Lovers Once More - Radiostatic

Back In Time For Dinner

As they pulled up to the hotel, the familiar façade greeted them like a beacon. Angel, ever the dramatic one, flung open the door and practically leaped out. As he strolled into the lobby, Charlie glanced up from behind the reception desk, her eyebrows shooting up at the sight of him.

"Angel, why are you naked?" she asked, confusion etched on her face.

"You don't wanna know!" he replied nonchalantly, waving a dismissive hand as he made his way upstairs to throw on some clothes.

Vox stepped into the hotel next, with Papermint right behind him. The vibrant atmosphere of the hotel buzzed around him, but he had one thing on his mind. He approached Charlie, a smile spreading across his face. "Hey, Charlie! This is Papermint, my assistant."

"Nice to meet you!" Papermint said, flashing a friendly grin.

"Likewise!" Charlie responded, her eyes glimmering with curiosity. "We're always excited to meet new people around here."

Vox nodded and excused himself, his heart racing as he headed toward Alastor's room. He pretended to go upstairs, glancing back to catch Alastor's eye. A quick nod of his head signaled Alastor to follow him, and he did, curiosity evident in his expression.

Once they reached the top of the stairs, Vox turned to Alastor, a serious look on his face. "I want to tell Papermint about our relationship over dinner, so don't do or say anything until then," he instructed. "Also, I have a surprise for you."

Alastor's brows furrowed in playful concentration. "A surprise, you say? Now you have me intrigued." He grinned, tilting his head. "Is it something I can guess?"

Vox chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Nope. You'll just have to wait and see."

With that, Alastor ushered Vox into his room, shutting the door behind them. In an instant, he had Vox pinned against the wall, their faces mere inches apart. Without hesitation, Alastor leaned in and kissed him passionately, pouring all the pent-up feelings of the last few years into that one moment.

As they broke apart, breathless, Alastor's gaze softened. "I missed you so much, Vox. I've never felt this way about anyone before—never missed someone this much, not even when we were together."

Vox felt his cheeks heat up, a fluttering warmth spreading through his chest. "You're going to make me blush," he said, trying to deflect the intensity of Alastor's words.

"Good," Alastor smirked, brushing a thumb along Vox's cheek. "You deserve to feel cherished."

Vox took a deep breath, steeling himself as he pulled away and headed toward the door. "I should go before I get too mushy," he said, giving Alastor one last lingering kiss. "Let's go introduce you to Papermint."

He opened the door, stepping out into the hallway, where Papermint waited, looking a mix of curious and amused. "What was that about?" he asked, a teasing lilt in his voice.

Vox waved him over, gesturing for Alastor to join them. "Papermint, this is Alastor. Alastor, this is Papermint."

Alastor offered a charming smile, extending his hand to Papermint. "Pleasure to meet you, Papermint. I've heard a lot about you."

"Likewise," Papermint replied, shaking Alastor's hand. "I hope you know what you're getting into with this one," he added, casting a playful glance at Vox.

Vox groaned dramatically, crossing his arms. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Papermint."

Alastor chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, I think I can handle him."

With the introductions out of the way, the three of them made their way downstairs, the promise of dinner—and more surprises—hanging in the air like a delicious secret waiting to be unveiled.

As they descended the stairs, the enticing aroma of spices filled the air, guiding them toward the dining area. Vox felt his stomach rumble, the anticipation for dinner amplifying his excitement. They entered the cozy dining space, where a vibrant table was set, complete with flickering candles that cast a warm glow over everything.

At the center of the table sat a large pot of Jambalaya, its rich colors and inviting scent making Vox's mouth water. "Did you really cook this, Alastor?" Vox asked, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.

Alastor smirked, pride radiating from him. "Of course! I'm not just a charming face, you know. I can whip up a meal or two. It's one of my many talents."

"Not to mention a great way to impress," Papermint quipped, taking a seat at the table.

Vox rolled his eyes but couldn't help the grin creeping onto his face. "I'll admit, this is impressive." He approached the pot and leaned in closer, taking in the delightful mix of rice, sausage, shrimp, and spices. "Just what I needed after a chaotic day."

"Dig in!" Alastor said, motioning for them to serve themselves.

As they filled their plates, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and light-hearted banter. Vox and Papermint took turns sharing stories about their day, but Vox found his attention drifting toward Alastor more and more. The way he animatedly described the process of making the Jambalaya, his hands dancing in the air, brought back a flood of memories.

As the Jambalaya was served, the rich aroma enveloped the table, eliciting delighted sighs from everyone present. Vox took a moment to savor the moment, glancing at Alastor before turning to Papermint. "So, there's something I need to tell you," he began, his voice steady but laced with excitement.

Papermint raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "What's up?"

"Alastor and I are back together," Vox announced, a proud smile spreading across his face.

Papermint's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, what? Last I heard, you couldn't stand him! And you two were... exes?!" His incredulous tone punctuated the surprise that rippled through the air.

"Yeah, well, things changed," Vox said, his heart racing as he watched the realization sink in. "It's been a wild ride, but here we are."

Once the initial shock settled, Vox reached into his pocket and pulled out two velvet boxes, sliding one toward Alastor. "And I wanted to do something special," he said, his voice almost hushed with anticipation.

Alastor looked at the box in disbelief, slowly lifting the lid to reveal a beautiful promise ring glinting in the candlelight. The chatter around the table faded into the background as Alastor's gaze shifted from the ring to Vox, his expression a mixture of surprise and wonder.

"Do you see the engraving?" Vox asked, leaning in closer.

"Yes," Alastor replied, still in a daze as he took in the words "I promise" on the outer band.

"No, the other one," Vox insisted, nodding toward the inside of the ring.

Curiosity piqued, Alastor carefully took the ring out and turned it to read the inscription on the inside. His eyes lit up as he read the words "Take 2."

A soft chuckle escaped Alastor's lips, and in that moment, all the noise around them faded. He leaned in, capturing Vox's lips in a small but passionate kiss, their connection reaffirmed in that tender moment. As he pulled away, Alastor slipped the ring onto his finger, intertwining their hands with a sense of purpose.

"Looks like we're doing this for real, then," Vox said, his heart swelling with affection.

Alastor nodded, his gaze steady and filled with adoration. "Yes, we are. And I couldn't be happier."

The table erupted in cheers and playful jabs, the mood lifting as they celebrated the rekindling of their love. Vox felt a warmth envelop him, knowing they had both overcome so much to find their way back to each other. The future felt bright, filled with promise and the excitement of a new beginning.