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“Mami! Dada! Up! Up!” Vax shouted trying to get into their bed. The little hybrid sinner was trying his best to use his wings and crawl at the same time to get into his parents bed. Vox’s screen came online as he checked his internal clock and found it was 30 minutes before his own alarm at 6:30am. He looked sleepily over to Valentino before nudging him “Babe…”
Valentino squeaked annoyed. “M’no…”
“Babe c’mon on…” Vox groaned.
Valentino squeaked again. “He’s your son before the sun comes up…”
Vox was about to argue but he intercepted an alert the toddler sent out.
INCOMING SIGNAL
SOURCE: VAX-UNIT
PRIORITY: YELLOW
[DECODE: TODDLER OUTPUT]
▸ MAMI
▸ DADA
▸ UP
▸ UP
▸ DESIRED ACTION → HOLD
▸ LOCATION TARGET → BED
▸ EMOTIONAL STATE → WANT
▸ COMFORT-SEEKING: ACTIVE
Vox sighed as it was harmless and he needed to get up anyway, so he slid out of bed scooping up Vax who was happy and babbled his name. “Dada! Dada! Hi!”
Vox couldn’t help his smile. “Hey little spark, you're up early.”
Vax then looked for Valentino and let out a hi-pitch toddler whine seeing the taller moth demon still asleep which scramble some frequencies and technology nearby. Vox shushed the toddler softly to calm him down as well as trying to avoid a mini blackout as like him if Vax’s emotions got out of control the technology around him was affected. He learned the hard way a while ago…
********************************************
A week ago he ignored several warning signals and messages when he was having an extremely busy morning. Granted all Vax wanted was hug but Vox was trying to put a last minute block together so he could get some quality time with Valentino, Velette and Vax since it had already been a busy week for the three of them.
“Ok, then move up the cooking show to the midday block and have Killjoy do a special to fill that one hour block,” Vox barked orders into the phone as Vax was in his playpen next to his desk. Both Valentino and Vox mutually agree that Vax should be nowhere near Val's studio while he works so the only logical option was for Vax to stay with Vox in his office or on Velvette's floor whenever Vox had more important meetings.
“The fuck you mean we have nothing for the evening block! We own literally every original tv-show programming in the fucking pentgram!” Vox growled angrily as Ethan nervously slid him some paperwork and Vox signed. The shouting and swearing was catching Vax’s attention and he suddenly remembered he had a dad and tried getting his attention.
“Dada!” Vax chirped crawling to the side of the playpen facing Vox. But Vox didn’t hear him, too busy yelling at the poor staff over the phone but Ethan did and nervously tried to tell his boss.
“Um…sir…” Ethan started but Vox growled at him “Quiet!...No, not you! Listen get the new episode finished or run the emergency filler episode…who the fuck care if the fans don’t want it!? It’s content!”
“Dada!” Vax whined a little more insistent now not used to being ignored by Vox as normal after the first word his dad was picking him up and giving him affection. Because Vax was so unused to this he started sending distress signals, which both Vox and Ethan could see on his monitors, but Vox not realizing they came from Vax at first ignored them and Ethan looked terrified trapped between a rock and a hard place looking between the boss and the toddler. Ethan knew that if he did nothing Valentino would kill him but if he interrupted his boss Vox would kill him…there was no winning… and the messages on screen were getting more alarming.
⚠ SIGNAL UPDATE
CONTACT: UNSTABLE
PRIORITY: RISING
[DECODE: ATTENTION SEEKING]
▸ DADA
▸ LOOK
▸ UP
▸ UP
“Dada…” Vax started whimpering as Vox was now completely facing away looking through the monitors while still on the phone.
⚠ SIGNAL UPDATE
CONTACT: FAILING
PRIORITY: HIGH
[DECODE: DISTRESS]
▸ NO LOOK
▸ DADA
▸ GONE
Ethan started sweating, eyes darting to the toddler and screen messages “Sir…”
“Shut up Ethan!” Vox shouted his voice echoing sending out interference and Vax unfortunately picked up the signal and new distress signals popped up.
⚠ SIGNAL UPDATE
CONTACT: LOST
PRIORITY: CRITICAL
[DECODE: OVERWHELM]
▸ LOUD
▸ SCARED
▸ NO
Ethan watched helplessly as tears started streaming down Vax’s screen and his tiny face scrunch up.
⚠ SIGNAL UPDATE
CONTACT: LOST
PRIORITY: MAXIMUM
[DECODE: TANTRUM]
▸ NO
▸ NO
▸ NO
▸ SAD
▸ SAD
▸ WANT
▸ DADDY
Vax’s breath hitched once.
Then he wailed.
The sound spiked into something far beyond crying. It was a shrill, distorted frequency that ripped outward in a pulse. Lights burst, consoles screamed, screens glitched into static as breakers tripped one after another. Even though he only cried for 4 seconds in total it was enough to cause an electrical surge and blacked out Vee tower and two broadcast signals.
Vox froze, systems flaring instinctively as he checked himself expecting the familiar crash, the forced reboot, the painful blank.
Nothing.
He was still online.
The silence that followed was worse.
Until, Vox heard Vax…crying…still crying.
He spun, rushing toward the sound just as his monitors flickered back with emergency power. Vox quickly read at the red alert messages coming from his son who was still crying. Vox scooped Vax up automatically, cradling him to his chest but the crying didn’t stop. Vax thrashed, little wings twitching erratically, his normal purple face was red and soaked with tears. Another alert forced itself onto Vox’s screen.
⚠ SIGNAL UPDATE
CONTACT: IDENTIFIED — VAX
PRIORITY: CRITICAL
[DECODE: DISTRESS LOOP]
▸ DADDY
▸ WANT
▸ NOW
Vax sobbed harder, fists clutching uselessly at Vox’s coat still crying and wailing as he didn’t register Vox was holding him. A new status notification flashed on Vox's screen.
⚠ SIGNAL UPDATE
CONTACT: UNSTABLE
PRIORITY: MAXIMUM
[DECODE: FEEDBACK]
▸ DADDY
▸ DADDY
▸ DADDY
▸ NO
▸ NO
The signals weren’t changing just repeating, stacking, folding in on themselves. Vax continued to squirm and crying his status was just a feedback loop of wanting Vox.
Vox’s chest tightened painfully at the realization that he was so caught up in his work that he neglected and scared own his son.
“I…I’ve got you,” Vox said, voice low, almost lost beneath the echo of alarms restarting around them. He adjusted his grip, one hand firm between Vax’s wings, the other cradling his head.
Still crying.
Still looping.
The loud emergency alarms weren't helping, because this wasn't Vox's electrical surge. The tower is only calibrated to handle Vox’s electrical surges from whatever emotional meltdown he was having, so it had only his unique electrical print and would come back online almost immediately. But there was no such calibration for Vax as his signature was distinctly different. So that means Vee tower immediately went into lockdown mode, as the system was thinking that it was under attack. That means signals and rooms were locked down all while blaring red from the power surge.
“Ethan!” Vox then snapped at his assistant while holding the fussy toddler. “Go turn off the lockdown! And fix this!”
Ethan nodded scurrying away leaving Vox and Vax alone. Vax was still crying and his signal feedback was still erratic and looped. Vox was at a loss for only a fraction of a second before opening a channel he rarely used deliberately and he sent a signal back.Not commands, not overrides, just presence.
↳ OUTGOING FREQUENCY
TARGET: VAX
[DECODE: SOOTHING]
▸ DADDY
▸ HERE
▸ SAFE
▸ HOLDING
Vax's antennas received the signal and his feedback loop didn't stop but cracked. Vax’s grip tightened, fingers curling into Vox’s sleeve as another weak sob shook him. Vox kissed his son's head murmuring soft apologies as Vax calmed down.
“Daddy's sorry little spark,” Vox said quietly “I didn't mean to scary you…”
“VVVVVVOOOOXXXX!!!!” Valentino's loud voice echoing through the tower suddenly. “WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY BABY!!!???”
Fuck…Vox forgot something very important. Valentino and Velette also had live alerts of Vax’s signal feed decoded in a format they could read. And having the whole tower in lock down with Vax sending several distressed alerts, was a recipe for a very angry husband. So when Valentino stormed into his office welding two pistols in each hand, with his phone in his third hand and the fourth hand making a fist. Vox knew…he fucked up…
*******************************************
Vox was rightfully chewed out in both English and Spanish, and his punishment for ignoring their babies' distress signals was a two week ban from work to focus on Vax. Vox, still a workaholic deep down, protested but Valentino gave a very threatening ultimatum with money shot pointed directly at his screen. Either Vox could take two weeks off and focus on their son, or he can take 2 months off once Valentino is done, ripping him to shreds. Vox opted for the first option and now he was up at 6:18am with a babbling toddler who looked at him like he was his whole world.
“Dada! Dada!” Vax chirped happily looking up at Vox and Vox couldn't help but smile.
“Well looks like you've got me for two whole weeks kiddo,” Vox chuckled lowly. If he was completely honest, he didn’t mind this calm slow paced day with Vax. It reminded him of all those sleepless nights when Vax was a newborn and it was just them in the quiet of the night. Vax babbled some more and sent out an internal ping for food.
Vox moved through the kitchen on muscle memory, before opening the refrigerator. He had to give Valentino credit, the prepped meals made mornings survivable when both of them were working. He glanced at the labeled containers, which were most healthy fruits, vegetables, dairy, etc. Everything needed for a healthy baby. Vox glanced at Vax, looked at the meal prep then glanced back at his son. If he was going to be in charge of the baby might as well shake things up. Vox then closed the fridge and decided he was going to make pancakes from scratch. He then put Vax in his high chair and started the process. Vax for his part sat in his high chair, wings tucked awkwardly, eyes tracking every movement Vox made. He babbled softly, slapping the tray once, then again, fascinated by the sound. Vox continued to walk around the kitchen not speaking out of habit as his mind and processor was already running measurements, heat levels, timing.
He wanted Vax to have only the best so he prepped milk, eggs, flour, baking power, sugar, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and the good imported vanilla extract from Mexico that Valentino absolutely (maybe even more than Vox).Halfway through reaching for the bowl, a soft alert flickered across his screen.
⚠ SIGNAL UPDATE
CONTACT: STABLE
PRIORITY: LOW
[DECODE: LANGUAGE PROCESSING]
▸ HEAR
▸ WORDS?
▸ NO WORDS
Vox paused at the alert. Language processing? Vox's brow furrowed in confusion. This wasn’t a distress call, it wasn’t hunger and It definitely wasn’t the usual up / want / daddy loop.
“What is that?” he muttered under his breath before looking at Vax “What do you need buddy?”
Vax, still slapping the tray sent a another signal and Vox read the alert.
⚠ SIGNAL UPDATE
CONTACT: STABLE
PRIORITY: LOW
[DECODE: UNKNOWN PROCESS]
▸ HEAR
▸ INPUT
▸ NO MATCH
At this alert, Vox was concerned. Was there something wrong with Vax’s audio processing? No…it can't be because Vax reacted to sound quite often and he was clearly making his own sounds. Suddenly there were two alerts back to back.
⚠ SIGNAL UPDATE
CONTACT: STABLE
PRIORITY: LOW
[DECODE: CONFUSION]
▸ DIFFERENT
▸ NOT MAMI
▸ NOT DADDY-LOUD
Vax babbled again, slower now, eyes flicking between Vox’s face and his hands.
⚠ SIGNAL UPDATE
CONTACT: STABLE
PRIORITY: LOW
[DECODE: LANGUAGE ROUTING]
▸ WORDS?
▸ MISSING
▸ WAITING
Understanding clicked a second too late and Vox exhaled softly in slight relief. “Oh.”
Valentino always talked constantly when interacting with Vax. Spanish names layered over actions, rhythm and warmth woven into routine. Valentino had been doing this every since Vax started babbling clear words and Vax’s processor was already identifying the separate languages.
Vax then slapped the tray again, more insistent this time. And a new alert popped up for Vox.
⚠ SIGNAL UPDATE
CONTACT: STABLE
PRIORITY: RISING
[DECODE: REQUEST]
▸ TALK?
▸ NAME
▸ THIS?
Something in Vox’s chest softened before swelling with absolutely pride at how smart his son was at only 15 months.
“Oh,” he murmured to himself, before he turned back to the counter. And picked up the carton pointing to it before mouthing slowly and deliberately “Okay. Um… this is milk…Milk…”
Vax stilled in his actions before his eyes lit up. Vox then got an idea, he should just treat this like a cooking segment on one of his daytime shows. He then put on his best entertainer face for his son before pouring the milk in the bowl with a flourish. A small, pleased noise bubbled out of Vax as he kicked his feet against the chair.
So Vox continued cracking an egg, “Now we crack two eggs…Egg…this is an egg.” Vox then got a new alert from Vax.
⚠ SIGNAL UPDATE
CONTACT: STABLE
PRIORITY: DROPPING
[DECODE: REFOCUS]
▸ WORD
▸ MATCH
▸ LISTEN
Vax was completely focused on his dad as he repeated words and showed each ingredient and Vox felt a swell of pride every time a new notification popped up.
⚠ SIGNAL UPDATE
CONTACT: STABLE
PRIORITY: DROPPING
[DECODE: ALIGNMENT]
▸ WORD
▸ MATCH
▸ GOOD
This went on for a while by the time the pancakes were finished, the penthouse smelled sugary-sweet, coffee brewing quietly in the background. And when Velvette and Valentino woke up, Vox was still narrating absently, and Vax was still babbling back, hands and face thoroughly coated in breakfast.
“Yes, I know it tastes good,” Vox said fondly, wiping the batter and chunks of pancake off the tray for the third time. “But you can’t play with it.”
Vax responded with enthusiastic nonsense, Vox nodded in understanding but chuckled “Mm, no. Eat more first, then I’ll consider powdered sugar. Your Mami would absolutely kill me.”
Behind him Valentino let out a soft yawn. “Oh, Voxxy~” Valentino’s voice was warm and sleepy, curled with amusement. “Having some quality time with the baby?”
Vox’s screen brightened, a faint cyan blush blooming across the display but he didn’t stop smiling. “Yeah. I guess you could say that.”
“Mami! Mami! Mami!” Vax chirped instantly, feet kicking, arms reaching. Valentino crossed the room in two long strides and scooped Vax up, pressing kisses into his screen where his cheeks and forehead would be.
“Buenos días, mi mariposita,” He murmured, voice rich with affection. Vax squealed happily, his screen hue changing a bit to be a brighter purple.
Vox’s screen then flickered with a familiar, gentle alert.
⚠ SIGNAL UPDATE
CONTACT: STABLE
PRIORITY: LOW
[DECODE: RECOGNITION]
▸ MAMI
▸ HERE
▸ HAPPY
Vax wiggled in Valentino’s arms, giggling, wings fluttering clumsily as Velvette appeared in the doorway, hair in a satin bonnet and in her silk shorts and tank top.
“Oh gross,” she said flatly, thumbs moving rapidly on her phone “You’re all being domestic before noon. But that's ok, old men yaoi does great numbers across Voxstagram.”
“Who are you calling old!?” Valentino snapped causing Velvette to grin as Valentino started bickering with her about how he didn't look a day over 25 (which was ironic because he died in his 30's) which made Velvette tease him more.
However when Vax spotted Velvette, the small baby gasped. And Vox received an alert.
⚠ SIGNAL UPDATE
CONTACT: STABLE
PRIORITY: LOW
[DECODE: EXPANSION]
▸ MORE
▸ PEOPLE
▸ LIKE
Vox then chuckled, causing his husband to raise an eyebrow and check his phone notification seeing Vax’s latest output. Valentino then laughed, before taking Vax out of the high chair bouncing him gently. Vox leaned against the counter, arms folding as he watched Vax's signal settle into a soft, steady loop.
⚠ SIGNAL UPDATE
CONTACT: STABLE
PRIORITY: DROPPING
[DECODE: CONTENT]
▸ MAMI
▸ DADDY
▸ SAFE
▸ HAPPY
▸ HAPPY
Somewhere in the back of Vox's mind he thinks could get used to this. The kitchen stayed warm, loud and alive with their small family. And Vox couldn't ask for a better afterlife.