Chapter Text
“Husk?” Angel asked one night as he and his boyfriend cuddled in bed.
“Yeah, kid?” Husk replied.
“Ya remember when I showed you guys one of my movies and you said it ‘wasn’t a very convincing interrogation’?” Angel asked, apprehension clear in his voice.
“Yeah?” Husk tilted his head. Where was this going?
“Would…would you show me a more convincing one?” Angel asked, sounding uncharacteristically bashful.
Oh.
“Like, as a roleplay?” Husk asked even though the answer was obvious. Angel snorted in amusement.
“No,” the spider joked. “Just kidnap me.”
Husk rolled his eyes affectionately.
“Tell me what you want,” he instructed.
A blindfold kept Angel from knowing where he was, a gag kept him quiet, ropes around his wrists and ankles kept him tethered to a chair. A clicker held in a lower hand gave him an out if he needed to pause or stop. His heart was beating fast with both fear and eagerness. This would likely be the best or worst sex he and Husk had ever had.
“Ready, kid?” Husk’s voice came through the room. Angel nodded, though he wasn’t sure if that was the right word. He may not be ready, but he was certainly willing .
“Alright,” Husk continued. “In character from now on, use the clicker if you need to stop?”
Angel nodded his consent, and then shifted into character. He tugged uselessly at his bonds, making it look like he was putting up a real struggle. He heard Husk chuckle darkly.
“You’re not going anywhere, sweetheart,” he said, and Angel straightened. He was able to gauge people’s locations from their sounds usually, but Husk was good at both projecting his voice and silencing his footsteps. He sounded far away but–a paw settled on his face. Oh. “Let me tell you how things are going to go,” he said, a commanding tone in his voice that sent chills down Angel’s spine. “I’m going to take the gag offa you and ask some questions. You aren’t going to speak except to answer them. If you mouth off or refuse to answer anything, I have other plans .” Husk straddled Angel’s lap, making said plans quite clear. “Your choice.”
And then he kissed him over the gag. A small whimper escaped Angel despite his efforts to remain in character. He tried to lean away, only to be stopped by the back of the chair. Husk chuckled and cupped his face again.
“What did I say, darling? You’re not going anywhere.”
A small sound of pleasure escaped Angel, but he disguised it as fear. Husk took the gag off the spider, sliding off his lap.
“Capiche?” the cat demon asked, a smirk clear in his voice. Angel tried not to laugh. Capiche, seriously?
“Oh, fuck off,” Angel said, wriggling in his bonds. Husk hummed in disappointment.
“You bein’ defiant already?” he asked, grabbing Angel’s jaw.
“Let me go, you fuckin’ creep!” Angel exclaimed. Husk chuckled darkly.
“You don’t get to give orders around here,” he said, his voice firm. “Now, I’m gonna start with the questions, and you’ll answer if you know what’s good for you.” He caressed Angel’s face almost lovingly. “Tell me where your boss hides his stash.”
“As if I’d ever tell you anything,” Angel spat, sounding damn near genuine. A low noise reverabated from Husk’s chest. His claws found Angel’s jacket, and he undid the top button. Angel tried to lean away again, once again not finding success.
“I’ll be nice,” Husk teased, running a claw over Angel’s jaw. “I’ll give you a few chances.” He tugged at the spider’s jacket, pulling him forward enough to cause the ropes to dig into his skin. Angel keened, flushing in embarrassment at the noise that escaped him.
“Oh, so you do want this,” Husk said, salvaging the roleplay.
“Of course not!” Angel snapped, pulling himself straight. Husk palmed him through his shorts, and a squeak escaped him.
“Your body is saying otherwise,” Husk teased. Angel bit his lip. He was used to hearing things like that, and it hit straight into his heart. And yet, in this context, hearing it from someone he knew didn’t mean it, it felt…different. It felt good . “Let’s try another question,” Husk continued, stroking his thigh. Oh. He realized what Husk was doing; with the way the ropes around his ankles were holding him, he couldn’t squirm away from that touch. Clever . “What’s your real name?” Husk demanded. A trilling laugh escaped Angel. Defiant captive was a role he genuinely enjoyed playing.
“Angel Dust,” the spider replied slyly. Husk actually growled .
“You know what I meant,” he hissed. Angel shrugged, best he could with what little slack the ropes gave him. Husk was really good at tying knots. He’d been left with just enough mobility to struggle uselessly and make tiny gestures. Every movement made the bonds strain against him in that way Husk knew he liked. And yet, he was comfortable. The rope wasn’t too tight and if he was getting rope burn tonight it was most likely going to be his own doing. “Tell me your real name,” Husk repeated. If it wasn’t for the fact that he really wanted Husk to fuck his brains out tonight, Angel would’ve really tested his luck as the “defiant captive” and spat at his “captor.” As it was, he just stuck his tongue out in what he hoped was the right direction. Another button was popped off Angel’s jacket. Since he never bothered with the top two, that left his chest completely exposed already. Which Husk wasted no time to take advantage of, groping at his fluff.
“Stop!” Angel exclaimed, just barely managing to sound commanding. Husk’s movements stilled.
“Color?” he asked.
“Green,” Angel confirmed with a genuine smile. “I’m okay.”
Husk cupped his face gently.
“Okay,” he breathed. And then, he was grabbing at Angel’s chest again. “You’re gettin’ close to losin’ your shirt,” the cat demon grumbled, returning to character.
“Jacket,” Angel corrected. That cost him another button. One left.
“You’re pissin’ me off, kid,” Husk grumbled. Angel smirked.
“I ain’t a kid,” he snapped, putting as much venom in his voice as he could muster. In reality, he thought the pet name was adorable. But, he wasn’t in reality. There went the final button.
“Keep mouthin’ off and I’ll tear every stitch of clothing off you,” Husk warned. Angel kept himself from blurting out a ‘oh please do.’
“Fuck off,” he said instead. Husk pulled him forward, causing that pleasant strain against his wrists again. He bit back a moan.
“Do you want me to rip your clothes off and fuck you?” Husk demanded.
Yes , Angel thought to himself. Very much so .
“No!” is what he said out loud. It came out sounding like he’d wanted to be commanding but just ended up scared. Perfect.
“Color?” Husk asked again.
“Green,” Angel repeated, pouting a bit. Goddamnit, he was so in-character! “Ya don’t gotta check-in all the time, ya know!”
Husk sighed and Angel could easily imagine him pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Forgive me for being concerned about my boyfriend,” he grumbled, and Angel felt his shoulders sag with guilt.
“Sorry,” the spider mumbled. “I just…I was enjoying myself.”
Husk hummed in response.
“Yeah,” he muttered. “I’m sorry too, kid. Didn’t mean to snap at ya.”
Angel shook his head.
“It’s okay,” he said, with a small smile. “I’m ready to get back to it if you are.”
“I’m ready,” Husk confirmed. He raked a claw down Angel’s exposed torso, slipping back into character. “Are you ready to cooperate?” he demanded. Angel scoffed.
“As fuckin’ if,” he spat.
“Kid,” Husk said firmly. “You are really testin’ your luck.”
“Let me said it again,” Angel bit back, “I ain’t a fuckin’ kid.”
Husk pulled him forward again.
“Alright, fucker,” the cat demon grumbled, “remember that you asked for this.” That was all the warning Angel got before his jacket was ripped off of him, the sound of fabric tearing filling the room. Angel squeaked as the aggressiveness, unable to disguise the arousal as fear. Husk let out a low chuckle. “Still claiming you don’t want this while you’re making delicious noises like that?”
Angel growled.
“You’re a fuckin’-” He was cut off by Husk kissing him. Fuck. The sensation went straight to his dick. Taking notice, Husk palmed him through his shorts. “Fuckin’--stop!” Angel exclaimed, his voice cracking a bit. Fuck what anyone else said, he was a damn good actor. Husk hummed in response, sounding way too smug.
“You’re hard,” he observed. Angel bit back a sarcastic comment. Insulting Husk’s intelligence would not lead to him getting fucked, even if it was in-character.
“That don’t mean anything,” he said instead. “It’s natural.”
“Why are you in denial, darlin’?” Husk asked, holding Angel’s face so gently it burned. “It’ll go a lot smoother for you if you just admit it.”
Angel bristled. He knew what Husk was doing. Angel had heard similar comments a thousand times, from guys who actually meant it. Husk was doing nothing more than playing a character. It was safe. He was safe. Angel was safe.
“Shut the fuck-” The gag was put back in place. Angel’s attempt to tell Husk was a cheater he was was stopped by the fabric, and damn if that didn’t make it feel even more like Husk was cheating. He would’ve glared at the cat demon if his eyes weren’t covered. His shorts were torn off next. Literally. Okay, he definitely couldn’t be mad at Husk now. Then, his panties. All he had left was his stockings and he knew those were staying on. Husk hummed, and Angel could practically see him looking him up and down.
“I see why you’re famous for your body,” the cat demon purred. Well, that was a bad line. But, Angel could admit, it fit the character Husk was playing. Those big paws ran down his chest, his stomach, his thighs, deliberately avoiding his dick. “You’re damn pretty, darlin’.”
Despite the circumstances, Angel felt his face heat up. He couldn’t say ‘shut up’ through the gag, or glare through the blindfold, so he settled for a grumbling noise. Husk chuckled.
“Cat got your tongue?”
Angel would’ve rolled his eyes if he could. Fortunately, Husk cut the bad dialogue short and stepped up his game. He untied Angel’s top wrists from the chair, only to tie them behind his back. There was no time to struggle. The process was repeated with his second set of arms, leaving him feeling a certain kind of vulnerable. The kind that sent a shiver down his spine and went to his dick. His legs were untied next. Husk lifted him off the chair, making him squeak. He would never get over his boyfriend’s strength, especially with their height difference. He found himself literally thrown onto a bed. With his arms tied behind his back, he couldn’t catch himself. Husk clambered onto the bed, pinning him down. Not using anywhere near his full strength, he tried to elbow or kick Husk off of him. But, he was boxed in. In reality, he could escape easily. Husk was strong, but so was he. It was just nice to feel trapped sometimes.
“Remember,” Husk said, keeping Angel pinned with one paw while the other stroked his jaw, “this is your fault. I gave you a choice here.”
Angel whined in response. Once again, he knew what Husk was doing. And the throb between his legs showed it was working. He was defenseless here. He couldn’t speak, couldn’t rebuff anything Husk said. Husk was here, repeating shit he’d heard so many times before, from guys who wanted to take advantage of him guilt-free.
And yet, this was exactly what he wanted. Maybe he was a bit fucked up, wanting someone he loved to do the very things that had left him so scared for so long. But, it felt good. It felt comforting. Husk had called it reclaiming. That…that made it okay, right?
He pressed the clicker. Husk was off him in an instant, as he’d expected. He was always so respectful and careful. More than Angel deserved, honestly. Husk removed the gag and blindfold, leaving his spider partially free.
“Yellow,” Angel announced. Husk sat back on his haunches, keeping his paws off but staying close enough to touch Angel if he needed it.
“What do you need, schatz?” he asked. Angel worried at his lip, trying to figure out how to form his thoughts.
“Why are you bein’ so nice to me,” was what ended up tumbling out of his mouth. Husk gave him a concerned look.
“What are you talkin’ about, kid?” he asked. Angel sat up straight as best he could, propping himself up on his knees.
“You–I–you can’t actually be okay with this,” the spider stammered. Husk tilted his head.
“What do you mean, sweetheart?” he asked, keeping his tone even. “Do you need me to untie you?”
Angel shook his head.
“No,” he replied. “Unless you need to.”
“Need to?” Husk repeated. “Angel, what’s going on? Talk to me.”
Angel looked down in shame, his lips wobbling a bit. God, what was wrong with him?
“I-” he stammered. “Are you actually enjoying…pretending to rape me?” he gasped out. Husk’s eyebrows knit.
“Kid, what are you on about?” he asked. “Do we need to stop?” He kept his paws to himself still, letting Angel make the decision. As always. Angel felt like he was burning.
“I-I gotta ask,” the spider muttered, “do you actually like when we do this? Or are you just…giving into what I want?” He looked down at the ground, refusing to know what Husk’s expression looked like in this moment.
“ Oh ,” Husk whispered. “No, no, sweetheart, it’s not like that, I swear. I like makin’ ya feel good, and I like that ya trust me enough to do this sort of play.”
Angel shifted slightly.
“Do…do you mean it?” he asked.
“Yes,” Husk replied firmly. “Of course, kid.” He placed a gentle kiss to his boyfriend’s forehead. “If I didn’t want this, I would’ve said no,” he said gently, looking deep into his spider’s eyes. “What’s goin’ on in your head, Tony?”
“Tony,” Angel repeated softly, a blush rising to his cheeks despite the circumstances. His other arms popped out unconsciously, and he wrapped them around his knees.
“I got in my head a bit,” he whispered. “I mean, when we do this, I’m askin’ you to recreate somethin’...somethin’ awful that happened to me.” His stomach churned. Sure, this particular film they were using as inspiration was a shoot that actually hadn’t involved him being forced behind-the-scenes, but…still. “Isn’t that…disgusting?”
“What?” Husk gasped. “No, no kid, of course it’s not disgusting.” He placed a reassuring paw on Angel’s shoulder. “This is a fully consensual thing we’re both getting off on, and that applies to every time we’ve done this. There’s nothing wrong with this sort of play, Ang. You’re not wanting this cause you’re fucked up or gross or whatever your brain is telling you, it’s a way to take back control. It’s common for rape survivors to develop this kink.” Oh. There it was.
“I’m not-” Angel started before his jaw snapped shut. “Red.” Husk wasted no time at all untying him, and he swallowed.
“What do you need, luchik?” the cat demon asked.
“ Go ,” Angel gasped out. Husk tilted his head, looking at him with concern.
“Are you sure, kid? Are you in a state to be left alone?”
“ Go ,” Angel repeated, and Husk left the room without further protest. The spider curled into himself, tears gathering in his eyes. God, what was wrong with him? They’d been having a great time, they’d been about to fuck, and he’d gone and ruined everything!
A few moments passed, nothing but Angel’s sobs filling the room. Once he’d cried enough to stop feeling anything, he crawled out of the bed, intending to look for Husk. When he opened the door, his boyfriend was already there, sitting against the wall.
“Oh,” Angel whispered, and Husk stood up.
“I wanted to stay close, in case you needed me,” he explained. That was enough to make Angel cry again, though for significantly better reasons this time, and he threw his arms around the cat. Husk navigated them back into the bedroom, sitting them down on the plush comforter. “You know you’re still naked, kid?” he asked, and Angel looked down in surprise.
“Oh,” he whispered. “Well, all the better to start up again,” he said, a clearly forced horniness in his voice. Husk shook his head.
“ No ,” he said firmly. “No more roleplay for tonight. I’m not callin’ it off altogether,” he continued, seeing Angel’s alarmed expression, “but we definitely need a talk before we do this again.”
Angel swallowed, but nodded.
“I could tie you up?” he suggested. Husk cocked his head.
“Do you want to?” he asked.
“I-I don’t know,” Angel admitted, wrapping his arms around himself.
“Don’t force yourself,” Husk said gently, reaching a paw out. Offering, not taking. Angel took the paw gently, running his fingers along the paw pads.
“Can we cuddle?” he asked.
“Of course, kid,” Husk replied, pressing a kiss to his boyfriend’s head.
“I might still want sex tonight.”
“That’s okay,” Husk mumbled as the two burrowed into each other. “Just tell me what you want, what you need, and we’ll figure things out. Roleplay is off the table for the time being, though, alright schatz?”
“Alright,” Angel agreed. “Are other kinks still on the table, though?” he asked, nuzzling into his boyfriend’s chest. “Like, bondage, impact play, all that?”
“‘Course, kid,” Husk replied. “So long as it’s cause you want it.”
Angel nodded against his boyfriend’s chest.
They didn’t talk about the incident for a bit. They still talked like normal, spent time together like normal, had sex like normal, Angel just wasn’t ready to talk yet. And Husk had accepted that, as always. He really needed to stop that before Angel got too used to being spoiled.
“Husk,” Angel said as the two entered the bedroom, returning from taking Nuggets for a walk.
“What’s up, kid?” the cat demon asked as his spider unharnessed the pig.
“I think I’m ready to talk.”
Husk took a seat on the bed, nodding in response.
“Alright kid,” he said evenly. “Are you good to start or do you need me to prompt ya?”
“I can start,” Angel replied, sitting down next to him. He took a deep breath. “First off, sorry about freaking out on ya just before we could have sex.”
Husk shook his head.
“Ya don’t gotta worry about that, baby,” he assured. “Your safety and comfort is more important than if we finish.”
Angel felt his face heat up as he squeaked at the words. He was still getting used to that.
“Thanks,” he whispered, but Husk shook his head.
“You don’t need to thank me for treatin’ ya decently.”
“Actually I do,” Angel mumbled, sounding almost ashamed. “Most guys don’t treat me half as well as you do.” He chewed at his lip, trying to find the rest of his words. “I freaked out during our last roleplay session. It wasn’t the first time I called a red.” He looked at Husk with determination. “But this was…different.” He paused, giving Husk space to talk.
“Yeah,” the cat demon agreed. “Usually when we need to stop it’s because something triggered you. This time, you seemed…disgusted with yourself. Do you wanna tell me what happened there?”
Angel shrugged.
“I think I got triggered then too. But, in a different way from before.” He wrapped all four arms around himself in a self-soothing gesture. “Can I ask your thoughts on somethin’?”
“Of course,” Husk replied, tilting his head.
“Whenever we…,” Angel waved a hand dismissively, “...do that, roleplay like that, what do you think about it? Do you actually enjoy it or do you just do it because I want it?”
Husk set a gentle paw against Angel, who freed one of his hands to hold it.
“I like knowing how much you trust me, mainly,” the cat demon replied. His mouth opened and closed a few times. “I also…I do like it. Sexually.”
Angel tilted his head.
“Really?” he asked. “Could you, uh, detail that more?”
Husk chewed at his lip, looking away.
“I think it’s hot,” he admitted. “I like the roleplay, the struggle, the fake fear. You asked the other night too if I actually wanted it,” he mumbled. “So, let me reassure you, I do want it. Very much so.” He squeezed his boyfriend’s hand. “I have fun when we do this, I like playing the kidnapper role and I like how into it you get. I like it.”
Angel’s shoulders slumped with relief.
“Oh thank god,” he breathed.
“Can I ask somethin’, kid?” Husk returned.
“Yeah, of course.”
Husk reached his free paw up to gently scratch at Angel’s head, who leaned eagerly into the touch.
“What happened, schatz?” the cat demon asked. “I’ve never seen you react quite like that, and if I caused it, I wanna know how so I can prevent it in the future.”
Angel shook his head.
“No, no, it wasn’t anything you did,” he said firmly. “It took me a while to figure out what happened, but I think…. I think it was cause the film we were riffin’…wasn’t one where I was actually hurt.” He squeezed Husk’s paw a bit tighter. “When we’ve done this before, it’s been, whaddya call it? Reclaiming. But this wasn’t a case of that.” He shrugged with his upper shoulders.
“ Oh ,” Husk whispered, his eyes widening in realization. “I get it.”
“Hm?”
“This was a different situation, so you started worryin’ your motivation was different,” Husk said. Oh. All was quiet for a moment.
“That’s-that’s exactly what it is,” Angel mumbled. He leaned down, planting a kiss on Husk’s cheek. “Thank you for that.”
Husk shook his head.
“Didn’t do nothin’ schatz. And ,” he added more firmly, “you’re allowed to just have fun, ya know? We don’t have to be reclaiming every time.” He kissed Angel’s knuckles gently, the spider blushing through his fur. “And if you’re that worried about it, well kid, what you’ve been through is probably why you have this kink in the first place.”
Something fizzled in Angel’s brain. Instinctively, he pushed Husk away.
“I’m not a fuckin’-” He wrapped all his arms around himself once again, Husk giving him the space he’d demanded. “I’m not a rape victim,” he mumbled bitterly.
“Tony-”
“Don’t call me that right now,” Angel bit out. Husk nodded his acknowledgement.
“Can I talk to ya? Or, at ya?” he asked.
“...sure.”
“I know you don’t like to hear this, baby,” Husk started, holding a paw out. It was an offer, not a demand. As always. Angel didn’t take it. “But, it might make things a little easier on you if…if you don’t live in denial. Guys have fucked you while you’ve been drunk, high, drugged, when you weren’t able to stop it, when they ignored that you wanted to stop it. There were no safety measures with your old boss, you couldn’t take a break or call something off if you need. That’s rape.”
Hearing it phrased so bluntly put a pit in Angel’s stomach. He held a pillow against himself, refusing to look at Husk.
“Okay,” he whispered. What else was he supposed to say? “I think I’m done with this conversation.”
Husk nodded.
“That’s alright, schatz,” he promised. “I’d like to revisit it sometime, but at your pace.”
“Alright. Alright, I can work with that,” Angel mumbled. “Now just…cuddle me or somethin’.”
Husk laughed lightly.
“Sure thing, luchik.”
Angel found himself in the library. He was sitting at the computer, a book was open on the desk next to it, and his phone was sitting on the other side with several tabs open. His goal; research the outcomes of…sexual abuse. Sexual trauma? Exploitation? Maybe he felt comfortable calling it that.
He wasn’t stupid. He knew Val hadn’t been treating him right, not for a long time. He knew how often he’d come home just wanting to scrub the studio off of him, even if he’d already showered. He knew he didn’t want all of the sex he had. But…it felt different to put a word to it. It felt. Wrong. Like it shouldn’t apply to him.
‘Hypersexuality in survivors of sexual abuse.’ Huh. His interest piqued, he clicked on the article. And quickly clicked off when it felt too much like looking in a mirror. A few unpleasant trips down memory lane and a long break later, he found what he was looking for; an article about trauma-based kinks and the sexual needs of survivors of sexual violence. Huh, ‘sexual violence’. Maybe that was a safe thing to call it. He skimmed through the introduction of the article, which discussed how both hypo- and hypersexuality were common results of sexual violence. Huh. That was interesting. The entire article turned out to be fascinating, though he did have to read it in installments.
There was a new sort of relief to this. He wasn’t uniquely broken and he wasn’t overreacting. He felt…better. The part about trauma-based kinks was organized into several subsections and he either skimmed or completely devoured them, depending on his initial reaction.
‘Sexual Trauma and Consensual Non-Consent/Rape Fantasy.’ He’d found it. He swallowed, wondering if this was the moment the illusion broke and he found he was just as disgusting as he’d feared. He found that it…wasn’t. Quite the opposite, in fact.
“This is common?” he said to no one in particular. “This is okay ?”
“You were right,” Angel said abruptly one night. Husk raised an eyebrow.
“About what?” he asked. Angel shifted uncomfortably.
“The whole,” he waved a hand dismissively, “trauma-kink-rape-coping thing.” The words all fell out at once, feeling uncomfortable in his mouth. “I still don’t like callin’ it that,” he mumbled.
“You don’t have to,” Husk replied. “Don’t push yourself.”
Angel hummed in response.
“I spent some time reading articles, doin’ some research,” he said, unconsciously wrapping two arms around himself. “Lotta stuff felt familiar.”
“Do you wanna talk about it, kid?” Husk asked, offering a paw. Angel took it gratefully.
“Yeah, yeah I think so,” he whispered. He took a shaky breath. “Havin’ kinks like that, fantasies like that, apparently it’s pretty common in…people who have been through what I went through.” He very consciously avoided using certain words. “It’s not–it’s not just me.”
Husk nodded, pressing a gentle kiss to his boyfriend’s cheek.
“Does that make ya feel better, schatz?” he asked, his tone soft.
“Yeah,” Angel whispered. “It’s nice to know it’s not just me.” His voice was barely audible. He burrowed into Husk, who held him close but in a loose enough grip he could easily get out if he needed. “I’m not broken,” Angel gasped out, holding onto Husk as if his life depended on it. “Not–not gross .”
Husk peppered kisses against his cheek, the gesture soft and simple.
“Oh, sweetheart,” he whispered, his voice tinged with sympathy. “ Of course you’re not broken or gross.” He held Angel just a bit tighter. A reassuring amount of pressure, but not keeping him in place. Not trapping him. It’s a small thing that Angel doesn’t know if he’ll ever be able to communicate how grateful he is about it. “You’re hurt.”
Silence filled the room, Angel somehow finding a way to bury himself even deeper in his boyfriend’s fur. He sucked in a breath.
“Okay,” he whispered. “I can handle that one, I think.”
“Good to know,” Husk said genuinely. “How are you feelin’, kid?”
Angel shrugged.
“Better, I think?” he mumbled. “Feels weird though.”
“Do you wanna talk about that, schatz?” Husk asked. Angel shook his head.
“I don’t really know what to even say,” he muttered. “It’s…complicated.” He waved a hand, dislodging from Husk just slightly. “More complicated than I’d like.”
Husk hummed neutrally.
“Trauma’s messy,” he mumbled, and Angel flinched.
“Don’t,” he said, it coming out more sharply than he’d intended. “Not yet, at least,” he added more softly, burying his face in Husk’s chest.
“That’s fair,” the cat demon replied.
“Would you be willin’?” Angel asked.
“Hm?”
“To do the, like, CNC thing again,” the spider clarified.
“Oh,” Husk replied, and Angel stilled against him. “Right now?”
That pulled a laugh out of his spider.
“No!” he exclaimed lightly. “Right now, it’s cuddle time.” God, that was cheesy. Husk kissed the top of his head.
“Noted,” he said with an affectionate chuckle. “But yes, schatz, I’d be happy to try things like that again, just…talk to me, okay?”
“Of course,” Angel replied, nuzzling into his boyfriend’s soft fur.