Blitz and Loona arrived at the office earlier than usual. The hellhound took her seat at the reception desk, pulled out her phone, grabbed a chair, and dragged it over to his daughter.
"Loonie?" He called tentatively.
"What?"Loona answered, not bothering to lower her device. Blitz sighed.
"I just thought I'd check in with you before Moxxie and Millie get here. You remember that call the other day?"
"What about it?"Loona asked.
"You know, the one about the egg?" Loona rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, Blitz. What about it?"She muttered.
"I know it wasn't much of a conversation, and a lot was going on. We haven't talked about it since. I mean, I know it's only been a couple days, but I spent most of that time with Stolas since he hasn't been feeling good. Anyway, I wanted to make sure you knew that if this does happen, you're just as much my daughter as you've been these last five years, and I'm still gonna love you every bit as much as I would the little one. No one will ever-"
"Blitz, how old do you think I am? You have this kind of discussion with a little kid. Besides, I know all that. I'm good."
"You're sure?"Blitz questioned in an uncertain tone.
"Yeah. But thanks for checking in. It might be kinda cool to have a brother or sister. But don't think this means I'm a free babysitter." Loona gave Blitz a soft side glance, and a faint smile crept across her face. Blitz smiled back affectionately.
"You're gonna be the best big sister, Loonie." He praised. He stood, returned the chair, and then withdrew to his office. He set his phone on his desk, staring intently at the device.
"Come on, Stolas," He mumbled. Despite not feeling well, Stolas insisted on attending an early morning meeting, promising to call when he returned. When the screen lit up, he quickly grabbed the device, finding a text.
Loona: Staring at the phone won't make him call any faster.
Blitz knew Loona was right but couldn't pull himself away. The imp only glanced up from the device when his door opened, and Loona stepped inside with a coffee cup. The hellhound set the cup on Blitz's desk.
"I had a feeling you might need this." She said softly. Blitz smiled faintly.
"Thanks, Loonie." He replied, grateful for the gesture.
"Yeah. Look, I know you're worried. But if Stolas said he's okay, I think you should trust him. He knows how he's feeling and what to expect from this."Loona reasoned. "You know how protective of Via he is. He'll do what he needs to for the egg." Blitz sat back in his chair.
"I know, but if something happened and he couldn't call anyone, or-"
"Dad, Stolas can take care of himself. You've seen what he can do. He's not going to be the only person at the meeting, someone would have access to a phone or something."
"Logically I know that, but, I just need to know he's okay. This whole egg thing, knowing he's not feeling right...I'm worried. It's not just the egg. I need Stolas to be...safe." Blitz said.
"He's fine, Blitz. You have to trust him to do things on his own." Loona replied.
"I trust Stolas, it's everyone else that's the problem. I-" Blitz was interrupted by his ringtone.
"That him?" Loona asked, receiving a nod.
"I'll give you some space, "Loona closed the door, taking her seat just as Moxxie and Millie arrived.
"Hey, Stolas," Blitz greeted, trying to keep the nervousness from his voice. "You just getting back?"
"Just now, yes." The prince confirmed."How's work?"
"Slow. Been that way all week. Are you feeling okay?"Blitz inquired.
"Well, it's still early, things might pick up. I'm feeling about the same as I did this morning. A bit more tired. Just in case you text or call and I don't answer immediately. I don't want you to be concerned, I'm planning to have to have a bit of a nap after we hang up."Stolas said.
Is that...normal? I know you said-"
"Somedays are more tiring than others. That's normal for everyone at some point in their life, Blitzy. I spent the last two and a half hours listening to a room full of adults arguing like children. It's exhausting."
"Yeah, I guess it would be. Do you need me to come over? I can leave early."Blitz waited but got no immediate reply. The silence bothered Blitz. "Stolas?"
"Blitz, I love having you with me, dearest, I do. I'm concerned about how this is affecting you. Since our talk, you've been with me almost constantly, and you've been so apprehensive despite me telling you it's alright. You've latched onto this egg rather quickly, and I don't want to see you disappointed or-"
"You're forgetting something here," Blitz interrupted, "I didn't say a goddamn word about the egg. I asked how you were feeling."Blitz's tone was softer than the prince had expected.
"I know, but you weren't nearly this troubled before. In situations like this, it can be easy to feel an attachment to an egg when you know there's a possibility it may not be empty. You may think it's something to do with me, but right now, I'm-"
"I don't know how to make you understand what I'm telling you, and maybe that's my fault. The other day, when you said you'd be okay having my kid, even if we don't actually have one, knowing that you'd even want that with me, it changed things. All this time, I thought you couldn't honestly love me. I thought you were- for you to consider something like this, giving someone a kid is a pretty big deal. Even the thought behind it." Stolas was silent, not knowing how to respond.
"Of course, I'm alright with it. How could I not be? I do love you." Blitz scoffed at the reply.
"You hear yourself? You're talking to an im-"
"I'm talking to someone I love deeply. You're so much more than an imp to me, Blitzy. I was surprised that you were interested in being a part of the process. I'm grateful of course. It can be...difficult."Stolas said.
"Yeah, well, being a dad, has been the best part of my fucked up life. I wouldn't miss the chance to be there from the beginning."
"There's nothing quite like it. If I'm grateful to Stella at all, it's for Via. Just remember that we can't be sure if there is-"
"You keep saying that, and I keep trying not to overthink, but it's not the easiest thing to get outta my head. I kinda wanna know what our kid would be like."Blitz couldn't help but grin at the thought.
"I should probably warn you, that your first meeting may be a bit shocking. Newly hatched Goetia are a strange sight. "Stolas said.
"I'll be fine," Blitz replied dismissively, "I kinda hope it takes more after you, anyway."
"Blitzy-"
"I mean, I feel like they'd have a better shot at a better life if that's how it goes." Blitz cleared his throat, "But...if you don't want me to leave early, could I at least come over tonight?"
"You should know by now, that my door is always open, Dearest. There is one other thing I'd like to talk to you about when you get here. Everything is fine, but we'll talk later."Stolas invited gently. Blitz leaned forward in his chair.
"Can't you just tell me now?" He asked nervously. Stolas chuckled warmly.
"It's nothing to be nervous about. I have an appointment next week. Just to make sure everything is alright, keep on top of things. Since you're so interested, I thought I'd invite you to join me." Stolas said. "Now, I don't know what you'd expect, but I'm sure it's different than what actually happens. We can talk about that more tonight." Blitz's heart lept.
"And you won't let me come back early?"The imp asked.
"I can't force you to do anything, however, it may be helpful to you. If you continue to run back here, it could play into your anxiety and-"
"Maybe a lunch break? I can bring you anything you want."Blitz offered.
"That's thoughtful, but I can't promise I'll be awake. It's only a few hours away, and I'm just about to have some juice and lie down. But I could use the company. Via still won't speak to me. I tried so hard today, and the furthest I got was a glare. I can't stop thinking about how much I've messed things up for her."
"Stolas-" Blitz sighed. He knew no words would console the prince. "I'll come over anyway, and if you're up, we'll talk, or...just let me be there."
"Thank you, Blitz. That means a lot."
"Yeah, well, I should let you rest. Send me a text if you think of anything you want."Blitz spent most of the morning at his desk, his thoughts wandering back to Stolas.
"Sir, are you even listening?"Moxxie's voice reached Blitz.
"What the fuck are you talking about?"Blitz questioned, turning to his employee. Moxxie shook his head.
I've been trying to get through to you for twenty minutes. Is something wrong, Blitz? You've been pretty distracted since yesterday, and you didn't even show up the day before." Moxxie pointed out with concern.
"My mind's been on other things, Moxx," Blitz admitted.
"Yeah, I noticed," Moxxie scoffed. "Is it something to do with Stolas, Sir?"Blitz didn't reply, unsure of how to explain what was happening. Not sure if he should until they confirm it. "Well, if you need anything, Millie and I are here." The day continued uneventfully, and Blitz was glad when he found himself once again in Stolas's room.
The imp expected to find him in bed but noticed the owl on the sofa. He placed the bags on the stand before sitting next to his lover. Sadness filled the prince's ruby eyes, and Blitz reached out, taking his hand before he could stop himself.
"Hey, y-you good?"He asked, knowing the answer already.
"Not exactly," Stolas replied softly. "It seems that no matter what I do, Via drifts further and further away from me. I can't blame her really, I kicked her mother out and broke up our family, I'm constantly-"
"That bitch broke your family," Blitz said, "If she hadn't-there's no excuse for the shit she did. You tried. Sometimes things just don't work. You wouldn't have done what you did if she wasn't an abusive asshole. I didn't help either, coming in here the way I did. If Via should be mad at anyone it should be me. I'm...sorry Stolas."
"No. I'm sorry, for putting you in this position. I-"Blitz suddenly wrapped his arms around the prince, affectionately stroking the feathers on his head as he held him close.
"I'm...proud of you for standing up when you needed to. I'm glad you got rid of her. You didn't deserve that, and Via didn't deserve to see all that. Besides if you hadn't, I wouldn't have you. Not that I'm much better, but I'm here." The imp soothed. His heart breaking for the prince. It was then that Blitz decided, that whatever happened in their uncertain future, he work on learning to comfort the owl, setting his insecurities aside, and together, he and Stolas would pick up the pieces and build something new.