Vox: *after learning about Alastor and Abelās relationship* WHY HIM? WHY HIM OUT OF ALL THE DEMONS AND ANGELS IN THIS UNIVERSE DID YOU PICK THAT GAPPED TOOTH LITTLE BIā *is immediately grabbed by shadows and pulled close to Alastor*
Alastor: *absolutely murderous* Careful, Vox. You were always terrible at knowing when to stop talking.
Vox: *screen flickers wildly, fury and panic mixing* Youā! You think you can justājust replace me?!
Alastor: *leans closer, voice low and velvety with violence* Oh, my dearā¦ you were never in the running.
Vox: *snarls* Then say it. Say why. Why him.
Alastor: *tilts his head, smile widening just enough to be cruel* I have millions of reasons.
The shadows tighten. Voxās feet barely touch the floor.
Alastor: *eyes lock onto Voxās, unblinking* But I will only give you oneā¦ Itās because he isnāt you.
Vox: *goes still, the words hitting harder than any blow. He stared at the floor, screen dimmed* ā¦This isnāt over.
Alastor: *pauses at the threshold, not looking back* For you, Vox? *soft chuckle* It already has~
Abel: *flying over* Is everything okay here?
Alastor: *smiling brightly* Just lovely Mon Cher! Just reminding someone why not to mess with me!
Vox: *sees Abel and growls* YOU TRAMP! ALASTORāS MINE! HOW DARE YOU STEAL HIM FROM ME!
Abel: *stunned* Wait, what? I-I never stoleā
Vox: Oh donāt give me that you motherfucking, shako-wearing, boyfriend stealing, giggling, stuttering piece of angelic horsesh*t! Yeah I said it! Fuck you Abel! Fuck you, fuck Alastor, and fuck the fucking fetus that's growing inside of the disease-ridden void that you call a goddamn womb!
Alastor: *too stunned to speak*
Abel: *eyes widened from all of the yelling* Oh wowā¦ thatā¦ that was very personalā¦and very mean.
Vox: NO SHIT SHERLOCK! I mean! *laughs in disbelief* How can you call yourself anything aside from a worth lard of fat?!
Abel: Stop being mean about my body! I know Iāve always been a bigger guy! So what?!
Vox: So what?! Iām surprised youāre able to get out of bed! Or that there is a bed to get out of because you would crush it with your enormous ass weight!
Alastor: *the temperature drops instantly*
The shadows donāt just move this time. They surge.
Alastor: *slowly turns back toward Vox, voice no longer playfulāflat, controlled, lethal* You will never speak about my husbandāor our childālike that again.
Vox: *screen flickers, but he forces a laugh, manic* Ohhh look at you! Playing royal guard now? What, gonna sic the shadows on me for telling the truth?
Abel: *hands shake, wings twitching as he takes a step back* Alastorā¦ heāsā heās just trying to hurt usā
Alastor: *without looking away from Vox* Darling, pleaseā¦ give me a moment.
Abel: *hesitates, then nods, swallowing hard* O-okayā¦ *taking several steps back*
Vox: *scoffs* Wow. Sending him away already? Guess you donāt want him seeing what you really are.
Alastor: *laughs onceālow and humorless* Oh, Vox. Youāve already seen exactly what I am.
The shadows slam Vox against the wall, pinning him in place, cables creaking.
Alastor: You lost your power. Your empire. Your āfriends.ā And instead of asking whyā¦ you decided to blame the one person who had nothing to do with it.
Vox: *snarling* He took everything from me!
Alastor: *steps closer, eyes glowing brighter* No. You did. You tried to own me. You tried to brand me. You treated affection like a contract and love like a broadcast slot. All you ever truly wanted from me was my powers *leans in, voice a whisper that still carries* but Abel never asked for anything but honesty and respect.
Vox: *voice cracks, static bleeding through* You think heāll stay? When he sees you for what you really are?
Alastor: *smiles againābut this one is soft, terrifyingly sincere* He already does.
Behind him, Abel wipes at his eyes, trying to steady his breathing.
Abel: *quietly, but firm* I donāt know what you think love looks likeā¦ but it isnāt this.
Vox: *turns his head toward Abel, hatred flaring* Shut upā
Alastor: *snaps* Enough.
The shadows release Vox suddenly. He collapses to his knees, gasping.
Alastor: *straightens, adjusting his coat* Consider this a kindness. Next time, I wonāt stop myself.
Alastor turns and walks back to Abel, immediately softening, hands gentle as he cups Abelās face.
Alastor: Are you hurt, my dear?
Abel: *voice trembling* N-noā¦ justā¦ shaken.
Alastor: *presses his forehead to Abelās* Iām sorry you had to hear any of that.
Behind them, Vox watchesāsilent now, screen dim, hatred simmering.
Vox: *hoarse whisper* ā¦This isnāt finished.
Alastor: *without turning around* It is for us.
He guides Abel away, shadows closing in behind them like a curtain.
