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Part 2 of the Biology and Psychology of Imps
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Published:
2022-03-15
Completed:
2022-03-20
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2/2
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Bonding Activities

Summary:

Stolas reads up on imp biology, and about the bonding activities they do like grooming and scent marking. Realising later that Blitz has been scent marking him for a while now.

Notes:

For my fellow imp biologist EclipsePrime1, who helped me write the book on The Biology and Psychology of Imps :D
Hope you enjoy! Made the executive decision of splitting this one for length for the sake of my aching wrists and carpal tunnel being a bitch so part 2 will come after resting my hands and stretching.

Chapter 1

Chapter Text

Stolas sat on the sofa pouring over his book in earnest. It was one of the very few sources of information on imp behaviour he could get his hands on. And that included the dating magazines. Which weren't as helpful as he'd like. Though he had picked up a few things to look out for thee next time he saw Blitz. Namely for signs the imp had a crush on him, but those could be filed away for later. For the moment, he had an actual textbook on imps which explained everything he could ever want to know. It had been quite a surprise when Blitzy had started purring for him that one time, and he'd been wondering if there were any other quirks he ought to know about.

The resources were limited, this being Hell and imps the lowest class citizens. But he was determined to find out what he could. Lucifer knew Blitz wouldn't tell him. So he'd had to find out on his own. Luckily, he'd discovered an old copy of 'The Biology and Psychology of Imps' in the library of Jurgen Leitner, dusty and well hidden. It was written by E.P.Rime and T.D.Wolf. Both well renowned imp biologists in Hell, and all of the sources were properly cited and referenced. Something he could, as a fellow scholar, appreciate. Needless to say, he was overjoyed with his find. And immediately took it home to add to his own collection.

He made a few notes as he read: sections to come back to. Points to further research. Things to watch out for next time he saw Blitz. And a few miscellaneous notes.

He turned the page, thankful to have found a legitimate source of information, and came across a very interesting section on grooming and scent marking.

Now this, was going to be helpful. He devoured the words eagerly.

'Scent marking. Imps rub their cheeks and/or bodies against things or people to leave their scent behind. They have a good sense of smell, and scent marking is their way of claiming a place or object They also exhibit this behaviour with mates and other family members. Mostly for establishing bonds and for safety, as imps know there is always safety in numbers and a lone imp is more likely to be attacked.'

Stolas marked the page with a post-it note and continued reading, making mental notes.

The next section was on grooming. Now, Stolas hadn't seen Blitz either groom himself or anyone else, so learning about this aspect would be most helpful.

Again, he read in earnest.

'Grooming. Among imps, grooming is an activity typically done between mates, family, or very close friends. A bonding activity that provides a sense of closeness and relaxation both, parents groom their children to form a bond with them and with older family members to strengthen theirs and reduce stress. Close friends in imp groups also groom each other for this reason. For example, when an imp is stressed and in need of reassurance, the others will offer comfort with grooming, usually done with tongues for cleaning and claws for taking care of itchy areas. With mates, it is an activity performed to show affection as well. A way of expressing love without any words.'

Now that piqued his interest. So imps actually groomed each other! Who knew. He wondered if Blitzy would groom him, or even scent mark him to stake his claim. He giggled at the thought. His little Blitzy smoothing his feathers and fussing over him. Oh, that would be delightful! But would Blitz even be comfortable enough around him to even start grooming him? He didn't know. He supposed he'd just have to wait and find out. But still, he wondered if there was a way he might find out sooner rather than later.

His phone beeped, reminding him it was tie for his monthly rendezvous with Blitz. Grinning to himself, he closed his book and headed upstairs to wait for his darling Blitzy to arrive and climb in through the balcony doors as usual.

. . .

Several hours later after a very good romp in the sheets, the both of them lay in bed together, slowly catching their breaths. Stolas lay with Blitz in his arms and sighed contentedly. This was what he enjoyed. Just being with Blitz like this. It was nice, just cuddling up together like this. He smiled. He could get used to this. He really could. And so could Blitz, apparently, what with the way he was purring softly and rubbing his head against his chest feathers. His 'chest floof', as Blitz called it. His cheeks pressing hard, but not hard enough to hurt him.

Stolas wanted to laugh a little as Blitz began to rub his body against him. Not in a sexual way, they'd already finished that part of the evening. But nuzzling into him affectionately. Almost like Blitz was claiming him in some way.

Blitz always did this whenever they were together after they'd finished their more rigorous activities, so he was used to this, though the purring was new. But something nagged at the back of his mind about it. Of course, it felt damn good to have Blitz's warm body pressed against him, but there was something else, too. He just couldn't qute put his finger on it.

He listened to the soft hum of Blitzo's purring and tried to think. There had to be some reason Blitzy always did this.

And then it hit him. Oh! Blitzy's scent marking me! It seems so obvious now!

It was such a revelation, his head span. Did this mean Blitz considered him his mate? Oh, he hoped it did. Perhaps this was why no other imps dared come near him in the days after the full moon.

Yes, it all makes sense now!

He let out soft little hoots of joy as Blitz worked, this new little fact in his head. The excitement of it making his feathers fluff up and nearly bury Blitz in his chest. Making the imp come up for air or risk inhaling some feathers. Blitz looked down at him, not very impressed.

“Why'd you stop?” Stolas smiled up at him.

“Uhhh. Cuz I can't breathe?” Blitz sassed him.

“Sorry,” Stolas smiled. “I just got excited.”

“Why?” I do this every time and it never bothered you before. What changed?”

“Well, I... I just realised why you do it.” Stolas admitted, a light flush to his cheeks. “And it made me happy you want to claim me for yourself.”

Blitzo's cheeks coloured. “W-well, yeah. Don't you birds scent mark your mates somehow?”

“Well, yes, we do. But it wasn't something I thought imps did as well.” Stolas blinked. “You think I'm your mate?”

Blitz shrugged, trying to brush it off like it was no big deal. And failing. “Ye-eaah... a-and?”

Stolas let out another overjoyed hoot. “Oh Blitzy! Me too!”

Blitz cleared his throat, face very flushed. “Anyway,” he said pointedly, then frowned. “Ugh, Stols, you're a fluffy mess right now.”

“I can't help it!” he laughed. “I fluff up when I'm happy!”

Blitz pretended to be disappointed in him and shook his head. “Well, no mate of mine's gonna have messy feathers. Here, lay back down and lemme sort you out.”

 

Chapter 2

Notes:

Yeeeee a bit later than I wanted but oh well. Enjoy part 2!

Chapter Text

 

Stolas blushed, but did as he was told and simply watched as Blitz got to work flattening and smoothing down all of his feathers using both tongue and claws, just like the book said. Blitz even gently working the more sensitive areas so not to hurt him.

It felt strange, to be groomed by an imp and not preened by an owl. But overall the sensation was a welcome one. More so because he knew what this meant for his bond with Blitz. But nonetheless it made him smile. It also made all of the tension just ease on out of him.

All thanks to Blitz.

The imp was meticulous in his work, going over every feather and licking it with his sandpaper-like tongue, staring with those pesky chest feathers. The ones that had fluffed up the most in his joy. It was amazing, how no saliva rolled onto any of his feathers. Admittedly that had been a mild concern, but the biology textbook had assured him that imps didn't salivate while grooming.

Thank goodness, because the smell drool would cause would be horrendous.

But that wasn't a problem, so he lay still and let his Blitzy groom him. He felt those gorgeous fingers run through his chest feathers, untangling them and getting them into some sort of order. They naturally flattened out as Stolas relaxed as well which did help things along. But there was still the odd feather that refused to cooperate. So Blitz licked those back down flat with the others. It tickled a little, but it was nothing he wasn't used to. Blitz's tickle attacks were a lot worse than this, so he could ignore it. After all, Blitz had touched his feathered chest hundreds of times before. So while it felt a little different, it wasn't new.

What was new, however, was the way Blitz ran his fingers through his head feathers and over his head. Hands and claws gently combing and massaging him. The strokes soothing against his scalp. It was like getting a massage and a preening both at once, and he could feel his eyelids grow heavier and his head roll back onto the pillow as Blitz worked his magic.

“Mmmm,” he mumbled sleepily. “That feels so nice, Blitzy...”

“It's supposed to,” Blitz told him softly. “Now shush and lemme work.”

Stolas heaved a heavy, contented sigh and let the imp continue to groom his feathers. Once his hair was done, Blitz moved onto his arms. Lifting them up and then rolling his tongue down over the length of each arm. Making Stolas shiver a little, because his arms hadn't been held in such a gentle way in a very long time. And the fact that it was Blitz made it all the better.

When Blitz did the same to his legs, he shivered a little more. That tongue running over the inside of his thigh was like nothing else. Heat seemed to pool inside him, warmth spreading through him. Of course they'd done similar things in their more... carnal activities... but this was nothing like that. Not at all. This wasn't sexual in the slightest. Just a natural thing between mates. Yet somehow it felt much more intimate. He was in such a vulnerable position right now, so open to anything Blitz wanted to do. And right now Blitz could so anything he wanted to him. If the imp wanted to be malicious and hurt him, he easily could.

But he trusted Blitz not to hurt him. And his trust wasn't misplaced, because Blitz was being so soft and gentle with him. Even trusting him enough to want to groom him like this. And that seemed to say it all, really.

Of course, it was different, yes. But very welcomed.

The imp then moved up back to Stolas' ribs and worked them over as well. Claws ever so gently running over his skinny bird ribs. Blitz just listening to Stolas soft moans as he relaxed. All of the tension he'd been carrying around for Lucifer knew how many centuries just melting away like it'd never even existed. Stolas just gently closing his eyes and letting it all go.

He was just nodding off when Blitz gently tapped his shoulder. “Alright, Stols, roll over for me, I need to get to your back.”

Stolas sleepily complied, and let blitz get to work ok his baack. Combing out his feathers with those gently hands and claws.

Stolas smiled, more content than he'd been in a long, long time. He could see now why the biology book had said this was a good way to relieve stress, because on Lucifer, did this feel good!

So of course he complied immediately, eagerly waiting for Blitz to resume the grooming.

“Alright, fan out your tail for me, birdbrain.”

“Okay,” Stolas mumbled, still heavy with sleep. “Be gentle though, 'kay? Th' feathers there are...”

“Extra sensitive, I know,” Blitz told him, like he hadn't heard it before a thousand times. “I'll be real careful. I do know this thing's your pride and joy. Now. Tail, please.”

“'Kay.”

Stolas lifted up his long feathered tail and gently laid in in Blitz's waiting hands and fanned it out ready for grooming. And true to his word, Blitz was very gentle, using only his claws. Which he slowly and gently ran through the long, delicate feathers to get them into order again. Taking extra care around the roots of them, where they grew out from the skin.

Stolas hummed and sank his face into the pillow. If he fell back asleep now, he'd consider it the best day. But Blitz, it seemed, had other plans.

The imp gently set his tail feathered back down on the bed and crawled to sit across his back, straddling him. Then pressing his palms into the space between his shoulder blades and slowly kneading the last of the tension out of him. That one last knot of him that wasn't quite relaxed yet. Making Stolas moan very contentedly as he lay there. Listening to the soft purring sounds of his imp. He didn't know what the book had to say about this, but he could only assume it was a good thing. Probably another way of showing love or affection, or scent marking him. He'd have to look it up.

But that he could do later. For the moment, he'd just enjoy this.

But when Blitz was done with the kneading, he did something Stolas knew now to be staking his claim and marking him as his. The imp lay down and purred, rubbing his cheeks into his feathers, making Stolas heart just melt.

“There we go,” Blitz murmured. “Much better.”

Stolas could only offer a muffled agreement, already falling asleep.

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