Max stood in the back lot of the Hazbin Hotel, the dim hellish sky casting its usual reddish haze over the cracked pavement. Smoke curled up from the grill he'd conjured, filling the air with the rich scent of perfectly seasoned steaks, roasted potatoes, and slow-cooked chicken. Loona sat nearby, already tearing into a slice of steak while watching him work.
"So," Loona said, her mouth half-full, "why are we really hiding out behind the hotel? If we were in the front, the others might join. I'm gonna have to meet everyone eventually."
Max flipped a steak with casual precision. "Well," he said, "if I timed it right… then…"
A massive BOOM shook the hotel ground, followed by several smaller blasts.
"What the fuck was that?!" Loona choked, coughing as she forced down her bite.
Max didn't even flinch. "Probably Sir Pentious. I saw his blimp when we teleported here."
Loona blinked. "How did you—"
Max pointed his spatula toward the front of the hotel where several long, writhing black tentacles suddenly lifted into view.
"Ah," he said, "looks like Alastor didn't react in time."
Another explosion. A long, drawn-out, very offended snake scream faded into the distance.
"…Should we help?" Loona asked.
"Nah," Max said, casually plating food. "Pentious should be airborne again in about… oh… thirty seconds. I'll help with the repairs once he's gone. You should meet with Charlie, get your room sorted. I'll clean up the mess after."
Loona nodded, polishing off another steak. Max snapped his fingers and the entire setup—grills, plates, leftovers—melted into an expanding pool of shadow beneath his feet.
They walked around to the hotel front. Charlie came rushing out of the front doors, wings fluttering with excitement.
"Loona! Oh my gosh—you're here! I'm so happy!" Charlie said, grabbing Loona's hand and practically dragging her inside.
Max sighed, rolled his shoulders, and turned toward the smoking crater where a large chunk of the hotel wall used to be.
"Alright, time to fix this before Charlie sees," he muttered, shadows crawling up his arms like ink.
---
Inside the Hotel
Charlie led Loona down the hallway with a bright smile and way too much energy for Hell.
"And this is our hallway! Vaggie and I are all the way on the left. Max's room is all the way on the right—across from us. And you can pick any of the empty ones nearby!" Charlie chirped, gesturing dramatically to each door.
Loona drifted toward Max's room.
"Loona?" Charlie asked nervously. "What are you doing?"
"What? You don't wonder what his room looks like?"
"…I mean… kinda…" Charlie admitted.
Charlie produced a key—Max had given her one "just in case"—and unlocked the door.
Inside, the room was shockingly simple. A clean bed. A tidy desk. A shadow-forged nightstand. The walls were decorated with photos—small moments of laughter, banter, shared meals. Pictures of all of them: Charlie, Vaggie, Loona, Octavia, Bee, and more.
There was a warmth to it that made Loona's chest tighten.
Loona opened a wooden chest near the foot of the bed. Inside were dozens of gifts—trinkets, little things they'd all given Max over time.
"Huh," Charlie said softly. "He's… really sentimental. That's actually adorable."
They closed the chest and turned. A large, thick book sat on a pedestal—bound in black hide, glowing faintly purple. Loona tugged at the cover. It didn't move.
Charlie tried. Nothing.
"…Maybe we should stop," Charlie suggested. "This might be one of those 'Overlord things' Max doesn't let people touch."
"Wait," Loona said. "What about that?"
A tall wardrobe stood against the far wall—one neither of them remembered from before. Charlie froze.
"…That wasn't here last week."
Loona reached for the handle.
"Nope!" Charlie squeaked, grabbing her arm and pulling her away. "Nope nope nope—let's get your room set up before you open something that could eat you or explode."
They stepped into the room next door—already filled with Loona's luggage.
Loona blinked. "How the hell…?"
"Well," Charlie giggled, rubbing her neck, "Max is good at predicting things."
Loona unpacked while Charlie talked.
"So, anything I should know?" Loona asked.
"Well…" Charlie hesitated. "Besides Max and Alastor, Overlords usually avoid the hotel. And… I might have accidentally pissed off Heaven a little. So next Extermination might be… um… extra bad."
Loona shrugged. "Charlie, I love this little found family you've built. But I can't fight angels. If Extermination comes, I'll go to Wrath with my dad. Unless… somehow… we get a chance."
A thump sounded behind them.
Max stood in the doorway, smiling softly, his tail wagging.
"Oh, I'm sure Charlie will figure something out by then," he said.
A long shadow crawled out from beneath him, forming into a tall, elegant scepter that Max grabbed casually as he walked in.
Charlie blinked. "Max… why do you have that? Are you injured?"
"Oh, no, no," Max said. "Design choice. Makes dramatic entrances more dramatic."
Then he snapped his fingers. A small black case appeared on Loona's nightstand.
"What's this?" Loona asked.
"A way for you to get to IMP headquarters whenever you want. A stable teleport button. Much safer than… whatever I do."
Loona smirked. "Nice. How do I get back?"
Max paused.
"…I… actually didn't think of that…"
Loona face-palmed.
"But! I'll fix it!" Max said quickly. "I'll find a two-way solution. Promise. Anyway—enjoy getting settled. I'll be in my room if you need me."
He stepped out, tail flicking behind him.
Loona stared at the closed door.
"For an Overlord," she muttered, "he's way too nice. Don't Overlords get stronger with more souls? I wonder how many he has…"
Charlie shivered.
"…Probably better not to ask."