Within the Hazbin Hotel, the night had stretched on till the grandfather clock in the corner chimed 5 p.m. What passed for the onset of dawn teased the edges of the large glass windows in the lobby. The air, lightly scented with sulfur, hung heavy with sorrow as Charlie and Kevin recounted the final part of their tale to their now stunned audience.
The toll of revisiting those memories had finally drowned the pair under the emotional weight, leaving them too exhausted to continue on. The silence that rolled into the lobby to take over center stage felt nearly as deafening as one of Cherri Bomb's explosions.
Leaning against the pillar with her arms wrapped around herself, Charlie had her chin pressed to her chest. Her hair covered her face; the black ties she used to secure her tresses had been removed one by one during the night, a result of her fidgeting during some of the more intense parts of their story. Yet, her trembling shoulders betrayed to everyone that she was sobbing.
Kevin wanted to hold her, tell her everything would be okay, and be for her what he'd promised the night they parted. But instead, to avoid causing a scene, he shifted away, giving her space. Plus, he needed to get some air for himself because the room felt ominously oppressive in the thick silence.
As he did, he kept his attention on her friends seated on the purple leather couch in the sunken area, uncomfortably awaiting whatever might be said by any of them. The tension he felt rivaled any of the wars he'd fought in, and for a moment, he nearly wished he were in one of those instead.
But they just sat there. Angel Dust had long stopped petting his pet pig, stunned by the events. Fat Nuggets, asleep, had rolled over onto his back between the spider demon and Cherri Bomb. The brash Australian cyclops carried a frown across her face, as if the story had been a meal that didn't sit well with her. Niffty had Key-Key in her lap now, slowly stroking the cat's fur, her face full of forlorn sadness. The frozen smile on Alastor's face, however, set off Kevin's alarm bells. Since their first introduction, he'd been distant and did not make any overtures to Kevin, and now his stare suggested animosity versus empathy.
Lucifer, however, held a smile full of fatherly warmth. But it was Husker who first spoke up. Considered the toughest cat in the room, he wiped a single tear from his eyes and cracked the silence.
"Holy. Shit."
Her back pressed against the leather, with the pillows that had surrounded her now on the floor, Vaggie sat still, absorbing what she had just seen. When she finally blinked, her one good eye focused on Charlie and noted her girlfriend's defeated posture.
She frowned, her heart breaking for all she had been through. The small exorcist then shifted her focus to Kevin, who mirrored the princess's stance, and their eyes locked. She saw in his expression the stare of a man awaiting sentencing and expecting to be found guilty.
Capturing everyone's attention as she rose, Vaggie adjusted her skirt. Despite not being the focus of the evening's event, she felt nervous under the intensity and weight of the group's gaze. She knew they awaited her verdict, and it was time to close this case, once and for all.
Walking through the center of the living area, she stepped around the small wooden table where Alastor's radio sat and climbed the three steps till she was in front of Charlie. She then leaned in and whispered so softly that no one else could make out what she was saying. A soft, imperceptible sob caught in Charlie's throat as she listened to Vaggie's words, prompting her at one point to turn away in embarrassment, but Vaggie wasn't having it.
Holding her chin with delicate, lavender-toned fingers, she gently guided her girlfriend's face around. With her other hand resting on the back of Charlie's head, she pressed her lips to the princess's quivering mouth. The kiss lasted five full seconds—an eternity and an instant—lips soft against lips, breath mingling with breath, a promise sealed without words. When they parted, Charlie broke down again, sobbing loudly into Vaggie's shoulder. They embraced for a couple of minutes as everyone sat and waited. Even the Radio Demon made no move to disrupt the moment for his own entertainment.
Finally, when she felt her lover's body still and her sobs fade to sniffles, Vaggie whispered, "I think Kevin's waiting for my answer. Should I go tell him?"
Swallowing to clear her throat, Charlie bobbed her head, "Please?"
They separated. Placing her hand on the princess's shoulder, Vaggie gave it a quick squeeze, then walked over to Kevin, who'd moved away to stand near one of the heart-shaped glass windows.
When she stepped before him, he darted his eyes away, suddenly shy. It seemed as if he wanted to spread his wings and get the hell out of Dodge. Vaggie folded her arms and cleared her throat, demanding his full attention.
Shifting his gaze to meet hers, Kevin tensed up as she opened her arms and placed her hands on his cheeks. His eyes widened as she once again rose onto her toes and—amid the soft gasps around them—pressed her lips to his.
This kiss was much more chaste than the one she'd bestowed on Charlie, but its meaning was unmistakable: she'd forgiven him. She lingered on the kiss for a beat longer before she dropped on her heels and stepped back. Appraising him, she was amused by his expression, one filled with surprise and confusion. This amused her. A lot.
"Kevin Angelus Collins," her words carried loud enough to fill the whole room. "Thank you. Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for saving Charlie's life. Then, and now." Grasping his hands, she squeezed them firmly, "I forgive you. I forgive both of you for what happened on the battlefield." Glancing over her shoulder at Charlie, she smiled warmly at her girlfriend. "I don't blame you for kissing Charlie." Surprisingly, she snorted, "Hell! I'd probably have done the same thing in your shoes."
"Vaggie?" Charlie's voice quivered uncertainly.
Walking back over to her, Vaggie smiled and embraced her. "You two went through so much. Shared so much. I am so sorry for how much it hurt you to be taken from him."
Sniffling, Charlie replied, "That night nearly killed me, Vaggie, and worst of all, I couldn't even heal properly." Looking at her father, her eyes reflected a hint of anger, but mainly regret.
The King of Hell shifted awkwardly in his seat under the weight of his daughter's stare.
"Maybe now you can," Vaggie ventured, nuzzling her nose into Charlie's cheek.
Massaging his right fist with his left hand, Kevin felt unsure if he should draw more attention to himself. But there were still questions that needed answers.
Taking bold but uncomfortable steps, he walked until he stood behind where Husk sat below on the couch. His shadow was enough for the cat demon to shift to sit a bit to the right.
Kevin took a deep breath. "There is something I'm at a loss about. Something that has been bothering me since that day on my balcony in Heaven."
As everyone stared at him again, he felt his awkwardness as an outsider return with full force. Fishing his amulet out from beneath his shirt, he glanced at it as he pressed on, "I'd forgotten everything about Charlie and my time on Earth, just as Sera said I would. It wasn't until after I confronted her and voiced my discontent about how Charlie had been treated in court that the amulet triggered my memories." He held it up. "How? And how did I even have the amulet in Heaven? Emily said it was unusual for anyone to bring something with them when they died."
From his chair, Lucifer cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. Shrugging with a smile, "Yeah, about that. I might have had a little something to do with it."
"Dad?" Stepping down into the sunken area, Charlie, holding Vaggie's hand so she'd join her, walked to the opposite stairs and climbed up to stand before her father, "What did you do?"
"Well, when you shared your memories with me, I could feel all your emotions too. Fear, pain, happiness, and most importantly, your love for him. It reminded me of how much I love your mother, and although I had to take you home, it wasn't without regret."
Nodding silently, she waited for him to continue.
Directing his attention to Kevin, Lucifer resumed, "I sensed something special about you, my boy. I knew you'd find your way back to Charlie if given the chance. After all, you promised her. Sooo." How he paused and smiled reminded Kevin of the night they met in the apartment. He really enjoyed the flair for the dramatic: "I took all those memories that Charlie shared with me and slipped them into her amulet."
"Wait," Vaggie spoke up, her tone suspicious. "How did you know she'd give it to him?"
"Easy, Maggie." Soothing his voice to calm her growing temper, "The only thing I did was add a little bit of suggestive magic into the spell, so she felt compelled to give him the amulet."
Not liking her girlfriend being manipulated, the fallen angel cursed under her breath. "¡No te metas con su mente!"
Charlie laid her hand on Vaggie's shoulder, drawing her gaze. Charlie smiled softly. "It's okay, Vaggie. He's right. If Kevin didn't get the amulet, he'd never have remembered me, or helped us stop Adam."
Vaggie didn't look wholly convinced but eased off for her girlfriend's sake.
Satisfied he wouldn't be interrupted again, Lucifer went on, "When I crafted the spell, I didn't consider that Charlie might fall in love with someone here. I intended for the amulet to work gradually, so that Kevin would remember you in time. Not all at once, and as painfully as it did."
As Lucifer was explaining, Kevin had come to join the ladies to listen, "So what activated it so suddenly, then?"
"The moment you decided you were going to help Charlie against Adam, even though you didn't know her, was when the true you resurfaced; the Kevin who'd fought to protect the innocent. You broke Heaven's influence for serenity and meditation over you; in essence, you were reborn. Your promise to Charlie, to protect her, activated the spell."
"I'm not sure I understand completely." Shaking his head, Kevin sighed. "But I've never fully understood magic, anyway." He gave Lucifer a confused look. "But it still doesn't explain how I could keep the amulet Charlie gave me after I died."
"Ah, yes." Rubbing his chin, Lucifer chuckled mysteriously. "That is a fun little mystery, is it not?"
"Sir? Respectfully," Kevin replied with a slight smirk, "skip the theatrics?"
Pursing his lips in a playful pout, Lucifer lamented, "But I don't get to do this very often."
"Dad!" Charlie rolled her eyes. "Please! We're exhausted enough, already."
"Fine." Matching his daughter's exasperation with his own eye roll, he revealed the mystery, "There are only a few times in all of history that a human soul arrives in Heaven, or Hell, carrying something that they had on them at the time of their death. And that's because those items originated from Heaven originally."
Everyone's gaze turned from him to Kevin, who held out the amulet. "This is Heaven made?"
"It is," the King confirmed. "I'd wager one of the Heaven-born angels might have been responsible for it reaching Earth in the first place. They've been known to drop 'gifts' from time to time. Experiments of sorts. Amulets, magic, etc. It's generally frowned upon, but Heaven-born tend to be a bit eccentric."
"I see." Wondering if any of Cassie's other magics originated from Heaven, he tucked those thoughts away as another concern arose. "Can I ask why you were not here when the battle began?"
"The contract with Heaven was exclusive to sinners. No demonkind was allowed to be harmed. This included Imps, Goetia, Hellhounds, among the various Hell born denizens, plus my family. Only two things could terminate the contract's binding: Adam or his army killing any of the forbidden citizens, or if someone in a position of power nullified the agreement by asking me to interfere. Which you did when you summoned me."
Appearing bewildered, Charlie looked for clarification, "You mean Kevin was the reason you were able to interfere and kick Adam's ass?"
"Pretty much," Lucifer stated plainly.
Charlie prompted him. "That explains everything but my memories."
"I know you're upset with me for forcing you to return to Hell, but you know why I had to. But it didn't mean I wasn't looking out for you. When you returned home, I whispered a spell that if you ever saw him again, either in Heaven or Hell, you'd remember everything so you two could fall in love again." Bowing his head toward Vaggie, "which at the time seemed an obvious decision."
"You never thought Charlie would find other love?" Vaggie's demeanor had calmed considerably, and her question was curious, not accusatory.
"It was a calculated risk," he admitted with a subtle shrug. "I felt something special with him, and I knew it could be some time before he died. But I knew she'd want to remember him, no matter what. I'm sorry it caused such heartache for you, Vaggie."
Noticing he had used her name correctly, she realized he understood her feelings and was just singularly focused on his daughter's happiness, just like she was.
With a respectful nod, she accepted his explanation. "I understand, and…" Looking at Kevin, "I agree with you. There is something unique about him."
Seeing Kevin's face blanch and blush at the attention, Vaggie quirked a smile, amused again. She liked that he was such a gentleman.
Smiling warmly, Lucifer lifted his hand and flicked his wrist. The photograph Kevin had given Charlie that night appeared in his hand: "I even kept this to return to you when it was time."
Stepping up to her father, the princess accepted the photo. The sight of her and Kevin smiling made her heart swell, bringing back fond memories of that day. Leaning down, she kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, Dad."
Returning to Vaggie, she leaned against her and showed her the picture. The fallen angel could see the love between Charlie and Kevin and, surprisingly, felt no jealousy; instead, she recognized that Charlie's life had moments of joy amidst the pain. She gently traced her finger over the photo, and they shared a smile.
Then, Vaggie turned toward Kevin and gestured for him to join them. She smirked as he hesitantly stepped closer, careful not to touch either of them. Chuckling, she wrapped her arm around his waist and pulled him closer, bringing all three together.
She exhaled with humorous exaggeration, "Such a gentleman."
Biting her lip, Charlie whispered into Vaggie's ear, who quickly nodded and opened her arm. The princess's eyes sparkled with gratitude as she moved to stand on Kevin's other side. Vaggie felt him relax as Charlie nuzzled against him, and he slipped his arm around the princess's waist, mirroring Vaggie's arm around his.
"I have a question?" Angel Dust spoke up for the first time.
All eyes fell upon him, while his eyes locked on Kevin's. "What happened with you and your team after Charlie left?" His face softened with the additional question, "How did you die?"
Charlie's eyes darted to his. Those questions had been burning in her mind from the moment she first saw him.
Slowly exhaling, Kevin descended the three steps to stand in the center of the living area. "I promised Charlie I would tell her when the time was right." He clicked his tongue, gathering his thoughts on how to explain. Gazing at Charlie, he held out his hand in an invitation. "But let me explain something else first."
Coming down the stairs, she took his hand and nodded encouragingly.
"I knew that—even with my team's skills—we'd be overwhelmed with all the children that needed saving without Charlie with us. I called Amanda's boss, and we shared our grief over her death. I told him what I had and what I needed. We got the attention of some people in Congress who helped pass a bill to fund the FBI's new special task force, dedicated solely to rescuing endangered children across the U.S. My team—Brute, Shrapnel, Snapshot, Chatterbug, and Spiderbite—was assigned to international missions to find all the missing children Tag had taken."
"Spiderbite?" Charlie's expression perked up. "Molly?"
"Yup!" he smirked. "She turned eighteen just a few weeks after returning home, and Panther mentored her through boot camp. Kid's amazing. Panther dubbed her Spiderbite because she never minced words and is exceptionally adept with my trank guns. Though Molly didn't appreciate the name at first."
Charlie's eyebrows creased, curious. "Why not?"
Chuckling softly at the memory, Kevin explained. "Because, as brave as that kid is, she is extremely terrified of spiders. More than I am about bats."
From his spot on the couch, Angel Dust's lips twisted into a small smile, a fond look in his eyes.
Charlie's eyes sparkled with warmth and love upon discovering that her extended family was doing well.
"Anyway," Kevin went on, "we spent the next three years clearing out the cache we found in Tag's safe. And because I know you'll ask, we saved almost all of them."
"Most." Her lips fell, "But not all."
"We knew from the start we wouldn't." Squeezing her waist, he sighed softly, "So we kept our heads up for the ones we could."
Sniffling, she wiped her nose and nodded in agreement. At this point, Vaggie had joined them, her arms around Charlie in support.
"It was maybe a week after we saved the last girl that I had to return home."
"Why?" Vaggie asked with a blend of curiosity and concern, as if she knew what the answer was going to be.
With eyes threatening to flood, Charlie braced for the answer, too.
He actually chuckled. "It's kinda funny, really. I fought wars in the army, chased molesters and monsters to save children, nearly got killed by a demon, and met the devil himself." Winking at Lucifer, "But in the end? It wasn't a bullet, a knife, or even a hellhound that did me in. It was cancer."
Niffty broke her silence for the first time, "Oh, my."
Charlie tightened her hold on him as Vaggie tightened her hold on the princess, "Kevin?"
"It's okay." He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "You helped me find redemption, and I was at peace by then." He switched his gaze to look at everyone, "What Charlie and I fought for would continue with my team and so many others, and once I was diagnosed, Cassie, Trevor, and I returned to New Orleans, where I spent my last few months. I passed peacefully just a couple of days after my thirty-eighth birthday."
The room went silent as everyone processed his revelation in their own way.
Moving to embrace Kevin, Charlie was joined by Vaggie. The two women held him close, prompting him to swallow to avoid shedding any more tears.
Tears he didn't want to shed: not from sharing the past, but from what he had to do next. The next move would shatter his heart once more. He had spent the last month thinking of every possible outcome sharing the story would bring. And each one ended the same way. With no alternative but to accept the truth, he just had to have the guts to say it. Shifting his body, he quietly signaled to the girls that he wanted some space.
When they let go, he took a few steps forward to reach the table with the radio on it, inhaled a deep breath, turned, and addressed the room, "I want to thank all of you for tolerating me for this past month and having the patience to wait so that Charlie and I could explain ourselves. You've been gracious beyond reproach, and it means a lot to me."
Everyone, except Alastor, responded positively, smiling and nodding.
"But now?" Looking back at Charlie, he grieved, "It's time for me to go."
"Go?" she gasped. "Why?"
Looking at Vaggie rather than Charlie, he addressed her directly, "I am grateful that you've forgiven me, Vaggie. Thank you for giving me some time to be with Charlie. But my time was in the past; now, and the future, belong to the two of you."
Charlie's eyes widened with panic. She had lost Kevin once, and now she was about to lose him again? Her heart shattered, and she froze, her voice quavering. "Why?"
Casting his sad eyes on her, he could barely handle the weight of her anguish, "Charlie. I promised you I'd return home to you, and I did. I stayed true to my promise, believing you would be free and waiting for me. If I knew you were already happy—" he swallowed painfully, "I did not intend to get into the middle of—or break up—your relationship with Vaggie. Your father has offered me a position in his administration, which I'll take until I figure out if Heaven will accept me back."
Taking a step to stand by Charlie, Vaggie met his defeated stare and snapped one simple word. "No."
Looking stunned, he raised a hand in defense, "Vaggie, I can't st—"
Holding up her own hand, she cut him off. "Listen. What you two had—what you did for Charlie? I can't ignore that or deny it. It feels so familiar to how she found me when I had fallen. How she helped me, saved me, and how much I love her for it—how much our love has grown over the years because of it. I know how it felt for a moment to have lost her when I saw you two kiss, thinking I was losing her to you."
Catching her breath, she continued, "But as I listened to your story, I felt the way Charlie felt. The bond you two had—have." Pausing, she kissed Charlie softly, trying to ease the fear in her demon lover's eyes. Tucking a bit of her hair that had fallen free of her bow back behind her ear, she gave him a pointed look. "There's power in that bond—that love—and it was love that we fought with and won. I think we'd be even more powerful if you stayed here with us."
Shaking his head, confused, Kevin admitted, "I don't understand what you're saying."
"First things first." Vaggie's expression was serious, as was her voice: "Charlie's my girlfriend. I love her more than anything, and I won't ever give her up." Her look softened, giving way to a smile and eyes filled with endearing fondness. His heart skipped a beat, acutely aware of the direction she might take this, but her next words still stunned him. "But it doesn't mean I can't share."
"I…" Kevin's breath hitched.
His heart had lifted upon finding Charlie, only to shatter again at the thought of losing her. The story and memories that resurfaced as they recounted them devastated him further. His choice to leave stemmed not from nobility or the desire to avoid getting in between them; it was born of sheer selfishness. He could no longer be near Charlie if he couldn't have her completely. Now, as Vaggie's proposal began to settle in, he was at a loss for how to respond.
Charlie was just as stunned, "Vaggie. What are you saying?"
"I'm saying," keeping her eyes locked on his as she answered, "that I'm your girlfriend, and this thick-headed, stubborn gentleman staring at me, looking clueless, is your boyfriend."
Catching the spark in his eyes as loss mixed with hope, Vaggie knew he needed a little push, so she prompted him, "This is where you say yes."
For Charlie, the offer was just as shocking. Her lover had always stood by her side, supported everything she did, never failing to lift her in her darkest hour. If she was offering this, it meant she had thought it through and was serious.
Turning to face Kevin, she closed the distance between them and gripped his hand more firmly than she'd intended and repeated Vaggie's words, "This is where you say yes, my knight. Your princess… your girlfriend… commands you."
Kevin's throat choked up with emotion, blocking his ability to respond; all he could do was nod, making her cheeks blush crimson as she beamed a warm smile at him. Yet they remained frozen as they stared deep into each other's eyes.
Looking at each of them in turn, Vaggie understood their hesitation. Again, it was up to her to move things along. Stepping in close enough so only they could hear her words, she gave them the approval they needed, "Would you just kiss, already?"
Shuffling her feet in sudden embarrassment, Charlie Morningstar looked into Kevin Angelus Collins's loving eyes; they reflected the same emotions she had drowned in that morning when they made love—desire, ownership, shyness, lust, and the hesitation of uncertainty. Licking her lips, she responded to all his unspoken pleas by pressing her lips to his in a deep, romantic kiss.
Time stopped. The world fell away. There was no hotel, no audience, no Hell—only the two of them, finally, impossibly together again. His hands found her waist, pulling her close as her fingers tangled in his hair. The kiss deepened, years of longing and loss and love pouring between them like a dam finally breaking. When they finally parted, breathless, foreheads pressed together, neither could speak—there were no words for what they'd just reclaimed.
A mix of 'awes', soft cheering, and clapping echoed through the lobby as they shared their first real embrace since the night they'd lost each other. No chains held them down anymore; only a shared awareness of their surroundings tempered their passion. They stole three additional soft pecks before she turned her body to meld into his arms, nuzzling back against his chest.
Vaggie stepped up, turned around, and nestled back into Charlie, who pulled her in and wrapped her arms around her girlfriend's waist. She pressed her head back against her princess's shoulder. "Are you complete now, my love?"
"Yes. Very much so. Thank you." Leaning back against Kevin, she could feel his chin rest on top of her head. With him pressed behind her, and Vaggie in her arms, a new question popped into her head, "But Vaggie?"
"Yes?" Sensing what she was about to ask, the corner of Vaggie's lip lifted, and her eye twinkled.
Tentatively, Charlie ventured, "How do we?"
Tilting her head to look into her lover's curious eyes, Vaggie's lips bore a smile loaded with tenderness and humor, "Let's have that conversation in private, okay?"
Charlie giggled, "Okay."
Neither noticed Kevin's cheeks flush crimson.
Observing the exchange with a silent sigh, Lucifer felt relieved as his other secret spell had succeeded once the story concluded. While they thought they had revealed specific details to the group, in reality, they had not. The spell prompted them to subtly articulate details differently, with the truth kept hidden.
The spell dampened their knowledge of Charlie's wings and invisibility, with all credit for healing attributed to Cassie and her newfound powers. His daughter wasn't prepared for those aspects of herself yet, nor was Hell ready to fully understand who the Princess of Hell truly was.
Regarding Seed, upon their return to Hell, he approached Lilith and, using the same magic that had given him access to his daughter's memories, shared everything he'd learned. They spent many evenings together afterward, debating passionately on what to do until one day, she announced her determination to find any means possible to save her daughter's life and informed him she was going up to Heaven to make a deal.
She told him to tell Charlie that she was leaving for personal reasons and to keep her safe, emphasizing that he would be fully responsible for hiding Seed's existence. He took on this duty, bade goodbye to his love, and shared his life with a broken heart ever since. It was also part of why he had been so absent from his daughter's life: in case he slipped up and revealed the reason for her mother's departure.
But it was a matter for another time. Lifting his gaze to the new trio, he smiled. They would have their time for happiness first.
Standing, he cleared his throat to get everyone's attention and announced. "I do believe we've been an audience to more than the story we were promised. It's late. I suggest everyone retire to their rooms and get some much-deserved rest."
Murmurs of agreement from everyone filled the air. Alastor, however, had a look of discontent on his smiling face, a smile which did not reach his eyes. Instead, one eye twitched, and he faded into the floor with one whispered word: "Shit!"
As everyone stood, dropping pillows behind them, Angel Dust was the first to offer one of his four hands, and Kevin gripped it firmly. They shook.
"If you're gonna hang around here, pal, I have one request?" he smirked at Kevin.
"Shoot," Kevin smirked back in kind.
"Pick a new name, sweet cakes. I'm the one true Angel around here."
Chuckling, he let go, saying, "My friends call me Kevin, remember?"
Nodding with a smile, Angel Dust patted his shoulder, "I appreciate that. Welcome home, Kevin."
The spider demon moved out of the way as Niffty rushed up. She glanced up at Kevin, tilted her head, and pondered briefly, "I suppose I can accept one good boy." Surprising him, she jumped into his arms and kissed his cheek. "However, you'd better be a clean boy!" Dropping down and giving him a wide, toothy grin, she waved, "Bu-bye!"
Watching her scurry off after Angel Dust, he gave Charlie a curious look. She just smiled and shrugged. "We're eighty percent sure she's harmless."
"Sixty," Vaggie quipped, "after Adam."
Stepping up next, Husker offered his paw, which Kevin took, and they shook. "Drinks on the house." With that, he walked over to the shiny new bar and started cleaning glasses.
Sizing him up, Cherri Bomb approached and slapped his shoulder. "I can't wait to fight with you in a turf war, babe! You fucking rock!" Laughing, she turned towards the rooms before coming to a sudden stop. "Oh, right! I don't live here!" Winking at Charlie, "Yet."
Charlie blinked in surprise, her mouth open as the cyclops demon laughed and walked out the front door. The princess silently hoped Cherri would decide to come live at the hotel soon.
Last, but certainly not least, the King of Hell, Lucifer Morningstar, approached.
Parting from the girls, Kevin stepped forward and bowed his head. "Sir. I am in your debt."
"No." Shaking his head, Lucifer motioned for him to stand up straight, "Both our debts are paid. You have saved my little girl twice, given up eternal Heaven for her, and sacrificed more than your fair share. Your soul has suffered enough." Pulling Kevin in, he hugged him gratefully. "Welcome home, son."
Weeping into his shoulder, he felt Charlie and Vaggie step up behind him and wrap their arms around him, silently declaring him family. Kevin realized that after all the hell he'd been through in his life and death, he had finally found his Heaven.
Minutes later, after saying goodnight to the three and disappearing in a puff of red sulfur, Lucifer left Charlie, Vaggie, and Kevin alone for the first time. Kevin pulled from his uniform the amulet that she had pressed into his palm the last night they'd shared by the river, and held it out to her: "I believe this belongs to you, Charlie Morningstar."
Her eyes glistened when she saw it, and she allowed him to drop it into her hands.
Looking at it fully for the first time, Vaggie whistled at its beauty. "This is the amulet Cassie gave you? That saved you from Samedi?"
"It is." Closing her fingers around it, Charlie felt its familiar power pulse in her hand, as if it knew it was home. She smiled softly. "Thank you, Kevin."
Lifting the amulet to clasp behind her neck, Charlie accepted Vaggie's assistance in latching it. Taking the photo her father had returned to her from her pocket, she gifted it back to Kevin. "Hold onto this for us, please?"
"I will, thank you," Kevin replied. She saw his eyes gleam as he stared momentarily at the photo and its memories. Then, looking around the hotel and taking in its details for the first time since they'd finished construction, it occurred to him, "I need a room," he stated matter-of-factly.
She'd been thinking about that, though her thoughts had been trying to figure out sleeping arrangements for three, and Charlie blushed hard. "Right! Your own room."
"Charlie, naughty!" Vaggie teased, poking her girlfriend gently.
Though despite chiding her princess, the fallen angel knew there was much discussion ahead about their new dynamic and its promised power.
Steam rose from Charlie's body as her embarrassment multiplied tenfold. "Vaggie!" She whined.
"And I'll need a job as well." Kevin continued, changing the subject for her sake: "Any ideas?"
"Security," the princess replied quietly, "Strategy, as Sir Pentious did."
"I can do that." Smiling, he gave her a respectful bow of his head, "I can even provide a resume and character references if necessary."
He winked at her, but noticed the glow in her cheeks had faded from the memory of her fallen friend. Knowing that there was more of the story to tell, Kevin pulled her hands into his, squeezed them, and made a telling request, "Charlie? Please tell me about Sir Pentious. Tell me about all your friends." Lifting one of her hands, he kissed her knuckles, "Tell me all about your dreams, and how all of this came to be: The Hazbin Hotel."
She bit her lip and bobbed her head softly, "I'd love to."
"Good thing we have plenty of pillows," Vaggie quipped lightly as she stepped over to pick a few off the floor and toss them on the purple leather seats.
She then motioned for the couple to join her. When they stepped up, Vaggie pointed for Charlie to sit in the middle. Then the fallen angel took a spot on her lover's right and indicated Kevin should sit on the princess's left.
As they got cozy, piling pillows on their laps, behind their backs, and so on, Charlie felt both of them lean into her, and her heart swelled with joy. Her eyes shimmering, she began to recount her story.
"Well, it all started seven months ago, when I opened the Happy Hotel for wayward sinners to find redemption. To help guide into Heaven those who needed saving." Pausing, she pressed her lips to Vaggie's with a soft, loving kiss, then resumed, "Something I learned to do a long time ago—" She then turned and leaned into Kevin, pressing her forehead to his, and whispered intimately, "from a true, true Angel."