dinner & revelations
Husk couldn't believe this.
He really agreed to a dinner with the Magne family and a Von Eldritch. He was beyond pissed at this. And at himself.
His beady eyes watched you stare out of the window, the moonlight lit up your nerve ridden face. You were breathtakingly beautiful as per usual. Husk's favorite thing about your face was the way your eyes always held such a distant and far away look. Like you were someplace else.
He rolled his eyes and turned away from you and loosened his red tie. He felt suffocated in his formal suit.
He looked out of the car window for the rest of the ride. Both refraining from looking at you and basking in your hypnotizing scent.
"Thank you so much for this, Husk.",you say with a soft tone that grabs his attention once more. When he turns to you your eyes remain out of the window. You admire the stars and moon. "I know this is probably the last thing you'd want to do tonight but...you saved my skin."
Husk inhales sharply when you turn and meet his eyes, a warm smile falls on your face. He doesn't return it. In fact he finds himself leaning towards you with slightly narrowed eyes,"There is a reason I agreed to this." Your smile falls slightly and you cock your head with curiosity, he continues. "You rich people know how to drink." He gives you a grin and you laugh softly while gently hitting his shoulder.
He liked that.
Husk enjoyed your smile and laugh. Especially since he's been seeing a newer side to you, a deeper one. He still remembered the night you were drunk and he couldn't help but feel guilty.
Guilty for what he had planned with Alastor.
Alastor was being strange lately. Ever since you came about the man has shown a new side as well. Especially earlier. Husk could feel the weight of the vial in his pocket, a potion of sorts. He looked to you as your eyes fell back to the window and he shook his head gently. His brows lowered in an angered expression.
He was going to figure out what happened to you. And what exactly that slimy bastard Seviathan had to do with it.
For now however the car came to a stop and he was quick to change back to his indifferent attitude. The driver let you two off and he was shocked by how quickly you turned to him once you entered the lobby.
"Okay so my parents are both extremely judgmental and passive aggressive, especially my dad so just fair warning.",you speak rapidly with your brows threaded together in worry. You felt bad about dragging Husk along for this but you were honestly just relieved to not face your fathers criticism for not finding a date.
Husk raised a brow,"I couldn't give any less of a shit what they think about me, kid." He watches as you fix his red necktie and reach up to brush back his salt and pepper hair. You smile gently at him with a short laugh.
"I figured just as much but they can be brutal sometimes.",you warn him once more. You're oblivious to the flaring blush on his face at you grooming him innocently. He clears his throat and is thankful when he notices a hostess walking towards you two.
"(Y/N) Magne? You're group is already seated please follow me.",she says with a professional kindness. Husk looks at you with a quirked brow when you don't move. You inhale deeply and your brows are pinched together. You couldn't look anymore nervous if you tried.
You did feel nervous. You were not only being seated with your sister and your abuser but your critical and passive parents as well. You were nearly ready to turn and leave to deal with the consequences later when you felt a calloused and large hand envelop yours.
You let out a soft breath and looked to see Husk looking at you intensely. He held your hand with a firm yet gentle touch. "You need to stop giving a shit about what they think too. It's just a dinner...I'll be here with ya." You feel your heartbeat quicken and a shy smile falls on your lips as he begins to follow the hostess, not letting go of your hand until you reach the table.
"Ah! (Y/N)!",your companions for the evening stand up and greet you. You smile as your mother pulls away from the hug.
"Everyone this is Husk. Husk, these are my parents Lilith and Lucifer. You already know Charlie and—and Seviathan.",Husk notices the way you stumble over your words for a moment. Everyone bids a hello to Husk and soon enough you all take your seats. Husk sits aside you while Charlie sits on your other side.
You were just grateful Seviathan wasn't aside you.
"So Husk",your father starts with a tight lipped grin and a slight cocking of his head,"Aren't you a bit old to be dating my apple?"
You already regretted coming.
About to defend him Husk speaks up first with a shrug,"We ain't dating. We're friends." You look to him with glimmering eyes and a wide smile while nudging him underneath the table.
We're friends...you think with a bit too much joy.
Husk glances to you with a questioning look but your father speaks up once more,"Huh. Well then do you have a wife?" Your father was never one to shy away from getting personal, uncomfortably personal at that. Yet you watched with a bit of an impressed look as Husk remain unfazed. Lilith held her husbands hand and was silently judgmental, not yet feeling the need to speak.
Charlie watched with a bit of a grin on her face considering she knew of the chemistry you and Husk already had. Seviathan was attempting to keep his cool aside her.
"No I don't.",Husk answers bluntly while reaching across the table and grabbing a piece of bread. You smile behind your hand when a look of irritated crosses your fathers eyes. It immediately falls when he looks to you.
"You're not getting any younger (Y/N) and with your past...issues I think it's time you allowed your mother and I to find you a suitable partner.",he says while a waitress makes her way over. You hated this conversation topic.
You didn't reject love but with your past experiences with men it just...wasn't appealing.
Charlie noticed the way you shifted uncomfortably in your seat and she cleared her throat,"Seviathan and I managed to book Mimzy and The Boys for our wedding!" You look up to her as your parents gasp with excitement. She shoots you a discreet wink and you smile gratefully at her.
Lilith smiles widely,"Thats wonderful my dear she is absolutely lovely!" Seviathan nods while grinning and allowing the waitress to pour his glass.
"Yes she is a personal friend of mine. She was more than happy to perform for us.",Lucifer grins at Seviathans brag and nods while raising the glass to his lips for a drink. He places it back down in just a few moments.
"You never cease to amaze me Seviathan, how are your parents?"
Husk looks to you as your parents begin to fawn over Seviathan. He notices the way your leg begins to shake beneath the table and the way your hand grips the glass tightly. With reluctance he places his hand on your thigh. Your eyes dart to him and he nods with a strangely warm smile. "Relax. You're about to snap the glass."
You look down to the glass in your shaking hand and breathe out softly with a sheepish chuckle. "Sorry...",you mumble out and look to him once more,"And I apologize for any of their behavior tonight..." You lean close to him and whisper, placing your hand atop his.
He feels his smile widen a bit at your soft touch,"I told you I don't give a shit." He shrugs and pulls away his hand a little too quick for your liking. But for now you were glad he managed to calm you down, if only for a few moments.
With Husk at your side you were pleased by how smoothly the rest of the dinner was going. In fact you managed to make it to desert with a smile on your lips.
"Well excuse me for a few moment, order desert for us both my love.",Seviathan stands up from his seat and plants a kiss atop Charlies head before leaving for the restroom. Husk watches as Seviathan leaves and he excuses himself moments after.
He walks into the mens restroom and pulls the vial out, keeping it hidden in his fist. He first notices the restroom is empty, then he notices Seviathan fixing his slicked back hair in the mirror.
Seviathan turns to him with a grin and cock of his head,"Oh. The bartender. How are you enjoying dinner so far? I'm sure its something someone like you has never had the pleasure of experiencing before."
Husk snorts and walks over to where Seviathan stands and he loosens his tie,"The food is shit and there ain't no booze. I've had better dinners." Sevaithan narrows his eyes at the older man. He grabs a warm towel off of the rack.
"I'm sure. So did (Y/N) invite you?",he inquires with a raised brow. Husk notices the passive aggressive way he is acting and already knows he isn't very good at concealing his jealousy. Husk nods with a tired expression on his face.
"Yes she did. She told me there would be booze.",Husk partially lied. Seviathan shrugs while tossing the towel into the bin. He walks up to Husk and pats his shoulder with a heavy exhale. He leans close to the taller man with a raising of his brow.
"Fair warning, (Y/N) is a bit of a err compulsive liar. So never take anything she says with too much seriousness.",he chuckles lightly and is about to walk away before Husk snorts.
Seviathan stops in his tracks and cranes his neck to notice Husk glaring at him,"Kinda strange you'd say something so random...almost like you think she'd say something." Husk lets his head hang to his left while keeping his hands in his slacks. His posture lazy and laid back in comparison to Seviathans prim and proper one.
Seviathan narrows his eyes,"I'd watch that tone. I could ruin your life with one phone call barkeep." Husk chuckles and shakes his head while walking up to Seviathan, he begins to pull the vial out.
"There isn't jack shit you can take from me at this point.",Husk says with a bit of smugness on his face,"And anyway...I ain't scared of you bastard." Seviathan grabs Husk by his collar and shoves him against the sink. Husks eyes widen not by the action but by the sound of the vial falling to the ground and shattering.
Seviathan looks down with angered eyes and he scoffs while shaking his head at the sight of what he assumed to be alcohol,"Watch your back you drunk old prick." With that he fixes his composure and attire, leaving the restroom.
Husk looks down at the ruined potion and shakes his head with a loud groan,"Fuck. Now I gotta hear Al's mouth..."
❦
Alastor was beyond livid to find out that Husk had ruined their plan. He had perfectly crafted this to be as entertaining as possible and Husk ruined it by having slippery fingers.
Raising his fist to your door he knocked gently and figured he’d deal with this on his own.
He was taken back when you answered the door. You stood there with a flushed face and slightly messy hair you looked to be fighting off a smile. “Alastor? Its quite late what are you doing here?” It was late, or rather early. It was just past one am.
Alastor looked at you and reached up to tug at his suddenly tight collar. “Well I wanted to talk with you about our deal.” You had nearly forgotten about that. With reluctance you allowed him inside and shut the door. You tied your satin robe a bit tighter.
Alastor looked to your bed and noticed what a disarray it was in. He felt his cheeks tinge red and he looked to you with a raised brow,”Did you have someone in here?”,he questions rather forwardly. You blink back in surprise and look to the bed than flatten your hair.
“Oh! Oh no no oh my goodness.”,you laugh breathlessly and shake your head,”Tonight was so swell I might’ve been rolling in bed and just being a bit wild.” Alastor didn’t like that one bit.
Not because you had a good time.
But because the image of you squealing and rolling around in bed with an air of innocence was downright adorable.
“Well anyways—“,he cleared his throat and folded his hands behind his back,”How is sobriety?” You nodded with a soft smile and sighed out with a bit of calmness.
“Its been good so far. But truth be told I still don’t believe our little deal is what did it.”,you cock your head gently and scrunch your nose at him. He chuckles and shrugs while already heading for the door.
“I suppose that can’t be helped. Well I just wanted to check on the deal and how it was treating you. Goodnight Miss (Y/N).”,his hand grasps the doorknob when suddenly you blurt out an unexpected question.
“Do you like Seviathan?”
You regret asking such a bizarre question the second he turns to look at you strangely,”I-I’m sorry if thats a bit too intrusive but I was just curious since you two seemed well acquainted earlier.” Alastor walked back towards you with his usual grin and perfect composure. He shook his head gently.
“He’s a good business man. But he is a terrible human being. I tolerate him for our business dealings, he’s quite the smart one.”
You don’t know why you felt such relief at Alastor hating Seviathan. Truth be told you grew a bit of a liking towards Alastor since your deal. If there was a sliver of a chance it was real than he is to thank for your sobriety.
You nod and try to fight off a smile,”Oh okay. Well than goodnight Alastor.”
“What got you hooked on drugs?”
You stop in your tracks and you turn to him with a bit of a bitter expression. Your eyes didn’t meet his as that questioned brought back the night you were forced to inhale the drug that would destroy you from the inside. You shake your head gently,”I don’t know.” You lie straight through your teeth.
Alastor sighs and pushes up his glasses on his nose,”Lying is very distasteful, my dear.” You scoff and roll your eyes while walking towards the door to see him out.
“Its not like you would care. You’d probably use it against me or not even believe me.”,you respond with a sudden shift of attitude. Alastor grabs your wrist and you halt. Looking to him with an angered expression your eyes widen when he pulls you in and wraps his arms around you.
“I am not a monster. I do not take kindly to seeing innocent women in peril.”,your hands shake as he holds you close to him,”If I didn’t care I wouldn’t have asked or offered you such a deal.”
You feel tears sting your eyes your hands bunch up in his vest and he sighs softly,”But don’t lie to me. I don’t like liars.”
Alastor rests his chin atop your head and he ignores the shadows that surround you two in warning. He instead hugs you tighter. The way you looked just moments ago with such a switch in mood reminded him of his beloved mother.
When she thought no one cared about her.
He found he didn’t want you to experience such a thing too. He was going to find out what happened to you and what that Von Eldritch had to do with it.
Whether you wanted him to or not.