Don't own Hazbin Hotel, but I do love the story I've seen so far.
Chapter 1
Angel grumbled to himself as he stood on the street corner. He hoped a John would come by soon, it had been so much harder the past two weeks to keep Valentino happy.
It was bad enough he couldn't have drugs because of that stupid agreement Vaggie had him sign in order to get that whole "Demon Reformation" bullshit started. Though, that was something he can at least enjoy outside the hotel. It was the prostitution that was more difficult. With agreeing to be part of the hotel, the one major problem was Val expected him to be soliciting the denizens of Pentagram City for their sexual gratification. This meant he was knowingly violating the terms of the contract he signed when he took up residence in Charlie's building.
There had been moments since moving into the hotel where he had wanted to explain that prostitution was also part of his employment. But that would also mean explaining the constant rape, abuse, and torment he suffered almost daily and that was something he wasn't ready to do. He didn't really know the Princess or her chosen consort nor did he trust them enough to do so.
Charlie and Vaggie meant well…at least Charlie did. He could feel her sincerity in that she truly did want to help him. Vaggie had some obvious doubts about her girlfriend's belief in redemption, but she loved the blonde enough to at least support her in this project. Even if she was only going along with it because it was the only way Charlie would find this project to be a fool's errand.
Still, as hair-brained as this whole redemption experiment was, the blond princess believed in it enough to want to see if it was possible. But...what would happen if it wasn't? What would happen if things didn't work out? Everyone at the hotel could see there was no plan in place to enable redemption aside from 'Just do a few good deeds, act respectfully, and don't do or say anything that would be offensive and hurt others. Then you'll be in Heaven in no time.'
Glancing at the red, glowing cigarette in his hand; he winced as it reminded him of his boss's leering smile. He could do shows at clubs and the shoots at the porn studio, no problem. Char and Vaj didn't really watch that kinda stuff. Plus, Charlie had made an allowance for the studio because that was still his source of employment. Though, she had made some suggested hints that he request a vacation or some time off while they tried to get this redemption experiment underway.
The Porn Star, however, would always make some excuse about how things were busy, they had a lot of film shoots on schedule and it would cause a lot of issues to reschedule them or replace his role in the shoot. In truth, it would be easier to ask Valentino to break the neck of one of his employees than it was to ask for time off. The Moth didn't believe in sick days, which had been rather problematic when there had been flu outbreaks in the studio.
This was particularly problematic during the times when Angel could sense a storm coming in. Sensitivity to one's surroundings was one of the inherent abilities of being a Spider Demon. In most cases, it was good because it kept him alert and let him know if he was in danger or if there was something to be concerned about. This was also coupled with the skills gained from being from a Mafia family.
The sensitivity only sucked when he sensed a storm in the air. It was bad enough just feeling gross when he could feel the shift in the weather. Unfortunately, in many cases, he had to look forward to punishments from Valentino when the storm eddies had dissipated. The Pimp didn't care about how the weather was affecting his performer. All he cared about was how many souls it would cost him to reschedule everything because his Star Performer was being affected by the weather.
He didn't know what would happen if Charlie or Vaggie caught him out here, but it would more than likely cost him his living situation. His mind brought up Charlie's face, the look of disappointment she felt in how the interview went. And on top of that, he also had messed things up for her in helping Cherri during that turf war. So that look was just as directed as him as anything else. But why did it matter to him what she thought? He didn't know her, he didn't owe her anything. He didn't even know if he could trust her. Plus her skanky girlfriend was a cunt as far as he was concerned.
And yet…Charlie had been one of a rare few who had seen him as...well...a person. She was the only being in Hell aside from his girl buddy who treated him like he meant something. One of the only people who didn't see him or expected him to just be an hour's worth of entertainment. Or an 'Irritating means to an end' as Alastor would at times jibe at him.
A shudder passed through Angel's scrawny frame at the thought of the Radio Demon. The way he smiled only reminded him of Valentino. Just being near the Deer Demon was enough to cause a chill to run down his spine.
Husk and Niffty were okay most of the time. Angel didn't know what to make of the minuscule cyclops demon. Niffty could be neurotic much of the time in how she would hurriedly jabber with very little connection between one subject to the next, but mostly she kept to herself as she scurried around the hotel cleaning things. She had originally been confused about Angel actually being a man, due to his propensity to dress in feminine clothing she had honestly believed he was female. Mostly when she did talk to him at all it was to ask for his assistance such as giving her a boost to areas that she couldn't reach very easily without help. He would oblige as Niffty would politely ask this of him, and he figured it might earn him some redemption points in Charlie's eyes to help since his physical height did cause him to tower over the majority of the residents of the hotel. The only thing he wasn't sure of was when he would return her to the ground she would hug him around his legs with a hurried "Thank you so much." Or occasionally "Arigatou gozaimashita'' before racing off to clean something else.
Husk was easier to comprehend, and he could really deliver on any cocktail or alcoholic drink you could name. He was also fun to tease because of how flustered he would get whenever Angel would flirt with him even though there was never anything serious intended. After all, while Husker had not been in Hell for the same number of years Angel had…he had lived considerably more years. Like Niffty, the Cat Demon also kept to himself and was more content to drink his booze rather than talk though he did grudgingly look after Fat Nuggets when Angel was at the studio.
The only thing Angel or anyone else for that matter couldn't figure out is why he…out of all the demons in Hell, out of all people they had tried and failed to convince to at least try to participate in this project. Why was he the one who Charlie felt was capable of redemption? Alastor had once asked this of her, the Blond Princess couldn't really explain why she felt the porn star was a good choice. This response only caused the Radio Demon to dismiss it as just a reckless decision based on desperation. Charlie, however, continually insisted that she did have a reason for believing Angel was the person they wanted.
Angel did hate to admit it, but he found himself having to agree with Alastor about her choosing him out of desperation. If Charlie knew anything about him at all, and understood who he was associated with she would have done the smart thing and just drove on by. It would have saved her a lot of grief. Still, why did she bother him so much? Maybe it was because unlike everyone else...Charlie had unconditionally believed he could be redeemed.
"There is a lot more to you, than you think there is Angel," Charlie had said sincerely as she put a gentle hand on the clump of fur on his chest. The fur he had fluffed out to make it seem like he had a pair of tits. "We want to help you." Her eyes gazed joyfully into his as she grinned a hopeful smile up at him. A smile he remembered seeing on his twin sister's face decades ago.
"There is more to you, than you think there is Anthony," Molly had said as she pulled him into a loving embrace. "And you'll always be my lovable brother."
Not a day had gone by over the past seventy years that he hadn't thought of his younger sister. But she had been coming to his mind more frequently in the past couple of weeks since meeting Charlie. His second pair of arms hugged around himself. If only she could see him now...what he had become. She wouldn't recognize him...his father and older brother were probably laughing at him from wherever they were in the city. Probably saying that the life of a whore was fitting for a worthless boy like him. Angrily he wiped away a tear that came unbidden to his eyes.
"I like seeing you in tears, Angel Cakes," Valentino had said long ago. His red-toothed smile leering over him."It makes you look so breakable." His leering smile faded as Angel had felt his hair being pulled roughly. "Tears also make you look like the little bitch that you are. You don't cry when you are fucked! Clients don't pay for tears! You smile and enjoy it like a good little whore. Got it!"
"Damn, what have I gotten myself into," Angel sighed in self-disgust. Charlie had pitched an interview about the hotel just a couple of days ago and he also had participated in that turf war with Cherri. Both the interview and the turf war were broadcast on the '666 News.' It was a wonder he hadn't heard anything from Val about it yet, given that his buddy Vox...ran the TV station…Oh shit, the interview. A buzz was coming from his phone...there was only one person who had that number.
"Sono così fottuto!" (I am so fucked!) Angel muttered in Italian as he anxiously pulled out his Hellphone.
VAL: "Angel Baby…"
~Oh no!~ Angel Dust thought as he read those words. ~Oh no, nononono!"
VAL: We need to have a...chat.
The lanky spider winced as a familiar red limo pulled up and the door opened.
"Oh...h..hi Val," Angel Dust said nervously.
"Angel…" The Moth said, crooning his name.
~Not good,~ Angel thought to himself as he reluctantly crawled into the limo and sat down on the cushioned seating. The door and all chance of escape closed behind him as the limo drove away. ~Well at least I don't need to worry about Charlie and Vaggie catching me...Though I'm as good as double-dead anyway.~
"Angel sweetie," The Moth Demon said. His voice sounded gentle, but there was a palpable rage behind it. "What is this I hear about you being involved in a certain hotel? A certain hotel run by King Luci's daughter."
"It's nothing," Angel Dust said confidently. "Two dumb brawds just picked me up a couple of weeks ago, told me they were using some old hotel as a place to rehab demons and make them good enough to go to Heaven. And they thought I was a good pick to be their first client. The whole concept is total BS, I only agreed to participate because they were offering free digs. The requirement is that I couldn't be drinking, doing drugs, or offering my services out on the street. At least they didn't want to catch sight of me doing it. I've been pulling the wool over their eyes for the past two weeks...maken' 'em think I'm really cleaning up my act."
"I also noticed that you also were out playing with your friend," Valentino said, his smile continuing to glow red.
"Who...Cherri," Angel asked? He tried to play up the innocent act. Though he knew quite well his hand was caught in the proverbial cookie jar. "I was helping her take out that creepy snake demon...Sloppy…Slippery Penis I think was what he called himself…I didn't really care that much to remember who he was."
"Angel Cakes," Valentino asked? "Where were you supposed to be?"
"Well, it's not like there was much for me to do, Boss," Angel defended. "We just had the Extermination; things are going to be slow for at least a month. I'm lucky I got ya any money at all given how many demons were slaughtered."
"WHERE...were you supposed to be?" Valentino growled the question as his hand grabbed hold of Angel Dust's chin. Not hard enough to leave any bruises, but hard enough for the effeminate spider to determine he didn't want to test how thin Valentino's patience could go.
"Out…Out getting money for you." Angel obediently grumbled.
"Were you doing that?" The Moth asked in a threatening tone, lacing his words as though daring the younger demon to test him.
"No sir," Angel bitterly answered. The Overlord always had a way of making him feel like shit.
"So, this hotel," Valentino asked conversationally? "Do you believe they are capable of redeeming you?"
"No boss," Angel responded with a sigh, though his heart cracked as he said those words. Perhaps part of him had wondered...had hoped that there was something that was worth the chance. As confused as he was that Charlie had picked him to be her first attempt at this, a spark of hope appeared to form in his heart. Someone who actually believed he could be so much more than just a cheap lay. Still, the whole thing felt far-fetched...souls were sent to Hell for a reason. And it's not like he minded or cared about being a damned soul anyway, it was so much more fun to be bad and revel in chaos with his friend Cherri. It was the nature of things in Hell.
"Are you redeemable?" Valentino inquired.
"No sir," Angel responded, closing his eyes sadly. He grit his teeth as he felt tears threaten to fill his eyes.
"Good boy," Valentino chillingly said. "I'll overlook your involvement in this hotel project...for now, darling. I will expect you to follow the schedule I give you, but…" The Moth grabbed Angel by the throat and threateningly squeezed. "If I see any sign that your loyalties have changed, any sign that you have turned on me. I will make you wish you had just been an obedient little fuck and told those bitches they were wasting their time with you. You understand?"
"Whatever you say, Mr. Valentino sir," Angel obediently said as the limo pulled to a stop. He was shaky as he got out, he had certainly been raped or beaten for less than this. As the limo pulled away he was certain that Valentino would be making quite sure his involvement was as minimal as he claimed.
From the look of things as he took in his surroundings, it appeared he was about twenty blocks from the hotel. A good New York mile give or take. Heaving a deep sigh, he started the long walk home, lighting a cigarette and trying to let the tobacco settle his frayed nerves. He can't cave under the pressure now, he had to maintain control of his end of the situation. Valentino was only happy if he showed up for film shoots and performances, fucked who he was told, and brought him money as required.
Charlie and "Vagie" were happy with him so long as he "visibly" conformed to their rules. Sooner or later the two girls would notice he wasn't improving as expected. That harpy Vaggie certainly had it in for him since day one. The only reason they had even talked to him at all was that all of the other demons they had approached hadn't been interested in what the two girls were selling. And it was clear throughout the whole talk she already made up her mind about him, all she needed was an excuse to kick him out of the hotel. If it had been up to her the day they were propositioning him she probably would have stopped the car and tossed him out herself.
"Hey, Angie," A female voice said up ahead as the familiar figure of Cherri Bomb raced up to him.
"How's it going, baby girl," He asked, giving a customary smirk to his sister in chaos?
"Same old, same old." The Bomber Girl stated. "I was headed to the club, you wanna tag?"
"Thanks," Angel said. "But no, I have a lot on my mind right now."
"Is something going on," Cherri asked, her voice took on a concerned tone. "He didn't...he didn't hurt you did he?"
"No...no...of course not," Angel stated. "Val just learned I was involved in that hotel I told you about the other day, and he was just assessing if it affected anything. I told him it didn't so there's nothing to worry about."
"If you want me to wreck his shit, just say the word and I'm there," Cherri said.
"Hey whoa," Angel objected. "I have the whole thing handled, Sugar tits."
"You say that…" Cherri said skeptically. "But you don't, not really."
"I have it…handled!" Angel's voice took on a defensive tone, waving one hand in a slicing motion to indicate he didn't want to have this argument with her.
"Okay...okay…" Cherri said, concluding that her friend was going to be stubborn as always. "Just looking out for my favorite guy, your boss is a nasty piece of shit who needs to get what's coming to him.
"I've been in this gig longer than you've been in Hell, Sweetheart," Angel commented as if it didn't matter. "Trust me, I can handle myself."
"Best bitches forever," Cherri asked as she held out her hand and gave a friendly smile?
"Best bitches forever," Angel responded as he clasped hers before he continued down the street. "See you around, Sista."
Cherri watched him walk away until he disappeared into the demon crowds of Hell. Her single eye was full of concern.
"You need help, Angie," Cherri said sadly to herself. "I know you've been jerked around by others and you don't know who to trust. But you have to have some people in your corner, you need to quit being so proud...learn to let people in. Otherwise, he will just use you until he gets bored of you...or you lose yourself entirely."
Angrily glaring up at a billboard about twenty feet above her. The image of Valentino's face smiled that shark-toothed smile. One single gold tooth was the only difference in the uniformly red-grin. Glowing red eyes squinting out from behind those stupid and ugly red heart-shaped shades. His black fingers formed a peace sign. Angrily gritting her teeth, Cherri pulled a bomb out of the bodice of her top.
"SUCK IT... OLD MAN!" She screamed as she pitched the explosive up at the picture of Angel Dust's boss, where it blew the Moth Demon's face away.
The rest of the walk to the Happy Hotel was uneventful. By the time Angel could see the familiar structure he believed he had his emotional faculties back in order. He entered the building with his usual confident swagger and self-satisfied smirk; running his hands through his fluff of hair.
"Hello All," He said in greeting as he entered.
"Hi Angel," Charlie said cheerfully. "How are things with you?" The Spider could swear he would never become used to the Blond Princess's plucky demeanor. While her positive attitude did at times make him have moments of overall happiness. He did find it rather grating, after all, they were in Hell, quite literally.
"I'm fantastic as always," Angel flashed her a toothy smile before walking up to the front desk. "I ran into my friend Cherri Bomb while I was out."
"You better not have been in a brawl again," Vaggie glowered at him, her remaining golden yellow eye seemed to glow. "I will remind you that you did sign a contract saying you agreed to the set terms we offered. This whole project can't work if our only resident is out destroying the town with some...pyrotechnics junky."
"I will have you know I have been on my best behavior all day," Angel snidely responded before turning to Husk who glowered at him from behind the desk.
"Let me guess," The winged-cat demon grumbled. "You want your piggy."
"Yes," Angel said. "It's time for my "sweet boy" to have his cuddle time." Husk just rolled his eyes and gave a disgusted grunt before bending under the bar for a few seconds. When he stood up he passed the small pig into Angel's waiting arms.
"Here you go," Husk grumbled, "For Hell's sake, get someone else to be your fucken petsitter."
"Hello Nuggz," The lanky spider cooed as he ignored the emon cat's complaints. "Have you been a good boy for Husky?"
"If you call the mess made back here good," Husk growled. "Niffty, could you get your butt over here and clean this up. It's bad enough that I smell like pig shit, I don't need to be standing in it too!"
"Aww," Charlie cooed as she lightly scratched the cute Hell-born pig behind the ears before she turned her attention to Angel. "I hope I can meet Cherri sometime soon."
"Yah planning on given her the pitch," Angel asked somewhat flippantly? "Maybe get two people in this place?"
"No…" Charlie admitted. "If she wants to join our experiment that's up to her. I want to meet her because she's your friend; she's someone who matters to you."
"I'll...consider it," He said after a couple of moments giving a smirk before he climbed the stairs to the second floor and walked away down the hall.
The smirk faded as he traveled towards his room. Introducing Cherri to Charlie and Vaggie wouldn't be too bad. It would give him someone he knew for certain he could trust among his somewhat increasing group of friends. He still wasn't certain he could trust Charlie and Vaggie enough to really consider them as friends yet. They wanted to be his friends, at least Charlie did. She went out of her way to be friendly to him, to make him feel welcome and comfortable. Vaggie was more grudgingly tolerant, she only accepted him being around because they needed him to be their test subject. And Charlie wanted him there so there was that. Their first attempt at redemption...their first failure. Cherri's involvement could add some more excitement to this place. But bringing her into the mix also meant he was bringing other things into it as well. The stuff that wasn't ready to reveal just yet; the stuff that proved he was beyond help.
Cherri was aware that Valentino was abusive and heavy-handed with him. She had seen him when he was more than a little roughed up following a shoot and had held him in his darker moments. Still, there were things he kept secret from her such as the rapes...and that room. The one hidden room that Val kept aside for him specifically.
Vaggie had already gotten into an argument with him about his "Bad Influence Friend', like she wasn't one to talk, in Hell, everyone had to be a bad influence in some way or another, it was how people survived around here. Still, while Cherri could hold her own in a turf war. Her skills in overall mayhem, chaos, and anarchy weren't enough against an Overlord, especially a dangerous one like Valentino. He would have taken out Val years ago if it had been that simple.
Blowing up billboards, signs, and other stuff either bearing Valentino's image or association with him was an annoyance. One that occasionally caused Angel to find all six of his arms bound behind his back while he was repeatedly dunked face-first into ice water as Valentino interrogated him about whether he had told Cherri to do this. A method of interrogation he had seen his own father using in the past.
Angel would steadfastly maintain Cherri was acting on her own, but would never let it slip that she was only annoying Valentino in this manner because of him. Cherri was the only person-well the only person aside from his coworkers Summer and Dia- that knew Valentino was controlling and abusive. And she hated that he treated Angel like he was his personal plaything that he could use as he wished. She would repeatedly tell him to let her help him, let her get him out of there. He would always tell her, no. Because he knew firsthand how dangerous Valentino was on his own, and he was even worse when Vox and/or Velvet were involved.
Entering his room, he paused by his vanity mirror looking at the gold tooth set in his mouth. A permanent mark to indicate he was Valentino's *Personal* property.
"You should feel honored, Angel sugar," Valentino had said to him on the day he had gotten that golden tooth set in. "I don't just choose any slut to be in my personal collection. I choose the ones that are able to keep me interested, the ones that give me a real sense of pleasure; entertainment. And plus, you get the perks of being my pet, you please me and be a good boy, then I'll give you treats." Valentino's smile faded into a frown. "But if you are a naughty boy and bite the hand that feeds you...then you will suffer the consequences."
He could feel his Hellphone buzz. Unsurprisingly the Moth was checking to see if he was keeping to his word that nothing was affected.
VAL: Schedule tomorrow, photoshoot at 10 AM, filming shift at 12, filming shift at 2, be on stand-by for club performance at 7 to 10.
Angel: Whatever you say, Mr. Valentino, sir.
VAL: Love you sugar, XO. Expecting you at the studio at 9:30 *Sharp.
Angel shuddered at the parting words as a chill ran down his spine. Putting his phone on the charger he unbuttoned his jacket and tie, slipping out of his mini skirt, boots, stockings, and underwear he put the used items in a small pile to be dealt with later. He examined his gaunt effeminate frame. The dim lighting of the room made it difficult to see through the fine layer of soft fur that covered his body, but there was faded scarring around his shoulders, arms, chest, belly, hips, legs, and back. Some of the smaller scars were from where lit cigarettes and cigars had been pressed against his flesh as they burnt through his fur until they seared his skin. Other scars were from the various beatings he had over the years. Some from leather belts, or horse crops when he had displeased Valentino. Other scars from suede ribbon whips, some from BDSM shoots. Others from when his Johns were in a kinky mood or he was handed over to Velvet for *playtime*. Picking up some fem tight boxer-brief shorts and a loose-fitting t-shirt he walked into the ensuite bath. The bathrooms in the hotel were shower only, which was more than could be said than some of the places he had lived in since he first arrived in Hell following his drug overdose in 1947. As much as he would have preferred a nice soak in a bubble bath, he would take what comforts he could get.
Fiddling with the taps he found a temperature that was hot enough to fog up the mirror over the sink, but not so hot it was scalding. Stepping past the curtain he allowed the spray to wash over him and ease the tension in his muscles. Pressing his backside against the wall he slid down to his knees and let his head lull between his shoulder blades. He hugged both sets of arms around his body and finally allowed himself to give in to the feelings of fear, grief, and helplessness he never liked to openly show around others. Silent tears fell down his cheeks to be washed by the warm spray.
"Mama," He softly whispered. "Madre del cielo, veglia su di me." (Mother in heaven, watch over me.)
Standing up once again he shut off the water. Stepping out from the small shower inset into the wall, he toweled himself off. Leaving the used towels on the floor he got dressed into his nightclothes. Settling into bed he closed his eyes and tried to get some sleep.
