Back in the stadium where the Aztec Temple was being set up, the Spider Family was making their way to their assigned seats.
The whole place was decorated to the nines. The pews, the carpet, the windows, the whole inner décor were decorated in red and brown oak. Red flowers decorated the pews that led up to the Aztec pyramid which was decorated in gold and red.
Cherri and Angel couldn't help but look around and admire it all.
The pair were so absorbed in admiring it all that Angel didn't notice the larger figure hovering over him until he put his hand on his shoulder.
"Angel…" the familiar sleazy Latin voice said.
The spider demon turned around on a dime to see Valentino. Shit.
"Angel, amorcito, it's been so long!" Valentino exclaimed. "Look at you. You're looking handsome. Tell me. Have you missed daddy? Are you tired of living with your papito? I bet he's boring. Would you like to come home? The studio has been so boring without you, baby. I've kept your room just how you like it. So, come on. What do you say?"
Angel froze. Valentino was about to ruin everything. He couldn't let him have his way with him again. Vaggie needed him. Angel needed to act fast, so act he would.
Angel stepped back and trembled dramatically.
"Oh, amorcito, are you trying to turn daddy on?" Valentino asked flirtatiously.
Angel held his arms uncomfortably and stepped away, refusing to look up at his old boss.
"What's the matter, baby?" Valentino asked.
"I'm not allowed to talk to you anymore," said Angel. "I'm married now. I have a wife. I don't like men anymore."
"Now, we both know that's a lie," said Valentino, reaching for Angel's hand. "Come on over here, baby. Why don't you sit and talk with Daddy for a while?"
Angel clenched his arms more tightly and stepped away, strategically allowing himself to show the fear and trauma he felt on his face, "I can't. Bad things will happen if I go near boys like you're supposed to go near girls."
Valentino's expression twisted in confusion, "Angel cakes, honey, what are you talking about?"
Angel looked around the room and spotted Cherri and his family approaching.
"Angel!" Valentino said, aggressively turning him back around. "Enough with your nonsense, amorcito, your family doesn't truly own you. I did first and I know you want to come back to me. So, why don't you come with me, and we'll just go ask the Radio Demon for your soul during the wedding reception, hmmm?"
"Angel?" Angel heard his father ask.
Angel turned around and was sure to flash his eyes in the most panicked expression he could manage. It wasn't hard to act since he was near Valentino.
The spider demon wrapped his arms around himself and backed away towards his dad in a panic, being sure to let his terror fully show on his face.
Valentino was stunned, "What the fuck did you do to him?"
Henroin put his arm around Angel, "Made sure he stopped being a fag. He's back to being a normal member of the family now."
"You sons-of-bitches!" snarled Valentino, stomping forward to get into Henroin's face. "Do you have any idea what you've done and how much money you've just lost me?!"
"VAL!" screamed Vox, teleporting in front of his lover. "Stop! We cannot make a scene! Not here! We're on Alastor's turf. If we interrupt his wedding, it will be an all-out war. We'll get them later, when Alastor is too preoccupied with banging his wife to be a threat. Understood?"
Val snarled through his teeth, "Fine! But you fucking spiders better watch your backs because you're gonna pay!"
"Let's go sit down, Val," said Vox, grabbing the moth demon's hand and pulling him away. "The wedding is about to start. Come on, Velvette."
"Dammit! I was going to record the fight for Voxtagram too," complained Velvette as she trudged along behind them.
As soon as they were gone, Henroin turned back to his son and asked, "Are you alright, son?"
"I am now," Angel said dramatically. "Thank you."
Angel could see Arackniss roll his eyes. He and Cherri noticed. It made them both chuckle inside.
"Let's go sit down," Henroin said. "I think the wedding is about to start."
Angel nodded.
The Spider Family immediately filed into a pew. The first to sit down was the doctor. Next was Arackniss and Henroin. Then finally, Angel and Cherri sat down.
The married couple took out their phones and leaned against each other. All they could do now was wait for the others.
