Valentino and Vox have been business partners for years and their relationship is strictly physical, not romantic, because in their professional lives, showing love is a sign of weakness. Everything was going fine, they're comfortable with this arrangement, but one day during one of their many makeout sessions valentino pulled back nauseous. "One sec, Voxy" Valentino winks before rushing off.
Vox, slightly annoyed because he was enjoying himself, nods and yells after him. "I'll get you some tums when I'm out!"
When Val is finally alone in the bathroom, hid coughs are worse, he coughs until he's spitting petals. His eyes widen in horror and disbelief as he realizes he might feel something more for Vox than just the lust he feels for almost anyone, this is proof. His first impulse is to tell Velvette, but he can't bring himself to do it. He doesn't want her to see him differently.
The dynamic between Valentino and Vox shifts dramatically. Valentino becomes much more intense in his advances, focusing all his attention on Vox. Vox, while finding this a bit strange, enjoys the attention, especially since it starts to fill the void Alastor left, he can't exactly stalk that guy if he's getting fucked in his office. He did try to pay attention to his cameras once during time with Val but Val broke it. Damn drama queen. But soon, Valentino's behavior is like an immediate switch. He starts avoiding Vox, fearing that Vox might notice his coughing fits despite how lonely he feels without him. They even have to stop kissing sometimes because of his coughs, and Valentino brushes it off by saying he has a cold.
Valentino couldn't help it when he was watching TV with velvette, he coughs blood. She isn't even surprised, "Vox?" Valentino freezes before sighing. "Yeah."
"And you aren't telling him because..??"
"Are you insane? I'm just a distraction, he wants Alastor, not me." It hurt to speak aloud but Valentino was so certain it was true.
Velvette sighs and leans back. "You're really an idiot sometimes, I bet he thinks you want Angel"
Valentino laughs until it turns into coughing.
"Val!" Velvette scolds and pats his back, "Okay now tell him, if you die I'll be mad at you."
Valentino sighs, that night when he and Vox are laying in bed after their first lay in weeks he can no longer keep it a secret. He wakes up coughing blood and petals, which wakes Vox as well. Vox's brain goes to Angel just like Vel said. "Owning his soul should be enough." he snaps.
Valentino, overwhelmed, breaks down. "I want you, you bastard!" he says, spitting some blood when he yells.
Vox's eyes widen, he never thought Val was capable of wanting anyone let alone him. Despite his lingering thoughts about Alastor, his possessiveness over Valentino becomes evident. He leans in, licking the blood from the moth's lips. "You're such an attention whore," he whispers, "But I'll give you the attention you need."
Valentino's heart speeds up and his wings flutter. "Really?"
"Really" Vox replies with a nod, his hand caresses his lover's cheek, he'd rip out the flowers from his throat if he could, no one is allowed to hurt him, but in a slow realization, he had to take in the fact he is hurting him. For once it doesn't feel good. He drags Val into his arms and doesn't let go.
Adding tags I didn't include in the original post
