One way or another, the path merged into one. And straight back into the ocean he went.

The days were as long as they were short. Staring into the nothingness, and blankness of life, Blitz's breaths were deep, and collected. The suffocation came in another form. The heart's stalks were vice in grip, weakening the rest of his body. He could collapse at any moment. He could break down, and fall apart into dust. He wasn't sure what was holding him together. The week long vacation came and went like the switch of a light; a blink, and the time had vanished. He'd been looking forward to this final meeting, anyhow.

He didn't sleep the entire night, and had stayed sitting in the kitchen. It'd be 3 hours until around the time Moxxie and Millie would clock in.

One more blink, and they were here, the front door opening, and the light switch flicking on. Moxxie was surprised to see Blitz just sitting in the remaining dark of the night. The moon hadn't risen just yet. The waiting imp just smiled as his eyes adjusted to the light quick, seeing his acquaintance's energetic motions. Millie was behind him, too, less worried, and just relaxed.

"Whoa! Up early, huh?"

Blitz nodded. "Yeah."

"You don't look so good," Moxxie paused for a moment in his movement, then went to the coffee maker. "what, we already got a line?"

Millie had went to the counter, lifting the phone up. Normally there'd be a lot of voicemails to be heard. But, clicking the playback multiple times resulted in nothing. It was only then she realized that it'd been plugged off. Looking to Blitz, Blitz just had a blank expression, looking to nowhere in particular.

He spoke calmly. "Let's have some breakfast first. We can discuss business later."

"Uh... alright, hun." Millie put on a smile, but it was not acknowledged.

Blitz tried his best to smile back.

The motions were the same, but they were empty. Millie cooked breakfast, and Moxxie prepared coffee. Blitz couldn't get the small talk to run, and he felt sorry for it. But, insisting nothing was wrong with a nod, they continued with their routine. He hoped Loona would make her appearance, but understood why she wouldn't want to come down right now. They hadn't spoken since that one night, and he hadn't tried to talk to her either. Maybe nothing more had to be said. But, she wasn't gone just yet- he could still hear her moving about at times.

As breakfast finished, he collected their dishes and got to cleaning them.

That went by without a sound. And turning around, he'd come to meet two gazes, looking concerned.

"Come on, don't look at me like that. I've got some good news." Blitz took a breath, sitting back down. Their eyes watched his every moment. He didn't so much as blink. "I think..."

"..."

"...That it's time for me to relinquish the business."

Moxxie looked away for a second, blinking a few times. He opened his mouth, but he hadn't said a thing. Millie looked much the same, licking her lower lip, giving a half nod.

"Relinquish the business." Millie repeated.

"Yeah." Blitz nodded with more energy than she did. "I'm thinking... that I'm done. But!"

Blitz coughed, then took out his phone from his pocket. "Gimme a sec... and... there!"

A buzz and a ring tone prompted Moxxie and Millie to take out their phones. Blitz watched for their reactions. This time, he smiled for real. Moxxie's eyes went wide, and Millie looked pleasantly surprised. But those emotions would, again, fade to the previous concern they had been wearing.

"Boss... I don't know what to say."

"There's nothing to say.:" Blitz looked over the two of them. "You two have earned it. Besides, this was written in our business agreement. Should I.M.P. ever be extinguished, or whatever business term I put in there, all employees will be paid their share of whatever remaining contracts are there."

"Hun, this is... like... where did you even...?"

"You can thank Stolas for the majority of it. He paid us off completely to settle our contract. Don't worry- it's a four way split, and I've got..." Blitz turned around to open a cupboard, then placed a piece of paper on the table. "...here. It's the deposit, just in case you think I'm skimming."

Blitz expected them to be a lot happier than this. More than anything, they looked shocked, or even disappointed. Even so, he knew that would only fade once they realized what it really meant for the rest of their lives. They'd live like overlords... and they wouldn't have to risk their lives ever again. It was more than enough for a hundred lifetimes over.

"So, that's it?"

Blitz smiled wider, folding his hands on the table. "Yeah. That's it. I.M.P. is done, and... you're free to go."

"Sir, I..."

Blitz stood up, and so did they. Seeing Moxxie approach, Blitz was surprised to feel arms wrap around him, holding him tight. He held back just as tight.

"Live your lives, you two. Just be smart about it."

Just like that, they were gone. The farewells didn't really hit him. But knowing that was the last time he'd see them, and the return of the silence, reminded him.

Footsteps behind him, he turned to see Loona. Again, it was that face... that look of concern that he hated right now. It wasn't as if they cared before. Why was it now, when it was time to let go, that they were being this way? The frustration did not change his decision, nor made him doubt.

"Don't worry. I sent your share, too. No cuts or anything like that."

When she started to cry, he felt an intense anger. Blitz's eyes narrowed, and he stared away, out the window.

"Come on. Don't do that."

"Dad..."

"And don't fucking call me that! Jesus, Loonie. Do you hear yourself right now?!"

"Why are you mad at me?"

"I...!" Blitz shook his head, taking a deep breath. "I'm not mad at you. But, god, I've been a deadbeat for how many years, and you fucking know it. You should hate me!"

"..."

"I," Blitz laughed, feeling his own tears. "I don't even know why the fuck you're still here. You've got the money. You've always wanted to leave."

Loona was at a loss for words.

Blitz knew he was right. He knew why she was acting this way, but he didn't want the pity.

"For once, let me do right by you." Approaching, he placed his hands on her shoulders. "I... have always wanted to be a good father. But it was never in my place. From the very start, I fucked up. I'm not about to pretend I can turn it all around and just, be that now."

Loona held Blitz. He couldn't help but tear, too.

"You're strong, Loonie. You can handle yourself.

"..."

"You know what to do."