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aschmoozerandadummy) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
mazeofrelationships2026-01-17 11:07 am
aschmoozerandadummy) wrote in mazeofrelationships2026-01-17 11:07 am
today set a standard for bad
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.
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.
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"He would try to offer bad advice," Baxter adds. "Or pretend he had a phone call so he didn't have to listen to anyone he found too depressing."
"Well..." Charlie shrugs. "He tried?"
"Maybe, but it's still Husk's bar and those nuts are not Nuggs' favorite!" Angel shoves the bowl at some rando before hugging the pig. "Don't worry, you'll be back up there eating your favorite snack from the bowl in no time!"
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Rummaging under the bar, he finds a bag of the correct nuts. Grabbing a bowl, he pours out some. "Alright, pig. I guess you can have some welcome home nuts."
Vaggi grins. All's right with the Hotel now. "We should have a party tonight, for just us. We're all home."
And then a whirlwind races across the room to attach herself to Angel's legs. "KITTY AND SPIDER!!!"
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Fat Nuggets squeals and starts gobbling up the nuts, happy to be home again. Angel chuckles, the yelps as he's glomped again by a tiny gremlin. "Hey, Niff!"
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Husk facepalms, but smiles. "Obviously, I'm on drinks. Angel, do you want to help with dinner."
Niffty bounces. "Ramen pot, ramen pot! C'mon Angel. You can help."
Vaggi laughs. "Baxter, Cherri, I think we're on decorations."
"Don't forget the ducks!"
"I won't, sir."
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"I've never made ramen before, but hey, I'm good for tryin' something new." Just...make sure he doesn't add basil pesto sauce, Niffty, he's used to other kinds of noodles.
Charlie's already whipping up a batch of cookies and another one of cupcakes. Fancy ones. Also mini pies.
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Lucifer waves a hand and creates a separate ballroom off the lobby where the group can be alone and just spend time together.
Before long, the room is decorated, Husk is putting special drinks at everyone's place, and Lucifer has added rubber ducks here and there.
There's a large banner: Welcome back, Husk and Angel!
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Angel, meanwhile, finds that making ramen is...kinda fun! Different, definitely a challenge compared to his beloved lasagna, ravioli, and spaghetti recipes, but still!
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Husk just waits for Angel, leaning against a wall sipping a glass of something. He's smiling, thoughtful. The chaos of home is so different from the chaos of the casino, but he missed it so fucking much.
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Then a portal opens and a snake slithers out, sheepishly, followed by Vaggi. "I heard there was a celebration, and Vaggi thought I should attend."
Husk laughs. "Guess I'll be right back."
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Angel's removing his apron and straightening his clothes, coming into the dining room. "Hey, Pentious."
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Husk goes to Angel's side and pulls out a chair for him with a smile.
Pentious leans down to Cherri. "Cherri, I am sensssssing a difference with our feline and arachnid friendsssss over there."
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"Oh, they're in love," Cherri says with a smirk. "Been that way for a while!"
Charlie just smiles. They are, and now they don't have to be so discrete about it!
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Everyone finds a seat and then digs in. It's easy for everyone to fall back into their usual patterns, and there is a lot of laughter.
Lucifer sits at the head of the table, overseeing the motley crew that has become his family. There's only one open seat, at the other end of the table, a silent witness to Lilith's absence.
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Charlie is over the moon. She's had a chance to try lots of different foods, of course, but this is homemade and she's surrounded by loved ones. She and Vaggi even end up on opposite ends of a noodle, just like in a Disney movie they watched once.
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Husk is attempting to use chopsticks, dropping them every other time he tries to eat something, and grumbling. Listen, claws and paws aren't really good for eating with fucking sticks.
Niffty is finding this hilarous.
Vaggi, meanwhile is blushing as she and Charlie re-enact the movie with their noodle. It's adorable, and she loves it.
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Baxter is pointedly avoiding any seafood bits, and the chopsticks are...a bit of a challenge. He's doing his best not to fumble in front of Niffty.
Cherri remembers going out for Japanese food in life, and eating a lot of Maruchan ramen. This stuff's better than the kind in the package!
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Niffty gives him tips for the chopsticks! She believes in Smart Boy!
Vaggi slips an arm around Charlie, laughing at something that someone said.
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Baxter smiles gratefully. He wants to get good because they should absolutely do this again!
Charlie smiles, watching everyone around her. The hotel's doing great, and she's surrounded by loved ones...and maybe someday that empty chair won't be empty.