One Hell of A Deal Book 1

The Talk

Vox was sitting at the counter. He was waiting for it. Just like that Alastor stepped of the Elevator.
"Vox, Vox," Alastor shouted.
"I am over here," Vox answered as he took a sip of his whiskey.
Alastor walked over. He noticed Vox wasn't wearing his suit jacket or vest. He was just in his suit pants and undershirt. Alastor also noticed his tie was missing.
"I can't control him," Vox said. "I tried and it failed I am sorry."
"Where's your tie?" Alastor said.
"What?" Vox said.
"The tie," Alastor repeated. "Where is it?"
Alastor started to look around the room. Vox pulled out of his pocket.
"It's right here," Vox said still confused why Alastor was fixated on the tie.
"Well everyone in the hotel knows," Alastor said as he took the tie from Vox.
"Great," Vox said. "How are you going to explain it?
Alastor grabbed Vox by the shoulders. Vox blushed by the sudden contact. Alastor made Vox face him and put the tie around Vox's neck.
"That I was in rut," Alastor explained as he started to tie the tie into a bow. "Not something I like to admit but I can say you were easy prey and I just need to abide by the laws of nature."
Vox watched Alastor's face was focused on tying the tie. Not looking up once at Vox. Vox felt hurt by that phrasing of words.
"Is this the same one I gave you?" Alastor asked.
"Yeah, it is," Vox said.
Vox remembered that day.

*Past*
Vox was working on the broadcast system. Vox was just in his underwear shirt and slacks. Alastor came into the radio tower.
"How's it going?" Alastor asked as he stood over Vox.
"What have you done to these electronics?" Vox asked.
"That's your job to fix what I cannot," Alastor said as he looked down at Vox while he was working on the console.
"When I am done with the upgrade, we should be able to reach all of Pentagram City," Vox explained.
"Delightful," Alastor said.
"Are you going to watch me?" Vox said as he removed another wire that didn't go anywhere.
"I like watching you," Alastor said. "Can we go eat dinner?"
"You hungry?" Vox asked as he found a random button.
"No I want to spend time with you," Alastor said. "We weren't around each other today. You were busy making new friends and I was taking care of business."
"So having me make you dinner is spending time together," Vox said as removed a clump of well he didn't know what.
"Vox," Alastor said.
"I thought you wanted this done," Vox said. "That's what you said over coffee this morning."
"I want you to follow me back to the manor," Alastor said. "I can change my mind and the tower isn't going anywhere."
"Fine," Vox said as he got up and followed Alastor.
Vox walked into their place. He stopped as he saw all the candles.
"What's this?" Vox asked.
"Celebration my dear friend," Alastor said showing him to the table.
The table was set. There was jambalaya, one of the only meals Alastor could make. There were roses and more candles. And of course wine.
Vox felt himself blush. Alastor pulled out the chair for Vox.
"It has been twenty years," Alastor said.
"Shit really," Vox said still surprised by Alastor's action.
"Language," Alastor reminded Vox." "This is high occasion we must be proper."
Vox tastes the food and it was good.
"You went all out," Vox said. "No wonder you wanted me to come down."
"I wanted to celebrate." Alastor said.
They enjoyed dinner laughing and talking about your days. Vox loved these days. Alastor got up and walked to the living room. Vox followed as Alastor started the fire. Vox pour them so more wine while sitting on the couch.
"I have something for you," Alastor said while holding a black box.
Vox stared at the box. It was too big to be what he really wanted.
"What is it?" Vox asked as he reached for the box.
"You have to open it silly," Alastor said as he gave the box up.
Vox opened the lid and there was a tie.
"Oh," Vox said confused.
"It's a bow tie," Alastor said as he removed it from the box.
"Yeah, that's not my style," Vox said.
"It matches your eyes and a tie always make someone look more important," Alastor as he placed it around Vox's neck.
"That's great and all but," Vox watched as Alastor tied it for him. "Again this is your style not mine."
"You'll learn to like the suit look," Alastor said.
Once Alastor was done, he realized how close Vox was to him. Alastor leaned his and kissed Vox on the lips and then got up to get a mirror. Vox blushed so fast. He felt the heat coming from his screen. Alastor was never so forward. Vox could only get that close if Alastor was tired. Alastor returned with a mirror.
"See," Alastor said as he showed Vox.
All Vox could see was the stunned look on his face.
"Looks nice on you," Alastor continued.

*Present*
Alastor was done tying the tie.
"So I am just prey," Vox said feeling a flood of emotions.
"You are my friend," Alastor said as he took a step back.
That is not what Vox wanted to hear.
"Ok, I thought you were going to come in here screaming about them finding out," Vox said as he turned to lean against the counter and sip his whiskey.
"Oh, I was," Alastor said. "But then I saw the old you. The sad, pathetic man that doesn't know how to rule anything."
"Thanks," Vox said.
Alastor looked around the room. Alastor saw a radio and got an idea. He looked over to Vox who was still acting weird.
"Hey," Alastor said.
Vox just picked up his head. Alastor started the radio it was a fast pace jazz song.
"You want to dance," Alastor said.
"Prey don't dance," Vox said as he turned away.
"Suit yourself," Alastor said as he started to dance by himself. Soon Alastor's shadow joined.
Vox looked back and saw them. Vox let out a little chuckle.
"You really are going to dance by yourself?" Vox asked as he turned to watch Alastor.
"If you want to be a stick in the mud, that's your choice," Alastor said as he continued.
"Why are you like this," Vox asked. "You just said I mean nothing to you but now you are making a fool of yourself."
"I trust you," Alastor said. "It's hard for me to admit feelings and admit when I am wrong. I thought you knew that."
"I do but it's been a while," Vox said.
Alastor held out his hand. Vox rolled his eyes and took it. Alastor started by pulling him close. Alastor started to swing Vox around the room. Vox laughed as he saw a true smile on Alastor's face. Alastor shadow got cocky and switched the music to a slow song.
"We were dancing to that," Alastor called him out.
Vox put his hands on Alastor's shoulders. Alastor saw Vox was willing to join now. Alastor placed his hands on Vox's hips. Vox and Alastor stared into each other's eyes.
"I," Vox tried to start.
"Don't," Alastor said as he really hated when Vox did this.
"Okay," Vox said. "I'm sorry,"
"For?" Alastor said.
"Val," Vox said as they spun around the living room.
"I warned you," Alastor said.
"You did," Vox said.
"If you stayed with me," Alastor said. "Where would we be at?"
"You left me," Vox said.
"Not how I remember it," Alastor said. "But let's not fight."
Vox felt a small blush. Vox knew that Alastor wanted to continue this dance.
"Where were you?" Vox asked.
"At the hotel," Alastor said admiring Vox's face.
"No for the last seven years," Vox asked.
"Not ready to get that close," Alastor said.
"I deserve to know," Vox said.
"You don't," Alastor said.
"What happened to you," Vox said.
"Can we please talk about something else," Alastor pleaded.
"Why are you accepting me back into your life?" Vox asked.
"What's with all these hard questions," Alastor said throwing his head to the side to not look Vox in the eyes. "I do not like being an open book, Vox."
"I just have so many and I want to know," Vox said.
"You forced me into a deal and I realized I missed your company," Alastor admitted hoping Vox would stop asking these questions.
"You are going to kill me," Vox said.
Alastor felt flush. Alastor remembered that was his original plan but with them dancing he couldn't imagine that right now.
"What would make you think that?" Alastor asked.
"That's what Val says," Vox said. "The only reason you want to get close is because it will be easier to kill me."
"Vox," Alastor said as he placed a hand onto Vox's screen.
"Don't bother answering," Vox said. "You could lie or tell the truth and I would never know."
Alastor felt conflicted. Alastor pulled Vox in for a kiss. Vox kissed back knowing that if he was killed right now at least he be happy.