CH 61: Pancakes

~ Narrator ~

The group stood outside of the hotel, reveling in the magnificent redone structure in front of them. It was glorious, with bright lights, hearts along the edges, several apples, and more. On the side, Alastor's radio tower got a bit of an upgrade, with elegant deer antlers spread out against it. No more obnoxious arrows pointed towards it.

It looked better that way, seamlessly fitting it instead of desperately trying to be the centerpiece.

It wasn't tacky, it was elegant and classy.

"Sooo, pancake time?" Lucifer smiles at the group, handing Charlie the key. He chuckles and motions at the group to follow him.

They all go inside, and the inside looks just as lavish as the exterior. Esme gasps when she sees a small stage in the parlor with a piano next to it. She smiles and runs over to it, tracing her fingers along the keys, "Oh, now don't say..."

"All yours!" Vaggie smiles, "We thought you needed a bit of an upgrade too."

"Yeah, now you can perform for all the new guests that are bound to come by!" Charlie smiles brightly, bringing Esme onto the stage. It's pristine, solid black with a soft silver shimmer to the finish. Esme's heels click against the lacker. Her eyes fill up with tears.

"But all this for me?" She looks up at Charlie.

"Wouldn't have it any other way!" She flashes a toothy grin, "Couldn't let our siren take the stage without the proper equipment."

"Besides, now you can officially be our entertainment." Vaggie smiles sincerely.

She had grown on her.

"Oh..." Esme sniffled, looking at the two girls with joy, "I don't know what to say..." her heart swelling with pride in them both for all they've accomplished.

"I-"

"PANCAKE TIMEEE~~" Lucifer sings from the open kitchen door. He comes out with several plates being supported by his wings and his hands of course. The group heads to the couch where they usually would congregate, sitting down.

Esme sits down next to Alastor, smiling up at him. The two hold eye contact for a moment before a plate is placed in Esme's lap.

It's a large golden pancake with syrup and power sugar on top...in the shape of a heart.

Aww, how sweet.  She thinks innocently.

"I haven't had flapjacks in so long." She sniffs the plate and smiles, "I used to make them all the time for Geneviève!" She turns to Alastor, "Remember?"

He nods, but his eyes are fixated on Lucifer, twitching.

Lucifer passes everyone a plate before turning to Alastor and smiling mockingly, handing him his.

Burnt to a crisp.

"Oh, did I leave that one on too long?" He smirks, "Whoops."

Alastor wasn't annoyed by the lack of food, it was the disrespect that irked him.

"I wasn't interested in such a poor display anyway." He grinned looking up at him.

Esme's eyes darted back between the two, hoping to defuse any tension, "Um, that's quite right, he's not one for sweets. I apologize."

Lucifer turns to her, a pleasant expression on his face. "That's okay..."

His eyes moved back to Alastor's narrowing slightly before,

"Darling~"

Esme's eyes widen at the word and just as he suspected.

Fins.

Alastor tightens his grip on the chair, his claws digging into the velvet and ripping it with a harsh pull.

He doesn't have the chance to retaliate before Lucifer's phone rings. He looks down, "S-Sera?!" The phone bounces between his hands.

Charlie looks up with a piece of pancake hanging from her mouth, "The seraphim?" She mumbles through the food stuffed in her jaw.

"Chew before you speak." Esme scolded.

Lucifer nodded and looked down at the phone once more, turning back into the kitchen to answer it.

The group continues to eat their food, all but Alastor, until,

"CHARLIE!"

She jumps from the sofa, startled, but soon stands up and walks quickly into the kitchen, shutting the door.

Esme and Angel look at one another and shrug. He leans over and passes her his plate, "Chocolate chip."

"Oooo~" She stares down.

"Here, try it." He passes her a fork full and she happily takes it.

"It's delicious." She comments after swallowing, "Mine is just buttermilk. Very vanilla."

"Oh hunny, trust me, ya ain't vanilla." Angel laughs.

"A what now?" Alastor turns his head.

"Nothing, nothing~" Esme waves her hand dismissively with an awkward laugh.

Charlie comes bursting through the doors with a bright smile and tears in her eyes, "IT WORKED!" She cheered. They all stare at her with a deadpan expression, clearly confused.

"PENTIOUS HAS BEEN REDEEMED!"

They all jump to their feet, with once again the exception of Alastor, shouting in surprise.

"We won?!" Esme exclaims, turning to Angel, "We won!" She jumps into his arms, wrapping her legs around him crying in disbelief.

Vaggie runs to Charlie, picking her up and spinning her around, "Great job, baby! I knew you could do it!"

The group hugs one another, celebrating the wonderful news, while Alastor sits there, leaning his head into his hand with his legs crossed. Finally, he's had enough, rolling his eyes and disappearing in a shadow along the floor.

Charlie laughs proudly, wiping tears from her eyes, "I guess this means it's possible!" She smiles as she looks down, "And everyone thought I was crazy..."

"Oh, now." Esme hurries to her and cups her face in her hands, "You are no such thing. You are resilient, courageous, compassionate, everything I could hope my little girl would've grown up to be." She sniffles, "I'm so proud of you."

Charlie hugs her tightly, crying into her shoulder. Lucifer walks up and puts a hand on her back, "That's right, little lady, we're all very proud of you." 

She eventually pulls away from Esme and turns to Vaggie. Esme smiles, "Al, isn't this su- " Her eyes scan the room, "Al??"

"Must have snucked away." Angel shrugged, leaning against Husk. 

Esme's face shows a concerned expression and she heads upstairs, trying to navigate where their rooms would be considering the new layout. She notices that every room is labeled with a different patron's initials. 

A.D

N.

H.

Finally, she finds it. 

A & E

Oh, how sweet. They put us together. 

She opens the door and walks inside, taking a soft inhale as she marvels in the sight. It's stunning, soft dim lighting with a fireplace burning inside. The walls a deep burgundy and green flowers throughout the space. She smiles brightly as she recognizes the bayou in the back. He must've gotten here before she did. She walks towards it, taking in the scent around her. 

There's a whooshing sound and she feels a familiar flutter across her neck. Giggling, she steps back to see his shadow circling around her, her eyes narrow in a stern matter despite her laughter. 

"You, mister, have a lot of explaining to do." She cocks her head to the side, not having been approached by the presence since that dreadful night in their house. 

 The shadow sinks to the floor, looking up at her with large bashful eyes. It bolts up to her and wraps around her neck, snuggling into her. 

"Ahh, okay apology accepted." She laughs.

It stiffens at it's master's voice, flying away behind her.

"You know, it's not polite to barge into people's rooms uninvited." Alastor scoffs playfully from behind her. 

She spins around and places a hand on her hip, "Excuse me, did you not see my initial on that door?" She crosses her arms, "What? Don't want to share a bedroom for old time's sake?" She pouts teasingly. 

He smiles, walking up to her.  He wraps an arm around her waist, pulling her towards him with a force that sends her crashing into his chest, "Never, my love. I will be beyond honored to be able to lay with you each and every night." 

The two lean in for a loving kiss. 

~ Time Skippy ~ 

The two lay in bed with Esme curled up against Alastor. She lays her ear against his bare chest listening to his heartbeat underneath. "So, it's really true." She sighs. 

"Hm?" 

"Redemption..." She sits up on her knees looking down at him, "Redemption, Alastor, it's possible!"

He raises an eyebrow at her enthusiasm. 

I knew this was going to happen, she's too good.

"And what exactly is the significance?" 

Esme looks at him disappointed and shakes his side, "Alastor, we have a chance." She smiles sadly, "Don't you want to go to Genny?" 

He pauses, looking away for a moment and sighing before returning to her gaze, "I'm going to remain here, where I belong." 

"Y-You don't want to at least try?" She frowns. 

He takes in a deep breath, sitting up, pulling the blanket over her to cover her bare skin, "Mon tresor, did you really expect me to ever leave this place?" He takes a strand of her hair and moves it from her face, chuckling sadly, "My soul is far too corrupted, this is where I will reside for eternity." 

Esme's eyes fill with tears, blinking them away rapidly, "B-But...but Gen-" 

"Is doing fine without me." He interrupts, "She's content, happy, and at peace. Isn't that what you want?" 

She pauses, taking a moment to consider. Of course she wanted her daughter to find happiness. She just wishes she could be a part of her happiness. 

"O-Of course, b-" 

"Then I will stay here." He lays back down. 

There's a silence between the two and Esme looks off in to the bayou watching the fireflies pass by. She catches his shadow looking up at her sadly from the floor, it's ears pulled back. 

"And me..." She begins, "Where will I go?" 

His eyes roll back into his head and he pushes his hair past his forehead. 

This was always my biggest fear with you coming here. 

"I take it you aren't going to stop until you can say you tried..." He says softly. 

"Would you support me if I did?" Her voice cracks.

There's a long drawn out pause, already telling the truth within it, but still he persists, 

"Of course...mon amour..." 

~ Author's Note ~

*sigh* The next chapter will be the final chapter. I'm sorry in advance. 

A couple sidenotes~~ 

First, the pancake scene was inspired by this art I found on tumblr. I can't find the original artist, so if you know them PLEASE COMMENT! 

Secondly, I need to give a shoutout to Hooman_does_cosplay

For their amazing Vox fanfiction! Go read it! It's a story where y/n is a Siren ahhhh 🥳

Also SUB ALASTOR!  I REPEAT SUB ALASTOR! 

It's called Hauntingly Beautiful and it's on A03

https://archiveofourown.org/works/56335456/chapters/145299049

Also, call me INSANE but I found a woman on Tik Tok who looks JUST LIKE WHAT I IMAGINE ESME TO LOOK LIKE IN THE REAL WORLD! 

Her name is Clara Fable. She does burlesque and omg watch her dangerous woman video. 

ALSO ALSO WHY DID I THINK OF THIS SCENARIO WHEN I WAS DOING MY SKINCARE.

Esme: *washing her face, pumping cleanser onto her hands and moving the cream liquid on her fingers* Damn, I should call him. 

Alastor: *Pops head in bathroom* Call who? 

Esme: Oh, nothing ~  *chuckles awkwardly*  Just something Angel taught me ~ 

🖤Words: 1800🖤

~ Artemis 🦌💖