Chapter Text
After Val's comment leaving Vox speechless,Alastor mockingly laughs. "LORDS NO" although his amusement was cut short by Vox sending another painfull shock grabbing his throat and scowling turning to his co worker. "Vallentino for once will you shut the fuck up." Val responded with a fake exasperated gasp him clutching his pearls and closing his eyes for more effect."Oh lord forsake a man have passion for the art of-"but he opened his eyes to see no was there. "I never get any of the fun."
Meanwhile Vox had zapped them to his room leaving Alastor fuzzy for a second as Vox turned his chair to face a wall as he paced the room and ran his hands through his hair groaning. "I seriously cant take working with that asshole somtimes, but oh its just another day with Val ahahaaah" Alastor of course found this funny and lt out a laugh causing Vox to once again groan. "What's so funny now. Huh?" Alastor wide eyed and grining tipped his head back to face Vox. "See working as partners with others truly is a horrible thing. Have you finally come to realise i was right?" His grin growing at the edges while Vox fumed. "NO NO working with somone is GREAT, just not with FREAKSHOW VAL" he yelled that last part at the door in most likely Val's general direction even though they were definetly on a different floor of the building now.
He walked up to Alastor grabbing his hair and whirling him around to face him, though his signature grin didnt leave. "You still think your so great, do you forget whos in control here? Hm?" Alastor blinked innocently "oh but of course i do, dear Voxy, but you know since my last.. angel encounter. Ive been short on power. So just you know that the second I get that back you won't be as powerfull as you beleive you are." His words spat out like a flame, igniting Vox his breathing growing ragged as he dug a claw into Alastor shoulder pulling him closer. "Listen here you pompous forgotten asshole"
Alastor winced slightly as his flesh gave way, he already knew his shirt would be stained and ripped, he didnt let it show though, he wouldn't let himself. "I dont know why your egos so big when your the one on a chain." Alastor snapped back "at least my egos not as big as your massive ass head thinking I can become anything more than a despised overlord thats frowned upon." Vox let out a static like growl as he dragged his talons through Alastors flesh carving a line from the back of his shoulders down his arm. This time the pain was noticeable on his face you could tell by his grin faltering at the edges and his eyebrows pricking as he held back a wince.
Alastor let out a low laugh his head loose facing the floor. Vox pulled his hand away blood dripping down his fingertips. "Masochistic twink." He walked to the other other side of the room cleaning his hands. His attention turning to Alastor as he spoke. "You know, you realy dont need me tied up, after all like you said im the one on the chain, under oath. i cant go anywhere, and if i tried id sureley end up in your hands again soon. So why dont you loosen up a bit hm? You used to be so..."
Alstor grinned as he felt the cables around him loosen oh so slightly "promising" the words left his mouth like growling thunder. Vox had turned to face the other direction but his knuckles tightened and his previous pacing had haulted right to a stop.
"Why should I beleive anything that comes from your mouth. Why should I beleive anything when it comes to you." Alastor shifted in his chair. "You need to... loosen up, have a drink or two, like back whe times were better" he looked up towards the ceiling as he spoke "catching up every week or two at a bar, then when the drink would catch you , the buzz of the jazz band and the buzz of the alcohol truly mixed into your soul, you were another person on the dance floor." Vox's antenna twitched, his knuckles loosened and he turned to meet Alastors face.
There was no longer the anger twisted into his screen. No. There was somthing more underneath the LED lights. He wanted to ask 'are you reminiscing?' Or 'I didnt think you cared' but his fear of rejection tugged on his heart once again. How did he do that? Get him to act like this? Act so vulnerable when all hes ever done since that day was build power, his strength. Yet here he was staring at the face of the man that crushed everything he'd hoped for and wishing they could just go back to... being simpler. Alastor always had the effect on him. It angered him in a sick sorrowfully way. He thought he was over this. Moved on. Ready for revenge.
Alastors words suddenly not so laced with anger. His face you could almost say was softened. "Suddenly no quick come back, no nasty comment? Why so quiet Vincent?" Though his grin hid somthing underneath, somthing not so innocent. Vox's name hit him like a piano from the sky, unpredicted leaving him stunned, memories flooding his head. He released the cords around Alastor.
He stood up quickly and used the shadows to quickly pin Vox to the wall using his un-harmed arm grabbing him by the collar. "Your always so easy to pick apart mon cher" Vox in a twist of emotions just tried to loosed his grip. "You always let your emotions take over you, a cover or rather a smile can be a usefull tool." His dark grin looming over the other. Vox met his eyes. "Then whats underneath. Hm?" The hand that was trying to pry Alastors own now resting there. For a moment his face flickered but his grin only grew. Voxs eyes quivered between a hope of some sorts and curiosity to know the truth.
Alastors grip on his neck only tightened. "What makes you think your entitled to that" shoving him into the wall. Vox caught a glint of fear from the other. "Because, even though everyone you've known has turned on you by now, im still here." Vox could have sworn he saw his face grow warm and soft, even for just the smallest moment before his face twisted from fear fueled by furiosity to forced disgust and hate.
He pushed Vox away from him slamming him into the floor with a loud thud. He went to yell, he went to scream but his words got stuck in his throat. They were stuck in his head. Swirling and repeating over and over. He walked back to his chair staring out the window his hands gripping his face his breathing quickening. He had to get a hold of himself. He was supposed to be in control why was he the one questioning everthing. Hes the one who's supposed to control the others emotions like a puppet. Suddenly the wounds on his chest and arm stung profusely like they were trying to get in on the argument that pulsed over and over in his head.
"Al-" Vox croaked out as he looked up from the floor his vision blurry, he had almost passed out from the contact of his head meeting the floor so abruptly. He sat up watching as Alastor slowly spiralled. He grasped at the wall as he stood up. Slowly walking over to him. "Al listen" could he hear him? His eyes flickered all over the place, his breathing ridged. Vox shakily brought a hand up to his good shoulder he hesitated, this could end up with Alastor lashing out at him again. He took a breath in and slowly rested his hand on him.
Like an anchor suddenly catching on the sea floor Alastor was pulled to reality, his breathing stopped and smoothed out, he slowly turned to face Vox. Tears pricked the corners of his eyes. Terrified. That's how he looked. He turned away as soon as their eyes met pulling himself away. "Ahah- wow you sure have a way with your words-" his voice cracked as he spoke. He turned to face him again, his signature grin on his face. He sat back down in his chair, his hands clasped together smiling like nothing happened. The only proof being his torn blood stained shirt and the tear stains on his face.
"Shit Al.. i-" Vox stood there where Alastor had left him, taking a breath in he sat on the bed a few meters away and composed himself. "I shouldn't have said that." Alastor looked to him. "Dont give me your meaningless pity." Vox looked at his hands. "Its not meaningless and Its not pity." Alastor laughed hollowly. "You always get so sentimental after a few drinks." Vox winced, knowing how he used to be. How they, used to be. "You dont have to... hide yourself." Alastor stayed quiet and turned his attention back to the window staring off into thr distance.
"You can show yourself infront of me.. even if you hide yourself away infront of everyone else shove everyone else away. Let me be the person you give the chance to trust.." He joined Alastors view outside the window. "I know you've given that to so many horrible people, and you think its the only way to survive. But if its going to be anyone. Let it be me." Vox wasn't even sure on what was coming out his mouth. He just let the words pour out his mouth. Maybe it was the possible concussion or maybe it was that smallest hope, flickering in his chest, for somthing anything at all.
Alastor turned to look at him. His face contorted from fear and anger that he would even consider such a thing. This was not how this was meant to go. Vox was his enemy. His enemy. 'Hes lying to you. Trying to get under your skin.' He questioned further. Why was he giving him the thought. Sure they used to be.. acquaintances. Going to bars, dancing to jazz and mocking eachothers questionable drink choices. Enjoying eachothers company simply. That couldnt be real. Not ever. No one can be trusted. "I cant." He finaly spoke. His voice more shaky than he would have liked. Vox stood up and made his way over to Alastor, held out his palm and smiled gently. "Then let me take the first step"