"I could use another bath," Stolas had said afterward, and that was how Blitzø found himself seated in front of him in the tub, Stolas curled around him from behind. It was a talent of his and there were nights where Blitzø, quick to overheat, had resented him for being trapped in his embrace, but now his caresses were loose and he wrapped his tail around him in kind.

"Do you have work?" Stolas asked in a whisper, the arms held loosely around his chest tightening slightly.

"Nope." A lie, but he could let M run the show for a day. He wouldn't be on his A-game either, not when he hadn't slept all night.

"I'm glad," Stolas kissed his cheek and Blitzø blushed. He and Stolas were many things, but sharers of chaste kisses? Not so much. "I have a question for you."

"Shoot."

"When did things…change for you? Was it something I did last night?"

A huff from Blitzø. "You didn't do anything embarrassing, if that's what you're asking." He stared into the water, thinking, "But I guess…the harvest moon festival."

"Oh?" Stolas tried to think of anything he may have done, but despite Blitzø going this year, the festival still bled together for him. "What part?"

"You weren't there but…" It would have been more interesting if he said it was the attempted assassination, realizing how important Stolas was when there was a threat for him to be taken away. That's what it would be like in one of Stolas' books, he was sure. Unfortunately, it was nothing so romantic. "We stayed with Millie's parents and she told them that, uhh, you were my boyfriend. And I liked how it sounded."

"You did?"

Blitzø's face flushed. "I mean, I'd thought about it, but it didn't seem possible. And when she said it I had to deny it."

"You had to?" Stolas sounded hurt.

"Well, we weren't, were we? You didn't take me seriously and I was in denial and… What about you?" Blitzø turned the tables, not wanting to talk about it further, "What made you change your mind?"

"I, umm, well…" Stolas hesitated, "I'm afraid you'll make fun of me."

"Try me."

"Have you heard the phrase, 'Love at first sight'?"

Blitzø leaned his head back to look at Stolas upside down. "You gotta be fucking kidding me."

Stolas was frowning, but a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "That was less harsh than expected, considering all that's transpired."

"All that's transpired?" Blitzø did a mocking impression, "That deal we had sure didn't feel like love at first sight."

"It was a hard feeling for me to grasp." Stolas said quickly, then reconsidered his words. "It doesn't excuse my actions, but may I explain?"

Blitzø leaned back between Stolas' legs, who pretzeled them neatly around him, and rested his arms on top of them. One thing he was learning about relationships, there was a lot of listening involved. And for once, Blitzø didn't mind it. He wasn't tuning it out because he wanted to know more about Stolas. "I'm all ears."

"It was my birthday the day we met. My father had bestowed upon me my duties and my Grimoire, as was custom, but there was an unexpected gift I'd failed to envision." Stolas had been overwhelmed by helplessness the moment he'd seen her picture, realizing he wouldn't have the happy ending he'd dreamed of. "I learned I must produce a precautionary heir and, as such, I learned I was betrothed. An arranged marriage."

"Ooooooh shit." No wonder Stolas' gay ass was with that prissy bitch.

"I wanted to know my life's work, I was prepared for that and pleased with the outcome, but I never considered other choices would be made for me. I was so upset," Stolas felt no need to bring up his 'bitch crying,' "that my father brought me to the circus to cheer me. And I saw you." Stolas squeezed him a bit tighter, his voice wistful, "You looked so happy and carefree and you made me laugh, despite everything. My first crush. Of course, I believed it was friendship," he confided, "I was a very lonely child, brought up by my butler and books, so I didn't know much about relationships or anything of that nature."

"Geez…" Blitzø hadn't had it easy, but growing up he'd had his mom or sister or Fizz or the myriad of other imps at the circus. He'd experienced loneliness later, but he hadn't grown up like Stolas, by himself, being told what to do and expected to do it. "That sounds awful."

"It was all I knew. I read about things after I played with you that day, but my marriage took precedence. I did as I was told, hardly able to choose my outfits, dutifully playing my role. Of course, my marriage quickly went to shambles, but I had to keep up the act. And I still had Via. My whole world. But, deep in the back of my mind, I wanted to do what I wanted, like that plucky imp I'd met so many years before. I wanted to see you again, yet I wasn't so naive as to think you would want to see me. I knew it was a transaction," Stolas said this last bitterly, his voice shaking. "And I fear I'm more like my father than I'd wish."

"Hey," Blitzø turned, still between Stolas' legs, the water sloshing as he did. Just as he thought, there were tears starting in Stolas' eyes. He reached up to stroke his cheek and Stolas leaned into the touch, closing his eyes. Although cringey on paper, Blitzø wiped the tear away as if it was the most natural thing to do. "We're here now, right?" He wrapped his arms around Stolas' neck, "Who cares if it was a little fucked up along the way."

Stolas placed one arm on the back of Blitzø's head, letting himself be consoled. "I wish I'd never done that to you, but my first time with you…it was the first time I'd done what I wanted, that I enjoyed myself. I didn't want to lose that feeling, even if you wanted the book more than me. But I soon realized how wrong that was…"

Blitzø had heard enough of Stolas' apologies. He was sick of upsetting him, even if it wasn't his fault and, in all honesty, the owl should feel bad. Still, Blitzø didn't want to play any part in it. "Shit happens. You don't have to keep harping on it."

A small chuckle. "I suppose so. I just want you to understand."

"I get it. Really." Blitzø assured him. "It's not like I'm guilt-free. I was the one trying to steal the book, remember? And I could have left you tied up but I…got caught up in it."

If he was willing to change the subject, to forgive him without so many words, Stolas would gladly change the subject. "I was that good, huh?" Stolas smirked, rubbing his cheek against Blitzø's.

"Better than I expected," Blitzø admitted. "I guess those books got something right."

Stolas laughed, nipping gently at Blitzø's neck. "Hardly! I'd like to think it's an innate talent."

"Being horny isn't a talent," Blitzø teased.

"You're one to talk."

Blitzø papped him with his tail and Stolas hooted with laughter, splashing backwards into the water and pulling Blitzø on top of him as he laid back.

Head on Stolas' chest, Blitzø looked up at him, happy to see him smile. "We should get out of here before we get all pruny."

-
"I could make breakfast," Blitzø offered as he dried off, causing Stolas to raise his eyebrows.

"You can cook?"

Prompting an equally perplexed look from Blitzø, "Can't you?"

Stolas wanted to show he was mildly capable. "I…I can put together a bowl of cereal." He sounded more proud of this small accomplishment than he intended, making Blitzø laugh uproariously as he heated with embarrassment. Before he could defend himself, Blitzø smiled at him without condescension.

"You sound like Loony," he said, remembering when he asked her to cook up a hell pig steak (something he assumed any hellhound could do) and she burned it, only then angrily informing him that all she'd ever had was kibble and canned meat. He cooked from then on, never pushing her, pretending not to notice the smell and missing items from the fridge until, one day, he'd come home to find a mildly overdone hunk of meat, complete with instant potatoes, waiting for him in the fridge. He'd been so proud. "Not that I do complicated, but I got the basics. Bacon. Pancakes. Eggs."

"That sounds…" The mentions of food made Stolas a bit nauseated, "I'm sure it would be amazing, but I don't think my stomach could handle it…"

"Ah, still hungover?" Stolas nodded. "Then what should we do?"

Dried, but still naked, Stolas and Blitzø wound up back in bed with another movie playing. Blitzø wouldn't have minded more sex, something to make this feel a little less real. He tried to give the show a chance, commenting on the strange bits, more invested when he saw guns, confused at the cemetery, interested at more dead bodies...

Then things got slow, something about a girl being sad, and his mind started to wander.

Unable to come up with more comments, Blitzø rolled onto Stolas' chest, kissing him, and Stolas giggled into it in a way that made Blitzø's heart flutter, almost uncomfortably, but Stolas was giddy. It had been a long time since he'd made someone happy.

It made him second guess everything.

"Oh, my favorite part's coming up," Stolas informed him, pointing at the screen. Blitzø moved down his chest slightly, twisting his neck to watch, and for a shit song, it was pretty funny. He liked the way they threw body parts around the room.

"Do humans actually do stuff like this?"

"Not the throwing. They do it a little differently," Stolas was disappointed by this fact, "More clinical, less open, but organs do get sold. However, I don't believe they take them out of bodies for defaulted payments."

"Shoulda known, bad business."

Stolas laughed. "It's a tragedy, really."

"I gotta say, I wish Moxxie watched stuff like this. I've seen a couple of the ones he's into and…" Blitzø made a face, "Way less blood, way more boring."

Stolas was pleased. "I thought this one might be more up your alley." Violence, rock music, gore… They all seemed like things Blitzø would like! And the father/daughter bond was more approachable than a romantic plotline. "It's one of my favorites."

Blitzø looked up at him. "Really? But that other one we watched wasn't like this at all."

"I like a lot of things," Stolas smiled.

There were unanswered questions still in mind. Satan, did he have to ask? Did he really want to have this conversation? "Then…what is it about me?"

Stolas, watching the movie, was sure he'd misheard. "What?"

"You like me, right? Why?"

"I told you, didn't I?" Stolas was confused when Blitzø shook his head. "I was sure I-" Then he realized it wasn't worth arguing over. He smiled as he thought it over. "You're strong and athletic, incredibly attractive-

"Me?" Blitzø laughed as he said the word, incredulous, pushing himself up on his elbows. He'd been hard-pressed to imagine one thing, but hearing Stolas start a list… He couldn't help himself.

"Of course. I've always thought so." Stolas was offended. He didn't like Blitzø's self-criticizing tone nor the implication that he had bad taste.

"No-no-no." Blitzø waved him off, invalidating Stolas' words. "That's just something you say to get in someone's pants."

"Oh really?" Stolas arched a brow, recalling this very tone from the morning before, "Is that why you complimented me?"

"No, I meant it." Blitzø knew it was the wrong thing to say as the words left his lips. Here he was, sabotaging himself again.

Stolas shook with irritation. "And I don't?"

"I didn't- I mean, that's not what I-" Blitzø struggled to rectify this, to get his point across, "I just don't get it," he admitted, crossing his arms to rest his head on them, facing away, defeated, "Sex is all I'm good at. It's all anyone's wanted me for."

Why did it keep coming back to this? Stolas felt ashamed, knowing that he'd continued what seemed to be a pattern when he came onto Blitzø, but he had a feeling these words weren't showing a struggle with how he felt, but rather a struggle with what those feelings meant. Of how it was changing things.

He'd said he wanted to stay. Stolas believed him, but that was a strong commitment for someone who wasn't used to such things. And Blitzø was surely mired in more than that, living with a past that Stolas - with no relationship experience outside of one failed marriage - couldn't comprehend. Stolas couldn't clear his issues away, but he could try to be understanding. Placating.

"This isn't just sex. You said that earlier and I feel the same."

When Blitzø proved to be at a loss, remaining slumped on his chest, Stolas continued. "And there's more that I like about you. You're hilarious. The things you say, the way you think…you make me laugh more than I have in a long time. You love your daughter like I love mine and Via considers her a good friend. I value that immensely. And I've…I've learned so much, being with you."

Blitzø rolled off of Stolas' chest and turned away, flustered. "What could you learn from an idiot like me?"

Stolas abruptly rolled to look at Blitzø's back. "Well, for one, I don't think you're an idiot," Stolas felt the urge to clarify, once again offended on Blitzø's behalf. Sure, he had trouble understanding his texts sometimes, but he wasn't completely oblivious. Imps had to put work before education. "I think very highly of your work ethic. Building a business is an incredibly difficult thing to do. You have the determination, motivation and even good customer service! On Yelp they say you get the job done and they like your brash attitude, it's good for business!"

"You've looked up my-"

"And, what's more," Stolas interrupted, cheeks coloring, "you're unapologetically yourself, something I could stand to improve. You set a goal and you achieve it. No matter what happens, you always get back up and keep moving while I do nothing more than wallow." Stolas swallowed, ashamed of himself. Blitzø was so many things that he wasn't. "So, really, I've learned more from you than from any book."

"But it doesn't make sense!" Blitzø turned back over, propped up on one hand and accusing him with the other, "Tons of demons are like that, powerful demons. You could be with anybody."

Stolas rose to his elbows. "Being with 'anybody' isn't what I want!" he insisted. "I want to be with you. You're the only one I've wanted to be with. Is that really so hard to believe?"

"Yes!" Blitzø tensed. He'd thought he could take Stolas at his word, but he remembered his face when confronted by Fizz and Asmodeus; the embarrassment. He slumped back down onto the bed, hands over his face. "At the end of the day, I'm still an imp." He stared at the ceiling through his hands, avoiding Stolas' eyes. "It's easy to say when it's just us, but I can't change myself like the people in your movie. And you can't be with someone like me, not when you're a Goetia."

Stolas' eyes narrowed in vexation, finally understanding the thing they'd never discussed - the date that ended too early. He reached for Blitzø's hand and moved it easily, but Blitzø still tried to avert his eyes. "Blitzø, I'm not letting anyone tell me who I can and can't be with anymore." When he wouldn't look up at him, Stolas rested his head on his chest and confessed, "I was taken off guard at Ozzie's. I don't like being the center of attention, that's all it was. It was never about you," he assured him, hearing his heartbeat quicken at his words, "You're someone I would gladly show off. I couldn't care less if others have a problem with it; I like being with you."

"But-" Blitzø's shoulders were shaking, holding back tears. It was so hard to believe because it was too good to be true. There was still a chance this was a dream or some cosmic joke. How could anyone possibly like him? Who in their right mind would want to stay with- "But I was so awful to you. You should hate me."

"Blitzø," Stolas' voice was earnest, head on his chest, pressing it up into Blitzø's chin, reaching for his hand. Blitzø let him take it, let him twine their fingers together, and returned his grasp like one eager to escape drowning. "I've never hated you. Not even when I was angry at you. I've been boorish and naive and I can't blame you for thinking I wasn't serious." Stolas closed his eyes guiltily, "I've made my blunders, but I've never lied to you." He pushed himself up, a hand on either side of his shoulders so he was looking down at Blitzø, seeing raw emotion in his eyes as he tried to blink away tears. "I want to be with you. Only you."

For the first time in his life, Blitzø didn't run. He pulled Stolas' down into arms, faces cheek to cheek, tears running down his face. Over and over he'd been expecting an out, waiting for the catch, feeling uncomfortable with letting things be as they were. Blitzø never quite got what he wanted, through the fault of others and himself, but this time-

This time he had Stolas.

Face now pressed against his neck, Blitzø choked out, "You mean it?"

"I mean it," Stolas promised, wrapping his arms around him, rolling them over so they were lying face to face. Blitzø burrowed against him, trying to get as close as possible, muffling his words against his chest.

"What?" Blitzø didn't repeat himself, but the sounds registered in Stolas' head a moment later. Eyes sparkling with optimism, wanting desperately to know if he'd heard correctly, he stroked one of Blitzø's horns from its tip down to the back of his neck. "Can you repeat that?"

"No," Blitzø answered petulantly, shaking his head against him, kicking himself metaphorically.

"Alright," Stolas said gently, pulling back just enough to kiss the mark on Blitzø's forehead. "But if I heard you correctly-"

"Stop!" Blitzø looked up in a panic, his cheeks flushed from the kiss, "Don't say it!"

"Why not? It's merely a guess." Stolas knew he shouldn't tease him, but it was hard to resist. Blitzø's lack of composure was betraying the truth.

"Because I-" Blitzø's yelling cut off, his eyes darting away and then back at Stolas'. "I said it first."

So childish, Stolas smirked and matched his energy. "Well, you see, I didn't hear it. So if I say it first-"

Wide eyes. "You wouldn't!"

Stolas faced down the challenge with furrowed brows and a confident smile. "I most assuredly would. Unless you'd like to do the honors?" Blitzø blinked slowly back, "Properly this time."

"Y-you would?" Blitzø stammered, still in disbelief.

Stolas nodded, eyes shining, "Wholeheartedly."

He hasn't lied. Blitzø closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He means it.

He reached for Stolas' face, a hand on his cheek as his own eyes opened, gazing into his. Eyes that said what he was going to without words. "I love you."

Stolas' was at his throat, kissing from his neck up to his chin, cheek, and lips, kissing him deeply, not stopping until he pulled away to breathe. Blitzø panted, also out of breath, cheeks flushed and wanting more. He didn't care if it was sex or kissing or watching a movie, as long as it was with Stolas. As long as he wasn't turning him away.

Between his dazzled eyes and tempting lips, Stolas was unable to resist kissing him again, but was quick to pull away. To respond with the proper amount of gravity given their situation. "I love you too." He smiled and changed their positions again, wrapping his arms around Blitzø and pulling him on top of him, onto his chest, wanting to share his heartbeat the way he'd heard Blitzø 's. Blitzø stayed nestled there, curling himself into a ball. Stolas felt new tears and stopped himself from asking why. I was convinced a prince could never love someone like me and I've let my self hatred stop me from apologizing to anyone I could ever care about! That would be a struggle to overcome. Stolas rubbed Blitzø's back, giving him time. As strong-willed as he was, everyone had their vulnerabilities, and Stolas could be patient. He could be anything if it helped Blitzø.

Blitzø was overwhelmed. He hadn't wanted a relationship since he was a teenager, hadn't loved anyone in years, and now, for the first time in his life, he loved someone who loved him back. Could he really deserve this? He was a nobody. No one-

He felt Stolas' hand move, rubbing his back. Initially he was startled, but then he started to breathe with its motion, calming himself down.

So what if he deserved it? He wanted to pretend they could stay like this forever. That he would never ruin this because he didn't want to repeat the same pattern. He wanted to improve, like he'd told Ver at the party. He wanted to be a better version of himself, be a person who stayed, be a person who didn't hate himself so much.

That was who he wanted to be. For Stolas and for himself.

He wiped his eyes as subtly as he could. "Sorry," he mumbled, not looking at Stolas, facing the bandages on his arm. Stolas took a brief moment to grab the comforter that was halfway beneath him, pulling it out and over himself and Blitzø. "Not how I planned to tell you."

Now under the covers, Stolas resumed his hand's position on Blitzø's back, enjoying the feel of his skin against his palm, nestling against him. "No need for apologies. Unless you just said that to get in my pants?" Blitzø smacked him with his tail, cheeks coloring, and Stolas chuckled. "No, I'm rather pleased with how our morning is going."

Blitzø scoffed. "Even though I fucked it all up?"

"You did no such thing. And if you say one more negative thing about yourself, I'll turn your tongue to stone."

"Like you did to my engine?"

"That was an accident!"

Blitzø smiled, one arm rubbing at his chest in time with Stolas' hand on his back. "Thank you."

Stolas wound his injured arm lightly around Blitzø's waist and felt his tail wind around his wrist, twining with his fingers. "Of course. Besides," he moved his hand from his back to under Blitzø's chin, coaxing him to look up at him, "We'll have more opportunities to say it. Right, darling?"

Blitzø looked back down to hide his embarrassment, kissing Stolas' neck. "I guess so."
-

"You know…" Stolas was perfectly content with cuddling, but it was obvious it was out of his partner's comfort zone. Blitzø was getting antsy, couldn't stop moving, he wasn't used to spending time in a lover's arms and it was apparent, but he was trying his best. As much as Stolas appreciated that, he felt it was his turn to do as Blitzø wished. And Blitzø seemed the type who felt better when he had something to do. "If you'd like, we could go somewhere? Do something you like? We don't have to confine all our activities to the bedroom."

"Wanna go to Loo Loo Land?" Blitzø joked, knowing full well he'd burned that place to the ground.

"No Loo Loo Land. Lu Lu World?"

"I wouldn't be caught dead." He was becoming more animated. "Does it have to be in Pride?"

"We can go as far as Earth, if you wish."

Now Blitzø propped himself up with both arms, eyes shining. "Cawegohosebackring?!" he asked so quickly the words melded together.

Stolas blinked. "Pardon?"

"Can we go horseback riding?"

There was more glee in his tone than Stolas had ever encountered, making him hoot with happy laughter. "Yes, of course." Blitzø was instantly out of bed, grabbing his clothes from the floor. "So you still like horses?"

"Uh, I LOVE horses." Blitzø paused mid-changing to correct, "Most majestic fucking things in the universe."

"Really?" Stolas smiled, sitting up.

"Yes, really! And smart too. Did you know they only breathe through their nose? Not a mouth breather among them. That's a fucking sign if I ever saw one."

"Oh? I didn't know that…" Stolas admitted, drawing a proud smile from Blitzø. He started across the room to his boudoir. "Have you ever ridden one?"

Ready, Blitzø sat back on the bed. "The circus horses, sure, but not an Earth horse. Have you?"

"A handful of times. They've been present at a few balls I've attended."

"Then you can give me pointers! Come on!" Blitzø hurried, "Do you gotta put on some special outfit? Do I gotta wait twenty minutes like last time?"

"Well, there are proper clothes for horse riding," Stolas half-explained, half defended as he peaked out while Blitzø groaned in impatience. "You can certainly help yourself to breakfast while you wait. Or go on ahead, you do have your crystal," he reminded him. Blitzø didn't have to rely on him for transport anymore.

"I wanna go with you," Blitzø said naturally. Not in a panicked rush and not embarrassed. The way he said it made Stolas' heart flutter more than the words themselves and he was very glad to be in the confines of his boudoir as an excited blush stole across his cheeks.

"Then it will be a test in patience."

"'Patience' my ass," Blitzø retorted, "I'm gonna make us the best pancakes in hell. They'll cure your hangover in one bite, just you wait."

As Blitzø made his way around the kitchen, he was just as eager to ride a horse alongside someone who knew what they were doing as Stolas was to have food made for him by someone he cared about. Both, while focused on their own tasks, were wondering the same thing.

Was this what love felt like?

When Stolas took that first bite of his pancake, he found Blitzø was true to his word. He ravenously devoured the whole stack. Blitzø found he was happier eating the few he'd slightly burnt and watching Stolas eat the best ones than he'd been when Loona proclaimed his food, 'Not bad.'

When Blitzø sat on a horse with a saddle, feet in stirrups - things they'd never used with circus horses - and Stolas led him along a path, he felt the kind of ecstasy you only received when a dream came true. Stolas walked and trotted and even got Blitzø to jump over a post, his discomfort in the saddle (he was far too tall to enjoy such things) trumped by the joy it brought to Blitzø's face.

No doubt about it. This was love.
-

Full disclosure, I was planning to continue the misunderstandings, to extend the angst, but after GhostF*ckers I wanted to wrap it up nicely. Have a little happy ending for a change. This is the last chapter. Thank you for reading :)