Broken Deals pt 1- A hazbin hotel fanfic
The room was a haze of smoke, both acrid and skunky, a drop of condensation rolled down the glass of half drunk scotch as Husk looked over the cards in his hand. He had nothing, but he didn't let it show on his face as he raised again, each chip infront of him representing a soul, a deal he'd made with some other poor sinner, and the stack was dwindling. Alastor's permanent smile didn't falter as he raised yet more. He threw another three down and picked up the last card, a pair of 7's wasn't much but it was better than what he'd had a moment before. Two more chips in and Alastor called his bluff.
“That's a straight flush for me my good man, can you beat it?” Husker shook his head and threw his hand to the table. “Oh that's too bad.” Alastor chuckled sliding the small pile towards his own substantial stack. “Tell you what, we'll make this last hand all or nothing.” Husk felt hope rushing into his chest, then immediately snuffed it out. There was a catch, there always was with this one. “Though it doesn't seem like you can afford the ante, tell you what let's make this more interesting hmm? We play one more hand, if I win I get everything I've already won, that last chip of yours, and one more.” The Radio Demon produced a chip with Husks face on it, his eyes glowing dials. But if you beat me fair and square, you get everything back.” Husk snarled, gripping his drink and downing the rest of it.
“Hell no, I'm not selling myself to you forever over a hand of cards. I built myself up once I'll do it again.” He moved to stand but Alastor spoke up again.
“Very shrewd my good man, very well let's make it a bit more equitable hmm? You'll enter my service for mmmm let's say ten years, at the end of which we play another hand for your freedom, same rules as today, always the chance to win everything back. Ontop of that I'll let you retain your powers, though your territory is ceded to me, you go where I say, and you do the jobs I tell you. When I don't have need of you, you're free to live your life as you see fit, so. . .is that a better deal?” The smiling demon extended his hand, Husk hesitated but looked at the stack of chips that represented everything he'd built for himself since his death. After a long moment he reached out and shook his hand. Green light flared into existence and the deal was struck. Husk dealt out the next hand, and the game began. Husk couldn't raise with only the one chip and so they simply drew all the cards. He looked between his own hand and those on the table, four jacks and an ace, not the best hand in the deck. Still he had hope as he set the cards down. Hope that was immediately dashed as Alastor produced five cards all the same suit. A tightness snapped into place around Husk's neck and he could feel the deal settle over him.
“A most entertaining, and dare I say profitable game Husker.” Alastor gloated, leaning back in his chair, taking a long sip of his own whiskey. “I'll give you some time to adjust, feel free to keep the suite in the hotel for now, I'll send for you when I have need.” Alastor stood, humming a jaunty tune, staff clacking against the floor as he walked off.” Husk slumped back in his chair defeated; Suddenly his eyes opened, the ceiling of his room coming into focus.
“Ugh that fucking dream.” He groaned turning over in the bed, his alarm clock reading 3am. Grumbling still he blindly searched under the bed, fingers closing on a half drunk bottle which he polished off quickly. He'd been having that dream more and more now, each time more vivid than the last. The damndest thing was he couldn't understand why, when he was awake all he could think about was Angel, stuck playing out whatever fucked up scenarios Valentino could come up with, and likely getting a beating for his trouble. He sighed, leaning back against the headboard as he turned his thoughts back to the dream, back to that night, to his deal. Then something finally clicked. “Oh that motherfucker!” He almost leapt from the bed right then to confront Alastor, but stopped, no this was his one chance he had to be smart about it, he was a gambler, he had to find the right angle.
The next day before taking his spot behind the bar he made his way down to Alastor's wing, finding the demon tucking into a piece of some unidentifiable flesh; He didn't let himself wonder what it was as he stepped closer.
“Husker my good man, to what do I owe the pleasure of his visit.” That smile remained but a tightness around the eyes told Husk this wasn't an entirely welcome intrusion,
“I want out Al.” He said, eyes never leaving the other man's. One of Alastor's eyebrows lifted and he set down his fork and knife.
“Well obviously you want out, no one likes being beholden to another, but you'll have your chance in another few years, maybe it won't go the same as the last four.” The Radio Demon chuckled, fingers steepling.
“Not good enough, I want out now and I got a new deal for ya.” Alastor chuckled again, but curiosity sparked in his eyes.
“Oh ho, do you now? What could you possibly offer me considering I already own your soul?” Husk smiled himself now and took a seat across from Alastor, shuffling a deck of cards he'd produced from seemingly nowhere.
“More like renting, I get the chance to get out of this deal once every ten years, so I say we play another game right now, we each start with a hundred chips, for ever chip you win I add on another year of service before we play the next game, every chip I win one of the souls you own goes to me, first to make the other one to fold takes the pot.” Alastor's eyes narrowed and he hummed to himself.
“Hmmm I must say that is enticing, but I have to know, why now why risk even more indignity under me when another chance is coming up fairly soon?” Husk lowered his eyes for the first time, blush creeping onto his face. Alastor's smile and eyes widened. “Ohhhh I see! This is all about a certain spider isn't it? You want to make a play against Valentino but you can't while I could just tug you back on some whim of mine, plus any extra power you win now will be all the more important.” He laughed, not a single chuckle this time but a long, rolling laugh of satisfaction. “You are more complicated than I gave you credit for, as stupidly entangled as any other sinner, but more complicated, but I think not, I'd rather have you where you are doing what I tell you.” Husk sighed and lifted his head again.
“Then I'll have to break the deal myself.” The laughing stopped and a dangerous light flashed across the demon's face.
“Oh and how do you propose to do that?” An edge creeping into that modulated voice as his eyes glowed, dials appearing in them.
“If you don't take the new deal, I'll just relinquish all my power, I'll give up any claim to it.” Husk crossed his arms and a satisfied smile crossed his lips as the dials in Alastor's eyes vanished, realization washing over him. Once again the laughter came, satisfaction matching Husk's ringing through it.
“Well Well Well, you're finally getting interesting. Most demons in your position wouldn't imagine they had any leverage at all, but look at you finding that illusive lever. That's right the deal depends on you retaining your power, if you give it up, I've got nothing on you. It would make your moves on Val much harder, but there's no way I could stop you...aside from just killing you of course, but I'm not that petty.” Husk continued to smile, as Alastor took a moment. “Very well pussycat, I'll agree to the new deal.” Husk Nodded, extending his hand. Just before Alastor could grasp it though he added.
“Whoever wins, fair and square, wins.” Alastor stopped, arm stopped midair and he gazed at Husk, something new in his eyes, could it be, respect? He brought his hand back, clasping them together studying Husk for a long time. “So, you finally figured it out.” Husks smile faded but the satisfaction remained.
“You said if I won fair and square, didn't say shit about yourself though did you, you been cheatin' every fuckin' time haven't you?” Alastor's eyes turned mischievous and he shrugged.
“As I told someone recently, I'm a demon in hell, kinda our thing.” Eyes narrowing into a devious cast as he leaned forward, but before he could speak again.
“Maybe I'm bluffin, and I won't won't give up my powers and you can try to cheat me again next time, but no scam is perfect, and I'll figure out how you're doing it, and maybe not this decade or the next, but I'll figure out how to beat you, take all my chips today and I don't get to try for a hundred years.” Yes, definitely respect, that was the look Alastor was giving him.
“Ironic, it took you nearly fifty years under me for you to start acting like a real overlord. Very well Husker, one game, no tricks, no cheating, just you and me.” Husk reached out again, taking hold of Alastors. When his hand came away a deck of cards appeared between them.
Thanks for reading! Here's the fun part I have two ways this can go, and you can help decide. The first five reviewers can vote on whether or not husk wins or loses this game!
