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Alastor enjoyed his afternoon walking. Today was a day for him, a much-needed time that he needed to sort out his turbulent thoughts.
Things had been…busy lately. Alastor hardly felt that he had a moment to breathe between his duties, which no longer felt like duties, with Charlie; Vox looking for a fight and the strange intensity of Vaggie, Charlie and, especially, Lucifer after learning of his pathetic performance in battle.
This, just walking, without Vox following him with his army of annoying mosquitoes, without Charlie hogging his attention, without Vaggie urging him to take things slow, and without Lucifer and his strange new intensity felt almost like freedom.
Alastor hummed as he walked, waving to a couple of people and enjoying the chaos in his wake. It almost seemed like he had regained his old reputation. What a pleasure.
He had almost arrived at Canibal Town to enjoy a snack in the company of the only person who didn't get on his nerves. Dear Rosie would be a breath of fresh air without a doubt.
His good mood is ruined just as he stepped into the Emporium's entrance because Alastor felt the change as soon as it happened, as noticeable and jarring as an off-key note. And then, pain.
Vox , he realized with fear scratching his chest.
For too many years Vox had been one of the frequencies that constantly vibrated, but it was by far the strongest of all, always pulling and clamoring for his lost attention. Now it was a deafening scream. A cry for help .
Despite their insults Vox was neither completely unprotected nor completely useless, especially with how ruthless Valentino and Velvette could be in protecting them from his own nonsense.
(Alastor knew it well)
So what could have caused that?
There was a second, almost desperate call and Alastor closed his eyes, almost giving in to the desire to cover his ears as well.
He didn't owe anything to Vox.
Vox was their biggest thorn in the side, ultimately insignificant but very annoying.
It would be nice to get rid of it.
But it wasn't Alastor who was getting rid of him.
And that was unforgivable.
Alastor didn't hear Rosie shout his name in an attempt to get his attention. The shadows pulled at him and Alastor surrendered to the connection he mostly ignored unless he tried to spy on him or attack him.
In his head he could see shining electric blue the rope that tied his and Vox's consciousnesses together, an undying bond that was somehow weakening.
Shadows spat him out in a burning inferno, screams and moans of bodies scattered around him. The Vees Tower penthouse was barely recognizable with all the vices and parts scattered around.
A massacre had occurred here.
Alastor didn't stop. He walked past what looked like a Velvette with a burned face, unapologetically kicked one of Valentino's wings, and jumped over what looked like the last Vox assistant Alastor met before arriving at his destination.
Vox , Alastor called on the frequency he hadn't touched since that brutal fight that broke their friendship.
Vox's screen was broken and failing, the holographic face was barely manifesting and yet the frequencies animated and tried to get closer to it.
Alastor lowered Vox's heavy body from where he had been crucified, ignored the electricity that electrocuted him almost painfully, and laid Vox down with the greatest of gentleness.
Alastor's hands tried to stop the bleeding from the largest of the wounds on Vox's chest, a futile attempt that only managed to cover his hands and his thick crimson coat.
Vox tried to speak, but the sound was too distorted, its frequency on the other hand still managed to transmit.
Alastor put his forehead against the screen, approaching Vox in every way he could, his tentacles tearing and binding the wounds at his command.
They weren't words so much as feelings and intentions.
Joy, hope, gratitude
Vox was glad Alastor was there.
Permanence, solidity, an old affection
Alastor guaranteed him that he would not leave.
Pain, discomfort, despair
Vox transmitted his pain.
Permanence, solidity, an old affection
Alastor guaranteed him that he would not leave.
Pain, discomfort, despair
Vox transmitted his pain.
I'm here, feel me, I'm with you.
Alastor swore he would take care of him and caressed the screen with a tenderness he thought he would never show him again.
Moth, fabric, love, a tangled mass of feelings of permanence
Vox asked about its partners
Alastor carefully kept the memories away and promised that he would search for them, three of his Minions manifesting to search for survivors or corpses.
I missed you
Vox's heart began to beat slower, Alastor's chest ached in response.
I'm here
He promised
Please
An old request, the request that destroyed them in the past, the wish of a dying man.
you're not dying
Alastor growled, clinging to the damp fabric
Please
Their frequencies intertwined, Vox's wavered and disappeared before returning.
Stay with me, don't you dare leave me
Alastor poured out all his anger and helplessness,
All your old feelings
All their regrets for what was broken between them.
And he kissed Vox with that desperation.
Vox's lips were almost intangible and cold beneath his, the sparks left light burns and the taste was salty from tears and bitter from fear.
The first kiss they had, the only one they would ever share.
The world stopped.
A rope was cut.
And emptiness replaced it.
Alastor stared at his hands. It was not the first time that his hands were stained with blood. It also wasn't the first time the blood was from a person he couldn't protect.
A person he loved
And as he moved for an answer, feeling like a ship adrift, Alastor felt like he could cry at the strange betrayal that washed over him.
With his last thoughts Vox had shown him his murderer. The avenging angel, the lord of hell, Lucifer Morningstar.
.
.
.
.
.
Lucifer,
Charlie's father.
Lucifer,
who treated everyone in the hotel like they were his ducklings.
Lucifer,
who looked at him with that strange intensity.
Lucifer,
who cooked breakfast for everyone.
Lucifer,
who laughed at his jokes.
Lucifer,
who sometimes seemed to worry about him.
Lucifer,
Who was he arguing with
Lucifer,
With whom he shared in silence.
Lucifer,
Who he brought out of his dark moods.
Lucifer,
The dreamer
Lucifer,
The destroyer
Lucifer,
His enemy?
Things that didn't add up, moments that now made too much sense. The arguments, the veiled threats, the moments of camaraderie and the touches and kisses .
Was this his fault?