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“Husk?”
The old cat's eyes shot open. Hearing the voice caused his whole body to freeze.
He was in a bed. He quickly realized it wasn't his own however. It was much too soft and warm to be his. Not to mention how it smelled faintly of drugs and perfume…
He then remembered he was in Angel’s bed. The two would often find themselves sleeping together. It was no secret that both of them were very touch starved.
He slowly lifted his head. He made eye contact with Angel, who was looking at him with worry.
The spider gently moved closer. “Are you okay?” He asked in a whisper.
Husk growled softly.
“I was fine…til you woke me up” He claimed, giving his spider a look of annoyance.
He then felt a hand on his cheek. On instinct he flinched, shutting his eyes and wrapping his wings around himself protectively.
Angel frowned at that. “Husk, please look at me. You were crying in your sleep” She whispered.
Hesitantly, the old cat opened his eyes. He slowly looked up at his spider. He expected to see a look of annoyance or anger. Instead he was met with worry and warmth.
Angel opened their arms. “Come here…”
Husk did the opposite and moved away. He didn’t want Angel to see him like this. He didn’t want them to see him in his vulnerable state. He looked weak. He felt weak.
The spider frowned. “Husk…”
Husk didn’t respond. He dug his claws into his arms, but not enough to cause them to bleed thankfully. He shut his eyes tightly, refusing to look at Angel.
‘Damn it…suck it up…you’re making yourself look like a crybaby…you’re okay. You’re okay. You’re okay. You’re okay’ He mentally told himself.
‘You’re okay. You’re okay. You’re okay-’
A tear went down his cheek. Husk tried to fight it, but he couldn’t. His body started shaking. He opened his mouth to speak but all that came out was a sob.
Angel saw this. He slowly reached out to gently kiss the cat’s cheek.
“Husk…please don’t cry. Why are you crying? What’s wrong?…” The spider asked softly, gently wiping his tears.
“I…” Husk hiccuped. “Don’t…know…”
Angel moved and pulled him close. She adjusted his head so it laid on their soft chest.
The old cat sniffed, not having the energy to push him away. His eyes rapidly blinked, trying to stop the tears from forming.
“Hey, hey, it’s okay” Angel softly whispered, combing his fingers through their cat’s fur. “If you need to cry, just let it out”
Husk wiped his eyes.
“I don’t…want to bother you…” He whispered, moving to hug his spider back.
It was the middle of the night. Angel had a shoot tomorrow. He should be sleeping. He needs the rest. She shouldn’t have to be deal with this. She shouldn’t have to deal with him-
Angel gently kissed the top of his head.
“It’s okay. You’re not bothering me. You can cry” They whispered.
Husk stared at Angel with disbelief. He didn’t say anything but allowed the tears to flow.
He couldn’t believe it. Angel wasn’t mad that he was crying. Hell, he had told him it was okay to cry.
No one had ever told him that before….
Angel gently rubbed the old cats back, whispering gentle nothings into his ear.
Husk sniffed.
“I’m…I’m sorry…” He whimpered. “I don’t…I don’t know why I’m crying…I…I just…”
He hugged the spider tighter, squeezing his eyes shut. He buried his face into his fluffy chest. His shaky breaths turned into hyperventilating.
‘QUIT YOUR CRYING DAMNIT! YOU’RE A MAN! MEN DON'T CRY! GOD DAMNIT IF YOU DON'T STOP RIGHT NOW I'LL GIVE YOU A REAL REASON TO CRY ABOUT-’
He then felt a third pair of arms wrap around him, interrupting his thoughts.
“Husk, breathe” Angel whispered. “You’re okay Baby Boy. You’re okay. Just take deep breaths”
Husk panted. “I…can’t…” He whimpered.
“Yes you can Baby Boy” Angel claimed, rubbing his back. “Just copy me okay? In”
He took a deep breath in. Husk gasped and tried his best to do the same.
“And out…” Angel instructed as he exhaled.
Husk wasn’t able to hold it and let his breath out a few seconds early. “Sorry-”
“Shhh. It’s okay. Just try again” Angel whispered.
Husk obeyed. He took a deep breath in, this time he managed to hold it in longer than the previous attempt.
“That’s it. Good boy” Angel praised. “Just do it a few more times okay?”
Husk sniffed, but managed to nod. His body was still shaking from fear.
He took a shaky breath in.
Inhale
Exhale
Inhale
Exhale
Inhale
Exhale
After a few minutes, Husk started calming down. His body was still shaking, but not as much as it was before.
Angel smiled. “There you go. It’s okay. You’re okay Husky” They soothed, softly kissing his head and wiping any remaining tears.
Husk sighed. “Thank you…I’m sorry…I don’t…”
He sniffed. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I don’t know why I was crying...I was fine…I just…”
He nuzzled into his spider’s chest.
“Sometimes I…get upset for no real reason….and then…before I can stop myself…I start crying like a pussy…and I don’t know how to stop…” He whimpered.
Angel ran his fingers through his fur. “Shhhh. It’s okay. You don’t have to apologize Baby Boy” He softly reassured.
“You’re just having a bad night. Trust me, I know what it's like. I’ve had my bad nights too. But it’s okay now. As long as I’m here, you won’t have to deal with them alone” He whispered softly, leaning down to kiss his nose.
Husk let out another shaky breath.
“Please…please don’t leave…I can’t….I don’t want to be alone” He whimpered.
“Shhh” The spider said soothingly. “It’s okay…I won’t leave you…I promise”
The old cat sighed.
“Thank you…I promise I won’t leave you either…” He whispered, nuzzling into his spider’s neck.
The two stay together in silence. Nothing but the sounds of Angel whispering gentle reassurances and the occasional whimper from Husk was heard.
The old cat after a while sighed and looked back up at Angel. He moved to gently plant kisses on his neck and shoulder. He was so grateful to have his spider in his afterlife.
He had woken up crying. He expected to be hit, yelled at, or even worse…
But instead…Angel didn’t do any of that…She held him, kissed him, wiped his tears away…
They was the first one to actually help make the crying stop….
Husk softly nuzzled Angel’s shoulder.
“I love you….” He whispered, giving him a small smile.
Angel smiled.
“I love you too Baby Boy. You feeling better now?” He asked.
Husk hummed. “Yeah…thanks to you….”
“You think you could go back to sleep now?”
Husk looked away. “I…don’t know” He answered honestly, his grip still tight.
“I think I’ll be okay…but…I’m worried…the bad thoughts might come back.…”
Angel softly kissed him. “Turn around. I’ll hold you close. That will help”
Husk purred, giving his spider a finale squeeze before turning around as instructed.
Angel snuggled him from behind, settling comfortably in between his wings. He happily wrapped all six arms around him.
Husk sighed at the touch. His spider’s embrace made him feel safer. He started to softly purr.
Angel hummed, gently kissing his back.
“You don’t gotta worry anymore Husk. I got you” They reassured.
Husk exhaled. Though Angel couldn’t see a smile formed on his face.
“I know you do…”