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Ike prides himself on the fact that he has good control over his emotions. As a person who has been whiplashed from the past to where he is now, he’d say he handled it quite fairly given his circumstances, and what with the kind of people he was working within his line of work— great, eccentric, very unique bunch of people by the way. A sorcerer, a detective, a mafia boss, and a demon.
So, he’s seen a lot, if he’s being entirely honest.
It really shouldn’t have been this hard to quell the bubbling feeling he has for a certain demon.
The first time he was introduced to Vox, he couldn’t say he wasn’t charmed. Anyone with a good sense of sight knows how undeniably handsome the demon is. Silky black hair cascaded down his back like a potent thing against his white suit— bold and daring, a traditional haori on his shoulders. His bangs draped over one side, covering one eye that burns molten gold in the other, yet it’s soft all the while. Like dawn awakening, a gentle tug that a bright day is approaching.
His red makeup, a compliment piece against his pale skin.
Long lashes and plump lips.
His stance, strong and firm.
Yes, Ike thinks, nodding to himself. This is a person who knows the power he yields and the effect he has on anyone. Combine all of that with his velvet smooth voice, a lilting sound, soothing against the ears and calming. It’s no wonder why so many are taken to him. Anyone who is weak-willed crumbles beneath his feet, and he understands.
Vox is assertive and calm. So sure of himself and what he has to present.
All of those were Ike’s first impressions towards the demon, the first few times they interacted.
But that's not what makes him fold, though.
No.
Out of all his genmates in Luxiem, he shares the same time zone with Mysta and Vox being in Europe, the three of them. Shu and Luca are both on opposite sides of the globe, being in America and Australia respectively. So it was only natural that whenever he’s on Discord in their group hangout channel, more often than not, Vox would be there too. Accompanying him doing his work and just simply hanging out with each other.
That happens almost every day now, like routine and clockwork. Sometimes even going on for private calls. They would seek each other out immediately if they knew the other had the same free time.
After streams, they’re often seen video calling each other with burgers stuffed in their faces and laughing at what the other has said about a recent meme they found funny.
To say Vox Akuma is an inanely flirty person would be an understatement.
He likes to show affection by making it his mission to fluster the people around him. Ike just didn’t expect himself to be the centre of so much of that flirtiness. But he takes it in stride. So rarely he laughs when he deems it laughable, but mostly he dodges. And if the reason for it is because he can feel his cheeks heating up and causing his stomach to flutter just a little then that is solely for him to know. Thank whoever invented obs to hide his tinted cheeks from view.
He also realised Vox was outwardly obnoxious, but in an endearing kind of way and it amuses him, rolling his eyes exasperatedly and swallowing the constant bursts of fondness that starts from deep within his chest, making his breath hitch just a little.
He shoves those aside.
As time went on and they flourished under their work at Nijisanji, they spent more time together. Ike was so casually drawn to him he didn’t even notice how he was always gravitating towards the demon— and on occasion when they are teased for it by the braver souls in Niji, knowing smiles and playful remarks (Mysta, you’re not subtle), then he pretends to be annoyed, throwing out his classic ‘I hate it here’ when in reality, he silently preens at the fact that everyone knows him and Vox are as thick as thieves.
The dynamic they set up for themselves was one he couldn’t have seen coming the first time they met.
Because for all of the times the demon is flirting with him and trying to get a reaction out of the Novelist, Ike considers Vox to be one of the best and most wonderful friends he ever has.
He soon realised that his perception toward Vox changes— somehow always for the better, leaving him out of words with each layer Vox sheds for him— every time they’re together.
Vox is all of the things he thought of him as but more. He is still very flirty, silly and endearingly outrageous, brave, and assertive. But beneath all of that, he found there was so much more within him that Ike is floored that the demon trusted him of all people to shed his armour off.
He sees the weight in his golden eyes, a man burdened by loss, a leader having seen his empire fall, people he cared for stripped from his hands by his immortality, outliving those he loves.
He sees his anxieties, his insecurities, and his fears. Vox holds the softest of hearts and he despises the people who have ever dared break it.
He has the knowledge and introspective that hundreds of years of living have brought to him. A certain edge to his wisdom only time teaches a person— there really shouldn’t be a reason for Ike to feel indignant towards his need to protect Vox, but he does, and it’s overwhelming that he sometimes has to take a step back— leaving Ike with pride that he gets to call him a friend.
That, for the range of Vox’s massive timeline, he could’ve been anywhere in the world yet they were given this that allowed for their paths to coincide.
Every moment spent with Vox; Ike takes pleasure in discovering new things about him every single time. A knowledge he treasures and keeps for himself, tucked away for his own indulgence. Smiling fondly when he gets reminded of it on a random Tuesday afternoon when he’s in the middle of work, but pays no thought about it too closely.
He can't pinpoint when exactly he started to see his dearest friend in a different light, the kind where he’s slightly terrified of naming.
But as those calls became a habit, Ike has grown accustomed to it. Feeling a little defeated if they missed a day without getting to sit down and call each other (due to their busy schedules), talking about everything and nothing all at once. Ike knew he screwed himself up.
So, when the time came that a couple of them decided to meet up in person for the first time—
Nina, Mysta, Vox, and him. He was a bundle of nerves personified, trembling at the thought that he gets to see him in person, at last.
The weeks leading up to the trip consisted of Ike’s internal monologue that reminds himself, having ranged from, calm down to everything’s going to be fine, just act how you normally would, and a mistake where he told himself the night before, it’s just vox because— holy shit it’s vox and in person no less.
Again, Ike prides himself on the fact that he has good control over his emotions. But when it comes to Vox? He’s being proven terribly wrong.
He and Nina were the first to arrive at their agreed meet-up spot, having the latter elaborate a plan to jumpscare Vox.
It would’ve been an embarrassingly laughable sight should any passerby see two full-grown adults crouched behind a car, snickering to themselves. Ike could care less about that, however.
Not even Nina’s attempts at making weird specific noises that sound way too similar to that of a dying hyena trying to get Vox’s attention, who was looking around switching his attention from his phone to his surroundings trying to look for them, could silence the incessant thudding of his heart just looking at him standing right there, so close yet too out of reach for Ike’s liking.
He was getting impatient because Vox doesn’t realise that they were hiding behind a car a few feet away from where was and Ike wants nothing more than to just announce his presence to Vox and tell him he’s here and he’s been waiting and they’ve been looking forward to this and— and anything really, just to get close to him already.
With his hands slightly shaking from anticipation and the beating of his heart ringing in his ears screaming Vox Vox Vox over and over like a mantra trying to tether him to any sense of sanity before he completely loses it because they are so close but why aren’t they in each other's arms yet?
Breathes deeply, not to settle his anticipation. He resigned quite early on that there isn’t much he can do with his emotions when it comes to Vox, but instead to brace himself for what he’s about to do.
He cupped his hands around his mouth before letting out a deep loud indication that they were (he was) there in a way he knew Vox would immediately figure out,
“BEAAAAAAAANS”
And the moment Vox whipped his head in their direction, his eyes landing directly on Ike’s, he was certain that for a moment, a second felt like an eternity and everything else was lost to him.
He took in the way Vox’s eyes shifted from shocked to delighted, wrinkling at the corner, forming crescents as a huge smile took over his face, mirroring Ike’s just as eager expression, and found nothing else really mattered.
His chest squeezes at the way the demon was looking at him so intently, staring straight to his soul and suddenly he’s feeling vulnerable, trapped under his gaze.
The moment lasted all too quickly when a squeal erupted from beside him. Nina. Right.
Nina ran over to Vox and tackled him in a bear hug, “Honey!!!” She exclaimed, “You’re finally here!”
Vox stumbled back— letting out an oomph from the impact, but returned the hug just as eagerly. “I’ve been looking all over for you guys, it’s so good to see you, Nina!”
“Well, I thought it would be fun to pull a prank on you but you didn’t even notice the noises I was making until Ike shouted.”
“Wait, that was you?” Vox laughed, “I thought for a second there was a dying cat somewhere in the alley but of course.” He rolled his eyes noncommittally at Nina.
Then turned his attention to Ike.
His breath hitched.
“Ike, my boy! Come here you silly bastard” Vox exclaimed as he let go of Nina and trudged his way to him.
Ike could not contain the wide smile and the skip in his step meeting him halfway as they engulfed each other in a tight embrace. He buries himself in Vox’s arms, sighing contently as the other tightens his arms around his waist and nuzzles his nose in his neck.
Finally.
They stand there, in the middle of a sidewalk, at 10 a.m in the light British autumn breeze, basking in each other’s presence and they don’t say a word.
He hid his giddy smile at the nape of Vox’s neck and brought his hands to run his fingers down the demon’s silky dark hair, the tension and anticipation finally leaving his body with the way Vox was holding onto him so tightly yet so gently, careful as if he might perish if he lets go too soon.
If he catches a glimpse of Nina’s smirk standing behind Vox watching them knowingly, he pretends not to see. It’s not like he cares, either way.
Vox is here, in his arms, and it's everything he imagined it to be and more. Nothing else really mattered.
Eventually, though, they had to let go, if only to look at each other’s faces because the demon isn’t quite compelled to fully let him go just yet. Ike isn’t one to complain.
Their eyes meet, golden sunrise reflecting against a field of green; warm and soft.
Their faces too close, noses barely a hairsbreadth apart.
Their smiles, too wide, giddy and unbidden.
They take their time basking in each other, eyes roaming to memorise every crevice, every minute freckle and every dimple, reverent in the way they held each other's gaze.
It was Vox who broke the silence first,
“I can’t believe you’re here.” He whispers, and Ike laughs.
“Believe it, Milord. I’m right here.” He said just as softly, brushing his fingers lightly on Vox’s cheek. Soft.
The demon flushed, and Ike chuckled.
“It’s so insane that I’m seeing you outside of a screen.”
Ike tilted his head, “Would you rather have me on screen?”
The demon choked out a laugh, “No. god, no. On the contrary, I think now that I have you here this close, I don’t think I could ever be content again just seeing you on a screen anymore.” He nudges his nose lightly against Ike’s. Now it was his turn to flush.
Vox being vox obviously teased him about it, “and I think you, my dear, agree.” He smirked.
He rolled his eyes and sighed. “I hate it here,” shoving his hands lightly on Vox’s chest, which the latter was quick to catch and lace their fingers together.
“You have soft hands,” murmured Vox, instead.
Ike was certain he looked like a tomato right now. He pushed the feeling of his heart wanting to escape his chest aside and stared at him, raising one brow in challenge, “And you have rough ones.”
Vox laughed loudly, throwing his head back and— my god, when Ike thought words were his trade he most definitely was not prepared for Vox. He bottled it all up, wanting to encapsulate every crease in his eyes, the way his cheeks were brimming with so much unguarded joy, the way he was laughing because of him, and imprint them all in his heart.
If he wasn’t convinced before, then right here, he knows exactly what is.
He holds an affection for Vox that goes beyond any mere platonic curiosity, and that frightens him.
Vox was about to quip back when a cough startled them both out of their little world, jumping away from each other as if caught red-handed, cheeks flushed.
They turn to see Nina standing there smirking at them, her head quirked to the side, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“As much as I love to see you two lovebirds have your moment and I hate to break it up but I am quite hungry and we promised Mysta to meet him at the restaurant—” she paused as if in thought, a devilish smile overtaking her lips. Ike did not like that one bit. “We don't want to tell Mysta we got caught up because you two were about to make out, right?” She taunted.
Ike became a blubbering mess trying to defend himself but it was Vox who spoke, “Ha ha, you think you're very funny. You’re just jealous Ike loves me more.” Vox teased back, all smug.
Christ, how many more times are they going to leave him flustered?
Nina rolled her eyes, “let’s just actually go before Ike fully turns into a tomato.”
The person in question grunted and slumped his shoulders against Vox’s side, defeated, “Nina!” He cried.
She laughed and raised her hands up in surrender, “Okay, okay, I’m sorry. I was just teasing, but we seriously have to go, though.” She said and walked closer to wrap her arms around Ike’s.
Nina looked pointedly at Vox, “I’m taking him away from you ‘cause I know you’ll hog him later.”
The demon gaped, then pouted and huffed,
“I could just always steal him back” he mumbled quietly.
Adorable.
“I am no one’s to steal, so both of you shush.” Ike quipped.
Nina laughed at Vox’s pouting face and tugged Ike along, leaving a sputtering Vox behind.
She looked at Ike conspiratorially, before whispering, “You didn’t say no.”
“What do you mean?”
Nina chuckled, amused at his antics. “Oh, it’s okay, honey. We all know you love Vox more.”
Ike groaned, his face flushing once more, “Ninaaa, Stop.” His hands came up to cover his cheeks. There’s no point in denying when everyone seems to know, well probably except for Vox.
Nina merely laughed loudly before cuddling closer to him, “It can be our little secret what happened back there, honey.” She winked.
Behind them, Vox sprinted to catch up and said, “What are you two whispering about?! Hey, wait up! Ike! Nina!”
Even he couldn’t help but laugh along with Nina at the demon.
He sighed.
He knows there’s a lot he needs to unpack from that interaction, but as Vox finally caught up and wrapped his arms around Ike’s other arm and pulled him closer, earning a whine from Nina about not even having five minutes with Ike all to herself, he decided it’s better to leave that for later and just bask in the company of his friends, enjoying this moment with them, and the steady warmth of Vox’s chest, feeling the rumble of his voice quipping back and forth with Nina.
And if the following days find him latching on to Vox’s side more, if he sits a little too close to the demon, if he feels a little smug at the way Vox’s arms would immediately wrap around his shoulders no matter what, if they’re constantly trailing each other behind wherever ( be it at the konbini finishing each other’s memes or an alleyway), if he invited Vox out for ramen just the two of them one lunchtime because they’ve been looking forward to it for months, if he notices Nina and Mysta’s smirk and their constant eye rolls at the both of them, he turns a blind eye, and if he relishes at the way Nina was describing to their chat during stream about their trip and how it consisted of Ike and Vox being at each other’s side constantly, well. He keeps the knowledge that he may be in love with his best friend all to himself.
And right now, as he revels and loves the way he fits perfectly beside his strong embrace, Vox’s laugh reverberating against his ears, clutching onto him tightly, looking down at him as he smiles, utterly soft and undeniably fond,
He knows where he wants to take this.