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Chapter Text

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Note:

I started writing this story right after the full moon episode came out, So it's a while back. There might me some inconsistencies in the original lore of the story.

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The wind screamed like a living beast, tearing at Blitz with icy claws as he stumbled forward through the blinding blizzard. Snow whipped into his face, stinging like shards of glass, and the ground beneath his feet seemed to vanish with each step. His breath came in sharp, shallow gasps, every inhalation an icy dagger stabbing down his throat.

"We have to get out of this storm!" Loona's voice rang in his ears—a memory now, faint and fragile against the roaring chaos around him. Her howl had been carried off by the storm moments ago, swallowed whole by the relentless fury of the snow.

Blitz clung to the sound, even as it grew distant, desperate to focus on anything but the encroaching silence. He remembered the way Millie's laughter had echoed before they'd been separated, how Moxxie had grumbled about the cold in that uptight tone of his. They'd been right there, just a few feet ahead, and now... gone.

The wind howled, mocking him, and the snowstorm twisted the world into an endless expanse of white. Blitz pressed forward, every step a battle against the freezing weight of the elements. His communicator was dead, its screen black and useless, and his calls for his team were ripped apart by the storm before they could reach anyone's ears.

Fear was a tight fist in his chest, squeezing harder with each passing second. His tail lashed behind him, betraying his growing panic as he stumbled blindly in what he hoped was the right direction. "Come on, Blitz," He muttered through chattering teeth, his voice barely audible even to himself. "This ain't the worst you've been through. You'll find them. You always do."

But even as he tried to reassure himself, the biting cold gnawed at his confidence. His limbs felt weak, his fingers numb, and the sharp sting of the wind was now a dull ache—a warning that his body was losing its battle against the freezing air.

The mission had been simple enough. A quick in-and-out assassination job, nothing out of the ordinary. But something had gone wrong—terribly wrong. The portal that was supposed to bring them back to Hell had refused to open, its usual fiery glow replaced by nothing but cold, unyielding air. They'd argued about what to do next, the team scattering in the chaos of the storm, and now here he was: alone, freezing, and losing hope.

Blitz stumbled over a hidden root, the sudden jolt sending him face-first into the snow. He lay there for a moment, stunned, as the frigid cold seeped into his skin. A part of him wanted to stay down, to let the storm take him, but the thought of his team—his family—spurred him to his feet. He couldn't give up. Not yet.

Then, through the blinding white, he saw it: a flicker of light, faint and hazy, like a candle in the dark. Blitz blinked, thinking he might be hallucinating, but the light didn't fade. Instead, it grew brighter, forming a swirling portal that seemed to defy the storm around it.

"Stolas?" Blitz rasped, his voice raw from the cold.

Sure enough, the familiar figure of the prince emerged on the other side of the portal, his wide eyes scanning the snow. When Stolas's gaze locked onto Blitz, relief flooded his expression, though it was tinged with worry.

"Blitz!" Stolas's deep voice cut through the storm like a lifeline, warm and steady despite the chaos. Blitz let out a shaky laugh, staggering toward him. "Fuck, am I glad to see you."

Stolas stepped through the portal, his long cloak billowing around him like dark wings. Blitz's relief turned to alarm as he reached out, his voice rising in panic. "No no, wait! Don't step into the—"

The portal snapped shut behind Stolas, its glow vanishing into the storm. Blitz froze, staring at the empty space where their escape had been. "Portal..." He muttered, his heart sinking.

Stolas approached, his eyes filled with concern as he took in Blitz's frostbitten appearance. "My stars, Blitz... What happened? Where's the rest of your team?" Blitz shrugged, his teeth chattering so hard he could barely speak. "Lost 'em in this damned storm. Figured they'd think I made it back to the van. Guess I wasn't so lucky."

Stolas's brow furrowed, his usual regal composure faltering. He reached out, his gloved hand brushing against Blitz's arm. "We'll find them," He said firmly. "But first, we need to get you somewhere safe."

Blitz snorted, the sound brittle and humorless. "Yeah, about that..." Blitz began "We can't...portal travel here, i don't know why but it's just not working. So.... you just got yourself stuck here with me.. "

"What?" Stolas's eyes widened, and he turned back to where the portal had been, waving his hands in a series of intricate gestures. Nothing happened. No spark of magic, no swirling light—just the relentless snow.

 "Oh...."

 "Oh no... No, Shit..Oh Fuck!!" Panic crept into Stolas's voice. "This... this shouldn't be possible. How could anyone block demonic magic like this?" Blitz crossed his arms, trying to mask his growing fear with his usual bravado. "Great question, your highness. Got any other tricks up your sleeve, or are we officially screwed?"

Stolas didn't answer right away. His gaze darted around the desolate landscape, searching for any sign of shelter. Blitz clenched his fists, ignoring the stab of pain as his half-frozen fingers protested. "So, what, we're just... stuck here?" Stolas looked back at him, his gaze steady but filled with an undercurrent of helplessness. 

"It would appear so. But the first thing we need right now is to find some shelter, get out of this storm" He said quickly, his tone as reassuring as he could manage. "There must be something nearby. We'll figure this out, Blitz." 

 "Yeah, well, 'nearby' better mean real close," Blitz grumbled, his teeth clacking together as he forced himself to start moving again. Every step was agony, his body half-frozen and shaking, but stopping wasn't an option.

The two of them set off together, the wind battering against them as they trudged through the snow. Blitz's feet sank deep with every step, the cold seeping into his bones, while Stolas's feathers were coated in frost, his elegant plumage weighed down by ice.

After what felt like hours, Blitz spotted a shadowy outline through the swirling snow. "There!" He said, his voice hoarse. "Looks like a cabin."

They staggered toward it, each step a battle against their weakening bodies. The cabin was small, its walls weathered and thin, but it was shelter. Blitz forced the door open with his shoulder, stumbling inside and collapsing against the nearest wall.

Stolas followed, closing the door against the howling wind. He looked around the tiny space, his expression grim. "There's nothing here," He murmured. "No blankets, no firewood... nothing."

"Fantastic," Blitz said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He curled in on himself, his tail wrapping tightly around his body as he shivered. "Guess we'll just sit here and die."

"Don't say that." Stolas knelt beside him, his voice low but firm. "We'll get through this. We just need to stay warm until the storm passes." Blitz laughed bitterly, the sound rasping in his throat. "Warm? In this fucking icebox? Good luck with that."

Stolas didn't respond. Instead, he shifted closer, draping his cloak around both of them and wrapping an arm around Blitz's trembling frame. Blitz stiffened at first, unused to the gesture, but the faint warmth of Stolas's body was impossible to resist.

"Relax," Stolas murmured, his voice softer now. "This isn't about propriety, Blitz. It's survival." Blitz hesitated, then let out a shaky sigh, leaning into the warmth. "Fine. But don't get any ideas, birdbrain." A faint chuckle escaped Stolas, though it lacked his usual confidence. "Perish the thought."

The two of them huddled together, their breaths mingling in the frigid air. The storm raged outside, its fury unrelenting, but for the first time since it began, Blitz felt a small spark of hope.

As the night dragged on, sleep overtook them in fits and starts, their bodies pressed together in a desperate attempt to stave off the cold. It wasn't much, but it was enough to remind them that they weren't alone. And for now, that was all they had.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges—new dangers—but they would face them together.

Next Chapter preview:
Chapter 2: Panic

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Chapter Text

The wind shrieked, relentless and savage, shaking the brittle walls of the cabin like a predator trying to claw its way inside. Blitz sat with his back against the splintered boards, his arms crossed tightly over his chest as he watched the storm from a window. His breath misted in front of him, a harsh reminder of just how fragile their sanctuary was.

Every inch of his body ached. His fingers throbbed, alternating between stabbing pain and terrifying numbness, and his tail curled tightly around him in a desperate bid for warmth. Across from him, Stolas sat on the floor, his long legs folded awkwardly beneath him as he hunched into his cloak. The prince's feathers were matted with frost, his usual regal composure crumbling under the weight of the freezing air.

Blitz tore his gaze away, staring at the cabin walls instead. The storm outside screamed like a living thing, and the relentless sound made his thoughts feel jagged and fractured. He was used to chaos, but this was different—this was silence wrapped in fury, a creeping dread that settled into his chest and refused to let go.

Stolas finally broke the oppressive quiet. "The storm hasn't weakened," He said, his voice strained but calm. "It's growing stronger." Blitz scoffed, the sound harsher than he intended. "Yeah, no shit, feathers. Thanks for the update."

The reality of their situation crashed down over them both, heavy and unforgiving. No backup, no supplies, and no way home. Blitz finally broke the silence, his voice rough and unsteady. "So... there's really no way for you to magic us outta here, is there?"

Stolas shook his head, his face contorted with frustration and something dangerously close to shame. "I... I've tried, Blitz. I really have. It's as if there's something in the atmosphere blocking me, or perhaps my magic's drained from creating that first portal. Either way, I'm... I'm truly sorry."

"Yeah, well, 'sorry' doesn't exactly fix things, does it?" Blitz snapped, instantly regretting the tone in his words but he was unable to hold it back. His pride was already bruised—being left behind by his team, nearly frozen, and now, his last-ditch rescue effort gone up in smoke. And on top of it, Stolas—Stolas—was his only company. The only witness to how close he is to his defeat.

Blitz clutched his arms around himself, huffing out a frustrated breath. "Just... why did you even come? You're a prince or whatever—shouldn't you be up in your fancy palace instead of rescuing me in the middle of a damn snowstorm?"

Stolas flinched slightly, and Blitz felt a pang of guilt, but Stolas quickly masked the hurt with a gentle, almost hesitant smile. "I came because i care, Blitz," He replied softly. "You were in danger, and... i couldn't just....ignore that."

Blitz looked away, his heart pounding in a way that had nothing to do with the cold. He wanted to scoff, to wave off Stolas's words as unnecessary sentiment. But the warmth in Stolas's gaze lingered, making his retorts die on his tongue.

"Yeah, well, caring for me is only gonna get us so far," He muttered, rubbing his frozen hands together. "Unless you've got some kind of secret survival training, we're in deep shit here, feathers." Stolas let out a soft laugh, the sound like a weak light in the darkness. "I may not be trained in survival, but i do know how to stay calm in dangerous situations. We need to think rationally, Blitz. If we lose hope now, we lose everything."

Blitz rolled his eyes, but his chest tightened at Stolas's calm tone. In a strange way, it was oddly comforting. "Easy for you to say. You've got that fancy royal attitude keeping you warm." Stolas's eyes sparkled with a glint of amusement. "Hardly, but I'd like to think i can keep a clear head. And right now, what we need is to find better shelter. This... cabin isn't fit for much longer, not with the storm pressing in like this."

As much as Blitz hated to admit it, Stolas was right. The thin walls barely held against the wind, and if the storm didn't let up, they'd be buried in snow or, worse, crushed under its weight. Blitz gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand, his legs wobbling as the cold made his knees ache, and he fell back on the ground.

Stolas extended a hand toward him, and Blitz's pride flared up. "I don't need your help, alright?" He muttered, shoving himself up on his own. Stolas lowered his hand, watching with a look that Blitz couldn't quite read. "As you wish," He said simply, stepping back to give him space.

Blitz pushed past him, gripping his sides to keep warm, and shoved the cabin door open. The wind hit them like a slap, biting into every inch of exposed skin. Stolas ducked his head against it, his feathers fluttering in the gust as he followed Blitz out into the frozen wasteland.

They staggered through the snow in silence, the weight of their situation pressing down on both of them. Blitz's every step was a reminder of the bruises and scrapes he'd earned earlier in the day—reminders of the mission that had gone wrong, his team that had left him behind, and now this storm that seemed determined to drag him down with it. Finally, Stolas broke the silence. "I know you're angry about this situation, Blitz. But this isn't your fault." Stolas said after a while, his voice strained. "You don't have to bear this all on your own."

Blitz stopped, turning to glare at him. "What the hell's that supposed to mean?"

Stolas met his gaze, his expression calm but tinged with sadness. "You've been blaming yourself for everything—for getting separated from your team, for the portal failing, for us being out here at all. But this isn't your fault."

Blitz's fists clenched, his tail lashing behind him. "You don't know what you're talking about, Stolas. My team left me behind because i screwed up. If I'd been faster—if I'd paid more attention—we wouldn't be in this mess. You don't know what it's like to get left behind, Stolas. You've got people waiting for you back at your palace, a cozy bed, all the fancy shit you could want and you have a family. And what do I have?  Just a couple of stubborn employees who probably didn't even realize I was gone until the mission was over. And my family will not even care if i die or not."

Stolas's expression softened, his eyes searching Blitz's face with something that looked painfully like sympathy. "You have more than that, Blitz. You...You have a daughter and some great friends, you...You have me." Stolas's gaze softened, but he didn't look away. "Your team cares about you, Blitz. I know they do. They wouldn't leave you behind unless they thought you were safe."

Blitz blinked, caught off guard. He wanted to laugh, to tell Stolas that he didn't need anyone, least of all a royal pain like him. But there was a vulnerability in Stolas's gaze, something that made Blitz hesitate.

The wind howled around them, a harsh reminder that they didn't have the luxury of standing still. Blitz swallowed his pride and started moving again, his voice coming out softer than he intended. "Come on, feathers. Let's find someplace that won't get us both frozen solid."

They pressed on, the landscape an endless stretch of white broken only by the occasional cluster of trees or rocky outcropping. Blitz's head pounded from the cold, his breath coming in labored gasps as his body fought to stay warm. Stolas kept pace beside him, his feathers coated in frost, his breaths shallow but steady.

After what felt like an eternity, they stumbled upon an abandoned hunting lodge nestled between a pair of snow-covered hills. Blitz nearly sagged with relief at the sight, even if it looked only marginally better than the cabin they'd left behind.

They pushed inside, shutting the door against the storm. The lodge was dark and sparse, with a small fireplace in one corner and a few rickety chairs scattered about. Blitz's gaze landed on the fireplace, and he let out a sigh of relief.

"There's no wood, but... maybe there's something we can burn?" He said, glancing around.

Stolas nodded, moving to search the room. They gathered what little they could—scraps of old paper, broken furniture that looked ready to splinter at a touch. Blitz stacked it all in the fireplace, hoping it would at least give them a few minutes of warmth.

Once the fire was lit, a small flicker of warmth crept into the room, barely enough to chase away the chill. Blitz held his hands close to the flame, relishing the fleeting warmth even as the fire dwindled. Stolas settled beside him, his gaze lingering on Blitz's face. "You're still angry, aren't you?" He asked softly.

Blitz clenched his jaw, staring into the fire. "Wouldn't you be?" He muttered. "I was out there, freezing my ass off, wondering if anyone even cared that i didn't make it back. And then you showed up... acting like you could just...fix everything."

Stolas didn't flinch, didn't look away. "I know I can't fix everything, Blitz. I just... wanted to make sure you were safe." There was something raw in Stolas's voice, a hint of desperation that made Blitz's chest tighten. He didn't want to admit how much those words meant, how badly he'd wanted someone—anyone—to care that he was out here, fighting to stay alive.

He looked away, his throat tight. "Yeah, well... don't get any ideas. Just because you're here, doesn't mean we're making out or something"  Stolas chuckled softly, his voice warm even as the fire died down. "Of course not, Blitz. But... that doesn't mean i can't be here for you. Even if it's just this once." Blitz huffed, rolling his eyes, but he couldn't hide the faint smile tugging at his lips. "You're a weird one sometimes, Stolas," He muttered, his voice barely a whisper. 

Time dragged on, the cold seeping deeper into their bones. Blitz closed his eyes, trying to rest, but every sound—every whistle of the wind, every creak of the cabin—kept him on edge. When he glanced over at Stolas, he noticed the prince's head drooping, his eyes half-closed as he fought to stay awake.

"Hey...," Blitz's voice was rough as he nudged him with his elbow. "Still with me, Stolas? Hey! you okay, feathers?!" Stolas blinked, looking up at him with a weak smile. "Sorry," He murmured, his voice a faint whisper. "I just dozed off a bit." Blitz huffed, his heart pounding with a sudden jolt of fear he didn't want to acknowledge. "Shit, you almost gave me a heart attack. You oversized pigeon"

Stolas chuckled weakly, the sound barely more than a breath. "I'll try not to do it again." But as they sat there, with the hours stretching on and the cold closing in, it became harder and harder to keep their eyes open. 

They fell into silence, the fire fading to embers as they sat together in the dim light. "You know, I don't believe your friends are not worried sick about you right now Blitz"  Stolas said, trying to make Blitz feel better. Blitz smiled back, feelling a bit better. The storm continued to rage outside, and their predicament hadn't changed. But in that quiet, shared moment, the weight of their isolation seemed a little lighter, if only for a brief, fleeting instant.

Next Chapter preview:
Chapter 3: Shelter

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Chapter Text

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The wind roared, battering the frail walls of the hunting lodge like an angry beast. Every gust sent shudders through the thin wooden planks, their groans echoing in the tense silence inside. Blitz sat cross-legged in front of the dying fire, his hands outstretched as if sheer willpower could coax more warmth from the embers. The faint orange glow reflected in his tired eyes, the shadows playing tricks on his gaunt face.

Behind him, Stolas shifted, his tall frame folded awkwardly against the wall. His feathers were fluffed out, a natural response to the cold, but even they couldn't keep the chill from seeping in. His long legs stretched out stiffly, and he winced as he shifted his weight to lean closer to the fire.

"We've bought ourselves a little time," Blitz muttered, mostly to himself. His voice was rough, barely carrying above the creaking of the walls. "Loona and the others'll find us eventually. They gotta be looking." He cast a sidelong glance at Stolas, who gave him a faint, encouraging smile, though his eyes betrayed his exhaustion.

"Yes," Stolas said, his voice soft. "I'm sure your team is doing everything they can to find you." The reality of their situation was grimmer than he wanted to admit. With his team nowhere to be found, and the blizzard worsening by the hour, the chances of his team finding them in this old cabin were slim. Blitz huffed, his tail twitching behind him. "Damn right they are. Loona's got that nose of hers, and M&M, well... they'll probably sniff out my charming personality or something." Stolas chuckled weakly at that, though the sound was fleeting. "Indeed. They'll find us, Blitz."

"Damn right," Blitz said, forcing a grin. "Just don't go freezing to death before then, alright? That'd really mess up our whole situation here."

Blitz's smile faded as he turned his gaze back to the fire. The silence stretched between them, weighed down by the unspoken fear that gnawed at both of them. Blitz could feel the cold seeping deeper into his bones, the thin walls doing little to protect them from the heavy wind outside. His hands trembled despite his best efforts to steady them, and he caught himself shivering, despite his tough exterior.

In a moment of stillness, Stolas heard Blitz's breathing slow down, a sound that set his heart pounding with sudden alarm. He reached out, nudging Blitz's shoulder. He could see the strain in Blitz's posture, the way his movements were growing slower, more deliberate. The cold was winning, creeping further into their bodies with every passing minute.

When Blitz's head drooped slightly, Stolas straightened, alarm flashing across his face. He reached out, placing a hand on Blitz's shoulder. "Blitz," He said sharply. "Stay awake. Don't let the cold take you."

Stolas felt a mix of frustration and relief bubble up inside him. "Shit, Blitz we have to stay awake, most people die from the cold once they fall asleep." He muttered, more harshly than he'd intended, but the worry showed through in his voice. Blitz's smile grew a little wider, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. Blitz shrugged him off, forcing himself to his feet with a grunt. "Alright, alright, i get it. Geez, you're worse than Loona nagging me about my health." He began pacing the small room, his boots crunching softly against the frost-covered floorboards.

For a few moments, they sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Blitz fought the urge to fall asleep by getting up and pacing the small room. The reality was sinking in, and with it came the fear that they wouldn't make it through the night. His mind drifted to Loona, to Moxxie and Millie, and even to his dirty apartment back in the city. If they didn't make it out of here, if he—

Blitz shoved the thought away, clenching his jaw. 'Stop it', he told himself. "They'll come," Blitz muttered to himself, the words barely audible. "They have to." Stolas watched him pace, his eyes heavy with concern. "You're not alone in this, you know," He said softly. The cold seemed to grow sharper, slicing through the layers of clothing Blitz had on, leaving his skin stinging with every shiver. He saw Stolas watching him out of the corner of his eye, his gaze soft with concern. Blitz found himself sneezing, his body shivering violently as his clothes provided little protection against the freezing air.

Stolas glanced over, his gaze softening. "Will you be alright Blitz?" Stolas asked gently, breaking the silence. "You must be colder than i am... you don't have any feathers after all." Blitz let out a humorless laugh, rubbing his arms. "Yeah, guess that's one advantage you've got over me," He muttered. "Not that it seems to be doing you much better."

Stolas sighed, the sound barely audible over the howl of the wind outside. "I wish there was more i could do," He said, almost to himself. "My magic has always been reliable, but now... now it feels as though i'm just as helpless as any other demon."

Blitz frowned, glancing over at him. "What do you mean?"

Stolas looked down, his fingers tracing patterns on the floorboards as he spoke. "I suppose i've always taken my powers for granted. Being a prince, I've never had to worry about survival in a... physical sense. But here... here i have no advantage." His voice was soft, almost ashamed, and Blitz could feel the vulnerability in his words.

"Well, welcome to the real world," Blitz muttered, his tone more sympathetic than he'd intended. "We don't all get magic powers and fancy titles to get us through the day." He paused, glancing at Stolas with a begrudging sense of understanding. "Guess it's not easy, huh? Being stuck down here, like the rest of us."

Stolas gave a slight nod, his gaze distant. "I came here because i thought... I thought i could help you, Blitz. But now, I feel as though i've only made things worse." Blitz rolled his eyes, even as a strange warmth flickered in his chest. "Look, you didn't exactly drag me out here, alright? I screwed up back there, and now we're both stuck in this mess. It's not all on you."

They sat in silence for a while, the fire sputtering low. The cabin creaked ominously, and Blitz felt the cold creeping closer, biting at his skin. Stolas seemed to notice as well, shifting uncomfortably before glancing at him."We'll... we'll need to stay close, Blitz," Stolas said hesitantly, as if unsure how his words would be received. "To conserve warmth."

Blitz hesitated, his instinct to snap back held in check by the practical reality of what Stolas was suggesting. He let out a sigh, inching closer to Stolas until their sides pressed together, the faint warmth of Stolas's feathers against him a small comfort in the cold.

"Don't go getting any ideas, feathers," Blitz muttered, trying to ignore the awkwardness of the situation. Stolas chuckled softly, though it was a weak, tired sound. "I won't."

"You know," Blitz muttered after a while, his voice low and rough, "I don't usually do this whole... 'touching for survival' thing. Not exactly my style." Stolas chuckled again, the sound even softer this time. "And yet, here we are." Blitz huffed, but a faint smirk tugged at his lips. "Yeah, well, don't get used to it."

They sat like that, huddled together as the fire dwindled to nothing but glowing embers. Blitz could feel his muscles aching from the cold, his body growing heavier with each passing minute. He tried to keep his eyes open, but exhaustion was pulling him down, his head drooping as sleep tried to claim him.

It was Stolas who kept him awake, nudging him every few minutes, his voice gentle but firm. "Blitz, stay with me. Don't fall asleep." Blitz forced his eyes open, blinking at Stolas. "You don't think i know that?" He muttered, but his voice was weak, his breaths shallow. He felt himself slipping again, his vision blurring as he struggled to keep his focus.

Stolas's voice grew more insistent, his hand on Blitz's shoulder, shaking him gently. "Blitz, stay awake. We can't let the cold take us out." Blitz gritted his teeth, clinging to the sound of Stolas's voice. His pride kept him fighting, kept him awake, even as the cold tried to drag him down.

As the night wore on, they leaned on each other, their breaths mingling in the freezing air. Blitz could feel the faint beat of Stolas's heart through his chest, a reminder that they were both still alive, still fighting to survive. He found himself grateful for Stolas's presence, for the warmth of his body pressed against his own.

In a moment of weary honesty, he muttered, "Don't think I've ever been this close to anyone without it involving, y'know... other stuff." Stolas's chuckle was soft, almost breathless. "Perhaps... perhaps this is a different kind of closeness then. One born of necessity... but perhaps not so unwelcome."

Blitz's eyes drifted shut, exhaustion pulling at him like a heavy weight. He felt Stolas's hand on his shoulder, shaking him gently. "Stay with me, Blitz," Stolas murmured, his voice soft but firm. Blitz forced his eyes open, glaring half-heartedly at the prince. "You're really not gonna let me sleep, are you?"

"Not if it means losing you," Stolas said simply. Blitz blinked at him, caught off guard by the raw honesty in his voice. He looked away, his cheeks flushing faintly despite the cold. "Yeah, well, don't make it weird." Stolas chuckled, his gaze warm despite the frost clinging to his feathers. "Of course not."

They fell into a heavy silence, each lost in the comforting presence of the other, a quiet camaraderie growing between them. As the hours ticked by, Blitz felt his guard slipping, the weight of his defenses crumbling in the face of their shared ordeal.

For a moment, he allowed himself to lean into Stolas's warmth, to let the walls he'd built around himself fall, if only for a little while. He could feel Stolas's heartbeat, steady and strong, a reassuring rhythm in the dark. 

The storm raged on outside, but in that moment, Blitz felt a flicker of warmth that had nothing to do with the fire. For the first time in a long time, he didn't feel alone.

Next Chapter preview:
Chapter 4: Battling the cold

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