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Angel sighed. Again.
Husk paused in cleaning the glass he was holding and shot Angel an irritated look. But Angel wasn't looking at him. His head was on Husk's bar top, arms splayed out like he owned the thing.
Husk leaned over, giving Angel a raised brow.
"Got something you wanna talk about, Legs? Or is your new hobby being annoying with as little effort as possible?"
Angel gave him a fake ass sad face. It was cute, but Husk didn't tell him that.
"I'm so bored." Angel unleashed a quiet scream that made him sound like a dying raccoon.
"No one's forcing you to sit at the damn bar. Go fucking find something to do."
Angel's head popped up, hands together, head tilted as he gave Husk an overly sweet look. His voice sounded honeyed to match.
"But I like bein' with you, Whiskas."
He batted his lashes and Husk rolled his eyes. Not because Angel wasn't cute, but because he was full of shit.
Husk leaned an arm on the bar, moving closer. Angel's eyes lit up, which made Husk's old heart lurch.
He ignored it.
"If you're really that bored. I can give you something to do."
He grinned, and Angel grinned back. The spider reached out, touching Husk's chin. His finger was warm, and Husk could smell his perfume. Like apple pie. Something sweet you wanted to eat.
"Do tell, pussy cat."
"Well, the floor needs mopping. These dishes gotta be done. Could always use more fruit cut up."
Angel scoffed, pulling his hand away.
"You're no fun, Husk. Entertain me."
Husk's brows dropped. Entertain him? He'd entertain him alright.
"I'm not a fucking clown, Angel. I'm a boring old man."
Angel leaned forward again, putting a hand on his hip. He looked indignant.
"I don't believe that shit fa a second. You ain't borin'. You're just a dick sometimes."
"Thanks," Husk said dryly.
"Oh shut up. You love bein' a dick." Angel's grin returned, more playful now. "Is that cause ya got a big—"
"Yes, Angel," Husk said in his most bored tone. "It's huge. Massive. Gotta tape the shit to my leg so you can't see it fucking swinging."
Angel looked down, tilting his head. Husk shook his.
"Jesus Christ. I ain't serious. And I ain't telling you nothing about my dick."
"You could just show me," Angel suggested, waggling his brows.
Husk wanted to laugh, but he didn't. Felt too much like letting Angel win.
"Angel. Keep dreaming. Cause I'm not showing you what's in my damn pants."
"Boo. Not even ya legs? Bet ya hiding some glorious gams unda there."
Husk snorted. Maybe when he was human. This stupid body wasn't doing him any favors. Damn fur was always matted. He looked scraggly.
"You're delusional."
"Whateva." Angel waved a hand. "I could make you look hotta than half tha sinners in Hell."
"Only half of them?" Husk teased.
"Well. We got ta work with what ya got."
Husk gave Angel the finger.
"Seriously though. I can prove it," Angel said.
"Yeah. Right."
Angel slapped a hand on the bar top, startling Husk. His wings flared before he could stop them and he glared at Angel.
"I bet that I can make ya look hot as fuck in drag."
Husk laughed. Angel probably looked good in drag, but he had a very feminine shape. Husk was built like a dried out potato.
"Yes. I'm sure I'd be the beautifulest fucking lady," Husk snorted.
Angel narrowed his eyes and Husk stopped laughing. Damn. He'd challenged Angel on that without thinking. Now the idiot was going to try and prove him wrong.
"I'll bet ya an entire shift a yours that I can."
Husk's brows flew up. A whole shift off? He could make Angel make him drinks all night while he fucked around and annoyed the spider for once. Could rub Angel's overconfidence in his face.
"And if you win—you won't—but if you did. What do you get?"
Angel grinned. "I just want ta see it."
"No. Fuck off."
"Fiiine. You got ta let me take a picture a you in tha drag."
Husk wrinkled his nose. But then shrugged. It wasn't like Angel was going to win. It was worth taking the bet. He couldn't lose.
"Deal."
Angel's smile was so big it was almost scary. Husk suddenly felt uneasy. He'd seen that smile before. It meant Angel knew he'd already won.
The spider hopped up from his seat, snatching his phone.
"Watch Nuggs fa me, will ya?"
"Where are you going?"
"I just got ta run some errands," Angel said over his shoulder as he scurried away. "We'll do it tonight, afta ya shift!"
Husk watched him go, his little ass shaking all the way out the front door. Once he was gone, Husk looked over to see Fat Nuggets staring at him.
"What? I wasn't looking."
The pig tilted his head.
"Whatever. Your daddy is delusional. There's no way he's gonna win this bet."
Nuggs blinked at him. He almost felt like the pig thought he was an idiot.
"He's not that good. Right?"
It oinked in what sounded like laughter and Husk scowled before picking him up off the bar. Freaking great. Not even the pig thought he stood a chance.
~~~~~
Angel was gone for hours. And when he came back—arms full of bags—he immediately went upstairs, Nuggs waddling after him.
Husk could only watch as they hurried away.
He wasn't worried about it. Angel was just being Angel. There was no way that stuff was all for Husk.
Though he did wonder what Angel thought would be a good look for him.
He shook his head.
Didn't matter. It was gonna look stupid as shit and he was gonna get a damn day off.
He ignored the jittery feeling he had. He probably just needed a drink. Husk snagged a bottle of whiskey and spent the rest of his boring ass shift drinking and not at all thinking about what Angel was up there doing.
He'd expected the man to come back down at some point, but he never did. Not even as Husk was closing up the bar.
So he was forced to make his way to Angel's room. He thought about just going to bed, but he wasn't a fucking pussy. He didn't back away from bets.
Especially not when he knew it would be a sure thing.
Still, he hesitated at Angel's door. Not because he thought he would lose. But because he just knew Angel was gonna make this into some big thing. He was so damn dramatic about everything.
When he knocked, Angel called out for him to come in. But Husk stopped dead in the doorway and stared at the chaos. Bags. Boxes. Vanity covered in makeup. Music playing a little too loud.
And then Husk looked at Angel.
His heart skipped a beat. His mouth dried up instantly. His jaw fell a little before he caught it.
Angel had done himself up while he was waiting. Long blonde wig, bold makeup, a slit in his dress that went on for miles…
And it all looked classy as fuck. Husk had expected something closer to Angel's usual style. But he looked almost like an entirely different person.
Husk knew Angel was attractive. He had eyes. But… Jesus fucking Christ…
Angel put a hand on his hip, smiling.
"What's tha matta, Whiskas? Worried I'm goin' ta win?"
Even his voice sounded different. Angel always sounded fairly feminine, but this was sultry and lighter.
Husk shut the door behind him, taking the moment to try and collect himself. This was Angel, for crying out loud. His friend. They were friends.
That reminder didn’t help worth a damn.
"No. You're already hot. Making yourself hotter isn't exactly hard."
Well. That didn't come out the way he'd meant to say it.
Angel's brows rose, and then he slow smiled at Husk.
"You're goin' ta eat those words, kitty cat."
Husk would gladly eat—
No. Shut up.
"So…" Husk waved his arms at all the stuff. "Where do we start?"
"Take everything off."
Goddamn.
"Hell no," he snapped.
Angel tried really hard not to laugh for a moment before he just let himself. Cackling like a crazy bitch for a long moment.
Husk crossed his arms.
"I'm sorry. Ya face— it's just so—" Angel laughed a little harder.
Husk rolled his eyes, growling quietly in annoyance until Angel composed himself.
"Okay. Okay. I'm good. I'm fine. Here. Go put this on."
He held something out to Husk, who took it, and held it up in disbelief. It was just a pair of black panties.
"Where's the fucking rest of it jackass?"
"Oh, uh, put these on too."
He gave Husk a pair of black thigh high nylons. Husk just continued to stare while he took them.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. Go on. You can change in my bathroom."
Angel moved closer, ushering Husk toward the bathroom like this was normal. Husk didn't budge.
"You want me to just sit around in panties and nylons?"
Angel rolled his eyes before turning a serious look on Husk.
"Husk. I hang out with naked people all day. Your cock'll be covered. It's not a big deal if'n ya don't make it one."
Husk's shoulders slumped. Angel wasn't wrong. For once, he wasn't making something sexual. He wasn't making lewd jokes when he could have. Normally he would be right now.
"Is this just so you can fucking ogle me?"
Angel blinked.
"No… it's just easiest this way. You want a robe or somethin'?"
Angel leaned over—Husk definitely didn't look at his ass—and grabbed something from his bed. A pink robe that was slightly sheer.
"How's that gonna help?"
"You won't feel so naked. If ya don't want it—"
Husk snatched the robe before stomping to the bathroom, his wings and tail dragging on the floor. He might have shut the door just a little too hard.
He could tell by the smell of the bathroom that Angel had showered recently. Warm scents lingered in the air and the tub glistened with droplets still.
He tried not to think too hard about Angel naked in the shower while he stripped out of his own clothes. The black panties covered his ass decently, but they molded to his cock and balls.
Covered, my ass.
Technically he was covered, but it left nothing to the imagination. He quickly threw the robe on, surprised by how soft it was. The fluff around the edges did an okay job of covering his junk.
At least it wasn't so obvious now.
Husk tried to put one of the nylons on, but he snagged a claw on it. The material stretched for a moment before tearing with a loud ripping sound.
Damn.
Angel probably wouldn't be too happy about that… It would probably "ruin the aesthetic" or some shit. Oh well. Couldn't do anything about it now.
Husk reached for the bathroom door, but paused to look in Angel's mirror at himself. He looked like a stripper in the panties, bowtie, and top hat. The panties sat all wrong, nothing like they would on Angel.
The robe was doing less than it felt like it was. But Angel had said it would make him feel covered, not that it would cover him.
He did feel more covered with it on. But he also felt ridiculous. Because he looked ridiculous.
At least he was gonna win the bet.
Husk opened the door, bracing himself for Angel's laughter again. Or a stupid comment. Something.
Angel looked up from where he was rearranging things on his vanity.
And stared.
The music was the only sound in the room for a long moment. Angel's eyes dragged up his body. No smirk. No joke.
Just…
Was that…
Husk's stomach flipped inside out.
He needed Angel to stop looking at him like that. For the dramatic bastard to say something.
After what was definitely too long, Angel cleared his throat, moving closer. His voice was tighter than normal.
"You're supposed ta take everything off, Husk."
Angel stole Husk's hat with one hand and tugged on his bowtie with another. Husk looked up at him, struck by how domestic this felt.
Angel pulled the bowtie open, grabbing the other side of it to tug on that too. His fingers brushed across Husk, and Angel stilled. Husk's breath held as he watched to see what Angel would do next.
Angel lifted his eyes, taking in Husk's reaction to him. Neither of them moved or spoke for a long moment.
And then Angel whisked his bowtie away and set it on the vanity with the hat.
"Sit on tha bed," he ordered.
"I ripped the damn nylon," Husk said as he sat on the end of Angel's bed.
Angel reached into a bag and pulled out another set. How many did he think Husk needed?
"I got extra. I knew you'd rip it."
"Then why'd you give the damn things to me?"
Angel pulled out the stool from his vanity, sitting in front of Husk.
"Because I knew you wouldn't let me do it until afta ya realized you couldn't do it yaself."
Husk's brows dropped and he gave Angel an unamused look. He wasn't particularly thrilled that Angel knew him so well.
But then he had to wonder why he cared. They were friends. Husk knew Angel. Knew his flaws and idiosyncrasies. It wasn't surprising that Angel knew his too.
He watched Angel stick his fingers inside and bunch the whole nylon up in his hand. Huh. Husk never would have done that. He'd just been trying to pull the damn thing on.
"Give me ya leg."
Angel tapped his thigh like this was supposed to be a normal way to do things. Husk couldn't decide if Angel was messing with him or if this was normal. But he did as asked.
This was already way beyond weird.
Angel slipped the nylon over his foot, but Husk wasn't watching his hands. He was watching Angel's face. His cherry red lips.
He stupidly lifted a hand before he realized he was doing it, and quickly shifted the movement to tug on the robe instead.
Angel's knuckles slid along Husk's leg as he pulled the nylon on. His silky gloves were soft and cool against Husk. They felt nice, and Husk couldn't stop himself from wondering just how nice it would feel to have Angel really touch him.
He actually looked at Angel's hands as they hit his knee. And Husk frowned. Angel's hands were shaking. Not a lot, but they were.
His eyes rose back to Angel's face as the spider fixed the top of the nylon. Angel was being very quiet. He wasn't cracking jokes or bringing attention to himself. Just wasn't really talking at all.
When Angel twisted to grab the second one, Husk dropped his leg and leaned forward. Angel jumped when he turned back and Husk was closer to him. But he didn't make any noise, just kinda stared.
"You okay?" Husk asked.
"I'm fine."
It was too fast. And too quiet.
"I thought you'd be making fun of how stupid I look."
Angel hesitated.
Then he looked down at the other nylon. He started bunching it up.
"You don't look stupid. Give me ya otha leg."
Husk watched Angel's face again as he put the nylon on. But this time he was watching Angel's whole face. Looking for something, anything that the demon might give away.
He was definitely being weird.
Angel's face gave nothing away. Which meant he was trying very hard not to.
And was it Husk's imagination or did Angel take longer to fix the top of this nylon?
Angel pushed Husk's leg down and grabbed one of many products on the vanity behind him. He pulled off one of his gloves, then he held out his hand.
"Give me one a ya hands."
Husk laid his hand in Angel's.
Angel held onto Husk's hand like he would pull it away if Angel didn't keep it there. He had no plans to do that—he was more interested in watching Angel.
The spider began painting the tips of Husk's claws a light golden color. It was pretty cool how he managed to make it look like Husk actually had nails.
"You're bossy when you do this," Husk casually remarked.
Angel snorted. "I'm bossy all tha time."
"Oh, I'm aware that you like to be in charge. I'm fine with it."
Angel stilled at the low tone Husk used, lifting his eyes to Husk's. They just looked at each other for a moment.
Angel quite clearly knew that Husk hadn't said that on accident. Husk could see the recognition in Angel's eyes.
And then Angel continued painting Husk's claws. As his cheeks grew pinker than the blush he was wearing. Husk caught the little smile Angel tried to hide.
He pretended he didn't.
But the silence pressed in on him. It was just too strange. He didn't even have anything to drink. Only thing he could do was watch Angel. And he did. His eyes roaming over the spider's form, watching his hands, peeking at his face.
But he started feeling like it was some sort of weird voyeuristic experience.
"You must really like doing this shit," Husk said.
Angel shrugged. "I like performin'. Singin'. Lookin' pretty."
"You always look pretty."
Angel paused briefly.
"Thanks."
"Just calling it like I see it. Besides, you know how fucking hot you are. You talk about it all the damn time."
He was trying to tease Angel, but Angel didn't smile. Didn't look up. His voice quiet again.
"Bein' hot ain't tha same as bein' pretty."
Husk blinked. He didn't realize the wording made such a difference to Angel. The man was hot, but it wasn't just in a sexual way.
Husk put a hand under Angel's chin, lifting it. Angel looked at him warily.
"You are gorgeous, legs. Don't let anyone make you feel any different. Cause they're fucking blind ass morons if they can't see it."
Angel swallowed as his whole face turned red. He gently pushed Husk's hand away. But Husk let their fingers mingle. He wasn't real sure what the fuck he was doing. There was no good reason to keep pushing his luck.
Angel went back to painting Husk's claws. But he didn't take his hand away from Husk.
They weren't even really holding hands. But as Husk fiddled with Angel's silky glove, he couldn't stop his heart from beating faster.
He'd always been annoyed with Angel's unwanted touching. And the spider had stopped after they became friends. But now Husk found himself wondering how Angel might touch him when it was welcome.
Not sexually. But… Cherri and Angel touched all the time. Cuddled. Aside from small touches, like his finger on Husk's chin, Angel didn't touch him.
Was it weird that Husk wished he would? He'd spent all that time bitching at Angel, but that was before they'd grown close.
Angel laid Husk's painted hand on his thigh.
"Don't touch anything. Got ta let it dry."
He slid his hand out of Husk's, before grabbing it with his ungloved hand. Husk watched him start on that one, silent for a moment.
"Why are you even painting my damn claws? Is this really gonna make a difference?"
"A course it does. Any queen worth her salt ain't goin' on stage as anything less than perfect."
"I'm not going on stage, Angel."
Angel's lips curled up in amusement.
"Not without a little practice first."
Husk made an undignified noise.
"Not at all. Cause I'm gonna look stupid as fuck."
"You don't look stupid."
"Yeah. We'll see."
Angel set Husk's other hand down. Husk sat patiently while Angel gathered some things from the vanity and dumped them on the stool next to himself.
He leaned in very close. So close Husk could smell his skin underneath his perfume. His gut tightened.
"Close ya eyes."
Husk eyed the brush in his hand. He didn't know shit about makeup.
"Why?"
"So I can do ya eyes, Husk."
Again, Angel didn't take the chance to make fun of him for not knowing. Where had all the teasing gone?
He closed his eyes.
Angel proceeded to do a number of things to Husk. He had absolutely no idea what any of it was. A few times he had Husk look up, but for most of it his eyes were closed.
Which felt a bit like torture.
Angel had turned the music down earlier. Now Husk was stuck listening to every breath Angel took, every time he adjusted and cloth slid against skin. Not to mention his warm breath on Husk's face, and his scent persistently tugging at Husk.
It felt intimate. He knew it wasn't really, but his body didn't seem to be on the same page. His fingers twitched with the desire to touch Angel back. His treacherous tail kept veering toward the spider's legs.
And every touch felt loud.
"Okay, open ya eyes."
Husk blinked them open and was immediately distracted by his eyelashes. They were longer and thicker than they were supposed to be and he kept trying to blink them away.
Until he heard Angel giggling.
The spider covered his mouth with the back of a hand. His eyes lit up like the sun had come out.
Husk stared.
"They're just fake lashes, Whiskas. You'll get used ta it if ya just give it a little bit."
"Uh huh…" Husk absently replied.
"Just got ta do ya lips now. Keep ya mouth open a little, like it is right now."
Husk was a little embarrassed to realize his mouth was open. But he ignored that as Angel gripped his chin and started applying stuff. Three different items.
"Just got ta…"
He wiped his thumb below Husk's bottom lip, lingering just a moment too long, and Husk grabbed his wrist without thinking about it. He almost pulled Angel closer—almost.
Angel froze, eyes lifting to Husk's. There was heat in his eyes, but maybe a bit of fear too? Angel pulled away, his gaze shifting away from Husk.
And Husk let him.
"Uh, I just—" Angel sounded lost, like he didn't know what came next. "Uh… wig. I got a wig. Mine are all blonde, and you wouldn't look good as a blonde. I mean— You would look better with somethin' darker. Cause you're so dark. Your fur, I mean."
Husk just let Angel babble as he stood and fetched the wig from the vanity. It was sitting on a little styrofoam head, and while Husk didn't know shit about wigs, it almost looked like Angel had styled it himself. It was black, very long, and wavy.
Angel stood in front of him, his stomach in Husk's face as he slid the wig over Husk's ears. He briefly wondered if Angel had found a wig with ear holes, or if he'd made them himself.
Angel messed around with it for several minutes while Husk stared at his stomach and tried not to think about how much he'd like to put his mouth on it.
Angel stepped back, pushing the stool with his leg. He motioned for Husk to get up.
"Turn around so ya can't see tha mirror. I don't want ya peekin'."
Husk turned, his eyes on Angel as the demon lifted a dress off of the bed. Husk didn't really get a good look at it before Angel was in front of him—untying the robe.
"Let's get ya into this dress. I think it's goin' ta look great on you."
Husk didn't even try to stop him.
But when Angel pushed the robe open, he paused. His eyes clearly on Husk's dick.
Angel looked quickly away, clearing his throat as he stepped back.
"You're supposed ta tuck it, Husk."
"You didn't tell me that. And that sounds uncomfortable as Hell."
"I just thought you'd— Nevamind. We ain't goin' nowhere. Just… take tha robe off."
Husk raised a brow. Angel had literally just been taking it off of him. Did the existence of Husk's dick make it weird? Like Angel didn't know he had one?
He didn't say anything though, just dropped the robe. Angel carefully pulled the dress over the wig and makeup, adjusting it everywhere until he was satisfied. It was off the shoulder and he could feel the air still touching skin in too many places.
Angel dropped heels at Husk's feet. Husk slipped a foot into one, but he wavered when he tried to do the second one. Angel held an arm out, steadying Husk. Once the heels were on, Husk was a little closer to Angel's height. Though the demon still towered over him.
"Last piece."
Angel put a choker up to Husk's throat, reaching around him to clasp it. He was too close again, his hands trembling against Husk's neck. It took him a little too long to finally get it hooked, and he stepped back quickly—his eyes not on Husk.
"There. Take a look."
Angel turned Husk toward the mirror, standing near him. Husk expected to see a man looking ridiculous in a dress.
But that wasn't what he saw at all.
The mostly sheer dress made him look curvy. The long wig softened his features. The red lip sharpened his mouth.
He didn't look ridiculous at all.
He looked classy and feminine—like Angel.
Husk's eyes moved to Angel in the mirror.
Angel wasn't looking at the mirror though. He was looking at Husk.
No laughter. No bragging he was right. That he'd won.
There was just that heat again. Maybe a little something like awe flirting at the edges.
Husk turned away from the mirror—not caring what he looked like. What Angel thought mattered more.
The long hair fell over one shoulder as he moved, and Husk didn't move it out of the way. He ran his fingers over one of the strings of pearls attached at his chest, following them down toward his hip.
Angel's eyes followed the movement.
"I guess I don't look stupid," Husk said in a low voice.
Angel's eyes popped back up, and he swallowed.
Husk moved in, a little sway to his step.
Angel stepped back.
Husk let a wing flare, wrapping it behind Angel. Not touching him. Just halting his retreat.
Angel didn't say anything. His breath was a little too fast. His eyes a little too wide.
He wasn't at all sure this was smart. But since when was he fucking smart?
He stopped just a little too close, his fingers lightly grasping Angel's chin. Angel's mouth fell open, and Husk ran his thumb under Angel's lip—just like the spider had done to him.
Angel grabbed his wrist.
They stood like that for a long beat.
"Tell me I'm imaging the way you're looking at me," Husk said.
Angel's throat bobbed.
"You're not," he whispered.
Husk's ears rang in the silence. He stepped closer as Angel pulled his hand away. His other hand landed on Angel's waist as he dropped his wing. He didn't want Angel to feel trapped.
Husk's eyes dropped to Angel's mouth.
"Can I?" he asked softly.
"Please," Angel breathed.
They both leaned in slowly, their lips pressing together. Testing, not tasting.
It felt strange with the lipstick on, but Husk wasn't too focused on that. He was focused on Angel. The way he inhaled suddenly. How his hand tightened around Husk's wrist.
Angel didn't pull away. He pressed closer.
And Husk knew Angel wasn't performing. Nothing about this was showy or fake.
It was real.
Angel pulled back, his eyes on Husk. A small smile spread on his face.
"Ya clean up real good, handsome."
"You're enjoying this too damn much," Husk accused.
"Oh, baby. I ain't even started yet." Angel reached up, adjusting Husk's collar. "You still owe me a photo."
"Worth it."
Angel's breath caught at that.
"Yeah?"
Husk brushed his knuckles across Angel's jaw.
"Definitely. Now let's take this photo. I ain't staying in this shit all night." He held up a hand. "Although… maybe I'll keep the nails."
Angel grinned at him. Husk had always liked his smile, but now it felt special. Like it was just for him.
"Let me grab my phone," Angel said, his hand trailing Husk's chest as he moved around the cat.
Husk turned with him, watching Angel.
He'd gambled plenty in his life.
This might've been the first time he'd won by losing.