Disclaimer: All Canon Hazbin Hotel characters are owned by Vivziepop!
All non-canon characters belong to me besides Cotton, who belongs to on TikTok!
For art on this story, visit my TikTok _buzzybee_
SORRY FOR BEING GONE FOR SO LONG!!! I struggled to find motivation for this chapter but I finally got through! I apologize for any errors, I completed it way past my bed time and I wanted to get it up ASAP!!!
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Agreeing to accompany Husker to his game with the sin of lust had seemed like a good idea at the time, but as the days leading up to the game grew closer, Angel began to feel his confidence begin to flicker away like the flame of a candle that had been burnt down to the wick. The sinner found himself questioning if he was even good enough to be in the sins presence let alone be on Husk's arm like some prized valuable of his. Angel was fully aware that if he were to ask Husk, beg him even, to rethink bringing him to the game, Husk would reassure him almost. Though he knew if he was uncomfortable, Husk would understand.
Yet here he was.
"Oh Geez," Angel's words slipped from his mouth as he watched the ever so large sin of lust emerge from the casino's entrance. His grip had tightened around the railing that overlooked the first floor, as if trying to hold onto the very few bits of confidence left in him as he overlooked the casino floor below.
The spider had been beyond ready to come face to face with the sin, someone whom he had admired for so long whilst working under Valentino. Yet here he was, standing in a shimmering gold dress that fell to the floor and exposing him in all the right places. He even wore jewelry fit for hell's royalty just to fulfill his part and he might have even looked it.
Though he stood there, nervously fidgeting with the ring on his finger as he watched the large sin make his way in, a smaller imp that Angel somewhat recognized trailing alongside him.
Angel's instructions were to wait there for Husk to collect him rather than his bedroom, Angel had assumed it was to keep time going accordingly considering the private gaming room wasn't too far from the main lounge of the casino. Though the longer he waited, the more the flame inside him threatened to go out, wisping away any sort of confidence he had.
The spider contemplated chickening out and retreating to his room when the elevator dinged not far behind him and out came his overlord.
Husker knew how to freshen up. His hair was always combed back and he always wore his finest suits for games that could possibly be of importance to him. The man was adjusting his cufflinks as he emerged from the elevator, his gaze yet to even hit Angel and the spider already felt like jelly at the sight of him.
The sinner was jealous. Husk made it look so easy and he envied how even his neutral toned face looked threatening to those that dared to pass by, sending shivers down his spine. He envied the way Husk smelt as the elevator doors swiftly closed behind him, wafting the upper levels of the casino with his cologne. Angel envied his darting eyes, full of such mystery and calmness, and even then when they landed upon him for the first time.
Angel watched Husk's pupils dilate and the sinner felt like he could crumble, the way he was being looked at was beyond anything he had ever felt before. Something beyond power or lust- adoration even, if Angel even dared to imagine that.
"You look amazing," Husk spoke softly as he made his way over to the spider, causing him to quickly turn away and face the railing again. He couldn't imagine what Husk would say if he noticed he got THE Angel Dust to feel flustered.
"Yah well, ya ain't so bad yaself," Angel commented as he cleared his throat but halted when he noticed Husk's attention flick to the back of Angel's dress out of the corner of his eye.
"Your dress," Husk began and Angel grimaced, his anxiety slightly taking over as he only imagined something wrong with the fabric he wore, and of all people that had to see it was Husk.
"What of it?"
"The back isn't zipped up all the way," Husk continued, waving off Angel's nervous demeanor as he watched the spider nervously reach for the zipper in an anxious attempt to fix it.
"Hey hey-" Husk gently placed his clawed hand atop Angel's fidgeting one's, being gentle as he did so and looked to the spiders face, "breath…may I?" He asked as he watched Angel slowly adjust to what Husk was asking and then nodded, his hands returning to the railing for much needed support.
Husk's hands on his back felt far nicer than Angel ever wanted to admit. He was gentle, possibly too gentle for Angel's liking but he knew it was the overlords way of treading lightly with care. His fingers delicately gripped the zipper and dreadfully slowly drew it up to its destination. Angel was very aware that he was breathing far to heavily and his face was beyond red, yet he was more aware of how Husk's hands seemed to linger at the spiders back and waist, almost tempted to stay but as soon as the thought came, his hands retreated.
Angel almost wished Husk wouldn't be so gentle with him, so sweet. It wasn't like Angel was a piece of glass willing to break, yet Husk sometimes made him feel as such. Though Angel couldn't help but like it.
"You'll do wonderfully," Husk reassured as he cleared his throat, "you already look the part."
That's the thing. He doesn't feel like the person he looks like when he try's to "look" the part, and tonight is too important to risk pretending, he already knew that much when getting ready. Though instead of telling Husk that, Angel found himself simply rolling his eyes as he quickly fought to regain his composure, "I'm just a little nervous, nothin to fret over bossman," he waved it off with a scoff and smirked, "that sin will never know what hit em!"
Husk chuckled as he offered his arm to Angel who gladly took it. He knew his confidence wasn't real but the way he fit at Husk's side made him almost believe it was.
—————
As Husk guides him towards one of the many halls leading towards the private room, Angel is sure to ask as many questions as he can to prepare himself. Husk seemed to have no trouble answering them as he smiled warmly at Angel's nervousness, wanting nothing more than to reassure the demon that he wouldn't let that flame of confidence blow out.
"Asmodeus won't be playing for souls, they mean nothing to him just like every other sin," Husk announced as they walked, Angel raising an eyebrow at that.
"But the imp that came with him-" Angel began.
"Fizzarolli," Husk said simply as Angel's eyes widened at that. He had heard the name before, he had even seen the guy before. It was no surprise the imp had made quite the name for himself throughout his time in hell and Angel simply admired him. It was hard to gain status being an imp, let alone someone so low on the hierarchy chart.
"I thought that was just a rumor," Angel commented, fully aware of the speculation between the two confessing their love. It was hard to imagine a sin falling for someone as simple as an imp.
"Asmodeus loves him dearly, so no he is not a soul he owns, just a loving partner," Husk corrected as he nodded with his own words, "Asmodeus doesn't work in souls, people just work for him. He has the power to do as he pleases and he earns nothing from gaining souls." Husk noticed Angel's confused gaze as he laughed deeply, causing the spider's attention to draw back to him. "Confusing I know, and though souls are the highest currency for us sinners, to the sins and other higher status, it has little to no value." He continued.
"They can't be bothered to mess around with mortal souls, and when you're seen as a god, I guess you don't have to." Husk shrugged as Angel nodded in understanding, though felt somewhat uncomfortable knowing his soul was basically nothing to certain beings.
"So what are you playing for?"
Husk formed a smirk across his face that sent shivers down Angel's spine, "turf," Husk said simply.
"Turf? Ya kiddin." Angel rolled his eyes as Husk chuckled.
"It's a friendly game, legs." Husk stated, "I've got land to lose, Asmodeus does too. It's a great way to come together and enjoy a clean game with still some easy competition involved. Plus Fizz loves my alcohol choices." Angel scrunched his nose as they made their way to the room, once again feeling the confidence levels inside of him drop tremendously and Husk had to reassuringly place a hand over Angel's
"Hey…" He gazed up at him softly, "you got this, I promise he's a good guy." He said softly as Angel felt himself calm, relaxing under Husk's words as he nodded and turned to the doors.
When Husk motioned for the two imps to let them in, Angel watched the doors open slowly to announce their presence.
The sin of lust was quite the sight. He wasn't what Angel had entirely expected, he knew what he looked like in a sense but he hadn't ever pictured him ever being so close up. The rooster like being sat with a content smile on his face though power radiated off of him like an overflowing furnace. Upon his lap sat the one and only Fizzarolli and Angel had to stop himself from staring too long as the imp snatched his gaze away from his lover and towards the two.
"Husker!" Asmodeus chimed with a bellowing laugh as Husk returned with a smile, "look at you all spicy and lookin oh so fine~" the sin purred, "the wait was worth it if it meant seeing you all refined like this!"
"You say that everytime," Husk chuckled as he stepped forward and shook the sins hand.
"And every time I mean it Husker~" He smiled and turned to Fizzarolli who made his presence known once he stretched to the sins side.
"Fizzarolli, it's a pleasure to have you back," Husk smiled towards the imp who had let out a cackle at the side of the sin, clearly comfortable in Husk's presence like it was a normal occurrences
"I gotta keep comin back! Somebody's gotta be here to drink up the booze while you two lounge away in piles and piles of chips," the robotic imp laughed, his limbs stretching out in an interesting manner as he climbed onto Asmodeus's shoulder, a smug smile upon his face.
Angel blinked rapidly, having to silently remind himself of the things the imp had gone through to have needed those limbs. Though Angel's attention drew back to the sin as Asmodeus's eyes flickered to him and seemed to grow in size, as if fully taking him in.
"Do my eyes deceit me? Angel Dust?" Asmodeus announced as he stepped towards the spider and looked him over, almost as if making sure he was real. "Why- if it isn't the literal Lust icon standing inside Husker's casino, lookin smitten too- my, Husker what on earth did you do?" Angel felt himself gulp as his eyes turned to Husk.
"Valentino thought it would be smart to bet him. He lost," Husk shrugged and lit a cigar and then gently placed his hand along Angel's back for support. "Bastard should be smarter than to bet someone so valuable."
"Ugh, Valentino," Asmodeus pinched his eyes with his fingers and shook his head, "am so sorry you had to deal with him baby~ he's irritating enough to work with," Asmodeus shook his head and put a hand to his hip. "But now~ you clearly have found a much better bed to lounge in, baby." Asmodeus sang smugly as Angel felt himself flush but quickly disregarded his bashful nature in order to push into this new playful territory.
"Yah, and all I gotta say is he's not so much a kitten in bed," Angel purred over to Husk as the overlord cleared his throat, his eyes squeezing shut in an attempt to make it all go away.
"We are not sleeping together, that's not why he's here," Husk stated sternly to the sin who smiled mischievously, "he works my casino floor, and really well at that," the overlord gave Angel a prideful smile which made the spiders heart flip around in his chest.
"Well…" Asmodeus said after a moment, "I'm just glad you got away from that bimbo controlling asshole," he sighed and smiled warmly to Angel, "you look so lonely on those billboards, baby, and no one working in my department of sin should ever be lonely."
"Ah it's alright, I'm clearly much better now," Angel found himself purring up to the sin like a trained puppy, though he was startled to find Fizzarolli glaring down at him, eager to see the spider even try to wiggle his way onto the sin that very much did not belong to him.
"Ah, Fizzarolli, Angel Dust," Asmodeus announced after a moment as he smiled warmly towards the imp, "be nice froggy," he chimed after a moment of Fizz snarling towards Angel. Angel knew he had overstepped, he shouldn't have, but he was still learning and begged this imp had mercy on him.
"Yeah, I know who he is," Fizzarolli seethed as his robotic voice seemed to twitch in irritation.
Angel had plenty of haters throughout his time in the studios; Wives with unloyal husbands, Jealous sinners who didn't have half the fanbase Angel had, and plenty of others that just had it out for him. They all had their reasons in not wanting him around, but Angel had never encountered someone that seemed to hate him for a reason he couldn't even put his finger on. They were from two different worlds, and Angel barely knew the robotic imp.
Though he couldn't just ignore how Fizzarolli practically glared at him with a fire that burned brighter than anything Angel had ever seen before.
Husk cleared his throat then and gently placed his hand on the small of Angel's back, startling the spider's attention back to his overlord.
"I think it's time we get settled in, have a couple of drinks mayb? Asmodeus?" Husk looked to the sin who smiled.
"Oh absolutely, it's been so long since we've actually had a moment to just talk!" The sin sighed, "you know I've missed you Husker, you've kept me locked out for too long."
"You already know I'm a busy man, though that was never a reason to keep you out. You know you could have come whenever you wanted," Husk chuckled and let his comforting hand slide away from Angel to lead the sin to the gaming table. Angel watched him go as he began to follow after but was abruptly stopped by Fizzarolli who had slid off of Asmodeus's shoulder and plopped in front of the spider.
"Care for a drink?" Fizzarolli chimed as he brushed past Angel towards the bar. Angel didn't know how to answer, clearly the imp expected him to follow suit but Angel found himself looking back at Husk.
The overlords' eyes had flashed to him in an instant, looking to see what was keeping Angel from him. Upon realizing what was happening, he nodded his head as if giving the spider his approval to follow after Fizzarolli.
Angel almost wanted Husk to call him over but a slight part of him wanted to know what had Fizzarolli's hat in a twist. So the spider made his way over to the bar where one of the servers poured him a simple shot, the same as Fizzarolli.
"So what's yah problem with me?" Angel asked after a moment, Fizzarolli simply slammed his empty shot back onto the counter and smirked.
"Hehe you sure are quick about things, not a surprise considering your…reputation," Fizzarolli twitched and placed his hand under his chin.
Angel glared then, wondering what had gotten into this random asshole. He didn't even know the guy and yet here he was mocking Angel as some sort of joke.
"You don't fuckin know me," Angel spat, "stop acting like yah do. Cut the shit, what's ya problem??"
Fizzarolli slightly turned the barstool in the spider's direction and glared head on at the sinner. "I think I know you well enough. You suck enough cocks for me to not be able to count 'em, ya early can't keep yourself from making rash decisions and signing off to pretty fuckbots that want to ruin you," Fizzarolli snarled, not even giving the spider a chance to speak. "I know all about you, I know your name, what you do." Fizzarolli waved his hand about and accepted another shot, "I know you fucking fell in love with a psychopath, and you chose to STAY with him?!"
Angel was seething then as he slammed his shot back on the counter and got up close and personal with the imp, making sure he could smell the alcohol fresh on his breath as he growled.
"You better keep my shit out of your mouth, you don't know half of what I went through." He seethed as he sat back down and shook his head, "and why ya acting like you're the bigger person??? Like ya haven't been through the same shit!" Angel exclaimed, "Fucking Mammon. You messed around with a sin and have the audacity to try and make me feel like shit???"
"I was a kid."
"I don't see how that's relevant." Angel rolled his eyes.
"It's different," Fizzarolli stated simply as he glared, "I was a kid, and you were well aware of the choices you were making when you signed that contract. You could have left." Fizzarolli said breathlessly, as if running out of air to speak, "I was roped into the abusive world so young that I couldn't even realize what I was doing was wrong before it was too late."
Angel's breath hitched in his throat as he listened, slowly realizing that Fizzarolli might not be all that different from himself.
"You could have left," Fizzarolli said softly, clearly defeated. Whatever the imp had gone through, it was clearly still haunting him in certain ways, just as Angel's demons.
The spider found himself shifting towards the counter, facing away from the imp who clearly left the conversation at that. It left Angel to his thoughts, causing him to truly wonder how similar the two were.
"Heh, you know…" Angel began with a small chuckle, "you kinda remind me of myself a little."
Fizzarolli glared at him then, clearly not finding that amusing nor helpful. Angel gage him a reassuring smile as he continued, "We both struggle to find ourselves in full glasses, hollow even. We always end up with the shitty parts though," Angel chuckled, pausing to see if Fizzarolli would interrupt him but he didn't. "I know ya had shit with Mammon pretty bad, and I know nothin about that…" Angel trailed off. He knew Fizzarolli had his own trauma, the Fizz-Bot Valentino owners was proof enough of the exploration that the imp had gone through for so long.
"But I got my own shit with Valentino too, no one can tell me what I did to survive was wrong. That includes you," he eyed Fizzarolli who had remained quiet. "Yeah, I thought I loved him."
Fizzarolli shot up then, clearly not expecting Angel to actually admit that, anyone sane would deny ever having feelings for someone like Valentino. Though that was the truth. Angel had loved him in a sick and twisted way throughout their time together, he was a poison that Angel had to come back for and he couldn't live without it. Even before the contract, when Valentino was so sickeningly sweat, it struck a whole new type of need inside of Angel.
"He wasn't always cruel, he made me smile, laugh, cry in a happy way even," Angel shrugged, "but that's how he got me. How he got me to sign that..that stupid…"
"Contract." Fizzarolli nodded his head, finishing Angel's sentence as if coming into understanding.
"Yeah, we both fucked up," the imp stated clearly, a little uneasy with the whole situation but at least he had a better view of what really happened.
"Is that seriously what people think of me? That I just chose to stay? I mean I did but- they can't seriously think I did it all for fame???" Angel asked, upset and slightly heartbroken from the thought.
"It's hell, people will think what they want. You got to make a new name for yourself," Fizzarolli stated, "if you want people to believe who the real you IS," the imp tapped Angel's chest, "and if this is the real you, then it ain't so bad. But if you want them to know, you gotta try harder."
Angel slowly nodded as he looked down. He understood Fizzarolli's words but he clearly didn't even know where to start with that advice.
Once the two finally returned to the gaming table, Husk was more than happy to accept Angel at his side again just as Asmodeus was with Fizzarolli. The two had come to a silent agreement that neither would judge the other, clearly they had some shit to handle and that's on them.
"You okay?" Husk asked after Angel returned, keeping his voice low as his hand gently came up to cup Angel's back.
"I'm fine, just had a drink," Angel commented as he eyed Fizzarolli across the table who eyed him in return. A mutual agreement.
——————
"Are you shitting me?!?" Asmodeus exclaimed as he lost another game. The sin of lust was a decent gambler though he clearly needed more practice when it came to playing against Husker.
"I thought you'd take it easy on me Husker, or is it your lucky charm giving you such a winning hand every time~" the sin purred as Angel smirked at his words, clearly loving that he wasn't the only one to tease the overlord in such a manner.
"I am going easy on you," Husk laughed as he raised an eyebrow to the sin, "and maybe that's what it is, Angel is just too good at his job."
"The job being, standing around and looking pretty?" Fizzarolli chimed with a smirk as Angel placed his hands on his hip, raising his eyebrows to the imp.
"Someone's gotta do it," the spider said smugly.
"Why stand when I can sit and still look good doing it," Fizzarolli hummed as he lounged about Asmodeus's lap, content with his placement.
Angel rolled his eyes, he wished he would do that but he knew that would be crossing a line with his overlord. Though when he looked at Husk, he found the demon looking at him with almost inviting eyes but he was still too unsure to act upon anything. So he remained in place.
"Well I'm going to need you to double down on the luck because I'm about to let my full potential out," Asmodeus slapped his cards on the table as an imp came around and gathered the cards just as he did after every round and shuffled them back out to the players. Angel wouldn't have minded doing it but Husk seemed content with Angel remaining at his side.
He learned that there were times Husk wanted Angel to actually interact with the cards and chips, though there were times he just interacted with the guests. This was one of those times. Though he wasn't getting all the way through to the sin, considering Fizzarolli already did that task on his own. Angel just had to stand there.
"Alright, what's on the table for this game?" Husk asked as he gathered his cards and delicately shuffled them with ease, causing Angel to slightly get entranced with how he did so. He quickly fixed his gaze back to the others, catching Fizzarolli looking back at him with a smug look.
"Well I was thinking about that actually," Asmodeus caught his mouth in his hand in thought, "I got this club I don't use as much, just wanted to know if you'd be interested?"
"A club?" Husk narrowed his gaze as he contemplated, though this caught more of Angel's attention than it did Husk's. His gaze traveled up to the spider and noticed his look of interest, causing the overlord to nod in response. "Alright, I'll take that offer. And how about I offer one of my smaller casinos, I don't mind parting with it. Or maybe one of my alcohol stores?" Asmodeus perked at that and chuckled, "ah you'd spoil me, the store sounds perfect."
"Looking to get drunk?" Husk smirked as the sun laughed.
"You already know that hardly works on me, but you have a stash unlike any other and I can't pass up the chance to have that in my clubs."
Husk nodded at that. Asmodeus was known for his variety of clubs and even Ozzie's was a big hit. Husk's alcohol would strike big in those locations if the sin got his hands on it.
"Then let us play."
The game went smoothly. With Husk and Asmodeus cracking jokes every so often and talking amongst themselves like this was an everyday thing between them, a comfortability that came so natural to them. Angel smiled at seeing the interaction, reminiscing in the memory of himself and Cherri when they'd go out and talk absolute shit. The best of times.
Husk kept his cards folded perfectly, even befriending the sin of lust couldn't earn his trust in revealing his hand. It seemed Asmodeus was the same, for Fizzarolli was the only one to eye his cards. A trust Angel wished he had with Husk.
Angel found himself halting at the thought. Did he think that? Genuinely? Did he truly want the trust that a couple had with his own overlord? It wasn't a surprise Husk had let his walls crumble just enough for Angel to peer over them, just slightly enough for Angel to actually believe he had some sort of Husk's trust. Even now he struggled to believe the fact Husk had chosen HIM.
Husk had never let his focus falter from the game, despite the constant jokes and teasing that he threw across the table towards the sin. Though despite it, he'd often place his free hand along Angel's back or offer him a softened gaze, which clearly would strike a fire inside of the spider. One that was beyond explaining.
Angel couldn't ever ignore the fluttering in his chest when he noticed Husk intentionally putting out a cigar or setting his glass of whiskey down to glide his hand back along Angel's hip. It was always slightly amusing to watch the overlord ask for permission without even speaking a word, his fingers treading lightly over Angel's skin as if he'd burn him with the touch. Angel would lean in as an answer, more than happy to welcome his touch.
The spider felt like his heart could erupt from his chest and beat out onto the playing table before them but he found it stopping at the sight of Asmodeus and Fizzarolli.
The two were almost inseparable. It shouldn't have come as a surprise to him considering the two had outed their relationship to all of Hell. But even now as Angel watched Fizzarolli lay happily along the sins lap, the spider couldn't help but find it surprising. And soon enough he found himself becoming envious, jealous, even.
Asmodeus practically shined when Fizzarolli graced him with his presence. Clearly the sin didn't care if his infatuation with his lover was seen by others, which is how it should have been but it was odd taking it in. Especially since Asmodeus was a figure of power and Fizzarolli was clearly the opposite.
That was a lie.
Even Fizzarolli was a sight to behold on his own, he had his own surge of power that he clearly built. Something Angel could never have.
"Are you okay legs?" Angel snapped back to Husk who had once more engulfed Angel's backside with his hand, offering a worried look. Angel found himself adjusting, clearly trying to shrug off the fact he had been staring.
"Yeah, zoned out." He said softly as he let himself lean against Husk's chair, his legs suddenly weak from standing. Husk took notice and opened his mouth as if he was fixing to suggest something but quickly snapped it shut.
"Stop worrying over me, ya need to focus on the game," Angel smirked as he flaunted himself against Husk's chair in a more seductive manner. Husk chuckled as he looked back to his cards, knowing Asmodeus wasn't in much of a rush himself to finish the game.
"I'm not worried about the game," Husk smirked as Angel finally looked at his cards. Husk had a good hand, so good that it definitely had a chance in wiping out Asmodeus and scoring Husk the win. Angel knew better than to assume that, Husk did too.
But when Husk revealed his hand, Asmodeus let out a bellowing laugh.
"Ah shit, yah really outdone me again!" The sin exclaimed, "Just as good at the game as I assume you are in bed." Husk laughed at the sins teasing, enjoying not only his win but the friendly company.
Angel couldn't stop smiling as he watched the two emerge from their chairs and shake hands, a friendly exchange amongst powerful demons. Looking towards Fizzarolli, Angel was surprised to find the imp wasn't upset about his lover losing the game and just happily took the full bottle of tequila from the gaming table. Husk wouldn't miss it.
"What? Gotta cash in some sort of win," Fizzarolli laughed out loud when he noticed Angel was watching. The spider smirked and crossed his arms.
"Yah well, your lucky Husker won't care anyway," Angel stated as his gaze drifted back to his overlord who was having a last drink with Asmodeus.
"You close to him?" Fizzarolli raised an eyebrow as he stretched across the table to eye the sinner.
"W-what??? No, look, it's just business." Angel stated sharply as he backed away.
"Hey I'm not judging you, but man you got some weird kink with overlords," Fizzarolli laughed, causing Angel to glare at him. The spider began to protest but the imp cut him off, "but if you HAD to be close to any overlord, this one wouldn't be so bad."
Angel was taken back by his words as he couldn't find a response, grasping for some sort of sentence or a snappy comeback that he'd usually say. None came. And his attention soon pulled away from the call of his name by Husk, which drew his gaze over to the gambling demon who was gesturing him over calmly.
As he reached Husk's side and left the conversation behind, he put on his usual demeanor and smiled up at the sin.
"It was nice seeing you Angel, and I know for a fact I'm going to be seeing you again baby~" Asmodeus purred as he put his empty glass on the bar top, readying himself to leave. Fizzarolli joined them not long after and took a hold of Asmodeus's arms, a smug smile on his face that Angel knew all too well.
Maybe he could get along with this imp.
"Of course you will, no one can ever get enough of me," Angel chimed in response as he winked, though he kept himself more tame since Fizzarolli hadn't taken too kindly to him before.
"I'll show you out," Husk commented as he began to lead the two away, Angel following in pursuit at Husk's side.
Cleaning the gaming room with Husk had become quite the task that Angel enjoyed the most. Just the two basking in the sound of chips clanking and cards being swept away into a case of protection.
Angel couldn't keep his gaze completely off the overlord, still wondering what went on behind the bit of wall he refused to let down for the spider. And in some sick way, Angel wanted to know. Did Husk treat all of his personal hustlers the same? Was Angel some sweet exception and if he was why did it bother him so much and yet keep him wanting more.
Angel could be some side job if Husk wanted that. Could offer Husk all of him whenever he wanted and never let the man go to bed without knowing he was respected in every aspect a man could be respected. Even in the most intimate ways. He'd let Husk use him, throw him away, and then have him come back in right after.
Husk didn't want him that way though.
And it pissed Angel off.
"Somethin wrong with me?" Angel asked suddenly, causing the overlord to stop his task and look up at him.
"What do you mean legs?" He asked with a smile, "you were brilliant tonight, won a whole club." Angel wanted to scream, but he kept his composure.
"I meant, ya don't want to fuck me. Is something wrong with me? You keep me around doing the easiest job ever when you're not even using me to my full potential," Angel seethed as he glared at the table, not bothering to speak through the silence that now separated them.
Husk soon found his way around the table to be next to him.
"I already told you that's not who I am, nor what I want," Husk stated.
"And why the hell not?!"
"Angel." Husk said sternly and then sighed as the spider looked at him, his gaze full of more sadness than anger. Husk only returned to him with tired eyes. "You are so much more than that, and you've done nothing than prove that to me thus far," he said softly, "I have no doubt your good at…other things- but that's not what I'm after," Husk offered his hand to Angel which the spider carefully took just as he usually did. "I love what you can do Angel, and who you are when you're being you. So please do not limit your worth to how people take you, you're so much more than that."
Angel's heart seemed to pound against his chest as if trying to break free and for a moment Angel actually thought it was going to. He had never heard such words spoken before, let alone to him. It drove the anger he felt to disappear from him in an instant and replaced it with a new feeling entirely, something he couldn't name out loud in fear that the man before him would disappear.
"I'm sorry, I-I'm.." Angel began hoarsely as Husk offered him a smile, an understanding one.
"You're alright, I promise," Husk said simply as he turned to continue cleaning up, "One step at a time Legs."
Angel smiled softly at that, at the patience that Husk could muster knowing the spider couldn't. Maybe he could be patient for both of them.
——————
"FUCK!" Angel exclaimed as he slammed the door to the casino's main kitchen, startling everyone present including Cotton.
Angel could barely finish his shift of work without finding himself zoning out at tables, lounging across some guy who barely knew how to play. His mind had been full of nothing but Husk and it was pushing him to a point of insanity. Pushing him so much that he ended up screwing over a game for a patron, causing him to leave pissed and Angel to rush off in embarrassment.
So Angel stormed into the nearest room and let a curse loose. He needed to scream, he needed to break a plate, something!
Thankfully Cotton had just been passing through when Angel decided to grace the kitchen with his presence and walked up to the spider in slight curiosity.
"You okay?" She chimes in her usual southern accent, slightly concerned for the spider but a tiny hint of amusement covered her features. It was clear the sinner's distress humored her to an extent.
Angel only glared at her in response and grabbed a hold of her arm before dragging her into one of the private dining areas that would usually be preserved for bigger parties with more money to spare. Though right now it was being occupied by Cotton and a very dramatic Angel.
"I can't stand it!" Angel exclaimed as soon as they got into the room, leaving Cotton trying to regain her posture and still so confused.
"He fucking drives me mad, even when he isn't present!"
"What on earth are you rattin on about??" She exclaimed as Angel turned to her abruptly in panic.
"HUSK!" He exclaimed, "he won't escape me!" Angel began to pace as he sunk into the long explanation, "I thought whenever I was the least bit attracted to some fucker it would just be for sex, simple stupid fantasies to fill some fuckin void! But instead, It's just HIM!" Angel sighed and covered his face before speaking again, "I thought this wouldn't happen ever again, not after Val. And even with Val it was different, pure lust half the time, and never fucking said the type of shit Husk says to me…god Cotton the shit he says to me." He looked at Cotton then, a look of pure bliss. "He makes me feel like more than a slut but god I just want to be his slut so bad- I can't even begin to explain it all Cotton, it's happened so fast. But this mother fucker actually makes me FEEL something outside of lust and I don't know what to do." He exclaimed as he stopped to catch his breath, waiting for Cotton's response.
Cotton looked like she had just died again.
"Are you fuckin kiddin me?!" She exclaimed as she threw her hands up and approached the spider, "have ya lost your mind??? I'll help you find it, honest, I'll even call Niffty-" she cried out as Angel stopped her from moving anymore than she had.
"Cut it out, I'm fine! I'm just…" He trailed off as he looked at Cotton with worry, "I think I like the fucker." He said softly as Cotton felt herself slowly relax as the bandaid was ripped off, clearly the overlord had not expected this.
"Lucifer help us all."