Work Text:
The end of a fashion show at VVV Tower was
never quiet.
Even after the cameras stopped flashing and the models disappeared backstage, the entire building still buzzed with noise, overlapping voices, clicking heels against marble floors, workers rushing to tear down sets while assistants barked into phones trying to fix tomorrow’s disasters before they
even happened.
And somehow, in the middle of all of it, Velvette was always loving every second
Melissa, on the other hand, felt like she was seconds away from collapsing.
She stood near the side of the runway with a clipboard pressed against her chest, trying to ignore the ache in her whole body and the pounding in her head while several employees scrambled around her.
A makeup artist rushed by carrying an armful of products. Someone in the back was yelling about lighting equipment. Valentino was complaining dramatically to literally anyone who would listen, about stupid useless shit no one actually cared about
Just another normal day.
Melissa exhaled slowly and glanced toward the center of the room where Velvette stood surrounded by screens displaying clips from the show.
The overlord looked completely at ease even with the chaos around her, perfectly styled as always,
scrolling through comments and engagement statistics already pouring in online.
A grin spread across Velvette’s face.
“That’s what I’m talking about!” she announced loudly. “Now that is a bloody
show.”
Everyone nearby visibly relaxed at the sound
of her approval.
Including Melissa.
She hated how much relief she felt whenever Velvette was pleased.
Not because Velvette was cruel exactly, well, not usually at least…but because Melissa
genuinely cared about doing well for her.
Probably a little too much.
Being Velvette’s personal assistant meant perfection was expected at all times. Schedules had to stay flawless, outfits prepared, meetings organized, disasters handled before Velvette even noticed them.
And Melissa did it all willingly.
Maybe because work was easier than thinking about herself.
Or maybe because every time Velvette praised her, even casually, it made her chest feel warm in a way she tried very hard not to think about.
Which was ridiculous.
Velvette was an overlord. A celebrity. A fashion icon. One of the most powerful demons in Hell.
And Melissa was…
Well.
…
Herself?
Which in Melissa’s mind was nothing special
Quiet. Reliable. Forgettable unless someone needed something.
Still, she couldn’t help it.
Her stupid little crush had been growing for months.
On her boss… what the fuck was she thinking…
“Melissa!”
She snapped out of her thoughts immediately, turning toward Velvette.
“Yes?”
Velvette pointed toward one of the employees carrying garment bags. “Make sure those get sent to the studio tomorrow morning. And tell Vox if he touches my editing files again I’m deleting his entire streaming schedule, and all of the stupid pictures he has saved of stupid memes.”
“Of course.”
“And get yourself a coffee or something, you look half-dead.”
Melissa blinked slightly.
“…Right.”
Velvette had already moved on to another conversation before she could answer properly.
Melissa stared for a second longer before quietly slipping away from the main room.
The hallways outside the event floor were much quieter.
Melissa rubbed at her eyes tiredly as she walked toward the back exit of the tower.
Her brain felt foggy.
And she’d barely eaten all day
Again, not unusual.
By the time she pushed open the back door and stepped outside, cold air immediately hit her skin.
Hell’s air wasn’t exactly fresh, but it was colder out here away from the overheated tower, and right now that was enough.
Melissa leaned against the brick wall behind the building and let herself slide down until she was sitting on the concrete.
For the first time all day, nobody was asking her for anything, and she set her clipboard down beside her.
The silence felt almost unreal.
With shaky hands, she pulled a pack of strawberry cigarettes and a lighter from her purse. She hesitated briefly before putting one between her lips and lighting it.
The tip glowed pink in the dark.
Melissa inhaled slowly, letting the sweet smoke fill her lungs before exhaling a pale
cloud into the night air.
Her shoulders loosened slightly.
She knew she probably looked pathetic sitting outside in expensive heels and a designer dress while smoking alone behind the tower.
But honestly?
She didn’t care right now.
The show had drained every ounce of energy
from her.
She sat there quietly for what felt like forever, staring at the glowing city lights while smoke curled around her.
Then she heard heels clicking against the concrete.
Melissa’s eyes widened immediately.
“Mellisa darling,” Velvette’s voice called out, thick accent cutting through the silence, “what the hell are you doing out here? It’s
freezing ass cold, you idiot.”
Melissa nearly choked on smoke.
She scrambled to her feet so quickly she almost lost balance, immediately throwing the cigarette onto the ground and crushing it
beneath her heel.
“Velvette! I’m sorry, I just needed a minute and I-I promise I wasn’t leaving or anything and I know there’s still work to do and—”
“Hush.”
Velvette stepped closer and pressed one perfectly manicured finger lightly against Melissa’s lips.
The words died in her throat
“You don’t need to start panicking every time I walk into a room,” Velvette said. “Bloody hell.”
Melissa looked down quickly, embarrassed.
“Sorry…”
Velvette sighed dramatically, though there wasn’t much actual annoyance in it.
Melissa stayed quiet.
Velvette crossed her arms, studying her for a second beneath the glow of the neon sign above the building.
Melissa suddenly became painfully aware of how messy she probably looked. Her makeup had started fading hours ago, and she was still wearing the same outfit from the runway show because she genuinely hadn’t had time
to change.
Meanwhile Velvette still looked flawless somehow, although being an overlord, she never looked anything less.
“Come inside,” Velvette finally said. “Before you catch something.”
Melissa nodded immediately. “Right. Yes. Sorry.”
Velvette rolled her eyes and turned toward the building again, heels clicking against the pavement while Melissa hurried after her.
The two made their way through the quieter upper levels of VVV Tower until they reached Velvette’s private wing, the part of the building reserved for her personal studio and
living quarters.
The loud chaos of downstairs disappeared, replaced with soft music of Velvette’s studio and neon lights glowing pink against dark walls. Expensive clothes, half-finished designs, and photography equipment were scattered around the studio like controlled chaos… more or less.
Melissa instinctively moved toward one of the desks stacked with paperwork.
“If you’d like, I can organize tomorrow’s schedule now and go over the sponsorship fina—”
A hand wrapped around her wrist.
Melissa froze instantly.
“You don’t gotta do that tonight,” Velvette said.
Melissa blinked in confusion. “But I always—”
“There are other things I need you for tonight. Come along now.”
Melissa’s brain immediately short-circuited at the wording.
Still, she followed.
Of course she followed.
Velvette led her into her bedroom before shutting the door behind them. With a snap of her fingers, the outfit she’d worn all day vanished, replaced by a silky red pajama set trimmed with black lace.
Melissa immediately looked away out of pure instinct.
Velvette noticed and smirked.
“Oh please, don’t start acting shy now.”
“I’m not shy.”
“Sure you aren’t, darling.”
She rolled her eyes slightly.
Velvette disappeared into the bathroom connected to the bedroom while Melissa stood awkwardly in the middle of the room unsure what she was even supposed to be doing.
The room itself somehow looked exactly like Velvette.
Dramatic, stylish, expensive, but still oddly personal beneath all the glamour. Clothes were draped over chairs, jewelry scattered across a vanity, makeup products lining the counters.
Melissa stayed standing stiffly near the bed.
“The fuck are you doing just standing there like an idiot?” Velvette called from the bathroom. “Come here, Melissa.”
Melissa immediately hurried over.
When she stepped into the bathroom, saw Velvette as she rubbed moisturizer into her skin in front of the mirror.
Velvette caught Melissa’s eyes through the
mirror.
“You’re not planning on sleeping in that dress, are you?”
Melissa glanced down at herself.
“Oh…um, no, I just didn’t really get time to change yet.”
Velvette snapped her fingers.
Melissa gasped quietly as her clothes suddenly shifted into soft purple silk pajamas.
“There. Much better.”
Melissa awkwardly touched the sleeve of the pajama top.
“They’re nice…”
“Obviously.”
Shit shit shit
Melissa thought,
How much more awkward can she be?
Velvette turned around fully then, eyes narrowing slightly as she looked Melissa over.
“Ugh,” she muttered. “You’re tense all the bloody time.”
Before Melissa could react, Velvette’s hands moved toward her ponytail.
“Do you ever let your hair breathe, darling? Or do you keep it restrained twenty-four seven?”
Melissa instinctively reached up. “It’s easier for work and-”
Without another word, Velvette tugged the hair tie free.
Melissa gasped softly as her hair spilled loose over her shoulders.
“wha-”
“Not a word.”
Melissa immediately shut her mouth.
Velvette stared for a moment after Melissa’s hair fell into place.
And genuinely looked surprised.
“Hells bells…” she murmured. “I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen it down before.”
Melissa suddenly felt very exposed.
Her hair was light purple and longer than most people realized, falling past her shoulders in soft waves from being tied up constantly. It wasn’t perfect either — dry in places, uneven at the ends, clearly neglected.
She never paid much attention to it.
There were more important things to focus on.
Velvette gently ran a strand through her fingers.
“…You really don’t take care of yourself, do you?”
Melissa looked away. “I’m busy… there’s so much to do all the time…”
“Mm. Excuses.”
“It’s true.”
Velvette rolled her eyes. “Excuses excuses darling”
Melissa stayed quiet.
Velvette sighed before lightly tugging another strand of hair.
“It’s pretty.”
Melissa’s entire brain stopped functioning.
“…What?”
“I said it’s pretty,” Velvette repeated casually. “Try listening.”
Melissa could feel heat rushing into her face immediately.
Velvette noticed.
And looked incredibly entertained by it but other than that didn’t say anything
Velvette hummed thoughtfully for another moment before suddenly grabbing Melissa gently by the shoulders and guiding her out of the bathroom toward the bed
“Sit.”
Melissa obeyed immediately, sitting stiffly on the edge of the mattress while Velvette disappeared briefly into the bathroom again.
When she returned, she carried a brush, a spray bottle, and a pair of silver shears that gleamed beneath the neon lighting.
Melissa’s eyes widened slightly.
“Velvette, what are you—”
“Relax, darling,” Velvette interrupted. “I’m not chopping off all your hair”
Melissa wasn’t entirely convinced…
Velvette climbed onto the bed behind her and lightly tapped Melissa’s shoulder.
“Okay dollface, stay still. You don’t want me to mess up now, do you?~”
Melissa’s stomach flipped at the nickname.
“…Yes, Velvette.”
“Good.”
Velvette gently tilted Melissa’s head downward before gathering her hair carefully in her hands.
The touch was surprisingly gentle.
Melissa expected rushed movements, impatience, maybe teasing — but instead
Velvette brushed through her hair slowly.
Carefully working through knots while muttering occasional complaints under her breath about “tragic split ends” and other things along those lines.
Melissa found herself relaxing despite her nerves.
The brush glided through her dampening hair as Velvette sprayed it lightly with water. Cool droplets landed against her neck and shoulders while the overlord worked with
focused concentration.
Melissa swallowed hard.
This felt… weirdly intimate… like… to a very different degree than she was used to
Nobody had really taken care of her like this before.
Velvette separated sections of her hair between her fingers, studying the ends critically.
“Hm,” she murmured. “About three inches
should do it.”
Melissa’s eyes widened. “Three—?”
“You heard what I said darling”
Before Melissa could protest further, Velvette positioned the shears.
Snip.
Melissa physically flinched at the sound.
A lock of lavender hair drifted onto the bed beside her.
Velvette rested a hand on her shoulder briefly
“Chill, you’re fine”
She said in a softer tone than Melissa was used to.
She nodded quietly and stayed as still as possible while Velvette continued cutting.
Snip.
Snip.
The rhythmic sound filled the room alongside the distant hum of neon outside the tower windows. Melissa focused hard on staying calm even as pieces of hair slid down her back and onto the blankets.
Every now and then Velvette’s fingers brushed against the back of her neck while adjusting her posture.
Each touch made Melissa’s heart beat faster.
This was so stupid… why was she so affected by her literal boss touching her?
“Good girl staying still,” Velvette muttered absentmindedly while evening out another section.
Melissa nearly stopped breathing.
Her face burned instantly, and she was deeply grateful Velvette couldn’t fully see her expression from behind.
Unfortunately for her, Velvette absolutely noticed anyway.
A smug grin pulled at her lips.
“Well now,” she teased lightly, “that got a reaction.”
Melissa made a quiet groan.
Velvette laughed softly
“Cute.”
Melissa thought she might actually die.
After several more minutes, Velvette finally lowered the scissors with a satisfied hum.
“There,” she announced proudly. “Much better.”
She brushed the loose strands from Melissa’s back and shoulders with gentle flicks of her fingers before setting the shears aside.
Melissa slowly let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
“That wasn’t so bad now, was it darling?”
Melissa carefully stood from the bed and turned toward the mirror nearby.
Her hair now rested a little shorter against her chest, healthier and softer-looking already. The damaged ends were gone, and it was nicely evened out.
Melissa stared at herself for a second.
“…huh” she said softly
Velvette crossed her arms smugly. “I know. I’m brilliant.”
Melissa laughed quietly before quickly straightening herself again.
“Thank you, Velvette.”
Her voice slipped back into that polite professional tone automatically.
“Do you need me to clean anything up or organize the—”
“None of that.”
Velvette stepped closer before Melissa could finish.
Melissa immediately went quiet.
The overlord tilted her head slightly while looking at her, expression softer than usual beneath all the confidence and attitude.
“You’re a very pretty model, Melissa.”
Melissa’s brain completely short-circuited.
“T-tha—thank you…”
Velvette smiled faintly at how flustered she sounded.
Then she reached up, lightly taking the ends of Melissa’s freshly cut hair between her fingers.
“You hide too much of yourself,” she said quietly. “You really need to be less nervous”
Melissa looked up at her.
For once, Velvette wasn’t teasing.
The softness in her voice made Melissa’s chest ache.
Before she could figure out what to say, Velvette gently pulled her closer.
Melissa’s breath caught.
And then Velvette kissed her.
It wasn’t rushed or dramatic like Melissa always imagined kisses would be in Hell.
It was soft.
Velvette’s hand stayed loosely tangled in the ends of her hair while Melissa melted almost immediately, eyes fluttering shut as she kissed her back just as gently.
Everything else disappeared for a second…
It was…nice… to say the very least.
When they finally pulled apart, Melissa looked completely dazed.
“Wha—”
“Did you like that, dollface?” Velvette asked sweetly, clearly enjoying how utterly stunned she looked.
Melissa opened and closed her mouth uselessly.
“Umm… uh… err…”
“Well?” Velvette hummed. “Cat got your tongue, darling?”
Melissa opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Which only made Velvette laugh softly.
God, that laugh was dangerous.
“I—” Melissa finally managed, her voice embarrassingly shaky. “I… didn’t expect that.”
“No?” Velvette leaned against the vanity casually, crossing one leg over the other. “Could’ve fooled me with the way you look at me half the time.”
Melissa froze.
Every nerve in her body screamed.
“I do not… that’s all a completely professional… work way of looking at someone…”
“Oh please,” Velvette interrupted dramatically, rolling her eyes. “You’re subtle compared to Valentino, but not that subtle.”
Melissa felt heat rush into her face so quickly she thought she might combust on the spot.
Velvette noticed immediately, of course she did.
The overlord’s expression softened just slightly beneath all the sass and attitude she usually carried around like armor.
“You really didn’t know?” Velvette asked quieter this time.
Melissa stared at her. “Know what?”
“That I like you too, idiot.”
That hit harder than the kiss did.
Melissa blinked once. Twice.
Her exhausted brain genuinely could not process this night anymore.
Twelve hours ago she’d been running around backstage nearly having a breakdown over outfit changes and photographers. Now she was standing in silk pajamas in Velvette’s bedroom after getting her hair cut and kissed.
Hell was weird.
This was weird.
Velvette sighed dramatically again when Melissa still didn’t answer.
“You are painfully repressed, you know that?” she muttered before stepping closer again.
“ You spend every bloody second taking care of me, the company, the models, the schedules— everyone except yourself.”
Melissa looked down at the floor.
“That’s my job.”
“Yeah,” Velvette said. “And you’re brilliant at it, that’s why I have you as my personal assistant”
“But you act like you’re a machine instead of a person, and eventually I’m going to have to dump your ass because of it because you’ll be too burnt out to keep working for me”
Melissa swallowed hard.
Nobody really said things like that to her.
Most demons just expected her to keep going. Keep fixing problems. Keep being perfect.
Velvette gently hooked two fingers under Melissa’s chin, forcing her to look back up.
“I mean it,” she said. “You deserve to breathe sometimes, darling.”
The sincerity in her voice almost hurt.
Melissa’s eyes flicked away nervously. “I’m not really good at… slowing down.”
“No kidding.” Velvette snorted. “I found you chain-smoking behind the tower in five-inch heels.”
Melissa let out a startled laugh before she could stop herself.
Velvette smiled immediately like she’d won something.
Melissa’s chest tightened.
For a moment neither of them spoke. The neon lights from outside the tower glowed through the massive windows, painting the room in pinks and purples while the city buzzed far below them.
Then Velvette reached over and picked up the brush again.
“Sit back down.”
Melissa obeyed automatically, sitting on the edge of the bed while Velvette settled behind her once more. This time her movements were slower, gentler, carefully brushing through Melissa’s newly trimmed hair.
“You know,” Velvette said casually, “you’re prettier when you relax.”
Melissa covered her face immediately.
“Please stop saying things like that.”
“Why? It’s true.”
“You’re going to kill me.”
Velvette barked out a laugh. “Darling, we’re already dead.”
Melissa groaned while Velvette grinned one of her sassy smiles behind her.
After another few quiet moments, Velvette set the brush aside and lightly gathered Melissa’s hair in her hands.
“There,” she said proudly. “Much better.”
Melissa turned slightly toward the mirror beside the bed.
Honestly…
It did look better.
Healthier. Softer. Less severe than the painfully tight ponytail she always wore.
And somehow she looked more like herself.
Her expression softened a little. “looks nice”
“Obviously,” Velvette said smugly. “I’m the one who did it”
Melissa rolled her eyes quietly, though she couldn’t stop smiling now.
Velvette noticed that too.
She always noticed everything.
The overlord moved around in front of her again, hands sliding into the pockets of her silk pajama pants.
“So,” she said. “Here’s what’s going to happen now.”
Melissa blinked. “What?”
“You,” Velvette pointed at her dramatically, “are taking tomorrow off, I’ll have one of Valentino’s bitches take over for a day”
Melissa looked horrified.
“I absolutely am not—”
“You absolutely are.”
“There’s meetings—”
“I’ll survive.”
“There’s paperwork—”
“Vox will sign it.”
“The social media schedule—”
“Melissa.” Velvette grabbed both of her hands. “The tower will not collapse because you rested for one day.”
Melissa hesitated.
Then quietly: “What would I even do?”
Velvette’s expression softened again.
“Whatever you want.”
Melissa stared at her hands for a second before admitting in a tiny voice, “I don’t really know what I like anymore besides work.”
Something sad flickered across Velvette’s face.
Then she squeezed Melissa’s hands gently.
“Then we’ll figure it out.”
Melissa looked up.
“We?”
Holy shit we!? Was this really happening!?
Velvette rolled her eyes dramatically to hide how fond she suddenly looked.
“Yes, we. You think I’m done with you after one kiss? Please.”
Melissa laughed again, softer this time.
And before she could overthink herself into panic, Velvette leaned down and pressed another kiss to her forehead.
Not teasing or sassy like Velvette’s usual demeanor
“Now,” Velvette said, pulling away with a grin, “get in bed before you pass out standing up.”
Melissa blinked. “In… your bed?”
“Oh my god, don’t make it weird.”
“You literally kissed me twice!”
“And I’ll do it again if you keep arguing.”
Melissa’s face turned bright purple.
Velvette looked deeply satisfied by this.
Eventually, after far too much flustered stumbling over words, Melissa climbed into the ridiculously soft bed beside her.
Velvette turned off the lights with a snap of her fingers, the room dimming to the glow of neon outside.
For once, Melissa’s mind wasn’t racing with schedules or deadlines or perfection.
Instead, she felt Velvette shift closer beside her, warm hand finding hers beneath the blankets.
“You know,” Velvette mumbled sleepily, “your hair looks gorgeous down.”
Melissa smiled into the dark.
“…Thank you.”
“And no more smoking alone outside.”
Melissa glanced over. “Bossy.”
“Says my assistant, thats the point of a boss bitch”