Hell Hath No Fury (ch3)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY $30+ PATRONS!

Okay! In case no one saw my added/edited note at the end of the previous chapter, I'm gonna mention it again here! Viv revealed that when demons die in Hell they have their existence erased. That's definitely not what I was anticipating at the time I wrote this.

So I edited this chapter to make it fit the canon rules, even though in the previous chapter I was on my "re-spawn" theory. Sorry for the inconsistencies, but I couldn't really change the previous chapter so I just left it. Hope this one makes sense now in terms of Viv's canon statement.

Anyways!

Oh would you look at this... more hurt/comfort Chaggie... whoops... And it's Vaggie taking care of Charlie... Again... I really should switch it up, but when I imagined this idea, it was as Charlie being the sick one. You'll see why.

And yes, you read correctly: sick fic! I doubt souls/people/demons can even get sick after they've died and gone to Hell but... listen...

Disclaimer: I do not own Hazbin Hotel.

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															Chapter 3.

Naturally, there's a lot of work that comes with running a hotel for sinners down in Hell, even if they don't have any new clients yet. But even so, it still warrants waking up rather early for the manager and boss of the business.

Charlie's always been an early riser; Vaggie assumes it's because she just has so much energy and excitement about her new project that she can't possibly stay still and asleep for too long.

Which is why she knows right away that something is up this morning.

Vaggie wakes first for once, groaning a bit as she groggily sits up and stretches her arms above her head, assuming Charlie will be up in a moment. But even after Vaggie has worked all the kinks and cracks out of her body, Charlie still hasn't moved. She's still lying on her side facing away from her.

And for some reason, Vaggie can't help but feel a little worried. Demons didn't exactly have to sleep, after all. Most of the ones who did typically did so out of sheer boredom, to have sexual relations, or to simply otherwise spend alone time with partners.

So for Charlie to still be unconscious this long after Vaggie has roused herself is slightly concerning.

Vaggie tries to keep her cool as she clears her throat and softly calls out for her.

"Charlie? You awake?"

It's odd. Usually it's the princess herself who's already up and dressed and bubbling a cheerful 'Goooood morning!' and kissing her on the nose. If not for Charlie, Vaggie would likely start and end every day grumpy, and stay that way throughout all her waking hours.

But even after Vaggie's little prompting just now, Charlie doesn't stir. Vaggie inches a bit closer to peer over her girlfriend's shoulder.

"Hey, hun?" Reaching out slowly, she rests a hand on Charlie's shoulder to give her a gentle shake. Vaggie flinches when she feels a sudden heat in her palm and has to pull away. As she does so, her hand rolls Charlie onto her back. Vaggie's heart clenches.

Charlie's white skin is flushed with a burning red, and sweat is dripping all down her neck and back into her hair and pillow, staining her pink nightgown. Vaggie hadn't noticed earlier because of her slight bedhead, but now she can see that Charlie's horns have sprouted out a little. Her brow is wrinkled uncomfortably, and she's breathing harshly through her mouth.

Vaggie's jaw drops in disbelief, and worry courses through her veins.

"Charlie!"

There's a moan from the princess, thick and choked and clearly very unnatural. She struggles to lift her eyelids, and when she finally does manage the feat, her eyes are blood-red as they are in her demon form. She blinks multiple times, clearly confused and in pain, trying to make sense of things.

"V-Vaggie…? Ohh, I-I don't… I don't feel so good…"

"You don't look so good either, hun." Vaggie is at least a little relieved that she'd woken up and has the strength to speak, but it doesn't appear she has the strength to do anything more than that. She reaches over to clear Charlie's bangs from her face where they'd been sticking to her skin from all the sweat. Vaggie rests her hand on her blazing forehead, but can only keep it there for a second before withdrawing.

"Geez! You're burning up! Literally!" Vaggie is actually starting to sweat a bit just from being next to her. Charlie blinks again, shaking her head a little and moaning under her breath.

"I… I don't understand… what's happening-?"

Vaggie can hardly believe it herself, but she can only come to one logical conclusion. She lays her hand gently over Charlie's collar to sooth her.

"I can't believe I'm saying this but… Charlie, I think you're… sick."

Charlie blinks up at her in half-lidded confusion, her red eyes that are supposed to be so threatening and scary in this form are now just watery and puppy-ish.

"I'm… what…?"

Vaggie frowns, raking her brain.

"I mean, there's no other explanation I can think of. I didn't even know it was possible for a demon to get sick. Let alone one who was born in Hell. It's not uncommon for mortal souls down here to sort of reflect or remember symptoms of illness they'd suffered when they were alive. Especially ones who died because of sickness…" Vaggie is at a loss, shaking her head. "But, I never heard of a demon born in Hell falling ill. There's no reason for it…"

Charlie's breathing has started to become a little harsh again, so Vaggie rubs her palm in little circles over her chest to soothe her. After a moment, she brings her hand up to her girlfriend's warm, flushed cheek. Charlie swallows.

"S-So do you think… being sick could... kill me…?"

Vaggie flinches just at the mention of it. She didn't even want to think about it. Not now, not ever. When a demon died in Hell, their existence got erased for good. If they could avoid death, they could essentially live forever down here, but if not, they would cease to exist altogether.

Vaggie feels horribly nauseous at the thought of losing Charlie forever. She had vowed to herself never to let Charlie die, by any means. That's one of the reasons why she's so overprotective of her. She doesn't want to lose her. Ever. Especially not because of some sickness.

Vaggie knows Charlie can take care of herself in skirmishes and even in bigger fights, though that never stopped Vaggie from defending her anyway. But she never in a million years had considered that Charlie might get sick. Definitely not sick enough to kill her. That's an enemy they can't fight with spears and claws.

She shakes her head again, her entire body stiffening with determination.

"I won't let that happen. I swear."

Charlie lets out a little sigh and tries to smile.

"Thanks, Vaggie. I-I don't know why that was the first thought on my mind... I guess I'm just a little scared... this has never happened to me before..."

Vaggie hears the tremor of fear in her tone, and it makes her insides twist.

"You'll be fine," Vaggie says firmly, softening her tone, and her touch even more so. "I'll take care of you, Charlie. You'll be better in no time."

"I hope so," she sighs. "There's still so much I need to do for the hotel-"

"Stop right there, missy," Vaggie says, rubbing her thumb over her girlfriend's cheek. "I'll bet that thinking and worrying so much about the hotel is what got you sick in the first place. So don't even go there today, okay? I'll… I'll figure something out to tell Angel and the others, but I'll be staying here to take care of you today." She can tell Charlie is about to say something, so Vaggie goes on before she can. "Don't worry. The hotel will survive one day without us. Probably."

The joke actually earns a tired little giggle from Charlie, and it warms Vaggie's heart. But in only seconds, Charlie's angelic laughter tapers off into a ragged little cough.

Vaggie feels as though she's being physically stabbed at the sight of her like this. Unable to hold back anymore, she gently slips her arms underneath her girlfriend and gathers Charlie into her lap. In spite of the heat wafting off of her, Charlie shivers a little, reaching up automatically to wrap her arms around Vaggie's shoulders.

Vaggie hugs her back, giving her a tight, steadying squeeze. Charlie's pulse beats hard against her chest, much harder and faster than it should. Vaggie bites her lip, running her hands gently up and down her back.

"Hey, hun? Should I maybe call your parents-?"

She'd known from the start what Charlie's response would be, but she had to try anyway.

"N-No!" Charlie blurts out. "N-No, no, i-it's okay. We don't need to bother them with this…"

"Okay, okay. Easy…" Vaggie pets through her hair softly, hating that she got her so worked-up with the suggestion. Charlie breathes out a shaky little sigh of relief and goes all but limp in her arms now.

Vaggie holds onto her for a moment in spite of the stifling heat. In between her harsh panting, Charlie is making tiny little whimpering noises, noises that break Vaggie's heart.

She's at a total loss. She's so worried for her that if she could channel that fear into anger, she'd probably be able to destroy half of Hell before noon. But for now, she'll have to leave Charlie, handle things downstairs, and then find some way to help her get better.

Carefully, she eases Charlie away and lies her back down again, pulling the covers halfway up to her chest. Charlie bites back a moan, but Vaggie still hears it anyway.

"I'm sorry, hun. I'll be as quick as I can." She leans down to kiss her cheek. Charlie nods weakly.

"I'll be fine…"

Somehow, Vaggie doesn't believe her.

She makes very quick work of getting dressed and ready in the bathroom, then pops into the bedroom once more. From what she can tell from this distance, Charlie can't lie still and keeps fidgeting. Vaggie grabs a cloth from the bathroom and wets it in the sink, then hurries back out to her.

Charlie is moaning softly under her breath, turning uncomfortably onto her side, her hair a mess and her skin still soaked. Her horns are still present, but this time when she blinks her eyes open up at Vaggie, they aren't red anymore. They're the usual white, but unusually drained.

"I-I'll be okay," Charlie says again, plastering a smile. "Take care of the hotel, Vaggie. Please?"

"I will." Vaggie knows the hotel matters more to Charlie than her own health, but to Vaggie it's the opposite. "I'll take care of things downstairs, but then I'm coming right back, hun." She leans over to kiss Charlie's burning forehead. Charlie shudders, her nails - which are more claws than anything now - gripping the bed sheets tightly. Vaggie runs the cloth over her girlfriend's hairline, clearing the sweat and hair out of her face. "Just rest. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Charlie nods and closes her eyes.

"Thanks, Vaggie…"

The last thing Vaggie wants to do right now is leave her, but it wouldn't be good if anyone else came to find out Charlie was like this right now. Most likely none of them at the hotel - with the exception of Alastor - would ever try to take advantage of her, but Vaggie knows a thousand demons out there who would jump at the opportunity to hurt the Princess of Hell in any way if it meant climbing their way up the pecking order. Displaying any signs of weakness down here was dangerous, especially for royalty.

So as much as it pains her, Vaggie leaves the room, locks it with her key, and hurries downstairs.

She tells the others that Charlie is working on a personal project today and isn't to be disturbed. Vaggie proclaims she's going to be helping her, so the others will more or less be left to their own devices today. She tells them to come fetch her if anything significant happens, but she doesn't anticipate anything like that.

She gives everything and everyone a once-over, grabs some food, then quickly hurries back upstairs before Alastor can inquire about Charlie's 'personal project' like she knows he's intending to.

She pauses at the top of the stairs, ensuring no one has followed her, then makes her way back to the room. She knocks and announces herself.

"Charlie? I'm back."

The only response she hears is another groan and the sound of shifting around.

Vaggie pulls out her key, pushes her way in, then locks the door again. She places the tray of food down onto a little table and goes straight to the bed. The blankets have all been ruffled so much with Charlie's tossing and turning that they've almost come off entirely.

The princess keeps making tortured noises under her breath, which has become labored. Vaggie notices right away that Charlie's horns have grown a bit larger, her lack of control allowing her body to shift forms however it pleases. Biting her lip, she reaches out to touch Charlie's shoulder.

"Oh, hun…"

She's hot to the touch, and when she lies Charlie onto her back again, the pained expression on her face nearly kills Vaggie on the spot. Charlie's eyes are squeezed shut tightly, her brow all sweating and furrowed, her skin red and her claws gripping weakly at her chest.

Vaggie finds the cloth from earlier and begins wiping her off, gently running it over her forehead, then her cheeks and down to her neck and collar. Charlie struggles to open her eyes, and they flash between red and white almost every time she blinks.

"H-Hey, Vaggie…" Her voice is so meek and thin, Vaggie almost wants to ask her not to talk. Charlie winces at some unseen agony, but keeps going. "How're things downstairs…?"

"Everything's fine, hun. I told them we're working on something today. Those guys will be fine without us for a little while."

Charlie swallows thickly.

"O-Okay… cool beans…" She sighs, and Vaggie hopes the knowledge that the hotel will be taken care of has lifted a bit of stressful weight from her shoulders.

By the time she finishes clearing the sweat away from Charlie's neck, her forehead is already wet again, so Vaggie goes back up and repeats.

"Charlie, are you sure you don't want me to call your mom? You're in really bad shape."

Charlie opens her eyes. They're red again.

"Yeah… I'm sure… p-please don't, Vaggie."

"All right," she murmurs, running her hand through Charlie's bangs. "Listen, hun, I don't wanna make you upset, but if you keep getting worse I'm gonna have to call them, okay? I'm sorry, but I can't just sit by and watch and do nothing when you're like this."

"Okay," she says with a tiny nod. "I-I get it."

"Thank you." Vaggie leans over her and hugs her as best she can. The heat coming off of her is even more stifling than it'd been earlier. When Charlie returns the contact it's feeble, and Vaggie can't tell if it's because of her illness or because she doesn't want to accidentally claw her.

Charlie trembles beneath her, and her pulse thunders against Vaggie's chest. She keeps making little fragments of sounds in the back of her throat in between little gasps. Vaggie eases back, heart aching.

"You should try to eat something."

But to her dismay, Charlie shakes her head.

"Th-That's okay. I'm not hungry…"

"Then you've at least gotta drink."

Charlie agrees to water at least, so Vaggie retrieves a bottle from what she'd brought upstairs and brings it back to the bed. She sits down with it on the mattress and gathers Charlie into her arms, helping her sit up now, standing the pillows up behind her so she can lean back.

Vaggie keeps her steady as she drinks, tentatively at first, but then her body must realize how much it had lost in sweating, and she ends up draining the bottle.

"That's great, hun," Vaggie says proudly, putting the empty bottle aside. "Should I get you some more?"

"That's all right," Charlie shakes her head, her eyes white again. Vaggie turns the cloth inside-out to a clean area, and then begins wiping her girlfriend's face again.

Charlie leans back against the pillows and closes her eyes. Vaggie notices her horns have grown a bit longer again. She still has no idea what could have brought this on or what it could mean, but she's definitely going to stick to her word of calling the King and Queen themselves if Charlie isn't better by the end of the day.

Once she's finished cleaning her up a bit, Vaggie rests the back of her hand to Charlie's forehead and gets similar results as last time. She flinches and has to pull away almost instantly due to the intense heat. She bites her lip again.

"What can I do, Charlie?" She hates feeling so helpless like this. She'd never thought Charlie of all demons might get sick, and she has no idea how to take care of her.

The princess lets out a long breath, her eyes fluttering open a little. Now one is red and one is white.

"I think I just need some sleep…" she answers. "I'm just… really tired…"

Vaggie doesn't like the sound of that, somehow. She doesn't know what she'd do if Charlie were to die in her sleep. She shudders just thinking about it.

"All right," she agrees, reminding herself that sleep typically helps heal sickness. "Rest it is." She begins laying the pillows down again when Charlie adds on a timid little request.

"Um, Vaggie...?"

"Yeah, hun?"

Charlie twiddles her fingers in her lap. Both of her eyes have gone back to white now.

"Could you, um… stay with me, maybe? I kinda don't wanna be alone. I-I'm a little scared…"

After Vaggie had died and gone to Hell, she'd thought she'd be in for eternities of nonstop suffering and pain. She never ever thought she'd feel as much love and compassion and empathy as she feels for Charlie right this second.

Her heart literally feels like it's going to break at Charlie's admission of fear, the nervousness in her eyes, the way she keeps shivering and clutching the blankets to herself.

Vaggie can't throw her arms around her quickly enough.

"Charlie, of course I'm staying with you! I wouldn't leave you for anything or anyone. If all of Hell caught on fire or froze over or whatever, I wouldn't leave you no matter what."

Charlie's arms loop weakly around her back, her claws clinging softly against her clothes. Vaggie can feel her heartbeat again, and it's still pretty fast and intense.

"Thanks, Vaggie…"

"You don't have to thank me."

Vaggie really can't believe how lucky she is. She'd give up a million of her human lives just to live once with Charlie down here in Hell.

Vaggie squeezes her as tightly as she thinks Charlie can handle right now, holding her up in spite of the heat coming off of her. She holds her for a little while, even long after she realizes Charlie has fallen asleep.

Only when the heat really becomes unbearable does Vaggie finally lie her back down. She pulls the blankets up over her a little and cleans her face off again.

She hates this so much. She wants to help her somehow…

But she'd promised not to go to her parents unless it was really necessary.

So for now, Vaggie settles for pulling out a book and curling up in bed beside her girlfriend, glancing down at her every few minutes. She really doesn't digest any of the words she's reading with how worried she is.

Charlie makes little moans and groans in her sleep, turning over now and again. She twitches, sometimes almost spastically, and Vaggie gently runs a hand over her side or down her back to try and soothe her. Her horns keep shrinking or growing in length, and the rest of her body shifts in and out of her demon form every now and again as well. Her whimpers and quivers are more painful to Vaggie than any physical blow she'd ever been dealt.

Diligently, she cleans her off, rubs her back or her chest, whispers to her, and so on.

Hours pass, and she's just grateful for the fact that there's no commotion coming from downstairs or terf wars going on outside for once.

Before long, Vaggie forgets entirely about her book and lets it slip off her lap. She lies down beside Charlie, spooning her from behind in spite of her lesser height. She loops her arms around Charlie's stomach and buries her face in her soft hair. Charlie is still too warm, and her breathing and pulse are still off, too.

Vaggie knows there's not a single soul or angel who would listen to the prayers of a demon in Hell, but she sends one out anyway. For Charlie's sake.

Without even meaning to, Vaggie drifts off a little bit, exhausted from how much her mind has been racing all morning. She isn't sure how long she sleeps for, but it's some subconscious memory that Charlie needs her right now that has her waking again with a gasp.

Charlie is unmoving in her arms now. Her horns have completely shrunk back in and disappeared, and the heat emitting from her has dissipated. Vaggie sits up immediately, carefully rolling her over to lie on her back.

"Charlie?"

Her girlfriend's face no longer wears an expression of pain, and her brow isn't so tight-knit anymore. After all the jolting and whimpering she'd done before, now she suddenly seems too still, too quiet…

"Charlie-?"

Vaggie nearly chokes as her mind brings her to the worst possible place she can imagine. Leaning down, she rests her head on Charlie's chest to listen. An indescribable relief floods through her when she hears her heart still beating, much more softly and steadily now.

"Menos mal…"

She sits back up again and tries to get ahold of herself, drawing in a deep breath.

At the same time, the movement on the bed rouses Charlie. Her eyes blink open slowly, and not a trace of red is anywhere to be found. Her tired, but cute and innocent puppy-dog gaze shifts into focus as clarity fills in her mind.

"Vaggie…?"

Vaggie almost feels like she might cry at the sound of her voice.

"Yeah. I'm right here, hun..." She reaches out to her, gingerly running her fingers through Charlie's bangs, caressing her cheek. Her skin isn't hot or clammy anymore. "How're you feeling?"

"Much better," she says, pushing herself up. She gives herself a once-over, delighted to find her demon characteristics have reverted and that she's in control of her body once again. A trademark smile spreads across her face, her rosy cheeks rising high. "I think whatever that was is over now!"

Vaggie gives a weak little chuckle.

"That's good…"

Charlie must hear the crack in her voice, because she looks up at her again and gasps.

"Vaggie-? What's the matter?"

"It's nothing-"

"Are you- crying-?"

"No… no-" Vaggie wipes her eyes defiantly and repeatedly, but she can't deny the sting of tears and the wetness on her hands.

Frazzled, Charlie frets and fiddles with her hands again.

"Oooh, no, no, no, Vaggie, c'mere-" She pulls her in, and Vaggie all but melts into her, hugging her back as tightly as she can now.

"Sorry-" she mumbles. "I was just… really worried about you…"

"I know, I-I know! Gosh, Vaggie…" Charlie gives her a good squeeze. "I'm so lucky to have you to take care of me. B-But I never thought I'd make you cry… Gosh, my heart can't take it…"

Vaggie sighs against her shoulder.

"It's the same for me whenever you cry, hun. Or whenever you're hurting. I just… I get so angry at being so helpless and then… ugh…"

"I'm sorry, Vaggie! But I'm okay now! You don't have to cry." Charlie eases back a little and thumbs the tears from Vaggie's cheeks. Her hands are so soft and the look in her eyes is so tender and loving that Vaggie feels she might just cry harder. But by some miracle she manages to get ahold of herself.

The tears stop as quietly as they'd begun. Vaggie tilts her head a little, leaning her face into Charlie's touch. Once she's better, Charlie eases in to plant a sweet little kiss on her nose, then pulls her in close for a full, warm hug.

Vaggie exhales against her, closing her eyes for a moment. If she'd had any idea that Hell could be this heavenly, she might've wished to have died sooner.

When they finally ease apart, Charlie puts both hands on her girlfriend's shoulders and gives her another nervous puppy-dog look.

"You okay, Vaggie...?"

Vaggie is finally able to smile.

"Yeah. I'm fine, hun." She reaches up to cup her hands on either side of her princess' face. "Are you?"

Charlie beams back at her, brighter than Vaggie had ever seen the sun shine.

"Yes! I feel even better than ever!"

"Are you sure?" Vaggie checks. "You don't feel hot? Not even a little bit? Nothing feels weird or painful or out-of-place?"

"Nope! I'm totally fine. I promise." Charlie's voice softens in earnest, and Vaggie finally feels the last of her worries trickle away.

"Thank goodness…" She can't resist pulling Charlie into another hug. Charlie happily reciprocates, nuzzling her face against hers.

"Y'know," she murmurs. "I think I remember something now. I don't think I was sick at all, Vaggie."

"You weren't?" She inches back just a little so she can look up into her eyes. "Then what was all that?"

Charlie fidgets a bit, looking almost a little embarrassed.

"Well… I remember my mom telling me a long time ago that demons who are born in Hell can go through certain like… molting stages. Apparently it happens whenever our powers grow significantly stronger."

Vaggie blinks.

"Now that you mention it… I think I've heard of that. Do you feel stronger?"

"Not necessarily…?" Charlie ponders. "But I guess it's just a natural thing that happens. Y'know, when mortal souls die, they stay that same age forever down here, right? But since demons born here can and do still age a bit, we can't die of old age. So we can control our appearances and stuff. I've aged since I was born, but after a certain point I'll be able to choose what I look like. Like my parents do! They look like they're only middle-aged in terms of humans, but in reality they're thousands and thousands of years old."

Vaggie nods slowly as she takes it all in.

"So… what happened to you today was sort of like a… growth spurt? As a demon?"

"Yeah. I guess so," she shrugs. "But I do know that when that happens, we become really weak and unsightly before our bodies can grow stronger. In fact, we're the weakest we'll ever be. And it's probably the most physical pain we can experience, short of violence… Wh-What I'm trying to say is… I'm really glad you were here with me through it all, Vaggie. Thank you."

"I'm glad too," Vaggie murmurs, kissing her nose in return. "I'm glad it's over, and I'm glad you're feeling better. If it ever happens again, just tell me right away, okay?"

"I will," Charlie smiles.

They come together for a full kiss, holding each other close. At last, they can both relax now that the threat has passed. When they move apart, Charlie is bursting with energy just like always.

"All right! There's still time before the hotel closes for today, so let's get some work done!"

"Uh, hun? You might wanna change first."

"Huh? Oh, right. Also I'm starving."

"Got you covered."

Vaggie gets up from the bed to fetch the food she'd brought up earlier while Charlie gets changed into her usual clothes.

As Vaggie feeds her girlfriend a very very late breakfast, her mind wanders back to everything Charlie had told her. Thankfully, her power growth-spurt had started overnight when she'd still been in the privacy of their room. Vaggie can't even begin to imagine what a disaster it could've been if other demons had been around to witness her at her most vulnerable time. She can name a few hundred who would literally kill to take advantage of Hell's princess in her time of weakness.

And some of them lived right beneath their noses.

As Charlie finishes her food and starts singing about what she plans on doing for the rest of the day, Vaggie shakes the thoughts away to the corners of her mind.

It's the same as always. She'll protect Charlie with her life.

Anything to defend that warm, sunshine smile.

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A/N: I kept wondering how 'aging' worked in Hell and this is what I came up with; that mortal souls stay the same age they died as forever, but demons born in Hell can choose their appearance. I thought about it for a while since clearly Charlie started out as a baby and has grown, but her parents and other much-older demons aren't decrepit. So I figured that after enough maturing as a demon, they can just sort of look however they please. I think it makes sense, right?

So I managed to get that theory across and make it a sick fic~ And I know I've been doing Vaggie comforting Charlie a lot, so I threw in a tiny bit of the opposite at the end there. Vaggie is always so headstrong and serious, I can only imagine how cute it'd be if she ever cried and Charlie just didn't even know what to do with herself because she just wants to make her feel better as soon as possible.

I think I'll be doing another chapter that is more Charlie comforting Vaggie. I've gotten in this deep, there's no saving me now...