Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Vox was no pushover, he was the King of Hell, the furor, the people's voice, populi, a god!

He was absolutely EVERYTHING. 

And yet, he lost the throne he so carefully built and placed himself upon. 

Now? Now he lay in a ditch of his own lies, debris and creation. To think he never stood a chance. 

Beaten, battered, and utterly discarded like an old CRT. He was just static, noise to be drowned out. It quite literally pissed him off but he had no fight left in him. He was devoid of any power he held, drained like a used battery before being shackled by heaven after the miserable failed attempt at taking it over. His wrists were cuffed by golden rings to prevent him from using his abilities. 

Vox had NOTHING. 

Not even his companions. Only the deafening silence kept him company, or so he thought.

“Well, well, well. Would you look at that sorry excuse for a self proclaimed King.”

Vox’s eyes shifted to look in the direction of the familiar voice. One that he had grown to resent after her betrayal along with the other one.

“King? No such thing. He was always a weakling, even now.”

That struck a nerve within Vox. He clenched his fist in the dirt as he went to get up with what little strength he had left before a foot smashed into his screened face and knocked him back down. The heel then pressed into the side, slightly warping his vision. He laughed next at the hilarious attempt at intimidation.

“Oh please! You think I’m scared of you? Me? Vox?” He darkly chuckled while a large vile grin spread across his face. “Take a look around you two, we’ve failed. Our tower is gone, our positions as overloads are going to be revoked. Not to mention what all of Hell will do to us later. We lost it all!”

The two V’s gave each other unimpressed looks before Velvette held up her phone for her large audience to see the clearer picture of what was happening. “Did you hear that my little poppets? She loudly spoke. “This stupid fucking wanker thinks we lost everything but in reality-“ She turned to Vox with fire in her eyes. “You did.”

Vox had enough. To Hell with them which is funny considering they were already there. He’ll teach them a lesson they’ll never forget. However, perhaps angering them wasn’t as wise a decision as he thought. He was smarter than that and could talk his way out of anything but his mental state was worn thin from Alastor’s insistent prodding over the prior weeks that led to Vel and Val leaving and now losing the battle with Heaven literally mind fucked him. He never even got a chance to cross the destroyed gates. It was utterly anticlimactic.

Vox in that moment did not care as a slew of angry and nasty words left his mouth before they instantly died on his tongue and he shrunk backwards in fear. He then tried to swipe the foot off from his face before Val removed it himself and used his many arms to keep him in place, all except for one.

The glint from the sharpened blade was enough to instill terror in anyone. It was the very thing that could easily kill him and any other sinner.

“Aww, what’s the matter Voxxy? What happened to all that fiery passion? Could it be? You're not afraid of some small measly dagger, are you?” Valentino taunted while bringing the thing close to Vox’s face who looked more and more frightened with each passing second. He would much rather have a gun but this was the only thing they allowed him. Despite the weapon of choice, it was satisfying to see the former V in this state. Deliciously so. He dragged his tongue across his own pointed teeth.

Vox dared not speak another word as he stared at the tip of the dagger that hovered over his face. He didn’t know what to even say or do to get out of this situation.

“Boring! The bigoted telly has gone silent!” ‘For once.’ Velvette thought as she announced in a disappointing tone. “Why don’t we ask everyone what we should do about this?” She questioned when many comments flooded the chat all saying numerous things but one of them stood out from the rest.

‘Kill him!’

Velvette laughed as she got closer to Vox to film his reaction. “Seems like they all want you killed but I think we can do better, yea?”

Vox did not like the sound of that as he glanced her way. Once his eyes shifted back towards the dagger, they widened since it was no longer in front of his face. No, Val raised it high in the air before it was brought back down with force. The glass cracked and his face flickered as vertical and horizontal colored lines appeared across the screen. He cried out in anguish as the dagger was pressed deeper into his face, creating flickering sparks around the area.

Valentino smiled wickedly as he dragged the dagger across Vox’s face, eliciting a horrible sound.

“STO-oooo—OOP!!” Vox shouted in pain and anger but it was distorted from the damage that was being done.

“Ohh, pendejo, you know that word isn’t in my vocabulary but because I don’t want you passing out on me, I’ll remove it for now.” Valentino did as he said when he came face to face with Vox. “However, I think we can still have a little fun, no?”

Vox was having trouble keeping up but once he felt the blade sneak its way under his shirt from the bottom and the icy cold tip touched his stomach, he froze and understood the implications perfectly.

‘SCHRIPPPP’

Velvette watched with the biggest grin and filmed Val tearing Vox’s clothes before it took a turn she herself hadn’t expected. Her eyes darted away as she slowly lowered her phone and eventually turned off the live stream. Normally she was complacent and ignored Val’s habits but this was Vox, a former member of the V’s. Not some unwilling bottom bitch for him to fuck. Or perhaps that is what Val lowered Vox to be.

“Aren’t you going too far?” Velvette said aloud without thinking.

“Really? I’d say I’m not going far enough.” Valentino took the blade and started cutting something into Vox’s chest. The pained and glitched sounds music to his ears. “Unless you want to try and stop me?”

Velvette received a sharp and deadly glare that told her all she needed to know. If she said another word or even thought about stopping him, she would be the one facing that dagger. So, before her mind wandered further, she left, unable to look at the scene any longer. 

Velvette did pause a moment once she heard, “VE-eL-ll—‘ followed by silence but in the end, she chose to ignore it and kept going.

This was Hell and they were living in it.

***

It was months later. The hotel was slowly building back its reputation and doing better after the events and damage that Vox had caused. They weren’t doing great but they had their regulars and a few that stuck around like Baxter who became unemployed due to Voxtek being completely destroyed. That’s where Charlie’s next problematic situation came into play.

“Baxter!” She yelled for him when he suddenly appeared. “Can you please do something about this?” She pointed up.

There was a large two headed dog-like creature that towered above her. Drool spilled from its mouth and splashed her head and shoulders. She once again flicked the crap off before Niffty rushed to clean it up again while giggling.

Baxter adjusted his glasses. “Scientifically I could but I carefully calculated my findings and produced the best possible outcome from my analysis—“

“Stop! Stop!” Charlie didn’t have time to hear him go on another science monologue. One that she wouldn’t understand anyway. Instead, she created a rope that tied around the things collar before handing it to Baxter. “This is your creation, please deal with it.” With that, she walked away but not before hearing a whine out of the beast.

Charlie was relieved to get rid of one problematic situation when ten more seemed to crop up. Angel Dust and Husk flirting at the bar as usual and not doing what they were told. Her father littering the place with his ducks. Cherri corrupting poor Emily who came to visit.

“Everyone!” Charlie shouted. She had enough. “Please, can you all focus! Today is an important day and we need this place spotless!” She begged them when Vaggi showed up at her side.

“Babe, I think you need to relax a little. It’s not as bad as you think it is.” She knew Charlie was overwhelmed and overreacting again. “Maybe take another look?”

Charlie hesitated before looking around. That’s when she realized Husk was still doing his job at the bar, Angel was taking a 15 minute break that was over and he now returned to the front desk. Her dad only had his ducks in one area and had already cleaned them up after her outburst. Cherri was talking to Emily about Sir Pentious until she interrupted them.

Charlie sighed. “S-sorry. I think I’m just—“

“Stressed out, I know.” Vaggi lovingly smiled at her. “Everything is going to be okay. You have nothing to worry about. The interview for the Hotel will go smoothly. It’s different this time. Vox isn’t around to twist it into something it’s not and we can trust Tom, he is nothing like Katie.” She reassured her.

Charlie’s lip trembled before pouncing on her girlfriend. “Vaggi, do you know how much I love you?”

“Lot’s, I love you too.” Vaggi chuckled and hugged her back. The two were so wrapped up into themselves that they failed to see someone rising out of the shadows from behind.

“Excuse me for interrupting your little display of… affection.”

Charlie and Vaggi both jumped from the radio demon and even had to take a few steps away since he was so close.

“But I think you have a rather unique, unpleasant, and unwanted guest at your door.” Alastor's smile only turned more demonic as he pointed in the direction with his mic.

This intrigued everyone as they looked and lo and behold, they all heard a knock but because it was so ominous, none of them dared to move except for one.

“You guys are all pussies. Bah.” Husk stated as he jumped over the bar and made his way to the door. He opened it without a second thought and much to everyone’s surprise except for Alastor’s, it was none other than,

“Vox.”

Chapter Text

“VOX?!” Lucifer instantly transformed into his demon form and zipped over so fast before anyone had any time to comprehend anything. He was ready to throw down and teach the mortal TV head man who the real King of Hell truly was.

Lucifer drew back his flaming fist when something grabbed ahold of his arm. He glanced back at who had stopped him but no one was there and whatever it was that prevented him from punching the other had disappeared. It mattered not though, if it happened again, he would overpower—

Lucifer blinked as he stared ahead but Vox was no longer there. He looked around until he saw that the guy collapsed face first into the floor, unmoving. “Oh?” A smug smile graced his lips. “Guess I’m too powerful for him to stay conscious while in my presence.” He spoke proudly while switching back to his normal form.

Husk rolled his eyes and got closer to take a gander knowing how curiosity killed the cat. He reached out and poked the back of Vox’s head with a clawed finger. ‘Tink, Tink’ but nothing worthwhile happened. He was almost a little disappointed.

“Hey, don’t get too close to him or touch him for that matter!” Angel Dust pulled Husk back and away from the box head. He wanted nowhere near the guy, let alone his loved ones.

“Ooo-Ooo! I can stab him!” Niffty excitedly raised her knife in the air, whipping it around while jumping up and down.

“That’s not going to do anything, he’ll just come back.” Baxter eased her murderous intent while receiving a look of sadness.

“Let’s just kick him out!” Cherri herself wanted to blow him up but Charlie and Vaggi were adamant in convincing her not to use her bombs to solve every problem. At least not within the Hotel walls. So, that’s why she’ll drag him out and blow him up afterwards. She punched her hand with her fist and smiled at how flawless her plan was. She then walked over and grabbed the back of his tattered suit but it ended up tearing and he fell back into the ground with a ‘thud’. “Oops.”

“Here, I’ll handle it.” Lucifer shooed his daughter’s friends away and gladly reached down. He tightly wrapped his hand around the sinner's arm and pulled him up somewhat. He was about to send him flying for miles but before he could, someone once again had stopped him. “What now?” This time it was Emily.

“Wait!” She called, surprising herself. She wouldn’t have but one glance and it was crystal clear that he needed a helping hand. “…he’s bleeding…” She pointed to the floor first and then to his clothes. Blood soaked through them, dripped down and splattered against the ground. “Are you really going to throw him out in this state?” She understood but at the same time, she couldn’t turn a blind eye.

Charlie hesitated for a long time before ultimately making a choice. “Of course not.”

“Whaaat?!” Everyone said in shock while looking at Charlie. None more so than Angel.

“Heya toots, I don’t know if it’s the stress or if you're going cuckoo but ya know what he and Vees did to me? To all of us?!” He asked motioning to himself and to everyone around them before going off on a never ending tangent of all the things the ex overload and his lackeys did. “And don’t get me started on how he was ready to blow up Heaven and Hell over some petty bullshit with Alastor!” He needed Charlie to know what she was getting into.

“Yea, I’m with Angel on this. He’s fucking nuts.” Husk agreed along with everyone else’s opinions on the crazed television man except for Alastor and Baxter. They appeared neutral.

Whatever anyone thought, the fact of the matter was that they shouldn’t even be having a conversation about this. It was non-negotiable!

“I know, I know he’s bad news… like, really really really fucking bad news…” Charlie could barely look at him. “… but if we just get rid of him like this then we’re no better than the Vees. This hotel, our home, is a safe space for sinners to come and go. So no matter how evil we think someone is, anyone can be redeemed. Even if that certain someone tried to… well, kill us all.” She whispered that last part before getting to the point of this. “Look, if we don’t start somewhere then I can’t confidently say that the Hotel works.”

No one could argue with her. She was right buuuut… this was one of the Vees. Not your typical misunderstood villain of the week. He was an ex overlord that; may they remind themselves once again; rioted sinners together to take over heaven! It was blasphemy to even consider helping him.

Emily could see they were having trouble so she decided to intervene. “Um, If anyone is still undecided-“ Which was probably all of them. “-he can’t use his powers or abilities. They’re being locked away by these.” She flew over and touched the thick golden band around one of his wrists. “It’s angelic gold. It’s imbued with magic that stops sinners in their tracks.”

Baxter instantly appeared at Vox’s other side, studying the other one. “Intriguing.” He probed it. “Why not use these to stop the more powerful sinners?”

“Oh… well…” Emily probably shouldn’t say but what harm will it cause? She could trust everyone there. “It’s extremely hard to make, not to mention how rare it is to obtain gold. We can only use them as a last resort.” Emily explained.

“Fascinating.” He said while taking out his notepad and pen to scribble some things down on it. He wanted to learn more.

“Aren’t you supposed to be more into organic material?” Husk asked with a raised brow while remembering that the angler demon also designed a lot of electronic stuff for Voxtek.

“Obviously but I can learn other specific fields. That’s why my research and experiments are far more advanced than others.”

“Okay, I think that’s enough debating.” Charlie wanted to get back on track, they can decide what to do with him later after he wakes up. As of right now, Vox was bleeding all over the floor and they needed to do something about it. “Dad, grab him and follow me. And you too Alastor.” She pointed at him.

“Oh joy.” The radio demon said in a sarcastic tone.

“Wait, why do I have to carry him?” Lucifer whined. He didn’t want to for various reasons but mostly because he didn’t want the sinner's blood all over his clothes. Just the thought repulsed him.

Charlie craned her head around with the most demonic expression that rivaled even Alastor’s. “Dad.” She warned.

Lucifer stood up straight, nervously smiled and changed his tone. “Yes my sweet little princess, right away.” Once she looked elsewhere, his lip curled up in annoyance. He grumbled to himself about how he should just ‘kill him’ instead. The idiot was already half way there. Maybe a fresh start would be better but then again, invoking the wrath of his daughter wasn’t something he wanted to do so he sucked it up and did as he was told. However, that didn’t mean he had to be happy about it.

Lucifer huffed and looked at the sinner a final time before unhappily picking up the shit for brains. He placed him over his shoulder and flew up a bit since it would have been impossible to walk due to the height difference. Just something else to be irritated about.

The three of them walked until they reached a room, away from all. It was more secluded with a specific nameplate in gold ink that read ‘Lilith’. Charlie quickly removed it and placed it in her pocket before her dad could see. She then opened the door for them to enter. “He can stay in this room for now.”

Lucifer flew in and unceremoniously dumped Vox onto the bed which angered his daughter but he didn’t care. What he did care about was how much of the sinner's blood had spilled on him. It was like the wound wasn’t closing. “Shouldn’t he be healed by now?” He was a little disgusted.

Alastor curiously turned his head to the side when something dark snaked its way from the shadows, wrapped itself around Vox’s waist and pulled up his shirt about half way where the wound was. It didn’t appear to be too deep but he could tell what had caused it.

“I believe a certain someone might have a specialized weapon. One made of angelic metal.” Alastor revealed knowing full well what the experience felt like. The only difference between them was that he only had to deal with it once.

Charlie cringed at the gash below his ribs before noticing the scars he sustained. Some looked old while others newer.

That’s when Vaggi arrived with a first aid kit. “I thought you might need this.” She sat it down and opened it to patch him up despite not fully trusting the situation. Could he be faking it? Maybe, but the injury was real enough to calm her unease.

“Thank you, Vaggi!” Charlie was glad she was willing to help unlike her father who didn’t seem to care in the slightest. She looked up to him playing with a single duck and his clothes already cleaned. She sighed before turning and asking Alastor, “Who do you think did this?”

“My dear, who do you think?” Alastor heard ‘all’ through his frequencies when mucking about. The biggest rumor that’s been on others minds for the past four months was especially fascinating and now that Vox was in their presence, he could officially say that they were true. Not that he couldn’t go and disprove them but where would the fun in that be?

“Alastor, do you know or not?” Charlie hated the run around when talking to him. She wanted to get straight to the point.

“Of course I do! But giving away information without anything in return is—“

“Valentino. It was him.” Vaggi revealed as she pulled Vox’s shirt back down. She was looking for more cuts to apply ointment to and stumbled across the scarred name etched into his skin.

Alastor clapped. “Very good my dear but please refrain from interrupting me.” He despised that more than anything along with being touched. “I can’t guarantee what I might do if it happens again.”

Charlie and Vaggi gave each other looks and ignored the radio demon, unaffected by his threat. Sure, he was more powerful since the Heaven and Hell debacle but compared to Lucifer and Charlie, he was leagues behind.

Vaggi finished up before grabbing the blanket and folding it over Vox. Not once had he woken up but he was clearly still alive from the movement of his chest. It was interesting that he could still breathe even though the screen was off.

“Alright, let’s give him space and time to wake up. Alastor, please watch over him and don’t do anything crazy. Notify me right away if anything changes.” Charlie warned. She knew he could be a bit much, scratch that, a lot actually. However… “Also, if he pulls anything, you know what to do.”

“Sure thing, princess. You can count on me unlike someone up above.” Alastor took a jab.

“Hey!” Lucifer landed. “I’m capable of watching him too!”

“Okay dad, maybe next time.” Charlie ushered him out before a fight could be started. Vaggi followed behind. “Remember what I said!” She reiterated.

“Yes my dear.” Alastor watched them leave and once the door clicked shut, he turned around and grew into his demonic form, towering over Vox. A few seconds later, he reverted back and tapped the demon on his head with the microphone.

“Oh my, you really are out cold.” He laughed evilly as he sunk into the black abyss.

***

There was a memory that kept replaying over and over within Vox’s mind. The setting was a bar in which he entered and met a certain someone but each and every time it ended in maniacal laughter, right in his face. An embarrassing and harsh reminder of something that would never come to be. It taunted and haunted him wherever he went. Forever to be tortured and when he tried to forget, other, far more unpleasant memories resurfaced from the past months.

‘Stop!’ Vox would shout in hatred but it fell on deaf ears as the moth demon did whatever the hell he wanted.

Cutting.

Fucking.

Touching.

Vox was literally at Valentino’s mercy and if he didn’t get away, he would end up dead or worse, making a deal with the devil. It was all laid out for him but he managed to endure. Refusing to be just another sex worker. He was more than that! However… he was slipping and needed to leave before it was too late. But where? Where could he—

‘I believe anyone can be redeemed.’

The words angered him the day he heard them but now? They weighed heavily on his mind. He knew he would never be redeemed but the Hotel could be his answer. If he went there, pretended he was even just a teensy-weensy bit sorry, he bet anything that the idiots would welcome him with open arms. It was an ingenious plan. The only problem was lowering himself enough to apologize but he was willing to do anything if that meant he could escape.

Vox was on his way when something wrapped around his ankle and dragged him down into a pool of darkness. He clawed at the ground but he was too weak to fight back and was swallowed whole. In the next moment, he found himself being tossed into a bed and Valentino crawling on top of him, smiling wickedly and eyes brightly aglow.

‘Stop!’ He shouted in silence, his voice muted as Valentino pinned him to the bed. He fought back and attempted to use his demon powers but the golden shackles prevented him from breaking free.

‘Stop!’ Vox repeated as countless memories of his demise, failures, and sins filled the blackened void. They surrounded and encased him, forcing him to watch.

‘Stop!’

‘Stop!’

‘Stop!!’

“I SAID FUCKING ST—OOO-opp!!” Vox glitched at the end as he shot up out of the bed.

Husk jumped up from the chair, his hair standing on end. “Holy fucking shit, scare me to my second death why don’t you?!” He spat in annoyance.

That’s when Vox looked at the winged cat. He stared hard while catching his breath before it turned into a glare. “What are you doing here?”

Husk patted down his fur. “I’m allowed to be anywhere in the hotel. Especially here.” He pointed down as he took his seat. “We should be asking you that. Why are you here?”

“Oh? Well maybe it’s none of your fucking—“ Vox was cut off by a shadow wrapping around his face, preventing him from speaking. He tried to remove it, knowing it was that shitty radio demon. If he knew the guy was back here again, he would have never shown up.

“Have you ever heard the saying, don’t bite the hand that feeds you?” Alastor arose from the shadows.

“You know what, fuck this. If you need me, I’ll be at the bar.” Husk said and wanted no part in whatever weird shit they were into.

Alastor watched and waited for Husk to leave when he allowed Vox to speak again.

“I’ll gladly bite your hand off if you feed me.” Vox created a scene on his screen where a shark bit someone completely in half and blood splattered everywhere.

“Wow, sooo intimidating coming from someone sooo powerless.” Alastor leaned down to be face to face with the TV demon. He was so close that he could feel Vox’s labored breathing.

“F-Fuck—“ Vox didn’t get a chance to continue when Alastor took on his demonic form and made him feel small.

“Tell me, Vox, are you sure you want to keep this little charade up or shall I do what your little screen showed me?” He raised his large hand before smashing the other back into the bed, trapping him there.

Vox clenched his teeth in pain from Alastor pressing down on his wound before losing all his bite. “Dying would be better than living whatever hell I’m in now.”

Alastor, quite frankly, hadn’t expected that answer. Usually the other was quick to retort something back or twist his words. Of course he himself was better at it but for Vox, it was very unusual.

“Are you going to kill me or not? Better go get the princess’s girlfriend’s spear to make sure I stay gone. Not like I haven’t had a sharp object pointed at me before.”

Alastor had enough and once again returned to normal. He sat in the chair Husk had brought in and crossed his legs, one over the other. “Why don’t you tell me more?” He held the staffed microphone up to Vox’s mouth.

“Fuck off!” Vox slapped the thing away with the back of his hand and got up. “I’m not telling you anything and I’m getting the fuck out of here!” He wasn’t sticking around with Alastor at the Hotel.

“Hmm? Really? Even when-“ Dare Alastor say the demon’s name? “-Valentino is out there?”

Vox was nearly at the door when he stiffened.

‘Voxxy, why don’t we have a little fun?~’

‘Voxxy, even if you escape, I’ll come find you.~’

‘Voxxy, if you sign this, you’ll shine brighter like you’ve always wanted.~’

‘Voxxy, Voxxy, Voxxy!~’

Vox immediately turned the doorknob, walked out of the room and slammed it shut in order to escape. He gripped the sides of his head as Valentino flooded his mind. He then collapsed to the floor as digital tears materialized and fell from his screened face. “Fuck, fuck, fuck!” He chanted in horror as he clawed at his face to get them to stop coming. He only ever cried once since ending up in Hell and he swore that day he would never again but here he was, crying like a little bitch baby.

It was humiliating.

Chapter Text

Husk did come back with a few drinks in hand but after witnessing that display, he couldn’t make himself known at the moment and hid around the corner. Never, ever had he expected to see the TV demon literally cry. He almost felt bad when he remembered who this was and what he did to Angel for who knows how damn long. He needed to remember that.

“I need to get out of here.”

Husk’s ear twitched as he heard the other say along with the shuffling of footsteps. He panicked as he jerked his head back and forth, looking around for his escape when he realized he had powers for these types of situations.

Vox rounded the corner and nearly tripped over a hat laying in the middle of the hall. He kicked it for pissing him off and continued on. The hat bounced off the wall and tumbled across the floor.

Once Vox was out of sight, Husk exited the hat while drenched in alcohol. He shook some of it off. “Fucking hell, take a chill pill why don’t ya?” Shit, now he was starting to sound like Angel and some good alcohol was wasted.

***

Vox had a little trouble finding his way but he eventually ended up at the front. He could see the doors from where he stood, hidden and out of sight from everyone that was gathered around. He refused to be seen. Now, he would have made his way back to the room and waited it out until nightfall but on the off chance Alastor was lurking around, he would rather take his chances in the open.

“Isn’t Alastor supposed to be keeping an eye on you?”

Vox whipped his head around but he didn’t see who had spoken until he looked down.

“I guess it doesn’t matter, anyone could fuck you, even me.” Lucifer puffed out his chest like he won.

Vox gave him a deadpan stare, unimpressed. “Maybe grow a few feet taller and I might just let you.”

Lucifer didn’t know whether to be mad at the insult or confused by it.

Vox didn’t have time to humor the short king. He needed to leave now before everyone came back. His only problem was Angel Dust managing the front desk. He hesitated a moment longer before deciding to just go. He wasn’t some pussy, he was Vox. Plus, they would probably be glad he was leaving anyway.

“Say, what the fuck are you doing out of your room?” Angel questioned as he looked up from his phone. Normally he would have freaked out but knowing Vox couldn’t do shit had calmed his mind. However, he was surprised to see Lucifer come out next. He smiled before teasing them. “Hmm? Were you two fucking around the corner?” He knew that was impossible. “Brave with everyone around.”

“Hell no!” They both said in horror which caused Angel to laugh.

“Calm down will ya? I’m only kiddin’. So where are you headin’ anyway? Showing up like that out of the blue after everything you’ve done. Surely you're not returning to—” Angel Dust heard the door to the hotel when his eyes widened at who was standing there. “V-Valentino?!”

Vox angrily slammed his hands down on the counter, startling Angel Dust who backed up but not because he was scared of him but of the other, much taller demon who waltzed on through the hotel, his heels clacking against the floor. Not an ounce of care shown on his face.

“Shut the fuck up about him! I’m tired of his voice replying in my mind! That moth head is nothing but a lowly piece of shit! If anything, he should be coming to me! Begging on his hands and knees for me to come back!!” He tapped the desk with his finger when an icy cold voice sliced through the tension in the air.

“I really did not think I’d find you here. First Angel and now you, Voxxy. What do you think this Hotel is exactly?”

Vox slowly turned his head, a feeling of dread taking hold before he fully turned around. He helplessly stood there as Valentino approached them, more specifically, him. He would run but that would only anger the demon and he wasn’t some scared little bitch. He was—

“Are you not going to answer me?” Valentino took a long drag of his cigarette before leaning down and blowing the pink smoke in Vox’s face. It wisped around before dissipating.

— forgot what he was going to say and instead worked on finding a way out of this. “Y-you know Val, doing this here may not be the best place. Maybe we should… I don’t know, take this somewhere else? Maybe a bit more private.“ He tried to use his calm and confident voice but it only came out strained.

“You always did care more about your image than anything else. What was it you told me? To stop hitting Angel in public? For Vel to behave. For me and her to wait before showing ourselves during your little rally against Lucifer and the angels?” Valentino took another huff before he put the cigarette out on the desk and left a burn mark in the wood.

“Hey!” Both Angel and Lucifer simultaneously spoke when they heard another noise against the wooden desk. What they saw had made them still.

“That’s right, stay where you are.” Valentino advised, mostly to Vox. “Now why don’t we try again?” He roughly grabbed his TV antenna and yanked his head back to get him to look up. “Tell me, why did you come here?” He unfurled his wings to seem that much bigger.

“I—“ Vox heard Valentino lift the knife up and stab the desk once more, closer this time. He knew lying would only get him in more trouble but the truth was just as bad if not worse but if he didn’t say anything, the outcome would be the same.

“I… I came here to get away from you b-but I was going to return! I just needed a small break.” Vox tugged at his collar and most definitely wasn’t planning on returning. “No harm in taking a vacay, right?” He tried to reason with him.

Valentino chuckled darkly while flicking the middle of Vox’s screen. “Of course mi amor. Why didn’t you say that in the first place? But now it’s time to return, you’ve been gone for three days.”

Vox furrowed his eyebrows. “Th-three days?” Had he really been out that long?

“Oh? Were you unaware? No matter, we can make up for that by doing all kinds of fun activities.” Valentino announced as he tightly grabbed Vox’s waist and pulled him flush against his body.

Vox flinched away from the touch when he was slammed into the desk. He hissed from the corner digging into his back before feeling lips on his screen. His eyes widened as a tongue forced itself through and into his mouth. He instinctively bit down.

Valentino smiled at the metallic taste and only shoved his tongue in deeper, exploring every inch.

Vox pushed back as hard as he could when Valentino finally let him go but not because of anything he did. It was because of something Angel Dust did.

“Oh no, you’re not pulling any of your nasty shit here Val.” He splashed him with a drink which caused him to stop.

Valentino growled. “Fuck off Angel, you know better than anyone what kind of demon I am. Unless you want me to fuck you instead, I suggest you be quiet. You should be glad I have a new play thing.” He flipped Vox around, pulled up his arms in a tight grip before lifting the shirt up. He traced a finger over the letters on Vox’s chest. “Or do you want to end up like this?” He threatened.

Knowing Val was dead serious, Angel looked away while covering his mouth, he dared not say another word in fear.

“Get the fuck off me!!” Vox snapped when he stomped on Valentino’s foot but the only thing that did was piss off the moth demon more than he already was.

The next thing Vox knew was how hard the desk actually was against his head before it cracked and splintered from the force. He barely stayed conscious as he was pulled out of the debris by his antenna. Half his face fractured and blacked out from all the dead pixels. His other half a glitched mess as his vision cycled through red, blue, and green.

“You mortal scum! Get the fuck out of here!” Lucifer blew up by the action, mostly for causing a scene in the hotel and breaking stuff.

Valentino hummed a laugh. “Scaring me won’t work cabrón. I already know your—“

Lucifer flung him across the room with a single fist while Vox fell to the ground in a heap. Angel then came around to check on him.

Valentino crashed through the doors of the Hotel and skidded across the ground before coming to a stop. He rubbed his cheek as he got up. His glasses, broken, fell from his face while a look of confusion was written all over it.

Lucifer flew through the damaged doors as he smugly smiled at the expression. “You think Heaven wouldn’t do something after pulling a stunt like that months ago? They gave me a little wiggle room to do something about sinners who step out of line.” The deal was conditioned to the hotel only, for now at least but the other didn’t need to know that. “So I suggest you get the fuck out of here before I smite you!” He ordered.

Valentino clenched his jaw as hatred dripped from his very being. Unfortunately, he knew his place in the hierarchy and wasn’t about ready to start a fight he couldn’t win. Even with the knife. So with that, he took off into the air with an ominous forewarning. “I’ll be back to collect what’s mine.”

“Ugh, Sinners.” Lucifer said as he landed. That’s when Charlie came running out with Vaggi following close behind.

“Dad! I’m so proud of you! You saved Vox!” She comically cried as she hugged him.

“Yea, you did great.” Vaggi praised.

“What?! I didn’t save him! His-“ Lucifer wracked his brain before a lightbulb went off. “-ex was destroying the Hotel!” Although, he was a tad appalled by the moth demon’s actions but that included about 99% of the population in Hell. They were for a reason.

Charlie and Vaggi should’ve known that’s what it was. So it was still a long way before he could look at a sinner and call them their friend but they were working on it.

That’s when Vox stumbled his way over to the entrance, punched the broken door that was barely hanging by the hinges and screeched after hearing something so blasphemous. “Th-AAA-tt’s NOT my fucking ex!” He breathed raggedly.

“Whoa there block head.” Angel put up his hands as he got in front of him. “Calm down before ya blow a circuit!” The idiot was in no way shape or form to be moving around. Not to mention his voice malfunctioning, it sounded like there was a filter over it.

Vox saw red as he took a shaky step forward. “This- this is all your fault!” He pointed but it was all over the place.

“Like hell it is!” Husk yelled as he maneuvered between them. “You have only yourself to fucking blame.”

Vox reached out as he grabbed the cat’s suspenders in a fit of rage and in return, Husk whipped out his deck of playing cards and dice.

“Ahh! Wait wait wait!” Charlie rushed over to stop them but she paused in her step as a large shadow lifted from the ground near them and Alastor materialized from it.

“Oh my, oh my. This just won’t do.” The radio demon spoke as he twirled his microphone before smacking Vox’s hand away with it to let go of Husk. “You just don’t get it, do you?” He looked at Vox while jabbing him in the chest with the mic. “You're weak, pitiful, broken, a sore loser and a fool all wrapped up nicely in a bundle of blood, sweat, and tears.” He emphasized each word as he walked forward and Vox walked back until he tripped and fell to the floor inside the hotel.

Alastor chuckled as he leaned down to get closer. His antlers and body grew to a larger size while his smile turned more sinister. “And you still cannot accept that fact even when all odds are stacked against you. It’s hilarious!”

Vox swallowed thickly as he crawled backwards, his single working eye staring into those hellish ones. He didn’t get very far when shadows came up and wrapped around his hands and feet, keeping him still. He then tried to tug himself free before noticing everyone around him.

Their vacant stares piercing right through. They didn’t see him, they only saw a shell with nothing inside. He was empty, all talk and no bite. A little fish in a tank full of sharks and Alastor knew that the best.

“What’s the matter, sweetheart? Not liking the show? All eyes are on you. Isn’t this what you wanted? What you craved?”

Vox, no longer able to look at Alastor, steadily descended his stare until it reached the floor, finding it far more interesting.

“We have an audience to appease, they need an answer. Won’t you satisfy them?” Alastor demanded more so as he held the mic up to Vox’s mouth. “Go on, don’t keep them waiting.”

Vox didn’t say anything for what felt like several minutes and just as he was about to speak, Alastor lifted the mic up. It touched the ceiling before it was brought back down with tremendous speed. He closed his eye shut tight and was prepared to be smashed to bits but… it never came.

Vox gradually opened his eye back up when he felt the mic tap the top of his head with a small ‘clink’ sound . He then saw that Alastor was back in his regular form, the shadows gone and he could move again.

“Have you calmed down?”

Vox heard the words and he would have retorted something in retaliation to them but because he actually had calmed down, he could no longer keep up the façade. His vision blurred as he blinked to get it in working order. He even tried to smack the side of his head a few times but once the room started spinning, he flopped the rest of the way to the floor as his face powered down.

“Alastor! What did you do?!” Charlie ran over. She held her breath the whole time as the scene played out, then when she thought she could breathe, this happened!

“Oh dear, must I tell you to calm yourself too? He should have passed out ages ago. He was the only one keeping himself conscious. The poisonous fellow really cracked that head of his.” He tapped his own head with the mic.

Charlie’s frown deepened as she crouched down next to Vox. She lifted his head up slightly and physically saw the large crack in the glass but she knew Alastor meant mentally as well. It was no wonder he came to the hotel, it might have been his last and only resort.

Vaggi came to her girlfriend’s side and placed a hand on her shoulder, once she got her attention, she spoke softly. “Why don’t we take him back to the room?”

“After that stunt he just pulled?!” Husk was livid that they even considered it but Angel jumped in front of him, holding him back.

“Let it go whiskers, I’m okay. Just let Charlie do her thing. I don’t think he could have hurt me even if he tried.”

“But Angel, he—“

“Can’t do a thing!” Alastor interrupted while laughing. “You should have seen the look on your face! It was priceless! You were really going to kill him after that lengthy mothman scrambled his marbles!” He motioned his finger in a circular gesture near his temple.

Husk’s ears fell back, tucking close to his head. When Alastor put it like that, it made him feel like the bad guy.

“Hey Alastor, fuck off!” Angel wasn’t having it. “It’s not his fault. This is hard for us all to accept. He just pops up out of the blue and we're supposed to pretend it’s okay? He fucking tried to kill us all over you. This isn’t a game to us like you're treating it. We have every right to be cautious and—“

“Afraid.” Alastor didn’t need him to finish, he already knew. However, “If you're really that frightened-“ He turned his attention to Charlie for the next part. “-may I suggest something to ease the hotel guests so they have nothing to fear?”

Charlie glanced at Vaggi. They both could see the gears turning in Alastor’s head along with the smile that was always plastered across his face. They probably weren’t going to like whatever suggestion the radio demon made but the least they could do was hear him out. They both nodded to each other before turning back to him.

“What do you have in mind, Alastor?”

Chapter Text

It was a darkened room, nearly empty except for the large glass sphere in the center that gave off a glow, making the shadows in the darkened areas all the more prominent. Inside the orb, playing, the Hazbin Hotel or more specifically, what was going on inside. A short musical number was sung before it ended. Afterwards Charlie, stressed and trying to compensate by taking it out on others, was going around in haste to make sure everything was nice and tidy. There was something about a creature that followed her around before being handed off to the angler demon.

On the outside, a shadow moved before someone walked out from a corner of the room, circling the sphere, waiting to strike like a predator out for its prey. They watched intently, carefully when they heard,

‘It’s angelic gold. It’s imbued with magic that stops sinners in their tracks.’

The angel, Lute, moved closer, touching the glass with her metal arm. First learning about how gold works on sinners was a blessing. She knew since the day they cuffed that filth but why not use more of it? Why were they holding back? If they used the angelic gold then it would be easier to kill those wretched creatures. The more powerful ones as well. She wouldn’t have lost Adam either! So, “Why?!” Her fingers dug into the glass, scraping as she left claw marks.

It was then that she received her answer.

‘It’s extremely hard to make, not to mention how rare it is to obtain gold. We can only use them as a last resort.’

Lute glanced over her arm and then to Emily’s prosthetic wing. She hadn’t known. If that’s true then she understood why they used regular angelic metal but then… ‘What are Adam’s weapons made from?’ Yes, the weapon was made using angelic steel but the gold accents? Those were the important parts that she needed an answer to.

Lute spread her wings out wide and took off into the air. In a matter of minutes, she reached Adam’s room. Flying in from the top where she previously made a new entrance. Glass was strewn and tossed around as she landed on the floor before walking across it. A crunching noise echoed, bouncing off the walls as she went.

Lute picked up the discarded and broken guitar, examining it and the pieces that were scattered. She took her metal finger and scratched a few places. The gold lifted and revealed that it had been painted on. It wasn’t real so she tossed it back down. Her eyes moved around the room as she turned. Golden items, trinkets, and anything with a gold color really, she went ahead and checked.

All fake of course.

None of it was real, not like her arm, not like Emily’s wing. If that’s the case then what else was painted gold or a fake imitation of it?

Lute in that instance, left. She needed to expose what else was a lie, to figure out the mystery behind the gold. Why had the higher angels kept this to themselves? Were just one of many questions she had but she would figure it out. She would come up with a solution even if there were none.

Lute would succeed even if all odds, heaven or Hell were stacked against her.

***

Vox was about to go on another endless spiral of Valentino haunting his dreams before something grabbed his ankle, yanked him away from the scene, and pulled him under water. Whatever it was, had dragged him deeper and deeper until there was nothing but the darkness keeping him company. He tried to call out but water rushed into his mouth. He choked and clawed at his neck before freezing in place. He saw two large red irises, brightly illuminated in the form of radio dials along with massive sharp yellow teeth that lit up as the demon spoke, revealing oneself.

“I’d like to keep humoring you but dreams aren’t my cup of tea. Wake up or I will haunt them instead and I don’t think you want that.”

Alastor threatened when everything started melting away.

Vox sprung up from where he lay on the bed with a gasp. He coughed as he tried to get his breath back.

“Wonderful! You really were able to wake him!” Baxter was impressed as he unplugged the cables coming out of the back panel on Vox’s head. He fixed him up as best as he could with what he had. He did have to give him a new head but… Baxter gently touched the left side of the screen, poking it as he stood on the stool. “This is nearly brand new, there wasn’t a crack in it before I—“

Vox slapped Baxter’s hand away, he didn’t want to be reminded of the day he came to ruin. Let alone to be talking to a backstabber. “Shut up about it!” He hissed.

“Don’t you mean, thank you? Baxter here went out of his way to repair you and this is the thanks he gets? I hate to be the bearer of bad news-“ Alastor in fact, liked to be. “-but whose house are you in? We have rules and you're in Baxter’s room with his tools. Lest you forget.”

Vox internally and venomously cursed the demon for making him eat his own words from all those months ago.

“It’s fine, Alastor.” Baxter was used to the poor treatment he received when working for Voxtek but in the same instance, he was glad since that allowed him to do what he was passionate about. He had Vox to thank for that.

“Sir, it wasn’t exactly a pleasure working for you but I still appreciated the opportunity you gave me but I’m afraid things aren’t what they used to be. I’ve grown fond of this Hotel. So even if you were to rebuild again, I won’t be able to return to you.” Baxter spoke as he turned around and grabbed a fish bowl off his stand with something in it. “But you can have this as a parting gift and a way for me to say, thank you for everything.”

What was this exactly? It sounded more like a breakup than a resignation. Vox didn’t need one, he already received it the day he got betrayed, the biggest fuck you of the century.

Vox turned his head away, no longer able to look at Baxter when he felt something spherical be placed in his lap and hands. He felt the thing clink against his cyan claws. He ignored it at first, wanting to take the thing and bash it against the wall or Alastor worked just as well if not better.

“Are you really not going to see what he gave you? The poor thing is practically about to jump out if you don’t. It reminds me of you.” Alastor snickered.

Vox growled at the radio demon before his eyes shifted downwards to see. He had to do a double take as his never ending frown may have just turned a bit upwards. He gently picked up the fish bowl, not believing what he was seeing.

“Shok.wav!” Vox excitedly announced while sticking his finger in the water and the tiny shark made laps around the bowl. He laughed. “Why is he so small?” Better yet. “I thought he died.”

Baxter sadly smiled as he sat on a chair and watched his old boss happily play with the shark before answering. “I found him. He was hurt so I shrunk him down and did some repairs. I’ve kept him since but he didn’t seem very energetic, thought something was wrong but it seems like that part of him is fixed now.” He could fix most things but emotions were not one of them.

Vox sat there happily staring at the shark, cooing at it and everything when he finally realized that he wasn’t the only one in the room. He was a tad embarrassed but this was his baby and he’ll be damned if he didn’t dote on the shark but perhaps in the comfort of his own room or somewhere more private since he didn’t exactly have that. He placed the fishbowl back down on his lap but never let go.

Alastor was quite amused by the display and would have teased him but he held back his tongue. They finally got the tv demon to relax. The last thing they needed was another meltdown. For now, he would remove himself, knowing how hard it was to not piss the demon off. A form of entertainment as you say.

“I shall return.” Alastor was already almost gone before announcing his departure.

Baxter hadn’t even realized until the radio demon completely disappeared and he was left alone in the room with Vox. It was a bit awkward until he came up with something to talk about. “Sir, I—“

“…thank you.” Vox quietly said. “And you don’t need to call me that.” Not anymore.

Baxter widened his eyes and had to clean out his gilled ears because that was a mistake. He most definitely misheard! “Umm, sorry sir- I mean Vox, but I don’t think I heard you right?”

Vox’s eye twitched in annoyance but he managed to bury his pride for a moment longer. “I won’t repeat myself again so you better listen up.” He snapped as Baxter straightened and he spoke louder this time but not before pausing a moment. He then said it. “… thank you.” The words so foreign and unwelcome on his tongue. It felt so wrong but if it wasn’t for the big brained fish, he’d probably still be damaged. Plus, Shok.wav being the biggest and most welcoming surprise.

So that IS what Vox had said. It was absolutely remarkable while sprinkled with a little absurdity. There was a twinkle in his eye as he stared at his former boss.

Vox had enough of the sparkly expression and pulled the blanket up and over to cover himself to escape. He pointed his finger towards the stuff on Baxter’s desks. “Get back to work.” He barked before placing Shok.wav on the pillow next to his head.

Baxter huffed a small laugh and got the hint. “Right away, sir.” He returned to what he was previously working on earlier that morning.

Vox heard the familiar tapping of keys, scribbling of writing, and tinkering with parts which eventually lulled him to sleep. For once he could rest without the overbearing anxiety, nervousness or torment he withstood. He felt somewhat… peaceful which isn’t a word he liked using but it was the only way he could describe it.

Vox didn’t wake until the next day.

***

Baxter yawned as he stretched, his back popping in tandem as he moved. He fell asleep at his desk again and only just woke up. He glanced at Vox who was still sleeping before deciding to climb the ladder and see what was going on above. Once he got to the top, he came face to face with- “Oh… greetings, Niffty.” The girl didn’t miss a beat as she snatched and lifted him up before taking off. Dashing through the halls as she manically laughed.

Baxter flailed his arms around. “What’s going on?!” He questioned before finding himself in front of Charlie and Vaggi. “Uh, ah, good morning?” He wasn’t sure what was happening.

“Hey Baxter, sorry about the ride. We asked Niffty to bring you to us as soon as you left your room.” Charlie apologized before getting straight to the point. “Soooo… how is he doing?”

Baxter wasn’t sure how to answer the question at first before formulating his thoughts together. “Hmm… he is doing better. I replaced his head with a new one which mostly repaired his face.” He still thought about the visible crack on the screen and implications for why it was there but Vox seemed to react badly to him questioning it and so he dismissed it for now. However, “I think he needs more time to adapt. His mental state is faulty. He can and will relapse if we’re not careful with what we say.” One wrong word and the demon might snap. Although Vox had always been that way, it has gotten much much worse.

Charlie sighed as she paced around the room in thought. This was going to be difficult but she wasn’t going to give up. Vox was in trouble and she wanted to help him. Reach out her hand but it was ultimately up to him to take it. That’s when Alastor’s words flooded her mind.

‘Dear, why don’t we make a deal with him. He can stay at the hotel as long as he doesn’t harm anyone and in return, we’ll and by that I mean you, can protect him.’

Charlie knew there was more to Alastor’s words, more to the deal he wanted to make with Vox but would the demon even shake on it? There might be certain repercussions and clauses put in place in case it was ever broken. She just wished Vox could stay without needing a deal but Alastor was adamant that it might be the only way.

‘Do you really think he’ll stay when that venomous moth knows his location? I don’t think the tag line ‘trust us’ with nothing to show for it will work on him. Make it a deal he can’t refuse so everyone is forced to do their part.’

Charlie was undecided when Vaggi got her attention.

“Babe, I think we should try and make the deal. Alastor is right. We can’t trust Vox and he doesn’t trust us.” She took Charlie’s hands in hers. “I know after what you saw, you want to protect him and I love and respect you for that. It’s just that he needs a little push in the right direction, even if it comes in the form of a deal. If he accepts then he’ll be safe, here, with everyone.”

Charlie’s lip trembled as tears threatened to spill over but she stayed strong and blinked them away. “Your right Vaggi.” She said as the two of them shared a hug before letting go. The biggest problem plaguing her now? “But how are we actually going to get him to accept?” She pulled at her hair.

Vaggi chuckled. “I have a feeling we should leave that to Alastor.”

“I think that would be for the best.” Yes, Baxter was still there. He just didn’t want to insert himself until he had the chance. “When it comes to Alastor, he knows what to say to… persuade Vox.” That was putting it lightly he supposed. It was more like Alastor had Vox wrapped around his finger but he didn’t want to say that in front of them. “Anway, I shall take my leave.” He said as he turned and left. Niffty right on his tail.

Charlie was still worried but if Vaggi and Baxter thought the same thing then she would let Alastor handle it on his own. Though, she was nervous about the outcome or what he was really scheming from the deal but if that meant Vox would be safe then she shouldn’t interfere.

“You okay, Charlie?” Vaggi asked since she seemed a little out of it.

Charlie sighed while nodding. “Yes, just thinking is all. I just hope everything goes well.”

“Me too.” Vaggi thought the same.

***

Alastor came up from the floor as he used his shadows to pull over one of Baxter’s chairs. He sat down and tapped the pointy end of his staffed microphone on the floor before a paper magically appeared in front of him, hovering while bright green sigils floated and moved around. “Good evening, darling.” He started off but didn’t get another word in.

“Fuck you, NO!” Vox snapped as he snatched the paper out of the air and fed it Shok.wav who shredded it.

Alastor was not perturbed, he knew Vox was going to react this way. He chuckled. “Must you be so dramatic? You don’t even know what is written.”

“I know enough to not make the same mistake twice.” Vox wasn’t stupid. He was smart, extremely so. The only reason he fumbled so badly was because of blindsidedness. He had everything in his grasp and more. He basically won and yet, here he was, at the hotel, powerless, and being offered a deal. If only he hadn’t let the power, influence, and Alastor get to his head, he would have won. It was just like back on earth before he died. He couldn’t see the problems arising before it was too late. What a fucked up situation. If someone told him this was going to be the outcome, he would have laughed before zapping them on the spot.

Alastor wondered what was going on inside that picture box of his. He let it stretch on before interrupting whatever the other was thinking about. “Are you still in there or shall I wait a little longer?”

Vox angrily got up and grabbed Alastor by the front of his suit, his claws ripping into the fabric. “I’ve heard enough out of you!”

Alastor in return had stood up. An even angrier expression that far surpassed Vox’s own.

The tv demon faltered as a flash of Valentino’s face overlapped with Alastor’s. He let go like something burned him before taking a step back. He fell onto the bed which knocked over the fishbowl that housed Shok.wav. He rushed to catch it but missed as his claws grazed the glass. It almost crashed to the floor if it wasn’t for Alastor catching it.

“My dear, you should be more careful.” Alastor darkly chuckled. He hadn’t meant to scare him. Piss off? Yes. But scaring him? Not the look he wanted to see reflected on that screen. “You know how much I hate when you touch me.” He placed the fishbowl down next to him.

Vox breathed a sigh of relief as he picked up the bowl to check on Shok.wav before getting up to place the shark somewhere more secure like the desk. Once turning around, he stilled as Alastor caged him. Arms on either side of him, hands touching the wooden surface from behind, preventing him from moving. A little payback for grabbing and ripping his clothes.

Vox swallowed thickly as his face turned a lighter blue across the middle. Irritated, he called him a, “Hypocrite.”

Alastor hummed a chuckle. “Sweetheart, am I touching you?”

Vox shifted his eyes down and… technically no, Alastor wasn’t but there was something of his being touched. “My personal space.”

“And when did you learn boundaries? I seem to recall you having your hands all over me when you thought you won. Now you care?”

Vox did, he wanted to be nowhere near the ones he hated. At least not this close in proximity. One wrong move or touch, hell, just saying the wrong thing could lead to undesirable consequences that resulted in him being shoved into the bed before—

“Vox.” Alastor, saying his name for once, stepped back a little as he tapped the demon on the screen with his finger. He could tell who they were thinking about just by the expression alone.

Vox, frustrated, snapped out of it as he slapped the hand away. “Don’t touch me.” Although he said that, there wasn’t much bite to his words and he might have, just a smidge, appreciated it. Actually, now that he thought about it, there were many more instances where Alastor and the others at the hotel had helped him despite knowing what he did to all of them. It was such dangerous thinking on his part. He shouldn’t care, he was the fucking media overlord. Not some weak and pathetic demon needing to be saved!

Except, Vox was and after months of endless abuse and torture from Valentino, Hell, and whatever else was thrown at him, he cracked under the pressure. No more could he endure. It was the sole reason he came here. Unable to stay afloat and claw himself up to the top, he fell and found himself in the deepest darkest pits of the ocean.

In other words, he was fucked if he didn’t do something soon.

So, with Vox’s miserable and eternal existence, he sucked it up and eyed the radio demon. An agreement dancing in the edge of his mind. One that had him gripping the top of his head as he growled in bitterness.

Alastor, being the ever patient one, sat back down on the chair. He turned to face Vox who seemed lost in thought again before his smile widened if possible at the demon’s next words.

“Fine, you win. Fucking asshole.” Vox admitted, knowing his soul was about to be owned. At least it wouldn’t be in the hands of Valentino. That’s all he cared about. But before he officially accepted, he needed to know the details first. “What kind of deal is it?”

“My dearest, I believe you’ll find it quite entertaining.”