Archive of Our Own ^beta

Angel looked up from his phone when the elevator into the penthouse dinged, watching Nuggets sprint to the door with excited squeals. 

"Hey, Porkchop," Husk chuckled, stooping down to both untie his shoes and scratch the Hell-pig behind the ears. "Where's your Pops?"

"Over here!" Angel called from the pink, pillow-covered chaise in front of Husk's desk. 

Husk grinned. He approached Angel and held out a hand to allow Angel to take it in both of his own. "Evenin', Sweetness. How's your day been?"

"Good. Cherri says 'hi', Niff's workin' on a new pair of dresses for me 'n Nuggets, and I am freshly showered, washed, perfumed, 'n groomed."

"That right?"

"M-hm!" 

Husk sat on the end of the chaise that Angel wasn't on. "Have you eaten?"

"Yep!" 

"Good Boy."

"Did you eat?"

"I just got back from a business dinner. Those tend t'be... y'know... dinner."

"Shut the fuck up," Angel breathed as he lunged to straddle Husk's thighs and kiss him hard.

Husk hummed into Angel's mouth, but pulled back after just a few seconds. "Princess?"

"Mm..." Angel kissed the side of Husk's neck. 

"Did you end up doin’ some bakin' t'day?"

"Yeah. Cookies're on the counter, brownies in a container in the pantry, ice cream for 'em's in the freezer."

Husk sighed. 

"What?"

"Mm... You're perfect, Anthony."

"Am I?"

"Wonderful." Husk pecked the tip of Angel's nose to make him snicker. "Sweet." Another kiss to his cheek. "Thoughtful." His other cheek. "Precious." With another kiss to Angel's forehead, he whispered, "Loved."

"You're such a sap," Angel sighed, head dropping to Husk's right shoulder. 

"Mm..." 

Angel stroked Husk's chest through his shirt, then asked, "Off?"

"Sure. Go 'head."

With deft fingers, Angel unbuttoned Husk's shirt, slipped it off of the Overlord's shoulders, then tossed it blindly to the floor. He buried his nose against Husk's neck with a contented sigh. 

Husk's hands rested carefully on Angel's waist as he kissed Angel's shoulder through his bathrobe. 

"Little down?" Angel requested, his bottom set of hands already moving Husk's hands where he wanted them. 

The two sat in the quiet apartment for a while, Husk kissing Angel's neck every time he sighed. 

"You sure you're alright?"

" 'M sure."

"Whatcha thinkin' about, then?"

Angel sighed again. 

Husk mimicked his high-pitched sigh, crooked grin spreading across his face when Angel pulled back to pout at him. 

"Hey."

"Hey, yourself." Husk tapped Angel's temple with two fingers. "What's goin' on in there?"

"I shaved today."

"... Yeah?"

"Mm."

"You're still... covered in hair."

"Yeah. The thinner stuff. I got rid'f the coarser hair. I'm softer now."

"Mm."

Angel dragged Husk's fingers through his chest fluff and down to his stomach, exposed by the low dip between the sides of his robe. "Feel?"

Eyes wide, Husk nodded. 

"Just... I dunno. Haven't done that in a while. Saw parts'f myself I haven't seen in a long time."

"Mm."

"I wanna go t'bed early."

"We should do that."

"Brownies first, though."

"Done." Husk kissed Angel's neck. He waited for a minute, then offered, "Do you want to get up?"

"Not really."

Husk snorted and squeezed Angel tighter. "Whenever you're ready. I'm happy t'stay here."

Angel nodded weakly. "Francis?"

"Yeah, Principessa?"

"I wanna cuddle you."

Husk hesitated, then asked, "Is that... not what we're doing?"

"In bed."

"D'you wanna bring brownies t'bed?"

"I wanna eat brownies in bed," Angel agreed against Husk's shoulder. 

Husk laughed, held Angel close to his chest, and stood up, carrying Angel to the kitchen to sit him on the counter. "You said... pantry?"

"Mm. Heat 'em up in the microwave for 15 seconds."

Husk nodded as he pulled out a few brownies to spread on a plate. He placed them in the microwave to watch the plate spin, then placed them next to Angel. "Ice cream?"

"Obviously."

"Obviously," Husk laughed. He served a few spoonfuls into a bowl, handed both dishes to Angel, and lifted the taller demon into his arms. "Don't spill, Anthony."

Angel nodded.

Husk laid Angel down on the bed, pulled off his undershirt, kicked off his pants, and laid down on the bed. "Fuck."

Angel dipped a corner of the brownie into the ice cream and opened his mouth. "Ah!" 

Mirroring the silly face that Angel was making, Husk chewed the brownie, and his eyes fluttered closed as he moaned. 

"Good?"

Instead of a verbal answer, Husk opened his mouth again for Angel to feed him another bite. 

Angel placed another piece of the chocolate-marshmallow brownie on Husk's tongue. 

"I love you so much," Husk breathed once he had swallowed. 

Angel snorted and kissed his nose. "Glad my bakin' locked you down."

"No, your smile locked me down. First time I made ya laugh, I knew."

Scoffing, Angel flushed pink. "You are a liar."

"Never. Not t'you. I knew I needed t'have ya in whatever way you wanted me to."

Angel shoved an entire brownie into his mouth to keep himself from having to respond. 

Husk stroked a gentle hand down Angel's stomach, pausing at the waistline of Angel's shorts. He traced the same path a few more times with his fingertips. "Question."

"Answer?"

"What's this?"

Angel allowed Husk to move his hand over the scars he'd noticed. "Oh! They're Vs."

"... The letter?"

"M-hm."

"... Can I ask 'why'? Even though I'm pretty sure I know what the answer is," he muttered. 

"Val wanted t'stake his claim, or somethin'. I dunno."

Husk took a breath to calm himself, then asked, eyes pinched shut, "And he decided to carve his initial into your skin?"

Angel shrugged. 

"Fuck. Sorry, Baby. Didn't mean t'bring up any bad memories."

"Eh. It's a neutral one. Kinda annoying that I've got the scars, but it's... fine."

Husk pressed a kiss to Angel's sternum through his chest fluff. 

Angel bit into another brownie, then took a spoonful of ice cream from the bowl between himself and Husk. 

"There are surgeries, if you want to remove the scars. My dime."

"What, you don't wanna see the way my previous boyfriend fucked me up?" Angel scoffed. "Can't imagine why."

"I don't wanna see the way you're hurtin' from it," Husk corrected. "I don't care how they look. You wanna keep 'em, keep 'em. It's your body."

Angel stroked Husk's head with a sigh. "I dunno. Kinda... didn't think 'bout 'em 'til you brought it up. Not worth the effort, y'know?"

Husk nodded against Angel's chest. "Up t'you."

With a gentle hand gliding over Husk's twists, Angel offered, "You can replace 'em."

"What?"

"Y'know... 'H'. Or 'F'. Whichever."

"Absolutely not. Never, not in a billion lifetimes, will I ever harm you. I don't give a shit if you want me to... No. No, Anthony."

Angel scoffed. 

"There is no way, in Heaven or Hell, that I would ever take a blade to you, Princess," Husk swore. "Hard 'no' for me. I'd die before that happened. Okay?"

With a sigh, Angel ate the last brownie and asked through it, "Even if I asked real nice?"

"Even then. Definitely not."

"Alright..." 

Husk stroked Angel's hair and kissed the tip of his nose. "I'm gonna get a drink. You want something?"

"Just some water?"

"I can do that," Husk whispered with a gentle smile. 

Angel returned it, hesitant, and offered Husk the empty dishes from the brownies and ice cream. "Dishwasher."

"My name is 'Francis', asshole."

Snorting, Angel shook his head. 

"I know. Bein' silly." Husk kissed Angel's forehead and ran his claws through the taller demon's wild hair. "Be back in a minute."

Angel reclined into the bed with a dramatic sigh. "Leavin' me alone... So mean."

"I know. Makin' sure you're hydrated and comfortable. I'm a monster."

Angel snagged Husk's hand when he turned, held it in both of his own top hands, and kissed the backs of Husk's knuckles. "Hey. That was too serious of a voice. You're not a monster. I was bein' dramatic."

"When aren't you bein' dramatic?"

Raising a single brow, Angel remained silent. 

"I... Noted. Yeah."

"Say it."

"I'm not a monster."

"Good Boy."

Husk scoffed, ears flattening against his skull as he flushed red. "Shut up. You wanted a drink."

"Yeah, Baby, I'll take a drink," Angel laughed. "Go. Bring Nuggsy back with you."

"I can do that." 

At the sound of his name, Nuggets came barrelling into the bedroom, nearly crashing into Husk's shins as he rounded the corner. 

"Never mind!" Angel laughed when Husk cursed under his breath. 

"You're gonna break my kneecaps one'f these days, Porkchop," he muttered as he left.

Nuggets huffed petulantly as he stared up at the bed. 

"You want uppies?" Angel asked. 

Squealing, Nuggets tapped his hooves on the carpet until Angel lifted him onto the bed. He rooted around in the blankets for crumbs from the brownies, displeased that he found nothing. The pig curled up on Husk's pillow with a sigh not unlike Angel's. 

"Oh, come on," Husk sighed when he returned with Angel's water bottle and a tumbler of whiskey for himself. "That's mine."

"You can use my fluff," Angel promised as he took the water bottle. He drank about half of it. "C'mere, Handsome."

Husk sipped his drink, then placed it down on the side table before dropping himself into Angel's embrace with a groan. 

"Better than a pillow?" 

"So much better," Husk murmured into his fluff. He combed his claws through Angel's thick fur, then noted, "It's a lot less fluffy now that you've shaved."

"It's softer, though. I like how light it feels."

"It is softer..." Husk nuzzled into Angel's sternum, easier to access through the thinner layers of fluff. "I love you, Anthony." 

Angel smiled against Husk's hair. "Love ya, Francis."

With a deep sigh, Husk wrapped his arms around Angel and squeezed him tight. His tail wrapped around Angel's lower leg, and his wings fanned out over both of them. 

"Fuck, you're warm," Angel breathed. 

"D'you want me t'move?"

"If you move, I'm divorcing you right now."

"... We aren't married, Mon Ange." 

"Well, we won't be, if you move."

Husk barked a laugh, squeezing Angel's waist as a silent apology for the noise. "Alright. Noted." 

"Listen, I'm cold-blooded!" Angel defended. "I need warmth, or I'm gonna go into hibernation."

"We don't want that," Husk agreed. "Been there, done that... not a fan."

Angel nuzzled Husk's hair. "Sorry 'bout that."

"It's not on you, Princess. You can't control what your body does."

Shrugging, Angel remained silent.

"Should we get you a heat lamp up here? Like the one you had in your room?" 

"Mm... Or I could just cuddle you when I start t'get cold."

"Also a good idea." Husk nuzzled Angel's neck, kissed the junction of his neck and shoulder, and whispered, " 'M gonna fall asleep here."

"You should do that." 

"But I like talkin' with ya."

"We can talk any time. If you're sleepy now, you should sleep." 

Nuggets oinked in agreement, wriggling further into Husk's pillow. 

Husk reached over with his left hand to scratch between Nuggets' ears. "M'kay." He melted further into Angel with a sigh. 

Husk awoke alone in the bed, the apartment silent and Nuggets snuffling in his sleep beside him. 

He slipped out from under the blankets, then out to the living room and kitchen. 

Angel's boots were still laying next to the elevator door, so Husk decided to look around the apartment. 

The balcony off of the living room was empty, as was the pile of pillows next to Angel's large beanbag chair in the corner. 

Husk opened the door to the rooftop, then breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the second door at the top of the stairs was open. 

He climbed the stairs, heart sinking when he saw Angel curled up in a blanket and huddled against the half-wall that lined the roof 

"Anthony?" Husk asked loudly as he approached. 

Angel hummed under his breath, eyes blinking open slowly. "Hey, Francis."

"What are you doin' up here, huh? It's fuckin' freezing."

Angel shrugged, eyes darting away from Husk's. 

"Come inside with me?" Husk requested. He offered Angel a hand. 

"I... I can't."

"Do I need t'carry you?"

Angel nodded, eyes shiny with tears. 

Husk approached slowly, hands out for Angel to take, and helped the taller demon to his feet. He lifted Angel into his arms. 

Angel's nose buried itself in Husk's neck, and Husk suppressed a shiver at the cold against his skin.

As soon as Angel was seated on the couch, Husk carefully wrapped another, thicker blanket around him, then removed the thin, damp one from his tight grip. "Can I touch you, Princess?" 

Shaking, Angel managed a hesitant nod. 

"Do you want me to touch you?" 

"Dunno."

Husk nodded, moving from a crouch to a kneel between Angel's feet. "Do you wanna talk about it?"

Angel shrugged. 

Husk rested his hands gently on Angel's knees through the blanket around him, massaging Angel's tense muscles with his fingertips. "You're freezing, Anthony," he noted, "We should get you in a bath."

Angel sniffled and nodded. 

"You can stay here while I run it. I'll be back in a minute." 

"No lights?" Angel requested. 

"I'll leave 'em off." 

"Kiss?" 

Husk kissed Angel's forehead with a soft smile. "Do you wanna come with me?" 

"... Lil' bit."

"Alright. Hang on." Husk lifted Angel from the couch, adjusted his hold on the taller demon, and walked slowly to the bathroom. "Watch your head." 

Angel tucked his face into the crook of Husk's neck. 

"Good Boy."

Angel whimpered, so Husk kissed his shoulder in apology. 

"We'll save that one for another day."

"Thanks."

" 'Course, Anthony."

Husk set Angel gently on the closed toilet, then, leaving his hand lingering on Angel's knee, turned to the bath to fill it. 

"I hate him," Angel whispered, eyes trained on the water falling from the faucet. 

Husk stayed silent, but squeezed Angel's knee. 

"He fucking ruined me. I was... I was good, at least for... for a while. Before he got t'me. I wasn't..." He gestured at his body with a jerky, stilted movement. "I wasn't this."

"You are not ruined," Husk whispered, voice quiet but firm. "You have trauma. You have scars. You've had a rough time, both down here and up there. But you are far from 'ruined', or 'broken', or 'used-up'. I know you've struggled with this for... a long time, so... me just saying these things won't convince ya, but I need you to listen to me."

Angel sniffled. 

Husk raised his hand slowly to allow it to hover beside Angel's face, and Angel leaned into it with a weak sigh through his nose. "Did I do somethin' t'make you feel this way?"

Angel shook his head and whispered, "Just... brought up memories. I was the one who spiralled from there."

"I'm sorry."

"Not your fault."

"I'm still sorry."

Angel turned his head to kiss Husk's palm. "Still wish you'd replace his scars with yours."

"That's--"

"-- Not happening, I know, but... I know. I get it. Hard limit, so I'm not pushin' it. But you know how my brain just..." Angel grasped at the empty air in front of him with all six hands, "--latches onto things sometimes. It'll go away in a few days."

Husk sighed. 

"Sorry."

"No. No bein' sorry." Husk's thumb caressed Angel's cheekbone for a second, then he offered, "Can I give ya somethin' different?"

"... Depends what it is."

Husk pulled off his dog-tags and pressed them into Angel's palm. 

"These are--" 

"Mine. Yeah. So are you. So..." Husk curled Angel's fingers around the chain in his palm, "I'm trustin' you t'keep these safe for me. At least 'til I can getcha somethin' of your own."

"I..." Angel ran his thumb over the lettering on the dog-tags, staring down at the brushed silver metal. "'Something of my own'?"

"Yeah."

"... Like what?"

"Whatever you want," Husk said easily. "Earrings, necklace, ring, bracelet... Fuck, a tattoo. I don't care. Something to remind you that you're mine, and I don't give a shit who knows it. I'm proud to be your person, and even more proud that you let me be yours." With a gentle touch to Angel's fingers, Husk took the dog-tags from him and draped them over Angel's head. "There."

"I... Francis, I don't... I don't know what t'say." 

"Don't need t'say anything."

Angel palmed the tags, staring down at them. "Y'know, when I was alive, someone givin' you his dog-tags meant he was sweet on ya." Angel lifted his eyes from the necklace to grin crookedly at Husk. "You sweet on me, Husker?"

Husk rolled his eyes, making Angel snicker. 

"What, you're not?"

"Honey, everything I just said, and the tags are what convinced ya?"

"Apparently."

"Alright. Whatever you say." Husk tapped the chain that Angel was wearing. "If you wanna wear these, I can get you a copy made." 

"You attached to 'em?"

"Yeah. Somethin' like that. They've been with me for... almost a century, now. Kind'f gotten used to 'em."

Angel nodded. "A copy'd be good," he whispered. 

"I'll have that done." Husk kissed Angel's hand. "Let's get you in the bath, Princess."

Angel allowed Husk to unwrap the blanket from his shoulders, then took off his own robe. "I wanna keep my shorts on."

"Sounds good t'me."

Legs still shaking from the cold, Angel used Husk's shoulder to steady himself as he lowered himself into the tub. "Oh..." 

Husk smiled, turned around, and leaned his arms and chin on the edge of the tub. "You're beautiful."

"Thanks, Baby."

With careful fingers, Husk dragged his claws over Angel's scalp. "I love you. On your good days, on your bad days, every second of every hour of every day. There's nothin' that you could do, say, or go through that could make me love you any less than I do."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Angel leaned into Husk's touch, then sunk further into the water, his knees popping above its surface. He blew bubbles in the clear water, then grinned up at Husk when he laughed. 

"Fuck, Sweetness, I love you." Husk breathed, swiping Angel's hair from his face with his thumb. "You warmin' up?"

Angel nodded. "Can we have cocoa when I'm all dried off?"

"I think I can make that happen."

"Fuck yeah."

Husk smiled softly. "Anything to eat?"

"Nah."

"Okay."

Angel dropped his head back to the wall, then turned to face Husk. 

"What's goin' on?"

"Nothin'. Why's somethin' gotta be goin' on for me t'look at ya?"

Husk shrugged. 

Angel brought one hand up from the water, dried it on the towel closest to the tub, and reached over to scratch behind Husk's ear. 

"Mm..." Husk leaned into the touch, trying to suppress a purr but failing as his chest started to rumble. 

"Good Boy," Angel whispered, grinning. "You're so fuckin' hot."

Husk didn't reply as he leaned into Angel's hand. 

"When we go t'bed, can you take off your shirt?"

"Anything you want."

Satisfied, Angel nodded once. He removed his hand from Husk's ear, much to Husk's chagrin. 

"Hey..."

"What?"

Husk took Angel's hand gently, dropped it onto his head, and nuzzled into it. 

Angel resumed petting the Overlord, smile wide and eyes crinkling at the corners. 

"You busy tomorrow?" Husk asked. 

"Uh... 'Wednesday' tomorrow or 'Thursday' tomorrow? 'Cause it's after midnight."

"Wednesday."

"Nope. Whatcha need?" 

"I've got a few games tomorrow. If you want, I'd love t'have ya come with me?"

"... Can I see how I'm feelin'?"

"Of course."

Angel smiled. "I want to, I promise, but..."

"I know. I get it."

Sighing, Angel stretched his legs out, his long limbs dangling out of the Husk-sized bathtub. "Can I wear some'f your clothes t'bed?"

"Whenever you want, Princess. Whatcha wanna wear?"

"Mm... Sweatpants-- the grey ones that make your cock 'n ass look incredible-- and a sweatshirt."

"I'll get on that."

Angel leaned into Husk's hand, his own fingers still massaging the base of Husk's right ear.

"Mon Ange," Husk whispered, fingers stroking Angel's cheek lightly, "Let's get you outta the tub."

Angel grumbled and blinked his eyes open. "Don't wanna move."

Husk pulled the plug out of the drain and said, "You don't have to. But... I know for a fact that it's gonna get pretty cold in here when that water's gone. You can stay here, but the bed is much more comfortable."

"Mean."

"I'm gonna go t'bed," Husk said as he stood, stretching his arms and wings out as much as he could. "You can join me, but y'don't have to. Doesn't matter t'me."

"Asshole."

"There's going to be clothes just lying on the bed, no one to wear them."

"I'm gonna kick your ass--"

"I'll be so cold--"

"-- tear your feathers out."

Husk snorted and handed Angel the warm towel from above the vent. "Dry off, Anthony."

"Can you stay here?"

"Sure. I'll grab you clothes when we get to the bedroom."

Angel stood and scrubbed himself dry. He stepped out of the tub, using Husk's shoulder to keep himself steady, and kissed the top of Husk's head. He nipped the shell of Husk's ear and hissed, "If you ever try to do that to me again..."

"Don't threaten me with a good time, Princess," Husk laughed. He took another towel from the bar, then knelt in front of Angel to carefully towel-dry his legs. "You're beautiful."

"Thanks, Baby." Angel wrapped the towel he was holding around his head to dry his hair with his top set of hands, the middle set stroking Husk's ears and his lowest set massaging Husk's shoulders. 

When he had stopped dripping onto the floor, Angel leaned over the sink to wash his face thoroughly, scrubbing dried tears and makeup from his cheeks. "Okay!"

"Okay?"

Angel nodded, wrapped his arms around Husk, and pressed their bodies together. "Can I ask you a favor?"

"Tits outta my face, then sure."

Angel pouted, but obliged. "You don't like my tits?"

"I love your tits, Principessa. I love everythin' about you. But they're distracting."

With a grin, Angel shimmied his shoulders back and forth to make his chest bounce. "Distracting? Moi? I would never--" He yelped as Husk lunged for him and threw him over his shoulder. "Hey!"

Husk slapped his ass with one large hand just before throwing Angel onto the bed. "You, Anthony, are the best distraction that I could ever ask for."

Angel snorted. "Yeah?"

"My everything. My Anthony." Husk kissed Angel's neck, then laved his tongue over the still-damp fur. "My favorite distraction."

"That right?"

"Yeah."

Angel reached up to pull Husk close. "Can I ask my favor, now?"

" 'Course, you can." 

"I wanna cuddle."

"That's not a favor."

"That's not the favor," Angel agreed. "The favor is me askin' you t'take off your clothes."

"Also not a favor," Husk laughed. "You wanna cuddle naked, we'll do that."

Grinning as Husk got off of the bed, Angel watched the Overlord strip. He wolf-whistled. 

"Shut up."

"Nope!" Angel tugged at the edge of Husk's wing until he got back on the bed, then wrapped all eight limbs around him. "Mm..."

"You comfy?" Husk asked with a chuckle, pulling the blankets over himself and Angel. 

"Yes..."

"You wanna go back t'sleep?"

"Only if we can sleep in."

"I can make that happen."

Angel nuzzled Husk's chest. "Love you. Sorry I woke ya."

"You didn't. I promise."

Still holding onto Husk, Angel whispered, "Promise?"

"I do."

Angel's lowest set of arms traced over his own stomach, fingertips pressing down on the scars that Husk had discovered earlier. 

Husk took his hands. He placed Angel's fingers on his collar bone and said, "I got this from a knife-thrower at a show I was in."

"What?"

"She wanted someone t'practice with. So she put on a blindfold and started chuckin' knives at me."

"What the fuck?" Angel laughed. 

Husk trailed Angel's fingers down to his left wrist, just below the base of his thumb. "This was from my first wife. She stabbed me with a fountain pen."

Angel picked up Husk's hand to kiss the spot he had been shown, then traced his thumb over the gnarled scar. 

"This one--" Husk wrapped Angel's hand gently around his neck, "-- is from when I got mugged in... '54? Bike chain 'round my neck."

"Shit."

"Mm." With Angel's hands still in his, Husk moved up their joined hands up his neck. "This one is from Alastor."

"Like... 'Cannibal Radio-Demon' Alastor?"

"That's the one."

"How did he--"

"He owned me for a while, when I first got down here. His chains tended t'tear out my fur, so... there's a bunch'f spots where it got rubbed off."

"Aww... Poor Kitty," Angel cooed. "Can I kill him?"

"Don't," Husk laughed. "He's a good ally to have, nowadays, at least. We're over it."

"Say the word. I've got contacts."

"I know you do." Husk rolled Angel off of him. "Here." He pointed to a large scar along the side of his left thigh. "Shrapnel from the war. Went through a bunch'f surgeries t'remove it."

Angel kissed the rough scar. "Why're we goin' through these, Baby? Not that I mind!" 

"You showed me yours, I'm showin' you mine. Only fair."

"Only fair," Angel echoed, breathless. He traced a long, thin scar along Husk's lower torso. "What about this one?"

"Mm... I don't remember. I had a surgery when I was a kid-- don't remember what for-- but I've had that one since I was... three? Five? Somethin' like that."

"Aww, Baby Francis?" Angel cooed, thumbs caressing the scar. "I bet you were a little cutie."

"I've been told so."

Angel kissed the scar, intentionally skipping over the scars lining Husk's upper thighs. "This one?" he asked, poking a downturned curve on Husk's right knee. 

Husk flinched at the touch with a yelp. "Sensitive." 

"Sorry!"

"I... uh... This one's kinda dumb."

"Tell me."

"Well... Alright, I was, like, 14. I was playin' a game with some'f the older boys at the casino I was workin' at. We were runnin' 'round the front, and I tripped 'n fell into the... like, metal edging of a garden bed?" Husk gestured vaguely in front of him. 

"Shit."

"Yeah. Got all the gravel 'n dirt 'n shit into it, too. By the time we got to the hospital-- without tellin' my Ma, mind you, 'cause I thought I'd be in trouble-- I've bled through the coat we'd wrapped 'round my leg, and I'm the last one in the waiting room. Three hours later."

"No fuckin' way."

"Yep! They didn't even bother to unwrap it." 

Angel snorted. 

"And then, when the nurse finally got there, she took one look at my knee, slammed the bandage back down over it, and left."

"She left?!"

"Yep. Then came back with, like half a dozen other nurses. They're all crowdin' 'round me, I can't even see my own leg, and my friend's askin' all these questions. I'm kinda panickin', 'cause... hospitals, lots'f people, bleeding..." 

"Sure."

Husk stroked Angel's hair as he continued, "Eventually, they hook me up to a morphine drip, so I calmed down a lil' bit, and they let me look at my knee. Y'know what my friend does?"

"What did he do?"

"He reaches over, pokes into my knee--"

Angel snorted, hand slamming over his mouth.

"-- and asks 'what's this?'. Wanna guess what it was?"

"Not really."

"My fucking kneecap."

Angel made a fake retching noise, still grinning. "What the fuck?"

"Yep. I think I passed out, 'cause, eventually, when I came to, they were irrigating my knee."

Angel scoffed. "Fuck. That is dumb."

"Yeah. I know. When they cleaned it out, they realized 'oh, this is so bad that you need surgery', so they brought me into emergency surgery at 3 in the morning."

"This was all at--"

"All at night," Husk confirmed, laughing. "Didn't wanna wake up my Ma." 

"How'd you get there?"

"My friend took his Pop's car."

"Fuck, sometimes I forget that you were a dumb teenager, once, too."

Husk nodded with a smile. "Very dumb." He kissed Angel's forehead. "What about you? Dumbest injury?"

Lips pressed together, Angel released a long breath through his nose. "No laughing."

"I might laugh a little."

Angel pointed to a pair of small parallel lines on the left side of his lower lip. "See these?"

"I do." Husk kissed the scars. 

"When I was a kid, my older brother said that, if you put a whole lightbulb into your mouth, y'couldn't get it out."

"No."

"And I, being the genius that I was at 8, said that he was wrong."

"Anthony," Husk laughed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You didn't."

"So, I took the lightbulb from the lamp in Father's study, opened my mouth, 'n put it on in there."

"You couldn't get it out."

"Not at all. And I'm panicking."

"Sure."

"So is Jonathan, too, 'cause he'd have t'be the one to explain what happened. 'Cause... y'know... lightbulb." 

"Uh-huh."

"He runs, grabs Molly from wherever the Hell she was in the house. Meanwhile, I'm still tryin' real hard t'wrench this thing outta my face, and I can feel myself gettin' lightheaded."

Husk kissed his lower lip again and ran the pad of his thumb over the scars. 

"Molly, obviously the smartest outta the three'f us, grabs my hair, smacks my lower jaw, 'n shatters the lightbulb, and the whole thing falls outta my mouth. My whole mouth is drippin' blood, my tongue is sliced up, 'n Molly just... walks away."

"That's it?!" Husk laughed. 

"Well, she called us 'fucking dumbasses', but... other than that? Yeah. Think she just didn't wanna be part'f it."

"I wouldn't, either, I guess."

"Mm... We cleaned up, took the lightbulb from the lamp in Jonathan's room, and replaced Father's. He went without a lightbulb for a few years, 'n we never told anyone."

Husk kissed Angel's cheek and whispered, "Can I laugh a little bit?"

Angel snickered and nodded. 

Husk snorted before he whispered, "I'm glad you've gotten smarter."

"Yeah, me, too."

"Jesus, Princess."

Angel pressed his face into Husk's neck with a yawn. "It wasn't my idea."

"But you went along with it."

"If we measured how smart I am by what ideas I've 'gone along with' in my life-- and afterlife-- I'd be the stupidest being in the universe."

"Which you're not," Husk laughed. "So I guess we're not doin' that."

Angel nuzzled Husk's chest. He traced a heart over Husk's left pectoral and whispered, " 'M sleepy."

"Well, it is..." Husk craned his neck to the side to look at the bedside clock, "four in the morning."

"Mm..."

"Go to sleep, Sweetness."

"I have a question, before we do."

"Anything."

"Why don't you call me 'Baby' anymore?"

Husk took a deep breath, exhaled, then replied, "It's not my name for you."

"No?'

"It was your previous Overlord's. You were his 'Angel, Baby', and I'm not... I'm not callin' you that. You're my Princess, My Love, my Sweetness, my Principessa... not 'Baby', though."

Angel hummed, fingers combing through the thick fur on Husk's chest. "Oh."

"Sorry, Anthony. Personal choice."

"You don't like me callin' you 'Baby'?"

"Oh, no, I think I'd die if you stopped callin' me 'Baby'."

"You're already dead."

Husk snorted and shook his head. "'Double-die', then, as you're so fond of saying."

"Don't do that."

"Not plannin' on it."

Angel adjusted his positioning to kiss the side of Husk's neck. "Francis, Baby?"

Eyes closed, Husk hummed softly. 

"You have such pretty eyes. Can I see 'em?"

Husk blinked his eyes open. "Why?"

Angel tapped the tip of Husk's nose, giggling when Husk's eyes crossed. "Maybe I just wanted t'see ya."

"Mm..."

"I love you," Angel breathed. 

Husk's smile spread across his face, and he leaned down to kiss Angel before he whispered, "I love you, too, Sweetheart." 

With a yawn, Angel stated, "I'm gonna go t'sleep, now."

"You should do that."

"I don't wanna wake up alone tomorrow."

"You won't."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Angel awoke to a damp sensation dragging across his forehead. His nose wrinkled. Wiping his forehead, his knuckles bumped into Husk's chin. 

"Sorry," Angel whispered. He yawned. 

"Mmph..."

Angel felt his forehead, then asked, "Were you groomin' me?"

"Mm... no?"

"You definitely were." Angel looked up at Husk, whose jaw was clamped shut. "Open your mouth."

Husk shook his head, stifling a grin. 

"Mouth open, Kitty Cat." Angel gripped Husk's jaw on either side, just tight enough to force his mouth to open. He plucked the clump of white and pink hair from Husk's tongue with a raised brow. "Not groomin' me?"

"Nope."

"Whose hair is this, then?"

"I'm... cheating on you?"

"Uh-huh." Angel flicked the damp hair off of the bed. "Just... Keep goin'."

"What?"

"Keep going," Angel ordered. "It was nice."

"Only your forehead's gonna be clean, though."

"Then move me 'n clean the rest'f me. See if I care." He pressed his face into Husk's neck again. "Francis?"

"Mm?"

"Can y'keep groomin' me?"

Husk dragged his tongue from the tip of Angel's nose to his hairline. "Sleep."

Angel nodded weakly, eyes fluttering shut as Husk repeated the action. 

When he woke again, it was to Husk pressing gentle kisses to every inch of his face. 

"Am I the cleanest I've ever been?" Angel asked, half-asleep.

"Mm... I hope this isn't the 'cleanest you've ever been', but... you are groomed."

"What about my tongue?"

Husk snorted and rested his chin on Angel's sternum. "What?"

"Did you lick my tongue clean?"

"I... no?"

Angel let his tongue loll out of his mouth and hummed. 

Husk licked the tip of Angel's tongue once, then kissed his upper lip. "That's all you're gettin'."

Angel whined. 

"No."

"Francis..."

Husk licked Angel's nose. "I'm gettin' up. I need t'eat. You want something?"

"Dick?"

"Not for breakfast." 

Angel pouted his lower lip. 

"After breakfast, sure. But cum isn't good on an empty stomach."

Snorting, Angel bumped his forehead against Husk's. "Fine... I guess..."

Husk butted his head up underneath Angel's chin with a purr. "C'mon. I already ordered."

"You ordered before you knew I would want breakfast?"

"No, I knew you would want breakfast, so I ordered so it would be ready right after you woke up--"

The elevator dinged across the apartment. 

"-- Which is now." Husk kissed the hinge of Angel's jaw. "You wanna eat in bed?"

"I don't like crumbs in bed."

"And the brownies yesterday?"

"You ate layin' on your back," Angel said as he turned to stretch, "and I ate over the ice cream bowl. No crumbs."

Husk hummed. 

Angel grabbed Husk's hand and dragged him up, kissing the Overlord once before he said, "Breakfast!" He pulled on a pair of bike shorts from the laundry basket at the end of the bed, then ordered, "Come on!"

"M'kay..."

He turned around to see Husk staring up at him with wide pupils. 

"What?"

"You're beautiful."

"I... Thanks?"

Husk reached up to cup Angel's face in both hands and kiss him. "I just wanted you t'know."

"I already knew that, but... Thanks. Always nice t'hear it again."

With a quick swipe of his thumb, Husk moved a clump of damp hair away from Angel's face. "C'mon. Chocolate chip pancakes, turkey bacon, and iced coffee with excessive cream and sugar."

"Aww, you know me so well!"

Husk licked the tip of Angel's nose. "Inside 'n out. Literally."

Beaming, Angel whispered, "Damn right. I'm finally rubbin' off on you!" 

"You've rubbed off on me plenty."

"You're makin' it real hard t'not jump your bones right about now."

"I always make you hard."

Angel groaned, head thrown back. "Francis."

"Anthony." Husk brushed past Angel with a gentle squeeze to his ass, grabbed the food from the floor of the elevator, and brought the tray to the coffee table. "Join me, Princess?"

Angel glided over to the couch, pushed Husk back to lay on it, and fell on top of him with a groan, laughing when Husk grunted in surprise. "I love you."

"Love you, too, Sweetheart."

"I wanna suck your dick," Angel sighed. 

"After breakfast," Husk reemphasized. 

"You promise?"

"Yeah, Anthony." Husk kissed Angel's temple. "I promise, Honey."

Angel nuzzled Husk's throat for a few seconds, then sat up, pulled Husk up after him, and flicked his tongue over the tip of the Overlord's nose. "Hey, Francis?"

"Yeah?"

"I wanna hug."

"I can--"

"Like... a 'crush-my-soul-back-into-my-body' kinda hug."

Husk hummed and kissed Angel's shoulder, then opened his arms. "Well, I can do that, too. As long as you want."

Angel crawled into Husk's lap and rested his cheek between Husk's ears with a sigh. 

Husk's arms wound around his waist, between his bottom and middle set of arms, and squeezed tightly. "D'you want me t'lay on ya?"

"Nah. This is good." Angel kissed the fur at the base of Husk's left ear, middle hands massaging Husk's wings and lower hands clasped behind Husk's lower back. "Can y'squeeze a little tighter?"

Husk obliged. He kissed Angel's clavicle. 

"Can y'feed me pancakes?"

"You're not exactly in a position where I can do that, Princess."

Angel snorted. "Y'can put me in any position you want, Baby."

Husk loosened his grip on Angel slightly to push him back a few inches and look in his eyes. 

"Hey..."

"How present are you?"

Angel blinked hard. 

"Can you feel your nose?"

Wrinkling his nose weakly, Angel shook his head. 

"Mm... Alright. I'm going to put you down, get you a glass of ice cubes, and sit with you 'til you're feelin' more present. I dunno if I want you eating while you're feelin' like this?"

Angel nodded weakly, fingers trailing down Husk's arm to hold the Overlord's larger hand. 

"Hey."

"Hm?"

"Count backwards from 1,000 by 8."

Ange's brows furrowed, and he looked up from their joined hands to make eye contact with Husk. "Why?"

"Get you outta your thoughts for a minute. Count. Out loud. I wanna hear it."

"I... I don't like math. I'm bad at it."

"I'll tell ya if y'get somethin' wrong. Just start." Husk placed Angel gently on the couch. 

"Uh... 1,000?"

"Good job, Baby."

"... 9,992."

Husk stood up to go to the kitchen. "Keep going."

"9,984. Then... 9,976."

Husk got a glass filled with ice as Angel continued to count. 

"-- 9,916--" 

"Nope. Add two."

"... 9,918?"

"Good. Hold this," Husk ordered, handing Angel a single ice cube without him noticing what it was, "And keep goin'."

"9,910. 9,902." Angel shivered, then looked down at his hand. "This is cold."

"It's ice, Sweets."

Angel blinked hard, then tried to hand the cube back to Husk. "I don't want this."

"Keep holding it, or I'm stickin' you in a cold shower."

"You can't make me!" 

"I'll drag you in with me 'n hold you there. I don't give a shit, you need to be grounded."

Angel sighed heavily and balled his hand around the ice cube in his palm. "Do I need t'keep countin'? My brain hurts."

Husk laughed, kissing Angel's shoulder. "No, Princess, I don't need you t'keep counting. That was just while I was outta the room." 

Nuggets ran into the room, squealing happily at Husk's feet until the Overlord picked him up to place him on Angel's lap. Once he was able to lick Angel's stomach a few times, he curled up into a ball with a sigh. 

"You're just like your Pops," Husk laughed, scratching Nuggets' head between his horns. 

"What's that supposed t'mean?"

"It means that he's sweet, he likes pink 'n gettin' his head scratched, and he walks into rooms just t'give kisses 'n get cuddles."

Angel snorted. 

"And you both make that noise when you're happy," Husk laughed, reaching up to pull Angel close and kiss his nose. "How present are you, now?"

"Uh... little fuzzy. Like I'm... outside of myself?"

"Mm. C'mere." Husk stood.

Angel stood after him and watched Husk crouch down. "30 squats."

"Huh?"

"Squats. You familiar?"

"I'm... Yes?"

"Good. 35. Go."

"You weren't a drill sergeant, were you?" Angel asked, rolling his eyes. 

"The number's gonna go up every time you try to deflect. You're at 40."

Angel gaped at him. "I think you just wanna look at my ass!" 

"45. You wanna keep talkin'?"

"I don't know why you want me t'do this."

"Nice, round 50," Husk mused. "I wanna make you more aware of your body. So... either start squatting, or I can keep addin' five."

Angel huffed, clasped all three set of hands in front of his torso, and squatted down. 

"Hold on." Husk moved behind him, pulled his hips back gently on the next squat, and said, "Don't let your knees extend over your toes. You're gonna hurt yourself. Bend forward as far as you need to t'keep yourself balanced. 

Angel continued to squat, counting under his breath until he reached 14. "I don't know what good this is doing," he panted. 

"Focus on your posture and your form. Feel your legs burn. Don't get in your head. Just focus on your body."

Angel groaned and continued to squat. 

"15. Good job, Sweets," Husk whispered, kissing Angel's forehead the next time he was low enough. "Keep goin'."

"Why squats? I have no ass t'speak of."

Husk palmed Angel's ass with one large hand, making the taller demon squawk and jump away. "Mm... Enough ass for me, at least. Besides, your other option was push-ups."

"... 18," Angel muttered as he squatted again. 

"Yeah, that's what I thought."

When Angel fell to the floor, legs shaking, he stared up at Husk. "You, Lawrence Husker, are a cruel man."

Husk hummed. He crouched beside Angel's head to stroke his sweaty bangs from his face. "Comes with the 'Overlord' thing, I think. How're you feeling?"

"Present. But sore."

"Still present," Husk reminded him. "C'mere."

"What now?"

"On the couch, Principessa. Stay there 'til I come back."

Angel collapsed into the cushions with a groan. "Everything is awful and terrible and I wanna throw myself off the Golden Gate bridge."

"Is that right?" Husk asked. He took a tube of lotion from the basket under the coffee table, then knelt in front of Angel. He massaged Angel's legs, starting at his feet and ankles and slowly working up to his thighs. 

"Mm... Maybe later..."

"Not right now?" Husk asked, faux innocent.

"Nuh-uh. Feel good."

Husk kissed the inside of Angel's knee, then moved to his other leg. "Did you know that I love you?"

"Mm. Not sure if I knew that. Tell me more."

Rolling his eyes, Husk kissed Angel's thigh and stated, "I love you, Anthony. You're my everything. The first thing I think about every morning, and the last I think about at night. You're the only face I ever want to wake up to for the rest of our eternity down here."

"That sounds awful committed, Baby," Angel whispered. 

"I'm awful committed, Anthony. As long as you'll have me, I'm yours."

Angel peeked on eye open to look down at Husk. "That's a long time. You sure you wanna promise that?"

"I'd shake on it right now, if you want."

Angel hesitated for a few seconds, then managed, "I think I'm okay without makin' a deal with an Overlord, right now."

"That's absolutely fine," Husk assured him, squeezing his thighs with both hands. "Of course, that's fine. But I'm lettin' you know: I'm committed."

"You're sure?"

"I'm sure."

Angel sighed and said, "If my legs didn't feel like they were about to fall off, I'd ride your dick for that."

"Breakfast first," Husk reminded him. "D'you want me t'heat up your pancakes?"

"Please?"

Husk kissed Angel's nose and squeezed his ankles once more. "I'll get on that. Anything else?"

"Hand me my coffee?" 

Glancing behind himself, Husk handed Angel the cup. "All y'had t'do was lean over."

"It hurts."

"You need t'work out more, then."

"I work the muscles I need."

"Which are?" Husk asked as he stood, plate in hand. 

"Jaw. Hips. Hands."

"Sex muscles."

"M-hm!" 

Husk snorted, shaking his head, and leaned down to kiss Angel. "You're perfect. Y'know that?"

"That right?"

Husk nodded, pupils dilated as he stared at Angel.

"Wanna prove it?" 

"How?"

"Heat up my pancakes."

Husk snorted again and pulled Angel into another kiss. "Whatever you want, My Love."

Angel flushed pink at the nickname. "'My Love'?"

"That's what you are."

Scoffing, Angel pulled Husk close to lick the tip of his dark nose. "Go make me breakfast, then, if y'love me so much."

"Anything you want."

After breakfast, Angel crawled into Husk's lap with a contented sigh. "I ate too much."

"There's antacids in the medicine cabinet."

"Mm... You're... old."

"You're a baby."

Angel gasped in offense. "Mean!" 

"Mm... You like it when I'm a little mean," Husk reminded him, rubbing their noses together lightly. "But, if you want me to be nice, I can be so nice."

"'So nice'?"

"Yep."

"Prove it."

Husk grinned, grabbing Angel's waist to throw him down on the couch and hover over him. "You asked for it. Safewords always apply."

"Green as fuck, Handsome."

Beaming, Husk pressed a gentle kiss to Angel's cheek. "You, Antonio Michelacci, are everything to me. I could be stripped of my status, my power, my title, and everything I've ever owned and been, but, as long as I have you, I'll be a happy man."

"Really?" Angel asked, clearly unconvinced. 

"I could be workin' as a bartender in some shitty-ass hotel somewhere, and, every day, I'd do everything I ever needed to t'make you happy. Even just make you laugh once, I'd make a real fool outta myself."

"That right?"

"We could find a little studio somewhere," Husk continued, claws stroking the tips of his claws over Angel's fine fur. "Wouldn't need much, long's I have you."

"You're a fuckin' sap."

"I'd make an honest man outta you in no time," Husk promised, bringing Angel's top left hand to his lips to kiss his knuckles, then turning it over to nip his palm. 

Angel snickered. "Get me a pretty ring?"

"Whatever kind you want. Biggest diamond I could find."

"Diamond, hm?"

"What kind of ring do you want, Princess?"

"Somethin' pink. It's my favorite, you know."

"Oh, I know," Husk chuckled, licking a stripe up the side of Angel's neck to make him giggle and squirm. "Fine. Somethin' pink. T'match your eyes." Husk stroked just under Angel's small eyespots with the pads of his thumbs. 

"Good."

Husk smiled up at Angel, then continued to press soft kisses down his neck and chest. "Everything I'd do, it'd be for you. Everything I do now, I do it thinkin' of you."

"What'd you even do before I came along, huh?" Angel teased gently. 

"Drank. A lot. Moped around. I dunno. You showed up, 'n it's like I woke up." Husk kissed Angel's sternum through his fluff. 

"I love you."

"Love you, too, Princess."

Husk's phone chimed from the bedroom, and he sighed. "I've gotta get down t'work. Are you coming with?"

"I... Yeah." 

"Get dressed."

"Do I need to look pretty?"

"You always look pretty."

"Do I need to dress nice?" Angel clarified. 

"If you want to."

"What should I wear?"

Husk hummed as he sat up and helped Angel to stand. "C'mon."

Angel followed the Overlord to the bedroom and sat on the end of the bed, watching Husk move to their shared closet. He kicked his legs back and forth in front of him. 

Husk presented Angel with a deep red maxi dress covered in sequins. "How's this look?"

"It's kinda... unsexy?"

"Untrue. It's very sexy, 'specially if you're the one wearin' it."

Angel hummed as he took the dress. "I'll wear it. But only if you're gonna match, at least a lil' bit."

"I... have a matching tie?"

"Sounds good t'me." Angel stood to peel off his bike shorts, snorting when Husk slapped a hand over his eyes and flushed. "You're such a goon. You're allowed t'watch, Baby."

Husk removed his hand with a huff. "Well, you didn't say that before you started stripping."

"Oh, Baby," Angel cooed, strutting over to cup Husk's cheeks and tip his face up. "When I start strippin', you'll know. Maybe I can give ya a private show later; how's that sound?"

"I'd... like that. Yeah. You should do that, if you wanna."

"I'd love t'do that for you," Angel whispered, nose tapping Husk's before he stepped back. "You wanna pick out my panties?"

"Uh... Sure?"

Angel gestured to the dresser across from the closet. "Top drawer. Preferably somethin' that won't gimme panty lines."

Husk opened the drawer, the pads of his fingers trailing over the lace, silk, and simple cotton that filled the drawer. "Any color?"

"Any color."

Husk took a pair of black lace underwear from the drawer. "Here." 

Angel admired them for a second, then slipped them up his long legs. 

"I'm... I'm gonna go get dressed," Husk decided, grabbing a suit from the closet before he left the room in a hurry. 

Angel snorted to himself and shook his head. He stepped into the dress, then called out, "Francis?"

Husk poked his head back into the room immediately. 

"Can y'help me zip?"

"I can." Husk stepped up behind Angel to bring the zip of his dress up to the base of his neck. "Turn around?"

Angel obliged. 

Husk stroked Angel's hips with a soft, "Wow."

"You like it?"

"I love it. I love you. Everything you wear-- everything you do, everything you are-- it's perfect."

Angel flushed. 

"If I didn't have somewhere t'be, I'd drop t'my knees right now 'n suck your cock."

Angel glanced at the clock, then back at Husk with a raised brow and a crooked smirk. "You are the boss--"

"Finish gettin' ready," Husk ordered as he took a large step back, "Or I'm gonna take you up on that."

Grin spreading further, Angel offered, "Well--"

"No. Shush." Husk kissed Angel with a whispered, "Love ya. See you downstairs."

"I love you, too, Francis, Baby."

Husk's pupils dilated, but he shook his head firmly and covered his eyes. "No! No. I'm not tempted by you."

"I think you are."

"No!" Husk called out, backing blindly out of the room. "Shut up."

"Shutting up," Angel laughed. 

Husk sat at his high-roller's table when Angel eventually made his way downstairs to sit on his knee. 

"Hey, Princess," Husk murmured against Angel's covered shoulder. 

Angel was wearing a plain white dress shirt and a pair of black slacks. "Hi."

"You changed."

"Do you want me t'put the dress back on--?"

"Nope. This looks fantastic." Husk squeezed Angel's waist as he tossed down a card. 

Angel turned to the demon beside Husk to make small talk, effectively distracting him from the game. 

Husk stroked Angel's thigh through his pants in approval. "Good Boy," he whispered, just loud enough for Angel to hear. 

Angel's leg wound around Husk's under the table. 

After a while, Angel stood from Husk's lap and kissed the tip of his ear. "I need a minute. I'll be in your office, okay?"

"Sounds good. I'll join you in a minute?"

"You don't need to--"

"I'm more than willing. Is that alright?"

Angel nodded with a smile against Husk's temple. 

"Want a drink?"

"Somethin' cherry-flavored?"

"Done." Husk pulled Angel close for a soft kiss. "Go."

Ensuring that Angel got to his office safely with a quick glance, Husk turned to finish his game. 

A few minutes later, after shaking the hands of his opponents, ordering Angel's cocktail, and retrieving a refill of his drink, Husk went to his office. He kicked the door gently. 

Angel opened it with a grin. "Hi! What's the password?"

"Uh..." Husk looked around, then held up Angel's glass. "'I have booze'?"

"Good enough for me." Angel opened the door and plucked the bright red drink from Husk's hand. He sipped it, then sighed and fell into the leather couch in the corner. "Come here."

Husk placed his glass, then Angel's, on the side table, then laid down on Angel's chest. He purred as he butted his head up against the underside of Angel's chin. 

"Hey, Baby," Angel laughed, arms wrapping around Husk. He kissed between Husk's ears. 

"Mmph."

Angel snorted. "You need a recharge?"

"Need your tits," Husk decided, poking Angel's fluff through his shirt. "Please?"

" 'Course, Handsome." Angel unbuttoned his shirt completely, then pulled Husk closer to allow him to bury his face in the thick fur. 

"This is Heaven," Husk decided, claws moving up to card through Angel's chest fluff. "Fuck the angels 'n pearly gates 'n shit. This? Perfect."

Angel snickered. "How did your game end up, Baby?"

"Good," Husk muttered into Angel's fluff. "Won. Took the pot."

"Glad t'hear that," Angel snickered, laughter shaking his shoulders as Husk started to root around in his fluff, not unlike Nuggets. "Fuckin' Hell, Francis, I love you so much."

Husk pressed a short kiss to the skin where his dog-tags were still resting and whispered, "I love you so much."

Angel dropped his head back to the arm of the couch, one hand reaching behind his head to take his drink from the table. 

With Husk's purring vibrating over his stomach and chest, Angel's eyelids started to droop. "Stop doin' that."

"Doin' what?"

"Makin' me sleepy."

Husk yawned, still purring. 

"Move," Angel ordered, laughing as he shoved Husk off of him. "You're gonna make me fall back asleep."

"W'd that be so bad?"

"Yes."

Husk grumbled and leaned into Angel's side when both of them were sitting up. "Anthony?"

"Yeah, Baby?"

"I don't wanna go back t'work."

"Well... you are the boss. You don't need t'go back."

"That's why I do need t'go back, Sweets."

"No..." Angel turned around and straddled Husk's lap, hands lacing through Husk's twists to keep him close. "If I told ya that I didn't want you goin' back t'work, would you come upstairs with me?"

"And do... what?"

"Mm... Does the 'anything I want' rule apply?"

"Always."

"Then I think I'd like you t'sit by my feet 'n let me play with your hair 'n ears while you watch one'f your movies."

"Well... If that's what you want, then I guess I can make that happen," Husk pretended to relent. 

"Good." Angel kissed Husk's nose with a grin. "Whenever you're ready." 

Husk dropped his head forward to nuzzle into Angel's still-exposed fluff with a sigh. "Not yet."

"I figured."

"Lemme be here for a bit."

"Y'wanna drown in my tits?"

"Lil' bit."

Angel snorted and tugged Husk closer. "Go ahead."

With Husk sitting cross-legged between his knees, Angel massaged the Overlord's scalp with a leave-in moisturizer. 

Husk groaned. 

"Good noise?" 

"Good noise," Husk confirmed breathlessly. "Oh..." 

"Y'don't make these noises when I'm ridin' you," Angel accused, tone light and teasing. 

"Make 'em when you're 7 inches deep in my ass."

"Generous estimate."

"Mm..." 

Angel snorted, leaned forward to kiss Husk's forehead, then asked, "You gettin' fuzzy?"

"M-hm. Needed this."

"Hey, say the word, I'll drop everythin' t'come play with your hair."

Husk's head tipped back even further to grin at Angel. "You want a job?"

"I already have a job. I sing, remember?"

"Mm... Nah. Forget singing. You're gonna sit with me while I work 'n do this. All day, every day. I'll pay you whatever you'd be missin' out on from tips."

"Would you even get anything done?"

"... Probably not."

"Yeah," Angel laughed, "Didn't think so." 

"You know me too well."

"You complaining?" Angel asked, nails scratching harder at the bases of Husk's ears to make the Overlord melt into him. 

Husk shook his head weakly. 

"Didn't think so."