Shattered Faith - A Huskerdust Story

Shattered Faith

"Everything okay?" Husk asked, laying down in bed next to his boyfriend. The room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of a nearby lamp.

"Yeah, I just- I just still can't- I can't realize what happened," Angel whispered, his voice unsteady. Husk had become an overlord again, like he was decades ago, and he did a gamble against Valentino for Angel's soul. Husk had won, freeing Angel from Val's grip, and now Husk was the one owning his soul.

Husk turned to Angel, giving him a soft look. He gently placed a hand on Angel's arm. "Hey... I know it's a lot to process, Angel. But I'm sure you'll adapt soon enough."

"I know, I just..." Angel sighed, his breath shaky. He couldn't help but feel a knot of fear tightening in his chest.

Husk gave Angel a comforting smile and scooted closer, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight. He wrapped an arm around Angel, pulling him close, feeling the tension in his boyfriend's body. "There's nothing to be scared of, Angel. You're free. You don't have to go back or work for him again, so stop worrying and try to relax."

"I'm not exactly free..." Angel murmured, his voice barely audible. If Valentino wasn't owning his soul anymore, it was now owned by Husk.

Husk understood the weight of Angel's words. He gently stroked Angel's hair, his fingers weaving through the soft strands in a soothing motion. "I know it's different now... but at least you're with me. It's better than being with him, ain't it?"

"....I guess..." Angel whispered, his voice tinged with uncertainty, though the warmth of Husk's embrace offered him some comfort.

Husk looked at Angel for a moment, his warm smile fading slightly as he silently observed the troubled expression on his boyfriend's face. With a gentle hand, he patted Angel's head, his touch light and reassuring. "Are you sure everything's okay? You seem downcast."

"...I'm...I'm scared, Husk..." Angel's voice was almost a whisper, carrying the weight of his fear.

Husk blinked in surprise at Angel's response. He gently placed a hand on Angel's cheek, his thumb brushing softly against his skin as he frowned in concern. "Scared about what, Angel?"

Angel averted his gaze, unable to meet Husk's eyes. The vulnerability in that small gesture struck Husk deeply, and his expression turned serious, though still empathetic. Slowly, he lifted Angel's head, coaxing him to look up. "Angel, look at me. Why are you so scared?"

"Because... it's exactly the same thing that happened with Val... It's hard to... to trust people..." Angel's voice wavered as he spoke, his eyes darting away even as Husk gently lifted his chin.

Husk's frown deepened as he gently ran his fingers through Angel's hair, maintaining eye contact, hoping to convey the sincerity in his words. "I know it's hard...but I'm not Val. You can trust me. It's going to be okay. I promise, Angel..."

Angel sighed, the sound heavy with doubt and old wounds that hadn't fully healed. "At first, I fell in love with him. Same thing, at first, I fell in love with you. Him and I became a couple. You and me became a couple. He said that if he owns my soul, I'm going to escape my problems. You said that if you own my soul, I'm going to escape all my problems. He continued the 'I love you, Angel' act a few times before starting to take advantage of me and abuse me and... and I'm scared this will happen again..."

Husk felt a deep ache in his chest as he listened to Angel's words, his expression shifting to one of hurt, sadness, and concern. The pain in Angel's voice cut through him like a knife. He took both of Angel's hands in his, holding them firmly as if to anchor them both. "I'm not going to do that to you, Angel. I promise you. I don't want to hurt you. Just trust me. I'd NEVER do something like that to you. I love you, okay?"

"I want to trust you, really, but-" Angel's voice cracked, and tears welled up in his eyes before spilling over.

Seeing Angel cry made Husk's heart break. Without a second thought, he wrapped his arms around Angel, pulling him into a tight, protective embrace. Husk held him close, feeling the shudder of Angel's sobs against his chest. "Shhhh...it's okay....I'm here, Angel. Just let it all out..."

Husk held Angel in his arms, gently rocking him as he cried. He kept quiet, only the soft sound of his shushing breaking the silence. His hand moved slowly over Angel's back, up to his hair, caressing it with a tender touch. He didn't say anything more, knowing that words wouldn't heal this kind of pain right now. Instead, he simply waited, giving Angel all the time he needed to cry and release the anguish he had been holding in for so long.

After a few minutes, Angel's sobs began to subside, and he pulled back slightly, wiping at his tear-streaked face. "...sorry..." he mumbled, his voice still trembling. The weight of his past made it hard for him to trust Husk now that he was his 'property.' Valentino had said all the same things-he'd promised to love and protect Angel, to never hurt him. And Angel had believed him, every single word. Valentino was a master of deceit, and Angel had been caught in his web of lies, only to be broken by the truth.

Husk gently pulled away, just enough to look Angel in the face. With a soft touch, he wiped away Angel's tears with his thumb, his expression filled with sorrow. "You don't have to be sorry, Angel. It's okay. I understand why you can't trust me yet. That bastard... hurt you. And you're worried I'll hurt you too, right?"

Angel hesitated for a moment, his voice trembling as he spoke. "I want to... try. To try... to trust you..."

Husk's expression softened at Angel's words, a small glimmer of hope shining through the sadness. He gave Angel a warm, reassuring look, seeing this as a start. Husk placed a hand on Angel's cheek, gently caressing it with his thumb. "And I'll try to prove it to you. Okay? You can trust me, Angel. I'd never do anything to intentionally hurt you."

Angel nodded a bit, the tension in his body easing slightly. "Goodnight..."

Husk smiled softly, feeling a warmth in his heart despite everything. He gently touched Angel's chin, lifting it just enough to place a tender kiss on his forehead. "Night, sweetheart."