Hazbin Hotel & Helluva Boss Oneshots

☆Shadows Behind the Bar- Husk & Vaggie

Plot: Vaggie has bad memories of her life as a human, leaving Husk to comfort her

!Platonic!

Requested By: S203324

~☆~

Vaggie always tended to push her feelings aside, especially around Charlie. She hated when Charlie worried about her and made sure not to share much about her human life. But on days like today, when Charlie was gone, her thoughts swallowed her whole.

Charlie and Alastor were out, likely to be gone most of the day, working on something outside the hotel. Vaggie was left behind to keep Angel and Husk from destroying the place.

"Angel, for the last time, if you're going to be a nuisance, then leave and go somewhere else until Charlie gets back. I'm not in the mood to deal with you today!" Vaggie snapped at Angel, who had been pestering Husk nonstop.

"Ugh, fineee. I'll just go hang with Cheri," Angel said dramatically, standing up and blowing Husk a kiss before strolling out the front door.

Vaggie sighed and slumped down at the bar, resting her head on the counter. Dealing with Angel was stressful enough, but her own thoughts were worse. Memories of her human life crashed over her like a freight train, and before she knew it, tears slipped free as she quietly sobbed into her arms.

Husk was caught off guard. He'd only ever seen Vaggie tough and angry around everyone. He took another swig of whiskey and walked over, setting the bottle down.

"Hey, uh... everything okay?" he asked awkwardly, not sure how to handle the moment.

"Why do you care? Just go back to drinking your whiskey and leave me alone," she muttered, burying her face deeper in her arms.

"Normally, I would," Husk said, "but the only time anyone cries like this at my bar is when Angel does. Dude's got some serious issues." He poured whiskey into a shot glass and slid it over to her.

Vaggie sat up slowly, tears still streaming down her cheeks. "I... I shouldn't-"

"Drink it or don't. Not my problem," Husk said, locking eyes with her. "You just looked like you needed a drink and someone to talk to."

Vaggie scoffed a bit, a partially amused smirk on her face. "And you're suggesting I talk to you?"

Husker shrugged, cleaning a glass as he leaned his side against the counter of the bar. "Hey, if you don't want to. Like I said, it's not my problem."

Vaggie sighed, tracing her finger over the rim of the glass. "Alright, fine. But don't expect me to go into detail."

"Wouldn't expect anything less," Husker said, setting the glass he was wiping free of smudges to the side and grabbing another one. 

She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. Husk wasn't pushy, and he didn't seem bored. He just stood there patiently, letting her speak when she was ready.

"I was just... getting overwhelmed. Whenever Charlie isn't around, I end up remembering all the terrible things from my human life. It just gets too much after a while," she explained, wiping her tears.

Husk nodded along as he listened, relating all too well to that feeling. "I get it. There are things from my past I don't like remembering either. But you know what helps me?"

Vaggie chuckled. "Whiskey?"

Husk smirked a bit, an amused expression. "That and talking it out with someone you trust."

"And you're suggesting I trust you?"

"Hell no. I mainly talk to Nifty. She's surprisingly a good listener. But for you, I think Charlie would appreciate it if you confided in her about this stuff," Husk said, setting the glass to the side. He put his hand towel over his shoulder, crossing his arms as he looked at Vaggie. 

Vaggie smiled faintly, surprised by Husk's emotional insight. He was unexpectedly good at making her feel better. "Yeah, thanks Husk. I'm feeling better."

"Sure," he said, getting back to work around the bar. "Thoughts still bugging you?"

Vaggie sighed a bit, brushing some of her hair back from her face. "Yeah, but I think you've heard enough of my bullshit for today."

"Damn right. Now get outta here if you're not gonna drink that," he said, reaching for the unfinished glass of alcohol he poured for Vaggie. 

"It's all yours," she said with a chuckle, standing up. "And Husk... thanks again."

"Don't mention it. Seriously."