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The hotel was quieter than it had ever been. Not the whispers of the night winding down, residents having their last scotch of the night or the peace of a morning before the bar opened up. Still. A stillness that swallowed Husk from the inside, like his ribs were being pressed inward, collapsing into his chest. A stillness that made him hollow, and every little noise echoed…and echoed.
This was certainly not what he expected to feel like. The hotel works. A sinner can be redeemed. A sinner has a chance to get to Heaven. It was supposed to be a celebration. The hotel was in full swing, and there was no war to fight. He had told himself that he was ready. But then he said it.
“I'm sorry, just do me a favor…and forget you ever knew me.”
Just like that.
Husk's demeanor dropped. His chest sank, and he felt like collapsing. “... come back…”
Hell kept moving, as it was supposed to. Charlie spread the power of the hotel. Vaggi helped her the same as she always did. Alastor found his new way of entertaining himself, Nifty and Baxer continued with their Big Bug Band, everything kept on moving. Husk tended the bar, sure, but that was all it was. The days, hell maybe even weeks blended together. Tumblers clinking, pouring scotch, another martini. It was all the same. But he wasn’t moving forward. Not like everyone else. He was stuck. Stuck by the Harder Daddy ingredients he always made sure was stocked. Stuck by the bowl of peanuts set out for Fat Nuggets. Stuck in the memory of Angel.
There was one memory. One the haunted him in flashes, of one of the first late nights Angel would stay at the bar. The bar was closed long before, and the two of them simply existed. Husk was cleaning some of the last glasses from the night, polishing his workspace. Angel laid his head against the counter, peacefully scrolling through his phone. This was the quiet Husk missed, craved. The two of them exist in each other's space without a second thought, no hesitation.
“Y’know, whiskers, there's something easy ‘bout being here.” Angel turns his head to look at Husk. “No pushy people all up in my business, quiet.” He pauses, watching how Husk stills his movements polishing the counter just next to him. Husk’s eyes slide to him, and is surprised to see the look on Angel's face. Happy. Angel was happy to spend time with him, even if it was just sitting around at the bar. A smile begins to make its way to his lips. “Yeah, well me too legs.”
And that feeling had grown. Steadily, like something waiting.
Husk thought that feeling was enough. That sharing these moments with Angel was all that he needed. To be the one the Angel sought out and found comfort in. To be at Angel's side like it was his place. And maybe, if they could just stay like that, then that would be fine.
But Angel went back to the Vees. To Val. And Husk was here. Still at the hotel, tending to the bar. Surrounded by the memories of the presence of Angel. His head was filled with those moments of Angel. Questions about Angel. For Angel. Did you know that I thought that it was going to be you and me? That we were going to be inseparable?
But those questions had no outlet. No ears to fall onto. Atleast, not the ears we wanted to hear those questions. Not the tongue that would give him the answer he wants.
Don’t go wasn't enough. “Come back” wasn't enough.