Chapter Text
Clipboard in hand, Charlie jovially strode into the parlor, humming a little tune to herself. The sofas and chairs were moved to be arranged in a semi-circle, with each hotel guest occupying a seat.
It had been a few days already and Charlie got to know more of the guests. They even got a new one just recently - self-proclaimed mad scientist Baxter, who had been colleagues with Pentious.
He was also a current VoxTec employee, and, though Vox hesitated at first in allowing one of his top scientists to check into the hotel, iffy that he wouldn’t be working as much, the Media Overlord finally relented so long as Baxter still delivered quality outputs.
“VoxTec supports work-from-home!” he had announced in front of one of his drones, flashing two thumbs up and a bright smile on his face.
Apparently the number of interested applicants for VoxTec increased after that.
Now though, Vox was at the hotel, already at the back of the parlor, watching over the upcoming session. He smiled and winked at Charlie when their eyes met, and she noticed he was holding his Fuck Alastor! mug.
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes playfully, especially since he did sponsor the snacks for that session again - a table spread with cookies, donuts and coffee in one corner of the room.
Charlie positioned herself at the head of the semi-circle, all eyes on her as she said, “I am really proud of all the progress everyone has made so far!”
“Zero guest stabbings!” Nifty yelled.
“Zero sexual harassment cases!” That was Angel.
“And only one really bad homophobic joke!” That was Maddie, the bunny demon that killed her ex.
Oof yeah…
Leonard the politician had apologized but he was not allowed booze for two weeks after that incident.
Charlie pointed to the crowd of guests enthusiastically. “Exactly! And I think we should all give ourselves a round of applause for that.”
She started clapping and she laughed when Vox flashed a hologram that said APPLAUSE towards the guests, similar to a cue card for a live studio audience. They did end up cheering a bit louder though so she appreciated the gesture.
When the hologram disappeared and the applause died down, Charlie spoke again. “And in the spirit of cheering each other on, today, we’ll be working in pairs and trading compliments!”
Charlie considered it a win when only very few people groaned.
She continued, “We have to give three compliments each. Nothing sexual!” she immediately said when she saw Angel raise one hand up.
He promptly put it back down with a smirk. Beside him, Husk rolled his eyes but Charlie noticed how the bartender’s lips were curled up in a small smile.
Charlie added a few more rules after that. “No backtalking, no fighting, and no hurtful sarcastic remarks. If it helps, you can start your sentence with I like. For example, I like the way you dress, or I like your singing voice.”
The guests just continued to stare at her.
She bounced in place and grinned wide. “Sooooo, who wants to go first?”
In fairness to her, she thought at least one of them would’ve wanted to volunteer. They’ve been bonding the past few days for hell’s sake!
When a few more seconds passed by and still no one raised their hand, Charlie heard a zap and suddenly Vox was standing next to her.
“Come on, Sunshine,” he said brightly. “Perhaps what these folks need is a demonstration first, huh?” He addressed the crowd and some of them did start nodding slowly.
Nifty giggled, swinging her legs dangling from her seat. “Yeah! You and Vox go first!” she suggested, to which more of the sinners agreed to.
Vox looked at her expectantly, hands clasped behind his back as he stood tall and proud, ever the one to love the spotlight.
Charlie sighed in mock exasperation. “Fiiine. But just so everyone knows, I was gonna give chocolate cake from Bee’s Bakery to the first volunteers, so it’s mine now!”
Several people gasped in horror. One cried “Whyyyy, why didn’t I just raise my hand!?” and another said, “You sick sonnuvabitch!”
Bee’s Bakery - owned by her Aunt Beelzebub, the Sin of Gluttony - only gave out limited chocolate cakes every week. They were to die for.
Sometimes literally!
There would be sinners killing each other in line just wanting to get ahead and buy some.
Welp! Sometimes she did have to play the card of being the daughter of the Sin of Pride.
Beside her, Vox clapped and whistled lowly. “Well played, Sunshine. I’m actually impressed!” he said, sounding amused and proud.
Charlie beamed and puffed up her chest, basking in the mini praise.
And then she glared playfully at the Media Overlord. “You’re just saying that because you want to half the cake with me, aren’t you?”
Vox gasped in mock shock, putting a hand to his chest. “Moi? Sunshine, I am heartbroken that you think I would do such a thing!”
A pause.
And then Charlie said, “We’ll eat it later while it’s fresh.”
“Who am I to disobey a royal command, Your Highness?”
Charlie snorted out a laugh, to which he grinned at.
She and Vox had fallen into a comfortable dynamic while working together, and his relationship with the others got better as well. Angel especially was much more relaxed than before whenever the two found themselves in the same space.
The spider demon still wasn’t his usual playful self around the overlord, but he wasn’t as agitated anymore. Meanwhile Vox didn’t mention Valentino or Angel’s work at all.
After calling Husk’s whiskey subpar, Vox surprised the bartender with a whiskey from his own personal collection. The tv demon had said only he and Husk were allowed to drink it, and the bartender sort of warmed up to him after that.
Vox gestured at Charlie, giving her a sly wink. “Ladies first.”
Charlie smiled up at him then rubbed her chin with her thumb, thinking of what to say about him.
She hummed exaggeratingly and Vox rolled his eyes, flexing his claws. “I know, right? Hard to think of just one of my many charming qualities,” he teased.
Charlie snapped her fingers in an ah-ha! moment and said, “I like it when you organize my notes for me!”
Vox blinked, that smug look completely erased from his face as he stared at her.
Charlie wasn't sure what to make of that face, she had never seen him so completely baffled. A part of her thought he looked kinda adorable so she rambled in the hopes to distract herself.
“Whenever we go through post-reports, you make sure they're not scattered around, and you arrange them in a way that makes it easy for me to find what I need.”
It was true. Especially when Charlie got a filing cabinet. Vox organized it and the Princess found herself not having to scramble through different drawers chaotically to find what she needed. The files were color-coded and everything!
Vox still looked quite shell-shocked, and Charlie wasn't sure if she imagined a lighter blue-ish hue covering the middle of his screen, but it was gone just as quick when Vox's face went all static-y before going back to normal.
He cleared his throat and arched an eyebrow up at her. “Oh? So it's a complimenting contest?” he said menacingly -
And wait what?
“Well, Sunshine, I like that you always make a cup of coffee for me along with yours.” It was a compliment but he said it in such a challenging way that Charlie just had to respond in the same way!
She tilted her chin up to look him properly in the eye. “I hope I make it just right!”
“You do!”
So it was a complimenting contest! Well if there was one thing Charlie would not lose at, it was being nice!
“And I like that you're honest about my jokes and you really genuinely laugh at the good ones.”
Vox crossed his arms and leaned his head closer to hers. “Some of them are pretty fucking hilarious!”
“Thanks, I try!”
Somewhere in the crowd, Charlie heard someone whisper “What the fuck is going on?” but before she could think more about it, it was Vox's turn to speak.
“I like how you take care of Keekee and Razzle, and how you dress them up in silly costumes!”
In the back of her head, Charlie was shocked he actually knew the names of her dear pets.
While out loud she said, “Thanks! Do you have a pet?”
Even through his glare, Charlie could see his eyes sparkle proudly. “I do, his name is Shok.wav and he is the best demon shark in all the Nine Circles.”
“Show me pictures, I would love to see him!” Charlie took a deep breath before saying her last compliment.
Time to go in for the kill.
“I like how I can see your dimples sometimes when you smile! You look really cute!”
There was a gasp in the crowd and someone that sounded a lot like Vaggie called out Charlie's name, but Vox drowned out whatever that was about when he said, “Oh yeah? Well I like the way you sometimes snort when you laugh too hard, like earlier! It's adorable! Especially when it's because of my jokes!”
Charlie pointed an accusatory finger at him. “You listen up, mister, I really like-”
“AHEEEEEM?”
At the sound of a sudden third voice, Charlie and Vox both turned.
And were both shocked to see Lucifer glaring at them.
The crowd completely cleared a path for him like they were the Red Sea and wait what the fuck how did both she and Vox not notice that the guests even moved the fucking chairs out of the way?
In a small voice and giving a tiny sheepish wave, Charlie said, “Uh, hi dad.”
Lucifer tapped his foot impatiently, his arms crossed and his nostrils flared.
“Char-char, who. the. fuck. is. this?” He said it deliberately slowly and Charlie wasn't sure if it was because he was trying to calm himself down or if he was just in utter disbelief at whatever the hell he walked into.
Probably both.
Charlie took a quick glance at her friends who were all gathered in one corner of the room. Nifty was holding up a handwritten sign that everyone else pointed to. The sign said, “We tried to warn you!!!” with then doodles of all of them crying.
Ohhhhh so that was what the commotion was about.
Charlie and Vox both straightened their postures.
The Princess cleared her throat and flashed a bright smile at her dad. “Dad, this is my new b-”
“BOYFRIEND!?” Her dad screamed. “Oh God!” He pulled at his hat. “What happened to Vanessa!? I liked her! She was a girl!”
“BUSINESS PARTNER!” Charlie yelled back, feeling warmth rush to her face.
That seemed to calm Lucifer down just a tad. At least his eyes didn't look like they were about to pop out anymore anyway.
“Huh? Wait what happened to what's his face? The bellhop with the weird voice? Is he here? Is he dead?!”
It was Vox's turn to clear his throat as both Morningstars turned to see him grin that showman grin of his.
“He left me in charge while he's otherwise…” He looked up at the ceiling as if trying to find the right word before finishing with, “Indisposed.”
Vox bowed exaggeratingly in front of Lucifer. “It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty. My name is Vox, CEO of VoxTec.”
Vox didn't make the mistake of offering his hand out to Lucifer like Al did, but the King of Hell still looked at him indignantly.
When Vox stood up to his full height again, Lucifer glared at the man like he wanted to shoot a laser beam right through his flatscreen face if he could. “Ok Mr. CEO, if you're not the boyfriend, why did Charlie say you look cute with dimples?”
Charlie screamed internally.
This was probably the most embarrassing father-daughter moment ever in the history of hell. Like… ever.
Charlie looked at Vaggie pleadingly, and, bless the fallen angel's heart…
Vaggie nodded and wasted no time. She turned to the guests and said, “Ok, all guests who have only been in the hotel for two weeks and less, get the fuck out. Show's over!”
There was lots of grumbling but Vaggie brought her spear out and Husk yelled, “I got some hard booze for anyone who gets down to the lobby right fucking now! Except you, Lenny!”
Aside from Leonard who yelled Fuck!, everyone else ran towards the door and out of the room. As soon as the last person was gone, Cherri slammed the door shut and the only people left inside the parlor were Charlie and the original Hazbin crew, Vox and her dad.
Charlie owed Vaggie and Husk big time.
The Princess took a reeeeeaally deep breath.
She psyched herself up before addressing her dad in one breath. “We had a complimenting contest and it got a teensy bit out of hand and no, Vox isn't my boyfriend, he's my business partner and he's actually doing a really good fucking job at it, and Vaggie and I aren't together anymore but we're still really great friends and I appreciate everyone who's helping out and did you see how many guests we have now? It's amazing!”
She finished with a smile and everyone stared at her like she was crazy.
Her dad blinked thrice, looked between her and Vox, and, taking a deep breath himself, he said, “Congratulations, Charlie, I am so proud of you!”
He was beaming at her and pulled her in for a hug, at which point she finally relaxed.
She looked to see that so did her friends, except for Vox who still looked a little confused.
When her dad finally let her go, he was still smiling. “You're doing good work, kiddo, and there is something else I have to discuss with you in private, when you're free.”
That sounded serious, and Charlie wondered what it was. The last time she and her dad spoke, he said he had to leave for a while and reconnect with some old contacts now that he made his grand reappearance in the battle with Adam.
Whatever it was, Charlie wanted to discuss it sooner rather than later.
“We can go now. We can take five on today's session,” she said.
Lucifer nodded. “Great! My room still good, right? We can talk there. Oh wait, before that-”
Lucifer looked around the room until his eyes landed on Vaggie. He yelled out, “Hey Vancheska! You really uh, what're the kids saying now? Fumbled a baddie with my Char-Char!”
There was a reeaaaaaaaaally long and awkward pause until Charlie simply said,
“DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!”, slowly rubbing her face with her hand.
As if the day couldn't get anymore embarrassing.
Angel and Cherri turned around and Charlie could totally tell they were not trying their fucking hardest to hold in their laughter by the way they were both shaking.
Vaggie numbly went, “Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhh I’m sorry?”
Then Lucifer put his hand on Charlie's shoulder.
The King of Hell yelled, “Later!” and the last thing Charlie saw before they poofed away was the still confused face of Vox, his jaw dropped in utter shock.
Later, Charlie would learn that Husk approached the tv demon and simply said, “Yep, that's how everyone's first time meeting our great and glorious leader was like. Now how ‘bout we have some of that whiskey you brought?”
Charlie and her dad sat in the workshop part of his room, where he had a whole shit ton of ducks of various sizes all scattered around his table.
Before her dad had left, she promised that no one would be allowed to enter his room, especially Alastor.
She was just glad the Radio Demon left when he did because Charlie was oh so fucking sure he would not have followed that rule.
“So dad,” Charlie started, fiddling with a duck that had a sailor cap on. “What did you need to talk to me about?”
Her dad took his hat off and hung his blazer on the nearby coat rack before plopping on the seat beside her with a heavy sigh, like he was just so fucking tired.
“Charlie, I won't lie to you. The other sins're pretty fucking pissed at what happened with Adam.”
Charlie's heart sunk.
“Oh,” she said quietly. “Is… did they specifically say why?”
Lucifer gestured vaguely with one hand. “Ehhh, you know how they are. They thought we shoulda killed him when we had the chance, and now they're afraid a bigger shitstorm is coming.”
Charlie knew that. That's what everyone had been telling her for fucking weeks!
She groaned tiredly. “I know dad but killing angels isn't the point! We-”
“I know sweetie, which is why they want to help.”
Charlie blinked.
She opened her mouth, then closed it, then opened it again.
“They wanna what?”
Lucifer smiled softly. His eyes so full of warmth and making Charlie hold back a sob.
“I had a reaaaaaally long meeting with them, and I just told them that my precious daughter did what know one in millennia was able to do! You stood up to Heaven, and no-” Lucifer held his hand up to her when she wanted to protest. She stayed quiet and allowed him to continue.
“I didn't mean fight back, but I mean you showed them that there can be good in damned souls. That Heaven was wrong. So, they believe in you.”
Charlie bit her lip, blinking back tears in her eyes. The Seven Sins were practically family to her, they watched over her, which is why she fondly called them her aunts and uncles. Sure some of them - Uncle Mammon - were assholes, but there was at least a mutual respect between all the Sins, and that respect extended to Lucifer's family.
So to hear that even they were supporting her dream now?
It felt nice.
Lucifer patted his daughter's shoulder. “Of course, they still want to see solid proof that redemption is real, but they're confident that once all of hell knows it's possible, Heaven will back off and you'll have more sinners lining up to check in at your hotel and they're ready to chip in. Like, Bee'll provide a steady food supply, Belphegor with comfy clean mattresses yadda yadda, you get the idea.”
Charlie got a bit dizzy from how much she just nodded along to what her dad was saying, absorbing all that information.
It actually didn't occur to her how much that help would be needed when they did get more guests in the future, especially since staying at the hotel was free.
Hehe, ok she really did need someone who knew more of the business side of things.
Maybe she could convince Vox to make her a Business 101 guide next.
Charle beamed at her dad and gave a little salute. “Don't worry, dad! We'll show ‘im a redeemed soul in no time!” she said confidently.
Lucifer chuckled jovially. “I know you will, kiddo! Oh! And there's one other thing…”
Charlie arched an eyebrow up, and her dad took that as his cue to continue.
“Your Aunt Bee wants to hold a sort of reunion party now that I'm back, and they want you to be there too. And don't worry, we already told her nothing too crazy.”
Charlie beamed. “Oh! That sounds fun!” She did miss seeing her aunts and uncles, and it would be nice to thank them in person for offering their support.
“Just oooone problem…”
Charlie's lips twitched into a frown. “What is it?”
Lucifer scratched the back of his head and laughed nervously. “The other royalties of hell are invited too and-”
“No…”
“I heard the Von Eldritch family already confirmed so-”
“No no no nooooooo,” was all Charlie could repeat and at some point she was apparently squeezing the little squeaky duck with a sailor hat like it was a stress ball, its eyes about to pop out.
Lucifer smiled sheepishly. “I know you and the Von Eldritch kids don't see eye to eye-”
“They're fucking pieces of shit.”
“Yep! Yep that’s true-” And if it were any other time, Charlie would've been amused at how her dad's tone made it seem like he was the little kid asking a parent for a big favor.
“But the Sins are making a lot of effort for us, sweetie, and hey! It’s not like you’ll be alone! I’ll be there with you!”
Her dad smiled goofily and gave her a thumbs up.
She appreciated the sentiment, she really did. But knowing the Von Eldtrich kids would be there would make it seem like she was bringing her parent to the prom!
She knew those spoiled brats would just shit on her even more for that.
Ughhh didn’t they have anything better to do with their lives?
Obviously she knew whatever shitty thing the Von Eldtrichs had to say shouldn’t have mattered. Gaining support for the hotel took priority as always,
But there it was again, that stupid fucking Pride.
It was just like that time with Vox-
Charlie’s eyes widened as an idea struck her like lightning.
“Can I bring a date?” she asked.
In fairness to her dad, his smile faltered for only just a second before he forced it back on, albeit a bit strained.
“You mean you wanna give it another shot with Valerie?” he asked in a high-pitched hopeful tone.
“It’s Vaggie and no, dad. You know I mean Vox.”
Immediately her dad groaned like a fed-up teenager. “But sweetieeeee, he’s a guy! They have cooties, ya know!”
Charlie gave him a deadpan look. “Dad…”
Lucifer pouted exaggeratingly and even tried to make his eyes water, but Charlie wouldn’t let up.
He pouted for a couple more seconds before finally relenting. “Fiiiine. You can bring the tv guy.”
She sighed in relief and curled her lips up in a small smile. “Thanks, dad. And it does make sense to bring him along. He’s my business partner and support for the hotel is part of the reason for this party after all.“
Her dad just grumbled incoherently, leaning one elbow on the workshop bench.
She patted him comfortingly on the back. “On another note, I really appreciate you talking to the Sins about the hotel. It means a lot.”
Her dad cracked a smile then and shrugged. “Well of course, Char-char. I truly am so proud of all the work you’ve done. I’m sure your mother would feel the same, wherever she is.”
Charlie held back another sob. “I hope so.”
Charlie found Vox by the bar, nursing a glass of whiskey and scrolling through holograms floating in front of him.
She plopped down on the non-spinning barstool beside him.
“Sooo, how's it going?” she asked cheerily.
Vox didn’t look away from his holograms as he said, “Well, for starters, I took over the session we didn’t get to finish earlier - you're welcome by the way - and I belieeeve a certain Princess of Hell still owes me cake.”
“Wait, you finished the session? How’d it go?”
Vox grinned proudly. “Oh, it went really fucking well! Genuine heartfelt flattery, some tears were shed, there was a whole song and dance number-”
“No one wanted to do any of it until TV Man over here bribed them with new phones,” Husk interrupted in a deadpan way from behind the bar.
Vox glared at the bartender. “See and here I thought we bonded over whiskey.”
Husk shrugged then smirked mischievously. “Well, bribery aside, he did ok.”
Husk raised his own glass and toasted with the tv demon.
Charlie tilted her head, wondering if she was just dreaming.
Husk actually voluntarily saying Vox did a good job?
Oh she would’ve loved to have seen how that session went. Or maybe the two really did bond over whiskey.
Eh, progress either way.
And it was nice to know she could count on Vox like that when she wasn’t able to conduct the sessions herself.
The holograms disappeared and Vox shifted his body to face her. “How ‘bout you? How’s everything with daddy dearest?” he asked before taking another sip from his glass.
Charlie beamed at him. “Actually that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. There’s a party tomorrow and how’d you like to be my date?”
Both Vox and Husk choked on their drinks, coughing loudly until they were both able to gulp their respective drinks down.
Charlie tilted her head. “Wow, I thought the usual thing to do was spit-takes?”
Husk slammed his glass down and glared at the Princess like she just offended him somehow. “Not this one, kid. This is premium good shit, you don’t waste it.”
Vox pointed at Husk in a gesture that was like He gets it! “Good man!”
Then the bartender stretched. “Anyway, if you need anything, I’ll be in the parlor. I’ve had my fill of weird feelings shit for the day. If Charlie asks for a drink, there’s apple juice on the top shelf.”
“Hey!” the girl in question said indignantly as Husk waved goodbye before walking up the stairs.
“Soooo,” Oh Charlie could just feel the smugness oozing from his voice.
She turned to see Vox’s shit-eating grin, his face leaning close toward her.
He continued, “You like my dimples so much that you plan on sweeping me off my feet now, Sunshine?”
Charlie sputtered, heat flushing her cheeks as she tried to compose herself. Her reaction just made Vox all the more proud of himself.
A part of her wanted to brush it off and get straight to business, but you know what, why not have a little fun?
She mimicked his self-satisfied grin as she twirled the end of her ponytail. “Not everyday you hear a guy say he likes the way you laugh at his jokes. Maybe I wanna see where this goes.” She winked for good measure.
She considered it a victory when Vox almost dropped his glass and oh! there was that lighter blue-ish hue on his screen again!
Unlike earlier, the hue stayed a bit longer on his face. Though it was gone by the time he took another sip and put the glass down.
He smiled at her, all embarrassment gone from his flatscreen face. “Touché, Sunshine. So, what’s up?”
“The Sins are throwing a party tomorrow in honor of my dad coming back, and they want to hear more about the hotel. This is huge, Vox! They want to support us!”
Vox nodded, looking both surprised and impressed. “Getting all Seven Deadly Sins to endorse the Hazbin Hotel? Now that’s a headline even I didn’t think was possible.”
He grinned wolfishly. “I’m in. It’s a great opportunity for the hotel, and obviously it’s a great avenue to promote VoxTec as well.”
Charlie squealed in delight but immediately toned it down and mumbled an apology when Vox said, “Ow, Sunshine, right beside you.”
She bounced in her seat. “Oh thank you thank you thank you thank you!”
Holograms flashed in front of Vox again, and after a bit of tapping and scrolling, one of his drones whizzed by and glided up the stairs carrying a purple box.
Charlie looked at the Media Overlord questioningly.
He winked at her. “A gift. It’s from Velvette’s latest formal collection. I’m the CEO of VoxTec, Sunshine. Gotta make sure my date looks the part.”
Definitely going to ignore the way her heart skipped a beat when he said ‘My date’.
Ponder later, Charlie!
Instead, she arched an eyebrow up at him and teased back. “Well, the Princess of Hell will be making her royal reappearance, so I hope you have something to match the occasion?”
Vox puffed up his chest. “Honey, I have suits more expensive than some fucking buildings in this town. I’ll manage.”
Charlie nodded approvingly. “Excellent! Now, I’m pretty sure I owe you for volunteering in the session earlier.”
Vox sighed exaggeratingly. “Fucking finally!”
Charlie hopped off her chair and made a quick trip to her room. She was obviously not going to leave the cake in the kitchen. She made that mistake with ice cream she was saving for a special occasion once and found Pentious and Angel stuffing their faces with it.
She was glad they got to bond but the fuckers really finished all of that by themselves!
When she got back to the bar, Vox was eagerly waiting with two glasses of water and a pair of forks on the bar table. She couldn’t blame his excitement, it really was good fucking cake.
It made sense that the Sin of Gluttony would come up with a recipe that would make one crave for more.
It was a mini cake, and perfect for two to share.
They sliced it in half and dug in.
The moment Vox took a forkful in his mouth, he made a “Mmmm!” sound and Charlie smiled when she saw those dimples of his again.
He did look really cute.
“Oh, by the way!” Vox said, his voice muffled as he was busy chewing. “Here, I got some pictures of Shok.wav.”
A hologram popped up in front of them and Charlie awwwww’d and was invested in all the photos Vox showed her of his shark.
They had long finished the cake but remained by the bar when they started taking turns showing pictures of their respective pets.
Charlie ended up resting her head on Vox’s shoulder, his arm wrapped around just above her waist so she could lean on him properly, since they couldn’t scooch the barstools closer as the seats were screwed down onto the floor.
She felt surprisingly comfy.
Again, she would ponder about it later.