Chapter 28: Love Nest

(WARNING: the following chapter has some explicit sexual overtones dealing with gender reversal, sexual situations and use of "toys" viewer description is advised!)

The night was still and quiet, a rare serenity over the recently rebuilt Goetian mansion. The grand halls, now echoing with the sound of rustling feathers and whispered laughter, were a testament to resilience, a phoenix risen from the ashes of recent battles. I.M.P had been handsomely rewarded for their efforts, and for the first time in what seemed like ages peace reigned within house Stolas.

Stella, the ever-dutiful protector of her family, was finally indulging in a moment of respite. The lavish bathroom was filled with the scent of lavender and rose petals, with a hunter of spiced citrus, steam swirling in the air as she submerged herself into the bubbling warmth of the oversized marble tub. She closed her eyes, letting the heat seep into her sore muscles, her thoughts drifting away from the chaos, violence and darkness they had just survived.

As she scrubbed away the remnants of the inky essence and gore, she couldn't help but smile to herself. It was a hard life, being the fierce guardian of her beloved husband and daughter, but it was one she cherished deeply. The bath, a rare luxury, was her sanctuary, her time to pamper herself purely for the sake of doing it.

After what felt like an eternity of soaking, she reluctantly pulled herself from the water, feathers shimmering and clean. She wrapped herself in a soft, pink silk bathrobe, the fabric glinting over her pale curvy peahen body. Her feathers ruffled as she presented herself, smoothing out each plume with careful precision.

Stella stepped into their shared bedroom, the scent of jasmine incense lingering in the air. The sight that greeted her was enough to make her pause and chuckle in delight.

Stolas stood there, a vision of sultry allure, dressed in one of his most extravagant get ups: a black lace bustier hugged his slender frame, a lace dark purple teddy with second garter belts and frills, matching lace panties, frilled dark purple opera gloves graced his arms, and mesh woven stockings adorning his legs. His beak was painted with ruby-red lipstick, a touch of blush adorned his cheeks, turquoise eyeliner framed his four scarlet eyes, and false lashes fluttered provocatively, a longer haired wig slicked back framed in an effeminate somewhat messy neck length bob.

He feigned a look of mock surprise, raising a hand to his chest in a dramatic fashion. "Oh no! A ruffian has snuck into this princess's chambers! Whatever shall she do? Oh I do hope he will not ravish me!" His voice took on a high-pitched, exaggerated tone, full of theatrical flair.

Stella laughed, a soft, throaty sound that filled the room. "Oh, Stolas, you cheeky devil. I just got out of my soak, and you want to play dashing rogue captures the princess game, hm?"

She sauntered over to her closet, the click of her talons against the marble floor echoing in anticipation. With a flourish, she dressed herself in a tight fitting regal top buttoned shirt with puffed sleeves, paired with a pink vest trimmed on swirling gold patterns. She adjusted her long feathery mane into a more masculine style, tying it in a low ponytail which flowed down her back. Pressed black linen pantaloons, black high cuff riding boots, The final touch was a black musketeer's hat, complete with a grand pink feather, and a black masquerade mask adorning her face.

Stella turned to face Stolas, her entire demeanor shifted as she embraced the role of a roguish charmer. With a swagger in her step, she approached him, her eyes gleaming with mischief. A strange dagger-like object in her hands while she licked her lips.

She cornered him against the wall in a classic kabedon pose, one arm slammed against the wall beside his head, stroking his chin with a sinister look, her body leaning into his, their faces mere inches apart. "Forsooth, thine fine owl princess," she cooed in a deep, melodramatic voice, "grant this dashing rogue bird of the night the favor of thine maiden's kiss, for i beg thee to let me rest these weary wings, as the militia hath chased me for a fortnight!"

Stolas let out a girlish giggle, his gloved hands to fan his flustered cheeks. "Oh, you brute! How could I possibly deny such a charming rogue?" he teased, batting his false lashes.

Their game was a cherished ritual, a way for them to always reconnect after all the madness of their lives. Stella leaned in, capturing Stolas's beak in a passionate kiss, the taste of his lipstick mingling with her own. The kiss deepened, a blend of playful nips and teasing touches, both of them savoring the moment.

Stolas's wings fluttered, and he wrapped them around Stella, pulling her closer as they fell into the comfort of one anothers embrace. "You always know how to take my breath away lovebird," he murmured against her beak, a genuine warmth in his voice that was usually reserved for private moments like this.

Stella smirked, breaking the kiss to trail her beak along his long sensitive, swan-like neck, "well, I am the best rogue in the kingdom, aren't I princess?" She hotly whispered, her voice dripping with mock arrogance.

"Indeed you are," Stolas replied with a grin, his eyes half-lidded with affection. "But even the best rogue needs a place to hide. Shall I offer you refuge, my dear scoundrel?"

Stella chuckled, slipping her hands down to his waist, tugging him towards the bed. "I accept your generous offer, princess. Now let's see if I can ravish you properly." Stella grasping the odd dagger like device, her thumb stroking a button.

They stumbled onto the bed in a fit of laughter, the outside world forgotten as they lost themselves in their love nest, the echoes of battle and fear fading into the distance, drowned out by moans and squawking and cooing, Stella twirling her "toy" between her finger eager to use it.

Stella slid it where it belonged as she pushed the button, Stolas arching his back, flinging back his head and kitting out a squawk so loud it shook their windows, but this was only the start of a very long night.

Meanwhile, downstairs as the passionate lovers reunion continued upstairs, the rest of the household settled into their evening routines for this co-family sleepover.

Blitzø, Barbie, and Verosika lounged in the parlor, nursing glasses of hell whisky in the imps case and blood wine in Verosika's and sharing stories of their latest escapades.

"Can you believe those two?" Blitzø said, rolling his eyes as he sipped his drink. "I swear they are like horny teenagers!"

Verosika smirked, swirling her glass. "Well, at least someone is getting some action." She teased, giving Blitzø a playful wink, crushing a piece of ice between her fangs.

Barbie snorted, "better them than us. I don't need to hear any more of Stolas's bulletin poetry about love and stars, it's enough to make you toss your cookies!" Barbie feigning a gag her tongue pushed out, never one for romance or lovey-dovey crap.

Loona, sprawled on the couch, in her black bone print pajamas, barely looked up from her phone. "Yeah, yeah just keep it down, will ya you dumb adults? Some of us are trying to watch Hellflix in peace!"

Sol and Collin sitting on the floor, the sherbert furred, bespectacled hellhound girl leaning over to look at Loona's phone, she was wearing yellow pajamas with rain drops on them.

Collin chuckled at how his girlfriend was so cute when she was grumpy, the sheep's cherub's wings speckled with black and wearing light blue pajamas with white feather print.

Moxxie, Millie, and Bellina cuddled together in the guest room bed snoozing already.

The mansion was filled with life once again, a patchwork family of misfits, warriors, lovers, siblings, each finding their own way to heal from the scars of their lives and battles.

The night stretched on, a quiet hum of comfort settling over the mansion as its inhabitants basked in their hard-earned respite.

--

Meanwhile, Octavia found solace in the grand library on the east wing, a place that had always been her refuge from the chaotic world around her. The towering shelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls were a comforting reminder of her past, of days spent exploring the wonders of the cosmos through stories rather than through the lens of her recent turbulent existence.

She sat cross-legged on a plush, crescent moon-shaped chair, a soft blanket draped over her shoulders. In her hands, she held a book titled The Starling's Song, a whimsical tale about a young owl navigating the perils of an enchanted forest. The delicate sound of rain pattering against the stained glass windows accompanied her reading, adding to the cozy atmosphere.

As she turned another page, she was startled by a soft knock on the door. Octavia looked up to see Loona standing there, looking a bit awkward, holding a steaming mug of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows.

"Hey, kiddo," Loona said, her usual gruff demeanor softened, eyes darting around the room as if she were uncomfortable intruding. "Thought you might like something warm to drink."

Octavia blinked in surprise but smiled warmly, closing her book. "Thanks, Loona. That's... really nice of you."

Loona shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, well... don't get used to it, can't have anyone finding out the tough kid cares," she grumbled, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.

Octavia gestured for Loona to join her, and after a moment of hesitation, the hellhound plopped herself down on a chair opposite the young owl demon. They sat in a comfortable silence, sipping their drinks, the warmth of the cocoa spreading through them.

"I'm glad you're okay, you know," Octavia finally said, her voice soft but sincere. "I... was really scared when you got hurt, I didn't think you could, you always seemed so invincible."

Loona gave a small, almost bashful smile. "Yeah, well, I'm tough. Takes more than some freaky dark magic to take me down," she said, trying to sound nonchalant. But there was a flicker of something softer in her eyes as she looked at Octavia. "Glad you're okay too, Via. Your mom's a real badass, taking on that Raven freak."

"Yeah... she is," Octavia agreed, her eyes drifting to the window where the rain was now falling harder. "I just wish she didn't always feel like she had to protect everyone all the time."

Loona nodded thoughtfully. "Guess it's the mom thing. They're wired to protect their kids, no matter what."

The two continued to share their quiet moment, the bond between them growing just a little stronger as they realized they weren't so different after all, after all they were best friends and what was 5 years between that?

--

Downstairs, Moxxie and Millie were cozily wrapped up in each other on the couch, their third, Bellina Mileena Bolognese, doting over them like a mother hen. The perky goth possum demon flitted around the kitchen once more, preparing another hearty pot of Cockatrice noodle soup, which filled the air with the comforting aroma of home-cooked goodness.

"Eat up, loves," Bellina chirped, placing steaming bowls in front of Moxxie and Millie, who were propped up with pillows, bandages adorning their bodies after their recent ordeal. "Nothing like a little soup to chase away the aches and pains."

Moxxie took a careful sip, his eyes closing in bliss. "Bellina, you always know how to make the best comfort food," he said, his voice still a bit hoarse but filled with gratitude.

Millie, who had one arm draped around Moxxie's shoulders, beamed at their girlfriend. "Yeah, babe, this is perfect," she said, blowing a kiss to Bellina, who giggled and blushed.

Bellina waved her hand dismissively, though a pleased smile played on her lips. "Oh, hush. I just like taking care of you two. It's the least I can do after all the hell you went through."

The trio settled into a comfortable rhythm, sharing quiet laughter and soft touches as they ate, finding solace in each other's company. For a moment, the horrors of the past few days seemed like a distant memory, replaced by the simple joy of being together for the three teens.

Bellina cuddling up between her two loves.

--

As dawn broke over the mansion, casting a soft golden light through the grand windows, a sense of renewal seemed to wash over everyone.

Stella awoke to find Stolas still snuggled beside her, his arms wrapped around her waist, his makeup smudged but a blissful smile on his face. She gently brushed a stray feather from his face, her heart swelling with a tenderness she had once thought lost to time.

"Morning, my dashing rogue," he murmured, not even opening his eyes but tightening his hold on her.

"And good morning to you, my lovely princess," Stella whispered back, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

They stayed like that for a while, just basking in the warmth of each other's presence, the world outside their little bubble be damned.

Eventually, they got up, dressed in more practical clothes, and headed down to join the rest of the household for breakfast.

Blitzo, ever the early riser, was already chattering away with Verosika and Barbie in the dining hall, while Loona groggily munched on a bowl of demon flakes, her phone glued to her face.

"Ah, the lovebirds finally decided to grace us with their presence!" Blitzo cackled, raising his coffee cup in a mock toast. "Hope you two didn't break the bed this time."

Stella rolled her eyes, but Stolas simply gave a good-natured laugh. "Oh, Blitz, you know us. Always keeping things... exciting." He then began to rapidly cough before a white and purple tipped feather drifted out of his mouth causing him to blush.

The whole room erupted in laughter, the tension and fear of recent days melting away in the light of their camaraderie.

--

As they sat together, this strange family of sinners and demons, of peasants and royals they realized that despite their differences and their flaws, they had found something precious: each other. And in Hell, that was worth more than all the riches in the underworld.

to be continued...

(this concludes the Stella arc, next is the Verosika goes West arc.)