The two men headed to the table. The table was set with a medley of delicious and inviting foods. Adam briefly mused to himself about how the food in hell had turned out to be far better than he ever would have guessed. Everyone with the exceptions of Lucifer and Charlie were already waiting at the table.
"Pet, where is your master? He and Charlie are running late." Alastor commented. Adam glared mildly.
"Lucifer and Charlie went out to dinner. They're having some Father-Daughter quality time." Adam answered, keeping his tone even. He reminded himself that he had been directed to avoid fighting with Alastor this evening.
With it now known that everyone who was attending was present, the diners began to fill their plates and eat. For a moment, all was quiet without Charlie to prompt conversation. It surprised no one when Alastor was the first to speak.
"So, with the king absent, who is watching Lucifer's precious royal pet today?" Alastor asked. Adam tried to focus on his food. Eating quickly had been a joke, but it was starting to sound more and more appealing now.
"That would be me." Husk answered in a deadpanned tone. He looked at Alastor from the corner of his eye, not wanting to encourage Alastor with attention. Alastor chuckled.
"I suppose it makes sense. You did such a good job keeping him under control last time. The two of you get along so well, too. You make an excellent pet sitter." Alastor complimented. The splash of mockery in his tone was not missed by Adam nor Husk.
"Hey, Adam gets along real well with me, too. He's much more likable these days, ya know? The only reason you haven't noticed is because you can't set down your fucking grudge and move on. Just let bygones be bygones and stop harassing the guy, huh Al?" Angel scolded.
"Ha! No." Alastor replied.
Despite his answer, Alastor went silent for the moment and went back to his meal. Adam had the sinking feeling that the deer sinner was plotting something. Husk decided to try to get the conversation rolling properly.
"Angel, are you working this evening?" He asked. Husk knew Angel's schedule could be a little erratic due to Valentino being an impulsive, demanding idiot.
"No, not tonight. Val's shooting some straight movies today, so he doesn't need me. I think I'm staying in. I just wanna stay home and chill with Fat Nuggets. Maybe later I'll come hang out with you guys at the bar." Angel answered. Really, he was concerned about getting at least one good photo of Lucifer and Adam tonight. He needed something to show Valentino soon, and Lucifer being gone for a significant portion of the evening made him worry. Angel wondered if maybe he could set something romantic but subtle up for them so as to catch at least one real kiss…
Adam on the other hand was thinking about Vaggie. Like Lucifer, she had once been his companion. Vaggie was still everything that had made Adam proud of her as an exorcist. She was still iron-willed and loyal, with a strong sense of justice.
The grounded angel felt a pang of longing for the days when Vaggie had stood by his side with the rest of the exorcists. Friends was too generous a word for what they had been, but at least she used to smile at him. Adam stared down at his plate while he ate his dinner, and silently wondered if there was hope that one day they could be friends, or at least be friendly towards each other. He certainly wasn't holding his breath for it to be anytime soon. Husk's hand landed gently on his shoulder, snapping him out of his somber musings
"Adam, you okay? You looked totally lost in your thoughts, and not pleasant ones either." Husk asked in a low tone. Adam noticed Husk's wing was slightly extended as if to wrap around his back, if the chair hadn't been in the way.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just have a lot to regret." Adam muttered softly. Husk gave him a light, comforting pat on the back. Husk and Adam both went back to their own meals. Adam decided to try taking a small chance.
"Hey Vaggie, what's your plan for the afternoon?" Adam ventured. Perhaps they could at least manage a light, civil conversation?
"I'm going to have some quiet 'me' time alone. I love Charlie with all my heart, but I savor a little alone time now and then." Vaggie's tone was a bit defensive. Adam nodded supportively.
"That's totally normal. It's healthy to spend time alone or with other people away from your partner. I'm glad you're in a strong enough relationship that you don't feel you need to cling to each other." Adam answered, trying to sound as sincere as he could.
Vaggie didn't respond immediately. She'd come to accept that Adam's change was real, but that didn't make the bad memories easy to shake off. Adam was being civil, so she wanted to try to make equal effort.
"Speaking of which, how are you doing? Lucifer doesn't give you much alone time… How are you adjusting?" Vaggie's voice was stiff, but she was trying. Adam couldn't help but smile slightly.
"I'm doing better than I expected I could down here. I've had some much needed reality checks making me… less the guy you knew back in heaven. Lucifer and I are getting along well. He treats me very kindly and I do my best to show my appreciation for his kindness." Adam decided to leave it there, lest he start talking too much again.
"Of course he's doing well, Vaggie. Lucifer pampers his pet. Every need gets catered to. He gets nice clothing, good food, his wounds personally attended, even his own guitar. All he has to do in return is satisfy his master's ravenous hunger for affection." Alastor commented, his voice dripping with superiority.
"None of what you just said is a luxury except the guitar, Alastor. Adam is entitled to clothes, food, and medical care. Lucifer would be cruel to deny him those things." Vaggie retorted.
"True, but a pet doesn't need the best of everything. That's not even mentioning the attention his master lavishes on him. Lucifer may keep him on a short leash, but he still spoils him rotten." Alastor replied snidely, taking a bite of his meal.
Adam looked down at his meal, reminding himself again he promised Lucifer he would try not to fight with Alastor. The first man tried to finish his food quickly, without it being obvious that was what he was doing. He pretended not to be interested in the dinner conversation.
"Alastor, quit being such an ass to Adam! He's lost a lot since coming to hell. He doesn't need you rubbing salt in the wounds. Back. Off." Vaggie snapped.
"Since when do you look out for Lucifer's pet? After he condemned you to hell, and then outed you as an angel to Charlie, why would you defend him?" Alastor asked, his grin looking particularly snarky.
"I don't need to justify my reasons to you. Regardless, I'm sick of hearing you poke at Adam trying to start a fight. Shut the fuck up and eat your dinner." Vaggie shot back. Alastor grinned.
"Are you looking to fight with me yourself, Exorcist?" Alastor asked darkly. His tone dared her to try something. Adam knew he needed to intervene, for fear that Vaggie's stubbornness would lead her to harm.
"Please, Vaggie just leave it alone. Lucifer keeps me at his side as often as he can. Charlie is a cinnamon roll and forgives everything I ever did. Alastor is an asshole. That's just how my existence goes down here. Please just ignore him. I don't want Lucifer to think he can't ever leave me without a fight starting. I don't care what Alastor says about me anyway." Adam claimed.
Alastor chuckled and shook his head. He looked at Adam with that half lidded, superior gaze that the first man found exceedingly annoying. Adam averted his eyes, refusing to look at the deer sinners. Alastor leaned forward, undeterred.
"You're lying Pet. You are far too prideful to not care what other people say. Even people you don't like. I know it drives you mad that you can't do anything about it."
'Ignore him. Don't give him ammo.' Adam told himself, finishing his plate. He set his hands in his lap and waited for Husk to finish. Husk was silently grateful Adam was refusing to take Alastor's bait this time.
Alastor tried a few more times, but Adam refused to respond, despite his rising frustrations. The deer sinner was slowly growing more and more annoyed with being ignored. Husk slid his chair away from the table and stood up.
"You ready to go, Adam?" He asked, already knowing the answer. Adam practically jumped out of his seat, pushing his chair in.
"See you guys later." Husk said, walking away from the table. Adam followed eagerly.
"Are we going back to the bar or are you finished today?" Adam asked Husk heaved a sigh.
"I got a few more hours to put in. Lucifer will probably be back before I'm done. You up for playing some more card games?" Adam smiled.
"Sure thing. Can we stop by Lucifer's room and grab my guitar? I can play some music for us too." Adam suggested.
"I like that idea. I wouldn't mind seeing how Lucifer decorated his room anyway." Husk immediately turned and headed towards Lucifer's room. The pair made their way there swiftly.
When they arrived, Adam opened the door for Husk and motioned him in. Husk stepped into the room and looked around. Adam followed. He went to retrieve his guitar case while Husk looked around the room, admiring the decorations and the carved wooden furniture. Husk gave an impressed whistle to express his appreciation.
"Damn Lucifer really went all out on this room. I mean the fuckton of ducks was unexpected, but it looks great. And you get to live in here. Lucky man you are." Husk elbowed him gently. Adam rolled his eyes.
"You get your own room and your own bed. I get neither of those… I can't help but wonder why he opted for the huge chair. It's really too big for him…" Adam spoke halfway to himself. Husk rolled his eyes.
"Probably for you, dumbass." Husk commented. Adam looked genuinely confused.
"For me? But…this is his room. Everything in here is his. Well, I guess other than my clothes and my guitar. And even those he bought."
"Yeah, but if he was already intending to make you share his room, then he probably planned accordingly when building it. He may be short and slim, but you're built like a viking. He can easily sit in a chair too big for him. You can't easily sit in a chair too small for you, so he probably went for a big chair on purpose to accommodate you."
Adam paused a moment to ponder. He thought back on all the time he and Lucifer had spent in that room together. Something stuck out to him.
"You know what? Now that I think about it, I don't think Lucifer has ever sat directly on that chair. I've sat there plenty of times, usually when he tells me to for some reason. I also sit there when I play music for him too. He says it helps him focus when he works. I think every time he's sat on the chair, he's been in my lap…" Adam blushed a bit, realizing what he'd just admitted to.
"So he doesn't just do that when Angel is poking him? That tracks. He seems pretty possessive of you. Barely lets you out of his sight even in the relative safety of the hotel. And believe me when I say this hotel is one of the safest spots in hell… Well, the Pride ring anyway." Husk commented.
"Lately, he seems to prefer my lap to any other seat. Only time he seems to sit in an actual chair is at the table." Adam avoided Husk's eyes by stepping away to pick up his guitar case. Husk couldn't help but smirk.
"You know what, Adam? I didn't think it was possible to sit on someone else's lap dominantly, but Lucifer fucking does it. Even when he's in your lap, it's still plain to see who's in charge." Husk teased.
"Fuck off, Fluffy." Adam answered, putting his guitar case gently over his shoulder and following Husk out. Adam closed the door behind them as they headed back downstairs to the lobby.
"Hey, is that any way to talk to the guy who's in charge of you?" Husk asked, his tone good-natured.
"I'm sorry, you're right. Fuck off, Sir." Adam retorted, trying to keep a straight face. Husk still spotted the smile tugging at the corners of Adam's mouth.
Once they had returned to the lobby, Husk snagged a barstool and dragged it behind the bar with him so he could sit down. Adam gently leaned his guitar case up against the bar, where the now missing stool had been. Adam seated himself on the stool next to it.
Husk poured each of them a non alcoholic drink, not wanting booze to dull his playing ability. The catlike sinner broke out the cards. Almost instinctively, he began to shuffle them.
"So what game do you wanna play first?" Husk inquired. Adam furrowed his brow in thought.
"Do you know how to play 52 pickup? I'll teach you." Adam suggested. Husk scoffed.
"Nice try, Adam. That joke may not be older than you, but it's older than me." Husk pointed out. Adam chuckled and shrugged.
"Okay, how about Gin Rummy?" Adam suggested. Husk began dealing.
"Kind of an old lady game, but okay." The sinner commented. Adam rolled his eyes.
"Husk, when you have lived as long as I did, you see that there's no such thing as an old person or young person thing. It's simply what is or is not in fashion at the time. Besides we'll see if you're still calling it an old lady game after I beat your ass at it." Adam replied with a playful smirk.
The two began to chat as they played. The game flowed effortlessly between them. Adam's eyes were down on the cards. Husk looked at Adam, a relaxed smile on his face.
"So you seem like you've actually come to settle in now. You no longer come across as 'scared shitless but trying desperately to hide it' like you used to. How are you REALLY adjusting? I know Vaggie already asked, but I figure you were being tight lipped with Alastor at the table." Husk asked.
"Not nearly as bad as I thought, honestly. I mean, I realize now that I'm in a pretty cushy situation, compared to most. Especially so for someone wearing a collar… Lucifer really is not so bad a master. I knew that once I finally accepted that Lucifer wasn't being nice to fuck with my head and throw me off balance. He actually cares about me despite the last few thousand years. Meeting Valentino though? That really drove it home." Adam admitted.
"Eesh, yeah Valentino is a major league sack of shit. He seems stupid, and he is, but he's good at manipulating people. It's how he got Angel's soul. Angel told me about what happened on your shopping trip. I know he came off as a total dipshit, but that's because he's already got Angel and can't get you, so he had no reason to pretend to be pleasant." Husk couldn't help the slight growl in his voice.
"I gathered that from meeting him. I already thought Lucifer was good to me, but in comparison to Valentino? The man sparkles. I thought Lucifer keeping me on such a short leash was excessive, but his clinginess is a nonissue." Adam murmured, checking out his cards.
"If Lucifer being clingy is literally the only complaint you can muster, you really do have it good. I've never seen the owner of a soul care so much about…" Husk tried to find the right words.
"Their slave? You can say it. I know what I am." Adam uttered softly. Adam's right hand rose to rest on his neck again.
"I've never seen the owner of a soul care about the person under their power so deeply. Sure, there are the occasional obsessive types who manage to get their hands on the object of their affection, but what they call love is twisted and selfish. They care about what's best for themselves. Lucifer… he really cares about what's best for you." Husk played his card.
"I could have ended up in much worse hands, that's for sure. Valentino expressed regret that he didn't have the chance to get his own collar on me… I think death would have been a better option than him." Adam shivered with revulsion.
"If that sex crazed moth had gotten his hands on you? Maybe so. And Valentino's far from the only terrible master in hell, and probably not even the most appalling. Imagine if Alastor had managed to get his hands on your soul. As much as he hates you, he'd be unspeakably cruel. He'd put you through much worse than what he does to me." Husk played a card, not noticing the last part had slipped out.
Adam sat up straight and looked at Husk with wide eyes, cards forgotten. The first man could not believe what he'd just heard. Husk looked up at him with confusion, still not catching what had slipped out of his mouth.
"Husk, did you just tell me Alastor owns your soul?!" Adam asked, his voice just slightly raised. Husk gasped and his eyes widened he quickly shushed Adam and looked around, heart pounding. Alastor was nowhere in sight, much to Husk's relief. Husk leaned forward and spoke in a hushed, urgent tone.
"Listen, Adam. That was a mistake. It just slipped out. I wasn't actually allowed to tell anyone he owns me. I need you to act like you didn't hear that." Husk's eyes were wide and fearful as he spoke. Before Adam could answer, a long, slim shadow fell over both of them.
"Act like he didn't hear what, Husk?" Alastor asked in a dark and menacing tone, laced with fury. The deer sinner stood a few feet away, his ears perked attentively towards the hushed conversation. By the look on Alastor's face, he'd heard the conversation perfectly well. His grin was as wide as ever. His eyes glaring so fiercely they were almost glowing with anger, and they were firmly trained on Husk. Adam turned partially to look at Alastor, but stayed seated. The catlike sinner forced a nervous smile as his ears went back in fear.
"Oh, hey Boss. Adam and I were just-"
"You were JUST sharing information I specifically told you to keep to yourself. It seems Lucifer's spoiled pet is going to see what a real punishment looks like today." Alastor declared darkly.
"Alastor, please, I didn't-" Husk's plea for mercy was cut off sharply when Alastor reached out in a way Adam had seen from Lucifer. The angel knew what it meant, but at the same time had no idea what was coming. The glowing green leash snapped into existence, nearly touching Adam's shoulder as it formed a taut chain between Alastor's hand and Husk's neck.
In a sharp, brutal movement, Alastor yanked hard on the leash, stopping Husk's words and causing a short cry that stole the rest of Husk's air. The force hauled Husk halfway over the bar, his feet dangling over the floor. Alastor held the leash still taut, making breathing difficult.
The sinner's forced lunge onto the bar knocked Adam to the floor, barstool and all. Adam landed hard on his side and scrambled to get up, despite the pain to his wounds. Alastor deliberately waited the extra few seconds until Adam was once again in a position to see what was going on, giving no care to his victim as he grasped at the collar in a desperate attempt to get air.
Once Adam had his eyes on the situation again, but before Adam had time to intervene, Alastor acted. The overlord gave the chain another heave, dragging the struggling sinner over the bar until he dropped onto the floor. Alastor began to drag Husk towards him hand over hand. Adam was frozen with fear and shock.
"I gave you a very SIMPLE instruction, Husker. All you had to do was keep the bar and keep some choice bits of information to yourself. Yet you couldn't manage the simpler task. What AM I going to do with you?" Alastor chided, all the while Husk struggled with the collar, fighting in vain for a breath.
Adam snapped out of his frozen state and practically jumped forward, placing himself between Alastor and Husk. With a fair distance still left between himself and Alastor, Adam seized the neon green chain in his hands and pulled. The angel did not pull the leash from Alastor's grasp, nor did he intend to. His only goal was to eliminate the pressure on his friend's throat. Husk immediately gulped a much needed breath, following up with a stream of coughing, gasping, and wheezing.
"Alastor, I-I didn't mean to, it just slipped out." Husk pleaded, shaking as he laid on the floor amongst the scattered playing cards, his hat off to the side. He was terrified of becoming another scream on Alastor's broadcast. However, Alastor's attention was on the exorcist between them at the moment, his grin wide with manic and sadistic glee.
"Leave him the fuck alone, Alastor! Husk doesn't deserve your shit!" Adam demanded, clenching the chain tightly in his grasp.. Adam tried to focus on the anger he was feeling over the fear.
"You can't protect him from me, Pet. Husk is mine, just as you are Lucifer's. I can do whatever I please to him, and he knows it. In fact, you should take a lesson from Husk. Pets belong on the floor." Alastor jerked the leash sharply.
Adam did not have time to release his tight grasp and fell forward, relinquishing his grip on Husk's leash in a belated attempt to catch himself. The former exorcist landed with a hard thud on his stomach about three feet from Alastor. The smug radio demon placed the ferrule of his cane under Adam's chin, tilting the other man's face up to look at him.
"Much better. Good boy." Alastor praised snidely. Adam scowled at the condescension and pushed Alastor's cane away from his face. Adam put his hands and knees beneath him, in the process of rising to his feet.
Alastor turned his attention to Husk. The sinner was still cowering and trembling on the floor. He was terrified that any further offense would cause Alastor to lose control of his temper entirely. A shiver went up his spine as Alastor stepped around Adam. The chain's slack dragged on the ground and rattled as Alastor approached.
"Now, where were we before we were so RUDELY interrupted? Ah yes, I was just deciding how I was going to deal with your disobedience. You do look rather nice on the floor, Husk. Perhaps you'd make a good rug." Alastor taunted. Husk trembled more violently, uncertain if this was a scare tactic or his final moments.
Adam, now back on his feet, stepped up behind Alastor. His instincts screamed at him to protect Husk, and the was only way he could think of to do it was to get Alastor's attention back on him. The angel grabbed Alastor's upper arm in a firm grip.
With a sickening crack of his neck, Alastor's head turned all the way around towards Adam. Alastor's tentacles emerged from his back. They wrapped around Adam's body, lifted the angel above his head, and threw Adam at the nearby wall. Alastor quickly turned his head back around properly to see the impact.
Adam's training as a warrior kicked in. As his momentum began to fall, the former exorcist tucked his upper body and performed a handspring, landing on his feet just short of hitting the wall. He turned back towards Alastor and smirked. Unfortunately his satisfaction did not last long. Adam saw Alastor's tentacles sink into a nearby shadow as Alastor stood there grinning at him.
Before Adam could react, those tentacles emerged from small shadows on either side of the angel. One tentacle wrapped around each wrist, pulling his arms as far apart as they would naturally go, and then retreated partially back into the shadows so that Adam was bound firmly against the wall. The first man cringed at the feeling of those tentacles. They felt cold and made entirely of muscle, like an octopus arm with no suction cups.
Alastor's grin looked more smug than ever now. The sinner sauntered up to the angel with a thick air of superiority. His tentacles did not appear to strain at all as they had to extend to allow the rest of Alastor to move forward. The leash still in his hand seemed to be lengthening itself as Alastor walked away from Husk, who didn't dare stand up yet, creating a generous amount of slack.
Alastor came within inches of Adam, looking down his nose at the slightly shorter man. Adam struggled against the tentacles, but Alastor just tightened them, pulling harder on the angel's arms until he stopped struggling and went still.
"Don't EVER lay your hands on me again, Pet. It seems that since your master refuses to do anything but coddle you, it falls to me to teach you your place. And teach you I shall. I will drill it into your head if I must-" Alastor was interrupted by the sound of the chain clinking and rattling as Husk stood up and started to approach the two.
"Alastor, let go-" Husk tried to cut in, the chain rattling as he moved. Alastor's head turned around towards Husk with another sickening crack.
"Quiet! You are already on thin ice, Husker! Don't speak or take another step closer." Alastor commanded. Husk stopped, his eyes were locked on the scene before him in worry. Alastor's head turned back around to Adam.
"You see that, Pet? That is how a slave should respond to their master. Husk knows his station. And before I am done you will know yours. Pampered pet or not, you are your master's possession."
"I'm not a fucking pet!" Adam snapped in anger, but he didn't venture to pull at Alastor's tentacles again, lest Alastor pull even harder on his already aching arms. Alastor chuckled, pleased by Adam's anger and his submission to the restraint.
"Oh no? I thought we had already discussed and settled this matter. If you're going to be stubborn, then do tell me. What do you call a being that is owned by another, and entirely dependent on that other being? You heed his every command. You wear a collar that designates you as his property. You rely on Lucifer for all your necessities, and any luxuries you receive come from him as well. You don't have your own room or even a bed of your own, because your master doesn't want you to have those things. Instead, you sleep in his bed because HE desires that. You are of no actual use to him besides companionship and entertainment. What would you call something that fits those parameters?" Alastor asked, leaning very close to Adam.
The grounded angel glared and refused to answer. Alastor's grin somehow managed to become more unhinged. He pulled harder on Adam's arms until Adam cried out in pain.
"I'm waiting. Answer the question." Alastor demanded, his maniacal grin mirrored in his eyes. The thoughts Adam had tried not to think swirled around in his head. Everything Alastor had said was objectively true. Alastor had him in his grasp. Husk could not help him. As much as he did not want to give Alastor the satisfaction, he had no choice.
"A pet." Adam replied in a pained whisper.
"What was that? I couldn't quite hear you." Alastor taunted. His glee knew no bounds. Everything was going exactly his way and he was relishing it. Finally, Alastor's patience had paid off and he was getting his vengeance for Adam daring to rub Alastor's loss in his face a few days before.
"I said 'a pet'. A being that fits that description is a pet." Adam repeated, saying it louder. The continued pressure on his arms was becoming unbearable.
"So that would make YOU a pet. I want you to say it." Alastor insisted, leaning closer to Adam. It was total bliss to Alastor to mercilessly rub the humiliation in Adam's face.
"I am a pet." Adam reluctantly stated. He made sure to say it loud enough to avoid having to repeat it. He looked over at Husk, who could only stand there staring in horror and regret.
"Who's pet are you?" Alastor wrapped the end of Husk's leash around his cane, then held the cane in both hands and pressed the shaft of it hard against Adam's chest, thus forcing his back roughly against the wall. Adam cried out from the pressure on his wounds.
"Lucifer's! I am Lucifer's pampered pet! Are you satisfied now?!" Adam cried out. He could feel the scabs had cracked and the blood oozing from his wounds again. Alastor chuckled.
"Oh, very nearly. Let me just be SURE you've learned your place this time. If I was your master, I would have made sure you knew it on day one… Hmm, Lucifer's golden collar does flatter you well, but I wonder…" Adam sighed in some relief as Alastor removed his cane from Adam's chest.
Alastor removed Husk's leash from the cane and pulled on the now plentiful slack. Husk flinched, but there was too much loose chain currently on the floor to actually pull on his collar. Fortunately for Husk, Alastor was not interested in harming him at that moment. Instead, Alastor wrapped some of the slack around Adam's neck, so there was a full loop around Adam's neck, and a length of chain on leash on each side. Alastor took hold of the chain on either side with one hand. With Adam's throat securely in Alastor's grasp, the deer sinner's tentacles released Adam's arms and retreated into, then out of the shadows, back into Alastor's body.
As soon as Adam's arms were released, Alastor pulled downward. Adam gasped for air at the tightening the loop of chain around his throat. He struggled, trying to get hold of the chain so he could pull it loose.
"Down." Alastor commanded, wicked mirth plain to see on his face. With no choice, Adam fell to his knees. Alastor rewarded his obedience by relieving the pressure, allowing Adam to breathe once more. Adam gasped and panted for breath.
"Oh yes, you look quite dapper in green, Pet. It's such a shame I didn't get a chance to claim your soul myself. But nonetheless, I am still above you. You must learn to respect your superiors. Listen well when I say this: Husk and Angel Dust are your ONLY equals here. Everyone else in this hotel is superior to you. All others you should treat with respect, ESPECIALLY myself." Alastor spoke using the same tone a parent would use to lecture their misbehaving child.
"Alastor, please stop. You've made your point."Adam pleaded. He wasn't sure how much more of this he could take. Alastor chuckled and bent down, making Adam flinch.
"Well now, that's certainly an improvement to your attitude. Let's see if we can't do a bit better, though. I want you to apologize for disrespecting me. I want you to promise you won't lay your hands on me again. And I want you to address me with respect while you do it. Since I'm not your master, I think a simple 'Sir' will do." Alastor demanded, his voice dripping with self-satisfaction.
Adam clenched his teeth. His sense of pride despised this, but he didn't want to find out just how much farther Alastor would go to get what he wanted. Adam knew he wouldn't dare damage him too much, lest Lucifer find out and retaliate. Yet, Adam would not put it past the deer sinner to hurt Husk to get what he wanted. Alastor tugged on the chain slightly, a warning that he was getting impatient. Adam took a breath and swallowed his pride, and looked down.
"I am so-" Adam was interrupted by a sharp tug to the loop of chain around his neck.
"Ah, ah, ah, look me in the eyes." Alastor demanded. Adam capitulated and met Alastor's gaze.
"I am sorry I disrespected you. I apologize for putting my hands on you and I won't do it again… Sir." Adam attempted to sound as sincere as possible, so as to avoid being forced to repeat it. The angel stared into Alastor's eyes in anticipation. Alastor stared back for what felt like a long moment.
"Good boy, that's much better. You're starting to sound like a well mannered pet. Now, there's just one more little tiny detail to wrap up. You will say NOTHING to anyone about the information Husk shared with you, or about what just happened here. Do you understand?" Alastor's question was not actually a question. Adam gave an exhausted sigh.
"What are you going to do to me if I do?" Adam muttered, accidentally letting his thoughts slip out of his mouth. He gasped when he realized what he'd done and was just about to apologize, but Alastor spoke first.
"To you? Hmmm, not a thing. It's not really your fault anyway. You shouldn't even know. Husk is the one who told you. If you don't keep your FUCKING mouth shut, I will not harm a single hair on your head. Husk is the one who will pay the price if you talk. Do we understand each other?" Alastor tugged the neon green chain around his neck as he spoke, but not so hard that Adam couldn't breathe to answer.
"I understand. You have my silence." Adam strained to answer, including a small nod for emphasis. Finally, Husk's chain disappeared. Alastor patted Adam on the head.
"Good boy! Let's hope the lesson sticks this time. I'd hate to have to repeat it. You behave and wait right here. I'm going to borrow Husker for just a moment." Alastor turned and walked away, curling his finger at Husk to follow him. Husk gulped, but followed.
Alastor led the two of them to one of the unused guest rooms and opened the door. He stood aside and motioned for Husk to go in first. Husk did so, trying to contain his fear. Alastor locked the door behind them and then turned to the catlike sinner.
"So you've spilled at least one secret to Lucifer's pet. He knows I own you. What I want to know is this: Does he know anything ELSE that he shouldn't?" Alastor asked, a silent threat lingering behind the words. Husk's eyes widened as he saw Alastor's eyes turn to dials and his antlers began to grow. He knew exactly what Alastor was referring to.
"No." Husk whispered. "No, I swear on my soul he doesn't know about… that. He knows you own my soul and that's it. It's still only the two of us who know." Husk answered in a hushed tone. He was deeply afraid Alastor wouldn't believe him. Alastor stared into his eyes for a moment before deciding that he believed him and his appearance returned to normal.
"Excellent, my good man. Let's make sure to keep it that way this time, shall we?"Alastor ruffled the fur on the top of Husk's head. The catlike sinner didn't have the gall to complain at the moment.
"Yes, Boss." Husk replied quickly. Alastor turned and walked into a shadow, leaving Husk alone in the locked room. Husk heaved a deep sigh, unlocked the door, and let himself out. He returned to the lobby. Adam was still on his knees by the wall, not daring to move for fear Alastor would return and resume the torment if he found Adam out of place. Husk approached and offered a hand, making Adam look up at him.
"Get up, Adam. He's done with us… for now." Husk muttered. Adam accepted Husk's hand and stood. The angel sighed and could see his own hands still shaking. It felt as if that confrontation had lasted hours.
"Breathe. Take slow, deep breaths. Remember, I'm the one on his leash, not you." Husk murmured, a calm, resigned look on his face. Adam looked down at Husk, feeling a mix of pity, residual fear, and admiration for Husk's ability to keep his head together after such an experience. Adam took notice of the cards scattered on the floor and decided to start picking them up. The task gave his brain something fairly normal to focus on. Husk followed suit and joined him until the cards were cleaned up and the deck was set in a neat stack on the bar.
"My back hurts so fucking bad. I can feel my wounds bleeding again… Husk I hate to ask you this, but can you come to Lucifer's room with me and change my bandages? I physically cannot do it myself or I would." Adam asked, almost pleading. Husk stared at Adam for a moment, then sighed.
"Fuck, alright, fine. Let's be quick about it." Husk muttered, heading towards Lucifer's room. Adam glanced back at his guitar sitting beside the bar, thankfully unmolested by Alastor. Reluctantly, he decided to leave it and followed after Husk.
Once in Lucifer's room, Adam went to the bathroom to get the fresh bandages. He didn't bother with the antiseptic and the pain reliever. Adam didn't want the gel sticking in Husk's fur. Husk took the bandages and started opening the wrapping while Adam removed his shirt and laid stomach down on the bed.
"Thank you, Husk." Adam murmured. Husk carefully set the new bandages out, trying not to let the adhesive touch his fur at all. He carefully pulled the old bandages off Adam's back, the absorbent pads being saturated with blood. The sinner made a face of sympathy.
"Shit, he really made you bleed. Hang on, I need a washcloth to clean this up." Husk took the dirty bandages and tossed them into the garbage can, then retrieved and wetted a washcloth to clean Adam's back. The sinner returned and wiped up the remaining blood. Adam tried not to flinch.
"I'm sorry to have to ask you to do this. I just don't want Lucifer to see all that blood and start asking questions. I don't know if I can come up with a good enough answer." Adam said with a sigh.
"Don't worry about it. We'll get you patched up then act like this never happened." Husk murmured. He picked up one of the patch bandages and moved for Adam's back, but moved his arm too fast and the adhesive immediately stuck the bandage to Husk's fur.
"Oh God fucking damn it." Husk growled. He yanked the bandage off his arm. Luckily it took mainly loose hair and didn't really hurt, but he went to toss the now useless bandage in the garbage angrily and fetched a new one.
Husk placed the new bandages more cautiously, but it was damned near impossible to keep his fur completely away from the adhesive. He smoothed the adhesive down carefully to make sure it was secure. The bartender temporarily turned nurse heaved a sigh.
"There, that should hold ya. I tried to place them exactly as Lucifer did, so hopefully he won't notice those are new bandages. Let's get back to the lobby before anyone misses me." Husk grumbled a bit, still annoyed about fussing with the bandages.
Adam picked himself up from the bed and took the bandages back to the bathroom to put them away. Once everything was cleaned up, Adam followed Husk out the door and headed for the lobby. They walked in silence for just a moment. Adam couldn't hold his thoughts back for very long.
"How the fuck do you stay sane with your soul in that sociopath's hands?! How are you not a complete fucking train wreck?" Adam asked in a hushed whisper, lest Alastor hear him from somewhere. Husk heaved a heavy sigh.
"I do what he says, when he says. I drink. And when I have the luxury, I try not to think about it." Husk answered dryly.
"I'm never going to complain about Lucifer being clingy ever again, not even as a joke." Adam muttered. He looked at his friend with worry and a bit of pity. Husk stared ahead, trying to readjust his mental state.
"Good. I wasn't blowing smoke when I told you Lucifer is gentle with you. From what I've seen, he's the kindest master you could hope to have." Husk stated. Adam nodded, getting the feeling Husk wanted to push the incident away from the front of his mind.
Once they returned to the lobby, Husk counted the previously gathered cards to make sure they had all fifty two cards. Adam was still trying to get his nervous system to calm down. He noticed his hands still shaking slightly.
"...Fifty, fifty one, fifty two. Good, we didn't lose any." Husk muttered, trying to forget what just happened as he dealt the cards once more. Adam sighed and tried to relax. After a few hands, the tension eased.
Soon they heard the sounds of boots coming down the hall. Both Adam and Husk froze for a second. Quickly, they realized it was not the telltale sound of Alastor's boots and both men let out a sigh of relief.
"Hey guys! Is Lucifer still out today?" Angel just asked, approaching the bar. He took a seat and made himself comfortable.
"He was home from his meeting for a while. He and Charlie arranged a dinner date for some quality father daughter time. So Husk's watching me until he gets back." Adam explained. It made him paused to think of how quickly he'd become used to the idea being chaperoned when Lucifer was not present.
"Yep. Want me to deal you in? We're just playing for shits and giggles, no stakes." Husk offered, already gathering up the cards.
"Yeah, why the fuck not? I got nothing better to do right now." Angel answered. Husk and Adam immediately abandoned their current hand to start a new one with Angel included. The spider sinner's presence was a very welcome ray of sunshine to banish the gloomy mood left by Alastor's violence.
"Glad you're off today. We're happy to have your company." Husk said with sincerity. Angel picked up his cards and looked at them.
"Glad to be home. Thankfully I was at least smart enough to put it in my contract that I don't perform with women." Angel muttered, he tried not to think of the expectations Valentino would have after a day off.
"I'm glad that's one form of abuse he can't put on you." Adam murmured sympathetically. It occurred to him yet another way that he was fortunate Lucifer was such a benevolent master. He'd have no chance to alter or add stipulations to their agreement, not that he had posessed the leverage at the time to make any such changes. Lucifer held all the power in that moment. Adam had been left with very little choice but to accept the terms he'd been given. Angel huffed and waved it off, pulling Adam back from sinking into his thoughts.
"Let's not talk about Valentino. I'm off today, so I'd rather spend the day with and thinking about people I actually like. Okay, the first turn is mine." Angel called, trying to get the subject changed and playing the first card. Adam and Husk quickly followed suit.
"So Adam, Charlie was watching you this morning. How did that go? It was the first time you've been alone with Charlie, right? Husk questioned, trying to get a fresh conversation moving. Adam heaved a big sigh, thinking back on that morning. He took a brief pause to gather his thoughts and played his card.
"First we went and played guitar hero for a while. I let her win until she goaded me into getting competitive and I trashed her score. Then we played for a while longer. When she got tired we sat down and talked… She's so sweet and unbelievably forgiving." Adam sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"I'll say she is."Angel Dust gave a light laugh and a tender look came over his face as he thought of the princess. Charlie was among the few Angel Dust felt that he could honestly call his friends. It was a group that had grown slightly larger as he and Adam had bonded. The pornstar was called out of his thoughts when Adam began speaking again.
"Anyways, I finally decided to man up today and pay her the apology she's been owed. I apologized for everything. I apologized for being rude and cruel at every opportunity, trying to crush her dream, for killing her pet and the snake guy, destroying the hotel, and for trying to shut down all of her arguments at the trial…" Adam muttered.
"I bet that meant a lot to Charlie. Did she cry and hug you?" Husk replied, taking his turn. Adam nodded.
"Speaking of the trial, Angel, did Charlie ever tell you what happened at the trial?" Adam asked, with some degree of anxiety in his tone. Angel Dust raised an eyebrow at the angel.
"She told me about the song that broke out, and about you letting the cat out of the bag about the exterminations. Gotta say I didn't realize they were supposed to be a secret. Anyway she didn't say much about the details. Why do you ask?" Angel noticed the guilty look on Adam's face and knew a confession was coming. Adam looked down and set his cards face down on the bar.
"Because I owe YOU an apology too. You were the example Charlie chose to make her case for redemption. And I-" Angel Dust cut Adam off.
"HOLD THE FUCKING PHONE! Did you just say Charlie used ME as her example for redemption?!" Angel shouted. Adam and Husk felt like they could almost see the blush through the fur on Angel's face.
"Yes, she did. She pointed out all of your growth and improvement. She particularly stressed how you put aside your own fun at the club to look after Niffty… Oh and the ENTIRE angelic council saw you tell Valentino to fuck off.
"Damn it I'm rambling again. The point I was trying to get to is that unsurprisingly I spent the entirety of my say on dismissing and belittling your progress. I was right there next to Lute calling you unholy before the council…" Adam trailed off, pausing to collect his thoughts more completely. Angel let out a heartfelt laugh.
"Aw, Adam, you look like you think I'm going to be upset. Do you think that's the worst thing I've ever been called? Nah, not even close. Fuck I've been called worse TODAY. No hard feelings." Angel shrugged the confession off. Adam continued.
"Now that I know you, I know I was wrong. If Charlie is right and redemption after death is possible, then you deserve a shot just as much as anyone else. I'm deeply sorry I ruined your chances… Well, I don't know if Sera would have listened even if I HAD backed Charlie up, but I could have tried at least." Adam muttered.
"Eh, don't worry about it. Not like Charlie is going to give up. And whether redemption happens for me or not, whether it happens for ANYONE, or not, I'll get by. I'm tough. Anyways, apology accepted. Just don't expect me to cry about it." Angel elbowed Adam with a smile.
"You got it. Let's get back to the game… Fuck, I talk too much lately." Adam muttered as the cards started moving again.
"Well that's one thing that hasn't changed. You were always a loudmouth. Just not quite so loud anymore." Husk quipped. Adam simply rolled his eyes.
"Hey Adam, what music do you listen to? Being the first man and all you must have heard everything." Angel was genuinely curious. Adam gave him a smile.
"Well, I have a unique perspective in that there is no music that wasn't new and fresh at some point to me. I'm a rocker at heart. Something about the energy of the genre just really speaks to me. I can listen to most music and like it, though. There are only a few types of music I really can't enjoy." Adam explained. Angel made a noise of amusement that was not quite a laugh.
"So does that include the old timey music Alastor listens to? Or can you not stand it now just because Al annoys you?" The spider sinner inquired further. Adam shrugged.
"It's VERY old fashioned these days but I'll admit the 20s and 30s stuff has a certain charm to it. Cole Porter was doing his early stuff back then. Fuck I probably still remember the words to some of the songs." Adam commented.
"You guys should pay attention, because I just won this hand." Husk cut in with a smirk as he laid his hand of cards down. Adam and Angel surrendered their cards to Husk to be reshuffled. Angel started humming a melody.
"Damn it, we just had to start talking about old music. Now I've got that silly Cole Porter song stuck in my head." Angel Dust snickered. Adam stood up to get his guitar from its case and then returned to his seat. Husk snerked.
"Which one? All of Cole Porter's music is pretty hokey." Husk commented. He couldn't help but smile lazily, knowing they were about to be treated to some music. Adam settled his guitar against his body.
"That 'Let's Fall in Love' song." Angel answered. The spider sinner noticed Husk was putting the cards away. It seemed the group was changing their mode of entertainment. Adam cleared his throat.
"Only one way to get a song out of your head. You have to listen to it the whole way through and give your brain closure." Adam followed his advice by immediately starting to play the song. Angel promptly started laughing, while Husk hummed along to the melody. Adam sang and played the song the whole way through.
"Dang, that was amazing. Adam, you've got a pretty nice voice when you're not singing rock. That sounded… way more smooth and musical than when you sang Hell is Forever." Angel commented. Adam blushed.
"How did you know about that?" Adam asked. Angel just smirked.
"Charlie managed to get some of the security camera footage from the Embassy from your meeting. Why did you sing like THAT when you could sing… well, like an angel?" Angel leaned in towards Adam as he spoke, interested in the answer. Adam's blush only darkened.
"Because that whole song was to taunt Charlie and mock her for singing. I wasn't really trying to make music. Besides, I'm kinda… self conscious about my voice. I'm the best guitar player, but singer not so much. I wouldn't say I'm a BAD singer. I'm okay, but in heaven a lot of the other angels are better singers than me. Believe me, they don't say 'sing like an angel' for no reason." Adam muttered, looking away. Angel looked at him with confusion.
"If you're self conscious about your singing, why would you make your voice WORSE on purpose?" Angel asked. Adam was silent as he struggled to put words to his feelings. Luckily for him Husk understood.
"Preemptive Rejection, right? If someone says you can't sing when you aren't even trying, it doesn't hurt because you know you can do better. If you try your best and they still give you shit, then it's painful. So, if you don't show them what you can really do, they can't really reject you. Is that about right?" The catlike sinner suggested. Adam gave a grateful smile and nodded.
"Well don't worry, we won't tell Al. He picks on you enough. We won't give him any extra ammo… Bet he would have liked that performance though. It's exactly the kind of old timey stuff he would like." Angel suggested. Adam smirked.
"Oh I'm sure he'd like it, but I bet it's not his FAVORITE song. I'd bet his favorite song goes more like this…" Adam started to play his guitar again. Husker started snickering as he immediately recognized the melody.
"Hey, hobo man, hey, Dapper Dan, ya both got your style, but brother you're never fully dressed without a smile…" Adam sang with a big, exaggerated grin, mocking Alastor. Husk snickered. Angel Dust laughed and joined in with Adam.
"Your clothes may be Beau Brummelly, they stand out a mile, but brother you're never fully dressed without a smile!" Adam sang, putting his heart into it and singing Angel stood up from his seat and began to dance in a old timey fashion that matched the old song. He danced over to the end of the bar and coaxed Husk out from behind it to dance with him. Adam's singing was broken slightly by a laugh.
"Who cares what they're wearing on main street or Seville row? It's what-" Adam stopped when he noticed Alastor was suddenly in the lobby again, unsure where he came from. Alastor was staring right at Adam.