Author note - Welcome back readers! Thank you to the nice reviews from GeekyGirl183, Kronos117, and EpsilonW, they warmed my heart and made me laugh. A second thanks to the 49/57 favorites and followers, with special shout outs to new additions Omega97 and ChaosOmega98, welcome! Now on with the story!
Chapter 57: Under Pressure
While the Hazbin Hotel was full of merriment, another gathering was underway, one where the tension was so thick, it could be cut with a knife.
Valentino paced back and forth; his charming demeanor eclipsed by unyielding rage. His wings fluttered behind him, scorched in places and their iridescence dulled from stress. A still blinded Vox scowled in a leather chair with his claws steepled, quietly seething as he waited for the cords connected to the ports in the back of his head to slowly repair the damage to his eye and screen.
"I can't believe this shit, Vox!" Valentino snarled, his voice echoing off the walls. "That little puta's screwed me over! My deals, my power, my fucking reputation, gone! I'm a laughingstock!"
"Oh, quit whining, you big baby." Vox replied dismissively, irritation evident in his tone.
"And it gets worse; I lost Angel Dust in the process! Now the ungrateful shit won't even return my calls! Does he think he can get out of work by having the princesa protect him? That fucking bitch!" He boomed before he grabbed a nearby chair in one swift motion and hurled it across the room with a crash. Chest heaving in anger, he made steps to leave.
"No! I will not stand for this! I'm going to handle this myself!" He growled, his voice low and dangerous.
"Val!" Vox snapped, voice distorted and ominous enough to halt the moth demon. Valentino paled; he'd heard Vox sound this angry only a few times in their time as business partners, and things never ended well for either of them when he got this way. The moth demon turned to see an unmoving Vox glaring daggers at him with a single blazing red eye. Taking a centering breath, the TV demon spoke condescendingly, as if he were talking to a child.
"Val, you're not going to do anything, and I'll tell you why: no one in their right mind will hire Angel Dust for anything. Soon enough, he will come crawling back and you'll have your favorite toy back." Arcs of electricity surged around him in warning. "And if you're smart, you'll close the loopholes in your last contract with him, so you have absolute control this time around. Then he can't go anywhere but the studio. Now sit your ass down."
Valentino balked. Despite wanting nothing more than to go to the hotel and drag his best performer back after leaving the place a bloody mess, he was in no position to go against Vox, especially in his current state. With a disgruntled huff, he took his seat.
Soon after, Velvette burst into the room, a self-satisfied grin plastered on her face.
"I'm simply smashing, ace really! You blokes ought to worship the ground I walk on." She proclaimed pretentiously before plopping into a chair across from her business partners.
"And why would that be?" Vox asked bitterly.
"You'll be chuffed to know I just salvaged the evening you two so gloriously botched." She replied with a sadistic grin before sliding a Manila envelope toward Vox. Quirking an eyebrow, he removed a couple of test tubes with red cotton-tipped swabs inside.
"You know what that is, V?" Velvette asked with a sickly-sweet smile.
"Can't say that I do." He frowned.
"That is indisputable proof that'll help us find our dodgy friend the Dealbreaker Demon."
Vox's eye widened and Valentino leaned forward in his chair with interest.
"Are you sure?!"
"Are you doubting me? Really?" She scoffed. "Of course I'm sure!"
"How?!" Valentino pressed.
"It wasn't easy. Even though they left DNA evidence all over the club — not remotely what I meant!" She clarified with a roll of her eyes when Valentino grinned suggestively. "— the fire and alcohol destroyed most of it. But after combing through the footage, we found something viable we can use."
Vox's toothy grin crept up until it covered half his screen. If what Velvette said was true, this changed the whole game; while everyone else would be bumbling about, relying on rumors for leads or waiting until the Dealbreaker Demon resurfaced once again, they'd know for certain with the genuine article being none the wiser, if they played their cards right.
"Excellent." He said with barely contained glee. "I want only our most trusted informants working on this, but otherwise keep this strictly between us."
"Already on it, I have a few people in mind." Velvette replied with a wicked grin.
"As for you Val, break out your calligraphy kit. It's time to set the next phase of our plan in motion."
The moth demon grinned.
"Oh, of course Voxxy, it'll be my pleasure." His smooth tone held a touch of malice.
Satisfied, he leaned back in his chair as he held up the test tube, examining the blood within.
"You can't hide forever."
-x-
Taylor awoke to the not-so-delicate jostling of a familiar spider demon.
"Wake the fuck up, lazy bones!" He urged, shaking them from their sleep.
"Too early…" They mumbled, turning away to return to their slumber.
"It's lunchtime, Fuoco. Just 'cause I don't hafta go into work, doesn't mean you can sleep the day away. Now get up!"
Taylor felt the covers be ripped away from them, and they groaned at the theft of their warm cocoon.
"Whaddya mean —Oh. Oh." They grumbled before their eyes snapped awake as last night's events hit them.
Valentino's anguished screams as they broke nearly all his contracts.
Nerves alight as they were torn and stitched back together. Their mind burning before control was wrestled from them.
Fleeing through the tenebrous streets. Carmilla coal red eyes filled with killing intent.
Eyes glossy with happy tears as their goal of freeing Angel Dust was realized.
Their trial by fire with Lucifer followed by a tea party and the heartiest of embraces.
Celebrations among friends until they blacked out.
They turned over on their place on the couch and saw Angel Dust dressed more casually than was the norm in a pink off the shoulder sweater top and comfortable pants with fuzzy shoes similar in appearance to his boots.
"Damn Fuoco, ya really live up to the 'work hard, play hard' mentality, don't ya?" He jeered good-naturedly when he saw them wince as they sat up, their head throbbing painfully.
"Yeah, well, the occasion definitely merited it." They said with a smile. "What about you? How are you feeling?"
Angel Dust rubbed the back of his neck, giving a slight chuckle.
"Eh, not bad, all things considered. Gonna be off the clock for a few days until I figure things out. Which means you'll be seeing me around more. Ain't all bad, it'll add a little color to this drab place."
Taylor nodded before getting up and hooking an arm around one of his.
"Looking forward to it." They said before pulling him forward toward the dining room. "Now, if you'll be so kind as to fill me in on what kind of partying I go up to last night, the details are a wee bit fuzzy…"
- x -
After lunch, Angel Dust spent some time in his room, chilling and playing with Fat Nuggets before getting restless and wandering aimlessly through the halls, at a loss of what to do. His afterlife had revolved around working at the porn studio for so long, but now the world was his oyster, and he hadn't a clue how to proceed. He decided to grab an early drink with Husk, but his plans were derailed when Charlie caught his arm in the lobby and asked him to step into her office. While he expected Vaggie to be there, he was surprised to see Taylor sitting in one of the chairs, looking significantly less hungover, a relaxed expression on their face.
"What's up?" Angel Dust asked, taking the other spot in front of Charlie's desk. "Is somethin' the matter?"
"Oh, no! We just wanted to check in on you. Plus, Taylor wanted to run something by us."
Angel Dust put his hands behind his head and leaned back in his chair.
"S'alright, dollface. Guess it really hasn't hit me yet is all." He shrugged nonchalantly, hiding his true emotions.
Charlie nodded understandingly before settling into easy conversation, the two exchanging pleasantries before slowly moving into more serious topics.
"Angel… now that you're no longer under contract with Valentino, what do you think about really getting into the redemption program?" She asked gently, her voice filled with caution and concern.
Angel shuddered involuntarily at the mention of the Overlord, but Taylor reached out and put a hand comfortingly on his arm, and he settled some at the gesture.
"I still want you to be redeemed, Angel. You've been making so many strides and I know we can get you there. Together." She promised, her tone nothing short of unwavering.
Angel Dust hesitated, his gaze turning away from the trio watching him. He still had doubts redemption was even possible, and while he trusted Charlie, he was still on the fence.
"I don't know, Charlie…" he admitted, his voice filled with uncertainty. "It's not gonna be easy…"
Charlie's eyes shined with compassion.
"We'll all be there for you. Every step of the way." She said, her sincerity and determination palpable.
Angel Dust met her gaze, seeing the resolve in her expression and he sighed.
"Okay, I'll try."
The room collectively drew back when Charlie squealed happily before chuckling at her enthusiasm. Seeking to change the topic, he turned to Taylor.
"So, what's on yer mind?" He asked, his tone teasing. "Looking to capitalize on all my free time? Really, Fuoco, didn't ya get enough of me last night?"
Taylor rolled their eyes playfully.
"Believe me, it's gonna be awhile before I cut loose to that degree again. I don't think my poor liver has forgiven me yet." They quipped before everyone shared a light laugh. "No, what I have is a proposition for you." They turned in their seat and stared Angel square in the eyes. "I'd like to put you under my protection."
Vaggie's calm demeanor rapidly gave way to displeasure.
"You're not seriously suggesting he make a deal with you— "
"No, no, no!" Taylor interrupted, putting a hand up to stem a brewing argument. "Nothing like that. I don't want him to sign on with me at all." They emphasized before returning their attention to their friend. "Angel, I want you to consider working for me, without being soul-bound. However, to the world at large, our cover story will be that I offered you a deal and you accepted: your soul in exchange for my protection."
There was a beat of silence before Angel Dust clenched his fists and chuckled wryly.
"You've got to be kidding me." He said, frustration and indignation leaking out from him. "You think I can't handle any shit that comes my way? Oh please, I'm the son of Don Henroin; I didn't grow up in the Mafia and turn out a fucking wimp!" He spewed furiously.
"I don't doubt your abilities in the slightest. But you misunderstand." They said calmly, their eyes narrowing as they got to the crux of the matter. "What's going to happen when Valentino comes around?" They continued unabated despite the shadow passing over Angel's features. "Let's not be naive here: Valentino won't let you run free for long, he will do whatever he can to get you back under contract, whether it be through manipulation, coercion, or retaliation. So why not take you off the market, so to speak? It's a win-win. You can focus on your redemption, you'll be under the protection of two Overlords plus the Princess of Hell, and we give the biggest fuck you to Valentino."
Humiliation and shame gnawed at Angel Dust. He knew Taylor was probably right, Val was ruthless as much as he was cruel, but an unsettling thought struck him.
"What about you? You're willingly putting a target on your back!"
"Yeah, what's in it for you?" Vaggie asked suspiciously.
"Don't worry about that." They waved their concerns away. "I might not have Alastor's reputation, but I'm no pushover either, especially now that Valentino is weakened. Trust me, I can handle him." They gave Vaggie a mischievous glance. "As for what I'm getting out of it, I think supporting a friend in need constitutes a redeeming quality, don't you?"
That earned a small chuckle from Angel Dust before Taylor's expression turned deadly serious.
"Angel, I give you my word as an Overlord and your friend: your soul will be yours and yours alone. Only a select few will know the true extent of our arrangement, and my protection will extend until Valentino gives up or you get into Heaven, whichever comes first. I'm not a violent person by nature, but I'll kill anyone who tries to hurt you." They finished with an intensity that slightly unnerved Angel Dust.
"Whoa there tiger, let's not go that far yet!" He joked, trying to dispel the serious atmosphere.
"I know!" Taylor said brightly, their mood switching on a dime. "If you're still unsure, how about you come over to meet some others that live under my protection and hear what they have to say? Charlie, Vaggie, you're welcome to come along too!"
"Really? That sounds great! I'd love to see more of Hell!" Charlie said excitedly.
Vaggie's eye darted from her girlfriend, to them, then back again before she gave a sigh. "Fine."
Angel Dust shrugged. "Eh, why not? Don't have anything better to do." He agreed casually, masking how overwhelmed he was with how quickly things were moving.
- x -
The quartet walked through the main streets of Taylor's territory, the newcomers quietly observing that while neater than most parts of Hell, there still were areas under construction from previous skirmishes. As Taylor waited against the wall for Charlie and Vaggie to finish admiring something in the window of a storefront, Angel Dust sidled up beside them.
"So… If'n I join up, what would you have me do?" He asked curiously.
"What do you want to do?"
Before he could respond, someone knocked into him from behind.
"Hey, watch where ya walking, asshole!" He shouted angrily as the culprit ran ahead.
"Beggin' ya pardon, knobhead!" A short sandy skinned hare demoness with black pigtails and a long green dress called back cheekily in an accented voice.
Angel Dust felt his pocket and realized his wallet was gone. Giving chase, he dashed around the corner furiously after the pickpocket.
"Get back here, ya little shit!"
The cutpurse was nimble, with Angel Dust having to vault obstacles, sprint up and jump down stairs, and just barely miss catching her when she slid under debris to get out of reach. He followed the thief down a passageway between buildings when she skidded to a halt ahead of him. Out of breath, Angel Dust held onto the brick wall to recover before he saw Taylor, Vaggie, and Charlie standing around as if they had been waiting around for the two to arrive.
"You're getting predictable, Dolly." Taylor said with a degree of fondness in their tone.
"Didn't see ya there, boss. These tossers with ya?" Dolly answered, putting her hands on her hips.
"That they are. Charlie, Vaggie, Angel Dust, this is Dolly, one of my informants. She makes it her business to know the streets and goings on around here and the Circle. Dolly, these are a couple of my friends from the hotel. I can vouch for them."
"Informant? But she's just a kid!" Angel Dust exclaimed.
"Children make excellent spies, and she's one of the finest."
"You flatter me, boss. Go on." Dolly teased.
"While it's true she died young, she's actually older than both of us combined, Angel. Dolly, Angel Dust might be coming to work with us, so play nice."
"This muppet?" Dolly said, giving Angel a disapproving once over before shrugging and offering her hand. "No hard feelings, luv. In exchange for the boss's protection, I provide intelligence, something you clearly need."
"Why you—" Angel Dust started before Dolly held out his wallet as a peace offering. Swiping it, he refused Dolly's hand. "Whatever, just keep yer hands to yerself, short stuff." He said irritably.
Ignoring Angel's comment, Dolly moved toward Taylor and the fire demon leaned down to hear her whisper something in their ear.
"I see. Sorry guys." There was a twinge of worry in their voice. "Got to pop into the office and resolve something. Dolly here will escort you to one of my associates named Melanie, and I'll join you once I'm done."
"Why don't we just accompany you, Taylor? We don't mind waiting. I'd love to see you at work." Charlie said hopefully.
"Nah, it's nothing exciting." Taylor dismissed them before leading the group out into the street. "I'll be back before you know it. Cheers Dolly!" They added before splitting up from the group.
- x -
"Any requests?" Taylor asked with both hands engulfed in blue flames. Dolly had let them know that their contacts from the night before were caught on video trying to push back the mob of fans, and others were seeking them out for their connection to the Dealbreaker Demon. Their solution was to alter their appearances and move their locations to ensure the trail went cold, but it still gave them pause whether they should keep bringing in others into their work.
After the blue flames did their job and the contacts exchanged reassurances between them, they parted ways. Taylor retrieved their phone and saw a litany of missed calls from Clara and Odette, along with a message about an emergency Overlord meeting being held the following day. Sending a quick message blaming the blackout for their late reply and that all was well, they moved to reunite with their friends, taking the time to think.
'Maybe I ought to start pulling back all the informants. Things are only going to get more dangerous, and it's selfish to endanger others, even if they're willing participants. What do I do? As if Melanie and Antonio would step away if I asked. Why do I always end up in situations that are so complicated?' They brooded, the whole mess causing their head to ache.
Taylor stopped before the doors to Melanie's club, taking a moment to force the conflicted feelings down before walking through the doorway. Looking around, they couldn't help but chuckle at the scene before them.
Charlie and Vaggie were sitting in a booth with a group of dancers, servers, and bouncers listening politely to Charlie pitch the hotel and her plans for redemption. One of the dancers was trying to make small talk with a visibly uncomfortable Vaggie, if the tension in her shoulders as she sat straight in her seat and how she kept her eye fixed ahead was any indication.
Angel Dust, on the other hand, was with a gaggle of various workers and were getting on like a house on fire. Even from their spot at the door, Taylor could hear them reminiscing about the "bad old days," swapping salacious gossip about their encounters with the Pride Ring's rich and famous, and commiserating in their mutual detestation of a certain moth Overlord. Melanie was among the crowd, and when she saw Taylor, she extracted herself and walked over to them.
"Did ya hear his pathetic wailing?" Angel Dust raised his voice in a mocking imitation of Valentino. "'Stop it, stop it! My deals, my power!' What a joke! I'm glad he got put over the knee and spanked like the man-child he is!" He said gleefully, grinning ear-to-ear.
"I think he'll fit right in, don't you?" Melanie chuckled as she met up with Taylor.
"If he wants it, I don't see why not." They replied, content seeing their friends getting along with everyone.
Melanie gave them a long look up and down, a slight furrow of her brow betraying her otherwise placid expression.
"How are you holding up? Last night got pretty intense. Antonio was about to tear his hair out with how stressed he got when Vox nearly had you."
"I'm fine." They said neutrally without looking at her. "We can talk about that later." They said with blatant warning in their tone.
She blinked at them, mildly shocked at the brusqueness. "Right." She uttered, turning back to gaze to the crowd.
"Taylor!" They turned when Charlie approached eagerly. "I think I made some real breakthroughs! We might be getting some new guests, some seemed really interested in what we're trying to do!" Charlie practically gushed before she embraced them. "Thanks for bringing us along! This gives me real hope that we'll show Heaven people can change and deserve a second chance!"
"I'm glad!" They grunted out before Charlie released them from her hold. She quickly scampered off to rescue Vaggie just as Angel Dust sauntered over.
"Ya really know how to wine-and-dine 'em Fuoco! Melanie here gave me the down-low on how the place operates, and I gotta hand it to ya! Not many places that specialize in consensual pleasure end up this ritzy! Color me impressed!"
"You're being too kind." Melanie dismissed, but a blush spread across her face. "Imagine getting such a glowing review from someone as famous as the Angel Dust! I'm honored."
Taylor smiled, enjoying seeing Melanie's hard work paying off. They could hardly believe that the once timid dog demoness was now the owner of her very own club.
They were shaken from their pondering when Angel Dust held out a pink gloved hand.
"It's a deal." Angel said with a knowing wink.
Taylor chuckled, shooting him a wink back before holding out their pinky to him.
"No, it's a promise between friends."
Angel Dust rolled his eyes dramatically but locked his own pinky in theirs.
"Seriously? A pinky swear? What are ya, five?"
Melanie giggled at the jab, to which Taylor just shrugged.
"Welcome aboard, Angel Dust." The dog demoness said warmly before she grabbed him by the arm and dragged him away, to the spider demon's surprise. "Now let's find out where to put you. Oh, I'm so excited, I can't even think straight! Maybe if we…" she trailed off, talking a mile a minute as Angel looked back at Taylor waving the two off.
"Good luck!" Taylor said with an apologetic smile, knowing full well Melanie could be a slave driver when she got in the zone.
"You fucking tricked me! I'll get you for this, Fuoco! Mark my words!" Angel said, sounding irate at being duped.
- x -
After making it up to Angel Dust by taking over his dish duty nights and cleaning up after Fat Nuggets for a month, Taylor decided to call it a night. The elevator doors opened and as they fumbled for their room key, they heard the now familiar hiss of static in the hallway. They groaned wearily.
"Good night, Alastor." They said without slowing their stride.
A shadowy outline of the deer demon rose from the wall next to their door. Its red eyes narrowed before it chittered at them in what sounded like a laugh. They quirked an eyebrow.
"Glad you're in good spirits. Where's tall, dark, and creepy?" They asked flatly.
They watched as the shadow glided along the wall and back toward the elevators. After it pressed the button, it made a beckoning motion with its claws. Taylor shook their head and turned back to continue walking to their room.
"No thanks, tell him I'll see him tomorrow." They replied. Suddenly, the room was filled sounds of radio distortion and demonic illusions that surrounded them, startling them. "What the hell?" They uttered before the hallway vanished and once everything faded away, they found themselves in Alastor's room.
"Ah, there you are, chum! Glad you could make it!" They heard Alastor's voice call out cheerfully as he rose from an armchair by the fireplace.
"Hm. Not like I had a choice." They muttered. "What do you want?"
He waved his hand and a beverage cart appeared, laid with bottles and glasses, some amber liquid in a decanter, and a small bowl with citrus fruits.
"I thought it'd be prudent to have a private commemoration of your most recent exploits, away from mixed company, as it were."
"Maybe another night. I'm abstaining from alcohol for my health."
He sank into the shadows, reappearing behind them before he gently steered them toward the other armchair.
"Just a nip, then? Suit yourself." He replied, unruffled by their refusal.
Deciding that they weren't going to get out of this, they played along and settled in by the fire while Alastor set about making drinks. For a bit, the only sounds were the soft jazz playing in the background and the crackling of the fire before a shadow tendril held out a small glass toward them. Taking it gingerly, Alastor finished up his refreshment.
"A toast!" He said, clinking their glasses together as he sat down. "To wreaking havoc and sowing fear!" His shadow self raised its own imitation of a cup, a sickle-shaped smile on its face.
"To giving a scumbag what's been long coming to him." They added with a roll of their eyes as they tossed back their drink, barely tasting what was probably a fine vintage.
Alastor laughed lightly. "Yes, that fiendish lout's misery was quite delightful, well done." He shifted, crossing his legs. "That was quite the tussle you found yourself in. I do wish you'd included me in your schemes, so I could've offered you some assistance."
"As if I'd let a loose cannon like you come along."
"Don't be ridiculous." He scoffed. "I'm the epitome of self-control."
Taylor propped their elbow on the armrest, leaning their head in their hand.
"Let's say I indulge you in this line of thinking. No one would know it was you. If anything, I'd get all the credit."
"It'd be akin to my grand adventures up top. No one ever caught the Bayou Killer; I'll have you know!" He preened.
"Hm, right. You'd have to do things my way. That means no killing, maiming, or torturing without my expressed say so."
"I don't know why you insist on having me work with such impediments, you know those fiends will eventually get back up and crawl back to their hovels to nurse their wounds. You've seen it yourself; they won't extend the same courtesy back." Taylor shot him a withering glare, and he sighed, acquiescing. "Fine, fine, I'll play your game."
Taylor narrowed their eyes in confusion. The Alastor they knew would give more pushback, even throw some form of mockery their way. His rapid acceptance was suspicious.
"So let me get this straight. You're going to be on your best behavior and suppress your more violent tendencies, all in the name of…?" They trailed off.
"Entertainment, what else?" He said brightly. "Yesterday's commotion was some of the best fun I'd seen in ages! While you gave a stellar performance, the attempts to snuff you out will only get more fervent!" He cocked his head at them. "To squander the chance to stymie such efforts, to turn up my nose at night-guaranteed amusement, why, that, chum, would be utter madness!"
Taylor considered the offer carefully. They'd just barely made it this last time, and they needed as many allies as they could get. This might be a way to keep fewer of their contacts in the line of fire. But they'd need to keep Alastor on a very tight leash, so to speak, lest he went back to his Overlord toppling days Vaggie alluded to once.
They sighed. "I think about it."
A smug grin spread across his face. "But of course! Take all the time you need!" He opened the door with a flick of his wrist and practically pushed Taylor out of the room. "Now, off you go! Do get some rest, there is that emergency meeting tomorrow and I'm sure you're still rather tired from last night's affairs!" With a final shove, Taylor stumbled into the empty hallway as Alastor called out to them. "I do hope you'll see reason, though!"
And with that, the door swung shut with a bang behind them. Grimacing slightly, they strode toward the elevators, wondering how they could conceivably rein in Alastor.
