Chapter Text
"You ready for the new year, Stols?" Blitzø grinned and pulled Stolas closer to him on the couch.
Loona, her friends, and M+M, were on the floor playing a board game. It reminded Blitzø of how Sinsmas went. Stolas, still crushed by losing Octavia, had hardly smiled or talked for weeks. Blitzø kept taking care of him and taking him out, telling Stolas trying new experiences would help him adjust to his new life. Stolas, being extremely passive, would tell Blitzø things like "that's fine, Blitzø". But Blitzø could tell Stolas was not himself.
Everyone started yelling the news year's count down and Blitzø tilted Stolas towards him.
"New years kiss, hmm Stols?" Blitzø said coyly.
Stolas appeared in a trance, but instead of full of wonder his stare just looked... empty.
After a moment of his Blitzø's smile faded and Stolas snapped back into reality, "Oh, yes. Of course darling."
Blitzø stroked Stolas's cheek and when the countdown hit zero he gave Stolas a tender kiss on the cheek.
"You know you're allowed to tell me no, right?" Blitzø told him softly.
Stolas sighed and spoke, "Yes, of course."
Blitzø laced his fingers into Stolas's, saying nothing. The party died down shortly after. Blitzø got up and told his friends goodnight and returned to Stolas sitting on the couch. Stolas was looking at... nothing. Just a blank stare at the floor, hands cupped in his lap. Blitzø curled up next to him and nuzzled his shoulder.
"Ready for bed, big bird?"
Stolas simply nodded and let Blitzø tuck him into bed. Blitzø then pulled the bean bag chair close to the couch and reached out for Stolas's hand. Stolas reluctantly took it and Blitzø made note.
"Maybe he's so devastated that he's not in love with me anymore," Blitzø thought but it was only moments later when Blitzø heard Stolas's soft, restful breathing. Blitzø gave him a kiss on the cheek and closed his eyes to sleep as well.
--
The next morning when Stolas woke up, Blitzø wasn't there. He looked into the kitchen. Not there either. He checked the bathroom, not there either. Stolas sighed and knocked on Loona's door. Loona answered after a few moments.
"Apologies for bothering you, Loona. But... I was wondering if you know where Blitzø ran off to?" Stolas said politely.
Loona checked her phone, "Said he was going to the sloth ring and he'd be back soon."
"The sloth ring?" Stolas questioned out loud, "What in hell would he be doing the the sloth ring?"
Loona shrugs and leaves her bedroom, moving into the kitchen. She opens the fridge and gets out a small snack and offers it to Stolas. Stolas hesitantly takes it and thanks her.
"So, how are things with you and Blitzø?" Loona asked casually.
"Oh, um, fine... I guess." Stolas rubbed the back of his neck.
Loona gave him a confused look, "Really? ... You know he loves you, right? Now that he knows you feel the same, he'll do anything for you."
Stolas melts into the nearby kitchen chair, "I know... and I love him too... I'm just..."
"Just what?"
"... Defeated, clouded... unsure?" Stolas ponders for another moment, "But its not about Blitzø, it's about me. He's been... nothing but a perfect boyfriend. But with losing Via." He inhales, "I feel... guilty."
Loona gives Stolas a tap on the shoulder, "Remember when Octavia took the grimoire and ended up in LA?"
Stolas nods and waits for Loona to continue.
"Back then she was so heartbroken you had forgotten about the meteor shower. I told her that all dads have their issues and she should cut you some slack."
Stolas processes this new information, "So... that's why she seemingly forgave me so easily."
Loona nodded, "She doesn't hate you, she just needs time to grow up a little to understand."
"I... that's exactly what Blitzø told me."
"Well, he's right." Loona laughs, "For once."
The doorknob of the apartment jingles and then the door opens. Blitzø walks in and hugs Loona.
"Good morning, Loony."
He then turns to Stolas, "Morning, Stols." Blitzø takes Stolas's hand and plants a kiss on it, "I bought us all breakfast before we go into the office."
Blitzø holds a bag of fast food out to Loona. Loona immediately grabs out what she knows Blitzø bought for her and takes it to her room.
"For you," Blitzø offers the bag with hasbrowns and rats, "I hope that's enough for breakfast."
Stolas gives him a small, fleeting smile, "Thank you, Blitzø. It's plenty."
Blitzø puts the bag on the table and grabs out what he bought for himself and begins to eat.
Stolas, who would normally have no issues chomping down on this kind of meal, picked at it, his face displaying that blank stare he frequented lately.
"Stols?" Blitzø asks, sincerely.
This breaks Stolas out of the trance, "Oh um... I guess I'm just not very hungry this morning."
Blitzø grabs something out of a different, smaller bag he brought in and puts it in his mouth.
"Come here."
Stolas obliges. Blitzø pulls him into a deep kiss. Stolas feels something in Blitzø's mouth and realizes Blitzø has given him something as Blitzø pushes it into his mouth.
Blitzø releases the kiss and holds Stolas's cheeks to keep his mouth closed, "Swallow."
Stolas's eyes go wide. It had been a while since Blitzø had acted so... dominate. He swallows quickly then opens his mouth to speak but Blitzø shushes him.
"You need it. I don't want to hear any arguments. I thought about it. You were taking Belphagore's happy pills, yeah? You're experiencing withdrawal. I think it could help." Blitzø seemed genuinely concerned for Stolas's health.
Stolas stand there, stunned. "I... Blitzø, how did you get these?"
"Hey, don't worry about it birdie, kay?" Blitzø gives Stolas a tender hug, "I'm going to take care you."
Stolas didn't know what else to say. There was no arguing with Blitzø over this.
"Figured we'd start with one pill and if you need more, I can get you more." He smiles at Stolas, "Now, we've got work to." He takes Stolas's hands and guides him outside to the IMP van.