Work Text:
Going clothes shopping was always a chore, at least it was for Millie and her young daughter, Mae Belle. Whenever the two went out, the little impling would be uncomfortable, and for odd reasons, she’d always want to go to the boys section, though she’d hesitate at the last minute. Millie didn’t really think much of this, although she was starting to suspect something was up. However, today would be different.
“Ma, please! Can’t I go look at the boys section?” little Mae Belle asked.
“Oh, you wanna get something for yer pa?” Millie asked. But the young impling shook her head.
“No, um...it’s for….never mind.” She told her.
“M’kay, but don’t go too far!” Millie beckoned. “I’ll be here if ya need anything hun.”
Mae Belle nodded and soon went off to go look around. She soon found herself by a different area, looking at suits displayed. She wondered if she’d look good wearing it.
What she didn’t notice was that someone was about to trip into her. Suddenly, she felt someone bump into her and nearly fall.
“Ey! Watch where ‘yer goin-oh, yer a kid.” A voice said. The young impling turned and saw the most beautiful thing she had seen. He was a tall, curvy spider-like demon with silky looking hair, an alluring gaze, and a mischievous smile. Although he was wearing a pink sweater, which was Mae Belle’s least favorite color, she thought he looked beautiful with it, although maybe that was because part of his chest was exposed. She wasn’t sure if they were real, but she wasn’t gonna ask.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you and...I....um....um........” she was at a loss for words.
“Uh... What's wrong wit’ you? You okay kid?” the spider demon asked, looking around. “Your parents around?”
“Uh. Um yeah my moms...shopping....um I like your sweater.” Mae Belle answered. “And it’s weird, I don’t normally like pink. I know it’s weird I don’t like pink but I’m a....okay I’m just rambling at this point...again I’m sorry for being in the way, I didn’t see you coming."
“Well Thanks! I don't rememba where I even got it, but I like this one. Just figured it was goota wetha for a sweater.” The spider demon chuckled before he realized what Mae Belle said. “What's wrong? I know Pink isn't everyone's thing.” He looked around concerned, trying to find Mae Belle’s parents or what's bothering her. She sighed.
“...look my ma’s just shopping for clothes but...I don’t really like the stuff she chooses for me. It’s not really me. She keeps buying me frilly girly crap…” she replied. The spider seemed somewhat confused.
“ What's wrong with that? You feel like somethin’ else?” he asked.
“Maybe I’m just crazy. But....I don’t think I’m a girl.” Mae Belle shrugged “....heh, you probably think I’m some weird ass kid."
“ Naaaaaah, All kids are fuckin' weird.” The spider chucked and patted the young impling’s head. “But if ya don't think you're a girl, then say so? I mean I take it your mom don't like it if you say so does she?”
Mae Belle really thought...she...no, he hasn’t really told anyone about how he felt. He’s always thought he’d be dismissed and laughed at...when he did try to tell his uncle Blitzo, he didn’t seem exactly very supportive, besides him giving him the idea to give himself a new name.
“No, I haven’t told her...I haven’t told anyone really...not sure what they’d say. Umm, but I just realized! I haven’t gotten your name. I’m Mae…Max. My name is Max.” he said.
“You haven't heard of me? Bet your parents have hehe, I'm Angel Dust, at your service.” the spider said with a curtsy. “What's your Mom like? or your Dad? If they’re the stuck up kind I'm not sure what they might say too…”
“Angel Dust...oh! I see posters of you all the time! You must be like some kind of model! Ma and Pa? Well they’re from the Wrath Ring... pa’s weirdly panicky and always worried about crap but ma’s kind of sadistic but she’s real nice. They’re often out on jobs I’m not allowed to go.” Max explained, though he was more interested in Angel and felt like he’d only bore him.
“Model? Eh... close enough! I do *some* modelin... but I do more "acting" than anythin else.” Angel said with a giggle. “Hmmm... Not sure they'd like to hear you feel like playing ball for the other team? If you get what I'm saying.”
“I guess. I’m more worried they’d be dismissive.” Max replied. “You know, say it’s only a phase.”
“Well is it? I've seen some kids try some shit, thinking it was their new life only to drop it in a week.” Angel told him. “My brother had this bit for big cigars, thought he was gonna use them all the time. He stopped in a week. Though..”
“If it is a phase...it’s lasted for too fucking long.” Max stated.
“Thought so. Well, don’t you have to go back to yer ma?” Angel asked.
“Oh! You’re right!” Max stated. But then Max realized his mother wasn’t where she was. He started to panic, worrying that he left her behind.
“Ey, what’s up?” Angel asked.
“Ma, she’s not there anymore!” He sobbed.
“It’s okay kid, I’ll help ya find her. What’s she look like?” Angel picked Max up and placed him on his shoulders, mostly so he could have a better look. Max described what Millie was wearing that day, and the two began looking. Thankfully Millie was just by a customer service area talking to a harried worker trying to get them to page Max on the intercom. Max jumped down from Angel’s shoulders and ran towards her.
“Oh honey!!! You’re okay!” she shouted as she hugged him. “And you made a new friend too!”
“Y-yeah ma, I did. This is Angel.” Max stated. “Umm, when we get home...I’d...I’d like to talk to you and Pa.”
“Is that so?” Millie said. “Well, okay. Thank you mister for bringing me my lil girl!”
“Yeah, sure.” Angel said. But before Max and Millie left, Angel beckoned Max over. Max was a little confused before Angel gave him a kiss on the forehead.
“Good luck.” he told him. Max’s cheeks flushed a bright pink, but he nodded and left with his mother. He now felt like he had at least a bit of courage now...