Chapter Text
Final-fucking-ly.
Vox steps out of the train and slips into the small crowd of travelers. The station isn’t too busy during this time of the night, but he tries to blend in as much as possible. After all, he's just been released from what essentially was almost a decade long journey of alternating between fleeing and hiding from a crazed group of people who has a personal vendetta against him.
The best part? He doesn't have a clue about who they are and why are they so adamant about hunting him down. Sure, he has demonic heritage but that’s about it. Not to mention that fact itself is well kept under wraps, only those close to him knows. Coincidentally, most of them have secrets of their own too.
These bastards got more than just a bone to pick, and they’ll stop at nothing to do so. Thus, he made a choice seven years ago.
Just get up and go. He convinces himself is a fantastic idea. Disappear into thin air and hopefully, his hunters would focus chasing after him and not the people he loves with all his heart. They would be in imminent danger if he stayed by their side and there is no way in hell, he'd allow anything remotely bad to happen to them.
The solution? Cuts all ties and do not ever contact them until it's safe to do so.
There are repercussions, he knows. It's incredibly selfish of him, he knows. There's a high probability that he'll forever change the trajectory of his and a select few people's lives, he knows. However, he had no choice. Weighing the pros and cons would cost him time and time is of essence.
Perhaps, there was another way-
Vox shakes the thought out of his head. That’s all in the past now. No use ruminating. No use regretting.
Carefully, he weaves his way out of the train station and takes in the nostalgic sight in front of him. Although the night shrouds the town in darkness, it doesn't hinder memories from resurfacing.
Well, here we go.
Streetlights illuminate the familiar walkways and landmarks. It shows him the way back to what once was home, following them leads him to an apartment building.
Worst case scenario, Ike hates me and banishes me to the shadow realm. Mediocre case scenario, he doesn't even live here anymore. Best case scenario, he takes me back!
Vox takes a deep breath and presses on.
Okay, you can do this.
Fucking knock on the door already!
Vox, being extremely nervous for very obvious reasons, had already lingered outside the building for 20 minutes. He spent another 15 thinking about ridiculous what-ifs, 5 minutes lost to screaming at himself to grow some balls in frustration, 15 minutes of practicing what to say, and a final 5 mindlessly standing in front of the door to a unit he's no strangers with.
A whole hour of wasting time and delaying the inevitable.
It's not that hard, come on. Just get over with it.
He raises a shaky fist and knocks on the door. It's a little soft but it's a start nonetheless.
No response.
With his newfound courage, he knocks again. This time louder with more resolution.
Still no response… Maybe, he did move out.
His head hangs low, a defeated sigh escape through his lip.
It's not that bad. Right, I fully expected this to happen-
Out of the blue, the door creaks and swings open. What he didn't expect was a kid on the other side of the door.
The boy looked to be in his adolescence, albeit on the shorter end of the height spectrum. Streaks of fluorescent blue peeks from underneath his dark ponytail, exposing a variety of piercings decorating his ear. But the most striking feature is his heterochromatic eyes, a pair of deep blue with a single red blotch staining a section of the teen’s right iris.
“Uhm, can I… Can I help you?” The kid asks, raising a curious eyebrow at him.
“I’m looking for Ike Eveland? If I'm not mistaken, this should be his apartment. Unless memory serves me wrong?” Memory should absolutely serve him right because this was once his and Ike's shared apartment. The place where they both lived and made memories in, eventually slipping engagement rings on each other’s fingers one fine evening.
“Oh.” A split second of surprise creeps up on the adolescent's face before it falls back into a relatively neutral expression. “Okay- I'll go get him? You'll need to wait for a bit. Uh, if you don't mind.”
Vox nods encouragingly, his lips curling into a polite smile. “That'll be lovely.”
Ike still lives here. That's good!
However, that also begs the question.
Who is that kid? Did Ike move on and build a family of his own? Is this Ike's child? Holy fuck if it's someone from our friend group, I'll go into hiding for another decade. Maybe even a millennium. No wait, that wouldn't add up. This kid looks about high school age and I've only been gone for seven years. So, him being Ike's son is physically impossible. Right, they don't even look the same! Unless…
Vox is so caught up in his train of thought that he doesn’t even notice the boy humming to himself and turning away. It's only when a much more familiar voice echoes from another corner of the house that he returns to the present.
“Yugo? Who is that?”
His heart skips a beat for god's know what reasons.
“There’s someone looking for you.” The boy, Yugo, half-yells in response.
“At this hour? I swear, if it's one of Luca's pranks again I will not hesitate to send Nina his way. Or better yet, I’ll personally teach him a lesson-”
The sentence comes to an immediate halt when Ike emerges from the kitchen and meets Vox’s gaze. The novelist inhales sharply, his golden eyes widen as a flurry of emotions flash through them. Shock, then confusion, something akin to anger but also not quite, hurt, a lot of hurt, a short second of relief, and finally weariness.
It's at this exact moment that Vox Akuma realizes just how bad he fucked up. Chances of him mending this relationship may very well be lower than the limbo bars in hell.
“When did you come back, Vox?” Ike's voice falters slightly but he quickly recovers.
“Today.” Vox blurts out instantly, surprised that the doors haven't been slammed into his face yet. He takes a quick glance at his watch, fully knowing how much time it took to come to this point. “A little over an hour ago actually.”
There’s a sudden indifference in Ike’s expression, the glint in his eyes ice cold. “Why? Why show up now of all times?”
“Things happened and I fucked up big time. I owe everyone, most importantly I owe you an explanation for the past seven years. Frankly speaking, an apology is long overdue.” Vox takes a deep breath, slowly exhaling before continuing. “I don’t expect you to forgive me or anything, but at least hear what I have to say before you drop your verdict.”
Given that I still have a place in your heart, I wish that I can return to your side and be a part of your life once more.
Vox bites his tongue and keeps that thought to himself.
“Sorry, that was really out of line.” Ike approaches the door, giving Vox an apologetic nod. “Do you have a place to stay?”
Vox shakes his head. He didn't actually plan that far ahead like the idiot he came to find out he is. All his so-called backup plans dissolved into nothingness the moment he set foot right in front of his old apartment.
“Do you want to come in?” Ike holds the door open with one hand while the other ushers Yugo into the house, mumbling something to the boy before sending him inside. “It's pretty late so I don't think you can find a hotel or an inn, much less something permanent on such a short notice.”
“I don't want to intrude or anything, please-”
“It's technically your house too. I mean, your name is still on the lease.” Ike cuts off his excuses, effectively shutting him up. “You’re welcomed to stay until you sort things out. I'll just have to ask Yugo if he's alright with it.”
“Oh.”
Heavy silence hangs in the air between them. They just stand there by the open door frame, both at a loss for things to say. Suddenly, this reunion feels ten times more awkward.
Ike lets out a lengthy sigh, fingers reaching up to pinch the bridge of his nose. “We have a lot to catch up on, just- Just come in already.”
Too late to back out now.
Gingerly, Vox steps in and the wooden door shuts behind him with a click.
Vox marvels at the familiar but also unfamiliar sight as he trails behind Ike. Although nearly a decade passed by, the general layout of the living room remained. Most of the furniture are still the same ones from back then, save for a few new cabinets and extra chairs. Various photos, paintings, and awards framed up on the walls. Heavy curtains replace the old, wonky window blinds. Additional storage space for random items, books, peculiar antiques and decor. A piano sits by the corner of the house and a record player rests on a lone coffee table right next to it. All of them adding to the cozy, lived-in atmosphere.
Some of Vox’s own belongings and trinkets are no longer where he remembers, reminding him that things have clearly changed over the years. Reminding him that his little stunt had cost him his spot in the home. The minor detail saddens him a little, though it isn’t entirely out of his predictions.
“Make yourself at home I suppose, or is welcome home more appropriate?” Ike somehow manages to joke with a quiet chuckle. It's meant to be light-hearted, but Vox can’t help but feel a chill travel down his spine.
Inside, Ike takes a seat on the sofa in the middle of the room. Vox follows the suite but opts for the armchair on the novelist’s left instead. It doesn’t take long for Yugo to return with a tray of tea and cookies carefully balanced in his hands, offering them to the two adults before plopping down in the space next to Ike.
“Oh right, introductions. If you would kindly.” Ike prompts with a clap and a small smile, looking at their unannounced guest expectantly.
“Vox Akuma. Just call me Vox, no need for any honorifics.” He starts with confidence, trying to be as friendly as possible. He knows he can be rather intimidating at times. The blood of demons runs through his veins after all.
“Yugo is fine.” The teenager returns the pleasantries and pauses for just a moment. He then turns towards Ike hesitantly, muttering something under his breath. “Is he…”
“Mmmm… Vox is? Was?” Ike struggles with finding the right words. The passage of time can really fuck people over, and so does grammar every once in a while. “It’s complicated now but at some point in our lives, we got engaged.”
Yugo’s only reaction is to blink. Out of surprise or not, Vox couldn’t tell.
“Anyways, there’s plenty we have to discuss but I think we’ll just deal with sleeping arrangements for now.” Very naturally, Ike moves the conversation along despite dropping a bomb, leaving no space for interjections. It’s one of the novelist’s many charm points if Vox is being honest. “By the way, the guest room is Yugo’s room now, so you’ll probably have to sleep on the couch-”
“I can go to Sonny’s place, it’s just downstairs anyways.” Yugo offers, nervously playing with the frayed sleeve of his jacket. “Or Alban’s place, it's not that far.”
The suggestion is purely out of good will, Ike knows. Yugo is extremely considerate when need be and he's an angel for that. However, Ike quickly turns it down, shaking his head a little while placing a hand on Yugo’s shoulder. “Like I’ve said before, you’re part of this household and have every right to stay here.”
“But…” Yugo trails off, his gaze landing elsewhere as he refuses to meet Ike's eyes.
“I won’t stop you if you really want to, but don't force yourself to leave either, okay?” Ike flashes a reassuring smile before turning back to face Vox. “Besides, I won't let him in any of the bedrooms anyways. Take it as punishment for going off the grid without a word for seven whole years, worrying all of us, and suddenly reappearing at my doorstep in the middle of the night.”
Vox winces. Ike is one of the few people that can really hold a grudge if he wants to.
“Also, Vox will be staying with us for a while, Yugo. But only if you’re comfortable with that arrangement. Don't feel pressured to agree.”
A pair of mismatched eyes dart between Ike and Vox, their owner deep in thought until he finally comes up with an answer.
“No objections.” Yugo shrugs. “Even though it's a long time ago. You two are practically married, right?”
“That will depend on how well my dear fiancé performs these coming days.” Ike snickers, the I-mean-business tone making its grand return. “The years after your disappearance aren’t easy and I'm sure you have a good idea about why. Sure, I've given you the opportunity to make your case, but you'll still have to do your best to earn back my trust. Mercy is not forgiveness, I hope you'll remember that.”
Vox gulps nervously before nodding. “Got it.”
“Well then, meeting adjourned and the couch is all yours.”
Yugo is the first to run off, returning minutes later with pillows, blankets, towels, and a toothbrush in hand. “You can use the toothpaste and whatever in the shared bathroom. If you have any preferences, you can get them tomorrow. We'll make space for you.”
With a thanks from Vox and a quiet goodnight, Yugo disappears into his room.
On the other hand, Ike comes back carrying a large cardboard box with ‘Vox’ scrawled on its side in bright red marker. “This is some of your stuff, you can go through them when you have the time. Might spare you a few shopping trips.”
“Thank you… Ike.” Vox replies, mentally slapping himself when he almost lets affectionate nicknames slip out of his mouth.
“Don’t mention it. There's some house rules and some other things you need to look out for but I’ll save that for tomorrow.” Ike gently drops the box by Vox’s feet and takes a step back, meeting the demon's gaze once more. “Any questions before we call it a night? I’m an open book.”
“Just one.” Vox scratches his head, eyes shifting to look straight at what used to a guest room reserved for their mutual friends. “Who is Yugo to you?”
“Met him when I was working in the library. We talked, grew closer, and I eventually adopted him a few years ago. A lot of things happened in-between but that's the gist of it.” The corners of Ike’s lips turn upwards into a fond smile. “He’s a bit of a troublemaker but he’s got a good head on his shoulders.”
“I don't doubt it.” Vox nods. Although Yugo seems to be very reserved toward him, he is no less an understanding and helpful kid so far.
“In that case, I won't hold you any longer. Goodnight, Vox.”
“Goodnight.”
Ike turns around, heading straight for the master bedroom. His movements grow gradual further down the corridor leading to his destination, coming to a complete stop just as his hands touch the doorknob.
“Just a little warning, Vox.”
“What is it?”
“Reimu’s dropping by tomorrow morning. It's a routine visit so she doesn't know you're here.”
Fuck.
“I’ll… prepare myself.”
“I’m sure you would, good luck.” Ike sends him one final look of encouragement and slips behind the door.
Now that he's alone, basking in the serene night-time tranquility, Vox allows himself to melt into the armchair. Nerve-wracking is an understatement, the whole ordeal got him shaking in his seat. God forbid he doesn't have to pull another disappearing act because there is no way he'll ever recover from it.
With an exasperated sigh, he slinks onto the floor and reaches for the box containing his old belongings. He drags it towards himself, curiosity growing once he feels how heavy it actually is. He carefully picks the tape off the opening with his nails and flips cardboard out of his way.
The first thing he sees is a keychain. He picks it up and secures it on his phone, the familiar bright red demon mascot now dangling in mid-air.
Oh, Oni Giri, we're really in it now.