dreamcrystals | [open] Owl Who Flew the Coop

Entry tags:

[open] Owl Who Flew the Coop

Sender: Octavia of the Ars Goetia
To: Everyone
Subject: Missing persons

Has anyone seen prince Stolas? He was here last night, safe and sound, but when I woke up, he was just gone, no note or anything. I know people usually disappear or wake up or whatever at the start of the month, but during? Dad would tell me if he was going anywhere. I'm scared. Please let me know if you see him. I need to try and not freak out.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Of course Blitz would show up. He... cared. Even though he was so obviously hurting, himself. He didn't comment on the likelihood of Stolas remembering, didn't trust himself to do so without ruining everything.

Still... Octavia's comment stung. Were they just waiting for all this to end? Was all this just... borrowed time?

Fire from the gods, or my future from the world. He frowned, remaining quiet for a moment longer while he listened, before cutting in.

"I've been... thinking. A lot about that, actually. Hey, Blitz. You..." No, too tired to fake it. "You look like shit. We have tea, and bad takeout."

"Akechi brought some over earlier to comfort me. I eat light and there's still some left over if you want any." Via chimes in, pulling away just enough to offer Blitz a smile and a nod, otherwise holding the hug.

"It's more like reading the stars, but...he'd totally record his findings on dream magic if he remembered. He's way too much of a dork not to." Some gentle ribbing to try and help lighten the mood with Stolas being the academic that he is. How he'd record it and try to replicate it if he could...thoughts to keep a smile on Via's face for a little longer.

Smiling at Octavia, glad she was taking in the ~~cope~~ hopeful thoughts he was barely clinging to with his last mental hinge, he turned his attention to Akechi.

Akechi, who's so rough around the edges, who admitted he was a miserable, angry sort. Who struck out at him before in panic. He smiled, more, and reached out with a finger to give the kid's nose a boop.

"Being a good big brother, huh? Proud of you."

Akechi wrinkled his nose, immediately pulling back with a look that spoke of deepest offense and indignation. "I'm not- look, I. I'm not going to pretend it's all just going to be fine. Nothing ever is. That's just the way the world works. You think you're okay for a while, and then something comes along to rip out the rug from under your feet. That... doesn't mean I'm just going to wait for the inevitable end to come. Or that I'm going to watch someone else just... sit and fester through shit like this. I've been there. A lot. And it- it fucking sucks."

"It...really fucking sucks. And I just started this shit." Octavia folds her arms and shakes her head. It's easy for her to dwell on trains of thought like these, but between Blitzø's comfort and Akechi's blunt truths, she doesn't have to.

But she can return to Akechi's side and lean against him a little bit. "But...he has been a pretty cool big brother. Dad might think so, too. He calls him his Little Raven."

"Yeah... I mean, still fucking worst case scenario shit can happen, but dumb luck is a thing and it's saved my ass," Blitzø refutes, somewhat just... coping. "We're still here. We've got plenty of things to keep fucking trying and we've got time right now. Anyway, where's that takeout? Let's chow."

He wrapped an arm around Via's shoulders in a hug, and held out his hand to Akechi as an invitation rather than pressing him again.

There was a slightly-shocked and furtive glance in Octavia's direction- how, after all, could she just. Say something like that? Casually? Like it was true? Like it was obvious.

Dimly, he leaned a touch closer to the imp, voice quiet as he spoke. "You- you really... mean that. That's how you think of me?"

"Of course. You've seen a lot more, you're protective...I'd make a joke, but you literally came here, brought me food and listened to me cry for twenty minutes. That says it a lot better than I could."

And it leads to a gentle little forehead bump against Akechi's shoulder, and a warm, reciprocated hug for Blitzø.

"And that goes for you, too, dad. You came running, and that means just as much to me. Takeout's on the coffee table, by the way; it'll need some reheating, but I can take care of that. Maybe some coffee, too?"

Blitzø almost got offended, almost gawked 'what and you didn't believe me?', but is quickly soothed and distracted by Via's thanks instead. Aww...

"Yeah, coffee sounds great, I do not need to be sleeping more after being passed out for way too fucking long," he agreed, walking his kids into the house so they could flop down and be miserable together instead of alone.

He didn't quite meet Blitz's eyes, on that one. There hadn't been a good reason for it, just his usual bullshit, expecting the rug to be pulled out at any moment, the other shoe to drop, the inevitable betrayal... but it'd never come, had it.

They were just... there. Unquestioningly. Even when he was being shitty, even when they felt like shit. "I just... know what it's like. Not having anyone, when you're... grieving. It doesn't lead anywhere good."

"It's...terrifying to think about. Especially since dad was always there to comfort me. He comforted all of us, I think. He gave us someone to love."

Via shares, returning inside with the others. She's the first to fetch the leftovers, more than half of the serving remaining, and channels her magic over the dish. A simple spell, to reheat it without a lack of a microwave. Perfect for letting the aroma fill the air and offering the spare forks to Blitzø and Akechi.

"You two can have at it first; I'll get the coffee started. I remember how you like yours, dad. How about you, Akechi?"

"I'll do tea first, sweetie," he replied, taking the dish and flopping onto the couch. He sinks a bit heavier into it than usual, shaking himself back awake before taking a huge bite and holding the plate out for Akechi to grab some too.

It felt... weird... to be sitting right on the couch that he'd been flopped on Stolas on.

No, Blitzø, don't think about it. Kids are here. Stay focused.

"Yeah. At least we've got each other right now."

"Black, two sugars." Yes, heaping portion of rice, bad fried chicken, thank you. "... I can't say I'm used to it. But thank you."

One tea, one black coffee with two sugars and...yeah, she'll go with tea first, as well. Via's in the kitchen for a few minutes getting it all together, thankfully simple processes for her current emotional state, and returns to the couch with the three drinks in tow. The young owl snuggles herself between Blitz and Akechi, the warm mug in her talons.

"I'm...really glad you're both here. Chances are, I'm gonna repeat myself a lot, but...I really do love the both of you."

"...I love you kids too," Blitzø answered, passing Akechi the plate so he could sink into the couch cushions. God, fuck... he was fucking tired. He wore it too obviously, he knew that, but ugh...

"I-" why was that so hard to hear. Why did it hurt to hear it, steal the words from his mouth so he couldn't speak-

So he opted to fill the awkward, terrible silence with food, and tried to pretend that his eyes weren't watering.

Via couldn't think of anything more to add after that. Her piece was added and...there's a soft smile sent Akechi's way. She nudges Blitz a little and gestures towards him, hugging her mug and leaning against Akechi.

Octavia has decided he's gonna be the center of the cuddle pile.

Yeah, that felt right... Blitzø leaned on Akechi's other side, nuzzling his face into the teen's shoulder like an overgrown cat as his tail wrapped around both kids and squeezed in a gentle hug.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[open] Owl Who Flew the Coop

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject