One Hell of A Deal Book 1

The Check In

It was morning after that horrible night. Vox locked himself away and just hid under the covers playing on his phone. Vox didn't want to get up. He was just going to hide all day until tomorrow.

Alastor was watching everyone eat breakfast but Vox wasn't there. Alastor stopped and wonder where he was.
"That's weird," Charlie said as she read her text. "Vox says he's sick."
"Over emotional bitch," Angel said.
"I'll check on him," Alastor said.
"Of course you would," Husk mumbled.
Alastor shot a glare at Husk.
"Maybe he's upset because of you," Vaggie pointed out. "Maybe he doesn't want to see you."
"Nonsense," Alastor remarked. "He always enjoys my presence."
"That's not what he said in the closet," Angel said.
"And what do you know about him?" Alastor said.
"More than you," Angel said.
Alastor rolled his eyes as he made his way up the stairs.

Vox laid in bed. He had is head under the blanket as he scrolled through his phone seeing what he was missing at the tower.
Alastor walked in the room and closed the door.
"You are hiding from me," Alastor sung.
Vox didn't move and hoped Alastor would go away.
"Not talking?" Alastor asked as he walked over and ripped the blankets off Vox.
Vox was not wearing a shirt but he was wearing sweatpants.
"Hey!" Vox screamed.
"Hmm," Alastor said. "I was hoping for something else."
"Like what?" Vox said as he tried to take the covers back but Alastor threw them all the way to the door. "Real mature."
"I was hoping to see you in your boxers," Alastor said as he tiled up Vox's chin up to look in his eyes clearer.
Vox pulled away and laid back down. Alastor was hoping for a different response.
"What are you doing here?" Vox asked.
"Checking in on you," Alastor said. "Charlie said you were sick."
"So nice for you to care," Vox said with heavy sarcasm.
Alastor knew he hurt Vox once again. Alastor sat down on the bed.
"I am sorry for my words," Alastor said.
Vox ignored Alastor.
"What do you want me to say?!" Alastor yelled feeling frustrated and standing up in the process.
Vox kept ignoring him.
"Look I'm sorry that I tried to kill you," Alastor started. "I was afraid we were getting too close and last time we were close we went our own ways. I don't want that this time. I don't like being close to anyone. With you though it's safe and enjoyable. Please, Vox I need you to understand I am learning and I will make mistakes."
Vox rolled over to see Alastor tearing up a little. Alastor was pulling at his hair a trait he did when he was nervous. Vox stood up and walked over to Alastor. Vox placed his hands on top of Alastor's and removed them from his head.
"You still pull your hair when you're nervous," Vox said as he held Alastor's hand in his while looking into his eyes. "That's how I know you are telling the truth."
Alastor felt himself blush. Vox brought their hands up to their chests.
"If I get too close," Vox started in a hush tone. "You have to tell me. I can back off and give you space to process. If you want me to be closer you have to let me know."
"I can't," Alastor whispered. "It's hard."
"That's what a relationship is," Vox whispered.
Alastor paused.
"I don't want a relationship," Alastor mumbled.
Vox dropped Alastor's hands.
"See that right there," Vox said sounding annoyed. "You open up and close yourself off just as fast. I want to be there for you and be with you but you don't know what you want!"
"I want to be your friend," Alastor said holding his hands out.
"I want to be more," Vox admitted hoping it would spark something in Alastor.
"I can't be that for you," Alastor said. "I can never be that for you."
"Then you made your choice," Vox said as he turned around.
"What if I hurt you," Alastor said looking at his hands.
"You're hurting me now Alastor," Vox said holding back tears.
Alastor stopped and it hit him. He was hurting Vox. He was trying to protect him but instead he kept pushing him away.
"I don't mean to," Alastor said.
"You never mean to," Vox replied.
"Can we just be friends?" Alastor asked.
"Alastor," Vox said while turning around. "Does friends me something different to you? You keep asking me that and I keep saying I want more but maybe you just don't like the other labels."
"I want to be close, and hang out," Alastor said. "I want to be around you and be safe with you. If some of my enemies know I have a significant other than you would be in danger."
Vox stopped.
"Who's going after you?" Vox said.
"Vox things have changed for me in the past seven years," Alastor said as he gripped his hands.
"Do I get to know?" Vox asked as he took a step toward Alastor to hold his hands.
"No it wouldn't be safe," Alastor said as he collapsed in Vox's arms. "Just don't leave me again."
"I promise I won't," Vox said as he held him.