Chapter Text
"ROSIE HOLY FUCK" Rosie stared at the last person she expected to be barging into her house. Vox was battered, bleeding and looking just as confused as she felt. He ranted loudly as he paced around her home.
"OKAY, so I was like kidnapped or some shit and then I escaped- it really wasn't very hard their security sucked- but so I was just walking down the street to my house right?"
Rosie only stared at the TV demon as he ranted, late night tea halfway to her mouth. He was the last demon she had expected to see especially because they had never been particularly close. Sure they had their tea parties where they would gossip about the news in Hell, but they really weren't the closest friends. At least not nearly as close as him and Alastor were.
"So half of the entertainment district is like DESTROYED AND I DUNNO WHY AND I CANT FIND AL- Oh shit do you think he died or something? OH FUCK DID HE DESTROY THE DISTRICT?! WITHOUT ME?!" Vox waved his hands around as he panicked.
Okay Rosie was definitely confused now, she set down her cup and stared at the man. Something was different than the last time she saw him..that's when it hit her. He had an old head on, far different from his shiny new flat screen.
"Dear, what's the date today?"
"Um, what is it.. September 25th 1965, why?"
The first part was correct but the last part was about 61 years off. Well this just got interesting. Rosie grinned and gestured for Vox to sit. When he obliged she poured him some tea. He sipped it slowly until he calmed down.
"Well Vox, you know how the weather is down here. Nasty earthquake took out half the district." He grabbed a muffin from the tray and nodded in understanding. As he finished the muffin his eyes widened.
"Oh, did Al tell you about my new name? I thought it was cool, a little more uh pazaz ya know?" He punctuated this with jazz hands. Gosh Rosie could never understand why Alastor broke it off with this adorable fellow, oh she could just eat him up. She wouldn't though.
"Hm, yes dear. It's adorable, very fitting for you." She sipped her own tea and silently offered him a cookie, which he happily took. Rosie was sure that he had some sort of memory loss, now she could tell him this. Or she could serve Alastor a little slice of revenge. Oh she could imagine his face when he sees Vox again, hilarious!
"Oh no! You look hurt, here let me help." She snapped her fingers, instantly bandaging his arm and cleaning the blood stain from his shirt. He smiled in gratitude.
"Thank you Rosie, you're such a doll." He refilled her tea, "I'll make sure to bring you a little something next time I see you, maybe an arm?"
"Oh, you're too kind!" She offered him another cookie, which he took again. Honestly sometimes it seemed this man would eat anything that was a dessert.
"Rosie I've been meaning to ask, do you know where Alastor is? His apartment is, well, gone so.." How perfect!
"Oh yes! Alastor is staying at this nice little hotel on the hill right over there. " She pointed out her window, right at the hotel. Dawn was just breaking and Alastor would no doubt be waking up soon. Just in time for a little surprise.
"But before you go," Rosie rumaged around her kitchen before emerging with a lovely boxed up strawberry cake. "Why don't you bring this? You know what I say, never show up empty handed!" He accepted the box, already staring at the dessert longingly.
"Thanks Rosie! Hey uh, this isn't full of human meat is it?"
"No don't worry, and don't eat it all before you get there." Vox's screen brightened in embarrassment.
"I won't!" Rosie laughed into her hand.
"Alright, alright..now get going! You should go surprise Al before he goes out today!"
Vox waved goodbye, several cookies not so subtlety stuffed in his pockets. Rosie couldn't help but smile at the chaos that would soon unfold.
Charlie dragged herself to the breakfast table where the remaining guests sat. There weren't many. Alastor served eggs and bacon, his signature smile still lighting up the room. Though the mood was dull, Charlie picked at her food sadly, Vaggi was not much better. Even Emily was less cheery than usual, except she hid it far better.
Lucifer served pancakes with more zealous than necessary in an attempt to cheer everyone up. It didn't work.
"Hm, pancakes again? How healthy.."
"Don't you eat people you psycho?"
"At least I'm getting my protein in, your majesty." Lucifer scowled at the demon. No one else reacted, at this point their bickering had simply become part of the daily routine. A knock made everyone turn to the door.
"I'll get it." Alastor practically skipped to the door, he'd been in a spectacular mood lately. His smile seemed more genuine, and he had a spring in his step. Charlie managed a small smile, she was glad at least one of them was happy. Little did she know this would change very soon.
Alastor swung open the door and froze instantly. There holding a pink cake box with a little red bow, smiling as though this was the most normal thing in the world, was Vox. He shoved the box at Alastor, who took it subconsciously. Then jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly. Alastor was so shocked that he didn't even push him off.
"Hi Al!" Vox let go and walked right past him, straight into the hotel. That's when everyone else noticed him. They all had similar reactions to the radio demon.
"Er..nice place ya got here, wow that is a lot of red." Alastor finally snapped out of his confused daze, shadows darkened near him and he glared at the TV man.
"What are you doing here?" His voice sounded dangerous, like a warning. Vox did not seem to notice.
"Well it's Friday! Remember? We always meet up on Friday?" He explained this like it was completely normal, he turned and was greeted with a spear at his throat. He smiled politely at the woman who was currently attempting to kill him.
"You have some nerve showing up here, get the fuck out now and I might let you keep your head." Vox blinked before gently steering her blade away from his throat.
"Gee, did your mama not teach you no- any manners?" He walked away from Vaggi and leaned on a wall, still smiling. "I'm Vincent-or Vox I mean. Sorry, changing your name is hard ya know? Anyway it's a pleasure to meet you..whoever you are."
Charlie gaped at the unwanted guest. Was he being serious? What kind of sick joke was this? Something was off about him too, his head. It looked like an old TV, the kind you'd find at your grandparents house. His eyes brushed right over her and landed on the man behind her.
"Oh shit- Lucifer?! I mean um- good morning your Majesty! I didn't expect to see you here.."
"Well this is my daughters hotel, and I always support her!"
"Your daughter?" He finally seemed to notice Charlie, recognition flashed on his face but not familiarity. He smiled at her and reached out a hand, not a trace of mockery.
"Princess! Why it's good to meet you, I didn't know you had a business. I would be happy to assist you in any way you need. I have quite a bit of experience in running a business myself."
"Drop the act asshole!" Vaggi hit Vox in the face with the butt of her spear.
"OW! Fuck! Why does everyone keep hitting me today.. look lady I don't even know you!"
"What do you mean you don't know us?" Charlie walked in front of her girlfriend, looking at the demon skeptically.
"I mean we have never met before. Look I'm just here to have lunch with Al, okay? I come in peace.."
Alastor looked like he was trying very hard to solve a math problem, but eventually his eyes widened in understanding. He snapped his fingers and walked next to Vox.
"Oh! Is this your newest coping mechanism? Pretending you don't remember anything? How pathetic, fitting but pathetic." He leaned in close the the Media Overlord. He felt himself blush, and laugh like an idiot. Dammit why did he always have to act so dumb around him!
"Funny Al! Is this a bit? Finally branching off from your puns?" He elbowed Alastor in the side. "Well good one I guess, anyway let's go." He grabbed Alastors hand and led him to the door. He wrenched himself free and stared at his old friend coldly. Vox felt his stomach drop.
Why was he looking at him like that? Oh God, did he find out he had a crush on him?! FUCK, he must be disgusted. Why can't I just be normal, why do I have to be so fucking obvious! Or worse..did he know he was a freak? Did he know something was messed up in his head? Shit, please no, no, no, no. Did he laugh at the wrong time?! AHHHHHHHHHJ-
Vox replayed every conversation he had ever had with Al in his head, searching for something he might have done wrong. Alastor scoffed.
"Do you seriously think I'm going to lunch with you?" Yep, he definitely hated him. Who even cares about being an overlord anymore? Just throw the whole demon away! Clearly there was something wrong with him! Everyone knew it, Alastor just finally realized.
Charlie could almost pinpoint the exact moment Vox's heart shattered into pieces. He rubbed his arm self consciously and looked at the floor. The sparkle in his eye gone and replaced by disappointment. Alastor glared harder, hating the sickening feeling that bubbled up in his chest at his pathetic expression. An idea knawed at the back of her head.
"Hey Vox, what's the date today?"
"Did the calenders in Hell just explode or something? Why does everyone keep asking me that..it's September 25th, 1965."
Charlie finally understood. Sort of. Vox seemed to have amnesia or something, and he still thought it was 1965. This could be very bad... or the perfect opportunity...
Voxs eyes drifted to the table, everyone looked shocked for some reason. Lucifer stared at him, pancakes half in his mouth. What did he say that warranted this reaction? Then he noticed all the food on the table and his eyes lit up again.
"OH! That's what you meant!" Vox gave a relieved smile, "you should have just said you wanted to eat here. Jeez I thought you hated me for a second!"
"I do ha-"
"YES OF COURSE THATS WHAT HE MEANT!" Charlie ushered Vox to the seat next to her (and furthest from Angeldust) and grabbed Alastor to the side.
"Al, I don't think he remembers hating you! We could help him at the Hotel before...well before he hates us. So please just play nice!" Alastor looked from Charlie to Vox, who waved happily, already eating the cake he had brought. His eyes softened a fraction.
It's not like he missed being friends with Vox- which they weren't of course! But he was quite entertaining before the little obsession, and it had been nice when he would do whatever Alastor wanted with no question. Maybe he could play along, for now at least.
"Hm, alright princess." He sat next to his picture box, he stared at Alastor like he was the whole universe and he felt a tug at his heart. He hadn't looked at him like that in so long.