Archive of Our Own

Angel stared blankly at his phone screen. 

“Angel?” Husk reached out to cover Angel’s phone with one hand. “You been listening?”

“Uh… No. Sorry…?”

Husk sighed and took Angel’s phone gently, setting it down on the table between them. “I wanna ask you somethin’.”

“... Okay?”

“You goin’ back to Valentino?”

“Fuck no,” Angel scoffed. “Honestly, ‘m kinda thinkin’ of quittin’ at the club. I’m lookin’ for a replacement job, though, so I can still… pay the bills.”

“Sure.” Husk looked at Angel. “If you wanna quit… I dunno, I’ve got some savings. I can help you out, if you need it.”

“I don’t need your handouts,” Angel scoffed. 

“It’s not a handout–” Husk sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose. “Look, Angel, I like you. Okay? A lot more than I… probably should, given your… everything going on in your life, right now. But… I want you t’be happy, and away from that piece of shit.”

“If y’like me so much, why don’t y’put your money where your mouth is ‘n ask me out already?”

“If I ask you out, can you at least consider lettin’ me help you with bills ‘til you get a new job?”

“... Fine. I’ll consider it.”

“Good. Alright.” Husk steeled himself with a deep breath, then asked, “Angel, would you… wanna go out with me?”

“I– Okay, I didn’t think you’d actually do it.”

“You don’t want to?”

“I didn’t say that!” 

“You can say ‘no’, if you don’t want to.”

“I do! I do want!” Angel grabbed Husk’s hand over the table. “I wanna do that. Can we… get dinner?”

“We can get dinner,” Husk chuckled. “What nights d’you work this week?”

“Uh… the… regular ones? Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.”

“So… Wednesday night, it is, then?”

“... Yeah. I mean, we can call this–”

“Nope. If I’m takin’ you out, I’m gonna do it right. Reservations, openin’ doors for ya, pullin’ out your chair… maybe nice outfits? You can dress up all pretty, I’ll wear a proper suit.”

“... Really?” 

“Yeah?”

“Why?”

“Why not?” Husk smiled at the waitress as she refilled their drinks. “Thanks.”

Angel stared at Husk. 

“What?”

“Why?”

“Wh– Angel, ‘cause I like you. I wanna treat you right. I want you t’be my only focus for a night. We’ll go out together. Because I like you, and I want to spend time with you, and I want you t’know that I…” Husk sighed. “I wanna make sure you know that I’m here because I wanna be.”

“... What are you tryin’ t’get from me?”

“... I don’t think I understand the question.”

“I can just… like… suck you off in the bathroom–”

“Anthony,” Husk groaned, head dropping back. “I don’t wanna fuck you.”

“... You don’t?”

“Not– It’s not that– Don’t put words in my mouth, asshole.”

“I didn’t have to! You said it!”

Husk sighed, burying his face in his hands. “Okay. Let me rephrase: I want to go on a plain ol’ date with you. I want to date you. I want to be your partner. I want to be the person you come to when you’re excited, or when you’re upset, or when you want to talk… I want to be your person. And I want you to be mine.”

Angel said nothing.

“If that’s too much, you can always say ‘no’...”

“I… don’t know what t’say to that.”

Husk nodded and sipped his water, then took a bite of his chicken sandwich. 

Angel stared down at his own meal. “I… I dunno how t’date someone… like that.””

“ ‘T’s fine. I’m outta practice, so… we can learn together.”

“You won’t be mad?”

“Why would I be mad?”

“I mean… ‘m usually tired after work.”

“You don’t… have work on Wednesday, though.”

“No, I know– Like, most’f the time?”

“So…?”

“So I’m not… like…” Angel groaned. “I dunno. My brain’s bein’ dumb.”

“It’s not dumb,” Husk chuckled. “You can bring it up, if you want, or don’t. Whatever you think is best.”

“... Can I kiss you?”

“After I take you on a proper date.”

Angel groaned. “Please?”

“After!” Husk laughed. He reached across the table to take Angel’s hand in his and squeeze it gently. “Promise, Sweetheart, I won’t make you wait too long.”

“You’ve known me for months. You won’t even gimme a lil’ kiss?”

“Angel, if I kiss you, I’m not gonna stop.”

“You say that like I’m gonna complain–”

“Enough,” Husk said simply with a shake of his head and a gentle smile. “Lemme take you out, and I’ll kiss you at the end’f the night.”

“... Promise?”

“Promise.”

Angel sighed. “You’d better wow me, Husker.”

“Whatcha want?”

“Oh, wine and dine me, Baby,” Angel purred. “Candlelit dinner, wear a nice tie, tell me I’m pretty… All of it.”

“I can do that,” Husk laughed. His phone buzzed, signalling that it was nearly time for his shift. “Alright,” he sighed, “Think this is where we part ways, Angel.”

Angel whined. 

“I know. I’d spend all day with you in this shitty diner, if I could.”

“Why don’t you?”

“ ‘Cause I have work. If y’want a proper date, I’ve gotta make the money t’take you on a proper date.”

Angel groaned and dropped his head back to the vinyl seat-back behind him. “Fine. Lemme walk with ya, though.”

“That’s fine.” Husk picked up the bill from the edge of the table to bring it to the front and pay for their meal. 

Angel lingered awkwardly behind him, watching him make polite small talk with the waitress. When Husk turned around, Angel grabbed his hand to drag him outside. 

Once they were walking towards the bar, Husk adjusted his hold on Angel to lace his thick, calloused fingers with Angel’s slender ones. 

Angel looked down at their joined hands. 

“What? You can pull away–”

“Your hands are warm.”

“Yeah, I run hot,” Husk chuckled. He squeezed Angel’s hand. “You’re always cold, though, so… I can warm you up.”

“How pissed d’you think Alastor would be if I sucked y’dick behind the bar?”

“Pissed enough that no one would find our bodies.”

“... Noted.” Angel kept walking beside Husk. “Just… for my own peace of mind: that’s a joke, right? ‘Cause I get weird vibes from him.”

“Yeah, it’s…” Husk sighed. “I dunno, honestly. I do know that, with him, you should keep your head down, not ask too many questions, and not look too deeply into anything he says or does. You’re just gonna end up… uncomfortable, or in trouble.”

“... Noted.”

Husk squeezed Angel’s hand in reassurance, bringing it up to his lips to kiss his knuckles. 

Angel’s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. 

“Y’okay? You’re… inhuman shades of red.”

Angel covered his face with his opposite hand as he groaned. “Just– You’re doin’ all these sweet things! And I don’t know what t’do!”

“Just… enjoy it? I dunno.”

“What do you want from me?”

“For… you to enjoy it?” Husk offered haltingly. “I want you happy. Wanna do things that make you happy.” 

Angel huffed. “You’re makin’ it real hard not t’jump your bones right now.”

“You can wait. I wanna wine ‘n dine you, remember?”

“You can do that even after I–”

“Nope.” Husk pulled out his nametag from his pocket to clip it onto his dress shirt. “I’ll see you Wednesday, Angel. Alright? You can send me your address before then, ‘n I’ll pick you up.”

“We can meet there–”

“Angel!” Husk laughed, taking Angel’s face in both hands to look up at his bewildered expression. “Wining. And. Dining. You.”

“... I’ll send my address.”

“There’s a Good Boy,” Husk murmured, patting Angel’s cheek with his index finger twice before pulling away. 

“Husker!” someone sing-songed from the alleyway beside the bar. “If you’re quite done canoodling and scaring away my patrons, I could use your assistance with your job.”

“Be right there, Boss,” Husk called back. He sighed and pulled away from Angel. “I’ll see you in a couple days, Handsome.”

“Alright,” Angel breathed. He watched Husk enter the building, not tearing his eyes away until the door shut behind him. 

Angel was staring at the contents of his closet, fingernails digging into his palms as he debated what to wear. 

He pulled out a few dresses, then tossed them on the bed after looking over them. He selected a deep purple jumpsuit, a navy-blue blazer and a white skirt, then reconsidered and picked out a pair of white jeans. He groaned loudly and fell face-first into the bed. 

Nuggets trotted over to sniff at his ankle and lick his skin a few times. 

“Nuggets, you pick. You pick what I get stood-up in.”

Nuggets snorted in outrage and nipped at Angel’s knee. 

“Ow! Hey! Be nice t’me!”

Leaving Angel’s side, Nuggets used the stairs beside the couch to curl up in a ball on a pile of flat pillows. 

Someone buzzed the apartment doorbell. 

“Fuck! Fuck– Shit-fuck, gonna be naked when he gets here–” Angel wrapped his bathrobe around himself and pressed the intercom button. “Yeah?”

“It’s me,” Husk said. “Can I come up, or should I wait for you down here?”

“I’m… uh… You can come up. I’m… almost ready.” He buzzed Husk up with a quick press to the button, then, waiting for the door downstairs to sound with an audible thunk, he unlocked his apartment door and moved back to his bed, where countless articles of clothing were strewn. He picked up a few options for clothing, but looked up when Husk knocked on the door. “It’s open!”

Husk entered the studio apartment, looking around until his eyes landed on Angel. His eyes flew open as he saw Angel’s nearly-nude form, and he whirled around. “Angel!” 

“Sorry. I’m tryin’ t’pick somethin’ out, but I didn’t wanna… pick somethin’ you wouldn’t like.”

“Angel, if you’re wearing it, I’ll like it. We have reservations somewhere… kinda nice, but there’s no real dress-code.” Husk was facing Angel’s front door, hands in front of him. “So… what you’d wear to… a brunch date? Or something?” 

Angel picked out a deep red dress that fell just below his knees and swished nicely. He pulled it on, cinched the corset waist, and adjusted the sleeves so that they weren’t twisted around his arms. “Okay. I’m… uh… decent, I guess?”

Husk turned around, grin spreading across his face as he looked at Angel. “Oh, you are way more than ‘decent’, goddamn. Look at you, Baby,” he murmured as he stepped closer to Angel. He handed him the bouquet of pink roses he was holding. “These are for you.”

“... What?”

“Flowers. For you.” Husk pressed the flowers into his arms. “I figured you liked pink, but I didn’t know what flowers you liked, so… roses seemed like a safe bet.”

“Why?” 

“ ‘Cause I asked you on a date, and that’s what you do when you ask someone out. You bring them flowers.” Husk reached a tentative hand out and asked, “Can I touch you?”

Angel nodded wordlessly. 

Husk’s palm smoothed over Angel’s hip as he whispered, “Fuck, you’re beautiful. Can I call you ‘beautiful’?” he confirmed.

“Y’can call me anything you want,” Angel breathed. 

“Well, then, you’re beautiful, this dress is gorgeous, and I am very excited t’take you out tonight, Handsome.”

“... Can I put the flowers away?” Angel asked slowly, still staring down at the bouquet in his arms. 

“Sure, y’can.” Husk lingered beside Angel’s bed, staring at the mess he had created in his frenzied readying. 

Angel moved to the kitchen to search his cabinets for something akin to a vase that he could put the flowers in. 

“Y’don’t have a vase?” Husk asked. 

“No one’s ever gotten me flowers,” Angel said with a shrug. He pulled out a plastic pitcher and, leaving the lid in the cabinet, filled it with water and carefully unwrapped the flowers to place them in it. “They’re real pretty, Husk. Thank you.”

“Sure, Baby,” Husk chuckled. “You have a favorite flower for next time?”

“... ‘Next time’?”

“Next time I get you flowers.”

“... There’s gonna be a ‘next time’?”

“I’d like there to be.”

“Even if you don’t wanna go out with me again?”

“I can’t see that happenin’. But, if it does, I can still bring my friend flowers, right?”

“... Is that something that friends do?”

“Sure.” Husk shrugged. “Why not?”

“I dunno.” Angel considered, then said, “I like daisies. And tulips.”

“Any color?”

“... Pink and yellow are my favorites.”

“Alright.” Husk smiled. “Pink and yellow tulips, and daisies.”

“Husk, you really don’t have to–”

“Angel,” Husk said, voice bordering on desperate, “When are you gonna get that I like doin’ things for you? I like buyin’ you things, I like treatin’ you right, I like you.” 

Angel paused, then whispered, “I really wanna kiss you.”

“C’mere,” Husk murmured. He pulled Angel into a hug, arms tight around his shoulders and forcing him to stoop almost a foot to press his face to Husk’s neck. 

Angel pulled back for just a moment to kneel down and hug Husk. 

“Alright–” Husk laughed, “I am not that short–”

“I just…” Angel pressed his face into Husk’s chest, cheek against his pectoral. “Just wanted t’do this.”

“Ah. Alright, Baby, you can do that,” Husk whispered. He kissed the top of Angel’s head, then moved to card his fingers through his hair. 

“I already did my hair,” Angel said, pulling back to look up at Husk. “Can y’... leave it be?”

“I can do that.” Husk kissed Angel’s temple and pulled him back into his arms. “We’ll be here as long as you need. Don’t worry about the reservations–”

“I still wanna go,” Angel promised, “I just… needed a Husk hug.”

“Whenever you want.”

Angel stood up and wiped under his eyes, careful not to smudge his makeup. “Ugh, sorry. I just… You’re nice t’me. I don’t know how t’handle it when guys are nice to me.”

“Well, get used to it, ‘cause I am having a ton of fun bein’ nice to you.”

Angel grinned. “Wanna… take me to dinner, then?”

“I would love to.” Husk offered Angel a crooked elbow. “Shall we?” 

“Yeah.” Angel accepted the proffered arm and led Husk towards the door, where he grabbed his over-the-shoulder bag and shoved his keys into it. “Where are we goin’?”

“A little French place,” Husk told him, waiting patiently for Angel to lock the door behind them. “They’ve got breakfast and lunch all day; figured that was a good bet, considerin’ your love of waffles.”

“I love waffles.”

“I know,” Husk laughed. He stopped in front of a beat-up old pickup truck, opening the passenger’s door for Angel. “Here. I’ll get your belt; it’s finicky."

Angel ducked his head to clamber into the seat, leaning back as Husk reached over him to buckle his seatbelt. “Thanks.”

“Sure thing.” Husk shut the door, then rounded the front of it to get into the driver’s seat. “Alright, Angel. You ready?”

“... Yeah.”

“What’s up?” Husk started the truck and looked over at Angel. 

“I dunno. Feels weird for you t’call me ‘Angel’ when we’re on a date.”

“What d’you want me t’call you?”

“I dunno,” Angel said again, voice soft. “‘Anthony’ feels too far, ‘Angel’ feels not-far-enough… it’s a… I have no idea what I want you t’call me.”

“That’s alright,” Husk chuckled. He put the car into ‘reverse’ to back out of the parking space, then, as soon as it was back in ‘drive’, he took Angel’s hand across the center console. “I’m sure I can think of somethin’ t’call you.”

“Like what?” Angel purred as he leaned in close to Husk. 

“Mm… ‘Beautiful’ comes t’mind. ‘Baby’ works, too, but it’s a little basic–”

“I don’t mind ‘basic’,” Angel said quickly. “I like bein’ ‘Baby’.”

Husk laughed and squeezed Angel’s hand, using his elbow to nudge Angel back into his seat. “‘Baby’, it is.”

Angel grinned to himself, looking out through the window as Husk drove out of the city. “Are we goin’ far? ‘Cause Nuggets’ bedtime is, like, 10.”

“I didn’t see him,” Husk noted, glancing over. 

“Yeah, he probably hid in the bathroom. He’s scared of men.”

Husk frowned. “Oh. I was kinda… lookin’ forward t’meetin’ the guy.”

“Sometime soon,” Angel promised. “He’s real sweet once he knows ya, but… he’s freaked-out by strange men.”

“That’s fair. Men are trash.”

Angel gasped in mock offense. “Hey!” 

“Hey, I’m includin’ myself in that,” Husk laughed, elbow pressed into Angel’s upper arm. He merged onto the highway. “I’m gonna take my hand back t’make sure we’re not gonna crash.”

“I guess,” Angel sighed. 

“I don’t have to–”

“If you must,” Angel lamented, too-loud and grinning through it. 

“You’re a drama queen.”

“I am the drama queen.”

Husk laughed. “You’re right. My apologies, Your Highness.”

“Your Majesty, if I’m a queen.”

“My apologies, Your Majesty,” Husk corrected himself. He switched lanes as Angel folded his hands in his lap. “I also wanted t’make a stop afterwards, but that’s a surprise.”

“... Oh. I’m not… huge on surprises.”

“I know. I kinda figured. But it’ll be fun, and I promise, if you don’t like it, we’ll leave. Okay?”

“... Okay.”

“Thank you,” Husk said with a soft smile in Angel’s direction. He adjusted the rearview mirror. “You wanna turn on some music? Anything you want. My car doesn’t connect to the phone, but… you can crank it up, or turn on the radio…?”

“I think I just wanna sit with you,” Angel admitted.

“I’d like that.”

Husk pulled into the parking lot of a small café, holding out a hand to Angel as soon as the truck was parked. 

Angel’s fingers slipped into Husk’s. “What?”

Husk kissed the back of Angel’s hand with a soft smile against his skin. “You stay there. I’ll get your door.”

“You don’t have to–”

“Anthony. Sweetheart.” Husk held Angel’s hand in both of his own. “I want to. Please?”

“... Fine. But, if y’keep doin’ shit like this, I’m gonna get spoiled.”

“Too bad. I like it.”

Husk got out of the truck to open the passenger’s side door for Angel. He offered him a hand as he stood to his full height. “Alright, Beautiful, let’s go.” 

Angel walked beside Husk until they reached the door, where Husk released him to open the front door of the restaurant. 

“Here y’go.” 

Angel grinned. “Thanks, Baby.”

Husk’s eyes widened as his cheeks darkened slightly. 

“What, y’can dish it but can’t take it?” Angel laughed and leaned down to kiss Husk’s cheek, whispering against his ear, “Plenty more where that came from, Hot Stuff.”

“Let’s… get through dinner first, please?” Husk pled. 

Angel cackled, telling the waitress, “Reservation under ‘Husker’?”

She looked through her tablet, then nodded. “You’re seated in the private back room, is that correct?”

Husk nodded when Angel looked over. “Yep.”

“Right this way.”

Angel and Husk followed her through the restaurant, crowded enough that Angel winced at the volume. 

Husk pulled out Angel’s chair for him without a word, then sat across from him. 

The waitress set two menus on the table, filled two glasses with water from the pitcher at the center of the table, and said, “I’ll be back to take your drink orders in a few minutes. Would you like the doors open or closed?”

“Closed, please,” Husk said, “Thank you.”

“Of course.”

The  waitress left, closing the door behind her, and Husk leaned across the table towards Angel. 

“Anything you want, okay? It’s on me.”

“Husk, you don’t have to–”

“Baby,” Husk purred, hand coming up to cup Angel’s jaw. “Let me?”

Angel sputtered. “That’s not fair! You’ve got the– The voice! Y’can’t do a sexy voice on me with a nice name and just–” He groaned. “Fine! Fine. I’ll get it next time, though.”

“Agree to disagree.” Husk picked up the menu, sipping at his water. “The breakfast is on one side, ‘n the lunch is on the other.”

Angel picked up his own menu to look it over. He flipped it, then asked, “Can I get lemonade?”

“Sure, y’can.” 

“You sure?”

“Why wouldn’t you be able t’get a drink?”

“... It’s not water.”

“Yes, Angel, I’m aware that lemonade isn’t water. It’s lemonade. Thank you for reminding me,” Husk drawled, voice heavily sarcastic.

Angel rolled his eyes. “I just… It costs extra.”

“Don’t even look at prices,” Husk told him as he reached across the table to cover part of the ‘price’ column on the menu. “Just… pick what sounds good. You can get a drink, and a side, and dessert, and we’ll have a good time ‘n talk ‘n laugh together. Please?”

“... Okay.”

Husk grinned, crooked and toothy. “Alright. Good Boy.”

Angel’s ears heated up as his face flushed pink. “Stop doin’ that.”

“What? Callin’ you nice things?” Husk scoffed. “I like bein’ nice t’you. It’s fun. You turn pretty colors, and your smile’s nice t’look at. It’s purely selfish on my part, you have to know.”’

“... Uh-huh.”

Husk winked at Angel over their menus. “I’m thinkin’ about this steak sandwich,” he told Angel, pointing to the option on his own menu. “Maybe with fries.”

“Mm. I think… This ‘churro waffle’ looks really good. Like… cinnamon sugar, and whipped cream, and ice cream.”

“That sounds like a toothache waitin’ to happen,” Husk laughed. “I think you’ll love it.”

Angel grinned. “Can I get hashbrowns?”

“Sure thing. You can snag a couple’f my fries, too, if you want ‘em.”

Still smiling so hard that his cheeks ached, Angel sipped his water, draining the glass in just a few moments and letting out a sigh. “Oh… Y’ever have those times where you forget to drink water all day, then you remember, ‘n water’s the best thing you’ve ever had?”

“Oh, yeah,” Husk chuckled. “More often than is probably healthy, honestly.”

Angel nodded. “Yeah, me, too.”

Husk hummed. He glanced over his menu again, looking up when the waitress approached. 

“Are you ready to order your drinks?” she asked, pen poised over her notepad. 

“Yeah,” Husk said, “And food, too, if that’s alright?”

“Sure!”

“Alright. I’ll have the root beer for a drink, and he’ll have the lemonade.”

“Homemade or fountain?” she asked Angel. 

“Uh… Homemade?”

“Excellent choice. And to eat?”

Husk gestured to Angel. 

“Can I get… the churro waffle, and a side of hashbrowns?”

“Sure, you can. And for you?” She turned back to Husk. 

“The shredded steak sandwich with the house fries, please. Two orders of fries, actually.”

“Okay.” She jotted down his order, then asked, “Anything else?”

“No, don’t think so,” Angel said with a smile. “Thanks, Doll.”

She smiled back at him as she took their menus. “I’ll be back with your drinks in a few minutes, and food’ll be a little longer.”

“Not a problem,” Husk told her. “I’ve got good company.” He winked at Angel across the table. 

Angel flushed again. 

The waitress chuckled and shook her head. “Alright. Let me know if you need anything.”

When she was gone, Angel nudged Husk’s foot with his own. 

“What’s up?”

“... Nothin’.”

“Why you playin’ footsie with me, then?”

“... I dunno.”

Husk picked up Angel’s hand from the table, folding it into his own larger palm. “You’re freezing. Christ.”

Angel snickered. “Yeah, that happens.”

“Doesn’t it hurt?”

“I’m used to it.” Angel sipped his water, using his non-dominant hand to pick it up to avoid having to let go of Husk. “Comes with the whole… ‘druggie’ thing.”

“... I thought you were gettin’ clean.”

“Yeah, but ‘m still a fuckin’ twig. Ever noticed that you’re not cold as often as I am?”

Husk chuckled. “I’ve got more meat on my bones.”

“Yeah. So… I’m cold, and you’re warm, and you give really good hugs, so… I like t’hug you to get warm before I leave.”

Husk laughed and shook his head good-naturedly. “Well, you are always welcome to use me as a human space-heater. Niff says the same thing.”

“Oh, yeah?”

Nodding, Husk lifted his glass to his lips to sip his water through the straw. “Yeah, she’ll just come up ‘n stand between me ‘n the bar sometimes, if business is slow. Calls it a ‘Husk-Bask’.”

Angel snorted. “Like a cat?”

“Exactly like a cat.”

“And she calls you ‘Cat’.”

“Mm.”

“Why does she call you that?”

“She likes my whiskers.” He scratched at his sideburns. “Thinks I look like a grumpy ol’ tomcat.” 

Angel laughed. “You kinda do.”

“Don’t start.”

“No, no, it’s cute!” Angel insisted. “You look like you’re ready t’beat someone up at a moment’s notice, but you also look like you’d curl up in a sunbeam, if you got the chance.”

Husk rolled his eyes. “I can’t wait for you t’meet Niffty,” he chuckled. “The two’f you are gonna get on like a house on fire.”

“She sounds like a fuckin’ blast.”

“She thinks she is.”

“And you?”

“I think she’s a tornado with a weird love for bugs ‘n old movies.”

“Doesn’t mean she’s not a blast.”

“... Fair enough.” Husk squeezed Angel’s hand. 

Angel finished about half of his waffle before sitting back in his seat, groaning. “Oh, that’s so good. I can’t believe I’ve never had that before.”

Husk laughed, covering his mouth as he asked, “You gonna take the rest home?”

“Oh, yeah.” Angel sipped his drink. “Breakfast tomorrow, maybe.”

“Make sure t’bring the ice cream, too, so you can freeze it and have it, too.”

“Right!” Angel looked around their private room for the waitress, then huffed. “I’ll wait ‘til she comes back.”

Husk nodded. He slid the plate of fries across the table. “Got these for you, too. Bring those home with ya.”

“... Why?”

“Why not?”

“I mean, I ordered my own food. Why’d you order extra?”

“I like feedin’ you,” Husk said with a shrug. “Just… a good way t’take care’f you, I think. I do it for everyone. I keep Niff’s candy bars ‘n chips under the bar ‘n in my pantry. I keep her boyfriend’s favorite tea and the weird seaweed crackers he likes, too, ‘cause he’s weird about food, and I wanna make sure he eats when he comes over.”

Angel hummed. 

“So… take the fries, take the waffle, take the ice cream… eat ‘em tomorrow for breakfast or lunch.”

“Thanks, Husk,” Angel whispered, smiling wide enough that his eyes crinkled at the corners. “You’re nice to me.”

“I like you,” Husk said with a shrug. “I like bein’ nice to you. It’s easy t’be nice to you. I mean, I hate most people, but you?” Husk let out a breath through pursed lips. “You’re sweet. I like bein’ nice to you.”

“Oh.” Angel picked at the hem of his dress, biting into his lower lip as he considered his next words. “I like you, too.”

“That’s good,” Husk laughed. “I’d hope you do, or I’d feel bad for havin’ dragged you out tonight.”

“Nah, I’m always down for a free dinner,” Angel teased. 

“Hey, I’ll buy you dinner anytime.”

“Damn, I’ve gotta keep you around, now. You cook, too?”

“I’ve been known to.”

“Oh, you’re perfect,” Angel sighed, elbow propped on the table to support his head. “I should cook for you sometime.”

“What’ll you make?”

“Pastina. Or a nice lasagna… I’m really good at pasta,” he bragged. “Comes with the genes.”

“Italian?”

“Yep.”

Husk chuckled. “Well, I’ll look forward to it. Maybe I’ll sit with you while you cook sometime.”

“Sous chef?” Angel asked playfully.

“Nah, I know y’can do it yourself. I think I’d just get in the way.”

“Smart man.” Angel took one of Husk’s hands in both of his own, playing with his thick fingers to run his fingertips over his callouses. “Your hands are dry,” he noted. 

“Mm. Happens. I wash my hands a lot at work, ‘n I can’t use lotion, or I’ll be droppin’ bottles everywhere.”

Angel snorted. At Husk’s unamused stare, Angel defended, “It’s a funny thought! Just… ‘Oh, hell, yeah, I’m gonna be so moisturized– SMASH’.” He giggled. 

Husk rolled his eyes, smiling at Angel’s continued laughter. “You have a nice laugh,” he whispered when Angel settled down. 

Angel flushed pink, waving Husk off weakly as he murmured, “Shut up.” He ran his thumbs over the dry, cracked skin on the backs of Husk’s knuckles, then said, “Put your hands on the table,” as he reached for his bag. 

Taking out a small tube of lotion, Angel warmed a dollop between his palms and spread it over Husk’s hands. He worked it into Husk’s knuckles, fingers, and palms with his thumbs. “Gotta take care’f yourself,” he murmured. 

Husk hummed softly. He watched Angel’s look of concentration until he pulled away with a quiet chuckle. 

“There.”

“Thank you, Baby,” Husk whispered. 

“... Yeah.” Angel looked down at his plate. “I know I can’t finish this, but…”

“You wanna get dessert?”

“They have a berry trifle. That sounds so good.”

“We’ll get that!” Husk laughed. “You can have whatever you want, Sweetheart.”

“I know you wanted t’stop somewhere–”

“We have time,” Husk promised him. “Okay? Place doesn’t close ‘til 11.”

Angel looked at his phone’s lock screen, the time reading ‘8:11’. “Okay. After dessert, we can go?”

“We can go.” 

Angel bounced once in his seat with an eager grin. “Awesome.” 

When the waitress came over, Husk ordered the dessert and asked for boxes for the rest of Angel’s food. As soon as she left, he brought Angel’s hands up to his face to kiss his knuckles. “Angel?”

“... Yeah?”

“Thank you for comin’ out with me tonight. Means a lot to me.”

“As if I’d say ‘no’ t’you.” Angel squeezed Husk’s hands once before pulling his own away. “I’m kinda obsessed with you, now.”

“That right?” Husk asked as he sat back in his seat and crossed his arms over his chest. 

“Uh, yeah?” Angel scoffed. “You’re handsome, you’re charming, you’re funny, you’ve got a nice voice, you’re… good t’me…” He shrugged. “Thought it was obvious by now.”

Husk opened the passenger’s door for Angel when he had parked his truck in the mall parking lot. 

“What’re we doin’ here?”

“You’ll see,” Husk chuckled. 

“I mean, what’s even open–”

“You’ll see!” Husk took Angel’s hand in his own. He brought him into the mall, beelining for a location that only he knew. 

Angel simply followed Husk through the nearly-dead mall, only a few teenagers and young couples lingering around the entrance of the movie theatre. 

Husk stopped in front of the Build-A-Bear and gestured into the open storefront. “After you.”

“We’re… at Build-A-Bear.”

“M-hm.”

“... Why?”

“ ‘Cause you said that you didn’t have any stuffed animals, and I wanted t’fix that.”

Angel stared into the store, eyes scanning over the various colors, shapes, and sizes of stuffed animals available. 

Husk simply stood beside him to let him take in the sight before them. 

“... Can we go in?” Angel rasped after a few minutes.

“Absolutely.” Husk led Angel inside, where they were greeted by a bubbly young woman with jet-black hair and a stuffed-bunny-shaped backpack. 

“Hi, Husk!” 

Angel’s brows furrowed. “Are you a frequent flyer or somethin’?” he asked. “ ‘Cause… I think I pegged you wrong, and I may… have to call an Uber.”

Husk rolled his eyes. “I am not.” He turned back to the employee. “Hey, Niff.”

Niffty grinned at him, throwing her arms around his neck tight enough for Husk to let out a startled ‘oof’. “Hi! Is this the boy?”

“This is,” Husk chuckled. “Angel, this is Niffty. Niffty, this is Angel.”

Niffty greeted Angel with a tight hug around his ribcage, muttering against him, “You’re all bones.”

“Uh… Sorry?”

“I said ‘You’re all bones’,” she repeated, poking his ribcage through the corset bodice of his dress. “I like your dress, though.”

“Thanks.” He turned to Husk, silently looking between him and Niffty and mouthing, ‘What the fuck?’.

“Niff, we’re here to make a bear. Can we get on that?”

“Uh, yeah, Husk, this is the Build-A-Bear. You can make a bear.” She led Angel to the wall and gestured at the flat, unstuffed animals. “You pick which one you wanna make! And I’ll help you stuff it and make it soft, or hard, or any other fluff-level. You can pick clothes ‘n shoes ‘n hats for it, and maybe you can put a sound in him.”

Angel stared at the wall, obviously overwhelmed. 

“Alright, Niff, we’ll holler once we pick,” he chuckled. “Thanks.”

She nodded and went back to the front desk, leaning over a comic book. 

“She works here nights,” Husk whispered to Angel, hand on the small of his back. “Works at the bar during the day t’clean, here t’make stuffed animals.”

Angel nodded weakly. He stared forward at the animals. 

“Overwhelmed?” Husk murmured. 

“There’s so many.” 

“Yeah.”

“I don’t wanna make any of ‘em feel bad,” he whispered. “Like, if I take one’f ‘em home, I’m leavin’ the rest here. That’s mean.”

“No, that means they get to go home with someone else. It’s boring if they all got to the same place. Let ‘em explore the world, Baby.” Husk kissed Angel’s shoulder. “Just pick one.”

“Can you help?” Angel reached out to stroke one of the animals, a highland cow with large horns and fuzzy fur. He placed it back on its shelf. 

“I can help,” Husk agreed easily. “Do you want a big one or a small one? Again: no lookin’ at prices. What do you want?”

“... A big one’ll be easier t’cuddle.”

“Good choice.” Husk guided Angel towards the larger animals. “Do you want something fluffy, or somethin’... less fluffy?”

“Fluffy.”

Husk nodded. “Good job, Sweetheart. You’re doin’ real good.” 

“Can…” He glanced at Niffty on the other end of the store. “Can I see the cat?” 

Husk nodded, picking out a black, grey, and white tuxedo cat from the shelf to hand it to Angel. 

The cat’s fur was short and soft, and Angel carded his fingers through it. 

“Good?” Husk asked. He rested his hand on the small of Angel’s back again. 

“I… Yeah, I like it.” He stroked the cat’s head before setting it on its shelf and selecting a flattened version of the same plush toy. “Niffty?”

“Yep!” She approached with bouncing steps and held out her hands for the flattened plush. 

Angel hesitated, fingers digging into the toy’s fur and fabric. 

“You’ll get him back,” Niffty promised. “I’ve just gotta check that there’s no holes or gross stringy-bits sticking out.”

Angel handed her the flat toy, fingers working at themselves and picking at his cuticles. 

Husk took his hand. “Relax, Baby,” he murmured. “She’ll give him back. He’s yours. She’s just takin’ care’f him.”

Niffty handed back the flattened plush with a grin. “He’s all healthy! C’mon over here, ‘n we’ll stuff him. You want a lot of stuffing, or a little?”

“A lot.”

Niffty nodded and waved him over. “C’mon, you help.” 

Angel followed her directions, helping her pump the stuffing into the toy until it was his desired firmness. 

“Okay! Now, d’you want him to have a voice? It costs extra, but–”

“Yeah, Niff,” Husk said, taking the offered voice-recording button that was to go inside of the toy. “Can I?” he asked Angel. 

“You don’t need to–”

Husk rolled his eyes and stepped into the sound-proof recording booth, meant to keep the noises of the mall out of the recording, but functioning to keep Angel from hearing what sound he made for the toy. 

Angel picked at his cuticles again, sucking away a droplet of blood that beaded to the surface. 

“D’you want a band-aid?” Niffty asked. “I have pink and purple ones.”

“... I like pink.” 

Nodding, she ducked behind the counter to grab a small baggie of band-aids, then, taking Angel’s hand in hers, wrapped it around his finger. “Better?”

“... Yeah. Better. Thanks, Niffty.”

She grinned.

Husk emerged from the booth. “Here. Next to the heart, not in the hand.” He handed the button to Niffty, then turned to Angel to say, “Don’t listen to it ‘til you’re home.”

“Ooh! Somethin’ spicy for lil’ ol’ me, Baby?” Angel leaned down to bump his nose against Husk’s. 

Husk pushed him off with a laugh. “Knock it off. Nothin’ like that.”

Angel sighed as he watched Niffty tuck the button into the stuffed animal, right beside the heart stuffed into the toy. “Husk?”

“Yeah?”

“Can… you help me pick out some clothes for it?”

“Sure, I can.” Husk followed Angel to the large rack of animal-sized clothes. 

Angel selected a pair of red velcro suspenders and a pair of pants with a tail-hole in the back. He looked over it, then said, “I dunno if I want it t’have a shirt. I like the pattern on it.”

“You don’t need to.” Husk looked at a small red bow-tie. 

“Here, gimme,” Angel demanded. 

Angel approached Niffty to take the cat that was cradled to her chest and dress it in the small outfit that he had selected. He held up the cat to grin at it, then turned to Husk to show him. 

“I think it’s perfect,” Angel gushed, smile so wide that nearly all of his teeth were visible. He bounced up and down on his toes. 

“Hold on,” Husk chuckled. He looked over the clothes, then offered Angel a soft top-hat. “What about this? Completes the whole ‘dried-up magician’ look.”

“He is not a dried-up magician!” Angel gasped, taking the hat anyway. “I think he’s a dapper gentleman.””

“Whatever you say.”

Niffty grinned as she rang them up. “I think he’s lovely. What’s his name? For the birth certificate?”

Angel considered, eyes wide as he admitted, “I dunno.”

“That’s okay!” Niffty chirped. “Take your time. Not like there’s anyone else here.”

Angel thought for a few minutes, hand lacing with Husk’s. “I think… maybe ‘Kit’.”

“Oh, that’s cute! Like the American Girl doll!” Niffty nodded as she scribbled on the certificate and showed it to Angel and Husk. “Sign here, please!” 

Angel scrawled his loopy signature on the line that she indicated, then handed the pen to Husk. 

“I don’t–”

“Don’t be a deadbeat dad,” Angel scoffed. “Be part of your kid’s life.”

Husk snorted, shook his head, and took the pen from him to sign beside Angel’s name. “Alright, Baby. Whatever you want.” 

Niffty carefully tucked the plush into a house-shaped cardboard box with blue printed doodles all over it. “Here you go!” She handed the box to Angel. “Your new friend, ready to go home.”

“Thank you, Niffty. It was nice t’meet you.”

“Oh, you, too! Husk talks about you all the time, ‘n I kept tellin’ him that I wanted t’meet you, and he kept sayin’ ‘No, you’ll scare him off’, ‘No, I wanna keep this one around’, ‘No, Niffty, I–’”

“Okay!” Husk cut in with an awkward laugh. “Okay. Enough. Thank you, Niffty. You’re too good t’me.”

She beamed. “One more hug!” 

Husk opened his arms for her to run around the counter and pull him into a tight hug. He chuckled. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay? A drink on me after your shift.”

“Okay!” She waved as they left, Angel gripping his box in one hand and Husk’s hand in the other. 

As they wandered through the mall, Angel lingered in front of a home-goods store, eyes catching on the fluffy blankets on display. 

“What’s up?” Husk asked. 

“Nothin’. Just… Can I go touch the blanket? Real quick? If we have a few minutes, I mean–”

“Of course, you can,” Husk laughed, gesturing towards the store. “Let’s go. We’ll pet all the blankets, Angel.”

Angel moved through the aisles, stroking the soft blankets and pillows. He brought one particularly soft one to his face to rub it against his cheek. “Feel!” 

Husk stroked the blanket, then Angel’s cheek, running his thumb over his cheekbone. “Very nice, Princess.”

“... ‘Princess’?”

“You like it or no?”

Angel was silent, then he nodded.

“Alright.”

Angel went to put the blanket back, but Husk took it from him. 

“What–”

“C’mon.” Husk led Angel to the back of the store, where the checkout counter was. 

“Husk, really, I just wanted to feel it–”

“And I want Kit t’have a nice place to sleep.” Husk set the blanket on the counter. “Just this.”

The cashier, visibly exhausted, nodded and rang him up in silence. 

Angel took the blanket that Husk handed him as the cashier made Husk’s change. 

As they left, Husk plucked the cardboard box from Angel’s hand, leaving him to cradle the soft, plush blanket to his chest. 

“You don’t have to buy me things,” Angel whispered. 

“Maybe not. But I like seein’ you happy, ‘n you deserve soft things.”

“... Oh.” 

Husk led Angel out to the truck, where he helped him into the passenger’s seat, buckled his seatbelt for him, and tucked his new gifts into his lap. “Good. Alright.” He kissed Angel’s cheek before shutting the door. 

Angel stared straight ahead through the windshield. 

When Husk got in his own seat, he asked, “There anything else you wanna do?”

“... Can I just go home?” Angel asked in a whisper. 

Husk glanced over. “Yeah. Yeah, I can take you home, Honey. Somethin’ wrong? I thought we were havin’ fun.”

“We were– we are! We are, ‘n I am… I’m just…” He gestured vaguely down at himself. “I feel weird.”

“... About?”

After a few seconds, Angel groaned in frustration and threw his head back against the headrest. “Okay, I am so bad at feelings. I don’t know what I’m feelin’, but it’s weird and uncomfy–” He placed a hand just below his sternum and rubbed it with his fingertips. 

“Mm.” Husk offered a hand to Angel, which he took after a second of hesitation. “Anything I can do?”

Angel shook his head. “I just wanna go home.”

“I’ll bring you home.” Husk kissed the back of Angel’s hand. “Was it too much, too fast?”

“... Maybe.”

“I’ll remember that.” 

Angel stared at the landscape as it passed, leg bouncing. 

Husk’s hand was warm in his, and Angel whispered, “Sorry.”

“Why’re you sorry, Honey?”

“We were havin’ fun–”

“And that’s not negated just ‘cause you have feelings. I’m glad you feel comfortable enough to tell me that you’re done ‘n ready t’go home.” 

“... D’you wanna meet Nuggets when we go?”

“If you think he’ll be okay with it.”

Angel nodded with a soft smile. 

Angel unlocked his apartment door, letting Husk in and scooping up Nuggets in both arms. 

Nuggets’ squeals were furious as Angel set his box on the nearby kitchen chair. 

“Y’can put the blanket there,” Angel told Husk. “Shush.”

Husk approached slowly, eyeing the furious pig. 

“He’s nice,” Angel promised Nuggets. He took Husk’s fingers in his free hand and brought their joined hands towards Nuggets. “See?”

Nuggets sniffed their joined hands, then licked the back of Angel’s hand a few times with a whine. 

“Okay. Alright.” Angel took his hand away from Husk and stroked Nuggets’ head. “It’s okay, Nuggsy. He’s nice, I promise. Nothin’ like Val.”

Husk nodded with a smile at the pig. “I really like your dad. He’s my favorite.”

Angel moved to the kitchen to pull a treat out of the fridge, holding it far away from Nuggets to hand it to Husk. “Here. He’ll like you if you give ‘im a treat.” Angel set the pig on the floor between them. 

“D’you… make ‘im do anything?”

“He has tricks!” Angel knelt in front of Nuggets to say, “Nuggets, sit!” 

Nuggets sat.

“Nuggets, roll over!” 

Nuggets rolled over, wriggling on his back for a few moments before righting himself again. 

“Nuggets, kiss!” Angel leaned down to be face-to-face with Nuggets. 

Nuggets tapped his snout to Angel’s nose with a snort. 

“Good Boy!” Standing, Angel gestured to Husk. “You can tell him to ‘dance’. That’s a cute one.”

“Nuggets, dance?” Husk said, voice unsure. 

Nuggets squealed happily, hopped onto his hind legs, and spun in a circle, hooves clopping on the laminate floor. 

Husk laughed loudly, making Angel echo the sound. 

“Good Boy,” Husk said, kneeling to give Nuggets the treat that he was still holding. He scratched behind the pig’s ears. 

Angel cleared his throat. “Husk?”

Husk stood with a groan as his knees creaked. “What’s up, Angel?”

“Can I… kiss you?”

“You don’t have to–”

“Husk. I’ve wanted t’kiss you all night. You’ve… been so good to me, ‘n I like you so much…” Angel huffed. “I wanna kiss you.” 

“Breathe,” Husk coached. He took Angel’s hand in his own to kiss his knuckles. “C’mere, Beautiful.”

Angel leaned down to kiss Husk, lips moving against his as he let out a relieved breath. 

Husk pulled back to cup Angel’s face in both hands. “Angel, Sweetheart?”

“Mm?”

“I’m gonna go.”

“Why?”

Husk let out a breathless chuckle. “ ‘Cause you… are sweepin’ me off my feet, Baby. And I dunno how much self-control I’ll have if y’kiss me like that much longer.”

Angel hummed. He leaned down to kiss Husk again and whisper against his lips, “I don’t mind.”

Husk chuckled and reached up to brush Angel’s hair back from his forehead. “Another time. T’night, I’m gonna kiss you one more time ‘n say ‘goodbye’. We’ll… have another date soon, though. Don’t think I can go a whole week… maybe a morning?”

“Before work?”

“Yeah.” Husk smiled. “I’ll take you out for breakfast or somethin’.”

“... I’d like that. It’ll be fun.”

“Good.” Husk brought Angel close to kiss him softly, lingering for a few long moments before he pulled back. 

“Can I suck your dick?” Angel blurted. 

Husk, startled, barked a laugh and shook his head. “No. Get into your pajamas ‘n brush your teeth, then go to bed. I’ll see you soon.”

“... Promise?”

Husk nodded. “ ‘Course. I don’t lie t’you.”

“Okay.” Angel grabbed Husk’s hand before he left. “One more.”

After kissing Angel softly, Husk pressed a gentle peck to his cheek. “G’night, Sweetheart.”

“... ‘Night, Husk.”

Husk left the apartment with a quick scratch to Nuggets’ head. 

Angel stared at the closed door for a while, listening to Nuggets chomp away at the treat that Husk had given him. 

He sighed, then kicked off his shoes, grabbed the box and blanket from the chair, and brought everything to his bed. 

Angel stripped out of his dress and changed into a set of soft pajamas. 

Spreading the soft, pale pink blanket over his bed, Angel propped the small cat from its cardboard house in the center of the mattress. He patted its chest with a smile. 

The small click of the button inside sounded, and Husk’s voice from inside of the cat said, “You’re my everything, Anthony.”

Angel’s eyes filled with tears. He pushed the button again. 

“You’re my everything, Anthony.”

Falling into the bed with the blanket, Angel hugged the cat to his chest, picking up his phone from the purse beside him to take a picture of himself and the cat. He sent it to Husk with the simple message: ‘Night, Baby’.

He curled up in the blanket and closed his eyes, surrounded by the scent of Husk’s cologne that lingered on the fabric around him. He pressed the toy’s button one more time, Husk’s voice in his ears lulling him to sleep with a smile on his face.