Chapter 1: Last Night

Their last conversation didn't end well. This was a rather common thing for Blitzø and Stolas, but it had been particularly awkward and Blitzø was feeling a little nervous approaching the mansion's front steps. All day as he worked in the living world, the full moon had loomed overhead; an unwavering reminder of the promise that had been made and the deal that had been struck. Time waits for no demon, and a deal was a deal, so he was determined to make Stolas forget all about his f**k ups and woo the pants off of that big bird . . . For the book, of course.

One hand held the book, while the other sported a rose. It had come from Stolas's own bushes of course, but even if he figured that out, it'd probably still have the desired effect. Blitzø stood in front of the door, checking his coat for blood. There was a lot, but it was all dry, so he wouldn't be staining the carpets with it. He practiced leaning on a pillar, and putting the rose in his mouth. Blood began to fill his mouth as the thorns pricked his gums. Well, not a great start. Gritting his teeth, he began taking the thorns off the stem one by one.

"Come on you little-" he stopped as the door suddenly opened in front of him, revealing a very sad Owl in a tattered old robe.

"Oh, uh . . . Hi." Blitzø said, quickly standing up straight, and shoving the rose into Stolas's face.

Sh*t, I wasn't ready.

The prince plucked the rose from Blitzø's hand, but no smile appeared on his face. Without a word he turned around and went back inside, leaving the door wide open with Blitzø standing on the other side. He gave a nervous gulp, and followed him in.

Stolas led him to the fancy-*ss dining hall where there was already a bottle of wine and glasses. Okay, Blitzø thought to himself, not too late to turn this around then.

"So, Stolas. . . What's cooking, good looking?"

Stolas took a seat at the head of the table, and began pouring himself a drink. It was then that Blitzø noticed the one already empty wine bottle on the floor. Ah. So maybe not salvageable after all.

"You know, if this is a bad time-"

Stolas gestured to the chair next to him, "Please, sit."

Blitzø complied, but found himself getting more nervous as he got closer to Stolas, who was staring at him with such sad eyes. He sat a couple chairs down.

". . . Did you get into another fight with your wife? That b**ch. I barely know anything about her, but she's seriously got a few screws loose. Whatever she said or did, you shouldn't take it-"

"It's not about Stella." Stolas interrupted, now looking like he was about to cry.

"Sh*t. Well, teenagers are tough. She probably just needs time to cool off-"

"Via is fine." Stolas said, looking away.

"Well, shoot. I'm out of guesses. Uh-"

"Really?!" Stolas stood from his chair with a burst, "Really. Is there no one else you can think of, in all the circles of hell I might care about enough to cry over?"

Ah, so he had been crying. What was Blitzø meant to say? What name was so important for him to know? What words could he give to Stolas that might comfort him? He'd say whatever he needed to if it brought a smile back to his face. . . So they could f**k and then he could keep the book, of course.

Stolas let out a long, weighted sigh, "Of course, not. It's my fault I suppose. Oh Blitzy, if I could go back and do it all again, say the right things, do things in a better order . . . I would." He reached out and touched his hand, "But no matter how much I can manipulate space, time will forever escape me; slipping through my fingers." He let go of his hand, and Blitzø felt like he was missing something that was staring at him in the face.

"I- I don't understand." Blitzø said, his eyes looking concerned.

"The deal is off, Blitzø. No more favors, comfortable lies, no more promiscuous nights tangled together, only to end in loneliness once more. I think I- we need a fresh start. Because . . I just can't do this anymore. "

That came as a surprise. Sh*t . . . Sh*t sh*t sh*t sh*t sh*t sh*t sh*t! No! D*mn that stupid owl and his royal privilege. Of course he could change his mind at any point, Blitzø knew that going into this, but he didn't expect it to be this sudden. He had assumed there'd be warning signs of him getting bored or becoming interested in another demon. He thought he'd have time to change his mind, to devise a plan. Maybe he'd woo him again, or play hard to get, or introduce him to a new s** toy or just something. He had to think quickly, else that book was as good as gone.

Blitzø began blabbering, "Look, I know we haven't talked since . . . Well, you know. But I'm sorry. Like, really sorry. I- uh- f**k. Maybe I could sub more often? Or Dom? Whatever you want. And I'll stay for breakfast like you're always asking me too. If you're really set on it, we could come to a new arrangement-"

"Oh for Satan's sake, Blitzy! You can keep the d*mn book!" Stolas slammed the table, knocking over the wine glasses, " . . . Sh*t."

Without thinking, Blitzø took out a bloody rag from one of his pockets and began wiping it up, a little too desperately, "I got it. I got it- wait . . . What do you mean I can keep it?"

Stolas took a deep breath, "I mean that you can keep the grimoire as usual, and I'll hire someone to fetch it from you once a month. I just can't . . . we just can't have our late night rendezvous anymore, not like this."

". . . F*ck, Stolas please tell me you're not getting back together with princess b**ch face."

Stolas couldn't help but giggle a little, "No. Fool me once or however the saying goes. No, I want someone who truly loves me. And who will let me love them openly without shame or guilt or feeling of bitterness. I want . . . a real relationship, Blitzy."

Blitzø could feel the honesty of his words, as they hung in the twilight air. Everything here was beautiful in a way that was unwelcoming; each chair too special to be sat upon, each wall too ornate to breathe within. So beautiful, and yet so cold; the castle was silent as the grave, and he imagined it must feel like one, too. When Octavia wasn't here, it was only the prince in an empty house with no one who needed or wanted him. Blitzø hadn't thought about it before, but he understood that feeling all too well. He looked again at Stolas with new eyes, and found himself beginning to get lost in his gaze.

Stolas looked Blitzø him with so much hope, fear, and longing. He begged him with his eyes to grasp his meaning. The words were lodged in his throat . . . if he could just say what he truly meant . . .

Blitzø looked away from him and nodded in what he thought was understanding, "Yeah, and I guess that'd be difficult with your side-piece hanging around, huh?"

It was meant to be a light quip, but he watched as a brief wave of despair and disappointment fell over the Prince's face. But soon it was back to cheery loneliness. Blitzø studied his face but still didn't understand. He was giving him the space he asked for. There was no reason he could conceptualize for him to be upset. D*mn, why are famous people so complicated?

"Well, I wouldn't phrase it that way-"

"No, no, no. I get it. And hey, good for you. I hope you find a demon who can make you moan half as much as I do though." Blitzø laughed, and stood up from the table.

"Where are you going?" Stolas stood following him.

"Well, I came here expecting some makeup s**, but I'm not really in the mood anymore, so I guess I'm going home to watch whatever drama is on Noxflix." Blitzø said as he kept walking.

"Oh, um- well, did you need a ride? I could escort you-"

"No need, I drove here, and I didn't really drink so I'm good to drive back. Well, see ya-"

"Wait!" Stolas shouted as Blitzø was right at the front door. He stopped dead in his tracks. He wanted to run, but even now Stolas was a Goetian prince, so he took everything he said as an order. Still, he couldn't bring himself to turn around and look at him.

Stolas reached for Blitzø, but hesitated. He wanted to hold him, to shake him, to scream and ask him why he couldn't love him back. Instead, he let his arms fall to his side once again, "I just wanted to say . . . Thank you. You may not have known it at the time, but you really did help me see that . . . I didn't have to be trapped anymore and . . . That there are still so many beautiful things I have yet to discover." Blitzø didn't look behind him, just stared at the floor in front of him blankly, his mind was whirling with so many conflicting thoughts and feelings of guilt, sadness, and hatred; both to himself and to the prince who was abandoning him like everyone else. They swirled around, taunting him, and it felt like he would be consumed by it all.

"And whether it was for the grimoire or for me, I will forever be grateful for the little Imp that snuck back into my life that day. And- if, if I could- go back . . ." Sh*t was he crying?

"I would- I would *hic* show you the *hic* respect and love I've always had for you." Stolas sniffled, and watched his tears fall onto the polished marble beneath him.

"And I want you- *hic* to know that you've never been a side-piece to me. I love you, Blitzø." Stolas began bawling into his hands. He said it. It took him a bottle of wine and some embarrassing tears, but he said it! Now, even if he left, he would know at least a fraction of how much he meant to him. But maybe, just maybe, he might stay . . .? With a trembling breath, he peaked through his hands and looked up.

The front door was open and the place where Blitzø stood was empty. Empty, and alone, Stolas cried.

That is the end of the original chapter, but when I first wrote the chapter, it ended a bit differently. I changed it to Blitz leaving before Stolas looked up, because it made more sense, logically speaking and for the characters actions, in my opinion. But if you want to see how it would've ended before editing, here you go! Feel free to leave a comment saying which one you liked better!

"I just wanted to say . . . Thank you. You may not have known it at the time, but you really did help me see that . . . I didn't have to be trapped anymore and . . . That there are still so many beautiful things I have yet to discover." Blitzø didn't look behind him, just stared at the floor in front of him blankly, his mind was whirling with so many conflicting thoughts and feelings of guilt, sadness, and hatred; both to himself and to the prince who was abandoning him like everyone else. They swirled around, taunting him, and felt like he would be consumed by it all. Still, he respected Stolas, both as a person, but more importantly, as a figure of authority, so he fought the urge to run.

"And whether it was for the grimoire or for me, I will forever be grateful for the little Imp that snuck back into my life that day. And- if, if I could- go back . . ." Sh*t was he crying? Blitzø was so focused on willing his feet to stay planted on the glossy tile beneath him, that he stopped listening. He just stood there, waiting for a break in the conversation, for Stolas to stop talking. He dissociated as the words continued.

"I would- I would *hic* show you the *hic* respect and love I've always had for you." Stolas sniffled, and Blitzø only heard the blood rushing behind his ears.

"And I want you- *hic* to know that you've never been a side-piece to me." Stolas began bawling. And Blitzø just stood there for a few seconds, listening to him cry as he stared at the door handle. Then, he noticed the tears starting to form in his eyes. He couldn't stay any longer in fear Stolas might notice. Gritting his teeth and walked out the door.