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Though Bella had been strapped into her booster seat as Husk and Angel talked at the bar, she managed to unbuckle herself. Giggling triumphantly, Bella opened her wings and started to fly.
“Got it,” Husk mumbled. He flew up and gently took her back down. Bella stuck out her tongue.
“Whatever, kid,” Husk said as Angel snickered. “You'll thank me when-”
Husk was cut off by Alastor's static-filled cackling. Bella's sulky expression morphed into fear, so Angel took her from Husk.
“Ah, the terrible twos!” Alastor said genially. “Such an amusing age, is it not, Husker?”
Husk's ears went back. “Yeah, boss.” He hoped Alastor wouldn't bring up what he knew of Husk's past, not in front of Angel.
“Perhaps this will help,” Alastor offered, with Angel shielding Bella as Alastor snapped his fingers.
A small leather leash and harness appeared on the bar counter.
“That's not funny, Smiles!” Angel snapped. His “maternal instincts” had overridden his unease of the Radio Demon; Bella clung to Angel with all four hands as Angel ran for the staircase.
Angel felt bad for leaving Husk alone to face Alastor's likely wrath, but Husk showed up in the nursery a few minutes later.
“Uncle Husk!” Bella squealed. Angel had taken her leg braces off, so she couldn't easily toddle to Husk. Bella flew, instead.
“You okay, Whiskers?” Angel asked as Bella hugged Husk.
Husk nodded. “Yeah. I'm sorry about...him.” Husk held back his own choice words for Alastor, since there was a two-year-old here.
Angel shrugged. “I guess it could have been worse. Ya know, when I was alive, used ta see babies in cages. Not many playpens back then.”
Bella gasped and pressed her upper hands to her mouth. Angel and Husk were able to laugh at that, and Bella laughed too.