Chapter Text
Waste my time
Pretending it's fine
I'll give you my soul to keep
Take my heart to tear it apart
And bury me six feet deep - margø
Ten Years Ago
He wanted to die. Again.
Anything had to be better than this.
The pain his body was in was bad enough. The stomach cramps and the headache were near constant companions. He couldn't keep anything down anymore, and the other drugs weren't helping. Nothing eased that feeling lurking under his skin. The knowledge that he had destroyed the source only fueled his spiral downward.
Val was gone. That meant his venom was too. Angel knew it still existed on the street. Love Potion wasn't some rare or difficult to find drug. News of Valentino's demise has gotten around by now though and demons were charging more for it. Angel didn't care who he had to fuck or kill to get some but if he didn't get some soon he was certainly going to start killing.
The itch underneath his skin could only be satisfied with Val's venom. Nothing else could manage to make it go away. Every time he realized he'd done this to himself he cried again. He'd killed the source of his addiction with no thought for what might happen to him. Stupidly he hadn't realized just how deep his need for the venom went. He hadn't gone this long without it since the first time Val had bitten him.
He was just as pathetic now as he had been when he'd died. He was weak, he knew he was. He hated that he was so fucking pitiful.
Cherri had taken Nuggs yesterday. She said she was helping so Angel didn't have to watch the pig while he was sick. He knew the truth though. Nuggs didn't deserve to be at the receiving end of his mood swings anymore than Cherri did. He didn't blame her for not wanting to watch him fall apart slowly.
He should have been dealing with Vox, not fucking detoxing from Val. He couldn't possibly be more vulnerable than he was right now. If Vox figured out where he was, he was double dead.
He was currently laying on the mattress, curled into a ball. His stomach was killing him. It was possible it would hurt less if he just ripped the fucking thing out. It's not like that would permanently kill him. Maybe dying for a while and having to revive would be better than the pain he was going through now.
He lifted his lids as he heard the door open. Rocky was back. Angel tried to sit up by himself but his body was too weak and uncooperative. Rocky hurried over and helped him get upright, leaning him against the wall for support.
“D-did ya g-get it?”
“Yeah, here.”
The demon opened the bottle and handed it to Angel who downed the whole thing. Rocky made a noise of surprise but Angel ignored him. He didn't fucking care if that meant he'd have to get more soon. Tears leaked down his face because he knew he couldn't control this craving.
It didn't take long for that floating feeling to hit him. He sighed in relief, relaxing into Rocky's arms as he felt the diluted venom hit his system. His pain was gone within minutes, like it had never been there.
“Better, Angel?”
“Mmm.”
He laid against the other demon for a while as his body stopped shivering and relaxed completely. Rocky was thankfully quiet the entire time. He'd learned quickly how volatile Angel could get when he had really started feeling sick. The spider was ashamed of his behavior over the last few days but he found it difficult to care at the moment.
The only thing he cared about was that he no longer felt like he was dying. He knew it couldn't have really killed him but it sure had felt like his insides were dying. He was in trouble if he couldn't get Vox to agree to work with him. Vox and Velvette likely could help him find Love Potion much more easily than he could all alone. Velvette had made the fucking shit. It was possible they had stores of it.
Angel silently cried into the large demon's chest. He couldn't stop himself. The high from the Love Potion wasn't the same as the way it had felt when Val had pumped it directly into his system. As much as he had hated how addicted he was to Val, he couldn't stop the feelings he had now. Couldn't stop wishing that he hadn't killed his only source of the venom.
He fell asleep, exhausted after his many sleepless nights. When he woke again he didn't feel high anymore but he didn't feel sick either, thank fuck. Rocky had fallen asleep too, moving them so they were laying on the mattress. Angel extracted himself from the demon and stumbled his way into the bathroom.
He stripped as he ran the water as hot as he could in the shower. He shivered as he sat underneath the hot water, letting it run over his whole body. He lacked soap to really wash the last several days worth of sweat off of himself but the scorching water felt amazing. It was almost as good as the caress of a lover. Almost.
That was something else he couldn't seem to get out of his head. He'd spent too long being fucked on a daily basis and no one had touched him all week. Not in that way. Rocky had offered but Angel refused to fuck someone he fucking owned. He refused to be Valentino.
Still, he could feel the tension in his body from the lack of release. Truthfully, he knew it was more than just a simple orgasm. It was how fucking good he felt afterwards. He didn't know the mechanics of the whole thing, not really, but he knew sex was an addiction for him the same as the drugs were. He needed it. Needed to feel good.
Every time he realized he'd never feel Val like that again, he felt a little bit more empty. He hated that feeling. Hated himself for craving the moth's touch. What kind of fucking loser was he?
Eventually he ran out of hot water and climbed back out of the tub. He threw a pair of shorts and a hoodie on over his wet fur before texting Cherri. He let her know he was feeling better. It was too early in the morning for her to be awake but that was just as well. He was pretty sure she deserved a break from him. He'd been… difficult the last few days.
He threw his invisibility over himself and slipped from the apartment quietly. Ever since he'd discovered his ability to climb like a spider, he'd spent a lot of time on the roof. He always made sure to disappear before he went outside but the roof was his new favorite place. He laid on his back, staring up at the red sky, the pentagram high above him.
He lit a joint, smoking it as he thought about his options. He would have to send Rocky out for more Love Potion today. He couldn't risk running out again. It was too dangerous for him to get sick like that again. He would live without all the other drugs he loved so much but the venom was a serious problem. If he'd only realized how sick he would get without it, he might have planned a little more carefully.
Maybe not though. He hadn't even expected to live through the murder of Val. He'd fully expected the moth to win. Valentino had always seemed so strong when he'd owned Angel. The truth of the matter was that he hadn't been all the strong. It hadn't been that difficult to kill him. Not when Val hadn't seen Angel as any kind of a threat.
He could still see the look of betrayal on the demon's face when Angel stabbed him. He'd actually looked… sad. Angel's eyes teared up again. He was a horrible person. Killing someone who loved him. Who did that? Only someone as awful as he was. Whoever decides where souls went after death had made the right choice sending him here.
In life he'd only hurt others. Why would his death be any different?
He wiped the tears away and forced his thoughts back to Vox. He had to move quickly. The longer he waited, the more dire his situation would become. The more chances Vox would have to kill him. Vox might be powerful but so was Angel now.
He might not fully understand all his powers yet but he'd figure them out. He didn't have a choice.
What did he know about the TV demon? He liked sex, violence, power, and the authority that being the leader of the Vees gave him. He was always watching everyone, learning everything he needed to know to control them.
How could he use that to his advantage? What would someone like Vox respond to? He was likely most concerned about the loss of power Valentino's death brought to them. The Vees were only so powerful because they worked together. Angel wasn't willing to put himself under Vox’s authority the same way Velvette and Val did. Maybe there was a way for him to offer the demon power without that?
He grimaced as he realized what he needed to do. He wasn't entirely sure Vox would respond to him in that way but it was Angel's greatest advantage. He'd fucked plenty of people he didn't like, what was one more?
Of course, he had to make sure the demon didn't try to kill him first. He had some ideas about how to accomplish that but he had to be willing and ready to kill Vox if his plan failed. He was a double dead demon if this didn't work.
~~~~~
The following night he was ready to put his plan into action. The first part was a fairly simple affair. Sneaking into Vee Tower was incredibly simple when you could stick to walls and you were invisible.
It was mentally exhausting to ensure he did nothing at all to give himself away but physically it was easy. He just had to be careful not to open doors himself and not to accidentally run into anyone or anything.
He learned quite a bit while following Vox’s staff around for hours. He caught sight of the overlord several times but he steered far away from him whenever possible. He had no desire to be that close to the demon all day. Following Vox around was a sure way to get caught.
Eventually it became late enough that the building started to empty out. Angel had learned the location of Vox’s private quarters hours ago. He had never been in them when Val was alive. The TV demon hadn't allowed Val to bring Angel there, no matter how many times the moth threw a fit about it. Angel honestly didn't blame Vox.
He began to worry that he would have to come back another night when Velvette showed up, banging on Vox's door. Angel carefully and quietly slipped in with her. He almost gave himself away when the door scraped his ankle but neither overlord seemed to notice.
Vox had removed his hat and coat, and rolled his sleeves up. Angel wasn't sure he'd personally ever seen the demon so… relaxed. He was always fully dressed and TV ready during the daytime. He padded back to his living room, sitting back in front of his television.
“To what do I owe this visit, Velvette?”
“Cut the shit, Vox. You know why I'm here.” She stood next to him, her arms crossed in annoyance.
“Ah, yes.” His screen darkened as lines of red ran from his mouth. “So your pleas can fall on deaf ears.”
“Christ, you big fucking baby. So Val is dead, maybe he shouldn't have been such a fucking idiot. Are you really surprised that whore killed him?”
Vox smiled at her but it held no warmth, only the promise of violence. “Velvette. Shut the fuck up.”
“I heard he has Val's souls now? Is that truly how it works?”
Vox narrowed his eyes at her. “Where did you hear that?”
“Fuck off. It doesn't matter where I heard it. Is it fucking true?”
Vox looked back at his TV. It began flipping through channels and Angel realized they were different views of the city. Was Vox looking for him?
“Yes, it's true. Which is why we need to kill him before he figures out how powerful he is.”
“Why kill him though?”
“Excuse me,” Vox laughed shortly. “I don't think I heard you.”
Velvette flopped onto the couch next to him. She touched her phone and it was almost like she grabbed something off of it, throwing it up into the air.
“Have you seen what they're saying,” she asked as little holographic screens popped up all over. “No one is sad Valentino is gone. They're all excited Angel Dust killed him. They want to know where he is. They want to work for fucking Angel Dust.”
Angel looked at the articles and comments Velvette had produced in mid air. He felt a surreal sense of disbelief as he scanned them quickly. She wasn't lying. Demons were waiting for him to surface. They supported his brutal murder of the douchebag moth. He wouldn't have been able to speak even if he was trying to. He was in utter shock.
“I don't give a fuck what they want,” Vox calmly explained. “I want him dead. We cannot let this go unanswered.”
The pictures all disappeared as Velvette put her phone away. “I'm not saying it should. I'm saying the answer doesn't have to be Angel's death. Why not bring him in? Work with him?”
“Are you fucking serious, Velvette?”
She scoffed as she stood up. “I loved him too, you asshole, but he's gone. Killing Angel won't bring him back, you idiot. But it could turn a lot of them against us. Is your power strong enough to overcome that? Do you want to test that when we could just give them what they want?”
Vox didn't respond to her. His fists were curled into balls and he stared at the TV, obvious fury on his face. Velvette just shook her head and left without another word. Vox didn't move for several minutes. When he finally did it was only to fetch a bottle and a glass.
Angel quietly watched him drink most of the bottle as he continued flipping through camera after camera, searching for the demon in his living room. Angel might have found it amusing if he didn't feel so bad for Vox. It was his fault the demon was mourning the death of his lover. Angel was only going to make things worse but there was no way around it. If he didn't confront Vox and convince him then he would never stop.
Eventually Vox turned the TV off and retreated to his bedroom. Angel silently crept after him. He didn't look away as the demon undressed. He had to admit the demon was well built underneath his suit. He still didn't really feel any attraction to him. Angel wasn't entirely sure if the lack of attraction had anything to do with his form though. It stemmed more from his personality and the way he'd always treated Angel like a nuisance of a whore.
Vox, clad only in boxers, climbed into bed. It didn't take long for his screen to go completely dark and the demon soon began snoring. Luckily, with his new senses, Angel could see perfectly fine in the dark room. He carefully slid the Angelic blade from his boot before creeping over to Vox's bedside.
This was going to be tricky.
He leapt on top of the demon, using his lower arms to hold Vox’s wrists down as he pressed the blade into his throat. Vox’s screen lit up instantly, blinding Angel for a moment. He didn't relent on his hold though. His face was inches from the overlord’s.
“Don't move unless ya want me ta slit ya throat with tha same Angelic blade I used on Val.”
Vox smiled at him. Angel noticed his eye change suddenly as he attempted to use his hypnosis against the spider. He'd known the demon was likely to attempt that. He pressed the blade deeper as he averted his gaze. He felt it break skin as his chest rattled.
“I will fuckin kill ya, Vox. Don't test me. I know ya fuckin tricks.”
He could feel Vox swallow against the blade. He didn't say anything. Angel peeked back at him quickly and sat up some when he saw that Vox was no longer trying to use his power. He wasn't stupid enough to believe the demon was helpless under him but he wasn't trying to kill Angel, yet.
“What now, Angel?” He sounded bored but Angel wasn't fooled. He knew Vox was on the verge of violence. What now? Now he needed to redirect the demon's energy to something less… deadly.
“Now, we talk.”
Vox laughed. “What could you possibly have to say that's worth listening to?”
Angel didn't answer right away. He was silently praying to anyone who would listen that this had any fucking chance of working.
“I think you'll find my mouth is capable a many things ya’d enjoy.” He slid his pelvis a bit lower so he was on top of Vox’s crotch.
The demon's face was clearly shocked for a moment. Then he laughed again. “This is your plan?”
Angel smiled sweetly at him. “I don't have many options here, Vox. You’n I can kill each other, sure. Where's that goin ta get us though? Val will still be gone. Ain't no undoin what I did.” Angel leaned down again, grinding himself into the demon. “There's a way forward.”
The demon's body flexed with tension at the contact. He took a moment to answer, and it sounded strained when he did. “And what, exactly, is that?”
“Aren't ya lonely without Val? Don't ya miss his touch?” Angel crooned as he laid his free palm against Vox’s chest, sliding it against the demon's naked skin. He could feel Vox's response to it. He definitely wasn't entirely opposed to the idea. Not if his cock was anything to go by. “You've seen what I'm capable of,” he whispered as he leaned closer. “Ya know how good I can make ya feel.”
Vox’s gaze lost the hard edges it sported moments ago. His eyes fell on Angel's mouth. Angel took that as permission, pressing his mouth to the TV’s. The response from Vox was instant and aggressive. He was stronger than he looked and he caught Angel off guard.
Before he knew it Vox had him on his back, the discarded blade forgotten. He gasped as Vox's hands and mouth were on him. It felt so fucking good to have someone touching him again. His body responded readily to the demon's rough touches.
Vox lifted his head, his hand grabbing Angel's chin roughly. “You'd be mine?”
Angel stared at him with wide eyes. “What?”
Vox pushed his hard cock into Angel. “Right now I'm willing to fuck you or kill you, Angel. Either one would bring me great pleasure.” He grinned at Angel’s expression. “Are you mine or are you a dead man?”
There was no choice here. He didn't want to die. He was as willing as ever to do what it took to survive. At least Vox wouldn't force him to fuck anyone else.
“I'm yours,” Angel agreed.
The look of triumph on the demon's face was something Angel would never forget. He closed his eyes as Vox returned to his aggressive ministrations. He could see Val's intense gaze when he shut them so he popped them back open again. He moaned at the feeling of Vox's hands touching him so intimately. He'd needed this, wanted this.
Vox made short work of removing Angel's top, heedless of the fact that he ripped the spider’s shirt when removing it. Their naked flesh touching only emboldened the demon further. He gripped Angel's hip, his claws digging in. One popped through Angel’s skin.
Suddenly Angel wasn't with Vox. It was Valentino's rough touches he was feeling. He could smell the moth. Hear his voice.
“You know you love it, Amorcito.”
He cried out in fear and shoved the demon away from him. “Stop!”
Vox didn't fight him. He let Angel push him away. Angel's breaths were coming too fast, tears streamed down his face. He looked up at Vox in horror. What was happening?
Vox looked as confused as Angel felt.
“I-I don't… I'm sorry.”
Vox studied his face before he spoke. “You should leave.”
“No! I meant it, I want-”
Vox grabbed his hand and pulled Angel towards him. “And I meant it when I said I would accept the deal. You're mine, Angel. I know what Val did to you. I'll give you the time you need but you should go right now.” Vox released him and stood from the bed. His arousal was still evident. “I have something to take care of. Come back tomorrow and we'll talk details.”
He left the room without another word. Angel collected his blade and his shirt and made a quick escape from the Tower. He waited until he made it all the way back to his little shit hole before he let himself completely fall apart.