Chapter Text
You had known Husk for a while. Not when you were alive or anything like that- but he was one of the first people you met in Hell.
It’s always dangerous when a fresh sinner meets an overlord- even when the overlord is more… reasonable, like Husk. he may bet in souls, but he never tried for yours.
Perhaps pity led you to work alongside him; he always felt a soft spot for those struggling- and as interesting your soul seemed to be… having you willingly around was more so.
You became a friend. Someone he could rely on- whenever he played barkeep, everyone relied on him.
It made you feel… nice to be able to help him, even if it’s just hearing his complaints.
You knew him before his deal with Alastor. You knew Husk was a gambler- shit, you met him at his casino- and you knew he could rarely be talked out of bets. Especially high-risk, high-reward ones.
Playing with Alastor truly was his greatest mistake, you think. He knows it, too. His afterlife seemed to be flipped upside down after that deal-
And you heard about everywhere the radio demon dragged him, always at the end of the night when Husk had won big. The whole pot, usually- he’s good at placing his bets.
His being pulled away has completely vanished in the past years, along with Alastor’s presence. Life returned to how it was before, in a way. until-
It was the middle of a game. You watched as Husk leaned over the table, grinning in a way that you know means he’s won- even if the boys can’t tell yet.
You feel a smile creep on your face as he throws down his cards-
Only for him to disappear.
You’ve seen him be summoned enough to know alastor’s called him- but where; you’re unable to tell. He’d be back soon enough, you know. Even if he just goes to the casino to tell you how long he’d be gone.
He doesn’t show up.
Worry gnaws at your stomach- the extermination happened right before Husk was summoned. You were already on high alert- and who knows what Alastor had dragged him into this time-
There is a knock at your door a few moments after you wake up. Husk, you think, hopeful. When you open it, however—
Alastor stands, grinning.
You’re tempted to slam the door in his face but resist. you… know how he gets when he’s angry; you don’t want to deal with that right now.
“Hello, my dear! A pleasure to see you again!” he says, tapping his cane against the ground. You realise he probably wants to come inside, but you definitely don’t want him inside your space.
“Alastor. Where’s Husk?” You ask, cutting straight to the point. You know he likes to beat around the bush- and you’re too nervous and tired to deal with that right now.
He tilts his head, his eyes narrowing for a moment.
“My, my! Where are your manners?” Alastor says before straightening back out. “Never mind that, for now! Pack a bag- I will need you to come with me, my dear.”
You can feel the grimace on your face before you can stop it. “What? Why? Where’s Husk-“
Alastor tuts, cutting you off swiftly. “Well, considering how you two cannot stand to be apart for long, and I’m going to need Husk for… an extended period of time, I’m generous enough to allow you to join us in our little…” he taps his hands against his microphone for a second, as if searching for words.
“A business expansion, let’s say.”
You sigh, shoulders slumping. “Really? How long is this gonna take?”
Alastor takes this as a ‘yes, of course, I’ll come!’ and just grins wider, his teeth looking almost sharper than usual.
“Until I get bored.”
You pause for a moment. That could be… a few days, or even years, knowing Alastor’s habits.
“Fine. Stay here- I’ll pack.” you shut the door before he can respond, knowing he can just… come in if he really wants to. He won’t, though- he prefers to be invited.
…
It doesn’t take long to pack your clothes and basic belongings- you still have no idea where you’re going, which… makes it hard to choose what to leave behind. You pack as much as possible in the bags you can reasonably carry to wherever you’re going.
Alastor is still standing outside your door when you open it again, seemingly bored. He briefly stares at his nails before quickly turning to you again.
“Brilliant, my dear! Took your time- hope you’ve got everything you need!” He says, cheerful.
“Yeah, it’d help if I knew where I was going…?”
“Why, to the Hazbin Hotel!” He says, and before you have time to react-
You’re blipped in front of a building.
“What the fuck-“you say, fumbling forward a bit. He always does that without warning- its nausea-inducing-
“Language, my dear!” he tuts, softly smacking your back with the tip of his cane. Alastor walks into the hotel happily, spinning his cane as he does.
You grumble as you recollect yourself- glancing around to ensure you have everything. You don’t think you dropped anything- but it doesn’t hurt to check.
You glance back up, taking in the building before you. It definitely looks like a hotel, tall and imposing, with bright lights and a sign that reads-
Hazbin Hotel
Just as Alastor had said. The door is ajar, so you follow in Alastor’s footsteps.
For Husk, you think absently as you peek your head in the doorway-
“Well, my dear, you certainly took your time!” Alastor says brightly, turning to look at you. There’s a squeal (?) behind him, and you find yourself being grabbed-
“Hi! Alastor said he was bringing someone but I didn’t think it would be a guest! Welcome-” She says, rattling on.
“Uh- sorry, blondie, what?” You say, pushing her back slightly.
“Oh! Sorry, how rude of me!” She giggles, stepping back. You take her in long blonde hair, red cheeks, and a flattering red suit. “You’re not even in the hotel yet, and I haven’t introduced myself at all!”
“My name is Charlie! It’s so nice to meet you!” She introduces herself animatedly, and… she’s probably the most cheerful person you’ve ever met in Hell. She sticks her hand out, and you take it hesitantly. “Nice to meet you, Charlie.” You say after a moment before telling her your own name. Her eyes seem to light up more- if possible.
“Like I said, it’s soo nice to meet you!” She repeats, and you just nod. “Now, are you here to help us? Or- you’re a guest, maybe?”
“Sorry- Uhm, Alastor kind of..” you glanced at the said demon, who narrowed his eyes slightly at you. “I’m mostly here to see Husk, actually-”
She gasps.
“Oh! You’re a friend of Husks’??” She says, seeming a little too… happy at the information. Her hands are clasped together- stars in her eyes.
“He’s at the bar right now!”
Charlie steps back before gesturing to the far side of the room.
She’s pointing towards… a discoloured area with a bar, darker than the rest of the room. Classic Husk- of course, he’s with the alcohol. He’s turned around, searching through the bottles.
Probably looking for whiskey.
You can feel the grin on your face before you’re aware you’re smiling, quickly making your way over to your oldest companion.
“Husk!” You call, and you don’t think you’ve ever seen him spin quite like he does when he hears you-
His eyes widen as he stares for a moment as you approach, a grin breaking out on his face.
“The fuck are you doing here?” He asks, but his expression is too happy, his arms are spread too wide for him to be upset.
“I could ask you the same thing, old man!”
He just barks out a laugh, glee burning in his eyes. He shakes his head for a moment before leaning over the bar.
“C’mere, kid.” He says, patting the area in front of him.
You oblige happily, hugging him over the bar island. Your face presses into his neck as much as it can, squeezing him happily. He returns the hug- head pressed against yours in a way you can feel his whiskers tickle you enough to make you giggle.
You think you hear an “aww!” behind you, and you suddenly remember other people are around.
You pull away, embarrassed. You hear someone clear their throat- probably Alastor. You turn slightly to face him- and Charlie.
“Now, Charlie, my dear, let’s leave them for a moment- they haven’t seen each other in quite some time!”
“Oh! Yes! Of course, sorry for interrupting!”
You blink- it’s only been… a few days.
“The fuck does he mean, ‘quite some time’?” Husk grumbles. His paws still rest on your forearms, keeping you close to him. He moves away only to walk around the bar, so he’s beside you.
“I dunno.”
Husk shakes his head again.
“So, what are you doin’ here?” He asks you again. You just smile, kind of awkwardly.
“I was worried about you, Husk- always am when Pinstripes’ involved.” You say. “He kinda showed up at my place and said he’d bring me to you ’cause you’re both gonna be here a while. Till he gets bored, supposedly.”
“Who fuckin knows how long that’ll be…”
“Ha! That’s what I thought too, old man.”
“Stop callin’ me that- or I’m gonna start calling you kid more often.”
“Haha, you geezer!”
Husk pulls you into another hug, tighter this time- and you melt into it.
Maybe being forced to stay here won’t be so awful with him around- and you’re sure he feels the same way about you, too.