It was like he'd been released from a hook, the pressure in his chest loosening. Vox adjusted his seating position and opted for fiddling with his cuff links to keep his hands busy.
"How kind of you," he replied with a half-eyeroll. With another check of the time, he sat back and enjoyed a momentary and blissful silence. No phone notifications, no buzzing, no Ethan coming in to bother him. He'd effectively cleared his schedule for this nice chunk.
The peace ended when motion caught his peripheral and he peeked, just in time for the undershirt to get gone. Uh-
Wait, that WAS a fucking corset! YOU--
"Uh-"
After all of the touching, the shirtlessness and the corset were starting a rather vexing war in his head. How much time did they have? Could they just-? Could he--
No. No, no, no. He needed to get his shit together. The power balance was absolutely off. Vox fumbled, but reached out to assist as asked.
"Yeah. Yeah, sure." He's unhooked bras before, even with these claws. Watch him make short work of this.
"Man, who makes these any more...? This from that Cannibal Town...?"
"Nope! Found a sewing pattern in an old maternity book and made it myself," Alastor answered plainly, holding the corset in place as it was unhooked. Sure, he could've done it himself, but there was always a bit of feeling around for it or resorting to using his tentacles.
Besides, he could hear the slight buzz from Vox's screen from just a bit of static. The hint of extra light as the tv-head literally glowed from embarrassment. And that's fun.
Once unhooked, Alastor tugged on some cute lace ends that had been tucked in his pocket to release the back and took it off - it was much more obvious that he was pregnant, and not just thicker all around. There was a small bump, distinct in shape and size - enough to hide under the clothes, but probably not for much longer.
It was something so innocuous, removing that corset, but the garment was actually pretty cute all things considered. But Alastor had a little more fill and Vox's desire to touch was beginning to scream. It raised to a fever pitch with the undeniable evidence of what the Radio Demon carried- what they made- after an evening of hedonistic violence, blood and some of the best god-damned sex he's had in life and in death.
The electric current ran steady between his antennae as his mouth ran dry.
"...God, you look so fuckin' good..." Was what his mouth decided to form, tone awed and quiet.
Then he startled. He sat up straight. He crossed one leg tight over the other.
"...Y'know. For a guy who can't really kiss, anyway," he added, cleared his throat and let himself have a little grin.
Now, Alastor had been expecting some remark about his appearance - he'd wagered it was 50-50 on a snide comment regarding his weight or more obvious drooling, so that part he just chuckled at.
But then the remark about the kiss-- Alastor sat up straighter, head rotating on a swivel in shock.
Now THAT reaction was enough to have him practically choke on nothing laughing.
"Oh my god- I was your first!?" He brought a hand to his chest. But his eyes were tearing up with further mirth. Blood-crazed insanity or not, the guy chose to kiss HIM. After realizing so much about himself over the decades, he had no idea how badly he'd wanted something like this.
"Awww, don't- don't be like that...! Everybody starts somewhere...! You just..."
Compose, compose, compose... he propped his chin in a hand but couldn't stop the amused smile. "...You just need to practice. We've got time right now, you know?"
Alastor's head turned away and he tightened his pout. He hadn't even meant to kiss Vox in the FIRST place, it'd just been the instinct that happened after deciding not to completely behead the man! Some... frustrated energy after defying the instinct to devour him whole.
He tasted good. Settled nicely in the stomach, fed their fawn--
This pregnancy was wreaking havoc on his mental state. He knew to expect it from the reading, but... this was beyond the pale. He was being a parody of himself, of a pregnant woman-- person? Whatnot.
"...I suppose that's unequivocally true," Alastor finally said through an exhale.
Put your pride aside - Vox needs to feel rewarded and invested for the child. This isn't about you, right now.
And touch didn't feel skin-crawling today - at least not yet. It'd been... acceptable, even. So Alastor sighed again, facing Vox and leaning his shoulder in again.
"And you have been making significant efforts. It'd be wrong to not acknowledge you taking things seriously."
He fully expected to be told to go fuck himself, but in that Alastor sort of way. He would have a chuckle, make some remark about being shy, and call it a draw for now.
Instead, he seemed to... agree? Then there was this closeness again that didn't slow the stomach that was already flipping around. He... hadn't accounted for that. Maybe he'd get his tongue bitten off for trying.
...Like he intended to use tongue anyway. Alastor was a little too classy for things like that. Maybe.
Was it foolishness if you knew you were possibly being baited, but still did a swan dive into the trap anyway? He'd had his throat torn out before. But he got better.
...
"You made the rookie mistake of trying to emulate what you see in movies," he noted quietly. "But those actors do what looks good to an audience. They rehearsed it. But regular slobs like us..."
He turned and raised a hand, got a little self-indulgent with a sweep back of a section of red and black hair before he propped the palm along the jaw. "...Improvise... and go with the flow..."
Vox could always have switched on his eye, urge him to relax. But he always found the idea so gauche. Instead he eased for a little more self-indulgence, a light touch to one cheek. The sheer nature of him loaned to a small tingle that came alongside the touch of his lips, one that lingered even a few seconds after he'd pulled back.
So much of him was shark-like, much to his delight. But rather than a lunge in, have himself a big bite, his kiss that followed was the warm press of a greeting after spending so long apart. ...Over 70 years, perhaps...?
That hadn't been even slightly close to what he'd been thinking, excuse you, he was simply thinking 'I want to devour you' and instinct pulled him there after--
The gentle touch completely derailed Alastor's thoughts, save for the subtle whispers in the back of his mind reminding him that it could be a dominance game again. But-- those soft touches again... those damn soft little touches keep getting him in trouble.
Go with the flow.
Like a dance. Feel where your partner is moving, match the energy-- it was little. It was just... a meeting of lips. Not overwhelming, not devouring, just...
...Gentle.
... ... ...
After a beat, Alastor returned the faint pressure, hooking a claw in Vox's tie to let him know they could continue. Even if he was tense and awkward about it, even if his mind was running a million miles an hour wondering is this a bad idea or what is he getting from this-- the touch itself felt... comforting.
Gentle.
...He'd really never had truly gentle touches.
When Alastor freed his claw and leaned back a bit, he hummed in thought, studying the glow of Vox's face even if the screen took up his entire field of view this close. Hah.
"...I suppose that's not so bad. Is that a good reward, for you?"
He could have been quick about it, but that hook at his tie may as well have been a set of fingers against his ribcage, his heart. Any tiny, microscopic inclination to pull away was smothered.
They could have had this. This. What went wrong? Where... he just couldn't... god, he-
The angle was a little odd, but that was okay. Without a word, he needed to break the kiss for just a moment to readjust, lips still touching before he was back in. Warmer, this time, just one more. Vox felt that ache, a familiar pang and a momentary tight clench in his throat and he shut down that prior thought. For as tense and as awkward as the other demon was, that faint press was enough to send his stomach into a little freefall.
Like it was the 50s again. Like they'd just been dancing all night again, and the whiskey was fresh on the tongue.
Vox hadn't moved when Alastor pulled away. It took him a second before, as the thread of electricity slowly faded between his antennae, the hems of his closed eyes almost sluggishly began to reopen.
"...Huh?..." It was a soft thought aloud. Reward. Reward, that's... right, he'd been taking things seriously, so. Tit for tat. An exchange. A transaction.
The grin was wide. It's what HE does, right? Keeps them guessing! His screen needed another frame to refresh, going from a mild snow to a steady blue in its glow.
"Looks like an old deer can learn new tricks. You ever feel like brushing up some more, you give me a call."
There. Sufficient. Keeping to character. With a beep sounding off over his monitor, he immediately gathered up the discarded layers and binder. He wasn't sure why he took the extra measure of making sure they weren't folded in a way that'd wrinkle. He shouldn't care.
Despite his ear twitching at the sound of the beep, of the sound of the elevator buzzing to life, Alastor looked - and felt - at ease. Vox hadn't pushed any boundary, hadn't been all over him, hadn't been a simpering mess begging for more - why, he was downright classy about it.
Alastor didn't usually sit around shirtless, it'd always felt... strange, less dignified to do so - but he felt unbothered about it for the first time in a long time as he simply rested his fingers against the tiny curve at his middle, drumming his fingers lightly.
...For all of the terror and complication that this mishap brought him, he... was a bit glad to have what almost felt like a nostalgic moment with Vox, even if they'd never done anything remotely like any of this.
"Yes, indeed. We'll likely get an answer as to how many, on top of hearing a heartbeat."
That part made him a bit nervous - it already felt to Alastor like he was carrying a lead weight in his body just by knowing that a child was in there, but it'd be even more real feeling once he heard that.
"You'll see what the damage will be to your free time and your wallet soon enough."
Right? So classy. Now don't tell the others, or he'll never hear the end of it. Seriously. Don't.
His heart started to kick up, all nerves. Right, heartbeats, easy as pie. The reality of it was sinking in a little, and he wouldn't admit he was a little... excited? Would they be able to tell what it'd be? May as well kick the 'monitor head' accusations to the curb or simply be ready to have his guts eaten over something he literally had no control over, right?
He masked it all with a chuckle as he stood, keeping the folded articles slung over a bent arm. "In all these years, you've never once looked up my profile? My net worth is listed and I assure you it's legit."
He raised a fist to his lower lip and made a show of clearing his throat. Back was straight, steps were crisp, but he was definitely blushing and not remotely looking the other man's way. "So unless I put a good baker's dozen in there, I wouldn't worry."
"I don't know, Vox. You tell me how many pups a mother shark will have."
Alastor doesn't remember any specific number that Vox might've told him before, but if it's a fish, it's probably quite a lot.
At the elevator, the same crone-like nurse candlehead from months ago was stepping out, pulling a cart of equipment and staring at her phone. The telltale red-and-black hypnotism radiated from her eyes and while it disappeared as she blinked and looked up at the two, her unsurprised little smile seemed to show it was still working.
"Ah, miss Jane Doe! You've definitely been eating more like I said, you look much healthier, dear," the old gal congratulated, passing a clipboard with the invoice to Vox. "Nothing invasive today, dear, unless you're up to it."
"We shall see," Alastor grumbled a bit, smile twitching at the corners of his mouth. He reached over her and took a hold of the handle of the cart, helping her pull it in - it wasn't especially heavy, and since the nurse didn't tut him for it, he figured he was fine enough to help.
"Such a wonderful employer to help with the care of an employee, you're so very lucky, miss Doe!" the nurse cooed. Alastor shot the aforementioned man a withering stare.
"Yes. How very fortunate," he said, with all of the underlying tone of congratulate yourself a little more, why don't you?
Of course, the answer immediately flit to mind. But he wasn't sharing the exact number, lest he risk Alastor taking the first shadow out of here. Instead he cleared his throat and focused on a quick check of his programming.
Namely, their programming. You see, he had the most sophisticated system to the point of simplicity nowadays, and once he confirmed that it was still working exactly as planned, he brushed imaginary dust off his sleeve.
Vox went from a mild fluster and back to crisp as he accepted the clipboard and looked everything over. Still checked out.
He quirked a brow when Alastor moved to help with the cart. His grip tightened on the clipboard as his head canted just an inch, studying. But he would... behave today, and not raise a fuss about it.
"Hah! Fortunate indeed. Why, I wouldn't be where I am today without so many busy bees dedicating their lives to the betterment of Hell and sharing my dream! And the trick to that is making sure they're fit as fiddles!"
The withering stare was met head on with the cheekiest grin, like a man who just ordered a long-awaited smoothie at their favorite shop.
Alastor huffed, ROLLING his eyes and looking away again - just in time for the candlehead to find their way right back to the sofa they'd been sitting on. "This'll do nicely, I think - go on and sit, miss Doe."
Fiiiine... Alastor sat obediently, letting the hypnotized nurse go about her job starting with measuring blood pressure and getting a check on Alastor's heart and lungs. Thankfully, for all of his dead-ness, everything seemed to be working fine...
"Stopped the drinking and smoking, and your lungs sound really clear, dear! Blood pressure is good... so far so good, huh? Go ahead and lay down, I'll get the jelly."
"Mm, riveting," Alastor grumbled, feeling embarrassed despite all of the praise. ...He's grateful Vox at least thought to get a woman for this. If he even thought about it and didn't just stumble into something considerate. "What're we expecting to see this time?"
"Let's see, you say you know your conception date... I'd say given the day you gave last time, you should be getting to your 13th week, so we'll be looking at making sure they're developing in the right spot and how many, since you said you were worried about multiples."
"A certain someone insists he can bankroll any number, at least," he scoffed, giving Vox another look. Even if this. Felt a LOT stranger with Vox actually in the room, this time.
He selected a spot to settle, flicking through to the appropriate channels to allocate funding, make approvals, and put his name on it. Making it normal, making it belong allowed the discretion to add another layer. He wondered how many hellborn bosses went around covering up for pregnancies they caused among employees? Sure was prevalent on earth, at least. Some things never change.
Right. Shit. The smoking thing. Vox masked a sigh as he swapped to another channel in his system and cancelled his next order of his favorite kind. Cold turkey. Consider it a challenge. What could go wrong?
He was just shutting those down, his attention back on in time for talk of bankrolling. Ah, yes, right-
Vox clicked his tongue for show, shook his head in mock dismay. "You really underestimate my net worth! Aw- Don't worry about a thing! You're covered, sweetheart~"
Anyway, fft, time to see a little gray blob or whatever and hope the head's not square-
The monitor is set up, the little wand is tested, and after Alastor flinched at how chilly the jelly was, he settled and relaxed enough for the nurse to hum along and start looking.
Despite his calm demeanor, Alastor's ears had drooped back - he didn't see what the nurse was looking at or really recognize organs at all through the guise of the wand, but... the anticipation still had his heart pounding a bit.
"Good news, dear - no ectopic pregnancy, so things are going smoothly so far!" the nurse encouraged before letting out a little 'ah hah!', holding the wand in place.
Through the monitor, there was a boosted steady thump, thump, thump, thump-- and as she pointed to the screen, Alastor immediately recognized the shape. Despite everything, it felt like a lead weight in his chest - it really was real.
"One for sure, looking about right for a little baby succubus... good steady heartbeat, and I'm not seeing any signs of any more just yet."
"Hah... nice round head," Alastor dryly joked, swallowing the anxiety a bit.
It wasn't until he heard the heartbeat that he'd been at full attention. The clipboard was set aside. He'd read plenty of those books over the weeks, but... the real thing was...
He was eventually hunched over one of the sofa's arm rests, wide-eyed fascination directed at the screen. He had the perfect opportunity to joke about his pelvis- and his own- being safe. But...
"Hmmmm... not getting the clearest picture, but I'm not seeing a tail developing yet... or any wings. But the main body is growing very nicely, and in a few months we can check again," the nurse hummed, pointing at the screen to little forming limbs. Alastor pressed a hand to his temple, almost as speechless as Vox was.
...Though the lack of some punchy joke was a bit of a relief. Gave him time to grasp things as the nurse checked for other siblings.
"I'm not worried about any of that, so long as they're healthy," he eventually said.
"I'm not seeing any siblings in here, but we'll only know for sure if we use the other equipment--"
"No."
"--or wait a few weeks. But you're looking great, miss Doe, and your little one's looking lively! It won't be much longer before you start feeling them moving around, too," the nurse encouraged, setting the screen back to the baby so she could get a few print-worthy pictures.
"...Well. It looks like you're off the hook, 'boss'," Alastor finally joked.
Is... is that all they can see for right now? No, no, of course not, it was still so early, but... look at the little limbs!! That's- that's just a little guy in there! Look at the little guy!!
Wait, he couldn't get EXCITED. Not like this. Not now, certainly.
Jokes? Jokes. Let's stick with those to mask his racing heart. Stay cocky.
He shrugged and was very 'aw shucks' with the shake of his head. "...Y'know what? I'm good with conceding genetics on that front. I guess they can have a regular old head. But they're going to appreciate a good movie and some bad ones, too. I'm calling dibs on that."
Alastor paused, gauging to see if the nurse caught anything obvious, but-- no, no. She was clearly hypnotized and not even perceiving that part of the conversation, busying herself with a pamphlet on symptoms at this stage that she passed to 'Jane Doe' along with a towel. Well, well.
"They're your child, after all. You get to decide how to raise them," he said softly. A bit fondly, even, staring at the screen where the still image still remained. The heartbeat wasn't audible anymore, but Alastor could practically hear it thrumming in his ears anyway.
"No tail so far. No sign of antennae. We'll see what else develops, I suppose."
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sugaronthecream) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
divinetree2025-10-07 08:11 pm
no subject
"How kind of you," he replied with a half-eyeroll. With another check of the time, he sat back and enjoyed a momentary and blissful silence. No phone notifications, no buzzing, no Ethan coming in to bother him. He'd effectively cleared his schedule for this nice chunk.
The peace ended when motion caught his peripheral and he peeked, just in time for the undershirt to get gone. Uh-
Wait, that WAS a fucking corset! YOU--
"Uh-"
After all of the touching, the shirtlessness and the corset were starting a rather vexing war in his head. How much time did they have? Could they just-? Could he--
No. No, no, no. He needed to get his shit together. The power balance was absolutely off. Vox fumbled, but reached out to assist as asked.
"Yeah. Yeah, sure." He's unhooked bras before, even with these claws. Watch him make short work of this.
"Man, who makes these any more...? This from that Cannibal Town...?"
no subject
Besides, he could hear the slight buzz from Vox's screen from just a bit of static. The hint of extra light as the tv-head literally glowed from embarrassment. And that's fun.
Once unhooked, Alastor tugged on some cute lace ends that had been tucked in his pocket to release the back and took it off - it was much more obvious that he was pregnant, and not just thicker all around. There was a small bump, distinct in shape and size - enough to hide under the clothes, but probably not for much longer.
no subject
It was something so innocuous, removing that corset, but the garment was actually pretty cute all things considered. But Alastor had a little more fill and Vox's desire to touch was beginning to scream. It raised to a fever pitch with the undeniable evidence of what the Radio Demon carried- what they made- after an evening of hedonistic violence, blood and some of the best god-damned sex he's had in life and in death.
The electric current ran steady between his antennae as his mouth ran dry.
"...God, you look so fuckin' good..." Was what his mouth decided to form, tone awed and quiet.
Then he startled. He sat up straight. He crossed one leg tight over the other.
"...Y'know. For a guy who can't really kiss, anyway," he added, cleared his throat and let himself have a little grin.
1/2
But then the remark about the kiss-- Alastor sat up straighter, head rotating on a swivel in shock.
"...!"
no subject
Alastor's ears pinned back angrily and he turned away, head rotating back in place as he crossed his arms in a clear pout.
"You'd think you'd cherish such a thing - you got one from me when no one else has, even if it was a bout of blood-crazed insanity! Ungrateful."
no subject
"Oh my god- I was your first!?" He brought a hand to his chest. But his eyes were tearing up with further mirth. Blood-crazed insanity or not, the guy chose to kiss HIM. After realizing so much about himself over the decades, he had no idea how badly he'd wanted something like this.
"Awww, don't- don't be like that...! Everybody starts somewhere...! You just..."
Compose, compose, compose... he propped his chin in a hand but couldn't stop the amused smile. "...You just need to practice. We've got time right now, you know?"
1/2
Alastor's head turned away and he tightened his pout. He hadn't even meant to kiss Vox in the FIRST place, it'd just been the instinct that happened after deciding not to completely behead the man! Some... frustrated energy after defying the instinct to devour him whole.
He tasted good. Settled nicely in the stomach, fed their fawn--
2/3
This pregnancy was wreaking havoc on his mental state. He knew to expect it from the reading, but... this was beyond the pale. He was being a parody of himself, of a pregnant woman-- person? Whatnot.
And besides...
no subject
Put your pride aside - Vox needs to feel rewarded and invested for the child. This isn't about you, right now.
And touch didn't feel skin-crawling today - at least not yet. It'd been... acceptable, even. So Alastor sighed again, facing Vox and leaning his shoulder in again.
"And you have been making significant efforts. It'd be wrong to not acknowledge you taking things seriously."
1/2
Instead, he seemed to... agree? Then there was this closeness again that didn't slow the stomach that was already flipping around. He... hadn't accounted for that. Maybe he'd get his tongue bitten off for trying.
...Like he intended to use tongue anyway. Alastor was a little too classy for things like that. Maybe.
2/2
...
"You made the rookie mistake of trying to emulate what you see in movies," he noted quietly. "But those actors do what looks good to an audience. They rehearsed it. But regular slobs like us..."
He turned and raised a hand, got a little self-indulgent with a sweep back of a section of red and black hair before he propped the palm along the jaw. "...Improvise... and go with the flow..."
Vox could always have switched on his eye, urge him to relax. But he always found the idea so gauche. Instead he eased for a little more self-indulgence, a light touch to one cheek. The sheer nature of him loaned to a small tingle that came alongside the touch of his lips, one that lingered even a few seconds after he'd pulled back.
So much of him was shark-like, much to his delight. But rather than a lunge in, have himself a big bite, his kiss that followed was the warm press of a greeting after spending so long apart. ...Over 70 years, perhaps...?
no subject
The gentle touch completely derailed Alastor's thoughts, save for the subtle whispers in the back of his mind reminding him that it could be a dominance game again. But-- those soft touches again... those damn soft little touches keep getting him in trouble.
Go with the flow.
Like a dance. Feel where your partner is moving, match the energy-- it was little. It was just... a meeting of lips. Not overwhelming, not devouring, just...
...Gentle.
... ... ...
After a beat, Alastor returned the faint pressure, hooking a claw in Vox's tie to let him know they could continue. Even if he was tense and awkward about it, even if his mind was running a million miles an hour wondering is this a bad idea or what is he getting from this-- the touch itself felt... comforting.
Gentle.
...He'd really never had truly gentle touches.
When Alastor freed his claw and leaned back a bit, he hummed in thought, studying the glow of Vox's face even if the screen took up his entire field of view this close. Hah.
"...I suppose that's not so bad. Is that a good reward, for you?"
1/2
They could have had this. This. What went wrong? Where... he just couldn't... god, he-
The angle was a little odd, but that was okay. Without a word, he needed to break the kiss for just a moment to readjust, lips still touching before he was back in. Warmer, this time, just one more. Vox felt that ache, a familiar pang and a momentary tight clench in his throat and he shut down that prior thought. For as tense and as awkward as the other demon was, that faint press was enough to send his stomach into a little freefall.
Like it was the 50s again. Like they'd just been dancing all night again, and the whiskey was fresh on the tongue.
Vox hadn't moved when Alastor pulled away. It took him a second before, as the thread of electricity slowly faded between his antennae, the hems of his closed eyes almost sluggishly began to reopen.
"...Huh?..." It was a soft thought aloud. Reward. Reward, that's... right, he'd been taking things seriously, so. Tit for tat. An exchange. A transaction.
That's how it was with the Dealmaker.
2/2
"Looks like an old deer can learn new tricks. You ever feel like brushing up some more, you give me a call."
There. Sufficient. Keeping to character. With a beep sounding off over his monitor, he immediately gathered up the discarded layers and binder. He wasn't sure why he took the extra measure of making sure they weren't folded in a way that'd wrinkle. He shouldn't care.
"Looks like we're up."
no subject
Alastor didn't usually sit around shirtless, it'd always felt... strange, less dignified to do so - but he felt unbothered about it for the first time in a long time as he simply rested his fingers against the tiny curve at his middle, drumming his fingers lightly.
...For all of the terror and complication that this mishap brought him, he... was a bit glad to have what almost felt like a nostalgic moment with Vox, even if they'd never done anything remotely like any of this.
"Yes, indeed. We'll likely get an answer as to how many, on top of hearing a heartbeat."
That part made him a bit nervous - it already felt to Alastor like he was carrying a lead weight in his body just by knowing that a child was in there, but it'd be even more real feeling once he heard that.
"You'll see what the damage will be to your free time and your wallet soon enough."
no subject
His heart started to kick up, all nerves. Right, heartbeats, easy as pie. The reality of it was sinking in a little, and he wouldn't admit he was a little... excited? Would they be able to tell what it'd be? May as well kick the 'monitor head' accusations to the curb or simply be ready to have his guts eaten over something he literally had no control over, right?
He masked it all with a chuckle as he stood, keeping the folded articles slung over a bent arm. "In all these years, you've never once looked up my profile? My net worth is listed and I assure you it's legit."
He raised a fist to his lower lip and made a show of clearing his throat. Back was straight, steps were crisp, but he was definitely blushing and not remotely looking the other man's way. "So unless I put a good baker's dozen in there, I wouldn't worry."
A beat. His eyes slowly trailed.
"...That number's not... possible, right...?"
no subject
Alastor doesn't remember any specific number that Vox might've told him before, but if it's a fish, it's probably quite a lot.
At the elevator, the same crone-like nurse candlehead from months ago was stepping out, pulling a cart of equipment and staring at her phone. The telltale red-and-black hypnotism radiated from her eyes and while it disappeared as she blinked and looked up at the two, her unsurprised little smile seemed to show it was still working.
"Ah, miss Jane Doe! You've definitely been eating more like I said, you look much healthier, dear," the old gal congratulated, passing a clipboard with the invoice to Vox. "Nothing invasive today, dear, unless you're up to it."
"We shall see," Alastor grumbled a bit, smile twitching at the corners of his mouth. He reached over her and took a hold of the handle of the cart, helping her pull it in - it wasn't especially heavy, and since the nurse didn't tut him for it, he figured he was fine enough to help.
"Such a wonderful employer to help with the care of an employee, you're so very lucky, miss Doe!" the nurse cooed. Alastor shot the aforementioned man a withering stare.
"Yes. How very fortunate," he said, with all of the underlying tone of congratulate yourself a little more, why don't you?
no subject
Namely, their programming. You see, he had the most sophisticated system to the point of simplicity nowadays, and once he confirmed that it was still working exactly as planned, he brushed imaginary dust off his sleeve.
Vox went from a mild fluster and back to crisp as he accepted the clipboard and looked everything over. Still checked out.
He quirked a brow when Alastor moved to help with the cart. His grip tightened on the clipboard as his head canted just an inch, studying. But he would... behave today, and not raise a fuss about it.
"Hah! Fortunate indeed. Why, I wouldn't be where I am today without so many busy bees dedicating their lives to the betterment of Hell and sharing my dream! And the trick to that is making sure they're fit as fiddles!"
The withering stare was met head on with the cheekiest grin, like a man who just ordered a long-awaited smoothie at their favorite shop.
Speaking of- "You like smoothies...?"
no subject
Fiiiine... Alastor sat obediently, letting the hypnotized nurse go about her job starting with measuring blood pressure and getting a check on Alastor's heart and lungs. Thankfully, for all of his dead-ness, everything seemed to be working fine...
"Stopped the drinking and smoking, and your lungs sound really clear, dear! Blood pressure is good... so far so good, huh? Go ahead and lay down, I'll get the jelly."
"Mm, riveting," Alastor grumbled, feeling embarrassed despite all of the praise. ...He's grateful Vox at least thought to get a woman for this. If he even thought about it and didn't just stumble into something considerate. "What're we expecting to see this time?"
"Let's see, you say you know your conception date... I'd say given the day you gave last time, you should be getting to your 13th week, so we'll be looking at making sure they're developing in the right spot and how many, since you said you were worried about multiples."
"A certain someone insists he can bankroll any number, at least," he scoffed, giving Vox another look. Even if this. Felt a LOT stranger with Vox actually in the room, this time.
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Right. Shit. The smoking thing. Vox masked a sigh as he swapped to another channel in his system and cancelled his next order of his favorite kind. Cold turkey. Consider it a challenge. What could go wrong?
He was just shutting those down, his attention back on in time for talk of bankrolling. Ah, yes, right-
Vox clicked his tongue for show, shook his head in mock dismay. "You really underestimate my net worth! Aw- Don't worry about a thing! You're covered, sweetheart~"
Anyway, fft, time to see a little gray blob or whatever and hope the head's not square-
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Despite his calm demeanor, Alastor's ears had drooped back - he didn't see what the nurse was looking at or really recognize organs at all through the guise of the wand, but... the anticipation still had his heart pounding a bit.
"Good news, dear - no ectopic pregnancy, so things are going smoothly so far!" the nurse encouraged before letting out a little 'ah hah!', holding the wand in place.
Through the monitor, there was a boosted steady thump, thump, thump, thump-- and as she pointed to the screen, Alastor immediately recognized the shape. Despite everything, it felt like a lead weight in his chest - it really was real.
"One for sure, looking about right for a little baby succubus... good steady heartbeat, and I'm not seeing any signs of any more just yet."
"Hah... nice round head," Alastor dryly joked, swallowing the anxiety a bit.
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It wasn't until he heard the heartbeat that he'd been at full attention. The clipboard was set aside. He'd read plenty of those books over the weeks, but... the real thing was...
He was eventually hunched over one of the sofa's arm rests, wide-eyed fascination directed at the screen. He had the perfect opportunity to joke about his pelvis- and his own- being safe. But...
...
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...Though the lack of some punchy joke was a bit of a relief. Gave him time to grasp things as the nurse checked for other siblings.
"I'm not worried about any of that, so long as they're healthy," he eventually said.
"I'm not seeing any siblings in here, but we'll only know for sure if we use the other equipment--"
"No."
"--or wait a few weeks. But you're looking great, miss Doe, and your little one's looking lively! It won't be much longer before you start feeling them moving around, too," the nurse encouraged, setting the screen back to the baby so she could get a few print-worthy pictures.
"...Well. It looks like you're off the hook, 'boss'," Alastor finally joked.
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Wait, he couldn't get EXCITED. Not like this. Not now, certainly.
Jokes? Jokes. Let's stick with those to mask his racing heart. Stay cocky.
He shrugged and was very 'aw shucks' with the shake of his head. "...Y'know what? I'm good with conceding genetics on that front. I guess they can have a regular old head. But they're going to appreciate a good movie and some bad ones, too. I'm calling dibs on that."
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"They're your child, after all. You get to decide how to raise them," he said softly. A bit fondly, even, staring at the screen where the still image still remained. The heartbeat wasn't audible anymore, but Alastor could practically hear it thrumming in his ears anyway.
"No tail so far. No sign of antennae. We'll see what else develops, I suppose."
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