Chapter Text
Angel Dust was more than a good performer. He was magnetic. It’s what kept him around for so long, why people kept coming back for more and more and more.
So no, he didn’t notice the radio smile in the crowd. Things like that were beneath him.
He blew a kiss, swayed his hips and spun. Spun until the room blurred and time seemed to melt. This dress, his voice, the adoration…
It was almost worth dying for.
He grinned and stepped forward to take a bow, but was stopped by a sharp pull across his chest. He did his best to cover the wince and quickly left the stage.
The wings were dark and drowning in velvet curtains. Valentino waited with open arms, cigarette half hanging from his lips. He pulled Angel into a tight hug and ran a hand through his hair.
“You can be so beautiful,” Valentino murmured.
“Why’d you pull me off? I was in the zone.”
“You know I don’t like to share my things,” Valentino purred. “You are mine, aren’t you, baby?”
Angel hesitated slightly before meeting Valentino’s burning eyes, then kicked himself. He wanted to sink into them so badly. Wanted to dance through the fire and let Val lick the burns. The thought made his skin crawl. The performance never stopped. He should know that by now.
He smiled, returned the hug and ran an arm across Valentino’s back.
“All yours,” Angel whispered.
“Good boy.”
Angel felt Valentino’s arms loosen slightly and took the chance to gently wriggle free.
“So…” Angel asked cautiously. “Want me to get back out there?”
“Nono, baby. Not tonight. I have something special planned.”
“Oh?”
“You were asked after. Someone wants to buy you a drink, and after… How about a private show? It’s been far too long.”
Angel raised an eyebrow, confused.
“A drink?” Angel asked.
Valentino stepped back and narrowed his eyes.
“That’s what you care about? Some shmuck buying you a drink?”
Angel quickly shook his head and planted a kiss on Valentino’s cheek.
“Just in work mode, that’s all.” Angel cooed. “I’ll make up for it later. Promise.”
Valentino huffed, but begrudgingly gestured towards the VIP room, granting Angel his leave. The spider turned to leave, but stopped himself.
“How big of a schmuck are we talking?” Angel asked over his shoulder.
“Oh, the biggest.”
Angel grinned.
“Perfect.”
He sped towards the VIP room, almost forgetting to wink at Valentino before slipping through the curtain.
He almost tripped over himself when he sat the client. He looked at home amongst the plush seats and small round tables. So at home, it made Angel feel ill.
The radio demon rose from his seat and offered a hand.
“Greetings, slut.”
“Are you fuckin kidding me?” Angel spluttered.
“Evidently not.”
Angel shuddered and sank into a nearby seat. Alastor’s hand closed around thin air. His smile tightened slightly. He pulled his hand back to his side and ran it across his coat.
“Straight to business, I see.” Alastor mused.
Angel opened his mouth to say something when a weight landed on his head.
“What the-?”
“ANGEL!” Niffty squealed before somersaulting onto one of the tables. “Husk is all soggy and mopey since you left, it’s BRILLIANT!”
Angel rubbed his forehead and took a deep breath.
“What in the everloving fuck are you two doing here?” He asked. “Did Charlie send you?”
“Oh, goodness no!” Alastor laughed. “We’re here because I believe a deal can be made.”
“Not interested,” Angel growled. “Get the fuck outta here and tell Charlie to leave me alone.”
“But we came all this way,” Niffty whined.
Angel hesitated, bit his cheek, then shook his head.
“Sorry, dol,” he mumbled. It wasn’t enough. He never was.
Alastor loudly cleared his throat and made a point of shrugging his shoulders.
“Fine,” Alastor laughed. “But let me ask you one question before we go.”
“Yeah?”
“How does it feel to be pitied?”
Angel barely had time to register the words before Alastor was gone.
He was alone.