No Matter What

~Jack Rose's POV~

I can't believe I made this choice... I've been working for Valentino for nearly three and a half months and I really wish I haven't made such a stupid decision like this. But, then again, if I refused Mimzy would've died. Her blood would have been on my hands, and I would have ended up working for Valentino either way. So, I had to make the sacrifice and spare Mimzy the terrible judgement.

During my time with Valentino, my casual attire has changed from the attire I wore during my time at Mimzy's club. My casual attire now consists of a black and green tunic dress over a pair of galaxy-themed leggings and black boots. I also wear a black choker around my neck and also possess a golden tooth among my teeth. To try and show my rebellion against Valentino, I wear two pairs of black finger-less gloves. Valentino thinks they look cute, but only Angel Dust knows their true meaning.

Speaking of Angel Dust, he and I have been becoming good friends and good colleagues since I joined the industry. But we don't let work get in the way when we have fun or just talk about life. Angel has even trusted me with some of his secrets, it turns out that Angel Dust's cockiness, sarcastic humor, sassy attitude and selfishness is just a persona to keep others away from who he really is as a person. Can't afford to show vulnerability in a place like this. Demons will take advantage of it. Can't say I blame Angel for putting up a persona like that...

Along with making friends with Angel, I also met a punk rocker cyclops named Cherri Bomb. She's a punk girl with a huge love for explosives and a lot of spunk. She owns a portion of the west side of Pentagram City and backs off her words with her unlimited supply of cherry bombs. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't know what it's like to live on the wild side and show some of my rebellious side. And it's actually really fun.

Right now, it was time for the closing act of the Studio. And it was Angel Dust's turn to close the show. The curtains opened and the lights switched on to reveal Angel Dust, leaning his back against a pole, wearing nothing but a short, reddish-pink skirt and his signature black boots. Valentino smiled, as Angel Dust took a breath and started pole dancing, singing his signature song. The patrons of the club cheered for more of Angel's performance, making it rain money on the stage. This made Valentino happy, but I can sense that Angel didn't want to do this. But he had to.

After thirty minutes of dancing and closing the Studio for the night, it was time to head home and rest for tomorrow's jobs. Angel Dust and I lived in the same apartment building that was down the street from Valentino's Porn Studio.

Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot to mention that Valentino is an Overlord of Hell that owns a very popular adult film industry. I do work for Valentino, but I also work for two more Overlords named Vox and Velvet. So no, I'm not just a porn star or a sex slave! I'm more of a performer and singer for Valentino and Vox, as well as a model for Velvet. To be honest, they're not really the worst jobs you can have, but the money is good, though. Besides, I'm doing all this so Mimzy can live and keep her club. That's what friends do, right? Look out for each other?

Anywho, I just finished a hard day's work with a music video at Vox's studio. I returned to the apartment building, that was just south of Valentino's studio, in the main lobby, paying my month's rent before due, then making my way up the stairs and down the hall, to my apartment, until I heard screaming, shouting and glass shattering from Angel's apartment, which was two doors to the left of my apartment. The other demons that lived in this level were ignoring the screaming, but I felt something was wrong. I cautiously walked over to Angel's apartment door and the screaming and shouting faded into soft sobbing.

I carefully and gently knocked on the door, "Angel? You alright in there?" The door creaked open and the apartment was dark. Most of the place was well-kept, but the sobbing could be heard from upstairs. I cautiously entered the apartment, "Angel Dust?"

The sobbing continued, but there was no sound of movement. Until, from the stairs, a small teacup pig demon ran down to meet me. It was Angel's adorable pet pig demon, Fat Nuggets.

"Hey, Nuggets." I greeted with a small smile, as I knelt down to his height and gently petted his head.

Nuggets ran up to me and brushed his head against my hand in greeting, then he grabbed the hem of my tunic dress with his mouth and started pulling. This can only mean that he wants me to follow him.

"What's wrong, Nugs? Is Angel in trouble?" I asked in concern.

Nuggets let go and trotted up the stairs. I followed him to a darker bedroom and slowly opened the door. Inside the bedroom was a familiar pink Spider Demon sitting against the foot of the bed, his face covered by his hands and sobbing. Angel looked like he was having another emotional breakdown. Someone needs to be with him tonight.

"Angel?" I called softly, "It's me, Jackie. May I come in?"

Angel Dust removed his hands from his face and turned to look at me. His eyes were bloodshot with tears and his cheeks were wet with tear streaks. He's been crying for a while. He buried his face into his arms and knees.

I entered the bedroom, "What's wrong? Did Valentino abuse you again?" I sat next to him.

Angel Dust nodded his head. He wiped his tears away and looked at me, "It hurts, Jackie. It hurts so much." He sobbed, "What am I going to do? I feel so helpless. I feel like no one can hear my cries. That no one cares."

I put my arm over his shoulder in sympathy, "That's not true, Angel. I'm here for you, aren't I? And Cherri is here for you too." I gave him a gentle smile, "There are other demons out there who care too. You'll see."

Angel turned and hugged himself, trying hard not to break into tears again, but it wasn't helping. I scooched myself closer to him and looked at the ceiling, thinking of a way to make my friend feel better. I closed my eyes, hummed a little tune, then opened my mouth and started singing,

"In the light of the day,

In the dark of the night.

When you're raring to go,

When you're tired from the fight.

When you're losing your mind,

Let me give you a though.

I'm gonna be right by your side no matter what."

I took hold of Angel's hand and put my third arm around his body, hugging him close, as I opened my eyes, smiled at him and continued singing,

"In the dark of the night,

In the light of the day.

When you're rising to shine,

When you're hitting the hay.

I'll be hanging around,

If you like it or not.

I'm gonna be right by your side no matter what..."

Angel looked at me, as I finished singing, and smiled, "You've got an amazing voice, Jackie. Thanks for trying to make me feel better."

I smiled back, "It's no problem. Whenever you'll need me to comfort you, just give me a call."

I stood up and was about to leave, until Angel spoke up, "Would... Would you mind staying with me for the night?" He asked me, taking hold of my hand.

I turned to the pink Spider Demon, smiled and nodded, "Of course, Angel."

With that, I sat next to him, put both my right arms around Angel's body and he leaned over and rested his head against my shoulder. I continued to sing,

"Through whoever you've been,

Through whoever you'll be.

Through whatever you lose,

You will always have me.

At the end of your road,

I'll be holding you tight.

I'm gonna be right by your side no matter what..."

Angel smiled for a second, until his eyelids dropped and he fell asleep. I smiled and rested my head against the foot of the bed, falling asleep as well. I didn't notice Cherri Bomb watching us from the rooftops and smiling.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a good day.

(Song is No Matter What by Zach Callison and Michaela Dietz from Steven Universe the Movie.)