"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.
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.
"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!"
"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.
"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~"
He chuckled and straightened up his collar. Perhaps later, Vox would realize he was the one being somewhat domesticated, but right now he had to sail on that pride of having a whole and intact Radio Demon just a stone's throw away. And in his room, no less. There was a delicious taboo to it, and if he'd told himself seventy years ago he'd be like this, he'd get a kick out of watching the CRT explode into a thousand pieces and confetti.
"What I wouldn't give to take the attic out of the equation, Val, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there~"
He paused.
Had a think.
COUGHED. OH god, what's he saying!? The vapor rose from the back of his monitor. "RIGHT, so- ribs, uhh- corn, cornbread, drinks???"
"I want an agua fresca. Can we like, split a milkshake? The diner ones are soooooo heavy. Ooooor, maybe I can give you some fun shivers by licking it off your--"
His stomach flipped hard with the interjection, but he cleared his throat. God, he was so good at keeping his shit together. He deserves an award!
"Anywhere's fine, seeing as we're going from burgers to barbecue so far. Ethan can hoof it." He knew Valentino- it's what he wants, or he won't eat, and he'd rather everybody eats tonight.
"Today's been stressful as all get out- you dead set about 'light', sweetheart?"
"Yeah, I don't need to down something with more grease than what Val slathers on stage," she rolled her eyes, getting an amused laugh from the moth. "Something like a burrito bowl. Saved my carbs for the evening. Your Prince of the Forest still being a cranky asshole?"
"He's just hormonal, doll, right?"
"Pfft. Shut up, Val. Vox-- if you need a break from him, I'll deer-sit. I still want to fix that fucking tragedy of a haircut."
He snickered. Bu-rri-to boooowl... added to the list. And whatever an aggy-fresh-coat is. Milkshake. He'll just put up an extra hologram window and look up what the fuck an agua-thingy is.
...Oh. So it's like... fruit punch without ginger ale? Okay. Easy.
"HA! He's had that hair style for 70 years! You wanna take a shot at it, I wish you luck. But I suppose even the Radio Demon needs a spa day, huh? Especially when you've got something nearing a small cantaloupe strapped to the belly and giving you back cramps..."
He hadn't thought of that, and was momentarily VERY distracted. Did he really not peek at Al's ass enough-?
"Right. Overlords meeting one another isn't exactly out of the ordinary to boot, even if people don't exactly visit Rosie on her turf much without it possibly costing them an arm and a leg."
Eyebrow wiggle. Anyone? Anyone? Right-
"But for further discretion, I wouldn't be too concerned. I've got it handled. On the topic of handling, we should talk shop about the Hazbin project sooner, rather than later, in person, too."
"UGH, I can't beLIEVE you have to go work for that mannish Princessa. And ANGEL-- I bet he's fucking everyone in that shithole without even getting any money for it--"
"Oh my god, shut up, Val. If you really don't want him there, then just keep him in your fucking studio next time he comes in," Velvette oh so helpfully contributed.
"But then he gets on my nerves!!"
"I really do not give a fuck about your shit with Angel, Val. Vee, what all are you doing exactly? We don't have to make this a whole thing, right? We have plenty of shit to keep running in the meantime."
"Okay, but you will record and give us the highlight reels of all the cringiest, shittiest moments, right?" Velvette snickered.
"Wait, huh, a year? Isn't el invitado further along than that?"
"PSH! What, you're gonna throw the man out the second he shits the kid out, Val? And maybe he'll even stick around longer and be helpful with it instead of a complete bitch about it."
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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
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."
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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."
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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."
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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."
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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!"
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"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.
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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."
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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."
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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?"
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"...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...
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"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."
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"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~?"
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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..."
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"What I wouldn't give to take the attic out of the equation, Val, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there~"
He paused.
Had a think.
COUGHED. OH god, what's he saying!? The vapor rose from the back of his monitor. "RIGHT, so- ribs, uhh- corn, cornbread, drinks???"
1/2
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"Heyyyy baybyyyyy~ We're ordering dinner, whatchu want, doll~?"
"Something light-- where are you ordering from?"
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"Anywhere's fine, seeing as we're going from burgers to barbecue so far. Ethan can hoof it." He knew Valentino- it's what he wants, or he won't eat, and he'd rather everybody eats tonight.
"Today's been stressful as all get out- you dead set about 'light', sweetheart?"
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"He's just hormonal, doll, right?"
"Pfft. Shut up, Val. Vox-- if you need a break from him, I'll deer-sit. I still want to fix that fucking tragedy of a haircut."
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...Oh. So it's like... fruit punch without ginger ale? Okay. Easy.
"HA! He's had that hair style for 70 years! You wanna take a shot at it, I wish you luck. But I suppose even the Radio Demon needs a spa day, huh? Especially when you've got something nearing a small cantaloupe strapped to the belly and giving you back cramps..."
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"Stoppit-- anyway. Show's about done, I'm getting the prep done for that tonight. No one's talkin' goss about our trip today."
"We were SUUUUPER discreet, it's fiiiine."
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"Right. Overlords meeting one another isn't exactly out of the ordinary to boot, even if people don't exactly visit Rosie on her turf much without it possibly costing them an arm and a leg."
Eyebrow wiggle. Anyone? Anyone? Right-
"But for further discretion, I wouldn't be too concerned. I've got it handled. On the topic of handling, we should talk shop about the Hazbin project sooner, rather than later, in person, too."
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"Oh my god, shut up, Val. If you really don't want him there, then just keep him in your fucking studio next time he comes in," Velvette oh so helpfully contributed.
"But then he gets on my nerves!!"
"I really do not give a fuck about your shit with Angel, Val. Vee, what all are you doing exactly? We don't have to make this a whole thing, right? We have plenty of shit to keep running in the meantime."
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He took a moment to brace a hand against one rim of his monitor and twisted his back and shoulder for a good, loud pop-
"What's one more challenge, huh?? Fifty-plus years of business experience versus... what, ten months of singing and crying on her end? A year?"
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"Wait, huh, a year? Isn't el invitado further along than that?"
"PSH! What, you're gonna throw the man out the second he shits the kid out, Val? And maybe he'll even stick around longer and be helpful with it instead of a complete bitch about it."
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