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“Stupid fucking machine..” Vox murmured under his breath taking in his surroundings.
Baxter had just made a new machine upon Vox’s request and as much as Baxter warned him that it wasn’t done, Vox wasn’t the one to wait on something that can feed his image drastically after what happened 2 months ago. So here he was, stuck in..wherever the hell this is. If this was even hell, but he assumed it was anyways.
Vox tapped at his watch’s screen in frustration, an eyebrow raising up slowly on his flat face. His frown increased before the screen flickered dramatically and powered off. His eye twitched before he let out a long sigh. It’s fine, nooo problem. He can get out of here no problem. He’s Vox for Lucifer’s sake. But first, he just needs to find some tools to fix his watch.
Vox began to wander. Padding around the purple wooden platform that was surrounded by darkness, which made him nervous more than he’d like to admit. The lack of people finally made Vox break.
“Where the fuck is everyone?!” The frustration was noticeable in Vox’s voice. He didn’t expect anyone to be listening.
“Is that inappropriate language I hear, on my show?” A sudden voice boomed.
Lights beamed down on Vox’s slim figure. He covered his eyes immediately with an arm, with an annoyed groan. What the hell..? “Coming to your home, its Mr. (ant) Tenna!!” A different announcer spoke, who was most likely from a previously recorded tape.
A huge presence appeared next to him. Vox glanced from the corner of his eyes. Did he see that right? Did he really just see a 16ft man next to him? He took a second look. Longer, practically staring now.. his eyes traveled up to see this man’s face.
The man certainly had a healthy build that his clothes had complimented nicely, and his head was a- TV? His screen was white and his nose pointed out of the screen. The outer case of his TV’d head was colored lilac and so were the antennas that sat on his head. The man was wearing a formal suit, the kind you’d wear to an important meeting, although his yellow tie was put on rather lazily. His red jacket with gold words saying “TV” was the first thing that got Vox’s attention. This towering electronic must be the host of this wack show.
An audience appears out of thin air downstage. Not giving Vox a chance to process yet. The crowd cheers. The host starts to bow quickly, more times than necessary before he points to the crowd with a microphone in his other hand.
“Say it with me folks!” Tenna says enthusiastically, “It’s.. TV TIME!!” The crowd chants along with him.
Vox’s eyes adjust to the people in front of him, after putting much of his attention to the man next to him on the stage. They don’t look like other sinners and this “Tenna” guy doesn’t either. Honestly, that was the least of his worries, because being in front of an audience without his usual professional appearance had ruined the first rule of how he was supposed to maintain his image. His black hat and infamous suit’s jacket weren’t on his character. I mean, he wasn’t really thinking of being in front of an audience tonight.
“Now let’s meet our star contest for tonight! Tenna said, walking closer to Vox. He leaned down to get a closer look at him, only for Vox to receive a slightly confused look, “err..you don’t look like a Darkner, or a Lightner.”
The two terms confused him. Is that supposed to be some racist shit that Vox isn’t getting? “A what?” Vox had to look up at him which was embarrassing. He was barely as tall as one of Tenna’s legs.
Tenna’s head tilted, still trying to figure Vox out but then stood up straight again, “Never mind that.” Tenna spoke quickly, discarding his wonder as a whole, “A contestant is a contestant! What’s your name? The audience needs to know who they’ll be watching tonight!”
What’s his name? What’s his name?! He’s Vox, goddamn it. Leader of THE Vees! The one who almost had heaven and hell, both, in his grasp. The one who owned the radio demon and could’ve kept everything if he just-
No, forget about that. All of it.
As far as he knows, right now, there’s some nobody trying to make their show big. And in the process of that, trying to copy Vox’s looks? Besides the color scheme and the crappy old TV Tenna had compared to Vox’s New one, they were quite similar. Which made him more frustrated.
“My name?” Vox said with a stifled laugh before letting it out fully. Tenna’s smile faltered at the obvious mocking expression, “You people live in hell and don’t know about me? And, you watch this lousy fucker?“ the audience murmured in confusion. Hell? What is this man talking about?
“Wha- Mike cut the cameras before the censors kill me!” Tenna’s screen flickered slightly. Of course, Vox is not a sinner who lets up.
He continued, “Who even let you go in front of the cameras- or even live? Don’t tell me Val has hired a shitty me just to piss me off.” Vox’s laugh died slowly but his blue grin reached each side of his flat screened face, “you know what? I’ll play Val’s game, but we play it my way.”
Tenna’s flickering stopped, at Vox’s words. The audience was more intrigued by Vox’s cocky attitude, their murmuring started again but less confused and more excited to hear this challenge.
Vox’s clawed finger points up to Tenna, “Let’s fight for the audience! If I gain the most attention then you’ll just have to crawl back whatever sad ditch you climbed out of. If you gain the most then you keep your idiotic show.”
The crowd cheered at the suggestion, they get to pick who’s better? Those shows are always the best. Seeing the people get excited made Tenna start to feel nervous. Fighting for his show was not something he’s done before, and if he loses he’s done for!
“F-fine! But I’ll choose the first activity.” He Smoothed his tie with a hand, a nervous motion he’s developed over time. Tenna tried to kept his voice steady even though Vox could see the digital sweat drops appear on his screen, “We’ll use Spin-a-Choice to uh..choose!!” Tenna says as the spin-a-choice rolled onto the stage behind them. Vox scoffed at it. The wheel is always a cliche in reality game shows. He shouldn’t be surprised that Tenna was also using it.
Tenna spun the colorful wheel quite hard while a sound effect of a drumroll played. It faded as the pointer landed on “Cooking with Tenna” Tenna’s face seemed to lit up, “oh! I must warn you, er..”
“Vox.”
“Vox! And the ladies and germs, that I am extremely good at cooking up a dish!” Tenna said excitedly, “You can even say that I am the next Martin Yan!” The audience gave small laughs at the joke.
Vox rolled his eyes. This’ll be an easy win.
______________________________________
Two actives have passed, they were currently going onto the third, and Vox needed to kill someone, horribly.
Somehow the audience continues to favor Tenna! While Vox’s Fun-O-Meter was stuck in less than half. Maybe it was all the gorey jokes, and swearing he’d been doing, but come on! When did people start hating that?
The third and final activity was similar to a turn-based fighting game. Vox would fight first, then Tenna, and it went back and forth like that. Both had their groups which were little black and white figured men with hats. Vox was pretty sure they were a side cast just in case Tenna needed to bring them in for whatever reason.
Vox grit his teeth. His team was low on health and after this blow that means he was going to lose, and Vox is not good at losing. At all.
“I’m sorry, Vox, but cockiness is not a good suit on just anyone!” The audience laughed at the playful banter.
His hands fisted at his sides. They were laughing at him. At him!! He hasn’t felt this humiliated since Charlie proved her stupid redemption hotel!
Tenna’s team delivered the final blow and Vox’s men fell dramatically as practiced. A dramatic effect of smoke poofed from the ground in front of Vox’s face and his group.
“Let’s give a round of an applause to our star contest for participating in our games!” Unlike Vox, Tenna was a good sport when it came to games like these. Unfortunately, Vox is a child.
“I don’t need your pity applause.” Vox’s voice crackled with static.
Hearing the thunderous voice, Tenna looked through the smoke Vox was behind. There, he saw a red and black spiraling eye. Cold sweat immediately appeared at the back of Tenna’s neck. Holy-
“I’m getting that fucking win!” Vox lunged through the grey clouds. All Tenna saw was a quick flash of blue electricity. Vox’s claws instantly pierced into Tenna’s red jacket. He looked like a little kitten climbing up a person’s leg, except his angry look ruined that thought.
“M-Mike, close the curtains! Close the curtains!!” Tenna shook his leg, hopping on one foot but Vox was determined to stay on. The curtains closed, blocking the view for the audience.
“You think you can humiliate me like that?!” Now that he reached the top of the tall host, Vox wrapped his legs around Tenna’s neck. His claws not hesitating to scratch at the old box. Tenna’s giant hands desperately grabbed at him to pry him half but instead he fell onto his back. Vox followed the fall, his knees hitting the floor keeping Tenna’s neck in between his thighs.
“Oof!” The wooden boards thudded at Tenna’s fall, “Are you trying to ruin my show, you bright colored psycho!” Tenna said back.
Vox spiked at that insult. His digital teeth gritted, “You’re a TV- that means I can easily take control over you, bitch.” He reached out an open hand to the side, to which a cable came flying from who knows where right into his palm. One side of the cable connected to the back Vox’s flat screen, and the other, Vox forcibly inserted to the back of Tenna’s boxed head.
He’s never done this before. He can connect to any screen or electronic, but another living TV person? It was out of his experience.
They both tensed at the spike of electricity going through both their bodies. Their screens flashed violently before their bodies gave out completely.
Vox’s eyes slowly opened. Two blinks was enough to make him register where he was. It was a black void, well, not necessarily a void. His shoes were planted on a ground he couldn’t see. At least he was grounded. He looked at his hands..normal. Touched his head, also normal. He was fine. Then where was he?
A noise of a light switching on grabbed Vox’s attention. He turned his head first before his body followed. It was Tenna under the spotlight. His back was to Vox, his head down. Tenna’s white gloved hands were placed behind him, but they were clenched in what seemed anger or frustration. A telephone was discarded on the ground, like the previous person using it left in a rush. Vox tilted his head slightly before a black door appeared at the corner of his vision. A small character seemed to be peeking out. Their skin paper white which combined their pure black hair. The only color on them was their bright red circled cheeks and the yellow and pink colored lenses that hid their eyes perfectly. They immediately closed the door once Vox got a good second of seeing their details.
“That dirty two-bit-!” Tenna’s figure said lowly under his breath, “if he just signed it, we could’ve been..partners.”
Vox breathing stoped. That word, that one cursed word that he hated, brought memories flying into his mind immediately. Alastor, the bar, his (he hates calling it this) tantrum, and how hurt he was going back to his shitty rented apartment. Just because the Radio Demon didn’t see him as an equal, partner, not even a friend.
But that means that Tenna went through something similar. That means that-
Vox straightened up immediately, looking down at the old box’s face, “You’re like me.” They both said in unison, suddenly awake from the mental plain they were in. Vox’s screen flushed light blue. Shit..he forgot that Tenna probably saw his memories of Alastor. That’s embarrassing.
Tenna didn’t seem embarrassed though. His cheeks had a dusted pink to it, with this lopsided goofy smile on his face. to him, he’s finally met an equal. Someone who knows how he’s felt. Who shares the fear of abandonment.
A sudden pink flower bloomed on Tenna’s nose. It made Vox lean back in surprise, “what the fuck..?”
______________________________________
They both were sat in a storage room. Or rather, Vox sat on Tenna’s stomach and Tenna was cramped in, barely able to sit up or lay down fully.
Currently, Vox was more focused on fixing his watch with the tools he found around this room, instead of talking to the giant. But Tenna wanted to talk to him. He seemed to be more interested in Vox after they saw each other’s memories. Not that he was exactly interested in the beginning, due to bad first impressions.
“You were a serial killer, died because a Tv fell on your head. Then landed in Hell, a real hot red place, and you run a company called VoxTek which is all about media?”
“Yup..” Vox responded, not really paying attention. He was comfortable enough to tell Tenna half of his background. Especially after learning that this wasn’t hell and instead a place called “Dark World”?
A silence came over them. Tenna stared at Vox with his nonexistent eyes. Vox was a really interesting person. He’s definitely succeed more as well, which Tenna won’t lie made him a little jealous. But it wasn’t a bad thing either.
“You’re extremely extraordinary..” Tenna said unconsciously, he caught himself and stammered, “besides your psychotic tendencies.”
Vox immediately froze at those words. That light blue blush dusted his screen again. He didn’t look at Tenna, “Of course, I am.”
“How did you turn into a big shot?”
“Big shot? I haven’t heard that saying in a while..” Vox murmured, before clearing his voice and started to work the tools in his hands, “Well just like you, I started small and worked my way up. Followed the trends and whatever. Just like you I had a boxed head. It was a 50’s one though.”
“You had a 50’s television? Er, how did you switch heads to this..flat screened one?”
“I can detach my head.”
“Seriously?” Tenna was absolutely awed at that idea. Was he just outdated or was Vox just super hightech, “I can’t do that.”
“Hm..guess my plan of getting you a newer screen is out of the picture. Unless you want to do it the excruciating way.”
Vox’s idea of a joke wasn’t humorous to Tenna. He gave a nervous laugh, “N-no thank you..”
Tenna’s response stalled the conversation, even though Vox could easily pick it up again. In fact, he was planning to. He couldn’t stop thinking about Tenna’s memories. They weren’t clear, and Vox wasn’t big on emotional puzzles. What was the contract about? What does the phone on the floor mean? And most importantly, “Who was that man I saw in your memories?”
Tenna tensed at the question, he looked away quickly. “His name is Spamton. He was my partner for a while. He was going to teach me how to be a big shot, but he backed out on it, I should be more honest and say, he ran out on it.”
Vox looked up at the answer, “Why? Was there a reason?” It was stupid to ask that.
“No, not that I know of. He said he needed to take a phone call and then he was gone.”A pause, “It was a while back, it doesn’t matter anymore since I now have my own game show now.” A bright smile was shown on Tenna’s screen. He was definitely proud of what he was able to accomplish without Spamton. Vox didn’t react to the smile.
“…Well, that’s still idiotic. I would’ve invested in you. You had potential and honestly the same 5 shows I put out could use someone like you.”
Now Tenna really didn’t want to face Vox, even though Vox could clearly see that stupid flower appearing at the end of Tenna’s nose again, “W-what about you? Alastor-?”
Before Tenna could even finish his question, Vox’s screen flickered for one second before his original face returned. He looked unbothered but Tenna could tell that Vox wasn’t exactly over this Alastor-deer-man.
“Im sorry.” Vox ignored the apology.
As he finished tightening the tiny bolts, Vox finally fixed his watch, hopefully. He put it back on his wrist and started tapping on the tiny screen. It turned on perfectly, everything was stable and ready for action.
A breath, Vox didn’t know he was holding, was let go, “Looks like I can still send Baxter a message.” With one claw he typed a text that was along the lines of, “bring me back or I’m not paying you!” With many curse words included.
Tenna’s antenna’s drooped slightly. Was Vox going to leave this suddenly? But Tenna wasn’t ready yet! He wanted to talk longer. Maybe even have Vox on his show a couple more times. He didn’t want to be alone again..
When Vox looked up he was met with a sad puppy looking Tenna, “Wha- what the hell is that look?”
“It’s the don’t-leave-me-alone look” Tenna responded with a voice that Vox couldn’t quite place, but it definitely did something to him.
“And why are you giving me that look?”
“B-because! We have so much in common.! It’s just..been a while since I had someone to actually talk to without putting up an act for. You actually understand me..”
Vox softened at that. Tenna wasn’t wrong it was nice to talk to someone who was the same. Especially after putting up an act for so long. Vox moved closer, “Fine, but only because my employee might take a long time fixing the machine.”
Tenna’s face instantly lit up and started babbling about ideas for the game show. Vox honestly wasn’t listening. Although they were very much the same they were also so different. Tenna was mostly good while Vox was absolutely rotten to the core, but that somehow was attracting Vox.
Without thinking, Vox leaned down and pressed their digital lips together. Instantly the words coming out of Tenna’s mouth died. If he had eyes they’d be very wide. A hot pink surged over Tenna’s screen. Vox deepened it slightly, seeing that Tenna didn’t protest or push him away.
This felt unfamiliar. Usually when he’d kiss Val it’d be in a lustful way more than anything. But kissing Tenna, it felt genuine. Like a quiet beach, was the best way Vox could describe it.
Vox pulled away, after another second. Tenna was absolutely dazed and speechless. Vox’s voice filled the air,
“You guys have sex here, right?”
______________________________________
Six months passed, during these months Vox had changed drastically. Sure, he still had his anger issues but around Tenna it would disappear, just like that. He got more comfortable talking about his past. Tenna being the first person ever to know about Vox’s mortal past. They were officially partners in the show business and openly public to their audience about the relationship.
Vox has never felt so at peace. He cant even accept it without feeling that he didn’t deserve this, but Tenna always reassured him. Giving him small kisses on the his flat screened face and hugging him tightly.
Tenna was quite the touchy one, it was new to not push him away. Vox was barely getting used to it, in a good way. He never hated physical touch, in private he was all about it. (if you get what he means.) it was the feeling behind it. In hell it was only lust. With Tenna, it was gentle, so warm and full of love. A love that Vox didn’t think was possible after Alastor. He didn’t want to leave Tenna, ever.
“Vincent..? Vincent..~” Tenna’s voice rang, dull and faded.
Vox’s eyes opened with a slight gasp. A blue ceiling met him- a blue ceiling? This wasn’t the room of Tenna. He immediately looked to his side, where Tenna was supposed to be sleeping peacefully next to him. Nothing, and worst of all it was his room. The blue room he hasn’t seen in half a year.
His pulse spiked in panic. Jolting off the bed Vox searched desperately around his mansion he forgot he even had.
“Tenna? Love, where are you?!” The panic evident in his voice.
“Voxxy?” Vox turned immediately at the other voice. Valentino, “you’re awake.. Baxter was saying how you need rest, that ‘transporting you back’ would take your energy away. You feeling-“
Vox didn’t bother to listening. He grabbed Valentino’s arms tightly, “Val, the machine..! Where the fuck is it?!” His hypnotic eye swirled.
“Uh-“ Valentino’s eyes widened at this desperation that old Vox would call pathetic, “Baxter said he took it apart, and it wasn’t worth trying again on the project..”
His chest tightened, pupils shrunk. The machine was destroyed. The only way to get back to Tenna was destroyed. His hands fell to his sides clenched, claws digging into his palms. Backing away, he lowered his head, “oh.” Silence fell over them. It was awkward, Val can visibly see this wasn’t the same Vox that left, but before Val can think even more about it in front of him, Vox murmured, “I’m going to get more rest.” He turned around without another word.
He went straight to his untouched bed and stared at it. It was so stupid to think he could spend the rest of eternal life with Tenna. Hands finally fell loose, screen flickering. He was a sinner for Lucifer’s sake, there was no such thing as a happy for him. He was trash. Nothing without Tenna.
The floor thudded when his knees hit the floor. Vox’s arms crossed on the bed as his lowered his flat screened head against them. Hot streams of tears fell, a rare expression from Vincent. He wants to go back. He can’t go back and live like normal after Tenna! Tenna was the only one who understood..and cared about him.
He didn’t even say goodbye..