#characteracharacterb

The Shifting Skies Award goes to @ReesieReads for "Perception" and @sunflower1me for "Dreamchaser"!

The Rooted in Change Award goes to @EvilToTheCore13 for "Is This Annihilation, Or Metamorphosis?"!

The Whispers on the Wind Award goes to @RynRose4 for "Here to stay"!

The Evolving Echoes Award goes to @MimiHylea for "A Path to Honor"!

The New Horizons Award goes to @EvilToTheCore13 for "Is This Annihilation, Or Metamorphosis?" and @the-sparkling-diamond-satine for "all of me is reeling, shed that sinking feeling (now i’m never letting you go)"!

The Sudden Shift Award goes to @thespyfromconnecticut "The Only Constant"!

The Winds of Change Award goes to @sunflower1me for "Dreamchaser"!

15 different fandoms were represented: Avatar: The Last Airbender (Cartoon 2005), Chuck (TV), Endeavour (TV), Glee (TV 2009), Inspector Morse (TV), Moulin Rouge! (2001), Moulin Rouge!: The Musical - Various/Logan, NCIS: Sydney, Persona Series, Persona 2, Savvy Series - Ingrid Law, Shall We Date?: Obey Me! (Video Game), Stardew Valley (Video Game), Sunrise On The Reaping - Suzanne Collins, and Tortall - Tamora Pierce.

The full list of everyone who won awards!

If there is a spelling mistake on your award, or would like your name to be changed please DM, the host, @stars-forever or @character-a-character-b.

Also, if you claimed a prompt during this flash fest event and didn’t have a chance to post your story you can still post them, the collection is no longer moderated, so it should just let the story be added but if it doesn't, I will make sure that they are added. There is no deadline or time limit when it comes to this.

Congratulations to everyone who won an award, and thank you to everyone who took the time to write and vote for this flash fest!

Links

The AO3 Collection Link: https://archiveofourown.org/collections/Winds_of_Change

The Discord Server Link: https://discord.gg/pCjeXgV4VV

It wasn’t often that a gathering such as this was held. The monthly meetings were a bore of politics that Angel never bothered showing up for, sending his brother in his place so he could hear the conversation later on, but this was different. This was an event that only happened once a year, a gathering of everyone important with even the chance of one of the Deadly’s making an appearance.

Angel had a mission though, one he couldn’t afford to mess up while his father and brother were mingling in the crowd keeping Sinner’s occupied. Recently a chunk of their territory had been stolen, and with it vanished some of their profit all due to a certain Gambling Demon earning more confidence and attempting to reach further across the pentagram.

Though Angel hadn’t cared personally for the loss, his family had taken it as a personal attack, sending him to deal with the problem and what better place than the annual gala that he would attend? That’s why he was walking around the large hall looking out for the short demon while in the best dress he could find, hoping to catch his attention one way or another. 

It was a shame it was Angel who had to complete this mission since he would much rather spend the night getting drinks and mingling with some of the crowd but he couldn’t blame his family for being picked as he was the best choice for this job. No one could seduce an Overlord like he could, it was how he first started getting his family some recognition before they began climbing the ranks of Hell.

A quick and seamless job is all he could hope for but he wouldn’t mind if it got a little bit messy; That just came with the territory.

It wasn’t Angel who found the Overlord, instead, Arackniss came towards him, his pace slow as to now raise any alarm bells, simply making it look as if he had something to say to his brother that didn’t involve singling out an attending Overlord. Having to end his current conversation with one of the Vees who were trying to strike a fashion deal with him, Angel made room for his brother, waiting to hear the new intel.

“You’re boy is over by the bar,” Arackniss started, tossing the drink in his hand in a circle as he stared into it, subtly flaunting the liquor that Angel wasn’t currently allowed to drink. 

Though Angel knew better than to look over at the bar immediately, Angel couldn’t help but take a glance at who may be seated over there. Upon seeing the workers attending the event, he also caught sight of an overly red Overlord sitting beside his short but well-groomed target.

Beginning the short journey over to the bar while doing his best not to spark any unwanted conversation on the way over, Arackniss snorted from behind him, “Don’t fuck it up.”

“I’m not goin’ to,” Angel hissed over his shoulder, shooting his older brother a glare before he focused back in on his target. 

Making sure to rid himself of any prior annoyance, Angel sauntered his way over to the bar, situating himself on the other side of his small target before feigning as if he hadn’t noticed him, instead making a show of pondering what he might get from the drink menu provided.

The ditzy dress may have made him look clueless, or the fact that he was almost unrecognisable as an Overlord since he almost never attended meetings, but the golden eyes of his target turned to his, Alastor turning to shadows as the attention left him. Angel continued to ignore him, waiting for the Overlord to speak up before letting him fall into his trap.

“If you need help I can see if they’ll let me whip something up for you,” His gruff voice pierced through Angel’s ears, making him slowly turn his gaze towards him. Schooling a drink of his own that was almost empty, the Gambling Demon stared up at him, half a smirk lacing his features. “Of course, I’m sure anything on their menu will do.”

“I bet you’d be able to make me somethin’ perfect if you’re offerin’,” Angel took him up, taking a slow seat as he watched the Overlord shoot one of the workers a look, gaining approval which the Sinner would’ve been foolish to deny before he was rounding the counter and taking a look over the stock that the bar had. 

Using the time it took the Overlord to place a martini glass in front of him and begin throwing different alcohols in a mixer, Angel took in his appearance. He wore clean black dress pants paired with some slacks, a slightly lighter suit jacket lined with gold covering a simple white shirt, all of it being topped off with a golden bow. Angel couldn’t help but admire how his hair was slicked back or how the red of his wings almost glowed in the lighting.

“So, what brings a guy like you to one of these parties?” The Overlord questioned as he slid the drink over to Angel, not a drop of it spilling as he came to a stop. Bringing the drink to his lips and taking a slow test sip, making sure the glass or the liquid didn’t actually touch his lips, Angel felt the eyes of the Overlord on him as he swallowed. “I don’t think I’ve seen your face at one of these things before.”

“Oh, my brother invited me. He’s recently started workin’ for one of the Overlords and is apparently ranked high enough for the both of us to turn up here,” Attempting to act as if it were no big deal Angel flapped one of his free hands around, waving off the status he held to lower the Overlords guard. “But what about you mista? What’s a fancy little kitty like yourself doin’ up here?”

“I’m one of the Overlords that’s meant to be trying to bargain for more territory or some sort of deal,” He acted as if the title was a pain in his ass as if it was more hassle than it was worth as his eyes quickly skittered around the room, easily tracking the other Overlords that were doing just that. Pushing one of his hands forward, he offered it to Angel, waiting for him to take it before bringing it softly to his lips where he placed a delicate kiss on the back of his hand. “Where are my manners? I’m Husk, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Throughout the whole interaction, Husk kept his golden eyes locked with Angel’s two-toned ones, both an intimidating aura surrounding him that radiated power as well as a comforting glow that wanted to reach out to him. It was almost as intoxicating as the drink Husk had made for him. “Angel, it’s nice meetin’ you.”

“Hm, fitting,” Husk hummed, his smirk growing if that was possible. Remaining on the opposite side of the bar, Husk leaned forward, resting his forearms on the countertop as he stared up at Angel through lidded eyes. “Who did you say your brother worked for, again?”

“I didn’t,” Angel muses, finishing his drink before he sets it down and leans into one of his hands, resting his head there as he matches Husk’s expression. Doing what he did best, Angel propped his chest fluff up as his dress opened up, one of his fingers toying with the stem of his drink as his lashes fluttered. A quickly raised brow from the Overlord pulled a chuckle out of him, adding, “But he works for the Mafia Demon I think. I tend to tune him out when he rants about work.”

“Maybe you should start paying attention,” Husk spoke slowly, his deep voice gruff around the edges as the words were almost purred to him. Angel couldn’t help but wonder if there was an underlying meaning to Husk’s words. “You never know when he might say something important.”

“I’ll start payin’ attention when he starts talking about somethin’ interestin’,” Angel responded in a purr of his own, bringing a finger up to trace down the fur that lined Husk’s cheek. It wasn’t often an Overlord allowed him to get this close and personal, especially not when they knew who he was. “I ain’t got time to worry about which goon he chased after or whose debt he’s out collectin’. This however is quite interestin’ and seems worthy of my time.”

A huff of laughter snorted its way out of Husk, glee lining his golden eyes as Angel stared into them. He couldn’t help but work his charm; If the old sucker fell for it then that was on him. 

“Say, why don’t we get out of here?” Husk offered, one of the corners of his lips ticking up in a smirk. Staring up at Angel with hooded eyes, mischief poorly concealed behind them, Angel knew he had the Overlord right where he wanted him. The way Husk leaned forward before speaking as if sharing a secret, told Angel everything he had to know. “Away from prying eyes. Somewhere it can be just the two of us.”

“I think… that’s a brilliant idea,” Angel paused deliberately, taking a second to think over his next words as if this had all been a spontaneous encounter. Taking a look around the large hall that they were currently in, Angel’s eyes landed on his father's and Arackniss’s, both of them watching him and Husk’s every movement. It hardly did anything to light Angel’s nerves on fire, instead turning back to stare into the warm glow of the Overlord turned bartended in front of him. “Too bad I don’t know any places nearby. I wouldn’t want to keep a pretty thing like you waitin’.”

“I’m sure I can figure out something for the two of us,” Husk shrugged off Angel’s feigned worries, his posture remaining confident as he stared up at Angel from where he leaned. “I do after all own the building we’re hosting this in.”

That piece of information had been something Angel missed. He wasn’t certain if he wasn’t listening close enough when he was being debriefed on the mission or if it had been something his whole family had missed. Regardless, Angel hadn’t a clue he was standing on enemy territory until a few seconds, nothing having given away since the building was located on what could be considered neutral turf. “Why don’t you leade the way then, Handsome?”

As Angel spoke to him, a challenging glimmer sparked to life in Husk’s eyes. Chancing a glance over Angel’s shoulders for a few seconds, locking onto something before they flicked back to Angel’s. Leaning up for a kiss, pulling Angel down slightly so he could reach Husk’s elevated height from where he was leaning across the bar counter. Husk made a show of licking his lips, savouring the taste of Angel on them. All Angel could think about was how he had just taken a dose of the poison that laced his lips, the reason he had avoided anything touching his lips all night.

“Shall we?” Husk offered Angel his hand as he rounded the bar once more, standing as tall as his short frame would allow. Angel placed one of the hands from his top set of arms in Husk’s, slowly raising himself from the stool. With the additional height of his heels, Angel stood at almost double Husk’s height, towering over him. That however did little to deter Husk as the shorter Overlord began leading the way through the large hall, weaving their way to one of the many exits. 

As Angel trailed behind them, his eyes locked onto Arackniss’s, giving his brother a clear nod as they passed by one another even if Angel was sure he had witnessed Husk planting a kiss on his lips. The job was done. Whatever happened after this wasn’t up to Angel. 

Husk had led him to a hidden door that blended with the hall's walls. He easily pressed a concealed pressure plate as two doors slid open, revealing an elevator. Holding the door open for Angel, Husk allowed Angel to walk in first before he stepped in moments later, the door shutting behind him. As soon as Angel was sure the two of them were alone, his hands were immediately on Husk’s, trying to smear his lipstick from the Overlord’s lips.

“You idiot,” Angel hissed. Husk stood stock still as Angel fretted over him, wiping his thumbs over his lips and trying to eliminate any of the remaining pinkish colour. His efforts didn’t matter too much as Husk had already tasted the lipstick, making that clear right after they had kissed. “Why would you kiss me? You knew the lipstick was poisoned.”

“To make sure your family got off your back,” Husk’s hands fumbled for Angel’s, putting a stop to his frantic attempts to clean his lips. Husk didn’t take into account Angel’s other set of arms or even the third set that were kept hidden most of the time. A new pair of hands were instantly on Husk’s face, attempting to do the same thing that the first pair had failed to do. “We had to make sure they saw you give me the poison so they couldn’t blame you for me not dying.” 

“You didn’t have to go lickin’ your lips to rub it in their faces though,” Angel almost shouted, panic seeping into his words. Husk stared up at him with a small smile on his face despite it all, only pushing Angel further on edge as he turned frantic. “Now you’ve consumed it. Quick, how many fingers am I holdin’ up?”

“Stop with that bullshit,” Husk had to drag another one of Angel’s hands away as he attempted to check his pulse to make sure it was still beating smoothly. Rolling his eyes at the low squeak that erupted from Angel as he was dragged around, being pulled out of the elevator doors once they opened as sat on a plush bed after they walked through a long hallway. “I’m the one who gave you that drugged lipstick, don’t you think I’d make sure I’m immune to it first?”

“Oh,” Angel came to a slow end, sitting on the edge of one of Husk’s beds, his two sets of arms being held by Husk, a soothing thumb running over the back of both of them. Angel guesses he should have thought of that. Husk hadn’t become an Overlord off of pure luck, even if that was his trademark. Though, now that the worry had fled from Angel’s being, a firey annoyance filled it instead as he glared at Husk. “Why’d you scare me then? You could’ve said somethin’ sooner so I didn’t freak out.”

“I’m sorry Legs,” Husk murmured, finally releasing Angel’s hands so he could use one of his own to cup the spider’s chin. His hand alone almost dwarfed Angel’s face, just like most things in comparison did–other than his height, of course. “Didn’t think you’d work yourself up so much over it. But since we’re up here… we might as well put this room to good use.”

A large grin split across Angel’s face as he wound a hand up Husk’s suit, tangling the Gambling Overlord’s tie within his fingers before tugging him forward, bringing their faces within inches of one another. “I like the sound of that Whiskers.”

Although his mind was still in a haze, Angel’s top set of arms reached up to curl into the fur on the back of Husk’s head, his fingers pivoting in small circles. A sigh slowly parted its way from Angel’s lips once it seemed like his mind was starting to make sense of his surroundings.

Prepared to lay there in what felt like eternal bliss for hours, Angel couldn’t be happier with how his life had taken a serious turn since the latest Extermination and the Hotel being rebuilt. Sure, he still had to lug it over to the Studio every once in a while but it hadn’t been as frequent or for as long as before. Either Val finally realised after watching the videos from the Extermination that Angel could actually hold his own or his close relations with the King of Hell has scared him off for a short while. 

Other than that everything was almost perfect.

He got to spend more time at the Hotel with his friends while working on redemption or he could crash a few nights over at Cherri’s just like before he was roped into Charlie’s ridiculous plan. And, to top everything off, he had finally gotten together with Husk after the cat-owl hybrid got drunk enough to spill his guts to Angel; both metaphorically and literally. 

So Angel could easily agree that everything had taken a dramatic turn for the best as he laid with Husk on top of him, a soft smile on his face and a glow radiating around him.

Beginning to feel himself slip into a soft slumber, Angel is startled awake when he feels something rough drag along the fluff on his chest. Eyes jumping wide open, Angel stares down at Husk as he runs his tongue along the mound of fluff on his chest with his eyes narrowed in concentration as he spared no glance at Angel. 

With his own brows pinching in confusion, Angel watched in silence as Husk got to work on the fluff Angel housed, not saying a word as Husk parted and smoothed out the white fur, messing it up before making it neat once more. It was rather enduring, watching it all play out. That didn’t take away the rough strokes that danced across Angel’s chest, reminding him of the appendage that was essentially grooming him.

“What are you doin’?” Angel asked, his voice hushed in the quiet room. That didn’t seem to matter as Husk jumped the moment Angel’s mouth opened, not expecting a word to come from what he had thought had been the sleeping Sinner. It wasn’t that he minded the extra care, his eyes swallowing every action with glee as it played out. He was just confused as to why it was happening. 

“Jesus,” Husk hissed, sitting up and resting over Angel with a hand planted on his chest. Angel couldn’t help but smile up at Husk, earning a huff in return as he settled back down, this time laying next to Angel and allowing him to curl into his smaller body. One of Husk’s wings immediately laid itself over Angel’s side. “Give a guy some warning next time.”

“Sorry,” Angel found himself whispering, still in a hushed tone. “That doesn’t answer my question though.”

“I was grooming you,” Husk said in a mumbled voice begrudgingly, making it hard for Angel to make out his words. Pondering whether or not to ask Husk to repeat himself so Angel could clearly hear what the Sinner had said, Angel allowed Husk to hold onto his small shred of dignity lest he’d want a grouchy cat on his hand.

“Why?” He asked, keeping his top set of hands curled into the fur on the back of Husk’s head while his lower set reached for Husk’s hands, lacing their fingers together when Husk clasped his own around Angel’s.

“Because you’re filthy,” Husk’s nose scrunched as the words left his mouth, eyes locking on Angel’s fluffy chest as if he wanted to reach back in. Angel just wasn’t sure if he wanted to bury his head in there again or start grooming him. “And sweaty. I’m just listening to my stupid instincts.”

“You’re cat ones?” Angel asked, getting a small nod in return as if Husk was embarrassed to admit it. Pondering on that thought for a few seconds, Angel’s hands came to a slow stop on the back of Husk’s head, making him look up with bright golden eyes. “If you want to continue, you can. I ain’t goin’ to stop you. Besides, I kinda like it.”

Husk’s brows slowly pinched together as he studied Angel, taking him all in, “Really?”

Only answering with a nod, Angel shifts back onto his back, giving Husk all the space he needs to get back up and lay himself across Angel so he can once again get back to work and listen to the new instincts he had earned after arriving in Hell. Once again Angel wrapped his arms around Husk as he did so, letting his eyes slip shut as he enjoyed the rough tongue that pulled and prodded at his fluffy chest.