Lost Souls (Huskerdust)

Small Steps

(mild content warning?: healing from sexual assault)
(word count: 1092)

Over the span of about a week Husk spends most of his time sleeping on Angel's sofa or working at the bar. He sent some messages to the gang's group chat but for the most part he had been avoiding socialising with anyone except from Angel. Husk had regularly been having his nightmares about the 'incident' but Angel has been able to make him feel safer as he sleeps so Husk's nightmares were always interrupted by dream Angel comforting him.

Angel sits by the bar as Husk makes him a new drink. Husk mixes up some random alcohols and Angel tries to guess what he mixed up. They both chuckle everytime.

Angel: *tries mystery drink and coughs it up* "fuck thats strong"

Husk: *chuckles* "it can't be that bad......" *he covers his mouth to hide his smirk*

Angel: *rolls eyes and holds the glass out to Husk* "okay big shot~ try it"

Husk: *takes the glass from Angel, his fingers overlapping with Angel's for a few seconds making Husk flinch ever so slightly before he takes a sip from the glass* "fuck" *his face scrunches for a moment*

Angel: *laughs* "see it's strong"

Husk: *coughs* "shut up and guess" *gives glass back and waves hands*

Angel: *smirks* "how am I supposed to 'shut up' if I'm guessing?"

Husk: *rolls eyes and smirks* "god I wanna fucking....." *goes to say something then holds himself back* "I just want you to play the fucking game...."

Angel: *smirks* "oh ye cause that was what you were gonna say" *winks*

Husk: *rolls eyes and gives a small sad smile* "whatever....."

Angel tries guessing the drink but keeps getting it wrong. Husk chuckles and leaning over the bar counter slightly putting his elbow on the table resting his chin on his hand as he laughs at Angel's incorrect guesses. Angel notices Husk's tail sway slowly and Husk smiles widely as he guesses it wrong. So he begins purposely getting it wrong making Husk laugh more. Angel leans more slightly over the counter trying to be as close as he can to Husk without scaring him. Charlie walks past then stops and watches them for a few moments.

Charlie: *smiles watching them both* "are you two back together?"

Angel stays silent and looks at Husk. Husk sighs knowing both him and Angel want to get back together but he also thinks that Angel wouldn't be happy being with him at his current state.

Husk: *reluctantly shakes head and backs away from the bar counter sorting out his posture* "nah..... Just messing around."

Angel: *nods and gives a small smile* "ye just playing a drinking game"

Charlie: *nods slightly and gives a small sympathetic look at them both* "okay...."

When Charlie leaves Husk puts the alcohol bottles he used for the mystery drink on table. Angel acts surprised and dramatically pretends to have had no idea making Husk laugh. They continue to play the mystery drink game just chuckling and passing the time. After a bit Husk starts to close up the bar and Angel waits for him.

Husk: *walks with Angel towards Angel's room* "Hey......"

Angel: *smiles* "you good?"

Husk: *shrugs* "I..... Uh" *rubs back of neck* "I want..... I want you to do that thing again with the blanket"

Angel: *let's Husk into his room* "blanket thing?" *thinks for a moment as he walks in with Husk* "Oh! The hugging through the blanket?"

Husk: *nods awkwardly* "uh yes..... If that's okay with you?"

Angel: *smiles* "of course Husk~" *he wraps a blanket around Husk* "ready?"

Husk: *nods* "as ready as I can be...... If I flinch just ignore it...."

Angel: *nods slowly* "you sure?" *sees Husk nod* "okay here I go" *hugs Husk through the blanket*

Husk: *flinches and struggles for a moment then relaxes* "thanks....." *he leans into the blanket hug*

Angel keeps hugging Husk through the blanket. Husk slowly stops shaking and relaxes completely. Husk closes his eyes and slowly purrs making Angel melt. Angel goes to rest his head on Husk's but Husk flinches at the contact so Angel moves his head back.

Husk: *whispers* "I'm sorry"

Angel: *shakes head* "no..... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that" *pats Husk through the blanket*

Husk: *closes eyes* "this is pathetic....."

Angel: *shakes head* "no it isn't."

Husk: *looks up at Angel* "it is....."

Angel: *sighs* "It's small steps Husk...... It's not pathetic..... You are moving forward....."

Husk: *shakes head* "i cant even handle a slight touch......"

Angel: *Hugs Husk through the blanket tighter* "but you can handle this right?"

Husk: *nods slightly* "but I still flinched when we started this"

Angel: *gives a warm smile to Husk* "but you aren't flinching or shaking right now.... Right?"

Husk: *looks down* "but-"

Angel: *chuckles* "but nothing. Focus on the progress not how fast you go."

Husk: *stays quiet and looks up at Angel* "are you stealing these lines from somewhere?"

Angel: *pretends to be offended and dramatically drags Husk using the blanket to lay down with him* "how dare you accuse me of thievery"

Husk: *chuckles laying next to Angel with a blanket still around Husk* "I know how you speak this isn't your own words"

Angel: *dramatically rolls eyes* "maybe I borrowed the words from Cherri"

Husk: *chuckles and nudges Angels arm with his hand while not thinking* "of course"

Angel: *smiles widely as he realises* "Husk....."

Husk: *not noticing what he just did* "hm? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Angel: *hugs Husk through the blanket* "don't worry about it. I'm proud of the small steps you are taking"

Husk: *rolls eyes* "whatever....." *leans into the hug through the blanket and yawns*

Angel: *giggles* "want me to watch over you sleep like usual?" *goes to back away*

Husk: *holds Angel through the blanket* "stay......" *yawns* "I don't know if it's the alcohol or tiredness speaking....... but I wanna sleep in your arms......."

Angel: *smiles and nods* "of course~" *hugs Husk tight through the blanket*

Husk: *purrs and closes his eyes* "I..... I lo-" *yawns and snuggles Angel through the blanket*

Angel: *blushes* "what were you gonna say Husk?" *notices Husk has fallen asleep and Angel whispers* "why can't we be together....... Please Husk..... I know you want to..... Just tell me why we can't......" *looks at Husk sadly and hugs him through the blanket tighter*

Husk smiles in his sleep crawling up to Angel with the blanket around Husk like a cacoon. Angel smiles at Husk wanting to keep him safe from everything.