Complicated and Sad \\ RADIOSILENCE

[20] - Unease

📻 ┃⤷ Alastor's POV

As happy as Alastor was for Vox, he just couldn't seem to get used to the new change. Vox looked so different than he ever had, and although he was happier, Alastor couldn't shake an uneasy feeling he had ever since Vox got his new head.

He was out more again, partying at clubs and hanging with Valentino. He had gotten more fans, and his company had once again grown. Some people had even discovered their address, causing Alastor to have to kill them to avoid anyone showing up unannounced and trying anything.

He knew Vox could handle himself, but he still felt like he had to protect him.

They had grown more distant, and Alastor couldn't help but feel tense when Vox was acting different. He knew he should be proud of Vox for growing so much, for changing and becoming something he wanted to be. But he couldn't help but feel like he was being left behind. Forgotten.

After all, he was the Radio Demon. Radio didn't seem to fit in with modern technology.

Alastor had done many things to try to stay close with Vox- he tried to get Vox to cook dinner with him, just like old times, but Vox always turned it down, his excuse always being exhaustion or partying.

Alastor had invited him out to the bar for drinks, which Vox also declined. Alastor had even gotten them tickets to a play that was being held, but Vox declined that too. He always loved musicals, Alastor had made sure to find a night where one was playing that Vox would like. He had ended up taking Rosie instead.

With all of this newfound fame and power, Alastor could see the change in Vox. He didn't know whether to blame it on Vox's inflated ego or the new flat screen head. Either way, it was bothering him more than he'd care to admit.

With Vox being gone the entire day again, Alastor decided to use his new loads of free time to visit Rosie. He made his way into Cannibal Town, the positive energy and refreshing smell of flesh and blood helping him to relax as he entered Rosie's Emporium and stood by the doorway, looking around for her.

He had spotted Rosie not too long before she spotted him, and her bright smile widened more as she ran over, pulling him into a tight hug. "Alastor!! It's so good to see you!!"

Alastor returned the hug, his own smile widening at her presence, her sweet voice lifting his spirits. "Rosie, my dear! It's a pleasure to be here."

"Come in! I just made a pot of coffee!" Rosie said excitedly, pulling him farther inside and to the back room. "How are you been, dear?"

Alastor couldn't stop the slight chuckle that escaped him at Rosie's excitement, and he followed her without resisting. "I've been quite alright," Alastor answered, keeping his tone as light as he could. "Apologies for not visiting for so long. I've been busy."

"It's okay, darlin!" Rosie reassured, letting go of him and walking over to the small counter, grabbing her and Alastor's usual mugs and pouring coffee into each. "Where's Vox? There hasn't been a day he didn't tag along since you two met."

"He's, well..." Alastor paused for a moment, sitting on the end of the couch as he thought over his answer. "Out. With some others."

"Mhm..." Rosie hummed, turning and walking over to where Alastor sat, the mugs of coffee in her hands. She set them down on the small coffee table in front of the couch and sat beside Alastor, nudging his mug towards him. "Who?"

"Just some friends," Alastor answered, keeping his tone casual as he leaned forward to grab his mug. "Some souls he's met through his business."

"So he's made some progress! That's great to hear!" Rosie exclaimed, her smile widening as she looked over at Alastor.

"He's made a lot," Alastor answered, forcing another slight chuckle and taking a long sip of his coffee.

There was a moment of silence between the two as Rosie watched Alastor. He avoided her gaze, instead looking around the room.

"You don't seem too pleased," Rosie stated, finally breaking the silence. "Aren't you proud of him?"

"Of course I am," Alastor said, his tone a bit more defensive than he meant. He paused, picking his next words carefully, then spoke in a calmer voice. "He's just... barely been around lately. I'm glad he's making all of these friends and having so much fun, especially with how his company is growing. I just..." He trailed off, not knowing how to word how he felt.

"Worried? Uneasy?" Rosie asked, trying to offer up some words.

"I feel like he's leaving me behind," Alastor continued, his voice growing with unease as he finally looked at Rosie. "Maybe I'm just being paranoid, I don't know. But it feels like he's leaving."

"Alastor, dear," Rosie began, speaking in a comforting voice as she slid closer to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "You two have been best friends for decades. You mean so much to him, I can see it just in how he acts around you. He wouldn't abandon you, especially not like this."

"You don't know that," Alastor muttered, taking another long sip of his coffee. "He's been more distant for a while, now. And his friends are... not the best."

"His choice of friends aren't your concern," Rosie stated, pulling her hand away. "Vox is a smart man. If his friends really aren't good, he'll figure that out on his own."

"But what if they tear him away from me?" Alastor asked, worry dripping in his voice.

"Alastor," Rosie said sternly, staring at him as she continued to speak. "Whoever these souls are, I'm sure they won't tear him away from you. Even if they tried. But you need to understand that Vox has a life outside of just you now. You're not the only good thing in his world anymore."

"I know," Alastor said, his voice a low mutter again. He finished his coffee and set the empty mug on the coffee table, leaning back against the couch and propping his elbow on the arm. "I just don't want to become an afterthought."

"And you won't be," Rosie reassured, offering a small smile. "If it's bothering you this much, maybe you should try speaking to him about it."

"I have."

"Did you? Or did it just happen to come up at some point, and you got mad?"

Alastor went silent, glancing at Rosie for a moment before looking down at the ground in front of him.

"Exactly," Rosie said, as if it were obvious. "I mean sit down and actually have a conversation with him about this. Don't get mad, don't raise your voice or shut down. Actually talk to him."

Alastor stared down at the ground for a few moments, then looked back at Rosie. After a few long moments, he sighed in defeat. "Fine."

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▪ Word Count: 1139
▪ Date: 12/23/2024
▪ 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

AUTHORS NOTE: HEY GUYSSSSSS IM SORRY IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO UPDATE THIS AGAIN!!!!! I won't get into details but let's just say this year has not been nice to me at all, lots of drama and losses (both family and friends) and just total bullshit this year. I'm finishing this story up very soon, I got chapter's 21-end in the works now! Again, my deepest apologies for this update taking so long!! I hope everyone is doing okay too and happy holidays to anyone who's celebrating something this time of year!