Chapter Text
“Alright then, bye hun. See you soon!”
Charlie got off the phone, her heart was racing. It’s been about a week since that snake joined the hotel and her dad, Lucifer, is already coming to visit!
She needs everything to be perfect, needs the floors to be clean, the portraits to be straight and everyone up to her fathers standards.
Now she always says to people to be themselves but in this predicament— they probably shouldn’t. Obviously she’s not saying to be fake.. just, Angel can’t go around chatting up her dad, because who knows what will happen. A snap of his fingers and this whole place could blow, not that she thinks he would do that but, he could if he wanted to.
She shakes her head, why is she so scared? this is her dad , why does she care so much? All she has to do is get this place spotless, tell him that she’s got a girlfriend and— Oh shit.
Charlie totally didn’t forget about that, it’s not like she’s now shaking!
‘Fuck, fuck, fuck!!’
How has she not told her dad she is dating Vaggie?! Surely she would have by now.
She let out a breath of air she didn’t know she was holding and made her way downstairs, this is fine, this is going to go well!
Although, how long has it been since she saw him?
He’s not a deadbeat, right? No, no. He’s not, he’s a good dad! Who just.. has a lot of things to do.
She wouldn’t by any means call him a bad parent, she just wished he came by more. Maybe if he did she wouldn’t be so scared to meet him again.
The stairs squeaked as she walked down them, nearly tripping every step she took.
When she finally got to the lounge she saw Angel, Vaggie and Pentious talking with each other while Husk was at the bar.
Her once uncomfortable, twisted face turned into a smile. Seeing them all talk made her happy, maybe this hotel will turn into something more— a haven for demons with a mindset of purity.
She cleared her throat, making them all notice her presence.
Hands twitching, she straightened her posture and began to speak.
“Okay! So my dads coming here in about an hour aaaand I need you guys to help get the place sorted!”
Silence, a very awkward silence.
Of course they wouldn’t take that very well, would they? Because it’s not every day that the ruler of hell is at your door, literally.
Maybe she should say it again, sum it down perhaps?
“My— Lucifer is coming here, and I need all of you to help. I need Niffty to make food, Angel, pleas e, get some banners or decorations. And pentious, go set the table up, okay?”
Vaggie stood up and swiftly walked to her girlfriend, grabbing her arm and turning her around.
“Why is your dad coming now? At such short notice?!”
“I guess the king of hell doesn’t have patience! haaah… I couldn’t say no to him! I haven’t seen him in a while, I want him to be excited to see me!”
Vaggie was obviously tense, she liked to know things prior to events. Not an hour away.
She sighed and stroked Charlie's cheek.
“Okay my love, this is going to be fine. He’s going to love this idea of yours and be happy that this is turning into something more.”
I hope you’re right.
Her thoughts came to a halt as Angel stretched and made a loud moan.
“So your daddy is coming, huh? Well I suppose I can behave for this, because I don't wanna, you know, get killed?”
Charlie ran up to Angel taking his hands and jumping up and down, she didn’t even need to ask him!
“Thank you!”
“Uhuh..”
__
Once everyone started doing their tasks, Charlie walked to her room and sat down on her bed.
She rubbed her eyes and groaned, was this place even ready for her dad to see? She hasn’t even had it for a month, maybe she’s not ready.
She’s been chasing dreams she just can’t achieve, turning demons into replenished souls? What a stupid thought.
Everyone laughs at her like she is stupid, a stupid girl from a family she just luckily fell into. She doesn’t deserve this hotel, doesn’t deserve these people she’s met, she doesn’t deserve anyth-
“ Ah, Charlie, my dear!”
Smoke swarmed the air, sending Charlie into a coughing fit.
Alastor appeared in front of her, a huge smile on his face like always.
He leaned forward against his staff and looked down on her, raising an eyebrow.
“Why so down? I mean, we are in hell after all!”
A laughing track trailed after he spoke, which came to a stop when she wasn’t smiling at him.
Seeing Charlie like this wasn’t normal, some part of him feels bad. But why? This isn’t his kid, he’s here for entertainment. Not.. giving support to hell's daughter.
He sat down next to Charlie placing his staff next to him, after he realized she wasn’t going to speak Alastor had a grin on his face.
He made a small tentacle out of black matter, manipulating it to move and poke Charlie’s arm.
She didn’t say anything.
It poked her again, nothing .
Again, and she finally looked at him, with a small smile on her face.
“There we go darling! Now what’s troubling you?”
Charlie spoke up, looking into his crimson eyes.
“It’s my dad, he’s coming and.. What if he doesn’t support this? Support me? I haven’t seen him in a while and..”
“For Lucifer's daughter, you sure are very silly, aren’t you?”
She cocked her head to the side, playing with the tentacle in her hand alastor spawned for her.
“You really think he wouldn’t support you? I know he loves you dear, albeit you make mistakes sometimes.”
The tentacle suddenly dissipated, Alastor stood up and straightened his outfit.
He yanked Charlie’s arm up so she stood with him.
“Let’s go back down there and get ready! Why be sad when you get to show your biggest supporter your work?”
Charlie tried shaking the bad thoughts out her head, he has always been there, supporting her ideas. Why would he think differently now?
“You’re right!”
Charlie showed Alastor a toothy smile and grabbed his hand, running out the door and running to the main floor.
Alastor let himself get dragged by her, a genuine smile on his face.
Maybe he is here for something more than entertainment, seeing her happy makes him proud of her.
Not that he has a soft spot for her or anything.
__
“ Aw.. Guys, this is— uh, something!”
Charlie’s face was filled with a mix of appreciation and confusion.
They all did what she asked for, which she is grateful for! But, it was kind of half-arsed.
The banners that were hung up looked like they were badly painted with words and colors, words saying ‘It’s a boy?’
She really doesn’t know why Angel put that up but it’s the thought that counts.
The table was actually nicely made, Pentious’ egg men were running about, putting trays of overcooked treats on said table.
She was snapped out of her thoughts by Niffty running up to her, with a cookie in her hand.
“Charlie! Try it!”
Niffty gave her the cookie, waiting for her to eat it.
It was bitter, over baked and sour. But it was made with a thought of making her proud so she ate it all, with a fake smile on her face.
“Yum! Thanks Niffty, it's uh.. Good!”
Niffty replied with a giggle, running off to chase the eggs.
Charlie stood there, just smiling, everyone did as she asked. She was so scared and anxious for what?
Then came a knock, making everyone turn to the hotel door.
She was standing there, waiting for someone to answer it.
“Babe. Answer the door.”
Oh yeah, it’s her dad anyway.
She wiped the sweat off her hands and made a move towards the door, once she was in front of it she pulled down the handle, slowly opening it.
There he was, her dad. His white, eye blinding outfit and his red pupils to contrast.
“D-dad! I’m glad you came!”
She ran into his arms, hugging him, not letting him go for a long moment.
“Hey duck! Missed me?” Lucifer's voice was soft and lively. You could tell he was excited to see his daughter again, he smiled into her arms.
Once Charlie let go and stepped back, she let him in.
He took in his surroundings, with a curious expression.
That didn’t last very long however, Niffty came up to him, shoving a cookie into his hands.
“Try it! Try it!”
Lucifers face softened,
“You’re a cutie, aren’t you?”
He took a bite of the cookie and he wanted to throw up. It was one of the most disgusting things he’s ever had. He swallowed the rest of it with a harsh gulp and a smile.
“Yummy..”
Vaggie looked at him and back at Charlie, they were identical. It was sort of funny.
__
Lucifer was worrying, does everyone like him? He wants her friends to like him, he’s her dad after all. Is he doing well?
He turned around to speak to Charlie but noticed she wasn’t there. She was near a couch, talking with.. The radio demon himself? What a surprise.
But, why was she smiling so much? Why was she looking more happy talking to Alastor than him?
What did he do wrong?
Charlie soon walked back to him, his face smiled once he saw her come to him.
“So, what do you think of the place?”
He took the question into mind, it looked much tidier since he last saw it.
“It’s nic-”
Suddenly Alastor appeared in front of him, interrupting their conversation. The deer took a couple steps back, squinting his eyes and putting his fingers together in front of him.
“Your highness, you are much smaller in real life..”
Lucifer went deadpan, clenching his fists. He wasn’t that short? right?
He’s met Alastor before, but it was a while back.
He doesn’t exactly know when it was but they’ve met once or twice, he wouldn’t really say they ‘met’ though. It was more of Lucifer just checking in on hell, seeing this demon walk through streets, oblivious to the fact that he was scaring everyone around him.
This is the same guy that practically put Vox on blast on the radio, it did make him laugh.
pulling himself back out of his thoughts he clears his throat,
“What’s that meant to mean?”
“Oh nothing, just that you look.. Taller in your portraits. it’s fine to have insecurities though of course!”
Lucifers eye twitched.
“Insecurities? you're confused! Why would I be insecure?”
“ Mm… I would be if I were you!” Once again, a laughing track played out throughout the hotel. Lucifer didn’t laugh.
“Not funny? That’s fine, I'll just have to find a joke you like then.”
Was Alastor making fun of him? Making fun of somebody that can kill him? Is he really that cocky?
He tried to wipe away the feeling of annoyance, replacing it with a simple smile.
“Ah well, I see you’ve been helping my daughter with this place? Very kind of you.”
Pentious speaks up, his voice stuttering. To be fair, speaking to hell's ruler can be very hard.
“H-he’s like a replacement dad for Charlie since you're not around a lot!”
…
“ Replacement dad.” Lucifer repeated, stood there, no expression showing.
…
Pentious’ smile suddenly broke, realizing what he said.
“Oh.”
…
“I didn't.. I mean like, a guardian! Yes! Not a replacement dad, why would anyone replace you as a parent?! You are a great man! Hah! My head has not been working very well lately, totally my fault sir!”
Lucifer gave a tiny smile and waved it off as no big deal, but it made him pretty self conscious. Is that how they see him? As some deadbeat who comes around once a century?
Surely not, but this Alastor is getting on his nerves. Some part of him doesn’t want to kill him though, why?
Charlie spoke up through the awkward silence,
“ Oook ay! How about I take my dad on a lil’ tour and you all start eating and talking, yeah? Great!”
As Charlie quickly made her way upstairs with Lucifer, she stopped once they got out of the others' sight.
“Dad?”
“Yes duck?”
Charlie hugged Lucifer, holding him for what felt like century’s. Nearly squeezing the life out of him.
“I’m sorry about that, they have no, uh, filter.. My bad.”
He tilted Charlie’s head up, making her look him in the eye.
“Baby please, don’t worry. I know how demons are. Just as long as you know I love you I'm fine.”
Was that the truth? Yeaaahhh, probably not. Of course Lucifer was upset about all that but it’s fine because he loves his daughter and why would he ruin this day for her!
“I love you dad.”
“I love you too sweetheart!”
__
After Charlie took him around the hotel, he excused himself for a moment. He went to the bathroom and sighed.
Maybe if he just had a little chat with this demon his mood would change up!
With a snap of his fingers, Alastor appeared in the room with Lucifer.
Alastor turned to see Lucifer and smiled, an innocent look on his face.
“Oh, your highness! What do you need?”
“So you look after my daughter, yes?”
Alastors grin disappeared, he was genuinely confused about what Lucifer wanted.
“I wouldn’t say look after! Finding entertainment? Yes!” He let out a chuckle ruined by static sounds.
Lucifer wasn’t smiling, why is he being so difficult?
“Look, Alastor! I’m sure your a very modest guy, i just need to know if you’ve been treating my daughter well and— ifshetalksaboutme”
He quickly spoke the last part, ears red.
“Hmm? What was that last part?”
“Does she talk about me? Am I a good dad?”
Alastor let out an ‘ Ohh’ sound, understanding that Lucifer is just wondering if Charlie appreciates him.
He laughs, finding it silly how self conscious the king of hell is.
“You are very insecure aren’t you! Ironic, your meant to be prideful, no?”
Lucifer's expression turned into one of annoyance, can this demon just stop? He’s meant to have killed many, why is he so childish?
Lucifer closed the gap between Alastor and placed his hand on his shoulder, forcing Alastor lower and lower till he sat on the floor, against the wall. Lucifer takes his hand off of his shoulder, Alastor knows for a fact this has definitely left a bruise.
“There! Now I'm not so short, hah!” Lucifer laughed at his comment.
“And why am I on the floor, your highness? Quite forward..”
Lucifer went to speak but a word couldn’t escape, his brain went null.
“What- oh my god. No, i’m, i'm not gonna do anything to you?! Uhm, well, n- Im not saying well no about that i mean like i was going to talk to you.. I thought you talked down to me because I was shorter!!”
“No clue why you're stuttering so much.. Didn’t even mean it like that! But whatever!”
Lucifer crossed his arms, embarrassed.
“I’ll have you know I can change forms, I just like this one. I can make myself much bigger than you, and much more terrifying.”
Alastor turned his head to the side.
“Is that a threat?”
Lucifer let out a hearty laugh, kneeling down.
So close to one another.
“If it was a threat, you would know.”
He thought he saw something cross the demons face, was it fear?
“Haaahh… what the fuck.”
Oh shit
Lucifer fell down on his ass, both him and Alastor feeling embarrassment.
Charlie was at the door, hand still on the handle.
“Did i.. uh, walk in on something?..”
Lucifer suddenly stood up and wiped the dust off his clothes.
“No, no. We were just talking!”
“Talking awfully close.. I’m going back downstairs, please come down in a moment, we need to speak.”
Charlie quickly shut the door behind her, her footsteps got quieter the further she walked away.
Lucifer slowly turned around as Alastor, still on the floor.
“I’m going to kill myself. Oh my god.”
Alastor raised an eyebrow, looking up at luci.
“I’m a deadbeat, this is the first time i came here and she thinks i was fucking doing foreplay in the bathroom with you!”
Alastor couldn’t tell if this man was serious, for hell's ruler he was not a sane guy.
“Your highness, you do realize you can just.. speak with her? I’m sure she doesn’t think any differently of you!”
Lucifer furrowed his eyebrows and cracked his fingers, finding something else to do than look at Alastor.
“I was just trying to let her know I can be a better dad for her, I don't want her thinking you're better than me.”
Alastor laughed and stood up, looking at his nails.
“You’re very insecure for the most powerful being of hell, Obviously she likes you more than me. I doubt she sees me in a fatherly way anyway!” Alastor rubbed his thumb up and down against his staff, fiddling with it.
“Yeah well, I just don’t want her thinking i’m a bad parent you know?”
“You’ll be a bad parent if you keep talking to me and go downstairs to your daughter, she wants to talk— remember?”
“Oh fuck, yes of course!”
Lucifer held onto his hat as he disappeared within a heartbeat, Alastor smiled. He didn’t expect today to be so fun, especially Lucifer himself.
__
“Dad, this is my girlfriend. Vaggie.”
Girlfriend?
“Oh!” Lucifer's eyes widened, he didn’t expect this to be the conversation Charlie wanted.
Vaggie gave a sheepish smile and a simple, ‘ hi’
He quickly nodded, taking in them two.
“Yes I see.. you do look like a lesbian Charlie!”
“Dad!”
Charlie was bright red, hitting her father. Vaggie chuckled.
“And you were scared to tell him about us?”
Charlie gave Vaggie a side eye and mocked her words in a high pitched voice.
As everyone was talking, Alastor was with husk at the bar.
He was sitting on a chair, leaning his back against said bar.
The demon was blowing the dust off his staff when his ears started twitching, he felt someone staring at him.
He looked up to see Lucifer watching him, not with a frown, not with a smile, just with a soft expression.
It was weird,,
So what did Alastor do?
Stare back of course!
Lucifer's eyes were pinned onto him, ignoring everything that was going on around them.
Alastor did want to ask why he was staring but he decided against it.
After a couple minutes, Lucifer stopped.
Alastor felt an ounce of triumph, knowing he won whatever the fuck that was.
Alastor shrugged it off, it was just a bit weird.
He stretched and sat up, maybe he should go to bed for abit.
It’s a shame Lucifer is leaving today, riiight?
_________