"You thought this was a date?" you asked in a bit of shock. Humming his lips were twitching in amusement. "Well …" you bit your lip and then thought screw it, "I thought you out of everyone would have planned a much better date and more entertaining than posing for cameras and being looked at like shark bait by creepy club owners?" It was now your turn to laugh as his screen once again glitched and he narrowed his eyes.
"You just wait Y/n" as you walked outside you took a deep breath of fresh air.
"With pleasure, Sir" you smirk up at the TV Demon who matched you with one of his own. This night might have been a bust but it definitely was interesting.
It had been a few days since the club opening and you had dealt with seeing articles plastering yours and Vox's face over them asking 'who was this Sinner with Vox' quite well. Which meant you had avoided looking at any news, any articles and any social media for the first day as you were a little embarrassed by the headlines and different opinions demons were saying about you and Vox. You had a few messages off the Vee's each expressing different emotions about them. Velvette checked to see if you were okay, also complimented you how you made sure to tell the paps that you were wearing her design (and looked hella hawt doing it – her words) while looking good solo and with Vox. Valentino just praised how well you did and when were you going to come to one of his clubs in those outfits, and when you did could he choose it. And Vox. Well, he simply put 'I always knew we would look good together, don't think I've forgotten about our date'.
Currently you were, however, sat in the Hazbin Hotel at the bar waiting for Angel. He'd been avoiding your calls, texts and now you have had enough of it, you have given him all day to respond to your messages and calls so now he was going to face you whether he wanted to or not. So, eight minutes ago you sent a message: 'Bar. Downstairs. 10 Minutes. If you don't come, I'll drag you out of your room myself'. A cocktail sat in front of you untouched as you counted down the minutes. You knew he wasn't at work today as you'd checked with Valentino and Husk the bartender had been very informative that Angel had dragged himself to his room this morning and hadn't emerged yet. Husk was currently wiping over a few glasses sending you questioning glances every minute or so.
Nine Minutes. Tapping your nails on the counter you start to count the seconds from the clock hung on the wall.
"What are you going to do if he doesn't come down?" Husk's deep voice distracts you from counting. 45 seconds.
"Drag him out kicking and screaming", you smile serenely picking up your cocktail to have a sip. His eyebrows rose in surprise.
"Little thing like you?" Smirking into your drink you shrug, placing your drink down. 20 seconds. You really didn't want to have to yank Angel out of his room, but you would. Bracing your hands on the bar you go to push yourself up when a very hungover Angel slumped into the bar stool next to you.
"Good evening, stranger" you chirp, irritating the already grumpy sinner.
"What do you want y/n? I've had a long night, and I haven't the fuckin' energy to deal with your positive mood", chuckling at his moaning you slide the sipped cocktail in front of him. Eyeing you he quickly downs it, flinching at the excess alcohol you asked Husk to put in there. Choking he tries to clear his throat as you turn on your stool to face him head on.
"Why are you avoiding me?" You ask. Face now devoid of humour, you stare at his mismatched eyes catching the flinch he tried to hide.
"Who says I'm avoiding you?" He mumbles, motioning for Husk to bring him another drink.
"Me, idiot. We used to see each other nearly every day, if not at least once or twice a week and now you don't respond to my messages, you don't answer my calls, you are always busy when I pop to see you at work. What would you call that if not avoidance?" Waiting for him to finish his sip, you tap your nails in annoyance when he evaded looking you in the eyes.
"Look toots, these things happen. People grow apart. That's what happens in show business, you should get used to it."
"Please tell me that is not it?" eyes narrowing at him. "That I am finally getting a bit of recognition and you aren't happy about it?"
"I ain't that pathetic" he snarled at you, fists clenching around his drink.
"Well thank Lucifer for that, then what is it?"
He opened and closed his mouth a few times, contemplating what to say before he finally just snapped: "it's who you are hanging around with to get that 'recognition'".
Ahh. Okay.
"You don't like me spending time with the Vee's?" You confirm, tilting your head eyeing him as he struggles with his words.
"Obviously honey! They ain't good people!"
"We're in Hell babe, who is?" You waft your hand around to make your point. If you were good people, you'd not be in Hell.
Scrunching his face in concern, he reaches over and grabs your hand. "Look y/n, you don't know what you are getting into. You don't know who or what they are like!"
"Like you did when you signed your contract?" Low Blow, you know but you needed to get your point across. "I know you are trying to protect me Angel, and I appreciate it. But you pulling away and avoiding me is only going to have me going to them more. I am not stupid. I know what I'm doing. I know who they are and what they have done. I mean have you really forgotten who you are speaking too here?" You squeeze his hand, offering him a small smile.
"I know you are clever and can play their game as well as the best, but I'm just worried they're going to trap you somehow". Your eyes drop to where he pulls at his choker necklace with a small gold tag. Hmm.
"Then that'll be my own fault. But I swear, they aren't getting near my soul. I made one deal with Velvette and that is just to showcase her clothes and me singing at her catwalk okay – that's it. Nothing more, they know that." I keep my eyes on his so he could see how serious I was.
After a few tense moments he nodded in surrender and tiredly rubbed his face with his other hand. Asking Husk for two shots of vodka you push the other in front of Angel.
"Apology shot?" A small smile graced his face as he clinks your glasses together before you both finish them off.
Watching you for a moment he starts, "So…" you scrunch your nose up at the taste of the shot, you forgot how much you disliked vodka, shoving the glass back on the bar. "How are your suga' daddies and momma treatin' you?" Snorting in amusement you throw him a look.
"I'm still living in my shit house that I call an apartment and working every job that is worth taking if that's what you're asking", accepting another shot off Husk.
"Oh, they've not offered you to move in yet?" Choking on the shot you slap your chest to remove the alcohol from your windpipe.
"I wear Velvette's clothes, not shag the Vee's babe, why would they ask me to move in with them?" You questioned.
"Hmm, I dunno know toots. I saw the photos", his eyes lit up in amusement as he started pulling them up on his phone. "I mean big ol' Voxxie looked like he was just about ready to devour you – which woulda been so hot. Which reminds me, do ya need any pointers? I know it's been a longggg time for you" your cheeks were on fire from blushing as you shove a laughing Angel away from you. Dick.
"Ain't it like riding a bike?" You tease back trying to lessen the blush from your face.
"What type of bike are you ridin' doll?" if you weren't so glad you both were now okay, you'd have cursed him out by now. After a few more teasing comments about your lack of skill or sex life you glared. His teasing smile lessened a bit, sipping on his drink he decided to throw you a curveball, "ya know, Valentino messaged me the other night and not about work".
Eyebrow quirking you tilt your head: "What about?"
"He cursed me out for ditching you at that club opening", ah bugger. You remembered him typing furiously on his phone that night but you didn't even think he'd contact Angel.
"Oh Angel, I am so sorry babe I didn't think he'd say anything to you!" Waving off your apology he shrugged.
"I shouldn't have ditched ya so I deserved it … but you looked like you enjoyed yourself anyway", his teasing smile came back making another blush raise on your cheeks.
"I didn't know Vox was going to be there, he hadn't said anything to me. He told me Valentino messaged him to get dressed and meet me". You defended yourself a bit against the teasing Sinner.
"Val told Vox to meet you?" Angel's eyebrows scrunched up on his forehead.
"I was just as confused as you are now, I figured the club scene was more Val's than Vox's."
"Huh" eyeing you with a mixture of confusion and amusement. "Ya really got them wrapped around your little finger now ain't cha", rolling your eyes it was your turn to laugh at him.
"Hardly! If I did, don't you think I'd be living in a gorgeous apartment, have a nice car and not having to work another day in my undead life?" you reason with him. Having the Vee's wrapped around your little finger, that'll be the day.
"Mhmm … but you've got Velvette giving you free clothes"-
"-Which I promote for her, help design and plus I've gotta sing at her catwalk show" you interrupt.
"Okay fair but you've got Valentino bossin' around Vox for you, sending you cutesy shit – yes I've seen the messages and photos – and you've got Vox looking like a panting dog chasin' ya around on those photos on the articles. And probably more shit but the cameras just aint caught it!"
Mouth opening and closing as you try to come up with a counter argument, you eventually shut your mouth with a snap. He was right – not about Vox chasing you around the carpet he had actually helped you, but the rest was kinda correct.
"You might not have them completely wrapped around it but toots you are pretty darn close". He surmised with a smug smirk.
Gulping a little you bite your lip: "What do I do?"
Shrugging, he awkwardly smiles at you: "Ain't for me to say darlin', but whatever you do be safe … and have fun".
Licking your bottom lip, you play around with your empty shot glass on the counter so you didn't have to look at him. "If … hypothetically I did, how did you so beautifully put it – wrap them round my little finger and have fun – you wouldn't start avoiding me again would ya?" you questioned, running your finger around the rim of the glass.
Snorting in amusement, one of his arms wrapped around your neck as he placed an exaggerated kiss on your cheek.
"Doll face. You are stuck with me now! Hey if you're up living it large with those Vee's I want a Lamborghini for my birthday", he teased. Tenseness fading from your body you laugh and give him a squeeze around his hips. Angel was one of your true friends in Hell, you'd be lost without him. "Plus, I can give you the low down on how to get Val off".
"Ew Angel!" Shoving him off you he bursts out laughing. Clutching his stomach as you scoff at him, blush burning your ears. A buzz from your pocket distracts you from a cackling Angel, pulling it out your jeans pocket you see a message from Vox: 'Me and Val need to speak to you about an opportunity, I'll send a car for you'. Peeking up through your hair you see that smug grin on Angel's face.
Rolling your eyes you give him a snarky smirk in return: "sorry my suga' daddies are calling" you wink at him as you both laugh. Texting Vox the address, to which he responded: 'I know' you scoff. Course he would know. Finishing the last shot you give Angel a quick kiss on the cheek and thank Husk while putting down some money to pay for the numerous drinks.
"I will be seeing you later babes!" He promised to text you tomorrow and you left, happy that you two had buried the hatchet and feeling so much lighter than you have for a few days.
Stepping outside the hotel you spy a black car pull up. Hurrying down the steps you are surprised when a sinner gets out the driver's seat and opens the back door for you with a small bow in your direction. Okay. That's new. Thanking them you slide in and relax in the lush leather seating. Perhaps having them a little bit wrapped round your finger is a good thing?