Work Text:
Christmas. The time of year for giving joy to others and all that other sappy horseshit that Husk didn't have time for. He was to busy drowning his feelings in booze and taking care of Fat Nuggets to actually give a fuck about the stupidity of the holiday. If Husk wasn't being forced to work at the hotel, he would have spent the entire month of December hiding away in his casino, losing every dollar to his name.
Just when he thought things could not get worse, they did. Charlie had the “great” idea to throw a Christmas Eve party for the residents, along with sending out an open invite to any other sinner in Hell who might be interested in joining the hotel. That's how Husk found himself wearing an ugly, pea green sweater with the words 'HO HO HO' sewn across the front in big bold red letters, while he made drinks. Everyone else that worked at the hotel was also required to wear ugly Christmas sweaters but Husk was convinced he had the worst of the bunch.
Charlie had went all out in decorating the main hall from top to bottom. With so many bright clashing lights and colors, one would think it would put Scrooge himself into the Christmas spirit. Needless to say it had the opposite effect on the bartender. Husk's somber and depressed mood ebbed off of him in waves as loathing looked out at all the merriment happening around him.
There was nothing to celebrate as far as he was concerned. Angel had been gone for a little over a month and there had been zero contact between the two self proclaimed losers. Not that Husk hadn't tried. He sent a few texts updating Angel on Fat Nuggets but he was left unread. No one had interfered with Husk's moping until Cherri caught him drunk dialing Angel one night. After that she took his phone and hid it away. The only reason Husk didn't go looking for the damn thing was because Cherri promised that if Angel reached out, Husk would be the first to know.
It was getting later into the night and Husk had been making spiked eggnogs all night. After making twelve eggnog shots things had started to calm down a bit and Husk finally allowed himself to take a breather. Busy nights were awful on his back but at least it kept his mind from overthinking about a certain arachnid for a few minutes before it all came flooding back.
Taking a long swig from his personal bottle from behind the bar, Husk looked out over the party. People watching was not something Husk personally enjoyed, he liked to keep himself but Angel had shown him how fun it was to be a nosy bitch and piece together the drama happening in a room. The bartender chuckled at the memories of their late night gossip sessions despite the fact that a lump had formed in his throat and his musty old heart was aching. Husk could feel a spiral about to start so he downed the rest of his drink and was about to start a fresh one when a soft, little oink brought him back from the brink.
Under the counter top behind the bar laid a sleeping Fat Nuggets, who looked so comfortable in his fluffy, pink bed it made Husk jealous. Leaning down, the old cat used his claws to gently scratch behind the piglet's ear, earning him a small squeal of delight. It was at that moment that Husk realized he wasn't alone in his bubble of despair. The two of them had each other and that connection meant the world to the brokenhearted bartender.
Taking a few deep, calming breaths, Husk stood back up, stretched out his back and wings before taking another crack at people watching. Skimming over the crowd, Husk found Niffty, wearing a light blue sweater dress covered in snowflakes, and Baxter kissing under the mistletoe.
“Well, I'll be damned. They finally did it.” Husk muttered to a half awake Fat Nuggets, who grunted back as a response. “Took them long enough.” The cat added, trying to gossip the way Angel had tried to teach him. Husk was certain that Angel would be laughing his ass off at his poor excuse of being the 'nosy bitch in the room' and that thought alone seemed to ease his aching heart slightly.
“Yeah right dick head!” Cherri jeered on the other side of the room, putting her next on Husk's people watching radar. He picked up a rag and a glass to look busy. Angel had instructed him early on in his 'nosy bitch' training to always look like he wasn't paying attention. The fiery woman was wearing a bright red sweater with what looked like a half melted snowman on it and she was leaning against one of the many snack tables with her phone pressed to her ear. A soft smile and light blush played across her face.
“Hmm. How much you wanna bet she's talking to Pen?” Fat Nuggets huffed at the offer, almost making him sound insulted that Husk thought he was that stupid.
A couple yards away from her was a group of sinners that had started singing along with the piano that was being played by no other than Husk's boss, the radio demon. Alastor was wearing a puke green sweater with a fat looking Santa on it, happily playing his instrument of choice. While Charlie, Vaggi and Lucifer led the chaos that was the chorus of sinners around them in song.
“Damn, Nugs. He's definitely drunk off his ass.” Husk commented while peering down at the piglet. The only answer he got back was a slight head tilt and a loud fart in return. “Good talk.” The cat muttered under his breath as he ran a hand down his face. “Fuck. I need a break.”
The universe must have heard his plea because not five minutes later, Cherri was running over to the bar with a bewildered look in her eye. “Hey Cherri. Somethin' wrong?”
“Angel messaged you!” She exclaimed breathlessly, quickly shoving Husk's phone into his face.
“What?!” He shouted, snatching the device and eyeing the short message.
'Meet me in my room at 9.'
Glancing at the clock in the foyer, Husk saw that he had less than five minutes. “Shit! I need to go now!”
“GO!” Cherri ordered as she pushed him out from behind the bar. “Don't worry about the bar. I got it.” She added while putting her hair into a bun.
“Thank you!” Husk called out as he started through the crowd.
Adrenaline and excitement rushed through Husk's veins as he bounded up the stairs, taking two at a time. The only reason he didn't fly was because he didn't want his boss to catch on to the fact he wasn't behind the bar. Thoughts of everything Husk wanted and needed to say flooded into his mind. He wasn't sure where he was going to start but he was determined to help Angel see that his home was there with Fat Nuggets and hopefully him.
All of Husk's eagerness to see Angel left as soon as he grabbed the doorknob to the spider's room. His body felt cold and heavy. The thought of getting his heart crushed again wasn't something that even crossed his mind until he was standing on the other side of a door that had the man that held his heart in his hands. His tail instinctively wrapped around his legs and his ears flattened. It terrified Husk that he had never realized until that moment just how much of a hold Angel had on him. The tall beauty had the power to completely break the old cat, that almost made Husk turn around and like he had never seen the text.
“Come on Husk.” He murmured to himself. “Don't be a pussy.”
Taking a deep breath, Husk braced himself and opened the door. Letting himself in, the door shut behind him with a soft click. His cat eyes adjusted to the dim, pink fairy lights and he found Angel leaning out the lone window, facing away from him, taking a drag off a cigarette and letting out a large puff of smoke.
“H-hey, Angel.” Husk mumbled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “I... I got your text. I hope I didn't keep you waiting long.”
“Ya didn't.” Angel replied, sounding bored as he flicked some ash off the end of his cig.
“I'm glad you're here. We've missed you. I've... missed you.” Husk shyly added.
A dark scoff came from Angel before he replied, “oh. I'm sure you did.”
Husk was taken back, his nervousness slowly morphed into anger. “What the hell is that suppose to mean?”
“Like you don't know.” Angel replied as he flicked his cigarette out the window. “You're just like everyone else. Wanting to fuck the town whore so you can brag about it.”
“Where the fuck is this coming from?” Husk snapped, enraged by the accusation. “That's not true Angel. You know me better than that!”
“Do I really Husker? Because after spending time with Val and some other clients, I know I'm not good for anything else!” Angel yelled, getting into Husk's face and poking his chest aggressively. “So why don't you just admit that you're a drunken loser who wanted nothing else other than to get laid! It will make both of us feel better!”
The rage that was bubbling in Husk's stomach was snuffed out as soon as Angel stepped into the dim, pink lighting. His lower lip was busted, both of his eyes were blackened and his lower right arm was wrapped in bloody bandages. The grimace expression on the spider's face made it clear that he was in a great deal of pain and the only thing Husk wanted to do was to fly them both away to somewhere safe.
“Angel.... what happened to you?” Husk cooed, like he was talking to a wild animal. He reached out his hand, reaching out for Angel's, trying to gauge how far he gone he was.
“None of your business.” Angel sneered as he walked back over to the window. The tall sinner leaned out into the cool once more and let out an aggravated sigh as he ran a hand through his hair before he spoke again, calmer this time. “Listen. I'm here for Fat Nuggets. So, if you would be so kind as to hand him over so I can get back before Val knows I'm gone that would be great.”
The silence in the room was deafening. The only thing Husk could hear was the sound of his own heartbeat. He glared at Angel's figure in the light of window, trying to figure out what was going through the spider's head.
“Not gonna happen.” Husk growled, his hair puffing up slightly.
“Excuse me?” Angel snapped, turning back to face the shorter demon.
“There is no way I'm gonna let you take Fat Nuggets away from the safety of this hotel. For you just to take him to the hellhole that is the V tower.” Husk stated, keeping his voice low and even. “I don't know what kind of drugs or liquor they have you on but the Angel I know would never endanger the life of that pig.”
“Fuck you!” Angel shouted as he lunged at Husk and grabbed him by the suspenders, lifting him up off the floor. “He's my baby! You have no right telling me no!”
“You left him!” Husk barked, grabbing onto Angel's wrists, glaring daggers into his bruised, mismatched eyes. “Do you have any idea how badly you hurt me-him! How many sleepless nights I've stayed up with him just to keep him from crying! You broke his heart because you decided to leave!”
That snarl that came to Angel's face would have scared a lesser demon. “Who the fuck said I decided to leave?! I didn't have a choice!” He screamed as he shook Husk's dangling body.
“That's bullshit and you know it!” Husk exclaimed, gripping Angel's wrists tighter. “You've always had a choice!”
“NO! I DIDN'T!” Angel hollered, throwing Husk to the floor.
“Yes you did!” Husk barked as he pushed himself back up and stood toe to toe with the man who held his heart. “You left because you thought we weren't safe around you! That's the biggest cop out I've ever heard! You didn't even give us a chance to help!”
“How the hell would you have helped me?!” Angel sobbed, tears running down his face. “Huh?! What were you or Cherri or Charlie gonna do?! Keep me under twenty-four, seven house watch, to make sure I don't betray you guy again! What if I try to kill one of you!? What then?!”
“Hurting Cherri wasn't your fault! You know that!”
“Do I know that?!” Angel bellowed as his legs folded under him and he wrapped his arms around himself. The anger evaporated from the porn star's body, leaving behind a broken shell of a soul. It made Husk's heart ache at the sight. “How can you trust me when I can't even trust myself.”
Another silence hung between the losers but this time it wasn't deafening, it was heavy and tense. Husk knelt down in front of the sobbing sinner. “Do you know how often I'm forced to do something against my will that makes my skin crawl?” Angel lifted his head slightly to glance up at Husk. “All the time. I know what it's like to feel powerless.”
“But you've never hurt or betrayed our friends.” The broken demon whimpered before lowering his head back down in defeat.
“Maybe but that doesn't mean I haven't hurt others. Back when I was an overlord, I was a horrible bastard, as I've told you before. And yet,” Husk whispered, gently cupping Angel's cheek to meet his gaze, “somehow you still trust me. Despite my past.”
In a swift motion, Angel wrapped his arms around Husk and burrowed into his chest. The wails and sobs that came out of the damaged sinner made Husk's eyes burn from tears that he refused to let fall. Encasing Angel in both his arms and wings, Husk let the beautiful, broken spider let everything out that he had been holding on to.
“I thought I told you to forget that you ever knew me?” Angel whimpered, looking up at Husk with an almost hopeful expression. “Why didn't you?”
There were so many things Husk wanted to say in that moment. All the words that had died on his tongue the night Angel walked away were now alive and ready to be said. Taking a moment to breath and gather his thoughts, Husk realized what he wanted to say. “To forget you would be like forgetting to breath.”
Angel leaned back and gave Husk a pleading look with his blackened, puffy eyes to continue.
“Angel.” Husk whispered, putting his forehead to Angel's. “You are everything to me.”
A sad smile came across spider's face at Husk's confession. Angel fully pulled away from the bartender and wrapped himself in his arms once more. “You deserve so much better than me Husk.”
The words echoed in the room and hung around the two losers like dead Christmas lights. Husk felt something in him snap, he was fucking sick and tired of Angel not taking him seriously so he did the only thing he could think of.
“You're right. I do deserve better.” Husk muttered, breaking the silence.
The look of shock and hurt that flashed across Angel's face was quickly replaced with a fake ass smile. If Husk hadn't honed his bullshit detector over the years he would have missed it. “See? Was it that hard to-”
“Is that what I have to say for you to listen?” Husk questioned, his voice breaking at the end, the lump in his throat making it almost impossible to not cry. His ears were lowered and his tail was wrapped around him. “Tell me. What do I have say or do for you to take my feelings seriously? Just tell me and I'll do it.”
Angel looked at him dumbfounded. “Husk... I...”
“But first, please let me say what I need to say.” Husk pleaded, his yellow eyes burning into Angel's. “Please.”
The tall beauty looked like a deer in head lights but finally nodded.
“Angel,” Husk whispered, looking longingly into the spiders's eyes. “I need you. I've always needed you even before I knew you. I need you the way I thought I needed drinking. You make everything easier to deal with. You make me want to become a better soul so I can follow you up to the pearly gates when you do get redeemed.”
Angel sat there silently with wide watery eyes, taking everything in.
With a gentle hand, Husk reached out and wiped away a tear that slid down Angel's face. “You brought my ability to love back to life. I thought that was dead and gone a long time ago.” The soft smile that graced Angel's face urged Husk to continue. “Do you remember that night, the first time I saw you in drag?”
“How could I forget?” Angel tearfully chuckled. “You were so slack jawed, it reminded me of a fish.”
“I'll take that as a compliment.” Husk smirked at the comparison. “But you did something that night that no one else has ever done before.”
Angel leaned into Husk's hand that was still cradling his cheek before asking, “what was that?”
The old cat's heart warmed at the beautiful sight that he was lucky enough to see. “That night, I left a half full glass of liquor at the bar because you wanted to see me.” Husk smirked at the small blush that lit up Angel's face. “You are more important than any drink or vice. I would never touch another drop of alcohol or pair of dice again if it meant that it would free you from that fucking moth.”
“Psh. You don't really mean that Whiskers.” Angel giggled nervously, waving away Husk's words.
Without hesitation, Husk gently brought Angel's battered hand to his lips and softly kissed each bruised knuckle. “I'm serious Legs.” He gazed up at Angel with intensity and pure love shining in his eyes. “I would do anything for you.”
“Husk.” Angel breathlessly spoke. “I...I don't deserve those kind of feelings.” He looked away from the intense gaze to stare at the floor.
“Says who?” The bartender whispered. Placing his hand on Angel's other cheek to guide his eyes back to his own. “I need you Angel. Now and forever. Or for however long you'll have me.”
“Whiskers. I...”
“I know this is a lot and I didn't mean to dump it all on you.” Husk explained. “I'm also not expecting anything in return, I just had to tell you how I feel.” Husk softly smiled as he leaned over and gently kissed Angel's forehead before standing up. He didn't take two steps before he felt a hand grip his own. Looking back, he found Angel looking at him with wide eyes.
“Did ya really mean....everything you said?”
“Every word.”
Angel's grip on Husk's hand tightened before he whispered, “I need you too, Husk.”
No others words were needed as Husk knelt back down and fully enveloped Angel into his arms. His huge wings cocooning both of them into a safe haven for a moment. Neither of them said anything for what felt like hours until Angel broke the silence.
“I'm gonna stay. If you'll have me.”
“I'll always want you.” Husk whispered into the crown of Angel's head. “No matter what.”
A wet laugh escaped from Angel as he nuzzled deeper into Husk's chest. “That's good because I have a request.”
“Anything. Name it.”
“Burn this sweater as soon as possible.”
A chuckle rumbled out of Husk's chest as he replied, “anything for you Legs.”