Part 14
Angel slid his jacket over his shoulders as he was getting ready to leave the studio, packing up his things. His arms still had bruises and some minor cuts, but most of the worse cuts had been healed, leaving long pink marks up and down his arms and face. It was one of the benefits of being so durable. His fingers trembled as he was closing his purse, having slipped away a few pills and powders into it. He wanted to throw them away but...you never knew.
Looking into the mirror, Angel looked over his face and then behind him to the figure standing against the wall. Valentino leaned off of it, almost sliding along the floor as he approached, looking down at the spider with a cold and dark gaze. The bright red pupils almost swallowed his entire iris but he did not smile. "I enjoyed your performance tonight, Angel. Really...wonderful, performance." He felt his heart stop and his mouth fall open slightly as the Moth leaned down to look him in the face.
"Th-thank-you, Sir. I do my b-best..."
Valentino nodded. His mouth then spread in the shape of a smile. He kissed him, the moth's arms sliding around him in a warm embrace. Valentino's tongue slid into his mouth, invading his and claiming territory inside. Angel wrapped his arms around Valentino and felt the kiss turn even more possessive. He let a few low moans come from his lips, his soft flesh shivering and breaking out into a sweat.
Valentino pulled his tongue from Angel's mouth in a loud and wet kiss. "You always taste so sweet, Angel."
The moth reached a hand up to Angel's cheek and pushed his thumb inside his mouth, widening his mouth further. "Ah~"
"That's a good boy." Valentino's body pressed up close, rubbing against him, and felt himself be bent down across the makeup table. Valentino's nails ran up his back. "By the way, Angel, did your boy ever contact you back about my request of him to kill himself? You've been rather calm..."
Angel's eyes opened wider and Valentino shoved his hips against him, looking at him in the reflection of the mirror.
The spider swallowed, his tongue catching Valentino's fingers in the process, which pleased him, as it gave him the opportunity to shove his fingers deeper. "I would think if your friend was planning to kill himself you would be upset. Considering just how much he means to you..." he curled the fingers against his tongue. "After all, I would certainly be beside myself."
Angel shook his head slightly; the fingers forcing his tongue down and making him gag slightly. Val was so deep in his throat at times he felt his heart begin to choke.
The fingers in Angel's mouth slid out, long strings of saliva connecting them. "Have you spoken with him?" He wiped the saliva on the back of Angel's jacket.
Angel quickly nodded, his legs starting to shake a little. The thought of what Val might do to Alex terrified him more than the thought of Val finding out the truth. Or what he would do to him. "He said he hasn't made his mind up yet."
Valentino nodded slowly and kissed Angel's cheek. "You are so pretty." He kissed his cheek again. "Did you enjoy tonight's shoot?"
Angel smiled nervously. "It was different…"
"Did they get rough? I know how much you and my best talents like it rough."
Angel tried his best to keep the smile and then Val leaned off him. "Go on. Go home and relax, Angel. We can pick this up tomorrow. I'll pick you up from the hotel tomorrow evening so we can spend some time together before work. I've missed our time together."
Angel nodded several times. "Sure, Valentino. I've missed our time as well. It won't take me long to get ready." Valentino rubbed the back of a claw against his cheek. "Good boy." Angel kissed him once on the cheek and hurried his pace as he made his way out of the studio and to the elevator, slamming his palm on the 'close doors' button as he rode down.
He finally was able to fall to his knees and let a few tears fall once he was inside. It felt like his throat and cheeks had been cut into by razor-sharp claws and the scars wouldn't heal. How he had never been cut he wasn't sure. He punched the brass of the elevator hard enough that he thought he broke skin. Then he did it again for good measure.
On his knees, he rummaged quickly for a pill or a small bag or anything, but just as his fingers grabbed the bag of coke his phone lit up. His phone chimed from the dark and he saw a text from Alex. 'I'm outside just as I promised.' He let go of the bag, swallowing hard and dragged his hands through his hair.
Damn. So close.
He snapped out of his head as the elevator door opened and he took a moment to regain his composure before taking the few steps outside to Alex and Vaggie waiting for him.
Alex looked about as messed up as Angel felt. He had bruises on his scales, a puffy cheek, and a little blood running from his nose with a split lip. He could even see the outline of a large handprint around his neck. Alex smiled at him, and Angel couldn't help but feel the knot in his chest tighten a little. "How was it?"
"Vaggie was ok. Alastor, not so much." Angel examined the damage done to the lizard while Alex did the same. They both looked in rough shape though Alex knew full well that Angel was having a vastly harder time than he was. He didn't know what to say to him. He could see the fear and anger and, now that it was over, relief that swept through his body. But inside those eyes Alex could see that all this was just another day for Angel. "I wish I could take it away, Angel."
Angel's smile faded a little. "Yeah..."
Angel felt a hand wrap around his own and he looked down at Alex who held onto his hand tightly. "I'm here for you, Angel. I know it's not much but I want you to hear me say it."
Angel felt a lump in his throat as he was led towards the Hotel. His vision began to blur and he blinked a few times wiping his eyes. "I know. Thank you."
When they got back to the hotel Vaggie went upstairs and Alex followed Angel to his room, not wanting to leave his side. When the door closed behind them Alex went for the bathroom to turn on the shower and get everything ready for him. He wanted to take care of him after his long night at the studio. He knew that Angel wasn't there all the time and this week had been particularly difficult for him, but his responsibilities remained. At least as far as he was concerned.
Angel dropped his purse on the bed and leaned against the wall. "Alex, can we talk for a sec?"
Alex looked up at him, the spider already pulling his jacket off his shoulders. "Yea. Sure, Angel. Anything. Would you...like me to sit down?"
Angel sighed, "Yeah. Yeah. I think that would be a good idea."
Alex sat on the edge of Angel's bed and Angel pulled a chair out from under his desk and sat across from him, the two of them facing each other. Angel crossed his legs, looking at the floor, not entirely sure how to start this. He sighed again and rubbed his temples. Alex watched him, a feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach, but he swallowed it down and waited patiently. There was no point in freaking out about the unknown.
Angel took a deep breath, and then took Alex's hands in his. "Al-Alex, I love you. I do. I just don't know if we can right now." Alex's eyes widened and he went to speak, but Angel brought a hand up, "Shhh. Let me finish. Please." The lizard began to chew on the inside of his cheek letting Angel continue. "I never wanted you to kill yourself. I would never ask you to do something like that. I wouldn't ask you to leave your family and come to hell. I don't know what the fuck I was thinking. I-I...wasn't."
Angel sighed again, looking back at the ground. "Alex. You're just...so damn sweet. I think I just wanted you for myself. To have someone that was just for me and you were so different than, just, everything else down here and now you're here and-" He looked back up at Alex, "I just…have no idea what the fuck I'm doing"
What Alex wanted to express would have been lost on simply saying it but he tried as he slid off the bed and onto his knees in front of Angel. He wrapped his arms around the spider's stomach and squeezed him tight. "Can I speak, now?"
Angel smiled a little and nodded, running his claws through the lizard's black hair.
Alex held onto him tighter, "When I was a kid, I knew this couple that lived two houses down from my parents. My parents loved each other but they weren't IN love with each other. If that makes any sense. They tried their best but they weren't really fond of one another's company.
The couple two houses down were always going out together. They held hands all the time; they were always smiling at one another and helping each other and were there for one another. If he was sick then she took care of him, if she was sick he would do whatever it took to have her be well again. They were always affectionate with one another, went on walks together... one time the woman said they played games together. I didn't want what my parents had...have. I wanted what they had. And I had that when it was just us on the phone.
You always made me smile and laugh and want to be around you. I made a...massive, holy fuck, massive sacrifice in order to be here, holding the hands of this, just...amazing creature who makes me smile, who makes me laugh. Who I want to spend all my time all the time with." He cupped Angel's cheeks. "And I will fuck you up if you ever tear yourself down as if you aren't anything but amazing again."
Angel laughed softly and Alex stood up, holding Angel's face in his hands, rubbing his thumbs over his soft cheeks. "I don't give a fuck what you've done before I got here or what you are doing now. You are my Angel. My Angie. The only reason I'm here. Don't give up on us before I have even had a chance to disappoint you, and don't worry, I will disappoint"
Angel felt tears forming in his eyes and he laughed softly. "You're such a sweetheart." Alex kissed him on the cheek. "You're my sweetheart."
Alex turned Angel's head to the side and began kissing at his neck, his lips grazing his skin. "Alastor said some mean-spirited things today to me to... 'help' my training. He said that there was a good chance that while you were at work, you were being whipped, and I would have a lot of ground to cover to kiss and take care of you. And I want to do that"
Angel smiled and Alex moved a hand down his chest, undoing the buttons of his shirt, "He said that you would probably cry...and I would have to comfort you..." he slid the shirt down over his shoulders and kissed down his chest. But then he abruptly pulled back. "Wait...sorry. Too quick."
Angel giggled. "It's ok, baby. I'm enjoying it."
Alex laughed awkwardly and rubbed the back of his head. "I'm sorry it's just...I know what you do at the studio and I- I don't want you to feel uncomfortable. I probably should just...um...would you like to shower first?" Alex closed his eyes and sighed, leaning his head against Angel's. "I don't want you to go get touched all night and then be touched by me if you don't want too. I shouldn't impose."
Angel smiled, wrapping his arms around Alex's neck. "You ain't imposin'"
Alex looked up into his eyes. "Are you sure? You've been through a lot tonight; I don't want you to feel like you have to do anything you don't want too. And I got the absolute shit kicked out of me from some Lovecraft bullshit so I'm fine with just relaxing."
The arms of the spider wrapped tighter around him. "You're such a fuckin' softie."
"Yeah. I know."
Angel kissed his cheek and hugged him tight. "I've never had anyone worry about me before like that. It's sweet. Different"
Alex's arms snaked their way around Angel's body, returning the embrace. "Can I wash you tonight, Angel? Can I-" he sighed running a hand along his face. "I'm sorry. This was my first day in hell and it's alot. I'm trying to be the best I can for you. The more I think about anything else the more control I can pretend to have"
Angel held him tight and ran his fingers through the lizard's hair. "Let's shower then cuddle."
Alex nodded, "Whatever you want, Angel. That sounds nice."
Angel slowly lifted himself off the bed and walked into the bathroom, Alex following quickly behind as he unbuttoned his shirt. Angel stepped into the water and started to clean himself off as he watched Alex undress. He watched him remove his shirt from his body, the bruises on his chest nothing compared to the long red marks on his back where he had been whipped. Angel knew those marks. He could hear their sounds. And he knew they hurt.
He watched Alex undo his pants, and Angel could see the red marks around his ankles that matched the ones on his wrist. He frowned a little and looked away as Alex stepped into the shower, wrapping his arms around his soft fluffy body and pulling him against him. "Hey...Angie."
"Hey..." there was a moment of silence between the two as finally they could exhale. Angel's mouth was a little dry. "You...wanna' go for a drink later? I know a place. It ain't quiet, nowhere here is, but it's cheap and the music is nice."
"A drink sounds nice." Angel let the water run over his face for a moment as Alex gently ran his hands up his sides. "How was work?"
Angel smiled a little. "It's always the same. Somehow...easier today." He let out a long and happy sigh as he felt Alex's claws run through his tuft of hair and began to wash it, sinking into the lizard. "The fuck are you doin'?"
Alex giggled, "Taking care of you. That couple showered together every night. I can only assume they did this for one another."
Angel turned around to face him, putting his arms around his neck, pulling him into another tight hug, one that was returned with an equal amount of strength and warmth. There was only so many times that they could have said they loved one another, or they cared for one another, but actions always spoke louder than words and Alex held him so firm and tight that at that moment, there was no Val and no hell. It was just them in the warm water.
Alex continued to run his claws through his hair, gently scratching his scalp, and kissing him on the cheek, his eyes closed. Angel's body seemed to soften and relaxed even more, laying his head on Alex's shoulder.
There was a pulse of light and the wrappings around Alex's arms began to react and Angel sighed, feeling them curl around his shoulders and chest, his arms and his neck. They were warm, like he was being hugged and embraced all over and he found himself standing on the tips of his paws as they curled around his legs.
He sighed, feeling like he was floating. He felt like he was being carried by a cloud that wanted to hold him and keep him safe. "They feel so nice..." He smiled and relaxed, feeling his heart rate drop. Alex looked at his arms that were wrapped around Angel's body. "I don't know how to control them. They seem to like you though. Do they hurt?"
Angel shook his head. "Not at all. They feel...really good."
Alex laughed a little and Angel let out a long sigh as he felt the wrappings gently squeeze him. "That feels nice." The wrappings around his legs squeezed gently, making his body shiver. Angel sighed and laid his head on Alex's shoulder. "I'm really tired...and I'm supposed to go back to work tomorrow." He closed his eyes and let the water run down his body. "But I get the next few days after off. Maybe...we can spend some time together then? Go get some ice-cream?"
"Is there ice-cream in hell?"
"It ain't good but yeah."
Alex smiled and rubbed Angel's back. "I would love to get ice-cream with you, Angel."
Angel smiled. "Good."
Alex looked over Angel's face and noticed that there was still some makeup smudged in places. "God you're pretty." He rubbed some of the make-up off his face, Angel smiling and blushing a little. "Thank you. I'm not wearing much though, today was just a shoot."
Alex laughed a little and ran his hands along his cheeks again, rubbing off some more. Angel couldn't help but lean into the touch of one of the few things in all of hell that brought him down to relax. He felt it best to speak now in this moment of calm. Angel reached up and wrapped his claws around Alex's. "Hey...um...Val is picking me up from the hotel tomorrow."
Alex froze. He could feel his body turn to stone, and he pulled his hands away from Angel's face. He couldn't be around Valentino. Not after what he did to Angel. He didn't trust himself. "I'm telling you because I don't want him to see you. He doesn't know you're here. I want to keep it that way."
Alex nodded, wrapping his arms around Angel again, pulling him in close. "I will do whatever you need me too, Angie. I just want you to be safe." Angel nodded against him and smiled. Angel was about climb out but Alex pulled him back. "I need you to do something for me, Angie."
"What is it?"
Alex took his hand, running a thumb over his knuckles. "If he asks if I'm here, be honest with him."
Angel's eyes widened. "What? But-"
Alex held him tighter, "No buts. If he finds out that you're lying he's gonna hurt you. And I can't have that. I did all this to keep you safe. If he's thinking about me then he won't be focused on you."
"Alex, please-" Alex pulled him close, and held the sides of his face and stared him straight in the eyes. "Please, Angel. Promise me you'll tell him." He was almost begged him, "promise."
Angel closed his eyes and nodded. "Ok...Ok. I will."
"Thank you."
Angel returned the embrace for a long moment, allowing their beating hearts and their gentle breathing to be the only thing either heard or cared to hear. "You need sleep, beautiful. I'll tuck you in then I'm going to go and try and do some more training. I need to figure these damn wraps out before I don't get another chance."
Angel opened his eyes and kissed Alex.
The kisses started softly as the rain outside did, growing in passion and desire as the rainfall did, crashing over one another in a mix of fear and desperation that all that they wished to speak was shared in the taste of their mouths and lips against theirs. "Don't let me go yet, babe. Make me feel safe."
Alex did as asked, his lips gently opening as he ran his hands along Angel's cheeks, Angel sliding his tongue against his. He took Angel's hands in his and slowly guided him out of the shower, their wet bodies pathetically trying to dry themselves before giving up and abandoning their towels on the ground, tripping over one another and anything else that could get in their way on their way to Angel's bed.
Alex grabbed Angel and turned to have the spider land on top of him as his back fell against the sheets, their kissing continuing as they fumbled around in the dark to turn off the lights and lock the door, the only source of light coming through the window that faced the city and the glowing wrappings embedded in Alex's arms and wrists.
Alex caressed his back and shoulder blades, stroking him, cupping the sides of his body and feeling each inch of softness, while Angel ran his hands along the muscle, the shape, the being of his partner, taking note of each detail in his head to save for his later use. Every scale was precious to him, every frill on his body. He would have loved to know what Alex had looked like when he was alive. He would have loved to remember what he had looked like. But this scaled body was firm and warm and smooth and felt amazing against his fur. This is who he was now.
His lips and tongue were warm.
Angel broke their kiss to smile down at him and ran his claws through the wet scales on his chest. "Fuckin' adorable."
Alex put his arms above his head. "You're beautiful, Angie."
Angel chuckled. "Mister handsome lizard." He slowly grinded his hips back and forth and they both smiled and moaned together, each appreciating the warmth and closeness, knowing this wouldn't last forever but for now... for now they could pretend it did.
It was a surprise to Angel when Alex rolled on top of him, his hands on either side of Angel's face as he smiled down at him. Angel ran his hands up the scaled stomach of his lover. "Looking good, daddy."
There was suddenly a pause between them and Angel looked horrified. "Sorry. I'm sorry. That was work talking. I didn't mean that."
Alex stroked his cheek. "It's ok; I understand that was your job. Besides," A devilish smirk went across Alex's face, "call me daddy again and see what happens."
Angel's eyes widened and he ran his legs along the hips and body of his friend. "Ooooh~" He wrapped his arms around his body and hugged him tightly. "Is that a promise?" Alex's reply was in action, his lips falling against his neck, his tongue flicking and flicking across his warm flesh, tracing long lines from the edge of his collarbones and through Angel's white fur, nipping at him. "Promise."
Alex bit at his throat again, feeling himself throbbing against Angel's leg. Angel could feel his warmth against his own and he wrapped his arms tighter around him. The spider squirmed beneath him. "Damnit, Babe. Just fuckin' bite me already."
"I'm trying'-" Alex took a big deep inhale, and bit down, his razor sharp teeth finally breaking the flesh of Angel's neck and slicing a large bite mark, his teeth breaking the surface of his skin and marking him.
Angel moaned out loud and his back arched up to meet Alex's chest, his neck exposed and the lizard wrapped his arms tightly around Angel, drawing him into the bite. "Daddy..." Angel twitched against him. "Do it again..."
