**Author's Note: This is the first time I've written fanfiction in years. Some of the dialog in this chapter is directly from S1 E8 and the chapter begins with the scene in the Hotel the night before the battle.**
In the flickering shadows of the Hazbin Hotel's dimly lit bar, Husk nursed a glass of whiskey, his amber eyes drifting over the eclectic mix of demons and cannibals scattered throughout the lobby. Tomorrow loomed with the promise of a showdown against the Exorcists and Adam himself, and amidst the buzz of anticipation, a palpable sense of foreboding gnawed at Husk's insides.
And then, in a whirlwind of color and chaos, Angel Dust emerged from the small crowd. His presence was magnetic, commanding attention with every fluid movement. With a playful grin and a flirtatious glint in his eyes, he sauntered over to the bar, settling onto the stool across from Husker with all the confidence of a fallen star.
"Hey there, handsome," Angel purred, his voice like silk and honey as he leaned in closer to to the cat demon. "Mind if I join you?"
Husk smirked, arching an eyebrow at Angel. "Last day of the afterlife, and you're not off snorting a line off some hunk's abs?"
Angel grinned, resting his chin on one hand while extending the other, presenting his empty glass to Husker. "Ehh, you screw one cannibal pool boy, you've screwed 'em all," he quipped with a nonchalant shrug.
Husk's fingers brushed against the cool surface of Angel's glass, his touch lingering for a tantalizing moment as his gaze roamed over the spider demon's form. "Hm, I guess you have changed," he remarked with a wry grin.
A faint flush stained Angel's cheeks as he withdrew his hand suddenly, narrowly avoiding a collision as his empty glass teetered on the edge of the counter before Husk deftly intercepted it. Their eyes locked for an instant, and in that fleeting exchange, Husk's typically steely demeanor softened, eliciting a deeper blush from Angel.
Fidgeting with the collar of his shirt, Angel attempted to mask his growing embarrassment. "Hey, Charlie said live tonight however we wanted," he mumbled, his voice betraying a hint of uncertainty. "So pour me a fresh one, and let's get to living!"
Husk chuckled, acknowledging the unusual vulnerability in Angel's demeanor with a subtle tilt of his head. "Well, then," he replied, a smirk dancing at the corner of his lips. "Let's make it a night worth remembering."
Turning away, Husk busied himself with the task of concocting Angel's signature fruity pink monstrosity of a beverage. Surprisingly, he found himself putting more effort into the presentation than usual, a realization that prompted a bemused shake of his head. Perhaps it was the whiskey, but there was an uncharacteristic warmth in his actions towards Angel, a departure from his usual acerbic demeanor.
In an attempt to diffuse the charged atmosphere, Angel cleared his throat as Husk finished his drink. "Hey, I'm gonna go check on Cherry for a bit, alright?" With a swift movement, he rose from his seat, grasping his drink in one hand. Pointing his fingers at Husker, he added with a playful wink, "But don't you go anywhere, big boy! I'll be right back."
With that, Angel sauntered off, his confident stride a stark contrast to the subtle vulnerability he had displayed moments before. Husk watched him retreat into the throng of partygoers, a mixture of amusement and something else flickering in his amber gaze.
Observing the scene unfolding around him, Husk couldn't help but notice the camaraderie between Alastor and Nifty on the balcony above, their laughter ringing out above the din of the crowd. Even the enigmatic Alastor seemed to be in unusually good spirits, a fact that gave Husk pause. As their eyes briefly met, Husk felt a chill run down his spine under Alastor's scrutinizing gaze, the ever-present grin never faltering.
Shaking off the momentary unease, Husk downed the last of his whiskey, steeling his demeanor once again.
Angel weaved through the crowd, his thoughts still swirling with the unexpected warmth he had felt in Husk's presence. His steps slowed as he spotted Sir Pentious, the eccentric serpent demon, slithering away with a defeated air after yet another unsuccessful attempt at wooing Cherry.
As Cherry finished her drink, Angel couldn't resist teasing her about Sir Pentious once more. "Ya know, you could totally tap that," he teased with a wink.
"Tss, don't be gross." she scoffed, though a hint of amusement danced in her gaze.
Angel chuckled at Cherry's banter, feeling a bit lighter as he engaged in their playful exchange, "Cuz you know, I hear he's got two dicks," he continued.
"Huh." Cherry remarked, perhaps considering the possibilities of spending a night with Sir Pentious. She suddenly turned to look at Angel, "So spill the beans, what's the deal with you and Whiskers over there?"
Cherry's abrupt shift in focus caught Angel off guard, and he couldn't help but feel a flush of heat rise to his cheeks at the mention of Husk. He paused for a moment, considering his response carefully before flashing Cherry a playful grin, "Oh, you know how it is," he replied with false bravado, puffing out his chest for effect. "Just another demon falling for my irresistible charm. Had to let him down gently, of course."
Cherry tilted her head skeptically, seeing through Angel's facade. "Is that so?" she replied, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "Seems like there's more to this story than you're letting on."
Angel chuckled nervously, shifting his weight as he tried to maintain his casual facade. "Hey, what can I say? A demon's gotta have some secrets," he replied, hoping to deflect Cherry's probing with a well-timed joke.
"Sure, Angie. Whatever you say," she said teasingly, rising from her seat. "Well, I better go check out this two-dick wonder before we all die tomorrow. G'night Ange."
With a final wave to Cherry, Angel watched her disappear into the dwindling crowd, leaving him to grapple with his swirling emotions. As he scanned the lobby, he noticed that most of the guests had dispersed, leaving behind only a handful of lingering cannibals and, to his surprise, Husker.
The sight of Husk, alone amidst the emptied space, sent a curious flutter through Angel's chest. He couldn't shake the memory of their earlier interaction, the fleeting touch of Husk's hand and the unspoken tension that lingered between them.
With a tentative step forward, Angel approached Husker, the weight of his uncertainty heavy in the air. As he drew closer, he couldn't help but feel a strange pull towards the grizzled feline demon, a desire to unravel the mysteries that lay beneath his rugged exterior.
"Back so soon? I was just about to close up for the night," Husk sighed, his voice tinged with resignation as he busied himself corking up bottles behind the bar. "I don't think any of these cannibals will fancy a Jack and Coke."
Angel chuckled at Huske's dry humor, though he couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment that their interaction seemed to be coming to an end. "Yeah, probably not," he agreed, nodding in understanding. "Well, I suppose I should turn in too. Big day ahead of us tomorrow."
Angel tried to mask his disappointment, hoping to convey a sense of casualness despite the flicker of something more lingering beneath the surface. He couldn't deny the fleeting connection he had felt with Husk earlier, but for now, it seemed the moment had passed.
"Hey, Angel..." Husk's voice wavered slightly, uncertainty lacing his words. "I don't reckon sleep's in the cards for me tonight, and I ain't too keen on drinking solo. How about we crack open a bottle up on the roof? The view's somethin' else up there, anyway."
Angel's heart skipped a beat at Huske's unexpected invitation, his mind racing with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. The notion of spending time alone with Husk, away from the chaos of the hotel, sent a thrill through him that he couldn't quite explain.
"Sure, sounds like a plan," Angel replied, trying to keep his voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in his stomach. "I could use a change of scenery."
Husk found himself surprised by his own actions. He was accustomed to solitary nights spent drinking, so he couldn't quite grasp why he had impulsively invited Angel up to the roof. Admittedly, the view from up there, overlooking the Pride Ring, was spectacular.
"I gotta hand it to you," Husk remarked with a chuckle, "I appreciate the restraint on not cracking a dirty joke."
"Well, no promises," Angel replied with a playful grin, his heart racing with anticipation. "After all, the night's still young."
As they ascended to the roof, they couldn't shake the electric charge in the air. Each step seemed to amplify the tension between them, the unspoken words lingering like whispers in the wind, begging to be acknowledged.