Part 2

His vision was blurry when he finally opened his eyes, but he was staring up at the ceiling of his room. Angel groaned and rolled over, looking at his phone. A few hours of sleep were better than nothing. He felt...good.

He smiled, took the phone at the side of his head, and curled under the blankets, texting, 'Thank you for that.' It was a simple text, but the spider wanted to write a million sentences expressing his feelings. He felt lighter, and the pressure in his chest lessened as if he could breathe again.

He had just awakened from a nice nap and felt the best he'd felt in a long time. Alex's little recording helped a lot. He now considered adding his phone to his tuft pocket, so he always had it, just in case. But if anyone found it, he would kill whoever tried to take it.

The text back was swift. 'I'm glad I made you smile, Angel. Would you like me to make you more in the future?'

Angel typed away, his smile growing. 'Yes. I would like that.' He hesitated before his following message, unsure if he was pushing a boundary or something. 'Would it be okay if I called you a few times daily, Alex?' He was already getting up and getting dressed for a fresh hell.

The response was quick. 'Few times a day? It almost sounds like you miss me.'

'Oh, shut the fuck uuuuup.'

'Yes. I want you to call.'

Angel felt his body flush and smiled, standing up and fixing his hair. 'I just wish we could talk more often. When you are in bed.'

'Then text me when you get off work. Bad day, good day, hit me up. You're more than 'that demon I know' '

Angel blushed and bit his lip. 'Demon,' he typed. 'Shouldn't you be more afraid of me?'

'Never'

Angel pressed a hand to his cheek as his heart fluttered. "Bastard." He breathed out, sending a response. 'Okay. I promise. You're the best, Al. If I could have you down here with me, I swear I'd show you all the corners of my world you can explore.' He hesitated and then deleted the second half. He wouldn't wish this on anyone. Hell had some perks, but people were here for a reason.

He stuffed the cell phone in his chest fur, leaving the security of his room. "Later, ya bastard."

He hadn't felt safe in his room for a while now. But this cell phone made him feel secure. Talking with Alex made him feel safe and allowed him to sleep with a night light; keeping the phone with him almost felt like a security blanket. But this morning, he had slept peacefully. No nightmares, terrors, or lying awake thinking and replaying everything that had happened during work. Again. And again...and again. Instead...eeeeee! A fucking date on the beach!

When he had left the comfort of his room, he couldn't wipe the smile off his face, even a little spring in his step. He was starting to get worried but also hoped it didn't stop. He wanted to enjoy this as long as possible before seeing Val again.

No. No, he wasn't going to think of Val today. He wasn't going to let that rat-fuck ruin his excellent day. No. He would get downstairs, work out, probably not, help out Vaggie, maybe, get high, most likely, and watch cartoons on his phone, definitely.

He hummed to himself as he made his way down the stairs, hopping onto the handrail and sliding it down to the floor. He slid across the floor, gave a little pirouette, and plopped down on the couch. Vaggie, having put her phone down, watched him the entire way with a dumbfounded look on her face. "What has gotten you all giddy this morning?"

Angel stretched out on the couch, his legs resting over the top of hers. "Never you worry, toots. It's got nothing to do with any drugs or booze. Right now, I'm sober as a fuckin' judge." That was half true. "So leave me alone and let me enjoy my day, why don'cha?" He crossed his legs, stretching out. When he realized she was staring at him, he snapped his fingers at her and winked.

"Yeah, fine, cool." She stood, grabbed her mug off the side table, realized it was empty, and headed to the kitchen. Angel rolled over onto his belly and kicked his legs up. "Must be hard trying to kick that caffeine habit, yeah, girl? I could give you some pointers on staying straight-laced." His voice was dripping with sarcasm. "I mean, look at this...my tits look better by the day." Angel was grateful for her ignoring him. He was just glad to have the couch to himself finally.

He reached into the first drawer of the little table beside the couch for a joint, but it felt bare. That wasn't right. He reached into the next drawer, which was also empty. "The fuck?" He leaned up and looked in the drawers, "where's my shit?"

"Sorry to ruin the party, kid." Husker strolled out of the kitchen with a full cup of coffee and took the end seat on the sofa. Taking a small silver flask from his vest, he poured the dark brown contents into his cup, "but I thought you were an expert at fighting the pull." He sipped from his cup, chuckling.

"You hidin' my shit on me, kitty cat?" Angel turned onto his knees, fishing under the cushions and between them, trying to find a joint. He knew there was a joint. He felt something brush his fingertips. "There ya' are you fuckin'-" The phone in his chest vibrated.

He sat back and pulled his cell from his chest fluff, catching Husks' curiosity at the relic, which was indeed vibrating. "Are you Expecting a call?" he asked, sipping his coffee.

Leaning away from the bartender, Angel held the phone to his chest to keep it private. Angel stood up, brushing off his second set of hands. "None of ya' fukin' business. Gimmie a light. Or I'll start making moaning noises at'cha." He slipped the joint into his mouth but then got to his knees before Husker. "Oh, Daddy." He stuck out his tongue. "Pweeze, gimme a light?"

"Fuckin' gag me, why don't you?" Husker flipped out his lighter and lit it, turning his attention away from the spider.

Angel grinned and sat back. " Say, please." He looked at his phone, his smile returning when he saw it was a message from Alex.

'I'm off early if you want to talk.'

Angel pursed his lips, eyes moving to the kitchen where Vaggie had just walked in with her coffee and then back to Husker. "Hey. Old man." He flipped through his messages again. "Do ya mind me going to talk?"

Husker waved his hand.

"Kay, thanks." The spider slid across the floor into the hall and stepped behind a doorway. Husker shrugged and focused on anything else, trying to tune out the spider.

It rang once again and was picked up. "Is it the afternoon there? Hope you got some sleep." Alex sounded happy

Angel's whole body lit up as he held onto the door jamb. "Hey. Yeah. I slept pretty good." He had to whisper, looking around him before he snuck down the hall. He walked until he found a closet and ducked inside. "Whatcha doing, handsome?"

"Nothing at the moment. I'm walking home from class." Angel couldn't help but smile. "Yeah? How was that?" Angel sat in the dark closet, cross-legged like a teenager, bouncing his knees a little. He felt a little...giddy.

"It was fine. Had a hard time paying attention to the professor, not that I care. I was thinking of you and panicking about the audio I sent you. I wanted you to like it. Kinda...felt like I was doing a mock date or something." His voice was gentle, almost timid like he was shy or even embarrassed. It was adorable.

Angel blushed. "It was perfect. Thank you." He leaned back against the wall of the closet, closing his eyes. Angel could hear a door opening, assuming Alex was home. "If you want, I can sing you to sleep tonight."

"Really? You'd do that?"

"Of course. I want you to have good dreams."

"Oh, shut up, you big fuckin' softy." Angel smiled and felt himself snort. Alex chuckled, and Angel could hear him taking off his shoes. " You have a beautiful laugh, Angie."

Angel felt his face heat up as he tucked his knees to his chest. "Oh shuddup. Ya, charmer."

Alex sighed, "I didn't sleep well last night and got a call from a pretty boy when I woke up. Can you blame me for wanting to lay it on thick?"

Angel blushed harder. "Ya flirt." He smiled. "Do you want me to call ya later, baby?"

"I don't think I could sleep if you didn't. I'll be here. Same time?"

"Same time," Angel drew little designs on his knee with a claw, "I...I should get back to work. Can't be hiding in a closet all day." He stood up and fixed his clothes.

Alex cleared his throat, "Do...uh...do you have...work tonight? If you do, call me. I won't mind." Angel smiled, "I...I might." He sounded a little too happy. "I'll let ya know, yea?"

"Sure thing. And...maybe I'll sing you to sleep when you get home and ready for bed."

Angel felt his heart flutter. "I...I would like that." He sighed, not wanting the call to end. " Talk to you tonight, Alex."

"See you tonight, Angie." Angle heard Alex kiss the phone.

Angel blushed, "Ya dork." He laughed before hanging up. Angel leaned against the wall of the closet and groaned, pressing a hand to his face. His heart was pounding, and he could barely breathe. He looked down at the joint in his hand, the flame having gone out long ago.

This was so stupid. This was so STUPID!

But...it felt nice.

Taking a deep breath, he left the closet, feeling his phone vibrate as he returned to the living room. It was a text from Val. 'I need you at work in a few hours. Come prepared. I don't want to spend my whole night getting you ready.'

Angel's smile fell as he read over the message again. He closed his phone, and that pressure slowly crept its way up inside of him. 'Understood.' He sent back, stuffing his phone into his pocket.

"Hey, Husker," Angel sat on the couch and leaned back, crossing his legs. "Can I get another light?" He slid the joint back into his mouth. At first, it was there for fun; now, it was a little escape.

"What? Can't go five minutes without your next hit?" He pulled out his little red lighter, Angel leaning into the flame.

"Ya know how it is." He flopped down on the couch, taking up most of it with his legs over the armrest and lying down on his back. "I just...gotta relax. And maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll be able to get through my next shift without losing my shit." Again.

Angel put his hands behind his head and puffed, closing his eyes as he listened to the sounds of the hotel. He took a long pull off his joint and took out his phone.

"Hey, Husk, can I share something with you? No questions asked?" He glanced around to make sure they were alone.

"You've never asked before, why would you start now?" Angel held out the old phone to him. "Here. Take this for a minute."

Loaded up on the phone was the recording Alex had made him in a spot just after where Alex had spoken, where it was just the sounds of the beach, the waves, the people, and the birds. He hit play.

Husker took the phone, staring at the screen. "The fuck is this?" Angel waved him off, "Shut up and listen. Tell me what'cha hear."

Husker said nothing else and stared at the screen as the audio played. Angel closed his eyes, listening to the sounds. The waves were calm, and he could almost feel the sea breeze in his fur. He smiled, picturing himself there, walking along the beach.

It was beautiful. It was peaceful.

He imagined he was walking hand in hand with Alex along the beach, no one around them but them. The only sound was the waves and their feet walking along the sand. They walked together silently, enjoying each other's company, not needing words to fill the space.

Husker looked back at the phone and pressed it to his ear. "Shit...where did you get this, kid?" Angel sighed, "No questions, remember? I'm trying to share this with you and want it kept quiet. Just enjoy it and shut up."

Husker didn't say anything else. He listened, his face going from curiosity to peace.

Angel smiled as he closed his eyes, hearing Husker exhale, a sigh the Cat didn't even know he was holding. He knew that sound. Husker had heard it before. He took a pull off his joint and lifted it, offering it to Husker. "Here. Try some." Angel didn't look as he offered.

Husker didn't speak, slipping the joint into his mouth and taking a long...slow...drag, the smoke coming out in circles above his head. Quite the professional. They relaxed a little more on the couch, their eyes closed. Husker smiled when he heard a seagull, and Angel smiled when he heard a dog barking in the distance.

It was so peaceful. So calming. Angel wanted to lay on the beach and fall asleep right then and there, just listening to the waves. "Hey, Husk..."

"Hmm?"

"Thanks...for sharing this with me. I know it's...weird. But thank you."

"This is one of the nicest things I've ever heard."

"Ain't it? Move it back to 1:33. Let's go again."

Husker scrolled back, and both lay there listening to the beach. Angel felt at peace. It was nice to have someone to share this with. To share this escape with. It wasn't bad. It wasn't wrong to feel safe and happy with something so simple.

Husker turned the recording off and gave Angel back his phone. "Thanks, kid," His tone was a little more gentle. Angel smiled, slipping the phone back into his chest. "No questions, huh?"

Angel sat up and stretched, "no questions." He stood up and snuffed his joint on the table, "thanks for the smoke, Husk."

"Hey." Husker looked over his shoulder at the spider as he made his way to the bar, "If you ever need someone to talk to about shit...I can listen to more of that. It...helps."

Angel smiled, "I'll remember that."

Walking to the bar, Angel grabbed a beer from around the counter and left the hotel through the front door. He was so thankful he could have a smoke to dull what was going to start to grow in his chest: the anxiety, the anger, the fear. He finished the beer before he even got off the hotel grounds, tossing it down into the garbage can at the end of the property, which was oddly empty inside but garbage gathered around the outside.

Mask on, emotions locked behind a thick wall, he was ready for another shift.