Vox groaned when he finally game around, his vision was groggy and it felt like he had been hit with a truck.

He clutched his head in agony, the world was spinning and everything was moving too fast for him to handle…

When his vision slowly restored itself, he noticed that he was no longer in the Studio, but rather a different place entirely. He narrowed his eyes,'What the fuck? Where am I?' He then examined the area to realize he was inside of a bed of some kind only for it to come back to him slowly.

This was the room he had to stay in when he tried claiming ownership over Vark only to get bit in return while his leg healed up. He hadn't been here in a while and with his memories still fuzzy, it took a while for him to regain his composure.

"Why the fuck am I here? I swear, that alcohol must've had some tough stuff in it if I managed to find myself back at the princess's passion project…"

He decided to try and stand up, only to nearly fall back down on the bed. His legs felt like jelly and his ass hurt to the point he could hardly walk. It was like his legs had been run over, that was how bad they hurt.

'Fuck! My body feels like shit, what the fuck did that drink do to me? I never had that reaction to alcohol before. Val needs to check what he fucking buys next time. Better go see how I ended up here.'

As Vox walked up, he noticed he stepped on something fleshy and jumped when he saw Vark had been sleeping there and he had stepped on his head.

"Shit," He cringed,"Sorry Vark. Didn't see you there. I didn't mean to step on you…"

Vark stared at him before smiling, appearing unharmed.

Vox heaved a sigh of relief,'Thank god sharks have thick skin….'

One of the good things about having a shark as a pet was that Vark was fairly durable and wouldn't get several injured if you stepped on him. At worst, he'd have a tiny bruise that would fade away in a few days but that was about it.

"Honestly, I don't even know how I got here. All I know is that I fucking fell unconscious and my ass hurts like hell. Either this is the effect of a hangover or I fucking did something stupid while I was intoxicated cuz the last thing I remember is Val handing me a drink before it all went black."

Vark made a face at the mention of Val before leading Vox to the door."Hm? You want me to go out there? I don't see why not, I ain't getting any younger here. Better go see what fuckup I did that got me stuck at this hotel."

When Vox got out into the hallway, he took note of how quiet it was. He must've been out for some time and he wondered what had happened while he was unconscious. When he got out, he paused when he heard voices not too far ahead, leaning against the door, and decided to eavesdrop.

"Guys," Velvet started,``How do you think we should go about this?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, how do we tell Vox?"

Vox blanked,'What the fuck? What are they talking about? Tell me what? Did I do something stupid while I was drunk? Why are they acting so serious?'

"I don't know," Charlie admitted,"But when he wakes up, we'll break the news to him as gently as possible."

"How the hell do you break this someone as gently as possible?" Alastor asked,"Vox isn't going to take this well when we tell him. He'll probably shut down completely or freak out."

"That's the normal reaction," Angel said nonchalantly,"I'd be impressed if the guy doesn't break down completely when we tell him."

"Maybe we should wait," Velvet mumbled,"Like just wait until everything blows over and then tell him. This'll be a giant bombshell that I doubt he'd be able to handle."

"There's no point in hiding it from him," Vol replied,"Knowing Vox, he'll probably just keep bugging us until we tell him anyway. Besides, there's no real way for us to prepare him for a revelation like this."

"Dammit,"Pentious sighed,"Vol is right, I don't think you can prepare someone for this. This is something you can't mentally prepare anyone for. It's probably best that we be honest and tell him the truth when he gets up."

Husk cringed,"Yeah, best we get it out of the way. There's no use in trying to deny or hide it. He'll find out one way or the other and if we try hiding, it'll be worse for us in the long-run."

"I don't know about this," Vaggie grumbled,"Who knows what will happen when he finds out."

"We'll handle that when we get there," Charlie assured,"We can't fault him if he lashes out over something like this. We just have to be ready for the worst…"

"At least he's not awake…" Niffty said softly.

Angel's gaze then shifted,"About that…"

"What?"

"He's standing right there…"

Everyone's faces changed from confusion to bemusement in the span of seconds when they saw Angel pointing at Vox, who was staring at them like they were all crazy.

"How long were you standing there?" Vol asked.

"Long enough to hear everything…" Vox replied flatly,"I don't know what you're all trying to pull, but if you people think you can pull the wool over my eyes, you got another thing coming. I want answers! What the fuck happened to me and why am I at this hotel? Hell, why are all of you here? And where's Val? Where'd he go and what happened while I was out cuz I feel terrible!"

Charlie took a deep breath,"Vox. I understand you're confused but don't worry, we're all going to go through this together…"

Vox stared at her blankly,"Uh, princess...what the fuck are you talking about? Go through what together? I'm fucking fine, I just got a horrible hangover and my body feels like shit…"

"Vox, what you're experiencing ain't a hangover," Angel said,"At least, not most of it anyway."

"So what is this conversation about? Because I don't understand why you're all talking as if you have to prepare me for something. What exactly happened that I have to have some type of heart-felt conversation over my feelings?"

Everyone fell silent, gazes of sympathy being directed towards him.

Vox raised an eyebrow,"What is with you people? Why are you all staring at me like that? Is there something on my screen? Tell me what the problem is because I'm getting sick of not knowing what you're talking about!"

"Vox, sit down."

"Why?"

"Just do it…"

Vox sat down awkwardly on the couch, making a face at the stares in his direction.

Normally he liked people paying attention to him but now it just felt uncomfortable. Instead of giving him looks of fear or reverence,they were giving him an out pour of pity and sympathy for seemingly no reason.

Having the spotlight on him felt weird given everyone felt bad for him and considering Alastor of all people was giving him a sympathetic glance, something had gone terribly wrong…

"So...what is this about?"

"It's about what happened at the Studio," Vol started,"It only happened a few days ago. I was still mad at you for invading my privacy and I have the feeling that if I had gotten over myself, perhaps this could've been prevented."

"What are you talking about?"

"Vox, I know this is a lot to take in, but when you consumed the drink that Val gave you, you fell unconscious."

"I know that, honestly that's the last thing I fucking remember. This is why I shouldn't drink alcohol…"

"It wasn't the alcohol that did that to you," Vol said softly,"It was a drug. Val drugged the alcohol and gave it to you…"

Vox blanked,"What? That doesn't sound right. Val wouldn't drug my drink. That sounds like crazy talk."

"I know. It's because that drink was originally for me. However, when I proved to be too resilient to his tactics, he switched gears and turned his attention to you. He was probably hoping that you'd take him up on his offer for sex but when you declined he...employed more dubious methods to get what he wanted out of you."

Vox narrowed his eyes,"What the fuck are you trying to imply with this?"

"Vox, don't you get it?" Alastor asked,"He raped you while you were knocked out."

The air was still, almost suffocating with how thick it was. Nobody moved or said anything, they just waited for the inevitable reaction from Vox when everything set in.

Vox stood there in disbelief before saying,"You're making this up. Val would never fucking do that to me."

"I saw it with my own goddamn eyes," Vol retorted,"Val was on top of you and you weren't even conscious. Your screen was black, you weren't moving at all. That bastard was having the time of his life with your unconscious body and I walked inside just when he was about to finish."

"And then what?" Vox asked lowly,"What the fuck happened that got me here?"

"I….I beat Val within an inch of his life out of sheer rage. I already hated that bastard, but seeing him violate you pushed me over the edge and I attacked him until he couldn't even move. He tried to weasel his way out, but I didn't care enough to listen to him and his pathetic excuses. I grabbed you and I left, but not before setting fire to his Studio and leaving him to burn in the fire…"

"You're joking…"

"Does it look like I'm joking?" Vol asked,"Vox, you, or rather your other self is a part of me, I know you inside and out. Do you really think I would lie about something like this? I gain nothing from lying to you."

"It's true…" Velvet mumbled,"We even had to escape the Studio after Vol set it on fire. The place was collapsing all around us and stuff was falling outta the sky trying to crush us. You would've seen it had you not been knocked out…"

Vox stood there in shock, not only had Val forced himself on him while he was unconscious, but Vol burned his entire Studio down in a fit of rage. It was as if the world was collapsing all around him as these pieces lined up…

"No...this can't be real. I know Val is a messed up son of a bitch but...he couldn't have meant it..right?"

"Vox, you can bet your ass he meant it all right," Angel said,"Trust me, Val fucking meant what he did. Only good thing about this is that you don't remember him forcing himself on you, I wish I could say the same thing…"

"No...no...This is fucking bullshit. This has gotta be one sick joke. You're all messed up in the head if you guys think this is funny…"

"We're not joking…" Husk said,"I know you don't know most of us but come on, we ain't gonna lie about you being raped. We're not that evil…"

Charlie put her hand on Vox's shoulder,"Vox, I know this is a lot to take in, but you don't have to worry about Valentino anymore. Assuming the fire didn't kill him, the explosion from the building combusting likely did him in. He won't be an issue for us anymore."

Vox scoffed, brushing her off,"Don't feel bad, princess. There's no need to pity me. I'd rather not deal with anyone feeling sorry for me down here. Besides, I probably deserved it. Val only hits me when I piss him off so I wouldn't be surprised if this was the case…"

Everyone stared at him like he was fucking crazy, Vol's eye twitching in anger at what he was hearing.

"Vox..." Vol growled.

Vox didn't pay attention to him,"I mean, I was probably asking for it to happen.. Maybe I messed up again and this is how he decided to put me back in my place. Guess this is what I get for fucking up and making him angry and-Ack!"

Vol suddenly grabbed Vox by the collar and forced him to look at him in the eyes. Vox gasped as he saw the look in Vol's eyes. He looked so pissed and Vox never felt more small before, not even in the presence of Lucifer himself made him cower.

Vol's voice was cracking with visible TV and Radio static, his eyes glowing bright as his form was glitching somewhat,"Vox, stop it…" His voice was hoarse and he sounded more like a robot than a person.

"What?"

"Stop blaming yourself! What you just said is utter nonsense! Quit making excuses for that godforsaken rapist and get a hold of yourself."

"I'm not excusing him, I just think that...maybe I...deserved it somehow…." Vox's voice shrank by the second as the intense glare Vol gave him froze him in place out of sheer terror.

"Vox...Shut the fuck up. What you're saying is utter crazy talk, there is no excuse for what Val did to you, what he did to me, what he did to Angel or anyone else. There is NOTHING in all nine circles that could excuse what Valentino did and if you hear you making excuses for his actions, you'll fucking regret it, you hear me?"

Vox nodded his head, still somewhat in shock. Vol then forced him back on the couch, sending all those staring in terror an annoyed glance,"What? Why are you all staring at me?"

"Holy shit…" Husk said,"That is hands down, the scariest face I've seen a demon make...And that's saying something…"

"Oh my god…"Charlie had to admit, she was actually somewhat scared as well.

That was the same face Alastor made when Vaggie threatened him at the door, except it was more terrifying simply because he was frowning. It was like seeing Alastor frown(which was usually a sign you were going to fucking die) and while Vol wasn't Alastor, he looked like him enough that seeing him like this sent a shiver down her spine.

"Yup, he's definitely a fusion of you two alright. That face confirms it…" Vaggie muttered, now having flashbacks when Alastor told her that if he wanted to harm anyone there...he would've easily done so already.

Even Alastor himself was somewhat shaken by this, awkwardly shifting in position. It was a good thing Vol was one of the nicer demons else they'd probably all be dead by now with the looks he gave.

Vox struggled to regain his footing before saying,"I...I...need to go."

"Wait Vox!" Velvet whined but it was too late, Vox had already retreated to his room."Dammit...I think you scared him, Vol…"

"I doubt it was that," Angel said,"I think he just needs to come to terms with what happened. He just got told he was raped by his ex, give the guy some time to adjust."

"I just don't want him blaming himself," Vol replied,"I just couldn't stand there and let him fault himself over something that was completely Valentino's fault. I never knew my Vox, but I know him and I refuse to stand by and see someone who is a part of me blame themselves for another's actions…"

"I understand," Charlie said,"I completely agree with you, Vol. But maybe we should give Vox space. He's still coming to terms with this. I doubt he'll ever forget this happened."

"Agreed," Penitous said,"He's probably going to be like this for a while. Wouldn't rush the healing process. Give him time and he'll slowly open up…"

"That's all we can do at the moment," Niffty said,"Just gotta hope he comes to terms with this."

Vox stormed back into his room, the door slamming behind him. The moment he got inside, he started throwing items.

"GRAH! Stupid fucking fusion! How dare he act like he knows me! Just because a part of me is in that damn crystal doesn't mean anything! He knows NOTHING!"

Vark stood there in shock as his owner began tearing his room apart. Vark attempted to try and move towards him and calm him down, however this was a big mistake as Vox was still in a flurry of rage and ended up throwing a bottle of alcohol at Vark, the glass shattering on impact and causing the shark to cry.

Vox growled,"What the fuck are you crying over?" He immediately dropped what he was doing and cursed,"SHIT! Vark!"

Vark stood back when his owner approached, fearing that he would end up throwing a bottle in his direction.

"Hey, don't look at me like that! It was a fucking accident, I swear!"

Vark still kept his distance, Vox slowly shrinking back.

"Fuck...I'm the worst fucking pet owner ever...Great job, Vincent, you really fucked up now…" He grumbled to himself, hitting back against the footboard of his bed, head digging into his hands.

This was the new low-point. He hadn't ever been this emotionally devastated in decades and this was the worst he had ever felt. The only time he got this upset was when he realized he'd never see his girlfriend again when he first fell but he got over that over time, this was an entirely new ball-park.

He thought that since he had Val, maybe they could've been happy. Since he lost his chance with his old girlfriend, he figured that he could've started over with Val. He figured they could've' been happy together, maybe get married….

Needless to say, that didn't fucking happen. Just when he thought things were going smooth, Val revealed his true colors and began maxing his cards, using his money without permission, bitched at him for minor shit, hit him in the face repeatedly and shattered his screen on a weekly basis.

Of course, he put up with this because not only did he and Val have a partnership, but he desperately wanted their relationship to work. He tried everything, he got him money, gifts, about anything most demons would only dream of…

And this was his reward for putting up with Val for all these years. He got assaulted while drugged and had no recollection of it happening. Had Vol not confronted Val about this, he would've just thought he had a horrible hangover and wouldn't have been any wiser to what Val had really done.

His body still felt awful. Despite having no recollection of the assault, he could still feel the aftermath. He could feel marks being dug into his skin and his ass hurt like hell.

"Guess this is what I deserve. Should've known this would happen...I thought I could've tried to at least tweak Val's personality and this is what I get for trying…"

Vox paused when he felt something lean against him,"Hm?" He turned,"Oh...hey Vark...I know I look like shit. I look so fucking pathetic right now. Sorry you had to see me look like this. I probably deserve this so don't worry about it…"

Vark made a face and suddenly laid himself on his lap(which was rather surprising since he was a giant shark). Still, Vark seemed to make sure that he didn't crush Vox with his posture.

Vox reached out and pat Vark on the head,"Aw...thanks boy...At least I got you with me...You're still at my side…"

He then sighed,"Looks like we're gonna be stuck here for a while...The Studio is burnt down and Val is gone for now. Guess that means we gotta start fresh here…"

Vark smiled, licking his screen.

Vox smiled in a lopsided way, his voice weak,"Heh...Maybe...just maybe things won't be so terrible inside this hotel…"

Thanks for 3,740 views y'all! Be sure to tell me all what you think of this story so far!

Mitsuru6: Thanks. Yeah, Alastor was basically carrying her while she's shouting fifty curses per second like a crazy person(which she is but I digress).

Dogfighter12: Damn, thanks for the compliment. Vol has more of a neutral face if anything.