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Husk tipped his head back as he drank from his flask then shoved it in his overalls as he walked back to his apartment. He’d lost the game of luck and was sent out to buy liquor. It didn’t matter that he was only sixteen since his driver’s license said otherwise.
His family was celebrating the large hustle they pulled off earlier that day with a drinking party. They moved from town to town, cheating people out of their money with sleight of hand and games of “chance”. It was probably time for them to move on again though.
A police siren blared causing a shiver of fear up his spine. He walked faster to the end of the block and peaked around the corner. The police were raiding the apartment building they lived in but from the looks of it they hadn’t arrested anyone.
Husk went back the way he came and ditched the key to the apartment as he left. He wasn’t going to need that anymore.
They had an emergency meeting spot in case things went sour but it would take time to get there. Thankfully, the bus arrived at the stop a few minutes after he did. It would take an hour by bus to get to the meeting point but they would know to wait for him.
He took a seat and glared at his shaking arms as he hugged the bottles of booze in his lap. He wasn’t a fucking coward. He hadn’t gotten caught so there was no reason for him to be scared. There was nothing to be worried about.
Husk hopped off the bus stop and sat on the bench. He spread his wings so no one would sit next to him. He finished off his flask while he waited then opened one of the bottles in the bag. He bounced his foot impatiently and looked around as he waited for his family to come get him. There were no signs or signals from them yet which meant they weren’t there.
He was on the last bottle and the sun was dipping behind the horizon when his fear peaked. What would he do if they didn’t come? What if he left to find a place to sleep and they came by? He didn’t want to sleep on the bench. Something like this had never happened before.
A strange man in a red suit with equally red hair walked toward him. His eerie smile sent a shiver up his spine. Husk had a really bad feeling about this freak.
“Get the fuck away from me,” he stood from the bench and screamed but his words came out a bit slurred. “I’ll fuck you up if you get any closer.”
“I’m not here for trouble,” the man stated with a menacing smile that just screamed trouble.
There was definitely something wrong with his guy. Husk’s fight or flight instinct kicked in and he threw a punch.
The man easily dodged him and even seemed to enjoy Husk’s struggle as he tried again. The alcohol was tiring him out faster. He collapsed to his knees and looked up at the terrifying man before he was tackled and his face was pushed into the ground.
“You’re under arrest for attempted assault,” the officer handcuffed him.
He got dizzy when they hauled him to his feet and he stumbled getting into the car. He felt safer now that he was away from that creep.
///
Once he sobered up he realized how fucked he was. His family had ditched town without him and they wanted to pin everything on him but since he was underage they were having a hard time getting it to court. His free lawyer stated that once they were done trying, he would end up in a foster home or orphanage until he turned eighteen.
He’d rather go out on his own than go into the system. He’d hardly said a word since they detained him. The less he said the better.
Husk sat on the bed in his small cell and stared vacantly at the bars. He couldn’t believe his family had ditched him. They hadn’t been sickeningly close like other families but they looked out for each other. Or so he thought.
His tail swished anxiously as he waited for anything to happen. There was nothing he could do with his fate in someone else’s hands. He’d never felt so helpless before.
“Salutations!” a cheerful voice greeted him.
“The hell do you want?” Husk growled and drew his legs up defensively.
It was the creep from the bus stop. He still had a bad feeling about this guy. Now that he was sober he noticed the deer ears and antlers, not that those changed his mind.
“I was simply curious what had become of you,” the weirdo eyed the few items in his cell. “You seem like an interesting fellow. Perhaps I can interest you in a deal.”
“Fuck off,” he hissed and his wings puffed out in warning.
“Oh, come now,” the man’s eyes narrowed. “Let’s discuss this reasonably.”
“What do you want?” Husk examined him for a weapon.
“The name’s Alastor,” he introduced himself. “A pleasure to meet you. Quiet the pleasure.”
They stared at each other for a few moments.
“Husker,” he said through gritted teeth. Something about the guy made his fur stand on end.
“You seem to be in a bit of a bind, Husker,” he smirked. “I can help you out, if you want.”
“And what do you get in return?” he demanded. There was no way he was trusting this freak.
“As I said,” he dropped the cheerful tone for something more sinister. “You seem like an interesting fellow. I’m sure you would provide me with adequate entertainment.”
Husk shivered in fear.
“I could adopt you right this second and get you out of here,” his light tone returned. “I’ll enroll you in school but leave you to your own devices for the most part. As long as you don’t get in my way. Once you graduate, you can move out and do whatever your heart desires.”
“What’s the catch?”
“I simply want some company,” he responded. “Perhaps you can regale me with a story or two.”
Husk didn’t like this but it was unlikely the guy would adopt him then kill him. That would look too suspicious but there were worse things than death. Who was to say a foster parent wouldn’t be the same though.
“Fine,” he agreed reluctantly. “I’ll tell you whatever you want.”
“Excellent!” he twirled his cane and walked away while humming.
An officer came back a few minutes later to unlock his cage. They returned his stuff and shoved him in the strange man’s direction.
“He’s your problem now,” the officer grumbled.
“Thank you, gentlemen,” the freak smiled sweetly at them before turning and walking away.
Husk took a moment before following behind him. His only possessions were his wallet, a flask, and the clothes on his back. They had taken the fake ID too. Not that it mattered, he knew how to get another one.
He blinked against the harsh sunlight and followed the happy man to his car. Dread filled him when he realized that the weirdo hadn’t gone to the bus stop for transportation.
///
“Home sweet home,” Alastor announced as they entered a one story house in the middle of nowhere.
Husk was feeling worse and worse about this.
The living room was filled with hunting trophies, mostly deer heads. There was an old unused fireplace against the far wall with a photo of a woman that looked similar to Alastor. It was the only photo that he saw.
The dining room was more standard with less decorations but the liquor cabinet caught his attention.
“The kitchen is through that door,” Alastor explained. “And down the halls are the bedrooms and bathroom.”
“What about that room?” Husk pointed to the door that was across from the hallway.
“Don’t worry your pretty little head about it,” he said and made his way down the hallway. “This is my room. Do not enter my room for any reason.”
“Understood,” Husk nodded once and swallowed fearfully.
“Excellent!” Alastor clapped his hands together. “You have your choice of the other three rooms. They’re all already furnished.”
Husk passed him to look at the other rooms and hated the feeling of his gaze. He picked the biggest room and closed the door to start unpacking the clothes that Alastor had bought him.
Before they had returned to the house, Alastor had taken him shopping at several stores. They gathered clothes, school supplies and groceries before coming back. Alastor had taken the groceries and Husk had to make a few more trips to get the rest of his stuff.
He sat heavily on the bed and wondered what the future had in store for him.
///
It only took Husker a month to fall into a boring routine. He’d wake up, eat breakfast that Alastor made, then take the bus to school. It wasn’t a convenient walk to the bus stop but he wasn’t going to ask Alastor for anything.
True to his word, as long as Husk didn’t bother him, Alastor allowed him to do as he pleased. He only threatened Husk once when he’d drunk the whisky in the liquor cabinet. He wasn’t going to make that mistake again.
It was odd how easy life was for him now. How relaxed he felt in this home. When Alastor wasn’t around anyway. He still felt chills when Alastor was present.
“Hey there, Whiskers,” Anthony greeted with a flirtatious smile. He was tall and covered in pink fur. He had his chest fur puffed out like it was breasts.
They were both behind and were taking a lot of remedial classes together. He didn’t like Anthony, or anyone really, but the kid decided to annoy him everyday.
“Don’t call me that,” he grumbled as he took his assigned seat next to Anthony.
“Someone’s in a bad mood,” Anthony leaned closer to him. “I bet I can make you feel all better.”
“I don’t need anything from a whore,” he growled.
“I’m here if you change your mind,” Anthony didn’t look the least bit put off by him.
Everyone else had the sense to be afraid of him.
Anthony jumped up as soon as the bell rang and fled the classroom. He was always the first out while Husk was the last. He slowly packed his things then left for his next class. Husk dropped his stuff off and asked the teacher if it was ok for him to use the bathroom since he wasn’t likely to get back before the bell.
When the teacher ok’d him, he left. He didn’t actually care about permission but he did not want them calling Alastor and bothering him. Husk was not going to risk anything with that freak.
Someone was having a horrible coughing fit in the handicap stall. He did his business but paused before leaving. He grimaced as he knocked on the stall door.
“You ok in there?” Husk reluctantly asked but when his knuckles hit the door it slowly pushed open. “Are you doing coke off a toilet seat?”
Husk entered the stall and locked the door behind him.
Anthony was on his knees with a long line of coke on the seat of the toilet.
“Get up,” he grabbed one of Anthony’s four arms to pull him up. “That’s disgusting.”
“Go the fuck away!” he slapped Husk’s hands off him. “There’s nothing you want from a whore like me anyway.”
Anthony’s eyes were red from more than just the coke.
Husk groaned with a grimace as his ears pulled back.
“I’m sorry,” he apologized as he gently grabbed Anthony under the arms and lifted him. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
Anthony allowed himself to be pulled up, his shirt lifted slightly. Husk caught sight of something and lifted it the rest of the way without thinking.
“Buy a guy dinner first,” Anthony joked sadly.
“Who’s hurting you?” Husk stared at his wounds with disbelief.
“It doesn't matter,” Anthony lowered his shirt. “Don’t worry about me.”
Husk should walk away. He should leave this alone and pretend he didn’t see anything. It was none of his business…but he couldn’t bring himself to. Husk was lonely and from the look of Anthony, he was lonely too. They may be fucked up in different ways but they were both still fucked up.
“I drink,” he admitted. “A lot…to deal with my pain.”
“Substance abusers unite,” Anthony grumbled and halfheartedly fist pumped. “Now what? You gonna stop me?”
He crossed his arms uncomfortably.
“You shouldn’t do that here,” he replied. “Especially not on the seat.”
“I cleaned it first,” Anthony stated defensively. “I ain’t that gross and I can’t do it at home so here is the best place.”
“...Why don’t you come to my place then,” he offered. “My…..guardian doesn’t care.”
“He won’t care that I’m getting high at his house?” Anthony raised a disbelieving brow.
“As long as we don’t bother him,” Husk shrugged.
“Why the hell not,” he sighed. “I’m not wasting this though.”
Husk grimaced with disgust but didn’t stop him.
///
“You seriously walk this far just for the bus?” Anthony complained.
“I don’t have much of a choice,” he shrugged and pulled his companion up the driveway and into the house. “I’m back and I brought a friend.”
He was just realizing that he probably should have asked before inviting someone over.
“Welcome back,” Alastor put down his newspaper and stood to greet them when they entered the dining room. “I’m Husker’s father, Alastor, and who might you be.”
The creepy smile didn’t seem to faze Anthony.
“Anthony,” he grinned back. “Nice to meet you.”
“A pleasure,” Alastor responded. “Will you be joining us for dinner?”
“Nah,” he shook his head. “It’s a far walk from the bus stop so I should probably head out before then.”
“If that’s the only problem then Husker can give you a ride home,” Alastor stated nonchalantly. “He can borrow the car.”
“What’s the catch?” Husk narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
“Not everything has to be a transaction between us,” Alastor pinched his cheek.
Husk’s ears drew back and he growled softly but he didn’t stop it.
“I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything,” he let go and walked off to the kitchen.
They quickly made their way to Husk’s room.
“That guy’s a little weird,” Anthony commented. “He abusive?”
“No,” Husk shook his head. “The problems are all my own.”
He grabbed the flask from his bedside table and chugged.
“He just gives me a bad feeling,” he continued as he plopped down on the bed. “A really bad feeling.”
“Whatever,” he shrugged and used the nightstand to prepare his coke. “You gonna be sober enough to take me home?”
“Hah,” he laughed once. “Are you?”
They both chuckled.
///
Anthony easily became a part of his daily routine. They’d go to Husk’s room, get high and drunk, eat dinner, then he'd take Anthony home. It was simple, it was easy.
Nothing was ever easy.
“Hold still,” Husk hissed. “I think the gash is infected.”
“Stop fucking poking it,” Anthony growled.
“I have to clean it properly,” he retorted. “I’m pretty sure this should have gotten stitches.”
“It’s fine,” he mumbled. “Can’t see the scars under the fur anyway.”
That didn’t make it fine but Husk didn’t argue as he cleaned the wound.
Anthony was sitting on the counter in the bathroom and holding up his shirt while Husk bandaged him. That was also part of their normal routine and it was really starting to bother him.
“Why does he even hit you?” Husk sighed as he smoothed out the gauze.
“Cause he can’t fuck me yet,” Anthony said it so causally that Husk thought he was joking at first.
“WHAT?” his eyes almost bulged out of his head. “Are you fucking serious? We need to report him.”
“To who?” he shook his head. “He hasn’t done anything illegal…that I can prove. He’s waiting until I turn eighteen.”
Husk’s fists clenched and he wanted to punch something, preferably Anthony’s dad.
“Incest is illegal.”
“He’s my step-dad,” Anthony shuddered. “He can do whatever he wants to me. I’m just a dumb crackwhore like my mom was.”
“You’re not a whore,” Husk pulled him into a hug. “Fuck, I’m an asshole.”
“Nah, you’re sweet, Whiskers,” Anthony hugged him back with all four arms. It was very comforting. “If I asked you to fuck me, would you?”
“Huh?” Husk pulled away to check how serious he was. He looked determined.
“If you fuck me then Val won’t take my first time,” Anthony looked at him pleadingly. “Please, Husk, I’ll never ask you for anything else.”
“He’s waiting till you’re eighteen?” Husk spoke after a few moments of thought.
Anthony nodded and he sighed before gathering his resolve.
“Ok,” he lifted a hand to stop Anthony from jumping on him. “But not today.”
“Why not?” he tilted his head in confusion.
“Cause I like you,” Husk smiled softly at him. “And I want to treat you right. I recall you saying I should buy you dinner first.”
His eyes widened comically and his mouth opened and closed a few times.
“Wait, really?” Anthony grew excited. “I like you too, Whiskers!”
Husk cupped his face and ran a thumb along his soft cheek.
“Is making out off the table?” he asked eagerly, causing Husker to laugh.
///
“I can’t believe you’re doing this to me,” Anthony nearly cried. “What am I supposed to do without my drugs?”
“Here,” Husk handed him a plastic bag with white powder. “I’m not drinking anymore either. We want each other to get better then we gotta straighten ourselves out.”
“This ain’t crack,” Anthony took the bag.
“Donut holes,” he stated. “Eat one when you get a craving. I got a bag too.”
“Ok but why donut holes?” he asked with confusion.
“You like them,” Husk shrugged.
///
Husk felt like an idiot as he walked back to his house drinking a large bottle of vodka. Anthony had gotten caught with the white powder and got in trouble with the school. It didn't matter that they discovered the powder was sugar because they had already called his dad, who noticed drugs missing from his stash.
Anthony had been taking them and now that asshole was beating him for it. He texted Husk between beatings to let him know he was ok but wouldn't be at school for a while.
Husk’s fist tightened around the neck of the bottle as he looked at a picture of Anthony with two black eyes. He felt so useless. He couldn't even help his boyfriend.
He dragged his feet up the driveway and numbly noted Alastor’s car as he walked past. He wasn't drunk yet but that would be remedied soon. He paused to take another swig when he heard movement from the trunk.
Husk lowered the bottle before he could take a drink and looked at the car with confusion. Had he been hearing things?
He jumped back when the car shook from the movement within. His heart pounded and he looked around but Alastor wasn’t in sight.
Please be a raccoon. Please be a raccoon. Please be a raccoon.
He repeated in his head as he reached for the latch. He slowly opened it to reveal a long tan bag that was wiggling. The screams were muffled but clearly terrified.
Husk’s body trembled as he stumbled backward but he completely froze when he felt something sharp press into his lower back.
“You're back home early, my dear Husker,” the voice was sickeningly sweet. “How unfortunate.”
He swallowed and opened his mouth but found he was unable to form words. He knew there was something wrong with this man. He had felt it to the marrow of his bones.
“Let's make a deal, hm?” The knife pressed harder into his back. “Close the trunk.”
He did as he was told.
“That friend of yours, Anthony was it?” Alastor wasn't touching him but Husk felt his breath brush against his ear. “He's in quite a bit of trouble.”
Husk remained silent, unsure what he should do while his heart made a valiant effort to escape.
“I can help him and in exchange you finish that bottle in your hand, pass out in your bed and forget this ever happened,” his tone was still cheerful but menacing at the same time.
Husk didn't really have much choice but to nod in agreement. He didn't want to end up dead too and if this freak did help Anthony then maybe he could drink enough to forget this moment. He worried that there wasn’t enough alcohol in the world.
“Good,” the pressure on his back was removed. “Off to bed and when you wake, everything will be better.”
Husk turned and saw Alastor for the first time during the encounter. He looked the same as always with the same creepy smile. In one of his hands was a pen but Husk had no doubt that Alastor could still kill him.
“Yes,” his voice came out shaky. “Yes, boss.”
Husk obediently returned to his room and did as he was told.
///
“Whiskers! Whiskers wake up!”
Husk blinked his eyes open but only saw a pink blur. He groaned.
“Did you really drink this whole bottle?” the voice sounded annoyed.
He was being shaken again as he slowly opened his eyes.
“Anthony?” he grumbled. “That really you?”
“Yeah, you drunk,” Anthony kissed his nose. “Get up already.”
He scooted back enough so that Husk could sit up and rub his head. Maybe drinking the whole bottle had been a bit much.
Anthony was kneeling on the bed between his legs and draped himself over Husk the moment he sat up completely.
“Smiles says you asked him to come help me,” Anthony hugged him tightly. “Thank you. Smiles convinced Val to let me stay here until I graduate.”
His voice was thick with tears as Husk carefully hugged him back, he was mindful of the possible injuries under his clothes. He smiled softly and buried his face in Anthony’s neck.
Husk looked up when he heard a small creek.
The boss stood in the doorway with a murderous look in his eyes while his yellow smile gleamed in the light. He held up a hunting knife and mimed sliding it across his neck then pointed his way but he didn’t point at Husk, he pointed at Anthony.
Husk bit his lip and nodded as he pulled Anthony closer.
The boss reached forward and grabbed the knob before slowly closing the door.
Husk let out the breath he’d been holding since he looked up. His heart pounded harshly in his chest and he regretted bringing Anthony into another dangerous situation. Would he have been better off with Val? It didn’t matter anymore, Anthony was here and Husk was going to protect him.
He felt like he’d just traded his soul with a demon but he could live with that as long as his love was safe. He wasn’t sure when Anthony had touched his heart but he knew the moment he’d agreed to give up drinking that ‘like’ wasn’t a strong enough word.
Now that he carried the guilt of someone's death, he didn’t think he was ever going to stop drinking. Though he would try for Anthony.
He’d do anything for Anthony.
///
Epilogue
Alastor quietly shut the door to give his ‘children’ some alone time together. It hadn’t been difficult to strike a deal with Valentino’s boyfriend/business partner to get Angel out of his clutches. Vox only wanted to make him suffer anyway and it did grate on his nerves that he had to publicly advertise Vox’s TV show on his radio broadcast but he needed to keep Husker quiet.
He couldn’t kill Husk now that he adopted him since it would look suspicious. If only the police hadn’t arrived when they first met. He only went after people that wouldn’t be missed and Husk had been a prime target. His original target had been Husker’s father but he’d escaped town with the rest of his family and only left his youngest behind.
Alastor went to the kitchen to prepare dinner and started with chopping the vegetables. His real intention for adopting Husk was to see if he could lure out his father. It was still a possibility but as time went on the less likely that was.
Now it was too dangerous to continue his ‘hunting’ since Husk was aware. He would wait until they both graduated and kick them out before starting again. A small break might be nice anyway and his late mother had always wanted him to get married and raise a child. He could take the time to fulfil one of her wishes.
It’s not as if he would get married and have a child of his own. No, it was better this way. He could raise them for a short time then go back to his own life and hobbies. No need to interrupt his entertainment.
It could be fun to play ‘father’ for a while too. Husker was already providing more amusement than his dear old daddy would have. It would be fun to watch them struggle to quit their addictions, only to fail in the end.
Alastor smiled cruelly as he turned on the stove. Summer vacation was going to start for them soon so the three of them could spend more time together.
A sudden thought crossed his mind. There was also that new building on main street. The outside was done and it was clearly supposed to be a store of some sort but there were no signs. It would likely be done sometime during the summer as well. The mystery was so tantalizing that he couldn’t wait to see it.
It should be an interesting summer.