Chapter Text
The last thing I expected was to wake up in Hell—injured—then in the span of ten minutes, thrown into a cell that was less like a cell and more like a small apartment just with a barred door. I’m still quite frustrated that the ‘King Paimon’ or whatever refused to listen to me when I was telling him the truth, insisting that I made a deal to be in Hell. I remember lying down for a short nap when I heard the sound of talons clicking against the cobblestone floor and I groan, sitting up, hoping it’s not the hard of hearing bird from earlier. This time, however, its a different bird. Looking regal of course, but different. Tall, with a slim frame covered in soft, grey blue feathers inky black from the forearms and the rest of the long legs. dressed in grey breeches and a navy blue tunic with wide curious red pupiless eyes with two smaller eyes atop those two on the white heart shaped faceplate on the birds face.
The two of us stared at each other for a long time before I finally broke the silence. “So.. Are you gonna keep staring at me or what?” I was completely unfazed by all of this, honestly just wanting some sleep. My words snap the bird out of their daze, clutching the fancy blue book close to their chest as they speak. “My apologies, I hadn’t meant to stare, I just..” They pause, choosing their words carefully. Their voice is softer and more melodic compared to the grating baritone of Paimon. Stupid bird. “I’ve never seen a human before. I overheard father talking about a human he’d just interrogated at the hospital and, well I- I kind of wanted to see for myself.”
The bird seems a little timid compared to Paimon. I sit back, ignoring the pain shooting through my side and my thigh at the motion. “Well you saw me, now what?” My tone is a bit harsh, but that’s kind of how I naturally sound sometimes. “Erm, well-” The prince is fumbling for words. It’s a bit endearing honestly. “I… would you mind if I step inside? It feels a bit awkward to stand and talk out here.”
I shrug. “Sure. If you can get the door open I mean.” I say, not caring either way. It’s not like I can get out myself anyway. Sure, the bed is lumpy but at least its not feeling like a goddamn morgue in here like the hospital did. “Plus I don’t want that bird on my ass if I attempt to escape so sure.”
With a flick of his wrist, the door opens and he ducks as he steps inside, the door closing behind him and he sits on the edge of the bed, setting the book on his lap. “I’m Stolas of the Ars Goetia, pardon my manners for not introducing myself.” I wave him off. “Nice.”
It goes silent. “Do you truly not know how you got here? I mean, it’s not common for humans to pop up in Hell. Much less alive. Most either die and come to hell as Sinners but you, you’re still alive.”
“Nope. Don’t remember a damn thing.” I reply, sitting up to assess him closely. He looks soft. I wonder if my hand would disappear in his feathers if I tried. “Well, that’s.. troubling. What if…” The prince pauses, unsure whether he should continue or not. “What if I perform a ritual or well, not a ritual, but a spell to dive through your memories?” I blink, but I don’t ignore the way my body instinctively tensed at the word ‘ritual’. “Sure. I can’t remember shit. Not even anything before this so why not?”
“I can’t promise it won’t be unpleasant however, but it shouldn’t be harmful.” Stolas says. “If you truly don't mind then.. Then I’ll try.”
After a moment, Stolas sets his book down on the table at the foot of the bed. “Lie here, it shouldn’t take but a few moments. I will be able to connect with your mind to see your memories. Should you not recall, I will be able to retell them for you. Is that alright?” Without an answer, I plop my head on his lap, feeling him stiffen momentarily. I closed my eyes so I couldn't see his expression, but his reaction was funny.
I feel a warm clawed hand rest across my forehead and a warmth of something washing over me. It feels like a few minutes for me but then I hear Stolas gasp and after a moment he removes his hand. I sit up and scoot to face him, sitting with my legs crossed. “So? What’d you see?”
Stolas looks a little shocked and it takes him a minute to respond. “You should have died.”
“Damn that’s harsh.” Stolas seems to realize his mistakes and hurries to correct himself. “Sorry, not like that I just meant that well-” He pauses. “From what I saw, I… Cultists got a hold of you. Trying to summon a portal to Hell. they needed a sacrifice. They.. they stabbed you with a ritual blade and then.. There was a light? And you disappeared.” Stolas explained, though it seems like its just as choppy as I thought.
“Damn that’s boring.” Stolas sputters. “Boring? You were stabbed! In- in a ritual circle! Have you no concern for your own health? Or- Or for your family?”
“If I got stabbed in a ritual circle and cultists got to me my family either didn’t give a shit or they were the cultists in my opinion.” I shrug. “And no, I don’t really care for my own health. Not really.”
Stolas frowns. “Why?”
“Just not important. I got numb to it after a while, no biggie.” Stolas looks a little sad. “No matter,” He gets up to his feet and grabs his book. “I.. I should probably get going before my absence is noticed.” he says. “If he noticed.” Stolas mutters quietly, heading towards the cell door before stopping. “I will come see you tomorrow if I can.” And with that he was gone.
“weird.” I mutter, lying down on the lumpy bed and turning over on my side facing the wall to fall asleep.
The next time I wake up its from the sound of banging on the cell door. I groan and sit up. It’s a royal guard. “King Paimon requests an audience with you.”
“Don’t have to be rude about it bitch.” I mutter, getting off of the bed and going to the cell door. What does he want now? Once the door is open, the guard nudges me to walk.
. . .
Once I’m in front of the throne, Paimon glares down at me with a distaste. Oh I get it. He's wrong and too prideful to admit it. “It seems… I was wrong in my assumption.” Just moments later, Stolas enters the room, looking slightly confused. There’s an air of smugness radiating from me as I watch the King fumble to admit his mistake. “In my haste to prove you made a deal with a demon I found some information from my son that has proved your innocence.” Paimon glares at me harder. “Therefore, you are free, but in exchange, you are now in the role of my son’s… Consort instead.”
Stolas gasps from beside me and i raise a brow looking between the two of them. “What the fuck is a Consort?” Stolas seems to be radiating with glee but for another reason. “You’re no longer going to make me marry Stella at my coming of age ceremony?”
Paimon scowls. “No. I will not. She is of no use to me. And I need to keep an eye on this wretched creature.” I grin smugly at the King. “So basically,” I start. “You were wrong.” He gives me a warning look, “And you sort of admitted that you were wrong and now you’re making me marry your kid out of spite to spy on me?”
Paimon snarls. “Kind of petty no?” Stolas seems undeterred, clasping my hands in his. “Oh no this is wonderful news!” I raise a brow. “How come?”
“I don't have to marry Stella!” He gleefully, but unhelpfully replies. “Cease this foolishness in front of me immediately!” Paimon orders. “Get this thing out of my sight!”
. . .
“Your dad’s a prideful bastard isn’t he?” I ask Stolas as he strolls beside me with a pep in his step, almost dancing with the news that he’s not marrying whoever Stella is. “You’re not listening to me at all, huh?”
I hum, trying to figure out what I could do to gain Stolas’ attention. “Oh I just remembered! You’ll be returning with me to my palace!”
“Your palace?” Isn’t he a bit young to live on his own? “You’re kinda young no?”
“Hm? I mean, I guess so, but it’s been mine ever since I got my grimoire.” Stolas says. “Mkay. So when are we leaving?” Stolas slows his pace a bit, only to scoop me up in his arms, tucking his book under his other arm. Somehow I’m not bothered by him picking me up. “Probably soon. Father probably has gotten tired of tolerating my presence long enough.”
“Sounds a lot like neglect.”
“No, he’s just busy.”
“Busy sitting on his throne judging people?” Stolas stops walking and holds me up by the armpits like I’m a cat with a huff and what looks like a pout. “No, I’m sure he loves me deep down, he.. He just doesn’t like to show it.”
“Denial is a river in Egypt,” I quip instantly as Stolas grabs his book and places me back in his arm, cradled like a cat. “what?”
“Nothing. Don’t worry about it.” then he keeps walking and I rest my head on his chest. Then after a few minutes and I see we’ve passed through into another room with a sparkly chandelier, he speaks up. “ohh, I get it now. It was wordplay.”
“Took you long enough.” I snort. “Shush.”
At some point I fell asleep and woke up in a soft bed with an even softer blanket on top of me. Kind of feels like a weighted blanket. Groggily, I turn over and my hand meets a slim soft, feathery stomach. The feeling wakes me up enough to open my eyes a sliver, finding the source to be a very much not clothed Stolas. Though he’s all feathers, I’m still a little flustered. I sit up, trying not to stir the sleeping prince.
However, my efforts are futile as he stirs, blinking awake slowly before sitting up, towering over me even when sitting. He’s rubbing at his eyes sleepily and I barely suppress a snicker at his bed mussed look. “what’s so funny?” Stolas asks as he blearily peers around the room. “You look like you fought with the bed and lost.”
In retaliation, Stolas grabs a pillow and tosses it at my face, which my sleepy brain processed a bit too late and the pillow hit my face before I could retaliate. “Wha-” In retaliation to the pillow being thrown at me, I grab another one and throw one at Stolas. “how dare you,” Stolas gasps with a theatrical flair. And before I knew it, we were having a pillow fight, both of us giggling like little kids. Eventually, when we ran out of pillows, we started wrestling and Stolas is surprisingly strong despite his nimble looking figure. At some point he ended up pinning me down, both of us breathing hard from the intense pillow fight and wrestling we just engaged in.
Stolas’ feathers are so ruffled from the pillow fight that he looks like a baby bird and I can't help bursting into laughter. Stolas, however, seems mesmerized by the sight of my laughter and pure joy on my face. Once I calm down, I find Stolas just staring at me. His normally pupilless red eyes now having small white pupils in all four eyes, tracing every feature of my face. “what?” I ask. “Is there something on my face?”
Stolas blinks and smiles a charming, boyish smile that really gives him that prince look. “no. you’re just…” He trails off, his gaze dipping lower. “Perfect.”
My breath catches in my throat, before a knock at the door startles us both out of our daze. “Your Highness its time for breakfast.” Comes a posh voice. “Should I bring breakfast up to you or will you be in the dining room?” Stolas clears his throat and sits up, blush dusting his faceplate. I’m not sure how that works but he looks adorable. “I erm-” He pauses, reaching over the bed to grab his favorite crimson robe and pull it on, getting to his feet as he ties it loosely around his waist. “I will join you in the dining room shortly, Pringles.”
“Yes sire.” A pause. “And your guest? What of them? Shall we adjust the menu for the day?” Stolas flushes more, but realizes, it may be because of an imp’s impeccable sense of smell that Pringles knew Milo was here. “I um. Yes. We will join you shortly, thank you.”
“Of course sire,” and then the sound of shoes clacking down the hallway is what makes Stolas relax a little more. “Forgive me, I- I don’t know what came over me.” Stolas says, turning to me. “Don’t mention it.” please.
Stolas then scoops me up in his arms again and I push my face into his plumage. Stolas doesn’t seem all that surprised and in fact, he giggles. A cute little giggle. “Shall we head down to eat?”
“I’m so fucking hungry.” I say and then my stomach grumbles. “You better have something good.” Stolas laughs as he opens the door and walks down the hall. “Of course, as my lovely little savior wishes.”
Savior? I’m not sure what I saved him from but I don’t question it. We pass the kitchen which is full of imps cooking and moving around each other with practiced ease, assembling breakfast. Stolas stops for a moment to watch them cook, smiling softly. And then he continues onward to the dining room which has a long ass table with two big chairs on each side and he sets me down in the one facing the window next to the biggest chair on the left end of the table. “Why do you need this long ass table if it’s just you here?” I ask as Stolas settles into his seat and he gives me an exasperated smile.
“First, language. And second, it’s mostly for decoration. No one else ever comes here nor are these other chairs ever used.” I blink. “But why?” Stolas snorts at my ever growing confusion. “Who knows darling. Now be sure to tell Pringles what you prefer to eat. There’s a menu there.” Just then an imp in a suit and looking quite elderly comes into the room and bows to Stolas before turning to me and also bowing to me which Stolas raises a brow at but decides to let Pringles speak first. “Good morning sire.”
“Good morning,” Pringles glances at me and gives me a nod of acknowledgement before turning back to Stolas. “I’m not sure what all of your usual palette would be safe for human consumption so I asked the cooks to make a simple imp stew we usually eat when we’re young. Is that alright sire?” Stolas nods. “Yes, that’s quite alright.” Stolas turns to me, his gaze awfully soft. “Are you alright with that Milo?”
I feel a little exposed at both of them staring directly at me. “It’s fine.” Stolas smiles widely. “That's great dear. Oh, but please decide what you’d like for lunch while you have the menu.” Stolas fails to see the slight smile forming on the royal butler’s face. Stolas had always been closed off and quiet since getting his palace. Paimon practically dumped the small avian child onto Pringles once Stolas got his grimoire. It’s good to see Stolas happy.
“Sire, would you like to hear the schedule for the day?”
“There’s a schedule for the day?” I ask. Stolas smiles, “Yes, there’s a schedule for the day. I don’t sit around here without anything to do.” He snorts. “I’d be awfully bored if I did.” Even if he doesn’t really like doing it, he’d prefer to get it out of the way than sit and be bored out of his mind all the time like a princess trapped in a tower awaiting her prince to save her.
“And yes, pardon the distraction.” Pringles nods but there’s a twinkle of amusement in his eyes and almost fatherly pride. “His Majesty has composed a schedule for your companion as well. Etiquette lessons, then music, then fitting him for clothes around noon, posture training-” My mouth falls open in shock. “That son of a bitch is trying to turn me into an uppity fucker!”
“Milo, please, allow him to finish before you make any comments or complaints.” I huff. “I knew there was a catch.” I groan in annoyance. “It’s not that bad, I swear. And please stop insulting my father. He did help conceive me after all.”
“Just because you came out of his balls doesn’t mean you have to respect him. I bet you any amount of money he passed you off to someone else as soon as you were born.” Stolas frowns. “That’s not nice.” He says. “I’m sure he loves me deep down. It’s just hard.” His saddened face causes me to sigh, realizing I was harsh, but it's the truth.
“Look, Stolas, all I’m saying is that if he cared he’d show it. Anyone who loves their kid shouldn’t be embarrassed to show that. If you want to convince yourself otherwise, be my guest but I’m just telling what I see as an outsider.”
Stolas frowns but he nods. “Stop looking so sad birdie. You don’t need that old fucker anyway.” I say. “You’re doing just fine without him. You didn’t need him then, and you don’t need him now. You’re doing great.” Stolas’ expression brightens a little at my praise. “I guess.”
“Now stop pouting.” Stolas’ feathers ruffle when I say this. “I was not pouting.” I snicker. “You so were.”
“I was not.”
“Were too.”
“I wasn’t.”
“You were pouting birdie, just accept it. You pout. You pouted. You’re a pouter.” Stolas seems done entertaining my teasing and pouts more, turning his head away from me looking like a petulant child. I snicker more and then that’s when I realize Pringles is gone and there are other imps putting a fair sized bowl of stew in front of me and for Stolas, rats and fruits on a plate. “Ew.”
“Oh hush, these are a delicacy.”
“Yeah, for birds.” Stolas turns and thanks the imps giving us our food and only then do I realize that I’m a bit too short for the table. My head barely reaching over the bowl. “Oh dear. We should fix that issue shouldn’t we?” Stolas is highly amused at my predicament and doesn’t make any move to hide his amusement. “Stop laughing at me.”
“I’m not, I’m simply going to retrieve some pillows so you can actually see.” I scowl as he gets up from the table snickering and goes to get some pillows and returns with a few. He scoops me up momentarily to put the pillows down and sets me back down again, giggling at my displeased expression as he pushes me into the chair. “It’s not my fault you’re like ten feet tall.”
“Nine foot eight actually.”
“Fucking giant bird.” Stolas grins as he eats his food, glancing at me briefly. “You should start eating before your food gets cold darling.” I scowl but I scoop up a healthy serving of the steaming bowl of stew and eat it, groaning softly at the explosion of flavors and spices on my tongue. “Damn this is good.” Stolas’ faceplate tints pink at the sound, turning back to his food. “This imp food?” I ask, my mouth full of stew but I raise my hand so I'm not disgusting him even though it’s common sense not to talk while eating, my brain has yet to catch up.
“Yes, it is imp food.” Stolas replies, eyes twinkling with amusement. “This is good. Who cooked this?? They better being getting paid good because this is fucking phenomenal.”
“Please finish your food darling.” Stolas says and pauses at the mention of the wage of the kitchen staff. “I’ll… look into raising their wages if it will please you.” I don’t really hear the rest of what he says because I quickly indulge in finishing the rest of my food. “Please slow down, you’ll choke if you keep that up!” Stolas laughs at my enthusiasm as he pops a few grapes into his mouth. “Fuck you, this is good.” Stolas laughs again, failing to notice how some imps momentarily paused in their duties to watch the scene before them, the human eating his food like a starved man and Stolas laughing, a look of a pure joy the imps have only really seen when they get glimpses of him on days where he just spends time tending to his plants.
It’s kind of nice to see Stolas smiling and happy for once, usually just moping around or drinking away his loneliness. Or taking happy pills.
. . .
“Why do I have to do this again? This is stupid.” I groan, as Pringles jabs me in the back to fix my posture, which is already hurting my back from chronic back pain having to sit up like this. “It’s not stupid once you’re wed to Prince Stolas.”
“Yeah so that old fuck can keep an eye on me.” Pringles’ tail whip around to swat me in the leg making me whine and pout at the hit. “Ow!” I pout. “Why’d you hit me?”
“While I can’t say I agree or disagree with your opinion of his Majesty, it’s best you keep your mouth shut about your dislike of him.” I scoff and open my mouth to complain but Pringles continues. “Lest you say the wrong thing to the wrong demon and they tattle. Wouldn’t end well for you. Especially as a human. This world is already a hazard to lowly imps like myself and you’d be about on the same level as an imp in terms of hierarchy.”
“You mean minimum wage, treated like shit because of how you look? Yeah I know that too well. It’s called racism. It’s hard being black in this economy.” I whine again when Pringles jabs me in the back with the long stick to fix my posture, guiding me to walk around the room with the books on my head which kept slipping off mostly because of my locs. “Racism here is based on species not really because of skin color.” He says. “Mostly. Depends on the Goetian being racist.”
“It’s always the rich fuckers with sticks up their asses, huh?” Pringles tail hits me in the leg again and I whine. “Ow! Stop hitting me, that hurts!”
“Cease your crude language.”
“No, i will not ‘cease my crude language’,” I say, making a poor impression of Pringles voice which he frowns at. “You must learn to at least censor yourself should you go to any formal gatherings lest they be mandatory.”
“I don’t wanna,” I whine petulantly and Pringles looks unimpressed at my childish display. “You’re so childish.”
“That I am,” I reply with a smug grin. “Back to the lesson and please focus this time. Your posture is fine if not for the slouch.”
“Well I can’t help having chronic back pain.” I huff which makes Pringles raise a brow. “Then I will ask the prince about a massage appointment. Maybe for the both of you.” He suggests. “He seems to be the only one who can stop your childish antics. “I’m childish and funny. Annoying people is my specialty.”
“I can see that.”
By the time lunch time rolled around, I almost sprinted down the hall, momentarily forgetting about my injured thigh and I groaned, holding the spot. “Forgot that fucker pulled me out of the hospital before I could heal.” I wheeze. No wonder I feel like shit. “I’ll take you to the infirmary after lunch, then.” Stolas’ voice surprises me and he scoops me up into his arms to ease the pain. Stolas is dressed in a dress shirt with a few buttons unbuttoned to let his plumage be seen in some slacks and a belt tied around his already tiny waist. “You’re so skinny.”
I blurt out randomly. “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or an insult.” I shrug. “Probably both.” I reply. “How have you survived so long being this skinny? You seriously need to eat more.”
“I eat enough.”
“You eat too little.” Stolas huffs playfully with mock offense. “I do not.”
“I swear you ate like three grapes and a rat.”
“It was not three.” I smirked at him as he took the bait. “How many was it then?” Stolas narrows his eyes at me. “I’m not playing your childish games.”
“You already are and you’re kinda losing.” Stolas raises a brow, clearly not one to turn down a challenge. “So are you gonna answer my question or not?” I ask, my tone taunting. “It was six.”
“See? You eat like a disney princess which is like, barely anything at all.” I say. “I eat enough. I’m a prince, not a glutton.” Stolas says as we move past the dining room and over to a closet where he grabs a soft blanket and walks into another room with beautiful silver chairs with intricate designs in the tops of the tables and matching chairs with gold wrapping around the edges of the chair looking like rose vine thorns. He opens two doors lined with gold and the windows mostly clear and stained with the picture of roses on both windows and he pushes them open, walking over to a large tree that looks old in age, crimson leaves on the trees. It actually feels nice out here. A little humid, but nice. Stolas sets me down on the grass to lie the blanket on the weirdly soft grass and an imp comes wheeling a cart of food out next to us, giving Stolas a bow before retreating inside. “Picnic? Never had one of those before.”
Stolas smiles. “Well I guess this is a first for both of us then.” Stolas smiles. “I wanted some air so I was originally going to have lunch in the tea room since it’s so close to my garden.” I hum as he sets down a basket, then a plate of strawberries, some berries and some yummy looking pastries. “Is that cheese danish?” I ask, my eyes sparkling and my mouth practically salivating at the sight of it. Stolas smiles.
“Yes. Strawberry filled.”
“Strawberry filled?! Oh fuck, I’m gonna die happy.”
“Please don’t die. You’ve been a delight to be around.” I snort and reach for a cheese danish only for Stolas to swat my hand lightly, causing me to pout. “Why?”
“Eat your food first.” I groan. “You’re not my dad.” Something glints in Stolas’ eye that I can’t quite make out. “Would you like me to be?” The pupils are present again, his eyes narrowing a little bit in an expression that made me feel cornered. I open my mouth and then close it, failing to find a response to that.
“what’s for lunch anyway?” I ask, deciding to just ignore the way I faltered. “No, no, let’s not ignore that-”
I ignore him, reaching behind him to grab whatever’s on the cart and setting it on the blanket, taking off the metal thing. “This looks good. Whose is whose?” Stolas looks highly amused at my attempts to ignore earlier. “You’re a poor actor darling.”
“Who’s acting? I’m not acting.”
“You are and you’re failing terribly.”
“Nuh-uh, says who?”
“Says me.” Stolas says, placing the other container down and taking off the metal top thing. “Since you liked the stew so much, they decided to make soup for lunch. Broccoli and cheese.” I hum, picking up a spoon and starting to dig into my meal, careful not to spill it. I hate spilling things. It’s so messy. And it ruins my clothes.
“So,” Stolas starts, after he starts eating his soup. “How much trouble are you giving poor Mr. Pringles?”
“Mmm…” I hum, thinking. “Not too much.” Stolas quirks a brow, “Really now?” He says, setting his bowl of soup on his lap, folding his legs neatly under him, his tail feathers fanning out behind him as he settles. “Yep. Goin’ great.”
“Mhm, I bet.” Stolas snickers behind the cup of tea he was nursing in his hand. Pringles had stormed out of the room looking both frustrated and annoyed beyond words. That was the first time he’d ever heard the old butler curse. Funny how he’d be retiring in a few months and Milo was already serving to make the butler want the retirement even more.
“Well then, hurry and eat your lunch if you want to eat the desserts in time.” I raise a brow. “We’ve been here for like five minutes??” Stolas just smiles. “I want to teach you how to ride a horse today.”
“So you want to watch me get trampled after I eat, lovely.” Stolas snorts. “I won’t let you get trampled.” Stolas says as he eats his food. “Now eat up, we have twenty minutes to get to the stables and if you’re lucky, we’ll take the danishes with us.” That was all the encouragement I needed to hurry and finish my food. By the time I was done, Stolas still had half a bowl left. He set it aside and grabbed a clear tupperware bowl and slid the danishes into the bowl and closed the lid.
“Why’d I have to finish my food if your bowl is still kinda full?”
“Because I’m full.” Stolas says as he gets up, motioning for him to help place the things back on the cart. Once everything is in place, he wheels it over to the doors where an imp comes out and takes the cart and then Stolas creates a portal and the scenery changes to a western like area with imps running around, either watching over cattle grazing the red fields or cowboy imps riding on horses like a the sandy skinned imp trotting over to us with his tail flicking behind him and making rattlesnake noises which caused me to look around just in case there were any snakes around. Stolas seems to notice and instantly scoops me up into his arms.
“There’s no snakes around here, we make sure not to have many venomous ones around when we get visitors.” The cowboy drawls, his eyes trailing over my skin feeling like something searing into me every time he looks at me. “It’s quite lovely this time of year in Wrath, isn’t it? I can’t wait for the Harvest Moon this year.” Stolas compliments, sounding cheery meanwhile I’m watch the other imp closely, watching something flash in his eyes that I don’t quite like.
“It’s a pleasure to have ya Prince Stolas.” the imp says, tipping his hat to Stolas with a wink which makes Stolas titter and cover his face like he was blushing.
“Sexual tension aside,” I butt in. “Why are we here?” Stolas snorts. “You truly have no filter, do you?”
“Nope, not at all.” I say, popping the p. The imp clears his throat, gaining our attention once more. “You’re here because the prince set up a five day stay here in Wrath to teach ya horseback ridin’,” I look at the imp suspiciously, making it clear that I don’t trust him.
“And I’m assuming you’ll be the one teaching?” I don’t like this. Not one bit. “What’s up with your eyes? They’re freaky.”
“Milo!”
“Yer pet’s got quite a mouth on him, don’t he?” The imp says, and I glare at him. “I’m not a pet, bitch.”
“I am so sorry for him. I- I don’t know what’s gotten into him.” Stolas apologizes, clasping a hand over my mouth to shut me up, but that doesn’t stop me from glaring. “Nah I get it. In a new place, doesn’t know anything about it and he’s territorial. Doesn’t want me to take his little prince from him.”
“I’m truly sor- ow!”
“You son of a bitch-”
And before I knew it, I was dropped into a portal and landed in a luxurious soft bed in a dim hotel room.
Chapter Text
I watched from the window as Stolas nursed his hand where I bit him, the imp taking his hand and pulling a roll of bandages from his belt, saying something to the prince as he wrapped his hand. I don’t trust that fucker. Not one bit.
. . .
Hours passed and Stolas eventually entered the room, turning the lights on, waking me up from my nap where I was curled up on the bed. “Milo, what’s wrong? Why did you bite me?” He didn’t seem upset, just confused. I huff and move to bury myself under the blankets instead which causes the prince to sigh. He sits down on the edge of the bed beside me. “Please talk to me. I’m not upset with you.”
I end up caving when I feel his hand on my back, presumably the same one that I bit. “I don’t trust him.”
“I can’t hear you from under the blankets darling.” I groan softly and move them from off of my head, turning to look at him. The moonlight illuminates his features, his eyes glowing in the dimly lit room which I assume he turned back off when I retreated to the blankets. “I don’t trust him.” Stolas cocks his head to the side. “Why? You only spoke to him for a few minutes.”
“A few minutes is more than enough time to figure out what kind of person someone is.” I reply, sitting up, holding my hands out in a gesture for him to place his larger hand in mine. His hands are soft as a prince’s hands should be. “He’s not exactly royal friendly, Stolas. He might act all friendly but his body language screams hostile.” Stolas opens his mouth to say something but he frowns instead. “Well, I promise to be careful. For you,”
“I think you should just not be around him at all, Stolas. He doesn’t care about me, obviously, you’re the target.” Stolas sighs softly. “I can’t leave, darling, I have to bless the crops for the Harvest Moon festival.”
“How long until the harvest moon then?” I ask, silently pleading with Stolas to listen to me. “Four days. Until then, enjoy the festivities, explore, but be careful. Hell is already dangerous but it could be fatal for you as a human. Even with my mark.” I still don’t quite remember when Stolas gave me his protective sigil on my skin, it’s just there on my wrist. It alerts him of where I am and if I’m in danger, he explained to me the day it appeared in the cell when he searched my memories.
“If I promise to keep an eye out will you promise to behave at least? It really hurt when you bit me.” Stolas frowns. “Sorry. I just really don’t like that guy-”
“Striker,” Stolas corrects. “Whatever. He’s dangerous.” I say, crossing my arms. “Really.”
“I never said I didn’t believe you but I can’t abandon my duties. My father would be very disappointed in me.” I scoff almost saying fuck his dad because honestly, fuck him. Who is he to keep telling Stolas what to do? Being a king doesn’t mean you can treat your kids like shit.
“I know you don’t like my father, Milo. And I thank you for not voicing your opinions this time. Not to say you can’t but.. I still care for my father. Even if..” Stolas pauses, fidgeting. “Even if he truly doesn’t care for me.”
“Fine. But that doesn’t mean I’m gonna be buddy buddy with that fucker just because he’s offering you his services.”
“That sounds so demeaning, Milo.”
“Then let it be demeaning. He’s a shit person.” Stolas huffs softly and flops on the bed beside me, hands folded neatly on his stomach. “I suppose I can’t disagree with you on that one.” he says. “I can’t even begin to name how many concubines and women that he has living in the castle, promised riches and a rank in the Goetia. Which is why half of them act all high and mighty like they do. It’s truly infuriating.”
I hum softly and it goes quiet for a few moments. “Enough of that stuff. What other cool stuff can you do?” I ask him, wiggling closer to rest my head on his plumage. “Well, I can do this,” With a swipe of his hand, the entire room disappears and it looks like we’re laying in the galaxy. “I’m not gonna fall am I?” I clutch his arm with a vice grip out of nervousness of falling despite still feeling the bed underneath me. Stolas laughs and sits up, scooping me up into his arms, allowing me to push my face into his cleavage, breathing in the comforting scent of flowers. “You won’t fall.” He reassures me though it does little to help even as he gets to his feet and starts to walk around the room. The floor looks like it’s rippling under him.
“We’re still in the hotel, this is merely a very convincing illusion.” He says, starting to hum a soft tune that’s unfamiliar to me. “But look at this.” He gestures out to what looks like an abyss of sparkling stars. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
It does look pretty. Even if this is an illusion, the lights on Stolas look so right. He looks ethereal. “Yeah, it’s pretty cool.” I respond, my voice muffled from where I’m nestled in his plumage and Stolas smiles down at me, running his hands through the soft yet rough feel of my locs. “That’s such an interesting hair style. I don’t often see demons with that hairstyle. Or at all.” He muses.
“Locs are nice. Barely have to get them done. And I hate getting my hair done, it always hurts.”
“That’s disappointing, I’d love to learn to do them so you don’t have to. With the utmost care and gentleness you need.” I hum. “That sounds nice. But I don’t wanna get your hands sticky with gel.” I say, opening my eyes briefly to look at him, seeing how the illusion has now disappeared and we’re back in the moonlit hotel room. “Maybe when I have to do my hair again, you can watch.”
“That sounds like a lovely idea.”
Me and Stolas spent the entire night talking about random things, laying on the bed and staring at the ceiling until Stolas suddenly remembered we needed to take a bath because it’d get a little messy tomorrow. We’re supposed to go to the farm to help them with crops and stuff.
. . .
I woke up to several things. Pain shooting down my thigh, soreness on my neck, and my back aching like I got punched by a very large hand. I groan and pull the blankets over my head, only to notice the lack of Stolas. I sit up, mildly disoriented and dizzy. And feeling weirdly nauseous. Quickly, I stumble off of the bed and burst into the bathroom, not hearing the surprised shriek from Stolas who was bathing in the tub and then concerned when I started vomiting the food i’d eaten that night.
I barely hear the sound of Stolas climbing out of the tub, still very much bare and feathers wet, sitting me on the counter. “Milo? Are you alright?” One of his hands press against my forehead and he frowns. “I feel weird,” I slur, voice barely audible.
Within moments, Stolas grabs a damp rag to wipe my face and then he’s dressed and practically sprinting down the hall with me in his arms muttering hurried apologies and excusing himself to people. All I can feel is unbearable heat, pain, and Stolas’ feathers.
Milo was sleeping now. Stolas had to head to the Rough ‘n Tumbleweed Ranch farmhouse earlier than expected because the owner had no way to help Milo and now he was having an unexpected stay at the farm due to Milo’s sudden illness. He’d pulled out various books, even ones about human illnesses and biology. The only one that matched was an imp illness. It wasn’t terminal, nor was it a heat so now he was left pacing the room, books strewn all across the floor as he flips through a book of imp illnesses. He was more than aware that Milo was here not by his own terms or through death, but by a cult.
The portal could have given Milo some side effects. There were so many possibilities and he was becoming even more worried for his human friend. His pacing abruptly stopped when Lin, the wife of Joe who own the farmhouse entered the room with a placating smile. “Your highness,” She greets.
“Please, no need for that. Just call me Stolas.” She smiles softly. “Right, Stolas. Your friend didn’t get any terminal illness or anything.” She reassured the prince, “but we did some research and it’s not impossible, but it’s more of a myth.” She starts, fidgeting a little with her hat
Stolas drops down to his knees to be on a somewhat eye level with her, gaze pleading. “Tell me, please. Anything helps.”
“I think… He might be turning into an imp? It’s rare—almost unheard of— a human to be in Hell and not a Sinner, but most do turn hellborn the longer they’re here. See, humans are.. more closely related to imps than they are to any other.” That… made sense somehow. Milo was impish in behavior, mischievous and chaos loving so it wasn’t impossible. And even the impossible can be done in hell. It’s hell. The impossible is possible.
“That could explain, well,” He stands up to move and allow her the space to move around the room as she moves to the bed and pulls back the covers where Stolas hadn’t even really noticed the differences, but now he sees them, truly sees. Milo had to be stripped pretty much bare, bandages over his chest and still in his boxers, his skin still brown although his hands were red at the forearms—small white scars on his arms, some white spots dotting his thigh and his neck, where the injuries hadn’t quite healed, now white marks there in the form of scars. And unmistakably, the tail. In the familiar shape of an imp’s curled around Milo’s legs, curved horns slowly protruding from his head, striped black and white. His features were still soft, his hands were sharper and thicker like an imp’s, his feet now small hooves with black tips.
“I.. Well, I thank you for letting us stay with you. I’m sorry again for the sudden intrusion.” Lin just waves Stolas off with a smile. “You needed help, and we offered. My daughter should be coming to compete in the Harvest games this year.” Stolas smiles. “That sounds lovely. I hope to see her since I’ll be blessing the lands.”
“And we can’t be more grateful to you for making our lands more fit for crops.”
“I’m just doing my duties. I needn’t be thanked for doing my job.” Lin starts to head for the door. “It’ll be a few more hours before the transformation is complete. Please come to me when he’s awake so we can dress his wounds.” Stolas nods and thanks her again. “Of course.”
. . .
I woke up with a pounding headache and my body aching all over but not overwhelming warmth like before. This time, I was nestled in his feathers. I nuzzle his chest and a rumble starts to coming out of nowhere, my hands instinctively kneading at his feathers in a motion that reminds me of a cat making biscuits. Just then, I notice something odd about my appearance in the mirror on the back of the door. Before I can really get a good look, the door opens and a female imp stands there with a hand on her hip. “When Mama said somethin’ about a prince, I didn’t think it came with a pet.”
And then, suddenly, she scoops me up, holding my armpits like I’m a cat and takes me out of the room. I’m not sure where we’re going or why she’s holding me like a cat, or even where I am but I don’t say anything. Something tells me I can’t right now anyway. Then she suddenly opens a door and sets me on a bed and starts rummaging through her closet. Then a shorter female imp enters the room with her hair in a messy bob. “Sallie Mae, why are you making so much noi- oh. Well aren’t you just the cutest little thing?” She comes into the room and cups my face. “You make a cute imp.”
“Millie, please. Let him breathe.”
“You’re the one who just picked him up out of the prince’s arms while he was sleepin’.” She shoots back at her sister before turning to me and petting my head. Once the taller imp, Sallie Mae, finds something she deems suitable, she throws it at me.
It’s an oversized sweatshirt with a frog on it wearing a crown and some lounge sweatpants. “Get dressed. Mama wants to make sure you’re not dyin’.” She gives me a quick once over and shoots me a grin. Well, the imp thing would explain why I was purring earlier.
Once I’m left alone in the room, I pull on the borrowed clothes, wincing at the pain shooting up my leg and my back aching like a bitch. My side still hurts too. Fuck Paimon. He could’ve at least let me heal before throwing me in a dungeon. Before I can even reach the door, Sallie Mae walks back in and picks me up by the armpits like before and then she holds me up like a trophy once she reaches the living room where everyone is gathered. It’s mostly imps save for the Hellhound lounging in an armchair, glued to their phone. “I’ve got ‘im.” She announces, and another, older female imp gives her an unimpressed look.
“Stop holding him up like a trophy. And bring him here so I can patch him up,” Obeying her mother, she sets me down on the couch and her mother comes to sit beside me with a med kit full of various medical products. “I’m Lin. Your friend brought you here early this mornin’.”
Speaking of the bird, he was still sleeping. I wonder if he knows I’m up now. “He’s still fast asleep. Had to calm him down with chamomile and a sleeping pill so he’d stop fretting so much.
“Yeah, he was like, almost pulling his feathers out.” Sallie Mae adds, grinning. A stern look from her mom quickly shut her up, though. Lin lifts my shirt and normally I’d get embarrassed from showing skin, but I don’t quite have the energy to care. I wince and hiss when I feel disinfectant suddenly hit the wound on my side from Lin’s gentle dabbing. “Sorry. Forgot to warn ya.”
Then she presses a bandage there and moves to treating my neck. This time, she doesn’t use disinfectant and she dabs at it gently before wrapping gauze around my neck lightly, lifting my hair so it doesn’t get caught. “I would treat your leg but it’s way too crowded in here. Remind me later and I’ll have Stolas do it, okay?”
And then she leaves and takes the medkit with her. I want to go back upstairs and lay with Stolas. There’s too many people and too many eyes on me. One imp in particular catches my attention and we lock eyes. His skin is red and half of his face is white with a mark on his forehead that looks like a heart, spikes on his head and his hands a good portion of white dressed in cowboy attire. His tail flicks behind him and he smirks at me, a predatory glint in his eye.
He moves through the crowd with ease and plants himself onto the couch next to me. His form is relaxed as he sinks into the couch. “So you’re the human everyone’s been hearing about,” His eyes flick over me and I feel weirdly exposed. “You’re pretty cute. Or maybe it’s just the imp features making you look cuter. Almost innocent.”
I can’t respond. Not verbally anyway. I get the impression that my voice is gone right now. His voice is velvety and sinful. “I’m Blitzø. The o is silent.” He winks. I pull my knees to my chest and rest my head on my knees. My tail curls around me. I want Stolas.
As if my silent prayers were answered, here comes the prince in all his sleepy glory, in that same robe, slipping off of one shoulder as he yawns, descending the stairs and rubbing at his eyes. He walks right past the imps and instantly scoops me up as if checking to see if I was hurt or anything. “You’re alright. Good.” He smiles. “I’m sorry.”
If I could, I’d ask him why he’s apologizing and he didn’t do anything wrong, but the look on my face seems to be enough. “I feel as though I put you in danger by being here. Perhaps it would have been best to leave you at the palace but I’m sure you’d fight me on that one.”
Damn right I would. Stolas adjusts me to where I’m cradled in his arm, bowing deeply to greet the others. “Hello there. I hope to see some of you at the Harvest Festival.” Some imps were in pure awe, like the white haired imp talking to his wife, jaw hung open in shock. Blitzø, who hadn’t left his seat, looked like he recognized the prince but opted not to say anything. However, when they locked eyes, he fled to the porch saying something about needing a smoke.
Stolas set me down and patted my head. “I’ll go run a bath.” He retreats upstairs and I slide off of the couch, hobbling out to the porch where Blitzø ran off to. Once I get the door open, I nearly fall flat on my face, but Blitzø catches me, helping me to my feet. “Careful. Don’t wanna mess up that cute little face.”
Once I’m outside, I sit on the bench on the front porch next to Blitzø who was smoking a cigarette. The smell of cigarettes never bothered me because my parents always smoked cigarettes and it’s kind of comforting since I’m so used to it. I don’t even smell it when someone lights up a cigarette. My nose twitches at the almost sweet scent coming off of the cigarette. “Smell this? It’s flavored.”
That makes sense. It’s quiet out here. The terrain is different and almost barren with some animals grazing the fields. “So you’re with the prince, huh?” his tone is almost nostalgic. “He grew. A lot. Thought he’d stay a tiny ball of fluff forever. Guess it makes sense that he got so tall, though. Goetians ain’t exactly small from what I’ve seen.” He says. His tail flicks behind him, whipping around in agitation. Clearly he wasn’t fond of nobles either. And me either to be honest. Stolas is too brainwashed by them to protest against them.
“I used to know him when we were kids. His dad bought me with a condom and some pocket lint just so Stolas wouldn’t be sad on his birthday.” It turned out to be the biggest heist of his life and he hadn’t even wanted to do it, honestly. He kind of feels like some deity up there is punishing him for stealing from a sweet, unsuspecting prince like Stolas who just wanted a friend. “You haven’t said a word. Are you mute or something?”
Then Stolas steps out onto the porch. “No, his vocal cords aren’t damaged. The transformation is keeping him in a somewhat feral state right now.” Stolas answers for him, and Blitzø freezes abruptly in place. “I’m glad you remember me Blitzo- Blitzø.” He corrects himself with a smile. “It’s nice to see you again. You grew up quite nicely. I hope we can become friends once more. My first ever friend.” And with that, Stolas picks me up and carries me off inside.
Stolas and I didn’t talk much that night, he just sat me in the tub and gently scrubbed my skin, letting me sink into the water and peer up at him with wide eyes. The sclera of my eyes is a golden yellow color, my eyes still brown but catlike. After the bath, he dressed me, treated my leg and I curled up against him, purring and kneading his feathers like a cat making biscuits.
“You are quite adorable like this, I must say. So domesticated.” His tone is almost teasing as he runs his hands through my hair, mindful of my horns. I took his other hand and started nipping at it with my sharp teeth, though it just made Stolas giggle. “So feline like, I must say.” He smiles. “I do wish to hear your voice once more. This is rarely ever heard of. I hope you don’t lose your voice for good.” His petting caused me to start purring and nuzzling his hand, pausing in my mindless nipping.
“But unfortunately, I’ll be busy tomorrow. I can’t take you with me.” He says, and I pause in my nuzzling to look at him. “I have to meet the mayor tomorrow and I’ll be busy up until nightfall. From there, I’ll be staying with him the next day and the final day, I’ll be there to help host the Harvest Festival.”
I huff softly against him, burying my face in his plumage. That means a whole day without Stolas’ fluff to keep me warm. “I know darling, but it’s just for a day. We’ll go right home as soon as I’m done with my duties, I promise.”
While I was slightly upset that i’ll be without Stolas’ fluff for a day, at least I’ll be able to have his fluff any other time. “I’ll leave you a peace offering before I go, okay?” Satisfied with his answer, I snuggle up in his arms and I drift off to sleep almost immediately.
. . .
It did sadden Stolas to leave Milo alone for the entire day, but he got up right when the sun peeked above the horizon, dressed and working to make said peace offering for Milo. which was a feather from his plumage and one from his tail feathers on a necklace. Feathers in those spots specifically last forever, whereas anywhere else they’d fade with time. And this would keep Milo tame while he’s at the farmhouse. As Stolas was leaving out, he spotted Blitzø on the porch and they greeted each other and he portaled away to the Mayor’s home.
Almost immediately after Stolas left, Blitzø scaled the side of the farmhouse to peek into the window where Milo was napping peacefully. Almost buried under the blankets. He snickers and taps the window with a claw. Milo didn’t move. Then he stirred, briefly glanced at the window and turned over to face the other side. Not an early morning person he guesses. Well, lucky for him, Blitzø knows how to lockpick a window. Successfully getting the window open, he climbs in and closes the window behind him, going around to the other side of the bed to look at Milo’s sleeping face.
He always had a habit of watching people sleep. It’s always been a strange thing that became a habit at some point. Milo was cute. Round features, probably soft skin, big, wide eyes that look so innocent at first glance framed by those long pretty lashes that could most definitely get Milo into trouble. And he’s pretty sure Milo is a troublemaker. “Mornin’ sleepyhead. Time to get up.” He sang, poking at Milo’s face until he whined and swatted his hand away in a sleepy haze. He watched Milo sit up and rub his eyes, pouting and half asleep. He couldn’t verbally respond but he was glaring adorably at Blitzø so he couldn’t resist getting another pinch in before Milo decided to be bitey.
Blitzø would bite back, of course. “Welcome to the land of the damned. Get up and get dressed ‘cause I’m taking you with me.” He won’t let this cute little thing be all bored and cooped up because the prince is away. It’s time to show him the fun of being an imp.
I’m not a fan of being woken up abruptly. I usually need more time to wake up before I do anything. Especially not sharp fucking fingers digging into my face. Eventually, I get up and get dressed, hobbling around the room to find the clothes Stolas neatly folded up that Sallie Mae graciously gave me. Said they were too small for her now or something like that. This time, I put on a yellow sweatshirt with a bumblebee on it and some bee pun I didn’t care to read and some joggers. I don’t think I have any shoes to wear and I already saw some imps wandering around without shoes so I wouldn’t really bother. “You’re so tiny.” Blitzø snickers.
I glare at him, both for jabbing at my height and for waking me up so abruptly. “Cheer up, we’re going to go wreck some shit so you’ll feel better in no time.” He winks at me and opens the door for me. And then for a moment, he watches me walk and seems to be contemplating something. I flail as he suddenly scoops me up off of the ground. “Oh this is fun. I see why feathers likes picking you up so much.”
I scowl. I’m not sure I like this guy. He’s so weird.
At some point, he goes around banging on doors screaming for everyone to get the fuck up and get in the van and by the time he’s downstairs, he greeted with an overly eager Millie, a frowning male imp (who’s name I still don’t know) and an annoyed Hellhound. “Blitzø, it’s too early. It’s barely even sunrise.”
“Early bird gets the worm, Loonie, now quit your bitchin’, get some caffeine and meet me at the van. We’re gonna show this little cutie the fun of being an imp.” Millie waves at me and I wave back, influenced by her enthusiasm.
Blitzø then takes me outside to a van that looks like it’s seen better days but is still working and he slides a door open, (with some trouble) and sets me down inside. “You’re so small.” He says once again. I know. I’m aware of my own size. “Mills is gonna have fun with you, I bet.”
As if on cue, the rest of the demons come outside and the Hellhound goes around to the other side and immediately claims the front seat. Millie and her husband climb into the back and Blitzø winks at me before scooting me back some and slamming the door shut. I climb onto one of the busted leather seats and pull my feet up to my chest. “Hi! I’m Millie. And this is my husband, Moxxie.”
“Pleased to meet you,” the male nods. “And that girl right there is Loona. She’s B’s daughter. And ya already met B, our boss.”
I cock my head to the side. If I didn't know any better, I’d assume they were all good friends bordering on family with how close they are. “This is the I.M.P van. Blitzø owns it and we’re makin’ good business.”
“Immediate Murder Professionals!” Blitzø chimes in from the drivers seat as he works on turning the car on. “Let’s go wreck some shit.”
And wreck some shit they did. I just sat on the hood of the van while they openly fought each other in the open field. They were sparring, but it looked like a full on fight for their lives with how brutal it was. Millie is strong. Girl boss. Love it for her.
Blitzø wasn’t bad himself, strong and flexible with an almost feline grace. He was mesmerizing to watch when he fought. Almost like he was dancing. A dance he knew well judging by how familiar the moves looked to him. Loona just looked like she was having fun throwing Moxxie around and I snickered at the sight. Moxxie was actually fighting for his life with Loona. Blitzø had noticed me staring a few times and winked at me.
Ugh. I hate casanovas. He’s so weirdly flirtatious. Everything he does looks seductive and graceful. I bet I look like a clumsy baby deer stumbling around. Just the thought makes me gag. I play with the soft feathers on the necklace absentmindedly as I get lost in my thoughts. Blitzø somehow makes me think of Stolas for some reason. Blitzø is flirtatious and bold and uncaring of how others view him and Stolas is soft and sweet and does care what others think. Very often.
And now my heart is doing the weird thing when I think of them both. A random image of Blitzø wrapped around Stolas, tails intertwined and both of them bare. But Stolas was okay because he had feathers. Doesn’t make the thought any less weird though.
“Whatcha blushing about?” Blitzø’s sudden proximity almost makes me fall off the hood of the van and I scramble to get back up. Blitzø snickers. “Aw, did I scare you? Cute.” His skin is damp and his shirt is unbuttoned at the top, clinging to his red skin and sleeves rolled up to the elbows. “We’re taking a break.” He says, and opens the door to reach in for something to drink I assume. His waist is so tiny. Another thing that reminds me of Stolas.
Why am I being weird today? As I sit there mentally scolding myself, Blitzø presses a cold water to my face, shocking me out of my thoughts. “I was calling you. You didn’t hear me.” He snorts at my scowl and opens the water, tossing the cap onto the ground and waterfalling the water into his mouth and I can’t help watching the way he gulps it down with ease. I should drink my water before my thoughts get worse. I open the bottle and take a sip, turning my gaze to Millie and Moxxie instead.
Maybe if I avoid looking at Blitzø my thoughts will stop. Actually, I shouldn't even say his name. It’ll be worse if I do. Then he hops up onto the car hood with me and stares at me. I furrow my brows and turn away from him. I will look at anything but him. Then, a warm large hand grabs my face and turns my gaze back to him. “Don’t stop staring on my account, I’m enjoying the attention.”
So he knows I’ve been staring and is allowing me to do it?? What kind of weirdo does that? “What’s so interesting about me? You just keep staring.” He asks, his red irises searching my own for an answer. Not that I’d tell him if I could talk. “Is it my face? Or maybe it’s my voice. Or maybe..” He takes one of my smaller hands and places it on his stomach where I can faintly feel abs. What the fuck? “Or maybe it's this?”
“Dad, stop trying to fuck the prince’s pet and come spar with me!” Loona breaks the moment and I am ever grateful for that because I’m not sure what I’d do if he kept leading my hand. With a grin, he take my hand and kisses my knuckles and then hops of the van to follow Loona into the open field.
Millie comes over to me with a whistle at my flustered expression. “Ah, I see you’ve got on B’s good side. I’ve never seen him that forward before and he’s very clear with his intentions the moment he sets his sights on someone.” I’m not sure how to react to that information. “He must really like you. Clearly sees something in you to do that.”
Clearly, he’s more physical than that.. That. I don’t even know how to describe it. I just nod. “I hope the prince isn’t too upset that we stole you away for the day.” Nah. Stolas wouldn’t be upset. In fact, he’d probably be happy I didn’t stay in and most likely take my boredom out on some poor soul that passes by me.
I definitely intend to give some servants at Stolas’ palace a scare. I shake my head, trying to convey that he wouldn’t be upset. Millie seems to understand, luckily, and smiles. “Good. Wouldn’t want ya to get bored.”
“Plus, I heard from the prince that you have a penchant for trouble.” I grin. I do and I’m not at all ashamed of it. I have to be entertained somehow. “Try to stay out of trouble while you’re in Wrath though, yeah? Some are playful and others don’t take too kindly to troublemakers.” Taking her warning into mind, I watch as the married couple runs off to join the father and daughter sparring viciously in the field.
Chapter Text
Returning back to the farmhouse, there was a hearty dinner awaiting us on the table. I licked my lips eagerly, almost falling on my face in my eagerness to get out only for Blitzø to catch me and carry me over to the house. I can almost smell Stolas’ familiar flowery scent inside. Hearing him chatter delightedly with the mother and father of Millie and Blitzø unceremoniously kicks the door open. “Somebody lose a pet?” He holds me up in the air like a trophy and Stolas gasps, quickly making his way across the room and embracing me into his arms. “Hello darling,” he greets me with a smile, nuzzling me and smothering me in the softness of his feathers. I let out a happy chirp in response. And apparently, imps can make chirping noises. On the ride back when Blitzø saw a horse and let out a chirp when he saw it, practically screaming horsie. Stolas tears his gaze away from me to smile at Blitzø kindly. “Thank you for taking him out today. I have no doubt he’d be bored out of his mind.” Or find other ways to entertain himself at the expense of others’ sanity. “That’s truly kind of you.” Blitzø clears his throat awkwardly, rubbing at the back of his neck as he tries to avoid Stolas’ gaze. “Don’t make a big deal out of it.” he shrugs. “Just felt like doin’ something nice.”
Stolas smiles wider. “Well thank you anyway.” He says once more, and the two stared at each other for a long awkward moment before Sallie Mae, the drunken angel she was, stumbles into Stolas with a pout and puppy dog eyes that only can look cute on imps for some reason.
“Stolaaasss,” She whines, struggling to keep upright even with Stolas’ hand steadying her. “When’s it my turn to hold him? You always have him.” Millie gasps, noticing something off about her sister and then the smell of strong alcohol. “Sallie Mae,” she gasps and then points an accusing claw at her sibling. “Are you drunk?” Stolas titters, covering his mouth to hide his amused expression. “My apologies. That’s on me.” He says, looking only slightly guilty.
“The mayor gifted me with some aged wines and a few bottles of whiskey and I thought it was only fair to share.” Blitzø looks past him with wide eyes. “That’s a few?!” And then I push my head up and of Stolas’ (heavenly) fluff to peek over his shoulder, spotting at least six to nine crates of alcohol. “That’s a few months worth of alcohol.” Stolas snorts. “I’m not going to hog it all for myself.” Plus, he can always go get more should the occasion arise. “You’re welcome to take a crate or two home with you when you do eventually return.” Stolas offers, not just to Blitzø but to his friends too. “I already gifted two crates to Mrs. Lin, so you’re more than welcome to take a few.”
“What about me?” Sallie Mae asks with a drunken giggle. “Sallie, you’re cut off for the night! And you live here, what would you need a crate of alcohol for?” Lin shouts from the kitchen and Sallie Mae pouts. “I have friends.”
“Hardly,” Millie snickers, lightly punching her sister’s shoulder. “So, seeing how piss drunk my sister is,” She glances at her sister, “can we join the fun?” Stolas smiles. “Of course. It's on the table.” speaking of the table, that food smells so fucking good.
I flail helplessly in Stolas’ arms for him to put me down and I scramble over to the table with the grace of an animal. “Wash up first. You all smell like animals and sweat.” Lin says, as if daring someone to go against her. Hell hath no fury like a mother, after all. “Namely you,” she narrows her eyes at Blitzø who is sweating slightly. “Yes ma’am,” he gives a half hearted salute and hops up the stairs to shower.
Lin then turns her attention to me, scooping me up and setting me on the counter. “Stolas, a word dear?” Stolas pauses from where he’s at, lifting two crates to set aside for Blitzø to look at Lin. Now noticing that the living room and kitchen area is empty save for me, Stolas and Lin motions for him to come over. He stands back upright and walks over to her with a confused tilt of his head. “Is something wrong?” She smiles at his genuine confusion and concern. Stolas is too sweet for his own good sometimes. “I heard Striker muttering about a prince pet today and he didn’t look… happy.” She says, voice hushed. “Please keep him and yourself safe, Stolas. Hell, even ask Blitzø to play bodyguard for a while just to make sure you’re safe.” She fidgets.
“Not many imps around here are royal friendly and Striker is one of the dangerous ones.” Stolas’ expression hardens a little. “I…” he’s not sure what to say. He knows that there was that lingering danger nearby, but now his friend is in danger? “I couldn’t possibly ask Blitzø to do that for me.” “Ask me to do what?” The imp’s voice startled them out of their conversation. I don’t like how they forgot about me. I’m very displeased. My tail thumps against the counter to get Stolas’ attention. Just because I can’t talk doesn’t mean I’ll be ignored. “Yes?” Stolas turns to me with a gentle smile and scoops me up as if I didn’t just hear them talking about how that cowboy bitch might be plotting my death.
“I’m sorry for ignoring you darling,” he coos, petting my head and running his claws through my locs as if to help soothe me. It helps a little as I start letting out a loud purr and leaning into his hand with an affectionate chirp. “I heard my name?? Is no one gonna tell me what that was about or..?” Blitzø says, still drying his horns with a soft towel and in a tank top. His smooth, lean form exposed to the air. From what I remember from the feeling of his warm, calloused hands, he must run hot. My face still warms up at the memory fresh in my mind of Blitzø grabbing my chin. But I don’t care about that now. I have Stolas. “I’ll tell you after dinner, Blitzø.” She reassured the confused imp who just shrugged and walked off to the living room to sit down.
“While you’re waiting, be a dear and grab everyone for dinner, yes?” With a two finger salute, Blitzø was off to cause mass chaos in the midst of his task. Why would Striker go after me though? Stolas is the one who has the powers and the money and the influence. Why me? I’m pulled out of my thoughts by a beak pressing against my cheek. “I missed you darling.” Stolas says as he takes me upstairs. “It was so agonizingly slow today. I almost died out of boredom without you.” Briefly, I see everyone pass by us minus Blitzø who quickly trails after us. “Stolas-” “Just a moment, Blitzø.” Stolas hums, entering the room we were occupying and setting me on the bed as he looks for something suitable for me to sleep in.
“What is it? You can talk while I’m doing this.” Blitzø looks a little nervous. Which seems out of character for him but I shrug it off, flopping on the bed and noticing my reflection. I look different. Weirdly cute but you just know there’s something malicious going on. “What was Lin saying about me bodyguarding you two?” Stolas pauses in his searching to look at Blitzø. “It’s nothing- well, it’s not nothing but I just- I think it’s too much to ask of you and I don’t want to put you in danger.” Stolas says, voice quiet and slightly nervous. “Stolas, I’m an assassin. I put myself in danger all the time for my business.” He snorts, trying to lift the mood a bit. Seeing how that didn’t work, he stepped a little closer, placing a hesitant hand on Stolas’ arm.
“I can do this, Stolas.” He offers a small, boyish smile to Stolas. “We’re…” he hesitates. “We’re friends, right? At least let me make it up to you for being a shit friend as kids.” Stolas’ eyes widen, not by Blitzø’s tender offer, but but by him saying he was a shit friend. “Don’t say that! You were..” he paused briefly. “You are my first friend. I will never regret making my first friend.” He smiles kindly. Stolas is such a heartthrob. Why is he so nice? He’s too good for Hell. “Please never call yourself that.”
Stolas kneels, taking Blitzø’s hand in his own. Stolas’ hands look delicate and pretty compared to Blitzø’s larger, heavier clawed hands, I notice. Stolas feels soft and he’s so gentle where Blitzø is the complete opposite. “I don’t know why you feel that way but please, forgive yourself. I will never forget the day I made a friend. I’m just happy we’ve reunited once more.” It goes silent for a long moment, both of them just staring at each other with the air charged with tension.
“Right. Um. Okay.” Blitzø awkwardly stammers out, pulling his hands back reluctantly. “I believe you were in the midst of pampering Milo?” Stolas giggles. “Well I guess that makes pampering for two.” He doesn’t elaborate, he just sets the folded clothes on the bed and moves to the bathroom to work on starting the bath water. . . . Pampering for two it was.
And it was also probably a good thing that we didn’t join the others for dinner. I’ve had way too much stimulation from multiple people in the span of a few days and I need Stolas’ gentle touch right now. The tub was bubbly and warm and Blitzø was looking mildly confused from where he was standing the bathroom while Stolas works on undressing me for the bath.
Humming a little tune to himself. “Stolas?” “Yes dear?” He asks, not looking away from his task. Blitzø’s tail is twitching behind him, betraying the flurry of emotions swirling inside him at the moment. “What do you mean pampering for two?” Stolas takes a moment to answer, pulling my shirt over my head, mindful of my horns. Then followed my pants and boxers, which luckily, Stolas’ body shielded from the other imp.
Then he carried me over to the tub and hovers over it. I dip my tail into the water to test it and I chirp, pleased and he finally sets me in the water. I cock my head to the side when he steps back. “I’m coming in, darling, give me a moment.” Stolas starts unbuttoning his shirt.
“By pampering for two, I meant exactly what I said.” He replies to Blitzo, finally. “Now come. Join us.” Stolas coaxed. “I’m sure you’d love to find out why Milo is obsessed with my feathers, wouldn’t you?” Stolas teases, almost taunting once he’s finally shed all of his clothes. His feathers look soft and he looks awfully right without the clothes. His slim figure exposed for the world to see. If only we weren’t in the bathroom. I’d probably bite someone if they looked at Stolas naked.
Stolas steps into the water and sinks in with a sigh, pulling me over to him to rest against him. His hands are gentle as he starts to pour water on me with his hands, wandering and exploring my soft skin. “I think we should wash your hair, darling. What do you think? Hm?” Then, I see a hooved foot dip into the water, a towel draped around Blitzø’s hips.
His very nice looking hips. Ugh. What’s wrong with me? Are imps horny? Or am I horny? Why can’t I lust over Stolas instead?? I wish I could talk. Or something. Instead, I end up purring when Stolas pets that spot that feel just right at the base of my horns that has me melting into him.
“Here, let me show you somethin’ if you really want him relaxed. I don’t even know when Blitzø took to towel off, but suddenly his chest is right in my face and I can’t resist the urge to trace the white marks on his skin. I wonder what they are. He has them all over. Some on his tail, obvious patches on his hands, half of his face is white. Suddenly, Blitzø’s warm, large hands are touching my horns, stroking them from base to tip. It’s faint, but chills go down my spine at the feeling.
“It’s kind of like taking catnip or eating brimstone except you don’t use anything to get that high feeling.” Stolas watches with a mischievous glint in his eye. “So, like this?” His other hand comes up to do the same to Blitzø who gasps and then kind of melts, a rumbling, loud purr leaving him. “Mm, like that, yeah.” He sighs, eyes shutting for a moment but not ceasing his motions on my horns. Stolas glances at me and smiles. “I see you’re getting a little more comfortable, darling.” He grins.
“Here,” Blitzø murmurs, pressing my hand flat against his chest. My breath hitches and that familiar warmth pools in my stomach. His large hand engulfs my smaller one, eyes lidded and glossy. Stolas wraps one arm around my waist and I feel him shift as if he’s trying to make room for Blitzø. “Darling, do you approve of our guest joining our cuddle puddle?” Stolas asks, half teasing, half genuine. I nod and Stolas pulls him closer as well, stroking Blitzø’s head as we both purr up a storm in the bath. I turn, starting to knead at Stolas’ feathers whereas Blitzø could barely open his eyes in pure bliss.
But then it all happens so quickly, I’m not sure how. Blitzø cups my cheek, and then I feels arm lips on mine. I freeze momentarily, both of them stopping their motions for a moment before I melt into the kiss and they resume. The kiss isn’t as demanding or rough as I’d imagine he’d be. It’s soft and tender. Exploring but cautious. When he parts just for a moment to let me breathe, Stolas traps him in a soft kiss. It doesn’t make me feel weird, it almost feels right. Like I belong here. In their arms. Their breaths are soft and slightly desperate. Then Stolas kisses me and it feels like fireworks. His beak is surprisingly malleable and his tongue is hot and wet.
When we part, the three of us continue to share soft, sweet kisses with one another until we’re out of breath and all tangled up trying to catch it. We don’t need words. We don’t need labels or something to make it extra. It just feels right. So warm and cozy. Stolas breaks the silence. “I really should wash your hair, darling.” He says to me, voice soft and his hands gently threading through my locs. “I brought some soaps with me. I thought you might like them.” Especially since he noticed I would sniff his feathers a bunch when I bury my face in his plumage. He then reached over the tub to pull out three bottles of shampoo. Something lavender, something roses and something strawberries and cream.
“I think you should go with strawberries.” Blitzø chimes in. “You already look yummy, why not smell yummy too?” Stolas gives him an exasperated look. “I hope that suggestion means you’ll be assisting me in washing his hair.” Blitzø scoffs. “I can wash hair, it’s not hard.” Stolas cocks a brow but doesn’t say anything else, turning to me where I’ve now went to rest my head on Blitzø instead and he’s petting me gently, claws scraping my scalp. “We’ll see.” Stolas replies. I grab the bottle of soap that smells like strawberries and hold it up to Stolas. He smiles and plants a kiss on my head. “Excellent choice darling.” He might get me more fruit scented ones if I like this one. Which I do. It makes me hungry. I wish soap was edible.
It smells too good to not be edible sometimes. He pet my head as praise and I let out a happy trill in response. Blitzø did in fact know how to wash hair, surprisingly gentle as he lathered the soap in my hair, making sure its nice and soapy before guiding my head back into the water so he could wash the soap out. I did get a little scared that I’d fall or something but he reassured me in a gentle voice. “You’re okay. Relax,” he murmurs. “We won’t let you fall.” He chuckles. “He looks scared, Blitzø.” “He’s fine, Stolas. I’m not gonna drop him. We’re almost done.” Stolas still looks worried anyway. After some nice scrubbing and more snuggling, we finally got out of the bath and dried off but Stolas didn’t grab his robe.
He gracefully sat us on the bed, (which I’m surprised Blitzø just let that happen but then again, we were both purring like a broken car radiator moments ago, so it could be the lingering haze.) and grabbed a bottle of floral smelling oils. And started to lathering himself in it. Me and Blitzø both watched with confused looks. Finally, Blitzø asks the question I wish I could ask. “What’re you doing?” “Hm? Oh, I’m just preening.” I cock my head to the side. “Is that why your feathers are clumped kind of weird in some places?” Stolas smiles and glances at him. “Yes. It is.” “Does it hurt?” “No, dear, it’s quite nice actually.” Stolas thinks he can remember his caretaker preening him when he was little. Usually the mother would do that but.. he doesn’t remember his mom.
When Stolas was little, Pringles would preen him after a bath and he’d sleep like a baby after. “Could I help?” I wanna help too, and I peek up, awaiting Stolas’ answer. “Of course.” The two of us spent some time making biscuits on Stolas and licking him like cats grooming each other. Imps are kind of like cats. And that’s something coming from someone turning into an imp. Or already an imp. I’m not sure. Stolas eventually reached down to start petting us again and we started purring once again. Blitzø curled up on Stolas so comfortably, and I curled up close to his plumage to rest my head there, our tails entertaining with his and each others. Then Blitzø breaks the peaceful moment. “Weren’t we supposed to go talk to Lin?” Stolas hums, sounding like he just woke up from dozing off.
“Yes, but I’m sure it’s late now. I’d hate to bother her at this time of night.” He pets over Blitzø’s head, which seems to help him relax. “Let’s just enjoy the moment, yes? Maybe get some well deserved rest.” For the rest of the night, we lie there, tangled in each other’s arms in sleepy bliss until we fall asleep. . . . Waking up, I didn’t feel as awkward as I thought I would, but I did notice one thing. Stolas is not in the bed. Why he left the cuddle puddle with two imps purring like a dying car radiator, I don’t know, but then I remember. He has to stay with the mayor. Or maybe plans will change? I don’t think it’s safe for him to be alone by himself. I wake up to Blitzø curled around me instead and I’m too comfortable to move. He’s so warm. Then the room door opens and I’m relieved to see Stolas. He’s holding a tray of cookies and some other sweet smelling food.
“Good morning,” Closing the door with his foot, he walks over to the bed and sets the tray down gently. “Too comfortable to move, I see,” he giggles. Then, he grabs a mug of coffee and holds it out to Blitzø’s face. His nose twitches and he stirs, brows furrowing, before sitting up and his hand snatching the cup up. “Breakfast already?” I could be wrong, but it looks like the sun is barely up. Ugh, I woke up early? And felt refreshed?? Ew. “Ah, yes, I forget you’re not a fan of early mornings,” he teases. I pout momentarily, but then he places a cookie in my hand. I munch on it eagerly, pleased by the peace offering. Blitzø snorts. “I’m only a little shit until I get coffee,” Stolas raises a brow.
“Really now?” He asks, starting to eat on a small bowl of grapes and I take a few and pop them into my mouth. Stolas looks down at me and smiles. “Finish your cookie, darling.” He then turns back to Blitzø. “I thought that was all the time.” Chaos waits for no one. And Blitzø was chaos mixed in sin and stupidity. This cookie is really good though. Lin must’ve got up early to make these. “It is,” he grins behind his mug. “But that’s our little secret.”
He winks. “Anyway,” he sets the mug on the bedside dresser. “What’s the agenda? Since I’m bodyguarding and all.” I reach for another cookie, and Stolas graciously hands me one, petting me while he does it. At this point I’ll be a puddle before we even start the day. Oatmeal raisin cookies are good. I don’t care what anyone says, they’re fucking delicious. “The mayor is getting everything set up for the festival as of now. I won’t be getting there until noon, I think.” He starts.
I watch him carefully to make sure he’s not eating only six grapes. “I’ll be taking Milo with me. It’s too dangerous to leave him alone and it’s dangerous for both of us to be alone, really. I’d rather have him close by.” Blitzø hums and rubs his chin thoughtfully. “I was thinking of competing in games just for shits n giggles but I can’t exactly do that and protect you both at the same time..” he ponders. “Hm.”
“Oh, you planned to compete?” Stolas asks, tilting his head. “Why don’t you still continue to compete then?” Blitzø gives him a questioning look but Stolas continues. “I heard Striker competes yearly and it might give you a good chance to to keep an eye on him and still have fun while doing it.” He smiles that boyish smile.
“I want you to have fun while you protect us, not be burdened while you do it.” I want to protest, say I can protect myself fine, but I know I’m helpless. There’s nothing I can do. I don’t know how hell works, I don’t know the rules, I don’t know anything about anyone and I don’t want to be too reckless. I’ll stick my Stolas and make sure he’s safe while I’m there.
I’ll do everything I can to keep him safe. A wandering hand is what pulls me out of my thoughts, my face flushing as Blitzø’s face comes into view like he wanted a kiss. He cups my face, clearly eyeing my lips with a grin. “Well, you’re both stuck with me until noon.” Stolas says, setting the tray down on the bedside table and lying down comfortably as if inviting us over to smother him again. It’s weird how imps can curl up like a cat and just make biscuits in mindless contentment despite also loving to cause chaos.
However, a knock on the door interrupted our quiet (not so quiet, we’re purring so loud it sounds like a radiator in here) cuddle session. “It’s open,” Stolas answers as me and Blitzø settle against him to curl up and purr. The door opens and it’s Millie standing there. “I was wondering where you wandered off to last night.” She enters the room and closes the door behind her as she walks over to the bed. Blitzø waves lazily at her, both too relaxed by Stolas petting that specific spot that makes his brain go fuzzy to say anything and just not feeling up to talking. “Ma told us what’s going on,”
She settles on the edge of the bed near Stolas’ feet and his soft looking tail feathers which were wrapped in both of our tails. “Do you need us to help Stolas? We’ve never done bodyguarding before but we won’t let Blitzø do it on his own.” Stolas smiles at the kind offer. “I’ve done bodyguard shit before. My ex had me as her bodyguard before that dumpster fire started.” Blitzø says, sounding a little bitter. “Striker’s competing so I figured it’d be easy to keep an eye on him from there.” “Ah, makes sense. He hasn’t missed a single year of competing,” she hums, holding her chin thoughtfully.
“Moxx wants to compete.” “Of course he wants to. He wants to show his wife he’s not just some baby dick weakling who can only fuck around with guns.” Blitzø snorts. “He’s trying hard for your dad too.” “My dad is just being a dick because he thinks he knows best.” Stolas looks intrigued but opts to just pet me instead, smothering me in kisses. “I thought yall would never talk, B. That’s progress,” she teases, lightly punching his arm. “And we’re not married yet.” She insists. “Yeah, yet.” He echoes. “Next thing you know, he might get you pregnant and you’ll have some chaotic little shits running around.”
“And you would be the one to teach them how to use a murder weapon before we get to teach them how to walk.” She shoots back, an amused smile on her face. “I’m a great influence, excuse you.” Both Stolas and Millie snorted at his comment. Stolas just gives Blitzø a pat on the head. “Whatever you say darling.”
“You know once they start teething I’m gonna give them something fun.”
“You’re the dangerous fun uncle, B.” Millie snorts before turning her gaze to me, whose currently fighting sleep as Stolas pets me. He’s so comfortable and soft. Like a living pillow. “Am I making you sleepy darling?” He asks, voice slightly teasing. Blitzø then curls up behind me with an arm draped over my stomach. “So, should I plan another wedding with mine? You three look married already.” Millie snickers. “No, but please, when you do get married I would like to attend.”
Stolas requests with a smile sweeter than honey. Blitzø is curled up around me like I’m gonna be leaving at some point. Which we will, eventually. Just not now. Then something sounding like a gunshot sounds off outside. Millie is the one to go to the window. “Moxxie? What’s he doing?” Blitzø then gets up with a questioning look on his face. I huff and squirm in Stolas’ arms to go see. “Why’s he at the shooting range? Does the contest involve any guns?”
“No, I don’t think so.” She murmurs. “I’ll go talk to him.” . . . Millie steps outside onto the back porch where Moxxie was shooting at several targets which already had many holes in them. “Moxx? Is something wrong?” The sound of her voice seems to pull him out of his trance. Moxxie doesn’t drop the gun but he shoves it into his pocket and comes over to the porch to sit down. “I heard you guys.” He mutters quietly. Heard what? “You guys don’t think I can compete.”
“What? No, of course not Moxx-” she’s not sure where this is coming from. “Even Blitzø doesn’t think I can do it.” He sounds so frustrated. “What are you talking about? We never said you couldn’t compete, Moxx.” She settles on the porch beside him, gently cupping his face and turning his face to look at hers. Oh her poor boy. He’s so insecure. He thinks she doesn’t believe in him. “Look at me, Moxxie.” She says gently. “You can do it. I believe in you. I always have.” She smiles. “I’d never lie to ya Moxx.”
He looks like he wants to believe her but he pulls away instead, getting up and walking off. “I wish I could believe you Millie. I just can’t right now.” Millie isn’t sure what she said wrong or hell, what Blitzø said wrong but she’s determined to find out. She goes back inside to talk to Blitzø but she doesn’t hear the familiar sound of a rattlesnake nearby. Moxxie hobbles around to the side of the house where Striker is posted up against the side of the house with a smirk on his lips. “See? I told ya no one believed in ya.” He grins wickedly.
“The only one you can trust is me, Moxx.” He reaches out and grabs Moxxie’s face, leaning in so close their breath mingled. “We can be so good together, all ya have to do is trust me.” Moxxie looks up at him and moves away from him, walking off to somewhere he could be alone and process his feelings at once. He spots Loona on the porch smoking a cigarette. The smell of strawberries reminding him too much of the ones Blitzø uses when he’s got something on his mind.
“Where are you going?” She asks, her voice sounding annoyed but there was genuine confusion there. Not even Loona believes in him. He knows that already. She goes out of her way to make him feel small and useless. Everyone does. What’s he doing wrong? He thought Blitzø or Millie would believe in him at least. He’s known Blitzø since he got locked up in prison for something he didn’t do and Blitzø helped him escape and offered him a position at his business.
Millie, the love of his life, couldn’t see that. He couldn’t let her see that he was slowly spiraling. He goes around to the other side of the van and opens the door, climbing inside of the empty van and curling up on a seat. The dim lighting in the car makes his gun glint in his pocket. He pulls it out and runs his hands over it. This was the first gun Blitzø bought him for his first day at I.M.P. He couldn’t stand looking at it anymore and threw it on the floor, burying his head in his hands. A soft knock on the door pulls him out of his thoughts momentarily. “Moxxie?” It’s Stolas. The kind prince. “May I come in? I..” he paused. “I’m worried. I know it’s not my place, but.. I thought you could use some company.” Moxxie doesn’t answer for a moment. “..okay.”
He croaks out, not pulling his head from his arms. The door opens and he feels the van shift under Stolas getting in, although the warm breeze of the western air is comforting. He hears Stolas settle on the leather seat next to him. “What’s wrong Moxxie?” He asks with a gentleness that makes Moxxie feel so small. Maybe he’s doing it out of obligation. “Please talk to me. I’m worried you may do something you’ll regret,” He coaxed gently, a hint of fear in his voice. Moxxie sighed softly and finally met the prince’s gaze.
“I’m not going to hurt myself, Stolas.” He sounds so tired. “You say that now, but I’ve been there before. More times than I can count.” Stolas pulls his knees to his chest, his eyes glowing in the dimly lit car. “If you were listening to our conversation earlier, then you might have misunderstood.” He says, fidgeting with his fingers. “We were talking about Striker. He’s not up to anything good. I have no doubt something will happen during the festival. Where I’m most vulnerable and no one would really be paying me any attention in the midst of festivities.” He fidgets more.
“Blitzø offered to be my bodyguard and Millie also offered. You were mentioned because Millie said you would be competing. I don’t want to put any of you in anymore danger than I already have.” Moxxie takes a moment to process that information. “Why didn't you say something sooner? We could’ve planned something to make sure you and Milo would be safe.” “I would have, truly, but I don’t want to burden you all more than I already am.” “What? You think you’re burdening us?” Moxxie sounds surprised. And he is. How could someone so elegant, so regal, so perfect like Stolas think he’s a burden? “You’re not burdening us even a little bit. It’s been fun having you.” Stolas gives him a small smile.
“I’m glad you think so.” it goes silent before Moxxie breaks that silence. “I… I didn’t mean to storm off like that. Or eavesdrop on your conversation.” He says, head bowed in shame. “I feel like a joke. No one takes me seriously. Blitzø always picks on me, Millie’s dad hates me, Loona hates my guts and only tolerated me because I work for her dad and Millie…” he sighs. “I can’t let her see me like this. It’d break my heart if she did.” Stolas doesn’t say anything for a few long moments. “I don’t think any of that is true.” Moxxie gives him a questioning look. “Truly. You all are like a family. You care in your own way. Everyone is worried. I came out here to sit with you and make sure you wouldn’t do something you would regret later. And I do seriously hope you won’t do anything.” He says with a soft smile. Moxxie gives him a small smile back. “And one more thing?”
“Anything,” “I think Striker is trying to get me on his side. I saw him near the side of the house and I’m worried he’ll do something drastic during the festival.” Stolas expression changes. “Well then, I guess we’ll just have to think of something quickly. And we could use your expertise, Moxxie. Only if you want to.” Moxxie smiles. “I’m not an assassin for nothing. Let’s go inside and try to think of something before the festival.” Moxxie grabs his gun and pockets it before getting out of the van and holding a hand out for Stolas to take. Stolas gratefully takes his hand and they leave the van. As they walk inside, Moxxie doesn’t miss the familiar rattlesnake sound coming from the bushes, but he doesn’t say anything because he doesn’t want to alarm the prince.
. . .
It’s now noon and Stolas decided to ride with Blitzø, Millie and Moxxie since they’re competing. Loona, since she had nothing to do, agreed to be on standby near Stolas while they were competing. Me? I’ll play the role of beloved lap puppy and absolutely bite anyone who gets too close. Stolas was content to pet me while I sat in his lap, Blitzø driving and giving us glances. Millie and Moxxie were in the back, whispering to each other and giggling. Lovebirds. It’s kind of nauseatingly cute. “Alright. Stolas, just go up there and do your thing. We’ll try to keep Striker distracted long enough to delay whatever he has planned.”
Stolas nods and gets out of the van, holding me in his arms and moving through the crowd of imps with grace. He greets the mayor who moves aside to allow Stolas to sit down on the stage. A plush chair sits there, waiting for Stolas and he sits down with me in his lap. I scan the area for the sandy skinned imp. I spotted him in the grazing field, flirting with another imp who looked very close to giving him whatever it was he wanted. Ugh. I really hate casanovas. Especially manipulative ones. “Relax darling. I’ll keep you safe.” Stolas coos softly. “I’ll always keep you safe.” Blitzø quickly snakes up onto the stage to whisper for both of us to hear. “Keep your eyes open. Whatever he’s got planned, it could happen at any time.” Stolas nods and Blitzø gives me a pat and a wink before running off to go where the other competitors were.
“Settle down everyone, it’s time for the festival to start.” The mayor’s voice booms in the microphone, startling some imps. “We have a special guest this year and hopefully for many more to come.” He glances at Stolas and motions for him to come up to the mic. Stolas gets up and sets me down on the soft seat. “I’ll be back, darling.” I don’t trust it even for a second as I watch Stolas go up to the mayor, gingerly taking the microphone from him. “Hello everyone, I’m very honored to join you all in the harvest festival this year.” He greets with a small smile. “I’m Prince Stolas and I’ll be helping host the festival this year. And to bless the lands for many more years to come.”
While it isn’t mandatory to bless the lands every year, Stolas still likes to come for the scenery. It’s so beautiful out here. Blessing the lands helps to give the land the prosperous beauty it has. “This year, I brought someone special with me and I’ve made some new friends who were gracious enough to help me in a time of need. I hope to return the favor to these wonderful friends I’ve made and to the people of Wrath for allowing me to join you in this beautiful celebration.” Stolas’ words are soft and flow like poetry on paper. With one last smile, he bows deeply to the crowd.
Not just to them, but to Wrath itself. Truly grateful for the opportunity to be here. With that said, the festivities begin with a shot in the air from the person hosting the event. He settles into the seat with me in his arms. I swear I see something glint in the corner of my eye from a building but I could just be seeing things. Loona could be seen stepping a bit closer to the stage, which confirms I want seeing things. She turns back to look at Stolas. “There.” She mouths to him, making a subtle head nod in the direction of the motel. Moxxie and Striker were wrestling in the mud, Millie and Blitzø going up against each other with a scarily strong intensity. Stolas nods faintly but keeps his eyes on the competitors.
Either Striker has someone else working with him or that’s not really Striker in the ring. Then, the piercing sound of a bullet sounding off hits my ears. It all happens to fast. The sky darkens with clouds instantly, rumbling and thundering. My skin feels electric. Everything looked like it was moving so slowly but before I knew it, I was darting across the dusty ground so quickly on all fours like a feral animal in the direction of the hotel. I don’t know if Stolas got hit or if Loona did but I didn’t care. I scale the side of the building and snake through a window. Shit. It is Striker. Moxxie was wrestling the gun out of Striker’s hand.
The sniper was steaming like it just got shot. In an instant I latch onto Striker, claw digging into his flesh and my teeth sinking into his shoulder. Moxxie takes this as a chance to get Striker down. And I’m flying into a dresser before I can stop it. Fuck, I feel dizzy. My vision blurs and I fight to stay awake. I feel so hot all over. It’s intense and furious. A roar leaves me as I feel white hot pain shoot through my body. Smaller hands grab my shoulders to steady me and attempt to keep me awake. If that’s Moxxie then who were the two imps in the competition? Fuck.
Chapter Text
The next time I wake up, it’s in a sterile room with Stolas curled around me. I don’t remember what happened after that. But where the hell are we? I sit up with a pained grunt, noticing how Stolas is fast asleep and bare. This looks like a hospital. The door opens and a doctor imp holding a clipboard steps in. “Oh good, you’re awake.”
They set the clipboard down and reach out to place a hand on my forehead. “Your fever has gone down.” Fever? What fucking fever?
“You were both hit with an angelic bullet.” Noticing my look of confusion, they elaborate. “An angelic gun was brought in this morning and you and Prince Stolas were hit. It’s nothing fatal, of course, but you both had a terrible fever while trying to fight the effects of the bullet.”
Angelic bullet? “We just need to finish the last of the tests and give you some medication for the pain and we’ll send you on your way.” The doctor was sweating a little. They look nervous, now that I think about it. I open my mouth to see if I can speak, but I all I can manage is a trilling sound rumbling in my throat.
“I’ll.. I’ll bring you some medicine in a bit.” They fidget with their coat and then they leave the room with the clipboard. Weird. Stolas stirs beside me and then he sits up, rubbing at his eyes. “Hello darling.” He greets, fighting a yawn. “How do you feel?”
Why is he checking on me first thing and he’s the one who was in real danger? Did he still get to bless the lands? I scowl at him and he cocks his head to the side with a small smile. “Are you upset with me darling?”
Of course not. How could I be upset at him? He’s such a sweet demon. His gaze then softens and he cups my face. “Oh love,” his voice is so soft. One of my clawed hands reach up to cover his. “You look so different.”
I’m not sure how that makes me feel. But then again, I never really got a say in a lot of things leading up to today. But if it wasn’t for Stolas making things a little more bearable, I’d probably lose my mind. I lean into his touch, letting my eyes close. He’s been so kind and considerate. I couldn’t imagine what I’d do if he wasn’t here to make things a little more enjoyable.
The moment is broken when the doctor returns, looking more nervous. “Your Highness,” they bow, looking at Stolas and another to me. Weird, they didn’t do that before.
“Please rise,” Stolas replies, reminding me that he is still in fact a prince. The doctor does as told and tentatively approaches the bed with an orange packet and a white bag of what I assume to be medicine. “These are your discharge papers and instructions on how to treat your wounds while at home.” They hand the packet off to Stolas who gingerly takes it and opens it, skimming the papers.
“I wish there was more we could do, but um-” the doctor glances around like they’re not supposed to be saying this. “Someone wanted you both out of the hospital as quickly as possible. I can’t say who.” Stolas nods and gives them a kind smile.
“Well, then, we will be out of your hair shortly. Allow us to get dressed and we will be going.” The doctor nods and leaves the room quickly.
Once me and Stolas are dressed, he stands up with a slight wince that he tries to mask with a smile, and grabs the packet and bag and leaves out of the room with me in his arms. I wonder if I’m hurting him. Where did he even get shot at?
I see Blitzø, Millie, Moxxie, Loona and even Sallie Mae in the waiting room waiting anxiously. Blitzø looks like he’s been surviving off of just coffees alone while we were out and he’s the first one to run up to us. “You’re okay? Good.”
Millie shoves him aside and holds her arms out for Stolas to hand me off to her in which he does with some reluctance. She holds me up and pats me down for any more injures and I wince as she touches my side where the knife wound hadn’t really healed, but she continues checking for injuries. And once she’s satisfied, she sets me down on my own two feet. “What were ya thinking running into danger like that? You should know to be more careful and you’re not even fully healed yet!”
I can’t believe it. Never in my seventeen years of agonizingly breathing have i ever been scolded about my safety. That’s weird. Stolas is the one in danger, and even though Moxxie and Blitzø are scolding him, I still don’t know how to feel about this. Somehow in someway this is impossible. Unfair. I don’t have anything to say even though I can’t speak yet i can still make some feral noises, no problem.
Loona herself even looks shocked and she was there. She had no time to react because of how fast Milo had moved to be injured and barely walking, it wasn’t from adrenaline. It was something… something she couldn’t describe. And she can’t ask Stolas while he’s still healing from a bullet and having to keep track of his gremlin imp cub.
And being scolded by Blitzø who completely lost it when Milo took off, then he went rushing to get to the stage from where he was, and Loona tried to get both the Mayor and Stolas to safety and yelling at the crowd to go find some shelter since it suddenly turned into a very intense thunderstorm the moment Milo took off. She’s still not sure what to make of it.
“Loonie? You alright sweetie?” Blitzø asks, pulling her out of her reminiscing to try and figure out what she had witnessed. And then there was Blitzø, who was barely older than her and juggling a kid, a business and now two stupid royals. “I’m fine, Blitzø.” She grumbles, shrugging his hand off her shoulder to which he grins at.
Blitzø makes eye contact with the imp that Stolas had scooped back up into his arms and the air is suddenly charges with tension. “We should get you both home. C’mon. I gotta drop them off first but I’ll take you both home after.” He pulls out his keys and then everyone starts walking out of the hospital and back into the dusty landscape of Wrath. The door was crowded by imps, mostly the one who had been at the festival and witnessed the shooting.
Stolas had been very insistent that he blesses the crops before they go home since the moon was high in the sky and he doesn’t want to leave without blessing the crops. He received a lot of thanks and even an armful of bouquets and letters from the people of Wrath. Which makes sense since Stolas immediately casted a protective spell on the crowd to make sure they wouldn’t get hit while Loona kept the Mayor out of sight. Millie had smiled at the sight.
They went back to the farmhouse to grab their things and loaded the van up with the last four crates of alcohol and then said their goodbyes after dropping Sallie Mae off. Now, it was just Stolas, Blitzø and me. I’m still lost on being scolded. About my safety. Who scolds someone on safety??
Stolas had gotten a fairly good talking to as well from Millie who then gave him a hug after because he looked so sad and ashamed, but still. Stolas was the one in real danger. I just got on an imp’s nerves who happens to be an assassin who isn’t royal friendly. “You two doing okay back there?” Blitzø glances at me and Stolas in the rear view mirror as we start to drive through Pride in search of Stolas’ palace. “We..”
Stolas pauses briefly. “Yes, we’re alright.” Blitzø hums like he didn’t believe Stolas. “You sure? Sounds like something’s on your mind.”
Stolas hesitates for a moment, unsure whether to say it or not. “I… well,” he fidgets with his hands before playing with my hands instead since I’m on his lap. “I don’t know if I’ll heal in time for my coming of age ceremony.” He says, but he doesn’t seem like he’s done yet.
“And I’m worried since other Goetia will be there. I was supposed to marry the Marquis' daughter but my father called it off.” He looks vaguely uncomfortable at the mention of the girl. I don’t even know who she is and I can tell she gave him hell. “And I’m worried for Milo’s safety too.”
Blitzø doesn’t say anything for a while. “Well, I mean- do you want me to be there? Just in case something happens?” It’s clear that everyone is still kind of on edge from the shooting. I haven’t forgotten either. Things will have to just be extra careful. I don’t care that I was a target too, I mean, I was just being an ass for the sake of being an ass. It’s not my fault the imp got all caught up in his feelings. Small dick issue.
Stolas does seem genuinely worried though. If I could talk, I’d tell Stolas to stop worrying about me and worry about his own safety. I mean, sure, the king is gonna have us get married or at least announce the upcoming engagement on Stolas’ coming of age party and if every Goetia will be there, then- oh.
Shit. I see why he’s worried now—Stella. The one he was supposed to marry is gonna be there even if she’s not high up in status. And just based off of King Paimon alone, Goetians are spiteful. Minus Stolas of course.
“No, I couldn’t ask you to do that, Blitzø,” Stolas replies. “That’s why you’re not asking, I’m asking if you need me there. Actually, fuck it. Do you need me there while you two settle back in and at your fancy party or whatever?” Blitzø stopped the car at some point to turn around and look at Stolas. The look in his eyes clearly says he won’t take no for an answer.
“You’ve done enough already, Blitzø-”
“Enough my ass. I couldn’t even get there in time to stop the fucker from shooting you or Milo.” Blitzø scoffs. He’s beating himself up about it, I’m sure. Stolas is stunned by Blitzø’s response, his beak open to say something before clicking shut. “I-”
He’s not sure what to say. “I didn’t think-”
“What, you didn’t think it mattered? Or that I cared?”
“No, of course not! That- that’s not what I was implying at all, I just didn’t think it would affect anyone that badly.” He goes back to playing with my hands, too ashamed to meet Blitzø’s gaze now.
“Listen, I don’t know what fucked up Goetian rulebook says you don’t matter but you do. And clearly you haven’t been told enough.”
“Oh.” That’s all Stolas can manage to say, finally pulling his gaze away from me to look out of the window, fighting tears. I hear him sniffle and watches as he tries to wipe away the tears and I sit up, trying to comfort him as best as I can. “Oh, Stolas.”
Blitzø’s voice is so soft as he pulls off his seatbelt and climbs into the back to pull Stolas into a hug. “I’m sorry Stols.” He’s not sure what he’s apologizing for or why because he never apologizes but Stolas is just so heartbroken. The only one who still remains soft and loving and kind while surrounded by cold hearted selfish demons his whole life. “I’m sorry,”
Stolas chokes out, voice muffled by Blitzø’s shoulder. “Don’t apologize, bird. You didn’t do anything wrong.” You never do.
I couldn’t do anything but lie there, curling my tail around Stolas’ waist, purring softly and hoping it’ll help. I’ve never been one to comfort people. Hell, I never even got comfort when I needed it. It feels so awkward sometimes. But Stolas, he was different. Soft, kind and gentle. Too soft for this world. Too soft for the cruel way the world works.
Stolas turns to me and picks me up, holding me close to his chest. “I’m sorry,” he says, wiping away some tears that were still falling. “To both of you. For putting you in danger. For selfishly putting you both in a situation you never should have been in. I’m sorry for being a burden-” Stolas’ apologies are cut short by a warm mouth on his own. Blitzø pulls away just barely, resting his forehead on Stolas’.
“You didn’t do anything wrong. You didn’t put us in danger by us being there, Stolas.” He reassures him. “You’re not a burden either. I wanted to be there. Knowing the danger and all, I still chose to be there.”
He holds Stolas’ face, looking into his very soul as he says it. “I’ll never do anything I don’t want to do. And I won’t let you tell yourself silly shit like that either.” Stolas looks down and sniffles. “Okay?” The imp tilts his head, needing Stolas to hear him. Truly.
“Okay.” He finally mumbles, one of my hands coming up to wipe away a tear. And then randomly, I lick a stray tear off his cheek causing Stolas to squawk in surprise and then laugh. “Milo!”
Blitzo just snickers and shakes his head. “And you, you little shit,” he points at me. “Stop putting yourself in danger.” Not like that would stop me. “You have people that care. And you can fight it all you want, but we care,” he smiles at me. “I care.” Then he looks at both of us, cupping my cheek and Stolas’. “About both of you.”
I refuse to believe it but the glint in Blitzø’s eyes tells me that I won’t get that chance to doubt him. Even when my voice comes back. If it does.
“Now, how do we get to your place? I actually don’t know how to do that.” Stolas snorts at Blitzø just now saying something. “I’ll make it easier for you,” he says, and then a portal forms, showing the familiar pavement of Stolas palace front.
“Oh shit, cool.” Blitzø mutters as he climbs into the driver’s seat. “So, I just-”
“You drive, yes.”
“Is it safe? I mean-”
“Drive Blitzø.”
. . .
Stepping inside the palace, we did get scolded by Pringles for a good ten minutes for going and putting ourselves in danger, then he noticed Blitzø and bowed, asking him to take off his shoes and leave them by the door. And then after that, he told us to go freshen up for dinner.
“I’ve never seen Mr. Pringles so upset,” Stolas hums as he finishes putting up the last of the clothes Sallie Mae generously gave me. I think she gave me half of her wardrobe. “I guess I’m joining you both for dinner?”
Blitzø says, plopping on the bed beside me with a grin. “Yes. Do not tell Mr. Pringles no. That is a hell of its own.” Blitzø snickers.
“You sound like you’re speaking from experience.” Stolas huffs. “I am not. I was a very obedient child, mind you,”
“I know. You would’ve followed me right into Pride if I had asked as kids.” Stolas seems like he’s had enough of the teasing and decides to go into the bathroom to run a bath in his spacious tub with the good smelling bath soaps and oils.
I just want to bathe, eat, and then sleep for eighteen hours. “So, what’s the plan?”
“Shush, not now darling.” Stolas shushes him as he grabs some preening oils and returns to the bathroom, then comes out with his robe on and wrapped around his tiny waist and scooping me up. “We can talk about it later. Or tomorrow.”
Stolas needs to sleep for like two days before he feels ready to talk about that again. Blitzø just shrugs and hops off of the bed, following them to the bathroom. “Okay. We can wait. But we will discuss this tomorrow. No if ands or buts about it.”
Stolas hums, kneeling down to start undressing me for the warm, bubbly bath awaiting us. “Sounds lovely.” He responds, focused as he tries to be as gentle as possible because while he loves doing this, he knows we’re both still healing. “Now, are you going to join us or not?” He turns to look at Blitzø, brow raised.
“Say no more,” he purrs, pulling his shirt over his head immediately after. Why is he chiseled?? I mean, I know he runs a assination business but why? He smirks as he feels my eyes on him. “Like what you see?”
He teases, just as he starts unbuttoning his pants and luckily, Stolas gently setting me in the tub blocked me from seeing him completely.
I don’t know how I even functioned when we bathed together the other night. Stolas gets in shortly after, relaxing into the warm water. “Doesn’t this feel nice, darling?” He missed his tub. His room. His palace that finally felt like home with his little troublemaker. Blitzø gets in shortly after relaxing into the water, lapping at his skin and dampening his weirdly chiseled stomach. He’s barely older than me, I’m sure. Actually if he and Stolas knew each other as kids then that means they’re the same age. And Stolas is the same age as me. Ugh.
Stolas opens his eyes and suppresses a giggle behind his hand as he starts messing with my hair. “Blitzø, please stop teasing the poor boy. He’s gone through enough. He doesn’t need your shenanigans on top of that.”
Blitzø shrugs and smirks. “He likes what he sees, and I aim to please.” That grin on his face is absolutely devious. Who goes out of their way to torture someone like this?? Blitzø, that’s who. I’m convinced the universe placed him here to fuck with me. “Blitzø,” Stolas’ tone is exasperated, but also warning too. I stick my tongue out at Blitzø in retaliation to Stolas saving me.
Blitzø gasps dramatically and then-
Splash!
I sit there for a moment, drenched from head to toe with my locs dripping water in my eyes in shock. Stolas barely stifles his giggles and pushes my hair out of my eyes. “Aw, you poor thing.” He coos. “Want to splash the big mean imp back?” And splash I did, getting the wall wet with the big splash I made.
Then it developed into us splashing each other and all three of us giggling like little kids. We lie back to catch our breath and I barely realized how close Blitzø was, practically caging me in with his body, his eyes tracing every detail of my face. His hand comes up, wet from the bath water and cups my face, stroking my cheek. “You really look like an imp now.” He chuckles, voice low and making me feel things I don’t know how to describe nor do I want to. “Red skin and all.”
The change hadn’t really occurred to me much. And I didn’t really care either. I never cared how I looked because living was already a chore on its own so why would I care how I looked? Stolas’ hand settles on the back of my neck, then to my throat, gentle as he tilts my head up to face him. “Hi,”
His voice is soft and low and laced with something I’m not sure how to describe. His thumb traces the shape of my lower lip, a gentle almost sinful smile on his lips. I lean into Stolas, feeling his damp feathers against my back as I relax into him. I’m so incredibly fucked.
Then, I feel lips press against the side of my neck, Blitzø’s, I recognize. Stolas looks five seconds away from either devouring me whole or kissing me senseless. Stolas made up his mind and leaned down to kiss me. The kiss was soft and hot and charged with emotion, the hand on my throat squeezing just barely. Blitzø’s mouth kisses and then sucks on a particular spot that makes me gasp into Stolas’ mouth and he uses that opportunity to explore my mouth with his tongue. His surprisingly long tongue is doing wonders for me right now.
When we parted, I barely got a chance to breathe before Blitzø’s mouth was on mine, kissing me with a sensual ferocity that was driving me insane. Stolas’ mouth started to leave something akin to bites on my shoulder and neck, his hand still on my throat. His tongue explored every inch of my mouth with a hunger I hadn’t noticed before. When I gasped and gripped his shoulder after a hard nip from Stolas, he growled.
Whatever deities were up there clearly hated me or something. I’m not sure. This is a form of pleasurable torture. When we parted for air, Blitzø nipped at my lip and with a large, strong hand, he grabbed Stolas by the throat and trapped him in an even hungrier kiss that had heat pooling in my stomach and my heart doing flips.
The only thing that pulled them out of the haze they were in was the sound of knocking on Stolas’ door. Stolas, breathless and still reeling from the kiss, had to take a moment to answer. “Yes?”
“It’s Pringles, sire. Should I bring dinner upstairs to you or will you be coming to the dining room?” Blitzø smirks at Stolas with a raised brow, waiting on his answer. “I’d rather not dirty up the dining room so late. I’ll have dinner here if that’s alright?”
“Of course, sire. Right away.” Once Pringles footsteps have faded, Blitzø is the first to speak up, teasing. “Good boy,” I can’t really think with the feeling of his hot skin pressed against my back and his strong hand on my throat, not squeezing enough to block my airways, but to remind me of the difference between him and Stolas. One was a gentle sweetheart and the other… less gentle but still a sweetheart of sorts.
After drying off, none of us wanted to put on clothes at that moment, so Stolas carried me out with all of us in soft robes loosely tied and set me on the bed with a little pat and a smile like he didn’t just devour my mouth whole a few moments ago. Blitzø flopped on the bed, lying back on his back and staring up at the ceiling before giving me a devious look and then practically dragging me over to him with one hand and smashing me against him. His hand rested on my hip and as Stolas came back with his preening oil in hand, he shook his head with an exasperated smile.
A knock on the door interrupted the moment briefly as Stolas moved to the bed and took off the upper half of his robe to start rubbing his oils on himself. “Come in,”
Stolas is so unsuspecting. Poor, sweet Stolas. Pringles comes in with a cart, giving a particularly dirty look to Blitzø that says ‘I know what you are’. He turns to me and Stolas and bows. “Good night sire. I shall send someone to come for the cart in the morning. Please get some rest and don’t worry about your duties tomorrow.” Stolas wishes him good night and he leaves with a click of the door. “I don’t know what that is but it smells so good.”
“Open it and see, darling. I’m sure the cooks prepared something for you and Milo alone since your appetites are different.” Stolas still needs to look into raising their pay. Yes. Milo thinks their food is phenomenal so he has to raise their pay because his little problematic savior asked. Blitzø hops off of the bed and starts taking the tops off of the food. “Mm, stew. Haven’t had that in a long time.”
Blitzø’s voice is rumbly, low and I have a feeling he knows I’m noticing.
“Bon appetit baby. Eat up,” he says, “you’ll need it.” Need it?? Need it for what?? What is he implying??? Should I be scared? I look at Stolas to see if he noticed the implication but he’s busy lathering himself in preening oil to notice. Who birthed this man??
He sets a warm bowl of stew on my lap which I’m scared to jostle or spill anywhere and he climbs back onto the bed, handing Stolas his tray of assorted meats, cheeses and fruits and starts digging into his stew. I take my first bite of the stew and groan softly. It’s so rich and thick with flavor. The meat is so tender and seasoned just right with a hint of spice. Carrots, broccoli, green onions and meat floating in the stew making it so savory. This would be so good with some mashed potatoes. So damn good.
As I eat my food, savoring it, I suddenly notice eyes on me. “Damn, never thought I’d be jealous of an inanimate object until today if it’s got you sounding like that.” Blitzo says and Stolas wordlessly turning back to lathering himself up, but clearly he thought the same thing.
Actually, I’ve seen Stolas naked several times. He’s all soft feathers and lithe and pretty, but anatomy?? I have so many questions that I’m not sure I want answered.
I go back to eating my food until I feel Blitzø’s hand on my hip again. “Baby,” he purrs, resting his head on my shoulder. I can’t verbally tell him I’m eating but I growl in retaliation. I’m enjoying my food and I will not be distracted. “Feisty,” he snickers and nips at my neck.
“Blitzø, darling,” Stolas calls, saving me from Blitzø’s chaotic teasing. “Would you be a dear and help me with getting my back? I need to get there as well.”
“Sure bird.” I sigh in relief as he lets me go but then I groan when I feel his tail wrap around my waist instead. I can’t escape this man. Ugh.
After dinner, we lied there in bed, tangled up. Our tails curled around Stolas’ fluffy and soft tail feathers while Blitzø has me smushed against his back and Stolas smothering me with his chest feathers. Stolas was stroking my hair with those long, elegant fingers, looking like he was in a daze as he smiles down at me. Blitzø was just curled up behind me and purring.
If I wasn’t fighting sleep right now, I’d probably be upset. Stolas is soft and warm, and then Blitzø radiates heat like a goddamn heater and he’s purring so I’m ten times more comfortable than I should be. “You look so sleepy darling.” Stolas coos. “You should sleep my love,” he strokes my cheek like I’m something precious. I still can’t get over how he had his tongue down my throat and now he’s cuddling me and being sweet again.
Anyway, I’m getting too tired. I just barely stifle a yawn, then I’m turning into a sleepy, purring mess before I drift off to sleep.
. . .
Waking up, I was still smothered. Stolas fast asleep and Blitzø still purring and radiating heat like a living heater. What the hell? Ugh. I cant even move either. If I move, Stolas will wake up and if I attempt to push Blitzø away, well, I’m not sure. And I’m not sure I wanna find out either.
Stolas wakes up shortly after, his feathers fluffing up as he stretches and yawns, before going back to their usual sleek softness. He sits up, rubbing at his eyes sleepily before turning to me with a sweet smile. “Good morning darling,”
Ugh, there he goes being all sweet again. I sigh softly and chirp back at him and he smiles wider. “I hope you slept well.” He says, looking at me like I hung the moon in the sky for him. Then the door bursts open and Stolas lets out a surprised ‘oh!’ to see Pringles bursting into the room with an arm full of fat binders.
Blitzø shot up, grabbing his gun from under the pillow (which I didn’t even know was there) and pointing it at the threat while his sleepy brain attempts to find the supposed threat. Once he’s awake enough, he sees a scowling Pringles and a mildly concerned Stolas looking at him. “Oh it’s just Shingles.” Blitzø mutters, setting his gun on his lap instead.
“It’s-” just as Pringles was going to correct him, Stolas spoke up. “Sorry, Pringles,” Stolas interrupts, “but why, pray tell, are you holding binders this early in the morning.” Fat ass binders, I add mentally.
With one last dirty look at Blitzø, Pringles turns to Stolas, gathering the binders and setting them on the bed with a heavy thump that made me jump a little. “My apologies, sire. I know it was quite sudden, but it’s rather pressing.”
Stolas sighs a little and nods. “I suppose that’s alright. What is the pressing matter?” Stolas speaks so fancy. And soft. Speaking of soft, I bury my face in the softness of his plumage.
“Your upcoming coming of age ceremony sire.” Pringles replies, still professional and refined. “Ah, I see.” The older imp’s face softens a little in sympathy. “I understand you were never really looking forward to it, however, your father is really insistent the celebration is suitable for other Goetia since they will be attending.”
“This one,” the first binder, “is about the upcoming ceremony with plans and decoration ideas,”
“This binder,” the second one, “is filled with outfits for you and your soon to be fiancé, and the third one contains party plans for your wedding.” Pringles finishes. “However, as you both are recovering from an angelic bullet, I will handle these matters myself with other staff members who are particularly accustomed to what you prefer and don’t prefer.”
“And erm-” Pringles looks awkward. “Marquis Andrealphus will be in charge of helping with the outfits. No fitting will be needed since the sizes are written down already, just various outfits to try on in the midst of your healing.” Oh bless Pringles heart for being so considerate about our injuries. He’s still got a stick up his ass though. Lovingly.
“Sometime this week we will have to up the security around the palace, however, since you were recently targeted. There’s no saying it won’t happen again.” Stolas nods, both grateful and solemn. “Of course, I understand.”
Pringles sets the binders on the footrest at the end of the bed. “As for now, focus on healing. Any letters for Goetia that you’d like, please call me and I shall bring them quickly and alert you should they arrive.” With a bow, he heads for the door and turns, giving Blitzø another dirty look once more. “And Prince Vassago wishes to visit sometime soon. He’s been sending so many letters since you arrived yesterday.” Stolas smiles a bit at the mention of the macaw avian. Vassago was a bit eccentric and a little older than him but means well even if he’s a little over the top sometimes.
“Who’s Andrealphus?” Blitzø asks, breaking the silence. Stolas sighs and lies back down, bringing me with him. “The brother of my former soon to be wife, Stella.” Blitzø hums. “The banshee bird bitch who was screaming her lungs out on that one interview floating around VoxTube when the guy asked her how she felt to be replaced by someone else?” Stolas cocks a brow but nods. “Yes, that one,” he pauses. “How long ago was that interview?”
“Uhh, lemme think.” Blitzo ponders for a few moments. “Four days ago?”
“Lovely.” This is gonna be a shitshow once Andrealphus arrives. Stolas can feel it. He wants to sleep for another few hours. Or a few days. Or a few weeks. He’s so tired.
. . .
Stolas woke up the next time to the sound of knocking on the door and papers rustling beside him. First he noticed Milo wasn’t beside him and panicked slightly, sitting up and scanning the room until he landed on the sight of Milo curled up in Blitzø’s lap while he flips through one of the thick binders Pringles sat down. He seemed to notice that Stolas was now awake and gave him a grin. Stolas still can’t believe the young, charismatic imp he had played with as a kid had grown up into this handsome, charming imp he knows now. Milo, who looked half asleep, noticed Stolas and scampered over to him.
Blitzø snickers and gets up, closing the binder as he approaches the bed. “Hey pretty bird.” Pretty bird? That’s a new one. “How’re you feeling? A little better?” Stolas shook off his shock and smiled at Blitzø with a sweetness that could kill a honey bee. “Yes, I feel much better.” Then, he hears the frantic knocking and he suddenly remembers that there was someone at the door. “Oh, come in!” The door opens and an imp he recognizes as one of the cooks wheels in a cart with a sheepish grin on her lips. And looking at Blitzø with a slight nervousness.
“My apologies for rushing you sire.”
“Oh no, don’t apologize, please. That’s my fault for getting distracted.” Stolas reassures her as she wheels the cart over to the bed. The sight before the imp was probably something most Goetians would find repulsive. Milo curled up in Stolas’ arms, face buried in his plumage as Stolas pets him while trying to assess the meal the imp was uncovering. “What time is it?” Stolas asks, the question directed at anyone in the room.
“12:48,” Blitzø responds, taking a bowl of grapes and setting them on Milo’s lap since he was sitting on Stolas’ lap and snatching a few grapes as he does. “You slept for a long time. Got a little worried.” Stolas furrows his brows, face scrunched up. “What time was it when we woke up?” the other imp shrugs. “Early.” Blitzø replies unhelpfully. Classic Blitzø.
“Thank you dear.” Stolas moves to grab the rest of the food, but is surprised to have his hand swatted lightly by the imp servant’s tail. He gasps and pulls his hand back, pouting slightly and confused. “Sorry. It was on impulse,” She replies with a sheepish smile. “I like this one. What’s your name?” Blitzo asks.
“Lesbian and married with three little implings.” Blitzø snorts and raises a brow at her reply. “I wasn’t hitting on you hon, but I respect that.” He winks as he replies. “My name is Francesa. My brother is the head cook of the kitchen. I normally serve food.” Stolas remembers the name of the head cook, Francis. He did mention having a twin but Stolas can see that a lot of imps have that mischievous, fiery nature to them. “Sorry, again. Pringles instructed us to not let you do anything while you’re healing. Even the paperwork.” Francesa admits, looking a little guilty.
“oh.” Stolas mutters, rubbing his hand with a small pout. Blitzø snickers. “It didn’t hurt, pretty bird.” Stolas pouts more and Blitzø sighs, holding his hand out expectantly. “Fine, c’mere. Let me kiss it better.” He teases, taking Stolas’ hand and planting a kiss on the back of it.
“Better?” He grins up at the prince. “I guess.” Stolas replies after a moment, still looking slightly upset.
Francesa clears her throat awkwardly, breaking the moment between the two men. “I will serve you lunch and I’ll return once you’re done.” She says, moving to start placing trays down, looking at Milo with an amused glint in her eye. “Also just a little heads up,” She starts, looking at Stolas now.
“Make sure he gets enough fresh air. His voice will come back in time for your ceremony, your highness.” And then she leaves the room once she finishes her task, taking the cart with her.
Chapter Text
After three days of being cooped up in this room and doing nothing but bathing, eating, sleeping and getting harassed by Blitzø and being smothered by Stolas, finally, we were permitted to leave the room. Blitzø had made a few calls to Millie and Moxxie and Loona letting them know that he probably won’t be actively out on the field as much because he ‘babysitting’ me and Stolas to make sure we don’t do any reckless shit, (i bit him when he said he was babysitting us because he looked me right in my face when he said it and he chased me around the room while Stolas was sleeping and bit me back) and told them to keep him updated and to remind him when its payday so he can get their paychecks settled. I darted out of the room as fast as I could, on all fours like a feral animal, scaring several servants who were just doing their job taking care of the palace with Stolas and Blitzø strolling behind me like they weren’t eager to do the same thing. Blitzø would definitely do it without shame and Stolas is mostly all legs, so he’d have to bend at an awkward angle to do so.
Stolas was practically skipping down the hall, quickly catching up to me with his long legs, talons clicking against the floor as he moved. He’s pretty much dancing at this point with that princely grace I’m suddenly reminded of. “Stolas you live here and yet you’re dancing around like you just got out of prison.” Blitzø snorts.
I skid to a stop when I see Pringles at the end of the hall, standing there, arms crossed and looking like he was frowning. Or maybe that’s just his resting face, I’m not sure. Stolas freezes mid step and Blitzø pauses, looking like he just got caught doing something he wasn’t supposed to. It’s awkwardly silent for a while. Even some servants have paused in what they’re doing at the sight of Pringles.
“Um. Hi?” Stolas sounds somewhat fearful, confused and mildly concerned. Pringles squints hard at Blitzø in particular before picking me up, holding me by the armpits like I’m a cat. “You.”
Me?? What the hell did I do? “We must do something about you.” What did I do? I’m so fucking confused.
“Um, Pringles if I may..” Stolas hesitates, “Are we in trouble?” He asks timidly, unsure whether he should be concerned or not. Pringles takes a moment to respond. “You aren’t in trouble. Not really.” that’s not as comforting as Stolas would like it to be.
“so-” Blitzø gets a hard glare from the elderly imp as he tries to speak up and he shrinks back, slightly moving behind Stolas to hide from the imp’s scrutinizing gaze. “Why is he so mad?” he whispers to Stolas. “I don’t know, but I’m a little scared.”
“I’m confiscating this one for now.” What?? I’m not an item, I can’t be confiscated! I squirm and wriggle helplessly as Pringles tucks me under his arm and walks away from the stunned men. We pass by the kitchen and the sitting room, and various other rooms before we reach the library and he sets me down on a cushion. And there’s a very large shadow in front of the window. My tail twitches in agitation as I realize who it is. Paimon. I growl as Pringles starts to ascend the stairs. “Just endure it for now. It’s just a small conversation, nothing more.”
Pringles’ words would have soothed me if I didn’t loathe Paimon with my entire existence. He’s a shitty person. Worse than shitty. Worth less than the dirt beneath my feet. Once Pringles sits me down on the plush seat in front of Paimon, I growl once more before scowling at the avian. Paimon just sips his tea, eyes crinkling in some sort of amusement at the sight of me and my clear dislike of him. “You’re dismissed, Pringles.” What an asshole, brushing the poor butler off like that he works his ass off around here and probably around Paimon’s castle if he was ever stationed there at some point. Once I hear the heavy library doors shut, it’s deadly silent in here. I’d never gotten the chance to see the library but I’ll probably explore it once this bitch is gone.
Paimon slurps his tea and it sounds so loud in the empty library. “Your reaction to my presence is highly amusing.” He says, finally putting his cup down and looking at me. “How cute.” Ew.
I just glare at him and he cock his head. “That's surprising. No snarky remarks or quips?” He asks. “I guess it is true, after all. The longer a human stays in Hell, the more they turn hellborn. Interesting.” He hums. Is this some kind of myth? Or legend? What the hell? “You did turn much quicker than other humans, however.” He leans close and I snarl at the closeness. He chuckles and leans back just slightly, but not much. “You look just like an imp now. But anyone with a good sense of smell can still smell the mortality on you. How fitting. Considering how wild you seem to be.”
I really don’t know where this conversation is going and I’m close to just walking out of the door, injured leg and all. My ribs still hurt and feel particularly tender when I touch them, both from the still healing stab wound and the brand new gunshot wound. “Anywho, before you die of boredom, I’ll get right to the point.” He pauses dramatically.
“I am in dire need of an heir.” What does an heir have to do with me? Doesn’t he have Stolas? Stolas is seventeen, why is he wanting an heir? “However, since you both are still young, I’m not pushing for an heir immediately.”
I don’t like where this conversation is going. “I know of the other imp.” Before I can get back to growling however, he continues. “I will make a compromise. An exception, but just this once.” I really don’t like where this is going. “You both may continue to see the imp as long as you give me an heir.” I’m not sure how to feel about that. We’re not dating or anything. I think. I’m pretty sure. Sure, we’ve kissed a few times but we’re not dating. “You have four years.”
Four? That’s a little generous. As if reading my thoughts, he replies. “Generous, I know. Four years to give me an heir.” That’s not possible. We’re all men. How can we get someone pregnant? “It is possible. It’s Hell. The impossible is possible. As for how, well, you’ll find out soon enough.”
Paimon stands up to his feet and dusts off imaginary dust from his clothes. “Ah, I almost forgot.” He reaches into his pocket and sets three small boxes on the table and one big rectangular one. “Congratulations.” And then Paimon disappears in a cloud of black smoke. For a moment, I just sit there, processing Paimon’s words. Now we got Blitzø wrapped up in this mess. Fuck.
Pocketing the boxes, I stand up and start to descend the stairs with a slight limp until I see Pringles waiting at the bottom. “I’ll take that.” He takes the larger box from my hands and reaches into my pocket to grab the other three boxes. “Why do you have marbles in your pocket?”
I don’t answer. I can’t. not right now. Fuck, that was a lot. We walk in awkward silence until Pringles breaks it. “His Majesty had me stand by to.. relay the message to Stolas and Blitzø.” Speaking of the two, being smothered by my favorite dummies sounds good right now. We find them in the sitting room, watching something on the tv with horses. Ew, is that Spirit? I hate that movie with a passion and I’ve never even watched it.
Stolas looks like he's trying to decipher the movie while Blitzø is entranced by the screen, looking like a giddy little kid on christmas playing with a brand new toy. I fucking hate holidays. They’re so stupid. Pringles clears his throat, hands behind his back like an esteemed gentleman, getting their attention as I settle on Stolas’ lap, nestling my face into his plumage. He looks down at me and coos, petting my head.
“I have some news. For both of you.” the room is thick with tension. “From the King.” Neither of the two men say anything but leave Pringles to continue. “The King will be expecting an heir in four years.” Pringles pauses, like he’s taking a moment to compose himself before continuing. “He knows of your existence, Blitzø, and he expects you to help with making an heir. I’m sure after the engagement ceremony and Stolas’ coming of age ceremony, you will have duties to uphold as well. Not many, but mostly formal gatherings to attend if mandatory.” I don’t have to be behind Pringles to see that he’s fidgeting with his hands behind his back.
“I’m sure he’ll make arrangements for the ceremony for you to be there as well, since it was originally supposed to be for Milo and Stolas’ engagement. And… he left these.” He reveals the boxes, each with a name written on them in elegant cursive. And I just noticed the bigger box has my name on the front.
Gingerly, Stolas takes the boxes and hands one to each of us. Blitzø looks nervous. I’ve never seen him nervous so this is making me nervous. Taking a deep breath, Stolas exhales slowly, trying to calm himself as he opens the box, me and Blitzø following suit. In each box is a ring. A shiny silver ring with three gems on the top of them. Mine had glittering fiery opals, for Stolas, a glittering tourmaline gem in the center and two amethysts on either side and Blitzø had glittering rubies.
I did slightly hesitate before opening the bigger box on my lap and when I did, I wasn’t sure whether to be shocked, amazed, repulsed or all the above. It was a collar. A thick leather collar with beautiful sapphires hanging from it and a suspicious loop in the front of the collar that reminded me of a dog collar with soft cushioning in it. Under the collar was a note scrawled in fancy writing that read, ‘From Lust, custom made’.
“No way Stolas’ prude sperm donor had a collar custom made for you,” Blitzø sounds like he’s in disbelief until what he says next catches everyone else in vicinity of us off guard. “Put it on.” He says, with zero hesitation and not a hint of shame on his face. Seriously, who birthed this man and why? The grin on his face is devious and mischievous. I’m kind of scared to put it on. What if I just combust when I put it on? Or some weird spell activates and I die or something? “Cmon, don’t be a pussy.”
I scoff, taking the bait and putting the collar on and the imp just grins wider like the little shit stirrer he is.
Once I have it properly adjusted, it kind of moves? Like it’s settling around my neck. What the fuck? “Did it move?” Blitzø asks, looking a little baffled. “It did.” Stolas murmurs and then he takes the box from me. “Who is this from again?”
“Smells like sex.” Blitzø blurts out, shocking the two men. “What? I’ve been to Lust before.”
“You’re seventeen.” Stolas said. “So are you,” Blitzø quips back.
The two stare at each other for a long moment before Blitzø breaks the silence with a grin and turns his intense gaze to me. “You look good with that on by the way,” he winked at me and licks his lips with a hunger flickering in his eyes that made me gulp. Pringles clears his throat, effectively cockblocking Blitzø. “Anyway, a doctor should be coming shortly to check on your injuries.”
“Is it the same doctor from the hospital or the royal one?” Stolas asks, desperate to change the subject. “The royal doctor, sire. Shall I call for another doctor just in case?” Stolas unfortunately understands the silent implication. Just as royals have a deep seated hatred for imps, any demon of high status (at least in the Pride Ring) hate imps and the doctor certainly wouldn’t be fond of having to do a checkup on the Prince and imp he was going to marry, which was Milo.
“I will have another doctor on standby if this one refuses to see Milo, sire.” Stolas smiles and nods gratefully. “Thank you Pringles.”
. . .
They had to move to the bedroom to prepare for the checkup. I was sitting next to Stolas while he plays with the spade tip of my tail which was weirdly sensitive as he touched it but I didn’t mind, Blitzø was sitting off to the side, hand on his gun in case he had to shoot or threaten someone into going through with the checkup. And if they try to tattle? He’ll do what an assassin business owner does best.
Threats aside, I sat next to Stolas, eyes on the door, waiting for the door to open. To assess the most likely racist doctor. Pringles opens the door and the one who steps in is a tall, avian demon who is a raven colored peacock with teal tipped feathers and their fluffy looking tail that drags across the floor and suddenly looks like a toy for me to play with. Stolas seems to notice and smiles, petting my head gently as he watched the doctor bow, almost half heartedly as he gave me a look. “Your highness.”
“Dr. Hel.” Stolas’ tone is clipped, not wanting this to go any further than it should. The doctor doesn’t rise until Stolas gives him permission to do so. Which is an embarrassingly long time and Stolas is fighting a giggle as he watches the doctor’s tail feathers twitch in agitation. “You may rise, doctor.”
Stolas made sure we all put our rings on so the doctor knows. Basically staking his claim. The rings glints in the light, even Blitzø’s from where he is in the corner, watching the doctor like a hawk.
The doctor notices something. Two imps. One in the corner with a ring and Milo on the bed with a ring. And Pringles in the corner, waiting patiently but just as watchful as everyone else. “I’ve come to look over everyone, check your general health and your still healing injuries.” He tries to keep his voice calm and regulated but his heart is beating so fucking fast. He’s sweating a little. Never has he walked into Stolas’ palace and the tension was thick enough to kill a mortal man.
“Shall I check you first, your highness?” Stolas eyes narrow just a sliver before looking the doctor over and wrapping an arm around Milo possessively. “No, I want you to check my fiancé first. He’s smaller and much more fragile than I am and I want to make sure he’s as healthy as can be,” Stolas says, with a sickly sweet smile. “You can do that with no issue I’m sure.”
It’s a demand, not a polite comment. The doctor swallows and nods, setting his bag down on the floor as Pringles turns on the light, Milo rapidly blinking to let his eyes adjust. Stolas coos and tilts his head up by his chin. “Aw, I’m sorry. Did that hurt your eyes darling? Should we have warned you first?” I’m not sure how to feel about being subtly, publicly claimed like this but some part of me likes it.
I shake my head and he leans down to plant a kiss on my head. “If you say so darling.” He shifts his body to turn and tug at the hem of my shirt. “Arms up, darling. He needs to check your wounds.” I obey, lifting my arms and letting him pull the shirt over my head and revealing my torso which was no longer bandages but there was a very clear still healing gunshot wound and still visible, tender stab wound on my side. The doctor’s eyes go wide in shock.
“Did they remove the bullet?” He asks, eyes wide as he searches for answers, previous fear forgotten as he rummaged through his bag. “No. I was there, the King called and wanted Stolas out as soon as he woke up.” Blitzø replies, now sitting his gun on his lap, in view, finger tracing the trigger as he grins devilishly at the doc.
“Just try to be gentle when you take it out, yeah? I’ve had gun wounds before and trust me it hurts like a bitch when they get removed.” Blitzø replies. Even though it was Millie removing the bullet with her fingers, it still hurt like a bitch. The doctor could believe that. The way Blitzø was cradling the gun like it’s a prized possession tells him everything.
“I will make sure it’s not too unpleasant. However, it’d be too much of a risk to dose a patient while I’m extracting the source or the injury. It could close as I remove it or worse.” The doctor warns as he finds a small pair of tweezers, pulls out some gauze, disinfectant spray and some cotton swabs. “I…” he fidgets briefly. “Your highness,”
He starts, slightly nervous. “I’ve extracted angelic bullets before, however, I’ve never done a procedure on an imp.” The look from Stolas makes him correct himself. “Not- not because I didn’t want to! But because there aren’t many imps that put themselves in that kind of danger, whether it’s unwillingly or not.” He fidgets but he seems genuinely worried. Stolas can admit that angelic bullet procedures done on impkind isn’t really heard of.
“I could give him some anesthesia, but I’m more concerned it will make the process harder. There’s no doubt he will fight me back once I begin to take it out. My only options are to give him a light dosage of anesthesia or he needs to be held in place.” He starts rolling up the sleeves of his jacket. “Angelic bullets are particularly painful to remove. And if it’s been left in for days, well, the essence of the bullet may be in his system now. And yours as well, your highness.” Unfortunately, the doctor’s words are starting to make sense now.
“Are we in danger?” Stolas asks with a raised brow. “Danger? Oh, no. No, no, no, of course not. Angel bullets have angelic abilities, but they vary. Nothing but good will come of the angel bullet’s essence, I assure you, your highness.”
“Now I have a question, Blitzø says, “how bad will it hurt them once you start pulling the bullet out?” The doctor doesn’t answer for a moment, fidgeting with his hands. “It will hurt possibly ten times more than it normally would if it was taken out as soon as possible.” The doctor mutters. “The bullet has to be removed immediately so it’s not as painful to extract it, however, if his Majesty ordered it, I can’t interfere. I can’t give you anesthesia either because it could be dangerous with the bullet still inside of you.”
It then goes silent. Ugh, I’m so tired of this bullshit already. If he doesn’t take the bullet out then I will. I snatch his wrist in a steel grip that makes the doctor’s heart leap into his throat. “Do it. Now.” My voice doesn’t really sound like it’s my own. Actually, how am I even talking? Stolas, Blitzø and Pringles l look equally shocked. “I- I thought- I thought it wouldn’t come back until- I-” Stolas fumbles for words.
A low rumbly sound akin to a growl bubbles up my throat. I can talk a little bit. That’s progress, I guess. “Y- Yes, of course-” the doctor squeaks out, grabbing some medical supplies, including a bottle of anesthesia, a syringe, and a pair of gloves. “Your highness, could you hold him? Please? I- I may have to do the anesthesia shot.”
Oh hell no. I don’t do needles. I will fight a bitch and eat an avocado (which I’m allergic to) before I ever let a needle near me. “Do- I-” the doctor wasn’t sure whether to administer it or not. “Just take the bullet out.”
The doctor takes a deep breath and grabs the tweezers, slowly inching his hand closer but stopping as I snarl at him. “Darling, you have to let him take the bullet out. I know it’s going to hurt, but you won’t be alone. I promise. I have to get mine removed as soon as possible too.” Stolas reassures, stroking my cheek before pressing me back into the bed with surprising strength. “Go on. Be quick.”
With Stolas’ permission, he digs the tweezers into the open flesh, finding the end of the bullet and starting to pull. An animalistic roar of pain rang throughout the room and the peacock faintly heard the sound of a gun being cocked. Fuck. Oh fuck. He’s gonna die. Oh fuck.
“Keep going,” Stolas urges silently. He pulls. And finally, he has the small bullet in his hand and drops it into the small bowl on the table that he pulled out of his bag. He then grabs the cotton swabs, dabbing at the blood, placing it into the bowl, then he starts dabbing at the knife wound with disinfectant spray that made me tense up at the burning feeling. And finally, the doctor, presses a cotton ball to the gunshot wound and the knife wound and wraps the bandages around his torso until they’re nice and secure.
The doctor is going to need a lot of chamomile tea before he goes to bed and a lot more sleeping pills.
. . .
Pringles had never seen a doctor practically sprint out of the door after a check up like Doctor Hel did. Stolas and Milo were sleeping now, Blitzø was flipping through the binders Pringles left even though the butler told him it was best if he joined them in resting but the other imp insisted he gets started on looking at stuff since he’s going to be at Stolas’ coming of age ceremony. As Stolas’ other husband. Blitzø didn’t even know polygamy was legal in Hell. He only ever sees generic monogamous couples.
He shrugs as he flips through the binder, skimming it briefly. It’s such a shame that they’re both sleeping, Blitzø knows he has a limited vocabulary but he’s not ashamed of it. Not really. Is it fucked up? Yes. Absolutely, but he doesn’t care. Blitzø notices the room now lighting up with moonlight.
He snickers remembering how the doctor practically ran out of the room after he removed the bullet from Stolas and patched him up quickly, prescribing them to take some of the herbal pills so the healing process would be easier. Regular pills would worsen the pain and make recovery agonizingly slow, so he left a jar of herbal pills he often prescribed his patients who had come into contact with angelic weapons.
Blitzø looks up at the darkening sky and briefly wonders if he should head to bed now. He looks at the bed, seeing Stolas and Milo curled up in each other’s arms on the luxurious bed. With a sigh, he closes the binder, sets it aside and sheds his jacket, unbuttons his shirt and kicks off his shoes before climbing into the bed and jostling a barely awake Stolas who smiles at him sleepily. “I told you he’d come to bed soon, darling.” The prince murmurs tiredly to his sleepy fiancé who immediately shifted to allow Blitzø to take his place behind him and rest his hand on Milo’s waist, his warmth soaking into the smaller imp.
“Is that so?” Blitzø asks quietly, taking in the sight of the two people he’d be married to soon. Stolas was pretty and soft and elegant and then you have this weirdly cute gremlin imp who has a penchant for chaos, sarcasm and a hothead. It’s not that bad. He settles behind Milo and pulls the covers over them.
He presses a kiss to the top of Milo’s head and another to Stolas’ faceplate before he finally settles, his tail curling around one of Stolas’ long legs and rests his head atop the smaller imp’s as he feels sleep finally overcome him. As he was falling asleep, he barely noticed Pringles slip in to grab the bloodied towels the doctor forgot to grab and a ghost of a smile on the elderly imp’s face at the sight. Stolas was finally happy. Pringles would do everything in his power to make sure it stays that way before he retires. He closes the door softly behind him and walks off to the laundry room to get these washed and help tidy up the palace before bed. Tomorrow, he would work on upping the security around the palace.
. . .
I woke up to warmth. Lots of warmth. I was still groggy and my ribs still ache like a bitch but I’m comfortable. I don’t wanna move yet. Stolas stirs a bit and curls his arm a little tighter around my waist in his sleep and I recognize the sound of Blitzø purring behind me and his hand on my waist. I’m too comfortable but I also have to pee really bad, I turn over to face Blitzø, face to chest. “Blitzø,” I croak out, my voice sounding kind of warped and gravelly. Must be side effects of being turned hellborn.
He doesn’t move so I try pushing him but he doesn’t budge. What the fuck kind of superhuman shit is this? Even though he’s a demon, but still! He should move at the very least. So I start poking him with my sharp claws until he stirs, not opening his eyes but humming. “I need to pee. Move.”
“You can hold it a little longer.”
“I’m not pissing myself in this bed, Blitzø, move.” He opens his eyes a sliver, eyes glinting mischievously. “Ask nicely and I’ll consider moving.
“Choke on a dick and die.”
Stolas barely suppresses a giggle behind me and I turn to look at him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh,” he giggles. “You’re so angry in the morning my love,”
He says, sitting up with a slight wince and he scoops me up in his arms and Blitzø reluctantly allows him to get up and take me over to the bathroom. And I quickly wriggled out of his arms and shut the door behind me as I finally get to use the bathroom. I sigh with relief as I relieve myself. Once I’ve finished and I make sure I’m cleaned and I wash my hands, I open the door. Stolas has his robe on now, he and Blitzø discussing something.
I walk over to the bed, surprised at not feeling pain in my leg anymore just a very intense bruised feeling and I climb onto the bed with some assistance from Stolas to see what they were looking at. Ugh, it’s the god forsaken binder. I hate that binder. “You’re a bitch.” I glare at Blitzø as I settle on the bed.
Just then, the door opens and Pringles stands there and then he bows. “Your highness,”
“Pringles. Good morning,” Stolas is the first one to speak up, greeting the royal butler. “Good morning. I was wondering if you all would be interested in a stroll through the gardens? Or we could go for a drive. The doctor did say it’s best you get some fresh air for the wounds to heal properly.” I groan at the mention of the doctor. “That bitch-” Stolas slaps a hand over my mouth and smiles at Pringles.
“That sounds lovely, Pringles. What time?”
The butler checks his watch. “Say, around… noon? Your schedule is cleared for the remaining time of your recovery, sire.” Stolas hums thoughtfully. “A stroll through the gardens sounds lovely,”
“Aw cmon, Stolas, that’s barely leaving the palace. Why don’t we go to Envy or something? They’ve got some nice gardens out there I think,” Blitzø encourages. Pringles raises a brow, but seems to think it over. “That sounds more pleasant than the palace gardens, Blitzø,” he pauses briefly, hesitantly. “Thank you Blitzø.”
Blitzø grins. “Sure Pickles.” A deep scowl forms on the butler’s face and I snicker. Stolas pouts. “I wanted to see my plants.”
“No offense, sire, but half of your plants are carnivorous and we imps are more susceptible to being eaten than you, sir.” Stolas pouts more. “I guess.” Pringles sighs, pinching the skin between his eyes. “You may see the royal gardens after going to Envy when you return. Will that suffice?” Stolas lights up a bit, smiling. “That sounds lovely, thank you.”
After the door closes, I speak up first. “We’re definitely making him want to retire even more.”
. . .
By noon, Stolas and I took our medicine, then the three of us got dressed (Blitzø stole some of my clothes) and then headed down to where Pringles was waiting for us. “Why do you look better than me in my clothes? That’s not fair.” I grumble as I flare at Blitzø’s back. He snickers, tail flicking behind him. “Because you’re cute. And tiny.” He tries to poke me but I snarl and bite at his hand which he pulls back just in time.
Stolas looks back and shakes his head with an amused smile. “Come here, my love.” He picks me up and gives Blitzø a look before continuing in his long strides. I flip Blitzø off and stick my forked tongue out. Blitzø then gasps and climbs up Stolas’ tall form with ease that makes the prince squeal in surprise.
And then he roughly grabs my face in his large, strong warm hand and squints hard. “Blitzø? What are you doing?” It’s not like Blitzø’s extra weight is stopping the tall, lithe prince, imps aren’t that tall and don’t weigh much either. In fact, they don’t weigh much and royals often have to pick them up to hold the phone lines for them when they’re speaking. “You can handle it, bird.” Blitzø replies. “Stick out your tongue again.” He demands and I swallow, cheeks warming a little at his tone before complying and sticking my tongue out. “You have a piercing?!” He squints. “Three tongue piercings??”
“Yeah? So?” I raise a brow. I don’t see what the big deal is. “So how come I didn't feel those the other night?” I pause to search my memory for what he was talking about before I remember. Four days ago when both of them had their tongues shoved down my throat. “You were too busy trying to eat me to actually notice I guess.” I shrug.
Blitzø opens his mouth and then shuts it. “I was gonna deny it but that’s like saying I didn’t enjoy it. And I did.” He then grins devilishly. “I’m sure you felt it when we were getting ready for bed,” he purrs, voice teasing.
“Blitzo please, refrain from digging your overzealous excitement into my spine while we walk,” Blitzø looks a little embarrassed and I snicker, sticking my tongue out at him teasingly.
“Caught in 4k, bitch.”
“At least you can feel it.” Blitzø replies. “Bitch please, my dick is probably bigger than yours.” I huff at him.
“You two are simply impossible. Not a filter in either of you is there?” Stolas sighs in exasperation but he knows he loves us too much to actually complain about it. “You love us, birdie, don’t lie.” I tease, grinning at him.
“Unfortunately,” he sighs dramatically but Blitzø and I snicker at his theatrical flair as we walk.
Chapter Text
We ended up taking Blitzø’s van, which I forgot was even there because we were pretty much locked in Stolas’ bedroom for a few days before we were permitted to go anywhere. Pringles waved us goodbye and gave us a picnic basket full of yummy smelling food that Stolas sat on his lap so Blitzø and I wouldn’t try to eat it before we actually arrived in Envy. I sat near the window, looking at everything as it’s my first time actually seeing the rest of Hell. We had to drive through Lust which was full of neon signs and- “Is that a giant penis on that building?”
I ask, turning to look at Stolas who looks mildly flustered by what I just blurted out as Blitzø pulls over to a gas station which is right across from that building I just saw, but he moves over to the window. “oh.”
Blitzø snorts as he gets out of the van to start pumping the van of fuel. “Welcome to Lust, baby.” he winks at me as I roll the window down to watch him, sticking my head out the window like a curious puppy. “Its so bright here. Neon everywhere.”
“Well, yes, it’s Asmodeus’ home, it’s practically glowing with him everywhere.” Stolas says, and I turn to look at him. “You say it like you know the guy personally,” Blitzø’s head pops up in the window behind me as I say this. “Do you?” he asks.
Stolas flushes under the sudden attention on him. “Well- um-” Before he can speak, a booming, seductive voice rings out. “Stolas?” All I see is a fluffy strong bird man who is very neon and glowing with three faces in that fluffy mane of feathers around their neck. Stolas stiffens and rolls down the other window to see who it was. Said avian leans down, resting their arms casually on the window, making the van tilt slightly under the weight of their body. “I thought I smelled purity around here. How have you been?”
And then his eyes lock onto me. “Oh my, how scandalous,” he giggles. “Who’s this cute little thing?” Blitzø behind me looks stunned and flustered. “And that sexy little imp right there,” Asmodeus purrs, licking his beak seductively. I feel a mix of protectiveness at him looking at my boys like that and I instinctively snarl. “Oh spicy!”
Stolas seems to snap out of his momentary daze. “Asmodeus- um- hi-” he awkwardly scratches his cheek with the same hand that was wearing the shiny, glittery ring and the other avian gasps, snatching his hand up in his own. “Babe! You’re engaged? I thought that was just a rumor,”
Stolas flushes more, looking bashful. “I um- Yes. I am engaged.” He turns his gaze to me and Blitzø who got back into the driver’s seat. “And to these lovely imps right here.” The Sin’s eyes widen and then he grins. “Well, that’s new. And scandalous.” He purrs, voice dipping on the last word.
“Tell me more.” He demands, with a mischievous grin. “No, actually, even better idea. Why don’t you lovebirds stay here in Lust for a few nights?” Stolas’ mouth hangs open in shock. “But- um- we-”
I mean, that would save gas though. A lot of gas. We spent at least thirty minutes driving through Lust and we didn’t even seem close to reaching Envy. “Cmooooon, please Stolas? I’m oh so curious about this predicament of yours. You have to tell me the details.” He insists, looking more like a nosy older sibling or gay wine uncle than a powerful Sin.
“We were actually headed towards Envy,” Blitzø speaks up, and Asmodeus zeroes his gaze in on the imp. “Oh? What for? A cute little date?”
Damn this is a nosy bird. “Are you always this damn nosy or are we special?” I speak up, still not used to the low, gravelly tone of my new, apparent voice that comes with the new transformation. “Oh you are spicy,”
He takes a deep inhale of the air through his nostrils. “And you smell deliciously mortal.” he adds.
“Anywho, you should totally stay a few nights in my place. I promise to keep my hands to myself,” I don’t believe that. “I- Well- Blitzø is the one driving, so erm-”
Blitzø looks between Stolas, Asmodeus and then me. Stolas looked like he was ascending just by being near the flirtatious Sin, Asmodeus looked very intrigued and I was scowling. He sighs. “Fine, we’ll stay for a few nights.”
Blitzø you traitorous bitch, I curse him in my mind, my scowl deepening. Noticing this, he reach back and grabbed my face with a large, warm hand. “Aw, don’t be like that. It’s just a few nights.” A few nights with a big, horny bird and my own bird that looks like he’s metaphorically and physically disintegrating.
“Bitch.” I scowl at him and he snickers. “Cmon, get up here with me. Let the birds ride in the back.” I don’t know how much I trust the Sin opening the van door and squeezing into the back next to Stolas who was pleading for help with his eyes. “You want me to leave our poor anxiety ridden bird with that bird?”
“Yes. now get your ass up here.” He moves his hand from my face to hold it out for me to take. “I promise I won’t bite,” Asmodeus purrs. I scowl and climb into the front seat. “Fine, but at least call Stolas’ palace to let the head butler know we won’t be back for a few days.”
“Will do, cutie.”
“Okay but why are there penises everywhere?” I ask, as we walk into Asmodeus’ personal almost castle like home with various statues and a lot of penis shaped decorations. Stolas scoops me up into his arms, relaxing a bit more with me close to him. “I have a preference, darling.”
“We know. It’s everywhere.” I deadpan in response which makes the Sin giggle. “You’re fun. I like you.” I don’t respond and rest my face in Stolas’ fluffy plumage. Blitzø is behind us, looking around the room like he’d just found a jackpot. “Welcome to my home, where you’ll spend the next few days having nothing but fun.” He winks at us.
“We’re seventeen,”
“Age is a concept, not a real thing in Hell, darling.” I scowl more. The Sin is practically hopping around his home, showing us everything from his special rooms, to the bedrooms which we finally reached after what felt like hours of walking. (I didn’t walk at all, Stolas picked me up as soon as we stepped inside.)
“Oh! I’ll be sure to pack you all a special care package before you go, and don’t forget to invite me to your wedding, birdie!” Stolas looks like he's dying inside and trying not to spontaneously combust. Asmodeus leads us to one of the bigger master bedrooms and Stolas finally sets me down. I gasped at the soft carpet on the floor, my hooves feeling like they’re sinking into the floor. I didn’t move for a second, scared I’d somehow lose my feet in this fluffy flooring but when I saw Stolas moving around the room, I followed.
Blitzø looked around the room in awe, also hesitating at the softness of the floor. Asmodeus giggles at our reactions and me having the scale the bed with a little bit of struggle to get on it. Blitzø snorted but picked me up and helped me onto the bed before getting on the bed himself.
“You look so tiny in the bed, it’s adorable.” I felt like I was sinking into a mix of Stolas’ soft feathers and clouds. “Fuck off.”
“Never,” Blitzø ducked his head to nip at my neck, beneath the collar. “Oh! So you were the one that King Paimon wanted me to commission that collar for.” He hums, recognizing the collar. “How is it? Comfy?” He asks. “I made sure to make it extra comfortable and even enchanted it a bit, just in case.”
He then plants his hands on his hips. “Paimon’s a bitch. He can choke on a dick and die in a trash fire.” Stolas gasps. “Milo!”
“What? It’s true. You know it, I know, Blitzø knows it.” I then sit up, facing Stolas. “He forced this marriage onto you along with the other one you originally had, then dragged two more people into his bullshit all for his benefit.” I scoff. Asmodeus is weirdly silent for the first time in the last thirty minutes he spent talking and talking and talking the whole ride here.
“Interesting.” He hums. “You’re brave.” He says, a glint of something like respect in his eyes. “Also, no need to worry about possible racism here. It’s mainly Pride and Greed that treat imps like shit. Imps are the ones holding everything together. Without you, we wouldn’t have half of our workers, industries and shops around here.” Huh. That’s surprisingly grounded for a Sin. “I will treat you with the utmost respect you deserve.” He bows deeply to me and Blitzø and then he stands up to his feet, heading to the door but not before placing a heavy hand on Stolas’ shoulder. “You made the right choice with those two. Full of fire.” he leans down to Stolas’s level. “Treat them right.”
And then he heads for the door, all cheery and happy. “Have fun lovebirds! Scream if you need me,” And before leaving he turns back to us. “Oh, and I have reserved spots for you three at my Club tonight. I’ll come get you when it’s time.”
And then he’s gone. The three of us sit in silence for a long time before Blitzø speaks up. “That was… something.”
“I agree.” Then it’s awkwardly silent again. Stolas moves over to open a window and look out at the neon lights of Lust shining beneath them in the purplish blue sky of Lust. “It’s quite refreshing to leave home for once in a while.”
Stolas inhales deeply and then exhales before turning to us. “It’s already starting to get a little late. Should we get a bath going?” He asks, hoping to take our minds off of that strange conversation. A familiar but slightly sweet scent hits my nose and i follow the scent, over to one of the drawers and open it. “Oh fuck yeah, weed.”
Blitzø peeks over my shoulder. “I thought I smelled something but my nose was overwhelmed by Asmodeus’ scent.” Stolas looks at us curiously and I pull out the bag of generous herbs and set it on my lap. And I grab the rolling papers in the drawer as well. “That smells so good, let me roll it first.”
“What is that?” Stolas’ tilts his head. “Weed. Wanna smoke?”
“Smo- wha-” Stolas sputters. “Don’t be scared birdie. Give it a try.” Stolas fiddles with his fingers. “We won’t make you do anything you don't want to, but it might take the edge off.”
Stolas hesitates, but he sits on the bed, scooping me up into his lap and shuffling closer to watch Blitzø who was very focused on rolling up and making sure the sweet smelling purplish pink herb wasn’t falling out. “Does he always leave weed out or was that intentional?” I look up at Stolas for an answer.
“I’ve never been to Lust before, so I don’t know.” He replies, playing with my hands. Imp hands are so… angular. Like Blitzø’s hands for example, his hands are large and sharp. Mine are kind of similar but smaller due to my little size. But Millie and Moxxie’s hands were different, smaller, but still clawed. “Random question, but how tall are you?” I ask Blitzø, who is still concentrated, his tail swishing behind him. “Like, uh.. Shit, lemme think.” He ponders for a moment, pausing in his task. “Five… five foot seven? I think? I’m close to Loonie’s height, just a little smaller ‘cause she’s a Hellhound. They’re naturally massive.”
Huh. Interesting. “How come Millie and Moxxie are so small then?” he snorts. “You’re small too.”
“Fuck off. Answer my question.” He looks at me with a mischievous grin. “Make up your mind, princess, do you want me to fuck off or answer your question.”
“Nevermind, you’re being an ass.” He chuckles at my obvious displeasure. “We’re imps, baby. We’re small, but fast. And fireproof.” He adds proudly. “We can be a little taller, but that depends on which Ring you’re from and if you’ve had an interspecies breed in your family.” He finally looks up at me. “Satisfied?”
Stolas himself looks a little more enlightened by the information. Blitzø might be academically challenged and unable to read or write properly but he’s far from dumb. Actually very smart. The blunt is finally finished and Blitzø fishes his pockets for a lighter.
“Me and Milo will hit it first. Then you give it a try, kay?” He looks up at Stolas, his tail curling around his arm comfortingly. “If you don’t like it you don’t have to do it anymore, but fair warning, this is strong shit. Weed from Lust makes you a little horny though. But high as fuck. Like, high horny.” Stolas looks a little less comforted by that but he still gives Blitzø a small smile in response.
Once Blitzø lights the blunt, he takes a long drag from it and then exhales, his form relaxing with the exhale and hands it to me. I take a long pull from it and inhale it until I feel it in my chest and exhale it slowly, feeling myself relax. “This is some good shit.” I sigh, relaxing into Stolas, purring a little. “Wanna give it a try, birdie?”
Blitzø looks at him and gives him a reassuring smile. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to, pretty bird.”
Stolas takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. “I’ll try.” We both smile at him and I hand him the blunt. “Okay, now try not to pull too hard. Think of it like drinking from a straw, just a little gentle.” I say, wanting to make it comfortable for his first time smoking. He nods and brings the blunt up to his beak, pulling gently, although he does almost cough, he swallows the smoke down and exhales through the little nose holes in his beak.
I wait. “It doesn’t burn or nothing?” He shakes his head, looking a little looser, with a goofy smile on his face. “Oh yeah, he’s definitely feeling it.” Blitzø snickers. Stolas’ feathers fluff up a little.
“Baby’s first blunt,” I tease, relaxing in the prince’s arms. I can’t believe I'm gonna be marrying these two soon. Blitzø with his flirty chaos and stupidly handsome features and Stolas with his pretty face and pretty voice and soft feathers and dainty, nimble looking figure. Perfect. My boys.
By the time I hit the blunt again, I feel Stolas flop back onto the pillows, staring at the ceiling. “There are stars on the ceiling, darling, do you see them?” I raise a brow as I pass the blunt to Stolas and lay back beside him, Blitzø following suit. “Stars?”
Stolas exhales the smoke through his nose holes. “Yes. See?” Huh. Now that I think about it, there are stars on the ceiling. I then turn to Blitzø. “Hey, Blitzø. You’ve smoked this before, how long until we start astroprojecting?”
Blitzø chuckles. “Probably once we get to like, half the blunt.”
“Nice to know.” I hum. I pull from the blunt when it’s my turn, and exhale slowly. “Stolas is right, there are stars on the ceiling.”
Blitzø looks up. “Huh. There are.” He says, and then he squints. “Is that a dildo taped to the ceiling?”
“Blitzø.”
“No seriously, it’s taped there.” He points and then it falls and hits him right in the face. He doesnt move for a second. “Blitzø, why is there a purple penis on your face?”
I roll my eyes at Stolas’ innocent question. “Hey, who’s- oh. Never mind,” I take the blunt from Blitzø just as he launches it out the window. “Smells like Succubus cum.”
“What did it smell like?” I turn my head to look at him and he fake gags. “Definitely was a guy.”
“I’m sure you’d know all about that wouldn’t you?” I tease, passing the blunt to Stolas. “What does that smell like?” Stolas asks.
“What?”
“Cum.” It sounds so weirdly innocent coming from Stolas and I don’t know why. “You can’t smell it?”
“Avians don’t have the organs to smell, darling.” I sit up, looking at him. “So, what other weird bird anatomy is there?”
Stolas pauses and then sits up. “It’d be hard to explain. Give me a moment.” And in moments, Stolas is bare, luckily all feathers, but he looks so pretty. The light hits his grey blue feathers just right. “Avians don’t have genitals. Not in the same way you do, but well-” he moves his tail feathers, the softness brushing my hand.
“The base of our tail feathers are extremely sensitive. And..” he sits on his knees, legs parted slightly. “Wait- wait, wait-” there’s so much happening at once. Blitzø looks like he’s just watching tv.
“Here,” he moves his hand close to his groin. “We have cloacas. Hence, why my father said we could conceive.”
“So… we can get you pregnant?”
“Yes.”
“You’d allow us to be inside you?” Blitzø asks, while I’m dying inside. “Yes. But only once we turn eighteen.”
My jaw drops. “So, like, do you have a penis or..?” Stolas’ eyes glint dangerously. “I’ll show you,”
Before I can say anything he practically tears my pants off and plants himself on my lap. On my boxers. I feel dampness on my boxers and- “oh god-”
I’m slightly scared, slightly aroused, and worried he’ll shove his tongue down my throat like last time. “Do you feel it, darling? Does that answer your question?”
I’m momentarily at a loss for words. “Um. Yes?”
Blitzo however, just grins. “You’d sit on my face if I asked?” He asks, licking his lips at the idea and I’m not sure who he’s referring to. Stolas just cocks his head to the side innocently. “What if you can’t breathe?”
“I’d rather suffocate by bird pussy or Milo’s cute little ass.” He replies.
“How did I get brought into this?!” Blitzø sticks his tongue out at me. “Cause you’re a bottom. Stolas is a bottom. You’re my bottoms.”
“I am not a bottom.” I huff in response. “Then you’re a power bottom.” I scowl. “You’re not a top, baby,” Blitzø coos, almost condescendingly before his large hand removes the collar (I’m surprised nothing happened when he did) and gripping my throat firmly with one large, warm, clawed hand that makes me gasp in surprise. “This is a bottom’s cute little body.”
He purrs. Stolas gasps and I swear I feel more wetness on my boxers, his tail feathers twitch and his faceplate is slightly flushed. “Stolas might be a switch, but you’re my bottom.” Blitzø continues, glancing at Stolas. “Our bottom.”
Stolas squirms on top of me and I fight a groan. “Oh? Are you getting excited, pretty boy?” Blitzø teases, leaning down to kiss my jaw.
“My pretty boys,” his voice dips into a low, sinful rumble. Stolas pants from above me. I don’t want to acknowledge why at the moment. Eighteen. Eighteen. Eighteen. We have until we’re eighteen. Fuck. That’s scary.
“I think… oh, I think that’s definitely settling in.” Stolas’ voice is breathy and I’m fighting a losing battle. Stolas is sitting on my lap, soaking my lap, looking all pretty and daze, his tail feathers twitching behind him. “You’re poking me-” he gasps, hands settling on my stomach and his head falling from the unfamiliar feeling. “Well, I mean- you’re kinda sitting on my dick?” I say, though it doesn’t help. At all. That’s not making it any better.
Ugh, the weed got us all excited in more ways than one and Blitzø is being shameless about it while Stolas is acting like a blushing virgin.
“I need-” Stolas almost grinds down on me and lets out a shuddering little sound. Fuck that’s a pretty sound. “Stolas, hey, pretty bird. I know you’re horny and all from the weed but you said eighteen?” Blitzø raises a brow.
“I- I know. But it’s so unbearable.” The other imp coos, “aw I know, birdie. But you have to be patient.”
Stolas kind of pouts a little, but now my boxers are soaked with bird slick. “Okay- I can- I can wait- I can wait a little longer.” Stolas says, even though he doesn’t look pleased.
“Good boy.” Blitzø purrs. He reaches up and grabs Stolas by the throat and pulls him into a hard, hungry kiss. Stolas whimpers and melts into it, and I can feel his excitement. It’s twitching. And soaked. And then suddenly my mouth is being invaded by Blitzø’s, his hand on my throat squeezing just a little tighter.
And then suddenly the door slams open. “Okay boys are you ready to- oh.” It’s Asmodeus. “Oh I see,”
Fuck. Blitzø pulls away and looks at the Sin the doorway. “Look but don’t touch. They’re mine.”
The Sin chuckles. “I won’t touch.” He winks. “But anyway, I came to grab you so we can go to Ozzie’s. So put your dicks up, grab your clothes and let’s get going.”
. . .
I was glad for the distraction even if I wasn't sure about going to a club. Stolas, now relaxed from the buzz of weed in his system, was influenced by Asmodeus’ enthusiasm, bouncing along with the Sin. They were both giggling. Asmodeus graciously lead us to some seats in the corner, inconspicuous and it looks like a private area too.
He gave us a devious grin and said, “try not to make too much of a mess, boys.” And strutted off somewhere. “Fucking weirdo.” I mutter, turning to look at Stolas who was looking at the menu very intensely. I snicker, leaning on the table and resting my face in my hand. “Got the munchies, bird?” I tease. It's his first time being high and he's done so well. Good job, Stolas. I praise mentally.
“What's on the menu, birdie?” I ask, leaning closer to him to hopefully get a peek of what he's looking at. Stolas looks at me and lays the menu flat on the table. Blitzø also curiously peeks at the menu, trying to see what's both affordable and delicious. “These prices are insane.” I mutter, looking at the menu.
$30 for a meal? A seafood meal? I'm convinced this is a scam. No way people are paying $30 for a plate of shrimp, fried rice, and some vegetables. But it does look good though. “Do you want that, darling?”
Blitzø's eyebrows shoot up at Stolas’ question. “No?” It does look good. But I'm not gonna mooch off of Stolas. Blitzø however, does not seem to have the same mentality I do. “So we can get whatever we want?”
I kick him under the table and the imp pouts at me. “That was unnecessary.”
“You have no shame,” I deadpan, scowling at him. Stolas snorts. “Darling, I wouldn't offer if I didn't have the funds to pay.” Just then an incubus came by and sat a bottle of wine on the table. Stolas’ eyes lit up. “Thank you.” The incubus grinned and set another bottle on the table, in a bucket of ice this time. “This is fancy people shit.” I scowl more. And then I snarl at the incubus eyeing Stolas like he's their next meal. “Alright we got drinks now piss off.”
The voice I got in return made me think twice. “Oh, possessive are we? I'm sure you're a lot of fun in the bedroom,” it was Asmodeus. “You sack of bird shit-”
Blitzø slaps a hand over my mouth while Stolas thanks him and he winks and then walks off while Stolas opens the bottle and pours very generous amounts of wine into our cups. “You're oddly possessive tonight darling.” Stolas says, taking a sip of wine with a cocked brow. “Any particular reason why?”
I scowl more. “Anyway- let's order some food. I'm hungry and I'm debating on biting one of you at this point.” He licks his lips. I look away immediately. Right at my menu. Not tonight. I've had enough of questioning my existence.
By the time we get our orders ready, an incubus comes by and I glare suspiciously at him. If it's Asmodeus, nothing will stop me from lunging over this table. “Alright twinks,” the incubus looks right at me and Stolas with an amused grin. “What would you like to order?”
“I am not a twink.” i say and Blitzø snorts and Stolas gives me a knowing look. He got called a twink too, why am I the only one offended. I pout. Stolas orders for me and himself and Blitzø gets something surprisingly simple. “I'm not a twink.” I state again as the waiter leaves. “You are a twink. You let Stolas shove his tongue down your throat and let him fondle you. That's twink behavior.”
“In my defense he is absurdly strong for a bird twink demon prince.” Stolas snorts at my defense. “Sure darling. Drink up, you look like you're on the verge of an existential crisis.”
I drank out of spite. Two cups later and by the time the food returns, it's an imp this time. Kind of dressed like a jester. Blitzø looks like he wants to sink into the floor. “What's wrong with you?” I ask as he tries to shrink into the darkness which proved to be futile. “Blitzo?”
He winces, glancing just barely at the imp. “Blitzo? Hey- hey look at me asshole!” Stolas and I look at each other, then Blitzø, then the imp. “Don't ignore me. You already abandoned the rest of us, now you're ignoring me, too?”
Well. Isn't this a plot twist. Certainly not how I imagined this night going. “Hey, Blitzø? I think maybe you should look at them? I don't think they're leaving until you do.” I lean over, whispering to the other imp who is curled up, knees pulled to his chest and breath a little uneven. “I- I can't.”
“What? Please. Sure you can. You have two eyes that work just fine.” I say, “I can't, Milo. I really can't.”
I sigh. “Fine. Be a coward. You abandoned Me in that fire. Selfish asshole.” The imp storms off and only then do I notice that they had robotic arms and legs. Huh. Cool. “Soo, are you gonna tell us what that was about or?” Blitzø doesn't move from his spot. Alright now I'm kind of worried.
“He hates me.” Oh. “I abandoned him that night. Fizz, Barbie—” Blitzø swallows hard. “Mama. It's all my fault. If- if I didn't push that gut then- then I would've never been here. Mama would still be alive and- and-”
“Okay. We don't have to talk about it.” I reassure him, squeezing his arm. “But you could have at least looked at him. I'd be pissed too if the guy who started the fire and ran didn't look at me when given the chance.” I'm not helping. Ugh, this is why I ignore my own feelings. “Maybe not now, but talk to the guy at least? Don't be a coward. That's not the Blitzø I know. Kay?”
He doesn't respond immediately but I get a small nod and a shaky exhale. It's awkward now. Stolas sets his utensils down on the plate. “Well. That was… Um. An interesting turn to the night.” That makes two of us. i don't even know the guy and I could feel the resentment and hurt and confusion radiating off of him. “Let's just uh. Eat.” And hopefully forget what just happened.
. . .
One awkward dinner later and we're back in the bedroom with an eerily quiet Blitzø. I don't like it. It's weird. It's off, it makes my skin crawl. Stolas goes and sits by the window with a cup of wine in hand. I guess that confirms how fucked up all of us are. Stolas with his daddy issues, me… I wont even get into that and Blitzø with a surprisingly fragile ego and severe survivor's guilt. Or just running away. Ugh.
I join Stolas by the window sill, and he wastes no time pulling me into his lap. I sigh and groan all at once. “I'm worried.”
“I know.” He says softly. “He'll be okay. He'll open up when he's ready.” I glance over at Blitzø who is sleeping in a fetal position, tears already dried on his skin. Even when he's crying he's still pretty. Absurdly pretty. Stolas starts to pet my head. “Try not to dwell on it, okay?” I nod, but that doesnt seem to be the answer he wants to hear. He tilts my head up with his finger and smiles a little. “Okay?”
“Okay.” He kisses my forehead. “Good.”
. . .
When I woke up, Stolas wasn't in bed but judging by faint sound of running water, he was in the bathroom. Blitzø wasn't asleep, staring into my soul and purring. I blink, unsure if he was actually aware of my existence at the moment. I mean, his pupils are so dilated that the red of his eyes is thin. “are you alive?” I ask cautiously, and his pupils shrink back to their normal catlike appearance. “as alive as I usually am.”
He replies, sitting up and stretching. “I need a bath.” I also wanna go bother Stolas. By the time Asmodeus came to get us for breakfast, accompanying him was the same imp from last night. White skin, wearing a little Jester hat thing with bells on the ends, robotic limbs, familiar big yellow eyes with red irises and catlike pupils. Aw. He's kind of cute.
“Alright twinks, let's get going. Let these two talk.” I scowl at the Sin, quickly flipping him off and he laughs as he guides me and Stolas down the hall. I glance back at Blitzø briefly and doesnt look too happy to be pretty much forced to talk to that guy. Whatever.
. . .
Eventually, at some point Blitzø came downstairs with an arm slung around the smaller imp’s shoulders, both laughing about something. When Blitzø caught my eye, he grinned at me then whispered something to the other imp. “Froggie, baby, how'd it go?” Asmodeus’ honey silken voice rumbles as he embraces the smaller imp who looked a little timid around him.
I'd be timid too. Perverted neon danger chicken. Those two are definitely fucking. I can't put my finger on it but I know it. “Feeling better?” I ask Blitzø as he settles in beside me and he nods. “Yeah. We talked. Argued for a bit, and he heard me out. I still feel like shit though. I'm gonna have to make it up to him.”
My lips quirk up in a bit of a smile. “Good.”
“Hey, you smiled.” He points out. “So?” I ask, brows raised. “You never smile. You smirk, you grin like a little shit and you scowl. I've never seen you smile.”
“You've known me for like, less than a week I think.”
“Three.”
“exactly, not a long time.” I say and Blitzø shrugs and snorts. “I know plenty.”
“Hey lovebirds, when you're done flirting, how about we grab you some souvenirs?” Ugh, anything involving Asmodeus and souvenirs sounds like a bad idea. “We're not lovebirds.” I grumble, only to notice in the midst of our bickering, Blitzø’s hand was atop mine. When did that happen? My cheeks warm up and I attempt to pull my hand back only for him to tighten his grip and intertwine our fingers. I give him a bewildered look and he barely gives me a glance, just giving my hand a small squeeze.
Asmodeus snorts and mutters to himself while shaking his head watching the three teenagers before him. Stolas leaned over to say something to Blitzø to which both responded with hilariously similar reactions of displeasure. Blitzø said a firm no and Milo scowled at the bird. The prince smiled a little and said something else and the imps sighed, deciding to give in. Stolas looked overjoyed and thanked them both with a kiss to the head. “not a couple my ass.” He mutters, but at least Stolas is smiling. Stolas always sounded and looked miserable. And started a drinking habit way too early.
“to the mall it is, then.”
G_Man_Fan on Chapter 5 Sun 29 Jun 2025 01:13AM UTC
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yourlittleprincey on Chapter 5 Fri 04 Jul 2025 04:27AM UTC
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