Chapter Text
The halls of the hotel had been silent for days now. Everyone was used to Charlie’s early morning (and mid-morning, late-morning, afternoon, mid-afternoon, and evening) music numbers, the sound of her voice echoing through the hallways as the tapping of her shoes notated the rhythm of her dancing. The silence made everyone uneasy - well, almost everyone. It made Vaggie hate herself.
Charlie hadn’t left her room in those days. When they’d arrived home from Heaven, shocked and dumbfounded, it had taken a moment for everything to register in Charlie’s mind, while Vaggie’s was stuck only on what Adam had revealed. She had been staring at Charlie, eye unblinking, for what felt like an eternity before Charlie had turned to meet her gaze. The moment she had, Vaggie was overcome with a wave of guilt and fear and had scrambled to her feet, sprinting for the nearest unoccupied room. She had slammed the door behind her, panting as her knees had struggled to support her. She had intended to make for the bathroom to wash her face and gain her composure when the sound of loud, aggressive footsteps had begun ringing in her ears.
Not even a minute after Vaggie had reached the room, the door was thrown off its hinges by Charlie, horns and eyes blazing with rage as her tail whipped violently behind her, cutting large gashes into the wood of the doorframe. The door had split on impact with the wall with a heavy ‘THWACK’ and left a large indent, shattering the surface and leaving cracks in the drywall.
“Is it true?” she’d demanded, her voice an animalistic growl that Vaggie had never heard. She attempted to stammer a response before Charlie had narrowed her eyes. “Show me your back.”
The demand knocked the wind out of Vaggie. She hesitated for just a moment but, seeing the rage in Charlie’s gaze, had slowly lifted her shirt, dropped it on the floor, and turned around. She shivered - she had never felt so exposed, so naked in front of someone before. Of course, Charlie had seen her scars in the past - Charlie had seen all of her before - but they’d been explained away as simply injuries she had sustained during the extermination, nothing more. This time, however, as her eyes had bored holes into Vaggie’s back, Charlie was able to see the telltale placement of where Vaggie’s wings had used to be.
Vaggie had simply stood there, trembling and holding back sobs. It had taken her minutes to realize that Charlie had left, not saying a word to her. Clasping one hand to her mouth to stifle the wails that threatened to leave her, she had turned to pick up her shirt - stopping to find the rest of the residents staring at her through the broken doorway, mixtures of horrified, fearful, or disgusted looks on their faces. Well, except for Alastor and Niffty - Alastor had simply grinned, intrigued, while Niffty threw a small tantrum about the door and wall.
Now, Vaggie struggled to focus on anything other than the silence that rang in her ears. The room she’d claimed - temporarily, she hoped - was littered with dirty dishes, unfinished paperwork, and empty bottles. Husk, despite his gruffness, had been the most understanding of the bunch. He’d brought Vaggie several bottles of liquor over the nights, sometimes pretty nice stuff. His expression still revealed some suspicion, but mostly Vaggie saw pity in his eyes. She hated it. She didn’t deserve pity. Regardless, she’d take the drink with a grateful nod before Husk took his leave. They rarely exchanged a word, but there was mutual respect in every interaction.
The others in the hotel were cordial enough to her as well, but none seemed as friendly as Husk was.
Pentious seemed hesitant to speak to Vaggie, as if she might snap and stab him at any moment. In his defense, there had been a time not too long ago where that exact situation was more than likely to happen. He still spoke with her, but she had better results holding a conversation with any of his eggs, and those conversations were…interesting, to say the least.
Angel was sarcastic and very clearly angry with her - he’d gone back to his earlier ways of taunting her from when the hotel had just opened, but now there was no humor in his words, only a cutting coldness that told her that he felt betrayed.
Niffty seemed entirely unaware to the situation even now. She still spoke to Vaggie with the same innocent excitement as always, but she now peppered her with endless questions about Charlie and why they weren’t together. Vaggie struggled to make it through a conversation with Niffty without breaking down, these days. Her naivety made Niffty almost the worst of the bunch to interact with right now. Almost.
Alastor had taken every opportunity he could to be cruel in the condescending mock-sympathy he enjoyed so much. He would take snipes at her outfits, noting how much Charlie “used” to enjoy them. He’d comment how her exercise had dwindled and call her ability to protect the hotel into question - then remind himself, loudly, that she did have one less person she had to be personally responsible for now. Worst of all, he’d make sure that Vaggie was able to hear every bit of sobbing Charlie had over the situation that he was present for, whether she was within earshot, just out of it, or he had to secretly broadcast the conversation to her room when she was alone. He did love his cruelty.
The ostracizing from the others and the guilt of her sins ate away at Vaggie constantly. She desperately wanted to go to Charlie, to beg for her forgiveness, but she knew that giving her space was the only respectful course of action for the time being. She felt as if a black hole had taken residence in her chest, consuming everything inside of her - without Charlie, it wasn’t only the hotel that had no apparent purpose.
Vaggie was sure that her heart was about to implode. Mornings were the worst lately - waking up alone, finding herself holding a pillow to her chest as a sorry stand-in for her girlfriend. Most mornings, the pillow would end up wet with tears. She stared at the ceiling in her room, her thoughts barely coherent as they swam through her mind. Charlie still hadn’t emerged from her room, and it had been well over a week at this point. Vaggie couldn’t stomach the thought of their relationship being ruined without a chance to apologize. Just acknowledging the possibility sent a wave of nausea through her entire body. She had to talk to Charlie - she had to see her.
With a groan, Vaggie slowly sat up, papers and bottles falling off the bed beside her as she does. She made a mental note to clean the room later - it wouldn’t look good on her to have trashed one of the rooms if she was trying to prove herself as considerate and trustworthy. The sound of tiny wings and snuffles snapped her back into focus, and she rushed to the door.
Razzle and Dazzle flew by, carrying a huge platter of food - chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles, a simply massive bottle of maple syrup, a large bowl of berries (also with whipped cream), multiple pastries, and orange juice. Vaggie chuckled to herself dryly. It was like Charlie to make every meal contain more sugar than it probably should. Shaking her head, Vaggie jogged towards the twins.
“Hey guys,” she called. The two goat demons slow down and turn towards Vaggie slowly, being extra careful not to spill any of the food. They mostly succeed, but a few berries do plop to the floor, eliciting a soft whine of despair from Razzle. Despite herself, Vaggie smiles - the two little demons never fail to cheer her up at least a tiny bit.
“Is Charlie awake? Is she…do you think I can come with you guys?” Razzle and Dazzle share a look before looking back at her. Dazzle lets out a hesitant bleat. Vaggie’s heart sinks in disappointment. “It’s been over a week, guys. She needs to get out of her room and…I need to talk to her. Please.” The twins share another look before sighing. They turn back around - a little less carefully this time, spilling more berries and a bit of orange juice onto the carpet as they make their way back towards Charlie’s room. Vaggie guesses this means she’s allowed to follow.
The walk to Charlie’s room feels longer than usual, time seeming to slow as Vaggie’s heart rate speeds up. Would Charlie scream at her? Break up with her there? Tell her to leave the hotel? Countless scenarios ran through Vaggie’s mind and each one left her stomach in more knots than the last. Wrapped up in her own thoughts, Vaggie doesn’t realize they’ve reached their destination and bumps into the twins with an “OOMPH”, and though the pair scramble to balance the platter of food, the impact causes the orange juice to topple over and dowse both of the goats. Razzle lets out a frustrated bleat and Dazzle huffs in anger. Both glare at Vaggie before quickly opening Charlie’s door and shooting inside, not even giving her a chance to apologize.
And there she is. The second before the door closes, Vaggie catches a glimpse of her - two bright yellow eyes filled with tears, Vaggie barely able to register as the door closes behind the twins
Vaggie throws herself at the door as it closes, but she’s too late - it slams shut just as she collides. “MIERDA!” The doorknob proves a fruitless endeavor, locked the moment the door had shut. It’s too much for her.
“Charlie! Charlie, please, let me talk to you!” She pounds on the door, desperation taking her over as her voice starts to break. “ Please, Charlie, I’m so worried and I’m so sorry and -”
The door opens, stopping Vaggie mid sentence. Charlie’s posture is rigid and her expression blank as she looks down at Vaggie. “...Yes?”
Her breath catches in her throat as Vaggie looks Charlie over. She looks horrible. Her hair is knotted in many places, the bright streak flowing through it tangled and twisted in many of them. Sweat stains her shirt and her eyes are swollen. A stray strand of hair falls over Charlie’s eye. Vaggie reaches to brush it away but stops herself, as Charlie flinches away.
“I -” Vaggie gulps, her voice shaking. “I’m worried about you, Charlie. I’m so worried - this isn’t like you…please come back out.” Charlie just blinks at her, expression remaining blank. Vaggie allows a silent sob to escape her mouth and continues, “I’m - I’m so sorry, Charlie, I’m - I wanted to tell you, I swear…”
Vaggie rambles for minutes, staring up at Charlie. Those yellow eyes Vaggie loves so much betray absolutely nothing. It’s frightening - she can usually read Charlie’s mood just by watching her, but now, Vaggie can barely tell that she’s alive. If she didn’t know better, she’d second guess her assessment.
Charlie cuts her off. “Is that all?” The air leaves Vaggie’s lungs as she bites her tongue hard. Her heart feels like it’s climbed into her throat.
“I - I guess…?” Charlie simply nods.
“Okay.” And with that, she shuts the door. The lock slides into place with a gentle click .
Vaggie stands there for a moment, shellshocked, before she begins to break. She falls back against the wall, gasping and holding back sobs. Her entire being demands she go to the door, demand it open, demand to speak to the princess - this needed to be resolved, she wanted - she needed to fix this. Without even thinking, the angel pushes herself off the wall and rushes back towards the door.
“That would not be wise, my dear.” Vaggie stops dead in her tracks, her entire body going rigid. She turns on her heel to face the Radio Demon. He rises from his shadow, the air shifting around him as if she was looking through a flame. Vaggie grit her teeth and glared at him.
“Fuck off, Alastor,” she hisses, her voice raspy and torn. “This is none of your business .” He chuckles, placing his cane in front of him and leaning on it.
“I believe the princess wishes to be left alone.”
“I need to talk to her, this can’t go on -”
“And do you think that wise, little angel? Do you believe forcing her into your wishes is what Charlie would desire?”
“I’m not taking relationship advice from a psychopathic Overlord.”
Alastor’s grin widens, his teeth glowing ever so slightly. The air around them feels thick, and Vaggie struggles to breath without focusing as he leans forward, inches from Vaggie’s face. Static hisses softly in her ears as Alastor’s teeth take up her field of view.
“That is your choice, though I am the facility manager, and our gracious host and owner Charlie has requested I keep you from her private quarters.”
A slow, heated rage builds in Vaggie’s gut as she steps back, glaring at Alastor. “Fine,” she spits. “Fine, I’ll leave for now.” Alastor stands back up, twirling his cane.
“Lovely. Now, run along, dear. I’m sure you have other close companions to deceive!”
Vaggie attempts another glare, but is unable to hide the despair in her eyes. “She has to talk to me at some point,” she says, her voice breaking in her grief. Alastor just chuckles.
“Tata~!” Alastor melts back into the shadows, the air returning to its normal state, and Vaggie gasps as her breathing becomes easier again. She stands there for a moment, her body refusing to let her move. Eventually, her muscles unlock themselves and she crumbles to her knees, all of her grief pouring out of her in loud, ugly sobs. She stumbles to her feet, pressing hard into her eye to try and stop the flow of tears as she hiccups and sputters through them.
The door to Charlie’s room taunts Vaggie. She presses one hand gingerly against it and leans her head against the wood, stifling her sobs with her other hand. From the other side, Vaggie can hear the sound of quiet weeping. Her heart shatters all over again.
Vaggie turns around and heads back towards her room, hand still clasped over her mouth. Her breathing is harsh and aggressive as she pulls bursts of air through her nose to try and stop the noises she’s making.
She would fix this. She needed to fix this. She would stop at nothing. She would do anything.
She would fix this.