A/N: I'm slowing down a bit, I'm sorry. Today's just another kinda off day, you know?

Speaking of, sorry as well if it's a lil short, this and the next chapter were originally one big chapter, buuuut- yea, it got a bit too long.

I suppose that's part of my writing process. I break everything down into bite-sized digestible chunks. Even if the word count per chapter is relatively low, it helps me a lot. I can finish a full chapter in just a few hours, release it, and go on to the next.

Perhaps my short-and-snappy writing style is something that's developed from my routes in roleplay. You gotta leave room for your partner to write as well, and that's just ingrained in my brain. Maybe at least. Who knows. My writing just is what it is.

Amity and Luz stepped out of the Owl House. Before they left, Luz tapped out a quiiiick text message for her mama.

'Stayin ovr Amitys 2nite, cya 2mrrw!'

With that, they grabbed each other's hands and began to make for Blight Manor - Amity's home. They crossed through the scenic Forearm Forest, which- was strangely beautiful with the purple sky hanging above them. Though, it wasn't without the occasional Squeal trying to nip at their ankles. But still, they both found it a nice, quiet midnight stroll.

Though, it wasn't a minute too soon they arrived at the Manor. Both of them crawled into the same bed, and they were asleep within a minute. While they slept, they dreamt of each other.

In the morning, they plotted out a plan of attack. All night, the problem of what to do with Phillip was hanging over their heads. Luz decided she was just going to bite the bullet and do what Amity said - just talk with Phillip. Emotional stuff wassss kind of her forte! Amity, on the other hand, headed off to go try and set something up with Hunter.

Luz gave the door to Phillip's bedroom a soft knock, before opening it a crack and poking her head in. She found him hunched over a desk, writing in a book…Presumably in the diary that her girlfriend had mentioned last night. "Morning, Phillip!" She said, with a cheery smile. At which, he seemed to flinch, startled. Before turning his head and responding in kind with a "Good morning."

"Woah, you don't look so good…" Luz said, as she walked into his room. Phillip looked, at least in her eyes, a lot worse for wear - his skin seemed paler than normal, and he had large bags under his eyes.

"I'm alright, I just didn't get much sleep last night…" He said, as he rubbed his face. Trying to rub the sleep from his eyes.

"Did anything…Happen?" She asked, eyebrow raised.

"I had a meeting with Hunter in the early morning." Phillip said, as he stood up from his chair and clasped his hands behind his back. "It's nothing that concerns you."

Luz narrowed her eyes, mildly suspicious. "Are you sure, dude? Do you like…Need to talk about it, or…"

His face curled into a mild scowl. "These sins are mine, and mine alone."

"Phillip…" She pleaded. "Bottling it all up inside isn't good for you…I'm here for you. After all, what are friends for?"

He took a deep breath, turning around and looking out the window. This brief pause made Luz think he might be shutting her out…Until he began to speak.

"I'd say it went as well as it possibly could have." After a minute of trying to put it into words, that was what he said.

"Huh?" Luz asked, tilting her head.. "So- does that mean you two came to an understanding, or…"

"No." He replied.

"Well, when, how did it go well?" She said, as she walked up behind him. She could just barely make out his reflection in the glass, and on his face…'I must be going crazy.' she thought to herself, because she was just barely able to make out tears on his cheeks.

"After all I've done to him… in no conceivable universe would he be able to forgive me." His heart was in his throat, but he was trying his hardest to mask it.

Luz put an encouraging hand on his shoulder. "Hey, c'mon…"

Phillip brushed off her hand. "What kind of person, of sound mind and body, would try and hurt his own flesh and blood?" He asked, through gritted teeth.

"Look, Phillip…" Luz sighed, with a sad frown. "I can't sugarcoat it. You hurt…A lot of people. Not just Hunter. You've hurt me, too. And Amity. And Raine, and Eda, and Lilith, and…Well…A lot of people. But you know what? I've been hurt by a lot of people…" Luz nervously rubbed her arm.

"I mean- hell, both Hunter and Amity tried to kill me at least once, and she's now my damn girlfriend!" She didn't sugarcoat it, but- she did give it a light sugar dusting. Help it go down easier. "But I've forgiven them. Because they worked to better themselves, they're not the people that hurt anymore."

Phillip unclasped his hands and leaned over the windowsill.

"Look, Phillip, I…I don't know if you'll ever get to the point where everyone you've hurt will forgive you. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try! If you don't try to change things, they'll never get better." said Luz.

Phillip's hands gripped the windowsill tightly, as he grit his teeth so hard one might've cracked. Luz walked up alongside, getting a look at his face…

'Woah, Belos is having like…Emotions.' She thought. Tears were streaming down his face, and dripping against the windowsill. "...You know what, Phillip? I'm proud of how far you've come, even in such a short time."

"Why?" He managed to choke out.

"Because the Phillip I knew would've never even talked to me."

At this, Phillip turned around sharply…and pulled Luz into a hug. "Woah!" She squeaked, before just going with it. "Phillip…Can you make me a promise?"

"What is it?" He asked, gripping her tightly.

"I know it's going to be hard, but…Even, at your lowest, please. Never become the person you once were. Never be Belos ever again." She pulled back, but put an encouraging hand on his shoulder.

He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. "I won't. I promise."