Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“I want you to kill King Stolas.”

The air in the room suddenly goes cold. The huntsman lifts his head up from his kneeling position to lock eyes with his Queen.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“You heard me, imp. Carve out his heart and present it to me in this box.”

The calloused, apathetic tone of her voice sends a chill down the huntsman’s spine. He hesitates to accept the box and the dagger that lays on the top of it.

“Did I not make myself clear?”

The queen picks up the dagger and points it at the imps throat

“You know what will happen if you don’t do this for me.”

Sweat forms on the imps brow. nodding, and finally accepting the dagger and box.

“Yes, your highness.”

-

“My, you sure are feisty today, little one! Growing big and strong!”

The huntsman walks into the garden, spotting the King caring for his many plants. He refuses to hire staff to do it for him, for whatever reason. Perhaps he doesn’t trust lowly imps to care for his most precious possessions.

“Good afternoon, your majesty.”

The owl turns to the voice, tilting his head and quirking an eyebrow at the imp before him

“.. Blitzo?”

“The O is silent.”

“My apologies. Blitzø then!”

The king smiles kindly at Blitzø, shaking the imp to his core. This hit should be easy. Royals are all pompous assholes who think they’re better than everyone else simply for being born into an arbitrary title.

But here is the king, in dirty overalls, selflessly taking care of his plants, and weirdest of all, he’s now bowing to an imp as if they were equals.

“For what reason have you come to see me after all this time, dear Blitzø?”

The term of endearment makes his brain short circuit, and what the hell does he mean “after all this time”? He shakes it off and stands straight

“The..” he clears his throat “The queen has tasked me with escorting you this evening.”

The owls eyes widen for a brief moment, a smile quickly replaces the look of shock

“Oh! Yes, of course.”

He almost seems disappointed, but Blitzø isn’t going to dig too deeply into that. He’ll feel even more disappointed when his so-called “escort” stabs him in the back..

Quite literally.

Blitzø tries, he really does, to not look into the fidgeting, nervous fingers of the King. The way they clasp together and squeeze, and how he runs his fingers over his knuckles in a soothing fashion.

And it’s impossible to ignore the way he shifts on his taloned feet, swaying backwards and forwards.

He’s definitely nervous. Does he know? If he knew surely Blitzø would’ve been turned to stone by now.. right?

“Uh.. so.. I’ll meet you back here when it’s time to leave, yeah?”

Blitzø finally has enough and breaks the silence, seemingly startling the owl out of his own head.

“Y-Yes, um. That is fine.”

“Ooookay.. See you then, your highness.”

Blitzø spins on his heel to leave the garden

“Stolas.”

The imp turns his head to stare quizzically at the king

“You can just call me ‘Stolas.’”

“..Sure, whatever you want.”

He smiles, causing the imps heart to jump. He scoffs and turns his head away quickly, making his way out of the garden. This odd feeling must be disgust, Surely. He’s acting all nice as some kind of twisted game just to see the itty bitty imps reactions, like he’s a spectacle.

That’s what Blitzø will convince himself is the truth, for now. Makes the kill that much easier.

-

After a few hours, Blitzø waits in the garden, his back leaned against a pillar leaving him in the shadows.

Stolas emerges from the overly fancy door, dressed to the nines. He looks around before spotting Blitzø easily, ’he probably has night vision’ he thinks, Blitzø should note that. Can’t hide in the dark from him.

“Hello, darling!”

‘Another term of endearment, Christ’ Blitzø feels his heart jump, in rage, probably. Not because the king looks absolutely stunning and is smiling so innocently, completely unaware that this is his last night alive.

“Uhhh, yeah, hi. You ready to go?”

“Yes, of course!”

Stolas offers his hand to Blitzø who stares at him quizzically. If it’s his final moments Blitzø supposes he should just do as he wants, so he takes it, earning a wide smile from the owl.

“May I ask where exactly we are going?”

His innocent, confused smile leaves Blitzø’s mind blank for a beat

“Uhhh... where do you.. want to go?”

‘Wow, great performance there, Blitzo. The king surely won’t find that suspicious.’ He chastises himself, trying his best to not cringe at his own stupidity

The king looks taken aback, blinking his wide eyes multiple times and opening his beak to speak but nothing comes out. Finally, he clears his throat and begins speaking

“My apologies if I’m just getting caught in my own head, Blitzy..”

‘Blitzy’? Are you fucking kidding me?’

“But.. are you, perhaps.. trying to seduce me?”

Silence fills the air, Blitzø is struggling to make the words make sense in his mind. An affair between a random imp and the literal king. There’s no way he wants that-

But his cheeks are tinged pink and his eyes look so full of hope, he’s holding Blitzø’s hand tight, as if he’s afraid the imp will run away.

Fuck it.

“What else would this be, your highness?”

He smirks, earning a surprised hoot from the king that is so adora- gross and weird.

“We’re going somewhere real special.”

Blitzø wiggles his eyebrows at the king suggestively, making him giggle

He begins leading Stolas by the hand, out the gate and up a hill overlooking the castle

Blitzø used to play there as a kid all the time till he got scolded for throwing pine cones through the castle's open windows.

He can’t really recall WHY he was throwing the pine cones but he stopped coming there after that. Strange how fuzzy his memory was but he felt this place was important to him.

Blitzø glanced back at the owl who’s been babbling on and on about how excited he was and how romantic this all was, the moon was full and the sky was clear, allowing them to perfectly light up his heart shaped face. He really was beautiful, it’s such a pity that Blitzø has to wipe that smile off his face and stain it with his own blood.

He turns his head away quickly. ’This should be easy. Look how easy he’s making it for you. Trusting you so much to lead him somewhere all alone, in the middle of the night. Why does he trust me so much?’

They stop at a large tree sitting atop the hill, a strong gust of wind rustling the leaves and blossoms, causing them to fall around them

Blitzø makes the mistake of looking at Stolas again, his eyes full with wonder. His gaze softens when their eyes meet. Blitzø can’t help but stare, his heart is beating a mile a minute. Surely it’s from nerves. The king is the most dangerous target Blitzø has ever had, obviously. He’s just worried about the hit, that’s all. Nothing more.

“I thought you forgot about me.”

Stolas’ voice startles him out of his head

“Those days we played together remain so dear in my heart, Blitzø.”

Stolas lays his hand atop his heart, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath

“I was so happy to see you making a name for yourself with your hunting business! I never knew what I did that caused you to leave but I am so happy you came back and..”

His eyes fluttered open, Blitzø notes the pure emotion in his voice, the tears gathering in his eyes, just waiting for the dam to break

“That you feel an affection for me too..”

Blitzø quickly rips his hand for Stolas’, taking a step back. The hurt on Stolas’ face fills him with rage. Why is he making that face for someone like him? He’s meant to rip his heart out literally not metaphorically!

“That’s not-“ his throat feels terribly dry, his voice cracking embarrassingly. “That’s not what this is. I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”

He points an accusatory finger at the owl, he flinches back, which Blitzø will also not be thinking about and over analyzing, fuck you very much

“You must be mistaking me with some other fucking imp, we all look the same to you, don’t we?!”

Stolas’ eyes widen in horror, his mouth agape and trying to form words but he just cannot make a sound.

“It doesn’t even matter.”

Blitzø quickly digs in his pockets pulling out blessed rope and tying Stolas’ hands together, who is still in a state of shock. He looks down at the rope and he shakes his head

“I promise you, I-I am not mistaking you for someone else..! we used to play on this very hill.. you’d throw pine cones through my window to tell me you were here!”

He’s squeezing his eyes right, tears rolling down his face. Blitzø’s hands hesitate on the knot he’s tying.

Of course. That’s why he was throwing pine cones. How the hell could he forget that?

The first time was an accident. Not the throwing part, but alerting the young prince inside.

He had just gotten scolded by his father for nearly getting caught pick-pocketing some fancy tourist. In his defense he was running on an hour of sleep and a single slice of bread. They had much more to go around but he was already being punished for messing up the day before. And despite that, Cash loved sending Blitzø out most. Probably because if he was caught.. he wouldn’t be missed.

He wanted to get as far away as possible, that’s how he found himself on a hill overlooking the castle. Fancy ass royals with their fancy ass house and probably even fancier access to food and comfortable fancy ass beds.

His foot hits a pine cone on the ground. He picks it up, tossing it in the air a few times before throwing it as hard as he could at the large tree it came from, bouncing back over his head and straight into the open window of the castle below.

He shrinks back, hoping no one was inside to notice. Breathing a sigh of relief after a few moments thinking he was in the clear.

But suddenly two.. no, four large glowing eyes were peering at him through the window. The boy gasps upon locking eyes with the imp.

“Who are you?”

“Uhhh.. I was just.. passing through!”

The boy in the window tilts his head curiously with a chuckle

“Passing through the Goetia Family’s property?”

The small imp sucks in his breath. Yeah, that was a dumb excuse. Well, this is it. Blitzo is about to get into a lot of trouble for trespassing, he’ll be publicly executed and his father will jeer at him from the crowd, what a failure he had been his whole short but shitty existence.

“You didn’t answer my question!”

Blitzo shakes his head staring back to the small owl peering at him

“Oh.. I’m Blitzo.”

“Hello, Blitzo!”

The boy chuckles slowly climbing up, dangling his little feet off the sill and clumsily falling out of the window with an oof.

He brushes himself off

“Ahem! I am Prince Stolas of the Ars Goetia! You can just call me Stolas though.”

He scratches his cheek, embarrassed after the most rehearsed introduction Blitzo had ever heard.

“Aren’t you going to go.. tell someone?”

“Tell them what?”

Stolas smiles curiously at him, tilting his head.

“an imp just threw a pine cone through the Princes window..?”

The owl snorts, flicking his wrist up and down as if to shoo away the idea.

“Now why in the world would I do that to my new friend?”

“Friend?”

“Yes! I’ve never had any friends and all the kids my age are so stuffy they won’t play with me!”

Stolas crosses his arms with a huff befitting a spoiled prince like himself, making Blitzø giggle

“You wanna play.. with me? You know I’m gonna shove you in the mud, right?”

Stolas gasps

“Please do! I’ve never been shoved in the mud before!”

Blitzø bursts out laughing

“Okay, okay. Let’s play.”

The two boys spent the whole rest of the day playing together, hiding from guards, and listening to the others fun facts about the fauna and wildlife around them.

Blitzø hoisted Stolas on his shoulders to get him back through the window before anyone would notice he had snuck out.

“Will you come play with me again, Blitzo?”

“Sure. If I feel like it.”

They smiled at each other. Stolas turns as he hears the sound of servants coming to his room, turning back to face Blitzo with a apologetic look

“I have to go. I hope to see you again.”

“Yeah.”

The young owl disappears inside, leaving Blitzo staring at the open window before he made his way back home.

They ended up having a routine, whenever he could, Blitzo would pop over and throw a pine cone through the window, the young prince would climb out and they would play together for as long as they could.

Until one day, they were caught.

The last thing Blitzo remembered was the previous king looking down on him with such disdain and disgust

“You are lucky to leave with your life, imp. But I cannot risk you tainting my son any further.”

-

Blitzø shuts his eyes, squeezing them tight. He lets out a long breathe, opening his eyes and finally securing the knot he was tying.

“None of that matters. I have a job to do.”

The hurt on Stolas’ face is evident, but he closes his eyes, resigning himself to his fate.

Blitzø climbs on top of him, pointing the tip of the dagger to his throat.

“Any last words, Stolas?”

The owl lets out a shuddering breath, opening his eyes, glazed with tears, yet, he is smiling.

“I have always dreamed of the day I would see you again and how you would whisk me away from my dull and cruel life. I never imagined it’d be through death.. but.. reality has never matched my fantasies.. If I have to die by anyone's hand.. I’m glad it’s yours, dearest.”

Stolas lays his head back, closing his eyes in anticipation. Tears soaking his face and leaving his mascara running, he looks a mess.

Blitzø raises the dagger above his head, taking one final look at his old friend. The wind blows, rustling his messed up feathers and making him shiver from the cold. Blitzø’s hands shake, so he squeezes the knife tighter.

‘Get a fucking grip! So what you played together 10 years ago!? What does it matter if he’s never forgotten you, that he sees you as some fucking knight in shining armor. He’s still a pompous spoiled bitch, just like the rest of them. The payout for this is huge, it’ll be worth it.’

A tear streams down Stolas’ face, letting out a sob

“Please, just do it, Blitzø..”

The imp inhales a shaky breath, steeling himself and finally plunging the knife down.

…

…

Chapter Text

…

Stolas opens his eyes, seeing the dagger sticking out of the dirt beside his head. Blitzø climbs off him and sits with his back turned.

The owl slowly sits up, made difficult with his limbs still tied.

“So fucking stupid.”

Blitzø groans, running a hand down his face. Stolas opens his mouth to speak but Blitzø interrupts him

“You should just.. go.”

“... what about you?”

The imps breath hitches.

“I tried to fucking kill you, Stolas.”

“But you didn’t.”

“I..” he hesitates, swallowing hard past the lump forming in his throat.

“My wife hired you, didn’t she?”

Blitzø finally looks him in the eye again, shocked

“How did you-“

“What will happen to you if you don’t kill me?”

“Stolas-”

“Answer me, please.”

The imp turns his head, avoiding the owls intense gaze

“… she’ll kill me.”

Stolas’ eyes widen, white pinpoint pupils appearing

“You.. you have to kill me, Blitzø! I will not allow you to die in my stead!”

“No. I made my choice. I’ll face it. It’s not like my life is worth much anyway, especially… especially compared to yours.”

“Your life has so much more meaning than mine, dearest…”

“You really think that? You’re the fucking KING, Stolas. I’m just.. I’m just a dumb imp who’s only claim to fame is fucking killing people.”

Blitzø stands suddenly and begins pacing back and forth

“You- I thought you ran a hunting business?”

“That’s the front, yeah.”

Stolas shakes his head

“It’s doesn’t matter, she’ll only try again! Your death will mean nothing when she finally kills me. Please let me do this for you!”

“Shut up!”

Blitzø snaps, causing Stolas to shrink back. His breathing is fast and his pupils darting between Blitzø’s own.

“Why won’t you let me do this for you, Blitzø?”

His voice is shaky and his eyes are watery. He looks so broken. Blitzø almost feels guilty for.. not killing him? Really? But he can’t. No matter how big the pay is. Stolas doesn’t deserve to die. Blitzø does. after everything he’s done, all the peoples lives he’s ruined.. No one would miss him anyway.

He takes an unsteady breath, grabbing the dagger out of the soil and using it to cut the bindings on Stolas’ arms and legs.

“Stolas. Will you promise me something?”

“Darling-“

“Please?”

He closes his beaks with a snap. Nodding.

“When-.. when I get executed.. promise me you’ll take care of my guild. They deserve so much better.. I want them to live good lives and not be stuck.. doing this shit to make ends meet.”

Stolas rubs his newly free wrists. Watching Blitzø carefully cutting his legs free as well. Though he seemed so angry earlier, he's treating Stolas with such care. He isn’t used to this gentle treatment. He finds himself wanting to laugh at the thought. The man who was about to end his life is the one who makes him shiver with excitement when his claws grip his ankles, making sure he didn’t tie the rope too tightly.

Why such a wonderful man would die for him is just as baffling as it is romantic. He’s a hard-working person, made a name for himself, saw Stolas as a person first, not someone to be used or stepped on to gain, he cares so deeply for his guild he’s practically begging to keep them safe.

Stolas let’s out a shaky sigh.

“I… I promise.. your guild will live better lives under my care.. As will you.”

Blitzø’s eyes widen

“I won’t allow you to die, dearest.”

“Stolas, you can’t-“

“I will not die either.”

He extends a hand out to the imp, a wet, tear soaked smile tugging at his lips. Blitzø hesitates, closing his eyes tight and taking a deep breath

“How exactly do you plan to do that, birdbrain?”

“We’ll figure it out!”

His blind optimism almost makes Blitzø laugh.. if it didn’t, somehow, make him feel like it was possible. He opens his eyes and grabs the owls offered hand with a grin

“I think I have an idea.”

-

Blitzø presents the ornate box to the queen, the peahen eyeing him suspiciously, her legs crossed on her throne looking down at him

“The king is dead, your highness.”

She cackles, clapping happily like a child

“Wonderful! I didn’t think you’d be so quick about it. I’m delighted, finally that pathetic eyesore is out of my sight”

Blitzø shivers, it’s suddenly so cold, feeling goosebumps spread across his skin. The queen stands to retrieve the box, opening it and giving the imp a wide smile.

“Your payment. You can leave now, imp.”

She tosses a bag of coins at him, which he nearly drops. He nods and makes his way out of the castle and towards the forest, following the path till he cuts into the trees to find a secluded cabin, another imp sitting outside whittling a piece of wood into a sharp point. She spots Blitzø coming through the thicket and waves at him

“Welcome back, B! How’d it go?”

“I’m alive, aren’t I?”

She chuckles and wraps her arm around his side

“It’s not like you to put yourself on the line for jus’ anybody, Blitzø, let alone a royal. What’s goin’ on between y’all?”

She wiggles her eyebrows at him with a smirk, he scoffs and lightly shoves her off him

“Nothing, Mills. Just.. yknow.. didn’t think he deserved to die.”

“Uhuh… so you faked his death by givin’ the queen a boars heart and put him into hidin’ at OUR secret cabin because he seemed like suuuch a nice guy?”

“Exactly! Knew you’d understand, Millie-Billie!”

He walks off throwing finger guns at her with a wink before heading inside

A young wolf-girl, no older than 12, is sitting at the table inside while a white haired imp is preparing food of some kind

“Loona! I’m home, dear!”

The girl at the table rolls her eyes but sits up to accept his hug.

“Welcome back, sir. Glad you’re not dead”

The other imp turned his head to speak before returning to cutting up vegetables to throw them in the pot of some sort of stew, Blitzø has no idea what kind it was but it smelled great, not that he’d ever tell him that.

“Ha! Like I’d let that bitch kill me, Moxx.”

Moxxie snickers, stirring the pot slowly and adding the last ingredients

“Supper is almost ready if you want to go fetch his highness.”

“Right.. where is he anyway?”

“He went to go read upstairs.”

Moxxie flips his wrist towards the stairs dismissively. Blitzø begins heading towards the stairs when Loona interrupts him, grabbing the back of his shirt. He turns his head to look at her

“What’s wrong, Loonie-Toonie?”

She lets go with a scoff

“It’s whatever..”

He smiles, patting her on the head as an acknowledgment, heading towards the bedrooms

“Stolas?”

He peaks his head in, quickly spotting the owl asleep on.. his bed, of all peoples. The book he was reading is nestled between his fingers resting on his chest. Soft hoots escape his sleeping form.

Blitzø carefully makes his way in, picking up the book to set it to the side. Watching the kings peaceful dreaming face. His feathers look so soft, the blues and grays framing his white face so perfectly. He finds his hand brushing against them. ‘They really are soft.’

He suddenly recalls a time from when he was younger, where the young owl had fallen asleep on his lap under that large pine tree.

It’s frustrating. He doesn’t understand why he’s only remembering these things now. Stolas was important to him, he was his second best friend, second to Fizz, of course. Now that he thinks about it, he never even told Fizz about Stolas. Not that it really mattered. They hadn’t talked in years, anyway.

Stolas was his little secret, apparently even to himself. A fluffy, ditzy, spoiled little prince. All for him. Alone

“No…”

Stolas suddenly spoke, nearly knocking Blitzø on his ass. His peaceful expression is long gone, replaced with pain and fear. His eyes squeezing shut tight, and tears building in the corners. He’s having a nightmare, of course, who wouldn’t after nearly being assassinated.

Blitzø grabs his shoulder to shake him awake

“Hey-“

“Please… I’m sorry.. I’m sorry..!”

“Stolas..!”

The owl shoots up right, breathing heavily, his white pupils dart around the room before landing on Blitzø, calming him slightly.

“Oh.. Blitzø, what.. what are you doing here?”

“What am I doing here? In my own room? leaning on MY bed?”

Stolas flushes embarrassed

“Oh.. I’m so sorry, I-“

“Nah, it’s fine. I’m fucking with you.”

He sits up and stretches his arms over his head

“You uh… you okay? Looked like you were having a nightmare.”

“… w-was I? I don’t recall.”

The owl laughs nervously, obviously he doesn’t wanna talk about it, whatever it was about, so Blitzø lets it go.

“Food is about ready. Hope you like.. whatever the fuck Moxxie was making, I never asked. Smelled fuckin gooood though.”

Stolas chuckles

“I’m sure I will.”

-

Moxxie sets everyone’s bowls in front of them before finally sitting down himself, Millie nuzzling into his cheek and giving him a quick kiss before digging in to her bowl

Stolas swirls his spoon in the stew, chunks of potatoes and meat floating around, it has an incredibly appetizing aroma but he can’t help but feel sick to his stomach

Suddenly Blitzø pops into his periphery

“‘Sup? Don’t like potatoes or something?”

He shakes his head

“Just.. not feeling very hungry.”

Blitzø hums, taking another spoonful into his mouth

“When did you eat last?”

“Um.. I had toast this morning?”

“And?”

“That was it.”

The imp frowns, leaning back in his chair, the front legs lifting off the ground but he keeps from falling back with his legs propped under the table.

“Stew might be too heavy for you but you have to eat something, got it?”

He points his spoon at Stolas who stiffens up

“What can you stomach?”

“I’m.. I’m not sure.. really, I’m fine! You don’t have to-“

“Stolas.”

“… Um.. More toast, maybe?”

“Gotcha.”

Blitzø makes his way to the kitchen, Moxxie and Millie staring at him with shock, Moxxie goes after him.

“Sir! What the hell was that?”

He says is hushed tone

“What was what?”

“You just called the king by his name?”

“Ya?”

Moxxie sputters nonsense before finally forming words again

“I’ve had enough of this! What the hell is going on here, Blitzø? You bring the king here, who had obviously been crying, in the middle of the night, tell us the queen of all people tried to have him assassinated, BY YOU might I add, and now you’re calling him by his name and forcing him to eat bread?”

“Toast, actually, and Christ on a stick, Moxxie, do you ever shut up? I’m busy buttering said toast here, if you don’t mind.”

Blitzø makes a shooing motion with his hand, angering Moxxie further

“You brought him into our home too, I think we deserve to know the truth!”

Blitzø sighs, plating the toast and finally turning to Moxxie with serious face

“You really wanna know the truth?”

“Please.”

“Fine.. when I was a kid me and Stolas used to play together.”

Moxxie blinks, not believing a word he just said

“The truth, sir?”

“That is the truth, asshole. What do you want me to say? Oh yeah, I was actually Stolas’ lover this whole time and never told you guys until his life was in danger! Despite all evidence to back up that I didn’t fucking remember the guy being my friend till yesterday and despising royals, I was boning one on the reg!”

He ends his dramatic sarcastic spiel with middle finger

“You can ask ‘his highness’ yourself if that’ll shut your dick-sucking lips for good about this.”

He brushes past Moxxie, handing Stolas the plate of toast before sitting back at his chair

Moxxie returns to his seat as well, eyeing Stolas who had begun nibbling on his toast, obviously still nauseous but at least he’s trying to eat something.

Moxxie clears his throat

“Your highness.. May I ask you a question?”

Stolas nods, urging him to continue

“.. how did you and Blitzø meet?”

“Ah.. He hit me on the head with a pine cone.”

“It hit you on the HEAD?”

Blitzø cuts in, flabbergasted

“Did I never tell you that part..? Don’t fret, it was an accident, darling.”

Moxxie and Millie stare at each other wide eyed

“…’Darling’?”

They say in unison, Blitzø flushing immediately, slamming his fists on the table

“It’s just the way he talks, holy shit, do NOT read into it!”

The group continue talking well into the night, laughter and playful fights break out. Soon enough it’s time to sleep.

Blitzø tucks Loona in to her bed, Stolas watching from the doorway, feeling his heart ache. Blitzø shuts the door quietly

“So- oh, shit! are you good?”

“What?”

Stolas hadn’t even realized it, but he had started to cry, he begins wiping at his tears

“Oh, I’m so sorry, I don’t know what happened-“

“Hey, hey. Honestly I’d be more concerned if you WEREN'T crying after.. well..”

He trails off, looking at Stolas remorsefully

“Does it have something to do with that nightmare you had?”

Stolas averts his eyes, rubbing his knuckles nervously

“Not… not entirely..”

“Listen, if you don’t wanna talk about it, I won’t force you.”

Stolas wipes the remaining tears off his cheeks and sighs

“And.. if I wanted to?”

“Then I’ll listen.”

-

Stolas sits on a large rock, overlooking the river, Blitzø tossing a few stones in, only getting it to skip once or twice.

Stolas takes a deep breath

“I think I’m ready.”

Blitzø tosses his last rock, walking closer to Stolas to sit on the ground in front of him, flipping his wrist to urge him to talk

“I was… when we… there wasn’t…”

He sighs dramatically, covering his face his his hands

“Take your time.”

“Why did you leave?”

The imps eyes widen

“You mean.. when we were kids?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t… I don’t remember- I didn’t remember any of it until you reminded me. It’s all still so fuzzy but I know it happened.”

Stolas nods, brushing loose feathers out of his face

“My father.. he must’ve erased your memory. To keep you away from me.”

“… that.. would make sense.”

A cold breeze causes them both to shiver. the leaves rustling above and the river flowing make for great white noise to fill the silence that fell between them.

“..it was about my wife. the nightmare.”

Blitzø turns to look at the owl, his face is contorted with a complicated emotion.

“She was…”

He takes a shaky breath, rubbing soothing circles into his palm

“It’s.. it’s stupid really.. it was more like reliving a memory than an actual nightmare..”

It’s hard to ignore the way his hand trails up his arm, rubbing a particular spot, covered by his long glove. The wincing when he digs his talons in. It’s easy to guess what he’s keeping hidden.

“It’s not stupid, Stolas. You said something about waiting for me to come and ‘whisk you away from your dull and cruel world’ before. This is what you meant, right?”

Blitzø grabs his arm, gently taking the glove off to inspect the still tender healing bruise on his arm, the feathers there broken and out of place. Stolas whimpers, hiding his face.

“I’m meant to be powerful, I’m the king for fucks sake!”

“This doesn’t make you weak, Stolas.”

Blitzø scowls, he knew he got chills from that harpy cunt, she wanted Stolas dead so of course she wasn’t a good person.. but he didn’t imagine she was..

Stolas tries as hard as he can to keep his sobs quiet, they slow down only to start up again more violent than before.

Blitzø has never been good at this shit. What is he supposed to do? Pat him on the back and say ‘there, there’ while he cries his eyes out over a pain Blitzø knows all too well can’t be soothed by halfhearted comforting words?

What would his momma have done?

Without thinking he kisses the bruise and pulls Stolas into a tight hug

“Breathe with me. You’re okay, Stols.”

The owl gasps and clings to the imp for dear life, crushing him against his chest.

“I’m so worried about her, Blitzø.”

“About.. your wife?”

“No, my daughter. She’s all alone and there’s nothing I can do!”

Blitzø blinks.. his daughter. right. he has a daughter?

“We’ll figure something out. Look at me, Stolas.”

He lifts his head gingerly, his face is soaked with tears and snot.

“We’re gonna kill that cunt of a wife you have and then you and your daughter can live happily in your castle, yeah?”

Stolas nods, gripping Blitzø’s hands

“With you. w-with your guild, I mean. In the castle.”

Blitzø smirks at him and laughs

“Whatever you want.”

-

“Andrealphus! There you are.”

The peacock sighs, planting his tea cup on the saucer with a clank

“What do you need, Stella?”

“The usual, of course!”

“Can you not work the mirror yourself? I’ve shown you how many times.”

“Of course I can! It’s just.. no fun without you there. Plus, I have a surprise for you!”

She grabs his arm and drags him up the stairs to the attic where an old mirror lays, covered with a cloth

Stella rips the cloth off and throws it to the ground

“Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?”

She smirks at Andrealphus who’s giving her an emotionless stare

The mirror ripples, starting to show an image, Andrealphus leans in to make it out

It’s of Stolas, talking with Blitzø by the river, a beaming smile on his tear soaked face as he laughs

“…You wanted to show me that your husband is having an affair with an imp?”

Stella’s eyes open wide, nearly breaking her neck with how fast her head turns to look at the image before her

“Oh that lying, traitorous, toad!”

Chapter Text

Sunlight trickles in through the window, shining directly into Blitzø’s eyes. Groaning, he sits up and stretches, looking around the room to see M&M still asleep, cuddled up sickeningly sweet together.

He rolls his eyes at them, getting his pants pulled on when it dawns on him that Stolas is nowhere to be seen.

He’s been sleeping in the extra bed that used to be Moxxie’s before him and Millie decided to “bunk”. It’s a bit small for him, especially for the king, he imagines, but he’s never complained and he’s definitely never been up this early before. He seems to be a real night owl, pun very much intended.

He gets the rest of his clothes pulled on and quietly checks the extra bed. It’s unmade, seems like he got up in a hurry, or maybe he just never learned how to make his bed. The comfy clothes Blitzø had bought him are missing as well, so he’s at least dressed.

Stepping out into the hall, shutting the door behind him softly. He checks in on Loona, her room the door across the hall. He imagined she would feel more comfortable in a space of her own so he forfeited his room to her. She’s sleeping soundly in her bed, cuddled up with little stuffed toys of a fennec fox and a dark gray wolf.

He smiles to himself, closing the door and continuing his search for Stolas.

Heading down the stairs, he hears a small voice, someone mumbling to themself. He spots Stolas in the kitchen, an absolute mess covered in flour and reading a cookbook, anxiously tapping his talons on the counter, which Blitzø now realizes is also covered in flour and eggs, it seems.

Upon even further inspection he sees a pan with something burnt to a crisp sitting on the stove.

“Hey-“

Stolas throws the book in the air and screams- or squawks, more like. Quickly turning just his head to see Blitzø standing behind him

“ow-!”

The book lands directly on the imps head, knocking him back and into the floor

“Oh my- I am so so sorry!”

Stolas quickly offers him a hand. Blitzø rubs his head to ease the pain, squinting at the hand offered to him.

“It’s fine.”

He brushes it away and stands on his own. Stolas nervously rubbing his knuckles and biting his lip

“… I really am sorry-“

“Don’t. Stop apologizing for every little thing. I said it’s fine, alright? My fault for creeping up on you.”

“No, no! I should’ve been paying attention, I have to be diligent and observe my surroundings, I truly am sorry-”

“Stop.”

Blitzø holds a hand out to silence him, rubbing the space between his eyes. He sighs

“What the hell are you doing up so early anyway?”

“I was attempting to make breakfast for everyone. As a thank you for taking me in. It seems I am inexperienced and it’s much more.. uhm.. difficult.. than I expected.”

Blitzø looks at the state of the kitchen again

“uhuh…”

Stolas frowns, staring down at the ground dejected.

“You go get that flour off you, I’ll get this cleaned up.”

“But-“

“No buts, just go.”

Stolas nods and heads up the stairs while Blitzø begins cleaning and eventually making breakfast.

Millie comes down the stairs, rubbing the sleep from her eyes

“Smells good, whatcha makin’ B?”

“Pancakes. We got no syrup or butter so hope you like ‘em dry!”

“It’s food!”

She giggles to herself, grabbing a glass and pouring herself some water

There’s a sudden loud thud upstairs, grabbing both of their attention

“That came from Loona’s room, right?”

Blitzø nods

“I’ll go check on her, make sure these don’t burn.”

He runs up the stairs and quickly enters her room, finding her on the floor in a ball, her knee bleeding

“Loonie? Are you okay?”

She looks up suddenly, her eyes big and wet. She sniffles, wiping her tears

“I’m fine.”

“You’re bleeding. Let me patch that up for you.”

“I said I’m FINE.”

She curls herself in tighter, her tail tucking around herself protectively

Blitzø sighs, grabbing the first aid kit and sitting down beside her

“Hey, if you let me patch you up I’ll cook up some of that bacon I got for you.”

She peeks at him through her long hair

“Really?”

“Mhm.”

She relaxes a bit and nods. He begins cleaning the small wound, Loona winces slightly so Blitzø gives her soothing pats. He finally places a bandage over it and smiles at her

“… you didn’t kiss it.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing.”

He kisses the bandage gently and then her forehead

“There. All better?”

She nods

“Did you have another nightmare?”

“Yeah. It was different this time, though.”

“How so?”

“… I don’t wanna say. Makes it feel real.”

“Whatever it was, We’ll protect you from it. I promise.”

“… I don’t think you can..”

She mumbles into her knees

“What?”

“I want that bacon now.”

“Alright, alright. Let’s go.”

They make their way to the kitchen, Blitzø swiftly taking over cooking duty again. Eventually Moxxie makes his way down followed by Stolas whose feathers are still a bit damp from the bath.

Blitzø serves them all their breakfast before sitting down himself

“So. We got a hit today and it’s a bit of a doozy. I’m gonna need all hands on deck.”

Millie and Moxxie exchange looks of mild concern. Moxxie swallowing his last bite and speaking first

“That’s fine, sir, but.. who’s gonna watch Loona?”

“Hm? Stolas can do it.”

Stolas chokes on his food

“A-are you sure? I’ve barely been here a week I’m not sure she’s comfortable-“

“It’ll be fine! She warms up quick.”

Stolas looks at Loona, her ears are folded back as she picks at the remainder of her food

“Uhm-“

“How many targets are there?”

Millie interrupts, having finished her food already and getting antsy to get to work.

“9 total. It’s some fancy shmancy ‘brunch’ party with some business owners and royalty. So a bunch of rich fucks.”

Stolas sweats, sitting a bit straighter and tapping his talons on his knees. Glancing at Loona again who’s glaring at him now.

“We leave in two hours. It’s a bit of a trek so we gotta go early.”

“Understood, sir.”

-

The group is getting ready to leave, checking their gear and discussing the plan. Stolas is watching, rubbing his palms together in circles. Approaching Blitzø gingerly.

“So… when will you be back, exactly?”

“Uhhh could take four, maybe six, hours?”

“I see.”

“Don’t worry, this place is nice and hidden. No one will bother you.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about..”

Blitzø looks up for tying his boot, confused

“Then.. what?”

“… I’m worried about you.”

Blitzø stares at him in stunned silence

“B, we gotta get going!”

Millie shakes Blitzø from his thoughts

“Uh- right, yeah. Coming.”

He goes to leave only to turn around again

“I’ll uh.. I’ll be fine. See you in a few!”

He quickly runs off, too embarrassed to look him in the eyes.

Stolas watches the group leave and locks the door behind them. He sighs, coming back into the main room to see Loona playing with her stuffed toys.

Well, ‘playing’ might be the wrong word for it. She’s more fidgeting with them.

“Those are lovely toys! Do they have names?”

Loona glares up at him, scoffing and leaving to sit somewhere else. This is going to be a fun day.

-

Stolas sighs, sipping at his tea and watching the clock. Loona is sitting in his peripheral, still glaring at him.

The clock strikes 11. they should’ve just made it to their destination. He says a quick prayer to keep them safe before noticing his stomach feeling hollow.

“Are you feeling hungry, Sweetheart? I could make you some toast.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Oh, yes. Of course. My apologies.”

He sighs, running his fingers through his feathers. He begins making toast, spreading the jam, with some trouble. Blitzø makes it look so easy.

After he plates it he brings it to Loona

“Here you are.”

She scowls, hugging her plushies to her chest and growling

“Stop acting so nice!”

Stolas’ eyes widen in shock

“I-I’m not acting as anything, whatever do you mean?”

She scoffs and rolls her eyes

“All of you royals are the same. No matter what, you're all just selfish, greedy, jerks! It doesn’t matter how many times I tell you to leave me alone, you always come back..!”

She’s crying now, huffing and rubbing at her eyes

“You already took everything else from me, and now you’re trying to take the only family I have left from me. I won’t let you!”

Stolas bends down to her height, keeping a comfortable distance as to not upset her further

“Whoever it was that hurt you in the past I will personally make sure that they are punished. No child should ever have to suffer what you‘ve been through. I promise you, I have no intention of taking your family from you or bringing you harm in any way.”

“That’s what he told me too..”

“Who?”

“… The one who.. hurt me.”

She grips her plushies tightly to her chest

“How can I know I can trust you?”

“Hmm.. what if I tell you about myself?”

“.. okay.”

“Let’s see.. I enjoy gardening!”

“Boring..”

“Ahem. I love to drink tea and read-“

“Are you trying to put me to sleep?”

Stolas sighs

“I have a daughter, she’s younger than you but I can sense you are just as strong and smart as she is.”

“..yeah? what is she like?”

there’s a sudden loud crash behind him, he turns quickly to see an imp hybrid coming through the now broken window.

Stolas stands quickly

“Loona, stay behind me.”

She clings tightly to her plushies, shaking. Stolas puts a protective hand in front of her

“Would you look at that? Two targets in one place! Must be my lucky day.”

The man swings his pistol on his finger before pointing it straight at Stolas

“Don’t try anything funny. I’m meant to take the little one alive.”

He grinned wickedly, cocking his head to the side

“As for you.. well. The queen will be really happy to know your whereabouts. Tell you what, you give me the girl and I promise not to tell your wife where you are, sound like a fair trade?”

Stolas freezes, the energy in the room feels so dark. The air is thick and hard to breathe.

“No. You will not touch a hair on her head or so help me-“

Suddenly Stolas feels a rope around him and he falls to the floor with a thud, Loona falls back, her knees giving out from the fear.

“Too bad, feathers. I guess I’ll have to traumatize the poor thing before taking her in.”

The imp chuckles, sending a shiver down Stolas’ spine.

“Loona, get out of here, please. You don’t need to see this.”

She stares paralyzed, ears pinned back and her tail tucked between her legs.

“Go!”

Stolas yells, she yelps, running up the stairs as fast as she can. Stolas breathes a sigh of relief. Blitzø is not going to be happy when he gets home to the mess of his dead body but at least he’s saved Loona from witnessing this.

He feels something sharp at his neck, the imp is crouched over him with a knife. Slowly gliding it down his neck, pointing directly at his heart

“I could kill you right now, quick and easy. But, you know. I really want to make you suffer, first.”

-

Loona runs into her room, quickly closing and locking the door. She pants, clutching her chest.

She suddenly hears Stolas yell out in pain so she covers her ears and tucks into herself, rocking back and forth

“Please be a dream, let me wake up now, please. I want to wake up now. I beg of you, please.”

Stolas yells out again, she hears him cry from the pain. Visions of her old home popping into her mind, hiding under her bed hearing her parents being slaughtered in the next room.

She squeezes her eyes tight, trying to get the visions to go away. She hates him, he’s a royal just like those assholes who “adopted” her, only to be fed scraps and treated like a pet. He deserves this. It doesn’t matter how nice he was treating her, how much her dad likes and trusts him, he’ll turn at any second and fuck them all over. None of them can be trusted.

She hears the assassin laugh

“How do you think your daughter will feel, huh? Maybe I’ll let her see you one last time before I slit her throat too.”

“Don’t you dare bring my daughter into this, she is innocent!”

“An innocent royal? What a joke.”

Stolas grunts in pain, having been kicked by the imp

Loona wipes at the endless stream of tears falling from her eyes. He protected her, he wouldn’t give her up to save his own ass and now he’s being tortured. All because he put her above him. Despite how she had been treating him he still protected her.

She quickly stands, opening her nightstand to find a knife she keeps there just in case. She grabs it with shaky hands. If she has to, she'll kill Stolas with her own hands when.. if he turns on them. But he won’t die now.

She quietly steps down the stairs, spotting the assassin with his back turned. Perfect.

Right as she lunges at him with the knife, he dodges and disarms her, picking her up and holding his knife to her throat

“Whoa there, missy. I thought you were told to leave?”

She yelps, looking at Stolas who’s covered in stab wounds, his black blood spilling all over the hardwood floors.

“You leave her alone!”

Despite his wounds and the obvious strain, Stolas yells

The imp chuckles, pressing the blade to her neck, a bead of blood spilling out matching with her tears

“Or what, birdie? You’re powerless.”

Stolas snaps his beak shut. Glaring at the imp.

Suddenly there’s a loud bang, the imp dodging just in time to not be shot, dropping Loona in the process

“Loona!”

Blitzø calls out, running towards her with his arms outstretched, she runs into his embrace and starts bawling. He holds her tight, holding his gun towards the assassin who’s now nowhere to be seen

Loona sobs into his chest, he lowers his gun and hugs her tightly.

He looks around seeing blood on the floor, he stiffens

“Loona, are you hurt? There’s blood all over-“

She gasps and pushes him back

“No- Stolas! He-he’s hurt!”

She’s still hyperventilating but she drags him to where Stolas lays, breathing shallowly

“Fuck. M&M, get in here, now!”

…

…

Stolas opens his eyes slowly, looking around the now familiar bedroom. A glass of water beside him. He tries to move his arm to take a drink, but feels a strange heaviness in his hand. He glances down to see Loona holding his hand tightly and fast asleep.

Blitzø opens the door, nearly dropping the plate of food he was holding when he sees Stolas

“You’re awake!”

Stolas makes a shushing motion and points at Loona. Blitzø getting teary eyed seeing her.

Unfortunately she begins to stir awake from the smell of the food, rubbing the sleep from her eyes before seeing Stolas awake

“you’re okay..!”

She smiles big before quickly clearing her throat and standing up

“I mean that’s.. uhm.. glad you’re not dead, or whatever.”

She grabs the plate from Blitzø and leaves the room swiftly

“Loonie! Yeesh, that girl is not honest at all.”

“I suppose she gets that from you?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Stolas chuckles as Blitzø sits on the stool next to the bed

“Are you.. doing okay?”

“I am fine. He was making shallow wounds on purpose to prolong my suffering and whoever patched me up did a phenomenal job.”

“Thanks, I guess.”

Stolas blushes

“Oh, you- you’re the one that did this?”

“Moxx is usually the one to do it but he was busy helping Mils track down that scumbag. No biggie.”

“I see.”

He inspects the injured areas again, knowing it was his would be killer from just a week ago that patched him up now is a bit funny. Imagining his hands caring for the wounds and wrapping them diligently, he can’t help but feel a bit flushed.

“How did you get back so quickly…? You had to have been at least an hour away..”

“Ah, yeah. About that. On the way we received word that the hit was canceled so we turned right the fuck back around. Turns out the rich fuck who hired us had a misunderstanding with his wife and thought she was banging all those dudes there but she was actually just asking them for advice on what to get him as an anniversary gift. Sounds like a fake story if you ask me but he paid us regardless so I don’t actually care.”

“I see… is Loona doing okay?”

“She was really shaken up.. she’s really grateful to you for protecting her.”

“If you want to call it that.”

“Hey, you’re both alive and that’s what matters!”

Stolas scoffs, looking down at his hands, fidgeting with blanket

“All I’ve done since coming here is make your life worse. I just want to be useful to you but I can’t help that at my core I’m completely useless.”

“Stols.. come on, you’re plenty useful.”

“Oh really? Like when I fail to make you breakfast and destroy your kitchen, leaving you to clean up the mess? Oh! Or when you’re trying to hang your clothes to dry and I absentmindedly walk into the line, throwing them right back into the mud?!”

He curls into himself, hiding his face in his knees

“Let’s not even mention the fact your daughter was nearly kidnapped due to my weakness! And- and how could I forget!! You could die when my wife finds you! all because I’m such a selfish, pitiful man you just HAD to let me live!”

He exhales shakily, peeking at Blitzø with tears in his eyes

“I don’t even deserve to live. Why did you let me live, Blitzø?”

Silence creeps between them.

Quickly moving past the obvious hatred he has for himself.

These things are becoming harder and harder for Blitzø to ignore.

Of course part of it was morals. Stolas had never done anything to warrant being killed. Sure he’s a spoiled royal brat, but life in the kingdom had actually been getting better under his rule. It’s not the greatest, but he seemed to actually care about his subjects.

Another part was guilt. Guilt for forgetting about him when he was obviously so important to him. Important enough to remember his name, his face, exactly how they met, and for him to fantasize about.

And the last part. Even he didn’t know the word for it. But looking at Stolas made his heart jump. Blitzø can’t help but find every single thing he does beautiful, like a work of art. Even now, when he’s falling apart, ripping at the seams, spilling his guts, whatever you want to call it. It was beautiful.

He sighs, sitting on the edge of bed, his head in his hands

“Because I… I just couldn’t do it, okay? You were… I was.. fuck.”

He makes eye contact with him. The owl's bright red watery eyes boring into him with such intensity, it makes him feel like prey. But he doesn’t feel the instinct to run. Part of him feels like if he was swallowed whole by Stolas it would be an honor, a good way to go.

He clears his throat, jumping off the bed and readjusting his clothes

“You hungry? I’ll bring you a plate.”

Blitzø leaves quickly without letting him answer. Stolas sits in confused silence, looking over his bandages again, tracing them with his finger.

She really does take after her father.

-

The quiet pitter patter of tiny feet dance across the castle floors, a small owlette running through the halls, trying to keep up with the peahen up ahead

“When is daddy coming home?”

Stella smiles

“Soon, Octavia. I’ll make sure of it.”

She opens the door to the throne room, the hybrid imp from earlier standing before her.

She orders the butlers to take Octavia away to her room, the young girl going with them reluctantly.

“What is it you want? It better be important seeing as you're cutting into my precious teatime.”

“It is, ma’am. I’ve found where the king is hiding.”

She smiles wickedly and laughs

“Oh splendid! I have the perfect end in mind for him.”

…

Chapter Text

“Moxx, for fuck sake! Keep up!”

“Excuse me?! It’s not my fault you didn’t want to rent a horse to pull the wagon sir!”

“I didn’t NOT want to, I couldn’t afford it! I would’ve traded you for one if they offered, never take it back, and then trained it to do your job.”

Blitzø and Moxxie continue to bicker, Loona sitting on the wagon reading a book, while Stolas and Millie walk slightly ahead

“Sorry ‘bout this.”

Millie nudges Stolas’ leg with with fist

“You’ve been through a lot in a short time and now we gotta up and leave again.”

“It’s quite fine. I’d rather Loona be taken to a safe place where that would be kidnapper cannot find her again.”

“.. he also tried to kill you, yknow? And your wife is still lookin’ for you.”

Stolas hums, bringing his hands to his chest and clasping them together tightly

“I’m sorry we haven’t gotta plan in motion to get you back in power, your highness.”

“Please, just call me Stolas. And really it’s fine. Rather, I want to apologize to you all. I’ve put your lives and your livelihood in danger just by being here.”

“Oh, come on!”

Millie punches his leg a tad harder than she means to

“We were in plenty of danger before you even showed up.”

“Hm.. Is that meant to reassure me?”

She chuckles

“I’m sayin’ you shouldn’t blame yourself for any of this. Blitzø knew taking Loona in would put us in danger too but he did it anyway, cause she needed him. You’re the same. Blitzø cares about you, we all do, Stolas.”

“Thank you. I care about you all, too.”

They exchange smiles, falling into a comfortable silence as they continue walking. A cold breeze rushes through the trees.

“FUCK! Why is it so cold?!”

Blitzø yells from behind them, making Stolas and Millie laugh

“I told you to wear a coat, darling.”

Stolas slowed his pace to meet with Blitzø, draping his too big for an imp cloak around his shoulders

“I don’t need this, Stols. Now you’re gonna be cold.”

“Nonsense! I have feathers to keep me warm. I am-”

He whips his head quickly towards the woods, having heard a branch snap

“Satan’s Taint, you’re on edge. It was just a deer.”

“Oh, right. Of course it was.”

Blitzø hugs the cloak around his shivering body, watching Stolas nervously brush his feathers back with a sigh to calm himself.

He won’t talk about what happened back at the cabin with who they now know was a man named Striker. He’s been after Loona ever since she escaped, he works for royals taking care of their dirty laundry, not that different from Blitzø, he hates to admit, but he still had morals. Well, as much morals as an assassin could have.

The wounds on Stolas were extensive. He’s shocked he’s even healed as much as he has in just a day and a half. But maybe he was just playing it off like he was fine so they could move on faster?

Just then Stolas stumbled a bit, catching himself but wincing in pain, quickly hiding it with a laugh

“Clumsy me! Who put that rock there?”

Blitzø raised his eyebrow at him, motioning for Moxxie to stop moving behind him before sweeping Stolas off his feet and planting his butt straight on the wagon

“Really, sir!?”

Moxxie yelled out in frustration

“Chill the fuck out, he’s lighter than a fucking feather.”

Stolas raised his finger to correct him

“Don’t you dare.”

He puts his finger back down

“I really can walk on my own, I simply tripped.”

“I don’t care, you’re keeping your feathered ass firmly planted in that wagon the rest of the trip or so help me I’ll carry you myself.”

“Oh… promise?”

He sits with his legs crossed, his index finger flexed daintily in front of his mouth, a sly smile on his face

“Ew. Stop flirting with my dad right in front of me please.”

Loona buries her face in the book she was reading.

“Flirting? Loonie that is not- he wasn’t-“

She glares at him over the pages, cocking an unamused eyebrow at him. Moxxie sharing the look

“How long till we’re there, B?”

Blitzø’s savior, Millie, asks while walking backwards on the path

“Well, that depends. How long have we been walking?”

“….Sir.. We’re lost, aren’t we?”

-

The moon hangs in the sky, the group finally managing to find their new home. It definitely needs some work but when you need a hideaway there’s nothing like a condemned old woodmill! Sure they have to bathe outside with a bucket but Blitzø will figure out the plumbing. eventually.

“Well… at least there’s an outhouse..”

Moxxie sighs, finally being able to drop the wagon off his aching shoulders

“It’s probably disgustin’.”

Millie rubs his shoulders to ease the pain

Stolas hops off the wagon, only stumbling slightly from sitting too long. Offering his hand and helping Loona down as well.

“We’ll figure out the inside situation later, for now let’s set up our tents and sleep out here.”

Blitzø sets his bag down, pulling out some supplies to start a fire.

“I’ll cook us some campfire food, you lot figure out the tents.”

Moxxie and Millie get to work, Stolas watching Blitzø start the fire with ease. Loona sitting close to the fire, warming her paws

Stolas’ eyes drift to the woodmill. It was abandoned a long long time ago, evidently. The structure is still standing but it seems like a simple gust of wind would knock it down in mere seconds.

He wanders in, just to take a small peak. Using his magic to conjure a light to see. It’s spacious, if you remove all the debris on the ground, anyway. There’s a hole in the ceiling, no wonder the structure inside is water damaged..

He brushes his talons against the wood walls. Perhaps he could do something about this. He’s never built a house before but the structure was already here, it just needed patched up.

Just then he hears the creaking of the wood above him. Frozen in fear, he slowly turns his eyes to look and there he sees…

Blitzø. Using his tail to hang from a beam.

“Whatcha doin?”

Stolas sighs in relief

“I was just looking around. Are you doing the same?”

“Uh.. well- that’s not important. food’s about ready. Come eat.”

He comes down, face planting but quickly brushing himself off, patting Stolas on the back as he walks past.

-

After eating everyone goes to retire to their tents, M&M getting their own together, and Loona setting up in her and Blitzø’s, laying her plushies beside her before laying her head down to rest.

“I didn’t think about this…”

Blitzø rubs the back of his head awkwardly

“Typically it’s just us camping out I forgot.. well.”

He gestures to Stolas

“Oh. It’s quite alright! I can just sleep in the wagon.”

“No. Ugh.. how about you sleep in my tent and I’ll keep watch.”

“You must be terribly exhausted though, darling! It’s really fine.”

“Stolas.”

Blitzø runs his hand down his face exasperated

“Listen. You’re the literal king, I am not allowing you to sleep in a shitty ass wagon. It’s bad enough you’ll be sleeping in a cheap ass fucking tent but that’s leagues better than THAT.”

“Oh, trust me I am very used to sleeping on the floor.”

“…what?”

Stolas snaps his beak shut and looks away awkwardly

“I mean.. my bed! Stella has always loved sleeping on a mattress as hard as a rock!”

He laughs nervously, Blitzø shooting him a disbelieving face

“Anywho! If that’s the case, then I, King Stolas, order you to sleep in your tent.”

Blitzø groans, mumbling curses under his breath before grabbing Stolas’ arm and dragging him towards the tent

“Fine! but it’s gonna be fucking cramped in here.”

“Oh…. that’s fine.”

Blitzø lays in the middle between Loona, who’s already fast asleep, and Stolas, who’s staring at him wide eyed

He barely fits in the tent, curled up into an uncomfortable ball, his talons brushing lightly against Blitzø’s hooves. And if that makes Blitzø shiver it’s only because it’s still cold as shit and his blanket is thin as fuck.

“Are you alright? You’re shivering.”

“I’m fine. Can you.. close your eyes. Gonna keep me awake with how fucking bright they are.”

“Right, of course.”

Blitzø feels a sudden warmth envelop him and something incredibly soft against his cheek.

“Is this.. okay?”

He doesn’t answer, only buries his head deeper into The warmth. Stolas hums, rubbing soothing circles on his back.

Blitzø is sure the knot in his stomach and the thumping of his heart is from fear.

Fear of the unknown.

Fear of destroying everything.

Fear of loving Stolas.

Regardless, it’s the most restful sleep he has in a long while.

-

The next morning, Blitzø awakes to Stolas gone, once again. He’s not panicking at all, fuck you, but he does need to find him as soon as possible. Quickly opening the tent and sticking his head out, finding M&M still asleep, the fire nothing but ashes at this point.

He steps out, his eyes landing on the woodmill. It looks different from last night, almost.. new.. but it’s definitely not. He sees a piece of wood floating and positioning itself over a hole, nailing itself into place.

Surely he must be dreaming right now. I mean, yes, magic exists, sure. But a woodmill that comes to life and fixes itself is.. new.

He pinched himself, which hurt like a bitch. It's not a dream. He approaches it slowly, the work isn’t expert by any means but the place looks way more sturdy than when they got there.

“Oh! You’re awake.”

Stolas breaks Blitzø’s train of thought, standing there with floating pieces of wood, nails, and various tools.

“Uh… yeah. What the fuck is going on here?”

“It’s not perfect by any means but I fixed a lot of the structural issues and I’m repairing the holes now. I also cleaned out the outhouse! I had to throw up for a while after that… but it’s all clear now!”

“Well.. fuck. Alright.”

Stolas beams at him, Blitzø swears he’ll go blind if he stares for too long, so he decides to look inside.

This work would’ve taken him months to finish and Stolas was able to do it in, what, a couple hours? Without even breaking a sweat!

“Stols, I.. I don’t know how to thank you-“

“Please, there’s no need. I wanted to repay you for you and your friends' kindness.”

“Hmph. I say this is a good reason to celebrate! Let’s get some good food from town, some drinks, and have a housewarming party, huh?”

Blitzø wiggles his eyebrows at Stolas, a huge smirk on his face. Stolas laughing in response

“If you say so!”

-

Blitzø sends M&M out to get the supplies while he and Stolas begin moving stuff into the woodmill, made incredibly easy with Stolas’ magic.

“Why didn’t you just carry the stuff from the cottage for us if you could do this?”

“Oh, that would’ve been much too exhausting. It was a long walk and I’m still..”

“Recovering?”

Stolas looks away, doing that nervous palm rubbing Blitzø hates so much.

“Stolas, seriously. I’m not gonna pry for details but that fucker hurt you. Bad. Everyone knows you’re not magically fully healed and I sure as fuck know it’s still affecting you up here.”

He points dramatically to his head

“If you need some time, we’ll understand. Don’t push yourself.”

Stolas breathes a heavy sigh, brushing his head feathers back

“… Thank you, darling. I’m sure some good food and drinking will help plenty to take the edge off. And… I feel quite safe.. here.. with you.”

Blitzø’s heart jumps in his chest, Stolas has a way of making him draw a complete blank when he’s normally so charismatic.

Stolas gets back to work, seemingly having fun fussing over the little details now that all the large items are taken care of. Blitzø smiles to himself, watching as Stolas places and replaces a coaster over and over, adjusting it till it’s just right.

He feels a cold breeze behind him, turning around, seeing one of the windows slightly ajar. Has it always been like that?

“We’re baaaack!”

Millie calls from the entrance, startling Blitzø. Moxxie holding up the drinks with a playful smirk.

-

Blitzø watches everyone enjoying themselves, sipping on his water. Of course he planned on drinking as well but that window gave him a weird feeling so he opted to stay sober. Putting Loona to bed after she had eaten. He made sure the windows were tightly closed and she locked the door when he left.

Millie and Moxxie are recreating some scene from a play Moxxie likes, drunkenly messing up the lines and starting over for the 5th time. Blitzø smiles at them, when he knows they aren’t looking. He takes another swig of his water when he feels a weight on his right side.

Stolas is leaning against him, head resting on his horns, eyes closing and opening very slowly as he fights off sleep. He looks so serene and peaceful for once. The campfires orange glow complimenting his eyes perfectly.

Blitzø quickly looks away, ignoring the pounding in his chest, praying that Stolas doesn’t hear it. Unluckily it seems M&M noticed their.. strange atmosphere. Smiling at each other and back at Blitzø.

“It sure is getting late, let’s go get some rest.”

Moxxie grabs Millie’s hand and starts guiding her inside with a wave to Blitzø, Millie winking as she walks by.

Blitzø flips them off.

He watches the campfire for a while, feeling the comforting rising and falling of Stolas’ chest on his side.

“Bitzy..”

Well, that’s a new one. He feels Stolas’s fingers tracing up his leg slowly

“I’m really happy, you know? To see you again.”

“Yeah?”

Stolas nods, his head falling slightly forward almost going all the way to the ground, but Blitzø catches him easily and sets him back up.

Stolas stares at Blitzø, his eyes boring straight into his soul. He brings a hand to Blitzø’s chest, running his finger down.

“I want to thank you, darling. For everything.”

“Stolas-“

“You’ve done so much for me.. can’t I do something for you?”

Stolas tugs on the leather straps on Blitzø’s chest, pulling him on top of him.

“I’m at your mercy, Blitzø.”

Blitzø gulps, his eyes dart between the owls fingers dancing gently on his stomach, seemingly waiting for permission and his eyes, the drunken stare, unable to hide the adoration and want. He closes his eyes, grabbing Stolas’ hand and sitting him back up.

“Stolas, cut it out.”

“What..?”

“Whatever.. this is!”

He gestures at Stolas, his head tilted in utter confusion

“Just.. go to bed.”

They sit in silence for a while, Blitzø doesn’t dare try to make eye contact or say anything else.

“Why.. why don’t you want me?”

“Huh?”

Finally looking at Stolas’ face again, his eyes are full of tears threatening to fall. Hugging himself tightly.

“Am I truly that unappealing?”

“What- hey-“

“Do you hate me, Blitzø..?”

“I never said- that isn’t- Stolas, you’re drunk, please just..”

He rubs a hand down his face, groaning

“Let’s just get you to bed. We can talk about this.. whatever.. later, okay? You know, when you’re not shitfaced.”

“I am nooooot shitfaced, Blitzø! we can talk about this now-”

He stands straight, wobbling and losing his footing, Blitzø prevents him from falling for the second time that night.

“Right. You’re always this clumsy, aren’t you?”

“..yes, precisely.”

He covers his mouth with his hand, an awful taste rising to his mouth

“Stolas, are you-“

The answer was yes, he was about to throw up. And he just did. Luckily he didn’t get any on Blitzø, but it was way too close for comfort.

“Yeah, okay. That’s enough. Bed time for you, buddy.”

Stolas reluctantly nods. Blitzø helps him walk all the way to his bed, and gets Stolas out of his day clothes. He falls asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow. Soft hoots escaping his lips.

Blitzø sits on the edge of the bed running his fingers through his feathers. For just a single moment, he considers how easy it would be to fall into Stolas. Maybe it would feel like landing on a cloud.

But Stolas deserves so much more. What does Blitzø even have to offer? Stolas only feels indebted to him for.. what? not killing him and then giving him a place to crash? Of course that’s what it is. Because an imp like Blitzø would never have a chance with someone like Stolas. Blitzø isn’t the type of person Stolas would fall for. Because Blitzø.. is nothing.

Stolas jolts, a pained look on his face. Another nightmare.

Blitzø gently strokes his feathers but Stolas continues to cower in his sleep.

“I’m here, Stols. You’re okay.”

With that, he finally feels Stolas relax.

He stays there, watching Stolas sleep. His chest rising and falling with each breath. Wiping the tears that had formed in his eyes.

Finally he closes his eyes. Surely Stolas wouldn’t mind if he rested with him for just a moment? It’s just cold again tonight.