It hadn't been much of a vacation, honestly. He'd drunk himself into near-oblivion for most of the week. Then sobered himself up the day before the Cleanse so that he'd be ready for the angels' descent.

Execution Day was always so busy for him.

"I could ask the same thing of you all! Though it seems my reappearance isn't entirely welcome! Should I have made myself scarce for longer?" Alastor chirped cheerfully.

Because everyone always had much more fun without the Radio Demon looming about. Even as the pocket watch rested in his coat pocket, the photograph inside suggesting otherwise, he didn't dare let himself hope that they'd missed him. He didn't want to fool himself into thinking he belonged where he was tolerated at best.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.