cornerofmadness (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
cornerofmadness) wrote2025-01-17 08:52 pm
cornerofmadness) wrote2025-01-17 08:52 pm
Entry tags:
Survived week one
That went fast. Wow. Made it up to Jackson because tomorrow it's supposed to rain and then freeze. fun times.
I found out walmart no longer carries the plastic shrink wrappy stuff to weather proof your windows. Sigh. Also they had only a mousetrap that'll break my hand or the expensive one the mouse goes in, don't come out and you don't have to see your murder efforts. Got that one because seriously I wasn't sure my bad hand could handle the other trap
Went to CVS got my meds...free. I don't know why. they don't know why. I wasn't arguing with it. Got my flu shot too. They gave me 5$ coupon for that. They have local history books so I bought one with that on the mafia in Ohio and it will work for my immigrant prompt with Popsugar.
I am confused. Yesterday my sugar was everywhere, setting the alarm off on my dexcom all class long (you're nurses in training. learn to ignore an alarm like you will in the real setting) and I ate well. Today I had TWO sugary coffee drinks and my sugar never went above 200. WHY?
I did write today and I am getting some love already.
Title: Everybody Loves My Baby (But My Baby Don’t Love Nobody But Me)
Summary: Alastor tries to get under Husk’s skin using Angel’s profession as a weapon. Husk knows something Alastor doesn’t and that makes all the difference.
Author Note -.Written for spikesgirl58’s six word challenge. The words were Bed, Terminate, Thumb, Disease, Cultured, & Soda . Also written for the allbingo public domain bingo prompt of “Nobody's Sweetheart” and for the lyrical titles duet challenge 2025 using Everybody Loves My Baby by Louis Armstrong (His wasn’t the 1924 version but it is the version referenced in the story).
Sometime in Hell’s Past
Husker barely paid attention to the shows that got booked into his casino. He had people in charge of that. He didn’t even give a damn that Valentino had darkened his door. So long as the other overlord was there to drink and gamble, Husker was okay with it. Valentino had provided the entertainment currently on stage and Husker wondered what the attraction was. His patrons were into it though. All he saw was a flat-assed twig of a man covered in glitter swinging around a stripper pole. Was the guy pretty? If you liked them tall and slender, yes, he supposed the entertainer wasn’t bad.
Fletch hooked a thumb at him so Husker went to see what his pit boss wanted, the skinny spider already forgotten. And he remained that way until much later in the evening.
# # #
“What’s it like, Husker?”
Alastor’s voice suddenly in his ear startled Husk. He’d been watching the news and Angel was on it with some new multi-star big budget porno that had come out over the weekend. Tom Trench was covering the gala ball being thrown in its honor. Angel was there in a shocking see-through lace suit in black against his white and pink fur giving the crowd a great look at his sequined – red naturally – panties. Husk hated the lace suit and knew it had been Velvette’s choice, not Angel’s. Angel had whined to Husk about it for a week. He looked pissed to be on Valentino’s arm but where else could he be? That didn’t shock Husk. What did shock him was Alastor was bothering to look at a TV screen.
“What’s it like to know the man you care about is the darling of thousands?” A smug smile sliced across Alastor’s arrogant face.
“Millions, for the love of fuck, don’t tell him it’s only thousands, boss.” Husk cringed, hoping Alastor would think it was about that faux pas and not about the fact he’d hit the nail on the head. “I don’t think about it. Angel’s not my man.”
Alastor cocked his head, his eyes twinkling. Husk knew this mood, the playful cruel destructive one. He fucking hated this mood.
“Is he not? Were you not just staring at him and his…is that a cultured pearl necklace?” Alastor pointed to the screen.
Husk nearly swallowed his tongue. That was most definitely not what he was staring at. He’d been trying not to notice the hint of pink pubes sneaking past the boundaries of the ruby panties. “Knowing Velvette, that necklace is over the top. I just have the tv on for background noise.”
“I should think radio would be better for that.”
“You always think that, boss.” Husk wished he could terminate this conversation and Alastor with it but the latter wasn’t going to happen.
Alastor sat at the bar, turning his attention to the festivities on the screen. He pointed without looking toward the bottles of liquor. “I’m in the mood for a gin rickey, Husker.”
Fighting not to roll his eyes, Husk poured gin and club soda into a glass with a lime, sliding it to Alastor who picked it up.
“It’s like a disease,” Alastor said.
“What is? Love? Lust?”
“Yes to both but I was thinking more of the crowd. They all want a piece of our itsy bitsy spider,” Alastor said and Husk snorted. There was nothing itsy bitsy about Angel except maybe his waistline. “They feel like they’re owed that. Each and every one of them would drag him off and have their way with him with or without his consent and I do not understand that.”
“Angel is good at his job, Alastor. He knows how to make the crowd love him, maybe a little too much because your bleak picture of what would happen if he wasn’t vigilant.” Husk glowered. “You’re not wrong about that.”
“Which brings me back to my original question. How does it feel to know the man you want is desired by so many others, is had by so many if I understand his film career correctly.” Alastor turned his creepy-assed grin on Husk.
Husk breathed in through his nose, trying not to sound angry. Alastor knew damned well what Angel’s career was like. Husk managed to suppress the feline growl that wanted to escape. Calmed by the inrush of air, he answered, “Angel’s lovers aren’t lovers, they’re a job. He has no say in who or how many Valentino wants him to do. And he’s not my man. Sorry if you’re disappointed by that.”
Alastor’s grin didn’t fade until he took a drink. “And yet you looked angry at my suggested scenario.”
“That scowl was for something in the past.” Husk poured himself a whiskey and fixed another gin rickey for Alastor who had drained most of his already. Mimsy had been right about one thing: when Alastor drank, he could go shot for shot with Husk. “I didn’t remember it at first but I had met Angel once when I ran The Jackpot. Valentino had provided some entertainment for me and Angel was there dancing. He was attacked later in the evening by a fan who didn’t know the meaning of the word no.”
“Hardly surprising in hell.”
Husk snorted. “True. Angel was pretty busted up and the fan was a pile of entrails and bones. He might look like dandelion fluff, boss, but if you cross him, Angel is all bullets and baseball bats. That said, the look on his face that might haunted me, especially when Valentino was more angry with Angel for hurting a fan than he was that his prize performer was nearly brutally raped.” He knocked back his drink in one swallow and poured another. “So, I guess maybe you’re sort of right, boss. I hate that so many creeps want a piece of my friend, that they’d hurt him without a thought.”
“And does it hurt that he might want them back?” Alastor was definitely in the mood to keep turning the screws.
Husk shrugged. “He doesn’t, not really. He might let someone use him to bury his pain and yeah, that bugs me too but in the end he doesn’t really want anyone. If he really wanted someone? Well, that’s his business, ain’t it?”
“As you say.”
Alastor drained his glass and walked off, having sated his sadistic intentions for the day. Husk curled his lip at him and went back to watching the gala but Alastor had tainted it. All he could think about was how he didn’t like all the attention Angel got. On the other hand, he didn’t worry about Angel’s affection wandering. Husk knew who Angel cared for and that was enough.
# # #
Husk roused from where he was mostly asleep face down on the bar. The soft creak of the front door hinges had jerked him into wakefulness. Angel slipped in, a bit unsteady, behind him the sky had begun to lighten with predawn. Husk massaged the crick out of his neck.
Angel shot him a sympathetic look. “You didn’t have to wait up for me, Husky.”
“I know. I wanted to.” He ambled over cracking his back as he went. Note to self, do not sleep on the bar. Your body is feeling as old as it was when you bit it. Husk raked his gaze over Angel.
His lace suit had a couple tears in it and his makeup was smeared. When Husk closed the distance, he picked up the scents of smoke, booze, cologne, and musk. He knew Angel would have to fuck Valentino tonight and if he was lucky that was the only person he had to sate. There could be others. Husk refused to ask after them. Alastor had hit a bit close to bone with his taunts. Of course Husk didn’t like what Angel had to do but for Angel’s sake, not his own.
He held out a hand. “Let’s get you up to bed. You could use some sleep.” Given how blown Angel’s pupils were, Husk was unsure if that level of coked-up would allow for sleep.
“Thanks, babe.” Angel swayed on his heels, drunk no doubt, tired too. He plucked Husk’s hat off and put it on his own head. “Did you see me on tv?”
“I did. You looked handsome as hell.” Husk pressed the button on the elevator, which immediately opened. The ladies had gone upstairs via the staircase and Husk had brought the elevator back down once Pentious had gone to bed.
Angel staggered in. “Of course because I am.” He smirked and Husk rolled his eyes. “You gonna see Pearls of Love? You saw how excited everyone is for my new movie.”
“Are you ready for another performance review?”
“Such a porn critic.” Angel sniffed but he stole a kiss anyhow as the elevator rose.
Husk hummed softly when Angel sagged back against the handrail. Angel cocked his head, nearly losing Husk’s hat.
“I know that song, don’t I?”
“Yeah, everybody loves my baby, but my baby don't love nobody but me, nobody but me.” Husk rolled his shoulders. “Okay so I ain’t no Louie Armstrong.”
Angel’s smile went so big Husk could get lost in it. “You don’t need to be. I remember that one. What brought that to mind?”
Husk took Angel’s hand and led him out onto their floor. “Alastor. He was trying to dig into me, asking me how it felt to have all those men leering at my lover when he saw you on the TV.” He grimaced.
Angel made a displeased noise deep in his throat, a very ‘Tony’ sound. “What the fuck does he care?”
“He doesn’t. He just likes tormenting people. He’s a sadist, every bit as bad as Valentino, only Al isn’t into the sexual side of it.”
“Should I be worried he’s figured it out?” Angel opened his door. “Not that I suppose we’re entirely quiet.”
“Not really. He’s not going to gossip, except maybe with Rosie and she likes you, right? I was surprised you knew her.”
“Cannibal Pool Boy, remember?” Angel snorted. “I know her and I know she hates Val so she won’t be carrying tales back to him. Sorry Smiles was being a dick to you.”
Husk waved him off. “He always is if he thinks he’ll get something out of it but if he doesn’t, then he leaves me alone. He could be a lot worse. He’s not the daily issue like Val is. I’m fine.”
“Good. You staying?” Angel said and then hurriedly added before Husk could answer, “I’d like you to stay.”
“I’m staying.”
“Perfect. Give me a minute to clean up. Luckily I’m less gross than I might have been all things considered. Val was more interested in Vox fucking him tonight. Go on and get into bed. I’ll be right out.” Angel put his hat on Husk’s head.
He sashayed to the bathroom, his panties flashing in the neon lighting Angel favored. Husk would turn that out in a minute after he gave Fat Nuggets a goodnight belly rub. Angel paused in the doorway, posing against it.
“And Husk, the song is right. I don’t want nobody but you.”
Husk’s throat tightened. Damn, it had been so long since he felt like this, giddy as a schoolgirl. “I know it and that’s all I need to know, Tony.”
Angel blew him a kiss and disappeared into the bathroom. Husk turned down the bed and gave Nuggs his belly rub. Husk stripped and snuggled up under the covers. Angel joined him, smelling of those oil wipes he liked to freshen up with, a heady mix of frankincense and leather. Husk wondered if Catholic Tony realized it didn’t just smell manly, it smelled Catholic churchy too. Still there was something comforting in the smell and it was an improvement over him smelling like Valentino and Vox.
Husk drew Angel close, his lover’s eyes already shuddering. It had been a long night for him. Husk wrapped Angel up with his tail and arms and they both drifted off safe with each other, safe from their respective hells.
And of course now it's time for the fannish recs of the week for fannish 50
Foreboding FAKE
and all i lov'd X-Men
where the edges start to blur The Owl House
I'm Floating (You Are Floating) Stargate Atlantis/Stargate SG-1
Shamed Torchwood
Just Another Day in the Office Teen Wolf/The Bright Sessions
Coming Around Again Grimm
I Will Remember You: Angel and the Oracles - What's Going On? Buffyverse meta
[ART] Daydreaming X- Men
It's Not Pie Days of Our Lives
Helluva Boss Fizzarolli/Asmodeus, quiet time
Helluva Boss, Moxxie/Millie, date night
An Interesting Place Torchwood/Doctor Who
Hazbin Hotel, Angel Dust/Husk, secret meeting
moving through the ether Star Trek: Voyager
Station 66.6 hazbin Hotel
Jealousy The Owl House
Meeting the Family Teen Wolf
I found out walmart no longer carries the plastic shrink wrappy stuff to weather proof your windows. Sigh. Also they had only a mousetrap that'll break my hand or the expensive one the mouse goes in, don't come out and you don't have to see your murder efforts. Got that one because seriously I wasn't sure my bad hand could handle the other trap
Went to CVS got my meds...free. I don't know why. they don't know why. I wasn't arguing with it. Got my flu shot too. They gave me 5$ coupon for that. They have local history books so I bought one with that on the mafia in Ohio and it will work for my immigrant prompt with Popsugar.
I am confused. Yesterday my sugar was everywhere, setting the alarm off on my dexcom all class long (you're nurses in training. learn to ignore an alarm like you will in the real setting) and I ate well. Today I had TWO sugary coffee drinks and my sugar never went above 200. WHY?
I did write today and I am getting some love already.
Title: Everybody Loves My Baby (But My Baby Don’t Love Nobody But Me)
Summary: Alastor tries to get under Husk’s skin using Angel’s profession as a weapon. Husk knows something Alastor doesn’t and that makes all the difference.
Author Note -.Written for spikesgirl58’s six word challenge. The words were Bed, Terminate, Thumb, Disease, Cultured, & Soda . Also written for the allbingo public domain bingo prompt of “Nobody's Sweetheart” and for the lyrical titles duet challenge 2025 using Everybody Loves My Baby by Louis Armstrong (His wasn’t the 1924 version but it is the version referenced in the story).
Sometime in Hell’s Past
Husker barely paid attention to the shows that got booked into his casino. He had people in charge of that. He didn’t even give a damn that Valentino had darkened his door. So long as the other overlord was there to drink and gamble, Husker was okay with it. Valentino had provided the entertainment currently on stage and Husker wondered what the attraction was. His patrons were into it though. All he saw was a flat-assed twig of a man covered in glitter swinging around a stripper pole. Was the guy pretty? If you liked them tall and slender, yes, he supposed the entertainer wasn’t bad.
Fletch hooked a thumb at him so Husker went to see what his pit boss wanted, the skinny spider already forgotten. And he remained that way until much later in the evening.
# # #
“What’s it like, Husker?”
Alastor’s voice suddenly in his ear startled Husk. He’d been watching the news and Angel was on it with some new multi-star big budget porno that had come out over the weekend. Tom Trench was covering the gala ball being thrown in its honor. Angel was there in a shocking see-through lace suit in black against his white and pink fur giving the crowd a great look at his sequined – red naturally – panties. Husk hated the lace suit and knew it had been Velvette’s choice, not Angel’s. Angel had whined to Husk about it for a week. He looked pissed to be on Valentino’s arm but where else could he be? That didn’t shock Husk. What did shock him was Alastor was bothering to look at a TV screen.
“What’s it like to know the man you care about is the darling of thousands?” A smug smile sliced across Alastor’s arrogant face.
“Millions, for the love of fuck, don’t tell him it’s only thousands, boss.” Husk cringed, hoping Alastor would think it was about that faux pas and not about the fact he’d hit the nail on the head. “I don’t think about it. Angel’s not my man.”
Alastor cocked his head, his eyes twinkling. Husk knew this mood, the playful cruel destructive one. He fucking hated this mood.
“Is he not? Were you not just staring at him and his…is that a cultured pearl necklace?” Alastor pointed to the screen.
Husk nearly swallowed his tongue. That was most definitely not what he was staring at. He’d been trying not to notice the hint of pink pubes sneaking past the boundaries of the ruby panties. “Knowing Velvette, that necklace is over the top. I just have the tv on for background noise.”
“I should think radio would be better for that.”
“You always think that, boss.” Husk wished he could terminate this conversation and Alastor with it but the latter wasn’t going to happen.
Alastor sat at the bar, turning his attention to the festivities on the screen. He pointed without looking toward the bottles of liquor. “I’m in the mood for a gin rickey, Husker.”
Fighting not to roll his eyes, Husk poured gin and club soda into a glass with a lime, sliding it to Alastor who picked it up.
“It’s like a disease,” Alastor said.
“What is? Love? Lust?”
“Yes to both but I was thinking more of the crowd. They all want a piece of our itsy bitsy spider,” Alastor said and Husk snorted. There was nothing itsy bitsy about Angel except maybe his waistline. “They feel like they’re owed that. Each and every one of them would drag him off and have their way with him with or without his consent and I do not understand that.”
“Angel is good at his job, Alastor. He knows how to make the crowd love him, maybe a little too much because your bleak picture of what would happen if he wasn’t vigilant.” Husk glowered. “You’re not wrong about that.”
“Which brings me back to my original question. How does it feel to know the man you want is desired by so many others, is had by so many if I understand his film career correctly.” Alastor turned his creepy-assed grin on Husk.
Husk breathed in through his nose, trying not to sound angry. Alastor knew damned well what Angel’s career was like. Husk managed to suppress the feline growl that wanted to escape. Calmed by the inrush of air, he answered, “Angel’s lovers aren’t lovers, they’re a job. He has no say in who or how many Valentino wants him to do. And he’s not my man. Sorry if you’re disappointed by that.”
Alastor’s grin didn’t fade until he took a drink. “And yet you looked angry at my suggested scenario.”
“That scowl was for something in the past.” Husk poured himself a whiskey and fixed another gin rickey for Alastor who had drained most of his already. Mimsy had been right about one thing: when Alastor drank, he could go shot for shot with Husk. “I didn’t remember it at first but I had met Angel once when I ran The Jackpot. Valentino had provided some entertainment for me and Angel was there dancing. He was attacked later in the evening by a fan who didn’t know the meaning of the word no.”
“Hardly surprising in hell.”
Husk snorted. “True. Angel was pretty busted up and the fan was a pile of entrails and bones. He might look like dandelion fluff, boss, but if you cross him, Angel is all bullets and baseball bats. That said, the look on his face that might haunted me, especially when Valentino was more angry with Angel for hurting a fan than he was that his prize performer was nearly brutally raped.” He knocked back his drink in one swallow and poured another. “So, I guess maybe you’re sort of right, boss. I hate that so many creeps want a piece of my friend, that they’d hurt him without a thought.”
“And does it hurt that he might want them back?” Alastor was definitely in the mood to keep turning the screws.
Husk shrugged. “He doesn’t, not really. He might let someone use him to bury his pain and yeah, that bugs me too but in the end he doesn’t really want anyone. If he really wanted someone? Well, that’s his business, ain’t it?”
“As you say.”
Alastor drained his glass and walked off, having sated his sadistic intentions for the day. Husk curled his lip at him and went back to watching the gala but Alastor had tainted it. All he could think about was how he didn’t like all the attention Angel got. On the other hand, he didn’t worry about Angel’s affection wandering. Husk knew who Angel cared for and that was enough.
# # #
Husk roused from where he was mostly asleep face down on the bar. The soft creak of the front door hinges had jerked him into wakefulness. Angel slipped in, a bit unsteady, behind him the sky had begun to lighten with predawn. Husk massaged the crick out of his neck.
Angel shot him a sympathetic look. “You didn’t have to wait up for me, Husky.”
“I know. I wanted to.” He ambled over cracking his back as he went. Note to self, do not sleep on the bar. Your body is feeling as old as it was when you bit it. Husk raked his gaze over Angel.
His lace suit had a couple tears in it and his makeup was smeared. When Husk closed the distance, he picked up the scents of smoke, booze, cologne, and musk. He knew Angel would have to fuck Valentino tonight and if he was lucky that was the only person he had to sate. There could be others. Husk refused to ask after them. Alastor had hit a bit close to bone with his taunts. Of course Husk didn’t like what Angel had to do but for Angel’s sake, not his own.
He held out a hand. “Let’s get you up to bed. You could use some sleep.” Given how blown Angel’s pupils were, Husk was unsure if that level of coked-up would allow for sleep.
“Thanks, babe.” Angel swayed on his heels, drunk no doubt, tired too. He plucked Husk’s hat off and put it on his own head. “Did you see me on tv?”
“I did. You looked handsome as hell.” Husk pressed the button on the elevator, which immediately opened. The ladies had gone upstairs via the staircase and Husk had brought the elevator back down once Pentious had gone to bed.
Angel staggered in. “Of course because I am.” He smirked and Husk rolled his eyes. “You gonna see Pearls of Love? You saw how excited everyone is for my new movie.”
“Are you ready for another performance review?”
“Such a porn critic.” Angel sniffed but he stole a kiss anyhow as the elevator rose.
Husk hummed softly when Angel sagged back against the handrail. Angel cocked his head, nearly losing Husk’s hat.
“I know that song, don’t I?”
“Yeah, everybody loves my baby, but my baby don't love nobody but me, nobody but me.” Husk rolled his shoulders. “Okay so I ain’t no Louie Armstrong.”
Angel’s smile went so big Husk could get lost in it. “You don’t need to be. I remember that one. What brought that to mind?”
Husk took Angel’s hand and led him out onto their floor. “Alastor. He was trying to dig into me, asking me how it felt to have all those men leering at my lover when he saw you on the TV.” He grimaced.
Angel made a displeased noise deep in his throat, a very ‘Tony’ sound. “What the fuck does he care?”
“He doesn’t. He just likes tormenting people. He’s a sadist, every bit as bad as Valentino, only Al isn’t into the sexual side of it.”
“Should I be worried he’s figured it out?” Angel opened his door. “Not that I suppose we’re entirely quiet.”
“Not really. He’s not going to gossip, except maybe with Rosie and she likes you, right? I was surprised you knew her.”
“Cannibal Pool Boy, remember?” Angel snorted. “I know her and I know she hates Val so she won’t be carrying tales back to him. Sorry Smiles was being a dick to you.”
Husk waved him off. “He always is if he thinks he’ll get something out of it but if he doesn’t, then he leaves me alone. He could be a lot worse. He’s not the daily issue like Val is. I’m fine.”
“Good. You staying?” Angel said and then hurriedly added before Husk could answer, “I’d like you to stay.”
“I’m staying.”
“Perfect. Give me a minute to clean up. Luckily I’m less gross than I might have been all things considered. Val was more interested in Vox fucking him tonight. Go on and get into bed. I’ll be right out.” Angel put his hat on Husk’s head.
He sashayed to the bathroom, his panties flashing in the neon lighting Angel favored. Husk would turn that out in a minute after he gave Fat Nuggets a goodnight belly rub. Angel paused in the doorway, posing against it.
“And Husk, the song is right. I don’t want nobody but you.”
Husk’s throat tightened. Damn, it had been so long since he felt like this, giddy as a schoolgirl. “I know it and that’s all I need to know, Tony.”
Angel blew him a kiss and disappeared into the bathroom. Husk turned down the bed and gave Nuggs his belly rub. Husk stripped and snuggled up under the covers. Angel joined him, smelling of those oil wipes he liked to freshen up with, a heady mix of frankincense and leather. Husk wondered if Catholic Tony realized it didn’t just smell manly, it smelled Catholic churchy too. Still there was something comforting in the smell and it was an improvement over him smelling like Valentino and Vox.
Husk drew Angel close, his lover’s eyes already shuddering. It had been a long night for him. Husk wrapped Angel up with his tail and arms and they both drifted off safe with each other, safe from their respective hells.
And of course now it's time for the fannish recs of the week for fannish 50
Foreboding FAKE
and all i lov'd X-Men
where the edges start to blur The Owl House
I'm Floating (You Are Floating) Stargate Atlantis/Stargate SG-1
Shamed Torchwood
Just Another Day in the Office Teen Wolf/The Bright Sessions
Coming Around Again Grimm
I Will Remember You: Angel and the Oracles - What's Going On? Buffyverse meta
[ART] Daydreaming X- Men
It's Not Pie Days of Our Lives
Helluva Boss Fizzarolli/Asmodeus, quiet time
Helluva Boss, Moxxie/Millie, date night
An Interesting Place Torchwood/Doctor Who
Hazbin Hotel, Angel Dust/Husk, secret meeting
moving through the ether Star Trek: Voyager
Station 66.6 hazbin Hotel
Jealousy The Owl House
Meeting the Family Teen Wolf