Complicated and Sad \\ RADIOSILENCE

[10] - Gift

(parts of this are inspired by the comic by limajey25 on Twitter (X)! I wasn't originally thinking about this comic when I started writing but I realized how similar this chapter and that comic are so I'm mentioning this now!)

📺⌇➴ Vox's POV

A few hours after Vox had gotten his new assistant, he arrived home to see Alastor making dinner in the kitchen, singing along to an older song playing from the radio. Vox smelled the familiar smell of roasted chicken and garlic bread, and he smiled.

"Al, I'm home!" Vox called out, taking his jacket it off and hanging it on the coat rack, setting the bag of alcohol down on the counter.

Alastor turned and looked at Vox, his smile widening immediately. Vox's heart fluttered, and he walked over and hugged Alastor. Alastor hugged him back, his ears twitching. "Vox! Welcome home, I'm almost done making dinner!"

Vox smiled more and stepped back, crossing his arms. "I can tell, it smells amazing."

Alastor chuckled and turned the oven off, opening it and taking out the chicken and garlic bread. "It's actually done right now. Would you mind setting the table?"

Vox nodded, giving Alastor a thumbs up. "Of course. No problem." Vox turned, still smiling, and grabbed two plates and forks for them, setting them on the table, then grabbing two glasses and setting them on the table as well, taking the alcohol out of the bag and setting them side by side in the middle of the table.

Alastor watched him, raising an eyebrow. "What's with the alcohol?"

Vox looked over at him, smiling and feeling proud again. "I have some great news, and I was hoping we could celebrate! I got an assistant."

Alastor's smile widened, his ears perking up. "Oh my goodness, that's amazing! Of course that's something to celebrate." He took the oven gloves off and began cutting the chicken, smiling still.

Vox's heart fluttered again, and he turned his head as he tried to stop himself from blushing. A few minutes later, Alastor grabbed the plates and put food on them, setting the plates back down on the table and grabbing a corkscrew for the alcohol. He walked over to the table and sat down, gesturing for Vox to sit as well.

Vox sat down, smiling, his heart still racing slightly. The way Alastor was acting made Vox feel so happy, so proud, and he wanted to mention it.

As they began to eat, Vox set his fork down and looked over at Alastor. "Hey... Al?"

Alastor looked up, one ear perking up to listen. "Hm?"

Vox hesitated, but then began to speak. "Thank you. For being so supportive, for helping me get to this point. No one has ever shown me this much kindness and support. No one has ever helped me like this." He smiled, his expression softening. "Thank you. So much. I really, really appreciate it."

Alastor was quiet, his expression seeming to soften as well, and he gave Vox a kind smile. "You're welcome, Vox. I'm glad I've been able to help you this much. And I am truly proud of you."

They both went silent, gazing at one another for a few moments. After what felt like minutes they began to eat again. When they finished, Alastor snapped his fingers and their dirty dishes were teleported to the sink. He grabbed the corkscrew, opened the wine bottle, and poured wine into the two glasses.

Alastor handed a glass to Vox, smiling a genuinely proud and kind smile. "Congratulations, my friend. You've gotten so far and grown so much."

Vox nodded slightly, taking the glass and taking a small sip. They sat in silence again, Vox not knowing what to say. He felt so genuinely happy with Alastor, his heart fluttered just at the sight of him. The way Alastor treated him was something he'd never felt before, and as confused as he was, it all felt nice.

As Vox was deep in thought, Alastor stood up and walked to his room, coming back out a few moments later with a small gift bag. Vox zoned back in, realizing Alastor had disappeared, then seeing him sit back down with the bag.

"What's that?" Vox asked, now confused and curious.

"It's a little gift," Alastor said simply. "I was planning on giving it to you on one of your most successful nights, and I think tonight just might be that night."

Vox watched as Alastor reached into the bag, and he pulled out a simple reddish-magenta bow tie. Vox grew more confused, but smiled. The gift was simple yet nice. "Thank you-"

"Vox, listen to me for just a moment," Alastor interrupted him, pulling his chair closer to Vox and still holding the bow tie. Before he continued, he gestured to Vox's neck. "May I?"

Vox nodded slightly, watching him. He grew more confused, but he watched as Alastor reached over and began untying his tie, and his heart began racing even more.

"This gift may look simple, but I promise it holds a deeper meaning than just a basic accessory," Alastor began speaking, his voice now a softer tone as he untied Vox's plain tie. "This bow tie is meant to symbolize your success, and how far you've come. You are powerful, successful, and you've spread your name all throughout Pride Ring."

Vox listened, the sides of his screen turning a slight purple from blush as Alastor carefully began to tie the bow tie around Vox's neck now.

"But you're more than just a successful businessman, Vox. You're my friend. One of my closest friends, to be exact. You've shown me that I can trust you, that I can go to you, that there's no need to always hide vulnerability." Alastor finished tying the bow tie and sat back in his chair, looking at it then at Vox. "It's my gift to you, not just as someone who helped you- but as your friend as well. To not only show your success, but to show my care for you."

Vox's watched Alastor, then looked down at the bow tie. His heart was racing, and the sides of his screen were now a bright pink from blush.

"Besides," Alastor spoke up again, tilting his head slightly as he looked between the bow tie and Vox's eyes. "The color really matches your eyes."

Vox took a deep breath, trying to calm down. "Y-Yeah... it does." He hesitated, but then smiled slightly, looking back into Alastor's eyes. "Thank you, Al. I really appreciate this. This is really nice."

Alastor nodded his head slightly and took a sip of his wine. "You're quite welcome, my friend. I'm glad you like it."

They sat in silence again, then Alastor let out a quiet sigh and stood up, stretching his arms. "Well, it's getting late. I'll be heading to my room to lay down, now."

Vox nodded, finishing his own wine then standing up. "Right, yeah. I guess it is getting later."

Alastor nodded again, then smiled and walked over to Vox, pulling him into a tight but gentle hug. Vox's heart felt like it stopped for a moment, but he wrapped his arms around Alastor and hugged him back. They stood there in silence for a few minutes, hugging. Eventually Alastor pulled away, patting Vox's shoulder and smiling to him, then he walked away without saying another word.

Vox watched as Alastor walked away, and once he was out of sight Vox let out a heavy breath, leaning back against the table as he tried to calm down. He was smiling uncontrollably, his breathing was quick and he felt amazing. He was beginning to think he had fallen in love, but he really didn't want that to be the case. But he couldn't stop thinking about everything, and part of him felt as if this was more than just a close friendship.

Vox stood there for a few minutes, still smiling uncontrollably and thinking, then eventually walked to his room to go to bed as well, his mind filled with thoughts about Alastor.

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▪ Word Count: 1313
▪ Date: 5/31/2024
▪ Credits: Universe + characters belong to Vivziepop. Fanfic story by me (promised.stars)
▪ Reminder: Nothing that happens in this story is canon to the Hazbin Hotel plot/lore. Ideas + events that happen are based off theories

EEEEEEEEEEEEEE I was smiling uncontrollably (just like Vox lol) while writing this!!!

Have a great day/night everyone!!!