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Angel Dust perched on the edge of Valentino’s sleek leather couch, his hands fidgeting nervously in his lap. It wasn’t like him to feel this unsure, especially not around Val. Normally, Angel had no problem keeping his walls up—sassy comebacks, teasing grins, and playful flirtation were his armor. But today was different. Today, he was going to tell Valentino something he had never shared with anyone in Hell.
Valentino, sitting across from him in a plush armchair, was scrolling through his phone, one leg crossed over the other. His sharp red eyes glanced up at Angel, sensing his unease. “What’s up, sugar? You’re quiet today. That’s not like you.”
Angel laughed nervously, his hands gripping the fabric of his skirt. “Yeah, well... I’ve been thinkin’ about somethin’. Somethin’ I gotta tell ya.”
Val set his phone down, giving Angel his full attention. “You know you can tell me anything, right?” His voice was smoother than usual, his tone soft and reassuring.
Angel swallowed hard. “Yeah, I know, Val,” he said with a weak smile, trying to lighten the mood. But Val didn’t take the bait this time.
“What’s on your mind, baby?” Val pressed, leaning forward slightly.
Angel hesitated, his usual bravado faltering. “Okay, so, like... you know how I got a lotta baggage, right? From, uh, before Hell?”
Val’s expression didn’t change, but his gaze softened. “Yeah, I know, sugar. You don’t gotta explain that part. What about it?”
Angel exhaled shakily, his multiple arms curling around himself as if for protection. “Well, I... I got this thing I do sometimes. A way I deal with all the crap in my head. It’s called age regression.”
Val raised an eyebrow, but his demeanor remained calm. “Age regression?”
“Yeah.” Angel nodded, his voice growing quieter. “It’s... it’s not somethin’ I can control, y’know? When things get too much, I... I kinda slip into this headspace where I feel like a little kid again. It’s like... it’s how I cope.”
Val’s brows furrowed slightly, not in judgment but in thought. “You’re sayin’ you feel like a kid? Like... mentally?”
Angel nodded again, his antennae drooping. “Yeah. It’s not weird or anything, I swear! It’s just... it makes me feel safe. Like I can forget all the bad stuff for a while. I know it sounds stupid—”
“It doesn’t sound stupid,” Val interrupted, his voice firm.
Angel blinked, caught off guard. “It... doesn’t?”
“No, sugar.” Val leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he regarded Angel with a thoughtful expression. “Everyone’s got their ways of dealin’ with Hell—literally and figuratively. If this is what helps you, then who am I to judge?”
Angel felt a wave of relief wash over him, though his nerves hadn’t entirely settled. “You mean that?”
“Course I do,” Val said, his tone softer now. “But I gotta admit, I don’t know much about this... age regression thing. You’re gonna have to fill me in, baby.”
Angel’s face lit up, a mixture of surprise and hope. “You... you wanna learn about it?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Val asked with a shrug. “If it’s important to you, it’s important to me.”
Angel couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face, though it was tinged with nervousness. “Okay, uh... so, when I regress, I kinda act like a little kid. Like, I might wanna play with toys or color or cuddle with my plushies. And sometimes, I need someone to look after me. That’s where a caregiver comes in.”
Val’s brow arched again. “A caregiver, huh?”
“Yeah.” Angel fidgeted with the hem of his skirt, avoiding Val’s gaze. “Someone who makes sure I’m safe and comfy and... y’know, loved.”
Val nodded slowly, processing the information. “So... you’re askin’ if I can be your caregiver?”
Angel’s face turned pink, and he quickly shook his head. “No, no, I’m not askin’! I mean, not unless you want to. I don’t wanna push this on you or make you feel weird—”
“Angel.” Val’s voice was calm but firm, cutting through Angel’s rambling.
“Yeah?”
“If you want me to be your caregiver, just say so,” Val said, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I ain’t gonna turn you down, sugar.”
Angel stared at him, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “You... you mean it?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Val asked, leaning forward again. “You’re my baby already, right? This just makes it official.”
Angel’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and he quickly wiped them away, laughing nervously. “Man, you’re really full of surprises, huh?”
“Always, sugar,” Val replied with a wink. “Now, you gotta teach me how to do this caregiver thing. I wanna make sure I’m doin’ it right for my little spider.”
Angel beamed, his nerves finally giving way to excitement. “Okay, so... the first thing is, I’ll need my comfort items when I regress. Like my pacifier, my plushies, and my blankie.”
Val nodded, mentally filing the information away. “Got it. What else?”
“Um... I might need help with stuff, like getting snacks or picking out a movie to watch. And sometimes, I just need cuddles. Lots and lots of cuddles.”
“Cuddles, huh?” Val grinned. “That’s easy. You’re already a cuddle bug, sugar.”
Angel giggled, his usual sass creeping back into his tone. “Yeah, well, you’re a pretty good cuddler.”
Val chuckled, reaching out to ruffle Angel’s hair. “Glad to hear it, baby. Anything else I should know?”
“Just... be patient with me, okay?” Angel said, his voice softening. “Sometimes I might get shy or clingy or... scared. But it’s not ‘cause of you. It’s just... my brain bein’ stupid.”
“Hey, none of that,” Val said, his tone gentle but firm. “Your brain ain’t stupid, Angel. You’ve been through a lot, and if this helps you, then it’s a good thing. I’m here for you, no matter what.”
Angel’s heart swelled with gratitude, and he threw his arms around Val, hugging him tightly. “Thank you, Daddy,” he whispered, his voice muffled against Val’s chest.
Val wrapped his arms and wings around Angel, holding him close. “Anytime, sugar. You’re my baby, and I take care of what’s mine.”
– – – – – – – – – –
That evening, Angel regressed and ended up. He slipped into his bedroom, emerging a few minutes later with his favorite plush bunny in one hand and a pacifier in the other. His usual confident demeanor was replaced with a shy, hesitant energy as he approached Val, who was lounging on the couch.
“Daddy?” Angel’s voice was soft, almost timid.
Val looked up, a warm smile spreading across his face as he took in Angel’s regressed state. “Hey there, sugar. You wanna come sit with me?”
Angel nodded, climbing onto the couch and curling up against Val’s side. He popped the pacifier into his mouth, hugging his bunny tightly.
Valentino draped an arm around Angel, pulling him close. “You comfy, baby?”
Angel nodded again, letting out a contented hum.
Val smiled, pressing a kiss to Angel’s forehead. “Good. Daddy’s got you.”
As they settled into the quiet comfort of each other’s presence, Val couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. Angel had trusted him with something so deeply personal, and he was determined to be the best caregiver his little spider could ever ask for.
Because at the end of the day, Angel was his, and Valentino always took care of what was his.