Hazbin Hotel, Pride Ring of Hell. 2 Years later...
Bleep…, Bleep…, Bleep…, Bleep…, Bleep…
As he lay in a peaceful slumber. Loona, despite the tears she had to wipe from her eyes at the sight before her. She still clung to the hope that Snow would wake up. Even if he had been out cold for two years of their relationship. Loona still held onto the hope that he would awaken in time for the kids to see him again.
Laid by the bedside in a tray on a table that had been provided for Snow while he was laid out. Was the blade that was something akin to a small sword, not a dagger, like a panicking Loona had described two years ago when they burst down the door to the hotel with the hybrid in Millie's arms?
Now, with Snow resting in a bed that Charlie had made up for him upon I.M.P.'s arrival. Today, within seconds, the team had wasted no time in coming to visit the male after Charlie had contacted them all by phone.
Slowly opening his eyes to the sounds of fingers tapping against a tablet. And, looking to the side to see Loona sound asleep on the railing that was on the bedside. Eric looks away towards the ceiling. With a sigh leaving him. Charlie is soon by his side when she asks.
"Welcome back to the living world, Snow! How're you feeling right now?"
Eric merely looks at the devil princess with a neutral, but tired, expression on his face. He hadn't just survived a notorious bounty hunter just to be asked something as trivial as 'How're you feeling?'. Despite the recovering strength he was retaining from the sleep he'd just awoken from. He speaks when he sits up to face the blonde. While also being careful not to disturb Loona beside him.
"I've just survived a Genesis blade poisoning me. And, after just surviving a Genesis-killing bullet through my chest. I'm just peachy, Charlie. How was your week?"
Charlie chuckles silently. Checking Snow's vitals for any complications after Baxter had operated on him in the early hours of the morning. And, testing his arm motions with his arm and hand. Eric chose to move his hand over Loona's head. Despite the grumble from the hound's lips from her sleep being disturbed. She moved her head in closer so Snow could stroke his girlfriend's hair on top of her head. But, he had to ask the one question on his mind.
"How long have I been in this coma, Charlie? It feels like only two months have passed."
Charlie didn't know how to respond to the male's question. Sitting beside the hybrid's bed. Charlie sits with her leg crossed over her other leg before answering.
"I don't know how to tell you this delicately, Snow. But…"
Eric prepared for the worst news possible. Luckily, he managed to get an answer from the Devil Princess.
"In the time you've been asleep. Your son and daughters have grown up. While Loona, who is asleep beside you, hasn't left your bedside. Your boss and your friends have been to visit. But, recently, they stopped when they felt you weren't going to wake up. But, Loona, Moxxie and Millie never gave up on you, Snow."
Eric nods. But, he still wanted his questions answered when he asks again.
"Doesn't answer how long I've been gone, Charlie. How long has passed?"
"Two years, Snow. You've been asleep for two years."
The male couldn't believe his ears. He'd been asleep for that long?! His priority was to make sure his kids were being looked after in his absence. Luckily, Loona chose then to awaken from her slumber beside him.
"Sn… Snow?"
As her eyes opened. She had to adjust her sight from the blurriness in her vision. Once she did, the sight of Snow smiling gently back at her was one that made her hug him tightly. Not giving a damn if someone was in the room with them. Loona let out two years' worth of tears into Snow's shoulder. Making the male smile, and reassure the hound he loved.
"Don't worry, Loo. It's okay, now. I'm alright."
The Next Day
Ringing Of an Alarm Clock. Soon followed by the smash of a window.
Looking out of the window with a half-lidded gaze after Loona kindly threw the object that had just given the couple a rude awakening from Loona's deep sleep cuddled into her boyfriend. Considering what time it was. Eric would soon make his presence known that he was awake to Blitzo, Moxxie and Millie today. But, he wanted to let his kids know he was walking around again.
"Mom, are you awake?"
Hearing Austin from the other side of the door. Loona noticed Snow wasn't beside her in bed anymore. Knowing what Snow was planning to do for Austin. Loona calls out.
"I'm awake, Oz."
That was the male's cue to enter the room. Seeing his mother still in her night clothes. He noticed the other side of the bed had been tampered with. Allowing Austin to ask his mom.
"I see you still miss dad?"
Loona nods. Keeping her poker face so she didn't give away the fact Austin's dad had been in the room with her. She replies.
"I've missed him every day for the last two years, Oz. I know he'll wake up soon. I just know it."
Austin nods with a smile. Originally, he'd sided with his grandpa in the camp that thought Snow wasn't going to wake up. But, after getting a dressing down from his mother and baby sisters. He soon changed his tune.
"Don't worry, mom. I know he'll wake up. He's a tough cookie that I'm proud to call my dad. Plus, Charlie put Balthazar on the case to hunt down dad's attacker. Striker will be brought down."
Loona nods. Oh, she knew Striker would pay for putting Snow into a two-year-long coma. It was just a matter of how not when. Getting up from her bed. Austin sees this as his way to leave the room so his mother could get changed into her clothes for the day.
Kitchen
Though he'd just awoken. He felt like death warmed over in a waffle iron as he woke up and headed into the kitchen for what was his morning cup of coffee, in the afternoon. When he knew his daughters were working today. He made it his job to go see them after he'd surprised his oldest son.
Sitting at the table with a newspaper covering his face. Eric watched from over the top of the paper to see Austin cooking his and his mom's breakfast. Causing Snow to say in his mind.
'Austin's been doing the cooking in my stead? Atta boy, Oz.'
Once Loona had finished dressing and freshening herself up. She entered the room to see a smirking Snow looking at her. While Austin was focused on the stove. Loona and Snow shared a long kiss between themselves. Once they broke apart. Loona took her seat before Austin plated up their breakfast. Deciding to keep the act up. Loona asks.
"Only two breakfasts, Austin?"
Austin looked at his mom weirded out. Shaking his head, he responds as gently as possible.
"Mom. Dad isn't awake yet. I can't keep making the third plate for it to just be wasted."
"Actually kiddo. You can."
Dropping the paper to finally reveal himself to Austin. The hound almost fell in horror at the sight of his dad sitting in the chair across from him. Causing him to shout.
"HOLY SHIT!"
Eric merely chuckles at his son's reasonable reaction to his sudden appearance before him. As the shock slowly faded away. He tries to speak.
"I… I thought you weren't going to wake up! But, you're here! You're really here!"
Eric nods. Once the tough guy act dropped. Austin almost crushed his dad with the bone-crushing hug he gave the, now, twenty-seven-year-old father of three. Loona, even though she didn't want to break up the tender moment between father and son, spoke up.
"He's been awake since yesterday, Oz. He wanted to surprise you and your sisters before he went back to work with me."
Austin nods. But, looking at the clock on the kitchen side. He responds.
"Well, Eliza will be at work at the Princess's hotel now. She started at seven this morning. While Winter was picked up by grandpa to go to work at the Mall of Hell. She works in Stylish Occult now."
Eric nods. He knew what his next stop was going to be. Grabbing an apple from the fruit basket. He stands at the kitchen counter before speaking to his girlfriend and son.
"What are we waiting for then? Let's go surprise our daughters, and your sisters, next!"
Loona and Austin nod with a smirk. Loona, when she looked at her son, during the years had noted how the life that had dulled down behind his red eyes, was soon alight again now Snow was here.
Greed Ring of Hell. Stylish Occult In The First Mall of Hell.
Entering the store whilst wearing different clothing to mask his scent. Eric had a hard time spotting his youngest daughter. Well, it was a hard time until Austin pointed out the snow-white hound dealing with a Karen that was using her as a target for her frustration about something in the store.
"There she is, pops. Oh for… not again, Wyn."
Eric noted his son's look of annoyance when he clapped his eyes onto the female demon giving Winter shit. He noticed his daughter was in some discomfort about this demon pestering her while she was trying to work. Well, despite doing her best intentions to ignore the women. She hadn't seen Snow and Loona until they were smack bang behind the demon after she had grabbed their little girl intending to hurt her. When your mom and brother are about to tear this woman a new one and risk a lawsuit. All the while you had to step in to try and calm your mother down before a murder took place in the establishment. This was when Loona shouted in defence of her daughter.
"KEEP YOUR FILTHY FUCKING CLAWS OFF OF MY DAUGHTER!"
She had shouted this from Winter's restraint. While Winter tried to help drag her mother out of the store. The female soon backed off with a snicker and a look of disgust. When they walked out of the store, Snow decided he would surprise Winter at the food court.
Food Court
"Are you feeling better now, mom? This is the fifth time this week I've had to drag you and Austin out of the store!"
Winter asks with concern evident in her tone towards the fuming older hound. After having to forcibly remove Loona from the store. This led to them sitting in the food court. While Winter received her food since Loona was trying to calm down from the hounds that dared to hassle her little girl. The hound finally answers.
"I'm okay, Wyn. I'd feel much better if those assholes didn't try to hurt you while we were there."
Winter nods. However, something clicked in her head at her mom's statement. What did she mean by we?! That was when the male beside Loona took off his shades and hat to speak to Winter.
"Your mother's right, Wyn. It made me sick how that demon thought she could lay her hands on you, sweetie."
Winter nearly broke down then and there. The moment she caught a glimpse of Snow's snow-white hair, and bearded face, she almost screamed the place down when she jumped the table and hugged her dad tightly.
"DADDY! YOU'RE AWAKE!"
Eric couldn't help but smile warmly as he held his crying daughter close to his chest. Stroking the back of her head. He whispers.
"It's okay now, Wyn. Daddy's here."
Rubbing Winter's back to calm her down with gentle strokes. The hound relaxed enough to sigh in contentment with her dad's touch. Once the whole thing calmed down. The three began taking a bite out of their food.
Their catch-up would soon have to be put on hold. The minute activists are seen spewing propaganda and marching through the mall with their signs and banners. Austin notes irritably towards the marching Hell hounds walking through the mall.
"What are they spewing now?"
This is something that piqued Snow's interest slightly. Deciding to be nosy and see what the parasites were protesting this time as he looked past Loona and Winter. The four of them notice the protest had something to do with Hell hound liberation. And, on how they should be the dominant majority instead of the minority in Hell. Seeing the banners and the angry faces. The male couldn't help the scoff and smile towards his girlfriend, son and daughter while they were talking to each other. Loona, Winter and Austin were, definitely, not the minority in his eyes. I mean, C'mon, he did intend to marry Loona for Christ's sake. And, he cared enough about the two siblings to give them a home to live in.
Someone from the protestors must have noticed Snow holding Loona's hand while she talking to their daughter. While the two of them were just minding their own business. The four soon hear a voice ask.
"Excuse me, sir, madams. Is this demon bothering you?"
Loona, Austin and Winter's heads soon shoot up towards Snow. With a confused look, he looked back at the three hounds he sat with. Austin turned his attention to the Hell hound that, Snow had assumed was, the leader of his band of idiots that had called over to them. Judging by the look his dad was getting from said Hell hound. It seemed the leader had thought Austin's dad was some kind of creep looking to get into his mother's pants by buying her dinner first. Swallowing his pride and his snicker, Snow just allowed Austin to respond. Or, if you knew him as Snow, Loona and Winter did. He would bite back. While Snow, Loona and Winter were just content with biting into their food. They chose to ignore the ensuing debate between Austin and the Hell hound.
"Beat it, asshole! Can't you see I'm having lunch with my mom, dad and sister? who is on break from work with us?"
The shocked reactions from the hounds at Austin pointing Snow out as his dad made Snow chuckle silently. The male felt pride that Austin would defend his adoptive father to death. The leader soon continued. Much to Loona's annoyance as shown when Winter felt her hand tighten on hers for support.
"SHE'S DATING SOMEONE OUT OF HER SOCIAL CIRCLE? Surely you know that is illegal under Lucifer's law?"
Loona sighs in agitation. The minute Snow can feel the grip of her interlocked fingers in his tightening. The male knew she was about to go berserk. Knowing this feeling. And, knowing she was going to harm someone. Eric asks his daughter.
"Sweetie, didn't you say you needed to get something from your locker at work?"
Loona understood the message. Parting with a hug to her mom and dad. Winter leaves the immediate vicinity before she hears Austin continue to give the male hound a piece of his mind.
"Creep?! That man has provided my mom and sisters with security. Both love and financial. He has given me and my sister to be a part of a loving family. No one calls him a creep and lives to tell about it!"
Luckily, after grabbing what she needed. Winter, seeing her mother, father and brother about to get even angrier at the persistent activist arguing with Austin. The snow-white hound soon made her way back to the food court. With her equalizer in hand. She intended to make sure the hounds remembered her.
Food Court
The hounds soon parted the moment Winter racked a slug into her shotgun's chamber. Without the lead hound's knowledge of the quietly approaching female. The guy didn't know what to do the moment Winter pressed the cold steel of the barrel to the back of the activist's head. Much to Loona, Snow and Austin's relief when she spoke lowly.
"My parents have already told you to fuck off. Now, unless you and your motley crew want a 24-gauge slug in the back of your furry skulls. And, if you don't want your brain matter splattered all over the place. Move along. Leave my mom, dad and brother be, asshole."
That soon got the annoying bastards away from Loona, Snow and Austin in a heartbeat. Winter had never seen them scurry away as fast the moment she fired her gun in the air to clear them off. Once they knew the protesters were gone. Eric smirks proudly at his youngest daughter as she takes her seat again.
"So, what's next dad?"
Eric smirks in knowing. He knew where he needed to go now. And, it involved the only child he had left to surprise.
Later That Day. At The Hazbin Hotel.
Eliza was seen working her ass off behind the reception desk at the hotel. Despite how hard she was working. It didn't take a rocket scientist to note that Eliza had dark circles around her eyes. She'd been working herself to the bone with her desk job. So, she barely had time to sleep.
Knowing who her dad was. Charlie and Vaggie couldn't budge the stubborn teen from her post. Even if the promise of a warm bed was inviting to some. Eliza had shot it down in cold blood. She felt that someone had to help out around the apartment since her dad was gone. If only she knew who was about to make an appearance at the hotel today.
Entering the hotel whilst Eliza was napping behind the front desk. Eric noted his daughter looked like hammered shit. With the go-ahead from Vaggie. He walked up to the front desk. Knowing the bell wasn't going to wake his daughter up. He shouts something that would surprise Loona, Austin and Winter.
"ELIZABETH CASSIEL SNOW! WAKE UP, YOU HAVE PATRONS!"
"GAAH!"
Thud
If Eliza was still asleep. She wouldn't be now she had landed on the carpeted floor underneath her with a hard thud. Getting up to her feet, rubbing her head and with an angered look on her face. She was about to give someone hell for scaring her. Her angered look turned to one of embarrassment when she realised her brother and sister now knew her full name. But, it disappeared when she saw the amused male standing before her.
"Dad?"
Eric merely kept the amused smile on his face. As Eliza made her way around from the front desk. She holds a hand out to see if what she was seeing was a mirage or reality. Touching her dad's shoulder, and finding it was real, she finally speaks once the shock disappeared.
"I thought we'd lost you."
Eric chuckles lightly. Taking his daughter into his arms. Eliza just grips her dad slightly as though he was going to leave her again. Luckily, he remained standing before her. Looking up from the hug she was in, she asks.
"Have you spoken with the Princess yet? She says she wanted to speak to you about something."
Eric merely shakes his head before replying.
"Not yet, Liz. But, try and keep your voice down. Loona doesn't know anything yet."
Eliza nods. Before she let her dad go. She says lowly and threateningly.
"If you ever, call me by my birth name in front of my brother and sister again. I WILL castrate you. And, you will lose the ability to make me an older sister again. Am I understood, father?"
Eric nods with a smirk still on his face. Booping his daughter's nose. He merely responds with.
"Understood, baby girl. But, understand this. Your big brother now has ammunition against you. And, judging by the smirk I see from him. He will use it to its full advantage now he knows your birth name."
Eliza went bright red in realisation. Causing her to cover up her face inside her button-up red shirt. Austin also smirked when he pulled his middle sister into a side hug. Knowing all of his children were in the know of him being back. Eric leaves the teens with Loona before he leaves to find Charlie.
Sometime Later. Catering Area.
Eric was shitting bricks right now. After hours of planning. And, with a little bit of booze from Husk's bar. He was finally going to ask Loona to marry him. It only made sense since they'd been dating for nearly three years now.
"Is it warm in here? Did I leave the oven on at home? Oh god, I forgot to water the cat!"
Austin, Blitzo and Moxxie couldn't help but chuckle to themselves when they looked at the panicking male constantly fidgeting with his tie. With one of them being a married man himself to Millie. Moxxie knew what pre-proposal jitters were like.
"Pull yourself together, dad. You're only asking mom the biggest question of your lives to answer. You've got nothing to worry about."
The hound says with a slap to the panicking hybrid's back. If his son and Moxxie didn't have his back tonight. Eric would have sent Austin back to the orphanage. And, he would have punched Moxxie in the nose and bolted. It was all or nothing for the hybrid now.
"He's going to laugh at me, Millie. I didn't do my make-up properly. I look a mess!"
There was the cause for Snow to flip the panic switch inside his mind. Hearing Loona's voice nearly caused him to bolt if his son and friend weren't blocking the way to the exit. This causes Moxxie to say.
"Time to sack up, Snow. Here comes Loona."
With Loona, Charlie and Millie
Being led into the restaurant part of the hotel by the princess and Millie. And, despite her panic switch firmly switched on. Loona wasn't expecting such a romantic atmosphere when she entered the room. She had to admit one thing. Eric knew how to set the mood for a date.
It was all well and good for the hound to admire the work that went into tonight. That was until Loona spotted him with a smile on his face.
Standing at a table in the middle of the room with a single black rose in his hand. And, was dressed in his best grey suit and pants with a smile on his face. Charlie and Millie had to admit Snow had cleaned up well for this date with Loona tonight. Only the Princess and the imp knew the implications of what tonight held for the hound and hybrid in question. When Loona had tried to grill the females for answers about what Snow was planning, they merely made the zipping motion across their lips before looking away with knowing smirks on their faces.
Despite the nervous look on his features. Eric held a smile he had reserved for only one woman in his life. As she was walking towards him. And, allowed the male to pull a chair out for her. Loona takes her seat. The moment they are seated across from each other and the wine was poured out for the two of them. Silence ensues. Not one of them wanted to say anything to spoil the atmosphere around them. The awkwardness was not what Moxxie, Charlie, Millie, Blitzo and Austin expected. But, they had to start somewhere.
It was time for plan B.
"Madame and Monsieur. Welcome to Casa De Hazbin. My name is Blitz. And, I will be your waiter for the evening. Are you ready to order?"
The sight before Loona and Snow nearly made them fall from their chairs laughing at what they were looking at. There, two imps in maid uniforms stood before them. Blitzo stood with his notepad and pencil at the ready to jot down the couple's order. While Moxxie, well, he was hiding his embarrassment at being roped into dressing like a French maid for tonight. Once the quiet laughter died down. And, the couple could breathe again, Snow was the first to speak for himself and Loona.
"We'd like the special. And, maybe a couple more bottles of the finest wine the house has. I have a feeling that myself and my girl will need the drink right about now."
Loona blushed bright red. Yes, she hated it when Snow made her blush in public. But, that aside. And, with the blush adorning her features at the compliment. Loona always knew Snow knew how to charm the Hellhound.
While Blitzo and Moxxie made their way to the back to go get the couple's order. Millie and Charlie looked on with bated breath behind the kitchen doors at the two now talking to each other.
With Snow and Loona
"You look beautiful tonight, babe. Did you do something with your hair?"
Loona nearly chokes on her wine at Snow's attempt to make small talk. This causes the male to smile when she bites back with a fluster and a punch to her boyfriend's arm.
"Fuck off. You know I look a mess. I didn't even have time to do my makeup correctly after getting out of the shower and dressed for tonight. Plus, when I thought I had time to re-apply it. Millie and Charlie rushed me out of our apartment."
With that last part. Eric takes Loona's hand. Seeing that her boyfriend wanted her to stop ranting and enjoy the evening. Loona smiles at the male holding her hand. It wasn't long before the food soon arrived for the two and, with thanks to Niffty serving them. The two began to eat.
Kitchen Area
"Can you see them, Mox? What's happening? Did he ask her the question yet?"
Millie and Charlie were bouncing up and down eagerly when Millie asked her husband about Snow's situation. Charlie was bouncing around so much to the point that Vaggie had to gently restrain her girlfriend.
All of the kitchen staff noticed Snow and Loona chatting happily. Nothing special had happened yet for anyone to take note of. But, Charlie grabs Blitzo's attention after Snow kissed Loona. The team in the kitchen saw the hybrid getting out of his seat. And, in a move that shocked everyone. Eric got down on one knee before Loona. Everyone, minus Blitzo, gasped in happiness. While Loona, who was not expecting this, had fresh tears forming in her eyes.
In her head, she was thinking, 'Was this happening to her?!'. So, while clearing his throat before he spoke. Eric looked Loona in the eyes.
"Loona. First up. I apologise for not being around for two years due to my coma. And although we have days when I get on your nerves just as much as you do mine. Something clicked in my head during those years when I was gone. What if I hadn't survived Striker's assassination me? And, what if I had left you all alone with the kids? The answer? I don't know. But, what I do know now, is this. I want to make sure you never have to lose me again. Loona, you are worth everything I am going to risk with what I am going to ask you right now."
Pulling a box from his jacket pocket and opening it to reveal a tiny ring with a diamond in the middle. Loona couldn't help letting the tears flow the minute Snow took her hand and asked.
"Loona, you are the only good thing besides our kids in this shithole called Hell. Will you please, do me the biggest solid of them all, and become my wife?"
Loona couldn't contain her sobs anymore behind her hands. She wanted to keep up the tough girl act. But her tears of happiness were betraying her emotions right now. With a nod and a tear-soaked smile. Loona shouts through her tears.
"YES!"
Slipping the ring on his beloved's finger and pulling her into a deep kiss caused the whole staff in the hotel to cheer loudly and show some sort of emotion at the spectacle before them.
Millie was using Moxxie's handkerchief to wipe her tear-stained mascara from her eyes at her boss's daughter finally getting engaged to be married.
Blitzo did well to hide his emotions despite the tears leaking from his eyes. He didn't want to cry in front of Moxxie and his wife as they clapped for Snow and Loona. Speaking of said female imp. While she was letting the tears of joy fall from her eyes, she was hugging Moxxie tightly.
Austin just stood and clapped for the soon-to-be-married couple. The smile never leaves his face at the development before him while holding onto a bottle of wine. Eric had finally asked Loona to be his. And, there seemed to be nothing that could ruin the moment for the two in the main catering area.
Or, so they thought.
Somewhere in Hell
"The hybrid survived. This 'Lazarus' you spoke of. He must have revived himself from being stabbed by the blade you gave me."
Striker is seen using a phone booth in the Envy circle of Hell. On the other end of the phone. A male spoke.
"I knew Lazarus would survive somehow. Is everything set for my arrival?"
"Everything is in place, sir. When should I expect you to arrive in the Pride Ring?"
Unknown Place
There is a pause. The sounds of something mechanical could be heard from the other end of the line that was speaking to Striker. Once the sounds died down in the room. The man speaks.
"When my brother thinks he is safe. Or, he is experiencing the happiest day of his life. Then, and only then, will I turn up and take everything he has built up away from him."
A gun is being loaded by the man from his place in his seat. The eight-shot revolver is filled with demon-killing rounds. One of the rounds is seen to have Loona's name scratched into it. Along with Blitzo, Millie, Moxxie and Charlie. Once The Genesis killing round was loaded into the gun. The bullet had Snow's name scratched onto the surface.
"What will you have me do till you arrive?"
The male smirks evilly. Taking down his hood to allow a shot of his medium-cut pitch-black hair. And, with his chilling white-blue eye now fixed upon the camera and you the viewers. He responds.
"Lay low and await my word, Striker. When I arrive. Action will be taken."
"Understood. Goodbye, sir."
Once the phone is hung up. The male looks fully towards you the viewers and says.
"Lazarus won't know what hit him."