Partners in Crime

25: Just Visiting

Charlie's POV

I just got back to the Happy hotel with my girlfriend, Vaggie, and Angel Dust, our first resident. Vaggie is mad at Angel for the turf war. He was clean for two weeks. I'm disappointed too but I don't say anything. Vaggie scolded Angel in the limo back home.

The hotel needs a lot of work. The depressing atmosphere is not helping with my mood. I don't understand why nobody believes I can actually redeem souls. I mean, I haven't proved it yet. But I think I'll be able to complete this mission. Vaggie believes in my cause. I'm glad to have her by my side in this journey.

I sit down as Angel grabs a popsicle from the freezer. He makes a joke about getting more food for the "wayward souls" here. I don't answer him and he walks away. The interview went worse than I could've imagined. I didn't mean to pick a fight with Katie Killjoy and set Tom Trench on fire.

I thought about making a call to Dad, but I don't want to bother him. He's probably busy. Making ducks. He's been depressed since we returned to Hell. I could tell in his voice when we do call that he's sad and has been crying. I know it's about Papa. Whenever I ask him about it, he stutters and denies anything.

I hear a soft knock at the door. I look at it, curious. I stand up and walk towards it. I try to look out of the apple stained glass, but no luck. I open the door, seeing my Dad and a red deer demon.

"Char-!" I shut the door before my Dad says anymore. I look to the side. Then open the door again. "-lie!" I shut the door again. What is my Dad doing here? Normally he'd call before coming. Who was that next to him? And he's happy. I open the door again.

"Hey Dad..."

"Charlie!!" He practically squeezes the bones out of my body with a hug. He's unusually happy.

"Dad. Hi. What...what are you doing here? Normally you call before you come. A-And you haven't been here for 100 years." He stops hugging me. I can breathe again. Phew.

"I...uh...has it really been that long? Heh. Uh...oops." The red deer demon raises an eyebrow at my Dad. He looks similar, like I've met him before. "B-But I'm here now! Uh Charlie..."
"Alastor?" I ask. I hear Vaggie yelling at Angel behind me. Oh Lord. The deer demon looks at me in surprise.

"Seems you have remembered me, dear. It's nice seeing you again Charlie. I've missed you, dear." His yellow smile widens. I jump into his arms for a hug with joy. My spirits have been lifted. No wonder my Dad is happy again. He twirled around for a bit, my legs flying in the air for a moment. "My my, have you grown. Even taller than your father. Haha!" I giggle and hug him tighter.

"I've missed you so so much! Dad's been really depressed since we left the human world," I say.

"I've missed you too, dear. Very much." He chuckles and sets me down. He's got to be at least seven feet tall now. "Seems you got something going on in this hotel of yours." They're still fighting?! I wonder if he remembers Vaggie. He's only seen her once and for like 15 hours at most. I thought I would never see her again until I found her hurt in an alleyway like 5 years ago. We, obviously, became friends, then I started exploring my sexuality and once I found out she's a lesbian, I knew I had a chance. Now we're dating!

"I'm sorry about that. Uh, hold on for a moment." I close the door and walk to Vaggie and Angel. "Can you two stop fighting? My dads are here." That catches Vaggie's attention. She looks at me like she doesn't believe what I just said. "They're waiting outside for me. Just uh please stop fighting. Isn't this wonderful Vaggie?!"

"Well don't keep them waiting! Let them in!"

"Right!" I run back to the door and open it. I let them in and they look around. Papa's ear twitches. I want to touch them. They look so soft. Wait, what did Alastor do to come down here? He didn't seem like a bad person.

"Heya strawberry pimp," Angel calls out with a wave and a seductive smile. Oh lord.

"What did you just call me?"

"Uh. Dad, Papa, this is Angel Dust. He's our first resident to try to get redeemed!" I say excitedly. Alastor mumbles something under his breath and thinks to himself. I know Dad supports my project, even if he doesn't believe it can be done. But does Papa think I can redeem a demon?

"Charlie, are your dads open to a threesome?" Angel asks with a smirk. Both Dad and Papa tense up at the question. I smack Angel and tell him to not flirt or try anything with my fathers.

"And this..." I grab Vaggie's hand, changing the subject. Vaggie smiles nervously at my dads, "is my girlfriend. Vaggie."

"Vaggie, seems like a familiar name," Al says. Vaggie does a little wave.

"Evening, Your Majesty," she says shyly. "Alastor."

"You were Charlie's friend, from when you two were little!" Dad says in excitement. He laughs. "Bring it here Maggie." He brings her into a quick hug. "Heh heh. You're so pretty." Alastor brings my Dad back close to him.

"Darling, don't overwhelm her," Papa warns. "It's a pleasure to meet you again. I trust you won't harm our dear Charlie. You'll be an amazing addition to this family." I smile and my joy starts overfilling my body. Vaggie sighs in relief as I hug Papa again, then hug Dad. I ask if they'll want to stay or if they're just here to visit. They were just visiting and saying hi, so I walked them out the door.