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thefridayfive
1. Have you seen a solar eclipse? Total, Partial, Annular? When and where?
I have not seen a total one but I've seen several eclipses. I've seen two partial ones here in Ohio including the one this week (which was the superior) That was really lovely. I was out there for the better part of an hour. I saw an annular one in NY back in 94 which was super cool until all hell broke loose. I was doing my residency at a mental hospital and things went...as you might imagine.
2. Have you seen a lunar eclipse? Full? Partial? When and where?
I've seen several of these as well. Last one was in 22. I'm partial to the moon so I try to go out there any time there's an eclipse.
3. Have you seen a comet? Which one? When and where?
In 86 me and my sorority took a final exam study break to go out and party with Halley's comet. I also went out a few other times to see the comet (because god knows I drank too much to remember the party)
I also saw Hale Bopp in 97 also in Ohio but a different part of it
4. Have you seen a nova or supernova? When and where?
Not yet but I have hopes for the upcoming one (I do live in an oft overcast area. ELD said tonight I'll be snowbirding in FL in another decade and I'm like NO!!! If I snowbird it'll be to the desert so I can see this stuff more easily)
5. Have you seen a meteor shower? Which one, when and where?
I saw a shooting star in Feb this year. I make an effort to see the following meteor showers yearly
Perseids, Draconids, Orionids, Leonids & Geminids and it's chilly work because all of them other than the Perseids are in late fall/winter. (and yes often overcast so I'm sitting out there, getting stared at by raccoons and opposums going why is this woman shivering in a chair?)
And I wrote another Hazbin Hotel story if you'd like to take a gander
Title: Sense of Necessity (AO3)
Summary: Charlie and Vaggie go after Angel because Valentino has kept him in the studio without a break for days. She’s not prepared for anything she sees, including Angel’s belief that maybe, just maybe, punishment is necessary if he wants to be atoned.
Rating: mature
Notes: Written for templefugate in comment_fic for the prompt Any, any, "Atonement" (Titans) and for spikesgirl58’s six word challenge. The six words were Gallon, Catch, Brain, Prescription, manual and Lamp
The beginning of atonement is the sense of its necessity. – Lord Byron
Charlie stared at the club doors, second guessing herself. This was a dumb move and not her first by a long shot. Her gaze flicked over to Vaggie who pressed her lips into a thin line. “Is this a mistake?”
“Probably.”
“Ever since I went to the studio, Valentino is keeping Angel longer and longer. He hasn’t complained but…”
“You can see it,” Vaggie finished her thought and leaned in to tell the limo driver to wait on them.
“You didn’t see the fear in his eyes at the studio, Vaggie. I really just wanted him to be treated better, to…I don’t know.”
Charlie shivered remembering the pure panic in Angel’s eyes. It wasn’t that she set the studio on fire and he was trapped on the bed – and how much did she hate how he’d been surrounded by those predators ready to…. The anger and terror in his voice as he tried to force her out of the studio caused a lasting ache behind her breast bone. He tried to protect her and sacrificed himself in the process because obviously he knew what Valentino would do. She couldn’t miss the bruising under his eyes when he came home, the barely visible bruising hidden by his neck fluff also hinting to how Valentino had brutalized him. That was all on her.
“To fix his boss which was the only way he’s getting free,” Vaggie said and Charlie gulped at the air.
Charlie’s shoulders slumped. The unspoken rule of Hell, you didn’t mess with a contracted soul. If she could, she’d buy up all their markers and set them free. Since she couldn’t, she made Angel, Husk and Niffty a priority and so far, she had failed spectacularly. “He’s not been home in two days, Vaggie. He hasn’t gone back to living with Valentino. You know how much Angel loves Fat Nuggets. He’d never abandoned the pig. He might give up on redemption but never Nuggets.”
Vaggie nodded. “That’s why I came with you. This is the Valentino’s club, not the studio so technically we might be able to convince him to let Angel off to get some rest. We should be able to catch him off guard, come up with a plausible excuse before that wicked brain of his can come up with reasons why not. In the studio, we have no chance. That’s why I suggested coming here instead of the studio. Besides, last time you set the place on fire and do you really want to see Angel Dust naked again?”
“I didn’t want to see it the first time but he’s not exactly shy about showing off his films.” Charlie shuddered. She didn’t find them erotic, more like disturbing and sad because she could see it in Angel’s eyes. No matter how he smiled and moaned for the cameras, his eyes were flat. Sex wasn’t fun; it was a transaction and how sad was that? It should be enjoyed. She blew out a long stream of air. “Okay, I’m ready for this.”
Three steps into the club proved her wrong. The music robbed her of the ability to think straight as her head pounded. Smoke wreathed the room and lights flashed. Everything about the club aimed to disorient. However, finding Valentino’s table wasn’t hard. He had all but created a throne for himself, a literal dais and he had center stage, ringed by sycophants or maybe they were more people he owned.
Charlie swallowed hard. She expected him to be alone but Vox was with him, scrolling on his phone looking bored. Her legs trembled when she finally spotted Angel at Valentino and Vox’s feet. The only clothing he wore was a leashed, black collar around his neck with a heart shaped bell on it, cat ears, a large fish gag that had a hole in the center drilling deep into his mouth and a long panther tail held on by….oh! Oh, poor Angel. He watched her, being the only one to actually notice her and his eyes watered.
“Oh, Vaggie.”
“Fuck,” her lover hissed.
Vaggie squeezed her arm and Charlie drew strength from that.
“Ah, Princesa,” Valentino drew out the title, blowing a heart-shaped smoke ring her way. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”
“We wanted to see the club,” Vaggie put in quickly. "Very nice.”
Valentino scowled at her. He swept his gaze over her, lingering longer than Charlie liked. “You, I could not make a star with that face.”
Vaggie pasted on a smile and to Charlie’s pride, kept a level head. “That’s okay I’m good with being an unknown.”
“And we were worried about our friend. Angel hasn’t been home in days,” Charlie said as evenly and non-accusatory as she could. “Just wanted to be sure he’s okay.”
Valentino yanked Angel’s leash, forcing him to look up at him. He stroked Angel’s hair in a way that screamed, ‘this belongs to me.’ “He’s had a very busy shooting schedule, Princesa.”
“I’m sure. I know how hard Angel works,” she replied when she wanted to shout Val was a monster. It wouldn’t help. Vaggie and Angel both had helped her see that was not the way to deal with Valentino. Neither would having her father come deal with him but the temptation had been great. All she had to do was tell him how Valentino had licked her arm and offered to make her a star.
“He is very talented.” Valentino puffed more smoke at them. Vaggie took a step back fanning her face, a strange expression on her face. He hauled Angel up by the leash and blew smoke directly through the hole in Angel’s gag. Angel’s eyes glazed over and his body relaxed.
“Oh, I know. He’s proud of the work he’s done. You know how to bring the best performances out of him,” Charlie agreed and Valentino puffed up his chest. Vox rolled his eyes. “Don’t you think he deserves a little time off now, to recharge and bring his best to the next movie.”
It had sounded corny when she and Vaggie practiced their reasons for being here, still did, but Valentino at least didn’t look angry.
“Our little kitty has stamina,” Valentino countered, holding a feathery cat toy on a pole over Angel’s head. He batted at it, listlessly as he waggled his hips to make the panther tail move. Charlie wondered did they know about Angel’s new friendship with Husk. Was this outfit a punishment for that?
“Let him go, Val.” Vox set his phone aside and ran a hand up Valentino’s thigh. “Our boy could use a rest. The next movie will tank if he looks like exhausted shit on screen.”
Our boy? Oh! Did Angel have to sleep with Vox too? She hadn’t realized the Vees partnership wasn’t entirely platonic.
Valentino made a face. “I don’t know. Have you had enough cum today, baby?”
Charlie scowled. That was asked merely to humiliate Angel and to embarrass her.
“I should hope so. You had him swallow a gallon at this point,” Vox muttered, a hint of jealousy in his tone.
Why couldn’t Valentino just satisfy himself with the other overlord and leave Angel alone? Or with his other hangers-on for that matter?
“Fine. Take the next few days off, baby.” Valentino took the leash off the collar. “Rest up. I’m sure the Princesa will take good care of you at her hotel.” His voice was like velvet and cold as deep winter. He tromped his booted foot down on the panther tail and swished his leg to the side, the gems glued to his fishnets glittering under the flashing club lights. The motion yanked the tail free from Angel who groaned. He glanced up at Valentino who nodded. Angel removed his own gag. “What do you say, Angel sweetie?”
“Thank you, Val.” The smile on Angel’s face looked more manic than happy.
“Take good care of him, ladies. He’s precious to us,” Valentino smirked. Vox chuckled, not looking up from his phone.
“We will. Thank you and good night,” Charlie said.
Angel could barely stand up. Charlie rushed in to help him and Vaggie followed suit. His hands were so sticky, and she didn’t want to think of why. Her eyes widened as she realized he was boot-less. She’d never seen his legs, not even in the pornos he’d shown the whole hotel. He had cute pink ombre colors down his calves leading to…oh, yeah, right, spider feet.
“Don’t look at them, please,” he begged softly as she and Vaggie walked him toward the door. “He kept my boots.”
She started to turn back around and demand Valentino give him back his clothes or his boots if nothing else but Angel shook his head.
“Don’t, doll face. He’ll just make me pay later.”
Charlie nodded and concentrated on getting him out the door. How high was he? Was he badly hurt on top of it? He didn’t look too bad other than a blatantly blackened eye. His eyes were glazed and unfocused so he’d been doing drugs whether or not he wanted to stay sober. He reeked of smoke and sweat and men. They gently got him into the limo and let him curl up on one of the bench seats. Charlie shrugged out of her jacket and draped it over his hips, giving him some privacy. She could just burn that later because he was sticky and crusty and oh, fuck, was that blood on his legs? Poor Angel!
He shivered hard and she sat on the floor next to his seat. Waving for Vaggie to sit opposite them, Charlie took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Angel lifted it to his lips and feathered a kiss against her knuckles before mouthing a thank you. Clinging to her hand, he shut his eyes and tucked his feet – aw, they were rose hued and so cute – against the side panel. He said nothing so she and Vaggie let him have his peace.
After several blocks of travel, she said, “I think he’s asleep.”
“Let him, he needs it,” Vaggie said. “And what the fuck is up with that red smoke?”
“What do you mean?”
“Didn’t you feel it? My head was swimming,” Vaggie said and Charlie shook her head.
“He naturally makes a drug inside his body, sort of like my venom,” Angel said, not opening his eyes.
“Sorry, we didn’t mean to wake you,” Charlie squeezed his hand again.
“Wait? Venom?”
“I wasn’t sleeping. I was convincing myself I was finally safe again,” Angel said. “My venom will make you sick, not high. Trust me. Cherri tried it. And that drug makes you feel great, opens your mind to him.” His eyes snapped open. “It’s one of the reasons I was so worried when you came to the studio, Charlie. He covered your skin directly in it and propositioned you.”
“He what?!?” Vaggie snapped and Charlie held up a hand to her.
“Later. I didn’t feel anything then other than repulsed and the smoke didn’t bother me.”
“Hmm, you must be immune. Bet your parents are too.” Angel sighed. “I’m glad of it. Valentino is my punishment not yours.”
“Shh, it’s okay, Angel. Just rest now. You deserve it,” Charlie said.
“Maybe I deserve what Val gives me. Ever think of that, Charlie? I heard your dad taking about how awful we sinners are. Lucifer is right. I’m suffering for my sins. I was a mobster. I killed a lot of people because the don told me to. I earned hell. Isn’t suffering what this is about? Isn’t this how I atone for my sins?”
“No one deserves what Valentino does to you, Angel,” Charlie argued vehemently. Her dad had to be wrong. Some of the sinners could be atoned. She knew it. If atonement and forgiveness were impossible then what was the point of hell?
“I hope you’re right, toots. I really do. You almost have me believing this experiment of yours isn’t lame. I’d like to at least see my sister again someday. Gotta get to heaven to do that.” His heavy, swollen eyelids shut again.
This time, he really did drift off and they let him sleep until the driver arrived at the hotel. Husk and Pentious were on the door step watching the sun rise, waiting for them. Vaggie was first out of the car.
“He could use some help getting upstairs. He needs a shower,” Charlie said.
“I’m okay. I can do it.” Angel clutched Charlie’s coat around his hips, trying to get out of the car.
Husk was there in a heartbeat, assisting him. “You look like hell happened to you. Don’t be proud, let us give you a hand.”
“Thanks, Husky.”
Husk’s gaze flicked to Angel’s feet and Angel tried to dance away. Pentious hemmed him in, putting a steadying hand on his back.
“He doesn’t like us looking at his feet,” Charlie said. “But for the record, Angel, I think they look like pretty rose petals. They’re nothing to be ashamed of.”
He flashed a weary but genuine smile at her. “Thanks, Charlie. I think they’re gross and also, I can taste the cement with them so….”
“Let’s get you upstairs,” Husk said.
En masse, they ascended the staircase. When they reached Angel’s suite door, Husk shot her a look to hang back. True, Angel probably would want to shower alone. He jiggled her jacket.
“Want me to put this in with my things for Niffty to clean?”
“No, I can handle it.”
“You don’t really want to touch it after me, do you?” Angel’s voice broke. The shame on his face hurt her.
“It’s okay but if it makes you feel better, put it in with your stuff. We’ll let you shower in peace,” she said.
Angel hesitated. “I really don’t want to be alone but also definitely do not want anyone helping me bathe.”
“You go shower. If you want company before you sleep, we’ll be downstairs,” Charlie said.
He nodded and shut the door to his room behind him. Charlie cupped her hand over her mouth to hold in a scream, instantly regretting it. Her fingers smelled like semen after holding hands with Angel.
“He shouldn’t be alone,” Husk said.
“No, he shouldn’t. You have no idea what they did to him. I wish I knew how to help him but I don’t have a manual for when you’re forced to role play being a pet against your wishes.”
As Charlie related what little she knew about what Valentino had done, Husk growled more and more fiercely. Pen hissed. She might have to stop them from attacking an overlord. Alastor would probably gladly help them since Vox was involved.
“My egg bois,” Pentious said suddenly.
“What?” Charlie blinked at the non sequitur.
“My egg bois can carry one of the spare mattresses downstairs. The spider can sleep there and be safe with his friends around him,” Pentious said, and Charlie clapped her hands together.
“That’s a great idea, Pen! There’s that nice dark alcove. If he’s at the bar, Husk can see him from there. I’ll get Fat Nuggets from my room.”
“I’ll get spare bedding,” Vaggie said.
“I’ll see if Niffty has anything for him to nibble on if he’s hungry and to be sure she doesn’t get crazy with something being out of place,” Husk said. “And if he doesn’t come downstairs, hopefully he tucked himself in and went to sleep.”
But Angel did come downstairs and stopped dead seeing the mattress on the floor in the alcove with a little lamp next to it. Charlie had put her favorite new book there too, and Niffty had left a stack of her fanfiction along with some soup and some muffins, not that either went together.
“What’s all this?” He gestured, his fuzz still damp under his robe. He’d put on slippers, covering up his rosy feet. She hadn’t thought about the fact spiders sensed taste through their feet. No wonder Angel wore boots and gloves all the time.
“You need your friends around you. You’ve been traumatized.” Charlie swept her hand to the bed. “We got you some nibbles and something to read if you wanted to. Or just curl up and get some sleep. Look!” She pointed to Fat Nuggets who had thumped down on the mattress. Kee Kee jumped over him and made herself at home. “We didn’t want you to feel alone. So, my prescription is some comfort and self-care. If you want anything else to drink, some tea or hot chocolate or a little whisky won’t hurt this once.”
His lips wibbled. “Thanks, maybe some hot chocolate with a kicker,” he replied hoarsely as he went and sat on the bed. His robe gapped open, revealing nothing on underneath but a pair of loose pink shorts with flowers on them.
“I’ll get you one. For some reason there are a lot of peppermint Schnapps in hell. That with some rum and a little caramel, should make you feel good.” Husk promised and Angel smiled more broadly, his eyes livening up some.
KeeKee and Nuggets wrestled for a place on his lap as Angel went for the sweets over the soup, surprising Charlie not at all. Vaggie and Pen took up residence in the lobby chairs as Niffty cleaned the stair railing until Husk sent her for the hot chocolate in the kitchen. Angel barely got the muffin down before he suddenly broke into loud sobs, collapsing over onto the mattress. He curled into the fetal position, his body shaking as he cried.
“Oh Angel.” Charlie sat in the crook of his hip, her hands fluttering as she tried to decide where to put them. “Can I touch you?”
He might have bobbed his head as he wept so she rubbed the small of his back. Otherwise, she let him cry his eyes out because he needed to vent all that pain and fear. Husk sat at Angel’s feet. Finally, Angel unfurled from the tight ball he was in and draped his legs over Husk’s who put a steadying hand on Angel’s knee. Fat Nuggets licked the salty tears from Angel’s face and Angel cuddled him close. KeeKee perched on the jut of his hip.
When his wracking sobs slowed, Angel let his death grip on Nuggets go. Pentious slithered down toward the kitchen and he came back with the mug of steaming cocoa. Husk slipped out from under Angel’s legs and walked to the bar to doctor the drink. Pen had even thought to bring whipped cream and Husk decorated the mug with a healthy swirl of it. Angel sat back up and leaned against the wall. Charlie sat next to him and Vaggie brought a box of tissues to him. He took them with a grateful look.
Husk sat down and surrendered the mug. “Here you go. Don’t let that bastard undermine you, kid. You’re still a guy we all like.”
Angel shot him a disbelieving look, and then surveyed the room. He nodded. “Yeah, I see that. Thank you, all of you.” He took a sip. “Mmm, this is good. I needed this.”
“It honestly sounds great,” Vaggie said. “Pen, let’s go help Niffty make some for everyone.”
“Of course.”
“I can help too,” Charlie said, pulling the covers over Angel’s legs. He grabbed the blanket and tucked it up around his chest. “Unless you want me to sit with you longer, Angel. Vaggie can bring me mine.”
“I’m good, doll face. Thank you. For everything.”
“Always,” she promised.
The last thing she saw before heading down the hall was Angel leaning against Husk and their grumpy bartender sheltering him with his wing. Hmm, so her guess was right. They were getting closer. Good. Angel needed that connection. It was one step closer to atonement for them both. They were becoming better people and no one should have to suffer like Angel had. And Pentious coming up with this idea, another step toward heaven. Her hotel was working. Charlie just knew it.
thefridayfive1. Have you seen a solar eclipse? Total, Partial, Annular? When and where?
I have not seen a total one but I've seen several eclipses. I've seen two partial ones here in Ohio including the one this week (which was the superior) That was really lovely. I was out there for the better part of an hour. I saw an annular one in NY back in 94 which was super cool until all hell broke loose. I was doing my residency at a mental hospital and things went...as you might imagine.
2. Have you seen a lunar eclipse? Full? Partial? When and where?
I've seen several of these as well. Last one was in 22. I'm partial to the moon so I try to go out there any time there's an eclipse.
3. Have you seen a comet? Which one? When and where?
In 86 me and my sorority took a final exam study break to go out and party with Halley's comet. I also went out a few other times to see the comet (because god knows I drank too much to remember the party)
I also saw Hale Bopp in 97 also in Ohio but a different part of it
4. Have you seen a nova or supernova? When and where?
Not yet but I have hopes for the upcoming one (I do live in an oft overcast area. ELD said tonight I'll be snowbirding in FL in another decade and I'm like NO!!! If I snowbird it'll be to the desert so I can see this stuff more easily)
5. Have you seen a meteor shower? Which one, when and where?
I saw a shooting star in Feb this year. I make an effort to see the following meteor showers yearly
Perseids, Draconids, Orionids, Leonids & Geminids and it's chilly work because all of them other than the Perseids are in late fall/winter. (and yes often overcast so I'm sitting out there, getting stared at by raccoons and opposums going why is this woman shivering in a chair?)
And I wrote another Hazbin Hotel story if you'd like to take a gander
Title: Sense of Necessity (AO3)
Summary: Charlie and Vaggie go after Angel because Valentino has kept him in the studio without a break for days. She’s not prepared for anything she sees, including Angel’s belief that maybe, just maybe, punishment is necessary if he wants to be atoned.
Rating: mature
Notes: Written for templefugate in comment_fic for the prompt Any, any, "Atonement" (Titans) and for spikesgirl58’s six word challenge. The six words were Gallon, Catch, Brain, Prescription, manual and Lamp
The beginning of atonement is the sense of its necessity. – Lord Byron
Charlie stared at the club doors, second guessing herself. This was a dumb move and not her first by a long shot. Her gaze flicked over to Vaggie who pressed her lips into a thin line. “Is this a mistake?”
“Probably.”
“Ever since I went to the studio, Valentino is keeping Angel longer and longer. He hasn’t complained but…”
“You can see it,” Vaggie finished her thought and leaned in to tell the limo driver to wait on them.
“You didn’t see the fear in his eyes at the studio, Vaggie. I really just wanted him to be treated better, to…I don’t know.”
Charlie shivered remembering the pure panic in Angel’s eyes. It wasn’t that she set the studio on fire and he was trapped on the bed – and how much did she hate how he’d been surrounded by those predators ready to…. The anger and terror in his voice as he tried to force her out of the studio caused a lasting ache behind her breast bone. He tried to protect her and sacrificed himself in the process because obviously he knew what Valentino would do. She couldn’t miss the bruising under his eyes when he came home, the barely visible bruising hidden by his neck fluff also hinting to how Valentino had brutalized him. That was all on her.
“To fix his boss which was the only way he’s getting free,” Vaggie said and Charlie gulped at the air.
Charlie’s shoulders slumped. The unspoken rule of Hell, you didn’t mess with a contracted soul. If she could, she’d buy up all their markers and set them free. Since she couldn’t, she made Angel, Husk and Niffty a priority and so far, she had failed spectacularly. “He’s not been home in two days, Vaggie. He hasn’t gone back to living with Valentino. You know how much Angel loves Fat Nuggets. He’d never abandoned the pig. He might give up on redemption but never Nuggets.”
Vaggie nodded. “That’s why I came with you. This is the Valentino’s club, not the studio so technically we might be able to convince him to let Angel off to get some rest. We should be able to catch him off guard, come up with a plausible excuse before that wicked brain of his can come up with reasons why not. In the studio, we have no chance. That’s why I suggested coming here instead of the studio. Besides, last time you set the place on fire and do you really want to see Angel Dust naked again?”
“I didn’t want to see it the first time but he’s not exactly shy about showing off his films.” Charlie shuddered. She didn’t find them erotic, more like disturbing and sad because she could see it in Angel’s eyes. No matter how he smiled and moaned for the cameras, his eyes were flat. Sex wasn’t fun; it was a transaction and how sad was that? It should be enjoyed. She blew out a long stream of air. “Okay, I’m ready for this.”
Three steps into the club proved her wrong. The music robbed her of the ability to think straight as her head pounded. Smoke wreathed the room and lights flashed. Everything about the club aimed to disorient. However, finding Valentino’s table wasn’t hard. He had all but created a throne for himself, a literal dais and he had center stage, ringed by sycophants or maybe they were more people he owned.
Charlie swallowed hard. She expected him to be alone but Vox was with him, scrolling on his phone looking bored. Her legs trembled when she finally spotted Angel at Valentino and Vox’s feet. The only clothing he wore was a leashed, black collar around his neck with a heart shaped bell on it, cat ears, a large fish gag that had a hole in the center drilling deep into his mouth and a long panther tail held on by….oh! Oh, poor Angel. He watched her, being the only one to actually notice her and his eyes watered.
“Oh, Vaggie.”
“Fuck,” her lover hissed.
Vaggie squeezed her arm and Charlie drew strength from that.
“Ah, Princesa,” Valentino drew out the title, blowing a heart-shaped smoke ring her way. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”
“We wanted to see the club,” Vaggie put in quickly. "Very nice.”
Valentino scowled at her. He swept his gaze over her, lingering longer than Charlie liked. “You, I could not make a star with that face.”
Vaggie pasted on a smile and to Charlie’s pride, kept a level head. “That’s okay I’m good with being an unknown.”
“And we were worried about our friend. Angel hasn’t been home in days,” Charlie said as evenly and non-accusatory as she could. “Just wanted to be sure he’s okay.”
Valentino yanked Angel’s leash, forcing him to look up at him. He stroked Angel’s hair in a way that screamed, ‘this belongs to me.’ “He’s had a very busy shooting schedule, Princesa.”
“I’m sure. I know how hard Angel works,” she replied when she wanted to shout Val was a monster. It wouldn’t help. Vaggie and Angel both had helped her see that was not the way to deal with Valentino. Neither would having her father come deal with him but the temptation had been great. All she had to do was tell him how Valentino had licked her arm and offered to make her a star.
“He is very talented.” Valentino puffed more smoke at them. Vaggie took a step back fanning her face, a strange expression on her face. He hauled Angel up by the leash and blew smoke directly through the hole in Angel’s gag. Angel’s eyes glazed over and his body relaxed.
“Oh, I know. He’s proud of the work he’s done. You know how to bring the best performances out of him,” Charlie agreed and Valentino puffed up his chest. Vox rolled his eyes. “Don’t you think he deserves a little time off now, to recharge and bring his best to the next movie.”
It had sounded corny when she and Vaggie practiced their reasons for being here, still did, but Valentino at least didn’t look angry.
“Our little kitty has stamina,” Valentino countered, holding a feathery cat toy on a pole over Angel’s head. He batted at it, listlessly as he waggled his hips to make the panther tail move. Charlie wondered did they know about Angel’s new friendship with Husk. Was this outfit a punishment for that?
“Let him go, Val.” Vox set his phone aside and ran a hand up Valentino’s thigh. “Our boy could use a rest. The next movie will tank if he looks like exhausted shit on screen.”
Our boy? Oh! Did Angel have to sleep with Vox too? She hadn’t realized the Vees partnership wasn’t entirely platonic.
Valentino made a face. “I don’t know. Have you had enough cum today, baby?”
Charlie scowled. That was asked merely to humiliate Angel and to embarrass her.
“I should hope so. You had him swallow a gallon at this point,” Vox muttered, a hint of jealousy in his tone.
Why couldn’t Valentino just satisfy himself with the other overlord and leave Angel alone? Or with his other hangers-on for that matter?
“Fine. Take the next few days off, baby.” Valentino took the leash off the collar. “Rest up. I’m sure the Princesa will take good care of you at her hotel.” His voice was like velvet and cold as deep winter. He tromped his booted foot down on the panther tail and swished his leg to the side, the gems glued to his fishnets glittering under the flashing club lights. The motion yanked the tail free from Angel who groaned. He glanced up at Valentino who nodded. Angel removed his own gag. “What do you say, Angel sweetie?”
“Thank you, Val.” The smile on Angel’s face looked more manic than happy.
“Take good care of him, ladies. He’s precious to us,” Valentino smirked. Vox chuckled, not looking up from his phone.
“We will. Thank you and good night,” Charlie said.
Angel could barely stand up. Charlie rushed in to help him and Vaggie followed suit. His hands were so sticky, and she didn’t want to think of why. Her eyes widened as she realized he was boot-less. She’d never seen his legs, not even in the pornos he’d shown the whole hotel. He had cute pink ombre colors down his calves leading to…oh, yeah, right, spider feet.
“Don’t look at them, please,” he begged softly as she and Vaggie walked him toward the door. “He kept my boots.”
She started to turn back around and demand Valentino give him back his clothes or his boots if nothing else but Angel shook his head.
“Don’t, doll face. He’ll just make me pay later.”
Charlie nodded and concentrated on getting him out the door. How high was he? Was he badly hurt on top of it? He didn’t look too bad other than a blatantly blackened eye. His eyes were glazed and unfocused so he’d been doing drugs whether or not he wanted to stay sober. He reeked of smoke and sweat and men. They gently got him into the limo and let him curl up on one of the bench seats. Charlie shrugged out of her jacket and draped it over his hips, giving him some privacy. She could just burn that later because he was sticky and crusty and oh, fuck, was that blood on his legs? Poor Angel!
He shivered hard and she sat on the floor next to his seat. Waving for Vaggie to sit opposite them, Charlie took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Angel lifted it to his lips and feathered a kiss against her knuckles before mouthing a thank you. Clinging to her hand, he shut his eyes and tucked his feet – aw, they were rose hued and so cute – against the side panel. He said nothing so she and Vaggie let him have his peace.
After several blocks of travel, she said, “I think he’s asleep.”
“Let him, he needs it,” Vaggie said. “And what the fuck is up with that red smoke?”
“What do you mean?”
“Didn’t you feel it? My head was swimming,” Vaggie said and Charlie shook her head.
“He naturally makes a drug inside his body, sort of like my venom,” Angel said, not opening his eyes.
“Sorry, we didn’t mean to wake you,” Charlie squeezed his hand again.
“Wait? Venom?”
“I wasn’t sleeping. I was convincing myself I was finally safe again,” Angel said. “My venom will make you sick, not high. Trust me. Cherri tried it. And that drug makes you feel great, opens your mind to him.” His eyes snapped open. “It’s one of the reasons I was so worried when you came to the studio, Charlie. He covered your skin directly in it and propositioned you.”
“He what?!?” Vaggie snapped and Charlie held up a hand to her.
“Later. I didn’t feel anything then other than repulsed and the smoke didn’t bother me.”
“Hmm, you must be immune. Bet your parents are too.” Angel sighed. “I’m glad of it. Valentino is my punishment not yours.”
“Shh, it’s okay, Angel. Just rest now. You deserve it,” Charlie said.
“Maybe I deserve what Val gives me. Ever think of that, Charlie? I heard your dad taking about how awful we sinners are. Lucifer is right. I’m suffering for my sins. I was a mobster. I killed a lot of people because the don told me to. I earned hell. Isn’t suffering what this is about? Isn’t this how I atone for my sins?”
“No one deserves what Valentino does to you, Angel,” Charlie argued vehemently. Her dad had to be wrong. Some of the sinners could be atoned. She knew it. If atonement and forgiveness were impossible then what was the point of hell?
“I hope you’re right, toots. I really do. You almost have me believing this experiment of yours isn’t lame. I’d like to at least see my sister again someday. Gotta get to heaven to do that.” His heavy, swollen eyelids shut again.
This time, he really did drift off and they let him sleep until the driver arrived at the hotel. Husk and Pentious were on the door step watching the sun rise, waiting for them. Vaggie was first out of the car.
“He could use some help getting upstairs. He needs a shower,” Charlie said.
“I’m okay. I can do it.” Angel clutched Charlie’s coat around his hips, trying to get out of the car.
Husk was there in a heartbeat, assisting him. “You look like hell happened to you. Don’t be proud, let us give you a hand.”
“Thanks, Husky.”
Husk’s gaze flicked to Angel’s feet and Angel tried to dance away. Pentious hemmed him in, putting a steadying hand on his back.
“He doesn’t like us looking at his feet,” Charlie said. “But for the record, Angel, I think they look like pretty rose petals. They’re nothing to be ashamed of.”
He flashed a weary but genuine smile at her. “Thanks, Charlie. I think they’re gross and also, I can taste the cement with them so….”
“Let’s get you upstairs,” Husk said.
En masse, they ascended the staircase. When they reached Angel’s suite door, Husk shot her a look to hang back. True, Angel probably would want to shower alone. He jiggled her jacket.
“Want me to put this in with my things for Niffty to clean?”
“No, I can handle it.”
“You don’t really want to touch it after me, do you?” Angel’s voice broke. The shame on his face hurt her.
“It’s okay but if it makes you feel better, put it in with your stuff. We’ll let you shower in peace,” she said.
Angel hesitated. “I really don’t want to be alone but also definitely do not want anyone helping me bathe.”
“You go shower. If you want company before you sleep, we’ll be downstairs,” Charlie said.
He nodded and shut the door to his room behind him. Charlie cupped her hand over her mouth to hold in a scream, instantly regretting it. Her fingers smelled like semen after holding hands with Angel.
“He shouldn’t be alone,” Husk said.
“No, he shouldn’t. You have no idea what they did to him. I wish I knew how to help him but I don’t have a manual for when you’re forced to role play being a pet against your wishes.”
As Charlie related what little she knew about what Valentino had done, Husk growled more and more fiercely. Pen hissed. She might have to stop them from attacking an overlord. Alastor would probably gladly help them since Vox was involved.
“My egg bois,” Pentious said suddenly.
“What?” Charlie blinked at the non sequitur.
“My egg bois can carry one of the spare mattresses downstairs. The spider can sleep there and be safe with his friends around him,” Pentious said, and Charlie clapped her hands together.
“That’s a great idea, Pen! There’s that nice dark alcove. If he’s at the bar, Husk can see him from there. I’ll get Fat Nuggets from my room.”
“I’ll get spare bedding,” Vaggie said.
“I’ll see if Niffty has anything for him to nibble on if he’s hungry and to be sure she doesn’t get crazy with something being out of place,” Husk said. “And if he doesn’t come downstairs, hopefully he tucked himself in and went to sleep.”
But Angel did come downstairs and stopped dead seeing the mattress on the floor in the alcove with a little lamp next to it. Charlie had put her favorite new book there too, and Niffty had left a stack of her fanfiction along with some soup and some muffins, not that either went together.
“What’s all this?” He gestured, his fuzz still damp under his robe. He’d put on slippers, covering up his rosy feet. She hadn’t thought about the fact spiders sensed taste through their feet. No wonder Angel wore boots and gloves all the time.
“You need your friends around you. You’ve been traumatized.” Charlie swept her hand to the bed. “We got you some nibbles and something to read if you wanted to. Or just curl up and get some sleep. Look!” She pointed to Fat Nuggets who had thumped down on the mattress. Kee Kee jumped over him and made herself at home. “We didn’t want you to feel alone. So, my prescription is some comfort and self-care. If you want anything else to drink, some tea or hot chocolate or a little whisky won’t hurt this once.”
His lips wibbled. “Thanks, maybe some hot chocolate with a kicker,” he replied hoarsely as he went and sat on the bed. His robe gapped open, revealing nothing on underneath but a pair of loose pink shorts with flowers on them.
“I’ll get you one. For some reason there are a lot of peppermint Schnapps in hell. That with some rum and a little caramel, should make you feel good.” Husk promised and Angel smiled more broadly, his eyes livening up some.
KeeKee and Nuggets wrestled for a place on his lap as Angel went for the sweets over the soup, surprising Charlie not at all. Vaggie and Pen took up residence in the lobby chairs as Niffty cleaned the stair railing until Husk sent her for the hot chocolate in the kitchen. Angel barely got the muffin down before he suddenly broke into loud sobs, collapsing over onto the mattress. He curled into the fetal position, his body shaking as he cried.
“Oh Angel.” Charlie sat in the crook of his hip, her hands fluttering as she tried to decide where to put them. “Can I touch you?”
He might have bobbed his head as he wept so she rubbed the small of his back. Otherwise, she let him cry his eyes out because he needed to vent all that pain and fear. Husk sat at Angel’s feet. Finally, Angel unfurled from the tight ball he was in and draped his legs over Husk’s who put a steadying hand on Angel’s knee. Fat Nuggets licked the salty tears from Angel’s face and Angel cuddled him close. KeeKee perched on the jut of his hip.
When his wracking sobs slowed, Angel let his death grip on Nuggets go. Pentious slithered down toward the kitchen and he came back with the mug of steaming cocoa. Husk slipped out from under Angel’s legs and walked to the bar to doctor the drink. Pen had even thought to bring whipped cream and Husk decorated the mug with a healthy swirl of it. Angel sat back up and leaned against the wall. Charlie sat next to him and Vaggie brought a box of tissues to him. He took them with a grateful look.
Husk sat down and surrendered the mug. “Here you go. Don’t let that bastard undermine you, kid. You’re still a guy we all like.”
Angel shot him a disbelieving look, and then surveyed the room. He nodded. “Yeah, I see that. Thank you, all of you.” He took a sip. “Mmm, this is good. I needed this.”
“It honestly sounds great,” Vaggie said. “Pen, let’s go help Niffty make some for everyone.”
“Of course.”
“I can help too,” Charlie said, pulling the covers over Angel’s legs. He grabbed the blanket and tucked it up around his chest. “Unless you want me to sit with you longer, Angel. Vaggie can bring me mine.”
“I’m good, doll face. Thank you. For everything.”
“Always,” she promised.
The last thing she saw before heading down the hall was Angel leaning against Husk and their grumpy bartender sheltering him with his wing. Hmm, so her guess was right. They were getting closer. Good. Angel needed that connection. It was one step closer to atonement for them both. They were becoming better people and no one should have to suffer like Angel had. And Pentious coming up with this idea, another step toward heaven. Her hotel was working. Charlie just knew it.
