Lovers Once More - Radiostatic

Present From The Heart

Alastor sat there, still glowing from Vox's heartfelt broadcast, realizing he wanted to do something special in return. But what? Vox was a tech genius, already owning the latest gadgets and accessories, and a man of wealth, so Alastor knew it couldn't just be anything ordinary.

As he mulled it over, an idea struck him. He'd heard Vox mention, during one of their late-night conversations, how much he missed a certain old recording from his days before VoxTek had grown so powerful. It was a rare LP record from a well-known underground musician Vox admired—a record he'd been devastated to lose years ago.

Determined, Alastor went to a vintage music shop in a quiet, lesser-known corner of Hell, where he'd seen rare records displayed in the window. After some searching, he found it: the exact LP Vox had mentioned. The album's cracked, smoky case had just enough wear to make it feel authentic, and the record inside was perfectly intact. Smiling to himself, Alastor bought it, along with a vintage record player that would fit Vox's dark, retro aesthetic.

When he got back to the hotel, he wrapped the LP with a handwritten note:

"For the one who plays my heart like music—here's a piece of yours, returned."

He placed it in his room, waiting for Vox to come home, already excited to see his reaction.

When Vox returned to the hotel later that evening, Alastor met him with a warm smile and a mysterious glint in his eye.

"I got you something," Alastor said, handing Vox the carefully wrapped package.

Vox raised an eyebrow, intrigued, as he pulled back the wrapping to reveal the vintage record player and, underneath, the rare LP. His eyes widened with shock, then softened with nostalgia as he held the album in his hands.

"Al... this is..." Vox was momentarily speechless, looking between the record and Alastor, his expression full of genuine gratitude. He read the note, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Playing my heart like music, huh?"

"Don't get cocky," Alastor teased, giving Vox's shoulder a gentle shove. "Thought you'd like it, is all."

Vox wrapped an arm around Alastor's waist, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "You thought right, love. This is perfect."

He glanced around, spotting a group of familiar faces lounging in the lobby. Husk was slumped in a chair, Angel was scrolling on his phone, and Niffty was dusting the room, a few curious glances turning their way as Vox set up the record player.

"This one's for you all, courtesy of my sentimental demon," Vox announced with a playful grin, nodding toward Alastor.

With a gentle scratch and crackle, the record began to play, filling the lobby with a nostalgic, haunting melody. The smooth rhythm and soulful beat seemed to captivate everyone. Angel raised an eyebrow, intrigued, and Husk nodded in quiet approval as he took a swig from his flask. Even Niffty paused in her cleaning to sway to the music, a soft smile spreading across her face.

Vox settled onto the couch, pulling Alastor down beside him. He didn't say anything, but the way his hand lingered on Alastor's showed just how much the gesture meant to him. The music drifted through the lobby, creating an unexpected, shared moment of calm and closeness between them all.

As the song played on, Alastor leaned into Vox's side, whispering, "Happy one month, dear."