Archive of Our Own ^beta

Charlie hummed looking in the mirror at herself, her eyes focusing on her arm. Letting out a small hum at the tattoo on her arms

She was never one to have many but one didn't hurt. Frankly, it was one she was almost glad she got. 

Vaggies name with a little heart on it.

She sighed at the early days of it all. She had never loved someone as she did with Vaggie. It almost felt like a dream whenever she was with her.

They had so much fun. Goofing around, Charlie showing her parts of hell, and everything. Then she remembered telling her about her little dream

The hotel was such an out-there idea. Redeeming sinners and corrupting the entire system of which hell was founded on. With Vaggie's support, she went through with it.

It felt stupid looking back on it now. The interview, the building she refurbished, all those hours advertising and promoting. Only for it to not work.

Maybe Alastor really did her a favor with all the trouble he caused. Showing her how pointless the dream was.

Yet she sacrificed everything. Her time, sleep, sanity, and even....her relationship.

It was hard to recall the exact timeline of things. But it had been months, almost a year even, and despite all her efforts little to no improvement on the hotel itself. 

They did everything, more interviews, parties, fundraisers, and sought out as much support as possible. Yet nothing worked. No one took it seriously.

It didn't help that Alastor was always behind the scenes. Ruining their events, causing trouble, and ruining others' path to redemption. She wasn't aware of it at the time, he told her after she had given up.

Normally she be angry at him, but she didn't have the heart for it now.

What finally made her rethink her dream though. Was the fight she had with Vaggie. Looking back it was so easy to avoid yet it still happened.

Vaggie asked her why she seemed to trust Alastor more than her, something that took Charlie off guard and she got defensive. It was a slow escalation, both of them were tired and worn out. Vaggie told her that she felt used, not appreciated and how clearly Charlie loved this hotel more than her, then Charlie in her anger said.

"If you feel that way then leave!"

She never ever once would have expected for her to actually turn and walk out that door.

She never fully processed the fact that Vaggie had left for a long time. Charlie kept expecting she come back at some point. Even if it was to just grab her things or say hello to Angel.

But she never did. She kept waiting, even calling and texting to get no response. Nothing happened.

Even though months had passed Charlie still kept insisting she come back. Telling everyone at the hotel as such and remembering the sad looks they gave her. 

She wished she had listened to what everyone told her back then. Vaggie was gone and she wasn't coming back to the hotel. And she wouldn't see her again. At least not for many years.

After another year of slaving away at the hotel. She finally gave up. 

Two years of desperation with friendships and relationships alike broken, all of that....only to accept that what everyone had said about her was right along. Yet- she couldn't be a complete failure.

She bribed Valentino and got Angel out of his contract, he was a free man now and last time she checked. He was with Husk, sounding happier than ever and even reuniting with his twin sister. That made her happy.

She also helped Niffty, oddly. She helped her find her "true love" introducing her to a young scientist named Baxter. Last year they got married and Niffty was the happy housewife she always wanted to be when alive.

She never bothered to learn what Alastor had been up to likely just bothering someone else for his entertainment or whatever. Though she did eventually learn the hard way what he had been up to.

Charlie felt her heartache at the memory, quickly. Biting her lips to hold back any tears.

It had been a particularly bleak day in hell when she found out. Which was really saying something as Charlie found most days uninviting recently. 

She had gone shopping, having a bag full of various things she needed as she exited the store walking down the street. 

She passed by a small tv shop, it playing various channels, she would have passed it altogether if she hadn't heard a phrase called out by the news reporter.

"And at long last Alastor, the Radio demon has married!"

She frowned turning to face, being greeted with 666 news. Katie continuing to talk while she noticed a picture of said wedding. Alastor in a black tux and the woman standing next to him-

Vaggie stood beside him, linked arms and all. Dressed so angelically. A long white dress, a boutique in hand, her long hair in a bun with a veil draped over her.

A thousand questions raced through her head. When did Vaggie get with Alastor? How long have they been together? Why did they never tell her? Why....why...was she only finding out now? Didn't Vaggie hate him?

For as many questions as she had, nothing could compare to the pain she saw at those two looking at each other happily. 

It was...how they were supposed to look at each other. Vaggie was supposed to wear that dress on their wedding day, she would know they joked about the type of dresses they wanted and Vaggie described one just like that. 

That was supposed to be them.

Charlie felt a single tear run down her face. As she stared at the television 

Charlie was devastated at the news, and she had been for a long time. She didn't even know where to begin, a part of her wanted answers, a part of her wanted to run up and slap the radio demon in his stupid face. Another part of her...just wanted Vaggie back.  A part of her still wanted Vaggie back now.

But, after all of that. After all of the hell, she went through. She decided to do one thing she never thought she actually do.

Listen to her dad.

She used her claws, cutting over the tattoo, replacing it with a blood slash mark. Then immediately, covering it up with a bandage. Her attention turning to her reflection in the mirror, going over her hair and dress, making sure she looked alright. Taking a mental deep breath as her father opened the door, "Charlotte...she's here. Are you ready?"

Charlie turned to her father, forcing a smile and nodded.

Her father led her to the living area they had in their palace, it was a typical setting for when two families met to talk about an arranged marriage. Her mother was there, along with Stolas and Stella, then their daughter Octavia. 

"Can't tell you again how happy we are that you agreed to this," Lucifer said as he took a seat, "Normally we'd take more time when considering a match for Charlotte, but once we heard your daughter was of age of course we had to take this opportunity."

Stolas nodded, "Of course, I am...still not quite sure about giving little Via away but...I know that she'll be safe with the princess."

"Not to mention the additional status," Stella added on with a chuckle.

Octavia rolled her eyes, standing up and walking closer to Charlie. "Looks like this meeting is going to be a bore...tell me, you a fan of Evanescence?" she asked offering her one of her headphones.

Charlie took up her offer, one headphone in her ear, barely paying attention to what their parents were talking about. All the while silently chatting with Via, actually enjoying the owl's company. Turns out neither of them was exactly thrilled about the arranged marriage but didn't seem to hate it either.

It was nice really, in a way Charlie couldn't explain. She was sure that whatever happened, this marriage wasn't such a bad idea.

Slowly, Octavia reached over and took Charlie's hand, the princess didn't protest and locked fingers with the young Goetia. Smiling to herself with a small blush on her face. This was nice. This was fine.

She'll be okay.