Stolas woke to find himself alone in his bed. The prince wasn't surprised by the imp's absence but couldn't help feeling disheartened. He closed his eyes.
"What did you expect? You threw him into yet another damn obligation. You absolute moron, You just couldn't give him a break, could you? It's no great mystery that he sees you as such a chore. You've made a fucking mess of everything again!" Stolas thought out loud. The look in Blitz's eyes had told him what he needed to know.
"The fuck are you mumbling about?" Blitz asked, catching Stolas off guard. The owl's eyes snapped open as he felt the imp climb onto the bed, putting his phone into his pocket.
"I-It's nothing, I-"Stolas stammered. "I thought you-"
"I was outside, "Blitz explained. "You were asleep, and I had to make a couple calls. You thought I left, didn't you?"
"Well, the way our conversation was going, and you looked as if I'd- I wouldn't have blamed you if you did, "Stolas replied. "I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologize for everything that goes on. It's not like I gave you much reason to think I wouldn't. I had some time to think about everything while you were sleeping. It's still a lot, but it came to the same thing I said earlier.
Like I said, it sounds like something you might want someone there for."Blitz replied.
"Thank you, Blitz, but if you feel overwhelmed, I'd understand if you stepped away. You're free to do just that at any time. It isn't an easy process for anyone involved, and I don't want you to-"
"One step at a time, right?" Blitz interrupted. "Are you...feeling any better?"
"A bit better, yes, "Stolas answered, touched by Blitz's words.
"So, is there anything I should do, or are you good?"Stolas offered a faint smile.
"I'll be getting up soon. You don't need to go out of your way. It will take a moment to steady myself."Stolas explained.
"It's not exactly going out of my way if I'm offering to do it. If you need to rest, I can get whatever, or do what needs to be done. I mean, should you really be wandering around if you're feeling weird?"The imp pointed out. Stolas hesitated.
"Well, I suppose if you feel up to it, there are orange bottles in the fridge. If you could bring me one, it would help me to feel better."Blitz was already sliding off the bed and moving to the door. Stolas shifted onto his back with a sigh. He forced himself to sit up slowly.
In truth, the Goetia was grateful to Blitz for the assistance.
The imp returned quicker than Stolas had expected. Blitz approached the bed. He opened the bottle, setting the lid lightly on top, and offered it to the prince before sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Thank you," Stolas replied, sipping the cool liquid slowly.
"Yeah, well, you're not feelin' right, and you said you needed to rest more, so..." Blitz reasoned.
"Yes, I did, but I don't expect you to do everything for me."
It's not everything. You're doing the tough job. I'm just helping with the small shit. Let's not make it a big deal, "Stolas nodded.
"I'll try not to." He promised.
"Anyway, "Blitz continued, "I called Loona while you were sleeping. I figured I should tell her, so it wasn't a surprise. The thing is, she knew before I did. Apparently, our daughters talk."
"Really?" Stolas questioned in surprise, "I had no idea, but it's good to know that Via has a friend she can turn to. She was so angry when I told her, and She hasn't spoken to me since. I understand with everything going on between Stella and me, then all of this, she's dealing with it as best she can, but it doesn't make me any less concerned to see this type of reaction."Stolas shook his head, taking another sip.
"I can't give you details, but it's not what you think." Blitz turned to meet the prince's gaze. "Loona wouldn't tell me anything specific, though. Via will come around."
"I hope so. I don't like seeing her so upset. I feel like such a terrible father for putting her through all this."Stolas admitted.
"You're not. Being seventeen is tough. Sometimes, all you can do is say, 'Hey, I'm here if you need me.' Then give 'em space. I know it doesn't help much. She's your baby, and it sucks when they hurt. You've been protecting her all her life. She'll see that one day. You're a good dad. Just try not to be too hard on yourself. Stress can't be good for you." The imp further surprised the prince by reaching out for Stolas's hand repositioning his own to allow their fingers to interlace. "
"It's not, but it's part of life, Blitzy, and it happens. You can't protect me from everything, and stress on some level is typical. You don't need that kind of pressure either." A moment of silence passed between them before Blitz spoke again.
"So, you gonna tell me how this works, or..."Blitz allowed his voice to trail off.
"Yes, I suppose we should go over a few things. Do you have specific questions? You can ask me anything."Stolas invited.
"I have plenty of 'em. I don't wanna overwhelm you." Stolas smiled faintly.
"I'm capable of having a conversation. I can still do many of my normal activities as long as it's not too physically demanding, or I feel too out of sorts. Sleep and this juice usually help. You don't need to concern yourself with something like that."
"Juice is important, got it," Blitz replied.
"Yes, from the moment the egg cycle begins, my body takes the nutrients required to have a healthy egg, or in some cases, eggs, and redirects them to the developing process. Which is why I feel off and tired. The juice helps to replace what the egg uses so that I can be well."Stolas explained.
"So, very important. Do you do a nine-month thing? What about the sitting on the egg thing?" Stolas shook his head with a slightly amused chuckle.
"I'll carry the egg for four months. Goetia eggs are typically a bit bigger than you might expect. If there is a little one, it'll be another thirty-seven days until we meet the little one. We have incubators for warming the eggs. If my first egg cycle is anything to go on, I would barely have the strength to do much of anything for some time."Stolas replied.
"Damn. That doesn't sound good. You're really not gonna tell me about that first egg?" Blitz pressed."Maybe if I knew a little more about what to expect-"
"No. I won't. Trust me, you don't want to hear about it. It was quite an ordeal. That reminds me, I'm not sure what your plans are, but you won't be in the room with me when the egg arrives. It can be chaotic, and I can't imagine you'd be comfortable with what goes on." Stolas said, "I don't think I'd feel right about dragging you into that."
"Stolas, you're not dragging me anywhere I don't wanna go." Blitz lifted his hand, still holding onto Stolas's, "This is me trying to tell you I'm willingly walking down this road with you, whatever happens. So you drink your juice, relax for a while, and don't worry about anything...I'll stick around for a while. Isn't part of the whole thing being there for support?"
"Even if I told you that if you were there, it could change the way you see me forever would you still consider it?" Blitz raised an eyebrow.
You get weird or somethin'?"He questioned
"Well no, but the process-"
"So, is that a final no I can't be there, or do I have a shot at changing your mind?"
"It's a very strong suggestion. One I hope you'll consider carefully."
"You know, Stolas, four months is a long time and anything can happen. Who knows, maybe between now and then, you'll change your mind." The imp stated softly, "Are you still feeling okay?"
"Yes. It may take a bit, but I'll be up and about in no time, "Stolas assured him. "Also, I should tell you that carrying an egg isn't the same as carrying a baby. You won't be able to feel anything aside from the shell later on, and because it's so fragile, you won't be able to touch my stomach."
Blitz tilted his head.
"Later? But wouldn't it-"
"It happens in stages, Dearest. The egg is currently in the beginning stage and has no shell, which makes it even more vulnerable. My body is...a bit strange. There are...for lack of better words, sections it has to go through before the shell forms around it. Essentially, I am building the egg."
"So like an assembly line thing?" Stolas nodded.
"Something like that," The prince confirmed. Blitz glanced down at the blanket.
"Does it bother you?" He asked, "I mean, does it hurt?"
"It's more uncomfortable than painful while it's coming together. Later on, as the egg grows, and the shell forms, yes, I will feel some pain. But you don't need to worry about any of that. I handle discomfort fairly well."
"I just wanna make sure you're okay," Blitz replied sincerely.
"I am. You're already taking such good care of me, Blitzy."
"I didn't do anything."
"You've done more for me than you realize. Simply having you here does so much for me. In the moment, I feel genuinely cared for. Now whether or not that comes from your desire to connect with our egg, or it's me seeing something that-what is it?" Stolas paused, noticing the smile creeping onto the imp's face.
"You said 'our egg'"
"Oh, I didn't mean-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have."Stolas quickly turned back to his drink. The owl mentally kicked himself for the slip. Blitz however moved closer.
"Would you be okay with that? A prince having a kid with an imp, wouldn't that look bad for you?"
"It's their problem, not ours," Stolas said, "They don't have to like it, however,I will never allow anyone to disrespect our child in that way. I've nothing to be ashamed of either way."
"So you wouldn't be upset if that egg isn't empty? You'd be okay with carrying my kid?"
"Of course, I would," Stolas replied gently. "Would it bother you, given how-"Blitz pressed his lips to Stolas's suddenly, causing the prince to blush. Though Blitz had kissed Stolas before, this one, Stolas realized, was gentle, and filled with affection.. Stolas was sure Blitz's reaction was purely an instinct to connect with the potential child, he was enjoying their time together. He hoped he hadn't just given false hope to the imp. He would need to be more careful of what he said in the future.