Chapter Text
Brashly, Alastor turned his back to that picture box headed man. He should’ve expected nothing but disappointment from him.
Then, with a wretched crack in his voice, he continued to beg. “Wait, don’t go! Please!”
He shouldn’t have dared to indulge him for even a second more yet he chose to speak. His hooves were stopped in their tracks as he grotesquely crunched his neck back to him, his lower half following suit.
“I’ll admit that your presence was more entertaining than most,” Alastor said. “Getting to see you try and fail until finally succeeding to climb the ranks of Hell. I could almost miss it.”
The miserable TV man was nearly at a loss for words. “Alastor, I need you.” He uttered his last Hail Mary.
Disgusting.
His eyes narrowed as he barred his black gums. “Put those emotions to rest, my dear. They’ll only weaken you.”
Without hesitation, the Radio Demon let himself be swept up by a wave of shadows. The faint whimpering of the other didn’t detour him. It was like a dog.
His figure had vanished as he dispersed into the darkness of Hell. Like a mist, he blew through the debaucherous streets. The sweet smell of blood twirled into him as a sinner was beheaded. Serene, wasn’t it?
He continued onwards until meeting his radio tower. It was tall and jagged, sticking out amongst the other buildings like a weed. His home sat just below it, unassuming compared to its upper half that pierced the red sky.
The deer’s wispy shadow slithered under a few doors and he reformed in his living area. He removed his red, pin striped jacket and hung it up on a dark brown coat rack. It was quite a cozy setting, if he did say so himself. Alastor modeled it after the house he purchased in his later years on Earth. It did have many cabin influences to boot though.
Bones decorated the walls while the warm floorboards led directly into a lush bayou. The deer sat himself in the plush red chair in front of his fireplace, shooting a green spark out to light it.
With a sigh, he snapped his fingers to summon a bottle of rye whiskey on the table next to him. He quietly poured a glass for himself then chugged it.
Alastor lounged back into a pillow while swirling the few droplets left in his drink. He poofed a cigarette into his free hand and put it to his lips.
Idiot picture box. Of course that imbecile would have to ruin his fun. He’s been in Hell long enough to understand not to rely on others. It was those Vees that softened him up.
For Heaven's sake, if Vox didn’t say-
“I love you.”
He tenderly wrapped a bandage around his furred arm.
“I love you as well, Vince.”
The picture box met his gaze. “Yeah, but I love you.” He applied tape to his upper arm.
“And you’ve been reiterating that this whole night.” The deer demon snickered. “Obnoxious, really.”
His partner’s screen humorously flushed. He then got up from his knees and plopped himself next to the buck on the edge of his bed. It was layered in red sheets with intricate patterning and a delightful frame at the head.
“It’s good to know that you’re still gonna be an asshole after everything.”
“Foul language, but it is my specialty regardless.” Alastor laughed and touched a hand to his cheek.
“Of course.” Vox rolled his digital eyes, unamused. “Can you blame me though? I’ve gotta make up for all the decades I couldn’t say it.” His navy blue arms draped over him into a hug. “I love you, by the way.”
Would Vincent’s neediness ever cease? Certainly not, as it appeared. He has managed to tolerate it this far, however.
“I reciprocate your sentiment.” He patted his pitiful Vox on the back.
Vox kept his hold tight on him as they toppled over onto the bed. The deer shifted away from him on the blankets to the other’s dismay.
“Don’t you agree that it’s about time we get a little shut eye?” He poked his springy right antenna. “This Valentine’s Day has been quite eventful for the both of us.”
The picture box sighed. “Fine.” He then scooched closer again. “Can I get my good night kiss?”
Alastor softened his smile and granted him just so. He coddled his screen and leaned in to give him a peck on the lips. A ripple of electricity danced across his own, creating a prickly sting. He’d always enjoyed the sensation since their first kiss. It made the activity not tedious like it had been for so many years.
Afterwards, Vox stared back at him like the picture box full of love he was.
He then, for some indiscernible reason, shoved his claws under his dark red pillow to scavenge for something.
He dug out a shark stuffie, petite and covered in bluish-grey fluff. The deer had thought only little boys enjoyed such things but Vox had proven otherwise.
“I don’t recall placing that toy under there.” Alastor’s left ear flicked.
“Yeah, I hid it here like a week ago while you were sleeping.” Vox gave it a squeeze. “I like to hold them while I sleep sometimes.”
Al couldn’t suppress the laugh that erupted from him. “Very well then, sweetheart. Good night.”
“Night” He grabbed his hand.
He watched as the picture box peacefully closed his eyes. Alastor then rotated onto his back and looked up into the trees. He couldn’t fall asleep yet, his mind persisted to clamour from today’s mayhem.
The deer demon instead relished in the masterful design of his bedroom. The bayou trees that made up the makeshift walls cradled his bed as if it were a bassinet. Opposed to a traditional, boring bedroom, his flawlessly incorporated itself into the fanciful swamp around it. Whenever he’d lay down, he could always gaze into the misty night sky of this pocket dimension and the foliage gently shielding it. The lightning bugs were just the sugar on the cream.
Then, the most deafening snore came from beside him.
Sleeping by Vox for nearly a year at this point, he should’ve adjusted to this irritating racket. That never occurred and his chewing similarly failed to soothe him.
Alastor tilted his head to glare at the man, thinking of duck taping his noisy screen-
Mouth wide open, Vox peacefully dozed off. He used one arm to snuggle the plush and the other to retain his loyal grip on Al’s hand. Viewing him, maybe his snores did bring himself a hint of calm. It was… precious.
There was a thump from his dead heart as his face grew warm. Strange how that has kept happening.
Nonetheless, the deer demon sat up on the bed before some force dragged him over to Vox’s flat head. Tenderly, he placed a careful kiss on the bezel of his dimmed screen.
Oh dear.
There was a pattering from behind himself. He grabbed his god forsaken tail and put it in a chokehold to make it stop.
Why is it only now that the deer realized how weak he has let himself become? It was shameful. Through all of his past actions, Alastor had discovered some way to justify it.
Vox was a useful overlord so why not keep him as a partner? He worked as an emotional support in their deal so he saw no harm in keeping the facade. That moth was a nuance so why wouldn't he assist in his removal?
The Radio Demon truly was subpar at deceiving himself, sadly. Somehow, he’d even shed a few tears at Vox’s refusal to be saved. The reminder of that sent a chill up his spine.
And just then, he had kissed the TV demon without any reason. He would at least squeal at the gesture if he were awake.
It was decided. Alastor relinquished the other’s hand and snapped into his normal attire with a shimmer of green magic. He needed someone to discuss such a predicament with.