Harlene did not consider herself to be a morning demon. The life she had cultivated for herself in Hell over the last ten years intentionally set her waking schedule in the afternoon and early evening. She much preferred the night life in the ring of Pride, and her club was one of the most popular spots for its denizens. Being a club owner meant that she didn't sometimes get to bed until the early morning hours. But even in her short bout on Earth she dreaded an early rise.
She was reminded of this fact twice a month as her phone rang sometime around Hell's version of dawn.
She willed herself to sit up and stretched, letting the phone buzz on her nightstand as she pulled herself together. She knew the voice on the other side would wait.
Glaring at the soft sunlight streaming through her window, she picked up the phone and complained, "Is it not still evening, darling? The sun is barely up."
The rich voice on the other end chuckled, "Good morning to you, too."
"G'morning. What's on the agenda for today?"
"Well, I have the morning broadcasts that I should attend to, a couple meetings before you head over…" the voice continued as Harlene slid out of bed and padded her way to the bathroom, setting the phone on speaker and placing it on the counter beside the sink. She smoothed black-tipped fingers over her mussed hair and rabbit-like ears, grateful that the powers that be graced her with a lop-style look after she died. She began taming her long black locks into simple waves, letting the sound of his velvet voice wash over her.
The screen of her phone lit up:
Bun!
Val's hungover so I got the night off
Cum to the hotel
Harlene smirked. Angel Dust had been begging her to visit Princess Morningstar's Hazbin Hotel for the last six months. Between the club's daily schedule and her…twice monthly meetings she hadn't had the time.
"Bunny?" the smooth voice on her phone grabbed her attention back, taking on an impatient tone.
"Yes, darling?" she yawned, partially on purpose but with a lingering exhaustion she couldn't fake. She did only sleep for about three hours.
She noted the softness the next time the demon on the other line spoke, "I'm sending a car and your favorite coffee order."
Harlene let herself giggle, turning on the charm in the sickly sweet way she knew he liked, "Awww, you do like me."
The voice chuckled in response, "And Bunny?"
"Mmhmm?"
"Wear the red one for me."
Harlene rolled her eyes, not without humor. She did enjoy this particular deal that she made, even if the demon was a bit of a demanding prick, "Of course, Vox."
…
"The red one" was an a-line knee length dress courtesy of Rosie's Emporium with black trim that buttoned up to the throat. It reminded Harlene of 40s housewives and pinup girls.
It was also Vox's favorite. He was very predictable. It never lasted very long, and she was always having to get the buttons sewn back on, though Rosie never complained about the repeat business. She just couldn't forget to bring a change of clothes.
She smirked at the sprawled-out demon over the scattered pillows in his bed, "I thought you wanted to parade me around the city like some fucked up trophy wife."
Vox flipped her off, unwilling to open his eyes again just yet, "It's good for press. Or fucking something. That's what Velvette says, at least. She wanted something for social media."
Harlene snorted, "She's gonna be pissed that you kept me here all afternoon."
He waved a hand dismissively, a vague promise to deal with it later, "She'll come up with something else to post, it's her job."
The rabbit demon propped herself up on her elbows and looked around at the scattered blankets and clothing across the otherwise tidy room. The walls of Vox's space were entirely glass, showcasing enormous aquarium enclosures where incredible bioluminescent sharks lazily circled. She watched one as it passed close to the bed. There was something equally gaudy and classy about the obvious showcase of wealth that Harlene constantly razzed Vox about. The television demon himself looked unusually serene. She figured the lack of bow tie and stuffy-yet-smart blue suit probably relaxed him. She hated to interrupt his calm…
"I'm seeing Angel Dust tonight."
"Oh?" Vox mumbled, still not opening his eyes, "Is he making an appearance at Lapine?"
Harlene scoffed at the word "appearance." Vox barely recognized how pretentious he started to sound, it reminded her of human celebrities from her time on earth. Angel didn't perform at her club, and Valentino would be absolutely livid if he dared come to visit. Vox knew this, but Harlene gave him a pass. She did just keep him entertained for over an hour, "No…I'm going to the hotel."
With this Vox's eyes flicked open, lifting his head to study her, "I'm not sure I like that."
Harlene raised her brows. This was expected but still too old-fashioned for her taste, "Excuse me?"
"That freaky radio bastard is there! Don't you dare go anywhere near him," Vox commanded, jabbing a finger at Harlene's chest. His left eye spun hypnotically, though probably out of habit rather than intention. He knew his hypnosis didn't work on her.
She knew Vox wouldn't react well to her being anywhere around Alastor. He absolutely loathed the man. And besides, the radio demon was dangerous, even Harlene knew this. He made brutal deals and even more fucked up displays of his power. She was unlucky enough to catch a few of his last broadcasts before was clear to her that his outburst came from a place of concern.
Even so, Vox's time in Hell around increasingly younger Sinners didn't prevent him from slipping into some classic 40s misogynistic bullshit that infuriated Harlene.
She moved slowly, climbing on top of the demon with a sweet, fanged smile. Vox's anger briefly shifted to confusion. She giggled, "Darling, are you worried about your Bunny?"
He smiled slowly up at Harlene, taking in all of her. She was smaller than him, curvy with big red eyes. Her black and white body stood out in contrast to his blue skin. She trailed a finger down his chest, "I think you're forgetting something, baby…"
"And what's that?" Vox smirked in that cocky way that she adored.
With one clawed hand splayed across his chest she yanked the other behind her head, summoning the chain of their deal around his neck and pulling tight.
"What the fuck?!" Vox protested, grasping at the chain.
She snarled, piercing her fiery red eyes through Vox's screen and silencing him, "I'm in charge here. Don't you ever tell me what to do."
His face flickered from an angry shock back to devilish smirk, recognizing her snarling as playful. He grabbed her hips firmly, claws pressing into her. A sharp electric shock ran up her spine from his hands and a small yell turned into a fit of giggles as the chain dissipated and he threw her down into the mattress. He grasped the base of her rabbit ears in one hand, pressing her back into the bed and growled back. Vox leaned down, using his free hand to grab just underneath her knee, hiking her thigh up to wrap around his waist.
The door flew open, banging against the wall.
Harlene groaned as Valentino made an entrance, swishing his cape-like wings dramatically and rubbing his temples.
"WHAT THE FUCK, VAL," Vox's screen stuttered angrily.
"Oh I'm so sorry," Valentino crooned through the hangover, voice dripping with sarcasm, "I didn't realize you had your little conejita here."
"Val, I've been here on same day every two weeks for the past seven years. There's no way you didn't know I was here," Harlene glared, not bothering to cover her exposed chest, "The three of you share a calendar."
The moth demon shrugged without offering further apologies or explanations and continued to rub his temples.
"Rough night?" Harlene offered, more loudly than necessary.
Valentino winced and sneered, turning his attention to Vox, "Velvette is going to be pissed that you kept her in here all afternoon," the other two demons rolled their eyes, "If she's going to be here we should at least make some money. Come do whatever you're about to do in the studio, Voxy."
Vox sat back in resignation, knowing this was the end of his fun for the day. He was used to the two demons bickering by now and preferred not to get in the middle of it.
"Can I stream it for my fans?" Harlene sat up and batted her eyelashes, "I'll even share some of the profits! How does two percent sound for you? The rest I'll split with Voxy."
He flipped her off, she returned in kind, and Vox groaned in resignation.