⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☁︎ HuskerDust One-Shots and Drabbles ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☁︎

Bartenders Need to Talk, too.

more hurt/comfort

Yall this took me forever but I'm so proud of how it came out haha
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Husk sighed, laying his head on the bar counter. It had been a bad day, and he wasn't even sure why. His normal stoic behavior became draining, and tears constantly threatened to fall as he pushed them away. He often felt this way, even when he was alive. He was hit with these sudden all-time lows, shattering him to his core. It's why he started drinking. But even that stopped working.

As another wave of emotion hit him, a cry escaped his lips, he hoped nobody heard him. Once he started, he couldn't stop, letting the tears fall on the countertop, staining the wood. He was miserable, clutching his stomach as he quietly wept, his sobs tearing through him like bullets.

He craved comfort, but he would never ask for any. He could handle himself. He was a bartender after all, right? He was a listener, not the one to be listened to. He'd suffer in silence, he didn't want to be a bother. Knowing everyone else's issues made his feel minuscule, and he'd hate to add to his friend's burdens. He'd hate to be a reason they stressed. Did he even have anyone he could talk to? He wasn't overly close with Charlie, and Vaggie and him never saw eye-to-eye. Alastor was out of the question, and Nifty was well... Nifty.

Angel Dust.

He couldn't talk to Angel, even if he wanted too. Out of everyone in the hotel, they were the closest, but he also saw Angel as the most fragile. He knew everything Angel Dust was going through, he had spent countless nights with Angel, comforting him as he cried and talking him off the ledge. He'd be selfish if he added any more stress to him.

He was on his own.

He wasn't sure how long he was crying, his legs shaking as he kept himself steady behind the bar. To him it had felt like hours, but the clock only said minutes. He tried to compose himself, desperately trying to contain the tears, to stop them from falling long enough to close down the bar. He continued to try to calm himself down when he felt something or someone embrace him from behind.

Angel Dust.

"...wanna talk about it?"

Angel didn't flirt or make any jokes. He spoke soft, his voice killing the storm that raged in his head. his arms, a blanket in the cold, keeping him warm when the fire died long ago.

"...Ang- what the fuck?!"

Husk panicked. He'd been caught. He spun around, instinctively pushing Angel away.

"Go away, damnit!"

Husk shouted, but gave up trying to hide it. He felt sick with shame, horrified at how easily he broke down, his voice cracking as he yelled.

"J-just go..."

"Husk..."

Angel was shocked, he had never acted like that. Angel wasn't mad, he was the same way when upset. He's pushed away Husk more times than he can count. Angel just backed up, giving him space to breathe.

Husk slid down to the floor, his head falling between his knees. Angel turned to walk away, but he knew he couldn't leave Husk so upset. He wouldn't do that to someone he loved.
Carefully, he walked over to him, sitting next to him on the floor. He waited a little bit, letting the tension settle in the air, but he soon broke the silence.

"Y'know... you always talk about how you're a bartender, and you listen to people, you comfort them..."

Angel gently rested a hand on Husks shoulder, and Husks heart melted, cries like acid burning through him as the spider spoke.

"...but sometimes... even a bartender needs to talk, too, right? So... if you ever want to talk, I'm here, okay?"

Husk couldn't handle it, the words pulling at his heart. With a sob slightly louder than the rest, he moved to embrace Angel. It was out of character, but it was so needed. Angel didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around the smaller cat, rubbing his back and holding him close.

"I'm here."

Angel whispered again, reaffirming his caring intention. He pecked Husks head sweetly, drawing another sob from him. His lips were soothing, like tea on a sore throat. They stayed embraced, the silence settling over the air. But, the silence was soon pierced by Husks broken voice.

"I'm sorry."

Husk whispered, choking on his words. He clung to Angel like a lifeline. He felt like he'd die if he let go. Angel just shook his head and squeezed him a little tighter.

"I don't even know w-why I'm like this...damnit..."

"Don't be sorry. Everyone's got bad days. You don't gotta know why, just happens."

Angels words were reassuring as he tried to ease Husk's aching heart. Husks cries had reduced to sniffles, but like a porcelain doll, he could break again easy. Angel was holding him together like glue.

"I'm so good at keeping it together I don't know why I'm-"

"Husk, look at me."

Angel said firmly, but not losing that comforting nature he's held since the beginning. Husk was reluctant, but pulled his head off Angels chest, meeting his gaze. Angels hand moved to brush away the tears that clung to his damp fur.

"You listen to me bitch everyday about how shitty my life is, you taught me how to be real. For how much you listen, maybe for once it's your turn to need support. So don't apologize, just let me be here for you."

Angel was almost never serious, but his love and care for Husk was so strong he couldn't bring himself to ruin the moment. Husk just tensed up again and hugged Angel for a little longer before detaching themselves from the embrace. Husk wiped his eyes, and smiled softly.

"...sorry for lashin' out."

He mumbled with sincerity, his paw-like hand intertwining with Angels.

"M' not mad about it."

Angel replied simply, squeezing his hand reassuringly. Husk yawned, his emotional break absorbing all his energy.

"You should get some sleep."

Angel encouraged, unlocking their hands. Husk sighed, he wanted to stay where he felt safe. With Angel. He didn't want to be alone with his thoughts again.

"You're... probably right."

Husk admitted, but it felt weary. Angel could sense his reluctance, maybe because he knew Husk well, or maybe because they weren't so different after all. Both reluctant to ask for help, to tend to their own needs. Angel cleared his throat, nervously glancing at him.

"...if you don't feel like, ya know, being alone tonight, you're... always welcome to crash with me."

The suggestion felt bold for the moment, but he asked anyways, hoping Husk would accept his offer.

"I-I'd like that..."

Husk mumbled, a blush coating his damp cheeks. Angel let out a soft sigh of relief, they would keep each other company.

They got off the floor, and went up to Angels room. The room was colorful, and it hurt Husks eyes, but he wouldn't have had it any other way. The pair settled beneath the sheets, a small space between them that felt so foreign,  both craving to be as close as possible to each other.

Angel made the first move, extending one of his four arms to pull Husk close. Husk didn't fight the affection, tangling their legs, his head resting on Angels chest. Their eyes grew heavy as darkness surrounded them.

"Thank you."

Husk whispered.

"Anytime."

Silence hung in the air, but Angel couldn't help but giggle, breaking the peace.

"What's so funny?"

Angel just laughed again, a little louder than before.

"I finally got you to sleep with me."

Husk scoffed, rolling his eyes. Angel continued to laugh, an infectious laugh that left Husk chuckling too.

"Shut up."
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