TOMORROW

Blitzø stirs.

He shifts against downy feathers and silken sheets, blinking into slow awareness.

…wait…

Downy feathers.

Embrace.

Stolas.

He is wrapped in Stolas's embrace, his scent.

He is in Stolas's bed. Stolas's suite. Stolas's mansion.

The pentagram is rising, shining through tall windows with the citrus tint of the new morning.

New morning.

…

It is tomorrow.

He made it.

Relief; warm and glowing and silently exuberant, spreads through his whole body so intensely that Blitzø could almost cry.

But he's done enough crying already.

Instead, he releases a wobbly exhale and smooshes his face into Stolas's fluffy chest, feeling the slow rise and fall of his breath, listening to the eldritch rhythms of his demonic heart.

Stolas coos in his sleep and adjusts his hold on Blitzø a little tighter.

When they eventually can be bothered to get up, they do so together.

They wash together, scrubbing away the sweat from yesterday (and for Blitzø, something more, something older and deeper and accumulated). Stolas's bathtub glitters, the water reflecting the constellations around the tub. Stolas doesn't take his eyes off Blitzø; who closes his eyes, opens them to gaze up at the owl, then closes them again, at peace.

They dress together. Blitzø hands Stolas his bathrobe without looking, without consciously thinking. Stolas ignites Blitzø's cigarette with a snap of his slender fingers.

They go down to breakfast together. Stolas slows his long stride and Blitzø quickens his footsteps to match; but by the time they reach the kitchen, the imp has draped himself over the owl's shoulders for a last-mile piggyback ride.

The coffee machine churns out an iced coffee. Bowls of sugary cereal are poured; and the two trade jokes and banter uninhibited. Blitzø texts Loona. Stolas texts Octavia, who's looking forward to coming home (and doesn't that makes the tall prince hoot adorably).

They talk some more about their daughters; proud embarrassing dads that they both are.

Eventually, their conversation turns to the statue still out in the hall. Stella will be pissed. She clearly wants Stolas dead. Given that she was bold enough to talk about assassination right in front of her target (gotta admire the audacity of that bitch though), she'll probably try again – there's no shortage of assassins or blessed weapons accessible to the Goetia family, after all.

It's Pringles the butler, back from Ozzie's, who practically insists that proper precautions be taken for the prince's own safety. Blitzø's pretty sure everyone in this household knows Stolas is more than powerful enough to protect himself – maybe Pringles just wants an emptier mansion so he can nurse his obvious hangover.

But Blitzø relents, suggests they both go to I.M.P today just to follow the 'proper' protocol (and, besides, it's a neat little excuse to stay together).

And when Stolas is quick to agree, Blitzø consciously permits that fuzzy feeling to rise up within him.

For once Millie & Moxxie are the ones who are late to work. They trapse in the office with that still-love-drunk look on their faces; and Moxxie's shirt is buttoned up wonkily.

Their still-lidded eyes fall on Stolas, who leans close over Blitzø's chair and Blitzø's shoulders as the imp flips through forgotten-about files and bellyaches about the most entitled of I.M.P's clients. Stolas, who chuckles fondly and preens the nape of Blitzø's neck so intimately.

Only then do the two notice they are being watched.

Millie coos congratulations like the shipper she is. Moxxie just looks smug(ly proud?). Blitzø's half sure possum-imp-boy's gonna blackmail him with this at some point, and y'know what? He doesn't care. No shits given. Good on Moxxie if he learns to ditch some of his uptight morals and play with the big boys.

Loona enters not long after, and she's openly smiling; tired, rumpled and satisfied in a way that would have made Blitzø freak out once in poorly-articulated fear, but those are the eyes of an adult hellhound who kept aware and in control last night and didn't do nothing she didn't consent to. (And she's come back. Trust.)

Vortex's party must have gone well – so well in fact that Loona forgets she's supposed to be surly for three whole sentences, and then she notices Stolas's presence and is dumbstruck.

Moxxie starts reprimanding the hellhound for the untidy state of her clothes in the presence of a royal; until she shuts him up with the fact he's not exactly perfectly groomed either. Millie makes the case for a Casual Monday.

Stolas quirks an amused eyebrow. Blitzø pats the owl's feathery cheek, welcoming him to the I.M.P family.

There are days ahead.

For Blitzø there is Barbie Wire, stuck in rehab. There is the price of some horseriding lessons to write a cheque for and send to Verosika Mayday. An anonymous letter of thanks to post to the Hazbin Hotel. A mother's grave to bring good tidings to.

Because Blitzø hasn't forgotten 184 yesterdays, how he fucked up some and how he didn't fuck up others.

(For Stolas there will be an oncoming divorce proceeding, and a weight off his chest when it's all done. There will be a permanent reconnection with his daughter. There will be drinks and cuddles; films and dates; true lovemaking and real bold, fun love. And, most importantly, talking.)

(For Loona there will be new friends, new experiences, and a father who is just a little less loud and clingy and dumb – just a little though.)

(For Millie & Moxxie there will be a less prying boss, a more cohesive work environment, and maybe even new additions to their little family…)

But that is the future, for now a mystery.

The past is history; behind him. It will probably always drag and nip at his feet, but it doesn't have to always pin him down. He can move on now, in more ways than one.

And this is the present, a gift:

Blitzø drawling an easy wisecrack. Stolas chuckling close and warm just behind him. Millie suggesting a double-date sometime. Moxxie fretting about the prince's privacy and accommodating his upper-class tastes. Loona snarking that she'll have more time to herself; though the look in her eyes refutes her words & tone.

This is what he's craved for so long, what he never thought he could have again. Now he does.

So, he savours it.

Blitzø pulls everyone – his family – into a hug, making sure to press a kiss against the curve of Stolas's neck.

A/N:

And that's a wrap!

Anyone notice the shift to present tense in this chapter? It symbolizes that Blitzø has made it out of the time loop.

The bathrobe & cigarette line is half-borrowed from another excellent HB fic, 'Palaces and Souvenirs' by CloudySonder. Go check it out!

…Yes, this chapter does imply that Loona 'got it on' at Vortex's party. Vortex and his girlfriend having a healthy open relationship? *nods sagely* I do have a soft spot for Loona & 'Tex, but I wouldn't want to just shunt Tex's girlfriend out of the way.

The response to this fic has been beyond my expectations. To get on the TVTropes Fanfic Recs is a huge honour, and I deeply, deeply appreciate all the kudos and comments I've received! Thank you!

As to if there'll be a followup – that's TBA... 😉