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Loona stood next to him, pulling on her dress. “I look stupid,” she complained.
“You look beautiful, Loonie Tonnie.” Blitz smiled at her, trying to reassure his little girl.
“I don’t want to be here. She doesn’t even like me.” Loona continued to grumble.
“Of course she likes you. She invited you to her party.” Blitz rang the doorbell while balancing the gift they got for the birthday girl under one arm.
“She invited everyone in class.” Loona realized that her father was a lost cause, and trying to get him to leave was not going to work. She crossed her arms in protest and decided to examine her stupid, highly polished shoes.
She had one fancy outfit. They had bought it for the day they went to court, and Blitz officially adopted her. She had worn it a few months later for picture day, and Blitz had made her wear it again for today. Maybe there would be a way she could accidentally rip it at this party and never have to wear it again.
The door swung open, and a lady greeted them. “Oh… Hello. You are here for the party?”
Blitz was not sure why this lady sounded so confused by this. They had been invited after all. “Sure are. This is Loona. Her and the birthday girl are classmates,” he beamed.
The woman only hummed, and then waved them in. Blitz may have missed it, but Loona saw the disapproving glance their hostess gave them. Loona had promised Blitz to be nice at the party. He was so excited for them to go. Loona couldn’t figure out why, but she had promised to be good. She had to remind herself of this as an insult almost slipped past her lips.
Blitz set the gift on the table with the rest of them. “Where is the little scamp?” He asked, looking around, noting that there didn’t seem to be really any children around.
“All the children are upstairs in the playroom,” was the answer he received.
“Well, Loona, go on up. Say hi.” He looked so eager for her to go; she didn’t want to disappoint him.
So Loona slowly climbed the stairs and followed the sound of children laughing. She pushed open the door and quickly spotted the birthday girl. “Happy Birthday,” she said, entering the room.
The girl stopped bouncing on a small individual trampoline and looked at her. “My Mom said we had to invite everyone because that was the rules, but you weren’t really supposed to come.” She turned away and went back to bouncing.
The girls around her chimed in, saying that they didn’t want to play with creepy Loona either. And purposefully turned away from her.
Loona stood frozen in the entryway of the giant playroom. She was doing her best not to shed the tears that were now stinging her eyes. She knew that she hadn’t really been invited. But a small part of her had really wanted to be. She had secretly hoped that, maybe, she would make a friend.
A small hand slipped into hers. Loona looked down to see a small owlet standing next to her. Big eyes looked at her with a soft smile. “Do you want to play with me?”
Loona shook her head and silently followed the girl to a collection of stuffed animals. “She doesn’t really want me here either,” the young bird said. “I am Octavia, but you can call me Via.”
“I’m Loona.” She smiled at the little girl. She thought she may have seen her around the elementary school before. She was pretty sure she was a kindergartener. Maybe someone's little sister? No way a 3rd grader would willingly invite a kindergartener for any other reason.
As if Octavia could read her mind, she leaned in and whispered. “She is my cousin, so my Dad said we had to come, but she doesn’t like me.”
“My dad made me come too.” Loona giggled.
“You can pick any of the stuffed animals you want to play with. We can make them go on all sorts of adventures!” Octavia was so enthusiastic and came up with really wonderful scenarios. Loona found herself having a good time after all.
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Meanwhile Blitz was trying to work the adult crowd. But man, they were all a bunch of fucking pricks. He tried talking to them about all sorts of things, but in less than a minute they would excuse themselves and walk away. He really hoped Loona was having a better time than he was.
Wandering around the party, Blitz suddenly spotted the most gorgeous creature he had ever seen. A tall owl sitting at a table. All by himself. He wasn’t having any luck talking to anyone else, but he decided to try and give it a shot.
“Hey, great party, right?” Blitz said, sitting next to the man.
“It could use more alcohol,” the man grumbled.
“Hell, yeah.” Blitz laughed. “Kids would sleep better later on,” Blitz said, jabbing the man in the side with his elbow.
The owl's eyes went wide, and just as Blitz was about to apologize for the bad joke, the owl started laughing. “Oh, dear. Do not let others hear you say that.”
“Might offend the sticks-up-their-asses, huh?” Blitz thrilled as the owl laughed harder. He stuck out his hand. “I’m Blitz, the ‘O’ is silent. Nice to meet you.”
Taking his hand without hesitation, the owl responded, “I am Stolas. We are related to the birthday girl. Honestly, that is the only reason we are here.”
“Loonie is in the same class as the kid. She was invited. Loona really didn’t want to come.” He looked around before leaning in and adding, “I get why now.”
Stolas cocked his head. “So, why did you come? I do not believe a lot of her classmates came.”
“Well, she was invited, and…” Blitz trailed off a moment. “Honestly, Loona doesn’t have a lot of friends. So when she was invited, I thought maybe this would be a great opportunity for her to, you know… make some.’
Stolas nodded his head knowingly. “Ah, yes. I can understand that too well. My little Via does not have a lot of friends either.”
The man sat and chatted for quite a bit of time. Blitz was having a really good time. Not only was this Stolas handsome and fun to talk to, but he also laughed at Blitz’s jokes, which was always a plus.
Suddenly the hostess started clinking a spoon on her glass. “Excuse me, everyone. I would like for everyone to please gather in the family room. We will be opening presents now, and then we will have cake.”
Everyone got up and shuffled into the family room. Blitz made sure to stay close to Stolas. He kept looking around, trying to see if anyone was looking for the owl. Stolas hadn't mentioned a possible partner, but Blitz hadn’t dared directly ask.
Someone had obviously informed the children. They came rushing down the stairs in an excited mob. Blitz searched the crowd of children, feeling anxious for a moment, as Loona wasn’t with them. She descended the steps a few moments later with a young owl. The two were smiling and laughing. Loona had made a friend. Blitz’s heart nearly burst.
Stolas leaned down next to him and pointed to the two. “The owlet is my Via. Is that your daughter?” he asked in a hopeful tone.
“Yeah. Looks like our girls are getting along great.” This was great news. Blitz could maybe suggest play dates or such in the future. Loona could have a friend, even though she did seem a little young. Meanwhile, Blitz could hang out with Stolas. It would be a win-win in his opinion.
The girl sat in a chair that had been placed in the center of the far wall. Blitz couldn’t help but think it resembled a throne. The girl opened each of her gifts with very little enthusiasm. She did, however, thank everyone for their gifts.
After the final present was opened, the children all got up and ran into the dining room. Presents, wrapping paper, and gift bags with tissue paper were all left behind in their wake. The only two children who had not rushed into the dining room were Loona and Octavia. They made a beeline for their fathers instead.
“Hey, Loonie.” Blitz smiled at her.
“Dad, this is Via. Can she come over to the house sometime?”
Blitz looked at Stolas, who gave a small shrug to indicate he had no problem with that at all.
“Sure, sweetie. We can set that up no problem.”
The girls squealed with delight and then ran into the dining room too.
Blitz faced Stolas, “I’ll give you my number. You… or your wife? Could you call me to set this up?”
Stolas hoot laughed again. Blitz really liked that sound. “I am divorced, and my ex-wife is not very involved. It would be me setting up the playdates.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Blitz lied.
“Ah well, it is for the best.” Stolas shrugged. “Turns out I am very gay.” He then strolled into the dining room, leaving Blitz to stare after him with his mouth agape.
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The party had ended soon after the cake. After they ate, the hostess reminded everyone to take complimentary party favors home with them. Stolas promised to call Blitz and set up something very soon. But a week had gone by with no call forthcoming. Blitz was starting to feel certain that Stolas had simply been humoring him.
After a week, his phone rang. He didn’t recognize the number. Thinking it might be a potential client, he picked up the phone. “This is Blitz, I can kill any asshole you need me to.”
“Oh well, I will be sure to keep this in mind,” Stolas’ voice came through the line.
“Oh, hey.” Blitz felt his cheeks start to burn. Hearing Stolas’ voice thrilled him to no end. “How’s it hangin’?” he tried to sound nonchalant.
“I am not sure what…. I am doing well?” Stolas apparently was not familiar with that greeting. Blitz thought that was simply adorable.
“I’m glad to hear it. So what’s up?” He hoped this was a call to set up a playdate with the girls, not a phone call to let him know that Stolas had changed his mind.
“I was thinking of taking Via to the new park at Lucifer Lake tomorrow, and I was wondering if you and Loona would like to join us?”
“Hell yeah! What time?” Blitz realized too late that he definitely was sounding way too eager.
Stolas didn’t seem to care. “Tomorrow at two?” he asked.
“All right, we will see you there.”
_______________________________________
Promptly at 2 o’clock, Blitz and Loona pulled into the park’s parking lot. Loona nearly jumped out of the car before Blitz brought it to a complete stop. She raced up to Via, who was already playing by the swings. Via came running towards Loona as soon as she saw her. The girls embraced, then ran off towards the swings together, giggling the whole way.
Stolas came strolling over to where Blitz was standing, watching the girls. “Hello Blitz. It really is nice to see you again.” The smile was so warm and genuine. Blitz wished he could see it more.
“I must apologize for taking quite so long to get back to you. I had a few unexpected things come up. Also, I have to try and find someone to watch Via for a few hours next week.”
“It’s fine.” Blitz was not about to let the owl know how desperate he had been to hear back from him. “Why do you need a sitter?” he asked
“It is the Full Moon, and I will need to fulfill my Goetic responsibilities. It takes a few hours. The very nice lady who watches her for me usually is unfortunately sick, so I must find an alternative.”
“I could watch her,” Blitz said before thinking better of it.
“Oh, could you?” Stolas' eyes were practically shining. Then, he sank in on himself a bit. “However, you would need to do it at my home. Would that be a problem? “
“Nah, if it gets too late, maybe Loona could just spend the night?”
Stolas bounced up and down excitedly. “Really? That would be wonderful.”
“We could make a night of it. Dinner, movie, whole nine yards.” Blitz saw the blush on Stolas’ face and realized he didn’t know Blitz had meant him and the girls. The owl thought he meant all of them. And honestly? Blitz liked that idea even more than his own.
“Your…wife? Wouldn’t mind?” Stolas asked hesitantly.
Blitz smiled, recognizing the technique. “I am single.” He leaned towards Stolas. “And I like guys, too.”
Blitz could have kissed Stolas right then and there. He looked so adorable with his neck feathers fluffing out and the blush tinting his cheeks. It took everything in Blitz not to do just that.
________________________________
The night of the full moon, Loona and Blitz pulled up to a home. It was a palace. This couldn’t be the right place, could it? He double-checked the address Stolas gave him and the one on the GPS. They matched.
Loona bounded up the stairs as Blitz pulled out his phone. He figured he should probably tell Stolas that he was pretty sure he was at the wrong place, and possibly try and get more concrete directions. Just as soon as he hit the call button, the front door opened. A butler was pushed aside by a very eager young owlet trying to get to her friend. Behind her stood her father, who pulled out his phone. He smiled at the children, and then at Blitz.
“Yes?” he answered the phone, while looking right at Blitz. Blitz walked up the stairs.
“I’m here.” Blitz chuckled.
“I see that.” Stolas laughed lightly, then hung up the phone. He led everyone to the dining room. “Dinner is already done, so I thought we might as well get started. I can probably only watch part of the movie before I will need to leave.”
Blitz looked around. “You got, like, staff and stuff?”
Stolas looked bashfully down at the ground. “Well, yes. But I assure you I am not like the other Goetia you met at the party.”
“Oh, don’t I know,” Blitz said, raising a hand to stop Stolas. “I was going to point out you could have had one of them watch Octavia for you.”
Stolas tilted his head with his brow furrowed. “I do not have a nanny, and it is not in anyone else's job description. It would be wrong to assume...”
Blitz laughed. “Never mind. This is better anyway. Come on–let's eat.”
Sitting at the table eating with the girls and Stolas felt like the most natural thing in the world. Blitz could see himself doing this every day. He would be completely happy and content. The dinner conversation flowed easily and ranged from the girls' school day to hellponies. Once everyone was done eating, the group made their way to the living room.
“We got a TV just to watch movies with you,” Octavia declared excitedly.
“What? No way.” Loona crossed her arms. She wasn’t anyone’s fool. No one bought a TV just to watch a movie one time.
“Well, we did not have one, so I thought this might be an opportune time.”
“Stolas, you are so weird,” Blitz chuckled. “In, like, the best way possible.”
Everyone settled on the couch to watch the one and only movie Stolas now owned. An animated film about horses finding true friendship. But as predicted, they got about halfway through the film before the older owl had to leave.
“I will be back as soon as I can, darling,” Stolas whispered into Blitz's ear.
Blitz turned his head and instinctively kissed Stolas on the cheek. He froze, waiting to see what Stolas would do. He prayed he hadn’t made a horrible mistake.
Stolas straightened and lightly touched his cheek. Without a word, he left the room. Blitz felt like a complete idiot. There was no way this rich guy, who was also drop-dead gorgeous, would waste his time on Blitz. He just hoped he didn’t ruin things to the point where it affected the girls’ friendship.
_____________________________
A few hours later, Blitz felt a gentle shake. He blinked his amber eyes open and was greeted by four ruby red eyes. He smiled up at them before he remembered the stupid mistake he had made earlier.
“I carried the girls up to bed already, but I did not think you wanted to stay sleeping on the couch.”
Blitz sat up, “Yeah. No. I should probably get going, right?” He didn’t want to go.
Stolas slowly traced a finger along the armrest of the couch. “Perhaps.” He paused a moment before he gave a small shrug and then said. “Or you could, maybe watch the movie with me one more time? It did seem very interesting.” Stolas wouldn’t look at him.
“I would love to do that.” Blitz practically whispered.
Stolas slowly looked up, finally making eye contact. “Maybe…’ Stolas swallowed hard. “Maybe we could do more…. Ummm… well, maybe you could kiss me again?”
Blitz knew he probably looked like the dorkiest of goofballs with the shit-eating grin surely plastered on his face. But he didn’t care. Stolas wanted to kiss him! Him!
“I can definitely do that.” Blitz slowly guided Stolas to sit on the couch beside him. He gently took his white-feathered cheeks into his hands. Blitz leaned forward and whispered, “It would be my pleasure,” before finally kissing Stolas on the cheek.
They never did wind up rewatching the movie.