"Oh, I feel you… pressing down hard on me…"

"Dear, would you please…"

Octavia rolled her eyes as she took out her phone, exaggeratedly swinging her arm to show her pressing skip.

"Ohhh, But nothing seems inviting… Except the image of your open arms… Calling back to me."

"Dear-"

"Geez, dad!" Octavia exhaled, half-amused and half-annoyed. "I thought you liked my music?"

Stolas looked out the window, chuckling with uncertainty. "Erm.. perhaps a different artist would be nice?"

"Fine. Oldies it is." Octavia said dryly.

December had rolled in rather fast, the months breezing by. As he looked to Stella, who'd placed a hand on top of his, he smiled. This kind of peace, he hadn't felt in a long, long time. The moment the two of them together had decided to mend things, as impossible as it seemed, this sense of calm had enveloped their family. This was the kind of love that he'd longed for… the kind of ease he never thought he needed.

Knowing he was loved back, being cared for, and just… treated well. The prince never could've imagined it'd come from his own wife; as ridiculous as the thought sounded. But here they were now, bunched in the back of their high class limousine, dressed in such gallant, bold clothing, coming home from the circus; a full family, and set in line for countless years of reign.

Happiness could be such a fickle thing.

He could only wish this happiness fell upon a particular imp that he'd seemingly gotten mostly over. Memories could still arrive here and there, but surprisingly, he'd mustered the strength, and will, to be able to see things rationally. Blitz… the name left a mark on his heart, but the longing tended to be overtaken by a bittersweet taste; one he'd spit out to the street, forsaking the thought to the back of his mind. Nonetheless, it recurred. No matter how much spite he tried to build… the hate could never be real.

"Stolas," The call of his name made his feathers rise momentarily. Part of him still feared that particular voice's call. The way it traced the letters now was soothing, like a cat's purr. "Is everything alright?"

The owl prince sighed, putting on a weak smile as he pressed his head against Stella's. "Yes… just my thoughts. The greatest opponent."

Stella gave a knowing look, holding him. This was something the two of them knew very well - something that wasn't just going to disappear overnight. But, where the will was, and where the hearts could dare to go- they had trust in it. They had to, for any of this to have a chance. Stolas wanted it all to have a chance… and it wasn't just for Octavia's sake anymore. It was for Stella's… and his own.

Feeling a peck on his cheek made him assured in his decision. For all of this to be set in motion, this was the only way. All things considered, it was hardly the destructive, painful path he would've imagined; less thorns, less weeds, and much more spring blossoms… a grassy, sunflower field in slight-clouded, bright cerulean skies loomed from just a small darkness of forest.

In the glow of the morning, illuminating a vivid, false reflection of Earth's own sunrise, Blitz looked up from his breakfast; bacon and eggs, and a coffee set before he'd even sat down, to look up Verosika already staring. A satisfied smile crept up onto her lips as Blitz took a bite of bacon. He groaned in delight, then lifted the mug to his lips for a drink.

"I'll…" Blitz swallowed down fully. "Never get used to this."

"I know," Verosika's smile turned smug as she drank, too. "Scrambled eggs and bacon… some things don't change."

Blitz nearly laughed, a muffled 'mmm' as he was midway into a bite. "That's not what I meant at all."

"Then what're you laughing about?" Verosika leaned in curiously.

The emanation from his stare was familiar. She'd been experiencing it a lot the past few months- enough for her to recognize this smile as one of complete contentment, and peace. Admittedly, it was one that was unfamiliar to her, nor was this entire feeling. Time passed so easily in this mood. Having moved in together again, just like old times, there had been… fear. But so easily was it put to rest, as she continued to see Blitz in a completely different light.

In some regard, he wasn't himself anymore. And in the same vein, she wasn't, either.

"I'm talking about… getting to seeing you again. Waking up, and seeing you every morning."

Verosika's heart leapt as she felt the flush upon her heart. Such words felt so… safe, and enveloping. Blitz was not much of a sweetheart when it came to that department, usually only referring to sex, and to get out of situations. But that was the Blitz she knew years ago. The thought of her own previous behaviors traced her mind, drawing in just the tiniest bit of fear; she wasn't innocent either. As if her mind had just been read, she felt a hand fall on top of hers.

"I love you."

"I… heh…" Verosika felt like melting on the spot. "I love you too."

"What's that?" Blitz teased as he saw her blush turn fiery. "I couldn't hear ya. I'm gonna need to get closer."

"I love you! Heheh…!" She squirmed as Blitz rose from his seat to pounce, taking her into his arms. The sun's rays danced around them as they held one another, laughing as they tangled. Feeling a barrage of kisses on her face, she squinted, giggling uncontrollably. "Oh God, Blitz!"

As he came to a slow stop, ending it with just one, long kiss on the lips, he relented, a satisfied grin. Before he could give his victory speech however, he felt pressure return back to him, Verosika pinning him to the table.

"And where do you think you're going?" She pushed back onto his lips, longer. "I haven't had my fill yet."

"Fair… but what about breakfast?"

"I think I'm about to have mine. "

Ding, dong!

The two looked at each other with the same frustration, the doorbell coming in between them. Verosika let up, but not before one more quick kiss, before pulling away - despite Blitz's newfound enthusiasm. He made his way to the front door.

"Saved by the bell… who the hell is here this early?" She moaned in annoyance, her voice resonating in the hallway. "If it's that idiot Quinton, please remind him it's my fucking day off…"

"Sure, I'll shoot him while I'm at it." Blitz snorted as he whipped open the door, hiding a pistol behind his back. "By the way, we're still on for tonight, right?"

Blitz froze completely. Meeting their red eyes, ones he hadn't seen in such a long time, but could recognize in a heartbeat.

"Hey… dad."

"..."

"Yeah… I'm sorry for suddenly-"

Blitz didn't let her speak, hugging her tightly.

"Dad…"

"Loonie. Oh, god. I… I thought I lost you…""

Loona shook in his grasp, holding him back. "I… I missed you."

The waves' crashes were like nature's hum. The soft breeze every now and then and the heat of the summer sun was like a soothing embrace from Heaven itself. Still… something felt wrong. His brows furrowed as thoughts went through his head, some he thought he'd forgotten about, and some he'd tried to convince himself he'd let go of.

"Hun. Are you okay?"

Moxxie shook out of his stupor. Taking his sunglasses off, he sat up from his folding chair. Putting on an uncertain smile, he nodded. "Yeah. Pretty nice island, isn't it?"

"It is," Millie admitted as she looked down to her sanded hooves. "I don't think we needed to buy an entire one for ourselves, though."

"What, are you kidding? This place is beautiful! And I didn't want anyone looking at us…" Moxxie looking at the empty horizon. The coast was totally blank, and the red deep ocean beyond was the same, save for boats here and there. "Away from the city… only you, and me."

"Moxxie." Millie looked more seriously. "Tell me the truth."

Moxxie kept looking towards the horizon, his gaze empty.

"Honestly… it is beautiful. I do mean that." He stared harder at the sight, trying to find an answer. The answer came in the form of hushed, repeating waves. "...I just didn't think we'd make it here. And from… IMP, of all places."

"And this bothers you…?" Millie leaned against Moxxie's side.

"I was just… wondering where he is now."

"Don't you think this was for the best?"

Moxxie wrapped an arm around Millie. The waves repeated the answer.

"Dear, make sure to get ready! I want to make sure we get a good spot… Satan forbid those pesky humans take up the entire hill." Stolas called from outside his daughter's bedroom.

"In a sec, dad!" Octavia replied in a muffle.

Smiling to himself, he looked at his watch. They were more or less on schedule. Looking into the mirror, slicking back his hair with a tuft of magic, he adjusted his collar. His reflection looked better and better by the day. Where had the beauty gone, and for so long? How much did it take to get here… what was the cost?

"All… set!" Octavia announced as she stepped out, wearing casual wear.

Stolas looked much the same, sporting rather similar colors to her… to Octavia's surprise. "Really? Not going to do a suit? Or… you know, one of the ones with… more gems?"

"Erm… is it too… 'modern?'"

"Dad, you look like an emo hipster." Octavia stifled a giggle. "But, I mean… what does mom think of it?"

"I simply think it is comfortable! Your mother will also be taking a similar look!"

"Oh, Lucifer. " Octavia cringed.

"Come, now! It shall be nice to go out in something less… overwhelming. It works in favor of our human disguises, nonetheless!" Stolas exchanged his knowing smile for Octavia's amused one. "This is the human fashion you seem to take after, isn't it? I've seen the surface bands you listen to."

"It's not my fault Hell's fashion consists of old suits, cowboys, and victorian era shenanigans. It's just not my thing." Octavia proclaimed smugly.

"Fair. A balance of functionality is preferable to those humpbacks." Stolas eyed a particular ancestor of his, passing by a giant painting. "My dear, once you take over… you will be able to dress up any way you wish to. And for occasions such as this, by all means…"

Stopping in his tracks, he gently guided her shoulder, and knelt before his daughter. "...You will have complete, total freedom. But as you may know, in the eyes of Hell's royalty, my family, and all relations to it; we must maintain the image they wish to project."

Octavia rolled her eyes, but nodded slowly.

"Once you have the power, that cannot be taken away from you. But we also must play by their games. Only temporarily." Stolas rose, ruffling her hair. "Your mother and I don't want to give them any excuses to deny you of your birthright. You must be safe."

"That is right, daughter. We only want the best for you."

At the sound of her name, she looked to her mother, who waited at the front door. Seeing her, she felt her beak open wide. "Uhhh…"

"Oh…" Stolas vocalized in the same tone. "Darling, you…"

"Is… is it a bit overdone?"

"Wow, mom, you look… wow."

Hair slicked over an eye, a black, open shoulder top, dark purple ruffle skirt, fishnet stockings, black ankle boots, complete with dark eyeshadow, matching nail polish, and dyed hair was sure to completely shock them. Stella sported red on her face, too, as she bashfully pressed her arms together.

"I… looked up human fashion! You two act as if I've done this before- of course my first try won't be great!" Stella looked even more embarrassed as Stolas approached.

"Stella, dear, you look… breathtaking." Stolas stole a kiss, feeling some of the lipstick rub off onto his lips.

"Ahem. Geez…" Octavia walked right past out through the door. "Do you guys even want to go to the meteor shower, or back to your room?"

"Well, excuse me, missy, for wanting to show affection to my wife." Stolas proclaimed, mocking arrogance.

"Stolas, are you sure I don't look…"

Stolas faced Stella seriously, giving her a more than passionate kiss behind the door. "I'd absolutely ravish you on the spot had we not had plans for tonight."

"Mmm… we'll have plenty of time for that later, won't we?" Stella's feathers fluttered.

"Plenty, my sweet."

The three getting into the car, oddly not taking the limousine, Stolas assumed the driver's seat. Turning on the engine, ensuring the three of them had put on their seatbelts, he stepped on the accelerator slowly.

"Uhh… dad, why don't we just teleport?" Octavia leaned between the two front seats from the back.

"Giving the driver a dayoff, love?" Stella voiced her concern, too.

"Are you two worried that I can't drive?" Stolas clicked his fingers to reveal a driver's license, along with his human disguise, summoned through green flames. As he did, their surroundings changed too, revealing a night sky much like Stolas had taken Octavia too many, many times before. For Stella, too, this was something new. "I wanted this to be… something special. Something personal, for us to experience. As a family. "

Opening the roof, the folds retreating into their respective compartments, the three were treated to an even better view, the cool night breeze unlike anything Hell could attempt to replicate; the real winds of the human world.

"And on a full moon, too… what a sight." Stolas remarked to himself as he enjoyed the view for a few moments, too, heading to the site of the meteor shower. Pulling into the parking lot, they got out to head towards the observatory. "Geminids has great timing this year."

Their human disguises appearing, they made their way through the crowd, soft chattering as they all looked upon the sky with anticipation. Taking their own spot, further from the crowd. Stolas could feel it coming in his bones. He'd witnessed this shower before many, many times. But never had he seen it with both his wife and daughter.

As he watched the first meteor cross, he felt a sudden emptiness. Amongst the crowds 'oohs' and 'ahs', Octavia and Stella's included, he felt center of it all, dead, and devoid as the black underneath the lights. His body threatened to quake, but he willed himself to be still. The voices faded, right along with the stars…

Tears began to fall as he looked out, searching for an answer. Much like his own stars, these ones offered no sympathy. Then, he heard something. His feathers twitching, he looked towards that sound. A noise that felt so familiar… a laugh, that beckoned to him. A voice that was unforgettable.

There Blitz stood, standing out from everyone else. But he wasn't alone. A pair of imps sat beside him, daughter on the opposite, and one more. The last figure stayed glued to him, holding him. Not before long, the two shared a kiss.

The murmurs of 'I love you' exchanged were pure… nothing less than perfection. And within this feeling, he looked to Stella, who clung onto him, too. She was absolutely mesmerized… and seeing his eye contact, she kissed his cheek.

"It's beautiful, Stolas…"

He turned to Octavia. She glanced back, too, with the purest smile he'd ever seen; as pure as the day she was born, when he embraced her for the first time.

The moment he looked back, Blitz too, saw him. Their eyes connected for that moment; unmistakable, as the gravity seemed to shift amongst their distance.

Blitz had hesitation. But quickly, it was overtaken by a smile, sweeter than he could ever remember and a wave. The tears in his eyes were evident.

Stolas couldn't help but smile, too, waving back. Now, he understood, the conflict in his heart settling. Holding the hands of his family, he gazed with them.

There were plenty of stars to wish upon tonight…

Once more,

Once more,

Once more…

You know nothing would've needed deciding,

Had you just simply asked.

But the full moon's right,

And it's me.

I'll take you back…

Yeah, I know it seems surprising,

When there's lipstick still on the glass…

And the full moon's rising,

But it's me who makes myself mad…

I'll take you.