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An air of excitement had swept through the hotel, for Christmas was just a few days away. Charlie and Vaggi had outdone themselves with decorations, games, crafts-- all the while encouraging every guest to do something nice for someone.
It might not earn redemption, but it'll put your heart in the right place!
It sounded like a load of shit to Husk, but, admittedly, he wasn't feeling particularly festive. It didn't matter how many lights they hung, the whole place felt dimmer since-
Husk sighed; shook his head; forced himself to push those thoughts down and pour another round of drinks. The hotel was buzzing these days; a wish made real for Charlie. It felt hollowed without-
He scowled to himself as his mind circled back and his hand gripped the bottle tighter, the temptation to drain it himself growing.
"Shit, Cherri wasn't kiddin' was she? Christmas has taken over the place."
Husk's head whipped up, and he stared across the bar at Angel Dust.
"You're-..."
Angel smiled, soft, and a little sad. "Surprise?" He leaned his elbows on the bar, resting his chin on two hands, a third pointing at a carton over Husk's shoulder. "That eggnog's not Frank, right?"
"What? Fuck no-" Husk's ears went back. "Are you- here?" He looked at the bottle in his grip, but apparently he hadn't blacked out and drank it all down. Angel reached across the bar and pinched him.
"It's me."
"Are you staying?"
Angel sucked in a breath, looking around at the lights and garlands. "So I ran into Cherri and she said everybody was hangin' stockins, and if I wasn't a little bitch I'd come hang one and find out if I'm naughty or nice." He smirked suddenly, shoulders squaring, and pulled a knee-high fishnet from his pocket. "So I brought one."
"I don't think any fucking presents are gonna stay in there." Husk said wryly.
"Can't get redeemed, but I can suck Santa's dick so good he puts me on the extra nice list."
Husk rolled his eyes as Angel grinned, though after a moment the expression became something sweeter and he produced a small box with a bow on top, offering it to Husk, who took it slowly, eying it.
"The fuck is this?"
"It's a present, dummy."
"It's a present for me?"
"No it's for Fat Nuggets- yes it's for you." Now Angel was the one shaking his head. "Open it, the suspense is killin' me."
Husk opened the box and gazed down at two small, silver dice; lucky sevens in the form of cufflinks. Angel leaned in and blew on them, before looking up and meeting Husk's eyes. "Good luck out there."
"Stay."
Angel stilled, and maybe he was going to protest, but in a puff of smoke over their heads, a sprig of mistletoe had appeared, and Husk leaned in, kissing him fiercely; hoping, wanting, maybe even praying.
"Please stay." He whispered, as they broke apart, his jaw tightening, muscles coiling, bracing himself for the blow of rejection.
"You didn't need the mistletoe," Angel murmured. "But it was a nice touch." One hand slid along Husk's jaw and he leaned into the touch.
"Stop punishing yourself, Angel..." He pointed at the ribboned stem over their heads. "It's fucking Christmas."
---❄️---
The twinkling lights, and paper snowflakes, the gifts, the carols-- in life, Alastor had always loved Christmas. It was a time of celebration and merriment, so it was no surprise that Charlie had decided they would give Christmas a try at the Hazbin Hotel.
Alastor had obliged, of course, creating a grand fireplace where guests had taken to laying their shoes, or hanging stockings they'd decorated in a crafting class lead by the princess (or simply their old socks that didn't have too many holes). There was also a single fishnet stocking that Alastor was fairly certain belonged to Angel Dust, who had reappeared and announced that if Santa came, he was going to give the old man a surprise that would put him on the nice list forever. Propositioning Santa for extravagant gifts certainly wasn't a new concept, but Angel Dust's enthusiasm was... something.
Where does one fall when they've been nice for naughty reasons? Alastor grinned, gazing into the fire as his antlers extended, casting shadows across the scene. A weight on his right tilted his head to one side, and static crackled then ebbed as his eyes slid to Niffty, perching amongst the prongs and hanging some sort of baubles and jingling bells from them.
"Niffty, what are you doing?"
"Decorating!"
"Is that a roach?"
"Beeeeetles!" She cackled. "They're shiny!"
"Delightful." He exulted, and gave his head a light shake so the beetles and bells jangled merrily. Niffty cheered, Alastor chuckled, and the fire cracked on.
"Are you excited for jolly old Saint Nicholas to come?"
"Stab!"
"Now, now, Niffty, at least wait until he's left the gifts."
"Gifts?" Her eye went wide.
"Haven't you heard? If you've been nice, an old man some call Santa breaks in by coming down the chimney," Her eye darted to the hearth, "but not to steal or maim; he leaves gifts! Under the tree and in the shoes and the stockings,"
Niffty was practically quivering; she scrambled down from his antlers and onto the sofa to look up at Alastor.
"Is cleaning up nice?"
"Oh, most certainly, my dear Niffty, as are the decorations." Alastor smiled and patted her lightly on the head. "Stabbing Santa, however, would be a bit naughty."
"Don't stab Santa." Niffty muttered to herself.
"That's right! Otherwise you may get a lump of coal."
Niffty's single eye went wide. "Coal?!"
"And what a mess that would be, hm?"
---❄️---
On Christmas Day Emily portaled to the Hazbin Hotel, with a holly garland in her hair, a sack full of gifts from herself and Pentious, and as much cake as she could carry.
"Merry Christmas!" She cried.
"Emily!" Charlie swept in to hug her angelic friend, but skidded to a halt as she took notice of the layers of heavenly cake. "Wait- Is it your birthday?!"
"No!" Emily laughed brightly, setting her parcels down. "Jesus' birthday, silly."
Alastor leaned out from behind Charlie, squinting at Emily. "Who?"
She blinked, taken slightly aback. "Christ? Jesus Christ?"
"Doesn't ring a bell."
"Alastor." Vaggi looked at him with exasperation.
"Santa came!" Niffty shouted, leaping over the Radio Demon and brandishing a candy cane that had been sharpened to a point. "I didn't stab him! I'm nice!" Emily threw her arms out and caught her smallest new friend, beaming. She'd been sneaking Charlie treats to surprise the guests and staff for a week-- chocolate stars, coconut snowballs, and candy canes, to be sure; though from the look of it, those who called the hotel home had truly embodied the spirit of Saint Nicholas, and been generous with each other. She gave Niffty a squeeze that Charlie piled into, drawing Vaggi in with her.
"How wonderful!" Emily praised, her heart brimming with joy at the sight of it all: Smiling sinners in festive sweaters, treats everywhere, and- she wondered if it was an inside joke for the guests- a large number of rubber ducks; enough for everybody and then some.
"We might need more cake," Charlie bit her lower lip, glancing around at the room full of sinners sharing in the holiday spirit. There were so many now.
"There's plenty to go around." Emily assured. There was always enough to share.
When cake had been served and almost all the presents bestowed, Emily's eyes cast around, scanning for someone even smaller than Niffty. When she spotted him nestled in the branches of the tree, she fluttered over, a tiny package held close to her heart.
"Are you Frank?" She smiled at the little egg, who gave a lopsided smile back.
"That's me! You brought the cake for Jesus!"
"I did. I'm Emily, it's nice to officially meet you."
"Jesus is a criptid! There have been many claimed sightings but no one knows if he really exists."
Emily's eyebrows rose. "I know him, actually, if you want I can tell him you said 'Hi'."
"Do you know the Yeti, too? He's my favorite."
A bemused laugh escaped Emily, and she shook her head. "I haven't met him yet." She held out the tiny blue wrapped box. "Sir Pentious wanted me to tell you that he misses you so much, and you are the best little egg boy in the whole entire Hell." Frank gaped for a moment, then smiled happily. "He asked if I'd bring you a Christmas gift from him, go on-- open it!"
Frank tore off the wrapping and held up the tiny, festive top hat Pentious had sent like the greatest treasure he'd ever touched. He tossed his old hat into the tree branches, and placed the new one in its spot, looking proud as could be. "On Christmas, Pentious said I was the most handsomest, specialest egg boi." Frank announced, and Emily beamed.
"You are!"