today set a standard for bad

[aschmoozerandadummy]

By now Angel's used to it. The abuse, the demands, the sixteen-plus-hour shoots with no breaks unless Val himself needs one or he's feeling generous and decides Angel should drink some water so he doesn't pass out and ruin the shoot. Val helping himself to him afterwards, snide comments from Velvette, Vox rubbing salt in the wounds by being himself.

He hates it, hates everything about it, hates himself for being dumb enough to fall for Val in the first place, but he's used to it.

Today, though...Val was in a mood. A trafficking scenario with lots of violence and a gang rape, knives and claws and teeth. No breaks, just Angel getting his holes stuffed with dicks and his body slashed and cut up until he was sure he'd pass out from the blood loss.

Val did the bare minimum of bandaging him and only so he didn't bleed all over "the nice clean floor" which you could run a fucking wet towel over and it'd be good as new. No ride home, either, so Angel was left to limp back to the hotel, trying to block out the pain. At least the randos trawling the streets tonight weren't interested in fucking a whore when he was down.

It's late when he gets back, and he's trying to hide himself in the shadows so no one sees him and makes a fuss.

Comments

[aschmoozerandadummy]

"Please." Angel clings more, sniffling. "Just...hold me, keep touching me, keep telling me everything's okay and he's not here and that for once I'm safe."

[strutwhenyourebluffin]

Husk immediately takes Angel in his arms, holding him close. "He's not here, baby. It's just you and me. You're safe. Nothing's going to happen to you while I'm here. I love you." His hand runs through Angel's hair, comforting and gentle.

[aschmoozerandadummy]

Every time Husk says those words he feels them sink deeper into him, a soft warmth that cuts through the hateful words and abuse slung at him by Val. It doesn't matter if he can't say it back, he feels it, and he feels safe like this.

He nestles closer to Husk, his breathing returning to normal as the images from the nightmare slowly fade.

[strutwhenyourebluffin]

"How often do you have nightmares?" Husk holds Angel close, a worried look on his face. "Would... um. Would it help if I stayed here more often? Maybe having someone here would help you know you're not alone."

[aschmoozerandadummy]

"Pretty often. They're not always this bad, just the usual stuff I'm used to, but..." Angel sighs. "Could you? I don't wanna seem clingy, I know you don't mind, but..."

[strutwhenyourebluffin]

"Angel, you're not clingy. You don't want to be alone. I understand that." He leans over, stealing a small kiss. "I want you to feel like you can ask me for things you need. And if you need me here, I'll stay every night with you."

[aschmoozerandadummy]

"Then please, stay. I know I said I can handle myself, but on nights like this, coming home, knowing I have to go back there the next day..." He kisses back, his tears thankfully having stopped. "You're my escape. Fuck drugs and fucking the pain away, I feel better with you than I ever have after going out and getting roofied and dicked down by strangers."

[strutwhenyourebluffin]

"Good. Come home and I'll keep you safe." Husk pauses, holding Angel close. "I know you have to go fuck people at work, but... when you don't have to, don't?" A pause. "Tell me if that's too much to ask."

[aschmoozerandadummy]

"I'd say it is, but...ever since that night, I've started to think maybe I don't actually want any of that either. Work is work, but the people I fuck outside that aren't any better to me." Angel buries his face in Husk's shoulder. "Some escape, huh?"

[strutwhenyourebluffin]

"What do you mean?" Husk runs a hand through Angel's hair. "You know how often I'm at the bottom of a bottle. Does it make me feel better? Fuck no. It's always worse in the morning, but it's my escape."

[aschmoozerandadummy]

"Good point." Angel sighs. "Still, I...I don't want to fuck randos anymore. Maybe I'll try the booze thing, at least that can't fake thinking I'm something special and then call me a whore when it's done with me."

[strutwhenyourebluffin]

"No." Husk shakes his head. "It's awful. Don't get into it." He knows all too well. "We'll find better coping mechanisms. Together. I probably should try to not drink as much as I do."

[aschmoozerandadummy]

"Yeah. Like singing about how much we suck in front of clubs," Angel laughs weakly. "You've got a pretty sexy voice, too, you know."

[strutwhenyourebluffin]

Husk snorts, a small smile on his face. "If you say so. I've never been much of a singer. I used to play the saxophone back home. I wonder if I could find one down here."

[aschmoozerandadummy]

"Really? I never knew that." Angel smiles. "I can imagine it, though. You've got the air of a jazz man."

[strutwhenyourebluffin]

"I wasn't ever in a band, I just played for myself and the occasional friend." A pause. "Mostly I was a magician. And then a gambler. Which... you know."

[aschmoozerandadummy]

"Still, I bet you were amazin'. If you can find a sax down here I'd love to hear you play sometime." Angel nuzzles Husk's neck, yawning a little.

[strutwhenyourebluffin]

"Only for you, Angel." He kisses the top of Angel's head, gently. "Go back to sleep, love. I'm still here. I'm not going anywhere."

[aschmoozerandadummy]

"I know..." Angel closes his eyes. This is his escape, his safe place. The hotel he once used just for free room and board now has the one person he knows will always look after him.

[strutwhenyourebluffin]

Husk watches Angel sleep for a bit before falling asleep himself. He has to find a way to get Angel away from Val, but that's a problem for tomorrow. Now is for holding Angel and making sure he's safe.