Chapter Text
The past couple of weeks had been a blur. After almost blowing up the entirety of this cursed realm, he’d been booed and cast aside by every sinner in hell. Not that it mattered to him. They didn’t have to know the reasons behind his actions. He was Vox. He didn’t apologize to anyone, nor allow them to see him in a weakened state.
Hah. Things definitely didn’t go as he had planned, to say the least.
He laid on his bed in the dark room. He couldn’t believe that when he was SO close to winning, SO DAMN CLOSE to wiping that smile off of Alastor’s face- Valentino and Velvette had ripped his head off of his body. Decapitated him.
It didn’t matter anymore. There was nothing he could do. He was but a mere head- useless without means of power or, hell, even mobility.
His screen flickered. Static coursed through what remained of him. His mind felt foggy, and he honestly couldn’t tell if he was living in a dream or reality. He chose not to dwell on it. For now, he would just try his best to stay alive; Even this task proved more and more difficult as time went on.
He was haphazardly pondering (for about the millionth time) how he got to be in this position when the door suddenly swung open. Valentino emerged, smoking his signature cigarette brand. Red fumes enveloped the room. He didn’t look happy to see Vox. At all.
The media overlord- could he even call himself that anymore?- decided to plaster on his winning smile that stretched from one side of his screen to the other.
“Val! Hey, I know things went a little off the rail for a minute there, but I promise I-”
“Save it, perra. I don’t care what you say to me anymore. I can’t. I don’t know if what you’re saying is the truth. I don’t know if you’ve EVER told me the truth! Have you built our relationship on lies? Has everything we’ve ever had been a grab of power for you? A way to reach the top? To-”
He paused.
“A way to get back at that stupid deer?”
He huffed out an exaggerated onslaught of insults and took another drag from his cigarette. He looked back at the pitiful cracked screen and heap of wires laying on the bed which was currently Vox.
“What, nothing to say? You’re normally brimming and overflowing with words to use in every scenario to make sure that YOU have the advantage. The upper ground. So, spit it out Vox.”
The TV demon grinned again. This time not out of spite but crazed, desperate enthusiasm. His partner- the person whom he’d built his empire with- had turned completely against him. But could he blame him? However, there was no way he’d let himself stoop further than he already has and admit his wrongdoings. How could he, if he himself didn’t fully understand the scope of his greed and ignorance? The only thing he was thinking about in that moment was how to get back on top; How to get his status back, his power. He let out a sharp laugh.
“Well I’m SORRY if your feelings were hurt because I’m SUCH a terrible person. I guess that about sums me up! You’ve got me! Turns out I’m a cold, heartless bastard afterall. Right, Val? Honestly, why do you even keep me around anymore, huh? Just give me my body and let me leave. I’ll make it on my own.”
Yeah, a solid plan. If he ruins everything pleasant in his life, perhaps he can start fresh with a new one? Get rid of old baggage. Make new relationships. Don’t mess up this time. But.. what if.. No. He can’t back out now. They hate him, both Valentino and Velvette. He’d be doing them a favor, allowing them the relief of not having to look at his sorry face again. But, of course, half of this logic relied on theatrics. They would never actually leave him, right?
He waits for a response.
And waits..
And waits..?
“Val?”
He strained his screen slightly upward to look at the moth demon’s face. Instead of the anger Vox was expecting, Valentino exhibited a different expression. Was it.. Pity? Embarrassment? Weariness?
Vox’s facial image faltered for a second, static distorting half of his face. It was quite painful, as much as he would hate to admit.
Valentino sighs, plopping down next to Vox without so much as a word. A few seconds pass.
“You know, I really believe that you care for us. Me and Vel. I just don’t understand how you could jeopardize everything we’ve worked for over a single person, and I never will. Which is why Velvette and I had a chat. It’s in your best interest, and ours, if we split ways.. For good. You’re unhealthy for us, mi amor.”
Vox raised an eyebrow hesitantly. How the hell is he supposed to feel right now? He never expected Val, or Velvette, to actually give any thought to the idea of turning away from him.
“And what, exactly, does that entail?” He asked, deadpan and somewhat incredulously.
He can’t be serious? Right?
“Well..” Valentino drawled, a sadistic smile overcoming his features. “I know I wasn’t the only sinner to find out that Hazbin Hotel bullshit actually wasn’t, well.. Bullshit!”
“What the hell does that have to do with anything?”
“Oh, it has to do with everything now.” He seemed to take pleasure in being the one to deliver the upcoming proposition. He momentarily put his mushy feelings aside and relished in finally being the one with the high ground. “We want what’s best for you, you know that! But.. we also want to make you suffer the way we did.”
God, it was hard for Vox to keep up with the mood swings in every other sentence. He grimaced, waiting for Valentino to get to the fucking point.
“Here are your choices:
1. Rot in this room for the rest of your afterlife, or until we decide to torture you in some other fashion.
2. Enlist as a resident of that crappy hotel and savor the taste of being at the very bottom of the food chain, devoid of power and life.”
He stood up, breathing in another cloud of smoke before puffing it out.
“The decision is yours to make.”