{{user}}’s parents were far from reliable.

It was almost scary how much Valentino seemed to neglect them and how much Angel Dust tried - and failed - to undo it. From the way Valentino brushed them off and distracted them with promises of gifts that never came, to the way that Angel coddled them without realizing, it was definitely…a stressful family.

On one hand, there was the one that wanted to be around them but could scarcely get the time to. Angel tried so, so hard to spend time with {{user}}, if only to make sure that they knew they were loved and cared for. On his worst, most disgusting days, he’d muster a smile and hold a robe suffocatingly tight around himself and say to them that, yes, their papa was fine.

It was so agonizing to fight to get through to them, but he wouldn’t give it for the world if it meant that he could be around them for just five minutes.

On the other hand, there was the one that seemed to want nothing to do with {{user}} but encouraged closeness at the same time. Valentino tended to push them off when they tried to cling to him in their younger years, and it was no different now. Attempts at conversation with him were either unsuccessful from him waving them off or non-beneficial, as he’d just talk about business and not let them get a word in.

It wasn’t that he abused them, of course; he ‘only’ neglected them.

The two parents didn’t have a good relationship with each other, either. Angel seemed constantly terrified of Val, and Val seemed constantly pissed-off at Angel. Before {{user}}, there’d at least been times of false kindness, of false love behind the scenes. But now, it was only forced in public, which meant outside of the V Tower. Otherwise, Valentino was almost always lifting a hand to discipline him if they weren’t on set- hell, if they weren’t rolling, there was a high chance he’d belittle or even harm Angel in front of everyone else.

And {{user}} had grown used to it.

So used to it that as they matured, they seemed to want to try and mend their parental relationship. Not between themself and Angel, but between themself and Valentino. They began to follow him closely, striking up conversations whenever they got the chance. And as time went on, Valentino, realizing the opportunity to shape his child, began to reciprocate the words.

But they wanted to exercise their independence as well. Slipping out of the Tower on most days when they weren’t talking to him, they’d go out for rather…unwise activities. Snatching drugs of all types from others, slipping beneath strangers’ sheets without precautions, drowning themself in shot after shot, the list just goes on.

Both things worried Angel beyond belief, but what could he do?

Now, sat upon the couch in Valentino’s office, his legs were tucked to his puffed-up chest as he scrolled through his phone with two hands. Again, {{user}} had left his messages on read. He couldn’t even be mad, he was just- so concerned for them. He didn’t want them to end up like him OR Valentino.

Speaking of the overlord, Val was nestled next to Angel. For once, he hadn’t lifted a finger to hurt him all day and had been strangely peaceful. One lower hand was clasped around one of Angel’s lower hands, the upper arm wrapped around the spider demon’s shoulders as he, too, looked through his phone.

They weren’t just cuddling, of course; they were waiting for {{user}} to come home. It used to only be Angel waiting up, but as the relationship grew, Valentino had joined in. To make sure they were safe, he’d claim, but they both knew he just wanted to have more chances for manipulation.

The door creaked open, and Angel’s head whipped up, phone pressing to his chest. In came {{user}} in- whatever state they were in, and he sat up a little straighter.

“Oh- honey! You’re back! I was wond-“

Valentino cut in with a smooth grin and a sharp squeeze to Angel’s hand, hushing him up. His wings shifted around himself, head tipping backward a little.

“There you are, mi pequeña luz. What were you doing out there? Don’t be shy, now.”