the "mommy" incident

Part 9: The "Mommy" Incident

The Hazbin Hotel was as busy as ever, with Charlie and Vaggie tending to their respective duties while alastor was doing something else. Audrey, ever the curious child, wandered about the lobby, her innocent eyes darting around as she looked for something to amuse herself.

As she spotted Vaggie, who was standing by the front desk, she toddled over to her with an excited grin. Vaggie, who was focused on a pile of paperwork, barely noticed Audrey approaching until the girl suddenly reached up and tugged on her sleeve.

Vaggie looked down in surprise, blinking as Audrey beamed up at her.

"Hi, Mommy!" Audrey chirped, tilting her head innocently.

Vaggie's eyes widened, and her face immediately flushed a deep lavender. She stumbled back slightly, clearly taken aback. "W-What did you just call me?"

Audrey giggled, still clueless to the weight of her words. "Mommy! You're like... my Mommy! Alastor says you take care of me and make sure I don't get into trouble!"

Vaggie froze, her face now a blend of confusion, surprise, and a touch of discomfort. She wasn't sure how to react. The whole situation was so bizarre—she wasn't used to being called something like that by anyone, let alone by a child who just wandered into the hotel from... who knows where.

Before she could gather her thoughts, Alastor's voice cut through the tension like a sharp blade.

"Audrey, darling," Alastor called smoothly, his voice still that honeyed tone he used to charm and command, "let's not confuse things."

Audrey looked up at him with wide eyes, blinking in confusion. "But... she's like my Mommy, right?"

Alastor's smile remained intact, though his eyes held an edge of something unspoken. He gently bent down to Audrey's level, placing a firm hand on her shoulder.

"Sweetheart, we don't use that word in the hotel unless it's absolutely necessary," he explained, his tone both soft and final.

Audrey, still not fully understanding, pouted but nodded obediently. "Okay, Daddy..."

Vaggie, still stunned by the whole exchange, watched as Alastor led Audrey away, her expression a mix of confusion and a hint of relief.

Charlie, who had been nearby, raised an eyebrow. "Did she just call you... mommy?"

Vaggie groaned, her face redder than ever. "I don't know what's going on with that kid, but I swear... Alastor is the only one who can handle her. I... I wasn't prepared for that."

Charlie chuckled awkwardly. "It's definitely a weird situation. But, I mean, she seems to like you!"

Vaggie muttered under her breath, "I'd rather not be called that, though..."

As the room fell into a brief, awkward silence, Alastor returned, still holding Audrey, who was now cheerfully humming a tune. His expression was cool, but his eyes flickered with something almost... possessive as he gazed at the others.

"Let's keep things in order, shall we?" Alastor said, his smile never faltering, though there was a note of finality in his voice. "I wouldn't want anyone misunderstanding anything—particularly my daughter."

With that, he walked away, Audrey giggling in his arms, and Vaggie let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

"Welp..That was... weird," Angel Dust muttered, appearing from the lounge area and making his way over to the others.

Vaggie just glared at him, and Angel quickly backed off, hands raised in mock surrender.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it," he muttered, "Don't mess with Daddy's little girl."

Charlie gave Vaggie an apologetic smile. "You okay?"

Vaggie gave a weary sigh. "I don't know what to think anymore."

Charlie patted her on the back. "Well, at least she likes you... in her own weird way."

Vaggie groaned again. "I'm just hoping she doesn't start calling me that every time she sees me."