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“The last choice I ever got to make was when I signed my soul away.”
Husk stared at Angel in disbelief, taking a moment to register what he had said. Shakily, he reached out to grab one of Angel's hands, holding it tenderly, afraid to let go. He didn't want to let go.
“Angel.. please, don't.” Husk weakly begged, his eyes uncharacteristically filled with desperation. His ears flattened against his head, wings drooping as he stared up at Angel, looking for any sign that he might change his mind.
Angel turned around to face him, tears starting to pour down his cheeks. “I'm sorry.” He choked out, gasping for breath as he looked up to avoid ruining his mascara. He tugged his hand away from Husk's grip, wrapping his arms around himself tightly.
“Just… do me a favor and forget you ever knew me.” Angel turned and walked back to Vee's tower, keeping his head down and not looking back.
Husk felt pain rising in his chest- it hurt to see Angel like this. It wasn't fair, none of this was.
Husk reached out a hand to Angel. “Please, I-...” he stopped himself before he could say it.
He wanted, more than anything, to say that he loved him. Husk hadn't realized it at first, but truly that was how he felt since the start. He only came to terms with those feelings after seeing Angel perform in drag that night at the bar.
But now, he couldn't bring himself to say the words, ‘I love you.’
Husk wrapped his tail around his legs, his head bowing down as he watched Angel walk off. “Come back…” he whimpered in a small tone, his voice cracking in sadness. It wasn't supposed to end like this.
—
Now, three days later, Husk replayed the events in his mind. He was curled up in a ball on his bed, empty bottles of booze and alcohol piled around him. Tears stained his cheeks, the fur around his eyes damp from crying.
“Fuck.” He whispered, clumsily reaching for a new bottle. Drinking away his feelings was the only way he knew how to deal with things, and he was having a particularly hard time coming to terms with Angel's absence at the Hotel.
I should have told him how I feel. Husk thought, more tears pooling in his eyes. Maybe then, he wouldn't have- Husk cut off his thoughts with a sob of pain, pinning his ears back. “Fuck.” He mumbled again, wrapping his tail tightly around himself, regretting the things he never said.
He heard a knock on his door, which startled him and made him sit up.
“Hey, Husk? You in there?” The voice of Cherri Bomb shouted. “Bar's been closed all morning! Charlie told me to come get you!”
Husk huffed and flopped back down on his bed. “Not workin’ today.” He called in return. “Tell her to find someone else to work the bar.” His words slurred together in a tired, drunken manner.
Silence for a moment. “You uh… you good?” Cherri asked, her tone now worried. “I know it’s been difficult since Angel left, but-”
“Don’t talk to me about Angel!” Husk suddenly hissed, pain surfacing in his voice again, and he turned his face into his pillow with a brokenhearted expression.
Cherri gently pushed open the door. She carried Fat Nuggets in her arms, the pig also looking toward Husk with concern.
Fat Nuggets jumped out of Cherri’s arms and ran over to Husk, climbing into the bed and nudging at Husk’s arm with his snout, making tiny grunting noises.
Husk reopened his eyes and stared at Fat Nuggets, biting back a sob and raising a hand to gently pet his head.
Cherri walked over and pushed a few empty beer bottles out the way to sit down on the bed, staring down at Husk. “You look like shit.” she finally commented.
Husk glared at her in silence.
“Hey, It’s the truth!” Cherri said in defence. Her voice became gentle. “But… I know how you feel.” She rested a hand on Husk’s shoulder. “Angie will come ‘round soon. I know how he is, trust me.” Cherri tried to lighten the mood.
Husk wiped away tears. “I miss him.” he mumbled. “I fucking hate Val- I wish I killed him when I had the chance.” He pulled Fat Nuggets into a hug.
Cherri lay down beside Husk’s figure and wrapped her arms around him in a comforting hug, trying to calm him down. She hadn’t realized how much Angel had meant to Husk.
“You like him, don’t you.” Cherri asked quietly.
Husk’s ears shot up at the question, not expecting it. “What!?” he gasped, his face flushing red. He pulled away from Cherri and sat back up, his fur standing on edge. “I don’t- I mean, I couldn’t- I…”
Cherri smiled softly. “I think he likes ya’ too, y’know. I see how he stares at you when you’re makin’ his drinks.” she grinned in amusement. “Hides it well, but he cares about you.”
“Hm.” Husk’s heart fluttered as he processed this, staring down at the bedsheets. He suddenly shook his head, his expression hardening. He reached for another bottle and took a long swig.
"Means nothing now.” He groaned, his vision blurring as he slowly blinked.
Cherri reached over and pulled the bottle from Husk’s hands, earning an upset hiss. “Alright, you’ve had enough.” She said firmly. “What you’re going to do right now is rest. You can’t keep moping around the hotel all day.”
Husk shook his head in protest, but Cherri was already draping a blanket over his body.
“Rest.” she commanded again, grabbing Fat Nuggets and walking to the door. “We’ll… figure out how to get Angie back here soon.” she promised. “It’s going to be okay.”
The door shut, and Husk was left by himself again. He broke down into tears, hugging his pillow to his chest as he sobbed, crying himself into a light sleep. He never expected himself to get this attached to someone.
He only hoped Angel missed him too.