Chapter Text
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Velvette's sly fingers pushed the power button on, watching Vox's head flinch under her touch.
She cautiously stepped back, careful of not tripping on the wires that were displayed all over the dark room.
She designed Vox a new body. For the 6th time. All other attempts were failures. She thought it was impossible to fail but leave it to Vox to fuck it all up.
Vox's now body was pretty much all mechanical with layers of fabric and thick skin off of this original body. Vox's assistants managed to get the sick off of his regenerating body.
Stuck in this technical lab was absolute hellhole was worse then the one outside.
Velvette knew Vox liked weird nerdy shit, but not to this degree. Scoffing, she finally meets the eyes of the man himself.
────୨ৎ────
Vox was in agony. The aching kind were your head was pounding and screaming at you to get out, the kind that your whole body was inflamed.
He groaned, opening his heavy eyes, but unable to move as he's hooked to all these wires.
"V..?" Is the only words he can make out. His throat feels like it's covered with tar so thick he can't even swallow.
He gets a good look at Velvette. How saddened she looks while at the same time being absolutely pissed.
She has makeup smeared around her eyes, her hair tied up in a ponytail just too tight, loose baggy clothes that just happens to be merch of the three of them.
Her eyes look sunken in. She breathes too heavy. Too loud.
Vox can't remember what happened, why he's here or why he feels like sobbing his guts out and then throwing up.
Why does his heart hurt the worst?
"Don't V me shithead." She hisses, launching herself at him and wrapping her toned arms around him in a tight embrace.
His breath caught, events slowly flooding in.
He clears his throat, a choke bumping up. "Velvet. Are..you okay..?"
She pulled herself off of him, clinging on to his new shoulders and digging her nails into his skin.
"Okay? What do you mean okay?! You tried to kill all of Hell!" She snorts as wet tears fall fast onto his skin, dripping down his chest like rain. You were going to kill yourself!" She sobs, makeup smearing and her lipstick becoming a ring around her mouth. "I thought I lost you. I thought- I thought- God dammit! You made me crazy! You-.." She looks at him with tender eyes.
"V2 doesn't look as good as V3." Velvette whispers, coming in to hug him again.
He soon felt his own tears fall onto his cheeks, and unplugged himself from the machine he was hooked up to. His body was throbbing and his hands felt numb, but regardless, he let them pat Velvette's back.
"I wouldn't abandon you." He wept. His voice was raspy and he couldn't stop shaking.
He was supposed to rule the world. He was supposed to be a star. But, they're a hundred stars right? He needs Velvette and Valentino. He will keep telling himself this until he copes. Until he's okay.
He shakes his head. "Velvet, I need you to understand that what happened to me and Alastor is my business. It won't affect the Vees."
She interrupted him, a fiery glint in her sorry eyes. "It did! All you cared about was beating him! I need you, Vox."
His gaze softened. "Let me sleep, then well talk. All three of us."
She nodded reluctantly, whoosing away into the shadows.
────୨ৎ────
Charlie was elated. They had stopped Vox! Who wouldn't be?! Heaven was finally turning onto their side, Sir Pentious is okay!
The only downside is..the atmosphere is still so gloomy. Angel Dust has gone with the Vees. Husk is so so sad it makes her heart break. Niffty seems to be doing okay.
Baxter is looking for a job at the Hotel!
Her dad, is coping! But that's okay! He needs to rest and Charlie needs to apologize for her actions. Almost losing him made her realize some things.
The weirdest one is Alastor. She tried to heal him as best she could, but it'll take some time. But, he seems to be...distraught. Vaggi says it some weird situationship with Vox, but she highly doubts it!
He zones out a lot, and his hands are always tight around his cane. He doesn't show it, but in short glimpses, his smile falters.
Husk is almost the same way.
Funny how even defeating the Vox the Vees are still a problem.
Now that Valentino is the boss..ugh.
But! She has a meeting with Heaven Today!
Despite all the lost, the hotel needs some good! Some good news to bring home to her people! She can do it.
Tugging on her bowtie and standing at the mirror, Vaggi walks in holding a plate of pancakes.
"Hey, how ya feeling?" She questioned, setting the plate down on their dresser.
Charlie shrugs. "Im so proud of everyone, but its still so sad around here. I hope this meeting in Heaven will bring us some good news around the hotel. We all need it! Or else," She smirks, "We might need some family movie time."
Vaggi winces, taking a bite of her food. "I don't think Alastor can look at a screen."
Charlie chuckles. "I've got something for him too."
Tugging at her coat one more time to straighten it out, she gives Vaggi a kiss on the cheek before the portal opens.
She gives a small wave, a crooked smile placed on her face.
She felt a glint of hope as Vaggi replaced the gesture.
────୨ৎ────
Vox had forgotten how to walk.
He fussed, rolling his eyes and climbing back into bed.
This new body was going going to be the death of him.
How is it that he's walked all his life, yet he can't do it now? How the fuck does that work!?
Vox grabbed his buzzer from the dresser, calling his assistant, Ethan, which should bring him something.
He waited patiently until the doors of his bedroom ripped open, revealing a small man with a clipboard.
Blinking, he ran towards Vox.
"Sir! Your- Your- body! It's! I thought you died!" He rambled, writing down notes on his clipboard and phone.
"Yes..Ethan..let's get going now." He grumbled. He could deal with reunions later, right now, how's his company!?
Ethan cleared his throat, bringing up his clipboard to hide his face.
"Valentino runs it, sir." He stifled.
Vox's grin tightened.
Hell no.
No fucking way.
Vox's face glitched, electricity kissing the bed.
"Who made that decision?!" He screamed, buring the sheets off the bed. "Voxtek, my company! My empire! My employees! My fame! The man whose brain is rotted with so much porn gets it!?"
He was livid. In his poorly designed will, everything circles back to him and Velvet before it ever gets to Valentino.
As much as he...tolerates Valentino, he's incredibly stupid. He doesn't even know what business financial aid is!?
Its fine, he breathed deeply. He can manipulate this.
Maybe he'll just tell Val what to do.
Everything will be okay.
His empire will be okay.
Everything he has ever worked for and built back up again will be okay. It has to be.
Right?
He clutches Ethans shoulder to help his stand, perceiving through his secretary's skin.
"Take me to him."
Ethan nods, sliding his nasty hands around Vox's waist, guiding him through the hallways until they reach the elevator.
Leaning himself against the wall, he presses the button to the bottom floor, seething.
Gasping for air, he reminds himself to go clear out his systems after this.
Just another thing on his huge fucking list.
Watching the door slowly open, he pushes the Eels off of him, limping his way into the new decorated studio. Producers and actors freeze in place once they see him, some people scream, some just watch with weary eyes.
When he reaches the directors chair to find the silmeball sitting in it.
A part of his screams to rip him part like he did, but another part knows to keep his cool.
They kept him after all.
Valentino still carried him up to the room after that night.
Play your cards right Vox.
Play your tone and body right too.
"Val." He coughed out, gripping the back of the chair with a claw ripping open the back.
Valentino whipped around, a sultry look on his face. He bent down to get on Vox's eye level.
"Oh..~ Hunny! Your finally awake! Ready to apologize and grovel! I mean, c'mon! You did almost kill everyone!"
Vox grabbed Valentino by his wing, pulling him into the directors room very slowly.
Slamming the door behind him.
"Oh! So..if this is how you want to apologize, thats fine! I mean, I am working right now, and you know you did always put work over me," He spat out, eyeing Vox up and down.
"Val." Static tickled his senses, leaking out of his body.
His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. How could he be so stupid!? He let Alastor win..again.
He looses his mind to that fucker! Why can't he just keep his cool for once! Nobody will make him lose everything hes built. Not even his lover enemy.
"We need to talk about what's going on in the company." He nabbed the table beside him, clutching his chest in order to stay breathing. His gills flaring in and out. "We need to keep it running-"
He was interrupted by a loud snort. "Amor, this is sweet and all, but I have it covered. Work on apologizing and recovering. Then we can talk about the invitation." He sneers.
Vox looks up at Valentino with heated eyes. "What invitation."
He trembles, trying to take a step closer as his leg gives out and he falls onto the hard ground, slamming his knee in.
He shrieks. Vox can barley stand feeling around the ground for something to help him up, only to meet the hand of Valentino.
"For Satan's fuck, get up Vox!"
He pulls him up, resting him under his wing.
"Charlie invited all Overlords to her hotel for, 'business', but you're not going.!"
Vox gasps, he was an overlord! He has a right to be there! He still has power! He still has all of his souls!
"Like Hell I won't- Not going would make me look weak!"
Valentino rolls his eyes. "You won't! You need to rest! And we don't need drama at the meeting! Just wait until we can get you involved Voxxy, please!"
Vox closes his eyes, taking a deep breath.
He will get better later. He still has a company to run, lives to torture. He won't appear weak in front of Alastor. The name plagues his life, its like an apple. It used to be so sweet until it rotten up and you eat the core.
He clung onto Val.
"Fine.." He muttered, breathing against Valentino's chest.
He powered himself off, and let himself he carefully carried to his room.
If only he could've been better.