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Vortex was quick and swift as he traveled through the shadows, moving with ease despite his larger size.
His padded paws barely leaving a sound, not like it would matter as loud pop music along and a cheering crowd was all one could hear for miles.
Concert lights flashed through the sky as he grew closer to his destination, an abandoned building overlooking the stadium. Time was running out for his perfect opportunity. Pre hit excitement began to rush through the hellhound's body. Shoulders shifting to feel the weight of the sniper resting on his back, ensuring both were still there. He had finally reached the entrance of the structure, his dark fur blending in with the night as he climbed the stairs.
The sound of the crowd suddenly grew louder as a new song started playing, a feminine voice singing.
Verosika Mayday,
The succubus popstar was beyond popular among Hell, making a name for herself, but she had also made enemies. One going as far to hire him to assassinate her. Vortex didn’t usually take on big hits, but with the paycheck that was being offered it was hard to resist. Hellbounds after all were among the lowest in Hells food chain, that pay would change his life, even if it meant he’d have to spend time in hiding as a wanted hound.
He had reached his destination, a dusty window on the top floor, one that provided a direct view of the stage. Vortex quickly got to work, kneeling on the ground assembling his sniper. The concert was beginning to end, he had to be quick. His client had specifically requested that the shot be taken at the climax of her final song. Stating that they wanted a ‘poetic finale’ or something cheesy like that.
The hitman had just gotten the shot line up, finger on the trigger, his blood was pumping with adrenaline, it took a lot of restraint to resist wagging his tail, the paycheck from this hit would be life changing, it was almost time, everything was going according to plan. Nothing could stop him.
*click*
Vortex froze at the sound of a gun being loaded, right behind him. Slowly he turned, paling at the sight. An imp wearing a suit stood in the doorway, gun raised pointing directly at him.
Nothing could stop it, that was of course except for Verosika’s own personal bodyguard.
From what Vortex could recall the imp was known as Moxxie, always present at the succubus side, often appearing in promotional material together. It was long rumoured by the public the pair were dating.
“Lower your weapon and I’ll lower mine” Moxxie spoke directly, his eyes stern, body stiff as he held the loaded gun aimed right at the hound.
“Yea, and I’m meant to trust you” Vortex laughed, disguising his own fear, the mission had just become a suicidal one, however he’d at least go down with a completed job. “You’re just going to shoot me regardless” He scoffed.
“I’ll shoot you if you try to take that shot, which trust me when I say I’m faster, you’d be dead before you could even pull that trigger. However choose to drop the gun and you’ll live” Moxxie stated.
The music stopped, Vortex inwardly cursed, he had missed his cue. Taking a deep breath he decided to risk it, after all his pay was already gone. Slowly he lowered the sniper, unloading it, watching in surprise as the imp did the same, actually keeping his word.
“Good, now leave before anyone else finds you” Moxxie simply stated, side stepping out of the doorway, his eyes still trained on Vortex.
The bodyguards action confused the hellhound as he stood, holding his weapon at ease by his side.
“I just tried to kill Verosika, and you’re letting me go? Just like that?” He questioned, suspicion filling him, not wanting to believe it’s just that simple.
“You’re a hellhound, I can assume the offered paycheck is why you’re here and not for your own personal reasoning” Moxxie’s tone was flat as he waved his gun.
“You say that as if you know?” Vortex pushed, deciding it was safe enough to start placing the rifle back in its case.
Moxxie grinned as he watched this hound, his own body relaxing.
“Yea well, as you’ve noticed, I’m a imp, we’re not exactly the highest species on the hierarchy either. I get how shitty life can be for some hellborn” his voice drifted off to a whisper as a solemn look crossed his face.
“You speak as if you’ve experience it” Tex couldn’t help but scoff as he closed the case “and not living the high life while dating some popstar” the hound couldn’t help the low annoyed growl that escaped his throat. While he found the imp rather honourable a part of him still found it frustrating that the bodyguard talked as if he understood hardships of day to day life.
A long loud frustrated sigh was the last thing Vortex expected at the statement.
“For Satan’s sake, again with that fucking rumour. We’re not dating” Moxxie groaned out in a dramatic and exhausted manner as he leaned against the wall. He turned to the Hound who was giving him a rather questioning look. “We’re just good friends and not with benefits” Moxxie continued exaggerating on the ‘not’ part.
“Heh well forgive me, but that’s kinda hard to believe when you two are plastered all over advertisements and media together” Tex huffed, slinging the rifle case over his shoulder.
“And has any of that so called media actually have V or myself say that we’re dating” Moxxie couldn’t help but sass back, placing his gun back into his coat. None of the previous tension remained in the room.
“Actually now that you’ve mentioned it, it’s always either fans or the journalist who say it” Vortex mused, catching the frustration exhale from the imp, his tail whipping in mild annoyance. “Obviously it annoys you so why don’t you guys just deny it!”
“Oh we gave up even attempting to deny it ages ago” Moxxie tsked “we realised there was no point in denying it, the media will talk about it regardless. On the plus side it keeps some of the creeps away” he paused before smiling devilishly “as well as giving me some target practice”
“Wait, target practice? Do I dare ask?” Tex pushed with a light tease as he joined the imp leaning on the wall.
“Oh yea, a lot of the more jealous and quite frankly skilless fans try to take me out cause I ruined their so called fantasy, deluded into thinking if they kill me than V will just fall right into their awaiting arms, how romantic, am I right” Moxxie laughed as he reached into his jacket, pulling out a box of cigarettes, wordlessly offering one to the hound.
This was not how Vortex expected his night to go, by now he should’ve been jumping onto a train heading out of the ring, on the run for committing the murder of Verosika Mayday. Instead he found himself still in the abandon building, taking a smoke from her personal bodyguard of all demons. Although the assassin wouldn’t deny that the Imp was unexpectedly easy to talk to and admittedly rather cute.
“Moxxie by the way, but I reckon it’s safe to assume you already knew that” Moxxie officially introduced himself as he lit the smoke, offering his lighter to the hound.
“I’d be a bad assassin if I didn't do my research on my targets guard, but it is nice to officially meet you Moxxie” Vortex joked as he lit his own cigarette “names Vortex, but you can call me Tex” he finished taking a long drag his smoke. Taking note of the way the imp eyed him up and down. A skilled marksman he may be, but discreet in checking him out? Moxxie was not.
“Sooo tell me, apart from the free target practice, how do you feel about the whole ‘everyone thinks you’re dating?” Tex questioned, unsure why he was so intrigued to know the bodyguard's answer.
Moxxie paused as he breathe out smoke, as he thought over his answer.
“To be honest, I never really put that much thought into it. Guess it does kill my own dating scenes, most demons assume we’re in an open relationship or poly cause of it. Downside is I’m more of a one demon kinda guy, so none of those work for me” Moxxie let out a dry laugh.
“So you’re single than?” Vortex blurted out before he even put much thought into it. He knew he was blushing as Moxxie turned and looked him over once more. Giving another dry laugh.
“Wouldn’t you like to know” He teased, flicking his now burnt out cigarette, as the pair embraced the silence.
“Actually what I would like to know is how did you know I was here?” The hound queried, he was certain he had covered all his tracks.
“Well, technically I didn’t, so don’t go questioning you’re skills” Moxxie smirked with a light teased lightly jabbing the hound in th side with his elbow. “you see, there’s always at least one person who wants V dead. So few days before the concert I scoped out the area, noticed this building and immediately knew if anyone was gonna try something it’d be here” He finished explaining before looking the hound once more, his tone turning teasing once more.
“You actually ran straight past me, so focused on getting set up that didn’t even notice, you should probably work on that”
Vortex was taken aback by that information, although it would make sense as to how he was able to appear with the perfect dramatic timing.
“Wait? You’ve been the whole time? Shouldn’t you, be closer to Verosika, in case of an attack at the actual show?” He asked, raising an eyebrow, still overcoming the slight shame he felt as an assassin for not noticing Moxxie’s presence sooner.
“Do you honestly think I'm the only bodyguard?, besides I actually made a bet with V. She didn’t believe me when I said someone would come up here. If we’d ever meet again I’ll give you a small cut as a thanks for actually turning up” Moxxie smiled with a wink. Although the last comment only caused Vortex’s earlier curiosity to resurface
“Again, why are you so lenient? Especially to an assassin like me? Most bodyguards would’ve taken the shot instantly, not even caring?” He pushed
“As I said, I’m an imp, I know how shitty life can be. I’m in a good spot now but believe it or not I grew up in the mafia. I have a pretty good concept of the term ‘nothing personal, it’s just business’ well end of day you taking a job against V, is just business” Moxxie explained with a shrug, pausing for a second as if hesitating to speak. “Besides, I’d be the first to admit, you’re pretty hot, nice muscle too, be a waste to just off you” He finished doing his best to act nonchalant.
“I can respect that, and must say you’re pretty handsome yourself” Vortex flirted back earning another amused chuff.
The pair immediately glanced upwards as the room darken, quickly noticing that some of the concert lights had just been turned off. Staring at the stage Vortex caught vaguely make out Verosiak on the stage with parts of her crew seemingly sharing in post show celebrations.
“Sooooo, if you’re not the popstars boyfriend than would you still be opposed to me taking her out. It’s gonna be a real bitch dealing with my client for failing the assassination” Vortex spoke with an unserious tone glancing back at the imp.
“Tex, it’s still my job to protect her and while we’re not dating, V is still a pretty close friend so umm ya’” Moxxie chuffed rolling his eyes, tail wiping playfully. “Besides if your client is rich enough to pay for a hit on a celebrity than trust me, they’re not gonna care. Just disappear for a few days and they’ll likely forget all about you both in name and appearance”
“From sounds of it, speaking from experience?” Tex pushed.
“Yep, before bodyguarding I was also an assassin, failed a hit for a beyond rich lady. Saw her two weeks later, no clue who I was, to them we just start blending in, looking the same, just how it is” Moxxie shrugged.
“Hmm, well you did give me a smoke and promise cut from you’re bet money, so I suppose that’ll have to do” the assassin playfluffly mused before eyeing Moxxie down once more.
“Although, I’d admit I could easily take ya, little dude, size does matter after all, so why is it that you don’t seem concern about that?” He asked placing a hand on his hip, body language showing that despite his words, there were no intentions.
“That’s simple, I know how to use my size to my own advantage” Moxxie winked at the hound, picking up on the size innuendo “jokes aside, I’m a highly trained marksman and quick draw, by the time you even attempt to make a move, I would’ve already shot ya dead” he beamed, as Tex simply nodded. Considering the reputation Moxxie has he’d definitely believed it, a small imp like him don’t have lasted as long if he didn’t have the skill to stay alive
Murmurs and voices could suddenly be heard outside, the pair turned towards the window, noticing that some of the crowd from the contest goers had reached them as they headed home.
“You should go, they’ll provide you with the perfect cover to escape” Moxxie stated, the disappointment evident in his voice.
“Probably for the best” Tex let out a small whine as his ears flattened, he had been enjoying his time with the imp. The hounds ears suddenly perked up as a thought occurred to him. “Here take this” he eagerly fished through his pocket before pulling out a card, handing it to Moxxie, who gave him a confused look.
“A business card?” The bodyguard asked blankly as Tex blushed slightly.
“It has all my contact details” Vortex clarified with a wink, heart beating at Moxxie’s own blushed expression as he realised this was Vortex’s way of giving him his number.
“It’s been nice, hope to see ya again” Vortex waved as he climbed out of the window. Moxxie quickly rushed over, watching as the hound began to blend into the crowd with practice ease, it wasn’t long before the Imp could no longer see him.
He continued to stand at the window watching the crowd, waiting for his heart to stop beating so fast. The imp remained there, even as he heard the loud footsteps approach.
“Ohh now he was pretty cute and rather sexy” A feminine voice spoke. Moxxie finally looked away from the crowd outside, crossing his arms while smiling at his companion. A part of him wondered just how much she had witnessed.
“You do know that he wanted to blow your brains out right?” Moxxie spoke with ease as Verosika joined him, a sly smile on her face as she took note of the business card in her friends hands
“Hmm yea, but judging from that card, he decided that he’d rather blow yours out instead” she teased laughing at her friends reaction as he fidgeted with the card, not denying her words.
“The tours over Mox, we have a few days before heading back to lust, take the time off, you’ve earnt it, go have some fun” Verosika patted him on the back before leaving.
Moxxie merely flipped the card again as he stared at the number, his mind replaying the encounter with the handsome hound.
A few days off huh? Yea he can work with that, smiling he pulled out his phone, messaging the number.
‘It’s Moxxie, you’re going to be hiding for few days right? Want me to help keep you from dying of boredom ;)
‘Thought never ask, I’ll send a map’
Moxxie couldn’t help but smile at the last message. He’d never thought he’d this was how is night would go. But he was beyond keen to see how things with Vortex played out.