(Aroumd Noon the day Max left)
The Hellhot sun burned low beyond Pentagram City's skyline, bleeding a violet haze through the hotel's cracked stained-glass windows. The Hazbin's lobby glowed under warm candlelight — calm, for once.
At a small dining table near the far wall, Charlie and Vaggie sat together finishing the last of a meal Max had made the day before. Toasted sandwiches filled with infernal peppers, crisp vegetables, and melted cheese still carried that distinct earthy spice of his cooking.
For a while, they ate in silence.
"He makes really good food," Vaggie said at last, trying to sound casual but clearly impressed. "You'd never think someone who spent most of his life fighting could sauté like this."
Charlie smiled faintly but didn't reply. Her golden eyes lingered on her sandwich, her expression dimming with thought.
"Hey, Vaggie," she said finally, voice small. "There's something I've been meaning to ask you."
Vaggie arched a brow. "You're using your serious voice. Should I be worried?"
Charlie fidgeted, picking at a bit of crust. "Are you… really okay with Max? With all of this? Did you join in because you wanted to, or because I did?"
The question hung heavy.
Vaggie set her sandwich down slowly. For a moment she just watched Charlie — then sighed.
"Charlie… no. I wouldn't do something like that just because you did."
Charlie blinked, surprised.
"Sure," Vaggie went on, shrugging, "I didn't trust him at first. I mean, the guy literally crash-landed in front of the hotel. You know me — I don't hand out trust easily. And you—" she poked Charlie's arm, smirking "—you trust way too easily sometimes."
Charlie huffed, pouting slightly.
"But," Vaggie added softly, "he earned it. Every bit of it. He's done everything he could for us."
She leaned back, eyes going distant.
"These last couple of years have been… weird. There were times I wanted to stab him — sometimes for getting too close to you, sometimes just for being so calm when everything was falling apart."
Charlie laughed a little, but it faded quickly.
Vaggie's tone shifted, quieter. "But the day those sinners tried to kidnap you? I'll never forget it. I was pinned to the wall. Helpless. And Max — he didn't even hesitate. He stepped forward, took every hit. You said he can't die permanently, maybe not — but I saw what that pain did to him. He didn't do it out of pride. He did it for us."
Charlie swallowed, eyes soft.
"He earned my respect," Vaggie finished. "And maybe… maybe a little piece of my heart. But I chose this relationship for myself, Charlie. Not because of you."
Charlie nodded, though she still fidgeted. "I know. I'm just… worried. I got excited when he proposed and I didn't really… think it through."
Vaggie choked mid-bite, coughing crumbs everywhere. "Wait—you what?! You didn't even think about it?"
"I mean, I did! Mostly!" Charlie flailed. "But—how am I supposed to tell my dad?!"
"Oh, Satan." Vaggie rubbed her forehead. "Yeah, maybe don't tell him yet. He hasn't even met me. He might smite Max on sight."
Charlie laughed nervously — then her phone chimed.
"Oh! Hi, Octavia!" she answered brightly.
Octavia's calm, soft voice came through. "Um… hey, Charlie. I was wondering if there's still space at your hotel? Not to move in full-time — just… when things get rough at home. Somewhere quiet."
"Of course," Charlie said warmly. "But what about all your royal duties?"
Octavia hesitated. "I just want somewhere safe. And… maybe practice for when we eventually live together."
Across the table, Vaggie spat her drink. Charlie turned scarlet.
"O-of course!" Charlie stammered. "There's space — I'll prep your room tonight!"
"Why the top floor?" Octavia asked. "Wouldn't that get noisy? Especially with… nightly activities?"
Charlie turned beet-red. "W-we don't—It's not—Usually it's Vaggie, not Max—oh Lucifer help me!"
Vaggie just smirked.
Octavia giggled through the phone. "Didn't say it was with him."
Charlie scrambled to change the subject. "Max enchanted the upper floor! Total privacy. No sound leakage. He said we needed boundaries."
"Smart of him," Octavia murmured. "Anything I should know? Rules? Advice? I barely see him for weeks sometimes — mostly because of my dad."
Charlie giggled imagining Stolas fretting. "Only rule is communication. Max never barges in. Just don't try to surprise him — Bee did once, and he panicked for hours."
Vaggie nodded knowingly. "Classic Max."
"And um," Charlie added, "if you stay in his room, watch out for his tail. It tends to… wrap around people in his sleep."
Octavia let out a tiny embarrassed laugh. "I'll keep that in mind. I'll be there at seven."
Charlie hung up and exhaled. "Ready to set up another room?"
Vaggie groaned dramatically but stood, taking Charlie's hand. "Fine. Even if Bee coated half the hallway in glitter yesterday. But it'll be nice having Octavia around. Maybe she'll calm the chaos."
Charlie squeezed her hand back, smiling as they headed upstairs — light spilling across the hall, warm as hope in the middle of Hell.