Chapter Text
Vox knew he was not the perfect husband by any means of the word. Heck, he had ended up in hell for more reasons than he would care to ever admit but it is as coming around that date again. Nothing got him more jittery than wanting to impress Alastor at his own game. They often tried to one up each other in order to see who could have the most impressive anniversary gift but Alastor knew him too well. He always knew how to beat Vox even at something as simple as gift giving. However, in the back of his mind, he recalled what Alastor had last mentioned to him about wanting to continue their mischief.
“Since I won, we can prepare for a fake honeymoon or crash a wedding next time. I have ideas.” This is what Alastor had told Vox the last time he had seen him before going back to Little Miss Rainbows and Sunshine’s Hotel. The words still echoed in his mind from time to time.
After work, he loosened his tie and called Velvette and Valentino to his office. She entered while tapping away at her phone. Val also followed with a sketch book in one hand and his phone in the other. They both slouched into their prospective chairs.
Vox looked firmly at them. “Guys, I need ideas for…a gift I’m giving to an old friend who…was important to me when we were alive.”
Both of them stopped very abruptly and looked at him as if he had said something beyond weird. “You had friends when you were alive?” Velvette said.
“Only one matters,” Vox said as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Velvette tossed a look in Valentino’s direction before saying, “Ah, why don’t you introduce us to your friend?” She put emphasis on the word friend.
Vox raised a brow. “Why did you say it like that? He is my friend.”
“Alright. He’s in hell?”
“Where else would he be?” Vox asked, starting to get annoyed as he crossed his ankles.
“Oh…nowhere,” Velvette said, “Don’t mind me.”
Valentino sighed. “Just get him something he’s probably really into like a new cockring.”
Vox’s face turned beat red. “Ah…I’m not sure…”
Velvette tossed another knowing look in Valentino’s direction as if to say I told you so.
“Can we know the name of your amigito especial?” Val teased.
Vox looked away. “I don’t really know what you said but he’s just my friend. Really. We are meeting about business matters.”
“Okay. Whatever you say,” Velvette said. “But I’m onto you. I know the footage that was leaked last time was edited so don’t think we won’t find out.”
Vox looked unphased by Velvette’s threat. “Guys this isn’t that serious. I was just looking to open a conversation with him again. It’s been a little while since we last saw each other and I…I just want to make sure we stay right.”
Vel and Val looked at each other and then smiled. “Why not do something you enjoyed doing in your human life?” Vel suggested.
Vox thought about it until an idea occurred to him. “You’re right! Thanks guys!”
Vox quickly set to work, wanting to ensure his plan was executed smoothly.
Vox saw Alastor’s shadow before he saw Alastor. Alastor sighed as he leaned against the walls of the alley. “You look glum considering the day it is,” Alastor said.
“I’ve had a lot on my mind lately, Al. It’s nothing. Let’s make the day as special as we can make it. It only comes once a year,” Vox said with a smile. “And this time we are going to do what you enjoy most of all.”
Alastor tilted his head a bit as if waiting to see what Vox would say.
“You love fucking with the residences of hell, even if not in the literal sense,” Vox said. “I have some fun things planned today that will reap havoc across the Pride Ring.”
”Awe, just for little o’le me?” Alastor said in a pretend caring voice with fake enlarged eyes. “Hehe, I’m excited to see what you dare think will be better than my gift.”
“We’ll see, old timer,” Vox said as he led Alastor out of the alley.
They headed for the studio. Alastor’s ears dropped momentarily before perking back up once inside. Alastor, though a smile plastered on his face, looked vulnerable with the confused and timid expression in his gaze.
“What are we doing here, Vincent?” Alastor asked.
Vox grabbed Alastor’s hands intimately, taking Alastor aback. “Alastor, we’ve known each other since we were alive on earth. It’s been a long time. And though I know you’ve wanted to keep this secret but would mind televising some renewals?”
Alastor looked lost and a little concerned because some of the employees had stopped working and were now staring at Vox and whispering amongst each other.
”Our vows. I wanted to renew them. Would you mind if we televised this? Together as television and radio, we could do so much in hell together again like we did on earth.” Vox said.
Alastor looked a little blankly at him. He blinked a few times. This was far from any anniversary gift he expected. It had completely caught him off guard. When he snapped back he smirked at Vox. “And where is my promised ring?”
Vox’s face glitched as he rubbed the top of his TV head. “I…”
”You hadn’t thought that part through?” Alastor asked.
“Something to that effect,” Vox admitted.
“Fair enough,” Alastor said. ”I still will expect my ring for those vows and it will be a small ceremony. Just us and—“ Alastor turned to see the employees that were staring at them. Alastor’s ears dropped. “They and your colleagues are invited if you so please.”
“Are you inviting anyone?” Vox asked.
”It’s pretend isn’t it?” Alastor asked as if pleading for it to be. The whispers around grew tenfold.
Vox’s eyes looked around as he said, “Get back to work or else you are all fired!”
Vox pulled out a chair for Alastor but he did not sit in it. Alastor chose to remain standing. He could not look weak in hell for either of their sakes. After a long moment of silence between the both of them, he said, “It can be pretend,” Vox said, curtly with a short smile.
“I would prefer it that way,” Alastor said. “It is safer this way.”
Vox nodded knowing Alastor was right about that but also could not help but want to beg him to return to their human ways when all they ever did was put everything on the line and risk what they had for each other and their few loved ones. Every since they both ended up in hell, things had changed dramatically. They both still loved each other immensely but there was an emptiness there that lingered and Vox needed that gone. Stags always traveled as a group. He wanted to be part of Alastor’s heard and follow him wherever he went. Alastor quickly left the studio via his shadow and they agreed to meet again back at Vee Tower but this time in Vox’s lair.
Valentino, unbenounced to Vox or Alastor, grabbed his phone out of his pocket and quickly dialed for Velvette.
”I have some chisme about Voxxy you will enjoy. But first, I think he needs our help.”