Chapter Text
The picture was a success.
More than a success. It was the highest grossing film the studio made. The music was so popular it was being played on the radio. When that happened, Vox would turn it up on his radio set and pulled Alastor into a waltz.
“Are you going to do this every time?” Alastor said, Vox holding him by the waist. “Surely after the fifth time of hearing your voice on the radio, you’d grow tired of it?”
“It’s your voice too.” Vox said, dipping him. “We’re singing together on the radio. I have to dance with you to it.”
The publicity the picture was getting was phenomenal. Alastor’s radio interviews on Mondays certainly helped get the word around. Not to mention the scandal of why Vox wasn’t at the premiere.
Everyone was wondering where he had been.
Most suspected he was with his lover but then why wouldn’t he bring her to the premiere with him?
And, of course, the new gold wedding ring on his finger was another point of gossip.
“We’ll have to do another interview soon now that the picture is out and a success.” Alastor said, still swaying in Vox’s arms. “The audience has a ton of questions they want answered. What your favorite scene was to record. What your next picture show will be. What comes next for Vox Lockwood.”
Vox didn’t really care about what was in store for Vox Lockwood. Vincent Whittman was getting married and that took up most of his thoughts.
He’d brought Alastor bridal magazines and wedding planning supplies for him and his mother to look at. With the royalties of the newest picture starting to make their way into his pocket, it was going to be a lavish Hollywood wedding. If that’s what Alastor wanted at least. Though, Alastor seemed to want to keep it more reserved while Vox wanted it to be bigger, better and brighter.
They’d talk it over.
After a two week break, Vox was back at the studio to start preparing for the next picture show. Alastor had to be on a different set to coach another actor but that was standard.
He walked into his dressing room.
And was greeted by a slap.
At first, he thought it was Valentino.
Then, he heard Mimzy’s voice.
“You fucking asshole!” She yelled at him. “How dare you leave me out to dry like that!”
Vox rubbed his cheek, confused.
“What—?” Vox asked.
“The premiere!” Mimzy said, furious. “You ditched! Do you know how humiliating that was for me? You go on this radio show without me and have everyone convinced we’re in love—“
Mimzy made a gagging noise that had Vox chuckling a bit.
“Then you don’t show up!” Mimzy said. “You made me look like a cuck or something! Then I find out that I didn’t even voice myself in my own damn picture—“
“Wait, what?” Vox said, confused, “did they—did they not tell you?”
Mimzy huffed.
“Not a word from anyone.” Mimzy said, beyond irritated, “not even you. Assholes. Every one of you.”
Her anger was a bit more justified than he originally thought.
He thought they would tell her that she had been dubbed over…
But, yet again, it was Valentino.
But her dad was the owner. Surely he should have said something…
“I’m sorry.” Vox said, “I thought they had told you.”
“Who did they even get to replace me?” Mimzy said. “When I get my hands around her…and where the fuck were you?”
The answer was the same: Alastor.
“I’m not the only one who is pissed that you ditched.” Mimzy said. “Just a fair warning, Val and my dad are fucking pissed. You made them look stupid. So where the fuck were you?”
Taking a bath with the vocal coach…
A very long bath…
“I wanted to go.” Vox said. “But they wouldn’t let my girl come. So I didn’t show up.”
Mimzy looked confused.
“Why wouldn’t they let your girl show up—“
“Vox!”
That was Valentino.
He burst into Vox’s dressing room, slamming the door open.
Vox straightened his posture at the intrusion.
Right now, he was the most sought after acting in Hollywood. Valentino could peacock his power all he wanted, Vox had a bit of leverage now. And he was going to use it. At the very least, he wasn’t going to cower, even if Valentino’s presence chilled him to the bone.
“Office.” Valentino said. “Both of you. Now.”
Mimzy and Vox exchanged glances. Mimzy looked more irritated than anything else. Vox was fighting back his nerves. He refused to back down.
But he wondered why Mimzy was coming to this little scream session.
Vox and Mimzy took their seats across Valentino’s desk. Mimzy tried to light a cigarette but Valentino smacked it out of her hand.
“What the FUCK were you two on at that premiere?!” Valentino yelled at them, “Storming out mid showing?”
Valentino glared at Mimzy.
“Not showing up at all!”
Valentino glared at Vox.
“And now Mr. Lamont is riding my ass about it.” Valentino said. “Like he didn’t raise half of the problem!”
Valentino pointed to Mimzy who gave a huff.
“Bold of you to assume my daddy did any part of raising me.” Mimzy said, bitter. “And how did you expect me to react to hearing someone else’s voice come out of MY mouth?”
“Like a fucking professional!” Valentino yelled back. “Because it’s your fucking job! You’re supposed to smile and look pretty and not call everyone in the audience a simple minded group of riffraff.”
“Your fault for giving me a microphone.” Mimzy said. “And you’re lucky I didn’t say worse.”
“Your dad is a hair away from replacing you.” Valentino sneered. “So I would just nod and say ‘yes, sir’.”
Mimzy huffed but didn’t say anything. She just folded her arms and glared.
“And you…”
Valentino turned to Vox.
Under normal circumstances, Vox would sink in his chair at the glare. But Vox straightened his back and stared Valentino stared him straight in the face.
“Where the fuck were you?” Valentino growled. “And you had better say in a hospital bed with influenza.”
“I was with my girl.” Vox said, sharply, “And it was the best night of my life.”
Valentino growled like a feral animal.
“I tell you you can’t bring your creole bastard slut to an elite Hollywood premiere,” Valentino said, “and you think you can just ditch it all together?! You are under contract!”
“And my contract says I can’t film with any other studio.” Vox said. “But, in case you’ve forgotten, I own the rights to my own publicity. Those premieres are all publicity. And I didn’t want to go. So I didn’t.”
Vox clenched his fists, his wedding ring imbedding itself in his skin.
“If you wanted me there, Alice should have been invited.” Vox said. “Not my plus one. A proper invite. She is as important to this picture as I am.”
“Who the fuck is Alice?” Mimzy asked.
“Vox’s creole bastard girl friend.” Valentino said, annoyed, “Alastor’s sister. And your voice.”
“Since when does Mr. Hartfelt have a sister?” Mimzy questioned, “and since when were you going steady with her? And why the fuck is she my voice? I swear—“
“Not the focus Mimzy.” Vox said. “As well, she’s my fiancée. And she deserves some recognition for her part of this picture’s success. At the very least she deserves some respect for contribution.”
Vox glared at Valentino, wanting to wring his neck just like Valentino had done to his so many times before.
“Watch your mouth.” Valentino snarled back. “Remember who you work for.”
“What are you going to do, fire me?” Vox asked. “I’m the most successful actor you have.”
Valentino slammed his hands onto the desk, a loud bang echoing through the room and shaking the pictures on the walls.
“You know exactly what I can do to you.” Valentino said through gritted teeth. “You know exactly the types of dirt I’ve got on you.”
Valentino was looming over him.
Vox had enough of him looming over him.
Vox stood up from his chair, meeting Valentino’s glare with one of his own
“And destroy your biggest money maker?” Vox asked. “The studios other pictures don’t pull as much of an audience as mine do even before the switch to Talkies. I’m your one success. Destroy me and you destroy everything, including yourself.”
A bit of fear was in Valentino’s eyes. Vox had him cornered, even in a slight way.
Vox was right.
“I’ve had offers.” Vox said. “From other studios. Studios willing to buy me out of this contract to get a chance at me. So I’d watch your mouth if I were you.”
It wasn’t a bluff. Different studios had reached out to him asking him to sign a contract with them. He hadn’t knowing the type of blackmail Valentino had in his possession.
“No one will want you when I tell them.” Valentino hissed. “I have proof, Vincent.”
Valentino sneered his actual name like a slur.
“It’ll take yourself down as well.” Vox said. “And between you and me, who do you think they’ll believe if I go on that radio show and tell them everything.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” Valentino growled. “I made you.”
“Alastor made me, not you.” Vox said. “He taught me how to sing and dance and act and talk. You just used my face and body how you saw fit.”
Valentino’s glare intensified.
“Watch yourself, Mr. Whittman.” Valentino said. “I could destroy more than just you.”
He was threatening Alastor. But he had no real power over Alastor. Alastor was paid under the table. Alastor wasn’t under contract. Alastor could take up and leave at any point and be free of Valentino.
Al
“Are you willing to take that chance?” Vox asked.
Vox and Valentino glared daggers into one another.
They could destroy each other if they wanted. And they both knew it. Vox had gained more power than Valentino had ever anticipated.
It was Valentino who broke the eye contact first.
“Your conditions?” Valentino said, words tight.
“Alice gets to come to my premieres.” Vox said. “She’s going to be my wife and my wife will get treated with respect.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” Valentino said,
“She’s coming.” Vox said, putting his foot down. “And every picture she does after this will have her name in the credits.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” Valentino said again.
“You’re going to make it happen.” Vox said. “Alastor is going to get credit as well. Listed as a vocal, singing, acting and dancing
coach. He worked on so much. He deserves his name in the credits.”
Valentino’s smile was tight and sinister.
“And, one more thing.” Vox said, hands on the table.
“Which is?” Valentino said.
Vox took a deep breath.
“I think I don’t need any more acting lessons at your house.” Vox said. “I don’t want to come over there anymore.”
Something snapped behind Valentino’s eyes.
“You can’t be serious.” Valentino said. “After everything I’ve done for you—“
“After everything you’ve done to me, you’re lucky that’s all I’m asking.” Vox said. “I’m done, Val. I want that painting you did off me off your drawing room wall and in my hands by tomorrow night. And if anything like that happens again, I’ll tell everyone what’s been going on. Understood?”
Valentino looked murderous.
Vox wanted that painting so he could burn it. He wanted to burn all of them for what they represented. But he wanted his the most.
That vile, pornographic painting Valentino had made of Vox the morning after his first assault. The one with an unconscious Vox, completely naked, sprawled out with his legs spread over the velvet loveseat. He wanted to burn it.
Mimzy was looking between them, quietly observing them. She probably figured that it was a messy breakup and she wouldn’t be too far off.
Valentino probably wanted to say more. He probably wanted to argue about how Vox enjoyed spending the evenings in Valentino’s drawing room.
“Understood.” Valentino said. “I’ll bring the painting tomorrow.”
“Good.” Vox said, shortly. “If we’re done here—“
“We’re not.” Valentino said, irritated. “We have other business to attend to.”
Valentino took his seat. Vox sat down again, though his glare remained fixed on Valentino.
“The picture was a success.” Valentino said. “The night of the premiere, the audience was begging for Mimzy and Vox to sing something. Something that couldn’t happen.”
Valentino glared between the two of them.
“They have a plan to cash in on it.” Valentino said. “Mr. Lamont wants to hold a concert of the picture and its music at the newly opened Hollywood Bowl. With live singing and acting.”
Vox was taken aback.
Acting? And singing? On a stage? Like a theater actor?
“They are going to play the film as recorded, but every song, they want the vocals to be sung live.” Valentino said. “With a little bit of dancing to go along with the dance numbers. They’re going for a night at the theater. The problem is—“
Valentino pointed at Mimzy.
“—you don’t sing like you do in the picture.” Valentino said. “And you can’t act for shit.”
“Excuse you—“ Mimzy tried, but Valentino kept talking.
“So we have to hire Vox’s girl back for an evening.” Valentino said, “and have her sing behind stage.”
What sort of plan was that?
“Is she going to get credit for doing this little scheme?” Vox said.
“Don’t try me, Vincent.” Valentino snapped. “She’s getting paid. That’s good enough.”
“But what if I don’t want to have some floozy sing for me from behind a curtain?” Mimzy said.
“Then you’ll completely embarrass yourself and what little remains of your career is toast.” Valentino said. “Take it up with daddy.”
Mimzy huffed.
“We’re starting rehearsals today.” Valentino said. “It’s going to be similar to what we’ve already done, just on a theater stage in front of a live audience of thousands of people staring at you.”
Holy shit.
He…he was going to perform in a massive theater.
Like…like he used to dream of.
It was terrifying.
But enthralling.
He’d be free of Valentino. He’d never have to be in that loveseat again. He’d be married to Allie soon. And now he’ll get the chance to perform on an actual stage.
Alastor not getting credit wasn’t great, but he’d fight for more recognition for him.
“This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard of.” Mimzy said.
“Tickets are already selling out.” Valentino said. “It’s money. Deal with it.”
Vox was going to perform at the Hollywood Bowl…
He was biting back a smile.
Mimzy and Vox stood up to leave, but Valentino caught his arm before he could fully leave the office.
Vox shoved off the grip but not before Valentino could shut the office door again.
With Mimzy gone, it was now just the two of them. Valentino tried to press Vox against the door.
Vox shoved Valentino off of him.
“Don’t fucking touch me!” Vox said, snapping. “You don’t get to touch me anymore, understand?!”
“You little piece of shit.” Valentino said, “you think you can get out of it that easily?”
“I’m serious, Val.” Vox said, back away from the predator coming towards him, “I will tell everyone if you don’t back off. I’m done. And if I end up dead or black listed, this studio goes under, you go under with it. You can’t touch me anymore.”
Valentino gave a sinister little grin.
“Very clever.” Valentino said, “very, very clever. Gained enough power to finally threaten me for doing things that you enjoy.”
“I hated it.” Vox growled. “I’ve told you to stop so many times. I didn’t want this.”
“Your body said otherwise.” Valentino said. “And how noble of you to want your own freedom while you have that creole bastard chained to your bed.”
“Don’t call her that.” Vox snapped. “She’s either Ms. Hartfelt or Mrs. Whittman to you. And I don’t need blackmail to get Allie into my bed.”
“Just money.” Valentino said. “How much does she charge per night?”
He was such an idiot. Alastor only recently started accepting Vox’s gifts. Vox could lose everything tomorrow and Alastor would still be there.
“She’s my wife.” Vox said. “Don’t you dare say anything like that about her again.”
“You’re so sensitive.” Valentino said, rolling his eyes. “Just make sure your ‘wife’ shows up on time for the concert. She has some…special instructions.”
“If you touch her,” Vox said, “I’ll kill you.”
Valentino laughed.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Valentino said, tongue flicking across his teeth.
Valentino wasn’t touching him, but he still had his body caging Vox’s against the wall.
“There’s one more thing.” Valentino said, voice low, “I’ll honor your little requests. No more acting sessions at my house. But just have some requirements of you as well.”
“Which are?” Vox asked, words biting.
Valentino smiled again.
“If Alastor shows up in that ugly red skirt,” Valentino said, “I’ll rip it off of him in front of the entire theater.”
Vox’s heart sank.
It was like the ocean had swallowed him whole.
“I won’t touch your body any more.” Valentino said. “Since my own touch repulses you and you prefer your little colored ‘wifey’s’ touch over mine, I’ll keep my hands to myself. But don’t think that’s the only thing I have over your head, my little starlet.”
He had to deny the truth.
Valentino couldn’t know. He just couldn’t know.
Alastor life would be in danger if he knew.
“You’re…you’re so dumb.” Vox said, trying to bluff, “Alastor has never worn a skirt—“
“Cut the bullshit,” Valentino said. “You’re not that good of an actor.”
“Alice and Alastor are twins—“ Vox tried to keep calm and sound convincing.
“You’re such an idiot.” Valentino said, “I know that Alastor dresses up in a skirt and performs with Angel’s nightclub company. At least, the last time I saw them. Did your Allie ever tell you that? Hm? That he almost sold his virginity to me for 50 dollars?”
Valentino laughed.
Vox’s heart sank even further. Alastor had told him that.
“He was dressed up as this cute little red fawn.” Valentino said, “thought he was a chick at first. Big brown eyes and the smallest little body of the troupe. So clearly a virgin. I wanted first dibs on her. Offered her 25 to come back to my place for some fun.”
Valentino took a long drag of his cigar.
“She kept refusing, which was silly given that she was a whore and I was paying much more than most would.” Valentino said, “then I noticed she did her makeup the same way Angel used to do his. And I felt a little up that short red dress and found a cute little cock.”
Vox gulped.
Alastor…Alastor hadn’t mentioned that part. Yes, Alastor had said men had touched those places against his wishes while performing at the nightclub. But Valentino molesting him like that…
“I said it didn’t matter that he was just a little boy in a dress.” Valentino said. “I said I’d make it 50 if he got into my car. He almost did. I was looking forward to it. A new third for our little romps.”
Vox almost vomited. Alastor almost replaced Angel in Valentino’s bed. Another person for Vox to abuse by proxy.
“He was so adorable.” Valentino said. “So small. Those little freckles of his. They do me in. Quiet as well. Not one to put up a fight. Much like you were before your ego got to your head.”
Vox clenched his fists, wanting to punch Valentino in the throat.
“And then Angel pulled him away.” Valentino said, bitterly. “That fucking slut was worried I was going to choke him to death.”
Valentino laughed as Vox recoiled in horror.
“When ‘Alastor’ showed up for the interview, at first I didn’t fully recognize him as that slut that got away.” Valentino said. “I just thought he was cute and could easily be persuaded into keeping my bed warm. Then you got to him first and I decided to be nice and let you have him.”
Valentino sounded annoyed at his act of generosity.
“Then, ‘Alice’ showed up and I put it together.” Valentino said. “That little cross-dressing slut that got away. You got to enjoy him. You lucky bastard.”
Vox was fighting back tears.
Valentino knew.
Fuck, Valentino knew Alastor’s secret.
Alastor had to leave the studio that day. He had to.
“How much did he charge you for you to pop his cherry?” Valentino asked. “Did he cry? I bet he did. Cute little thing like that. He probably bled on the sheets.”
Vox would never cause Alastor to bleed. Ever. Vox hadn’t penetrated Alastor yet. And if he did, he’d be gentle and caring and stop the moment there was any discomfort on Alastor’s end.
Only in nightmares did Vox cause Alastor to bleed.
Alastor…
“If you think you’re going to lay your hands on him…” Vox said, growling.
“Oh don’t worry,” Valentino said, “I don’t want your sloppy seconds. And don’t worry, I’m done with you as well.”
Vox’s entire body shuddered.
“What…what do you want?” Vox asked, his courage gone.
“There’s the Vox I made.” Valentino said. “Right where he should be.”
“What do you want, Val?” Vox asked.
“Nothing.” Valentino said, smiling.
“You fucking bastard, just name your price!” Vox yelled. “You know what that could do to him, so what’s the price for your silence.”
“Yours.” Valentino said. “Your silence. Your compliance. And for you to get those delusional ideas of black mail out of your head. Because if you step one toe out of line, your lover is dead. Understood?”
Vox shuddered.
The imagine of Alastor hung from a tree, just like how his uncle had been murdered, flashed across Vox’s mind.
“Yes, sir.” Vox said, biting back tears.
Valentino smiled.
“I expect Alastor to be at the concert,” Valentino said, “with no issue. Or I’ll…well, I’ll let you guess what I’ll do. You know how creative I can be.”
“Val, I’m sorry—“ Vox pleaded, “I didn’t mean it. I would never turn you in. Please don’t—please don’t do this to Allie—“
“You should have thought about that before you decided to show your hand.” Valentino said. “Remember, I’ve always got an ace up my sleeve, little starlet.”
Valentino opened the door, gesturing for Vox to leave.
He felt like he was walking towards a guillotine.
“Don’t try anything.” Valentino whispered. “Or your little wifey will suffer.”
Valentino gave Vox’s ass a hard slap. Everyone saw.
They all turned to look.
It was mortifying.
Then, Valentino slammed the door behind him. Essentially, kicking his whore out of his house once he was done with them.
He was such a fool.
Vox did his best to keep himself together long enough for him to get back to his dressing room.
He just wanted to cry. He wanted to find Alastor and tell him to run.
Alastor had to run.
He had to get as far away from Valentino as possible. He had to get as far away from this studio as possible.
Alastor had to get as far away from Vox as possible.
If Valentino knew that Alastor and Alice were one and the same, it was only a matter of time before he used it against Alastor. Valentino could ruin Alastor completely. He could force him into sexual acts. He could get him fired. He could get him arrested. Hell, he could get him killed.
And no one would care.
No one except Vox who had promised Alastor that he would keep him safe.
And Alastor’s mother who Alastor promised nothing bad would happen to him.
Alastor had to flee.
Vox opened his dressing room to find Mimzy sitting on his couch.
“What the fuck was that about?” Mimzy asked.
“Mimzy, I can’t do this right now.” Vox said. “I just—I just can’t—“
“Shut the door, toots.” Mimzy said.
He was used to blindly following orders.
Mimzy lit a cigarette. Then offered Vox one. He took it and joined her on the couch.
She took a long drag, letting the smoke linger in her lungs before filling the air with it.”
“You know why I’m still here?” Mimzy said. “Why so many dames don’t stick around as long as I do?”
“Because your dad owns the place.” Vox said, honestly.
“Part of it.” Mimzy said.
She took another drag.
“I’m the only one that Valentino has never tried to touch.” Mimzy said.
Vox winced.
“I’m off limits.” Mimzy said. “Because my daddy lets a lot of horrible shit slide, but that’s a line he’d sue Val over if he ever crossed. The first picture I was in was because a girl left mid production after saying Val touched her.”
Another long drag.
“I was pretty and I didn’t cause that type of drama.” Mimzy said. “It made sense to keep casting me every time a new girl said she had enough with the handsy producer and directors and stage hands.”
Mimzy gave a humorless laugh.
“I didn’t believe it at first.” Mimzy said. “No one wants to think someone they see at work every day is capable of something like that. But after the third of fourth time…I couldn’t deny it any more.”
Vox let out a puff of smoke.
“Valentino is a monster.” Vox said.
“It’s not just Val.” Mimzy said. “Every studio has dozens of Val’s. This entire industry is monsters hurting others until they become monsters themselves. You can go to a different studio, and it’ll be the exact same thing.”
He hated that she was right.
“Never thought he’d go after you.”
Vox winced.
“I mean, I knew you two were fucking.” Mimzy said. “Fairly certain everyone knows. Val isn’t subtle. But I thought, I don’t know, that you both wanted it?”
Vox winced.
But it was the truth: that’s how people thought of men like him.
“Then I saw how different you and Alastor were.” Mimzy said. “And don’t give me that sister bullshit, I overheard you and Al on multiple occasions. You’re not slick.”
Vox buried his head in his hands.
“You and Al, I don’t know,” Mimzy said, “you two were just so…sweet with each other. It made me realize that you and Val…well, maybe that you didn’t want whatever was going on between you two. And how you probably ain’t any different from all the girls he’s terrorized.”
This day just kept getting worse.
“Is there any way your dad will fire him?” Vox asked.
“I’ve been trying to get him fired for years.” Mimzy said. “So long as Valentino makes money, he’s not going to fire him. We’re stuck. You’re stuck.”
Vox’s cigarette was gone. He smoked it so fast. Alastor was going to be so mad when he smelled the smoke on him: it would ruin his voice.
“I think my dad’s like Val.” Mimzy said. “I can’t prove it. But anyone who lets this slide for this long has skeletons in their closest. He’s going to protect him no matter what. Always has. So long as there’s money involved. And we just had our biggest hit.”
“Valentino just had his greatest success.” Vox said. “Alastor and I just gave Val his greatest success.”
The tears were falling now.
“Yeah.” Mimzy said. “It’s shit. Whatcha gonna do?”
Vox took a shaky breath.
“I can’t do anything.” Vox said. “He owns me until I’m 40. But Al…”
His Alastor…
“Alastor can leave.”
…
Alastor wasn’t leaving.
“I don’t care that he knows.” Alastor said. “I’m not leaving you alone in that studio. That is final.”
“Allie, please—“ Vox pleaded.
“He will kill you.” Alastor said, furious, “or continue to abuse you. Or take out his revenge on you instead of me if I try to leave. I am not leaving you to that fate.”
“Allie, I beg you—“ Vox tried.
“I’m going to that concert.” Alastor said. “If I leave you alone with him, he will kill you. He’s getting more and more violent and it’s only going to get worse now that he knows you’re wanting to fight back.”
His brave Vox.
It was so clever.
Vox had almost been free. Almost had enough power and influence behind him to black mail Valentino back so that he never had to return to that drawing room again.
Only for Valentino to rip that freedom from his finger tips.
“I’m going to go to this concert.” Alastor said. “I’m going to listen to what he says. I am not letting you get punished for my behavior. Nothing is going to change my mind.”
“What about your mother, Allie?” Vox said. “We promised her nothing would happen to you.”
A stab pierced his heart.
The mourning ring was still on his fingers. The braided strands of hair that belonged to two dead male lovers: one that was shot and one that was strangled.
“I think we both know we were lying to her.” Alastor said.
The room was heavy.
“Allie…please run.” Vox said. “Please. I—I can’t let you do this.”
“And I can’t leave you alone with him!” Alastor shouted. “I promised you that I would never leave you alone with him! And I’m not going to break that promise!”
Angry, Alastor cupped Vox’s cheeks in his hands.
“You are the brightest star in the sky.” Alastor said. “If you burn out, all of creation will burn with you and I’ll be the one to stoke those flames.”
Alastor pressed his forehead to Vox’s.
“I. Can’t. Lose. You.” Alastor said, a harsh bite to every word.
Vox was crying.
His beautiful blue eyes…shining with tears.
“The only way I’m running away,” Alastor said, “is if you are running away with me.”
It was Alastor’s fault.
If he’d been more careful with ‘Alice’…
If he was never Alice…
Valentino wouldn’t have that last bit of blackmail on Vox. The ball had almost been in Vox’s court. Had Alastor not done it, Vox could have been free.
It was Alastor’s fault he wasn’t.
“I…I can’t.” Vox cried. “I want to—I want to leave with you, but I can’t.”
“And I can’t leave you here.” Alastor said.
Alastor pressed a kiss to Vox’s forehead.
There was an endless amount of pleading from Vox’s end. Begging Alastor to run. Offering him cash and connections and even his car to get him to take his mother and flee.
Alastor refused.
He wasn’t going to leave Vox in Valentino’s hands.
Vox would end up dead if Alastor left him alone with Valentino.
Alastor made up his mind.
The only time he had his doubts was the night of the concert.
Right when he was kissing his mother goodbye.
“Good luck at the performance, sweetie.” His mother said, chipper and none the wiser to the horror that was possibly to come tonight. “You’re going to do great.”
Alastor forced a smile and kissed her cheek.
“Goodbye, Manman.” Alastor said. “I love you.”
Alastor hugged her tighter than usual.
He made sure the jewelry and money was in an easy place for her to find, just in case.
They sat in silence in the parked car for a while. Staring out into the distance.
“It’s not too late.” Vox said. “You can go back inside. I’ll be ok going without you.”
“No you won’t.” Alastor said, voice cold.
Vox had spent two weeks pleading with Alastor to flee. He wasn’t changing his mind now.
Alastor gave Vox’s hand a squeeze.
Vox fiddled with the two rings on Alastor’s hand: the wedding ring and the mourning ring.
It was a quiet ride to the Hollywood Bowl Theater.