"Are you sure you should be up? It's hardly been two days."
Blitz sighed as he slipped his shirt on, tugging it down over his stomach as best as he could before grabbing the pair of pants he'd brought.
The last day and a half of resting had been exhausting. Aside from getting up to use the bathroom, Stolas had made sure he didn't have to move for any other reason. Meals were brought to him in bed, and when he complained about being bored, the owl would carry him to the sitting room to watch tv. He slept on and off from sheer boredom and diligently took his medicine- his new iron supplements having the charming side effect of making him more nauseous.
"I told Loona I'd be back at the apartment by the time she got home," He shot the owl an annoyed look, "And stop acting like I'm going to fall over at any moment."
The last statement would have gone over more smoothly if Blitz hadn't been struggling to get his pants on and teetered sideways, Stolas reaching down at the last moment to help steady him.
The prince raised a haughty eyebrow, and Blitz immediately shrugged off his assistance.
"That doesn't fucking count," He griped.
Stolas looked amused before carrying on.
"You know, if you're having troubling fitting in your clothes, I could-"
"Uh uh, no," Blitz shook his head, "I'm not some fucking charity case and don't need you to buy me new clothes."
Stolas pouted.
"Blitzy, be reasonable. You can't expect to keep fitting into those tight pants of yours," The owl looked him up and down appreciatively, "Although, I must say, you look ravishing in them."
Blitz fought off a blush as he leaned against the bed to put his boots on.
"I can buy my own shit," he replied.
"I could simply have my tailor alter the clothes you have right now," The bird offered, "Nothing new need be bought."
Blitz let out an impatient sigh.
Damn, the owl could be persistent.
"I'll think about it," he relented.
Stolas beamed, taking the imp's words as a yes.
Blitz looked down at himself, fully dressed, and frowned, fiddling with one of the buttons on his shirt.
He just had to talk to Loona, that's all.
He could do this.
"Darling?"
He looked up at Stolas, who was staring at him with a soft smile.
"I'm certain everything will go fine," The owl said.
Blitz found it both infuriating and comforting how easily the bird could read him.
"I'm not nervous," he denied, crossing his arms.
Stolas's expression remained kind.
"Of course not, my dear."
Blitz rolled his eyes.
"Just open a fucking portal already," he insisted.
The prince chuckled slightly but lifted a glowing hand to do just that, leaning down at the last moment to kiss the imp's cheek before sending him through the portal into his apartment.
He didn't have to wait long for Loona to arrive, the hellhound slinging open the front door before slamming it shut, her eyes narrowing on Blitz, standing in the center of the room.
"There's my Looney!" he greeted, his smile a little too big to be honest, "How was work, sweetie?"
Loona rolled her eyes.
"Can we cut out the pleasantries," she replied, "You have something you want to tell me, so just spit it out."
Blitz chuckled nervously.
"Right, right, uh, you wanna have a seat or-"
Loona glared, an annoyed growl at the back of her throat.
"Standings good," Blitz amended, "we can just stand right here."
Loona let out a sigh.
"I'm not going to bite your head off," She told him, making a point to relax her stance, "Just talk to me."
Blitz nodded.
"Okay, I'll get straight to the fucking point," he took a deep breath, "Stolas thinks, given all the bullshit that happened yesterday, that the two of us should move into the palace."
Blitz tensed, waiting for some big reaction, but Loona's expression barely changed except for the slight raising of her eyebrows and a flick of her tail.
"Huh, I guess that makes sense," she replied, sounding unbothered.
Blitz blinked, arms falling limp at his sides.
"That's it?" he asked, feeling disappointed, "That's all you have to say?"
"What do you want me to say?" Loona asked, looking uncomfortable.
She folded her arms across her chest and looked off to the side, frowning.
"I mean, I know this place is a shithole," she shrugged, voice going a bit quieter, "but it's also the only home I've ever known."
Blitz felt his eyes fill with tears, his heart full and breaking simultaneously.
"Oh, Looney!" he cried, covering the distance between them to wrap his arms around his daughter, "We don't have to leave! We can stay here forever if you-"
"Ugh, whoa-" she broke away from the embrace, shoving Blitz back, although not nearly as aggressive as usual.
Since they'd learned that Blitz was pregnant, the imp had noticed that Loona was far less violent around him.
"I didn't say we should stay," Loona said.
Blitz frowned.
"But you said-"
"I said it's a shithole, and I wasn't lying," She replied. "I literally just saw someone get stabbed outside on the way in. This is no place to raise a kid."
"So...you're okay with living in the palace?" Blitz asked, to be sure.
Loona shrugged.
"As long as I have my own room, I don't care."
Blitz smiled, still a little teary-eyed.
"Oh, Looney, that's so selfless of you."
"yeah, I know."
Blitz chuckled at her calm response.
"So, should we start packing or what?" His daughter asked.
Blitz looked around the place briefly before smiling back at the hellhound.
"How's about one more night in this shithole?"
He didn't miss the way Loona's face softened at the suggestion, even as she shrugged and agreed, pretending she was too tired to start packing tonight anyway. Blitz smiled and fired off a text to Stolas, letting him know the plan; they were spending the night at the apartment but would be moving in tomorrow. The answering text he received was full of hearts and exclamation points, and Blitz smirked.
'He's such a dork.'
He then messaged Millie and Moxxie that they had the day off tomorrow since he and Loona would be busy moving into the palace. Millie responded by saying how happy and excited she was for him, and Moxxie being more practical, volunteered to bring over some boxes for them to pack their stuff in.
It was the second time in a row Blitz was able to sleep through the night without having to get up and vomit, and he woke up feeling refreshed. He messaged Stolas good morning before taking his prenatal vitamins and iron supplements and then started on breakfast. Loona woke up shortly after, lured into the living room by the smell of freshly cooked bacon and eggs, and the two enjoyed their last breakfast together in the apartment. Blitz tried not to let the thought of leaving the place behind get him down, remaining upbeat even when his appetite waned halfway through the meal.
They didn't waste much time afterward, grabbing some boxes Moxxie had dropped off yesterday and getting to work. Loona let him know right away that she was only packing her stuff, and it was up to Blitz to decide what else got brought with them.
He decided to leave what little food remained in the fridge and whatever dishes they owned, knowing Stolas's kitchen would be fully stocked, taking only his favorite mug along. He didn't need to pack up his cover and pillow since he would be sharing a bed with Stolas, but Blitz did grab the horse blanket off the back of the couch because it was his favorite. Next, he shoved all his other horse-themed things in the same box, which consisted of an array of horse figurines, a couple of plushies, and a few picture books. Blitz then got to work taking the photos and drawings off the walls before packing up his clothes, a pair of slippers, his toothbrush, and a few odd weapons he'd kept around the apartment.
Soon Blitz realized he really had nothing else to pack.
His entire life had fit inside two medium-sized boxes.
"You done?"
Blitz blinked out of his thoughtful gaze and looked up at Loona, who dropped her own two boxes next to his. He imagined they were primarily full of clothing and accessories, but she'd made a point to label them both 'Loona's shit.'
"Uh, yeah," He said, "Guess it didn't take as long as I thought. You finished too?"
"Yup," Loona answered, popping the 'p' as she shrugged, "Didn't see the point in taking much, figured a big fancy palace probably already has sheets and junk."
With the packing out of the way, they loaded their boxes into the van and set off. Blitz has sent a quick text to Stolas, letting him know they'd be there shortly.
As they approached the palace, he heard Loona groan beside him.
"You've gotta be kidding me," She said.
Blitz looked away from the path and up, torn between wanting to laugh or groan along with his daughter. Stolas and Octavia were at the bottom of the stairs holding up a large welcome banner. Stolas was waving excitedly with his free hand while Octavia was practically hiding behind the end of her side of the sign, clearly embarrassed.
"Be nice, Looney," Blitz instructed, chuckling some as he put the van in park.
He got out of the vehicle and walked around to stand by Loona. Stolas dropped the banner and rushed forward to hug him, and Blitz awkwardly patted the owl's back, rolling his eyes. He'd been away from the owl less than a day, and Stolas was acting like they hadn't seen each other in weeks.
"I'm so glad you're here," The prince replied as he pulled back, smiling at Loona, "And you as well, Miss Loona."
He had bowed slightly at the waist to her, all proper and princely, and Loona looked uncomfortable.
"Uh yeah," She replied, "You can just call me Loona."
Octavia made her way forward, hand up in a small wave.
"Hey, Loona."
"Hey, V."
The young owl demon made a face as she gestured back at the fallen banner.
"Sorry about that," She said, "It was my dad's idea."
"It's fine," Loona smiled slightly, "Trust me, I know how lame dads can be."
Blitz pouted slightly at that, but Octavia's answering giggle helped soften the blow.
They were getting along. Loona was actually smiling. This was...good.
He looked to Stolas, who must have shared his feeling on the matter because the bird was beaming, hands clasped together as if he were witnessing something extraordinary.
Blitz reached out to tug at his elbow.
"Come on, Birdbrain, let's get this show on the road," He made his way towards the back of the van with Stolas right behind him, "We got shit to unpack."
"I wish you'd have let me open up a portal for you," the owl commented, "I worried about you lifting all those heavy- oh!" he let out a surprised sound when Blitz opened up the back of the van to reveal only four boxes.
"Is this...everything?" the owl asked, and Blitz felt his face heat up.
"I'm not some rich asshole who has a bunch of useless junk," Blitz replied, frowning, "This is everything I need."
Now it was Stolas's turn to blush.
"Of course, dear, I didn't mean, that is I-" he floundered before finishing, "It's perfectly acceptable."
Blitz rolled his eyes but was saved from responding as Octavia and Loona came around.
"I can show you to your room," Via said to Loona, "Do you need me to carry one of your boxes?"
"Nah, I got this," Loona replied, stacking the two boxes on top of each other and quickly picking them up, "You just lead the way, princess."
"Ugh, don't call me that," the young owl complained, making a face.
Loona chuckled as they walked away.
Blitz found his moodiness disappear at the easy exchange between the two girls.
"They seem to be getting along quite well," Stolas commented.
"I'm just as surprised as you," Blitz replied, "My Looney is wonderful, but she's not exactly the social type."
"Octavia can be quite shy herself," The prince said.
There was a small silence between them before Stolas sighed.
"I'm sorry if I offended you, Darling," he replied, "I hope you'll allow me to carry these in for you."
Blitz thought about putting up a fight; he was more than capable of carrying the boxes himself, but damn it, if the owl didn't look so fucking eager to help.
"Ugh, fine, but this isn't cause I can't do it myself," Blitz said.
Stolas smiled as he stacked the two boxes and picked them up.
"You sure your skinny bird arms can handle this?" Blitz asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow.
Stolas looked mildly offended by the question.
"Don't worry your pretty little head about my 'skinny' bird arms," he huffed, "I'm perfectly capable."
Blitz smirked, enjoying the owl's snippy response and allowing him to lead them both through the palace.
On the way, Stolas asked if he'd taken his medicine, if he had eaten, and how he was feeling. Blitz was proud to report that he'd done everything he was supposed to and only felt slightly nauseous from the ride there.
When they reached the bedroom- their bedroom-Blitz opened the door, and Stolas carefully deposited the boxes on the floor.
"Shall I help you unpack?" The owl asked.
Blitz shrugged.
"Sure, knock yourself out," he replied, gesturing behind him to the open entryway that led to the bathroom, "I gotta take a piss anyway. Feel like this kid's sitting right on my bladder."
Stolas looked amused by that, telling the imp to take his time.
When Blitz returned, he found Stolas seated on the floor by one of the now open boxes, a few of his drawings placed about on the floor. Stolas was looking at a photo, brow furrowed and mouth turned into a slight frown.
"What's wrong?" Blitz asked, clearly startling the owl, who looked up at him with wide eyes.
"Blitz, I...I didn't hear you return," the owl looked uncomfortable.
"Yeah, sure," Blitz replied, gesturing to the photo in the owl's hands, "Whatcha looking at there?"
Stolas hesitated before turning the picture around.
It was a photo of Blitz with his arms around Moxxie and Millie. Millie was smiling, Moxxie looked annoyed, but Blitz's face was obscured by thick black marks that looked like they had been hastily scribbled on.
Stolas looked concerned.
"Is there a reason you're marked out of all these photographs?" he gestured to more photos in the box.
Shit.
Blitz hadn't thought about those when he'd packed them up; he was used to seeing his face scribbled out, but of course, Stolas would notice...would be curious and worried.
He shrugged, trying to act as if it was no big deal.
It wasn't.
"Got wasted one night," he replied, looking away, "Hardly remember doing it."
But he did remember. The angry, bitter feelings of self-hatred. The way he'd pressed the marker hard into the surface of every picture he could find until his face was no longer staring mockingly back at him.
His stomach churned just thinking about it.
Stolas looked sad.
"I would have cleaned it up," Blitz continued, feeling a need to justify himself, "but it's a permanent marker, so..."
"Would you mind if I fixed it?' the owl asked, voice tentative.
Blitz blinked.
"You can do that?"
"My dear, there are a great many things I can do," Stolas replied, "This would hardly be a task at all."
Blitz snorted, "Humble, aren't we?"
The owl finally smiled some at the remark, one of his hands began to glow with magic, and he swiped it over the photograph. Blitz moved around to be beside him, watching as the black scribbles over his face vanished, leaving him smiling up from the picture once more.
"There," the owl said, sounding satisfied, "We can see your handsome face now."
Blitz took the photo from the owl, looking it over and feeling overwhelmed at the sight.
"Thanks, Stolas," his voice was quiet and sincere.
"It's a lovely photograph," the owl commented back.
Blitz chuckled, successfully fighting back the tears in his eyes.
"Speaking of photos," the imp said, taking out his phone, "We should commemorate the occasion."
He held the device up at arm's length, throwing his free arm around stolas and pulling the surprised owl close.
"Cheese!" he snapped the photo, laughing when the prince complained that he was not ready.
"Too bad, pretty bird; no do-overs."
Stolas huffed but curiously peeked over when Blitz turned the phone back towards himself.
"Can I at least see?" he asked, and the imp tilted the device into view.
Stolas looked startled in the picture, eyes wide and a faint blush across his cheeks, but Blitz's eyes were sparkling with mischief, his smile wide and genuine.
"See? It's not bad," the imp replied.
Stolas blinked.
"Could you...send it to me?" he asked, sounding hopeful.
Blitz scoffed.
"Don't you have like a dozen pictures of us our your phone already?"
"Yes, but," the owl paused, looking sad once more, "You look happy in this one."
Shit.
Blitz didn't know how to respond to that.
"Yeah, I, uh, I'll send it to you," he finally said, clearing his throat and focusing his attention on his phone.
Stolas's phone dinged a moment later when he received the picture, but he didn't look at it immediately, reaching over to touch the back of Blitz's hands to get his attention.
The imp looked over at him.
"Were you really so unhappy with me before?" Stolas asked, his voice somber.
Blitz sighed, scrubbing at his face with his free hand.
"Ugh, it's not like that," he replied, locking eyes with the prince, "We weren't in a fucking relationship before, or at least that's what I kept telling myself. So whenever you did shit like that, it just...it pissed me off. It was confusing. I never knew what you wanted from me."
"I see," The owl replied, frowning, "I'm sorry I was-"
"Don't be," Blitz interrupted, "None of that bullshit matters now."
He turned his palm around and gripped the owl's hand, fingers intertwining.
"I fucking like you, okay?" he was blushing and glaring simultaneously, "So don't go thinking I'm here against my will or some shit."
Stolas looked like he was tearing up.
"I don't want things to be like they were before. I-"
"They won't be," Blitz interrupted fiercely, "They aren't."
Fuck, where was all this coming from?
Stolas smiled shakily, bringing their combined hands to his face and kissing them.
Blitz snorted.
"You're such a dork."
"But I'm your dork, right?" the owl asked.
Blitz rolled his eyes but smiled.
"Yeah...you're mine."
Stolas beamed, feathers fluffing up, and Blitz chuckled.
"We'll take more pictures together from now on," The imp promised, "But first, let's get all this shit put away."
Stolas nodded as he released Blitz's hand, turning back to the box to fix every photo he could find. Blitz watched him from the corner of his eyes, and smiled.