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Husk would stop anything and everything he was doing just to make sure Angel wasn’t going to cry himself to sleep again. Ever since the incident of Angel leaving months ago, he finally came back just a few weeks ago. It was a slow, gradual process that even the snails got bored of. It wasn’t ever the same since, and Angel was barely there. Of course, he was physically there, at the hotel, but he stopped interacting with the others, preferring to stay cooped up in his room, occasionally coming down to get food.
Husk felt as if nothing he did got Angel to stay, and it hurt his heart more than anything. He said ‘hey’ every day, offered drinks, and even tried to hold a conversation with the damaged spider for more than 30 seconds, nothing seemed to work. No matter how many times Charlie tried to get him to open the door, spend a little time with the others, he didn't show up. Husk gave Angel Fat Nuggets for a day, only for the poor pig to show up at his doorstep with a note that told him ‘Hes yours.’
Today, Husk decided it would be the last time Angel shut them out— or at least, shut him out, if that wasn't too selfish to want.
Within the quiet confines of Angel’s bedroom, was a bedrotting sinner, who once wanted to be redeemed, alongside his friends.
And Husk, who he assumed was the one knocking on the door.
"Hello?” Said the voice outside. Definitely Husk. He sighed, sitting up. It wasn’t so bad today. If anything, He was lonely, and work was the worst thing he had to endure today, with the venomous, sickly sweet love bombs spiking every word Valentino told to him, every sweet nothing whispered to him a fake promise that things would be fine.
He already knew Valentino’s game, and he knew how to avoid the traps, but a small part of him wanted to believe him. That small part still believed, still loved him, but matter how much that part of him was stuffed under, deep in his heart, covered with common sense and a heap of chest fluff.
The spider was then bright back to reality as he made his way to the door with heavy steps.
His eyes focused on the feline before him, taking in the image of the man he spent hours just thinking about, wishing he could just talk to him. But guilt always found it’s way in his heart, threatening him as he crawled back into the dark corners of his shell.
“Hey,” Angel finally said, as Husk ‘s gaze seemed to brighten just a bit. He tried to suppress the flush that threatened to fill his cheeks as he laid his eyes on the bartender.
Husk leaned against the door frame, looking at Angel with those blown out pupils he didn’t just have when looking at anyone, as of they were made just for him. “You finally answered. Color me surprised,” Husk said with an amused but relieved smile. “I just want to talk to you. You ain't busy, right?” A stupid question, really, as all the sad sinner was doing was bed-rotting all day.
Nevertheless, Angel nodded, welcoming Husk into his mildly unkempt room, painted pink and purple with a soft glow from the bedside lamp illuminating the room. The air inside smelled of Angel’s perfume, a slight vanilla or strawberry scent, with a mix of untouched staleness. He didn't take much time to tidy up, which worries Husk. He hadn't even let Niffty in here to clean? The thought made him sad. Angel always let Niffty in. So much has changed since the past few months.
The bed dipped under both of their weight as they sat next to one another. A small moment of awkward silence washed over them, until Angel spoke up.
“So, what did you need to talk about?” He asked, voice plain, devoid of his usual playfulness.
Husk cleaned his throat, “I just wanted to know how you were. I… haven’t had much time to talk to you.” His tail swayed across the wrinkled bed sheets as he thought of what to say to Angel. Gosh, he had so many. “Anyway, uh… We’ve all missed you. It’s been awhile and everyone is worried.”
As he attempted to explain how he felt without telling Angel how he felt was a pretty challenging obstacle. Angel let out a small sigh, hand's fidgeting with the hem of his shorts. With an exasperated sigh, he looked over at the feline beside him. “Husk, you know why.”
A small flicker of frustration bubbled up in his heart. “Angel, it’s like you died. Nothing is the same anymore. I fucking— I can’t do it. I can’t forget about you.” His heart pounded as Angel’s gaze widened in surprise. It wasn't the same without Angel. It was like a piece of his heart was missing, and Angel had the last piece to making him feel whole again. And Angel got that message, but he wanted to keep it. He wanted to keep his heart forever. But would telling Husk ruin this? Ruin their friendship? Or would reveling their truth put a patch over the painful gap between them.
Instead, he substituted all those difficult confessions with a sob, and a waterfall of tears. He slumped against the feline, who gave a surprised huff. A small smile spread across his face, as he was met with the spider’s embrace. he returned the favor. “I don’t want to see you hurt anymore,” he mumbled quietly, his head resting on the spider’s shoulder. Angel inhaled sharply, sniffling as tears wet Husk’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry..” Angel cried.
“Why?” The feline asked, pulling Angel back to look into those tearful eyes.
“For being selfish,” he wept, wiping his tears.
Husk’s brow furrowed at the confession, and he shook his head. “Look, legs, wanting to protect your friends isn't selfish. You did what you thought would help us. But now, it’s not happening anymore, right? You don’t have to hide anymore. You aren’t being selfish.”
“Yes I fucking am..” He argued, “I shouldn’t have come back here, because I’ll only hurt you again.”
Husk shook his head, “No! Angel, you don't get it. Look at me, I’m more fuckin’ happy than I've ever been in a long while because of you! You're the reason I even bother staying here! Ask Cherri, ask anyone here. They'll tell you that the bartender‘s soul may be owned by by a red radio demon, but his heart belongs to the most beautiful sinner he’s ever met. That’s you, Angel, I—” He hesitated, as he saw how much more tears spilled from Angel’s eyes. He smiled, face flushing as he finally let those 3 words spill from his lips, “I love you.”
Time seemed to come to a halt as Angel processed those words. "I love you.” Those words., only ever spoken to Angel with malicious intent. It’s something he was completely virgin to: Love. As if there weren’t enough tears already,. more came.
“What.. what do you mean, Husk?” He asked, his voice coming out small. His heart felt as if it were being squeezed, but it also felt.. like a big cloud has been lifted. “How could you love me? after everything I've done—” The spider began, planning to scream at the feline about how horrible he was, before being pulled into a tight embrace.
“None of it is your fault, Angel. I don’t care. I just want you to know how long I've spent trying g to figure out how I felt, but that night.. I.. before, I came into the casino thinking I didn't deserve nothing having to do with love. I didn’t think I could love anything other than what comes out of my vices.. but then I saw you.. and I knew you were watching me the whole time.. I was so embarrassed, but I couldn’t look away. I finally realized how much you mean to me, how I want to continue with you.. I can’t help it, You’re just.. fuck..” Husk let out a deep, pent up breath as he finished his confession, laying against the bed frame with a stunned, sobbing Angel Dust.
Angel shook head head, wiping his tears as he responded to Husk, his voice shaky.
“Damn you, Husk! I love you too! I didn't think you’d ever feel the same, after how I treated you when we first met.. I.. I remember.. how you looked.. I thought you were.. judging me.. do you know how embarrassed I was? Seeing you like that.. watching me perform.. Fuck, I thought was gonna die right there! It's strange of me, Angel Dust.. to be that embarrassed.. But I was..” He looked up at Husk, as his cheeks began to dry, leaving them sticky and half-wet.
They stayed embraced, laying on Angel’s soft bed as they basked in the knowledge that they loved each other, and that they finally told one another how they really feel. With Angel’s chest against his, Husk began to run his hands through Angel’s smooth, soft hair, wings relaxing and spreading out on the mattress. They remain cuddling, as Angel began to sob again at the realization that love was at the front door of his heart, about to be fully let in.
He listened to Husk’s pounding heart, slightly relieved that he wasn't the only one panicking. Love didn't come easy to either of them, but it was there now.