Chapter Text
“Blitz, look out!”
He didn't feel it. At least, he didn't think so. But his vision went dark. An inky void of nothing deprived him of his senses. His body felt heavy and weightless. Floating yet falling. Complete silence screamed at him, disturbed only by his own breath and heartbeat. His brain felt lost and confused. Then compelled him to relax. Despite only seeing darkness, his eyes closed.
There came a burst of colors. Blues, pinks, and purples intermingled with the void. A speckle of stars glittered around him as if he were drifting through space instead of nothing.
He fell.
Blitz blinked. His heart pounded away as if he just ran a straight mile. He panted heavily as he tried to register where he was. Before him was a red curtain. And his hand outstretched ready to pull it back. The imp didn’t move. Not even as the festivity on the other side reached his ears. There was music. Laughing and talking. A crinkling broke through.
He looked at his other hand. A flower and a letter with the words ‘For Fizz’s eyes only’ written on and pointing at a heart sticker.
His heart slowly calmed.
Fizzarolli. It’s his birthday. That’s what was going on behind the curtain. And he wanted to…
Blitz’s gaze turned back to the curtain. His hand reached out. His fingers curled around the fabric. Just pull it back. That’s all he had to do. Pull it back and go in.
Screams echoed in his skull.
He gasped and released the curtain. His heart started speeding up again.
No.
No he couldn’t.
If he did… Everything would-
“Blitzo?”
The imp jumped and turned to see another teen imp. He gave Blitzo a curious look. In his hands, he held a cake with lit candles.
“Are… You okay?”
“What? I… I’m… Yeah, I-I’m okay…”
“Okaaaay… You ready to head in then?”
Blitzo paused as he briefly glanced back at the curtain. “Uh… Yeah, yeah, I am. Uh-” He reached to pull back the curtain. “After you.”
If the other imp was suspicious or worried or anything besides satisfied with that answer, he didn’t comment on it. Instead, he went through and held up the cake. “Cake’s here!”
There came a small chorus of cheers from inside. Blitzo peered in, still on the fence about joining.
Then he caught his gaze.
His stomach flipped at that smile. His cheeks grew warm at those lit-up green eyes. He dropped the curtain. No. He couldn’t do it. Fizzarolli… He deserved someone better. Someone just as talented, just as loved, just as amazing. Someone who… Wasn’t him.
The imp looked at the letter and flower. And tossed them to the ground as he left. What a stupid thought. Why would Fizzarolli feel the same way about him anyway?
Blitzo hugged himself as he crossed the circus grounds. If there was anyone out who wasn’t at the party or passed out drunk, he didn’t notice. He only briefly looked up toward another tent up ahead. The tent where his mom was currently resting. He remembered her apologizing to Fizzarolli earlier that day. How she felt bad that she couldn’t attend the party like she wanted. But Fizzarolli understood. He always did. And he promised to save her a slice of cake to bring after.
A small smile tugged at Blitzo’s lips. Then it fell. He’d go lay with her but he knew she’d ask about the party. And he wasn’t really in the mood to explain why. Or worse, try and dodge her questions.
He wiped at his eyes.
No, it’d be better not to bother anyone right now. Maybe he’d go hang around the stables instead. At least the horses won’t judge him for being there.
“Blitzo!”
The imp blinked and looked back. And there was Fizzarolli running toward him with a slice of cake in each hand.
“Oh jeez, Fizz what're you doing?”
The more popular circus imp stopped before him and held out one of the slices, “I wanted to make sure you got some cake! I tried to get everyone to wait for you to join, but your dad said to hurry up before the candles melted too much on it. So I figured I’d bring it to you.”
Blitzo couldn’t help but smirk, “And abandon your party? Not a very good birthday boy are ya?”
“Eh, they all can wait,” Fizzarolli shrugged off before puffing out his chest, “And I’m not a ‘boy’ anymore. I’m 19 now.”
“Oh, my mistake, mister birthday man . You still left all your guests alone.”
“Well… It’s not a proper party without my best friend there.”
Blitzo’s heart did a little flip as one slice was held out to him. He carefully took the plate. His cheeks grew warm as he cleared his throat, “Ah, right. I-I was gonna go but uh… Something… Came up.”
“Something came up?”
“Yeah.”
“Something more important than my birthday?” Fizzarolli asked teasingly.
“…. I mean, when you put it like that…”
Fizzarolli let out a giggle, causing more warmth to spread on Blitzo’s face. Thank fuck it was dark out…
“So… What’s so important?”
“What? Uh-! Your gift! Silly me, totally forgot it! I was just going back to get it!”
Well, he was fucked. He didn’t have an actual gift ready. After all, he had hoped to give the letter before he tossed the idea. In hindsight, he should’ve gotten a real gift…
Fizzarolli glanced away shyly, “Would it… Happen to have to do with a letter, by chance?”
Blitzo froze. The letter. He threw it down at the tent entrance. And if the other came running out soon after-
“Cuz, well… I found this flower and envelope for me when I came out,” Fizzarolli reached into his pants pocket and pulled both items out, “And it does look like your handwriting…”
A loud, awkward laugh left him, “A letter!? From me? C’mon Fizz, you deserve more than a stupid letter and flower! I got you something way better, so lemme just get rid of that!” He reached out for the envelope, but Fizzarolli stepped back as he brought it close to his chest.
“Nuh-uh, I wanna read it! Even if it’s not from you, it’s for me.”
Panic started to set in. His name was absolutely signed on that letter.
“I mean, what kinda gift is a letter? Why waste your time with something like that?”
“Well, it’d be mean to just throw it away without reading it.”
“And if it’s from one of your creepy admirers?”
“We don’t know that.”
“Fizz, there’s a heart on it, obviously it’s a love letter.”
Fuck.
Fuck.
Fuck!
Him and his big mouth!
Fizzarolli stared at him with a spark of hope in his eye, “You… You think so?”
Blitzo sputtered, trying to backtrack without accidentally implying his friend shouldn’t receive such letters. Because that was far from the truth. Fizzarolli wasn’t just amazingly talented, but so fucking attractive. He absolutely deserved to have admirers. And he did! Which only proved that Fizzarolli could do so much better than him…
But it was only when the second slice of cake was shoved in his hands that Blitzo realized Fizzarolli was already opening the envelope.
“Fizz wait-!”
The imp quickly set the plates down on the ground before trying to tackle the birthday imp. But he proved to be too slippery. Both imps engaged in a game of catch as Blitzo desperately tried to stop Fizzarolli from reading the letter. All the while he could hear his friend muttering each word as he read along. At some point, it became too much. Blitzo’s face felt hot, both from embarrassment and shame. Anger bubbled inside him. Whether are himself or at Fizzarolli, he wasn’t sure. He stopped and glared at the ground through blurred vision hearing the remaining words spoken aloud.
“I can only hope you feel the same. I love you so much. Blitzo…”
He shut his eyes. Fuck. Why? Why did he write that damn letter? He should’ve known it was a bad idea! And now Fizzarolli’s gonna laugh at him. He just knew it. Why would he want someone like him? Why, why couldn’t he just be happy being his friend?
“Is this true, Blitzo? All of it?”
The temptation to deny it was strong. But Blitzo knew it wouldn’t be right to play with Fizzarolli’s feelings. Even if he didn’t feel the same. He had to say something though. The silence between them felt suffocating. A part of him waited for Fizzarolli to start laughing. Or make a joke. Something to end the silence so he didn’t have to.
But the birthday imp said nothing, waiting for a response.
Blitzo hugged himself, taking a shaky breath before speaking, “I… It’s… Look, don’t worry about it, okay? It’s… I know I’m not… It’s fine you don’t feel the same… I… I’m just being stupid…”
It was his turn to wait for a response. He was prepared for anything. A laugh. Open relief. A jeer. Rejection. Anything that proved him right that Fizzarolli didn’t return his feelings.
His eyes remained closed. Afraid his tears would slip through. It’d only make him more pathetic than he already was.
There were steps toward him.
He braced himself for a slap.
But felt something press against his lips instead.
His eyes shot open.
And there was Fizzarolli.
Kissing him.
Blitzo’s body prickled with warmth. His stomach got butterflies. His tail shot straight out. His heart fluttered.
Fizzarolli was kissing him. His crush was kissing him!
The imp was so shocked he forgot to return the gesture. Only when Fizzarolli pulled away and shyly smiled at him with darkened cheeks did Blitzo finally react. Well… Sort of. Rather than words, all that came out was an incoherent mumbling. Which made Fizzarolli giggle.
“I love you too.”
Finally willing himself to do something, Blitzo grabbed his friend by the shoulders and went in for another kiss. Kind of. He may have accidentally smooshed his face against Fizzarolli’s more than actually kiss him. But his friend took it in stride, giggling as he tried to pull away enough to fix their awkward contact.
“Relax, Blitzo… ‘M not goin’ anywhere.”
Blitzo broke apart just enough to mumble back, “Sorry, I… I’ve been waiting for this.”
“It’s not like we haven’t kissed before.”
“I know… But this is different.”
“I know,” Fizzarolli mumbled before leaving a small peck on his lips and wrapping his arms around Blitzo’s shoulders, “That's why I know you can do better.”
Blitzo let his hands fall down to Fizzarolli’s waist. He gave a small smirk before planting a proper kiss. Fizzarolli pleasantly hummed as he kissed back. Both drew closer, simply enjoying each other’s feel and taste. It was as if their surroundings melted away leaving just them alone and together. And Blitzo wouldn’t have it any other way.
He hoisted Fizzarolli up and spun him around. All the while, the birthday imp giggled and laughed.
Until Blitzo lost his balance.
Both yelped as they tumbled to the floor, though still giggled between their groans.
“Ow… That wasn’t supposed to happen,” Blitzo admitted sheepishly.
“Aw, and here I thought you meant to body slam me to the ground.”
“Nah. I’d rather do that to you in bed.”
The sudden admission caused Blitzo’s face to heat up as Fizzarolli snorted into laughter.
“Is that the other half of my birthday gift tonight?”
“I… It uh… Well it- it could… Be… If you want…”
“In that case, I can’t wait~” Fizzarolli murmured as he curled closer. Which made Blitzo’s heart somersault. A goofy grin grew on his face. Nervously, he let his hand rest on his friend’s lower back. They laid together, cuddled on the dusty ground under the night sky. Blitzo stared up at the stars. As if waiting to see if it was all real or not.
His best friend.
His crush.
Returned his feelings.
The dark red sky shone with millions of stars. He shut his eyes, relishing the feel of his crush against him. They’d cuddled before. Many times. They were always close like that. But this time was different. This time… It was more…
Blitzo opened his eyes.
Smoke glowed against green flames before an explosion overtook the sky.
The imp bolted up and looked around frantically for the source. But the green flames were gone, nowhere to be seen.
“Blitzo?”
He looked at his friend with wide eyes.
Fizzarolli watched him with concern. In a second, Blitzo’s gaze turned to his arms, then his legs, then his horns. But there was nothing wrong. Nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing…
“I…” Blitzo started before rubbing his eyes, “I’m fine. Just thought I saw something, that's all.”
The birthday imp gave an unsure look before pecking his cheek, “How about we go see Barbie and your mom, huh? I’m sure she’d love the company.”
Blitzo blinked at the suggestion as if just realizing the possibility, “Barbie and… Mom…?”
“Yeah. I did promise to bring them some cake, remember? Your dad’s still an ass for making your sister look after her.”
“What… What about your party?”
Fizzarolli waved his hand, “Eh, I'm in no rush. Besides, I’d rather spend my birthday with you, not everyone else.”
Blitzo’s heart fluttered. He watched as the other stood and helped him up. Fizzarolli didn’t even let go of his hand as he retrieved the two slices of cake. They headed for the tent, Blitzo following numbly behind. He couldn’t explain it. There was a feeling of… Nervousness and excitement in him. His eyes remained on Fizzarolli. Then turned up toward the tent where his mom was currently resting.
A flash of green engulfed the tent.
He shut his eyes. He followed blindly. Silently. Like he was being led to his execution.
“A little far from the party aren’t you two?”
The voice made Blitzo open his eyes. Barbie stood there, a bucket of water and a rag in hand. Her eyes trailed down to their hands and lit up.
“Ooooohh, that’s why you’re both sneaking off.”
“Nooo, that’s not why,” Fizzarolli refuted with a light blush on his cheeks, “We’re bringing some cake to your mom. Why aren’t you with her?”
She held up the bucket. “Spiked fever.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, ‘oh’,” Barbie then smirked at Blitzo, “Finally made a proper move then huh?”
Blitzo sent a heated glare as his face warmed up. He said nothing, even as she laughed. He barely realized they were still moving until he found himself face-to-face with another curtain.
This one hiding his mother on the other side.
Blitzo felt a squeeze on his hand and another on his shoulder. He swallowed thickly. Carefully, his free hand reached out for the curtain and pulled it aside. A figure laid on a make-shift bed. He caught those tired eyes.
And the ground gave out from under him.