"We could talk. Or…watch a movie. Or…maybe…cuddle?"

"Stolas, don't act like what we have is anything but you wanting me to fuck you, ok. You make that really clear all the time. But I just I-I can't do it tonight, 'kay?" Blitzø looked at him out of the corner of his eyes, the anger had lost steam. "I'm sorry."

"I-I think we should talk about this," Stolas attempted again, reaching over to put a hand on Blitzø's leg. When he saw him flinch, he redirected to the steering wheel.

"We don't talk, we fuck," Blitzø pushed back. He knew what talking would lead to, what Stolas was like. Typical rich asshole couldn't take a fucking no. "And this isn't part of the deal. Or do you see a full moon tonight?"

Stolas had made this transactional, but it hurt to have it thrown back at him like that. To be reminded that, despite how his feelings had changed, he'd made his bed with their deal and now he had to lie in it. Alone, most of the time.

"But I want to- I want to apologize."

"Stolas, for the love of Satan," the vitriol was back in Blitzø's tone. He didn't want to hear some bullshit apologies. After seeing Fizz, the hate in his eyes, having Verosika take more potshots at him, seeing how…how fucking embarassed Stolas was to be with him. What would apologies do? "Back up or I'm taking your fucking arm with me."

Blitzø made to remove the prince's hand from the steering wheel and Stolas' eyes flashed in a slight of panic.

The engine cut.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" Blitzø was enraged and Stolas quickly moved his arm away with a surprised blink. Blitzø stamped on the gas, messed with the key, but there wasn't so much as a noise. "You wrecked my van!"

Now Stolas stepped back, his feathers rising slightly in anxiety. "No, I-I'm sure it's fine." This wasn't how he'd wanted the night to go! He hadn't really been concerned Blitzø would drive off, but he wasn't used to being looked at or jeered at as much as he had that night and his composure was shot. This was how it manifested.

Blitzø tried again, hit the dash, tried another time... "Fine my ass, you feather-brained cocksleeve!" His hand brushed over his horns, expression strained, then he bashed his hands against the steering wheel and glared at Stolas. The pain from their date and his anger pooled at the corners of his eyes. "Do you have any idea how many people I had to kill for this thing?!"

His voice had broken and Blitzø, embarrassed, exited the van, slamming the door loudly before he went to check the engine. Stolas followed with concern.

"After the fucking day I had and now this- Why'd I even drive you home?" he said accusingly, despite having offered, "You can fucking teleport!" Stolas watched him jump onto the bumper and pop the lid, climbing inside and digging through parts that, although he had never seen the inside of a car, Stolas could tell had not been put together by a professional.

"I assumed you wanted to spend more time together," Stolas ventured. He did too, why else would he invite him inside? But Blitzø wasn't listening.

"No, I already got rid of that bit…This isn't- Maybe this one? Ugh, what am I going to do?"

"Blitzø," Stolas decided that now was the time to be the voice of reason. He'd also had a rough night. He hated to be called out by someone like Asmodeus and have all those eyes looking at him. He'd never been the best with people, he was much more keen on staying home with his books, and not defending Blitzø when he had the chance was eating at him. He had to take responsibility for both instances. "This is my fault and I'll get it repaired first thing in the morning. But for now, please, come inside."

Blitzø turned with a snarl, "I already told you, I'm not in the mood."

"None of that," Stolas promised, crossing his arms into an 'x'. "This isn't business, after all, only common courtesy." Saying it out loud made him feel terrible, but he didn't want to invite more animosity. "There are guest rooms if that makes you more comfortable. Now," he added curtly, not wanting to leave any room for dissent, "I'm going inside."

Stolas followed through on his word, but a solid fifteen minutes of banging and profanities passed outside before Blitzø relented. Stolas had already changed into proper, constellation-bedecked pajamas, assuming Blitzø would be unhappy with his usual robe, and was reading a book in the entrance hall as he waited. It was when he heard a thump upstairs that it occurred to him - Blitzø was not in the habit of using the front door.

He hurried to his room, more quickly than he'd admit, and adjusted himself before opening the door so he'd look proper. Blitzø was sitting on the bed, slumped over, finally out of expletives to say. "Given up?" Stolas asked coldly. He'd wanted to be polite, but his irritation at being kept waiting was too close to the surface.

"Yeah, well," Blitzø looked at him with fiery eyes, "It's too far to walk and some of us can't poof back home." He wasn't wasting money on a cab either, but he wasn't saying that out loud.

Stolas sighed, feeling guilty all over again. "I really am sorry, you know. I can show you to your room."

Blitzø looked dubious. "Wait, that wasn't a trick? You were serious?"

A pang of heartache. He thought he'd do this on purpose? Make him stay against his will? Then what did that mean for all the other nights… "Of course. What happened wasn't intentional, I assure you." Stolas opened the door and left the room, assuming Blitzø would follow, concealing the tears in his eyes. He'd liked Blitzø for years, ever since he'd seen him at the circus, and he'd thought… After all, his books told him young love stayed strong forever. That sometimes occasional sex led to more. Blitzø had come on so strongly and Stolas had hoped it wasn't just for his grimoire, but had he gotten this all wrong? Was this a contract and nothing more?

The guest room wasn't far along, just across from Via's room. Stolas dried his eyes discreetly and opened the door. He turned to make sure Blitzø was still there and he was. "Here you are. And you'll get the bed all to yourself." It wasn't quite as large as Stolas', but Blitzø had commented that his sleeping arrangement was of a far smaller size and he enjoyed having space to move.

Blitzø looked up at him uncomfortably. He'd thought it was all a ruse, a high-society mean-mugging to get his way, but Stolas was really doing this. Maybe it truly was an accident. "I- Uh, thanks."

Stolas nodded his understanding. "Goodnight, Blitzø."

He stared at the open door, not going inside, but Stolas decided to make his exit. Blitzø was conflicted. Stolas wasn't pushing anything. Even if he'd been embarrassed at Ozzie's, he was listening to him for once. There were times where he was sure Stolas tuned him out, hellbent on getting his own way, but he'd listened. Maybe this was his way of trying to make up for it, really and truly.

But Fizz's face was back in his head. He'd been so angry and he couldn't blame him. Why would he forgive him when he couldn't forgive himself? And that fire brought up so much more pain than a slight from a self-absorbed prince...

Stolas was partway down the hall when Blitzø called his name. Stolas turned hopefully, thinking maybe he'd changed his mind, and saw him with his head down, unmoved.

"It's…just been a long night, you know?"

Stolas nodded, heart sinking. "I know."

Blitzø went into his room. Stolas went in search of some absinthe.

Blitzø woke to the sound of his phone barking and reached for it, but the side of the couch was much farther away than usual. After some confused attempts, he opened an eye.

What the fuck was he doing here?!

His phone continued to buzz and he tucked and rolled off the side of the bed, finding it just underneath the bedframe.

"Loony? Is everything alright?" he asked immediately.

"I'm at a party and I want to leave," she said bluntly, but Blitzø could hear the strain in her voice. Sounded like neither of them were having a good night.

"Be there in-" Blitzø stopped himself, recollecting why he was here in the first place, "Shit, no, the van broke down. I can- I can order a ride. Or I can-" Could he wake up Stolas? Get her a transport out of there? He hated to ask favors, but he'd do it for her.

"The van's broken?" she asked with uncharacteristic concern.

"I'll handle it," he said swiftly, talking as he opened his apps. "What's the address? I can…" Blitzø trailed off when he heard another, distant voice on the line.

"Are you ok?" It was a low voice and Blitzø hissed quietly.

"Y-yeah, fine. Just fine." Loona said in a perky tone Blitzø didn't hear much of.

"Alright, cool, my friends and I were-"

"Can you tell him to shut up and give me the address?" Blitzø growled.

"Hold on," she said politely, and it was soon clear she wasn't speaking to him, her voice changing slightly as she said to the phone, "I think I changed my mind. This might be fun after all."

"Ok," Blitzø said, with no way to stop her. She was an adult and she could use some friends that weren't from the company. "If you're sure. Just…text me when you're home, ok?"

"Ok, Dad," she said, hanging up. It may have been purposely to appease him, to make sure he didn't go on a swearing tirade via phone to the guy who was trying to get in her pants, but it still made him happy to hear it.

He stood up, having taken the call while lying on the hard floor, and flopped back onto the bed. He'd never bothered getting under the covers, he hadn't expected to sleep at all.

Bored, he started flicking through Sinstagram. He saw Moxxie and Millie posting pictures for their anniversary, old photos and a picture of them at karaoke, but Ozzie's was absent. Some posts on the horse accounts he followed, a few weapons, a lot of people he didn't care about… He was starting to drift off again when he heard him. Stolas, singing. It was midnight and that bird was…what, singing in the shower? Blitzø strained to hear but couldn't make out the words. Then there was a noise across the hall, a door shutting. He crept toward his own door, pressing his head against it. The singing was happening, but it hadn't gotten any closer. He opened the door and looked toward Stolas' room.

He caught a glimpse of the wife's dress and shut the door as quickly and quietly as possible, unseen.

Stolas slumped on the bannister. Stella had been…Stella and fighting with her drained him now more than it ever had. Now that he wasn't trying to make it work he was more aware of how detestable she was. Would that be useful if the Ars Goetia did try to punish him? He'd never thought about the repercussions. Divorce wasn't common practice, it was more likely to add partners to the mix without consent, but he couldn't bear being with her any longer. It didn't matter if he paid for it, he'd take anything over having her there. The only good thing…

He stood in horror, his ruminations forgotten. He'd told Stella to leave, but what about Octavia?

Stolas hurried to her room, knocking softly, opening when there was no response.

A sigh of relief when he saw her in bed, her headphones playing music that he could hear from the doorway. Drowning them out, he thought with pain. As gently as he could, he used his magic to turn the music off and remove her earbuds. She rolled over, but her eyes stayed closed. "Sweet dreams, my owlette," he whispered. He was grateful that she was still here, but if Stella tried to take her from him… Stolas shut the door and slumped his head against it. He couldn't bear to think of it.

"Hey… You ok?"

Stolas jumped. He'd passed out and woken to depression and a fight, forgetting that Blitzø was staying the night, unused to this arrangement. And he'd …oh no, how much had he heard?!

"Oh, uh, yes!" Stolas said quickly, turning around. Blitzø was unconvinced. "What are you doing up? I hope we didn't-"

"I was already up. Haven't had a great time sleeping. You ever slept in those beds?"

Stolas blinked, not expecting the question. "No, I-I can't say I have. Are they really that unpleasant?"

"If they weren't the noise sure was. Man, that bird can screech."

"Shhhh!" Stolas reacted quickly, embarrassed but suddenly aware of their proximity to his daughter, "Via's sleeping. Let's…we can look elsewhere."

They walked down the hall, toward Stolas' room. He was going to pass it when Blitzø grabbed his wrist. "You know…" he started, lightly pulling so Stolas would turn, his tone sultry, "I wouldn't mind spending the night in your bed."

Stolas blushed, flustered at the thought. He certainly could - the change in Blitzø's tone, the look in his eyes, that was all it took to arouse him - but (Or do you see a full moon tonight?) it wouldn't be for the best. And after everything with Stella…it wouldn't feel right.

Stolas pulled his hand away and bowed, extending an arm toward his room."C-certainly, be my guest, I'll take the room on the other side-"

Blitzø stepped closer and grabbed Stolas' bent shoulders, pulling his ear to his mouth, "That's not what I meant," he growled. Stolas shivered with desire, but he couldn't give in. He didn't know why Blitzø had changed his mind after all those harsh words earlier, but if he wanted things to change, he couldn't let it devolve into sex. Not tonight of all nights.

Stolas stammered as he tried to find the words, standing so he was out of his grasp, unable to look him in the eye, "I-I, I mean, well, I c-can certainly share the bed b-but, you know," the only words that came to mind were what Blitzø had said earlier, "It's been a long night and we shouldn't- We should sleep."

After a moment of silence, the two of them staring, trying to find some hint in the other's eyes, Blitzø closed them with a shrug and walked inside. "Suit yourself, just don't hog all the covers."

Stolas was left in the hallway for a moment, dumbfounded. Just…sleeping together. That was what he'd wanted before the night turned sour, a moment with just the two of them that wasn't 'business'. Maybe it wouldn't be cuddles and sweet nothings, but that Blitzø had chosen this course, on his own…That had to mean something, didn't it?

Blitzø was already down to his underwear when he entered the room and Stolas blushed and turned away, unable to control himself, as the imp jumped into bed. "Ah, now this is more like it!" he said appreciatively, rolling on top of the covers to Stolas' side of the bed and then back towards his own - sneaking under the covers this time. He pulled the blanket up to his chin, smiling with his tongue poking out.

Stolas restrained himself, wanting nothing more than to take a picture. Instead, he pushed himself to walk over to the other side of the bed and lie as far away from Blitzø as he could manage, abruptly uncomfortable with the situation. The bed was about the only place he felt confident. Here he could say what he meant, what he wanted, what he liked. Outside of it was crushing uncertainty and now it had leaked inside. He didn't want his actions to be misunderstood and he wasn't sure what Blitzø truly wanted. So he slipped under the covers, sticking to his side and hoping sleep came quickly.

"Don't you want to take your mind off it?" Blitzø asked, surprising him.

"What?" Stolas turned, not sure what he meant. Blitzø was lying on his back, arms behind his head, looking at the ceiling.

"Whatever she was yelling at you about."

Stolas, used to his circumstances, blinked in confusion. "I wasn't even thinking about it," he said honestly.

Blitzø's hands clenched a little. "Oh, well…alright then." He still looked at the ceiling instead of Stolas.

"Is- is that why you offered to have sex with me?" Stolas was up on his elbows, shocked.

Blitzø looked at him and then looked away, not liking his expression. "Forget it." He'd done his fair share of date site swiping when he was feeling depressed, everybody did it, so where did Stolas get off acting all disgusted? He was trying to be nice, he didn't ask for judgment.

That was…rather misplaced, but Stolas found the sentiment kind. It was an odd way to express it, but very characteristic of Blitzø, attempting to show rather than say. He'd been willing to change his mind for his sake. The idea made him almost giddy. "So you do care."

Blitzø blushed. "Shut up!"

Stolas laughed and, with a sudden burst of confidence, wrapped his arms around Blitzø, pulling him close so he was facing him. He didn't pull back, but put his head down to avoid his eyes, mumbling something into the feathers on his neck.

"You know, I meant it," Stolas moved to brush his left cheek against Blitzø's, pulling sideways to kiss it. "When I said we could be like this."

"Sounds pretty gay to me," was his rebuttal. He couldn't do this romantic shit. He'd never been able to.

Stolas was undeterred. "I suppose so. But you're the one who awakened that part of me."

Blitzø pulled back to look at him with surprised eyes. "What?"

Stolas smiled, tilting his head. "Is it that surprising? There's a reason I don't get along with Stella." They weren't officially divorced, but he couldn't call her his wife. Not anymore.

"Yeah, but what does that gotta do with me?" Blitzø huffed. "Not like I can turn you-"

"Assuredly not," Stolas smiled, blushing at the memory, "but I did always like you, before I knew what a crush was. Ever since your clown days." He chuckled as he remembered, "That worm horse was my favorite."

Blitzø pushed his head back into his chest so he wouldn't see the color in his cheeks. Everyone else hated his worm horse, even Fizz thought it was weird, but he'd kept that thing until it popped. He'd been proud of it.

There were no more rebuttals. So what if he liked him when they were kids? They were adults now. Stolas was royalty and he was an imp. Stolas could get with anyone he wanted and he was just scraping by. Sure, there was a past connection, but Blitzø wasn't special, he was only for now.

Still…he did like it, his face tucked into Stolas' feathery chest, curled up and warm, much better than laying in that huge bed all by himself. Maybe Stolas was embarrassed of him in public, but here? Here they could be together.

"Are you falling asleep?" Stolas asked quietly.

"Mmm."

He brought his voice down to a whisper. "Would you mind if I put on a movie?"

"Whatever."

He turned on a musical, just loud enough to hear with subtitles on, and Blitzø moved so Stolas could wrap an arm under his toned body. Blitzø's eyes would open at opportune moments so he could make rude comments that made Stolas smile and then fall half asleep until a song played, changing the lyrics and Stolas joining in.

Of the three things he'd wanted, he'd encapsulated two. And that was enough for him.