divinetree | It's not that complicated, no matter what they say

"Ugh."

Immediately pouty! "Aside from the occasional hunt to make sure Maman and I were fed, no, I didn't have any unique fondness for them. I enjoyed the gators if anything, but it pales to how you adore sharks."

He paused to snap, summoning some hellhound shampoo - it was one of the only kinds he'd found that made his hair tameable and not a complete wiry textured nightmare. Glowering at the hellhound on the bottle, he rolled his eyes.

"Were I killed the way I expected, hunted down by law enforcement and their hounds, maybe there'd be a cruel irony in my appearance there."

Admitting it still felt sour - Alastor poured the soap into his palm and started scrubbing at his scalp.

So it was a surprise, clearly- but NOT by the police? He didn't find any articles about a radio host from New Orleans in the 30s, so he did always wonder how Al died.

"Oh trust me- my death sucked. I sure as shit know about cruel irony, and I'm glad I'm able to upgrade myself due to being part machine."

He pressed his hands to the small of his back and let his back pop.

"Can't imagine you with gator features, though." He paused. Snorted back a laugh.

"...Floating like a log in the bayou, waiting for your next victim..."

"Lurking... waiting..."

Alastor rotated in the bath, submerging himself to his nose and speaking with his teeth locked shut.

"Eager to snap my jaws in a decisive blow. To roll and tear away flesh."

He had to clutch himself, unable to stop the laugh. "Ala... Alagator...! Alagastor...?"

No, this was too much. He can't...!

It got a hearty guffaw out of Alastor, who went back to relaxing in the bath after dunking his head to rinse the soap out of his hair. Ahh, silly...

"Haw hahah... ahh, alas. No, I was shot when I was in the midst of hiding a body. Right through the head with a rifle - I practically blinked, had a blinding instant of pain and came to in Hell!"

He tapped the middle of his forehead - figured it was obvious enough with the x that would appear there.

He knew, was living proof, too- that one's death did leave a permanent mark upon a sinner in their damned form. He'd occasionally seen the little mark on his forehead when he got really fired up back in the day, and had to wonder the tale. Vox always thought it was a shootout with the police or something, but... huh.

"Shit, I wish mine was quick," he noted with a wince. "I dunno if it was seconds or minutes, but it felt like hours..."

But flipped a hand dismissively, and quickly recovered. "But that's neither here nor there! All's well in there? Should I leave you with the jellyfish, ooooor... do you need an extra pair of hands~?"

"Lewd," Alastor immediately quipped, chuckling a bit. But it didn't really sound like he minded.

"That does raise the question - what would you like from me tonight? A bit of indulgence of your libido? A dance? To share the bed?"

Anything else, he didn't feel like offering - he knew going into today that he fully intended to make sure Vox ended on a high note, after that scare. Rosie was clever with it, but Alastor wasn't going to let her sow seeds of discontent - that's his decision, not hers.

The playfulness, his mischief dissolved immediately, screen brightening as his arms fell to his sides with the suggestions.

"...What...?"

Pardon him, his processors now need a little time to reset.

"A-are you serious?"

"You came for me and your child, you stood up to Rosie even knowing the dangers, and you weren't stupid about any of it," Alastor explained, so very matter-of-fact. "And I'm in a good mood, tonight."

Despite everything. Or really... because of everything. He's finally back in a private haven of his own - with a man he knows exactly how to steer in any way he wants. From controlled, to being in control.

Yes, he felt quite good, tonight.

"And besides, joke or not - I did promise you I would give you something if you managed not to gag at the soup. I never forget a promise."

His heart was like a frantic bird in a cage. He'd had a complete outfit change and went in with intent to go to war... for him. By all accounts, Vox of VoxTek was insane. But he'd have done the exact same thing all over again if he had to do the day over without hesitation.

The media demon was drawn in. Briefly, his claws settled beneath where his tie would have been on a normal day. In the soft blue light, the lazily drifting jellies like little stars floating overhead, the glow of red eyes, and the way the water slid down the other man's body, dribbled off the ears, taunting him...

Yeah. His libido was definitely scratching at the door and whining. It was begging him to tear off everything he was wearing, Velvette be damned, and dive into that tub. It was big enough...

Instead he folded his arms behind his back and made a slow circle around the room. It'd let him cool down.

The old ticker simply doesn't beat for anyone...

Yet small kisses along his monitor still burned in his memory.

I chose YOU.

Why did this man have to be so confusing?? He wanted to chew at the bars in himself, rattle them, but knew that if he pushed too far it'd hurt far more than help.

His libido could take a back seat.

"I think..." He began, paused, and made a show of consideration. "We should see if those hooves of yours are up to snuff before any dancing to unwind."

Vox cleared his throat quietly. "And we did figure out a position that helps you sleep somewhat comfortably, if I recall correctly. I think after mutually dealing with that woman's particular brand of unsettling aura, it's more than earned."

Not going for what Alastor assumed was the most appealing offering, not even tempted after seeing the shirt and then him in the bath... aren't you funny, being a little unpredictable? Or maybe Alastor's changing body wasn't as appealing? Hmm, no... that sounded counter to how the man always acted when he had it under his palm.

"That sounds pleasant, then. Dinner, a bit of music and unwinding from there, then," he concurred, using magic to summon the matching fur conditioner he found best made his hair soft. Might as well make for a pleasant cuddle buddy, he thought, coating the strands. "I will say my bed is preferable, but perhaps watching a film in your indulgent home theater may do well too."

"Choices, choices," he chuckled. Watching a film sounded wonderful, and he was usually the guy who would suggest a movie night. Yet...

His eyes had turned to the jellies, and he'd stopped pacing. "The fireflies... were a late addition to your quarters. I wanted to get them right, after not seeing them for almost a hundred years. You don't see anything like them in the cities... not really. But when I was a boy, I'd have a big jar full of sticks and leaves and see if I could catch some in the yard before being called in for dinner."

It was no secret to himself that he'd grown rather fond of that slice of earth he'd spared no expense to have put together.

"...So I could go either way."

Aren't you funny, pal... Alastor closed his eyes for a bit as he let the conditioner sit, staying silent even as he dunked his head to rinse it all out again, turning the water a little more soapy in the process. He still reflexively shook his head once out of the water, splattering in the bathroom - but considered regardless.

Vox had been scared. Thought he'd left. Was he going above and beyond to please Alastor? And if so, was that something he wanted?

...

Well. This more selfless side of Vox was a surprise, but... it was something Alastor could admit to himself that he was hoping to see for the little one. If he cared for his child like this, then things really would be just fine if he wouldn't be allowed to stay.

"Hmmm... then for tonight, we'll rest in my bed. Sad to report that there haven't been any noticeable kicks, yet - we have a bit longer to wait."

There was something charming about the way the ears moved, especially when he shook off his hair. The radio demon was hell's boogeyman, and yet... why was he so fucking adorable?

What fear or apprehension lingered in him seemed to have vanished for the time being, at least. Inwardly, he was quelled by the simplicity of just having a chat like this, something he worried would never happen again when he read that invitation, fearing the worst.

But it was talks like these, and the very real thing they'd made together, that had him doubly determined to hit the ground running starting tomorrow. Hotel business was only days away, and if Alastor's pregnancy functioned like a normal human one, less than 40 weeks would fly on by. Vox had an overlord to outfox, and fast.

But tonight? ...Tonight was when everything could backburner.

"Heh. All that growing and nothing yet, huh?"

He paused, briefly clenched his jaw, and decided to just be out with it: "...You, uh..."

He griped about the aches and pains, and seemed to clutch himself when he grew agitated. The covering up was typical to keep some level of secrecy, but he had to wonder if something about his condition bothered him on a personal level.

"...You carry it well. Really well."

"So you've said!" Alastor huffed a half-chuckle, squeezing water out of his longer strands of hair. "I suppose the aesthetics don't bother me. They certainly seem to pull a certain type of reaction from you or men like you, after all."

Really, if it weren't for the vulnerability of it all, the way it painted a massive target on him... Alastor probably wouldn't have minded. Offloading a lot of the safety efforts onto Vox so he didn't carry them himself was valuable - the nightmarish terror he'd had before making a Deal was certainly not something he wanted to revisit.

"You're refining quite nicely in anticipation of fatherhood, yourself. Far less of an egotistical blowhard - I'm now sure your worst trait as a father will simply be getting distracted."

"'Men like me', huh? Any others I should know about...?" Let's keep it playful. Let's not let today's events bog us down any more. They needed to keep it tight for future plans, after all. And now he had so much work to do. God, he was glad he loved cooking up schemes... Rosie picked the worst guy for this! Heheh...

Vox paused, quirked a brow.

"...You know I'm excited for it, right?" And nervous as hell over it, but that's- that's normal! Surely!

"Velvette already gave me something of a riot act about how much work it'll be, which... sure, I get. But I think we'll shock those around us when we prove that a couple of maniacs like us can tackle it!"

"She's a smart girl, you should listen to her more!" Alastor laughed. The idea of the two of them sticking to it together, though...

"So you won't lock the door on me once I'm dragged out, hmm?"

That... made Alastor far less anxious. Especially if it was true.

"Oh, I see... you're picking favorites now!" He made a show of putting a hand to his heart and frowning. "It's the fashion sense, isn't it? She's too fucking good! It's not fair..."

But locking the door in the end, huh...? He'll feed Rosie to the sharks himself, in that regard. Bony crone like her would make a nice chew toy.

The question was treated with a quick bark of laughter. "Okay- first of all, you bypassed ALL of my fucking security the day you told me I got you pregnant, so the notion of locking you out at ALL is laughable..."

He whirled on a heel and faced one of the fish tanks, folding his arms behind his back. "...And I'm just so fond of being a pain in your ass, you see."

"Hah! That's true... there's nothing you can do to keep me from the child," Alastor 'threatened', though there was no real edge or bite to it. Vox needs his help, and is too much of a traditional sucker to exclude a birth parent.

Contentedly, Alastor chuckled under his breath, touching his middle. I can't call you mine, but I'll never be far.

And if Vox tried to use that to coerce Alastor to use his power for Vox's plans? Tried to manipulate him for selfish needs? Well... Alastor would show his old pal who the better manipulator of the two of them really is.

"You must be addicted to how angry I make you, too."

"'Addicted'... so dramatic." He rolled his fingers, then tightened both claws into fists. "But there's a strong, undeniable draw to the challenge you offer me, yes. Makes a guy feel alive. ...In a manner of speaking."

He sprung into step, making long strides across the bathroom before he went into a walk-in closet. A couple of towels, one of his bath robes... that's the ticket. He took a minute to fold them before he set them aside.

"Anyway, whenever you're ready for them. These'll be a bit big on you, but who gives a fuck, right?" He straightened up and smoothed down his vest.

"I'll step out and touch base with the others about dinner real quick. Were you serious about the burger, or are you craving something else?"

"Got any slippers?" Alastor asked once Vox brought out the robe and towels, ears perked with interest. Though for the question of food, hmm...

"...Yes, I'll have that burger. But order something like a baked potato in case the burger turns out too much, hmm?"

Or his appetite kept up, either way. Alastor pulled the plug on the drain, letting the water out and using his shadowy tendrils to lift himself out of the tub and onto the bathmat without incident. "I'll be out shortly," he hummed, wrapping the robe around himself for decency and sneaking a quick moment to inhale its scent.

It smelled nice...

"Naturally." You'll never guess what shape they depicted as he brought them over, and with a nod, he quietly excused himself. Burger, back-up potato just in case the kid wanted to make the stomach protest.

"Take your time...!"

Once in the rec room area, he cued up a conference call for Valentino and Velvette and threw out a pair of holographic screens for face-timing. For once, he wasn't going to talk about work! You're welcome.

"Lady! Gentleman! Dinner plans. What're we doing so I can start putting in an order...? Our guest is still on for the burger, so I'm more than set."

Valentino answered first, Velvette's connection left ringing. He seemed to be chatting in the middle of a shoot being set up - Travis was in the background barking orders.

"Ohh, dinner plans! I kinda want barbecue, babe, like, a rib sandwich and corn 'n shit," Valentino cooed into the phone, before turning and holding it a little closer to his face. "Are you and el invitado having fun~? Did you help him relax, Cariño? Is he bratty like you thought~?"

Barbecue... got it. Wait, were rib sandwiches back? Shit, his lunch plan for tomorrow was set, too. All the stress and running around was leaving him more carnivorous than usual. ...Or maybe it was an empathy craving? Were those a thing?

Vox cued up the order list, adding Valentino's preferences, but he briefly went owl-eyed.

His mind helpfully depicted his bath robe, baggier on the slighter frame, all but dripping off the body of the red brat, the last remnants of the bath water struggling to hang on to the ends of his hair--

Vox sucked in a breath and cleared his throat. Get it together. "Ha- Well... working on it. And since when has bratty ever stopped me? I know a few of those..."

"Mmhmm, I know how much you like showing who's the big daddy," Val salaciously laughed, wiggling his eyebrows. "He's been getting really cutely domesticated with you, huh? You've got a little attic wife thing going on~"

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