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The recent fic recs have me thinking about Vox and Velvette's dynamic in canon vs fanon, and wondering why the fandom made the choices it made. And why it decided that their relationship is defined, specifically, by ageism and sexism. Against all canon evidence to the contrary.

Like, sure, S1 only had one episode where they interacted (plus a phone call and Velvette as a silent presence in the finale), so fans had to fill in most of their dynamic. But a lot of common fanon, especially for Velvette, is actively contradicted by S1. For example, her being annoyed by Vox and Valentino's relationship, when she literally spends the Vees' part of Finale recording the two dancing, then taking a selfie with them kissing behind her. She has never been shown to have an issue with them (or with displays of affection, which is another common Velvette portrayal that runs counter to S1).

The only piece of Velvette's fanon dynamic with Vox that makes sense when based exclusively on S1 is her being ageist towards him, because she is canonically (and aggressively) ageist. Except even this falls apart when you consider that she finds no fewer than nine ways to call Zestial and Carmilla old in the span of three minutes, but never once uses such language against Vox. Not in S1, not in S2. Not even when she's mad at him. If she cares about his age at all, she respects him too much to talk to him like that.

In fact, S1 just overall gives the appearance of an affectionate, mutually respectful relationship. Velvette clearly doesn't feel like she has to prove anything to Vox, because she has no problem calling him in to deal with Valentino, and Vox doesn't try to offer help she doesn't need. She rolls her eyes when he observes that she has everything under control in her studio, but she's smiling a little when she does it. And while Vox seems to be on edge about the Overlord meeting, given it sounds like he's checking on her when she arrives, he still trusted her to go in his place (between the importance of the meeting and the fact that it's the first time she's filled in for him, I'd argue some anxiety is understandable here). The call itself is casual and playful on Velvette's end.

And S2 builds on this dynamic of affection and respect. When they visit the hotel, Vox takes the lead conversationally, but he leaves Velvette to do her work as she sees fit. He knows she's good at her job and trusts her implicitly to get what they need. And of course, they're joking with each other and having fun the whole time. And in turn, Velvette doesn't take offense to it when Vox steps in to protect her, either at the hotel or when she and Val are attacked by Alastor. She can absolutely take care of herself, but she seems to know and accept that Vox is just Like That.

If sex/gender played any prominent role in their dynamic, they would not interact with each other the way they do. Vox would not be willing to let Velvette do her own thing with minimal interference while they're working on the same project. He would not be caught dead taking tea with her in a violently pink and purple room. He wouldn't tolerate the way she frequently talks to him like a female friend (frankly, if gender plays any role in their dynamic, it's in the way Velvette treats Vox, not the other way around. And he just lets her do it).

On that note, "fragile masculinity" needs to be put on a shelf until y'all learn what it actually is. Or until you can give me a clear example of Vox displaying masculine insecurity in a context unrelated to Alastor.

I'll wait.

In conclusion, the disparity between their canon relationship - even just in S1 - and the fandom interpretation is baffling. I can only assume that it's a result of real world biases against men and women, or people from different generations, being friends and having things in common. Because it has not let up, even six months after S2xE3 aired and gave us a damn good look at their relationship.

Also, it's a popular headcanon that Vox and Alastor can communicate through radio waves, and that it's unique to just the two of them. But no one ever talks about the fact that Vox and Velvette canonically have a seemingly unique method of communicating. So here. Magical video calls.

Magma sketches I did with a friend!!

like how alastor had the knowledge to film his own commercial and had the tech knowledge to do so

and i also really like the idea that he unconsciously or consciously adopted the shoulder touch move from vox since we know that's something vox does a lot

Let's talk about some important stuff! I'll give you food for thought.

While watching Hazbin Hotel i couldn't get rid of this idea, i'm not delusional i swear! The first thing that Alastor does after Valentino interrupts Al and Vox's conversation with his "too much information" comment was that he attacked him instead of Vox, though Vox is suppose to be his like.. main enemy, "the person he hates the most", and a second before Alastor says "I don't think Vox would want the public to see me put him on his place a second time." But still he is aiming at Valentino, which Vox prevents.

When performing his little shadow show for Vox Alastor puts himself between Vox and Val, even makes him stand aside from the Vees like as if he were an outsider of the group (a small distance can be seen in the picture).

Next part is gonna be weird, please skip it if you are not ready for these kind of crumbs. The show doesn't give me a proper explanation what all of these scenes mean, so i have a free will to interpret it.

After the ah... really interesting scene. Alastor starts a speech and makes sure that Valentino hears it. He says to Vox "Don't want to be reminded of how desprate you were for attention...", "You found me... what was it... ispiring". And other stuff to show that he is more important to Vox than anyone else.

And also some phrases that caught my attention, because i thought it was something like Chekhov's gun but it didn't really play an important part in the plot, just remove them and nothing will change. So i consider it as interesting part of Alastor character who is seeking for attention.

"...you would be nothing without those two"

"...and now you finally have me, but you still rely on others for your like always"

"Looks like it's me and you again"

And if you remember the song Stayed Gone you should know that this whole situation that Vox has a team, when he himself refused to join, had bothered Alastor even before the plan of breaking his deal with Rosie.

"He would be powerless without the other Vees"

"And here's the sugar on the cream he asked me to join his team"

And look at this!

"Always seeking someone to put up with your incessant-"

If it just manipulation why Alastor is so mad when talks about it? I think, he doesn't like the idea that Vox moved on their past. He wants Vox to be obsessed with him. Wants his attention. In this case, for him Vees are the threat and he should separate them, especially Valentino, who possibly may have a sort of influence on Vox (considering their relationship).

He literally sings:

"You so obsessed with me"

"I knew you need me here to be"

"You still need me like you did before"

My assumption is that Alastor didn't really work on the details of the plan he just went with the flow, and then realised he can use this certain bickering to make Vox invite Charlie. So all of these are his real emotions which he, as we already know (from my previous posts), openly shows to Vox. He complains to Vox a lot! Few more examples:

"...you are always doing that and i hate it!"

"Still can't take me one-on-one, you need your little doggy?"

And back to jealousy.

Alastor is all smiley, talking to Vox, having the most entartaining hours while ragebaiting him, but when Valentino interferes he frowns immediately

And when Vox sends Valentino away Alastor is happy again.