Work Text:
It wasn’t a secret that Vox and Valentino both had trouble controlling their tempers sometimes. It truly wasn’t. And it also wasn’t a secret that these tempers of theirs clashed at times.
“It’s not that simple, Val! I’ve been busy with work, with keeping the ratings up, with making sure everything stays running smoothly!” Vox shouted, his screen glitching in annoyance.
Valentino had made an off-hand comment about how it felt like Vox was neglecting him, and it had devolved into a full-blown argument.
Valentino scoffed, his heels clicking against the tiles as he turned away from Vox. “I have to keep things up and running too, you know. But I always make time for you anyways, don’t I?” he said snappily.
Vox rolled his eyes. “Oh, please. You ‘neglect’ me all the time too. That is, if we’re going off this new definition you’ve come up with.” he sneered “Besides, I’d say paying attention to your favorite whore instead of me is a little neglectful.”
Valentino’s wings snapped open, and he had to resist the urge to throttle Vox right then and there. He had a bit more restraint over his violent impulses when it came to Vox. “You little-“
He huffed, before starting to stomp away. “Estúpida cabeza de tele. Odio esa carita egreída de pantella plana y ese gorrito de bebé. Estúpida zorra.” he muttered as he wrapped his wings around himself again.
Vox’s screen flickered once more. “You can’t just walk away in the middle of an argument like that!” he said in exasperation as he took a few steps in Valentino’s direction. “Well, I already am!” Valentino shouted back.
He went up the stairs to his room, slamming the door behind him so hard it almost broke. Before he knew what was going on, tears started to roll down his face.
He rarely ever cried. But he supposed that it made sense, with the repeated arguments with Vox, the film shoots that had gone wrong, and the building hopelessness he had been feeling at the fact that Vox probably wanted to be nothing more than friends-with-benefits of whatever the fuck they were.
He threw himself onto his bed, screaming into one of his pillows as loudly as he could. Every profanity he could think of - both in English and Spanish - was heard at least once.
Once he felt he had screamed enough, he sat up again and reached for his cigarette. “Goddamnit. Now my eyeliner’s messed up.” he muttered. He took a draw from the cigarette, before breathing a long, messy plume of smoke into the air. All of that had calmed him down a little bit, at least.
His wings hung off his shoulders just a little bit as he reached out to grab the picture of Vox he kept in his nightstand. “Oh, Vox…… if only.” One of his fingers traced the line of Vox’s face, his antennae drooping. He’d give up so much to be able to touch the TV demon so tenderly.
It was entirely unlike the Valentino everyone knew. To some extent, it was unlike the version of himself he knew. He had never really been one for that lovey-dovey bullshit.
But… after knowing Vox for so long, that had changed…..
If only…..
Someone knocked on the door, and Valentino immediately knew it was Vox. He could tell from the way he knocked. It was two sharp, quick knocks that were confident, yet held a bit of hesitance that Vox was obviously trying to mask.
The moth demon got to his feet, wiping the smeared eyeliner away with some makeup wipes he had on his vanity nearby. He then walked over to the door, opening it up and looking down at Vox. “What?”
Vox looked pretty awkward standing there. For once, he didn’t know what he should say. “Listen, Val, I…. I’m sorry, okay? For…. everything.” he said quietly. It was obvious he was being genuine, even though he wasn’t doing the best actually expressing it.
Valentino crossed his lower set of arms, leaning against the doorframe as he took another draw from his cigarette. He didn’t apologize back quite yet. He was very prideful, after all, and that meant he wasn’t the best at acknowledging his wrongs.
But Vox was prideful too, and he had still attempted to apologize. So really, Valentino could at least try to do the same. “I guess I’m sorry too…..” he finally replied.
He shook his head. “I know you’re busy with work and everything. And…. I’ll acknowledge that I overreacted.” Vox seemed a little surprised by the fact that Valentino had apologized, but he was also pleased nonetheless.
“Okay then. I guess we’re good now?” he asked. Valentino nodded. “Si. You know I can’t stay mad at you for too long, babe.” he said with a low chuckle. He still felt a little upset from earlier, sure, but his mood had improved vastly.
He took a step closer, putting a finger under Vox’s chin as he grinned. “Now….. I have an idea on how we can ‘make up’ further… if you’re willing to hear me out.” he murmured, letting his wings unfurl again to reveal his black leather vest and a short-cut skirt.
Vox grinned as well. How could he say no to that? “Oh, I’m very willing.” he replied. They went into Valentino’s room, closing the door behind them as they prepared to get close again after a whole week of distance.
The End