Author's Note: Now for a chapter that I'm thrilled to write, not only because I'm aiming for it to be one of the longest chapters (at the moment), but also because Stolas is finally stepping into his adoptive father role! This is also one of the mini episodes that I've mentioned that would add character development.
Now for an important note, certain things will be revealed about Xandar and his past from this point on. I intentionally kept it vague to add suspense and mystery to him.
Oh! And to answer questions for ReadingBeta, first, the I.M.P are using the book to accomplish the disguise. Next, Xandar, as will be revealed in this chapter, has demon like powers and can be hurt worse by angelic weapons. Last but not least, Blitzo isn't going hysterical because he actually likes Xandar enough to allow the relationship. That wasn't very clear and I apologize for that. With that said, let's begin!
Last time on Xandar's Helluva Adventures, Xandar and the I.M.P dealt with troublesome angels and loopy inventors. Now Xandar and Stolas have family bonding time. How will that turn out? Find out now!
Chapter Eighteen: Bonding Time
Xandar's P.O.V:
Well, I really didn't think this was how my day would begin. I came into work expecting a mission of sorts. But right when I got in, Blitzo called me into his office. And guess what he told me. No really, take a wild guess.
"Xandar, I think you should take a day off," Blitzo said in a serious tone. I looked at him in disbelief. Was he being for real right now? A day off!?
"Blitzo, please tell me you're just fucking with me," I began in an equally serious tone. "Because if you are, it isn't fucking funny."
Blitzo sighed and stood up. "I really wish I was," he replied. He paced to the window and looked out the glass with a look that seemed...sad.
"Blitzo, if I'm not doing good at my job then-" I begin with a worried voice before he turns around and raises a hand. I stop instantly.
"Xandar, you are doing just fine. You're a good soul. Hell, that's why I'm letting you date Loona. But I've been worried about you. During the whole Cherub situation, you were a little sloppy, not gonna lie." He looked at me expectantly.
"Sir, it was just a slip up," I began again. "No big deal-" I try to say only for him to cut me off in a way I wasn't expecting.
"It is a big, fucking deal!" He shouts causing me to flinch. He sees this and sighs. "Look, you're a great employee and going off record here, a great friend." He places a hand on my shoulder. "But I can't let you get hurt. So I'm saying this as a boss AND as a friend...take the day off. Please."
I sigh. Only one thing popped into my head. "This was Loona's idea, wasn't it?" I asked seriously.
"Nope. It totally was all me," Blitzo replied.
"No it wasn't!" Loona shouts. Blitzo facepalms. I'm about to say something, but I stop when he yells back at Loona.
"It was 90% percent my idea!"
"More like 20%!"
I sigh and get up, letting them argue. I look at Loona as I walked out of the office. "I'm sorry," I say as I walk away. I feel Loona grab my shoulder.
"You know I'm doing this because I love you, right?" Loona inquired with a look of concern. I sigh for what I feel is the hundredth time.
"I know Loona. I'm sorry..." I trail off. I just got angry at her. God, what the hell is wrong with me?
"It's ok," Loona replied. She sees my sad look and grabs my face lightly. "Hey, don't worry. I'll be fine," she said. She then kisses me on the cheek. "I love you Xandar."
I smile for the first time in about ten minutes. "I love you too Loona," I reply returning the kiss. I guess I'm gonna head home. I might as well finish my book.
ZZZ
"Let's make a deal."
"You want to save her don't you?"
"MOM!"
SCREEEEECH!
I awoke with a start. What the fuck was that? I hear the sound of screeching and a faint vibrating noise. I go to grab my phone before hearing a thud and the sound of rustling paper. As I pick up my phone I see my book on the floor. Did I seriously fall asleep?
Who would call me at this time? What time is it anyway? I don't even check. As I answer the phone the dream fades away. "Hello?" I ask tiredly.
"Xandar?" A voice inquires. The voice sounds very cordial and has a British accent. Wait...who do I know sounds like that? I think to myself. "Are you alright?" The voice asks worriedly and I shake my head.
"Yep. Yeah, I'm ok. Who is this?" I ask with a yawn. Who is this-
"It's Stolas." I immediately became alert. Shit! How could I forget Stolas' voice!?
"I'm so sorry! I was asleep! I didn't mean to-" I ramble.
"It's alright," came the kind reply. "How are you doing?"
I sigh. I feel like I was hit with a ton of bricks. I feel a massive migraine. I feel like complete and utter horse shit. "I could be better," I replied honestly.
"I see," he answers. "Are you doing anything?" He questioned me kindly.
I look down at my book. "Uh, not really. What's up? I mean, uh, what's going on Stolas?" I stutter nervously. I hear a good natured chuckle.
"Don't worry Xandar. You're fine. How would you like to hang out?" I'm sorry. What? "I know you may be confused...but since you are family and I feel terrible for us not talking in awhile, I figured we could hang out. You know, father and son bonding time."
I don't know what to think. On the one end, I'm still nervous around Stolas. But on the other hand, it beats being bored. Ah, what the hell! "Sure. That would be fun. How soon will you be here?" I ask curiously.
"I can be there in about ten minutes," Stolas replied. "I'll see you in a few minutes."
"Sounds good! See you soon!" I answer and hang up. I have a feeling this'll be an interesting day.
ZZZ
True to his word, Stolas walked out of a portal. He had normal-well ok, normal for him-clothes. He had a black shirt with the words "Royal Bitch," and blue jeans, along with red shoes. "Hello Xandar!" He practically cheers.
I bow instantly. "Hello, Prince Stolas," I say kindly. I am met with chuckling again. I look back up at Stolas to see him chuckling. It sounded like owl hooting.
"Oh, Xandar!" He laughs. "You don't have to bow. You're family now!" He explains. "After all," he continued, "I'm wearing normal street clothes. So you don't need to bow anyway."
I blush, embarrassed. "Oh, right," I chuckle nervously while rubbing the back of my head. "Sorry about that Stolas. I'm still getting used to the rules of Hell. Ya know?" I ask.
"That's quite alright. Now! I have an idea or two in mind. We could see a movie or we could go to lunch. Which sounds best?" He asks with a kind smile.
"Honestly, lunch sounds pretty good right about now. I didn't eat breakfast. All I had was an apple. That's not really filling," I explain.
Stolas nods and looks around. He sees something and smiles. "How about there?" He inquires. I turn to where he looked. It was a restaurant called "Lou's Demon Burgers." "I've always wanted to go there, but couldn't find time. Besides...Stella hates 'plebeian food,'" he adds with finger quotes.
From what little I have seen and heard about Stella...she sounds like a real bitch. But I decided not to question it. I decide to focus on the restaurant at hand. "Sure. I'm game," I reply.
We walk up to the restaurant with wide smiles. Truthfully, it's a little awkward. I mean, yeah he's family now. But I'm not a blood relative. Nor am I royalty, so the whole scenario is just...awkward, as I've said.
My mind goes back to the dream. Why am I having them? I remember both so much and so little about the dreams. I think they're memories. But I'm not sure. My mind snaps back to reality when I feel Stolas' hand on my shoulder.
"Are you alright Xandar?" He asks with a concerned look. I look at him and sigh.
"To be very honest," I begin while standing at the doorway to the building, "I am not quite sure. I keep having nightmares. But every time I feel like I'm getting somewhere, it just fades away." Stolas ponders my statement. He seems worried, but I still say nothing.
"Let's get some food," Stolas said seriously. "I think we have much to discuss. If you're open to it?"
"I think I should. I'm not sure if it'll be pleasant, but I feel I should vent though."
"Very much so. You've been very, what's the word? Um, stuck, I think," Stolas replied. "You claim you're doing well, yet you talk so little about your feelings. I think-" He tries but is cut off by a loud voice behind us.
"Quit your yammering and hurry the fuck up!" The voice yells.
"Can it you dick!" I yell in response causing the demon to flinch. I turn to Stolas. He seems shocked, but brushes it off right away.
"I think venting is a great idea," He says after a solid ten seconds.
"Yeeeah," I answer embarrassed.
ZZZ
The table was a typical dinner table that you'd find in a diner. It had a checkered pattern and a red cloth. There were also placemats for kids if they went here. I was eating a cheeseburger with fries on the side while Stolas had a steak. I take a bite and feel mustard smear in my mustache.
I take a napkin and wipe my face before grabbing a few fries and taking a big bite. After chewing and swallowing I sigh.
"You're not ok, are you Xandar?" Stolas asks setting down his wine. I look at him and see his expression. It was a look of pure concern. I shake my head.
"Honestly Stolas," I begin with a sigh, "I'm not doing so well." I see his face waiting for a response, however Stolas nod's indicating for me to continue. "I feel like I'm not doing enough. Like, I'm good at my job, but today...Blitzo asked me to take a day off."
Stolas nods. He then sighs. "But that's not what's really bothering you, is it?" He asks. I try read his expression again. This time though, I recognize sorrow. But was it for me? Or was it for the scenario? I take a sip of the beer I ordered and cringe at the flavor.
"Well," I continued, "I remember bits and pieces of the deal I made, but sometimes when I remember one detail, another gets pushed away," I explained. "I think it's a consequence of the deal," I theorized.
Stolas nods again. "I was afraid of that. It's entirely possible," he agreed. "Though, I do wonder...why would you make a deal in the first place?" He inquired.
I thought about it. "I had a dream, but it was most likely a memory," I guessed. "In the dream, I see my mother. She's hurt bad, crushed under a support beam and-" I begin to cry. Stolas gasps and grabs my hand as fast as he could. "She was dying," I cried.
Stolas makes a shushing sound. "It's alright Xandar," he comforts me. "You're alright," he repeats.
I sob again, but continue anyway. "I didn't know what to do! I cried into the sky and asked-no-begged a higher being to save her. Then I hear a voice. It was mocking me."
"Let's make a deal...you want save her, don't you?"
"MOM!"
"This...man, though I can't remember what he looked like, he asked me if I wanted to make a deal to save her," I bawled. Stolas gasps and places a hand on his mouth. "I told him I'd do anything. The next thing I know, I am grabbed and pulled away. Into the ground. And then I woke up," I pause. "And you can figure out the rest," I finish.
Stolas seemed upset. "This is worse than I thought," he mumbled. "Much worse."
"What's wrong Stolas?" I asked. Stolas shakes his head and he thinks of something. "Stolas? What's wrong?" I practically begged.
Stolas sighs. "Xandar, if you truly made a deal to save your mother and it was with a cross roads demon...then she may not-" He stopped. He couldn't finish. He didn't need to.
"No..."I gasp. "I-why? Why did this have to happen?" I sobbed. But then, the anger came back. Oh God how it burns. "WHY!?" I roar earning startled looks from the customers.
"Xandar!" Stolas shouted. "Please calm down!" He pleaded. I shake my head, stand up and run out of the restaurant. I had to get away. I needed to get away.
"Xandar!" I hear Stolas call after me. I wouldn't listen. No, I won't listen. As I run I see a bridge. Under the bridge is a river of lava.
I stand near the edge for a solid minute before grabbing the railing and collapsing in tears. "Why! Why her!?" I wail. "Why her!? Why her!?" I continue wail.
"Xandar?" A voice behind me says. It didn't take a genius to realize that it was Stolas. I look at him but don't see him very well. My tears are blinding my vision.
Stolas immediately pulls me into a hug. He holds my head and shushes me. "Why her?" I croaked. "Why her?"
"Xandar. It's ok," Stolas soothes. I return the hug and continue to cry.
ZZZ
Blitzo's P.O.V:
I look through the book and groan in annoyance. How hard is it to find a demon disguise? As I flip through the pages for the hundredth time, Moxxie walked in.
"Ugh, what do you want Mox?" I demand annoyed.
"You've been cooped up in here all day. I'm just seeing why you're being lazy and letting us do all the work, as per usual," he insulted.
I growl. "I'm trying to find Xandar a demon disguise," I seethed. "It's fucking harder than it looks!" I roar.
Moxxie sighs. "Let me see the book," he said gesturing to himself. Oh fuck no! He's not going to mess up the book! If he does, Stolas will be angry and my ass will be grass.
I clutch the book to my chest. "Oh hell no! You're not getting this book," I snarl. Moxxie growls. He then runs at me and tackles me to the floor before yanking the book out of my hands. "Give it back you baby dicked bitch!" I screech.
Moxxie sighs. "Found it," he says in annoyance before handing me to book.
"Wait. How did you find it!?" I question him. Moxxie rolled his eyes.
"Theres a thing called 'Table of Contents' and or 'Index.'" He lectures. "Maybe if you knew how to read, you'd have found it already."
I snarl at him. Moxxie rolled his eyes again and leaves the room slamming the door. I stomp to the door, open it and yell, "Slam this door one more fucking time and it'll be coming out of your paycheck!" I slam the door not even caring about my damage.
I see the spell and smile. Xandar's going to be so happy when he hears this! I pull out my cell phone and call his number.
ZZZ
Xandar's P.O.V:
Stolas was able to calm me down. We were currently discussing one other detail of the deal. "-I was given the powers of a demon. Agility, speed, healing AND strength," I explained. Stolas nodded.
"You had no powers before the deal, correct!" He asked. I nodded. He rubbed his chin in thought. "That is...odd. I've never met a crossroads demon who gave someone powers," he stated. "This is all so confusing," he added.
I sigh once again. "You're telling me," I replied. "If this isn't a normal occurrence, then I'm more stumped. But, why would this demon-"
I was about to say more, when my cell phone rang. It was Blitzo. I'm about to apologize to Stolas but he holds up a hand and smiles. I return the smile and answer the phone. "Hey Blitzo," I say.
"Hi Xandar," he replied. "Say, what are you doing right now?" He asked as I turn to Stolas.
"I'm spending time with my new dad," I state with a smile. Stolas grins and laughed joyously.
"Oh! That's wonderful!" Blitzo comments happily. "So, uh, who is it?" He inquired. I jaw drop. How many times have I told him this?
"It's Stolas," I reply. Now to see if he actually remembered or payed any attention.
"Wait, what!?" He shouts in shock. Yep. He never payed any attention. After a moment of awkward silence Blitzo continues. "I need you to come to the office. And bring Stolas!" He demands, though ironically kindly.
I look at Stolas who tilted his head in curiosity. "Uh, why?" I ask.
"Let's just say, I got a VERY big surprise for you," he finished.
Author's Note: Tada! The longest chapter I've ever written. I had fun writing this chapter and hopefully, it was as emotional and happy as I felt it was.
Next time on Xandar's Helluva Adventures, Xandar gets a demon disguise and Verosika makes plans to capture Xandar. What will the disguise look like? What will be Verosika's plan? WHAT WILL LOONA DO!? Find out next time!