Work Text:
“Okay, soldiers, listen up.” Vaggie announced as she slowly sauntered down the line of her team, eyeing each and every one of the recruits as she did so, making sure they were up to the task.
She and Charlie had separated into opposing teams; on her side she had Angel Dust, Niffty, and Cherri Bomb; and Charlie had Alastor, Husk, and obviously, her father Lucifer. Sir Pentious had opted to merely watch the battle, claiming that spectating would be far more beneficial to him in the future.
After boring a hole into the very heart of her comrades with a stare of extreme intensity, Vaggie continued her pep talk. “As much as I adore Charlie, I refuse to allow her to be the victor of this battle. I am a trained fighter, after all, and your actions will reflect on me and my leadership, whether they be piss poor or absolutely amazing. Therefore, get it together or I will make you regret it afterwards.”
Angel Dust snorted at this statement. “I know that you think highly of yourself but you are most definitely not the most capable member of this team. Just saying.” He finished, flashing her a goading grin.
“Whatever.” Vaggie grumbled. “Just don't lose. That is all I ask.”
“Oh, that's all, is it?” Angel shot back, taking pleasure in riling her up.
On the other side of the allocated battle field, Charlie was taking a much different approach in order to get her team in the fighting spirit.
“Come on, team!” Charlie exclaimed, waving her arms around joyously. “And remember, winning is not everything. It is the taking part that counts. As long as you try your very best and work together, side by side, that is all that matters.”
“As much as I appreciate the kind sentiment, Charlie, I definitely want to win.” Lucifer said. “I am the ruler of Hell, after all, and have a reputation to uphold.”
“This is supposed to be an enjoyable event, not some serious skirmish.” Alastor remarked. “Reputations mean nothing in this particular scenario.”
“Why does he have to be on our team?” Lucifer whined, aiming a withering glare in Alastor's direction.
A glare that had absolutely no effect on him; Alastor's trademark grin still firmly in place and showing no signs of wavering.
“Vaggie chose the teams, not I.” Charlie explained. “But it should not matter who is on whose side, regardless. We are all great friends, after all.” She added, beaming at all of them individually.
“Hmmmph.” Lucifer grunted but made no further comment, allowing the insults to simply shrivel up in his throat.
This was supposed to be fun and already people were taking it far too seriously.
“Supply yourselves sufficiently.” Charlie said, taking on the leadership role at long last. “We do not want to run out whilst in the field, after all.”
“Yes, ma'am!” Her team mates chorused, filling the water wielding weapons; those being guns and balloons besides.
Once they had a sufficient stock, Charlie yelled to her sweetheart. “Are you ready?”
“Yes, we are!” Vaggie called back, excitement settling in her stomach now.
“Then let the aqua assault session commence!” Charlie announced, before retreating behind some cover that was positioned just outside of the hotel.
It would not do for her to be eliminated quite that easily. She had been appointed leader and would not take that title lightly.
The battle field in question happened to be the area directly outside of the Hazbin Hotel but would then progress into the actual building itself, and the rules were simple: Practically anything goes! The team that were the least soaked after an hour's worth of combat would be declared the victors. The winners obtaining naught but bragging rights. But that was actually considered to be a worthy prize amongst these demons.
Every single demon involved in this ensuing scenario had a grim look of determination decorating their features; regardless of what they claimed, everyone wanted to win - with the exception of Charlie, perhaps, who was not competitive in the slightest.
Soon enough, water was spraying here, there, and everywhere; balloons bursting above where Vaggie's team were currently crouched.
“Disperse, everyone!” She ordered, trying her best to avoid the onslaught. Charlie's team were surprisingly adept. She had seriously underestimated her girlfriend's abilities. “Into the hotel!” She added, before breaking into a run, ducking and dodging as she did so.
“Time for phase two, is it not?” Alastor was speaking to Charlie but glancing straight at Lucifer as he did so.
“Phase two?” Charlie echoed, entirely unaware of Alastor's plan.
“Yes!” Lucifer cheered. “Let's do this! It is the only benefit of having you on our side, after all!” He added, addressing Alastor directly.
But Alastor's smile still stayed put, almost as though it were glued in place. Lucifer's unkind remarks bounced off of him as though he were currently donning armour.
Before Charlie could even voice a questioning comment, Lucifer clicked his fingers and the roof of the hotel disappeared entirely from view. Both he and Alastor then proceeded to charge towards the building.
“Hop on!” Lucifer called to Alastor once they were within range. He did not need telling twice. He clung on to Lucifer as he flew directly above the hotel. “Now then, let us make it rain!”
With expert speed and precision, Alastor flung water balloon after water balloon down upon Vaggie's now incredibly exposed team mates. They tried to dodge but there was not much to hide behind. Every time they found a sufficient spot, Lucifer erased it from existence, to Vaggie's increasing infuriation.
No matter what they attempted to do to scrape themselves back into a victorious position, they had already lost the battle. The hour in question absolutely flew by, peppered with Vaggie's loud curses and those of her team mates.
“Your team cheated!” Vaggie whined once both teams regrouped. “That is so unfair! Just look at us!” She said, gesturing to her companions who were absolutely soaked through. Charlie's team, on the other hand, had barely been touched.
“We reside in Hell, where does 'fair' come into the equation?” Lucifer chuckled. “Besides, we did not break any rules so blame yourselves for not setting more boundaries.”
“Hmmph.” Vaggie crossed her arms to her chest and glanced downwards, clearly sulking.
“Congratulations, everyone!” Charlie said cheerily, trying to sweeten the sour mood surrounding them all.
“Congratulations?” Vaggie echoed bitterly. “For what?”
She was absolutely furious. Not at Charlie because it was obvious that she was not to blame for these underhanded tactics but the rest of her team needed a good kick up the backside.
“For taking part, of course!” She chirped, extending a hand towards her.
“I do not need your pity.” Vaggie grumbled, gently slapping it away.
“Oh, don't be like that.” Charlie replied, planting a chaste kiss on her cheek. “You will always be a winner in my eyes, regardless of the outcome of some activity.”
“Thank you, Charlie.” Vaggie replied, kissing her back in kind.
“Well, if that is everything, I am going to go and change. This was not the kind of 'wet' I had in mind, truth be told.” Angel remarked, before making his way to his room.
“Way to lower the tone.” Vaggie could not help but roll her eyes.
This was typical Angel Dust behaviour. He was a pervert through and through.
“Since the tone has already been lowered, why don't we go a little further?” Charlie suggested, taking Vaggie by complete surprise. Usually she was the more innocent one of the pairing. “You are drenched, after all.” She added, before wriggling her eyebrows and biting her lip, an action which Vaggie was unable to resist.
“Lead the way.” Vaggie replied, gasping ever so slightly, the anticipation rendering her bereft of breath.
She may have lost the battle but she had most definitely won the war.
“You're welcome!” Lucifer called after them, laughing as everyone retreated to their own quarters.
Soon only he and Alastor remained in the hotel's foyer.
“Well, that was an enjoyable experience. You aren't that bad a being, after all.” Lucifer said, smiling at him. A smile oozing actual sincerity for once.
Perhaps he and Alastor were on the exact same page at long last?
“Oh, I can be bad if you want me to be. Believe me.” Alastor remarked, winking mischievously at him before quickly strolling away, leaving Lucifer standing open mouthed, watching Alastor's back until he disappeared entirely from view.
Once he was entirely alone, Lucifer rearranged his facial expression, feeling foolish for allowing his jaw to drop at such a comment. He had been completely derailed by it and was thankful that no one had been around to see his reaction. How had he and Alastor gone from enemies to allies to....something more...in a single leap?
Not that he was complaining. In fact, he was whistling cheerily as he ascended the stair case, making his way to his own designated room, wondering whether Alastor would want some company or not. And secretly not caring what the answer to that question was, exactly. Consequences be damned! He thought to himself, broadly beaming now, as he took a detour and was soon knocking on the radio demon's door.
“Come in.” Came Alastor's slightly muffled response.
The doors were carved from quite a thick wood, all the better for privacy!
Lucifer took a deep, calming breath before flinging open the door, gliding into Alastor's bedroom, quickly slamming it behind him as he did so.
He tried to keep up a pretence of confidence, awkwardness is not sexy, after all. Alastor, however, did not mind in the slightest. And soon that shyness was bested by the growing feelings of lust as they became truly acquainted with one another.
This was not how Lucifer was expecting this day to go but he was seriously thankful for it, regardless.