On Alastor Claiming to Hate Vox's Touch and Vox's Reaction
and how Vox's past might have influenced the Radio Demon more than he lets on.
I see people losing their mind over this little statement left and right, and, well, that's how fandom is, but, please, can we keep the nuance and stick to the facts? I beg.
Alastor is touch-averse to a degree, no question, unless he is the one touching or fond of the person in question (Niffty climbing him) or it's the right kind of touch he likes at whatever given moment.
Howsoever, none of this is of any importance in the moment in question.
The scene makes it intensely clear that Alastor only refers to a specific touch he can't stand. And for a good reason! (From Alastor's pov, at least.)
Alastor doesn't like it when Vox puts his hands on his shoulders.
Of course he doesn't! He himself (Alastor) uses this gesture to manipulate!
It's a gesture Alastor connects to asserting power over another person while also trying to win their trust. So, having it done to him, he identifies as an attempt at manipulation. It also comes of as condescending, and there is little he dislikes more than being treated with this kind of conceit.
This makes the situation sad and complicated, indeed. - Since treating him in a condescending way was not Vincent's intention, especially not in the past. Yes, Vox uses the gesture too, and, it is quite likely, knowing the life he led, he often does for the exact same reason as Alastor. Yet, in the flashback, he merely followed the impulse and didn't mean to manipulate him. (As Vivienne Medrano confirmed, his intentions with Alastor were genuine in the flashback.)
Now, in my opinion, it is Vincent's past that adds the lacking part to the flashback scene. What Vincent sees is a man who inspires him, with a similar drive, with a similar profession/passion, with a similar darkness in him. Maybe he had even heard of Alastor while still alive, should his deeds have been in the media after his death.
What Alastor sees is a man who is as ruthless as himself, who killed every single 'partner' he ever had when viewing them as more powerful/successful than himself. With his trust issues and 'protect yourself and never let anyone close' mentality, Vincent's suggested partnership is a risk he simply cannot take with him. Heartbreaking, since he is clearly very fond of him and shows it with the most sincere smile we ever see from him:
(Yes, even while touched, if not in the mentioned triggering way.)
During the rejection, Alastor never appears truly amused but rather distressed and seems to be in pain (hysterical) about having to cut off this friendship that meant a lot to him, too. (Other people wrote a lot about this topic already, the averting his gaze, the expressions, the hairpulling ...)
So back to the specific shoulder touch, which further confirms, to Alastor, that Vincent merely tries to assert dominance and to use him (and later even kill him, probably, as he must consider).
There is a slight sound of displeasure even in the flashback, when Vox puts his hands on Alastor's shoulders.
There is no such sound or any sign of annoyance while Vox has his hand on him casually right before that moment; there also is no such sound or any sign of annoyance earlier, when Vox touches his shoulder more loosely and not in this highly specific way:
Alastor does not hate Vox's touch in general. He definitely enjoys their little 'dances', and it's a literal on-screen point that Vox doesn't overdo it with touching him and respecting his space. The moment Alastor shows the slightest hint of displeasure, Vox pulls back his hands:
He could have done whatever while he had him as his captive. But this wasn't even an idea that crossed Vox's or Alastor's mind. Vox is portrayed as uninterested in anything Alastor doesn't give willingly; he wants his approval, not to force his touch on him. And Alastor is portrayed as being aware, making this deal without restricting Vox's options, knowing he won't overstep in ways he cannot handle.
All the more Vox is shocked when Alastor claims to hate the shoulder touch he considered a tiny thing - while Alastor never verbalized that he dislikes it before:
As mentioned above, the scene leaves no doubt that Alastor refers to the specific shoulder touch, not to being touched or being touched by Vox in general. Vox even underlines it, trying to understand:
The fandom can calm down, no harm done, Vox does a lot of shit, but him knowingly ignoring Alastor's consent and touching him in ways he hates is not part of his character and, frankly, OOC. He did the shoulder touch Alastor dislikes without knowing he dislikes it.
To keep in mind what exact touch Alastor hates gives a deeper understanding of who he is and his past and it would be a pity to leave this out and replace it with a plain "Oh touch bad to him".
I'm pretty sure there is no need to frown about some random occassions with Vox's hands on his frienemies shoulders who never heard of personal space - as long as he is the one doing the touching.
The amazing gifs and vid are by @voxuntethered. ❤
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