It was a long day at the office today. Blitzo just got home, his clothes torn up and stained with blood. He glanced over at the door to Loona's room.

A note read, "Be back soon, hanging out with Vortex -Loona."

Blitzo was exhausted, too exhausted to think. He started taking off his jacket as he half-mindedly meandered to the sink in the kitchen, bumping into something.

"Oh, good evening Blitzo," Stolas cooed. He was busy doing something menial at the counter.

Blitzo, still bleary-eyed, jumped back, startled.

"Christ, Stolas! Whuh- why the hell are you here?"

He quickly scanned the staggering owl-demon up and down and sighed. "Lemme guess you're in need of a "favor" right? Alright, I'll make it quick."

He started taking off the rest of his clothes but Stolas turned to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"No, no that's not what I'm here for..."

Stolas reached under the cabinet, rattling around the various cleaning supplies.

"You need this?"

Stolas offered Blitzo a container of peroxide.

"For the blood stains?"

Blitzo obliged, laid down the jacket on the kitchen counter, and started to work on the stains.

"I came here to...talk. Well, mostly to talk anyway."

"About what exactly?" Blitzo glanced over to the feathered individual, now back to busywork at the sink.

Stolas stammered, starting and stopping sentences before finally gathering his thoughts. "What are we, exactly? Be honest. Are we... friends? Friends with benefits? Fuckbuddies ?" He laughed to himself at that last one, making Blitzo smirk.

"Well...I'd say we're probably in that last category," Blitzo said as he was getting out a particularly set-in stain. "I mean this whole thing started after I came onto you during that whole "we're not divorced yet" party and then I quite literally came onto you," he chuckled. "But, you do know why I was there originally don't you? For that damn book of yours?"

Stolas stopped, silverware clattering."Yes...Blitzo, I know that now," he sighed.

The air in the room now felt heavy, brimming with tension. The silence between them during the leading few moments could cut through the atmosphere.

"You know, have you ever been happy with me? Do you even like me as a matter of fact?" Stolas asked, gripping a dish in anger. " All the photos I have with us, all the memories, you're miserable in them . Every last one !" He gripped the dish even harder.

"Is it- is it me?"

He relaxed his grip, the dish falling into the sink. His eyes began to well up with tears. Blitzo turned toward Stolas, away from the jacket on the counter.

Stolas started to partially cover his eyes and keel over, leaning on the kitchen counter, before breaking down into a full on hiccupy sob. His tears dripped between his black talons as he dropped to the floor, fully covering his eyes and curling into a sobbing mess.

"I know that Stella never loved me but is being with you no different ? Am I no different? Am I the problem?"

Blitzo joined Stolas on the floor.

"Stolas I-"

He stopped to collect his thoughts, yearning to reach a hand out to the owl to comfort him, but hesitant, he stopped.

"I know our relationship is complicated but- it's not like you and Stella, not in the slightest."

Stolas briefly stopped sobbing.

"Since..."

Blitzo was trying to choose his words carefully.

"Since...we actually... like each other? I mean face it, everybody down to the seventh layer of hell could tell you two were in a fake as shit relationship. You got together, hate fucked each other to make Octavia and then *boom* divorce! I'd say we're at least better than that, huh?" Blitzo said matter-of-factly, motioning the actions with his hands.

Stolas chuckled a bit.

"Hey c'mon, can't I see that face of yours?"

He reached out to Stolas, grasping a handful of his grey feathers and subtly stroking the side of his head. Stolas's head perked up as he wound himself out of the ball he curled himself into. His face was red from crying.

There was a break of silence between the two.

"Blitzo, the night we were at Ozzy's…," Stolas asked, breaking the silence.

Oh God, Blitzo thought to himself.

"When I went to go grab your hand after that whole incident, you refused , you pulled back. Why?"

Blitzo was somewhat taken aback yet still answered.

"I was... scared. I've always been scared. Scared of commitment, scared of showing my feelings, scared of a lotta shit. I was the problem child cause I wasn't like that chucklefuck Fizz . I covered up my feelings so I could try to make people laugh and support my family, even if it'd all be blown on booze. The real reason I was at Ozzy's is because I was spying on M and M."

Blitzo started to get choked up, tears welling in his eyes.

"Goddamn it. I-I envy their lovey-dovey bullshit so much. They're the perfect relationship and- I wish I had that. I sure as hell never had that with Verosika. It's just-"

"Just what?"

"You...you pity me, don't you? You think, "Oh yeah some pathetic imp came into my life and fucked up my marriage so let me diddle his holes and pleasure him so he doesn't feel as bad, that'll really spice things up." The anger in Blitzo's voice rose.

"Blitzo-"

"In fact , why don't I go ahead and have this plaything fuck me for some book to get into the human realm so he can do his job? That'll really teach him."

"Blitzo-"

"No wait, instead, he'll just be beneath me for the rest of his pitiful life, seeing how worthless he really is! "

"Blitzo!" Stolas shouted. "I don't pity you, or hate you. I-"

"Oh what, you love me?"

"Yes ! I love you! I always have! Ever since I first laid eyes on you at Loo Loo Land during your show, I knew you were something special. That day we first met was one of the most memorable days of my life ."

"I was sold to you for some pocket change and a condom! All my shit waste of a sperm donor wanted out of the deal was cold hard cash!"

"What of it? I still enjoyed my time with you regardless of that fact, not because I saw pity in you or because you're an imp, but because I love you. I enjoy being with you. I was the only one laughing at your jokes. I was the only person that saw something in you."

"So what? That happened then."

"When I was at that party full of upper class degenerates , besides the alcohol, you were the only thing that made that party worthwhile. That very night you made me realize just how much of a loveless, cruel marriage I was in and showed me the most passionate love I had ever felt in my life, in more ways than one, so I thank you for that."

Stolas moved his hand toward Blitzo's. At first, Blitzo hesitated, but then their hands were intertwined in an embrace.

"Stolas I…," Blitzo paused. " Fuck, I didn't realize just how deep this shit went."

The pair chuckled, wiping the tears from their eyes.

"So do you think you would want to maybe... watch a movie? Loona's out for a bit," Blitzo asked, glancing over at the couch in the living room.

"I would love to."