Chapter Text
Stolas stared down at the closed blue box resting in his hands. This one small, handheld object held so much power over him. This one small object could make or break where he goes from here.
He opened the box, orange crystal shining up at him. With a sigh, he attempted to keep himself as composed as possible. He knew that continuing his relationship with Blitzø the way they were, however wonderful it may have been, needed to stop. It was unfair to force Blitzø to be tied to him in order to continue to accomplish his livelihood. He chided himself for not realizing the unhealthy dynamic, originally too blinded by the newfound and exciting attention from his first ever friend, and wanting to do anything to hold onto it.
Even if that ‘anything’ was broken from the start.
It had taken that night at Ozzie’s to seal the deal; that something needed to change. What he was doing was wrong. What he was doing to Blitzø was wrong. And it needed to stop, however painful that might be.
Stolas had gone through much deliberation about if the Asmodeon crystal was the best course of action, then had to actually work up the courage to ask the sin for the crystal itself. He knew it would be a big ask so he tried his best to explain himself, and had deflated when he learned he was being refused because Asmodeus’s partner detested Blitzø (for reasons unknown). He was brainstorming other solutions when the notice about the crystal finally came. The news of the accomplished task brought both relief and heartbreak.
The first hurdle had been completed. Now came the part where he had to take an even bigger leap. He just hoped what was waiting for him on the other side was a shallow lake where he could remain afloat as he navigated the new tides, and not a deep ocean where he knew he would get lost and drown away in.
Stolas snapped himself out of his anxieties with the clap of the closing box, composing himself. The plan was to have Blitzø sit down on the couch beside him, let him know that he needn’t be binded by the deal any longer, then give the crystal to Blitzø to give him a way to set him free. He just hoped that his love would come back to him.
Reading Blitzø was a very difficult task, one that Stolas had tried his best to learn every time they met, but knew he still had some shortcomings. He knew that when his tail flicked back and forth playfully he was in a better, more banter-y mood. When it thrashed, he was more annoyed. He knew so many of his expressions, most of them demanding and smug, and he loved all of them. The best read he ever got from Blitzø was one where Stolas had awoken in the night, aware of an unfamiliar presence. Looking down, he realized that Blitzø still lay there beside him, face nuzzled against his chest. His tail was wrapped around Stolas’s waist and he realized the unfamiliar feeling had been a sort of…vibrating from Blitzø. Stolas blushed when he realized that his little imp seemed to be purring. He never spoke of it to Blitzø himself, as the moment felt too sacred and Stolas was afraid Blitzø would refuse or be embarrassed or that he had accidentally dreamed it.
It was small, tender moments like this – when Blitzø thought no one was looking, or his expression fell for a second, or if he was particularly kind to Stolas during aftercare of their full moon meetings – that gave Stolas a flicker of hope that Blitzø could have maybe held some sort of feelings for him too.
That they could be more than….this. More than just a prince and a plaything he kept under a chain.
Stolas regretted every time he playfully insinuated that Blitzø was lower than him. Though it was technically true, the prince paid it no mind, as he never really cared for the social rules of the upper class. However, Stolas realized sadly that Blitzø probably did pay it mind.
He knew he had to make amends. This crystal was the first step to that; to break the chains that bound them. From there, he would keep working to keep their relationship afloat, in whatever way Blitzø was comfortable. Or if Blitzø even wanted it at all.
He shook himself from his thoughts as he heard clattering on his balcony. Looking up, Stolas saw the imp in question beginning to make his way into the room, the offending grimoire in hand. Stolas quickly put the box behind him and tried to put on what he hoped was a comforting smile.