Chapter Text
Holli Would, Lonette Candi-Milo, Frank Harris, Jack Deebs, and Holli's Goons/Fanboys weren't *the ONLY* ones Drawn into Cool World- Anthony AKA 'Angel Dust' and Husker 'Husk' were, as well: one a sexy stripper and dancer like Holli, and the other a grumpy oft-soused bartender/compulsive gambler. There WERE some *BIG differences*, however...
1) They were both FURRY rather than Human(esque)- Husk not just a taupe-and-white Cat but a *WINGED taupe-and-white Cat*, and 'Angel' some sort of pink-and-white *spider*-creature more Soft than Uncomfortably Hairy.
2) They had *WEIRD* eyes rather than 'normal' ones, and not just where their respectively golden-yellow or cerise-pink IRISES were concerned.
3) They were *kind-hearted and sweet-natured* despite their own foul mouths rather than cold and manipulative under one's sly seductive pout and the other's SO *DONE* frown/scowl- more like Frank and 'Lonnie' rather than Jack and Holli (much to Holli's disgust and dislike), consecutively.
4) Husk like-liked girls *AND guys*, and Anthony was GAY- neither of them were straight as a stick or Sir Robin Hood's aim with his bow-and-arrows (again, much to Holli's dislike and disgust).
That very last would have caused them both *HUGE trouble* had they been Humans... but almost nobody gave *a DAMN* in Cool World, thankfuckin'goodness! -Well, sure, HOLLI cared, and therefore nastily (ha) cat-called over at them every chance she got if not calling Angel things like 'Tony Soprano' and Husk 'nigger' and 'black-face', but who gave a FUCK *about HER* besides Jack??? (She would have made fun of their respective accents as well if not for HER OWN being Brooklyn-esque-!)
She could sneer, jeer, and call them 'nancy-boys', 'fairies', and 'pillow-biters' all she wanted- it *fuckin' STUNG*, sure, but it (mostly) didn't TRULY hurt like a lash from a belt or a whip across the face rather than back or thighs anymore than Jack's more-or-less chilly indifference rather than fairly warm welcome a la Frank and Lonette...
....Weeeellll, actually, that was kinda-sorta a *LIE* Husk and Angel told themselves to make themselves -and, y'know, *each other*- feel at least a little better. Being 'light in the loafers' and/or a 'switch-hitter' wasn't *FORBIDDEN* on *pain of PRISON OR DEATH* in Cool World, no, ...but it wasn't exactly *approved of* either- though maaaaayyybe that MIGHT have to do with Angel's bein' a stripper an' he and Husk bein' so close rather than casual acquaintances or just *FAIRLY GOOD friends*. He wasn't really sure, and neither was 'Husky'...
Meaning that eventually, tried as they might to tough it out and grin-or-smirk and bear it, during America's first year taking part in World War II, the Cat Drawn wearing a top hat, bowtie, slacks, and SUSPENDERS and Spider Drawn wearing a *MINI-skirt*, *blazer*, choker *AND bowtie*, two sets of differently-colored gloves, and thigh-high boots lit right out before they could be *CHASED out* with nothing but the clothes already on their respective naturally-pelted backs, defiantly affectionately clasping hands-or-paws every chance they got and embracing one another in their sleep as they ducked and hid from possible Nazi bombs and homophobes alike- eventually even *kissing one another 'Goodnight'*, as well -on the lips or elsewhere-...
Before and after they reached ToonTown, however, they never once REALLY defined their relationship- not out of *FEAR* or muddled tangled feelings, mind, but out of... *contentment*. Comfort. They were just Angel Dust and Husk- Anthony and Hollis (which was Husk's middle name, BTW)- 'Legs' and 'Whiskers'- 'Fluff' and 'Kitty'; one another's 'Loser Baby'. Always had been, and always would be, no matter what...
And SURELY, they would need *NO ONE ELSE* besides each other whether as just 'besties', friends-with-benefits, *BOY-friends*/lovers, or one another's husband one day one way or another-! ...Oooorrr sotheythought/believed until a certain *sweet sweet* rather than cockysmartmouthedtroublemaking himself *NON-child* 'Little Woodenhead', well, heh, *came into the picture*.
And *from THERE*??? The moment they ACTUALLY met those big pure bright blue eyes rather than through a screen or via the pages of a book???? 'Husky' and 'Anth' were fuckin' *GONERS*...! ([And little did they know it, *vice-versa*.])