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“Hey, Alastor.” Charlie was twiddling as she approached the manager. He was currently reading a book with Vox in his lap. Vox was dead asleep and Alastor was running his free hand up and down his partner's side.
“Hm?” Alastor hummed as he brought his hand up to flip a page before returning to its spot on Vox.
The hotel was dead silent today. Vaggie had taken out their residents to do some team building exercises with Emily watching over to make sure nothing bad happened, so Alastor and Niffty had the chance to redecorate now that Alastor could actually see colours and Charlie was left to her own devices. She played with Vark for a little bit before the oversized pup decided to take a nap in his saltwater tank. Husk spent some time with Vox before Vox demanded Alastor's attention. Charlie didn't know why, but Husk and Alastor seemed to know why Vox couldn't be left alone so she didn't pry, but now that everything has died down, Charlie wanted to see if Alastor could do her a favour.
“I want to take Vaggie out on a date.” Charlie stood up straight as she addressed her co-worker. She watched as he raised a brow but didn't look away from his book.
“Okay.” Was all Alastor said as he hugged Vox just a smidge tighter. He didn't have a care in the world about what she was talking about.
“I need your help. I want it to be perfect.” Charlie clapped her hands together. “I've been spending so much time with Emily and my Dad, that Vaggie and I barely had any alone time and I want to make this the perfect date.” Charlie explained as she paced back and forth in front of the couch. Keekee appeared from nowhere and began to pace alongside her owner. A happy trilling purr escaped her as she bounded alongside her owner.
“I'm not entirely sure what you want me to do that you can't do.” Alastor finally put his book to look at Charlie.
“I was hoping you could… cook something for us. Vaggie really enjoyed it last time and even if I find your food too spicy, I want this day to be all about her. I can set up the table and chairs. Decorate the hotel for this, but… I really would like for you to cook something for us.”
Alastor narrowed his eyes. “Not another one of your casserole dishes? A recipe I know well and can do from memory?” Alastor asked.
Charlie knew she was going to regret this but she nodded her head. Alastor and Vaggie's tolerance for spice was far above her's. She had no idea how Vox could eat Alastor's cooking. Her running theory is that Alastor built up Vox's space tolerance, but she really didn't know for certain. “I would say we could make this a double date but Vaggie would kill me.” Charlie laughed a bit awkwardly.
“Vox is going to kill me once I wake him up.” Alastor sighed but he snapped his fingers. His repaired red microphone appeared in a blinding blue light. Vox managed to repair it with the guidance of Bee and now it blinded everyone whenever Alastor summoned it. Yes they tried to dull it down. No it didn't work.
“So you'll do it?” Charlie's gaze turned hopeful.
“Oh I would be delighted to! I have to cook something up for Vox anyway. He needs to eat.” Alastor hummed. “I can multitask or just make larger portions. It isn't anything too bothersome. I don't really have the time to make desserts so you'll have to go without.” He added as he began to shake Vox. “Wake up, Star!”
A mewling noise escaped Vox and he rolled more into Alastor's side.
Charlie frowned as she watched him move. “Is he okay?” Charlie asked. “You and Husk haven't been leaving him alone and he seems… unwell.”
“Mammon is hosting an event at the very last minute.” Alastor grumbled. “Vox didn't find out about it until a day before it would start. All his extra strength is being sapped away by that sorry excuse for a man. Full offense intended.” He added with a glare to Charlie.
Charlie could feel herself be torn at how Alastor spoke about her uncle. On one hand, he had a right to be pissed off, but on the other hand, Mammon was the embodiment of Greed and this was bound to happen.
She supposed it's the lack of knowledge that's driving them crazy. No extra time to plan out for Vox to gain extra power and by the time they know about it and get ready, Vox is too exhausted and ill to have pictures taken of him and it just leaves him getting attention from anyone who would give it to him.
“When is your date?” Alastor asked as he shook Vox again.
“Oh. Uh… maybe in like two hours? Is that enough time?” Charlie asked with a frown.
“Enough time to gather the ingredients and make the dish I have planned. Don't worry, it isn't too spicy.” Alastor sounded way too smug when he said that. “I will have to travel to the butcher and get some pork, I do hope you don't mind pork?”
“Honestly, Al? After seeing what you eat, pork is the least of my worries.” Charlie laughed awkwardly. “So long as it's actually cooked and not sinner meat, I'm okay with whatever you use.”
“Oh perfect!” Alastor hummed, pleased with her words, his eye twitched a bit as he shook Vox again but his annoyance quickly turned to concern as Vox slumped against him. “Vox?” Alastor sounded much more panicked and Charlie could suddenly understand why Alastor had beef with Mammon.
He lived in constant fear that Vox just… won't wake up if Mammon used too much power. Charlie reached her hand out and gently rested it on one of the scars that was one Vox's shoulder. She sent a small pulse of her own power at the exact same time that Alastor sent one of his own and it jerked the Media Demon awake. His eyes wide and wild, glowing brightly as electricity bounced off his antennas.
“Wow! I'm fucking tired!” Vox announced like nothing happened.
“I have to make dinner tonight for Charlie and Vaggie, so I need to run to the store.” Alastor poked Vox's screen. “Would you like to come with me?”
Vox yawned widely, his razor sharp teeth on full display. It was unsettling. Vox had sharper teeth than Alastor and more rows of teeth. Charlie never noticed until she looked into Vox's mouth, but he looked to have two or three rows that came out whenever he yawned. They seemed to be sheathed into his gums all the other times, but it was still horrifying to know that this man had way more teeth than any sinner needed.
“Do I get food out of this?” Vox asked Alastor with an innocent tilt of his head.
“Yes. I plan on making dirty rice.” Alastor rolled his eyes.
“Holy fuck; I'm in!” Vox stood up way too quickly and fell back against Alastor with a grunt, but Alastor didn't seem to mind too much.
“Dirty rice?” Charlie repeated.
“Don't worry. I wash my rice unlike some people.” Alastor said that with a pointed glare to Vox. “It's just named that because of the colouration it receives.”
Vox stuck his tongue out at his partner but squeaked when Alastor picked him up and placed him on the floor. Alastor twirled his staff around before he placed it on the floor and leaned against it. “Don't you worry your little head about it. Focus on the other stuff.” Alastor threw his staff in the air before he caught it. He waved at Charlie with a smug smirk. “Ta-ta! Come along, Vox.” He grabbed Vox's wrist and dragged the smaller male behind him.
“I really hope Vox makes him buy pork.” Charlie mumbled under her breath. She trusted Alastor, with her life if it came down to it, but she did not put him above replacing meat with sinner flesh. He found it all innocent fun, especially when he told her that Rosie did that to him and that's how he became a cannibal.
She's only been mildly disturbed since he announced that.
She also does not trust Rosie's cooking. She didn't even know if Rosie could cook.
Vox always says that Alastor respects people's dietary restrictions, but Charlie is pretty sure he only respects Vox's and Emily's.
Alastor is a wildcard and loves watching people struggle, but he just can't seem to stomach it when it's Vox or Emily.
Charlie was disheartened to learn that Alastor only hung around because her mother and Alastor made a deal, but the joy she felt when Alastor decided to stay with no deal required? She was still coming down from that high.
Especially when she learnt that Alastor has his own house in Hell. A full-blown mansion in his own territory that he made himself. Vox and Alastor go there sometimes and spend the night, but that's because Husk and Angel broke into their room drunk once at three am and Vox had a panic attack and it made Alastor wake up in a very pissed off mood.
Angel and Husk have just finally started growing their fur back on their sides, but ever since then, Alastor and Vox don't like spending the night in the hotel, and Charlie doesn't blame them. They liked their privacy and they could have been doing things much worse than sleeping.
Charlie shook her head violently. Right. Date. She needed this perfect.
~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~
Vaggie watched as her residents went up the stairs, chatting excitedly about their latest adventure. Vaggie typically took them out for more dangerous stuff to get them less addicted to the violence. She made them see it in a new light and made them see just how bad it could be. A small smile fluttered across her face. She felt proud of her work.
Vaggie walked into the main room and looked around with a slight frown. “Charlie?” She called out. “I'm home?”
Emily was walking past Vaggie so she took the chance to grab the angel's arm. “Emmy, have you seen Charlie?” Vaggie asked.
“Oh! I think she's in the dining room.” Emily shrugged. “She bought all of the residents fast food and I'm about to hand it out to them. It's upstairs. I think she had special plans today.” Vaggie accepted the answer and her go of the angel's arm with a frown.
“Thank you.” Vaggie wandered off and entered the dining room, her jaw dropped as she watched Charlie place a vase of roses in the center of a much smaller table.
“Oh! Vaggie!” Charlie ran over and wrapped her arms around Vaggie, laughing as she was twirled a bit by her girlfriend. “Come have a seat!” Charlie managed to separate herself from Vaggie and ran towards one of the chairs. “Alastor is just finishing up the food! I asked him to cook for us. No, him and Vox won't be joining us.” Charlie added when Vaggie narrowed her eyes. “You just… really enjoy his cooking.” Charlie added with a small smile, her brows furrowed slightly. “I wanted to surprise you. I haven't been spending a lot of time with you.”
Vaggie pulled out the chair Charlie was standing beside and gently pushed Charlie into the seat. Vaggie walked around the table and took a seat at the other end of the table. “Oh, Charlie.” Vaggie laughed lightly. “I don't mind. I was really happy to see you get along with your father. It stung a bit, but I didn't take it to heart. You have so much to catch up on.” Vaggie places her hand on the table, her eye shone in the light. Charlie stared at it hesitantly before she took it. “I appreciate you planning this for us.” Vaggie smiled. “It means a lot to me.”
Charlie smiled back and opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by Alastor placing a plate of food in front of the two of them. Vox proudly brought out a basket of bread rolls and added them to the table shortly after. Alastor's ears were slightly lowered as he looked between the two girls for a second. “Enjoy!” He finally managed to get out. “I made extras, it's in the kitchen if you want more. I'm not your server.” Regardless, Alastor bowed his head slightly before he and Vox left the two alone.
Charlie looked at the plate skeptically And Vaggie was already poking at the meat, trying to decipher what it was.
“Alastor said he was buying pork.” Charlie offered with a small laugh.
Vaggie carefully used her fork to pick up one of the meat chunks and gingerly took a small bite. She chewed carefully, her eye closed as she took in the flavours.
“It tastes like pork.” She finally nodded her head. “It actually tastes really good.” She added with a laugh.
Charlie smiled and grabbed her own fork and began to dig in. It was only a little spicy and more savoury.
“Wish he made one of his more spicy dishes.” Vaggie sighed wistfully. “It is nice to enjoy the meal with you though.” She added with a wink to Charlie.
Charlie's face flushed a bit as she looked away. It was silent for just a second. “I'm thinking of setting us up for a coffee date.” Charlie laughed a bit. “I think we're very behind and need to do some catching up.”
“Oh absolutely not! You planned this one and I have to plan the next one.” Vaggie argued, but there was a lighthearted sparkle to her eye.
“I'm the one who's been spending less time than you! It's my duty to catch us up!” Charlie narrowed her eyes, a playful glint in them.
“Let's have a date-off. Whoever plans the most, and better dates, by the end of the year wins.” Vaggie smirked.
“Oh, you're on!” Charlie laughed. “I already have a good lead!” She added smugly.
Vaggie's smile turned more loving as she watched Charlie begin to talk about how she planned this one and took advantage of everyone being gone. She leaned her head on her hand as she listened carefully, watching how Charlie became more excited.
She loves her girlfriend.