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Rainy days in hell were not uncommon, but they were very different from the ones back on earth. Gone was the relaxing, cooling drizzle, instead replaced with a sizzling, deadly, acidic version. That’s the reason why the weather forecast had such high ratings, if you missed it, you might find yourself melting into a puddle on your way to work.
Charlie was one of the few in hell who actually liked the rain. Not the part about her people melting and dying horrible deaths of course, but she found the rainy days comforting. Whenever a shower started, everyone currently in the hotel would find themselves drifting to the living room. It was so cozy! Everyone in one place, drinking hot chocolate and just being together. The smattering of the rain landing on the roof was the cherry on top. Today it was just her and Angel, the others being busy with different errands. Vaggie had promised to be back from her meeting with Carmine before the rain stopped, which was sweet of her. They had a movie night planned, the perfect way to end a rainy day! She was excited to say the least. Right now she was on the couch, reading a book she got from Alastor. He had excused himself a while ago to start his broadcast, which was now crackling through the radio on the fireplace. She liked listening to his shows and usually tuned in when she had the time. Except for the more violent ones, she did not enjoy those.
The one time she had heard one of them was by accident. She had been walking past the living room, stopping at the entrance when she heard Alastor’s voice. Vox had been visiting, sitting on the couch with a smile on his face. He leaned his head on his hand that was propped up on the armrest, with the radio on his lap. She had thought it was sweet of him to listen and was about to tell him that, when a sickening ‘crunch’ and a blood curdling scream rang out from the radio. Vox’s eyes had turned into hearts while she fled the scene.
Thankfully, today’s show was a murder-free one. Alastor had mostly talked about the rain, since he also enjoyed it. Though, Charlie suspected that he probably didn’t mind the parts that she disliked.
“… and that’s why you never should eat someone who wears false eyelashes. Now my dear listeners, is the time when I usually play you a little tune. But today happens to be a rather special day to me, which is why I have something just as special planned for you all. Do enjoy!” Music started playing, before Alastor’s own voice rang out. He was such a good singer, but she couldn’t grasp any of the lyrics. It must be one of the languages he had spoken on earth! She loved learning about her friends’ lives when they were alive, it was all so fascinating to her. But she knew now that sinners sometimes wasn’t that comfortable talking about it. Husk had explained to her that it was painful to some, looking back at their earlier lives. After that she had gotten better at recognizing when it was okay to ask and when to back down, and this leaned towards the first one. Closing her book, she turned to Angel who laid on the couch next to her, legs in her lap.
“What language is that?” Angel flipped a page in his magazine, listening to Alastor’s song for a moment.
“It’s French. Think he mentioned it sometime, learnt it from his mother.“ He did seem to have been very close with his mom, he talked about her a lot.
“It’s beautiful. I wonder what he’s saying! Do you know it?” He shook his head.
“Sorry toots, no language of love here.” He chuckled at her confused expression, throwing the now finished magazine to the floor.
“It’s just what it was called on earth. I know some Italian though.” That information was filed away in her mind, a reminder for her to ask him about it some other time. She listened to the music again with this new information at hand.
“It does sound romantic. Oh! It probably has to do with this day being special to him!” Charlie was, like her father, a very curious creature. She knew it wasn’t her business, but he did announce it for all of hell to hear, so it couldn’t be that private. Niffty came buzzing in from the kitchen, fresh cups of chocolate on her tray, even though Charlie’s first cup was still half full. She took a new one anyway, quickly downing the first. She had invited her to join them, but Niffty politely declined, the bugs had apparently started an uprising that she had to put an end to. But maybe she could give her some clues.
“Niffty! You’ve known Alastor for a long time, do you know why he’d think today was something special?” The maid stilled for a couple of seconds, finger to her chin in thought. But she quickly went back to grabbing the empty cups and loading them on her tray while shaking her head.
“Sorry miss Charlie, I can’t think of anything at all! But tell me if you find out.” She giggled and rushed back out of the room. No luck there then. She’d ask Husk, but the bartender was out helping Rosie with the drink menu for her next party. Satan, what should she do? She was way too curious to be able to wait until he got back later tonight, and there was probably no point in asking Alastor himself. He would most likely say something cryptic, which would confuse her even more. Frustrated, she slumped a little in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest. The door suddenly slammed open, followed by a pretty colorful string of cursing, making her and Angel almost jump out of their seats. As one, they turned their heads towards the noice behind them. Vox stood in the doorway with a frenzied look on his screen and an umbrella that looked a bit singed.
“It’s crazy out there! This is the result from walking from the car up to the door!” He shook the umbrella their way, which apparently was its last straw. With a whine it gave up on keeping its shape and fell into an acidic heap on the hardwood floor. Charlie winced, that’s gonna leave a mark. Vox stared dumbfounded towards the sizzling pile in front of him, before looking up at her with a sheepish smile.
“Sorry sweetheart, I’ll make Alastor fix it up later.” She waved him off. Maybe they could make it into an activity, repairing the floor together. They could do it like a mural! Angel’s voice put her brainstorming to a stop.
“Why do ya insist on gettin’ here by car if you can just zap your way through the wires?“ Vox looked like he wondered about that everyday.
“I’ve been told it’s rather rude. And making someone jump out of their skin by popping out of their reading lamp is hilarious, until they actually tries to bite your head off.” She hid her smile when she remembered the incident. Vox didn’t notice, busy undoing the buttons on his coat.
“And my car is really fucking cool, so, win-win I guess.” He shrugged, hanging the coat in the hallway before joining them. He flopped down in one of the armchairs and leaned his head back, closing his eyes. Sometimes he acted so much like an old man. Of course, in earth-age he actually was kind of old, but it still made Charlie smile. He noticed Alastor’s singing then, looking at the radio with a surprised expression. A small smile appeared on his face, before he rolled his eyes and slumped back into the chair.
“Sap.” At that she remembered her earlier problems, and here sat the answer to all her questions! Or someone who knew all the answers at least. But she had to do this subtly, Vox was less private than Alastor but he wasn’t really a gossip either. She studied her nails, trying to appear casual and not at all interested.
“Yoou wouldn’t have any idea what today is would you? To Alastor? And why it is a special day?” Her curiousness definitely shone through, damn! Vox narrowed his now open eyes at her and looked divided, chewing on the inside of his cheek. He closed his eyes again before sighing and answering her.
“It’s the anniversary of our first kiss, it was sixty years ago today.” Charlie suppressed a squeal, so it was romantic! She settled into the cushions and waited for him to tell them all about it, Angel copying her. But he never did! At the unusual silence Vox cracked open one eye. Their matching faces of anticipation made him sit up straighter with a groan. He even waved a finger towards them, which made her suppress a snort. He wasn’t that old, to be able to make gestures like that without looking ridiculous.
“Don’t give me that look boy and girl, I’ve already said too much.” He had to do it on purpose now.
“And you all know I have good fucking reason for not spilling! The most prissy reason in hell. I might as well stay out here, since what you’re sitting on will probably be my bed tonight.” Angel threw his hands up at his secrecy.
”So, you’re already fucked! No hurt in a little kiss and tell.” But Vox seemed to have made up his mind, back to pretending to be asleep. She wondered if it would be really mean to royally order him to tell them… Yeah, that was kinda mean, and she would probably break a boundary there. She was on the verge to use her puppy eyes to convince him, but Angel beat her to it.
“Think of the makeup sex…” He sing-songed. Charlie barely had time to wrinkle her nose at that thought, when Vox shot back up and loudly clapped his hands together.
“Alrighty! Story time, apparently, gather ‘round people.” He said, a bit shriller than usual. When they actually did gather around him he seemed to hesitate a bit.
“It really is not that much to tell-“
“Spill it!”
“Okay, jeez!”
1965
They had been a date. An actual one, where Vox had sat Alastor down before to be sure they were on the same page. For someone so smart, he was pretty dense when it came to feelings. Especially romantic ones. It was their fourth one now, since he refused to count all their hang-outs the last year which Alastor apparently thought were dates. It was a whole mess, that they thankfully managed to solve. A mess that ended with him dating the Radio Demon, he still couldn’t really wrap his head around that most days.
He had taken him dancing, at a newly opened place in the entertainment district. He had always liked dancing, but Alastor lived for it. The starry look in his eyes he got when Vox had told him the plans were worth all the blisters on his feet afterwards. Their newly discovered mutual frequency proved itself very useful, allowing Alastor to send him cues without having to open his mouth. All in all, a successful date! A red clawed hand had even slid into his own after he offered to walk Alastor back to his apartment, making his antennas spark. They were a block away when the first drop of acid rain had burned through Vox’s shoe, and foot. Which hurt like a bitch, but he waved it off when Alastor had asked him about it. It would heal itself by the time he got home anyway. But he grumbled a bit at the loss of his shoe, it was a part of his favorite pair! Hell really showed its true colors through the weather.
They had arrived at Alastor’s apartment door and Vox had readied himself to do what he had done all the other times, ask if he’d like to do it again sometime. Then Alastor would smile almost shyly, tell him that he’d love to, before bidding him goodnight and Vox went home to scream into his pillow.
The question got stuck in his throat when Alastor had invited him in. The change in their script caught him so off guard that he only managed a nod in response.
So here he was, on Alastor’s couch with a drink in front of him. Vox had been here before of course, at dinner or for coffee, but not after a date! The host had excused himself for a moment and was currently fretting with something in the other room. His hands were shaking, so he snagged his glass from the table, both to hide it and to let the drink calm his nerves. It didn’t, but at least the whiskey was good. The rain had really started pouring now, heavy drops hammering against the windows. Good thing they made it back in time, even Alastor would have a hard time recovering from that. His foot was pretty much back to its original shape, just a scar left on the outer skin. Even though his shoe wasn’t able to heal itself, he noticed that it too was miraculously undamaged when he entered the apartment. He realized that Alastor must have magically fixed it without saying anything, and the thoughtfulness in the action made his heart flutter.
Alastor emerged from the other room, a record in his hands. He wore a smile, as always, but it was a real one. He had learned to tell them apart after spending so much time together. The real was softer around the edges and reached his pretty eyes. God, even his own thoughts were lovesick. Alastor tapped the album cover with a claw.
“I found this during my last ‘home visit’, the one who owed me three souls, with the crude name.“
“Barry McCociner.” Vox reminded him, grinning. Alastor’s ears flattened in distaste. Hearing Alastor say the name out loud had been one of the funniest moments he had experienced, rivaled only by when Alastor realized what Vox were laughing about.
“Yes, him. Anyhoo, it seems that he had better taste in music than in names at least. Maybe you’ll recognize it! It’s closer to your time than mine, but I thought it was splendid.” He walked over to the ancient looking gramophone in the corner. Vox had tried to convince him to buy a newer model, an idea that was quickly dismissed. Who could’ve guessed? He had to admit that it had a special sound to it, a very Alastor-sound, but he wasn’t the up and coming Media overlord for nothing. He had an image to uphold, even if Alastor saw right through it. The gramophone came to life and music started streaming out into the room.
He did recognize the song, but couldn’t remember the singer’s name, Edith… something. French, so he understood why Alastor liked it. Maybe he could tell Vox what the lyrics meant, he never had the chance to translate them when he heard it as a human. Maybe he could sing it. He took another sip of his drink at the thought, this time to hide his quickly darkening screen. This French-thing was becoming a problem, one that would most likely bite him in the ass someday. Alastor came back, opting to sit next to him on the couch instead of in his usual arm chair. He had done that more since they started dating, being a bit touchier than before. It was sweet. He got a sudden feeling of deja vu, the memory of them in the same spot a couple of months ago, the day of his horrible love confession, crossing his mind. The music crooned on, filling the very unusual silence between them. Most days they couldn’t keep quiet around each other, chattering on about everything, sometimes not even listening to what the other was saying. But now they both seemed at a loss of words. Vox pondered over what to do.
Another dance? No, Vox’s feet still ached from before. Maybe he could ask him about his opinion on the new show he was working on.
Who was he kidding, he knew exactly what he wanted to ask Alastor and how to end the night. A peck, a smooch, a kiss, whatever, some lip-touching-lip action in any form. Not even in a horny way, he’d just like to take their relationship to the next stage, as cheesy as that sounded. He couldn’t count on Alastor taking the lead either, he really was kind of blind to this. It’s like he’d never dated someone before!
Vox had to say something at least, this silence only made him more jittery. He turned and faced his date, but he never managed to get a word out, stunned by the sight that met him. The lamp on the side table threw a flaming light behind Alastor, making it seem like he was glowing. His hair had curled a bit from the rain and humidity, looking softer than ever. Noticing Vox’s staring, Alastor turned his head to him, gazing back with those ruby eyes. He looked ethereal.
It was now or never. And Vox may be a hopeless romantic, but he was no coward. He took a steadying breath.
“Can I kiss you?” Years later, when his nerves had calmed down, Vox would laugh at Alastor’s reaction. He never truly knew what ‘a deer in headlights’ meant before that moment. Alastor’s eyes widened until they took up most of his face, fixed on him. It felt like he stared right into Vox’s soul. He could barely hear the music anymore over his own thundering heartbeat. Minutes passed, none of them moving an inch. Okay this was getting creepy, was Alastor even breathing? Vox thought he’d pass out from the tension, before Alastor finally broke the silence in the smallest of voices, unfiltered for once. It was the first time Vox heard it.
“I don’t know, can you?” Vox blinked, completely stunned. In all the ways he expected, dreaded, that Alastor would react, him cracking a joke was not even near the top. A really shitty joke as well. They silently stared at each other, again, before the absurdity of the situation made the corners of Vox’s mouth wobble. He snorted, tried to hide it, but couldn’t stop the chuckles from escaping. That made the dam break completely.
He laughed, he hadn’t laughed that hard in a long time, clutching his middle. The force of it almost made him fall off the couch, but a dark tentacle dragged him back up in his seat. In between his hysterics he caught a glimpse of Alastor’s brilliant grin, and even Vox couldn’t deny the affection in his eyes. After several more wheezing peals of laughter he finally managed to calm down, gasping for air while stray giggles escaped. Nervousness now almost completely forgotten, he straightened up and turned towards Alastor. That warmth was still swirling around in his gaze and Vox dared to try again, minding his manners this time.
“May I, please, have the privilege to-“ The rest of his sentence was cut off by the sweetest of kisses. It was just a soft press of lips, but it took Vox’s breath away. He didn’t dare to move for a second, scared to realize that this was just a dream and wake up to him frenching his pillow, again. But it wasn’t. Alastor’s hands rested on his shoulders, and the contact felt like it was on fire.
Vox brought up a hand to carefully cradle the side of Alastor’s face as he tilted his head a bit. The new angle was even better, he felt his claws curl into his own pant leg at the sensation. Alastor’s small sigh immediately became his new favorite sound. He moved his other hand to the back of Alastor’s head, twirling his claws around those curls. They were stupidly soft, as he had imagined. Feeling brave, he opened his mouth a bit and flicked out his tongue. Alastor’s lips slowly parted, allowing the intrusion. It was wet and warm, in a way that made him flush all over. He gently explored Alastor’s mouth, minding his sharp teeth. He had seen those things tear through sinner’s like they were made of paper, and he couldn’t stop the thrilled shiver as he traced them with his tongue. Alastor made a pleased hum. The hands on his shoulders slid around his neck and Vox pressed his body against Alastor’s. The room felt three times hotter than it did a minute ago.
And then, Alastor climbed into his lap.
Vox’s eyebrows flew up in surprise, disappearing from his screen completely, as he suddenly had the Radio Demon straddling his hips and said demon’s tongue shyly sliding against his own.
And that- that was, god, it was-
Vox paused in the middle of grabbing hold of Alastor’s waist as his face fucking froze.
Not now!
He felt Alastor draw back (no!), his head tilting in confusion. Vox couldn’t even coo internally about how adorable the red ears flopped to the side, his hands ripping open the panel on the back of his boxy head. He frantically searched for the responsible wire, which was a bitch to find on a good day and goddamn impossible when he had a lapful of his crush since the last ten years. This fucking head! Vox gave up on trying to find the right cord, slammed the panel back into place and retorted to his foolproof emergency method. He banged his open palm hard against the side of his head, once, twice, until his face finally unfroze. He really had to fix that, before he gave himself a concussion. Alastor looked a mix between concerned and amused. Vox was suddenly extremely aware of his own body, hands hanging awkwardly in the air before they settled on the outside of Alastor’s thighs.
“Sorry. I really gotta find a way to get rid of this damn box.” Alastor trailed a claw along the edge of his screen.
“Pity. I quite like your box, it’s charming.” Vox could feel himself blush and he looked to the side, feeling a bit self conscious.
“I think you’re alone with that opinion, Al.” He liked his demonic form, but the head was off-putting, not to mention really heavy. He had made it his mission to remove or replace it somehow, but it was a slow process. The hand on his screen guided him back to Alastor’s gaze.
“Well, that suits me just fine.” Vox swallowed at the obvious tinge of possessiveness in Alastor’s words. Dating this man made him learn new things about himself everyday. His reaction got a wide smile back. He realized once again that he had Alastor in his fucking lap. They just kissed! He would not let his own head take this moment from him, not when he still felt that warmth in his chest, lingering from before. He cleared his throat, carefully moving his hands to the other’s waist.
“So you wanna try that again, or-“ Alastor’s lips shut him up for a second time and Vox smiled against them.
“That was the cutest shit I’ve ever heard. I can’t believe you two eat people.”
“Hey, I don’t eat people! Unless I’ve fucked up really bad.” It was a cute story, he’d left out the juiciest parts, which he knew Angel would be offended by, but still real cute. Charlie looked like she was about to cry. Happy tears, he hoped, otherwise he really had to work on his storytelling-skills.
The song had ended and Alastor seemed to have wrapped up his broadcast as well, but the rise in static told him that he was lurking nearby. A second later he emerged from a swirl of shadows behind the pair that had been his audience.
“Taking a trip down memory lane, are we?”
Alastor’s sudden appearance made the two jump. He tried to give Alastor a stern look, that unfortunately turned into a pout.
“You know, if I have to use my legs like every other demon, I feel like it’s only fair if you have to do the same. Where’s your sense of equality?” Alastor looked confused, before he got that all too familiar I-love-you-but-god-you’re-stupid-look on his face.
“I never said that you couldn’t use your powers to teleport, I just said not to use them against me. Do learn to listen, dear.” Oh. In his defense, he had a bite mark-shaped crack in his screen when Alastor told him off, which would give anyone trouble with remembering all the details. Well, he had a lot of teleporting to make up for, so might as well start now. With a spark he disappeared from the chair, standing in front of Alastor a millisecond later. Giving him a small bow, he offered the crook of his arm. Alastor smiled appreciatively at the charming gesture, before hooking their arms together.
“Merci, chéri.” Yeah, sorry past-himself, the French-thing was still going strong. Worse, Alastor knew all about it now and thought it was the height of comedy to use it against him. He turned to Charlie and Angel, pointing a finger between them.
“Don’t stay up too late now, young lady and man!” It was barely past five, but his ‘old-man’-persona always made Charlie smile, so no hurt in a little acting. Like clockwork, she stifled her laugh behind her hand and Alastor rolled his eyes at him, joined by Angel who had taken over the arm chair. Charlie went over to her earlier seat on the couch and gave them a wave.
“Have a nice night! And thanks for the story Vox.” He sent her a wink, and started walking them out into the corridor. Angel’s goodbye made him look back around.
“Congrats on the canoodle-day lovebirds, don’t celebrate too hard, or loud. I need my beauty sleep!” Vox sent him a narrow eyed glare at the innuendo. After everything he’d done for him. He was about to call him out, when Alastor started dragging him out of the room by their linked arms.
“No promises!” He almost stumbled to the floor at that, pulled upwards by Alastor. He really had to start warning Vox when he was about to say those kinda things! Out in the empty corridor they began to stroll down towards Alastor’s room. He gave the deer a sideways glance, a little suspicious.
“I’m guessing you won’t throw me out for revealing that you have a heart then?” Alastor met his eyes, smile closed-lipped and relaxed.
“Vox, I announced that it was a special day to just about all off hell, knowing full well about the reactions it would cause, inside the hotel especially. So completely blaming you would be a bit hypocritical, even for me. And I’m well aware about how weak you are against Charlie’s ‘puppy eyes’”.
Yeah, he was not telling the actual reason he caved. And he really was bad at telling Charlie ‘no’ when she whipped out that look, so no harm done. They kept walking in a comfortable silence, before Alastor broke it.
“I imagine you have a plan for the evening?” Damn right he did! An awesome one.
“What kind of husband would I be if I didn’t? A bad one, that’s what.” He pulled Alastor a bit closer to his side, making him chuckle.
“Got us reservations at the Eight Ring. They got a dance hall as well, if your legs still work, old timer.” Alastor could out-dance him effortlessly, something they were both aware of. Alastor indulged him with a grin, happy with his plan of action.
“And then?” Vox pretended to be lost in thought for a second.
“How about, and picture this,” he held his free arm out in front of him, “recreating the reason for celebration, I don’t know, around sixty times?” Alastor leaned forward until his nose almost touched his screen, eyes half lidded and smile impish.
“I believe that could be arranged. If you ask nicely.” He kissed Alastor’s cheek, sending him a small spark that fluffed up his ears.
“For you, I always will.”