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Husk grumbled to himself as he tipped the bottle into the air, downing what was left the the whisky from the bottom. It burned its way down his throat, leaving with him an aftertaste that coated his tongue. He slammed the bottle back down on the edge of the counter, ready to grab another when he saw out of the corner of his eye his cellphone screen flash as the device threatened to vibrate right off the counter.He scooped it up in one fluid motion and lifted it to his ear. “Hello,” he growled.There was silence on the other end, enough to nearly make Husk hang up the call.“Fucking prank.” Husk was about to slam the phone down when he heard crying on the other end. He twisted away from the counter towards his stores, holding his phone so close to his ear so that he could pick up every hint of what was going on.There was a punch from the other line, echoed by harsh gasping and sobbing.‘Val….please….no.’A sinister crackle rumbled through the line. “You do what I say you’ll do! And you’ll do it with a smile!”“Legs,” Husk exclaimed as the sound of fighting continued. With a furious snarl, he hung up the call and tucked his phone into his pocket. He leapt over the bar in a single bound, landing lightly with his tail curled behind him. His eyes narrowed in hatred as he stormed across the lobby.“Hey, where the hell do you think you’re going,” Vaggie grumbled from her vantage point on the couch.Husk waved her off. “I’ll be back. Don’t touch the bar.”He didn’t want to hear what she could’ve possibly grumbled under her breath about him. Truthfully, he couldn’t have cared less. His friend needed him, and he would be damned if he would sit by.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Husk grumbled to himself as he shouldered his way through the club, wings tucked tightly to his sides as the creatures around laughed and partied. Alcohol was flowing, no doubt with an abundance of drugs as well. He slunk around, eyes roving the party to see which deals were being made, both for physical favors and otherwise. He averted his gaze and continued to the VIP area where he knew the person he was looking for resided.Before he could step through, a fierce hiss echoed beside him. He turned on his heel, gaze tipped upwards to see a muscular bouncer with eyes the color of stone. “You have to pay to play, bitch.”Husk muttered something under his breath as he felt around his pockets. He didn’t have much in the way of winnings—he was on Alastor’s leash after all—but he had enough. He placed the bundle in the outstretched claw of the bouncer and waited patiently as the bouncer counted each and every dollar before stuffing the money in his back pocket. He pointed his thumb at the door behind him before sliding back to guard the entranceway once Husk passed through.The smell of sex was thick in the air, nearly choking him. Moans and screams could be heard from nearly every private door, some even in the open as drinks continue to flow. He suddenly scrambled back as two fishlike creatures began to feel each other up against the wall right where Husk had been standing.“Don’t need in the middle of that shitshow,” Husk huffed as he scanned each VIP door. Not that one. Definitely not that one. Maybe this one could…..“That’s it, baby. Show me that you fucking want it!”Husk’s ears stood up straight on his head as he pelted across the room to where the sounds were coming from. It was the largest room, one that had to the be the recording studio that Angel was always going on and on about that Val took him too. Husk’s blood only boiled more at hearing that vermin speak. What he wouldn’t do to be alone with him without the threat of Alastor’s leash tugging on the back of his neck.“P-Please,” a voice begged. “I-I-I need a break.”“You don’t deserve a fucking break! You don’t deserve shit. Suck it up and take it.”That was enough for Husk. He slammed both fists against the door and heard them break open easily. His eyes widened when he saw Angel Dust laying sitting on the floor hunched over, chains connecting his ankles and wrists together. Blood trickled from his nose and his forced open mouth looked like it had been wretched that way without any sort of consent from Angel. What little clothing he had back was tattered beyond recognition, bits of fabric thrown throughout the room. Husk recognized it as one of Angel’s favorite sweaters, now unsalvageable in chunks all over the sticky floor.A long limbed creature with a fluffy coat and reddish tinted glasses spun to glare at Husk. “Who the fuck are you?”“Me?” Husk strolled forward with his head held high. “I’m his friend, and he’s clearly had enough.” Confidence exhumed from him as he pushed past the overlord and the brutes that threatened to enclose Angel on every angle. They smacked their lips together, eyeing him as hungrily as they did Angel. Husk ignored them as he stopped in front of Angel with his hands clearly out in view of Angel’s line of vision as he dropped down in front of him.Angel’s swollen eyes widened in alarm. “No…..no!”“Hey, Legs, it’s me.” Husk winced. Since when did he speak this softly? There wasn’t time to decipher that now, not when Angel needed him. “It’s Husker. You’re in the studio and I’m with you.”Angel screwed up his face and twisted away, jaw working on the strap that reached around to the back of his head to hold his mouth open.Husk turned to glare over his shoulder. “Get the fuck outta here unless you want the demon at the end of my leash to show up here, Val!”“You honestly think that Alastor cares what the fuck we get up to here,” Val questioned with a soft chuckle. “Oh, pet.”The fur along Husk’s spine bristled in unyielding hostility. If only he still had his own powers. “Do you want to try it? It wouldn’t be a risk I’d want to take.”Suddenly, Husk felt claws dig into his scruff and haul him off the ground. He whirled to break the elbow when he saw the panicked look on Angel’s face and forced himself not to fight back. Pressure tightened around his windpipe as he flailed his legs slightly, forcing himself to meet Valentino’s gaze through the red tint of his heart shaped glasses.Valentino brought Husk closer to his face to whisper in his ear. “I’ll let you go this time, and take that pathetic scrap with you. He’s of no use to me today.” His tongue slid from behind his teeth, flicking up to slide behind Husk’s left ear. “But if I ever catch your sorry ass in here again, I’ll fuck you up so hard you won’t be able to tell your ears from your tail.”Without waiting for a response, Valentino slammed Husk to the ground and gave a soft whistle. Reluctantly, the rest of the group filtered out, but not before shooting daggers Husk’s direction, a few even offering a challenging growl. Husk looked away deliberately. No good would come from this if he started fights that he couldn’t finish while Angel was forced to watch. It was only after they passed did Husk crawl back over to Angel.Angel attempted to scramble away, panic etched across his face.“Hey, hey, no it’s still me.” Husk lifted his paws back up as he looked to the gag in Angel’s mouth. “M’gonna take that shit off your face.” He reached around Angel’s face, the soft brush of his fur trailing along his fingers as he reached for the metal strap. With a single soft tug, the strap broke open with Husk peeling the gag from his face and casting it aside so that Angel no longer had to look at it. “I’m sure that’s a hell of a lot better.”Angel didn’t speak as he wiped the blood from his nose with the back of his hand, eyes downcast as though unable to so much as cast a single look at Husk.Husk didn’t seem to mind. “You’re going to love the weather outside. I actually have a breeze through my feathers for once,” he rambled softly as he rested each hand on either side of Angel’s ankle. “I’ll be quick about getting them out. I do have to touch you, but I’ll be real quick.”When Angel didn’t answer, Husk took matters in his own hands and swiftly pulled Angel’s ankle free from the restraint, thankful of how flexible Angel was. He did the same with his other leg and when it came to the wrists, Husk nearly had to look away at the bruises that he felt under his fingers. With an adept claw, he unlocked the cuffs on his wrists and set them aside on the bed, ignoring what could possibly be found there.“Let me get ya somethin’ to cover up with.” Husk looked around at all the clothes thrown about the room and tried to debate which one didn’t belong to one of Angel’s tortures. A fluffy red robe finally caught his eye hanging in a nearby closet. It looked like something that Angel would wear normally, and Husk ripped it from the hanger and brought it back over, draping it around Angel’s shoulders. “C’mon, let’s get you up.”Husk straightened and held out his arms for Angel to take. He didn’t dare more or pressure him, and was fine to stand there for however long it took. He had nowhere else to be until Alastor came looking for him, eager to pull that chain to remind him exactly who he served.Angel gasped as he reached out and took Husk’s hands as he struggled to stand, knees threatening to buckle as he rose to his full height. He shivered as he used his two extra arms to pull the robe tighter around himself while still maintaining that contact with Husk. It was though he was worried that if he didn’t maintain that contact that he would fade into oblivion without the hope that anyone would find him.Husk raised one wing and shielded Angel as much as he could, while making sure not to touch him. His feathers spread as far as he could force them, obstructing the worst of Angel’s marks and bruises from rubbernecked onlookers that just couldn’t wait to have a look at the sorry state of Valentino’s favorite star.“We’ll do this together,” Husk assured as he stopped at the door, head peeking out to see just who was still partying. The answer was everyone as the floor seemed even more packed than before. That’s just great. “Hmmm, this may be a little more challenging than I expected.”Angel gripped Husk’s paw hard, enough to cause slight discomfort, and when Husk looked back at the cowering man, all he saw was shame.“Don’t leave me here,” Angel whimpered.Husk shook his head. “I promise you I won’t.” A promise? Was he really growing that soft? That’s certainly what Alastor would say when he found out. Lucky for him, the radio demon wasn’t there or he truly would have his hide for doing something so blatantly moronic. “It’ll be better if we go quick. Stay right beside me and I’ll get you out.”Husk took a step out of the room surely with his wings raised behind him, which was where Angel resided. Their hands were still touching, no matter how awkward it seemed for Husk to have his arms lifted nearly over his shoulders to give Angel a better vantage point. He didn’t care, so long as Angel didn’t try stopping. The longer they lingered, the more the possibility of someone recognizing them and potentially needing an explanation would be. Angel was famous after all no matter how much Husk liked to taunt him otherwise.The voyage through the club was a struggle, though not an unexpected one. Husk kept Angel well contained while the other patrons seemed none the wiser. It could’ve been the alcohol and drugs that were no-doubt around, but Husk chalked it up to his superior skills. If anyone wanted Angel, they would need to go through him.It was only when Husk had forced his way out of the club that he was able to take in a deep breath. The breeze brought with it the stench of rotting flesh, baking all day in the heat only to be devoured once nighttime rolled about. Husk turned up his nose at the idea while still keeping his wings tucked around Angel as they continued down the street. A few onlookers eyed them warily, but a few pointed looks were enough for them to think twice about messing with them.“We’re almost there,” Husk called when the hotel finally loomed into view. “I got something strong for you there if you like. Then we can—hey!” Husk nearly fell back as he felt Angel tug hard on his wings, enough to almost send him falling backwards. He turned around sharply to face the spider, eyes narrowed to unforgiving slits. “And just what the hell do you think you’re doing? You think those fucking feathers grow back every damn day when you tug on ‘em? Hell no!”Angel looked taken aback by Husk’s change in demeanor and shied away almost instantly. The usual eagerness and playfulness was gone, replaced with a sullen and scared version that Husk hardly recognized. He was used to the jokes and the touching that he found nearly impossible to bear. This side of Angel was one he hated to see, and didn’t ever want to see ever again.“We gotta go. If you think you’re safe out here, you’re fucking mistaken! Let’s. Go.” Husk flicked his tail tip to and fro as he started back towards the hotel only to find Angel still refusing to budge. He swallowed all the words he wanted to say and padded behind him, hoping presence alone would be enough to urge him forward without having to be anymore forceful.That seemed to be all the push that Angel needed as he strolled forward with Husk bringing up the rear. He didn’t touch him, only kept his body close enough for Angel to feel that he was behind him. Husk tried not to look at Angel too closely despite knowing exactly what Angel would have to say about that if he was in his right mind. He shook his head to clear it and hoped that they would make it back to the hotel without any hiccups.They may have not been given any trouble on their way to the hotel, but once they arrived, Angel refused to go inside. He pulled the robe almost over his head to disappear, entire body shaking as he struggled to remain vertical.“You’re not gonna last much longer out here. This is the best place for you to be,” Husk pointed out with a wave to the hotel. “This should be the easy part. There’s no reason for us to be dicking around out here.”What Husk wasn’t expecting from that conversation was for Angel to reach out and force him back. The former overlord tripped over his own tail and fell back into a puddle of stinking liquid, the sliminess seeping into his thick fur. A tense growl exploded from his chest as he leapt back to his feet with coolness in his eyes.“Don’t think pushing me around is gonna get you anywhere,” he snarled. “I’m trying to help you and you’re making it pretty fucking difficult!”Angel stood momentarily stunned before slipping back against the wall and sliding down. His knees were pressed to tightly to his chest that they seemed to almost disappear under the billowy red robe. It stuck out like a sore thumb in the darkness of the alleyway, his skinny body hidden in it’s deep folds and fluffy ends so that no one could tell it was him. Husk knew the truth, however, and it was growing more and more difficult by the second not to admit that he was way out of his element. Surely Charlie or even Vaggie had more experience with this sort of thing. He was just a bartender after all. He was meant to listen to problems, not go all out of his way to fix them.Holding back a sigh, Husk took a seat a wing length apart with his own knees drawn to his chest and tail wrapped around himself. Regret built inside him as he looked to Angel to see the spider shaking with restrained sobs. This was far from Husk’s comfort zone and he longed to be able to bring someone else in. Maybe Charlie would be able to help him more than Husk’s lumbering attempts at comfort? He squashed the idea almost instantly and was left almost huffing as he clustered closer until their fur almost touched, but not quite.“I didn’t mean that,” Husk murmured softly. “M’sorry I said it, alright? But, we really have to go. You’ll feel much better after a bath once that shit is washed off of ya. Maybe then I can get us both a drink.”Angel perked up at the mention of alcohol. Little did he know that Husk had no plans of supplying him with more booze when he wasn’t sure what he had taken in the first place. However, if that was the push to get Angel to where he needed to go, that would be good enough for Husk.“What do ya say?” Husk jumped to his feet and reached out an arm. “Now will you come with me?”It was a true testament to how Angel was feeling that he didn’t make some sort of joke about Husk had just said. Instead, he grabbed Husk’s wrist surely and allowed the winged cat to pull him to his feet. The two set back off into the hotel to find it blissfully quiet. Husk thanked whoever who was listening that they would have some privacy as he corralled Angel towards the stairs and started up the stairs.Husk momentarily debated on taking him back to his own room. However, that was quickly overruled when he thought of all the empty beer bottles and the state of disarray that his room tended to be in. That wasn’t conducive to someone going through a trauma, especially when it wasn’t near as familiar as Angel’s own room would be. Husk was merely hoping that Angel’s room wasn’t the disaster place that his was.When Husk opened Angel’s door to his room, he nearly took a step back. The room was practically spotless, save a change of clothes neatly folded on the edge of the bed, no doubt what Angel had been hoping to change into after Val’s shoot. The bed was made and everything was meticulously decorated. Sure, it was decorated in a very Angel way, but decorated nonetheless. The whole room smelled sweet almost like daises and tickled Husk’s nose as he led the spider in.Angel immediately made a start to his bed, but Husk leapt out in front of him, wings spread to halt him. “Hey, clean up first,” he reminded in the softest voice that he could muster.Angel looked like he wanted to argue. His shoulders slumped as all fight left his body, eyeing Husk listlessly as he watched the bartender head into his bathroom to run a bath. The steady stream of water filled the room as Husk played with the temperature to make it hot but not painful. He could guess how much Angel could become lost in a scorching bath or shower to try and wash away all evidence of what had happened to him. Although not usually this involved, Husk had been there plenty of times when Angel had come home and then wandered down to the bar a few hours later smelling too sweet and clean to have been that way before Val sunk his teeth into him.Once the water was to Husk’s liking, he drew back and peeked his head around the corner. “The bath is ready,” he announced.Angel shuffled forward, arms wrapped around his chest. He crept to the edge of the bath and glanced to Husk, then the door with a guarded expression.Knowing when he was no longer wanted, Husk lifted his hands in a show of surrender. “Don’t need to tell me twice, Legs. Do you want me to stay outside in your room or leave all together? M’fine with either.”“Stay,” Angel rasped, voice rough and husky.Husk nodded, head dipping as he backed out of the bathroom slowly. He closed the door behind him, leaving it open a crack just in case Angel needed him. He didn’t expect to hear anything as he found himself sat on the edge of Angel’s bed with his wings folded neatly over his back. He listened for the sound of Angel stepping into the water and tried to ignore the tears that he could hear flowing from the sinner. He sighed heavily and forced himself to keep his distance. Somethings Angel would need to work through for himself unless he asked Husk to help, and right now he could be resistant to the best of times to any help.Time passed by. It was enough that Husk grew curious and twitched his ears when he finally heard the water start to drain, and a short while later, Angel stepped out from the bathroom. He wore shorts and a crop top tank top that he kept trying to pull down over his middle. However, as giving as the fabric tended to be, it wouldn’t give up entirely.“I can get ya something else,” Husk offered, though he didn’t know where anything was in Angel’s wardrobe.Angel shook his head as he ventured closer and sat down on the bed. Husk made a move to stand when he felt fingers glide over the tip of his right wing, soft and deliberate as they separated each feather from the other.“I can still leave if you want me to. I don’t want to impose on your space.”Angel didn’t answer, still focused on Husk’s wings. Husk didn’t mind in the slightest. In fact, it felt almost therapeutic to have someone tending to his wings like this. He wanted to sink into it if not for the fact that he was fearful of Angel’s endgame. He didn’t expect him to do anything, but that was always in the back of his mind knowing who Angel was and how much he wanted to flirt with Husk on the regular.It was only when Angel grasped on a little harder that Husk couldn’t help but letting out a cross hiss. Angel froze and immediately retreated back, body curling with his back to Husk as he laid still.Husk’s eyes softened as he shifted back so that he was sitting back up by the headboard beside Angel. “Force of habit. Just thought you were going to pull them out or something….and they’re very difficult to grow back.”“How does it feel,” Angel broke out, voice as harsh as before. Husk didn’t even want to think about what they had done to him to make him sound like that. “To fly.”“To fly?” Husk gave a brief pause as he allowed the memory of flight to take over. How it felt for his wings to spread, the warm breeze to filter through his feathers and carry him without question. That was one of the only times he felt truly at peace, and he couldn’t stop himself as a noisy purr burst from his throat at the idea. “It’s amazing.”A semblance of a smile momentarily graced Angel’s lips. “Can you tell me about it?”Husk felt himself brighten at the possibility of sharing something that he actually liked to talk about. But first, he wanted Angel to be comfortable. “Course I can. Let’s just make sure you’re taken care of first.”Angel didn’t fight him as he helped rearrange the spider in bed, propping him up with just enough hot pink, fluffy pillows. He made sure not to overcrowd him as he did so, giving space to the worst of Angel’s injuries. Once he was as comfortable as he could be given the circumstances, Husk joined him atop the covers with his left wing outstretched over him. Angel didn’t hesitate to continue to lightly trace his fingers over Husk’s thick feathers, careful not to pull or snag them as he did so. He was the gentlest Husk had ever seen him and felt a rush of warmth that this was the Angel Dust he was able to interact with.“Tell me everything,” Angel begged, voice punctuated by a yawn.Husk stared up at the ceiling. “Close your eyes,” he instructed, waiting for Angel to comply. “Now, imagine you’re the only one in the sky. The muscles on your wings are fucking strong, ready for anything! Then, two large limbs stretch from your back and slice rhythmically through the air, holding you up like you’re nothing. Part of you wonders if you’ll ever just drop without warning, but you know that’s never going to happen. The sky is your second home and you’d be lost without it.”“Next, every movement on the ground translates to the sky as though it’s nothing. Wide bank turns and dips turn out to be nothing, and you can do them with ease. You can twist and flip in the air and never lose your bearings, for you know how to right yourself at any moment.” Husk shivered as he arched his back, longing to feel that feeling again right now. “And no matter what happens on the ground, you know you’re safe in the air. The breeze will always carry you, and you trust your wings with your life. It’s freeing beyond anything I’ve ever felt here. It almost makes being in Hell worth it so long as I can fly here for the rest of my life.”Husk expected Angel to ask some questions, or offer his own opinion. However, when Husk turned to check on him, he saw the faint rise and fall of Angel’s chest, the way his face was relaxed for the first time tonight. He purred to himself as Husk felt his own eyes drifting closed.“I’ll show you one day, little spider. Maybe then you’ll finally feel free too.”