That afternoon, as the comforting scent of dinner wafted through the hotel kitchen, Angel Dust strolled in unexpectedly, tossing his coat over the back of a chair with an exasperated sigh. Alastor, stirring a simmering pot on the stove, raised an eyebrow. "Well, well, back so soon?"

In the living room, Vox looked up from a coloring contest with Niffty. He blinked in surprise, then asked, "Weren't you heading to Valentino's studio? What happened?"

Angel rolled his eyes dramatically, throwing up his hands. "Oh, Val had one of his little *meltdowns* again. Outta nowhere, he starts yelling for everyone to 'get the mierda out of my maldito studio!' Whatever that means."

Vox smirked, unable to resist. "He told everyone to 'get the fuck out of my fucking studio.'"

Angel stared at him, his mouth dropping open slightly. "How the hell d'ya know that?"

Vox shrugged, his smirk widening as he continued filling in a vibrant purple star on his page. "When you put up with Spanglish rants long enough, you start to pick up a thing or two."

Angel huffed and shook his head, collapsing into a chair next to them with a look of pure exasperation. "Figures. At least now I get the gist of it." He watched as Niffty held up her own coloring page, smiling proudly at Vox, who nodded with mock-serious approval.

"Oh, you're both going *down* with my next masterpiece," Angel grinned, snatching a coloring sheet for himself.

Alastor glanced over with a smirk. "Nothing like an unexpected early dismissal to inspire the inner artist, hmm?"

Angel snickered. "Guess so. But for now, guess I'll just enjoy my early night off here." And as the evening went on, with laughter and the smell of dinner filling the air, it seemed no one was in a rush to be anywhere else.

——

Everyone finished up dinner, and Vox went outside for a cigarette. Niffty was about to come out to ask him if he wanted to watch a movie when she heard an unfamiliar voice coming from the darkness. She stopped short, backing away from the back doors but keeping her gaze fixed outside, curiosity quickly turning to fear.

Outside, Vox heard his name and turned around to see Valentino standing there, his ex-boyfriend's face lit with a twisted smirk. "What are you doing here?" Vox asked, his tone sharp.

Valentino took a step closer, his voice dripping with possessiveness. "You really think you can get away from me, Vox?" he sneered. "I own you."

Before Vox could respond, Valentino lunged forward, grabbing him by the neck and slamming him into the garden wall. Vox gasped, struggling against the grip, his heart pounding.

Inside, Niffty tore down the hallway, desperate to find Alastor. She spotted him with Husk, calmly sipping a glass of rye. "Alastor!" she cried, her voice panicked. "There's someone outside hurting Vox!"

Alastor's face hardened in an instant. He set down his glass and summoned his staff, striding toward the door with an eerie calm. Stepping outside, he found Valentino pinning Vox against the wall.

"Let him go," Alastor said, his voice cold and lethal.

Valentino barely glanced at him, muttering a string of Spanglish insults, demanding Alastor mind his business. Alastor narrowed his eyes. "Vox, get Niffty away from here," he ordered, voice calm but edged with fury. "I'm about to do something I should've done long ago."

Vox nodded, loosening Valentino's grip enough to slip away. He led Niffty to her room, his hand reassuring on her shoulder. "Everything will be fine," he told her firmly, giving her a gentle smile before heading back toward the commotion outside, knowing Alastor was about to confront his past once and for all.

Alastor tightened his grip on his staff, the crimson gleam in his eyes intensifying as he advanced toward Valentino. He'd been waiting for this moment, a confrontation that had been building up ever since he'd first seen the way Valentino manipulated Vox. Valentino's arrogance melted into irritation as Alastor approached, and he sneered, clearly unfazed.

"Still playing the hero, huh, Al?" Valentino taunted, crossing his arms. "You're out of your league."

Alastor didn't respond with words. Instead, he twirled his staff, which began to pulse with a malevolent, dark energy. Before Valentino could make another snide comment, Alastor swung the staff in a vicious arc, the energy ripping through the air and striking Valentino with a force that sent him sprawling backward. The demon snarled, quickly recovering and lunging toward Alastor with his claws extended.

Alastor sidestepped, bringing the staff down hard against Valentino's back, sending him crashing to the ground. Valentino let out a howl of pain, his fingers clawing into the dirt as he tried to pull himself up. Alastor pressed his boot against Valentino's spine, pinning him down, and leaned in, his voice a dark, mocking whisper.

"Not so powerful now, are you?" he sneered, twisting his foot as he pressed down harder.

With a furious growl, Valentino summoned a surge of strength, throwing Alastor off and scrambling to his feet. Blood dripped from his mouth as he charged at Alastor again, claws slashing through the air. Alastor took a few rapid steps back, expertly dodging the swipes before delivering a brutal punch to Valentino's face, cracking one of his cheekbones.

Enraged, Valentino spat blood and lunged again, his claws grazing Alastor's cheek. Alastor barely flinched, his face twisting into a smile that was equal parts amusement and malice. He grabbed Valentino by the throat, lifting him effortlessly and slamming him against the garden wall, the impact shaking the bricks.

"You never did know when to quit," Alastor hissed. His grip tightened, and dark, writhing tendrils of energy began to creep down his arm, searing into Valentino's skin. Valentino's eyes widened in terror as he felt the energy burn and consume him, his body convulsing.

As Alastor's grip tightened around Valentino's throat, the demon let out a desperate, strangled cry. His eyes darted up toward the hotel, catching sight of a figure stepping out onto the balcony above them. It was Angel Dust, leaning against the railing, watching the scene unfold with a detached, almost amused look in his eyes.

"Angel, baby, Amorcito!!" Valentino choked out, his voice breaking. "Help me, please! Don't just stand there!"

Angel Dust tilted his head, arms crossed as he looked down at the scene, a slow smirk spreading across his face. "You know, Val," he drawled, his tone cold, "I've been waiting for this moment for a long time." His expression hardened as he continued. "You made my life a living hell, pushed me around like I was nothing. I stayed quiet, hoping someday I'd get free of you, that you'd just leave me alone. But you never did."

Valentino's face twisted with fear, realization hitting him like a wave. Angel leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper filled with venom. "For once, I'm finally going to live my afterlife in peace... and you, you're finally getting what you deserve."

A spark of hope flickered and died in Valentino's eyes as Angel turned to Alastor, a calm, satisfied smile tugging at his lips. "Finish him, Al," Angel said simply, his voice steady as he gave the silent go-ahead, watching the scene unfold with satisfaction.

Alastor's grin widened as he looked from Angel back to Valentino. With renewed strength, he tightened his hold, pouring all his dark energy into Valentino. The finality in Angel's words seemed to draw the last remnants of fight from Valentino, and with a final, agonized scream, his body began to crack and crumble, disintegrating into ash.

Angel Dust stayed on the balcony, watching with a quiet satisfaction as Valentino's remains scattered into the night air, leaving nothing behind but silence.

As Alastor stepped back inside, he was met with Vox, who had been standing just inside the door, his face a mix of relief and lingering fear. He'd seen the whole thing—every brutal second—and though he was grateful for Alastor's intervention, the intensity of what he'd just witnessed left him visibly shaken.

Alastor softened as he noticed Vox's expression, and he approached slowly, reaching out to place a reassuring hand on Vox's shoulder. "It's over," he murmured, his voice low and comforting. "Valentino won't bother you—or anyone else—ever again."

Vox let out a shaky breath, his tense posture beginning to ease as he absorbed Alastor's words. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice barely audible as he glanced down, still processing the enormity of what had happened. "I... I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," Alastor replied gently, pulling him into a steadying embrace. "You're safe now. That's all that matters."

For a moment, they stood there, holding onto each other in the quiet of the room, the weight of what had just transpired settling around them. Vox felt his heartbeat slow, grounding himself in Alastor's steady presence, and finally, the fear in his eyes gave way to a profound sense of gratitude and relief.

Angel Dust descended the stairs, each step slower than the last, a frown pulling at his usually cheerful expression. He paused, looking at the others gathered below, and felt a strange emptiness where he'd expected relief. He was officially free from Valentino—his contract broken, his soul his own once again. Even his eye had returned to its natural color. But instead of joy, he felt... nothing. A hollow, unfamiliar sensation weighed on him, and he couldn't quite understand it.

Alastor and Vox looked up, noticing Angel's downcast expression. "Angel, are you alright?" Vox asked softly, concern lacing his voice.

Angel shook his head, a puzzled look crossing his face. "I dunno, man... I thought I'd feel different. Happy, even. But it's like... I don't feel anything. Just strange." His voice was almost a whisper, like he was admitting something even he didn't quite understand.

Before anyone could respond, Husk came from behind the bar, crossing the room to stand beside him. He placed a comforting hand on Angel's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Probably just in shock," Husk murmured, his gruff tone softer than usual. "It's a big change. Gonna take a while to feel... normal. Whatever that means."

Angel looked at him, uncertainty still clouding his gaze. But something in Husk's calm presence began to steady him, if only a little. He nodded, managing a small, tentative smile. "Yeah... maybe you're right."

Husk gave him a reassuring pat, a silent promise that he wasn't alone in this. "Give it time, kid," he said. "And for what it's worth... we're all glad you're free."

As everyone gathered downstairs, a sudden realization struck Vox and Alastor—Niffty hadn't come down yet. Concern flickered across their faces, and without a word, they headed upstairs together to check on her.

When they reached her room, the sight that greeted them made Vox's heart clench. Niffty was crouched on the floor, her head buried between her knees, small hands clamped tightly over her ears. Her shoulders shook slightly, and even in the dim light, they could see her tear-streaked face. Vox moved forward quietly, crouching down beside her, and gently tapped her shoulder.

She flinched at the touch, but when she lifted her head and saw Vox, her expression transformed. Relief washed over her red, puffy face, and without hesitation, she launched herself onto his legs, clinging to him tightly. "I thought you were gone, Vox! I thought... I thought you were dead!" she sobbed, her small arms wrapped around him with surprising strength.

Vox scooped her up, holding her securely on his hip as he gently wiped away her tears. He looked at her, his voice soft. "I'm right here, Niffty. And I'm not going anywhere," he reassured her, rubbing her back soothingly. "Now, how about that movie you wanted to watch?"

She sniffled, managing a small smile as she nodded, and Vox carried her out of the room, Alastor following closely behind with a tender, understanding expression. As they descended the stairs, the three of them, the warmth and comfort of each other's presence filled the air.