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Vox had quickly realised he was in the wrong for almost killing the entire pride ring. But he doesn’t know why Velvette and Valentino are ignoring him for it! It wasn’t like they hadn’t also messed up multiple things and he had forgiven them almost immediately. It didn’t feel fair to him.
And sure, he gets that they were mad at him…But couldn’t they at least talk to him about it?
He had never given them the silent treatment. At least, not on purpose. Maybe he had been pushing them off for a bit…but if they were upset with him for that too, why wouldn’t they just tell him?
Vox doesn’t like being left in the dark with nobody telling him anything.
He’s been kept in his room ever since he got his body back, and he wasn’t allowed full internet access on his devices, and what access he did basically had parental controls on it, and he hated it. He wasn’t a baby. He could control himself on the internet.
Vox was trying so hard to stay big, but at this point, with how upset he was, it felt like an impossible task. He didn’t even know if Valentino and Velvette would even want to take care of him if (when) he regressed.
He guessed he couldn’t really blame them if they didn’t want to. Vox wouldn’t forgive himself if he was them either.
Even with that in mind, Vox couldn’t help but feel abandoned.
Those thoughts alone didn’t help in Vox’s increasingly futile attempt to keep from slipping, and Vox hugs himself while sitting on his bed. He was trying so hard not to regress, as he could rarely care for himself when he regressed, and he didn’t want to be a burden on Velvette and Valentino. He’d never had a problem of asking for their help, at least not while he was regressed.
He sniffles- he doesn’t really know how he can sniffle, as he doesn’t really have a nose, though he isn’t really concerned about that fact right now.
His eyes widen as he realizes he has begun to slip, and his eyes well up with frustrated tears- he hates regressing involuntarily, especially while he’s alone. The little side of himself can’t understand what he did wrong, after all, he just knows he did something bad.
And he doesn’t even have access to any of his regression supplies because they’re in another room, and neither Velvette or Valentino even thought to put it in the room he had to stay in.
He doesn’t know why Valentino and Velvette left him. They promised they’d never leave him like Alastor did. Why did they lie to him?
Vox’s breath hitches, and he hugs himself harder, doing his best not to sob.
Unfortunately, his best apparently was not good enough, as after a choked breath he let out a distressed sob, his claws gripping on tightly onto the fabric of his pants.
Vox felt like he was abandoned, and he was sure he had to have done something to deserve this. They wouldn’t just leave him for no good reason…would they?
He was bad, and because he was bad, they were never coming back and he’d be alone forever and-
He startles as he hears a door open, and he immediately tries to wipe his tears away. Vox didn’t want anyone to see him like this right now.
It doesn’t help that he can’t seem to stop crying, and he hopes that he isn’t drawing attention to himself right now. He doesn’t know who just came inside, and he doesn’t want to get in trouble for being loud. He’s never gotten in trouble for it before, but he doesn’t want to chance that starting now.
Vox startles even more when he realizes that the footsteps sound like they’re coming towards his door.
He can’t stop crying, and at this point it’s becoming more frustrating than anything.
He begins to hear voices talk outside his door, and after a few more moments of listening in, he begins to realize that it’s Velvette and Valentino talking to each other quietly to each other.
“I told you we should’ve checked on him sooner,” Velvette says.
“And I told you that you could do it on your own. You’re an adult, you don’t need me to come with you to make sure he’s okay.” Valentino retorts.
“You know he basically only listens to you while he’s like this.” Velvette snips.
There’s an irritated moth squeak from Valentino, a noise he likely hadn’t even realized he made. But in the end, he knows Velvette’s right. “Are you coming in there with me?” Valentino asks.
Velvette must’ve said yes in some sort of way, as only a moment later Vox’s bedroom door is opened by Valentino.
Vox can’t help but burst into tears once he fully sees them, practically wailing as he reaches out for them.
Velvette and Valentino share a (possibly guilty?) look, before Valentino quickly walks over to him.
Vox's efforts to get one of them to pick him up grow increasingly distressed, and Valentino picks him up, making sure he’s steady.
“Hey, you’re safe-” Valentino cuts himself off with a surprised noise as Vox clings to him so tightly it's almost painful, burying his face against Valentino’s shoulder, taking in a gasp of air just to exhale in another sob.
Velvette internally winces, seeing that Vox is getting barely any air in between sobs. She heard him crying from the other side of his door, but she hadn’t known it was this bad.
Valentino gently rubs Vox’s back, Vox’s tears soaking his jacket. “Jesus christ, baby..” he murmurs with concern in his voice.
Vox stares up at Valentino with the saddest eyes he’s ever seen, Vox’s eyes welled up with tears. “‘M sorry, I was bad, don’t leave-” Vox blubbers, very much unaware that neither can understand what he’s trying to say right now. Valentino gives Velvette a look, hoping she can decode what he’s trying to say, her giving a helpless shrug in return.
“I’m right here, you need to take a breath…” Valentino whispers, trying to be reassuring.
Vox manages a wet gasp in, and it’s clear he might be running out of energy to cry.
“There we go…In, out…good job, carino.” Valentino coaches.
It takes Vox a few more minutes to catch his breath, and just when they thought he stopped crying, his breath hitches again and he sobs silently, more tears falling from his eyes, still tightly clinging to Valentino as if he’d disappear if Vox loosened his grip even slightly.
“I told you we should’ve checked on him earlier,” Velvette reiterated from earlier in a low hiss.
“Hush.” Valentino murmurs, shifting Vox in his arms. He gently kisses Vox’s head, patting his back gently. “Just breathe, baby.”
Vox murmurs something tearfully into the fabric of Valentino’s shirt.
“What was that?” Valentino asks gently.
“‘M sorry..” Vox murmurs pitifully.
“Oh, sweetheart…” Velvette murmurs, guilt in her voice, placing a hand on Vox’s back.
“You’re alright. Don’t apologize,” Valentino murmurs, soft but firm.
Vox sniffles, his thumb finding its way to his mouth as a way to self soothe.
It takes even more time to make sure he’s entirely calmed down. He’s leaning his head against Valentino’s shoulder tiredly, one hand clinging to Valentino and the other in his mouth. His eyes are half-lidded, and he’s definitely given himself a headache after how much the poor little cried.
Valentino and Velvette bring Vox to the nursery, but as soon as Valentino tries lowering Vox into the crib, Vox’s eyes snap open, and he starts to cry again, clinging on tighter to Valentino.
“Whoa- shh, you’re safe,” Valentino murmurs, picking Vox back up.
“I don’t think he’s letting you put him down anytime soon,” Velvette remarks.
Valentino sighs, wiping away Vox’s tears. “No, I don’t think so either.”
Valentino sits in the rocking chair with Vox in his arms, and he grabs a blanket from Vox’s crib. He gently wraps it around Vox, kissing Vox’s head reassuringly.
“I’ve got you, baby. Just rest,” Valentino murmurs lovingly.