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Vox sighed as she looked out on the rest of Hell. There was music that could be heard in the distance from parties and friendly gatherings all around Pentagram City. Even inside V Tower, there was the sound of sinners chatting, laughing, and dancing to the beat blasting throughout the celebration.
It was New Year’s Eve, which meant parties were happening everywhere and gave sinners an excuse to revel in the debaucheries they were already participating in, but now they could do it and slap the “holiday” label onto it. As though people like Valentino needed an excuse to have a party and have sex with multiple sinners at once. That was what he did every other week, but now it was rebranded as part of a holiday party.
Vox scoffed at that thought and took a puff from her cigarette. She had a bitter taste in her mouth when it came to the holidays. In the past few years, she found herself looking on at the festivities with a disgust she had never had before. Ever since forming the Vs, she would put on a smile for their company parties just to save face. It was a skill she’d always been particularly good at, and no one seemed to notice the difference between her mask and genuine emotions.
She looked out into the red sky of Hell and grimaced. Vox knew she was probably being overdramatic since Alastor had returned, but she couldn’t help it. There was still a voice in the back of her head that whispered to her, evoking a familiar hollow feeling. The time alone wasn’t extensive, but it was like losing a piece of herself since the two of them had grown so close. He was the only spark of light in this place. The only thing that made her eternity of punishment bearable.
Vox tilted her head and took in a deep breath when she felt the temperature drop significantly. She exhaled, and a trail of smoke left her lips.
Vox felt a shiver climb her spine and settled on her cervical. It was a gentle coolness that manifested into a more physical touch of slim fingers, letting her know of his presence. Alastor rested his chin on her shoulder from behind.
“There you are, my dear,” he crooned. “I was wondering where you’ve wandered off to.” He released her and came around to stand next to her. “What are you doing out here all alone? Midnight is merely a minute or two away.”
She removed the cigarette from her mouth and shrugged. “Eh. Too many people around.”
Alastor chuckled. “Since when has that ever been a bother for you?”
“Since I couldn’t hear my own thoughts,” she responded, leaning forward against the railing. She rolled the cigarette between her fingertips, then took a puff. “Plus, you hate being by yourself at these sorts of parties, so I knew you’d come looking.” She looked at him with a smirk. “And you did.”
“Oh, darling, you simply could’ve asked to be alone with me.” He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “I much prefer time with you over these flashy gatherings you and your little friends have.”
“I know.” She threw her cigarette off the tower and watched it fall into a poor, unsuspecting sinner passing by. She turned around so that her back was to the streets. “I usually come up here to just think during this time of the year. I also know you love a good game of hide and seek. Figured it was your turn to seek.”
Alastor didn’t say anything at first. He just looked into the distance with an expression that was difficult to read. Then he said, “It’s not a very fun game.”
“It’s not.”
They were silent for a moment again. “Vox,” Alastor started.
“Al,” she said.
“I’m sorry. You know that already, and I’ll continue to try making it up to you until you’re satisfied. There was nothing I could do, though. You know that. What’s seven years to the seventy we’ve already spent by each other's side?”
Vox crossed her arms. “Sixty-three technically,” she managed to mutter. She knew what he said to be true, but it still hurt nonetheless. That was the first year the exorcists showed up, too, and seeing how many people had been slaughtered… only the worst crossed Vox’s mind at the time. The Radio Demon just disappeared without a trace. He was the strongest sinner in Hell, so if that was the case, then whatever had caused his absence must've been serious.
"Vox, my dear," Alastor said, "I-"
“Shut up,” she said, though there was no bite behind it. “You’ve told me you’re on a leash already. I get that, but you have to give me more than that. Rosie’s got you doing what? Where did you go? What is your deal with her? What are you both getting out of this?”
Alastor’s eyes softened a bit. “All good questions, mon cher. None I can answer under our contract. Rosie is the only one who can give you most of those answers.”
She frowned. “Tch, I tried getting answers out of her when you first went missing, and she didn’t give me shit. She told me she had no idea where you went and that she wasn’t sure when or even if you’d come back.”
Alastor’s eyes narrowed, and his eyes flickered away. “Hmm… I might have to have a word with her soon.”
"Mm-hm." She looked away, exhaling slowly, her face tightening. "I probably would’ve handled things a lot better if the extermination didn’t happen, or Rosie said something, or I got a heads up, or I wasn’t such a weak fucking pussy at the time–"
“Vox, please,” Alastor said. He gripped the railing. His voice carried a vulnerability he had never shown to anyone. Well, anyone who wasn’t her. He inhaled. “We can’t change what has happened. It’s unfortunate that it happened and created such a rift in our relationship; however, my feelings for you never changed during that time. During my absence, I did not go a day without thinking about you. You’ve always been the love of my afterlife, so it pains me to see you dwelling on this.” He moved closer to her and lowered his voice. “I’m going to have a chat with Rosie and make sure that nothing like this ever happens again. I love you.”
Vox looked back at him, the tension in her shoulders slowly melting away. She hugged herself and thought for a moment. “I missed you,” she managed to say.
“As did I,” he responded, taking her hand. He pulled her from the rail, and she put her arms over his shoulders. Alastor’s eyes took in her screen as they were only inches apart. He looked like he was trying to take in every feature that had changed from their time apart, like he wanted to memorize her before he disappeared again. This just made Vox hold him tighter.
“I really missed you,” she admitted quietly. “Please, don’t leave again.”
He put a finger under her chin and brought her closer. “I don’t plan on it. I’m right where I want to be.”
Vox smiled softly. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Alastor leaned in, but as soon as their lips touched, a loud bang filled the air.
“Fuck!” Vox yelped and threw Alastor to the floor in surprise. She held herself and looked around to see that it was just the fireworks that had gone off nearby to indicate midnight.
Alastor laughed.
She hit his arm. “Shut up! It’s not funny! Fuck you!”
This just made Alastor laugh harder. “I’m sorry.” He wheezed. “I-I-” He laughed again.
“Oh my god, stop!” She snapped. “It’s not that funny!”
Alastor cleared his throat and stood up, trying to suppress any laughter he had left. “You’re right. You’re right, it’s not.” He failed as a small giggle escaped his throat. He wiped the dust from his coat. “You are absolutely adorable when you’re frightened.”
“Ugh.” She covered her face with her hands and dragged them down her screen. “Moment’s ruined. Nope. Not in the mood anymore. Fuck you.”
Alastor grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him with an amused look still on his face. He swiftly dipped her with a hand on her back and the other holding hers as though in a dance. “No need to worry. I’ll protect you from those terrifying fireworks.”
Vox’s lips lifted into a small smile. She rolled her eyes. “My hero,” she muttered sarcastically.
“All in a day’s work for my damsel in distress.” He kissed her forehead. “Happy New Year, Vox.”
She slipped her hand from his and put her arms over his shoulders. He held her in place still, and she chuckled. “Yeah, yeah. Happy New Year to you, too, you asshole.”
He brought her to a standing position, and their lips met in a passionate kiss.
Vox melted into the kiss. Her hands cupped his face in place. For the first time in a while, she felt that maybe things would be okay. After seven years apart, they finally found each other’s arms again. That was all she really wanted.