Boxing Day

[cornerofmadness]

Okay so it's not really a thing in America and mostly all we did today was lie about watching British mysteries and being thankful no one else was in the house!

I also wrote a lot and washed clothes. Put my Christmas photos in a file. Probably will share them with you tomorrow.

Here's the story I wrote

Title: There'll Be a Hot Time in Old Town Tonight

Summary: Angel is hosting his first Sinsmas party as an overlord. He wants to ease his nerves about it with a dinner for friends but with rival overlords and scrapping turf war wannabes, will his party be a success or a dismal failure?

Rating: teen and up

Author Note - Written for spikesgirl58’s six words challenge. The words were Form, Illness, Session, Government, Lunch,& Relief and for lyrical bingo for the prompt of Pre-1900 song. I chose There'll Be a Hot Time in Old Town Tonight by Bessie Smith.

I also wrote this a holiday gift for my friend JK. It was meant to be Pentious centric. Angel was having none of it. It’s part of my Angel overlord AU. It’s a stand alone (but feel free to read the rest of the series if you want) All you need to know is Valentino is dead (Angel killed him) and Angel’s taken over Val’s empire with the help of his brother. The couple’s outfit Angel and Husker are wearing at the party (not to mention their dance moves) were inspired by Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin from BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, especially this dance




Angel surveyed the final touches on the ballroom on the top floor of his studio building. Vixen hip bumped him and gestured to the room proudly. She had been the one to enact his vision for his big Sinsmas week party.


He hugged her. “Perfect, sweetie. You did great.”


“I have it from here. Bun Bun and Dreama are coming to help with the final touches. You have a house party, pre-party thing to get to. Bun says you’ve been cooking for days,” his manager said. Vixen had been happy to retire from acting when Angel took over from Valentino.


“I have and I’ll send Bunny over with dinner before it gets cold, no fears. You be sure to eat it right away and then get back to this after. I should have had you at dinner…late lunch, whatever you want to call this. I was an idiot to have this Sinsmas meal before my party but tonight was the only way to get the party on the week’s festivities.”


“It’s fine. You run along home.” Vixen slapped his butt. “I’ve got this. I need to go check on the increased security for the party.”


“Thanks, Vixen.” He kissed her cheek and took the elevator down to the underground parking garage where he had his sportscar. He drove like he stole it all the way back to his home deep in the Entertainment district.


Bun Bun was in the dining room setting out the place settings when he got inside. She waved to him. “I put the cioppino on the stove just like you asked, Angelcakes.”


“Thanks, Bun. I’m going to run up, change and come back to finish up. Company will be here shortly and did you agree to help Vixen at the studio?”


“I didn’t think you’d mind.”


“Not at all. I have the dinner party under control. Let me get you a big to-go cooler full of food and Vixen and Dreama are waiting for you at the studio. Take it to Dreama’s office. I couldn’t make this for the whole studio so if anyone comes in early for the party I don’t want them to feel left out.” He frowned. He definitely should have invited the three most important women in his life to dinner. This was bad form.


“Breathe, baby boy.” Bun Bun hugged him. “If you can handle a bad session in the studio, you can handle dinner with your brother and a few friends.”


“Speaking like someone who doesn’t know what dick my brother is.” Angel laughed.


“Your brother is a sweetie underneath it all.”


“Geez Bun, what are you doing? Digging to a deeper hell ring to find that sweetness?” Angel shook his head and strolled toward the kitchen.


“No, that would be me if I was saying that about your father.” She shuddered. “He reminds me of mine, nothing good there.”


“You’re right about that. Come on. Let me get you everything.”


It took two trips to haul all of his dishes for the ladies to Bun Bun’s car. She carried out a change of clothes for herself as well and disappeared in the direction of the studio. Angel went back to the dining room and poured red wine for everyone. Most of the crew coming to dinner weren’t wine drinkers but this feast screamed for wine or maybe that was the Italian-American traditionalist in him. Granted, tradition was only a tiny part of him, mostly the food related side.


Angel surveyed his dining room, proud of himself. Just as that pride bolstered him, something darker took him over. Angel huddled up, back against the wall. His chest tightened, his breaths coming in shallow, painful, like they had been when he died. His vision swam and he expected a blow. How dare he think himself this good? Angel gasped and concentrated on the room.


“Purple walls,” he muttered, remembering what Chase said, the therapist he had to deal with his actors’ issues, his too. Name all the details before him. Name them, calm him. “Silver curtains. Crystal glasses.”


His chest loosened and Angel sank into a chair. “Valentino, why are you in my head? I killed you. I know you can’t hurt me. So why?” He shuddered. “It’s my first Sinsmas without you in over forty years. First one I’ve been free for in forever.”


Tears dripped from his chin when he couldn’t stop them from racing down his face. He scooped up a napkin and dabbed them away.


“God, you’re stupid.”


The doorbell rang before he could fully pull himself together. Praying it wasn’t Arackniss, Angel dragged toward the door. It was Husker and he was early, standing there with a box that Angel couldn’t make out clearly in the video. Cursing under his breath, he opened the door.



“Happy Sins….” Husker trailed off, seeing Angel’s face. “Babe, what’s wrong?” He tossed the box onto the small table Angel had by the door and dragged him into a hug.


“Panic attack. I feel so dumb.”


“Shh, no, don’t say that. You’re not dumb. Panic attacks happen. I know. I’ve had them.”


Angel pressed against Husker, trying to absorb his strength. “Really?”


“I was in the war, like your brother. He has them too. He told me.”


“Oh,” Angel whispered. Arackniss had panic attacks? How could he not have known this? “It was Valentino. I was so proud of my little dinner and suddenly he was in the room with me, backing me into a corner. He’s like an illness in my head.”


“Yes, he is. He’s been in there a long time, Anthony. You need time to heal.”


Angel sniffled again, on the edge of another breakdown. “I know. It’s just…okay, I dunno how to explain it. A lot of the time Val was good but his temper would flip on like a light switch. You’d never know what would trigger it. You’d be hiding your head from the blows thinking what did I do to make him do this to me? Only, it was exactly the same with Henroin growing up and the way he beat Mamma and us kids. I’ve walked on eggshells so long it feels like I need to keep doing it.”


Husker hugged him tighter before taking a step back. “I don’t know what that’s like and if I ever make you feel that way, call me out on my behavior. Or better yet, hit me one.”


Angel dabbed his eyes again with a little snort. “I will.” He shoved the napkin in his pocket. “Okay, there. I’m done with this shit. You were saying something about a Merry Sinsmas and is that a gift?”


“It is.” Husker pulled him into a kiss. “Merry Sinsmas, babe. This is for celebrating later after the party or tomorrow but only if you want to. We’ve been talking about some things you wanted to put back into rotation so I took a gamble.”


“That’s what you do, Husky.” Angel popped the box open and grinned broadly at the sight of pink fluffy handcuffs and a pink blindfold with rhinestone script reading Harder Daddy. He squealed. “Yes! We’re using this! And if I freak out, you know the safe word and all that stuff. We’ll be fine.”


“And if it’s too much, we don’t need it all.”


“This is almost enough to make me forget that Val and Papà are violent brutes who beat me for no good reason.”


“Yes, they are.”


Angel jumped at the sound of his brother’s voice. Arackniss had his house key in hand, having let himself in as if Angel wouldn’t shoot him as an intruder by mistake if startled enough. He peered over Angel’s arm to see what was in the box.


Arackniss pointed his cigarette at it. “That better not be the dinner entertainment.”


“Your invite is revoked.” Angel pushed him toward the door.


“What? Like it would be your first live sex act? It might not even be his.” Arackniss nodded toward Husker.


“It is Sinsmas after all.” Husker smirked, taking the box from Angel. “I’ll run this upstairs and put it on the bed.”


“Your Sinsmas gift is sitting on the pillow,” Angel said, giving him a quick kiss before turning to Arackniss. “Did you bring me a gift?”


“You said no gifts.” He opened his jacket pocket and pulled out a gift card. “To your favorite store. I was not trying to pick you something. And I got a big bag of pig treats out in the car. I was just popping in to see if you needed help. It smells fantastic in here. I know this smell. What did you do, fratellino?”


“You’ll see. Just keep you and Husker out of the red wine on the dinner table.”


Arackniss snorted and went back outside. Cherri snuck in when he left.


“Throwing him out already, Angie?” She laughed and shoved two bottles of booze and a bag of pills at him. “Merry Sinsmas.”


“Thanks, Cherri. Nah, he’s going out to get his gift for Fat Nuggets. He likes my pig better than me. Your gift is under the Sinsmas tree with Arackniss’.”


“Thought you said no gifts.”


“Like I thought anyone would listen.” He hefted her booze bottles.


Husker raced back down the stairs with a small jewelry box in hand. He beamed. “You got me garnet cufflinks shaped like little dice.”


“They screamed your name when I saw them in the shop.”


“Love them. Thanks. Help me get them on.”


Angel took off Husker’s more conservative cuff links off and put on the blingy ones he’d gotten him, just in time for Arackniss to muscle in a bag of treats half his size with Rosie holding the door for him.


“Happy Sinsmas, Rosie.”


“Same to you, sweetie. Here, I brought flowers for the table and a little something for you, that rose jelly you liked.”


“You would, Tony.” Arackniss rolled his eyes. “Where am I putting this so your pig doesn’t eat it all at once.”


“Lock it in the pantry. And thank you, Rosie. I have everyone’s gifts under the Sinsmas tree. Is Alastor going to join you?” He’d tentatively invited him, hoping he wouldn’t show.


“Not until the dance tonight,” she replied. That didn’t sound too bad to him.


“Great. Come on through. Dinner-Lunch-whatever is ready. Let’s all go have a seat at the table. Carmilla couldn’t join us. She and her daughters had a thing today. They hope to make the party tonight.” Angel chivvied them all into the dining room and had them sit.


Arackniss glanced around. “Every time I come here I find a new room in this mansion and every time it’s painted like Molly did it.”


“Hush.”


“Why do you even need a formal dining room?” Arackniss eyed him.


“Because Mamma always wanted one with the fancy glasses and plates and you know what Henroin was like. He wasn’t wasting money on that. This room is for her.”


Arackniss sat down and picked up his plate, studying the pattern. “Mamma wouldn’t have had naked men on her plates, just saying.”


“It’s Greek art!” Angel protested giving his brother stink eye. “I wanted to thank you all for coming and for this past year of helping me to take over Valentino’s territory and hold it, for helping me to turn his studio into what I wanted it to be. I’m not sure I could have without your support.”


“Of course! I’m your best friend,” Cherri said.


“Don’t I know it. But Husker and Rosie are new and important to be me now and Arackniss knows we ain’t been the best brothers ever.”


“Literally ever,” Arackniss agreed. “But I had had enough of how he treated you and I was damned sure I was going to help you claim everything he had.”


“And that’s why I invited you here early, to say thanks and while I know Sinsmas isn’t Christmas, I do miss some things about that, like the meal Mamma used to make.”


“You didn’t,” Arackniss broke in.


“Did what?” Husker asked.


“The feast of the seven fishes. I knew that’s what I was smelling.”


“All I smell is garlic,” Cherri said.


“Feast of the seven fishes, I’m intrigued,” Rose said.


“I didn’t wear pants with an expandable waist,” Husker groaned. “I remember this from my life in Vegas, plenty of Italian friends there. How am I going to dance with you later, Angel, if I’m stuffed to my eyeballs?”



“How to know he wasn’t Italian in life.” Arackniss chuckled. “We just do it and we don’t stop eating until the plates stop coming.”


“He’s not wrong,” Angel said, “And first up I have salted anchovy bruschetta and fried calamari with fried lemons. I made a nice lemon aioli for dipping your calamari in.”


“That’s squid, right, Angie?” Cherri winced.


“Just try it, that’s all I’m asking. If you don’t like it, leave it on the plate. Arackniss will hoover it up.”


“Like I wouldn’t get a fork to the hand from you trying to steal it off her plate.” He got up and extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray on the sideboard. “What’s for after the appetizers?”


“Cioppino, Mamma’s recipe. If you want, you can help put it in bowls and carry it.”


“Yeah, sure.”


With his brother’s help, Angel got the soup and appetizers on the table. They were followed
shrimp nestled on polenta and mussels in white wine sauce.


“Would anyone mind if I brought out the pasta dish with the protein dish?” Angel asked, tired already. How had Mamma done this every Christmas?


“There’s more?” Rosie’s eyes widened. “Oh my, this is a virtual feast.”


“Yep, that was only five fishes so far.” Husker laughed. “What’s left, Angel?”


“Pasta alle vongole, basically clam linguine for the ladies’ sake, since you don’t speak Italian, and then baccalà alla Napoletana. I am sure it’s not really baccalà but it’s some kind of salted fish.”


“Leviathan is going to show up at your door any second now because you fished out her ocean.” Cherri laughed.


“She may have a point.” Rosie dabbed her lips with a napkin. “But it’s delicious so far. I’m looking forward to tasting the rest.”


“Coming right up.”


Husker helped him carry this time. Angel dished out for everyone. Baccalà had never been his favorite but it had been a tradition in his family. This recipe he’d tried with whatever this salted fish was tasted better than baccalà ever had.


“Hope you saved room for dessert,” Angel said as they got near to the end of the meal.


“Where exactly are you putting all this, Slim Jim?” Cherri asked.


“I’m hoping he saved the best for last,” Husker said.


“White chocolate panne cotta with raspberry bubbling wine coulis,” Angel said. “Come on, Nissy, help me carry.”


“You have six arms, dude. I’m stuffed and I’m not moving.”


“Yes, I suppose such a little body fills up faster than the rest of us.” Angel sniffed.


Arackniss shot him a fiery look but levered himself up and followed him. Was he about to be wearing his panna cotta? Angel didn’t even much care. He was having a lovely time and teasing his brother was the cherry on top.




# # #


Angel never really tried to figure out the government in hell, especially of the other rings. However, he was getting a handle on it in Pride now that he, as an overlord, was part of it. He surveyed the filling ballroom, seeing many overlords pouring in and mixing with his actors and friends and the locals who he had invited. It was something of a relief. He’d imagined no one would want to come to the new overlord of lust’s party especially when he’d sent out invites with the warning: No touching any of the actors. Their No Means No!


As Cherri swung past him, Angel stopped her. She eyed his change of clothes now wearing a glittering sequin and jet bead gown with a silver bead pentagram making up the back of the dress.


“You look amazing.”



He winked. “Wait until you see Husker.”


“You didn’t! You didn’t get him to agree to Sinsmas couple’s outfits.” She threw her head back and laughed.


“I absolutely did. Arackniss is right. Husker is the Smitten Kitten.”


“I told you not to call me that,” Husker grumbled, coming up behind Angel.


He smiled over his shoulder at his lover. “Truth in advertising, baby.”


“You’re standing there in pants and an opened shirt covered in sequins and beads glittering like a disco ball. I don’t think you can possibly argue the title.” Cherri snickered. She ticked a finger off his royal flush tie gold medallion nestled in his chest fluff. God he had amazing chest hair and Angel wanted to be face down in it. “But you look good, kitty.”


Husker narrowed his eyes at her.


“Cherri, just so you know, I’ve invited Sir Pentious to this and I want you to behave.”


She groaned. “Angie! What the fuck for?”


“He invents cool weapons. I wouldn’t mind more firepower around the studio.”


“And the real reason?” Husker asked.


“I want to film inside his airship. Come on, can’t you imagine it? A sex scene with the skyline scooting past you.” Angel spread his arms wide.


“And there you have it.” Cherri rolled her enormous eye.


“I’m assuming you’re starring in it.” Husker raised an eyebrow.


“I wanna be the captain. Think Pentious will let me steer?”


“I think you need your head examined.” Cherri pulled him down to kiss his cheek. “Save me a dance, Angie and you too, kitten.”


“Not if you call me that!” When Cherri bounced off, Husker turned to Angel. “See what you started?”


Before Angel could respond a loud laugh rang out and the flash of a camera. Arackniss couldn’t stop howling with laughter. Rosella, his partner, punched his arm. Angel held out a hand and Arackniss dug out his wallet.


“I don’t even mind losing the bet,” he gasped between laughs. “You got him to do it.”


“You bet on whether or not I’d wear a matching outfit?” Husker grimaced. “I’m rubbing off on you.”


“No, that’s later.” Arackniss slapped money into his brother’s hand.


“Definitely on the Sinsmas dance card,” Angel said, putting his brother’s money into his purse.


“Don’t tell me exactly what’s on that dance card. I won’t be able to sleep tonight.” Arackniss shuddered and Rosella pinched his side.


“Be nice, baby,” she scolded. “Hello, Angel, Husker.”


“Nice to see you again, Rosella,” Angel replied.


“Same and Arackniss, you keep laughing I will let your brother describe in detail everything we have planned for tonight,” Husker threatened.


Arackniss waved him off. “Me and Rosella are going to get a drink and dance. You shine on crazy diamonds.”


“You may murder him if you’d like. Give the sin of Wrath a nice send up,” Angel offered.


“I’d take you up on it but you might need him.” Husker nodded toward the doorway where Henroin, his brothers and several of Angel’s cousins, with their dates, came in.


“Holy fuck, does my papà have a date?” Angel’s jaw bounced off the floor when he spotted the little mouse-woman on his father’s arm.


“Her name is Queenie,” Arackniss offered. “It should be doormat because that’s what she is.”


“Arackniss, that isn’t nice,” Rosella said. “But accurate. Are you going to be dealing with your father? If so I’m going to the bar alone while you do.”


“Go to the bar. I’ll join you as soon as I’m sure he’s not here to be an absolute asshole.”


Arackniss kissed her cheek and Rosella hurried away. Angel watched her go, smiling softly seeing her spotted fawn back exposed in her dress. She was cute and he liked that she made his brother happy and was smart enough to avoid Henroin. He cut his gaze back to his papà. He made his way toward the door with the hopes of if his family were about to be a sack of infected dicks, he could have security shove them out easier. Arackniss and Husker accompanied him.


“Papà, I wasn’t expecting you,” he said. “Any of you.”



“You did mention the party at the overlord meeting. It seemed like an open invite,” Henroin replied.


Angel fought back the urge to scowl. His father had him there. It had been an open invite. “If you’re here to drink, dance and eat appetizers, yes, it is. If anyone has drama in mind, notice all the extra security Nissy provided. They are ready to fuck up troublemakers and dump what’s left in the gutter.”


“I’m here for drinks and food,” Zio Salvatore said.


“Then enjoy.” Angel gestured to the bar and then turned to his father’s partner. “And hello, Arackniss said you’re Queenie. I didn’t know Papà was seeing anyone. I’m Angel Dust.”


She smiled. “No need for introductions. Everyone knows you. Nice to meet you.”


“Is it though?” Henroin asked then looked at Husker and back to Angel and broke out laughing. He guided Queenie off toward the bar without another word. The rest of the spider brigade followed.


“Any chance we can just shoot your family in general?” Husker grumbled.


“Later, baby.” Angel snapped his head around, hearing Sir Pentious and Cherri getting louder than the music. “First, let me see if I have to bounce my best friend.”


“You do that. I’ll get us some drinks,” Husker said.


“You’re better off if I don’t interact with Cherri much,” Arackniss said.


Angel nodded and hurried across the ballroom to the large balcony he sincerely was hoping Cherri wasn’t ready to chuck Pentious off of it. They were both gesturing wildly at each other, arguing about how many of Pentious’ egg bois had died in the last round of battle. It sincerely upset Pentious. Did he actually love those things like Angel did Fat Nuggets? That had never once before occurred to Angel but Pentious was clearly distraught.


“Excuse me!” he said loudly, getting between them. “No fighting. I will have you both tossed out on your ears.”


“He doesn’t have any,” Cherri grumbled.


“And you’re friends with her.” Pentious didn’t have a face for pouting but he still seemed as if he was.


“I am but no fighting. Either of you.”


“And why would we do that?” Cherri made a face.


“Because my bestie promised me she would and she wants my first overlord Sinsmas party – that she knows I’m very nervous about – to be a success,” Angel snapped and she hung her head. “And because, Pentious, I thought rather than messing each other up, we’d be better off as allies.”


Pentious flared out his hood. “Why would I want that? You make…stag films.” His cheeks heated up. “I’m an inventor.”


“You are and you make cool stuff, like your airship. I would love to talk to you about that someday. Not tonight, but you know, we’ll schedule some time. Tonight, drink, dance, make some new friends, like me.”


“Friendsss?” He cocked his head, looking as if he’d never heard that word.


“Exactly. Take Cherri out for a spin on the dance floor,” Angel suggested and she shot him a death glare. That’ll teach her to be a problem.


“I…I don’t know how.”


“No problem. Cherri, get a few drinks in him and show him, consider it a Sinsmas gift,” Angel suggested.


“I’m thinking of taking my gift back,” she grumbled.


“Then maybe don’t cause a scene I have to come fix,” he replied sweetly. She gave him the finger but she offered Sir Pentious her arm.


“Come on, Snake boy. What’s your poison?”


“I’m not much of a drinker,” he admitted. “What would you suggest?”


Cherri beamed and Angel felt a little sorry for Sir Pentious. Angel beckoned her over. Cherri trudged over and he whispered in her ear.


“Thanks. I told you to play nice. And keep this in mind, I’ve never met a snake sinner who didn’t have two dicks.” Angel beamed.


Her lips made a little O and she checked Sir Pentious out. “Really?”


“Really.”


“Good to know.” Cherri bounced over and locked arms with him. “Come on, Penny, let’s get you a cocktail.”


Angel watched them go and went into the ballroom to see Vox arriving with Velvette and a woman in pink that he didn’t know but assumed was Velvette’s date. In trying to make an impression, he had made the invite public. Was he about to really regret it? He drew up his Angel Dust persona like armor and sashayed over to the Vees.


“Vox, Velvette, nice of you to come,” he said, opening his arms expansively.


“We had to see what you think a good party is,” Velvette said, checking him over. “That is not one of my dresses.”


“No, I thought after what happened at the last shoot and everyone being uncomfortable after I let my inner demon out, that maybe I should try someone new for this,” Angel said. “Not to mention you two think I killed Valentino.”


“Know,” Vox corrected. “We know you did.”


“I’ve told my story a thousand times, Vox. I’m telling you two what I’ve been telling most of the overlords through the door. I want everyone to dance and have fun or security is going to have a free for all and I especially want to remind you of that, Vox, because Rosie is probably going to bring Alastor. I don’t want to have to bring my inner demon back out if things go sideways.”


“Did we attack each other at Husker’s last party?” Vox rolled his eyes.


“No and I’d appreciate that same curtesy. I’d be thrilled if you all had a great Sinsmas here. You know I don’t want to fight with you two.”


“You’re not worth cracking a nail for.” Velvette laughed and she pointed to the bar where Husker was lounging, waiting on Angel. “You got Mr. Poker Face to bling out. I think I admire you for that.”


Angel snorted. “It’s all everyone is talking about. Husker is going to be throwing exploding dice at people soon.”


“And is your slut friend you were always damaging the brand with actually drinking with the loser you two were always fighting?” Vox asked.


“It’s that kind of night, Lions and lambs lying down together and all that nonsense, a Sinsmas miracle. Go on, have some fun,” Angel said.



Vox shrugged and walked toward the buffet. Velvette pulled her girlfriend out onto the dance floor. Angel bee lined to the bar and tucked himself against Husker who pressed the cocktail into his hand. Angel downed it in one go.


Husker chuckled and beckoned to the bartender. “Let’s have another of those. This time, you can try actually tasting it, babe.”


Angel rolled his eyes. “I needed that. I think I’ve sorted Cherri, Henroin and the remaining Vees. I deserve all the booze.”


“Do you hear me arguing? Have a few more but let’s dance before you get completely plastered.”


Angel leaned on Husker. “I am dancing here and later. Don’t want to be too drunk to enjoy you and your pretty pink cuffs.”


“That’ll make it a proper Sinsmas.”


Angel twirled his finger in Husker’s thick chest fluff. “I love the sound of that.”


“Your brother might drop double dead if you decide we’re doing it on the bar top.” Husker laughed, stilling Angel’s fingers.


“You could take odds on it.” Angel smirked.


“I could clean up.”


“Hey Angel Dust,” someone said. “I’m a big fan.”


Before Angel could turn and see who it was, the man had his hand up under Angel’s skirt. He spun around and slammed his fist into the man’s face. The dude went down, sprawling, but rolled to his knees, wiping blood from his mouth.


“You little bitch.” The man’s face seemed to split open with tentacles and a sharp parrot-like beak peeking out.


As one of this tentacles lashed out, Husker whipped a hand out and gold magician’s rings encircled the man and tightened. He flopped over with a pain-filled grunt.


“I did not know you could do that. I’m going to need to see you in action someday, Husky.” Angel grinned at him.


Husker snorted as security raced over. “Let me help them out with this idiot. I’ll be right back.”


“Of course.”


Angel watched him walk off, enjoying the view. Once Husker was out of sight, Angel walked to the bandstand and took the stage. “Sorry for interrupting,” he said into the microphone. “I’m sure some of you saw me just punch someone out. Here’s a reminder, no one touches my actors without their permission. No one touches me. No one is for sale. If one of my actors invites your attention, that’s fine. If someone is paying you attention you don’t want and won’t take your no at face value, talk to me. I will sort it. I know hell isn’t a safe place but this party will be as safe as I can make it. Thank you and please, keep having fun.”


His speech was met with surprise and then applause, mostly by his actors but a few of his allies and some locals were clapping too. That made Angel happy. By the time he was through another cocktail, Husker returned. Angel met him halfway across the ballroom and pulled Husker into a dance. The one style of music the band wasn’t allowed to play tonight was the Latin themed stuff that would remind him of Valentino. The band waltzed through literal waltzes, mixed in Charlestons to stuff from sock hops in the fifties, to rocking eighties music to stuff brought with the newly fallen. Angel couldn’t be happier with that.


Cherri and Pentious really were dancing. Well, Cherri danced. Pentious mostly weaved like a drunk cobra with arm moves that guaranteed they had a clearing around them so no one got an elbow to the face. Cherri didn’t even seem to mind. Husker took Angel’s hand and they danced. The rest of the room disappeared and all Angel was aware of was Husker. He loved the way he moved. They had been practicing together ever since Husker’s own party weeks ago. They were hot together and when Angel spared his guests as second’s thought, he knew they were aware of how hot they were.


Husker pulled him close. “Ready to really show off?”


“We aren’t wearing these clothes because we want to hide.” Angel nipped the tip of Husker’s ear. “I’m so ready.”


Husker raced over to the bandstand and spoke to the band leader. He had prearranged this. The band launched into Louis Prima’s “Jump, Jive and Wail.” Angel took Husker’s hand and they broke into the jive they had practiced. This was a showstopper of a dance. If Angel knew anything, it was dancing to get attention. The crowd backed off and gave them the floor. Angel wanted nothing more than to show Husker off. He deserved to have people appreciate his skill. By the time the music ended and they were panting, holding on to each other, Angel was ready for the party to end so he could enjoy Husker in private.


He let Husker guide him to the bar. His father was there. He looked them over.


“Should have known you’d be able to throw a good party.”


Angel laughed. “Thanks, Papà. Glad you’re having fun.”


Henroin took his drinks, saluted Angel with one of them and walked off.


“Look at that, Husker, another Sinsmas miracle, my papà being nice. And oh, Lucifer, is Cherri actually dancing Sir Pentious out the door.”


“And I don’t think it’s to start another turf war.”


“Damn it, she’s going to have airship sex before me!”


“What a pity. Maybe I’ll fly you around your home before I strap you to the bed.” Husker ran a finger along Angel’s spine.


“God, yes!”


“Will it spoil the mood if I point you that way?” Husker pointed to the side door.


“Is my brother and Rosella leaving with Tiffany Titfucker?” Angel cried.


“You did say she’s been after him ever since he saved her from getting skinned and dismembered.” Husker smirked.


“He has no idea how to handle a threesome,” Angel sniffed. “He’ll break something.”


“Eh, he’ll have fun trying.” Husker stood on tiptoe and kissed Angel. “Look at how good your party is? Everyone is happy, even the ones who are never happy.”


“That’s why I keep expecting something bad to happen, like Vox and Alastor having a smack down.”


“Relax, Legs, we’re ready for it if it happens, sort of. They’re heavy hitters but they’re not the only ones here. Just breathe, have fun yourself and later….” Husker’s sex on a stick smile made Angel regret once more that he was the host.


Later eventually came. No fights broke out. His ballroom remained intact. His crew poured people too drunk to move into cabs and the bar was damn near drank dry. He and Husker got to his place far too early in the morning, drunk and too tired to sin. Cuddling up into an exhausted puddle would have to do until they woke. But oh, what fun they would have then.







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Forever And Always FAKE

I Lived Here, I Loved Here, I Thought It Was True Hazbin Hotel

He Would Kill The Plant Hazbin Hotel

Celebrating With Friends Torchwood

Minor Injury The Fantastic Journey

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