Vox is bored, very bored, because being alone at the top is like that. When he's contacted by a new up and coming Overlord, the letter itself intrigues him, and then he meets the man. Hearing rumors about this harlot, Vox knows a relationship is out of the question, and it's just business. So why is he getting so attached? Val's finally built up enough reputation to play with the big boys, and he knows the one he wants, for business of course. He's done his research on Vox, and he knows better, it would never work when the man is so selfish. Every time they meet, though, he can feel the man's eyes on him, and he can't help if the exhibitionist in him likes it. But he can't afford to fall in love, right?

Val and Vox have been together now, on and off, for forty years, and Vox is tired of it. Not tired of loving Val, not tired of the sex, or the conversations, but tired of how much Val hates himself. He can't take it anymore, and he decides that it's best to just end it. He can't keep watching the one he loves like this. And with the addition of an old flame cropping up, moving on seems a tiny bit easier to do. They've broken up before, but not like this, Vox means it this time, and Val is devastated. He loves Vox, he has for the last forty years. Now he has to pick himself up and try to continue being the overlord everyone knows him to be, but that's harder than it sounds. It's hard to be confident when going to work makes you see the one you love, and can no longer have. He's not strong enough for this, because just seeing Vox breaks his heart all over again.