Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Ha! Good luck with that one.” Husk barked the moment Charlie, Vaggie and Alastor guided Lucifer out of the room to begin the tour of the Hazbin Hotel.
Angel and Sir Pentious looked at Husk quizzically as he made Mimzy’s drink.
“You heard him, he said he likes women.”
“Oh baby, I’ve made straight men quiva’,” Angel starts, using his pointer and middle finger, to walk up Husk’s arm, “all it takes is a little… effort.” He finishes his statement by using his hands to puff up his chest fluff.
“Ain’t that the truth! Men are too easy!” Mimzy snorts, sipping her drink.
“I’ll bet even Niffty hasss a better chance!” Sir Pentious laughs loudly, joining in on the bullying.
As if on queue, Niffty scurries onto the bar, stabbing a roach with a sewing pin, grinning wildly at the roach squirming, before running off to who knows where to do who knows what with the poor insect.
“IIIII don’t know about that… But I’ll definitely put money on Angel failing.” Husk adds, wiping the bar clean from Niffty’s ‘hobbies’.
Angel barks out a laugh “I’ll take ya up on that bet!”
“$20 bucks says you’re gonna be sittin’ here drinkin’ me dry when he rejects your ass.” Husk leaned on the bar, smirking playfully at the porn star.
Angel, leaning in to show he wasn’t backing down, “$50, and loser-” glancing at Pentious, “loSERS treat everyone else to a night on the town.”
Sir Pentious and Husk glance at each other, hesitating, but only briefly before they both slam their hands on the bar dramatically, shouting, “Deal.”

Angel stretched his long limbs one more time before descending downstairs.
“G’mornin, guys.” Angel yawned, sleepily greeting everyone in the lobby.
“Angel, it’s 4 pm.” Vaggie sighed, not even bothering to look up at the fellow who had just come downstairs. Instead, continuing to scribble something Angel couldn’t care less about in a notebook, using Charlie’s back as a table.
“I must agree, Angel Dust. Your sleep schedule is atrocious.” Came a staticky voice, followed by an even more staticky laugh track.
Angel, used to their comments about his admittedly horrible sleep schedule, rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well, start taking dicks in all o’ your holes for 15 hours straight, and maybe I’ll listen to your shit talk about when I decide to wake the fuck up, on MY day off.” He topped off his statement by crossing his upper arms and using his lower pair to flip off both Vaggie and the radio demon.
Vaggie rolled her eyes in disgust, while Alastor merely hummed an old-timey tune to himself, as if he hadn’t even heard the quip from Angel.
“Ooooh! You have the day off, Angel??” Charlie squeed, standing up from where she sat in front of her girlfriend (obviously, messing up what Vaggie was writing) and coming to bounce on her toes in front of Angel.
“Yeah, I was gonna tell ya last night,” Angel started, “but I figured ya’d want me up at the ass-crack o’ dawn.”
Charlie smiled, playfully looking away guiltily.
“Guess I was right.” Angel laughed.
“Soooo, does that mean.. you can join us for our bonding activity?” Charlie smiled, but fiddled with her hands sheepishly.
Angel felt a fleeting pang of guilt, did he really deny her that often?
Grinning widely, Angel replied, “Don’t see why not!”
Charlie’s smile grew and her eyes sparkled, “Really! Wow! Okay!” Without hesitation, whether it was from excitement or so Angel didn’t have time to back out, he couldn’t tell; she grabbed his hand and pulled him over to the middle of the lobby where the rest of the staff sat in a circle, save for Husk who stood behind the bar, drinking out of a short bottle; as well as Alastor, who sat in a red plush chair mere feet away from the circle, observing.

Returning to her seat in front of her girlfriend, Charlie began babbling about what they had been discussing before Angel came downstairs in an attempt to catch him up.
Angel, hardly listening, sat on the floor between Sit Pentious and Lucifer, seductively bringing a hand to his own lips; winking and blowing a kiss to Lucifer.
Completely ignoring Angel, he quickly turned away from the spider to instead pay attention to his daughter.
“So yeah, that’s what we were talking about. What do you think, Angel?” Charlie asked, out of breath.
Fuck, he forgot to pay attention.
“Uhh.. Yeah, yeah. Totally.” Angel faltered.
“You didn’t hear a single word she said, did you?” Vaggie looked up at him, already knowing the answer to her question.
Angel rested his chin in his hand, elbow propped onto his knee. “Not one.” He chuckled, earning an outwards groan from everyone in the circle who has heard Charlie’s ramble about a dozen times now.
Charlie, unphased, started again. “Okay, so! I thought we could throw a little get together to celebrate my dad joining us!” The Morningstars looked warmly at each other before she continued. “So we were planning on what to do for it. Like, games and food and stuff! But we couldn’t decide on what food to make since we all like different things and don’t even get me started on our differences in activities!” She stopped, taking the few breaths she obviously hadn’t taken during her spiel.
Taking over for her daughter, Lucifer looks back at Angel. “Husk thinks we should just order pizza, Charlie thinks we should all cook something together as a fun activity, Alastor-” Hearing his name, Alastor tilts his head, radio frequencies barely audible, “.... No longer gets an opinion.” Lucifer and Alastor are glaring daggers at each other when Niffty cuts in.
“I think we should have omelets.” Pulling out a kitchen knife the same size as her, Niffty giggles maniacally, never letting the Egg Boi currently being protectively cradled by Sir Pentious out of her sight.
Carefully plucking the knife away from the small maid, Angel decides to throw in his two cents. “Why don’t we do all of the above?”
“How the hell would we-” Vaggie starts, but Angel doesn’t give her time to finish.
“We can all make our favorite meal. That’s sorta like bondin’, right? Sharing a piece ‘o ourselves through food or some shit? We’d also kinda be doin’ Charlie’s idea since we only got one kitchen.”
Vaggie glanced up at her girlfriend, waiting to see her reaction to the idea.
“oooooOOOoooOOOOOH! Angel, that is a great idea!!!!” Charlie squeals, excitedly smacking her girlfriend’s thigh.
Charlie hadn’t even needed to tell Vaggie what to do; her girlfriend sensing her excitement and already scribbling Angel’s idea in her notebook.
“When a’ we doin’ this thing, anyway?” Angel asks, assuming they just forgot to mention that part.
Silence fell over the circle, waiting on Charlie’s response.
“Oh! I hadn’t even thought of that..” Charlie puts her chin in between her thumb and index finger, as if in thought. “It’s way too soon to do it today…” She mutters to herself.
“What about tomorrow? Or the day after?” Lucifer chimes in.
“Sorry, Pops. I work the rest o’ this week.” Angel replied, though the question wasn’t directed towards him.
“Oh! You’re free this weekend, right, Angel?” Charlie asked, excitedly.
“Sure am, Toots.” Angel smiled at her. Why she was even asking was beyond him; she knew he always had the weekends off. Usually- Mostly.
Lucifer turned his attention back to Angel. “What is it you do for work, anyway?”
As if having done this exact scenario a thousand times, Angel seductively put one of his hands on top of his chest fluff, one on his knee, and crossed his upper pair of arms under his chest fluff, puffing it out.
“If ya so curious, I can just show you.” Angel purred, winking at the King of Hell.
Lucifer, being the absolute oblivious dolt he is, just tilted his head in confusion.
“AAANYWAY!” Charlie uncomfortably shouted, regaining the spotlight. “Saturday morning-” Angel groaned.
“Saturday Afternoon. We’ll meet here in the lobby and go out shopping for ingredients together~!” Charlie finished in a sing-song tune.
She squealed once more “I’m so excited just thinking about it!!”
“Shopping together too? Really?” Husk groaned from his seat, head resting on the bar, clearly hungover.
“It’ll be fun!” She promised.
“Do we have a choice in tha’ matt-”
“No.” Lucifer and Vaggie chimed in unison.

“Sooo.. Husk, right?”
Lucifer shyly took a seat at the hotel’s bar.
“Husk or Husker or-”
“That’s the name. Don’t wear it out.” Husk grumbled as he grabbed a clean glass and set it in front of Lucifer.
“Right” The king chuckled nervously. He hadn’t actually had a one on one conversation in so long. “So you’re… the barkeep?”
Husk flashed Lucifer an ‘Are you serious?’ look.
“Well, I definitely ain’t pickin’ daisies.”
Another nervous chuckle. “Man, this guy is intimidating to talk to.”
“What do you want?” Husk asked, realizing how rude his question sounded in this situation when he noticed Lucifer’s nervous jolt. “To drink, I mean.”
“Oh!” He allowed his shoulders to relax. “I actually don’t drink alcohol. Thank you, though!”
Husk gave him a confused face, but didn’t press as he put the glass away.
As if understanding Husk’s confusion, Lucifer began rambling. “You’re probably wondering why I’m here- At the bar, I mean. Not the hotel- Since I don’t drink alcohol. I’m sure you aren’t wondering why I’m at the hotel.”
Husk cut off the King’s rambling. “I can definitely see where Charlie gets it.”
“Sorry,” Lucifer chuckled nervously, “Charlie mentioned I should try to get to know you guys better, and you’re the only one awake at this hour. Speaking of which, why are you awake at this hour? Surely no one is coming down for a drink at,” he looks at the clock on the wall “3:17 in the morning.”
“I was about to head to bed soon.” Husk replies gruffly. “It’s just..” hesitating on whether it’s even any of the fallen angel’s business, he sighs. This is Charlie’s dad, he’s caring, not some sketchy Overlord like the one that owns his soul.
“Angel is hopefully going to walk through that door in about three minutes.” He studies Lucifer’s face, before continuing, registering the man’s confusion. “It’s a Friday, meaning his boss gives him an extra helpin’ of bullshit since he’s off tomorrow. ‘n judgin’ by the fact that he ain’t back yet, means he’s had a long day. He’s gonna want a drink before he goes to bed.”
Realization flashed across the King of Hell’s face and he beamed. “Oh! So you and Angel are like..?”
Husk gave him a look mixed with disgust and confusion, sending the King into another one of his rambles.
“I just mean that I wasn’t aware! Not that I needed to be aware or anything, it’s your business, not mine! Oh, but not that it’s bad that I know! You two can do whatever you want, this is Hell, after all!” Lucifer nervously chuckles, momentarily stopping until realizing that Husk’s expression hasn’t changed. “Shit, not that men can only be together in Hell or anything! Men can be together anywhere! It’s not actually a sin, that’s actually just a common misconception caused by mistranslations and-”
“Okay, yeah, no. Absolutely not.” Husk cuts him off when he finally understands what Lucifer is getting at through his incessant rambles. “It ain’t like that at all. We ain’t together. We just happen to be in a similar situation. Both your daughter and I know better than anyone what his shitty boss is like, so when he comes back from a shitty shift, it’s nice for him to see a familiar face that’ll make him a drink instead of him taking multiple of my damn bottles up to his room.”
Lucifer’s face was flushed red, both from the out of breath ramble, and the embarrassment of having assumed that Husk and Angel were an item to Husk’s face.
Lucifer begins to stammer out an embarrassed apology, only to be drowned out by the loud creaking of the front door opening.
Thankful for the distraction, even if said distraction was the other person a part of the misconception, Lucifer quickly shouted out a “Welcome back!”

Angel halted in his footsteps, shocked to see Lucifer at the bar at this hour and for the man to have even acknowledged his return.
The shock only lasted a second, before the exhaustion took its place.
“Thank you.” Angel muttered, taking his usual seat at the bar, one empty stool in between the porn star and the King.
“Long night?” Husk asked Angel, pouring him a shot of vodka in a small whiskey glass. “Extremely.” Was all Angel replied with, causing the pair to fall into a comfortable silence.
Lucifer however, was not comfortable in the slightest.
“Do you uh.. Do you wanna talk about it?”
Lucifer’s offer had both demons looking up at him, Angel looked at him wide-eyed momentarily, before his shocked expression was swapped out with a smug one.
“I dunno, yer Majesty,” Angel teased “How much do you wanna know~”
Oblivious to the obvious flirt, Lucifer looked at him sincerely “I’m all ears.”
Caught off by the sincerity in the King’s voice and eyes, Angel’s persona immediately faltered and he looked away.
“Well- today wasn’t exactly rough, it’s just, I don’t know. Val’s into this waterboarding shit now and..” Angel trails off, not exactly knowing what else to say.
“And Val is.. your.. boss?”
“My boss, yeah.”
The patrons at the bar fell into another comfortable silence, this time Lucifer feeling a bit more included.
“You two can stay if you want,” Husk starts, “But I’m goin’ to bed.”
“Right, yeah. Charlie wants us up bright and early.” Angel groaned.
“No, no! I believe she said the afternoon.” Lucifer interjects.
“Yeah. Bright and early.” Angel repeats with a forced chuckle.

“ANGEL COME ON!” Vaggie pounded on Angel’s hotel room door.
“A’ight I’m here, I’m here!” He yelled, swinging his door open and joining her in the hall.
“Finally!” She threw her hands up in exasperation as she stormed towards the stairs. “Culo Lento! We’ve been waiting for 30 minutes!”
Vaggie continued her bitching all the way to the lobby.
“Angel! Nice of you to finally join us!” Husk remarked sarcastically.
“Sorry, Whiskers. I had to make sure I looked perfect for our first date~” Angel strode over to Husk, wrapping his arms around Husk’s.
Lucifer narrowed his eyes at the pair. “Wait so they ARE together?”
Husk groaned, pulling his arm out of Angel’s grasp. He walked to the front door, holding it open as a sign of ‘Okay let’s fucking go’.
“We’re going shopping, Angel. You didn’t have to make us wait 30 extra minutes for you to make yourself look like a million bucks.” Vaggie continued to complain as she walked out of the hotel, hand in hand with Charlie.
“I ALWAYS look like a million bucks, Cupcake.” Angel replied with a laugh and a wink to Lucifer as he walked past him, following the girls.
Lucifer narrowed his eyes in confusion even more. “Okay, maybe they’re NOT together.” Lucifer seemed to FINALLY be realizing that flirting might just be Angel’s personality. The only one he hadn’t seen Angel flirt with or pick on was Charlie. “Not that I’m complaining-”
Once Lucifer made it outside with the rest, he seemed to realize something.
“Oh wait!” He called, stopping the group. “This isn’t everyone! Are we leaving already? What about the tiny one? And the.. other one?”
Angel snorted. “Niffty’s a casualty. She’ll just get lost tryna clean the streets. And Al? He wouldn’t be caught dead in public with us.”
Lucifer looked at his daughter for confirmation, her pained smile telling him that Angel was absolutely correct.
“I wouldn’t be either if I had a choice.” Husk muttered, earning a punch in the shoulder from Angel.

The supermarket that Charlie had dragged them to was exactly that; super. Angel wasn’t sure what to expect with a cliche name like “HellMart”, but damn, this place had everything. It was like a mall. Usually, Angel had to go to at least three different stores to get what he needed while shopping, but this place was huge. “And expensive.” He thought, putting a rather lavish looking chocolate bar down, instead deciding on the cheap store brand chocolate.
“So, question.” Angel spoke up, getting the attention of Lucifer.
Lucifer and Angel were alone in the confectionary aisle, it seems these two were going to be the only ones making dessert.
“If you and Vags are like.. angels.” He paused, trying to figure out how to word his question.
“What the fuck are you gonna cook?”
Confused, Lucifer tilted his head. “Um.. Food?”
Angel barked out a laugh and punched Lucifer lightly on the shoulder, “Smartass.”
“I mean, you guys don’t need to eat, right? So.. do you eat? If so, what?”
Lucifer grinned, now understanding the question, and, he’ll be honest, absolutely loving how casual Angel is being with him.
“You’re right. Seraphims don’t need to eat. We can go millenia without sustenance, but we still have taste buds, and damn. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t crave yummy food.”
Angel hummed in wonder.
“That’s fascinating, Wings! You should tell me all about angels and stuff over coffee or somethin’! You seem the story-tellin’ type.”
Lucifer felt his stomach start to knot. “Y-Yeah! I’d love to!” Pushing the strange knot in his stomach down and regaining his sense of normalcy, he continued. “You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into, though! Once you get me to start talking about myself, I won’t stop!” They both laughed light-heartedly.
“Dad?!” Charlie called from a few aisles away.
“Over here, Char-Char!” The father turned away from Angel to meet his daughter at the end of the aisle.
Angel watched the two royals talk about something, probably pertaining to the activity they were currently shopping for.
After a few seconds of chatting, both Lucifer and his daughter turned to Angel. It was obvious they were related. Both donned the same warm and inviting smile, waving Angel over for him to join them.
For some reason, this action sent butterflies to Angel’s stomach and made his chest warm. It was nice being thought about, yes, but by the two most powerful and most caring beings in Hell? Well, Angel felt honored.
Approaching them, his hands full with the multiple bars of chocolate, powdered sugar, and a small bottle of cinnamon, Charlie turned her attention to him.
“Do you have everything, Angel? Vaggie and Husk already got their stuff and are waiting outside.”
“Yeah, I think so. Your dad’s got the main stuff I need.”
“Hey, who said I’m sharing my ingredients?” Lucifer chimed in.
“Hon, there’s no way in Hell I’m going to believe that you need three bags of flour all to yourself.” Angel propped one of his hands on his hips, making Lucifer jokingly pout. Angel knew he was right.

After the trio purchased their items, they joined Vaggie and Husk outside, who each had a small shopping bag in their hands.
“Was this all we came out for?” Charlie asked no one in particular, trying to remember if she’d forgotten anything.
“I think so, Hon.” Vaggie replied, taking her spot next to her girlfriend as the group walked down the street in the direction of the hotel.
Lucifer led the brigade, walking in front of the group, with Angel and Husk walking side by side, Angel yammering to Husk about some dumb shit Husk was definitely not listening to. If he had to guess, it was some dumb show Angel’s been watching or maybe he was trying to convince Husk to get Sinstagram again.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” A thick accented sly voice stopped Angel dead in his tracks. There were only a few more minutes left to get to the hotel. “Only a few more minutes, god damn it.”
Noticing Angel had stopped walking, Husk turned to see what he was doing. Catching sight of a perfectly still Angel Dust with a large purple moth looming behind him, he groaned inwardly, reaching a hand out and grabbing Vaggie’s shoulder. Having the same reaction as Husk, Vaggie stopped Charlie, who turned to tell her dad to wait a second, only to have found he was already halfway down the street, still talking and singing to the group he thought was following behind him. It would have been a hilarious sight to all of them, were they under different circumstances.

“Oh, uh.. Heyy, Val!” Angel tried to put on his best mask, but being in Valentino’s presence while with some of the only people he dared to call home, left him on edge. Especially since he was still paying for the ‘Charlie showing up at work’ incident, though he’d never let her know that. His instincts screamed “Get them out of here, get them somewhere safe.”, but he knew that wasn’t possible. He took a deep breath and tried harder to put on the mask he has reserved just for Val.

“What are you doin’ all the way out here, Daddy? Did’ja miss me that much?”
He expected to hear a disgusted groan, at least from Vaggie, but it seemed that even she knew that danger this man posed.
“I was out dealing with some unruly clients, baby.” His voice was sharp, yet somehow sweet.
“Are you out running errands, for.. them, Angel?” Val didn’t even try to hide the disdain in his voice, talking to Angel about his friends as if they weren’t 2 feet away from them.
“You know, if you’re so desperate to do work, you can always come in today.” Val grabbed Angel’s bicep tightly and squeezed.
“Aaaaactually!” Charlie decided it was time to step in and defuse the situation.
“We were just out shopping for ingredients! We’re making dinner soon, sooo, we should probably get going.” Charlie leaned forward and gently took Angel’s hand, attempting to show the Overlord that, while her words were sweet, she wasn’t going to back down.

“Sorry, who the hell is this guy?” In the blink of an eye, Lucifer appeared next to Charlie, his elbow softly resting atop her hair. Lucifer didn't need an actual introduction to pick up on the fact that this guy was bad news. He didn't miss the low growl coming from Husk, and he definitely didn't miss the tension coming off in waves from in daughter.
For a second there was silence.
Val turned his head from the very obvious King of Hell, Lucifer Morningstar, to Angel’s face. Tightening his grip on Angel’s arm, he smiled widely.
“Where are my manners! Angel, introduce us!” Val said through gritted teeth.
Angel slightly winced at the grip sure to leave bruises on his arm, before putting on a smile.
“You’ve all met Val!” Venom dripping off his tongue at the mere mention of his name. Locking eyes with Lucifer, he continued. “This is my boss.” He wasn’t even sure what he was trying to convey to Lucifer, but he hoped, whatever it was, he succeeded.
“Val, you’ve met my friends. And this,” he gestures to Lucifer, “Is Lu-” Angel wasn’t sure he wanted the Overlord to know he was on such friendly terms with the all-powerful literal King of Hell. So after licking his lips, he decided to instead introduce him as “Mistah Mornin’star, himself.”
Finally removing his grip from Angel, he feigns a wide grin and gives a small short bow to Lucifer. “It’s lovely to meet you, your Majesty.” He extends the hand he had just been cutting Angel’s circulation off with to Lucifer, who gladly takes it.
Squeezing Valentino’s outstretched hand, he pulls the Overlord down to his height, so they meet eye to eye.
“Please,” Lucifer starts darkly, “The pleasure is all mine.”
Although he would never admit it, Valentino was intimidated. Scowling at Lucifer, he stalks away without another word.
Once he’s gone, Angel lets out a shaky breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding and he can’t tell if it was from Val showing up unannounced, or if it was the heat pooling in his stomach and spreading to his groin. While yeah, Val had made Angel extremely uncomfortable, something about seeing the short King stand his ground and even scare off the shit-eating Overlord definitely set off little church bells in all of his kinks.
“God, what a fucking creep.” Vaggie points out.
“You’re tellin’ me.” Angel laughs in an attempt to lighten the mood.
“That guy is seriously your boss?” Lucifer asks, almost dumb-founded. “He’s such a pussy.”
Husk and Angel bark out a laugh.
“Thanks guys.” The group looked at Angel confused.
“For what? We didn’t do shit.” Husk chimes in, as if pointing out the obvious.
“You didn’t leave me behind.” Angel says, barely over a whisper.
“Awwww!” Lucifer and Charlie let out in unison, immediately making Angel regret his kind words.
Charlie hugged Angel’s waist, and Lucifer flew up to hug and pet Angel’s head, as if Angel were a grumpy dog in need of some TLC.
Angel feigned annoyance and huffed, barely hiding his smile. “Alright, Alright, you had your moment. Get off’a me!” He playfully pushed the two Morningstars off of him, rolling his eyes.

“Fuck me, Smiles! That shit smells so good.” Angel moaned in pleasure as the group followed their noses into the kitchen.
“What is it?” Charlie asked, trying to get a sneak peek in the large pot Alastor left on the stove.
Joining Charlie next to the pot, Alastor ushered her away with the ladle he’d just retrieved.
“Jambalaya! Nothing quite like a family recipe to get tonight started!” Cheerful music quiet behind his radio static humming.
Charlie squealed excitedly; filled with all the energy she needed, she zipped through the kitchen, preparing her own contribution to the party.

Having five people in one kitchen, all preparing different meals was a nightmare to say the least.
Vaggie would gush over how much Charlie was having fun, despite the chaos; only for Vaggie to be accidentally pushed past by one of the many sinners, her growling and telling them to watch it.
Alastor, having started way before the rest of the group got home, had already finished and sat in the lobby with a book in hand. He most likely knew exactly what sort of chaos this activity would create, and began early to avoid it. I mean, who could blame him?
Niffty ran around, doing her damndest to keep the kitchen clean as her, definitely-not-chef friends made mess upon mess. Angel would feel bad for the little creep if she didn’t look like she was having so much fun.
A few ‘kitty cat’ jokes from Angel to Husk when he caught Husk kneading the dough later, and Husk’s dish was in the oven, making sure to flip Angel off before walking to the and grabbing a bottle to settle down with.
Now with one more person out of the kitchen, Angel finally had enough space to work his magic, ie., enough counter space to roll out his own dough mixture.
“‘Scuse me, ShortCake.” Angel called out, reaching next to Lucifer, stealing some flour out of his bag.
Lucifer didn’t react at all, which made Angel look over at him properly.
As if living up to the nickname he had just been called, Lucifer was focused on reaching for a large mixing bowl on the top shelf in one of the cabinets looming overhead.
Barely containing his laughter, Angel approached the man from behind.
Towering over top the little Devil, Angel’s bottom set of arms smoothly laid themselves over top of the shorter man’s shoulders, chest fluff resting perfectly atop the man’s slicked back golden hair, top hands reaching up and grabbing the bowl with ease.
“Here ya go, Daddy~” He purred, bringing the bowl down to Lucifer’s workstation. “Where’s my reward~?”
Lucifer’s face blushed brightly, but in attempts to swallow the heat, and definitely not let anyone know Angel got him worked up. He dipped his hand in the flour bag in front of him, brought his flour-covered hand in front of Angel’s face, and flicked his fingers against his thumb; causing flour to “poomf” all over Angel.
Angel recoiled in surprise, before scoffing and grinning at the Devil darkly “Oh, you’ve done it now, shit-lord.”
With an expertise only the graceful could have, Angel spins away from Lucifer, grabbing an already ripped open bag of powdered sugar. Without hesitating, Angel grabs a handful and chucks it straight at Lucifer, who teleports behind Angel, pelting his back with more flour.
“Hey! Teleportin’s cheatin’!” Angel laughed loudly, continuing to attempt to pelt the obviously-cheating angel with sugar.
“It’s not cheating, you’re just slow!” Lucifer yelled, right before teleported once more. “Missed me! Missed me again!”
This went on for several minutes, yelling obscenities and insults, throwing powdered sugar and flour, both laughing non-stop.
Vaggie groaned, but didn’t make any attempts to stop them since her girlfriend watched, giggling at the pair.
All fell silent when Angel threw one more handful at Lucifer, who ducked, only for it to whiz past him and square Charlie right in the face.
“Shit.” Angel mumbled, knowing he was about to get chewed out by Vaggie.
“Sorry, Goldilocks.” He smiled sheepishly.
Charlie laughed gleefully, Lucifer already wiping the sugar off his daughter’s face.
Vaggie sighed, calling Niffty back in the kitchen once more to deal with the White Christmas the duo had made, before turning to them and lecturing them about making problems for the rest of the staff.
Angel and Lucifer nodded obediently before Vaggie turned around momentarily to assist Charlie with bringing the dishes into the dining area.
Angel elbowed Lucifer’s arm, making a face and mocking Vaggie with her back turned, eliciting a strangled snort from the shorter man.
Angel flashed the King a quick, warm, real smile, before sauntering off to help the girls prepare.
Something in Lucifer’s stomach boiled and he brought his hands up to messily rub at his face.
“Stars, what is wrong with me.”

Chapter Text

“Thank you for sharing that story with us, Al!” Charlie gleamed, happy Alastor had easily provided a story about his mother while he served the patrons his Jambalaya.

“What about you, Husk? Do you wanna share why you chose to make bread?” She turned her attention to the cat demon who was handing out thickly sliced sourdough bread.

“It’s easy.” He grumbled.

“Oh. That’s uh- That’s nice.” 

Sighing at her disappointed smile, he continued. “My folks and I used to make it to go with  almost every meal because it was, like I said, easy. Easy and Cheap. So, it’s like a family recipe. Like Al’s.”

This seemed to work to get her to brighten up. “Oh! That is nice! I love learning so much about you guys!”

Angel’s moan gathered the attention of the others in the room who were trying to enjoy their meal.

“Sorry, sorry, igno’ me” Angel said, mouth full, as he shoved his Jambalaya-soaked bread into his mouth.

Swallowing, he continued. “You two should open a restaurant ‘o somethin’! Even if ya’ just served the same soup and bread, I’d be there for every meal.”

Alastor’s eye twitched at the mention of Angel calling his jambalaya ‘soup’, but he chose to ignore it, instead thanking him for the compliment.

“What about you, Angel? What did you make?” Husk asked, having left the kitchen before Angel had finished making his dessert.

“Uh, uh! Sorry, Whisk’as, you’ll have to wait for dessert.” Angel shot him a toothy grin and a wink.

“What about Pentious though? I thought he wanted in on this?”

“He said he wasn’t feeling well,” Vaggie commented, “Charlie and I will take up some of the leftovers later.

The second it was silently agreed that dinner was over, Charlie excitedly raced to the white flowery China bowl she kept covered with a hand towel.

“Vaggie and I!” She bounced and handed everyone a single cookie “Made everyone cookies!!”

Looking down at the cookie each patron had received, they all realized the cookies were decorated as themselves.

Angel chuckled, admiring his cookie.

They weren’t exactly pretty by any means, the pink dots under Cookie Angel’s eyes each a different size, Cookie Husk’s facial features barely able to be seen, as they hadn’t accounted for the fact that outlining with black, on top of black, wasn’t a good idea.

“I don’t wanna eat it, it’s too perfect!” The king cried, literally cried, hugging his daughter tightly.

Husk hadn’t even hesitated. He didn’t seem to care too much and his cookie was already gone. 

Figuring it was his turn, Angel set his cookie on his plate and set off to the kitchen to retrieve his dish from the fridge.

“Ooh! These are so pretty!” Charlie exclaimed, “What are they?”

“Ya never had Cannolis?” Angel asked, genuinely surprised.

The other two angels joined Charlie’s side. “Those are actually pretty.” Vaggie complimented.

Angel looked at the other sinners who, understandably, weren’t as shocked or impressed by Angel’s dish; Cannolis being pretty popular on Earth.

Husk and Angel made eye contact and shrugged at each other.

Using forks, Angel dished out a Cannoli for everyone. “Try it out! It’s supa’ sweet though, so you might not wanna eat too much of it.”

“I’m not big on sweets, but this is pretty good, Legs.” Husk offered, placing his fork down, obviously not being able to tolerate more than two bites.

“What story did you bring to the table?” Lucifer asked, reaching over to Husk’s plate, taking his discarded cannoli.

Angel fur puffed with pride, much more eager to talk about his human life than the other two sinners were.

“I used ta’ make these with Molls every night for months!” Angel smiled at the memory.

“I rememba’ way back when, I think Molls and I were 13 at the time. There was this boy in our neighba’hood I wanted to impress, and he loooved our ma’s cannolis. Since I was a boy, I wasn’t allowed to be in the kitchen, so my pa would throw a fit whenever my ma tried to show me how to make ‘em. Molly took it upon herself t’ learn how ta’ make ‘em and; every night for months, we’d sneak inta the kitchen and she’d show me what to do.” Angel poked and prodded at his cannoli, reminiscent of his childhood.

“Is Molly your sister? I don’t think you’ve ever mentioned her.” Vaggie added, sliding the rest of her cannoli onto her girlfriend’s plate.

“I haven’t? Yeah, she’s my twin!” Angel grinned.

Charlie almost choked on the cannoli Vaggie had just given her. “YOU HAVE A TWIN??” 

Angel snorted, about to say something but Charlie continued, bubbly; maybe the sugar from her two cannolis were already kicking in.

“That is so exciting!! Are you ever gonna bring her around?? She sounds A-MAZE-ing! I can’t waaaaait to meet her!” She squealed, barely able to stay in her seat.

Angel’s face twisted into a mixture of pain and surprise for a fraction of a second, before a soft smile gently made his way onto his face and he looked longingly at Charlie.

“Yeah” He sighed at the thought. “I’m sure she’d love to meet you.”

Standing up, from his seat at the table, he stretched his arms. “Well, I’m stuffed. I think I’m gonna hit the sack.” Angel faked an obvious yawn.

“Oh, but!” Charlie stood, reaching out towards him, “We haven’t gotten to dads-”

Angel walked towards the door, only stopping to playfully nudge Lucifer’s shoulder. “Save me a slice’ whateva’ Shortie made and I’ll eat if fa’ breakfast.” He turned, winking at Charlie before sliding out of the room.

There’s a brief silence over the room, save for distant radio static from the man sitting in the corner reading a book, as if the others in the room didn’t even exist.

“He looked.. sad.” Lucifer is the one that breaks the silence. 

“Do you think.. maybe Angel and his sister aren’t on good terms anymore?” Charlie asked, making Charlie’s, Vaggie’s, and Lucifer’s eyes fall on Husk, who was halfway through a bottle of cheap booze.

“Why the hell do you always expect me to know?” Husk grumbled.

“You’re his best friend, dumbass.” Vaggie stated, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“That ain’t me- That’s that Cherri Bomb bitch. ‘Sides, if you’re so worried, why don’t you ask him yourself. Isn't communication supposed to be important among friends or some shit?” Truth be told, Husk had already known about Angel’s twin. He’s always saying such good things about her and how much he misses her when he gets shitfaced at the bar, after one too many Vodka Cranberries; but Husk was being honest, he actually didn’t know the current deal with Molly, just that she existed. Angel would usually slink his way back upstairs after talking about her for whatever he thought was 'too long'.

“Husker’s right.” Lucifer started, making Husk think that finally, i f someone wanted to know something about Angel, they could grow a pair and ask him himself. “We should ask that Cherri person.” Husk groaned and didn’t bother trying to hide his face palm, before he decided going to bed was indeed the best course of action.

Angel had been laying on the scratchy hotel sheets, holding Fat Nuggets to his chest, and crying into his pillow since he managed to get back to his room.

“ Fuck, I didn’t mean to get so emotional.” Angel thinks, moving to kiss his pig’s forehead.

Sniffing, he wiped his eyes with his sleeve, when he heard a P’ting!

Pulling his phone out from under his pillow, he checked the lock screen, praying it wasn’t his boss demanding him to come in tomorrow.

Instead, he saw the name “Whiskers” and “1 new message”.

Curiously he unlocked his phone and clicked on the notification.

9:06 pm 

Whiskers

• Just letting you know, they ain’t gonna drop the Molly thing.

It was short, simple, and to the point. Angel smiled at his phone, feeling his eyelids getting heavy.

9:06 pm

You

• Thx 4 the heads up, kitty cat. <3

He’d tell Charlie all about Molly when he could do so without spilling the water works, he told himself, before drifting off to sleep.

Chapter Text

A chill sent shivers down Angel’s spine. With a gasp, Angel darted out of bed, observing his surroundings. Bringing his hand up to touch the cold spot on his cheek, he made eye contact with his round pet pig.

“Nuggs! Ya’lmost gave Mama a heart attack!” Angel climbed back into bed, using one of his top arms to wipe the cold wet spot Fat Nuggets had just left on his cheek, and his bottom set of arms to scoop up the source. 

The pig let out a frustrated grunt and wriggled out of his arms, snorting angrily at his owner.

Throwing all four of his hands up in defeat, Angel sighed “Okay, okay” before grabbing his phone and getting out of bed once more. 

Angel started walking to his bedroom’s door before stopping in his tracks and turned to his vanity mirror. 

“Fuck, I neva’ changed after dinna’ last night.” Leaning closer to the vanity mirror, Angel inspected his makeup, deciding it looked good enough to just grab breakfast. Nothing was smudged or out of place, his eyeshadow was simply just a little dull.

He was comfortable enough with the rest of the Hazbin Hotel staff that he didn’t need to look perfect , but he would never be caught dead looking unkempt or too casual. 

“ Or wearing the same outfit twice.” Another thought popped into his head.

All thoughts of changing clothes before heading to the kitchen were quickly scrubbed from his mind; his impatient pig nudging his ankles.

“A’ight, a’ight.” Settling for throwing on a large, pink oversized sweater, Angel made his way to the kitchen, pig hot on his heels.

“Heya, Short King~” Angel leaned onto the counter next to Lucifer, making Lucifer almost jump out of his skin.

“Shit, Angel! You can’t sneak up on me like that, I almost dropped the pie!” Lucifer quickly set the hot pie on the stove, making sure to close the oven, before turning to Angel. Lucifer immediately felt his cheeks heat up; eyes scanning over Angel’s attire, or lack thereof. The oversized pink sweater did its job at covering the portions of Angel’s body that it could reach, anything past that wasn’t leaving anything to the imagination. The large turtle neck folded expertly beneath his chin, the long sleeves enveloping all but his fingertips; the bottom of his sweater, however, was where Lucifer found his eyes glued.

The sweater’s hem found itself right below Angel’s glutes, the hem of his leather shirts just barely poking out from beneath the sweater. Until reaching pink knee-high socks, Angel’s legs donned nothing else. Different from his usual garish attire, whilst still managing to display his best physical attributes.

Grabbing canned pet food out of the pantry, Angel Dust emptied its content in Nugget’s bowl, who greedily scarfed it down. “You make pie for breakfast?” Angel asked, returning to Lucifer’s side.

“I-It was what I made for the celebration yesterday, there’s still a bit leftover and I didn’t want it to go to waste.”

“Oh! Cut me a slice, will ya?” Angel handed the demon a pastry server.

“Are you sure you wanna try it? Everyone said it wasn’t that great.” Lucifer stared at his pie, face growing sad.

Completely ignoring Lucifer’s warning, Angel set out two plates.

“How can ya mess up pie? It’s pie.”

Leaning with his back against the counter, Angel carefully used his fork to cut and eat a piece of the pie. He quickly realized, you can, in fact, mess up pie.

“Well?” Lucifer started, staring at Angel expectantly. “How is it?”

“It’s um.. It’s certainly pie!” Angel chuckled nervously, earning a sigh from Lucifer.

“It’s not bad! It’s just.. a little overcooked? And it’s hard to taste the apple. What seasoning did you use for the filling?”

“I’m supposed to season the apples?”

Angel laughed, “A’ight tell ya what. I have some leftover cinnamon from my cannolis. After my shoot today, you buy me a drink, and I’ll teach ya how to make a mean apple pie. Deal?”

Lucifer smiled and nodded. 

“How do you know so much about baking?”
“Like I said last night, Short Stack, my sis an’ I used ta’ bake every night. We didn’t stop at cannolis. What about you? Are you a terrible cook all around, or is it jus’ bakin’ yer bad at?”

Lucifer stuck his tongue out at Angel before answering, “All around a terrible cook, I’d think. I can just,” Lucifer wiggles his fingers for dramatic effect, “magic food into existence; I never really needed to learn how to cook.”

“Why are ya doin’ it now then?”

“I figured I’d try something new. Being here with Charlie and everyone really dug me out of my hole.” He smiles at the thought of his daughter. “I have a lot more energy and I feel like new things are exciting now, instead of intimidating.”

“Ha. I feel ya there.” Angel went silent, thinking about his next words carefully. “If ya eva’ need anythin’, you can rely on me. You can always let me know if you need to talk, a shoulda’ t’cry on, a blowjob, some advice..” Angel trailed off.

“What was that?” Lucifer asked, looking up at Angel, a goofy smile making its way onto his lips.

“Some advice?” Angel feigned ignorance.

Lucifer barked out a laugh, earning a large, proud grin from the pornstar.

“Come on, Nuggs. Mama’s gotta get ready for work.” Angel waved at the King, scooping up his pig and returning upstairs. 

Angel’s stomach growled loudly, making the spider groan even louder.

“I forgot to actually f’kin eat! I was so distracted by Señor Cutie Pants and his f’kin pie!”

“It’s only a short shift, it’s fine. There’s prolly leftova’ jamba juice or whateva’ Al made last night.” Angel muttered to himself, slipping on the outfit his producers left on the bed for him. 

To Angel, the outfit choice seemed rather odd. This was supposed to be a quick “Boss fucks his Secretary” film, but the outfit just did not match. “ What secretary wears a black leather halter top and a mini skirt to work at an office job?” He laughs at the thought, “Well it ain’t like Val has ever had a good fashion sense.”

“Angel Dust! You’re on in five.” One of his producers called from behind his changing room door.

Angel took one last look at himself in the mirror, smirking at his appearance before heading out to the film set.

“Cut! That’s a wrap, everybody!” The same producer called out.

Sighing in relief, Angel stretched his sore limbs. He was right about it being a short shoot; shorter than expected. The actor playing the “boss” spoke a big game, and, while he could in fact remember his lines, he tapped out way earlier than they were scheduled to. Angel knew there was no way he was ever seeing this guy in the porn industry again, let alone working with the industry’s biggest star. 

“Angel, baby? Come see me in your dressing room.” Val slinked over to Angel who sat on the cum-stained set bed.

Angel wanted to groan and complain, but he knew better than to talk back to the Overlord. “Be right there, Daddy~” Dressing himself in his usual velvety, pink on-set robe, Angel quickly followed Val into his dressing room.

“Come here, mí cariño~” Valentino took a seat on the fluffy white chair that faced Angel’s vanity and tapped a gloved hand on his own lap. Valentino didn’t seem to be in a bad mood, he seemed loving today. Angel knew he could snap at any second and preferred this calm, caring Valentino; therefore, Angel quickly complied.

“What can I do for you today, Daddy?” Angel purred into Val’s ear.

“Always so eager to please.” Valentino chuckled darkly, placing his hand around Angel’s neck. “I want you to tell me everything you know about that brat’s dad.”

Angel flinched, he should’ve known Val wouldn’t have dropped the incident from the day before. Valentino had just seemed to be in such a good mood; it was all an act.

“I-I dunno know much about ‘im, honest. I- We haven’t talked or anythin’, he won’t even look at me. I’m a lowly sinna’!” Angel prayed that Valentino didn’t see through his lies, the less he knows about any of his friends, the better.

Much to Angel’s dismay, Val had indeed seen through Angel’s lies, this much was obvious by Val tightening his grip on Angel’s neck.

“Bullshit. Don’t lie to me, Angel Dust. I saw the way he defended you yesterday.” Val’s voice deepened dangerously.

“He wasn’t protectin’ me, he was protectin’ Charlie!” Angel winced, defending himself, trying not to cry out or cave; giving Valentino the reaction he desires.

Val sighs, loosening his grip on Angel’s neck.

“I’m sorry, amore mio. I would just hate to see you in his clutches.” Val caressed Angel’s cheek, using his thumb to wipe the tears that threatened to spill from Angel’s eyes. “Answer a few questions and you won’t make me go crazy~” The large moth kissed Angel’s forehead as the smaller demon nodded, not wanting to piss off the Overlord more than he already had.

“When did he start showing his face around that hotel of yours?”

“About a week o’ two ago.”

“What is he doing there?” 

“Helpin’ Charlie run the hotel.”

“I get that, carinito, but what is he doing there?”

“Oh, um.. He helps with decorations, sometimes.”

“Anything else?” Val grumbled.

“He..” Angel hesitated. What DID Lucifer do for the hotel?

“He changed a lot o’the interi’a design; ’s a lot bright’a and 'more welcomin’. He helps Charlie come up with ideas for activities. This one time, we all painted little rubba’ ducks. That was his idea.” Angel paused, checking the Overlord’s posture. He seemed to have a ‘go on’ look plastered on his face, so the pornstar did just that.

“He conja’s up food with his magic f’dinna’ sometimes. Real fancy stuff too. Like, the first time he showed up at the hotel, he got in a dick measurin’ contest with Al. Conja’d up a bunch of champagne and caviar.” Angel giggles at the memory, bringing his hand up to his mouth,  “Don’t eva’ ask Luci to cook anythin’ though; he’ll burn ya house down.” Looking down at his lap and pushing his hair behind his right ear.

Angel hadn’t realized how or when he started rambling about the King, but Val was quick to shut it down.

“Luci, huh? And Al? I thought you said you never talked to them. Yet, you’re using nicknames already?” 

Angel's face fell, “W-What?”

Grabbing Angel’s thigh in one hand and his face in one, Val tightened his grip, inserting his claws into Angel’s flesh.

“How many of those Hazbins are you fucking??”

Angel grimaced at the claws piercing through his skin, forcing blood to dribble down Angel’s leg and onto Val’s white dress pants.

“Are you getting paid? Are you keeping the money for yourself?!”

“N-No, Val, you got it all wrong! I-I’m not-”

“Ohoh, I see, mi angel. You’re just a fucking slut , huh? Is Daddy not giving you enough work?” Val purred, “You don’t need those fuckers to bend you over, I can hire better than whatever they can give you.”

Angel’s face flushed, “What?! Val, no! He would neva’ treat me like that! He.. He’s different.”

“You love him.”

“W-What?” Angel sputtered.

“You love him!” Valentino’s eyes grew dark, his face scrunched in a rage Angel hadn’t seen in a long time; not since he learned how to say what his boss always wanted to hear. Scared, Angel tried to climb off Val’s lap and back away, but his claws kept Angel rooted in place.

“I-I-I don’t! It’s not like that, I-” Between a mix of fear and confusion, Angel felt acid gurgle in his stomach, heat rose to his eyes and nausea broiled in his throat. 

The Overlord removed his claws from Angel’s face, using that hand to backhand the spider. The clawed hand, still attached to Angel’s thigh, dug itself even further down Angel’s leg as the pornstar was flown backwards off of Val’s lap by the force of his backhand.

Angel cried out and attempted to look at his wounded leg, his instincts yelling at him to stop the bleeding, however, he could not yield his eyes away from the moth now crouching in front of him.

The moth pulled the spider’s face closer to his own.

“I own you, Angel Dust.” Val’s voice was stern and unwavering, “You belong to me . NOT to that fucking incompetent shit-stain.”

It took every bit of the pornstar’s self-control not to spit in the asshole’s face and defend his King.

“I-I know, Daddy. I’m all ya’s.” 

“I don’t want you near him, mi propiedad.”

“I-I’m livin’ with his daught’a, Val. I-”

“Get the fuck out.”

Angel, dumbfounded, just stared at the Overlord.

“You are going to go back to that hotel, pack your shit, and get your ass back here.”

Sensing the spider’s hesitation, Valentino pulled Angel up to his feet and shoved him towards the dressing room door. “You have until after the extermination.”

Not hesitating a second longer, Angel ran out of the studio; not stopping to grab his belongings, not stopping to change out of his ‘uniform’.

It was just a misunderstanding! Angel wasn’t in love with the literal King of Hell! Right?

The longer Angel walked, the more Angel thought about his boss’s accusations.

When had he become so fond of the man and the memories tied to him? Had it been when Lucifer protected him from Valentino? Maybe it was the way the two could throw insults and joke around like they weren’t just a King and a pornstar. Or perhaps it was the way he could see the light fade from Lucifer’s eyes whenever Charlie mentions her mother, or how he hears Lucifer’s voice break when he dismisses himself from the group, or maybe it’s even the strangled sobs that escape the King’s throat when he believes himself to be alone.

Angel may not know much about Hell’s greatest ruler, but he knew he was broken. He was broken and Angel Dust was desperate to be there for the man to lean on. He knew all too well what it was like to have no one to turn to; to drown his sorrows in booze and drugs. Angel would be damned all over again if it meant he could help Lucifer, to ease his pain even slightly.

Despite all this, Angel had no clue how deeply he cared for the King. Hell, he’d blame his generosity and general softness towards Lucifer on Charlie; that maybe her ‘bonding exercises’ were rubbing off on him, or even that he owed her and this was his repayment.

Lost in his thoughts, he hadn’t even realized he’d arrived back at the hotel. 

Angel set his hand on the door handle, hesitating, “Charlie’ll flip if she sees me like this.”

In an attempt to look for Charlie’s limo, Angel quickly flicks his head around left and right; immediately regretting this action as vertigo begins to sink into his brain. Fumbling back into the door, Angel decides to push it open anyway, he can deal with Charlie just as soon as his body replenishes the blood he’s lost.

“ Angel Dust? ” He can hear someone call out to him, but he’s so light-headed, he can only focus on his own steps. Step, step, just one more and- oh shit.

Angel barely registers he’s falling until his face collides with something soft.

“Angel? Wake up, buddy.”

Angel knows he should listen to the voice. To sleep right now was dangerous; he needed to stay awake, but the soft object that softened his blow was just so comfortable; warm and inviting.

“Shit. I think he’s out, I’ll get the first aid kit.”

Chapter Text

Lucifer had been so excited for his definitely-not-a-date with Angel. The pornstar had said he’d be home within a few hours, but never mentioned exactly how many hours. So, Lucifer sat at the bar with Husk, engaging in mindless chit-chat, waiting for the spider-demon to return. The last thing he’d expected was for the said spider-demon to show up, covered in blood, stumbling through the doors. 

“Angel Dust?” Lucifer called, gaining the attention of Husk. The two began to slowly approach Angel, as to not spook him. The spider stood in one spot, swaying momentarily, before taking a few ungraceful steps towards them. 

Realizing he was no good on his feet, Lucifer rushed towards the man just in time to catch him; Angel hitting his face into Lucifer’s chest, instead of the ground.

“Angel? Wake up, buddy.” The king slightly shook his barely conscious friend.

“Shit. I think he’s out. I’ll get the first aid kit.” Husk said from behind the shorter man, rushing out of the room.

The King maneuvered Angel onto his back-side, supporting Angel’s head with his arm. Lucifer’s stomach tied in knots as he got a good look at the face of the man in his arms. “Hells, Angel, what happened to you?” He mutters under his breath, using his thumb to wipe some of the blood off of Angel’s face. As he did this, however, Lucifer’s face contorted into confusion. What Lucifer had thought were just splatters of blood, were deep puncture wounds.

Angel’s head lolled to the side, earning a bit of panic from the man hovering over him. “Angel?” Lucifer tapped Angel’s cheek lightly, “Angel, I need you to stay awake, okay?” 

The pornstar only groaned in response.

“I’ve got it.” Husk jogged into the lobby, setting the med-kit down on the bar. “Let’s move him somewhere comfortable.” 

“To the couch?” Lucifer looked up at Husk, who knelt next to the pair.

“No, we won’t have enough room to patch ‘im up. Take ‘im up to his room; I’ll have Niffty clean this up before the Princess comes in and freaks the fuck out.”

Lucifer nodded in agreement, snaking his right arm under Angel’s long legs. In an attempt to stand up, the King added pressure to Angel’s wounded leg.

The movement pushed the sides of the gashes together making a sickening ‘squelch’ ing sound. Instantly, the spider demon let out a strangled scream. “Fuck, fuck” Angel choked out, now fully awake and oriented. “Shit, I’m so sorry, Angel Dust, I didn’t mean to-” Lucifer held his hands up, backing away from the injured man.

“Chill, Shortcake, ‘m fine. ” Angel managed to grumble out, forcing himself to sit up. “How long.. When did I get here?” Husk extended an opened moist towelette pack to Angel, who gratefully took it out of the package and applied it to his bloody face.

“‘bout 5, 6 minutes ago?” Husk replied, throwing the empty towelette package into the med-kit and closing it. “C’mon, Kid. Let’s get you to your room before Charlie sees you.”

Husk heaved Angel up onto his good leg, taking his place to Angel’s left, Lucifer taking his place to Angel’s right; the pornstar’s arms wrapped around both men’s shoulders.

Helping the rather tall spider up the stairs was no easy feat. He struggled to step with his only good leg, especially with his helpers only coming up to his chest.

They took awkward steps up the stairs; Angel could tell they were struggling not to drop him and his spindly limbs, and it made him self-conscious. Although he had much more pressing matters, the embarrassment he felt made him want to die all over again.

The trio came to a stop at Angel’s door. Husk made sure Lucifer could support all of Angel’s weight before slipping away from them. Both surprisingly and unsurprisingly, Lucifer could support Angel all by himself; surprisingly, because of his short stature; unsurprisingly, because he is the literal Devil himself.

Opening the door widely, Husk allowed Lucifer and Angel into the room first, following suit and flipping on the overhead light. “Are you two gonna be okay?” He asked the pair, setting the red medical kit atop Angel’s cluttered white vanity.

“I got it. Thanks, Kitty Cat.”

Husk nodded. Deciding not to comment on his disdain for the nickname, he turned and left the room; presumably to find Niffty.

Lucifer helped Angel stumble his way to his hard, hotel bed. Angel let out an uncomfortable groan as he plopped down on top of the bed’s cheap, scratchy blanket. “Hand me that kit, will ya?” Angel asked, the other immediately complying. Opening the med-kit, Angel started rifling through it’s contents.

Lucifer couldn’t bear to look at the spider. All of the injuries, the blood, the way Angel’s brows furrowed in pain, the outfit Angel hadn’t left in, and God, that scream. That’s all Lucifer could see, all he could hear, every time he blinked. 

Before, the King despised Sinners. He thought none of them could ever be redeemed, nor were they even worth the effort. Just a bunch of low-life, power hungry addicts that wound up in Hell for a reason. However, Charlie had shown him differently, shown him that not all Sinners were the same, and right in front of him was proof of that. Angel Dust. If anyone deserved to be happy, it was Angel Dust. 

Right now, though? Angel Dust wasn’t happy; he was in pain. No one deserved to be in this much pain, especially his Angel.

Lucifer felt his face grow warm and his brain freeze. “ Wait.. MY Angel?”

“Earth to Mornin’sta’, hello?”

Lucifer was jolted out of his thoughts at Angel’s voice. “Sorry, what?”

“I asked you to hand me that belt.” Angel gestured a bloody hand to a short leather belt resting on a fuzzy, pink stool in front of his cluttered, white vanity. 

“You good, Wings?” Angel asked, taking the belt Lucifer gently handed to him. “Ya haven’t said a word.”

“Oh I- um, I just..”

“If ya didn’t like the mess before, y’ain’t gonna like what’s comin’ next. Ya might wanna step out.” Angel gestured to the equipment sitting next to him on his bed. Set out neatly was a long hook shaped needle, a spool of black medical twine, a thin bottle of peroxide, along with some gauze and bandages.

“You’re… You’re going to stitch it yourself?” The angel asked, sitting down on the bed as if to say ‘I’m not going anywhere.’

“I don’t see a doc ‘round here to do it for me.” Angel bit down on the now folded belt, looking up to Lucifer as if saying ‘You ready?’; although he seemed to be asking himself more than Lucifer.

Taking a deep breath, Angel squeezed the thin, plastic bottle of peroxide. The liquid streamed through the small opening, dumping itself onto Angel’s long, deep gashes. The spider hissed as the solution bubbled in the wound, covering every inch in a layer of foam. 

Angel steadied his breath as the worst of the sizzling pain faded, with the bubbles. Peroxide-mixed blood seeped out of the wound, soaking his bed sheets. He for the twine and hook shaped needle with a shaky hand. Before he managed to open the sterile plastic package containing the needle, however, Lucifer pulled it out of his hands.

“What are you doing?” Lucifer asked, earning a disgruntled sound from Angel’s belt-stuffed mouth.

“Your hands are covered in blood and who knows what else.” The King set the packaged needle back in the opened medical kit and headed to the bathroom.

Angel removed the belt from his mouth, “It’s fine! I put the stingin’ cleanin’ shit on it!”

“What’s the point of the ‘stinging cleaning shit’ if you’re going to re-infect it with dirty hands?” Lucifer called from the bathroom over the sink’s running water.

“I do this all the time! Ain’t neva’ gotten an infection.”

“You do this often?” Lucifer emerged from the bathroom, drying his hands with a plush pink rag. He looked at Angel with a soft sadness. Angel couldn’t tell if the King was looking at him with pity or sympathy, but either way, it pissed Angel off; he looked away from the approaching King.

“Yeah, well, what’d’ya expect? We’re in Hell. Employa’s ain’t exactly the frien’liest.”

“Your boss did this to you??” Lucifer sat carefully on the bed next to Angel, rolling his wrist in a ‘roll over’ motion. Angel complied, rolling onto his side. With his back towards Lucifer and the wound on his leg facing the ceiling, Lucifer had much more room to stitch the wound. Expertly fishing the twine through the needle’s eye, he got to work.

“That pussy guy, uh- Val, wasn’t it?” Lucifer continued the conversation.

“Yup, that’s him.”

“Geez, I thought you got beat up by some thugs on your way back here or something; but, your boss ?”

Angel said nothing, only biting down on the end of his belt.

“And you said you do this often.. Does he do this often?” 

Angel’s silence was the only answer he needed.

“Why don’t you leave?”

“He has my soul..” Angel muttered into the belt.

“What? I didn’t hear y-”

“I said he has my soul!” Pulling the belt out of his mouth, he glanced over his shoulder at the man stitching his wounds. 

“Why’d you sell your soul? Don’t you know that-”

“Yes!” Angel snapped, “Yes! I fucking know! It was the dumbest thing I’ve eva’ done! It was 70 years ago! I was young, freshly-dead, and so, so desperate.” Angel hugged himself, not looking at Lucifer, who only stared at him with sadness.

After a few seconds of silence, Angel continued. “I’m a moron and I was gullible. I know that more than anyone. I.. I don’t need to hear it from you too, Luci.”

Lucifer stayed silent and continued his work; patching Angel up.

Angel stewed in the silence, before risking a glance at the man currently playing doctor.

Lucifer’s cheeks were flushed a bright red and he looked to be focusing on Angel’s wound too much, as if he were purposefully blocking out every surrounding sound. If Angel knew Charlie at all, this would be an indication she was about to cry; considering how similar the two were, her father was no different.

“Shit. I’m sorry, Shortcake. I-I didn’t mean t’make ya upset or anythin’..”

“N-No, you didn’t. It’s just-” Lucifer let his sewing-hand rest on Angel’s leg, and looked as far from Angel’s eyes as he could. “It’s just- You.. You called me Luci .”

Angel was shocked for merely a second before a smirk worked its way onto his lips. Bending his extremely flexible body, he managed to sit up and lean towards the flustered King. Angel snaked a finger into Lucifer’s collar and pulled him closer, using one of his bottom arms to grab the man’s chin, slowly making him meet his eyes.

“Does the royal King of Hell like it when I call him Luci ?”

Lucifer almost jumped out of his skin, his blush pushing past his ears and down his neck. In retaliation, the King simply used his left hand to softly repeatedly smack Angel on the head. “Stupid! Stupid! You idiot! I’m holding a sharp object that is quite literally connected to you!”

Angel couldn’t help but laugh as he fended off the smacks; Lucifer was like a child throwing a temper tantrum.

“Alright, Alright! Hurry up so I can tease ya more.” Angel laid back down, allowing the pouting King to continue stitching him up.

“There. Now I’m done.” Lucifer clipped the end of the thread after he knotted the last stitch.

Sitting up, Angel lightly rubbed his fingers over the patchwork. The stitches were very neat and tight enough to keep his skin flaps together.

“Wow, where’d ya learn t’do this? Mine a’ neva’ this clean!”

“I had to stitch up a lot of angels during the war. We Seraphims can heal from just about anything, but our own angel blades? Those need to be treated like real wounds.”

“Thanks fo’.. ya know, patchin’ me up ‘n stuff.” Angel placed his hand on Lucifer’s. “Yer a real nice guy, ya know?” 

“Oh, I don’t know if I’m all that nice, I mean-”

“Luci.”

“Yeah?”

“Shut up.”

Angel used one of his left arms to gently caress Lucifer’s chin, directing him closer to Angel’s face. Neither man said a word, just stared in each other’s eyes as their faces drew closer, breath heavy.

Angel kept searching Lucifer’s eyes for any speck of doubt or fear, but found none. He waited for Lucifer to pull back or push him away, but it never came. Lucifer closed his eyes and leaned forward, lips only a hair apart.

BANG! Came Angel’s door, swinging widely open.

“Angel??” Charlie cried, her sudden arrival forcing the two apart at the speed of light.

“Are you okay?? I saw a bloody handprint on the front door and then I found Husk and he said you were fine, but that you got hurt, and- and- and-” Charlie stuttered in hyperventilating sobs.

“I’m fine, Princess! I’m fine! It was just a scratch.”

“But- But-” Charlie struggled to catch her breath, tears billowing out of her eyes.

“You’re covered in blood, Angel. What happened?” Vaggie asked, rubbing her girlfriend’s back.

 “Like I said, it was just a scratch.” Angel crossed his arms in defiance. Why was he so closed off with everyone? Everyone except.. The spider shook the thoughts out of his head, refusing to look at the flustered King.

“You don’t get stitches for a scratch , Angel.” Vaggie pointed at Angel’s leg.

“Sorry, I tried to stop ‘em.” Husk grumbled, walking through Angel’s now opened door.

Ignoring the sobbing Princess and her knight in shining armor, Husk took in the appearance of Angel and Lucifer.

Lucifer’s head was down, focusing harshly on packing the leftover supplies back in the med-kit. While he couldn’t see the man’s face, he could see the tips of his ears and the back of his neck were a bright yellow. 

Husk could tell Angel, even through all the blood, wasn’t any less bright.

The spider looked up at Husk’s narrowed eyes; immediately, Angel turned away from Husk’s scrutinizing stare, turning another shade of pink. Refusing to look at either Husk or Lucifer, Angel settled his eyes onto his hands, twiddling his thumbs. 

Husk’s eyes slightly widened before he gave the pair a shit-eating grin.

“You sly fox.” He said, catching everyone’s attention. “You better not make me lose this bet.” Husk’s shit eating grin stayed on his face as he shrugged and walked out of the room.

“Bet?” Charlie asked, looking at Angel, sniffling.

Throwing his face into both sets of hands, Angel let out an embarrassed groan. 

“Oh my God.” Vaggie muttered, horrified, suddenly aware of the awkward tension in the air. “You didn’t.”

Angel fell back onto his bed, letting out an even more embarrassed groan.

In a mix between horrified and amused, Vaggie started to pull a confused Charlie out of the room. “Come on, sweetheart, let’s let Angel rest and I’m sure he’ll answer our questions later.”

The room was uncomfortably silent; neither man willing to look at each other.

“S-Sorry,” Lucifer started, “I should probably go.”

Lucifer rushed past Angel’s bed, making his way to the door. Quickly, Angel rolled over on his stomach and reached his arm towards Lucifer, catching his wrist.

“Wait-”

Lucifer looked down at Angel, sprawled out limbs barely able to stay on the bed. Keeping one hand on Lucifer’s wrist, Angel moved to sit on his knees.

“We ain’t doin’ this no communicatin’, misunderstandin’ bullshit.” Angel rolled his eyes, using his top pair of hands to enunciate his words. “I ain’t blind; we,” Angel motioned to himself and Lucifer, “were ‘bout t’kiss. Right?”

If Angel thought the King’s face was yellow before, he hadn’t seen anything yet. Lucifer tried to hide himself behind his arm sleeve, embarrassment reaching an all time high at Angel’s confrontation.

“ Right?” Angel pressed.

Slowly, Lucifer nodded, fearing to even look in Angel’s direction. This was too much, way too much. The pressure of the situation was giving Lucifer a headache. He could hear his heart pounding in his head, feel the blood pushing behind his eyes. He wanted to disappear, he hated this feeling, he’s the King of Hell, for Christ’s sake; he could just disappear, he could teleport away or fly away. He can; he should; he-

“Hey,” Angel whispered “Stay with me, okay?”

Suddenly aware of his surroundings, Lucifer gasped, being pulled out of his own head was painful and left him feeling cold.

After the first gasp, Lucifer’s chest tightened, preventing the King from filling his lungs with any more oxygen. He attempted to repeat the first gasp, but no air came, leaving him choking and coughing on his own saliva.

Not even realizing when it happened, Lucifer was enveloped in warmth. The hard bed he sat upon was warm from Angel’s prolonged seat; the arms around him cradled him, pulling him into their owner’s comfortable torso; the long legs on either side of him made him feel confined, as if he were in a small, enclosed space; safe from the rest of the world. 

Lucifer attempted to lean further into Angel’s warm, fluffy chest; the tears streaming down his face, dripping down Angel’s leather halter top proved this to be impossible.

“Here, hon, gimme a sec.” The pornstar held the King away from his body with his lower arms while his upper pair of arms pulled the strap of his halter top over his head; the top wrapping itself tightly underneath his ‘tits’ .

Angel gently pulled the unstable man back to his chest, the latter falling comfortably into his fluff with a soft ‘pwomf’.

Having been able to regain control of his breath, the man’s sobbing had settled to quiet sniffles.

“E~asy~” Angel cooed, running his fingers through Lucifer’s golden strands. “Can you speak?”

Lucifer sniffled and hesitated, then slowly nodded, earning a lighthearted chuckle from Angel. “I can’t see ya, Doll. Didja nod?”

Another sniffle, “Y-Yeah.”

“Are ya feeling better?”

Lucifer nodded again, before remembering he needed to use his voice. “Yeah.”

“Do ya wanna tell me what that was about?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize, jus’ tell me what’s on yer mind.”

“I just- I was scared.”

“YOU were scared? I thought I’d have’t’a tell Charlie why her pops was dead in my bed.” 

Lucifer let out a hoarse chuckle that sent butterflies to Angel’s stomach. “He can laugh, that’s a good sign.” He thought, sighing in relief.

“I guess I just.. I thought you were.. I thought you were going to yell at me, or hate me, or..” Lucifer’s heart rate started picking back up, something Angel immediately caught on to.

“Hey. Breathe. I’m not mad at ya, I don’t hate ya. We’re jus’ talkin’, okay? Besides; how could I hate ya for wantin’ t’kiss ME? I’m the hottest sinna’ down here. Everybody wants a piece o’me.” Angel winked at the King, although he couldn’t see it.

“I think.. That might be part of the problem.” Lucifer mumbled into Angel’s chest, barely audible.

“What?”

“I just mean-” Sighing, Lucifer peeled himself away from Angel to get a good look at him. “Just look at you. You’re gorgeous. ” 

Angel blushed slightly at the compliment, but remained silent, allowing Lucifer to continue.

“It may have taken me a while to actually understand what you do for a living, but I won’t pretend I haven’t seen you on billboards and plastered all over Hell itself. As much as I want you, so does the rest of Hell. You’ve probably been with women that are more of a man than I am.” Lucifer mumbled his last sentence into his knees, hugging them close to his chest.

“Lucifa’, I say this with the utmost respect, but ya gotta be the most BLIND mothafucka in all of Hell- No. All of the universe.”

Lucifer looked up at Angel with a mixed look of confusion, hurt, and hope. As if someone had thrown your ice cream in the dirt, then gave you more than enough money for more ice cream.

“You are THE big dick in charge here, hon. There ain’t no one who would say no t’sleepin’ wit’ya; and if THAT ain’t enough, trust me when I say this: I’ve seen a lot of hot guys, fucked ‘em too, but you, Luc, are THE numba’ one.” Angel leaned forward and placed a kiss on Lucifer’s knee cap “An’I ain’t just saying that t’make ya feel betta’. Of all the people I seen on Earth, Heaven, and Hell, ya really are my favorite.”

“You mean that?”

“At least Top 3”

“Hey! I was just number one!”

“Mmm.. Top 5.”

“Don’t go lower!”

“Top 10, definitely Top 10.”

Lucifer tackled Angel, pushing him down into the bed, while straddling his waist. Recognizing the smirk on Lucifer’s face, Angel covered his face with his arms, laughing when the soft blows from his pillows struck his arms.

“Shielding my attacks without a pillow is cheating!” Lucifer, the pillow-fighter, exclaimed.

“There’s no rules in pillow-fightin’!”

“Yeah-huh! Read the handbook!”

Angel grabbed the pillow Lucifer had been using to whack him with and gave it a harsh yank upwards, causing Lucifer to lose his grip and fall forwards. Catching himself, Lucifer had both hands on either side of Angel’s head. The two men’s faces scarily close to each other again. 

With the help of Angel Dust-induced confidence, Lucifer took a deep breath and closed the gap.

As much as Angel really wanted to deepen the kiss, he resisted his own temptations and let the smaller man set the pace.

Lucifer fumbled with his tongue, unsure of whether to let his tongue slide into Angel’s mouth or not. Earning a soft giggle from Angel, the pornstar decided he’d help the clearly inexperienced man out. Softly, Angel licked Lucifer’s bottom lip, asking for entrance. Lucifer startled; jumping, he smacked his sharp teeth against Angel’s lip. Lucifer tasted blood, startling him even more. Quickly pulling away, he looked at Angel’s bloody lip in concern. “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry, It’s been a while since I-.” He raised a shaky hand to Angel’s lip.

To Lucifer’s surprise, Angel didn’t bat an eye. Instead, he smiled and kissed Lucifer’s fingers.

“I’m okay, Shortcake. I’ve had worse at work.”

It was supposed to be a funny little quip meant to cheer the King up, however, the way his face fell showed it had not been ‘just a funny little quip’. “Man, him and the Princess really ARE related.” Angel thought.

As if he could see the man’s mind racing, Angel pulled the smaller man into a hug, “Stop thinkin’ about it, worry wart.”

The pornstar rolled himself and the smaller man onto his uninjured side, the two cuddling chest-to-chest, or rather, Lucifer’s face-to-Angel’s chest.

“Next time, I’ll lead.” Angel chuckled into Lucifer’s hair, sending excited chills down his spine.

“Next time.” Lucifer smiled to himself, drifting off to sleep.

Chapter Text

Angel’s nerves were eating away at him.

He wanted to savor this sweetness; he dreaded having the ‘So what are we?’ talk with his King.

He kept telling himself that even if Lucifer just wanted him for his body like the rest of Hell, he’d be okay with it. He knew he'd do anything to stay by Lucifer’s side. He also knew, however, he’d be destroying himself in the process.

Angel let out a shaky breath, determined to exhale his nerves.

His gaze traveled over to Lucifer’s sleeping form; the sight replacing his nervousness with compassion. Lucifer lay in a loose ball, arms wrapped around Angel’s piglet, their faces pressed against each other. The two were very similar in many regards; short, goofy, loved high-class meals and pampering, slept like a rock even in the most uncomfortable looking positions, and most importantly of all, Angel absolutely adored them more than anything . He’d take an Exorcist’s Spear to the chest for them in a heartbeat.

A pit formed in Angel’s chest. Love . He hadn’t felt that for someone in such a long time. Was Valentino right? Did Angel love Lucifer?

The only thing he had to compare his love for Lucifer with was his love for his pig and his sister. How was we supposed to tell based on two completely different types of love?

This was all such new terrain. 

He could hear Husk's prior statement ‘He likes women.’ emanate from the back of his memory. Was Husk right? Did Lucifer only like women? But they kissed. Does Lucifer only love women?

He could ask Charlie, but what would she think of her friend- no, a piece of addict trash trying to woo her father? 

Angel heard Valentino’s words ring through his head, tearing at his insecurities. 

‘Addict trash like you can’t change.’

‘You belong to me.’

“Angel?”

The spider jumped, pulled out of his thoughts.

Lucifer gently removed his arms from around the sleeping pig, reaching his small hands up to Angel’s face; his eyebrows furrowed, eyes laced with concern.

“What’s wrong? You’re crying.” The King frowned, cupping Angel’s cheek.

Angel reached to his own face, recoiling when he realized the seraphim was right.

“I hadn’t noticed.” Angel offered an almost bitter chuckle, gently swatting Lucifer’s hand away from his face.

“I’m sorry. I should have asked before touching you.” Lucifer gave Angel a sympathetic smile.

The apology caught Angel completely off guard. His eyes widened slightly, feeling the remainder of his tears threatening to push past his eyes.

Attempting to hide his now open emotion, Angel brought a hand to his mouth, covering his large forming grin, and turning his reddening face from the King.

Lucifer brought his hands in front of him, wanting to touch Angel to comfort him, but not wanting to push his boundaries.

“D-Did I say something wrong??” He panicked.

“No, no, it’s just-” Angel turned back to Lucifer, showing his grin and wiping the tears from his face, “If ya keep bein’ such a gentleman; yer gonna make me fall even harda’.”

Lucifer’s face turned such a bright yellow, you could mistake him for a lamp. He turned his whole body away from Angel, but Angel could see the glow emanating from his neck.

Scooting closer, Angel blew softly on the back of Lucifer’s neck. Watching the fallen angel almost jump off the bed, the pornstar grinned widely.

“You’re sooo sensitive~” Angel cooed, laying his head on the back of Lucifer’s, dragging his fingers up Lucifer’s arm.

Suddenly realizing what Angel was trying to do, Lucifer turned back towards the taller man, backing away until his back hit the headboard.

“A-Angel, wait.”

“Hmm~? Do you not want this?” The pornstar crawled on all fours (all sixes?) towards the King.

“N-No! Wait, yes? I mean- I do. I do. I really want you, but-” 

Angel laid his upper body on Lucifer’s legs, using his long fingers to daintily tease Lucifer’s erection through his trousers. “Then lemme take care of ya~”

The King gulped, his need for the man in front of him showing through his bottoms. 

“St-Stop-” He gasped out, throat suddenly dry, “Angel, please, I’m serious. Stop.”

Angel, face showing his surprise, sat up, removing himself from the King. “Are y'alright?”

“Y-Yeah,” Lucifer breathed out, “It’s just.. Too fast.” He whispered. “I’m not ready.”

The pornstar looked at him guiltily. “Sorry, Wings.. I thought- I thought you were just sayin’ ‘stop’, ‘cause-.. I didn’t know ya meant it. People don’t usually mean it.”

“It’s okay, Angel. I’m not upset. Let’s just.. Let’s just talk.” Lucifer looked up at Angel with a genuine smile, albeit a little shaky.

Angel flopped down next to where Lucifer sat against the headboard; Fat Nuggets taking entirely too long to get re-comfortable.

“Okay, I got some questions fer ya.” Angel started.

“Shoot.”

“When yer flustered, ya glow. Like, literally glow. ”

“Have you never seen an angel’s blood?”

Angel shook his head ‘no’.

“Angel blood glows. You know how when sinners blush, they turn red because of the blood rushing to the skin? It’s like that, but since our blood is essentially light, we glow.”

“Like a glow stick!”

Lucifer chuckled, “Like a glow stick.”

“Hmm.. Okay, well, what about ya hands?”

“My hands?”

“This whole time, I thought ya were wearin’ gloves. But when ya washed ya hands earlia’, ya didn’t take em off.” Angel gently took one of Lucifer’s hands in his, gently caressing it. “Ya hands are black, but ya face is white. Is it pigmentation? Are ya multi-colored? Like a cat?”

Lucifer offered an amused chuckle, “Am I a glow stick or a cat?”

“Both.” Angel grinned, his golden tooth glinting in the small amount of the city’s light streaming through his curtains.

Looking down at their intertwined hands, Lucifer smiled sadly. “They’re actually burns.”

Angel’s heart sank and face fell, “Burns?”

“When I was cast out from Heaven; when I fell; when I burned. Turns out, they meant ‘Burn in Hell’ literally.” A dry chuckle escaped from his throat. 

“Do they hurt?” Angel trailed a finger softly up Lucifer’s forearm; this time, with no sexual intention.

“Not anymore. That was a long time ago.” He moved the arm Angel was touching to gently grab his hand, kissing the star’s fingertips.

“Can I ask you something personal, Angel?” Lucifer slid down in bed, lying on his side to be face to face with the pornstar.

“Y’can certainly ask.” Angel grinned, implying he might not answer.

“Why does your boss treat you like this?” The King gently caressed the small puncture marks in Angel’s cheeks.

Angel leaned into Lucifer’s hand subconsciously. Looking away from Lucifer’s concerned eyes, he gave an awkward smile. “Ya already asked me that, hon.”

“I get that he’s a piece of shit sinner that’s in Hell for a reason, but, why does he hurt you?”

Angel scoffed, “He doesn’t really need a reason to be an abusive shit stain.”

Sensing Angel’s rising irritation, Lucifer sighed.

“Ya really don’t get it, do ya?”

Lucifer’s face scrunched in confusion, giving Angel the answer to his question.

Rolling over on his back, Angel stared up at the ceiling, but continued. “He doesn’t need a reason ta hurt me. If we’re filmin’ and I don’t moan enough, if we’re filmin’ and I moan too much. If one o’ the other actor’s cum early, it’s my fault f’bein’ too enticin’. If he’s in a bad mood: he wants to hate fuck. If he’s in a good mood: he wants a celebration fuck. Good mood or bad, he’ll hurt me. There’s no gettin’ around his pain. No matta’ what, he’ll find a reason to hurt me. Wanna know the worst part?” Angel turned his head to look at Lucifer, eyes glistening.

“He’s always sayin’ he loves me.”

The fallen angel’s face contorted and he stared at Angel with an expression Angel had only seen once before in his life. It wasn’t pity or even sympathy. It was understanding. 

Lucifer’s face screamed ‘I’ve been there. I know exactly how you feel.’  

“I-” The King started, but his throat clenched tightly.

“Lilith?” Angel asked.

“Yeah.” 

Angel didn’t hesitate. He turned on his side and wrapped his long limbs around the smaller man, squeezing him close to his chest in a tight hug.

While Lilith didn’t own Lucifer’s soul, she had a tight grip on his heart and had caused him a lot of pain.

Their situation wasn’t exactly the same, but they didn’t need to be; they understood each other's situation perfectly.

They had each other to hold onto and for now, that’s all they needed.

Chapter Text

Lucifer awoke to soft tapping. He yawned and rubbed his eyes, sleepily getting out of bed to inspect the tapping coming from Angel’s door.

“Dad? Did you stay here all night?” Charlie asked, realizing the man who answered the door wasn’t who she was expecting. 

“Yeah. I figured if he needed anything.. It would be better if I were here.”

“That’s sweet, dad. Thank you for looking after him.” Charlie smiled sweetly. “How’s he feeling?” She asked, stepping into the room.

“He’s still sleeping.” Lucifer whispered, as they walked closer to Angel’s sleeping form.

Charlie sat on the side of the Angel’s bed.

“Hey,” She softly pet the spider's hair.

Angel groaned, stirring awake.

“Cha’lie?”

“Good mor~ni~ng.” She sang quietly. “Vaggie and I are gonna go get some breakfast from May Anne’s. Do you want anything?”

“Is that the cute lil dina’h wit’ the pancakes Nuggsie likes?” Angel grumbled sleepily into his pillow.

“Mhm! That’s the one!” 

“Can ya get me some French Toast?” He yawned, rubbing his eyes.

“Of course!”

“Oh! With-”

“Strawberries?”

“You know me so well.” Angel grinned at the girl, rolling over to shove his face back in his pillow. As she slid off the bed, the spider quickly turned his head to her, calling out.

“Make sure-”

“Cooked with low heat; soft, but not soggy.” Charlie called, skipping out of the room.

“Ya daught’a’s the best.” The spider glanced up at Lucifer who stood from his seat in Angel’s plush vanity chair.

“She really is.” The King smiled adoringly at the door frame where his daughter had just exited. “I’m gonna head out with them. Are you gonna be okay?”

Angel mumbled a little mhm before snuggling himself deeper in his sheets, not a care in the world that they were soaked in his own dried blood.

May Anne’s: just as Angel had called it, was a cute little diner seeming to have gotten its name from the owner. The floors were a glazed oak, little spots creaking with pressure. Walls were adorned with photographs of an older looking imp, presumably May Anne and many other imps of varying age. The wooden diner was the type to be popular amongst regulars, who had their special seats picked out; while also never running out of travelers.

Lucifer followed Charlie and Vaggie to a booth, without bothering to wait for a hostess.

“Hey, lovebirds!” A pink-skinned demon called from behind the long counter that separated the dining area from the rest of the facility. The demon grabbed a pot of coffee from the small electric coffee maker before calling through the swinging double doors that led through the kitchen. “Miss May! Ya girls are here!” 

“She’ll be right with ya’ll.” The pink-skinned demon winked at the trio before turning her attention to a man who sat at the counter/bar, refilling his coffee cup.

“You come here a lot?” Lucifer asked the pain-stakingly obvious question to the couple.

“Yes, sir. We used to come here almost every morning before Charlie started the Hotel. Still do, just not as often.” Vaggie replied, respectfully.

“We had our first few dates here.” Charlie mentioned, thumbing the back of the fallen angel’s hand. Both girls blushed, lovingly staring into each other’s eyes.

The sight melted his heart and he more than desperately wanted to make a scene sobbing with tears of joy and hugging the girls, expressing how much he adored them and their relationship; but they were in public. He just got his little girl back, and as much as he wanted to be the embarrassing doting father, it would not do to annoy Charlie in public this early in their blossoming relationship.

“Soo! Vaggie! Tell me more about yourself!”

“O-oh! I uh- I- I um-” Shaken from their romantic stupor, Vaggie fumbled her words a bit. It had already been a few weeks since she met Lucifer, but she was still a bit nervous when talking to him. This man is the literal King of Hell and, most terrifyingly, the love of her life’s father. She was constantly feeling the need to impress him.

Sympathizing with the woman, Lucifer decided to ask a more direct question. “I see you keep your exor- your spear with you. Do you enjoy combat?”

“I- uh- Sort of? I enjoy training-”

“She’s a-mazing with her spear! You should see her when training! She gets so in-the-zone!” Charlie chimed in, sparkling and eyes closed, most likely fantasizing.

Vaggie awkwardly laughed, “I don’t enjoy the danger, so to say, but down here isn’t exactly the safest. No offense.” 

Lucifer smiled, “None taken. You’re right; Hell isn’t safe, unfortunately. You enjoy training, though. Is there anything specific you enjoy doing to train?”

“Ah, well, I-” Vaggie started, “I’ve been training under Carmilla Carbine for almost three weeks now. It’s tough, I won’t lie; but she’s taught me some very valuable lessons.”

“The Overlord?” Lucifer asked, genuinely interested, “What has she ta-”

“My girls!” An elderly looking imp sauntered over to the table with her arms extended. Charlie and Vaggie stepped out of their booth to quickly pull the imp into a loving group hug.

As soon as they sat back down, the elderly woman noticed Lucifer.

“Oh! And who might this gentleman be? He looks just like you, Charlie! A younger brother, I presume?” 

The accusation of being younger than his own daughter caused the King’s eye to twitch, yet he smiled politely, nonetheless.

“Aaactually..” Charlie started awkwardly, “Thiiis is my dad. Lucifer. Dad, this is May Anne. She runs the diner.”

“It’s lovely to meet you, ma’am!” Lucifer extended his hand to the imp, smiling brightly. Oh, how he loved to meet Charlie’s friends!

Suddenly, the sweet old imp’s demeanor changed. Once the charming southern Belle, now she glared at the King, the fury of a thousand mother’s sat in her eyes.

“Ah. So this is the man that left you to fend for yourself for most of your childhood?” May Anne glanced at the King’s outstretched hand and scoffed. “Charmed.”

Lucifer flinched and drew his hand back to himself, looking at Charlie with a surprised hurt look in his eyes that he didn’t even bother to hide.

Charlie’s cheeks were flushed bright red with shame.

“No, no, no, no!” She was quick to defend her no longer absent father. “Dad and I actually had a looong heart to heart, well, actually 3 minute and 13 second heart to heart, and we sort of figured out a loooot of stuff about the past and he wasn’t really the absent father I thought he was and he’s actually the greatest and most loving and- and-” Tears brimmed Charlie’s eyes; and May Anne took pity on the girl.

“Alright, alright.” May Anne sighed, looking back to the quite obviously hurt and troubled father. “I’m sorry for speaking out, it wasn’t my place.” The elderly imp’s southern drawl accented her words as she placed a hand on Lucifer’s shoulder. “But if you ever hurt my dear sweet pie again, I won’t hesitate to rip out your tongue and frame it on my walls.” She smiled sweetly. “Now, I’ll go get y’all some coffee to start you off.”

“Ugghhh. I am soooo sorry.” Charlie held her head in her hands, too embarrassed to even look at her father.

“It-It’s okay, Char-Char. I know I wasn’t always there. It’s only natural that you saw me as-” His voice broke, “-in a bad light.”

“But stiiiillll! I shouldn’t have- It wasn’t right to-” Vaggie rubbed small circles on Charlie’s upper back.

“Onto more positive things!” Lucifer clapped lightly, hard enough to get his point across, but soft enough as to not disturb the other patrons. “Do you have anything planned today? More fun ideas for the scoundrels of the hotel to bond over?”

“Actually, dad. I did want to talk to you about something.” Lucifer frowned as soon as Charlie’s voice took a more serious turn.

Also sensing the seriousness, May Anne simply slid their cups of coffee onto the table as gently and quietly as possible. Leaving a handful of creamer and sugar packets on the table, nodding to the trio in response to their silent ‘thank you’s’, before making her way back to the kitchen, letting them talk in private.

Sensing Charlie’s hesitation, Lucifer spoke up.

“Are you okay, Charles?” Charlie bit her lip and fiddled with her coffee cup. “Is this about the hotel? Did something hap-”

“Are you in love with Angel?” Charlie blurted out, a little too loud.

Suddenly, Lucifer lit up like a neon sign in the entertainment district.

“What?? No! No, I-! Of course not-!” Lucifer rambled and rambled, never finishing a sentence until he finally started to calm down. “No, I-” He sighed, looking up at Charlie’s serious gaze with his own heart breaking expression.

“..Maybe?”

He waited for the ridicule, expecting Charlie to lash out for betraying her mother. How, just because she left, it wasn’t right to go off and swoon for someone else! However, it never came.

Charlie’s face softened before his own eyes and she smiled. She smiled!

“I thought as much.” Charlie placed her hand on top of her father’s shaking one.

“I mean, it definitely caught me off guard when I first realized it! But seeing the way you look at him, I knew you couldn’t deny it.”

“You.. You aren’t mad at me?” Lucifer asked, surprised.

“Mad at you??” Charlie asked, taken aback. “Why would I be mad at you??”

“Because, I mean, well.. Your mother and I.. We never got divorced..”

Charlie’s look of shock quickly faded into her classic look of adoration and love.

“Dad..” Charlie looked at him sympathetically, “I don’t know what happened between you and mom, but she left . She did that herself. And while, I struggle with understanding her reasons and my feelings about her disappearance are a whooooole other can of worms; I don’t expect you to sit around and wait for her.”

The three sat in comfortable silence for a while, giving May Anne the time she needed to take their orders and return with their food. The silence still lingered as they ate for only a few minutes.

“Do you think..” Lucifer started, garnering the attention of the couple in front of him, as he poked at his food. “Do you think he likes me too?”

“Well, have you told him how you feel?” Vaggie chimed in first.

“I- Not exactly.”

“What did you tell him?” Charlie inquired.

“Well.. Last night.. We shared a.. a moment. ”

The couple said nothing, ushering him to continue.

“He came onto me-”

“ Typical ” Vaggie snorted under her breath.

“-and while I did say he was gorgeous, I told him I wasn’t ready for a.. An intimate relationship..” Christ, talking about these things with his daughter of all people was so awkward!

“Oh..” Charlie and Vaggie shared a worried look. “How did he take it?”

“He doesn’t take rejection to his advances very well.” Vaggie continued for Charlie.

“He doesn’t?” Lucifer asked, head tilted in confusion. “He took it perfectly fine and was even understanding.”

“Well?? What happened??” Charlie was on the edge of her seat, reveling in every detail.

“We kissed.”

“YOU KISSED?!” Charlie exclaimed, completely forgetting about the other patrons in the diner. Lucifer once again covered his bright blushing face. “Charlie!”

“Sorry, sorry!” She apologized, “but you’re so in love, it’s adorable!”

The trio paid their check and bid their farewells to May Anne before climbing into their limo; Razzle and Dazzle driving them back to the hotel.

Vaggie listened to Charlie as she yapped on and on about more ideas for the hotel, but Lucifer couldn’t bring himself to understand a single word she said.

There was someone else occupying each one of his thoughts.

Chapter Text

Angel sat on his window sill dangling a strawberry above his pig. As much as Angel adored strawberries, his last berry always went to his pig. Even if Nuggets already had his own May Anne’s Pancake Special .

“I can’t believe he fuckin’ did that!” Angel’s best friend yelled angrily. “Okay, actually, I fuckin’ can , but for fucks sake!”

As soon as Lucifer and the girls had come back from May Anne’s and woken Angel up with breakfast, Angel had texted Cherri Bomb that he had gotten hurt last night and she was in his room in less than 10 minutes.

“Gaaaawd, I know, right??” Angel drawled dramatically. “Like, I get this is Hell and we heal Hella fast, but that shit hurt! I still needed stitches t’a even start healin’!”

“Who did ‘em?” Cherri asked, inspecting Angel’s almost healed wound, “Ain’t no way ya did ‘em yourself.”

“The hell’s that supposed to mean?”

“Angie, I love ya, but ya sewin’ skills need work. Last time ya sewed yourself up, it looked like a grade schooler broke into his mum’s kit and just.. went to town.”

Angel feigned offense and dramatically threw himself onto the bed next to his bestie, draping his injured leg over top of Cherri’s crossed lap.

“Seriously, though, who did it? I might come to them next time I need work done.” She laughed.

“Luci did it.” Angel stated matter-of-factly. “He’s good, ain’t he? Said he learned it in the Great Angel War, or whateva.”

“You totally made that last part up.” Cherri laughed.

“Nuh uh! That’s what he said! I might have just made up the name.” Angel pouted, making Cherri laugh harder.

“So you fuck him yet?” Cherri asked, seemingly out of nowhere, making Angel almost jump out of his seat.

“Huh?? The fuck’re ya on about??”

“Oohhh~ Not yet, but you wanna? Reeeal bad~”

Angel shrieked at his best friend’s ability to read him.

“What’s takin’ ya so long, Angie? You’re you, If ya wanna fuck him, do it.” Cherri stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“I offered, but he said he ain’t ready.” Angel shrugged.

“Hold the fuckin’ phone, bitch.” Cherri halted everything she was doing, which wasn’t much. “Are you two goin’ steady ? I can’t imagine you goin’ steady with anyone; but with the literal King of Hell? ”

“We ain’t ‘goin steady’. ” Angel answered, using his fingers to air quote the words. “Besides, literally all we’ve done is kiss. And cuddle. And talk about our days. And our past.” 

“Wow, that is soo raunchy.” Cherri teased, rifling through the many shades of nail polish Angel had in a bucket. “You two sound like a couple. If I didn’t know ya any better, I’d say it sounds like ya fallin’ for the bitch.” The thick-accented Australian seemed to find the color she wanted and shook it a few times. Realizing she hadn’t heard any smartass quips from her best friend, she turned to glance at him.

The sight truly disturbed her. Angel sat next to her, injured leg still laying across her lap, face contorted into some sort of expression she couldn’t peg, and a face flushed as red as the color she chose from his nail polish collection.

“Angie?” She asked wearily. “You’re not falling for him, right ?”

His face grew redder, and he turned to look away from her stare.

“Oh. My. God.” Casting the nail polish bucket aside, she pressed all her attention into her best friend. “Angie, are you in love with literal satan himself? ”

“WHat?! Why does everyone keep asking me that?!”

“Uh- Maybe because it’s written all over your face with bright neon paint?” She got closer to Angel’s face, “Yep. Yeah. That definitely says ‘I want Lucifer, King of the Demons, to get down on one knee and propose to me with a ring around Fat Nugget’s collar.’”

Angel hid his face in his hands as if there actually was writing on his face.

“Okay, okay! I might, ya know, like him a bit more than just wanting a one night stand- don’t get me wrong, though!” Angel used the hands that were previously hiding his face to gesture, accentuating his words. “I absolutely want that short bitch to pin me down with all his angel-demon-whatever strength and rearrange my guts. But-” The pornstar hesitated.

“Buuut~?” His friend cooed.

“Buuut I might also want him to take care of me after? Maybe take me out on a date? Hold my hand? To kiss me and tell me he lov-” Angel cut himself off, slapping all four of his hands over his bright red face. Slamming himself backwards into his bed, he kicked his legs like a toddler having a tantrum, and let out a long groan.

“Holy shit, Angie.” The bomber chuckled at the state of her friend. “You’ve got like- a literal schoolgirl crush.”

“But I don’t like.. LOVE him!” Angel whined, “I’ve only known ‘im for a few weeks! Ain’t it too early for that shit?”

“Beats me, bitch! I definitely ain’t no lo~ve expe~rt .” Cherri teased, “But, Angie-” Her voice suddenly turned serious. “You can’t fall in love again. Not with someone with so much power. Not after..” She trailed off.

Angel Dust sighed and lowered his hands.

“Yeah.. Yeah, I know.”

“I want ya t’be happy and all, I do, and if this guy could give you a fairytale endin’, I’d be ya biggest supporter, but-”

“But he’s dangerous.” Angel finished her sentence for her. “Probably just playin’ nice ‘til he’s got me wrapped around his finger and then drugs me and convinces me t’a sell my soul over to him and abuses me ‘til the end of time.” The pornstar chuckled maliciously, voice empty of any happiness.

“I just don’t want him t’be another Val.” Cherri added under her breath.

“I know, hon, me neither.” He smiled up at his friend; they lay together for a moment in a somber silence.

“Well, I mean, it’s not like you can sell him your soul anyway!” Cherri perked up, trying to lighten the mood. “So ya free to fuck around and go on all the gushy dates with ya big Demon King Daddy as ya want!”

“Aaaactually.. About that..” Angel started.

“WHAT?!” 

Cherri Bomb’s voice guttural shriek thundered through the hotel, as if her voice alone were a bomb she could use to blow the entire hotel sky high.

“IS THIS SOME SORT OF SICK JOKE, ANGIE?!”

Angel knew he shouldn’t have told her about his deadline. He knew he shouldn’t have told her that he had to move back into the studio after the extermination. He knew she’d react like this, but he couldn’t just not tell her, right? He couldn’t just disappear . He probably should have known to let her calm down before informing her that it might be a while before Val lets him out of the tower again, if he ever lets him out of the tower again.

“I-” Angel began, face contorting into the same look of anger and sadness his best friend currently adorned. “I didn’t know how else to tell ya! Why’re ya mad at me ?!”

“I’m not mad at you , Angie! I’m furious at that limp-dick piece of shit that has control over you!” Her voice began to break as she spoke, so she refueled her words with anger in an attempt to hide her sadness.

“I SWEAR to all things holy I will RIP him limb from limb if the exorcists don’t do it for me!”

“Calm down, Sugar Tits! It’s not that big a-”

“CALM DOWN?!” Cherri’s angry shrieking began once more. “CALM DOWN?! My best fuckin’ friend just told me that in a week, immediately after we have the fight of our lives-”

Knock knock knock

Cherri’s angry tirade was cut short by a few light taps at his bedroom door.

Without awaiting an answer, the door slowly pushed open revealing Charlie, Vaggie, and Husk.

“Is-Is everything okay?” Charlie asked sweetly. “We heard yelling, and-”

“We thought the entire hotel was going to collapse. Pretty sure my bar quaked so much that a few glasses fell off the counter.” Husk interjected, obviously annoyed.

“Oh we’re just peachy .” Cherri replied, crossing her arms over her chest and scowling at Angel. “I just found out that Angie’s cock-suckin’ boss is makin’ him-”

“T-Take the whole week off!” Angel shot off his bed to interrupt, flashing the group his signature wide grin.

“Oh, that’s great!” Charlie clapped, gleaming. “Wait.. That’s great, right?” She asked, shooting Cherri a questioning look, as if she couldn’t understand why such great news would prompt such an angry outburst from the Aussie.

Throwing on his signature Angel Dust persona, he sauntered over and put his arm around Charlie's shoulders. “Yeah, the break is gonna be fantastic , but think about my paycheck!” He dramatically whined. “Besides, I’m gonna be soooo booored without so much action .” He winked at Husk, earning a disgusted groan from Vaggie.

“ Puta madre, I can’t believe we came up here to check on you.” Vaggie held the bridge of her nose.

“Aww, you do love me~”
Husk said nothing as Charlie began yapping about “aaaall the fun stuff” she had planned for the week before the extermination. He simply stared at Cherri Bomb. Taking in each detail of her demeanor; the way her arms were crossed, the way her one long brow furrowed tightly in the middle, the way her scowl never left Angel.

Something was up. Husker was absolutely sure of it.

“Heya, Doll~” Angel purred as he plopped onto the lobby’s sofa next to the King. Lucifer jumped, nearly dropping the newspaper he’d been reading, once more proving his horrible coordination skills.

“Oh! G-Good evening, Angel! How are you feeling?” He asked, glancing down at the leg that had been extremely injured just the night prior. The leg that was rubbing up against his own, causing his pant leg to roll up slightly, allowing Angel’s soft fur to rub against his now exposed skin.

“Muuch betta, thanks to you, big boy~” He cooed, using his long fingers to caress Lucifer’s chin, gently forcing his face up to look at Angel’s. Being a whole foot shorter than the pornstar, their faces didn’t line up and Lucifer was instead met with staring straight at Angel’s chest fluff. And boy, woah , did it look fluffy. 

Angel bent down closer to the man, making their faces almost mash together. “If ya got some free time, why don’t I show ya somethin’ reeeal sweet , hmm~?” Lucifer was stammering, looking from Angel’s eyes, to his lips, to his fluff. “A-Ang- I- uh..” Man is it hotter in here than normal? He thought as his trousers began to get uncomfortably tight.

When Angel was sure the yellow-glowing man below him began to short circuit, he giggled. “Get ya mind outta the gutta, Luce! I owe ya an apple pie tutorial, don’t I?”

Lucifer snapped out of his lust-fueled trance and glared at the taller man. “You are absolutely the worst sinner down here.” To this, Angel threw his head back and let out the most genuine, beautiful laugh he’d ever heard from the spider. Said spider stood from the couch and held his hand out to the royal. Lucifer took his hand and allowed Angel to guide him to the kitchen.

“Wait, so why do I cut the apples if I’m just going to mash them anyway?” The King held one hand on his head, the other over his chest; hand tucked under his armpit.

“Ya ain’t mashin’ the apples! We ain’t makin’ apple sauce!”

“Huh? Then how do you get them soft?”

“Oh, you sweet summer child.” Angel teased, “Ya cook them.”

Walking the Seraphim through the steps of cooking a nice homemade apple pie was no easy task. Angel had to show Lucifer how to do just about every step, short of putting the pie in the oven. A few hours of teaching, flirting, teasing, and sexual/romantic tension later, and the pie was finally finished.

“Aaand you called us all into the kiiitcheen.. Foorr?” Vaggie drew out her sentences, obviously annoyed at being summoned for seemingly no good reason.

“To taste Luci’s pie! It’s fresh out the oven!” Angel chimed.

“Nope. I’m out.” Husk grumbled, headed for the exit.

“Noo! Come on, Huskie~ Just try it!” Angel grabbed Husker’s large paw with his top two hands, pulling him over to the oven. A pit formed in Lucifer’s stomach at the sight before him. No, no. The King tried to shake the jealous thoughts from his mind. He’s not even mine. He can do whomever and whatever he wants. 

“Wow. This is actually really good.” Husk grumbled. “It ain’t even that sweet.”

“Riiight?!” Angel exclaimed proudly.

“You learned how to do this in one day?” Vaggie asked, genuinely impressed.

“Well, I had a really good teacher.” Lucifer and Angel looked away from each other, blushing and smiling awkwardly.

“Awww! Dad!” Charlie gushed, grabbing the two and hugging them tightly. Angel laughed and swatted her away. Laughing with his friends, a thought crossed his mind.

I’m really going to miss them when I have to leave.

Chapter Text

“Angel!” Husk barked, protectively holding his hand out in front of his group of friends. “ Shit! There’s too many of them!” Angel fumbled with the large magazine of his last tommy gun, realizing he was completely out of ammo. The group consisting of Angel Dust, Husk, and Cherri Bomb were being backed into a corner by a horde of Exorcist Angels.

“Guess I really should learn how to use a weapon that doesn’t rely on ammo.” Angel half-joked, hitting an angel that lunged at the group with the barrel of his gun.

“Ya tellin’ me!” Cherri laughed bitterly, feeling completely useless without her bombs. 

“Don’t touch my daughter, bitch!” Lucifer’s voice could be heard from the roof of the hotel, signaling an epic battle about to begin.

When the battle was finally over, the entire hotel was demolished . They’d all began reconstructing the hotel not long after the destruction; the non-magical demons doing what they could where they could. Currently, the stronger demons that could ‘poof’ shit into existence were working on the outside of the building, while Angel, Cherri and Niffty worked inside. Well, Angel and Cherri worked inside; Niffty ran between both, making sure to clean up anything and everything.

“I’m surprised you’re still here.” Cherri started, leaning up against the altar they had set up for Pentious next to Angel. “I figured he’d want your ass back to the studio the second the angels were gone.”

“Yeah.” Angel chuckled, though the only emotion coming from the noise was fear and hatred towards his boss. “He hasn’t called me screamin’ yet, so I’m takin’ my sweet ass time.”

“Y’all want a drink?” Husk asked, entering the front door with Charlie, Vaggie, Lucifer, and Alastor hot on his heels.

“We got some already? We haven’t even finished the bar.” Angel said, pushing off of Pentious’ altar and following the group. 

“Our lovely Princess has decided we should all get together and play some board games, so I thought I’d liven the place up a bit; allowing our amazing bartender to whip us up some delicious cocktails.” Alastor chirped, summoning high quality looking bottles of tequila, vodka and flavored syrups on the unfinished bar counter.

“Oh, that’s actually.. kind of nice of you.” Angel shrugged, eyeing the Radio Demon, suspiciously.

“Don’t let him fool you,” Vaggie said monotonously, walking in through the large space in between the spider and the deer. “Husk refused to participate, so Charlie had Alastor convince him.”

Angel barked out a loud, genuine laugh. “So what are we playin’ first, Toots?”

After the first few hours of classic home favorites such as Hell-Bo , Old Bitch, Hungry Hungry Cannibals, and Monopoly, as well as teaching some classic-er favorites to the more innocent demons of the bunch, such as Black Jack and Poker (not Strip Poker, though he did try to convince the group). Once the game systems were brought out, Alastor took that as his sign to excuse himself and retire to his room. This was how the remaining demons found themselves playing a newer video game none of them had played before (save for Niffty, who tried EATING the game controller more than once and was now fast asleep atop the 50’s era television) titled Demon Kart.

“Oh, come on! That’s such bullshit!” Angel whined. “Ya totally stole that from me!”

“Ya gotta be quicka than that, bitch!” Cherri cackled, shoving her shoulder into Angel’s, trying to mess up his steering.

“It’s okay, Angel! You can have the next item I get!” Charlie beamed.

“Here, Ang.” Lucifer placed his controller in Angel’s bottom set of hands with a soft smile. “I’m in the lead, we can trade.”

“Aww. You’re the sweetest~” The spider kissed the top of Lucifer’s head, earning a small blush. He didn’t, however, give Lucifer the controller he had been using.

“Did you- Did you just.. Drive me off the map?” Lucifer asked, completely flabbergasted as his own controller was set back in his hands and he stared at the screen where his blinking character was being pulled back to to the track by a small red gargoyle-like demon.

“Oh it is ON !” He shrieked, feigning anger and began pushing the spider like a pinball between himself and Cherri.

“YES!” Angel cackled as he stood and began his victory dance. “Eat shit! I’m better!”

“You cheated like four times!” Vaggie groaned. “I’d hardly call that a victory.”

“Ya just mad that I thought of it first!” Angel flashed his signature cocky grin, making the others smile as well.

“Ya’ll up f’anotha’ rou-?” Angel began to ask, cut off by his loud modern pop ringtone. Shit! “Sorry, gotta take this-” The pornstar answered his hellphone as he began to walk away from the group, so as not to disturb them; he only managed to take two short strides to the entrance before a shrill yelling came through his phone, stopping everyone’s chatter.

“What.. the FUCK, Angel?!” His phone didn’t need to be on speaker for Val’s shrieking to be heard across the room. “I told your dumb ass to be here after the fucking extermination!”

“I- Sorry, Daddy! I uh- I’m just packing-”

“Don’t lie to me you stupid slut! I’ll bet you’re over there fucking that Luc-”

“I’ll be there tomorrow, Val!” Angel yelled into the phone before hanging up and shutting it off. Facing away from the group, his lip quivered as he took a shaky breath. Slapping on his signature Angel Dust persona, he turned back to his friends, grinning widely. “Talk about a buzzkill, amirite?” Taking a look at Cherri was a horrible idea. His best friend stood in front of the rest of the group with her arms crossed and glaring daggers at Angel.

Tch! Cherri Bomb clicked her tongue loudly and looked away from Angel in disappointment. Disappointment. Angel had never seen her look disappointed in him before. Angel felt his heart clench. “I love ya, Angie, but this is bullshit. They don’t deserve this.” Cherri aggressively grabbed her phone off the couch and shoved it in her bra before stalking past him. “Text me when ya figure ya shit out.” Cherri slammed the door behind her.

“We don’t.. deserve what?” Vaggie asked, eyeing Angel suspiciously. “Is it about the hotel? Did you fuck something up?”

“It’s okay, Vaggie!” Charlie interrupted, “I’m sure Angel will tell us when he’s ready. We’ll be here when you get off of work, okay?” She calmly approached Angel and held his bottom set of hands in hers.

“Actually, Charlie..” He mumbled, not sure if she even heard him.

“Oh! It’s dark already! Come on, come on!” She began pulling Angel out the door, calling out to the others. “You guys gotta see the front!”

Angel stood at the front of the hotel with Charlie, Vaggie, Husk and Lucifer by his side. Staring up at the hotel in awe, the five took in the beautiful sight. Contrasting with the dark sky, the large red hotel covered in golden accents and large spotlights aimed at the sky; sure to demand every sinner’s attention. What really grabbed Angel’s attention, however, were the neon lights decorating the empty spaces of the hotel. On the left, were card suits, nearly identical to Husker’s wings. On the right? Three large X’s and a heart adorned the entire space. Whilst it looked like they may be promoting something a lot more provocative, and probably against Vaggie’s warnings, It was obvious these ornaments were meant for him.

“I knew it looked good when we put 'em up,” Husker grumbled, “But damn, they look amazing at night.”

Angel felt his eyes water and he brought his hand up to his mouth. To his right, he felt a hand slide into his lower one. Looking down to see who offered such a kind gesture, he locked eyes with the King who offered him a soft, supportive smile. With a new found confidence, Angel spoke up. “Charlie? Can I talk to ya real quick?”

Charlie turned to him, giddy. “Of course!”

“We’ll be inside if you need us.” Vaggie pecked her girlfriend on the cheek and Lucifer squeezed Angel’s hand once more before following Vaggie and Husk inside the building.

Sensing Angel’s hesitation, Charlie decided to try and help him. “I actually wanted to talk to you about something too. Do you want me to go first?” Angel sighed a breath of relief at the opportunity to have a few extra seconds to figure out how to break the news to her. Taking his sigh as an answer, she began fidgeting. “Do you.. um..”

“I’m worried about you and my dad.” 

That threw Angel for a loop. “Worried about us? Why?”

“It’s just that.. My dad. He’s been through a lot, ya know? With my mom, and then her leaving, and.. I just don’t want him to get hurt.”

“Hurt? Why would I hurt your dad?”

“He’s, well, a hopeless romantic and I think he really likes you.” Charlie stated, earning a blush from Angel at her admittance. “I just- I just want to make sure you know that he can’t just be..” Charlie blushed and pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Vaggie thinks that- No- I don’t want-” She sighed, stopped herself from rambling.

“I just don’t want you to think of him as- He can’t just be a quick fuck.”

Charlie’s words burned his ears and pressure built up behind his eyes. He knew he should say something, he knew exactly what to say! I would never hurt him, Charlie. ; I’m in love with your father, Charlie. ; For God’s sake, at least a Thank you for being concerned, Charlie. But no, nothing would come out, he just stared at Charlie with his eyes as wide as saucers, tears threatening to spill over, while her words repeated in his head. No, not her words. His.

You think someone would ever love you?

Addict trash like you don’t get to fall in love.

All you’re worth is a quick fuck.

“A quick fuck, huh?” Angel squeaked out, tears spilling over his cheeks, hair hiding his eyes. “Wait, Angel, you misunderstood-” Charlie reached out to him, but he backed away before she could touch his arm. “No, I unda’stood , plenty! A quick fuck,” He repeated, “That’s all I want, right? Since you know aaaall about what I want!” Angel stalked back to the hotel doors, Charlie hot on his tail. “Angel, please!”

Angel swung one of the double doors open violently, the loud ‘THWACK’ causing the only three demons awake in the lobby to startle and shoot out of their seats. “You don’t know shit about me, Princess!” Angel yelled, marching through the lobby. “Angel, please, listen!”

“ No! I ain’t listenin’ to shit ya have to say!” Angel yelled, turning to look at Charlie over his shoulder, “I thought we were friends.”

Charlie felt her heart shatter at her friends’ words and tears poured from her eyes like a steady river. “A-Angel, I-I didn’t mean it like-”

“Angel! You have no right to-” Vaggie started lecturing him from her spot next to Charlie, cradling her. “Can it, Lap Dog.” Angel hissed at the fallen angel.

His retreat back to his room was stopped short by a soft hand grabbing his. Spinning to see who the the audacity to touch him while he was in such a mood, he was met with Lucifer’s red irises peering at him with his brows tightly knit together and his lips pulled into a frown. “What happened?” The King’s voice was so full of genuine concern, it made the spider momentarily forget why he was so angry.

Not allowing himself to falter for longer than a second, he turned his head away from Lucifer’s piercing gaze. 

Addict trash-

All you’ll ever be are some mildly entertaining holes.

He’s a King. The voices in his head no longer sounded like Val’s. They were his own thoughts, and that.. That definitely made it worse. Who was I kidding? Falling for a King. Brandishing an obviously fake and pained smile, he turned back to the King currently holding his hand. “Don’t worry, ya majesty. I’m fine. After all, I’m just a quick fuck , right?” He glared down at Charlie’s wide eyes once more before forcefully pulling his hand away from Lucifer’s and stalking up the stairs to his barely-completed room.

“Charlie..” Lucifer turned to his sobbing daughter, tears welling in his eyes, matching his daughter. “What did you do?”

Chapter Text

“Charlie..” Lucifer turned to his sobbing daughter, tears welling in his eyes, matching his daughter. “What did you do?”

“I-I just- I wanted to know how he felt about you since you said you might be in love with him.” Charlie hiccuped, “But I worded it all wrong and I- I didn’t mean for it to come out like.. like.. Like I thought that he was only interested in sex, but I-” Charlie could barely contain her sobs. “I fucked up, Dad. I really fucked up.” Lucifer sighed and knelt next to the spot on the floor Charlie had sunk to.

“It’s gonna be okay, Charlie. If there’s anything you know how to do; It’s making people feel better and bringing them together.”

“We should go apologize-” Charlie started to stand up, but was quickly stopped by her girlfriend. “Leave him be.” She growled, still obviously seething from the lap dog comment. “I know you’re mad,” Charlie began, “and you have every right to be! But-”

“She’s right.” Husk, who had been quiet throughout the whole ordeal finally spoke up. “You guys go ahead to bed and I’ll check up on him. You three are probably the last people he wants to see right now.” Husker took the leftover bottle of vodka and began ascending the stairs to Angel’s room.

“He’s.. probably right.” Lucifer sighed, standing back up. “We’ll just check on him tomorrow before he goes to work.” If he’ll ever want to see me again.

Once Angel entered his room, he scooped Nugget’s into his arms and flopped onto his unmade bed. He hadn’t been able to salvage much after the destruction of the first hotel, only Fat Nuggets, his feed bowl and a few pairs of outfits that desperately needed cleaned. So, he laid on the new hotel bed without any sheets in a room without any of his decorations. The room felt so empty, devoid of anything that screamed Angel Dust .

Not that it matters; This room isn’t mine anymore. Not once I move back in with Va- Angel gasped and darted up in bed, much to his pig’s dismay.

Shit! Val! I hung up on him! He’s gonna fuckin’ kill me! Angel kicked himself for being so stupid and emotional as he powered his phone back on. His phone gave off a delicate chime as it turned back on, a momentary bliss before it exploded with vibration after vibration.

Next time I need a vibrator, I’ll just piss off Val.

Finally able to catch up to the time, Angel’s phone read: 41 missed calls, 13 voicemails, 52 new messages. He definitely wasn’t going to check those. “For the author’s sake.” He mumbled under his breath, Nuggs snorting in agreement.

 11:17 pm

You

im soooo sorry, Daddy! my phone died mid-call and I only just now managed to get it charged enough to turn on!

11:19 pm

You

ill make it up to u, Daddy! and ill never let it happen again!! <3 <3 :((

As the time ticked on without any response, Angel’s nerves grew more and more. I’m so fucked. I’m so fucked. When the loud Pting! finally came through his phone, Angel jumped violently and nearly threw his phone across the room.

11:23 pm

<3 Daddyy <3

Get over here. Now.

11:23 pm 

You

Yes, Val.

Angel sighed as he sent the message. “What am I gonna do Nuggsie? This ain’t gonna be fun.” He kissed his pig as another thought crossed his mind. I can’t take you with me. The thought alone made Angel’s eyes tear up quicker than they ever had before. “I can’t-” A knot formed in his throat and his voice cracked. “It ain’t safe, Nuggs. I don’t know what he’s gonna do to me. Let alone to you. He might.. just to break me even more..” Nuggets seemed to know exactly what his owner was saying, oinking loudly and angrily. “I know, baby. It ain’t forever, I promise. I’ll come back and get ya when I know it’s safe, okay?” Angel held Nuggets tightly as he packed everything he had left in a bag.

Angel thought about telling everyone goodbye before he left, he really did. “So much for no communicatin’, misunderstandin’ bullshit.” He sighed, referencing his own words. “Let’s go drop ya off with Huskie, baby. We can at least tell him the truth.” Then he can tell everyone else for me. Angel glanced back one more time at his empty room before turning to the door, said baby in his top set of hands, and swung the door open with one of his bottom ones.

What Angel hadn’t expected was for the very man he was about to seek out to be on the opposite side of the door, ¾ empty vodka bottle in his left hand, right hand outstretched, about to knock on the previously closed door.

“Husk?” Angel asked, surprised, but quickly recovered; his Angel mask on in a matter of seconds. “Just the big Daddy I wanted t’a see!”

“Angel? You okay?” Husk asked, staring at Angel suspiciously. Angel knew that Husk knew that something was up, but he couldn’t bear to turn off his persona now. If he did, he knew he’d crumble.

“O’course I am, hot stuff. Why? You wantin’ to make me feel betta’?” Angel cooed, stepping into Husk’s personal bubble.

“Angel..” Husk warned, trying not to snap at the obviously upset spider. Angel let out a teasing chuckle, “I know, I know, personal space. I gotta run anyway.”

“Right now? I was gonna-” Husk motioned to the mostly empty vodka bottle.

“Aww, were ya worried ‘bout lil ol’ me?” Angel teased. “Thanks, doll, but I ain’t got much time. Val’s got me workin’ a fill in for anotha’ girl who just called t’a let us know she can’t make it to her shoot.” Why am I lying? “The shoot that started 30 minutes ago! Can ya believe that?” Angel, no- Angel Dust grinned. WHY am I lying?! His own voice screamed in his head, Wasn’t I just about to tell him the truth?!

“Anyways! Mind watching Nuggsie f’a me?” He asked, though, not waiting for an answer before depositing his piglet into Husk’s arms and handing him Nugget’s bowl.

Angel knew his facade was starting to fade; he needed to hurry up, be quicker, get out faster. “If ya busy, ask Care Bear or her pops to watch him for a bit, okay?” Angel took the vodka bottle from Husk’s large paw and downed a shot or two in one swig. His breathing was starting to pick up. Leaning down, he gave his piglet a quick smooch on the head and a quick peck to Husk’s cheek. Husk’s left hand was still outstretched from where Angel took the vodka from him, so Angel placed it back in his hand, under the impression Husk wanted the booze back.

“When will you be back?” Husk asked, finally getting a question out, through Angel’s quick and panicked preparation to leave.

“Oh, you know my schedule, ya never know with these things.” Angel forced an awkward laugh, turning to walk down the hall. Just as he did, his piglet seemed to understand what was going on. His normally calm and attention-loving pig started wailing, shrieking the most heart-breaking noises; wriggling violently, trying to get out of Husker’s grip and get to Angel. Picking up his pace, Angel managed to get to the stairs before Husk called out for him again.

“What aren’t you telling us?” 

Angel looked over his shoulder to Husk and his baby. Composure completely broken, eyes red and wet, he whispered just enough so Husk could hear him. “Just please take care of him.” No high pitched feminine voice, no dramatic New York twang, just raw emotion. Husk was stunned in place and before he knew it, Angel was gone.

“There’s my good boy~” Val purred, seeing Angel step through his penthouse’s double doors. “Hey, Val..” Angel rubbed at his raw red eyes. “What’s wrong, pet?” The moth set his hellphone on his desk.

“It’s nothin’, Val.”

“You know I hate seeing you upset.” He cooed warmly, stepping towards Angel and gently taking one of his hands in his own. “Really, Val, it’s nothin’,” The spider sighed, “I just.. got into a fight with the Princess n’ them.”

“Aww, Amorcito.. You don’t have to worry about them ever again.” Alarm bells started ringing off in Angel’s head as soon as he heard the name. Sliding the duffle bag off of the pornstar’s shoulder, Val began to lead the other demon to his oversized loveseat. “I know something that will keep your mind off of them.”

“Va- Daddy- I’m really tired, I don’t think I can perform well for ya.”

“Let me treat you tonight, mi tesoro.” Val pulled Angel down onto his lap and licked Angel’s ear, making the spider cringe.

This position is familiar . “Daddy, please..”

“ Please, what?” Val purred, mistaking Angel’s pleas for desire.

“ Please not tonight..” Angel knew he shouldn’t fight it; he should give in and be Val’s good little slut, but he was so tired ; physically and mentally. “I-I really don’t want to do this right now. I’m tired and-”

Val clicked his tongue and sighed. Gently caressing Angel’s cheek, he looked at the man on his lap sweetly, voice dripping with honey.

“Amorcito.. I really don’t give a fuck.” Sweet smile never fading, the moth pulled the spider’s face closer to his. “When I say get on your knees; you say~?” 

Angel looked down, unsure why he even tried to get Val to understand. “Yes, Val.”

“When I say spread your legs; you say~?” Val sang, cheerfully.

“Yes, Val.”

“When I say~” The pimp’s honeydew smile morphed into something more evil, more malicious; he licked his sharp teeth, glaring eyes piercing into Angel’s. “That I’m going to fuck you so good that you won’t even remember that useless shitstain of a King’s name; you say~?”

Angel’s eyes widen with both shock and fear. He was too hurt for this; he was too tired for this. He should’ve known, however, to just smile and nod. Throw in a daddy here and there; just like he’d been taught to. Just like he had in order to survive the past 70 years.

“Fuck you, Val.”

The pimp’s malicious grin faded; he was shocked, and his glare deepened. “What the fuck did you just say to me?”

Angel- no, Anthony pushed off of Valentino’s lap and stood in front of him. “I said: fuck you . I told you I wasn’t in the mood, but you kept pushing me. ” 

Angrily, Val stood, hovering over Angel, before taking a deep breath. “Baby~ Amorcito~ I know you’re upset about what happened with your friends, so I’ll give you another chance.” Val held out his arms expectantly, as if waiting for Angel to cry “I’m so sorry, Daddy!” and run into his embrace.

“No!” The spider yelled, shoving his pointer finger into Val’s chest. “I have been dealing with your bullshit for 70 fuckin’ years and the one time I ask you to just let me have a night to myself, you can’t even grant me that?!”

Saying Valentino was pissed would be the understatement of the century. “I fucking OWN you, Angel!” He roared, “I can give or take any of your time that I WANT! I made you and you will respect me!”

“Respect you?!” Anthony scoffed, crossing his lower set of arms. “You just made me leave the only people I have ever considered friends! Ever considered family! You forced me out of my only safe space; my only home because what? You were scared the ‘Oh So Great’ King of Hell was gonna dick me down better than you ever could?!”

In a rage, Valentino backhanded Angel, causing his top star to topple over with such force; he landed on the glass coffee table and it shattered under him.

“Lucifer may not love me like I want him to..” Anthony started, attempting to push himself off the glass littered floor; only succeeding in deepening his cuts, and making new ones, “But he would never treat me the way you do. That alone makes him better than you will ever -”

Anthony’s monologue was caught off by blinding pain. At the realization of what Val had just done, he immediately lost all of his confidence. The fight bled out through his now open wound; fear taking its place.

Valentino was knelt in front of Anthony; an emotionless scowl decorated his face and in his right hand: a large shard of glass covered in blood. His blood, Anthony’s blood. Acting on instinct, Anthony reached up to touch where he felt the pain, hands landing on his throat. He wanted to kill the man in front of him; he wanted to cry and scream. All the spider could manage, however, was the gurgling that currently came out of his mouth as he choked on his own blood. Every time he’d will his body to do anything , more blood would erupt from his now-slit throat, cascading down his limbs like crimson waterfall; pooling around his legs and broken glass.

Valentino did nothing but stare at the dying man until said man started swaying, eyes rolling to the back of his head. With a light poke, the pornstar fell over, collapsing into a puddle of blood and glass.

Thank Satan I didn’t bring Nuggets.

Chapter Text

One Day.

One day was all Husk was willing to give Angel before telling the others how concerning his departure was. Husk watched the clock on the wall tick, tick, tick. 

4:07 am. 

6:24 am.

7:41 am.

“Husk? You’re already awake?” Lucifer called, descending the stairs to the mid-construction bar. Husk merely murmured tiredly. “Did you sleep at all?” The King rephrased his question. Husk looked away from him guiltily and muttered under his breath. “m’worried ‘bout Angel.”

“Oh, I was just about to head up there to talk to him if you want to join-”

“He’s already gone. He left right after the argument last night.”

“Oh. You don’t think it was bec-” Husker knew he should tell Lucifer about Angel’s strange attitude; but the look of guilt on Lucifer’s was heartbreaking. No, it’s only been one night. Husk needed to trust Angel. One day. He could give him that. The kid knew how to take care of himself, anyway.

“Said somethin’ about being called in to fill in for some no-show.” Husk’s clarification seemed to soothe Lucifer’s nerves even if only a little.

“Oh! Okay. Thank you.” He smiled sweetly at the cat and sat down next to the stool Angel usually sat on.

9:32 am

10:57 am

The two men sat at the bar, exchanging casual conversation as the hotel began bustling around them. If one of them wasn’t looking at the clock, the other one was.

12:13 pm

1:47 pm

“I’m worried about him too.” Charlie sighed, sitting at the bar with her father and bartender. She set a small plate in between the two that hadn’t left their Angel-Watching Stations. The plate had Lettuce/Tomato/Cheese finger sandwiches stacked in a carefully crafted circle. “Eat up. I’ll come check on you two again in a few hours.” 

“She knows we can make our own food, right?” Husk asked rhetorically, stacking brand new booze bottles on the shelves behind the bar.

“Speak for yourself. You tasted my pie.” Lucifer chuckled light-heartedly, earning an equally light chuckle from the barcat.

3:15 pm

4:36 pm

Husk continued setting the new bar up to perfection, even after Lucifer joined Charlie and Vaggie on the sofas in the lobby. The two girls discussed future hotel plans while the King watched some boring black and white western show on the tv they had brought in the night prior. Cowboys and Imps or whatever the Western show was called had finally started to get good. A group of imps kidnapped some rich farmer’s daughter and the main character had to save her; of course, the two main characters on screen being a man and woman, they fell in love and rode off into the sunset. At least, that’s where Lucifer thought the plot was going before: BOOM!

A loud explosion erupted from the wall the tv was sitting in front of; the debris flying in all directions, landing on and crushing the television.

Unphased, Lucifer looked to the two girls who stared incredulously at their now-missing brand new wall. “Why did we put the tv in front of that wall, again?”

“Where the fuck is Angie?!” The four members of the hotel staff currently in the lobby perked up at the growl and stared into the shifting dirt as the silhouette came through the wall.

“You know, we have a door, right- ” Vaggie’s complaint was quickly cut off by Cherri Bomb emerging through the hole in the wall, crunching the debris under her feet. “Tell me he’s here!” Cherri pleaded. Sweat beaded her furrowed brow, she glared and snarled at each person in the room without a care in the world that they were probably single-handedly stronger than she was.

“At work. He left last night-” Charlie answered, albeit confused. “Why? Is everything okay?”

“ Fuck!” Cherri hissed to herself. “I knew I shouldn’t’ve left.”

“Why? What’s going on?” Vaggie snapped, hating this crescendo of melodrama.

“You guys haven’t seen it yet?” The bomber looked around, “Where’s the tv?”

Lucifer pointed at the pitiful antenna sticking out from the wooden rubble, causing Cherri to tsk loudly and pull her hellphone from the rather large chest. Scrolling for a few seconds, she flipped her hellphone to show the staff her screen.

What looked like CCTV footage flashed onto the screen of Cherri’s hellphone. What played was exhilarating and disgusting all at once. Angel being pulled onto Valentino’s lap, Valentino licking and whispering something into the pornstar’s ear. Angel angrily getting off the man’s lap, pointing and yelling at the man. Not a trace of the Angel Dust persona; just pure rage and natural Angel . No one but Cherri had ever seen Angel like that before.

“You just made me leave the only people I have ever considered friends! Ever considered family! You forced me out of my only safe space; my only home because what? You were scared the ‘Oh So Great’ King of Hell was gonna dick me down better than you ever could?!” Angel’s yelling could be made out through the security camera. 

“He’s got balls, I’ll give him that.” Husk grumbled, unsure whether he even wanted the others to have heard his light-hearted statement.

Before long, Angel was smacked to the ground; a glass table shattering under him. Husk and Cherri growled under their breath. Protectiveness for their best friend growing.

“Lucifer may not love me like I want him to.. But he would never treat me the way you do.” The King’s heart clenched in both sadness and adoration for the sinner, unable to keep himself from blushing at Angel’s defending of him, he looked away from the screen momentarily. “That alone makes him better than you will ever-”

Lucifer startled at the shrill squeal of his daughter. Charlie had managed to cup her mouth with her hand, muffling the shriek that pried its way out of her throat. Looking back at the screen his daughter could not rip her eyes away from, Lucifer immediately understood the noise she had made. 

Angel sat on his knees, clutching his bleeding throat. Gurgling and choking could be heard coming from Angel’s mouth as he tried and failed to speak or scream. Lucifer felt bile rise from his stomach to his chest to the back of his throat.

“Oh my God..” Husk muttered, looking away from his friends, he leaned on the sofa’s armrest to keep him steady. “Did you know?” The cat glared scrutinizingly at the cyclops, “Did you know he was leaving?”

Cherri looked down at the ground after stuffing her phone back in her bra. “I begged him to tell you guys.”

“What.. do we do now?” Charlie asked, shaking, willing herself not to break down.

“I just came to make sure he wasn’t here.” Cherri hissed, heading for the door, despite being much closer to the large hole she put in the wall.

“Wait! Where are you going?” Charlie called out. 

“Vee Tower. I’m going to blow that fucker sky high.”

“You’re going to go fight three Overlords at once?” Vaggie interjected, being the only strategic one sometimes. “You don’t even know they’re there. Besides, what if they are there and Angel is in there healing ?”

Groaning, Cherri stopped and turned to the other, “Well then what do you propose we should do?”

Vaggie took a second too long to think of something; annoying Cherri, making her turn her back to the group and open the door, continuing her journey. Lucifer stood from his seat and began stalking after the bomber.

“Dad? Are you going too?”

Lucifer stopped in his tracks, turning his body slightly to his daughter. The fallen angel’s long spiked tail swished angrily at his feet, making loud whipping noises among the wooden floor. Red scleras burned scarlet, his yellow pupils accentuating the literal fire that was his eyes. His horns raised, pushing his tophat backwards; the small sun between his horns dancing and flickering dangerously.

“I think it’s time I remind this putrid shit hole why I’m its King.”

Chapter Text

“ What the fuck is this, Val?” Vox stormed into the pimp’s penthouse, waving his hellphone around. The TV demon’s red eyes, wide and dark with anger; a complete contrast to the bright blue the rest of his face shone. 

“Whaat?” Valentino whined, “I’m a little busy here.” The pimp motioned down to a girl with her entire face in his lap. Letting out a loud growl, Vox grabbed the girl’s brunette ponytail and yanked her away from the moth; earning a frightened squeal. Not even sparing the girl a glance, he hissed “Out. Now.”, an order in which the poor girl didn’t hesitate to comply. “If you wanted me all to yourself, Voxy, all you have to do is ask~”

Vox grabbed Valentino’s face, squeezing his cheeks in one hand, forcing the pimp to look directly at his partner’s screen as his face faded into a video. The security footage of Val and Angel’s fight. Once the video ended and Vox’s face returned, he was even angrier to see the moth brandishing a wide grin.

“Do you have any idea how many views that has? Why in the fuck would you post that?!” The TV screamed into Val’s face, making Val’s smug grin widen and widen.

“What’s the problem~? Don’t tell me you’re going soft and that slut too?”

Realizing his anger was getting him nowhere, Vox released Val’s face and took a step back to breathe. “Val, you know I don’t give two flying fucks what you do with your whores; but I do care when you release video evidence of you killing our Top Star to every god damn Ring !” 

“Pleease~. This is Hell, most of those pendejos probably came on their screens.” Val smirked, using one of his hands he had draped around his sofa to mock a ‘jerk-off’ sign.

 “It’s not most of those pendejos I’m worried about here, dumbass! It’s those cockstains at the Hotel!” Val’s grin faltered, but he kept the same cocky attitude. “What? You think some preppy throat-fucks are gonna try and come get revenge or something? Angel said himself that they all got into some kind of fight when he left. They probably think he’s a failed junkie; who cares?”

“A failed junkie who mentioned you forced him to come back in the video that you posted! How is none of this clicking for you?!”

“Fucks sake! Fine! I’ll handle it!”

“You better , Val. If Lucifer and his little bitch get involved; Vel and I can’t back you up this time.” The two V’s glared at each other for a short moment before Vox turned around and left. Val let a low growl escape his throat. Picking up a wooden chair, he threw it against the wall, shattering it into splinters.

Angel woke up with a start, a loud crash entering his consciousness from somewhere nearby. His brain jumped at the sudden noise, but it couldn’t will his body to do the same. Blearily, he opened his eyes, blinking away the fog. 

“There you are, my little bug .” Val chided in a way that was almost aggressively soft ; as if he was trying extremely hard to be nice.
“Val..?” Angel tried, the pressure of speaking immediately giving way to the gravelly pain built up. Coughing and hacking, he tried desperately to reach for the cup of what he hoped was water on the nightstand next to the bed. Before Angel could grab it, Valentino took the cup and stood up, pacing around Angel.

“Voxy’s mad at me, ya know.”  Val stated, taking a sip of the water the spider desperately needed. “Our fight got leaked and now Voxy is worried those Morning-cunts are going to come after us.” Angel tried to reply, but his throat was still much too dry. “I tried to tell ‘im that even those happy-go-fuckers wouldn’t waste their time and resources to fight for you, but he won’t listen. What do you think we should do, hmm?” Angel looked on at the man, desperate to just rest . “I could.. kill you. That would solve some problems. But then again, if they weren’t pissed before-.. Hmm.. I could..have you call them and tell them you like being Daddy’s little slut and you never want to see them again.. but that would be hard with your.. injured throat and all.” Val hummed to himself, as if making a show of what he’s going to choose. “Hmm.. Choices, choices.”

“Please.” Angel managed. “Just let- let me heal. Then.. then I’ll do whatever you want. It just hurts , Val.”

“I know, Amorcito~” Val purred, gingerly touching Angel’s face, before sliding his thumb into the injured man’s mouth. “I’ll make you feel so much better~” 

“Val, please..” Angel begged, voice mildly muffled around Val’s thumb; saliva dripping from his lips, “It hurts, please.”

“Mister Vox?” The Overlord’s secretary called into his office. “You’ve got a phone call.” Vox sat leaned back in his large leather recliner, feet propped on his desk, nursing a whiskey. “Fuck off!” he shouted, causing his secretary to flinch. 

“But sir, it’s from-”

“I said fuck off!”

“It’s not nice to yell at your employees, ya know.” A kind voice rang from next to Vox’s ear. The television demon jumped violently, falling out of his chair and spilling his whiskey on the floor. “Fuck!” He exclaimed, looking up at the smaller man sat atop his desk, legs crossed.

 “Lu-Lucifer! I mean, Your Majesty! It’s uh- so nice to finally meet you.” Vox stood from the ground, brushing the dust off his crumpled suit. Lucifer hopped off Vox’s desk and twirled his staff in his hand. “I’m sure it would be a pleasure, were we under different circumstances.” The King approached his subject, glaring menacingly at the taller man.

“I'm sure you know why I’m here, isn’t that right?” The demon looked away from the fallen angel, refusing to meet his eye. Taking a second to shake off his nervousness, he flashed the King his signature customer service grin. “Why don’t we just talk about this, Your Majesty? We can figure this out like civilized adults, can we not?”

“Civilized adults?” Lucifer scoffed. Was this guy being for real? “After what your partner did?”

“You’re right. I agree that he was way out of line. Why don’t we just sit down and calmly think up a business proposal?” Vox chuckled nervously.

“Ah, yes. A proposal. I have one in mind.” Lucifer grabbed the television’s shirt collar and dragged the man down to peer into his screen. “Tell me where my Angel is and I won’t rip your face in half to figure out if there’s wires or blood behind that bright ass screen of yours.” The King’s eyes flooded a dark red and horns brandishing flames erupted from his head.

Vox’s screen glitched and he pulled away from Lucifer’s loose grasp. Sighing, he collapsed back into his recliner. “Floor 69. Val’s keeping him locked in his penthouse.” The demon poured himself another whiskey, holding his face in his opposite hand.

“He said he’s being held in the penthouse.” Lucifer mentioned over his shoulder to the group following him as he headed to the elevator.

“How sure are ya we can trust that bloke?” Cherri’s voice echoed in the closed elevator.

“I don’t think he’d risk his ass for that scrawny pimp.” Husk replied, leaning against the wall.

“Why the hell aren’t the buttons working?!” Charlie cried, veering on hysteria.

“It probably needs a keycard, hon. All these fancy places have ‘em.” Vaggie rubbed her girlfriend’s back. 

Lucifer groaned, “Fuck this.” Spreading his six large wings, he shot through the roof of the elevator. 

“Dad, wait!” Following suit, Charlie, Vaggie, and Husk all unfurled their wings and quickly flew after the King.

“Oh sure.” Cherri crossed her arms, grimacing in annoyance. “Fuck me, I guess.”

***

“You are such a nasty little slut, aren’t you?” Val moaned, “Just came back to life and already so desperate for my cock, huh?”

Angel tried, but none of the many words he wanted to say would come out. He wanted to beg Val to stop; he wanted to scream; wanted to get away from the man assaulting him, but all he could do was cry. His sobs silenced by the member inside his mouth.

The faster the pimp began to thrust, the harder and louder Angel sobbed.

TH-BOOM

With a loud crash, the penthouse’s door flew off its hinges and right past the pimp and his pornstar. Startled by the noise, Angel tried to pull away and look at the cause, only resulting in Valentino clutching his hair tightly, keeping him in place. “What the fuck?!” Val shouted at the intruders. “We’re fucking busy!”

“Let him go.. right now..”

The sound of Lucifer’s voice from beside him, merely a few feet away, had Angel’s already sobbing eyes water with fresh tears. He felt so many different emotions all at once. Joy; Lucifer had really come for him! Relief; Lucifer was going to save him from this psychopath. Sadness; was Lucifer really here to save him , or was it a coincidence he stumbled upon him? Panic; what if Lucifer gets hurt? However, the strongest feeling he felt in this situation? Shame. He knows what Lucifer can see right now. Angel’s fur and clothes are caked in dry blood. He’s been sobbing for God knows how long, his mascara is probably running and he can feel the rawness in his puffy red eyes. What’s worse? His mouth is currently wrapped around his abuser’s cock and no matter how hard he tries, he can’t get away.

***

Angel’s chest and cheeks heat with embarrassment. Don’t look at me, don’t look.

“I said: get the fuck away from him!”  Lucifer shouted once more, but he made no effort to move closer to the pair.

“Or what?” Angel could hear the sly grin making its way onto Val’s face as his hand tightened in Angel’s snow white hair. The spider managed to crane his neck just enough to see the King in his peripheral vision. Lucifer looked exactly like he did during the battle with the angels. Horns, tail, and eyes blazing with the flames from the deepest parts of Hell; large white and red wings outstretched, taking up the entirety of the entryway. He looked ready to kill Val. So why isn’t he?

Oh. Angel suddenly seemed to line up the pieces. He’s worried I’ll get hurt.

The embarrassment dissipated, leaving the warmth Angel felt in his chest belonging only to the fondness he held for the King. Reminding himself I’m safe, Luci is here to protect me , Angel was fueled with all the strength and confidence he needed to get himself away from the disgusting moth and allow Lucifer to do what he does best: punish sinners.

Angel ferociously clamped his mouth shut, his unnaturally sharp teeth slicing and serrating into Valentino’s sensitive member.

The moth howled in pain, screaming expletives as he backhanded the spider once attached to him, sending him careening to the floor. Said spider grinned at him, blood dripping from his usually pearly whites. “You fucking bit-!” Not even having the time to finish an insult, a heavy force collided into Val, sending him flying into the wall.

Val peeled himself away from the debris, using one arm to hoist himself back up, another to tuck himself back into his pants; the silk crotch area now turning a crimson red, in contrast to the stark white.

Letting his wings flutter open, Val forcefully flapped them, causing intense wind to fly at his assailant. Instead of dodging or stepping out of the way, Lucifer simply held his hand up at Val. The wind Val had just sent Lucifer’s way seemed to just.. avoid him; completely changing its direction so as to instead, go around him.

The moth clicked his tongue in anger and raised his wings to attack again. However, he was too slow, and Lucifer was on him again. The fallen angel used his long claw-like fingers to slash the man’s torso over and over. Spilling his guts and soaking them both in blood. Lucifer felt he had only slashed the moth a few times, but by the time the ringing in his ears stopped, Angel was by his side, gently pulling him away.

“Luci.. That’s enough, it’s okay.”

Complying, Lucifer got off of the dying insect and tightly enveloped Angel in a warm embrace; neither caring about the blood.

“Angel.. Never ever do that again.” The break in Lucifer’s voice broke Angel’s heart. “I thought.. I thought you..” Angel stuttered, trying to find the right words, “It doesn’t matter. You came for me. You really came for me.”

“I’ll always come for you, Angel.”

Angel snorted, causing Lucifer to release the man from his embrace and gently smack him on the shoulder. “That’s not what I meant, you perv!” The two were broken from their laughter by Charlie’s voice. “Oh my Stars! You found him! Angel, are you okay?! Did he hurt you?! Why did you leave, we were so worried about you!!” If Angel weren’t so tall, the younger girl tackling him into a hug probably would have knocked him over.

Angel chuckled, “I’m fine, Cha-Cha. We can talk deets later-” Angel jumped, cut off by low groaning coming from the dying body at their feet. Getting a good look at him now that she wasn’t enamored by Angel, Charlie cringed. “It’s gonna take him months to heal from that.” 

“I don’t want him to heal at all .” The spider mumbled under his breath.

“He’s all yours, then.” Vaggie cut in, handing Angel her angelic spear. Angel quickly grabbed the spear, eager to kill his abuser of 70 years once and for all. His confidence wavered the second his eyes glanced at Charlie, however.

“Cha’lie, I-”

The princess stared down at Valentino, her eyes dark and cloudy, before raising her gaze back to Angel and giving him an unsure, but supportive smile. “Come on, Vaggie. I think I saw some cookies down at the main lobby. And Husk probably needs help calming down Cherri before she blows this entire place up.” 

Watching Charlie and Vaggie leave the room, Lucifer piped up. “Do you want me to wait on you or..?”

“Stay with me. I won’t be long, I promise.” 

“Take your time.” Lucifer took Angel’s bottom set of hands, the top set being too busy wielding the angelic spear. “Once you’re done, we can go home.” Lucifer placed a kiss on Angel’s hands before the taller man slid away, stepping over the intestines strewn across the floor to stand right above Valentino.

Home.

The hotel is home.

Yeah, that sounds nice.

END