Work Text:
Husk watches as Angel floats from person to person, socializing for a few minutes before wandering to the next person. From Charlie and Vaggie to Cherri to Nifty, he laughs with each person, careful not to spill the fruity pink cocktail he holds delicately. Husk chats with every person that comes over to grab another drink. He’s not making anyone anything, he just doesn’t leave his spot behind the bar and everyone grabs their own bottles. Charlie had said to spend their last night however they wanted, and for everyone that seems to mean getting drunk and joking with friends and partners.
For his last night alive, he’d never thought he’d want to spend it behind a bar top, but he can’t fault himself for sitting and admiring the not-quite living, breathing, angel that occupies the hotel. When he sits here he can wait for Angel to wander over, and he can offer to make Angel another drink. Everyone knows that’s something he wouldn’t do for anyone else, but no one will say anything about it. Husk sits at the bar, just in case Angel bats his eyelashes and asks for something fruity and pink that Husk is not-so-secretly waiting to make.
It’s not that Husk doesn’t like talking to anyone else, it’s just that Angel is an enigma to him. He’s been in hell a long time, but no one has captured Husk’s attention like Angel has. There’s something about that layer under Angel that makes Husk desperate to know him. That chance is long gone now, with the incoming extermination, but he still wonders about the guy. He likes to see his genuine laugh when someone says something funny, and he notices how he relaxes around Cherri more than anyone else. Husk wants any moment he can get of the real Angel, not the fake one that he had to push away. He can’t get close enough to this version of Angel.
After staring for so long, Angel finally catches Husk’s eye, and Husk can’t look away fast enough. He’s been caught. When Angel smiles at him though, he wishes he had been caught sooner.
Angel saunters over with a smug glimmer in his eyes. When Angel ends up at the bar, his hand wrapped around an almost empty cocktail glass, Husk feels his stomach settle a bit. The object of his curiosity has finally paid him a visit.
“Like what you see, baby?” Angel grins, placing his hands on his hips. He’s showing off for just a moment - not that Husk can fault him - before he slides into a seat and slides his glass over to Husk with an unsaid request. Husk grabs the ingredients for Angel’s drink.
“Fuck off. Just wondering when you’ll learn how to make this yourself so I don’t need to wait around to make you another one.” Husk jokes. They both know he could tell Angel to get his own drink, he just won’t. Angel grins, and his shoulders relax with his arms falling to his sides. When Husk looks back he looks different. There’s no front anymore.
When Angel smiles at him now, it’s something painfully real and delicate. Husk gets the sense he could ruin it if he said the wrong thing. He never felt like that before Angel trusted him. Before that night outside that bar a few weeks ago he could only see a fortified wall that refused to let Husk even see what was on the other side. Recently though, it seems to take less and less for Angel to let Husk past it. There’s a trust in him not to ruin that joy that only this hotel sees. That, at this moment, only Husk gets to see. Husk wants to keep it there. He carefully pours his drink into his glass, and slides it over.
“Thank you.” Angel says. Husk just nods.
It’s difficult to not mourn what he’s lost with Angel. Over the past few weeks they spend most of their time together - at least, most of the time Angel isn’t at work. They talk, and laugh, and they share more with each other than anyone else at the hotel, but he feels like he’s lost more . When he looks at Angel he knows there’s too much longing inside of him. It’s hard to not fall hard for the first person he’s been able to connect with in… a long time. He can’t remember the last time he got this close to someone.
It scares him, he’s seen what hell does to people who love. He’s seen what Alastor does to people who love. It’s a weakness he’s never been afforded. With his life on earth there was too much drinking and moving in his life. He made a decent amount of money traveling across the country and gambling, but you can’t stay anywhere long when your only source of income was making as much money as possible before being run out of the casino you occupied. Any affection from anyone he indulged was long forgotten by morning, or just never remembered. If anything, he eventually sobered up a little in hell, he had souls to deal with for a bit. His memory has gotten better. Now, he remembers his late night talks with Angel every morning.
Every night, he lets himself laugh at Angel’s quips, but he pushes a hand off when Angel reaches out to pet him. He can make Angel a drink, but he needs to limit his drinking. He needs to make sure they both wake up in their own beds, not wrapped up in each other like he hasn’t let himself admit before tonight. Tonight, he can breathe and speak freely around Angel, because there’s no consequences to it. Every other night up to this point has been spent pushing his desires away for fear of what it could mean for him, but tonight there’s no reason to hold back anymore. It’s likely his last night alive, regardless of what everyone hopes, and he doesn’t want to deprive himself further.
He looks to Angel, with the hope that tonight he can finally reciprocate the flirty touches and glances without fear of Alastor looming over his shoulder and holding it over him.
Angel now looks at him curiously over the rim of his glass because he hasn’t said anything in a while.
“You alright?” He asks. Husk avoids the question.
"Last day of the afterlife, and you're not off snorting a line off some hunk's abs?" Husk asks instead. It’s kind of a joke. He grins like it is, but he is curious why Angel chose here . He could be anywhere. Husk knows why he wants to be here, and maybe some part of him hopes that the answer is similar for Angel.
Angel laughs. Husk wishes he could hear it forever. He thinks maybe he’ll really miss that laugh for as long as he’s not hearing it.
"Eh, you fucked one cannibal pool boy, you fucked 'em all." Angel tells him. Husk chuckles.
"I guess you have changed." Not that Husk didn't know that. He's watched Angel change, and grow better.
A brief pause, and they meet each other’s eyes . Angel downs the rest of his drink, and taps his fingers gently on the bar, before opening his mouth to speak.
"Hey-" Husk sees Angel's soft eyes and jittery energy focused solely on him. It makes him crave Angel’s attention forever. "Charlie said live tonight however we wanted, so pour me a fresh one, and let's get to living." It’s one hell of an admission that he wants to spend his last night drinking with Husk . His face warms at the thought and his cheeks suddenly hurt at the smile being pulled across his face. He can’t escape the unyielding affection in his chest, and he’s not sure he wants to.
“You could spend your night with anyone and you chose us. You chose here. That’s real fuckin’ sappy.”
“Oh fuck you, you know there’s nowhere else I could be.” Angel says. He looks out to everyone. For a moment, Angel looks like he’s longing for more time. Husk knows he looks the same. By the time he turns back to Husk, that momentary look in his eye is gone, replaced with another gentle smile.
“Besides, where else can I get specialty drinks?” Angel fidgets with the thin stem of the empty glass, twisting it thoughtlessly. His eyes land warmly on Husk. His breath shortens at the look he gives Husk. He’s never noticed it before. Maybe he was too focused on himself.
Before he can let himself be dragged into Angel by those eyes, he mixes another round.
“I’m sure you could get this anywhere, it’s not hard to make”
“What’s in it then? I’ll leave and get it somewhere else.” Angel asks while Husk pours his cocktail into his glass.
“No, it’s my specialty, I can't lose one of my five customers.” Husk fucking smiles at him. Dear god, who is he?
“Exactly, that’s what I thought.” Angel chuckles.
Husk moves to join Angel on the other side of the bar. He leaves a seat in between himself and Angel, but his heart beats a bit faster when Angel wordlessly slides right next to him.
It’s silent for another moment, before Angel speaks again. His words are preceded with a deep breath, and he speaks softly so only Husk can hear.
“You know, Val told me he wanted me to spend the night back at his place. I didn’t tell him I’d be here instead. If we live through all this he’ll be pissed tomorrow, but if we don’t…” His voice lowers again. His words come out faster. “This is the only place I’ve ever belonged in Hell. I’ve-” Angel pauses. “I’ve only ever belonged with you. Charlie… tries her best to help, but she doesn’t really speak my language like you do. You get it.”
Angel isn’t looking at Husk. He looks at his drink instead. Husk sees the fear in his eyes at such a genuine admission. Angel is rarely real . This is fucking real . The thought that Angel feels maybe even half of what Husk feels - a sense of belonging and understanding like never before - comforts Husk more than he thought possible. He’s not alone in this feeling.
Husk looks to Alastor, who’s surveying the residents of the hotel from a balcony. Husk knows more than anyone else here what it’s like to feel powerless. What it’s like to be held in a vice grip, pushed around with every whim of a power hungry overlord.
He looks back up at Angel beside him. It’s nice to see that he’s not the only one being open tonight.
“Yeah, I get it baby.” Angel finally looks at him, and smiles down at him. Husk has never wanted anything more than to take an angel in his arms and experience what it’s like, for just a moment, to touch heaven.
There’s a heart trapped beneath years of isolation that beats too loudly when Husk hears it for the first time. There’s only the thoughts in his head and his heart in his ears that he can hear as the pair falls into silence for the few moments after Husk agrees.
Angel sips his drink again.
“Since you’ve known Alastor forever, what’s the deal with that cannibal chick?” He asks in between sips of his drink. He’s trying to move on, and Husk doesn’t mind. He’s just happy Angel wants to be with him .
“Honestly not totally sure. She’s an overlord too. Never interacted with her much, just know she’s close with Alastor. She offered me a leg to eat once.” Husk shudders.
“Hm.” Angel considers that, and looks at him up and down. “Did you eat it?” Angel asks seriously.
“No! What are you talking about, are you serious man?” Husk shouts and Angel erupts into laughter beside him. One of Angel’s hands comes to rest on Husk’s shoulder, and Husk revels in the small touch.
“You know-” Angel huffs a breath in between his words, still holding back laughter. “I’ve eaten an arm before.”
“What? No way- You’re kidding right?” Husk jumps back for a second and Angel erupts into laughter again.
“Yeah no shit babe, you couldn’t catch me dead eating a person . I’m fucked up, but not that bad, c’mon-” Angel is struggling through his sentence because he’s laughing so hard. It’s not even that funny, but when he leans into Husk again and he can’t even be upset.
“You’re insane.” Husk chuckles.
“I’m hot and insane. They cancel out.”
“Humble too.” Husk nods solemnly.
“I’m just bein’ real. I’m famous for a reason and it’s not ‘cause I’m smart.”
“I think you’re smart-”
“Don’t flatter me-”
“I’m serious. I don’t bullshit.”
Angel looks to see if Husk is serious. He is.
“Oh, well thanks then.” Angel smiles. Husk adores it.
A moment later, their conversation is cut short by Vaggie making an announcement to the hotel.
“Okay, everyone wrap it up. We’ve got 10 hours before the extermination, and everyone better get some good sleep before battle.” Vaggie shouts out to the crowd. It’s not a second after she finishes her sentence before she’s turned back to Charlie, grinning, walking away hand in hand. Husk’s stomach churns and his hands shake. They long for a touch of something, someone he’s never had before. His eyes look to Angel. He won’t ask.
Angel doesn’t look at him, instead watching Charlie and Vaggie leave the room. Husk’s mouth won’t form words and won’t start a sentence so the two of them watch every resident file out one by one to their own rooms. Then there’s only them left.
The silence stretches and fills the room like molasses. Husk is stuck, afraid to speak and ruin the moment with Angel. Afraid to say something and scare him away. He doesn’t know what to say to make sure he doesn’t ruin his last moments with the one person he has ever wanted . He doesn’t let himself initiate something that Angel might not want. His fear holds him in a vice grip, more than Alastor ever did. It takes the words from him, and he doesn’t even trust his typically steady voice to not shake. An Angel is something you’re supposed to pray for, not look at, not touch, not laugh with. It makes him laugh how he feels the same way with this Angel. It feels like a massive overstep if he even looks at him now that the severity of his desire reaches him.
When Husk finally musters the ability to look at Angel again, he’s staring at the empty lobby. His body is stock still, his eyes just a bit too wide. Husk feels like tonight he’s stuck staring at him, still too afraid to ask for something he’s never felt before, something he desires deeply.
“Do you think we’ll survive tomorrow?” Angel asks simply, like it’s a simple question. Clearly he’s been thinking about it. Husk just sighs.
“I know the princess is hopeful, but I doubt it. I’m not sayin’ I have no hope, but… I’m lookin’ at this night like it’s my last.”
“Yeah.. I was thinkin’ the same thing.” Angel looks at Husk, a sudden look of determination in his eyes. Husk has no idea what that means for him.
Angel takes a deep breath.
“Would you like to come up with me? We can fuck if that’s what you want I’ll take it because I want to spend my last night with you and if that’s what you want-” He cuts himself off. His eyes dig into Husk, searching for any sign that it was too far. Husk is sure he won’t find any.
For the millionth time tonight, the words can’t leave his mouth. He wanted this more than anything tonight, wanted an angel to hold and save him tonight. Wanted Angel to hold and save him tonight. The words repeat in his head before he can comprehend that they’re real, and that Angel is still looking at him expectantly. Husk finally looks for the words to respond properly.
“Yes, but I don’t- I don’t want that. I just wanna be with you too.” Husk responds. Angel’s shoulders fall slightly, a deep breath escapes him before another smile occupies his face. Another real smile, more joy .
Husk hops off his bar stool, and holds a hand out for Angel to grab in order to step down, not that he needs it. He takes it though, and smiles down at him. It’s all the encouragement he needs to hold Angel’s hand all the way to the elevator. He keeps his grip loose, to make it easy for Angel to let his hand fall if he wants.
Angel holds his hand tight. His white fur clashes with Husk’s own black fur and he can’t help but glance at the contrast.
Their hands stay interlinked the whole ride up the elevator.
While they stand there, Husk lets his thumb rub Angel’s fur. He lets himself look at Angel. Angel smiles at him. He smiles right back.
“Are you sure you want-” Husk starts.
“Yes. More than anything.” Angel settles Husk’s nerves, and he lets his hand actually hold Angel’s.
It’s silent the rest of the way up, and to the walk to Angel’s door. Only then does Angel stop and turn to face Husk. He drops his hand. Husk misses it immediately.
“ If you want to fuck tonight, seriously, that’s what I want too even if I don’t seem really into it
tonight, but I really do want you here, I promise-” Angel rambles, and he doesn’t look at Husk.
“I don’t want to have sex with you.” Husk cuts him off.
“Wait what?” Angel suddenly looks more confused than comforted. Husk winces, that’s not what he was going for.
“Tonight. I don’t want to have sex with you tonight.”
“But-”
“I just want to sleep too. But together. I want to be with you, if that’s okay?” He reassures.
Angel looks like he’s about to cry with relief. Husk wants to kill every little bitch that made him think saying no wasn’t an option.
“Yes. Yes of course that’s okay with me.” Angel smiles again. Small, and genuine. Husk loves this real Angel.
He’s glad he doesn’t need to think about that word, love. He can know Angel tonight, and pray for a good outcome tomorrow. But at least he has tonight.
Angel opens the door, and leads Husk in. He closes it softly behind him, and quickly flits around his room. He opens a drawer to find some sort of pajama shorts. He doesn’t say a word as he loses his boots and steps into his bathroom. Husk pulls off his own suspenders and his tie and sets himself gingerly next to a little pig on Angel’s bed. The pig finds itself a place in Husk’s lap, and he pets it like he remembers petting a dog when he was human.
Angel’s room is similar to Husks, but clearly lived in. There’s clothes thrown around, and snacks on his dresser. He even has pictures of himself and Charlie or himself and his pig on his wall. There’s even one of the two of them that Husk hasn’t seen before. They’re both laughing at something. It’s a really nice picture. Husk wonders who took it. He suspects Charlie.
He looks back down to the round piglet in his lap. He knew that Angel had a pig, Angel had said so himself, he had just never seen it before. The little spotted pig oinks at him before settling fully into his lap. It’s a cute thing. Pink and black spotted, it reminds Husk of Angel, but that’s not a surprise. Most things do.
“He likes you.” Angel steps out of the bathroom with soft looking shorts on and no top (ha).
“I like him too, I think. I’ve never touched a pig before.”
“Mm. My grandparents grew up on a farm. I loved the pigs.”
“That’s nice.”
“Yeah.” Angel smiles at the memory. “Anyways, just be careful to not be too loud or anythin’. He doesn’t like yellin’.” Husk can only imagine what the little guy went through when living with Val.
Angel picks up the little piglet from Husk’s lap, and sets him into a sort of dog bed for him on the floor. Angel even tucks him in with a tiny blanket. It’s adorable.
Angel moves to the other side of his tiny bed, the side not occupied by Husk, and lays himself down. He looks up to Husk who’s still sitting on the edge of the bed. He holds up his hand, and Husk takes it gently before Angel all but yanks him into his arms. All four of his arms wrap around Husk without hesitation, and Husk instinctively wraps his arms around Angel’s slim waist and back. In the back of the mind he’s thankful the room is as cold as it is so he can hold Angel this tight and not get too warm.
Husk can’t believe his luck at this moment. He can’t escape the smell of whatever strawberry perfume Angel wears. All he can feel is Angel’s fur against his own, and his breathing in sync with his. He could die like this and be happy. He hopes he does die like this.
“I can’t believe I won’t get to have this for much longer.” Husk murmurs into Angel’s shoulder.
Angel loosens his grip for a moment, and pulls back as far as he can for the tiny bed they’re sharing. He stares at Husk, and studies his sleep-addled face. Husk worries for a moment if he’s messed up.
"Can I kiss you? I... I know I'll regret it tomorrow if I die having lost this moment. I'll lose knowing you but I'm glad I could spend my last night with you. You said earlier that I chose the hotel, but more than anything, I chose you.” Angel tells him.
Husk just nods gently.
“I felt the same thing, baby.”
Suddenly they meet, and it’s warm and gentle and not what he ever expected from the Angel Dust. It is Angel though, and it’s perfect. It’s more than he could have even hoped for tonight.
“Thank you.” Angel says. Husk is so immensely grateful for whatever force in Hell allowed this moment to happen that he can’t help but pull Angel back into him. He holds on to someone for the first, and likely the last, time in his life. It’s intoxicating in a way he never expected. Husk worries that when morning comes he won’t be able to let go. If he has to die tomorrow he’d rather spend his last hours here, with a real angel, instead of the ones that masquerade as such. If they were angels they wouldn’t take this from him. He’s been in hell forever, but at this moment he knows heaven.
“Oh baby, don’t say thank you. I wanted that more than you can know.” Husk whispers to Angel.
Angel finally wraps his arms around Husk again. Husk can feel a deep sigh escape Angel more than he can hear it.
“Goodnight Husk.”
“Goodnight, Angel.”
There’s a long enough silence that Husk thinks the moment is over.
“Anthony.” Angel breaks the silence.
“Hm?” Husk tries to tune back into the conversation, and into Angel who is clearly worried about what he just said.
“That’s my name. No one really calls me that.” He pauses. “No one knows that’s my name, but… That is my name. Use it.”
It takes a moment for Husk to comprehend, with sleep trying to drag him down, but he understands.
“Goodnight, Anthony.”
Anthony melts against him. He can soon feel deeper breaths against his chest where they’re resting together. Angel’s fur is soft against his own, and he lets their legs get entangled beneath the thin blanket they’re tucked beneath. It’s not long before Husk himself loses himself to sleep. Whatever comes tomorrow. At least he has this. A warm bed, the comfort of a warm body. He knows Anthony better than anyone else in this hotel, and that’s all he wanted, was to know him.
Whatever comes tomorrow, at least there’s this.