Chapter Text
There was a reason Fat Nuggets was always kept in his room.
Angel sobbed as he cradled little Fat Nuggets close to his chest, curled up on his bed beneath Husk's wing. The little piggy was snuffling and crying as well, nosing at Angel's chest and neck as if making sure that Angel was still here and was still safe.
The reminder that he was no longer Val's, crashed over Angel like a storm wave. Rough. Violent.
Angel's chest seized.
A long long time ago, after a particularly nasty fight with Valentino, Angel had seriously been contemplating stepping out during the extermination. Getting himself double killed. He'd said as much to Val in the throes of their argument. Angel had never seen Val so angry before or since. However the storm subsided by morning and with it came… Fat Nuggets.
A little piggy so small, so innocent, so pure that was all Angel's. Fat Nuggets had looked up at him with the most trusting and adoring eyes. Angel vowed to give the little piggy the best life he could afford.
Fat good he'd done with that.
One of Angel's hands frantically reached for one of Husk's needing to hold him, squeeze his love's hand.
'Giving that pig to you was a fucking mistake!' Val had screamed, throwing a chair against the wall. It splintered. 'Give him to me!'
Angel had shook his head, backed away from Val. He'd just gotten Fat Nuggets and he'd only bitten two co-stars. Surely it was- surely it was a mistake. Maybe their legs had smelled like food!
A sharp squeal echoed in Angel's memory as tiny, pure, baby Fat Nuggets was torn out of Angel's arms, the spider being knocked to the side. A bruise gracing his cheek that would remain for days.
That squeal turned into a grunt and when Angel's vision cleared, he saw Fat Nuggets jaw gripped on Valentino's wrist, biting with all his tiny might.
He was just a baby.
'Basta!' Val had admonished and smacked the little piglet across the snout. Hard.
Angel would never get the pained sound of baby Fat Nuggets out of his ears for years to come.
Angel’s body had moved on instinct, launching himself to his feet. Val hadn't seen it coming, probably the only reason Angel had managed to pry Nugs out of Val's arms. Chest seizing, arms shaking, legs wobbling. Angel had taken Nugs and ran. The door was locked — Val always locked it — but Angel fled to a corner of the room, shielding Nugs with his body.
The little piggy had looked up at him with such sweet, confused, hurt eyes. Angel was sobbing.
'Angel.' That sickly sweet tone used when Angel had really pissed Val off made him dissolve into more sobs. But he wouldn't let Val hurt Nugs. He wouldn't.
But he had.
"You're okay." Husk's warm voice cut through the cold of the memory. His paw squeezing Angel's hand back.
More memories flooded Angel's mind of Fat Nuggets every pained grunt, squeal, cry. When Val had kicked him after the piggy tried to bite his ankle. Fat Nuggets was barely a year old. Or the time when Val had 'accidentally' dropped his cigarette over the piggy’s back and 'accidentally' burned him. Fat Nuggets had been two. Or when Val had taken Angel on a little 'trip' keeping him drugged up and high for days, promising Fat Nuggets was taken care of. When Angel had returned, Fat Nuggets was a pound lighter and smelled of urine and feces. Fat Nuggets had been three.
There were so many times that Val had hurt him. And Angel had hurt Nuggets. Through neglect, through not providing a proper environment for a pet, through barely being able to get the piggy the type of enrichment he needed.
Angel had failed Nuggets so many times.
And it was only until Valentino had pressed Moneyshot to Fat Nuggets little head, the little piggy looking up at Angel’s teary face with confused eyes, the steel barrel pressed to his folded ear, did Angel finally decide that it was time to leave. No matter the cost.
Val had taken his anger out on both Angel and Nuggets for years at that point. But never had he ever threatened to kill Nugs right in front of Angel. And when Val brought out his gun, Angel had begged, pleaded, promised anything. He apologized profusely, sobbing on his knees for Fat Nuggets life.
And Val hadn’t pulled the trigger.
Angel had found the hotel not long after that.
And here they were.
"You're both okay." Husk's voice sounded again. His paw moving Angel's back to Nuggets. Petting him together.
Angel was free. His soul felt foreign to him in his chest. The tie to Valentino was no longer there and despite himself Angel missed it. He'd known his place with Val. Yeah he'd been hurt, but Angel was strong, he could take it. He'd just done Fat Nuggets wrong by keeping him at the tower early on in his life. If he'd been a better man he'd have gotten Nuggets to a proper owner. But he hadn't. He'd seen something small, innocent, pure and he'd coveted it. No one looked at him like Fat Nuggets did. Angel craved that innocent attention. And for worse, he'd kept Nuggets, he'd traumatized the poor pig, had found the right man too late.
"You're home." Husk continued to talk. "You're safe."
Angel didn't feel safe and from the way Nuggets writhed in his arms, his piggy didn't feel safe either. There was a weight to Angel now, his soul. He had more choices now. More things to lose. It was fucking scary.
When Angel looked up, he expected Husk to be there, calm as his voice was making him seem. Warm as the palm in his hand was holding Angel's.
Instead, Husk's golden eyes were wide and wet, pupils slits, ears back.
Husk was terrified, Angel realized.
Husk was free now too. Nuggets had bit through his chain too. They were both feeling the same things. Freed from their abusers by the little creature curled up between them that they adored so much. And they were all hurting and scared. No matter Husk's calm words, his partner was not calm as he seemed. He was feeling just as much.
For so long, Husk had been Angel's rock. Angel had been so blind to all that his love experienced. He knew the gist, yeah, but not the whole picture until very recently. What Alastor restricted Husk from doing, how he made him act in certain company, the humiliating rituals the radio demon loved to threaten if Husk ever stepped out of line. The hurt his partner experienced.
A soul bond was a soul bond. What Angel had with Val was just as intensely bad as what Husk had with Alastor.
"C'mere." Angel choked on the word, reaching out with more arms for Husk, pulling him in, squishing Fat Nuggets between their two chests. A warm little cocoon for the pig. "I got you, too."
Husk's breath became labored.
"It's okay." Angel choked out in a raspy voice. It's okay to let go. To be scared. To cry. He didn't need Husk to be his rock right now. He just needed him there in any capacity. They needed each other.
"It's not the same." Husk pressed his forehead to Angel's, voice gruffer.
Angel shook his head. Sure Angel and Nugs shared trauma, but Husk had his own too. He was allowed to feel. "I got you." he repeated, a little stronger.
And Husk's breath hitched, arms wrapping tighter around Angel. He ducked his head, breath escaping in short sobs echoing Angel and Nuggets cries.
"We're free." Angel's voice broke on the word. It all washing over him again.
Fat Nuggets released a long mournful whine.
Husk awoke feeling exhausted. Limbs sore, tired, throat aching. Angel and Fat Nuggets were curled up next to him.
Usually when he woke before the other two, he'd slip out of bed, make sure not to disturb the spider and the pigs’ valuable rest. He'd encouraged Angel to do the same yesterday when they'd had to go downstairs to face Charlie’s insane plan. That it was better if Nuggets slept through it rather than run around Angel's room waiting for them to come back.
Angel hadn't liked it, saying that he always said, ‘I’ll be back soon’ to Nugs whenever he left, not wanting the little piggy to feel abandoned. But he'd obliged Husk and they left Nuggets snoozing and walked downstairs to Charlie greeting all the overlords that were willing to attend.
The Vees had come, because of course they did, and Husk kept his hand in Angel's to offer him any sort of comfort.
Val technically couldn't touch Angel here. But that didn't mean the overlord wouldn't try. And try he did. Even brought out the chain when little Nuggets had appeared, spurring the little piggy into his rage.
The angelic blood on Fat Nuggets teeth seemed to allow him to bite through those contracts. Break them.
Husk had a suspicion that if anyone were to blunt force break soul contracts, it would've been Lucifer. And Husk knew the man was far from willing. He hadn't for six thousand years, why start now? It infuriated Husk, but he knew that there was nothing he could do.
And then Fat Nuggets happened.
That ferocity and force and just the sheer will of Fat Nuggets. To defend, to protect, to attack. Even the king of Hell, even his daughter, even overlords. Fat Nuggets had no fear.
Well…
Husk sighed, looking down to the little creature curled between Husk and Angel. His little hooves gently pawing at the air as if he were running in his dream.
Husk knew what it felt like to be a scared animal. How that fear often drove animals to do drastic things. To attack unprovoked. He understood.
Husk and Fat Nuggets had struggled to get along in the beginning. Husk had just thought he was being a brat, but now he realized, it was fear.
Fat Nuggets didn't attack for no reason. He didn't plot and manipulate and bite without cause. Fat Nuggets had experienced much in his little life. And from what Angel had said, not all of it was pleasant. Only very recently did Angel admit that Fat Nuggets seemed happy for the first time in a long time. That the little piggy was more open and more confident with Angel and Husk with him. That he didn't bite strangers as much. That he acted like a normal pet.
And Husk knew that Val had abused the little piggy early on in his life. Angel had told him. Husk knew that seeing Val again would be a lot for Angel. But he failed to realize what it would mean for Fat Nuggets.
Angel inhaled sharply, his eyes fluttering open, down to Nuggets, then up to Husk.
There were no words. Husk just smiled a small, sad, smile. Paw coming up to move an errant hair from his love’s face.
Angel returned that same, sad, smile. Then he looked down to Nuggets little round body and patted him gently on the tummy. "Wake up, baby." he croaked.
"Poor thing is probably hungry." Husk mumbled, voice gruff as well. They had spent so much of the previous afternoon and night in each other's arms. Trying to offer up what comfort they could. None of them had had dinner.
Fat Nuggets snorted, little pink piggy face scrunching adorably.
"C'mon porky." Husk teased, also going to rub at the piggy's belly. "Let's get ya some water and food."
Fat Nuggets blinked drowsily up at them, little hooves lazily kicking out at them as if he was trying to ward off the tickles.
"We'll all feel better after some food." Angel yawned, stretching beneath Husk's wing. "Up we go!"
The three of them slowly crawled out of bed, sluggish and bleary-eyed. They didn't even bother getting dressed before they piled themselves out the door, still in their pajama's. Husk's bright pink fluffy pants. Angel in a camisole, booty shorts, and knee-high fluffy socks. And Fat Nuggets in all his round pinkness.
They stumbled down the hall and the stairs, bursting into the kitchen, finding it blessedly empty and clean.
In silence, the three split off in separate directions. Husk to the coffee machine, Angel to the pantry, Nugs to the water bowl in the corner. It was such a cozy domestic morning, Husk could almost forget the chaos of the day prior. Almost.
The weight of his soul rocked inside his chest.
He couldn't believe he was finally free. That Alastor was gone. That his soul was his own again. He thought his fate was sealed with that game. That he would eternally be Alastor's pet. Be at his whim. And in a way… he was grateful for that fate.
He remembered all too well the type of overlord Husk had been. The cruel things he'd done. Being on Alastor's leash was his penance. His karma. What he deserved.
And now, through no fault of his own, he was free again.
It was scary. He didn't want to backslide into the man he'd been before he'd lost his soul. That man was not who Husk wanted to be any longer or ever again. He didn't like his overly confident and arrogant attitude or finding joy in others suffering and losing to him. He didn't want to be that man again, but he worried that those things may be fused into his blood.
A warm hand pressed to his shoulder, drawing Husk out of his thoughts. He looked up to Angel standing there, a kind, understanding expression on his face. "Stay." he murmured.
Husk nodded dumbly, gripping the coffee pot tighter. He would. He wanted to be good for Angel. Wanted to be there for him. Husk might not deserve his freedom but Angel more than deserved his. If Angel wanted him here. He'd stay.
Fat Nuggets snuffled over, oinking inquisitively up at them. It was his 'I'm hungry' snort.
"I got you, baby." Angel nodded to Fat Nuggets, swaying over to fill his food bowl with the good food and a handful of treats.
Husk watched them go and forced himself to make the coffee. Trying to sink into the motions of it all. He knew how this worked. Not falling into old habits was hard, but not impossible. Husk had a good thing going with Angel and Fat Nuggets and this hotel. Just because he had the freedom now to go out and make his own money, buy his own clothes, gamble his soul away, didn't mean he was predestined to always make the worst choice.
What if he tried? What if this time he tried to be good? For Angel's sake. For Fat Nuggets. For himself.
He poured two mugs for Angel and him, cozying up next to his love at the kitchen table. Some pastries were set before them that Angel had found.
"I love you." Husk murmured, rubbing his cheek into Angel's shoulder.
"I love you too." Angel answered, turning to press a kiss to Husk's lips. Gentle. Kind. Warm.
Their moment of peace didn't last long as the kitchen door burst open and in swept Charlie Morningstar.
"Oh good you're both awake!" She clapped her hands excitedly as Vaggie followed close behind her, scowling. "So yesterday was exciting, wasn't it! Not exactly what we expected but, hey, you two are free now!"
Husk sighed, taking a big gulp of his too hot coffee.
"My dad said it was all so unprecedented, he didn't know what to do! Technically Nuggets isn't supposed to be running around biting through soul chains but-" Charlie grinned as if she were in on a secret. "it's not against any sort of law in heaven or below. We checked!"
What was she getting at? Husk raised a brow at her. He'd learned to grow wary of Charlie's plots. Oftentimes she was well intentioned, but the execution… questionable.
"So this is a nice little work around for me or my dad manually freeing contracts. We can just send Nuggets out and he can do it!"
Husk choked on his coffee. What?!
Angel seemed similarly dumbfounded next to him. He looked down to little Nuggets gobbling up his food and then up to Charlie. "You want him to do that shit again?!"
The blonde girl nodded, eyes bright, biting her lip. She really fucking thought this was the right thing.
"No way." Husk growled out. Fat Nuggets was traumatized enough as is. What he'd done yesterday was spurned out of fear. There was no way Husk or Angel were going to willingly let Fat Nuggets get that worked up again. That wasn't right. That wasn't fair. It was straight up abusive.
"But-" Charlie's light wilted a little bit. Like she hadn't expected being pushed back on this. "You like being free right? Why wouldn't you want to free others? Your coworkers, Angel. What of them?"
"Fat Nuggets is a baby." Husk glared at her. Not liking her whiney tone being trained on Angel in that manipulative way. "He only did what he did yesterday because he was scared shitless. It was luck and trauma that made him free us."
"He can't consent." Angel joined in. Face flushed, ducking behind his mug as if embarrassed. "He's a little pig. He doesn't understand. It took us all night to calm him down."
"But we can train him-!" Charlie piped up.
"Angel said 'no' Charlie." Husk pointed out. "Give it a rest."
Angel chewed on his lip, fingers drumming on his mug. "Maybe when he's older." Angel conceded at Charlie's pout. Angel was always the soft one. Always struggled with 'no's. "When he understands. If he wants to. Maybe."
Charlie didn't look happy but with one more glare from Husk, she nodded. Going over to pet Fat Nuggets a little bit and then her and Vaggie left the kitchen.
Fat Nuggets was the happiest he thought he might have ever been. Angel was around the hotel a lot more, Husk was spending more time away from the bar and playing with Nuggets, there were no more scary men in the hotel other than that Lucy-guy. But he wasn't out a ton anymore. Not since Fat Nuggets bit him.
Currently, Nugs was playing tug of war with Husk. His parents had bought him some new toys recently and this rope thing was perfect for him to dig his teeth into and shake like he wanted to kill it. Hone his protecting skills.
Fat Nuggets pulled and pulled, digging his little hooves into the carpet, wanting to prove just how strong he was.
With a shake of his head, the toy slipped out of Husk's fingers and Fat Nuggets grunted in victory as he slammed the rope to the ground, forcing it into defeat.
Husk merely chuckled, eyes bright as he looked down at little Nugs. Angel appeared behind him.
Fat Nuggets dropped the toy to race to his dad, oinking his questions of where he'd been and trying to sniff if he could recognize the scent. He couldn’t identify the strange smells.
Angel had left the hotel for the first time in a long time, dressed different than he usually did. Long pants, flowy shirt, a tie around his neck.
"Did you get it?" Husk asked.
The spider smiled a sad smile which just wouldn't do. Fat Nuggets licked and pawed and kicked to try and get Angel to smile a real smile. He didn't know what his parents were talking about but he wanted them to be happy! They deserved to be happy.
Husk stood, drawing Angel into a hug. "Their loss."
"Yeah." Angel cleared his throat, hugging Husk back before bending down to give Fat Nuggets the attention he was begging for. "How are you my lil baby?"
So so good! Fat Nuggets responded, getting picked up high in Angel's arms. Nugs licked his cheek, thrilled when Angel smiled a real smile at him this time.
"Charlie gave me an advance so it'll be my treat tonight." Husk kept talking, pressing a kiss to Angel's other cheek.
Yes! Fat Nuggets was thrilled. He recognized the word 'treat' and was so excited, wiggling his entire little body. He loved treats so much. And he loved when Angel was happy and he loved when Husk was happy and treats made everyone happy!
Angel's chest hummed contentedly beneath Fat Nuggets belly. "Okay, but nothing too expensive, okay? Fat Nuggets has his shots due soon."
"Promise." Husk tilted Angel's chin away from Nuggets and pressed a kiss to his lips.
What?! No fair! Fat Nuggets squealed indignantly and threw his little body towards them. He wanted kisses too! He began to lick both of their cheeks insistently, trying to remind them that he was here as well.
"Alright, alright." Angel laughed, pulling away from Husk with a dust of red across his cheeks. But he did press a little kiss to Fat Nuggets head and that was okay. "C'mon Fatty. Let's get ready for our date."
Date night! Date nights were the best nights in Nuggets humble opinion. It was the one time he knew for sure that Angel and Husk would both be happy and together. See, sometimes in the hotel, they got stressed and worried — like they had just now — but out on date night they let their worries fade and just ate yummy food and talked about soft things.
It was also a chance for Fat Nuggets to explore!
Later, on a lead, Angel let him snuffle and smell so many new smells! And he felt safe doing it! Angel was calm and not stressed which made Fat Nuggets not too stressed. He was slowly understanding that the outside world wasn't as scary as he originally thought. He'd only had bad experiences outside when Angel and him lived in the tower. But here in the hotel things felt better, calmer, happier.
Fat Nuggets stomped through some puddles, snorting happily as his parents walked beside him, their hands clasped. They didn't even admonish the little piggy for getting dirty. Fat Nuggets stomped and jumped to his hearts content, loving the splashing sound and getting mud between his hooves.
This date night, Husk took them to a secluded little park. The hellish sun setting on the horizon, bathing them all in an orange light.
They let Nuggets off the leash and the little piggy zoomed around in circles, enjoying the feeling of freedom and the wind and sun on his face. There were so many smells! So many things! So much to do, to see!
His parents didn't seem to want to run with him, but watched him with amusement in their eyes. They placed down a little blanket and sat upon it as Fat Nuggets raced as far away as he dared and then spun and raced back to them.
Husk unpacked the bags, pulling out a few of Fat Nuggets toys and treats.
Fat Nuggets was sososo happy. He stole his toys and took them far far away to show them who's boss. His parents didn't need to see his fury taken out on the toys. They were meant to be happy and cuddle.
Nugs bit and chewed and shook the toys to their defeat as his parents curled up on the blanket, talking in hushed voices, staring at each other with love struck eyes.
Oh Fat Nuggets loved them so much, and he was so happy that they had date nights. His parents deserved all the best things. And Fat Nuggets was determined to give it to them. He'd scared away most of the scary men in the house. No more Val, no more Alastor. The only one left was Lucy. But Lucy had left his parents alone for the most part. And he better stay that way!
Fat Nuggets grunted as he dug his little teeth into the rope toy, wishing it was Lucy's wrist. Should he dare try Nugs again, Fat Nuggets would have no hesitation in giving that man what was coming for him.
Eventually though, Fat Nuggets felt exhaustion take hold in his bones. He picked up his toys gently in his mouth and trotted back to his parents. Seeing them kissing again, holding each other tightly.
Fat Nuggets sighed, dropping his toys nosing at their arms to get to his rightful place between them. He wanted cuddles too! He gave a drowsy oink! Licked them both once and let his eyes close. Today was a good day. It was a long string of good days.
His parents were happy and safe. The hotel was for the most part pretty safe. Fat Nuggets was getting so many treats and toys and cuddles. And for the first time probably ever, Fat Nuggets felt confident in his little family. He'd lived most of his life living at the whim of his surroundings. Lived in fear of not knowing what came next. Whether that be a moth's tantrum, hiding in a dumpster, Strawberry’s threats.
Now, Fat Nuggets knew what to expect next. Knew that if he was with his parents, he was safe. That they'd created a safe environment for him in the hotel. Knew that he would be given food every day, treats on occasion, new toys when his old ones got too worn.
For so long he'd lived in fear. But here, between Angel and Husk, their arms wrapped around him. Kind, praising words whispered to his little noggin. Kisses pressed against his skin.
For the first time ever, Fat Nuggets lived in love.