Hellbound (Hazbin Hotel x Reader)

Chapter 27: Mood Swings

I opened the door to find Val standing there, his expression a mixture of frustration and annoyance. "What are you doing here?" I asked, taken aback by his sudden appearance. His eyes narrowed as he stepped closer, towering over me. I always seem to forget how fucking tall this guy is. "Stop being ridiculous", he snapped. "You need to come back to work. This is fucking unacceptable"
Confusion clouded my thoughts as I tried to make sense of his sudden change of opinion. Not long ago, Vox had assured me that I could take some time off to detox from Val's influence. Had something changed? Before I could respond, Vox emerged from his office, drawn by the commotion. His gaze shifted between Val and me, his expression unreadable. "What's going on?" he asked, his voice calm yet authoritative.

Val turned towards Vox, his frustration evident in his tone. "I told her she needs to come back to work. I can't afford to have her slacking off like this". Vox's brow furrowed as he regarded Val with a measured gaze. "I thought we agreed that she needed some time off", he said evenly, his voice tinged with a hint of annoyance. Val's jaw tensed as he clenched his fists, his agitation palpable. "Well, I've changed my mind" he muttered, his gaze flickering towards me. "She needs to come back now". I exchanged a confused glance with Vox, silently pleading for guidance in this unexpected confrontation. With a sigh, Vox stepped forward, his voice firm yet reassuring. "Let's discuss this properly inside" he suggested, gesturing for us to follow him back into the living room. As we entered, I couldn't shake the feeling of tension that hung heavy in the air, uncertain of what would happen next.

As the argument between Val and Vox continued to escalate, I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me, uncertain of how to navigate the tense situation unfolding before me. With each word exchanged between the two demons, the air grew heavier, thick with unresolved tension and unspoken grievances.
"I don't need you telling me what's best for her", Val snapped as he squared off against Vox. Vox remained remarkably composed, his gaze steady as he responded with measured restraint. "This is not up for debate. She needs time away from the toxicity of your influence." The air crackled with tension as the two demons locked eyes, a silent battle of wills playing out between them. I glanced between them, feeling like a mere pawn caught in the crossfire of their power struggle. "You're just fucked off, as you've realised she will snap out of your spell and you'll be back to square one of trying to get her soul", Vox snaps, rolling his eyes.

Suddenly, Vox's expression softened, a flicker of sympathy in his eyes as he turned his attention to me. "Come on" he said gently, reaching out a hand to me. "Let's not waste any more time on this. You need rest and time away from all this chaos". I hesitated for a moment, torn between the anger I can see seething from Val and the genuine concern in Vox's eyes. Ultimately, I made my decision, placing my trust in Vox and taking his outstretched hand, ready to escape the turbulent storm that had engulfed us. "See yourself out, Val," Vox's voice was firm, his tone brooking no argument or further discussion as he gestured towards the door. Val shot me a glare before storming off, his footsteps echoing down the hallway as he slammed the door behind him with a resounding thud. Shit, I'm definitely going to pay for this when I get back to work...

I turned to Vox, confusion etched on my face. "Why was he like that?" I asked, unable to comprehend Val's sudden change in demeanor. "He had agreed to let me stay". He sighed, running a hand over his screen as he shook his head. "Val has always been like this", he explained wearily. "He's prone to intense mood swings, one moment he's agreeable, the next he's completely unpredictable. It's just how he is. Working for him, you're gonna have to get used to it" I nodded, absorbing his words with a sense of resignation. Val's erratic behaviour left a bitter taste in my mouth, a reminder of his volatile nature, that I seem to have forgotten about.

"Well, at least he's gone now" Vox said, attempting to lighten the mood with a small smile. "Let's focus on getting you some proper rest, shall we?". "Come with me," he suggested, his tone gentle as he motioned for me to follow him. "I'll take you into my office with me. There's a sofa in there where you can rest while I work" Relieved to have a solution to my current predicament, I nodded gratefully and followed Vox as he led the way to his office. The familiar surroundings offered a sense of comfort, and I couldn't help but feel a wave of gratitude towards Vox for his unwavering support. As we entered the office, Vox gestured towards the sofa, a small smile playing on his lips. He turned and went over to the other side of the room, retrieving a soft blanket from a nearby cupboard. He handed it to me with a gentle smile, his eyes reflecting genuine concern. "Here, this should keep you warm" he said softly, tucking the blanket around me with a tenderness that touched my heart. "You rest now. I'll be right over here if you need anything."

Gratefully accepting the blanket, I wrapped it around myself, feeling the warmth seep into my bones and soothe my tired muscles. With a nod of thanks to Vox, I settled onto the sofa, allowing the exhaustion of the day to finally catch up with me. I watched as Vox immersed in himself in his work, a sense of admiration washed over me, mingling with the affection that had been steadily growing in my heart. His dedication and focus were palpable, each keystroke and movement of his hands a testament to his capability and determination. It was moments like these that made me realize just how lucky I was to have him in my life.

I found myself captivated by the way his features shifted with concentration, the subtle movements of his lips as he muttered to himself, lost in the intricacies of his work. There was a certain grace to his movements, a fluidity that spoke of years of experience and expertise. With a contented sigh, I allowed myself to surrender to the gentle pull of sleep, knowing that tomorrow would bring new adventures and opportunities for us to face together. For now, I found solace in the simple act of being by his side, my heart filled with love and appreciation for the man who had stolen it so completely.