Archive of Our Own

Blitz didn't so much sit on the couch as collapse into it. Talk about a motherfucker of a day. Things had gotten messy. He'd been a little too eager and M&M had been forced to take out their target's neighbors to eliminate witnesses due to his own sloppiness—and that on top of the fact that it was a pro bono case. A first for I.M.P. After Loona had portaled them back, Moxxie wouldn't shut up about the financial waste of ammunition and resources, but it had been more than worth it to see the relieved smile on the kid's face. There was no way their client could have been more than a preteen when he died, and kids had to have a pretty heinous rap sheet to end up down here. But Blitz hadn't needed to think twice.

Shitty dads belonged in the Void.

Still, it hadn't stopped Moxxie's lecturing until Blitz had declared they could have an early start to the weekend and simply stormed out of his own office. Now he sat debating what to do until Loona made her way home, massaging a growing headache in his temple. One that only grew when his phone rang. Blitz looked at the caller ID and groaned. Brdbrayn.

"Listen, Stolas," he gritted out as he answered the phone. "I had a pretty fucking shitty day, so I'm sorry but I'm just not really in the right mindset to verbally get you off right now."

Stolas' talon had hovered over the call button, trembling ever so slightly. It had been a dreadful day. Well, maybe not so much dreadful as...lonely. Octavia had gone off to spend the weekend with her mother, and only an hour afterwards, he'd gotten an earful from Stella over the phone. Satan knew what his daughter had told her. 

Not even the promising piles of lovely, wordy paperwork to complete had cheered him up, and now he had finished the stack. And tonight was the full moon, and for once he...he didn't feel up to the usual routine. He wanted to see Blitz, of course, but...Well. He wanted something else, too. Something more than the usual fucking. Or perhaps less? Either way...

Stolas had stared down at his phone, still frozen. It was never difficult to call Blitzy for anything else, so why was it difficult to simply invite him over for a relaxing night together? Well, the only solution was to just get it over with and hope for his acceptance. When his sweet little imp's voice sounded over the speaker, Stolas' heart gave a tiny flutter. 

"Ah, well, I'm sorry to hear that about your day, but...You see, I was actually calling because...Tonight is the full moon, as you know, and..." Oh, why was it so difficult!?

Blitz frowned at Stolas' words and wandered over to the window, parting the venetian blinds with two fingers to peer at the sky through the layer of city smog. "Christ on a stick, it is the full moon," he nearly groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Fuck, Stolas, I didn't even realize what day it was."

His mind was going a mile a minute, trying to come up with a good enough excuse. Then he blinked, his overworked mind finally catching up. "Wait...you called me," Blitz said slowly. The Stolas, are you okay? almost made it out of his mouth. Almost. But he managed to hold it back just in time. "You sound kinda beat yourself," Blitz said instead. There. That was just an observation. Still perfectly within the bounds of their routine. "Normally you'd be practically drooling into the phone, making all kinds of physically questionable demands by now. So...what's up?"

Stolas gave an awkward laugh, not at all wanting to talk about his dreary day. 

"Well, you see, I was thinking that we do something a little different this time. We've both had a...less than pleasant day." He tried to curl the phone cord around his talon in a nervous habit, only to remember that he was on his hellphone. Unable to satisfy his need to fidget, he started bouncing his leg, instead. 

"Perhaps we could just...have a relaxing evening together? We could put on a movie, have a drink or two?" He left out cuddling, though he dared to hope. As he waited for Blitz's answer, his leg bounced even harder, until it knocked against his desk. Wincing, he finally forced it to sit still.

Blitz opened his mouth, but no words were forthcoming. Who knew when Loona would be home. He was probably going to end up watching a movie anyway. And that would undoubtedly lead to a drink. And Stolas was bound to have better booze than the lighter fluid he had, not to mention a better TV.

"...Can I pick the movie?" he asked, not meaning for it to sound quite so timid. He didn't take it back, though. If they were really going to do this he wasn't going to get stuck watching some plant documentary or something. "I mean...that...actually doesn't sound like a bad plan," he added. It would be nice not to spend the night alone. He didn't exactly do well on his own for long periods of time.

Stolas broke into a wide grin. The bouncing started up again, only this time, it was his entire body. 

"Of course! We can watch whatever you like," he replied. 

This was actually happening! Blitz was actually coming over for a visit! A casual, clothes-on visit! His heart swooped and fluttered like a deranged little bat, and already, he was thinking of what to wear. Something comfortable, but a little more appropriate than his usual robe. Perhaps a sweater and some lounge pants. Cozy. His feathers fluffed ever so slightly at the thought. 

"I can prepare some snacks, as well. Popcorn, or...Do you have any preferences?" he asked. Anything that Blitz wanted, he could surely procure. He wanted his darling imp to be absolutely content.

Blitz felt heat creep into his cheeks at the sudden enthusiasm in Stolas' voice. Stolas' attempts to be "sultry" were hit or miss most of the time. That excited little kid voice, on the other hand, that always made Blitz go mushy and stupid. Blitz shook his head, trying to clear it. He's only calling because it's the full moon, he reminded himself firmly.

For better or worse, though, the thought didn't feel like being doused in cold water the way it usually did.

"You got any cheese and hot sauce?" Blitz asked. He'd wandered over to his closet, trying to decide what to wear. He found the horse hoodie Stolas had given him and grinned. Might as well be comfortable, he decided, digging a pair of pajama pants with cartoon horses out of a drawer.

"Let me swing by the office for the book and I'll be right over," he said into the phone, practically skipping back into the living room to find the DVD of Spirit. "Sound like a plan?" Blitz checked, impatient to get off the phone so he could just get to the Palace already. Satan help him, he was actually excited!

"Yes!" Stolas exclaimed, like a child being told they could have a sleepover. Not that he'd ever had one...He blushed and cleared his throat, reining in the excitement just a tad. "Yes. It is a plan. See you soon?" His toe talons curled under his desk, heat flushing through his cheeks once more at simply being able to say such a sentence. 

Even with the stop at the office, it wouldn't take Blitz long to get here, with how he drove. He'd need to be quick in making his preparations. There should be the requested snacks in the fridge; he always tried to keep it well-stocked for when Octavia was home. The teenager was developing quite the appetite. 

Only...had Blitz meant regular cheese, or nacho cheese sauce...? Hmm. Did his imp want nachos? What else would he do with cheese and hot sauce? It took him a moment to realize that he was still on the phone, and that Blitz had, at some point, hung up. He gave a quiet hoot of laughter at himself, then set about preparations for a grand night in.

"See ya," Blitz echoed and tossed his phone aside while he changed. It was going to feel weird, ducking into the office dressed in less than his best. Still, this wouldn't be the first time he'd worn some weird ass shit for Stolas. He slipped his phone into the pocket of the hoodie as soon as it was on, donning the pants and abandoning his boots in favor of a well-worn pair of tennis shoes.

He ran two lights on the way to the office and three more on his way out to Stolas'. All too soon he was parking in his usual spot behind a tall row of hedges beyond the back fence of the palace. Blitz secured the DVD case in his hoodie and slipped through the fence bars with practiced ease. He sighed as he regarded Stolas' balcony. Just once it would be nice not to have to pretend they were reenacting Rapunzel to meet up. Still, Blitz didn't complain as he scrambled up the wall, knowing every crack and seam that served as good hand holds and foot holds by now.

"Stolas?" He asked cautiously when he made it to the balcony itself at last, poking his head through the open doors. When there was no answer he sighed and shot off a text, 'oot side.' He'd probably get hopelessly lost if he tried to find the living room in this place on his own.

Stolas swept about, readying the room for a movie night. There were several options, one of them being a mini theater where he and a young Octavia had watched countless documentaries on astronomy. As nice as that room was, he decided to go for the smaller den where he often spent his evenings watching various shows on his own. It was a much cozier option, with a large, cushy sofa easily big enough for two. He had swathed the back of the couch with plush blankets and piled soft pillows against the armrests. 

He was just tending to the snacks, when his phone chimed. He nearly dropped the bowl of nacho cheese in his excitement, but managed to save it before it hit the ground. A close call, but the snacks were unscathed. When he saw the message from Blitz, his eyes lit up. Brushing a hand through his head feathers, he strode out to the balcony, trying to appear more poised and confident than he truly felt.

Blitz was just about to send another text when Stolas finally appeared, very nearly dropping his phone altogether at the sight of the owl. The cream colored sweater the owl was wearing complimented the coloring of his feathers wonderfully, and the skinny fit lounge pants he had on underneath were practically leggings. Absolutely nothing was left to the imagination.

Blitz knew he was staring, but he couldn't seem to remember why he should care. He was so used to Stolas draped in his robe, that offered hardly any modesty at all with the way it constantly slipped off his narrow shoulders. By comparison, the fitted fabric of Stolas' fancy lounge clothes almost seemed to show off more of the owl's body than his sloppy robe ever did.

At last, Blitz managed to swallow and raised a hand in greeting. "Hey," he said a bit hesitantly. They were in uncharted territory, after all. He produced a battered DVD case from his horse hoodie pocket with his other hand. "I brought the movie. Oh, and this, too. Of course." Blitz suddenly remembered the Grimoire wrapped in his tail and swung the appendage around to deposit the book in Stolas' hands. Not for the first time, Blitz tried to ignore a distant sense of irony at how useful years of learning the trapeze had turned out to be in his adult life.

Stolas took a quiet, deep breath as he saw Blitz. Dressed in the horse hoodie that he'd gifted his darling some time ago. What a joy to see it in use! 

"Hello!" he greeted, giving a little wave and catching himself before saying Hello, dear. He took the Grimoire, though his attention was on the DVD case that Blitz held. The face of an animated horse peeked out from the imp's fingers. "Thank you for..." 

For indulging one of his softer needs? For gracing him with his presence? For giving this quiet night together a chance? 

"Thank you for coming over," Stolas said. Best to keep it simple. "Now, come in, come in! I have everything all set up!" he announced, turning with a flourish to lead Blitz inside.

Blitz felt his cheeks heat as he was thanked. The fuck was Stolas thanking him for? And why did it make his heart beat double time? Blitz stepped past Stolas, forcing himself to focus on what his clueless prince had "set up." Whatever it was, it was bound to be hilarious.

Blitz forgot to make fun of him when he was led to a perfectly normal and cozy looking den—never mind that the room was as big as his whole apartment. There were chips and a bowl of nacho cheese on the table, as well as wine and a predictably gigantic television. But it was the sofa that immediately caught Blitz's attention. His eyes took stock of the pillows and blankets.

"Okay, I know you're rich and all, but do you really have to own, like, the most fucking perfect pillow fort couch in existence?" Blitz asked in mock annoyance. Instead of laughing like he'd anticipated, though, Stolas wrung his hands and glanced at the ground almost guiltily.

"...Please tell me you know what a pillow fort is," Blitz asked slowly, suspecting he knew the answer already.

Stolas had been ready to preen with pride at the room that he'd prepared–and all by himself, at that!–but then Blitz made a flippant comment and he suddenly felt uncertain. Was it too much? Perhaps too many pillows, yes, but...he'd simply wanted Blitz to be comfortable, and to have a selection at hand. He didn't expect all of the pillows to be used—

His thoughts came to a crashing halt as Blitz stared up at him with a mix of shock, dismay, and something that looked like, "Yeah, that figures". His tail drooped, and he shook his head. But there was an awkward grin on his face, and an equally awkward laugh bubbling up from his chest. 

"A...fort? Constructed of pillows, I would think?" he answered, hoping that he didn't sound like an absolute lunatic. But what else could it be!? Oh, if only Blitz would stop looking at him like that!

Something seemed to fizz in Blitz's chest when Stolas almost physically cringed away from him. "Come on," he said at last, snagging one of Stolas' hands. He all but dragged the Prince over to the couch. Then Blitz set to work, almost methodically, rearranging the pillow and cushions themselves to his liking. Fuck, it was nice to do this and actually have enough pillows for once. Blitz snatched the blankets and tossed the end of one to Stolas, who was watching in obvious fascination.

"Help me drape these over the top," Blitz instructed. He shot Stolas a grin when the owl still looked unsure. "A pillow fort is the superior way to watch movies. Trust me," he said with a wink.

Stolas watched with fascination as Blitz built their fort. He held his tongue on any of the flirtatious comments that he wanted to make. Tonight was not about that. It was about being comfortable and relaxing, and giving Blitz a place to do the same. He only assisted when Blitz requested it of him, and soon enough, the fort was built. Looking over their work, he wriggled in place, more excited to crawl inside than he wanted to admit. 

"Ooohhh, this is absolutely delightful!" he cooed, giving a few hoots of joy. He dragged the bucket of ice and wine closer, and put the chips and cheese and requested hot sauce within easy reach. He carefully took the well-loved DVD from Blitz and got the movie ready, leaving it on the title menu. 

When all was set, his whole body bubbling with childish excitement, he snapped his talons and the room fell into total darkness. Blitz immediately protested, but Stolas only smiled in the dark, his eyes aglow. A glimmering lavender light emitted from his hand, and the ceiling of the room erupted with countless twinkling stars, almost as if they were watching their movie under the night sky. Just enough light to allow them to see their snacks and drinks. And each other. And the look of gentle wonder on Blitz's face, more dazzling than any stars in the sky. 

Stolas climbed into the fort and settled beside him, their elbows just barely touching. For a moment, they looked at each other, both smiling. "Ready?" he asked, his voice soft, as if speaking too loudly or too carelessly would shatter the moment.

There was no way Blitz could have stopped the pleased grin that spread across his face at Stolas' obvious excitement. He'd never admit it, but he always loved it when he could introduce Stolas to something new. The owl was so naturally inquisitive and such an enthusiastic audience. It actually made him easy to talk to...the few times Blitz had been in a talking mood.

Stolas plucking the DVD from his grasp had startled him from his thoughts and he was just climbing into the carefully constructed fort when the room suddenly went dark.

"Stolas? The fuck?!" Blitz complained, only to fall silent a second later. Pale purple stars flared to life on the ceiling and Blitz tilted his head back to gaze up at them in absolute awe. When Stolas joined him a moment later he could only nod in answer to the owl, afraid of what might come tumbling out of his mouth if he tried to reply. He cleared his throat before focusing his gaze on the television screen. Only then did he trust himself to speak.

"This is my favorite movie," he admitted, also talking in a whisper. A moment later he wondered why he'd even said that, but Stolas' pleased little bird noises stopped his treacherous mind in its tracks.

Stolas couldn't stop the tiny hoot of joy that escaped him. He was happy to know Blitz's favorite movie. And not only that, but to share it with him, tonight! It made him dare to hope: perhaps he could learn more of Blitz's favorite things. 

"This is my first time watching it," he informed, smiling at the menu screen. "It does look like a charming film." He had developed a taste for animated movies and tv shows from years of watching them with Octavia. He never openly admitted it to others, but tonight, he could indulge. It would be just as much a treat for him as he hoped it was for Blitz. Without further ado, he clicked the play button and poured himself a glass of wine, settling in beside his dear friend.

Blitz had braced himself for...something. Some remark about how he was too old for his favorite film to be one intended for human children. A barb. Anything, really. Stolas had never been exactly cruel, but he'd never been above teasing Blitz, either. And yet...all Blitz got was genuine excitement.

Feeling a flush creep over his face, he turned to busy himself with the nachos. It took him a moment to piece together why the hot sauce was there, and thank goodness a well-timed joke in the movie helped cover his snort of laughter. So Stolas hadn't actually understood his request for hot sauce and cheese. Still...he'd been spared once already this evening and one good turn and all that.

Blitz busied himself dousing each bite of his nachos in the hot sauce, relaxing the longer the movie went on. Stolas was laughing in all the right places and even unconsciously swaying along to a few of the songs. It made that weird warm fizzing feeling return to his chest. Blitz licked his fingers clean and settled in to watch Stolas watching the movie from the corner of his eye. As he did, he leaned close to the Goetia without meaning to.

It was just that Stolas had given him this hoodie—it had smelled just like the weird oil-stuff Blitz knew Stolas used on his feathers. Floral but earthy. Inevitably, of course, the smell had faded out of the hoodie. But now here Blitz was, wearing it, and he found himself unconsciously drawn to the source of the faded scent...only to jump back as if burned when he realized all at once that he'd pressed himself against Stolas' side from hip to shoulder. "Fuck, sorry," he mumbled, fighting the urge to press himself into the farthest corner of the fort.

At first, Stolas kept sneaking peeks at Blitz from the corner of his eye, pleased to see the snacks being enjoyed. However, as the movie went on, he found himself more and more invested in the adventures of the darling little horse. He was a feisty thing. Just like his dear Blitzy. It...may have been the wine, but he felt so warm. So comfortable and cozy, cocooned away in a fort of pillows and blankets. 

All too soon, that warmth withdrew, and his attention was pulled away from the movie by a mumbled swear. Stolas cocked his head, observing the gap between them. Ah, so that was why he'd felt warm and comfortable. Now, the absence stung like ice. He had learned with time, though. Being too forceful only served to repel Blitz. Tonight, he would try something new. Something a tad more careful. 

"It's not a problem. In fact, it was...rather cozy. You could...return to your spot, if you were comfortable, as well," he invited. And left it at that. As much as he wanted to wait and watch to see if Blitz came inching back, he returned his attention to the movie. Or at least, he made the effort of doing so.

Blitz stared at Stolas openly now. Stolas had noticed and...wasn't trying to jump his bones? "Cozy," he'd called it. That word wasn't enough, though. Not by a long shot. Because in the last few months, being pressed up close to Stolas had come to mean so much more than that. Far too much more. Blitz had quickly learned the value of not spending the night. Waking wrapped in long, thin arms with his face pressed to downy soft chest feathers...that was more than "cozy."

He should have ignored the offer. He definitely should have denied he even wanted it. What he certainly shouldn't have done was let himself gradually settle back into his former position. He wanted to feel silky feathers against his skin, but they were both fully clothed and for once Stolas did nothing to even suggest changing that.

On some level, they both understood that as nice as the extra contact might be, it had no place in this moment. This wasn't about magic books or "favors for favors" or the full moon. This, right here, was about feeling at home, maybe for the first time in his life. Blitz refused to let himself investigate that line of thinking further, which also made moments like this dangerous. Still, it couldn't hurt to indulge this once. Just until the end of the movie.

Stolas didn't realize that he'd been holding his breath until Blitz leaned against him once more. He dared to let it out as a contented sigh. It took every ounce of self-control not to rest an arm around Blitz's shoulders, or lean his head against those fucking glorious, sexy— ahem. Against his horns. 

He busied himself instead with taking a sip of wine. Fortunately, the movie was getting exciting. The feisty horsey was trying to make an escape. Now, he was at the edge of a cliff, about to make an impossible jump. Stolas gripped the hand in his, eyes glued to the screen. 

"Oh, come on, horsey..." he murmured. Then, the plucky stallion made the jump! "He did it! Look, Blitzy, he made it! Oh, how wonderful!" he cheered, hooting with joy. He was about to clap, when he noticed his talons wrapped around Blitz's hand. 

Oh. Oh, dear. 

When had he done that? Swallowing, he remained still, his feathers hugging against his body.

Blitz was honestly relaxed enough to be headed towards nap-land when Stolas tensed against him. He’d blinked back to attention just as Stolas took his hand, lacing their fingers together and squeezing. All four of his eyes were wide, glued to the TV, and Blitz could only stare at the clear distress written across his face.

No one had reacted that way when Blitz inevitably bullied them into watching this movie with him. Not even Loona. Then Stolas was cheering before he froze up and the flips Blitz's stomach had been doing immediately halted. Stolas looked terrified.

Setting his lips into a firm line, Blitz squeezed Stolas' hand in return. "He made it," Blitz confirmed, plastering a smile onto his face. "Best fucking part of the movie, right there." He wouldn't pull away. It felt too much like something Stolas' bitch of a wife would do, and he might be a dick but he refused to be considered in the same class as that harpy.

Stolas' hand trembled for just a second. He'd expected Blitz to slip from his grasp and retreat away, but the imp did no such thing. Fingers and talons remained entwined. Stolas looked from the screen to Blitz, down to their hands and back. A grin crept across his face. 

"It...it was! He nearly flew! Such a dazzling feat!" he agreed. With such action, he could see why Blitz adored this movie so. 

Only, it was coming to an end, now. The credits were starting to roll, and his heart fell. Their night could end here, if Blitz wished to return home. He didn't dare ask for anything more, after tonight had given him so much. 

He didn't dare, but his heart was greedy and cared not for what he did or did not dare. It wanted more time together. Should he offer more wine? More snacks? A discussion of the movie? Another movie altogether? Anything to get Blitzy not to leave.

Blitz's smile became more genuine as Stolas burst into one of his usual over-excited fits of rambling. It seemed to cut off all at once, though, and then the owl was glancing all around the room again. He was also nearly crushing Blitz's hand, making the imp wince in a way that had absolutely nothing to do with pain.

"How'd you do the star thing?" Blitz asked quickly, leaning out from their blanket canopy to look up at the ceiling again. The night sky blinked impossibly back at him, the light leaning more towards purple than in real life and all the more beautiful for it.

"Another spell from your book?" It reminded him of nights splayed out in a field with Fizz and Barb. "Don't get to see it like this in the city," Blitz added in a low, hushed voice.

Stolas latched onto the distraction, even if it was only fleeting. 

"The Grimoire taught me the basic components, but this particular spell is my own," he murmured, looking up at the glittering sky with pride. "It is a simple projection of the real night sky laid over the ceiling. I thought that...perhaps it would add something." He looked back down at Blitz, uncertain for a moment, because what he wanted to say was silly. And yes, Blitzy often teased and taunted him for such things, but it never stung. Not like it did with Stella. With Blitz, there was something warm in the teasing. He didn't dare say affection, but something similar to it. Feeling brave, he went on. 

"Well, you know, horses...They sleep under the night sky. So I thought that...this would be like being outside. Under the sky. Like...like a horse." Oh, but it did sound ridiculous. Stolas sighed and brought his other hand up to his brow. "Silly, isn't it?"

Blitz could only blink up at the ceiling with fresh eyes at learning Stolas had made up the spell himself. The owl was magic, but even Blitz knew not anyone could just...make shit happen like that. Then Stolas kept talking and Blitz's gaze lowered, staring at him in dumbfounded silence. Stolas' obvious distress dragged him back to himself, though, startling him into action.

"It's not silly!" He said at once, shifting from where he'd made himself comfortable on his stomach to sit up, looking down at Stolas for once. "You wanted to set a scene," Blitz huffed, his tail nearly thrashing behind him, "And you used a spell you fucking made up to do it!" He swallowed down the 'for me' that tried to slip out and plowed ahead. "You...give a shit about making other people comfortable, Stolas. Do you have any idea how rare that is?"

Maybe "other people" was cutting it a bit fine, but it was true! Blitz wasn't the only one Stolas was kind to, and thank Satan for that. He wasn't sure he ever wanted to be anyone's only ray of sunshine. Been there, done that, and Verosika would haunt him until the day they both died as a result—fucking hurray.

Stolas stared with wide eyes, a flush of pink blooming just above his beak. 

"O-oh." 

Blitz's tone was forceful, but those words were so sweet. How he wanted to take Blitz into his arms right there and kiss him. Just that. That and nothing else. 

"I-I don't know what to say. I..." He ran a hand through his head feathers. He was so accustomed to doing the wrong thing, to being criticized. For being an idiot, for being bad in bed, a boring stiff, for ruining his family and his home and no one wanted to let him forget any of it. But here, just the tiniest thing, and he'd been praised so sweetly. Finally, he managed to collect his scattered thoughts. He gave Blitz a grateful smile, his eyes curving into crimson crescents. 

"It is the least I can do after a rough day."

Blitz felt his own cheeks grow warm at the lovely shade of pink that spread across Stolas' face. Fuck, why did he have to be so hot? Worse, Stolas seemed totally oblivious to it. Blitz huffed and reached for Stolas' hand again, flopping into the cushions. "Thanks," he muttered into a pillow. The silence that stretched between them grew steadily more uncomfortable before Blitz shifted just enough to peer at Stolas with his right eye alone. "You...wanna talk about it?"

Stolas raised his brows. "I suppose we can," he answered easily, settling once more into a comfortable position. Not pressed against one another, as they had been during the movie. There was a bit of distance between them now, but it was comfortable. A good distance for talking. 

"Would you like to talk about your day first? Mine was more tedious than anything." Tedious and unbearably lonely, and he didn't wish to lament about the latter.

Blitz almost refused, except he was the asshole who'd brought it up in the first place. It had just...seemed like the right thing to say. Blitz huffed and burrowed further into the pillow he'd currently mashed his face into. When he spoke, his voice was slightly muffled.

"Our client's target...kinda got to me today," he admitted at last. Stolas had asked and anyway he knew if he did what he usually did—bottle it up—it would only come out of him anyway in a (most likely drunken) torrent directed at either Loona or Moxxie. Might as well try a different approach for once, try to avoid his own withheld emotions slowly poisoning him.

With a sigh, Blitz rolled onto his side so he could face Stolas more directly. "I usually don't give a fuck why our clients want someone dead, you know? That's Moxxie's deal. But me? I couldn't give a fuck. Whether they murdered the client or cut them in line, business is business. But today..."

Blitz shut his eyes, because he knew he couldn't stop what was about to come pouring out next and he didn't want to watch Stolas' face while it happened.

"He was just a kid, Stolas. And the shit this kid said..." Blitz wasn't conscious of the way his tail wrapped around his own waist as he shuddered. "The target was his dad," he forced himself to ground out, voice suddenly devoid of all emotion. Because if he let himself actually feel any of this he might just explode. "I put him down myself. I had to. Do it myself, I mean."

Blitz blinked his eyes open to focus on Stolas at last, desperately searching his deep red eyes for a hint of understanding. They were both dads...so he had to understand, right? Right?!

Stolas listened, giving his full attention. His heart ached at the clear pain in Blitz's voice. Something that he so rarely heard. Blitz was always loud and rambunctious and confident. Hearing him like this, seeing how he hugged his tail around himself...

Stolas couldn't help it. He had vowed not to do anything tonight that would lead to other things, but this was a different matter. He gently took Blitz into his arms, hugging him close, chin resting between his horns. 

"It's okay, Blitz. It's okay to feel upset," he whispered. He rubbed his hand across his darling imp's shoulders in soothing circles. "The blanket fort is a safe place for emotions," he stated, as if making it official. Hopefully, here with him, Blitz would indeed feel safe.

Blitz tensed as long, thin arms wrapped around him. Stolas' familiar scent had him melting soon enough, though. "I just don't get it," he nearly whimpered into Stolas' sweatshirt. What he wouldn't give to feel downy feathers against his cheek right now. "What makes someone treat their own kid like dirt?"

The image that flashed through Blitz's mind wasn't that of the human he'd killed today. Instead it was an imp who looked far too much like himself, fixing him with a disapproving glare. He couldn't stop the whine that rose out of him, a tell-tale pressure building behind his eyes. "Fuck, sorry," he mumbled. He hadn't meant to go into any of this. It wasn't even Stolas' problem.

That whine broke Stolas' heart. 

"Shhh," he hushed. "There's no need to apologize. There's no need to hold things in. Not here." 

He knew what it was like, trying to act like everything was fine when part of you was wounded and crying out. He knew too well, and it pained him to see Blitz trying to do just that. As much as he hated to see his darling so upset, it was worse to think of the things that Blitz must hold inside of him, bottled up and hidden away. He would do what he could to help shoulder this pain.

Blitz's breath hitched as he lost his fight against his emotions, a few droplets of water slipping past his lashes. He pressed himself harder against Stolas, all the better for the sweatshirt to soak up the evidence. Because he wasn't crying! He wasn't!

"I think...more than anything...it scared me," he whispered. He could say it here. Beneath blankets and pillows and purple stars, wrapped in Stolas' arms, he could say it. "It made me think...what if Loona feels that way?"

Stolas knew that Blitz was crying, despite the efforts to hide it. He knew, because he was also a father, and he had spent years of his life comforting a stubborn little owlet who thought that she could trick him. He could feel it in the trembling of shoulders, the hitching shudder of breath. Oh, his poor dear Blitzy. 

"Never have I known a father more devoted than you," he murmured. "Teenagers and young adults can be rather...moody and withdrawn, but I am certain that Loona has no desire to have you assassinated." 

Blitz didn't respond, and the fine tremors and quiet gasps of breath continued. 

"You are a good father," Stolas whispered, pressing a soft kiss between Blitz's horns. "And, I think, a better father than I've been, if it is of any comfort." Neither of them had grown up with the best fatherly role models. Neither of them were perfect, and life, unfortunately, could be very messy. But they were trying their best.

Blitz sniffled, the praise only seeming to break him down further. "Shut up. You're a way better dad than me," Blitz huffed, dragging a sleeve across his nose. "Anyone with eyes can see how much your kid means to you." The thought actually brought a watery smile to his face. Most of their trip to Loo Loo Land had been ten kinds of a mess, but something had changed between Stolas and Octavia by the end. They were both...happier.

Blitz sniffled again, stubbornly keeping his head tucked beneath Stolas' chin. "I didn't even meet Loona until she was Octavia's age. Trust me, you're doing great." They had 17 years of shared history, after all. Blitz and Loona had 5 and the only thing they had in common was that they both chose each other when no one else would.

Stolas gave an amused huff. 

"And anyone with eyes can see how much you adore your daughter," he stated. 

He used the tip of his talon to trace delicate, soothing patterns across Blitz's trembling shoulders. One of such may have been a swirly heart. 

"Really, I don't think that a bad father would be so concerned about being a bad father," he mused. "They just...wouldn't care. And you care quite a bit. So by that reasoning, you are not a bad father."

Blitz wanted to sniffle but absolutely refused to. Instead he simply concentrated on breathing and the feeling of Stolas' talon against his shoulder. It was soothing, almost as much as the owl's lilting voice was, and soon enough he wasn't having to pretend to calm down. It was just happening.

Yes. Today had fucking sucked. But now he was here and...fuck their "arrangement." Here was just better.

"You care, too," Blitz said at last, wanting to return the sentiment somehow. He blinked a few times to be sure the tears had stopped before hesitantly leaning back to tip his chin up. "Hey, Stolas?" All four eyes peered down at him almost immediately and he glanced away, suddenly flushed. His claws picked at the owl's sweater, though.

"No funny business. But, just...I wanna feel your feathers." I miss them. He swallowed the last three words and fumbled between them for the zipper on his hoodie, revealing only bare skin beneath. With anyone else he would have been self-conscious, but Stolas had never so much as commented on his scars. He didn't care about the uneven patches of white. It was a form of acceptance Blitz hadn't even realized he had needed until it was suddenly presented to him.

Stolas could sense the storm receding. He was glad. Both that the emotions had been released, and that Blitz had someone there to help him calm down. They sat in such a comfortable silence, that he nearly jolted to attention at the sound of his name. Warmth flushed across his face at the request, and his heart gave a flutter. He swallowed and tried not to stare as Blitz stripped off his hoodie. Pulling his own sweater over his head, he folded it and set it aside. 

"You like them, do you?" he cooed, lightly teasing. 

They had pulled apart just enough to remove their upper garments, but they both moved back into their mutual embrace. Stolas hummed low and content as Blitz's warmth seeped into his feathers. As much as he craved passion and sex, he craved these softer, simpler things just as much. Physical contact, a very special kind of intimacy. Yes, it had started out with sex and "favors for favors", but now...Now, it was about being near Blitz. Sharing things with him. Simply speaking to him. And he dared to hope, as his dear imp cuddled against his chest, that Blitz desired the same.

Blitz huffed at the teasing but he was honestly too emotionally wrung out to kick up a fuss over it. "They're fucking soft," he muttered, all but faceplanting into the lighter plumage on Stolas' chest. There and the top of his head were the softest spots. He sighed and pressed himself close, trying to maximize the feathers-to-skin ratio. He'd never had this before. One night stands, the odd failed relationship—but even in those relationships he'd never really felt like he could touch unless it was for sex. Cuddling...cuddling was new. It was all Stolas. And Blitz loved it even if he refused to admit it.

"They smell nice, too," Blitz added in a half-hearted tease. Really, though, he was only stating a fact.

Stolas let out a quiet, amused hoot. 

"Well, I do take my grooming very seriously," he informed. 

It was good to know that his efforts paid off. A long moment of comfortable silence passed, and he found himself lulled by the steady tide of Blitz's breathing. 

"My day wasn't as bad as yours," Stolas murmured, gently breaking the silence. With Blitz in his arms, in the shelter of their fort, he could share his thoughts. "But I was...very lonely today. I must thank you for dropping by. And for indulging me in this change to the usual routine. I do think that...perhaps we both needed it."

Blitz blinked against the feathers and squirmed a bit to peer up at Stolas again. Now that he looked, really looked, Stolas seemed tired. More than that, weary. Blitz sighed and unwound his tail from himself to slip it around Stolas' back instead.

"You kidding? This is the best night I've had in weeks," he said seriously. The couch was more comfortable than the one that he slept on at home. And their fort was a masterpiece. It would be a shame to leave it…

"She took your kid for the whole weekend, right?" Blitz asked cautiously. He didn't like to mention Stella but Stolas only nodded, looking curious.

"So we have the palace to ourselves?" Another nod and Blitz flashed a toothy grin.

"Perfect. Then we can have a proper sleepover. Best cure for loneliness I know." And it was. Even now Blitz sometimes missed the nights he and Fizz had stayed up all night together. Back before Blitz had inadvertently set his life on a path of destruction that he still hadn't managed to correct. "You in?"

Stolas perked up when Blitz stated that this was a good night. He perked up even more, feathers fluffing ever so slightly at the suggestion of a sleepover. Many of their monthly visits ended up with both of them falling asleep in Stolas' bed, thoroughly fucked and sated. There was an innocence to this, though. A playfulness. And above all, Blitz wanted to spend more time with him. He gave a few excited bounces, hooting with delight. 

"Yes! Oh, I've never had a proper sleepover, before! We have the snacks...We watched a movie already...What else do we do!?" he asked, excited. All that he knew for certain was that he was keeping the ceiling stars up all night long.

Blitz laughed, the sound echoing around their small space. Fuck, it felt good to laugh. Especially simply because he was happy. Truly happy.

"We can watch another movie until we pass out. Yes, even one of your boring plants videos," he added with a smirk. "It's only fair that you pick, since I picked the first one. Whatever you want. So long as I don't have to move," he finished, nuzzling back into Stolas' downy chest.

Stolas gave a pleased hum, cuddling up against Blitz. With a snap of his talons, a purple glow enveloped the DVD player, and the disk for Spirit was safely magicked back to its case. He took a moment to mull over his options, and in the end, decided to spare Blitz the plant documentaries. Even if there were several that were quite intriguing. Instead, he went for something that his guest should like as well. With a wave of his hand, their second movie floated off the shelf. 

"I think you'll like this one," he murmured warmly, guiding Blitz to crawl under a particularly plush blanket with him. The utter coziness of it all made his feathers fluff with pure joy.

Blitz was coaxed to move with a low, displeased grumble. The sound almost instantly morphed into a low rumble in his chest, though, as he was bundled against warm feathers again, beneath a pleasantly heavy blanket.

He almost never purred (completely unaware that he did so in his sleep most post-full moon romps when he inevitably passed out with Stolas). He'd felt far too many emotions in the last twenty-four hours to particularly care, however. One eye cracked open to watch the new movie, a slow grin spreading over his face at the choice.

Little Shop of Horrors wasn't Moxxie's kind of musical, but it sure was his. Stolas was humming along to it all, but seemed almost afraid to raise his voice. Blitz didn't miss that detail—it was his job to notice small details, after all—and decided to put the silly owl at ease by being the first to sing along. He sang the sadistic dentist's song into Stolas' feathers, albeit a bit sleepily.

Stolas almost missed the purring at first, the sound nearly lost under that of the movie. When he did catch it, he broke into a satisfied grin. Such a lovely sound. His heart had been so empty today, but now it was full almost to overflowing. If it was at all possible, he would be purring as well. 

As much as he hated to cover up the beautiful sound, the songs from the movie were catchy, and he did so love to sing. But he didn't wish to annoy Blitz with it, so he chose to hum quietly instead. It was only when Blitz started singing, that Stolas smiled and let his own voice rise. Not so loud as to steal the show, but just enough to match Blitz's volume. Which wasn't very loud, given that his darling seemed ready to fall asleep at any moment. He could only wonder how much longer Blitzy would last.

Blitz smiled when Stolas began to sing as well. Stolas had a good voice—much better than his own—and it made him feel warm all over to hear it. With his head pressed to the owl's chest he could feel the vibrations of it, too. It was almost like a purr, and that instinctively put him at ease.

He knew Stolas only used him as an outlet. He knew their arrangement was just about sex. He knew better than to think it could ever be anything more.

But in moments like these, he could pretend. He could pretend Stolas had reached out to him because he wanted Blitz close and not just because it was the full moon. He could pretend they could spend countless more nights curled together in the safety of a blanket fort after a tough day. He could pretend they were...together.

He wasn't sure if the pretending was healthy, exactly, but it made him feel less like there was a weight on his chest. They sang along to the next few songs in the movie, somehow managing to pick characters without overlapping. They each had a type, apparently. Somewhere in the middle, though, Blitz let his eyes slip closed entirely, mumbling along on autopilot. Stolas was so warm and soft and Blitz found himself nuzzling at the soft plumage completely unconsciously as he slipped further and further towards sleep.

Stolas softened his voice little by little before falling entirely silent. He glanced down at Blitz, sound asleep snuggled up to his chest. Oh, if only these days could be every day. Any time that he could snatch to spend with Blitzy was both far too little, and far more than he could ever ask for. 

It was no longer about sex. It had...ceased to be about that for a while now, hadn't it? After tonight, he could deny it no longer. 

He frowned, watching Blitz's shoulders rise and fall as he breathed. Did his darling imp feel the same? He was so difficult to read. Well. Good thing that Stolas was an avid reader. He would take what time he had with Blitz and just...hope for the best. 

Taking out his phone, he lit the fort with a gentle purple glow emitting from his other hand. He quietly snapped a picture. Blitz cuddled close, peacefully sleeping, and a soft smile on his own face as he gazed down at his imp. Stolas saved the photo before setting his phone aside and closing his eyes to sleep. He would cherish that photo forever.