the locket
You tug on the oversized turtleneck and blew out a raspberry. You were drained and tired, rolling onto your back in bed you looked up at the unfamiliar ceiling. You had to be the happy one for Charlie. She was constantly smiling, you'd feel terrible if you were the reason for that to stop.
Sitting up you turn away from the door to your room and slowly tug the necklace from beneath your turtleneck.
It's just till I finish this batch...
You slowly rotated the heart shaped locket. It eventually popped off and a small golden spoon came from within it. Dipping it into the heart you scooped out a minimal amount of the white powder.
Lifting it to your nostril you inhaled the toxins deeply, your eyes fluttering shut.
You had never felt better than when you did drugs. Drugs offered such euphoria, such ecstasy, something you had yet to ever naturally feel. It made you into a more likable person, it made you into someone you didn't hate. Someone no one could hate.
"You should really lock the door, someone might walk in on ya."
You jump suddenly at the sound of a thick Italian accent hitting your ears, your wide pupiled eyes shoot open. The heart shaped locket falls from your hand but you're quick to catch it with your other. Breathing out in relief you quickly attach it back together, tucking it into your shirt.
You hadn't even heard the door open.
Standing up and turning to the door you noticed a tall and toned man leaning against the doorframe, a cancer stick between his fingers. Your quick to wipe away anything that made be left on your nose and he shakes his head with a chuckle,"You're good, toots."
He was a pretty man. Dark black roots were growing out platinum blonde hair. His eyes were wide and round, a beautiful shade of gray. His skin was fair and perfect. Rouge stained his angled cheeks and black mascara and eyeliner was smudged beneath his eyes.
He wore a few extravagant rings on his slender fingers and a golden chain around his neck. But his attire was a bit simple, a simple baby pink dress shirt and white slacks. Black heeled boots made him taller than his already towering height.
"I-I um—",you stammer and he shakes his head once more, walking towards you with a snort.
"I don't give a fuck that you're still bumping. I ain't no snitch. Rainbows just told me to call you down for dinner.",he grins at you with a slight tilt of his head and walks further in the room. He puts out the cancer stick on a nearby ashtray while he saunters over to you.
"You're (Y/N) Magne, her sista.",he is dangerously close as he bends down to meet your eye level,"Never thought miss sunshines sister was a cokehead." He laughs loudly, standing back up at his towering height. When you genuinely laugh softly his own laughter is stopped abruptly.
He didn't expect that reaction. Nor did he expect what came next.
"Your poison is Angel Dust.",you place your hands on your hips with a pointe look,"Did I get it?" He blinks back slightly and lets out a soft exhale. He nods shortly yet his eyes are a bit puzzled and you point to his thin waist and reach up. Angelo can't help but still when your warm and soft fingers press against his pulse.
"You're skinny and your heart is racing. So much so you're sweatin' a bit.",pulling you hand away from his racing pulse his brows raise with surprise. A grin spreads across his lips.
"I'm Angelo, but my friends call me Angel.",he crosses his arms over his chest loosely. He was surprised by how observant you were, not to mention you could take a quick jab. He usually hated meeting new people, sure he was a social butterfly but in a rude obnoxious kind of way. You were refreshing. Especially in this place.
You purse your lips and grin at him,"So do I call you Angel?" Angelo couldn't have been more enticed by you, excited to wreak potential havoc and chaos with you. He pet your head and messed up your soft hair.
"Whaddya think, hot stuff?"
Angel walked with you downstairs and he began to ramble about how much he adored your photoshoots. Even having a banner of your halloween edition in his room. You were blushing the entire time, your hand up and covering your warm and red cheeks.
"Oh!",Charlie exclaims when you and Angel walk into the dining room with smiles on your faces, arm in arm. She is pleasantly surprised at this sight and expresses so,"It's so nice to see you two have gotten acquainted."
You pull away from Angel and walk towards your sister with a nod and smile,"Yeah Ang—el...."
You trail off when you notice the tall man sitting just aside where you and Charlie stand. His dark, nearly onyx, brown eyes look up to you. Half-lidded and gloomy he stands and a grin spreads across his lips. He cocks his head gently.
"(Y/N). It's been ages hasn't it?",he runs a hand through his tousled dark navy green locks and his hand, adorning that emerald green engagement ring, reaches out for yours. The three men can't help but notice the way your eyes narrow and brows pinch.
Your hand is reluctant to take his.
"Ah yes it has been. Are you still a cunt?"
Angelos eyes widen and Charlie looks at you with shock,"(Y/N)! He came in to see you!",she whisper shouts while holding onto Seviathans bicep. He chuckles and shakes his head while holding up his hand.
"It's fine, Charlotte. She's probably just a bit hungry or tired, or both.",Alastor notices the way Seviathans eyes roam down your neck and to your chest. Its then he notices the imprint of something on your chest. Seviathans eyes challenge yours,"Lets eat shall we?"
You walk away from the couple and sit between Angelo and Husk. Your sister had told you earlier that she took pride in assuring her clients and those working alongside or beneath her were treated the best. Thus she offered an open room to anyone and held a group dinner and breakfast everyday.
You looked towards the doors leading into the kitchen and blinked back when a short but quick footed woman came running in. She held six trays in a shockingly balanced and careful way, setting them down in front of each person.
She had fiery ginger hair set in a curled bob, her light green eyes were wide and round face adorned with freckles. She was tiny.
When she approached you she smiled widely,"You're a new face! I'm Norma but please call me Niffty!" Charlie smiles and you shake Nifftys hand,"She's our one woman housekeeper here. She's quite the quick one."
You nod and smile warmly at the short woman,"It's a pleasure to meet you Niffty, I'm (Y/N)." With that she hurries over to her seat. Seviathan picks up his glass of cold water and takes a sip his eyes looking to you, he wears a chad like smile. You feel chills crawl up your spine and you pinch your brows together, glaring at him.
This is going to be a long dinner...
✞
"Thanks."
You show gratitude towards the bartender/front desk man as he passes you a glass of whiskey. The illegal substance one of comfort to you.
It was late into the evening and you had just come downstairs a few moments ago after excusing yourself from dinner before you could even eat.
Truth be told you lost your appetite the second Seviathan caught your line of vision.
Husk couldn't help but feel concern prod at him for you. His beady like eyes watched as you drank the burning liquid with your brows threaded together and eyes clenched shut. He felt worse when his eyes couldn't help but linger down to the satin lace slip you wore beneath the oversized fur coat.
You felt a bit annoyed and not in the mood to deal with any staring right now. Your eyes whipped to Husk and you slammed the glass down onto the bar,"What." Husk clears his throat and narrows his eyes at you.
"Don't fuckin' slam the glasses down on my bar just cause you're pissy.",he scolded you with a glare. Husk wasn't exactly one to know how to handle strange emotions that weren't always prevalent. He felt guilty when you blinked back and stood up straight.
You wiped the corner of your lips,"I'm sorry.",you quickly and quietly apologized and looked down at the glass. Your manicured fingers were wrapped around the crystal glass. Husk bit down on the inside of his cheek and let out a drawn out sigh.
"Why you in a bad mood anyway?"
You look up at Husk's question.
Talk to him.
You feel a soft smile tug at the corners of your lips. But it feels as if though a weight falls over your heart. Your eyes fall down to the little alcohol present in the glass. Seeing Seviathan brings up the ugly memories you've repressed for years.
"You're so fucking exhausting to be around."
You shut your mouth quickly and let go of the glass. You're ready to excuse yourself until Husk coughs.
"I'm only askin' cause you're bumming out the lobby, thats my job. So just tell me." When you look up to meet Husk's eyes his head is turned away from you and his hands work at shuffling a random deck of cards. You feel the darkness ease up and you smile gently.
Yet you still hear his words.
"I don't want to talk about it. But thank you, Husk.",he can't help but let his eyes fall to you when your soft voice utters his name. You hold as much warmth in your voice as you do the rest of you. He meets your eyes before they fall to the deck in your hand. "Do you know how to play anything?"
You opt to change the conversation and are grateful when he goes along with it. He grins and nods with a snort,"You kiddin' me? I can play any game." You watch in a bit of awe at the way he effortlessly and skillfully shuffles the deck. You notice he's looking at you expectantly.
You shake your head while resting your chin on your interlaced fingers,"I don't know how to play anything. I figured it would be dreadful to be addicted to both gambling and drugs." Husk nod slowly and his eyes seem to study you for a moment.
There was something hauntingly beautiful about you. You had an indescribable aura that managed to lure in Husk. He felt his curiosity heighten around you and he wanted to know more about you. Something he never felt.
“Well there are some card games that don’t need gamblin’.”,he states in a matter-of-fact tone and stops shuffling the deck. You look up to him with parted lips and slightly big eyes,”Really? Will you teach me one?” Husk narrows his eyes at you. Your eyes get wide and puppy dog like only to illicit a scowl from the grumpy man.
“Ugh fine, just stop makin’ that fuckin’ face.”,you smile with satisfaction and Husk begins to deal cards between the two of you,”Imma explain this once, ‘right?” You nod eagerly and gather up the cards he hands to you.
As he explains the rules to a foreign game called twenty-one you don’t even notice the shadow that lingers behind you and unclasps the locket. Husk glances behind you for a moment, unnoticed by you, and the shadow with the glowing neon green eyes winks.
Husk ignores it and continues on, smiling.