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There wasn’t much of a routine that Angel Dust followed, Valentino called him into work at completely random times, and things with the hotel or Cherri came up randomly too. Yet sitting at the bar with a certain former overlord into the later hours of the night seemed to be the only thing he really had to do everyday. Well, he didn’t have to, but it’s, like, he still did it everyday, it was the one thing that was consistent.
He would come back home to the hotel after doing whatever Val forced him to do, or he’d finish up activities or chores, and then he’d plop his cute little ass in the same barstool every time. Lately he hadn’t even been drinking much either, sometimes not at all. Angel didn’t need alcohol when he was with Husker; he felt good without it!
He stopped short very suddenly, nearly going down the entire flight of stairs he stood at the top of.
“Is your brain messy too?” Nifty was scampering up the stairs.
“Uh… I guess?” Angel wasn’t really sure if he had to be honest.
“Mine too. It’s full of all sorts of ways to kill mother-bugs and rats, I can never decide!” She hugged a large knife to her body.
“Very cool.” He scratched the back of his head, the little bug always managed to unnerve him. He slowly slipped the knife out of her hands before she scurried off again.
He ventured to the kitchen to put the butcher's knife back, and then over to his favorite bartender who was nearly asleep leaning against one of the newly constructed beams.
“Heya whiskers,” Angel greeted playfully. “I’ll-“
A glass was immediately slid his way down the bar, Husk giving him a little smirk.
“I should remember I don’t even need to ask.” Angel Dust took a delicate sip, peering at the cat from above his glass.
“It’s the least I could do to have your favorite drinks ready.” He snorted a bit, but his tail twitched in amusement.
“Aw, always taking care of me.” Angel put one of her hands on his chest fluff, a faint blush covered his cheeks.
“Again, it’s the least I could do. I wish I could offer you more with everything you have to put up with.” His voice was a bit grim, his paw was an inch away from grabbing one of Angel’s free hands.
The spider-demon looked at Husker, his eyes watering slightly. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had even shown him a sliver of care or respect. Husker coughed a bit, clearing his throat, and he whipped back around to clean some bottles.
“Sorry, I'm a bit sleepy today, I should watch my mouth.” His ear twitched in embarrassment as he tried to cover his expression.
“And why should you do that? I like hearin’ ya get all soft and mushy.” Angel Dust teased.
“Uh… thanks.” Husk’s gruff voice broke the awkward silence that had settled upon them.
Angel Dust internally cursed at himself, now he was getting all embarrassed. Great Satan, he needed to get a grip.
“How was work today, legs?” Husk asked, distracting himself by cleaning some glasses, though not a single spec of dust could be found on any of them.
“Ah, ya know, same old stuff.” Angel brushed the question off. “I doubt you’d want to hear about it.”
“I’ve got nothin’ better to do.” Husk shrugged, his tail twitching a bit uncomfortably. “I mean… you looked pretty beat up when you walked in.”
“I think you're going blind, pussycat, I didn’t get injured today.” Angel raised an eyebrow, taking another sip of his drink.
“No, like… the way you walked in. I can tell when you're upset and not trying to show it; eyes are empty, shoulders hunched, hands are kept close to your body, you get defensive…”
“Ok, ok, whatever, you're observative, we get it, old man.” Angel Dust rolled his eyes, giving a small snort.
“Apologies,” Husk tipped his hat slightly. “I know not to push you too hard. Someone’s gotta worry about you, though.”
Angel was trying hard to ignore Husker’s very generous comment, so he opened his stupid mouth again.
“Ya know what else is hard?” He attempted a purr.
“At least get the noise right.” Husker put a hand on his hip, a half-smile forming on his face. “But please, shut the fuck up, I’m too tired to response to shit like that.”
“Well, it helps.” Angel sighed, he could feel his own exhaustion creeping up on him, it really had been a long day. “Wanna demonstrate that purr for me?” He added mischievously.
“I know, I just like to remind you to be your true self around me more, I like it.” Husk shrugged. “And no.”
“Since when did you get so sappy? I think I’m gonna vomit.” Angel pretended to get feint, leaning back as far as he could go in his barstool.
Husk snorted and wiped down the bar. After he was done, he rounded the counter and came to sit next to Angel on one of the stools. They chatted for a bit, just useless conversation, yet it felt oddly domestic. Just sitting there, listening to random work stories or things they saw this past week while being out and about.
“I’m off to bed, I need to sleep off this hangover.” Husk stretched his arms over his head, wings going to full capacity behind him.
Angel couldn’t help but watch, eyes fixated on the bartender’s sleek form. Husk had a slight pudge in his stomach, more than obviously a beer belly, but for a drunk, he did keep his appearance presentable enough. Despite the fact the cat demon could be caught passing out on his own bar numerous times, his fur was well-kept, his wings seemed more often than not preened, and his clothes were neatly pressed. Angel Dust wondered how far down the white on Husk’s belly went-
“Quit ogling at me.” He didn’t seem uncomfortable under the spider’s gaze, just flustered.
Angel froze, wide-eyed. He wasn’t exactly slick about his affection for the drunken cat, but as much as Husk liked to observe, he was seemingly oblivious to the porn star’s flirting. He felt like a fool, had he really fallen for the first guy to show him any respect? Satan… this was just sad. He had also spent the first few months of knowing the bartender essentially harassing him, the last thing he wanted to do was push Husk away like that again. He sagged his shoulders uncharacteristically, why did he have to be this way? Maybe Charlie was right about taking him in, he sucked.
“I mean, I don’t mind it most of the time, but I haven’t showered or changed my clothes in a few days.” Husk admitted bluntly.
“Seriously? Ya look fine to me.” Angel Dust couldn’t help his chuckle.
“You’re not the only one who knows how to put up a mask.” Husk snorted, dragging his paws as he made his way to his room.
Angel followed him, he didn’t know why, maybe it was out of concern? This was still sort of a new feeling for him; being worried for others who weren’t Cherri Bomb. She was his only true friend, or she was his only friend, now he had the hotel. He had grown fond of everyone in it, even Alastor wasn’t half bad sometimes. It was strange having male friends who didn’t want him for his body.
“Do you… want to talk about it?” Angel Dust offered.
“I wouldn’t want to trouble you, you’ve got enough on your plate.” Husk shrugged.
“Oh please, if ya have to listen to all my bullshit, I think I can make an opening for you too.” The spider slapped him lightly on the back, making the cat grumble slightly.
The pair made their way outside, where there were a few pink and red tables set up. It was darker than usual, signaling that it was nighttime. Typically it was more dangerous in hell at night, when the real weirdos came prowling out, but the pair could more than likely handle themselves. They made a good team when fighting.
“Hey nerds!” An explosion sounded from behind them, neither of them flinching.
“Hey, sugar-tits!” Angel held up his hand for a high five, earning a hard smack from Cherri Bomb.
The explosive cyclops slipped in through the new hole she blasted in the wall, giving the spider a wink before disappearing.
“So…” He looked back towards Husker, hands tapping on the table a bit awkwardly, he wasn’t used to asking about others’ feelings. “What’s been going on, pussycat?”
“Nothing I’m not used to,” Husk’s ear twitched slightly at the nickname. “Just been extra down in the dumps, I guess.”
“Well, aren’t you quite the story-teller?” Angel teased, resting his head on one of his hands. “Come on, I won’t tell anyone if that’s what you're worried about.”
“I was just thinking back to when I was still alive,” Husk had a far-away look in his eyes as he glanced off into the crimson sky in the distance. “I’ve never really told anyone about my past, only Alastor knows tidbits of it, only because he gambled them out of me way back when.”
Angel nodded, waiting for the former overlord to continue.
“I wasn’t the greatest person when I was alive, obviously, I ended up down here for a reason. I owned one of the largest casinos down in Las Vegas. It was the nineteen forties I’m pretty sure, it certainly was a time to be alive. Alcohol and cigars at every corner, poker, slot machines, cards, you name it. I took whatever means necessary to be the richest man alive; I scammed, I cheated, I even killed a few people trying to mess with my business. Worst of all, I turned to drinking most nights when the business started to fall. I did it all because I wanted to help my family, I thought I was doing what was right to give them a good life. I had many different partners throughout my life, but… my daughter… she was the most important thing in my life, she was above the casino. One night, I had picked her up from her biological mother’s house. I was wasted, but I just wanted to see her, her mother was trying to condemn me from seeing her. I was a washed up drunk with a business slowly going down the toilet, I don’t blame her. In the end, it killed both of us. I ran a red light in one of the busiest intersections in the city, I think you can figure out what happened.” The spider caught a faint shimmer of tears Husker's eyes.
“I’m sorry.” Angel wasn’t sure what else he could say to him.
“It’s not like it was your fault, you have nothin’ to be sorry for. It was all mine. I killed the one thing in my life that mattered because I got caught up in everything. And here I am, letting it destroy me again. I drink myself to death nearly everyday, and I’ve gambled away everything I’ve ever had.” Husker traced a faint scratch in the table with one of his clawed fingers, still not looking up.
“Maybe it’s a good thing that Charlie found you.” Angel blurted out, maybe it was his turn to be inspiring. “I mean, ya seem to regret what you did. That doesn’t fix what happened, but you have the opportunity to do something right this time. If I have the chance at redemption, you most definitely do.”
“Maybe.” Husk sighed.
“I can help you if you want, just like you helped me. We’re in this together.” Angel Dust placed his hand gently over one of Husk’s, and the cat finally made eye contact with him. “If Charlie’s whole salvation bullshit is true, maybe you’ll get to see your daughter again. I’ve changed, I know you can too.”
“Heh, I suppose I should take my own advice, huh?” Husker smiled softly at the spider, gripping his hand a bit tighter.
Husk led the porn star a few inches away from the table, taking the spider’s hands in his own. He stretched his neck upwards and placed a small peck on Angel’s cheek. Angel Dust blinked a few times, dumbfounded as a blush crept onto his face.
“Er…” Husk seemed to realize what he did. “Ah, sorry if that was too much. I didn’t even ask-” Husk was stopped as Angel held his face in his other set of hands.
The drunken demon let out a soft purr, surprising both himself and the spider in front of him.
“Being sober isn’t as bad when I’m with you.” Husk admitted.
Angel Dust released the cat, letting out a nervous chortle. “Geez! You’re makin’ me melt over here!”
The pair grinned ear to ear at each other as they joined hands once again, making their way back inside the newly renovated hotel.
They’d get better, together.