#hellmxses

[poisonedspider]

Random Starter for @hellmxses based on Christmas gift from ninety years ago.

Angel hated the Vees. Angel hated the Vees. Oh and should he mention...he hated the Vees? Now that he had had somewhat of his own personality transformation, it was weird to think that he had been just like them to a degree. There were definitely still traits, that was a given. He was still in Hell for a fucking reason. There was awful, and then there was awful.

But Velvette, well, she had always been the most tolerable one. Key word being tolerable, because she was just as rotten as the other two in her own ways. That had really been solidified with her and Vox's stint at the hotel. Yet there were good things about Velvette, like that he could totally have a 'girl's day' with her and not want to rip her head off like the doll she was. Usually.

It had been why gifting her a spa day for Sinsmas had seemed like a no brainer (even more so when it was being put on Valentino's card). He really deserved it, putting up with the lot of them. It had felt like decades since he had left that tower, and even just the not-so-fresh decaying air of Pentagram City was a major relief. As long as he didn't run into anyone from the hotel. Fortunately, unlike himself, the Vees had money. Less likely to run into someone if one was in a limo rather than walking down the street.

"What yeh' thinkin' f' today, babes? Definitely need t' get my nails done." He's looking down at one of his ungloved hands as he says this, one of his other holding his phone and scrolling through all the options the spa offered. "Maybe a massage. Mud mask could be good too. Annoyin' wit' the fur, but."

[luvsxcks-archived]

@hellmxses ♡

“No, you're right. This time I'm talking about their standards. But if you'd really rather hang down here with us, I'm more than cool with that.” She has no interest in it for herself. The only reason she came was for two people who were now gone. Maybe if they saw something in going to heaven, she could too. Sitting here by herself, it feels more like a front than ever.

“Quit apologizin'. You're fine. I just need you to hold on for a bit. Okay? Be right back on the line.” Whilst she had Angel on hold, she tapped through the delivery app as quickly as she could. To avoid the other changing his mind or getting too into his own head to where he hung up. She couldn't stand the idea of not getting another proper goodbye.

“Still here, babe?” Cherri would inquire as soon as she submitted the order. “I got your favorite sandwich comin' to you from that place you like. It should be there soon. Is there anything else you need?”

[luvsxcks-archived]

@hellmxses ♡

“If there isn't a chance, this redemption thing is just as much of a load of shit as I thought it was.” She draws her knees to her chest. They've been here before. The pain should have converted to numbness by now. All the same, it hurts to hear him like this. Like he's given up. She wonders if this was his Overlord's goal the entire time. Decides she doesn't like the answer she's conjured.

Moments like these, it's best to drop it. Angel is back on damage control. Trying not to worry her, to comfort her even though he's in a dire situation. It's far from a surprise, but it's frustrating. So she throws the tidbit to the side. There will be a chance to tell him later. Otherwise she's fairly sure she'll end up on a rampage ending with all of Hell collapsing to nothing but a burnt heap.

“Do you want me to send you something? How much time do you think you have until he's back?” Cherri can't even say his name right now. All it'll do is remind her how badly she craves seeing that moth devoured by flames. She dreads his return. It would mean Angel disappears again. Already, the same knot forms in her heart, and she's tempted to just get the pain over with.

Still, she remains on the line. There is no other option.

[luvsxcks-archived]

@hellmxses ♡

It stings when he doesn't say it back. She understands – she always does. But that sinking feeling gnaws at her again. Will she ever hear him say it again? When this is over, will she get to hold him until the storm passes? Will they brave it together as always, or is this going to end like this forever? Or is it that he doesn't love her anymore? Is this a goodbye?

Cherri knows it's stupid the moment the thought crosses her mind. It's Angel, not her shitty boyfriend she had to die with. He wasn't like that. She's known him for half her full life.

“Because you're stressin'. I get it. You had a rough couple days. The last time I saw you, you were cryin', and it sounds like you're gonna start again. Knowing you, you haven't eaten either. You need rest and a fat plate of spaghetti, or whatever you Italians eat these days.” She shrugs to herself. “But I know it's not that easy, not now. You gotta be on your feet with that . . . you get it. Been there, done that. Both of us have. Just don't beat yourself up for two seconds, hm? You're a great person, Ange. Just in a shit situation. Not your fault. Thought you'd be the first one redeemed, if we're being honest.” It scared me. Then I'd be alone again.

[luvsxcks-archived]

@hellmxses ♡

He doesn't say it. He doesn't have to. She already knows. Whatever inkling of calm Angel is experiencing is temporary. The difference is that usually she's there when shit inevitably hits the fan. Not in the room ( she never had to be ) but waiting in the wings for him. It didn't matter if it was her dingy apartment or the hotel, he'd fling her door open and she'd be there. To rant at, to let him sleep, to help him forget. On his worst days, she'd patch him up or help him in the bath and swear to herself she would put an angelic weapon in that moth one day.

Now, he was swept in the storm. Angel could handle himself –– she'd seen him do it. He was enough of a rock for both of them during a turf war. Every hit he could take, he would, and he'd bounce right back. But she wanted to be there, at least for a little while. She didn't like the spiral her mind would go down when he was gone like this. Despite it all, she'd trust him. Both because she had no choice and it came as easy as breathing.

“Okay, okay.” Cherri nods, even though he can't see her. Since when did she become such a mother hen anyway? It wasn't her. That was Angel's job, if their time at Consent was anything to go by. And she's fumbling again, disappearing down the dark hallway she feels her mind has become. She hasn't even addressed the issue at hand. This could end poorly, but it's a risk she needs to take. She needs to close the gap emotionally, even if she can't do it physically. She needs him to know.

“I don't blame you. For stranglin' me. You know that, right?”

[damnedrainbows]

“Uhhhh….. well this is awkward.” It was Vox’s first time seeing the spider since it had all went down. “Guess Itsy Bitsy is crawling back up the web.” He sipped awkwardly at a mug of coffee. He supposed with him here Angel would have no use to be at the Vee’s Tower. “So uh…you here permanently or what?”

@hellmxses

[damnedrainbows]

“What’s it even matter where I am, Vel?” Vox wasn’t looking at his (former?) business partner, every part of him knowing if he did it would just make pushing her away that much harder. “You and Val have been ignoring me since it all happened. You can’t convince me if I come back, we got anything left to build. I know I ruined everything.”

@hellmxses

[luvsxcks-archived]

@hellmxses ♡

Cherri keeps a hand on Nugget's head, stroking it in that reassuring way she's done so many times. It's tempting not to give him an answer. He wasn't telling her anything, and he was obviously in pain about something. Why else would he have called her in the first place? But not answering would only worry him more. Worse, it would likely shove him further into Valentino's arms. This is a tightrope the cyclops is familiar with walking. It's almost like a sidewalk nowadays.

“I guess? You've seen me when I'm fuckin' down, Ange. You know me.” She laughs bitterly. “Nugs is here, actually. Wonder if he knows who I'm talkin' to.” He's wriggling now, but still in her lap. That's good – she tries to keep him off the bar, though Husk is minding less and less nowadays. It's comforting, Angel having a love interest she doesn't have to worry about. One that she was friendly with on her end as well. “Husk has mostly been takin' care of him. He's better at this nurturing shit than I am. Real softie, he's beco –– touch me again, motherfucker.” Cherri laughs at the swift tap she's given from across the bar.

“Seriously, though. Are you actually doin' okay? I can move somewhere more private if you'd rather me do it there.” As if to demonstrate her point, she brings her phone and the hell-pig to the chaise lounge in front of the television. Fuck, she needs to remember to put a bomb in that thing later.

“Talk to me, hon. It'll keep me from worryin' so goddamn much.”