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[harderdaddy]

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[harderdaddy]

[The bills get tucked away into his chest fluff before Val can change his mind, but there's a surprised pause at that acknowledgement and he nods.]

You picked it out for me. [Which...he'd forgotten about until seeing it wrecked. He doesn't want to examine if that's added to his frustration about losing it.

Stepping out the motel, Angel starts towards the car, stealing a small glance back at Val.]

Didn' know you remembered...

[papichulo]

So don't fucking fight me. [ valentino doesn't just roll his eyes, but he seems to roll his whole head with them, exhaling an heavy sigh. he says it like the solution to this "problem" is really that simple. as if reason they're ever even at each other's throats is because angel's the one who instigates, which objectively, is just not true. in valentino's mind, maybe it is - he can find any reason, any excuse to blame angel for his rage or his outbursts, but val is equally guilty, if not entirely, of starting shit.

but he doesn't want to argue about this right now. he hasn't forgotten that he's working toward something here, trying to coax angel to come back to him. to come home.

two hands settle at angel's waist, drag up his back and then back down again, claws dragging lightly. valentino looks down at him, their difference in size not quite as exaggerate like this, but still notable. he leans down, brushing a kiss to angel's temple, his cheek. ]

I miss this too. [ val pauses for a moment, considering the weight of his next words. he brushes the next kiss against angel's mouth, light and lingering. ] ... I miss you.

[papichulo]

I remember everything.

[ whether that's actually true or not is anyone's guess, but valentino remembers what's important. he remembers anything than can be used against him, or could be used against others. it's probably safe to assume he remembers every single little thing he's ever done for angel, every outfit and trinket he's gifted him, just in case he ever needs to remind angel just how much he's given him, how much he's done for him.

valentino steps out after angel, pulling the door closed behind him. housekeeping is likely to have one hell of morning once the bodies are discovered, if they're even discovered at all by the time half of them resurrect, but that's just not his problem. he follows after angel, keeping close behind, wings billowing a little big behind him.

at the car, valentino opens the back door for angel, and guides him inside with a hand on the back of his neck, ducking to follow him in afterward. ]

[harderdaddy]

Isn't not like I fucking try- [Angel bites himself off with a quiet huff to release that frustration. They're doing so good. He doesn't want today to end bad. Just this one day. He can shut his mouth and let them enjoy this.

And he can see that Val's trying...

Val's touch is soothing, and Angel mirrors it in miniature, fingers skimming over the moth's ribs, lifting his head to accept those kisses, a guilty look falling over his face. He sounds so sincere. And all the reasons for leaving feel increasingly selfish and one sided.]

...I miss you, Val. But- [But what???] ...m'helpin' Charlie with the hotel, an' I'm her only guest now...I'd wanna at least find her someone else-

[harderdaddy]

[Angel laughs softly, clearly not taking him fully at his word, but he still seems touched. Or maybe he was just hit in the head harder than he fucking thought.

Climbing into the car, Angel fishes out some ice from the drink station and holds it to his head with a groan as he settles in. That's better.]

Were you in the middle of anythin' too important?

[papichulo]

[ if he has to hear that girl's stupid fucking name one more time. valentino's fingers flex with annoyance, but rather than snap at angel like he wants to, he turns his head away and reaches for his drink, knocking the rest of it back in one mouthful. the mild burn isn't enough of a distraction, so he keeps his mouth busy with the lemon slice in his glass, fishing it out easily with his tongue and piercing it with his sharp teeth.

setting his glass back down, valentino bites the little bit of fruit off of the rind and drops it in his cup to be discarded later. by now, he's had a couple of seconds to let his flash of a temper pass, so when he finally decides to say something, it sounds like they could just be having a casual conversation about the weather, and ot like they're talking about angel fucking off like valentino hasn't given him fucking everything. ]

Mmm. [ a thoughtful hum. valentino reaches toward the edge of the tub with one hand where there's a gold wire basket sitting on the marble, filled with a myriad of soaps and salts, lotions. he plucks a small, soft sponge from the basket and brings it back, dipping it in the water. ] And why are you her only guest now?

[ it's a rhetorical question. val glides the loofah up along angel's back, then forward over his shoulder and against the side of his neck, slow and gentle. he cocks his head slightly, but his eyes are following the path of his hand, deliberately not looking at angel. ]

Is it because the last one died under her protection?

[ val's hand pauses for a moment, and his eyes dart upward to catch angel's. angel could try to deny it if he wanted, but valentino watched that entire fight play out with vox and velvette right here in his penthouse. does he even need to mention the fact that the only reason that snake was even there was because the vees planted him there, and he folded like a coward when he got caught?

two of his hands settle over angel's thighs under the water, thumbs stroking idly back and forth, and he continues with the sponge. ]

You've been there for months, baby. Are you helping? Or are you just... free PR?

[harderdaddy]

[Aching muscles are beyond grateful to feel that soft heat as Val washes him, and Angel tries to focus on that instead of the pit of guilt growing in his stomach.]

...we stopped the Extermination. [The one Charlie had brought down early. And no one's really sure what the fall back for slaughtering Adam is going to be still...

His fingers toy with that chain again, an excuse to duck his head. If he is PR he's not doing a very good job if he hasn't managed to lure a single other sinner in all this time.]

I ain't usin' so much? [That's something, right? Maybe that's not such a positive here as it is in the hotel, but Val's been on him before about being too coked out- least when he doesn't want him to be.] An' Char weren't even tryin' ta get me specifically, she'd been askin' all sortsa fucks round my corner before ya dropped me off.

[papichulo]

[ valentino pulls the door closed behind himself with a little more force than necessary, adrenaline and annoyance still simmering a bit in his veins. he settles next to angel and allows him to rifle around in the bar without question, and then reaches and snags a small white hand towel typically there to sop up any accidental spills.

quietly, he begins to clean the blood off of his one hand, some of it halfway to dry already. his rings will have to be cleaned more thoroughly later. maybe just tossed out all together. it's not as if he can't afford to replace them. ]

Just... [ he begins, turning his hand over and pulling the rag between his fingers. valentino seems to be considering his words. ] A meeting.

[ seems a little bit late to be holding any kind of meeting that wasn't an immediate emergency, so the validity of this is possibly questionable. valentino is just as likely to be telling the truth as he could be lying. he could have been doing absolutely nothing. he could have been in some shitty overpriced bar in a dark corner with vox. none of it matters.

valentinp shrugs. ]

But it could have been an email.

[ which is to say, angel shouldn't worry about it, and despite the fact that he just ripped someone's entire throat out and permanently killed two people - he's not as angry as he could be about being pulled away from whatever it was he may or may not have been doing. fortunately for angel, murder is fun. ]

[harderdaddy]

[A meeting. He knows a least a few of the things that could be, but also knows better than to push if Val doesn't volunteer on his own. He chooses his words very carefully. He guesses it was Vox, but it's not like the other Vee can get any more angry at him over stealing Val's attention away than he is any other day.]

Mosta them could be. [He knows Val gets bored during meetings, and Angel's certainly found the few he's been forced to attention boring as well, excepting for when he's there for Val's entertainment.

Watching Val, Angel moves again, crouched on the floor of the car to delve back into the bar. Do they keep anything non-alcoholic in this thing? He manages to scrounge up a bottle of water, and turns- still on his knees- to motion for the cloth. Val saved his skin, the least Angel can do is help him clean up.]

[papichulo]

[ before you dropped me off. it sounds, to him, like angel is insinuating that valentino's responsible for putting him directly in charlie's path. it sounds to him like angel is suggesting it's his fault that angel left the tower. left him. valentino's eyes narrow sharply. his hands flex, claws like little pinpricks against angel's thighs.

and then they relax. valentino wants to explode at him, but he deliberately chooses not to. he hasn't put all of this fucking effort into playing nice tonight just to fuck it all up by lashing out. angel would deserve it, don't get him wrong, but valentino's determined to coax angel back to him. maybe it won't happen tonight, maybe it'll take more time, but he'll make it happen one way or another. hopefully, without even having to force his hand.

valentino inhales slowly, deeply, and then exhales. ]

... You could use less here. [ he drags the loofah down the center of angel's chest, across his ribs, down one of his lower arms to his wrist underneath the water. val lets go of the sponge, letting it float and bob to the surface, and ghosts his claws over angel's palm before gently linking their fingers together. ] You know I don't like it when you get... messy.

[ that's not necessarily true; sometimes it's convenient when angel's overindulged. valentino doesn't care, so long as he's benefiting, but there have been a number of times where he's had to be on angel's ass. a number of times where it's actually been dangerous, and valentino's has had to drag his ass somewhere 'safe'. the last thing either of them need is a headline about angel overdosing, even if he'd just come back. it's still bad PR regardless.

but onto the next point. ]

You know... before she started all of that hotel nonsense, we only had to worry about the Extermination once a year. Well - you haven't had to worry about it at all. [ not for a very long time, at least, because valentino has always kept him safe. vee tower has never been directly targeted by the exorcists, and there's probably a reason for that. ] But they came back early this year. And now, you and your little - friends - [ he hesitates to even use that word, biting back a crueler descriptor. ] have killed Heaven's favorite Golden Boy.

[ valentino tuts his tongue quietly, lifting angel's hand out of the water to kiss the back of it. ]

What do you think is going to happen, amorcito? Hmm? I don't think she's stopped the Extermination the way you think she has. If anything, I think she's probably made things worse. For all of us.

[ the verbiage here is careful. valentino makes a point to put the blame on charlie's shoulder's, intentionally avoids grouping angel in with the rest of them, absolving him of any guilt, by association or otherwise.

valentino turns angel's hand over and presses another kiss to his palm, looking at him over the edge of his glasses. he lowers his voice, almost murmuring. ]

I just want you to be safe, mi amor.

[papichulo]

[ surprisingly, angel's offhand comment makes valentino laugh. it's short, and it's quiet, low and mostly under his breath, but he chuckles as he works at polishing one of his rings on his fingers. it's true - half of the meetings valentino gets dragged into are boring as fuck. if he didn't find ways to keep himself entertained - bedazzling his weapons, doodling lewd-but-tasteful sketches in the corners of data sheets he hardly ever reads, taking selfies while vox rattles on about technology or whatever the fuck - he'd probably blow someone's brains out.

more often than not, an email containing a handful of relevant bullet points would accomplish the same thing, and waste less of everyone's time.

idly, valentino watches as angel rummages through the drink cabinet. he assumes he's looking for something to drink, maybe something harder than what's within easy reach, so val's somewhat surprised when he produces a bottle of water. when angel gestures for the cloth, valentino blinks at him once, and then leans to put it in his hand. ]

[harderdaddy]

[In a way it wouldn't have happened without Val, but the same can be said for Angel breaking the rules and leaving the studio to earn that punishment in the first place. Angel tenses, briefly fearful, but Valentino calms himself and leaves the spider feeling guilty for that instinctive fear.

He can see the effort Val's putting in, lets himself believe his primary motivation really is protecting him.]

I know, Val. M'workin' on it...

[And he can't deny he's a little worried himself about what's going to happen. Having a way to fight back instead of hiding every year does feel empowering, but it's possible Heaven will decide to wipe them all out next time...]

They were killin' more of us every year, it was gonna come down to some kinda stand off eventually...

[Right? But his gaze softens, looking up at Val, and those gentle loving kisses.]

You know I can take care a myself when I need to... I want you save too Val, I know you take care of me, but I can look out for you too sometimes if ya let me-

[harderdaddy]

[The laugh makes him grin, clearly what he was aiming for.

Wetting the cloth, Angel silently shifts closer, pushing Val's legs apart to fit in against the seat. He gently takes one of Val's hands from him and starts to wipe it clean with a quiet sort of devotion. He keeps his gaze on his work, reaching for the next hand before finally mumbling-]

You could've died...

[Next to impossible, but the chance was there, Valentino had literally put his life on the line for him, and clearly it's had an affect on Angel.]

[papichulo]

[ there's an argument sitting on the tip of valentino's tongue - the exorcists wouldn't have to ("have to") come down and cull hell's population every year if they simply stopped turning so many people away at their precious little gates for not having lived a picture-perfect life; if charlie were smarter, maybe she could have pitched the idea of a little leniency on the angels' side, instead of an embarrassment of a hotel where sinners have to essentially beg and grovel to be liked and accepted by a bunch of hypocritical assholes - but he says none of this. going back and forth with angel is becoming exhausting. why the fuck anyone would care about clawing their way up to heaven is beyond him.

it should be insulting to him that angel thinks he needs saving from anything, that he needs to be protected. he's a fucking overlord, and he didn't get here by being weak or vulnerable. valentino's not naive enough to believe he's invincible, but he's well aware of his status. rather than take it as a slight against him though, val finds amusement in it instead. it's... cute, almost.

valentino kisses the inside of angel's wrist next, his secondary arms looping around his waist, water sloshing around them gently. he smiles softly, offers a quiet laugh. ]

That's very sweet of you, baby.

[harderdaddy]

[That laugh gets echoed softly, and Angel's upper arms reach up to drape over Val's shoulders, hips giving a small teasing roll against him much like they started earlier in the car.]

I'm supposed to be makin' you feel good right now, Daddy not talking 'bout all this.

[They should be enjoying themselves before the novelty of being soft with each other wears off and they're back to fighting.]

M'sorry I got sidetracked.

[papichulo]

[ valentino spreads his knees easily to make room for angel to settle between them, though he briefly expects this move to be leading toward - something else. when angel takes his hand, val's only briefly disappointed, but it doesn't really linger. he can appreciate other forms of personal attention, too, and angel still looks pretty there on his knees regardless.

valentino's quiet as he watches angel work, feeling no need to fill or break the silence, the low hum of the car's engine and the gentle sound of liquor bottles and crystal glasses clinking against each other the only sound between them. when angel finishes cleaning his first hand and reaches for another, valentino examines his work and presents his next hand.

the sound of angel's voice draws his attention, valentino's gaze shifting to look at him. angel seems... upset, and this surprises him, at least a little bit. when valentino walked into that motel room, he was not concerned about dying. it never even crossed his mind, because he had every intention of making his point and then walking out of there with angel like nothing ever happened. even when he'd kicked that revolver across the floor toward angel, he hadn't feared for anything.

tilting his head, valentino reaches out with a clean hand and slots his fingers under angel's chin. he lifts his head slowly, gently, closing his fingers around the cloth swiping his palm for a moment just to make sure he has angel's attention. ]

And you could have killed me... [ valentino gave him the means to do it for a brief moment in that room. that much has not escaped him. by pointing this out, he's also acknowledging the possibility that he's given angel any reason to want to kill him. valentino is under no delusion that their relationship, whatever it may be, is perfect, but he also doesn't believe that he hasn't been good to angel too.

he lowers his voice a little more, red eyes shifting between angel's, thumb following the edge of his jaw. ] I trust you, Angel. ... Very much.

[ not enough to let him keep that revolver in his hand for more than a few seconds, as valentino had moved fairly quickly to disarm him after he'd done what he'd asked of him and killed he bull, but that's irrelevant.

after a beat, valentino tilts angel's face up a little more and leans down to kiss him, keeping close so his next words are practically murmured against his lips. ]

I love you.

[harderdaddy]

[Confused by his own feelings, Angel doesn't bother to hide the conflicted expression as Val lifts his chin up to meet his gaze. Angel could have killed him. Could have freed himself. There's frustration at himself for not doing it, for not even thinking of it. But he knows he couldn't bring himself to do it even if Val asked him to. He loves Valentino more than he hates him. And as much as he longs for that freedom, he doesn't want it that way. He just wants to be let go. Or does he?

Those three words have always been his weak spot. Maybe because they're not given out too easily, and Angel swallows this one up gratefully, eagerly pushing to return the kiss and show he's worthy of that love.]

I love you too, Daddy. [He echoes easily, though he doesn't parrot back that message of trust.]

[papichulo]

[ valentino hums a low, appreciative note as angel's hips flex, mouth shaping into a satisfied little smirk. he turns his head slightly to press a biting kiss against the inside of angel's arm where it's draped around his shoulder. ]

Apology accepted.

[ like he's not partially to blame as well. valentino's hands drift, palms settling over angel's ass, encouraging another little roll. ]

Why don't you finish your drink and let me take you to bed.

[harderdaddy]

[Angel reaches to grab his drink without unseating himself, taking a long pull from it and continuing that slow roll of his hips with a smirk. The promise of bed reminds him of just how tired he is, but it'll be that much easier to pass out after a good, hard fuck from Val, right?]

Think you can wait that long? [The tease has the slightest hint of bite, given he's almost positive Val denied him his own release but went off and found his.

Angel's don't count on the set, provided they're even allowed. That's work.]

[papichulo]

[ those three words are as genuine as they are weaponized, doled out in quieter moments when things are softer between them, and whispered against his throat like a collar being clasped when valentino feels like angel might be starting to drift too far from him. right now, it's an odd mixture of both. val does love him - even when angel pisses him the fuck off, he still loves him - but he can see the conflict written all over angel's face.

valentino meets angel's eagerness with his own, teasing his tongue at the seam of angel's lips. it is, actually, only a tease though, because he pulls back just a moment or two later. he leaves is hand under angel's chin and uses it to carefully turn his head, and with his other hand, he pries the wet cloth free of angel's grasp.

for a moment, valentino just looks at him, silent as his eyes look him over for the second time tonight. finally, he lifts the handtowel, and lightly, he starts to wipe away some of the blood that's spilled from his head wound. he may have cleared angel's schedule for tomorrow, but he still needs to properly asses the damage done to his most prized possession. ]

... Did they get you anywhere else?

[harderdaddy]

[There's a faint hiss, Angel edging back from the touch before stilling himself again. It's light enough that it doesn't hurt beyond that initial shock.]

Few kicks and slaps mostly. Nothin' serious. Fucked rougher than I woulda liked, and probably messed up this shoulder with the ropes.

[Angel assesses, pausing, holding one piece back, though Val's sure to figure it out.]

[papichulo]

[ val takes the bite in his tone for playful brattiness rather than jealousy - truthfully, he's already mostly forgotten about his quick and dirty rendezvous with vox earlier. which is not to say that it's unimportant or insignificant, but angel has his full attention now, so not much else is on his mind.

he laughs, low and a little dark, and teases back with a grin. ]

I thought we tamed this brat already...

[ without warning, valentino stands and takes angel with him, lifting him up with two hands supporting him under his ass and hoisting him over his shoulder with minimal effort. water goes - pretty much everywhere, splashing a bit over one side of the tub and sloshing around the basin, but valentino doesn't seem to care too much about it. he steps out of the bath onto one of the plush bath mats framing the perimeter, dripping everywhere, and snags a fluffy towel from nearby with one of his free hands. he hands it to angel, and carries him through and out of the bathroom, headed toward where is bed is waiting in the loft. ]

[harderdaddy]

[Angel yelps and laughs, clinging to Val, frustrations quickly forgotten as the Overlord makes him laugh like the old days. Poor Kitty will have quite the time cleaning up after them.

There's a playful struggle, nothing serious- and given their practice with both- it should be obvious. He catches hold of the towel and tries to get some of the worst of the damp from his dripping fur, still giggling at the unexpected kidnapping from the bath.]

Might need a reminder~

it's Lute :D

[absolutest]

[ooc: I am so sorry, this completely slipped my mind. No worries if it has been too long, but I thought I'd come back to it just in case!]

[Angel Dust has been invited to the Heaven Embassy. A small invitation, all looped calligraphy and fancy gilt edges, faintly glowing. It's written as more of a summons than a request, but that's just Lute's way.

Adam doesn't know she's here. She didn't lie to him, nothing so overt as that, she just neglected to mention this side project of hers, because she knows how it would look. How she might be accused of sympathy for Sinners. It's not that, she tells herself. If she saw Angel on Extermination Day she'd stab him without hesitation, because she knows where her loyalties lie and how all this has to work.

It's not Extermination Day, and the Embassy is rarely used for anything else, and it's the best place for a meeting. Lute's not stupid, an angel navigating Hell alone is a giant neon target. Even her. Maybe especially her. She might not have serious concerns for her safety, but it could cause a riot, draw attention, and then she'd have to answer awkward questions about what she was actually doing there.

She does portal down in person. It's news that should be given in person. Lute waits in the conference room, standing, arms folded, wondering if he'll arrive.]

[papichulo]

[ valentino's still as angel flinches away, allowing him to adjust and settle before he touches him again. he slots his hand back under angel's chin, tilting his head down slightly, and then to one side, gently dabbing the damp towel around the open wound. from what he can tell, it's nothing too severe - but it's still more than angel showed up with, which is unacceptable. valentino doesn't feel a shred of remorse for killing every single person in that room.

that brief pause does not go unnoticed, but val lets the silence simmer for a moment as he works, red eyes narrow slits behind his glasses. he turns angel's head back to face him again once he's finished. his brows lift only slightly. ]

And? [ what else? ] Tell me, Angel.