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Vax’s unrelenting sobs continued as Vox typed at his laptop. Valentino was out for the night taking care of something. Meanwhile Vox was trying to teach his son to sleep by himself for once.
It was not working very well
“C-Can we put Mami on the screen?” Vax barely managed to get out between hiccups. Vox sighed as he checked Val’s location, confirming that he was indeed sticking to the plans timing.
Which meant he was still getting ready, he really shouldn’t but… the threat of more loud crying made him open a video call.
“Hola Papi I was just tucking my pistol and thinking of-“
“Mami…” Vax’s voice barely croaked out but it must have been plenty loud because Val put down his weapon.
“Mijo?! What happened?! Do I need to come home?!”
“Yes…” Vax sniffled
“NO” Vox spoke over Vax, watching as Val set the phone down and gave the small boy sitting by Vox on the bed all his attention.
“Vax had a “bad dream” again and wants to sleep with you. I tried to tell him you were busy but he just kept screeching-“
“Oh my beautiful mijo, don’t be upset it’s just for tonight. Mami has something very important to do remember?” Valentino was so close to the camera at this point it was basically just a set of big red orbs, but vax didn’t seem to care.
“I know…” Vax sniffled as he rubbed his eyes, his small screen mouth wiggling as it struggled to hold back a sob.
“Oh baby, you can sleep with Papi instead okay? He is brave, strong and protects me from all my nightmares” Val pulled the camera back enough to blow a little kiss at Vox as he adjusted his garter-belt under the stunning skin-tight black dress he was wearing.
Actually maybe he should come home.
“Can you do that for me baby?” Valentino slipped money shot behind the belt as Vax nodded.
“I’ll try Mami.” Vax gave Valentino one last look pleading look.
“Be careful Val, you’re needed downstairs in two minutes.” Vox mumbled, checking the feeds of Val’s location.
“Alright goodnight my baby, love you both.” Val smiled, grabbing his phone.
“I love you too Mami.” Vax sniffled before looking down. Valentino went to hang up but paused.
“Oh papi doesn’t love me?” Valentino teased watching Vox’s face heat up.
“Loveyou. Now get going!” Vox growled as Val gave him a little wave and blew a kiss before he hung up the call. Leaving the two screen faced boys alone, in an uncomfortable silence.
Well it was better then Vax’s screaming
“Alright off to bed. I got work to do.” Vox broke the silence, Vax shook his head and twiddled with his fingers.
“But Mami said I could sleep with you!” Vox clicked his tongue, hoping the kid would have forgotten.
“Alright just… get into bed, I’ll need to get changed.” Vox grumbled as he made his way to the closet. It only took Vox few minutes, but he was sure to mutter under his breath the entire time. Coming out to find Vax, smack bang in the centre of his bed. Though it looked more like an iPad tucked in the huge bed, Vox took an internal screenshot and sent it off to Val before approaching.
“Off my side” Vox shoo’d as Vax quickly made room, watching as his dad laid down before wiggling into his arms.
“Vax… you’re going to have to be a man and learn to sleep by yourself soon.” Vox grumbled as Vax tensed against him.
“I’m trying papa… but I get a little scared.”
“I know but you’re five now, when I was five I slept in my own bed, tied my own shoes and walked ten miles to kindergarten. On my own.” Vox grumbled closing his eyes as he settled in to sleep.
“Oh… did you not have a papa to cuddle?” Vax peeked up at Vox who stared back.
—
“Stop babying him, So much women you’ll make him soft!”
“Vinny just got a little frightened is all- ah!”
“Vincent get to bed or you’ll be next, you hear me boy?! And quit that crying!”
—
“I had a father.” Vox mumbled. There was a beat before Vax perked up.
“Was he brave and strong like you?” Vax yawned as his antennas twitched.
—
“What do you mean you’re not getting deployed to the war?!”
“The studio says the people need a familiar face to keep the peace back here, I’d still be reporting on it-“
“Like some kinda sissy! What kinda man doesn’t fight for his country. You’re weak Vincent, you have always been weak just like your mother was!”
—
“He was weak.” Vox spat, watching as the boy looked a little conflicted at his tone.
“But I’m not him. I’m stronger than he ever was.” Vox gave Vax’s antennas a light zap of reassurance.
“Mmm… night daddy” Vax smiled at the zap as he struggled to keep his eyes open.
“Goodnight Vax.” Vax’s purple light turned dim as he fell asleep against Vox’s shoulder.
—
“Hey baby don’t cry, you’re okay… I’m okay.”
“Dad hit you! Your eye is all black!”
“Hey shhhh, come now baby, your father didn’t mean it. Besides now that his gone out we have the house to ourselves, what say we listen to a record or two before bed?”
“I love you Mama…”
“I love you too my baby boy.”
—
Vox’s eyes snapped open as a text message hit his receivers.
“Naw my baby! Tell him mummy loves him! Also jobs done! I’ll be home tomorrow, gotta get all this blood off me ;) wish you were here papi” along with a picture of Valentino splattered in blood. Vox couldn’t hide his small grin as he hearted the picture.
“You’re so beautiful. I love you.” Vox hesitated before sending the reply and closing his eyes again as Valentino sent him a bunch of shocked replies followed by a list of all the sexual things he was going to do to Vox when he got home.
“Mommy loves you Vax… and… I-I love… you too. Vox tightened his hold on the little boy.
“I’ll be stronger than him.”