the neon glow of the diner lights flickered across the chrome table, humming in rhythm with the soft tune playing from the jukebox in the corner. it was one of those rare quiet evenings — no meetings, no screens, no alastor to bicker with — just you and vox sharing a booth and a single tall strawberry smoothie topped with whipped cream.

the glass stood between you, two straws poking out side by side. he’d insisted on sharing. “c’mon, dollface, don’t tell me you’ve never done the ‘two straws one drink’ thing before. it’s classic.”

you’d rolled your eyes at his smirk back then, but now… well, you weren’t complaining. the moment had turned unexpectedly soft. his static hum was low, almost soothing, and for a second you caught yourself smiling at the reflection of his glitchy grin in the glass.

you leaned in for another sip — and that’s when you heard it.

bloop.

tiny bubbles rose through the pink smoothie, bursting with a fizzy pop. you looked up to find vox with his lips still around the straw, eyes full of mischief.

he blew another stream of bubbles before pulling back, a wicked grin stretching across his screen. “what? just aerating it, sweetheart. improves the flavor."