The Hazbin Hotel Project

Gambling Mad (Husk x Fem!Reader)

Here we are, another segment in this project has been updated and this time featuring a certain winged demon with a love for alcohol. And just before I celebrate my birthday with family. Enjoy! :)

Husk knew he was a rotten old fucker; a washed out magician and drunk who got his ass handed to him when he couldn't pay back the loan sharks. Now here he is, still rotting in Hell with a semi-decent job at the Happy Hotel's lobby bar. Charlie doesn't like it when he drinks on the clock, but how what else could keep him calm and not wring Angel's neck out of sheer aggravation? He wasn't into the daddy kink or any weird shit that is now all the rage for sex maniacs.

"Is there time for a drink?"

The winged demon looked up from the glass he'd been polishing and saw an ebony-furred rabbit sitting at the corner booth. Ah. [Name]. Smart, elegant, always wearing a weird-ass smile. She was the exact opposite of his own personality, at least when demons are first introduced to [Name] as the maitre'd of the hotel's restaurant. But Husk knew that it was just a professional mask she wore to keep Charlie happy.

The truth is that [Name] [Surname] was crazy: addicted to gambling for the sake of gambling without being lured by the prospect to line her pockets with more money. Knowing for certain that she would either lose or win made any high stakes game unsavory and a waste of time.

The barkeep shared enough Blackjack and Russian Roulette tables with [Name] to see first-hand how good she was. He could see why her winning streak pissed off more than a few demons, and how [Name]'s strong point as a human ended with being whacked by a wet-behind-the-ears mafioso who didn't take losing very well. Charlie has been restricting the rabbit demon from venturing out too much at the casino, and [Name] didn't like it. She was still paying off a debt, and the salary wasn't enough to even cover a quarter of it.

So to ease her nerves and maintain a professional façade around the hotel, [Name] would sneak over to the lobby bar to visit Husk. These random visits also helped her compulsion to gamble when her movements were limited, courtesy of Charlie and Vaggie.

Just as he had done yesterday, Husk prepared a shot of his customer's client drink and served it. Once it was finished, he placed it front of the rabbit demon with a gruff greeting. "Back for another round, I see." The winged male commented, watching [Name] throw her head back and swallow the alcoholic beverage in one swing.

It was sort of astounding to meet another hellion with a high tolerance for booze even though she got smashed the other day on a new import from the hotel's local brewer. It hadn't been taste-tested yet by Charlie, something she usually did before selling it to the guests, so Husk and [Name] secretly tried for themselves. Their reaction? Let's just say that the bottle was tucked far back in the shelves until they were certain that the guests could handle more than a shot of the beverage.

Husk drank a quarter. [Name] nearly downed had two bottles before passing out.

[Name] slammed the shot glass down onto the counter and looked at the ex-magician with a pout. "Can you blame me? Miss Dolly's been having an attitude about the restaurant's decoration when it looks the same as she first came here. On top of that, I can't go out and have a good time!"

"That's 'cause if you do, Charlie will be pissed and place ya under house arrest."

"But how am I suppose to get rid of my debt?!"

"Use the money I know ya have hidden for safekeeping?" Husk deadpanned. How else was this gal able to wear expensive clothing when she wasn't on the clock? [Name] had to have some cash on her. She just didn't say it out loud.

"Where's the fun in that? Just fork over the money like that without relishing any frustration, despair, anger, and excitement which comes from gambling? That's almost saying I'm giving up! Utter blasphemy!"

See what he meant? A 'normal' demon would (reluctantly) reach deep into his pockets and just pay the tab off so he could move onto whatever else he wanted to do before dying in the next purge. 'Normal' is subjective, can be the setting on a dryer, etc.

But not [Name]. As he mentioned earlier, she's batshit crazy.

Sighing, he knew he'd regret the words that will come out of his mouth but decided he'll save that regret for another date. "Fine, I'll help, but only this once. So don't expect me to do it all the time-" [Name] jumped over the counter to hug the feline tightly around his neck, rubbing a furred cheek against his while she thanked him plenty, some of it inaudible to his ears.

"You will?! Thank you so much, Husk!"

"G-Get offa me! You're ruining my suit!"

[Name] pulled away slightly and looked at the former magician with a frown. "Since when did you start caring about your appearance on the job when you're almost always intoxicated?" Even though she stated an obvious fact, the demon relented by releasing him from her tight grasp. "But if you insist, I'll let you go~!"

Husk let out an exaggerated breath before looking at [Name] sternly. "Like I already said, don't take this for granted okay? I'm not going to do this twenty four seven, 365 days a year."

[Name] chuckled and gave the winged feline a quick peck to the cheek before sitting back in front of her drink. "No worries~ I promise I won't! One more round, please~!"

Honestly, the old fart didn't know what the fuck he was doing. Hs supposed to be helping a friend, a compulsive gambler, street them away from their addiction instead of encouraging it. Isn't that what Charlie is usually saying during one of the staff meetings? He couldn't remember. Still...why would he? Is it because he thinks Lady Luck is on his side when [Name] takes them to the casino...or does he get excited to see her go gambling mad?

Husk grabbed a bottle of the new brew and uncorked it before refilling [Name]'s own shot glass. They clinked their respective glasses together, slamming them both down at the same time as the strong liquor started to take effect.

Yeah, he was screwed. They were both messed up. But honestly...he wouldn't have it any other way.