Hey!

No warning for this chapter. If you want a hint before you start reading, just know it's full Blitz's pov ^^

Enjoy!

Chapter 9 - A friend's advice

Blitz felt both righteous in his anger, but also a bit guilty for leaving Stolas hurt. Because heck, he still had no idea what happened to the owl, he was still oddly irritated about the whole thing, and he felt like he should, maybe, have waited a bit more to let the prince explain. After all, he knew first hand showing others vulnerability wasn't a piece of cake, though he didn't expect it also worked for royals quite like it did for lower class demons like himself.

But his mind was quick to come up with explanations that made him feel way less shitty about it all. After all, Stolas was quite the masochist in bed, though that one time with the bear trap was an accident. So maybe he did hurt himself to be able to cast these healing spells? Honestly, the guy was such a nerd, it wouldn't surprise him that much for a Goetia not to realize what he was doing, going overkill, and then find himself too hurt to be able to do magic properly.

Other ideas were possible too, but the red demon's mind purposely didn't keep the ones implying Stolas has been in real danger, needing help, needing him. Because that was surely not it. Honestly, even if it did, Stolas definitely didn't need his help, okay? So no point in dwelling too much on it!

Still, everything kept circling in his head, the argument replaying in his head, until he reached his flat. There, he warned Loona he had the food, and began eating fiercely in front of the TV after putting on the first show he could find.

The hellhound came to grab her dinner, and paused behind the couch.

"You… Didn't eat with him?" She asked, surprised.

"No."

Even without seeing his face, she could tell he was pissed.

"So, did you ask about his injuries? Should I tell Via?"

"Don't. He didn't even tell me, I doubt he'd want his daughter to know."

He shouldn't care. Hell, he should even do the opposite, tell Loona to tell Via, that would serve this rich asshole right! But… He was a father too. He couldn't do that. That poor girl didn't deserve to pay for her father's stupidity. Plus, he knew Stolas was trying to be a good father. He couldn't take his anger on Octavia, and he was kinda afraid for his own ass if he did that, because there was a good chance Stolas would know where this came from.

That only let the owl himself to take out his anger, but he wasn't here, so...

"Ok, Blitz, I can see you're fuming. What happened?"

"Nothing you need to worry about Loony, don't worry. It's just… I hoped this royal would be different. I shouldn't have hoped."

Loona simply raised an eyebrow.

"Should I ask Via for some payback?"

"No", Blitz immediately answered to his own surprise. "No, it's fine. It's… An adult thing I guess. Don't bother her with that. Plus, it's not like if he did something truly awful. I mean, yeah, he lied, but I did too, and… Shit, I forgot about the self defense stuff."

He forgot about the apologies too, but he guessed there wasn't any need for these now. But for some reason, he still didn't feel right. Presented like that, he suddenly didn't feel like his anger was really righteous anymore, and it pissed him even more. At least, there was still everything else to confirm he was right to put distance between them.

"So you really want to do this self defense thing?"

"Yeah. Via would be pissed if her dad got killed, right? I'll… Figure something out. Later. I guess there's no hurry anyway."

The hellhound didn't look convinced but she shrugged and disappeared in her room without bothering to thank her dad for the food, since it was Stolas' staff who made it anyway. It was already surprising she asked him what was wrong at all.

He wasn't as down as how he was at the party she asked him to pick her up, so he could probably handle himself. She hoped so at least, he has been acting a bit off since they had the crystal, but she knew better than to bring that up too directly. It wasn't her job to pry into his love life, though she had a feeling he was shitty at it on his own, hence why she inquired about what just happened.

Oh well, if he got in touch with Stolas later for his self defense lesson idea, maybe they'd be able to make some actual progress. If not, well, it wasn't her nor Via's business. She couldn't help but text the owlet about it thought, because it didn't stop her from make fun of their dads, before switching to another conversation as a new message from another friend popped up.

In the morning, everything was seemingly back to normal at work. That's what Blitz hoped to achieve anyway, and it didn't go so bad, until they met around the table to debrief after a slow day, and for some reason, Millie decided it was a good thing to bring the owl up again.

"So Blitz, have you checked up on the prince already, to see if he's doing better?"

"I don't need to to know he's healed by now! Bitch's got crazy healing abilities, lucky asshole! Why do you even ask?"

"Well, you seemed worried yesterday, and he came to help us despite his injuries, and we didn't thank him properly with how fast you kicked him out!"

"Hey, I didn't kick him out!"

"Sir, it's almost as if you did, which isn't really…"

"Oh shut up Moxxie! Point is, he's probably fine, why wouldn't he?"

There was the threat of injuries by a blessed weapon hanging in the air, but the couple of imps knew if it had been the case, Stolas wouldn't have been able to visit them.

"Do you… Know how he got hurt?"

"No he doesn't", Loona pipped up.

"Loonie!"

"What? It's true! Don't act like the little theories you have for your own comfort are true, you don't have any proof and you know it."

Blitz grumbled, hating that she was right.

"Anyway, I saw him yesterday after work. He didn't ask for my help, so whatever the problem was, he doesn't need us, so let's mind our own business!"

That had Moxxie frowning.

"Sir, since when do you only mind your own business?"

"What, are you jealous Mox? You guys get special treatment, I can't let my employees goes unsupervised!"

"That's not supervision, that's harassment sir! Do I really need to remind you…"

"Fatty, just quit already, I tried too you know, he just won't listen", Loona stopped him before the argument could escalate like usual, all for nothing. "Don't worry, he already has a plan to sneak back to Stolas. But it will take him more time than usual, guess he's getting old."

"What? What plan?" Millie asked excitedly.

"Hey, that's not even anything sneaky, I'm literally going to ask him directly! You can't say I'm not doing things right!"

"I'm surprised you care about doing things 'right' at all sir."

"Really, shut up Mox. Now we're talking about stuff that has nothing to do with work! And whose fault is that?!"

"Mine!" Millie grinned.

"Well, yeah, but still, let's concentrate a bit okay? I know today was boring, but that's no reason! Let's finish this quickly so we can all go back home!"

The white-haired imp sighed.

"Sir, you're the first to go sideways during meetings. Plus, you still need to work on minding your own business, using other kind of excuses isn't going to…"

But Blitz plainly ignored him and got everyone back on track, for once. Moxxie simply sighed again and let things go without adding much more.

They were mostly done when they were distracted by the sound of a phone receiving a text. After a quick check, it soon became obvious the boss was the one who got it, as he immediately forgot all about what he was saying.

"Oh, is it the prince?!" Millie asked.

"No, calm down, everything isn't about him", Blitz answered, annoyed.

Whoever it was successfully advanced the end of their day, and they all got ready to go home.

As soon as Blitz left the room, Millie elbowed her husband.

"Honey, come on, you shouldn't try to convince Blitz not to investigate what happened to the prince. I'm sure these two just need some help! And I'm a bit worried about what the matter is with him."

"Me too, but don't worry! The more you tell Blitz to keep his nose out of our private life, the more he dwells on it, so it will probably works with his Highness too. It certainly didn't work well when you tried to make him just go and talk."

Millie pondered for a moment.

"I guess you're right."

"Actually, for once I think he is", Loona confirmed as she followed Blitz out of the room.

The couple exchanged a confused look, surprised the hellhound seemed to care at all, before exiting the place too.

Finally, everyone was home! Well, almost, Loona didn't stay long since she wanted to meet with friends, but Blitz was fine with it, he knew who she was with, and he had someone to meet too.

The text from earlier was from Fizz, who had only noticed his message from yesterday now. Talk about a busy life! He wasn't even working with Mammon anymore!

Anyway, the jester had asked what he meant, and since Blitz really didn't want to explain by text, he had asked if he was free to meet and talk. Fizz had said yes, so now, the imp was headed toward the Lust ring, since Asmodeus still wasn't too keen on letting his boyfriend out, especially since their outing.

He wasn't really sure if he wanted to speak about Stolas again, between yesterday night and today, he felt like the owl had been a topic a bit too often. But… He has been trying to catch his childhood friend about the Goetia since the last full moon, it would be stupid to miss the opportunity. They didn't need to address the subject right away!

So, he drove there, and was glad he could enter in the club by a back door rather than from the main entrance. It… Brought back bad memories, just to see Ozzie's main entrance.

At least, Fizz wasn't working tonight, he was simply staying in his boyfriend's vicinity. Though he had warned Blitz he may not be able to spend the whole evening with him, but it was fine by him.

"Hey, Fizz!" Blitz called once he entered Fizz's dressing room. "So, did you perform good?"

"A bit in the afternoon yeah, nothing fancy, our main event is in the evening and Ozzie insisted I don't work every night, so… Here I am! So, you wanted to talk about something? Your prince again I guess? Did you make any progress?"

Blitz groaned as he let himself fall on the first chair available.

"Not really, the opposite even! I was kinda hopeful at first, though I didn't tell you everything by text. But then we met yesterday and it… Didn't go so well. I'd say I was right but… Honestly, I'm not sure. That's why I'd like another point of view, you know?"

So much for not wanting to talk about it too soon! But since he was on in…

"Ok, tell me! What did you mess up?"

"Hey, I said it was his fault! It's true, he said he wanted to be honest, and I have the proof he lied to me! Well… Not lied exactly, but he was trying to hide the truth. That's not something you do when you're trying to be honest, right?"

"Well, it depends, you weren't asking about something too personal, aren't you?" Fizz asked, looking suspicious.

"No, I wasn't! Stolas came to the office during work because we needed him for something, he acted like everything was normal, but Loonie could smell he was hurt. That's why I decided to visit him in the evening, and I warned him I was coming and he agreed! But when I tried to know what happened to him, he kept dodging the subject! It's weird, isn't it? Before, he'd jump on the first excuse he could to make me play bodyguard, but he didn't! It's so weird, and I know he was trying to make up an excuse about it!"

Fizz rolled his eyes.

"It doesn't occur to you that maybe he simply didn't want to talk about it? You're not together yet from what you told be, maybe it's embarrassing for him, or maybe it's related to his duties? I kinda doubt he's doing dangerous things but you never know I guess. Do you even know what he does?"

"Star reading? Something like that? With his book, and he… Uses it more now than before? But it's clearly not that he's got rusty, and even so, you don't get hurt from star reading!"

The jester shrugged.

"Whatever, I don't think he owes you an update on his health! Sure, he could have simply said he didn't or couldn't talk to you about it. I get it's frustrating if you care about him…"

"I don't, he's healing fast anyway!"

Fizz just eyed him with an annoyed glare for a few seconds before sighing.

"He really has to love you to put up with your stupidity, I swear! I only do so because you're my friend!"

"Aw, but I have good sides too, don't I?"

"Maybe, some days…"

"Hey!"

Blitz pouted and Fizz snickered. Before they could continue, there was a knock on the door.

"Fizzy?"

"I'm right here Ozzie, with my personal bodyguard! You can go on stage, don't worry! But you have to take days off too you know, I don't know why I should take them and not you!"

"Froggy, we talked about this! I'm the King of Lust, of course I need to appear everyday, it doesn't mean I need to perform! If you want, both of you can continue your talk in our private balcony and enjoy the show!"

"I'd rather stay here, thanks!" Blitz announced, not too keen on going anywhere near where we got humiliated on his first visit here.

"Why, because of when you came last with your prince? Come on, it'll change your mind! You can't stay on a bad note!" Fizz tried to convince him.

"Still no, I'm sure you'll be called on stage at some point if you go. Maybe later, once we're on lighter topics?"

At that, the sin raised an eyebrow, but the clown just smiled.

"I get it, it's an important discussion! Sorry Ozzie, I think it's best if I stay here, you know, it's more private and personal. He'll keep me safe, don't worry! It's not like anything bad can happen to me in your club anyway!"

"Oh, I'm confident in the security of the place, I simply don't like being away from you for too long, you know me! But I understand, enjoy your chat! You know where to find me!" Ozzie blinked and left.

Blitz surprised Fizz's lovey-dovey smile and sneered.

"You can't be away from him for more than a few minutes now?"

"It's not like that! Ozz is just worried since he revealed our relationship at Mammon's pageant. Nothing big happened since then, but better safe than sorry he says. I'm not going to complain, I'd rather not get kidnapped again, and I don't want to be troublesome."

"Yeah, it makes sense I guess…"

Blitz went silent, thinking. Fizz smiled upon seeing his friend's expression.

"Are you hoping that some day, you and Stolas are going to be like us?" He teased.

"What? Of course not! He's a Goetia, not a Sin. We wouldn't be like that anyway! And…"

Blitz paused, looking dejected.

"Maybe I did mess up. I wanted to apology at first, but I never got to do it. Instead, I almost yelled at him, even though I knew he was hurt. He even recoiled when I approached him, like if he was afraid I was going to hurt him!"

Fizz could both see and hear the hurt in his friend's face and voice, and he extended his arm to pat his shoulder.

"Everyone makes mistakes. It doesn't mean you can't mend them. Look at us! It took fifteen years, but here we are! Just, please, don't wait that long with him, and it should be fine!"

"Maybe… Or maybe it's just best if… You know…"

"Don't even think of running away. Stolas cares about you, trust me! I know you care too, just admit it to him and talk!"

"Well, I… I need to think of what I'll tell him once we meet again. But… I don't feel ready. Even if it's not my business, I'm still mad at him, and no, it's not just because he didn't tell me about his injuries. I still don't know what happened to him by the way."

"Wait… Didn't you say he heals quickly, like Ozzie? Isn't it worrying that he was still hurt enough to recoil from you when you visited?"

The assassin blinked for a few seconds, and suddenly it was like if a light was switched on in his eyes.

"Shit, you're right… He wasn't injured enough that he couldn't walk, and yet his arm was painful enough in the evening that he stopped a wrist move because of it… He wouldn't have gotten hurt twice, right?"

Fizz shrugged.

"You know him better than I do!"

"Sure, but… I don't know him that much, you know…" Blitz realized.

It was true. He wanted so much to avoid getting too attached that he never really bothered to get to know the owl. They weren't complete strangers outside of the bedroom, sure, he still knew of the owl's hobbies – hard not to – but he also knew he ignored way more about him.

Suddenly, he was worried again. It was only increasing a feeling lingering since he first found out about Stolas' injuries. Something didn't add up, and he was determined to find out what.

He may not be ready to talk about feelings, but he could certainly look into that rather quickly. Worse, he needed to know what was happening. Because he didn't like it, and he didn't like the feeling of dread it gave his insides. Not at all.

He messed up once because he didn't take things seriously. He wouldn't do the same mistake twice. He wouldn't let those around him down. Not anymore.

10/04/2024

That's it for this week! Don't worry, we're back with Stolas pov next week ;) Until then, take care!