It wasn't Angel's touch specifically that made Alastor's skin crawl. It was touch in general. He hated being touched. Just one more reason that he'd never gotten a partner: How could he do anything to please them if the thought of physical contact made him queasy?
Not that he knew what thoughts were currently swimming through Angel's head. Other than generalized self-recrimination. Unlike Alastor, Angel wore his emotions on his sleeve.
Alastor reached out to lower the temperature of the stovetop so at least his food wouldn't burn. He then walked over to lean into Angel's face.
"Sha, look at me," Alastor said bluntly, a little of his natural accent slipping in with that first word as he reached out a gloved hand to gently tap beneath Angel's chin. "I'm well-aware that if I flexed my claws against one of the V's, I'd have the other two come running. I also know that Valentino is the lynchpin of that despicable trio, but Vox and Velvet don't seem to realize that the moth is a leech that has far less power than they think he does. Yesterday Vox saw up close and personal that Valentino isn't as strong as he pretends to be. It's going to start putting cracks in that relationship."
Alastor's smile turned into a smirk.
"I may haff been born in da bayou, but dat jus means I know how ta swim wit da gatas," he said, deliberately speaking with his original accent. Then he swapped back to his normal Transatlantic accent. "I do appreciate the concern -- Actually, I'm quite surprised by it! -- but I'm not some reckless would-be knight in shining armor. And now that I know the layout of that vile studio, I can have my shadow friends pluck you out at any time without having to set foot inside."
If Angel had internal radio receivers like Al, he would have set off all the transponders in a five mile radius with some high pitch squealing. Fucking Hell, Smiles wasn't playing fair. Not just two seconds ago did he decide that he was going to let go of whatever weird feelings he had brewing for the deer and he pulls this shit on him. Stop being kind to him. It was weird. It made him feel weird. No. Bury it. Bury it deep. You're not going to pursue this anymore. Wh-what ever this was. Nope. Nopey nope nope.
Despite the internal crisis Angel was tackling, all Alastor could see was the spider tensing at his touch, his breath hitching in his throat staring up at him with damp eyes. For a moment, Angel sat motionless with his chin under that claw. But then his eyes fluttered as if awaking from a trance and he hastily pulled away, snapping his head to one side.
"Ya think I'm going to go back?" Angel knew Alastor had a copy of his contract. It was probably unintentional that statement about going in to get him out sounded like admitting defeat. Reaching up he gripped at the sleeves of his coat jacket. "I'm... I'm scared Al. And you want to know the most fucked up part is? Last night I realized when I saw Val beat to hell on the floor that somewhere... deep inside me... I still loved him. Fucking hilarious right?" Angel choked out a strangled chuckle, his knees starting to shake. "I was a worthless fuck up in life and I was a worthless fuck up in death. I was nobody. The first time I met him, he made me feel like I could become somebody. I never had that before. It felt so fucking good. But by the time I realized what kind of man he was, I was in too deep. Sold my fucking soul for love. How's that for entertainment?"
Angel's whole body shook with pain laughter to poorly vail the tears he was fighting to keep down.
"I greatly enjoy watching others suffer, but there are certain things I don't find funny in spite of their suffering." He looked directly into Angel's eyes. "If I were going to laugh at that in particular, I'd have to laugh at my own mother. She had terrible taste in men."
He wondered if Angel would realize just what he'd implied there. He'd been told by his mother to keep his mouth shut, say nothing.
Though, honestly, "taste" only applied to their personalities. Getting rid of the bodies when she'd finally hit her limit and snapped? Well, not all of his recipes for human flesh had been through his own experimentation.
Angel's laughter trailed off giving way to sniffling, reaching up to rub at his eyes. He wasn't crying okay? There was just smoke in his eyes from the cooking. Or they were just getting irritated by what ever spices he was using. But definitely not blubbering like a baby, alright?
Welp this wasn't where he thought this conversation would go. Opening up to Al about the past like this. Maybe he half expected him to find enjoyment out of his own stupidity, wanting to double down on how shitty he felt. So when he didn't, it puzzled Angel. Instead Alastor was standing there in front of him, revealing a small piece of himself with him. Normally the deer was so guarded about personal matters. Angel didn't know what to think about this strange development. All Angel could do was blink dumbly at him.
"I see... Guess your mom and I have something in common, eh?" Angel snorted trying to crack a smile, but it came out strained. "I should let ya get back to cooking."
Angel shifted awkwardly as he slipped his ass off the counter to stand back on the tiled floor. "Sorry to dump all this on you first thing in the morning. And uh... could you not tell anyone about what I told you? I mean... its not a huge secret. Anyone who does a little digging could find it out. I would rather it not be common knowledge."
"R-right..." Angel silently watched Alastor just casually stroll back over to the stove as if Angel didn't just bare his soul to him. You know how hard that was for him? The only other living soul who knew was Cherri...
See? No one cared. The voices in his head needled at him. No. No... this was good. This is what he wanted. It was just the kick in the ass he needed to squish this thing before he got in too deep.
"Sure thing." Angel said dryly, walking over to the refrigerator to fetch the supplies Alastor requested.
Heading back over he placed them well out of the "splash zone" and he spun to turn his back on the deer, raising a hand to give a small wave.
"Enjoy your breakfast Al." And with that Angel tried to make a hasty retreat.
Alastor snorted. "I know I'm a heavy eater, but I can't eat all of this alone. It'll be set out in a few minutes for you all."
It was a damn good thing there were so many people here. When Alastor felt antsy, he had a tendency to cook. A lot. (Husk called it "stress cooking".) Feeding others meant the food wasn't wasted.
And, honestly, most people wouldn't eat the food because Alastor was the one who made it. It was a nice change to have people appreciate his cooking.
"Kay, sounds great." Angel called over his shoulder not stopping to look back as he exited the kitchen. He wasn't even listening anymore at this point. He was checked out. Just wanted to get out of there as fast as possible.
Only when he reached the main entrance hall did he pause, shaking like a leaf. He did it. He apologized. That's that. Fuck, what was he going to do for the rest of the day? He was too scared to venture outside after all the shit that happened. What if Val's men were out there waiting for him? Or Vox or Velvet? Silently he cursed at himself. He had no choice, he had to stay inside. Resigned to his fate he slinks back to his room where he remained for the day.
~~~~
The weeks crawled on by and the spider was getting increasingly stir crazy. Since the incident at the club, he had been hotel bound. Which meant its residence had plenty of face time with the porn starlet. Well... some of them. It wasn't that he was going out of his way to avoid a certain prong horned deer. Just... not seeking his company as much as he had done in the past. Of course he would exchange pleasantries when their paths crossed, but there was none of that flirty vulgarity that usually went along with it. Even when the opportunities to make an off handed comment came flying his way, he would artfully dodge around it. Which... was very difficult at times.
No, instead it was their resident bartender that was receiving the bulk of Angel's advances. The spider's attention was laser focused on Husker much to his own annoyance. When ever possible Angel sought him out, often loitering around the bar to pester the cat. It was like a fun new, distracting, game for him. He wanted to see how long it would take until the kitty cat crumbled.
But Husker most have spoken to Charlie about all his new found "free time" because she put him to work to decorate the hotel for the up coming holiday, Christmas. Christmas in Hell... And even though he complained, he rather liked having a task to keep his hands and his mind busy. What he was not too thrilled about was the Secret Santa she insisted on doing. Apparently she wanted to get everyone into the giving mood to try to promote the whole redemption bullshit. With his shit luck, he got Al... Merry Fucking Christmas.
Perched high up in the main foyer, Angel tried not to dwell too much on it as he strung up the twinkling lights.
It had started with Angel snubbing that breakfast. That had hurt, but Alastor had forced himself to ignore it. Probably leftovers from the drugs.
But as the weeks went on, it was as if Angel was going out of his way to avoid him as much as possible. Oh, he didn't flee at the sight of Alastor, but he clearly wanted nothing to do with him. Even gone so far as to occupy himself with Husk instead.
Which was fine. Really. Alastor was grateful for the lack of flirting in his direction. And being ignored didn't bother him at all. (His shadow, on the other hand, did everything in its power to interject itself to get Angel's attention. Apparently it didn't like someone else getting ear scratches in its presence.)
Alastor had tried to worm his way out of the Secret Santa nonsense. He didn't hate Christmas, but he didn't much care for it either. He was just sort of indifferent to it. However, Charlie was nothing if not persistent, eventually getting him to draw from her little Santa hat if only to get her to stop.
He got Angel. Clearly, the game was rigged.
Well, if he was going to be forced to do this nonsense, he'd do it right. Which meant he needed to figure out what the other wanted. Which called for some deception.
He walked to where Angel was helping decorate. "Angel, would you come down? I require your assistance!"
When Alastor entered the foyer, Angel was in the middle of playing with a sprig of mistletoe in one claw. Oh where should he put it~? Tapping it against his lips, he grins to himself imagining it hanging directly over Husker's bar just to screw with him. It had been weeks since he's gotten laid and it was slowly starting to drive him crazy. Maybe at the Christmas party, him and Husk could get totally blasted and head up to his room to- AH FUCK!
Angel nearly dropped the sprig at the sudden appearance of the radio demon, fumbling with it in his claws. But thankfully his secondary set of hands managed to catch it. Okay Angel, act natural. From his lofty perch he peered down at Al.
"Oh yeah? What cha need? I'm in the middle of decorating for Charlie." He didn't make any effort to descend.
"Even you couldn't weasel your way out of it either, eh Smiles?" Angel snorts back as he reluctantly started to climb his way down.
Quietly he pocketed the mistletoe into his plush cleavage cause you know... for safe keeping. And his outfit was lousy for pockets. It was easy work to get himself safely back onto solid ground. Angel casually leans up against the wall, crossing his arms.
Alastor waggled a finger. "Sorry, but I can't tell you that part, but I can tell you that it's one of the ladies. Unfortunately, gifts for women I don't know much about. You, however, are more in touch with your feminine side and might be able to assist."
Angel gave him a deadpan stare with one of his brows cocked. No hot gos? How boring.
"Just cause I like dick and like to dress up in pretty things doesn't mean- Oh wait yeah... I can see it. Nevermind." Angel shrugged his shoulders at Alastor. "If its Charlie, you could get her a stick of gum and she'd just be over the moon that you ever got her something. For Vags? Hell if I know. Sexy lingerie so her and Chars can have a good time? As for Nif... Rubber gloves for cleanin'?"
"My dear, if I'm going to be forced to do this, I'm going to do it right. Largely because I don't want to deal with Charlie hounding me for doing things halfway."
He folded his hands neatly behind his back.
"What if I sweeten the deal and offer to pick up something for you while we're out? Or perhaps treat you to lunch wherever you'd like?"
The mask Angel wore cracked, his eyes snapping open wide. Anxiety had a death grip on his rib cage making it suddenly hard to breathe. There was no hiding the fear that showed in his eyes. Did Al totally miss the last few weeks? Did he think Angel stayed inside this shitty hotel by choice?
"O-outside?" Angel took a step back, bumping flatly into the wall behind him shaking his head. "I can't. I'm sorry. Best to ask someone else to take with ya."
Angel fidgeted his his hands as he thought silently for a moment. He had a point. And he really wanted to get some fresh air, stretch his legs a bit. Oh hell, it did sound like a lot of fun. Fuck it.
"Alright fine. I'll go with you. But if we get jumped, its on you Smiles. You got it?" Angel huffed.
Huffing a long sigh, Angel nods his head and pushed himself off the wall to walk over to Alastor. The spider would be lying if he wasn't still a little bit scared to be heading outside. But at least with Al by his side, it made him feel better. Safer.
"Yeah, yeah, lets go. Where did you want to hit up first?"
Angel hummed as he thought. If Angel had a clue on who he was shopping for, it would make things easier to narrow it down. But nope, nothing was easy with Al.
"I don't know. That mall seems like a good place to start. How about we go there and walk around to see if anything catches your eye." Angel paused to stare a Al. "So... are we walking or are ya going to..." He raised his hands to wiggle his fingers in the air. "Shadows?"
"If you want less risk of getting caught by one of Valentino's minions, I can teleport us just outside the mall. I'm not familiar enough with the interior to teleport into a store with any measure of safety."
And quite frankly he wasn't in the mood to get stuck between walls or floors.
"That's probably for the best. And beside, I don't know exactly were in the mall to go anyways cause someone won't give me a hint on who I'm shopping for." Angel flashed Al a small pout.
When Alastor out stretched a hand to him, he hesitated. Ever since the morning in the kitchen where he made a fool of himself, Angel had refrained from touching the deer as per his request. Dammit, he could feel those weird feelings squeeze tightly around his stomach.
Its not weird, don't make this weird.
Swallowing the lump in his throat he finally reached out to take his hand.
With that, he took them to the cold, empty blackness Between. Alastor, being used to such a thing had no issues with it. He knew where he was going, but he held tightly to Angel's hand lest he lose the spider in the blackness. Once someone got lost here, it was almost impossible to find them again.
After about a minute or two of walking, he pulled them back into Hell right in front of the Pentagram Mall. His grin tightened with displeasure.
"Here we are!" He turned to Angel. "So, where do we start?"
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Not that he knew what thoughts were currently swimming through Angel's head. Other than generalized self-recrimination. Unlike Alastor, Angel wore his emotions on his sleeve.
Alastor reached out to lower the temperature of the stovetop so at least his food wouldn't burn. He then walked over to lean into Angel's face.
"Sha, look at me," Alastor said bluntly, a little of his natural accent slipping in with that first word as he reached out a gloved hand to gently tap beneath Angel's chin. "I'm well-aware that if I flexed my claws against one of the V's, I'd have the other two come running. I also know that Valentino is the lynchpin of that despicable trio, but Vox and Velvet don't seem to realize that the moth is a leech that has far less power than they think he does. Yesterday Vox saw up close and personal that Valentino isn't as strong as he pretends to be. It's going to start putting cracks in that relationship."
Alastor's smile turned into a smirk.
"I may haff been born in da bayou, but dat jus means I know how ta swim wit da gatas," he said, deliberately speaking with his original accent. Then he swapped back to his normal Transatlantic accent. "I do appreciate the concern -- Actually, I'm quite surprised by it! -- but I'm not some reckless would-be knight in shining armor. And now that I know the layout of that vile studio, I can have my shadow friends pluck you out at any time without having to set foot inside."
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Despite the internal crisis Angel was tackling, all Alastor could see was the spider tensing at his touch, his breath hitching in his throat staring up at him with damp eyes. For a moment, Angel sat motionless with his chin under that claw. But then his eyes fluttered as if awaking from a trance and he hastily pulled away, snapping his head to one side.
"Ya think I'm going to go back?" Angel knew Alastor had a copy of his contract. It was probably unintentional that statement about going in to get him out sounded like admitting defeat. Reaching up he gripped at the sleeves of his coat jacket. "I'm... I'm scared Al. And you want to know the most fucked up part is? Last night I realized when I saw Val beat to hell on the floor that somewhere... deep inside me... I still loved him. Fucking hilarious right?" Angel choked out a strangled chuckle, his knees starting to shake. "I was a worthless fuck up in life and I was a worthless fuck up in death. I was nobody. The first time I met him, he made me feel like I could become somebody. I never had that before. It felt so fucking good. But by the time I realized what kind of man he was, I was in too deep. Sold my fucking soul for love. How's that for entertainment?"
Angel's whole body shook with pain laughter to poorly vail the tears he was fighting to keep down.
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"I greatly enjoy watching others suffer, but there are certain things I don't find funny in spite of their suffering." He looked directly into Angel's eyes. "If I were going to laugh at that in particular, I'd have to laugh at my own mother. She had terrible taste in men."
He wondered if Angel would realize just what he'd implied there. He'd been told by his mother to keep his mouth shut, say nothing.
Though, honestly, "taste" only applied to their personalities. Getting rid of the bodies when she'd finally hit her limit and snapped? Well, not all of his recipes for human flesh had been through his own experimentation.
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Welp this wasn't where he thought this conversation would go. Opening up to Al about the past like this. Maybe he half expected him to find enjoyment out of his own stupidity, wanting to double down on how shitty he felt. So when he didn't, it puzzled Angel. Instead Alastor was standing there in front of him, revealing a small piece of himself with him. Normally the deer was so guarded about personal matters. Angel didn't know what to think about this strange development. All Angel could do was blink dumbly at him.
"I see... Guess your mom and I have something in common, eh?" Angel snorted trying to crack a smile, but it came out strained. "I should let ya get back to cooking."
Angel shifted awkwardly as he slipped his ass off the counter to stand back on the tiled floor. "Sorry to dump all this on you first thing in the morning. And uh... could you not tell anyone about what I told you? I mean... its not a huge secret. Anyone who does a little digging could find it out. I would rather it not be common knowledge."
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He went back to the stove and checked his hashbrowns. Nodding his satisfaction, he turned the heat back up.
"Would you mind fetching the pack of bacon from the refrigerator? Also the egg carton while you're at it."
Move on, don't linger on the previous subject. Some normalcy would do well to dispel the sudden awkwardness in the kitchen.
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See? No one cared. The voices in his head needled at him. No. No... this was good. This is what he wanted. It was just the kick in the ass he needed to squish this thing before he got in too deep.
"Sure thing." Angel said dryly, walking over to the refrigerator to fetch the supplies Alastor requested.
Heading back over he placed them well out of the "splash zone" and he spun to turn his back on the deer, raising a hand to give a small wave.
"Enjoy your breakfast Al." And with that Angel tried to make a hasty retreat.
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It was a damn good thing there were so many people here. When Alastor felt antsy, he had a tendency to cook. A lot. (Husk called it "stress cooking".) Feeding others meant the food wasn't wasted.
And, honestly, most people wouldn't eat the food because Alastor was the one who made it. It was a nice change to have people appreciate his cooking.
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Only when he reached the main entrance hall did he pause, shaking like a leaf. He did it. He apologized. That's that. Fuck, what was he going to do for the rest of the day? He was too scared to venture outside after all the shit that happened. What if Val's men were out there waiting for him? Or Vox or Velvet? Silently he cursed at himself. He had no choice, he had to stay inside. Resigned to his fate he slinks back to his room where he remained for the day.
~~~~
The weeks crawled on by and the spider was getting increasingly stir crazy. Since the incident at the club, he had been hotel bound. Which meant its residence had plenty of face time with the porn starlet. Well... some of them. It wasn't that he was going out of his way to avoid a certain prong horned deer. Just... not seeking his company as much as he had done in the past. Of course he would exchange pleasantries when their paths crossed, but there was none of that flirty vulgarity that usually went along with it. Even when the opportunities to make an off handed comment came flying his way, he would artfully dodge around it. Which... was very difficult at times.
No, instead it was their resident bartender that was receiving the bulk of Angel's advances. The spider's attention was laser focused on Husker much to his own annoyance. When ever possible Angel sought him out, often loitering around the bar to pester the cat. It was like a fun new, distracting, game for him. He wanted to see how long it would take until the kitty cat crumbled.
But Husker most have spoken to Charlie about all his new found "free time" because she put him to work to decorate the hotel for the up coming holiday, Christmas. Christmas in Hell... And even though he complained, he rather liked having a task to keep his hands and his mind busy. What he was not too thrilled about was the Secret Santa she insisted on doing. Apparently she wanted to get everyone into the giving mood to try to promote the whole redemption bullshit. With his shit luck, he got Al... Merry Fucking Christmas.
Perched high up in the main foyer, Angel tried not to dwell too much on it as he strung up the twinkling lights.
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But as the weeks went on, it was as if Angel was going out of his way to avoid him as much as possible. Oh, he didn't flee at the sight of Alastor, but he clearly wanted nothing to do with him. Even gone so far as to occupy himself with Husk instead.
Which was fine. Really. Alastor was grateful for the lack of flirting in his direction. And being ignored didn't bother him at all. (His shadow, on the other hand, did everything in its power to interject itself to get Angel's attention. Apparently it didn't like someone else getting ear scratches in its presence.)
Alastor had tried to worm his way out of the Secret Santa nonsense. He didn't hate Christmas, but he didn't much care for it either. He was just sort of indifferent to it. However, Charlie was nothing if not persistent, eventually getting him to draw from her little Santa hat if only to get her to stop.
He got Angel. Clearly, the game was rigged.
Well, if he was going to be forced to do this nonsense, he'd do it right. Which meant he needed to figure out what the other wanted. Which called for some deception.
He walked to where Angel was helping decorate. "Angel, would you come down? I require your assistance!"
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Angel nearly dropped the sprig at the sudden appearance of the radio demon, fumbling with it in his claws. But thankfully his secondary set of hands managed to catch it. Okay Angel, act natural. From his lofty perch he peered down at Al.
"Oh yeah? What cha need? I'm in the middle of decorating for Charlie." He didn't make any effort to descend.
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He kept his voice calm and easygoing, just a hint of annoyance for good measure.
"However, I'd like to not discuss it in the open where my assigned recipient could overhear."
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Quietly he pocketed the mistletoe into his plush cleavage cause you know... for safe keeping. And his outfit was lousy for pockets. It was easy work to get himself safely back onto solid ground. Angel casually leans up against the wall, crossing his arms.
"So, whose the unlucky soul you got? Dish sis."
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"Just cause I like dick and like to dress up in pretty things doesn't mean- Oh wait yeah... I can see it. Nevermind." Angel shrugged his shoulders at Alastor. "If its Charlie, you could get her a stick of gum and she'd just be over the moon that you ever got her something. For Vags? Hell if I know. Sexy lingerie so her and Chars can have a good time? As for Nif... Rubber gloves for cleanin'?"
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He folded his hands neatly behind his back.
"What if I sweeten the deal and offer to pick up something for you while we're out? Or perhaps treat you to lunch wherever you'd like?"
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"O-outside?" Angel took a step back, bumping flatly into the wall behind him shaking his head. "I can't. I'm sorry. Best to ask someone else to take with ya."
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He raised a brow.
"Or do you think I'm really that weak? Besides, this will give you the opportunity to do your own shopping, won't it?"
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"Alright fine. I'll go with you. But if we get jumped, its on you Smiles. You got it?" Angel huffed.
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Perfect. All according to plan.
"So shall we be off?"
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"Yeah, yeah, lets go. Where did you want to hit up first?"
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True, there were department stores and malls but with so many shops inside of them, even Alastor could get lost and confused.
"Where would you suggest?"
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"I don't know. That mall seems like a good place to start. How about we go there and walk around to see if anything catches your eye." Angel paused to stare a Al. "So... are we walking or are ya going to..." He raised his hands to wiggle his fingers in the air. "Shadows?"
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And quite frankly he wasn't in the mood to get stuck between walls or floors.
He held out his hand to Angel.
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When Alastor out stretched a hand to him, he hesitated. Ever since the morning in the kitchen where he made a fool of himself, Angel had refrained from touching the deer as per his request. Dammit, he could feel those weird feelings squeeze tightly around his stomach.
Its not weird, don't make this weird.
Swallowing the lump in his throat he finally reached out to take his hand.
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With that, he took them to the cold, empty blackness Between. Alastor, being used to such a thing had no issues with it. He knew where he was going, but he held tightly to Angel's hand lest he lose the spider in the blackness. Once someone got lost here, it was almost impossible to find them again.
After about a minute or two of walking, he pulled them back into Hell right in front of the Pentagram Mall. His grin tightened with displeasure.
"Here we are!" He turned to Angel. "So, where do we start?"
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