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The bar was completely silent, possibly the most peaceful it had ever been since Alastor summoned him to the hotel all that time ago.
They had all called it an early night, extremely tired after the whole ‘speedrun to redemption’ fiasco. No low jazz bleeding out of Alastor’s forgotten radio, no celebratory drinks. No let-me-forget ones either.
By the time the last bedroom door closed shut, nothing was left inside of Husk.
Nothing but deep exhaustion and regret.
He didn’t know why he was still awake, didn’t know why his hands kept moving, polishing a glass that was already too clean.
He wasn’t pretending things were fine.
He… didn’t even know what he was doing. Or why, really.
He blamed it on the alcohol. Like he always did.
On the way it always managed to lure him back to the bar, night after night, no matter how badly he wanted to just drown in a bottle inside his room and disappear.
The glass was set down inside the sink with a soft clink as he immediately reached for another. Warm lights glowed over him, barely brighter than a row of lit candles, painting the bar in tired shades of amber.
One year ago he would’ve found comfort in this peace.
Silence had been his only certainty for the longest time.
Ever since he sold his soul away.
But tonight, in that same peace, his whole body was filled with a strong sense of guilt.
He scrubbed the glass a little harder than necessary, strong enough to crack the edge, freezing on the spot when he heard the soft sound of heels clicking against the polished floor.
«Can I sit?»
The voice suddenly cut through his thoughts, making him jolt.
His mind faltered, trying to recognize the person who that voice belonged to.
But his heart knew better.
Before he could stop himself, he turned around.
And mismatched eyes met his.
For a moment the rest of the room seemed to fade.
The warm light caught on his figure, crowning him in a golden aura.
Almost like an angel…
Shit.
Angel.
The spider stood there patiently, arms folded at his elbows as he waited for an answer. Long fingers playing with the sleeve of his lavender sweater, large enough on his body to be worn like a dress.
Husk’s manners reminded him that it was rude to stare but, at the same time, he didn’t seem able to tear his eyes away.
«Can I?» Angel asked again, his head dipping as embarrassment crept on his face.
Husk swallowed. Hard.
«When have you ever asked?» he replied softly, the words leaving his mouth before his brain could catch up with his thoughts.
He immediately turned back, grabbing one of the clean glasses in the sink.
His eyes flicked everywhere but on Angel as he set it on the counter and hurried to prepare a harder daddy.
Angel climbed onto the stool and let himself slump forward, head resting on the counter against his folded arms.
Husk noticed right away as he inserted a cocktail stick inside the drink, casually piling a row of fresh cherries on it as an apology for what had happened some hours ago.
As a way to remind him that he was seen… and that he would always see him.
And that he was scared Angel could see him too.
The spider let out a wistful sigh, his finger tracing the wood marks on the counter as his mind wandered elsewhere.
«You okay?» he asked, nudging the glass the rest of the way and stopping it right where Angel’s hand rested.
The spider didn’t lift his head, one shoulder rolling in a weak shrug. «’m fine. Nothin’ new.»
Husk leaned back against the bar, standing a few feet away from him to give him space, knowing damn well that ‘nothing new’ was the excuse he always used whenever he felt like shit.
Silence stretched between them again and the sinner finally raised his head to glance at the drink.
The bartender immediately noticed the way his eyes sparked as he grabbed the stick and enthusiastically bit into one of the cherries.
«Thanks… fo’ the cherries.» he mumbled with his mouth half full.
«It’s fine.» Husk chuckled, one hand curling around the end of his tail as it swayed back and forth behind his legs. «Figured you weren’t in a candy mood. You always ask me to make your drinks without them when ‘nothing’s new’.»
Angel chewed slowly, lifting his eyes as he lazily dragged them all over the cat’s body.
He rolled the stick between his fingers, the last cherry dipping inside the drink as he swirled the pink liquid around. «Ya know too much shit… I ‘on’t like it.»
Husk huffed out another chuckle, kicking an invisible pebble on the floor to keep his gaze down, anywhere but on Angel. «Comes with the job... knowing what the clients want.»
Though defining Angel as just ‘a client’ felt incredibly wrong.
He wasn’t a random soul asking for a drink.
That bar was his just as much as it was Husk’s.
Ever since his birthday, they’d spent every night sitting on those same stools, playing cards or whatever random game the spider would come up with at dead of night just to hang out a little longer.
And Husk would always let him, pouring himself another drink. Just because the idea of watching him leave felt worse than any hangover ever would.
«That’s funny.» the spider said, his lower hands brushing against his bare thighs. «I don’t usually get what I want.»
And Husk knew that feeling way too fucking well.
«Yeah.» he muttered. «Me neither.»
His eyes instinctively landed back on Angel just when his gaze flicked up, meeting him halfway.
And everything else disappeared under the weight of what had been left unsaid.
Of what they were both scared to acknowledge, to realize.
Because change was never good in Hell, they both knew it.
It was better to just accept what one had and hope that it wouldn’t go down in pieces.
Wanting something was not allowed.
But neither of them pulled their eyes away.
More time passed and the bartender could feel that string pull at his heart once again, urging him forward, begging him to close that distance between them.
Because he knew that, deep down, Angel needed it.
Needed him.
And fuck it, maybe Husk needed him too.
Husk pushed off the bar and slowly walked around the counter, sitting down near Angel, leaving one empty stool between them.
His heart would have to bear that distance as a compromise.
Angel’s eyes widened when the cat summoned his hat onto the wooden surface, reaching for it and drowning his arm into the void, pulling out the spider’s custom deck out of it.
«Hey! Those were in my room, how did ya-» he asked him, cutting himself off as he suddenly jumped from his stool to get a better look inside the hat.
Husk smiled.
«Comes with the job.» he shrugged.
Angel stared at the deck, then at Husk.
He could see all those thoughts merging behind his eyes, questions and doubts begging to be freed. His mouth opened and closed a few times before confusion turned into amusement.
He huffed out a sincere laugh, shaking his head in disbelief.
«Alright… Mista’ Magician» he purred, lifting the glass and chugging the rest of his drink in one go as he stood up, sitting on the free stool between them.
Angel set the empty glass down as he leaned back slightly, his eyes lighting up in excitement.
«Do yer worst.»
«Welcome back, dear fellow sinners… and hellborns! I have a very special surprise planned for you all, tonight we’ll be briefly joined by one of the most talented actors in all of Hell! Everyone, please welcome… Angel Dust!»
Cheers erupted from the audience and the room was soon filled with applause and whistles as the demons sitting higher up in the stands jumped off, mercilessly stepping on each other to reach the lower seats.
Angel appeared from behind the red curtains, waving sweetly at his further fans as he blew a kiss to the ones sitting in the first row.
He was dressed in a see-through wine lace shirt, a shimmery spider design hugging his chest, paired with a black leather jacket and skorts that reached his mid-thighs, feet covered in his usual high boots.
Heart-shaped pendants caught the spotlights, creating a burgundy aura all across the stage.
«Thank ya for the warm welcome, Trina.» Angel’s voice was gentle as he lowered himself onto the couch, elegantly crossing his legs. «It’s a pleasure ta be here, as usual.»
Husk had heard about that girl before.
During one of their late-night poker games at the bar, the spider had told him how kind she always was to him.
He would never feel uncomfortable or mocked during her interviews, which rarely happened with other people.
The sinner could notice his ease in the way Angel’s body sat, fully turned towards her.
It was clear he felt safe enough to be that close to her without any kind of barrier between them.
«And it’s a pleasure to have you here, Angel. As usual… So!» she clapped her hands together as the picture of a poster appeared on the screen behind her, portraying Angel as the main subject. A wrench in one hand, a gun in the other. «You’re here to promote your new movie: “Missionary Impossible”. Can you perhaps tell us more about the plot, if there is one?»
Angel chuckled softly, earrings dangling in small circles as he lowered his gaze to his second pair of hands, intertwined over his knees. The glitter on his shoulders caught the blazing lights as he leaned back, one arm draped over the back of the couch.
He looked like an angel.
And Husk was mesmerized.
His eyes fell on his neatly white shoulders, pink freckles nowhere in sight.
From what Cherri told him a few weeks ago, Valentino had gotten into his head even before he sold his soul to him. Telling him how ‘unsexy’ his freckles looked on his perfect body. And since then he had decided to always cover them up, making sure that no one would ever be able to see them.
The only place where Angel didn’t feel the need to use that stupid white powder was at the hotel… and at his casino.
Asshole.
«Of course, snookums! This time, I play the role of a real sexy spy, workin’ as a plumber ta meet his target head first. There’s also a plot twist at the end…» the spider whispered conspiratorially, leaning closer to the microphone as he arched his back, showing off his bare shoulders.
A howl could be heard from the crowd behind him.
Husk growled under his breath.
«Oh, really? Are you able to reveal it to us? Or is it top secret?» Trina asked, an amused spark in her gaze.
Angel’s grin widened, his fangs glinting under the lights. «Yeah! I know it sounds kinda crazy, but… the sink actually gets fixed this time!»
The audience erupted into laughter, and Angel just basked in it, tilting his head with another wink.
Husk smiled fondly, the heel of his palm digging inside his cheekbone.
«Now that is truly groundbreaking.»
«Ya should know better, Trina. I don’t need a broken sink ta make things wet.» he shrugged as his skorts hiked up his thighs.
The room roared again, being quickly shushed by the interviewer.
«I’m not doubting that. Now, I have another question for you. If you had to choose…» Trina began, her smile gentle and comforting as if she knew what was coming. «Who would you dedicate this movie to?»
Angel pretended to think about it for a second or two, rubbing his chin between his fingers.
«Well… who other than my amazin’ boss Valentino? He’s the one comin’ up with all these crazy hot ideas for me to enjoy.» he said in a low sensual voice, following the same script the overlord always forced him to perform during every interview. «And… ta all the plumbers too. Thought bendin’ over was my job!»
Husk let out a melancholic chuckle at the dumb joke, cursing softly under his breath when he felt a tear slide down his cheek.
Fat Nuggets suddenly chomped down on his tail feathers, tiny hooves held against the mantle as he relentlessly tugged at them.
He hissed through his teeth, wings twitching on instinct when the pet tore out one that wasn’t yet ready to be preened.
The cat shifted on his legs and slowly swayed his tail back and forth on the roof ground so that the pig could follow it and tire himself out before bed.
His torso was slumped against the roof’s railing, arms draped over it as the metal creaked under his weight. Phone re-playing an old interview where Angel appeared for barely more than four minutes and a half… for the third time in a row.
He’d genuinely feel shocked if he found an interview he hadn’t yet seen.
During the last week he had watched every last one of them, scouring through VoxTube for every video Angel appeared in, even if only for a few seconds.
Everything but his movies.
His qualities weren’t many, but loyalty had always been one of them. He knew Angel wouldn’t actually mind if he watched one of them.
Hell, he would probably enjoy it if he knew.
But that wasn’t his… their Angel.
It was just the mask he put on to get through the day, to avoid Valentino’s ire and get back to the hotel as soon as possible.
It wasn’t the real him.
And Husk had no interest in seeing that version of Angel again, not after everything they’d been through together.
He had other things to worry about, anyway.
Like that gnawing feeling stuck deep within his chest, the one that no amount of booze seemed to drown out.
If he could just-
«The fuck are you doing?» a voice called out from behind him.
Fat Nuggets startled, jumping high in the air as he aggressively bit down on his tail.
Husk swore loudly, a jolt of pain coursing through him as his grip around the phone faltered, the device slipping from his hand.
He scrambled to reach for it as it flew off the railing, down towards the parking lot.
The sinner spread his wings wide, ready to dive after it, when a whiny snort came from behind him. He glanced back just in time to see the pig trembling violently between his tail feathers. His little head hidden beneath them, fangs clenched securely against his mantle.
Husk stared back over the railing, the phone was still falling, he could probably catch it if he flew fast enough… but that would mean leaving Fat Nuggets behind.
Ever since that night with Alastor, the pet had been jumpy with everyone that wasn’t Husk.
He would run away every time Alastor barged into the room, hiding beneath his tail or behind his wings, terrified of the static the overlord emitted every time he spoke.
Whenever he heard a loud noise, he would run to him, squealing and oinking until he finally picked him up, refusing to leave his side until he had calmed down.
And now the pig was still clinging to him, silently begging him not to abandon him.
With the way his teeth were clamped around his feathers, there was no way he would be able to fly without tearing him off his body.
A small shriek made the decision for him.
Husk exhaled slowly, the tension draining out his wings as he folded them back in place.
He could still buy another phone, if he really needed to.
But he would never be able to replace Fat Nuggets.
He had to keep the pig safe until his dad came back.
And, even though it was still difficult for him to admit, Husk had actually grown attached to the little shit.
During the last few months they had become almost inseparable, basically joined at the hip.
Wherever the sinner went, Nuggs would always follow. It was rare, if not impossible, to see one without the other.
Fat Nuggets let out an apologetic squeal, finally peeking out from beneath his feathers. He leaned forward and pressed his snout against his tail in a little kiss, licking at the bent feathers in an attempt to preen them, asking for his forgiveness.
«Fuck. You okay, Nuggs?» he asked in a gentle tone. When the pig snorted in confirmation, the sinner sighed with relief, laying his head against the cold railing. «What the fuck, Cherri?»
The girl shifted awkwardly behind him, rubbing the back of her neck.
«I’m sorry.» she mumbled, finding her place next to Husk’s. «I’ve just… never seen ya with a phone so I was… surprised, I guess. You can take mine if you want…»
«Whatever. It’s fine.»
Husk slowly pulled his tail free from the pig’s hooves, giving it a small shake to make sure he hadn’t bit it off. He turned around and leaned back against the railing, letting himself slide down towards the concrete.
He pressed his feet against each other, creating a wide empty space between his legs for Nuggs to settle in.
The pig oinked happily as he trotted towards him, jumping between his knees and spinning in a few small circles before plopping down with a satisfied huff, laying his head against Husk’s thigh.
«He can’t fuckin’ stand me.» Cherri muttered, dropping down beside him. She reached out towards Fat Nuggets, her fingers spread in an attempt to pet him. He immediately turned away with a weird growl, scooting as far from her as possible. «See?»
Husk blinked slowly, glancing down at the pig in shock. «Huh, I’ve never heard him make that noise before.»
«Yeah, cause he fuckin’ despises me and loves the fuck outta you. The little fuck. Bribed by all those nuts...» she mumbled, lifting both her arms to tie her wild hair up in a messy bun.
«You just need more… finesse.»
«Shut up.»
She shoved his shoulder away with her elbow, startling Fat Nugget’s rest in the process. Husk immediately apologized to him, voice dropping in a low whisper as he gently scratched that spot behind the pig’s horns. With a relaxed snort, the pig shuffled even closer, gluing himself to Husk’s thigh.
Cherri rolled her eye and the man just chuckled, one hand still resting over the pig’s head as he evened out his breath, making sure not to disturb his nap again.
«Ya know…» Cherri started, tilting her head back to look up at the sky. «I used to think ya were a huge dickhead.»
Husk huffed. «Nice. Tell me why you haven’t been promoted to hotel’s therapist again?»
The girl laughed as she twirled one of her bombs on her finger like it was nothing more dangerous than a tennis ball. «Angie used to talk about ya a lot back then…»
And what the fuck was he supposed to think after that?
One of his ears flicked back, instinctively turning to her direction. Making it clear that she had his full attention. «Back when?»
«Betcha’re real interested now, ain’t ya?» she asked as she shot him a smug look. «Before y’all made up or whatever the fuck happened between the two of you. He used to tell me all about what a huge asshole ya were to him all the time, and ya know… who’s a bitch to my Angie’s a bitch to me.»
Husk nodded slowly, gaze dropping to the floor.
«And one day he just… stopped.» she glanced at him. «Guess now I can see why, you’re not too bad.»
Husk barked out a laugh before he could stop himself. With a flick of his wrist a deck of cards appeared between his hands.
He sent them flying one by one in front of him, throwing them around like frisbees. Their trajectories suddenly curved as they smacked against the rooftop door, reappearing completely intact between his fingers. «Thank you… I guess.»
Cherri smirked, launching the cherry bomb in the sky.
It flew above them for a second before popping in pink and white smoke.
Husk raised his eyes when he noticed the way the cloud sparkled above their heads, white particles slowly falling over them.
«Glitters?»
«Yeah… wanted to try somethin’ new. I found those glitters we used for his birthday shots…» she shrugged. «Thought I could make use outta ‘em.»
«You thought good.» Husk muttered, feeling the glitters sink between his fur. «They’re real pretty.»
«Aren’t they?» she asked back, squaring him up and down with a suspicious glare. Husk didn’t even glance back at her. «Oh, c’mon! Fuck this subtlety bullshit, do ya like him or not?»
Husk froze.
«Who?»
Cherri turned towards him, a dumbfounded expression on her face. «The fuck you mean ‘who’?»
For a moment all he could focus on was Fat Nuggets’ soft breathing against his thigh as his fingers carefully stroked the black spots on his back, brushing all those glitters away from his skin.
«I don’t know what you mean.» he settled on, looking back down at his cards.
He’s a fucking loser, that’s what she meant. But hell, what’s new?
«Ya know exactly what I fuckin’ mean.» she snarled.
Before he could react, she snatched the deck from his hands and threw it behind her over the railing, the cards scattering all around and flashing red once before teleporting back between his fingers.
«Wow. First you make me throw my phone and now my cards? That ain’t nice.»
Cherri’s expression shifted in an ‘I’ll make you swallow a fucking bomb if you don’t talk right now’ kinda way. «That ain’t what I asked ya.»
Husk leaned back against the railing, clenching his jaw as his ears flattened against his head. «What the fuck do you want me to say?»
The words coming out harsher than he meant them to.
«I want you to stop bein’ a fuckin’ coward for once in your life.»
He swallowed, Fat Nuggets sniffled quietly when the sinner’s hand stilled on his back. «And I want a fucking drink. Guess we’re both walkin’ away with nothin’ tonight, huh?»
«Don’t pull that shit with me.»
«What shit?»
«The shit Angie used to pull when he was hurting and didn’t wanna tell anyone.»
Husk didn’t answer as Cherri dug her hands into the pockets of her hoodie, pulling one knee up to her chest. «I ain’t your fuckin’ confessional, but I ain’t blind either. No one in this fuckin’ hotel is suffering his absence half as much as you are.»
The man let out an incredulous huff.
«We’d been spendin’ every night together for four fucking months. I’d say I’m suffering his absence just the right amount.» he stated before noticing the way Cherri raised her brow. «You know what I fuckin’ mean.»
«Yeah. What you mean…» she paused, fingers lifting to the back of her head as she tugged a loose lock free from her bun and began to braid it. «…is that ya cared about him enough to hold his hand and beg him to stay, without makin’ that decision for him. That cunt never did that.»
Something in him flared like a fire, tugging at his soul.
«Don’t compare me to that fuckin’ asshole.» he growled back.
«’m not.» Cherri assured him, tying up her braid and letting it fall against her hoodie. «Cause ya ain’t nothin’ like him. I’ve seen the way that bitch looked at Angie, back when he was still puttin’ in the effort of pretending to give a fuck. He’s a great actor, I’ll give him that. Always knew what mask to wear, always said the right things at the right time. But it was still nothing compared to the way ya look at him. Ya really wear your heart on your sleeve, kitty.»
Husk exhaled through his nose, his fist tightening around the fabric of his pants.
«Even if that were true.» he finally gave in, turning his head towards her. «It doesn’t fuckin’ matter. He’s gone.»
«He’s not fucking gone! He will come back. He always does.» she shouted back, her voice breaking as her hands started trembling. «If he doesn’t then it means that I-I…»
Husk flinched at the tears forming in her eye, glancing down to look at the pig, still snoring on his legs. «Cher… It’s not your fault.»
«He’s always been there for me and…» she sniffled, throwing her head back against the railing. «And I-»
«And you’ve always been there for him. He told me all the time.» he said immediately, looking up at her. «You were his angel, Cher. So don’t even try and believe that bullshit you’re thinkin’ of right now.»
«I could’ve done more to help him… I-»
«We both know he’d already made up his mind.» the sinner cut in. «There was nothin’ we could’ve done to bring him back.»
She sighed, her shoulders slumping as she folded in on herself, pressing her forehead against her knees. «Yeah…»
Husk didn’t move, neither of them did. Fat Nugget’s sleepy snorts barely keeping them both from falling apart.
«I keep hearin’ his voice. Seein’ his shadow…» she said after a moment. «In my head. Like he’s just gonna come back to the hotel and everything will go back to the way it was…»
Her fingers were fisted tightly around her hair, tugging at it a bit too hard.
Husk didn’t have the heart to tell her that it wasn’t her mind making those images up, that Angel’s voice and shadow were there for her to see, that it was Alastor doing all that to mess with their heads for his own entertainment.
She didn’t need to add ‘fuck Alastor’ to the list of emotions she was feeling right now.
«I miss him so fucking much, Husk.»
«Yeah…» the cat hummed as his wings shifted, feathers ruffling beneath all the glitter. «I miss him too.»
She snorted as she turned her head towards him. «No way, really? Coulda fooled me with all the interview watchin’, and all the pig’s pics, and all the ‘lemme wear his clothes at the bar’ bullshit, and-»
Husk let out a chuckle as his claws tapped against the roof’s concrete. «I’m guessin’… Alastor told you about that?»
«Of course. Fuck you for goin’ in his room without me, by the way.» the cyclops answered, mockingly rolling her eye. «The deer doesn’t seem to know how to keep his mouth shut lately. Think Vox gagged him when he kidnapped him or somethin’?»
Husk smirked with a shrug. «Nah. He probably asked Al to gag him, though. Bet he’d be into that.»
She laughed and some of the tension slipped from her shoulders as she grabbed another lock of hair and began braiding it into the rest. A fragile smile settled on her face.
«Hey, Husk?»
The sinner hummed in acknowledgment.
«Tell me about him.»
Husk’s ear flicked. He didn’t look at her immediately, twirling one of his cards around his fingers in slow circles. «What do you mean?»
«Anything.» she tightened the braid, fingers faltering slightly before continuing. «Just… somethin’ you remember.»
Silence stretched between them and Husk leaned back against the railing.
He tilted his head up and his gaze drifted somewhere above them, staring at the few glitters still dancing in the air, trying to remember.
His eyes followed the lights they reflected as if they might lead him somewhere safer, somewhere far away from all those memories that once used to bring him comfort, but now were nothing but useless delusions.
Still, he let himself be guided away.
Somewhere far beyond the bar, beyond the stale scent of gin and whiskey.
Beyond the eternal torment of their souls.
His eyes closed briefly, and for an instant there was only one quiet echo in his mind.
One he hadn’t listened to in a long time.
Fragment by fragment an old, forgotten feeling formed inside his chest, pressing through the walls he’d built up so many years ago.
Until an old memory came to light.
«You know… I’m sure there are safer ways to get rid of all that chocolate.» Husk stood with his arms crossed, leaning his hip against the rusted railing of the hotel’s roof.
The spider jolted at the sound, nearly dropping the box in his hands.
«Shit. Make some noise next time, would ya?» he snapped, tossing another box into the fire, lit inside a metal bucket. «Scared the livin’ shit outta me.»
The cardboard burned quickly, flames devouring the pink edges as they melted the chocolate inside, its sugary scent mixing with the strong smell of smoke.
Angel sat slumped on one of the old chairs Charlie had insisted on using to decorate the rooftop; between his long legs rested a full garbage bag, stuffed with Valentine’s gift boxes and letters.
He held a folded note in his hand, dull eyes scanning it quickly before his expression turned sour for the umpteenth time. The paper was unceremoniously flicked into the bucket, curling around itself and blackening in seconds as it turned into ashes.
«Aren’t you a bit too drunk to play pyromaniac?»
Angel rolled his eyes, fingers curling around the neck of a bottle as he brought it to his lips, taking a long sip out of it. «’m fine. Nothin’ new.»
Husk stopped a few feet away, studying him carefully from afar. The firelight reflected on the jewels embedded in his bowtie, revealing the fiery crease between his eyebrows.
Husk sighed, tail swaying behind his legs.
Yeah, right.
«Thought we went over this already, no need to be fake with me.» he clarified, grabbing one of the remaining chairs. He dragged it across the few feet dividing them and turned it backwards before straddling it. «What’s going on?»
Angel didn’t look at him, reaching into the bag and pulling out yet another box, red velvet with a satin bow. He peeled the lid off, staring at the multiple rows of milk chocolates shaped like roses.
The spider inched them closer to his nose before throwing them into the bucket while drinking another sip of his booze. «’m burnin’ sum shit.»
«I can see that…» he replied softly, bending down to pick up one of the heart-shaped boxes on the ground. He turned it over in his hands, glitters clinging to his fur.
A small card was taped to the top, written in a loopy handwriting.
To my favorite star ☆
- your papito
Husk grimaced when the perfume reached his nose, a mix of strawberry and something so chemically sweet that made his head spin. He caught himself taking a second smell and immediately felt light headed as he inched the box even closer to his snout. «Sure as fuck smells like shit.»
Angel’s eyes snapped up, widening at the sight of Husk holding one of the boxes.
He immediately lunged forward, arms stretching barely above the fire as he desperately snatched the object out of his hands. His long legs hit the bottle sitting at his side, knocking it over as the liquid spilled all over the concrete.
«Don’t smell that!» he warned him, tearing off the note and stuffing the box above the pile of gifts still burning in the fire.
Husk watched him for a long moment when Angel’s face turned into a storm, eyes reflecting the amber glow of the flames as he hastily shredded the note into tiny scraps.
Before he could think of what to say to make him feel better, his pig scrambled out from beneath the spider’s chair, awoken by the frantic movements above him.
When his eyes finally landed on Husk a happy snort left his snout and he charged towards him, hooves playfully tugging at his tail.
The cat yanked his feathers away from him, moving them from one side to the other in an attempt to shake him off, eventually throwing it up into his lap as a last resource.
The hellpig didn’t back down, taking a few steps back as he sprinted forward, leaping onto the cat’s thighs and chomping down on his feathers once again.
«Angel? Can you…» Husk groaned in irritation as he uselessly tried to push the pet off his lap with one of his wings. «Can you- fuck! Get your fucking pig off me?»
He shrieked when sharp fangs sunk into his tail, making him jump in his seat.
He shook his wings and arms around wildly, trying to shove the pig off him while attempting, and failing, to maintain at least a tiny bit of his dignity.
Angel finally glanced up at them, his chest heaving in deep breaths as he took in the scene in front of him: Husk ungracefully fighting for his life on a wobbly chair, feathers and fur splayed in all directions as Fat Nuggets bit down on his tail again, making him groan in pain.
He blinked once. Then twice.
And, finally, the edges of his mouth twitched upwards, a ghost of a smile forming on his lips as he let out a drunk chuckle. «What kinda deadbeat dad are ya if ya won’t even let yer son play with yer feathers?»
«I ain’t this pig’s nothin’» he grumbled, sighing in relief when Fat Nuggets finally settled more comfortably in his lap, giving up his mission of biting his tail off.
«Oh, really?» he asked with a tilt of his head, voice filled with sarcasm. «Cause I think he just adopted ya.»
«Shouldn’t it be the other way around?»
«Nah.» Angel said with a shrug. «The Nuggies distribution system chose ya. Can’t turn back now.»
Husk chuckled, slowly pulling his tail away from the pig’s hooves. «I don’t remember signing up for that system.»
Fat Nuggets released his tail with a tired huff, only to climb higher into his lap and settle there. He circled twice, hooves digging into Husk’s thighs, before collapsing against him with a content sigh.
The sinner blinked down at the pig, arms awkwardly spread widely in the air.
«Would ya look at that…» Angel batted his eyelashes, threading his fingers under his chin as he watched them in amusement. «He doesn’t fall asleep on everyone, I’ll let ya know… He must really trust ya ta let his guard down like that.»
«I don’t want his trust.» Husk muttered, yet his clawed hand came up anyway, steadying the pig when he shifted dangerously low on his legs. His fingers brushing on his skin in a reluctant stroke.
Fat Nuggets let out a pleased rumble and Angel’s smile deepened. «Why’re ya holdin’ him, then?»
«I’m not holding him. I'm just… stabilizin’ him.»
Angel hummed as his breathing evened out, the frantic edge from earlier almost completely gone.
He leaned back in his chair, heels scraping against the rooftop as he grabbed yet another chocolate box, this time black with a magenta bow on top. He huffed loudly before throwing it in the fire.
Husk chuckled, eyeing the amount of boxes and notes spread across the concrete at his feet. «Want me to help you out?»
«With what?» the spider asked, his fingers busy tearing another note into pieces.
«With… the burning?»
«Oh, sure. Knock yerself out. There’s plenty ta go around.» he conceded, his fingers curling around a tube filled to the brim with pink macarons. «Just… don’t smell any of it. Or eat them. Most of ‘em are spiked, anyway.»
«Wasn’t going to.»
He leaned sideways in his chair, careful not to wake the hellpig still napping on his lap, snagging another box from the pile at his feet.
The lid came off, revealing an impressive assortment of sixty-nine dick-shaped chocolates, all in different flavors.
Without thinking twice about it, he threw the entire box into the metal bucket. The chocolate shapes warping as they melted into a weird pinkish smoke.
And in that moment, what Angel had said finally started to make sense in his mind.
A question forced its way out of his lips before he could think twice about it.
«Do you?»
Angel blinked in confusion. «Do I what?»
«Eat them. The spiked ones…»
«No.» Angel’s lips curled at one corner, his brows furrowing as his fangs bit the inside of his cheek. «Not anymore.»
Husk nodded in relief, his shoulders releasing some of the tension.
He already knew Angel had had no problems drinking or eating drugged shit in the past, more times than not he even did it on purpose.
Knowing that he tried to avoid them now… reassured him immensely.
«Good.» he murmured decisively, more to himself than to Angel.
He picked up another note, already recognizing the same loopy handwriting from before.
Torna a casa, Angelo.
- tuo padre
What?
He read it again, and again.
And finally, Husk snorted as his shoulders began to shake. He doubled over in his chair, one hand braced against his knee as he struggled to contain his laugh. Fat Nuggets jolted awake in his lap with an irritated squeal.
«Oh, you’ve gotta be fucking kiddin’ me.» Husk wheezed.
Angel blinked at him from across the flaming bucket, his brows furrowing in confusion. «What’s so funny?»
The cat tried to straighten up, laughing even harder when he caught another glance at the note. «That dipshit translated his bullshit wrong.»
Angel’s eyes narrowed.
Without another word, Husk tossed the box towards him and Angel’s current one fell to the ground in a loud tumble.
He slowly unfolded the note attached to it, mismatched eyes scanning through it multiple times as his expression shifted from confusion to disbelief. «He didn’t.»
«Write ‘father’ instead of ‘daddy’?»
An incredulous laugh tore out of Angel, bordering on hysterical.
«You think-» Husk stopped himself, snatching the note back as he gave it another once over. «Holy shit, he translated your name as well? What a fucking idiot.»
Angel let out a drunken snort when his laughter ultimately died down, trying to take deep breaths in and out, his attention now fully focused on Husk.
Mismatched eyes were roaming up and down the sinner’s body with a curious glint in them. «Didn’t know ya spoke Italian.»
Husk shrugged, throwing the box in the fire along with the others and watching it burn. «Picked it up… Used to travel a lot back when I was alive.»
«Uh-huh.» the spider’s gaze traveled lazily over him, as he leaned back in his chair. «And ya just… never thought ta mention that ta me?»
«It never came up.»
Angel hummed, low and hoarse in his throat. «Say somethin’.»
Husk’s eyes narrowed. «No.»
«Yes.»
«No.»
«I’m Italian, ya know? I think I deserve ta hear ya speak in my ancestors’ language…»
«Still no.»
«Per favore?»
[«Please?»]
The sinner groaned loudly, giving up on winning that back and forth.
Trying to stand up to Angel was as useless as Valentino’s translator.
«Fine.»
The spider’s eyes widened and he leaned forward, watching him carefully through half-lidded eyes.
«Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita, mi ritrovai per una selva oscura, ché la diritta via era smarrita.» he quoted quickly, words melting together to get this whole thing done as soon as possible.
Angel blinked, his mouth falling open into a perfect ‘o’.
«Husky?»
He hummed in acknowledgement.
«I might be a bit too drunk… but that was so fuckin’ hot.» he stated, with a slur in his speech. «Never wanted ta fuck anyone more than you right now.»
Husk snorted under his breath, bending to the side to grab another box just to give his hands something to do. «That’s Dante. He’s a-»
«I know who he fuckin’ is, asshole. I’m drunk, not ignorant.» he shot back. «Could be Danny from down the block for all I care. I’ve never been so wet.»
The cat chuckled softly despite himself, tossing the gift into the bucket.
«Val’s been out here, usin’ Voogle Translate for fuckin’ years and you’re just… what? Secretly multilingual? Ya speak Russian and fuckin’ Mandarin or sumthin’?»
«I do, actually. Both of them.»
Angel’s jaw dropped even further.
«And it’s no secret. I just don’t go around and tell everyone I meet.»
«Well, maybe you should.» Angel muttered, still staring at him like he’d just grown another pair of wings. «Jesus.»
«What’s with all these fucking boxes anyway?» Husk asked, throwing another note in the pile while also trying to change the topic of their conversation.
Angel groaned loudly, pouting when he finally noticed the empty, spilled bottle at his side.
«Val sends them to me whenever I’m not at the tower for Valentine’s day... It’s supposed ta be his special day and his favorite bitch isn’t there to remind him of how awesome he is with his ugly dick stuffed down his throat.» he explained, noticing that not many boxes were left on the ground. «Either Vox is terrible at it, or I’m just too fuckin’ good.»
Husk raised his head, expression softening when the spider’s eyes dimmed.
«You know you’re not just his favorite bitch.»
He loudly rolled all of his eyes, tapping his heels against the concrete to balance his drunken stance.
«I know you don’t think I am.» Angel murmured, undoing one of the ribbons as a faint sigh escaped his lips. «But everyone else thinks so and… I couldn’t prove them wrong even if I tried.»
«Well, fuck them. Who cares about what a bunch of assholes think?»
Angel let the bow slip from his fingers, glancing up at Husk. «Easy for you to say. Yer not the one they’re watching.»
«Maybe.» he replied. «But I watch you. I know you, and I don’t see any of that shit.»
The spider’s lips twitched, caught somewhere between a smile and a smirk. «Ya watch me, huh? Ya know I can show ya some real interestin’ shit, baby. How ‘bout we-»
«Angel.»
Mismatched eyes widened as his breath caught in his throat, suddenly sobering up from embarrassment.
«I’m sorry.» he groaned with frustration, letting his head fall between his hands. «See? I’m fucking worthless. I can’t even be real with ya for five fuckin’ seconds... I don’t even know who the fuck I am.»
«You know… you don’t gotta be the perfect version of yourself all the time. Hell, I sure as fuck know I ain’t.» he said, voice gentle and quiet.
The words hung between them and Angel let his hands drop, the firelight reflecting in his eyes. «We really are two fuckin’ losers, huh?»
«Thought we’d already established that.» Husk chuckled, throwing the last box into the fire.
Their eyes met as something passed between them, turning their gentle smiles into amused laughs.
«Charlie told me to check on you… but I figured you probably needed some good whiskey with all that chocolate.» he paused, taking his hat off and letting his arm sink into the void. «-so I stole a nice, cheap bottle from Alastor’s room. Nothin’ worse than bad booze and chocolates, trust me on that.»
Angel let out a loud snort, shaking his head in disbelief. «I dunno whether ta be impressed or scared of what Smiles will do ta you once he finds out.»
«Thought it was worth the risk.» Husk shrugged, gently petting the pig on his back.
Angel blushed, clearing his throat with a hoarse chuckle. «Really? If he kills ya tomorrow can I be the one to write your epitaph?»
«Sure.» he gave in, finally getting a grip on the bottle’s neck and pulling it out of his hat.
The spider’s lips curled into a mischievous smirk. «’Here rests Whiskers, former gamblin’ overlord and speaker of the sexiest Italian accent in all of Hell.’»
The sinner cringed, nose wrinkling in embarrassment. «I take it all back. Drunk Angel can never write my epitaph.»
«It’s too late now. He already did.» he laughed softly, whistling when his eyes landed on the bottle of whiskey. «Damn, looks nice. But there’s probably a little flaw in your genius outlaw plan.»
«…letting you write my epitaph?» Husk smirked, raising an eyebrow.
«No, that’s actually your plan’s only strength.» he replied, crossing his arms across his chest. «The flaw is… we burned all the chocolates. So, unless you have a secret Valentine’s Day stash hidden somewhere inside that endless hat of yours, I doubt that-»
Angel cut himself off when Husk’s hand disappeared back into his magic hat.
And a box of chocolates appeared between his fingers when he pulled his arm out.
The spider’s eyes widened. «…nevermind, then.»
Husk smirked again, holding up the box like a prize.
«Oh, fuck you. Show-off.» he grumbled, grunting in exhaustion as he pushed himself up and staggered behind the chair on wobbly legs.
He grabbed the backrest and dragged the seat towards the opposite side of the bucket, sliding it over until it was positioned right against Husk’s.
The cat tilted his head, watching him as he settled down more comfortably on the, rather uncomfortable, chair. His knees drawn up to his chest as their shoulders pressed against each other.
Angel’s head fell back to rest on his shoulder, white hair tickling the exposed fur of his neck.
«Allora… che ne dici? Dovremmo ubriacarci e preoccuparci delle conseguenze domani?»
[«So… what do you say? Should we get drunk and worry about the consequences tomorrow?»]
«Ugh…» Angel groaned as his eyes rolled back, fingers pinching a dark chocolate and popping it into his mouth. «Ya make an hungover sound so fuckin’ sexy.»
Angel’s hand snatched the bottle from his own, tipping it back as he swallowed the whiskey down in long sips. He threw his head backwards, letting it fall even further against the cat’s shoulder.
And Husk let him.
A tentative smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he allowed his shoulder to bear the weight of Angel’s head, moving it just enough to make it more comfortable for him to lean on.
Fat Nuggets snored softly in his lap, small hooves sometimes kicking back during his sleep as if he were running after something (most probably his tail) during his dream.
Husk blamed the alcohol for the way his lips turned up even further, eyebrows raised when Angel finally handed the bottle back to him.
One of his arms rolled back with an open palm, waiting for a chocolate to be placed inside of it, smiling proudly when the other did exactly what he was expecting.
He huffed a quiet laugh, feeling more than hearing the way the spider also chuckled against his neck.
Taking the bottle back, their fingers brushed against each other for a second too long before he finally brought it to his lips, welcoming the familiar burn of cheap booze against his throat.
That was what he deserved. What he knew.
What he had known for most of his life and after-life.
Drinking was the only certainty he’d ever had in decades of constant gambling.
And he hated how this stupid hotel and the people in it were slowly carving their way through his heart of stone.
The way waking up every day at the ass crack of dawn to work at that stupid bar didn’t feel like a simple duty anymore, more like a routine.
He knew that all this could become his if he let it.
If he just let his walls down low enough to see them through, to accept that maybe he deserved more than what cheap booze and hangovers had to offer.
But he wouldn’t.
He knew better than to trust anything that felt like a home.
Clawed hands busied themselves with stroking Fat Nuggets’ back, tracing the black splotches on his skin and basking in the feeling of the pig’s slow breaths against his thighs.
After a few hours of endless drinking and chatting about everything and nothing all at once his mind felt light and spinny, and his body pleasantly relaxed.
He wearily leaned his head against Angel’s hair, finding comfort in his presence.
Husk had always enjoyed the feeling of freedom his loneliness would bring after every drink.
The sense of joy he felt whenever he was left alone at a poker table, counting his winnings after a successful game.
But, in the end, he would never be truly free.
Because his soul wasn’t his. Hadn’t been in a long time.
So he could at least try and let go of that fake sense of freedom still burdening his chest, enjoy someone’s company for the first time in ages.
Live with the knowledge that he would never need to be alone again.
Not if they kept being losers together.
«Wait, wait, wait. Let me get this straight.» Cherri said, her hands flying up in confusion. «Ya two got drunk on Valentine’s day. Together.»
«Right.»
«Ya spent the entire night before the last extermination dancin’ around each other like two fuckin’ teenage boys.»
«I wouldn’t say that.»
«Well, I would and I will. I was fucking there.» she said, threading her fingers through her hair in exasperation. «Then, ya fuckin’ gifted him custom poker cards for his birthday. Which he wouldn’t shut up about for weeks, by the way.»
Husk hummed low in his throat, neither confirming nor denying.
«And ya also hung out together every night for what?» the cyclops pressed, incredulous. «Four fuckin’ months?»
«That’s what I said.» he shrugged.
Cherri stared at him in silence, utter shock evident on her face.
Husk stared back at her with the same half-lidded expression he wore during a high bet.
Inside him, a storm raged.
«You’re a fuckin’ idiot.» she stated, matter-of-factly. «Ya know that right?»
«I’m aware.» Husk leaned back against the railing, the metal creaking beneath his weight.
He had always been good at reading tells.
And Angel had always been anything but subtle.
Any other table, any other player, Husk would’ve called his bluff immediately.
But this wasn’t a table. And he wasn’t holding cards he could fold.
He was holding a royal flush.
And why would someone like Angel ever need someone like him?
«I dont… usually do that...» he muttered. «Haven’t in a long time.»
«Haven’t what?»
«Needed someone more than a bottle.»
Alcohol had always been simple.
It never expected you to stay.
Never looked at you like you were worth more than the mess you’d made out of yourself.
It never left you when you needed it most.
But Angel did.
That realization seemed to settle deep within his chest. That same thread pulling at his heart, begging him to be next to Angel again.
To tell him everything he’d hidden all this time.
To him and to himself.
«I don’t know how to be what he needs…» he admitted, his shoulders slumping down as he rested his clawed hand on Fat Nuggets, watching the steady rise and fall beneath his palm. «I’m not sure I could ever be.»
«Be yourself, then.» she said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. «He needs you. Not some bullshit version of yourself.»
Angel’s eyes fogged his thoughts.
«I don’t even know who the fuck I am.»
«…and what if I don’t even know who I am?»
«You’re-» she cut herself off, brushing a hand on her face. «You’re the guy who stays up with him when he can’t sleep, the one who pretended not to care for months but had his favorite drink recipe memorized anyway. You’re the asshole who went into his room and stole one of his sweaters just to feel him near.»
Husk’s gaze flickered away.
«That’s who Angel needs.»
And maybe… maybe Cherri was partially right.
Maybe the man who sat beside him night after night was the one Angel had needed back then, the one he’d felt comfortable enough to open up with.
The one who would always listen to him talk about his day and whatever shit Valentino had pulled on him, without the fear of being judged.
Was it just a foolish hope?
To imagine that he still needed him, after all?
That he still thought of him from time to time and wished he was there by his side half as much as Husk always did?
Because his heart longed for Angel in ways he couldn’t even begin to describe.
In ways that made his chest ache. That thread binding the remnants of their souls together burning brighter every time he so much as thought of him for more than a few seconds.
His desire for booze almost non-existent whenever an old memory crossed his mind, awakening all those flames inside his chest.
Maybe… he didn’t need to be just a sad drunk at a bar if Angel was there to remind him of who he really was.
And hopefully, if, and only if, Angel ever decided that he truly wanted it… wanted him… he could do the same for him.
He could be the one he needed.
Because Hell knew Husk needed him too.
Cherri clicked her tongue once while absently playing with the blue and white bracelet around her wrist, cherry-shaped pendants dangling down her forearm.
«Pen got you that?» Husk asked, swallowing the knot in his throat and seizing the opportunity to steer the conversation elsewhere. In a place that didn’t necessarily involve his heart breaking over and over again. «It's… cute.»
«Yeah… He made it. Said the cherries reminded him of me… but red pearls are hard to find up there.»
Husk snorted.
«You’re a snake charmer.» he let out a chuckle, once again startling Fat Nuggets who just huffed loudly, expressing his irritation. He rolled his eyes, digging into his pants’ pocket for the nuts he always carried with him. «Found your Pungi yet?»
Cherri looked at him again, confusion clear in her eye. «…the fuck’s a pungi?»
«The… flute people play to charm snakes?»
«And why the hell would you know that?»
He shrugged, sporting a cocky grin on his face. «I read sometimes. Though, you probably never heard of this… mildly, exclusive hobby-»
«Oh, fuck you.» she chuckled, gently bumping his arm with her elbow.
«Did you already send him an ankle picture or is that more of a fourth-date kinda thing?»
Cherri burst out laughing, doubling over as she clutched her stomach. Husk smiled at her and Fat Nuggets finished munching his nuts with a satisfied oink, settling back between his legs.
«I actually did!» Cherri managed to blurt out between shaky breaths. «Em told me he was all blushy and shit after seein’ it, too.»
The sinner snorted, rubbing a hand over the pig’s head. «Figures, he’s a fucking sap.»
The girl wiped her eye, still struggling to catch her breath.
«He’s such a dork and I…» her expression softened as she let her head fall against Husk’s shoulder. «I think I love him…»
The cat smiled quietly, leaning his head down until it rested against hers, pink strands of hair tangling through his fur.
He barely held in a laugh, huffing the air through his nose. «Then go get him, tiger.»
«Pft. Look who’s fuckin’ talkin’.» she replied with a small chuckle, pulling her knees up to her chest. «Do… do ya really think I could get redeemed?»
Husk flinched at her question.
“I’ve accepted… that redemption’s not really for people like me…”
This time he didn’t hesitate.
«Yes.» he stated, voice filled with certainty. «Do you want to get redeemed?»
Cherri pressed her lips together, puffing out her cheeks as she stared down at the rooftop floor. «I guess so, but I just… don’t wanna leave Angie down here, with Valentino.» she explained, spitting the asshole’s name out with a clear hint of disgust.
Husk nodded slowly against her, acknowledging her feelings, yet not daring to speak his mind on the matter.
Because if he were to tell her what he really thought about this whole situation, he would admit how badly he wanted to tear Valentino apart with his bare hands.
He would reveal how desperate he was to free Angel from the chains that bound him to his abuser.
That he would give anything to bring him back home.
«Yeah.» he said instead, his head weighing down on her hair. «I know.»
Cherri shook her head against his neck, biting the inside of her cheek. «I’m scared… I don’t wanna lose him.»
«You’re not gonna lose him…» he murmured, his voice filled with more certainty than what he really felt. «He’ll come back. You said it yourself, he always does.»
That lie fell flat, they both knew he wouldn’t.
Not this time.
Not on his own, anyway.
Cherri’s hand tightened around his suspenders again as her eye filled with tears.
«We don’t fucking know that! I-I thought I did! I thought I knew! He always came back home after a few weeks… but it’s been three fucking months, Husk. Three months of being stuck in that fuckin’ tower with no one else but Val to fuck with his head even more than he already did and…and our texts won’t even go through, and I don’t know what to fucking do!» her voice broke as she hid her face inside the crook of his neck.
She cried with everything she had, her chest heaving against him as sobs tore through her.
Pure fear spilling into the space around them.
He gently put a hand around her shoulders, holding her tighter as she trembled against him. Words failed him, like they always fucking did since Angel had left.
«I just want him back.» she sobbed, dragging the sleeve of her hoodie under her nose. «I need him back. I…I won’t go anywhere without him.»
«Then you don’t have to.»
«W-what?»
«Charlie always tells us how we must want redemption to achieve it, well… you don’t want it right now.» Husk explained, swallowing the knot in his throat again.
Cherri blinked at him through a fresh set of tears.
«Once he’s back home…» the sinner continued. «Then… then you’ll both work to get redeemed. And you both will. It’s as simple as that.»
For a moment, she just stared at him as the trembling in her body slowed down.
«What about you?» she asked. «Don’t you want to get redeemed?»
What about him?
He had always believed his punishment to be fair and just.
There was a reason why he was sent down here, his vices dragged him down to Hell because he deserved it.
Because that’s where he was meant to be.
«I’ll…» he swallowed again, his jaw clenching hard enough to hurt. «…I’ll help you two make it up there.»
Cherri huffed out a chuckle. «We both know he won’t go anywhere without ya.»
«He will. He doesn’t belong down here.»
«And you do?»
Did he?
Yes.
Yes, he did.
«Someone has to stay and take care of this little fella.» Husk sighed, petting Fat Nuggets between his horns. «Besides… I doubt Heaven would welcome a drunk waste like me. It ain’t like them.»
She nodded, knowing that he would never change his mind that easily.
«But, for this plan to work, we still gotta bring him back.»
«What if-»
«Don’t.» Husk interrupted her softly. «Don’t spiral into what ifs. That shit won’t help anyone. Not him. Not us. We stick to what we can do to help him.»
«And what can we do?» she asked, her voice cracking with a spark of determination.
«We can go and get him back.» he said, jaw clenched as his eyes darkened. «We make another plan, and we make sure he comes back home with us this time. We did it once, we can do it again.»
«We’ll kill anyone who stands in our way… whatever it takes to bring him back.»
Husk nodded at her words, now thinking of the plan more like a certainty than a mere possibility. «Whatever it takes.»
He could feel the weight of that promise settle between them, binding them together. A fragile tether built on shared hopes.
Cherri rested her head against his shoulder as silence fell between them.
And with all the glitters floating above his head and Fat Nuggets’ snores lulling his fears, Husk’s mind whispered the truthful thought he had never dared to speak out loud before.
The one he’d always been aware of, but never fully acknowledged.
ɪ ᴅᴏɴ’ᴛ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪᴛ ᴄᴏᴍᴇꜱ ɪɴ ᴀ ʙᴏᴛᴛʟᴇ… ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ꜱᴛɪʟʟ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜ.