Husk had no idea how long he was wandering for with a bottle of beer in his claws but he had lost a shit ton of money tonight. It's a good thing his deal with that fucking freak show called the Radio Demon supplied him with whatever money he needed for gambling. It fucking sucked since he had lost the urge to go more often. He had no idea but he felt like Alastor was playing some fucking cruel ass joke on him.
He wouldn't put it past him….
Alastor could actually do funny jokes but he was also the biggest dick Husk had ever met and some of his 'jokes' were downright cruel.
The damn princess was the only one who managed to filter out his bullshit on everyone meaning she took a brunt of his shit so no one else had too. The princess herself was a little annoying. All her fucking rainbow, hearts and happiness was too much for him.
No one should be that cheerful in Hell of all places.
He finished off the bottle and tossed it to the nearest trash can. It shattered against the wall in hundreds of pieces and he kept on his way. He needed another fucking drink but he wouldn't get another one until he returned to the hotel. That thought alone was enough to make him sigh and groan with agitation.
He continued his way down the road, stumbling about when he smelled blood. It was thick, rich of something he couldn't place and it smelled a little old.
Husk turned his head and looked around. Why in the hell was he looking for the source of the smell- he had no idea but it smelled oddly familiar.
His nose wiggled slightly trying to figure out for the life of him where he smelled it before but he was so wasted he couldn't remember to save his damn life. His ears twitched and his tail gave a small flick. Husk continued to wobble about looking for the smell.
Curiosity killed the cat right?
He smirked at the weird thought. He could only hope he died so he didn't have to deal with Alastor's shit anymore.
The smell suddenly was so strong it was like it slapped his nose. Husk stumbled back a little. It was almost as intoxicating as the alcohol he had been drinking since the morning. His ears twitched at a sound- it sounded like sniffling.
His head snapped to the side to see a red brick building with busted out windows.
The smell… in the house.
Husk wandered up to the door and grabbed the knob.
Fucking claws, fuck.
His nails were a little too long and sometimes got in the way…. It had been a while since he cut them… It was time to ask Niffty to do it since she always did it for him. She was nice like that.
The cat demon managed to get the door open and got himself inside.
He wasn't the kind of demon to play the hero but he really wanted to know what the fuck that smell was because it smelled good. If he walked away now and didn't know, it was going to drive him nuts forever until he was too drunk once again, finally forgetting it.
If it was supposed to be a living room, it was years ago before someone fucked the place up. He glared as he looked around but he didn't see anyone….
Not yet anyways.
He went through the dining room and into the kitchen when the smell suddenly was so thick it was hard to breathe. He then heard the whimpering as soon as he stepped on a creaky floor board. Was he smelling fear? He couldn't tell if he could actually smell that or not….
There was a door that had dried up blood smeared on it.
Fuck the smell is coming from there.
He reached out, sliding his claw into between the edge of the door the door frame to pull it open.
The look on his face had to be ridiculous because he could not believe for life of him who he was staring at. He fucking knew that blonde hair from anywhere.
It was the goddamn princess.
Charlie Morningstar was sitting there shaking like a leaf in a storm covered in her own blood.
It was as if, all at once….
He was fucking sober, scared and worried.
"Fuck," he breathed out.
Her head turned slowly and the look on her face was fucking horrid. Her rosy spots that always made her look so cheery were actually gone. Gone. Somehow her face was paler if that was even possible-
"Fuck, Charlie what the fuck?"
Her bright red eyes were dark, almost black. Her hair was a mess and her clothes were ruined…. It looked like she was wearing bloody party streamers.
"H-huh?"
She blinked her eyes but she looked so out of it….
Does she even know I'm standing here?
Husk knelt down before her.
"What the hell happened girly?!"
"I don't know… I just…."
She started crying, shocking him. He reached out and patted her head in a weird, reassuring way (he hoped at least) and tried to tell her it was going to be ok.
He didn't know what else to say because she sure as fuck didn't look like she would be ok.
"Let me get Alastor," he said, trying to stand up.
"NO!" she shouted, reaching out for him, "Don't leave me Husk ! P-p-please!"
"I can't leave you in this dirty ass pantry, Princess."
Her grip on his arm was weak. She didn't have any strength and Husk wasn't physically strong himself. He could barely fly with his own wings.
"I just need… need to rest. I don't want to be alone. Please…. Just don't leave me."
Her eyes overflowed with tears and started running down her sickly pale cheeks.
"Ok, ok. I won't leave ya. Can you stand at all?"
"I-I don't know. They got my legs pretty good. I hurt all over…. I couldn't find anywhere else to hide."
"It's alright girly. I gotcha."
Husk slipped his claws into Charlie's armpits and pulled her to her feet. His body protested from having to help her to her feet because she was dead weight almost. It was this one moment he wished he had worn clothes so he could at least cover her up a little more. Whoever attacked Charlie fucked her up real good. He couldn't even come up with why they would do something like that to Charlie.
She was way too nice.
"Princess…. I'm gonna ask something uncomfortable but…. Did…. they touch you?"
She kind of tilted her head to look at him but it went unnoticed by him.
"N-no…."
She slumped up against him, making him fall against the door frame and the corner digging into his back. He stopped the groan and coughed lightly.
"Alright good. Let's move you somewhere else alright? Let's see if there is a bed or couch or some shit."
She hooked her arms around his neck, leaning her face into his furry chest. She took a deep breath and sighed.
"Smells good," she said lowly.
What?
Husk did his best to ignore that and half dragged her out of the pantry. Charlie cried out softly against him and shuddered. He glanced around to see her legs were messed up pretty bad. He was sure one of them had to be broken.
How in the hell is she still alive?
"Which one hurts the most?" Husk asked.
"I can't tell honestly…." she answered letting out a shaky sigh, "I'll suck it up the best I can…. I just can't…. go far."
"How the fuck are you alive Princess? I mean I'm fuckin' glad ya are but fuckin' hell!"
The princess managed a strained giggled.
"I may not seem like much but I'm a lot stronger than others think."
"I can see that."
Husk managed to hover just enough so Charlie didn't have to strain her legs. There was a bedroom with a fucked up mattress but it looked better than the goddamn pantry she was bleeding all over.
The cat demon did his best to set her down carefully onto the mattress. Charlie whined before groaning.
"They…. they took everything…. My phone was broken so I couldn't use it."
"Fuckers- of course they did."
"I think they were hoping…. for some ransom."
Husk sat down beside of her carefully. He also jumped out of his fur when her hand touched his paw. She closed her eyes, breathing softly.
"They weren't happy when I laughed. Dad wouldn't pay for that… I'm not supposed to take shit from other demons."
"Why didn't you murder them all? Just pull an 'Al' and be done with it."
She cracked open her eyes to look at him.
"Wouldn't that be against everything I'm preaching? Besides, I would've decimated the entire block. Not very good at controlling all my powers….. I think I did kill one or he at least died a lot later. I have some kind of corrosive power that I actually can control some but it hurts my hands to use it…"
Charlie held up her hands for him to see her skin peeling and bright red.
"M-Mom has corrosive spit…. I can excrete it from my hands only though when I'm in danger…."
"That's insane."
She chuckled.
"Yea, it is."
The princess looked up at him.
"I know you won't like this but…. but can you hold me for a little bit? I didn't want to ask but I did bleed some on your fur."
The cat demon stiffened.
"Girl, are you asking me to cuddle you?"
"If you… you wanna put it that way, yes. I want you to cuddle me."
Husk looked around them. They were in an abandoned house. He still felt slightly buzzed and here his…. boss was bleeding on a dingy ass mattress. Why the hell not?
It was a big ass secret but he loved cuddling. He could do it all day but normally no one was down for that kind of thing. He wasn't exactly the hottest man when he was alive and he was a fucking cat now. Who the hell would want to cuddle him?
"If I do this, you keep yer mouth shut, you hear me?"
"Loud and clear."
He crawled up next to Charlie and she quickly embraced him wasting no time and flinching in the process. She rubbed her face against his furry chest.
"God, you're so soft. You're softer than Angel- don't tell him that though. He would be so pissed."
Husk snorted and chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Glad you think so girly."
Being this close to her, he could hear her heart beating strong. It sounded like it picked up on speed when she took a deep breath.
"You do smell good," she whispered.
Jesus.
It didn't take much longer and she fell asleep.
Husk couldn't sleep even if he wanted too….
He was paranoid someone would try and attack them. He may not be physically strong but at least his demonic powers were something he could actually brag about.
Fuck me sideways.
X
X
Husk wasn't sure how much time had passed. He only knew when it became night time since it was almost pitch black where they were. He should've asked Charlie when she actually left the hotel and got herself into trouble. He had been so fucking drunk he wouldn't even remember her leaving.
Now he was itching for a drink but he wasn't willing to leave Charlie alone.
She had every right to be terrified and honestly, he didn't want her to fight either because if she could destroy a whole damn block…. then she could hurt herself too.
In the meantime while he was thinking about it, that weird smell had lessened a good bit. Was it her blood or something? Was she secreting some kind of pheromone? It wasn't like there was much on fallen angel/demon/succubus hybrid creatures.
Maybe it was only something he could smell thanks to being a cat. He wasn't quite sure he was proud of that fact but it did indeed bring him to her. He saved her kind of….
Laying on a fucked up mattress wasn't exactly safe but it was the closest thing he could do. He couldn't warp through things unless Alastor forced him too.
Why can't that mother fucker do that already? Who in the fuck knows how long we've been laying here. I wonder if Charlie is able to heal up fast or some shit?
He moved his arm a little bit when she whined against his chest and balled her fists in his fur. He yelped a little and tried to ease off.
Fuck, she has a tight grip.
"It hurts so bad," she whispered, breaking his thoughts.
"I know Princess… It's gonna be ok."
She started crying softly.
"Shhhh, it's fine. Tell me what hurts the most and maybe I can look at it."
"My side… That I'm laying on."
"Alright, alright. Lay on your back…. Um, can you do that?"
"Need help."
"Ok, you gotta let me go first. I won't leave you."
Charlie released her grip on his fur and thank god for that before she pulled some of it out. He managed to pull away slowly, helping her lay on her back.
"I want to say sorry now but my nails are kind of pointy."
"It's ok."
Husk could see in the dark at least but fuck. It looked like a chunk of Charlie's skin was missing and he could see…. muscle. He pulled back the pieces of shredded up fabric some more to see the damage. It was bad. So very bad.
I can't just pick her up and carry her out. Once they know who I have in my arms, they'll attack us again. I won't be able to protect her that well. It's not like I can toss her on the fuckin' ground and attack anyone.
Why can't that fuckin' asshole already snap me to where he's at? Fuck- I should've bought a goddamn phone.
"Is it bad Husk? You're really quiet…." Charlie whispered.
"It looks really bad. I just… I don't know what to say. Jesus christ…"
"I'm sorry. I should been paying better attention. I didn't realize anyone was after me. I'm so sorry…."
She started bawling loudly.
"Hey, hey!" he hissed, "Not so loud and I'm not mad at you!"
Charlie covered her mouth and cried some more.
Husk was not good at this. He tried his best to be careful and brushed her hair from her face. She was sweaty and tired but at least the color was returning to her cheeks. She whimpered a little bit.
"You ok now?"
"Y-yea…. no but yea."
Husk snorted and chuckled a little.
"You're taking this like a champ girly. Most men would've passed out or died by now."
"Thanks…."
She let out a heavy sigh.
"I was hoping someone would've came looking for us already."
"I only found you because I smelled you."
The princess turned her head slightly.
"You recognize my smell?" she asked, looking curious.
"It smelled familiar but I didn't know it was you. Sorry."
Charlie looked weird for a moment like she was thinking.
"Ah…. It was probably the after burn of my corrosive power. It gives off a weird smell but apparently it attracts things…. Mom told me hers is like that. Dad runs through the castle to attack her. The fact you could smell it that far away says you have a good nose."
"Thanks. I was rather drunk too so that didn't help matters any."
Charlie giggled weakly, "That's more impressive."
He couldn't help but grin smugly.
"It's about time someone notices my talents."
She let out a louder giggle.
"I'm sorry I was so blind to it before."
"Eh, don't worry about it. Most people are."
Husk reached over and took her hand.
"I know you don't want to move but we're gonna have to get you some help."
The princess didn't say anything.
"I know but we need to leave. All these cuts will get infected, especially that wound on your side that even makes me cringe thinking about it."
"What if someone comes after me?" she whispered, "I can't expect you to defend me…. That would be…. rude."
"Jesus Charlie."
That was rude? Some asshole attacked her and she thought it would be rude of him to protect her? What a weird woman.
"Can we stay here until dawn at least?"
"Yea we can. I'm fine with that."
"Can-
"Yea, yea. I'll hold you."
She grinned and rolled onto her hurt side slowly.
"Shit- should you do that?!"
"It's ok…. The air hitting it makes it sting a little bit more."
Husk held Charlie again and curled up into his arms.
"S-sorry about getting you all bloody."
"It's better than vomit so don't worry about it."
Working for Alastor he was rather used to it but he didn't tell her that.
A few minutes of silence when he noticed Charlie's heart beat picked up.
"H-hey, Husk?"
"Hm?" he answered with his eyes closing.
"You're the best…. Thank you."
"Goddamnit Charlie-
"I'm not trying to embarrass you… You being around me does make me feel safer."
His own heart gave an uncomfortable thump.
"Yea, well…. You're welcome."
X
Husk managed to doze off after a while. He needed it.
All those sweet words Charlie rambled off earlier made him feel funny but it wasn't so bad. He always knew the princess was sun shines and unicorns. They all figured that out and they were eight months into the hotel being open now. Charlie's happy demeanor hadn't died off any. She never lost any of that weird ass enthusiasm she had radiating off her every time she spoke.
Even nearly gutted open she hadn't lost it now either.
He would've felt bad if she did. Charlie was that kind of person who didn't deserve to have bad shit happen to her.
He almost sighed.
He also was itching for a bottle of beer or perhaps a bottle of whiskey after all this bullshit.
His eyes wandered over to the window to see a faint bit of light. It had to be around six in the morning.
"Hey- Charlie."
She didn't move.
"Charlie!"
Husk patted her face and she frowned a little bit. He saw her sclera was bright red and her eyes were black.
"Shit are you ok?"
"I feel cold…."
"What?"
Husk felt it was hot as fuck with no breeze going through but Charlie felt ice cold.
"You feel like a fuckin' ice cube!"
"I have a fever then…."
She shuddered violently.
"Husk-
"No time Princess. We gotta go. We can't wait any longer," the cat demon said.
He pulled away from Charlie slowly. He got in position and picked her up. She groaned then yelped. Her horns emerged from her head almost making Husk jump and drop her. She shivered again.
"Hey, darlin'-
Charlie rolled her head to the side slowly and looked up at him with a grin.
"Wow, I never thought I would say this but the way you said 'darlin' sounds a lot better than how Alastor says it."
Husk busted up laughing.
"God, when he finally decides to kill me, I'm telling him that."
The princess smiled as he started walking out of the bedroom. At least she could still joke.
"Everything is going to be ok," the cat demon said, "I promise girly. I'll see to it you're ok."
All Charlie did was hum and nodded off.
There were only a hand full of times Husk ever felt like he needed to actually give a shit enough not to die. This was one of those times. He rushed through the streets with his arms killing him, dying for a beer and wishing the damn hotel was closer to the city.
He barely remembered walking through there yesterday? How many days passed by? Fuck he wasn't even sure but it was long enough for Charlie to get an infection. He whipped around the corner to see a group of demons. The six of them stopped talking and just stared at Husk. Then their eyes went down to Charlie.
Luckily for him, her face was hidden from them. She was bloody with her bra showing and her legs. So that part wasn't good.
Husk went around them quickening his pace wishing he had flown more carrying Niffty or someone for some practice.
All he could hope was he didn't run into the fucks who messed the princess up
Why do I gotta drink so fuckin' much? Fuck!
Even though it was around seven in the morning, demons were starting to show up more and that wasn't helping matter any. More of them were watching him carry around a very hurt princess and it was only a matter of time before one of them figures out who Charlie was and attacks them.
One fucking time that bastard couldn't snap his fucking fingers…. one time he could do it and actually help someone. Stupid ass smug mother fucker! Fucking good for nothing prick-
Suddenly everything around Husk got all staticty. He froze and waited. The surrounding of the hotel lobby started to appear around him and he almost starting crying in relief. Almost.
He blinked a few times to see Alastor the asshole Radio Demon just staring at him. It really was fucking weird to see that bastard without a smile it was almost more creepy than his smiles.
"Fuck! It's about time!" the cat demon shouted, "Can you fucking help me instead of staring?! Some assholes attacked her and she was too hurt to move!"
Alastor's eyes dropped to Charlie and stayed on her for over a minute. It was bordering on creepy.
"You can't fuckin' eat her! I'm takin' her to her room so get Vaggie!"
"Ordering me around? Someone got some back bone while they were missing for almost two days!"
"I ain't got time for your wacky bullshit!"
He hopped into the elevator hanging onto Charlie like his life depended on it. It probably did at this point… After the attitude he just pulled, he'll be lucky to be alive tomorrow.
Finally, her fucking room.
He made it to the fourth floor.
Husk opened her door that had the plaque with rainbows and clouds that said "Charlie" in bold pink letters. His tail flicked around and turned the knob after a few attempts. The door swung open and he got Charlie on the bed. The room even smelled like her too.
"Charlie. We're in the hotel. Gonna start taking this shit off of you."
She didn't say anything, so as carefully as he could, he started taking off the shreds of rags that were still hanging onto her. She looked even worse just in her blood soaked underwear and bra. She looked dead.
"Fuck," he hissed under his breath.
"What the fuck happened?!"
His head whipped around to look at Vaggie who was panicking.
"She got jumped-
"WHAT-
"Bitch quit yer yelling and call a goddamn doctor!" he snapped.
Vaggie disappeared again, hollering down the hallway but he didn't care enough to pay attention to her.
"Princess, I need you to look at me."
Husk patted her face, trying to wake her up. Her skin was still ice cold.
After a few pats, she opened her eyes to slits.
"Hey, there you are."
Husk smiled at her, running a clawed finger on her cheek.
"You better still alive. I didn't get you back to the hotel for you to just die now."
Charlie smiled weakly.
"You're the best Husk…. Thanks."
