Freedom

Helluva Boss and all characters therein are owned by Vivienne Medrano and Spindlehorse.

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Stolas! I'm here!! Blitzø threw his coat over a chair. "Ive got your shitty book..." He tossed the grimoire on the floor. "...and bitch, I'm feeling ENERGETIC tonight!" He turns with a lusty grin and crouches ready to pounce onto the towering figure. "I'm gonna bite you in ALL the right places so you better take my ass to bed now you filthy feathered fuck!"

"I thought maybe we could talk for a bit." Suggested Stolas.

"What?" Blitzø stops mid creep and stands. "Why? Are you asking for foreplay? Are we foreplaying right now? Cause you could bounce rocks off my dick."

"No. We aren't foreplaying. I would really just like to chat." Reiterated Stolas.

"Oh, shit. Okay."

"Blitzø, I need you to know and understand that I love you... and I do not want you to feel trapped any longer by our arrangement. I want you to be able to choose weather or not you wish to be with me. I have acquired a gift that I hope will bring you peace." Stolas handed Blitzø a ornate box sealed with the sign of Osmodeus.

"You, what?" Blitzø numbly took the box in hand. "You, love..." He couldn't breathe. "Stolas..." he whispered.

"Open it...Darling." Stolas couldnt keep his voice from cracking with emotion.

Blitzø eased the lid slowly open. A pale pink glow illuminated his face. There on a bed of purple satin was an osmodean crystal. Blitzø stared into its facets.

" How did you...Did Oz...You're giving me this? Stolas, I... What's the catch?"

"There is no catch. Not anymore. You're... free from any obligations concerning our previous agreement."

"I'm...what?" Questioned Blitzø.

"Free." Repeated Stolas.

"That day, when we were children, was infinitely important to me. It was the only time I've ever fully felt accepted by anyone. Not a day went by that I didn't think of you. I would beg to go to every circus that came to town in hopes of finding you again. When I learned you consistantly traveled with Fizzerolli, I at least knew where you were. By that time my father insisted that Stella and I proceed with our "marital duties". We were so young. I cried on our wedding night and she deemed me weak. I didn't love her. I loved you. I knew it then. I was so lonely and ANGRY the night that you crashed Stella's awful party."

"Your body tasted of absinthe." Recalled Blitzø.

"Yes, I suppose I did. I had consumed quite a lot of it that night. When I saw you, after so many years. I instantly recognized you. I knew of the tragedy that had befallen you. How some rouge set fire to the..."

"You're wrong."

"Excuse me?" Asked Stolas.

"You're wrong. The fire. It was an accident, but it was my fault. I caused an accident that destroyed the lives of everyone I cared about. It was all my fault." Blitzø couldn't believe he was having this conversation again, and with Stolas of all people.

"I am a harbinger of chaos. A train wreck. A curse. The only thing I've ever been really good at is murder. Stolas, you can't... love me. I may act like I have it together , but Ive been broken for a long, long, time." Blitzø choked back the tears that threatened to fall.

"Blitzy,..."

"Don't call me that."

"Stolas, I enjoyed that day with you. When I left I was sad because you were someone I could have been friends with. You understood me and didn't belittle me for the dreams I had then. After that day, there became a long list of customers, Royals included, that my father sold my time to. I was expected to shmooze and thieve and seduce and fuck. Literally anything to bring money back home to him. Cash Buckzo was my blood and my pimp. I was only as valuable to that fucker as the price on my 'services'. When you proposed that agreement you became just another name on that list. To be fair, at that point, it was the best way to ensure you got your book back. When I came that night, I came to steal. I was out of options. I had to keep my business and my... family. Millie, Moxxie, Loony. They're all I have. Without my business, without a reason for them to need me. I'll loose everything, again. It will be my fault. Again."

Blitzø dropped to his knees, hugging the box and feeling suddenly exhausted. He loved Stolas. He knew it, but there was a lot of healing he would need to go thtough to be a healthy part of the prince's life.

"I had no idea" Stolas sounded numb. He went to his knees before Blitzø. I am so sorry for my part in your pain. I promise, no matter your choice. I will spend the rest of eternity making it up to you."

"I don't want to go. But I don't know how to move forward. I don't know how to...trust...this." Blitzø gestured between them.

"I will be here when you are ready. I will continue to watch out for you. If you ever need assistance, I will be there. Now and forever."

Stolas hesitated, yearning to give one last gesture of his love, but witholding even a touch for fear it would add more pain to the precious Imp before him. He stood and exited the room. Half way down the corridor he heard Blitzø wail in anguish.

STOOOLAAASSS!! *sob*

STOLAAAS!! *sob hic sob*

Stolas froze. The sound of Blitzø's pain ripped his soul apart. His own tears were silent and plentiful as they rolled in waves down his feathered cheeks. He held his head in his hands and wept.

Suddenly he heard boots pounding against the marble floor. He turned as Blitzø slid around the corner and barreled toward him. Blitzø leaped into Stolas suprised arms, wrapping his own arms and legs firmly around him.

"Stolas, Im everything I said. I'm the worst decision you could ever make. I...I love you too. I don't want to loose you. I'm sorry if I'm alot to handle. I'm not ready to give us up. Thank you for giving me the freedom to choose."

"Dearest, thank you for freeing me as well."

Stolas stood holding Blitzø until his tears had subsided.

"Hey, Stolas."

"Yes, Blitzø?"

"Can we...cuddle? In bed?"

"Of course"

Stolas carried Blitzø to the bedroom and gently sat him on the bed. He removed the black boots from Blitzø's feet and gently undressed him, laying his clothes accross the settee at the foot of the bed. Blitzø crawled up to the pillows and got under the covers. Stolas undressed and climbed in beside him drawing Blitzø's small scarred body into the warm down feathers of his torso. He tucked his head between the Imps horns and kissed them.

"I love you Blitzø Buckzo." Stolas whispered.

"I love you, Stolas, Owl Prince of the Ars Goetia." Blitzø whispered back.