Hello there!

I'm posting a bit earlier than usual, it was that or no chapter this week x)

Content warning: mention of blood, injuries, brief mention of vomiting (near the end)

Chapter 22 – Concern

Blitz blinked.

"Wait, you're telling me someone broke all your fingers?"

"I said all my fingers were broken", Stolas corrected.

"Fuck's sake Stolas, don't play with words, I'm serious! You didn't break your fingers yourself! What else is broken?!"

"Well… My arm and forearm, and maybe my elbow too, all on the left side, along with my femur, tibia and the tarsometatarsus of my right leg."

Blitz tried not to get mad at the way too long list, breathing slowly instead before asking:

"Okay, and in plain English, what does it mean?"

"That all the long bones in my left arm and right leg are broken, the one between my shoulder and elbow, then between the elbow and wrist, then between the hip and knee, the knee and ankle, ankle and toes…"

"Ok, I get it! But… Fuck, why?!"

As he was trying to process it, Blitz realized the limbs Stolas said were broken were also the ones where most of the cuts were, and he gritted his teeth.

"When I'll find the assholes who did that…"

"Don't."

"What?"

Stolas looked at him with what was supposed to be a calm and stern expression, but Blitz could see the despair beneath.

"Please, don't. Don't look for them. I…"

"I swear if you say you're fine again, that you've got it handled or some shit…" Blitz warned with a growl, tail lashing out.

Stolas looked away with an expression full of… Blitz didn't even know. Exhaustion? Pain? Worry? All three, probably.

So he sighed again, and forced his spikes to lay back down and his tail to stop thrashing about.

"I'm mad, you know? This bandage wasn't there Sunday morning. This one neither. You got hurt later that day and didn't tell me, didn't you?"

"I wasn't hurt as badly as today…"

"I don't care! Why didn't you tell me?!"

Stolas tensed before his eyes slowly met Blitz's again.

"I asked you not to try to find out what was happening. It doesn't seem like you are being true to your word either. Why are you here?"

"What?! You weren't answering my text! Of course I knew something was going on!"

"Blitz! I told you I can't always answer right away!"

"Yeah, but you warn me in advance! The only time you can't is when this fucking happens! I promise I didn't want to catch them red-handed, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You're one to talk anyway, would you have asked for help if I didn't come on my own today?"

"I never promised you to", Stolas reminded him, before adding quickly as hurt appeared on the imp's face. "It's not that I don't want to, it's just that…"

"Yeah, I get it, I get it! It's not possible, complicated, whatever."

He sighed, knowing this discussion would probably go nowhere, and it was riling him up so much. But… he didn't want to stress Stolas out more than he already was, or else the owl would never call him for help again. He wanted to be supportive, to… Fuck, he didn't want to make this worse.

So he closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them again, he gently took Stolas' hand.

"I'll need help to arrange your fingers. Think you can guide me?"

"Of course. Thank you."

Stolas' tension melted away as soon as Blitz started to focus on treating his wounds. The owl was still tense from the pain, wincing and chirping occasionally, but he was focused on his words to help Blitz in his work, until his right hand was done, and it glowed in magic.

All the while, Blitz was purring loudly again, resisting the urge to nuzzle against the broken bones and wounds. He patiently waited, and after a few minutes, Stolas closed and opened his fist, and smiled.

"Thanks."

"No problem. Now, your other hand!"

"Oh, I can…"

"No. Your other hand."

Stolas didn't protest when Blitz took his left hand and got to work, until he told him he was done, and magic glowed again for a few minutes. Again, Stolas moved his fingers and wrists slightly, but it was more stiff, and he was wincing.

"You okay? It didn't work?"

Maybe he was already tired? He shouldn't have let him do magic after being hurt…

"No no, my hand is fine! My arm isn't though, that's why it hurts even to just move my fingers."

"Oh. Yeah, I guess it makes sense. Hold on."

While they were taking care of the different broken bones, Blitz heard his phone ring with a text. He quickly looked at his phone, and rolled his eyes at Moxxie's message.

"Is there a problem?" Stolas asked. "You should probably still be at work, right?"

"Don't you dare try and send me away! I told them I was leaving for a while, but Mox is a worried freak. There, it should calm his tits!" Blitz grumbled as he pressed send.

He was certainly not going to tell Stolas his employees knew almost as much of the owl's situation than Blitz. Understandably, Moxxie was worried his boss had shown up at a bad timing and got himself into trouble, so he still felt the need to text back, unless he wanted them all to show up through a portal, that wouldn't do well to dissipate Stolas' suspicions.

He was quick to focus back on the prince, wincing at his elbow, that he couldn't replace back as easily, but he did what he could before Stolas started his spell. His arm wasn't back to normal, but it was less painful to move, so Blitz started on his leg, before he could finally start on the wounds.

Stolas had stopped trying to refuse his help, but wouldn't let Blitz do all the work either. That was the most concession each of them could do to the other, so they played along.

Once all bones were healed, Blitz made a face while looking at all the wounds remaining. Some had started to close a bit with the magic, but it wasn't near enough, especially for the deeper ones.

"I'll start with the cuts on your arms and legs, but there are a few cuts through your short and shirt, you'll need to remove these too eventually. I can bring you a blanket or something if you're cold."

Immediately, Stolas tensed at that, feathers bristling slightly, everything so strong and quick it was almost like if he had flinched.

At first, Blitz took a step back, worried, since he had started cleaning the first wound.

"Sorry, did it hurt?"

But then he looked at Stolas' face, and he saw the owl try to conceal something akin to fear or unease, and he squinted.

"Are you hiding something again?"

"No! It's just… It's nothing. Here, I can help with the wounds…"

"I told you to stay fucking put. Your wounds from… When was it? Friday? Obviously they're not fully healed either, so you better rest. Guess they were from a blessed weapon, huh? I hope these aren't!"

Stolas shook his head.

"No, these were from a regular weapon."

Blitz nodded as he continued to work, but he hadn't missed the precision. He hadn't forgotten Stolas' strange reaction either, but he knew he shouldn't pry. That was why Stolas was wary of him in the first place. Better act like if he hadn't noticed a thing and just observe and listen, maybe it would make sense later.

Sadly, he still had more questions than answers by the time he was done. While Blitz worked on the wounds already accessible, the owl had used his spells on the remaining three visible through his clothes, cuts shallow enough that they had completely disappeared once the imp was done.

Still, Blitz had to resist the urge to lift the owl's shirt again, for he really felt like the prince was hiding something, with his insistence not to strip in front of him. He couldn't see any untreated wound through the tears, nor in the owl's movements, but Blitz knew Stolas had a strong pain resistance.

But again, he was trying to be trusted, so… He acted like if he had forgotten about it. He let Stolas drink and take his painkillers, then changed the bandages on his old wounds, wincing when he noticed almost all of them had reopened. The ones from Friday were most definitely from a blessed blade, even if Stolas didn't outright confirm it.

Now, time to get new clothes. Blitz ordered the owl to stay seated while he returned in his bedroom to grab something in his closet. How he would be able to reach the clothes, he didn't know, but he'd manage. That is, until he realized upon stepping out of the bathroom that the floor was clean.

It took him a second or two before his brain reminded him there was blood here before, when he carried Stolas to the bathroom, and he certainly didn't clean that himself, nor did Stolas, unless he could heal himself and clean in the next room at the same time.

Blinking, he slowly came to the most logical conclusion: his staff probably cleaned the floor. Which meant… They probably knew something. It was worth a try. But not now, he would ask them on his way out. First, find Stolas an outfit to wear instead of his ruined one.

When he returned to the bathroom, he found Stolas still trying to heal his wounds with his spells, and he stopped.

"Don't you risk to exhaust yourself using too much magic?"

"No worries, it is less tiring than portals, and it will get easier with practice!"

Judging from his tone, Blitz could almost believe Stolas was glad to have a new opportunity to train. He shook his head and put the clothes within Stolas' reach.

"There. Do you need help to change?"

"Oh, no, thank you! I'll…"

Stolas stood up while talking, and suddenly swayed back and forth, causing Blitz to rush to his side on instinct to stabilize him. But Stolas' legs gave out before that, causing the imp to almost stumble himself as he caught the owl in his arms to prevent any further injury.

"Wow, Stolas, you good? Maybe don't stand up so fast, you were still hurt recently…"

He stopped when he felt the owl tremble slightly, and… Sweat? But Stolas simply looked dazed, not scared, so it wasn't from panic. His eyes were oddly dull too…

Wait.

"When was the last time you ate?"

Stolas had started blinking, trying to get his bearings back after his dizziness, but he tensed at Blitz's words.

"Well?"

"Hm… I guess I only ventured in the kitchen for breakfast this morning, I got a bit carried away after…"

Blitz closed his eyes, counted until five while breathing out, then opened his eyes.

"Ok. Don't move. I'll grab you some snacks."

He made sure Stolas was stable on his stool before leaving. He didn't miss the surprise on the owl's face, but choose to ignore it in favor of his most urgent mission: find food.

At least he had another excuse to text the owl in the future: check that he was eating enough. He should have asked, but he has been too worried about possible new injuries, so he quickly forgot. Stolas had kind of implied he was eating too, on Sunday at least, but now that Blitz really thought about it, the prince never answered when he was asked what exactly he ate, always beating around the bush or changing the subject.

Obviously, he didn't want to talk about it, didn't even want people to notice. That was why he was probably surprised Blitz didn't scold him, but it didn't mean he was going to leave without making sure Stolas had something in his stomach. Plus, it was a good opportunity to maybe meet one of his staff to ask about the blood cleaning.

He wasn't lucky on that last part, but it was ok, he wasn't leaving yet. At least finding snacks was easier. He almost wanted to start cooking, but he wasn't comfortable leaving the prince alone for too long. Plus, he had staff for that, probably, he'd rather only take small bits but stay to make sure the owl ate them. He would have to get back to the office eventually, but he trusted the others to manage without him for now.

He took what he could find, which was very similar to the snacks he gave Stolas on Saturday, before going back to the bedroom.

He didn't have to step in the bathroom to find the owl, already dressed and siting on his bed, fingers brushing the side of his head as if he was dizzy again.

"Why didn't you wait for me before standing up again?! You could have hurt yourself if you fall alone, and then all your spells and my bandages would have been for nothing!" Blitz started, a bit too loudly, and managed to end on a more soft and caring note.

"Sorry…"

Blitz sighed.

"It's fine… But please, be careful, okay? I'm here, I can help you. There's no rush."

He joined Stolas on the bed, noticing he had his phone in his other hand, before handing him the snacks.

"Here! Eat this, you'll feel better quickly."

"Thank you", Stolas said as he set his phone aside to take the food. "Let me just wait a few seconds… Would you mind bringing me some water?"

"On it!"

He jumped from the bed and couldn't help but try to keep the owl in his field of vision, to make sure he wouldn't discard the snacks through a portal to make it seem like he ate them. But no, when he returned with the water, Stolas still had everything in his hands, looking thoughtful.

"Your water."

Stolas blinked, before looking at Blitz.

"Oh, thanks."

At least he had no trouble drinking, that was a small mercy! Stolas put away the empty glass with magic, before gazing back at the food in his hands.

"Is there a problem? You weren't keen on eating last time I gave you these snacks either. Are you sure you like them? Or is it something else?"

The owl shook his head.

"It's fine, don't worry. It's just me."

"Are you still dizzy? Or is there another reason you're not eating? Is it the stress?"

"I guess", Stolas sighed. After all, he wasn't eating much already before, it simply got worse. Dramatically.

"Not to force you or anything, but… You really need to eat", Blitz insisted in the softest tone he could muster. "Your body needs it."

"I know."

The owl was still eyeing the food as if he was looking past it, not making any move to eat. Blitz sat next to Stolas, purring softly as an encouragement.

"Come on, bit by bit? You don't have to eat fast, it's fine, but I'm not leaving until you've at least eaten one of these, be it a mouse or a granola bar."

Stolas smiled softly before shivering.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Yes, I just… I'm considering what I should start with."

Blitz chuckled.

"Really?"

He wanted to add more, but he didn't want to sound mocking. There was truly an issue here, and he didn't want to be judgmental… Not too much at least. Stolas usually didn't mind his asshole persona, but special circumstances sometimes required special adjustments.

Plus, he hadn't missed the expression that came with the shiver, and that looked like disgust. The owl was probably considering which food he would have the less trouble eating, and with how ill-at-ease he was being, Blitz didn't dare tease him too much. He wanted Stolas to open up to him, or at least not close off more than he was already being.

He was considering how to be more helpful on the matter, when Stolas suddenly put the two mice in his mouth, swallowed, then did the same with the granola bars. He then went to magically take his glass of water, only to falter when he realized it was already empty.

"On it, don't worry!" Blitz announced as he went to fill it again. Stolas would probably be faster with his small portals, but the imp really feared using too much magic was part of what had the owl so exhausted.

Stolas downed the whole glass as quickly as he could once Blitz gave him, and if the imp hadn't seen him drink before, he'd have thought he was thirsty, but he knew it wasn't that. It was exactly like last time, rushing to eat then drinking to… What? Chase the taste? Push everything down? Blitz wasn't sure, but he knew it wasn't something innocent.

"Well done", Blitz purred softly, taking the empty glass back once again. "I am not sure eating quickly is the best, but if it's what works for you, I guess it's fine. Now please tell me you don't have any duty to do or some shit like that."

The prince shook his head.

"No, nothing, I am done for today. Don't worry, I'll take it easy."

"Good. Wanna try to stand up again, sees if you're still feeling dizzy? Better do it while I'm still here, you know, just in case."

Stolas nodded and stood up, more slowly and carefully this time. He blinked, then slowly started to walk toward his bookshelves, before turning to Blitz with a smile.

"Well, I guess I just went too fast last time!"

Indeed, his steps were more assured, as was his gaze, but Blitz couldn't help but follow, still not wanting to risk it.

"You sure? Ok then, I guess I better get back to work. But I'll keep in touch, even tonight, ok? I know you're not very hungry these days, but please, try to eat again, even if just a little tonight, alright?"

Stolas' smile went softer as he nodded.

"I will try."

It wasn't a promise, but it was probably better than nothing. The imp watched Stolas reach his books, hesitate a moment before the titles before finally picking one to take back to his bed.

"Ok, so… Enjoy your book I guess? Er… Please let me know if you need me, even if it's the middle of the night. Don't wait to be so hurt… Not that you would have been able to use your phone now that I think about it."

The owl avoided his gaze, embarrassed, before nodding without looking at him.

"I will do my best, but sometimes, I just cannot. It's not that I don't want your help, trust me."

"I know. Just… Take care?"

Fuck, how stupid it was to say that to someone who, for some reason, was letting himself get beaten up by some assholes, but he didn't know what else to say.

Blitz's departure was awkward to say the least, but he had hope that Stolas would reach out next time if he could. Not that there would be a need for it, he was definitely going to tell the others what had happened and arrange so they could start watching him tomorrow first thing, putting IMP's activities to a stop if needed until that shit was settled. It's only when he was already driving away that he realized he forgot to ask a staff about the cleaning, but oh well, they were probably bound to secrecy or some shit anyway. Plus, he would be back tomorrow.

Stolas, on his side, watched the imp leave with a small smile, still somewhat happy for his presence despite all his doubts and fears. But the van had barely left the palace grounds that he rushed back to the bathroom to retch in the toilets.

Well, there couldn't have progress everywhere, he guessed.

10/07/2024

See you next week!