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“Yes.” Percy hesitated.
Julie had taken the blender and was now pouring a margarita for James. Steve, who had appeared in a cloud of smoke, subtly turned the open sign off, coughing loudly into his elbow.
“Are you sure you want to hear this?” Percy asked. “It’s not… a great story. No happy ending, peaches.”
Kevin’s smile dipped, and he turned to lean his hip against the counter. “I mean, if you wanna tell me, I’m listening. I wanna know everything about you, but you don’t have to tell me though. It isn’t gonna change how I feel either way.”
“The short version is I had to collect a soul,” Percy replied quietly, making sure to keep his voice below the reverie of the margarita party Julie had created. “Average bastard, sold his soul for money as most of them tend to do. His time was up, and he was choking on a hot dog. Not a very glamorous end, but that’s not my department. I just had to collect since I’m the one who signed, all right?” He fidgeted. “Well, there was a man there. Some fellow with the stupidest hat I’d ever seen doing everything he could to save this poor idiot.” He laughed bitterly. “He was crying, praying, begging for a miracle, and well… someone actually answered.”
Kevin was listening attentively, and he gave Percy’s arm a gentle squeeze. “Someone came to save hot dog guy?”
“An angel.” Percy inhaled sharply. “Trust that I didn’t stick around to see what actually happened. As soon as I saw a blob of holy light descending from the sky, I made a gracious and fast exit. But here’s the real kicker. I still got that man’s soul. He still died via hot dog. That man in the funny hat? All his prayer and blubbering, actually summoning an angel from heaven, and it didn’t matter. None of it did.” He scoffed a little. “It got me thinking that maybe, just maybe, I didn’t want to keep doing this for the rest of eternity. So, that’s when I decided to start doing a bit of research for what would constitute an early retirement.”
“Even an angel couldn’t save him? That’s stupid.” Kevin frowned.
“Told you it didn’t have a happy ending.” Percy’s shoulders sagged.
“I’m really sorry.” Kevin squeezed Percy’s arm again. “That’s actually making me glad I can’t remember anything.”
“I doubt you’re missing out on much. Angels aren’t known for their raging parties or orgies.”
“Yeah, I figured. But you know, you’re wrong about one thing.”
“Excuse me?”
Kevin pulled Percy into his arms and hugged him tight. “That story does have a happy ending. It made you retire and find me.”
“I… I suppose you’re right.” Percy’s cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink, and his bright eyes were a bit damp as he gazed up at Kevin. “Technically, you found me. Delivered my pizzas and were instantly enraptured by the sight of my hot, naked body.”
“Well, obviously. Semantics.” Kevin chuckled, and he cupped the side of Percy’s face. “Whatever had to happen to get us both here, I think it was worth it.”
“Agreed.” Percy kissed him sweetly.
Kevin didn’t want to get too carried away, but he let the kiss linger a few moments longer before pulling away. “See? Worth it.”
“Absolutely.” Percy chuckled. “I’m serious about that stupid hat though. I’ll remember that thing until the day I die.” He snorted out a laugh. “It was a purple bowler. Not even a pretty shade of purple, but sort of a vomitous combination of violet and mauve. Oh! And it had feathers—“
The front door opened.
Well, shit. Steve didn’t lock it.
A tall, older gentleman walked in, and he was wearing…
A purple bowler with feathers.
He looked around in faint surprise, no doubt perplexed that half the staff were drinking margaritas and the rest were making out behind the counter.
“That’s…” Percy pointed at the man. “It was a hat just like that as a matter of fact. We should go buy a lottery ticket right now.”
Kevin couldn’t reply because he’d forgotten how to speak.
The man…
Heknewhim.
“Uncle Al!” Kevin grinned from ear to ear, his heart soaring as his initial shock faded.
His very real, very not made up uncle was right there.
