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

You Deserve to be Celebrated

Genre: fluff

This fic is basically a speed run so I had content for Angel dusts birthday. Not my best work but good nonetheless!
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Today was Angels birthday.

The day was always bittersweet. When he was alive, his birthday was always spent with his mom and twin sister. His dad was always too busy with mafia-related business to bother celebrating, but he didn't mind much. He loved his mom's baking, and getting a homemade cupcake after a special dinner always lit up the day. But, those homemade dinners and cupcakes stopped after he turned 16, when his mother passed. His father didn't give a shit about him, and he only had his sister left. She tried to make their shared birthday special, but it was never the same. He no longer woke up excited, but grieving. He cried every year for his mom, and his father didn't offer any support or comfort. The day became cloudy and dull without his mom's bright presence.

His last birthday he celebrated was when he turned 18, and his dad tried to convince him to help him in the mafia. Angel declined, and was beaten senseless. He spent his birthday in the emergency room as nurses stitched his cuts and set his broken bones.

Birthdays after that just consisted of him getting high and sleeping. His birthday didn't matter anymore, and drugs and sex took over his life until the day he overdosed and passed away.

When he died, his birthday became even more of a nightmare. When he started working under Valentino, he made sure that the day was hell, usually filling his day with double-shifts and performances. Angel never understood why, but arguing about it would only end with him bloody and bruised, just like he was on his 18th.

When he moved into the hotel, he never told anyone his birthday. Cherri Bomb was the only one who knew, but Angel made sure to tell her he celebrate anymore. He swore her to secrecy.

--

This birthday was no different, with a packed schedule of dances and filming, and even some one-on-one clients. When he got to the hotel, all he wanted was to collapse into bed, until he noticed the bar lights still on.

Angel smiled, Husk always kept the bar open for him, no matter what time of night. Even if the day was shitty, his heart lit-up seeing Husk still awake, cleaning a glass. He loved Husk, but he'd never admit that. His flirting attempts were always shut down, and he wasn't even sure if Husk saw him as anything more than a friend or drinking buddy, even if Angel admired everything about the grumpy feline.

"A drink? Or are ya' just gonna stare."

Husk asked when he noticed Angel, snapping him out of his thoughts. A tint of pink covered his white cheeks.

"Sorry kitty~."

"Don't."

Husk growled, but it was light-hearted. Despite playing it off as annoying, everything the spider did gave Husk butterflies.

He knew it was Angels birthday, he had convinced Cherri to spill one night when the group went out.

"Well... he told me not to tell anyone, but consider this me helping him out. His birthday is April 1st, but he doesn't really celebrate anymore. The bitch has too much trauma."

Cherri has said, winking at him.

"But... he likes ya, more than I've seen him like anyone in a while, so I guess you can know too."

The interaction made him blush, and he avoided any other conversation about Angel the rest of the night, but he never forgot the date. He didn't forget anything about Angel, making it a point to store information about him in his mind. He knew his favorite color, his favorite drink, his favorite flower, and any insecurities or pride Angel had shared while drunk.

"You should buy him a cupcake!"

Cherri had told him just days ago. She had stopped by the hotel while Angel was still working. Husk trusted Cherri to know what's best for Angel, so that's what he did. When Angel left for work that morning, Husk snuck out of the hotel and bought a small pink cupcake at a bakery in pentagram square. He knew Angel loved anything strawberry, so he hoped the flavor was okay. He placed it in the small mini-fridge he kept various booze in. He was excited to give it to him, despite being nervous. What if he fucked it up and scared Angel away?

Husk was shaken out of his thoughts by Angels voice.

"I'll just... take my regular. Thanks, Husky."

"Hold that thought."

Husk mumbled softly. Now was as good as a time as ever, he'd just have to rip off the bandaid and give him the small treat. He leaned down and opened the fridge, taking out the small box. Angel cocked his head in confusion.

"What's that?"

Husk took a breath, before placing the box down and opening it.

"Look... I-i know you don't celebrate... but... you deserve to be celebrated... so, uhm, happy birthday, Angel."

Husk glanced away in embarrassment, afraid of upsetting Angel, or messing up his only chance at conveying any affection or care.

Angel didn't say anything at first, staring down at the cupcake as everything went blurry, his eyes filling with tears. His heart felt full, he couldn't believe someone cared that much for him. The spark he felt when he used to celebrate ignored within his chest, flooding out through happy cries.

When Husk glanced back, Angel looked up at him, tears falling down his cheeks. Husk panicked, thinking he messed up.

"Husk... I-"

"Shit- Angel I'm sorry- I shouldn't have overstepped I-"

Before Husk even realized it, Angel was out of his seat and hugging him. Husk quickly hugged back, relief washing over him.

"Thank you."

Angel whispered through tears, Husk just nodded and squeezed him a little tighter. He was happy the small act brought so much joy to him, and that cheer radiated between the two, lighting a spark in both their hearts.

"No need to thank me. You deserve to be cared about and celebrated."

Angel hugged him for a few more minutes until finally letting go. Husk got started on a drink while Angel tried the cupcake.

"...how'd you know my favorite cupcake flavor?"

Angel asked, breaking the silence.

"I knew you liked strawberries, Legs. So I saw it and thought of you."

The spider giggled, continuing to eat the cupcake. He ate it slow, savoring the taste.

"Wait... how the fuck did you know my birthday?! Only Cherri knows....." Angel questioned, until he started to realize, "Cherri told you...! I swore her to secrecy!"

Husk chuckled, looking up to make eye contact with him.

"I may have done some investigating..."

"If I didn't love you so much, I'd be mad at you."

Husk smiled, but as the words registered in his head blush coated his face once again.

"Angel... did you just..."

"I-I didn't mean it like that I- I- uhm-"

Angel stuttered out, embarrassed of his sudden confession. He hadn't even thought of it, and now he figured he fucked everything up.

"Angel."

"I'm sorry...- I shouldn't have- goddamnit-"

Husk shook his head and leaned over the bar, pecking his lips.

"Happy birthday, loser. I love you too."