Chapter 78 – A Conversation on the Balcony Between Friends
Arriving at the hotel after a long and exhausting day, Razan threw himself heavily onto the comfortable couch in the lobby, letting out a deep sigh as he sank into the cushions. The familiar scent of the hotel — a mix of old wood, faint smoke, and the ever-present chaotic energy of Hell — surrounded him.
— Helping others improve is a lot of work.
Angel, who was lounging nearby and heard that comment, raised an eyebrow with a dramatic flair and said:
— Excuse me, darling. Weren't you the one who was thrown into the middle of a shootout to learn how to get along?
Razan, still sprawled lazily on the couch, replied with a tired but amused tone:
— Well, guys, I didn't end up that bad. After all, they weren't angelic blades. You couldn't die from just anything.
Angel leaned forward with a smirk and said:
— Yeah, but it hurt like hell. Almost dying.
Razan chuckled softly and said:
— Well, you have a point. So I'll buy you some drinks later to make up for your stress.
Angel's eyes lit up and he said with clear interest:
— I think that's not a bad idea.
Angel then turned his gaze toward Sir Pentious, who was standing awkwardly nearby, and said with a hint of respect:
— But you didn't do too bad down there, little snake. You actually have some strength.
Husk, sitting at the bar with his usual grumpy expression, nodded slightly and added in his rough voice:
— Yeah, you managed to handle several guys. Not bad.
Sir Pentious shifted uncomfortably, looking a bit embarrassed as he replied:
— It was nothing... but anyway...
Razan, still relaxing on the couch, looked over at Vaggie with a fond expression and said:
— It seems like the somewhat harsh way of my little Vaggie here managed to create step one, which is making them stop hating each other so much. What do you think, Charlie? Was it good progress?
Charlie, who had been watching the interactions with a mix of hope and tiredness, smiled warmly and said:
— Yes, it was good progress. Vaggie's idea was really important for that. So sorry, Vaggie. I think I didn't give enough value to your ideas because I thought it was too different from what we wanted with redemption.
Vaggie smiled gently, her usual tough exterior softening for a moment, and said:
— You don't need to apologize. Even I wasn't having much confidence in my idea. But it's good that it worked.
At that moment, Angel stopped his usual joking around and looked directly at Vaggie with genuine surprise as he said:
— You know, I hadn't had much time to notice since I was running from lunatics, but you, dude, gave your eye to heal her injured eye.
Razan, who was lying comfortably with his head on Vaggie's lap, looked up casually and said:
— Yes, I gave my left eye to heal her. And since I regenerate really fast, it didn't hurt much for very long.
Angel and Husk both had shocked expressions on their faces. Angel blurted out:
— You know, you three are the weirdest people I've ever seen. You know, this is Hell. People kill each other over a bottle of booze and you gave your eye to her.
Husk nodded slowly, looking genuinely impressed for once, and said:
— It's the first time I agree with him, but he's right. Here no one cares if they can heal or not. No one would hurt themselves to save another person.
Razan replied calmly, his voice carrying a quiet sincerity:
— That's true, but they aren't another person. They are women I love. So I don't see any reason not to do this for them.
Charlie jumped onto him with pure joy, hugging him tightly and placing her face on his chest as she said warmly:
— That's so cute, Razan. And we love you very much too.
Vaggie gently caressed his hair with her fingers and said softly, almost whispering:
— I love you too.
Husk rolled his eyes from the bar and muttered:
— Your affection is too sweet and disgusting for me.
Angel laughed lightly and added:
— You guys are way too sentimental. It feels like I'm in some cheesy romantic comedy.
Razan chuckled and replied:
— I'm not that bad, right?
At that moment while they were talking and enjoying the light atmosphere, Alastor arrived at the hotel with Sir Pentious's little eggs following closely behind. The little eggs suddenly ran out excitedly and hugged Sir Pentious tightly.
Vaggie, seeing the scene, raised an eyebrow and said:
— Alastor, I see you couldn't get rid of the eggs.
Alastor said with his characteristic wide smile:
— Look, I discovered that these little creatures can be quite useful.
Vaggie crossed her arms and said:
— Why don't you give them back to Sir Pentious? After today I think I trust you.
Sir Pentious looked surprised and asked:
— Really?
Vaggie nodded and said firmly:
— Yes, but for real: no weapons.
Sir Pentious hugged his little eggs tightly and cried with emotion while saying:
— Ah, my little eggs. I'll never separate from you again. Well, but vacation is over. Now get to cleaning my room this instant.
At that moment Angel, who had been in the middle of the earlier confusion, quietly slipped away and went to the balcony for some fresh air.
Husk noticed that, thought for a second, and decided to follow him.
Seeing Angel standing alone on the balcony, looking out into the chaotic streets of Hell with a distant expression, Husk asked in his gruff but curious tone:
— So, what's up?
Angel leaned on the railing, staring at the red skyline, and said quietly:
— It's just that... you know... They are so happy. And even today the sacrifice Razan made for Vaggie made me think that even in Hell there are people who are happier than me. They are really nice, you know. One of the few good things I've had since I ended up here.
Husk pulled up a chair and sat down beside him, looking out at the same chaotic view, and said in a rare moment of reflection:
— But the better they are and the brighter our time living here with them is, the more we realize our life is shit, right?
Angel gave a weak, bittersweet smile and said:
— Yeah, that's it. But I realize how shitty my life is, but at the same time I don't want to leave. It's kind of contradictory, isn't it?
Husk shrugged slightly and replied:
— That I don't know. But if your life is already shit anyway, it doesn't cost anything to try. It can't get worse than this, right?
Angel nodded slowly and said with a small sigh:
— Well, I think you're right.
End of chapter.