Something we need to address in the Hazbin Hotel fandom is the idea that love and exploitation are mutually exclusive. This rhetoric just gives abusers and out. Can't be abusive if you love your victim, after all ;)
Valentino loves Angel Dust. It hurts him to see Vox hurt him, but that never stopped him from hurting Angel Dust himself, because control comes first. Val loving Angel won't even stop Vox from hurting Angel, because profit comes first.
Vox loves Valentino. Beyond the romantic gestures, it's the little things like making sure he eats. But that won't stop him from offloading the hard work of his project onto Valentino while taking all the credit. It won't motivate him to unlearn his racism, because change requires reflection. Vox has low self esteem and power fills that void, so there is no line he won't cross to get it.
Alastor cares for Niffty and Husk. Rosie is at the very least fond of Alastor. But that doesn't erase the chains. You can love someone and still choose to hurt them.















