Chapter Text
Vox’s little stint hadn’t gone unnoticed by a long shot. While the Hotel didn’t have many patrons, it was certainly enough to start the whole gossip train about the declaration of love. It was honestly something that had been annoying enough when it was just speculation. Especially with the kind of degenerates that followed and generated ‘content’ for these sorts of situations. If random people theorizing about his relation to one TV demon wasn’t enough, he could tell that staff at the Hotel were just as curious. They were simply more polite about it (minus one offending Angel Dust).
“Your flair for dramatics has certainly proven costly this time.” Alastor comments, looking at Vox’s computer screen from behind the latter’s shoulder.
Vox shrugs, sounding far too nonchalant, considering what was occupying the screen in front of him, “I kind of think it’s funky.
Alastor side eyes Vox with a squint, “‘funky?’”
“Yeah, funky .”
Alastor walks away from looking at the screen, “It’s weird. ”
“Well— yes , but also funky. The things sinners come up with—“
Alastor scoffs, sitting down on a chair with a dramatic flop, “You just like the attention.”
“Of course I do.” Vox agrees, only with a slightly defensive tone. Alastor is internally amused, recalling earlier events of a similar nature. At least the TV demon was more mature now and could accept it.
“You need a new hobby.”
“This isn’t a hobby.” Vox bristles, spinning around in his chair. He looks frazzled by the ensuing and disbelieving ‘aha’ Alastor gives him.
“Not what Velvet said.”
“Citing Velvet as a reliable source is like trusting The Onion for news.”
“Both are meant for entertainment value.” Alastor points out, looking displeased with his surroundings the more he looks at them.
Vox sighs the minute Alastor opens his mouth while having his eyes on the decor, “I can’t believe you kept this turquoise—“
“There’s nothing wrong with the color!” Vox throws his hands up in exasperation. Alastor glares dubiously at the turquoise curtains, “Just let me have this. Please?”
“I’ve let you have this for far too long. Absolutely no one has agreed with you on this color choice.” Alastor looks genuinely pained by the statement.
“Adam did.” Vox responds after a second of deep thought.
“Adam?”
“Yeah—you know the guy from high school? I think we uhh, shared history? Tall, loud and pretty lazy.” Vox lists out, struggling at multiple points. Alastor appears unimpressed.
“That was terribly vague, but I do think I know who you’re speaking of. And the opinion of one struggling former high schooler isn’t going to help your case.” The deer demon shifts in his seat.
“Maybe not, but it does make your earlier statement wrong.”
“You’re insufferable.” Alastor flicks his ears annoyedly while hearing Vox give an acknowledging hum.
Alastor heads over to the turquoise curtains, ignoring the way Vox stiffens. Instead of what the TV demon was likely thinking he was going to do, he gently moves the curtains to the side. A balcony door left ajar greets him.
If he ignored the ruckus of sinners beneath, the repugnant stench of Hell and the eerie shade of red from the sky above, he could almost see himself back in Vox’s parent’s house back in America all those years ago.
“The balcony is pretty lit right?” Vox gestures in a wide arc to the city coming up to meet them at this elevation. A hassle can be heard down on the busy streets of city life.
“I mean yeah. Pretty cool.” Alastor responds dismissively, taking in the surroundings. Walking up to the glass-made railing to peer down over the edge.
“Makes for a really nice Lo-Fi vibe nightly as well.” Vox notes leaning against the railing near Alastor. The breeze gently blows past, the sensation enjoyable.
“And what? You actually get homework done then?” Alastor watches an ambulance drive down a highway before buildings block his view.
“Definitely not.” Vox admits easily, gaze trained on Alastor who’s still looking out at the various people.
Alastor meets Vox’s gaze, amusement prevalent, “Of course you wouldn’t. But speaking of homework.”
Vox groans meanwhile Alastor picks up his bag from where it’s near the balcony entrance, “We’ve got some to do. Let’s see if your aforementioned ‘Lo-Fi vibe’ will save us.”
The misty blue fades away to an obnoxious red. Alastor hears Vox get up and phrase his next words carefully, a small and somewhat bitter laugh escaping him, “Funny thing, I’ve known you for longer than I haven’t.”
A staticky sound is all he gets at first, though he knows Vox is standing right next to him by now. Processing what has been said with a somber tone. It’s Alastor who reaches out with his hand to offer what little comfort he could to the TV demon. The other leans into the touch.
“Pretty weird when you phrase it like that.” The response is barely a whisper.
—
Vox is tapping his leg while browsing his phone feed, scowling every now and again. Sinners have been commenting some downright deprived things, not that they always didn’t, but recent news had seen an increase. Not to mention, the memes down in Hell just weren’t good nearly 90% of the time. Maybe that was his true punishment.
An arachnid demon was playing pool next to him, cursing loudly whenever he messed up. Vox can vaguely recall them as someone who worked under Val, but he didn’t really care beyond that. It’s when the final ball has been pushed into the nets below that spider demon sits down nearby, eyeing him.
“So…” The sinner starts, noticeably cringing.
Vox is intrigued, looking up from his phone. Not many were brave enough to outright talk to him for obvious reasons, “Yeah?”
“You and Alastor, huh?” It’s a very awkward start that both can feel far too much.
“Well I mean yeah. Where are you going with this?” Vox quickly responds to a text Velvet sends.
“Ya seem more open to discussin’ anything ‘bout it, so figured I’d try my luck. Just as curious as the next sinner.” They admit with a shrug, coming off crass.
Vox gestures vaguely with his phone, “You’re not wrong per say.”
The sinner nods slowly, processing the non-answer, “So how long ya known each other?”
Vox reminisces briefly:
Math class had always been fun for him. The stuff was simple, all he had to do was do the assignments and then he could goof for the rest of the period. Not to mention the teacher had always liked him.
“I’m not showing you the answers Val.” Vox moves his notebook to the opposite side from his friend.
“It literally costs you nothing.” Valentino counters with a frustrated look. Velvet snaps a photo of Vox’s work while he isn’t looking.
“That’s not the point.” Vox closes his notebook, making sure from the board that he got everything finished.
“As if you really care.” Valentino mumbles, reacting to Velvet’s photo messages with a heart and a thumbs up. He starts filling in the answers next.
“What do you guys think of the new English sub?” Velvet asks offhandedly, glancing up from her phone for the first time in awhile.
Vox groans, “God, not English.”
He liked math but man could he not stand English. It just didn’t make sense and was incredibly boring to do. Who wanted to spend days on end writing things? Especially essays!
“Well she’s as insufferable as everyone else in that class.” Valentino responds first, taking a not so subtle glance at a few people in the classroom with them.
Vox jumps up at that, “I know right!”
Velvet wasn’t in the same English class as them so she doesn’t say anything to it, choosing to send a new Snap instead.
“We had to partner up remember, and I got Alastor of course—“ Vox says and Valentino gives him a mildly sympathetic look, “—and he decides to be a whole dick by being all high and mighty about how fucking ‘judgement’ is spelled. As if anyone in the history of ever cared.”
“Maybe if it wasn’t so insufferably embarrassing to witness you misspelling a word a 3rd grader could get correct, I wouldn’t have said anything.”
All three heads snap to the new voice joining the conversation. With it, Vox meets Alastor’s rather passive yet mildly annoyed stare.
Melancholy colors his voice as Vox responds, “Since high school.”
The sinner doesn’t bother hiding their surprise, “Woah.” They seem to be poising up to ask something else when they’re interrupted.
“You were waiting?” Alastor asks, hand on the edge of the doorway and eyes narrowed, “For me too deal with whatever this supernatural thing is that drove you to so desperately seek out and accost me.”
Vox snaps fully from his reverie not having fully listened to what Alastor had said says, “You know it.”