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The Hazbin Hotel’s lobby had been transformed into a neon-lit den of sin and celebration. Streamers hung from the ceiling (some already on fire thanks to Niffty’s enthusiastic decorating), the bar was stocked with enough booze to drown a sinner ten times over, and Charlie was belting out an off-key karaoke rendition of Hell is Forever while Vaggie cheered her on like it was a Grammy performance.
Angel Dust, clad in his usual scandalous attire but with an extra glittery flair for the occasion, slithered through the crowd with a martini in one hand and mischief in the other. His eyes locked onto his favorite grumpy bartender—Husk, who was slumped behind the bar like a disinterested cat, polishing a glass with the enthusiasm of a corpse.
"Heya, whiskers!" Angel plopped onto a stool, leaning forward with a grin. "Why’re you lookin’ like someone just pissed in your whiskey?"
Husk didn’t even glance up. "Because I’m stuck babysitting a buncha drunk idiots instead of napping’."
"Aw, c’mon! Live a little!" Angel pushed the martini toward him. Husk eyed it like it might explode.
"I don’t do fancy drinks. Whiskey. Straight. No frills."
Angel gasped dramatically. "Blasphemy! A bartender who won’t even taste his own creations? That’s like a porn star who don’t—"
"I get it," Husk grumbled, but there was the faintest twitch of his lips. Progress.
Angel leaned in, lowering his voice to a purr. "Tell ya what. You try this drink, and if ya hate it, I’ll leave ya alone for the rest of the night."
Husk’s ears flicked. "...And if I don’t?"
"Then ya gotta dance with me."
Husk scoffed. "Yeah, fuckin’ right—"
"Scared you’ll like it?" Angel wiggled his eyebrows.
That did it. With a grunt, Husk snatched the glass and downed it in one go. His face twisted—sweet, citrusy, with a kick that burned just right. Damn it.
Angel’s grin turned victorious. "Welp. Looks like you’re mine, pussycat."
"I hate you" Husk muttered, but there was no heat behind it.
"Nah, ya don’t." Angel grabbed his paw, dragging him toward the dance floor where Cherri was attempting (and failing) to twerk on Pentious’s head.
Husk resisted, but Angel was relentless, pulling him into the chaos. And when the music slowed—just for a moment—Husk didn’t let go.
"...Yer a real pain in my ass, you know that?" Husk grumbled, but his tail flicked against Angel’s leg.
Angel smirked. "And ya love it."
Husk didn’t deny it.
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The End.