[Of Angels and Demons Bar] Samael's pain

Alright. Samael said softly, opening the door lightly, giving himself just enough space to pull his slim body through it. Outside, even though it was noon, the light in the bar was lit, and for a moment, the soft yellow of the artificial lamp light illuminated the room. Like I said, I'll be back in a minute. You can use the bathroom while I'm gone, if you're feeling up to it. It's the door to your left. he said, pointing towards the small door which connected the guest room to first floor toilet.

With that, Samael exited the room, closing carefully the door behind him. However, he didn't immediately go for the bar. Instead, he stopped for a second, focusing on the sudden panic that suddenly rose in the man when he said that he would have to leave. Yes, there was definitely panic there, and longing, as well as missing someone dearly. Turning his head slightly black, he could still see the mass of dulled lines that was the man, his blind-sight being obstructed by the wall just as much a normal one would, but he could still imagine him wearing what seemed like a very arrogant grin. There was no trace of arrogance in what he was feeling.

So, he has lost someone. he muttered, finally heading for the bar, where his father was waiting.

He awake? the man asked, sternly, wiping what was left of the glasses used the previous night.

Yes. Samael answered, taking a seat on the stool by the bar. He feels like shit though. Looks like it too. I don't think he'll leave any time soon.

And you know that because? Samael's father asked, raising an eyebrow, without looking at the boy yet.

I formed the Connection with him? Samael answered weekly, hoping that his father won't go in one of his berserker moods.

I see. the older man said, putting the glass down, and grasping the counter with his left hand. He said nothing for several seconds, before turning his back to his son, and starting to wipe the bottles Samael had used last night. Tell him he can stay until tonight. Also, he has drank half of our most expensive bottles, on your urging, yes, but it is still his stomach the alcohol went to. He will either pay for it with cash or find another way to pay us back. A night or two at the bar should be about right.

Samael wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. I'm sure he has other things to do, dad. And he doesn't exactly seem to type to be willing to do that.

I don't care. I'll go see what your mother has made for lunch. the man said, leaving the cloth he had been wiping the bottles with behind and exiting the counter. Come up when you're hungry. Your guest too.

Samael sighed, standing up himself. I don't think he will be processing food any time soon. And I ate six eggs this morning, so I'm good. Have a good meal. Heading back to the spare room, Samael draw his fingers through the loose strands of his long hair. He was sure his father meant well, but this wasn't going to work.

Hey, you decent in there? he asked, knocking on the door, his sight not precise enough to determine safely whether the door to the bathroom was opened or not, and if stranger still had all of his clothes on. Though he didn't know why would he take it off in the first place...

And there it was again, a sudden, sharp feeling, somewhat akin to panic, but not just right. What the hell was this guy doing in there if his heart was skipping like that?

Watch your eyes then. he still said, opening the door. I'm coming in. Once more, he entered the room though a smallest gap possible, pushing his lean body through it, and closing it immediately after himself.

Feeling somewhat better? he asked, assuming that the guy had at least washed his face while he was away. Taking back his spot on the floor, for there were no chairs in the room, he thought that he just might learn the guy's name already. Especially if his father stack to what he had said earlier.

I'm Samael by the way. he said, trying to keep a natural, relaxed tone of voice while searching in his mind, at the same time, to bring up his father's 'plan'.

Draven, huh. he thought, standing up again. Nice name. he said, taking gratefully the offered spot near the edge of the bed. His back was slowly killing him after standing up all night, even though he had slept soundly, and woke up well rested. Thankfully, he didn't have to work tonight. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable. Thanks. he smiled briefly at the man once he was comfortably seated, looking over him in his head once again.

Now that he was this close once more, and Draven wasn't drunk off his ass or and moving around, about to pass out, the lines of his face were sharper, and much easier to read...or at least the part of it that wasn't covered by the messy twinge of lines that was probably his hair. Stil, by what he could see, he was probably a nice looking guy, with his angular features and strong jaw. And that somehow made him sick to his stomach, as it didn't go well with all the emotional pain he had felt from him.

Biting his lip, Samael decided he might as well try his father's alleged plan, otherwise he would never do it. Besides, perhaps the guy wasn't as tough as he had sounded...

I, uh, talked to my father just now. he said, still a bit nervous. This is his bar, by the way. He said you can stay in the room until tonight if you're feeling bad, and offered me to take you up to our apartment for lunch when you're ready to eat...Which you probably won't be for some time, so don't worry. There is just..Uh, there is the problem of the bill for the stuff you have drank last night.

Ah, yes. Samael fidgeted, getting more uncomfortable by the minute, despite the fact that he was already used to prying the cash out of the customer's pocket before sending them on their way, for the customers he was usually dealing with were both old and drunk, and most definitely not sitting with him on his father's bar's spare room bed. Sighing, he took a deep breath to calm himself down.

You haven't exactly paid for them. he said, calmer now, but still trying to be careful,considering that he was sitting next to the guy. And you have drunk quite a lot, insisting on one after another... and I may have mixed you up some more expensive drinks because of that. he said biting his lip. That's why apologized earlier... he said, his fingers finding their way into his ponytail again, this being his nervous habit. Dad said it's okay if you don't have the cash though. he added massaging the bridge of his nose. He said that a few nights of helping at the bar would cover it, though I'll see about lowering that. It is partly my fault your bill ended up being that high anyway.

Well, I'm glad that works for you. Samael said, with a small hint of surprise colouring his voice as he smiled. He had expected Draven to be more angry, refuse to do it even, and he could only imagine what his father would have to say to that... It would have been disastrous.

I guess I should go ask dad if you can start tonight, considering you're off your usual work. he sighed, ironically leaning back into the wall as he said that. I'm not working tonight anyway, so they could really use some help. Samael was always worried about his parent's health and it irritated him to no end that his father allowed him to help of odd nights only, that being Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, without any exceptions. Everytime he would try to jump in on a busy Sunday he would be shot down with a stern look he really couldn't argue with. Thus, he was happy that there will be some extra help at least for one day.

You do know how to work a bar though, right? he asked, suddenly alarmed. And I don't mean the drinks, I can't expect you to know how to mix those, but other things in general... his voice suddenly trailed off, realising that the chances Draven had any bartending knowledge were pretty slim.

We have to get you up on your feet before opening hours so I can show you around... he sighed, his fingers back in his hair again. His sister had told him numerous times that he would have to stop that as it was ruining his hair, but he never seemed to be quite able to do it.

Or you won't work tonight, and I'll have to teach you tomorrow, but there is no space for three people behind the bar... his mind was already so busy with plans and calculations that he didn't notice his mother standing on the other side of the door until she knocked.

Samael, dear, are you two still in there? I hope you're not doing anything indecent, for I'm coming in. the woman's voice was muffled by the door but the playful tone in it couldn't be missed even if it was miles away. Samael blushed, opening his mouth to yell at his mother as he stood up, but he was too late.

Oh, good you're not. she said, opening the door. You're father told me you have decided to skip lunch as...What on Earth are you doing in this dark? I know you don't need light to see, honey, but you can't expect other people to be able to do that as well. she said, suddenly turning on the light in the small room.

MOM! Samael finally yelled jumping up. What the hell has gotten into you, I have just met him yesterday, and for Pete's sake turn off the light, he has a hangover!

Yesterday? his mother said confused, tilting her head. But isn't he the one you formed your Connection with? That was quite a few days ago, right? Anyway, you can't expect me to allow you to skip lunch after a long night, no matter what kind of breakfast you had! That was six hours ago, you need your food, boy! she scolded him, and he thought that he might as well die there and then.

Mooooom...