Chapter Text
Husker knew that expecting a normal day with the group of people he surrounds himself with is stupid. But today was one the most, deceptively, normal and calm mornings so far. No threat of danger, no screams of panic and anguish, no yelling, no nothing at all. He reasons that he can't judge too fast yet since the day just started. Anything could happen later (which is very likely)
So, he decided to stop questioning it and to take the peaceful atmosphere in for once as he sipped his drink with a guest on the counter for company.
Yeah. On the table.
The bartender didn't question why a white Persian cat with red eyes was lying down on the counter or who it could belong to, it could be worse really. Plus the other softly purring companion doesn't exude a dangerous aura. Said cat was right next to a top hat he recognized belonged to Lucifer, with the staff leaning on the counter, who revealed its crimson eyes as Husker examined the hat closer.
He didn't remember Charlie mentioning her Dad was visiting the hotel, which would've been an ordeal since they would have to clean the whole place up in order to look presentable to the King of Hell.
Making a mental note for himself to ask Charlie about it later, Husker continued to do his daily upkeep of the bar. He was sweeping the table with a rag and he nudged the fluffy cat to move aside for now as he needed to also wipe down where the cat was luxuriously napping.
“Can you move? I'm cleaning here.”
It opened one of its eyes to stare up at him with curiosity. Husker gave a pointed look back.
“Please?” he sighed.
He never tested if he could somehow communicate with other cats before and it was ridiculous to reconsider it now. The cat leaned towards his outstretched hand holding the cleaning rag, startling the bartender before grumbling and petting the cat back. Husker noticed the red collar on the cat’s neck, along with a nametag.
Leaning down to take a better look at it, he chuckled as he read the cat’s name.
“Lulu, huh? Cute name for a furball like you.”
Lulu's neck tilted in confusion, eyes narrowing slightly as if to say 'You're a furball too, smartass’
How Husker got that from a single look, he doesn't know. He's half contemplating if he can actually talk to other cats or maybe this one is just weird. For the latter, it won't be a stretch considering the other cat in this hotel can turn into a key. And no , he won't consider himself as the other other cat, thank you very much.
“Who's your owner by the way?” He looked at the cat again who proceeded to jump down from the counter after a satisfied meow.
The cat, Lulu, seemed to be done with the conversation and decided to wrap around Husker's leg as the bartender continued cleaning and polishing the bar counter.
Husker paused and quickly looked around the lobby to see if anyone witnessed his short-lived moment of tenderness with the cat (and him conversing with said cat) And was internally grateful that not even Nifty decided to crash the peaceful atmosphere with her… thing.
After a stretch of silence, other than soft purr from the cat, he finished cleaning. Lulu jumped back on the counter, where it was just napping before Husker cleaned the spot. The cat took a moment, observing and prodding at the spot, before lying down again in content.
Husker, with nothing else to do with no one to serve at the moment, joined the white cat. He walked from behind the counter to the front and went ahead to sit on one of the stools. Leaning his hands and head on the counter, he let his hands gently play with the soft white fur, the cat purring at the act. He felt his eyes slightly droop, the peacefulness pulling him to sleep again. Husker tried to stay awake because you know, he can't be caught sleeping while on the job, but considering it's so early in the morning that no one would probably start drinking at this fuckass hour (and definitely not Lulu snuggling close to him) he gave in to the temptation.
“Don't tell anyone about this, ya hear me?” Husker grumbled into Lulu's fur, not realizing that the low rumble of his purr was in sync with the white cat's.
When he woke up at who-knows-what time, he heard footsteps in the lobby approaching him.
“Good morning, Husker!” Charlie greeted.
Groggily, Husker blinked awake, noting the now missing cat as well as the top hat and cane.
“Huh… g'mornin’ t'ya too…” the bartender stretched as he turned to the other, seeing it was just Charlie still in her pajamas.
“By the way… did your Dad tell ya he was visiting?”
“Dad was visiting?” Charlie took a seat next to him, where the cane was leaning on earlier, “haven't heard from him yet, why?”
“I saw his hat and cane here earlier and--”
“HE WAS HERE?! HOLY SHIT I NEED TO LOOK PRESENTABLE.” Charlie panicked, both of them now more awake as she ran back to presumably get ready for her father.
“--a cat…”
Husker was left dumbstruck and shook it off. Guess it's time for the day to actually start. He returned behind the counter again, not willing to admit that he misses the cat's companionship just a tiny bit.