Chapter Text
In Husk’s defence, he did not know this type of magic was even still accessible. Magic strong enough to temporarily turn demons back into their original human form had not been heard of for decades. Of course, the drunk demon Husk was kicking out of his bar, just happened to be one of very few who even knew the words to the curse. Even in his intoxicated state and slurred speech, the curse had still taken full affect, latching onto its victim, Husk.
This had, of course, caused a full commotion. Leading to the hotel’s protector, Vaggie, either kicking out or locking up the guests in their rooms. Niffty had been the first by his side as he had collapsed to the ground, seeing in real time as her tiny form gradually began to get bigger. Husk could not process it at first, not understanding it was not the maid growing, but rather him shrinking.
“Oh, shit.”
That was Angel Dust. But why did he sound so horrified? As far as Husk could tell, he was uninjured, nothing hurt other than a small headache. But then why did everything suddenly sound so much quieter? Husk’s sensitive ears no longer picking up each delicate sound. The bartender suddenly jolted, glancing around in a panic, only to pause. He had not been able to smell the scent of everyone, he had assumed they had all left! Yet as he glanced up, he realized no one had moved an inch. Now that he thought about it, they looked different. The colours just weren’t right. Was it because he was on the ground, or had everyone just awoken with a growth spurt?
“Husk? Is that… How… I don’t…” Charlie seemed unable to finish a full sentence, hands latching onto Vaggie as if to ground herself. The fallen angel seemed to be in the same boat, singular eye just staring at Husk.
“What? Why are you all looking at me like I’ve grown an extra head?” Husk coughed out, sitting up with the help of Niffty who had been unusually quiet.
“Shit, Kitty, you’re fucking human!” Angel Dust blurted, waving all four arms around as if to get his point across.
A human? In Hell?
To anyone outside of Hell that may not have sounded so unusual, considering majority of occupants had been human in their years of living. Sure, when you died you came down with a human soul, but your body changed, changed in order to protect yourself. Being down here was a constant battle, where the weak would perish. Husk’s feline form had been a blessing in this hellish place, with superior eyes, ears, and claws sharp enough to defend himself. A glance down proved Angel Dust right, these were human hands, human legs, human body. Well, that explained his sudden loss of height, with majority of the demons here being freakishly tall. Being human was a death sentence. A promise that he would end up either ripped apart, or on some Overlord’s dinner plate.
Speaking of Overlord’s, the soft hum of radio static, warned the rooms occupants of Alastor’s approach. The soft clicking of heels as the radio demon entered the room had never felt so ominous. Husk knew well of Alastor’s preferred palate. It had even been his duty once to serve up any human he found, before they become rarer and rarer to find.
Seeing him from this angle just made it that much worse. Perhaps it was his human eyes that just made Alastor that much more terrifying. Sure, regardless of his form, there was no way Husk could compete against Alastor, the guy owned his fucking soul. Yet, the claws and teeth just made him feel a little less… fragile, a little more like he could attempt to defend himself. His human forms blunt teeth and nails would be unlikely to even draw blood if he tried.
Even at Husk’s current full height, Alastor stood an easy couple of heads taller, looming over the bartender effortlessly. There was a flicker of something in the deer-like demon’s eyes which made the hair on Husk’s arms and neck stand on end. The human was quick to get up and take a quick step back, not missing the way Alastor’s grin turned slightly more predatory and he continued his approach.
“Stop looking at me like that, you sick fuck.” Husk growled, attempting to sound braver than he felt. The occupants of the room cringed at the sharp static squeal emitted from the radio.
“Like what?” Alastor hummed, taking another step forward, forcing himself into Husk’s personal space bubble.
Unable to make eye contact, Husk crossed his arms and turned his head putting on an air of annoyance to try and hide the scent of fear that was no doubt washing off him in waves. “Like you’re about to eat me or something, I dunno! I aint your dinner, freak.”
All at once the limited corner Husk had backed himself into suddenly felt smaller, like the walls were caving in on him despite their sturdy foundation. The lights dimmed and all at once Husk understood what had happened. Alastor had grown. Antlers now stretched and jagged, teeth longer than Husk’s entire head, claws sharper than ever, and glowing eyes pinned right on his every movement. There was suddenly a commotion behind Alastor, drowned out by the hum of static and racing of Husk’s own heart.
And then it stopped.
“Well, my dear Husker, you simply cannot fault me for my hunger, after all, you do smell absolutely delightful! Had you been anyone else, I would not have hesitated to indulge my appetite! But for you, my feline friend, I can make the exception.” The sound of a prerecorded laugh track echoed around the room, soon joined along with by Alastor’s own laughter as the demon threw his head back.
There was an audible sigh of relief from Charlie as she paused her approach, obviously about to step in before Alastor went too far.
Being this close, Alastor was quick to rest his arm on Husk’s head with a cheeky hum. Husk did not dare move to push him off like he might have attempted in his feline form, no, he was much too delicate now to risk even a jab of Alastor’s staff should he dare touch the Overlord, the danger of broken ribs felt much too real all of a sudden. Though, Husk knew it was a powerplay, to remind Husk there was nothing he could do to stop Alastor, demon form or not.
But, a small part of Husk couldn’t help but feel special, knowing Alastor would never touch anyone else like this. Perhaps that was just the Stockholm syndrome talking, though. He knew it wasn’t something he should be proud of.
“Good Husker, pray tell how did this happen? I’ve not seen such a case of magic since I was new in Hell! And wasn’t that just an age ago! Hahahaha!” Alastor chuckled gleefully, sharp teeth moving too close to Husk’s delicate ears.
Despite jagged teeth glowing in his peripherals, Husk couldn’t help but sneer at how uncomfortable the position had to have been for the radio demon to be hunched over like that. Afterall, the top of Husk’s head currently only reached chest level with the Overlord.
Being a man of few words, all Husk could grit out was, “some drunk prick.” If his answer disappointed Alastor, the radio demon kept it to himself, choosing to just hum thoughtfully.
“Not gonna lie, I’d still let you hit,” Angel Dust, as forward as ever, even to the dismay to the other occupants of the room.
“Now is really not the time…” Charlie smiled wearily.
“What?? I’m just saying! This spider could use the touch of a human…” Angel Dust defended, running his hands down his body.
Before Husk could even voice his rejection, Alastor did it for him, “now, now, Angel… I recommend you keeping your hands to yourself, Husker here is currently too fragile to be messed with as such. And on the occasion, he does find himself injured, you will all be answering to me.”
As much as he wanted to voice up and complain that he did not need a ‘guardian,’ Husk could not help but fear he may need one. With Alastor being the one who owned his soul, it made sense for it to be him. A prick he may be, at least he did no forsake those in contract with him.