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Vox was holding a technology convention.
Normally, Alastor would never even consider going, but alas, he’d gotten word that it was an old-fashioned technology convention, and it’s not like he has any new guests to attend to.
The damned thing was hosted at CHEAP EARL’S: Inn, Convention Center, Bar, Apartments, & Grocery! The swankiest joint in all of Sloth. It was god-awfully ugly, but at least it wasn’t crumbling like all the other buildings on the block.
Alastor shuddered. Why was he here, again?
“Alastor! I wx-wz-wasn’t sure you’d show!” Vox plastered on a grin and a placating attitude, but he twitched when he made eye contact with the Radio Demon.
“Hmm. Neither was I.”
Looking around, all Alastor could see was the equipment- remarkable specimens, certainly, but it was disconcerting that there were no patrons within the establishment besides himself and the TV Demon.
Torn between a grimace and a sneer, Alastor turns to face Vox, studying his expression.
“Jeez, stop staring. You’re gx-gz-giving me the creeps!” Vox said, though his body language didn’t match his words.
“I’m trying to discern whether or not this whole thing is a fluke or just a failure.”
A few pixels on Vox’s monitor flickered- only for a second, but it was enough.
“You didn’t have to lure me down here with the promise of a good time, just spit it out already. What do you want from me?” Alastor spoke, venom in his voice.
“Oh, I’ll show you a good time all right.”
It was barely a murmur, and yet Alastor’s ears flicked forwards, a tell-tale sign he had heard. Vox could practically hear Al’s teeth grinding.
“I just wanted to talk things out, that’s all.”
“That’s awfully civilized of you, Vox. Now what’s the REAL reason?” Alastor spit.
The TV Demon held his hands up in surrender, speaking casually, “It’s true. I’m getting tired of our whole enemies schtick. I think it’d benefit us both to make a deal.”
No less skeptical, Alastor turned swiftly on his heel and marched towards the bar, seemingly the only good thing to come out of this entire endeavor. Vox scrambled after him, beating him to the counter to order two glasses of red wine.
“How romantic.” the Radio Demon said flatly, accepting the glass.
At that, Vox’s pixels turned from their usual blue into a brilliant red. He was blushing. But of course, Alastor didn’t have to know that. Only the other Vees have ever seen him blush.
“Well?” Alastor inquired. Looking down, Vox notices that the Radio Demon had already finished his glass of wine and had swiftly moved on to whiskey- an acquired taste he’d picked up from Husk.
Vox continued to stare and say nothing. He hadn’t actually come up with a plan- he never does- I mean, he really just wanted to waste Alastor’s time, but the other man just wasn’t leaving.
Before he could bluescreen, though, he felt a hand on his arm, Al’s pointer finger trailing up and down. His expression was bored and his movements were nonchalant, but truthfully, he had no experience in this area of manipulation. Torture and gaslighting were his go-to’s, NOT seduction. For a moment he considered that he shouldn’t have had the whiskey, but that thought disappeared when his head was lifted up to Vox’s, practically lip-to-lip. The Radio Demon a centimeter gap and a choice to make.
Fuck it. He thought, closing the distance. And then they were kissing. Vox and ALASTOR were kissing. Seems like Hell has finally frozen over, because he’d sworn against playing nice with Vox. But maybe this wasn’t playing nice. It’s a corruption tactic in its own right. Alastor was certain of this. Or that’s what he tells himself.
Meanwhile, Vox has yet to have a thought since the kiss began, a few sparks flying out from his fans.
And then the kiss is over.
The bartender, who is also conveniently the innkeeper, tossed a set of keys at them. The “get a room” remained unspoken, but Al could take a hint. Grabbing the TV Demon by the tie, he power-walked to the elevator, where they began to kiss again.
It was a little awkward kissing a monitor, Alastor thought. He could feel Vox’s lips as clear as day, but the cold of the screen remained pressed against the rest of his face.
With a shaky hand, Vox unlocked the hotel room and swiftly pushed the Radio Demon onto the bed. It was only when he began to unbutton that Alastor realized he had wanted to escalate.
“Oh dear.” Alastor purred, putting his hand out to stop Vox from undressing. “I’m afraid you’ve got me wrong. I don’t intend on having sex with you.”
Confused, horny, and slightly heartbroken, Vox just stood there.
“Sz-sx-so what was the point of this, then?” He asked, ire creeping into his voice.
“Just a little fun, that’s all.”
Alastor stared at Vox expectantly.
“Goodnight, Vox.” He said, politely trying to end this awkward interaction. But Vox just stood there. “Goodnight to you too?”
Taking off his shoes, he laid down on the bed next to Alastor.
“Just what in the Hell are you doing?” the Radio Demon hissed.
“Well, you don’t want to fuck, and there’s nothing else to do in this damned place, so I’m going to bed, fuckwad.”
“This is my room!”
“It’s MY room, I’m the one that used the keys!”
“And I’m the one who caught them!”
In lieu of arguing further, Vox just turned over on his side, back to Alastor. With a huff, the Radio Demon did the same, and with a snap of his fingers, the lamps all turned off.
And if in the morning they wake up cuddling one another, well, they’ll both deny it.