Work Text:
Angel sat at his vanity touching up his makeup, tapping at the edge of his eye to smudge the liner just a bit to soften it. Using a make up wipe he cleaned off the marks on one hand, while applying a slight shimmer to his lips hurriedly. He was running out of time and was not going to be late if he could help it. Throwing his lipstick and phone into his clutch, he sat back and looked in the mirror critically.
Fluffing up his chest fur above the sweetheart neckline, he gave a quick spritz of perfume - the fancy one that smelled like honeysuckles and vanilla - his favourite. He’d always loved the scent of honeysuckles in summer. They'd grown wild along fences and back alleys when he was alive, thriving in the most unexpected places.
Angel smirked at his reflection and pulled down a strand of his hair from where it was slicked back. He didn’t necessarily love the look of his hair back, and it took so much time to get it to stay, but it was so worth it. He had a PLAN damn it. Not a plan he would share with anyone, and not one he really thought would amount to anything in the end, but he was going to enjoy it as long as he could.
Standing up, Angel straightened the hem of his black dress and grabbed his clutch. He smooched a kiss to Nugget’s head telling him to be good before hurrying out the door. No matter how late he was, it was no excuse to ignore his little baby. The spider paused at the bottom of the stairs and leaned against the wall. Two gloved hands framed his face as he took a deep steadying breath. He had this, he could do this. The same as every time before.
Mismatched eyes opened as he hyped himself up, a familiar smirk on his face. Angel pushed off the wall and sauntered around the corner to the bar, sliding into his spot and leaning over the counter slightly. Just enough to seem casual while making sure his fluff was prominent. He was practiced at looking alluring. But here, at the bar, was one of the few times it wasn’t an act. Wasn’t fake.
“Hey, Husk,” he purred, watching closely as Husk turned around, nose twitching. The bartender always reacted to this particular scent - his nose twitching as his pupils dilated, leaving a thin ring of glowing gold. Angel had taken to wearing it only when he was going to see Husk, and he mentally celebrated as he took in the bartender's face. He could pretend the way the cat reacted was just because of him and not the scent. It was maybe a bit dishonest, but it was his crush and he would fuel it however he liked, damn it.
“Angel” Husk said simply, glancing over before grabbing a few bottles. Angel mentally shivered. Hell, he was so far gone for this man. He loved that deep voice, especially saying his name. He propped his chin onto his hands as the lower set played anxiously with the hem of his dress. The pornstar loved watching Husk work, his hands sure as he mixed drinks - shaking and pouring the liquid, or pushing a drink across the counter without spilling it.
“Legs?” Husk asked, one eyebrow raised and claws still on the edge of the glass in front of Angel.
Was it just him or was Husk leaning in a little more than usual? He felt himself flush as he realized he'd been caught staring at Husk while he daydreamed. “Ah sorry, sorry. Just thinking,” he said quickly, grabbing the glass and taking a sip. The spider hummed happily. "What's this?
“Pink lemonade cocktail,” Husk answered as Angel took another sip.
He looked around as Husk continued to watch him. He loved the attention, but he'd already been caught staring once. He was always worried the older demon would figure out how he felt. Angel’s knee bounced, his lower hands fidgeting nervously in his lap.
“You look nice,” Husk said lowly, “Work or date?” He looked down at the bar where he was idly cleaning the surface with a cloth.
“Work!” Angel said quickly, “I mean... just work, not a date. Very much not a personal date.” He watched as Husk's lips twitched - he probably thought the spider sounded like an idiot over-explaining it wasn't a date like that. Why would Husk, his friend, care it wasn't a date.
Angel downed his drink, putting it on the counter with a sigh. He was overthinking everything again - he knew it - but it didn’t stop his brain and stupid heart from battling each other. Not where Husk was concerned anyway.
“You think you’ll be out late?” Husk asked. He was leaning cross-armed on the counter, face close to Angel’s.
He felt himself start at the sudden proximity, face heating up. “Uh probably not too late? One? Maybe two?” He stammered, not able to look away from those gold eyes. Angel really loved Husk's eyes. He could drown in them.
“Okay, I’ll make you something when you get back.”
“You don’t have to do that.” Angel protested a little on principle, but secretly happy. He loved seeing Husk before bed - even if they didn’t talk, it made him feel warm just knowing the older man was around.
“And yet I want too” Husk said lowly.
The cat's tone went straight to Angel's groin, making him shift in his seat, as he pulled at his hem.
“And Angel?”
“Uh huh?” he murmured in a dazed tone, leaning forward as Husk lowered his voice. This. This was what he was waiting for. This moment played out so many nights in the same way. He knew what was coming but still got the same butterflies as Husk brushed back the piece of hair Angel had pulled down exactly for this purpose.
He shivered, eyes falling half-mast as Husk’s claws raked softly through his hair. So gentle, as if he was something worth taking care of. He lived for this moment. He knew it didn’t mean anything, just a friend making sure he was put together, but he couldn’t stop it, didn’t want to stop it. It was such a little thing. Surely he could have this, just this. He wouldn't push for more.
“I know you can take care of yourself, but you call me if you need anything,” he said, resting his paw against Angel's face, claws trailing softly from his hair along his jaw.
Angel's eyes snapped open, staring at Husk. That was new. He only ever pushed his hair back. This was different. He worked hard to rein in his thoughts even as he flushed deeper, nodding in response as little as he could not to dislodge Husk’s hand.
“Good.” Husk’s thumb rubbed just under his small eyes before pulling away, clearing his throat and staring down.
Angel thought he saw a blush crossing the cat’s face but that had to be wishful thinking. Husk didn’t think of him that way, he reminded himself. But, oh, this was going to fuel his fantasies so much more. He was so glad he didn’t want to get over his crush - this would ensure he never did.
“Anyway, you should probably head out, yeah? Don't want to be late,” Husk said gruffly, focusing on polishing a glass roughly.
Angel glanced at the time and stood up, grabbing his purse. He thought he said something in parting, completely dazed as he walked out the entrance. One hand raised to his cheek. He had to play it cool, it didn’t mean anything, he reminded himself again.
But a smaller part of his brain wouldn't be dismissed as it exclaimed that Husk had cradled his cheek. That was new, he wanted to feel it again. Angel gave a little cheer of excitement before forcing himself to calm down. He had a PLAN, and he was not going to let his desires ruin it.
*******
Husk had a plan. It wasn't a detailed plan, but he’d had one. He blamed Angel’s perfume for screwing it all up. It was absolutely intoxicating on the spider. Made him want to just nuzzle his chest fluff. Not that he didn’t always, it looked so soft. But when Angel wore that scent? He just wanted to grab the younger man onto his lap, nuzzle into his chest, and never come up for air again.
So when Angel had called to him in that sweet voice, wearing that perfume and showing off his fluff? Husk was not a strong man, and he’d been playing this slow for months now.
It was late when Angel had stumbled in, not that unusual, but he was quiet and that set the cat’s fur on end. Even on a bad day at the studio he grumbled and whined on his way to the bar. Quiet was bad, and Husk hated it more than he could say.
Angel slid slowly onto his usual seat with an almost inaudible whimper. His lower set of arms were wrapped tight around his waist as he propped his upper set on the bar slowly. He sat curled slightly, as if he wanted to lay his head on the counter, but even that was too much effort.
Husk ran his gaze over him - jacket pulled tight and gloves pulled all the way up. An outfit he hadn't worn regularly in weeks. One Husk had come to realize he wore when he was hiding marks. He could see the bruises along his collar where it didn’t cover, and up along his neck. How bad did it have to be if he could see them through the spider's fur, he wondered.
Angel’s eyes were closed and his brow furrowed as he took shallow breaths. His face was bruised and there were cuts along his cheek and lips where Husk could see.
He called to Angel gently as he grabbed the first aid kit, but there wasn't a response. “Angel? C'mon kid, I need you to wake up. Let’s get you patched and up to bed” He reached out to push Angel’s hair back to check for other injuries.
The spider let out a rattling hiss at the contact, every one of his eyes flying open. He pulled back quickly before wincing in pain, breath quick and ragged.
“Hey, hey! It’s okay. It’s just me. It’s Husk, you're at the hotel, you're safe here.” Husk had kept up a steady stream of words just trying to get through to the younger man, who was looking around wildly, trying to calm him down.
“I'm sorry.” Angel had rasped out once he stopped panicking. Husk could see him forcing himself to relax.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. Shit, I’m the one who's sorry. I should have asked first before I touched you.” He scowled down at the first aid kit as he opened it, pulling out items. He knew better but he hadn't thought before touching him, focused on just wanting to help Angel.
Angel blinked unnaturally as if his thoughts were running slowly - Husk made a mental note to check for a concussion. “It’s okay. You're allowed”
“Still,” Husk huffed, looking at him properly. “Can I touch your hair? I want to move it back so I can bandage your face.” He'd start from the top down, figuring he'd work up to what looked like bruised ribs at the least.
“Gently? Please?” Angel whispered almost sounding ashamed at asking, “They... pulled it a lot today, my head hurts.”
“Of course.” Husk said quietly. Studio related then, he mentally snarled He'd almost hoped it hadn't been so he could go hunt the ones who’d hurt Angel.
He reached out slowly and, as gentle as he could, pushed back Angel's hair little by little. He watched as Angel slowly relaxed, flinching less as Husk carded his claws softly through his hair.
Husk had patched him up best he could, gently cleaning each cut and putting ointment on. Wrapped his ribs, though he was going to get someone to look at them tomorrow - he didn’t think any were broken, but he wouldn't rest easy until he knew for sure. Husk had walked Angel slowly up to his room and settled him into bed, taking care of Fat Nuggets so Angel wouldn't have to get up again.
He'd sat on the edge of Angel's bed, plugging in his phone and brushing his hair out of his eyes again before cursing and apologizing for not asking first. Angel had smiled up at him nuzzling up into his hand.
“Only you touch me so gently. I like it.” He'd said sleepily.
Husk had stared, eyes wide, carding his hair until he fell asleep.
Back in his room, Husk stared at his hand, opening and closing it unconsciously. He'd known he was soft for Angel for a while now, but this was different. His hand tingled, and he found himself wanting to touch Angel more. But no. They were friends and he wouldn't do anything Angel didn’t want. No matter how much he just wanted to take care of him.
Husk shook himself out of the memory sliding the drink across to Angel who was looking off with a soft smile. Husk could almost imagine he was looking at him with that smile. He leaned a little closer subtly, breathing in Angel's scent as he called him again.
Angel started, grabbing the drink and flushing before he glanced around lost in thought.
It happened again a few weeks later - Angel was fully recovered, to Husk’s relief. He walked distractedly to the bar, fidgeting with cufflinks, actual cufflinks. Husk's eyebrows rose and Angel grinned at him before doing a spin. His jacket fell neatly to his thighs and his vest was cut to show his figure.
“Ya like?” Angel had asked shyly, leaning on the counter.
Husk coughed, embarrassed by having been caught staring. “It’s nice. Never seen you in a suit before…. It looks good on you.” He complimented the spider, making him grin and flush in turn, hands running over the suit and straightening the vest a bit.
“Yeah, I don’t wear them much. I like them just fine but, I dunno, I just like my dresses more I guess.” He trailed off softly.
“Hey, you look great either way, Legs. You wear whatever you want.” Husk said, sternly pointing a claw at him.
Angel smiled at him running hands through his hair and a piece fell into his eyes making him scowl.
Husk laughed at his annoyance and reached out brushing it back and they both froze for a second before Husk pulled back. “Sorry, I should have asked first.”
Angel tilted his head slightly, staring at him with a fond grin. “It’s okay, I like it when it’s you. You're gentle.” Angel winked, “Consider that an open invitation.”
Husk rolled his eyes at the flirtatious tone, but he'd taken the words to heart.
“You look nice,” Husk said lowly, “Work or date?” he asked looking down at the bar where he ran a cloth. He didn’t know which answer he wanted. He didn’t really want it to be work - Angel worked enough at the studio - but he really didn’t want it to be a date either.
Angel’s quick response and emphasis that it wasn't a date made Husk smile. Interesting, maybe these past few months hadn't been completely one sided? Months of Angel coming to the bar before meeting up with people, always with his hair slicked back except for one piece. A piece Husk always brushed back from Angel's face to a light blush. Then, that intoxicating scent.
Husk wasn't stupid, he realized quickly that Angel only wore the scent when he came and got his hair fixed. Fixed just by Husk, he would bat away anyone else who tried, and there was no way Angel wouldn't have figured out how to style his hair without it falling. Not after all that time.
Husk had attributed it to Angel just wanting a kind touch, but maybe there was more to it? He leaned closer to Angel, offering to stay up till he got home. Husk never rested easy until he knew the younger demon was home safe. He carded his claws through Angel’s hair, same as always, watching the mixed eyes closing and enjoying the head nuzzling into his hand. Husk was certain Angel didn’t realize he did that each time.
Normally that would be it, but today felt different. Husk trailed his paw down to Angel’s cheek, resting along his jaw. “I know you can take care of yourself, but you call me if you need anything.” He heard himself offer.
Angel’s eyes snapped open staring at Husk. Oh fuck, he'd said too much, this wasn't the plan. Keep showing him kindness, soft touches, that he wasn't like the ones who threw themselves at him, that was the plan. Not making stupid offers. But he found himself brushing his thumb along the blush across Angel’s cheek just under his eyes anyway.
He felt himself flush at the soft gesture and pulled away, saying something to get Angel going before he could say or do anything else stupid. Angel stood up and walked off, looking dazed with a hand on his cheek - where Husk’s had been moments ago. He didn’t look angry, if anything he looked like he was trying to suppress looking thrilled.
Husk watched him walk out, thinking about their exchange. Maybe, just maybe playing his hand early hadn't been such a bad thing, he thought. It felt right, like a step had been taken toward something more. Husk heard a quiet cheer through the door and his smile grew.
He leaned down making sure to hide some strawberries and ice cream for Angel’s treat tonight. It may not have been part of his plan, but fuck the plan. It was long past time to raise the bet and see where it took them.