The Candle | Hazbin Hotel

023

All of us were worried. Cherri, Husk and I. We all noticed Angel coming back with more irritability, his mask slipping day by day. Charlie and the others had been busy tending to the sudden influx of sinners. Sorta, we had two new guests. So she's been too busy to notice completely.

Regardless, we honestly didn't care much for them. We were more worried for Angel and had conducted a plan to help him relax. Husk and Cherri would rile him up a bit and I'd take care of the rest. I already had an idea.

We talked in hushed whispers at the bar. Charlie talking to the twin bear sinners, both girls. She'd introduce them to us once everyone was here. So when Angel comes home, which should beeeee... now.

A couple seconds later Angel walked in tiredly and glanced at us before going up to his room. We all shared a look, it must've been a really bad shift, or he was already expecting us to confront him.

Cherri nudged me, "I guess we don't intervene yet, how bout you go check in on him and if you need us just let us know?"

Husk grunted while cleaning a wine glass.

I nodded nervously and walked upstairs to Angel room, knocking hesitantly. I heard a loud groan from inside, "yeah? Who is it?"

"It's Juni! Can I come in?"

"... yeah..." I wasted no time opening his bedroom door.

He sat on his bed holding Fat Nuggets, his 'secret' pet pig. He looked dreadful, his clothes all ripped up and mascara stains all over his face. Bruises on his arms and legs. Angels lip wobbled, but after a moment he got it under control.

"What can I do for you, toots?" He attempted to sound better. I threw away the speech I had saved him and instead sat on his bed next to him, closing the door in the process.

"Hey babes, how was work?"

Angel was a lot of things: stubborn, beautiful, hard headed, complicated. Like a work of art. However, I wasn't expecting depressed. I mean, I should've guessed that, but when he just broke down in tears with no argument or joke... it became more apparent. This was an emotional low.

"Angel?" I patted his back as he cried, he curled into me. This wasn't the Angel anyone has seen before. Or perhaps Husk and Cherri did, but it went un-discussed.

Angel didn't respond, as if he was blocking me out. I got an idea and hoped it'd work.

"Stand up, cmon, let's clean you up?" I phrased it as a question so he'd understand he has a choice in the matter.

He nodded and started sobering up. Not sobbing, but still having stray tears now and again.

I ran a hot bath and put bubbles in it. Angel sat still on his bed blankly. "Angel? The bath is ready?" He nodded absentmindedly and started to strip.

I looked away until I heard the water swishing in the bath. Taking out a wash rag, I lathered it in my favorite soap (of which I summoned) lavender and vanilla. Hopefully the Lavander will relax him.

Angel looked at me shocked when I started washing his back.

"What're you doing?" He asked tiredly, coming out of his trance.

"Washing your back," I responded like a smartass. Smiling at him. He looked back and blushed. Seeming ashamed of how I saw him moments ago.

"Well you can go now, I don't need you to wash my back," Angel grimaced while looking away.

"I can't see anything if that's what you're worried about, and I'm only washing your back, nothing else."

Angel sighed and lost his former confidence, slinking back into himself.

"Here," I held my hand out to Angel and offered him the rag.

He looked at it for a moment before making direct eye contact with me. He searched for something in my eyes that he couldn't find. Slowly, he took the rag back. Our hands making contact, I asserted some of my energy to him, to heal his wounds. Small gold lacing intertwined with Angel's hands and spreading through his body. Though he didn't show any recovery or notice of seeing the gold sparkles.

Hypothetically speaking, he would've felt a warmth and healing feeling rush... Angel grimaced. That must be it.

"What... just happened?"

"Magic, to heal your injuries. I didn't wanna just touch you and make you uncomfortable. I hope you don't mind," I rubbed the back of my neck and looked away.

"It felt... warm," he muttered while staring down at the bubbles.

I smiled and picked up a pile of bubbles, placing them on Angels head.

"Hey!" I booped his nose leaving bubbles there.

He grumbled and splashed some of the water on me. I gasped dramatically and put a hand to my forehead, "oh no! I've been hit!"

Angel smirked.

-

After a moment of a small water fight, ending with a wet floor and me completely drenched. It was Angels time to get out. I still didn't look at him, even when the bubbles dissipated and I easily could've. I didn't want to and I bet he didn't want me to either.

"I'll let you get ready for bed," I patted his arm that hung out of his bath and started on my way out.

At the doorway, Angel called out.

"Yes?" I didn't turn over.

"Thank you," I smiled but stayed turned away.

"It's okay, Angel."

-

I stared at the spot Juniper stood prior, even after hearing her leave my bedroom. Fuck. I don't even know when I stared crying but I did. The bath water cold and bubble-less.

She looked at me like I wasn't something to be fixed.

That's when it started making sense. Husk, Cherri. They all looked at me, not as Angel Dust, but as Anthony.

I have to get away.