AN: Hey guys! We finally come to one of the parts of the fic I've been waiting for. Stolas and Blitzo confront Spiroz about Hedwig.
Disclaimer: I do not own Helluva Boss. Spiroz and all characters in his universe belong to artist DaniDraws
While all of Hell was being rocked by a revelation that had shocked it's very core, the two who were the center of such controversy were ignorantly enjoying themselves on a date as always. After the two ate their favorite food together, they went on a bit of a shopping spree for some items that Spiroz needed to work on the mananite project of his. Contrary to what people believed, magical rituals didn't always involve exoctic things like eyes or blood. Sometimes your everyday household ingredients were enough.
One Spiroz teleported the stuff back to his home, and Hedwig decided to finish their date by walking around the forest. Holding hands, the couple enjoyed the silence together while taking in each other's touch. Spiroz had often heard that the first time you ever fell in love it was something truly special and they were right. Falling in love with Hedwig had been the greatest thing that ever happened to him. For the first time in his life, Spiroz felt truly happy and that all was right in the world.
"Um, Spiroz?" Hedwig's attention got him. "I was wondering. Do you want to meet my parents?"
"Y-Your parents?" Spiroz gulped as the thought of meeting them made him freeze up.
"I mean, they know about you and all," Hedwig pointed out. "And they don't have a problem with us. Plus, my mom is very distantly related to you and I know she would love to see a member of her old family again."
"How would I meet them though? I can't go to Heaven," Spiroz pointed out.
"We can meet on Earth or get you permission to head to Purgatory?" Hedwig said with a giggle. "I want them to meet the guy I've completely fallen feathers for."
"Heh, well..." He blushed and looked deeply into her eyes. "That makes two of us."
The two shared a quick kiss before Spiroz nodded. "Okay, let's do it."
"Great," Hedwig said as she got out her phone. "Let me just update my parents about what's...going..."
Hedwig's eyes widened and her face slowly started to turn white to pale. Spiroz immediately got worried and was about to ask what was wrong when the phone from Hedwig's talons dropped to the floor. He went to pick it up, but before he could he saw that it was a text from one of her brothers. A specific line soon made him freeze up:
"GET HOME! ALL OF HELL KNOWS ABOUT YOU AND SPIROZ!"
No...
No...
NO!
Spiroz pulled out this phone and felt his heart sinking upon seeing the multiple texts and calls from his sisters and best friends. Each demanded to know where he was and to get home ASAP. He soon discovered why, as news alerts were coming every five seconds. He cursed himself for shutting his phone off during his date. Dread came pouring in like a tidal wave as news articles showed photos and videos of him and Hedwig on all their dates.
Someone found out.
Someone knew the truth.
And it was now being spread to everyone in Hell.
It wasn't just the news. Every demonic social media was talking about it from Sinstagram to Voxbook. Everyone showed the video as words began to appear multiple times, like "Ozzie," "Spiroz," "Abomination," and "Traitor." Demons were demanding his or Hedwig's head. There was so much disgust and hatred that Spiroz felt like his entire world had just crumbled into pieces. He was already hated for his existence based on the circumstances of his birth. This? This just made him utterly abhorred to the point that practically most of Hell was demanding his outright death.
Spiroz fell to his knees, gasping for breath. He felt his vision darken. His heart was pounding so hard it was practically breaking his ribcage. His feathers fell off from the steer stress as his eyes began to water. It was over. Everything was over. They all knew. All of Hell knew.
...Which meant his parents knew.
His angel-hating parents.
I'm going to be sick, Spiroz thought as he held his stomach and sobbed. This can't be happening. Why?! Everything was going so great?! WHY?!
He wanted to crawl into a rock and hide. Or run away into the stars and never return. He could feel the entire world caving in around him as it got harder and harder to breathe. Shaking with pure fear and emotional distress, he tried to let out a cry, but all he could do was let out a wet gargle.
This can't be happening. This can't be happening. Thiscan'tbehappeningthiscan'tbehappeningthiscan'tbehappeningthiscan'tbehappeningthiscan'tbehappeningthiscan'tbehappeningthiscan'tbehappeningthiscan'tbehappeningthiscan'tbehappeningthiscan'tbehappeningthiscan'tbe-
Suddenly, he felt warmth, like a light piercing through the darkness. A familiar loving touch and comforting embrace slowly began to calm him down. Fear and anxiety all started to fade away as he raised his head to gaze into the heavenly eyes of his love. Her compassionate and caring gaze was like a balm on the wounds that reality had cruelly delivered upon him. Her eyes were misty for him as he suffered, and her wings wrapped around him like a protective shield—no words needed to be said because the action said it all. Hedwig was there for him like always. Out of both love and kindness.
He dived into her chest and sobbed. Holding her tight and never wanting to let go because that was Spiroz's worst fear deep inside. Not all of Hell hates his guts. It was not his parents finding out that their son was dating a being they despised. Spiroz didn't even fear his own life.
It was losing her.
The first true friend he ever had that wasn't connected to his family in some way.
His first love who had made him feel like life was indeed worth living.
An angel of light who saved him from his darkness.
Spiroz couldn't lose Hedwig. He refused to do so. He would rather die than lose her. He knew there was a chance this could backfire and that the wrath of Hell would be upon him if they learned the truth. That day he had feared has finally come. But all of it was nothing compared to the idea of never seeing his beloved angelic owl again.
"... Everything's going to be okay," Hedwig whispered to Spiroz as they looked at each other. "We're going to be okay."
"I..." Spiroz tried to say something, but before he could, a portal opened nearby, and the two got up as four figures rushed in.
Stolas and Blitzo, dressed in their fancy outfits, froze in place upon seeing their son in the embrace of an angel—the same one they had seen in the video. The two of them couldn't believe it—it had to be a lie, a fabrication, digitally altered to make it look like their son.
But here was the living proof that confirmed their worst fears.
Their son had done the unthinkable—something so forbidden that nobody in their right mind would ever do it. But he had done it.
Spiroz had fallen in love with an angel.
Their son gazed at them with eyes of terror, and the two parents looked at the scene in a state of stunned silence. Loona and Octavia were behind their respective fathers, unsure of what to do. They tried to say something several times, but no words came out. The quietness was unnerving, and Hedwig slowly moved behind Spiroz as she gazed upon the two shaking demon parents.
Finally, it was Stolas who spoke first.
"...Spiroz Artax Goetia-Buckzo..." Stolas whispered before his entire face was one of pure rage. His eyes pierced into the darkness with a red glow that spread across the forest. "WHAT THE FUCK HAVE YOU DONE?!"
"...F-Father..." Spiroz whispered.
"Don't you father me!" Stolas shouted as he stomped over and towered over him. "Do you have any idea what you have just done?!"
Spiroz couldn't answer. He just looked down with tears in his eyes. "I...I..."
"An angel?! A fucking angel?! My son has been dating an angel?!" Stolas cried out as he rubbed his forehead. "Do you not even understand the complications and consequences of this?!"
"Um, sir?" Hedwig gulped as she tried to speak, but Stolas glared at her, and she backed away for a moment. "I...I know this...is um...awkward, and you feel angry, but-"
"You don't get to speak," Blitzo said as he stepped forward and gave Hedwig such a death glare that it made her wings flare out in fear. "Whatever the fuck you did to seduce my son, you can shove it up your halo, bitch!"
"Don't call Hedwig that!" Spiroz shouted angrily but quickly receded when both his fathers glared at him. "She...she didn't do anything wrong..."
"Dad, if you just lis-" Loona went to say something, but Blitzo held his hand up and sighed.
"We're going home—all of us. No excuses," Blitzo said, and Spiroz knew he would have no choice but to do so.
He turned to Hedwig, who looked concerned about what would happen. He wanted to say something to comfort her, but he couldn't because he didn't know what would happen. His parents had never been this angry at him before, and it was clear that no words would calm them from either of their children. His dad grabbed his hand and began pulling him away from Hedwig, who he tried to reach for but was too far away.
Time seemed to slow down as the two looked at each other one last time. Every breath felt like centuries as a dark thought came to them.
Would this be the last time they see each other? Would Spiroz be locked away the rest of his life by his parents or hunted down and killed by those in Hell seeking his demise? Would Hedwig even be allowed to see him from the higher-ups of Heaven?
Because of these thoughts, Spiroz shouted the one sentence that he never wanted to stop saying in his heart. "Hedwig! No matter what happens, I love you!"
His parents froze and turned to Spiroz as if he had spoken blasphemy. Spiroz didn't care. He needed to say it to Hedwig, even if it got him in worse trouble later.
Hedwig, tearfully, smiled warmly at him and nodded. "I love you, too."
Just hearing those words was enough to bring courage to Spiroz's heart. Once they got their mind back on track, Spiroz's parents dragged him again, and they disappeared through the portal with Loona and Octavia. And so Hedwig stood alone in the forest at night with her beloved boyfriend all but gone.
Collapsing into the dirt, Hedwig sobbed into her hands as she feared the worst for her best friend. Not just from his parents and the denizens of Hell, but also for himself. God? Please. Help him.
Help us.
It had been five hours since Asmodeus revealed Spiroz and Hedwig's relationship to the public. Octavia had summoned all her legions to her home to protect it as protest groups had formed rather quickly outside their palace borders. Some tried to stage attacks but were quickly cut down before anything could happen. It was only a matter of time before a serious threat would come. Either in the form of a vast, organized riot or even an actual person with power, such as a noble or military leader, attempted something. They were getting calls left and right from everyone, both family and associates, who were demanding answers, giving threats, or even outright cutting off any bonds they had.
A number of servants had already filed their resignations, and clients who had been I.M.P. regulars had canceled their services. Even Millie's family was telling her to stay away from Spiroz and his "ilk" and to come on to the farm for their safety and sanity. This was really the lowest point that they had ever been in as a family. Not even the backlash for Stolas and Blitzo getting married was this bad.
In one night, Asmodeus had ruined everything they had built so hard to work for.
Octavia sipped her coffee mixed with gin to try to keep herself going. She had been working nonstop to deal with the damage that Asmodeus had done. Everyone else was doing what they could to help, but it was clear that it was them vs. all of Hell at this point. Octavia knew the risks of letting Spiroz continue his romance with Hedwig, but she didn't care. Her little brother had been truly happy for the first time in years.
Octavia had no regrets about letting him be happy, but she did regret not protecting him better.
I should have prepared for this possibility, Octavia thought while cursing herself as she walked through the palace halls. Servants were handing her reports every five seconds, and it was becoming impossible to keep track. I should have known Asmodeus would do something.
It was a miracle that she still held her position in court at the moment, but that could all change. Not even Queen Charlie could ignore the outcries and demands for action against Spiroz. The best they could demand was exile. The worst was outright execution. Many may not even bother and try to assassinate her brother outright, regardless of the Queen's decision.
Even if Queen Charlie did show mercy, she would be seen as weak and spitting on Hell's standards. She was already controversial, thanks to her efforts to bring peace between Heaven and Hell, and this could all work against her efforts. Octavia wouldn't be surprised if Charlie had to play neutral and do nothing for the sake of her position and ambitions.
"How bad?" Loona asked, walking over with her hair a mess and sweat pouring around her face.
"Bad," Octavia answered plainly as she rubbed her temple. "I don't know what we're going to do. It's all but certain we're going to get attacked by a major force at some point. The question is who, where, and how many."
"Let them come," Loona snarled. "I'll rip them apart if they try to come after our family."
"I'm more concerned about our dads and Spiro," Octavia said.
When they got home, their parents took Spiro's phone away and ordered him to his room until they could talk. She knew it was going to be a serious family meeting. Moxxie and Millie were already here and were busy arguing with their kids about keeping the secret from everyone. Meanwhile, Stolas and Blitzo were too busy helping with their current crisis to talk, but everyone could see they were both hurt and angry at what was happening.
Everything they loved was at risk, and they could lose everything if they didn't play their cards right.
We might still lose even if we play with a full hand.
"...Any word from Samuel?" Loona asked with concern, which made Octavia frown.
"He has texted me, but..." Octavia shook her head. "I haven't been able to find the time or the strength to read them."
She didn't want to think her boyfriend now hated her because of what her brother did. She would break apart if she did.
"Honestly, Octavia? What are our chances of getting out of this in a good position?" Loona asked.
"Slim."
"That bad?"
"Loona? Half the Goetia family has already disowned us. I won't be surprised if they all do so at sunrise," Octavia sighed. "I think we need to face the reality that we're not going to come out of this one completely intact."
"Then whatever happens, we do this as a family," Loona whispers as she puts her hand on Octavia's shoulder.
She nodded and touched in solidarity. An imp servant then came over and coughed into his hand. "My princesses? Your parents wish to talk in the living room with everyone."
The two girls sighed and nodded.
It was time to get everything out.
Everyone focused on Spiroz, who was looking down at his feet. Stolas and Blitzo sat across from him on opposite ends of the coffee table. Surrounding them, looking at each other with worried expressions, were Loona, Octavia, Moxxie, Millie, and their kids. Spiroz and those who knew the truth had revealed everything regarding Hedwig for two hours, from Spiroz's first meeting with Hedwig to how they became friends and became a couple. They even had to explain the mall incident and meeting Hedwing's brothers. Blitzo uttered several curses while Stolas silently stared at Spiroz with utter disappointment.
When it was all over, Spiroz looked at his parents. "...I know you are angry, but-"
"Angry? Angry? Angry?!" Blitzo sat up and glared at his son. You have no idea how beyond angry we are! Not only were you hanging out with angels, of all things, but you lied to us multiple times! Your life was even in danger! And now all of Hell knows about this! Do you have any idea what kind of trouble you are in? What we're all in?!"
"Did you even think about the consequences of this?" Stolas sighed as he rubbed his forehead. "They are demanding your blood. I won't be surprised if we get attacked any second now because of this. Not even Queen Charlie can protect you for what you've done."
"... It's not like they didn't hate me before," Spiroz muttered.
"What?" Stolas asked while looking up.
Sighing, Spiroz got up and glared at them. "It's not like this is any different, Father. I've been hated by Hell my entire life because I was born between you two. All this proves what I've always known: nobody in Hell, save for a few, will ever accept me! What's the point of being a demon if my own kind will always hate me for my existence?! Hedwig?! She accepts me!"
"Son, she's an angel. Their kind hates our kind. They look at us as if we're the dirt. How do you think she'd react if she learned you were our natural-born son," Blitzo snorted. "All those angels believe is that-"
"I told Hedwig the truth," Spiroz said, surprising not just his parents but also the twin's parents. "She never cared. She accepted it. She knows I was born between two males and still loves me."
The two looked at each other in surprise, clearly not expecting that. Stolas cleared his throat. "W-W-Well, regardless, just because she accepts it doesn't mean all angels will-"
"I don't care," Spiroz stated as he folded his arms. "I don't care if all of Heaven and Hell disapproves. I don't care if people hate me for it. I'm done suffering for being what I am and being denied happiness when I finally found it. I love Hedwig. She's the first person ever to accept me who wasn't part of our family. And don't you dare say Uncle Moxxie, Aunt Millie, Milton, and Miitzy don't count because they do."
"Damnit, Spiro, we've been doing everything possible to protect you! You think this has been easy for us?!" Blitzo shouted as he slammed his fist on the table. "You think we haven't sacrificed so much for you?! We have done everything we could to protect you because we love you!"
"Well, it wasn't enough!" Spiroz shouted louder than ever at his parents. "Day in and out, I am ridiculed, mocked, bullied, hurt, and outright despised for being a freak! Do you have any idea how much I wished I was normal?! Or outright didn't exist?! I hate being a demon! I hate being this damn thing that I am! Bad enough that I'm half-Imp and half-Goetia, but to be born between two guys?! You might as well have called me an abomination!"
Closing his eyes, Spiroz felt every barrier he had ever held in his heart collapsing. "And now I'm being told I am not to love the one person who has fully accepted me and loves me in return?! Do you have any idea how that feels?! I would think my parents, who had to fight for their love after being denied it multiple times, would be on my side!"
"...Son, it's not that we don't want you to find love, but not with an angel. Not with all they've done to us," Stolas whispered.
"Oh, and we demons are soooo great," Spiroz snarled. "It's not like we haven't committed murder, rape, theft, unspeakable acts of war, attempted genocide of our own, discrimination, slavery, and more! At least the angels are big on forgiveness and welcome former demons with open arms! And Hedwig loves learning about demons! She loves studying them! She's even related to the Goetia because her mother was a former demon! Angels might have done bad things to demons, but we have no right to say we're the good guys!"
Based on everything he had seen and experienced in his life, what loyalty did he have to Hell and its citizens? He had no future here. Anyone could see it, and his parents were only fooling themselves. Even if it wasn't revealed that he was dating Hedwig, there was nothing here but his family and his best friends. Nothing.
"Spiro, are you even listening to yourself?" Stolas said as he stood up and tried to touch his son, but he shook him off. "You're practically preaching as if you want to be an angel!"
"Why not?! At least I wouldn't have people trying to kill me!" Spiroz shouted, which made the others stare at him in shock. "I hate being a demon! I hate this body! I hate this stupid life I have! Whenever I am with Hedwig, I feel like I matter! That I'm alive! Nothing here in Hell makes me even want to be here anymore! The only thing I have is everyone in this room! Outside there, I have nothing! What's the point of being here anymore!"
"Because we don't want to lose you!" Stolas shouted as he gripped Spiroz by his shoulder. "We are your fathers, and we will not lose you! We love you too much for that, and if that means keeping you locked in here, so be it!"
"W-W-What?" Spiroz asked in horror. "What are you talking about?"
"...Stolas and I have decided that it's best if you never leave the palace...ever," Blitzo sighed as he folded his arms. "We have no choice at the moment. If we're going to keep you safe, we're...going to have to keep you here... permanently."
"...What about Hedwig?" Spiroz asked in fear.
"...You cannot see her ever again, Spiroz. We can't allow it," Stolas answered firmly.
"...You...you can't do that!" Spiroz screamed with tears in his eyes. "Please! Anything but that! I need her! I love her! Please!"
"No, son. This is for the best," Stolas said firmly as Blitzo nodded in agreement.
Spiroz let out a small gasp as the words of denial echoed in his ears. This couldn't be happening. This was a nightmare. He thought about Hedwig—his angel, his light, the girl he loved. He rubbed his arms and began to shake as tears leaked out of his eyes. He wanted to feel her embrace, hear her voice, and taste her beak against his for comfort. He thought about her blue eyes, warm wings, shiny halo, and bright smile.
Every date, every hug, and every kiss was a memory that was fading in his mind. Was this it? Was he never going to see Hedwig again? Was he going to live forever in this prison surrounded by hatred and darkness? Was he doomed to be alone again?
Because of...because of...his parents?
"...you..." Rage began to boil inside of Hedwig as his eyes slowly began to glow dark red. Everyone stepped back as a black aura began to form around him. "You...You...YOU FUCKING HYPOCRATES!"
Screeching in pure hatred, Spiroz unleashed his demonic essence as the windows shattered and everyone was pushed back. Flames began to appear in the air as lightning erupted from Sprioz's hands. His back wings flared out from his back, and his teeth became sharper. Snarling, he turned to his shocked parents and screamed. "HOW DARE YOU! ALL MY LIFE, I'VE HAD TO LIVE WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR ACTIONS OF HAVING ME! ALL MY LIFE, I'VE BEEN DENIED EVEN BASIC KINDNESS FROM THE OUTSIDE WORLD! AND THE ONE TIME I FINALLY FIND HAPPINESS, YOU TAKE IT AWAY FROM ME?!"
"Spiroz! Please!" Stolas shouted as he held onto Blitzo. Numerous bolts of energy were shooting out everywhere in a frenzy.
"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT! NOT WHEN I HAVE HAD TO LIVE WITH THE STIMAGE OF BEING BORN BECAUSE OF YOU! I FOUND THE ONE PERSON IN THE UNIVERSE WHO LOVES ME, AND YOU FORBID ME TO SEE HER BECAUSE SHE'S NOT A DEMON?! HOW MANY DID YOU FIGHT, KILL, STRUGGLE, AND DEAL WITH TO MARRY EACH OTHER?! YOU TWO WERE NEVER SUPPOSED TO LOVE EACH OTHER, BUT YOU DID?! WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT THAN EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS EVER HURT ME?! MY PARENTS!"
"We're doing this to protect you! To keep you safe!" Blitzo shouted.
"I WILL NEVER BE SAFE! SO LONG AS I BREATHE, I WILL NEVER EVER BE ACCEPTED BY MY OWN KIND!" Spiroz shouted as he leaned his head back. "I HATE THIS PLACE! I HATE HELL! I HATE EVERY FUCKING DEMON OUT THERE! I HATE THAT WAS BORN AS A FREAK! IF THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A DEMON, THEN I REJECT IT! I WISH I WERE HUMAN OR ANGEL OR EVEN FUCKING DEAD!"
"Spiroz!" Everyone shouted in horror upon hearing this as he screamed out his pain one last time.
For one minute, he yelled and burned with such fury that it was like staring at a red star. Then the yelling stopped as Spiroz fell to his knees. Slowly, the energy resided, and all that was heard was sobbing from the broken owl-imp. Everyone just stared at him in both horror and sorrow, especially the two parents who caused this.
"...I ... I..." Spiroz slowly lifted his head and glared at his stunned fathers.
They tried to reach out to him, but he stood up and backed away. Tearfully, he glared at them.
"I hate you..."
Their faces looked as if their souls had left their bodies.
"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you both! I wish I wasn't your son!" Spiroz shouted before running away.
He ignored all shouts of his name. He didn't stop running until he ran into his room, closed, and dived into his bed.
He hated them.
He hated his parents.
He hated that this was his cursed life.
He just felt nothing at that moment but utter hate.
Especially for himself.