Chapter Text
Charlie hummed softly to herself, her heels echoing through the empty halls of the tower. The days at the hotel were long and exhausting, not that she was complaining. She knew what she was signing up for when she started the hotel, but that didn't change the fact that she ended every day drained and looking for relief. At least she had a boyfriend for that.
She still couldn't exactly remember how her and Vox came to be. Days blended together and time was an illusion, so it didn't matter to her how long they had been together. And it didn't matter to Vox either, since they both forgot the last few anniversaries. But they were together, and they were happy. And best of all, he provided free advertising for the hotel! Every relationship has its perks!
She only wished he would stay at the hotel with her, but he had his reasons. Mainly, he wanted to stay at his headquarters, his base of operations, so he could oversee anything in a moments notice. He had everything set up before the hotel came to be, and he wasn't too keen on moving it. And he didn't want to make up with Alastor yet, and since Alastor lived at the hotel that would cause a lot of issues. Charlie was still working on that…
She strolled into the apartment as if she owned the place, looking around expectantly. "Vox? Voxxyyyyy?"
"He's finishing up in his control room, princesa," Valentino said from his spot on the couch. "In fact, if he sees you're here now, he might come running."
"Hey, Val," Charlie said flatly. She never liked him. Not before Angel joined the hotel, and definitely not after. But everyone can be redeemed. So she had to be polite and cordial with him.
"Charlie?! Is that you, babes?!" Velvette called from the kitchen. "Get in here! Now!"
Charlie brightened up immediately, rushing to kitchen. She wrapped the doll sinner into a tight hug from behind, peering over her shoulder. "Hi, Vettie! Whatcha making?"
"Just some pork stew," she said, spooning up some of the hot broth and blowing on it. "Taste it and tell me what you think."
Charlie took a small sip, swirling it in her mouth before swallowing. "More paprika. And add something tangy. Maybe lemon juice?"
"Grab me one from the cabinet, then."
Charlie grabbed the necessary items, tossing them to Velvette before taking her rightful place on the counter. She spent many an hour on the marble countertop, gossiping with the fashionista and being her taste tester while she made meals. Velvette was the only one allowed in the kitchen, since she didn't burn everything she touched or caused a fire whenever she turned on the damn oven, so she was stuck cooking for everyone.
"So, any special reason you're here tonight?" Velvette asked as she added everything in.
"No. Just missing my Voxxy," Charlie said sweetly, opening her mouth from the next taste. "Mm-mm. Too much lemon.
Velvette nodded and looked through the cabinets to try and find something to balance the flavor. "You know, you could move in here with us. Would brown sugar work?"
"Vettie, you know I have to stay at the hotel," Charlie said with a sigh. "I have to keep an eye on things and make sure nothing blows up. And give it a try! Cooking is basically throwing stuff into a pot and seeing if it tastes good."
"I understand, Charlie," Velvette said with a sigh. "But you're literally here every other night. You're already leaving the hotel unattended. And it's not like you'll never be there. You're just going to be sleeping here. And if something does happen when you're not there, Vaggie knows to call you if she can't handle it. Most of the shit happens during the day anyway, right? When you're already supposed to fucking be there?" She gave the princess another spoonful, this time receiving an approving nod. "You two have been together longer than I've been down here. You two should be fucking married by now but you're still acting like this is a new relationship. So either move in together or end it, cuz you ain't doing much by being fucking stagnant."
"I know, Vettie…" Charlie said with a sigh. "I'll… I'll think about it…"
"Good. And I want to be the Maid of Honor at your wedding," Velvette said teasingly. She put the lid on the pot and grabbed Charlie's hand, dragging her to the smaller, personal studio she had in the apartment. "C'mon, I have some dresses I want you to model for me."
Charlie rolled her eyes, feigning disdain and annoyance as she was dragged through the living room. She always enjoyed modeling for Velvette. It was like playing dress up when she was kid, except she has better fashion sense and the clothes were a whole lot sexier. And, if she looked particularly good in one, Velvette would let her keep it so she could wear in on her next date.
For the next few minutes, she was tugged in and out of various outfits. A fitted knit sweater-dress. "Sorry, Vettie, but this is wayyyy too 2014."
A purple minidress. "Too many ruffles on the skirt. Ditch the top three rows and maybe cut off a shoulder?"
A sleeveless blue turtleneck gown with a heart shaped cutout on the chest. "I'm stealing this."
"Oh, fuck you too, princess!"
A white dress with off the shoulder sleeves that looked a little too much like angel wings. "The realism is concerning and I'm wondering where you got so many feathers!"
And finally, a black halter top dress that stopped right above the knee. It was tight on her torso, hugging every curve and contour and falling out around the hips.
"I like it," Charlie started. "But I think the skirt needs to be fitted like the torso is."
Velvette hummed softly, using whatever fancy magic she had (Charlie still didn't understand it) and changed the dress in the blink of an eye. The torso was the same, but the skirt was fitted and ran higher on the legs, stopping mid thigh.
"Perfect," Velvette said, running her hands over Charlie's sides as they both stared into the full length mirror. "Vox'll go nuts when he sees you in this."
"I hope so."
"Charlie?! CHARLIE!" Vox's vouce boomed from the living room. "I KNOW YOU'RE HERE! I SAW YOU ON MY CAMERAS!"
Velvette smiled and handed Charlie a pair of black heels. "Knock him dead, babes."
Charlie smiled and quickly put them on. She grabbed a spare hair tie, wrapping her hair up into a quick bun before she sauntered out into the living room.
"I'm right here, Voxxy," she called out sweetly, watching him spin around and stare at her in shock.
"Oh, baby…" Vox said breathlessly. "You look stunning."
"Visionary brand signature," she said as she moved closer to him.
"Made by yours-" Velvette started to say behind her.
"Yeah yeah that's great I don't care," Vox cut her off, waving his hand to shoo her away and pulling Charlie in closer. "Fucking hell… You look like a million bucks, Lottie…"
"I feel like a million bucks," she said with a giggle. "Have a good day?"
"Eh. Mostly boring without you." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, leading her to the dining table as he followed his business partners. "Been trying to figure out a new ad campaign for the hotel, but I don't like how it sounds."
"Everything you make is great, Voxxy!" Charlie said sweetly. "Lay it on me!"
Vox seemed embarrassed, but fished out a note from his blazer pocket and handed it to her. She scanned over it briefly before saying a few lines out loud in her Professional Commercial Voice. "The Hazbin Hotel is the perfect place to earn your place in Heaven! Call 1-800-666-8998 to book your room today! And remember, Redemption Starts With U!"
"I told you, it sucked," Vox said, looking away as he pulled out her chair.
"No it doesn't!" Charlie insisted, plopping down in the seat. "It needs a little editing, but it's perfect, Voxxy!" She pouted softly, watching Vox sit beside her and giving her a soft smile.
"I love you, Charlie…" He said softly, cupping her cheek with a clawed hand. "But it's shit and you know it."
"Vox-!"
"You aren't exactly the best person to give him advice, princesa," Val said with his smooth tone.
"…Thank, Val."
"He's right, Charlie. Your opinions are always biased," Velvette said as she set bowls of food in front of everyone. "Vox? It's shit. Rewrite the whole thing."
"Velvette!" Charlie called out, shocked that her friend would say something so harsh. Well, she was always this harsh, especially to Vox, but it never ceased to shock her. "I am the founder and owner of the Hazbin Hotel! And as the owner, I think it's good! It does need editing, but I like it and want to use it," she said firmly.
Velvette rolled her eyes. "Fine. If you want to use some shitty campaign, be my guest."
"I will! And we'll fill the hotel within a week!" She insisted, leaning her head on Vox's shoulder and nuzzling into him.
Vox smiled and kissed the top of her head, rubbing her arm lovingly. "Thanks, Lottie… You always know what to say…"
Charlie just gave him a bright smile, reluctantly pulling away so she could eat.
The dinner table was soon filled with avid conversation, muffled by mouthfuls of food. "This is really good, Velvette," Vox said, scraping his bowl to get every last bit.
"Thanks. Charlie actually helped for once," Velvette said with a little smirk.
Charlie glared at her friend, shocked by the audacity of her comment. And since her mouth was full with her second helping, all she could do was flip her off with both hand as she chewed.
"Oh, so that's why it's actually good for once," Vox teased before getting up to get more.
Charlie, now shocked by the audacity of her boyfriend to insult her friend, whipped her body around as he left and flipped him off as well. She finally swallowed and shouted a comment before he fully dissappeared, "Be nice to her or else you're gonna starve!"
"Yeah! Be nice to me!" Velvette yelled back.
Their normal conversations continued, mainly talking about the next show for Visionary and what Velvette planned to have Vox and Charlie model. She pulled out a tablet seemingly out of thin air to show them the designs she had in mind. A full suit in navy blue and an extravagant strapless evening gown in the same shade. A slit on each side of the skirt going all the way up to her hips, a low back opening, and a sweetheart neckline that was a tad too low.
"Looks cute, Vel," Vox said as they finished their food. "But we should be turning in now." He stood up before anyone could say anything else and pulled Charlie with him.
"Yeah, yeah, just keep it down," Velvette said with an eye roll.
"Noooo, I like it when you're loud," Valentino purred as he looked at the couple.
"….That's great, Val," Vox and Charlie said in unison before rushing the bedroom.
"Hey, think you could try that boundaries lesson on Val again?"
"Voxxy, hun, insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Charlie locked the door behind her and reached for the zipper on her dress. "Can I borrow your pajamas again?"
"Of course, Lottie." Vox pulled some clothes out of the dresser and tossed them over to her, stripping down to his boxers before climbing into bed. He had made the switch to practically sleeping naked for a few reasons: 1. He liked to cuddle with Charlie, and she ran pretty hot. 2. Charlie liked to sleep with a lot of blankets. 3. He got hot very easily, and it's hard for his internal fans to cool him down when he's covered in layers of clothes
Charlie pulled out the t-shirt and shorts, happily inhaling the stale scent of his cologne before climbing into bed with the TV head. She wrapped her arms around him, her head on his chest as she nuzzled into him. "Nighty night, Voxxy..."
"G'night, Lottie…" Vox's screen dimmed as his programs shut down, ready to fall into Sleep Mode.
"Vox?" She asked after a few minutes of silence.
"Yeah, Charlie?"
"How would you feel if I moved in?"