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Valentino had known Vox to run on a strict schedule from the day Valentino moved in with him. Vox always got home at the same time every night, unless he slept over at wherever Alastor’s place was, and Vox always texted Valentino beforehand to inform him.
And while Valentino would never say it out loud, he was worried. Vox hates any change to his plans that weren’t arranged days before, and even then that could make him upset. Vox would never willingly return home late.
Valentino startles out of that train of thought when he hears Vox’s keys fumble against the door. It’s not like Vox to struggle so much with unlocking the door, unless he was drunk or high off of something. And Vox doesn’t normally drink or take any other substances at night, so something has to be wrong.
After a few more moments of hearing Vox struggle, Valentino stands up, and goes to open the door for Vox.
Vox immediately darts past him, hunched over and covering his face, his chest heaving, his breathing labored.
Vox clearly had been trying to make it to his bedroom, but Vox collapses and falls flat on his face before he can get there.
Valentino lets out a startled noise and then kneels down to him, gently flipping him over- with Vox’s head, if he falls face first he can’t get up on his own. Valentino immediately feels sick when he sees the numerous cracks that cover where Vox’s mouth should be. Vox’s vents and fans are working overtime- while Vox could technically get oxygen from his vents, it was definitely harder than just breathing through his mouth, but that obviously wasn’t plausible right now.
Valentino curses under his breath. “Who the fuck did this to you?” He asks, then immediately mentally facepalms- Vox couldn’t talk right now, he wouldn’t be able to answer that. Besides, Valentino thinks he already knows the answer.
Vox stares at him with terrified, teary eyes.
“Alright. C’mon,” Valentino murmurs, helping Vox up. “Do you think you can walk on your own?”
Vox looks up at him, seeming unsure, and then shrugs. He’s leaning heavily on Valentino, Vox’s vents working overtime to get air in his body.
Vox’s entire body was shaking, and Valentino doubts whoever did this did it by accident. He’s never seen Vox this scared before, and it’s almost disturbing to see him like this.
Valentino’s brow furrows with concern, and he lets out a sigh. Vox looks like he’s about to cry.
“Just keep trying to breathe.” Valentino murmurs, beginning to help Vox into Vox’s bedroom.
It was just their luck that Vox’s bedroom was at the end of the hall, and Vox was clearly struggling. Vox’s eyes shut and his vents make a struggling noise. Valentino has no idea what that would feel like, but he imagines it’s unpleasant.
Vox’s legs are weak and shaky, though Valentino has a feeling that has something to do with the adrenaline wearing off more than anything else.
“You’ll be okay. I’ve got you,” Valentino murmurs.
He lifts Vox to sit him down on the edge of Vox’s bed, and then slowly lays him down.
Valentino wished he could give Vox something for the pain, but Vox’s mouth was currently missing in action.
“...Alastor did this to you, didn’t he?” Valentino asks in a low whisper, already knowing that either the answer would be a yes or Vox would ignore him.
Vox stares at him for a few seconds, and then there’s a small, barely noticeable nod from him, and Valentino notices fresh tears appear. Absent-mindedly, Valentino wipes Vox’s tears away almost tenderly. Vox initially flinches, but then lets him do it.
“...this isn’t the first time he’s hurt you,” Valentino says, deciding it was finally time to address it.
Vox’s pupils slide to the side, clearly wishing he could avoid this conversation like he did all the other times.
“He’s not good for you. Someone who does this to you doesn’t love you- or at least, not in a way that’s healthy.” Valentino said- and really, who was he to talk about healthy relationships? But regardless of him knowing he’s a hypocrite, Vox needs to hear this, no matter how it may hurt.
Tears do manage to fall from Vox’s eyes now- this time ones caused by anger and frustration. Vox doesn’t want to talk about this right now- even if it is a very one-sided conversation on Valentino’s part.
“You know what? Fine. Keep going back to someone who hurts you again and again. Don’t come crying to me next time,” Valentino mutters frustratedly, and then takes a deep breath. “Just…get some sleep. We’ll talk about this in the morning, if you’ve healed.”