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If you were to ask Angel why he had waited so long, he would tell you he didn’t know. He did know of course, the fear, the idea of regretting the decision, the what ifs of Val changing this time or next time and the wrath of the other two Vs. He could go on and on cause the list was longer than his list of content he filmed. But what caused him to reach his breaking point was when Valentino tried to push him down further, destroy one of the few good things he had going for him.
He’d started to get clean, doing stuff without the drugs hazing his memory sure he still drank it was hell after all, but he kept it within moderation, no helps from Valentino who wanted him to do shot after shot when he was around. He’d even kept his violent antics to a minimum only shooting one guy down but that was after he couldn’t keep his hands to himself! Plus, if he didn’t, he knew Whiskers would have. Speaking of Whiskers, they had something good going on. It wasn’t the cookie cutter life it was Hell, and both had obligations due to selling their souls to Overlords, but it was something. Husk would have a drink waiting for him on a day when he was out long or had to deal with Valentino’s hissy fits, he’d help with his little Fat Nugget when the recording hours grew longer because Val had a stick up his ass since he didn’t get high enough off his smoke or he didn’t do whatever he wanted right. The old timer even brought him a cd of the best Italian artist from the 1920’s which really was something special. That CD may have been played while he gave the winged cat demon a blowjob as a thank you, but he wouldn’t elaborate more. He had to stay focused. Get his head in the right place.
Val had pushed him to his breaking point. It started small. A few snide comments here and there about the drunkard he had shacked up with at the Hazbin hotel. When that didn’t get a rise out of him it was then violence began to increase, he could take it, it wasn’t anything new, shit he’d been like this for years and he could handle it, he was fucking Angel Dust, half of his portfolio had him slapped around, whipped, chained up and whatever. But this was different it was not just rage he was dealing with not like the time Charlie came to the set. Nope, it was sadistic, way more sadistic than Valentino’s usual bs. He’d had Angel tied up saying he was going to record a new BDSM porno, but he hadn’t at least not until five hours later when the other stars came. But somehow that wasn’t his breaking point. Nope. It royally pissed him off, that was for sure. But it didn’t push him to laying in his bed silk webs strung around concealing the weapons which with one tug would crash down on whoever he wanted. No, it was the time Val had got a picture of him and Husker.
The picture wasn’t anything scandalous. Hell, he doubted any picture he could produce with the red winged fiend could be a as scandalous as the any photos he’d taken during his career, but it set the moth demon off.
“Angel, darling. Do you wanna tell me what you’re doing with this picture?” Valentino had asked him. He’d finished a video and the crew had called it a night. Most were already out the door or trying to be, he couldn’t blame them who’d want to stay around the half blind, toddler fit having, somehow one of Hell’s strongest Overlords that was Valentino. He was trying to as well, but he had to have picked the zip up boots that day. Why? Because Husker had passed him a compliment that they looked good on him and matched his outfit of choice that day. Angel sighed as he looked up at his boss to see what was causing his tantrum this time. The picture was of him and Husk, they’d decided to go out with the gang but they’d both decided to take a five-minute break outside the club. They were both smoking and laughing. It wasn’t anything too intimate except the fondness in both their eyes and the slight blush on the other sinner’s cheeks.
“It’s nothing Val…” He said which seemed to set the pimp off.
“Nothing? You’re going around town with this low-balling, worthless drunkard. Do you have any idea what that makes me look like? You running around with the Radio Demon’s lap cat? Especially now of all times when everyone’s eyes are on you because you’re not living here anymore, you don’t produce as much as you had before.” Valentino seethed out as he took a drag of his cigarette to calm his rising nerves. “Do you have any idea how it makes me look?” He asked as he inched closer. The red smoke circling round his neck and snapping tightly tugging him down. Angel had frozen as he instinctively pulled his head back only for the smoke chain to pull him down as Valentino towered over him. “It makes me look like a fucking idiot who lets his one best product run around with low end trash. A pimp with no control over his bitches. It makes me look weak. Especially since it’s that drunk, little fucker.” He hissed out as he tugged the chain causing the spider demon to stumble towards him.
Angel squirmed back as he glared at Valentino.
“What I do off the clock doesn’t matter Val, it’s in my contract…” He said as he tried to turn his face away from the smoke that seemed to rise to nose with each drag Valentino took.
“You see, I don’t care Angel. Because with you running around, cutting back your hours and changing your little reputation is hurting my bottom line.” He said as he yanked the chain towards the floor sending Angel onto the concrete. “So, here’s my plan. I’ll be sending some of my men to go after that little drunk fucker and knock some sense into him, maybe even give him his final death and you’ll remember who owns you and how to behave like the bitch you are.” He told as he dragged the Italian up from the ground as he scrambled to his feet. “Do I make myself clear?” A rage had been set ablaze in his heart when the threat, or rather promise was made but he bit his tongue for a moment as he told the moth demon what he wanted to hear.
“Yes Valentino…” He responded like a broken record. The answer appeared to satisfy the demon some as he hummed out.
“Good, now I expect you to use your room more I expect you back within the week.” He said as he took one long drag of cigarette to calm himself back down as he sauntered out the room letting the chain around Angel’s neck disappear once he’d left the room. He fought the urge to glare at the other man knowing Vox’s eyes were certainly on him expecting him to breakdown to entertain him. He refused to. Angel forced himself to compose as he let the fire in him burn as he thought and planned as he forced himself to zip up his boots and make his way back home.
The plan was short and simple. But one that had a lot of risk especially when he knew eyes were on him more than usual. He’d managed to find some holy metal knives on the black market thanks to his family’s many connections, along with not rise to much suspicion from everyone except for Husk and perhaps Alastor but the deer demon didn’t seem to say anything other than.
“Whatever you’re doing my dear spider I’m sure a distraction can be planned for that day.” He said with a shit eating grin as if he had his own scheme which he knew better than to ask about.
So, he found himself in ‘moved back’ into his old penthouse style room albeit anyone with half an eye could tell it was missing things that were much more personal. From Fat Nuggets' bed and the little pig, himself to some of the more personal affects that Angel owned were nowhere in sight. The room also had a soft glint to it but and he’d moved the furniture just enough to cover the camera Vox had pointed into his room as to hide some of the preparations he was making and taking to one of the old recording sets downstairs in inconspicuous bags of props. He doubted the other demon would notice in time as he’d been so heavily focused on the Radio Demon who had been more active in getting souls lately. Even then he made sure to walk in the shadows and blind spots of the cameras to avoid leaving a trail. Angel would have to thank Alastor still as it gave him a lot more wiggle room and not for informing Husk of the crazy plan, he’d set in motion who’d likely want in on the plan.
He'd changed the lights to fluorescent artificial ones to blind the other demon if just for a moment so he wouldn’t notice the knives plunging into him. The drapes ‘accidentally’ covered Vox’s cameras in the room as well for extra protection. Angel was riding on Valentino’s vision being as shit as it seemed and him thinking with his dick and not his head. If he’d played his cards right, he’d be free and if he hasn’t, then he was fucked figuratively and literally.
Angel had strewn himself on the set’s bed after he left his clothed on the floor. He took a grounding breath, as he looked at the web of knives covering the lower part of the ceiling and above himself. He turned on a toy on and coated it with lube to make it seem used as he started to moan loudly hoping to lure the sex hungry demon to him like a moth to a flame. He arched his back and let the toy work in him but ignoring the sensation but hamming up his acting until Valentino prowled in.
“Look at you Angel, all worked up for me…” The pimp said as he crept closer shutting the door behind himself as he shrugged his coat off and climbed onto the bed. “Good to see you remembered what you are. I hope I won’t have to bruise that face of yours. That only sells for so long.” He said as ripped the toy out of him and tossed it aside as he got his own pants off. Angel smiled and played the part. It was only a little longer he just needed to push the glasses off him and he’d be able to set his plan into motion.
“You won’t, I promise Daddy.” He chimed hoping to lower the other’s defences. The other man seemed to smirk at that as he lunged to devour his lips. Angel took it like he’d taken it many times before, but this time was different. This time Valentino wasn’t the hunter, and he wasn’t the prey. Angel wrapped his arm around Val’s neck and pulled him down as they kissed. He fought the aftereffects of Valentino’s aphrodisiac saliva as the other looked down at him like a piece of meat once the kiss was broken. It made him sick. It would be over soon, was all he could tell himself as Valentino tossed his glasses aside as the got in way. Valentino’s tongue dragged itself on his legs, but the game was almost over. He’d gotten Valentino where he’d wanted him. He shimmied himself up to the pillows. “Daddy, I’ve been a bad boy. Come on punish me.” He said in sultry voice that forced the other demon to look up. Valentino was about to open his mouth to say something, but it wouldn’t matter, not anymore. He’d caught him in his web.
Angel took the opportunity; it was now or never. He pulled one of his silks and flickered the lights on dazing the other man who fell back cursing. Part of Angel wanted to find joy in the other man’s writhing in pain, but he didn’t. He felt apathy to him, he already took everything else from him, so he didn’t deserve anything else. He quickly tugged the other silk threads breaking them sending the knives plummeting down onto the other demon unsuspecting writhing form each cutting or stabbing him with one landing in his throat and the other his head straight through the brain. The blood began pooling on the sheets as the Overlord’s body began to evaporate into smoke.
Angel began scrambling up grabbing everything he used and throwing it into his backpack as he forced himself to dress. Once he was dressed, he spared a glance outside as the city turned pitch black. He took the blessing and ran as he had only so long until people realised. Sinners would be receiving their souls back and the remaining Vs would notice that soon, so he fled back home.
Before he even reached halfway to the hotel he heard the screams of joy, the whispers as those who had their souls owned by the overlord saw the contracts appear in front of their eyes and be torn to pieces. His own briefly appeared above his gaze which gave him relief. He stumbled into the hotel as Vaggie and Charlie looked at their phones in shock while Sir Pentious and Niffty looked down at the pair’s phones. He ignored the pair as he stumbled his way to the stairs, where he was met halfway by Husk who seemed a bit weaker but a lot more whole in a way. The gambler was holding Fat Nuggets as he had a concerned look on his face. The former overlord offered his hand which Angel gladly took as he took the piglet into another set of his arms. The pair made their way back to Angel’s room shutting the door as the spider demon put down the piglet on his bed as he and Husk sat down besides each other.
“Legs, Angel, I gotta know what did you do?” He asked as he gave the other a reaffirming squeeze to hand. Angel felt a soft smile grace his face as his tears began to swell causing the mascara to run.
“I got rid of him… I had to Husk he was gonna…” He tried to say as he looked down at the shorter man who pulled him into his arms and hugged him tightly.
“Fuck Ang… You were crazy for that… Brave but crazy…” The other man said as he smiled and pecked his lips. “Does that mean?” Husker asked as Angel nodded.
“Yeah. I got it back…” Husk let out a sigh of relief as he held Angel tighter.
“I’m so fucking happy for you Angel…” Husk said as Angel felt a wave rush over him as he looked down at Husk.
“But yours…” Angel started off saying as Husk shook his head.
“Alastor offered a deal. It was a shitty deal, but I took it. He got ninety percent of the souls I had under my contract, but I got my own back. I can see why he was feeling generous with me.” He said as Angel held him tighter.
“But why?” Was the first thing on Angel’s mind and he rightfully asked so.
“He said it was a worthwhile offer as I brought him an unexpected advantage. My guess it why he went out to fight Vox when you made it obvious you were going through with whatever plan you did.” Husk said as Angel could only let out a soft chuckle as he wiped his tears.
“Tell me ta thank him when he gets back… As even if he doesn’t kill Vox, he gave me enough time to get away…” He said as Husk nodded. The pair fell back onto the bed as the looked up at the purple ceiling.
“So, this means we’re both free…” Angel said as Husk nodded. The sinner to the others hand in his again as he smiled.
“Yeah, it does…” Husk muttered as he looked up at Angel. “We’re free…” He mumbled as Angel let out a small laugh.
“I say we have drinks in the morning when Alastor is back…” Angel said as Husk nodded.
“Sure Legs, what do you want?” Husk asked as Angel muffled a laugh.
“A Your Tongue My Panties, maybe?” Angel said earning a playful jab and glare from Husk who grumbled but was fighting back a laugh of his own.
“I walked right into that one, didn’t I?” Husk said as Angel nodded.
“Ya sure did Kitty.” Angle said as he couldn’t help but let his own laugh free. He was free, they both were.