RADIOSTATIC WEEK (May 2024)

Day 4: Roles Reversed (Angst)

Alastor's POV

Alastor stood in the old abandoned park, a single rose held behind his back as he waited for Vox. He should be arriving soon, and Alastor was feeling more nervous than he had ever felt before.

Vox made him feel something he had never felt before. Alastor felt genuine love for his friend, and he may not have know how to show it, but he was going to try his absolute best to let Vox know how much he loved him.

This, is the confession went well.

He stood there in silence, holding his microphone cane in one hand and the rose in his other as he waited for Vox.

After a few more minutes, Vox appeared in front of Alastor, his screen showing a big, bright grin as usual.

"Hey, Al! What's up?" He walked up to Alastor, then looked around. "Why are we here?"

Alastor brightened his grin. "Hello, Vox! I thought this old park would be a nice place to meet." He watched Vox's expression. "Don't you think?"

Vox continued to look around, but then he looked back at Alastor. "I guess it's nice. It's old though."

"And abandoned. No one ever comes here." Alastor chuckled, then went quiet. After another moment he took a deep breath and looked directly into Vox's eyes. "Vox, I have something I'd like to tell you."

Vox raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "Alright. Sure. Is everything okay?"

"Yes, everything's okay. Don't worry too much," Alastor reassured Vox, despite his own mind racing. "It's actually... well, positive, in a way."

"Alright. Tell me." Vox smiled back.

Alastor hesitated, but then began to speak. "I guess this is sort of a confession. I'm not sure how to word it, so please allow me to finish..."

He hesitated once again, but then began speaking.

"You're my best friend, Vox. I've never trusted someone as much as I trust you. I genuinely care about you. I enjoy your company, I find comfort in your friendship."

"But there's more to it than that. I get this warm feeling in me when I see you. Your laugh is contagious, I honestly think you're handsome, and... well..."

He paused, looking away for a moment before looking back at Vox. He noticed a confused look on Vox's screen, and it only made him feel more nervous.

"I've been thinking a lot recently. I like you, Vox. I really, really like you. I haven't felt this way about anyone ever before. I admire you, I look up to your pride and confidence..."

"Vox, would you be willing to go out with me? Even if it's just one date, one date to see if this would work between us. Please?"

Vox didn't say anything, his silence felt deafening to Alastor. They just stared at one another. Alastor's grip on the rose he held behind his back tightened, and he slowly pulled his hand away and held the rose out to Vox.

Vox took it, looking down at the rose. Then he started to laugh- quietly at first, then slowly turning into a harsh chuckle.

"You- You're serious?" Vox raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Wow, that's funny."

Alastor couldn't tell if Vox was rejecting him or genuinely not believing him, but either way the words stung slightly.

Vox's smile was harsh as he stared at Alastor. "You really think I'd love you?"

Those words felt like knives jabbing into Alastor's heart. He had never felt this sort of pain before, and it hurt. God, it hurt.

"No offense, you're a great friend. But," Vox began to say, pausing long enough to let the rose drop to the ground. "I'd never love you."

With that, Vox turned and walked away, not saying another word.

Alastor watched him walk away, his ears pulled back as he felt shock and pain slicing through his heart. He had poured his heart out to Vox, admitting things he most likely would have never admitted to anyone else- and Vox had just taken his heart and ripped it to shreds.

Alastor looked down at the rose that laid on the ground, slowly moving his foot over it and stepping on it. The crack of the stem felt like another slice in his heart.

He wasn't sure what he felt in that moment. He was hurt, shocked. But he didn't feel like crying, or screaming. No. He felt as if he wanted to disappear off the face of Hell- like he wanted to hide away. He was embarrassed for even feeling the way he felt- or had felt, as all of his love and affection for Vox had vanished the second he dropped the rose.

As Alastor tried to process exactly what happened, he turned and began walking down one of the paths, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

But for now, Alastor made himself one promise that he'd hold onto forever.

He'd never love again.