Chapter 1: kōun no sakura / good luck’s cherry blossom
Chapter Text
a cherry blossom petal floating in a cup of sake can be seen as a sign of good fortune.
“ Thanks.” Angel says, taking his dango stick from the street vendor. He flips a coin towards the vendor as he turns to walk down the main street. He bites into the first one, pulling the gooey ball of rice paste off of the stick in his teeth. “ Mmm.” He hums, the taste of mashed, sweet red bean filling his mouth.
It was becoming late into spring, the loose cherry blossom petals scattered across the main road in the breeze. Angel wore a simpler pink yukata as he wandered around in his free time, trying to soak up the nice weather. This was his favorite season after all.
“ What are you doin’ down here with the rest of us?” A voice calls out from the direction of the bar. Angel turns his head to look, mouth full of rice paste as he searches for the source of the voice. He looks down and sees a familiar face crouched around some dice and cups on the ground outside the bar. “ Weird to see you during the day, and not bathed in the red light.”
Angel frowns, despite his mouth being full, but he swallows loudly and saunters over to Husk with a sway of his hips. “ Husker. And you’re exactly where I thought you’d be. In the dirt, outside the bar, gamblin’ for change.”
“ Well, we can’t all be as privileged as you.”
Angel snorts, “ You call being bought and sold, privileged now? You’re in the same boat as me, motherfucka’.” He says with no bite.
Husk’s bare shoulder shrugs, his other hand picking up some dice to rattle mindlessly in his hand. “ Eh, but your owner’s got more coin than mine.”
“ That’s ‘cause Alastor is a con artist.”
“ Fortune teller.” Husk spits.
“ Yeah, yeah, ya keep tellin’ ya’self that.” Angel laughs, “ Anyway, I’m down here enjoyin’ the weather. Eatin’ some snacks. Can’t a girl take themselves on a walk? Self care and all that.” He points at Husk with the dango stick, with two dumplings still sticking on. “ You winnin’ today?”
“ Ehh, kinda. Still early, nobody’s drunk enough to make bad decisions.”
Angel laughs, “ I might be.”
“ Drunk already?”
“ I’m always keepin’ a little buzz goin’.” He shrugs with a big smirk, “ I don’t got anymore coin though, play me for one?” He waves the dango stick at Husk. “ Just as good.”
“ Fine.” He shrugs, tossing the dice into the wooden cup with a clank. “ Odd or even?” He watches as Angel approaches, kneeling down. His wooden sandals made a little trail in the dirt. He rests his lower hands in his lap, his one upper hand on his cheek, elbow resting on his lower arm as if he was bored. Husk looks up from the cup, watching Angel stare at the cup and dice blankly. Husk coughs, “ Hello, Angel, odd or even?”
Angel blinks, “ Oh! Fuck, sorry, uhhh…even.”
Husk snorts, “ You really might be drunk already, huh?”
“ Shut up.” Angel says again with no malice, but a little smirk, “ Roll the fuckin’ dice.” The dango stick in his teeth as he watches.
Husk flips the cup over, covering the dice and shaking it around in the dirt. “ Even?” He grins.
“ You cheatin’ Husky?”
“ Never.”
“ And why not?” Angel says, with a big grin, “ Missin’ opportunity.”
Husk snorts, gripping the cup, “ Not worth the trouble.”
“ Uh huh. Luckily, I like a little trouble. Thought you would too.” Angel says, meeting Husk’s eyes. They stare at each other, locked for a second. Angel quickly glances down at the cup, a little smile on his face. “ Pull up the cup.” He whispers, eyes flicking back up to meet Husk’s.
Husk lifts the cup up, keeping his eyes on Angel. They both glance down. “ Yes.”
“ Fuck!”
The dice show a seven. Five and Two.
Husk looks at Angel, who even crouched down is still much taller than himself sitting. “ Dango.”
“ Whatever.” Angel smirks, holding it out towards Husk's face. Husk moves a hand up to take the stick, but Angel moves it back away from him. “ Take it off while I hold it.” He purrs.
Husk’s eyes widened, staring wildly, a red flush to his cheeks. “ You’re fuckin’ weird.” He hisses, but leans forward, mouth open.
“ Yeah, that’s it baby.” Angel whines, high pitched and sticky sweet.
Husk’s ears flatten and he closes his mouth in front of the stick, frowning. “ Stop.”
Angel lets out a dramatic, disappointed sigh. “ You’re no fun. Fine, fine, just take it.” He relaxes, holding it out at the base for Husk to take, and he does, biting the ball and yanking it off the stick, chewing with his mouth open.
He hums as he eats it, “ This is actually good.”
Angel chuckles as he takes the stick back from Husk. “ Another round? You put up the prize.”
“ I can give you a shot.” Husk shrugs, gesturing to the jug of sake next to him.
Angel’s eyes light up, “ Ooh, you always got the good shit.”
“ That's why I’m broke.”
“ I mean, what the fuck else ya gonna spend your money on?” Angel shrugs with a little laugh. “ A shot then.”
Husk puts the dice back in the cup, swirling around the dice to shake them up. Angel watches Husk’s hands, almost looking suspicious. He sucks his teeth as he leans forward to watch Husk carefully. “ Why do you keep thinking I’m cheating?” Husk growls.
“ ‘Cause your boss is a con artist –”
“ – Fortune teller –”
Angel rolls his eyes, “ – And, I hear around town that you ‘a cheater.”
“ If that were true, why are you playing against me?”
Angel snickers, chewing at the end of the dango stick, “ Bored.”
“ Also, you havin’ morals now? The fuck?” Husk spits, making Angel laugh.
“ If you had seen me last night workin’ you know I don’t got any of those.” Angel grins.
Husk chuckles as he glances at the cup, perking his eyebrow. He glances up at Angel and Angel laughs again. Husk feels his chest get light, glancing away before he continues. “ We aren’t exactly winners.”, he says, trying to keep up his teasing tone.
Angel stares at Husk for a minute, and Husk actually thinks he’s upset but then a big smirk appears on his face, “ Couple’a losers.” He says, pointing between them with his dango stick. As he swings it back towards himself, he bites into his last dango and pulls it off the stick. He chews it, watching Husk as if he was amused. Mid chew, he covers his mouth in some semblance of being polite, “ At least, until I win. Odd.”
“ Odd?”
Angel nods, trying to finish his sticky treat. He swallows loudly, watching Husk flip the cup and swirl it around in the dirt. He finishes his snack, watching nonchalantly as Husk swirls around the dice. He glances up at Husk again, eyes darting from his bare chest and shoulder to his hand gripping the cup and back up to his face again. He feels a little swirl in his hips, his eyes half lidded. He swallows again, the sweet rice paste still coating his throat. Some sake would go down real nice right now. The breeze kicks up, blowing some loose blossoms between them, and Husk stops swirling the cup, waiting for it to die down so he doesn’t compromise their roll. He looks up as Angel as he pauses and the blossoms flit between them. “ Do you like spring, Husker?” Angel says softly.
“ No.” Husk says quickly. “ It’s too pink.”
“ Hmm.” Angel hums, sounding disappointed. “ What season do you like then?”
“ Winter.” Husk says, his hand gripping the cup.
Angel laughs, “ That seems like you. Cold.”
“ Well, spring seems like you.” Husk snorts, “ Pink.”
Angel chews on the end of his empty dango stick, his tongue toying with the end of it. “ Pick up the cup, Husk.”
Husk lifts it, using his other hand to shield the dice from the wind. They both look down at the dice.
“ Fuck.”
“ Yes!” They’re both staring at a Five. Three and Two. One of Angel’s hands shoots out to make a grabbing motion at Husk, “ Gimme.”
Husk rolls his eyes. He scoops the dice back into the cup, setting it aside. He reaches into his yukata to take out his sake cup, twisting slightly to also grab the jug of sake nearby. “ You mind if I have one too?”
“ Sure.” Angel shrugs, “ Even though you lost.” He mutters, looking away cheekily.
Husk says nothing, but his ear twitches in irritation anyway. Angel notices this, looking fondly at him even though he’s focused on his task. Husk moves his sake cup over as well next to what will be Angel’s to pour the both of them. He’s trying to be careful, and feels weirdly nervous that Angel is watching him. He feels himself starting to flush for some reason, but hands Angel his sake cup carefully and Angel takes it from him with one of his free hands. Husk lifts his as well, holding his cup out for them to cheers. Angel reaches out too, but a breeze kicks up again, blowing blossoms between them. They pull back for a second until it dies down, shielding their sake. “ Fuck, stupid blossoms.” Husk spits.
“ They’re not making the wind blow. Geez.” Angel snorts, “ Here. Cheers.” He holds out his cup first this time, and he blinks noticing in each of their cups there’s each a little blossom petal floating in it. “ Whoa.” He smiles.
“ What?” Husk stares, “ Aw fuck.” He twists around, as if he’s going to refill their cups.
“ No.” Angel says, stopping him, touching his arm holding the cup. Husk almost flinches at Angel’s touch. Not because it startled him. But it was gentler than he expected it to be. His eyes watch Angel’s hand relax on his arm. “ A petal in your cup is good luck. Somethin’ we could both use, huh?” He smiles, meeting Husk’s eyes.
Husk blinks, looking down to stare at the blossom in the cup, and back at Angel’s hand. “ Stupid.” He spits, snatching his arm away. Angel reaches back out and flicks his arm. They both glare at each other, but Angel is the first one to soften.
“ Drink the fuckin’ sake, Husk.” Angel says, tapping his cup against Husk’s. Husk looks at Angel again and back down at the petal floating in his sake. They both shoot back their shot, each of them swallowing the blossom petal. Angel puts down his cup and slides it in the dirt across to Husk. “ And you said you didn’t like spring.”
“ Just wait until winter. I’ll show you it’s better.”
“ Yeah, sure.” Angel stands up, patting his yukata with his lower hands to get the dirt off. He uses the dango stick as a little toothpick as he cocks his hip to the side. “ I’ll see ya around.”
“ Angel?” Husk looks up at him.
“ Hmm?”
“ What are your rates these days?” Husk asks, sounding serious.
Angel smirks, turning his back to Husk, “ Please, as if you could afford me.”
Chapter 2: natsu no owari no hanabi / summer’s end fireworks
Notes:
thank you all so much for the positive response to this, this chapter was so sweet to write. I know it's a little weird of an AU but I appreciate anyone who has read it. it's really just a weird little passion project for the anime nerd in me to mesh that vibe with Hazbin.
Chapter Text
fireworks encourage an appreciation for the present moment, a reminder to be fully present and to find joy in the experience.
“ Psst.”
Husk turns to the left, his tail swishing behind him in confusion.
“ Psssst!” The sound louder, but he at least realizes it’s coming from above him.
The main street is so crowded, as it’s the last night of the summer festival. Husk found himself taking a break from working at Alastor's fortune telling booth and was just trying to get to the bar. He was starting to think it wasn’t worth it. All the shoulders touching and the bright lights and in the wet heat of summer only made it more intense. He felt itchy and uncomfortable already. His ear twitches again at the sound of someone calling to him. He cranes his neck to look up. Where is this coming from?
“ Husk!” Angel waves from his balcony, lounging. His upper arms draped over the edge of the wooden railing. His robe barely closed, hanging off of his bare shoulder, chest fluff out. Husk flushes bright red, frowning as he catches Angel in his vision. " Hey!"
“ What!?” Husk shouts back.
“ Surprised I caught ya in this mess?” Angel snickers, his head gesturing to the crowd around Husk, who is frozen in place staring up at Angel. “ Don’t be shy. What cha doin’?” He says, amused as Husk crosses the traffic of the crowd to get closer to the front of the brothel. The red lantern hanging on the front door illuminates him.
“ I’m going to the bar.” He says plainly.
“ Not the festival?” Angel says, curious.
Husk rolls his eyes, “ Been there the whole week now. Alastor has a booth down there. I’m over it. So I’m going to the bar.”
Angel pouts, “ Not fair, I haven’t even been able to go.”
Husk perks his eyebrows, “ Really?”
Angel nods, almost looking shy, “ Been working the whole time ‘cause all the extra visitors. Only been able to watch the fireworks from up here.” He says, sounding strangely honest. Husk feels a weird warmth in his stomach. Why was Angel even telling him this? Even more strange was what Husk said next.
“ Let’s go then. Come down here.”
“ What!?” Angel shouts, his face contorted in confusion, almost looking angry.
Husk realizes what he said, flushing red. “ Just whatever – do whatever you want.”
A big smile creeps on Angel’s face, “ Husky.” He says, sweetly, “ What did you say? Can’t hear you from all the way up here.” He curls his fingers, coaxing, as if trying to take Husk’s words from him. “ Say it again.”
Husk takes a big breath, trying to calm his nerves. “ You fuckin’ heard me. Come down here.”
Angel flushes pink, even though he was the one teasing him, but he tries to hide it by immediately looking over his shoulder into the room. He starts shouting into the room, but Husk can’t hear what he’s saying or who he’s talking to. He watches as Angel practically crawls to the open sliding door, talking to someone. He starts to stand up, and turns back to the edge of the balcony, gripping it as he leans down, chest fluff on display. Husk’s ears and tail perk up in surprise. “ I’ll be down there in a minute!” Angel shouts excitedly, turning around to run inside, slamming the sliding door. He hears someone shout at Angel for doing so.
Husk stands outside for a minute, moving closer to the front door of the brothel to get out of the way of the crowds. He feels awkward just standing out here now. What if someone sees him and thinks he can’t get laid without payin’? What was Angel even doing? Why did he ask Angel to come down here? He toys with the leather strap on his yukata that’s holding his jug of sake at his side. His free hand slicks back his hair. Fuck it’s hot out. It’s even night time. He decides if he’s waiting, he’s just going to get comfortable. So he leans to the side of the front door, right near the red light.
“ Psst.” Angel says, peeking around the door frame to the brothel, colored red by the light. His mismatched eyes half lidded as he stares at Husk from around the frame. Husk glances over, trying to look nonchalant. But that’s hard to do when Angel looks so pretty and is staring at him like that. He watches Angel’s fingers dance in repetition on the frame, a grin on his face.
“ Come on. Making me wait.” Husk growls, even though he’s staying leaned up against the wall.
Angel steps out completely from around the frame, wearing a deep pink yukata, decorated with hydrangeas. His hair quickly thrown together with some of his decorative hairpins shoved in. Husk can only tell he threw this on quickly, because he’s seen Angel in his full oiran ensemble many times when he’s on display. “ Whatever. Next time ya take a girl out, give her some more notice.” He teases, shoving his shoulder against Husk’s.
“ I didn’t ask you out!” Husk turns to Angel, bright red, teeth gritted.
“ Oh please.” Angel hisses, pinching the shoulder of Husk’s yukata and pulling him away from the wall to begin to walk. “ You asked me to come out. And now I’m out.” He sticks his tongue out, still gripping Husk’s yukata.
“ More like I told you to. I didn’t ask you shit.” Husk spits, rolling his eyes.
Angel smiles, “ Well then, I like a man who takes charge.” He keeps his grip on Husk’s yukata, shaking him playfully, “ Anyway, I only got like an hour before I gotta be back.”
“ Fireworks might be going off past that.” Husk informs, sounding a bit disappointed for Angel, but Angel doesn’t really react. Acting as if he wasn’t even listening. He lets Husk’s yukata go, putting his lower hands behind his own back as they walk. Husk sighs loudly, following close beside Angel into the crowd as they walk towards the river area where the festival is. “ How’s it been in there?” He asks, sounding actually curious.
Angel stays silent for a moment, but turns to look at Husk as they walk, “ It’s been fine.”
“ Not good?”
Angel shrugs, keeping his eyes on the direction they’re moving in. “ Let’s just say I’m glad to be out.”
Husk decides to not bring up anything else about Angel’s work while they’re out on their little ditching work excursion. “ What did you want to eat the most at the festival?” He asks, sounding unsure if this is a good way to steer the conversation.
Angel turns his head excitedly, eyes bright in the warm lantern lights lining the main street, “ Watermelon!”
Husk smirks, feeling relieved. “ That sounds nice, huh? I haven’t had any yet this summer.”
“ Really? I’m makin’ Charlie get me some every day.” Angel laughs, “ Gotta be cold, really cold.”
“ It’s been so hot, huh?” Husk says, wiping his forehead to slick back his hair. He watches as Angel wiggles around, pulling something out of his obi. Angel’s hand appears in front of his face, holding a folded paper fan. He watches as Angel flicks his wrist, opening the fan in one fluid motion, snapping in the air in front of his face. The bright pink fan displaying cherry blossoms.
“ Here.” Angel says, insisting. “ I have an extra for myself.”
“ It’s pink.” Husk hisses, taking it anyway.
“ Oh whatever, stay hot then.” Angel says, pretending to take the fan back from Husk, but Husk pulls his hand away with a snarl, fanning himself with it. “ That’s what I thought.” Angel smirks, shoving their shoulders together again, flicking his own fan open with a snap.
Husk stares, swinging his wrist towards himself to try to close it the opposite way Angel opened it. “ How do you do that?”
“ Gotta just flick your wrist.” Angel says, swinging his wrist back and forth, opening and closing his paper fan. “ See?”
Husk tries, but it just slowly closes, without making the little snapping noise. His tail whips in frustration. “ Annoying.” He growls, “ You make it look so…elegant.”
Angel laughs, “ It’s hardly even a party trick. Don’t be so grumpy. Really? On our first date.”
Husk glares at him, “ Stop saying that shit.”
“ Okay, whatever Husker.” Angel says, covering his smirk with his fan.
Husk turns bright red, “ And stop calling me that.”
“ Ever since Alastor told me, I can’t stop. It’s so cute.” Angel leans in again, pinching the shoulder of Husk’s yukata again. His other upper hand is still fanning away the hot summer air. Husk shyly does the same with his fan.
“ I hate that he told you.” Husk's eyes narrow, still looking irritated, but he doesn’t push Angel away. They begin to approach the area where the festival is along the river. “ You want me to grab the watermelon and we can go somewhere else?”
“ Tryin’ ta get me alone?” Angel teases, pulling at Husk’s yukata, mostly now because the crowd is getting tighter and they’re trying not to lose each other. Husk turns to look at Angel, exasperated. “ No, fuck this, I wanna be outta here too.” Angel begins to shove Husk out of the crowd, the drums from the festival getting louder. The shouting of vendors and the bright lanterns were overwhelming. They move off the main path, scooting between two booths to the edge of the slope down to the river. On the other side there’s another slope with a ledge with a tent off to the side. Angel fists Husk’s yukata before letting go. He stares across the river. “ That’s where they set them off, huh?”
“ Yeah.” Husk nods. “ You said you’ve been watching them from your balcony?”
“ Every night.”
“ Hmm. It seems like it’d be a good view.”
“ It is. But, I’d rather be down here.” Angel smiles, turning to look at Husk, “ Even with the crowd.” He says with a little wink. “ Has it been fun?”
“ It’s been fine. You know me, I don’t have fun.” Husk says with a playful smirk, “ Weird how you were trapped up there, and I’ve been trapped over here.”
“ Would you rather be where I am?” Angel asks, softly, like he’s actually asking.
Husk thinks for a second, “ Away from everyone on a quiet balcony? Yes.”
“ Yeah, I’d rather be here. Connin’ for change.”
Husk laughs, “ That’s not what you do?”
“ I get paper money.” Angel laughs, “ And my goods are real.” He says, patting his chest fluff. Husk can’t help but look over at it bouncing under his yukata. “ I saw you lookin’ when I was up on the balcony.” Angel confesses with a big smirk and a little blush.
“ Your robe was wide fuckin’ open!” Husk snarls, leaning into Angel’s space. Angel waves his fan at Husk as if to shoo him away, trying not to burst out laughing. “ Thinking I’m the pervert. You’re the pervert.” He says, pointing at Angel, who moves his fan to his face.
They both stop teasing each other, settling into a little bit of quiet. The sounds of the drums in the distance, but still able to hear the rushing water from the river below. The smell of charcoal from the food booths and fire from the lanterns make it feel even warmer than it is. The summer air and something else floating between them. Husk suddenly feels nervous. He blinks, eyes darting around the view ahead of them. He fans himself again, glancing over at Angel slowly, and to his surprise their eyes meet. Angel keeps his cool, turning away to look out across the river again, trying to pretend he wasn’t looking at Husk and pretending he didn’t notice Husk looking at him. “ You said you’d go get the watermelon?”
“ Uh, yeah.” Husk nods, watching Angel. “ Anything else?”
“ If you see it, grilled eel. Just one. We can share, yeah? Don’t go outta your way or nothin’.”
“ Got it.” Husk nods, turning around to walk towards the food booths. “ Am I payin’?”
Angel smiles, “ I’ll get you back later.”
Husk shakes his head, taking a step. He feels his sake jug hit his leg. “ Oh.” He looks down at the jug, moving his hands to start messing with the strap, taking it off and handing the entire thing to Angel. “ While you wait.”
Angel’s eyes wide, he takes the clay jug with the leather strap into his arms like it’s the most delicate thing. He feels the sake slosh around inside of it, full and heavy. “ Are you serious?”
“ Stop.” Husk grumbles, “ You’re so weird.”
“ Thank you.” Angel whispers, trying to pretend to cry, fanning his face again with his paper fan dramatically.
“ I’m leaving now!” Husk shouts, stomping away towards the festival.
Angel watches him leave, waving him off dramatically. He moves to sit down at the edge of the slope, his feet planted at an angle. His lower arms resting around his legs, while his upper hands begin to work at opening Husk’s sake jug. He takes a big gulp, concluding it with a satisfying sigh, sloppily wiping his mouth off on his sleeve. He watches some of the demons running around down by the river, lighting smaller fireworks, shouting in amazement.
Angel and Husk had known each other for a long while, but always just as acquaintances. Their bosses both knew each other. Ran in the same seedy circles. Angel and Husk were both just slaves and servants, pretty much. Sure, they flirted and joked around whenever their paths crossed, but nothing ever serious. Until lately. Eyes meeting, longer than necessary stares. The way they flirted was starting to feel different. More serious, intentional. They felt comfortable touching each other now. It was getting way past acquaintances. But Angel had enough going on. He didn’t need another relationship. He needed to keep them in the zone they were in. Make it clear to Husk that this wasn’t anything. But at the same time, he was here with him to watch the fireworks wasn’t he? Angel took another long gulp from the sake jug.
“ Hey, since it’s almost over they were out of eel.” Husk says, sitting down next to Angel with a slice of watermelon in each hand. “ Sucks, I wanted something salty.” He hisses, irritated.
“ You can have some peanuts at the bar.” Angel smirks, leaning in close to take his slice from Husk. “ How much was it?”
“ Don’t worry about it.”
“ Seriously. I’m not broke. I just forgot my coin purse. You were rushin’ me.”
Husk smirks, taking a bite of his watermelon. With his mouth still full, he leans into Angel, “ Take it off my bill.”
Angel flushes, shoving Husk away, “ Shut up, you couldn’t afford me. Ain’t a discount on somethin’ ya can’t buy.”
Husk snorts, playing into Angel’s shove. “ Yeah, yeah.”
They settle back next to each other quietly eating their watermelon. “ Hey, Husk?”
“ Yeah?” He says, a mouth full of watermelon still.
Angel looks over, glaring at him, “ You’re so fuckin’ gross.” He looks back out to the river, a fondness to his expression, “ Thanks for makin’ me come out. I know I gotta leave soon…but I probably wouldn’t have come here at all if you hadn’t been out on that street and just told me to go.”
Husk blinks, staring at Angel, “ Y-You’re welcome.”
Angel turns back to him grinning, “ Is it good?”
Husk stares, blinking, “ Huh!?” He says loudly.
“ Ha! The watermelon, stupid.” Angel snorts.
Husk flushes bright red, looking at the watermelon in his hand and back to Angel. “ Oh. Y-Yeah. Shut up.”
Angel’s laugh trails off to giggles, taking another bite, slurping up the juicy melon. “ Did your boss end up enjoying the festival at all?”
Husk sucks his teeth, “ That stupid smile of his is deceiving. Does Alastor enjoy anything?”
“ Ha, I guess that’s a good question. I think he does. He’s just…weird.” Angel teases, “ You leavin’ with him after summer’s over?” He says, sounding curious.
Husk takes a big bite of his melon, so Angel waits patiently for his response by taking a bite of his own. “ I don’t know yet. Probably? Depends on where we’re going this time.” He says.
Angel swallows, pausing to look back to the river. Husk’s ear twitches as he hears Angel sigh a little before taking one of his last few bites. “ I gotta go back soon.” He says quietly, staring off at the river. He watches the show get set up, a feeling of disappointment wash over him. He moves around to start getting up, until he feels Husk’s hand on his shoulder.
“ I’ll walk you back.”
“ You don’t wanna stay and see them?” Angel says, kind of surprised.
“ I saw ‘em like every fuckin’ night. I wanted you to see them.” Husk smirks, finishing off his melon with a loud slurp.
“ Tsk, and you said you didn’t ask me out.” Angel wiggles his eyebrows, leaning in close.
Husk flushes red again, “ Shut up. Let’s get you back.”
Angel hands Husk his melon rind, and begins standing up. He brushes off his yukata, checking his hair, checking for his fan and behind himself for any grass left over. “ You gonna throw our trash away?” He says, clapping his lower hands together.
“ Yeah. Don’t forget to grab my sake.”
Angel gasps dramatically, his upper hands cradling his face, “ Oh! My baby!” He bends down to pick it up, cradling it in his arms as he follows Husk to throw away the melon rinds. “ This stuff was good.” He grins, giving the jug one last cuddle before handing it over to Husk.
“ You want one more shot?”
“ Gimme.” Angel takes it back immediately, popping the cork to swig as he continues walking back with Husk following behind. There’s almost nobody on the main road through the village since everyone is at the river for the final show. Angel slurps loudly with a satisfied little gasp after he swallows. “ Mmm.” He hums, handing it over finally. Husk attaches it back to his hip, looking up at Angel, who seems focused on the road ahead, walking quickly. As if he’s trying to hurry.
Suddenly, the whistle and loud pop of a firework pierces the air. An explosion in the sky, lighting up the area with red and white glittering lights. Angel freezes, hesitating. His lower hands clench into fists. His upper arms crossed. He’s staring at the road ahead. Husk stares at Angel, “ Hey. Are you okay?”
Angel takes a deep breath, taking another step, “ Yeah, I’m fine – let’s go.”
“ We can watch from here.” Husk says, encouraging. He puts a hand on Angel’s arm, stopping him. Their eyes meet and Husk glances behind them, another whistle and loud pop – red and white sparks sprinkle the sky. Husk’s face, lit up by the fireworks in the sky. The bright lights behind Angel causing his face to be shadowed, but Angel’s eyes don’t leave Husk’s. “ We can keep going though…but, just stop to look.”
Angel chews his lower lip, glancing over his shoulder as another firework shoots through the sky with a loud whistle, an explosion and another bunch of glittering lights. Angel’s eyes widened. The way they lit everything up, creating interesting shadows on the buildings, the contrast with the dark, night sky with the bright summer moon. The taste of watermelon and sake in his mouth. The hot air even though it’s night time. Husk’s hand on his arm. “ A-A couple more steps.” Angel whispers, turning around quickly to walk a little more, until they hear a couple more whistles. They freeze, and Husk catches a little grin on Angel’s face as they turn around together, their eyes just meeting before turning to the sky in tandem but as if they were playing who was going to peek first.
They continue watching, turning around to take steps, watching and taking steps. Angel almost trips, Husk manages to prevent that, gripping into his arm. He panics, thinking Angel is going to fall over completely, and he guessed right as Angel’s sandal slips. A cloud of dirt kicks up as Angel tries to catch himself but Husk slides to stand in front of him, wings, ears and tail up in surprise as Angel falls into him. Angel slams into him, his upper arms wrapping around his neck, holding him close as Husk’s hands wrap around Angel’s waist, his chest fluff squishing against his face. Angel laughs loudly, doubling over into Husk’s arms. “ Geez! Careful!” Husk shouts, his face flushed bright red.
“ Ha! My hero!” He says dramatically, squeezing Husk tight. Another few piercing whistling sounds split the air, making Angel look over his shoulder, holding onto Husk still, but wiggling a little to the side so Husk could see too. Husk kept one arm around Angel, and Angel kept his arms around Husk’s shoulders, resting there as they watched the rest of the firework show in the middle of the dirt road. Husk couldn’t focus on the fireworks though. He was looking at Angel eyes light up from the sparkles in the sky, the warm smile on his face, the smell of cigarettes and wood and something sweet – like the flowers on his yukata. “ They’re so pretty.” Angel whispers, his smile growing wider as he continues to look up at the bright night sky.
“ …Yeah.” Husk whispers, sliding his hand up Angel’s side.
Angel looks down at him, noticing Husk’s eyes are met with his. Husk wasn’t looking at the sky at all. He feels his face flush, watching Husk’s do the same. Angel bites his lip, and Husk notices. One of Angel’s hands moves to his chest. His own hand is still on Angel’s waist. And it’s all they can think about. But suddenly Angel is shoving Husk off of him in a hurry, like he just realized how this looked. Husk stands upright, his hands to his side as they separate. “ Thanks! ‘Fa catching me.” Angel says loudly, trying to be heard over the fireworks. “ I’ll um – I’ll see you later Husk!” He says as clearly as possible, running past Husk towards the brothel’s red lit entrance.
Husk turns around slowly, watching Angel run, almost trip and catch himself again and continue more carefully. “ Careful! Idiot!” Husk shouts after him, irritated, but also trying not to laugh as he hears Angel’s giggling shriek. His ears perk up when he notices Angel stop at the entrance, looking back at him. Their eyes met again. Husk blinks, realizing Angel is just standing there expectantly. So Husk cautiously puts up a hand to wave awkwardly, and Angel’s face lights up, excitedly waving back. But then one last whistle catches their attention, a burst going off behind them, and Husk watches Angel’s eyes move up to the sky. Their hands relaxing at their sides. Husk looks over his shoulder to see the last firework of the summer burst in the night sky. The glittering lights fading and falling, the cheers and applause from the river. He blinks again, turning around to look back at Angel. To see if he’s still watching too, but he’s already gone inside.
Chapter 3: aki ni watashitachi futari ga maketa kake / a bet that the two of us lost in the fall
Notes:
not gonna lie, the next and final chapter probably won't be up for two weeks -- but it's coming along. my friend that i'm taking care of is having to begin to take muscle relaxers to help with their injury so i'm back onto helping them out more, so I don't have as much free time. but when I do, it's really exciting so I'm trying to look at this little break as a positive. thank you all again so much for reading. this is probably my favorite chapter of them all, I wish this was 100 pages.
Chapter Text
gambling can be regarded as a social activity, an escape, a way to test one's luck, or invoke something shameful…
“ Sorry, lost again.” Husk’s eyes brightened as he looked down at the favorable numbers revealed as he lifted up the bamboo cup. He grins at the sinner in front of him, over stacks of coins, a few dice, and his now warm beer. He reaches out, through the small towers of his winnings, sliding his well earned coins over to himself from the loser in front of him. He gives a satisfied little exhale, excited to count what he’s earned tonight in total.
He’s been at the bar since the afternoon, playing cho-han with drunks and regulars. The warm glow from the lanterns inside, the cigarette smoke from the other patrons snaking through the place. The smell of spilt beer and sake mixed in. Flecks of peanut skin and shells litter the table almost as much as the gold coins.
The bird demon in front of him whistles, “ Damn Husk, what do you need all this coin for anyway? I see you scrounging. Your boss ain’t payin’ you enough?”
“ You think my boss pays me at all? Please.” Husk rolls his eyes, but then grins suggestively, “ Hoping ‘ta get myself an appointment.”
The sinner whistles, “ Please, that’s more than enough. You could go down there tonight and have any broad in there. What you tryin’ ‘ta do? Go for the oiran or something!?” He laughs loudly, slapping a hand on the table.
Husk stays quiet, grinning. “ Maybe I am. Treat myself.”
“ I’ve seen you two hanging out sometimes. You got a crush or somethin’?”
Husk’s eyebrow twitches. “ We’re just friends. Our bosses work together.” He looks away for a second, realizing he gave himself away, “ But it’s not like I can just…”
“ Okay.” The sinner sucks his teeth, getting the hint. “ Tsk. Yeah sure, whatever. Well, maybe you’d get like, an hour with Angel? Maybe. And a thimble of sake.”
“ Maybe that’s all I need.” He shrugs, leaning back in his chair.
“ Bet you need longer than that to come, ya geezer.” He teases about to light up a cigarette. But as if some strange, weird fated thing were to happen, Husk’s eyes move from his friend lighting the cigarette to the door as it slides open.
“ Angel!” The bartender cheers, “ How are you tonight? What can I get ‘ya?”
“ Hey baby, you got any shochu?” Angel immediately moves to the bar, putting his chest fluff on the bar. He already looks a little wasted, flushed pink, his yukata falling off of one shoulder just slightly, with some of his hairpins in disarray. His make up smeared, but strangely in a sexy way. Husk feels this throat tighten. “ ‘Fa me?”
“ For you, anything.” The bartender says, moving to find his bottles. “ You want me to add it to your tab?”
“ Yeah, I forgot my coin purse at the house. I’ll get cha back.” Angel amusedly watches him leave, looking warm and giggly as he scans the bar. He looks over his shoulder, meeting eyes with Husk, who's watching him. “ Oh hey! Whiskers!” He brightens up, somehow even more. Husk’s ears perked up, looking like he got caught. His demon friend gasped quietly in disbelief, leaving his mouth agape as Angel sauntered over. Angel leans down and immediately pinches Husk’s cheek gently, “ What ‘cha doin’ here Husker? Connin’ for coins again? When you gonna give up this life of villainy?” He snorts.
Husk playfully slaps Angel’s hand away from his face, “ Never.” He grins, “ I won these fair and square.” He says, gesturing to the dice on the table. “ He said odd, I said even.”
Angel glances at the dice reading a three and a three. He takes an unopened peanut from their bowl, unwrapping it in his upper hands, littering the table with more peanut shells as he leans down, his chest fluff exposed as he leans down to talk to Husk. Husk’s friend is looking extremely amused at how well Husk is holding it together when Angel’s chest is literally at his eye level. Angel’s eyes move to Husk’s friend, “ That true, buddy?”
“ Y-Yeah. He won.”
Angel smiles, “ You don’t think he cheats?”
His friend laughs, taking a puff of his cigarette, “ No. I think he’s just good. Got a gambler’s instinct.”
“ So…why bother playin’ if you knew you’d lose that coin?” Angel teases, tossing the two peanuts in his mouth.
His friend gestures to the table, “ How could you not take a chance on all that coin up for grabs? Had to shoot my shot.”
“ Think I could beat him?” His eyes go half lidded, glancing over to Husk in a cheeky way. “ I think he cheats. ‘Cause his boss is a con artist –”
“ – Fortune teller – ” Husk grumbles.
“ – Same diff.” Angel smiles, his eyes moving back to Husk and then back to his friend. “ Move.” He commands, even though he sounds flirty. But he’s serious. Angel plucks the cigarette from between the demon’s lips, putting it to his own and taking a puff. Husk’s friend looks at Husk, as if he’s unsure but he still flushed at Angel’s tone and him just taking away his cigarette. Husk nods, shooing him away with a hand as Angel continues to stare expectantly. The demon gets up, sliding out his chair more for Angel as he does. He stands for a second, expecting to help Angel scoot back in the chair, but Angel also shoos him away with a hand. Before the demon is even a couple feet away, Angel leans forward, whispering harshly to Husk, “ That your friend?”
Husk nods, “ Yeah.”
“ Ugly mothafucka’.” Angel teases with a little head shake.
Husk leans forward across the table, frantic as he hushes Angel by putting a hand over Angel’s mouth. “ Shut up.” He whispers back harshly, looking at his friend apologetically over Angel’s shoulder. Husk’s eyes move back to Angel, who is now laughing behind Husk’s palm. “ Geez, you’re so embarrassing!”
Angel shoves Husk’s hand away, looking over his shoulder to Husk’s friend, “ Sorry.” He immediately turns back to Husk, shaking his head no. He’s not sorry. He takes a puff of the cigarette he just stole.
“ So what brings you down from your tower to the slums with us?”
Angel snorts, watching his shochu appear next to him, “ Thanks.” He says to the bartender, looking back to Husk, “ Please, I’d rather be down here than up in my little tower. It’s boring.” He takes a little sip, smacking his lips, “ Nothin’ really though. I just needed to get out. I did my work for the night. No more clients. Geez, let me taste some freedom Husker.”
“ Stop calling me that.” He hisses.
“ No.” Angel teases.
Husk’s eyebrow twitches, “ Seems so early in the night for you to be done with work. Barely midnight.”
“ Eh, just depends on the night.” Angel shrugs, looking uncomfortable, like he wants to change the subject. Husk nods, “ So, looks like you’ve been doin’ great.” He smiles, picking up a coin off of a stack between two fingers on his upper hand opposite of the cigarette. “ What’s your secret?”
“ Just lucky tonight, I guess. Maybe I do have a gambler’s intuition.”
Angel laughs, “ Yeah, sure. A loser like you? Please. This’ll all be gone tomorrow knowin’ you. Spend it all on booze. Maybe a meal.” He takes another drag off the cigarette, blowing the smoke up into the air.
“ Maybe.” Husk says confidently, taking a sip of his warm beer.
Angel keeps toying with the coin in between his fingers, “ Oh?” He smirks, perking an eyebrow, “ What you gonna do with all that coin?”
Husk grins, turning slightly in his seat to look away from Angel, saying nothing.
Angel grins at Husk’s surprisingly withholding smirk. “ Oh! Don’t wanna say?” He teases, curling his bare shoulder into himself, putting the gold coin to his lips. “ You becomin’ responsible behind my back? Actually gonna leave this slummy life behind?”
Husk laughs, “ Please. Never. If anything, it’ll keep me right where I’m at. Broke and depraved.”
“ Well, I hope you get what you want.” Angel says honestly, wiggling in his seat, accepting that Husk isn’t going to tell him. “ You want a hit?”
“ Sure.” Husk says, watching Angel take a little puff before he hands it over. “ You wanna play a round?”
Angel takes a sip of his shochu. “ I don’t have any coin on me. Left my coin purse at the house. But we can play for somethin’ else.”
“ Truth or dare?”
Angel snorts, “ I’m gonna pick dare every time. I’m down for anything. And I’m not truthful, please. I’m as fake as they come.” He glances up to glare at Husk jokingly, “ According to you.”
Husk’s ears and tail perk up, a light flush to his face,“ Shut up, we had just met. I didn’t understand your job or you or anything.” He puts the cigarette to his lips, blowing out the smoke, almost looking nervous as Angel stares expectantly, “ I’ll admit I was stupid.” He says sincerely.
Angel lets out a little satisfied hum as puts the coin to his lips again, “ So quick to judge, Whiskers. Especially for someone on the same level as me.” He perks his eyebrow as he locks eyes with Husk, “ Loser.”
“ Ha! Definitely not a loser tonight.” He gestures to the coin in Angel’s hand. He rolls his eyes, taking a drag, blowing out the smoke. He feels a little nervous chill, having so much of Angel’s attention on him. “ And we are not on the same level.” He says in a quieter tone.
“ Just ‘cause your boss can’t afford to put you in fancy clothes or keep you in a fancy tower, don’t mean we aren't on the same level.” Angel says with a little grin, “ I don’t have shit. I get pretty and I say all the things I’m supposed ‘ta and I do my services and I’m a good girl for Val.” He takes a sip of his shochu, he smacks his lips again, waving Husk to lean in closer, “ But…you know I’m bad, right?” He says slowly. “ I’m not supposed to be out right now.” He confesses with a big grin, “ And you think I’m just always forgettin’ my coin purse? Really?”
“ Oh so you’re a con artist too?”
Angel lets out a little gasp, dramatically putting a hand to his chest in fake disbelief, “ How dare you!” He giggles, “ Please. I’m just a loser.” He grins wide, “ But I have a coin to pay for my drink now.” He says, flipping the coin around to hold it in the middle of his chest.
“ You’re gonna have to play me for that.” Husk’s eyes move to Angel’s exposed chest fluff, to his bare shoulder and back up to his face. Their eyes meet.
“ Fine. Better than truth or dare. Odd.”
“ You sure?”
“ Of course I’m sure.”
Husk perks an eyebrow, “ What do I get in return?”
“ You can walk me home tonight.” Angel licks his upper lip slowly.
Husk puts the cigarette to his lips, looking at Angel, eyes half lidded. “ I was probably gonna do that anyway.” He says slowly, sultry. Taking a hit, and opening his mouth slowly to release the smoke. Angel feels a warmth shoot from his hips up his spine as he watches Husk’s mouth. He reaches for his shochu, taking a big gulp, his other hand still toying with the gold coin. But now he’s nervous.
Angel feels his composure return, so he laughs, “ Yeah but I’ll let you. It’ll mean more, yeah?”
“ Whatever.” Husk says, handing the cigarette over to Angel to finish it. Angel takes the last drag, leaning over to put the butt out in the ashtray on the table next to them. He settles back in his seat, blowing the smoke up. Husk begins gathering his dice and tossing it in the cup. Angel puts his coin on the table, sliding it towards Husk. He shoos some of the peanut shells off the table, carefully moving some of the stacks of gold coins closer to the edges of the table to make more room in the middle for them to play. Husk flips the cup over, shaking it, the dice rattling around. “ You sure about odd?”
“ Yeah.” Angel grins, putting his upper elbow on the table, resting his head in his hand. His other hand moves to his shochu to take another sip. Husk shakes it around again as Angel watches carefully even while he takes a sip. “ Odd.” He affirms again. Husk lifts up the cup.
“ Yes.” Husk grins.
“ Fuck.” Angel whines. “ Fuck!”
“ It’s just one fucking coin Angel.” Husk rolls his eyes, staring at the two and four dice faces on the table. “ Or are you that upset I get to walk you home?”
Angel’s frustrated frown turns into a little grin, “ I win either way.”
“ Yeah, what the fuck? What did you even lose that round?” Husk says in surprise. “ A coin that wasn’t yours and a walk home?”
Angel giggles, “ Even, this time.”
“ What are you even betting?”
“ You pick.”
“ Anything?” Husk grins mischievously.
Angel gawks at him, “ What do you got on your mind, Husk?” He reaches over for Husk’s beer, taking a sip and setting it back down on the table. Husk watches Angel lick his lips again and let out a satisfied sigh. “ Fine, anything.”
“ Bet a visit to your tower.” Husk says low, slowly, locking eyes with Angel.
Angel lets out a surprised little laugh, reaching for the bowl of peanuts. He takes one out, digging his thumbs in to break the shell. The flecks of shell and casing fall on the table. He takes out the two peanuts, putting them in his mouth with one hand, while he lets the rest of the peanut shell fall on the table. Slowly he moves his thumbs to his mouth to lick the salt off, keeping his stare on Husk. Husk’s eyes don’t leave Angel’s mouth. Angel’s eyes flutter closed for a second as he sucks his thumb. He sucks hard and lets it go with a loud pop, his eyes darting to Husk’s face. He wants Husk. Could it be worth it? “ I want that stack of gold coins if I win.” He says seriously.
“ You’re gonna do it?” Husk smirks.
“ Yeah, fuck it.” He chuckles, downing the rest of his shochu with a big gulp, slamming the glass on the table.
Husk grins, “ I didn’t think you’d be interested.”
“ Now why’s a handsome motherfucker like you thinkin’ that?” Angel smiles, “ You seen any of the ugly, rich bastards I gotta fuck? You’d be a relief Husker.” He sighs, sounding dramatic, which makes Husk all the more interested in what he’s gonna say next. Angel leans in, flushed from the alcohol, his chest fluff on full display, his bare shoulder, his smeary post-work make up, “ You’re a real man. Confident, loyal, and there’s no bullshit with you.” He explains slowly, with a hint of amused fondness, “ Plus, I like to think we’d have a good time together.”
Husk sucks his teeth, sounding amused. He didn’t think tonight would go this way. “ Oh, I know.”
Angel hums sweetly, “ So let’s let fate decide.” He glances at Husk, “ Roll the dice. I said even.”
Husk carefully puts the dice in the cup, feeling nervous as Angel watches. He flips the cup over, careful to keep the dice under as he begins to shuffle the cup around the table. Angel watches, almost as if he’s bored, but that’s not entirely true. His heart is racing. He licks at his teeth, the salty taste on his tongue. He feels buzzy all over, his eyes hazy as the dice clink around on the table and in the cup. He wants to lose, he wants to lose. Sitting on Husk’s lap, his hands opening his kimono slowly, slowly. His hands all over him, kissing him, Husk’s mouth tasting of sake. Would they have to hurry? How much time would they have? How much could he afford to cover Husk’s session with him to not raise Valentino’s suspicion? Could he have Husk the way he wanted to in an hour? Would that be enough? Or would he constantly be thinking of Husk otherwise? Angel’s hand moves to his own mouth again, licking his salty index finger as his eyes meet Husk’s again. Husk’s hand clenches the cup, stopping in the middle of the table as Angel’s tongue flicks off of his finger. Angel watches him take a deep, almost labored breath. His golden eyes also glazed over, as if he was imagining the same things Angel was. A cool autumn breeze flows through the open door, as if to cool off the heat building between them, but it doesn’t help.
“ I’m going to lift the cup.” Husk says, his jaw tight.
“ What’re you waitin’ for?” Angel grins wide, his body tense from trying to hide a shiver of anticipation. Husk lifted the cup, slowly, his hand shaking. Both of them staring down as the dice were revealed at what was an eight. Even. Angel won. Neither of them says anything for a second, the two of them silently staring at the dice. And Husk starts chuckling, and so does Angel. Angel lets out a little sigh of relief, “ Guess this proves you don’t cheat, huh?”
“ Did you wish I did?” He says so quickly, he might as well have interrupted Angel.
“ Yeah, Husk – I do.” Angel grins, sliding a stack of coins over to himself. “ Um, don’t worry about walkin’ me home.” At first Husk’s heart sinks, but he watches as Angel smiles big, looking at Husk, looking uncharacteristically shy. He reaches over again for Husk’s warm beer, taking a sip as if to calm himself. He sets the glass down, wiping his mouth on his forearm sloppily. “ If you come near my tower, and I see you bathed in the red light…I don’t know what I’m gonna do to you…”
Onyx (Guest) on Chapter 1 Sat 06 Dec 2025 06:38PM UTC
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Kiritimati on Chapter 2 Mon 08 Dec 2025 05:53AM UTC
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StrangeTea on Chapter 3 Sun 14 Dec 2025 05:22AM UTC
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