Chapter Text
Alastor made his way over to the bar in the hotel lobby. It was empty and Husk wasn’t at his station so Alastor made himself at home behind the counter.
“Hmm, let’s see…” Alastor took in the wide array of types of liquors and brands. Maybe they can start the night off with some wine. Alastor chose a simple Chardonnay, that was light enough for Vox to handle on an empty stomach. Although would that really work later with casual fast food like burgers and burritos? He could just pick out some alcohol to mix a cocktail with, that’s a popular option to have while eating out. Vox was a big fan of Amaretto so Alastor selected that bottle and went to grab it. Though by its side there was a better name brand than the generic one so Alastor chose that instead. Only the best for tonight after all. Vox also loves his whiskey so that was next. He also chose a favorite of Vox's for it.
“How fucked up you planning to get Al?” Husk asked as he made his way towards the bar. Alastor spun around and hid the bottles behind his back.
“Ahh Husker, not to worry. I’ll only be having a bit of each. It’s that sort of night” He laughed.
Husk went to see what bottles Alastor had placed behind him on the counter.
“Since when the hell do you drink amaretto?” Husk questioned as he nodded toward the bottle, going to grab at it.
“I have it occasionally” Alastor shrugs.
“Psh, yeah on nights you used to fuck Vox” Husk chuckles and spins the bottle around. Husk knew that was one of Vox’s go to drinks and Alastor would always demand he stock him up on it when Vox was going to be around. “And you got the good kind?” Husk asks in surprise and raises his brows at his boss.
“Are you actually fucking Vox tonight?” Husk questioned.
“Wh-what no? Nonsense!” Alastor replies with a nervous laugh and grabs the bottle of out Husks hands.
Husk saw the uneasiness of Alastor and his suspicions were raised.
“Now could you assist me and tell me where the ingredients for an amaretto sour might be?” Alastor ducks under the bar and goes to rummage through the small fridge and cabinets. Husk bends down and easily pulls out the needed ingredients.
“Here. And don’t do anything you might regret”
“I’m glad you’re worried about me but I’m fine” Alastor poofs away all the drinks and supplies he gathered to his room.
“Alright” Husk shrugs indifferently. “Mind if I come by to have a drink with you later?” He asks.
Alastor’s eyes widen and he pauses. “Absolutely not! I’m quite busy tonight! Don’t even think of leaving your post tonight because it's bound to get busy!”
“Yeah I’m sure I’ll barely be keeping up with orders tonight” Husk rolls his eyes and cracks open a bottle he takes a sip from straight away.
“Exactly” Alastor agrees with a nod.
They stand in silence for a moment. “Ah, just remembered. Got this in the other day” Husk pulls out a bottle of Malort. Alastor’s face lights up and he enthusiastically grabs the bottle. Vox loves the bitter grapefruit drink for some reason, honestly his liquor tastes are all the over place and never made any sense to Alastor.
“I’ll have some of this as well! Thank you Husker!”
“No problem. Just wanted to find the right time to give it to you” Husk finds it amusing how giddy it made Alastor, he’s pretty sure if he looked down he could see that little deer tail of Alastor’s swishing back and forth.
“It certainly is the right time” Alastor confirms and picks up two glasses from behind the counter. Wine glasses are a good idea too so he grabs two of those as well. Husk of course notices but doesn’t say anything to why Alastor needs two of everything.
“Yeah well you have fun, I’ll be here if you need more booze” Husk waits for Alastor to leave before he makes his way to the couch. Like hell he’s gonna stand at the bar all night for no reason. After seeing Alastor disappear up the stairs Husk takes a satisfied sip of his drink. Alastor hasn’t touched Malort since he split ways with Vox.
xXx
Once Alastor gets back to his room he sees Vox huddled up on the side of his small couch, his knees pulled up to his chest with his head resting on his knees. He was dressed in the bathrobe Alastor gave him, the robe is navy with bright blue hearts on it. The reason for the blue hearts was because he gifted Vox the blue one while he had a burgundy one with red hearts on it. Alastor found them by accident one day while wandering the mall and knew he had to get them matching bathrobes. It almost brings him back to a happier time seeing Vox wearing the bathrobe again.
“I return!” Alastor announces with a flourish of his hand after he closes the door, making sure no one hears him speaking to anyone in the room.
“Oh, hey” Vox says barely looking up at Alastor. He doesn’t seem nearly as lively as before, his mood dampened quite a lot.
“Everything all right Vox?” Alastor asks as he makes his way towards the couch.
“My heads fucking killing me” Vox replies as he rubs the top of his screen. “Got anything I can take for it?”
Alastor’s immediate response is to make fun of Vox’s pain and maybe knock on his head a bit to make it worse but that won’t do tonight.
“Yes let me find something for you” Alastor conjures up a few different painkillers and presents the options to Vox. Vox glances over the bottles and opts for some ibuprofen. He opens the cap and shakes out two pills.
“Can I get some water too?”
“Already ahead of you” Alastor replies and places a glass of water in Vox’s hand.
“Oh, thanks” Vox looks down in surprise, that was almost too fast. “You didn’t do anything weird to it, right?” He asks in suspicion.
“Of course not! It’s just plain tap water” Alastor promises. Vox decides to trust Alastor this time, popping the pills in his mouth and chasing them down with water. It tasted just like water should, maybe a little heavily chlorinated but that’s all. He finishes the entire glass and places it on the small table next to the couch.
“How’s the rest of you feeling?” Alastor asks as he carefully takes a seat next to Vox. Its a rather small couch, only meant for two people so he’s being aware of his body and how close he is to the other demon.
“Sore. I felt everything start to hurt once I was drying off” Vox peels back the sides of the robe so he can show Alastor his chest. There’s some scratches and bruises are staring to form.
“Oh…that looks painful” Alastor agrees as his smile drops in concern.
“Yeah, it sure is” Vox pulls his robe back together and goes to adjust himself on the couch with a groan. He slowly sits up and props himself up so he can talk to Alastor easier.
“Ah, it must be the adrenaline wearing off. I’m sure taking a bath makes you feel quite at ease”
Vox thought about the comment. He did feel oddly safe being alone with Alastor. But then again Alastor never physically hurt him before, well at least not if they weren’t doing battle. Alastor never attacked him unprovoked.
This is too much thinking with his headache so Vox slumps down and allows his head to fall on the armrest of the couch. He closes his eyes for now and tries not to think about anything besides positive thoughts to feel better.
“How about getting up and getting dressed so we can do something besides sitting around” Alastor suggests.
“Al, I feel like shit. I’m not getting up until the medicine kicks in” Vox replies without bothering to move an inch.
That delays Alastor’s plans for now. Maybe he can bond on the couch with Vox for now instead over a drink.
“Would you like something to drink?” Alastor asks suddenly and conjures up the bottle of wine.
“Uhh, sure” Vox opens his eyes and turns his head slightly to look at Alastor, he heard him poof up something. He just had water and wouldn’t mind some soda or coffee.
Alastor holds up the bottle of wine, Vox gets nauseous just thinking about alcohol. The hot bath for that long probably wasn’t the best idea either and is adding to it.
“Oh no, I’m gonna pass” Vox puts his forehead back down on the armrest and now adds not thinking of alcohol to the list of surviving the night at Alastor’s.
“What? Why? You love this kind!” Alastor can’t believe Vox passed up some wine after taking a bath. He remembers this being Vox’s way of unwinding after a long day.
“Not when I feel like I’m gonna puke again!”
“You got sick?”
“Well yeah. Not like having nothing but alcohol in your stomach and rolling and flipping down a hill is the best”
Alastor goes silent for a moment. “Oh… So you really did get into an accident because you had too much to drink?”
“…Sorta? But not exactly either” Vox wouldn’t exactly say being drunk caused him to crash but he might have been more thorough about turning so fast after being distracted with the GPS. “You didn’t know that? You made fun of me earlier”
“I did?”
“Yeah, when you said you can’t take me home because you drank wine and don’t want to cause another accident?”
Alastor bursts out laughing. “Oh dear, I was just saying that as a joke! I honestly had no idea you were drinking earlier!” He laughs and slaps Vox’s back.
Now Vox is left feeling stupid and his screen turns red as he blushes. He could have not said anything and Alastor wouldn’t know better!
“Oh fuck you!” Vox lifts his head up to glare at Alastor.
Alastor snickers and pops open the bottle of wine, he had a craving for it since he found it a few minutes ago and if Vox isn’t drinking for now more for him.
“Ugh, can you not drink here? Even the smell of it is making me feel worse” Vox complains and tries to bury his his head inside his bathrobe. “I think the accident triggered my migraines” Vox groans and wiggles around, trying to find a comfortable position to lay in, kicking his feet around and hiking up his robe so he can move. His claws on his feet swipe at Alastor’s leg and Vox pulls his feet up closer to him. He wishes Valentino was here to scoop him up to bed and cover him up tightly with his wings for comfort.
Hearing that worries Alastor. If Vox becomes unwell for the whole evening there goes his entire plan. Having Vox be miserable of his couch will ruin his mood too.
“Do you want to power down?” Alastor suggests. That stops Vox from moving in his tracks.
“Why…?” Vox asks in suspicion. He doesn’t make any effort to move so he’s sort of mumbling into the couch still. Powering down would make him extremely vulnerable as he’d be unconscious during the process.
“It would make you feel better, wouldn’t it? Do you want to spend the entire evening being miserable?” Alastor goes to tap his fingers on Vox’s ankle.
“No but. I don’t trust you to power down around you”
“Vox. Do you really think I’d do anything to you?” Alastor asks happily as he scoots closer to Vox, leaning over on the media demon and giving his warmest smile.
“Uhm yes. You’re a fucking asshole, I don’t trust you with shit” Vox says coldly and pulls his legs closer to his body. Alastor’s probably plotting something weird too with how he’s touching his foot and body. He’s been very adamant on never touching him again and refusing to even shake hands for years so what’s with the sudden friendly touches?
Alastor doesn’t say anything as Vox’s reasoning makes complete sense.
Vox shivers as a chill runs through him, shit, this means his symptoms are going to only get worse.
“Fuck, why did Alastor have to pick me up?” Vox thinks to himself. The last thing he wants it to be sick and vulnerable in Alastor’s presence.
The shiver doesn’t go unnoticed by Alastor and he gets off the couch. Vox figures Alastor’s hopefully off to fuck off to somewhere and leaving him alone. What he wasn’t expecting was to feel a blanket being placed over him.
“Here. If you must choose to suffer try to hurry up with it” Alastor stands over Vox and observes him. After a second Vox reaches to pull the blanket over his head to create a dark space for himself. Alastor hears some sort of mumble come from Vox but he has no idea what the man could be saying. Hopefully some sort of thank you instead of cursing him out.
Alastor clearly needs to think of a new plan while Vox waits for the medicine to kick in. It’s actually working in his favor then to have Vox rest up while he goes to consult Husk on what to do.
“Rest up and I’ll be back again shortly” He tells Vox before he goes to take his leave from the room. “And remember. Don’t leave or else” He threatens and narrows his eyes at Vox.
“Yeah, yeah go fuck yourself” For that Vox had enough energy to lift his head up and peek out from under his blanket. “Couldn’t go anywhere even I wanted to” Vox unfolds his legs and spreads them out on the couch with having the extra room for it.
Getting Vox to do what Alastor wants him too is proving much more difficult than expected.
xXx
“Husker!” Alastor greets cheerily as he emerges up from the floor in front of Husk’s bar. Husk just made his way there and was cracking open a fresh beer that he spills as Alastor sneaks up on him.
“Shit Al!” Husk jumps back in surprise and wipes at the spilled drink on the counter with a rag. “You know I hate it when you sneak up on me like that!”
“Ah, well I like to keep you on your toes after all” Alastor laughs.
“Yeah well maybe you could get a better hobby” Husk grumbles as he throws the wet rag to the side.
Alastor pops onto a barstool and makes himself comfortable. “A drink please”
“Didn’t you just carry out an armful of booze? What the hell do you need more for?”
“I didn’t happen to have what I’m craving now with me. My usual please”
Husk goes to grab what he needs to make an old fashioned. Alastor watches him impatiently and taps his foot in annoyance. Husk is really taking his time.
“Make it a double actually so its worth my while waiting”
“You got somewhere to be in this weather?”
“Yes”
“Whatever, go get struck by lighting then” Husk shrugs as he pours a double shot, maybe a little more so Alastor doesn’t bitch at him later for the drink not being strong enough.
“Here” Husk slides the glass down to Alastor. It has skull shaped ice cubes inside because Alastor once gifted him a tray of skull shaped ice cube molds. Apparently it reminded Alastor of Husk when he saw them, whatever that means.
“You used the ice cubes!” Alastor says happily in surprise.
“I might as well use them to make the drinks look better for everyone. I didn’t make them for you so don’t get cocky”
Alastor ignores that and takes a long sip and places his glass back down. “What’s the best way to make someone do what you want them too?” He finally asks, looking up at Husk.
“Threaten them or give them booze?” Husk scoffs. That’s what Alastor does to him after all.
“I’ve tried both and that didn’t work” Alastor swirls the ice cubes in his drink.
“Maybe you didn’t give them enough of a scare or alcohol then” Husk shrugs.
“That’s the problem you see. Scaring them doesn’t work since they’re not scared of me. They might scare me a little in fact” Alastor laughs, he might be a little worried about how unhinged and explosive Vox is at times.
“Shit I dunno then” Husk shrugs again and takes a long swig of beer. “You could just trying being nice to them. People are nice back to you if you treat them good. Then you can ask them for favors easy”
Alastor nods but doesn’t take in the advice. “Maybe I need to work on tricking him- I mean them instead!”
“Or you could be nice” Husk shakes his head. “Shit. Think the princess is rubbing off on me”
Alastor laughs and picks up his glass to take another sip. “Exactly why I avoid spending too much time with the lot of you. I might just begin spouting nonsense!”
“Hey not everything Charlie says is a complete waste of time” Husk says in defense. He had to admit Charlie said some realistic things that might help from time to time when she wasn’t seeing through rainbow unicorn clouded glasses.
“Oh really Husker?” Alastor asks as he gets up and pokes Husk’s chest.
“Yeah” Husk says indifferently, refusing to budge when Alastor was challenging him.
“If you’re so fond of what Charlie’s saying give me some advice of what she’d propose in this situation”
Husk stares at Alastor for a moment, debating if he can come up with something on the spot. “Hmm…” He says in deep thought. Alastor watches him carefully.
“Well first of all maybe you can stop staring at people all creepy, its freaking me the fuck out!” Husk swipes his hand at Alastor’s face, to which Alastor sits back down and goes back to his drink.
“I think she’d say something like try to figure out why they don’t wanna do what you want them too. Maybe you can come up with a compromise. Or give them a favor back for them doing something they don’t wanna do for you”
“A favor back? Ha!” Alastor laughs and slams his drink on the counter.
“See there’s your answer of why they don’t wanna do shit for you, you’re acting like a fucking dick!” Husk pours some more whiskey in Alastor’s glass so he won’t be getting mad. “I go back to what I said before. Just be nice to ‘em and seem genuine. That’s how Charlie gets everyone to go along with the crap she comes up with”
“You know what, let’s forget that part for now and focus on something else”
Husk is way too used to playing psychologist so he waves at Alastor to keep going.
“If I want to make someone trust me how can I do that?” Alastor taps his claws against his glass, he’s a bit nervous about giving this much of his inner turmoils away to Husk.
“Who the fuck would trust you?” Husk replies bluntly.
“That’s why I said make them trust me”
“Be honest. Vulnerable”
Alastor pulls back and starts to cringe.
“Admit when you’re wrong”
“I’m never wrong!”
“Just show your feelings and emotions. Be there for them”
Alastor looks like he’s going to be sick. “Fine, I admit I was wrong asking you this question, now please stop!” Alastor grabs at his ears and pulls down on them.
Husk chuckles. “Yeah good luck with all that Al. We have a better chance of getting Angel redeemed than you building trust with someone”
Alastor looks really torn and plays with his glass, sliding it back and forth between his hands. Husk decides to take some pity on Alastor and give him simple advice.
“Look, how about you just try to be like Charlie. Do shit you think she’d do”
“Hmm, be more like Charlie…” Alastor thinks to how Charlie would act if she met Vox. Probably welcome him in and get him situated and comfortable. Play some stupid ice breaker and bonding games. Ask him how he’s feeling in an attempt to open up and solve his issues. Alastor cracks up at the thought of Vox opening up, the few times he did open up he always got emotional and would start crying.
“What’s so funny?”
“I was thinking about them crying” Alastor snickers.
Husk gives Alastor an unamused look.
“Yeah, that’s really fucking funny” He says flatly.
“You know what Husker, that was good advice. As always I’ve enjoyed our talks” Alastor nods and knocks back the rest of his drink. He wasn’t expecting it to be this strong! He wasn’t paying attention to when Husk poured in pure whiskey. The overpowering taste of alcohol makes him swallow it down funny so he chokes on it. “You forgot the other ingredients!” Alastor splutters as his face turns red and tears form in the corners on his eyes.
“I take that back, seeing you cry is funny” Husk laughs and slaps the counter.
“I’m not” Alastor stops to cough. “Crying!” He coughs some more and turns away from Husk as he places a hand over his chest and tries to steady himself.
“Sure Al” Husk smirks and watches continue to cough, less than before but in no concern for his boss still. “Might wanna check yourself in the mirror before you go, your mascara might be running a little” Husk teases him.
“Oh-shut!” Alastor coughs loudly and grips at his thighs as his body lurches forward. “-It you!”
Husk comes around from behind the counter and gives a few solid knocks on Alastor’s back.
“There, don’t die”
It works and Alastor stops coughing, ending with just a small final cough as he swallows down the rest of the bitterness that burns at his throat.
“Want some water?” Husk offers.
Alastor nods, afraid to speak for now and getting another coughing fit. Husk fills up a glass and slides it across the counter to Alastor. He chugs it down and clears his throat, it appears all is back to normal.
“Well then” Alastor stands up. “I’ll be off. If you need anything don’t call me. Because I’m busy this evening” Alastor reiterates.
“Busy trying to be nice and build trust?” Husk asks with a smirk.
“Yes. As a matter of fact I am”
Vox was complaining about being in pain, that’s mainly what’s holding him back from cooperating with Alastor. So if Alastor makes him feel better he’ll be up for what Alastor has planned for the night. Time to give Vox a nice, relaxing, and maybe slightly sensual massage.
xXx
Alastor’s next stop is Angel’s room. He stands in front of the door and hesitates to knock. The favor he’s about to ask for will come off rather odd but Alastor has no idea where to even search for what he needs! He can guess a sex store would carry it but he’d rather avoid those places by any means! He even goes to as far as just buying the drug store lubricant, there’s nothing wrong with those before anyone judges him! They’ve even come as to have the hot/cold and tingly ones in this day and age so no reason to bother with sex shops.
As he’s debating knocking Angel’s door swings open.
“Ah! Angel!” Alastor jumps back in surprise. “I wasn’t expecting you to be here! I mean at the door, opening it!”
“Heh, well here I am, openin’ my own door” Angel laughs.
“Yes!” Alastor clears his throat. “Do you have a minute?” He asks anxiously, looking nervous for once.
“Yeah sure, I was just gonna get something to eat so I can wait” Angel says. “What’s up Al?”
“Uhm…could we step into your room to talk? I don’t want anyone hearing this, heh” Alastor says nervously as his eyes dart around the hallway, making sure no one’s coming.
“Oohh!~” Angel smirks. “Whateva could the radio demon wanna talk to me about in my room?” Angel giggles and pulls Alastor into his room, closing the door for privacy.
Again Alastor decides the best way to word this. “Do you remember that time you gave me that ‘gift’ that I threw back at you?” Alastor’s referencing the time Angel came home with a surprise gift he won for gathering enough points at the sex shop he frequents. Angel thought it would be funny to tell Alastor he got a perfect gift for him and to ask him to open it in front of everyone in the lobby. Angel hadn’t checked what was inside yet so it was still neatly wrapped, everyone gathered in curiosity to see Alastor’s gift. Once Alastor opened it he quickly regretted his decision. Inside was some massage oil, lube, candles, silk blindfold, and a long silk ribbon. Alastor stuffed everything back inside and proceeded to throw it at Angel before walking away.
“Hmm, which one? Don’t remember ever givin’ you a gift” Angel says as he plays dumb.
“You know…the one with the candles and oil?”
“Candles and oil? Doesn’t sound like something I’d give ya. Not like ya make candles or nothin’ for fun”
Alastor feels a blush creeping up on his face. He knows Angels doing this on purpose to make him say it out loud.
“It might have had other things too. Some silky material objects”
“Ohhh, for wrappin’ the candles up in lil bows when ya done?”
Alastor's ears flicker in annoyance and static crackles from behind him. “No Angel. Not a candle making set. The gift box that came from the…sex shop” He almost whispers out the last part.
Angel watches Alastor as he looks around the room in discomfort, his smile growing.
“Well why didn’t ya just come out and say that? Of course I still got it” Angel laughs. “Was hoping you’d come back and get it one day~”
“Could I have it then?” Alastor asks curtly and taps his staff on the floor.
“Yeah sure, anythin’ for ya handsome” Angel goes off to dig through his drawers to locate the box. A wide array of lingerie flies out of the drawer.
“Did you really need to store it with all of…this?” Alastor asks as he flicks off a pair of panties that landed on his boot. Angel glances over to what Alastor kicked at. “Hey watch it! Those are expensive!” Angel frowns and grabs back the panties.
“And yeah it’s the sex drawer, I keep all my sex shit in here” Angel shrugs and continues to pull out more clothing. “Or maybe it’s in this one…” Angel opens the drawer below it and pulls out bottles of massage oil and other bottles of liquids that Alastor would rather not know the purpose of.
“So why’d ya decide to come get it? Got someone to use it on tonight?~”
“No! I decided I wanted to sell it” He’d never admit to using it himself, especially not to Angel.
“Sell it?” Angel raises his brow in confusion at Alastor.
“Yes, I need some extra cash this month” Alastor replies so nonchalantly that Angel won’t be able to question him further as to why.
“Ain’t ya like a fancy overlord who owns millions of souls? Can’t ya just make some of ‘em pay up more?”
Alastor’s ear twitches in annoyance. The plan was not to be questioned.
“I try not to not exploit my souls dear” Alastor places his staff on the floor and taps his fingers on it, slightly starting to show his annoyance.
“Pfft, sure whateva ya says Al” Angel laughs. “And for the future ya might wanna consider sellin’ something that makes a lil more money” Angel says slyly.
“Such as?”
Angel smirks and pulls out a plastic sealed bag filled with panties. “These bad boys”
“Underwear? I don’t see why anyone would buy that from me and not just go to the store”
“Used undies Alastor” Angel corrects him.
Alastor’s eyes widen and he snatches his staff up as he takes a step back. “You had better not been keeping those next to my gift!”
Angel laughs loudly. “Nah they weren’t kept in the same drawer, don’t worry” He tosses the bag aside and goes to rummage through the shelf. “C’mon, I know you’re here…” Angel mutters as he throws out items onto the growing pile on the floor. Alastor tries to keep his eyes on the floor in case he finds more dirty clothing that’s for sale tossed about the room.
“Ah! Found it!” Angel pulls out the black box with red ribbon tied around it.
“You haven’t used it have you?” Alastor questions as he lifts up the lid with magic to make sure everything seems in place.
“Nah I got so much other shit, haven’t touched it at all” Angel assures him.
“Good. I need it in pristine condition for selling it” Alastor drops the lid back on.
“Well, good luck sellin’ this” Angel says as he hands him the box. “If ya can’t find anyone who wants it you can always come back and we’ll have some fun with it~”
Alastor rolls his eyes and takes the box. “Not to worry Angel, I already have someone who wishes to have it”
“Aww lucky fella then. Gettin’ a gift like that from the radio demon”
“Once again, I’m selling it so I’m the lucky one since I’m making money dear” Alastor snaps his fingers and the gift box disappears. “Thank you for the gift. Again” Alastor says with more sincerity than the first time around.
“No problem. I’m off to grab somethin’ to eat but I’ll be around if ya have any questions about how the stuff works” Angel smirks as he goes to walk towards his door, putting his arm behind Alastor’s back to get him to leave.
“As much as I appreciate the offer won’t be necessary. Now have a good night Angel” Alastor nods to Angel as he melts into the floor using his shadow.
“Yeah same to you Al” Angel calls after Alastor as he disappears. “Know ya will with gettin’ around to using the gift finally” He adds after Alastor’s gone, he fully knows Alastor’s using it on someone, now just to find out who…