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There is nothing better - in Vaggie’s opinion than the sight of Charlie bouncing along in all her gleeful glory, pursuing a passion she truly believes in. They are currently in LuLu world, and Charlie is currently climbing a lamppost to have high ground for her latest musical number promoting the hotel. Going to LuLu world was Charlie’s idea, the high ground was Vaggie’s idea. After hours of handing out fliers to less than thrilled recipients this was their last resort.
“Be careful sweetie!”, Vaggie chimes while positioning herself to catch Charlie just incase, just as she is satisfied with her position movement in the crowd catches her eye. A group of angry workers barreling their way toward them, their dead-inside glares fixed on Charlie.
Charlie is oblivious busying herself with taking deep breaths in preparation for the opening words of her song. “And a one, two, and a one… two… three… Attention sinne-!”
“Hey BITCH YOU CAN’T BE UP THERE!!” The man in front bellows cutting off her first notes, he is wearing an all-red uniform with the words head security haphazardly painted across his chest.
Immediately Charlie deflates losing her grip on her perch, Vaggie rushes to catch her girlfriend who lands in her arms with a soft grunt. She makes sure to keep her venomous glare fixed on the guard as he stops in front of them crossing his arms and taps his foot like a father who is sick of this shit.
“And who the fuck are you!?”, Vaggie quips tightening her grip around Charlie, who seems to be actively trying to melt into herself. Her question however didn’t have the effect she was hoping for, the guard simply gestures to his uniform before flipping her the bird. Charlie simply deflates she releases a string of apologies that leave her lips so fast Vaggie is positive she is the only person who can understand her. The guard unfazed ignores the tears welling in Charlies eyes continues to scold her, it makes Vaggie want to punch him in the throat.
“Look cunts, I don’t care how sorry you are. You’re leaving NOW and you are banned for good! We have been getting complaints all fucking day about two scissor bitches bothering everyone about some goody-good bullshit hotel. NOBODY CARES!” He punctuates the sentence by stomping his food again and pointing to the exit spitting a sloppy loogy in that direction for emphasis.
“Do you know you the fuck you are talking to you backwards fuckface?” Vaggie snarls, only feeling slightly bad when Charlie buries her face in her neck with a defeated groan.
“I don’t care who you think you are-,” he starts Vaggie cuts him off.
“This is the princess of fucking HELL. Asshole, you know the daughter of Lucifer the owner of this shithole you call a fun-park.”
To his credit the guard does look a little shaken at that, he simply raises a single eyebrow before leaning in to squint at Charlie, who peels her face out of her girlfriend’s neck to give a guilty smile and the cutest little wave Vaggie has ever seen. He has just started stuttering a response when Charlie wiggles out of her grasp and cuts him off.
“Vaggie it’s ok, lets just go. I’m sorry for all the trouble I caused today sir. It won’t happen again.”, She takes Vaggie’s hand and guides her to the exit. Vaggie’s unbridled rage toward anyone who would dare talk to her girlfriend like that must still be written all over her face because Charlie flashes her an apologetic smile and squeezes her hand. It makes her feel better – she still flips the guard the finger as they push through the exit gates.
Charlie runs her fingers through her hair as they make their way toward the hotel. She is uncharacteristically quiet, even for having such a long unsuccessful day. Its times like this that Vaggie wishes she was better at comforting people, especially Charlie. She loves Charlie more than anything ever in this universe, all the words in the universe couldn’t contain the combination needed for Vaggie to express how much she loves this woman. Charlie – sweet, beautiful, wonderful Charlie, who saves her every single second of every single day by simply existing in her vicinity, who’s dream is so pure and selfless not a single angel in the heaven or hell could compare to the goodness of her. Charlie loves the souls of her people so much her one goal in this twisted existence is to make them feel loved and appreciated.
People, mostly people named Angel and Husk, often ask Vaggie why she is so set on making Charlies dream a reality. She is seen as a realistic logical person, so why would she be so behind this foolhardy plan will never work, especially now with extermination day looming over their heads at twice the speed it was before. The truth is Vaggie believes in the hotel as much as Charlie does. How could she not? Years ago, when their relationship was fresh and new and Charlie was desperate to give Vaggie every part of herself she had she pitched her idea with the most beautiful song, and just like that it was Vaggie’s dream too. If Vaggie could fall from heaven into the arms of the most kind and caring soul she had ever met, heaven be damned then if anyone can make the impossible a reality it was Charlie Morningstar.
But right now, Charlie is upset, and its Vaggie’s soul purpose to help her girl feel better. She gives Charlie’s hand a reassuring squeeze, running her thumb over soft skin before pulling away to grab the smooth metal object she is keeping in her pocket.
“I got you a souvenir, when I saw it, I thought of you.” Charlie’s whole demeanor visibly brightens, her innocence making Vaggie’s chest ache, she holds the small lapel pin out for her girlfriend to examine. It’s a small gold pin, in the shape of a music note the base is a heart and it is surrounded by a rainbow. The brightly colored trinket is a rare find in hell, most items like this taking on dull colors and vulgar shapes.
“Aww Vaggie…” Charlie beams, the stress and sadness of the day still evident in her eyes, but slowly melting into the background as a fresh wave of joy takes over her expression.
“Do you like it?” Vaggie asks pulling her girlfriend gently by her professional blazer so she can reach up and fasten the pin to the lapel.
“Are you kidding? I love it! Thank you!” Now Charlie is nearly vibrating with excitement as she examines her new accessory in a nearby shop window. “I never even saw you buy anything.”
Vaggie moves to wrap her arms around Charlie’s waist who returns the gesture with a sweet squeeze of her forearm. “I kind of sprinted like ½ mile to get it while you were in the bathroom.” The look on Charlies face now tells her it was worth it. Anything for her girl.
“I’m sorry today was a bust,” Charlie sighs, “I really thought today might be the day we get new residents for the hotel.”
Vaggie spins her in her arms cupping her face, relishing the way Charlie relaxes into the touch. “Hey, its ok. Even though we didn’t get anyone yet, I still had a lot of fun today. I mean, your face when we went to the duck ride was so good. I never expected those cute little ducks to haul ass down a tunnel drop like that. Your dad was really on one when he designed that.”
“That man loves his ducks.” Charlie shrugs running her hands up and down Vaggie’s back.
Vaggie sighs resting her head on Charlie’s chest listening to her heartbeat. “Let’s go home baby, I think we both have earned a long hot bath. My feet are kind of killing me.”
They make their way to the hotel the stress of the day melts away with each step, and Charlie makes sure to tell any sinner who stares at her pin (definitely not because they want to steal it), that her girlfriend got it for her. It makes Vaggie’s heart bloom, the sheer joy of giving even the smallest sliver of Charlie’s happiness enough to make her feel like she’s flying.
Of course, it’s never that simple. As soon as they open the doors to the hotel, they are met with Angel who is out of breath and holding a very dusty Niffty at arm’s length.
“There you two are! You left me here all day with this one.” he points an accusing finger at Niffty “Who decided today is the day to crawl around in the walls, she got stuck and now there is a giant hole in my wall!”
“I found the nest! I’m holding the queen hostage!” Niffty giggles while cradling something in her hands.
“Great…I’ll throw this one in the bath.” Vaggie huffs, taking Niffty from him and marches up the stairs.
Once she has Nifty settled in the bathtub with her new friend in a jar, she makes her way to Angels room where Charlie and Alastor are inspecting the Niffty sized hole in the drywall.
“Do you think you can fix it?” Charlie asks Alastor, who’s grin grows even wider as he scoffs.
“My dear! What kind of hotel manager do you think I am? Of course, anything to keep my lovely project in perfect condition!” He waves his staff; multiple shadows emerging from the darkness with various tools to complete the job. Once he is satisfied, he turns to Charlie and points his microphone at her, “And you my dear look mighty tired. Long day on the job? Oh, how I love the ceaselessness of your work ethic. Quite the marvel to behold!”
“We went to LuLu World to try to recruit more people to the hotel.” Vaggie slides beside Charlie wrapping her arm around her waist. “It was… a long day.”
“That cesspool! Well, you must be thoroughly knackered! Those sinners want none but to revel in meaningless stem-winding! Please, I can handle this you two- go get some rest. Another day of gainful employment tomorrow! HAHA!” With that he twists around, grin ever constant as he watches the wall slowly close.
They make their way down the hall to their room, Vaggie can almost see the exhaustion of the day pressing farther into Charlies shoulders.
“Would you like for me to run you a bath?” Vaggie asks, “I know how much you hate theme park grime.”
“Only if you join me.” Charlie offers, before catching herself. “If you want to! I mean it’s been a long day and I know you’re tired too and we both are grimy and not that you are grimy it’s just…”
Vaggie smiles taking a moment to appreciate the sweet way her girlfriend asks for consent. But of course, Vaggie would never turn down the opportunity to be with Charlie in such an intimate way, she must be the luckiest sinner in the universe. She cuts her off with a gentle kiss, she enjoys the pink bloom that takes over Charlies features as she pulls away. “I’d love nothing more.”
As they make their way to their on-suite bathroom, Vaggie thinks that despite everything going on, the threats that lie before them and the work still ahead today turned out to be a pretty perfect day.