Gabry Violin

     “I’ve got a long Island, two harder daddy’s, and a couple other things, it’s all on the ticket. You got them?” Husk handed you a tray full of drinks as you nodded.

     Ever since you’d showed up on the doorstep of the Hazbin Hotel all you’ve wanted to do was help in any way you were able. Charlie and Vaggi had given you a shelter, support, and a home. In return you gave them your everything. 

     Recently more sinners had been coming to the hotel, trying their hands at redemption. Usually you were tasked with helping Husker out with the bar. Wether you’re coming up with drink ideas or delivering items to patrons, you always tried your absolute best. 

     Husk would never admit it out loud but he… tolerated you. You were good at following instructions, and actually pretty skilled at most things, even if you were kinda reserved most of the time. You’re  like a little shadow, he smiled fondly as he watched you walk away with the tray of drinks. 

      You glanced at the ticket on the tray as you traversed the parlor. You’d never minded being a waiter for Husk, it was easy enough and you have the experience for it. You delivered drinks with a customer service smile. 

      “Here you are, sir. Please let us know if you need anything else.” The guy thanked you and you continued on your way.

     As you weaved through the sinner filled room, delivering drinks, you forgot about something important. Watching where your feet are going. You tripped on a tail of some sort, and spilled the three remaining drinks on your tray all over yourself. Perfect.

     The owner of the tail spun around with a scowl, “Watch where you’re going bitch! You’d better hope my drink wasn’t on that tray.”

     Any sort of guilt you had felt for stepping on the demon’s tail dissipated instantly when you heard their tone. “Right, well I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused you. I’m sure your drink will be out shortly.” You said flatly, picking yourself up off the ground. Brushing the tray off you headed back to the bar.

     “Hey Husk, I need another Manhattan, an HD and a Lemon Drop please.” You announced as you set down the tray. 

     “Didn’t I just- oh.” He stopped short as he took in your appearance. “You good kid?”

     “Yep.” Currently you were trying to ignore the sticky feeling of your alcohol drenched shirt.“Wasn’t watching where I was going, sorry.”

     “No apologies necessary.” He hands you a new tray with drinks, “can you take these? I’ll have the other ones done when you get back.”

     “Sounds good.” You started out again, being a bit more careful this time. You’re having the absolute time of your life handing out drinks, not. And that’s when a rando walks up to you, completely ignoring the fact that you’re trying to do your job and. 

     “Hey can you guys make a-“ the sinner rambles on about some complicated cocktail and you have no fucking clue what half of the shit she said was.

     “Sorry ma’am, i don’t think we can do one of those. There’s some menus by the bar with the items we have, we’re also running some-“ the lady cut you off.

     “Okay, thanks for nothing I guess.” And sauntered away to hopefully get hit by a car. What who said that. You take a breath to pull yourself together and continue on your mission to deliver these beverages. 

     One drink left on your tray and of course it’s for that person whose tail you tripped over. “Hello again, your drink is here. Please let us know if you-“ 

     “Yeah yeah, took you long enough.” They cut you off and snatched the drink out of your hand, taking a sip. “Eugh, this tastes like shit. I want a refund.” 

     “…the drinks are free.” You deadpanned 

     “Well I’m never gonna get those five seconds back, what a waste of time. Isn’t the costumer always right?” They scoffed 

     “Yeah, except when they’re not. Feel free to order another drink if that one is not satisfactory. Have a nice day.” You turned on your heel without another word and went to collect your next tray from the bar. 

     Nine drinks were expertly balanced on your tray. Until they weren’t anymore. 

     “Oh hey that’s my drink!” Someone had said before snatching it from your tray and causing the other eight to spill all over yourself, and the ground. Now you glare daggers at the dumbass who spilled everything.

     “What the actual fuck. Why would you even-“ 

     The sinner with clearly no survival instincts interrupted you, “Woah now buddy, don’t try and blame me for your mistakes. Clearly you’re really shitty at your job. Who drops eight drinks all at once? You’re fucking useless as a waiter.” 

     You took a breath, and walked away. Ignoring the yelling from behind you. You walk over to the bar. 

     “Hey kitty, my shift is over in ten minutes I’m just gonna leave early.” You call to Husk.

     He scowls at the name, handing you your phone from where you had left it behind the bar, “I fuckin told you not to call me that-“ the scowl dropped when he saw you, “What’s with your face, what the hell happened?”

     You pocket your phone, “nothing important. Anyways, I’m out. Good luck.” You give him a little wave and leave before he can start asking you more questions.

     Once you get to your room you shower and throw on some comfy pajamas. You flopped into your bed, staring at the ceiling. Thoughts swirl through your head and you finally let yourself go. 

     You can’t help but think about what those shitty costumers told you today. They called you useless. Bad at your job, they were so mean. You felt the tears start to well up in your eyes, and it made you more mad. You hated that you let them get in your head. Hearing them say out loud what you’d always thought made you livid. And scared. You curl in on yourself, eyes pricking with angry tears as an unwelcome thought creeps in.

     Maybe you really are useless. 

You jolt at a knock on your door, and someone spoke up from the other side. “Hey, are you doing alright? It been awhile and you usually don’t miss one of Charlie’s exercises.” Husk. If you answer, he’ll hear how fucked up your throat is from crying. So you kept your mouth shut and pulled a blanket over your head in hopes that he would assume you’re asleep and leave.

     “Look kid, I’m not fucking stupid, okay? I can hear you moving around in there and you have five seconds before I open this damn door.”

     Clearly, Husk wasn’t going anywhere so you sighed and surfaced from under the covers, “you can… come in.” Wincing at your own voice. Immediately the door opened, then clicked shut again softly.

     “Wow. You look like shit.” He grimaced as soon as he saw you.

     “Thanks.” Sarcasm dripped from your voice as you tugged the blankets back over your head.

     “No- kid, that’s not what I meant.” He sat on the edge of your bed, “Come on, confide in your local bartender. What’s wrong?”

     Silence filled the room as you hesitated, “… just some unhappy patrons.”

     His ears laid back as he narrowed his eyes at the lump of blankets that was you, “Unhappy patrons don’t usually send you to your room holding back tears before your shift is over. What did those chuckle fucks say to you?”

     “Apparently I’m a slow and useless waiter, who needs a new job.” You chuckled dryly but the crack in your voice betrayed your true feelings. You could feel your eyes starting to sting again.

     “Hey, Shit-” Husk tugged on your blanket lightly, “Hey. You’re not useless. You’re a really good waiter, the best I’ve had the pleasure of working with.” He rolled over and pulled your blanket bundled self into an awkward hug, his wings enclosing you in a safe warm space.

      “And if anyone is telling you otherwise I will beat the shit out of them and then kick them to the curb.”

     Wet laughter bubbled out as you pulled the covers down a bit, “yeah, okay. Thank you Husk.”

     “Anytime kid.” Then he pushed you away a bit, “you need to take a fucking shower you are so sticky.”

Vaggie eyed you with worry. You fiddled with your hands, dangling them over the edge. 

You inhaled. “Sorry, just thinking about things.”

Vaggie turned her head to the side. “Yeah? What kinda things?”

You gestured with your hands up towards the red moon. “Just… before this.”

Vaggie drew in a deep breath, remaining silent. 

You closed your eyes. “Sometimes I wonder why my parents didn’t care about me, I guess. Who would sacrifice their child to…” Your voice trailed off.

Vaggie shuffled closer, pulling you into a side hug. You pressed your forehead into her shoulder, holding back a sob.

“I got you, honey. You can let it out,” whispered Vaggie. 

You squeezed your eyes shut. “And… and my soul doesn’t even belong anywhere.”

Vaggie rubbed your back, her hand stroking your back in a circular motion.

She always did this for you— whenever you were upset, she always comforted you by rubbing your back.

Silence settled among the two of you.

“You belong with us, with me and Charlie.”

You sniffled, moving your head from her shoulder. 

She shrugged. “I mean not literally, but…”

You wiped at your nose, your lips quirked into a small smile. The doors pushed open again, Charlie popping into view.

She took a step outside. “We just ended group therapy session and I wanted to see if you guys—”

She blinked between you and Vaggie. She pulled herself closer to the door. “Shit sorry, am I interrupting something?"

You couldn’t help but chuckle. You scrubbed your eye.

“No, this is fine.” You looked over at Vaggie.

Vaggie's face crinkled with amusement. “We were just talking about you, babe."

Charlie beamed and skipped towards the two of you. She rested her hand on your shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. 

Her eyes were soft. “Everything good here?”