"Shut up!" Vox shouted at the anon. "You don't know what you're talking about! You have no idea how much I love him - I could never be bored of him! I was just scared! I didn't want to see his mocking indifference to another business partnership, and I didn't want him to feel like I was choosing anyone over him when I asked him to not kill Valentino! He is central to every decision I make, but I couldn't involve him without reliving the past because it still fucking hurts!"
Alastor froze, his eyes going wide and smile rigid as he stared at the television demon. Vox was so heated, electricity pouring off of him, that he didn't even notice.
After a moment, Alastor's eyes slid to Lucifer, who was looking at Vox with sympathy burning in his eyes. Eyes that almost immediately flicked to Alastor, and then he jerked his head towards Vox in a very pointed urge to talk to him.
Alastor turned back to his picture box, his electricity now fizzling out as he regained control over his emotions. "Vox..." That was all he was able to get out before he found himself once again at a loss. He grit his teeth and turned away.
He felt Vox's eyes as he focused on him. "What?" the television demon asked, almost warily.
Alastor still didn't know what he wanted to say, but for better or worse, the truth gas pulled words out of him, regardless. "I thought we were past all that."
"We are," Vox sighed. "But... just cause I made my peace with it doesn't erase anything. I still have... feelings about it, I just tune them out."
"And what are those feelings?" he asked, turning back to him.
Vox grimaced in anticipation of the truth. "Al, I dreamed about having you by my side, working together, for years. It was like my main goal from not too long after I landed in Hell. I get that it's not what you want, and that's fine, but your rejection was one of the most painful things I have ever experienced, and no amount of talking about it and understanding your side is going to change that."
"And... you're right," he muttered, looking down. "I didn't realize it, but as amazing as Lucifer partnering with me feels, as fucking happy as it makes me, it did bring all that back. I didn't realize that was why I was cutting you out of everything, but this just... wasn't something I felt I could talk to you about without reliving all that pain. So, subconsciously, maybe I was avoiding you. I don't know. It wasn't malicious, though; it was just easier for me. And it is something I'll get past again with time, but fuck, Al, I need you to respect what I want here. Show me I can talk to you about these things, and it'll be different. Hold off on Valentino. Please."
Alastor's smile had compressed to the point that it was barely visible. "I can't stand the idea of him being around you," he admitted slowly. "Not when I can put a stop to it."
"He won't touch me," Vox assured, taking a step closer. "I won't let him. And... he's suffering now. He's just been betrayed by the two people he trusted most. Let him stew in that for a little while, while he digs his own grave. I know I'd like to watch him spiral a bit more before putting him out of his misery."
The corner of Alastor's smile quirked up and he raised an eyebrow. "You should have led with that."
"Yeah, probably," he laughed. "But I get so emotional with you, it's hard to think straight."
"Hm, and normally I love that about you. But very well, I'll respect your timing, so long as I get to dispose of him my way, when the time is right."
Vox bit his lip. "There's... one more thing. If I do that, I need you to let me collect his souls."
Alastor's eyebrows shot up. "That's quite the ask."
He considered it for a moment. "And what if I agree to give you Angel's soul? That's the one you really care about, is it not?"
"I'd... appreciate that. But I was hoping to give him Val's souls, too. You know, that way he can take over Val's assets, and I'd prefer he have some souls under his belt before making him a member of the Vees."
Alastor tilted his head to the side thoughtfully. "And do you know if he even wants to join you?"
"I don't know," Vox shrugged. "But I don't get why anyone would turn that down."
Alastor raised an eyebrow, and Vox grimaced. "That wasn't pointed," he sighed.
"Consciously," Vox agreed reluctantly.
Alastor brushed it off. "Perhaps talk to him about it, and once you have his answer, we can discuss the souls."
"I was kind of trying to avoid having that conversation with him until after Valentino is out of the picture," Vox admitted. "Val knows we're friends, so I think it's better if he doesn't know for now."
"In case Valentino orders him to tell him if you're planning something," Alastor reasoned.
"Exactly. I don't want to make things worse for him."
"How considerate," he teased.
Vox shrugged with a wry smile. "I can be every now and then."
"Fine," Alastor sighed. "It's not as though Valentino's death will be quick, so you'll have ample time to discuss everything with him whilst I torture him. And then we can work out what to do with the souls. Perhaps some kind of division? You know I'm not picky, so you and he could hand-pick the ones you want. It wouldn't do to overwhelm a new Overlord with so many souls, after all!"
"Well, yeah, I had planned to keep some for myself, but... that's fair. Thank you."
Alastor stepped forward, closing the remaining space between them to cup the side of Vox's screen. "Just don't cut me out of things again."
Vox smiled softly. "I can't promise I won't panic and act without thinking it through, but I'll do my best. Just... respect my wishes."
"Well, I can't promise I won't react and act without thinking it through, but I'll do my best," he promised with a grin.
Vox laughed and pressed a kiss to his lips.
Shortly after they broke apart, Lucifer cleared his throat. "So, uh... glad you both worked that out, but... you wouldn't mind if I had a bit of time with Valentino before Allie finishes him off, would you?"
Vox laughed, and Alastor's smile grew a little wider as he glanced back over his shoulder. "As long as you leave plenty for me, I absolutely have no qualms with adding to his suffering!"
Lucifer's smile sharpened. "Great. In due time, of course," he added, looking at Vox.
The television demon grinned as he wrapped an arm around Alastor's waist. "In due time."
