Work Text:
This party, as most all of Charlie’s parties have been to date, was a mega drag. Seriously. Angel loved Charlie almost as much as he loved his blood sister Molly. But damn it. The princess wouldn’t know a happening party if he did a powerpoint presentation complete with sparkly rainbow bullet points outlining everything that made a party, well, a party! And walked her through it via singing! Her communication method of choice! This. This was not a party. It was just the same eight people who all lived together anyway.
But seven roommates did NOT a party make.
Especially when there was no drugs. Nor orgies. At least there was booze. But the music wasn’t even jumping! Why da fuck wasn’t Smiles in charge of the tunes? Sure, they’d have been a century out of date but swing was still swinging a 100 years later! And okay. Fine. Whatever. So this was the annual Sinsmas party. Cool. Whatever. Angel Dust was still bored out of his gorgeously fluffy skull.
There just wasn’t anything to DO! Except sit and be bored and drink. Typically Whiskers could be counted on to lend a sympathetic ear and prattle on with. But he clearly had some serious hangups with the holiday and pregamed a bit too hard and had managed to drunk himself into a complete stupor before tonights party even officially began! Angel did NOT want to know exactly how much liquor that actually took the functioning drunk to accomplish this feat. Okay. FINE! He did. He just knew better than to ask… He’d check the bar inventory in the morning. That’d give him a good clue into how much it took...
Charlie and Vags was too busy into each other under the mistletoe to realize the party was not actually fun for anyone else. Which, Angel was happy for the ladies, but watching two vagina’s grinding just wasn’t his cuppa. Husk was out of commission. Cherri was on the Heavenly VoxPad hogging all the blessed video time to pretend she wasn’t hanging off Pentious’ every word. Nifty and Baxter were doing things to the insanely bright tree that ended up taking up way too much of the lobby that Angel Dust felt like he was wiser for not knowing what they were up to. Which left the Radio Demon. Lucifer for whatever reason was NOT in attendance. Oh. Right. He started a fight with Smiles about the decorations and Charlie had yelled at him and instead of sucking up his Pride and making amends, he ran away with some bullshit excuse about some Sin needing him… which was a shame. Those two were quality entertainment. Angel just hoped he would be around when they finally discovered that hate sex was a Thing™. It was going to be oh so soo good.
But for now, the only one Angel was left with was the Radio Demon himself. Angel once again glanced over at Alastor. It was absolutely not fair that that man was that blessed with such a great Hellbody and was this Ace. Fucking criminal. He hasn’t come on as strong as he did in those early days outa respect for a person’s sexual preferences. But he still made a quip every now and then to test the waters so to speak. And yeah. Nothing. Either the innuendo went right over Red’s head OR the man froze like a deer in headlights while every radio screeched and splintered like glass. Which, while fun, did not get Angel what he wanted. Which was some fun times in seeing what that demon was packing under that five piece suit.
Those ears looked so soft n fluffy too.
Angel sighed as he tossed back his latest Harder Daddy then paused. Mimsy had claimed Alastor became a kitten when drunk… Angel had never seen the man drink more than a few fingers of rye at a time. Angel did a quick reconnaissance of the room before letting a shit eating mischievous grin take over his face. Yes. Nothing else was going to happen here, he might as well run his own social experiment. What does a kitten Radio Demon look like exactly? Oh, this was going to be fun.
In order to appeal to his target’s more, conservative aesthetics, Angel quickly changed into a pair of pants and an oversized fluffy sweater. Underneath his bed he’d been collecting gifts for everyone at the hotel, gifts were scheduled to be distributed tomorrow, but surely Al wouldn’t care and appreciate his gift more tonight. Making his way back to the “party” Angel overheard Vaggi complaining halfheartedly "Stop trying to get me to walk under the mistletoe.” Which, when Angel looked over, Vaggi had barely finished the sentence before she had Charlie’s face captured and was clearly trying to suck it off.
Again. You go girl! but ugh… this is a hotel, get a room.
Angel looked over towards his unsuspecting target only to find the deer demon’s ears uncharacteristically tilted back as he also took in the scene of their leading heroines trying to eat each other’s faces off.
By kitten did Mimsy mean a soft creature who wanted nothing but cuddles and hopefully pets? Or a creature who looked soft and pliant only to be extra quick with the claws? God, Angel was really hoping for the former.
“Heya Smiles!”
“Anthony.” And what did that say about Angel Dust that he really liked the way his human name sounded coming from the Radio Demon’s smiling lips?
“Happy Sinsmas!” Alastor peeled his eyes off the ladies to raise a stupidly elegant brow at Angel and he forced himself to not get lost in those large almond ruby orbs. Angel spent hours, HOURS every day slaving over his face in the mirror to look as good as he did. It wasn’t fair that the Radio Demon didn’t and managed to look perfect.
“I do believe the exchanging of gifts is to be tomorrow.”
“Yeah, well, the party is now and this is best during a party.” Angel pulled out the fancy bottle of rye he swiped from the back studio. “It’s a new Texas Rye, apparently it’s supposed to be the only rye currently being made topside that’s 100% rye grains whatever that means. The little card that was under it said ‘bold with a strong, earthy spice, but also a layer of rich, caramel sweetness. It's distinctive — definitely something that makes a statement on the palate. Plus, with Balcones being such a boutique operation, you're getting something pretty rare.’” Angel leaned in. “It made its way to the studio after Vox’s God stunt and I remember Val bitching about how this shit could now be thrown out because there ain’t no way Voxie is going to ‘wooo that bastard of a Radio Demon into the Tower now’…”
Alastor fully gave his attention to the bottle of rye now. Carefully picking it up in his claws and inspecting the sleek yet stout bottle of amber liquid. “Vox illegally acquired this from on top specifically for me?”
“Not just this bottle.” Angel waggled his eyebrows. “Apparently he bought every bottle that hit the white markets here in Hell just so you couldn’t enjoy it unless you went crawling to him! Dunno why he didn’t feed you any while you were there.” Angel couldn’t help himself from leaning into Alastor’s personal space, this was prime gossip! Alastor liked gossip! Besides, Angel knew how to lean in while being extra mindful and NOT touch. “If ya like it I’ll smuggle you the rest of the stock.”
Angel felt like he’d won the Hellotto when Alastor threw back his head and laughed. “Deal!” He shouted as he waived his hand. The shadows had started moving before he’d made the jester and suddenly there were two clean crystal glasses with one large ice cube in each. And damn. If that wasn’t a handy trick. Angel returned Alastor’s wicked smirk, but his thoughts were not on bootlegged liquor but instead on whether or not those shadows were “handy” in other ways that Angel had a vested interest in experimenting with. Hey! HE Liked Sex! There ain’t no harm in some dirty fantasizing! And well, if it was ever going to happen, this was the night! Right?!
Angel picked up his glass and toasted with the Radio Demon before slugging back the new drink. He didn’t spit it back out. He was a professional, thank you very much. Everything that went into his mouth stayed down. But ugh. Yeah. There were reasons he stayed away from the straight hard stuff, and not just because of the straight jokes neither. Thankfully Alastor took pity on him and conjured up several Harder Daddies instead of refilling his rye glass. …aaaand Angel was not going to read too hard into that. He wasn’t! But fuck, if that didn’t give him false hope that maybe there was a chance he could actually maybe somewhat bond with the elusive Radio Demon…. At least enough to hit first base tonight. Maybe get to second? Third would be incredible. He knew better than to expect a home run from this Ace fucker. But wasn’t Sinsmas the one chance for miracles or some shit like that?
*several hours and many, many drinks later*
Angel was drunk. No where near the still passed out state of Husk. And interestingly enough, not as plastered as Alastor was. But drunk enough he did nothing but lean against the bartop and stare at the sloshed deer demon next to him. It was getting increasingly harder to not coo. He was still holding onto enough mental facilities to realize cooing at the Radio Demon was probably the fastest way to star on his late night scream shows. But fuck. He wanted to coo so bad! Alastor’s ears were finally in a relaxed position, which interestingly enough, was still upright. They just clearly didn’t have the tension in them per usual. And Red was currently, well, red! His nose and cheeks were rosy in that way a good flush of alcohol did to a lot of people. Which was actually kind of rare to see in Hell what with all the fucked up Hellbodies most inherited when they fell. It just softened out the Radio Demon that much more and Jesus. Just how young was this guy when he died? Angel thought he had died young! Seeing Al’s face now like this, Angel was starting to think Al may have died even younger than he had!
“Did you know I never actually ate anyone while I was alive?”
Angel quirked an eyebrow, “oh yeh?”
“Yeah… I mean, Correct!”
Angel smiled. Of fucking course the Radio Demon wouldn’t slur his words while intoxicated. Bastard. But credit where it’s due, the man was also a professional!
“Then why’s ya a cannibal?”
“Because!”
Uh huh. Just as insightful as always.
“I much prefer deer meat.”
“Issat so.”
“Yes. It’s a small way to get back at them for influencing my Hell form so.”
Huh. Angel found himself raising an eyebrow at that. He was well aware Hellbodies tended to be heavily influenced by how people died. Softer prey animals tended to not have a high population in Hell. Except for cows. There were an absurd number of cows n bulls. Angel wouldn’t think a farm animal would have that high of a kill count, but what did he know? He was a life long city boy caught in the webs of his family’s making. He was just grateful he wasn’t ever an arachnophob. And it was a damn good thing he was a sexy spider and the people of Hell wanted his body in the way he wanted them to or he’d have gone full postal on his family when they landed after him!
Alastor started slipping off his stool and Angel unthinkingly made a quick grab to help keep the demon in his seat. And huh. Alastor did NOT make to rip off his arm. Progress!
Alastor slow blinked in that way all inebriated people do who know they should know what happened but just can’t get the brain cells to fire correctly in order for them to fully comprehend what is actually happening. Which that expression on the Radio Demon’s flushed face, eyes wet and hair and ears extra fluffed from the alcohol, the man was looking way too damn adorable and stupidly kissable. Angel may have cooed. But softly! In his head! Okay Fine. Hopefully it was quietly to hisself… If Alastor heard him, it clearly didn’t register.
Sigh. So Mimsy was correct about the kitten attitude. He probably could kiss Alastor like this. But he understood and respected boundaries. He wasn’t about to take advantage of Al like this. “Come on Al, let’s get ya to bed.” And ever so gently Angel grabbed Al’s elbow and slowly slid him to his feet.
Al wobbled for a long moment, but managed in the end to stay standing on his own power. “No.”
“No?”
“No.” Alastor repeated. Which, weird. Usually all Angel wanted when he got this far into his cups was his nice soft bed and Fat Nuggets to curl around.
“Why not?”
It’s a very long pause where Angel just kept all four limbs out and ready to catch the Overlord who was tettering like he was on a ship in rough waters instead of solid land that is the Hotel lobby. There was a mumble and then Angel felt the sharp points of those deceptively small antlers snag on his sweater and dig into his chest fluff as the top of Al's head unexpectedly sunk into his chest. Thank Satan he changed into his thickest, fluffiest sweater! Otherwise this would’ve gotten uncomfortable fast! But, omg omg omg… He can’t be mad about it because the almighty untouchable Alastor the Radio Demon was snuggling into his chest! Smiles initiated contact! O. M. G.
“What was that Smiles?” Angel asked once his heart rate came back to something resembling normal and stopped throbbing in his ears. Afterall he needed to be able to actually hear Alastor’s response after all.
While Alastor isn’t all that much louder, Angel is focused enough and expecting an equally muffled reply this time so he was indeed able to make out the quiet, “I don’t want to be alone…”
Which… “O-kay.” Angel asks uncertainly because this is NOT an Alastor he’s at all familiar with and walking across a field of landmines would probably be easier. Thankfully Alastor kept talking unprompted.
“I’m always alone. Too white for the blacks. Too black for the whites.” Aaaand Whaa da Fuck?! Angel feels all eight of his eyes go wide as he digests this new revelation of the Radio Demon. He’s mixed raced?! From a time it really wasn’t good to be colored fella, especially not in the south states of the United States. At least all that Louisiana home cooking heavily implied Smiles came from that area of the world. Fuuuck. Yeah. Okay. No. Angel gots this. He does!
Angel fights the impulse to wrap his arms around the Radio Demon. Alastor’s sharp horn/antler things are still the only part of him that’s actually touching Angel and Angel knows better than to be the one to initiate skin on skin touching here. Alastor is prone to quickly flip attitude and get murdery (or run) when people start getting touchy. And not even just at unwanted invasive handiness. The guy shrugs off, or looks like he wants to crawl out of his own skin when people touch him or look like they’re going to touch him. Angel notices these things. More importantly, he does respect these things.
“Can’t trust no one. Friendships are nothing but lies. It’s how they lower your guard so they can take what they want from you.” And fuck. No. He’s not going to cry damnit. He was wearing way too much mascara right now to cry.
“Looks as if ya can’t trust ya legs right now either Smiles, how’s about we sit on da couch? Huh?” Because humor was always a safe go to when shit started to get too real, and well, Angel was still secretly hoping to land on a base.
There wasn’t a verbal answer, just a sharp scratching that didn’t hurt thanks to his clothing choice and his natural fluffy chest endowment. It was also a good thing he doesn’t actually like this sweater neither, he knew he wouldn’t have the patience to darn the damn thing with the number of holes it’s no doubt going to have after this.
But Oh. Ohhhhhhh. Yaaasssss. Soft Kitten Alastor was indeed activated! As soon as Angel got to the couch he sat down first to lead by example and Alastor just folded onto his lap. Angel immediately folded all his extra arms away and bit down on the first knuckle of his dominant hand while tucking the other behind the couch. He couldn’t lay a hand on Alastor. He knew as soon as he did Smiles would go from cuddly kitten to feral stray faster than you could say Bob’s your uncle. So he locked all his muscles so he wouldn’t move and just bit harder into his hand so that all of his coo’s would be inaudible.
This was exactly like whenever he got to go to his nonna’s house! She had a pair of cats that typically ran and hid from everyone that wasn’t nonna. But Soffice would actually jump onto people’s laps if they sat still long enough, but any kind of hand would send her flying back to whatever hidey hole she had. Fuck, Alastor was now forever linked to his nonna’s fluffy orange cat… Angel looked down and was greeted with a mop of wild red hair and fluffy ears twitching slightly, now brushing against the back of his hand and tickling the tip of his nose.
Angel couldn’t help himself. He leaned his chin down so it was barely resting on the top of Al’s head being extra mindful of those sharp horn/antler things. Through watery eyes he locked gazes with the girls. Vags looked as if she no longer understood how the world worked and Charlie was no doubt wearing the exact expression internal Angel had to be wearing since external Angel had to be cool and chill about having a lap full of kitten Radio Demon. Charlie’s hands were clasped tightly together in front of her mouth to force herself to stay quiet while she vibrated in place as tears freely fell from her eyes. Now that he was aware of her, Angel clearly heard the strangled high pitched squeal coming from her.
Which yeah, he wanted to gloat, who wouldn’t! But instead, Angel quickly used one of his hands that were in his pocket dimension with his phone to quickly type out a message to Charlie.
(Don’t you dare disturb this! This is MY MOMENT!)
Itsy Bitsy Spider started playing from Charlie’s pocket and Angel just glared at her. Because seriously? THAT was her ringtone for him?! At least she had the good graces to blush as she fumbled for her phone
Beneath Angel’s nose he heard the faint clicking of a radio dial being turned and suddenly a soft jazz was felt more than heard coming from Smile's chest and Angel just wanted to melt further into this ridiculously yet oddly soothing snoring demon curled into his lap. A camera shutter click reminded him that the girls were still there and he quickly looked back at them. Did, Charlie…? Oh! She DID! She so did take a picture of them!!! Oh please whatever Gods or Higher Demons may be listening, Please have let that picture stay in focus! Angel needed that picture like a frog needed water! He felt his phone vibrate against his hand inside his pocket space and knew that was her sending him the picture.
Charlie was giving him the thumbs up while grabbing her shell shocked girlfriend and pulling her away. Whether that thumbs up was for acknowledging his text message request or about the picture being good, Angel wouldn’t know until he next looked at his phone. Which he was NOT fishing out until AFTER Red left his lap! This was a magical moment that would too quickly shatter with the slightest wrong movement.
Angel quickly glanced around to make sure there wasn’t anyone else who could disrupt the moment. It looked as if Nif and Bax had already retired for the night. Cherri was probably curled up in her bed hugging that VoxPad. Husk… Husk was staring at him from over the bar. Voice extra gruff from having just woken, he growled lowly in warning, “Angel, if you’re touching him at all when he wakes your afterlife is over…”
“No sweat Whiskers, I got this.” Angel replied as he indulged and used his cheek to rub along one of those ears. It was so soft! And hysterical as it twitched and slapped him in the nose. Husk growled and Angel just beamed at him prompting the surly catowl to take his leave.
This was nice. It wasn’t a base, or well, maybe for Smiles it could be considered First! But it was something! And beggars couldn’t be choosers! Angel settled in to enjoy this moment while it lasted. Lap warm from another’s heat. The comforting weight of another body snuggled into him grounded him and made him feel special in ways sex didn’t always accomplish. Angel snuggled into those ears as much as he could while he let the peppy bass beating from Smiles lull him into a soft relaxed state of light slumber.
~~~~
Angel felt the stillness before he registered the absolute silence. Groggily he forced his eyes open only to jerk his head back as the overly bright glowing red orbs of the Radio Demon assaulted his sensitive vision. “FUCK! Smiles! Wha da Hell man?”
“Why aren’t you touching my person?”
Huh? Why was Smiles just staring at him? Oh, right, he hadn’t actually asked out loud. “Huh?” There, the eyes dimmed a bit.
“I apparently passed out on your lap.”
Angel grinned. He couldn’t help himself. “Ya, ya did.”
Damn. How Smiles could glower that successfully while still smiling was truly remarkable. “But I awake to you not touching me.”
“Did ya want me to touch ya?” Angel asked kinda hopefully only to be quickly shut down at Alastor’s very prompt and unarguable No. “Well fine then. Why you bitchin?”
“I’m not complaining about it, just confused.”
Angel shrugged, “I understand boundaries.” There were several long minutes as Alastor stared disbelievingly at him. Damn the man and his infinite well of endless patience! It wasn’t long till Angel was cracking. “I SWEAR! I know this is Hell and it seems like you ain’t used to having your boundaries respected even back when ya was alive, but I DO take no for an answa. And I ain’t going to touch ya unless you give me explicit verbal permission! Not that I’m expecting it from ya, but I believe people can be friends outside of sex and it’d be nice to be ya friend.” Ugh Angel was laying it all out and this man still wasn’t believing him. What did a fella have to do to win an iota of this man’s trust?!
“Yet you continuously proposition me.”
Angel blinked at the somewhat non-sequitur, “Well yeah. It’s funny?”
“What?!”
“HA! You’s ain’t the only one who’s getting entertainment out of others around here! Besides, it’s kinda novel and refreshing ta be honest. Not many say no ta me. It’s nice knowing I can be myself and flirt with ya and you're not going to expect anything from it. I don’t have to change myself around you. I get to be what I want to be opposed to walking on eggshells guessing to what you want or expect and trying to guess right and mold myself in to what I think your expectin.
“I already know you don’t want sex or physical intimacy. And I know I’m neva going to be much to ya, I’m never going ta mean anything to anyone ta be honest. So I don’t hav’ta try. Which is, so fucking refreshing.”
There was another pause after this admission, but at least Red looked like he was processing everything instead of outright dismissing him. Finally in a quiet voice Al spoke, “There are people to whom you mean a great deal to.”
“Pffftttt.”
“And it’s this level of respect and consideration that’s won you so many friends in a place where not many will rely on such a thing.”
Angel just sat there and blinked at Smiles. That was nice. Alastor said a Nice Thing™… to Angel Dust... The Radio Demon was indeed capable of saying something NICE?! Angel was dreaming right. He had to still be asleep. “Huh, guess Sinsmas miracles are a thing…”
“Don’t let it go to your head. I’ll vehemently deny it if you ever try to mention it again in front of others.”
Angel cracked a wide grin. “None of em would believe me anyway.”
Alastor’s grin became more real, and huh, how hadn’t he ever noticed before that there was a difference between his normal smile and his real one? Was this the first real smile he’s seen? Musta be…
“I should remove myself before anyone sees…”
Angel’s snort cut off whatever else Smiles was about to say and Angel gave him his best sexy leer as he batted his eyes at the increasingly flustered deer still on his lap, thank you very much universe! “They all already saw us Smiles.”
“… everyone?”
“Well, the girls and Husk.”
Angel laughed as he felt Al’s forehead try to thunk into his chest fluff.
“That’s unfortunate but minimal in terms of damage control.”
“Trust me Smiles, ya’r going ta enjoy ya next interaction with Vags, I think ya broke her brain!”
Hummmm the Radio Demon practically purred and the pleasant tingles that shot through Angel’s body was nice. “I suppose then that there’s no need to rush from where we’re sitting then, is there.”
Angel’s heart was suddenly trying to beat free from his chest. One would’ve thought it’d have stopped completely upon his death, but Nope! It was still there! Was Smiles really saying that he wanted to keep cuddling? “No there ain’t.” Angel carefully agreed, hoping against hope that this was going to happen for real, and not just from the drink.
Angel held perfectly still as Alastor, the great and mighty Radio Demon hisself resettled in his lap while humming “good”.
As Angel finally began to relax once again himself, he nearly jumped out of his skin as Al tilted his head up so that his warm breath tickled the fur under his chin as he said “I give you my permission to hold me around my middle and waist.”
All eight of Angel's eyes popped open to look at the demon in his lap. Did he really mean it? Or was it a trap? Alastor just simply relaid his head back on his chest fluff and kind of tried to put a hand on his side. It was as probably as much of a hug that Al could manage sitting sideways on his lap as Angel was pressed tightly into the couches cushions as he was.
Slowly, giving Smiles all the time he needed to change his mind, Angel settled his currently two arms lightly around the red coat of the Radio Demon in his lap. When his brain managed to comprehend that he was indeed going to keep his afterlife, Angel slowly relaxed into the gentle embrace and allowed himself to sigh out all the tension. As the soft jazz rhythms started vibrating from the demon now within his embrace Angel found his cheek once again settling on those fluffy red and black ears and would bet real money that for once his grin was bigger than Smiles was.
Because aww yassss, First Base baby!
Happy Sinsmas!