Impulse & Consequence [RadioDust]

Chapter 14: A Sense of Security

Totally contradicting the easy softness of the past couple nights, the next day was a blur for Angel. He'd been so worried about the baby and whatever the hell was going on with him and Al that he'd barely even realized it was nearly Extermination Day. But there it was, December 30th, and where the fuck was Charlie? Even Alastor was obviously tense about it, no matter how quick he was to smile and assure the hotel's patrons that she would be back soon and everything would be fine.

As much as Angel would've liked to monopolize Al's attention while he was stressed about the exorcists arriving and whether that might mean something for Bambi, he knew management was going to be busy that day, doing...whateverthefuck they would be doing to prepare. The best thing he could do was stay out of the way and follow instructions if he got them. Still, the buck made efforts to check on him throughout the day, to update him on their prep work, to make sure he was eating and not worrying himself sick.

"We have plans for this; of course we do," he assured Angel between meetings with Vaggie and the others. "Charlie will be back soon and help us set up. I might have to keep her from marching through the Pentagram and saving every other wayward soul she can find, but I'm sure she'll do her best to focus." He chuckled at that, but it was tough for Angel to laugh right now. For obvious reasons, Exterminations always made him more than a little antsy. Sure, he'd survived plenty of them already, but that didn't mean they weren't nerve-wracking anyway.

Still, it did comfort him (more than he wanted to admit) to know that Al was looking out for him personally. Even if it was only because he had a personal stake in Angel's life now.

Well. Maybe that wasn't fair. He was willing to bet if he found out he wasn't pregnant and told Alastor that day, he still would've kept his promise and made sure Angel got through the Extermination fine. He might even still want to pursue some kind of relationship with him, even without the fawn tying them together. That thought was equal parts thrilling and anxiety-inducing, but at least it was an easier kind of anxiety to dwell on.

When Charlie finally showed up a little after noon, she was about as sheepish and apologetic as Angel figured she should be. She and Vaggie and Alastor had a quick little huddle he and the other patrons weren't privy to, but it wasn't long before she was running around the place just like them, checking on this or that, frazzled but in a strangely good mood. What the hell did she have to be smiling about when fucking angels were about to swoop in and murder half the city? Maybe something to do with her little mystery trip, but who knew if and when her pet patrons would be worthy to hear about that?

Once again, the doe's phone chimed the particular sound that meant Val was texting him, and he winced at the reminder that he still hadn't answered. Because he still didn't have an answer, damn it! He would have a few days ago, but ever since Al had gotten back from Lux and they'd had those few nice little moments together...now he wasn't sure anymore.

But apparently his manager was tired of being ignored.

Angel was hanging around the lobby, like he had been most of the day, when his ears perked to the sound of a car outside, then the click of heels in a familiar long stride. Before he could put all that together and guess what had happened, Valentino was already pushing the front doors open. He had to duck slightly to get inside, but he didn't really seem concerned with surveying the room. Instead, he found Angel and made a beeline straight for him, relief washing over his features.

"There you are, mi cielo," he sighed, his tense wings relaxing against his back again as he stroked Angel's cheek. "You ready to go?"

"Go?" Alastor repeated. He, Charlie, and Vaggie were coming out of the office, probably to see about the new arrival.