Chapter Text
“Al, you’re gonna be late, darlin!”
“Thank you, Rosie dear, but I have plenty of time.”
Alastor called back to his dear friend as he straightened, looking at himself in the mirror. He ran a hand through his hair, watching as his curls bounced right back to the same place. They never seemed to behave. He sighed, adjusting his glasses. It would just have to do.
As he left the bathroom, he was almost immediately snatched by a pair of hands and was face to face with his dear friends’ piercing blue eyes.
“Goodness, Rosie, you gave me a start!”
“Sorry, darlin, just had to get a look atcha before ya left!” She beamed, smoothing out his clothing. “So cute, lovin the red shirt with the black jacket and vest set. Red suits ya. But ain’t blue more the company’s thing?”
“Yes, but it isn’t mine.”
“Fair enough. Have a great first day, alright?”
“I will, Rosie. Thank you.” He leaned up to peck her cheek before he grabbed his bag and headed for the door.
While Rosie could be a little intense with him, he couldn’t help but smile. She reminded him so much of his mother. Plus she had done so much to help him settle after he moved that letting her be a little overbearing was the least he could do. What he was most grateful for was that her apartment, which she was allowing him to stay at for the time being, was within walking distance to his new job.
Voxtek.
Why would he of all people decide to work for a tech company? He had no idea. But it paid well and it was close by. It was the most entry level reception job he could find, and he was a very fast typer, well accustomed to desk jobs. It worked just fine.
Although, as he approached the tall, modern looking building he was starting to regret his decision. Nevertheless, he pushed one of the large glass doors open and walked into the rather expansive lobby. Expansive and cold. Sleek and modern, white tile floors and walls that were a shade of blue that looked more gray with the fluorescent lighting. At least there was enough natural light to mostly combat the harsh bulbs, with one of the walls made entirely of windows.
Alastor approached the reception desk, where he saw three ladies sitting at their computers, two typing away, one on the phone. The one on the end closest to him raised her head as he approached, looking bored as she chewed, or more so smacked, her gum. Her hair was teased to high heaven and she looked like she came straight out of a magazine, and not necessarily a good one.
“You’re the new employee right?” She asked flatly.
“Yes.”
“My names Felicity. I’ll be training you for a while.”
“Wonderful.” Alastor replied simply, clenching his jaw through his smile. Her voice was already getting on his nerves, not to mention her chewing.
“Follow me,” She continued as she stood from the desk. He did as he was told, following her behind the desk and down a hall to a small office. “You’re gonna watch a training video first. Come back out when you’re done. It’s all set up, just press play.”
Alastor nodded, stepping into the office. There was only a monitor screen and a mouse on the desk. He took a seat, clicking on the mouse. A video immediately popped up. A classic cringy, annoying introductory video. He managed to mute the video, which made the experience significantly better.
After what he swore was an hour, which only ended up being a half, he finally stood and left the claustrophobic office, returning to the reception desk. Where he was promptly sat down and forced to watch Felicity work for the rest of the day, which he found immensely frustrating. At least he was getting paid, though he already wanted to quit.
The next day, he was finally allowed on the computer. He was only answering emails, but he was quick about it, enough that Felicity seemed surprised. He hadn’t even realized she had left the desk until she returned, and he was halfway through his last email when she spoke.
“Mr. Vox has an important meeting soon. I’m busy, so you need to go get coffee. Here’s the orders. Don’t mess it up.” She said, practically slamming the paper, and what looked like a company card, onto the desk. Alastor, reluctantly, stood from the desk, picking up the paper. There were 8 coffee orders with names written next to them, and the name of the cafe at the top. He merely nodded, tucking the card into his pocket and heading for the door. It was easy to find the cafe. What wasn’t easy? Carrying two drink carriers full of coffee down a busy sidewalk all the way back. He was just grateful he didn’t spill. And as soon as he returned, they were snatched from him by Felicity.
“Mr. Vox is used to me bringing it in, so I have to do it.” She said in an annoyingly superior tone before she turned on her heel and started down the hall.
It continued like this for a little over a week. Alastor would come in, type and send emails or make calls, go fetch coffee, and type some more. It wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t exactly what he had in mind.
He had just returned from another coffee run, but he couldn’t find Felicity anywhere.
“Debra, have you seen Felicity?”
“I haven’t, honey. You can just take those in yourself. Down the hall there’s an elevator. Tenth floor. turn left. Biggest conference room. You’ll know it when you see it.”
“Thank you.”
Alastor stepped down the hall, glancing around. Still no sign of Felicity. Oh well. He stepped onto the elevator, and as soon as the doors reopened he stepped out and turned left.
He paused as he saw the, indeed very large, conference room. He carefully adjusted the drinks on his arm, and knocked.
“Come in.”
Alastor pushed open the door, facing the 8 or so men inside with a smile. His eyes were immediately drawn to the man at the head of the table. He had never actually seen Vox, besides in advertisements. He was tall and lean, with black hair combed back and wearing a fitted blue suit. His heterochromatic eyes seeming to pierce Alastor as he stepped in, and he noted the scar over the blue one. He only met his boss with a calm smile.
Vox raised his eyes from his computer as an employee he didn’t recognize walked in.
Thin and tall, though shorter than Vox. Curly black hair and bright amber eyes behind gold frames. In a red button up and black vest, which looked beautiful against his dark skin. Vox was starstruck the moment he saw him.
“I apologize for the interruption, Mister Vox.” Alastor spoke, as he set the coffees down, placing them in front of their respective recipients. As he stood he pushed a curl behind his ear, picking up the drink carriers and smiling once more at Vox before he excused himself and left the room. He didn’t hear the chatter as the door shut.
“Damn, Vox, who was that?”
“I.. don’t know, probably one of the new employees. Never seen him before.”
“Don’t know where you’ve been hiding him. Pretty thing like that should be on your arm, not fetching coffee, don’t you think?”
“Can we get back to business?”
As soon as he returned to the reception desk, he was met with a smack from a magazine, courtesy of Felicity.
“Ow..”
“What are you playing at? I told you interns can’t bring the coffee!”
“I am not an intern, I am an employee. You weren’t here, everyone was busy, and the cafe already took so long I didn’t want to wait for you to show up.”
“You’re an idiot, you know that? I bet Mr. Vox will fire you as soon as he’s done.”
“It is just coffee, Felicity, calm down.”
She scoffed, moving to one of the other receptionists and sitting on the desk to gossip with them.
About twenty minutes later, a call came through from upstairs. Before he could even react, Felicity grabbed the phone. Her expression turned to more of a shit eating grin as she listened to the caller, saying a simple “Yes, sir.” Before hanging up.
“He wants to see you in his office.” She said with that stupid smirk. “Good luck.”
Alastor resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he stood and made his way back to the elevator, going to the top floor this time.
When he exited the elevator, he paused to look out the windows lining the long hall? tensing a bit at the height. He had never been much of a fan of heights.
Nevertheless, he continued forward until he reached the office door. He knocked, the same voice as before granting entry.
“Ah, hello there, you must be Alastor!” Vox greeted in a pleasant tone.
“Yes, sir.” Alastor responded as he stepped into the room.
“Wonderful, come, have a seat.” Vox continued, gesturing to one of the comfortable looking leather chairs in front of the desk. Alastor obliged, crossing his legs and clasping his hands in his lap.
“I realized today that we hadn’t met before. It was a surprise to see you.”
“Hopefully not a bad one.” Alastor responded with an almost cheeky smile.
“No, not at all.” Vox replied with a small chuckle. “I just wasn’t expecting someone new.”
Alastor nodded. “I assumed so. For the last week and a half I’ve been here, Felicity has insisted on bringing the coffee in. However, she was missing today, and the cafe was already running late. I didn’t want to make you wait much longer.”
“I see, how kind of you.” Vox smiled. “The last week and a half you say?”
Alastor nodded.
“That’s odd. Normally she sends me reports on new employees.” Vox said thoughtfully, turning to his computer, seemingly clicking through emails to search.
Alastor watched him for a moment, before he spoke again.” May I be completely honest with you, sir?” He said carefully, sitting up in his chair. This caught Vox’s attention, and he turned back to him. Alastor was sure he’d never get used to those piercing eyes. It was like Vox was trying to read his very soul.
“Please do.”
Alastor leaned even more forward, lowering his voice despite there being no chance of being overheard. “I don’t think she likes me very much. In fact, I’m certain she doesn’t. Perhaps she was pretending I simply don’t exist.”
His boss nodded, meeting him with another smile. “Thank you for telling me. I’ll have to have a discussion with her.” Vox sat back in his chair. “Well, that’s all the business I wanted to discuss.”
Alastor nodded, rising from his chair and stepping towards the door.
“Oh, and Alastor?”
“Yes, sir?” He paused and turned back.
“Make sure to bring the coffee in tomorrow too.” Vox instructed with an unreadable smirk.
Alastor felt a pang of curiosity, and smiled in return. “Yes, sir.” He echoed, before leaving the office.