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That night, after Angel Dust poured his heart out empty into Husk's waiting glass, both having confided in each other, sitting together on that vomit soaked sidewalk, Husk felt something he hadn't felt in a while. A few things, actually: sympathy, solidarity, hope, and just a little giddiness at the new development that took place. Husk was not alone! Someone else understood him and he understood in return. They were all in this "shit sandwich" together, they could make it through together. You see, something Husk was too proud to admit even now, was he craved this company. Someone who was on equal terms, someone he could talk to about his shitty circumstances and wouldn't look at him like some sad wet kitten on the side of the road, or straight up mock him for his terrible life choices. With Angel Dust, a meaningless pitied look wasn't thrown his way. At the hotel bar, the spider only lifted his glass with a small "I feel ya' there, buddy," as their glasses clinked together to take gulp in unison. Many nights passed like this, late after everyone else was long asleep, the two chained demons exchanged stories and laughs.
Angel Dust was one of the most entertaining demons Husk ever met, with his quick wit and great storytelling skills. Husk really would just listen and chime in for hours about Angel Dust's idiot "co-workers" and boss. Even though Husk couldn't really complain in return with his own freaky boss in the constant vicinity, he really didn't mind hearing more about Angel Dust's afterlife in Hell. To Husk, the real version of Angel Dust was so much better. The sexual harassment stopped after that night they came home from the bar fight, but the onslaught of stupid sex jokes was not what he expected to replace it. What really got Husk though was how Angel Dust genuinely found that shit hilarious, so Husk just couldn't help but be a little amused by it in return. And, it wasn't as if Angel Dust was making things a joke to make Husk uncomfortable or to come on to him. Husk could tell Angel Dust's intentions changed, that he really made an effort to be real with Husk. If that meant the real Angel Dust was an immature little dork who loved finding the innuendo in things, then Husk was fine with that.
Another one of those late nights, the Extermination was won and long after the celebration was over and hotel re-built, Husk and Angel Dust remained at the bar talking and drinking as usual.
"I still can't believe Nifty killed the sucker," Angel Dust said, swirling his tulip glass in his hand absently.
"Shit's wild," Husk responded, his elbow resting on the counter with his cheek in his palm, "but if anyone's crazy enough to do it, it's Niff."
"You know a lot about her," Angel Dust said.
"Yes, and I'd rather not share. I wasn't kidding, you'd thank me for keeping you in the dark about her."
"Then I'll take your word for it," Angel Dust snickered. A fond look was in his eyes, directed right at Husk, and threw Husk off. Why was Angel looking at him and smiling like that? He thought, Angel has some gorgeous eyes. He was too drunk for these emotions flooding his stomach, and definitely too old to be dealing with butterflies. Husk sighed and pushed himself off the counter.
"Well, I'm off to bed." Husk felt a pang in his gut at how Angel Dust's face fell.
"Aww, come on, just a few more minutes? We don't have to drink," Angel Dust pleaded.
"Nope. Closing up shop so you gotta go too." Husk locked the bar up. Then, as he turned around he jumped, his wings jostling in shock, at Angel Dust's tall figure waiting patiently a little too close behind him.
Angel Dust backed up a few, "Whoa, didn't mean to scare you there. Just thought we could walk up together." Angel Dust said carefully.
Husk grumbled a low "uh, right" before walking ahead, Angel Dust striding up to walk beside him. This wasn't unusual for the pair, they'd spent months bonding and spending time together. Lately though, Husk could tell something was on the lanky demon's mind that he wouldn't share. Husk could feel it in how Angel Dust threw nervous glances at him he thought Husk couldn't see from his periphery. Or how with Husk's sensitive hearing, he could hear Angel Dust inhale and hold his breath, almost steeling himself to say something before seeming to change his mind and turn away to breathe out a careful sigh. Husk could tell something was up and he wanted to know what. With all their progress, he thought they'd be passed being afraid of talking about their feelings openly.
On the other side, there was so much Angel Dust wanted to say. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘺. But, Angel Dust knew that saying what he truly felt was ridiculous, with how he was chained to Valentino. There was no way he could even attempt to develop something more with Husk. Angel Dust doubted Husk would even want him to begin with, which was too hard a thought to dwell on.
So, he waved a feeble goodnight to Husk and Husk waved back before continuing down the hall towards his own room. Angel Dust clenched his fist and watched Husk's tail disappear as he turned the corner at the end of the hall.
"Hey, wait up," Husk lifted his head in confusion, he turned his room key and was about to step inside when Angel Dust jogged up.
"I'm tired, man. What is it now?" Husk said, stifling a yawn, wings drooping heavily on his back.
"I know, and I'm sorry, but I just wanted to ask you something real quick," Angel Dust said, his brow knit together and his eyes looked pleadingly into Husk's. Husk's frown softened and he gave a shrug.
To Angel Dust's surprise, Husk pulled the door all the way open and gestured for Angel Dust to come inside. "Fine, fine. Come on in, but make it quick. Vaggie's been on my ass lately about how I keep napping on the job."
Husk made way for Angel Dust to enter, then closed the door behind him. For a second Angel Dust paused and glanced around quietly. Angel Dust never saw Husk's room before and was struck in a bit of wonder.
"Well?" Husk said, arms crossed.
Angel Dust shook his head a bit out of his stupor, "Oh, right! I just wanted to ask ya' something. Hey are those velvet curtains?" Angel pointed to the window covered by thick maroon curtains by the queen sized bed. Angel Dust found Husk's decor to be pretty classy and masculine, cool.
"You're stallin' kid, spit it out," Husk said, a little annoyed but no real anger behind his tone. Husk watched Angel Dust flounder. Angel Dust fidgeted with his hands, the lower set of arms hugging himself. Angel Dust was looking everywhere but at Husk, as Husk lifted one eyebrow expectantly.
Then Angel Dust admitted out of nowhere, throwing his hands up, "Okay, I lied! I didn't have anything to tell you I just didn't want to be alone tonight okay?" Angel Dust threw his arms up in defeat and Husk let out an exasperated sigh.
"And was that so hard?" Husk chuckled to Angel Dust's utter confusion.
"You're not pissed at me?" Angel Dust asked with a squint.
"You can stay if you want, just don't keep me up and we're good to go." Husk said simply, walking over to his large wooden dresser and pulling out some sweatpants and a t-shirt to toss his way. Angel Dust caught the items, he was struck dumb and just watched Husk walk over towards him and extend out a paw, palm up. Angel Dust put his hand in his and let Husk lead him inside the bathroom, then let go to close the bathroom door behind Angel Dust to give him privacy.
Angel Dust blinked before turning on the tap, water running as he brushed his teeth with Husk's toothbrush and changed his clothes in a bit of a daze. Husk's shirt fit like a loose fitted crop top and the sweat pants were also too short but fit his waist well enough.
"Did I just hear you use my toothbrush ya' maniac," Husk said when Angel Dust emerged from the bathroom. Husk was already changed and was squinting at Angel Dust and hopped off from the edge of the bed.
Angel Dust sobered up a bit and blinked, "Huh? Oh shit, yeah, I did. Sorry, I wasn't really thinkin'."
Husk just scoffed and pulled a spare unopened toothbrush package from the bathroom cabinet, closing the bathroom door behind him to ready himself for bed just as Angel Dust sat down on the edge of the bed to stare blankly at the wallpaper.
What the actual hell was going on, was the only thought in Angel Dust's mind as the lights were flicked off. Angel Dust lie motionless facing up on the bed, his long legs hanging a little off the edge of the bed as Husk lay on his side facing away from Angel Dust, the covers up to his nose.
"I can feel you thinking too much and it's making it hard to get comfortable," Husk eventually mumbled out from under the covers, "that wasn't the deal."
Angel Dust just stayed quiet. Husk's eye twitched and he grumbled, frowning and trying to focus on sleep, when he felt a light tap on his wing.
"Hey, Husk?" Angel Dust whispered, Husk's ear turned in attention and gave an impatient "hmn?" in response. Husk sighed in exasperation when Angel Dust didn't continue, so Husk responded with a louder whisper of "what," and refused to open his eyes. Then Husk's eyes shot open when he heard light snoring start up behind him.
"Oh you gotta be fuckin' kidding me," Husk muttered, squeezing his eyes shut and pulling the covers over his ears.
Husk soon drifted off himself. Angel Dust fell asleep with the words "I love ya'" loose on his lips and dreaming of Husk saying it back. A dream where they weren't in Hell, where Angel Dust was free and they were together. Angel Dust smiled in his sleep, picturing Husk saying those three simple words back at him and meaning it. Little did Angel Dust know, was Husk already said it back through his actions. He let Angel Dust in, he let him in and let him get close. For Husk, this was a monumental step. At this point, if Angel Dust said the word, Husk would hand his heart out on a silver platter to the spider. But, Husk was anything but impatient. He enjoyed their dance wherever it led them, they could adjust together, and he didn't mind Angel Dust setting the pace.