cornerofmadness (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
cornerofmadness) wrote2025-06-20 08:34 pm
cornerofmadness) wrote2025-06-20 08:34 pm
Entry tags:
Unexpected Gift
My younger cousins are part managers of a new restaurant in our area and mom and I went there for lunch. (It was good) and they gave me a birthday card with a gift card (for some online liquor shop fine wine and good spirits) we don't do gifts so I was surprised. Here's me googling can you mail booze to OH (you cannot to PA)
I messed up. I thought yesterday was my posting day on![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
unconventionalcourtship but I looked a few days ago and I SWORE it said the 21st. Guess what. It was yesterday. SIGH. I posted chapter one now. You can find it here. I'm pretty proud of this one.
Title: Dandelions
Summary: Even though Angel is still under Valentino’s thumb, he has secretly signed on as Charlie Morningstar’s man, a protector, a faithful friend, whatever she needs and what she needs now is his help to find out who is stalking her (even if she thinks she can handle it herself)
Husker is more concerned with his casinos and clubs and his wild parties than he is with whatever reason Valentino wants him to take his best porn star to bed. He assumes Valentino is trying to get him in his debt but Husker prefers his lovers to have some brains, something - if the rumors are true – Angel Dust is lacking. But when he is being framed for trying to kill the Princess of Hell, Husker throws his lot in with Angel and the rest of Charlie’s people to clear his name.
Chapter One
“Dandelions are like stars in the grass, each one a beacon of hope and wishes waiting to be fulfilled.” – J.M. Barrie
Angel swung his hips, gyrating his way across the stage to the sounds of 1940s boogie-woogie. It wasn’t often he was asked to do a show to the old stuff but he loved it when he was. Angel had never been slow to adopt new tech or new music but the old stuff made him feel young again, which was hysterical when he considered he was over a hundred years old now with eternity to go.
As he passed the owner’s table, he showered a smile down. Val and Vox sat there drinking. Val would think the smile was for him but it was for the short man next to him. Fuck me, Husker was hotter than hell itself – which right now was in its ‘hell’s hotter than the sun’ phase of the year. The show was in honor of the opening of this new flagship casino, The Wild Angel. Sadly, it wasn’t named in Angel’s honor as he had only met Husker in passing while welded to Valentino’s side. Val would never trust him with one of hell’s most notorious, hot to trot, overlords and well, he shouldn’t. Angel would drop to all fours for that winged kitty at the bat of an eyelash.
After the show and after taking time to spritz himself with perfumed oils to counteract the sweat he’d worked up and didn’t have the time to shower away, Angel sashayed out to the owner’s table. He’d donned a simple but elegant ruby gown, hoping to attract Husker’s attention. Valentino foiled his plans to cuddle up with the gambling overlord, pulling Angel onto his lap. He put a possessive hand on Angel’s silk clad thigh, massaging the red dress against Angel’s flesh.
“Beautiful, baby, but you know that,” Valentino said, taking a puff on his cigarette.
Angel plucked the holder from Valentino’s lips so he could have a drag. He made eye contact with Husker a little too long because Val pinched his leg. Angel blew the smoke toward the ceiling and took another puff. “I know.” He wiggled on Valentino’s lap to prove he belonged to him. At least he had a good gag reflex because this was testing him.
You’re an actor. You can convince him you still love him.
What hurt was he had loved him once, back when Val was reeling Angel in past all the red flags he had been too lovesick to see. He was trapped now, loveless and hoping his new secret patron would be able to shred the contract binding him in place. But until then, Angel could play the game. He arched his neck, making his chest rise. The top of his trademark pink heart was showcased by the plunging neckline and his tight-laced corset.
Husker noticed. Even though Angel didn’t dare do more than peek out of the corner of his eye, the heat of Husker’s gaze seared him. Angel poked the tip of his tongue out, slowly wetting his petal-pink painted lips. Let the lusty bastard get a good long look. Maybe he’d get lucky and Husker would buy Angel from Valentino for the night. He wanted to make those gorgeous red wings flap and to discover what Husker could do with that tail of his. Angel had to stop thinking about it or he’d be explaining an erection to Valentino who might want to fuck him to completion here in public to remind him who he belonged to.
Valentino glanced around the theater, taking in the audience. “Seems like a very successful grand opening for you, Husker.”
Husker sipped at his whiskey. “Yes. Certainly the entertainment you arranged for the opening, was helpful. I got my money’s worth.”
“Speaking of which, how would you like to have our darling Angel for the evening?” Valentino patted Angel’s thigh. “He’ll be at his most entertaining. I can tell.”
There was a hint of danger in that last statement. Angel tried not to frown. Obviously he wasn’t doing good in masking his lust.
Husker looked him over like he was a car he was considering buying or maybe judging a poker opponent for his worth. “Thanks, but I’ll pass. I’ve heard all about Angel Dust, a bit of pink dandelion fluff and I have to say I prefer my lovers to be…more able to hold a conversation on a multitude of topics.”
Angel’s jaw dropped. I thought he was into me with the way he watched my every move. How dare he insult me and toss me aside!
“Are ya calling me dumb?” Angel snapped and Valentino pinched his thigh viciously, making him yelp.
“That’s not what he’s saying, baby,” Valentino said, ignoring Vox’s snort.
“I think he is.” So much for him finding Husker cute. Fuck him, stuck up twat. “I’m no dummy and from what I hear, ya ain’t exactly that picky where ya dip your pen anyhow.”
Valentino clamped his hand on Angel’s throat, squeezing hard. “Enough, Angel.”
“No, let him talk. I do appreciate fire,” Husker said but he scowled at Valentino.
“If backtalk is your kink, you should take Val up on his offer of Angel’s services,” Vox said. “He’s full of it.”
Husker laughed.
At him! How fucking dare he!
“I can see the fire in him.”
Angel flashed his fangs, a growl forming deep in his chest that he didn’t let loose because Val would slap him senseless. “I’m going home now, Val. I’m tired after that performance.”
“You’re sitting right where you are, give the man a chance to decide what he wants,” Val said, his voice tight and full of menace.
“He already said he ain’t interested. I ain’t smart or cultured enough for lord high and mighty,” Angel spat.
Val’s fist caught him unawares. Angel hadn’t expected him to do that here. It knocked him off Val’s lap. He sprawled between him and Husker, blood bubbling between his lips.
“Our host might find your backtalk cute. I don’t.” Val checked his ring to make sure it wasn’t covered in fuzz or blood from where it had sliced into Angel.
Husker jumped to his feet. “I don’t care what you do on your own time and place, Valentino, but I’m not having this here.”
Ignoring Valentino’s furious look, Husker held out a hand to Angel and helped him up. “I haven’t begun to show you and Vox all my casino has to offer, Valentino. I’ll be busy all night so let me show you around now while I have some time. We can let the dandelion fluff blow on home.”
Angel’s spine stiffened but there was something in Husker’s eyes that said he was masking rage on Angel’s behalf. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t a total dick. Angel wiped the blood from his mouth.
“Say thank you, baby, and get your twink ass out of here. You’re embarrassing me.”
“Thank you, Mr. Husker,” he said because he’d get a worse beating tomorrow if he didn’t and maybe he had been rude.
Husker smirked. “You can’t help being true to yourself.”
Was that another insult? Angel didn’t know. He took his window of escape and got a cab back home. When he said home, he hadn’t meant Vee studio and Valentino – already a little tipsy – might not remember that. He’d send a reminder text because Lucifer help him if Val showed up in Angel’s old shit studio apartment and Angel wasn’t there to be raw dogged into the mattress.
Instead, he went to the Happy Hotel, though he had to admit Alastor’s rebranding of it as the Hazbin Hotel rankled. He was at the top of his game so fuck Al too. Maybe he means we’re has-been sinners on our way to being good souls. Nah, he don’t even believe in that, does he?
Angel had no answer to that. He was hoping the lobby would be empty. Mimsy – the bartender Al had provided – was a source of nonstop blathering. He could spot a manipulator and user a mile off and she was both. Had Al fallen for her schtick? He doubted it and suspected it had more to do with their shared past in the living world. Did that simply mean dance clubs or were the rumors about Al being a cannibal true? Angel had decided the moment Mimsy moved into the hotel to hedge his bets and treat her like she was. He kept himself sort of sober around her and shockingly Pentious was the one he unloaded to. Cherri was amused since she and Angel used to beat Pentious up on the regular.
He tried to sneak to the staircase but hard floors and high heels didn’t equal quietness. Mimsy lifted her head off the bar top and made a phone call as she said, “Finally back, Angel.”
“Yeah. It was a rough one. Who are you calling?”
She held up a manicure finger to him. “He’s back, Char-Char.”
Angel grimaced. Charlie hated that nickname – unless it was from Lucifer and he wasn’t sure she even liked it then. Mimsy knew it, didn’t care. Mimsy hung up immediately.
“You didn’t need to do that. I need some rest anyhow.”
Mimsy shrugged. “Boss lady wants what she wants.”
“Angel!” Charlie leaned over the second floor railing. Her hair was in a hysterical level of bedhead disarray. Vaggie followed her, rubbing her sleepy eye. “I was getting worried.”
She hurried down the stairs. Vaggie followed slowly. Angel sighed. All he wanted was to go to bed and snuggle with Fat Nuggets.
“I’m fine. I told you it would be a late night. It was a big show. The gambling overlord opened another casino.”
Charlie touched his swollen lip. “He hit you again.”
“It’s no big thing.”
“It is, Angel. I wish I could do more-”
Charlie’s protest was cut short when a bullet crashed through the front window and slammed into the wall, not particularly close to anyone but enough to frighten them all. Vaggie hauled Charlie down. Swearing, Angel brought out his tommy guns and he ran out the door. Vaggie joined him, Charlie too, ignoring them telling her to keep inside and safe. Mimsy didn’t join the search party but Pentious slithered out in his nightclothes. Alastor seemed to unmold from the shadows.
None of them found the shooter. Angel looked for the brass to at least give him an idea where the shooter had been. Did they have security cameras on the hotel? He bet Vox did even if Charlie didn’t know it. On the other hand, Lucifer had smartly put his hotel high on the hill with a cliff behind it and not much tree cover on the drive up. It wasn’t an easy place to sneak up on.
“Maybe it was just a random shot,” Charlie suggested.
“Up here? The hotel isn’t near other buildings,” Vaggie pointed out.
The hotel was somewhat isolated up on a hill but it might not be as important as Vaggie thought. Angel made a face. “A sharpshooter could make the shot from a window.” He pointed to the buildings not that far away. “Could be why he missed so bad.”
“I’m just glad he did,” Vaggie said, linking arms with Charlie so she could steer her back inside.
“Me too. Guess I should go to bed.”
Of course Angel had no idea how he was meant to sleep after being smacked around by Val, insulted by Husker and now worried sick someone would hurt Charlie. Could she die? She wasn’t a sinner. Imps died. Did the rest of the hell born? Those thoughts kept him up much of the night.
Fandom recs
The Adventures of Prince Eli and Princess Stiles Teen Wolf
The Big Move Torchwood
Liability Torchwood
No Children The Murderbot Diaries
Alone but Not Unwanted Stargate Atlantis
you got a taste for blood (red velvet)
时光代理人 | Link Click
The Spy Who Banged Me Hazbin Hotel
Higher Than The Highest Mountain Hazbin Hotel
A Responsible Leavetaking 9-1-1
best friend and confidant
陈情令 | The Untamed (TV)/魔道祖师 - 墨香铜臭 | Módào Zǔshī - Mòxiāng Tóngxiù
The Cruise of Destiny Queer as Folk (US TV 2022)/Queer as Folk (UK)
Burning Bright Buffy the Vampire Slayer
An Unfortunate Accident torchwood
One wrong word and it all may come crashing down
龍が如く | Ryuu ga Gotoku | Yakuza (Video Games)
Basilisk The Murderbot Diaries
from fire to a blaze 藏海传 | Legend of Zang Hai
Cuddles With Koro-chan Persona 3
Pumpkins Monsters vs Aliens
Celebrities Hazbin Hotel
Cool Decisions 9-1-1
FashionableStrings & perfectlyn0rmal Hazbin Hotel
And Some Days, Nothing Goes as Expected Teen Wolf
I messed up. I thought yesterday was my posting day on
unconventionalcourtship but I looked a few days ago and I SWORE it said the 21st. Guess what. It was yesterday. SIGH. I posted chapter one now. You can find it here. I'm pretty proud of this one.Title: Dandelions
Summary: Even though Angel is still under Valentino’s thumb, he has secretly signed on as Charlie Morningstar’s man, a protector, a faithful friend, whatever she needs and what she needs now is his help to find out who is stalking her (even if she thinks she can handle it herself)
Husker is more concerned with his casinos and clubs and his wild parties than he is with whatever reason Valentino wants him to take his best porn star to bed. He assumes Valentino is trying to get him in his debt but Husker prefers his lovers to have some brains, something - if the rumors are true – Angel Dust is lacking. But when he is being framed for trying to kill the Princess of Hell, Husker throws his lot in with Angel and the rest of Charlie’s people to clear his name.
Chapter One
“Dandelions are like stars in the grass, each one a beacon of hope and wishes waiting to be fulfilled.” – J.M. Barrie
Angel swung his hips, gyrating his way across the stage to the sounds of 1940s boogie-woogie. It wasn’t often he was asked to do a show to the old stuff but he loved it when he was. Angel had never been slow to adopt new tech or new music but the old stuff made him feel young again, which was hysterical when he considered he was over a hundred years old now with eternity to go.
As he passed the owner’s table, he showered a smile down. Val and Vox sat there drinking. Val would think the smile was for him but it was for the short man next to him. Fuck me, Husker was hotter than hell itself – which right now was in its ‘hell’s hotter than the sun’ phase of the year. The show was in honor of the opening of this new flagship casino, The Wild Angel. Sadly, it wasn’t named in Angel’s honor as he had only met Husker in passing while welded to Valentino’s side. Val would never trust him with one of hell’s most notorious, hot to trot, overlords and well, he shouldn’t. Angel would drop to all fours for that winged kitty at the bat of an eyelash.
After the show and after taking time to spritz himself with perfumed oils to counteract the sweat he’d worked up and didn’t have the time to shower away, Angel sashayed out to the owner’s table. He’d donned a simple but elegant ruby gown, hoping to attract Husker’s attention. Valentino foiled his plans to cuddle up with the gambling overlord, pulling Angel onto his lap. He put a possessive hand on Angel’s silk clad thigh, massaging the red dress against Angel’s flesh.
“Beautiful, baby, but you know that,” Valentino said, taking a puff on his cigarette.
Angel plucked the holder from Valentino’s lips so he could have a drag. He made eye contact with Husker a little too long because Val pinched his leg. Angel blew the smoke toward the ceiling and took another puff. “I know.” He wiggled on Valentino’s lap to prove he belonged to him. At least he had a good gag reflex because this was testing him.
You’re an actor. You can convince him you still love him.
What hurt was he had loved him once, back when Val was reeling Angel in past all the red flags he had been too lovesick to see. He was trapped now, loveless and hoping his new secret patron would be able to shred the contract binding him in place. But until then, Angel could play the game. He arched his neck, making his chest rise. The top of his trademark pink heart was showcased by the plunging neckline and his tight-laced corset.
Husker noticed. Even though Angel didn’t dare do more than peek out of the corner of his eye, the heat of Husker’s gaze seared him. Angel poked the tip of his tongue out, slowly wetting his petal-pink painted lips. Let the lusty bastard get a good long look. Maybe he’d get lucky and Husker would buy Angel from Valentino for the night. He wanted to make those gorgeous red wings flap and to discover what Husker could do with that tail of his. Angel had to stop thinking about it or he’d be explaining an erection to Valentino who might want to fuck him to completion here in public to remind him who he belonged to.
Valentino glanced around the theater, taking in the audience. “Seems like a very successful grand opening for you, Husker.”
Husker sipped at his whiskey. “Yes. Certainly the entertainment you arranged for the opening, was helpful. I got my money’s worth.”
“Speaking of which, how would you like to have our darling Angel for the evening?” Valentino patted Angel’s thigh. “He’ll be at his most entertaining. I can tell.”
There was a hint of danger in that last statement. Angel tried not to frown. Obviously he wasn’t doing good in masking his lust.
Husker looked him over like he was a car he was considering buying or maybe judging a poker opponent for his worth. “Thanks, but I’ll pass. I’ve heard all about Angel Dust, a bit of pink dandelion fluff and I have to say I prefer my lovers to be…more able to hold a conversation on a multitude of topics.”
Angel’s jaw dropped. I thought he was into me with the way he watched my every move. How dare he insult me and toss me aside!
“Are ya calling me dumb?” Angel snapped and Valentino pinched his thigh viciously, making him yelp.
“That’s not what he’s saying, baby,” Valentino said, ignoring Vox’s snort.
“I think he is.” So much for him finding Husker cute. Fuck him, stuck up twat. “I’m no dummy and from what I hear, ya ain’t exactly that picky where ya dip your pen anyhow.”
Valentino clamped his hand on Angel’s throat, squeezing hard. “Enough, Angel.”
“No, let him talk. I do appreciate fire,” Husker said but he scowled at Valentino.
“If backtalk is your kink, you should take Val up on his offer of Angel’s services,” Vox said. “He’s full of it.”
Husker laughed.
At him! How fucking dare he!
“I can see the fire in him.”
Angel flashed his fangs, a growl forming deep in his chest that he didn’t let loose because Val would slap him senseless. “I’m going home now, Val. I’m tired after that performance.”
“You’re sitting right where you are, give the man a chance to decide what he wants,” Val said, his voice tight and full of menace.
“He already said he ain’t interested. I ain’t smart or cultured enough for lord high and mighty,” Angel spat.
Val’s fist caught him unawares. Angel hadn’t expected him to do that here. It knocked him off Val’s lap. He sprawled between him and Husker, blood bubbling between his lips.
“Our host might find your backtalk cute. I don’t.” Val checked his ring to make sure it wasn’t covered in fuzz or blood from where it had sliced into Angel.
Husker jumped to his feet. “I don’t care what you do on your own time and place, Valentino, but I’m not having this here.”
Ignoring Valentino’s furious look, Husker held out a hand to Angel and helped him up. “I haven’t begun to show you and Vox all my casino has to offer, Valentino. I’ll be busy all night so let me show you around now while I have some time. We can let the dandelion fluff blow on home.”
Angel’s spine stiffened but there was something in Husker’s eyes that said he was masking rage on Angel’s behalf. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t a total dick. Angel wiped the blood from his mouth.
“Say thank you, baby, and get your twink ass out of here. You’re embarrassing me.”
“Thank you, Mr. Husker,” he said because he’d get a worse beating tomorrow if he didn’t and maybe he had been rude.
Husker smirked. “You can’t help being true to yourself.”
Was that another insult? Angel didn’t know. He took his window of escape and got a cab back home. When he said home, he hadn’t meant Vee studio and Valentino – already a little tipsy – might not remember that. He’d send a reminder text because Lucifer help him if Val showed up in Angel’s old shit studio apartment and Angel wasn’t there to be raw dogged into the mattress.
Instead, he went to the Happy Hotel, though he had to admit Alastor’s rebranding of it as the Hazbin Hotel rankled. He was at the top of his game so fuck Al too. Maybe he means we’re has-been sinners on our way to being good souls. Nah, he don’t even believe in that, does he?
Angel had no answer to that. He was hoping the lobby would be empty. Mimsy – the bartender Al had provided – was a source of nonstop blathering. He could spot a manipulator and user a mile off and she was both. Had Al fallen for her schtick? He doubted it and suspected it had more to do with their shared past in the living world. Did that simply mean dance clubs or were the rumors about Al being a cannibal true? Angel had decided the moment Mimsy moved into the hotel to hedge his bets and treat her like she was. He kept himself sort of sober around her and shockingly Pentious was the one he unloaded to. Cherri was amused since she and Angel used to beat Pentious up on the regular.
He tried to sneak to the staircase but hard floors and high heels didn’t equal quietness. Mimsy lifted her head off the bar top and made a phone call as she said, “Finally back, Angel.”
“Yeah. It was a rough one. Who are you calling?”
She held up a manicure finger to him. “He’s back, Char-Char.”
Angel grimaced. Charlie hated that nickname – unless it was from Lucifer and he wasn’t sure she even liked it then. Mimsy knew it, didn’t care. Mimsy hung up immediately.
“You didn’t need to do that. I need some rest anyhow.”
Mimsy shrugged. “Boss lady wants what she wants.”
“Angel!” Charlie leaned over the second floor railing. Her hair was in a hysterical level of bedhead disarray. Vaggie followed her, rubbing her sleepy eye. “I was getting worried.”
She hurried down the stairs. Vaggie followed slowly. Angel sighed. All he wanted was to go to bed and snuggle with Fat Nuggets.
“I’m fine. I told you it would be a late night. It was a big show. The gambling overlord opened another casino.”
Charlie touched his swollen lip. “He hit you again.”
“It’s no big thing.”
“It is, Angel. I wish I could do more-”
Charlie’s protest was cut short when a bullet crashed through the front window and slammed into the wall, not particularly close to anyone but enough to frighten them all. Vaggie hauled Charlie down. Swearing, Angel brought out his tommy guns and he ran out the door. Vaggie joined him, Charlie too, ignoring them telling her to keep inside and safe. Mimsy didn’t join the search party but Pentious slithered out in his nightclothes. Alastor seemed to unmold from the shadows.
None of them found the shooter. Angel looked for the brass to at least give him an idea where the shooter had been. Did they have security cameras on the hotel? He bet Vox did even if Charlie didn’t know it. On the other hand, Lucifer had smartly put his hotel high on the hill with a cliff behind it and not much tree cover on the drive up. It wasn’t an easy place to sneak up on.
“Maybe it was just a random shot,” Charlie suggested.
“Up here? The hotel isn’t near other buildings,” Vaggie pointed out.
The hotel was somewhat isolated up on a hill but it might not be as important as Vaggie thought. Angel made a face. “A sharpshooter could make the shot from a window.” He pointed to the buildings not that far away. “Could be why he missed so bad.”
“I’m just glad he did,” Vaggie said, linking arms with Charlie so she could steer her back inside.
“Me too. Guess I should go to bed.”
Of course Angel had no idea how he was meant to sleep after being smacked around by Val, insulted by Husker and now worried sick someone would hurt Charlie. Could she die? She wasn’t a sinner. Imps died. Did the rest of the hell born? Those thoughts kept him up much of the night.
Fandom recs
The Adventures of Prince Eli and Princess Stiles Teen Wolf
The Big Move Torchwood
Liability Torchwood
No Children The Murderbot Diaries
Alone but Not Unwanted Stargate Atlantis
you got a taste for blood (red velvet)
时光代理人 | Link Click
The Spy Who Banged Me Hazbin Hotel
Higher Than The Highest Mountain Hazbin Hotel
A Responsible Leavetaking 9-1-1
best friend and confidant
陈情令 | The Untamed (TV)/魔道祖师 - 墨香铜臭 | Módào Zǔshī - Mòxiāng Tóngxiù
The Cruise of Destiny Queer as Folk (US TV 2022)/Queer as Folk (UK)
Burning Bright Buffy the Vampire Slayer
An Unfortunate Accident torchwood
One wrong word and it all may come crashing down
龍が如く | Ryuu ga Gotoku | Yakuza (Video Games)
Basilisk The Murderbot Diaries
from fire to a blaze 藏海传 | Legend of Zang Hai
Cuddles With Koro-chan Persona 3
Pumpkins Monsters vs Aliens
Celebrities Hazbin Hotel
Cool Decisions 9-1-1
FashionableStrings & perfectlyn0rmal Hazbin Hotel
And Some Days, Nothing Goes as Expected Teen Wolf
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