Chapter Text
It was a night of celebration in the renovated Hazbin Hotel.
The war against Heaven had passed and after making the best of what was in ruins, the family inside the hotel were taking drinks and cheering for the new beginning. It was an enjoyable environment, but one staff member was missing from that little party.
Alastor made his way to his new radio tower, which was his bedroom too now, making sure no one noticed his absence, especially Charlie. He needed to be alone.
The cut on his chest, made by Adam, was hurting.
It didn’t make any sense, he made sure it was regenerating before appearing in front of everyone again. Why was he feeling pain?
He took off his coat and opened his shirt, just to find out that the cut had appeared on his chest again as if he just had been hurt. In surprise and confusion, Alastor’s breath got troubled which made his chest hurt even more. He fell on his knees and tried to lean into a wall to calm himself and recover.
The Angelic weapons were the only thing that could kill a demon permanently, being attacked by the most powerful human soul… Brought him more trouble than he thought it would.
He managed to calm his breath, it was nothing he couldn't handle, right?
After all, everything was part of the plan… And now that Adam was no longer alive, it was just a matter of time to…
Wait…
He sensed some… Presence in the hotel.
It was a strong demonic force, it was like…
No, no, no!
“What have you got yourself into, Alastor?”
The Radio Demon felt frightened by the presence of the Queen of Hell: Lilith Morningstar; in front of him.
The one who owned his soul.
“... M-My queen… H-How…?”
“Charlie knows I'm here” Lilith took off his sunglasses and gave a quick look all over the bedroom “But as much as she knows, I'm here so talk to Lucifer, so don't even think to start screaming for help”
“I t-thought y-you would r-remain in Heaven until—”
“Don't play stupid, it doesn't fit you” She interrupted him, kneeling in front of him just to grab him by his suit “Did you really think that killing Adam would end me? Maybe the idea of the angels killing me up there crossed that singular and twisted mind of yours?”
“O-Of course not! My queen, I j-just—”
“I must say I'm disappointed… I thought that you had finally understand that there's nothing you can do to have your soul back, Alastor, that's why I chose you from all the other sinners down here, I thought would be strong enough to carry all this responsibilities”
Alastor was trembling in Lilith's hands, not only for the pain that he was feeling, but also for the fear. He felt stupid for thinking that the end of the deal between Lilith and Adam would be enough to free him.
If Heaven wasn't willing to kill Lilith, he no longer had any opportunities or options.
“M-My queen, I—”
“Shut up” As she said those words Alastor felt the threads around his mouth, the ones that make him keep his smile all day and all night, adjusted and forced him to close his mouth, forbidding him from talking. “But it is already too late to choose another sinner thirsty for power and vulnerable like you…” With a movement of her wrist, a needle with a green thread appeared in her hand.
Alastor, frightened at seeing those items again, the memories of when Lilith sewed his face for him to keep his smile forever came to his mind.
“Take this as a reminder that you don't have an escape… Not from the pain… And not for me”
When he felt the needle in his skin, near his wound, he screamed, but no sound came from his closed lips. Lilith's movements were rough and careless while sewing the large cut in his chest, not caring at all for the blood or for Alastor's silent begs to stop it.
“Stop moving if you don't want me to make a wrong movement” Lilith demanded, when she finished, she adjusted all the stitches, pulling the thread, Alastor's claws scratched the floor with more strength than before.
Then, a cut could be heard and Lilith stood up as if Alstor weren't trembling on the floor, his chest covered with his own blood.
“Nothing has changed, I just need to take care of this step back, but then, my plan is standing… And also my threats”
Alastor looked at Lilith with pure fear in her eyes. Knowing what that meant.
How could he ever forget? That was the only thing that he has cared for the last seven years
As soon as Lilith disappeared, the stitches around his mouth went back to normal, forcing him to smile.
Alastor was still leaning on a wall, he pulled his claws out of the scratches he had made and looked down. Almost his entire chest was covered by the stitches that tried to cover that wound, his own blood and the marks of Lilith's nails on his skin.
He started panting, his hands were trembling.
—
Tears began to fall through his cheeks.
His chest constricted, causing the newly stitched wound to sting painfully. His breath was heavy and shaky as tears fell down his cheeks and onto his chin. His eyes blurred by his tears, he covered his face, his claws buried furiously and helplessly in his locks.
He squeezed that smile of his, wanting to force it to erase it, but not being able to. Blood began to fall from his lips as his skin tried to force itself to erase that perpetual smile.
The pain only grew more intense as his breathing quickened, and his silent, bitter sobs tried not to draw anyone's attention.
Not even Husk’s. Although he would be more entertained with Angel Dust than looking for him…
He crouched forward, burying his head between his legs, in a foetal position, trying to contain himself, but unable to stop shaking. Helplessness only worsened the anxious and nervous feeling he had inside him, making everything even more tedious and difficult. His breathing seemed like it was going to drop at any moment.
His chest continued to contract in a nervous, trembling, grotesque and pathetic movement to a certain extent.
Oblivious to all this, two digital eyes analysed the scene with a boastful smile between his lips, enjoying the spectacle while one hand rested on what would be his chin, the base of that flat screen, resting his elbow against the arm of that chair, and a pernicious giggle escaped without any control, his eyes amused by what he had observed, and his other hand on the other arm of the chair, his claws jingling against the edge.
Enjoying the show…
The blue electricity coursed through his body in stimulating and excited waves, his feelings at that moment had a fairly distinctive duality… On the one hand, the frantic and blissful emotion that Alastor was alive; On the other hand, the ironic mocking scene of him being a joke that only made others feel sorry for him.
At that moment his emotions were too radiant and complacent to think about what had led him to that situation. That was just perfect.
Alastor at his worst.
He didn't even care what might happen in the hotel at that moment, the mere scene of Alastor pathetically crying in a ball on the floor was enough personal entertainment for him, he didn't need more.
Still… Deep down, Vox had realised something...
That smile permanently tattooed on his face...
Was forced…
Of course it was.
Alastor didn't show emotions explicitly, obviously he wasn't crying from happiness.
But in those moments Vox didn't even care... Or he pretended in the solitude of his office surrounded by sharks in his fish tank, that he didn't care...