Never Leave Me Again
Kevin Angelus Collins—former High Angel of Heaven, now banished to Hell by his friend Eryn of the Highborn under pressure from the great Seraph, Sera—was, despite all that, at peace.
With Charlie by his side, he had recounted to their friends and Vaggie—her lover—the story of their destined meeting and falling in love. The story ended sadly, with Charlie forced back to Hell, leaving Kevin to carry on their mission without her. Three years later, he died, and though he desperately wanted to reunite with her, Heaven claimed him.
Yet neither Heaven nor Hell could keep them apart for long. Fate brought them back together, and with Vaggie’s blessing, Kevin and Charlie were free to rediscover their love—Charlie now devoted to both of them. Once their story was told, Kevin turned to Charlie and asked her to share her own.
Now, with his head resting against Charlie’s shoulder, his medium-brown hair draped over his face with some strands tickling his nose, he listened as she recounted the story of how the Hazbin Hotel came to be. His soft, golden-brown eyes admired Charlie as she indulged in the story, lost in the memories of the last six months and seemingly overjoyed sharing a much more lively tale than their own had been.
On her other shoulder, Vaggie dozed, having fallen asleep shortly before the sixth of the nine tales that Charlie shared. She had tried to stay awake and share her views on some of the events, but exhaustion had caught up with her after listening to Kevin and Charlie recount their adventure earlier in the night.
However, story time wasn’t free of painful memories. When Charlie reached the day of the battle, which Kevin knew very well, she choked up at the moment of Sir Pentious’s death. She had told him in detail about who he was, how he arrived at the hotel, and how he grew as a person. And that on the eve of the battle, he had confessed his feelings for Cherri Bomb. The reminder caused a break in her voice, and she stopped.
“Hey,” Kevin whispered, lifting his hand to caress her cheek and turning her gaze to his. “It’s okay. He’s a hero, princess. You should be proud.”
“I am,” Charlie agreed, but her eyes still brimmed with tears.
He sat up straight, leaned in, and gently kissed her, marking only the third kiss since he’d arrived in Hell. The first had nearly destroyed her relationship with Vaggie, but the second signified the beginning of a new, intricate, and mysterious bond among the three. Charlie hummed softly and returned the kiss without hesitation.
Only Vaggie’s soft mumble, caused by her body shifting from Charlie’s movements, interrupted them. They smiled warmly into each other’s eyes, and Charlie whispered, “I really should get Vaggie to bed.”
Kevin glanced past Charlie at Vaggie, “May I?”
Charlie gave Kevin a soft, confused look as she watched him stand. He reached past her, slid his strong arms under Vaggie’s body, and carefully lifted her into his embrace. Her expression shifted from confusion to adoration.
“Would you lead the way, my princess?”
Charlie stood and straightened the hem of her suit. “With pleasure, my knight. Then we’ll get you settled in.”
“I hope I’m not resigned to a couch this time?”
Charlie giggled as she led the way to the elevators down the hall, while Kevin trailed behind, holding Vaggie in his arms. She’d only taken a few steps when she stopped suddenly, and Kevin almost ran into her. He grunted quietly. Vaggie stirred but did not wake.
“Charlie?”
She turned and pouted at him, “I don’t like this! Sending you away tonight. I want you in our bed, Kevin, with us. But I have to talk to Vaggie first. I need to know what she meant by sharing. I can’t assume.”
Kevin smiled softly. “It’s okay, Charlie. I can wait.” He paused. “The truth is, I didn’t want to leave. I just didn’t see any other way.”
She motioned for him to walk beside her, and they continued on, “I understand why you were going to go, Kevin; I do. I was an idiot thinking you could stay as if nothing had changed.”
He sighed. “No, Charlie. Don’t think that.”
“But it’s true.” Charlie huffed, “All those memories were so fresh in my mind, it was like we were back at the Gazebo by the river, drowning in each other, but this time I wasn’t going to disappear. You were. Then Vaggie tells you not to go, offering this…this…?”
“I think the term’s called a ‘hinge’ relationship,” Kevin said matter-of-factly.
“Yeah. That.” Charlie slowed a bit but didn’t stop. When she felt his warmth draw closer, she turned her head and smiled. “Just give me and Vaggie time to talk this out, okay?”
“I waited years to die so that I could find you again.” Kevin tilted his head and let his brown eyes peer out from behind his messy hair. “If Vaggie thinks this can work, I’ll follow any rules she sets if she’s willing to try.”
Her smile faded slightly. “I’m so sorry, though. It was too soon for you. And Cassie? Losing her little brother? I wish I could tell her you’re okay. I miss her so much.”
“Cassie knows that Heaven and Hell exist more than almost anyone can understand. In her heart, she knows I found you and that I’m happy. I know you miss her. And I know she misses you. You are her sister, too.”
“Maybe Father will let us visit her.” Charlie started getting excited by the idea, “He could borrow Stolas’s Grimoire again.”
Kevin frowned. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
“Why not?” Charlie sniffed. “Wouldn’t you want to see her again?”
“I don’t think a social visit would be wise. Our worlds are separated for a reason.”
“I guess you’re right.” Once they reached the elevators, she pressed the express button for the elevator leading to her and Vaggie’s suite. “I’m getting ahead of myself, aren’t I?”
“Nah,” He chuckled. “You’re always filled with ideas and big dreams, which is part of what makes you so special.”
Lowering her eyes and blushing softly, Charlie whispered a loving “Thank you.” She moved them to gaze up at the numbers as they chimed their way down to the main floor. When it hit one, a chime sounded, and the elevator doors opened softly with a light whoosh. The two stepped in, and Charlie entered her personal security code into the pad. The doors closed, and the elevator began a quick, smooth rise.
“I assume I can choose any room on the floor below yours?” Kevin eyed the numbers as the elevator rose.
“Mmmhmm, but I’d suggest away from the elevator. Niftty’s up before the crack of dawn, and she uses them a lot as she cleans and hunts for bugs.”
“That little demon has no rest in her, does she?”
“I think she sleeps a little, but spends most of her free time working on her roach puppet shows,” Charlie smirked as the elevator stopped and the doors opened to a small foyer outside their expansive suite, which occupied half of the top floor. From the elevator’s back doors, an outside hallway could be reached that led to the far ends on both sides. These accommodated the two penthouse suites, with her father, Lucifer, residing in one suite while Alastor operated his radio tower on the opposite side.
Kevin was impressed by everything they had done to the spacious room as he entered. It resembled a small mansion in its own right, complete with all the amenities one would expect in a typical home, arranged in an open floor plan.
Immediately to the right of the entrance stood the double door to the bathroom, a term that in no way accurately described what they’d installed. Inside was a full-sized walk-in shower capable of hosting a small gathering, complete with a dozen shower heads at various heights. A standalone claw-foot tub, large enough for three, occupied an alcove across from the shower. Triple sinks, each accompanied by its own rectangular mirror and glass, were arranged on a long glass countertop, with open shelving below for their various supplies. The toilet was tucked around a corner in its own alcove, providing privacy, though it had no door. The tiles showcased a mix of gold and dark crimson red, which ascended the walls to chest level before transitioning into a rich, dark black. Recessed round LED lights were integrated into the walls and ceiling.
Outside, in the main room just past the bathroom doors, a wall stretched a full fifteen feet with no furniture nearby, showcasing portraits of her family and friends, including her mother, Lilith, her cousins, the sins, those in the hotel, including Sir Pentious, and, of course, in the center, a larger-than-normal portrait of her and Vaggie. Kevin allowed a fleeting thought of envy to arise at the thought of a spot being made for him.
Past the display in the corner, a large fireplace stood unlit. Charlie had mentioned that while it rarely got chilly in the Pride Ring of Hell, there were seasons like any other. Even in the old hotel, they had a fireplace that she mostly enjoyed watching snap and pop with the living fire while she and Vaggie curled up and read to each other. A couch and three deep, cushioned chairs were arranged casually around the hearth. The theme of three was beginning to become apparent to Kevin as he looked down at Vaggie, sleeping in his arms. He knew she had been as vocal about the design of her and Charlie’s bedroom as Charlie had been.
A couple of nicely decorated tables were positioned against the wall past the sitting area, flanking a pair of large arched windows that featured their own built-in seating. The room’s walls were adorned with a wallpaper scheme reminiscent of the old hotel, a choice made by Charlie to maintain some of the old charm. The floors were a rich, hardwood brown, and potted plants were placed in various locations to create an almost forest-like atmosphere, which contrasted with the overall aesthetic of the room and certainly with the essence of Hell itself.
At the opposite end of the room, a small kitchenette rested, featuring an island counter with a soft, white top that included a built-in sink and two burners for cooking on one side. A wall oven sat next to a large fridge, with only a three-foot counter separating them. A bowl of various unusual fruits lay on the counter, indicating that Charlie had returned to being a vegetarian again.
In the final corner of the room, a small sitting area was featured, complete with a fifty-inch LCD television and an old-style radio on a tall stand, surrounded by two couches and a few chairs.
In the center of the room stood a vast bed. Rather than separating it from the rest of their space, they opted to have it serve as the centerpiece of their private suite. The bed was an Alaskan King, measuring 108 inches both in width and depth, under a mahogany canopy draped with satin and silk curtains. The four wooden poles were intricately carved with angelic wing designs, a detail that Charlie had insisted on as a tribute to her girlfriend, Vaggie, and possibly even to Kevin. A few cute stuffed animals were arranged at the foot of the bed, where a large red trunk rested on the floor. Charlie had refused to comment on its contents, but Kevin wasn’t naive about the nature of her relationship with Vaggie.
It wasn’t a trunk meant for innocent eyes.
Charlie had gone above and beyond with the decor, trying to make the room as intimate as its size would allow, and Kevin marveled at how it had all come together over the past month. He had only been in the room twice: once to set up the security for the doors, and another time to help Lucifer seal the windows into the framing of the walls.
As he moved to the bed, Charlie walked to the other side and motioned for him to come over. She pulled back the thick red and black quilt that had been gifted to them by Alastor, followed by the black silk sheets. Kevin stepped forward and bent gently, allowing Vaggie’s body to sink into the thick, soft bedding.
Charlie pulled the quilt up to rest against the fallen angel’s chin and leaned down to kiss her gently on the forehead. She then stepped back and looked at Kevin.
“Hmm?” Kevin whispered.
Charlie motioned with her head towards Vaggie and said, “Your turn.”
“Oh!” Kevin felt his cheeks burn. “Are you sure it’s OK?”
“I insist.” Her voice purred.
He nodded, leaned down, and planted a soft kiss in the same spot where Charlie had kissed her. Vaggie shifted slightly, sighed as if content, and then began to snore lightly.
Charlie gestured for Kevin to follow her once more as they returned to the elevator. She pressed the button to descend to the next level and waited for the doors to close, then hit the button to stop the elevator from moving. Before he could ask why, she turned and pushed Kevin against the wall, kissing him passionately.
Well, the word “kiss” was a poor choice. What Charlie did was engulf Kevin in her. Their lips intertwined, becoming one. It resembled the kiss they shared on the night Hell reclaimed her, but this time she would not be taken from Kevin.
The way she pressed into him signified that she was his for eternity. His hands wrapped around her, flipping her around and slamming her against the same wall. Charlie grunted in pain, and she loved it.
She and Vaggie had all kinds of sex, but she recalled the one morning she had with Kevin, and she needed that again. She felt him, hard and large, pressing against her pants and pushing the material between the folds of her pussy, which was wet and swollen already.
“Charlie, my princess.” Kevin moaned between kisses, “I’ve missed you so much.”
“Kevin!” Charlie gasped, “Never leave me again!”
She thrust a leg out and around him so he could press harder against her. As she did, she basically rode him, but a moment later, he stopped and pulled his head back to give her a wicked grin. “You will warn me if you—?”
Charlie laughed throatily, “My dear Knight, we can’t fuck tonight. I need to talk to Vaggie first. But I needed to feel you. So badly. I hope I haven’t upset you?”
Although she spoke those words, she knew he wasn’t, and his smile reassured her. “No. I knew this was just a moment to let ourselves finally accept what we have. I can wait a little longer to strip you down, bend you over, and have my way with you.”
“Kevin!” Charlie gasped, her lips wide and up, with giggling eyes, “You are such a fucking tease.”
“I learned from the best bitch in Hell.” Kevin winked.
She felt a little thrill at hearing Kevin say it and growled, “Say it again. What am I?”
Kevin leaned in and whispered it into her ear, nipping her lobe with his teeth. “You’re a sexy, amazing bitch!”
Charlie breathed into his neck, recalling a moment from their past - one that had threatened their relationship. Now, she needed to twist those past words into something resembling a promise. “I am your demon bitch!”
Panting, the two broke apart and stared at each other, their eyes filled with love and desire. Regret etched their features, yet it softened with the realization that time was finally on their side, rather than against them.
Lifting her chin and acting primly, Charlie took three steps back and released the elevator, which then began to drop, carrying them down one floor. When the doors opened, Charlie stepped back and, surprisingly, blushed, saying, “I, uh, better not come with you to your new room. I may not leave.”
Kevin smirked and took the steps to leave the elevator. “If you walked through my doors, my princess, you wouldn’t.”
She licked her lips and stepped to the back of the elevator. “I will see you in the morning, my knight.”
“Good night, my Princess of Hell.”
When the doors shut, Kevin stood there for a moment, allowing the past few minutes to fill his soul. The pains of his life no longer drowned him; he felt no regret or fear. He trusted what Vaggie had promised and held high hopes that they would find a way to make it work out.
As he prepared to explore the rooms at the end of the hallway, a shadow caught his attention. He turned, and his gaze landed on Alastor, who stood in a nook at the end of the elevator lobby.
“How long have you been standing there, Radio Demon?”
“Long enough.” His smile did not reach his eyes. Kevin wondered if it ever did. “You two took Vaggie’s offer to heart.”
“We did. And it’s none of your damned business, demon.” His stance became defensive, as if ready for a fight.
“Oh, calm down. I’m not here to stir the pot.”
“Isn’t that your thing, though?” Kevin growled, “Stir the pot, for your own entertainment?”
“Aha.” Alastor nodded, stepping out from the nook and approaching Kevin. “Charlie told you everything.”
“I know the reason you’re here.” Kevin thinned his eyes. “And the deal you made with Charlie. Yes, I know it all. Except what it is you want out of the deal.”
“That’s for me to know,” The Radio Demon said as he leaned forward, his voice dancing with delight, “and for you to find out!” He tapped Kevin on the nose. “When the time comes, of course.”
“I swear to you, damned one,” Kevin said, pulling his halo down in one swift motion. A flash of light erupted, and a sword burst forth, a golden saber pulsing with pure angelic power. “If you lay even one finger on the princess…” He leveled the sword at the demon, its point now mere inches from the his chest. “Your soul will burn.”
Eyes narrowing, Alastor’s smile appeared painted rather than an integral part of him. “I would be very careful if I were you, fallen angel,” he stated, all humor now stripped from his voice. “You may have been at the top of the heap up there, but down here…” His eyes flashed crimson. “There are plenty of overlords and sinners who would love nothing more than to turn you into mincemeat and wouldn’t hesitate to disappoint our dear princess in the process.”
“Do I sense a threat in your words?” Kevin challenged, pushing the sword a bit closer.
The demon’s smile widened. “Simply an observation.” He glanced down at the blade and reached to push it aside, but sensed that it wouldn’t be wise. Interesting. He smiled at Kevin, “After all, we’re on the same side now, aren’t we? You’re protecting the princess, while I’m serving as her loyal facilities manager…”
“For now,” Kevin admitted as he withdrew his sword, allowing it to reshape into his halo before settling it back above his head, with the magic clicking it into place.
Alastor watched the action with keen interest. “For as long as I desire, just as Charlie commanded, as the Princess of Hell and heir to the throne. Words I consider as binding as any handshake.”
“Alastor.” Kevin addressed him by name, hoping to de-escalate the tension, “You know what I went through to get here and what I would do to protect Charlie. You may hold dominion here, possess untold powers, and carry a mystery no one has ever unraveled, but let’s be clear from this point onward: there are no threats you can make that will instill fear in my soul. I will die for her. I almost did it twice before, and I will do so again if necessary.”
“I know.” His voice was unusually gentle. “And I would expect no less from you. I propose that we cover our shared animosity toward each other with a blanket of tolerance, for their sake. At least for the time being?”
“I agree to that.” Kevin paused as his words sank in. He did not like the Radio Demon, and for good reasons, but why did Alastor share this disdain? “Shared animosity?”
“Good night, Charlie’s ‘Angel’,” Alastor bowed with a hint of mockery and sank through the floor in a black mist.
Kevin stood there for a moment. When he had to prepare the exorcist army to attack the hotel, he investigated and learned a great deal about most of the hotel residents, but information on Alastor was, at best, fleeting.
Then, during the month it took to rebuild the hotel after the battle, the only sign of his presence was the appearance of construction demons who helped everyone with the reconstruction. It wasn’t until the day of the new hotel’s christening that Alastor actually returned. Kevin had already deduced he needed the time to heal from the losing battle against Adam, and it was intriguing information to know.
A sudden yawn seized him. When was the last time he had slept? It seemed like at least a year had passed. Walking swiftly down the hallway, he chose the last room on the right, noting fondly how it reminded him of his sister’s apartment. It was across from her bathroom. He glanced over, but the door led to another room, which Niffty had already prepared for the guests they hoped would soon occupy the space.
He opened the door without a key, as it had not yet been coded due to Charlie’s insistence—something she’d not yet explained—and focused solely on the king-sized bed just fifteen steps away. Fifteen became zero quickly as he fell face-first onto the bed. Drawing his wings inside him, he rolled over and with a single sigh, Kevin Angelus Collins closed his eyes and let the waves of sleep wash over him.
