Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A Venture For Communication

Chapter 1:

Tilla was allowed to leave after three weeks, during which Stolas did visit, but Blitzø didn’t talk to him about what happened between them, and if Via was going to blame him for prioritizing his mother’s recovery over getting distracted by his situation with Stolas, then she was free to do so.

After that Tilla stayed at Ozzie’s palace with a physician and three nurses available for if and when she needed them. She spent her time watching TV, reading, chatting with Ozzie, Millie, Moxxie, Loona, and Via once every while she visited, and avoiding Blitzø, Barbie and Fizz.

Blitzø knew from personal experience that it was because she blamed herself for the stuff that happened. He had blamed himself for the fire for fifteen years after all. He would have never stopped blaming or hating himself if he hadn’t found out the truth.

Actually, he wasn’t sure if he had stopped, or if he ever really would.

He knew how hard it was going to be to convince her otherwise, but he sure as Hell was gonna try.

Today, however, his mother was officially done with her physical therapy, back on her feet, and had explicitly stated that she was fine, and wanted to continue the lessons she’d apparently been giving Via.

And Blitzø, who still couldn’t believe that his mother had picked up fighting skills over the last decade -last year specifically- in fear of his c*ckbag father. To be able to protect herself.

And he understood the desire to teach Via. A young vulnerable girl, when without magic that is, his mom wanted to give Via what she didn’t have until it was too late: the ability to protect herself.

And obviously he got that, that was why after he adopted her, he taught Loona how to properly fight. She hadn’t s*ck at it, but what she knew back then wasn’t enough for the life outside that goddamned “foundation”.

But still… ‘‘Are you absolutely sure you’ll be okay?’’ Blitzø asked for the millionth time as he drove to Stolas’s palace.

‘‘I’ll be fine, Blitzo. I- I mean Blitzø.’’

‘‘It’s okay when you say it, mom.’’

‘‘A-alright.’’

‘‘And you still want this?’’

‘‘Yes, I do.’’

‘‘Okay.’’ And there went his excuse for not talking to Stolas.

>>> A little later at Stolas’s

‘‘Miss Tilla!’’ Via hugged her tight.

‘‘Hey, Sweetie.’’ She hugged her back.

‘‘It’s nice to see you up on your feet, Tilla.’’

‘‘Thank you, Stolas. It’s nice to see you too.’’

‘‘Let’s go inside, get you settled. You’re here for the whole weekend after all.’’ Tilla let herself be dragged inside.

‘‘I’ll text you later, Blitzo.’’

‘‘See you later, mom.’’

Aaaaaand the awkward silence set in.

‘‘Ummm…’’

‘‘Maybe we should move this to the backyard?’’

‘‘That’s not what you call a “backyard”, Stols, it’s a whole a** garden.’’

*sigh* ‘‘Would you like to talk in the “whole a** garden”?’’

F*ck it, ‘‘why not?’’

>>> 

‘‘How have you been?’’ Stolas asked.

‘‘You want the “me” kinda answer or the honest answer?’’

‘‘You don’t usually ask.’’

‘‘I don’t usually ask the person I’m talking to, to be honest either.’’

‘‘I. Wasn’t. Lying. When. I. Told. You. I. Care. About. You.’’

‘‘Of course not. You were just fooling yourself.’’

‘‘Wha-’’

‘‘Stolas, I know you weren’t trying to hurt me. Or her.’’

‘‘Then why-’’

‘‘Because the cr*p that you do, whether you mean it or not, has consequences! And I know that sounds wise, mature, and extremely out of character coming out of my mouth, but it’s the one thing life taught me for real, okay?’’

The prince wasn’t about to argue and say it didn’t sound out of character. Because it did tremendously.

‘‘Look, I usually… I-I…’’ *deep breath* ‘‘I usually end sh*t before it gets serious. I don’t do relationships-’’

*cackle* ‘‘So I’ve been told.’’

‘‘What? What are you talking about?’’

‘‘I got an invite to this anti-Blitzo party, an honorary invite for being your freshest ex.’’

‘‘Anti-Blitzo party, who the f*ck’s behind this?!’’

‘‘Oh, it’s entirely immature. I’d never indulge this nonsense, it’s silly.’’

‘‘Real silly. Real fucking classy.’’

‘‘Kind of them to invite me, though. It might be rude not to make an appearance.’’ He handed the invitation to Blitzø.

Who opened it to see: ‘‘Verosika!? Of course, that fucking b*tch.’’

‘‘I will say, it’s rather concerning you have an entire party devoted to hating you though, Blitzø. Makes one wonder what you could’ve done to make that many people hate you to death.’’

The imp’s silence, continuing longer than a few seconds, confused the owl demon. Is he actually going to answer tha-

‘‘You’d be surprized how easy it is to break people’s hearts when you don’t care.’’

‘‘So, you’re used to being the one who crushes others’ feelings, hm?’’

Yeah, when I don’t care. I care about you… As much as I’d like to claim otherwise.

‘‘Blitzø, I’m sorry about what happened to Tilla, you know I am.’’

Yes, I do.

‘‘But I don’t understand why you’re still mad. I helped you save her, you know I… I don’t want to use the word “care”, because you won’t believe me, but I do, and… You know I feel bad.’’

‘‘I-I do.’’

‘‘So, what are we doing here then?’’

‘‘I don’t know!’’

‘‘I’m tired of this. I’m not trying to invalidate your feelings, but I’m unable to understand why you’re dragging this on. Tilla’s fine-’’

‘‘Well, maybe I’M NOT FINE!’’

That took both of them by surprize.

‘‘Maybe I’m still hurt. I know I’ve done a whole lotta selfish stuff, but I genuinely think I didn’t deserve this!’’

‘‘Deserve what?’’

‘‘You telling me you care when you don’t!’’

Oh, for f*cks sake. Stolas didn’t know what he had to do to make the other believe him.

‘‘You’re going pretend you give a sh*t what happens to me? That all of this wasn’t just a fantasy of yours. That you don’t get off to getting plowed by people you look down on.’’

‘‘I don’t look down on you! How many times do I ha- When have I ever!?’’ *frustrated growl* ‘‘I’m uncomfortable with how you’re speaking to me now. You speak just like that vile Striker friend of yours. The one who tried to kill me, remember him?’’

‘‘Hey look- I do not sound like- I- and I didn’t know he was capable, I- I stopped him the first time, didn’t I?’’

Wait-what? ‘‘The first time?’’

‘‘Yeah, the- oh. Oops. I- uh- no, who said tha- I.’’

‘‘You knew someone was trying to assassinate me?’’

Chapter Text

Chapter 2:

‘‘Yeah, the- oh. Oops. I- uh- no, who said tha- I.’’

‘‘You knew someone was trying to assassinate me?’’

‘‘I… It doesn’t matter anymore. WE KILLED HIM!’’

‘‘Yeah, after he kidnapped and harmed me!’’

‘‘I didn’t know he could actually harm you! I- I really didn’t think you could actually get hurt, you’re immortal and shit! You’re a fucking prince! If me and my team could kick that guy’s ass that easily, then I’m sure you’d have no problem.’’

‘‘How could you not know!? That I could be harmed!? THE F*CKING POINT OF AN ASSASSINATION IS TO KILL THE TARGET!’’

That, Blitzø couldn’t exactly argue with.

‘‘YOU’D THINK THE HEAD OF AN ASSASSINATION COMPANY WOULD KNOW THAT!’’

‘‘Look, the first time, he-’’

‘‘YOU CALLED ME A HYPOCRITE!’’

‘‘I… You can’t think those things are of the same level when I killed the guy! I took care of the problem!’’

‘‘You called me a hypocrite!’’ Stolas repeated once again in shock. ‘‘You claim I’m a liar who doesn’t care about you, but you couldn’t warn me that my life was in danger!?’’

‘‘Hey, I never-’’

‘‘I can’t believe this!’’

I never called you a liar. You’re just confused… Or possibly delusional.

‘‘Oh, wait-no! I know! Since I’m a powerful prince of Hell who can’t possibly be harmed, it makes sense to ignore a threat to my life, right?’’

‘‘I-’’

‘‘After all, it’s not an imp’s place to protect a Goetia is it?’’

‘‘That’s…’’ That’s not what I meant! I NEVER THOUGHT TO IGNORE A THREAT TO YOUR LIFE!

‘‘You think I don’t feel bad that-’’

‘‘That’s all you were waiting for, wasn’t it? For me to play into this idea you have of me that I’m this prince who thinks he’s so much better than you. Well, I don’t!’’

Well, I know that now.

‘‘Why would I allow everyone to see how much I like you? How I’ve tried so f*cking hard to spend time with you, to support you? You don’t owe me those things, but you can’t just ignore all that!’’

I’m not. ‘‘S-Stolas, I-’’

‘‘I think you should go, Blitzø.’’ The owl turned around, making his way toward the door.

‘‘W-what?’’ No… Not again! ‘‘So…So you’re just gonna dismiss me?’’

‘‘No. I’m asking you to leave, because this isn’t getting us anywhere.’’ We’re only hurting each other.

‘‘I…’’ I can’t do this. ‘‘Fine! Be that way!’’ He continued to watch as Stolas made it to the door. ‘‘I don’t owe you d*ck anyways!’’

*door slams*

>>>A while later at Blitzø’s apartment

‘‘You okay?’’ Loona’s question spooked him. He almost spilled the coffee.

Not that it’d be a waste, he didn’t like hot coffee anyway.

‘‘I’m perfect, Loonie, why’d you ask?’’

She gave him the “I’m Not Buying It So Stop” look™.

‘‘…’’ Not much to lose from opening up to your kid… Right? ‘‘How much of an a**hole would you say I am?’’

‘‘Why?’’

‘‘Indulge me.’’

‘‘5/10 on a regular day, 10/10 on a bad day… and 20/10 on the rare occasion someone’s stupid enough to test your patience, only to find you don’t have any.’’

He appreciated her honesty, but didn’t feel much better about it. ‘‘Thanks, Sweetie.’’

‘‘Is this about Grans?’’

No. ‘‘Uh, yeah, I-’’

‘‘I actually like her.’’

Blitzø already knew that, but couldn’t help but light up at hearing her say it out loud. ‘‘Really?’’ He watched her casually getting some coffee as she, oddly, didn’t ignore him being there.

‘‘Yeah, she’s cool. Doesn’t judge. Encouraged anything and everything I even briefly mentioned interest in.’’

‘‘I do that.’’

‘‘…It’s different with her.’’

‘‘Okay…’’ Well, at least Loonie doesn’t hate me to death… ‘‘Hey, Loonie?’’

‘‘Yeah?’’ She downed half the cup in one go.

‘‘There’s this party tonight that my exes are having… celebrating their joined hate for me.’’

‘‘Why’d you care? Also, a party full of people?’’

‘‘I know, I’m terrible. Stols had the same reaction.’’

‘‘I was impressed, actually… And, you didn’t answer. Though now I’m thinking you care cause he found out.’’

‘‘I only know because he told me! He… got invited, apparently.’’

‘‘Oh…’’ Loona’s voice sounded condescending. ‘‘So, you don’t care about the party, you’re scared he’ll go, and talk to your exes, for them tell him why they broke up with you.’’ Yep. Condescending.  

‘‘HEY! MOST OF THEM DIDN’T, I DUMPED THEM!’’

‘‘Sure thing.’’ No wonder she hadn’t felt the room yet, she was enjoying mocking him. ‘‘So, you don’t deny that you’re worried he’ll go.’’

‘‘…’’ He was wrong, she must hate him to torture him like this. ‘‘He said he wouldn’t. Thinks it’s silly.’’

‘‘But you’re still gonna go see if he goes.’’

‘‘…Yeah.’’

‘‘Good luck, dumba**.’’

‘‘Gee, thanks, Loonie.’’

>>> At Stolas’s palace

Via knew her father’s been feeling bad since his last talk with the imp, but she hadn’t seen him angry about it ‘till now.

‘‘Dad?’’

‘‘Oh, Starfire? I didn’t hear you come in.’’ He put on that “Look At Me, I’m Doing Amazing” face™ on immediately. It only annoyed her.

‘‘You’re also holding that book hard enough to scratch the cover.’’

‘‘Oh…’’ He hadn’t noticed… THE BOOK ABUSE! AT HIS HANDS NO LESS! Stolas would apologize to the book once Via left the room.

‘‘What did that idiot do?’’

‘‘Via!’’

‘‘Okay, what did the son of a very lovely lady do?’’

She was getting sassier by the day, I mean you dream about this day, but- ‘‘He was angry I kept his mother’s… being alive, from him.’’

‘‘Yeah, I know. I’d be too.’’

The Stolas from a month or two ago would’ve changed the subject. He wouldn’t want to burden his darling Via with his relationship problems, but now… Via had changed lately.

She was supportive, and generally a lot more interested in his life than before.

Stolas guessed it was probably because of the assassination attempt that he would’ve kept from her if it wasn’t already in the news by the time the doctors were done attending to him.

But Stolas now found himself opening up to her more and more. She was growing fast, and wise. He was proud of her.   

‘‘But he kept stuff from me too! And he had the gall to call me a hypocrite!’’

‘‘What did he keep from you?’’

‘‘Apparently he knew about the assassin that tried to-’’

‘‘HE WHAT!?’’

‘‘Sweetie, please don’t yell.’’

‘‘HOW CAN I NOT!?’’ And she thought she felt rage when the guy stole from them. ‘‘What exactly did he know? AND DIDN’T TELL YOU!?’’

‘‘Turns out when that cowboy kidnapped me, it wasn’t his first attempt to kill me. From what I gathered he tried before, I don’t know when, I… didn’t really let Blitzø explain, I was mad.’’

‘‘And?’’

‘‘And Blitzø stopped him, which I guess I should appreciate, BUT HE DIDN’T TELL ME!’’

‘‘So, you don’t even know what method the assassin used? Or…Tried to I guess. Or when and where it happened?’’

‘‘I… could ask him.’’ But I’m not sure if I want to talk to him right now.

Meanwhile, Via was planning Blitzø’s murder.

‘‘Not to mention Blitzø’s ex inviting me to this party-’’ Oh, sh*t.

‘‘What party?’’

‘‘It’s, um…’’

‘‘Dad.’’ She gave him the same look she did the day after she found him in the cellar, asking “What. The. F*ck. Dad!?”.

‘‘It’s a party one of his exes is throwing for all his other exes… The theme is their mutual hatred for him.’’

‘‘The f*ck did he do to them?’’ She asked, genuinely curious.

‘‘Via!’’

‘‘Dad I’m closer to 18 than 17. I’ll be an adult before you know it.’’

‘‘That doesn’t mean I have to like it.’’ He pouted.

‘‘You should go.’’

‘‘Really? You think so?’’

‘‘Yeah, you should totally go.’’

‘‘Why? I mean, it’s silly.’’

‘‘Really? You don’t wanna know why that many people hate him?’’

‘‘Most of them, I think because he dumped them?’’

‘‘That’s nothing special, we live in Hell. He must’ve done something for there to be a party. You’ve got to find out.’’

‘‘…Okay.’’

‘‘C’mon! I’ll help you pick an outfit!’’ He let himself be dragged out of his study and into his bedroom.

Chapter Text

Chapter 3:

Let’s get this sh*t show over with. ‘‘Hey buddy, you know where 666 South Maple Avenue might be?’’

‘‘Down that way, demon dude! Sick costume, bruh.’’

‘‘Hey, Happy Halloween!’’

‘‘Oh, looks like you missed some makeup there.’’

‘‘Thaaanks! It’s my face.’’ Dumb human.

Meanwhile at the party…

‘‘The one day a year the spirits can rise amongst the living and it’s spent celebrating mutual pettiness.’’ Stolas didn’t know what got him in this mess -that’s a lie, he knew. It was himself- but now he just wanted to talk to Verosika and get the f*ck out.

‘‘Hellooo, freshest ex!’’ Speak of the Devil. ‘‘Stolas! How’re you doing baby, you holding up okay?’’

‘‘Oh, I’m fine. I felt it rude not to stop by. I don’t get invited out much, but I really shouldn’t stay long.’’

‘‘Well I’m glad you could make it, honey.’’

‘‘Well this certainly beats the last earth party I attended on Hallow’s Eve.’’ The memories made him shiver.

‘‘Well then, live it up baby, you are with friends here.’’

She then yelled loud for everyone to hear: ‘‘Fuck Blitzo in the fucking ass!’’

Suddenly, Stolas felt the most uncomfortable he’d been since he got there.

‘‘Actually, Miss Verosika, I’ve been meaning to-’’

‘‘One moment Sweetie, It’s about time we go on stage.’’

‘‘Wh-what stage?’’ Stolas managed to ask as she dragged him there.

>>> With Blitzø

‘‘W-o-ow. Have I fucked this many people? Christ on a stick, I should start keeping count.’’

Looking around, Blitzø realized it might not have been the best idea to come here. A place where everyone inside enthusiastically wanted him dead.

He quickly grabbed the tablecloth from a table to cover himself -yeah, not his best disguise, sue him- causing all on the table to clatter to the ground.

‘‘Hey!’’ Someone complained.

‘‘He did it.’’ Blitzø pointed at Dennis before walking away.

‘‘Way to go Dennis. You fucking s*ck.’’ People shouted at the guy. ‘‘Yeah, you s*ck, Dennis!’’ Poor Dennis.

Blitzø then noticed a certain bird being dragged towards the stage by his most hateful ex.

‘‘Wh-what stage?’’ He heard Stolas ask Verosika as they made their way up to the stage.

‘‘You’ve got to say a few words, Stolas.’’ She told him before addressing the crowd. ‘‘Now!’’

Oh, sh*t…

‘‘It’s time to hear from the special, new guest of honour of the night: STOLAS!’’

‘‘Oh, no. No, no, no. No, I’m not really, um, hehe… I actually-’’

‘‘Tell us all about your experience with Blitzo. That c*ck-s*cking mother*cker!’’

‘‘Actually, I’ve been trying to tell you about that- I-uh…’’

‘‘C’mon, baby, speak from your heart!’’

‘‘Well-um… Could we… um- talk? Preferably not on the stage?’’

‘‘No need to be nervous, Sweetie. We all here know how you feel.’’

‘‘But you don’t!’’ Stolas couldn’t stand it anymore. ‘‘You all very clearly want him dead, I don’t. And blame him for everything, I don’t!’’

She seemed dumb-folded now. Genuinely surprized, like that was the last reaction she’d been expecting.

‘‘It was a 50-50 situation. Yes, he broke my heart, but I broke his too. We both broke trust. I’ve been meaning to tell you since I got here, but not on stage.’’

‘‘How would you break his heart? Assuming he has one.’’

Blitzø watched as Stolas gave her an unamused stare, raising an eyebrow. ‘‘He has one.’’ He said, his voice stating a fact.

‘‘What happened!?’’ She genuinely wanted to know. More and more people gathering near the stage…

Everyone wanted to know.

‘‘I…I-’’ It’s private! ‘‘We both kept secrets, wasn’t pretty when they came out, but I didn’t come here because I hate him.’’ I don’t.

Blitzø saw Verosika’s expressions shift in between, before she took hold of a mic: ‘‘We’ll be back after a short break, keep having the best of your time, people!’’ Then she dragged Stolas backstage.

Now Blitzø had to know what she was gonna say to him.

>>> With Stolas - Backstage

‘‘Thank you.’’ He really appreciated her not forcing him to share private details about their relationship on stage.

She had them sit on a couch where she took a deep breath before she began talking. ‘‘Tell me, I know you two’s been sour, how come he didn’t make you hate him? Could it be you’re still clinging to the -I guarantee you- false hope that it’ll be okay?’’

Yes. ‘‘I know what happened, and I know what we both did. What I don’t know is why this many people hate him. Want him dead. What did he do to you?’’

‘‘…’’ *sigh* ‘‘He left me out of the blue, and with no prior warning, stole my credit card, ran away to Wrath, and maxed it out on horse riding lessons.’’

Now Stolas was the one who was dumb folded. ‘‘What?’’

Blitzø had been in his life for almost a year, and he hadn’t used him for anything other than his Grimoire. He hadn’t taken -or asked for- a single penny other than when he did work for him, earning it. Aka. The LooLoo Land Disaster™.

What she said didn’t make sense.

‘‘Why would he…’’

‘‘HOW WOULD I KNOW!’’ Stolas noticed tears.

‘‘Are you sure there was no prior warning?’’ His intentions were pure, but was met with an enraged glare. ‘‘D-did anything out of the ordinary happen before that-’’

‘‘I…told him I loved him.’’ He gasped. ‘‘That’s why I invited you. I assumed he’d done the same to you.’’

‘‘Oh, I… That’s not exactly what happened?’’

‘‘You’re gonna tell me he didn’t dismiss any of your feelings? Not once?’’

‘‘I-uh… Told him I care about him, and…He was hesitant, he claimed I didn’t know what I was talking about,’’

She snorted in a way that said: “Told you”

‘‘and then…He found out about something I was keeping from him. Something important, and… called me a liar. A hypocrite.’’

‘‘Well, I don’t know what you kept secret, but you said he did the same, didn’t he?’’

‘‘The things we kept… He said they couldn’t be considered the same level, and he was right. And I was a hypocrite.’’

‘‘Really?’’

‘‘Yes… Just… Not for the reason he thinks.’’

>>> 

Calling: Fizz

…

…

…

‘‘Blitzø?’’

‘‘Fizz.’’

‘‘Blitzø? …? Blitzø!? … Blitzø, answer me!’’

‘‘N-never mind. Forget I called-’’

‘‘BLITZØ!’’

*call disconnected*

Moments ago… (With Blitzø)

‘‘Are you sure there was no prior warning?’’ He hadn’t meant to spy on the two, he wanted to talk to them -yes both of them- but separately, y’know? ‘‘D-did anything out of the ordinary happen before that-’’

‘‘I…told him I loved him.’’ Okay…

Blitzø s-cked in a deep breath. If Stolas didn’t hate him now, he was going to in a minute or so.

‘‘That’s why I invited you. I assumed he’d done the same to you.’’

‘‘Oh, I… That’s not exactly what happened?’’ He sounds like he’s asking, not telling.

‘‘You’re gonna tell me he didn’t dismiss any of your feelings? Not once?’’ F*ck…

‘‘I-uh… Told him I care about him, and…He was hesitant, he claimed I didn’t know what I was talking about,’’ F*CK, F*CK, F*******CK…

‘‘and then…He found out about something I was keeping from him. Something important, and… called me a liar. A hypocrite.’’

He had.

‘‘Well, I don’t know what you kept secret, but you said he did the same, didn’t he?’’ He did.

‘‘The things we kept… He said they couldn’t be considered the same level, and he was right.’’ What? Blitzø didn’t understand. ‘‘And I was a hypocrite.’’ WHAT!?

What was Stolas talking about? Did he… Did he actually lie? Was Blitzø… Right about him lying when he said-

‘‘Really?’’

‘‘Yes.’’

Blitzø couldn’t breathe. He didn’t hear the rest either.

He ran back to the van and called Fizz.

Chapter Text

Chapter 4:

>>>Ozzie & Fizz’s penthouse atop Asmodeus’s Palace

‘‘OZ!’’

‘‘Yes, Froggie?’’ The sin of Lust answered from where he was prepping dinner.

They had staff, obviously, but every once in a while, the guy liked making dinner for his beloved Fizzy.

‘‘Your Asmodean crystals?’’

‘‘What about ‘em?’’

‘‘Can you track them?’’

‘‘Uh, from the office, yeah… Why?’’

‘‘It’s Blitzø.’’ The jester explained as they quickly made their way to Asmodeus’s office.

‘‘Are you sure he’s in distress?’’

‘‘Sure sounded that way. He was… panicked.’’

‘‘And he isn’t answering-’’

‘‘Any other calls? Yea.’’

‘‘Okay, don’t worry,’’ Oz turned on his personal work computer. ‘‘we’ll see where he is in a minute.’’

‘‘Okay. I want to know where he is or what happened before telling Auntie… Or Barbie.’’

‘‘That’s understandable.’’

Two minutes later, Fizz doesn’t like the look on his boyfriend’s face.

‘‘What? Where is he?’’

‘‘On earth. Which isn’t all that weird, it’s Halloween after all. But… According to this, he hasn’t moved from where he is in the last… twenty minutes?’’ That did not sound like Blitzø, and Ozzie barely knew the guy.

‘‘He called me…’’ He checked: ‘‘eight teen minutes… Okay, so he hasn’t moved, he must not be threatened.’’ Unless he’s hurt and that’s why. ‘‘Can you give me one of your crystals?’’

‘‘Froggie-’’

‘‘It’s Halloween. I’ll be fine, Oz.’’

>>> 

Blitzø had no idea how long he’d spent sitting in his van, hyperventilating. He also didn’t know what on earth made him call Fizz. It was stupid.

The guy had immediately picked up on how bad a shape he was in just from hearing a few words and the sound of his breathing, and kept calling back for nearly ten minutes straight.

What was he thinking?

I should go back.

‘‘BLITZO, F*CKING, BUCKZO.’’

He screamed. Then a few short moments later registered who had yelled out his name, knocking on the van’s window. It wasn’t a deranged ex. IT WAS FIZZ.

‘‘Fizz…? THE F*CK!?’’

‘‘Open. Up. You have sh*t to explain.’’

Yeah, sh*tty mistake. Never should’ve called him.

‘‘What’s going on?’’ Fizz asked, and Blitzø, who was mentally exhausted, opted to just point at the building.

‘‘That.’’

It took him a minute to figure out what he was looking at. ‘‘Oh, yeah… Forgot about that.’’

Blitzø blinked rapidly for a few seconds flat before: ‘‘YOU KNEW ABOUT THAT!?’’

‘‘Hey, I never went!’’

‘‘YOU KNEW!’’

‘‘I NEVER ONCE ATTENDED! This year’s invitation, I DIDN’T EVEN OPEN THE ENVELOPE!’’

‘‘I WOULD HOPE NOT!’’

‘‘How do you know about this?’’

‘‘She had to go and invite Stolas.’’

‘‘…’’ Fizz was the one blinking this time. ‘‘And he attended?’’

‘‘Still inside… I think.’’

‘‘I thought you guys were okay?’’

‘‘…’’

‘‘Why would you lie about that?’’

‘‘I didn’t lie, just didn’t mention it to you.’’

‘‘Why-’’

‘‘BECAUSE IT WAS DOOMED FROM THE START!’’ Fizz flinched, and Blitzø felt bad for snapping like that. But continued, trying to hide his voice cracking. ‘‘It wasn’t supposed to come this far.’’

‘‘Why would you think that?’’

He felt this conversation was headed somewhere sensitive, and he knew Blitzø would probably rather not talk at all, but the guy needed to.

‘‘I mean, me and Oz make it work, the pressure on Stolas should be a lot less than Ozzie. And why would you agree to get into a relationship-‘’ Fizz noted how the other flinched at the word. ‘‘-if you didn’t think you guys could make it work?’’

‘‘I…’’

‘‘Blitzø.’’

‘‘I… It’s not important.’’

‘‘Yes, it is.’’

‘‘How’d you know?’’

‘‘I know you.’’ There. That look. Blitzø was hesitant. He could get to him if he was careful. ‘‘What is it that you can’t tell me?’’

‘‘You’ll think it’s stupid.’’

‘‘Well, knowing you, I’m not gonna claim I won’t, but you know I’m here for anything. I know you suffered before, when it wasn’t your fault… I’m not losing you again, you prick.’’

He hadn’t expected to get through that fast, so he was surprized when Blitzø hugged him. ‘‘Thanks.’’ Then he let go.

‘‘I… Didn’t wanna tell you because I don’t want a lecture, because… We weren’t in a relationship, Fizz. We weren’t dating.’’

‘‘What?’’ WHAT?

‘‘It was a… Transactional thing.’’

Alarm bells went off in Fizz’s head. ‘‘Transactional?’’

‘‘This is why I didn’t want to tell you.’’

‘‘Blitzø.’’

‘‘Fizz, please-’’

‘‘BLITZØ.’’

‘‘Just let it go-’’

‘‘BLITZØ.’’

The assassin gave up. The a**hole wouldn’t let it go.

‘‘What do you mean ”transactional”?’’

‘‘I… You know when I told you about the book?’’

‘‘That he lets you use?’’

‘‘He lets me- used to let me… use it, and I would f*ck him once a month.’’

‘‘…’’

‘‘Fizz?’’

I wish... I miss getting blackout drunk. The jester thought before taking a deep breath, and: ‘‘WHAT. THE. F*CK. BLITZO!’’ He felt bad for yelling though. Blitzø didn’t need to be yelled at right now, but seriously!

‘‘Okay, okay, sorry, just… Gonna need some context here?’’

‘‘I…’’

‘‘Short version but don’t skip anything. I’m warning you.’’

*sigh* ‘‘Okay, so long story short- I sneaked into his place to steal his book, because I knew it could get me to the human world, but got caught, and he -for some unholy reason- thought I was there, and I quote: “to ravish him”.’’

‘‘The actual f*ck?’’

‘‘I KNOW! Anyway I-uh… F*cked him.’’

‘‘Are you skipping something?’’

‘‘Not important. Then, uh, I guess for some reason he thought I was into him.’’

‘‘Gee, I wonder why.’’

‘‘Look, he was forced to marry that shrieking b*tch at 18. I can’t exactly blame him for being naïve about that stuff.’’

‘‘And how did that become “transactional”?’’

‘‘I used the book however I wanted for a short while, but he does need it for his job from time to time, so he called, and proposed a deal. We’d f*ck once a month, he’d use the book for his job that day, give it back to me later, and I’d use it the whole month.’’

He didn’t like the look on Fizz’s face. ‘‘Fizz?’’

‘‘Blitzø.’’

Okay, he hated that tone. ‘‘Fi-’’

‘‘THAT’S-THAT’S…’’ *deep breath* ‘‘Blitzø that f*cking sounds like f*cking prostitution.’’

Blitzø noted how his friend didn’t want to be vocal with that word. But he still didn’t know what to say to that. ‘‘That’s not… It wasn’t like that.’’

*sigh* ‘‘Okay, Blitzø. Answer me this, yes and no answers. Did you need that book for your job? Y’know, your damned livelihood?’’

‘‘I-’’

‘‘YES OR NO, BLITZØ.’’

‘‘Yes.’’

‘‘And he let you have it in exchange for sex once a month.’’

‘‘Yes…’’

‘‘Blitzø. You needed something from him, and had sex with him to pay. THAT’S THE DEFINITION OF… that.’’

‘‘It’s… It’s not like that. I didn’t hate doing it. I…’’

‘‘That’s irrelevant. Just because you didn’t hate it doesn’t make it okay.’’

‘‘I…’’ He was fine with it. Just hadn’t meant for it to get this far.

‘‘You said he’s inside?’’

‘‘Fizz. Don’t.’’

‘‘Wait here.’’

‘‘FIZZ!’’

Chapter Text

Chapter 5:

Finding Stolas hadn’t been hard. He and Verosika were on stage, and she was trying to convince him to sing. Too bad Fizz had a party to crash. Verosika had the music turned on, and had the crowd cheering, people wanting Stolas to sing.

The guy seemed a little drunk, too.

Fizz unplugged the sound system, and stood there, spinning the audio cable in his hand.

‘‘Fizzarolli?’’ Stolas was confused as to why he was here.

‘‘Fizz?’’ Verosika beamed.  ‘‘You came!? You never do, it’s so nice to have you here.’’ But when she approached him, he held up a hand, and stopped her.

‘‘I’m not here to participate in this ridiculous charade.’’

‘‘Wha-’’

‘‘I’m here because I have a bone to pick with him,’’ he pointed to the prince. ‘‘and have a few words with you after.’’

‘‘What? Why? What is this about?’’

‘‘I’ll tell you when we’re alone, and after I’m done with him. Now I want you to send everyone home. PARTY’S OVER.’’ He said a little louder for everyone to hear.

‘‘WHAT!? Fizz, why? YOU CAN’T DO THIS!’’

‘‘Yes, I can. Now sent them home.’’

‘‘Or what?’’

‘‘Or I make one phone call, and the Asmodean crystals of everyone here gets confiscated.’’

Her eyes widened in utter shock. He walked past her, ‘‘YOU.’’ turned Stolas around, gently pushing him to walk the other way. ‘‘WALK.’’

>>> 

‘‘Fizzarolli, I really don’t understand, what are you doing here?’’

‘‘Slapping some sense into you.’’ And then he proceeded to act on that declaration. ‘‘Literally.’’

Stolas was shocked now too. He’d never had anyone besides his father or Stella treat him like that. ‘‘FIZZA-’’

‘‘YOU. SELFISH. BASTARD.’’

‘‘What are you talking about-’’

‘‘WHAT DO YOU THINK, DUMB-O?’’

‘‘Fizzarol-’’

‘‘YOU HAD BLITZØ PROSTETUDE HIMSLF! FOR A BOOK!?’’

‘‘WHAT?’’ THAT’S NOT WHAT IT WAS!

‘‘Are you seriously going to act surprized? Look it up in the dictionary, then! A**wipe!’’

‘‘I would nev-’’

‘‘OH, BUT YOU DID. You knew he needed it for his job, and you exploited that information, used it for your own benefit, and didn’t leave him any other option.’’

‘‘…’’ T-that’s not what I did… Is it?

‘‘Do you realize how f*cked up that is? I know he can be sh*tty, but whatever he did to you, cannot possibly be any worse than what you did!’’

‘‘He… he said he didn’t hate it.’’

‘‘Yeah, he told me the same thing, which doesn’t change anything!’’

‘‘I-’’

‘‘How dare you come here when you know how much he’s been through?’’

‘‘I…I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt him.’’

‘‘Well, you did!’’ Stolas noticed how disappointed the guy looked. ‘‘I thought you were a decent guy. Guess you’re not all that different from all the others.’’ I still don’t get how Oz is as pure a heart as he is.

‘‘I’m sorry.’’ He really was. He hadn’t thought of it that way.

He had considered Blitzø not enjoying their activities, but after their talk, he hadn’t felt all that bad about it. After all, Blitzø had said it wasn’t like that. He had said he wouldn’t have allowed it if it was.

But… Fizzarolli had a point.

‘‘You are?’’

‘‘I swear… I want to make things right, I just… No matter what I do, I seem to bring harm.’’

‘‘…He’s outside.’’

‘‘W-WHAT?’’ Blitzø is here!?  He’s lucky everyone is drunk or you would be murdered by now.

‘‘I can send him in, and you guys can talk, but I need to know you won’t cause him any more distress than he’s already in.’’

‘‘I don’t want to.’’

‘‘…’’ The jester left without saying a word.

>>> Back in the van

This was a bad idea. He never should’ve let Fizz go in there.

BUT THE BASTARD HAD THREATENED TO CALL THEIR MOM!

‘‘B*tch.’’

And he now knew why he insisted Blitzø park a few blocks away. He could see from where he was that people were leaving the party house.

Fizz must’ve crashed the party, and told him to park somewhere else, because people got out of there and the first thing they saw was him, they’d do something about it.

Verosika was going to be MAD. Probably the most she’s been since they first broke up.

‘‘Stupid…’’

‘‘Hey.’’

‘‘ARH!’’ Fizz scared him for the second time that night. ‘‘Can you quit with that!’’

‘‘No. Anyways, you’re free to go in.’’

‘‘What? Why?’’

‘‘To talk to the stupid bird.’’

‘‘WHAT!?’’

‘‘Don’t worry, I gave him the talking to. Not a full-on shovel talk though. Not yet.’’

‘‘Fizz! What did you do!?’’

>>> About fifteen minutes later… (Fizz would’ve convinced the guy to go in faster, but Blitzø was really out of it, and sensitive today)

‘‘Hey.’’ Blitzø let his presence be known. Stolas, who had been busy downing a Beelzejouse bottle, choked on it.  ‘‘Wow. I’ve never seen you throw 'em back like this.’’

‘‘I needed it.’’

‘‘I bet, but I am required to tell Via about this.’’

‘‘She…She told you to tell her if I got drunk!?’’

‘‘No, she told me to tell her if I saw you drinking at all.’’

‘‘…’’ F*ck, he looked seconds away from crying now. Change the subject, CHANGE THE SUBJECT, CHANGE THE SUBJECT!

‘‘I-uh… was gonna leave, but I made the cr*ppy mistake of calling Fizz, so… Sorry if he gave you a hard time.’’

‘‘It… Wasn’t anything I didn’t deserve. I’m glad, actually. He, uh… Gave me a new perspective.’’

‘‘I… I’m sorry. How I acted this morning, it was f*cked, I know that, okay?’’

‘‘I haven’t particularly been fair with you, either.’’

‘‘I guess we both f*cked up.’’

‘‘I suppose we did.’’

‘‘… I just,’’ *sigh* ‘‘this whole thing we had going, I’m- I mean you’re a f*cking prince. How could you ever actually care for an imp? Me. How could anybody?’’

‘‘Blitzø. There is a crowd full of people, who cared so much, they throw an entire f*cking party about hating you, every year! Do you know how much you have to care to do something as stupid as that?’’

‘‘Stolas… Do you realize that by that logic your wife cares a great amount about you?’’

‘‘Wha?’’

‘‘Yeah, SHE SENT A F*CKING ASSASSIN TO KILL YOU! THEN, BY YOUR LOGIC, SHE MUST HAVE BEEN IN LOVE WITH YOU!’’

‘‘…’’ The look on the other’s face was priceless. Stolas trying to process that information with his moderately drunk brain.

‘‘Wait- how do you know it was Stella? Who sent Striker?’’

‘‘…’’ ‘Kay, one last lie! ‘‘The guy sold her out at the last minute, thinking I’d let him live.’’

‘‘Oh. Well… I really don’t want to talk about that right now. I don’t even want to think about what she did.’’

‘‘Okay. I, um… Can I tell you something? But there’s a high chance you’ll get mad.’’

‘‘I got something to say too. I won’t get mad if you won’t.’’

‘‘Seriously?’’

‘‘Yes.’’

‘‘… Okay. I… I heard what you told Verosika, earlier.’’

‘‘What?’’

‘‘I didn’t mean to spy, I want to talk to you, but then you admitted that I was right calling you a hypocrite, so… I guess I flipped.’’ Blitzø saw the evident shock on the owl’s face, but continued: ‘‘Especially after you said, so many times, that you didn’t lie. I already had a hard time believing you, and now-’’

‘‘Blitzø. I didn’t mean it that way. Did you listen to anything I said afterward? Anything at all?’’

‘‘…No.’’

‘‘It wasn’t about when I said I cared, what I was talking about was about what I did.’’

‘‘Hiding mom’s secret is hypocritical… In a sense other than not giving a sh*t about me… Because???’’

‘‘Because I lost my mother too. And I know how that feels.’’

What…

‘‘It was, in fact, two-faced of me. To not tell you.’’

Chapter Text

Chapter 6:

Blitzø didn’t know what to say. He had never thought about it. He had already met Paimon once, but the prince had never mentioned a mother.

Though, by logic, he knows it takes two to tango, but still.

‘‘She vanished when I was six.’’ The owl tucked his knees to his chest. ‘‘So, from a child’s perspective, I know what it’s like, and shouldn’t have kept it from you, but-’’

There’s always a “but”.

‘‘Tilla hadn’t told me every detail as to what was going on, and from a parent’s perspective, not knowing why she chose not to tell you, I thought it wasn’t my place to interfere.’’

Okay, that’s a pretty solid “but”. Blitzø had to admit.

‘‘I didn’t exactly know that your father and Crimson were after her. I mean, I guess she gave a couple hints here and there, and maybe I could’ve picked up on-’’

‘‘Stolas.’’

‘‘Yes?’’

‘‘Shut up.’’

‘‘…’’ Anxiety spiked on Stolas’s face.

‘‘I’m not mad. Not anymore… But thank you for telling me. I… I’m sorry I yelled. You didn’t deserve it… And I’m sorry about your mom.’’

‘‘It’s okay… It’s been thirty years. I got used to it a long time ago.’’

‘‘That doesn’t mean you don’t miss her.’’

‘‘I do… B-but that’s not what we’re supposed to be talking about.’’

‘‘I’m just sorry I didn’t know before.’’

‘‘That’s not your fault. I guess… There’s so much more than we thought that we don’t know about each other.’’

‘‘I ‘pose. But then… What do we do about it?’’

‘‘We could… fix that. Get to know each other this around. I mean I already told you I’d like that, but if you don’t…’’

‘‘Stolas you… People are better off without me. ‘Kay?’’ *deep breath* ‘‘You deserve so mu-I don’t even know why you would want to be with me. I don’t understand why you like me. Didn’t you see all those people? No one likes me… Heck, even I don’t like me.’’

‘‘Blitzø. I wish I could get rid of whatever it is that makes you think so low of yourself, that you seem to always assume everyone around you hates you, that you assumed I thought low of you. That I-’’

‘‘That’s irrelevant.’’

‘‘What?’’

‘‘Why I think low of myself. It’s irrelevant to why you don’t.’’

‘‘Blitzø-’’

‘‘Drop it!’’

The imp seemed frustrated now.

‘‘That’s not what I asked. I asked why you don’t think that way of me. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to understand why you seem to genuinely want a relationship with me. Why you would risk that even after coming here! WHY WOULD YOU EVER THINK I’D BE WORTHY OF-’’

‘‘BECAUSE I LOVE YOU! YOU INSUFFERABLE IDIOT!’’

Time stopped. Blitzø couldn’t breathe. Stolas froze as well.

This is too much Blitzø had thought earlier that night. He’d been wrong. This was too much. He couldn’t move, or talk at first but then he saw something in the corner of his vision.

Fizz and Verosika. They were looking at them from the doorway. He didn’t know for how long. They’d probably heard…

He didn’t say anything. He bolted.

>>> 

‘‘Oh, no you don’t!’’ Verosika stormed after him. She wasn’t going to let him do to Stolas what he had done to her back then.

Fizz opted to deal with the bird.

‘‘What in the seven rings made you do that!?’’ He snapped.

‘‘I…’’ Stolas looked like he could cry.

‘‘Don’t get me wrong, your feelings aren’t invalid.’’ Fizz specified. ‘‘But what makes you think now would be a good time to spring that on him!?’’

‘‘I’m sorry, I’m… I don’t know why I said it, he was going on about… I…’’

‘‘The guy had barely started believing that you want to date him, and you thought you’d just casually drop the L-WORD bomb on him?’’

‘‘I didn’t mean to!’’

‘‘You never mean to!’’ Now I understand what Blitzø meant when he said this guy doesn’t know anything about relationships.

‘‘I-you think… I was being too much?’’

‘‘More like pushed him too far. He’s been through enough. Next time you wanna confess to him, maybe do it one piece at a time?’’

‘‘I’ll… I’ll try.’’

>>> 

Verosika had lost the mother*cker’s trail pretty quick, to her dismay. She initially thought he might’ve used his crystal to get away, but then Tex told her the guy’s van was still down the street.

She then heard a crying sound while passing by a hallway. She was surprized to find it was the abovementioned mother*cker sobbing in one of the bathroom stalls.

‘‘You okay, Prick?’’

The sobbing lessened significantly. ‘‘V-Ver?’’

‘‘Yeah, that’s me.’’

‘‘I’m sorry.’’ His voice sounded broken.

‘‘Yeah, I got that.’’ She had listened to Fizz telling her about how they made up, how Blitzø was, on the inside, still the same guy he knew all those years ago, that he cared.

She had a hard time believing it, but…

‘‘You didn’t run as far as I thought you would.’’

‘‘What do you mean?’’

‘‘When I told you that, you ran off to Wrath. He said the same thing tonight, and you’re crying in the bathroom.’’

‘‘He…He’s different.’’

Verosika had to admit he probably wasn’t lying. Not about this.

‘‘Everyone hates me.’’

‘‘That was the point of the party.’’

‘‘So… Why doesn’t he?’’

‘‘How would I know?’’

‘‘…’’ *sob* ‘‘He probably does now.’’

‘‘Does what?’’

‘‘Hate me.’’

‘‘… How do you think I felt?’’ Bad? Blitzø guessed. Angry?

‘‘When the fun guy I was dating decided to just… bail on me because I made the shitty mistake of saying I love... Ugh!’’ She grunted in frustration.

‘‘It was the most embarrassing feeling. To be vulnerable for once and, you really just... know how to send a message in the shittiest f*cking way.’’

‘‘…’’

‘‘The worst part is you still make me feel like a bad person for being angry at you now.’’

‘‘I never said you didn’t have every right to hate me.’’

Guess he really had never said that.

‘‘You do have every right. And I actually am, you know… Sorry. I… I don’t wanna be that way. Not forever.’’

‘‘…Stolas doesn’t hate you.’’

She heard the lock click open, confused when he looked her in the eye:

‘‘You don’t think so?’’

‘‘No.’’

‘‘How come?’’

‘‘On the top of my head, I’d say everything he’s done and said tonight makes it obvious. Also, even when drunk he refused to participate in anything designed to be an insult to you.’’

‘‘… You think… You think I still have a chance?’’

‘‘You do.’’ She then grabbed him by the collar. ‘‘BUT IF YOU BREAK HIS, OR LITERALLY ANYONE ELSE’S HEART, AGAIN, I WILL PERSONALLY RIP OUT WHATEVER IT IS IN THERE THAT YOU CALL A HEART.’’

She wasn’t joking around. ‘‘Understood?’’

‘‘Yep.’’

‘‘Good.’’ She dropped him. ‘‘Now wash your hands and face and get back out there. Fix the sh*t you did.’’

Chapter Text

Chapter 7:

‘‘Hey.’’ Blitzø said once he felt… ready enough -it’s a thing- to face the fire.

‘‘Oh, hey.’’ Stolas seemed… better than before. Less drunk.

‘‘I’m sorry.’’

‘‘Don’t be. And to be honest though, I am sorry as well.’’

‘‘You didn’t do anything.’’

‘‘Yes, I did. I… I pushed you too far. And I’m sorry. You… Don’t have to answer what I said.’’

What you sai-oh…

‘‘I’m fine. I know you don’t exactly feel the same. Not to mention you probably don’t even a hundred percent believe what I said is true, but it’s fine.’’

It is?

‘‘I still wish for us to get to know each other better.’’ And then… Stolas thought but didn’t say aloud:  You will rather start feeling the same way or not.

If you do, I will be happy… SO, SO HAPPY… and if not… I’ll be sad… But I’ll live.

‘‘However, I don’t want you to feel pressured into spending time with me. So, I’d like it if we could… pretend that didn’t happen.’’

Oh, F*ck… ‘‘Yeah, sure… I can do that.’’ He isn’t lying. ‘‘I’m sorry I was an a**hole before.’’ An insecure, stupid a**hole.

‘‘It’s alright.’’

Blitzø didn’t know what to say after that. Up until Stolas spoke again.

‘‘You asked why I would want to be with you. I… Didn’t answer. Not really.’’

‘‘You don’t have to.’’

‘‘I don’t think I can. At least at the moment.’’

He just gave the owl a confused look.

‘‘It’s not something I can explain in a minute. It’s not something I can express easily. I’d need to think to use the right words… I can’t just tell you… I’d rather… Show you.’’

Blitzø just stared at him with his eyes widened from surprize. He had not seen that coming.

‘‘And if I were to tell you, I’d rather be fully sober doing it, so…’’

‘‘So what?’’

‘‘So, what if I told you what I want.’’

‘‘What do you mean?’’

‘‘I could tell you what I want in a relationship. What I wish I had in my life, but never did because…’’

‘‘You’re a**wipe dad made you marry the screeching b*tch.’’

‘‘Yes, that.’’

‘‘Well, what do you want?’’

‘‘I…’’ Stolas put his knees back down from the couch they sat on, not facing Blitzø directly.

He looked vulnerable.

‘‘I want to know what it’s like, to not be alone. I want to be someone’s someone. I want to feel wanted. But like, in a romantic way…’’

Romantic’s not exactly where I shine, Stols.

‘‘like, I’m standing out in the rain at a train station and someone is shouting: “Harriet! Don’t get on that train, it’s going to London and I cannot be without you!”’’

‘‘Uh… Stolas, that’s... a rom-com.’’

‘‘I know.’’ The sad little frown on the Owl’s face was back. ‘‘The point is, I just… want someone to care if I stay or go. I want someone to want me. To want to see me. To hold me.’’

Blitzø started to panic. I want to… I just… Then he noticed the other was crying now.

‘‘Look at me and think: Well, you’re the only one I want. I desire to hold you and talk to you, never let you feel so…’’

‘‘Unlovable?’’ He finished the sentence for him.

Then they locked eyes, and Blitzø saw something in the other. He felt something he couldn’t quite describe, but then it downed on him.

Mutual understanding. For the first time he wasn’t hesitant about believing Stolas as he talked about his feelings, and he, to his own surprize, understood him.

He understood why Stolas felt the way he did, because he’d felt the same way more times than he could count in the last fifteen years. 

Is this what empathy feels like?

Blitzø let their eyes meet again. Stolas smiled. ‘‘I think I’m ready to go home now. I’ve been worrying Via more than enough lately.’’

Blitzø smiled back. No longer anxious. ‘‘Want a ride?’’

‘‘I’d love nothing more.’’

They saw Fizz and Verosika talking on their way out.

‘‘Looks like you two made up.’’ The jester commented.

‘‘Hmmm… I don’t know.’’ Verosika said jokingly. ‘‘You never know when Blitzø might f*ck it up.’’

‘‘Or the owl might.’’

‘‘Probably not.’’

‘‘Guys.’’ Blitzø begged. ‘‘Please don’t.’’

‘‘Anyway then,’’ Fizz moved over to where they were and stretched his arms to hold Stolas’s shoulders.  ‘‘Now that you two are okay again, I believe it is time for your shovel talk. Ver, keep him busy!’’

‘‘FIZZ!’’

He watched his bird be dragged away confused.

‘‘You’re gonna let him do that?’’ He asked his ex.

‘‘I ain’t gonna piss off the guy who can get my crystal confiscated.’’

‘‘He said that?’’

‘‘Yeah, he did.’’

‘‘He was probably bluffing.’’ -and Fizz, in fact was, bluffing-

Fifteen minutes later, Blitzø had dropped Fizz off at the rooster’s place, and Stolas sat in the car, traumatized still.

‘‘I’d stop him, but then he’d just do it when I’m not around. Still sorry though.’’

‘‘He’s scary.’’

‘‘Yep. He is.’’

‘‘I’m glad you two are friends again.’’

‘‘I am too.’’

‘‘And I’m glad that we made up.’’

‘‘…Yeah. I-I guess.’’

>>>Somewhere far away in Hell…

At King Paimon’s Palace…

A certain powerful demon who’s been lying in the same bed since having been found bleeding out in the front garden opened her eyes for the first time.

The king by her bedside still asleep.

‘‘Hhmmmm… What…’’ Her eyes adjusted, she recognized the bed she was on. She noticed him…

‘‘…Pie?’’ She nudged him awake.