Chapter Text
With a quiet sigh, Angel pushed the hotel door open slowly. If Charlie and her dad are so powerful, you’d think they could get some automatic doors in here , he thought grumpily. He grimaced at the familiar soreness pulsing throughout his entire body as he stumbled inside. Somehow, he never got used to it. Glancing up, Angel grinned, noticing that the bar lights were still on. Husk was bent over the bar, half-heartedly polishing a glass. Letting out a cough to announce his presence, Angel strutted up to the bar, ignoring the dull pain and practically draping himself over the bar table.
“Evening, whiskers! I’m surprised an old man like you is still up!” He batted his eyelashes teasingly, “Ya didn’t wait up for little ol’ me, did ya?”
Husk rolled his eyes with a sigh, setting down the glass and turning back to the bar, preparing a drink. “Don’t flatter yourself.” He grumbled, but his glowing yellow eyes gave away his amusement.
Angel gasped, placing a hand over his heart dramatically, “Ouch! You wound me, Husker!”
Husk groaned, sliding a drink to Angel. Sex on the beach. Angel probably would have made a comment about it, but he was touched by Husk making him a drink, so instead he picked it up and took a long and relieved drink.
“Ahh, just what I needed…”
Husk eyed him carefully as he finished the drink quickly, “Rough night?”
Angel scoffed, letting out a dry laugh, “Yeah, in more ways than one, baby.”
Husk hummed sympathetically, silently taking Angel’s drink and refilling it, “Wanna talk about it?”
Angel sighed, his confident and unaffected facade slipping off slowly. Husk always knew how to see right through him, “It’s not a big deal, nothing I’m not used to…” Angel glanced down at the floor, suddenly becoming aware of his aching body once again, “It’s just Val..”
Angel could practically feel Husk’s warm gaze, staring right through him. He wasn’t saying anything yet, just listening patiently.
“Ever since I came to this hotel,” Angel explained, staring at two of his hands which were fidgeting in his lap. “Well..let’s just say Val hasn’t liked it too much…”
Angel was shaken from his thoughts as he felt Husk place a soft paw on his shoulder, giving it a comforting pat. He handed Angel his refilled drink, which he took gratefully.
“You’re probably sick of my bitchin’ by now, huh?” He took a quiet sip of his drink, still not meeting Husk’s eyes.
Husk squeezed Angel’s shoulder gently, forcing him to meet his gaze. “Hey, I don’t mind, honest. That’s what I’m here for, ain’t it? So you can bitch to the bartender.” He chuckled, removing his paw. “Besides, it’s still about a million times better than that flirty shtick you like to put on.” He waved a paw dismissively.
Angel chuckled, setting down his drink gently. “Aww, you’re no fun whiskers!” He leaned forward across the bar table teasingly, “A lot ‘a people like my ‘ shtick. ’” He winked.
Husk groaned and pushed him away gently, “You’re impossible.”
Angel shrugged and took another sip of his drink, “I think you’re pronouncin’ irresistible wrong, baby.”
Husk only groaned in response, turning back towards the bar and pouring himself a whiskey. Angel just laughed.
As he swirled his drink in one hand, his grin softened a little, “Thanks for the drink by the way.”
Husk’s ear twitched in response, turning back around slowly, “Yeah, well, I’m a bartender.” He grunted.
Angel smirked. “Do bartenders always stay up ‘till three in the mornin’ to make a drink for their favorite customers?”
Angel watched as Husk reddened slightly. Huh. He hadn’t seen that before.
“Yeah, well,” Husk took a long drink of whiskey, not quite looking at Angel. “Somebody had to make sure you got back okay.”
Angel felt his heart leap up into his throat. Damn it. They sat in silence for a moment before Angel pushed himself up and stretched lethargically.
“Well, it’s gettin’ pretty late here, whiskers.”
Husk’s eyes darkened, noticing the rope burn and bruises running up and down all of Angel’s arms. “You’re hurt.”
Angel quickly dropped his arms, hiding the marks, “No need to worry, doll.” Angel grinned. “It’s nothing I haven’t dealt with before.”
But Husk was already up and coming around the bar, reaching for Angel’s arms, his eyes quietly asking for permission. Sighing and blushing slightly, Angel relented, extending his arms for Husk to see. Eyebrows furrowed in concentration and concern, Husk gently took two of Angel’s arms into his paws, silently examining the damage.
“It’s really not that big of a deal, Husker.” Angel mumbled, his face hot with embarrassment, and his arms trembling slightly under Husk’s soft touch.
Still silent, Husk took one of Angel’s hands, pulling him along as he walked towards the elevator.
“Wha-” Angel stuttered in confusion. “Where are we goin’?”
“My room.” Husk said matter of factly.
Angel grinned and raised an eyebrow, “Weren’t ya gonna take me to dinner first, whiskers?”
Husk scowled as they entered the elevator. “Not like that! Satan!” He shook his head, “I’ve got a first aid kit in there, alright? I’m gonna get you cleaned up a little.”
Angel’s eyes widened, flushing slightly as Husk exited the elevator, still dragging Angel along behind him.
“What?” He shook his head incredulously. “Why would you do that?”
“Because.” Husk dropped Angel’s hand as they reached his room, unlocking it and swinging the door open unceremoniously. “If those assholes are gonna beat up on you all day, this is the least I can do.”
Angel felt his mouth fall open and his head spun with some combination of confusion and elation as Husk sat him down on the edge of the bed, immediately moving to his bedside table and riffling through it noisily. Eventually, he resurfaced with a somewhat beat-up-looking first aid kit, opening it up on the bed beside Angel. As Angel felt his mind slowing down slightly, he took the chance to take in his surroundings. Husk’s room was pretty bare, as Angel had expected, with empty bottles littering the carpet. Still, the room was warm and comforting in a way, and Angel felt himself returning to normal.
“Nice place, Husker.” He teased, his grin returning.
Husk grunted as he pulled some equipment from the kit, not looking up.
“Could use some color through,” Angel mused, smirking. “Maybe pink…”
Husk glared, amusement glinting in his yellow eyes. “Absolutely not.”
Angel chuckled, watching as Husk sat beside him, holding rubbing alcohol in one hand and a rag in the other. Husk slowly moved one of Angel’s arms, eyeing him carefully to make sure this was okay.
“This is gonna sting.” He mumbled, starting to move quickly and silently, cleaning Angel’s wounds with the alcohol.
It did sting a little, but Husk was gentle, and, frankly, Angel was pretty used to pain. Husk made quick work of cleaning all of Angel’s arms, setting the rag aside and picking up a small green container.
“Aloe,” Husk explained, spreading some gently onto Angel’s wrist. “Should help with the rope burn.”
Angel nodded, closing his eyes at the cool and soothing sensation of the aloe. Husk worked quickly but skillfully, with patience and gentleness Angel hadn’t thought he was capable of. Before he knew it, Husk had finished his work, packing the kit back up neatly. For a moment, Angel said nothing, examining his arms, which were already feeling much better.
“I can’t do much about the bruises,” Husk mumbled as he closed the kit, looking uncharacteristically bashful. “But that should help a little anywa-”
He was cut off as Angel pulled him into a tight hug, letting out a small squeak. Angel pulled back, still holding Husk by the shoulders and smiling brightly.
“Thanks, whiskers.”
Under his fur, Husk was bright red, coughing and shaking himself slightly to regain his composure.
“Yeah, yeah” He mumbled, a small smile appearing on his face. “You’re welcome, legs.”