Chapter Text
Breathing heavily whilst bracing his back against the large tree, Stolas dug his fingernails into the bark before briefly looking down. His stomach lurched when he saw how far down it was, and he closed his eyes.
Counting quietly, he opened his eyes again, "I'm fairly sure a fall like this is enough to kill me." He said out loud.
Across from him was another large tree that had a wider area to stand on, the stump of a branch that had fallen who knows how long ago.
He gasped when his right foot, the only one that had a shoe on, slipped out from under him, causing several pieces of bark and leaves to float down to the forest floor.
"I'm in a tree with a man who talks to animals." He said to himself as he braced his left foot against an indent in the tree and proceeded to move.
How do I get myself into these situations? He thought silently as his mind wandered back to an hour ago.
********
You know when you are listening to a conversation but you're not really focusing on what the conversation is about?
Stolas had been doing just that, his eyes wandering to the various flora that surrounded while barely noticing the conversation between the I.M.P crew. The married couple was walking behind him while Blitzo walked ahead.
He was trying to be rude, but wasn't really interested in the conversation. He hadn't even meant to tag along, the smaller white haired imp, Moxxie was his name, he had told him that he could wait back at the camp.
But Nooo… Stolas just had to blurt out that he wanted to come as well, to help.
Now, here he was, trekking through a jungle in Brazil for the last 30 minutes.
Apparently, the imps had been assigned to dispatch a former mafia member who had run into said jungle with his lover and a suitcase full of money. The client who had ordered the hit was no other than the former mafioso's wife.
Stolas avoided another low hanging branch by crouching before noticing that he was too close to Blitzo. He straightened up quickly and looked away when he felt his stare.
When he finally looked away, Stolas sighed in relief, feeling his cheeks burning.
There was another reason why he tagged along. It had only been a few months since that disastrous date at Ozzie's as well as him finally leaving the hospital after suffering from the injuries inflicted by Striker.
During his stay, he had been reflecting… wondering if this arrangement was worth it. He had been trying to get in contact with Blitzo to… end their relationship.
If you could even call it that.
Though, it was proving difficult. Not because he was stalling, no, but because Blitzo had chosen to avoid him.
Ignoring his calls as well as his letters. He wasn't going to end it over the phone or a piece of paper… that would be cowardly and cruel.
He wanted to do it in person.
He had time. So, what was the worst that could happen?
From behind the group on a branch dropped down a large mandril, who stared at the group ominously.
********
"Ooh, I can't do this!" He nervously said as he braced his other foot on the other landing, "I can't-- Oh!" He paused when he saw that he was halfway across.
"This is good. This is... very good." He said excitedly as he removed one arm and tried to reach the other side.
He let out a loud gasp when he felt his hand slip and hurriedly braced both hands against the bark.
"Wait. One, two–" He said as he pushed himself back as hard as he could. The plan was to push himself back as far as he could so that he was safely standing on the other tree. Unfortunately for the Prince, he was still too close to the edge. Which caused him to let out a loud yelp, as he frantically pinwheeled to keep his balance before landing right back to where he started: in between both trees, his arms and legs now tired and staring down at the jungle floor.
He groaned loudly, "Ohh! It can't get any worse, can it?"
A loud thunderclap cracked the sky as a heavy downpour began to come down.
A brief look of surprise came upon his face before an annoyed yet tired scowl overtook it. "Obviously, it can." He felt his clothes becoming soaked, He hung his head, closing his eyes and sighed heavily.
When he opened his eyes again, he gasped. Staring at him curiously from underneath was the same man that had rescued him earlier.
"AAAAHHHH!!!" Stolas gave a loud scream and let go of the tree, his arms again pinwheeling back, failing to keep his balance. In his frightened state, he watched as the man easily scaled the tree across from him and placed a large clawed index finger on his chest… and gently pushed him back.
Stolas gave a quiet 'oof!' as he landed flat on his butt and on the large branch of the tree. The man quickly landed in front of him and Stolas scrambled backwards, pressing his back against the tree and pulling his knees to his chest.
"Stay back." He said, when he noticed the man crawled closer using his knuckles.
"No, don't. Don't come any closer. Please, don't." He said, as he stuck out his left foot and tried to push the man back.
The man merely stared at his bare foot and then back to him. It was then Stolas got a good look at him. Long dark gray dreadlocks were tied up into a high ponytail with an assortment of smaller curls covering his forehead, His hair partially hid his eyes; Sharp vertical pupils set in bright cornflower blue irises and surrounded by a light blue sclera.
An oversized white buttoned shirt covered his upper torso while a pair of light blue jeans hugged his lower torso. Stolas then noticed the man's bare feet, sharp nails lightly scraping the bark.
"What are-- What are you doing?" Stolas asked as the man gently took hold of his foot and lightly pressed his thumb into the talus, the area that connected his leg to his foot.
When he felt his fingers lightly pass over the arch, Stolas stiffened and tried hard not to laugh.
He failed miserably as a good hearted laugh bubbled up from his chest and tumbled out of his mouth.
"Please don't." He giggled, "That tickles."
A rich deep laugh erupted from the man sitting across from him, who gently put his foot down.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know that you were ticklish." His accent was rough, and his voice was kind, deep as well.
I like that. Stolas blinked when that thought came into his head and a slight blush dusted his pale cheeks.
He unconsciously moved away and winced when he felt a sharp pain shoot up his leg.
The laugh was cut short when the man looked back at Stolas's face contorted in pain and back to his leg.
"May I?" He asked and Stolas nodded.
He felt himself blush even more when he felt the man lightly grasp his calf and examine his leg.
"How long has it been since you were cleared to leave the hospital?" He asked.
Stolas looked at him in surprise, only a select few knew what had happened and yet this stranger knew.
The man noticed the cautious look on Stolas's face, to which he quickly explained, "My sisters visited you… after you were admitted. Maia, Tuva, and Theodosia."
The cautious look fell and was replaced with relief. He did remember them: a short yet curvy blue skinned troll, a curly haired bat with one large ear, and a taller svelte poison arrow dart frog had stayed with him until visiting hours were over, keeping him company.
"Oh, That was nice of them. I didn't get the chance to properly thank them."
"I apologize for not being there. I had some… important business to take care of." His voice took a low tone, almost predatory.
Stolas felt the feathers on the back of his neck stand up when he heard his tone and for a brief moment, he thought he had seen the man's eyes glow a luminescent dark green.
Stolas cleared his throat, getting the man's attention.
"Well, um, I guess introductions are in order. I'm Stolas." He said.
"I know who you are, Prince Stolas." The man said warmly. "My family talks about you constantly."
"Oh. And what is your name?" Stolas asked.
"My name is Ronan. Ronan Chloros Gerdur." The man, Ronan, introduced himself.
"Well, it's very nice to meet you, Mr. Gerdur." Stolas said, sticking out his hand.
"Likewise." Ronan said, enveloping the Prince's slender hand into his larger one.
The two shook hands before a loud rifle shot cut through the air.
Stolas gave a loud startled hoot as he backed away into the tree.
"Was that a gunshot?!" He asked, worried.
A satisfied grin appeared on Ronan's face as he turned to the sound.
Another rifle shot cut through the air following several shouts.
"It would seem that my sisters have found their target… and Blitzo owes me money."
Stolas arched an eyebrow before noticing that the sky had started to lighten.
"The rain stopped." Ronan spoke, now standing.
"Um, can you take me to the camp?" Stolas asked as he stood up.
Ronan nodded, another rifle shot sounded through the air.
He grabbed onto a vine that was hanging from a branch and extended his hand to him.
Stolas blanched when he saw what he was going to do, and fidgeted nervously.
"Um, could we–" He began to say, "Um, can't we walk?"
Ronan chuckled and wrapped his arm around Stolas's waist, "This is much faster."
Stolas gave a loud yelp as he felt his stomach flip when they both jumped from the branch.
His loud startled screams were accompanied with Ronan's laughter as they swung through the trees.
********
Millie had finished setting up the tents, and had started to put away the rest of the group's guns.
Blitzo sat a few feet away, a large frown plastered on his face as he grumbled under his breath glaring up at someone.
Sitting next to him were the targets: two imps from Greed, tied together and each with varying amounts of cuts and bruises. The male imp dressed in a suit had a bullet hole that went straight through his thigh while the female imp had a deep graze cutting through her hip. The suitcase, now battered, was still full of the stolen money.
Said person that he was glaring at was Theodosia, a poison arrow dart frog. A rifle was propped over her shoulder as she stood near him with a triumphant grin on her face.
Nearby, Moxxie and Tuva were setting up the table while Maia stood over a pot stirring the group's dinner.
"I wonder where Ronan ran off to?" She wondered out loud.
********
Rustling was heard from the branches above as Maia looked.
A blur of gray dropped down with a loud thud a few feet in front of her, startling everyone.
Ronan stood up, raising his arms above his head and interlocking his hands, stretching.
Blitzo, having gotten over the shock, looks around and notices that someone is missing, "Hey, Bugs. Where's Stolas?"
A branch snaps, and a startled yelp comes from above.
Ronan instinctively holds out his arms as the Owl Prince drops down, his feathers were ruffled and the white feathers under his cheeks were red.
"Here he is." Ronan said.
All three of his sisters couldn't help but laugh. Moxxie and Millie chuckled at the scene as well.
"Ronan. We're pretty far away from the town, you can switch out of your human disguise." Maia said.
Ronan simply nodded and stomped his foot, a blue light engulfed him from head to toe.
When it faded, Stolas took notice of Ronan's appearance.
His long dark dreadlocks were replaced with a pair of large floppy ears tied up into a high ponytail. His eyes were still the same. His nose was now a small triangular snout that protruded a little. A scar cut down the middle of his left eyebrow. And covering his neck were an assortment of black tattoos.
Ronan looked over his shoulder, "Hey, Tuva. Get your medical bag and follow me to the medical tent. Stolas rolled his ankle."
The bat woman with the torn right ear, Tuva, nodded and grabbed her bag, following after her brother.
The trio disappeared into the tent, while Theodosia and Maia chuckled.
"Did you see the Prince's face? He was so flustered."
"Yeah. Too bad since Ronan's already taken."
A loud grumble caught both of their attention. Blitzo was staring at the tent where the trio had disappeared off too.
He only frowned and got up from the ground, dusting off his pants before walking off to his own tent. His tail flicked furiously.
All four looked at one another and chose not to say anything.
********
The sun had already set when Maia opened the portal again, and we all hopped through.
I.M.P delivered the couple over to the wife, who had been patiently waiting with her ex-husband's men.
They were paid first since the wife had contacted them earlier and we were paid second, handing the suitcase over to one of the men.
Ronan had to cover both Tuva and Maia's ears after they re-entered the portal, drowning out the screams and gunshots that followed soon after.
I covered my own as well.
Blitzo's daughter, Loona, arrived in the van half an hour later and the group piled in.
It was too quiet on the ride back to the mansion, save for the radio playing softly in the background.
I remembered watching Blitzo through the side mirror. He was still frowning, pretending that he was looking at something on his phone but I could see that he was looking at the Owl Prince through his peripheral vision.
When we were younger, he would always tell me and my family what he was thinking. He never left out any detail… and he was always so happy.
I could tell he was jealous and I was angry that he hadn't talked to Stolas since the incident.
We arrived at the mansion late in the evening. Thankfully, the swan bitch wasn't there because if she had… my brother and sisters would have had to hold me back from giving her another black eye.
His daughter, Octavia, was there to greet us as well as to help her dad out of the van.
Stolas turned back around and bent down to Blitzo's level, he looked up from his phone.
The two stared at each other for a long time.
The Owl Prince looked as if he wanted to say something but in the end, what he did was bid Blitz good night and to us as well.
With that, he straightened up and walked to the entrance of the mansion. Octavia was by his side, letting him lean against her to keep his weight off his foot.
Blitzo could only stare at his retreating back as he closed the door, the van pulled out of the mansion's driveway.
I remembered how he sighed that night.
I hope that Blitzo talks to him soon.