#shadowmedia

"That's it for today, remember to stay safe, and trust us with your news, good night and happy holidays!"

The cameras tilted their heads down and the lights that were put extra just to blind Vincent when he was already overstimulated enough from the ones over his head dimmed at last, his smile dropped and he couldn't help the way his hand went to rub at his jaw.

"Shift's over, Whittman?" One of his coworkers called from across the studio, he looked up from the random spot on his polished shoes that he was focused on to meet James' eyes, a young and new anchor in the building that Vincent forgets to correct him into some manners because he didn't want to lose his job, not when that snobby man was the son of a famous politician, "yeah, yours now right?"

James nodded, already walking to nudge Vincent off of the chair, he stood up without complaining, though any other day, he would've added a joke or two, but right now all he was focused on was trying not to kill the blond man who didn't actually overstep anything.

"Had your fun, now it's my time to shine" James grinned, fixing his tie and running a hand through his locks, kore like caressing them to not ruin the job his stylist took a while to make.

"Dont get cocky, Marvin" Vincent rolled his eyes, grinding his jaw that was barely masked by his smile, and his irritation thankfully went right over that excited man's head, Vincent was always grateful for how stupid everyone around him is, even when sometimes, like right now, it would get on his nerves and end up with a body buried somewhere.

"I thought cockiness was what got you to wherever you are right now" that sentence sounded like something Vincent himself might have said to his idols maybe twenty years ago, and now that he's hearing it from someone else, he felt his stomach flip and if it wasn't empty, James would've had a taste of his insides.

"That and other things, James," he replied fast, hands in his pockets, fiddling with the keys of his car, he rolled his eyes behind his glasses and bit the insides of his cheeks, "you should focus on many other things, like not breaking character live, or improvising something during bad news, and lay low on too many colors for your clothes" he plastered a smile on his face, the way it didn't quite reach his mismatched blue and green eyes went completely unnoticed by the young man whose own gaze seemed to be writing every word Vincent was saying, like the good and kind mentor that he was, the one that definitely wasn't internally cringing at himself and at James' pale yellow suit that almost blended with his hair if it wasn't for the length of his neck and paleness of his skin.

"Must've took you years to get there"

"Do you not know me?"

"Wha- no I mean! No i mean all those stuff and tips and- yeah.." James waved his arms around, letting vo of the papers on he desk in favor for making Vincent regret hesitating a second to find himself stuck in this conversation.

"Of course it did" Vincent said flatly, not dropping his smile, and hoping he would get the hint, and by some miracle, he did.

"You look tired,"

"You dont say" Vincent mumbled under his breath with a click of his tongue, before his hands shot out of his pockets to brush th lapels of his suit, "i should get going, and you should rehearse a bit, dont drop the papers and dont act like they burn when you want to put them down" he felt the words leave his mouth before he could register them, like a monotone robot, he was exhausted and he couldn't even keep up the act anymore, "and don't- give the camera that look, smile" the words that left him weren't his own, and it had his heart doing a little flip but he furrowed his eyebrows at the most dumbfounded stare he's ever pitied on someone's face, watching him nod before turning to make his way through the crew.

"Night, Vincent! And merry Christmas!" James called.

"Yeah, night, happy- merry- things..whatever" he made sure to speak when they were fixing the microphone next to him and it let out a loud ringing sound, swallowing the pathetic attempt at casualty that Vincent failed at amazingly, he exited the studio and made a beeline through the building to the elevator.

The German shepherd started barking the moment he heard the car pulling up to the driveway, he jumped and trotted at the door, tail wagging when the keys jingle and the door opened.

"Hey hey- heyy boy, hey shockwave" Vincent chuckled, some of his earlier fatigue dropping with his suitcase on the floor as he closed the door and knelt to pet the excited dog, turning his face back and groaning when shockwave almost licked at his neck, "ohohooo you just gotta do that when I smell like shit already, huh!?" He laughed and rubbed the dog's back, "missed you too, buddy, uh huh" he smiled and patted his head between his ears one more time before standing up with a groan, shrugging off his long coat and hanging it at the door, he kicked off his shoes.

"Al?"

"Here, Cher!"

Vincent never had to fight his bones from crumbling more than he does whenever he knows exactly where his lover is and he drags himself to his location, but one step at a time, he would find himself arriving.

Alastor was in the kitchen, sitting at the table, draped in a red robe that wrapped around his body, the smell of smoke and honeyd cinnamon tea danced around the area with the songs that played on the radio, Vincent wasn't one to fully focus on two tasks at a time, but he knew that Alastor was able to listen to a song and read his book and immerse himself in both at the same time, "Evening, Vince, you're home late", at his voice, Vincent wanted to test if he could focus on three things at hand.

"I know.." he groaned and dropped to his knees at Alastor's feet, his head finding salvation on his lap, he managed to take off his glasses and reach up without dropping the teacup to put them on the table, before both his hands held onto Alastor's robe, "had too many changed times and some channels were too fucking intent on having me as their face for some shit.." Vincent was sure he made no sense at all, but Alastor's hums and his hand that abandoned the book to thread through his lover's salt and pepper hair, agreeing to his every word like he was saying something coherent.

"Yea I'm sure it's tiring to sit on a chair and read from papers, mhm" Alastor drawled, his fingers tracing down to his sharp jawline and cheeks, and the touch had his legs feeling more of Vincent's weight on them.

"I'm sure this is exactly what you do too, Al" Vincent huffed, trying and failing to open one eye and glare up at him, but he only looked like one of those sharks he obsesses over.

"Mine is far more interesting, Cher, don't fly too high" Alastor grinned, and leaned down to press a kiss over his forehead, and coaxing his eyes into closing again, Alastor hummed and the lack of a fight in his usual bantering lover had a hum rising in his throat, he tugged gently at the small locks on the nape of his neck, earning a groan from the man, "don't sleep on the floor, Vincent" he said with gentle sternness, "come on, up- are you hungry?" He watched Vincent shift to get back up on his feet again, holding the back of his chair for balance while the other rubbed his face, "yeah- no i ate"

"Liar"

"Al-"

"Sit down" Alastor stood up and guided Vincent to a chair, the man complied submissively.

"What didja make?" He mumbled, smiling and propping his chin on his palm, watching Alastor open the fridge and take out a pot of soup, he groaned and rubbed his eyes, Alastor rolled his eyes and started to heat it up on the stove, "oh quit your whining you child" Alastor scolded turning around with his hands on his waist, brown eyes narrowed.

"You know that I dont like soup!"

"And do you like spending a week ill in bed like a victorian peasent!?"

Vincent bit his inner cheeks, folding his arms and leaning back in his chair, he tapped his fingers on his arm and rolled his eyes before grumbling, "just dont have it at boiling temperature then"

"You're just asking to be sick"

"My immune system is a military base, mind you!" Vincent gasped, hand over his chest.

"Nhm..of a bunch of Neanderthals fighting a tank"

Vincent had to bite his knuckles to fight back the barked laughter he wanted to set loose at Alastor's comment, said so nonchalantly with his back suddenly turning to face the shaking man, his lover had spoken it with actual frustrated care, not intending it to be funny, and if he found Vincent laughing then he might end up burning his mouth with the soup.

Vincent bit his lower lip and stood up, his headache forgotten as he sauntered to wrap his arms around Alastor's waist, resting his chin on his shoulder and tilting his face to the side to nuzzle his neck.

"You smell nice.." he whispered.

"Flattery won't get you anywhere"

"That's not how the saying goes"

"Do I look like i care?" Alastor turned his head to meet Vincent's smug face, and won a peck on his lips, he couldn't keep he scowl on his face afterwards, "im burning your soup" he scoffed, and nipped at Vincent's lower lip, the tv host chuckled and squeezed his waist, he knew he somewhat had his lover calmed down from their banter, but God he enjoyed to keep Alastor on the edge sometimes.

"Oh, mushroom" Vincent observed with a soft gasp, Alastor nodded and hummed, "didn't have time to make anything else", Vincent shook his head quickly at the reoly, "that's not what I meant, you know I like it" he kissed his cheek and nudged his nose into the soft skin were he could feel the edges of Alastor's lips rising into a smile, "and i also know you have the appetite of a dog" Alastor smirked, and before Vincent could act offended, he continued, "but i suppose as long as you keep yourself fit, I dont see any issue," he hummed, and considering they've decided that Vincent pays for all groceries and food, Alastor found nothing wrong in a little payback, he could cook his man an egg and Vincent would cry over it, he just loved Alastor's touch on the food and that was a win for the radio host and his culinary skills.

Vincent was busying himself with nuzzling Alastor's neck when he opened his eyes and looked back down at Alastor's hand, where a beautiful, simple yet golden watch sat adorning his wrist, Vincent took great pride in his gifts for Alastor, and despite not actually celebrating Christmas religiously, he still gifted him better than any verse in the Bible could give him of blessing, and this year was never less than the last.

"So you do like it" Vincent smiled, one hand on Alastor's waist coming to hold Alastor's and bring it to his lips, kissing the inside of his wrist where the skin was slightly colder than the rest of his body from where the watch was sitting, "i never said otheriwse" Alastor rolled his eyes affectionately, Vincent hummed against his wrist and kissed his way up to his palm.

"Are you asking to be pet?" Alastor raised an eyebrow, Vincent did not seem a bit shaken by the indication that he wasn't any different than shockwave, in fact, he kissed his way between Alastor's fingers, expressing his adoration to each knuckle like they themselves were jewelry.

"You're ridiculous, Cher" Alastor sighed, turning off the stove under the soup pot with his free hand, before he was suddenly turned around in Vincent's arms, his hand found its way to his chest instinctively, "do not think you're escaping dinner after a long day of just caffeine and cigarettes that I can smell on you" Alastor narrowed his eyes, though the corners of those beautiful brown irises crinkled warmly to mirror the drunken look Vincent had, "should I smell something else on you too?" The Radio host raised an eyebrow, Vincent hummed and cupped his cheek, his thumb rubbing under one eye, "wanna taste for yourself?" Vincent's question was met with Alastor pulling him down with the lapels of his suit, their lips meeting slowly, eyes closed, Vincent gently removed Alastor's glasses to cup his cheek and tilt his face to kiss his lover deeper, their tongues dancing to the tune of the song on the radio, Vincent's other hand wrapped around Alastor's waist to pull their chests together, humming into each other's lips, the kiss slowly and reluctantly broke, but they refused to leave an inch withoit their breathes mingling together.

"You smell like shit" Alastor whispered.

"Fuck you, honey" Vincent said lovingly.

The next few days that separated Christmas from new year's eve passed in such a rush, not in work, but mall shopping, visiting relatives but unfortunately separately, both Alastor's family and Vincent's only knew them as the close friends who share a house because the economy is collapsing, a long alibi but it has worked for long enough to find a new one to play on them and society, and even if they wanted to give them another lie just to play with their nerves, neither Vincent nor Alastor cared about anyone else other than one another.

"Oui, Maman, if we could find time tomorrow perhaps?..mhm..Great, happy new year- yes, say hello to everyone there" Alastor spoke over the phone, standing at the table next to the balcony, the neighborhood was bathed in lights and people in the streets preparing fireworks, whistling to each other, he averted his gaze back inside their home where candles lit the space, bathing the atmosphere in a romantic air, rather than a celebratory one, he could see Vincent though, where his lover was moving excitedly from place to another, ensuring everything was in place, and followrd by a shadow of his own happiness, shockwave right at his trail, "oui, say hello to auntie Meryl..and auntie Marianne..to everyone, Maman- oh I'll call you back then!- you see, i fear Vincent broke the wine bottle- yes I'll send him your hellos, alright- bye, Maman..bye" he hung up the telephone and walked over to his lover, who turned around fast at the last words that left Alastor's mouth, "hey that was bad luck" he gasped quietly, Alastor's eyerbrow shot up, head tilted to the side, "what was?"

"The wine thing" Vincent huffed, kissing his cheek and patting his shoulder gently before rubbing his palms together, Alastor eyed his lover up and down, examining his movements, "you never cared for the silly little things as bad luck" he pointed out, and caught on the way his shoulders tensed up at the words, Vincent was never one to be able to mask his emotions as Alastor, he might hold back his words, but the reactions were a telltale of what's stuck in his throat.

"Cher..is there something wrong?" He whispered, and Vincent felt the guilt eat at him for how his nervousness flipped the joyous mood into an interrogation, "did you speak to yor parents?.." Alastor asked, a possible thing that might have been the reason why Vincent was feeling this way.

And judging by the way Vincent's throat bobbed in a thick swallow, Alastor knew that he hit the nail, "it was.." he whispered, he was partially right though, that was part of Vincent's anxiety, and he decided to continue on it to keep Alastor focused on it..for now.

"It's just..dont worry" Vincent shook his head, "it's just like..twice or three times a year, not a big deal.." he added and wrapped his arms around his lover and pulled him to his chest, effectively shutting up any attempt for Alastor to keep questioning him, he knew better, the radio host didn't want to ruin their evening either, but he also put an inner tap on this subject to return to later, for now, he just wrapped his arms around Vincent's torso and rest his cheek on his chest.

"Your heart's beating too fast.." he hummed, smiling, Vincent rest his chin on top of his head, letting those thick brown curls tickle his pale skin as he ignored the question.

"How much until midnight?" He whispered, clearing his throat quietly, Alastor resisted questioning further for how many signs of distress his lover was showing, and stuck to answering, "five minutes.."

"Five!?"

Vincent leaned back before his lover can hear hiw his heart picked up the pace again, and held Alastor's shoulders, his eyebrows furrowed, "Al- hey uh- come here for a minute" he held his hand and gently dragged him to the living room of their second floor again, "Vincent you're being absurd" Alastor whispered, his tone a warning away from snapping at his lover to tell him what's wrong, "i know i know im sorry, just- listen, okay?" Vincent stopped in the middle of the living room, holding both of Alastor's hands in his own, blue and green eyes locked onto brown, and the soft oak ones could see how they were trembling in silent begging, too quiet for someone who's usually so talkative.

"Alright.." Alastor nodded, whispering, "but this better explain" he added right away, not hoping for it to come out too harsh.

"Right right-" Vincent nodded, he cleared his throat and licked his lips, too chapped from how he has been picking at them all the time in the kitchen, "so I was..talking with my..mother- and uh..had a fight.." he whispered, Alastor blinked, eyebrows furrowing, "no no, the usual" Vincent shook his head, there were many 'usuals', Alastor usually knew each one of them, but the confusion in Vincent's eyes made its way to his own, "what?" He asked, Vincent bit his inner cheeks, "no it's..just about my future and..how im getting old now and.." he trailed off.

Alastor didnt need to know more, he knew Eliza Whittman was always the traditional woman, in every aspect of life, and he knew that a man like his lover, growing up in a household with that influence had him closeted for far too long and afraid of embarrassing his family, it took them both too long to realize their feelings for each other, all because Vincent thought he was still being watched.

"Mhm?" Alastor nodded for him to continue, his hands coming up to rest on Vincent's wrists.

Vincent looked over at the clock, and his eyes widened, he choked on a gasp and looked back at Alastor, "i love you so much, Alastor" he whispered, "and i love you, Cher..but you're still toying with your sleeping on the bed privileges at this rate" Alastor replied, a smile ghosted on Vincent's lips, before he spoke again, "you know..the fight with my mom..I.. I just couldn't tell her how..uh..it's not legal for me- for us, to have that.." Vincent managed to let out the words, he couldn't hear Alastor's heart, but he understood that it skipped a beat from the look on his face, the radio host let out a sigh, deep from his lungs, "Vincent, we've talked about this.."

"I know we did, i know honey.." Vincent said quickly, "and i just..well..I had this.." he stuttered, one hand rising to cup his cheek, "Alastor, you are the greatest thing I have ever had in my life..I had to kill my way to greatness but I would let it all go for a last breath with you.." he whispered, rubbing his thumb under his eye, taking Alastor's silence as a good sign and refusing to entertain the overthinking that's nagging at the back of his mind, "and i know that..the world may not give us the one thing we want.." his free hand traveled to his pocket, Alastor's hand went after it, and right after Vincent's knees when they both fell to the carpeted floor, "but i want to give you everything.." Vincent continued, whispering, holding out a small, scarlet velvet box.

Alastor felt like he was going to lose his balance, he doubted he was wearing his glasses from how his vision blurred, because no matter how fast he blinked, it didn't help, it got worse.

"Vince?.." he whispered, "Vincent Whittman-" he huffed, trying to find anything words to speak, but all quieted down in his throat when Vincent opened the small box for the most beautiful golden ring with delicate intricate and engravings that he couldn't see from his teary eyes, he wanted to reach to it, but knew that his hand will be held soon.

"I can't have our names on paper..we can't share each other's last names..but atleast when im buried after years, I want to wear this ring, this one thing that ties us up in a way no one knows..I dont need anything else than the knowledge that we are together, that is if you'll have me for as long as I can to live to spoil and adore you.." Vincent did not rehearse a single word before this, he did try, but every time he spoke to the mirror, his words would change, but the only thing that was added now, were his tears.

"Alastor Bordeaux..Will you do me the honor of marrying me and making me the happiest man on this planet?" Vincent held up the box an inch higher.

Alastor felt like all the world narrowed to this moment, every single year they had together, every moment, all the bars they went to, all the dances they had to keep distance between them, every single night they slept in each other's arms and all the kisses and whispers shared in their breaths, and all of them, all the questions they had, left just one answer..

"If i had known you'd ask tonight.." Alastor started, Vincent's heart stopped beating in anticipation, "i wouldn't have let you cook dinner.." he huffed a breathless chuckle, before shaking his head and swallowing the lump in his throat, "yes.."

"What?.." Vincent choked.

"Yes- I said yes you dramatic fool!" Alastor huffed and pulled him up by the front of his sweater and back to his feet, their lips meeting with their beating hearts through the layers of clothes and skin, the only restrictions for their souls to be completely one, Vincent helpd with closing the box and wrapping his arms around Alastor, deepening the kiss and not questioning the dampness on both of their cheeks, and when they would pull apart, Vincent would take the blame for crying like a sentimental idiot.

"I dont know what to say.." Vincent whispered breathlessly, smiling and chuckling as he cupped Alastor's face in both his hands, "and here I thought you would have everything under a plan" Alastor teased, nudging his nose against Vincent's, "yeah i tried, didn't work out because it didn't feel right..had to actually do it to know how big my balls are" Alastor rolled his eyes aggressively at Vincent's words, and the tv host chuckled, kissing the tears off his cheeks, before reaching down to hold Alastor's hand, "may I?" He whispered, tone soft and empty of playfulness, Alastor found himself nodding again.

Vincent took out the ring and placed the box down, he slowly slid the golden band into his finger, with a revernt look in his eyes, he brought Alastor's hand to his lips and kissed every knuckle, adding an extra peck to his band adorned finger.

"I trust you should have one as well" Alastor whispered, he couldn't trust his voice to be any higher.

"I do.." Vincent nodded, reaching to his other pocket and taking out a navy blue velvet box, Alastor laughed and shook his head, "unbelievable..dedicated to the bit?" He chuckled, taking the box from Vincent's hand gently, "whaaattt.." Vincent huffed, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly, "they're our colors, Al, I just- had to!" He defended himself uselessly, because Alastor was more intrigued about the silver band he found inside the box, he looked down at the radio dials on the one in the box, and then at his own golden ring that he can now see clearly had tv antennas, "how long have you been working on this?" He admired, looking up the man, who smiled in a way that was too soft for a serial killer, "a while..a couple of months maybe..I had to get the rings from far stores, and find people who wouldn't recognize me so they wont spread rumors.." he explained, his words carrying sleepless nights of driving around the state, searching stores and lying through his teeth for shop owners, "created myself a hypothetical sister to get my ring, said it was her birthday and I wanted to get her something" he laughed, Alastor's eyes widened, "if we get caught because of that stupid-"

"Shh, nothing we can't bury, honey" Vincent assured, keeping their eyes locked before Alastor took his hand and slipped the golden band onto his finger.

Vincent intertwined their fingers and squeezed his hand.

"I love yo-"

The words had barely escaped his lips when fireworks erupted outside in the neighborhood, his eyebrows furrowed as he looked at the clock, it was five minutes past midnight and frozen in time, and Vincent was actually wondering why he heard no celebrations while he was proposing.

"Well, that needs new batteries" he observed obviously, "that's not important" Alastor's hands held his neck and grasped his attention to him again, Vincent followed to his every nonverbal command, smiling down at-

"Whatever my husband says" he drawled possessively, though he viewed more of his doting nature to his lover.

"You're going to enjoy yourself far too muh" Alastor tried to sound annoying, but it was hard to when he still had tears not drying on his cheeks.

"Won't you too?" Vincent mused, running his hands up and down Alastor's waist.

"Shouldn't we be finances for a while?" Alastor huffed, his arms looping around Vincent's neck instead of holding it, and the other man scoffed, "obviously not, for all I care you're my husband now we're married we-" Vincent stopped himself when he saw Alastor's lidded eyes, "well!- if you- eh, if you're not alright with that if it's going too fast we could always wait sure honey-"

Alastore laughed and threw his head back, "mon dieu! How scared you get from just a look!" He chuckled, "and to think that you buried people!" He continued.

Vincent grumbled and buried his face in Alastor's neck, inhaling the scent of home and kissing up the soft skin all the way to nuzzle the soft curls behind his ear and then to his cheek and lips, "honey?", Alastor hummed, tilting towards every peck until Vincent's lips met his.

"Happy new year, my husband" Vincent whispered, every letter of the word tasting like every kiss they've shared.