A/N:

Hi everyone! Fresh chapter with lots of romantic times — I hope you enjoy! Thanks for reading!

Partners

Chapter 78:

First Time for Everything (Part 2)

Niss finished climbing the rope ladder up to the airship and headed into the entrance hatch. He was surprised to find the main area of the ship empty. "Eggs?" He glanced around — usually at least a few of the Egg Bois were scurrying nearby. He scratched his head. "Huh…maybe they're doing the dinner dishes?" He headed through the main cockpit, up the stairs, and down one of the hallways to the kitchen. "Hey, Egg—" But the kitchen was empty and silent too. No Egg Bois, no dishes, no Sir Pentious even… And there had been no one in the hallway either. Something was off. Niss narrowed his eyes…and took hold of the gun he always kept inside of his jacket.

Taking advantage of whatever element of surprise he might have left, Niss left the kitchen and crept down another hall and up another set of stairs. He had to get to Sir Pentious's room and make sure he was okay. "So help me, if Pops sent anyone to do anything to him…" His blood boiled at the notion. He wasn't exactly afraid that anything serious had happened to Pen — the Egg Bois would mob anyone who came aboard, even if they were friendly about it, and the snake could handle himself…usually. But he was sick right now and had probably even been sleeping while Niss had been away. Maybe someone had snuck inside, just like Niss was doing now… Maybe the Egg Bois hadn't noticed. Maybe Sir Pentious had needed to fight off the attacker by himself and gotten hurt in the process. Or maybe the intruder had managed to hurt him before Pen even knew he was aboard… Niss held his breath and blinked away a couple of tears (he needed his vision clear if he had to shoot). He tried to believe that nothing had happened to Pen, that nothing COULD happen to Pen. Niss didn't just care about him or admire him or find him attractive… As his heart pounded in this hectic moment, Niss freely admitted to himself that he loved that man.

He reached the corner leading to the snake's room. He heard shuffling. Then a door slammed. With a scowl he jumped out, gun aimed. There was no one there though. Sir Pentious's door was closed. Niss tensed fully, scowling, and approached…

With an angry yell he quickly barreled forward and kicked down the door, eyes glowing red.

Then he was yelling for a different reason as dozens of Egg Bois suddenly poured out and surrounded him, shouting in fright then buzzing with confusion, and then utterly distracted and giddy over Niss's gun, all of them begging to be shot. Niss barely held on to the firearm as he was swept up in the sea of shuffling Egg Bois. He tried to move forward but ended up tripping and tumbling through the last of them, finally ending up in Sir Pentious's dark room.

Niss pulled himself up then blinked a few times, eyes adjusting to the light. He gasped. Lying flat on the bed was Sir Pentious…but somehow not Sir Pentious. The being had the exact same shape and size of the snake but appeared pale and lifeless, unmoving and unblinking.

Oh no….

Niss's jaw fell open, and big tears came to his eyes. "Pen… Pen! What happened?!" He raced to the bed, shaking.

"Egg Bois, no!" Came a familiar voice's startled cry from the bathroom. "You opened the door! I don't want Niss to see — NISS!"

Niss gasped and jumped in shock now because, in the faint light coming from the bathroom, he saw the shape of Sir Pentious again, this figure dark and moving with wide eyes. Overwhelmed by confusion, Niss looked back and forth between the Sir Pentious on the bed and the Sir Pentious near the bathroom then finally reached for the bedside lamp and pulled the switch.

The room filled with light. He saw the Sir Pentious by the bathroom fully now — the real Sir Pentious clearly. He was wrapped in a white robe, the black and yellow and red of his skin looking brighter and sharper somehow. Then Niss looked to the Sir Pentious on the bed… and how he was faded and transparent and collapsing, like a…skin.

Sir Pentious instantly whimpered, blushing and blinking against the sudden light until his eyes focused on the sight before him and his flaps flared in panic. "Gah, don't look! Come with me, please, heh!"

Before Niss knew what was happening Sir Pentious grabbed him in his tail and nervously whisked them both from the room. As Niss found himself carried down several halls in the direction of the solarium, his shock started to fade…and he realized Sir Pentious must have…shed his skin. Some part of his brain connected that shedding and being a snake demon might go together.

However, a larger part of his brain was focused on another realization, a small but strange one: the realization that the skin of the snake's tail, usually so slick and leathery, felt soft and tender against his fur, almost buttery. And his heart raced a little a he wondered if the rest of Sir Pentious might feel the same way at the moment too.

On the roof of the Emporium in Cannibal Colony, Cherri sat, trying to relax and let herself think. She had woken up long after dark, stomach grumbling. Rosie and Mimzy had gone to bed themselves by then. After eating some of the cookies the ladies had left for her, Cherri decided to get some fresh night air on the roof to help herself fall back to sleep. Sitting here, thinking, looking out of the quiet expanse of hell, she had to admit to herself that Rosie and Mimzy were right. She couldn't keep pushing herself so much. She needed a break. And she needed to give herself a chance to figure out what she wanted next from her afterlife.

Cherri checked her phone. "Two minutes til midnight. Huh, okay, how about I officially start focusing just on taking care of myself once twelve hits — new day and all that shit. But for now, I have just enough time to check on one more thing. I can make sure someone's looking out for Niffty even if I can't be at the hotel right now."

She scrolled through her contacts. Charlie and Vaggie were already dealing with potential Katie Killjoy bullshit — she wouldn't bother them. She didn't feel like she knew Abel or Louise well enough to reach out to them. She considered calling Angel at first, but he had only just come to from a near coma and was still healing, and also he and RadioHead were probably snuggling or something right now. He needed his rest and some personal time. She tried calling Molly, but her phone wasn't on. Cherri had to grin — she knew the only time Molly turned off her phone was when spending some personal time with Husk. Good for her. Finally, Cherri decided to try Niss. He had been at the hotel visiting Angel and Molly earlier, and he was the most observant of the spiders, and he was staying on the airship which was docked right over he could stop by again tomorrow, just to see how Niffty and Baxter were holding up.

She set the phone to her ear and it started to ring. Good, that meant it was on. He might be pissed she was calling him so late, but responsible Niss would still pick up. Also, he wasn't shacking up with Pen yet as far as she knew, so she probably wouldn't be interrupting anything. Yeah, Niss could handle this for her. And she'd do him any kind of solid she could later once she was done taking some time for herself.

Once Sir Pentious had seated himself and Niss in the solarium, he had the Egg Bois bring them some pitchers of ice water and glasses. The snake drank almost an entire pitcher in one go as Niss watched him in wonder, still eager to know if his boyfriend was well now, and still fascinated by extra bright and soft the appearance of his skin.

The snake set down the empty pitcher with a refreshed sigh and looked at his plate almost ravenously. But then he blinked and seemed to remember Niss was there, waiting. He adjusted his robe and cleared his throat. "Yes, well…now that we're all settled here…you should know, I've been bedridden because I've been shedding." He swallowed with a blush. "I was due soon, and after all those nasty nicks and cuts at the battle, I thought the last few days would be an appropriate time to let it happen. It's…an uncomfortable experience, and I grow very sensitive to light and sound, and my appetite becomes finicky, so I need a great deal of rest. And now that it's done I need a great deal of food and hydration — hence the pitcher of water I just drank, heh…" He smiled sheepishly and poured himself and Niss glasses of water from the second pitcher. "I finished letting the new scales come in this morning, and while you were out today I thought I might finally slough off the old ones and dispose of the skin before you returned. The Egg Bois worry and like to be near me when it happens, so I had them in my room while completed the shed in the bathroom. But the process took a tad longer than expected. And then you came back and found me…and my skin…and now here we are."

"I'm…so sorry, Pen." Niss blushed so much, holding his glass tightly. "It was so quiet when I came back, I got worried someone had attacked you and the Eggs. I got a little carried away—"

"You meant well, I understand completely! And I appreciate your care and concern so much!" Sir Pentious smiled. Then he rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm just…very embarrassed. I know the shedding entire spectacle is unsettling. I wanted to explain the matter to you later after I had done away with the less palatable parts."

Niss blinked. "The shedding ain't a spectacle or unsettling to me. It's just something that's part of you."

Blushing, Sir Pentious glanced up, flaps opening a bit more.

Niss thought he looked so beautiful like this, a shy expression on his face, body wrapped in his white robe, his skin so bright and soft… The spider felt warm all over at the sight, but he tried to swallow down the feeling and keep speaking. "I'm just glad you're feeling better and that no one was trying to hurt you. Next time you shed, if there's anythin' I can do to make it better…"

"I…" Sir Pentious's blush grew. "You would help me…?"

Niss smiled and nodded.

The snake held back a giggle. "How chivalrous. Oh, but it's not a matter to worry about now. I probably won't need to do it again for another year."

"It's a date." Niss couldn't help the suave, sweet reply.

Sir Pentious chuckled awkwardly but then caught Niss's eyes and blushed all the more.

Niss could almost sense the question on his lips — was he really imagining their relationship continuing a year from now? If Sir Pentious asked, Niss would have proudly declared that he saw no end in sight from his perspective on things between them. He was happy with Pen, and he just wanted Pen to be happy with him too.

"Yes, well…" Sir Pentious swirled the water in his glass, smiling more. "I'll keep your generous offer in mind."

Niss felt his heart flutter. Then he asked a question he had been dying to voice. "So…how long does your skin stay all…bright and soft?"

"Oh, a week at most before the usual sheen and firmness return to the scales. I—" Sir Pentious hesitated then bit his lip. "Does the feel of it make you uncomfortable?"

"No!" Niss quickly assured. "I actually kinda like it…" He swallowed, heart pounding again, a little smile quirking up his lips.

"Oh…I see." A little smile quirked up on Pen's lips too now.

Pen's lips. Suddenly Niss found himself thinking about those lips and their first kiss a few nights ago. And he became very aware that they were finally alone, and dating, and had nothing keeping them apart anymore. Words tumbled out of him. "Ya look real pretty." He blinked. "I-I mean, you always look pretty! This is just a different kind of pretty, that's all." He blinked again. "Unless pretty sounds too girly! I just mean you're beautiful. And handsome! Ya look good."

Sir Pentious eyed him curiously for a moment. Then his eyes hazed a little. "Mr. Archie, I do believe you're captivated by my new look."

Niss blushed so warmly, he knew his face must be bright red even despite his dark fur. "I…yeah. And I'm also relieved you're better…and glad ya don't got any more wounds from the fight. And I feel so lucky that I got such a looker for a boyfriend."

Sir Pentious practically beamed in pride. "I have the same thought every day, you know." He winked at Niss, gazing at him with a smirk. Niss nearly spit out his sip of water at the sudden flirtation. He grinned, sitting up a little taller. "Yeah, well…great minds think alike, I guess." He bit his lip then made himself ask a new question he couldn't resist. "Pen? Could I…hold your hand? I'd like to touch you more…while you're like this. It's nice. I wanna know more about this part of your life, while I can. And I've missed being close to you the last few days anyway."

Sir Pentious looked at him with wide eyes. Then the snake shyly nodded and reached out.

Niss took his hand in both of his own and instantly sighed dreamily. The skin was so warm and soft, and the color was just as pretty as a painting. He kissed the back of Pen's hand, and the sensation made him shiver. His boyfriend was safe and well and right here and so perfect. "Pen…you don't ever have to hide things about yourself from me. Okay? I'm here to support ya…to care about ya…to keep you safe…"

The snake's eyes went so wide. "I…I'll keep that in mind… And the same for you…from me…"

Niss gave his hand a squeeze, leaning a little closer. "Ya feel so extra nice, it's kind of hard to let it go, heh…"

"Hmm…I wish you wouldn't." Sir Pentious looked at their hands then back to Niss then looked away shyly. "But if you'd prefer to, I understand. This has been a trying week…emotions running high."

"I like how they run high with you," Niss admitted, unable to help himself.

The snake's eyes met his again, hazed now, an eager look in them. "I like how mine run high with you too."

Niss couldn't stand the tension in the air anymore. After everything they had both been through and all the changes and all the relief, he just wanted to take a chance do something they would never forget.

The spider moved the glasses and pitchers off to the side, got up, brought his chair over to a now very confused looking Sir Pentious, stood on the chair, then took the snake's upper body in his arms and dipped him back a little over the table.

Sir Pentious gazed up at him in wonder. "Archie!" He was blushing and grinning, flaps flaring open to show all their pretty colors on full display. "If I'd known you'd be this romantic I'd have tried to shed the skin even sooner." He chuckled

Niss chuckled too. "I just…I mean…everything's working out and everyone knows about us now and we're both safe and okay, and I…I really — REALLY — like you. And I want you to know how much, Pen." He swallowed. "Pen…is Pentious your real name? I wanna call you your real name…if that's okay?"

"Oh." Pen nodded in a daze. "My real name was Pendleton… But so many people called me Pen for short, it's practically the same."

Niss nodded. "Pendleton. Pen… It's nice. Fancy and unique, just like you." He smiled then took a deep breath, "Pendleton, maybe this is some of the leftover adrenaline talking, but it's good that it's talking cuz my biggest flaw is waitin' too long to just go for things that matter to me." He blushed so much. "I still don't know what I'm doing…but if you're up for it, I'd really like to spend more time getting to know each other…and getting closer. Because I am so attracted to you — not just the new skin but also seeing you alive and well and acting brilliant like usual." He frowned. "You have no idea how worried I was when I saw that skin and thought it was you and that you were hurt. But you're safe and warm and in my arms and I just…I feel like I'm burning up inside." He was shaking a little. "I can't do everything yet, but I at least want to do something while I've got the courage…if you're feeling up for it."

"Archie…" Sir Pentious cooed, utterly gone. "If you're ready, I am and I'd be honored… And after seeing you on the battlefield, so rugged and taking such command, how could I resist?" His chest swelled with pride and the top of his robe opened just a bit, exposing a peek at his smooth, yellow chest and the little red eye-shaped mark at the center, rising and falling like a visible ruby heart. Niss knew those red marks continued down his tail, and he suspected they went over his full bare torso too. He reached out a finger and lightly touched the edge of the top one by the robe collar. Sir Pentious shivered.

Archie groaned a bit at the back of his throat at the response…and dared himself to one day touch ever single one of those distinct marks. He only snapped out of his thoughts when he realized Sir Pentious was eyeing him up and down as well with a little grin now. Niss's eyes widened, and his face heated at the idea of Pen maybe imagining touching just as much of his own body.

The the snake shifted back on the table. His eyes met the spider's once more, inviting him to make the next move.

Niss swallowed then climbed on to the table, knees resting on either side of Sir Pentious's lower half as he tried to match the height of his head to the snake's. His other four hands manifested without even a thought. "Pen, I'm gonna go slow. Let me know how you feel and what you want… and if any of this is good, so I know for next time, okay?"

"It'll be good because it's with you, Archie…" Sir Pentious giggled. "But I will. And you do the same for me as well, hmm?" He played with Niss's tie with the tip of his finger.

Niss smiled, gazing into those big beautiful eyes of his flirtatious fella, and nodded.

Then he took a breath and leaned in to pepper slow, shy kisses upon Sir Pentious's neck and jaw while all his hands eased against the soft robe around Pen's body. Sir Pentious began to moan and chuckle. Then Niss felt Pen's hands press past his tie and jacket to meet his chest. Niss's breaths went shallow as those elegant hands felt along each muscle and bone…and brushed the little sensitive tuft of hair he let grow out at the center of his chest, not nearly as prominent as Angel's fluff but still present and (he hoped) pretty.

Necking with another guy felt amazing. The only reason he didn't instantly regret waiting so many years to try it was that getting to have his first time here and now with Pen was worth any wait.

They found a nice rhythm together, not pushing too far or fast, just exploring one another. Niss ached with satisfaction at this experience of finally diving into his sexuality and the body of his beautiful boyfriend. Truly, the spider didn't know how a snake demon had gotten a figure like Pen's, but he was completely gone over every curved inch. While his lower arms cradled Pen's hips, his upper set dragged one set of fingers lightly over Pen's hood flaps, which now had the texture of warm silk. The snake's back arched with a pleasant gasp, and Niss realized that for the first time ever he was enjoying being intimate with someone. He could have cried, just like he had the night of their first kiss.

Speaking of kisses, his lips left Sir Pentious's cheeks now. Their eyes met for a moment before their mouths found each other. Niss kissed with all the passion and care he had for Pen, leaning him back a little, cradling him tenderly the entire time. Suddenly he felt something tickle his lower lip and realized it was his boyfriend's excited little snake tongue flicking rapidly, Niss felt more turned on than he had ever been in his life. He wondered if he should let that enthusiastic (and probably long and agile) tongue ease past his lips for yet another new experience.

He wondered if he should lower his hips and sit in Pen's lap while it happened, his legs wrapped firmly around the snake's narrow waist.

He wondered if he could find just a moment first to breathlessly beg Sir Pentious to wrap the end of his tail around his own narrow waist, surrounding Niss with that agile and strong muscle he adored.

All of those options for just a little escalation sounded pretty good…

But then Niss's phone rang.

He nearly fell off the table in surprise, almost taking Sir Pentious with him. The spider barely managed to right himself using the table edge (and possibly one of Pen's glorious hips) as leverage. Sir Pentious ended up on his back on the table and Niss ended up on all fours, hovering over him. The phone clattered out of Niss's pocket to the tabletop and the call went through, speaker on.

"Hey, Niss? It's Cherri. Sorry for the late call. You busy?"

Niss and Sir Pentious held very still, wide eyes on each other. Niss put a finger to his lips (still flushed and warm from kissing Pen's) then glanced at the phone. "Uh…sort of. Everything okay?"

"I…I guess. Sorry, didn't mean to wake you or anything. I was just wondering, if you swing by the hotel tomorrow, could you maybe keep an eye out for Niffty? Just make sure that she seems okay. I can't come by for a few days, otherwise I'd do it."

Niss blinked. "Oh, sure, sure…I'll stop by and check on her. Everything all right with her? And with you?"

"…Yeah. Sort of. Nothing dangerous, for either of us. I just need to take some quiet time for me and figure out some things. And Niffty, she… Sorry, I can't say much. I think she wants it to stay woman to woman. Just notice if she seems down at all — and the same for Baxter. And if she wants to talk, maybe bring Molly in so she's a little more comfortable. I tried to call her first, but I think she's already turned in for the night for some fun times with Husk, heh."

"Got it. Niffty, Baxter, Molly… Will do, Cherri. I…uh…" Niss swallowed, blushing so much as his eyes and head continued processing the sight of himself still straddling Sir Pentious on a table while the snake, his robe twisted and loose, looked up at him with a smile of total trust…and a blush of need. A shuddery sigh of desire left Niss he hadn't known he was holding in.

"Uh, thanks." Cherry chuckled a little, clearly hearing the sigh. "Okay, I'll let ya go. Sounds like maybe you're thinking about turning in for some fun times with Pen."

"Cherri! I…" Niss swallowed. He knew he was such a shit liar about personal stuff.

Cherri sighed and thankfully didn't pursue the topic. "I'm proud of you, ya know. For coming out, for making your relationship with Pen work, for talking to Angel. It's all really cool."

Niss relaxed a little and smiled warmly. "Thanks, Cherri…"

"No prob." She cleared her throat, lowering her voice. "And, look, in case anything happens tonight, some friendly advice — don't stress, enjoy yourself, and remember you both deserve to be together." Niss smiled so much and was about to thank her…

Except Cherri cleared her throat and continued awkwardly, lowering her voice a little, "Oh, and, uh, fair warning just so you're not surprised; snake demons usually have two dicks. Learned that one the awkward way when I got to hell, heh…" She sighed. "Anyway, enjoy yourselves — you both earned it. G'night, Niss! Thanks again." She hung up.

The phone went dead.

Niss just sat there with his jaw fallen open, blood rushing into his ears, until he realized that he was still practically on top of his half-undressed boyfriend. He gasped and scrambled off of the snake to lie beside him on the table, breathing heavily, gazing up at the roof of the solarium, eyes wide in shock.

Beside him he heard a deep sigh and glanced over. Sir Pentious was blushing, looking up as well, twiddling his thumbs. "I suppose I could be cross with her, but I know Cherri was only trying to be helpful just now, in her own way. And she certainly couldn't have known that we were…Not that we were going to go that far probably, but still…"

Silence.

He gathered the end of his tail in his hands, wringing it nervously. "I…hadn't intended to broach that anatomical subject for a while but…if there's a chance it's upsetting to you…you should know now that Cherri…is not wrong."

More Silence.

Sir Pentious bit his lip. "Heh…believe me, I too 'learned it the hard way' upon arriving in hell. I, er…"

Even more silence.

"Niss…?"

Finally Sir Pentious looked over at him.

Niss blinked when their eyes met. "I…I'm sorry. I'm just having some trouble processing everything that happened… Before the call, during the call, right now…" He frowned. "But hey I told you, your body does not upset me. I just…can't figure out if I'm more anxious or excited or jealous, and now I'm going to stop talking." He abruptly closed his mouth then looked away, face full of heat. "But I like every part of you, I told you… And I hope you'll like every part of me too." Niss's heart raced, and he hugged his knees in close to his chest.

He heard another sigh and glanced over just enough to see Sir Pentious smiling warmly. Then the snake got off the table. "I'm so delighted hearing how strongly you feel about me, Archie. But I think we've both had a trying day and need to rest now. Would you help me bring the glasses and pitchers to the kitchen? Then perhaps we should turn in early." The snake adjusted his robe then began to gather the pitchers, still smiling to himself.

"Huh?" Nis blinked a few times then got standing too. "Oh, sure…sure." He busied himself with the glasses, torn between being humiliated that this entire moment had just happened and also overjoyed that it had taken place and he had actually made out with his boyfriend. There was a lot to consider. They would figure things out though, moment by moment. Even that thing that Cherri had said…

Blushing mercilessly, Niss followed Sir Pentious out of the solarium to see to the dishes and whatever else the evening might hold for them.

Alastor had been waiting steadfastly against his secret door to Angel's room, and the longer he waited the more his ego about this whole situation grew. Finally, nearly an hour later, his radio crackled to life. He heard some light panting then Angel's voice. "Alastor? You still there?"

Alastor let out a shuddery sigh, grinning ear to ear. "I've been waiting against the door the entire time, darling… Have you satisfied yourself?"

"Heh, more like you satisfied me just by existing. But yeah, I…I got it all out of me…And everywhere on this bed." Angel chuckled. "I gotta change these sheets."

Alastor swallowed, smile a bit tight and awkward. "Would you care for help? I…have a bit of an issue with that particular set of bodily fluids, but I could try…"

"Nah, don't worry. I got some extra blankets in my closet. I can manage that. Then I think I'm gonna take a hot bath and head to sleep. I'm tired…in a good way."

"I'll at least draw a bath for you then," Alastor replied warmly, snapping his fingers. "There. It should be all set whenever you're ready. And Nuggets is currently resting on my bed, but I'll send him back to you while you're in your bath. "

"Such a considerate fella I got me. Thanks, Smiles." Angel sighed again, sounding a little concerned now. "You…sure you were okay with this? I mean, this was definitely a bigger dive into my sexual side for us, no prep or anything."

Alastor hugged his microphone close. "Actually I…quite enjoyed this? Much more than I would have thought I could. It was nice, experiencing firsthand that the mere idea of me can bring you pleasure. I like feeling attractive to you, and this endeavor made me feel…utterly irresistible." His eyes hazed. "It was an especially delightful surprise that I could somehow contribute to your physical needs without having to push myself to be too physical."

"Really?" Angel sounded intrigued. "I'm glad you're happy. I like the idea of making you feel irresistible…cuz you are, you know." He swallowed. "So I mean, if you were ever up for this again…I'm game."

"I believe I could be game as well from time to time," Alastor replied shyly.

They shared a giddy chuckle.

"Smiles…before you go, I just want you to know that everything ya did earlier really helped my burn. My ankle doesn't hurt at all now. We'll figure out how to make it go away like yours did." He swallowed. "And if there are any more battlefields in our future, I'm happy to pull you from them or to be pulled from them by you." Angel sniffed but still sounded happy.

Alastor's whole heart swelled. "Anthony…you will never be alone to fight any battles again. You have my word." He hoped that promise could express his sentiments well enough for now.

Angel let out a happy sigh. "Once I'm better, can we share a bed again? And then can we…start doing that more often? I feel better when I'm with you. But if you need your space…"

Alastor shook his head. "I don't need space. I've had decades of space. I need you."

Angel giggled. "Okay, it's a date!"

Alastor held back a giggle of his own. "Bon nuit, mon raison d'être. I shall see you in the morning. And if you're feeling well enough perhaps I may escort you to breakfast, if you wish?"

"Still don't know what raisin de-tray is, but I'd love that. I'll have a good morning kiss waiting for you. Bella Notte, Alastor." Angel made a kiss sound into his transmitter.

"Farewell, darling." Alastor blew a kiss back. The microphone quieted. He sighed in bliss.

Finally Alastor got himself standing. He changed into his nightclothes and headed to bed. He couldn't sleep much though. All he could think about were ideas for the perfect way to express to Anthony that perhaps his own love was different but it was still love and it was all for the spider, now and forever.

When Alastor did finally close his eyes, he dreamed of a small wedding and Angel dressed in pink and white and a little cabin somewhere quiet that awaited their honeymoon and their whole life together.

Niss accompanied Sir Pentious to the kitchen where they washed the plates together, then they gathered a few trays of cookies and milk and headed to the barracks of the Egg Bois. Sure enough, the Eggs were all gathered together, pacing and bumping into each other as they worried over their creator's 'shedding' and their creators' boyfriends surprise arrival. Niss and Sir Pentious served them the milk and cookies and explained that everything was quite all right now and that Sir Pentious was all better and that no one was mad. Eventually all the Eggs were happy again and tucked into their beds, quickly snoozing. And the snake and the spider were able to sneak away.

Niss had managed to keep aside one plate with a few cookies. He held it close as he and Sir Pentious headed down a hall.

They reached the usual place where they would separate for the evening. Niss was about to wish Pen goodnight and offer him the cookies as a snack to keep up his energy when the snake suddenly turned and smiled at him warmly. "Ah, leftover cookies. Would you like to share them before bed? We can eat in my room if you'd like." He tugged at the collar of his robe. "I already had the Egg Bois dispose of the 'former skin', so the bed is free to sit on.

Niss smiled awkwardly and nodded. "Of course, as long as you're up for it."

Sir Pentious nodded eagerly. "Right this way then!" He headed down the hall to his room, Niss following. Then the snake opened the door and gestured forward with a bow.

Niss smiled more as he walked in. Sir Pentious followed and closed the door behind them.

Everything was dim and quiet. But Niss could still see that Sir Pentious's very large canopy bed with silk sheets and fluffy throw pillows was indeed empty of the skin that had been there before.

"Ah, so dark — let me light the lamps!" Sir Pentious slithered around and quickly lit a few oil lamps in wall sconces, adding a warm glow to the room. "My eyes get very sensitive to light when I shed, that's why I kept it so dark in here. Anything more than a dim glow, and I get such troublesome headaches. Then I end up just having to lie in bed in the dark, and it's so boring."

Niss frowned and set the cookies down on the night table. "That's rough. If ya want, next time you shed, I could help keep you entertained — I could read to ya or put on some music or we could just talk…"

"Oh, all of that would be delightful." Sir Pentious sighed happily, hands clasped together as he smiled at Niss. Then the snake made his way over to a tall armoire and pulled out a few items. "The Egg Bois try to keep me happy, but they're so full of energy and so prone to using ray guns and making a mess with them. But I really need restful, peaceful activities when I'm shedding." He glanced over his shoulder at Niss. "Be back with you in a moment."

Before Niss could ask what he meant, he watched as Sir Pentious slithered across the floor and went behind a large ornate changing screen.

The spider's features heated as Sir Pentious's silhouette became visible against the glow of the lamplight. Niss watched, heart suddenly pounding, as the snake removed his robe and threw it to rest over the top of the screen then stretched up, arching his back, before grabbing the clothes he had taken from the armoire.

"T-Take your time," Niss managed with an awkward cough. He looked away with a swallow and tried not to think of their time on the table in the solarium or Cherri's comment about snake anatomy or just how buttery soft and touchable all of Pen was feeling right now. He sat on the edge of the bed, facing away from the changing screen, stomach a little fluttery. "Should, uh…should you rest for a couple more days to make sure you're all right?"

"Oh no, trust me, I'm all better now and dying to get off this ship!" Sir Pentious called from behind the screen. "Actually I'd love to go down to the hotel and check in with everyone. Speaking of — how did your talk with Angel go?"

Niss felt himself relax a little, and his smile grew. "Good. Real good. I cried a bit, heh, but it was just all the emotions jumbling together. He was real supportive and sweet about me being queer. And he looks like he's feeling better. We hung out with Molly too, ate pizza, caught up. I'm just…real happy we can all be there for each other in this life even if I wasn't there for Angel in the last one."

"I'm so happy for you, Archie…" Sir Pentious replied with a gentle smile as he emerged from behind the screen. He was wearing a long gold-colored nightshirt with red stripes, complete with a gold-colored nightcap.

Niss blushed a bit, his eyes wide; his boyfriend looked so cute. "Thanks." He blinked a few times, snapping out of his awe as Sir Pentious slithered closer then sat on the edge of the bed beside him. "Oh, uh…and I was talking to him and Molly, and we were thinking about doing a big triple date soon. To keep a low profile they thought maybe we could do dinner and dancing at the hotel." He shrugged sheepishly. "I ain't a very good dancer though, so if you want to do something else—"

"Nonsense. I'd like to dance with you very much. And I love a good meal and good company too!" Sir Pentious beamed.

"Oh good…" Niss beamed a little too. "I'm real excited."

Sir Pentious nodded then considered with a grin. "Triple date? Does that mean I'll get to officially find out about Alastor and Angel now?"

Niss blinked then chuckled a little. "Yeah. Maybe we should just tell 'em you know already? Or maybe it'll be better to just let 'em tell us…? I'm not sure. I'll sleep on it."

Sir Pentious nodded. "I'm happy to follow your lead, Archie. Your judgment is always admirable."

"Thanks." Niss shrugged.

They shared a smile, eyes locked…sitting together on a bed.

Niss swallowed nervously and quickly grabbed the cookie plate, holding it out to Sir Pentious. "Oh, uh… cookies? I figured I'd save you some since you said you're usually pretty hungry after shedding. And, I don't know, I always find desserts comforting. So, uh, here you go!"

Sir Pentious picked up a cookie and broke it in half. He held one of the pieces out to Niss then ate his own. "Your desserts really are comforting. And so are you, just as you are."

Niss blushed, shyly munching his cookie.

"Niss…" Sir Pentious leaned in, voice tender and kind. "Earlier…I had a nice time, you know. No one…not in life or death…has ever been so romantic with me. It felt nice to be that admired…and desired." He played with his hands. "I'm happy to take our time, but please know that I'm always here if you want to talk and explore or ask questions. Anything, really."

Niss took a deep breath, smiling a little again, eyes meeting Pen's. "I was, uh…planning to ask my brother some things… ya know, so I could know what I'm doing for, um…giving ya attention." He felt his face heating up. "But, maybe just asking you would be good too." His heart fluttered. "And we could still take things kind of slow?"

Sir Pentious nodded.

Niss's smile grew. "Then, I want you to know that what we did before…I never did something like that with anyone. Even trying always made me feel upset and sick and like something was wrong with me. But I loved everything about giving you attention. I hope I made you feel good."

Sir Pentious blushed and his flaps fluttered. "You did. Did I make you feel good too?"

Niss nodded eagerly, unable to help himself. "Oh yeah! You're real strong and warm and…good at stuff. I like being near you so much, touching you…letting you touch me…especially after so many days apart cuz of your shedding."

"Speaking of the shedding…." Pen's tail swirled across the floor, enticingly, "Archie, dear, I've discovered that I very much like being near you when my skin is new like this, just like you enjoy being near me. I'm much more sensitive to touch in this condition. It was very…invigorating to be held in all of your arms, to say the least." His eyes narrowed playfully.

Niss blushed more, eyes hazed. "Oh, I'm glad… really." His voice cracked.

Sir Pentious chuckled. "My skin only stays like this for a few days though, as I said. So…maybe we could still get our fill of it while we can? Nothing terribly saucy…we could save that for next year if you're inclined." Pen leaned closer. "But if you're ready to continue being close, I'd very much like it if you slept in here with me tonight."

Niss froze, eyes so wide, looking up at his beautiful boyfriend. He hadn't imagined taking a step like this yet, but suddenly he wanted nothing else. "I'd like that a whole hell of a lot." He swallowed. "I-I just…and yeah by next year we can DEFINITELY do more, if not A LOT sooner. I just…need some time first to think about…and to ask you about… and to talk to Tony, and…"

"Tony?" Sir Pentious blinked, then his head tilted curiously. "Is Angel's real name Tony?"

"Oh fuck!" Niss slapped a hand to his head. "First I let it slip about him and Alastor dating, and now this. Please don't tell him. I'm just a tongue-tied mess sitting here with you on a bed thinking about wrapping all eight limbs around you to go to sleep and you wrapping me up in that big sexy tail of yours." He blushed so much as the words finished tumbling out of him.

Sir Pentious's eyes widened. Then they hazed and he smirked. "I won't say a word… About his name or about that delightful image you just conjured up, which I would very much like to enact with you as quickly as possible, darling." He pulled aside the blankets and fluffed the pillows. "Please hurry back from going to your room to change so we can get started…"

"Actually, I usually just wear this to bed…" Niss replied. Then he summed up his courage and stood up just as Pen turned back with an eyebrow raised…followed by a fallen jaw.

The spider began by taking off his jacket and tie. Next he removed his shirt, his belt, his socks…his pants. Finally he was just standing there in his white undershirt and red boxers, absolutely flushed red through his dark features.

Niss watched as Pen's flaps fully spread, and his tail curled in tightly at the end. "Oh my."

Niss quickly crossed his arms over himself, heart hammering in his chest. "I-If this is too informal, I—"

"No, no!" The snake giggled. "It's just… first I'm romanced in the middle of the solarium, and now I get a brief striptease, and next I get my exceptionally well-muscled boyfriend in my bed for the night. I don't know where all this good luck came from, but I'm quite grateful!"

Niss snorted and laughed, wiping away tears, suddenly feeling so much less embarrassed and so much more relaxed. "Hey — I got a hot make out session on a table, then I got the chance to have a heart attack while you changed behind that screen, and now I've got my tall, elegant boyfriend seducing me into cuddling. Guess I have good luck too."

"We really are quite compatible." Sir Pentious winked. He shyly slithered around to the other side of the bed and climbed in. He looked at Niss like an eager happy kid, tail twitching playfully under the covers.

Niss climbed in alongside him and pulled up the covers around himself.

They just gazed at each other, smiling.

"I'm gonna hold you now, okay?" Niss asked, trying not to shake again.

Sir Pentious nodded. "I'm going to wrap my tail around your lovely waist and hips, okay?"

Niss nodded shyly. He made his other arms appear then wrapped them all gently around Sir Pentious, and his legs too, sinking completely against all the solid curves of his boyfriend. He felt Sir Pentious's tail brush his legs under the covers then gently curl around his middle with a light, comforting squeeze. A faint moan escaped Niss at the sensation.

Their chests pressed together. Niss took a breath, then took a chance. "Pen…Pendleton? If it's okay to say…I'm falling in love with you."

"Oh!" Sir Pentious sniffed, hugging him tight. "My dear Archie, I'm falling in love with you too."

They chuckled, gazes meeting, a few tears in each of their eyes. Then they shared a slow, intimate, breathless kiss. When they separated, hearts racing, they finally closed their eyes to drift off together, Niss's head snuggled under Pen's chin.

Niss listened to Sir Pentious's beating heart for as long as he could and wanted nothing more than to spend every single night like this for the rest of forever.

Back at the hotel, finally done with his long hot bath and now wearing fresh pajamas, Angel Dust headed out of his bathroom and over to his bed (careful not to wake a sleeping Nuggets who had been returned and was already slumbering in his own little bed on the floor). He collapsed onto the clean sheets and pillows with a big smile.

What he and Alastor had shared tonight had been indirect and kind of random and nothing he'd ever thought of trying with anyone else before. But it had also been so…so…

Frankly, for sex using just his own parts, it had been so deeply satisfying that Angel's newly-beautiful toes had even curled…three whole times.

As the pleasant memories lingered, Angel smiled more. "Fuck, Al…you made me see stars without even being in the same room. And you took care of me afterwards with that bath. And you turned my feet into a fucking turn on for me." He hugged his legs into his chest, blushing. "And you liked all of it… Alastor…" The deer's name on his lips made him want to giggle.

Angel turned over, cuddling with his pillows. "And who knew the biggest turn on of all would be fantasizing about you touching me…and saying ya love me."

A shiver went through him at the memory of those parts of his fantasies. As the sensation passed down his legs though, his ankle burned for a moment. Angel winced. "Damn divine cuts." He pulled up the blankets around himself and sighed. "Well…we'll figure out how to heal them soon, Al — together. And maybe one of those times when we're trying, you'll say you love me…and then you can go hang out on the other side of our door again while I absolutely ravish myself." He giggled and let his eyes drift closed, hugging his pillow as he dreamed of Alastor sleeping by his side for all the rest of their days in hell.

Though all the spiders and their boyfriends were having very emotionally and physically satisfying nights, that situation didn't hold true for everyone in hell…

Tossing and turning in a restless sleep on Vox's living room sofa, Valentino had dreams.

They weren't his usual dreams of power and domination and sexual conquest — or even his occasional nightmares of Lucifer stripping away his powers and position, or Alastor coming for him in the night with a mob of hungry cannibals, or Angel stealing the club out from under him and becoming hell's new most popular pimp. No, his dreams tonight were about…Vox.

Vox and himself sitting together at the desk in Valentino's office and chatting over lunch. Vox and himself taking a ride together in the limo and pouring each other drinks, seated hip to hip. Vox and himself sharing classy take-out under starlight, gazes locked. His current dream was about himself trying to walk across the living room in Vox's penthouse and stumbling only for Vox to catch him in his arms, give him a mischievous grin, and slowly press his mouth to Valentino's. Then Valentino's legs went weak, whether from his injuries or Vox's charms he couldn't say, and he sank toward the sofa. The television gently laid on the sofa with him. Their lips didn't part, and finally Valentino let himself succumb completely, legs wrapping tightly around Vox's waist like he never wanted to let him go.

Valentino woke up with a gasp, covered in a cold sweat…and, much to the annoyance of his pride, with his lower half fully aroused.

"It was a dream… Fuck, it was just a dream…" he whispered to himself.

Memories of earlier in the evening came back to him now. Vox had made dinner, Velvet had come by with his pet shark Vark, Vark kept trying to jump on Val while Velvet made snide jokes about his ass kicking, then Vox had served them all a meal of fucking pot roast and potatoes and green beans like some kind of 1950s sitcom, complete with chocolate cake from Velvet for dessert. Later Valentino had insisted on dressing his own wounds (Vox was not coming anywhere near his body anymore). Velvet eventually left, and finally Valentino had been left alone by Vox and the shark and allowed to pass out into sleep.

And now here he was, awake at probably midnight, mind clearly hopelessly focused on his dumb, silly, flatscreen-faced partner or friend or whatever… The one who he was supposed to hate…but didn't.

Valentino never fantasized about bottoming — at least, not with anyone he actually knew in mind. But the idea of Vox taking the lead made him have to squeeze his legs together to finally get his arousal under control. This problem was officially serious in the worst possible way. He wanted to be angry but he found himself frowning instead. Oh fuck, were his eyes stinging now? Were tears starting to… Oh fuck…

He heard a noise and jumped, looking around. He relaxed when he saw the shark — Vark — sleepily stroll out of Vox's room. The creature looked at him and gave a big yawn. Then it moseyed over and sat beside the sofa, nuzzling Val's shoulder and…purring?

"What?" Valentino croaked, eyes narrowed defensively, throat still tender from the mob attack.
The shark just smiled at him, panting and bright-eyed.

Valentino sighed deeply and shook his head to himself. "Talking to a shark thing. Fuck. I gotta take a long, hard look at my life, don't I?" Vark licked him. "Hey!"

Vark blinked and tilted his head hesitantly.

Valentino sighed and relaxed. "Ugh…Sorry. Do whatever, I don't care at this point. Everything's gone to hell anyway." The shark still eyed him warily. Valentino reached out and gave it a reluctant pat on the head.

Vark grinned and gave him a big lick on the face, and Valentino almost growled but ended up coughing and finally just pouted in resignation instead. He looked at the shark, eyes narrowed. "If you're smart, you'll learn to hate me eventually, kid. I'm a pretty bad guy. Not as bad as a middle aged spider mob demon, apparently, but I get the job done."

Vark just kept watching him, panting with a smile.

Valentino tilted his head. Some of his scowl fell away. "You're okay, I guess. When you're older I'll see if I can find you a nice walking lady shark thing…" He stretched and pulled up his blankets. Still the little shark didn't leave his side. Valentino sighed. "I gotta get out of here, Vark. I need some time alone — away from your 'dad' or whatever. It's complicated. But I can't go anywhere — I still feel like shit." He blinked as Vark slipped his head under his hand. Then he raised an eyebrow. "Hey, how about you help me? While Vox is playing studio manager you can be kind of like my guide dog or whatever — help me get around, practice walking, get strong again. Then I can leave. If you do it, I swear I'll stock my office with the best damn shark treats money can buy, and they're all yours whenever you visit. Deal?"

Vark just watched him with that silly smile for another moment and then licked him again.

Valentino wiped at his face and shook his head. "Ugh, I guess, that's a yes. Okay, we'll start tomorrow. Get some sleep." He turned over then winced in pain as Vark bounded on top of him. "Vark, fuck!" The little shark just curled up at the end of the sofa, still smiling at him. Valentino sighed, pouting. "Fine, stay. But this isn't gonna be a regular thing. I don't even let my lays sleep over." He pulled up his legs a little and settled against his pillows as Vark put down his head and started snoring with a light purr.

Valentino just breathed deeply, in and out. "Okay, at least you've got a plan. Now all you have to do is keep it together — and DON'T dream of Vox. Dream of a dozen fried chicken burgers and how you're gonna get that tv to let you have some or get your own the second you're out of here." He nodded stubbornly to himself and finally dozed off.

He tried not to be too annoyed with himself when he did dream of eating fast food…Vox feeding him each burger with a doting gaze.

A/N:

That's all for now! Big chapter for PentNiss lol. There'll be a lot more romantic and dramatic and fun stuff coming soon. I just need to take a small break again to draft some new chapters. Thank you for your patience, and I hope you all enjoy the rest of your summer! Take care!

-Azure129