The clock ticked past seven.
Millie stood in front of the cracked mirror in their shared bedroom, adjusting her shoulder-less black dress for the fifth time. It hugged her frame just right, glittering faintly in the light. Her tail curled and uncurled with excitement. "Do you think it's too much?" she asked, spinning slightly on her newly purchased heels.
Moxxie adjusted the collar of his freshly pressed suit. "Absolutely not. You look perfect," he said with a goofy smile that made her cheeks flush.
"You too, sugar," she giggled, pulling him in for a kiss on the cheek. "I still can't believe we're going to Ozzie's."
"I had to bribe half a dozen demons and promise favors I can't repeat out loud," Moxxie said proudly, adjusting his tie. "But it was worth it."
I leaned against the front door, arms crossed, watching them with what I hoped passed for a supportive smile and not whatever complicated expression was actually happening on my face.
"You two look like the before shot of a horror movie romance montage," I said, trying to keep my tone light.
"Thanks, sir!" Millie beamed, completely unfazed by the jab.
Moxxie adjusted his bowtie with that same nervous puffed-chest pride he always got when he actually managed to impress someone other than Millie.
I smiled fully bbut my thoughts where elsewhere, Back at IMP I'd been pacing back and forth just moments ago near the couch, chewing the corner of a magazine that definitely didn't belong in any dentist's waiting room. I'd gone over twenty ideas that morning, most of them falling somewhere between "absolutely unhinged" and "deeply illegal."
The front runner earlier had been yelling "HOLY SHIT, IS THAT STOLAS?!" while pointing at the ceiling and dragging the lovebirds away in the confusion. But that had way too many variables. And it depended on peoples reactions who I couldn't anticipate. Which, in that club? It'd probably start a mosh pit.
No. I needed a guaranteed play. One I didn't like the idea of but one I knew would work.
As the couple made their way down the stairs of the apartment building, dressed to the nines and glowing with excitement, I forced on a grin.
We all reached outside and I stepped forward, giving each of them a pat on the back. "You two have fun. Remember—if they throw tomatoes, dodge left, they've got a right-hand bias."
Millie laughed, dragging Moxxie toward the door. "We'll bring you back a doggy bag—if there's anything left!"
"Not if I order the shrimp tower first," Moxxie added with a grin as they disappeared out the door.
As soon as the door clicked shut, my smile dropped.
Rushing back up stairs I snatched my phone from the arm of the couch and dialed. It barely rang once before the screen lit up with a contact labeled Stolas💫.
"Blitzy~!" Stolas's voice rang out in excitement. "You finally called me! I was beginning to think you forgot all about our last—"
"Yeah, hey—look, I need a favor. Kind of a big one," I said quickly, opening the door and searching through my back for a halfway decent button shirt. "You wanna go out tonight? Somewhere... nice?"
There was a pause on the other end, followed by a very intrigued hum.
"Oh? Like a date?" Stolas purred. "Where to, darling?"
I flung open my bag, yanking out a half-wrinkled jacket and white button shirt. "Ozzie's. Pick you up in twenty."
A gasp. "Ozzie's?! Oh, Blitz, yes—of course, I'd love to!"
"Great. Dress sexy. Not like you don't already, but y'know. Extra." I paused, brushing imaginary dust off my jacket. "It's gonna be… a night."
Stolas giggled like a schoolgirl. "Can't wait!"
"Cool. Gotta go."
I hung up before she could say anything else.
For a moment, I just stood there, phone still in hand, staring at my reflection in the cracked mirror.
A date. With Stolas. I had to focus on my main mission. But right now, all I could think about was the dumb grin she'd probably show up wearing.
I exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I hate this," he muttered. "But they deserve a good night. And if it takes using Stolas to make it happen…"
He paused, looking down at the suit he was throwing on.
"…I'll just make sure it means something to her. Even if it's just for tonight."
And with that, he grabbed his keys and headed for the door.
-------------------------------------------
The I.M.P van coughed and wheezed its way to a stop outside Ozzie's, exhaust sputtering like it was dying for dramatic effect. I slapped the steering wheel a couple times before killing the engine, leaning back in my seat with a long exhale.
Already, the bass from inside the club was rattling the glass.
I stared out the windshield at the glowing neon sign above the door—OZZIE'S in big, tacky, ego-stroking letters, and tried to convince myself I wasn't about to regret everything I was doing tonight.
Millie and Moxxie deserved at least one damn night to feel like something in this world wasn't out to crush their joy. So yeah, I'd pulled strings, bent rules, and called in a favor I didn't wanna cash yet.
But it'd be worth it.
I stepped out of the van and shut the door a little harder than necessary, adjusting my jacket and straightening the collar like that could cover the fact I felt like I was crawling out of my own skin.
Then I saw her.
The limo rolled up smooth, black and polished like a predator in a tux. The door opened—and out stepped Stolas.
And she looked… holy hell.
Her maroon dress draped like liquid sin, hugging every inch like it knew what it was doing. A black tank-style top shaped her upper half, simple but stupidly flattering. Over her shoulders, a white fur cape fluttered down to her ankles, and every time she moved, the galaxy print lining inside shimmered like stars trying to escape.
She looked like the night sky decided to take a personal interest in ruining my concentration.
She caught sight of me and smiled that soft, eager smile. The one that said she was hoping for more than just drinks.
I cleared my throat, and pulled a Moxxie, tugging on my collar.
Stepping forward with what I hoped passed for charm. "Well, shit," I muttered, grinning.
Stolas twirled once, cape flaring out like a solar flare. "You said to go extra, darling. I don't do things halfway."
"Yeah, no kidding," I said, offering my arm. "Let's get this over with before I forget why we're here."
She giggled, tucking herself in beside me, and we made our way toward the entrance under the pounding beat of Lust's nightlife.
The second we walked in, it hit me, the lights, the noise, the smell of overpriced booze and bad decisions. Ozzie's was alive tonight. Packed with demons dressed to kill and probably doing it between shots.
It was, Overstimulating. Loud enough to make a lesser imp piss himself.
And right at the front near the stage, I spotted them.
Millie in her black dress that still shimmered even in this lighting. Moxxie looking sharp and slightly nervous probably due to his up incoming performance, fidgeting with the silverware like it might bite him. Their faces lit up in a way that made my chest ache a little.
That's why I was here.
That's why I dragged Stolas into this. I can't let my team down.
She followed my lead smiling down at my stature. Just reached for her drink menu and crossed one leg over the other like she owned the place.
I took my seat beside her, still on edge.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a flash of white near the bar in the back.
Verosika.
Perched on a high stool, drink in hand, laughing at something some incubus said before her eyes flicked lazily toward me. We locked eyes for a second—maybe less—but it felt longer. She arched a brow, seemingly contemplating if it was actually me, and turned away like I wasn't worth a second glance.
Classy.
I didn't say anything. Didn't need to. Stolas noticed the shift in my posture and gently nudged my leg under the table. I shook it off with a grunt and focused back on the main floor.
I glanced around the room, tracking the waitstaff, watching the crowd. Thinking through backup plans.
And then the lights dimmed.
We took our seats a few tables off to the side—close enough to intercept anything ugly. Not so close that Moxxie would blow a gasket over the company.
I glanced around the room, tracking the waitstaff, watching the crowd. Thinking through backup plans.
And then the lights dimmed.
A hush swept through the club like someone hit a mute button—then the spotlight exploded onto the stage.
"WELCOME, LOVERS AND LOSERS!" Fizzarolli's voice burst from the speakers like a sugar-coated firecracker. "It's another sizzling night here at OZZIE'S—the only place where you can lose your dignity and your underwear in under five minutes!"
Laughter and cheers. Glitter cannons went off near the ceiling.
Then Asmodeus himself strutted out behind Fizz, trailing sequins and pure ego. "And tonight, we've got a lineup so steamy, we had to put a warning label on the mics, baby!"
Fizz grinned, striking a pose. "You know her, you love her, and if you don't, you're lying—give it up for the queen of heartbreak herself, Verosika Mayday!"
The crowd erupted.
Verosika stood from her spot at the bar, drink still in hand, and sauntered to the stage like she owned the floor. She didn't even glance at me this time. Just soaked up the applause and bathed in her own spotlight.
Stolas leaned toward me. "She's rather popular."
"She's rather a pain in my ass," I muttered.
Verosika blew a kiss to the audience and stepped offstage to wait her turn.
Fizzarolli grinned, spinning dramatically. "But first! We've got a sweet little something to kick things off. A song, straight from the heart. Written and performed by none other than… Moxxie!"
Millie gasped, hands flying to her mouth. "You didn't—!"
Moxxie stood up slow, blushing from his horns to his boots, and adjusted his collar like he might suffocate on it.
He climbed the steps onto the stage, clearly shaking, clutching a folded piece of sheet music like a lifeline.
The crowd… paused.
I tightened my jaw.
Not much applause. A few chuckles. Some whispering.
But then he started to sing.
And it was earnest.
Sweet.
I'm kinda shocked no one else besides Asmodues and Fizzirolli liked the song, his voice was powerful in sense.
A love song with too many metaphors and way too much heart for a place like this. Millie was glowing. Practically vibrating with happiness.
The audience? Not so much.
Laughter bubbled up. Not the good kind.
Snickering. Sarcasm. Someone did a fake swoon off a chair.
Fizzarolli began creeping around making moxxie back up, leaned into the mic with a cackle. "Awww, isn't that precious? Sounds like someone's been saving himself for heartbreak!"
Ozzie followed soon after with a mad smile surrounded by green fog. "Well isn't that adorable, we have some love birds in my lustful lounge."
Moxxie faltered. his voice completely disappearing from the stage.
And that was it.
Didn't think. Didn't need to. My boots hit the floor hard as I cut through the tables like I was headed to war.
I stopped just inside the spotlight's edge. Let the light catch me full on.
Then I said it.
Loud. Sharp. Cutting through the tension like a broken bottle in a bar fight.
"Oh, that's rich, coming from you two."
The room froze. Fizz's smile stiffened. Asmodeus cocked his head, curious.
I didn't stop.
"Funny how you're so quick to mock a guy for singing about love, when half of Hell's been whispering about how you two are playing house behind closed doors."
A few gasps. A few stunned laughs. You could feel the air change—like everyone suddenly forgot how to breathe.
Fizz's eyes narrowed, but he didn't speak.
"Yeah, that's right. We've all heard it. The big bad Prince of Lust and his little spark plug cuddling up like something out of a sappy romance novel. No orgies. No fanfare. Just feelings and quiet nights in."
I stepped in closer, voice lowering but no less sharp. "So tell me, Fizz—what's the real punchline here? That Moxxie wrote a love song? Or that he had the guts to sing it out loud?"
Fizz's laugh came a second too late. A little too loud. "Oh, please, Blitzy—don't project your sad little romance fantasies onto me and Ozzie. We're just havin' fun, baby. That's what Lust is, remember?"
But his smile didn't reach his eyes.
And Ozzie didn't say a word. Just stood behind him, still, expression unreadable—but focused. Like he was seeing something he didn't expect.
I raised a brow. Didn't smile.
"You sure about that?" I said, quiet now.
I turned my gaze out to the crowd.
"Moxxie's up there singing because he loves someone. And yeah, maybe that's corny. Maybe it's embarrassing. But it's real. And in a place like this?" I swept my arm toward the stage. "That kind of honesty takes more balls than a dozen lust demons dry-humping on a stage."
Fizz recovered quick—quicker than I expected.
He pivoted back to the crowd with a wide, theatrical grin, arms out like he'd just crushed a heckler at a comedy club. "You hear that, folks? Somebody get Blitz a standing ovation! For bravely dragging his delusions on stage!"
Laughter erupted. Loud. Ugly.
"Get over yourself, clown!" someone shouted near the bar.
"He's just jealous he can't get laid without a royal pity party!"
"Go cry into a rat trap, IMP!"
Someone chucked an ice cube that bounced off my shoulder.
Then a breadstick.
Then a glass that shattered by my feet.
I didn't flinch.
But my throat was locked tight. My whole body tensed like it wanted to snap into a thousand pieces. This was embarrassing, but just as planned.
I turned to check the table—Millie looked horrified. Moxxie halfway off the stage was returning to his seat but looked like he was going to attack. Luckily Millie, in a rare instance of restrain stopped him with a hand on his arm. Smart. Stay seated. Don't draw more fire.
More boos now. More shouting. Something sticky hit the back of my jacket and slid down. Maybe wine. Maybe not.
And then something heavier hit the floor by my feet—looked like someone actually hurled a chair.
Time to go.
I bolted
Through the tables, past the bar, through a side exit glowing red with emergency light and smelling like old cigarette smoke and cheaper regrets.
I hit the alley and didn't stop until I at the parking lot, hands on my knees, heart pounding in my ears.
Footsteps were behind me.
I turned, ready to snarl—but it was her.
Stolas.
Her heels clicked against the pavement, cape fluttering like a bloody whisper behind her. Didn't look like a queen anymore.
She just looked… worried.
"Blitz…"
"Don't," I muttered, wiping something off my face. Not tears. Just sweat. Probably.
"I didn't—" she paused, voice catching. "I didn't know they'd react like that."
"Yeah, well," I said, laughing once without humor, "turns out people don't like being told their favorite couple might actually have feelings. Go figure."
She stepped closer, but I backed up a pace.
Because if she touched me, if she said something soft, I might break in a way I didn't have time for.
"Was it true?" she asked quietly. "What you said to Fizz?"
I looked at her.
At the stars still shimmering in the inside of her cape. At the way her hands were shaking slightly, like she'd felt every sharp word the crowd threw just as hard as I had.
"I don't know," I said. "But maybe they needed to hear it."
She stared at me for a moment, then nodded once.
And just like that, she stood beside me, not reaching out, not asking for more.
Just there.
Which, right now, was the one thing I hadn't realized I needed. I couldn't leave stolas like this though.
I gently palmed her hand rapping it around mine leaning closer towards her, It wasn't much but enough for now. I didn't completely succeed in helping out there date or even mine but at the very least, I can say I tried.
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Author Note - Longest chapter ever I swear hope you guys enjoyed. part 2 is gonna be peak, trust.