have the same base resources but the last ingredient is vital or it can lead to the patient to become worse" Baxter explained as he handed the book to the princess with the page needed

"oh I see" Charlie stated as she brought herself and the book to a nearby table she and the others came to spot the one that vaggie acquired

"this one" Husk stated as he pointed to one particular marking

"right" Baxter nodded as he read what was needed

"Since our talk, I have been able to gain these base ingredients from the useless pile that drug users usually like to stick in their arms, or I had some already on me" Baxter added as he emptied the said ingredients from his pockets in viels of different shapes sizes, textures both liquid and dust

"but this last ingredient "sea snake scales, you will need to obtain yourselves" Baxter stated as he pointed to the picture

sea snake scales, the destination to find it was in the title, and he was not going to go anywhere near that

"is that s-" Alastor began to growl with amusement before Charlie quickly cut him off, Baxter had already got everything but this last one, she would happily do her part

"we can do that, it's only one ingredient and I still have some pet sea snakes" Charlie chuckled as she hid Alastor away from the instantly more on-edge fish

"right" Baxter stated as he took a chance to breathe

"This book also says that it will take a week to properly be ready for usage, each ingredient needs to be directed, and boiled perfectly" Baxter added with a cough to get back into it

" We can teleport you each night so you can do that but what if something happens while you're gone" Charlie began to agree before a major concern became evident

"fear not, I shall perform a broadcast to lure the big box-headed brat out, he can never resist HAH" Alastor laughed forcefully

"OK, but please try to keep it minimal" Charlie begged

"I make no promises" Al stated with a bright grin

"Al" Charlie huffed with a pout

"fine. it shall be so small even the doctor can look over it" Alastor agreed, unable to say no to the princess puppy dog eyes, but not without making a quick jab at the doctor for his entertainment

"Funny, is there a dark empty room so I can simply get to work?" Baxter huffed his, patience growing thin, he had experienced his more than fair share of short jokes but didn't make it any more digestible

"oh yes, I'll show you" Charlie said as she guided the fish demon giving a quick look to Alastor to behave

...

"here we are, all um, laby and stuff" Charlie laughed as she brought the demon to where Niffty kept her extra cleaning supplies, plenty of chemicals and bottles and tables

"Not exactly, but back to matters, I will need those scales last but they will need to be dried for a day before they go in" Baxter gave a quick snip before placing his bag and the ingredients onto the cleanest table

"of course" Charlie agreed before finding the book she was holding was swiped out of her hands and onto the table

"Also feel free to go upstairs, eat and take plenty of rest-" Charlie tried to offer before Baxter seemed to notice behind her

"OK, and that radio and Shadowy picture of the radio demon comes in this package also?" the scientist asked with annoyance

"Sorry, Alastor can just be a bit....protective?" Charlie cringed as she waved the shadow away

"I understand, I am from the enemy lines after all, and you need to take precautions, I am fine with the radio but I cannot concentrate if I feel like someone is behind me and I do not want to mess up the sample" Baxter sighed with understanding

"I'll get Alastor to understand, and I'll let you get to work" Charlie agreed as she finally pushed the shadow out of the door, only for it to re-appear back in the room

"Al!" Charlie yelled as she walked out of the room to speak to a certain radio demon

With a sigh, the scientist snapped his gloves high and dove into his bag to collect the correct equipment

...

after a series of crushing, boiling and measuring Baxter was glad to see that the solution base was stable and on a good start

"as long as nothing goes wrong it shall be fine, I need to tell them it needs to be stirred well every 5 hours which they should be able to do easily enough" Baxter muttered to himself scratching a loose scale behind his neck in thought

"fabulous news!" the crackled voice of Alastor interrupted the scientist's train of thought, making him jump and almost rock the solution

"Now if you've finished your little mumbling session, perhaps you would like to go home?" Alastor's voice asked as he didn't see the trouble he had almost caused

(right, almost forgot) Baxter grumbled internally as he held the urge to bite the metal antenna

"uh, yeah please" Baxter murmured

"Great, hold onto your lunch now" Alastor urged

the familiar fuzzy and twisted feeling of being teleported filled the fish once more

returning him back to his bunker, the exact spot where he had first been taken

(why does this unnerve me more than the thought of ending somewhere I wouldn't know) Baxter questioned with unease

But Baxter decided himself too tired to think any further about it, having already done plenty of late-nighters before this buzzer turn of events, he desperately needed it

flopping himself on the mattress that held no frame, occupied by a single thin blanket and very flat pillow

but as he got himself comfy, the figure seemed to have joined him

one of Alastor's shadows, with a large smile as he began looking and ruffling through the fish very few belongings

ready to open a box that was specified as "confidential"

only to feel its form dissolve

looking back he was amused to see that the fish had sprayed his shadow with some kind of spray, causing its body to melt and return to its host

Baxter grumbled out a yawn before flipping back onto his worn mattress, putting down the demon repellent he created to finally get a moment of peace

"Well then, can't not compliment his bravado, sleep well doctor" the real Alastor complimented before he decided to go to bed himself

.....

And so the days went on as planned, at day time Baxter worked at the vox company and at night, he would be transported to work at the happy..haz...the hotel

but this came with a price

the scientist had become practically exhausted

his eye bags growing darker, himself going even more quiet and snappy, just focusing on his work as best as possible, surviving only on quick cheap breakfast bars and black coffee

he had been so tired he hadn't even properly reacted when Vox came to the lab...in person!

"Dr Baxter" Vox announced his arrival

"Yes sir?" Baxter asked as his blood began to race (

(FUCK) Baxter screamed internally

"We just got another order for tomorrow morning, and since I know you never have plans, I will be leaving this to you" Vox said as he handed the paper to the table, not bothering to bend down to the doctor's height

Baxter looked at the order

it was only when he saw the order did some life came back to the fish

they wanted 500 more pills on top of the 500 pills already made that took a full day!

"unless you do actually have plans?" Vox queried, seemingly to analyse the doctor under harsh light

"no sir, I'll get it done" Baxter announced, suppressing a yawn

"good stuff, oh and don't expect to be paid extra for this" Vox quickly added with a laugh

"never do sir" Baxter grumbled quietly as he sighed heavily

...

after the conversation Vox headed back to his office, only to switch his monitor to the fishy scientist with concentrated eyes

"you're still obsessing over that tuna twink?" the voice of Valentino asked as he made his appearance evident

"This tuna twink is one of our best scientists and workers we've got here Val, his skills are too valuable to lose" Vox explained as he leaned into his monitors

"And when I suspect somethings happening, I make sure to keep an eye" Vox finished

things had been suspicious as of late, and he be dammed if he was the last to find out

...

Baxterr always could tell when he was being watched

so with stealth, he sent a text to the hotel stating "can't come, being watched"

Baxter's mind debated risking it and going to the toilet and texting the instructions for the next steps

only to feel himself and his surroundings wobble

"testing, testing, greetings ladies and gentlemen" the voice of Alastor called

"the fuck?" Valentino questioned, only to find himself being dragged out to the balcony with his smaller boyfriend, looking royally pissed as he looked down where the radio demon simply smiled at them

"Alastor!" Vox questioned in pure disbelief

"hello Vox" Alastor waved up without a care in the world

"what the fuck are you doing on my turf?!" Vox demanded angrily

technically I am not on it, see the line" Alastor asked as he pointed his radio-like cane to the line that was now apparent

"THERE'S NO-"

Baxter merely heard the conversation within the small room

Vox's outbursts responded with Alastor's calm remarks

Baxter was positive it was going to turn into a full-time brawl

he was ready to have this as entertaining background noise

only to see the cameras and computer screens fritz and scramble

"the radio frequency!" Baxter exclaimed excitedly as he looked at the camera which was now limp

"perfect time to test my replicator after all this time" Baxter exclaimed as he fished into his coat

"not getting paid my ass" Baxter laughed as he used the ray and shot at his already-finished vials

and just like that, an identical set of 500 pills next to the ones he had already made in the day

"just need to hope they taste and have the same effects, it has been a while, perhaps if I mix them around" Baxter mumbled, only for the tingly feeling in his body to flow once more

"or not" Baxter sighed as he quickly grabbed all his evidence of shortcuts

.....

When he arrived the first thing to introduce him was a worried-looking princess

"Are you ok? you didn't get caught in the" Charlie began to ask hurrying to the fish side, only for the scientist to slip past and march himself to the makeshift lab

"I'm fine, just need to add the last ingredient before the next 20 minutes, do you have the dried sea snake scales" Baxter questioned as he hurried to the concoction

a wave of relief flew through the fish's body, a sense he hadn't realised he would have felt

perhaps it was because of how much time he had put into it, perhaps it was the pressure from the hotel to get this right, how much it meant as he was on both sides or perhaps it was the excitement of making something new and not sex related

whatever it was, he just wanted to succeed

"yup," Charlie said as she pointed to where she had left the dried scales

"great" Baxter stated as he prepped himself once more for a long night

...

"ok, according to the book it will take up to 17 hours to properly brew and be able to be given," Baxter explained as he finished for the night, Charlie had the annoying habit of coming in and checking every hour or so, again he was from enemy lines, but not even his own mother was this adhering

"oh that's such good news" Charlie exclaimed happily, looking forward to finally getting her girlfriend back

but as she said that, her worries grew once more as she saw the fish scientist lay his head against the table with a heavy thud

his breathing seemed heavy and his body seemed slumped

"We have plenty of rooms in the hotel if you want to return, you have been working a lot of nights" Charlie offered sympathetically

"can't have to get back" Baxter grumbled lightly as if trying to shake the sleep away

"from Al's broadcast, it sounds like it just started, if you know those two it'll probably go until next night, so Vox wouldn't notice" Charlie tried to convince

"if that's the case then I should be able to leave without teleportation" Baxter yawned as he shakily climbed down the chair and was about to walk out before the towering figure of Charlie blocked his path

"wait" Charlie exclaimed as Baxter looked in tired surprise

"I would feel more comfortable if you stayed here, I don't want you going out in the midnight of hell in this state" Charlie tried to explain

"Could you not teleport me?" Baxter suggested

"Sorry, I don't know where your house is" Charlie apologised

"house, hah, funny thought" Baxter whispered with a self-deprecating chuckle

unfortunately, Charlie heard it

(what does that mean? is he homeless?" Charlie questioned as her concern simply tripled

"OK, fine, only because you're the princess" Baxter agreed as he decided it would be too tiring to argue

"cool beans, I'll lead you up" Charlie smiled happily as she led the fish once more along the hotel sticking close because she didn't like how wobbly the little fish had become

"so each room has a bathroom, a working tap for tea a bed" Charlie began to explain as she showed him to his temporary room, just one on the ground near the makeshift lab, but also not so close to the few patrons that were already booked up

Baxter didn't like people and Charlie was mindful that since he was from the other side, well it could make things odd

but hopefully, from what she's seen, they could get passed that

"Charlie," Baxter asked, causing the princess to shake out of her thoughts

"yes?" Charlie asked as she regained attention

"the key" Baxter asked as he held out a black-gloved hand

"oh right, sorry" Charlie chuckled as she fished a key out of her blazer and handed it to the fish

"thanks" Baxter mumbled as he unlocked the door

"no problem, I hope you have a good-" Charlie began to sing before the fish cut her off

"goodnight" Baxter stated before closing the door swiftly but not slamming it

"heh, good night" Charlie replied awkwardly to the door

"This is progress" Charlie muttered to herself determinedly as she left to go to her own room

not before taking a quick look into where Vaggie was sleeping

"not long now, just hang on a little longer" Charlie soothed as she walked to sit on the chair next to her girlfriend, playing with her hair as she looked at the moth demon longingly

"not long now"

...

"good morning one and all, it is a beautiful Saturday morning with the lovely smell of humiliation from the TV sector and the perfect opportunity to take a nice relaxing walk of dred if things you worked so hard on come up as a total failure" The lovely voice of Alastor announced throughout the hotel

Baxter let out a quiet whine as the loud announcement awoke his first decent sleep in centuries

hair flying in every direction and wiping away the drool from his cheek he gathered his senses

it was apparently Saturday, this bed was like sleeping on a cloud and....the bed belonged to the hotel...he had slept in the hotel on this bed

"satan fucking, I slept at the hotel!" Baxter panicked as his senses perked more than any coffee could

"This is bad, but it's almost done, more people are here at day, they'll see me, you're never coming here again after tonight" Baxter argued with himself as he paced back and forth

looking at the clock on the wall of the room he saw there were only three hours left until the antidote was ready

"OK, we'll just stay here until" Baxter announced as he began to sit back on the bed, its comfiness almost luring him back into slumber

only for his plan to be interrupted by a knock on his door

"housekeeping" a different shrill voice came from outside the door

but he hadn't the chance to answer before the door slammed open

"Are you decent" the housekeeper, a small brightly coloured demon woman asked as she entered the room, a thin arm hiding her eye although it was clear it was wide open

(a little late to ask that) Baxter internally scrawled

but again, he couldn't['t answer as the little cyclopses eye bolted in shock and ran straight in

"oh how horrible!" the maid exclaimed as she got out her cleaning tools

scurrying like a flash to every nook and cranny of the room

"If Charlie had told me a guest was staying in this room I would have done so, I mean look at this dust and cobwebs, she couldn't have chosen a nicer one could she/For a man no less, no wonder she can't get one, she acts like one herself, but maybe she has to be when dating a-" The girl muttered like a storm as she sped around the room only to make a quick stop in front of Baxter

"anyways, the names nifty" The named Niffty greeted, the slowest she'd been since her arrival and even curtsied

"um yeah we've met" Baxter replied with confusion

"you're the woman who threw a full care at an exterminator" Baxter explained as he saw the surprise in the small Cyclops' face

"oh, you saw that, that's how you remember me," Niffty asked shakily

"Well yes, it was something that you can't forget, it was very surprising, impressive anyways" Baxter admitted rubbing his back fin and for once letting out an awkward laugh

(just don't do it to me crazy scary girl) Baxter internally panicked

"thank you..." Niffty said with despair

(ugh, why did it have to be that he remembers me! so unladylike) Niffty internally cried with embarrassment

"Well, now the rooms are more appropriate for staying, breakfast is ready, bye" Niffty laughed awkwardly as she rushed away, leaving a literal cloud of smoke in her path

"...what an odd individual," Baxter thought to himself

(I suppose I can't stay here if anyone can just barge in) Baxter thought internally as he debated his plan to stay inside, but as he re-opened the door, he was jumped scared by the maid waiting outside of the door still

"gah!" Baxter stammered as he flew backwards, just holding onto dignity by the minimal core strength to stop from falling on his backside

"Sorry, I just realized you may not recognise where breakfast may be served so please, follow me" Niffty chuckled sheepishly

so once again Baxter was led to another sector of the hotel

only this room was not as secluded

"we're here" Niffty announced as she and Baxter entered the kitchen where all the other hotel staff and occupants were gathered, already eating their breakfast of egg, bacon, sausages and bread

"oh good morning you two, I hope you slept well doctor" Alastor replied as he dove into his own breakfast, one that was still moving

Baxter nodded in discomfort

"uh, what's Vox's little lab rat doing here?" the voice from Angel Dust asked after taking a sip of his milk

"Angel I told you, baxters have been coming for the past days to work on a cure for vaggie" Charlie re-explained tiredly

"and how is that little potion coming doctor," Sir pentious asked with curiosity

"2 hours and a half until ready" Baxter answered as he looked at a nearby clock

"splendid" Alastor exclaimed

"you're being...friendlier than I thought you'd be smiles" Angel added with suspicion

"well there hasn't been any reason not to be, been on your best behaviour haven't you old boy" Alastor replied both to the spider and fish, but much more patronizing towards the scientist

Baxter didn't respond, he didn't need to be condescended to this early in the morning

"Guys, right now he's just here to help so be once" Charlie scolded

"I'll check on the antidote" Baxter muttered as he turned to leave

"but you didn't eat.." Niffty called, but the fish made no effort to reply as he walked away

"eh his loss" the spider shrugged as he continued his breakfast

Charlie watched in dismay as the uproar of the usual morning communication commenced once more

...

"what a pain" Baxter sighed as he finally got into the room, he didn't need to be filled in a room of disrespect, especially when he was so close to freedom

his stomach rumbled and he instinctively reached into his food pocket, only to realise there was nothing there

"fuck it, even my emergency ones?!" Baxter asked rhetorically

and he couldn't be bothered to crawl back up for food or coffee

so he decided to merely bear it with no grin

but he found himself unable to contain his frustration

"didn't even want to join that stupid company, it was just a job to benefit my experiments and pay the food bills, but oh no, now there's a red vs blue and I somehow got involved in a fucking purple! this better fucking work" Baxter ranted angrily as he scribbled harshly in his notes to the point of breaking his pencils

unknown to him an amused alastor was sharing these ramblings with the rest of the crew

"yeesh, this guy needs to get laid" Angel Dust laughed at the poor fish's misery

"at least you can tell he's telling the truth" Charlie proclaimed

"he could be making it up by saying this knowing we're listening" Sir Pentious warned

"not likely, he had to be reminded three times there was a radio when the scientist's ramblings were getting too loud for me" Alastor added

"Plus he's been in that room for all the time, Niffty and I's been making sure, if he'd pull a stunt now it wouldn't be possible, so unless Vox sent him to compare wallpaper, he's just doing stuff by the book we all saw" Husk commented

"Exactly, so we're just going to need to trust him, for vaggie's sake" Charlie announced as she gathered the plate she had been saving for the fish

"and so to show I do I'm going to deliver some food before he drops from hell starvation" Charlie finished as she made her way towards the makeshift lab

...

"Baxter" Charlie asked, banging the door with the tray

"Yes?" Baxter asked as he opened the door

"I saw you didn't grab anything to eat so I brought you some, I hope you don't mind" Charlie announced as she showed the tray

"Um, no that's...why?" Baxter stuttered with surprise, unsure of how to comprehend this gift

"well you can't start the day well without breakfast and it's just a way of saying thank you" Charlie explained as she slowly gave the fish the tray

"you've said it plenty, you shouldn't have to put yourself to so much effort, Your Majesty," Baxter said quietly, still quite stunned

"you can just call me Charlie Baxter, we're all friends here, no titles," Charlie said sweetly

"Enjoy your breakfast" Charlie finished with a smile before leaving

looking with confusion at her earnestly, fins lowering he allowed his defences to fall slightly as he turned towards the plate

but old habits died hard as he did a quick food poisoning test

but continuing with the princess's innocent demeanour, they had not been laced with anything but perhaps too much sugar

(it's been so long since I've had a decent meal) Baxter couldn't help but think as he cut a small bit of sausage and brought it to his mouth

taking a small breath as he chewed

but as the flavours it felt like his body was filled with electricity and new energy

his bioluminescent features practically glowing brighter than they had ever done since arriving

and soon he found himself automatically shovelling the tasty sensation until completely finished

looking up at the clock he found it 1 minute before ready to serve the antidote

"OK, back to work!" Baxter announced to himself as the energy continued to feed his determination, licking the remaining tomato sauce away from his cheek

making sure the colour, levels and temperature were all accurate to the book, and when he was 100% positive that it was ready he carefully brought the concussion into a vial and shouted for Charlie

"Charlie, it's ready" Baxter called, not much bothering about the looks his announcements gained him

"it is?!" Charlie exclaimed as she ran down with excitement

"splendid news, now to see if it works, for your sake at least" Aalstor called as he teleported in front of the fish, almost making the scientist drop the solution

"let's go" Charlie sighed as she led the fish away from the radio overlord, not wanting to risk anything

...

Baxter has seen worse than a simple sick patient

but perhaps it was the look from the princess that made him feel uneasy

she was always so happy, but when they entered this room, it was like a wave of dread fell upon them both

it was unsettling to see Charlie look so melancholy, staring at her beloved with such a faraway look

hopefully, this potion would stop that and thus stop Baxter from feeling sympathy, it was an odd and unwelcoming feeling

"every drop, she needs all of it" Baxtrer stated as she gave the vial to the princess, taking it with the most care

"OK, vaggie, open wide" Charlie agreed as she walked to the unconscious moth demon and sat beside her, tilting her head so she wouldn't chock and began to pour

it must have tasted horrible by the grimace the moth kept pulling, but Charlie persisted until every last drop was drunk

"When will" Charlie began, only for Baxter to answer her instantly

"the book states it should be anytime within 24 hours" Baxter stated

but as if fate wanted to state how correct he was, the machines connected to the moth lowered to a more appropriate and healthy level

"her temperatures going down! it's working!" Charlie exclaimed in astonishment

"Hah! I knew it would" Baxter stated proudly at his own genius

(oh thank satan) he internally thanked with the deepest relief, it was a surprise he was still standing

only for his relief to be caught short as he felt two hands around his waist

feeling himself to be brought in the air and swung round and round

"thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" Charlie cried in pure joy as she spun in a spot with the poor dizzy scientist in her arms

"Please....stop!" Baxter begged as he immediately became dizzy, the feeling of nausea unhelpfully filling his body

"oh sorry" Charlie apologised meekly as she placed the little scientist back down

"but seriously, thank you" Charlie repeated, bending down to his level

"you can thank me by not touching me" Baxter practically growled

"understood" Charlie agreed as she made a mental note, that made two touch-staved demons she knew

only for their conversation to be cut short by a series of coughing by the only other being in the room

"ch, Charlie?" the low voice of one moth demon asked as they came out of their comatose state

"Vaggie!" Charlie cried tearfully as she rushed to veggies side, hugging her gently at her side, kissing her repeatedly to wake her up

(yeah, I'll leave those two be) Baxter instantly thought as he turned to avoid this awkward interaction

only for a familiar loud figure to appear directly at his side

"Vagatha dear, you are finally awake! how stupendous!" Alastor announced with excitement

"wait, how long was I asleep, what happened" Vaggie questioned in surprise at the sudden interactions

"you got overlord poisoning, it caused you to be unconscious and unwell for over a week" Charlie explained gently

"if not for this maker of miracles you be in that dreadful state for a much longer period" Alastor added unhelpfully as he pulled the fish into the air once more by the collar of his lab coat

"gah! Down, put me down!" Baxter instinctively demanded as he tried pulling himself away from the overlord's grasp

"wait but he?!" Vaggie asked with a start before slowly being consoled by Charlie

"It's true vags, Baxter was the only one who knew what you had when the doctors just wouldn't help...he's been working on the antidote all week" Charlie assured

Vaggie looked from Charlie towards the fish who had finally sprung free from the red overlord's grip

the scientist brushed himself before meeting the stare of the now-conscious moth who he had been working all week to awaken

"I don't know why you decided to help" Vaggie began as all attention was brought to her

"but in any case, thank you" Vaggie finished with full sincerity

"...no worries" Baxter shuffled awkwardly, very not used to being thanked

in all honesty ever since the first "thank you" from the princess it made Baxter extremely uncomfortable, but with each one it slowly became more....torrable he wanted to say?

regardless it still felt weird

"Well it seems that with your mission successful you shall be leaving with all limbs attached" Alastor inputted, seeming to love getting a reaction out of the fish

and once more, Charlie steps in on the scientist's behalf

"We were never going to cut limbs Al, be nice" Charlie scolded

"Regardless I should be going back, I have no more business here, so if I could be teleported back home for the last time" Baxter coughed, deciding it was the best time to go, he was never good at saying goodbyes anyway

"of course, and just so you know, you're welcome to come back any time you want Baxter" Charlie smiled as she was sad to see Baxter leave

she doubted this would be the last time they would see each other, but she saw so much promise and opportunity so she wasn't ready to let him leave that easy, especially if she could convince him to join and have the possibility to redeem

but that was a lot of wishful thinking, so for now, they would just say goodbye with a promise

"I appreciate it" Baxter thanked scenically

"Until next time, good luck till then doctor" Alastor waved goodbye, not as scencirril

Baxter nodded before the world once more dissolved from the brilliant reds and the faces waving him goodbye to the dull sullen greys of his home once again

the fish allowed his fin ears to get back to the usual overwhelming quiet that once was

now where there was no one constantly yelling down his neck or checking in on him, the silence was suddenly overwhelming

"it was a one-time thing, now you can get back with no distractions, and you even got some notes of the overlord posing antidote, perhaps I can do more research on it" Baxter mumbled to himself to fill in the void

Baxter contemplated making another all-nighter, but after all the drama of today, he wasn't in the mood

he simply decided to do it tomorrow

looking at his bed with a sigh he simply flopped to rest

(I'm going to miss those beds) Baxter internally sighed before he found himself drifting off to sleep as best he could, buying more food and coffee could wait until tomorrow too

perhaps he could pick up and cook some sausages if he got lucky in the bargain bin

but as he rested, unknown to him, a radio was now hidden within his bunker, where? Perhaps Baxter would never know

after all the hotel wasn't done with him

and perhaps he wasn't done with the hotel

Chapter Text

"I don't think anyone's been up here in ages" Vaggie pointed out as she and Charlie waved goodbye to razzle and dazzle as the limo drove away

"maybe not, but that's a good thing, because then we can turn this into a nice little getaway for the hotel, a nice change of scenery and fresh air is always good for healthy happy mindsets," Charlie said as the two turned their head to their destination

a tall hill with steep cliffs filled with caves and bumps, but big open flat surfaces for construction and just outside of the city to boot

but to make sure they had to give it a look around first

Charlie stopped every now and then to smell the beautiful flowers that tried snapping her face off and vaggie either turning her head to every sound or stabbing the ground to make sure it was sturdy enough to walk

"I suppose but it's still suspicious that no one-" Vaggie started suspiciously

only for a digging sound to be heard as the two made their way to the top

"What the" Vaggie questioned as a very familiar figure was seen

back facing them but seemed to be digging at the ground with a silver tool

but by the flicking alertness of a finned ear, the sound of crunching of rocks below their feet seemed to alert them to their presence

"huh?" the figure turned his head

silence rained the terrain as the three exchanged awkward glances

"w, what are you two doing here?!" the fish demon asked in complete shock, backing up to create a bigger distance

"We could ask you the same thing!" Vaggie yelled at the fish demon, or to them, Baxter, the head scientist of Leviathan's labs

"be quiet!" the demon shrieked silently as his eyes seemed to become alert with realization

but before the moth demon could ask another question

it became very uncomfortably aware that the three were not the only ones here

further shuffling revealed a band of fox-like demons

and in their hands....angelic weapons?!

"All of them..." Charlie said shakily but was broken out of her shock as a hand grabbed her wrist, pulling her into a run

just in her sight, it seemed the smaller demon was joined at their side, if not gaining more speed

"did you-" Vaggie began to question viciously as the fish joined at their pace looking just as panicked as them

"I didn't know you two were here! what makes you think I knew that these-" Baxter began to question angrily

only for a sudden sizzling pain to enter his leg

hobbling as his gravity shifted, and almost stumbling to the ground, if not for the pure adrenaline of being chased he was sure he would have fallen behind

the two could not help but gawk in fear, as his leg already began to glow with a tinted residue

and yet they knew they couldn't stop now, they just needed-

"come on! this way!" Vaggie called as she backtracked

still holding Charlie but grabbed Baxter too before they ran too far and jumped to a lower level pulling them into where her one good eye spotted a hiding place

it seemed like a small cavern-like area with an ominous dark hallway at the end, not that the first worries that came to mind

"oh this is bad, this is seriously bad" Charlie panicked as Vaggie stood her ground at the entrance, spear always at the ready and just out of distance

(not only are we trapped with attackers scowering for us with angelic items, but also... a disintegrating demon...this can't be happening!) Charlie internally panicked

she had seen how angelic weapons errored a demon's entire being, body and soul...it was not pretty

but before she could start pacing and brain-spewing with escape schemes or something that could help Baxter in his last minutes-

The dishevelled fish in the corner of their hideaway reached into his coat and retrieved a small vial of white and gold serum

overgrown teeth gritted together as shakey fists poured the liquid on his tinted leg

a sizzling noise and a bit-back grunt of pain filled the small quarters until the extraordinary happened

from what was a dire infection leading to an eventual no longer-existing state

turned into a still painful but not as near deadly condition

Baxter tried controlling his breath as he rested his body against the wall of their confine, black blood continued to leak, sweat dripping from his face but overall his features drooped in relief

but as he opened his eyes he was displeased to see that he was still in the presence of company

two very intrusive, staring company

"your wound...it healed?" Vaggie questioned with disbelief

"Not exactly, just not tinted anymore" Baxter smartly remarked breathlessly

"but...HOW? There's never been something to combat or cure angelic injuries before?!" Charlie exclaimed in astonishment

"Not until I made that something" Baxter answered with a grin unable to suppress the opportunity to congratulate his achievements

"THIS. IS. HUGE!" Charlie declared as she finally began to pace back and forth

"demons would finally have a way of fighting exterminators, it would cause a full-on war against heaven and hell it would" Charlie began to ramble at the mere thought of such a defence

"Man this is going to be a bitch to sew" Baxter merely said as he ignored the princess's panic attack and looked towards his leg, at least he always had some anaesthetic on him

"How did you even know to make it?" Vaggie asked as she brought the conversation back on track but not without suspicion of the little fish

"I-" Baxter began only for vaggie to get in his face

"because after millions of demons coming and going throughout hell's history, you're the only one that suddenly has the possession of an angel defence mechanism? and never tried to sell it?" Vaggie continued to investigate

"I'm a scientist with a century in hell under my belt, of course, I'm going to tamper with the unknown" Baxter stated as he rolled his eyes, wafting the moth out of his space and back to his leg

"now could you both shush, I need to concentrate" Baxter insisted as he pulled out a syringe, needle and thread

"Perhaps you should let-" Charlie began with unease at the implication

"Leave me be!" Baxter snapped with a sharp bite of warning

"But" Charlie shakily tried before being pulled away to leave the fish be

"come on Charlie, the guy seems to know more than we thought" Vaggie reassured but quickly sided at the Aquarian

although he seemed too busy to take it personally

...

Baxter's eyes stang from tears, the anaesthetic took most of the pain away but it could only do so much

at least the hard part was done, now it was just the tedious areas to complete

bracing himself for further stinging sensation he applied a final layer of disinfectant on the wound and wrapped the wound with his less soiled pants leg, not that you could see it with his lab coat

he needed some water and antibiotics, but his pockets could only hold so much

at least he covered the essentials

"you know a lot about first aid too huh?" the suspect voice of vaggie asked as she came back to question the scientist

"It's always good to know, it does not need an ulterior motive" Baxter sighed

"True, look, we're not getting out of where we first came so I think our best bet is searching where that dark path leads" Vaggie began to explain, it seemed the two had started plotting behind his back

"but I can't use my fireworks in case of a collision or summoning back those demons" Charlie added, stepping beside her girlfriend

"so we, um, if you could" Charlie continued but her tone started to become more sheepish and quiet

"you want me to be your flashlight" Baxter stated as he easily put two and two together

"It's either that or stay here, or walk into the darkness and get worse than an injured leg" Vaggie mumbled as she started to get antsy

"I understand, but I am not very mobile at the moment, plus a side effect of the angel repellant can make...the world spin" Baxter muttered as he slowly realised the effects of mixing anaesthetic and his own concussion together

overall extremely nauseating

"oi stay awake, we can just carry you, all you need to do is keep alight" Vaggie ordered as she grabbed the scientist, jostling him lightly into her hold

Baxter immediately began to struggle out of the grip in pure instinct, not that it lasted long as the thrashing caused the uneasy feeling to triple

"ok..enough of that" Baxter mumbled dizzily

Vaggie merely rolled her eye as she walked to where Charlie was now with new cargo

"ok, let's get going" Vaggie announced as they all looked to the dark abyss which they hopped was a way out

walking in they soon found themselves grateful for Baxter's natural light, especially with how the chasm was filled with fallen-in floor voids and orifices zig-zagged around like a maze

...

"by the way, I meant to ask" Charlie began as they continued their journey

"What were you doing up here on your own, digging at dirt?"

this question seemed to irritate the disarrayed demon

"I wasn't just digging dirt, I was collecting samples" Baxter stated

"Samples?" Vaggie asked

"yes, I've found hills in this area hold a powerful alloy that is hard to find anywhere else, I don't enjoy coming out but I was running low, I had hoped my last journey could have lasted me another 7 years...but it seems I will be needing to find a new mining sector" Baxter explained, although seemed to mourn the loss of his specimens

a moment of silence filled the neon blue emitted space,

"you told us to keep our voices down, you knew these bandits were here and you knew what they had" Vaggie stated as with the realization

"I knew the risks...but I should have known to always keep out for unknown variables" Baxter expressed before mumbling his own foolishness

"But how did they get access to angelic weaponry so far out of town?" Charlie asked no one in particular

"These "bandits" did not only appear 7 years ago, and angels seem very careless with their weaponry" Baxter answered back, not without giving a glance to the moth's own

the two women looked at one another with a nod, but said no further

...

jumping around carefully in the abandoned terrain the three were surprised to find their trail become sturdier, with a metal pattern, almost causing vaggie to trip

"what's on the floor" Charlie questioned

as Baxter surveyed around the more stable room, his condition was now much less overwhelming, was now able to see exactly what this "hallway" led them too

"From that canary skeleton and rails, it seems like an old mine" Baxter noted

"old but possibly still occupied, so keep an eye and ear out" Vaggied noted

"I never knew this was down here!" Charlie gasped in awe as she spotted something that wasnt just rubble

Baxter lure seemed to have caught the shape of a mine cart and Charlie couldn't help but look with intrigue, especially with an alluring locking lever to the side

"I wonder if it still works?" Charlie questioned in ponder

"Charlie, maybe you shouldn't-" Vaggie tried to warn, only for Charlie to switch the lever as the moth forwarned

causing an un-noticed cart to start and storm its way towards the moth and fish

"gahh!" the two yelled as they fell into said cart

"oh sorry" Charlie apologised as she turned back around in startle

"It's ok hun, but please no more flicking leavers" Vaggie sighed as she stood in the cart, Baxter only able to rest his chin on the rim as his arms handled his balance and weight

but unfortunately, this was not the only thing the lever did as it began to jostle in its spot

"um... Charlie" Vaggie questioned as the cart began to move once again, slowly picking up speed, darting past her girlfriend with a look of terror in her eye

"Hold on, uh" Charlie called in panic, now shrouded in darkness

but the same noise of jostling came from the cart she first spotted

getting into it as best she could she was grateful the cart began rolling down to follow

"don't worry guys, I'm coming!" Charlie called as she came carting down at full speed

it wasn't long until Charlie saw the familiar light, but that only highlighted the rollercoaster of a ride, filled with drops and extremely hard turns

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" They screamed as gravity refused to be on their side, holding the rim of their carts so they wouldn't fall out

"brace yourself for a rough stop!" Charlie warned as the ending drew near, Much too near

flinging the three and just barely able to stop toppling out of the carts

"Charlie, no more mystery lever pushing, please" Vaggie begged as she held onto her lunch, Baxter leaning his head against the floor of the cart and Charlie tripping over onto the stone floor in an attempt to leave the ride

"I promise" Charlie chuckled softly

"oh wait, I think I see a light just above" Vaggie noted as she looked around their new surroundings

and it was true

as Charlie rushed to survey the light she was relieved to see it was a small exit out of the cave, leading to a desolate road

"How does it look?" Vaggie asked as she followed up on her girlfriend's side she had Baxter once more in her hold, him leaning his head against the moth's arms, light very faint

"looking good! think we're in the clear" Charlie announced happily

"Let still be wary, we don't know where their base is" Vaggie warned

"true, but seems we're on the road so I can contact Razzle and Dazzle and get them to pick us up" Charlie agreed

it would be unsafe to make it out on foot, especially with injured cargo, so for now

they would wait

...

luckily razzle and dazzle seemed to apparel at record timing, almost teleporting

of course, this did alert their attackers

but as the three jumped into the car, the two demonic devil dears were ready with defence, but of course, not kill them, it was Charlies orders of course

tyres screeched as the limo drove off at rocket speed

and finally, they were free

"Seems we will need to keep searching for a perfect relaxing spot for the hotel" Charlie sighed, Vaggie patting her arm sympathetically

leaving a very awkward-looking fish demon staring out of the window, still very shocked at how he ended up in this situation

"thank you, but we are far away so I think I should be" Baxter coughed as he tried to make up an excuse

only for a dismissive hand was placed in front of his face

"not a chance small fry" Vaggie sighed as she leaned back in her seat

"excuse me?" Baxter exclaimed

"you are in no condition to be going anywhere unsupervised, so for now, consider yourself the newest patron of the happy hotel" Vaggie stated as she was clearly set in her decision

"Didn't know kidnapping was how you got your patrons?" Baxter murmured,

"Rather be kidnapped by the exterminator impersonators?" Vaggie asked with light humour

"Baxter, if you would please, just stay until you can walk on your leg?" Charlie asked as she decided to get in between what she hoped was banter, but that's all she wanted it to be

"Fine, but only because I feel it is not my choice regardless" Baxter sighed as he decided to get comfy

but the two would take it

...

the journey to the hotel was long but overall relaxing

perhaps too much as the usual neurotic aquatic demon succumbed to the powers of intoxicated drowsiness, fins relaxed and neck laying against his shoulder

allowing the two to talk

"We can't just let him leave" Vaggie stated

"We can't force him to stay" Charlie replied

"But Charlie what he's created, it's dangerous as it's extraordinary...if word gets out" Vaggie proclaimed in worry, but Charlie brought her hands in to calm her and to show she was being heard

"We have to trust he knows what he's doing, after all, he's kept it a secret for this long" Charlie smiled thinly

"well not anymore" Vaggie gritted

"which is incredibly lucky that it was us, we can use that to show we're worth trusting and work our way up" Charlie exclaimed with positivity

"but even if not staying at the hotel, we're not just going to forget this" Vaggie questioned

Charlie didn't like how it sounded, but she made no effort to disagree

facing the fish as he slept soundly

a serum that could prevent her people from being slaughtered without defence

he was just too valuable to lose

Chapter Text

Baxter trembled in the spot at the situation where he had found himself

bag over head recently pulled off as he was pushed to the ground

the sound of heavy doors locking from behind as his senses came forth

from what he could tell, he had been thrown into a room where the sides were cut in 2

one of normal wooden floor

and the other

a deep dark pool

and hovering over was a much too familiar figure

"N, Niffty!" Baxter asked shakily

the small cyclops who looked just as confused as he, within a sturdy cage that connected to a crane on the wall

looking closer he saw something else on the wall

a tv screen

"Baxter, what's happening?" Niffty questioned with unease

The angler fish tried to think

he and Niffty were out going shopping when a van drove up to their side

next thing he knew the doors opened and a bushel of demons ran at them, placing a head over their heads and, well he couldn't say what happened to Niffty but he was punched in the gut and told to stay silent if he knew what was good for him

he didn't get a chance to answer as the TV screen turned on

revealing a very smug-looking winged computer-styled demon

"my my, I told my staff to make a little warning to the hotel, but I did not expect them to take this approach" the stranger laughed

causing the two to grimace

"I couldn't care less who you are, but what do you mean by warning" Baxter demanded as he walked to the edge, he would allow himself only get so close

"very rude, but I suppose introductions aren't important, as for the warning well, some of us aren't exactly fond of the princess's ideas of change" the demon began to explain

"so this your attempt at terrorism? sorry but I'm just a maid at the hotel and Baxter, well, he just needed to stay, no one really takes the princess's idea seriously and you shouldn't fear change as it's very unlikely to happen" Niffty explained sweetly but a hard passive aggressiveness tone was intertwined

Baxter had to choke a hard chuckle as he saw the demon's face easily twinge in disgust

but that humour changed as the sound of cranking chains began

the cage and the cyclops inside.... were lowering

"a small warning? you are attempting to drown her!" Baxter screamed as he didn't bother questioning what he was doing, pointless in breath and time

"hmm, I suppose you aquarian demons would see this more of an issue" the demon sighed

"so we're stuck in here until the princess comes," Niffty asked sadly, her feet starting to feel wet

"correct" their kidnapper stated with glee

"And as for you" he continued while pointing his finger through the screen and toward the fish

"I admit I do get a thrill seeing your kind squirm, so when I heard you were a fish demon, I left the decision for you, never say I'm not generous" the demon snickered as he basked in the water, which was now up to the cyclops knees

"be a redeemed hero...or watch her drown, your choice" their abductor's smile grew wider and wider

"how dare you! to undermine someone's trauma like a mear fear!" Niffty yelled in disgust and anger, the fish's breaths growing deeper

he thought he understood the implications of what was happening, he was positive, but now, he was at a complete and utter loss

"Huh? What is it?" the demon on the screen asked as another one, a henchman perhaps? stepped forth and whispered something in his ear...speaker?

"oh, guess I won't get to see your decision, oh well" The demon sighed with annoyance as he stood up from his chair

"good luck" he announced as the screen turned off

"Hey, get back here you pompous coward!" Baxter screamed, but the screen stayed blank

"Baxter it's ok" the voice of Niffty reached out causing the fish to turn to her

the water was to her chest, it seemed to drop even faster

"after all, I can't die again" The cyclops tried to laugh

"but you will still-" Baxter tried to utter before the Cyclops interrupted

"the others are close, the guy running off tells me so, then they can get us out and you can go after him" Niffty declared as she seemed to have the plan already in her mind, a way in which to gain a sense of control

"Niffty!" Baxter yelled as he saw her head become submerged in the pool

...

the cage was dropping faster

and the water was cold, so cold

"It's ok...I just need to hold on...Husk or Alastor can get me out...just stay calm" Niffty focused, holding what little breath she had gained

but she soon felt herself start to panic as the last of the breath held in her mouth was used, the struggling and fighting becoming harder to keep a level head

"I know it's selfish, but Baxter....please" Niffty pleaded as her tears streamed and formed within the water which she would soon swallow

and then suddenly

a crash and whoosh of the underwater world caught her attention

struggling to keep her eye open she could make out a dark figure coming towards her, bubbles still caught in the shape

but it wasn't long to realise who it was

Baxter

eyes focused and yet hazy, tears mixing into the water, just like hers

when he reached her it looked like he was surveying the bars

but at the same time, Niffty's last air bubble had left her lips

chocking as the water began filling her lungs, it burned like lava

her conscious was leaving, but not before she could feel the pressure of a hand grabbing her wrist

pulling her up into the light, as she slowly drifted into darkness

...

rough hard pressure hit her as she awoke

spasming as she spewed water out of her body

she felt herself being turned to her side once she stopped, as to ensure all had left,

although that prompted her to be sick, for better or worse

lying to her other side to take a good oxygen-filled breath, her other senses started coming back

she was exhausted

she was cold and wet

there was a noise, someone was screaming

and she could see something in the distance, that was where the screaming was coming from

...

the screaming had turned to sobbing as Niffty's sight came back into focus

she wanted to say something or go after him but her body protested

she wanted to move

she was so col-

before she could finish her thought she felt something warm fall on her back, and even more surprising, she felt herself being lifted into the air and against something warm

furry

(husk) Niffty thought in relief as she allowed herself to bask in the comfort

"fear not my little darling, we shall get you back to the hotel and dry in no time" Alastor assured the small cyclops

she could see his signature coat was no longer on his person, but the bright red colour she could see as she shifted her gaze lightly, told her that it had not been forgotten

but as she was carried off she gazed out further behind

Charlie and Angel had given their attention to the angler fish

the spider demon was on his knees and from the pink on the gray demon, it seemed another jacket had been offered as a source of heat

a black puddle from the fish's lips was the last thing she noted before falling back into slumber

...

When she awoke once more she found herself in the comforting sight of her room ceiling

her body was sore, especially her lungs, but she was warm and comfy

when she got some strength to stand she was pleasantly surprised to see that she had her comfiest pj's on and the warmth remained

and she trusted Alastor with all her might that he simply clicked his fingers to change her into warmer and dryer clothes

the feeling of being washed but without soap irritated her scalp but she decided that dry shampoo would be used....she wanted a day of normality before facing this new trauma

she thought to change clothes but at that moment, she was tired, it wasn't often she felt this way, but when she did, the views of what was "ladylike" did not cross her mind in the slightest

but what did come to her mind was the fact that she did not want to be alone

exiting her room and heading to the kitchen she was relieved to see that the majority of the party was there

"Niffty!" Charlie called as she was the first to see her arrival, running over to inspect her

"How are you feeling?" The princess asked as she began to fuss

"sore and a bit tired, but I'm fine" Niffty assured as she tried to wave off her worry

she knew it was still alive the aftereffects would be more severe

"well don't go pushing yourself ok" Vaggie stated as Charlie, now less worried went back to her seat

Niffty hummed as she walked to the table to sit, just grabbing a banana, she needed to take it easy

"you will be glad to know we apprehended your kidnappers and have dealt with them accordingly, the meat however, would not even be worth giving to the mutts" Alastor informed, with a dark, sinister and pained smile

"thank you Al" Niffty said gratefully as she ate the banana slowly, taking her time to breath

a cup of tea appearing in front of her in a puff of red smoke which she took with a smile towards Alastor

but as she drank the thankfully warm drink, she couldn't ignore the large elephant in the room

"where is he?" Niffty asked softly, the lack of presence at the front of her mind

it was clear who she was talking about, especially with the awkward and low faces of the others

"the guy in his room hasn't spoken a word since, he was really out of it" Angel stated blankly as he just sipped on his juice

Niffty noted that he was still without his jacket, not that the spider seemed to be making an odd fuss

"what do you expect he-" Husk said, it seemed like he wanted to say more but he held his tongue

"I'll check on him, we need to talk anyways," Niffty said quietly as she went to leave, no one daring to stop her

"If you do get to talking, maybe you can take a look at his mouth, we were able to stop the bleeding but I'm worried it'll get infected" Charlie advised before the cyclops left the kitchen

to which the Cyclops merely nodded before heading back to her mission

they needed to talk regardless

...

"Baxter, it's me, please" Niffty asked as she knocked on the angler fish's door

usually that came with a swarm of yelled "no's" and the sound of locks which she found adorably hilarious

but today the door simply opened, allowing her to see who was behind that door

he too was in different clothes, but with the addition of a pink and white striped jacket

hair matted and down compared to his usual gelled-up manner

and true to the princess's word, his mouth looked very worrying, teeth forcibly ripped out from biting the bars, jagged wounds from where it scraped his skin were deep and raw

"you should be resting" Baxter stated as he opened his room further for her to enter

"I believe that should go for you too" Niffty stated as Baxter shut the door to keep the conversation private

"which I am" Baxter stated as he avoided her gaze, holding himself close

"no, you weren't, you haven't slept at all" Niffty stated as she stopped his closing in and placed a gentle hand on the side of his face

and all at once, his features sagged in shakey relief

"your power, it terrifies me" Baxter admitted

Niffty merely smiled before her attention shifted

"so do you, look at your mouth" Niffty sighed as she gently traced the fish's mouth

"Why did you do it, you know the others were coming and we can't die so-" Niffty continued before her hand was caught within the fishes

"But we can still feel pain, and if I simply let you go through that torture for a moment longer, I, I could not forgive myself" Baxter declared

Niffty could only blink before the fish continued, now catching both hands and looking into her eye with pure determination

"no mental trauma would cause me more suffering than allowing you to spend a single moment longer in there" Baxter announced with pure tenacity

Niffty's eye began to well at such a proclamation

taking a step further she embraced the fish demon, Baxter welcoming and tightening the hold, it was only she, he would allow to do so

there was so much she wanted to say

how sorry she was for Baxter to ever experience such a fate

how thankful she was for him to have saved her

how she now understood the pain he suffered, a pain that they now shared

how he could ever bring himself to go through such pain again!

so many questions and yet, she could not bring herself at that moment to ask a single one

the thoughts of her mind were pushed to the side as she felt herself being moved

finding herself and the fish manoeuvred to lay against the fish bed

"I understand we have much to talk about, but can we please sleep first" Baxter weakly requested

to which Niffty merely chuckled, playing with his hair as she too began to feel the effects of exhaustion

"you should really have your mouth checked, and Charlie will definitely be getting us into therapy after this" Niffty noted, unable to hold in a yawn

"after" Baxter sighed as he pressed his head against hers, a very rare form of affection

the memories were fresh and raw

but with Baxter here, she knew she wasn't alone

she was safe

and that was all she needed to willingly fall back into slumber

For anyone curious

the long-term effects of near drowning can cause:

Brain damage caused by prolonged oxygen deprivation, which can cause anything from minor debilitations to lasting disabilities, or a permanent vegetative state. Lung damage can result in pneumonia, chronic fatigue, acute respiratory distress syndrome, shortness of breath, and/ or pain.Chemical/ fluid imbalances, such as altered blood pH, can go on to cause kidney damage or failure.

Chapter Text

"Knock Knock" came from the door of Baxter's room/secret laboratory.

"Not now!" the scientist yelled back at the pummeling of the wood, currently noes deep in procuring a potion of some kind.

"Knock knock" the person on the other side banged in response.

"I'm busy!" Baxter blurted with growing annoyance, clearly his message had not been clear enough somehow.

"Knock knock" the lumber rectangle echoed a third time.

"Go away!" Baxter ordered belligerently, turning from his project to put full emphasis on the fact he wished to be left alone in peace.

"Knock knock" the pattern repeated a 4th time.

"........" Was all Baxter's response was, perhaps if he just ignored it, then it would just go-

"Knockknockknockkno-" the door thudded as the rhythmic tempo was lost for a provoking and ear-bleeding thunder.

Having had enough, Baxter placed his items on the table with a heavy slam before marching to the door, ensuring each step had enough force to sound like he had crushed the tiles under his boot.

"WHAT?!" Baxter yelled as he slammed the door wide.

Only to reveal the bain of his existence, the annoyance that came with his key on his first day at this hotel.

The hotel's personal and only maid, Niffty, looked up at him with her big empty eye and a much too innocent-looking smile on her face.

"What do you want? Couldn't you hear-" Baxter proceeded to berate, nothing of what he could see indicated any alarm or need to truly leave his base. Perhaps without the barrier, he could get the message into her head, only for her to jump closer at him with excitement.

"Want to see my bug collection?" Niffty asked as she whipped out a taxidermied bug from her inventory.

However, Baxter did not match her level of enthusiasm.

"...Why would I want to see that?" The fish demon asked in utter confusion and ridicule.

"Experimenting on the Insecta species, how trivial" Baxter scoffed as he crossed his arms in disappointment, shaking his head to further indicate his dismay.

Only to chuckle in mockery.

"Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less from you" Baxters continued, closing his eyes smugly.

"Poor simpleton, who couldn't tell a-" The fish was about to insult further, only for his ego to be his downfall. For as Baxter opened his eyes once more, hoping to see a finally dejected-looking cyclops, he saw nothing.

"W, where did you-" Baxter scrambled in confusion, looking to his left and right in confusion.

Had he hurt the little creature's feelings so that deeply she had run off?

Well, that is what he wanted-

"Ooooh, you have a big collection yourself" Niffty's voice oohed behind him.

In a shocking revelation, he had deduced, she must have ducked under his monelouge and sneaked inside his room.

Sadly Baxter hadn't been expecting company. Meaning as Niffty had sneaked in just a few steps into his room, she got a good view of a multitude of containers of unconscious demons, from new to old, cut in half to fully intact.

"GAH!" Baxter yelled as dashed back inside, closing the door behind them as he yanked the two curtains that had been used to cover his little secret.

"YOU SAW NOTHING!" Baxter yelled as he also used himself as a shield, spreading his arms and legs as far as possible while staring down at Niffty, whose shocked expression, returned to the seemingly innocent smile of deviousness.

"Maybe I did" Niffty sang as she swayed to the left.

"Maybe I didn't" The maid finished as she swayed back to the right, only to end up craning her face so close that they were just inches away.

With realisation and a tired sigh, Baxter leaned back with crossed arms.

"What do you want?" the fish demon asked wearily, not enjoying how her smile continued to grow at the power at her fingertips.

"Oh, and this is Gabrial, Jacob's mistress" Niffty introduced as she held one of the many, MANY, roaches she had taxidermied in her room.

"But you just said Gabrial was Monica's daughter, the original wife of Jacob!" Baxter argued with fatigue.

Currently, Baxter had found himself on the floor, among all the bugs, writing in one of his notebooks as he tried to keep up with this cast of characters Niffty had chosen to teach him as his form of torture.

"No, that was Tina Megualla" Niffty corrected as she picked up another bug.

"No, Tina was just her cover name as she was trying to steal the crown of the mafia boss Francis, you know when he was sleeping with Joseph on the side as well" Baxter replied heatedly, flicking his pages and even picking some of the bugs up himself.

"Who said there wasn't another Tina?" Niffty grinned as she watched Baxter's wit's end start to appear.

"Ok, clone or identical twin?" Baxter questioned with a pointed finger, he would not be so easily fooled.

"Be patient that comes in season 32" Niffty quipped teasingly as she walked to the side of her room, only to reveal another 9 taxidermied insects.

Baxter could only slam his head against the floor, he wasn't going to last.

"Hey Niffty" the voice of Charlie announced as she knocked on the door.

"Yes?" Niffty asked as she rapidly answered, shooting only her head to greet the princess.

"You don't by any chance know where Baxter is, do you? It's time to start his 1:1 therapy, I'm sure the 15th time is the charm to get him to do it" Charlie asked, the hopeless enthusiasm clear to all.

"He's in here" Niffty answered simply.

"....He is...Really?!" Charlie asked in surprise, the scientist has a reputation already for being a hermit and how he and Niffty had a very one-sided relationship, could anyone blame Charlie for being stunned?

"Yep," Niffty announced as she opened her room to show off her achievement.

Yet the sight was not as pleasant as Niffty made it seem.

Baxter surrounded by dead roaches was busy attaching said bugs on a bulletin board with different coloured strings, aggressively ripping and sticking every few seconds and mumbling to himself, his slick-backed hair frayed and sticking in every direction.

"W, what's happening," Charlie asked, her surprise now turning to one of unease and a tinge of fear.

"Oh, I just showed him my bug show" The little cyclops answered just as simply.

"Stupid Susan, where do you fit into this!" the fish yelled at the taxidermy, crushing it to the point where the stuffing was falling out before grabbing a shrew-looking bug, announcing
"Ah! These two must be cousins!"

Not that the other two could get a word in edgewise as it seemed like that was the last piece in Baxter's puzzle.

"There! The entire bug stories timeline and family connections!" The fish demon proclaimed as the bulletin board was pushed in front of them, or more specifically, Niffty.

"So am I correct? Is this accurate?!" The scientist queried as it was his turn to jump in front of her excitedly.

His breath was heavy as he awaited his score from the blank-looking Cyclops.

"Oh, I was just making everything up as I went along by season 2, I don't have a clue" Was all the little maid admitted, chuckling to herself like she had accident taken a left when she meant to take a right.

Baxter's eyes twitched in the silence.

"WHY DOES HE HAVE A FLAME THROWER?!" Vaggie screamed as she and the others ran upstairs once the screams of anger, joy and fear began, only to see their newest member wielding a flamethrower which he had used on a bulletin board. Vaggie doing her best to retrieve it with Husk and Angel, as Alastor simply watched in amusement.

"Hehe," Niffty laughed beside the stunned princess, very much enjoying the sight.

"Ok, no more tasks without conclusions, he's one step away from analyzing hell into insanity" Charlie took note as the flamethrower was finally dealt with.

Chapter Text

"I understand how close pleasure and pain receptors are, but for you, they seem to be swapped, there is no other logical explanation for your behaviour" Baxter growled as he let go of the lever.

Watching as his captive sighed in pleasure after being electrocuted, her body twitching and charcoaled, yet she shook it away and bounced in her seat.

"Keep talking dirty" Niffty taunted playfully with a cheeky wink (just looking like a blink).

"Disgusting cockroach" Baxter simply dismissed as he sent another rush of electric currents through her body.

"YES!" Niffty screamed as her flesh started to sizzle and smell like cooked chicken.

How did he get into this position?

All he had to do was infiltrate the hotel and lure the little maid into Vox's clutches, torture her for a while until she broke and told all of the radio demons' secrets.

Yet as he pulled the lever back down, her smile of joy remained.

"Perhaps I should try a lobotomy" Baxter sighed as he went to his checklist of all the methods he had yet to try and what had failed. Of course, he was jesting about the idea of a lobotomy, he could lose information if he did and it would take too long.

"Oh, please, please please PLEASE bad boy" Niffty begged as she tried lunging towards the fish, the crazy passionate gaze intending more.

"Ok enough! I did not come here to have you get off to your sick kicks, this is meant to be an agonizing torture session" The angler fish scolded with irritation, throwing the checklist to the side.

"The only thing torturous would you to stop" The cyclops purred dizzily, the effects of the "torture" still having an impact despite how it seemed.

"You know, I may just try that, give me a break from your deviant nonsense, the white room perhaps could be useful" Baxter growled as he grabbed a remote from his coat, sighing to relieve tension as two white shapes came from below, only to click together around Niffty, encasing her in a pure white cube. She could not see him, he could not see her.

However, despite the blocking of sight, that sadly did not do much for sound.

"Aww, don't be like that" Nifftys mischievous voice carried through, Baxter did have to hear out for an escape attempt.

Baxter chose not to engage in the clear taunt, hoping that keeping silent would cause her to stop or at least tire herself out.

Sadly this was not the case.

"Aww come on, let me see that handsome face as you drill your hammers into me, your gorgeous dangerous eyes, that tight ass-" Niffty beseeched, her intrusive thoughts voiced for all to hear.

In impulse Baxter turned his face towards the cube, hiding his posterior despite how he knew she couldn't see, the feeling of embarrassment soon following.

"That leather coat does wonders" the maid murmured, he could hear the disgusting drool dripping from her aberrant lips.

(No no I shall not fold so easily to her taunting) Baxter growled internally as he tried turning to his side projects, ignoring as his face, tips of his finned ears and lure burned hot and bright blue.

"Oh I'd ******* that ass and I'd ***** as you **************as we*****************************************************************************************************************************-" Niffty exclaimed, zero shame the to the scandalous and most unorthodox actions her mind dreamed of for them.

The fish's tight grip snapped the pencil which he held as he was way past his breaking point.

"ENOUGH!" Baxter screamed as his face was now illuminating yellow and blue, enough light to be seen from space.

"Shut that disgusting mouth of yours RIGHT NOW!" Baxter hailed, grabbing the remote and removing the cube before his grip also broke said remote, throwing it to the side as he was merely inches away from the still-smiling maid.

"I swear, if Vox hadn't instructed me to integrate you, I would have silenced you and fed you to my creations without a second thought" Baxter declared, looking her dead in the eye as he stood just inches from her secured form.

"Oh, what else would you do to me doctor," Niffty asked teasingly.

"Oh, you want to know?" Baxter laughed, looking just as deranged as his mind's ideas of the multiple ways he could dispose of her body.

"I would have-" The fish began to explain the worst ideas known to humanity.

[Insert the most graphic form of torture known to man and imagine and times that by 10]

Of course, Vox wouldn't have left his best, but also less than sane, member of staff on his own, for moments like these.

So when the three V's kept watch through one of the cameras in the room, they were stunned into silence by what they had just witnessed, Velvette dropped her phone, Vox's screen had gone to commercials and even Valentino looked afraid.

After the fish declaration of war on every law ever created the only sound that could be heard was Baxter's ragged breathing.

"Well?...scared yet?" Baxter asked eagerly, hoping that he had finally startled the prisoner into speechlessness.

Only for a few seconds to pass when her pupils had fully dilated.

"Marry me" Was all Niffty declared.

...

"WHAT?!" Baxter and the 3 V's asked in utter perplexity.

"Please, tell me again, every single-" Niffty began to implore with transfixion and utter adoration.

"Oh fuck this!" Baxter screamed as his mind could take no more of this debauchery, marching towards his bone saw as his eye twitched maliciously.

"I am going to fix that sick mind right now!-" the angler demon started to promise, striding back to the jailbird.

However, he didn't get far in his mission as a rush of steps and the door swinging wide open paused his actions.

"Doctor!" Vox greeted looking very breathless as it was clear he had run there before Baxter did something they'd all regret.

"Oh...boss" Baxter stuttered in confusion, Niffty's eyes changed from excitement to disgust as her bad boy's attention was stolen away from her.

"Why don't you take the rest of the day off, I worry you're getting a bit too passionate with the prisoner, we do need to have her in one piece when the radio demon arrives" Vox hurried as he rapidly escorted Baxter out of the room, prying the saw from his gloved hand and practically pushed him out of the door.

Leaving only Vox and Niffty in the room.

"No! Ugh stupid TV head, we were having a moment!" Niffty growled as anger of her own started to build.

"Little lady you should be thanking me, a second later the only thing left of you would be a pile of ash in the hallway" Vox argued logically, he could still smell the remnants of the last soul that tried the mad scientist's patience.

"If the bad boy did it to me then I would gladly let it happen" Niffty admitted in her mind.

"Well tough, peppermint here will look after you from here" Vox sighed as he signalled for the other member of staff he would place in to take watch.

Niffty's bubble popped and hope extinguished instantly as she looked at the bad boy's replacement.

"Oh, what?" Niffty whined as she looked at the feeble-looking eel sinner.

"Yep, peppermint, just make sure she doesn't escape" Vox sighed as he felt a migraine installing.

"Yes sir!" The eel demon nodded as Vox decided to leave and check up on Baxter.

Leaving a very disappointed Niffty and ready to drop dead at any moment aquatic demons staring at one another.

"So, are you going to torture me or what ?" The little maid asked impatiently, looking at the saw the bad boy had been holding with excitement, hoping this eel would do the same.

"Um, no, sorry, I'm not trained to do that, I was just tasked to keep an eye on you" the intern admitted timidly, slowly scooting himself onto one of the seats (despite how low he had to bend to sit).

".......BAD BOY I'M SORRY, PLEASE COME BACK" Niffty cried in anguish, finally making an effort to struggle and flee.

Meanwhile, a series of frivolous giggles erupted from the watch room.

"Hahaha! Yes! wither you, cretin, show me your misery!" Baxter yelled as he observed in excitement at the Cyclops clear anguish.

"Ahhh, so this is what happens when a super masochist meets a super sadist" Valentino murmured as he watched the fish have his eyes practically glued to his device.

"What?" Vox questioned as Velvette simply nodded in agreement.

"Nothing" Valentino laughed as the two overlords continued to wait for Alastor to rear his ugly redhead.

Chapter Text

The hotel's parlour was dimly lit with string lights and an assortment of mismatched pillows and blankets thrown together for a makeshift "sleepover" vibe. Charlie had insisted on a night of bonding, complete with snacks, games, and what she called "a night off from chaos," though with this crew, there was no telling what might happen.

"Everyone, come down to the parlour for some redemption!" Charlie announced, her voice echoing through the halls. One by one, the others shuffled in. Angel arrived wrapped in a red silk robe, tossing a mischievous wink in Charlie's direction. Alastor, dressed in standard red pyjamas, looked like he'd just stepped off the radio set, while Husk, still groggy, was dragging a pillow in one hand.

"What's going on?" Husk grumbled, eyeing the setup suspiciously.

"Angel put something on under that robe, please," Charlie said with a sigh.

Angel rolled his eyes, but complied, throwing on a shirt underneath with a dramatic sigh. "Can't believe you guys don't appreciate the view."

Charlie tried to ignore him. "Alright, it's time for the hotel's first sleepover!"

"Uh... we already sleep here," Husk pointed out, scratching his head.

"Yes, but this is special!" Charlie said with a grin. "We're in the same room together—doing, you know, fun sleepover things! Like games, and building pillow forts, and... bonding!"

"Bonding?" Husk scoffed. "What are we, in preschool?"

Angel stretched out on a pile of blankets. "I'm in. I don't mind learning a little more about the fine folks I spend my afterlife with." He smirked, giving Alastor a pointed look.

Charlie clapped her hands. "Great! Let's play Truth or Dare!"

Angel went first, rubbing his hands together gleefully. "Alright, Smiles, truth or dare?"

Alastor tipped his hat. "Truth."

Angel chuckled, eyes glinting with mischief. "Is it true that you and Vox used to date?"

Alastor barked out a laugh. "Not! An utterly atrocious question, as if I'd ever stoop so low."

"Right... 'cause you don't sound defensive at all," Angel smirked. "That's giving major bitter ex-energy."

Alastor shot him a withering glare. "Mind that tongue of yours, husker."

"Hey, hey, let's keep it light-hearted," Charlie cut in, trying to keep things friendly. "Alastor, your turn!"

Alastor glanced around and landed on Husk. "Husk, truth or dare?"

"Dare," Husk said, shrugging. He could take whatever this twisted little game threw at him.

Alastor grinned that foxlike smile. "I dare you to end all your conversations with a lovely little meow until the game is over."

Husk groaned, rolling his eyes. "What kinda dare is that—meow."

Angel and Charlie couldn't hold back their giggles. "Aww, so cute!" they chorused.

Husk shot them a withering look. "Alright, let's get this over with—meow." He scanned the room, his gaze landing on Baxter who was dressed in blue checkered Pj's.

. "Right, kid. Truth or dare, meow?" Husk asked as he spoke to the fish. He had just been trying to slowly retreat to his room. He had just almost got out before all the attention was back on him.

Baxter hesitated, glancing at Alastor, then at Angel. "Um, truth," he finally said. Seeing what had happened to Husk, he figured playing it safe was the smarter move.

Alastor rolled his eyes before clicking his fingers, causing Baxter to poof back and sit between Charlie and Vaggie, now fully trapped in the night of festivities.

Husk thought for a moment. "What's your most embarrassing invention, meow?"

Baxter shifted uncomfortably. "Personal creation, or something I had to make for work?"

Angel snorted. "The fact that you have to be personal."

Baxter's cheeks tinged a faint blue as he fumbled for an answer. "Well... I once created a, um, self-cleaningmop. It was supposed to clean on its own, but it ended up breaking loose and... causing a lot of damage. Took me hours to get it under control."

The others laughed, picturing Baxter in a chaotic dance-off with a rogue mop.

"Alright, Baxter, your turn!" Charlie said, eyes shining with excitement.

Baxter looked around, thinking hard before finally settling on Angel. "Angel, truth or dare?"

"Oh, I always go for a dare," Angel purred, winking.

Baxter smirked, eyes gleaming with a rare moment of payback. "I dare you to let someone else style your hair however they want for the rest of the night."

Angel's confident grin faded. "Wait, seriously?"

Baxter nodded, his smirk growing. "And I nominate Alastor to do it."

Angel's face twisted in horror as Alastor cracked his knuckles, grinning. "It'll be my absolute pleasure, darling."

The night carried on in bursts of laughter, dares, and dramatic truths, each more chaotic than the last. For once, the demons of the hotel were united in playful antics, finding a strange kind of camaraderie amidst the absurdity of Charlie's makeshift sleepover.

Chapter Text

Requested by Anonymous

The laughter echoed down the hall, accompanied by the shuffle of feet and the occasional shout of protest. "Oh, Baxy!" Angel teased, leaning against the doorframe with an exaggerated pout. "Piss off! I am NOT doing this!" Baxter barked back, standing defiantly on the other side of the door.

Angel leaned in closer, mischief dancing in his eyes. "A bet's a bet, love, and we're all starving for some free food."

"NO! I demand a different punishment!" Baxter shot back, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Too late for that," Alastor chimed in, his voice dripping with amusement. "We all agreed, and I'm starting to feel quite peckish, so let's hurry your humiliation along."

"Click," came the sound of the door being locked, followed by Baxter's scream. "AHHHHH!"

"Don't make us smash the door in!" Husk yelled from the other side.

"Fine!" Baxter relented, finally swinging the door open. He stood there, wearing black shorts, a white long-sleeved shirt, black shoes, and knee-high socks. All the key components to look like a small school child

"Are you all done?!" Baxter asked with a scrunched face to all the taller demons' laughter

"Aww, the little guy's angry!" Angel cooed, smirking, attempting to squeeze the fish's cheeks before his hands were slapped away.

"You don't sound starving to me," Baxter growled warningly.

"Now, no need to get your pull-ups in a twist!" Husk laughed.

"Indeed! Or perhaps you'd prefer a sailor suit instead," Alastor teased.

"You wouldn't," Baxter uttered in horror, instinctively backing away.

"Oh, but I would!" Alastor shot back, his grin widening.

"Alright, can we just get going?" Baxter grumbled, feeling the heat rise on his cheek, just wanting this interaction to be over.

Soon enough Alastor had summonsed a self-driving limo, having all sit in their seats. Angel had almost lost his hand when he suggested a child seat for Baxter, just adding more insult to injury.

"Everyone remember your roles!" Angel asked like a drill sergeant "I am the glamorous and stunning Lady Dimitrescu! Husk, you're my sugar daddy."

"You're serious?" Husk replied, incredulous.

"Strawberry here is!" Angel continued, ignoring the cat's annoyance

"A friend of the family, let that be it," Alastor replied with a tone of danger and warning.

"Of course, and how could we forget our meal ticket, our adorable baby Baxy?" Angel interjected, pulling Baxter close.

"I reject all of what you just said!" Baxter protested, wriggling in Angel's grip.

"Aww, come on, babycakes! You're breaking your mommy's heart!" Angel giggled.

"Don't even start," Baxter shot back, trying to escape Angel's embrace.

"But what are we going to say when they how the kid got into hell," Husk pointed out, shrugging. "The whole reason we get it for free is because it's near impossible."

"Oh yeah, uh...," Baxter trailed off, running a hand through his hair. "Easy, I killed and tortured fish that got stuck at the beach, and in an ironic twist of fate on a boating trip with my abusive father, I drowned due to a drunken stupor. My mother killed herself in suicidal depression, and we both found each other in Hell, with the father being fully out of the picture now in a different life."

Silence fell over the group, eyes wide in shock.

"What?" Baxter asked, finally breaking the silence.

"Jesus Christ, dude," Angel added, shaking his head.

"What? It's a perfectly logical story," Baxter replied nonchalantly.

"Yeah, but... that was so dark!" Angel exclaimed.

"Oh please, that was tame compared to what I've heard," Baxter retorted.

"I suggest we stop talking," Alastor said, trying to steer the conversation back on course.

"We're here!" Angel announced, relief flooding his voice.

"Thank fuck," Baxter muttered.

As they stepped inside the restaurant, the hostess greeted them with a bright smile. "Greetings! We have a booking under the meal deal with a child to eat for free." Alastor announced, his reputation leaving all shaking for their safety.

"Of course, sir, but restaurant policy states that we must—" the trembling receptionist tried to speak as Alastor cut her off and began to talk her ear off.

"How are they going to ensure that I'm a child?" Baxter whispered, rolling his eyes.

"One look at ya will do it," Husk said with a chuckle.

"Hilarious," Baxter shot back, unimpressed.

"Okay, let's see," the hostess said, crouching down to Baxter's level. Just as she reached out to him

Baxter ducked behind Angel's dress on instinct, his heart racing at the thought of being touched.

"Aww, shy little guy," the hostess cooed, a warm smile on her face, oblivious to the shocked but warm smile Angel was displaying down below to the fish.

"Huh," Baxter mumbled before the hostess stood back up to direct them to their table.

"Great thinking, ol' boy," Alastor whispered teasingly

"Yeah, hiding behind Mommy was a genius move," Husk said, joining the ridiculing.

"Shut up! He was just the closest barricade," Angel defended Baxter, puffing out his chest.

"Now, now, show your mother some respect," Alastor added, trying to keep the mood light.

"Your table," the hostess said, leading them to a cosy spot in the corner. As they approached, they saw a high chair pushed in at the end of the table.

"They cannot be serious," Baxter groaned, glaring at the high chair.

"Now, sweetie," Angel said, giving him a pointed look, "if you—"

But before Baxter could protest further, Alastor teleported him into the high chair with a mischievous glint in his eye. "We always have trouble getting him in, the little struggler," he said, watching Baxter squirm.

"Keep this up, I swear!" Baxter growled, glaring daggers at his friends, who were barely holding back their laughter.

"What, you'll spit up in our meal?" Angel shot back.

"Oh, you'll find something much worse than saliva," Baxter replied darkly.

"Come now, let's not waste the staff's time!" Alastor laughed, handing Baxter a children's menu, which the angler demon snatched with strained knuckles.

"Good thing we thought of this! This shit's expensive!" Angel added, grinning at Baxter.

"Ready to order?" the hostess asked, her notepad at the ready after giving them a few moments to decide. All gave their options before turning their attrition to Baxter who was the last to be ordered.

"And for you, little mister?" she asked, looking at Baxter with an encouraging smile.

With much hesitance, Baxter pointed to the simple sausage and chips on the menu, handing it to Angel to order for him.

"He'll have the sausage and mash, oh, and a fruit shoot too," Angel ordered with a flourish.

Baxter squinted in annoyance; he did not want the sugary drink. "Of course! Would he like some crayons and a workbook as well?"

"Oh, he'd just love that!" Angel exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Gotta sell it, kiddo!" Husk chimed in, grinning.

"Now say thank you," Alastor prompted.

"Thank... you," Baxter muttered, still trying to maintain his composure.

After a few more minutes, Angel practically forced the colours in his tight grasp, did their food arrive

"Need us to cut it for you?" Husk asked his tone light but mockingly.

"Keep talking and your tail's the next thing getting chopped!" Baxter shot back, his frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

They decided to give the teasing a break while they ate, but as Baxter continued to munch on his meal, he slowly felt his eyelids growing heavy.

"Bax?" Husk asked, noticing the shift in Baxter's demeanour.

But before anyone could react, Baxter's head crashed onto the table with a thud.

"Baxter?!" Angel exclaimed, panic rising in his chest.

"Ah, someone must have poisoned his dish!" Alastor quipped, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Apologies, but we didn't want the child to see," the hostess said apologetically, not looking mildly horrified at all.

Angel cradled Baxter's unconscious form close as the others prepared their Tommy guns, ready for whatever might come next.

"We have been waiting for this opportunity" she continued, the music had stopped dead as the calm atmosphere became more dangerous.

Looking at the demons more closely, the others started connecting the dots.

These were the souls that had lost their children and were desperate to claim one to fill in that gap. Things never ended well for either party.

"Now, please hand him over," the hostess demanded, his voice low and serious, the other women of the restaurant coming to their master's aid.

"Wouldn't it have made more sense to poison all of us instead?" Husk questioned, narrowing his eyes, and coming closer to Angel to protect their lifeless friend.

"That's what I said!" A random host snapped as the others started to sweat, looks like that thought hadn't been thought out properly.

"Well, this is very unfortunate. I did quite enjoy my meal, but I believe it's time to have the rest to go," Alastor grinned as his power started to pour out, greens and dark tentacles entrapping the workers.

Alastor’s grin widened, a predatory gleam in his crimson eyes as he watched the chaos unfold. The restaurant, once filled with the chatter of patrons and clinking glasses, was now a scene from a horror movie—a crimson spectacle of blood splatters, overturned tables, and the tangled, writhing tendrils that sprouted from Alastor’s dark aura. Green and black energy twisted around each terrified worker and diner, holding them in place, as Alastor leisurely strolled through the wreckage with an air of unsettling calm.

It only took 10 minutes before all members of the party came walking out, all covered in blood Alastor skipping out with multiple bags of goody bags, Husk kicking the corpses out of their way and Angel still carrying the unconscious form of Baxter.

"Oho, free takeout! This is a joyous day!" Alastor replied, his mood lightening slightly.

"At least someone got some fun outta this," Husk muttered, watching Baxter's peaceful face.

"How long do you think he'll be out?" Angel asked, concern creeping back into his voice.

"Not sure," Husk replied, glancing at Baxter. "Don't think I've ever seen him this calm. It's kinda unnerving."

"Yeah, how exactly are we gonna explain this?" Alastor asked, scratching his chin thoughtfully.

As they gathered their things and prepared to leave, the chaos of the evening faded away, leaving only the bond of unlikely friends and the absurdity of their lives in Hell—a life that, no matter how dark, was filled with moments of unexpected laughter and camaraderie.

Chapter Text

When Vox invited Baxter to his office, Baxter had been cautious, as always. Vox’s motives were rarely straightforward, and the two didn’t exactly have a history built on trust. But the lure of a "new shark tank" had piqued Baxter’s interest enough that he convinced himself to go. Vox had spun a convincing story, claiming he needed someone with Baxter’s expertise to ensure the tank was structurally sound and ready for its "special new inhabitant." With Baxter’s knowledge of marine life and engineering, it seemed plausible enough that he could be genuinely useful—until he stepped into Vox’s office.

The tank itself was massive, filling nearly half the room, with sleek, dark glass panels and strategically placed LED lights that gave it an eerie glow. Vox stood beside it, looking pleased and gesturing for Baxter to come closer.

"Quite the beauty, don’t you think?" Vox said, his tone sweetly saccharine. "You, of all people, would appreciate its design."

Baxter, ever meticulous, approached cautiously. He leaned over the tank, inspecting the glass, noticing the impeccable sealing along the edges, a job so flawless it had to be custom-made. The water inside shimmered, slightly distorted by the lights above, giving the tank an ethereal, unsettling glow.

But then, in an instant, Baxter felt something nudge him from behind. Before he could react, the ground seemed to slip out from under him, and he stumbled forward. Vox's smirk was the last thing he saw as he fell into the tank, plunging into the cold, clear water. He surfaced, sputtering, and immediately reached for the edge—but it was too late. Vox had activated the lid, a thick, reinforced barrier sliding into place with a sharp, mechanical click. Baxter banged against it, but the glass was soundproof, leaving his furious shouts to be drowned out by the water around him.

Vox leaned over the tank, his face framed by the harsh light above, looking down at Baxter with a wide, gleeful smile. "Ah, Baxter, you make quite the display in there. I told you this tank was designed for something special, didn’t I?"

Baxter glared up at him, fists clenched, his anger clear even through the glass. His every movement was visible, each expression of frustration magnified as he banged his fists against the tank, trying to find any weak spot. But there were none—he’d made sure of that when inspecting the design, unwittingly sealing his fate.

"Now, now," Vox purred, tapping his fingers lightly on the glass. "You’re going to hurt yourself. I’d rather you didn’t—after all, I went to so much trouble to keep you safe and sound. Don’t you see? You’re right where you belong."

Baxter’s eyes blazed with defiance, the frustration and humiliation seething inside him. He swam up to the glass, gesturing at Vox, trying to convey his anger with a look that could kill. Vox only laughed, the sound muffled but unmistakable, his cruel amusement shining through his smug grin.

Vox pulled up a chair and settled in beside the tank, watching Baxter with rapt attention. "Why don’t you get comfortable, Baxter? You’re going to be in there for quite a while." He leaned forward, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "And don’t worry—I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of. After all, I wouldn’t want my prized possession getting bored."

Baxter’s defiant glare didn’t waver, his mind racing for any possible way out. He wasn’t going to let Vox win, no matter how hopeless it seemed. One way or another, he’d escape this twisted aquarium Vox had trapped him in. And when he did, he would make sure Vox regretted ever setting up this trap.

(A few days later)

Vox leaned back in his chair, a smug grin on his face as he watched Baxter swimming aimlessly inside the custom-built fish tank he'd set up. The tank was no ordinary aquarium—it was equipped with subtle enchantments that kept Baxter contained, every attempt at escape thwarted by invisible barriers and slight electric pulses that zapped him if he got too close to the edge. Vox found the whole situation endlessly amusing, enjoying his twisted sense of power as he watched Baxter glare at him from behind the glass.

Baxter, of course, was furious. He'd been working tirelessly, plotting any way to break free, but every attempt had been in vain. The confinement was unbearable. His life had been full of challenges, but this was something else entirely—trapped in a glass box, forced to float around at Vox's whim, reduced to a bizarre spectacle for his captor's entertainment. Every time he tried to make a move, the electrified barrier kept him right where Vox wanted him.

"Come on, Baxter," Vox taunted, tapping the glass with a smug look. "Why don’t you give up already? You’re only exhausting yourself. Face it—you’re not getting out of here."

Baxter’s eyes narrowed as he pressed his hands against the glass, his frustration boiling over. “You can’t keep me in here forever, Vox!” he shouted, though his voice came out muffled, barely audible through the thick barrier. He knew it was pointless, that Vox could hear him only if he wanted to, but his frustration needed an outlet.

“Oh, can’t I?” Vox’s voice oozed with condescension as he leaned in closer, his face filling Baxter’s entire view. “I think you make the perfect little decoration in there, don’t you? A tiny fish in his bowl—perfectly contained, right where he belongs.”

Baxter gritted his teeth, his frustration mounting as he tried to keep his temper in check. "This isn’t funny, Vox! I’m not a toy. I’m not just here for your amusement!"

“Oh, but you are,” Vox replied with a smirk, thoroughly enjoying Baxter’s indignation. "You’re adorable when you’re all riled up. You should relax—accept your fate.” He leaned back, placing his hands behind his head as he continued to watch Baxter squirm.

For a moment, Baxter closed his eyes, taking deep breaths to calm himself. He wasn’t going to give Vox the satisfaction of seeing him break. If anything, it only fueled his determination to escape. But he had to be smart, biding his time until the perfect opportunity arose.

Vox’s laughter echoed in his ears, a grating reminder of his captor’s amusement. But as he took one last look at the smug demon watching him like a prized possession, Baxter resolved that this fish tank wouldn’t hold him forever. One way or another, he was getting out—and Vox would regret ever trying to cage him

For weeks, Baxter had been trapped in Vox’s twisted aquarium, each day blending into the next in a maddening cycle of confinement and humiliation. The fishtank, once merely uncomfortable, had become a prison that gnawed at his patience and wore down his sanity. He’d tried every possible escape he could think of—scraping at the edges with improvised tools, attempting to dislodge the lid with brute force, even waiting until Vox left the room to see if there was any weakness in the glass. But the tank was as flawless as Vox had bragged, and each failed attempt only fueled his frustration further.

Vox, naturally, found Baxter’s attempts at escape endlessly entertaining. He would often wander into his office just to watch Baxter’s latest efforts, tapping on the glass like one would at a cheap pet store, his smirk ever-present as he watched Baxter’s furious reactions.

“Trying to dig your way out again?” Vox taunted one day, his fingers tapping an infuriating rhythm against the glass. “You’ve got spirit, I’ll give you that. But it’s just so adorable seeing you struggle.”

He laughed as he sprinkled fish food into the tank, a mix of tiny, colourful flakes that drifted down in a mockery of actual sustenance. Baxter refused to touch the stuff out of principle, but after a few days, hunger often won out, and he’d grab at the flakes, glaring all the while as Vox delighted in his desperation.

The humiliation didn’t end there, though. One afternoon, Vox decided to invite Valentino over, wanting to share his latest “entertainment” with a fellow overlord. Valentino arrived with a curious look, but that quickly shifted to amusement as soon as he laid eyes on Baxter, floating in his oversized aquarium, his expression a mix of anger and despair.

“Oh, he’s perfect!” Valentino said, his face lighting up with an unsettling fascination as he pressed his face close to the glass. “You know, Vox, I didn’t think you could pull it off, but he’s got that helpless look down to an art.”

Baxter recoiled from the glass as Valentino’s gaze bore into him, an unsettling glint in his eyes as he watched Baxter swim to the opposite side of the tank, desperate to escape the leering attention. But Valentino simply chuckled and followed him, his eyes tracking Baxter like a predator-watching prey.

“Don’t be shy, little fishy,” Valentino crooned, his voice muffled through the tank but clear enough to make Baxter’s skin crawl. “You’re quite the catch.”

Baxter’s hands clenched as he pressed himself against the far corner of the tank, glaring daggers at Vox, who only laughed, taking pleasure in the spectacle he’d created. To him, Baxter was just a prop in his game, an object of amusement, his frustrations and fears inconsequential.

“Isn’t he delightful?” Vox said to Valentino, unable to hide his pride. “I keep him here just for this sort of entertainment. You’d be amazed at the things he tries just to get out.”

Valentino laughed, tapping his fingers against the glass in sync with Vox, their hands drumming a rhythm that echoed through the tank. The sound reverberated in Baxter’s ears, each tap reminding him of his helplessness, each chuckle stoking the resentment simmering inside him.

But as they laughed, Baxter’s gaze hardened. He wasn’t going to let them win—not forever. The aquarium might be perfect, and escape might seem impossible, but he refused to let Vox’s twisted sense of amusement break him. One way or another, he’d find his way out of this prison. And when he did, Vox and Valentino wouldn’t be laughing for long.

Valentino leaned in closer to the fish tank, grinning as he watched Baxter pace the confined space, a flicker of frustration mingling with rebellion in the little demon’s eyes. Thinking he could push things further, Valentino reached into the tank, his long fingers grasping Baxter under the arms and pulling him out, dripping wet and looking utterly livid.

“Oh, come on, fishy,” Valentino chuckled, oblivious to Baxter’s calculating gaze. “Let’s get a closer look at you. Don’t be shy now.”

Baxter held his tongue, masking the spark of hope that flared at this unexpected opportunity. He glanced at Vox, who was lounging in the corner, an eyebrow raised in mild amusement, watching Valentino's antics with an air of growing disinterest.

“Don’t you think he’s just adorable, Vox?” Valentino taunted, holding Baxter up as if he were an accessory. "Not that he's very useful just swimming around all day."

Baxter’s mind raced. He’d been trapped for what felt like ages, but now, out of the tank and in Valentino’s careless grip, he finally had an opening. He took a deep breath, steadying himself, before he suddenly lashed out, catching Valentino by surprise with a swift kick to his face and a twist out of his grasp. Before Valentino could react, Baxter was already scrambling across the floor, dripping water with each hurried step as he darted toward the door.

“Hey!” Valentino growled, rubbing his face and moving to chase after him, but Vox simply chuckled, holding up a hand to stop him.

“Let him run,” Vox said with a smirk, leaning back in his seat with a dismissive wave. “He’s got work to catch up on anyways”

Valentino looked at Vox, his expression puzzled. “You’re just gonna let him go? After all that effort?”

“Oh, trust me,” Vox replied smoothly, his grin sharp, “Baxter’s not going far. He knows exactly how tight his leash is.”

Baxter, meanwhile, tore through the corridors, his heart pounding, each step taking him farther from that wretched tank. For the first time in weeks, he felt a sense of freedom returning as he navigated the twisting hallways of the building. Even if Vox had allowed it, he couldn’t help but savour this fleeting triumph.

Chapter Text

Niffty had been working up the courage for weeks, listening carefully to all the tips from Vaggie, Charlie, and Angel. Today, she had the perfect plan. Her hair was styled just like Angel had suggested, with the delicate bow that Charlie insisted would catch Baxter’s eye. She’d practised her calm approach, her polite “hello,” and her casual smile for hours in the mirror.

From across the room, Baxter sat hunched over his desk, deeply engrossed in his notes and diagrams. The earpiece crackled as Vaggie’s voice whispered, “Okay, remember, subtle and slow. Just walk up, stand where he can see you, and let him notice you on his own.”

With a deep breath, Niffty stepped forward, making her way to Baxter’s table with a steady, graceful pace. She stopped just close enough to catch his attention without intruding too much. After a moment, he looked up, his eyes glancing at her with mild interest.

“You…you did something different?” he asked slowly, eyebrows raised in surprise. His gaze landed on her carefully styled curls and the ribbon in her hair.

Niffty could barely contain her excitement—he’d noticed! This was it! She could see a faint hint of curiosity in his expression, and he even leaned forward, lifting his hand as if he might reach out to touch her hair.

Charlie’s voice came through, “Okay, just let him look, Niffty. You’re doing great.”

But as soon as he looked like he was going to reach for her hair, Niffty couldn’t contain herself any longer. Overwhelmed with excitement, she darted forward and tried to wrap him in a hug.

“Baxter! I’m so glad you noticed!” she squealed, nearly knocking his notebook off the table in her excitement.

Baxter instantly tensed, recoiling as he stared at her in panic. “I knew this was a trap!” he shouted, grabbing his scattered notes and backing away. Without another word, he bolted down the hall, slamming his door shut and locking it behind him.

Niffty stood there, realizing she’d once again lost her chance. Vaggie’s voice came through the earpiece with a resigned sigh. “You were so close, Niffty…”

Charlie tried to encourage her. “It’s okay! You’ll get another chance—maybe next time, just… stay calm when he notices.”

Niffty’s disappointment was quickly replaced by renewed determination. She smiled to herself, muttering, “Alright, Baxter… I’ll just have to try harder, that bad boy shall be mine!.”

Chapter Text

"Oh, is there a bad boy in here ready to be punished?" the sultry voice echoed through the dimly lit room.

"You need punishment yourself, you naughty girl, coming in here uninvited," Baxter replied, trying to keep his composure as he leaned against a wall.

"Oh Bax, you're so—" she started, a smirk curling on her lips.

"An imposter!" Nifty shouted, her leg flying forward as she delivered a swift kick right between the legs of the unsuspecting intruder.

"Ah..." The voice winced, dropping to the floor.

"How did you know?" the intruder asked, groaning from the impact.

"The bad boy would never engage in my role play," Nifty declared confidently, crossing her arms. "So you're going to tell me right now: where is my man?!"

Meanwhile, in a place where Baxter had been kidnapped

"Enough games, doc," the imposter retorted, wincing but refusing to back down. "You're gonna give us that potion formula even if the last thing left of you is your nerd-ass glasses."

"Firstly, I wouldn't be able to if that's all that remained," Baxter protested, glaring at them from where he was now sprawled on the ground, bleeding bruised and many bones broken, but he refused to show any weakness. "Secondly, I already fucking did."

"This is just a bunch of scribbles and numbers!" the intruder shot back, tossing the papers on the ground as if they were worthless.

"Well, I'm sorry nobody ever taught you basic math and English!" Baxter shot back, his frustration bubbling over.

"Fugh..." The intruder gritted their teeth, the tension thick in the air as he kicked the fish once more on his bruised ribs.

"Don't start getting smart with us," another voice warned, stepping closer with an air of authority. "Remember, you are at our mercy."

"So now you're going to write it again properly before you drown from choking on your blood," the intruder sneered, stepping forward, ready to intimidate.

But just then, a crashing force burst through the door, sending the group staggering forward and dropping Baxter to the floor as he struggled to catch his breath.

But when Niffty noticed how badly bruised and wounded her boyfriends was, her expression turned dark.

"YOU DARE HURT MY MAN?!" Niffty yelled as rage swallowed her whole

Baxter’s heart raced as he watched Niffty’s expression morph from concern to pure fury. The fire in her eyes was almost palpable, and he knew he had to act quickly before things escalated any further.

"Nif, wait!" he shouted, raising a hand in a desperate attempt to calm her. Not wishing for her to get hurt.

But Niffty wasn’t having it. She walked in front of him, her small frame seeming to radiate powerful energy as she glared at the fish's attackers. "You think you can just waltz in here and hurt my man? You’ve got another thing coming!"

With that, she charged at the nearest demon, her foot flying out in a swift kick that sent them crashing against the wall. The rest of the group stared in shock, not expecting such a fierce retaliation from the tiny demon.

Baxter winced, not from the fight but from the sight of Niffty throwing herself into danger. "Nifty! Be careful!" he yelled, but it was too late—she was already in the thick of it, swinging needle sword-looking sword strikes and delivering swift kicks with a determination that was both impressive and terrifying.

"How dare you hurt him!" she screamed, landing blow after blow. The remaining demons quickly realized they were way over their heads, scrambling to escape the whirlwind of chaos that Niffty had unleashed.

Baxter merely sat there, torn between admiration and concern. He had always known Niffty was tough, but seeing her fight for him like this filled him with a strange mix of gratitude and arousal.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last of the intruders were dead, leaving Niffty standing triumphantly over them, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. She turned to Baxter, her expression softening as she rushed back to him.

"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice suddenly gentle as she examined his bruised face.

Baxter nodded, though the pain was evident in his eyes. "I’m fine. Just a few bumps and bruises. You… you didn’t have to do all that."

Niffty pouted, placing her hands on her hips. "Of course I did! Nobody hurts my boyfriend and gets away with it! You’re my responsibility, and I take that seriously!"

He couldn’t help but smile at her fierce protectiveness, even if it made him feel a little awkward. "Well, I appreciate it. But really, I can handle myself—"

"Yeah, right!" Niffty interrupted, shaking her head vigorously. "Look at you! You’re practically a walking bruise! Besides, you’re not getting rid of me that easily. I’m going to make sure you stay safe, whether you like it or not!"

With that, she scooped him up bridal-style, her strong arms wrapping around him securely. Baxter felt a warmth spread through him as Niffty held him close, her fierce spirit igniting something within him—a sense of safety and belonging.

"Now, let’s get you patched up," she said with a determined smile. "I’m not letting you out of my sight until you’re back to your bad-boy self."

As they made their way back, Baxter couldn’t help but feel grateful for Niffty’s presence. In a place like Hell, having someone who cared so fiercely for him was a treasure worth holding onto, bruises and all.

Chapter Text

In the chaotic realm of Hell, where the absurd mingled with the grotesque, power dynamics shifted as freely as the flames danced in the night. At the apex of this mayhem stood Baxter, the Overlord of Science, a genius with a penchant for experimentation and an insatiable thirst for knowledge. His laboratory was a chaotic sanctuary of bubbling potions, flickering lights, and eccentric inventions, each promising to unlock the secrets of existence—or to unleash unthinkable horrors.

To his right, was a small Tv headed demon named Vox, a demon bound by a soul contract that tethered him to the Overlord. Vox was a flamboyant and shrewd creature, often donning a sly grin and a glint of mischief in his eyes. His main ambition was to turn Baxter’s scientific endeavours into a profitable enterprise, all while navigating the complexities of their unique relationship.

“Baxter, just think of the ratings!” Vox urged one day, pacing around the lab with his hands animatedly gesturing. “We could broadcast your experiments live! Imagine the subscribers! The ad revenue! People love a good catastrophe!” He leaned against a bubbling cauldron, smirking. “And let’s be honest, what’s more entertaining than watching you accidentally blow something up?”

Baxter, hunched over a table cluttered with beakers and gadgets, sighed. “This isn’t a sideshow, Vox. My work is serious. I’m not interested in pandering to a bunch of hellspawn for profit. My goal is to advance science, not to become a reality TV star.”

“But think of the glory!” Vox shot back, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “You’ll be a star! The Overlord of Science, broadcasting live from Hell! The ratings would be through the roof!”

“Or I’d end up attracting the attention of every moron in Hell looking for a cheap thrill,” Baxter retorted, his patience wearing thin.

Meanwhile, lurking in the shadows of the lab was Niffty, the Overlord of Chaos—though no one was quite sure what chaos she ruled over. Her vibrant hair and wild energy made her a peculiar enigma. She was utterly obsessed with Baxter, convinced that beneath his cool demeanour lay a heart that could be won over with enough persistence and charm.

“Oh Baxter!” she called out, appearing suddenly in a flurry of sparkles and giggles. “Have you considered that your experiments could be so much fun? I could help you! We could throw parties! Just imagine Baxter’s Wild Science Night! It’ll be a blast!”

Baxter shot her a weary glance, wishing she’d just take a hint. “Niffty, I’m focused on my work right now. I don’t have time for parties or whatever it is you’re proposing.”

But Niffty was undeterred. “Oh come on! Just one experiment! Please?” She fluttered closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I could help! I’m good at making things explode… in a good way!”

Hovering protectively beside Niffty was Alastor, her contracted soul, a cunning and charismatic radio demon who thrived on chaos and mischief. He relished tormenting Vox, often making snide remarks about his attempts to profit from Baxter’s work.

“Such a shame, Vox,” Alastor mocked one day, observing him struggling with an experiment gone wrong. “Your dear Overlord seems more interested in actual science than your ridiculous schemes. Perhaps he doesn’t find you as entertaining as you think.”

“Shut up, Alastor,” Vox growled, trying to brush off the taunts. “What are you even doing here? Shouldn’t you be off causing chaos somewhere?”

Alastor leaned closer, his smile wide and unsettling. “Ah, but I wouldn’t dream of abandoning Niffty. After all, her adorable little antics could always use a touch of my guidance.” He cast a sidelong glance at Baxter. “And I must say, watching you struggle to keep her at bay is quite delightful.”

As Niffty persisted in her attempts to charm Baxter, he became increasingly exasperated. He admired her spirit but found her infatuation frustrating. The lab had become a battleground of clashing personalities, with Niffty throwing elaborate schemes to win Baxter’s heart, and Alastor adding fuel to the fire with his mocking commentary, directedly towards Vox's expense.

One day, Niffty burst into the lab with a grand idea. “Let’s have a science fair! We’ll invite everyone to Hell! It’ll be so much fun! You can showcase your experiments, and I can kill everyone that dares look at you!”

Baxter’s eyes widened in horror. “Not! I’m not turning my work into a circus!”

“Why not?” Niffty challenged her hands on her hips. “You’re already in the spotlight! Why not make it enjoyable?”

“Because it’s not a game, Niffty!” Baxter snapped, his frustration boiling over. “My work is strictly confidential!”

“Come on, Baxter! You’re being such a downer!” Niffty pouted, her fiery spirit dimming slightly. “I want to see the big bad boy in his element"

Before Baxter could retort, the lab shook with a powerful force. An experiment gone wrong exploded, sending sparks flying and smoke billowing. Baxter rushed to contain the chaos, while Niffty leapt into action, excitedly tossing fireballs to counteract the damage.

“See? This is why we need a show!” Niffty shouted, laughter mixing with her flames. “Look how fun this is!”

The chaos in Baxter's lab reached a fever pitch, a blend of frustration and bizarre attraction that had become an all-too-frequent occurrence. Baxter glared at Niffty, his patience hanging by a thread.

“I told you this before, and I’ll tell you again: get out of my lab before I strangle you!” Baxter growled, his hands gripping the edge of his workbench as he leaned closer, glaring at the fiery goddess before him.

Niffty, however, simply smirked and leaned forward, flipping her vibrant hair over her shoulder. “But Bax, you know I can’t resist a little bit of science! Besides, I came to push your buttons—and yours are so easy to find!” She practically bounced on her toes, her energy infectious even in the face of his irritation.

Vox, the ever-scheming demon, had set up a camera, gleefully recording the interaction. He knew the audience loved the dynamic between the Overlord of Science and the playful fire demoness. “You guys are the best reality show on Hell’s airwaves!” he called out, grinning widely as he adjusted the angle of the camera.

“VOX, ARE YOU FUCKING FILMING THIS?!” Baxter shouted, his face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and rage as he caught sight of the camera's light glowing ominously.

“YOU ARE DEAD!” he barked, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

“It’s not been a pleasure, Vox!” Alastor chimed in, his voice dripping with amusement as he leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, clearly enjoying the unfolding drama.

Before Baxter could charge at Vox, the cunning demon turned on his heel and bolted out of the lab, cackling as he made his escape. Niffty, feeling a surge of jealousy at the thought of Baxter being furious with anyone but her, raced after Vox.

“Hey! Get back here, the bad boy is mine!” she called, her voice filled with playful fury, her steps light as she chased him down the corridor.

Alastor, ever the opportunist, strolled after them with a sly smile, casually whistling a cheerful tune. “Oh, the drama! It’s like watching a soap opera,” he mused, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “You really should keep this up, Baxter. You might find it a tad entertaining after all!”

Baxter stood there, flabbergasted, torn between the chaos Niffty brought and the annoyance of having his private workspace invaded. With a resigned sigh, he rubbed his temples, realizing that no matter how much he protested, this strange chaos was now a part of his life.

“Why me?” he muttered, glancing at the camera still rolling, the capture of this latest fiasco becoming yet another episode in the unending saga of Baxter and Niffty—a saga that seemed far from over.

Chapter Text

Requested by Broadway

(Alternate timeline)

Years before their fates were sealed in Hell, Alastor and Vox were just two ambitious humans, carving out their legacies on Earth. It was an age where the airwaves buzzed with the voices of the powerful, and technology was slowly shifting the way people connected with the world. They had not met by chance—no, the universe was too precise for such randomness. The forces that brought them together were already in motion long before they realized the full scope of their connection.

Alastor, the charming, well-spoken man who had taken over the radio waves, was known for his dulcet tones and magnetic personality. His nightly broadcast captivated millions, each word carefully crafted to instil a sense of nostalgia, comfort, and above all, power. He was a man who knew how to manipulate emotions, to tap into the hearts of his listeners and wrap them around his finger. His voice was a smooth, honeyed weapon, a tool to control and influence. He had a following that could make or break governments, but more than that, he relished in the ability to play the public like an orchestra, a performance always unfolding just beneath the surface.

Vox, on the other hand, had a different kind of power. A tech mogul at the forefront of an emerging digital revolution, he was known for his ingenuity and relentless drive. His empire grew with every new invention, each more advanced and far-reaching than the last. His love of technology was more than just business—it was an obsession. Vox's ambition extended beyond the realms of mere wealth; he wanted to shape the future, to control it, and through his creations, he intended to change the very fabric of human existence. Behind his sharp, calculating eyes lay a mind that could bend the digital world to his will. He was a king in a kingdom made of circuits and screens.

Their paths first crossed at a gala—a gathering of the powerful, the influential, the elite. Alastor was there, of course, his voice luring in guests like moths to a flame, while Vox stood at the centre, surrounded by a buzz of conversation about his latest successful news story. It wasn't love at first sight, not in the conventional sense. But there was a spark—one that neither of them could deny. They were drawn to one another as if fate had conspired to make them more than mere strangers. Vox's keen intellect intrigued Alastor, while Alastor's charisma and wit lured Vox. They bantered, exchanged subtle jabs, and for the first time in their lives, neither man felt the need to dominate the conversation.

What began as a friendly rivalry between two ambitious men soon turned into something far deeper. In private moments, they found themselves lingering in each other's presence. Their conversations evolved from clever repartee to something more intimate.

It wasn't long before their relationship grew beyond the professional. The lines between competition and affection blurred as they spent more time together. They shared their dreams, their fears, their hopes. Their bond grew from mutual respect to undeniable attraction. Alastor, who once dominated every conversation and situation with his silver tongue, found himself genuinely listening to Vox, captivated by the sharpness of his mind. Vox, who had always been used to controlling everything around him, found solace in the ease with which Alastor made him feel alive. Together, they were unstoppable.

But as they delved deeper into their love, an unspoken question lingered between them—What now?

They were two men at the pinnacle of their respective worlds, but there was a longing, a desire for something more. Vox's empire was vast, but it was built on technology, not on flesh and blood. Alastor's influence was undeniable, but he felt a strange emptiness, a hole in his heart that even his most successful broadcasts couldn't fill.

As they lay together one evening, watching the city lights flicker like stars beneath them, the question was finally asked.

"What if we could create something... something of our own?" Alastor murmured, his voice unusually soft.

Vox raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Create? What do you mean?"

Alastor turned toward him, eyes gleaming with a mixture of mischief and sincerity. "A family, with a child."

Vox blinked, surprised by the thought. The idea seemed so far-fetched, yet something about it resonated deep within him. A child. A little one to carry on their legacy, to inherit their strength, their power, and their passion. It felt... right.

"You want us to have a child?" Vox asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and curiosity. "But we are not... like others."

"Not like others?" Alastor smiled, a devilish grin crossing his face. "when has that ever stopped us, I think we could do anything we set our minds to."

There was something magnetic about the idea, something irresistible. Perhaps it was the fact that in a world of power and manipulation, they had never truly created something together. A child would be the perfect symbol of their union. A child would be their legacy, their shared future.

Vox, after a long pause, gave a small nod. "We could make it happen. After all, who else could do it better than us?"

And so, the plan began.

What began as a love story between two men who had once only known rivalry would soon take a turn that neither of them had anticipated. Their journey to parenthood, to building a family that could rival anything they had ever imagined, would be fraught with challenges. But they would face it together, as equals, as lovers, as partners.

The orphanage was a cold, imposing building, its stone walls etched with time and neglect. Located on the outskirts of the city, far from the vibrant lights and endless noise of the world they controlled. The air was thick with a quiet sadness, the kind that only those who had been abandoned could truly understand.

For Alastor and Vox, this visit was a deviation from their usual routines. They were accustomed to the bright lights, the fame, the power—yet here they were, in the shadows of a place that seemed far removed from their world. But there was no turning back now. Their hearts had been set on finding the child who would complete their family, who would carry forward the legacy they so meticulously built.

They had decided not to search for a newborn, not for an infant that would require years of care before it could even begin to understand the world around it. Instead, they sought someone older, someone who had begun to form their own thoughts and opinions. They wanted a child who could understand, who would one day stand with them as an equal, and perhaps, eventually, take on the world they would leave behind.

When they entered the orphanage, the smell of musty paper and stale air was almost overwhelming. The building felt more like a holding pen than a home. The children scattered throughout the main hall didn't seem to notice the new arrivals at first. Most of them were too lost in their own worlds—playing, drawing, or reading, while a few glanced up curiously at the strangers in their midst.

But one child immediately caught their attention.

A child was sitting by the window, a thick book propped up against his knee. His glasses were slightly askew, and his dark hair fell across his forehead in a way that gave him an almost otherworldly air. His pale blue eyes flickered over the pages of the book with intense concentration, as if he had no care for the world around him. He was an enigma—quiet, intelligent, and detached from the noise of the other children.

At first glance, he didn't seem to belong here. While the others were busy with games or chatter, this one's focus was solely on the book in his lap. His manner was shy, as though he preferred the company of ideas and knowledge over the chaos of his peers.

Vox, ever the perceptive one, noticed the child almost immediately. His sharp eyes locked onto him, and something inside him shifted. There was an immediate recognition, a sense of familiarity as if he could see a younger version of himself in that child's quiet, reserved demeanour.

"You see him, don't you?" Alastor's voice was soft, but there was a certain certainty in it. His smile, always playful and charming, was now tinted with something deeper—something almost paternal.

Vox didn't answer right away. He was too busy watching, noting the way the child turned a page with such concentration, the flicker of curiosity behind his thick glasses. It was as if the child, who didn't look any older than 7 was already thinking beyond his years, understanding the world in a way that was far beyond his age. Vox was impressed but also intrigued. This was no ordinary child.

Without a word, Vox stepped forward, his usual commanding presence softened by an unexpected gentleness. The other children glanced up but quickly returned to their activities, none daring to interrupt the moment between Vox and the boy.

The boy looked up from his book only when he heard the soft sound of footsteps approaching. His eyes met Vox's, and for a moment, there was a brief flicker of hesitation—before something else surfaced. Recognition? Curiosity? Whatever it was, it caught Vox's attention.

"Hello," Vox said, his voice warm yet commanding. He knelt down to his level, studying the boy with an intensity that seemed to make time slow. "What are you reading?"

The child, slightly startled but not frightened, adjusted his glasses. He didn't seem to mind the attention, but his voice was soft and reserved as he answered. "It's a book on the development of artificial intelligence," he said, his fingers gently tracing the words on the page as he spoke.

Vox's eyes lit up, a spark of admiration glowing in his gaze. A child who not only reads such advanced material but seems to understand it? He couldn't help but be impressed. This boy was a treasure—a mind far beyond his years, much like the younger Vox had once been.

"I think you and I will get along very well," Vox murmured, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Alastor, who had been quietly watching the interaction from a few paces behind, couldn't help but feel a tug in his chest. This child, this boy, seemed to embody the very essence of what they both had strived for in life. He was intelligent, and reserved, and there was something undeniably captivating about him. It was as though he had already learned the art of control, of understanding the world around him without needing to dominate it.

The child's shy smile flickered at the corner of his lips as he lowered the book slightly as if realizing he had an audience. "I like to read," he explained softly. "Books are... easier than people."

Alastor chuckled at the statement, the sound rich and soothing, like the melody of a distant tune. He couldn't help but feel a deep fondness for the child in that moment. So much like Vox, he thought, and yet... different.

Vox leaned closer, studying the boy's face. "I think we share similar tastes in things," he said with a smile, though it was more calculated than affectionate. "You enjoy learning, don't you? It's in your blood."

The child's response was almost imperceptible, but Vox could tell that the boy was intrigued. The child's eyes gleamed with a quiet recognition as if he already understood what was being offered to him. This wasn't just about a family—it was about potential, about seeing something in him that no one else had ever seen.

"We could show you the world," Vox continued his voice low but filled with promise. "A world of endless possibilities, of growth and discovery. You don't have to settle for being just another orphan."

Alastor moved closer, his presence calming and commanding at the same time. "We can offer you more than just love," he said, his voice warm but undeniably persuasive. "We can give you a place where you truly belong. Where your mind, your ideas, can flourish."

The child's eyes flickered between them, and for a brief moment, there was a hesitation. But it wasn't fear—it was the kind of hesitation that came from knowing something important was about to change.

Finally, the boy gave a small nod, his quiet voice breaking the silence. "I think... I think I'd like that," he said, his words soft but filled with an unspoken understanding.

At that moment, both Alastor and Vox knew—they had found their child.

"Brilliant, so young man, what can we call you?" Alastor laughs as Vox stands close to his partner.

"Baxter" the now-named Baxter announced as both men began to imagine their futures together, all three of them.

The years had passed quickly, like the fast-moving current of a river, sweeping everything along in its inevitable course. The family had grown, just as Alastor and Vox had envisioned, though in ways they could never have predicted. Baxter, once a quiet, shy child, had blossomed into a brilliant young mind, his intelligence more advanced than anyone had expected. He devoured books, took apart machines, and immersed himself in the world of science and technology, much like Vox. His love for the unknown, for the possibilities of discovery, had mirrored the very essence of what Vox had hoped for—a child who could see beyond the limits of the world they had known.

But in the midst of it all, something darker lingered. Alastor had been a man of secrets, and those secrets had followed him into the afterlife. Alastor, for all his charm, had been more than just a performer. He had been a predator, a hidden serial killer and cannibal, whose life of deception had been kept carefully concealed beneath the facade of his smooth radio voice and captivating smile.

His family knew of his darker nature. They had come to accept it, in their own way. Vox had never questioned his husband, he had loved all aspects of his husband, and he only asked that they keep the blood of his clean floors. As for Baxter, he would always ask his father to save him a lung or kidney as a specimen, it was an aspect that Alastor thought he could properly bond with his son and so always obliged, he even taught Baxter how to properly hide the bones once they had finished.

However, it was on one of their rare trips back to the countryside that fate had intervened in the most tragic way.

The day had started like any other—a quiet, peaceful day with nothing but the open air and the sound of birds overhead. Alastor had decided to take a walk through the woods, as he often did when the weight of their increasingly complex family life became too much for him to bear. Vox had stayed behind, busy with his latest tech projects, and Baxter, now a teenager, had been absorbed in a new scientific journal that Vox had gifted him, the two didn't need him at that moment, it felt like these times were starting to become longer and longer, he dreaded the day his son would no longer need him, his partner also.

Alastor wandered deeper into the forest, shaking his head as the scent of pine filled his lungs as he had been stalking his prey and when the time was right, struck him in the head.

However, it was then that a hunter's rifle rang out from the distance, a crack of the shot splitting the air.

Alastor, who had always been careful—too careful, perhaps—didn't see it coming. The hunter, who had mistaken him for a deer in the dense woods, hadn't been aiming at a man. He had aimed at something he thought was an animal, an easy target.

The bullet hit Alastor directly in the head.

He fell, and the world faded around him. It was swift, and for a moment, there was no pain—only darkness, and the final, haunting thought that he would never get the chance to see his family again. He would never hear Baxter's voice, never watch him grow into the brilliant scientist he was destined to be. He would never get to share another moment with Vox, the love of his life, the one person who had made him feel something beyond his hunger for power.

As his body lay in the woods, a place where he had once found solace, his family was left behind to pick up the pieces of a shattered world.

Vox had been the first to arrive when the authorities contacted him, his sharp mind quickly piecing together the scenario when he saw Alastor's lifeless form on the forest floor. The hunters, now realizing their tragic mistake, had run off, leaving the body behind. Vox didn't care for their apologies. His eyes remained locked on Alastor, whose blood stained the earth.

His mind refused to accept the reality, but his heart knew the truth. The man who had once spoken to him in soft tones, whose presence had been larger than life, whose laughter had filled their home with warmth, was gone. And in his absence, Vox felt a cold emptiness begin to settle within him.

Baxter, still a boy in many ways, had followed Vox to the woods. His steps were slow and uncertain, his face pale as he stared at the man who had been both his father and his mentor. The child who had once been so eager to learn about the world now stood frozen, his gaze locked on the bloodied ground where Alastor's body lay.

"Is he... is he gone?" Baxter asked, his voice breaking through the silence. His eyes filled with confusion and sorrow, unable to reconcile the cold reality with the loving, charismatic figure he had known.

Vox couldn't bring himself to answer right away. He only nodded, the weight of the truth sinking in.

"Father..." Baxter's voice faltered as he stepped closer, his hands trembling.

Vox stepped back to look at his son, placing a hand on Baxter's shoulder before bringing him in for an embrace. Baxter trembled in the touch as he shared his father's aversion to touch but in a moment like this, he craved the comfort, clinging onto his dad's form desperately.

Vox held his son close as he tried to hold back his own trembling. The man who had once seemed so invincible, so powerful, was now just a memory, a presence that would never return, the thought of never seeing his husband's face again, never hearing his voice, was almost unbearable.

There was one thing Vox knew for sure: the life they had shared, the love they had created, would continue in the legacy they had left behind. Though Alastor was gone, his influence would never disappear. His love for Baxter and Vox, his final acts of care, would continue to live on in their son.

And Vox would make sure of it.

It seemed as though fate had turned its back on Vox, just as it had on Alastor. The years had not been kind to him. After Alastor's death, Vox had become something else—something even darker than the man who had once manipulated the masses through his technological empire. Though his love for his son remained unwavering, Vox had delved into the world of shadows, a secret cult leader hidden behind a facade of business deals, wealth, and public power. To the world, he was a tech mogul, a businessman at the helm of a growing empire. But behind closed doors, Vox was a master of persuasion, a man who could make his followers believe anything, and he had built a following that hung on his every word.

The cult was small, secretive, and highly influential. Vox had never intended for it to become what it was—he had simply wanted control, the kind of influence that he had once held over technology, over the very world itself. The power to make people do what he wanted, to shape them, to mould their thoughts as though they were clay. His sermons were infamous—powerful, calculated speeches that used the same charm and rhetoric that had made him such a success in the business world. The voice, much like Alastor's, could captivate, command, and manipulate. His followers worshipped him, and Vox revelled in the control.

It was during one of these sermons, as he stood on the platform, speaking with the same fiery passion that had once fueled his rise to power, that tragedy struck.

A massive television, rigged for effect during the sermon, came crashing down. It was an accident, a failure of the equipment—an oversight that had never been a problem before. But the enormous screen smashed into Vox's head with brutal force, and the world went black.

He crumpled to the floor, lifeless.

Vox had never expected his death to come in such a way. It was an ignoble end, an accident rather than a calculated strike. He had lived his life with such precision, but in the end, it was the unexpected that took him.

And yet, there was no denying that in his death, a part of Alastor's shadow loomed over him. They were both gone now. Both were the men who had shaped and controlled everything around them, leaving their sons behind in a world that now seemed so empty.

Baxter, now a young adult, had grown in ways that neither of his fathers could have predicted. His intellect had only deepened, his drive to understand the world growing with each passing day. He had inherited so much from both Vox and Alastor—not just their genius, but their need for control, their ability to bend others to their will. Yet there was something different in Baxter. His drive, though undeniable, was tempered with a sense of introspection, of understanding the consequences of power. He had learned early on the dangers of unchecked ambition, the darkness that could arise from the desire to control others.

The moment Alastor laid eyes on Vox again, all the time, all the years that had passed since their last meeting seemed to fall away. There was no grand fanfare, no orchestral symphony of joy—just the quiet, almost mournful reunion of two souls who had been separated by the cruel passage of time.

Vox stood before him, the same elegance in his posture, the same sharp glint in his eye—but there was something softer now, something more vulnerable. His usual confidence was tinged with a sadness that spoke of years spent in solitude, and when his eyes met Alastor's, the dam broke. Tears welled up in Vox's eyes, tears that he could no longer hold back after so long.

"Alastor..." Vox whispered, his voice shaking, the weight of the years pressing down on him. He stepped forward, arms reaching out, and Alastor—despite the walls he had built around his own heart—didn't hesitate. He met Vox halfway, pulling him into a desperate, lingering embrace. For the first time in what felt like forever, Alastor allowed himself to hold the man he had once loved so deeply and still did, in a way he had never truly let go of.

The moment was sweet, fleeting, and as Vox pressed his face against Alastor's chest, the radio demon could feel the warmth of his husband's presence once again—an echo of a time long past, yet alive with emotion.

Vox's voice trembled as he spoke, his words barely above a whisper. "I missed you so much..."

Alastor's usual smile wavered for a moment, something raw and vulnerable flickering across his features. He hadn't realized how much he had missed Vox, how much he had longed for this reunion until it was happening. Despite the bitterness that had once soured their relationship, there was still an undeniable connection between them, one that could never fully be severed.

The kiss that followed was gentle, tentative at first, as though they were both testing the waters of their past. The radio demon's lips brushed against Vox's, and for that fleeting moment, the weight of the years melted away. All that remained was the undeniable chemistry, the shared history, and the deep well of emotions that neither of them had been able to express when they were alive.

When they finally pulled away, their foreheads pressed together, breaths shallow. It was as though the world itself had paused, leaving them in the quiet of their own private moment.

But as much as they wished to hold onto this reunion, it was clear that the shadows of the past and the present were never far behind. Alastor, ever the pragmatist, knew that there was no time to waste. His thoughts, like the static in his radio, were filled with the one thing that had always weighed heavily on his mind: Baxter.

"What about our boy?" Alastor asked, his voice barely more than a murmur, as he pulled back just enough to meet Vox's eyes. "How is he? What has become of him since..."

Vox's expression softened, though there was a subtle sadness in his eyes. "He's... he's stubborn," Vox said, his voice full of affection but tinged with an exasperation that only a father could understand. "Still questions everything. Still never knows when to stop, when to sleep. Sometimes he'll collapse right at his workbench from exhaustion."

Alastor chuckled, a bittersweet laugh that carried with it the weight of both pride and sorrow. "Some things never change," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Always so relentless, so determined. He must have inherited that from you."

Vox let out a soft laugh, the edges of his lips curling into a fond smile. "Maybe," he admitted, "but he's also got a lot of you in him, you know. The way he approaches the world—always trying to make sense of it all, even if it doesn't always fit into the boxes he's created for himself." His smile faltered for a moment, and Alastor could see the concern in his eyes. "He's grown up so much, Alastor. But I wish you could have seen it. I wish you could have been there."

Alastor's heart ached at the words. There was so much he had missed, so much he would never get to witness—his son growing from a boy into the young man he was now. So many milestones, so many quiet moments that would never be shared with him.

"I wish I could have," Alastor murmured, his voice raw with the weight of it all. "I never wanted to leave him... leave you... alone."

Vox placed a hand on Alastor's shoulder, squeezing gently, as though to remind him that he had not been alone—Baxter had been strong, had found his own way, just as Vox had tried to be the father he needed.

"I know," Vox said softly. "I know."

Alastor sighed, the static of his thoughts buzzing in the back of his mind as he thought of his son—his precious, stubborn, brilliant boy. "Do you think he's okay?" Alastor asked, a trace of worry slipping into his voice. "Will he manage, without us? Without either of us?"

Vox's expression softened, his gaze distant as he thought of Baxter. "He'll be alright. He's always been more resilient than we give him credit for." His eyes met Alastor's, a mixture of hope and sorrow in his expression. "He may not have had us as parents for all these years, but he's not alone. Not really."

Alastor couldn't help but laugh again, a hollow but warm sound, as he leaned back against the cold stone of their surroundings. "Still stubborn," he said with a rueful smile. "He was always more like us than we thought, wasn't he?"

Vox chuckled softly. "Yes, he certainly was."

As the two stood together, reunited in this strange, in-between world, there was still so much left unsaid, so many questions that would never have simple answers. But for now, they shared this moment—together again, however brief. And for a fleeting, precious second, it was enough.

Alastor looked at Vox, his heart swelling with a love he had long buried. "Tell me more about him," he asked quietly, his voice full of longing. "How is he really?"

Vox smiled wistfully, as though weighing his words, but his voice was steady. "Still questioning everything, still driving himself crazy with work, still our boy, Alastor. Still ours."

And in that quiet, bittersweet moment, the two of them stood together, sharing in the bittersweet joy of knowing that their son—though far from them—was still out there, still carrying a piece of their legacy in the world.

In Hell, the two men were content. Their reign had ended, but they were still together, still bound by the love they had shared. Their reunion was a celebration of what they had once been, but also a reflection of the bitterness that had come with their decisions. They had built a world of control, of power, but they had never taught their son to love those around him in the way he deserved.

As days passed, Alastor and Vox shared their memories, their regrets, and their hopes for the son they had left behind. They knew their influence would never fade—Baxter would carry their legacy, whether he chose to accept it or reject it.

But the question that lingered in the air between them was this: Would Baxter find fulfilment, or would he fall prey to the same darkness that had consumed his fathers?

In those quiet moments, as they held each other in the afterlife, they hoped for the best, even as they understood that their son's path was his own to choose.

The days in Hell were long, but in their hearts, Alastor and Vox knew that their love for Baxter would never die. They just hoped his life was a long and happy one.

The world that Baxter had once known—the one filled with books, machines, and his unrelenting pursuit of knowledge—was gone. Gone not from choice, but from the cold, unrelenting hand of fate. He had been on a journey, a journey that would have changed his life forever, if not for the cruel twist of destiny that had stolen it away from him.

It had been an invitation from a prestigious group of scientists, a secretive collective that promised to further Baxter's ambitions in ways he had only dreamed of. They had recognized his brilliance and his potential, and they wanted him to join their ranks. It was the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to dive into the cutting-edge discovery, of scientific advancement. The meeting was scheduled on the other side of the world, and to get there, Baxter had taken a boat across the waters—a journey he had thought would be routine, a simple means to an end.

But fate, as it often does, had other plans.

Baxter, aged twenty-six, had never learned to swim, a fact that had never bothered him before. He was far more at ease in the controlled environment of labs and libraries, where he could experiment and read in peace. But on that fateful day, as the boat rocked violently in the waves, something had gone horribly wrong. A sudden storm had taken the crew by surprise, the winds howling and the water churning with a fury that even the most seasoned sailors couldn't have predicted.

Baxter had been thrown overboard in the chaos. He had struggled against the dark waters, gasping for air as the cold water began to fill his lungs. There had been no one to help him, no one to pull him from the depths. He had fought, fought against the overwhelming force of nature, but it was all in vain. As the lantern he had clung to sank beneath the waves, his world had grown darker and colder, and in the end, everything had gone silent.

Baxter had died alone, his body drifting in the vastness of the ocean, the lantern now nothing more than a faint, fading memory.

But death, it seemed, was not the end of his story.

When Baxter opened his eyes, he was no longer in the world he had known. The cold, crushing pressure of the water no longer surrounded him, and yet, everything was different. The world around him was red and bright.

As he sat up, water dropping off his form, he tried to orient himself, and he realized that his form had changed. His ears had transformed into fins, and his body was now sleek, and streamlined for the water. And worst of all, his head had morphed into the grotesque, bulbous shape of an anglerfish. His skin had taken on a pale, translucent hue, and a glowing lure now hung above his head, casting a faint light into the surrounding abyss.

Baxter felt a pang of horror at his new form, but it was fleeting. The shock of his transformation quickly faded as his scientific mind kicked in, analyzing the situation with all the detachment and curiosity he had always known.

"I'm... I'm an anglerfish?" he muttered to himself, his voice now soft and distorted in the water. He could still think, still understand, and most importantly, he could still feel the same drive to learn.

His first instinct was to panic, to mourn the loss of his human body, the life he had worked so hard to build. But as he slowly stood up, he realized something—the world around him was full of wonder. This was a new realm, an unknown place of endless possibilities, just like the scientific mysteries he had once explored on land. There was one thing Baxter knew how to do, it was to explore.

Baxter had never feared the unknown before. If anything, the unknown had always intrigued him. And now, with his new form, he was in the most unknown place he could imagine— the universe had given him a second chance, albeit in a form he hadn't expected.

"Perhaps this is my next great experiment," he thought, a strange, quiet smile tugging at his lips. "Perhaps this is my new purpose."

Though the initial shock of his transformation had been overwhelming, Baxter slowly began to adapt. His mind, sharp as ever, began to understand his new body's capabilities. He had always been a thinker and a planner, and now, more than ever, he needed to use his intellect to survive in this new, alien world. He was, in a sense, a scientist once more—only now, his work was about understanding his own existence, his place in this strange and unfamiliar world.

"I will make my own future," Baxter whispered to himself, his voice carrying softly through the water. "Just as I always have."

And so, despite the loss of his former life, despite the tragic end he had met, Baxter found peace in his new existence.

He had lost everything once—but now, Baxter had the chance to rebuild, to grow, and to thrive in ways he had never imagined. The darkness of the ocean no longer seemed so intimidating—it was a canvas, waiting for him to paint his new story.

Years passed in the silent depths of the ocean before Baxter's name began to echo through the corridors of power once again. It was not in the way he had expected, nor in the form he had once envisioned for himself, but the call of his intellect and the curiosity of others would always find him, no matter how far beneath the surface he had fallen.

Vox, now at the helm of a vast empire, was once again in need of new candidates. His influence had grown, his reach expanding to new territories, and his power now needed fresh minds to run his offices—minds that could think outside the box, minds that could adapt and innovate. He scoured through resumes, sifting through piles of candidates who seemed capable enough, but none with the sharpness and brilliance he sought.

Then, one fateful day, a name caught his attention. Baxter. The resume read like a dream—outstanding intellect, unparalleled knowledge, and a curiosity that would push the boundaries of everything Vox had ever known. But it wasn't just the credentials that stood out to Vox. The name, he hated how his heart hurt at a single word. There were thousands of demons in hell with the same unoriginal names, he couldn't just let that get in the way when he needed a brilliant mind more than ever.

So with a painful heart, Vox invited this Baxter to meet him, eager to see if this candidate could live up to the promise of his resume.

When Baxter arrived at Vox's lavish office, Vox, busy with papers and technology in his hands, stopped cold. The moment he looked up and saw the figure standing in the doorway, his heart skipped a beat. Despite the transformation, despite the change in form, it was him.

Baxter.

The realization hit Vox like a tidal wave. His mind raced with disbelief, confusion, and then an overwhelming surge of emotions he had buried long ago. In an instant, everything else faded into the background—the empire, the business deals, the power he had cultivated—nothing mattered but the figure standing before him, the child he had thought lost forever.

Vox dropped what he was holding, his hands trembling as he took a step forward. "B-Baxter?" he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. Without stopping himself he reached out to hold this "Baxter" face.

Baxter had never liked being touched, never welcomed the embrace of others. But something about this moment was different—something about the presence of the one person who had never once given up on him, even in death, made all of that fade into nothingness.

"Dad?" Baxter could only ask as he felt his chest tightened.

Before Baxter could process it, Vox with arms wide, pulled him into an embrace. Baxter stiffened at first, instinctively pulling away, but then, something within him broke. He hadn't expected it—he hadn't thought it would matter—but in that moment, when he felt the warmth of Vox's arms around him, the comforting pressure of his father's hold, he allowed himself to let go.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Baxter didn't push away. He clung to Vox, not out of weakness, but out of the long-buried need for connection, for family. It was the first time in years that he allowed himself to feel loved, to feel wanted, and he couldn't deny the comfort that came with it.

Vox pulled back, his eyes glistening, a mixture of joy and sorrow. "My son... you came back to me."

Baxter nodded, simply enjoying his dad's hold, like he was that seven-year-old, all over again.

Vox, filled with overwhelming pride and love, wasted no time in sending word to Alastor. Vox still holding Baxter to his chest, a single hand behind his head, reached for the phone, dialling with trembling fingers. "Alastor, you need to get to the ower... it's him. It's Baxter."

There was a long pause on the other end, followed by the sound of Alastor's unmistakable, voice "I'll be right over" before the phone clicked off.

Alastor had appeared in a poof, a grin as wide as ever plastered across his face. His eyes locked onto Baxter immediately, and the moment their gazes met, something in Alastor's expression softened. For the first time in years, the radio host was quiet, still, as he took in the sight of the son he thought lost forever.

Alastor also held Baxter's face and after confirming it was indeed his son pressed his head against Baxter, letting out a relieved noise before standing back up, his smile still wavered slightly but he let out a little hum to relax.

"Well, well, well," Alastor said, his voice rich with amusement but tempered with a deep fondness. "It seems the boy has returned, though in a form I never imagined."

Baxter couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Alastor's usually exuberant demeanour tempered by a quiet sense of tenderness. "I didn't expect it either," Baxter replied, his voice still a bit unsteady.

Alastor stepped forward, his hands outstretched in an exaggerated gesture. "Oh, but look at you! You're still our Baxter, even if you're a little... glowy," he teased, his grin never fading. "It's a pleasure to finally meet the new you.

And at that moment, no matter the form Baxter had taken, no matter the years that had passed, the family was complete again. They were reunited in a way that neither time nor death could tear apart.

For the first time in a long time, Baxter allowed himself to believe in the possibility of a future—a future where he could be loved, where he could love in return, and where he could rebuild his life alongside the two people who had always been his home.

Together, they would face the unknown once again. But this time, they would do it as a family.

The reunion of the family, once so broken and distant, had been a beautiful, emotional moment. For a time, everything seemed right again. Vox, Alastor, and Baxter began to settle into a new rhythm, learning to adapt to the strange reality that was their family dynamic. But as with most things in life, peace was short-lived.

It wasn't that they didn't love each other—no, that was never in question. The love between Vox and Alastor, though complicated and often toxic, was real, a bond that had been forged over years of rivalry, affection, and shared ambition. Yet, as the days turned into months, months turned into years, cracks began to appear in the walls of their once unshakable relationship. Power, in the end, was always the root of their struggles.

Hell, as they both knew it, was a battleground of dominance. There were no real rules, no clear lines drawn between those who ruled and those who were ruled. And it was this constant struggle for control—control over power, control over each other—that had slowly driven a wedge between them.

Vox, ever the manipulator and control freak, had always struggled with sharing power. It wasn't enough for him to be a figurehead; he needed to be the one pulling the strings, the one behind the curtains. Alastor, on the other hand, had always preferred his own domain, his own space, where he could work his magic without interference. But as time went on, it became clear that their worlds were no longer compatible. The tension was palpable, simmering beneath the surface until one day it reached a breaking point.

The fight had started over something as trivial as a business decision, or so it seemed at first. Vox had suggested Baxter stay on with him, working in his office, since he was technically his employee and that he would room there more often. Alastor, his pride wounded, had refused to even entertain the idea.

"You can't just keep him from me, Vox!" Alastor had shouted, his usual calm replaced by a fury that shook even his own being. "He's my son, too! I won't have you owning him like he's property"

But Vox had been unyielding. "Do not tell me how I treat my son Alastor, I've been more than fair in letting him decide for himself. If he wants to work with me, he will. I will not let you use him as some tool in your endless battle for power."

And just like that, the tension that had been building for so long finally erupted. The venomous words, the insults, the anger—everything spilled out, unchecked. They were no longer the lovers they once were, nor the allies they had been. What had once been a partnership was now a battleground. Their shared past, the love they had built for each other, felt like a distant memory.

Baxter, watching the fallout from the sidelines, felt a gnawing ache in his chest. He had always known their relationship was complicated, but never had he imagined it would crumble so spectacularly. He had grown up with their constant rivalry, their hidden affection, and the undercurrent of tension that seemed to always bubble beneath the surface. But now, seeing the men he once saw as his fathers locked in such bitter hatred, he could hardly bear it.

"I'm not going to choose sides," Baxter had said quietly, as the argument escalated. "I'm an adult now, and I'll do what I think is best for me."

But despite his attempts to remain neutral, Baxter knew he was now caught in the middle of a war he never asked to be a part of. Vox and Alastor had both made it clear that they cared for him, but the reality was that their animosity had put him in an impossible position. He wasn't a child anymore, but that didn't mean the weight of their bitterness didn't still hurt.

When the two had finally parted ways—Alastor retreating to his lair, Vox back to his empire—it became clear that things would never be the same again. The love they once shared was broken, and nothing would ever fix it.

Despite the animosity that now defined their relationship, neither Vox nor Alastor ever let their anger spill over to Baxter. In fact, if anything, they both made a concerted effort to keep their conflict away from him. For Baxter's part, he had learned to navigate the storm of their emotions. While they fought over control and dominance, he kept his focus on his work. He had grown into someone independent, a force in his own right. No longer just the son of the Radio Demon and the TV overlord, Baxter had become a figure people respected—partly because of his brilliance, and partly because of his sheer ability to stand his ground in a world that was often absurd and overwhelming.

It had been years since his transformation, but Baxter was no longer that naive child who needed protection. Now, he was a professional in his own right, carving out a space for himself in a world ruled by tyrants and egos. No longer willing to let the ridiculousness of his situation define him, Baxter had developed a dry sense of humour.

When people would ask him how a deer and a radio demon could produce an anglerfish, he would simply shake his head and call them idiots.

"How does a deer and a radio equal a fish? Well, clearly it doesn't, but here we are," Baxter would say, rolling his eyes at their confusion. "But no, I didn't exactly inherit my father's radio waves or Vox's ability to manipulate signals. What I did inherit was something a lot more useful—my mind."

Baxter had long since accepted that nothing about his life was normal. Hell, even the fact that he was in the middle of a family feud between two power-hungry beings like Vox and Alastor felt almost comical in its absurdity. But the truth was, he was done trying to make sense of it all. He had his work, his own goals, and the rare moments when he could visit with both Vox and Alastor—separate, yes, but still important to him in their own ways.

As much as they argued, the love they had for him remained. Baxter knew that, deep down. No matter how strained the relationship had become, he would always have a place between them. He would always be their child, their creation—a link between two worlds, two powerhouses, whose past was as tangled as the future that stretched ahead.

But the peace, if it ever returned, would not come easily. The scars of their broken relationship ran deep, and the wounds that had festered for so long would not simply heal with time. No, the road ahead would be paved with struggles, alliances, and betrayals.

And Baxter, as always, would find his way through it—alone, if necessary, but never without his unique place in the madness that was Hell.

It was almost comical at this point, the way Baxter was being used as a pawn in his parents' unending battle for control. The media, of course, had a field day with it, constantly referring to him as the "child of divorce," as if that label would somehow encapsulate the complexity of his situation. It didn't matter that Baxter was decades beyond the age of being called a child. The press had latched onto the narrative, and he was now just another tabloid sensation, trapped in the middle of a very messy divorce.

Every time he tried to visit one of his parents, he knew exactly how it would play out: the polished silver tea sets, the finest biscuits, and the endless, polite inquiries into how he was doing. "Are you eating well, dear? Taking care of yourself?" they'd ask, with concern that didn't always feel genuine. And no matter what he said—no matter how many times he insisted he could handle himself—there would always be an undertone of their need for control.

But it wasn't the small talk that drove him mad. It was the way they used him as a conduit for information about the other.

"So," Vox would ask, his voice as cool and smooth as ever, "how is your dear father doing? Is he still working on his new project? I imagine he has a few new tricks up his sleeve."

Baxter would roll his eyes, silently cursing the situation he was in. "I told you, Dad, just ask him yourself."

But Vox would wave him off, a sly smile playing at his lips. "Ah, but you know how it is. I like hearing it from you, Baxter. You're so much more... reliable than he is."

Then, as if nothing had happened, they'd switch the conversation to something more trivial. "How's your work going? Are you still managing to keep things afloat with all those scientific endeavours? Still, making progress on that little project of yours? I mean I know if you are but I much prefer it coming from you directly son"

Baxter would bite his tongue. He wasn't an idiot. He knew exactly what was happening. Every word, every question was just a ploy to get him to spill information about the other—about Alastor. About their rivalry. About whatever Alastor was planning next.

It wasn't much different when he visited Alastor.

"Baxter! How lovely to see you," Alastor would say, a grin that bordered on manic lighting up his face. "You've been keeping well, I trust? Eating properly? Taking care of that lovely... finned figure of yours?" Alastor would always give that trademark chuckle, as though he had won some great joke that no one else could appreciate. "I hope you're not letting him get to you. You know how Vox can be."

Baxter's eye twitched. "I told you, father. I'm not a messenger. I'm not going to tell you what he's up to. Just ask him directly."

"Oh, but dear boy, I simply can't. It's far more entertaining to hear it from you. You're far too much of a spectacle to ignore," Alastor would respond, sipping his tea as though nothing was amiss.

It was always the same. The endless questions. The delicate, formal concern for his well-being. And in return, they'd use him as a mirror through which to spy on the other. Neither of them had any interest in actually talking to each other—not really. They both wanted information and wanted to see who could outwit the other.

And Baxter? He was the unwilling middleman. The "child of divorce," the bridge between two egos too big to ever be fully reconciled.

At first, Baxter had tried to remain neutral, to keep the peace between his two estranged fathers. He'd kept his head down, focused on his own work, and tried not to let their constant bickering affect him. But with each visit, each forced conversation, he could feel the walls closing in on him. It was exhausting, trying to keep the peace while also trying to live his own life.

"Why don't you just talk to each other?" he asked one evening, after an especially grueling session with Vox. He was sitting in his study, trying to focus on his work, but his mind kept drifting back to the earlier conversation. "You're both adults. You don't need me as the intermediary."

Vox had just laughed. "Kiddo, you need to understand—such matters are far too delicate to be handled directly. Besides, I don't want to disturb your father with such trivialities. He can be... quite difficult when it comes to sensitive issues."

Baxter's patience snapped. "You're both adults, I said! You've been around for long enough to know how to deal with each other. I'm not your secretary. If you have something to say to him, say it directly!"

But Vox had only smiled that smile—the one that never reached his eyes—and leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled. "You do realize you're asking for the impossible, don't you, Baxter? Alastor and I have never been able to resolve anything without a little... diplomatic manoeuvring."

It was the same with Alastor. The same dance, the same exhausting routine. When he visited Alastor's lair, the questions would always be the same: "How is Vox doing? Is he still running his little empire? How is he handling those troublesome little rebellions in his ranks?"

And when Baxter would protest, Alastor would wave him off, his grin ever present. "I'm only asking because I care, dear boy. You know I would ask him directly, but he's always so busy. I wouldn't want to disturb him with such trivial matters."

The hypocrisy was maddening. They'd both pretend like they cared for him, but really, Baxter was just a tool to get at the other. They both wanted him to be the go-between, the link that would connect them without them having to lower themselves and actually talk. It wasn't love. It was manipulation. And Baxter hated it.

It wasn't like he hadn't tried. He had sat down with both of them at separate times and explained that this behaviour was childish and unhealthy and that they needed to stop using him as a mediator. He had told them, directly, that he was not a child anymore and that he couldn't be dragged into their constant games.

But no matter how much he insisted, they just continued. They'd nod along, offer him more tea, and more biscuits, ask how he was doing, then swiftly shift the conversation back to the other.

He was tired.

Tired of being the one stuck in the middle. Tired of being treated like a pawn in their ongoing power struggle. Tired of watching them use him as a bridge when they couldn't be bothered to build a real connection themselves.

But there was little he could do. It wasn't like he could just walk away from both of them. They were his family. In their own twisted, dysfunctional way, they were still his fathers. And, for better or worse, that meant he would always find himself caught between them.

So Baxter would do what he always did. He would smile, nod, and try to deflect the constant probing questions. He would sit there, pretending to enjoy the tea and biscuits, knowing full well that, once again, they were using him as their little spy. He would play along, just like he always did. After all, what other choice did he have?

And when the day came that they inevitably asked for one more update on the other, Baxter would simply smile, take a sip of his tea, and remind himself that, no matter how frustrating it all was, he had his own goals now. His own path to follow.

He may have been the "child of divorce," but he was no one's pawn.

Bonus:

Alastor leaned back in his chair, eyes unfocused as he drifted into memories from long ago, to a time when Baxter was still a young boy. Back when the world seemed far less complicated the family had still been whole.

He could still see it so clearly—Baxter, sitting at the desk in his little room, his concentration absolute as he flipped through pages of some scientific journal or textbook. The quiet hum of the house was often punctuated by the soft rustle of pages and the occasional tap of Baxter's pen as he worked through problems far too complex for most children his age. Baxter had always been gifted, always driven. But it wasn't just his intelligence that Alastor remembered so fondly.

There had been a particular evening, not long after Baxter had started taking more of an interest in the family radio broadcasts, where Alastor had walked past his son's room, only to pause as he heard the unmistakable sound of his own voice emanating from within. It wasn't an unusual thing—his radio broadcasts had filled the house regularly, his deep, smooth voice often floating through the halls. But this time, it was different.

Curious, Alastor had peeked through the open door and found Baxter hunched over his desk, his wide eyes fixed intently on the pages in front of him. But it wasn't just the books that had captured his attention. No, Baxter had one of Alastor's old radio recordings on, the familiar cadence of his voice filling the space as he worked.

Alastor had smiled to himself, watching his son, his heart swelling in a way that surprised him. Baxter had always been so independent, so serious—so unlike most children. And yet here he was, listening to his father's voice as though it were some form of comfort, a guiding presence as he worked through his studies.

But then, as Alastor made a small noise, his presence known, he had caught Baxter's reaction. The boy had frozen, his face flushing bright red with embarrassment as he scrambled to turn off the radio. He fumbled with the dial, as though he had been caught in some grand betrayal. Baxter, always so composed, always so sure of himself, suddenly became that shy child again—the one who was still learning, still growing, still looking for his place in the world.

Alastor couldn't help but chuckle softly, the sound of his own amusement mingling with the tenderness in his heart. There was something about that moment, about how Baxter had tried so hard to hide his reaction, that made the memory all the more precious.

"What are you listening to, my boy?" Alastor had asked, stepping fully into the room with a playful grin on his face.

Baxter had stammered, a rare sight for him. "I... I wasn't listening to anything... I—uh—I was just... just working. No reason for it, really." His words had rushed out, stumbling over themselves, and the slight blush on his cheeks only deepened.

Alastor had stepped closer, ruffling Baxter's hair affectionately. "Oh, I see. It seems you're quite the fan of my broadcasts." His voice had been warm, and teasing but full of affection. "That's my boy."

Baxter had groaned softly, mortified. "I wasn't—It's not like that. I just had it on for background noise! I wasn't—" But his words had faltered when Alastor gave him a mock-serious look.

Vox's voice had suddenly chimed in from the hallway, a soft laugh carrying through. "You know, Alastor," he had called, his voice as smooth as silk, "It's adorable how embarrassed he gets. A little too cute, don't you think?"

Alastor had turned to his husband, their eyes meeting with a knowing smile. Vox's laughter filled the space, light and unreserved, as he leaned against the doorframe, clearly enjoying the moment.

Baxter had looked between them both, face still flushed, and in a rare moment of vulnerability, had grumbled, "I don't get embarrassed... I'm just... I'm just trying to focus." But there was no hiding the grin that tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Vox chuckled softly, walking into the room, his presence warm and effortless as always. "Come on now, Baxter," he had said, smiling down at their son. "It's getting late. Time to get some rest, alright?"

Baxter had reluctantly nodded, still trying to save face, but both Alastor and Vox could see the joy hidden behind his embarrassment. It was moments like that—quiet, simple, and full of genuine affection—that had made those years so special.

Alastor remembered how Vox had been the one to tuck Baxter in, the one to settle him into bed when the night had come. Alastor, not always the best at showing affection in the way that Vox could, would instead hover by the door, his pride and love for his son silently radiating from him as he watched the two of them.

He remembered the way Vox would gently sit on the edge of Baxter's bed, brushing his hair out of his eyes before leaning down to kiss his forehead. He would tell Baxter that everything would be okay and that the world could be difficult, but he was smart, he was strong, and he was loved.

And Alastor... Alastor wished he could have given Baxter that same kind of emotional security. He wished he could have been the one to tuck him in at night, to soothe his fears with more than just a firm hand or a well-measured word. He longed to have been there for those small moments, to have been the one to kiss his son goodnight and say the words that were needed, but so often avoided.

Those nights now seemed like a distant memory, a time before the chaos, before the rivalry, before the destruction of what they had built together. There was a deep ache in Alastor's chest as he thought back on them, a longing for what could have been, what should have been.

Now, with the family fractured and Baxter grown, Alastor could only hope that some part of him—some small piece of love and care—had made its way into Baxter's heart. Perhaps, despite everything, there was still a chance for them to rebuild what had been lost. Perhaps, if he tried hard enough, he could still be the father that Baxter deserved.

But for now, all he had were the memories—the small, precious moments when his son had been little more than a child, trying to grow up in a world that never quite understood him. Alastor smiled softly to himself, knowing that, even in those fleeting moments, he had been something that Baxter had needed. He had been his father. And that, in the end, was all that mattered.

Chapter Text

There was this demon called Amir Talai.

A lanky, sharp-smiled demon from Velvet's social media division, Amir's speciality was weaponised gossip.

His role wasn't only to entertain and amuse, it was to control the narrative.

He wrote lies so convincing, so meticulously worded, that even Hell's overlords would fall for them without question.

A whisper in a headline, a turn of phrase in a scandal sheet, a manipulated photograph on Velvet's platforms—Amir could make the impossible seem inevitable.

And the biggest rumour circling Hell at present wasn't the usual petty dirt about who was sleeping with whom, or whose empire was bleeding revenue. No, this was about two titans: the Radio Demon and the TV Demon.

Their rivalry was practically an institution, written about so often in tabloids that most citizens had tuned it out as background noise. Static. Nothing new.

But this time... this time, the buzz had a third element.

And that got heads turning. Ears burning. Tongues wagging.

The whispers claimed that Vox's own longest-owned soul—his head of the Science Division—was going behind his master's back. Meeting in secret with none other than Alastor, the Radio Demon.

The reasoning? Depending on which corner of Hell you listened in, the story shifted. Some papers hinted at a forbidden romantic affair, others implied espionage, betrayal, or defection. And the juiciest, most scandalous phrasing always made it to the front pages.

"Radioactive?" the Hellborn Herald declared in fat blocky letters.

Within hours, the rumour had spread like wildfire.

And of course, with a rumour this big and juicy, it was inevitable that it would reach at least one of the demons in question.

Alastor, who had just settled into his favourite café for breakfast. The clatter of cups, the hiss of steam, the soft chatter of the damned—pleasant ambience for a morning ritual. Cracked open the paper after taking a sip and began scanning casually.

Column three.

There it was.

He paused. Read it once. Then again.

At first, his grin twitched. He was disgusted. The very notion of associating himself romantically—or even strategically—with anything in relation to Vox was enough to make his skin crawl. But then, his grin widened, stretched unnaturally.

Because in this particular scandal, there was a name attached.

One he recognised only faintly.

One that suddenly... piqued his interest.

And Alastor never ignored an opportunity.

Later.

"Greetings! How are you, my Walking Commercial Break?" Alastor announced as pridfully giddy as usual

Vox froze mid-step, static prickling from his monitors. The familiar, infuriating voice behind him made his screens flicker with irritation.

Alastor, in his domain, in his street, just so casually walking behind him as he just finished his lunch in his own favourite 5-star restaurant?!

"The fuck do you want, you One-Station Wonder?" Vox snapped, turning sharply.

Alastor only chuckled, cane tapping the pavement as he strolled closer.

"Oh, nothing much! Just taking a casual stroll, stretching my legs, perhaps in the hopes of catching sight of a certain light-bulbed minnow in the vicinity." Alastor explained as he flicked a bit of fluff off his suit

"...Who?" Vox's tone was sharp, defensive.

"Oh, don't you know?" Alastor's grin grew impossibly wide. "My, my... and here I thought he would be the one soul you'd remember among all the others you've got locked up in your warehouse."

"My bes—wait. Baxter?!" Vox pondered before remembering only one of his workers worthy of such things to be kept in his memories

Alastor's laugh rang out like a broken radio signal. "Indeed! Your little sushi roll! Such a delightful thing, isn't he?"

Vox's screens went static white. "...The fuck did you just—"

"Why, he's only gone and gained my interest, most peakingly." Alastor quickly cut in with a faraway look

"HE'S WHAT?!" Vox's voice distorted, booming loud enough to rattle the lampposts.

"Oh, haven't you heard? Tsk, tsk..." Alastor wagged a finger, mockingly chiding.

"And here I thought you were always five steps ahead! When in fact, you're not even on the same level. " The radio demon laughed full-heartedly, already turning his back on Vox.

Vox surged forward, rage fizzing off his screens, but in a blink—Alastor was gone. The street was empty. Just silence and the faint echo of that maddening laugh.

"...BAXTER?!!!" Vox roared as he rushed back to Voxtech

Moments later.

"BAXTER!" Vox's voice boomed as he stormed into the lab, static lighting up the walls. His screens were blinding white with fury.

"ARE YOU FUCKING THE RADIO DEMON?!"

The lab fell silent.

Baxter dropped the glass vial he was holding, which shattered across the floor. He turned, slowly, gaping like a fish pulled too quickly out of water (pun very much intended)

"...What?..." Baxter could only mutter

"Don't play dumb with me!" Vox's voice cracked like a thunderclap, his screens flashing images of headlines, whispers, scandal. "You need to tell me right here and now—ARE YOU?!"

Baxter blinked. Once. Twice. Then his gills flared as he slapped both webbed hands against his face in sheer disbelief.

"...Is that actually what you're asking me?" he said, muffled through his palms. "This isn't some sort of practical joke or... or a hallucination brought on by the toxic fumes I've been handling in here, right?"

"No—" Vox was about to answer before Baxter's neck practically snapped to look at the TV overlord.

"Then WHY—" Baxter dropped his hands, his sharp teeth bared as he shouted— "WHY in the ever-living Lucifer's name would you ask me such a RIDICULOUS, FOOLISH, IDIOTIC, NONSENSICAL QUESTION LIKE THAT?!"

Vox flinched. "I—"

"No. No, don't. Don't even look at-Oh my god, of all the—ugh! Just—why?!...... Why are you asking me this?" Baxter was about to continue his verbal rampage before the realisation hit in his mind, the kind that said "hang on a minute?

"....what's brought this on?" Baxter questioned, understanding Vox's actions better than most, to understand something must have happened to bring this on

Wordlessly, Vox shoved his phone in Baxter's face.

The headline. The picture.The rumour in bold letters.

"Radioactive?"

Baxter froze. Stared. His lure blinked twice. Then, very softly: "...what the hell is even th?t."

Baxter pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling so hard his gills puffed. "...Unbelievable." He looked up at Vox, eyes glowing faintly in the darkened lab.

"Listen to me very carefully, I don't know why this slander has spread so easily, but if you actually think I would ever, EVER willingly spend time with that swamp rat—let alone engage in whatever sordid fantasy they're spinning—you are out of your static-addled mind."

Vox's static fizzled, lessened slightly.

Baxter jabbed a clawed finger into his chest. "You are my—ugh, boss. My captor. My—unfortunately—longest-standing contract holder. My life is already a cage with you rattling the bars. Why in Hell would I sneak off with someone else who'd also turn me into a science experiment for fun?!"

Vox wasn't sure of what to say; he felt like he had been scolded by a teacher who was annoyed one of their students hadn't paid attention to one of the school assemblies that warned those about believing everything they saw on TV.....ironic.

Baxter shook his head and began walking out of his lab.

"Where are you going?" Vox questioned, still slightly stunned from the conversation,

"Where else, that no good gossip spreader has soilied my good name! his brain I shall use for my new brain study!" Baxter growled as he readied one of his weapons

The doors slammed shut in finality.y

".....maybe this hadn't been the greatest idea", Vox grumbled meakily as he already started going online for sorry cards and gifts for Velvet, who, after Baxter was done with him, was going to need a new head of social media scandals.

Chapter Text

Requested by Catherine

The Hazbin Hotel lounge was quiet for a moment, the low hum of background chatter and the faint flicker of neon lights outside doing little to fill the heavy, awkward pause. Charlie had been fuming quietly, muttering under her breath about Lucifer's latest display of selective hearing. He'd been better lately, admittedly—but "better" didn't mean perfect, and Charlie's frustration had been simmering all week.

"He was actually listening last Tuesday," she muttered, her hands twisting in her lap, "and now he's back to acting like nothing matters except—" She stopped, exhaling sharply, realising she was spiralling again.

"Daddy issues," Husk once more muttered by the bar.

"Ha, that's nothing", Angel laughed, leaning back on the couch with one leg propped over the armrest, and glanced at her with a smirk. Although his tone carried humour, there was a bitter edge, almost a shield.

Charlie shot him a glare. "You wouldn't understand, Angel. You..."

"Ah, ah! My turn", Angel interrupted as he leaned forward, elbows on his knees, voice low and even. "You know what it's like having a dad who's supposed to be there but isn't? Mine wasn't just absent—he was a nightmare."

By now, all the members of the hotel were listening i.n

"Mafia. Dirty money, threats, the whole shtick. Always got the respect he wanted from everyone, except from me. I learned early you can't rely on people like that, and that sometimes... sometimes you gotta look out for yourself. Otherwise, you're nothing." Angel laughed even more bitterly, taking a sip of his drink, almost cracking the glass with his teeth

There was a pause. The air felt heavier, and the other crew members listened intently.

"Mine weren't great either," Husk finally muttered from his corner, flicking his cigarette ash into the tray. "Mostly absent. Dad drank, and Mom even more. For the first half of my childhood, I spent more time in casinos than in school, although I probably wouldn't know how to mix a martini better than a chemistry class, "Husk laughed half heartedly.

Niffty perched on the edge of the armrest, her hands fidgeting with the frills of her apron. "Oh! My turn! Mine were... confusing. They wanted me to be perfect, neat, quiet, and polite. But they never explained why, just that I had to be. I think they liked the idea of me more than... me, you know?"

The conversation spiralled naturally, the tone a little sad, a little confessional, as each demon shared fragments of their human lives, their failings, their parents' indifference, neglect, or just plain cruelty. But as the air thickened with a mixture of sorrow and understanding, all eyes slowly shifted toward Baxter, who had been quietly observing, arms crossed, tail twitching ever so slightly.

"Uh... I guess it's my turn," Baxter said finally, voice clipped, almost defensive. He tried to straighten, puffing his tiny chest out in an attempt at bravado, though the corners of his glowing lure dimmed slightly. He wasn't good at this kind of vulnerability; it wasn't his style, but the room waited patiently, even the usually sardonic Angel softening in his gaze. And he doubted the others would let him get away without sharing; he'd been at this hotel too long to know that for sure.

"I... I didn't really have parents. Not in any way that... mattered. My mother... she cared about how I looked. How I appeared. She wanted me to be tidy, quiet, polite, exactly the way she thought a 'proper child' should be. He tried to explain, giving Niffty a look as if he shared a silent understanding.

"As for my father, he wasn't around much from what I remember....it's been so long since then, but when he was...I'm sure it was only to make sure I didn't embarrass him. If I didn't act right, I wasn't punished for who I was... I was punished for how I appeared in front of other people. That's what mattered."

He paused, gaze flicking to the floor for a split second before raising it again. His voice softened slightly. "I... I was a child who didn't fit their idea. I... wanted to be a scientist. I wanted to build things, understand things, and explore things. I wanted to be... me. But... back then, in the 1890s, the world didn't care about that. The world punished kids like me for wanting their own dreams. If you weren't following your family's plan, you... You were wrong."

He shifted uncomfortably. Vulnerability was foreign to him. Pride was armour, and now that armour was shaking. "I... I grew up....wrong...not how I was meant to....didn't get to tell anyone. Didn't get to be me. Everything I did, every little spark of curiosity, every dream, it was... wrong to them. Or maybe they just... didn't notice, didn't care. It... it hurt. A lot. I... I learned to hide it, and I hid it well. I became... what I had to. Smart, prideful, antisocial... all of it. But inside? Inside I just... I wanted someone to see me. Really see me."

The room was silent. Niffty blinked, eyes wide, and her usual cheer was gone. Husk just puffed quietly on his cigarette, expression unreadable, le but his tail flicking with unease. Angel Dust leaned forward, elbows on his knees, one hand running through his messy hair. Charlie's voice broke softly, "Baxter..." but couldn't continue. No words felt adequate.

Even in the face of his pride and ego, his no-nonsense, sometimes harsh personality, the weight of his childhood radiated from him, small yet overwhelming, leaving everyone in the room a little hollow and quiet.

Baxter's tiny hand clenched, then relaxed, as if he had said all he could say. His ears, glowing faintly in the dim light, flicked nervously. "That's... it. That's me. That's my... past. Enough said.

Baxter clearly realised he had shared too much and tried putting barriers back with eho

Angel Dust finally leaned back, letting out a long, soft breath. "Heh... damn, kid... You went through some stuff."

Husk gave a small grunt of acknowledgement. Niffty shuffled closer, lightly tapping his arm with an awkward, tentative hand. Charlie, her voice still quiet, reached over, resting hers on his tiny shoulder.

"You don't have to hide it here, Baxter. None of us will make you," she said gently. "You're safe here."

Baxter's expression softened ever so slightly, pride still there but tempered with relief. For the first time, he felt a little of what he had wanted all along—a place where being himself wasn't a crime, where dreams didn't get punished, where someone actually... cared.

Chapter Text

Requested by Ratfink

Baxter had always hated being told what to do. He had hated it in life, and, if Hell had a ranking system for things he hated, being stuck at the Hazbin Hotel would top the list. Once a human mad scientist, occasionally a crook, and perpetually annoyed by anyone who spoke to him for longer than thirty seconds, Baxter now found himself a permanent resident in a place that was half-reform school, half-crazy circus. And the worst part? His personal reformer was none other than Niffty—a tiny whirlwind of energy, cleaning products, and relentless optimism.

"Come on, Bax! Ice cream!" Niffty chirped, dragging him along by the arm as he grumbled. He had argued that vanilla was "banal and unworthy of consumption," but Niffty had ignored him. Outside, the streets of Hell glimmered with neon lights, the occasional screaming, and other demons who were either selling cursed goods or just screaming for fun.

Baxter stuck his hands in his pockets. "I hate all of this."

"Pssh! Don't be a sourdough, Mr. Science!" Niffty teased, tugging him into a surprisingly fancy ice cream parlour that had obviously been cursed by someone with a flair for the dramatic. The two of them picked up their cones—hers strawberry with rainbow sprinkles, his "experimental chocolate swirl with a hint of nitric acid" (which she prudently did not taste).

They were halfway back to the hotel when it happened.

Two demons—one with a ratty trench coat and the other with a half-melted mask—jumped out of the shadows.

"Hand over your valuables!" the trench-coated one squeaked, holding up a crooked knife.

Baxter stared at them, unimpressed. "Really? That's your outfit?"

"You'll pay!" the other screamed, waving something that might have been a gun but looked suspiciously like a sausage.

Before Niffty could scream, Baxter did something unexpected. He grabbed a nearby lamp post, gave it a short scientific tweak, and launched it at the would-be muggers. The lamp post smashed against the wall with a deafening CLANG, sending both demons tumbling down the street, terrified and bleeding minor ectoplasm.

Niffty's eyes sparkled. "You—you're amazing!"

Baxter groaned. "I just wanted ice cream."

Returning to the hotel, they announced the incident to the gang. "Apparently, crime's getting worse around here," Baxter muttered, rolling his eyes. Angel clutched his tiny hat. Husk grumbled from the bar. Charlie sighed. "We should... maybe do something about that?"

Baxter didn't answer. He went to his room, muttering about humanity's incompetence, the lack of respect for science, and the stupidity of social interaction.

That night, however, Niffty had other plans.

"Sleepover!" she squealed, barging in before he could lock the door. "You're coming, Mister B. We're doing comics!"

Baxter stared. He was tired. He was hungry. And yet, here was Niffty, holding out a stack of vintage comic books with the zeal of a small child discovering fire for the first time.

"These are old golden and silver age comics!" she exclaimed. "Look, there's Silver-Shell—he's like Superman, but better because he's sparkly!"

Baxter blinked. "Sparkly?"

"Yes! And Harmon,y the Goddess of Music—she's Wonder Woman, but with, like, actual musical powers!"

He nodded politely, secretly hoping she would stop talking before she noticed he wasn't actually interested.

Then she held out a thin, black-covered comic.

"The Black Eel!" she said dramatically. "He's my favourite!"

Baxter raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess. Rich guy. Masked. Fights crime. Gadgets?"

Niffty gasped in horror. "Yes! How did you know?!"

"Because it's absurd," Baxter said flatly. "Why would anyone wear a mask and play vigilante? It's impractical, ridiculous, and—"

"—cool!" Niffty interrupted. "Exactly! And look! He has a secret hideout, eel-themed gadgets, and a utility belt full of surprises!"

Baxter tried to resist, but a tiny flicker of amusement crept in. Eel-themed gadgets? Secret hideout? The sheer ridiculousness was... oddly appealing.

Weeks later, while the hotel slept, a new figure emerged in the streets of Hell. The Night-Light—a mysterious, masked vigilante with a glowing anglerfish lure for a nose, a belt full of gadgets of his own making, and a flair for dramatic entrances—stalked the alleys and rooftops. Criminals whispered his name in terror, superstitious and cowardly demons convinced that some glowing sea creature had risen from the depths to punish wrongdoers.

Baxter, of course, was completely anonymous.

The Night-Light had a lot of fun, mostly by accident. One evening, chasing a gang of smelly sock-stealing demons, he stumbled into a back alley only to encounter... a giant smartphone.

"What the—?" Baxter muttered, smacking it aside. The oversized prop toppled onto the gang, knocking them unconscious.

Another night, while foiling a cursed lingerie heist, he found himself tangled in a giant bra. Later, while thwarting a pitchfork-wielding demon, he ducked under a giant thong, which, to his horror, had somehow become a booby trap. And once, while investigating rumours of a demon trying to smuggle a dildo-shaped relic, he facepalmed. "I did not sign up for this."

Through it all, Niffty remained blissfully unaware of his secret identity, often gushing about how his favourite comic book hero would be proud. Baxter sighed. He wasn't doing it for justice or for fame. He was doing it because he hated crime AND because he secretly found it... fun.

The story of the Night-Light spread. Pulp-style narration appeared in sha,dy hellish tabloids:

"The streets are safe tonight, thanks to the glowing anglerfish with a penchant for ingenuity. Crime doesn't sleep, but apparently, neither does he. The Night-Light strikes, and the underworld shivers."

Baxter grumbled from his lab. "I hate everyone."

"Aw, don't be like that!" Niffty chirped, vacuuming up leftover ectoplasm. "Even the Night-Light has fans!"

Baxter muttered under his breath, plotting his next move, adjusting his glow-lure, and secretly thinking of all the absurd, oversized props he would weaponise next.

It wasn't perfect. He hated the social interactions. He hated the incessant cheerfulness. He hated being forced to stay at the Hazbin Hotel. But... there was a thrill in being the Night-Light, in outsmarting criminals in the most ridiculous, over-the-top ways possible, and—dare he admit it?—he was finally... entertained.

And so, in the neon-lit streets of Hell, with oversized gadgets and pulp-inspired flair, Baxter, mad scientist, criminal, reluctant hotel resident, and secret vigilante, became a legend no one suspected. The Night-Light. The Anglerfish Avenger. The hero who laughed in the face of crime... mostly because it was stupid enough to amuse him.

And somewhere, tucked away in the hotel, Niffty flipped through her Black Eel comics, smiling, completely oblivious that her favourite hero had taken a glowing, anglerfish-shaped step out of the pages and into reality.

Hell, it turned out, was never boring again.

Chapter Text

Requested by Ratfink

The Hazbin Hotel was bustling as usual, its chaotic energy humming through every creaking floorboard and echoing hallway. Charlie had been trying, again, to encourage fun and camaraderie among the residents, but one particular demon was proving an almost insurmountable challenge. Baxter, the egotistical, antisocial, neurological mad scientist, had been making life deliberately difficult for everyone. His scornful sneers, cruel quips, and calculated mischief had become a daily routine.

The others had tried everything. Charlie, with her calm patience, had attempted gentle reasoning. Husk had muttered half-hearted threats while polishing glasses. Even Angel Dust had tried to charm him into participation with jokes and flirtatious antics, all to no avail.

But Niffty, sweet, speedy, endlessly cheerful Niffty, had taken the brunt of his cruelty more than anyone. Baxter seemed to take a particular delight in targeting her, teasing her relentlessly, undermining her chores, and sabotaging her cleaning in small, infuriating ways.

The day had started like any other, with Niffty humming and dusting the long, winding halls of the hotel. She hummed to herself, going towards Baxter's sharp laughter from the lab.

She loved Baxter because he was the epitome of a bad boy! he was cruel to her, and she found it intoxicating

But today, he'd gone one step too far.

Niffty peeked into the lab, expecting the usual scowl and snide remark. Instead, she found Baxter holding one of her prized bugs, her carefully curated and labelled collection, up to the light, turning it this way and that.

"Oh, it's you," Baxter barely greeted.

What are you doing?!" Niffty practically shrieked as she zipped to collect her favourite from Baxter's hand, only for him to raise it higher

"Your little bug friends are perfectly suited for my experimentation with hell bugs. Comparing the earth to hell! You've got a wonder of different types of species!" Baxter exclaimed, not picking up any of her distress, turning into fury

Now Niffty had put up with a lot: acid, ray guns, and even a scar on her cheek.

But this....

THIS! It was the final straw.

Niffty's small fists clenched, her eyes narrowing as her usual chirpy demeanour vanished into a storm of indignation.

"Baxter!" she barked, marching toward him, tiny feet clicking on the metal floor. "You've gone way too far this time!"

Baxter barely glanced up, smirking as though she were another amusing insect.

"Oh, is that so? What are you going to do about it?" he taunted, tossing the bug into the air and catching it.

Niffty did not answer verbally. Instead, she stepped closer, her voice low but dangerous.

"The two of us are going to have a really long talk," she said, eyes glinting. "And you're going to remember it forever."

Baxter laughed, a sharp, mocking sound. "Oh, this I have to see. You? Teach me a lesson? Good luck with-

Niffty did not let him finish.

In one swift motion, she grabbed his arm and lifted him to lead him toward the edge of the lab, toward the counter she had prepared for... disciplinary measures.

Baxter, ever defiant, took a second to blink in shock before trying to wiggle free, but it was fruitless.

"I said, we're having a talk," Niffty repeated firmly, her voice like steel beneath its sugary sweetness.

Before he could even begin to protest, she guided him over her knees. Baxter's eyes went wide, his usual arrogance replaced by fury and embarrassment.

"Wait—what—hey! Niffty, you can't-!" he stammered, struggling, twisting, but she held him firmly in place.

"Oh, I can," she said cheerfully, her tiny hands gripping him tightly. "And I will. You're going to learn not to be such a bully, once and for all."

The first SMACK landed, sharp and emphatic against his rear. Baxter yelped, half in surprise, half in outrage.

"OW! YOU FUCKING—GET OFF ME!" he screeched, flailing wildly.

"Brat," Niffty said, smacking him again. "Brats need lessons. And you need a long one."

The sounds of protest filled the lab as she continued, hand after hand landing with precision. Each SMACK was accompanied by a pointed admonishment.

"You do not make fun of people! You do not hurt the ones who care about you! And you certainly do not touch my bug friends!"

Baxter struggled and kicked, hissing curses, trying to bite her as his usual aggressive defiance flared—but Niffty was fast. Every attempt at rebellion was met with another sharp smack and a scolding word.

"Not today, brat," she said sweetly, almost cheerfully, her tone betraying no sign of slowing. "You're going to learn that being mean isn't fun for anyone. Especially not me."

Minutes stretched on, the room filled with the sound of Baxter's embarrassed, angry yelling and Niffty's relentless, methodical discipline. She had him fully over her knees, one hand keeping him in place while the other delivered the lesson in rhythmic, authoritative smacks.

By the end, Baxter was panting, red-faced, and utterly humiliated. Niffty finally paused, letting him flop over her knees, defeated and sulking.

"That's enough for now," she said, brushing imaginary dust off her tiny shoulders. "Consider this... a starter lesson. Next time, behave, or it'll be much longer."

Baxter groaned, rubbing his sore bottom, muttering curses under his breath. But the stubborn set of his jaw had softened slightly, and the proud, defiant gleam in his eyes was dimmer.

The next day, Baxter's walk through the hotel was noticeably more careful. He lingered less in Niffty's space, offered tentative smiles, and even, to the surprise of everyone, participated in a group activity without insulting anyone. When he finally muttered a quiet, reluctant apology for his past behaviour, Niffty clapped her hands in delight.

"Good boy," she said, grinning. Her teasing came fast and playful, nonstop, as she danced around him, making faces and poking fun at his lingering embarrassment. Baxter flushed deep red, clearly flustered, and tried to hide behind his lab coat, but it was too late. The entire hotel had begun to notice the change in him.

The others glanced on from a distance, scratching their heads. What had Niffty done? What was going on between her and the stubborn mad scientist? They could only wonder, as Baxter, humbled and still sore, tried his best to stay polite under her relentless, gleeful teasing.

And Niffty, for her part, couldn't have been happier. For the first time, Baxter had been taught a lesson he couldn't mock, escape, or manipulate. And watching the usually egotistical mad scientist squirm in embarrassed, flustered compliance? That, in itself, was pure, unadulterated satisfaction.

Chapter Text

Hey

So Baxter has offically arrived and with that this story has come to an end

Gonna make a new book as I'll know more about his character which will come with new requests!

I've had this story written since back in 2021 so feels like an end of an era lol

Regardless, I hope you guys continue to read what I'll write next

Thank you and take care :)