Max spent the next several days working around the hotel.
It was honestly the easiest way to get closer to Charlie and Vaggie naturally.
No manipulation.
No rushing.
Just… being there.
Helping.
Repairing walls, replacing furniture, reinforcing weak support beams, fixing wiring, cleaning storage rooms—anything that needed done.
He had already reassured the other girls that he was alive after his little near-death incident.
Though most of them were busy at the moment.
And honestly—
So was Max.
The two-week coma had cost him a dangerous amount of time.
He still had major events approaching.
Including meeting Octavia for the first time in about a month.
Which meant he couldn't afford to waste time.
Still—
For now, he focused on the hotel.
Max was repairing one of the outer walls when he noticed something carved into an old wooden support beam.
He paused.
Then smiled slightly.
There, carved into the wood in messy handwriting, were two names.
Lilith + Lucifer
With a poorly drawn heart around them.
Max carefully cut the section out before replacing the damaged wood entirely.
A few minutes later, he walked back into the lobby.
Charlie looked up from paperwork.
"Hey," Max said casually. "Found something you might like."
He handed her the carved wood piece.
Charlie froze the moment she saw it.
"…T-thanks."
Her fingers gently traced the carving.
"I didn't think anything like this still existed…"
Her expression softened immediately.
Max smiled faintly.
"Figured you'd want it."
Charlie hugged it carefully against her chest.
Meanwhile, Max turned toward Vaggie.
"Hey, can you help me outside for a second?"
Vaggie nodded cautiously and followed him.
The two of them worked quietly on repairing the exterior wall for a while.
Then Max casually asked—
"So… have you told Charlie about your eye yet?"
Vaggie stiffened slightly.
"…Not yet."
She looked away.
"I don't know how to explain it."
"How do I even tell her I suddenly got my eye back?"
Max shrugged while hammering a board into place.
"Just say my magic did it."
Vaggie gave him a look.
"That sounds insane."
Max smirked.
"We literally live in Hell."
"…Fair point."
A small silence followed before Vaggie spoke again.
"Is it really alright if we join your… harem, I guess?"
She still sounded awkward saying the word.
Max nodded immediately.
"Absolutely."
He leaned back against the wall.
"The best part is you don't lose what you already have."
"You and Charlie stay together exactly how you are now."
"And more."
Vaggie crossed her arms thoughtfully.
"…And if someday we wanted out?"
Max answered honestly.
"There's a way out."
"Just as easy as getting in."
He looked at her calmly.
"Though honestly, I don't know why you'd want to leave."
"I don't mistreat anyone."
"And I'd never force myself on somebody."
Vaggie looked like she wanted to say something—
Then slipped slightly while stepping off the scaffold.
Max caught her instantly.
One arm around her waist.
Her face immediately turned red.
Max's tail moved gently, brushing some hair away from her face.
"That eye of yours is special," he said softly.
"Don't hide it from Charlie."
Vaggie looked away quickly.
"…Thanks."
She stepped back carefully.
"I should head inside."
And almost immediately rushed away before things got more awkward.
Max chuckled quietly to himself before finishing the repairs outside.
Later that evening—
The smell of food filled the hotel kitchen.
Charlie practically floated toward it.
"Ooo… that smells amazing."
Vaggie followed behind her, pretending to be less interested than she actually was.
Max grinned.
"I hope you two like burgers."
He set down large plates.
Massive burgers.
Perfectly cooked fries.
And thick vanilla milkshakes.
Charlie's eyes sparkled.
"Thank you!"
The two sat down quickly and started eating.
Max noticed immediately—
Vaggie had her eyepatch off.
And wasn't trying to hide the restored eye anymore.
He smiled slightly.
"Glad to see you're not hiding it anymore."
Vaggie looked embarrassed but didn't put the patch back on.
Charlie smiled warmly beside her.
"I should thank you too."
She looked genuinely sincere.
"For giving Vaggie her eye back."
"We're both really grateful."
Max waved it off casually.
"No problem."
"Didn't cost me much."
Which was technically true.
Mostly.
Vaggie took another bite before asking—
"So what exactly was the cost of that contract magic?"
Max sat down across from them while cooking bacon for himself.
"Well, first off…"
"Contracts and Contract Magic are completely different things."
He pointed upward dramatically.
"Contract Magic works through sacrifice."
"In exchange for temporary power, I give something up."
He tapped his bandaged arm.
"That time, it was my arm…"
"…and the blood of Jesus."
Charlie nearly choked on her milkshake.
"You used what?!"
Max shrugged.
"It's complicated."
He continued eating calmly.
"It's not magic just anyone can use."
"The sacrifice has to be impossibly rare or meaningful."
"And whatever entity you're borrowing power from has to willingly accept."
Charlie looked amazed.
Vaggie looked disturbed.
Max internally thanked every higher power imaginable that the whole thing was fake.
Otherwise the implications would've been horrifying.
Charlie sighed softly.
"…I wish we could use power like that to help sinners during the next Extermination."
Max nodded slightly.
"Yeah."
"And Sinsmas is only a couple months after that too."
He leaned back in his chair.
"Sorry. I can't throw around massive reality-breaking magic every day."
Then he snapped his fingers suddenly.
"Actually…"
"I do have an idea for another resident."
Vaggie immediately looked suspicious.
"…Who?"
"Angel Dust."
Charlie blinked.
"The porn star?"
"Yep."
Max nodded.
"He's friends with Poppi."
"And honestly?"
"He seriously needs a break from his boss."
Vaggie groaned immediately.
"Ugh…"
She rubbed her forehead.
"Fine."
"I guess if he actually wants help…"
Max grinned.
"Perfect."
He stood up.
"I'll go talk to him soon."
Then grabbed his burger.
"But first…"
He took a massive bite.
"…food."