The stars. It was his haven. He could name each and every one of them, and he had; some of them even having personal nicknames, for both the brightest, and the dimmest. All of them were his companions, always shining, and always beautiful. Even on his worst days, he'd take comfort in the ethereal's version of silence; a monotone humming, yet calming at the same time. For how many years, he'd studied of them, analyzing each and every one until he could take just one look and know where he was looking at. It took a long time for him to attain such a level, but it was an enjoyable journey. The sky was forever his safe place, where no one could bother him.

Tonight, the patterns seem to collide. The lights were blurry; dreary, and lifeless. The warmth of his stars had turned cold as if they'd forsaken him. Once, he'd find the strength to always stand with pride, relishing in his element. Now, he sat, curled against himself, scared. Weak.

He couldn't believe the words he'd said. He couldn't believe he had the heart to turn away from it all; and right in front of Blitz, who'd just unveiled emotions, pain, and desires mirroring his own. Stolas cried into his knees. It was pathetic. He'd decided to do this, and he couldn't find the bravado he previously wielded to walk away; to see Blitz beg, and leave him without hesitation, as if it all that simple for him. But he knew he had to be strong. He knew he couldn't leave a trace of doubt for Blitz to hold on to. Blitz's definition of forever was just like his own.

"Forgive me." Stolas' voice echoed into the nothingness, reflecting his cold.

"Dad?"

Stolas' swallowed and gasped. Standing up, he turned away. "O-oh! Via! Apologies dear, I... I did not expect you to be here!"

His mouth quivering and his eyes drenched, Stolas tried his best to look presentable. Certainly, he looked far from it, his disguise dropped, and revealing not his commanding, luxurious presence, but a shell of his normal self. It took a lot to look his daughter in her eyes.

"I just wanted to check on you."

"Was dinner not to your liking?"

"You don't cook dinner. Like, ever." The cue for Octavia to laugh came, and left.

"Oh," Stolas chuckled, crossing his arms. "yes, I'll... be doing that much more often now."

Octavia approached Stolas' side, and standing beside him, looked upon the stars. She swallowed. She wasn't sure what to say in this situation. Clearly her father was not in the right state of mind, nor would they ever admit such a thing. It was his moment of need, but she hadn't any idea on how to comfort him. She was certain her mother had seen this all, too.

"Via. I want you to know... that things will be changing, starting tomorrow." Stolas proclaimed, trouble in speaking clearly. "I will be dedicating more time to you and your mother. You two deserve more than any of this. More than what I've been."

Octavia looked at her father, who still refused to look at her. "I don't understand."

Stolas nodded. "Sometimes... understanding takes long. A long, long time. All we can do is try, and hope that is sooner than later. Before it is too late."

Kneeling down, he finally looked at his daughter. Rubbing their head, he took them into his arms. "I have failed you. Please, forgive me."

"Dad, I'm fine. I don't..."

Stolas shook his head. "I will make things right. I am sorry it took me this long."

Octavia didn't know what to say. Feeling her father's tears though, she couldn't help but cry as well. "It's okay... really..."

She knew there was truth in the words he was saying. The dysfunctionality of their family was everpresent, and they never really felt like one. But something felt wrong. The way her father cried wasn't just for their family. She'd seen him cry for them before. One thing came to mind. She'd heard the phone calls, and in passing conversation about one name. That was a large portion of what she ever knew of her father.

"That person... Blitz? Does it have something to do with them?"

Stolas went still, only slightly trembling.

Octavia continued. "Did something happen?"

Stolas looked up to the stars again, his sights landing on Andromeda. Octavia recognized this, too. In a way, she understood.

"I'll be here for a while longer, I imagine." Stolas let go and looked back to his stars. "Get some sleep. I shall make us breakfast, and we'll get right back to your schooling without delay."

Octavia looked as if she wanted to say more, but she kept it to herself. Leaving through a portal, the prince returned to the cold isolation, nothing to do but take it all in its entirety. He was going to have to get used to it. There was no one else he could turn to. His responsibilities had overtaken all; what was his happiness worth when his daughter was counting on him to be a good influence? And, no doubt, Stella's influence was tainted by the absence of him; a reflection. He needed to make amends with her, too. What he did was unforgivable... somehow, he'd have to make up for total infidelity.

He walked through the emptiness for a long time, mindless in his roaming, journeying towards nowhere. He had to be strong. He'd set the example for Blitz... and he hoped they were enjoying that freedom. They'd tormented each other in their own ways, and now they had freedom. The pain would just have to be their reckoning; something that would fade with time.

And even if Stolas couldn't let go, he knew he'd have to find a way to remain strong. He'd held on to the memories for so long... the memory of Blitz was everlasting; a testimony to the truth of his love for them.

Perhaps this would be a second testimony; to care for wife and daughter, and hold the weight within a shattered heart.