Everyone returned to their respective homes with far more bags and boxes than any sane person should bring back from the Lust Ring. But hey—sales were sales, Bee had no impulse control, Loona collected leather outfits like they were oxygen, Octavia found rare star-themed accessories, and Charlie insisted everyone take at least one souvenir.
By the time they got home, it was past midnight, and one by one the girls disappeared into their rooms, exhausted and excited all at once.
Except Max.
Max lay awake, staring at the ceiling.
"Alright…" he muttered to himself, sitting up and dragging a notebook to his lap. "Meeting with the Overlords tomorrow. I should show up, establish credibility, maybe intimidate a few jerks. Then the Stars of Astaroth thing in a few days."
He flipped a page.
"I've been busy… and the hotel is still only at episode two events. Great. Parallel timelines. Awesome."
He groaned and rubbed his eyes.
"Maybe I should cook something for everyone. Hell's food sucks compared to the human world. Everything's either stale, poisonous, or made by someone who thinks grease counts as seasoning. Human ingredients… yeah. That'll do."
He circled the thought three times.
"And I'll make extra for the others too… though I'll need double for Bee."
He chuckled.
---
Hours Later — Morning
A warm, heavenly smell drifted through the halls of the hotel—so warm, so perfect, that for a moment even Hell felt peaceful.
Charlie was the first to stumble out of her room, rubbing sleep from her eyes, wearing fuzzy pajamas.
"Mmm… something smells good. Is that… butter? No one uses real butter down here…"
Vaggie emerged behind her, hair messy, wing slightly crooked. "Oh! Who's cooking?"
They rounded the corner into the kitchen—
—and froze.
Max stood at the stove wearing an apron that said "Kiss the Wolf", flipping something on the skillet with expert precision. The counter was filled with neatly plated dishes:
Perfect breakfast sandwiches
Fluffy eggs
Crispy bacon
Fresh, melted cheese
Lightly buttered toast
Sausages
Omelets
Hash browns
Orange slices
And a pitcher of fresh orange juice practically glowing with sunlight
Charlie gasped.
Vaggie's jaw dropped.
"I didn't expect you to cook anything around here," Vaggie admitted, taking a seat.
Max turned, smiled softly, and set a full plate in front of each of them before returning to the stove.
Charlie took a bite and made a noise that was dangerously close to inappropriate. "Oh my gosh—Max! This is… this is… perfect! Where did you even get these ingredients?!"
"Human realm," Max said casually, plating more food. "Took a few hours to find the best stuff. Totally worth it."
Charlie froze mid-chew. "…You paid for everything, right? No stealing?"
Max set down glasses and poured them juice.
"Of course," Max said with a shrug. "Turns out my old bank account was still active. Oh—also found my body."
Charlie choked on her drink. "WHAT?!"
Max sat down like he'd just mentioned the weather. "Yep. Apparently humans fed my corpse to wolves. Which… might explain some things about this form."
Vaggie blinked wide-eyed. "Max… you know sinners aren't supposed to go to the human world. Not only because it's supposed to be impossible, but because interfering with your old life never ends well."
Max waved a hand. "Relax. I'm not irresponsible. I literally bought groceries and left."
Charlie sighed, relieved but still anxious.
Max smiled warmly as he sat with them. Moments like this—quiet, soft, peaceful—were rare in Hell. He savored it.
"So," Charlie asked between bites, "any plans for the next few days?"
"Well," Max said, thinking aloud, "I should take Loona on a date. It's been a while since we had one-on-one time. And after that… finish up some hotel construction. Maybe convince Octavia, Bee, and Loona to move in—if you're okay with that."
Charlie's face lit up instantly. "That's a wonderful idea! Octavia might want time to think, but Bee and Loona? Oh they'd absolutely love it! And we have plenty of spare rooms!"
"Thanks, Charlie." Max stood. "How about I do the dishes? And maybe… talk to Vaggie for a bit."
Charlie perked up, kissed both of them on the cheek, and rushed out the door—already mentally rearranging rooms and redecorating like a tornado with a goal.
Vaggie watched her go, then raised an eyebrow.
"So what did you want to talk about?"
Max started gathering plates.
"Your angel status. Before Charlie found you."
Vaggie stiffened, eyes widening. She tried—poorly—to play it off.
"What do you mean? Do I look like an angel to you?"
Max gave her a deadpan look. "Darling. I wouldn't care if you were an exterminator who wiped out thousands before sparing one sinner."
The plate in Vaggie's hand rattled.
"H–how do you know that?" she asked, voice cracking. "Not even Charlie knows that."
Max wiped his hands on a towel.
"When I made the contract with God, I got a little ability."
He tapped the counter.
A massive, ancient book appeared—hovering, pages whispering as if alive.
"Hell's Registry," Max explained.
Vaggie leaned forward despite herself. "What… what is that?"
"It's a book that gives me information on every being in Hell. From the weakest hellborn to the strongest sin." He shrugged. "I don't use it much."
Vaggie looked at him—fear, shame, curiosity swirling together.
"…So what now?"
Max closed the book with a soft thump.
"I want to offer you help. But I get it if you're not ready."
Her voice sharpened defensively. "What will it cost me—and what exactly are you planning?"
"Vaggie," he said softly, "we're engaged. I'd never make you pay for anything. I'm offering to help heal you."
He stepped closer.
"To give you back the eye Adam and Lute stole."
His hand tightened around a cup, crushing it.
"And I promise you—they will pay."
Vaggie's breath hitched. "Why did you say I might not want that right now?"
"Because healing you might also regrow your wings. Maybe even restore your halo. And Charlie would know immediately. I don't want to put you in a situation you're not prepared for."
Vaggie stared down at her hands.
"…You're right," she whispered. "Not yet. If Charlie found out now… it would open wounds we're not ready for."
Max gently lifted her chin with one hand.
"Vaggie," he said, voice soft, warm, real, "I'm offering this only if it's what you want. Me and Charlie love you exactly as you are."
He leaned down and kissed her—slow, tender, surprising her enough that she froze.
When they parted, she exhaled shakily.
Max chuckled. "Now go check on Charlie. You know how she gets—she's probably overthinking everything already."
Vaggie smirked, ruffled his hair, and headed out.
And Max watched her leave with a small smile.
"Breakfast with loved ones… Overlords meeting… angel politics… yep. Today's gonna be insane."