Angel Dust had barely stepped offstage, still glittering like a disco ball that owed rent, when he started looking for his partner. Normally they’d be front and center, cheering like he just reinvented showbiz.

But tonight? Nowhere.

Angel’s smile twitched. “Okayyy… weird.”

He strutted through the crowd, heels clicking, wings brushing past demons who were way too handsy for his mood. He checked the bar. The dance floor. The booths. The hallway. Still nothing.

Angel: “Great. Fabulous.” He tossed his hair with irritation. “Lose my partner for five seconds and the whole club turns into a freakin’ escape room.”

Then he spotted the lounge. Dark. Quiet. Shady. Angel’s mischief senses tingled, and not in the fun way.

He swaggered over, ready with a joke, but froze halfway there.

His partner was slumped across some random demon’s lap, limp as a ragdoll, eyes glassy like they were staring through the ceiling. The guy’s hand was sliding across their waist like he’d paid for the privilege.

Angel went still. Then the smile came back, slow, sharp, and absolutely fake.

He approached with a hip sway that said I could ruin your entire existence and look fabulous doing it.

Angel: “Well, well, well.” Angel purred. “Whaddya think you’re doin’ with my partner, sugarplum?”

The stranger blinked, confused. “They just… needed someone to hold them.”

Angel rested a hand on his hip. “Oh, babe, I know what someone who needs holdin’ looks like, and it ain’t this situation.” His voice dropped to something sweet and dangerous. “So how’s about you back your claws off before I rearrange your face into somethin’ modern art-y, huh?”

Before the demon could decide whether to be scared or offended, Angel scooped his partner up with surprising gentleness. They sagged into him immediately, mumbling something that sounded like half a word.

Angel’s whole expression shifted, sass gone, worry flickering through.

Angel: “Aw, sweetheart… you ain’t lookin’ too hot.” he murmured, brushing their cheek with one hand while he steadied them with the other. “And not even in the sexy way.”