Max headed toward the club Angel Dust was performing at that night.
Even from outside, the place was loud.
Music shook the streets.
Neon lights flashed constantly through the windows while sinners crowded around the entrance trying to get inside.
Max adjusted his coat slightly before walking in.
The atmosphere hit him immediately.
Smoke.
Alcohol.
Perfume.
Drugs.
Lust magic thick enough to almost feel physical.
"…Yeah," Max muttered. "Definitely Angel's workplace."
He moved through the packed crowd until he finally got a view of the stage.
And honestly?
The performance was surprisingly good.
Angel Dust practically owned the room.
Every movement was smooth.
Confident.
Teasing.
The audience was completely hypnotized by him.
Max crossed his arms while watching.
"…Damn."
He shook his head slightly.
"If I wasn't straight, I'd probably be in trouble."
The crowd erupted into cheers as Angel finished the show dramatically.
By the time the performance ended, security around backstage had tightened considerably.
Mostly armed guards connected to Valentino.
Max sighed.
"Alright then."
A little sleeping magic spread through the hallway silently.
One by one, guards collapsed against walls or onto couches.
Max casually stepped over them.
"Nap time."
He eventually found Angel's room and let himself inside.
Angel was sprawled across a couch dramatically.
"I swear," Angel groaned, "I do not have the energy for another after-party or gangbang tonight."
Max blinked.
"…Wow."
Angel turned toward the unfamiliar voice.
The moment he saw Max, one of his eyes narrowed playfully.
"Well well…"
"A wolf sinner?"
Angel grinned.
"That mean you got a knot down there?"
Max immediately pointed at him.
"Okay, wow."
He coughed awkwardly.
"Not answering that."
Angel burst out laughing.
Max rubbed his forehead.
"What I am going to say is I'm a friend of Poppi's."
He paused.
"…Actually her boyfriend."
Angel snapped his fingers immediately.
"Ohhh, you're that guy!"
"The one who caught one of The Bombs!"
Angel leaned forward dramatically.
"I've heard all about you."
Then his grin widened.
"Honestly? You're every bit the stud she described."
Max stared at him for a second.
"…Thanks?"
Angel winked.
Max quickly changed the subject before the flirting escalated further.
"Anyway, I'm here to offer you something."
Angel tilted his head.
"Is it you? Because I'm flattered."
Max sighed deeply.
"No."
"Sorry."
"I'm already taken."
He paused.
"By multiple girls."
Angel looked genuinely impressed.
"Damn. Respect."
Max pointed at him.
"And I'm still not sure I want you added."
Angel smirked immediately.
"So there's a possibility?"
Max regretted everything instantly because—
Unfortunately—
He could actually see Angel's possibility ring floating faintly among the others.
"…Moving on."
Angel laughed loudly while Max pulled out a Hazbin Hotel flyer.
"I've got a place for you to stay."
Angel looked down at the flyer.
"…The Hazbin Hotel?"
"The redemption place?"
Max nodded.
Angel looked uncertain immediately.
"I dunno…"
"Val's got me doing so many shows and appearances and—"
"It's dirt cheap," Max interrupted.
Angel paused.
Max continued calmly.
"You'll have a safe place to stay."
"You can still buy all the drugs you want."
"And most importantly…"
He looked Angel directly in the eyes.
"You'll actually get time off."
That hit harder than Max expected.
Angel's joking expression faded slightly.
He looked back down at the flyer.
"…I can try it, I guess."
Then he laughed weakly.
"Not like there's any chance I actually get redeemed."
Max shrugged.
"No problem."
He stood up.
"Just pack your stuff and head over."
Then Max created a black-and-red card infused with magic and handed it over.
"And if you ever get in serious trouble?"
He flicked the card lightly.
"Throw that into the air."
Angel turned the card over curiously.
"Huh."
He looked up.
"No phone number on it though."
Max laughed.
"You can get my number from Poppi."
He smirked slightly.
"If she lets you."
Angel grinned.
"Ooo, possessive girlfriends. Nice."
Max dropped some cash onto the nearby table.
"I enjoyed the show."
"Have a drink on me."
Angel gave a mock dramatic bow from the couch.
"Why thank you kindly, mysterious wolf man."
Max shook his head while leaving.
"…He's exhausting."
Still—
As he stepped back out into the streets of Hell, Max felt satisfied.
That was one more piece falling into place.
Then—
He stopped walking.
A familiar smell hit him.
Rot.
Disease.
Decay.
And underneath it—
Rats.
Max's eyes narrowed instantly.
"…Ah."
A dark smile slowly spread across his face.
"So the Rat was hiding in Pride."