#implied autism

Based on this image from @cherry-blitz 's AU, Persistence Pays

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Alastor POV

My eyes fluttered open, an alarm blaring. Before I got the chance to silence the blasted thing, I noticed Vox. Terrifyingly close, looming over me. Was he watching me while I was sleeping? Odd. 

“What are you doing?”

I didn’t say more. I shouldn’t need to. Vox should notice I’m uncomfortable, he is always good at that.

“Hello, Al. Why are you not in your chair! Up an attem!”

“My what?”

A chair? Vox has said a lot of dumb things, but this has to be up there with the dumbest. He also has not backed up. Something is off with this day. 

“Your chair! You know, because of our deal? Did you get memory loss?”

“Now, I have no clue what you are talking about, dear. A chair? A deal? My friend, you know we never had any deals.”

Back off. He’s just getting closer. Why hasn’t he backed off yet? He knows better. His face went blue. Maybe he’s realizing how close he got and will back off. 

“Friend? Did you just call me a friend?”

“Why are you so shocked, Vox? I call you ‘friend’ all the time. But I may have to take that back if you don't back off.”

That's the first time I’ve said that in centuries. Jesus.. 

“Back off? Oh, I forgot. You don’t like being touched, or whatever. Well, you don't have a choice, get up and into your chair. We have an interview!”

This is not Vox. I don’t know who this is, but it is not Vox. He looks like Vox.. think, Alastor. Who is this TV, and why isn’t he respecting my boundaries?

“Vox. I don’t know what has gotten into you, but I feel you are not the Vox I know. Now, back off, or I will remind you why I am the Radio Demon”

“Oh you silly deer! You don't have that option, because”

He looked to be gesturing to something? Looks like.. Was he trying to pull me by a leash? Does this Vox imposter think he truly has a deal with me? Or.. Is he from a different universe.. 

Rosie told me this could happen. Rare, but possible. He was right. This was not his Vox. And he had the feeling that this day would go much, much worse. 

~ Later that day ~ 

“So, you said friend, huh? To me, I’m your friend.”

“YOU. are not my friend. My friend is- what are you doing?”

Vox had placed his hand on me. God, how I miss my Vox. He would never touch me like this. And without my consent, no less. Vile.

“But, lets play a thought experiment, why don’t we? We are close friends right?”

“Mhm..”

His hands were almost electrical. I could feel my shoulder tingle, and an almost cold, empty feeling surrounded it. Charlie described it as ‘overstimulation’. A truly awful feeling

“So, if I asked you ‘Vox, I value your friendship, you’d say it? Wait! That’s a waste of an opportunity. Say ‘ Vox, you’re stronger than me and I value our deep, borderline homoerotic friendship!’”

“Get your filthy hands off me, you disgrace. You should be ashamed that you share a name with my Vox, you old piece of malware”  My voice came out more as a mumble. Radiostatic swirled and cracked around me. I could feel the radio static coating my voice.

I was furious. This heathen dared to call himself by the same name of Vox. No. I refuse to call him that. I’ve never called Vincent ‘Whittman’ before.. I suppose I could remedy that for today.

Whitman kept his hands there, with this smug look on his face that told me he enjoyed this. Ugh. I shifted my body away from his hands, got up from the couch, and walked as far as I could. This seemed to get him livid.

“What! Get back here! You are under my roof! You deserve to be under my hand! My toy!”

“That’s where you are wrong, Whittman. While you may have your Alastor under your strings, I am not bound by you. I can do whatever I please, and you may not stop me. Now, if you don’t mind, I will make myself some tea.”

“Why the fuck would I have grass water here? No. Go drink coffee like the rest of us.”

“No tea? Well then! Your blood will suffice!”

“Whoa, chill out Al! I’ll go get you you fucking tree water! Geez!” 

“Thats more like it. Now, how long till this day is over? One of these swaps should only last a day, and I’m getting awfully tired of you and your physical touch.”

“Aww, only 10 more hours with you. I’m sure going to miss you”

“I will not. Get me my tea, then I will sleep off the rest of the horrid day.”

Al slept wonderfully, just trying to get his love back. Vox on the other hand, stared blankly at the ceiling the whole night. This alastor.. In another universe, he trusted him. Maybe even loved him.. Why did he have to tow the line? He always messes up, his pride gets in the way, his ego. Maybe if he were a little more humble..

He could have gotten his deer without strings..