The new episode was great! I don't even think Stella's direction was 'bad', necessarily, though it might have been a bit too much bullying to see all at once. That aside, while there was a lot of new context and fine details, there honestly wasn't a whole lot to truly digest that we, as a fandom, didn't already kind of figure out, character arc-wise. So, while I attempted to remain canon compliant in the last two parts (at least they were at the time of publish), this one takes more of a step toward theorizing and prediction, and should this series continue I will likely soon abandon all pretext to being canon compliant and start writing it as my own story soon.

Enough of probable futures. We have a definite present beneath for you to enjoy!


Don't pretend that what we have is anything more than you wanting me to fuck you

Just a comfortable lie

We are getting the divorce

Stolas couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't take Stella's abuses. He couldn't take his own self lies. And he couldn't take having his truest desire being both within his reach yet beyond his grasp.

How had he let it get to this point? He figured out early that Blitzy – no, Blitzø, Stolas reminded himself – was more interested in the Grimoire than he. And what did he do but take advantage? Nothing. Even as his feelings began to grow, he couldn't bring himself to reach out when it truly mattered. When he tried to create romantic opportunities, the owl prince couldn't help but fall to his own promiscuous urges. When Blitzø needed defending, Stolas only hid in shame…

If he was destined to be unhappy, there was no need to continue hurting the people who truly mattered to his heart. It was time to be honest to Octavia, and to be honest to himself. He didn't know how to be with someone. The acknowledgment was strangely liberating. He couldn't tread water any longer. He now knew what he had to do. Thus, his gaze and his thoughts returned to the tome that lay open on his bed.

Asmodean Crystals

How had he not thought of them before, in his previous ruminations? Stolas thought it was obvious, in retrospect. He was never serious in his plans to free Blitzø from their overtly sexual arrangement. So, he imagined a much more complicated reality, one that was wrought with dangers. Most of all, if Blitzø was caught with a copy of the grimoire, it would be obvious where he got it.

Now that freeing Blitzø was the only path forward, it was all too easy to recall the crystals and a plan much more likely to work. Stolas keeps the book and gives Blitzø a portal stone, and they go their separate ways. They never have to speak again, and if Blitzø is caught with a far more prevalent Asmodean Crystal, it would be far easier for Stolas to claim no involvement.

Stolas sighed. This wasn't what he wanted, but it was where he found himself. If only he had been clearer, more straightforward. Or less straightforward, depending on how one thought of it. He never even knew what Blitzø wanted, did he? He never bothered to ask personal questions. What did he truly know about the Imp? It no longer mattered, he supposed. They simply were not meant to be, even if there was once a small chance they could have been. And as much as it hurt to admit it, Stolas had no one to blame for this failure of romantic endeavor but himself.


Blitzø was surprised to have been summoned only a week after the disaster at Ozzie's. As if that was enough time to process. Though perhaps he shouldn't be. Stolas was probably horny and wanted his toy, and technically their not-a-date didn't constitute the monthly fuckfest. So it was back to business as usual. Yup, just business. Blitzø very intentionally ignored how much the thought hurt.

At least it was easier to get into the palace now. With Stolas's family gone more often than not these days, Blitzø could walk right through the front door. He navigated the halls expertly to Stolas's bedroom, and opened it expecting to find the bird demon already bound and ready. Instead, Stolas stood away from the bed, facing out the window, fully clothed.

"Hello, Blitzø," Stolas greeted before the small Imp had a chance to announce himself.

"Uh, hey?" Blitzø returned, his confusion only growing. Fully dressed, no pet name? What was going on? "Are you ready to get started?"

"No," Stolas answered bluntly.

"Then… why am I here?"

The question was followed by a short air of uncomfortable silence. "I wanted to give you something," Stolas finally responded. "It's on the bedside desk, just there," the prince gestured without turning around.

Blitzø looked over and saw a necklace. It brimmed with a strange, but somewhat familiar power.

"I assume you're familiar with Asmodean Crystals? You have… history with a succubus, after all."

Blitzø was familiar. "What, you mean-?"

"With that, you can open portals to and from the human world as you please. No more need for the Grimoire, the book."

Blitzø blinked. No more book? His own portal gem? And Stolas seemingly refusing to look at him!? "What about our deal!?" Blitzø found himself shouting despite himself.

"It's no longer necessary," Stolas explained. "I have the Grimoire to perform my duties, you have an Asmodean Crystal to continue your business."

"And what? This is goodbye?" Blitzø accused. Then, he could have sworn he heard Stolas sob. "What was that?"

Stolas coughed suddenly as if to clear his throat. "Just a bit of dust in my throat, don't fret. Yes, Blitzø, our deal is done."

Blitzø fought to fight back the tears that stung his eyes. He really should have seen this coming. The shame in Stolas's eyes at the club, how he hid behind the menu. Their deal was fine, until it affected the prince's reputation. God damned rich people… "Had your fun then?"

"It was fun, while it lasted." Stolas sounded almost wistful as he replied.

Blitzø refused to be fooled. "Yeah… fun…" That's all I ever was. The assassin took the necklace and opened the door to leave.

"I do wish you and your company well, Blitzø," Stolas suddenly offered as a final farewell.

"Don't do that," Blitzø immediately spat.

"Pardon?"

"Don't pretend to care."

Blitzø shut the bedroom door behind him and stormed out of the manor, tears falling the entire time. So much for Stolas breaking the cycle. And why would he have been? He already knew Stolas didn't think of him as anything beyond free dick. Hell, he only ever approached Stolas because of that damned book. And yet somehow, deep in the recesses of Blitzø's heart, he still managed to delude himself into thinking things could be different.

But Stolas was just a rich snob after all, and Blitzø was still a broken clown. They just weren't meant to be, and he was the fool for ever wishing they could. And as much as he hated to admit it, Blitzø couldn't really blame anyone for this heartbreak but himself.