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Angel’s body aches. He feels a sharp pain with each step he takes, but he’s so far gone that he can’t even tell where it’s coming from. As he approaches the hotel he finds himself filled with relief— it’s late, and everyone has likely gone to bed by now. He can head straight to his room and just… let it all out. Tears well in his eyes at the brief thought back to his day, and he hastily wipes them away before opening the door to the lobby.
Doing all this sober might be the hardest part of his rehabilitation. Lately, though, he’s found himself thinking that maybe, just maybe, it might be worth doing. Charlie must be getting into his head. Ugh.
He takes a few steps into the darkness before hearing a soft sound, one that he easily recognizes. It’s the sound of cloth against glass; or, the sound of closing up a bar. He turns towards it, finding Husk standing in the dim lighting. The cat pays no mind to him, not even bothering to acknowledge his arrival.
Something in Angel hurts, at that. He pushes it away, reminding himself that he wanted to be alone tonight. But despite what he tells himself, soon enough he’s standing at the bar. Husk still doesn’t look up as Angel sits on a stool.
“Husk?” the spider mutters softly. At first Husk only grunts in response, setting down the glass he’d been polishing and grabbing another. After a long moment, the silence is broken.
“I’m closing up for the night, Angel. Can you be quick with what you want?” Husk’s tone is gruff and dismissive, as usual. But tonight… Angel quickly finds himself feeling that same, hollow pang in his chest that he had noticed earlier.
It’s absurd. He wanted to be left alone, didn’t he? Husk is only helping with that by speeding up this interaction. And yet, Angel can’t seem to focus on anything but the clear dismissal. His words come out without thought. “Can I just get-” His voice breaks, and he finishes his request quickly. “Can I get a hug?”
Husk stiffens, and Angel reels as that hollow feeling rapidly turns to panic. “Sorry, I don’t know why I… I just want my usual.” The bartender remains still, and Angel can no longer fight back the tears threatening to fall. “Actually, nevermind that. Just close up.” He pushes himself up, hurriedly turning away from the bar as the first tear slides down his cheek.
Stupid, stupid, stupid. Was he an idiot? Of course Husk would never give him a hug, the man pushes him away on the daily. Why had he ever asked such a stupid ques-
He’s stunned out of his thoughts by soft feathers brushing against his arms, enveloping him in their warmth. Soon enough they’re followed by arms around his waist, pulling him back against the bar’s counter. He leans back into Husk, ever so lightly wrapping his arms around the other man’s.
His body shakes with emotion, and his tears fall without restraint. “Thanks, Husk,” he mumbles, fighting to keep his voice steady.
Husk rests his head against Angel’s shoulder, and Angel can feel his breath against his cheek when he speaks. “No worries, kid.”
Angel nods once, shakily shifting to face the other man. He wraps his arms around him tightly, clinging onto his soft fur. Husk remains in silence, gently rubbing a hand along Angel’s back. Angel isn’t sure if seconds or hours pass before his tears stops flowing, and he pulls back from the bartender.
“Sorry, Husky. I shouldn’t have-” The cat cuts him off with a finger to his lips.
“I don’t wanna hear you apologize for anything that ain’t your fault, you hear? I’m here for you, Angel. The spider simply nods as another wave of emotion overtakes him. “Now, why don’t you take a seat while I finish up here? We can spend the night together.”
Angel feels queasy. Of course Husk wouldn’t comfort him out of any care, of course it was just another case of getting treated well only to be used. What had he expected? “Maybe another time, I’m not…. I’m really not up to that tonight,” he muttered, not bothering to make up some bullshit excuse.
Husk turned towards him with a puzzled expression at first, before a realization seemed to dawn on him. He lightly shoved Angel’s shoulder and glowered. “I ain’t asking to sleep with you, dumbass. I just…” the demon sighed, cupping Angel’s face in his hands. “I’m just offering you some company, ‘cause you’ve clearly had a rough night.”
Just some company? Angel could scarcely believe it. “You’re offering me company? That can’t— what do you want in return? ‘Cause I’m booked out the next few nights, I can’t really squeeze anyone else in.”
Husk took Angel’s shoulders in his hands and gently shook him. “Nothing. Get that through your head, I’m not asking for anything in return.”
“Nobody does that!” Angel shook Husk’s hands off him, throwing his arms out in frustration. “Nobody does shit for me without expecting something, okay? So just tell me what it is. Drugs? Sex? What the fuck do you want, Husk?!” Tears were streaming down his face again, although he hadn't noticed them start to fall.
Husk regarded him angrily, until he, too, seemed to notice his tears. “Fine, I'll tell you what I want.” He stepped back over to the glasses, putting away the two he had cleaned. “I want to see a smile on your face for once.”
Angel was speechless for a moment, and Husk did nothing to fill that silence. “But, I smile all the time? And that isn't something that benefits you.”
“Not genuinely.” Husk turned back to him, staring with an intensity that made Angel squirm. “I want you to cut the act. Cry when you feel like it, smile when you're happy. I've seen the smile on your face when you're actually enjoying yourself, and I'll be honest, it's breathtaking. I want to see that side of you, because it makes me smile, too.”
Angel felt a flush warm his cheeks as he turned away. He didn't want to cry again tonight, but it seemed that's what Husk was intent on making him do. “Fine. I guess company wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.”
Husk smiled– a smile that even warmed his eyes– in response. Angel felt a flutter in his chest at the sight. He finished closing down the bar, finally turning off the ambient lighting when he was done. “C'mon then, lead the way.”
“To my room?” Angel hadn't expected that. God, had he even cleaned recently? Did he still have that day old bag of takeout on his nightstand?
Husk shrugged. “Figured that's what you'd prefer. Don't you gotta feed that lil pig of yours anyway?”
Angel couldn't argue with that. And he had missed Fat Nuggets today, the pig’s presence was a comfort to him. “Alright. Just, sorry if it's a mess.”
The bartender’s wing lightly smacked Angel’s back, and the spider swore. “What are you apologizing for? It's your own room, it can be a mess.”
Husk was getting on Angel’s nerves. He huffed and went up to his room, holding the door open just long enough for Husk to make it in. Sure enough, his room was a mess.
It had been a hard week with Valentino. Angel hadn't had the energy to pick his clothes off the floor, or to cook when he was already getting home so late. His outfits were strewn about haphazardly, and his vanity was cluttered with makeup and empty cans. He winced as Husk took it all in.
“Go take a bath. You reek of sex.”
Angel scoffed. “You don't smell any better! You think anyone likes the smell of whiskey when they're not at the bar?”
Husk chuckled. “Just go, Angel. It'll help you unwind.”
As rude as Husk had been, he had a point. Angel had been dying for a bath since midday. “Fine, asshole, but only because I wanted a bath anyway.” He grabbed some of his things before trudging off to the bathroom.
Seeing himself in the mirror confirmed that today Val had been especially rough. His cheek was bruised, and he didn't have to look at the rest of his body to know that he was bruised even more badly in other places. He sighed before filling the tub as he undressed.
Soon enough it was full of hot water, and he nearly moaned as he stepped in. It felt so good against his sore muscles, and he melted into it. He didn't want to keep Husk waiting, so he didn't soak for too long. After a few minutes he washed up and wrapped himself in a robe before stepping back into his room.
It was… clean. All his clothes had been put where they belonged, and his vanity was remarkably clear of all the clutter. Angel’s eyes snapped to Husk’s figure, now lounging on the bed. He was curled up just like a cat, with Fat Nuggets against him.
For the first time Angel allowed himself a bit of hope. Maybe Husk really was doing this out of love, and not for some hidden agenda of his. God, Angel really hoped so. He hadn't ever let himself admit it, but he truly missed being cared for. He had plenty of friends, sure, but no one to look after him when he had gone home.
Maybe that made Husk more than a friend. Angel wasn't ready to think of that possibility yet. He walked over, gently running a hand over Husk’s ear. The demon’s head turned up with a soft purr, and Angel’s heart skipped a beat.
Husk gently moved Fat Nuggets aside and opened his arms for the spider. Angel didn't allow himself to overthink it this time, he immediately accepted the embrace. He curled his long limbs around Husk, gently enveloping the demon.
“You smell much nicer now,” Husk mumbled, pressing his face into Angel’s chest.
The spider rolled his eyes and nuzzled into Husk’s hair. “I'd sure hope so. I don't buy all that expensive shit for nothing.” Husk chuckled and wrapped a wing around Angel’s back.
“I fed your pig. You can go straight to sleep.”
Angel nodded, feeling a warmth he hadn't felt in ages. “Husk?” He grunted softly in response, likely already drifting off. “Thank you. Really, thank you, for all of this. I… honestly needed it.”
Husk pressed closer to him, reaching a hand out to gently pat Angel. “You sure did. And seriously, don't try to pay me back. This is all on the house.”
Angel smiled, absentmindedly playing with one of Husk’s ears once he closed his eyes. He drifted off quickly, and for once, he felt that he had something to live for tomorrow.