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Today was Angel’s day off. He always enjoyed these as much as he could, taking time for himself. And just for himself, which meant no work, but also no therapy session or any other “training for redemption” random stuff at the Happy Hotel. He needed moments when he could be alone, without having to think about anything related to work or the fact that he was a damned soul trying to get better. He needed a break. A break from everything.
Of course, it was not easy to put all of this aside even for a moment. He’d been doing that job for decades, he was used to being on all the time, to just… never stop. Being on the stage, in the studio or on the streets. Spotlights, dancing, sex, drugs, alcohol, the constant adrenaline, acting and maintaining his flawless persona, even if not on set for some ad or movie. He actually had no other option but to just keep going, always, no matter what happened, no matter how he felt deep inside, no matter what he thought. Anyway, it would have been much too painful to ponder about his disastrous way of afterlife, it was much easier to convince himself it wasn’t that bad, and just… pretend. As usual.
But now, even if he could barely admit it to himself, and even less to others, he was trying to get out of all this. He wanted to. He was so tired, so fed up of being that perfect little doll with a perfect image and a perfect body that made him a perfect lay, being Valentino’s bitch just for having a shitty roof over his head, sometimes decent food, and a so-called protection. Bullshit… Where was that ugly moth-face pimp bastard when he met the wrong people on the streets? Or when he was getting abused by a partner on set, or by a client?
Until then, he had never questioned all of this because… How could he have? There was no choice, it was this, or being constantly in danger in that god forsaken place. Well this, and also the whole manipulating process that Val had carried out on him, luring him into a dream made of everything he couldn’t resist: drugs and sex at will, being loved and admired by every single demon, and the bonus, making money out of it. And, for Lucifer’s sake, had it worked! He had let himself drawn into it, but in the end he was just one of the overlord’s countless puppets, and he had lost the few dignity and privacy that he still had before. When he’d realized it, it was already much too late, Val had him in his grip and would never let him go. Then, the only option for Angel was to keep working for him, being around him, doing everything he was told, unless he wanted to be thrown to the dogs – literally – and left with his addiction and no protection at all, at the mercy of Hell’s worst denizens.
Now, he had the Happy Hotel. At first, when the princess and her girlfriend had offered him to be their very first resident, it seemed absurd and ridiculous to him, and he didn’t want to look like a coward trying to escape from a toxic relationship he could have avoided. However, he just couldn’t help but thinking about it, and then accept the deal. Also, he just had to behave – somehow – to get a free home, free meals and, also, the protection he could need sometimes, so it was quite a fair trade. But, deep inside, he wanted to get better, he wanted to get out of these habits, this image, all the glitter and fake smiles that made nothing but conceal his pathetic existence down here.
So, he stayed. He tried to behave, to reduce drugs and alcohol, to act nice, to make therapy sessions useful and all that jazz. But… It was tough, really tough. First, because he was addicted to all that, the sensations, the euphoria, the fame, the sight of all those demons devouring him with their eyes, wanting to be around him or even be him. Second, because his boss never hesitated over putting pressure on him, trying to keep him in his dirty grip and convince him he was just a pitiful useless whore only good for exhibiting his dream physique, touting for clients, sucking dick and getting his pretty butt destroyed for a few bucks. That clearly didn’t help, but at least, he tried. After all, if the princess herself believed it was possible…
Anyway, today was his day off. He had nothing particular to do, so he decided to just do as he often did and chill in his bed at the hotel, with his little pig snuggled against him, music playing softly on the vinyl record player and a few snacks on the bedside table just in case.
He was lying down on the sheets quietly for one hour or so, when he heard someone knock at his door. As he was about to sigh and curse loudly to discourage the demon who dared disturb him during this private and peaceful moment, he stopped himself when he realized who was there. Two knocks, a pause, three knocks. This was their code, so they could recognize each other and be sure to know who they would open the door too.
- C’m’in, gattino.
Husk entered the room, closing the door behind him. He took a few seconds to look around, noticing the half-closed blinds, the music in the background and the slight woody aroma of incense for a quiet atmosphere. Then, he looked at Angel relaxing in his bed, holding Fat Nuggets in his lower arms while petting his head and belly with his upper hands. Husk couldn’t help but smile, it was… so adorable. His boyfriend slumped half naked on the mattress, cuddling his little hog, his facial expression and his body free of any tension, his mind cleared of everyday troubles, his feet wiggling in rhythm with the music.
The feline walked towards the bed and climbed onto it. He took place behind Angel, leaving some space between them, waiting for his lover to accept his touch – or not, in that case he would just stay by his side. Much to his pleasure, the spider quickly moved backwards slightly. Husk wrapped an arm around him and started purring spontaneously. In response, Angel snuggled even closer against him and took his hand to hold it, fingers and claws intertwining.
- D’you need anything, sweetheart?
Oh, the cat was playing softie… which Angel absolutely loved. It was so comforting to see him open, caring, affectionate. Only he had the privilege to see that aspect of the grumpy alcoholic winged demon, and he was so glad and grateful for it.
- Mmh… nope. Got everythin’ I could dream of here.
If he was facing Husk, he would probably have given him a flirty wink and a kiss on the cheek, but he just held his paw a bit tighter and stroked it with his thumb. When they were spending intimate moments like this, sometimes it was intense, a bit messy and… rather animated. They hadn’t had sex yet, in the very strict sense of it, they really wanted to take their time. One because he’d kind of lost the habit, being a cantankerous loner, the other because he didn’t want to cut corners, their relationship being genuine and serious. However, some things already happened, of course. Kissing, taking clothes off, touching here and there, teasing, nipping, taking care of each other in a soft but not exactly platonic way. And they both loved these moments. They absolutely loved them and neither would trade them for nothing.
But right now, they were just cuddling, without any intention of doing more, and it was enough. They were here together, in a comfortable bed, in a quiet room with oldies on the record player, enjoying each other’s closeness and warmth. Actually, the song playing at that moment was very fitting.
Quand il me prend dans ses bras
Qu'il me parle tout bas
Je vois la vie en rose
Neither of them spoke French, but the song was too famous so they wouldn’t recognize it and know what it was about overall. Husk nuzzled Angel’s neck and kissed it, stretching a wing to cover them both, which made his lover smile even wider and instinctively nestle under it.
- Thanks, babe.
- You’re welcome, Angie.
Upon these words, the hybrid buried his face in his partner’s fluffy neck and left a trail of soft kisses along his shoulder, making him quiver and giggle.
- Aw, someone’s affectionate.
- Yeah. So?
The arachnid chuckled lightly and kissed the paw he was holding.
- Mmh, nothin’. It’s real nice…
- I know.
“That’s why I’m doing it” hung in the air, but he didn’t say it out loud, he knew Angel understood him. He always did. He always knew how to read between the lines of the few things he said. Which was one of the many qualities Husk appreciated in his beloved spider. Sometimes, they would talk, a lot. Sometimes, they would confide a bit more about their feelings. Sometimes, they would just appreciate each other’s company, without saying a word. No matter how they communicated, Angel never tried to worm things out of Husk nor blame him for being quiet, which the latter was grateful for. Anyway, even if it was scary and seemed risible, they knew how they felt for each other, and the most important was that they showed it. Just like they did at this very moment.
Il me dit des mots d'amour
Des mots de tous les jours
Et ça me fait quelque chose
The feline carried on peppering his boyfriend’s neck and shoulder with kisses, slowly fondling his hair with his free paw. To Angel, this was as powerful and moving as all the sweet nothings and pet names he whispered to him sometimes. Actually, any little thing the cat would do could make him happy. The slightest of affections, the briefest gaze, the simplest kind words…
There was no other way to say it: Husk had conquered his heart, since the very beginning. When he first saw him, he was already captivated, with stars in his eyes and butterflies in his body. As he got to know him better, he felt himself falling harder and harder for him. Him and his big striped ears twitching at every single noise, his golden eyes blazing like two flames, the heart shapes above his eyebrows and on the inside of his paws, his huge impressive red wings, his rough but strangely relaxing voice, his laugh, his purring, and his grumpy insolent attitude that made him even more attractive.
Since the day they – technically – started dating, he felt… better. He knew there would be no miracle down here, the best anyone could do was to manage by themselves, and the only person who could pull him out of his misery was himself. But… having someone along the way could really help, and he felt so good, so safe, so whole with Husk he just couldn’t deny being with him clearly brought him a lot.
Il est entré dans mon cœur
Une grande part de bonheur
Dont je connais la cause
During these quiet and tender private moments, it seemed like everything was back in its place, like it all seemed clear and obvious. Both felt better than they’d ever had before, and neither wanted to be pulled apart from the other’s embrace. They just wanted to stay like this and never let go of the other. And, even if it was the craziest idea ever, even if it seemed impossible, even if they could barely admit it to themselves… they wanted to be together, forever, until all the rings of Hell collapsed.
C'est lui pour moi, moi pour lui dans la vie
Il me l'a dit, l'a juré pour la vie
- Angie… You okay?
- Mh? Yeah. Why?
- Your heart’s beating like mad.
Angel chuckled again and nuzzled Husk’s paw, trying to hide how hard he was actually blushing.
- ‘course, why do you think it is?
The feline let a wide smile on his face and hugged his lover a bit tighter, burying his muzzle in the fuzzy neck. He knew the question was silly, given how fast his own heart was beating. But… who cared? It was just the two of them.
Et dès que je l'aperçois
Alors je sens en moi
Mon cœur qui bat
~