Complicated and Sad \\ RADIOSILENCE

[19] - Upgrade

📺⌇➴ Vox's POV

Early 2000's.

Vox coughed as his head glitched again, and he pushed the blanket off of him. His entire body felt hot, his head pounded and he could hear a constant humming that was driving him crazy.

Alastor had been taking care of him ever since he got the virus- though he could tell Alastor wasn't too happy about it. That didn't make Vox appreciate it any less. He was grateful to have Alastor taking care of him over anyone.

Vox slowly opened his eyes, letting out a soft groan as he looked at the windows. Light was barely leaking through to old curtains, meaning it had to be the afternoon- possibly even turning night. He slowly pushed himself up, sitting back against the couch and forcing a small smile as Alastor walked in, watching Vox with a frustrated and concerned look.

"How are you feeling?" Alastor asked, standing in front of Vox and putting his hand against the skin on Vox's neck- feeling his body temperature, already assuming Vox's head was warm due to the slight bit of steam rising from the old metal.

"Ugh..." Vox watched Alastor, his eyes barely open. "I feel terrible."

"Still?" Alastor sighed, sitting back on the coffee table and looking Vox over. "It's been three days. Usually these viruses end by now.

"Must be a bad one." Vox sighed, closing his eyes and resting his head back against the couch. "I don't know what to do at this point..."

"Well..." Alastor began, continuing to watch Vox closely. "Maybe you should get your hardware... 'updated'? Fixed? You've had the same... whatever, for over ten years now."

"There's no need," Vox opened his eyes to slits, looking back at Alastor. The weak smile on Al's face made him feel almost guilty. Part of him felt bad for burdening Alastor with this.

"Dear. You've caught three viruses in the last month, not to mention breaking your screen five times." Alastor stood up, walking over to the kitchen as he continued. "I think it's a good idea. It's getting harder and harder to find replacement screens nowadays."

"That's because they no longer make the model of televisions that my head is," Vox muttered, only half speaking to Alastor.

"Why is just another reason for you to... 'update'? Upgrade?" Alastor sighed, walking back over to Vox and setting a bottle of water and a small plate of crackers on the coffee table. "Whatever it is, I think you should look in to it."

Vox groaned quietly as Alastor patted his shoulder, turning and disappearing down the hallway and reappearing a few minutes later holding a damp towel. "I guess I'll look for something once I feel better..."

"Good," Alastor smiled, walking behind the couch and holding the folded towel over Vox's head, hesitating as he dropped it and quickly stepped back, avoiding the steam that rose. He then walked around and sat on the other end of the couch, grabbing a newspaper before speaking once more. "Now, eat up and drink water, then we'll shut you down again so your head doesn't... explode."

"It's not going to explode," Vox rolled his eyes and sat forward, grabbing the water and a cracker.

"I don't know what happens when picture boxes heat up that badly!" Alastor rolled his own eyes, crossing his legs and opening the newspaper. "Your head is like a damn grill. I burn myself just touching it."

"Like you even know what its like to touch a grill," Vox glanced at Alastor, amused by the other's dramatic statement.

"I do, actually," Alastor folded the newspaper and stood up, rolling it up. "Now eat your damn food before I crack that screen of yours."

"You wouldn't dare," Vox narrowed his eyes, taking a bite of the cracker and watching Alastor as he stood up and walked past him.

"Would you like to test that theory?" Alastor turned and leaned down so he was eye level with Vox, raising his hand as if to flick Vox's screen. He chuckled when Vox let out an annoyed huff and he stood up straight again, lightly tapping the top of Vox's head. "Good boy. Now eat."

Vox froze at Alastor's words, his eyes widening in shock as he watched Alastor walk out like it was nothing. Good boy. Vox felt his heart fluttering again, but he couldn't tell if his face was turning pink- his entire head already burned.

He slowly ate his food, thinking over those words. It was nothing, just a little comment meant to annoy Vox. But he couldn't help but smile. He finished his food and water and laid down, thinking for a few more minutes before his thoughts became too much and he reached to the back of his head and shut himself down, his thoughts silenced as the power cut out in his head.

・・・・📺・・・・📻・・・・

A few days later, Vox burst into the apartment, feeling better than ever. He had completely replaced his head- getting a different model of television that was flatter and more lightweight. He felt amazing. A fresh head, fresh health, no more burning or screen breaking.

He looked around, searching for Alastor, until he heard the radio from his room. Vox hurried down the hall and stood in Alastor's open doorway, smiling widely as Alastor look over at him. "Al! I got a new head!"

Alastor didn't respond at first, and it worried Vox for a moment. Though his worry washed away as Alastor chuckled and smiled brighter, standing up and walking over to Vox. "That's nice, dear. Feeling better?"

"Oh, so much better!!" Vox exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement. "I'm not overheating, it's so much lighter than the box, and my vision and hearing is so much better!"

Alastor chuckled again, his gaze drifting over the new television. "You certainly sound a lot clearer, too. I must say, it's... an interesting choice. Uhm-"

Alastor put his hand on the side of Vox's head, his eyes widening slightly as he felt nothing but a sliver of metal. He gently turned Vox's head, holding his other hand over his face as he held back a laugh.

"Your side angle... it's... it's-"

Vox rolled his eyes, swatting Alastor's hand away as Al began quietly giggling. "Yeah. I know. It's basically gone. But that's not a bad thing! It'll just take some getting used to."

"You're so... flat."

"Al!"

Alastor giggled again, leaning against the wall and watching Vox. "My apologies, my friend! I just find it so amusing to see your head so... two dimensional."

Vox rolled his eyes again, turning and walking back down the hall. "You'll get used to it! Stop making fun of my head!"

"You'll get used to it!" Alastor called back, shutting his door before Vox could even react.

Vox turned and stared at Alastor's closed door, annoyance rising in his chest with a bit of affection. He had to admit, Alastor's jokes were fairly funny... even if they were frustratingly correct.

He smiled and sat on the couch in the living room, letting out a soft sigh as he sat back and enjoyed his new head. He was excited for what this could mean... he'd be fitting in with the more modern tech now, and he'd be living an easier life.

He was grateful to have such a supporting friend, even if Al didn't know much about any modern technology.

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▪ Word Count: 1195
▪ Date: 8/3/2024
▪ 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