The next day around lunch time, Husk staggered up to Charlie's room. He had two beers and left it at that. Vaggie asked him to take up a sacked lunch she had made her. He didn't exactly agree to it but the look on the moth demon's face said he had too and he didn't argue. So he did and he had two bottles of water for her too.

She didn't even ask me- she just demanded it. Damn woman.

He knocked on Charlie's door.

"Come in!" she called with her voice all cheery.

Ugh. Why-

Husk used his tail to open the door and his eyes fell on Charlie. She was in the middle of her room wearing a bright pink tank top and black shorts. The rest of her body was covered in bandages from neck to her feet. She gave him an awkward wave.

"Sorry, I was about to use the bathroom."

"You look like a fucking mummy! Why didn't you ask for help?!" Husk snapped.

Charlie giggled nervously, looking bashful.

"I can pee alone. It just takes me a minute or so to get there. Go ahead and sit on my bed!"

She walked very slowly to her bathroom and shut the door half way as a safety precaution just in case she fell. The last thing she wanted was falling and peeing herself. She would just die from the embarrassment alone.

Husk stared at her bed. He had been in here some time ago but now he couldn't help but stare. Her sheets were bright yellow and her comforter was a bright purple color with five pillows in purple pillow cases. It was all very Charlie.

He still didn't dare to sit on her bed.

It felt weird.

Charlie came wobbling out a few minutes later with a big smile on her face as she saw him.

"What's that?" she asked, pointing at the brown paper bag.

"You're girlfriend packed it."

The princess stopped in her tracks.

"G-girlfriend?"

"Isn't that what you call each other? Or is partners now? I'm not up to date with all that hip slang that used today."

Charlie snorted.

"I'm not dating Vaggie."

Husk just stared at her as she made her way to her bed- painfully slow.

"Why did you think that?" she asked climbing onto the bed.

"Angel has said some shit so I just got it from that."

Charlie patted her bed.

"I mean… We had a few romps around in bed when we were lonely and stressed out but it was never more than that. I'm surprised he didn't say anything more than that. Our relationship is pretty platonic."

Husk arched an eyebrow and sat at the edge.

"How are you going to play cards sitting like that?" the princess asked with a smile.

He forgot that. So, he crawled to the center of her bed, facing her. Charlie reached under her pillow and pulled out a worn out deck of cards.

"What do you wanna play?"

Charlie pulled out the cards and they actually looked like they were in better condition than the box they were in.

"What do you know how to play?" he asked.

He couldn't help but stare at her. He knew she was wounded badly but she was covered in bandages. He couldn't see the extent of it with all her shredded clothes and bloody.

"I know…. It looks bad…." she said softly.

Husk looked up into her eyes. She looked embarrassed.

"I didn't realize how bad you were hurt…. Sorry for staring like a creep."

"No no! I mean… You can look all you want- it doesn't bother me."

He just stared at her and her face turned bright red.

"I mean- Go Fish, Old Maid, War, Speed and Memory."

"We can play some Go Fish if you want."

She nodded furiously and started shuffling. She dealt the cards out and Husk leaned over, placing her bag by her.

"You go first!" the princess said with a grin.

Husk just arched an eyebrow.

"You have any fives?"

"Yup!"

Charlie handed over the five of hearts and he took it from her fingers. Her hands were wrapped up so tightly too. How could she move like that?

Sheesh.

"You go again."

The cat demon grunted, "Alright then. You got any threes?"

"Nope go fish!"

Charlie shared her lunch with him, even though all he ate were the chips. He hadn't noticed they sat there three hours or so playing all the games she knew then teaching her poker as well. Husk actually enjoyed his time with Charlie. They didn't really talk about much which was just fine but just playing the games was nice.

"Charlie?"

The both of them jumped at the sound of Vaggie's voice.

"Yea! Come in!"

She opened the door and pulled in a wheel chair. Charlie's eyebrows shot up.

"What's that for?"

"For you. Are you ready for me to wash your hair? I figured it would be easier on you if you laid on the counter."

"Oh, Vaggie… That's too much work…. I have a lot of hair-

"Niffty is gonna help. I asked Angel but he claimed he needed a 'beauty nap.' Are you almost done?"

"We're still in the middle-."

"Alright. Have Husk help bring you down when you're done. I'll grab your shampoo and conditioner."

Vaggie walked off into her bathroom and grabbed the things she needed. Husk couldn't help but watch the interaction between them. He had really thought they were together but seeing it…. There wasn't much there. What the hell was Angel talking about?

"Thanks! I'll be down soon!"

Vaggie only nodded and Charlie gave her a small wave.

"We could've just stopped."

Charlie shook her head, "Nope…. I didn't want too."

He smirked, "You can't be having that much fun."

"I am actually! I can't remember the last time I had fun like this. Usually Angel gets all angry and Niffty screeches too much. I get heated in Skip Bo or Uno but not go fish unless I go several hands without anything."

She grinned up at him.

"If you wanna leave, we can call this a draw and go downstairs."

"Naw, let's finish this hand and we can go."

It only took thirty seconds for Charlie to lose that hand too. She gave Husk a disgruntled look and he laughed at her. She placed the cards back in the box an scooted to the edge of the bed.

"Hang on Princess."

Charlie stopped and watched as he walked around the bed. He pushed the wheel chair closer to the bed. He held out his paws and helped her up carefully. She winced a little getting up and sitting back in the chair.

"My side doesn't hurt as bad but it does sting when I move."

"I'm surprised you can fuckin' move at all after all that!" Husk said pulling on the wheelchair.

He pushed her out and closed her door. He turned around and jumped, seeing Charlie leaning her head back just staring up at him.

"What?"

"You can come over and play again tonight if you aren't busy? Only if you want too."

"Shouldn't you be resting or some shit?" Husk asked pushing her down the hall.

"I can sleep after Vaggie and Niffty do my hair. I highly doubt Vaggie will allow me in the dinner hall to eat so I'll be in room for most of the time. She plans on buying me a TV too. I'm kind of glad. I do need to buy the rooms some TVs."

"Must be nice to have all that family money."

Charlie snorted.

"I actually have my own money. I actually planned to ask them for some renovation money. I know Mom will just send some demons to take care of what I need so that's always an idea too."

"Ah. What needs fixed?"

"The lobby area. I did fix most of the first floor and the second already."

"You did construction work?"

Charlie giggled, "Surprised aren't you? That's what the internet is for. Luckily a lot of it wasn't so bad. I actually called in someone for the wiring."

"Color me surprised."

They made it to the lobby floor and Husk stepped out, pushing Charlie.

"So…. If you aren't gonna get too drunk, you can bring a few beers up to my room when you wanna play cards with me… If you want. Unless you plan on sleeping in my room," Charlie said with a grin, leaning her head back.

Thank god for the fur. Jesus!

"I'll see."

She grinned more and nodded.

"Vaggie!"

The kitchen door flew open revealing Niffty.

"You ready Charlie! Let's wash that bird's nest!"

Husk snorted as he pushed her into the kitchen.

"You ready?" Vaggie asked with a smile.

She shoved a chair against the counter and the counter was cleaned off.
"Yea… Are you guys ok with washing it? It is a pain in the ass."

"Oh like you then?" Husk said.

"Hey!"

Husk chuckled. Vaggie helped Charlie out of the wheel chair and helped her to the chair to step up.

"Got shit to do."

Husk left like that. Charlie watched him leave out of the kitchen and she smiled glancing at Vaggie who rolled her eyes.

X

Charlie sat on her bed bouncing. She was in a little bit of pain thanks to Niffty and Vaggie redoing her bandages but at least her hands had healed rather quickly. It always did in a day or so after she used her corrosion. One day, she would be able to use it a lot better.

She leaned against her pillows and sighed. It would be a shame if she learned how to actually use it well enough and melt Alastor's face off. He came in earlier and just taunted her the whole time about her inability to do a damn thing. If she had felt even slightly better, she would've slapped him or attempted too.

She grabbed a pillow and screamed into it.

Stupid asshole. I'm doing the best I can. I can still at least help do the therapy part while in bed. Other than that I'm useless. I hate it here. Why did I even go out?

Charlie had left the hotel to get some groceries and a few notebooks. She even wanted to get some colored pens (blue for Vaggie) so they had them for therapy sessions and note taking. Charlie was the queen of notes and ideas. She was always thinking of something better. She even took suggestions from her clients too and things had been better for them. A few of them had been taking bigger strides in their redemption plans and even been helping Vaggie with the hotel since her short disappearance.

It made her feel good. Like she finally accomplished something. She wanted to rub that into Alastor's face.

Stupid jerk. I can't believe he actually laughed at me for getting hurt. I shouldn't even be surprised…. He loves seeing people's misery. He already warned me that in the first week he was here. Ugh.

She pulled the pillow from her face and looked at her door.

I wonder if he's gonna be here soon. I hope he shows up.

She really wanted to throw some things. Even the TV Vaggie got her shortly before dinner wasn't helping her out any. She watched a few dramas but nothing appealed to her. She really wanted to watch a movie but there was just mostly porn than anything else.

I hate it here.

Charlie picked up a pillow and threw it across the room.

I oddly feel a little better.

She just wanted to get some shit and it ended up with her being stalked by six assholes who thought they could get millions just for kidnapping her then when she told them to literally fuck off and they wouldn't get a damn penny. They didn't like that. The smaller one took a chunk of her side like a damn animal.

They tore at her, shredding one of her favorites outfits and it was when one of the tried to feel her up, did she melt someone's arms and probably someone's face. She couldn't remember since it all happened in a blur.

She threw another pillow.

She didn't want to smell the death but she did. Charlie could smell it and the screams of the few she actually hurt. They ran off and she staggered all by herself. No one had attempted to help her at all. It was when she realized most of the sinners simply didn't care. Was that their fault? Probably not. Hell was a dangerous place and everyone only cared about themselves…. they had to- to survive.

Charlie tossed a third pillow, rattling the picture on her wall of her and Vaggie at Loo Loo Land.

I hate it- I hate it!

She threw the fourth pillow before grabbing the last one and burying her face into it. Charlie let out a scream.

Changing Hell itself wasn't going to be easy but no less frustrating. It didn't help with Alastor dumping on her whenever found anything small to nit pick at.

Charlie screamed one last time into her pillow when she heard someone knock.

"W-Who is it?" she called, pulling her head out of the pillow.

"A pissed off cat."

She couldn't help but grin at that.

"Come in."

Husk opened the door. He saw the look on her face and then saw her other pillows scattered around the floor.

"Are you having some kind of weird pillow fight with yourself?"

"No…."

She dropped her face back into her pillow. He closed the door and placed his beer on the stand near Charlie's bed.

"What's botherin' ya?"

"Stuff," she answered with her voice muffled.

Husk dropped down on her bed and waited for her to uncover her face.

"Wanna talk about it?"

She shook her head and groaned.

"That can't be comfortable for you. Pull your head up."

Charlie hesitated but eventually decided to do what he said. Her eyes looked a little red like she had been crying some. He reached out and rubbed her back awkwardly. It shouldn't be so weird after he held her bleeding body but it certainly felt like that.

"T-thanks."

"So, what's got the best princess around in the dumps?" Husk asked trying to sound friendly and reassuring.

Apparently it worked because she smiled a little.

"Al. Being a dick. Again."

Husk rolled his eyes.

"He was mocking me because I allowed myself to get hurt. I wish I could've melted his face off."

Husk busted up laughing.

"If you do, let me know ahead of time! I wanna see that shit!"

Charlie grinned, "I'll let you know."

"Let me get all your pillows."

The cat demon got up and started throwing the pillows at Charlie to catch and replace on her bed. Once he got all of them, Husk sat back on the bed. He glanced at the Tv seeing some weird drama was on.

"What the hell are you watching?"

"I have no clue. I can't find a damn thing to watch. I really wanted a good movie but all there is this shit and porn. I don't want to see Angel Dust anywhere too. We're friends but that doesn't mean I wanna see him do that kind of stuff."

Husk snorted.

"What game you want to play now?" he asked.

"You pick. You won the last one."

"I would say memory but I think you would beat my ass in that."

Charlie snickered.

"Then let's play War."

Husk only nodded and climbed into the center of the bed. Charlie shut the Tv off and handed the cards to him. She loved watching him shuffle. He did it using magic and it was so interesting to watch. She looked like a kid on Christmas.

"You ok there?"

The princess nodded and grinned, "I love watching you shuffle the cards. Is that why you have card symbols on your wings? Because of magic tricks?"

"I guess that and I love gambling."

"Can you do other tricks?"

"I can. If you want I can show you when you feel a little better. You seem like the excitable type and I don't want you to hurt yourself more."

She grinned, "I am and I would love that!"

The two of them started their game of War with it being a draw after six games.

"Well…. I suppose we were both lucky on that," Husk said with a grin.

"I know!" Charlie bit her bottom lip looking at the cards.

She glanced up to see Husk just staring at her weirdly. She tilted her head a little and smiled.

"Yea?"

"It's nothin'. You shouldn't chew your lips like that- especially with fangs."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine. It's a nervous habit. I twirl my hair a lot too."

Charlie blushed and looked down at her hands.

"What do you want to play next?" she asked quietly.

"I kind of want to drink that."

Husk nodded towards the beer.

"Alright."

Charlie put the cards away. She scooted over out of the center of her bed and patted the spot beside of her.

"I'll try and find something half way decent."

"You want me to sit in your bed?"

"Yea of course. I mean… We did already sat together when I was bleeding out everywhere. You've been on my bed a few times already."

Husk arched an eyebrow. Charlie felt her face heat up.

"It doesn't bother me. I don't find it weird is all."

She turned on the TV and started flipping through channels trying to ignore the way he was looking at her. He finally looked away and opened the single beer bottle he brought with him. He leaned against her pillows and Charlie snuggled down into her blankets. She finally found a scfi movie about aliens so it sounded better than all the other crap on TV.

Husk really didn't feel the need to drink but the fond looks Charlie was giving him was making him feel weird. The way she kept blushing and the way she just seemed too fucking comfortable around him was….

it was too much for him. It made him think things he shouldn't.

He just wanted to down that bottle quickly but he didn't bring anymore with him so he had to nurse it.

Fuck, I should've bought a whole case.

He did his best to watch the movie Charlie picked out and she was right- there wasn't shit on TV. His broke train of thought was interrupted when Charlie's head leaned on his shoulder and she relaxed against him. He hadn't even noticed when she got closer to him.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Charlie looked up at him with her big red eyes. They looked so soft and innocent.

"Sorry…."

Now, he suddenly felt bad.

"No- it's fine. Just don't fuckin drool on me if you fall asleep."

"Oh, but bleeding on you is just fine?" Charlie teased.

"Well, it's not the first pick of bodily fluids I would like on me."

Charlie sat up and she grinned with her face burning red.

"O-oh. I'll keep that in mind."

Husk almost slapped himself in the face.

Why the fuck did I say that?!
Charlie placed her head back on his furry shoulder.

"Thanks for hanging around. I enjoy your company a lot."

"I'm a grumpy old man."

"I'm older than you Husk."

He snorted, "I keep forgetting that."

"Everyone does. So if you're old, then I'm old. I am certainly not old yet. I don't feel like it anyways."

"Alright, alright. Damn- sorry I said anything."

She giggled loudly.

"Thanks."

After an hour, Charlie knocked out. Husk finished off his one beer and decided to watch the movie until the end. He went to stand up but he couldn't move. Charlie had somehow slipped her arms around his waist while he was busy trying not to pay attention to her. She looked so peaceful laying there. She looked peaceful- unburdened by the bullshit going on around her.

Charlie was just cute sleeping like that- even when she looked like a mummy.

That sweet fuzzy feeling had washed over him in a slow wave and he didn't like that.

Goddamnit- don't get like that.

He pried her arms and hands off of him and covered her up. He slipped out of her room and headed down stairs for the bar. He needed to drink these feelings ASAP.

They weren't right to have about someone as sweet and innocent as Charlie. He was just being a good friend- that was all this was.

He was behind the bar and he swiped another bottle of whiskey. It was around midnight now and no one was around. At least he had hoped not but that thought was cut short when Alastor popped up beside of him watching him with an amused smirk on his face. Husk almost choked on the golden liquid.

"What the fuck do you want?"

"Miss Niffty said you were drinking whiskey last night too. You want to explain why you're drinking that instead of just the cheap booze you usually go for? What are you trying to forget Husker?"

"My existence."

The Radio Demon arched an eyebrow at him.

"Did rescuing the princess cause you to feel too good about yourself and you're trying to fix that?"

"No. I don't regret that."

"Shocking."

"Can't you pester someone else? Unless you have a job for me or some shit. Spit it out already asshole."
"Nothing right now."

Alastor took the bottle from his paws.

"Ah, even cheap whiskey! You'll drink anything won't you? It's a shame you don't have better tastes."

Husk stood up and snatched the bottle from his hands.

"Leave me the fuck alone."

"As you wish."

Alastor watched as his companion walked off downing a bottle of whiskey like his life depended on it.

X

Husk stumbled off and landed on his bed. He managed to finish off most of the bottle before he got to his room. His head was swimming with thoughts of Charlie just sleeping against him.

How many times did he have a woman sleeping beside of him? Not often- not even the men hung around. Not too many people wanted shit to do with someone like him. How could he blame any of them?

In Hell, Alastor treated him like shit and a friend at the same time. Niffty talked his ear off about the dumbest shit he ever heard. Angel Dust made disgusting comments at him and Vaggie barely talked to him until he started hanging around Charlie.

Then there was Charlie.

The only person who seemed thrilled he was here when he wasn't even thrilled to be there. She talked to him since the moment he got there.

Stupid thoughts. Who the fuck cares.

Every time she blushed towards him.

She was single.

She wasn't with Vaggie.

Charlie was his boss.

"Fuck it."

He finished off the bottle and threw it to the side. His hand landed on his special deck of cards. They were used mostly for him to cheat during card games…. Or for his magic tricks. He pulled them out and gave them a look over.

Someone as adorable and bright as the fucking sun like Charlie wouldn't want him anyways.

It wasn't in the cards….

His cards anyways.