Lovers Once More - Radiostatic

Secret Scrolling

That night, Vox lay in bed, propped up against the pillows, waiting for Alastor to return from tucking Niffty in. The soft glow of his Voxpad illuminated his face as he idly scrolled through various files, his mind wandering.

Suddenly, the bedroom door creaked open, and Vox, caught off guard, quickly slammed the Voxpad against his chest, face down, as if shielding it from prying eyes. Alastor stepped into the room, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"What's this?" Alastor asked, raising an eyebrow as he strolled over. "What are you hiding, Vox?"

Vox's heart raced for a moment, feeling like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "Uh, nothing! Just, you know, something confidential for work," he stammered, his voice lacking the usual confidence.

Alastor chuckled, leaning in closer. "Come on, I'm not going to kink shame you, but if you're looking at porn, you could at least let me know if it's any good!" He feigned innocence, a teasing smirk plastered across his face.

"Really, it's nothing like that!" Vox said, trying to maintain his composure while his cheeks grew warm. He could feel his heart racing, his mind scrambling for a plausible excuse. "Just some—uh—data analysis. You know how it is."

Alastor's grin widened, clearly not buying it. "Data analysis, huh? You sure it's not some scandalous video that's got you all flustered?"

"Definitely not!" Vox retorted a bit too quickly, trying to deflect Alastor's playful probing. "I mean, who has time for that, right? I'm super busy with work stuff and... other important things." He winced internally at how badly he was playing it off.

Alastor crossed his arms, studying Vox with an amused expression. "You know, if you were honest, I'd probably find it more endearing than suspicious. But hey, whatever floats your boat."

Feeling cornered, Vox tried to change the subject. "So, how was Niffty's bedtime routine?" he asked, desperately hoping to divert Alastor's attention.

"Oh, you know her—she was buzzing with energy, but we read her favorite story, and she fell asleep faster than I expected," Alastor replied, still grinning as he settled down next to Vox on the bed. "But enough about that—what's really going on with you?"

Vox sighed, glancing at the Voxpad still held tightly against his chest. "Nothing, really. Just trying to figure some things out."

Alastor's playful demeanor softened, and he leaned in closer, a hint of genuine concern in his voice. "If there's something bothering you, you can tell me. You know that, right?"

"Yeah, I know," Vox said, finally easing up a bit. He took a breath, trying to shake off the tension. "I appreciate it, really. I just... but it's nothing, really."

"Fair enough," Alastor replied, nudging Vox's shoulder affectionately.

With that, Alastor leaned back against the headboard, and the atmosphere lightened, Vox's anxiety starting to ebb away as they continued to chat about everything and nothing, the earlier tension dissipating into the comforting familiarity of their nightly routine. But Vox couldn't shake the feeling that Alastor would be back to pry deeper sooner or later.

Vox took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts as he shifted slightly on the bed. "Actually, I wanted to tell you something," he began, looking into Alastor's eyes. "I booked a dinner for everyone at a really fancy restaurant. It's called La Lumière, down in the city. You know, the one with the rooftop terrace and the stunning view of the skyline."

Alastor blinked, caught off guard. "Oh? And what brought this on?" He leaned back, intrigued.

"I just thought it would be nice to do something special for everyone," Vox replied, a warm smile creeping onto his face. "After everything that's happened lately, I figured we could all use a night out to relax and enjoy ourselves."

"Sounds like a great idea," Alastor said, his expression softening as he considered it. "I think we all deserve a little pampering."

Pleased with Alastor's response, Vox leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on Alastor's forehead, his heart swelling with affection. "Why don't you put your head on my chest? I'll make sure you're nice and comfortable."

With a small grin, Alastor complied, resting his head against Vox's chest. Vox ran his fingers through Alastor's hair, feeling the silky strands glide through his fingertips. The rhythmic sound of Vox's heartbeat began to lull Alastor, and he closed his eyes, content in the warmth of the moment.

"I love the way you always know how to make people feel special," Vox murmured, his voice soothing as he continued to stroke Alastor's hair. "You have this incredible ability to bring light into every room, and I admire that about you."

Alastor let out a soft sigh, a smile playing on his lips as he listened.

"I love your laugh, too," Vox added, "it's infectious. I swear, it could make even the grumpiest person crack a smile." He chuckled lightly, imagining the various scenarios where Alastor's laughter had turned the tide of a gloomy moment.

"And I love how you care so deeply for everyone, even when you pretend you don't," Vox continued. "You've got this big heart hidden behind that charming persona of yours."

As Vox spoke, he felt Alastor relax further against him, the tension from the day melting away. "You're my favorite person, you know that? I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Just... keep talking," Alastor murmured sleepily, his voice barely above a whisper.

Vox smiled, glancing down to see Alastor's eyes fluttering shut. "Okay. I love the way you always manage to surprise me, how you can shift from devilish to adorable in a heartbeat. I love the way your mind works, always strategizing and planning. It's brilliant."

Alastor's breathing deepened, and Vox could tell he was drifting off. "And I love how you let me see the real you, the one that's vulnerable and tender. That's a privilege I don't take lightly."

With those last words, Vox continued to stroke Alastor's hair gently, the soft rhythm lulling both of them into a peaceful silence. The warmth and intimacy enveloped them, and as Alastor finally succumbed to sleep, Vox felt a profound sense of contentment wash over him, grateful for the love they shared.