harderdaddy | tfln overflow

harderdaddy

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From:

papichulo

[ the sound of a palm connecting with angel's cheek doesn't seem to faze valentino at all, his gaze never wavering as the scene plays out, though it's rare for him to even blink at any form of scripted brutality; it's the real, authentic shit (or as close as one can get to authenticity in this industry) that sells best, after all. even so, there are limits - if valentino thought they were being pushed, he'd call for a cut and correct the behavior. as it stands, one little slap isn't enough to bruise angel's pretty face, so he lets the cameras continue to roll, watching with a steady gaze.

overall, it's a fairly easy shoot. valentino only calls cut twice, once for an alternative line delivery and once for a boom mic dipping into the frame, but otherwise the whole thing goes surprisingly smoothly. wrapping goes pretty quickly, the studio emptying out perhaps a little faster than usual, the set crew ready and eager to call it a night. valentino dismisses angel and his scene partner before anyone else though, and it's only once everyone's cleared out that he goes to find angel in his dressing room. ]

From:

harderdaddy

[At least the shoot went smoothly. Angel's a frustrated mix of exhausted and horny by the time they're done, and starting to sober up. But he's done for the night...for real this time. He strips down and cleans himself up as best he can. He's still in his robe by the time Valentino let's himself in, sitting at his makeup table and debating whether he should take it off or let Val enjoy the full face.

He flashes a tired smile back at Val through the mirror before he turns his head.]

How'd I do, Daddy?~ M'almost ready, I just gotta get dressed and stuff.

From:

papichulo

[ coming to stand behind him, valentino looks down at angel and lets his primary hands settle on his shoulders. he squeezes gently, thumbs massaging into tense muscle, and offers a small smile of his own down at him. there's practiced fondness tucked into the corners of it, but there's a thread of possessiveness in the shape of it, too. valentino's second pair of hands skim down angel's back and settle near the bottom of his spine, kneading there too. ]

Perfect. As always. [ not "as always", because the number of times valentino's lost his temper on set over angel not performing to whatever ridiculous standard on any given day is probably too high to count, but that's neither here nor there. he practically folds himself in half to lean down, and presses a lingering kiss against angel's cheek, the same one his scene partner had slapped numerous times. when he pulls away, he doesn't straighten up, but stays leaning over angel instead. he looks at him in the mirror, face tucked close to the side of his neck, the fluff circling his neck brushing against angel's jaw. ] Stay like this, baby. If you want.

[ getting dressed seems kind of pointless when valentino has every intention of taking angel back to his room and peeling him out of everything anyway, but if that's what angel wants to do, valentino won't stop him. for once. ]

From:

harderdaddy

[The tension spikes for just a moment at that first touch, but he quickly relaxes into it and breathes a grateful sigh.

His lips curl at the compliment, drinking them in while Val's still in the mood to hand them out. Watching them in the mirror they like different people...happy. Angel nuzzles into that fluff and turns his head finally to press a matching kiss to Val's with a smile, eyes still trained on their reflections.]

Love you, Val.

[He nods faintly and pulls his robe a little tighter. It's not the first time he's made the trip like this. Hell, he's plastered naked all round this tower, there's not much reason to be bashful about it.

He sets his phone on the vanity, hoping Val will read it as not wanting to be disturbed while they're alone tonight, but mostly he doesn't want Val snooping.]

I can't wait to feel those sheets again.

From:

papichulo

[ valentino does not say it back. it's not as if he's never returned the sentiment - he's told angel he loves him more times than he can count, but these days, more often than not, those three little words come as a soothing balm to hard blows, verbal or otherwise. that's not to say that he's never murmured them in quieter moments, or that he doesn't find time to remind angel that he loves him when he's in one of his better moods - but valentino deliberately withholds the sentiment for now.

he communicates it in other ways, though. valentino smiles at angel's reflection, moving his hands from where they're massaging his shoulders so he can cross his dominant arms over angel's chest instead, holding him tight and close, lips finding his cheek, his jaw. he doesn't miss the way angel sets his phone aside, bright red eyes following the movement of his hand, curious. suspicious. but he doesn't say anything about it, his eyes finding angel's in the mirror again. if he wants to convince angel that living in the tower was in his best interest, then he needs to keep control of his temper, at least for now.

valentino meets angel's gaze in the mirror again, and he stands to his full height, letting his fingers skim up angel's chest as he straightens. he offers one of his hands, gold rings glinting under the soft vanity lights. ]

Then let's not waste any more time, amorcito. Come on.

From:

harderdaddy

[It's stopped hurting quite so much when he doesn't hear it. At least that's what he tells himself. He doesn't volunteer it quite so often these days either if he's being fair, and Angel's mind manages to twist his hurt round on himself without Val even needing to say a word.

The possessive hold is nicer in moments like this, when it doesn't feel entirely designed to show Angel who he belongs to, and he smiles taking the offered hand and rising once he's released. His other hands try to readjust the robe again as they step out of his dressing room, and he finds himself glad there's not too many people around at this hour to see him heading up instead of out. He tries to bury that shame, the one that feels remarkably similar to what he feels each and every time he relapses after trying to quit for any amount of time.]

From:

papichulo

[ on the other hand, valentino feels no shame in leading angel to his penthouse. their relationship, as loosely defined as it is, is hardly a secret, at least not among those employed by the vees, and valentino would just - rip anyone apart who had anything critical or less-than-positive to say about it anyway.

that being said - it is relatively quiet at this hour. mostly everyone has wrapped up and gone home, and any stragglers are smart enough to make a point of ignoring angel and valentino alltogether, like the two of them are ghosts. valentino opens his hand a little around angel's, but only so he can slot their fingers together, giving his hand a light squeeze as he leads him along. fortunately, the trek from the studio to the penthouse isn't terrible, and it's not long before he's letting angel inside, holding the door open with two hands and ushering him past the threshhold.

with the doors closed and locked behind them, valentino turns angel around to face him. he slides a hand under his chin, lifts his head carefully. his thumb strokes across his smarted cheek, head tilting slightly like he's checking for any lasting marks that won't be gone by morning. he seems satisfied enough. ]

You did well, baby. [ valentino's hand drifts from under angel's jaw, ghosting down the column of his throat. two of his fingers slide underneath the collar of his robe, following the hem down where it crosses over his chest. ] Why don't you take a hot bath, hmm?

From:

harderdaddy

[It's been a while since he's been in this space, but it still feels familiar. Like home if not entirely safe.

He lifts his head and watches as Val examines his so gently, that guilt rising again for whatever doubts have been bubbling away in his mind.

His fingers release the hold on his robe, and he smiles softly before nodding, shoulders loosening up at the thought.]

You wanna join me, Daddy?

From:

papichulo

[ outside of valentino's temper, the penthouse is safe. it's one of the safest places angel could be, all things considered. in the years that valentino's known him, the annual threat of extermination has never touched angel here in the tower, and valentino has always provided him with everything he could possibly need. here, with valentino, he's untouchable, unless valentino says otherwise.

running the back of his knuckles down the center of angel's chest, valentino smiles at him quietly, his other hands working at sliding a set of gold cuffs off of his own wrists. ]

If you'd like me to. [ of course he wants to join him, but presenting angel with the option to bathe and relax alone is calculated. it's supposed to make him feel like he has a choice, like he has freedom - and he does. have a choice, at least, and for once, it doesn't seem like there's a wrong answer, no looming threat.

valentino steps around angel, and he hands off some of his jewelry to kitty, who seems to appear out of nowhere before zipping off again. he turns then, hands beginning to roll down his sleeves, fingers unbuttoning the cuffs. ] Do you want a drink? I'll bring it to you.

From:

harderdaddy

[That much is true. Nothing's ever got to him here except for Val himself. He has always held true to that aspect of their contract, the fame, the protection...none of those are a lie. As far as Hell goes it's a pretty good deal. Not a lot of people down here keep their word like that.

Gaze following the path of that one hand, Angel smiles easily when presented with a choice. All these years and he's still easy to play with that illusion sprinkled in now and then. He nods with an almost shy expression, as if Valentino hasn't just watched him be railed on set for the last however long.]

'Course I do.

[He's no longer surprised by Kitty, the appearance making him grin fondly as he starts off towards the bathroom, glancing back at the offer.]

Mmm, surprise me?~

[There's a playful tone and a wink, before Angel disappears to get the bath started.]

From:

papichulo

[ that playfulness earns angel a low, quiet laugh from valentino, and he waves him off with a lazy gesture of one hand, his others beginning to work at the buttons down the front of his shirt. he only turns away once angel's up the spiral staircase and out of his line of sight.

alone, valentino finishes unbuttoning his shirt, but leaves it on and open for now. he summons kitty again, instructing the fizzbot to pour him two drinks - two martinis, specifically, one with an olive garnish, and one with a lemon twist, and then heads up the stairs himself, though he doesn't join angel in the bathroom right away. instead, he removes a couple more rings and another bracelet and sets them neatly on top of the vanity in his loft of a bedroom, and sends off a quick text. kitty meets him upstairs only a minute or two later, silver tray in hand, and valentino plucks both of the drinks from it before sending her off.

by the time he joins angel in the bathroom, enough time has passed for angel to have filled the large, elevated tub in the center of the room, and littered the water with whatever soaps and bath salts he pleases (because valentino is, unsurprisingly, the kind of person to have an obnoxious amount of soaps and salts and sprays and lotions). he sets the glass with the olives in it down on the wide marble edge of the tub and uses the same hand to touch angel under the chin, and then leaves him to sit on a plush stool in front of the nearby vanity, where he sets his own glass down. ]

You look comfortable, [ he says, his voice low as he bends and reaches down toward one of his ankles to unzip his boot. he slides it off and sets it aside, then moves over to the other one, his eyes on angel the entire time. when his shoes are off, he straightens up and peels himself out of his dress shirt, left in only his white slacks, a gold chain at his throat, and the more delicate chain strung between both of his pierced nipples.

he picks up his drink, stands, and wanders over, looming over angel, but making no move yet to finish undressing, or to join him. when he speaks again, his tone is... apologetic, maybe a touch overdone. practiced empathy, mixed with something else. ] I'm sorry to have kept you up so late. I'd have found someone else if I thought anyone could do it better.

[ realistically, there are a handful of lesser-known stars who probably could have pulled off such an easy scene with some effort, but that's not the point. ]

From:

harderdaddy

[Fuck he's missed this bath. A sweet strawberry scent wafts from the water, always his favourite of Val's array of options, and there's a few bubbles to help conceal his feet. He lets himself relax in the warm embrace, eyes closed until he hears the sound of Val's heel's approaching.

He hums gratefully, sitting up to take a sip of that drink. Setting it down again he folds his top set of arms on the edge of the tub and rests his cheek atop them to watch Val.]

I am~ [There an easy smile, one that grows a little more leering as Valentino strips more away, and he shifts, lifting his chin as the moth looms over him.]

It's fine, Val. Really. I was just...bein' a brat. An' you've made up for it real nice. You gonna let me make up for what I said? [He arches a brow in invitation, nodding towards the water.] You promised if I was good...

From:

papichulo

[ he did promise. he's made a number of promises over the past couple hours, actually, all of which he intends to fulfill - he hasn't forgotten about allowing angel to delete those photos of - but this one seems the most beneficial to the both of them at the moment.

valentino takes angel's face in one hand, tilting his head up as he leans down to kiss him, his tongue snaking into his mouth while his two remaining hands work his pants open and off; unsurprisingly, there are no underwear to be shed. when he breaks away, he leaves another kiss at the corner of angel's mouth, still leaned in close. ] I did, didn't I? And you were such a good boy...

[ his teeth flash as he smiles, and he takes a sip from his glass before straightening up and stepping over the marbled edge and into the bath. he sinks down into the hot water with a sigh, his back resting against the slanted side of the tub, and spreads his upper arms out along the edge, drink set aside. ]

From:

harderdaddy

[The photos are all but forgotten at this point, between the sweet words, pleasure and that high he's starting to miss.

Which makes him all the more eager for that kiss, lips easily parting, wanting more of that poison in his system. His eyes strain to catch a peek, and he gives a pleased groan at the sight of him. He puts on his best wide eyed innocent look and nods, some how managing to look sultry while doing it.]

I had a good incentive~

[Val seems in a good enough mood to be playful like this. Of course he should be good because Val fucking says so, and they both know it.

He waits until Val's settled to shift over to him, fingers lighting on that pretty chain delicately as he stole another kiss, and then let himself settle comfortably for a moment so the both of them could enjoy the warmth.]

...I missed this.

From:

papichulo

[ hidden under the water, one of valentino's lower hands skims behind angel's back and settles at his waist, pulling him in closer to his side. he drags his claws lightly against his hip, up and down in lazy strokes, sharp, but not enough to hurt. enough to tease, enough to tickle, maybe, but that's it. he takes another sip of his drink, and then sets it aside again with a soft tink of glass on marble.

valentino lets angel's confession sit in the air between them for a few long moments, fingers tracing X's on his hip, and then, like he did in the car, he encourages angel to move into his lap with a subtle nudge of his hand. ]

You could have this all the time. [ it's murmured, no need for anything louder in the minimal space between them. valentino pets a hand down angel's chest, fingers wetting down his fluff a little. his eyes flicker up, catching angel's. ] ... You did before.

[ before angel left. before he moved out and started holing up in that shitty hotel. before he decided that everything he could ever want wasn't actually enough. ]

From:

harderdaddy

[Each little brush of those claws is a show of how gentle Val can be when he wants to. He could tear him to pieces if he wants. Has a few rare times, though that's usually reserved for less consequential people when he's in a rage.

Shifting and settling over Val's lap without a word exchanged between the two, he thinks he might know Val better than most anyone except for possibly the other Vees.

There's a conflicted look, and the words die on his tongue before he can get them out - they didn't. Even then. The good moments didn't make up for the terrible ones, and he tries to remind himself.]

...we'd fight. [He offers finally, opting for a phrasing that gave himself at least half the blame.] I don't like fightin' with you, Val...

From:

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.

From:

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-

From:

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?

From:

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.

From:

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.

From:

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-

From:

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.

From:

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.

From:

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.