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Chapter Text

Valentino slammed the door to Vox's penthouse as he stormed in and threw himself on the couch. Vox was scrolling on his phone with the brightness of his screen low, sitting opposite Val and half asleep.

"What's wrong Flutterby?" Vox looked up slowly. Val hated that nickname, said something about it being offensive to moths.

"I hate my work. I am going to fucking kill those whores." Valentino said, his face half into a pillow. As he spoke, a growl rose from his throat.

Sighing, Vox turned off his phone and tossed it at the chair next to him. He stood up and crossed to the couch Val was on to lean down and kiss his boyfriend on the cheek as Valentino turned around to lie on his back.

"There's the face I love." Vox said softly, smiling sweetly down at Val, "I love you Val, you know that, right?"

"Of course Voxxy. I love you too." Valentino's features relaxed and he pulled Vox down for a kiss.

These were their favorite moments. When they could just love each other and be together, Vox wished they had known each other when they were alive. That day he fell into Val's arms at a red carpet was the best day of his afterlife. Since that day he'd loved Valentino incessantly, wanting nothing more than to be by his side.

Vox pressed his forehead against Val's, then kissed him on his forehead, his cheeks, his lips, his nose, and at the base of each of his antennae.

"Go shower Flutterby, I'll make something for us to eat."

Val kissed Vox's forehead and got up, hips swaying slightly as he walked. Vox admired his boyfriend, he'd never felt the same way he felt about Val with anyone else. Not even when he was alive. Smiling, he strolled to the kitchen humming to himself.

Valentino closed the bathroom door quietly and locked the door. A small click reached his ears as the lock slid into place. He turned on the water and turned it up as hot as possible. In front of the mirror, Val unfurled his wings and unbuttoned his coat revealing the smokey lavender fluff underneath. His chest was well-toned and the fur got lighter farther down.

His arms had thin fluff until his wrists where the skin had become too damaged to grow anymore. All along his wrists were scars and cuts, each with their own story. The most recent ones were only 3 weeks old from a day that ruined him. Vox had been on a trip and hadn't been around to stop him as Val drank the liquor cabinet empty.

Velvette had found him slumped against the bathroom wall, wrists leaching blood onto the floor. He had been out cold, practically dead all over again when she had slapped him across the face. Velvette screamed in his face trying to get him to open his eyes. It took her 5 minutes to get Val to pry his eyes open and another 5 before he could actually focus on anything.

She had even cried, and Velvette never cried. His consiousness had come back and Valentino had hugged her tight, she hadn't even complained that he got blood on her new dress. Velvette sobbed into his shoulder telling him that if he ever tried that again she'd find a way to bring him back and kill him.

After Val could stand again the two of them had cleaned up the apartment and restocked the liquor cabinet, vowing to never tell Vox. Then Velvette left. And he sat and tried to be normal as he put bandages on his wrists and waited for Vox to return.

Music drifted through the closed bathroom door bringing Valentino back the the present. He smiled when he heard the song, recognizing it. It was Butterflies by Aurora, Vox played it all the time because he said it reminded him of Val. Val let his hand slide down the now wet wall.

Looking around he realised he'd left the water running too long. He slid off his pants and boxers and tossed them aside. Val stepped into the shower and let the scalding water wash away his thoughts.

Chapter Text

When Vox heard Valentino lock the bathroom door he started cooking. He figured nothing too complicated would work, like ramen. Val loves ramen. Vox caught himself smiling a little bit too goofy for someone of his status but decided it was worth it when it was for his Flutterby.

Vox heard the shower water begin to run and got to work. He willed the stereo on and started to play his favorite song, Butterflies. Not that it was his favorite for any particular reason or anything...He moved around the kitchen fluidly, sliding from one place to another, grabbing spices here and there.

He had an affinity for the kitchen. If Vox hadn't been in the tech business he would've been a cook. He especially loved cooking for Velvette and Val and they would have dinner parties all the time. As Vox set the water to boil on the stove he decided to change and swung himself around the corner to their bedroom.

Picking out a soft-sleeved shirt, his favorite sweater vest, and a pair of skinny jeans, he changed. Vox closed the bedroom door behind him and walked casually back to the kitchen to finish the ramen. As he finished up he spotted Valentino coming out of the bathroom out of the corner of his eye.

"Hey Flutterby, how was your shower?" He asked as he cut up green onions at the other end of the kitchen.

"It was good. Made me feel a bit better." Valentino replied and crossed the tiled floor to hug Vox. He wrapped his lower arms around Vox's waist and pulled his body closer, the higher set coiling around his chest.

"Are you sure you're alright babe? You aren't usually this affectionate." Vox set down the knife and turned around to meet his boyfriend's gaze.

"Mhm. Just...tired, that's all baby." Val gave him a small, tired smile.

"If you're sure. You know you can talk to me Flutterby. Never be afraid to tell me anything." Vox said as he turned back to the counter.

Valentino plastered on a smile and strutted around to the island.

"Voxxy." Valentino cooed, "You make me sound suicidal."

Vox didn't see Val wince at the last word and went on with cooking. He could feel the moth's eyes on him as he moved around the kitchen. He bent down and opened the cabinet as he moved to the music.

"Nice ass."

A shiver ran up his back and Vox straightened. His screen was heating up leaving the edges tinted cyan. He turned around to see Valentino grinning at him with his hands folded under his chin.

Vox forced his face to cool down and drained the water from the boiling pot. Pouring the ramen into a bowl, he set it down in front of his boyfriend and gave him a wary look.

A piercing ring shot through the apartment and Valentino jumped out of his skin. Vox let out a loud laugh and walked to the chair where he had discarded his phone earlier.

"Fucking God Vox change that sound. Ugh." Val snapped and his mouth curled in a snarl to reveal his teeth.

Vox's head snapped around in shock, his eyes between anger and shock. He stared at his boyfriend trying to figure out if he'd heard him correctly.

"W-what did you just say?" his voice wavering slightly. He walked slowly toward Valentino eyeing him up and down.

"Oh my god. You fucking heard me. That sound is so fucking annoying." Val snarled. His demeanor had changed fast, not that that was unusual for the porn mogul, but this was different. It felt wrong.

"Val...are you okay...?" Vox stepped closer to the moth and reached his hand up to stroke Val's cheek only to have his hand smacked away.

"Just...don't touch me..." Valentino sighed as he bowed his head to the side. When there was no response he turned his head to look at Vox and instantly regretted it.

Vox's eyes were wide and filled with hurt, and he could feel tears threatening to spill. He turned around and swiped his phone from the chair, running out of the apartment. He called his driver and went to the office.

After 10 calls from Valentino, he turned off his notifications and called Velvette. Vox could hear the cracks in his voice as he asked Velvette to meet him in his office and then hung up without an answer. He knew she'd come.

And sure enough five minutes after he'd reached his office, the doors were shoved open and Velvette stormed in.

"Vox what the hel-" She stopped mid sentence when she saw his face. For a second Vox was confused, and then he reached up to his screen and felt tears streaming down.

"Oh..." He murmured.

Velvette was on him before he even knew it was happening. She hugged him tight and wiped the tears from his face.

"Voxxy...what's wrong? You don't cry." She asked him quietly. This was Vox's favorite thing about her, she was sweet when she wanted to be.

"I uh...I didn't know I was crying...Val and I got into a fight. I think...? He was upset abut he seemed fine and then he snapped at me and he was really mean and I don't kn-"

"VOX! Calm down. You're rambling." Velvette called him back to her attention.

"I-I'm sorry. I don't..I don't know what I did...He just snapped." The tears were starting to flow more heavily, "I can't go back. He hates me..."

Vox was sobbing now and he hated himself for it. Velvette couldn't bear to see him like this.

"You have to go back Vox...And I know he yelled at you, but he's been having a really hard time lately. I know that's not an excuse but you know how bad he is at managing his emotions...He loves you, he really does and he'd give you everything if he could. Has he called you yet?"

Velvette picked up his phone for him to unlock and a barrage of missed call icons appeared at the top of the screen. Vox sniffled as he saw the voicemails that had built up.

"Vel...You go home okay? I'll see you tomorrow."

Vel frowned but got up and walked across the room, stopping at the doorway to glance back at him before leaving.

Vox got up and crossed the room to the couch where he collapsed. He could feel the tears still slipping down his screen as he let the cool darkness take him over.

Chapter Text

Val slammed his fist onto the table and dragged his other hand down his face. What had he done...Vox hadn't done anything.

"Shit shit shit shit. Oh my god, shit, Vox I'm sorry.." Valentino pulled his phone from his pocket, smashing his finger down onto the call button.

"Please please please Vox"

No answer. Again. Nothing. He called over twenty times and no answer. He left so many voicemails.

"Vox, please...I'm sorry, come back...Please..." Valentino choked back a sob even though his voice was breaking. "Please, baby. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

"Voxxy...I miss you, I love you so much..."

Finally, he gave up trying to call him, moving to the back of the kitchen to the liquor cabinet. Val smashed the door of the cupboard and grabbed the nearest bottle of whiskey, downing the whole thing in seconds before grabbing another. He snatched two more flasks with his lower set of arms.

The tears had finally spilled over as he screamed. Choking on the sobs that racked his body, Valentino shoved everything off of every available surface and collapsed on the bed downing more and more alcohol. He didn't even know what he'd grabbed he just kept drinking. Finally, the pain started to numb and he curled into a ball.

"Vox...I'm sorry..." He whispered, letting his eyelids droop and he fell asleep.

§§§§§§§§§

Valentino woke up with a splitting headache and groaned in annoyance. He sat up and looked around confused for a minute before he remembered what had happened the night before.

"Shit...Vox..." He muttered as he jumped up out of bed and struggled to get dressed quickly.

Val threw on his boots and furled his wings into his coat, grabbing his phone as he speed walked out the door. Calling his driver he marched down to the front of the building and got in to his limo.

"Get me to the tower. Now, if you value your afterlife." He snarled at the lizard in the front seat.

The car drove for all of two minutes lurching at every turn before they screeched to a halt at the front of the V tower. Valentino stormed out of the car and made a beeline for Vox's office. He regained his composure before knocking gently on the door and opening them, walking straight through the doorway slowly.

Vox wasn't at his desk as Val's eyes swept the office, finally spotting him passed out on the blue and red couch. His face softened at the sight of his boyfriend and he advanced quietly toward him. He smiled sadly until he got close enough to see Vox's face.

His screen was streaked with cyan tears and his face was scrunched up like he was having a bad dream. Valentino reached for the blue blanket on the side of the couch and moved Vox's head as he sat down. He gently laid his boyfriend's head on his lap and draped the blanket over him.

Wiping the tears off of his face, Valentino whispered to him, "Oh Vox...I'm sorry baby...I love you." He kissed his forehead gently and settled his back against the couch cushions, stroking the side of Vox's screen oh so gently.

He apologized over and over again even thought he knew Vox couldn't hear him. Told him over and over again how much he loved him. How he would never do it again. Valentino could feel the tension in Vox's shoulders and chest relaxing and his face becoming serene. Val had learned a long time ago that Vox never slept well unless he was with someone, and he loved that, because he was someone.

Val leaned down and pressed kisses to Vox's forehead and cheeks. You would need to kill him all over again to make him leave this perfect man.

Suddenly there was a loud knock on the slightly ajar doors and Velvette walked in.

"Voxxyyyyyy! You here-" She sang before she was cut off by Val shushing her aggressively.

"If he wakes up, I am going to spear you myself..." Valentino practically growled at the shorter overlord. Vox's face twisted a little and he turned on his side, pressing the back of his head against Val's lap. Valentino smiled at him before continuing in a hushed voice.

"He didn't sleep well so he's going to sleep more. I don't want him to be woken up."

"I don't know how happy to see you he'll be. I don't know what you did to him last night but it fucked him up good. He was crying Val. He never cries, you know that!" Velvette said with a frown as she stared at the moth demon.

"I know, and I'm sorry. I..I don't know what came over me, I just, snapped...I shouldn't have yelled at him when he did nothing wrong. And I intend to apologize when he wakes up, but he got a shitty night of sleep."

"How do you know that?" Velvette raised one eyebrow skeptically.

"Back when we first started dating he told me he never slept well and you could see it, don't you remember how tired he was all the time? And then we started spending nights together and he would wake up happier, better rested." Valentino said softly as he stroked the side of Vox's screen.

Vel sighed.

"You really love him don't you?"

"With all my heart. I'd give him the world if I could." Val replied in a lovesick tone. He kissed Vox's forehead again.

"Good, because that's what he deserves. I'll come back later when he's awake. Tell him I say hi when you guys make up." Velvette called over her shoulder, already halfway across the room.

She was out the door in seconds, closing it softly behind her. Valentino sat for a few minutes listening to Vox breathe slowly and steadily before feeling his eyes close as he drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Text

Vox's screen powered up, data and updates flooding his brain. He kept his eyes closed not wanting to move yet. He was warm, and he felt well rested which was strange considering he'd slept on his office couch. Vox never slept well unless he was with...Val....

He frowned as the memories tumbled through his brain and filled him with the pain from last night. Around this time Vox realised that he wasn't lying flat on the couch like he had been when he'd fallen asleep. Raising his head slightly and opening his eyes, sparks fired in his brain.

Valentino was slumped against the back of the couch, his head lulling to the side. His lower hands were resting on Vox's mid-section and he looked calm. There was a blanket cast over him, that he assumed Val had covered him with.

Vox sat up, careful not to wake up the sleeping moth, and removed the blanket from his lap. He slid Valentino down on the couch and tucked him under. He stared sadly for a second, before walking out of the office to the elevator.

He walked down to a cafe nearby and got their favorite coffees. As he was leaving Vox saw honey rolls and smiled. Honey rolls were Val's favorite. Oh, Val. That's right. Walking up to the counter Vox flashed his celebrity smile and ordered a half dozen.

After paying and walking out he strolled back to the penthouse complex, a street of office buildings built under large and imposing penthouses. Vox took his time, thinking, trying to figure out how he felt. He knew Valentino loved him, and that he had a short temper and it wasn't his fault, but sometimes it hurt when he was just trying to help.

Pulling his phone out of his pocket, Vox speed-dialed Velvette.

"'Ello?" Velvette's clipped cockney accent bled from the phone speaker.

"Hey, Vel, it's me. Can I talk to you?" He replied, already veering right towards Velvette's apartment.

"Uh sure I guess. What do you need?"

"It's about Val..."

"Oh. I see... Hey, I ran into him this morning in your office by the way." She said hesitantly on the other end.

"Oh, I know. Trust me." Vox replied dryly.

"Oh he was still there when you woke up.." He could hear her moving around her room and the clacking of her long nails on a keyboard.

"Yah and I...I don't know how to feel anymore..." He walked through the main doors of Vel's apartment building and up the stairs, " I love him, but...I don't know if I can take the emotional rollercoaster every time he has an awful day."

Vox hung up the call as he strode through Velvette's front doors and plopped down on the couch next to her. She was typing furiously on VMessages, but he couldn't see to whom. She paused when the couch sunk under his weight.

"I'm sorry Voxxy. I know he's difficult to deal with, but that is part of who he is. And I know I said this yesterday but he loves you very much. And you should've seen him this morning. He couldn't bear to see you so upset. I've never seen Val in the tower so early but he was there at seven in the morning sitting with you." Vel took a deep breath before continuing, "I know sometimes he snaps but he always regrets it, give him a shot, talk to him about it. And don't make me say this again because I ain't gonna. Ciao."

She resumed typing on her laptop, though not as furiously as before, and shooed him away. Vox laughed, smiling at her as he walked out the doors and down to the street. He speed walked back to his office where he found the door slightly ajar. Quietly Vox pushed open the door and padded to his desk.

Turning around he found Val sitting up, one hand over his mouth and the other pressing a phone to his ear with the lower set folded in his lap. He was listening intently to whoever was on the other end of the phone and his brow was furrowed, as if he were worried. Vox set the food and drinks, which were still warm for some reason, on his desk and crossed to the couch quietly.

He leaned down and kissed Val's forehead, taking the moth's face in his hands. Valentino's eyes flew open and for a moment he just stared at Vox. Then his eyes darted to the phone and his voice lowered.

"I-I'll call you back. Keep practicing." Val says into the speaker before hanging up and slowly putting down the Hellphone.

Vox got down on one knee to be closer to his boyfriend. Val looks at him warily and opens his mouth hesitantly before speaking.

"Hi, Vox..."

"Vox? No Voxxy or baby?" Vox asked looking at him with one eyebrow cocked.

"I, I'm sorry...I just didn't know if you wanted to be with me still..." Valentino avoided his eyes, turning his head.

Vox took his boyfriend's chin between his fingers and turned his face toward him. He leaned forward and kissed Valentino gently on the lips, then on the forehead.

"Does that answer your question?" He said with a small smile.

"Voxxy..." Val's eyes watered slightly and he leaned forward quickly and smashed their lips together, "I'm so so so sorry baby. I shouldn't have been so mean. I snapped and you'd done nothing wrong, please forgive me, I'm sorry, I'll be nicer, I prom-"

"VAL. Flutterby, it's okay. I know yesterday was a rough day. I know you didn't mean to snap at me, but I was just trying to help. I get it that you have a short temper but you need to figure something out to manage that because I don't want you going off on me like that." Vox interrupted him.

Vox pressed his forehead against Valentino's, and Val kissed him sweetly. He rested his screen on Val's lap and sighed quietly.

"Voxxy, I love you. I don't want to fight anymore, I'll figure something out. I promise."

Vox smiled at his moth.

"I believe you Flutterby. I hate fighting with you. And this couch. My god, I need a new one, this one is shit."

Val laughed and Vox's stomach did little flips.

Standing up he called out in the direction of the office door.

"Papermint get in here!" His small assistant came scurrying in, panicked.

"Y-yes sir?"

"Get me a new couch. Something big, expensive, and comfortable. That's a must. Also, get in the same colors." Vox stated using his authoritative voice.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Val looks away and cross his legs. Oh. He laughed internally. Val liked it when he was commanding.

"Oh, and uh, cancel all my appointments for today and tomorrow until about two o'clock. I'm going home."

"Yes sir. Right away. Sir." He ran out of the office as fast as he could.

"How about we go home, Val?" He said over his shoulder but without turning around.

"Mhm-" Val's voice was tight, like he was trying to hold something in.

Vox smiled and held out his hand.

"Then let's go my love."

Valentino took his hand as he stood up pulling his coat tighter around him. The two overlords walked to the elavator to the lobby and hopped into Vox's limo.

Chapter Text

Valentino felt Vox's heated stare the whole way back, not to mention the pressure of his boyfriend's body against his own. He hadn't bothered wearing anything good in his rush out of the apartment hours earlier. The most he'd managed was a tight black corset-like top with a deep, elegant brown skirt and thigh-high black boots.

As he stared out the window in hopes of a distraction from his tightening situation, Val felt a hand slide to the inner part of his thigh just above where his boots ended. He froze and felt his cheeks tint a deep shade of red as the hand moved farther toward his erection.

Suddenly Vox leaned in close enough for Valentino to feel his breath near his ear,

"I'm gonna help you with that when we get home Flutterby~" His voice deep and sultry, making Val's situation worsen by the second.

The heat from his boyfriend's body heat forced against him and the intense looks from those...hypnotising...red eyes...had his head reeling as he held back a moan. His eyes darted to Vox's and that practically undid him right there.

Vox was staring at him hungrily, but underneath was the thing that had Val most attracted to him. That sheer love that coursed through his body, made especially for Valentino. Before he met Vox all of Val's fucks had been with hookers, whores under contract, or people who came onto him.

"Vox..." Valentino's voice was weak, desperate almost, "If you don't stop looking at me like that I'm going to come undone here or leave. Whichever comes first. Stop for five minutes."

"Aw Val, I have no idea what you're talking about, but if you need help with anything you can just ask." Vox's voice was impossible to resist, and Val drifted closer.

He pressed his lips firmly on his boyfriends and felt that award winning smile spread across Vox's face as he did so. For five minutes they made out in the back of the limo, love bites already spreading down Val's neck, when the car jerked to a halt and the front door opened signaling for them to straighten up.

The doors were opened and they got out, walking swiftly toward the apartment building. Val couldn't recall them ever moving up the stairs so fast as they did then. The second the front door to the penthouse was closed, Val was smashed against the door, Vox kissing, nipping, and biting.

They turned walking backwards to the bedroom as they stripped, leaving articles of clothing strewn about the hallway in their wake. Their kisses were broken only momentarily when Val was thrown onto the bed and the bedroom door slammed shut.

Vox was on top of him in seconds caressing and touching everywhere and everything he could. He stroked his way down Val's body finding all those sensitive spots he knew so well and destroying them. Val was in ecstasy below him, writhing in pleasure when Vox kissed him again but this time softer, more gentle.

"Are you ready Flutterby?" He stopped briefly, waiting for an answer.

Valentino nodded, his throat constricted.

"I need words baby."

Val looked up at him with wide eyes, his boyfriend staring down at him smugly. Okay, he may deserve this a little. He hauled himself up by grabbing Vox's shoulders.

"Ngh-Fuck...Fuck me you asshole!" He practically shouted at Vox as his voice wavered and he fell back onto the pillow.

"Aw...there we go. Alright my love, I'll help you out."

Lifting Val up ever so slightly, Vox lined himself up, staring his moth dead in the eyes. He pushed in only a little, waiting for a reaction. And that he got. Valentino gasped, his grip on Vox's shoulders tightening ever so slightly. He nodded and Vox pushed in all the way, making his eyes roll back in his head. He cried out, the noise somewhere inbetween a moan and a scream.

Soon he was screaming Vox's name over and over again as his boyfriend pulled out and thrust back in repeatedly. What felt like minutes were hours, time flying by, almost nonexistent. By three in the afternoon both overlords were exhausted, finishing soon after the large clock in the center of Pentagram City chimed loud and clear across nine circles of Hell.

Val and Vox collapsed together against the pillows panting and out of breath. Val wrapped his top arms around the back of Vox's chest and the second set around his waist, pulling his boyfriend close. He could feel Vox's screen pressed against him chest until he pulled back to at him.

"We're not going back to work are we? I don't really want to anyway." Vox's voice came from the darkness of the room. Val hadn't realised in their frenzy, but he's never opened the curtains when he had gotten up earlier that day.

"I don't think I want to. I think we're going to both be very sick and not be able to go in tomorrow." Val echoed back pulling the sheets up around them.

"Is that so? Well, I suppose there's nothing we can do about that, is there? I'll call our work and let them know." Vox replied, a smirk evident in his voice.

"Later my love~. Cuddle now." The moth's seductive voice thrummed around the room sending a shiver up his spine and evidently lulling the other overlord into a calm.

"Ok...Yeah. I'll..." His answer was cut off by a yawn, "Call later..."

Vox nestled into the moth's chest, radiating heat. Valentino curled around his boyfriend as a feeling of bliss spread through his body.

"Never leave me Voxxy...I don't know what I'd do without you." His voice barely a whisper.

Valentino didn't get attached, it wasn't his nature, but Vox had this strange effect on him. The TV overlord's presence was intoxicating to say the least. Val's heart felt full when he was around him, sometimes he just wanted to lie with Vox, calm and cuddling and unmoving.

His grip on Vox tightened slightly as he lowered his head to rest on the TV screen. Warmth spread through him and he sank into a quiet and calm sleep.

Chapter Text

Vox was half in sleep and half out when he heard Val's voice muffled and far away.

"Never leave me Voxxy...I don't know what I'd do without you."

He smiled as he felt Val's arms tighten ever so slightly around him and drifted into the warmth, happy to be with the one person he's ever really loved.

(Right so I do try not to interrupt my books like this, but I felt that this little tidbit was sweet and necessary.)

§§§§§§§§§§

When Vox powered up the next morning, the first thing he noticed was the lack of warmth near him. Opening his eyes, he noticed that Val wasn't next him. He stood and walked out the now-ajar bedroom door and into the kitchen. There was a note pinned to the island countertop explaining that Val had received a call from Velvette asking him to come to the office for an urgent meeting. The note assured Vox that he'd be back soon and so Vox discarded it and set about making breakfast.

After standing around for five minutes and realising he didn't want to cook, Vox grabbed his jacket and strode out of the door and to the street. He walked the six blocks to his favourite cafe to get coffee. Sweet, sweet coffee...

He grabbed scones and was on his way out when he finally noticed how quiet the streets were. Strange. It was only Wednesday, there should be people walking around everywhere getting into scraps and leaving bodies all over the street.

About four blocks away from the penthouse, ten chimes from the Angel clock sounded. Ten very deadly chimes. Vox's face dropped as his grip on his food relaxed, letting everything slip to the sidewalk.

Extermination Day was here.

Shit. Shit shit shit.

And Vox ran. Darting through alleyways and side streets as angels rained down on Hell. Two streets over from V Tower, four angels cornered him. Half of them landed on the ground and advanced toward him while the others attempted to keep his within range. A blonde angel moved forward and grabbed his wrist to tug him back.

Fury flashed in his eyes and he raged. Vox pivoted and flung the angel over his shoulder, smashing her into the concrete below as the others tried to keep him contained. One flung the end of a burning wip at him, and it coiled around his chest and stomach burning his flesh. He drop-kicked her, hoisting her up as a temporary shield and whipping her around to smash the two into the side of a brick building.

Summoning the electricity that had all nine circles of Hell terrified of him, Vox threw out a net over the remaining angel, attempting to burn her to a crisp. The net clipped her left arm and wing and they burned, with her screaming. This angel, a brunette, pulled out a gun and fired as she went down.

She missed him with every shot and he darted forward, dragging his electric blue claws down the side of her face and her chest. Her chest ripped open, the air around her crackling from his fury and power. He turned and started down the street thinking that she was done for.

However only five steps away Vox heard the crack of gunfire, and four bullets came at him, whistling through the air. Weaving carefully out of range of the first two bullets, he prepared to move out of the way of the remaining two.

Suddenly he felt a searing pain in his side, followed by one in his shoulder, almost shattering the bone. He gasped before the last of the air in his lungs was sucked away. The angel behind him fell to the ground with a bone-crunching thud and crashed against a wall.

Seeing an alley nearby he dashed into it before collapsing against a trash bin. Vox pulled out his phone and pressed a shaking finger to the hellphone screen. His vision began to blur as he typed out a message into the Vee group chat.

Finally, the black tint around his peripherals closed in and the phone slipped from his hand as he lost consciousness, presumably for the last time, leaving the chat open on the pavement beside him.

Group chat:

Vox: I love you guys, I'm sorry. Val, I love you.

Chapter Text

Valentino and Velvette sat opposite each other in Velvette's office when their phones simultaneously pinged. Both overlords picked up their phones to check the notifications coming from the group chat. The two looked at each other mildly surprised that Vox was using the group chat as he usually detested the openness of it.

Val was the first to open the notification, and he was up within seconds, horror filling his eyes. Velvette followed suit, and the two of them bolted out the door, grabbing the Carmine™ guns Velvette kept by the front door. Val's phone lay discarded on the floor near the couches open to the message he had just recieved.

Groupchat:

Vox: I love you guys, I'm sorry. Val, live. I love you.

The social media overlord staring at her phone as they ran, searching for Vox's location and terror streaked through Valentino's mind.

Why, why in the world would Vox go out on Extermination Day?

He could barely think straight, almost losing Velvette as she made a sharp left term onto a street littered with the golden blood of angels, their bodies scattered around the pavement.

"He's here somewhere! Look!" Velvette's strong voice was permeated by fear, and it cracked as she spoke.

They split up and searched from the beginning of the side street down until about halfway Val heard Velvette give a horrified shout. He whipped around and ran toward her. She was on her knees in a small alley in front of....Vox.

Valentino moved to his boyfriend so fast it looked like he'd teleported, reaching out his hands to cup the side of his face. Tears tipped over and tumbled down Valentino's face, dripping onto Vox's face.

The TV demon was alive, barely, taking shallow breaths, his screen black. He was dripping cyan blood from the right side of his torso and more from his shoulder, his hellphone discarded next to his hand which lay limp at his side.

Velvette's voice reached him, panicked and horrified.

"Val! Val! VAl! Grab him, let's go! He won't last long if we don't get him back to the penthouse!" She screamed at Val, shocking him into movement.

He scooped up Vox's limp body and sprinted after Velvette as she took off down the street. The phone in her hand flew up to her ear and she began barking orders at whoever, probably her assistant, was on the other end.

Valentino couldn't think, his mind a blur of pride and pain. Pride for the destruction Vox had brought down on the angels lying on the street, and pain for the thought that he might not make it. Val's apartment building came into sight, and the two desperate overlords ran in and up to his penthouse.

A doctor waited patiently outside the door and followed them in, waiting to be of service. Velvette guided Val to the bedroom where he placed Vox down on the bed and the doctor began to examine his wounds.

"Okay Val? This is gonna be the hardest part. I need you to leave. And I know I know, I know. But you need to leave. You're in too much of a panic and it won't help us. So if you want him to get better, go wait outside." Velvette led him to the door and gave him a hug before closing the door in his face.

Val stood there stunned for a minute before retreating to the living room. He collapsed on the couch and ordered Kitty to bring him a strong drink. He realised he was crying his red-pink tears onto the couch, and that the tears hadn't stopped since they'd found Vox in the street.

He screamed, a piercing, deafening noise that shattered the ornate mirrors in the room, his tears seeping into the couch cushion he'd buried his face in. A nudge on his leg told Val Kitty had come back and he snatched his drink from her, downing it in one go.

For ten minutes Valentino sat wordlessly on the couch before the numbness of the alcohol sunk in, lulling him into a restless, tortured sleep.

§§§§§§§§§§§

Nightmares plagued Valentino's sleep until they startled him awake sweating and sobbing. He curled up and breathed deeply before looking around at the dark room. He was in his bedroom...but, that's where-

Looking down to his left he saw Vox lying, bandaged and bruised, asleep. He was shirtless and you could see everything, where he'd been sewn up and where burnt lines stretched across his torso. Reaching out to touch them Val dragged two fingers ever so lightly against one, and Vox twitched, his face distorting slightly.

Val almost cried from relief, for now, he looked stable, and that was a blessing, to say the least. He almost cried from the weight that lifted of his chest and he leaned over and kissed Vox's forehead softly, then pressing his own against it.

Val lay down, careful not to hurt the one he loved so much, and coiled an arm around Vox's waist, pulling him closer gently. He kissed Vox's cheek and buried his face in the crook of the TV demon's neck, inhaling that warm, familiar scent, almost like ozone.

He breathed deeply, his mind already more at rest, and let the warm darkness pull him closer, his mind letting him hope for the best.

"Oh Voxxy, I love you, please come back to me...I love you I love you I love you."

And the shadows fell.

Chapter Text

Vox felt power course through his body, lighting up his sensors and kicking in his night vision to look around the dark room he was lying in. Confused, he attempted to sit up but was stopped when a spear of sharp pain flicked through his side, causing him to yelp and fall back.

The warm body beside him jumped and was awake in an instant. Val turned over and laid eyes on Vox, his eyes already brimming with tears.

"Vox..." Valentino's voice was just above a whisper, barely audible as he stared back at the TV demon.

"Val, I-" Vox was cut off by a spark of pain in his shoulder and he winced, "Ow."

Val snapped on the bedside lamp and grabbed the roll of bandages on the nightstand. Unrolling a short length, he cut it, dragging the shears through the white fabric.

"Flutterby. Ar-"

"Sh..." Val silenced him and began to tend to Vox's shoulder was was now oozing cyan blood.

Vox sat quiet, watching his boyfriend work in silence, his touch gentle and warm worked its way around the shoulder and fastened the fabric with a pin. The moth then flicked off the light and pulled Vox close to him, careful not to touch any of his injuries more than brushing over them.

"We'll talk in the morning, my love. Sleep..."

Vox sighed gently and lay still, waiting for sleep to come for him. He waited and waited, and waited. For hours he lay awake, his eyes occasionally flicking to the bedside clock. Four in the morning, still awake. Four thirty, still awake. On repeat.

Val eventually turned over in his sleep chirping quietly. Vox laughed quietly and hushed. He loved Val's chirps. Turning to lie on the uninjured shoulder Vox stared out the window at Pentagram City. The lights of the city below glowed red and savage, sounds of cars and guns chasing back and forth.

It was comforting in a way, the noise that is, after being in the city so long it was a routine. It made sense. Valentino let out a high-pitched chirp and moved in his sleep, turning to lie with his face buried in Vox's bare back. His breath tickled the exposed skin and he took deep, long breaths.

Finally, Vox felt his body be enveloped in that comforting, tired ache, his mind grow drowsy and his eyelids droop. His mainframe began to shut down and he powered down, warm but sore. He let the night move him into sleep and his body rejuvenate.

Then everything ceased.

Chapter Text

Valentino pulled himself up from the soft pillow, yawning. Sunlight streamed in through the windows, tinted that glorious red that the demons and sinners had become accustomed to. Some even appreciated its hue.

As he moved along the edge of the bed, Vox stirred next to him, and the brief whirring sound that always preceded his power-up began. Val's boyfriend blinked his eyes and looked around. Val slid down to his level and cupped his cheek to kiss him.

Vox smiled into the kiss, pressing his forehead against Valentino's.

"How do you feel Voxxy?" Val's smooth, gentle voice shattered the blissful silence and opened the doorway for conversation.

"I..I don't know. Exhausted, I couldn't sleep. But I'm not as sore as yesterday." Vox replied hesitantly.

"I'll see if I can find something to help you sleep tonight. But I'm glad you're feeling better Voxxy. You can rest today and we'll see how you feel."

"Ugh, Flutterby you know I can't sit around all day. I'll go crazy."

Valentino frowned but his resolve melted when Vox smiled at him.

"Alright. But, you're going to sit with me and help me, ahem...." Val muttered the rest of the sentence, his face flushing slightly and his antenna quivered.

"Help you...?"

Val repeated his sentence but it was barely audible.

"Val I have no idea what you're saying. You need to speak up." Vox laughed but stopped when he felt that spark of pain.

Valentino helped Vox sit up properly, making sure there was no extra pressure on Vox's mid-section.

"I uh. I need help reading..." Val said and tilted his head to the side in embarassement.

Vox laughed in the most enchanting way. It was free and happy. He tumbled forward and into Val's arms, hugging him around his waist.

"Of course I'll help you Val. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I let my blind moth read paperwork?" Vox said as he buried his screen in Val's front.

Valentino sighed contently and wrapped his upper set of arms around Vox.

§§§§§§§§§§

Val strode into his office with Vox in tow, who was stepping gingerly. He flopped down in the large, cushiony chair behind his desk and observed his boyfriend who had stopped short a few feet away.

"Hey Flutterby, can you help me grab a chair?" Vox asked hestitantly as the corner of his screen glitched.

Valentino narrowed his eyes ever so slightly and beckoned Vox with his finger.

"Voxxy just come here."

"Uh. Okay?" Vox moved gracefully around the desk corner, his coat tails swirling elegantly after him.

He stopped in front of Val who had spun his chair around to the side, leaving his lap pointing in Vox's direction. Valentino's two sets of arms shot forward, the bottom set grasping Vox's hips and the top gently grabbing his chest, and pulled the TV demon onto his lap.

Vox let out a surprised squeak as he registered what was happening. He situated himself on his boyfriend's lap, twisting ever so slightly and blushing furiously. Val nuzzled his face into the side of his neck and unconsiously began to make those little happy chirps.

For about an hour Vox dictated what the mountain of sheets said while Val signed or copied down anything necessary. The two successfully managed to finish off the inane amount of files and Vox sighed contentedly as he leaned back into Val's chest. Val moved his head down and inhaled the sweet, familiar smell of Vox, before leaning down and trailing feather-light kisses all the way down his neck.

A physical shiver ran up Vox's spine, Val could see it clearly. Leaning forward, Valentino kissed where the TV demon's cheek would've been.

"I love you so, so much. I know you'll never believe me, and it's partially my fault because I don't have the words to explain it..." Val said softly and he kissed Vox's clawed hand.

Vox's face didn't blush as aggressively as it normally would've, instead his eyes flushed with and unbearable sadness and you could see the tears pricking the corner of his beautiful red eyes. He turned in Val's lap, throwing his arms around Valentino's neck tightly. Small tremors shook his body as he squeezed the moth's neck tightly, who sat in disbelief at the impossible display before him.

"Vox...what's wrong baby?" He asked as he wrapped his arms gently around Vox.

"N-nothing. I uh...they're happy tears." Vox laughed as the tears began to dry.

"I see, Voxxy." Valentino leaned down and kissed him sweetly.

Vox's breathing slowed a touch and he began to curl into Val's lap. Eyelids drooping and screen dimming, he relaxed as sleep overcame him, leaving him a warm, tired heap on Val.

"I love you too Flutterby..." A smile adjoined the quiet sentence.

Val smiled back before standing with his sleeping boyfriend, and walked out the door, using an extra arm to flick off the light switch.

Chapter Text

The week sped by quickly, and everything went back to normal. Mostly. For reasons unknown to most of Hell, evil overlords Vox and Valentino had become reclusive, only showing their faces for meetings and important events. The illustrious Valentino hadn't frequented any of his regular clubs and had barely been in the studio, and Vox hadn't done more than a handful of interviews and showings.

However, they remained unbothered by the rumors spiraling around their absence and continued to be safe and quiet until Vox was fully healed. Val finally let him go and be on his own in his office to attend to matters on his monitors. In hindsight, that might not have been that wise of a choice but what's done is done.

It was Friday again and it was quiet out, just the sound of the occasional body smashing into the pavement and the chatter of demons walking around. However, as Vox scrolled through his view of the city, he saw something that made him stop and go back. In an alley towards the outer reaches of Pentagram City, a familiar yellow smile flashed by the camera.

Voc scrolled back to the device view and saw Alastor standing looking right up at him, eyes glowing sinisterly.

"Well hello there old friend." Alastor's radio voice crackled as his presence caused the video to glitch.

"Alastor," Vox uttered the single word before sending electricity shooting out toward the radio demon.

The electric strings took Alastor by surprise and wrapped around his body, pinning him to the wall as the smell of ozone filled the air. He fought back as the whips crackled and zapped, tightening with every second.

Finally, Alastor stopped, but only for a second before his shadows shot out from behind him, smothering the electricity and freeing him. His red coat was singed and torn, and one of his antlers had broken. He walked with a slight limp as he spun around and threw a vine of black straight at the camera.

It burst through the screen and smashed into Vox, enveloping him and burning like acid. It knocked him and his chair to the floor as he screamed, sparks flying off of him and casting the office in a blinding light. The shadows tightening around his torso vanished within seconds, Alastor gone and nowhere to be seen.

Vox sat up to catch his breath, his eyes closed. He was assessing the damage to himself and his office when Valentino burst through the doors in a panic. His eyes were wide and he looked ready to kill. When he turned and saw Vox sitting on the floor, his mouth dropped.

"Vox!" Val slid forward and gripped Vox's uninjured side. Looking down Vox saw that the place where his wound was was gushing cyan blood.

"Oh. Shit. I didn't even feel it..." Vox said with a scowl.

The bleeding didn't hurt, it just stung a little.

"Voxxy, can you stand? I just need you to sit on the couch."

Vox nodded and stood, he still couldn't feel the pain, but as soon as he was upright a wave of dizziness washed through him. He staggered slightly but made it to the couch without mishap. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Val eyeing him warily, just waiting to reach out and catch him if he fell.

The TV demon flopped down on his brand-new, plush couch while being careful not to stain it. Val came over and removed Vox's blazer gently and pulled his sweater vest over his head. Finally the moth peeled back the once crisp white shirt. The cool grey skin was sticky with cyan blood, which oozed from the bandages on his waist.

Vox let out a nervous laugh as Valentino pulled off the old bandages and began to meticulously clean the wound. It stung and Vox bit his lip and held his spine ramrod straight so as to not wince. He stared down as his boyfriend cleaned the shot wound. His brow was furrowed in a mixture of worry and focus and he dabbed here and there, and wiping at the areas farther away from where the bullet had pierced him.

Finally, Val sat back with a satisfied expression on his face and ripped a generous piece of gauze with his claws. Wrapping it carefully around Vox's waist, he slid his gentle, warm hands back and forth. His touch lit Vox's body on fire, and he stilled. Vox could feel that familiar heat he had always felt with Valentino building as his breathing sped up. He turned his head slightly, attempting to hide the large blush growing on his screen, but failed as Val looked up and smiled.

Then Vox was on his back, flat against the soft cushions with his hands pinned playfully above his head. Val grinned above him with that curious and crazy look in his big pink eyes. As much as the usual desire growing in him was something he craved, Vox knew he wasn't a full capacity yet.

"Val. Just...be gentle and don't go too far. I'm not better as you can quite clearly tell and I can't go full-on yet." Vox's tone was gentle but left no room for discussion.

Val nodded in acknowledgment and began to kiss along Vox's exposed collarbone, at first delicately and then rougher, trailing down to tease his nipples. Vox stifled the moans fighting to get out as Valentino shot back up to his neck to kiss and bite.

Suddenly Val's jaw shot open and his deadly sharp teeth pierced the skin between his collarbone and neck. Vox let out a high pitched moan as Val sunk his teeth in and gripped the moth's shoulders tightly.

Valentino pried his teeth from the flesh and gently licked the now tender bite mark that oozed a bit of blood. Vox caught his breath and relaxed slightly, shoulders sagging downwards. Val leaned up, his upper set of hands caressing Vox's back and the bottom set pulling his waist up, and kissed Vox swiftly.

Vox smiled into the kiss as Val pulled back to pepper his face in little kisses. They shared one more kiss before calling Velvette. All that was needed was a new shirt and jacket and they hadn't seen their Vel in over a week so it would be good to catch up.

Val shifted them until his back was pressed against the cushions of the couch and Vox sat snugly in his lap. The two pulled out their phones and began to talk and scroll through Voxtagram to pass the time. They shared a grin when they heard Velvette's small footsteps and Vox leaned back into Val, closing his eyes briefly before the door swung open.

Chapter Text

Velvette burst through the door in an energetic rush, wielding a clothes rack. She slammed the door behind her, and Val jumped in surprise. Gingerly, he pushed Vox up, placing a hand on the small of his back. Velvette turned to face the two of them with her signature shit-eating grin.

"FLAT-FACE!" She screamed as she practically bounced off the walls.

Velvette bounded over and wrapped her arms around Vox's neck. He laughed as he folded his arms around her, pulling her onto his lap. She buried her face in his neck, smiling.

"Hey, Baby Doll." Vox smiled affectionately, "How are you doing?"

Velvette pulled herself back and smiled at him.

"Better now. I missed you guys. I haven't seen you all week. Now why do you need a new suit all of a sudden?"

"Well uhm...I may have gotten a bit too excited in a fight...." Vox said sheepishly.

Velvette frowned as she got up and stared at him disapprovingly for a few seconds. Then she sighed and threw up her hands while moving to the clothes rack. She pulled off a blazer from the far right and another from nearby. The first was similar to his original jacket, sporting all the same colors and the same design. It was tailored to hug his waist a bit more but was otherwise the same.

The second was his usual dark blue, however the stripes weren't the cyan blue that matched his teeth and blood. They were a familiar pink, quite an appealing shade actually. Vox heard a soft, surprised chirp from beside him and then it clicked. The stripes were his moth's pink, soft and lovely. The TV demon shifted his eyes and smiled as he examined the rest of the jacket.

The shoulder pads remained present which Vox nodded slightly to before his eyes ran down the sleeves. The cuffs were embroidered with small pink moths linked together by little cyan strings of electricity. A small blush appeared on Vox's screen and he could feel a silly grin spread across his face. The same moths danced around the hem, which stopped almost midway down his thighs, and the lapels, which were tinted his trademark electric cyan.

The matching sweater vest was hung on the same hanger, the coat covering the edges. Striped with black it looked almost identical to his old one, but upon looking closer Vox saw that where there used to be red, there was a similar plumish pink. The smile grew on his face even more and he laughed.

Vox snatched the second option from Velvette's hand and stooped to kiss Val's cheek. Val's sly smile returned and he pulled the TV demon down to kiss him quickly on the lips. Velvette smiled warmly at them and threw an excruciatingly light pink collared shirt at him. He grabbed it and slid it over his shoulders quickly.

His normal smile had returned and Vox felt refreshed. He kept his smile up as he secured the buttons and pulled the new vest over his head. Everything fit perfectly. He adjusted the vest and tucked the shirt in, rolling up the sleeves to his upper arm, before detangling the new jacket from the hook. Vox slid it up his arms, the black and blue skin vanishing under the soft new fabric. He fastened a single button and dusted off his shoulders.

Vox sighed happily as he did a spin, feeling out the new fabric. It was immeasurably soft, and he shifted around in it to get a feel of it. Out of the corners of his eyes, he could see Val watching him. One arm propped him up and was resting against his cheek, a sweet smile filled with admiration across his face.

Vox trotted over to the chaise and plopped down right in front of the arm Valentino was using to keep himself up. The moth removed the arm and let his head drop onto Vox's lap. The TV overlord smiled down at his boyfriend and held up his arm.

"Look." Vox showed Val the rosy little moths and electric shocks that trailed along his wrist. "It's us."

Val's eyes widened slightly, confused by how docile and charming his other half was being. He smiled though, and reached up to kiss Vox.

"You're so strange sometimes, my love, but I must be equally as weird." He said softly.

Vox looked at him quizzically.

"Why's that?" They were whispering, their conversation hushed, hinting to Velvette that it was time for her to leave.

She closed to door with a quiet click as Val went to continue.

"Well, you are my other half so we can't be that different. Soulmates never are." Val said with a quiet laugh as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Vox sat back slightly, his eyes wide, shocked into temporary silence.

"What...?" Vox asked quietly, trying to process what the moth had just said, "What did you call me?"

Valentino cocked his head. He shifted so that he was leaning against the arm of the chaise, facing Vox. He took Vox's hands in his own and looked him in the eyes.

"My other half. My soulmate." Val filled his voice with as much love as he could. All the love he had for Vox.

"I-..." Vox was tearing up ever so slightly. His brain told him it was a lie, but he pushed that away. Not this time.

"Voxxy...Are you alright, my love?" Val asked, suddenly fearing he'd upset the TV demon.

Valentino reached up to wipe a single tear from Vox's screen, then leaning forward and up to kiss his forehead sweetly. Vox's hand reached up and cupped over the one on his cheek. A shudder rippled through his body, a sob choking out of him.

Vox's arms shot up and wrapped around Val's neck tightly as he embraced the moth quietly. He sighed into the curve of purplish grey skin and kissed it softly and gently.

"Vox...? I uh, I don't know what to do here." Valentino laughed nervously as he traced comfortinng circles on his boyfriend's back, "Can you talk to me, baby?"

Vox sniffled and pulled away, situating himself so that he didn't hurt the moth.

"Sorry, Flutterby. It's just...no one has ever said that to me before. I don't think anyone has ever loved me like that. I didn't think you loved me like that..." Vox said sheepishly.

Val furrowed his brow as he frowned.

"All of that, and you didn't think I loved you? Really Vox?" The moth's lower set of hands gripped Vox's waist firmly, pulling him closer.

"I thought you were just doing it because you thought you had to...I know I can be a burden." Vox gave a half smile in return.

"No. You are never a burden Voxxy. And I've loved you since the day I met you. That was forty-five years ago Vox. Do you remember it?"

Vox smiled as he recalled the night they'd met. It had been a red carpet event premiering the latest film of rising Hell overlord, Valentino. Vox had arrived and stepped onto the carpet, only to be bombarded by press. As he'd answered a few questions, a limo had arrived, emblazoned with Val's emblem.

A hush had fallen on the crowd as very few people had ever seen the mysterious Valentino. The first thing they'd see had been the three-inch, shiny, stiletto heels. Then, the long legs and finally the new overlord emerged. Standing at ten feet, Val wasn't anything if not impressive.

The moth had been wearing deep plum colored dress, which was tight until it flared at the thighs. It sparkled in the lights and as Vox's eyes traveled up his magnificent body, he made the mistake of looking at his face. One look and Vox was done for.

Vox and Val's eyes met and something stirred in them. Vox had turned on heel and walked up to the porn overlord, kissing the back of his hand politely as he introduced himself. Then everything had just...clicked.

They'd talked through the entire movie and ended up spending the night together. That was the beginning.

"Best day of my afterlife." Vox smiled warmly.

"Yeah...mine too." Val said quietly.

He sighed happily and pulled Vox back onto his chest. They spent the rest of the afternoon cuddling on the couch quietly until Vox fell asleep. At around five in the afternoon, Val picked up his sleeping boyfriend and walked them up to their room.

Val undressed Vox quietly, smiling at the moths on his wrists, and then did the same for himself, letting his wings hang loosely by side. He lay down next Vox and pulled him close. Vox stirred and woke up. Half asleep he kissed Val softly, and whispered something so low that Val almost didn't catch it.

Almost.

Two words escaped the TV demon as he sank back into sleep.

"Marry me."

Chapter Text

Hello everyone! Author here!

So yes, the book is over, but as of yesterday I started the second book, so if you liked this one I was hoping you'd go check out book 2! It's on my profile, and easy to find!

Do make sure to read the part I put in the intro please, it is important!

Thanks so much for joining me and our boys on the first leg of their journey!

Enjoy Book 2; Sinner's Sightline~