In Alastor's vacation au, at least the crumbling hotel would still be clean, because Niffty is still there, but she would eventually grow more tired and irritable as the fallback safety net of Alastor and his puppets is gone. Alastor didn't do much there, but at least she could expect him to dig her out of vents if she was stuck, and if there happened to be a corpse, she could just point it to him and he would thank her for a snack. Now there's an annoying absence and silence.
Husk has been considering fighting Lucifer over book-keeping of supplies, particularly alcohol. He knows the system Alastor has and is familiar with it so he can handle it but if Lucifer tries modify it, it would take ages to adjust!
Vaggie keeps stumbling over calling out to Alastor when something breaks, instead having to ask Lucifer. It's annoying and causes issues because she's gotten used to caveats of Alastor's personality and can word her requests appropriately. Lucifer can end up misinterpreting things in entirely different direction and with more unnecessary conjured things.
Angel Dust misses the easiness with which he could just leave things with Alastor. Make a flirty joke? One phrase of rejection and that's it, both move on. With Lucifer there's often this awkward dance with foot in the mouth.
Charlie misses the teasing. Alastor would rile her up with pointed comments and she wouldn't even register when she started to walk around and fix things while bickering with him about usefulness of things. Her dad either retreats and leaves her to mope (while undoubtedly moping himself) or tries to cheer her up with song and dance. Except, she usually feels pulled along during those numbers, when Alastor managed to nudge her into doing the dance herself.
Lucifer wouldn't ever admit it but he starts to grow sick of his own cooking. It also hasn't occured to him yet that Alastor goes outside even to just circle a couple streets and go back to hotel for a very good reason
I love it! They all miss Alastor and how he runs things, and meanwhile Alastor is causing chaos and starting a revolution in the other rings.
He's so going to be tackle hugged by them all when he gets back and it's going to have him feeling quite warm and pleased and happy, even if he doesn't admit it!
summary: your September vacation in Paris is polluted by the sight of sickeningly loving couplesâ what happens when you finally find someone who shares your frustrations?
word count: 1,715
a/n: currently in Paris for vacation right now lol, so enjoy this little drabble that I wrote for that occasion!! tihi
I hate September. It's either when school starts, or when I'm on vacation having the time of my life.Â
Now, don't get me wrong; I love vacations. Especially since my recent get-aways have taken place in France because my father got a job there. And who am I to say no to free accomodation in the most romantic city in the world?
But being single in the most romantic city in the world is absolute tortureâ why had no one bothered to inform me of this?Â
September was the peak month for tourism in Paris; the place was swarmed with couples, either completely fresh or on their honeymoon. Everything about it had me rolling my eyesâ My favourite activity was to sit at different cafĂŠs around the city, giving rude stares to the happy couples passing by. I suppose it made me feel better about myself... although I would never say that out loud.Â
My activites of bitterness would eventually end up being interrupted by a young man who sat down next to me one morning, completely uninvited, with a newspaper in hand. Something about it felt old-school, classic, but also annoyingâ did he not know that you shouldn't seat yourself this close to a stranger? Especially when there are other seats around?
I moved my nasty glare from the young couple passing us by, now watching the man next to me push my morning tea to my edge of the table to make space for his coffee. That was my last straw; "Pardon?"
He looked up from his paper, quirking a brow at me. "Yes?"
Okay, good-- I was relieved to hear that he spoke english. To demonstrate, I glanced around the practically empty cafÊ, waving my arms at the vacant spaces with a rather outraged look in my eyes. "Are you maybe new to Paris? There's a certain etiquette at cafÊs' here. You don't sit down next to strangers like this when the whole place is available,"
The man shrugged, folding his newspaper in his lap. "I think it might be you that is new to Paris," he said, his strikingly green eyes finding mine with intense challenge before he continued; "My family are patrons of this place, and this is my table. And it was my mother's before me, and my grandfather's before her. I thought I was nice by not telling you to move, but I most certainly could?"
My jaw fell, outraged. "What is this, middle school? There aren't assigned seats and tables out in public!"
"Actually, there are. And you're sitting at my table," He reached for his cup of coffee, not breaking eye-contact. "Care to move?"
Something about him was terrifyingly intimidating, but there was no way in hell I'd back down. Just as I was about to open my mouth and snap back once more, I couldn't help but take a few seconds to take in the sight of him; he was wearing a suit at around ten in the morning, his brown hair was gelled back tastefully, and I recognized his enormous watch from the ads around every bus stop in Paris. Was that seriously the newest Rolex? My mouth started to feel drier than a desertâ who was this guy? Had I not seen him somewhere before?Â
However, no matter what watch he wore, whether his mother and grandfather liked this table too, he still deserved to be told off for being such a stuck up prick. "I'm not going to move. I was here first,"
The stranger rolled his eyes, letting out an obnoxiously loud sigh. "Could we please not do this before the clock has even struck twelve? Be a good little girl and scram, please,"
"Excuse me?" Everything about this was outrageous; did he really think he could talk to me like that? "Sorry, who the hell do you think you are?â"
My rant was quickly cut off; "Hold on," he said, holding out his finger in front of my face as he watched a seemingly new couple pass us. His mouth curved up into a sneer, shaking his head in dismay as he glared at them; "I think these couples all around town are more annoying than you, can you believe it? They're fucking everywhere." He eventually turned back to me, now holding his hand out for me to take. "I'm Roman. And you?"
Roman? I was getting closer and closer to piecing together where I had seen him beforeâ it was right on the tip of my tongue. Introducing myself, I warily shook his hand, unsure where this was leading to. "At least we can agree that the lovebirds are polluting the city,"
Roman's eyes rounded out, an amused look shimmering in his eyes. "I think I said that exact thing earlier today... Funny,"Â
It was clear that the atmosphere had changed. This would be the first time I ever bonded with a stranger over something so bitter. "Earlier than this? What were you doing up so early?" I decided that I'd entertain whatever this was.
With a shrug, Roman ran his fingers through his styled hair, checking whether it was still holding its form or not. "Just a meeting. I think I slept through most of it, actually,"
I held back a snort, nodding along with words. Then suddenly, it was as though a lightbulb appeared above my headâ meeting? Just as I was about to ask him what he did for work, a rather loud bus passed us, and I couldn't believe who it was on the ad on the front of it.
Blinking rapidly, I kept waiting for the face on the bus to morph into someone else. Were my eyes deceiving me? Unable to keep still, I moved to the edge of my seat, my lips parting in shock at the realization that the man on the ad was the same as the one sitting next to me.Â
Godfrey Industries - A Brighter Tomorrow. Beneath the bold text was his name, along with the title of world's youngest CEO.Â
"There is no way in hell," I mumbled, turning to Roman with a horrified look on my face.
In turn, he bit back an obnoxious smirk. "I fucking hate that bus,"
"It has your face on it,"
"I hate that picture,"
I shrugged; "Why? It's a good one,"
Raising his brows, Roman snickered, leaning back against his chair with a casual manspread. "What, so now you say I look good? Quite the girl I've met on the streets of Paris,"
"Not on the streets," I mumbled, reaching for my cup of tea. "That makes me sound like a hooker."
"... You're right, my bad," Roman watched as I sipped my drink, and he put away his newspaper on a chair close by. "I bet a hundred bucks that your face will be all across the next bus that passes, though."
My brows drew together, huffing as I put down my tea. "You might as well just give me the money right away, then,"
"Why?" Roman tapped his fingers against the table, fighting the amused smirk that threatened to creep up his face. "You're telling me you're not a model?"
I was very happy to have swallowed my tea alreadyâ I would've spit it out on the whole pavement, if not. "No, I'm definitely not a model. Just visiting the city," Was he flirting with me? I couldn't quite put my finger on how we had gone from bickering to whatever this was. "So... Roman Godfrey, world's youngest CEO, what brings you to Paris?"
Roman chuckled as he reached for his coffee; "I'm here to roll around in self-loathing at the sight of happy people in love. You?"
I couldn't help but giggleâ weirdly enough, I was starting to like this guy. "I have a week before I go back to college, and I have family in Paris. Just taking liberties of free accommodation, I guess,"
"I see," Roman nodded, his green eyes engraving themselves into my mind. "Would you maybe also like to take the liberty of a free drink later tonight, then? I have my own booth at Club Palais down by the Arc if you want to stop by."
Why was I getting so flustered? I wasn't about to show itâ I somehow managed to look away from the most charming man I had ever met, hoping my hair would cover the blush creeping up my cheeks. "It seems you have your assigned seats all around town,"
That made him laugh all over; I couldn't help but notice how much I enjoyed the sound of his amusement. "Yeah... But the difference is that you're very welcome to take a seat, this time," Roman finished his coffee, grabbing his newspaper as he got up from his chair. I couldn't help but notice how tall he wasâ how was he even a real person? He reached into his blazer, pulling out a sleek, beige card. "Here's my number. Feel free to call if you can't make it tonight, or if you ever feel bored during your week here. There are many fun things to do in this city... Especially when you're two."
I accepted the card between my fingers, trying not to think too much about the feeling of his hand against mine. What was that last sentence supposed to mean? I didn't have time to think it overâ "Will do,"
Roman nodded, the corners of his mouth curving upwards into a satisfied smirk. "See you, then,"Â
Just as he was about to leave, another sickeningly sweet couple passed us. Roman gave me a look, imitating the urge to throw up, and I had to clasp a hand over my mouth as the couple turned towards us at the sound of my laugh.Â
Roman tucked his hands into his pockets, shaking his head as he let out a hearty chuckle, disappearing into the crowd of people passing the cafĂŠ.
I couldn't help but sigh-- I still hated September. But this vacation seemed to turn into the best time of my life, just as I had predicted it to be.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
A guide on how to get a werewolf onto a plane, and the consequences that might follow.
OR
Sirius finally convinces Remus to go on a graduation trip with James and Peter to CancĂşn the summer after their seventh year.
OR
Sirius is desperately obsessed with Remus, and needs to tell Remus how gorgeous he is. Remus, however, has decided to go out solo exploring in CancĂşn. Sirius decides to do some solo exploring of his own, particularly of a gay bar, where Remus would never step foot. Right?
Not really. Refreshingly for Clarke, Lexa isnât shy about going after what she wants, doesnât pretend to be aloof and uninterested for the sake of mind games. Time is too short for anything other than an honest and upfront acknowledgement of âyouâre hot, Iâm hot, letâs have as much hot sex as possible, because youâll be gone in two weeks.â
Once she catches feelings, Lexa doesnât shy away from that either. Girlie is intensely sincere about sweeping Clarke off her feet.
Charlie gives Alastor a vacation and Lucifer is all for it because if he can't get rid of the bellhop then he can at least have a break from him.
So Alastor under deal not to harm anyone is let loose on the other rings, because Lucifer wanted him gone and figured the more distance the better.
Then the hotel starts to have Problems.
I think it would be hilarious. Alastor gets to cause chaos in all the rings, starts an Imp Union/uprising in Wrath and eat and start a Hellhound union/protection in Gluttony and make friends with succubi who are honestly into a guy who isn't into them at all and also is very good at singing and dancing and performing, he becomes friends with Verosika and even lets her dress him up, and as he's going from ring to ring exploring and having fun and relaxing on a beach in Envy and getting his wound healed in Sloth and tormenting Mammon in greed, the hotel is falling apart.
Lucifer thought he could easily do everything the bellhop was doing, and more, with a snap of his fingers and he'd show he wasn't needed and Charlie would send him away - instead a pipe blew and their drowning the wall that always gets destroyed has been destroyed so many times, Husk has run out of stock, they are eating popsicles and takeaway, they are in debt the utilities have been shut off for lack of payment Vox is pulling shenanigans everything is going wrong!
Alastor comes back tanned and healed and rested and happy and they dog pile him crying.
It would be hilarious if the What If Orb AU watched the Vacation AU and saw all the disasters that happen at the hotel while Alastor is on vacation, from paperwork problems to Lucifer making mistakes while helping the hotel that lead to catastrophic results that leave things worse than they were before, while also observing Alastor's journey through all the rings, where he is relaxing AND improving the living conditions of the inhabitants of each Ring, while causing chaos for the Sins and members of royalty, pointing out the flaws in their methods of governance and in themselves as individuals.
I particularly loved when you discussed with someone in one of your Vacation AU posts about Alastor leaving enchanted books for each of the Sins and members of royalty that point out what they can do to improve the Rings and themselves. I would love to know what the Hazbins and Lucifer's reaction is to the Sins going crazy with the books that are constantly trying to make them do their job while they can't get rid of them at all.
I love them seeing other AU's in What if Orb AU too! I especially love Lucifer looking at those books and how Alastor is relaxing in the other rings and fixing things there and considering asking him to a)set stuff up so the hotel won't fall apart without him and then b) go on vacation, so he knows the other rings will be fixed and also the sins will get to experience Alastor too lol.
