The minute the male had spoken. Angel Dust and Niffty had drool coming from their mouths and hearts in their eyes at the sight before them. Vaggie had to nudge Charlie to go towards the male who stood before them.
This was it.
Once in front of the male. Charlie rubbed her arm in nervousness before the male looked down at her and spoke with a gentle smile to the small female before him.
"It's good to see you again, Charlie."
All composure was out of the window, now. Tears were streaming down her face and, grace be damned. She jumped into Snow's arms and hugged him as tight as she could. Almost as though he was going to vanish again on her. Despite the growing wetness on his shoulder from Charlie's crying. Lazarus lifted his princess up gently and hugged her just as tightly. But, not enough to hurt her accidentally.
Two years she had waited. Two long years. And, he was finally back in her arms. Thanks to his superiors were why Snow was allowed this moment. Eventually, he knew he needed to thank them for this moment he was experiencing right now.
Lilith watched the reunion from a distance and smiled before turning to return to her car. Her job was now complete. Once Snow let go of Charlie. He couldn't believe how time had been kind to her. She still looked so pristine and flawless. Just as he remembered her. Once he placed her down, he spoke.
"As much as I have enjoyed our reunion, my dear. I'm afraid I must retire for the evening. It was an exhausting journey. And, I've had a long day. Would you like to show me to my room in your, fine, establishment?"
Charlie couldn't help the squeal of excitement that left her. At almost breakneck speeds. Snow was being walked into the main hotel lobby of Charlie's hotel.
She would deal with her friends. Minus Alastor and Husk, in the morning for giving Snow longing looks. Then again, she didn't need to with Angel Dust. Vaggie would more than happily lock Angel out of Snow's bedroom for flirting with another person's childhood friend.
She could already hear Vaggie scolding Angel Dust while Niffty was still free to stare until a cleaning job was required inside the building. Making Charlie giggle at her other friend's predicament.
Snow, however, was more concerned with staring at the girl, no, woman, beside him with a longing gaze. How he missed those yellow eyes of his childhood friend. Though she had a girlfriend now. Lazarus saw this as a chance for the two to just live like normal adults. Just like had wanted to when they were teenagers.
For now, he got a good view of her rear end and whistled quietly. He says in his mind.
'Vaggie is one lucky woman.'
Inside The Hotel
"Welcome to the Happy Hotel! I would just like to say, Snow. I am super happy for you to, finally, see my hotel for the first time!"
Snow couldn't help but chuckle at the woman's enthusiasm while she walked beside him with stars in her eyes and, a breathtaking grin on her face directed at the demon beside her. It was, infectiously cute, to say the least.
The hotel lobby that he was standing in. It was, impressive, to say the least. He could tell a lot of love had been put into running the place. It definitely showed from how clean it was from top to bottom to look decent and presentable to old and new hotel guests that had stepped through the same doors he had just walked through. He was awestruck at how this simple building got so much shit from 666 News and, the denizens of Hell. As he was now admiring the reception area. Unbeknownst to Charlie, he was also looking at her butt again. Leading to him whispering to himself with a grin.
"Heh… Cute butt."
"What was that, Snow?"
He was nearly caught out when Charlie turned back to face him with some paperwork in her hands. Leading to him rubbing the back of his head with a tint of red to his cheeks before he replied.
"Nothing." He quickly changes the subject. "Are those the papers I need to sign?"
Charlie nods. With papers in hand, she speaks.
"Now. I'm sure you are wondering what Happy Hotel is all about, right? Well, due to the yearly purge getting rid of my people to quell overpopulation here in Hell. I have decided to take over this building and, create the Happy Hotel. I'm using it as a way to, rehabilitate, sinners. And send them up to the pearly gates of heaven!"
"Interesting."
The male was impressed when he said these words. This demon had certainly outdone herself in the maintaining of her hotel. But, something came to mind for Snow while Charlie was standing in front of him.
'So, Charlie. Where's your other staff? I mean, I've met your girlfriend, Vaggie. But, where's the rest of them? This isn't a one-woman project?"
Charlie could only shake her head with an amused smile. Snow would soon get his answer when the little woman from earlier came running by.
"COMING THROUGH! THIS PLACE IS FILTHY!"
A very hyperactive Cyclops was seen speeding around the hotel at breakneck speeds. Making it almost impossible for the male demon to keep track of the tiny female. As he looked around again without Charlie by his side. Snow's eyes soon landed on another demon right in front of him. This time, it was him that was made to be uncomfortable.
"Hey, hot stuff. Looking for a good time?"
This made Snow back up slightly at the request. Answering bluntly with.
"I may swing both ways. But, I'm not interested."
Moving away from the drag Queen. He stumbled over to the bar and, would come face to face with a cat with wings. This cat was, definitely, intoxicated. That was something Snow caught onto almost straight away when the cat tried to focus his attention on the new guy sitting at the bar.
"What'll it be?"
"Blood Moon Special?"
In the split second of Snow's request leaving his mouth. The red liquid in a pint glass was placed before him in a millisecond. Surprising the demon in his seat. Taking a sip of the beverage while getting comfortable and, watching the news on the TV. He was unaware Charlie had re-joined him at the bar while his attention was still on the screen. Sitting on the stool next to him with a beaming smile on her face. The moment Snow notices. He smirks before Charlie spoke cheerfully.
"I see you've just met Angel Dust and Husk. Don't worry. Angel is always like that with new people. Husk. Well…, he's grumpy. But, he's a sweetheart at best!"
"I'm not grumpy! I just don't like fucking time-wasters standing around at my bar area. This guy ordered quickly which, by my standards of bartending, means he is a valued customer at my bar from now on."
Charlie huffed at the cat demon's vulgar reply. Snow couldn't help but chuckle lowly while taking another sip of his special. As the male did this. he looked around some more at the hotel area he was in right now. He began scanning the surrounding area for more information about the building he was in.
His thought track was interrupted when the speedy demon from earlier which, in Snow's mind, must have been the hotel's cleaning maid. Stopped dead in front of the two and spoke energetically towards Charlie.
"All clean Miss Charlie, ma'am!" Looks right at Snow with a huge smile and, looking at the male sat next to Charlie with a half-lidded, seductive gaze. She continues speaking. "Hello, handsome. Are you single?"
Snow couldn't help but chuckle with a fluster on his cheeks at the little woman being so bold towards him. This leads to Charlie stepping between the two. For safety reasons, of course. Not because of the tiny hint of jealousy behind the daughter of Lucifer and Lilith's eyes at another demon catching her childhood friend's eyes. No, she needed to remember that, she, herself, had a girlfriend. Despite being bisexual herself.
"Niffty. I'd like to introduce you to this gentleman beside me. He is going to be one of our newest guests tonight. His name is…"
Charlie's face has a look of mortified realisation when she remembers that, she never introduced Snow to anyone but Vaggie. Deciding to break the silence and save Charlie the embarrassment. The male looks at the small Cyclops and winks when he speaks. The small woman couldn't help but fan herself down at the wink her way.
"My name is Lazarus Snow. But, just for you little lady. You can call me Snow. It's a pleasure to meet you."
When Niffty sped away with a squeal of happiness to get on with some of her newest tasks. Despite the look of being weirded out on Snow's face. Charlie managed to get Snow's attention by slipping the registration form under the male's nose and, leaving him to sign on the dotted line to receive his room. Once Snow's registration was complete. His room key was given to him and, Charlie made sure to, personally, escort him to his new room.
Later, Snow's New Room
Once he was stood outside of his room with the key in the door after Charlie showed him more of the hotel. He was in for the shock of his life when he noticed the room he had just entered with Charlie. It was as if she was preparing for his return or something. What with how big the room was.
"Charlie. Are you trying to tell me something about how immaculate this room is?"
A blush crept onto the small woman's features at Snow's statement while she stood next to the male. The room contained a kitchenette in one room. And, a bathroom with a walk-in shower.
The bed was a huge queen-sized bed with pristine white sheets and pillows fluffed to their highest quality. He also noticed a placard on the bedside table with a little message written in it saying.
'Only the best for my childhood friend!
-With Love, Charlie.'
Snow couldn't help but smile at the sweet gesture from his friend who was beaming happily at how happy Snow was at seeing his new room. His thoughts are interrupted when he felt a delicate hand take his hand and interlock their fingers before her head was laid on his arm. She had missed her Snowball and, it showed.
Later
Once the two finally separated and Charlie left Snow's room. He began preparing himself for some much-needed rest. But first, he wanted his routine shower before he went to sleep.
Bathroom
Removing his tank top, socks, shoes and finally, his jean sweats. He stood in nothing but his boxer shorts when heading to the bathroom with clean underwear and toiletries. The minute he passed by the mirror in his birthday suit. He got a good look at his toned and slim body. He wasn't muscular, but. The scars on his body told more stories than the muscle which did show on him.
Don't get him wrong, he enjoyed his work with Dex and Shroud. But his battle scars? They told a whole different story. The bullet wounds he had received earlier were a reminder that he was still locked in an internal struggle with angels who wanted him, and Zerachiel, dead.
Shower
The warm water felt like a welcome change compared to the nights he spent sweating in the deserts of the Wrath ring. Freezing his testicles off in the frozen lands. Or, nearly drowning under fire from angels in a forest in Heaven. A warm shower was a well-deserved treat for the man who never knew when his next shower would be while in action with his two friends that had been grouped with him in the Devil Dog's Platoon. Letting the water wash over him. His mind began to wander before realising he was nodding off. unaware of the dream. No, the nightmare, he was having.
Snow's Dreamscape
The now twenty-one-year-old Snow is seen standing amongst the wreckage of the buildings in a place he did not recognise. Denizens, old and young. They lay dead around him while an angel laughed cruelly at him.
Something was wrong. And, by wrong, he saw Charlie laying by his feet without a head. Balthazar was holding his beloved's head by the blonde hair in his grip before throwing the head at Snow. causing him to scream when he catches the head while the angel shouts.
"I AM COMING FOR YOU, LAZARUS!"
End of Dreamscape
The sudden jerk of him waking up sent the male on a crash course with the bathroom floor, naked, screaming and shaking violently from the nightmare he had just experienced. He'd just witnessed his friend without her head. She was laying amongst the bodies of her friends and his comrades. Once he had calmed down long enough to think clearly. He slowly got up from the floor by grabbing a hold of the towel rail for aid before grabbing a towel to dry himself down.
Back in the Bedroom
"Fucking nightmares! That's the seventh time in a row now."
Snow mutters to himself as he walked over to his bed, pulled back the covers and clambered slowly into the bed. Once comfy, he noticed his phone had a message on it.
"Who's texting me at this hour?"
When he sees the ID of 'Devil Princess' and, two notifications of an image attachment and a message saying, 'Sweet Dreams'. Followed by a wink face emoticon at the side of it. He couldn't help his curiosity as he opened the attachment from his friend. What he saw made him go beet red and solid down south from what he had been sent.
"Damn it, Charlie."
The male says with a smile he had on his lips never leaving. As he saved the image to his phone before going to sleep. The image of a naked Charlie had, successfully, burned into his brain for the night ahead.
Next Morning, Charlie and Vaggie's Room
The peace of the morning, was there anything better? Well, according to Charlie. Her good morning came in the form of a text message with an image attachment from a certain childhood friend.
Said image was of Snow in nothing but a towel covering his groin. This causes the Princess to go a bright shade of deep red and drop her phone as she fainted from shock and blood loss from her nose. She, however, didn't notice while she had fainted, Vaggie and Angel Dust were looking for her. Only to find the phone still open with a certain Rated R image on it.
"Charlie? You OK down there, toots?"
Angel asks with a concerned look on his features before turning to Vaggie who had her mouth wide open and eyes wide at the phone held in front of her. Being the ever-curious one and, wanting to get some gossip for later. Angel looks at what has Vaggie so flustered. Only to look at the image and faint next to Charlie on the floor.
Vaggie couldn't help but chuckle once she recovered from the shock. It wasn't like Snow had sent an unsolicited dick pic to her girlfriend. There was nothing to get angry over. At that time, however, the said male had decided to knock on the door to draw the moth demon's attention away from the passed out female and spider demon. Opening the door to the male. Vaggie kept a mock angry expression on her face as Snow spoke.
"Hey, Vaggie. Is Charlie awake?"
Vaggie nods with her fake angry expression still on her face as she jabs her finger into Snow's chest.
"Who the fuck do you think you are? Sending my girlfriend pictures like the one you sent this morning!"
Snow looks confused as to why Vaggie was angry with him until she showed him the image on Charlie's phone. To this, Snow answers.
"Ease up, Vaggie. I'm just messing with my oldest friend by pushing her buttons. Plus, at least I kept it, 'tasteful'."
Vaggie chuckles. Effectively breaking her act when she responds.
"Relax. I'm just messing with you. I got a good laugh out of it."
Snow breathes a sigh in relief after the punch to the arm he received at the rib by Vaggie. But, she did have a few words for him.
"Just make sure it's nothing more than towels around your junk when you send them next time. Otherwise, I'll cut your dick off. Understood?"
Snow nods. Changing the subject, he points to Charlie as he asks Vaggie.
"I take it she's been like this for a while?"
While walking into the room and heading towards the blonde-haired female on the ground. He has a few options on how to stir her. None of them included Vaggie launching ice water onto a prone Charlie and Angel Dust. Causing them to jump up in a panic and hold each other while sopping wet from head to toe when the two caught the culprit with a bucket in her hands.
"VAGGIE!"
Both of them shout while completely unaware that a male was present in the room. Laughing quietly to himself while watching Charlie lose her mind and, watching Angel Dust go off on the moth demon who was still laughing her ass off when Charlie says while shivering.
"I need to change my clothes! I'm going to catch a cold."
"At least you'll have someone to wait on you hand and foot, hon."
Vaggie replies by pointing past the angered spider demon and the shivering hotel manager towards the male in the room. This causes the small female to freeze in place before turning to face the male.
"Aww. Has the little Princess been caught in a rainstorm?"
The smirk never left his face at what he had just said and witnessed. He took a seat at the edge of Charlie and Vaggie's bed while the mortified female glared at him while Angel Dust yelled.
"You just stood there and let her throw water on us!?"
Angel Dust shouts in anger. Only to receive a raised eyebrow from Snow. Before he removed his stood and removed his coat from his body and walked over to Charlie's wardrobe. He addressed the room.
"If you don't want to catch pneumonia, Charlie. Take this towel." He turns and says something to Angel that made even Vaggie and Charlie laugh. "And, you. I suggest you be nice to me. Otherwise, I spill the beans on where half of the hotel's cucumbers and. That video camera 'mysteriously' vanished to."
With how bright Angel Dust's face lit up in embarrassment at the two females laughing at him. You could use him as a traffic light in the city centre. That certainly piqued Vaggie's interest from when she was trying to dry her girlfriend off from next to her. Material to use against Angel Dust if he ever pissed her off. She had to hear this.
"You wouldn't dare!?"
Angel Dust says with a low and threatening tone towards the male whose grin never left his face after he had gotten Charlie a spare change of clothes. Seeing that Snow had a look on his face that said 'try me'. Angel left in a huff. Snow turned to the shivering female in front of him being dried by Vaggie.
Apparently, a lot had changed in their time apart. Charlie had found a keeper that loved her dearly and. Snow couldn't be happier for his friend. But, why did it feel like a knife was jabbing him in the heart? Looking away and walking toward the door. He says in passing.
"When you're ready, I'll be downstairs. I'm visiting my brother and sister later if you wanna tag along?"
Charlie nods. She hadn't seen Zerachiel and Athena since, well, since Raziel's funeral. And, baby Persephone being born. It would be a welcome change for the two to go visit Snow's family later.
Later
Arriving in the car Charlie owned. The two pulled up outside of a house owned by Snow's brother and sister. To Snow. It was an alien feeling back at his old home after so long. He wasn't sure Athena and Zack would recognise him if walked into the house.
Stepping out of the car with Charlie in tow. Snow took a deep breath before looking at Charlie and asking.
"What if they don't recognise me, Charlie? I have been gone for two years."
Charlie just waves it off before replying.
"Don't worry. I called ahead. And, I let them know I had a guest coming with me. I'd never heard Athena move around as fast over the phone before."
Snow chuckles. His big sister was always the fussy one. Just as he remembered her. Walking up to the front door of the house. Snow knocks before slowly entering the home of his sister, niece and, his brother.
Inside Athena and Zerachiel Snow's Residence
The sounds of music playing and, the sounds of female demon singing to herself from the kitchen. They were the first thing that greeted Snow and Charlie upon their entrance into the abode. Walking into the kitchen while Charlie looked for Zerachiel and Molly. Snow walked towards the fridge in the corner and began rummaging around inside of the containment unit.
"Zack I told you to stay out of the fridge until AFTER dinner. Charlie's bringing a friend over today. I want you to help get Persephone ready while Molly grabs the wine from the store!"
A confused voice shouts down the stairs to his sister from where he was dressing Persephone.
"I'm not downstairs. I'm still dressing Persephone, Athena."
This causes Athena to freeze up. If Zerachiel wasn't downstairs. Then who was in the kitchen with her. Turning around to see the adult with the trimmed snow-white beard and hair looking directly back at her with a slice of bread hanging from his mouth. The dish containing the canolli clattered to the ground. The female stood in shock at who was standing in front of her in his freshly pressed t-shirt and jeans. She must be dreaming. Because she swore she recognised the male stood before her when she says sharply.
"Hold it right there, young man!"
Snow froze up in fear. With the bread hanging from his mouth telling Athena all she needed to know. She soon put two and two together before gripping her little brother in a death grip around his neck. Snow didn't know what to do about the tears streaming from his sister's eyes and, landing on top of his head when she shouts out.
"OUR BABY BROTHER HAS COME HOME!"
Snow just chuckled before reciprocating his sister's hug. It was good to feel the warmth of his sister once again after living off of two different lands for two years. The hurried sound of rushing footsteps accompanied the other male inside of the house toward the kitchen. The look on his face spoke a thousand words left unsaid when he saw the tall male in front of him.
He didn't need to speak a word when Athena let go of Snow so he could look at his brother.
"Charlie. Athena and I were expecting Lazarus. Not the big motherfucker that ate him!"
Snow laughed before hugging his big brother. After hugging him, he says.
"Good to see you too, Zack."
The two brothers began laughing with each other for old times' sake.
Later
"I've dealt with some criminals before but, Jesus Christ. The thing was as tall as the empire state building!"
Laughter filled the dinner table inside of the residence Snow was inside of. Athena's home-cooked food is in front of everyone at the table. Molly played peek-a-boo with her niece while Zerachiel and Snow shared their war stories. Charlie was just content with listening and, laughing whenever she was included in the conversation between the two brothers. She soon felt a pang in her heart when Zerachiel asked.
"So, little brother, spill the beans. Bedded any of god's angels or, Lucifer's finest demonesses since you were away for two years?"
Snow laughs before answering.
"I can't kiss and tell, Zack. But, I'll let you guess."
Zerachiel couldn't help but smirk when putting his finger to his chin in mock thought. Molly could only roll her eyes at her boyfriend prying into his little brother's love life while he was away. Coming up with a number in his mind. Zerachiel says confidently.
"Have you bedded... fifty different women since you were on duty?"
Snow makes a noise to tell his brother he was well off. He indicates upwards with his index finger to go higher in numbers. Deciding to give Zerachiel a hint, he says.
"Let's just say that. Prince Stolas despises me for bedding his wife and, all four members of the I.M.P. organization. And. I've bedded the Number one pop star in Hell. And, her entourage. Minus her bodyguard."
Athena and Charlie spat out their drinks at that moment upon the mention of Snow's conquest.
"YOU BEDDED VEROSIKA MAYDAY!"
Snow taps the side of his nose at his friend, his sister and Molly's yell in response to what he said. After that announcement, Zerachiel gives up by saying.
"I give. What's the number?"
"6792. And some of the men and women I slept with. They were multiple times."
Zerachiel was impressed. Still being impressed with his brother's impressive body count. He asks.
"What was sex with Verosika like?"
That was where Molly interjected with a look of offence.
"ZACK!"
"WHAT! She's a pop star. You'd wanna know what sex with Frank Sinatra was like."
Her boyfriend had her there with his response when she replied.
"Touché."
She got her own back by rubbing some of the sauce from the meal on her boyfriend's nose. Leading to Zerachiel attacking Molly with kisses on her face. Causing the female spider demon to try and swat him away with a rolled-up napkin on the table.
Most of the conversations soon changed subjects while everyone was eating. Athena was just happy to have everyone back at the dinner table once again. She was happy to see her brother again and, she was happy he was laughing with his family and, playing with his two-year-old niece by feeding her food and being silly before feeding her. But, something still stung her heart when she saw the empty chair next to her.
The seat her husband, Persephone's father, Raziel used to sit himself down in for dinner time while Snow was still dreaming of being a Royal Guard. It made Athena cry every night she went to bed alone. Knowing she was a single mother. Molly was the first to notice the sad look on Athena's face.
In fact. It was Molly and Zerachiel that saved Athena from hanging herself in her bedroom during the first year anniversary of Raziel's murder. Molly just sat with Athena and, hugged her gently while Zerachiel's twin sister cried her tears onto the female spider demon's shoulder. The three had decided to stay with Athena all night until she got back onto her feet again to be the best mother she could be to Persephone. She didn't have suicidal tendencies since. And, it relieved her twin brother to see his sister slowly, but surely, recovering emotionally, and mentally.
Once the meal was finished and before the plates were placed into the sink. Zerachiel stood up from his seat. With Molly pulled into a side hug by her slim waist beside him. He announces to the room.
"Guys. Can you lend me an ear for a moment? I have something I want to tell you all."
This was where Snow tried jokingly pulling off his ear. He began saying while, pretending, to struggle with it.
"Sorry, bro. Seems to be glued on."
Everyone laughed lightly at that before Zerachiel continued.
"Well, Lazarus. Molly and myself. We were waiting for you to come home before we told everyone what was happening. Athena had been bugging me for weeks to tell her but, I kept telling her it was a surprise for when you arrived earlier this afternoon."
Everyone went quiet for Zerachiel to continue what he was saying. Turning to his girlfriend beside him. He continues.
"Molly. Since the day we met, all those years ago while my little brother was just a young child when Athena and Raziel first introduced you to me. I've loved you the moment I laid my two eyes upon you. We've had our share of disagreements and, I've come to blows with your older brother Arackniss when he tried punching me out in front of your pops. Since then, Molls. We've become closer. As friends and, lovers. Almost to the point that, after four years together, I couldn't see myself loving anyone but you."
Pulling something out of the back pocket of his jeans and took one of her eight left hands in his own. She soon gasps in happiness when she realises what was happening when Athena and Snow's brother got down on one knee before her.
"Molly Marconi. My multiple eyed and, multiple legged beauty of a girl. Will you marry me?"
Molly couldn't hold back the tears of joy at the demon before her. Charlie, Snow and Athena waited on bated breath while Persephone was looking on confused at why her aunt was crying. Hell. If Molly didn't answer soon. Snow could tell his brother was close to passing out from the tension in the air. A former angel that had come under fire from so many enemies in the thirty-one years of his existence. Was about to pass out over a marriage proposal.
Nodding happily and, finally finding her words through the shock. Molly speaks.
"YES! I will become your wife!"
Zerachiel sighs in relief while Snow lets out a loud cheer that startles Persephone at the sudden noise her uncle let out after Zerachiel put the finger on the sixth hand, got to his feet and, kissed and hugged his new fiancée.
"I'VE GOT A NEW SISTER!"
Athena looked at her baby brother in the mock offence when he yelled this. When he realised he might have offended his big sister. He says with a laugh escaping him while rubbing the back of his head with the palm of his right hand.
"Sorry, sis. I still love you of course. Just happy to have another sister in the family is all."
Athena punches her brother in the arm and smiles kindly. She was only messing with him and, it showed as everyone gathered around the newly engaged couple. It was definitely a time for celebration.
Inside The Bar, Later That Night ('Since You've Been Gone' by Rainbow is playing on the Jukebox)
A bar. It wasn't the most surprising place for Snow to treat Zerachiel to after getting engaged. Plus, Snow knew a drink would go down nicely right now after being away on duty for two years. Taking a seat at a random table. Snow catches the attention of the barmaid before placing an order for the strongest drinks they had for himself and Zerachiel. He turned around in his seat and, spoke to his brother.
"Enjoy yourself, Zack. It's not every day I get to treat my big brother."
Zerachiel couldn't help but laugh at his little brother's sincerity. Being curious about his surroundings. Zerachiel began to scan the barroom while Snow was texting someone. Hookers, druggies and their dealers. You name it. They were all here in this very establishment. Denizens fighting in the back, drunk demons chatting up the females. Just your typical sleaze bar. A sleaze bar Zerachiel's brother frequented sometimes.
"Here ya go, cutie. Two Satan's special shines for you and the handsome hunk there."
Zerachiel was about to reach into his pocket for his wallet when the waitress stopped him by saying.
"It's on the house. Enjoy."
Snow smiles at the flirting in her look his way. Smiling back at her before she goes to serve another table. The two brothers clink their glasses together in cheers before drinking. Placing his drink down onto the table. Zerachiel asks.
"So. How do you know the barmaid here?"
Putting down his drink after taking a long drink. Snow replies.
"She was one of the six thousand and odd women I'd bedded. Had her over the bar counter too."
Zerachiel nods. Seeing the sad look in his brother's eyes. Zerachiel couldn't help but ask again.
"What's wrong? I thought you enjoyed being a rolling stone that couldn't be tamed by any woman that came your way?"
Snow chuckles. His brother had caught him out while he was zoned out. So, showing his hand now Zerachiel had called his bluff. He replies.
"I did. When I was nineteen going on twenty. But, now I'm twenty-one. After I saw how our sister was with Raz. And, how much Miss Molly means to you when you asked her to marry you earlier. It made me think, Zack. I need that rope that can tie me down and, warm my bed when it should be a typical lonely night for me. I need a good woman."
Zerachiel was knocked for six. Was he really hearing his brother right now? He hated being a playboy! Then it hit him. Who was the one girl Snow had his heart set on before Raziel's murder? Well. The only logical answer was…
"You're still pining for Charlie… aren't you, Snow?"
The male across from Zerachiel nods his head. This leads to Zerachiel saying.
"I fucking knew it!"
Snow raises a confused eyebrow at his brother's declaration about knowing of Snow's feelings for the Princess of Hell. Seeing the raised eyebrow. Zerachiel elaborates.
"Come on, Snow. Everyone and their dogs know you are in love with Charlie. I could see it at dinner earlier when you two helped Athena with the dishes at the house. Hell, Molly mentioned it to me while we watched you talking with Athena at the sink. Charlie had a lost puppy look on her face towards you."
Snow could only just sit back in realisation at the revelation that had just hit him. Taking his drink into his hand and, taking a sip. He finally found the words he was looking for.
"Charlie… loves me back?"
Zerachiel nods. Once again, Snow didn't know what to do with the news that was given to him. But, he remembered Charlie was happy with Vaggie. He wasn't going to ruin what they had. Plus, he was becoming good friends with Charlie's girlfriend. He didn't want to wreck it just for him to be happy. Sensing his brother's mood had changed from happy to sad in a split second. Zerachiel spots something that would cheer his little brother up.
"Hey. Wanna go make an ass of ourselves on the karaoke?"
Snow looks at his brother with a smirk on his face. Knowing his smirk was a sign that he wanted to make an ass of himself. Zerachiel laughs and, claps his hands together before getting out of his seat to go speak to the DJ. Leaving Snow to his thoughts and, his drink on the table. Big mistake.
Four burly demons walked through the door while Snow was drinking his shine. The middle guy in between the four wore a cowboy hat and, a full cowboy get-up as he entered the room. Standing at the bar, his drink was handed to him by the scared waitress. He asks.
"Seen a touch of snow in here tonight?"
The waitress nods in fear. Directing the imp towards the table Snow was sat at by himself, and smirking viciously. The imp tips the waitress a hundred dollar bill to keep her mouth shut and, for her not to call the guards for what was about to go down.
Back With Snow
As the five approached the table Snow was sitting at. The male was circling the rim of his glass with his finger when the four burly demons towered over him. Seeing their shadows, he says evenly.
"Can I help you, ladies?"
The imp that was with the four chuckles darkly as he takes a seat across from the snow-white demon across from him.
"Your reputation precedes you, Lazarus Snow. I assume you know who I am?"
Snow looks at the imp across from him before going back to his drink and, ignoring him.
BANG! This was followed by the shattering of a glass
"Answer my question, Lazarus. Do you know why I'm here?"
Snow decides to answer the imp. Mainly just to stroke his ego further.
"I assume you're just another demon. And, you're here because I satisfied your wife better than you ever could with my nine-inch dick. Am I right?"
The imp snickers coldly. Soon, the four thugs were surrounding Snow when the imp answered.
"Cute. Name's Striker."
"Who?"
Striker felt his eye twitch at Snow's pretend ignorance. Shaking it off, he continues.
"As I was saying…"
He didn't get the chance when Snow cuts him off.
"Sorry. What I meant to say was. Who, the fuck, are you?"
A gun to Snow's head was all the on leave Devil Dog got in reply by the seething male before him. Snow just sat there unimpressed by what was going on. Seeing his target was unaffected by common threats. Striker tries a different approach.
"My name aside. I assume you know why I have a group of thugs with me? And, why have a gun pointed right between your eyes?"
"You wanted to have very rough sex with me?"
Striker chuckles before pressing the gun further into Snow's forehead. Rising from his seat. Snow sighs before walking over to the bar. Striker couldn't help but look confused until he was seen speaking to the waitress. Something along the lines of, 'Go find my brother. Explain why you were sent to him and, stay there. I've got some joker to deal with.' before turning back to face Striker.
When Striker had intimidated a woman and, made her cry. The imp had committed strike one. Destroying Snow's drinking glass while he was drinking. That was strike two. He was just waiting for Striker to commit the fatal, and life-ending, strike three.
It wouldn't be long before one of Striker's thugs committed strike three when he punched the poor bar waitress who was making her escape towards Zerachiel.
Strike Three. Never, under any circumstance. Lay a finger on a woman. It just might cost you your life.
Turning to face Striker. The imp began speaking.
"I was hired by Prince Stolas. He put a hefty price on your head after you slept with his wife and, his favourite imp. Wants you brought in dead."
Snow nods. Seeing the bar waitress now safe with Zerachiel, the moment he noticed his brother spotted the blood coming from the waitress's pretty face. Snow saw Zerachiel's eyes widen in horror when he locked eyes with him. Knowing what was to come. Zerachiel evacuated the demoness, her other bartenders and, the patrons to safety. Knowing there was going to be no casualties when Snow went ham on the imp and the thugs that threatened him. The male responds to Striker.
"Really? Shame. I didn't plan on dying tonight, Striker."
"And why might that be, Lazarus?"
Snow held up his index finger. While Striker was confused, Snow elaborates.
"Strike one. Intimidating an innocent."
Snow's middle finger went up next to his index finger when he continued.
"Strike two. Shooting my drink out of my hand while I showed no interest in entertaining you."
Before Snow put up his third finger in the form of his right hand's ring finger. He walked over to the bar entrance and, bolted the door shut behind him. The sound of a door clicking closed from the only exit from the bar soon caught Snow's ears. Making him smile viciously before he continued.
"Strike Three. Oh man… that fatal, strike three. You didn't cause this one, Striker. In fact. It was Curly right there between Larry and Moe…" points to the thug at the far left. "… Who sealed your fate. He struck a woman in my presence. And, I value the women in my life, Striker. I value them to the point I would never lay a finger on them."
The smirk on Snow's face when he placed a hand on Striker's shoulder. It went from psychotic glee, to danger, in the span of a millisecond. He got a look at thugs before he heard the jukebox in the corner flicker to life and, placing a record onto the needle. a certain song Snow was familiar with began playing. During the opening verse. Snow quoted it perfectly to Striker's face.
Song Play: 'Cinderella Man' by Eminem
"You know, technically, Striker. I'm not even really supposed to be here right now…"
Snow's katana, 'Whisper' had been flicked out of its sheathe on his hip by his thumb when he continued.
"So fuck it. Might as well make the most of it."
That was when the fighting started. One of Striker's goons tried to stop him. Only, he would have been successful if, I don't know, Snow hadn't have drawn whisper and, cut him in two with little effort. The next thug sent Snow tumbling over the bar. Only, he wasn't on the ground long when he got up and, smashed a beer bottle over the attacking thug's head. Once he was stumbling from the heavy bottle smashed over his head. Snow cut off the thug's head and, launched the severed head against the nearest window closest to him. Smashing it in the process. That was when more thugs entered the fray through the window. Though he had guns trained on him. Snow stood with his sword by his side and, says in his mind.
"Demon breathing. 1st form."
With those words. Snow couldn't be seen by his enemies. Not one of the poor saps could see the male before limbs were being cut off. And heads were missing from the lightning-fast male cutting them off in a blur of speed and sound. A blur, that couldn't be seen by the naked eye when he shouts.
"Thunder Lion's Roar!"
Three of Striker's back-found found their heads tumbling from their shoulders after trying to ambush. Snow. When he found a blade against his throat. He was quick enough to swing his foot back, and kick out his assaulter's leg from under him. Breaking it in the process. When another thug tried to cut him down with his gun. Snow used the body he had cut up as a shield. Once he got close enough to the thug when he'd run out of bullets. He would never get the chance to reload before Snow cut him down.
"TAKE HIM OUT, YOU IDIOTS! HE'S JUST ONE DEMON!"
"WE CAN'T SEE HIM TO HIT HIM, STRIKER!"
That was the last thing that was shouted before Whisper found the back-up's throat. In one fluid motion, the blade was pulled from the sap's throat and, it found the neck of two more in the blade's path. Nothing would slow down Snow's blade from the path of slaughter its wielder had set it upon.
When Snow was in full view of another thug's gun. And, the bullets fired in his general direction. Snow spun Whisper around in his hand to block the bullets and, cause the stray metal casings to ricochet into the thugs instead. Not one bullet would hit the male while he was in full stride. And, his blade would make sure of it. Despite how well he was doing with his blade in hand. One thug managed to knock the blade from his hand, and cause Snow to dodge each switchblade swipe against his body. He needed to find an advantage and, quickly. Otherwise, his goose would be cooked.
Seeing the beer barrel behind the bar counter. Snow manages to dodge another swipe of the blade going for his throat by ducking underneath the arm. Elbowing the thug in the face and, smashing his face against the solid wooden counter. Before the thug could get his bearings again. The wooden container soon finds itself over his head. The force of the hit caused the angel's head to explode upon impact from the force of the barrel that was brought crashing down on top of his head. Splintering the wood in the process and, giving the thug a temporary barrel for a head when he dropped to the floor with a hard thud.
Slowly controlling his breathing again. He got into a fistfight with two thugs that tried to corner him once he jumped back over the counter. And, they had pulled combat knives on him. Swaying side to side to avoid the blade's thrusts towards him. Snow uses a spinning back fist to the first thug's jaw. Mid-swing of his fist against the first thug's jaw. The male brought his foot around. And, using the momentum of the spin. Snow planted his steel boot squarely into the back of the second thug's head. Cracking it like an egg upon impact.
'Damn it. Stolas didn't tell me this guy was military! I need to bolt and, rethink my plan again.'
Striker was thinking in his mind. As he watched Stolas's hired cronies that were paid to accompany Striker being cut down by Snow. He made a wise choice too by tactically retreating.
Considering his position right now. Snow hadn't broken a sweat. The swordsman cut down each of his opponents with ease as they approached him. Their technique was really sloppy compared to his own. And, he made them pay for it with their blood and body parts that he had loped off with relative ease when they tried to attack him again.
When he thought he'd finished the job after watching Striker bolt through the broken window near the entrance. He had to narrowly dodge a blade swinging towards his throat again. Only, this time, it took him little time to react. The last thug that had swung for him. They'd quickly lost their head in a nanosecond after missing their target's throat.
Once he knew there were no more thugs. And, the bodies of those he had slaughtered were all of Stolas' hired thugs. Snow cleaned the blade on his shirt sleeve before, making sure he grabbed the sheathe on his hip. He moved the blade along its side before sleeving it back in its sheathe when he watched the last thug fall. He mutters.
"Nighty, night. Bitch."
End Song
Unlocking the doors to the bar and allowing the patrons and bar staff back into the establishment. Zerachiel couldn't believe the mess Snow had made of the place. Seeing only a few grazes of blood on his brother's face after Snow had calmed his breathing. Zerachiel speaks.
"Fucking Hell, Snow. What was that all about?"
Snow only chose to answer with a smirk and, an arm draped around his brother's shoulder when he answers.
"Just some dickhead running his mouth, bro. Nothing to worry about."
Zerachiel raises an eyebrow in a questioning manner toward his little brother with blood drying from the cut on his cheek. Deciding not to ask further questions about what had happened. The two brothers just chose to enjoy their night. Drinking and, making merry with the patrons. Hell, Snow picked up a girl for himself to share a bed with tonight in the form of the barmaid from earlier. Who, Zerachiel learns her name is Liana. The dead bodies of the thugs were now an afterthought for the happy patrons Snow had single-handedly defended.