Like the asshole he was, he intentionally ignored Charlie. It wasn't like she could get out of bed to walk very far other than a bathroom trip so it wasn't that hard to do. Almost drinking his problems away wasn't such a bad idea either. So that's what Husk did.
He just drank, ignoring Charlie for four days.
Husk didn't want to think about her one bit. They were just friends but then he would think about her blushing face and he had to grab another bottle to drown her face out of his mind. It only worked half of the time.
He hated it. Someone like her shouldn't have that kind of affect on him.
When was the last time he just wanted someone? Just to be with someone?
Oh yea, she left him for his fucking brother and that was the last time he trusted anyone with his banged up heart. That's why he drank himself into a stupor and did whatever crazy ass bullshit Alastor asked. That's why he made it this far in Hell by now and he wished he would die from drinking already but that wasn't going to happen here.
He was here to suffer- drinking wasn't going to end his misery since it only added on and amplified it.
He did his best to pretend he didn't see Vaggie's dirty looks. How one woman could look that pissed with one eye was almost impressive. He was beginning to wonder if her face would stay like that. She already had a hard case of resting bitch face.
It was dinner time and he barely ate any of it. He couldn't even tell what he was eating because he was already drunk.
Husk groaned and stared down at his dinner plate. He only had double vision going on so far.
"Asshole."
Husk snapped his head upward and his ears went back to see Vaggie with a plate in her hands.
"The fuck is your problem?"
"You know what my problem is, dick head," she snapped almost in a hiss.
She looked like she was shaking with rage but it was hard to see as drunk as he was. She stormed off after giving him the finger and was out of the dinner hall.
The next few hours were like a blur. He remember Angel being at the bar… He actually looked that concerned but Husk told him off and threw a bottle at him.
Fuck 'em all.
The porn star started cussing him, flipping him the bird six times and he took off. Not even Niffty came around and she usually would go on and on about her cleaning to him. He never cared about it but he listened to her anyways.
At one point he swore he saw Alastor but he wasn't sure.
Husk laid down behind the bar on the floor with several empty bottles surrounding him swimming in and out of consciousness. He was sure as hell thought he was dreaming when he heard that pretty voice of an angel calling his name.
X
Charlie managed to get herself in the elevator without issue. Her legs didn't feel so bad and her side was numb thanks to the shot Vaggie had given her with the combination of painkillers. She had questioned Vaggie if she had done something wrong to Husk or if maybe he had a few things to do for Alastor but Vaggie couldn't answer either of those questions so that meant he was in the hotel still.
"He's been drinking himself stupid Charlie. I don't know why you're surprised."
All the princess could think was she did something to make him uncomfortable. She didn't mean too.
So, after four days that was long enough. She was going nuts and now she was going to fix it because she was stubborn as hell. Charlie marched down to the hallway for the elevator and down to the lobby. She looked around to see no one was down there.
She had to check the bar first.
He might be behind it. She said he's been drinking a lot…. I wonder if he's ok.
Charlie was a few feet from the bar now.
"Husk? Are you there?" she called out.
No answer.
"Husk?"
The princess swore she heard an empty glass bottle being moved around. She got closer and against her better judgement, got on the bar top and looked over despite the pain in her side. Husk was laying there with his eyes half open drunk as fuck. She sighed sadly and stared at him for a moment before speaking again.
"Why are you drinking so much?"
"Huh?"
"Husk? Why are you drinking so much?"
"It's your fault…. You and your damn card… card games."
Charlie frowned.
She got off the stool and made her way around to the back of the bar. She leaned over him watching him.
"I don't think my card games would make someone drink especially when you're the one winning all the time- usually."
"Whatever," he slurred out or that's what it sounded like to Charlie.
He rolled over on his side.
"Come on. Let's get you to bed ok?"
"Like you would go to bed with me."
He burped and groaned loudly.
"Not drunk like this, no."
He rolled over on his back, staring at her with hazy eyes.
"You can't sleep back here. Please get up."
Charlie held out her hands.
"Come on. Up you go."
Husk stared at her before attempting to grab her hands. She grabbed his paws and helped him to his feet. His eyes dragged over her body then looked back at her concerned face.
"Why you in a night gown?"
"Because. I was going to bed but then again I was wondering why you were avoiding me. Let's get you to your room."
"You shouldn't be out of bed."
Charlie snorted.
"You shouldn't be so drunk you're sleeping behind the bar."
"Touch`e gorgeous."
"O-oh ok…."
She blushed a bright red with a smile on her face and he cackled loudly. Charlie pulled his arm over her shoulder and slipped her arm around his waist.
"Come on…. We gotta get to your room. You need to sleep this off and stop drinking so much."
"Whatever. You gonna make me?"
"W-well no but you should stop drinking so damn much- especially whiskey. We can't hang out if you sloshed all the time."
"Hang out? Psshh whatever. Every time we had, you just… just blush all the time like you think I'm flirting with you or some shit."
Charlie grinned sheepishly.
"I don't mind the flirting. I like it."
His head rolled to the side.
"I must be fuckin' dreamin' if the princess likes my flirtin' skills. They ain't that great."
"No, but I like it anyways," she said with a soft chuckle, "They have their own charm."
"You're drunk then."
"I can't be with those painkillers."
Husk looked down at her. She was still wrapped up like a mummy.
"You shouldn't be doin' this."
"Shut up and let me help you. We're almost to the elevator."
Charlie reached up with her free hand and pushed the up arrow button.
"You shouldn't wear a night gown out in the open like that," he said, almost like he was scolding her.
"It's amazing you aren't slurring your words now, being this drunk."
Husk snorted.
"It's a gift."
The princess laughed, "I suppose it is. You're quite talented."
They got in and Charlie leaned him against the wall and pressed the second floor button. She nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt Husk fall against her back and wrap his furry arms around her.
"You ok Husk?"
"You still smell like a hospital."
She laughed, "Well, I'm healing up nicely for now…. Until most of these bandages are off, I will smell like that for a while. Sorry for that."
"Your hair smells like peach pie."
The princess felt her face heat up.
"T-thanks. It's my shampoo."
He nuzzled his face against her shoulder and into her neck making her shudder.
"Smell so good," he muttered and gave her neck a lick.
Charlie slapped her hand against her mouth.
Oh my god!
"H-Husk-
The elevator opened up and luckily no one was there. It was in the dead of the night anyways so that was good. Charlie turned around in his arms, her face burning red like a tomato.
"To your room."
"Yea, let's get to my room doll. Away from everyone else," he said while purring too.
A goofy grin appeared on her face and she slipped her arm back around him.
"That purring is actually adorable," she said.
"You better not tell."
"I wouldn't dream of it," she answered, unable to get the grin off her face.
They got to his door and Charlie opened it up.
She wasn't really all that surprised…. She should have been but she wasn't. He had left a lamp on and there were bottles everywhere. Just trash bags of them.
"Um, why don't you have Niffty clean your room?"
"Eh…. It matches my depressing life. A reminder of why I'm here."
"Your life could be better."
"I highly doubt that princess."
"You think that even with me in it?"
"I'm sure at this point I'm hallucinating but yea. You ain't gonna want someone like me anyways. No one wants the old ass drunk."
Charlie got him to his bed. Much to her surprise, he jerked her downward onto him. He let out a oof and hugged her tight. She stiffened a little as he rubbed his face against her neck and chest.
"I'm older than you remember? I'm no old lady quite yet! You shouldn't be so down on yourself. You did go without drinking when you were helping me. That is something."
"It's not enough and it'll never be enough for someone like you," he said, growling against her skin.
She sighed softly.
"It's a start and you're doing the best you can do. No more drinking like this ok? Can you promise me that?" Charlie asked quietly.
"Can't promise you shit. I couldn't even promise my fiancee that and she ran off with my brother. It's what I get-
"You don't deserve that Husk. You just needed help."
"Can't have help. I'm broken."
Charlie pulled her arms free and lifted herself a little off from him.
"You're no more broken than anyone else. We're all broken and you can't be fixed with pretty words and a hug but I wish it was like that. I would've save all of Hell already if it was that easy."
"You don't know what you're sayin'."
"I do know."
Husk flipped them over making Charlie yelp. He pinned her wrists to his bed and stared down at her almost angrily.
"What would a princess know about the struggles of someone like me? Answer that Charlie."
"You didn't understand my struggles but you still said things to make me feel better. I never forgot…. It was a little hazy but I still remember most of it."
He blinked.
"You're more than a drunk Husk. I know you're broken and you're hurt but you have to give me the chance to help you. Can you do that- let me help you?"
"I ain't worth helping doll."
"I think you are."
Charlie reached out and pulled him down on herself, hugging him tight. She rubbed her face against his shoulder.
"I think you're worth it. You thought my idea was worth continuing on so I think you're worth it all or at least trying."
Husk sniffled and rolled on the side, still clinging to the princess.
"I wish you would remember this."
She ran her hands up and down his back for a little bit and he started purring.
"Let's lay you on your bed a little better."
"D-Don't leave me," he whispered.
"I won't until you're asleep. Alright?"
"Thanks doll."
Charlie shifted Husk mostly by herself and got him on the bed in the middle of it instead of hanging on the side. He still clung onto her and she went back to hugging him, listening to him purr away. It sounded a little rough probably from the years of drinking and smoking- maybe yelling too but it still sounded so nice. Since he was so close, she decided to touch his wings and the feathers were soft too.
She couldn't help but grin at the thought.
He's so soft for a grumpy guy.
After a while, Charlie didn't even notice she was drowsy until it was too late.
She was woken up by some frantic knocking on Husk's bedroom door. The princess raised her head and looked around. She was still in his room.
OH SHIT
She looked down and he was still out with an arm slung over her. Charlie slid out and reached into the pocket of her night gown. She pulled out a pink piece of paper she had left a note for Husk on before she went searching for him last night.
"Charlie!" Vaggie hissed through the door.
Charlie opened the door slowly. She peeked through the crack to see Vaggie's worried face.
"Fuck! Are you stupid? Why are you in here instead of your bed?"
"I'll explain in a minute. Hold on."
She closed the door and looked around on the floor noticed he had some darts just laying around. Charlie picked up the nearest one and stuck it through the door to hold her note for him. She slipped out of Husk's room and went with Vaggie back to her own room.
"Are you stupid Charlie?!" Vaggie snapped helping her out of her nightgown.
"He was avoiding me-
"I know! Doesn't mean you go through the hotel looking for him all hurt and shit! Look at you!"
Charlie sighed before nodding.
"He was really drunk so I took him back to his room. He… needed me to stay so I did."
Vaggie's expression softened.
"So you accidentally fell asleep."
Charlie nodded.
"Alright. Let me change your bandages…. I think a quick hop in the shower for you would be ok. Let's check everything first."
Twenty minutes after Charlie was unwrapped like a Christmas present, Vaggie looked over all the wounds.
"Tomorrow the doctor is gonna show up. It looks like the one on your leg and side are the worst of it. We can cover those up and leave the rest without bandages. None of them smell like infection so that's good. Let's get you in there and you can rinse off."
"Can you hop in with me and wash my hair?"
"Sure. I know you aren't happy about the kitchen counter."
Charlie laughed weakly.
"Well, Alastor and Niffty both threatened to shave my head bald because my hair was tangled in the sink."
Vaggie rolled her eye.
"He's such a douche bag but I get it."
X
"That feels so good….." Charlie moaned out sitting on the toilet seat.
Vaggie was brushing out her hair and blow drying it.
"I'm strongly considering cutting my own damn hair after all this. Yours needs a damn trim too. The ends look really bad."
"I offered to brush my own hair-
"You can't with your side fucked up like that."
"Can I at least blow dry some of it? You can get dressed and I can do yours next."
"Sure."
Vaggie pulled on one of Charlie's knee length black dresses and sat down on the toilet next. She listened to her best friend hum as she brushed out her hair.
"So, nothing happened?" Vaggie asked.
Charlie stopped half way through her hair.
"Well, not really. I don't take advantage of drunk people."
"Except at the club?"
"Hey now! I find the ones who aren't nothing more than a little buzzed before I do anything with them!" Charlie hissed, turning pink.
"I know I know. I'm fucking with you. Was he really bad?"
Charlie nodded then answered since Vaggie couldn't see her nodding, "Yea…. A good bit of hurt."
The two of them fell silent while Charlie turned on the hair dryer. There wasn't much to say and neither one wanted to yell over the dryer. Charlie brushed out the tangles in her hair carefully.
"There you go!"
"Thanks."
Vaggie got up and ran her fingers through.
"You always managed to make my hair so soft. I'm jealous."
Charlie laughed, "You're welcome!"
X
X
Husk woke up around twelve and groaned. His head was killing him and he had no clue how he managed to make it into his room. He sat up rubbing his temples and looked around for a clue as to how he got there. There were no empty bottles in his bed so he had passed out in here then. His eyes made it to the door seeing it was closed but there was something attached to his door.
What the fuck?
He got up and staggered over to the note. It had his name on it in the most beautiful hand writing he ever saw. He pulled the dart out and opened it up.
Hey,
I'm sorry if I did anything to upset you and I didn't mean too. You had been avoiding me for a bit and Vaggie said you've been drinking…. A lot. Like a lot a lot. I hope you're ok and you can forgive me if I did anything. I still want to see some magic tricks if you're up for it. I'll be waiting.
-Charlie-
What the fuck? Did…. did she bring me up to my room or just walk in here?
He grabbed the door knob and pulled open his door to see Vaggie standing there with her hand up to knock.
"What the fuck?!"
"You gonna go see Charlie?" she said ignoring his outburst.
"What-
"She told me she left you a note. She brought you up here last night and you're fucking lucky she wasn't bleeding. Get your shit together for Charlie at least, please."
The moth demon handed over a grocery bag.
"This is for you and Charlie."
With that, she walked away leaving him in his door frame flabbergasted.
It took him a minute to recover and head back in his room for the magic cards he had.
He had no idea why he was standing outside of Charlie's door but he was. Maybe part of him felt back she had to babysit his drunk ass while she was hurt and should be in bed. He knocked on her door.
He heard her voice calm, sweet and…. he kind of remembered her calling him last night too.
"Come in."
Husk opened the door to see Charlie sitting in bed with tiny cami and shorts on. She wasn't as wrapped up like she was days ago.
"Hi Husk!" Charlie said excitedly waving at him.
"Hey princess. You look better."
She tilted her head a little and grinned, "You look a little tired."
"Yea…. but I guess you already know why."
"I do."
"Jesus christ…. Was I bad?"
The princess blushed a deep pink and rubbed the back of her neck, "I didn't mind it. You were really… Sweet."
Husk just stared at her because he didn't know what the fuck that meant.
"You didn't try anything and I would've stopped you since you were drunk. It's no fun if someone doesn't remember anything. You did purr though."
I might as well throw myself off the fucking hotel now.
"Come sit!" she said patting the spot by her, "I see Vaggie made lunch?"
"Yea, she kind of ambushed me at my damn door."
"Ha! That's just like her!"
He sat down beside of Charlie and handed her the bag.
"You don't have to do your magic tricks today. You look like you need a nap more than anything."
"Glad to know I look like shit."
Charlie put her hand on his paw.
"I didn't say that. Don't be like that towards yourself. You're awesome."
He snapped his mouth shut unable to come up with anything to say.
"I had Vaggie wash my hair with my peach shampoo and conditioner since you liked the smell of it so much."
"What?"
"You smelled my hair and said it smelled good. So Vaggie hopped in the shower with me. I actually got to use my pumpkin body wash. I was so glad."
"You showered with her?!"
Charlie nodded and shrugged.
"I still can't lift my left arm without it hurting too much and the counter is uncomfortable. You can do things with your friends platonically. Last night Vaggie gave me a numbing shot so I didn't feel it when I helped you to your room. I'm just glad I didn't bleed out onto your mattress."
"Fuckin hell! You came into my room?"
"Well I had too?"
The princess reached into the bag. She pulled out a sandwich and started eating.
"Fuck my life."
Husk rubbed his face.
"Don't beat yourself up. I found it all very cute. I helped Angel to his room once after we went dancing and he tried feeling me up. It's kind of hard to fight off four sets of hands."
"Jesus christ. He has no shame."
Charlie laughed, "He did when he sobered up and he apologized."
Husk arched an eyebrow.
"Vaggie brought me some movies. Ones that were actually interesting."
She hopped off the bed and walked over to the TV.
"You shouldn't get off the bed!"
"I'm fine!"
Charlie flashed him a smile. She popped open a DVD case and put it in.
"This is called I, Frankstein. Vaggie said it was pretty good so I trust her."
The movie started playing and Charlie climbed back on her head, eating. She gave Husk a big grin every now and then making him feel weird.
Charlie had no intentions of redeeming Husk if he didn't want to be but she really wanted him to see he was a good person and he didn't need to be so hard on himself. He was a sweet guy under all that anger and depression. If he was a bad person, he would've never been nice to her that night she was drunk- well strongly buzzed.
The princess leaned back against the pillows and continued watching the movie even though Husk was almost stiff like a brick in his spot.
"You can relax Husk. I don't mind."
"How can I relax when I made a damn fool of myself huh?"
Charlie placed a hand on his shoulder, "I didn't mind. Chill out man."
He snorted and leaned back against her pillows. Charlie scooted closer and kind of hugged his arm close to her. Then he heard her heart beat going wild in her chest. She only grinned up at him for a few seconds before returning her attention to the movie.
What the hell is going on here?
The closer she got, pressing herself into his side, the louder her heart beat got. It was when the movie was over he realized she was holding onto his paw.
"Let me get the next one! I liked that one…. Lemme see."
Charlie got off the bed and started going through the movies.
"Oh, this is called Deadpool? It's supposed to be funny. You wanna watch it? It's superhero movie apparently…."
She glanced back at him. All the cat demon did was nod. Charlie giggled nervously and popped it in. She used the remote to hit play before heading into the bathroom leaving Husk to internally panic alone.
"You ok?" Charlie asked when she returned.
"Huh? Um, yea."
"You know, if I'm making you uncomfortable you can just say so."
She slid right back onto the bed.
"You're fine," he answered.
The princess pressed her self against his side once again. Husk could hear the pounding of her heart once more. With her being so close, he could smell the peach and pumpkin coming off of her. It did smell good. It wasn't overbearing like some of the shit Angel wore.
"Is everything ok?"
Husk had been staring at her.
"Yea. You just smell good."
Charlie blushed, "T-thanks."
He couldn't explain it if he tried but he took Charlie's hand and held it carefully so he wouldn't scratch her. He saw Charlie's smile appear even wider on her face as she watched the movie.
This is nice.
Over the hour into Deadpool, they both laughed a few times, sitting on edge. Then somehow Charlie ended up in his lap, laying against his chest. Husk kept his hands to himself of course but his tail was laid across her lap and she ran her fingers over his fur absent mindedly for a while until she dozed off.
She really is affectionate. Not something I can get used to though.
The moment was ruined when her bedroom door flew open and Vaggie walked in. She gave him a short nod as he sat there stiff as a board. She locked the door and headed into Charlie's bathroom. He watched as she came back out with a notepad scribbling stuff on the paper.
"Ummm…."
Vaggie arched an eyebrow at him.
"I see you're making it up to Charlie."
He just blinked stupidly trying to comprehend what was going on.
"Don't worry. I won't tell douche bag or anyone else. But next time lock the door so that asshole can't try to come in. Charlie put a special spell on her room so he couldn't barge in through the shadows. I don't know if he can teleport your ass out of here but just a warning, ok?"
Vaggie left and locked the door behind her.
What the fuck just happened?
Husk couldn't even watch the movie anymore. His hangover was effectively gone with a million thoughts running through his head.
When Deadpool ended, he wasn't exactly sure what to do so he patted the top of her head trying to wake her. Charlie stretched, her bones cracking. Her hands slid across his face and he let out a loud purring noise before stopping himself.
"I gotta get shit done."
She looked at him sleepily.
"Alright…. Will you come say goodnight later?" she whispered.
His heart thumped.
"I can. Alright…. I know you probably need a nap yourself."
Charlie rolled out of his lap and onto the bed. She laid on her stomach and smiled at him before falling sleeping again.
