Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Blitzo hadn’t slept at all the night after the trial.

The sounds of fireworks and cheers that night from the surrounding buildings had been all too loud, the sparkling colours catching his eyes through the window every time his eyes had started to slide closed. 

The celebrations lasted far into the night and into the early morning. The celebrations dedicated to honour him.

It had been weird for him to take in, to be honoured and liked by others, when all his life he had only been hated and treated with distaste. It was a big pill to swallow and kind of scary.

He’d sat on the beanbag, that was now his designated bed now that he had given Stolas his old, and watched them mutely, a strange feeling twisted in his stomach which fought between feeling undeserving of it all and touched. 

Whilst he’d watched, he sorted his thoughts from the events of the day. One’s that he’d pushed off until he’d gotten Stolas home safely, who was now sleeping away on the couch.

He had almost died today.

That wasn’t a strange thing. Most of his life, he had been skirting the thin line between life and death with his less than safe lifestyle. But today was different.

This wasn’t something he could fight off with his fists, or pull out his flintlock and shoot the offender. 

It was something that he would never had survived if it wasn’t for Stolas appearing when he did. 

Despite the calm and accepting face he’d put on for the rest of the world, inside he had been completely terrified for his impending death. Turning towards his family, Millie being the only one who met his eyes with Moxxie and Loonie having turned away, not being able to bare to look which he didn’t blame them, and saying goodbye, had made him feel sick to his stomach.

The axe coming down had made his heart stop before it had even came close.  He squeezed his eyes tightly closed, hoping that it would at least be a quick painless death, or at least as painless as being beheaded could be.

But with seconds going by, and still not being dead, he had opened his eyes to the most awing, breathtaking sight he had ever seen. Stolas was stood in front of him, blocking the axe with his powers. 

Stolas had saved him. He had been willing to put himself to harms way to save him.

And not too long after, he had done it again, by lying to the court, putting himself on the chopping block instead of him, making himself out to be the ‘mastermind’ of it all.

He had felt the most fear he’d ever felt whilst begging Stolas that he couldn’t do it, that he couldn’t give his life up for him. When he’d been dragged away screaming for Stolas like a banshee whilst fighting against the shadows that pulled at his neck, wrenching the two of them further and further apart. Then when he had been banging on the reinforced door, after being thrown out, with frantic panic, because he couldn’t let Stolas do this!

When Stolas had been thrown out, he had felt it dampened, as he was filled with relief. Stolas was okay! Stolas wasn’t dead.

Then he’d learned of Stolas’ true punishment..

Because of his stunt, Stolas was banished. Stolas had ended up giving everything for him. His home, his powers, his title, his daughter! All of that just to save his life! Stolas had almost died, for him!

He, at the time and even now, just couldn’t believe that Stolas would do that! Why would he do that?! He didn’t deserve it!

Those thoughts had kept him awake the rest of the night, even after the fireworks had long since stopped. His gaze occasionally being pulled towards the subject of his thoughts, who slept away obliviously on his, all too small, couch, with his long slim legs hanging off the edge.

And by the time he’d actually been about to drop off to sleep, a knock sounded from the door, making him snap up straight, sleep forgotten, his eyes snapping towards the door,  his heart thudding with growing adrenaline, incase whoever was at the door was a enemy. He’d grabbed his flintlock from his coat and crept towards the door, throwing it open and pointing it straight at the target.

But it was just a mailman. A mailman with about 6 different gift baskets addressed to him.

It had been the strangest thing he had ever seen. Not quite sure what to do with them, he had just piled them on the far side of the room to deal with later. 

And throughout the rest of the morning, they just kept coming.

By midmorning, the small pile was practically a tower, and he hadn’t slept a wink, having given up after the 3rd delivery.

When the door had sounded again for the 10th time, he was beyond frustrated. He had opened the door, expecting more gift baskets, but finding Fizz stood there with tears in his eyes had been a welcome change.

He felt guilty that he hadn’t even thought about his best friend before now, and he felt bad for worrying him, as he’d forgotten that Fizz had likely been watching the broadcast of his almost execution like the rest of Hell, and how his almost death might affect him.

He’d comforted Fizz through his breakdown, letting out a few tears of his own, which was desperately needed, before inviting him inside for coffee. Seeing Fizz so upset hurt his heart.

They spent the morning together, chatting and just being together whilst they drunk their coffee, before Fizz had left after another tearful hug, rejecting his offer to join him, Stolas and Loona for breakfast.

That brought him to now, still waiting for Stolas, and Loona, to wake up. 

He was perched on his beanbag again, just watching silently. Watching as Stolas’ shoulders go up and down as he breathed. Stolas’ eyes closed and beak slightly open, letting out small breathy hoots as snores. That paired with how the owl looked dressed in Loona’s shirt and his shorts, it was an adorable sight. If it was under any other circumstances he would allow himself to feel warmed by it, but knowing the truth of why Stolas slept on his tiny couch in his tiny box-sized apartment that was smaller than Stolas’ bathroom, instead of his extravagant palace, in second hand clothes, made him just feel guilty. Stolas didn’t deserve this.

It was 11;34, almost lunch time, and Stolas still showed no sign of stirring. He was pretty sure that the owl hadn’t moved at all during the night either. Not that there was much room for him to move on the small couch.

A creaking sound reached his ears, making him pull his eyes away from Stolas, to see Loona stood in her doorway, her eyes meeting his. She looked at him with a look she rarely did openly. With sincere love and relief. “Hey Dad.” A small smile on her lips.

He gave his daughter a smile, warmth within him at being called ‘Dad’, as it always did. “Morning Loonie. How’d you sleep?” 

“Like a log-.” He knew instantly that was a lie, due to how she still looked exhausted. She had bags under her eyes, her hair was a mess and her eyes were red. She was probably as exhausted as him, but he chose not to bring it up. “-Yesterday was…” Loona trailed off, her smile getting even smaller as she went on, her eyes turning haunted, a tightness on her face.

He hated how much he’d worried and scared her yesterday. Seeing his big girl with tears in her eyes as she almost watched her Dad die, made his heart squeeze with guilt. It must have been traumatising for her. He knew what it felt like to lose a parent before your eyes without being able to do anything to stop it. He knew exactly what she would have felt. He wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

“A shit show?” He finished for her softly. She nodded mutely. “Yeah. But hey, it all worked out in the end, right Loonie?” He tried to comfort her. “I’m alive. Stolas is alive, We’re all okay.”

Her small smile returned. “I-I know Dad. It’s just going to take a while to get used to that fact.”

He nodded in understanding.

“So, how is he?” Loona changed the subject, her eyes looking behind him to the still sleeping Stolas. “He’s still asleep?”

He turned, his gaze returning back to Stolas. “Hasn’t made a peep since he fell asleep last night.”

“I don’t blame him. He deserves it after everything he did for us-.” Gratitude was prevalent in her soft tone. “For you..”

Stolas deserved much more than that. Stolas deserved the world. Everything! He owed him everything. He would give it all up without question if Stolas asked-

But he doesn’t say any of that and just agreed. “Y-Yeah. Y-Yeah he does.” His voice wavered, before he cleared his throat.

“W-When he wakes up, I thinking of order some brunch in instead of cooking.” He continued. “What are you craving?” He turned back to Loona.

Loona was silent for a moment, thinking. “Pancakes sound good. You know, from that little diner near the Office that we get for breakfast sometimes for early shifts?” She suggested. 

“Good idea Loonie.” He instantly agreed. The food there was good, and he was sure Stolas would like the food there too. “Why don’t you go and have a shower? Hopefully Stolas will be awake by the time you’re done, and then we can think about ordering?” He proposed. 

“Sure Dad.” Then Loona left, back to her room to the bathroom.

As soon as Loona was gone, he went back to his earlier activity, sitting and waiting for his bird to wake.

Chapter Text

It was another 15 minutes, before his eyes spotted two sets of blood red, as Stolas’ eyes fluttered open, looking bleary and unfocused.

He didn’t say anything as he watched them look around as Stolas sat up, taking in his surroundings. He watched Stolas’ form slump instantly, likely remembering the events of the day before, looking dejected.

It broke his heart to see his bird looking so sad. He caused that sadness because he was the reason why all this had happened in the first place. He was the reason why Stolas lost everything. It was all his fault.

“Morning Sleephead.” He said softly and saw Stolas’ eyes meet his. “How did you sleep?"

“Morning Blitzo. I-I..It was fine. Thank you.” Stolas’ voice was barely above a whisper, if his hearing wasn’t so good, he wouldn’t have caught it, with his white pupils darting away from his eyes, not quite meeting them and a small, polite, but forced, smile on his beak,

A smile that he didn’t deserve in the first place. He didn’t deserve any of it.

“T-That’s good.” He nodded, giving a strained smile of his own, but for different reasons. “Me and Loona were talking about ordering in some brunch from this small Cafe not too far from the office. They sell some really nice pancakes and other food I think you’ll like?” 

Stolas didn’t answer straight away, before he gave a slight shake of his head. “I’m not feeling all that hungry Blitzo. But you are welcome to order something if you and Loona wish..” 

“Stolas-.” He wanted to push, to argue. He doesn’t want to see Stolas be like this. So depressed and unlike himself. But it would selfish of him. He didn’t deserve that right. He had already took everything Stolas had, he doesn’t want to take his freedom to choose for himself as well. So he just shut his mouth click and nodded. “Okay..if that’s what you want.” He relented.

He would order a little extra though, just in case Stolas changed his mind. He would have to eat at some point anyway.

He watched Stolas slump backwards onto the couch, pulling his long legs to his chest, laying silently and staring at nothing in particular.

Loona exited her bedroom, a few minutes later, now showered and dressed in fresh clothes, looking much more refreshed and awake. “Hey Stolas. How you feeling?” She says, noticing that Stolas was now awake.

“As well as I can be. Thank you Loona.” Stolas’ smile this time, though no bigger, was less forced than the one aimed towards him was, as he looked towards Loona.

Loona nodded in acknowledgment, her expression softening, not pitying, but sympathetic, before she turned to him. “So, are we going to get some brunch or not?”

He pulled out his phone and clicked on VoxEats, and then on the tab for the Cafe, noting down what everyone wanted, and an extra dish for Stolas, before sending it off. Then, all there was to do was wait.

Whilst they did, he headed to the bathroom to shower and get dressed. He had offered for Stolas to go first, but he had declined, before turning his head away.

When he returned, Loona was sat next to Stolas on the couch, who was now sat up and facing her, and now talking politely talking to her. He stayed silent as he watched his daughter and his bird interact, watching from the bathroom door, not having been noticed yet.

It wasn’t difficult to see that Stolas was acting different with Loona than he had with him. How when they talked he actually met her eyes, his voice was much less whispery, his expression less strained. Previously he had thought Stolas was just feeling upset. But it was him. Stolas was upset with him.

Did Stolas finally see it too? Had his long sleep made something click in his mind that he shouldn’t have done what he had? That his sacrifice was undeserved? That it was a mistake? Made him realise that he shouldn’t be here and should be in his palace with his title, his powers and his daughter? Is that why he couldn’t look him in the eyes?

His empty stomach turned, his appetite being sapped in an instant, as his dark thoughts were confirmed. 

Stolas regretted it all, just as he should. Why wouldn’t he?

Millie’s words at the hotel were wrong. He did destroy and ruin everything, he did make peoples lives worse. The very proof sat on his couch, with nothing left to his name.

He had ruined Stolas’ life. Stolas should have just let him die.

A knock at the door made him jolt out of his thoughts. Food has arrived (or it was more gift baskets, and if it was he swore to Lucifer-)

He answered the door, which thankfully was just the VoxEat’s driver, and brought in their brunch.

“Finally I’m starving!” Loona exclaimed as he rounded the couch and started handing out the styrofoam containers, taking hers from him and instantly tucking in.

He stopped in front of Stolas, holding the remaining one, just a simple pancake stack with blueberries, butter and syrup. “I-I ordered extra..you don’t have to eat it, but it’s there if you want it…” He avoided Stolas’ eyes this time, he didn’t deserve to look. “..I can put in the fridge if you don’t.”

Moments passed and the containers was taken. “…Thank you Blitzo.”

He gave a short nod, still not looking at Stolas as he moved back to the beanbag and opened his container. Pancakes with just butter. Earlier, they had felt enticing, now all they did was make him want to puke. Even so, he still began to eat, for Loona’s sake, even if they tasted bitter on his tastebuds.

Stolas was eating at least, his container opened despite his previous statement of not feeling hungry, and he had managed to eat his fill, though slowly. Good for him, he didn’t deserve to starve.

But he did, he barely ate anything. He didn’t deserve it. Not whilst knowing that he shouldn’t be alive.

Loona looked up from her phone, which she had been scrolling on since finishing her brunch. “I was going to head to Gluttony and meet up with Bee and Tex, if that’s okay? They just wanted to see if I’m okay in person..” She look hesitant as she said it, as if she was worried to leave him. Her asking for his permission just proved it. Like if he said no, that she would drop it completely and stay.

He could understand. He didn’t really want to be too far from her either. 

But he wouldn’t stop her. He smiled encouragingly. “Of course it’s fine Loonie. Just..have a good time and be safe, you here? And call me if you need a pick up and I’ll be right there.”

Unlike her usual roll of the eyes that he usually gets when he’s being protective, he gets a soft smile and fond eyes. “I know Dad.” She stood from the couch and approached him, before dropping to her knees and pulling him into a hug, not unlike the one from last night. “I love you.” She said in just above a whisper, that only he could hear.

He would never be fed up for getting a proper hug from his daughter. He just wished it was under better circumstances. He hugged her back, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and holding her close, close enough to smell her perfume. “Love you too Loonie.”

Loona pulled away, giving him another smile before standing, giving Stolas a small smile goodbye, before leaving.

Leaving him and Stolas alone.

Chapter Text

A heavy silence sat between them. neither seeming eager to speak, the both of them now avoiding each other's eyes. It was awkward and stifling.

Stolas was lead on the couch again, his gaze staring into his lap where his hands were lacing together, separating, then repeating. It’s a distraction from him likely, so he doesn’t have to look at him. It’s becoming more obvious than ever that Stolas didn’t want to be here or around him.

Even though he knows Stolas had every right to feel that way, doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt.

He has to do something about this. He can’t make Stolas stay here with him if it caused him so much distress. Stolas didn’t deserve that, as much as he wanted him to stay.

Could he set Stolas up somewhere else maybe? Somewhere bigger and nicer where his head wouldn’t almost reach the ceiling and he had a proper bed to sleep in? Stolas deserved that. Did they have funds in IMP to fund that? Not after his stunt with the taxidermy owls and horse antiques he was sure, they were barely half way to making back the money he has stupidly thrown away in his slump, and building back up Millie and Moxxie’s pensions that he’d drained.

Maybe Stolas could stay with someone else? Did he have any other friends? People who would let him stay with them? Fizz said Asmodeus and Stolas were friendly, would they take him in until Stolas could get a place of his own?

Maybe he should ask, he wouldn’t know if he didn’t try right?

“S-Stolas?” His voice sounded weak and shaky in his own ears.

Stolas’ head looked up in his direction, though his eyes stared at the wall behind him. “Yes Blitzo?”

He was silent for a moment to figure out how to word this, but decided to just be straight and stop pandering around. “Do you have anywhere else you can stay?”

For the first time that day, Stolas’ eyes met his, his white pupil wide. The look made his chest feel tight, even though he could decipher what the look was for. Because he had read Stolas’ thoughts maybe? Because he’d figured out how Stolas really felt?

“T-There must be somewhere right? Do you have any friends that would let you stay with them?” He continued, even though he wished he could shut up or not have asked at all. He didn’t want Stolas to leave, but he couldn’t force him to stay.

Stolas was staring at him, still silent. They looked silently at one another, before the spell was broken by tears filling up in Stolas’ eyes, he abruptly stood up and turned away from him.

“I-I’m so sorry Blitzo. I-I’ll leave immediately.” Stolas’ words come out in a jumbled mess. “I shouldn’t have assumed.” He rambled as he quickly folded up the horseshoe blanket and left in on the arm of the couch. “Just let gather my things and I’ll be out of you hair.” Stolas quickly stripped from his clothes and grabbed his clean, though still slightly damp regal clothes from the radiator that he had washed last night fresh in the sink, and quickly got changed.

He watched it all happen with growing confusion. It takes him way too long to realise that he had said something wrong. He had made Stolas cry.

Shit. Why did he always mess things up?! He quickly pushed himself up the beanbag to walk over to Stolas and apologise, hand outreached. “Stolas-.”

“It’s o-okay Blitzo. I’ll find a hotel or somewhere else to stay from now on. You don’t have to worry about me. ” Stolas interrupted him as he turned and looked at him with blurry eyes, tears streaming down his cheeks which he quickly wipes away and a shaky smile on his beak. “Thank you for being so kind in letting me stay here, even just for a little while. Goodbye Blitzo.” Before he opened the door and left, his cloak draped over his arm. 

He stared at the open door for a few moments in lost, before his mind caught up.

Had Stolas thought he was kicking him out? Shit! That wasn’t what he'd meant at all!

“Wait Stolas! Stop! What are you doing?!” He sprinted, vaulting himself over the couch and ran out of the front door after Stolas, who was already half way down the first flight of stairs. “Stolas! That wasn’t what I meant! Please don’t leave!” He leapt onto the stairs and taking them two at a time to try catch up with the long-legged owl.

“I-It’s fine Blitzo. I understand perfectly. I have overstayed my welcome, you do not have to try spare my feelings.” Stolas kept jogging quickly down the stairs. 

“That’s not it! Stolas stop! P-Please just let me explain!” He begged, but Stolas wasn’t stopping. If anything he’d sped up.

He had to stop him! He couldn’t let Stolas leave! Not like this! 

Without thinking, he leaped, flying fast through the air until he collided with Stolas’ back with a grunt, which in turn sent them both tumbling down the remaining stairs. He quickly realised how bad of a plan this was as they rolled and did his best to shield Stolas from most of the impact of the stairs, and when they finally reached the bottom, he made sure he landed first, his horns thwacking on the ground and sending a rattling through his skull, Stolas landing on top of him with an ‘oof’, cushioned from the fall. 

He winced, feeling bruises already forming everywhere and his horns aching. Fucking Christ. What a stupid fucking idea. He shook his head, trying to dispel the pain, before focusing on Stolas.

“Stolas, are you okay? Are you hurt?” He looked up at Stolas above him, who had his eyes held tightly shut, with worry, remembering that Stolas didn’t have his powers anymore and could get hurt more easily.

“I-I think so.” Stolas replied breathlessly, to his relief, his eyes slowly opening and then rolled off of him, kneeling next to him. Stolas waited until he'd sat up before looking at him with a frown. “What was that for?”

“S-Sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I just..I needed you to stop.” He apologised genuinely, feeling bad for sending the owl down the stairs. 

Stolas’ frown deepened, before he nodded. “Fine. I’m listening now Blitzo. Say your piece. What do you need to tell me?” He still wasn’t looking him in the eyes, only doing so for a second before looking past him again.

He turned away, a lump in his throat. “I-I wasn’t kicking you out Stolas.” He hurriedly explained. "I-I thought that you might want to leave, that you regretted saving me, because I don’t blame you. If I was in your place, I’d hate me to.”

Out the corner of his eye, he could Stolas tilt his head to the side, an unreadable expression on his face. “Blitzo. Why ever would you think that? When did I ever give you that impression?”

He looked back and gave Stolas a look of disbelief. “Because you’ve been avoiding my eyes every since you woke up? Why else would you being that unless you couldn’t bare to look at me? You don’t have to lie Stolas, I-I can take it. I’m a big boy.” He lied, even though he knew he wouldn’t. He barely had after the Full Moon. He didn’t think he could take it a second time.

“Blitzo..” Stolas began before closing his mouth again, now staring at the floor head bowed, bringing his arms to hug himself. “T-The reason I can’t look you in the eyes isn’t because of you. It’s because every time I look into your eyes I feel guilt. I was the one that caused this Blitzo. My proposition is what put us on the path. The path of you almost d-dying to the axe.” Stolas’ eyes were filling up with tears again. “I-If I-I had been seconds later, you-you would have been d-dead b-because o-of m-me.” A choked sob escaped him.

Oh..oh Stolas. 

“Stolas no.” He surged forward and pulled him close to him in a tight hug. “You don’t have to feel guilty it wasn’t your fault.” He denied fervently. “I’m the one who should feel guilty. I ruined your life. I’m the one that stole the book in the first place. And you not seeing your daughter for 100 years? Losing your powers?! You being stuck sleeping on a couch that you barely fit onto in a tiny apartment instead of your palace? That’s all my fault! You should hate me!” His grip on Stolas tightened as frustration at himself and his self-loathing peaked at hearing Stolas’ cries. “You should have just let me die Stolas and you’d have been better off.” He whispered shakily. “None of this is fair for you. I don’t deserve it. Any of it.”

He heard Stolas inhale sharply, interrupting his crying, and pulled away instantly, afraid he’d done something wrong or hurt him but the expression on Stolas’ face made him pause half way.

It was an expression that made his heart squeeze, mixed with the tears staining Stolas’ cheeks.

“D-Don’t you dare say that ever!” The owl snapped with rare anger in his voice. No it wasn’t anger, it was…fear. “Don’t you dare say that I’d be better off Blitzo Buckzo because I wouldn’t! I-I n-never w-would!”

He stared at Stolas in shock, caught off guard by his words. 

Stolas took a shaky breath, turning away and wiping away at his cheeks, before resting his hands in his lap and focusing back on him. “I know all of this isn’t fair Blitzo, not where Stella and Andrealphus are concerned-.” He continued, his voice less angry, but firm. His eyes determined as he looked him in the eyes for the first time that day. “- but you did not ruin my life. I know what I’ve lost and it does hurt, I do miss Via terribly, but I would rather this, than any chance of ever losing you.” 

Stolas’ face began to soften, as did his voice as he continued, raising a hand and softly rested it on his right cheek. It was warm and soft. He found himself leaning into it. “I care for you very deeply Blitzo, even after everything we have been through. You are my light Blitzo, and my world would have been much darker without you in it. You deserve everything and I will never regret saving you..”

He stared at the owl a deep blush on his cheeks that had spread and darkened during Stolas’ confession, his heart was fluttering like he had hoard of butterflies trapped inside. “So you don’t hate me?” He clarified with slight uncertainty even still. Just in case there was something he misunderstood. “Just to be sure?”

Stolas gave a breathy, shaky laugh, shaking his head. “No. Never.”

He sighed with relief, feeling lighter than he had all day, now that he knew Stolas didn’t hate him, and that Stolas was finally, once again, looking him in the eyes, allowing him to see them in their full gorgeous glory. It was all just a misunderstanding. “Good.”

“And you don’t want me to leave either?” Stolas returned. “Just to be sure?” He echoed him, with less uncertainty.

He shook his head. “No, you can stay with me as long as you want to. Unless you want to leave?”

Stolas smiled sweetly. “No. I’d love to stay with you, for as long as you’ll have me.”

“Always.” He smiled back as he pulled himself to his feet and offered his hand to Stolas. “Now come on, let’s head back to the apartment and put a movie on or something. Unless you’d rather stay in the grimy foyer, of course?”

Stolas looked around, finally noticing how dirty it was, his body shuddering, with a growing grimace on his beak and disgust in his eyes. “Not a chance. I fear we’ll catch something with all this grime. Does anyone ever clean here?! No, the apartment it is.”

He chuckled amusement as pulled Stolas to his feet and they headed back up the flights of stairs, hand in hand, that they had fallen down, and back into the apartment.

They flopped onto the couch together, the distance between them closed now that their misunderstanding was cleared up. Their sides pressed against each other, sharing each others warm to the other, their hands still intertwined, resting between them, as they turned the TV on and started searching for a movie to watch.

Eventually, they decided on watching Stolas’ favourite Hell a Novella, that was currently playing reruns, and sat to watch and spent the rest of the afternoon into the evening doing so until they fell asleep.

———

Hours later, at 9pm, the lock of the door jiggled as Loona entered, the meet up with Tex and Bee had become a party to celebrate her and her family not dying. It had been fun and a good laugh and a good way to get her mind of the events of the day before.

Though she couldn’t help but be a little worried the whole while since Blitzo hadn’t answered any her texts about her staying for a party. She had reassured herself that him and Stolas were probably fine, but even so, she still left the party early just to be sure.

As soon as she entered, she noticed the TV on standby and silence except snoring, she walked to the couch and spotted the most sickeningly adorable sight.

They were both asleep Stolas’ head resting on Blitzo's shoulder as he let out little hooty snores, Blitzo’s tail was wrapped around Stolas’ thigh and arm wrapped around his side with his arm resting on Stolas’ waist, pulling the owl’s body in close to him, his cheek resting against Stolas’ letting out loud snores. Both of them had stupid little smiles on their faces as they slept.

A smile spread across her muzzle and she quickly and discreetly took a few pics. She was glad they finally worked it out.

She had seen the divide between Blitzo and Stolas ever since the owl had woken up that morning, she’d seen the way Stolas avoided Blitzo’s eyes and the way Blitzo acted each time, becoming more and more hesitant and wary as time went on. 

The both of them were stuck in their own heads and desperately needed to clear the air.

The text from Tex had been the perfect opportunity to give them some space to talk it out, even if she was hesitant to leave her Dad so soon after almost losing him, but she did.

She was glad she had.

She grabbed the horseshoe blanket that was folded on the arm of the couch and silently spread it out and let it over the two of them. They would both have cricked necks from sleeping in the position they were the next morning, but at least they would be warm.

She headed to her room, sparing one last look back, her eyes zeroing on Blitzo’s content sleeping face, happy to finally see him truly happy. If one good thing came out of this mess it was that.

Then she quietly shut the door and headed to bed.