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Valentino had asked Angel to check on Vox for him. Angel wasn’t exactly sure why he asked him in specific, given that Valentino hadn’t seemed particularly busy when he had asked Angel, but Angel, as much as he wished to, didn’t feel safe enough to ask why.
As Angel makes his way up to Vox’s office, he can’t help but get a little anxious. Vox isn’t exactly known for being a calm and collected demon- often having a short fuse.
Angel is surprised to find out that Vox's office doors are unlocked, and even more surprised when he notices that Vox wasn't at his desk.
“Vox? Are ya in here?” Angel calls out, a little unsure.
There's an electronic buzzing from somewhere either behind or below Vox's desk. It sounds…almost irritated?
“...Is that you, Vox?” Angel asks, now knowing that Vox was there.
“Go ‘way!” He hears Vox's voice yell at him.
Angel raises an eyebrow. He's never heard Vox messing up words.
He finds Vox under his desk, and Angel kneels in front of him, tilting his head. “Are you okay?” Angel asks, although he's not quite sure why he's asking it- he doesn't have to care about Vox.
“‘M fine. Go ‘way.” Vox murmurs, watching him with narrowed eyes.
“Did you hit your head or something? You're not acting right,” Angel asks, genuinely concerned.
Vox simply glares at him.
“Mm. Your screen would probably be cracked if you did.” Angel muses, mostly to himself.
Angel puts the back of his hand on Vox's forehead to see if he's got a fever…and Vox tries to swat his hand away.
No matter, he wasn't feverish anyway.
So what could it be…oh. Oh.
Angel is one of Husk's main caregiver whenever Husk regresses, and Angel himself is a flip between a regressor and a caregiver (though usually the latter) as well. He doesn't know why it took him so long to realize what was happening. Maybe because he hadn't thought of Vox as a person who would regress.
“...Vox, are you regressed right now?” Angel asks slowly and gently,
“N-no! I'm big! I'm big..” Vox says, getting himself worked up and sounding like he was about to sob. Yeah, he is very much not big.
“Woah, hey..take a breath.” Angel coaxed gently.
“‘M not little, Angel. I promise.” Vox murmurs, clearly unaware that Angel can see right through him.
Angel lets out a sigh, unsure how to deal with this. Husk had never been upset about regressing before- upset while regressing, sure, but being upset because he regressed was a thing that hadn't happened yet, so he didn't have any experience with this at all.
“Look, buddy..” Angel says, sounding like someone trying to talk down a wild, wounded animal. “I know you're upset and all, but I just want to help. I'm not going to hurt you, or tell anyone you've regressed.”
Vox snuggles (Angel isn't quite sure how, considering that Vox doesn't have a nose) and looks at him skeptically, not trying to convince Angel that he wasn't regressed anymore.
Angel considers that a good sign, and continues on. “Can you come out of under there, bud?” Angel asks.
Vox hesitates, and Angel waits.
“M'kay.” Vox says after a few more minutes, slowly crawling out from under the desk.
“Good job,” Angel praises softly. “Do you want to tell me why you're so upset?”
Vox sniffs, beginning to tear up again. “I don't know!” Vox cries, tears beginning to fall now.
Angel's brows furrow worriedly. “Do you think you might just be tired? Do you want to come here?” Angel asks, holding his arms out for Vox- not quite sure if Vox would want to be held, and not expecting him to, but wanting to offer just in case he does.
Much to Angel's surprise, he takes Angel's offer, and Angel's eyes widen and then soften, taking Vox into his arms and smiling softly as Vox rests his head on his shoulder.
Angel adjusts so they're both comfortable, rubbing Vox's back. “Is that all you needed? To be held?” Angel asks softly, not really looking for an answer.
Vox's head begins to grow heavier on Angel's shoulder, and Angel realizes he's falling asleep on him.
“Aw..See, you're safe.” Angel says, whispering now. “You just sleep. I've got you,”
Vox is asleep for a few minutes when Angel begins to grow a bit drowsy himself- with the weight of Vox resting in his arms and the exhaustion of his job settling in. Angel tries to find sleep for a few more minutes, but ultimately fails, dozing off with Vox content and asleep in his arms,
-
Valentino heads up to Vox's office, wondering what the hell was taking Angel so long to come back after he asked Angel to check on Vox.
Walking into the office, he doesn't notice them immediately. But when he does, a soft smile comes across his face.
Valentino is used to Vox's regression, being Vox's main caregiver- however, it is rare that Vox will trust anyone besides himself or Velvette while regressed.
So when Valentino sees Angel and Vox sleeping with Vox in Angel's arms, Valentino immediately knew Vox was regressed.
Valentino dims the lights, since Vox was afraid of the dark when regressed, he didn't want to turn them all the way off. Valentino leaves quietly after that, closing the doors behind him and letting them sleep in peace.