Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

If Angel thought Cherri had connections, then he imagined the Vees owned the entire Pride Ring.

All it took was one phone call from Val and they were granted access to teleport through the Rings.

Who in all of hell did they know with access to teleportation?

Angel didn’t have the faintest clue.

~*~

It took less than an hour before Val was sweeping into his dressing room and looking Angel over from head to toe.

The spider had chosen a floor length slinky black dress that had a slit cut almost all the way up his thigh and the fabric sparkled like diamonds every time he moved. He had also traded his thigh high black boots for knee length silver heels. He had patted on an uncomfortable amount of makeup, taking extra care to cover the new bruises and split lip. He also made sure that his dress covered the entirety of the raw wound on his thigh.

He gave Valentino his best doe eyed look in the reflection of the mirror, and the moth smiled at him, pleased with his appearance.

“Angel, baby, you look gorgeous,” he purred as he stalked closer. His lips turned down into a frown when he noticed the bite marks still visible on Angel’s neck. “Mi amor, you need to cover that,” he said in a gentle voice, but Angel still heard the disdain and cruelty behind his words. The moth paused, then grinned again before picking up a tight silver choker necklace that would hide the wound effortlessly. Before Angel could protest, Val had slipped the delicate chain around the spider’s neck and fastened it tightly over the bite marks.

Angel whimpered when the cold metal bit into the fresh punctures but made no effort to remove the jewelry. Val nodded, content with his work.

“Come then, Angelito, let’s go make daddy and Vox rich.”

As they left, Angel silently sent out a prayer to whoever would listen, be it Heaven, or Lucifer himself, for an angel to rescue him from his cruel Overlord.

~*~

Thankfully the trip through the teleportation portal was quick and painless, but it took Angel a moment to grasp his bearings in the new surroundings.

There were so many lights, flashing signs, and noise of the hustle and bustle of a city street at night that Angel wondered if sinners in this circle slept at all.

He was so captivated by everything that he yelped in surprise as Val grabbed him around his waist and forcibly escorted him into a less flashy building. He was swept into a lush gambling hall, the walls made of dark cherry and the floor carpeted in scarlet. Even the people here seemed classier than the common folk outside; Angel saw ladies in beautiful evening gowns and the gentlemen in tuxedos and everyone in between dressed to the nines.

He glanced around, trying to spot an employee, a dealer, or a cocktail waitress, but even they were hard to find. Finally, his eyes landed on a card table where a group of folks were gathered and playing a nice, simple game of poker. The dealer was a female fox demon who looked to be around Angel’s age. Even she was dressed in subtle classiness, wearing a black silk blouse and a pair of loose black trousers. At a quick break in dealing the cards to the players, she glanced up at him and gave him a gentle genuine smile.

Angel was shocked as he was able to pick out more and more employees among the crowd because they all looked so happy. He couldn’t remember a time when he had been so calm, carefree, and generally joyful. He felt jealousy brewing in the pit of his stomach as he thought about his owner and how terrible he was to be chained to.

With a rough yank on one of his top elbows, his attention was pulled elsewhere as he stumbled into Val’s side. The moth had paused at a set of dark wooden doors that were gorgeously carved into the shape of playing cards.

The Ace of hearts to be exact.

However, his eyes caught the subtlest hint of green magical threading weaving throughout the wood. He absentmindedly wondered what that was, but promptly forgot about it as he noticed one more person in front of them.

Standing before the door was another demon, but this one was dressed head to toe in a finely fitted crimson suit. He stood tall, nearly at Val’s height and his red eyes narrowed a fraction of an inch at the moth before him. Angel noticed his deer ears atop his mane of red and black hair give the slightest twitch. Behind him, he heard Vox snarl and his screen glitched.

“Good evening, gentlemen,” his staticky voice purred, “it’s not every day we get to host the Vees twice in less than twenty-four hours. To what do we owe the pleasure?”

“Alastor, you fucking prick, when I get my hands on you-“ Vox started, then was swiftly silenced as two burly canine demons appeared beside him and tightly gripped his arms. The radio demon clicked his tongue.

“Now now, it is one the rules of courtesy here that there is no fighting and no foul language on the casino floor.” His eyes narrowed even further and his grin grew wider. “Mr. Valentino, Overlord Husker is waiting for you. If you’ll follow me…” he stated before the doors silently swung open of their own accord. He bowed politely and beckoned Val and Angel forward into the darkened room, but held out his hand to stop Vox. “I’m afraid Mr. Vox that since you have already challenged Mr. Husker today, you are not allowed to enter. However,” Alastor smirked, “he has allowed you to join the other players at the gambling tables. Please, enjoy yourself.”

Angel bit down on his tongue to stifle his chuckle that threatened to slip from between his lips as Vox proceeded to continue to shout expletives long after the doors were closed behind them.

He paused for a moment after the doors had shut and locked into place. There was a gentle tingle that ran from the tips of his hair all the way down to his toes.

Once he shook off the strange feeling, Angel took another look at his surroundings. The walls were made of the same wood as the casino floor, but the carpet here was thick and solid black. The only color in the room was the red felt covering the playing table…

And the bright crimson feathers of the Overlord’s magnificent wings.

Angel felt his breath catch as he got his first look at the Gambling Overlord. He hadn’t expected a feline demon, but the longer he stared, the more attractive the cat became.

His fur around his face was a cream color, but the surrounding fur was dark, almost black, and it was generously sprinkled with silver. He wore a finely pressed charcoal tuxedo made of the highest quality fabric this side of Lust, and his thick mane of hair was cooly slicked back away from his face. Angel couldn’t help the tiny smile that creased his lips as he noticed the little scarlet hearts colored into the white fur of his inner ears. A long black tail complete with red feathers adorning the very tip flicked quietly behind him.

The Overlord was seated comfortably at the head of the playing table, a deck of gold embossed playing cards being absentmindedly shuffled between his large, fluffy paws. As Val approached, the cat demon finally lifted his head to stare calmly at the moth.

Angel silently sucked in air between his teeth as he saw that underneath long, red brows were two molten golden eyes.

Beautiful golden eyes with flecks of honey and emerald.

“Mr. Valentino,” came the deep, rich purr from the Overlord and Angel shuddered, “I received word that you wanted to gamble a soul for a soul.” Those relaxed eyes flickered to Angel so swiftly that the spider thought he had imagined it. “Did you have a soul in mind?”

“Yes Mr. Husker,” Val grit out between tightly clenched teeth, “I’m here to play you for the Radio Demon. I believe Vox came in earlier and lost, so I’m here to win him for my friend.” Angel could hear the angry snarl masked by politeness, and he instinctively flinched away from the moth.

His eyes widened when he noticed the feline staring directly at him.

And much to his surprise and embarrassment, he felt his cheeks flame so hot he knew the blush was visible through his white and pink fur.

Wordlessly, the Overlord extended a paw and motioned for the moth to sit across the table from him. Valentino carelessly plopped into his seat and possessively yanked Angel until he was sprawled uncomfortably in his lap.

“Very well, if you insist upon playing for Alastor, then I am to be offered a soul of your own.” Those eyes flicked back to Angel’s again, but so briefly that the spider truly thought he was seeing things. The cat snapped his paws and a deck of cards, a pack of cigarettes, a lighter and three drinks suddenly appeared on the table: a red bubbly drink in a crystal champagne glass for Val, a short clear tumbler of a dark liquor for the Overlord, and a light pink concoction garnished with cherries in a delicate martini glass for Angel.

The drink smelled heavenly to Angel’s sensitive nose, and he took a small experimental sip. His eyes slid closed at the sweet lightness of cherry vodka and the sharp sour of limoncello. After the initial taste, he downed the rest of the drink in one smooth motion.

He felt Val discretely dig a talon against the back of Angel’s thigh, and the spider visibly winced, but caught himself before Val could warn him again.

What did he do? What could he do to make sure Val won this game? He had to distract the Overlord somehow.

The cherries

While Val grinned over the top of his glass, Angel plucked the toothpick that held the cherries and slowly, seductively tugged one into his mouth with his teeth.

It took a few seconds for the feline’s eyes to shift from Val to the man seated in his lap, but Angel noticed his tail flick more sharply when the spider stuck out his tongue and showed off the cherry stem knotted in the shape of a heart.

That should do it

But much to Angel’s disappointment, the expression on the cat’s face never faltered. He gave Valentino a grin that showed a few too many teeth, and picked up the cards in his paws.

“Now, I believe we were discussing souls for trade,” he purred again.

Val nodded and snapped his own fingers. A haphazard pile of signed contracts appeared in front of Husker.

“Take your pick, sir, that’s every soul I own.”

The feline nodded and proceeded to pick through Val’s list. He looked over every single contract with a discerning eye. Some he tossed away immediately, some he paused and read a bit more closely.

It took several minutes, but finally he set the contracts down and Val snapped them away again.

“Well, which one do you want?” Val hissed, his patience growing thin, “I do have other engagements this evening.”

Husker gave the moth a slow blink and a cheshire grin.

“Well, you see, there’s just one problem, Mr. Valentino.”

Val huffed in annoyance. “And what might that be?”

“That wasn’t all your contracts. You lied.”

Val had been in the middle of a sip of his drink when he inhaled in shock and proceeded to choke on fizzy liquid.

“I beg your fucking pardon,” he growled low in the back of his throat. The cat didn’t even blink. “That was every soul that I am willing to trade.”

Angel sucked back a yelp of pain as a sharp talon dug deep into the wound on his thigh. He could feel blood beginning to seep down his leg and soaking into his dress.

Good thing black hides all multitude of sins…

Husker blinked again.

“If it’s Alastor you want, then I get to choose, correct?” he asked calmly, his tail flicking back and forth.

Back.

Forth.

Back.

Forth.

Finally, Val gave him a malicious grin and gripped Angel tightly around his waist. “Yes, those are the terms. So, I ask again: which contract do you fucking want?”

Husker gave him a slow smile and his tail stopped moving.

“I want Angel Dust.”

Angel had never heard such loud silence before in his life.

Slowly, he turned his head up to stare at Valentino and felt his heart sink.

The moth’s grin was so manic it bordered on evil.

“You can’t have him,” he hissed and dug his talons into Angel’s leg again. This time, Angel couldn’t hold back the whimper of pain. He felt his eyes begin to water, as he glanced over at the Overlord.

The expression on his face was calm, but Angel noticed that his grip on the playing cards had tightened, and his tail had wrapped itself around his leg. He felt Val shift in his chair and made a move to stand.

“If you will not choose another soul, then our business is concluded,” Val stated as he grabbed Angel and hoisted him to his feet. The spider felt another gush of blood begin to trail down his leg. “Come, Angelito, we’re leaving.”

Husker simply stared at the two of them before that cheshire smile was back.

“I’m afraid that’s no longer an option.”

Val halted in his tracks and Angel could see murderous rage flashing behind his glasses.

“What. The. Fuck. Do. You. Mean.” Val gritted out every word. Angel saw the Overlords tail begin to move again.

“You see, when you entered this room, and you agreed to my terms, your own contract was formed. Should you decide to leave without completing the terms of agreement, then your soul is forfeit to me.”

Angel’s eyes flew open as a contract written in sickly green appeared before Val’s face, and he watched as the moth’s expression shifted. Suddenly, his demeanor changed entirely, and he smiled widely at the other Overlord.

“Fine, if that’s how you want to play, then we shall play.” He yanked Angel back into his lap, ignoring the yelp of agony that flew from the spider’s lips. “Angel Dust for Alastor. A soul for a soul. But,” he stated, his grin growing wider, “I get to choose the game and I get to use my own cards. I don’t want to risk you cheating me out of my favorite soul.” He reached out his hand across the table, his eyes flashing angrily and a plume of pink smoke blew into Husker’s face.

The cat clasped his hand tightly. “We have a deal.” He sat back in his chair and flexed his wings out behind him. In the confined space of the room, Angel couldn’t help but stare at how beautiful the other Overlord was.

He might as well have been a demon with the soul of an angel.

Angel’s eyes widened again when Val reached into his pocket and procured a deck of playing cards.

Red matte, with black and white outlining.

Oh fuck,

Those cards were rigged.

Val set them confidently on the table, then shifted Angel in his lap.

“Angel, baby, shuffle the deck for me,” he stated loud enough for the other Overlord to hear. But he breathed his next words so softly that even Angel almost missed them. “You had better shuffle them good because if I lose, then everyone in this room dies, except for me.” Angel’s heart dropped when he felt the barrel of Val’s Moneyshot press tightly against his ribcage and the invisible pink chain around his neck tighten. “Understood?”

He nodded as a single tear slid down his cheek. “Yes, Valentino.”

Angel was good at shuffling cards. He supposed having an extra set of arms would make shuffling decently complicated. It would be impossible to count cards when they were flying between four different hands.

The cat Overlord sat back and watched, his tail lazily swishing back and forth again. When Angel was finished, he paused.

What game were they playing?

Husker motioned his head at Val, who grinned at him.

“Blackjack.”

The Gambling Overlord nodded once more before snapping his paws and a small stack of playing chips appeared at both his and Val’s elbows.

“Very well. Each round we’ll place our bets. Aces are 11. Angel, do you mind playing dealer for the moment? I don’t think Val would trust one of my own employees to deal the cards.”

Val clenched his teeth behind his polite smile.

“You would be right.”

Husker grinned wide at the moth, but Angel noticed out of the corner of his eye that the cat’s tail had vanished. He nearly squeaked in surprise when he felt the gentle brush of feathers against his knee.

Not sexual

Not painful

Comforting

Husker smiled at Angel, then snapped his own fingers. A moment later, the redheaded demon materialized out of the darkness at his side.

“You needed me?” Alastor asked curiously, before glancing at the setup at the table. Without another word, he nodded and took the position opposite Angel.

Husker wanted his own witness

With a shaky hand, Angel began to flip the cards.

He couldn’t say anything.

He couldn’t warn the other Overlord about Val’s blacklight trickery with the cards or his smuggled pistol.

He just had to hope that Husker lost

Angel gave Husker a card, faceup.

King of Spades

He tilted his head in acknowledgement, then glanced over at Valentino.

Angel flipped another card.

Ten of Clubs

The moth smirked, then nodded.

Angel sucked in a breath as he flipped his own card.

Eight of Hearts

Another round.

Husker tapped the table. Angel flipped another card.

Nine of Diamonds

The feline placed his paw over his cards.

Angel turned to Val, whose grin had widened.

“Hit me.”

Angel turned a card.

Ace of Spades

Valentino had Blackjack

The moth’s eyes gleamed in the dim light of the room. Angel knew he could smell victory.

The next round they each bet two chips.

Angel won.

The round after, they bet three.

Husker.

Round four, they bet their last five chips.

Angel was panicking internally as he shuffled the cards for the last time. The game was close.

He flipped Husker his first card.

King of Hearts

Angel noticed Val’s eyes squinting behind his glasses.

He flipped Val’s card.

King of Diamonds

Suddenly, Angel’s eyes flicked over to Alastor.

The demon’s eyes had shifted into radio dials for a brief moment.

But then the look was gone, and his lips had resumed their wide grin.

Angel flipped his own card, but he knew it wouldn’t matter.

Four of Clubs

He looked at Husker. The Overlord was calm, collected, but his tail still gently swished against Angel’s leg.

The cat tapped the table.

The spider heard Val’s sharp hiss as he breathed.

Angel flipped Husker’s final card.

Ace of Hearts

Blackjack

The feline stared at Valentino, waiting, watching, dissecting his every facial expression.

Valentino rolled his shoulders.

“Hit me.”

Angel flipped Val’s last card with a deep breath.

He knew the moth had lost.

His entire body stiffened in panic as the card was revealed.

Ten of Diamonds

Husker had won.

With a screech of anger, Val yanked Moneyshot from under his long coat and pointed it directly at the Gambling Overlord. Angel instinctively dropped into a protective ball on the floor and his eyes snapped shut, waiting for a killing shot, waiting for nothing but pain to spike through his entire body.

But it never came.

As Angel cautiously peeked his eyes open, he was surprised to see Husker still sitting calmly in his chair. Entirely unphased by the enraged Overlord looming across the table at him.

Angel’s eyes flicked over to Val.

The moth was frozen in place as a gleaming white cane that resembled an old-timey microphone materialized into the radio demon’s hand. Alastor’s grin widened unnaturally as he gently poked Val with the sharpest point.

Val growled and tried to lift his arm, but a single black tendril made of shadows wriggled up from the carpet and tightly wrapped around the moth’s arm, giving it a sharp squeeze, and causing Val to drop the gun.

But before anyone could blink, one of Val’s lower hands appeared from under his wing.

Clutching his angelic pistol

Angel hadn’t even realized he had moved towards the feline Overlord until he heard the gunshot and felt a sharp pain sear through his shoulder. With a loud scream, Angel immediately grabbed the wound with one of his free hands and sank to his knees.

His eyes started to glaze over, but he managed to watch as Alastor grabbed the moth by the scruff around his neck and jammed the cane into his throat. It wasn’t deep enough to draw blood, but it was enough to hurt.

Then a pair of fluffy foot pads stepped into Angel’s field of vision and blocked out the scene before him. He heard words, muffled, as though he was listening to someone speaking through water.

There was a howl of anger and pain from Valentino.

Then suddenly…silence.

The last thing Angel saw before his eyes slipped closed was a concerned pair of golden irises staring down at him.

Chapter Text

Angel knew he hadn’t been unconscious for long.

He could feel the hot, burning pain pulsing through his shoulder and arm. He could feel the wet stickiness of blood boiling its way down his fur and seeping into the black carpet.

Through the darkness and haze, he heard voices. A silky deep voice. A voice filled with static.

“Alastor, hand me another towel.”

“Sir, if we don’t remove the bullet-“

“I know, I know.”

He heard a muffled snap.

“Go get Niffty.”

“But Sir-“

“That was not a request Alastor. Go find her and tell her to bring her med kit.”

“Right away, Husker.”

Angel didn’t hear him leave. Slowly, his eyes flickered open, to stare up at the feline Overlord.

His handsome face was drawn tight in worry, and Angel noticed that his head rested in the Overlord’s lap. His vision grew hazy once more, but he furiously blinked the mist and fog away. He tried to move, to shift away from Husker. He didn’t want to be any more of an inconvenience than he already had.

With a soft groan, one of his arms slid under his body to try to push himself up, but the movement brought those golden eyes snapping back down to stare into his own. The Overlord gave him a gentle smile and pushed Angel’s tangled hair away from his face.

“Heya kid,” he murmured, “don’t worry, we’ll have you patched up in no time.” Angel whined when he felt the rough pressure of a towel grip his shoulder. He heard the Overlord hiss. “I’m so sorry, Angel. I’m trying to be gentle.”

Angel blinked back tears.

Why was this Overlord treating him so gently, so kindly?

Valentino had been kind too at the beginning. And look how that turned out.

It had to be a trick.

“Why…what?” With a sharp howl, he forced himself up onto his elbows and hurriedly scrambled away across the floor until his back was pressed up against the wall. He curled his lower set of arms around his knees while his upper set tightly clenched his still bleeding shoulder.

He eyed the Overlord cautiously as he stood and slowly followed the spider. Husker held his hands out in front of him in a nonthreatening manner.

“I’m not gonna hurt you, Angel.”

The spider withdrew even deeper into himself. He knew he was going to make his new Overlord angry, but he couldn't bear to be touched.

Not right now.

Not after everything that had happened.

He flinched as a reflex when he saw Husker’s face pinch down into a frown. The Overlord knelt down in front of Angel, hovering his paw over the spider’s exposed thigh. Angel glanced down to see a thick stream of blood pouring down his leg from a deep laceration.

It was the one that Val had wounded.

The feline growled softly, and Angel whimpered.

“Did Valentino do this?” he hissed through his teeth.

Angel shrank away, burying his head into his knees and curling his legs even tighter against his body. He waited for an angry word, a hand put upon him, something that would cause agony.

Nothing.

“Hey boss, Alastor said ya wanted to see me?”

Angel glanced up at the new voice. Standing in the doorway was a tiny cyclops demon, attired in a retro red and white dress and carrying a bag that was nearly as big as she. Niffty looked right at him, and her face broke out into a huge smile.

It was unsettling.

“Ooh, is he the one?” he asked, practically vibrating with excitement, “he’s the one ya want me to fix?”

He saw Husker flick his eyes back to Angel once more before he stood and nodded at the little demon.

“Yeah, Nif. He’s got an angelic bullet in his shoulder and a really bad cut on his leg.” He wiped his paws on Angel’s discarded towel. “I’ll leave him to you. Alastor,” he spoke into the shadows of the room and the radio demon appeared once more.

“Yes sir.”

“Keep an eye on Niffty. If she needs anything, and I mean fucking anything, you go get it.”

“Of course, Husker.”

“Good. I’ll be up in my office. I’ve got a shit ton of paperwork to catch up on, thanks to those fucking Vees.”

Angel’s eyes tracked him as he made his way across the room. He couldn’t help but notice the way the Overlord’s ears drooped sadly as he walked away.

He blinked and suddenly the demon they called Niffty was less than a foot away. Angel squeaked in surprise. Niffty grinned.

“Heh, don’t you worry, I’ll fix you up good.” Angel’s heart dropped into his stomach when she opened her bag and proceeded to pull out a large needle and a spool of venomous green thread. Before Angel’s mind could comprehend what was going to happen, Niffty’s little fingers were halfway through sewing up his leg wound.

He didn’t even feel anything. Her thread must be magical.

In no time at all, his leg was stitched back together and carefully bandaged. Then Niffty looked at his hand still covering his shoulder.

“Ok, the leg stitches aren’t awful, but this one…” she gently pried Angel’s fingers away. The spider resisted for just a moment, then relaxed. He flinched as she hissed in displeasure. “Ooh, this one is gonna hurt.” Quickly she waved at Alastor and the radio demon approached swiftly.

“Yes, Niffty dear?”

“I need something to pull out that angelic bullet. I don’t think my needle will cut it.” She gave Angel another creepy smile. “Unless you like pain, because if you do, I’ll just yank it out.”

Angel chewed his lip before he tightened his lower arms around his legs again. He was a burden. He knew he was.

Weak.

Useless.

“Please just do it. I can handle a little pain,” he whispered.           

After all, he was used to it.

The little demon gently patted his knee. Then quick as lightning her nimble fingers were buried in the bullet wound and yanking out her angelic prize.

Angel screamed.

He screamed until his voice was hoarse, then his eyes rolled back in his head and all he felt was darkness.

~*~

When he awoke again, he wasn’t lying on a carpeted floor.

There were soft sheets and a comfortable mattress. A downy feather pillow was plumped underneath his head.

The room was still dark.

Angel sat up quickly, crying out in pain at the tightness of the bandage wrapped carefully around his shoulder. His shoulder still ached, and it still felt as though he had been scalded by liquid fire.

But he wasn’t dead. The pain wasn’t unbearable.

He gently clamped one of his upper hands over the bandage as he pulled the sheets off his legs with his lower.

He yelped in shock and surprise when a set of luminous red eyes appeared in front of his face, then quickly the rest of the radio demon materialized out of the shadows.

“Good morning, Angel Dust,” the static voice rang through the room, “I do hope you’re feeling better.”

Angel willed his heart to stop thundering in his chest and he roughly raked a hand through his wild hair.

“I…I suppose,” he whispered, pulling the sheets up his bare legs, and bunching them up against his chest fluff. “I…I’m sorry-“

“Nonsense,” he spoke, and his grin grew wider, “Overlord Husker wishes to see you when are feeling well enough to leave your room.” A long talon reached beside Angel’s head and flicked on a bedside lamp that the spider had not seen. “Niffty will be up in a moment with your breakfast, and she wants to change your bandages.” Alastor snapped his fingers and a neatly folded pile of clothing appeared at the foot of Angel’s bed. “Mr. Husker believed that you might be more comfortable wearing these instead of your outfit from last night. After all,” there was that uncanny wide grin again, “it was terribly stained with blood.” He turned and whisked himself towards the door. “If there is anything else that you require, Niffty will see to it. Good day.” Without another word, he vanished through the door.

Angel sighed in relief once he was certain he was alone again before he realized that he truly was not wearing his dress or his shoes. Instead, a soft pair of silken pajama shorts adorned his long legs, and a matching shirt was awkwardly buttoned over his top arms.

He couldn’t help but smile. At least whoever changed him did their best.

Another knock at the door pulled a squeak out of the spider before he called, “Come in.”

With the slight sound of fumbling and a muffled curse, the door swung open to reveal Niffty, a dinner tray balanced in her hands and her medical bag tucked neatly underneath her arm.

“Heh, morning,” she giggled, but Angel somehow thought she was less frightening now. “How’s the shoulder and leg?”

Angel stretched his leg out gingerly, surprised to feel no pain. He did the same with the shoulder, but this time he whimpered and grabbed at it again.

She was right, it hurt.

He didn’t have to say anything before she was crawling up into the bed and staring at his bandages. Angel turned his head to see the bullet wound, only to immediately look away when she removed the wrapping.

The fur underneath the bandage was dyed crimson and matted down with blood and some form of antiseptic. The wound itself was still oozing, but she had neatly sewn up what she could.

She nodded in careful satisfaction, before her eye looked up into Angel’s.

“It’ll heal, but it’ll be slow. Angelic weapons are no joke.” She scurried off the bed and quickly unfolded his new clothes before hanging them gently over the back of a desk chair. “If you’re feeling better, I can help you clean up.”

Angel paused. He did feel sticky and gross…but…

He really didn’t want to be touched.

At his hesitation, Niffty’s smile grew soft. “You can say no, you know.”

Angel’s eyes widened in surprise. “Uh…”

She waved her hand. “That’s ok! But you still will want to wash that out before I put more medication on it.”

Angel nodded, before carefully climbing out of the bed. His legs shook, and he felt his lower back pinch uncomfortably. Immediately, Niffty was standing on the bed and holding out her little hands.

She didn’t touch him. All she did was offer help.

Angel felt tears gather in the corner of his eyes, but he blinked them away before the little demon could see. Slowly, he reached out and clasped one of her hands, surprised at the strength she possessed when she held up his body weight without batting her eye.

After a moment, Angel felt his legs stop shaking. Slowly, he turned to look down at Niffty with a smile.

“Thanks.”

She nodded with another wide grin. “Sure thing! Now run along and take a bath. I’ll wait until you’re done so I can bandage ya up again.” Then she scampered off and started making his bed.

After a moment, Angel stepped into the bathroom and flicked on the light.

It was much nicer than the one he had at the studio. Instead of a single stall shower, this one had a spotless claw foot bathtub sitting in the middle of the room. The sink and countertop were made of what looked like marble, and a full-length mirror hung on the wall opposite the door.

Lined along the counter were numerous bath products, shampoos, conditioners, liquid and solid soaps, loofahs, and even cherry bubbles. Set beside all of that were two large fluffy black and white towels.

Was this all for him?

Slowly, he shuffled over and turned on the hot water in the tub. After a few minutes, when the water was deep enough, he picked up the bottle of bubbles, and poured in a healthy amount. Soon, the entire bathroom smelled sweet, and the tub was overflowing with pink bubbles. It took him a little while to peel the pajamas from his legs and around the stiches in his shoulder and thigh, but he managed.

Then he gingerly stepped into the heavenly warm water.

He sighed as he sank all the way up to his chin in bubbles, his face twisting into a grimace as the water stung his shoulder, but the pain was worth this comfort.

He wasn’t sure how long he just sat in the water, unmoving, completely still.

It had been so long since there had just been silence.

No shouting. No expletives. No cameras. No flashing lights.

No Valentino.

Suddenly, his body was wracked with silent, heart wrenching sobs. Thick tears dripped off his nose and chin and into the water below, and he sniffled.

He desperately wanted to believe that he had been rescued. That this new Overlord would be kind. That he wouldn’t ever be hurt again.

But this was Hell.

Nothing good ever happens in Hell.

He was still just a contract. His soul was not his own.

His lower hands reached up to violently wipe his eyes dry. He couldn’t cry. He wouldn’t cry.

He was Angel Dust. He would do whatever was asked of him.

Yes, Mr. Husker

~*~

It took nearly an hour before Angel emerged from the bathroom wrapped tightly in both fluffy towels. His fur was clean, but his hair was struggling to dry.

He looked like a drowned rat and in that moment, he didn’t care.

As he collapsed on the bed, Niffty appeared at his side.

“Heh, ya feel better?”

He had scrubbed every single inch of his body, erasing the very essence of Valentino from his skin, both within and without.

But did he feel better?

“Yeah…a little.”

She perched beside him, swinging her little legs over the side of the bed.

“Want me to brush your hair?”

Angel blinked at her for a moment.

“You…wanna brush my hair?”

She nodded and smiled, but this smile was kind, gentle. “Ya’ve got some tangles, and ya shouldn’t overwork your shoulder, but it’s totally ok if ya say no.”

There it was again.

It’s ok to say no.

Slowly, he shifted until he was sitting up.

“Yeah…yeah, I think I would like that.”

Niffty giggled and disappeared into the bathroom, reappearing a moment later with a brush, a comb and a bottle of detangler. Quickly, she scrambled behind him, and paused.

She was waiting for permission.

Angel sighed. “It’s ok Niffty. Thank you.”

Without another word, he felt gentle fingers rake the brush through his hair, stopping occasionally when they came upon a snag, and Nifty carefully detangled them. She didn’t pull his hair once.

When she was finished, she hopped off the bed and discarded the brush onto the bedside table. Then she gathered her medical supplies.

“I’m gonna resew the shoulder, and rebandage both that and your leg, if that’s ok.”

Angel nodded, though he flinched when that long, thick needle reappeared in her hand.

“Take a deep breath, and I’ll be done in just a second,” she stated, and the spider did just that.

But when the needle and thread pushed through the fur and skin again, Angel bit clear through his lower lip and choked back a loud cry.

Even when he had been alive, he’d never felt pain like this.

Even with Valentino, he’d never felt pain like this.

He hoped he would never feel pain like this again.

Niffty was right, it only took her a few seconds and the wound was sewn up and bandaged cleanly. Angel wiped his eyes with the back of his lower wrist. When she wrapped his thigh, he didn’t even flinch. She stepped back to admire her work.

“There, good as new. Well, as good as you’re gonna be for a while.” She hopped off the bed again and pushed the dinner tray beside Angel’s legs. “Ya better eat something. We don’t want ya fainting on us.” Angel gave her a grin while she packed up her supplies. “Oh, did Al mention that Husk wanted to see you?”

Angel felt his heart sink. He’d forgotten.

“Yeah…he did.”

Niffty nodded, then darted towards the door. “Elevator is down the hall on your right. His office is on the top floor, so just hit the button for the penthouse.” She opened the door and glanced back at him. “I’m glad you’re here and away from that evil moth man.” That wild smile was back and nearly splitting her face. “If I ever see him again, I’m gonna steal his neck fluff.” When Angel’s mouth fell open in surprise, Niffty waved and vanished through the door.

~*~

After he had devoured the breakfast that Niffty had brought him (eggs, bacon, toast, coffee, and the tiniest cinnamon bun he’d ever seen), Angel finally took at look at the clothes that had been left for him.

They were very similar to what he had seen the employees wearing the night before, the same black shirt, same black trousers. But this shirt had been altered to fit all four of his arms and the pants fit like a glove. He even found boots resting neatly by the door that covered his legs to his knees but wouldn’t be seen through his pants.

Whoever chose his clothing took the time and care to get everything right.

After he slid into his new clothes, he made his way back into the bathroom.

He needed to find something to cover his bruises and split lip. He would not be seen in such a condition.

After all, he was Angel Dust, the porn star. He had to keep up an appearance.

Especially now that he belonged to a brand-new Overlord.

But to his chagrin, there was not a speck of makeup to be found.

He searched every drawer, looked under every cabinet.

Nothing.

He could feel panicked tears forming in his eyes, but he blinked them away.

Maybe if he hurried down the hall and kept his head lowered, no one would notice.

So that’s what he did.

He made it to the elevator without passing a single person, took a deep breath and pressed the button to the penthouse.

It was time to properly meet his new master.

Chapter Text

The ride up the elevator to the penthouse was one of the longest few moments Angel had ever experienced. He chewed his lip again the closer he got.

Was he going to be angry? Angel had refused to let him touch his wounds and hadn’t answered when he’d been asked a question.

Would he slap him? Strike him with those long claws? Make him apologize and grovel at his feet?

Was he going be like Val? Keep him around to make him money, and use and abuse his body whenever the mood struck him?

Oh shit, should he have prepped himself, just in case?

Well…too late now.

Good thing he was used to pain.

~*~

When the doors opened, Angel expected a certain atmosphere.

Piles of playing cards, empty bottles of whisky, the stale smell of old cigarettes.

What he saw instead were walls made of deep, rich mahogany wood and spotless cream carpet. A pool table with bright red felt was set in the corner along with what appeared to be a fully stocked bar, and a large, neat desk was situated in front of a large glass window that overlooked all of Greed.

There, in all his magnificent glory sat the Overlord himself.

His clothes had changed from the flawless tuxedo into a simple white shirt with black suspenders and an undone red bowtie. His wings were folded softly behind him, but his tail kept flicking back and forth, just like before, until Angel wondered if it had a little mind of its own.

The feline sighed and scratched behind one of his ears as he stared intently at the paper in his hand. It looked like a contract, but Angel couldn’t be sure.

Then as though he felt himself being observed, both ears flattened against his head and his eyes immediately darted up to stare into Angel’s face. The intimidating frown on his face instantly softened.

“Oh, Angel,” he stated, placing the paper down and snapping it away, “you can come in.”

So he did.

As he stepped closer, he steeled his nerves. He would show the Overlord that he could behave exactly how he wanted. He could flirt, he could seduce, he could offer his body in apology for earlier.

Yes, that sounded reasonable.

When he reached the desk, he smirked and batted his mismatched eyes.

“Ya wanted ta see me, boss?” he purred, sitting himself right on the edge of the desk and crossing his legs in the most sexy, dainty way he knew. He reached out and gently grasped the fabric of the loosened bowtie around his neck.

The cat’s eyes grew wide, before narrowing harshly.

“Yes I did.” He pulled himself away, stood and wandered to the window to stare out at the circle of Hell he ruled. “Are you feeling better? Did Niffty fix you up well enough?”

Angel was taken aback. Usually that pose worked every time and had men of all shapes and sizes drooling all over his feet.

Well, let’s try something else.

“She sure did. Fixed me up just right. I’m good as new!” Angel slowly reached down to unbutton his shirt and puffed up his chest fluff, just the way everyone liked it. “Wanna check it out for yourself, kitten?”

The feline shuddered, and Angel felt victorious…until he turned around.

Those golden eyes were flashing.

Not with lust or attraction.

The Overlord was angry.

Angel immediately scrambled to his feet and backed away from the desk. His lower hands started twisting into the fabric of his shirt.

What had he done? Isn’t this why the Overlord wanted him?

His heart sank as another, worse thought flittered across his mind.

Did the Overlord even want him, or was he just a tool to get back at the Vees?

As he forced himself to blink away tears, he stared as the Overlord stalked closer.

Closer.

Those eyes molten pits of golden lava.

When Husk stood about two feet away from the spider, he stopped and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Let’s get one thing straight right fucking now, kid,” he growled, and Angel flinched, “my name is Husk, or Husker. Pick one and use it.”

“Yes, sir,” Angel whimpered, turning his head away and tucking it safely into his uninjured shoulder. “I-I’m…I’m sorry…it-it won’t happen again-“

Husk groaned and rubbed his paws over his face. “Angel, it’s ok,” he said, his voice far softer than it had been a moment before. “It’s been a long day for me, and I know it’s been the same for you.” His paws ran back over his ears and through his hair as he sighed. “All right, let me get a look at you.”

Angel’s eyes widened and he took a step back until his spine was pressed against the wall. Here it was. What he wanted him for. His hands started to tremble as he quickly unsnapped the buttons of his shirt…until he reached the last one.

“The hell you doing?”

Angel squeaked. Husker’s eyes were narrowed again.

“You…you said you…wanted to…look…at me?” the spider stuttered. The cat groaned again.

“Yeah, at your face kid.” Slowly he sauntered closer once more. “Show me where he hurt you.”

"Is...is that why ya didn't leave me any makeup?" he asked, "because ya wanted to see my face?"

The feline hummed, his golden eyes staring at the spider's face. "That's part of it. The other part is that you look nicer without it."

Angel mouth dropped open in surprise, but he closed his eyes when he saw one of those paws reach out to touch the visible bruise on his cheek, on his jaw. The cat stared at the jagged bite marks torn into his neck, his ears drooping low again.

But the Overlord stopped before he could touch him. Slowly he retracted his paw and backed up a step.

“Besides the tear on your leg and the bullet wound on your shoulder, is there anything else that’s hurting? Anything else that’s damaged?”

Angel bit his lip again and shook his head.

His heart was shattered into pieces, but that didn’t count.

But still, that answer seemed to satisfy the Overlord. He nodded and wandered over to the bar beside the billiard table. Angel’s eyes never left his paws, as he grabbed a bottle and poured nearly half of the contents into a clear glass tumbler. With one long swallow, the glass was emptied.

“So, Angel,” he said, his voice gruff as he sat back down at his desk, “what are you good at?” He pressed the tips of his paws together and stared at the spider curiously.

What was Angel good at? What was his best talent, his best feature?

He gave a cat another smirk, then sashayed over to the desk, until all four of his elbows were leaning on the shiny wood.

“Well…I’m really good with my tongue,” he purred, two fingers walking across the desk, “and, don’t forget I’ve got four hands.” He rolled over onto his back until he was looking the Overlord in the face upside down. He gave the cat his best doe eyed look and seductively bit his lip. “Just imagine what I could do-“

“Fucking shit Angel!” Husk shouted and shoved himself away from the spider. “Is sex the only thing you know how to do?”

Angel backed away again. “Well…yeah. I’ve been doin’ this for like…forever.” He tangled his fingers in his shirt. “I…I don’t know how to do anything else…I-I mean I can dance too…but…”

“Lemme guess, stripper pole and lap dances.”

Angel nodded. “I…I’ve never had to do anything else besides take my clothes off and do whatever someone told me to. I…I don’t know what ya expect me to do.” His mismatched eyes widened. “I’ll do whateva ya tell me, just please, don’t sent me back to Valentino!”

This time, he couldn’t stop the tears. He buried his face in his hands and sobbed. Slowly he sank to his knees and his body trembled as he cried, harder than he ever had.

He had lost the only thing he had ever known, no matter how horrible it was, no matter how badly he was hurt, no matter how many guys he fucked on and off camera, Valentino was the only constant, solid thing in his life. He knew what to expect from the moth, he knew his moods and his violent streak.

He was all he had known for forty years.

But now?

It felt like he was stumbling in the dark without any light or a hand to guide him.

It took a few moments until his tears subsided and he was left with nothing but hiccups. But he didn’t lift his head. He didn’t want the Overlord to see his swollen eyes and tear-stained cheeks.

A pair of fuzzy feline feet stepped into his line of sight, then a knee.

“Please look at me.”

Slowly, with another sniffle, he gazed up into liquid golden honey.

The Overlord’s face was gentle, and his eyes were soft.

“I will never let Valentino have you again.” Slowly he raised his paw toward Angel’s cheek, then paused. The spider stared at him, then gave the smallest of nods.

The pads of the Overlord’s paws felt like velvet as he wiped away the remainder of the spider’s tears. Then Husk gently patted Angel’s head.

“Don’t worry, kid,” he stated as he stood to his feet with a groan, “we’ll find you something.” He scratched behind his ear again. “Is there anything that you like to do?”

Angel let his mind wander. Was there something besides sex that he enjoyed? Not that he enjoyed sex much anymore, but that was beside the point. He looked the Overlord up and down and quickly glanced around the room, looking for something, anything that would trigger any ideas.

His eyes caught the crimson of Husker’s unknotted bow tie.

Well now…that might just work.

“I…uh-“ he rasped, his voice still thick with leftover tears, “I’m not half bad at…designing clothes…or sewing. I mean…I got four arms, and clothes like that are next to impossible to find. So I’ve had to alter what I can find or make my own.” He gave Husk a sheepish smile. “I know, it ain’t anything to do with a casino-“

“That’s perfect.”

“Huh?” Angel questioned with a tilt of his head. “Whatcha mean?”

The feline stroked his chin, a thoughtful look in his eyes. “You can design fashion. The employee uniforms could do with…something new.” He stared down at the floor as he started to pace. His tail waved back and forth faster now.

After a few moments of him mumbling to himself under his breath, he looked back into Angel’s face. “I’ll put you in charge of the staff uniforms. Design to your heart’s content, just keep it classy, yes?” He snapped his paws. “What about interior design? You look like you’ve got a keen eye and this place could stand to be redone.”

Angel let a smile slip across his well-chewed lips. “I can give it a try, Mr. Husker.”

The Overlord grinned. “Then I’ll leave you in charge of making this place look extraordinary. Just…please no pink.”

Chapter Text

It had been a month since Angel had last seen Valentino.

And he felt something new in his heart…

He felt lighter…unburdened. He felt as though his shattered heart was being molded back together with liquid gold. The cracks would always be there, but they would be repaired until they were better, stronger and more beautiful than ever before.

Was this what happiness was supposed to feel like?

~*~

Angel had learned a few things since his meeting with the Overlord.

The first thing being that he rarely ever raised his voice. If he did, he meant what he said. And he didn’t like having to repeat himself.

The second thing…Angel had discovered that the feline was kind.

Right after getting his new job sorted out, for the most part, Husk went over the few rules he expected his employees to abide by.

They were pretty straightforward: stick to the work schedule, be polite and friendly, and don’t do anything that would put anyone in the casino in danger. He also firmly suggested that possession and use of drugs was highly frowned upon but weren’t forbidden. Beyond that, if they weren’t working, their time was theirs to do with as they pleased.

Angel was also shocked when he realized that he was going to be paid. A fair and honest wage for fair and honest work.

And he didn’t have to take his clothes off or be exposed to ridicule or pain. Angel truly believed that Husk had a heart of solid gold hidden behind a grumpy exterior.

It took a few days for him to get settled in, but shortly after, he finally got to do what he wanted, what he liked.

At first, he was nervous. He had to meet staff members and employees to help give him an idea of what he would be working with. He just knew everyone would look at him and only see Angel Dust, the famous porn star. He figured most of them had seen his videos and movies at least once. He dreaded the fact they would all look down on him for who he had been.

But none of them did. They all looked at him with respect and care, not pity or disgust. It didn’t take long for him to make a few new friends.

One of his new besties was Tally, the fox demon he had seen that first night. After chatting for a while as Angel got her measurements for the new uniforms he was designing , he discovered that she had briefly worked for Valentino after Velvette lost her in a friendly game of poker. Then her contract was taken on by Carmilla Carmine, who was looking for someone intelligent and trustworthy to help her craft her angelic weapons. She was one of the first souls contracted to Husk, and she had nothing but wonderful things to say: he had given her a place to live when she was sleeping on the streets, he had gotten her clean and sober after being pumped full of drugs day and night, he had done everything to make sure she was living her best second life.

But, to Angel’s surprise, she was one of only a few contracts that the Overlord kept.

A lot of his employees were not soul contracts.

Like the lovely little imp couple from Gluttony. They wanted a change of pace and a chance at a happier life. And where better to do that than the casino in Greed. The little wife, Jeanvieve was the most adorable cocktail waitress Angel had ever laid on, and her husband Steven was one of the quickest dealers in the entire casino (Angel knew he hustled players, but he made sure he looked the other way. He figured Husk did too.)

A few of the bouncers were hired by night or as needed, though it was usually the same two guys: the canine thugs Angel had seen, Jonathan and Pete. The casino didn’t usually require extra protection, except on the rare occasion that another Overlord would arrive for a pre-planned game, or someone like the Vees showed up out of the blue.

Then there was Husk’s second newest soul, a fellow named Travis.

He had belonged to the Vees before Vox foolishly bet him against Alastor, and now, he was contracted to Husk. But since his new Overlord had put him charge of the bar during the day, he didn’t really seem to mind very much. Because they had both worked for Val, the two got along very well.

Of course, Niffty became one of his closest friends, so much so that he considered her to be a surrogate little sister. She shared the room next to his, and occasionally she would come to his aid whenever he would wake up screaming after a nightmare or night terror. A few times after some of the worst ones, she would wipe his tears away and climb into his bed to curl up in his arms like a little koala. The warmth and the weight of her cuddled against him would put him right back to sleep and he wouldn’t wake up again that night.

Well…she was sweet and kind until she saw a roach…then she turned into a little raging monster, running around with a knife held over her head and cackling maniacally. But Angel didn’t mind.

Alastor on the other hand, well, they didn’t really see much of each other. The occasional polite greeting in the hallway were their only interactions. Alastor (and Husk agreed with the Radio Demon for the sole purpose that Alastor would wring Angel’s neck should he so much as touch his suit) was not in need of a new uniform, so he never had a reason to step into Angel’s workshop.

Which turned into Angel’s new favorite place.

When Husk agreed to help Angel get started with his work, he personally cleared out one of the rooms on the floor below the penthouse. He made sure that the lighting was good, that the color of the walls was just right, and that Angel had everything his heart desired when it came to fabric, thread, needles, pins, dress forms, everything.

At the very beginning, Husk would stop in every day in the afternoon to see Angel’s progress. Occasionally, he would make comments:

“It needs to be classier.”

“No, too classy, not everyone needs to be in evening gowns.”

“Too much black, add a little color.”

“Angel, what did I say about pink?”

But a week or so later, Angel had worked out most of the kinks, and he’d gotten the hang of being a part of a team…part of a family.

~*~

Angel was starting to get a little anxious. The Vees had gone radio silent.

He knew they were planning something. Val couldn’t just walk away from something like Angel, not when that something was making him more money than he knew what to do with.

But now that Angel was gone, the spider had heard rumors about Val’s porn industry collapsing. It was as though the moth couldn’t survive without his best star.

That gave Angel a small sense of happiness, with a large dose of vengeance. Finally, the man who had used and abused him for four decades was getting exactly what he deserved.

But he still didn’t feel entirely safe. He was still jumpy and easily frightened, and there were times that he would shy away from being touched. Thankfully, everyone was very understanding and gave him space when he needed it.

Much to his surprise, he found that he didn’t mind being contracted to an Overlord. He was fed, cared for and was working on getting clean. He hadn’t shot up once since becoming Husk’s; he had spent the first few days afterwards detoxing, but Tally had stayed with him since she’d been through it before.

He had almost everything that had been missing from his life.

There was just one thing that he missed more than anything.

He missed his best friend. He missed the occasional turf wars. He missed having a familiar shoulder to cry on.

He missed Cherri.

~*~

Angel was entirely content. He practically lived in his workshop, and he had so many ideas for the uniforms and even a few new designs for the casino floor.

But while he may have been happy and easing into his new lifestyle, he was bored. He had barely left the casino at all. The only reason that he ever ventured further than the front door was to go shopping for more supplies. He ran out of fabric, thread and drawing paper faster than he’d ever run out of anything in his life. Fortunately for him, Husk knew his way around Greed and had escorted Angel to the necessary shops the first few times he had to go out. But after a couple of days when the spider felt comfortable enough, the Overlord just handed Angel his own credit card, linked directly to Husk’s business funds, and sent him on his merry way.

Even shopping was becoming monotonous. Every owner knew him by name now, and sometimes they would chat for a while. Surprisingly, not many people in Greed knew who he was. It was nice to just be Angel and not be looked at, leered at, or whistled at every moment of every day.

But once he got back to the hotel, he buried himself in his workshop. Some days he even worked through the night, due to forgetting to look at the clock or because he had woken up in a cold sweat, imagining that Valentino had climbed through the window, that Valentino had crawled into his bed, that Valentino was touching him and Angel couldn’t escape.

On those nights, if Niffty managed to sleep through his panicked wailing, Angel would grab a bottle of his favorite cherry brandy that he always kept on hand, and work his way through until morning. He knew it wasn’t healthy, he knew he was going to be exhausted, but staying awake kept the night terrors at bay.

It was one those nights where he found himself not alone in his workshop.

He had been busy. He had nearly drunk half a bottle of brandy, and he thought he was feeling more relaxed. He was so focused on what his hands were doing that he hadn’t noticed that his hips were swaying, and he was crooning some old-timey love song that was swirling through his head.

He had been pinning fabric together on the dress stand. It was a new design for Tally, a uniform that would both make her adorable fluffy tail less noticeable , while simultaneously accentuating her flawless figure including her tail. It was a complicated process, but he was bound and determined to make it work.

He had been so engrossed in perfecting the drapery of the silk and cotton that he didn’t hear the door open.

He didn’t hear feet padding across the wooden floor.

He didn’t hear a deep, husky voice call out his name.

But when a soft, fuzzy paw gently tapped his shoulder, the spider screamed. He grabbed his thread scissors from the table and brandished them like a dagger. He was ready to fight. He was ready to murder someone.

He had never sobered up so fast in either of his lives.

His eyes widened when Husk took a cautious step back, away from the sharp point of the shears and away from the angry spider.

Immediately, the scissors clattered to the floor and Angel clutched his chest. His heart felt like it was going to fly out of his ribcage and slap the Overlord directly on his nose.

“Mr. Husk, I-I’m so sorry-“

The feline held up his paw with a sheepish grin. “No no, I’m sorry Angel. I thought you heard me come in.”

Angel forced himself to breathe. In. Out.

In.

Out.

It wasn't Valentino.

He was safe.

It took a minute for his initial panic to subside, but once his heart stopped racing, he gave the Overlord a soft smile.

“I…I wasn’t paying attention. I was just off in my own little world. I’m sorry for screaming.”

Husk waved away his apologies. “It’s fine. It’s understandable to react like that when you’re not expecting to be touched.” His curious eyes looked around the room, at all of the silken fabric, all the colorful thread, all of the accessories. He motioned at the spare chair across the workbench from the spider. “Mind if I sit for a minute?”

Angel cocked his head a little at the surprising question.

“Uh…sure.”

With a nod, the Overlord climbed up into the chair and proceeded to look even closer at his surroundings. Angel paused, before resuming his pinning

The silence was awkward, but not uncomfortable. It was simply two people existing in the same shared space.

Between cutting fabric and sewing the pieces together, Angel kept sneaking glances at the Overlord. Husk had his face turned toward the far wall where Angel posted up his drawings and patterns, so the spider got a perfect view of his profile.

Angel hadn’t realized until that very moment just how handsome the feline was. His jawline was flawless when he grinned, his fur looked so soft that Angel was dying to rake his long fingers through it until he was satisfied, and his ears were fuzzy and adorable, especially when they twitched. And the wings...

Oh the wings.

They were folded neatly against his back, and Angel wanted so badly to touch one.

He took a good look at what the Overlord was wearing. That same white shirt sat about halfway unbuttoned and entirely untucked, the red bowtie was missing, and his suspenders were left off his shoulders to dangle around his hips.

He imagined fitting a new tuxedo jacket over that luscious fur. He pictured kneeling at his feet and pinning new black trousers together around his ankles and legs... 

Angel felt himself blush.

Then he shook his head. Those thoughts, and whatever feeling that his heart was beating louder about, had to go. He couldn’t have thoughts, he couldn’t have a crush on his Overlord. This was simply a professional relationship, a soul and an owner.

Nothing more. It couldn’t be anything more.

“What’s got you up so late, kid?” Husk asked curiously and then those big golden eyes were fixed on Angel’s.

The spider hesitated, then sighed in defeat. “I…um…I have night terrors. Sometimes I’m afraid to fall asleep. I keep thinking that Val will come take me away, or that I'll wake up to him in my bed…well…yeah.” Angel jammed a pin into the fabric with a little too much force. “So to distract myself, I just come in and work.” He set his pins down, then plopped down in the chair across from the Overlord. “How did you know I was awake?”

Husk gave Angel a smile that made the spider’s stomach flip. “I saw that the light was on, then I heard singing.” Angel was surprised…and mortified. He’d been singing?

Oh fuck.

He had a terrible singing voice.

Husk grinned conspiratorially at him, then gently snapped and an old, well worn deck of playing cards appeared in his paw. “When I realized it was you, I thought I would check on you. I haven’t exactly been around much lately.” He spread the cards out and started flipping them in a quick game of Solitaire. “How’ve you been? Everything good?” His eyes flicked up for a second to see Angel’s reaction, then back down at his cards. “Do you need anything?”

Angel hesitated. Husk had provided so much for him already. He didn’t want to ask for more.

He didn't want to confess to the Overlord that he didn't have a phone anymore because he left it at Val’s. He didn't want to mention Cherri. He didn't want to feel like even more of a burden. The feline had given him almost everything already.

“I uh…naw, everything’s fine.”

Husk met his eyes again, looking straight into Angel’s soul.

His ears flopped back against his skull as he shook his head. “You know I'm called the Gambling Overlord for a reason, right?” He grinned wide, showing a few too many sharp teeth. ”That means that I can sniff out a bluff a mile away.” He finished his game and reshuffled the cards, before pointing at Angel. “You’re bluffing. What’s bothering you?”

Angel had posed nude and fucked on camera thousands of times, but never before had he felt so exposed.

The Overlord had seen right through him. That had never happened before. Angel always thought he had an excellent poker face. He had to, he had to fake so many things. He had to pretend to enjoy all the porn he recorded. He had to pretend that he still loved Val, especially when the moth abused and hurt him. He had to pretend that he was always horny both on and off screen. He had to pretend that he wasn’t wearing a mask that hid who he truly was.

His cheeks flushed as he was called out. “I…I, um…”

He wouldn’t. He wouldn’t ask the Overlord for anything.

He was fine.

“Angel, what do you need? Just tell me.”

Angel didn’t realize that he was trembling, until one of those paws rested gently over one of Angel’s top hands. He stopped shaking but he didn’t pull away.

Husk’s paw was warm and fuzzy.

Not pushy.

Not forceful.

Calming.

Comforting.

Angel felt another crack in his heart melt back together.

He sucked in a deep breath. He wasn’t used to asking for things.

“Well…this is gonna sound stupid…” he raked his fingers through his hair, “but, when Val brought me here that night, I had to leave everything behind. Most of what I had was Val’s to begin with, but I still had stuff. Like my phone.”

Husk’s eyes widened. “Wait, you don’t have a cell phone?”

Angel shook his head. “No, we left in such a hurry that I didn’t think to grab it. I didn’t exactly think that I’d be staying.” He propped his top elbows on the workbench, while his lower hands twisted together out of sight of the Overlord. “I’ve been gone a month now…and I haven’t even told my best friend where I am. I have no way to call her and tell her that I’m still alive. She’s definitely gotta be freaking the fuck out.” Angel smiled weakly at the thought. “She might have burned the Vees tower to the ground if she thinks that I’m still in there and Val won’t let me out.”

Husk stayed quiet, until Angel was finished.

“First thing in the morning after you have slept, take the work card and go get yourself a fucking cell phone Angel,” the Overlord said with a grin and a large yawn.

The spider looked at Husk, completely speechless.

Whatever he was expecting, it certainly wasn’t that.

“Are…are ya sure?”

“Positive.” Husk stood from the chair and stretched his back. “Are you gonna be able to sleep? Do you need anything to help you?”

Angel shook his head as he too stood and stretched. He could finally feel exhaustion seeping into his mind, and almost turning his bones into jelly. “Naw, I’ll be good. Just gotta keep my brain turned off all night.”

Husk had wandered over towards the door but turned back at Angel’s words.

“Hey kid.”

“Yeah?”

“If you need something, ask. Like a fucking phone. Or, if you really have trouble sleeping, I’ll find you some meds to help you.” He stared at the spider for a moment longer. “I know you haven’t had the best time, but I want you to know that you are safe here. I’m not Valentino and I will never hurt you. And if someone does, I’ll take care of it. I promise. All you have to do…Angel? Are you all right?”

Husk stopped mid-sentence when he noticed tears streaking down Angel’s cheeks. Quickly he ran back towards the silently sobbing spider, just as Angel’s strength gave out and he fell to his knees. He hesitantly reached out with one paw. He wanted to comfort Angel, but he wasn’t sure if touching him would be acceptable or not.

He shouldn’t have worried.

When the spider glanced back up at him through watery eyes, he knew. Slowly, gently, Husk knelt down and carefully wiped Angel’s tears away with the pads of one paw, then gently placed the other paw on the spider’s spine. Then he delicately stroked Angel’s hair away from his face.

He was gentle.

He was kind.

He was safe.

When Angel’s tears had subsided a few moments later, Husk stood and offered the spider his hand. Angel nodded and took it, allowing himself to be hauled to his feet. He wiped away the remnants of his tears, then gave the Overlord a shy smile.

“I…I’m sorry,” he rasped, his voice still thick with tears, “I guess I just hadn’t thought about it like that.” He wrung his lower hands in front of him. “I’m just so used to not being heard or cared about. I was just an object for so long. But knowing that people actually care about me as a person…knowing that you care about my well-being…it’s a lot to take in.”

Husk smiled. “I know. Trust me, I know that better than you think.”

Angel tilted his head in confusion. “Wait, what do ya mean?”

Husk quickly cleared his throat. “Well…that’s a story for another time, preferably after I’ve had a few drinks.”

Angel stared at him a moment longer. “I know better than to pry, but one day, I’d like to hear the story, if ya ever feel comfortable sharing.”

The Overlord gave him a cheshire grin. “Maybe one day soon.” He walked back toward the door and gave Angel one last look. “Get some sleep kid. And if you ever need anything,” he raised his finger to point at the ceiling, “I’m upstairs. Just…talk to me if you need something, ok?”

The spider nodded quickly, then the feline disappeared through the door.

~*~

After watching him vanish, Angel sighed and rubbed his hand over his chest.

But this time…it was a nice, warm feeling that boiled inside his heart.

It was new. And he liked it.

Chapter Text

It took Angel hours to find a phone that wasn’t part of VoxTech.

He was not under any circumstances going to support that fucking company.

However, when he did finally find one, he was thrilled to see that it was pastel pink. He needed some more pink in his life, just not at work.

As soon as the phone was bought and paid for, he rushed out of the store and began violently ripping open the packaging. He plopped down on an unoccupied bench on the side of the street and got the damn thing started.

His fingers drummed impatiently on his legs while waiting for it to finish its startup cycle, but once that was done, he hurriedly typed in Cherri’s number.

It rang. And rang.

Finally, Angel could feel tears welling up in his eyes when he heard her voice.

“Hallo, who da fuck is this?”

“Cherri!”

“…whoa, Ange? Is that you, bitch?”

Angel wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “Yeah babes, it’s me.”

“The fuck, Angie, I thought ya were dead in a guttah somewhere, or that ya new Overlord had ya on a tight leash and wouldn’t let ya outta his sight!”

“I know, I know, I’m sorry. I left my fuckin’ phone in the studio and I can’t go back to get it,” he apologized, holding the phone away from his ear as she screeched ‘fire in the hole’ and the sound of an explosion threatened his eardrums. “I guess ya know that I’m not Val’s anymore.”

“Uh yeh, Ange, everyone fuckin’ knows that stupid, nearsighted moth bet YOU and got his ass handed to him by the Gambling Overlord.” Another explosion. “So, ya got contracted to that new guy? What’s ‘e like?”

Angel paused. What was he like?

Husk was nice, nicer than any other Overlords he’d ever met, and Angel had met his fair share, thanks to being Val’s arm candy most nights.

Husk listened. Angel felt like he was heard, like he had a voice and a say in what happened to him. He knew the feline was grouchy, but he still felt safe and cared-for.

And the Overlord was damn attractive.

Angel flushed a scandalous shade of scarlet as his thoughts suddenly spiraled into forbidden territory. The Overlord’s lips on his neck, gentle, not biting. The Overlord’s magnificent wings curling around the two of them, protective, warm. The Overlord’s paws on his waist and hips, not squeezing, not bruising. The Overlord’s legs between his thighs, not forced, welcomed…

“He’s really nice, Cher,” he stated, probably louder than was necessary to drown out his own invasive thoughts. “I…I don’t mind him holding my soul.”

He heard Cherri hum in acknowledgement, before another explosion rocked the city in Pride. He knew she was having the time of her life.

“Well, I guess it’s betta than bein’ here,” she stated. “It ain’t no fun without ya.”

“I’m sorry babe,” Angel mumbled, “I wish I could come back, if nothin’ else just to see ya.”

“Yah, an’ I wish I could fuckin’ leave this circle. The Vees are takin’ over the entire Ring, so there ain’t too many turf wars now.” Angel heard her sigh and the explosions ceased. He supposed she’d beaten whoever she was fighting. “Almost everyone’s gone, either killed off or fled to other Rings.”

Angel stood up, stretched his arms over his head, and started making his way back to the casino. “Well, what about Sir Pentious? Ya’ll are always fightin’.”

“That’s what I’m sayin’ Ange, even he’s disappeared. Something bad must be happenin’ for people like him ta leave.”

The spider scratched his head. If the snake menace wasn’t there, what exactly were the Vees doing to scare everyone away?

“I wish I could help ya, Cher,” Angel bemoaned and ran his fingers through his hair, “trust me, ya’d like this Ring.” And you’d like the Overlord I’m stuck with.

She huffed on the other end of the phone. “Yah, well, unless ya got a one-fuckin’-way ticket ta Greed, I’m stuck.”

Angel sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I can’t help ya there.” He thought back to that fateful evening. “Wait, can’t ya swindle someone out of a ticket to Greed? Like ya did that night with Lust?”

She hummed again. “’m still mad about that ya know. But…I dunno, Ange. That took a lot of bribery and a rough fuckin’ to get those tickets.”

No wonder she was mad at him.

“Cher, I didn’t have a clue-“

“Don’ worry ‘bout it. Now that I know what happened, I forgive ya.” Angel heard her snap her ever-present bubble gum. “Did that rat bastard hurt ya?”

Angel hesitated.

“Satan’s asscrack, Angie, what did ‘e do to ya?”

“Nothin’ that couldn’t be fixed.” He winced has his hand brushed over the healed bullet wound in his shoulder. It was fine now, but sometimes it still hurt.

“Bullshit. How bad am I fuckin’ ‘im up?”

“Cherri, it’s fine. I’m ok now.”

“Angie, ya betta tell me right fuckin’ now, or Imma come straight through this phone and wring ya neck myself.”

He chuckled. He didn’t doubt that she would find a way to good naturedly strangle him.

“Nothin’ too serious. He bit me hard that day, then sliced my leg open. After he lost that round of Blackjack, he tried to shoot Husk-“

“-Oh so THAT’S ‘is name!-“

“An’ I took the bullet instead.”

“Angie!” she screamed, “please tell me it was Moneyshot and not that angelic piece o’ shit that he keeps in his back pocket.”

He hesitated again.

“Luciferfuckin’damnit!” she screeched, “I’m gonna murder him!”

“Cherri! I’m fuckin’ fine!”

“BULLSHIT, ANGEL DUST!”

Uh oh…

She never used his full name. If she did, she was furious.

He heard her suck in a deep breath. “Angelic wounds don’t fully heal, ya know,” she stated quietly, “Even if it didn’t hurt anything inside ya body, it’ll scar real bad.”

“I know Cher. But I promise, I’m fine now. One of Husk’s contracts sewed me up good. Barely even left a mark.”

“Oh what, ya makin’ friends over there?” She sounded hurt, but Angel knew she was teasing.

“None as good as you, bitch.”

“Damn straight. Now tell me everything.”

~*~

Two and a half hours later, he was still on the phone with her. He had gotten back to the casino, ran into his room and flopped on the bed.

“And then, Niffty cackled so loud that people in her path screamed while she chased after the roach all the way across the casino floor! Poor fucka’ didn’t stand a chance.”

Cherri giggled on the other end, then let out a huge yawn. “I bet. I wish I could meet her.”

Angel sighed and buried his face in the pillows. “I know, I wish you could too. Everyone here is nice.”

“Still would probably try to blow shit up.”

“Not the casino! Everywhere else is fair game.”

They grew quiet for a minute.

“Hey Ange.”

“Yeah Cher?”

“If ya Overlord is so nice…do ya think he could get me into Greed?”

Angel’s head snapped up off the pillow. “Uh…I uh…I don’t know.” He twisted around so his long legs were hanging off the bed. “I mean, he’s nice and all, but…”

“But you don’t wanna ask him. Believe me, I get it.”

“I’m sorry, Cher. Maybe I’ll work up the nerve to ask him one day.”

“Yeah, I bet you will, bitch. Listen,” she said quietly with another yawn, “Imma head to bed. Been blowin’ up shit all day.” She paused, before Angel could hear true concern in her voice. “You gonna be ok, Angie?”

He nodded, then smiled as he realized she couldn’t see it. “Yeah, babes, I’m fine. I’m safe here and no one is gonna hurt me. Husk promised to protect me.”

He heard her smile. “He’d betta, else I’ll kick his ass all the way to Envy.”

“Night, Cherri.”

“Night bitch.”

After hanging up with a groan, Angel dropped his head back into the pillow.

Promptly dozing off.

And missing the luminous crimson eyes and the wide smile of the Radio Demon in the corner as he slipped into the shadows and disappeared.

~*~

As it so happened, his nap turned into his entire night’s sleep. It was deep and dreamless, and he knew he would feel rested.

But the next morning, he went scrambling back into his workshop.

He had overslept badly, and he knew he looked a wreck, but he needed to get back to making the uniforms.

He was in such a hurry that he barely even had time to make coffee.

Not that he was in a rush, he just wanted to see the finished product.

Quickly he sat down at his workstation and started pinning. He had been working on updating Jeanvieve’s cocktail waitress dress. She had the cutest red hooves, it would be a sin to not accentuate them.

His ears perked up as he heard a knock on the door.

“Come on in,” he yelled, his teeth clenched down on a handful of pins. He was expecting the little imp woman.

He felt his fur fluff at the rumbling voice he heard instead.

“Am I interrupting anything?” Husk asked from behind him.

Angel shook his head, then turned slightly to look over his shoulder.

He was dressed in his normal attire, but today he was straightening a top hat between his ears.

Angel grinned, forgetting the pins in his mouth, and rolling his eyes as they skittered everywhere on the table.

Husk chuckled, then made his way to the opposite chair.

“Did you find a phone?”

Angel nodded, taking a sip of coffee, grimacing at the taste, and realizing that he’d forgotten to sweeten it.

Coffee, black, the color of his soul.

After swallowing around the grossest bean water he’d ever been subject to, he smiled at the Overlord.

“Yeah, took awhile, but I found one.”

Husk’s eyes were gazing so deeply into his own, that he found he couldn’t hold his stare, and dropped his head to stare down at the table.

“That’s good.” Husk picked up a few scattered pins that had rolled to his side of the table. “Did you call your friend?”

Angel grinned wide. “Yeah, she had thought that I had fuckin’ died, so she was really happy to hear that I’m ok.”

Husk nodded, then turned his attention to the tiny outfit pinned to the dress form. His lips tipped up into a gentle smile. “For Jeanvieve or Niffty?”

Angel giggled and took another sip of coffee, forgetting just how bad it was and twisting his face into a frown. “Jean. Nif can’t decide what she wants hers to look like. Probably something frilly and…”, his eyes gleamed as his grin widened, “pink.”

Husk groaned and rubbed his eyes with his paw. “No…not the frills. I tried to talk her out of frilly dresses years ago. And no pink Angel.” He growled out the last few words, but there wasn’t any bite to it.

Angel happily nodded, putting the lid back on his thermos of coffee and setting it out of the way. He wasn’t going to make that mistake again.

“Ok ok, hey, you’re the boss. No pink.” He chuckled a little at the teasing frown Husk gave him.

They both went quiet for a minute. Angel made no move to pick up his sewing and Husk made no move for the door.

“Uh…hey boss…” Angel started and felt his mouth go dry.

“Yeah?”

“Can…can I ask you somethin’?”

Husk’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“Sure.”

Angel’s lower hands disappeared beneath the table and started wringing together. “I…I was curious ‘bout Niffty…and Tally.” He felt the fur on his legs stand on end. “Tally said that there’s only a couple of contracts that you actually kept.” His mismatched eyes risked a glance into the Overlords.

Husk’s face was impassive. Then he shrugged. “I know it seems like I have loads of souls…but I’ve only got a few.” He tugged on his suspenders. “I’ve got you, Niffty, Tally, Travis, and…Alastor.”

Angel’s eyes blew wide open. “But…but everyone knows that you’ve got dozens! Why…why lie about it?”

Husk sighed and pulled out a cigarette. “I know how it seems, kid,” he grumbled as he magicked a lighter into his palm, “and I want it to stay that way.”

Angel knew he was pushing limits. He hadn’t learned what triggered Husk’s bad side or summoned his anger. He hoped this wouldn’t do it, but he was just too curious.

“May I…may I ask why?” he whispered, his fingers tangling so tightly that he started to lose blood flow at the very tips.

The Overlord, stared at him for a long moment, then lit his cigarette and took a drag.

“Yeah, you can ask,” he stated, leaning back in the chair and staring up at the ceiling. “I don’t keep many souls because I don’t like feeling like someone is forced into a life they don’t want. I kept Tally because it keeps her out of trouble and away from other Overlords that would exploit her. She’s stayed with me because she’s loyal and she feels that she owes me.” He sucked in more smoke, then huffed it out in a perfect ring. “Travis I keep because I think deep down, he’s still loyal to the Vees.” He smirked. “Plus, he shakes up a damn fine martini. Not as good as I make, but not bad.”

Angel giggled. Then his mind slipped back into curiosity.

“What about Niffty and Alastor, if I can ask…”

“Well…Nif I…acquired, let’s put it at that for now, and Alastor…yeah that’s a whole other can of worms.”

“And me?”

Husk stopped, sucked in a lungful of smoke, then slowly blew it out through his nose, but Angel could tell that he was thinking.

“You…I kept you to keep you safe from Val. If I let you go and set your soul free, he could and would take you back and I couldn’t stop it. As long as you belong to me, I can keep you safe. I want to see you safe. I couldn’t let that asshole hurt you anymore.” When Angel’s eyes widened, Husk’s lips thinned. “Yeah, I saw the bite marks on your neck and how terribly he was treating you, so I had to get you out of there.” He looked into Angel’s eyes, and the spider saw something flicker, a tiny spark of soul that was snuffed out in an instant. “Plus…you remind me…” Husk’s cheeks flushed, and he pushed himself back from the table. “it’s nothin’, nevermind.”

“But-“

“It’s nothin’. Just the ramblings of an old cat.” Husk put out the cigarette between his claws and brushed himself off. “Well, I’m outta here. I’m watchin’ the bar tonight.” He turned and threw a hand up in farewell before he snapped his paws. “Oh wait, I forgot.” He dug into the pockets of his trousers and pulled out an envelope. “Here, this is for you.” Angel watched as his cheeks flamed again behind his fur.

Angel took the envelope in his lower hands, and slowly slid it open.

His eyes widened, then began to tear up.

Inside were two tickets from Pride to Greed. One that was one-way and one that was round trip.

“Mr. Husk…I..I don’t-How did ya know?”

The cat smiled at him. “Let’s just say I have my ways.” His voice grew softer, deeper. “Listen kid, you need something familiar here. It’s not fair that you got ripped away from your home, your old life,” his face pinched into a frown at the very thought of what Angel suffered through before, “so…go get your friend.” He patted the very top of the spider’s head. “I’ve made transport arrangements and I’ve got a room ready for her when you get back.”

Angel hugged the tickets tightly to his chest fluff and happy tears leaked down his cheeks. The Overlord wiped them away. “I know that I’m going to sound either like a mother hen or an asshole for this but…when you go, you need to wear something that makes you not stand out. You’re a very familiar face in Pride and if word gets back to the Vees that you’re coming in on the train, they’ll make a move to take you. So…wear a hoodie and tuck your lower arms inside, a jacket, something that will hide who you are.” One of the pads on his paw brushed one last tear away but stayed gently pressed against his cheek. Then he shook his head and took a step back. “I’ve left them open-ended so you can pick her up whenever you’d like, but I would-“

His words were choked out of him as Angel stood and threw all three sets of arms around the Overlord. Without thought of decorum or care, he buried his face into Husk’s neck fur and squeezed him tight.

“I…I don’t…I don’t know how…I’ll ever repay ya…” he whispered thickly through hiccups, “but…but I’ll find-”

He was silenced by a gentle graze of paws on his spine. “I don’t need you to repay me, Angel. I need you to be happy.” He pulled back and looked up into the spider’s liquid eyes. “I like seeing you smile.”

Then the Overlord patted his head once more, turned and walked away.

Leaving Angel speechless and bawling in his workshop.

Chapter Text

Angel didn’t know if there was an anxiety level above panicked, but whatever it might be, he was feeling it.

He was dressed head to toe in black: black unprinted sweatpants, black sweatshirt with his lower set of arms curled up inside and the hood pulled up over his head, large black sunglasses. He’d even painted his eyelids black to match.

He looked and felt like an emo gangster.

The only part of him that felt the least bit cute was the little pocket he had sewn into the inside of the sweatshirt for him to tuck his arms into. He’d made it pink.

Hopefully that was enough of a disguise to get him in and out of Pride without being noticed.

~*~

Cherri was taking too long. He’d been standing on the train platform for almost fifteen minutes, five minutes longer than he should have been. With each second that passed, his eyes frantically darted around, looking for anyone suspicious, anything out of the ordinary.

For once, he was thankful for having eight of them. He felt safer knowing that no one could sneak up on him while he was so tightly wound.

Finally, the cyclops appeared out of the crowd.

“Bitch!” Cherri called with a wave, and Angel flicked his hand up quickly. With a loud cry, she threw herself into his arms, and Angel had to quickly steady himself on his feet.

“Hey, Cher,” he whispered, holding her tightly against him, “I fuckin’ missed ya.”

“Aww, Angie, I missed ya too.” She took a step back and looked him up and down. “Why ya dressed like ya gonna kill someone and drop their body in the middle of the street?”

Angel curled in on himself a little tighter. “It’s so no one recognizes me,” he whispered again, “if Val found out that I’m here-“

“Say no more,” she stated, hiking her duffle bag higher on her shoulder. Angel assumed the entire thing was filled with explosives. “I can’t believe Imma goin’ wit’ ya!”

Angel grinned. “Me either. I’m still tryin’ to figure out how Husk knew what we’d been talkin’ about.”

“Oh, who cares Ange, we’re gonna be together! We can blow up shit and fuck around like the old days!”

Angel adjusted his glasses when he saw a couple of canine demons that he’d been in a porno with a couple years past. “Cher…I…I don’t really do that anymore.”

Her ponytail flipped as she cocked her head to the side. “Whadya mean?”

“I…got clean. I ain’t done anything harder than an occasional OTC for a headache since I got to Greed.” He twiddled his fingers in his sweatshirt pocket. “I still drink, duh, but…it…it feels nice. To not be fucked up and not rememberin’ shit that I wanna forget. Because…I don’t need it. I don’t wanna forget anymore.”

Cherri’s eye widened in shock. “Wait…ya tellin’ me that you don’t do drugs? Do ya still party or get a little high at least?”

Angel shook his head. “I ain’t been to a party since I left Pride, and last time I got high was wit’ you.”

Cherri frowned, stepped close and discreetly lifted his glasses to look into his eyes.

All eight of them.

She’d known him too long.

With a tiny smile, she put his glasses back on his nose and gave his head a pat. “Holy fuck, you ain’t lyin’. I never seen ya eyes that clear before. They’re really pretty.” She quickly shifted to block Angel from a crowd of people that Angel knew worked at VoxTech. “Ya look…happy,” she whispered over her shoulder, “are ya?”

Angel nodded and ducked his head lower behind her ponytail. He could hear the train chugging down the tracks. Just a few more seconds and they’d be safe. “Yeah, Cher, I’m happy. Well, as happy as someone on a leash can be.”

The train pulled up to the platform and people mingled quickly, some getting off, some boarding. Angel and Cherri scurried to two empty seats towards the back.

“Do ya feel like ya on a leash?”

Angel thought for a moment, then shook his head. “Not really. He lets me do pretty much whateva I want, so long as I get my work done.”

Cherri nodded, scooting closer and letting her long hair block Angel’s face when the two canines sauntered past them into the next car.

“So, ya clean, ya don’t get too drunk anymore, ya got a job.” Angel could hear the smirk in her voice. “Ya got a boyfriend?”

The spider coughed in surprise. “Uh, no, Cher, if I did, ya’d be the first person to know.”

She giggled and playfully swatted his arm. “I’m kiddin’.”

Angel’s lips turned down into a fake pout. “No, ya ain’t, bitch.”

Cherri turned and gave him a genuine smile. “I’m happy fo’ ya Ange.”

The spider grinned back and clasped her hand tightly. “You will be too, promise.”

~*~

The return trip took less time getting back into Greed than it had felt leaving. Before they knew it, the doors were squeaking open, and they were jumping onto the platform. Cherri grabbed Angel’s hand and squeezed.

“Whoa…it’s, a little different,” she breathed as she got a look around. It wasn’t quite night; the sky was still a deep shade of green and the moon hadn’t made its appearance yet.

It wasn’t anything like the deep scarlet sky of Pride.

Angel grinned and tugged her off the platform. “C’mon Cher, let’s get movin’.”

The station wasn’t too far from the casino, and by the time they arrived, the streets were starting to bustle with evening traffic. Cherri wore the same wide-eye expression that Angel had his first night.

The spider chuckled and dragged her through the doors of the casino. He hadn’t made any changes to the design of the gambling floor yet, but he had some ideas in mind.

The room was busy for it just being early evening: couples playing cards together, groups of friends throwing dice, a few singles staying quiet by the slot machines.

Nothing out of the ordinary.

Angel smiled as he spotted the Overlord stationed behind the bar, shaking drinks, and casually chatting with customers. He couldn’t figure out if everyone knew he was the owner of Ace of Hearts and a powerful Overlord, or if they all thought he was just a semi-friendly bartender.

He shook his head and gave Cherri a push through the crowd and into the Staff Only hallway hidden discreetly behind an inconspicuous black curtain.

“C’mon Cher, ya room is next to mine,” Angel stated and hurried her into the elevator. A few minutes later, he pulled open the door to her new room.

It was laid out exactly like Angel’s, down to the color of the bedside lamp.

“Well, whatcha think?” Angel asked as he took her duffle and stowed it away in the closet.

Cherri took a good look around. She opened all the drawers, peeked in the closet, flipped the light on in the bathroom and squealed in excitement, then came running back to tackle Angel onto the bed.

“It’s so perfect!” She hugged him tight and rolled them over, accidentally dropping them into a laughing heap on the soft carpeted floor. She sat up and fixed her ponytail. “So, when do I getta meet ya friends?”

“Good evening.”

Both Angel and Cherri shrieked at the staticky voice that rang from the shadowed corner. The Radio Demon grinned wide as he appeared gracefully out of the darkness. “You must be Cherri Bomb,” he stated with a low bow, “it’s truly a pleasure to meet an acquaintance of Angel Dust’s.”

“Hey Ange,” Cherri whispered, never taking her eye off Alastor, “which one is this?”

Angel groaned. “That’s Alastor.”

Cherri’s eye widened. “Oh, so ya’re the Radio Demon!” she stated with a sharp grin of her own.

Alastor stood back up and straightened his perfectly pressed suit. “I see you’ve heard of me.” Angel caught a look, a twinkle in Alastor’s eyes, and it made him nervous. “I’d like to welcome you to the Ace of Hearts Casino. Should you require anything, Angel will help you sort things out, or you can call for our housekeeper Niffty.” He stalked back towards the corner, but not before flashing the two of them a wide, almost manic smile. “I do hope you enjoy your stay.” With that, he vanished into the shadows.

They both just sat there, trying to calm their racing hearts.

“He’s fuckin’ creepy,” Cherri whispered, and Angel nodded.

“Yeah, he is. Apparently, he can just move through shadows like that.” He shrugged before tugging Cherri back out the door.

This time, he led her into his workshop.

It was a mess. Fabric strewn wildly around the room (he needed to organize it better), all different colors of thread lining the workbench, and straight pins quite literally everywhere.

“Damn, Ange, betta never come in ‘ere barefoot,” she muttered, delicately stepping over a small pile of neatly stacked safety pins.

Angel nodded. “Yeah, always wear thick-soled shoes.” He heard scuffling from underneath his fabric, and a second later a black roach came screaming out, followed closely by a haphazard cyclops. She cackled loudly, brandishing her kitchen knife over her head and both dashed out into the hallway.

Cherri stood stock still for a second, then looked at Angel, who was holding back both a sigh and a giggle.

“Niffty?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

“Niffty.”

“She’s cute though, if a little scary.”

Angel shrugged, then started digging through the stack of half-finished uniforms. When he was waist deep, Cherri could barely hear him shouting through all the cloth. “She’s the one who-OW FUCK, STUPID SAFETY PIN!-uh sewed me back up after that night with Val.” He emerged holding a black garment bag and sucking one of his long fingers into his mouth. Without a word, he handed the bag to Cherri.

She took it with a look of curious skepticism. “Da fuck is this?”

Angel pulled his now no longer bleeding finger from between his lips and grinned.

“Ya uniform. I already knew ya size so I made ya one.”

Her eyebrow raised. “A uniform? Why I need a uniform?”

Angel smirked. “Because ya work here now, dumbass.”

Cherri’s lips quirked up into a tiny, genuine smile and she held the bag tightly to her chest. “Ya mean…I gotta job? Like a real fuckin’ job?”

Angel reached over and patted the top of her head. “Yeah, bitch. Husk said you’d be workin’ front door security since ya like to blow shit up and fight.” He booped her on the tip of her nose. “You’ll like it here. Just no blowing up the casino.”

With a quick excited squeal, she unzipped the bag and yanked the uniform out.

Angel had created a classy and yet still intimidating outfit: a crisp red button up shirt, solid black pants that were long and wide enough to hide a brand-new pair of charcoal combat boots, and a gorgeous black trench coat that was lined in crimson silk that hugged her curves and fell to just below her knees.

She stood silent for a second, taking it all in. Angel internally started panicking before she threw her arms around his neck.

“It’s so cool! And…kinda pretty, but not that kinda pretty, ya get me?”

Angel laughed. “Yeah, that’s what I was goin’ for.” He held the bag while she removed the outfit. “Now, if ya want, ya can add a black tie to the shirt if ya feeling extra scary and professional.”

Cherri narrowed her eye, then shrugged. “Hmm, maybe, but first I gotta see how it looks!”

As she darted behind his privacy screen, Angel busied himself cleaning the messy space a little.

“Hey Ange.”

“Yeah?”

“Ya didn’t point out ya Overlord, while we were downstairs. Was he in the casino, or is he the type to stay locked away in his big professional office with his picture glass window and assistants that run around him in circles?”

Angel scratched the back of his neck. “Naw, he was down there.” He felt his heart flutter and warm. “He uh…he likes to be more hands-on.”

He heard Cherri giggle flirtatiously as she poked her head out from behind the curtain and batted her eyelash. “Oh Angie, why didn’t ya say so!”

“Not like that, ya bitch!” his face flushed as he yelled back. He fiddled with the spools of thread and quickly organized them by color. “Tell ya what, when you finish getting dressed, I’ll change then we’ll head downstairs. I wanna introduce ya.”

“Sounds good. How do I look?” she asked, stepping out into the workshop, and giving a twirl. Everything fit perfectly.

It was exactly how Angel imagined it.

“Ya look awesome! A little scary, a little classy and a lot hot.”

She cocked her head and stuck a hand on her hip. “Well duh, gotta keep ‘em coming back to lose more money, right?”

Angel laughed. “Yeah, sure. But hey, if ya gamble, stay away from Steven. He’ll hustle ya out of ya own soul.”

~*~

About an hour later, Angel had cleaned himself up, got rid of the black makeup and the dark clothes, and was dressed to go downstairs.

He hadn’t actually spent time on the casino floor beyond going from one side of the room to the other.

Well…that was about to change.

When he emerged from his room, Cherri gasped. “Ooh, check out who’s lookin’ good tonight!”

Angel straightened up and made sure his entire outfit was perfect.

It was almost the exact opposite from what he normally wore.

Tonight, he wasn’t sporting a gown or gobs of makeup.

He wore a solid white shirt tucked carefully into a pair of handmade black pants. He tugged a little on the straight black tie and fastidiously smoothed out the smart red suit blazer that fell to the middle of his thighs.

But Cherri grinned when she spotted a hint of silvery-white heeled boots hidden beneath his suit.

“Ya think it’s too much, Cher?” Angel asked, suddenly feeling extremely insecure.

Her eye widened in shock. “Uh, fuck no, Angie! Ya look hot, like smokin’.” She gave him a grin and a wink before taking one of his top arms. “If ya flipped my way, I’d tap ya tonight.”

Angel coughed and sputtered, his face flushing so hot, he knew it would bleed through his light fur.

“Well…thanks.” He straightened up again and started walking back toward the elevator. “Shall we? I’m diggin’ a martini.”

~*~

Angel was flustered. And he normally never got flustered.

But he absolutely did not mean to suddenly be the one who turned every head on the casino floor. He figured that would happen if he’d worn an evening gown, but he didn’t expect this amount of attention.

As he and Cherri made their way across the floor, he found himself wishing he’d never come down. Now he was in a hurry to introduce his best friend to the Overlord who owned his soul, so he could make a desperate escape right after.

He approached the bar, his mismatched magenta eyes locking onto Husk’s.

He felt just a smidge of pride in his appearance as the feline’s jaw dropped in surprise and his tail stiffened straight up behind his back.

Quickly he slid onto a newly vacated barstool and Cherri plopped down onto the empty one beside him.

“Uh…evening boss,” Angel muttered before lowering his head, and staring down at the swirling designs of the polished wood, “I…I wanted ya to meet Cherri.”

He couldn’t meet the Overlord’s eyes.

He shouldn’t have come down dressed like this. Maybe Husk liked him better in dresses and skirts.

But he had said that Angel’s face looked better without makeup.

Suddenly he had a sharp elbow jammed into his ribs, and he squeaked.

“So…ya’re Angie’s new Overlord, nice ta meet ya,” Cherri spoke up while Angel rubbed his middle where she had elbowed him. But it got his attention, and he glanced up at Husk.

He was shocked to see a bright red blush bleeding through the cat’s white fur and his ears flipped backward, knocking the top hat right off his head.

Quickly, he pulled himself together and wiped one of his paws on his apron before he reached out to shake Cherri’s hand.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Cherri,” he spoke quietly as he grabbed a couple liquor bottles and started mixing two drinks. “Do you like your room? Is there anything you need?” He poured a healthy amount of limoncello into a shaker with some ice, then a shot or two worth of cherry vodka.

The same drink he had served Angel the night he won him.

Cherri shook her head, fascinated watching the feline Overlord mix their drinks himself. “Naw, everythin’ looked great.” She leaned closer, her elbow resting on the bar top. “Ya treatin’ my boy right?”

“CHERRI!” Angel hissed and flopped his forehead down on the bar. He was mortified.

After that stunt, Husk probably wouldn’t let her stay.

His head lifted just a fraction of an inch when he heard a deep rumble coming from the Overlord and noticed that he had a wide grin plastered on his face.

Husk was laughing.

“I’m certainly trying to,” he chuckled before pouring the shaken drink in a sugar rimmed martini glass and dropped in a single stemmed cherry. He slid the drink over to Angel, who took it gratefully. “He’s very quiet and shy. And he’s very bad at communicating with me.”

Angel’s slow sip of his drink turned into him downing the entire thing in one gulp. He slid the now empty glass back over the counter and stood to his feet.

“Well, I’ve had a long day so I’m gonna get going to bed,” he whined, feeling the burning of the alcohol sliding down his throat and into his stomach. As he glanced back at the two of them, he realized he’d forgotten the garnish in his drink, snapped up the cherry and popped it into his mouth.

He didn’t miss the way the Overlord’s eyes tracked every movement the spider made, and he didn’t miss the way his pupils split into tiny slits when he again stuck out his tongue balancing a knotted cherry stem.

Stop it, you’re not supposed to flirt with your Overlord!

He instantly plucked the stem from his tongue and stuffed it into his pocket, desperately trying to will away his flaming cheeks.

“Well…night boss,” he mumbled before turning to walk away.

“Angel,” the Overlord called, and the spider stiffened. Slowly, he turned his head to look back at the cat. “You know you could gamble awhile if you want. Chips are on the house.”

Angel’s eyes widened and Cherri silently threw her hands into the air before tossing back the unknown shot Husk had poured for her. “Uh…ya…ya sure?”

His heart flipped at the gentle smile the Overlord gave him. “Yeah, kid, I’m sure. Go tell Tally, she’ll get you set up.” He wiped down the counter when Cherri hopped off her stool and grabbed Angel’s arm. “And Angel.” The spider’s eyes stayed locked onto Husks. “You look really nice tonight.”

Angel thought he had died again.

Before another word could be said, Cherri was yanking him away toward the tables.

They both missed the sad look of longing Husk had on his face.

~*~

Angel had forgotten how much fun it was to gamble with Cherri. She was terrible at cards, but she had all the luck when it came to dice games.

When they tired of Blackjack (and after Cherri got to meet Tally and fall in love with her), they started making their way across the room to the dice fields.

“Angie, this is awesome! Ya got a great gig ‘ere!” Cherri giggled as she pulled the spider closer to her side.

But both of them stopped in their tracks at an…eerily familiar voice.

“Ssssnake eyesss,” called the serpent currently tossing dice at the table in front of them.

“Sir Pentious?” they screeched simultaneously, catching the attention of the snake that had plagued Cherri’s turf for decades.

He whirled around, those huge yellow and red eyes wide, then a slow fanged smile split his lips.

“Ah, Misss Cherri! And Angel Dussst,” he stated, before collecting his stack of chips and slithering over to the duo. “It’sss sssuch a pleasssure to sssee you here tonight,” he hissed.

Angel felt the fur on the back of his neck stand on end, and he braced himself to throw the snake out of the casino at the first sign of trouble. He looked the serpent over quickly: same pinstriped jacket, same blinking top hat, same steampunk goggles.

His eyebrows took a dip towards his nose.

The watch was new.

“Pentious, da fuck ya doin’ in Greed?” Cherri asked, readying her stance as well.

The snake looked confused as his flared cobra hood snapped closed around his head. “Why what do you mean, isss a sssnake not welcome?” He looked around for anyone else staring at him, but when he failed to catch anyone’s eye, he turned back to the two of them with a wicked smile. “It ssseeemsss that no one elssse caresss that I am here, ssso if you don’t mind, I’ll jussst be on my way.”

Cherri stepped into his path as he attempted to casually slide away and stuck her finger directly in front of his wide eyes. “Pentious ya asshole,” she whispered, and Angel could hear the venom dripping from her words, “if ya’re here ta start some shit, ya betta know that I’m the new muscle around ‘ere, an’ I’ll kick ya out if ya so much as breathe funny.”

Angel bit back a chuckle at the look on the snake’s face. He looked both hurt and afraid of the cyclops woman leaning into his space. Slowly, he backed away from her, and his hood flared again.

“Fine, I wasss jussst leaving anyway,” he hissed, then slithered away towards the casino cage. Most likely to cash in his chips.

Cherri giggled manically and Angel gently wrapped his arm around her.

“Ya good, Cher?” he whispered in her ear. She nodded.

“Yah, all good. Jus’ thought I’d finally gotten away from that fucka’.” She glanced up into Angel’s face and leaned her head on his shoulder. “Hey, it’s been a long day.” She yawned, blinking her eye sleepily. “Imma head up to bed.” She grinned. “Can’t wait to climb under those super nice satin sheets. Never had anything that posh in Pride.”

Angel squeezed her shoulder. “Aight, let’s go cash out first, then we’ll head upstairs.” He found himself yawning. “I’m a little sleepy myself.”

As they both headed toward the casino cage, where Steven was working the night shift, Angel glanced back over at Husk behind the bar. The Overlord was mixing a proper martini for a lady in a long black dress, but his eyes were locked onto Angel’s.

The spider swallowed thickly, then scurried off behind Cherri.

~*~

It took a few minutes for the little imp to cash them out as he wouldn’t stop chatting with the casino’s newest employee, but once they were finished, they both disappeared behind the curtain and into the staff hallway. Cherri stretched her arms over her head with another yawn.

“This was so fun, Ange,” she stated quietly, “can we do this again sometime?”

Angel grinned. “Uh, fuck yeah, we can gamble anytime we’re not workin’.” He blinked another yawn away, then stopped suddenly in front of the elevator.

Cherri wasn’t paying attention and bumped into his back. “What’s the matta?”

Angel silently pointed at the floor the elevator was stuck on.

The penthouse.

And he’d just seen Husk at the bar.

…that watch was new…

“Fuck, Cherri, we gotta go,” he hissed and frantically started jamming the button. His feet tapped the floor impatiently as he watched the numbers come down. He glanced over at the cyclops, who was now wide awake.

“Who do ya think it was?” she asked, already guessing the answer.

“Pentious,” they both growled.

“Cher, go get Husk, I’ll try to cut off the snake before he can do somethin’ stupid,” Angel stated quietly as the elevator dinged its arrival. Cherri’s eye went wide.

“But-“

“We don’t have time for ‘buts’,” he murmured, before stepping into the box and pressing the button to the penthouse. “I’ll be fine, it’s just Pentious. How many times did we beat him?”

Cherri grinned. “Every fuckin’ time.” As the doors closed, Angel watched her dash back down the hallway.

He couldn’t stop his foot from tapping as the elevator rose higher and higher.

What did the damn serpent want?

And why in all of the hells was he here?

The elevator dinged again, and the doors slid open.

The penthouse was dark, and Angel had to blink several times to get all eight of his eyes to adjust, but once they did, he immediately spotted the outline of the snake against the clear window overlooking Greed.

“You slippery little shit,” Angel growled as the doors closed behind him and he flipped on the light switch. The serpent shrieked and backed away from the desk he had been crouched over.

“I…wha…what?” he stuttered out. Angel pointed at the watch, that he now recognized as VoxTech.

“You working for the Vees? I always fuckin’ knew there was something shitty about you,” he stated as he strode closer and jabbed a finger against the snake’s chest.

Pentious blinked, then slapped Angel’s hand. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said as he slithered away from Angel’s stare. But as he reached the elevator door, he turned over his shoulder and let his hood flair before he gave Angel a wicked grin. “Whore-bug.”

That did it.

Angel roared as he jumped onto the snake and tackled him to the ground, punching his face again and again before Pentious flipped onto his belly and tried to crawl away. But the spider was faster and relentless. He grabbed the snake’s neck in a tight chokehold and wrapped his legs around his stomach.

“Get your aggresssively average body OFF OF ME!” Pentious shrieked as he flipped again and let his eyes twist into a hypnotic pattern.

Angel couldn’t look away. He was frozen, staring down into those swirling eyes.

With the spider temporarily paralyzed, the serpent took the opportunity to cackle victoriously and slip out from under him. He hurried and pressed the elevator button before Angel regained his senses.

He wasn’t expecting what he saw when the doors opened.

With a loud yell he slithered away from the elevator doors and backed himself against the window as Husk entered the room. Gone was the calm, gentle demeanor the cat normally exuded. Instead, it was replaced with glowing golden eyes, much sharper teeth that were furiously bared, claws longer and dangerously extended, and wings bigger and expanded ominously behind him. His ears were flattened tightly back against his head and his body was cloaked in shadows, that a widely grinning Alastor appeared from a second later.

His gaze shifted briefly to Angel still frozen on the floor. Then he stared at the panicking serpent who was screaming into his watch. “Ah, abort, abort! S.O.Sss! Agent Pentiouss in need of an immediate evacuation!”

Just as his frightened eyes glanced back over his shoulder, he barely had time to see the Overlord flap his wings and leap across the room to land on all four paws, pinning the snake tightly to the ground.

“Fuck!” Angel cried, rubbing his arm over his eyes as he slowly came back around. Suddenly, he stopped, and blinked hard at the Overlord. Cherri raced out of the elevator and wrapped an arm around Angel’s waist, helping to hold him steady as his legs shook from the hypnosis still slowly running through his mind. Alastor calmly grinned and tapped the tip of his cane on the floor while he amusedly observed.

“DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY, SNAKE?” Husk roared directly into Pentious’s face, causing the serpent to whimper.

“I…I’m ssorry…the Veesss…they…they,” he stuttered, then screamed as the Overlord snapped his fangs directly above his throat, “THEY PROMISSSED TO PROTECT ME!”

“Oh, and what were they protecting you from?” Alastor asked curiously.

Pentious’s gaze never left the gleaming eyes flashing above him. “THEY PROMISSSED TO PROTECT ME FROM YOU!” he shrieked as one of his long fingers pointed directly at the Radio Demon, while another pointed up at the Overlord. “They sssaid if I did thisss one job for them, if I jussst put camerasss everywhere to watch the Radio Demon and Angel Dussst, that they’d ssset me up nicely in the Tower and I’d have all the time and money I wanted to create my inventionsss!” Angel noticed that his eyes widened and watered while looking sadly up at the Overlord. “Pleassse, jussst make it quick.”

As Husk snarled and opened his mouth wider, Alastor hummed.

“Sir, perhaps we should spare him.”

The Overlord paused, those feral eyes staring back at the Radio Demon. Alastor grinned even wider. “He would be a great help to us. He has invaluable knowledge of the Vees, their information, and their upcoming plans.” His crimson eyes flickered briefly to the snake who nodded wildly. “Perhaps we could be…generous and let him live.”

With those words, Husk huffed out a breath of hot air directly into the serpent’s face. Then, slowly he stood, and his form shifted back to normal. He scratched behind his ears, then flapped his normal sized wings again just for good measure.

Angel shivered as he got a good look at the Overlord’s cheshire smile that was plastered on his face.

“Fine. You could be useful,” he stated. With a chuckle, he stepped closer to the snake again. “I’ll let you live on one condition.”

Pentious nodded furiously.

Husk’s smile turned manic, and he snapped his paws.

A venomous green contract appeared out of thin air directly in front of the serpent’s wide crimson eyes.

“I’ll let you live, and I’ll promise to protect you from the Vees should they ever appear here again, but in return, you sign over your soul to me.”

The entire room paused. Everyone held their breath.

The snake hesitated.

Husk grinned even wider and extended a claw, ready to rake through scale and bone should the offer be refused.

“So, do we have a deal?”

Pentious nodded and signed the contract.

Chapter Text

“What the hell?” Cherri yelled in surprise to the Overlord's newest signed contract. “Ya mean, we’re gonna have to work with him? Can’t I just torture the information out of him and kill him?”

Alastor’s grin widened at the serpent's shriek of panic.

Husk sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose and snapping away the contract.

“Welcome aboard, Sir Pentious,” he lightly growled, “we’ll have a meeting tomorrow about what you'll be doing around here.”

“That sssoundsss fair, Sssir,” the snake agreed, meekly twisting his long fingers together in front of him.

Husk nodded at Alastor and Cherri. “Find him a room and get him settled. I need to speak to Angel.”

“Yes Sir,” both demons said simultaneously, then all three skittered into the elevator.

As soon as the doors were closed, Husk quickly approached the spider. “Angel, are you all right? Did he hurt you?”

To his shock and surprise, he noticed that Angel's eyes were still unfocused, staring ahead, directly into the Overlord’s concerned gaze.

But he wasn’t seeing anything. His expression was blank. Then Angel shook his head violently and blinked.

Almost immediately, the spider sucked in a deep, panicked breath.

“Stay…stay away from me!” he yelled, quickly backing himself against the closed elevator doors and frantically started slamming the button to summon it back.

Husk’s eyes widened as he took a slow step closer. “Angel, I'm not going to hurt you,” he mumbled, his voice calm and quiet. He watched in confusion as the spider started hyperventilating, and tears formed in his eyes.

But Husk saw that his eyes were still swirling.

Angel was still hypnotized.

“I said STAY BACK!” he shouted, his voice climbing in pitch. He curled up tightly on his side against the door. The Overlord recognized the protective stance that he had fallen into the night his contract changed hands.

Husk stopped, then slowly reached a paw out for Angel to take. All he wanted was for the spider to calm his heart, to ground himself in the moment, to see that the Overlord was back to normal. He wanted Angel to realize that he was safe.

“Angel…it’s ok-“

“GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME!” Angel screamed, as the doors opened behind him, and he darted inside.

Just before the doors closed, Husk saw Angel’s cloudy eyes clear. All eight widened in shock.

Then the spider threw his hands over his face, a terrified wail forcing its way out of his throat as he disappeared behind the doors.

~*~

It had been a week since that night.

It was all Angel had been thinking about.

The Overlord’s horrifying demonic form swirled in red mist, around and around, growling, roaring, snapping fangs.

“Stay…stay away from me!” Angel had screeched.

Those flashing golden eyes, those razor sharp claws, those enormous wings disappeared into rosy fog. The mist twisted, turned, shifted form until standing before Angel was his former Overlord.

Valentino.

He had stalked towards him with that sick grin as pink drool dripped from between his sharp teeth. He was surrounded by familiar noxious smoke. He reached for him with those long talons.

“I’m not going to hurt you, Angel,” he had purred in that wicked voice that Angel knew so well.

“I said stay back!” Angel had shouted, but the moth crept closer.

“Angel…it’s ok-“

“GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME!” Angel had screamed, and to his surprise, Val stopped walking.

Angel had made a mad dash into the elevator that opened behind him, just as the haze began to swirl away, warping, changing, morphing until the grinning Valentino vanished into a cloud of smoke and standing before him was the feline Overlord.

His eyes were sad and confused, his ears had drooped all the way down beside his cheeks, and his wings and tail lay flat and motionless behind him.

Too late Angel realized what he had done.

He wailed in horror and sorrow as he watched the doors close in front of him, then he sank to his knees and sobbed, panicked, and heartbroken.

He knew the Overlord wouldn’t want him now. He would give Angel back to the Overlord who he truly belonged to. He knew his life, the life that he had gotten accustomed to, the life he loved was going to be ripped away from him.

So, in his fear and shame from that night, he decided that he was never leaving his room again.

Maybe if he was lucky, he would starve and die, vanishing out of this world until even the memory of him ceased to exist.

Would…would that be so bad?

Disappearing into black oblivion sounded almost welcoming at that moment.

He wouldn’t be given back to Valentino. He wouldn’t feel his broken heart every time it beat. He wouldn’t feel sadness over the Overlord that he had come to adore, the Overlord he had hurt.

He’d already ended his life once before.

He could do it again.

But how? Demons always came back. It was an awful experience from what he had heard.

Unless…

Angelic wounds never fully heal.

Within the space of a second, Angel had his phone in hand and was searching for a specific Overlord.

It wasn’t hard to find her number.

Without a second thought, he dialed the number, but his finger hovered over the call button for a minute.

Two.

Three.

As he went to finally press it, there was a soft knock on his door.

“Angie?” Cherri called quietly from behind the wood, “Can I come in?”

“No!” Angel yelled and pulled the bedsheets over his head again.

He heard her huff. “Well, tough shit.” She jingled the locked doorknob. “Ange, please make this easier for both of us and open the door.”

“I’m not coming out!” Angel shrieked and curled up into a tiny, protective ball.

Cherri huffed again. “Fine, then, I’m comin’ in. Ya betta have clothes on,” Angel heard the sound of tools being inserted into the lock, “or don’t. Ain’t like I haven’t seen it all before”

Angel could feel terrified tears forming in his eyes. “Cherri, please leave me alone,” he whimpered.

He heard the door open. He heard it close and lock. He felt a weight sit down on the bed next to him. He flinched when a gentle hand began to stroke up and down his back.

Up.

Down.

Up.

Down.

“Do you wanna talk about it?”

“No.”

“Ok.”

Up.

Down.

“He hates me doesn’t he.”

The stroking stopped. “He doesn’t hate ya Angie. He’s furious with Pentious for using hypnosis on ya. He threatened to rip his soul apart slowly and painfully if he ever tries that again on anyone in the casino.” The stroking resumed and Angel felt his body relax a little. “He’s worried about ya, Ange.”

“I…I think I broke him,” the spider whimpered, and he felt the warmth of his best friend curl up against his back. “I hurt him so badly. You should have seen his face, Cher.”

“I did.”

“Huh?”

He felt her wrap her arms around his body, gentle, not confining should he need to pull away. “As soon as ya disappeared into your room, he came looking for me. He wanted me to make sure ya were all right.” Long fingers slowly hooked in the sheets, and gradually pulled them away from the spider’s face. “He was panicking, Angie; he was so worried about ya.”

Angel couldn’t stop the tears that flowed from his eyes, and he covered them with his balled-up fists to hide them from Cherri.

“I…I didn’t mean it…” he hiccupped, “I…the smoke…Val…it was Val.”

Cherri sucked in a breath, her mind finally putting all the pieces together. “Ya were still hypnotized, Ange. Pentious thought it would only last a few seconds, just long enough for him to get away from you. So we thought about why it took so long, and we came to the conclusion that it’s because ya have more eyes than the rest of us. It took longer for ya brain to shake off the illusions.” Gently she wrapped her fingers around his wrists and pulled his hands away from his face. As he slowly stopped crying, she threaded her fingers through his tangled, messy hair and stared into exhausted, red-rimmed eyes. “Ya need to eat somethin’.”

He curled his knees tighter into his chest. “I’m not hungry, Cher,” he breathed, his voice barely a whisper.

“When was the last time ya ate?”

Angel hesitated.

Cherri huffed once more. “I'm calling Nif to bring ya something.”

Angel sat up quickly and hugged the sheets to his chest fluff. “No, please Cher. I…don’t wanna see anyone.” His cheeks flushed in panic. “I…don’t want anyone to see me like this”

“Angie, no one is gonna care. They’re all worried ‘bout ya. Even Pentious. Said if he'd known what it would do to ya, he'd never have done it. ”

Angel tugged the sheets higher until only his bloodshot eyes were peeking out. “I can’t face anyone, not after what I did.” He tried to yank his fingers through his hair, but stopped with a whine when all he caught were snags and tangles.

Cherri sighed. “I’m calling Niffty to bring ya some soup, then ya’re going to take a nice, long bath. When ya’re done, ya’re gonna go to ya workshop and ya’re going to work on something to distract ya mind. Understand?”

“But Cher-“

“Ah ah, no buts, ya whiny bitch,” she said with a smile. “Now shoo. Take a long, hot bubble bath.”

Angel nodded and slowly crawled out from under the sheets. As he trudged across the room, Cherri picked up his phone to call the little housekeeper.

She stopped when she saw the number typed in.

“Angie…why the ever-loving fuck were ya gonna call Carmilla Carmine?”

The spider froze in his tracks…and didn’t answer.

But she knew.

“Angel…ya…ya weren’t. Ya wouldn’t fuckin’…ya were just gonna leave me? Ya were gonna die again? YA WANTED TO KILL YASELF AGAIN?” Her voice grew louder and louder until she was screaming at the top of her lungs. Angel ducked his head as his eyes watered. They stood like that for a minute, unmoving.

Two.

“Ya silence is duly noted, Ange,” Cherri hissed, before stuffing Angel’s phone down her shirt.

The spider’s eyes widened. “Hey, give it back, Cher-“

“NO! YOU DON’T GET TO CALL ME CHER!” she shrieked, and she wiped away her own tears. “I’m keepin’ it ‘til I believe ya are mentally stable enough to have it back.”

“But-“

“No. Fuckin’. Buts.” she growled out through tightly clenched teeth, “I can’t believe ya were gonna do the same shit that got ya sent down here in the first place!” She slowly moved towards Angel, and gently wrapped her arms around him. “Ya…ya were just gonna die and leave me here all by myself? Ya were just gonna abandon ya new friends?” She shook as she sobbed against his shoulder. The shoulder where he had taken the bullet. “Ya were gonna break Husk’s heart?”

“No…” Angel whimpered, “I…I don’t wanna leave…I-I don’t ever wanna hurt him again…I lo-“

His eyes flew open and he snapped and sealed his lips shut.

Cherri lifted her head from his shoulder. “What did ya say?”

Angel kept his mouth closed and shook his head.

Was that the warm, tingly feeling he felt in his heart?

Was that love?

Did he love the Overlord?

After Val…he wasn’t sure he knew what love was.

Love.

Love was someone who was kind. Someone who was gentle. Someone who would never inflict pain.

Someone who would look at you as though you had hung the moon and stars in the night sky.

Wait…

Someone had looked at him like that before.

Someone who had spoken to him so kindly. Someone who had held him so gently.

He remembered eyes the color of honey.

“…I’ll try to make you happy.”

Someone had said that to him.

Angel closed his eyes, trying to will the memory back.

Soft lips pressed against his…

The taste of whisky…

“I’ll never forget-“

“Angie, what is it? Are ya ok? Come back to me, babe.” His eyes flew open to Cherri snapping her fingers in his face. “Oh fuck, I thought I'd lost ya for a second. Did ya get stuck in ya own head again? What were ya thinking ‘bout?”

The spider blinked.

…what had he been thinking about? He tried to remember…but his mind went blank.

If he’d forgotten, it must not have been important.

He wiped his eyes with the back of one hand and pulled away from Cherri.

“It’s nothin’, I can’t remember,” he said ever so softly, “I’m gonna go take a bath now.”

Cherri nodded. “Want me to come sit wit’ ya and wash ya hair fo’ ya, like I used to?”

Angel remembered those times. How he would get so high he felt nigh untouchable. How he used to drink so much that would forget his own name. When he got sick, Cherri was there to get him home and wash off the nights suffering.

The spider nodded.

“Please? Will ya?”

Cherri grinned up at him and helped him into the bath.

~*~

It was an hour later when the two of them emerged from the bathroom with the spider wrapped head to toe in soft, fluffy towels. He sat down at the edge of the bed and pulled the top towel tighter against his chest fluff. Cherri climbed up on the bed behind him.

“After this ya gonna go work for awhile.”

Angel stiffened. “But Cher…I don’t wanna see anyone…”

“Who said anything about seein’ anybody?” she stated as she gently started to comb through the spider’s messy, neglected hair. “I’m gonna go wit’ ya and keep everyone out.” Angel hissed as her fingers caught on a nasty knot. “Ya got a project ya can work on? I’m not gonna make ya work on uniforms.”

Angel slid his eyes closed as the comb finally ran through his hair, nice and smoothly. “I…I can find something. I’ve got a design for a patchwork dress from all my scraps.”

“Good. And if ya need something, I’ll go get it. Ya don’t gotta be walkin’ around just yet.”

Angel sighed. “Thanks, Cherri.”

~*~

Another week had come and gone, and Angel still didn’t want to see anyone.

Tally had tried to visit him, but he had sent her away.

Niffty kept sliding notes under the door, but Angel never replied.

The only person he saw was Cherri.

But his thoughts remained on the expression the Overlord had given him that night, the sorrow, the confusion, the hurt.

He would never forget it. He could never mend what they had between them. Oh, but he wanted to.

He had fallen in love. Hopelessly.

He knew it would go unrequited.

How could anyone love him?

The man who cried, who was weak, who did nothing but fuck everything up.

Useless

Burden

Unlovable

~*~

It took another week before he started working on uniforms again.

Niffty was the only person besides Cherri that he would let into the workshop.

She would sit at his workbench, swinging her tiny legs under the table and tell him everything that had been going on.

She told him about the new chips Husk had designed for the casino. Really pretty black and white with hearts.

She told him about an Overlord named Zestial that came to simply play Husk in a game of chess. No souls exchanged.

She told him about the roaches she had stabbed, how she had made a roach crown and stuck it on Alastor’s head, and how he had worn it all day.

Then she had hugged his legs and went scurrying out the door.

Cherri showed up a while later after work, and helped him pin.

A little sewing here, some pinning there, cutting more cloth, getting thread stuck in the spool.

They had been working for over an hour when there came a knock at the door.

“Expectin’ someone Angie?”

Angel shook his head. “No, Niffty left a little while ago.”

Cherri hopped off her stool and cracked the door open. She cocked her head.

“Hey… it’s Nif. She says she’s got somethin’ fo’ ya that’s fo’ ya eyes only.”

The spider brushed excess thread and lint off his shirt and peeked through the door. “What is it Niffty?”

With one of her manic grins, she thrust an envelope up into his lower hands.

“Heh…better read that quick.”

The she skipped back down the hallway.

Angel looked down at the envelope. It was made of fine, expensive material, and the handwriting across was elegant. Only his name was written.

With shaky hands, he popped the flap open and pulled out a sheet of thick paper.

He felt another crack in his heart begin to melt together.

Angel,

I don’t have the words to tell you how sorry I am. I can’t begin to understand what you went through that night.

I truly never, ever meant to cause you any distress or open old wounds that had not healed. I did what I had to, to protect you.

I know that just a letter from an old cat cannot repair the damage I caused, but I hope it might begin to mend our friendship back.

I know that you may never trust me again, and you may never forgive me, but I hope that with time you would be willing to see me again and perhaps speak to me.

But if not, I understand.

However, as I would like to make amends, I have left a gift outside your door.

It won’t fix everything, but I hope it will bring you some joy and comfort.

Yours,

Husk

Angel finished reading the letter, twice, then dashed out of the room.

“Angie, where ya goin’?” Cherri called out from behind him as he raced down the hallway.

The Overlord wasn’t lying. There really was a large box sitting pretty in front of his bedroom door.

The wrapping was dark and light pink stripes, and it was tied with a huge white bow.

“The hell? What’s in there ya think?” Cherri asked as she appeared beside him a second later.

Angel shrugged, then carefully approached the box. With shaky hands, he lifted the lid.

His face broke out into the biggest smile he’d had since picking up Cherri from Pride.

Inside the box was the littlest pink piglet he’d ever seen.

Two little black horns

Floppy pink ears.

Pink and black spots all over his back.

A curly, barbed pink tail.

A pink circle around one of his eyes.

A little pink nose.

There was so much pink.

Carefully, he picked up the little creature, and held him tightly against his chest fluff. The piglet snuffled his fur, then curled himself up in the spider’s arms with a content, soft squeal.

“Awww, Ange!” Cherri giggled, petting the animal on his head between his horns, “he’s so cute! An’ squishy an’ chubby an’ soft! Whatcha gonna name him?”

Angel looked his new pet over, and grinned.

But before he could answer, his eyes caught another envelope stuck underneath the lid of the box. He carefully reached down, as to not wake the now sleeping animal in his arms and picked it up.

Angel,

I personally picked him out for you.

You need a little more pink in your life.

Angel burst into happy tears.

Chapter Text

Ever since the day Angel got his new piglet, he’d slowly started letting people back into his life.

Tally came and learned how to help him in his workshop. She liked the peace and quiet away from the casino floor and dealing cards. She became almost obsessed with the feel of soft fabric between her paws.

Jeanvieve came and helped him sew together a couple of tiny outfits for herself and Niffty that even all his nimble fingers on all four hands couldn’t quite get right. Steven went out and happily picked up the new fabric that Angel had ordered.

Even Sir Pentious had slithered in to apologize profusely. He had never hypnotized a spider before Angel and he never thought about how it would affect a creature with so many eyes, though it made sense because he’d gotten Cherri once and she only had to blink twice before she was back. With a sigh, and lots of happy tears on the serpent’s part, Angel forgave him.

With everyone’s help, Angel had set up another table in a clear spot in the room and made a little play pen for his new pet, he so adorably named Fat Nuggets, so he could always keep him nearby. It didn’t take long until the two were inseparable. You couldn’t go anywhere without seeing both of them together. Cherri said that he was Angel’s ‘emotional support pig’, and she wasn’t wrong.

Niffty would come in like she had been for the last month or so, telling him about all the happenings downstairs. A few new dealers had been hired, Cherri had physically thrown out another spider demon for trying to cheat Steven at poker by hiding several aces up his six sleeves, Sir Pentious had hired a clutch of some creatures called Egg-Bois to help him with his inventing and maintenance of the slot machines.

The most surprising part of her news was that Husk had announced to everyone that on the evening of the blue moon, the casino would be closed. Everyone was to have a night off.

But there was no appearance of the Overlord himself. He never tried to see Angel.

And Angel didn’t go looking for him.

~*~

A few more nights passed, until it was finally the night of the blue moon.

Everyone was going out. The imp couple were heading back to Gluttony for the night to visit some family. And there was a new club that had opened a few streets over and Cherri, Tally and Sir Pentious were all getting dressed up to go drink, party and relax for the entire evening.

They had invited Angel to go with them.

But he had declined.

Partying wasn’t really his thing anymore, and he just wanted a night of pure peace and quiet with no one else in the building. He had plans to sit in a bubble bath until the water turned cold, drink an entire bottle of cherry brandy, throw on some loud music and dance around in his pajamas, and play with Fat Nuggets until they both fell asleep together in a pile on Angel’s bed.

“Well, how do I look?” Cherri asked, spinning around in her new red, white and black patchwork dress Angel had made for her while he was in his own self-inflicted solitude.

He nodded with a smile and reached up to fix her long hair that had gotten caught in the back zipper. “Ya look great, Cher.” He winked at her. “Ya goin’ to meet someone or ya just looking for a good time?”

To his surprise, her cheeks lightly flushed. “Uh, naw, just gonna go drink and make an idiot of myself on the dance floor.” She turned back to his mirror and swiped on a healthy amount of bubble gum pink lip gloss. “Ya sure ya don’t wanna come?”

Angel nodded as Fat Nuggets climbed up into his lap and promptly started snoring. “Yeah…can’t exactly wake him up, now, can I?”

Cherri laughed and gave him a quick peck on his forehead. “I’m glad ya feelin’ betta Ange,” she whispered softly. Angel’s eyes grew wide when she pulled his phone out from the front of her dress and set it on the bed right next to his leg. “I think ya stable enough now.”

Angel threw his upper arms around her neck. “Thanks, babes,” he whispered.

They held one another for a moment longer, until Cherri pulled away from his embrace. “Well…stay out of trouble tonight, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, and if ya do…name it afta’ me!”

The drink of brandy that he had just poured into his mouth, immediately spewed back out at her words, painting the mirror in dark crimson drops. “CHER! YA CAN’T JUST SAY THAT WHEN I’M TRYIN’ TO DRINK HERE!” he yelled, gently depositing Fat Nuggets on the bed and quickly running to clean up. Cherri chuckled and helped him wipe up the mess before she patted his head.

“I would say I’m sorry…but I’m not,” she winked. Her face softened. “I mean it Ange…try to have a good time tonight. But if ya need anythin’ and I mean anythin’, call me. I’ll come right back.” She patted her chest where Angel knew her own phone was stored.

He nodded. “I will, promise. Now get goin’ and give that snake a good show!”

Cherri choked on nothing as she sucked in air. “THE HELL DO YA MEAN?”

“Get outta here, Cher,” Angel laughed before throwing her out of his room and slamming the door behind her. He could hear her shouting expletives as she walked down the hallway until she was gone.

Then he set about getting his evening alone started.

He grinned as he snapped up his phone and found some music that he and Cherri used to listen to years back. He turned the volume up loud and went to run a bubble bath.

He filled the tub with so many pink bubbles that he lost Fat Nuggets when the piglet hopped in with him. He couldn’t stop laughing when he finally found him, covered head to hooves in foam. He kissed his snout and when the water was cold, he washed all the soap and bubbles away.

As he dried himself and Fat Nuggets in huge fuzzy towels, and laid back on the bed, he reached out for his bottle of brandy.

Only to realize with dismay that it was empty.

That had been his last stored bottle.

“Aw, shit,” he mumbled, as the piglet hopped off the towel and into his damp chest fluff.

Well…now he had two choices.

He could either stay sober all night and not step foot out of his room or…

He could dash through the empty casino in his pajamas to the bar and snag another bottle of liquor.

Well, his pajamas were made of satin and silk and felt amazing on his freshly scrubbed fur, so those were not coming off no matter what he did.

No one was there to see his bare legs since the shorts barely covered anything.

He cracked his door open and looked both ways, just in case someone was straggling, and seeing no one, he scooped up Fat Nuggets and took off down the hallway.

Down the elevator.

Onto the casino floor.

He’d never seen it so dark with only the safety lights on to illuminate the tables. It was a little eerie.

The only actual lights he saw were the ones that hung over the bar and even they had been dimmed.

His dash across the floor was suddenly halted.

There was someone sitting at the bar.

Not just any someone.

His Overlord.

The feline had his head laid on the bar top, and in his paw he clutched a dark bottle.

Was he asleep? Did Angel want to disturb him? Should he go hide and come back when he had left? Should he just go back to his room? Maybe it would do him good to be sober for a night…

“I can hear you, you know.”

Angel squeaked at the voice from across the room. Softly, he took a few steps closer.

“How did ya know? I was tryin’ to be quiet.”

“Your thoughts were loud.” The Overlord lifted his head, but still didn't look at the spider. “And your friend’s breathing is louder than yours.”

Angel smiled and squeezed the piglet tighter against his chest fluff. “I'm sorry for disturbing you…” he took a step back, “I'll uh…I’ll just go.”

“Is that truly what you want?” the Overlord’s voice rumbled, but Angel could hear sadness behind his words.

Angel stopped and thought about it.

Did he really want to leave? Or did he want to finally speak to Husk.

“No…” Angel hesitated. He took another few shy steps closer. “Can I…would you mind…”

Husk chuckled, but it was dry. “Go ahead and sit, kid.” As Angel approached, he took a quick look at the Overlord’s appearance.

His white shirt was rumpled, halfway unbuttoned, and entirely untucked from his trousers. His suspenders had slipped off his shoulders and dangled around his slim hips and his hair looked as though it hadn't seen a brush in days. Even his tail and wings were disheveled and hung limply behind him.

Angel took another step back when Husk grunted and stood from his seat. “I…you don't have to…you can stay-“

He chuckled again. “I gotta make you a drink.”

“What? No no, I didn’t come down to make you work!” Angel cried and reached out to grab the  feline’s arm, but stopped himself and tugged his hand back against Fat Nuggets’ belly.

Finally, Husk turned to look Angel in the eyes.

The spider’s heart cracked a little more.

Those lovely golden eyes were dull, bloodshot and red rimmed with exhaustion, and his face was tired. His ears were limp against his head.

“You’re holding your friend. I'm not gonna make you put him down when I can make you something.” He slowly dragged himself behind the bar, and Angel hopped up onto a bar stool. He glanced over to see an empty bottle of the cheapest whisky in hell set off to the side, and a new bottle that was half-full still placed in front of the Overlord’s stool. “What did ya name him?”

Angel hugged the piglet closer. “Fat Nuggets.”

Husk nodded. “Good name. It suits him.” He propped one of his hands up on the bar. “What do you want to drink?”

Angel looked back up into those tired eyes, and his heart started to break. He sighed, and looked down at Fat Nuggets’ spots on his back. “Whatever you feel like making, sir,” he whispered.

“That's not an answer, kid. And you don’t gotta call me, ‘sir’.” Angel unconsciously flinched when a large paw entered his line of sight, but then all he felt was disappointment when it was pulled away. “You like the cherry lemonade I make for you?”

Angel nodded and gave him a small smile. “Yeah…I like sweet stuff. And cherries are my favorite.”

Finally, the Overlord grinned. “I couldn't tell,“ he teased, “you only always smell like cherries and you keep tying the stems in knots with your tongue.”

Angel’s face burned. “Sorry…old habits-“

“Angel, it's fine,” Husk said quietly, “it's fun to watch your face when you realize that you did it. You get all wide eyed and your face gets all red. It’s cute.“

He finished mixing Angel’s drink and popped a cherry into his own mouth. He chewed silently for a minute until he stuck out his own tongue…with a knotted stem in the shape of a heart balanced on the very tip.

Angel’s face brightened. “I didn't know you could do that too!” he chirped happily and took a sip of his drink. He was surprised to see the Overlord’s face fall a little. He sidled back around the bar and dropped tiredly into his seat. His paw grabbed the bottle of whisky and drank nearly half of what was left.

“You…don't know a lot about me, kid,” Husk murmured. His eyes never left the back wall of the bar.

Angel set his glass to the side in curiosity. “Would ya…I'd like to know more…I mean if-if ya want to-“

The feline sighed. “I was on a leash too, for a long time.”

Angel’s eyes widened in surprise. “Ya…ya were?”

Husk gave him a mirthless chuckle. “Yeah. For a lot of decades I was on a collar and chain to another Overlord.” He took another long drink.

“Who…who was it?” Angel asked softly.

Husk hummed. “It’s a long story.”

“I've got all night,” Angel stated, hugging Fat Nuggets tightly in his lap.

The Overlord stared at him for a minute, then nodded slowly.

“I’ve been down here in hell for…oh…fifty or so years now. When I died and showed up here, I had a goal. I was looking for someone.” He took another drink. “I realized quickly that I couldn’t traverse into the other circles without help, so I tried gambling. I thought maybe if I gambled enough that I could grab a ticket into a different Ring. I won quite a few small games against not so well-known Overlords, but none of them were powerful enough to get me where I needed to go.

“I was determined to search every inch of hell, so I started finding bigger and stronger Overlords to play against. I started losing. I didn’t have much to gamble with after a few hands. On my final game, all I had was my soul. I figured the Overlord that wound up winning it might be able to help me in exchange for my loyalty.

He finished what was left in the bottle and pushed it to the side by the first empty one. Then he ran his claws through his hair. “I lost to one of the worst Overlords that I had ever met.”

Angel was sitting on the edge of his stool. He sucked down the rest of his drink and hugged Fat Nuggets in his lap. “Who was it? Was it someone like Val? Or Lucifer?”

Husk sighed. “If only I had been so lucky.” He glanced around the room, inspecting the shadows. “My former Overlord was…the Radio Demon.”

Angel squeaked in surprise. “Wait, huh? But…he works-“

“Yeah, kid I know.”

“How did you turn the tables?”

The Overlord chuckled. “Do you remember about six or seven years ago the final battle with the Exterminators?” Angel nodded vigorously. “Well…I was there for that fight.”

The spider’s eyes flew open. “But…how were you there? I thought Lucifer took them all down.”

“Not quite. We were defending a hotel his daughter had founded to try to redeem sinners so they could get into Heaven. Alastor had heard about her experiments and decided to try to integrate himself with her so he might be able to manipulate her once he gained her trust and had convinced Lucifer that he was harmless and was there to truly help. So, he summoned me and Niffty to help out around the place. I was the bartender, and she was the housekeeper.”

“That sounds familiar.”

“Yeah, I guess I just couldn’t stop makin’ the drinks, even now that I’m an Overlord. Anyway, a few months later, that kid, Charlie’s her name, pissed off Heaven and they came six months early for the extermination.”

“Yeah…I remember that. The Vees locked up the tower and we all hid in the basement.”

Husk gave Angel a gentle smile. “At least Val was willing to protect you from the angels. Anyhow, the hotel was the exterminator’s playground. They came there solely to destroy any hope that sinners had for redemption and crush Lucifer’s daughter once and for all. I was on the front lines with most of the citizens from Cannibal Town. We had been armed with angelic weapons after we discovered that angels could be harmed and killed with them.”

Angel’s eyes looked into Husks with curiosity. “I didn’t know you knew how to handle a spear or sword or something like that. You just don’t strike me as-“ Angel’s face flushed, “…sorry.”

His eyes grew wide when Husk gave him an almost giddy grin. Then from out of nowhere, he summoned three black playing cards that were outlined in blinding white, and with one paw he threw them across the room. They stuck into the wall deep enough that Angel could barely see them. Then he snapped and they returned to his paw. “That was…wow,” Angel smiled, and his cheeks heated even more “That was so cool!”

Let’s just add more fuel to that attractive fire the Overlord already had, shall we?

Shut up!

Husk snapped his paws again and the cards disappeared. “Charlie and her girlfriend were armed with spears, the cannibals had whatever weapons Carmilla Carmine had on hand, but Alastor refused to carry one.” He reached blindly over the counter and pulled up a bottle of cherry wine. He wrinkled his nose, but Angel’s eyes lit up. He popped the cork, and let the bottle sit open for a minute.

“The bastard was so confident in his own power that he thought he wouldn’t need one. So…he stood on the roof and waited for the head angel to appear. Adam was his name, and he was a powerful jackass.”

Angel giggled, then held his glass out in front of the Overlord for him to pour a healthy amount of wine into. Husk reached over the bar again, this time coming back with a short brandy tumbler that he poured half the bottle into. He sat back and sipped it.

“Alastor had put up a shield around the hotel to try to keep most of the exterminators out. It worked for a while, but then Adam was able to break through. We were nearly overwhelmed as soon as they descended on us.” Angel nodded, petting Fat Nuggets between his horns. The piglet huffed and cuddled up even tighter in the spider’s lap. “Everyone else was down on the ground, but Alastor was alone on the roof. We never saw what happened, but next thing we knew, Adam was flying down directly at Charlie, and he hit her hard. Her girlfriend Vaggie was inside the wrecked building fighting off Adam’s second in command so she couldn’t get to Charlie fast enough.”

He took another long drink of wine. “I had moved before I had realized it and grabbed Charlie to move her out of Adam’s way. Poor girl was out of it so badly, she could barely hold onto my neck while I dodged and avoided every attack.” He shrugged with a sheepish grin. “I guess being a perpetual gambler gave me some luck that day.

“Without warning, one of my wings got clipped by another exterminator and I curled up around Charlie to protect her from the fall. I skidded across the ground, but never let go of her. Adam laughed while he stalked closer and pointed his finger at me. I knew that was it, I was going to be vaporized and he was going to end my life again, but this time it would be permanent.

“Out of nowhere, Lucifer showed up and took on Adam while I was able to wake up Charlie and yell at Vaggie, who had finished off the angel she had been fighting. She took over and protected her so I could go help the cannibals who were being overrun.

“Before we even realized, the battle was over. Adam had been defeated. He still tried to talk his way out of losing and was shit talking Charlie and Lucifer, when he was impaled by an angelic dagger.”

Angel squeezed Fat Nuggets again. “Who was it? Who got him? Was it Vaggie?”

Husk chuckled. “Nope. When Adam collapsed, it was Niffty who had stabbed him in the back. Then she gave all of us one of her most manic grins and stabbed him over and over and over again until he was shredded and lying in a pool of golden blood.”

Angel gasped. “Wait…our Niffty? Like…Niffty? The little one who is perfectly content murdering roaches and cleaning floors?”

Husk nodded and tipped back the rest of his drink before refilling Angel’s. “Yep, that Niffty. I was so proud of her. While Lucifer and the two girls ran off the rest of the exterminators, I grabbed Nif and we took off to go clean up. She was so bloody; I didn’t want Alastor to accidentally think she was lunch.

“But that was part of the problem. We didn’t know where Alastor had gone. He had vanished into thin air. That’s when I noticed that my collar seemed…looser around my soul, and Nif said she felt it too. I knew that meant one thing: our Overlord was dying.”

Angel downed his wine as though it was a shot and offered his glass again. Husk shook his head with a smile and poured what was left in the bottom of the bottle into Angel’s glass.

“I was thrilled with the idea of being free again. I could go and continue my search and all of Alastor’s souls would be released.” His lips tipped down into a disappointed frown. “It had been nearly a week since the angels had come and gone, and the hotel had been rebuilt. My chain was on its last frayed link when I found him. Alastor was lying in his radio tower, a huge angelic gash across his chest and I could hear the death rattle in his voice. He was so near death his filter wouldn’t even work.

“I looked at him and thought of my mission in hell. With annoyance, I realized that I still needed him. So, in that moment, my brain realized exactly what I could do to get everything I desired.” The feline leaned his paws on the counter and stretched his back with a groan. Angel noticed his tail had started flicking back and forth again, not as excited as he’d seen it before, but it still brought him relief to see the Overlord starting to come back to his old self.

Angel found himself leaning closer on the bar until his hand brushed a furry paw. Husk’s eyes widened in surprise but didn’t pull away. Instead, he shifted until his smallest claw had linked with Angel’s pinky. The spider looked down at where their fingers were joined and felt his heart flip.

“What did you do?” Angel breathed.

“I offered him a choice,” the Overlord murmured back. “I said I could walk away and let him die, releasing me and everyone else from their contracts with him. Or…” Husk sighed again, “I could heal him.” He let his lips widen into a cheshire grin. “In return for saving his life, he would sign his soul over to me.”

Angel gasped and leaned even closer on the bar. “You mean…”

Husk squeezed his pinky. “Yep. He agreed. It was reluctantly of course, but he still had souls he wanted to rip apart and an unlife to live out for eternity. He summoned a contract, and I changed his name at the top to my own. He signed the bottom as my first soul to be owned.

“As soon as he did, I felt stronger, so much stronger than I ever had in hell. I was almost giddy, but I kept my promise. I carried him downstairs and had Niffty sew him back up. I informed Lucifer and Charlie about what had happened and, with the promise of owing the king and princess of hell a favor, Lucifer gave me several drops of his angelic blood that would make Alastor good as new. After all, he liked me better than the Radio Demon and thought I would make a better and fairer Overlord than Alastor ever had.”

He tipped his head back and swallowed the rest of his wine. “When Alastor signed his soul to me, part of our agreement was that he would continue to help me search for the boy I had come down here to find. I amended his contract later that day, saying that once my mission was complete, I would release his soul back to him, so long as he never tried to enslave me or anyone I deemed worthy. He agreed.”

He looked up into Angel’s eyes, almost as if he were seeing them for the first time.

“How did you die, kid?” he asked, the smallest glimmer of hope etched into his face.

Angel gave Fat Nuggets another squeeze, as he frowned in confusion at the question.

“Suicide.” He pointed at his darkened left eye. “Shot myself to get away from an abusive family.”

He watched as the Overlord’s face fell. “Ah, then it couldn’t be you.”

Angel pulled himself closer until his knees were a hairs breadth away from the feline’s. “How about you? How did you die?”

Husk sighed. “Suicide.”

Angel’s eyes widened.

Husk gave him a self-deprecating chuckle. “Yeah, I know. But it was either that or spend the rest of my short life sick.”

“You were sick?”

“Yep. I’d been a smoker and heavy drinker for more than half my life,” he muttered. “I found out when I was in my late fifties that I was riddled with lung and liver cancer.”

Angel squeezed his paw, but he could already feel tears building behind his eyes.

“I’d always wanted to see the Pacific Ocean, since I’d lived inland all my life. And an old friend of mine offered to let me visit. He lived out near San Fransisco. So I went for a visit, and he took me fishing.”

Angel could already see where this was going.

“I told him what I wanted. He was angry at first, but the longer I explained, he began to understand that I just wanted to be in control of my own fate for once. He took us far enough from shore that we could have a nice time fishing. We caught a hell of a lot of mackerel and herring and drank the entire day away.” He slowly shifted his paw until is covered the entirety of Angel’s much smaller hand. “When the sun began to set, I tied an anchor to my ankles, gave the orange sky a final farewell, and jumped overboard. He tossed the anchor over the side and well…”

He patted Angel’s hand and gave Fat Nuggets head a scratch.

“When I woke after my death, I was in the Pride ring. It took awhile to get used to how things went, but I finally figured everything out.” His paw slipped from the bar to tug absentmindedly at one of his suspender straps. “I looked everywhere in Pride for my boy.”

Angel rested one of his lower hands on Husk’s knee. “Who was he? Did you have a son?”

The Overlord chuckled, but Angel could hear sadness behind it. “Naw. You’ll think it’s stupid…”

“No…I would never think that,” Angel whispered.

“Well…ya see…” Husk raked his hand through his hair and nervously fluffed it up a little. “I had fallen for this boy that I had only known a short time when I was in my early forties. He was a lot of years younger than me, but I couldn’t help myself.” Husk’s eyes glazed over at the memory, and he found himself smiling. “He was the most beautiful and kind fella’ I’d ever met. And I fell in love with him, almost at first sight.”

“Did he feel the same way?” Angel asked.

Husk shook his head sadly and his ears drooped. “I never got the chance to ask. He was killed before I could.”

Angel’s upper hands flew up to cover his mouth. “Oh Husk…I’m so sorry.”

The Overlord shrugged. “Well, there wasn’t anything I could do. So, when I ended up here, I hoped that I might be able to find him again and tell him how I felt.” He looked away toward the back of the bar again. “But I’ve searched every inch of all of the circles of hell, and I’ve never found him. He was too good of a boy that he must have ended up in Heaven instead.”

Angel rested his hand over Husk’s on the bar. “What was his name?” he asked curiously, but he felt a piece of his heart break off in disappointment.

“His name was-“

“Angie, there ya are!” came a screech from across the room, and the spider whipped his head around to see Cherri and Sir Pentious sprinting towards him. Cherri’s arms enveloped him in a tight hug. “I missed ya, bitch!” she slurred, and Angel could smell the rum on her breath. “It was just no fun partyin’ an’ dancin’ without ya!”

“Yesss, ssshe got very drunk very fassst, and tried to dance with everyone.” The snake blushed and his hood flared. “Even me.”

Angel laughed, and hugged Cherri back. “Aww, you poor thing. Did you try to give Sir Pentious a lap dance?” he said with a wink behind the girl’s back, making the serpent flush even harder and buried his face in his hands.

Cherri pulled her head back from Angel’s shoulder long enough to grin wide. “Yeah, I did!” She turned around and marched over to Sir Pentious and wrapped her arms around his middle. “I don’t know if he liked it or not.”

While the snake sputtered and stuttered as he tried to answer, Angel glanced over at the Overlord.

But he had disappeared.

Angel squeezed Fat Nuggets and was left to sadly wonder who in Heaven or Hell that lucky boy was to have such a wonderful man die and sell his soul just to find him.

Chapter Text

After the night of the blue moon, and after getting to know Husk a little more, Angel found himself gravitating towards the bar in the casino on less busy nights. Conversation with the Overlord became a little easier, and Angel started feeling more comfortable. Even though their previous conversation was never mentioned again, he felt closer to the feline.

Did it feel like friendship, or did it feel like something more?

During his time at the bar, he began observing more and more around the gaming floor, and seeing what could be improved.

The red carpet was worn and heavily trafficked in certain spots.

He liked the dark wood, but the room was still missing some color.

The tables were looking a little worse for wear.

And, his biggest observation was the fact that there just was not enough room in the casino. The place stayed busy constantly, and people were always waiting.

Angel felt it was time to bring his ideas to his boss.

~*~

It was about a week after the night that everyone had the evening off, the casino wasn't too busy, and Travis was manning the bar. Angel took his drawings for possible renovations to the penthouse.

As soon as the elevator dinged, he suddenly felt nervous and self conscious. He hadn't been to the top floor since that night. But right at the desk sat the Overlord. He glanced up to see who had arrived, and gave Angel a small smile.

“Hey kid, come on in,” he purred, before standing and heading over to the bar. Angel flushed when he had pulled up a bottle of the same cherry wine they had shared, and poured two glasses. He brought one over to Angel after smoothly sliding his drawings out from under his lower arms.

Angel spluttered. “Uh…is it OK to drink while I'm working?”

Husk’s chest rumbled with a laugh. “If it wasn't, I wouldn't have brought you any wine. Besides,” he glanced around the room, “last time I checked, I'm your boss.” He grinned and clinked his glass with Angel’s. “So, you've come to visit me. And you said you're working.” He held up the drawings. “Casino renovations?”

Angel nodded, taking a sip of the wine. “I was hoping you weren’t too busy.”

“Ha, I'm never too busy.” He took a long drink. “So, whatcha got in mind?”

Angel smiled and sauntered over to his desk. After nearly emptying his glass, he slipped his drawings from the Overlord’s paws and proceeded to lay them flat.

“Sorry, I'm not good with drawing rooms and shit,” he muttered and Husk just patted his head, “but here’s some ideas I’ve been working on.” He felt his heart skip when the feline leaned right into his space, eyes focused on the paper in front of him. “I think the main floor needs a makeover. Maybe we could get rid of the carpet and try hardwood? It’ll help with the wear and tear and it’s less for Niffty to vacuum.”

Husk hummed and nodded. “Good. What else?”

Angel smiled and finished off his wine. “And the room needs a little color. I know black and white is classy…but…what if we put in a little trim around the walls? Say maybe gold and red?”

Husk leaned even closer, his paw just resting against Angel’s hand.

Is it hot in here, or is it just him?

SHUT UP!

Angel felt himself shift a little closer to point out another part of the floor plan. “Here’s where I think the gold trim would look amazing and just set off the room. And the card tables and dice fields need to be…replaced?” He glanced over at Husk, afraid that he might asking for too much, but the Overlord just nodded along in agreement.

“That sounds great. Those tables have been here since I took over and they are far older than that.” He scratched behind his ear. “But since I see you have brought more than one drawing, I believe you have more ideas?”

Angel nodded. “I mean…they’re just rough drafts and if you don’t like them I’ll throw them out, especially since they’re kinda a big undertaking-“

Angel’s rambling was halted by a paw gently resting over his hand still on the table.

“Angel, I said I wanted ideas, and I meant all ideas. Renovate to your heart’s content.”

The spider sucked in a breath and nodded before sliding out another drawing. “Well...I’ve noticed that the casino just doesn’t have room to move around in or accommodate everyone. So…what if we opened up another floor? For more players…but then add a top floor, like a lounge, for more…VIP clientele?” He felt himself take a deep breath. “And a lounge would allow more room for the higher bidding players.” He shifted another paper. “Plus, if we arranged space just right, we could add in a stage or runway for some kind of occasional live performances…”

Finally he paused and looked over at the Overlord’s face.

Still calm.

Still listening.

Husk nodded. “Those are excellent ideas.” He rubbed his chin. “But it still feels like it’s missing something.”

Angel nodded. “Well…what can you tell me what those floors above the third are? I know employee housing is three floors down from the penthouse and Sir Pentious’ inventing space is just below that.”

“And the floor above that is your workspace. But the bottom five floors are just storage. I actually don’t think I’ve ever been down there.” He stretched his back and Angel heard several pops. “Why ya asking?”

Angel slid the final paper over in front of Husk’s eyes. “Well…what about if we took those two empty floors and added in villas, or rooms for higher ranking gamblers and VIPs to stay in?” He paused with his heart in his throat as the Overlord stroked his jaw. “I mean if that’s too much-“

“I like it.” Husk stated with a grin. “I’ll go down in a little while and look at those storage floors.” He shifted away from the desk, and Angel almost whined at the loss of warmth against his side. He started making his way towards the bar to sit on one of the stools, and motioned Angel to sit beside him. The spider complied but noticed with curiosity and slight concern two empty whisky bottles set to the side. “However, there is something else I’d like to talk to you about.”

Angel stiffened, and his hands started shaking.

“Am…am I-“

“No Angel you’re not in trouble. If anything, this might be considered a promotion.” The spider sighed in relief. “What can you tell me about the Vees empire over in Pride?”

“Huh?” Angel asked, his eyes wide in confusion. “Uh…well…you know what Val does.”

“Doesn’t everyone,” the feline hissed under his breath. Angel gave him a nervous smile.

“Vox is a tech wizard and Velvette is a designer and social media influencer,” Angel continued. “People listen to them, and so many people adore them. They don’t get to see what happens behind closed doors.” Angel subconsciously rubbed his neck where Val had bitten him that night. The marks had healed, but the phantom feeling and pain remained. “Why ya asking?”

The Overlord gave him one of his cheshire grins. “Because I'm tired of them trying to get to me and you. I’m tired of them thinking they own everything in hell.” His ears flattened against his head. “Remember how I said that I owed Lucifer and Charlie a favor?”

Angel nodded. He had thought a lot about that night, both with fondness and disappointment.

“Well…Lucifer is cashing his in. He wants the Vees empire destroyed, but he can’t do it himself. The Vees are too well known and respected, as you said. Undoubtedly, they would find a way to destroy Lucifer if he tried anything alone. So, we’re gonna help.”

“How in all of hell are we going to do that?” Angel asked in confusion and concern.

“By beating them at their own game.” He put his elbows up on the bar. “With the extermination over, people are starting to realize that the barriers between Rings are thinning and making travel much easier. Which means, I think we’ll start getting a lot more traffic.” He turned to look directly into Angel’s eyes with a huge, wicked smile. “Luckily for me, I have more friends than they do. More Overlord friends.”

Angel suddenly understood what the feline was getting at, and his eyes widened. “Wait…you wanna start an empire of your own? To make the Vees obsolete?”

Husk winked at him. “Exactly.”

“Well, how do we get started?” Angel asked, his mind fully on board.

“I’ve already begun putting pieces into place, but I’ll need your help. Because if this is not something you want to agree to, then I’ll have to scrap part of the plan and work out something else.”

Angel stared back, not even realizing that he had placed his lower hands on the Overlord’s knees. “Tell me how I can help.”

Husk placed his paws over Angel’s hands, making the spider’s cheeks heat. “I want you to be our Velvette. You already have the knowledge and experience with design and creation.” He leaned closer. “I already have several Overlords that expressed interest in your designs and they want you to design for them as well.” He grinned wide again and patted Angel’s hand. “Starting with Carmilla Carmine.”

“WHAT?” Angel shrieked in surprise.

Husk chuckled. “She came in a few weeks ago with Zestial, and adored Tally’s uniform that you had made. She mentioned that she’d love to have you design something for her and her daughters.”

Angel's lower hands flew up to cover his mouth while his upper raked through his hair. “Niffty never told me that she had been here…”

Husk paused at Angel’s look of panic. “I can still tell her no, Angel. I don’t want you to be stressed.” He gently pulled one of Angel’s lower hands away from his face and held it in his paws. “I want you to be happy. I want you to not worry about anything. I want…” His voice broke off, but he didn’t let go of Angel’s hand. “Will you do it?”

Angel hesitated, then wildly nodded his head. “Yes! I’d love to help! I mean…I’ll be a lot overworked and I don’t exactly have enough space-“

“I already have plans in place to expand your workshop into the entire floor and to upgrade everything you need.” He grinned. “Plus, I’ve gotten you an assistant.” He winked. “You like Tally, right?” Angel nodded furiously. “Well, she wants a break from dealing, so she’ll be working right along with you.”

Angel threaded his fingers through soft paws and gave the Overlord a shy smile. “You’ve already done so much for me. I don’t know how to thank you.”

Husk smiled and squeezed his hand again. “Don’t thank me, Angel. I should be the one thanking you.”

Angel’s brow furrowed. “Why?”

“Because you are amazing.”

Angel found himself blushing, as the Overlord leaned a little closer.

Closer.

Sleepy golden eyes sliding closed.

A crooked smile drawing near.

Cherry wine.

Whisky…so much whisky…

No…this isn’t right.

Angel sat back, leaning away from Husk. The feline tilted his head in confusion before lifting a paw to rest on Angel’s cheek.

“What’s wrong?”

Angel sighed and pointed at the empty whisky bottles, and the nearly empty bottle of wine. “You’re drunk, and you’re not thinking clearly.” He stared hard into Husk’s flushed face. “I’m not gonna let you do something you would regret tomorrow.”

Husk gave the spider a slow blink. “What would I regret?”

Angel felt tears building behind his eyes and pulled himself away from the Overlord.

“I’m not your boy, boss. You don’t feel the same for me. This is just the whisky talkin’.” He sniffled. “You’ve spent a lifetime looking for him…I…I’m just a contract. Just a soul that you own.”

Husk frowned. “Angel-“

“Hey bosss, Cherri sssaid you wanted to sssee me?” came the voice of the serpent that had slithered out of the elevator.

In that moment of interruption, Angel felt both relief and heart wrenching sorrow.

Husk sighed and waved the snake over. “Ah, Pentious, perfect timing. I just explained Angel’s part of our master plan, and he’s agreed.” The Overlord yawned and gave the two a tired grin.

Pentious’ face lit up and his hood flared. “That’sss good, we need to ssstratigize. I’ll be inventing tech like Voxxx, and Cherri isss going to run between usss. Ssshe’ll help you with online influencing, and ssshe'll be helping me figure extra tech thingsss out.” The snake flushed, and wrung his hands together in front of him. “I hope you don’t mind. I know we didn’t have the best ssstart.”

“No shit,” Angel rolled his eyes as he blinked tears away. “I don’t mind working with you. Just…be nice to Cherri.”

Pentious looked hurt. “Why, I would never!” he stated. “I actually like her a lot.”

Angel’s eyebrows rose. “Like…you like her, or you like her?”

The snake flushed again. “Uh…oh well…oh look at the time!” he sputtered before hurrying back into the elevator.

Angel chuckled. “Silly serpent,” he muttered, and glanced back at the Overlord.

Who had fallen fast asleep on the bar.

How long had it been since he’d slept?

Angel sighed and shrugged off his own pink sweater to lay over Husk’s shoulders. Then, after making sure the feline was truly asleep, he leaned down and pressed a feather light kiss to his cheek.

“Sleep well, Husk. I’m sorry that I’m not the one you truly want. Because I want you,” he whispered as he carded his fingers through soft fur. Then he quietly made his way across the room, flipped the lights off and summoned the elevator back.

He knew Husk wouldn’t remember any part of what had just happened.

As he turned to leave, and got one last look at the sleeping Overlord, he felt his heart begin to splinter.

Overlord.

Contracted soul.

A master and a servant on a chain.

There could never be anything more between them.

Oh, but Angel wanted more. He wanted it all.

He wanted everything he couldn’t have.

~*~

A few days later, Angel was surprised to hear that the casino was closed until further notice due to renovations. Not long after, he kept getting knocks on his workshop door from contractors and architects. They all wanted to see his inspired drawings and get his ideas for how he wanted the casino to look. At one point, when Angel was feeling wildly overwhelmed, Cherri forcibly shoved a group of about ten out the door and ushered them up to the penthouse.

“Thanks, Cher,” Angel breathed when they were finally gone.

“Why the hell are there so many?” she asked, picking up Fat Nuggets and rubbing her cheek against his horns.

Angel shrugged. “I guess boss wanted this shit done sooner rather than later.” He turned to hold up a drawing for a beautiful and functional evening gown, designed with Carmine in mind. It was considered a high to low dress, with a pair of pocketed trousers shown in the front and a long train following behind. “What do you think?”

Cherri looked at it, stroked her chin. “Hmm, it’s not bad. What color?”

“White, or grey. Or, if she wanted to be daring and even bolder than she already is, it would look amazing in red.”

“I think she’ll like it.” She grinned and snapped her bubble gum. “Hell, I think I want one.”

“Now you’re just asking for trouble.”

“Forgive my intrusion,” Alastor stated as he crept out of the shadows. Angel and Cherri shrieked in surprise and panic, and Fat Nuggets squealed.

“ALASTOR!” they both shouted, while trying to calm their hearts. The Radio Demon simply stood and stared at them.

“You have got to quit doing that!” Angel yelled. “Now, what do you want?” he huffed, pulling the piglet into his upper arms, and crossing the lower ones in annoyance.

Alastor grinned wide. “I’ve come to inform you that Mr. Husk is asking for you. He is quite busy at the moment and can not leave the penthouse.”

Angel groaned. “What does he need?”

“If I knew, I would tell you.”

“I fucking hate you.”

Alastor’s smile widened and his eyes narrowed a fraction of an inch. “Believe me, you are not the first. Nor will you be the last.” He straightened his suit and tapped his cane on the floor. “Now that I have given you the necessary information, I will take my leave,” he stated as he slipped back into the shadows.

Cherri flopped her forehead on Angel’s worktable. “Why does he gotta do that? Why can’t he just come through the door, like a normal demon?”

Angel sighed, and nuzzled Fat Nuggets’ snout. “Because he’s a creepy ass. Guess I’m headed upstairs.” He patted the top of Cherri’s head. “Can you keep your eye on him, for me? I shouldn’t be long.”

Without lifting her head, she reached both hands up and Angel deposited the piglet into her arms.

“Ya betta’ hurry back. He’s not gonna like ya bein’ gone,” she stated, her voice muffled by the table and her mass of hair.

Angel grinned, then turned and trotted upstairs.

When he got there, several of the contractors were waiting for the elevator. He scurried out and found the Overlord seated at his desk, piles of papers strewn across the top.

“Uh, hey boss,” he started, “Al said ya needed me?”

Husk sighed and ran a paw through his messy hair. “Yeah. Can you show these guys where your workshop is? They’ll be the ones renovating it.”

Angel nodded, then turned to face the workers. It was a group of rough looking shark demons, a short round pig, and a spider with black fur. “Uh, hey, it’s just down a floor.” He reached out one of his upper hands toward the spider demon. “I’m Angel. Please, be careful in there, it’s a little messy but I need everything in one piece if ya can.”

The spider nodded and shook his hand. “Yeah, no prob. We’ll be nice an’ quick,” he grunted, before motioning to his workers and slinking into the elevator.

As the doors closed, Angel glanced back at the Overlord.

Who was face down on the desk.

“Husk?” Angel asked, and the feline gave him a thumbs up.

“I’m all good kid. I just hate dealing with people like that.”

Angel chuckled. “Can I get ya something?”

Husk groaned and nodded. He pointed blindly to the bar in the corner, his face still plastered to the desk. The spider immediately wandered over to the bar and grabbed a half empty bottle of whisky. He brought it over to Husk and slid it into his paw. The feline immediately sat up and swallowed down the entire thing.

“Ah, thanks,” he muttered. Angel noticed just how exhausted the Overlord looked. He’d seen him looking fatigued: the night at the bar when they spoke, a few nights before when Pentious showed up. But he’d never seen this level of exhaustion.

“Boss?”

Golden eyes met his. “Yeah?”

“When was the last time ya slept?”

Husk frowned and rubbed a paw over his face. “I think I got maybe an hour last night…or was it the night before that, eh, who can tell-“

Angel sighed and walked around the desk to gently lift the Overlord to his feet. “I’ll take care of the workers. If they get to be too much, Cherri’ll kick ‘em out. But you,” he stated while he wrapped his lower arms underneath Husk’s knees and just under his wings, while his upper cradled his neck and smoothed his ragged hair away from his face, “you are goin’ to bed.”

Husk stared up into Angel’s face as he allowed himself to be picked up and held. “But-“

“Nuh uh, no buts, boss.” Angel grinned. He walked across the room where he knew the bed lay, and ever so gently deposited the cat onto the mattress. “Sleep now. Sleep as long as your body needs.”

Those tired eyes blinked slowly, before closing entirely. Angel smiled and as he pulled the silken sheets over his body to tuck him in, he felt the familiar softness of his sweater.

The one he had draped over Husk's shoulders a few nights back. 

The Overlord had kept it close to him.

Angel's heart skipped.

But as he turned to go, he felt a paw grab one of his lower hands.

“Angel,” Husk mumbled as he turned onto his side to make his wings more comfortable.

“Yeah?”

The Overlord’s face slid into a soft smile. “Thanks. For everything.”

Angel grinned and patted the top of his head, just like the Overlord liked doing to him. “You’re welcome.”

To the spider’s surprise and delight, Husk nudged his head further into Angel’s palm…and started purring. Angel sat on the edge of the bed and ran his fingers through soft fur until the Overlord fell asleep.

Well, maybe a comfortable friendship wouldn’t be so bad.

Chapter Text

The Ace of Hearts was closed for nearly a month.

But when it was finished, Angel thought he’d never seen anything more perfect.

The main gambling floor had been entirely transformed: what was once old carpet and worn-out equipment was now, deep, rich hardwood flooring, and brand-new blackjack and poker tables. The walls were still dark, but now there were white, gold, and red accents spattered tastefully throughout.

A new set of winding stairs led to the open second floor where the dice fields, slot machines and the bar were now situated. The walls on this level were the opposite of the ground floor: red, gold, and white paints with black accents. The bar had been expanded and fully stocked.

However, it was the third floor, the lounge that Angel was most proud of.

It was one large room, with all of the games available, but here there were far fewer tables and fields. Around the room, small, curtained areas were blocked off for private games, or for discretion for some of the more well-known players and Overlords.

A large stage had been set up against one of the walls and Sir Pentious had rigged it to be able to be moved and shifted, raised, or lowered effortlessly and subtly so that for anyone on the floor any movement wouldn’t be noticeable. On either side of the stage were two small doors hidden behind black curtains that led to sets of stairs that went up into tiny rooms on the floor above.

Angel figured some singers or bands might want to make a quick entrance or exit before and after their shows. And oh did they have artists lined up, waiting for their night to perform at the Ace of Hearts.

~*~

While construction was going on throughout the rest of the building, Angel’s workshop had been hastily completed, but the construction workers had done a fine job.

Fabric was organized on rolls along the walls, each color thread had its own tiny cabinet to keep them separate from everything else; there were baskets of pins, four new dress forms and even a sewing machine. Against one wall was a privacy screen just like in his old room, but this one hosted a three-way mirror as well. His worktable was much longer than his original one, and it was made of much finer wood.

But his favorite part of it all was the little ladder and the tiny bed attached to his workstation for Fat Nuggets to always be by his side.

Cherri teased that she was jealous of the piglet because he was more spoiled than she was. Angel almost felt bad.

His designs had become supremely popular, thanks to Husk and Carmilla. The Overlord had gone back to Pride wearing one of the new dresses that Angel had made for her, and suddenly demons and Overlords alike from all the Rings were wanting his fashion.

He was overwhelmed but in the best way.

It didn’t take Tally long to master the sewing machine, and both Jean and Niffty came in to help when he was buried in cloth.

There had been so many requests for different outfits, dresses, tuxedos and the like that Husk had decided to try something brand new as a way to attract even more attention to the casino:

The Ace of Hearts grand opening would feature a fashion show, exhibiting and showing off the new custom designs by Angel and introducing all of hell to his new fashion empire, AngelWear.

Within moments of the tickets for the show being released, they were sold out.

With the announcement of his show, Angel started hearing rumors about just how furious Velvette was at her new lack of attention, and how she was doing everything in her power to stay relevant. But her popularity was dwindling to almost nothing due to Angel’s gorgeous designs and his amazing talent.

Angel was so proud. And so stressed and scared. He was waiting fearfully for retaliation from the Vees, expecting something horrible or inconvenient to happen before the grand reopening.

Thankfully, the Vees remained quiet, though he was still nervous.

But he had friends to help with his anxiety.

Cherri was always nearby, pinning something on a dress form or on her phone working on the spider’s new social media platform for AngelWear. She had also become his self-proclaimed assistant, making phone calls, ordering material, and setting up appointments for meetings with Overlords and customers all wanting Angel’s designs.

Tally hardly ever strayed from her new spot on the sewing machine and Niffty stayed close by to keep him company when she wasn’t cleaning or chasing the new non-existent roaches. Jean and Steven happily ran errands for him while he was elbow deep in pins and thread.

Even Sir Pentious would slither in from time to time, to discuss new tech ideas for their company called Aces Innovation. He had nearly mastered the right creation to replicate Vox’s television magic and he was in the middle of building an actual recording tower for Alastor. The Radio Demon was delighted to be able to just broadcast whatever he liked, short of ripping souls apart across the radio waves. Pentious was pleased and content to help make everyone happy.

But mostly, the snake just came by to stare at Cherri.

And of course, there was Fat Nuggets. The little pig always knew when Angel was stressing or panicking and would immediately totter over to the spider and crawl into his lap or nuzzle his snout into Angel’s chest fluff. If there happened to be tears, the piglet would lick them away.

As the time grew closer to the grand reopening, Husk made more and more appearances into his workshop. Sometimes it was to help cut fabric or hold something that Angel needed more than six hands for. Sometimes, it was just to sit quietly and keep him company, even if the spider didn’t feel like talking. Even once or twice, he played model for Angel when a tuxedo needed to be fitted or when a suit needed to be tailored.

Angel was glad to be so loved by his friends.

~*~

After what seemed like an eternity, it was finally the day before the doors opened once more.

Angel’s twenty models were scattered throughout his workshop, getting last minute adjustments, and just generally having a great time. Angel had hand-picked all his models, from a couple of fellows from Cannibal Town over in Pride, all the way to a precious imp girl from Wrath. He even tried to talk Husk into being his final showcase, but the Overlord vehemently declined.

However, he needed a showstopper for his final model, and he just hadn’t found the right one.

He had less than twenty-four hours.

After the final fittings for his models, he sent them home to get their beauty sleep.

As soon as he was alone, he pulled a bottle of cherry brandy from underneath his workstation. He popped it open, drank nearly half, then slumped onto the table with a groan. Fat Nuggets immediately waddled over to head butt the tired spider. He hummed and wrapped his top arms around the affectionate piglet.

“Mmm, maybe I’ll make you a dress and let you be my grand finale,” he muttered to Fat Nuggets. The pig squealed in agreement. Angel chuckled. “I figured you’d like that.”

He ran his lower hands through his wildly fluffed up hair and looked around his workshop.

It was mostly tidy, save for a pile of safety pins Niffty had been stacking in boredom, so he didn’t feel the overwhelming need to clean.

And he was too tired and anxious to sleep.

So, he stretched and wandered off behind the privacy screen to work on his own project.

This one was not going on a model.

It was for Angel himself.

Pinned to his old dress form was an unfinished gown made of pastel pink satin. It was going to be floor length when completed, with a slit cut all the way to mid-thigh and a train that could be gathered gracefully around the hem and curled up into the bodice. The fabric draped beautifully down all four of his arms and across his chest fluff and showed off most of his back and shoulders. Every now and then when he would fold the cloth, he would twist in stripes of inconspicuous gauzy gold.

He was so engrossed in pinning, that he didn’t hear footsteps padding across the floor.

He gasped in surprise when he heard a throat clear behind him, but this time, he didn’t reach for his scissors. He spun quickly to see Husk, tired and rumpled and rubbing his eyes with the backs of his paws.

“Oh, boss, ya scared me,” he stated quietly, before standing to stretch his limbs and his stiff back. “Did ya need something?”

Husk shook his head with another yawn. “I just couldn't sleep, even though I’m so damn tired.”

Angel gave him a small smile. “I get that. Same here.” He turned back to his pinning and the Overlord pulled a spare chair behind the privacy screen. Angel grinned when he saw that the feline had gathered up the sleepy piglet in his arms and was running his large paws over his back. “He likes ya.”

Husk sighed and scratched between Fat Nuggets’ horns. “It’s nice to be liked on occasion.”

Angel paused. “What’s on ya mind?”

The Overlord shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep, figured you couldn’t either, came to just not be alone.”

Angel just stared at him for a moment in surprise, before he resumed pinning the fabric together around the hem of the dress.

“Who’s that for?” Husk mumbled sleepily.

Angel kept his face turned so the Overlord wouldn’t see the bright pink blush that he knew was showing through his white fur. “Uh…no one…just a project I’ve been working on in my limited spare time.”

He felt Husk’s presence appear behind him and watched as a paw reached to run gently across the satin. “It’s pretty. I bet it would look nice on you.”

Angel’s heart stopped.

“Oh…um…thanks,” he stuttered and let his lower hands take over his pinning while his upper hands ran through his hair again. “But I don’t have much time to work on it and it has a long way to go before it’s finished.”

He heard the feline’s feet pad away to the wall all his designs were drawn on. Husk hummed, still holding Fat Nuggets and still petting between his horns. He lifted one paw to point at a sketch. “Is this that dress’s final design?”

Angel whipped his head over to the drawing Husk was pointing at. Sure enough, he’d picked out the right one. The spider nodded.

“Yeah. See? It’s got a lot of work to be done on it.”

The Overlord yawned again and plopped back into the chair. “Angel, you need sleep.”

“Look whose preaching to the choir.”

“Shut it, kid,” Husk growled playfully. “Still though, you’ll be dead on your feet tomorrow if you don’t get some rest.”

“Yeah…yeah, I know. But…I’m too stressed and anxious and excited and awake right now to try to sl-“

“Angel.”

Suddenly the Overlord was knelt directly in front of the spider, one arm holding the piglet, the other paw gently curling under Angel’s chin. His golden eyes were exhausted, but serious.

“Go. To. Bed.”

“But-“

“Nuh uh, no buts,” Husk said with a wide grin, repeating what Angel had said to him the night that the spider had put him to bed. “Do I have to pick you up, stick you under your covers and tuck you in?”

Angel squeaked and his eyes all widened as he slowly shook his head.

“No…no, I’ll go to bed.” He gave Husk a sly grin. “I mean, if you’re offering to help me sleep, you could just hit me over the head with a frying pan.”

He giggled when the Overlord chuckled and flicked him on the nose. “Bed, now.”

Angel smirked and tugged Fat Nuggets from his arms. “Bed. Right away, yes sir,” he said sleepily with a mock salute. He stood and followed Husk out of the workshop. Together they climbed into the elevator and a moment later they got off the elevator together. Angel’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Uh, boss, aren’t ya going up to the penthouse?”

The Overlord yawned again. “I am, once I make sure you’re actually in bed and not planning an escape back to your workshop to pin until your fingers bleed or you die of exhaustion.”

Angel choked back another laugh. “No worries, I’m sleepy. I’m gonna crash in bed and not wake up until tomorrow.”

“Angel, it’s two a.m. It’s already tomorrow.”

“Oh…oops.”

He opened the door to his bedroom and slinked inside, but Husk gently grasped his lower hand in his paw. “Please get some sleep,” he murmured, and Angel was surprised to see a light blush decorating his cheeks.

“I…I will, promise,” he whispered. His breath caught in his throat as the Overlord raised his hand to gently press his lips to the back of his knuckles. “Boss-“

“I ain’t been drinking, Angel.” Golden eyes met mismatched maroon and the spider could see that he was telling the truth. He hadn’t ever seen his eyes so clear.

“I…I thought…I thought you wouldn’t remember…”

“You may not be my boy, but you’re not just a contracted soul to me,” he said quietly. “I care for you, dearly.”

Angel couldn’t find words. The Overlord gave him the kindest of smiles.

“Goodnight, Angel.”

Then he turned and disappeared down the hallway.

Angel felt his heart soar.

~*~

Angel overslept.

He had gotten so comfortable in his silk sheets and the weight of a piglet on his chest that he slept through all of his alarms.

He slept through the frantic knocking on his door.

The only thing that woke him was when Cherri came screaming into his room and jumped up on the bed, shaking him from his slumber and scaring Fat Nuggets out of his fluff to scurry underneath Angel’s pillow.

“Angie!”

Angel yelped, suddenly wide awake. “What?”

“Get up ya lazy bitch!” she squealed in excitement before grabbing his shoulders and shaking him. “Ya models are all here an’ waiting on ya!”

Angel rubbed his eyes with a yawn. “What time is it? They’re not supposed to be here until three, and the show doesn’t start until six.”

“Ange…it’s fucking four in the afternoon!”

The spider screeched and suddenly there were sheets flying through the air as he scrambled out of bed.

“Why the hell didn’t ya wake me up sooner?” he yelled in a panic.

Cherri shrugged, her eye wide and excited. “Bitch, I tried! Ya wouldn’t open the damn door!” She wandered over to the mirror while Angel started throwing clothes out of his closet.

Why oh why hadn’t he decided on an outfit for the reopening?

“Cher, what do I wear?”

She blinked and opened her lips with a snide comment when there was a knock on the door. Angel peeked out of his closet in confusion.

“Babes, please go see who that is, and if it’s Tally, I’m not ready yet!”

Cherri sighed exasperatedly, then flung the door open.

A wide grin split her face.

“Hey, Ange…ya gonna wanna see this.”

Angel came flying out of the closet wrapped in nothing but a robe.

“Who is it? What…the hell?” he asked in confusion as he stared down at the dozen baby pink roses in a white vase that were set beside a large, flat box that was wrapped with an exquisite pink bow.

Cherri squealed again and grabbed the box while the spider curiously picked up the roses.

He looked for a note or a card to give him a clue as to who they had come from, but there wasn’t one.

But he had his hopes.

With a soft smile, he placed them on his bedside table.

He looked over at Cherri, who was practically vibrating with nervous and excited energy.

“Open the box! It’s gotta be somethin’ good!”

Angel slowly nodded, before his shaking fingers slid the bow from the box.

He lifted the lid.

Lying on top of the rosy tissue paper was a thick envelope with lovely, familiar handwriting. He quickly opened the envelope and tugged out a single page.

For my star of the show

Angel stared at the note for a long moment, before gently pushing the tissue paper aside.

And immediately burst into tears.

Folded beautifully in the box was a pile of pink satin and gauzy gold.

His incomplete project. His dress.

Finished.

Perfect.

His eyes swam as he pulled the dress from its confinement and held it up against himself. Cherri gasped when she saw what he had received.

“WHO THE HELL FINISHED IT?” she screamed in shock and surprise.

Angel shook his head through happy sobs. “I-I…I have no…no idea!” he hiccupped, hugging the dress against his chest fluff. He glanced at the clock. “Cher! Ya gotta help me!”

“Hey, hey, hol’ up, Angie baby,” he said before gently tugging him until he was sitting back on the bed. “Ya got a couple hours and ya gotta get ya models ready before ya get dressed.” She wiped his cheeks and hugged his shoulder. “Besides, can’t let everyone see ya before the show!”

Angel rubbed his eyes with the back of his wrists. “Yeah…ya right.”

He stood and brushed himself off while Cherri put the dress on a hanger and placed it carefully in his closet. “Well…let’s get those models ready!”

~*~

It was nearly six.

The show was to start in five minutes.

And Angel was nearly ready.

Cherri had helped him into the dress and slid on a pair of black and gold boots that went just to his knees. He had patted on just the barest trace of makeup, enough pink and black to set off his eyes, and tugged black gloves over his upper arms and gold gloves over his lower. Cherri pinned a delicate golden butterfly accessory into his hair.

He came and stood in front of his mirror and spun slowly.

It was everything he had hoped it would be.

The pink satin lay gracefully over his shoulders and peeks of gold could be seen through the folds and woven through the bodice.

“Angie, ya look gorgeous!” Cherri squeaked in happiness, then looked up at the clock.

Two minutes.

With a deep breath, Angel nodded.

“Let’s go.” Cherri grinned and offered her arm. Angel grasped it and together they raced to the elevator and up to the fourth floor. Angel could hear the music and applause from the crowd below them. Cherri pressed a quick kiss to his cheek and disappeared down the hallway to get back to her spot at the door.

Carefully he climbed down the stairs until he was standing just behind the stage. His last two models saw him and gasped in surprise and happiness at his attire before they strutted out onto the runway.

Angel sucked in a deep breath as he heard the final crescendo of the music, and he went to walk through the curtain.

But a paw on his hand stopped him.

His head turned to stare in shock at the Overlord who had appeared beside him.

“Heya kid. Thought ya might want an escort,” he stated with a smile at the stunned spider.

Angel had to blink more tears away. Husk had fitted himself into a solid black tuxedo, but the shirt underneath was a shade of pink that matched Angel’s dress and the vest just peeking out was gold.

A pink rose boutonniere was pinned to his lapel.

With a grin, he tugged the spider through the curtain to thunderous applause.

Slowly, carefully so as not to step on his train, Angel allowed himself to be escorted down the runway until he was standing directly in the spotlight.

He couldn’t wipe the smile from his face as he twirled and posed; all the while, Husk gently held his hand to help steady him.

The crowd went wild and jumped from their seats as the Overlord bent into a low, graceful bow and kissed Angel’s hand. The spider’s face flushed as Husk glanced up at him with wicked golden eyes and winked.

“Ya look gorgeous, Angel,” he whispered before fluttering his wings to properly twirl the spider once more, then guiding him from the stage.

The still clapping crowd parted for them, and they hurriedly followed after the models, out the door and into the elevator. As soon as the doors closed, there were squeals and screams of delight from every one of his models and he suddenly had arms thrown around him from all directions.

Nothing in all of hell could stop him from smiling and laughing in pure bliss.

And through it all, the Overlord never once let go of his hand.

Chapter Text

The reopening of the Ace of Hearts was a smashing success.

So much so that Husk decided to hold another show a month later.

Never before had Greed seen so many sinners traverse from other Rings, just to come play at the casino or to visit the fashion icon of the entirety of Hell.

For the next month or so, Angel was constantly busy. One meeting bled right into another, one client melted into three or four.

He loved his new job, his new life.

He was so tired.

But not in a bad way.

~*~

“Yo, Ange, ya got a minute?” Cherri popped her head into the studio to see the spider lying on the floor and carefully pinning up the hem of the dress Tally would be wearing in the next show.

It was floor length black and silver and hugged her curves perfectly. Angel twirled his upper hand in the air and the fox spun slowly until he tapped her foot pad. She immediately stopped and he gathered more fabric to sew together. While his upper hands pinned and stuck fabric tape along the seams, his lower hands waved Cherri in.

The cyclops chuckled when she noticed that he had about six safety pins stuck between his teeth.

Once he was satisfied, he tapped her ankle, and she bounced off to preen in the mirror. Slowly, he stood and stretched his limbs and his back while yanking the pins from his lips.

“Sup,” he rasped, grabbing his bottle of wine from his worktable, and drinking down almost half.

Cherri rolled her eye. “How’s everythin’ goin’?” While he took another drink, she pulled out her phone to check messages and to look at the security cameras Pentious had installed around the casino.

No new messages, nothing out of the ordinary on the cameras.

Angel sighed and petted Fat Nuggets’ back while he laid his head down on the table. “It’s coming along. It’s a little slower than the last one, but I’ll manage.”

Cherri nodded, her fingers twitching on her phone. “Yeah, I figured. How many orders ya got ta finish before the show?” She chuckled softly as she saw Angel start physically counting on his fingers, then he brought up a second pair of hands…then a third.

He groaned. “Thirty-two. I got thirty-two orders to finish.” He ran his upper hands through his hair. “Don’t get me wrong, I'm excited but damn…I need a break.” He lifted his head just enough to finish off the bottle, then dropped back onto the table.

Cherri shifted on her toes. Angel knew her nervous bouncing meant she had news.

“Cherri, just spit it out.”

“Pentious asked me on a date.”

Angel’s head snapped up. “Really? Gee, it only took him a couple months!”

“Wait, ya knew?” she shrieked, and Angel chuckled at her reddened cheeks.

“Cher, babes, everyone knew. How could you not see it? He was constantly staring at you and treating you nice and shit.”

She flushed an even darker shade. ”Uh…he actually told me that he made sure we had so many turf wars because he just wanted to see me, but he never worked up the nerve to ask me out.”

“See? Told ya,” Angel smirked and hugged the piglet into his chest fluff. “So, when ya goin’?”

She pushed her hair behind her ear. “Actually, Husk gave us the night of the fashion show off. So…I won’t be here and neither will Pentious.”

Angel grinned. “That’s cool though! I'm so happy for ya!”

“Yeah, but I feel bad. I feel like I’ll be abandoning ya!”

She sighed as Angel reached out to grab her hand. “Cher, it’s ok. It’ll just be like last time, minus me being the showstopper.”

Cherri laughed. “Fair point.” She snapped her bubble gum. “Speaking of dates, ya and the boss doin’ anything?”

Angel’s eyes lowered, and his expression dropped. “I mean, I see him. He comes in and we talk all the time, but it's mostly about designs and how stuff can be improved…”

“Has he never made a move on ya?”

Angel shook his head. “He tried to kiss me way before the show, but he was drunk and I stopped him.” Cherri nodded for Angel to continue. “Then at the show…well ya saw. I thought he might actually like me, ya know, but he ain’t ever tried anything else.”

When Angel dropped his head to the table again, Cherri came up behind him and started rubbing his back.

“Ange, maybe he’s just wantin’ ta take it slow,” her fingers moved to slide through his hair, “after all, he tried ta kiss ya and ya didn’t let him, and I mean…he’s ya Overlord. Maybe he’s just tryin’ ta be respectful.”

“But Cher,” Angel whined, “I want him to want me like I want him! I want him to love me…” He felt tears, but he blinked them away. “But he won’t love me…”

“Ya don’t know that, little bitch,” Cherri stated affectionately, “have ya talked ta him ‘bout it?”

Angel shook his head. “No? I mean how does that conversation come about? ‘Oh hi boss, I just wanted to let you know that I’m desperately in love with you and I want to be yours forever’?” He pulled Fat Nuggets further into his arms. “He doesn’t feel that way about me.”

“Angie, he kissed ya hand in front of hundreds of people. He bought ya roses. He finished ya dress. He gave ya Nuggs.” She scratched her long nails against his scalp. “If all that ain’t love, I don’t know what is.”

“But Cher, I want more,” he whispered, “I want all of him. I want to go to bed with him, I want to wake up next to him, I want him to slow dance with me in my workshop, I want him to give me sleepy kisses, or at this rate any kiss will do, but Cher, the point is that I love him and I want to be his.”

Fat Nuggets squeaked and gently rammed his snout into Angel’s hair. The spider sighed and when he lifted his head, the piglet licked away the tears that streaked down his cheeks.

Cherri nodded and sat up on the work table to lean right down into his face. “Maybe he feels the same way, but ya not seein’ it, like apparently I did with Pentious.” Angel shook his head and she stuck her fingers under his chin to lift his face so he had to make eye contact with her. “Look, ya show is in like a week. If he ain’t done anythin’ by then, then ya grab him afterwards and plant a big sloppy kiss on him.”

“CHERRI!” Angel screeched, “I can’t!”

“And why not ya big baby?”

“Because-“

“Ange, ya aint got an excuse,” she stated as she patted his head, “what’s the worst that could happen?”

“He could tell me to never do it again, he could shatter my heart, he could se-“

“Ok, stop right the fuck there, bitch, I know where you're mind was takin’ ya,” Cherri sighed, and Angel lifted his head to stare at her, “that cat ain’t ever gonna give ya back ta Val.” She wiped away tears that started to slide down his cheeks. “Talk to him, Ange. He’s a good guy, he’ll listen.”

“I…I know but…what if he tells me that it’ll never happen…”

Cherri put her finger over Angel's lips to stop his rambling and gave his forehead a quick peck.

“Then at least ya’ll know.”

~*~

It was the night of the second show.

Angel hadn’t stopped thinking about what Cherri had said, but he hadn’t gotten the chance to talk to Husk. The feline had been busy with preparations for the show, and Angel had to finish all of his orders and get the models’ outfits ready.

Everything was finally set to go. He had picked out a simple, floor length black dress with sheer long sleeves and a partially open back.

All he had left to do was wait, so he sat in his bedroom just staring in the mirror on his new vanity.

His fur was flawless, unmarked. There weren’t bruises. There weren’t bite marks on his neck or shoulders. He didn’t need to hide anything. He wasn’t ashamed of who he was now. He was no longer just a body on film, just an object to exploit.

He was Angel Dust, fashion designer extraordinaire.

And…

He was Anthony: the man on a collar and chain who was in love with someone he couldn’t have.

A knock on his door yanked him out of his thoughts. “Come in.”

The door cracked open and a pair of furry ears poked into the room. Angel smiled. Husk gave him a wink.

“I hoped I would catch ya before you made it to the floor,” he purred as he sauntered up behind the spider. He leaned down until his face was side by side with Angel’s and they just stared at each other in the mirror for a long moment. “I have something for ya.”

Angel’s eyes widened in surprise, and the feline grinned. “Close your eyes.” The spider complied. He shivered as he felt soft paws on his shoulders, collarbones, then a thin cold chain was attached behind his neck. The paws squeezed his shoulders gently, and he sucked in a breath when he felt a feather light brush of lips against his cheek. “OK, open.”

Angel blinked once, twice and then he caught his reflection.

He gasped and his fingers flew to his neck to just barely touch the short golden chain, and the webbed heart piece settled right at his throat. His eyes widened even more as he noticed at the very center of the web sat a flawless ruby cut into the shape of a heart.

“Oh…” he breathed, and his cheeks flamed, “it’s…it’s so beautiful. Thank you.” He gave the Overlord a soft smile.

Husk beamed. “ I’m glad you like it.” He took a step back and offered Angel one of his paws. “You look amazing, Angel. Are you ready?”

Angel nodded shyly, and allowed himself to be escorted to the lounge.

~*~

The show was another huge success.

As soon as the last model strutted off the stage, Angel was surrounded and bombarded with questions and requests from other sinners, demons, and even two Overlords wanting to set up meetings with him. He couldn’t answer everyone at once, so he was relieved when two furry paws pushed their way through the crowd, and Husk positioned himself between the mass of people and Angel. He gently flexed his wings, forcing the group to take a few steps away.

“Thank you all so much for joining us tonight, and if you will leave messages on the AngelWear web, we will be in contact to discuss further meetings.” Angel smiled weakly when the Overlord glanced behind him and into the spider’s eyes. “But for now, we appreciate your attention and your enthusiasm, and we’ll be in touch.”

As the crowd dispersed, Husk turned to offer Angel his paw, and the spider took it. The Overlord looked at him with concern as they made their way to the bar. “Are you ok?” He held up two claws at Travis who nodded and popped the cork on a dark bottle.

Angel sighed and nodded. “Yeah, just tired. There were so many people, and I’m already swamped with work…”

Husk nodded, and reached for two glasses of bubbly champagne that Travis had pushed over the counter. “Angel, we don’t have to take every client,” he said softly, and handed the spider the flute. Angel’s eyes widened as he noticed that the drink was…pink.

“But, I feel like we need every person who sends me requests. And it’s all right, I’ll manage.” He narrowed his eyes at the drink. “How did you get pink champagne?” he asked curiously. Husk grinned and tapped his glass with the spiders.

“I requested cherry champagne, and Travis found some for you.”

Angel smiled shyly and took a sip. It was surprisingly thick and overwhelmed with cherry flavoring. “I didn't even know that cherry champagne even existed.” He downed the glass as he felt the feline tangle his paw with one of Angel’s lower hands.

“You know..” Husk started, but Angel’s attention was pulled away as music started filtering through the speakers. He noticed the runway had been shifted into a small stage where a jazz band was playing softly and Alastor was standing in the front. He cocked his head as the Radio Demon manifested his cane and started…singing. It was mostly his voice, but with enough filter to make it sound almost exactly like the original artist.

Some day, when I'm awfully low

When the world is cold

Angel’s face broke into a huge smile. “ I love this song!” But his eyes widened when the Overlord offered his paw with a graceful bow, and Angel took it again. They both made their way onto the open floor before the stage, to both Angel’s happiness and his embarrassment.

Husk took Angel’s top set of arms and arranged them on his shoulder and in his paw, and the spider gently wrapped his lower set around his waist. Angel could feel his cheeks heating.

“Boss…I don't know how to dance like this,“ he whispered in mortification, and the feline winked at him.

“Do ya trust me?” Husk whispered back, and Angel nodded. “Good, just me lead. I’ll take ya where ya need to go.”

I will feel a glow just thinking of you

And the way you look tonight

Angel’s first few steps were stiff and unsure, but Husk gave his hand a gentle squeeze and pulled the spider closer with the hand on his waist.

And then they were spinning, twirling in an almost flawless waltz. Angel felt himself let go, let himself be free to enjoy this moment. He knew his cheeks were flushed, but he no longer cared.

Yes, you’re so lovely, with your smile so warm

He tilted his head back with a laugh as the Overlord flapped his wings to lift himself just enough to twirl Angel under his arm before waltzing with him again. The spider gave the Overlord a happy smile.

And Husk smiled back so gently. He pulled the spider ever closer until their bodies were flush with one another.

And your cheeks so soft

The Overlord let go of Angel’s waist to reach up and just brush a paw over the spider’s heated cheek, and Angel’s breath caught when he saw the look in his eyes.

There is nothing for me but to love you

Love.

Pure adoration and love in those bright golden eyes.

But he’s not seeing you

Angel felt his heart stop. His mind had to be playing tricks on him…

Right?

And the way you look tonight

The love in his eyes isn’t for you.

You’re not who he loves.

Angel let the smile fall from his lips.

Of course. He’d forgotten in the moment.

With each word your tenderness grows

What happens when the boy he loves so much returns?

Angel glanced away towards Alastor, who stared at them, his usual manic grin nowhere to be seen. It was the first time Angel had seen a real smile from the Radio Demon.

Husk will discard you.

You’re just a toy, something to be used and played with.

Tearing my fear apart

“Angel?”

The spider’s eyes snapped back to the Overlord.

You don’t deserve him.

He's too good for you.

Angel felt tears building, and he couldn't meet Husk’s concerned gaze. He lightly shook his head.

And that laugh that wrinkles your nose

He hadn’t realized until that moment that they were no longer the only ones on the dance floor, and the Overlord had begun to spin them away from the crowd.

See? It’s an act.

He doesn’t want anyone to see you cry. It would make him look bad.

It touches my foolish heart

“Angel? Are you all right?” Husk whispered and reached up to gently turn the spider’s face back toward him.

Angel sucked in a deep, shaky breath as he finally met Husk’s eyes.

You don’t matter.

Lovely, Never, ever change

“I…I can’t.”

You’re nothing.

Keep that breathless charm

Angel gently removed the Overlord’s paw from his face and took a step back.

He had to look away to hide his tears.

Useless.

Weak.

Won’t you please arrange it?

“Angel, what’s wrong?”

The spider could hear desperation and sadness in his voice.

Unwanted.

Unlovable.

“I…I just can’t. I know you don’t care for me like this.” He reached up to wipe away tears that had escaped his eyes. “When ya find…when ya find him, you won’t need or want me anymore.” He took another step back, but the Overlord stepped with him and tightened his grip on Angel’s hand.

‘Cause I love you

“Angel, that’s-“

The spider shook his head again, more tears falling free.

But he still looked at Husk with a smile.

“I really hope you find him one day. And I truly hope he knows how much you love him.”

He saw confusion and hurt in those heartbroken golden eyes.

Just the way you look tonight

“Because I would give anything to have you love me the way that I love you.”

Before he could change his mind, he leaned down and pressed his lips to the Overlord’s, and Husk immediately deepened the kiss, gently holding the spider’s cheeks in his paws.

He tasted cheap whisky.

Expensive cigars.

Cinnamon candy.

He felt tears pour from his eyes as he pulled away.

He remembered.

He remembered who tasted just like him. Someone who had looked at him like he had hung the moon and stars in the night sky.

Eyes made of golden honey.

I wanna keep goin’, but we’re outta time.

His eyes widened, but he knew his mind was still playing with him. He reached up and let his fingers brush his own lips.

It was just like the man he had fallen for that night.

The night he died.

I’ll never forget ya…

Henry

This was too good to be true. It couldn’t be real.

Because nothing good happens in hell.

“It’s not fair.”

He turned and pulled his hand from Husk’s, and quickly made his way towards the door, but a furry paw gripped his wrist to stop him.

Angel flinched.

Run.

“Angel, please don’t…I-“

“Please let me go,” Angel whispered thickly.

The Overlord hesitated, then released his wrist. Angel couldn’t even look back before he fled from the room.

Just the way you look tonight.

Chapter Text

The dash down the hallway to his room felt as though it took a lifetime and Angel could barely see through the thick tears clouding his eyes. As soon as he would wipe some away, more would gather until the spider just gave up and let them fall freely.

He wrenched the door open, careened into his room and slammed it shut behind him. He put his back to the wood and slid down to the floor, wrapping his lower arms around his knees, and covering his face with his upper. He could barely breathe through the sobs that violently wracked his body.

He heard a little snort and peeked through his fingers to see Fat Nuggets looking up at him sadly. He grabbed the little piglet and held him tightly against his chest, more tears dripping from his eyes, off his chin and on top of Fat Nuggets’ head.

You’ll never be worthy of his love.

You’ll never be good enough.

Angel threw his head back with a silent scream of heartbreak. He wanted those thoughts gone. He wanted to race back to the Overlord’s arms and be held gently.

Just like Henry had done that night.

But it was over now. Henry was gone, Anthony was dead.

Angel was messed up and could never be happy. Husk cared…but not enough.

Time to let go.

It’s time to forget.

He finally sniffed away most of his tears and stood to his feet.

You know what to do.

This feeling was familiar.

He’d been through this before. For forty years, he’d survived like this.

He gave Fat Nuggets a kiss between his horns, then settled him on the bed.

Angel felt himself disassociate as he slipped out of his dress, just leaving it in a pile on the floor, and tugged his fancy boots from his legs.

He went to his closet and found an outfit that he had made, not for an occasion such as this, but it would get the job done…he had made it hoping to catch the Overlord’s eye.

A pink striped shirt that plumped up and showed off his chest fluff, a black bowtie, and a tiny black skirt that made his legs look miles long. He zipped up his boots that went to his thigh, sat down at his vanity, and scrubbed away his smeared makeup and the last of his tears.

Carefully, he drew on an uncomfortable amount of black liner and slapped on enough concealer to hide his puffy and swollen eyes.

As he slid on his favorite pink gloves, he caught the shine of his necklace in the mirror. He felt fresh tears threaten to spill as he unclasped it and placed it so carefully on his vanity.

He shook his head and squared his shoulders.

No. No more tears.

It’s time to forget.

Forget for good.

He gave Fat Nuggets one last pat on the head, and the piglet looked up at him in confusion and concern. Angel gave him a sad smile.

“Don’t worry, Nuggs, I’ll be back later.”

Without another word, he cracked his door open, peeked into the empty hallway, then dashed down the elevator, across the busy casino floor, and out the door into the dark.

~*~

He wandered around the streets for a little while, before he finally found the club that Tally, Cherri and Pentious had invited him to that night.

It was bustling, crowded and loud.

The perfect place to get high, get fucked, and get fucked up.

The perfect place to forget everything.

He pasted on his most flirtatious grin and sauntered into the bar. Almost immediately, two demons whistled at him, and he turned and winked at them.

A large shark demon approached him, and casually slid an arm around Angel’s waist. The spider felt himself flinch in surprise, but he quickly turned to face his new friend.

“Hey, handsome,” he purred, and gave the shark a wink.

The demon flashed a toothy grin. “Well, hey there, legs.” Angel suddenly felt disgusting as his body was ogled at. “Can I buy ya drink?”

This is who you are, Angel Dust.

Forget.

Angel fluffed up his hair with a sultry smile. “Ya sure can!”

Together they wandered over to the bar, and the shark ordered two shots, which Angel gratefully swallowed down.

It took a minute, but finally he could feel the alcohol warming his insides and he felt himself loosen up.

Have fun.

Surely someone here has something strong to shoot up.

He turned to the shark, who was deep in conversation with another demon. “Hey, handsome, ya got any-“

“Holy fuck are ya Angel Dust?” came a voice from behind him and Angel whipped his head around. Shifting until he was leaning on the bar stood a black spider, a cigarette dangling loosely from his lips, and a smirk on his face. “Shit, it is ya! The porn star!”

Angel squinted, then grinned wide when he recognized the familiar face. “Hey, ya remodeled my studio!” he cried, before placing his upper hands on the other spider’s shoulders. He winked. “Look, Imma lookin’ ta get fucked up tonight…”

The spider chuckled. “Say no more, babe,” he purred. From one of his pockets, he produced a small baggie of glistening white powder.

Angel Dust…this is who you are.

Angel gave the drugs a quick look, before the spider was tugging him from his seat at the bar and over towards a mostly empty corner. As he started pouring a line on the table, Angel reached into his chest fluff and pulled out a wad of cash, but the spider waved it away. “On the house. Ya look like ya need it, legs,” he huffed with a grin.

Angel gave him a smile. He’d never had a spider in bed before…it could be interesting and fun.

He rolled up one of the bills and inhaled the powder.

He immediately stood and shook his head, a cough forcing itself from his throat and his eyes watering.

Must have been clean too long.

The spider grinned and patted Angel on the back to help clear his airway. “Ya good?” Angel nodded and carefully wiped his eyes, trying to not mess up his makeup, but he could already feel it starting to smudge.

“Oh, yeah, baby,” Angel purred with a much larger smile. His sinuses burned, and his brain felt fuzzy. Next thing he knew, a shot of something pink was thrust into his hands by the shark demon from before. Angel threw it back into his mouth without question.

Then he inhaled the powder once more.

Again, everything burned, but Angel suffered through it.

Until a moment later, when the spider grabbed him and spun him around onto the dance floor, tugging Angel’s back against his chest and wrapping his arms around Angel’s waist and up into his chest fluff.

Angel suddenly felt dizzy, and his body felt sluggish.

Really must have been clean and sober too long.

He shook his head again to try to clear the fog.

The club melted away until he was back in the casino, the Overlord’s hands on his hips and tangled through his fingers. Those loving eyes still gazed up at him.

Then he was spun, and he felt Husk’s sharp teeth just barely graze his neck. The feline purred into his ear. “I’ll make ya feel so good, baby.”

Angel nodded contently…then frowned.

That wasn’t Husk’s voice.

No…no, something’s wrong.

He gasped and suddenly he was back in his body, in the club. The spider’s arms around him had tightened and he was breathing heavily into Angel’s ear.

Angel felt like he was going to be sick.

“Hey…uh…” he whined softly as his vision rapidly clouded over, and pushed the spider’s arms from around his waist, “I…I’m not feelin’…”

The spider turned Angel to face him, and he could see a look of concern…

Concern, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Yeah, babe, let’s get ya back home,” he muttered, throwing Angel’s arm over his shoulder. Together they slowly wandered through the club and out the back door into a darkened alley.

The cool breeze felt amazing on Angel’s overheated skin and sweaty fur. Then as his eyes cleared, he saw a group of rough looking thugs staring at him. He turned to glance at the spider, who grinned wickedly. He gave Angel a shove toward the other demons.

Angel gasped in shock as he was caught around his chest and waist in several big, burly arms and held tightly.

“What…what’s goin’ on?” he asked, surprised at the slurring of his own voice. The spider rolled his eyes and brushed himself off, obviously disgusted by Angel’s very presence on his clothes and fur.

“Aw, really, ya gonna play dumb, Tony?” Angel’s eyes widened.

No one besides Val and Cherri knew his real name.

The spider snarled. “Don’ tell me ya don’ recognize ya own brother.”

Angel felt his body stiffen, but he couldn’t control his movements anymore.

“Bro…brother? Angelo?…Wha-“

The spider frowned, then walked over and slapped Angel’s face hard.

“I ain’t Angelo anymore. Name’s Arackniss.” He grinned again as Angel tried to struggle in the demon’s strong arms, to the point of even extending his third set of arms in sheer panic. “No use, Tony. That wasn’t any ordinary Angel Dust that I gave ya.”

Angel felt his heart race. “What…whaddya mean?”

“See, there’s this new shit that pops has been workin’ on with his new business partner.” The smile he gave Angel was pure evil. “What ya snorted was crushed angelic steel, mixed with a paralytic from the pink shot that I gave ya. Ha, literal angel dust.” Angel yelped as all six of his arms were roughly dragged behind him and cuffed together. Arackniss tightly gripped Angel’s chin between his fingers. “It won’t kill ya, an’ it’ll eventually work its way outta ya system, but it’ll hurt like fuck fo’ awhile. An’ even though ya gonna be paralyzed, y’all still feel everythin’.” He nodded at the group of thugs, and they all gave Angel predatory looks. “Don’ worry, we’re gonna take ya ta see the ol’ man himself in a minute.”

“Hey, Angelo-“ started one smaller shark demons, and Arackniss slapped him so violently that the demon took two steps back.

“I tol’ ya, MY NAME AIN’ ANGELO!” he shouted.

The little demon nodded with a whimper. “Yeah boss, sorry boss.” He gave Angel another hungry glance. “Ya gonna keep ya promise? I ‘member what ya said when he started heading over here-“

Arackniss sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Yeah, I ain’t forgot.” He winked at Angel. “He’s all ya’s, take ‘im and fuck ‘im up good. But big boss said no permanent damage, no scars, no angelic weapon usage.” He examined his nails as Angel was yanked, shifted, surrounded. “When ya done, we gotta get moving. Boss wants ta use ‘im as bait fo’ that damn cat.”

Angel whimpered in fear and pain as he felt his shirt ripped from his body, but he couldn’t stop any of it. He saw the group of demons descend upon him.

The last thing he felt before his mind slipped away into familiar darkness were hands violating him everywhere.

And the last thing he thought of was how he’d never see his Overlord again.

♤♡◇♧

Husk was drunk.

As soon as Angel had disappeared through the door, he wanted so badly to follow him.

But he knew he shouldn’t. He knew the spider needed space.

He sighed and left the lounge to go to the penthouse and stare out the window at the bustling city below him.

Then he hurried to the bar, yanked out a bottle of the cheapest whisky he could find, and downed it all in one go. Then he found a second bottle and finished it too.

He took a third bottle with him as he felt the liquor start racing through his veins and collapsed into the chair at his desk. He pulled the bowtie from around his neck and threw it across the room. He felt the world start to go fuzzy and he laid his head down on the desk.

The cool wood felt nice on his face.

He wasn’t sure how long he laid there, lost in his own thoughts.

What had he done wrong?

All he wanted was to love Angel.

And he did.

Anthony must have gone to Heaven. There was no point in looking anymore.

Especially since he had found himself tumbling headfirst into love with the pretty spider.

He let his thoughts marinate in his brain for what felt like hours.

Without warning, the elevator door dinged open.

“Boss!” Cherri shrieked and raced over to the drunken Overlord. Sir Pentious was not far behind her.

Husk groaned but didn’t lift his head. “What, Cherri? Can’t ya see I’m drinkin’?”

Cherri sighed and fixed her ragged hair. “Boss…ya seen Angie?”

“Ha, not since he ran out on me,” Husk chuckled mirthlessly. “Why ya askin’ me? Go talk ta him yourself. He’s probably in his room.”

“That’s just it. He ain’t in his room.”

Husk sighed and lifted his head to stare blearily into her eye. “So? Probably went out for a bit.”

Cherri chewed nervously on her lips. “But he wouldn’t just leave Nuggs there by himself.”

Husk waved his hand carelessly. “I’m sure he’ll be back in a bit.”

At that moment, shadows swirled from the floor and Alastor appeared.

“Husker, there’s something you should see.”

“Is my office just becoming the new hangout spot?” he cried and dropped his face back to his desk.

His head snapped up at Cherri’s cry of, “No, Ange…”

There in Alastor’s hand was a shredded pink shirt, covered in blood.

“What the hell…Al, where did ya find this?”

“Someone had tied it to the main entrance door. Niffty happened upon it as she was emptying the garbage.”

Husk shakily took the cloth from Alastor’s hand. He ran his paws along the torn black trim and felt with fear that the blood had not yet dried.

Then he frowned as his claw snagged against a piece of paper pinned inside the trim.

Quickly he tore the note from the shirt and ripped it open.

All color drained from his face.

If you ever want to see Angel Dust alive again, come to the Scarlet Palace by midnight.

Bring his contract and come alone.

If you do not comply, you will start receiving pieces of him delivered to the casino every hour until you do.

Val

Husk dropped the note in shock and Cherri immediately grabbed it. Tears flooded her eye as she handed the note behind her to the serpent.

“Did he not tell you he was going out?” Husk whispered to the pair. Cherri shook her head.

“No…we weren’t here.”

The feline’s eyes narrowed. “Why the fuck not?”

Sir Pentious frowned. “Sssir, you gave usss the night off.” He flushed a little. “We were out on a date.”

Husk felt his fur stand on end. “I never gave you the night off. There was a show tonight, everyone was required to work the casino.”

Cherri cocked her head in confusion, then pulled her phone out of her pocket. She swiped through apps until she found her email list.

“Yeah ya did, boss, see?” she stated as she showed Husk the emailed work schedule.

Sure enough, they weren’t on the list.

“I wouldn’t have…” he suddenly tensed.

No. There was no way.

“Pentious, go look at your cameras and check your email.”

“Uh…yesss sssir,” he said as he slithered away.

When Husk saw the elevator stop on the correct floor, he noticed Cherri staring at the note with a confused expression.

“What is it Cherri?”

“Boss…that ain’t Val’s signature,” she said as she pointed to the sloppy writing at the bottom of the note. “His has swirls and curls and other unnecessary frills…but this one…?”

Before Husk could say anything, Alastor piped up. “She is telling the truth. I have seen Val’s signature, and this is most definitely not his.”

Cherri roughly tugged on her ponytail. “Do ya know any other Vals?”

Husk frowned again. “No…just the one.” He groaned and dropped his head into his hands. “Why? Why did this happen? Why did he have to run away like that?” He sniffled and surprised himself to see a single tear drip onto his desk.

“Why did he run?” Cherri asked.

“I don’t know. We were dancing and he was laughing, and I was trying to be romantic…I thought it was working. I thought…”

Cherri huffed in annoyance and leaned on the desk. “He would be so happy to be with ya if ya just forgot about ya boy an loved hi-“

“ANTHONY!” Husk roared as his eyes flashed and his wings expanded behind him. Cherri took a quick step back. “His name was Anthony! Now stop callin’ him ‘my boy’ and USE HIS FUCKING NAME!”

Cherri gaped at him in surprise and shock, but before she could speak, Sir Pentious returned.

“Sssir, we’ve been had!” he hissed in anger, his hood flaring violently. “Sssomeone hacked my sssyssstem. The camerasss have all been frozen on one image for twenty-four hoursss!” He held out a printed paper. “Thisss is the email that you sssent out, and,” he grabbed Cherri’s phone to hold up next to it, “thisss isss the email we all reccceived.”

They were different.

The only thing that wasn’t correct was that Cherri and Pentious were not scheduled to work.

Husk’s eyes flew open.

Someone had planned all of this.

“Who the fuck got into this building that was smart enough to do this shit?” he shouted and crumbled the emailed note in his paw.

Pentious wordlessly held out another sheet. Husk yanked it away and stared at the printed image.

Travis was speaking to a black spider by the loading doors, and money was being exchanged between them.

He knew that spider.

He was the one who remodeled Angel’s workshop.

“Fuckin’…Alastor, bring me Travis.”

The Radio Demon smiled wide. “Right away, sir.”

Husk rubbed his paws roughly over his face. He could feel more tears coming.

This had been all his fault.

“Boss…” Cherri whispered.

“What?”

“Ya…ya boy’s name is Anthony?”

Husk felt a growl in the back of his throat, but he swallowed it down and nodded. He glanced up to see surprise written on Cherri’s face.

Along with a smile.

“Summon Angel’s contract, right now,” she demanded, leaning down on the desk again. Husk sat back, his eyes narrowing in confusion.

“Why-“

“Jus’ do it!” Cherri cried in annoyance. When the Overlord didn’t move she slammed a fist against the wood. “Fuck all, ya tellin’ me ya never read it?”

“Cherri-“

“I mean, are ya stupid? Didn’t ya even look at it?”

“I-“

“Seriously, summon the damn thing!”

“I can’t.”

Cherri stopped ranting long enough to stare down into the Overlord’s wide golden eyes. “Yes ya can, ya’re an Overlord! I seen ya do it before wit’ Pentious!”

“Cherri…I can’t summon it,” he whispered, his cheeks flushing scarlet.

“WHY THE FUCK NOT?” she screamed.

“Because I don’t have it.”

The cyclops froze.

“Say that again,” she hissed.

Husk sighed. “I don’t have his contract.”

“WHO THE FUCK DOES, HUSK?”

He stared up into her flashing eye and gave her the smallest smile. “No one. His soul belongs to him.”

Cherri stopped and her mouth dropped open. “He…he’s…he’s free?” she whispered, tears beginning to pour down her cheeks. “Since…since when?”

Husk dropped his eyes to stare at the desk. “Since the moment Val walked out of the casino that night.”

Cherri started shaking. “Why…why didn’t ya tell him?”

“I-“

“Sir, I’ve brought Travis,” Alastor announced as he yanked a squealing Travis from the shadowy portal in the floor. The Radio Demon grinned wildly as he threw the bartender at the Overlord. The bird blinked owlishly at Husk.

“Wha…what’s this all about, sir?” he squeaked. He trembled in terror as Husk’s form shifted until the hulking demonic form stood crouched before him. “I…I do-“

His words were silenced as one of Husk’s claws pressed against his chest and pushed him until his back was pressed against the wall. That claw began to dig in deeper.

“Tell me what you’ve done with Angel, or I’ll tear your soul apart right here.”

Travis’ eyes widened in fear. “I…it wasn’t me! I was just paid to let Arackniss and his boys into the building as contractors!” He whimpered as the claw broke through skin.

“That’s not all,” Husk growled, “why were you taking money from him?”

Travis’ gaze shifted over the Overlord’s shoulder to see Pentious holding up said convicting evidence. He sighed.

“I was paid to give Angel special cherry champagne. You ordered a difficult drink to find, but I found some. Arackniss told me to serve Angel one specific bottle.”

“What was in it?”

“Distilled Love Potion from Velvette mixed with some of Valintino’s hypnotic saliva.”

“Why?”

“Because someone needed him fucked up enough to leave the casino without you. Arackniss grabbed him and took him to the Scarlet Palace across the city.” He shifted uncomfortably.

“Who did this?”

“…The Vees.”

He screeched in pain as Husk roared and jammed his claw clear through Travis’ chest, and he hung limp in his paws.

“Get out of my sight,” Husk snarled and threw the bird across the room. As his form shifted and he flapped his wings, he looked at the Radio Demon. “Alastor, lock him up somewhere. I’ll deal with him when I get back.”

Alastor’s grin nearly split his face. “With pleasure.” He grabbed Travis around his neck, and they disappeared through another shadow portal.

Husk raked his paws through his hair with fear and concern.

The Vees had Angel.

Wait…

“Hey, that note…you said it wasn’t Val’s signature?” he asked Cherri with a frown.

She nodded. “Yeah, that ain’t his.”

“But…I don’t know any other Vals…” he stated in confusion.

His gaze was pulled to Cherri’s look of realization. “What? What is it Cherri?”

“…I know who grabbed him.”

Husk grabbed her shoulders in desperation. “Who? Who the hell did this?”

“Angie’s father. His name is Valerio, or at least it was when he was alive.”

Husk felt his heart stop.

He knew that name.

Valerio DeLuise.

“I tried to cheat ya daddy out of cash at the casino.”

“How’d ya swindle him?”

“Stashed an ace o’ hearts up my sleeve. Yah, I know, oldest trick in the damn book.”

“Anthony…” he breathed in shock and elation, and Cherri smiled at him.

“Yeah…Angel’s name is Anthony. Ya’ve had ya boy all this time.” She cracked her neck and popped her knuckles. “Now, let’s go get ‘im back from those assholes.”

Husk hesitated. “Cherri, I have to go alone.”

She smiled wildly. “Oh no ya don’t. We’re comin’ too, ain’t we Slithers?”

Sir Pentious flushed and buried his face in his hands. “Yesss, Cherri, we ssshall go and ressscue Angel!”

Right at that moment, the elevator dinged open again and all eyes turned to stare at the newcomer as she skipped across the room to join the group.

“What? I’m goin’ too!” Niffty shrieked and cackled while she brandished her kitchen knife over her head. “I promised Angel that I’d steal the evil moth man’s neck fluff if I saw him again! So…I’m goin’!”

“Nif, how’d ya know what we were talkin’ about?” Cherri questioned curiously and warily. The little cyclops grinned wide.

“The snake put cameras everywhere and I know how to watch them.” She glanced around and pointed above the window behind them all. “Heh, see? There’s one.”

“Pentious, why did you put one in the penthouse?” Husk asked with a warning growl in his voice and the snake shrugged.

“In cassse sssomeone tried to copy me and broke in. That way, I could catch them on video.”

Husk stared at them all for a long moment.

Then the grin he flashed was enough to frighten anyone.

“All right. Let’s go get my boy…my Anthony back.” He flared his wings again. “I gotta tell him that I love him.”

Chapter Text

Angel was in pain everywhere.

He could feel pounding, pulsing agony from every point in his body.

Even just breathing hurt. Every single beat of his heart set off tremors of agony throughout his nervous system.

Just his very existence was excruciating.

He wasn’t sure how long he had been out of it, but he finally heard people talking. With a sick realization, he recognized Angelo’s…Arackniss’ now…and his father’s voices. They seemed to be speaking across a room, and he could hear shuffling movement around him.

He felt rope eating into all three sets of his wrists. He knew he was seated with all six arms tied tightly behind him. He knew that blood was running freely down his face, and all across his body.

He didn’t want to open his eyes.

But he had to. He had to see for himself.

With a soft groan, he blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

His vision was cloudy, and he could barely open his lower sets of eyes.

Then he lifted his head.

His eyes darted around taking in his surroundings.

He was being kept in some form of warehouse or office building, but there was a large picture window that took up the entire wall in front of him. The lights were dim and gave off a sickly greenish hue, and he noticed two silhouettes against the dreary smoky backdrop of the Greed sky at night.

Even the moonlight was dim.

His heart plummeted to his toes when he noticed a large tarantula demon, who he knew was his father, speaking loudly to a very tall demon who had his back to Angel.

But he would know that form anywhere.

Suddenly he felt hands in his hair and his neck was yanked back. He yelped in pain.

“Yo, pops, boss,” Arackniss called from behind him, “I think the little slut is awake.”

Both demons turned to face him, and Angel knew.

He wasn’t walking out of this unscathed.

“Angelcakes, I’ve missed you!” Valentino purred and knelt down to grip Angel under his chin. “Oh dear, mi amor, you look dreadful,” he stated with a wide smile. Angel could hear cruelty behind mostly fake concern.

The moth didn’t care about his wellbeing, only that his property was undamaged.

And Angel had nothing left.

His Overlord didn’t know he was missing. Cherri and Pentious weren’t at the casino.

No one was coming for him.

He had nothing left to lose.

He grinned. “Fuck off, Val,” he rasped before he spit a mouthful of blood all over the moth’s glasses.

Valentino shrieked, then backhanded Angel so hard that the spider saw stars.

“You little whore,” he hissed before yanking the pink heart frames from his face and trying to delicately clean them on one of his wings, “you should be grateful to me.”

Angel’s eyes widened in shock. “Why? Because ya took me in? Because ya manipulated me into lovin’ ya?” Angel asked, and he could feel more blood drip from his chin. “Ya don’t care about me. Ya only kept me because I made ya a fuck ton of money.” He glared up into Val’s enraged face. “I got a betta Overlord now whose kept me safe, and who cares about me. I’m sure he’ll be here soon to fucking destroy you.” He tried to hold his stare and hoped that they couldn’t see through his bluff.

An evil smirk creased both Valentino’s face and his father’s.

“Oh please, Angelito,” Val stated smugly as he stood to his full height and took a long drag on his cigarette. “If he cared so much, why did he let you run off like you did? Why didn’t he stop you?”

Angel felt his heart break all over again.

He knew the moth was right.

His lips thinned in defiance. “I asked for space, and he was kind enough to give it to me.”

Val threw his head back with a loud laugh. “Oh yes, of course! That’s what he said when you ran out of the lounge crying like a little bitch!”

Angel’s eyes widened. “Wait…how did you-“

“Oh please, Tony, are ya still playing dumb?” Arackniss asked from behind him. Angel hissed as he felt another rough yank on his hair. “When I fixed up ya studio, I put cameras in, and I fucked with the ones the snake made.” Angel winced away from the pink smoke Val blew gently into his face. “It was all too easy to get boss Vox connected into that damn Overlord’s casino security system.”

Wait…Vox?

Angel squinted up at the grinning moth. “Are all the damn Vees in on this?” He struggled in his bonds, but to no avail. “What the fuck do ya want from us?”

Val reached down and gripped Angel’s face. “You, my little star, my Angelcakes. I want you back. Do you know how much money I’ve lost?”

Angel jerked his head back and away from the moth’s long talons. “Then maybe ya shoulda thought about that before ya gambled me away.”

Another hit to his cheek.

More blood.

Still, through all the pain, Angel smiled. “Husk is a betta Overlord than ya’ll ever be. Ya can hit me, cut me, fuck me, ya can do whateva ya want, but he’ll still be betta than ya.” He stared up at Val and his grin grew wide. “And even if ya somehow get my contract back, all ya’ll get is my body and my soul. But ya can’t have my heart because it belongs to him. And it always will.”

His eyes suddenly watered, and he yelled in pain as the moth raked his talons across Angel’s thigh, right across the old wound he had given him once before. His fur and skin immediately split, and blood poured down his leg to pool around his feet.

Val wrapped his talons around Angel’s neck and squeezed. “Oh, your contract will be mine, because that fucking cat won’t want to see you hurt. He’ll hand you back over to me…”

“And then we’re gonna kill him.”

Angel’s eyes flicked over to look into his father’s face as Valerio finally spoke. The much larger spider grinned as he took a long puff off a fat cigar. “Mr. Valentino paid me a hefty amount for us ta find ya and bring ya back ta him.” He blew a smoke ring at the high ceiling. “Killin’ an Overlord while he’s alone shouldn’t be too difficult.”

Angel’s following laugh was high-pitched, and his eyes were wild. “Oh, ya think he’ll come fo’ me? Well, he ain’t! He doesn’t even know I’m gone, ya fucka’s!”

Valerio sauntered over with a frown and pressed the lit end of his cigar into the raw wound Val had just opened.

Angel threw his head back and screamed. It grew louder and louder and higher and higher until it became silent.

He thrashed and struggled against the ropes holding him down until he exhausted himself and his breathing was ragged and heavy. A moment later Valerio stepped away and flicked away the bloody ashes from his cigar. “He knows ya gone, Tony,” he stated, staring down at the sobbing spider, “we left him a little present, and it’s stained wit’ ya blood. But if he aint here by midnight,” Angel lifted his head to stare at the angelic dagger that magically appeared in his father's hand, “then I gotta start sendin’ ‘im pieces of ya.” With a lightning-fast movement, that blade was pressed tightly against Angel’s throat.

Then the tip slid down…down until it was positioned deep into Angel’s chest fluff. “I’d start with fingers, then ya eyes.” Angel met his stare with a teary one of his own. “Maybe ya hands.” He pushed the very tip of the blade against fur and barely broke through the skin above his ribcage. Angel forced himself not to flinch, to not show his father how terrified he was. “Then if he ain’t responded by tomorrow at noon, I’ll send him ya heart,” he grinned sadistically and stepped away, “ya know…since ya said it belongs ta him.” He lazily glanced down at a watch wrapped around his wrist. “Ya got less than half an hour.” He smirked. “Fittin’ dontcha think? Last time I left ya, ya had a half hour ta kill someone, and when I came back, it was ya who was dead.”

Angel felt tears boiling behind his eyes, and he stared down at the blood pouring from his leg.

He had a little over twelve hours until he was killed.

“Now wait, Valerio, that was not part of our deal,” Valentino growled and stalked over to the tarantula to tower over him. “You agreed to find Angel, return him to me along with his contract and then the maldito gatito was all yours to destroy.”

Valerio shrugged, and instantly a group of nearly twenty thugs of all shapes and sizes materialized out of the darkness and had angelic tommy guns trained on the moth. “Deals change.”

Angel heard the sound of static…but it wasn’t radio static.

Television.

“Hey, and what about my deal with Alastor?” Vox screeched as he warped himself out of a camera positioned in the corner. “You promised me that contract before you killed the cat!”

Valerio rolled all eight of his eyes. “Yeah, I ain’t forgot ‘bout ya.” Another puff of smoke, another flick of ash. “We’ll force the contract outta him before we remove his head from his shoulders.”

No. Husk. Stay away.

I’m not worth it.

Angel felt so dizzy with depression and a massive loss of blood that he dropped his head until his chin rested in his chest fluff.

He couldn’t move.

Not even when a shadow passed over the large window and blotted out the moon.

Not even when Val, Vox and his father shouted in panic.

But the shattering of the window forced his neck to raise his head.

His tired eyes widened and instantly teared up.

Because standing in a pile of broken glass was his Overlord in all his demonic glory.

And he was furious.

~*~

As soon as Husk laid his eyes on Angel, he saw red.

His neck and exposed shoulders were covered in bite marks.

His chest had been raked through multiple times with sharp claws.

Fresh deep punctures lined his legs all the way to his feet and toes.

His hips sported too many purple and green handprint bruises to count.

But it was the blood smeared between his thighs and puddled at his feet that ripped a roar from his throat.

His gazed whipped to look at the three Overlords standing beside the restrained spider, and he took a step closer.

Closer.

“No, Husk!” He heard Angel’s weak voice cry. “You gotta go! It’s a trap!”

Finally, he turned his head to glance at the sobbing spider.

And he smiled.

Even in his demonic form, Angel thought it was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

“Ah, Overlord Husker, we meet again!” Valentino stated with a grin, entirely unphased by the looming Overlord in front of him. “Now that you have arrived, I’ll get right down to business.” Husk’s eyes tracked him as he sauntered around the spider Overlord and Vox until he could grip Angel’s face in his talons again. “Give me his contract and he’ll stay in one piece.”

Angel jerked his head and pulled himself from Val’s fingers. “Don’t do it! They’re gonna kill ya! Ple-“ his voice was choked off as the moth slapped him again and his head reeled back. Husk growled and crouched on all fours. His wings expanded threateningly.

“Ha, oh please, kitty cat,” Vox mocked from his spot hidden behind Valerio’s back, “you think you’re big and scary!” He grinned and poked his head out further. “You’re nothing. You should have seen Alastor when he was an Overlord! He was absolutely terrifying!”

Husk paused in his tracks, then his form shifted back until he was his normal self again. He brushed tiny shards of glass from his shirt and the fur on his arms.

“You want Angel’s contract?” he questioned softly, and both Val’s nodded furiously. He looked straight into Vox’s eyes. “And you want Alastor?”

“Yes!” the TV demon squealed giddily.

Husk turned to look back at Angel once more…and winked.

“I promised that I would always protect you, Anthony.”

Angel’s head snapped up and his eyes flew open.

Husk smiled again. “That’s your name, right? Anthony DeLuise?”

Angel hesitated in shock…then nodded.

Any doubts Husk had vanished.

He grinned and snapped his paws and a green contract appeared in front of him. Every Overlord in the room shifted a step closer.

“Alastor.”

Everyone else shrieked in surprise as the Radio Demon materialized from the shadowed corner with a smile.

“You needed me?”

Husk gripped the contract in his paw. “The terms of our agreement have been fulfilled.” As Alastor looked at him in confusion and sheer glee, he squeezed the magical parchment. “Per our contract, I release your soul back to you.” With a puff, the contract disappeared.

As the entire room stilled in shock, save for Vox’s scream of rage, another contract appeared before Alastor’s face. Husk rolled his shoulders and summoned a feathered pen. “Change the name at the top to yours,” he said with grin, and Alastor grabbed the pen and signed on the line.

Immediately, shadows began to swirl around the new Overlord, and he cackled. He reached into the newly formed shadows and pulled from it his gleaming white cane.

“Oh, this is going to be fun.”

He paused his stride toward the group of Overlords as Husk held up his paw. “Well, before you go play, maybe you could give our housekeeper a turn with the moth?” Husk looked behind the group of thugs. “After all, she should be arriving any moment now.”

Everyone twisted around as the ding from an old, broken elevator broke the silence.

“Ah, perfect timing.”

The doors opened.

“Niffty in the hole!” Cherri yelled with a huge smile as she threw the little cyclops directly at the moth Overlord, then hopped out of the elevator and summoned two handfuls of cherry bombs. She winked at Angel whose mouth had dropped open in surprise. “Heya bitch! Ya didn’t think we wouldn’t be here, did ya?”

Angel didn’t have time to answer before the room was filled with sheer chaos. The thugs started wildly firing at Cherri, but their angelic bullets dropped to the floor harmlessly before they could pierce her skin.

“Good job, Eggiesss!” Pentious stated with a wild flare of his hood as he slithered out of the elevator. In his hands he held what looked like a remote control that was glowing hazy white, and each of the brave little egg-bois sported reflective vests. “Make sssure you ssstay with Missss Cherri!”

The snake had invented an angelic shield, and he was protecting Cherri.

Angel’s gaze was ripped away from his best friend at a scream from his former Overlord and he felt his lips pull up into a smile as he saw that little Niffty had her legs wrapped around his neck and was yanking handful after handful of fluff from Val’s collar.

Finally. She got what she wanted.

He twisted his head again at a maniacal laugh that filled the room and saw Alastor’s form shift in size, his eyes flip to radio dials, his antlers expand and his lips split into the widest grin Angel had ever seen. The shadows began to solidify into several thick tendrils that squirmed across the floor toward a panicking Vox and Valerio.

As soon Alastor’s tentacles wrapped around their necks, Angel’s eyes met Husk’s. Both of the Overlord’s paws summoned white-lined playing cards and he started throwing them: one at Vox, Val, and Arackniss, two at Valerio and one…at Angel.

The spider flinched in surprise before he felt the ropes tying his wrists together slacken and watched as that single card curled from around him and was promptly caught in Husk’s paw. He threw the last card directly at Val’s nose, then dove towards Angel. As soon as Angel pulled his hands free from the ropes, he was wrapped in strong furry arms and held so close, so gently. The sounds from around them muffled and he realized that Husk had curled his wings protectively around him.

“I-I…I’m so-“

“Shhh, it’s ok kid,” Husk whispered into Angel’s ear, ever so carefully running his paws up and down his back as he shook with relief. “I’m just glad you’re safe, Anthony.”

Angel tucked his head into Husk’s neck fur. “How’d ya know my name?” he breathed.

Even through the imminent danger flying around them, Angel felt calm, he felt safe, he felt loved. But his heart stuttered painfully in his chest at Husk’s next words:

“Don’t you remember me?” One of the Overlord’s paws gently turned Angel’s face until they were eye to eye and a whisper apart. Angel could feel the heat from his breath against his lips as he stared deep into those molten honey eyes. His paw was heavy, soft, and warm against his cheek. “The night you died, you promised that you’d never forget me.”

I’ll

Never

Forget

Ya…

“Henry.” Angel gasped as he wrapped all of his arms tightly around the feline and felt a sob tear its way from his throat. “Henry Huskins…my…my Henry.”

Husk pressed his lips to Angel’s forehead and stroked his cheeks. “I finally found you. You’ve been my boy all along.” Those golden eyes filled with tears. “I love you so much, Anthony.”

Angel simply stared at him, before he smiled. “I love ya too, Henry. With all my fuckin’ heart.”

Without another word, the Overlord’s lips were pressed gently against Angel’s, and the spider knew that this was what heaven felt like.

Gentle.

Soft.

Loving.

Perfect.

But the moment was short lived as a bullet ripped its way into Husk’s shoulder and he pulled away with a howl of pain. When his wings snapped back in agony, Angel’s eyes flicked over to see Val pointing his angelic gun at the Overlord, a wild grin on his face. The white fur around his neck was shredded and bloodied and pink drool dripped from between his lips as he stared at Angel.

“Angelito,” he hissed as he grasped one of Angel’s upper arms and jerked him to his feet before forcing the spider’s back against his chest and holding him still with a hand on his chest, a hand squeezing his throat, and an arm wrapped tightly around his waist. Angel yelped in pain and panic as he felt that familiar weapon press against his left temple.

The gun that bore the same name as the one that had sent him to hell.

Angelmaker

Husk gripped his bleeding shoulder tightly before standing to his feet and glaring at the Overlord. The moth grinned even more widely…and pulled back the hammer.

“Give. Me. His. Contract.” Val hissed, “Or I’ll kill him.”

“I thought you needed him alive, Valentino,” Husk asked as he pulled his paw away from his wound and took a step closer.

Val’s talon tapped the trigger.

“Oh, I would prefer him alive and in mostly one piece, but,” he squeezed Angel’s throat until he choked and felt his vision start to blacken, “I’d rather him be dead than be with you.”

Just as Angel’s eyes started to roll back in his head, the grip on his throat loosened at Husk’s words.

“I don’t have his contract. I destroyed it.” His voice softened as he stared right at Angel. “He’s free.”

Both the spider and the moth gaped at the feline, and Husk saw his opening. He summoned three more cards and threw all of them at Val’s arms that were holding Angel. The angelic lining sliced right through muscle and bone and the Overlord screamed as all three limbs fell from his body. Angel took a quick step forward and away from Valentino as the moth recoiled in pain, but then he staggered and collapsed to his knees. Before he could hit the floor, he was cradled in Husk’s arms again. He gave the feline a weak smile.

“Ya know…I think I need a nap,” he said softly, lifting a shaky hand to brush against the bullet wound on the Overlord’s shoulder, and letting his other hand drift to graze over his own scar. “Hey…we match…” He felt his eyelids growing heavy, and his body felt numb.

“Angel…Anthony, you gotta stay awake,” Husk pleaded, stroking the spider’s bloody face. “I promise you can nap when we get home, but right now I need you to stay awake for me. You gotta stay with me, kid,” he whispered thickly.

Angel grinned and reached up to flick the Overlord on his nose. “I ain’t goin’ nowhere, Husky,” he muttered softly, then forced himself to blink the darkness from his eyes. “Fuck, everything hurts.”

Husk chuckled. “I bet. You look like shit.”

Angel gasped in mock horror. “Who, me? Why I could never-“

“Anthony.”

The spider smiled happily against Husk’s lips, then pushed all six of his arms under himself to try to sit up. When they parted a moment later, and Angel was upright, they both looked up as Val screamed once more. Niffty was back on his shoulders, one hand tangled in his remaining fluff, the other repeatedly stabbing what looked like a homemade spear into one of the Overlord’s wings.

Angel squinted. “Is that…”

Husk laughed. “I think Nif kept the souvenir that Val gave you.”

Sure enough, with a closer look, the tip of Niffty’s spear was fashioned out of a bloodstained angelic bullet.

Both of them sat quietly for a moment and just observed.

Alastor had a wildly struggling Vox and Valerio tightly gripped in his shadowy tendrils.

Sir Pentious had Arackniss in a tight chokehold and Cherri was violently pummeling him with her fists while the egg-bois cheered her on.

Nif was still stabbing a wailing Valentino.

And the rest of the thugs had fallen to Cherri’s bombs.

Angel rested his head on top of the Overlord’s and Husk shifted his ears to make the spider more comfortable.

“Husk…Henry…can we go home now?”

The feline reached up to stroke long claws softly through Angel’s wild hair.

“Yeah, kid. Let’s go.

Husk gently helped Angel stand and let the much taller spider lean down on him. But before the Overlord could sweep Angel up into his arms, the spider frowned and tugged on his uninjured shoulder. Husk walked with him.

A moment later, Angel stood above a whimpering and bloodied Valentino. Slowly, deliberately, and with a groan of pain he reached down and picked up the discarded Angelmaker. He turned it over and over in his hand and just stared at the name on the barrel, before pointing it directly at Val’s shattered pink glasses that barely rested on the bridge of his bloody nose.

“Ya feelin’ lucky, Val?”

The moth looked up at him with the most pleading eyes Angel had ever seen and frantically shook his head.

With a grin, he pulled the trigger.

The chamber was empty.

He grinned wider.

“Guess it’s ya lucky day.” He threw the gun across the room and out the shattered window. “I’m gonna walk away, but I want ya to remember one thing.” Angel leaned down until he could just smell the smoke on the moth’s breath. “Every single time ya look at yaself in the fuckin’ mirror, I want ya to know that it’s only because I let ya live.” He poked Val’s chest with one long steady finger. “I ain’t scared of you anymore. So, you can happily fuck right off fo’ good.”

Then he tugged Husk’s arm, and they turned toward the window. With a smile, the Overlord lifted Angel into his arms and held him close.

But before they could leave, they both glanced back at a shout from Val.

“Angel…babe…you just said you’d let me live!” he screeched as the Radio Demon stalked closer with his tendrils in tow and dragging an unconscious Vox and Valerio behind him. He hummed some old song through his voice filter and tapped the butt of his cane on the floor while he approached.

Angel smirked. “Well, I said I’d let ya live. I never said anything about anyone else.” He narrowed his eyes and turned one final time in Husk's arms. "Hey, Alastor?"

"Hmm?"

"Why'd Vox want ya so bad?" he asked curiously. The Radio Demon stared at him, before his uncanny grin was back on his face.

"He wanted me to join the Vees, and I said no. After all," he tilted his head at an unnatural angle and his eyes flickered to dials once more, "this face was made for radio."

And as Valentino screamed in terror at the approaching monstrosity, the Overlord and his boy took flight into the night sky.

~*~

“OW FUCKING HELL NIF!” Husk yelled in pain as the little cyclops had once again, dug her nimble little fingers into a wound made by an angelic bullet and yanked out her new prize.

“Ha! I got another one!” she squealed, before stuffing it into the pocket of her apron and hurriedly bandaging the Overlord’s bleeding shoulder.

Husk’s eyes glared over at the spider who was cackling, before he stopped and wheezed out a pained breath.

“Heh, that’s what you get, brat,” Husk chuckled, and Angel’s lower hands flipped him off.

“Yeah, sorry, I know it fuckin’ hurts,” he rasped, his throat still sore. “I’m sorry he shot ya.”

Husk gave him a gentle smile and put his paw over one of Angel’s. “Anthony, I’d happily take a damn bullet for you if it kept you safe. Every single time.” He clasped Angel’s hand and brought it to his lips.

Both of their heads whipped to stare down at Niffty, who was fake gagging at them. “Ew, please get a room before you dirty one of mine!” Then she grabbed her medical bag and darted out of the penthouse and into the elevator.

“Nif, we’re already in mine!” Husk shouted, and the little demon stuck her tongue out at him before the doors slid closed.

They sat there a minute, before they looked at each other and just started laughing.

“I love her so much,” Angel stated as he pressed a hand over his chest. Everything still hurt even though Niffty had sewed up what she could.

But he would recover. He would be whole again.

Angel groaned as he collapsed sideways, and his head landed in the Overlord’s lap. He closed his eyes as claws gently scratched his scalp and stroked up and down his back. He felt himself finally relaxing.

“Husk…well, hold on. First, do ya want me to call ya Husk or Henry?”

The Overlord hummed and Angel could feel the vibration through his entire body.

He couldn’t wait until he got Husk to purr for him.

“You can call me either one, but I guess keep calling me Husk in front of the employees, and when we go out,’ he rumbled as he leaned down and kissed Angel’s cheek. “How about you?”

Angel thought about it for a long minute.

He could be Anthony again.

But is that who he was now?

He smiled up at the feline’s soft expression. “Same. I can be Angel or Anthony, but I guess I’ll stay Angel out on the floor.”

Husk hummed again, his paws never ceasing their stroking.

Up.

Down.

Up.

Down.

“Hey Henry?”

“Yeah?”

“Why didn’t ya tell me I was free?”

The stroking stopped.

Husk sighed. “I was scared. I was afraid that if I told you that your soul was yours again that somehow Val would find out and take you away…kinda like he did tonight.” His claws started rubbing his back again. “I’m sorry I tricked you, but all I was trying to do was keep you safe.”

Angel was quiet for a minute. “Is that why ya had me disguise myself when I went back to Pride?”

“Yeah. The last thing I wanted was for them to grab you, realize that your soul was free, and let Val make you sign your soul back over to him.”

Angel hummed thoughtfully. “I never felt like I was on a leash. I guess it’s because I never was.”

He sighed as those claws brushed through his hair again.

“Are…are you mad at me?” Husk whispered.

Angel smirked. “I oughta be, but I aint. I know ya did it for a good reason.” He sat up slowly, grabbed the Overlords face in his hands and smashed their lips together with a smile. Before Husk could deepen it, the spider pulled away and lovingly squished his furry cheeks. “But I want ya to promise me that ya’ll never pull that shit again.”

Immediately, Husk linked his claw with Angel’s pinkie and kissed his hand. “I promise. I won’t lie to you again.”

Angel smiled and petted Husk between his ears in forgiveness and giggled wildly as the Overlord’s chest rumbled with a contented purr. His lower arms wrapped tightly around Husk’s middle to feel the vibrations better and let them heal his heart.

“Anthony?”

“Hmm?”

“How badly did they hurt you?”

Angel sighed and slid his body until he was lying on his stomach and his head was pressed against Husk’s belly.

“They fucked me pretty bad,” he mumbled, feeling the familiar pinch in his lower back. He really didn’t want to relive those moments that he would eventually forget, and especially in front of Husk. He didn’t want to add anymore guilt to his already heavy conscience. “But I’ll be ok. Promise.” He gazed up into those honey eyes he adored so much. “I never thanked ya for savin’ me.”

Husk smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of Angel’s head. “I promised to protect you. And I will always keep that promise.”

Angel sighed happily and shifted until he was curled up in the Overlord’s lap. “Next time, I’ll try ta stay outta trouble.”

“Ha, that would be fantastic,” Husk chuckled.

“And next time I do get into trouble and ya gotta come save me, I’ll protect ya.”

Husk grinned at the sleepy spider in his lap. “I think I promised you a nap.”

Angel yawned and winked up at him. “Then take me to bed, Husky.”

Husk rolled his eyes, but pulled Angel into his arms all the same and made his way over to the bed. “Fine, but just to sleep.” Before Angel could protest, he kissed his words away. “There’ll be time for other stuff later, but right now you need to heal from your wounds, and you need sleep.” Angel pouted for a second, then nodded slowly, and as Husk placed him onto the mattress, the spider wrapped his hand tightly around Husk’s wrist.

“Ya’re not goin’ are ya?” he whispered, panic lacing his voice.

Husk shook his head before climbing under the silk covers beside Angel, pulling the spider against his chest and wrapping them both in his wings. “No, Anthony, my love, I’m never leaving you again.” He started purring once more, and as he felt the spider drift off, he smiled happily to himself.

He had finally found the boy that he had loved for a lifetime.

And Anthony loved him back.