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Angel had to admit, not out loud and certainly not to anyone within earshot, he actually likes the hotel. Despite its absurdity. It's given him a feeling he hasn't had since.... well since he was alive. A stupid little warm feeling in his heart.
He soon identifies it as hope.
Which in Hell, is a very dangerous thing to have.
But, call him delusional, he thinks the princess might be on to something. Not redemption, as nice as that may be he honestly doesn't think it's possible. But becoming a better person is definitely in the cards.
Or a better sinner, I guess. Considering none of them are 'people' anymore.
Angel muses over this as he stretches, enjoying the satisfying cracks from his joints. It's a lot more satisfying when you have more limbs than average.
He makes his way into the lounge, another thought occurring to him as he sits on the couch. If he is by some grace of some god redeemed, what's the appeal of Heaven? I mean: No drinking, No drugs, No sex, and none of his friends? Not a good time.
Hm. Friends. That's never been plural before . He smiles to himself, roused from his thoughts by one of the earlier mentioned friends walking across the lobby. The Princess of Hell herself, Charlie as she's known by everyone, not one for formal titles. Angel started to notice little things about her as he lived at the hotel longer. The way she slightly bounces when she walks, how she sticks her tongue out when she's concentrating, and the way she looks at Vaggie.
Undying, all-encompassing, unconditional love. It makes Angels heart ache watching her. He's happy for her, of course. And he's happy she's found someone to spend the rest of her.... existence.... with. But, the jealousy pokes through sometimes. The fact that she gets that and Angel doesn't hurts to some degree.
However, He thinks as his eyes slide over to a certain chimera. It's not like I don't want to. I do. A lot.
Angel gets up and moves to the bar. It's a bit ironic that the place that is supposed to be discouraging this kind of thing has a bar. Angel inwardly cringes when he realizes he just reiterated Vaggie's point from a few weeks ago.
"Heyyy kitty." Angel says, sliding onto a stool at the bar. Husker glances at him but doesn't acknowledge him in any other way. "What're you up to?"
"Nothin'." He grunts, obviously not one for small talk.
Angel resists the urge to roll his eyes and instead smiles at the chimera. "Want somethin' to do?" He purrs, tracing a finger along the bar top.
"No." Husk turns around and goes back to wiping down the bar.
Angel isn't going to pretend that the rejection doesn't sting a little, but it does make Husker that much more interesting. Ever since he signed his contract with Val, every sinner in Hell is falling over themselves for a chance with Angel. Having someone not be interested is far more entertaining.
The chase.
Of course, Angel isn't going to push it. He knows all too well what THAT feels like. He shudders despite himself, tuning himself back into the present.
"Alright, that's fair." Angel shrugs. "If ya change your mind, you know where ta find me." He moved to leave and is stopped suddenly by a paw on his arm. He turns and sees Husker holding his wrist looking anywhere but Angel's eyes.
"I never said I didn't want your company." Husk says gruffly, slowly letting go of Angel's hand.
There's that stupid feeling again.
Hope.
"Okay Husky." Angel says, sitting back down. "Can I get a drink?"
Husk smiles. Actually smiles. That's new.
"Sure, Legs." He smirks, handing him a fruity cocktail he's ordered a couple of times.
He remembered. Angel thinks giddily. He sips the cocktail, watching Husk roam around the bar.
If he wasn't watching as closely as he is, not that he's ever going to admit that, he wouldn't have noticed that Husker seems to be cleaning the exact same spot more than it needs to be.
"The bar can't possibly be that dirty, kitty." Angel comments.
Husk tenses up and turns to Angel. "Yeah. Right." He says, still not looking at Angel.
Angel tilts his head in confusion and curiosity. "You alright, Husker?"
Maybe it's because he isn't flirting with him for once. Maybe it's because he actually used his name. Or maybe he finally cracked but Husker finally looks up. Into Angel's eyes. Despite himself, Angel blushes.
That is also new. He can hear himself think but isn't paying too much attention, far too focused on the fact that Husker is still staring at him.
"Very pretty." Husk says, so quietly it's almost a whisper. But given the lobby has long since emptied, Angel hears it clear as day. The blush deepens.
"What?" He asks, his cocktail forgotten.
Husks eyes widen, seemingly realizing he said that out loud. "Oh. Um. Your.. eyes. They're very pretty." He's barely speaking, trying to say it as quietly as possible.
Angel smiles, but it isn't the one Husk is used to. Husk is used to the practiced smile that Angel uses when he flirts, the purposefully seductive one. But this one is bashful, boyish and so... Angel . It takes Husks breath away.
"Hey guys!" Charlie appears out of nowhere. Or maybe she was there the whole time. Angel had only been focused on Husk so when the princess appeared suddenly he jumped, knocking his cocktail to the ground.
"Ah shit." He grumbles, moving to pick it up. He notices that in the time it takes him to clean everything up, Husker still hasn't moved.
"Is he okay?" Charlie whispers to Angel.
"I think I broke 'im." Angel giggles, watching how Husk melts with the sound.
Oh. Wow. There it is again. That stupid fucking feeling I thought died with me.
Something about the fact that he can still feel it makes Angel smile. He doesn't stop for the next few days, riding the high of natural drugs for once.
Yeah, redemption ain't worth it.