Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

After everything that has happened, one would assume that Vox would have a clearer mind, since, he went coo-coo, proceeded to get humbled and absolutely humiliated on live television, and one would assume wrong.

"Vox you're not seriously still talking about your "next revenge plan" when I just finished a presentation on why you should stop " Velvette stood with her hands on her hips, clearly tired "if you don't stop with this homoerotic obsession of yours, you can't be part of the Vees".

"Fuck you mean I can't be part of the Vees? I made us who we are! I made YOU who you are! I am the one who built this empire, and you think you can simply take it from me because, what, because I'm not "behaving"? I ain't a fucking child!" While he would've loved to go up to her face to scream all of that, he could only do so from his seat, his body was still healing and everything was still either numb or painful.

"You can't be serious! You wouldn't be anywhere near where you were just two days ago if it weren't for US, me, you, and Valentino, who, by the way, is still waiting for an apology" their eyes connected, both furious.

"I already said sorry!" it was true, he did say sorry, he said sorry for hurting him and Velvette and sorry for getting carried away and almost blowing them up! And that's good enough in his humble opinion.

"Not for the right reasons! Aren't y'all supposed to be together? You basically sidelined your boyfriend for your ex! Actually, it's even worse, Alastor isn't your ex, he's what, a sidepiece? A trophy you didn't manage to get? Is that WHY you almost killed us all? Is that WHY you would literally celebrate with him OUR victories? Is that why?" with every word she said, she'd take a step closer until she was face to face to the screen faced demon "your reputation is in the dumpster, we're rebuilding what you destroyed, and you're not gonna make it worse again! Just, fuck! Just accept that you've lost and that you have to move on!"

"Hmph!" Yes, he was acting childish, no, he wasn't gonna admit anything, yes, he was a bit scared when Velvette started shaking from anger, no, he wasn't gonna admit that either, and maybe it was the fear that led him to slip into his salesman persona "Look, just, think of it from MY point of view! You're thinking of what I've done, what our reputation is, and you're right, I did mess up, and our reputation isn't the same as it was!"

"Thanks to you, asshole" she interrupted, quite rudely if he was to be asked.

"Yes, thanks to me, BUT, what about the future?" his hands started to gesture in front of his screen, already ready to pull out a presentation he'd made when he didn't have a body and was put in a corner to "think about what he's done", he forced himself to stand, even if it hurt more than he could possibly ever voice "think about the major threats to OUR business! You can see in these charts that the biggest competition we've had in YEARS was when Alastor came back! He ran to his old fashioned radio and people followed him, it's important, not for me, but our business, to get rid of him! So that w-"

"Yeah you can shut your loud mouth now" she made a motion with her hand to shut Vox up, who simply scouled "I know that business smile, I also know that even though that's true, that's only around 2% of our total views lost, it's such a small data it barely matters, and with that, I'm telling you once again, you're not staying a Vee if you continue with this, we're kicking you out."

Being completely honest, were it not her serious face, he would've laughed at this. Him? The face of the company, being forced to make a deal to keep what is righteously his? That's pure bullshit! "Velvette, dear" the immediate scowl in response to the pet name was a clear sign to not repeat it "You can't force me into a deal, 50% of this company is rightfully mine, it's in our contract, you have 30% and Val has 20%, we have a deal, you can't break it off just like that" even though he wanted to keep looking strong, his legs continued to wobble and it was starting to get too painful to stand, he was basically obligated to put an arm on the table to be more stable, even if he passed it off with a shit eating grin.

"Yeah yeah, talking about said contract" the colour around her hands turned a deep dark red as she summed the contract "it also states that if one of us hurts our brand enough to make a significant dent in our sales, specifically, losing more than 15% of our sales thanks to a scandal, which we did lose MUCH more than 15%, then, with the approval of the other Vees, which in this case would be me and Valentino, we can exclude the other Vee from the business" when she was finished reading, she slammed the contract down on the table right in front of him.

Vox stared at her, completely aware of this clause on their contract, but also aware that "Valentino wouldn't vote me out, come on! We're not OFFICIALLY dating, but we have something special and all" the grin he presented only got bigger, it was a fact that the moth demon had a strong affection for him, and he couldn't deny his own feelings, he was quite found of the guy in a way.

"I already talked to him, and he agreed, he'll be here in 20, so, yeah" her body moved lazily as she sat on the table, enjoying the way Voxs own digital face betrayed him "He's not dumb, he knows you would choose that radio bitchy twink over us any day of the week."

The accusatory look she gave him made him feel small in a way "Come on, Velvette, you know I wouldn't do that!" The only answer that she dignified him with was the single eyebrow raise "I mean, I just said how Valentino and I have something special going on, and you're basically family to me!" with a small grunt, he opens his arms with a smaller smile than intended "I wouldn't betray you both like that!"

"Except you did, and you would, so, just sign up with me or shut up and get lost." There was a finality to her tone he hasn't heard in a while, she was serious, and he couldn't change her mind, all he could do was wait and hope Valentino was actually as head over heals for him as he thought he was.

. . .

The silence was madening, 20 minutes felt like 20 days, Velvette sat on a chair and stayed typing away at her phone, but Vox was still in pain with the whole body is still healing from being decapitated schtick, and he's a very touchy and loud guy, he's ALWAYS talking, but even if he tried to talk, she'd just ignore him. So, imagin his relief when Valentino opened the door.

"Val! Heeeeyy" He almost ran up to him, but stopped when he saw the sour expression on his face "Soooooo... You uh... You good? You know, the wing being burned and all!"

Valentino sighed and walked past him towards Velvette "So, did he sign the contract?"

"Nope" she did a loud popping noise at the "p" part "he says you wouldn't vote him out because you looove him too much for it."

The moment she said that was the moment Vox accepted his death.

"WHAT" The hurt, betrayal and angriness in that single look was something to be studied "YOU ASSHOLE! You're actually just banking on me being delusional? Being what, as obsessed with you as you're with Alastor? Are you SERIOUS? AI CARAMBA, QUE HIJO DUNA PUTA QUE ERES CABRON DE MIERDA, QUEDATE COQUETEANDO COM MIS SENTIMIENTOS COMO SI FUERA UNA PUTA VADIA! " Val opened his wings as he angrily shouted at Vox, who was now silently praying that his not-boyfriend-who's-basically-his-boyfriend-but-he-doesn't-want-to-make-it-official-because-it'll-never-be-like-Alastor would hopefully not decide to decapitate him again.

"Aha, actually, I said that we have something well, uh, special... And that I was hoping you wouldn't just, you know... Throw it away?" he put his hands together in front of is face, almost pleading, but he never pleads so he's not, of course! Trying to look as cute as possible, although, considering Valentino's shitty vision, he's probably only seeing his silluet.

" "Something special"? Yeah, where was that something special when you were trying to BLOW US ALL AWAY? HUH?"

"I just had a moment of weakness, I was delirious, I know!" Taking this opportunity, he strides forward, a bit more confident on his ability to sweet talk Valentino than Velvette.

Until a sharp hairpin is thrown in front of him "Not a single step forward, bitch. Stay there" Velvette didn't even look their way as she threatened him, he could appreciate a power play like that, but he also could get pissy about it.

"Whatever, this doesn't concern you!" focusing back on his objective, right, sweet talking Valentino, who was still incredibly pissed at him "I'm a very flawed individual, and I saw a chance to finally rip apart my biggest enemy! Wouldn't you have done the same?"

"No! Of course not! Not if it meant you or Velvette were put in danger! I care about both of you! That's called self control, cabron" he spat the last word as he crossed both pair of arms.

He was out of things to say "I... I'm sorry?" not his best moment, indeed.

"Yeah, yeah, we're signing you out, you can come back when you're done with your obsession, since you clearly care more about his demise than our safety and wellbeing" Taking this as her queue, Velvette stood up to join Valentino's side.

"What!? No! No no no, come on cariño! Don't do this to me, how am I supposed to be with you if I'm not a Vee?" He looked more vulnerable than intended, running up to him and clinging to one pair of his hands, pleading with his eyes.

Velvette interrupted once again, this time by shoving him away "back off, Vox! Look, I've still got that deal I mentioned, we can still make it work ok? We both care about you, and we know you care aswell, you just have to show us you care more about us than about him, so, do we have a deal? You don't talk about Alastor, you don't try to plot against Alastor, you don't try to do ANYTHING against Alastor, and you remain a Vee" she mustered up a small smile to him, after all, it is true, she cares a lot about her friends, it's hard to make friends in hell, even harder when you're an influential figure, everyone wants something out of you, having him on their side is the best option, but only if he can prove it.

"I, I mean... I mean sure, I can do that... I can! I can, let's make that deal"- he got up, already reaching for her hand, the need to stay in power, the need to keep these two genuine friends was strong, too strong to not give into his pathetic side.

"Ok, ok, then, if you break these three rules, you'll not only stop being a Vee, your possessions will become mine and Val's, AND, as punishment, you'll have to stay at the hotel until you stop being obsessed with Alastor or if I decide you've made enough progress, that is if you break our deal" the words had just barely left her mouth when he was already shaking her hand, eager like a lost puppy, the power of the contract flowing through both, only midway through did Vox clearly process what she just said.

"Wait WHAT" The deal was sealed, he's not to speak of Alastor, not to plot against Alastor, and he's not to try ANYTHING against Alastor "I have to stay at that stupid hotel if I break this contract? I don't want to cohabit with Alastor just b-"

He was a fucking dumbass

The deal was broken in less than 10 seconds, it was so sudden that the three of them just stared at each other as their previous contract was erased and was now adapted to where Velvette and Valentino have the rest of the company for them and the rest of his possessions get separated between the both of them, meanwhile Vox was engulfed in magic before disappearing in front of them.

They stayed silent for around 30 seconds before Velvette laughed "he couldn't not say his name for 10 seconds, I can't believe this, he, he! UGH, YOU ABSOLUTE MORON! I can't believe I even believed in him! HE'S SO, UGGGH" she turned around, pulling Valentino with her, who was simply looking lost "we have to talk to the princess about this shit before they beat him up or something."

Chapter Text

The hotel was doing great! People finally believed in their cause, most of the rooms were already claimed, they now have a way to contact Sir Pentious anytime they want, and overall, everything is better! Everything except for the lack of Angel. It was clear everyone missed him, especially Husk, Cherry Bomb and Fat Nuggets, but they really couldn't do much about this, it was his choice to stay away after all.

In a rare moment where she was not working, Charlie heard a few screams at the same time that her phone rang. "Vaggie can probably take care of that" she thought, and puts on her usual bright hotel host smile when she picks up the phone "Hi! You're talking to Charlie Morningstar! Founder and host of the Hazbin Hotel, how might I help?"

Loud music could be heard on the other side of the line, cut harshly by a brittish sounding voice "yeah babes, I know who you are and all that, look, me, Val and Vox had an argument and we want Vox to stay at the hotel, we can argue the price" Charlie felt her eyebrows twitch at that, the fucking audacity to even ask for something like that after everything they've done to her friends! To her family! To her- "Vox is no longer a Vee and we're checking in every Saturday to see how his progress is going and all."

"Wait, you actually want him to be redeemed?" All the possibilities as to WHY they would want Vox of all people to be redeemed flashed through her mind, she was surprised those reasons were more than 3 to be honest "I mean, if that's the case, the hotel doesn't turn down anyone, of course not! Oh! But uh, of course we'll have VEERRYYY strict security around him!" Even if the person on the other side of the screen couldn't see her, she still swung her arms and gestured along her speech.

"No no, we want him to get over his obsession with Alastor" Charlie visibly deflated, yeah, that just about checks out "like, he tried to kill EVERYONE, himself included! And that's not good for business, Val said Angel mentioned y'all have some actually good therapy" Charlie surpressed the "awwns" she wanted to voice at that "so like, you can handle him, right?"

"And why should we host him? " A sudden shadow appeared in front of her, Alastor materialised holding a very angry Vox who kept kicking the tentacle holding and shushing him "oh, uh, hey Alastor..."

The silent displeasure in his face said all she needed to know, no letting Vox stay at the hotel "Val is making a deal with Angel that if he helps Vox get over his obsession with Alastor then he'll be free, as long as he keeps us updated" nevermind all of that!

"Vox can stay! " She covered her ears as loud feedback noise echoed through the room "just make sure Angel Dust is here by the end of the day and we can arrange this! He'll be staying with us, right? To update you on Voxs situation?" She giggled when Velvette agreed and promptly ended the call "OH. MY. GOD. ALASTOR you won't believe what just happened!"

The only answer she got was him turning his back on her "wha- oh, come on, don't be like that Al! This is for Angel Dust, he'll be a free man! And then he can come back to the hotel and get ready to be redeemed again because he was already so close and if we don't do this we might never ever ever EVER get a chance like this and he might never be a free man" she spoke faster and faster until she ran out of air.

"I said nothing, however, I will say this, letting the enemy sleep right next to an aly is naive at best" when he closed the door behind him the tentacle that was holding and shushing Vox disappeared, letting him fall to the floor face first with a loud "oof"

"Princes, I'm NOT staying at this shitty hotel" what a ray of sunshine he was. He sat up quickly but decided against it, his body hurting even more than before "You want Angel Dust? I'll get you Angel Dust! Just-"

"I'm not happy with this either Vox, but, I know now what we must do, and I won't listen to you because all you do is twist words!" She helped him sit down better even as she scolded him.

"Whatever whatever, so, princess" just as he was about to pull out his typical salesman smile, the princess turned around to type at her phone, what's up with young girls and typing away at their phones today?

"Don't wanna hear it."

"I'm not saying anything! I just think y-"

"I said I don't wanna hear it."

"So inflexible! That's-"

"Vox." She turned her head slightly towards him "I'm still pissed at you for all you've done to my loved ones, I just love Angel more than I hate you" that last part felt a bit too personal, he silently questioned if Velvette said more than he heard, but with that short amount of time it should be impossible.

She sighed and put her phone down "Vaggie is bringing in your key in a minute or so, we should really try to get along while you stay here! I'm sure you'll love it!" He rolled his eyes at her. "we have more guests than ever, I'm sure someone will pique your interest!"

"Look, princess, you sound very sweet and all, but I really don't care about anyone else, I'm just trying to get back home, I've got Shak.Wov waiting for me in his fishtank and he gets separation anxiety really quickly!" A loud noise interrupted them, Alastor entered the room freely as if he hadn't just ripped the door off it's hinges.

"Oh, dear, so you really are staying! What an unpleasant surprise. Here, Vaggie asked me to lend you these keys since she's too busy helping Niffty fix up the mess you made!" He threw the key right at Voxs face sharp part first, that passive-aggressive smile never once faltering.

"I made? Bitch, you were the one who jumped me on sight! I even tried to tell you how I'm not here for a fight but you didn't give a single shit!" Vox stood up, not feeling very intimidating while sitting down.

The room was getting physically colder, but Alastor kept that same smile "How many times have you twisted peoples words? Letting you talk was the worst thing any of your previous enemies did!" He gestured lightly at him with his right hand, leaning into the staff he planted firmly on the floor to his left.

"Says the one that used phrasing to get out of a fucking deal!" His legs started shaking again, the cold was making his bones hurt at every slight movement.

"That simply means you're not as clever as me! No news worth reporting here though."

The princess got up and quickly went to the deers side "Alastor, thanks for the key, really appreciate all the great effort you're putting into the hotel as of lately, really, I do! But uh, can you maybe fix the door? And get out? Please? You see! Vox is here to-"

"I'm not FUCKING STAYING" he flipped her off, eye already doing the hypnosis thing even if he knew it didn't work on these two "I swear, if you make me stay here I'll make sure to make everyones life a living hell!"

Taking this chance to further egg on this amusing fight, Alastor hums "ironic, since we're already in hell and being near you is the closest thing to a personal hell I've ever got the displeasure to experience!" The cheerful tone, for once, matched the glint in his eyes, nothing got him in a better mood than to have someone to put down constantly!

"So, we're on the same page, convince that dumb princess I'm not staying or I'll make myself a problem to you too!" He intended for it to sound threatening, he really did, but seeing the smile keep growing on the others face made it feel like it wasn't a threat at all! Like it was just some stupid joke!

"I couldn't possibly go against the princesses orders! I'm but a sinner, and her employee nonetheless! Worry not, I'll make sure you have a very warm bed to sleep on! Oh, and you do still prefer your whiskey with a lime strip, right? I'll arrange for that aswell! Just make sure to enjoy your stay!" As soon as he finished talking with that forced kindness, he sunk into the shadows with a creepy smile.

But what creeped them out wasn't the smile, it was the contents of that phrase "Uh, you two have some history... Right?" The TV nodded "yeah, I'll ask Niffty to be the one to prepare your room... Maybe you should avoid the one we just got you."

"Yeah, probably."

- - -

A loud knock was heard on the main door, Charlie immediately ran there, opening it a bit too quickly "Hi! Welcome to- OH ANGEL!" Wasting no time, she jumped at him, squeezing him so tight he turned purple.

"Charlie... Breathe!"

Noticing the struggle in his voice, she immediately stopped what she was doing "oh my god I'm so so so so so sorry!"

Angel laughed, truthfully laughed, how could he not when he finally has the opportunity to be a free man! "It's ok Charlie, I know I'm quite the easy face to miss" he finished with a playful wink and finger guns.

"Yeah yeah, you two are happy and all but we've got business to make" Valentino spoke a bit louder than usual.

"Oh, right! Hi, yes yes, Angel and Vox are staying, right?" She shook some dust off her clothes, wanting to look as presentable as possible for possibly the most important deal of her life.

"Yeah yeah, they're staying with you at the hotel, and Angel will only be free once Vox is over his stupid obsession with Alastor, we've already signed the contract once you confirmed over the phone, he'll stay in payed leave as long as he puts all his efforts into helping Vox get better and keeps us updated" The moth rolled his wrist casually, clearly done with the situation.

"Val? Val! Oh, Velvette aswell! HeeeEY" before Vox could even fully get to the entrance, a dark tentacle enveloped him and harshly threw him to the other side of the hotel.

"Thanks, Al" Velvette winked at him. Somehow, during his stay at the Vee tower, these two had gotten along pretty well, both loved some good gossip and she found it entertaining to doll him up, it seems he loved it when she made his hair curly even if it only lasted a couple of hours.

"Sooooo, can we have him now?" Charlie shook from excitement already making graby hands at Angel.

"Yeah, sure, but remember the terms of the contract Angel!" Val threatened.

"Yeah, of course" even if he tried to sound sure, the loud gulp gave away his nervousness, how could he not be nervous? He has to help the person who literally messed with his mind to the point he most likely will have memory problems for the rest of his after life! And if he doesn't, he'll stay on that leash Valentino put on him.

"Okay yeah, thanks doll, We're leaving, don't wanna see that TV man today" the smallest Vee waved them off, getting into the car followed by Valentino "tell Vox we'll visit him next Tuesday though"

The car left with a loud motor sound, leaving Angel and Charlie alone at the entrance.

They took the rest of the evening to celebrate Angels return with the excuse that "Vox first needs to relax a bit."