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It becomes their little secret, these late night stolen moments. Angel tries not to think too deeply about how he acts when he's tired, focusing instead on how Husk accepts him just as he is.
You see, Angel isn't Angel in these moments. He's Tony. Honey. Kid. And on one memorable occasion, baby. A name he's heard a thousand times before, yet never has it made him feel so safe. Coming from Husk, the name didn't sound like a come-on. Not a sleazy attempt to capture his attention or gain something from him.
And while Angel would maybe appreciate some, respectful, flirting from the cat, Anthony could think of nothing worse. Angel sees these nights as his only time to escape that part of himself, and not even kindhearted, gorgeous Husk could change that. Tony is to be treated gently, and luckily Husker seems to know that without having to be told.
It's after another one of these nights that they finally talk about it. Angel has a rare day off, if only because Val has been dragged away on one of Vox's schemes for more power, and Husker approaches him as he plays with Fat Nuggets on the lounge area floor.
The cat clears his throat and Angel freezes. For once, he doesn't relax when his eyes find the source of the noise. By night, his behaviour could be played off with tiredness. Exhaustion lowering his inhibitions and making him... softer than usual.
Except it's not night right now. And yet before he'd been noticed, Angel had found himself teetering on the edge of something, so sure he was alone with his pet incapable of judging him. The world had felt light for a second, and the only thing that had been missing was Husk.
Angel pushes the fuzzy feelings away before he has time to contemplate Husker having some weird sixth sense for the spider losing the plot.
Staying firmly in Angel mode, he looks up at his friend from his spot on the floor and smiles.
"What's up buttercup?" He winks, earning himself a scoff and an eyeroll. Good. Husk clearly hadn't noticed anything amiss and it's business as usual then.
"You got some time?" Husk asks, voice gruff but not uncaring. Angel is suspicious anyway and nods slowly, bringing Fat Nuggets onto his lap in case he needs to scoop him up for a fast getaway.
Most likely sensing his hesitation, Husk contemplates the scene for a moment before lowering himself to join Angel on the floor.
"Charlie dragged everyone out for some bonding exercises today so it's just us."
Angel's head snaps up from where he'd been staring at Nuggs. He feels his breathing come a little easier at the knowledge that it's just the two of them, and the fact that Charlie knew he had the day off yet still didn't expect anything of him just because he was available. Once it's clear the information has sunk in, Husk speaks again.
"Thought we could take the opportunity to talk about it." His voice is low and easy, a visible attempt to keep Angel from bolting.
Angel takes a steadying breath. Husk accepts who he is. He clearly doesn't mind the time they spend together or he wouldn't bother! Husk is not the type to do things he doesn't want to. Not unless he doesn't have a choice.
"S-sure." Angel manages, voice cracking a little on the word. Husk holds out a paw, a clear invitation. Angel takes it.
"I'm not asking you to stop it." He soothes, thumb brushing gently over his hand. "I just wanted to ask if you know what it is that's happening?"
Angel pulls his hand away, wrapping it instead around Fat Nuggets and holding him like one of the spider's plushies. His pig doesn't mind, choosing to snuffle into white fur with a grunt.
"M'not sure." Angel shrugs. "I guess I just thought I get a little loopy when I'm tired. And you make me feel... safe. To be like that."
Husk melts. He grants Angel a smile meant only for him, and Angel can see his wings ruffle in that way they do when he's happy.
"I'm glad to hear that." The bartender begins. "But there might be a little more to it."
Angel frowns and tilts his head in question, no longer afraid Husk is here to deliver bad news.
"I've seen it before, back when I was free. Plenty of times, sinners find their way here because they act out when something bad happens to them." Husk looks sad at that, perhaps thinking of the many souls that could've used a second chance rather than an eternity of damnation. "And sometimes, those souls revert back to a time when they were happy. Innocent. Or maybe their brains are searching for something they didn't ever have but needed." Husker sighs with a shrug. "I wouldn't say I'm an expert. I only know the basics of regression but I'd say that maybe it's something that'll really help you. Like taking back a part of yourself after all the shit you've been put through.”
Angel watches Husk in awe. The cat appears bashful, maybe of how much he's spoken in one go, a hand scratching the back of his neck as he looks away. Angel's mind is running a mile a minute, connecting dots now that it has all the information and delighting in the fact that Husk continues to surprise him.
Not giving himself enough time to over-think, Angel places Fat Nuggets down beside him and launches himself at Husk. He's caught with an "Oof" of surprise and then Husk is laughing low in his chest.
"I take it something resonated?" He questions into Angel's hair, Fat Nuggets circling them both with enthusiastic grunts.
"Yeah." Angel breathes. "Thank you, Husk."
There's a pause.
Angel can feel Husk tense in his arms and just as he's about to pull back and ask what's wrong, he hears something mumbled so quietly he almost doesn't catch it.
"Oscar."
...
What?
He scrambles out of Husk's (Oscar's??) hold just enough to look him in the eyes.
"Is that..?" Angel's voice sounds breathless to his own ears. Husk just gulps and nods.
Tears rise and threaten to spill over when Angel grins and he finds himself holding back a squeal because Husk trusted him with this! Oscar trusted him with this.
"Oscar." He says, reverent, savouring the sound on his tongue. A piece of the person who means the most to him that he alone is granted.
Angel watches his eyes dilate, now more black than gold, and giggles. He leans in a little closer and speaks again with more surety.
"Oscar."
And then he's being kissed.
He hears mumbles of "Anthony" and "can't just say it like that" between closed mouthed pecks and finds he can't stop the giggles from bubbling up his chest once again. They both pull back, resting their heads together as they catch their breaths and Angel can't resist nuzzling into Oscar.
The cat huffs and pushes his face back but Angel can see he's blushing.
***
Just as with every shift in their relationship, it comes easy as breathing. They still have their work, people to serve, but they show support for each other in ways that work for them. Sometimes just a listening ear, or gentle hand on their back is enough. Other times it's kisses and imagining what life could look like for them if their contracts were broken.
Tonight, Angel needs to sink. Right into the soft headspace where he knows Husk will be there to catch him.
He walks to the bar with purpose, fears of rejection long past. It'll be the first time he's actually asked to regress. The first time he's gone into it intentionally. But he has faith in Oscar, knows he'll take this change to the script in his stride and with an ease only he can achieve.
"I needa relax tonight." Angel states as soon as he's at the bar. He'd apologise for his abrupt appearance but he knows Husk won't hold it against him.
The bartender looks up at the sound of his voice and smiles. It's his 'Tony' smile, all soft and proud, and it makes Angel feel the stirrings of regression like he's Pavlov's dog hearing the dinner bell. Husk, most likely knowing the effect his actions have on the spider, wanders around the bar to guide Angel into sitting down. He smooths a hand through his white hair, nails scratching softly against Angel's scalp and he leans into the touch.
"I need to clear up here first, okay kid?" Oscar's voice rumbles. "Then we can head to your room and see Nuggs. I've got a little something for you to, for being so good asking for what you need."
Anthony's head perks up at that, dislodging the cat's hand.
"A present?" He asks almost bouncing in anticipation.
"Yeah, a present." Husk chuckles. "You just gotta wait five minutes okay?"
Tony pouts but nods, swivelling to face the bar as his kitty slides back behind it and kicking his legs while he waits.
He's busy drawing swirling patterns onto the bartop with his fingers when a large sippy cup is pushed in front of him. It's a newer addition to his regression time, Husk acquiring it ("I have some tact you know, Angel, nobody knows who it's for.") after one too many spills that needed cleaning up. Anthony takes it in two hands gratefully, not realising till that moment how thirsty he's been.
He's still sipping his juice when Oscar boops him between the eyes, causing his face to scrunch up.
"All done, honey." He says, making his way to Anthony's side. "Ready to go?"
Tony is up like a shot, almost dropping his cup in the process, and bouncing on his toes.
"Yes yes yes!" He chants. "Present time!"
Husk ruffles his hair with a chuckle.
"Sure kid, present time."
They make their way up the stairs at a much faster pace than usual, Anthony bounding ahead of Husk and pleading for the elder to hurry up.
He couldn't remember the last time he got a present. The cup didn't count because it was a need - something practical that benefited the both of them. But this time Oscar had got him something just because!
Once at his door, Anthony only just manages to stop himself from flinging it open. Instead he makes it through his routine of kissing his finger tips and pressing them to each picture of his friends he has taped to the door. Sure, he does so with a little more haste than usual but he can't bear the thought of leaving them without any love.
He spins around when he hears a low chuckle behind him and smiles at Husk when the cat places a hand to the back of Tony's head, guiding him through the now open door.
"Go see Nuggets a minute sweetheart, I'll be right back." He says, waiting for Anthony to nod and bounce away before presumably making his way to his own room.
Scooping up his pig, Anthony flops onto the bed squealing in delight when he bounces.
"Ozzie got me a present Nuggs!" He stage-whispers to his pet, earning himself a grunt and a lick to his cheek. He speculates aloud (with Fat Nuggets' help of course) what it could be until the man in question makes his way into the room. Husk knocks softly on the door as he enters, knowing he has blanket permission to come in whenever but being respectful about it anyway.
Fat Nuggets plods over to the edge of the bed to greet their guest and Oscar indulges him with a scratch behind the ears. One paw however, is hiding something behind his back and Anthony cranes his neck to get a look.
"Nuh uh, no peaking." Oscar coos. "What do you say?"
Tony pouts but knows he has to work on his manners so turns wide eyes on Husk.
"Please can I have my present Oskie?" He tries with his politest voice. Husk's face softens, so Anthony knows he's succeeded.
"Of course, baby. Here."
And suddenly, right in front of him, is a black and white plush cat.
Tony's hands shake a little as he reaches out, eyes wide in awe as it takes it in. The fur is silky soft to the touch and he clutches it to his chest in the blink of an eye.
Oscar looks pleased, cheeks a little rosy, and Anthony grins up at him.
"Thank you kitty." Anthony giggles, thinking about how now he has two kitties and isn't that so cool!
He's petting the toy's fur as Husk settles on the bed next to him, and Anthony's hand freezes at the quiet rustling noise that follows. The unmistakable sound of Husker's wings.
Tilting his head, he surveys his new plush friend.
No wings.
He wonders if Oscar's wings are soft like his new kitty...
Glancing up, Tony can see Oscar already watching him, content to sit together in the quiet. Tentatively, Anthony reaches out a hand but freezes before it makes contact. He knows he's not hiding his nerves well, but he's scared Husk will be upset with him if he breaks an unspoken rule. Sure, he's never raised his voice at Tony before but that doesn't mean it won't ever happen. And suddenly Anthony can't find his words to ask.
Before he can pull away, pretend nothing ever happened, Oscar reaches out a hand of his own.
He threads their fingers together, and brings Tony's forward till they’re right above his feathers. Then he lets go, and nods once.
The small gesture is all the permission Tony needs. As gentle as he can manage while also being in absolute awe that he's allowed to do this, Tony runs his fingers through the feathers. And oh.
He's never felt anything like them.
They're soft on the surface, smooth like silk. But beneath that they're like touching a cloud. Downy feathers sit closest to the skin and Anthony wants to bury his face in them. He loses himself in the motion of petting each wing, using another set of arms (not the ones still holding his kitty toy) to pull Husk closer till he's sitting in front of the spider.
At this new angle, Tony can see a few feathers have shifted, and works quickly to right them. He pulls free loose fur as he goes, just like he's seen the cat do himself once before. He feels content like this, watching tension bleed from Oscar's shoulders as he works and getting to feel so close to the person he knows will always take care of him.
He startles out of his daze when he feels the wings shift. Breathing in a small gasp he places his hands more solidly against them.
"Oskie your purr!" He whispers. Well... whisper-squeals. "Can feel it here too!"
Husk laughs through the purr and tilts his head back to meet Tony's eyes.
"Sure can kid." He nods. "It's cause you did such a good job preening my wings. Thank you."
Anthony wiggles in place, holding his plushie tighter to his chest and bringing a thumb to his mouth.
"S'okay." He says, bashful. Oscar ruffles his hair.
"Now how's about we get ready to sleep, hmm?"
Anthony pouts.
"Nuh uh! Not tired." He says, stubbornly looking away from golden eyes. Oscar sighs.
"You have to sleep sweetheart." He soothes. "Just try for me okay?"
He manages to get Tony changed into comfortable clothes and bundled up in bed, but still sleep evades them. The spider isn't sure why, his brain is just a little... loud today. If he thinks too hard on it, he's maybe a little afraid that as soon as he's asleep Husk will leave him. He's not ready to be alone. Wants to spend more time with his hands buried beneath red feathers, Oscar's laughter bright in his ears.
As if sensing the approaching spiral, Oscar drapes a wing around the boy. They're facing each other, Tony curled in so he fits comfortable and small against Husk's chest.
Hand in his hair, Oscar starts to sing.
"~Stars shining bright above you.
Night breezes seem to whisper I love you.~"
Tony feels his anxiety melt away in a sigh. The smooth, velvet voice of his person grounding him in this moment.
"~Birds singin' in the sycamore tree.
Dream a little dream of me.~"
And when Tony sleeps, he dreams of flying.