Chapter 1
(ANGEL POV)
These new barstools were a godsend. Pun intended. They were wonderfully cushioned, and being brand new, did not yet have any mysterious off-putting stains or smells. Angel could happily sit there for hours. It certainly had nothing to do with the view they also offered of a certain ex-overlord tirelessly cleaning glasses.
Angel was slouched on the bar, head in his hand, sleepily watching Husk work. They were the only two left awake, just hanging around the bar. As part of the refurbishment of the hotel, Charlie had gifted Husk a fitted shirt as part of his new ‘uniform’. Angel had literally never seen Husk wear a shirt before, but it was working for him. How the fuck does someone get sexier with more clothes on?! It was incredibly unfair.
To make matters worse, Husk had ditched his hat tonight, apparently it had gained a hole during the fight with the angels. So now Angel was bombarded also by the sight of Husk’s little tuft of fluffy, tousled hair. If he had his way, that hat would never be making a reappearance. Ever.
His gaze raked shamelessly over him. He was too tired to care if he was caught staring. Too tired, both physically and emotionally. It had been an eventful past few days, to say the least. With the fight with the Exorcists and then rebuilding the hotel, he hadn’t really had time to process any of the events properly. Glancing around the otherwise empty lobby, he felt a pang of grief for his missing friend.
He hadn’t really expected to consider Pentious a friend, but in the end that’s what he had been to Angel. A friend. And a damn good one at that.
“Need a refill Legs?”
Angel looked at the empty glass beside him and sighed.
“Eh, nah thanks Whiskers.”
The lack of reaction at the nickname told him that Husk was probably just as exhausted as he was.
“Not to give the impression that I care or anything, but you look deep in thought there kid,” Husk set aside the glass he was cleaning to look at him properly, “care to share?”
“Ah I’m just feeling sappy tonight,” Angel tried for a grin, but it came off as more of a sad smile.
“Missing Pentious?” Husk guessed, with a sad smile of his own.
“Never thought I would but yeah,” Angel shook his head with a soft laugh, “heck, I even miss his freakin 'egg minion things.”
Husk chuckled, remembering their friend fondly. Angel stared down at the bar, suddenly a little overcome with emotion. He was familiar with grief, but the events of the last few days were suddenly hitting home very hard. He could feel a sob building in his chest, which he firmly swallowed down.
Husk must have noticed something was up because he suddenly cleared his throat and reached under the bar to grab something.
“Well if we’re not going to drink we may as well play a game of something,” he said, pulling out a stack of playing cards.
Grateful for the distraction from his impending breakdown, Angel sat up straight and finally cracked a real grin, “Alright now you’re talking Kitty!”
Husk grumbled a little at the nickname, but smirked nonetheless as he shuffled the cards. Aware that he had a captive audience, he added a little flourish to his shuffling, knowing Angel enjoyed his card tricks. And Angel was transfixed. The way Husk made the cards flow like water through the air as he shuffled was absolutely mesmerising.
But Husk didn’t need to know that, so Angel just rolled his eyes, “C’mon Husky, we playing or you gonna show off all night?”
Husk flashed a smirk that Angel barely recognised, leaning in close and reaching over his shoulder,
“I haven’t even begun to show off yet baby,”
With a flick of his wrist he made a card appear from behind Angel's ear, before leaning back with a smug look.
The giggle that this action pulled from Angel's throat was one of pure unadulterated joy. Because first off, he adored magic tricks, who didn’t? And secondly;
DID HUSK JUST FLIRT??! WITH HIM??
After raising an amused brow at the sound, Husk turned away for a moment to pour himself a glass of whiskey, still smirking smugly. Angel took that time to try regain composure and pick his jaw off the fucking ground.
Angel knew when someone was flirting with him. By now he had a sixth sense for it. So he knew unmistakably that Husk had just flirted with him. Usually this wouldn’t be an issue. Flirting, whether genuine or not, can just be for fun, it doesn't have to lead somewhere.
But when it came from Husk it was an issue.
Because that gave him butterflies. Fucking BUTTERFLIES. He was a porn star for Satan's sake. This was just unprofessional.
Don’t make it a big deal. Don’t scare him off.
Husk turned back and started fiddling with one of the cards.
“Got anymore tricks kitty?” Angel was aiming for suave, but his smile was closer to childish giddiness. It caused a twinkle of amusement in Husk’s eyes.
“Hmm, I got a few,” Husk replied, casually making the card disappear and reappear in the other hand, “but I thought we were gonna play a game?”
“Alright sure,” Angel tried to pretend he wasn’t a little disappointed he was going to be getting his own private magic show. But Husk must’ve seen it on his face because he said;
“Listen, how about if you beat me, I’ll teach you a trick?”
Again Angel’s face lit up like a light, “You’re on!”
“Blackjack?”
“Sure, but I’m warning ya, I’m famously good at cards,” he winked confidently.
~
Angel quickly realised he had made a mistake. He hadn’t actually played a proper game against Husk before, and he was losing badly.
“I used to be good at this shit!” he groaned in frustration.
Husk chuckled, “I’m sure you were kid, but I’m better.”
Then with a gleeful, shit-eating grin he announced himself as the winner.
Angel pouted, folding his arms like a child. Husk rolled his eyes, “Don’t be a sore loser.”
Angel didn’t reply, still sulking. Husk sighed dramatically.
“Look I’m sure you’re just out of practice,” he reasoned, “play a game with me tomorrow and I’m sure you’ll be back in the swing of it.”
No reply.
“Maybe I’ll teach a few tricks I’ve learnt over the years?”
Angel felt a smile starting to creep onto his face.
“Damn if you’re offering to share your card playing secrets with me, then I must’ve hit rock bottom,” he finally answered.
“Hey at least you’ve got company,” Husk’s warm smile threatened to start filling the void in Angel’s chest that he’d been ignoring.
Company wasn’t too bad.