Chapter 3 of Vices and Virtues is up on Ao3!
“...gambling kingpin Husker has returned after his decade-long losing streak. But has the Casino Kitten lost his touch?” Katie Killjoy’s voice was interrupted by the loud, forceful sound of Angel’s hands slamming down on the bartop.
“Freed me,” Husk replied calmly. He was behind the bar, as usual, the only part of this entire situation that could be considered even remotely normal. He poured Angel a drink instinctively, not having to ask him first. The liquid sloshed into the glass with a soft splash. “He let me out of my contract.”
Husk was actually wearing a shirt under his suspenders. Not just any shirt, but a sharp, white one that looked… had he ironed it? Angel couldn’t imagine Husk even knowing what an iron was, let alone how to use one, considering the state of his usual attire. And yet, here he was, in a clean, pressed shirt that somehow managed to look both refined and rakish. And his hair… Husk rarely took off his hat, and now, seeing his hair without it, Angel was struck by how much it suited him. It was pushed back in a relaxed, yet elegant way, two words Angel never would have thought to use to describe Husk. The only echo of the scruffy barcat he knew so well was the necktie draped loosely around his collar, untied and unkempt. And yet, still, in that moment, Husk was incredibly attractive, a strange, disorienting thought that Angel quickly pushed aside.
“I mean, that’s great Husky. I’m happy for ya.” Angel’s voice softened. He meant it, every word. Husk deserved his power back after everything Alastor had put him through. “Why though? Smiles ain’t exactly the generous type.”
“Some bullshit about not wanting Vox to get any more power. Overlord politics.” Husk shrugged as he fished a pack of cards out of his pocket. Husk had given up on teaching Angel to play poker some time ago, but they had only recently stumbled on a game that suited Angel's skillset - Bullshit. Angel was still getting used to the rules, but they'd begun to relax into a routine of playing a round whenever they were alone at the bar together. Husk dealt the full pack between them, cards sliding smoothly across the wooden bartop. Niffty had thrown a handful of cards out with the trash, making the pack useless for most games but perfect for two-person Bullshit. Playing with a full pack and only one opponent , Angel had learnt, made it possible to have a perfect run with no mistakes if you were to count the cards.
“Ah, got it. Lovers’ quarrel.” Angel held his glass under his chin like a microphone, putting on his best impression of Alastor’s voice. “I couldn’t possibly let my dear Voxxikins become more powerful than me! Then how would I be able to top him in the bedroom?” His words were dripping with sarcasm, and a wicked grin spread across his face.
Husk snorted with laughter, pausing the dealing for a moment. “Consider yourself lucky Al’s out visiting Rosie right now. If he heard you say that even I wouldn’t be able to save you from him.” There was a glimmer of amusement in Husk’s eyes that made Angel’s chest warm with a strange feeling.