Complicated and Sad \\ RADIOSILENCE

[11] - Sweater

(First part is inspired by the song "Heather" by Conan Gray)

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📻 ┃⤷ Alastor's POV

Alastor walked through the door to their apartment, tired but pleased with how his day had gone. He had managed to collect a new soul, while finishing up some favors for others and afternoon tea with Rosie. He was looking forward to the rest of the night, to relaxing and sitting back.

He tossed his key into the bowl on the shelf by the door and took his coat off, draping it over his arm. He heard the television in the living room and sighed. Turning, he walked into the kitchen, catching a glimpse of Vox sitting on the couch, watching a movie.

"Hey, Vox." Alastor spoke up, grabbing a bowl of pinky fingers from the fridge to snack on quickly.

Vox sat up, peeking over the back of the couch, his eyes lighting up. "Hey Al! How'd your day go?"

Alastor finished chewing the pinky finger he was eating and shrugged. "It went fairly well. Completed a few favors, got another soul under my power, had tea with Rosie. She says hello, by the way."

Vox smiled. "I'm glad your day went well. You were out for a while."

Alastor nodded simply, putting the bowl back in the fridge and walking out to the living room. "I'm aware. I'm glad to be home now-"

Alastor paused as he was walking by the living room, stopping at the entrance of the hallway and looking back at Vox. He noticed Vox wearing a red wool sweater, and he raised an eyebrow as it finally registered in his mind.

"Is that... my sweater?"

Vox seemed to tense up, giving a nervous grin and rubbing the back of his head, chuckling slightly. "Oh- uhm- yeah- it- yeah. I uhm, I missed you today, and I- I'm sorry, I shouldn't of put it on without asking." Vox looked away, the sides of his screen a bright pink and his smile disappearing.

Alastor was quiet for a few moments, before smiling a bit more. "It's quite alright, my friend. I don't mind."

Vox's screen lit up slightly, his eyes almost sparkling. He then looked away, smiling widely. "Oh... well- uhm- thank you. I'm glad you're not mad."

Alastor nodded, chuckling quietly at Vox's embarrassment. "Just wash it when you're done." He then turned and walked out, going into his room to get changed into comfier clothes.

As he changed into flannel pajama bottoms and an old, baggy t-shirt, he paused and thought for a moment, his ears twitching as he thought. He had the subtle but very much present urge to do something he hadn't done before, something he hadn't done with anyone else other than his mother.

He pulled his messy hair up in a small bun, his bangs falling into his face, and he turned and walked out of his room and back to the living room, walking over to the couch where Vox was sitting with his legs kicked up and laid along the couch.

Vox glanced up at Alastor, a confused look on his face. Alastor hesitated, growing slightly embarrassed, but then sat on the other end of the couch and crawled closer to Vox, laying down almost on top of him and snuggling up to him, leaning his chin down on Vox's chest.

Vox's screen almost immediately brightened, the sides turning bright pink again, but then he smiled and relaxed, wrapping his arms around Alastor and pulling him closer, snuggling him back.

Alastor was filled with embarrassment at first, but when Vox said nothing about it, he relaxed. He closed his eyes and rested his cheek against Vox's head, his head turned away from the television, his ears relaxing and resting against his head. He could hear Vox's heart beat, the constant sound relaxing him slightly.

They laid there in silence, Vox watching his movie while holding Alastor and gently running the tips of his claws along the top of Alastor's head, and Alastor laying there with his arms wrapped around Vox and snuggling up to him.

A little while later, when Vox's movie ended, he turned the television off and the room went dark. He turned his head to look down at Alastor, gently nudging him playfully. "Is someone suddenly feeling cuddly?"

Alastor sighed with slight frustration, mumbling an almost silent "shut up" as he nuzzled his face against Vox's shoulder, feeling more embarrassed about the whole thing.

Vox laughed quietly and patted Alastor's head gently. "It's alright. I like it."

Vox went quiet again, rubbing Alastor's back gently. He then spoke up a few minutes later, his voice softer, almost gentle. "Can I try something? If that's okay with you?"

Alastor turned his head just enough to be able to speak without it being muffled, his own voice quieter. "What's that?"

"Just something simple... it might be sensitive to you, that's why I want permission." Vox said. He then giggled quietly, leaning his head back and looking down at Alastor. "I don't want to lose a hand."

Alastor thought for a moment, but then sighed and nodded slightly. "Go ahead." He placed his trust in Vox, hoping whatever it was wasn't too drastic.

Vox nodded slightly, then raised his hand that was gently running along Alastor's head. He then hesitated, then very gently placed his hand on one of Alastor's ears, then gently began to pet him. It was slow, careful, and almost caring, like he was scared to hurt Alastor.

No one had ever touched Alastor's ears before- he never liked the idea. But the way Vox was so careful and gentle felt nice. Amazing. The feeling comforted Alastor almost immediately, and without thinking he nuzzled his body closer to Vox, his smile widening with happiness as he pressed his head closer to Vox's hand.

Vox let out a soft chuckle and kept petting Alastor, his voice quiet as he spoke. "Your ears are so soft..." His tone then changed to slight nervousness. "Is this okay? I'm not bothering you?"

"No," Alastor answered almost immediately, closing his eyes and nuzzling his head slightly closer to Vox's hand. "This is really nice, actually."

He heard Vox sigh softly, and he felt the side of Vox's screen gently press against his forehead as Vox continued to pet his ears.

"I'm really glad you're okay with this," Vox spoke softly. "With cuddling, and letting me pet you. I'm glad you trust me enough to do this."

Alastor didn't say much, only nodding slightly as he stayed still, his eyes closed and his entire body relaxing slightly more every time Vox's hand ran along his ears.

As Vox went quiet again, Alastor focused on his heartbeat and his hand gently petting his ears. The feeling was comforting, it felt safe. Alastor felt an almost positive feeling, happy to be able to show this more vulnerable side of himself to Vox.

As they lay there, the gentle whirring from Vox's head circuits caused Alastor to begin to drift off to sleep, despite not needing it. He then heard a quiet click and Vox's hand went still- he had fallen asleep as well.

Alastor felt himself smile more as he finally fell asleep, the comfort of Vox's arms wrapped around him acting almost as safety against the bad dreams that tended to haunt Alastor's dreams. For once his mind was blank, his dreams non existent, Vox's comforting presence being enough.

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▪ Word Count: 1241
▪ Date: 6/6/2024
▪ 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