"Everything else was going exactly as planned. No longer bound to his deal, Alastor was finally a free soul in hell. Able to do whatever he pleased. His power had been fully restored and his wound completely healed. He'd returned to the hotel with renewed motivation, and neither the princess nor the king of hell suspected a thing. It was all quite perfect, really.
There was just one absolutely ridiculous, infuriating, outstanding issue…Vox."
After 70 years, Alastor and Vox finally slept together and things are…complicated.
A continuation of my one shot "Kisses That Cut Me", the story picking up 2 weeks later. Enjoy!
((if you would rather just read this fic you just need to know that they slept together the night before the S2 finale))
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I was responding to a different post about sub Vox and it got me thinking about it. And I think it’s misunderstood a lot. So I’m just gonna give my take on it and see if it resonates with others who see him as a sub top:
In Vox’s eyes, the fact that Al is having sex with him period is like fuck yesssss! So he’s not gonna wanna screw it up. He is in love with him after all, in their own twisted way of being in love. So yay! Al is gonna fuck him, now what?
Well, clearly Al would want to have control of what happens, and so would Vox. But I think the type of control they want is different. Alastor is going to want to tell him what goes and what doesn’t. And Vox is going to be wanting to knock it out of the fucking park. This means he is going to do whatever is going to impress Al, make Al turned on, make Al respect him. Meanwhile, Alastor is going to enjoy playing the game of watching him do all that while also enjoy letting Vox do all the work. And so it is going to end up working on both ends.
I don’t see Vox as a sub that’s going to be inferior to Al, quite the opposite. He’s going to be a sub that’s feeling powerful because holy shit he’s making the radio demon orgasm and that’s fucking the biggest feeling of power ever. The definition of sub is giving over responsibility of making decisions, and a top is the one initiating. So, Vox is the one initiating Alastor’s desires. Whether that’s electrocuting the fuck out of him, wire play, biting, or (and this is where it gets confusing) dominating him. You can appear as a dom and be subbing, if the actual dom decides they want you to play that way. But the moment Alastor didn’t want Vox dominating him anymore, he’d back off and switch up to whatever Al wants. Kind of like he does in the show! When Al pulls away, Vox lets him.
Vox is a sub top because he is putting in the work but Alastor is the one pulling the strings. If Alastor wants Vox to electrocute him, he’s going to show a positive response to Vox doing it. Which is going to make Vox keep going.
Hence, he is guiding Vox’s decisions.
Hence, Vox is being a service submissive top.
But its not in a “good boy” bitch way but in a “I want you to want this, I need you to need this, and I’m going to do everything I can to prove we should be doing this together. So whatever will make you pleased with this, with me, I’m going to do. Because I want your approval, respect and love. And I want to keep doing this with you.” We see him showering Al with praise in the flashback, when he is clearly smitten. And I think he’d revert back to that if he ever actually had the chance to fuck him, I think it would just come out as him wanting to praise Al physically. Maybe verbally too, cause I do think Al has a praise kink. I think they both do tbh.
From the outside, it’s gonna look like a fight for dominance power struggle. But we all know what’s really going on underneath. 😘 Sex with these two is all kinds of mind games. Vox is making Al turned on, so he feels in charge. And Al is guiding Vox’s decisions, so he feels in charge.
This is what makes this ship so juicy and delicious to me, cause it’s layered and interesting! If it were any kind of traditional dom and sub dynamic it just wouldn’t be them, ya know? They are fucking freaks.
This is putting aside Alastor’s probable lack of experience and, in canon, that he may in fact be sex repulsed.
I feel like most fans prefer the subVox trope because they subconsciously want to distance themselves from the "Vox SA'd Alastor" discussions. There's this ingrained belief that a dom Vox just wouldn't care about boundaries and would do whatever he wanted. This is so far from what's happening in canon and it takes away so much of the complexity of their dynamic. It's so easy to go: "Vox is submissive. That's why he didn't full on SA Alastor in the show. It's because he secretly wants to be dominated." Instead of exploring the nuance of: "Vox is a dom, and still, despite enjoying inflicting pain on others, he didn't full on SA Alastor. Because he respects him. Because he didn't want to."
Him making Alastor watch probably didn't even register in his brain as SA. As someone who gets empowered by keeping his eyes on everyone and everything, he wouldn't consider watching to be a traumatic experience. Besides, it wasn't even about the sex. It was about embarrassing Alastor and boosting Vox's own ego in a "look what you could have had" way. He literally SAYS that to him barely ten seconds after the act. Him and Alastor have done far worse to each other anyway that he wouldn't really consider that scene in the top ten worst. It's both a conscious effort to respect boundaries and not take it too far, as it is him not understanding some boundaries (for example, the shoulder touching. It never even occured to him that it was bothering Alastor). Also, Vox would NEVER openly admit to desiring Alastor; he puts all the effort into pretending Alastor means nothing to him which only furthers Alastor’s belief that Vox never saw him as a friend. It's the REASON why they still can't resolve their misunderstanding. There's so many misconceptions about Vox's characterisation that even years later, the fandom still can't understand him.
Hmmmm I normally agree with your takes op but , as a sub Vox lover, I have to say I feel like you’re off on this one. At least to me, that’s not why I love sub Vox.
Could Vox be dom? Absolutely. However, I feel like if he were to ever actually get the chance to fuck Alastor, he would do everything to please. Service top to the max. And Al would want to control the situation as much as possible, which would make him a power bottom.
Literally has nothing to do with the whole SA conversation. Like at all.
Haha that's okay! But, in the post I was specifically talking about how many fans prefer to depict Vox as sub because they're uncomfortable giving him too much "power" in his dynamic with Alastor to avoid making it look like a "darkship." That's why I said many fans PREFER it, specifically talking about the cuck chair scene. Regardless of whether Vox is sub or dom in canon or people's other personal preferences. Of course, everyone is allowed their own headcanons or beliefs, but the post was specifically talking about one reason most people might subconsciously prefer subVox.
I don't think Vox would do everything to please Alastor given that in canon - in order to earn Alastor's approval - Vox didn't go about it by fulfilling Alastor wishes or "pleasing him" or fawning, he did it by commanding respect and taking power by force. So, if Vox WAS a sub I don't think he'd go about it that way, he's way too insecure for that. He'd probably be more into the physical overpowering and pain and degradation rather than being "a good boy" which would put him as an inferior to Alastor. And that's the last thing Vox wants. Alastor absolutely would want to control the situation but so would Vox, that's why all those battles for dominance are so intriguing between the two. Alastor wouldn't be nearly as entertained by Vox if Vox just surrendered and offered to lick the ground he walked on or smth. Alastor could have easily left after he got his soul but nooo he had to have one last fight with his rival which nearly killed him and he was LAUGHING while fighting him. Alastor wouldn't want Vox any other way - well, maybe he'd like him trustworthy, but trustworthy ≠ submissive. Vox is the only one who offers Alastor a challenge, the only one Alastor could almost consider an equal. That's why their dom/dom dynamic is so unique and works so well.
Also, Viv likes pretty much anything shshhshs, so her liking subvox content wouldn't mean much unless it's confirmed in canon too. I remember she liked pregnant staticapple art a while ago, but that doesn't mean it will be canon lol
Oh totally! No I get what you meant I just, for me, it really has nothing to do with that scene.
I don’t mean him being like “a good boy” sub and being like a little bitch about it. He’s still gonna be his normal arrogant self. I just mean like at the end of the day he wants Alastor to respect him and like him so of course if they had sex I feel like he would want Alastor to like it ya know? And I don’t think that would mean doing anything by force because Alastor wouldn’t respect him for doing that. There would definitely be some power foreplay and dominance battling. But, at least how I see it, I think of Vox as a sub because in the end HE is the one who is going to crave Alastors approval. When I think of Vox as a service top it’s not so much being a submissive little bitch to what Alastor wants, but manipulating and trying to prove Alastor should have slept with him all along because he can make it good for him. And “making it good for him” would include power dominating and pain and all that. Cause like you said! Alastor would be bored of Vox if he just rolled over and licked his boots. Cause of course you’re so right he doesn’t want to be inferior to Alastor. But I don’t think doing what he knew would please Alastor in bed would make him feel inferior ya know? I think it would make him feel powerful.
Sorry if I’m not explaining this well. They do have a very complex dynamic haha. 😅 But no, point is, Vox is definitely not a whiny little bitch sub. He is just smart enough to know if he doesn’t prove himself in bed it ain’t gonna happen again. So he would be putting in the fucking work! Lmao
I def see your point about dom/dom and I don’t hate that at all! I think it’s mixed in there for sure. Vox would come across dominant but really he’s the sub cause he’s doing what he knows Alastor would like….does that make sense?
I don’t disagree that some may be trying to not make it a dark ship by making him submissive. But for the most part I feel like people recognize that Vox is the one who would want to fuck more, so he’s the one who’s gonna be making the effort to make sure it goes well. Hence, service top.
Also as far as the Viv reposting thing i put that in the tags cause it was more a side thought/joke. Totally not everything she reacts to is gonna be canon in the show. I just see the vision of Vox being a deceptive sub in bed, he is a master manipulator after all. So if she did repost it cause she agreed with it, I see the vision.
I feel like most fans prefer the subVox trope because they subconsciously want to distance themselves from the "Vox SA'd Alastor" discussions. There's this ingrained belief that a dom Vox just wouldn't care about boundaries and would do whatever he wanted. This is so far from what's happening in canon and it takes away so much of the complexity of their dynamic. It's so easy to go: "Vox is submissive. That's why he didn't full on SA Alastor in the show. It's because he secretly wants to be dominated." Instead of exploring the nuance of: "Vox is a dom, and still, despite enjoying inflicting pain on others, he didn't full on SA Alastor. Because he respects him. Because he didn't want to."
Him making Alastor watch probably didn't even register in his brain as SA. As someone who gets empowered by keeping his eyes on everyone and everything, he wouldn't consider watching to be a traumatic experience. Besides, it wasn't even about the sex. It was about embarrassing Alastor and boosting Vox's own ego in a "look what you could have had" way. He literally SAYS that to him barely ten seconds after the act. Him and Alastor have done far worse to each other anyway that he wouldn't really consider that scene in the top ten worst. It's both a conscious effort to respect boundaries and not take it too far, as it is him not understanding some boundaries (for example, the shoulder touching. It never even occured to him that it was bothering Alastor). Also, Vox would NEVER openly admit to desiring Alastor; he puts all the effort into pretending Alastor means nothing to him which only furthers Alastor’s belief that Vox never saw him as a friend. It's the REASON why they still can't resolve their misunderstanding. There's so many misconceptions about Vox's characterisation that even years later, the fandom still can't understand him.
Hmmmm I normally agree with your takes op but , as a sub Vox lover, I have to say I feel like you’re off on this one. At least to me, that’s not why I love sub Vox.
Could Vox be dom? Absolutely. However, I feel like if he were to ever actually get the chance to fuck Alastor, he would do everything to please. Service top to the max. And Al would want to control the situation as much as possible, which would make him a power bottom.
Literally has nothing to do with the whole SA conversation. Like at all.
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Genuinely what the hell is happening to Vox why is he sedated in every merch drop. Did they lobotomize him for public appearances. Vox can you hear us. Blink twice if you need help. Is this foreshadowing
I love depictions of "Lucifer falls in love with Lilith because she's beautiful and ethereal and unique," but what about "Lilith is messy and covered in dirt and has twigs and leaves stuck in her hair and has no makeup because there obviously wasn't any makeup during that time and has eyebags and looks like she just fought with 20 racoons after her latest fight with Adam, and Lucifer falls in love with her on the spot."
Because YES?! He falls in love with freedom and the creation that came from his love for the universe and its potential. He seeks her out in a subconscious attempt to escape all the rules and rigidity heaven tries to impose. He falls in love with her because he sees her bravery to rebel against a system that suffocates her when he's too hesitant to do so. He falls in love with her BECAUSE she isn't as perfect as heaven wanted her to be. Just like him. She is a dreamer.
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Alastor's side: Season 1 Episode 2, Stayed Gone Close Reading
So in s102 Radio Killed the Video Star, we first see how Al reacts to enemies he doesn't care about, aka Sir Pentious.
When Sir Pentious shows up to his pet project with a giant death machine, tries to kill him and blows the walls off his establishment, he pretends he doesn't remember him, and beats him and his death machine up while laughing. He's not bothered at all, until Pentious rips his coat. Even after that, he brushes it off.
When Vox talks a bit of shit about him, here's his immediate reaction:
(cutting off the full smile because that's his default expression)
Alastor's feelings are always in his eyes, and that expression is definitely not the unbothered look he had when Sir Pentious blew up his establishment and tried to kill him. Nope. That's angry and legitimately bothered.
What was Vox saying that set him off?
(Warning this is really long and really detailed)
The whole thing is a duet, a paired set of verses that echo each other deliberately. Taking it line by line:
Well, Stayed Gone starts out with the line "I'm gonna make you wish that you'd stayed gone", which Alastor replies to with "I'm gonna make you wish that I'd stayed gone." The meaning of the two is subtle, but raises interesting implications. Vox is staying "I'm gonna make you regret coming back". Alastor is saying "I'm gonna make you miserable".
Then Vox says "Say hello to a new status quo", which Alastor replies to with "Your status quo will know its race is run". Vox is trying to put the message out there that "things are different now". Alastor replies "That different world you've made is going to come crumbling down".
Then, Vox goes on a tirade. He calls Alastor a "has-been", "a fossil", etc., basically trying to convey that Alastor is "part of the past". He tries to build himself up, and says "He should have stayed away". Then we cut to Alastor on the line "while he hid in radio, we pivoted to video".
Basically Vox's whole point he's trying to make is "I'm over you. You're lame and I don't care about you". It might not be insignificant that he says "We pivoted to video". It's actually on the words "WE pivoted" that Alastor has that glare expression.
And Vox's next line "Hell's been better since he split, now he's back, who gives a shit". Now obviously, this is bullshit. Vox says this while giving the most obvious shit in the universe. But still, Vox's intended message to Alastor in his first half of the song is "I don't want you around. I have a new life, you'd hardly recognize me, I'm so fine, how could a person like you bring me joy", that kind of vibe.
So it's interesting that Alastor then proceeds to do the exact same thing. Something people don't mention a lot about Stayed Gone is that Alastor's verses are a reflection of Vox's. It's easy to assume that Vox starts this beef because he cares too much. But Alastor then proceeds to echo his verses.
As if he feels the exact same way.
He has a bunch if paired lyrics. Let's look at em side by side.
VOX: Top of the hour, and we're discussing a certain has-been
Who has been spotted cavorting around town/After a seven-year absence. Did anybody miss him? Did anybody notice?
ALASTOR: Salutations, good to be back on the air. Yes, i know it's been a while since someone with style treated hell to a broadcast.
So Vox's insult is "you're a has-been and nobody cares that you've been gone". Alastor's first rebuttal is "you have no style" . They mirror each other's medium-style greetings, then proceed to loudly insult each other with "I don't need you loser".
Vox: So, the radio demon is back in town/Why is he hanging around?/ What does that mean for your family?/ Well handily, I've got good news/ He's a loser, a fossil and I don't mean to sound hostile
Alastor: Sinners rejoice! Instead of a clout-chasing mediocre video podcast...
So they then trade insults about each other's mediums, with the gist of Vox's still being "he's a loser" (There's that Word Again. "Loser Baby", "Show me you're not a loser", archetypal much?) and he's a part of the past. Aka. MY past.
Vox: But the demon is a coward!/You can take that as gospel
Alastor: Is Vox insecure (note: Everybody in the audience: YES.) Pursuing allure?
Followed by Vox calling Alastor a coward and Alastor calling Vox "insecure". Interestingly, I wonder if that insult hits Alastor quite as hard? Like, he did run away at the first sign of real trouble with Adam. I wonder if he feels that way some times.
Vox: Pulling my viewers? Impossible!/'m visual, he's barely audible/Stop givin' him the time of day/Don't listen to a word he'd say/I hope he had a nice vacay/But he should've stayed away
Alastor: Flitting between this fad and that, is nothin' working?/ /Every day, he's got a new format
Vox declares that Alastor won't "pull his viewers" and Alastor makes fun of his 'new format' and 'flitting between different fads'; typical of their 'new vs old' battle.
Then we get into the real meat of the whole thing.
Vox: While he hid in radio/We pivoted to video/Now his medium is gettin' bloody rare
Alastor: Is Vox as strong as he purports/Or is it based on his support? He'd be powerless without the other Vees
It's probably VERY important that "we pivoted to video" is paired up with Alastor's jab about "The Other Vees". Vox tells him "I've got a we, I've got a new team" and Alastor throws out for the first time his meaningless insult that he'd "be powerless without the other Vees", which is a wound he loves to smack all the time. Like, over and over again. He really has a hangup about Vox 'needing' Vel and Val, even though we know for a fact knows Vox is capable of becoming the strongest sinner in hell without them.
Why is Alastor so fixated on mocking Vox for needing Vel and Val? This dig isn't even to make him abandon them and become the strongest since he wasn't planning that at this point.
Then here's this exchange:
Vox: Hell's been better since he split/Where's he been?/Who gives a shit!
Alastor: And here's the sugar on the cream/He asked me to join his team/I said no, and now he's pissy, that's the tea
So this is interesting. Vox's message in this bar pairing was "Who gives a shit about you". Alastor's response is "You do. Remember? You asked me. You need me."
I think what sets Alastor off here, then, adding all these points up, why he says this, is that Vox tries to claim that he's over him and doesn't care that he's back. I mean, obviously that's not true, but we know that Alastor's biggest trigger is being ignored. It's the only thing that really upsets him, other than being in real danger. And obviously Vox isn't ignoring him. HE's the only one who actually gives a shit that he's back.
But he's trying to pretend he can. He's saying publicly "he's a fossil, there's a new status quo, we pivoted to video, who gives a shit". And I don;t think Alastor can even deal with Vox PRETENDING to be over him.
His entire message is "You're not over me. You're nothing without me. you need me. Don't ever forget you wanted me." ("You still need me like you did before" from the reprise, mm?)
Based on this I think it's safe to say that Alastor would not be happy if Vox ever actually got over him. He doesn't want Vox to ever get over him. He kinda feeds on all that attention (I'm not the first person to point that out). Even Vox trying ti imply that he's moved on prompts him to publicly out Vox for once wanting him. Whether it's about control or about twisted love. Al wants everyone and especially Vox to remember: You are never getting over me.
In Stayed Gone I think it’s super super interesting that Vox calls Alastor a coward and Alastor calls Vox insecure
Even if we the audience now know Alastor is a coward(cause he is btw) it’s interesting that Vox calls him one. It’s easy to dismiss in S1, thinking that Vox is just saying bullshit but I don’t think so. It’s almost like the “tantrum” Vox threw after Alastor said no definitely included something about Alastor being scared. Like Vox thinks he’s a coward for pushing him away.
And so it would make sense that Alastor is like on the defensive like no you’re just insecure and you threw a fit about it cause you couldn’t handle the rejection.
