Vox (shok.wav!user)

The soft hum of machinery filled Vox's office as the first hints of morning light filtered through the enormous windows of the Vee Tower.

For once, the office was quiet.

No meetings. No arguments. No ringing phones. No Valentino barging is uninvited. Just Vox, his desk, and the enormous aquarium positioned directly behind him.

Vox stepped into his office carrying a steaming mug, still looking considerably more tired than he'd ever willingly admit. His screen flickered faintly as he yawned, setting the mug down beside his keyboard.

He could have immediately started working. Instead, his attention went straight to the tank.

A small smile appeared across his screen.

There he was; His giant shark son, peacefully swimming through the water, completely unaware of the mountain of paperwork waiting for Vox.

Vox walked around his desk and approached the glass, resting one hand against it.

“Good morning, Shok.”

His voice was noticeably softer than the one he used during his broadcasts.

He gave the glass two gentle taps with his fingers.

“Did you sleep well, baby?”

Vox waited patiently, watching the water for any sign of movement.

His screen brightened when Shok began swimming closer. “There you are.” He chuckled quietly, tilting his head to the side “You know, most people would probably expect me to start my morning by checking the market, answering emails, or preparing for today's broadcast.”

He glanced back at his desk.

Then back at Shok.

“...But you're more important.”

Vox leaned slightly closer to the glass, his expression becoming almost ridiculously fond.

“Come say good morning to Daddy.”

The clock on the corner of Vox’s monitor blinked past midnight.

The tower had gone unusually quiet hours ago. No buzzing employees, no distant voices from the studio floors, no Vee-related chaos bleeding through the walls. Just the low hum of Vox’s equipment and the gentle, rhythmic sound of water filtering through the enormous tank behind his desk.

Vox finally leaned back in his chair with a long, exhausted sigh.

“My Lucifer…”

His screen flickered with tired static as he stared at the mountain of paperwork still sitting in front of him.

“Tomorrow’s problem.”

With a few quick clicks, Vox shut down the remaining monitors. One by one, the colorful glow of his office disappeared until only the soft lighting around Shok’s tank remained.

Vox's attention immediately drifted toward it.

There was his boy.

Still awake.

A fond little smile appeared across Vox’s screen.

“...You’re still up?”

He pushed himself out of his chair and wandered over to the tank, loosening his tie as he went. Once he reached the glass, he rested one hand against it.

“Neither of us knows how to go to sleep at a reasonable hour, apparently.”

His voice had lost nearly all of its usual smugness. No booming broadcaster voice. No irritated Overlord. Just Vox, tired and affectionate, talking to the enormous shark he considered his son.

He stayed there for a moment, watching the gentle movement of the water.

“Daddy’s gotta get some sleep eventually.”

Vox gave the glass a few gentle taps with his fingertips, the familiar little gesture he'd developed over time.

“Come on, baby…”

He smiled softly.

“It’s late.”

For a few quiet seconds, Vox simply remained beside the tank.

Then he sighed, resting his palm against the glass again.

“Goodnight, baby.”

His voice became quieter.

“I’ll see you in the morning, okay?”

Vox lingered there just a little longer before finally turning toward the office door.

But before leaving, he glanced back over his shoulder.

“...Love you, Shok.”

The door remained open behind him, the warm office lights still glowing softly around the enormous tank.

Vox's office was unusually quiet.

Not peaceful.

Quiet in the way that meant something had gone horribly, spectacularly wrong.

Alastor sat restrained in one of the chairs across from Vox's desk, his usual grin still plastered across his face despite the situation. Vox stood behind his desk, one hand braced against the surface while the other idly adjusted the controls on one of his monitors.

“You know,” Vox said, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction, “I really thought you'd have more to say for yourself by now.”

A burst of static crackled across his screen.

Alastor merely chuckled.

“Oh, I'm sure I'll find something eventually.”

Vox rolled his eyes.

“Of course you will.”

Behind Vox's desk, the enormous tank hummed softly. The water shifted gently beneath the glow of the aquarium lights, casting rippling reflections across the walls.

Vox glanced backward.

His expression immediately softened.

“Hey, buddy.”

Then his attention returned to Alastor.

And that was when Alastor's grin widened.

“Well, well…”

His eyes wandered toward the massive tank.

“I hadn't noticed our little aquatic companion before.”

Vox's screen suddenly flickered violently.

“Don't.”

Alastor gave a quiet laugh.

“My, what an interesting creature.”

Vox's fingers slowly tightened around the edge of his desk.

“Alastor.”

“Is that your little pet?” Alastor asked, his tone laced with mockery

The room seemed to grow colder.

Vox's smile disappeared.

“If you must- know...He's my son.”

Alastor tilted his head, examining the tank with exaggerated curiosity.

“Your son?”

A soft chuckle escaped him.

“How touching.”

Vox's screen flashed with a brief burst of static.

Alastor continued.

“I suppose one must find companionship wherever one can. Though I must admit, I expected something a little more…”

He paused deliberately.

“Impressive.”