Chapter Text
the first thing you learnt working under carmilla carmine is that the woman does not tolerate delays, mistakes, or anything that screams incompetence. the second thing you learnt is that she has the most obnoxious clients in hell.
unfortunately, todays delivery is for one of those clients.
you stand outside the massive entrance of the V tower, the obsidian floors polished enough to reflect your face back at you. the entire building is pulsing faintly with neon lights and vox tech advertisements.
you adjust the case tucked under your arm, a sleek black container housing the new device vox had ordered. an energy conduit prototype, carmilla’s latest masterpiece.
well, “masterpiece” is a bit over kill. you’ve seen the schematics; it’s fragile, temperamental, and prone to exploding if someone so much as breathes at it.
perfect for vox.
you sigh, take a breath, and press the elevator button.
the doors open instantly, like they were already waiting for you.
"they" probably were.
as you step inside and click on the 108th floor, you start to regret ever agreeing to deliver.
the elevator doors finally open after a long ride. as you walk down the hallway, covered in screens and cameras in every crevice, you finally make it to his office.
you knock on the door.
there’s a pause before it slides open on its own.
and there he is.
vox is seated behind a desk, cables, remotes, and tech scattered around. his tv shaped head glows in a soft blue tone, scanning over documents that change on his screen with every flick of his finger.
his gaze, well, his screen, snaps up at your entrance.
and for a second, the brightness dips.
just a tiny flicker, a subtle static line. barely anything, but you catch it.
his voice comes out smooth, dripping with ego.
“oh. it’s you.”
you resist the urge to roll your eyes. “delivery from ms. carmine, sir.”
“obviously.” he gestures lazily without even standing. “bring it here.”
you walk towards him, placing the case gently on his desk. vox stands, reaching for the package to inspect it.
his screen displays an exaggeratedly bored expression.
“carmilla sent you? to deliver this?”
“yes?”
“and she couldn’t find anyone.. taller? more intimidating? someone who actually looks like they can handle delivering such expensive technology?” he laughs right in your face. “you look like you’d break it if you sneezed near it.”
“do you want the device or not?”
another faint flicker crosses his screen. annoyance, most likely. he places the package back down.
“what're you waiting for? open it." he gestures with his hands.
you unlatch the case, lifting the lid to reveal the silver plated device. vox lets out a low whistle.
“finally. you know, carmilla's always had a bad habit of taking forever when it came to my orders.”
you shrug. “ms. carmine prioritizes clients who don’t whine.”
he tsks, screen brightening. “cute. did you come up with that all by yourself?”
“um, yes?"
you pick up the device carefully, handing it to him to examine it. vox steps closer. too close, honestly, to inspect the wiring.
his screen shifts into a calculating expression.
“mm.. not bad.” he murmurs. “for once, she isn't sending me trash.”
“this prototype isn’t trash.” you mutter before you can stop yourself.
vox straightens, his face leaning slightly towards you.
“oh? you worked on it?”
you freeze.
you didn’t mean to say that.
“i assisted.” you say quickly. “just minor adjustments.”
he hums, and the sound is almost like purring static.
“it surprisingly looks functional.”
you give him a sharp look. “you’re welcome.”
he chuckles. a low electronic buzz that shouldn’t sound attractive, but fuck, it does.
“now, now, no need to get all cocky, i’m simply acknowledging the clear effort.”
you ignore him and begin explaining the device’s function. he pretends he already knows everything, but the way he leans forward at everything you say betrays him.
“and what happens if i press this?” he asks, reaching for a button he absolutely should not touch.
you smack his hand away without thinking.
only lightly.
but just enough to stop him.
but even that slight contact makes his entire screen flicker. it’s soft, a thin static line drifting across his face.
he stiffens.
you blink. "sorry! i'm so sorry, sir. truly, i didn't mean to do that. it's just-”
his voice comes out immediately, far too fast. “i’m fine. obviously fine. calm yourself.”
you tilt your head. “i didn’t-”
“anyhow..” he interrupts loudly. “continue, i wasn’t listening.”
you narrow your eyes. “you were staring really close at it..”
“i stare at everything closely. it’s called being observant.”
“it’s called pretending you know what you’re doing.”
his screen brightens aggressively, like narrowing his eyes.
“i know more than you think.”
“sure.”
“don’t mock me.”
you chuckle. “then don’t touch the self obstruct button.”
he makes a glitchy annoyed noise under his breath, a soft burst of static that almost sounds like a growl.
you continue explaining the settings, features, warnings. vox humming occasionally.
you finish and pull out a clipboard. “that’s everything. sign here, sir."
vox grabs it, and his hand just barely brushes yours again.
he signs his name in sharp strokes, then hands it back. “you can go now.” he says.
you tuck your clipboard under your arm. “expect ms. carmine's invoice by tomorrow.”
vox waves you toward the door.
“yeah, whatever. you’re dismissed.”
you turn and walk away, but pause at the doorway.
“you don’t have to act like i’m a nuisance every time i come in.” you say casually.
“i don't.” he mutters.
you blink, surprised.
"hm?"
“nothing. get out.”
you smirk and step into the hallway.
the door slides shut behind you.
you make it ten feet before every screen in the hall lights up at the same time, displaying the "V" symbol in bright static blue.
you roll your eyes.
dramatic bastard.