Archive of Our Own

Octavia thought long and hard from that day in L.A. after Loona found her. Most especially on one element.

“But he’s trying. That’s more important than you think.”

It was very prevalent. Octavia could see it since she arrived on the doorstep of Blitz’s apartment. Stolas was right back to being the doting dad he’d always been.

Since then, a lot of things have happened.

For starters, Octavia threw out her mother and uncle from the palace and had it restored to the way it once had been. Mostly, anyway. But the plants were back and right where they belonged.

Although Stolas was still banished and stripped of his magic, Octavia convinced the courts to allow him to live in the palace again. So that he was at least in his own home and not living in squalor. That apartment was disgusting and not fit for royalty.

Okay, Loona did get on her case for it, but whatever. Octavia did miss her quite a lot, but she was tired of having to share her dad. Tired of being chosen last. It hurt that he was happy without her and even formed a bond with the damn imp and Loona too.

Stolas agreed to move back with her when given that chance. Octavia could ignore the sadness in his eyes when he accepted her offer. Blitz even stepped in to say that he understood that if this was what Stolas wanted, he wouldn’t stop him. Damn right he wouldn’t.

Octavia also had to ignore how both men looked at each other with longing sadness.

It was better this way. Stolas was moved out of the apartment, no longer working a stupid job he didn’t need, he was home safe with her.

Stella wasn’t here anymore. No matter how much Octavia once longed for the way things were, she couldn’t ignore the way Stella laughed in her face when asked if she’d loved Stolas at all. It was clear now that Stella never actually loved him. Maybe it took too long to see that,

His garden was back, well maintained. Stolas was there almost every day and thrilled to be raising plants again. Any of the servants Octavia had managed to keep after her uncle took over, were happy to help. They all had pay raises and more benefits at Stolas’ insistence.

So Stolas had every reason to be happy, right?

There was just one problem.

Stolas was miserable.

He only smiled when she was around and even then, those smiles didn’t always reach his eyes. Octavia hated being reminded of the fact that he had depression. But she wondered, what the hell was his problem? He had her back. After being told that he was miserable and crying a lot without her, why wasn’t he happy to have her back? Was she still not enough?

How could this be happening?

One morning, Octavia went out to the garden to find him. She found her dad sitting on a bench, staring off into space (not literally) with a gaze of forlorn as he idly stroked one of his plants. A sad sigh escaped him before he stood and knelt in the ground to tend to his plants. Yet another reminder that he was actually miserable.

“Dad?” Octavia approached him.

Stolas looked up and was smiling now. “Oh, Via! Is there something you wanted?”

“Can we have magic lessons? I really wanted to work on portals,” Octavia said, hoping this excuse would work.

It might have been weird that he still gave her lessons since he no longer possessed magic, but it didn’t matter. He was still a good teacher and able to explain how to work and channel her magic properly. Octavia recalled the funny look on his face when he held the Grimoire in his hands after several months without it.

“Of course, darling.” Stolas nodded and stood up. “I’ll just get changed and we’ll get right to it.”

Spending time together was part of their daily routine. They went somewhere safe, so long as the public didn’t cast him angry looks, or worse, into areas of the city where Stolas recalled Blitz and/or Loona taking him there only for his mood to drop.

Being separated was truly for the best, Stolas had said, so he could focus on being there for her. Yet, anytime he talked about them, his smile would drop immediately and the sadness in his eyes would take hold. Octavia hated seeing him like that, so she’d change the subject. It usually worked, but oftentimes, the sadness in his eyes wouldn’t wane.

It sucked.

One afternoon, Octavia took the plunge and invited Loona to come over for a visit. Thankfully, Loona agreed to do so.

When Loona said she was out front, Octavia was making her way toward the main doors only to hear voices. It didn’t take long for her to realise that Stolas must have answered the door to Loona.

Octavia crept and peered around the corner. Sure enough, Stolas was enveloping Loona in a warm hug, which the hellhound was returning.

“I’ve missed you so much, Moonstone,” Stolas said with such emotion in his tone.

“You act like it’s been years,” Loona snorted. She patted his back a bit. “Missed you too, okay?”

Stolas chuckled and released her. His smile fell a moment later. “How is your father doing?”

Loona made a face. “Did you block him, or did he block you? You can ask him.”

“I…” Stolas let his hands fall, shame overtaking his features. “If I do, I’m only going to make things worse.”

“So you guys don’t talk at all,” Loona said dryly. She rolled her eyes and sighed. “He misses you like fucking crazy. He doesn’t even sleep on the couch, he refuses. At work he’s quiet a lot of the time and just stares at your desk. Or he’s talking about you.”

Stolas looked disheartened. “I miss him so much, too. I miss the apartment, I miss you, and Moxxie and Millie. I miss having a job. I’m so bored with nothing to do all day.”

Loona visibly cringed. “Jeez.”

“And the food! Oh, lords… I miss his cooking so much. The food here is finely prepared, don’t ever get me wrong, but… I remember how much love was always put into what he cooks. Even if it’s just a can of soup,” Stolas sighed, his gaze and tone wistful.

“Then what are you two fucking doing?” Loona wanted to know. “You really think that moving out and quitting was the best idea?”

“I… I felt it would be best, and allow me to focus on Via…” Stolas confessed.

Loona sighed, pinching the bridge of her snout. “Yeah, well, you’re miserable and he’s miserable. I already had to deal with a pathetic sad dad after you dumped him, why are you dumping him again?”

Octavia trembled. It was happening again. Stolas truly was miserable and she wasn’t enough for him. She thought having him home would mean he’d finally get his head out of his ass and focus on her again.

Fuck.

“I didn’t-” Stolas began and faltered. “I’m so sorry, dear. I don’t know what else to do. If I stay with him, I’m betraying Via by making her think I’m truly happier without her, when I wasn’t. But being here without him after we finally grew together isn’t… But I have to make sacrifices as a father to my daughter. I can’t force her into a situation she never asked for.”

“And what, having a life outside of being a dad is somehow not being a good dad?” Loona asked pointedly. “If she’s not letting you see your own boyfriend or work a job you actually like doing and making your own money, then she’s gonna have to step back and stop controlling you.”

That stung and Octavia wanted to yell that she wasn’t trying to control her dad. She just hated being left behind and chosen second. Stolas was finally putting her first but now it seemed she was controlling him? She never wanted to do that.

“She isn’t controlling me. I swear! She never asked me to… It’s just that this whole thing affected her badly and I knew I had to do right by focusing on her. If I talk to him now, I won’t be able to stop because I miss him so much,” Stolas reasoned, clasping his hands. “Oh, darling, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be burdening you with all of this. I hope you and Via have a good visit.”

“Look, Stolas, just…” Loona sighed heavily. “Find a way to balance it. Dad misses the fuck out of you and misses living with you. If you can’t have both, then I don’t know what the fuck to tell you.”

Octavia tore away and hurried to her room. How was she supposed to cope knowing that Stolas was miserable because of her? She was the reason they separated. She was the reason both dads were unhappy and missing each other.

But how could Stolas want to choose him over her? None of it made sense. If he wanted to be a good dad, why wasn’t he acting like it?

As Octavia huddled on her bed, Loona knocked on the door.

“Hey, I’m here,” Loona called through.

“Come in,” Octavia muttered.

Loona entered the room, took a sniff, and her ears flicked. She slowly came in and sat on the bed. “Okay, how much did you hear?”

Shit.

Octavia looked at her and tensed. “I… How did you know?”

“I heard you running away,” Loona said pointedly. “So, since you know what’s up, what’s going on? Did you seriously tell your dad to break up with mine?”

“No!” Octavia shouted. “I mean, I’m not exactly sad he did, but it’s not like I forced him to.”

“Didn’t think so, but now they’re moping around and missing each other,” Loona muttered, rolling her eyes. “You… know your dad’s gay, right? He’s not getting back with your mom even if she didn’t abuse him.”

Having it put so bluntly really stung, but Octavia knew it was impossible to ignore now.

“I know that. I know Mum hates him,” Octavia sighed, hugging herself. “I just don’t understand why he’s always picking him over me.”

Loona touched her arm lightly. “Look, I know a lot of shit went down, but that’s not what he’s doing. He’s just had a chance to live a life outside of being a dad for once.”

“You said he missed me. That he couldn’t live without me and wanted me around. But now he’s even more miserable,” Octavia pointed out. She wiped her tears. “I thought it was true, but it’s not. He finally has me back, but he’s still miserable.”

“Well, duh. Because he misses my dad and he’s got depression,” Loona said. “He doesn’t have any other friends except us. Here, you’re the only person he can talk to. Those other royals with sticks up their asses sure as shit won’t be talking to him now that he’s an ex-prince living with his daughter with no money or magic. I mean, shit, they never talked to him before, why would they now?”

Octavia winced. She hadn’t thought of that. Of course the Goetia looked down on him nowadays. Especially those that sided with Stella in the divorce.

“Anyway,” Loona said softly, meeting her eyes, “you’re here now, and he’s trying. Maybe let our dads at least date so everyone’s happy too, you know?”

Octavia fumbled and sighed heavily. “I just don’t want to lose Dad and for him to leave me again.”

“He won’t do it willingly. It’s not what happened last time and it won’t happen again. You know your dad loves you,” Loona assured her. “Besides, I missed having him around the apartment. It’s lonely without him there.”

Great. So she also broke up their little group. Why did she have to be the villain when everyone else took things from her or kept things from her?

Looking away, Octavia muttered, “So what, he should go back to sleeping on a shitty couch? Why is it always about what he wants? Does no one think about what I want?”

Loona’s gaze was sympathetic. “Well, what do you want? Tell me.”

“I just want my dad!”

“Okay. Don’t you want him to be happy, too?”

“Of course I do,” Octavia groaned, rolling her eyes. “I just wish I was enough for him.”

“It’s not that you’re not enough,” Loona assured her. “He just needs other people around.”

Octavia hugged herself. “I don’t like it.”

“Why?” Loona squeezed her arm and let go.

“What do you mean, why? Because then he ignores me and it’s like I don’t exist anymore!” Octavia exclaimed as tears fell. “The minute that dickhead-”

“That dickhead is my dad,” Loona cut in, sighing. “All I’m saying is, remember when I said to cut your dad some slack?”

Huffing, Octavia nodded. “Yeah.”

“Well, keep doing that. You want your dad to be happy, let him have friends, let him have a boyfriend, and then he can still make room and time for you, too.” Loona’s voice softened. “Let him go back to work. We miss him at the office, too.”

The tiniest of smiles crossed Octavia’s beak. “You’re just saying that because you hate manning the phones.”

“Exactly! Yep, that was my agenda all along,” Loona barked out a laugh. “But I’m serious, it’s okay. None of this is your fault, I know our dads just want to make things easier for you, and think being separated is a good idea. But it’s fucking not and they’re being stupid, what else is new?”

Sighing heavily, Octavia hugged her knees to her chest. “I just never had to share Dad before.”

“Yeah… kinda picked up on that,” Loona said, grimacing. “That’s really not gonna help any. Ever since I got friends, I realised how it was pretty important to have other people around aside from your parents. The same even goes for parents to have friends and not just their kids.”

Octavia wiped her eyes and looked at her pitifully. “I thought bringing him home would make him happier.”

“I mean, not that it’s a bad thing.” Loona glanced out the window. “But he’ll be happier if he has you and my dad, too. They’ve really missed living together. Not gonna lie, I miss it too, even if our place was too cramped for the three of us.”

As much as she tried to push it back, the guilt came through. It was just as she feared. She was holding her dad back. He truly had been happier living in squalor with Blitz and Loona. Happier than living with her in the palace they both grew up in. It stung and a little whimper escaped her.

“Via?” Loona was concerned as she turned back to face her. “You okay?”

“I just keep holding him back, don’t I?” Octavia uttered, sniffling. “He was so happy with you guys, then I came round and took him away and now he’s miserable again.”

“Hey. He’s not miserable because of you,” Loona assured, scooting closer and bringing an arm around her. “You didn’t take him away.”

“Yes I did! I saw how happy he was with you guys!” Octavia cried as she clung to Loona, soothed by her warm fur and the smell of her shampoo. “I couldn’t take it! I wanted him to come home and remember I existed for a change!”

Loona gave her a squeeze. “It’s okay. You went through a lot of shit and you didn’t know what to do. Gotta admit, having just your dad and no friends really sucks. Made you guys seriously codependent.”

“What?” Octavia pulled back to look at Loona’s face.

“I mean… Don't get me wrong, he’s a great dad and he loves you, but all he’s ever had for ages was you. And you didn’t have any other kids around, right?”

Octavia shook her head.

“Yeah, figured. Well, now he’s got friends, a partner, hobbies, and he’s got a job. He has other shit in his life because he’s still a person,” Loona went on. “He’s not just your dad. You’re not just his daughter. You’re you, a whole ass person.”

Hearing that really stung. Octavia sniffled and looked down.

“You gotta have other people in your life, too. I mean, I’m here for you, it’s a good start. But one thing at a time.” Loona cracked a little smile. “You and your dad need to talk so our dads can stop being miserable and get back together already.”

The thought of that made Octavia’s stomach churn. It must have shown on her face because Loona shook her head.

“It’s gonna happen eventually. We’ve all been through a lot and we just want things to be stable,” Loona said as she released the owlette. “Think of it this way, there’s no way he’s gonna leave you here alone. And we all can’t live in the apartment, so…”

“So…?” Octavia wiped her eyes and looked up.

“Hear me out. What if we all just lived together?”

Octavia gaped.

“Yep.” Loona got up from the bed and stretched. “It’s gonna happen eventually, so, why not just cut out the middle man? I mean, unless we leave here and go find a smaller place, which I’m cool with too. Up to you guys.”

“I… I really like the idea of living with you,” Octavia confessed. She cringed. “But do I really have to live with that dick-”

“My dad,” Loona corrected her, her voice firm. “And uh, yeah. Obvious reasons.”

“I…” Octavia had no recourse in this.

Blitz was Loona’s dad and Stolas loved him. It was two against one. Octavia couldn’t even call him a homewrecker anymore. Because there wasn’t a relationship to betray between her parents. 

Their dads wanted to be together and had gotten a chance to live together before it was ripped away. If she put a stop to any of it, Stolas would be even more miserable than before. No matter how much she didn’t even want that weird red dickhead around.

Why was it all about them and yet her feelings were being ignored?

“I don’t want to,” Octavia finally said.

Loona blinked. She sighed, her gaze sympathetic. “Okay. Maybe it was asking too much. Sorry.”

Octavia sniffled and squeezed the pillow. “It’s okay. I know you’re just looking out for them. I just don’t know if I want that now.”

“Sure, sorry about that.” The hellhound exhaled and said, “Anyway, you still want to hang out?”

A tiny smile crossed Octavia’s face. “Yeah, of course. I did buy some new games we could try.”

“Cool,” Loona said, smiling back. “Just don't start crying when I kick your ass.”

“Oh, you’re on!”

One morning, Octavia was blindsided when Stolas was not only dressed, but putting together a lunch pack for himself. She was greeted by this upon coming into the kitchen for breakfast.

“Dad?” Octavia said, looking between him and the container. “What are you doing?”

“Oh good, I was going to come and wake you, but I’m glad you’re here. Good morning, Via!” Stolas said, turning from the counter. “I wanted to tell you that I’m going back to work today.”

Stunned, Octavia blinked once. “What? Back to-”

“Yes, to I.M.P,” Stolas said softly, nodding. “Blitz was so kind to give me my job back without hesitation and so I’m starting back today. I know it’s sudden, admittedly, but we talked about it last night.”

Shattered, all Octavia could do was stare and feel as though her world were yet again burning down around her. Yet, she knew there was nothing she could do. Stolas had no money coming in, no matter how much she tried to offer him money he’d need for anything. She still had her trust fund and was happy to use it to help her dad. She had more money than she knew what to do with, anyway!

As well as that, she knew all the more how much Stolas missed his boyfriend and his coworkers. It meant he’d be out of the house five days a week for a good chunk of the day. He’d be back to working a normal job for peasants. It meant he’d be back in with the imps and Loona. 

She should’ve been happy for him. She should’ve encouraged him to do what he needed to spend time with friends and out of the palace.

Yet, all she could wonder was, what about her? Did he seriously not think about how she’d feel? That had to be it. He was resentful and decided to make this decision behind her back. Heart sinking, she curled her fingers into fists.

“So you just decided this without telling me?” Octavia ground out.

Stolas’s smile melted away. “I understand it’s rather sudden, but don't worry. I was going to make sure to tell you before I left. I’m sorry that it shocked you, however.”

“Why?” Octavia asked, despite that she knew the answer.

“Why am I going back to work?” Stolas asked curiously. “Well, I rather enjoyed my job, no matter how repetitive and monotonous it could be. Dealing with rude clients isn’t fun, but Blitz has always given me permission to tell bitch back at them if they kick off. And to be honest, I need to start making money again. I can’t keep relying on my own child to provide for me and I need to get out of the house.”

“But it’s fine, Dad! I don’t mind doing that,” Octavia insisted, her heart wrenching. She hated all of this and wanted to scream. “Come on, you don’t need to work like that.”

“But I want to,” Stolas insisted, his brow knitted in worry. “I miss working, having a purpose, and seeing my colleagues.”

Octavia glared, hurt coursing through her. “So you’re just going to leave me alone all day with nothing to do?”

“Well, you could come along, if you’d like? Blitz won’t mind at all,” Stolas offered.

 “And watch you and your boyfriend get all lovey-dovey while you ignore me? Fuck that!” Octavia growled, offended.

“I wouldn’t ignore you!” Stolas protested, wide-eyed. “Via, I really don’t understand where your upset is coming from.”

“I just hate that I’m not enough for you!” Octavia burst out. She wiped tears threatening to fall and let out a frustrated noise. “I thought you missed me! I thought you wanted me back! I thought you were so miserable without me there! I’m so fucking tired of you choosing all of that over me! You’re choosing him over me again!”

Something shifted in Stolas because his calm demeanour visibly vanished. Left in its place was a cool gaze and his eyes were full of hurt.

“As shocking as it may seem, Octavia, but I have never chosen between you both. I was forced into a panicked decision at the trial because otherwise, he would have died, from something that I perpetuated,” Stolas said coolly. He continued to pack his lunch, not facing her. “I had no other choice but to live for myself and I miss doing so. I’m still banished for the next hundred years, so I can’t perform my princely duties. The Goetia family have all but completely turned their backs on me, not that they were ever fond of me to begin with. What in the world did you expect of me, to sit around and do nothing all day during my banishment?”

Stricken and uncertain, Octavia faltered.

“Via…” Stolas sighed, softening a little. “I really don’t know what else to say. I did make a rash decision in distancing myself from the others when I returned. I thought the right thing to do was completely focusing on you, but I realise I should have handled it differently. This isn’t right for you nor for me. For that, I’m so sorry. This was all my own doing.”

Octavia sniffled and hugged herself. The anger within was dissipating and she had no idea what to say or do. Everything she’d had to think about and everything Loona told her was rushing back.

“I don’t know what else to do. I want to have both of you in my life, but it seems you’re not willing for that.” Stolas shook his head and closed his lunch container. “But what am I saying, I’m being selfish, yet again.”

Taken by those words, Octavia looked up at him in awe.

Stolas took a breath, straightened his posture, and shook his head. “I’m really sorry, Via. I don’t mean to upset you with the directions my life is taking, I truly don’t. But I need to do more than just be your father for once. We can talk about it further later.”

Taking his phone and lunch container, Stolas left the kitchen without waiting for a reply. Octavia watched him go, all the more disheartened and guilty.

It really felt like no one was winning. Stolas was miserable with nothing to do all day. Loona was miserable because she hated seeing her dad and Stolas unhappy. Blitz was miserable because he missed having Stolas around. Octavia herself was miserable because nothing was the same and she could never get it back.

Everyone was miserable.

No matter how much anyone else dressed it, this felt so much like her own fault.

Octavia grabbed some cereal, poured coffee, sat at the table, and scrolled her phone. Now that Stolas was back at work, she was going to have to find something to occupy her time.

As she settled and scrolled her Sinstagram feed, a new post from Loona was added upon refreshing. 

It was a reel filmed from her phone featuring a giddy Blitz as he was checking his phone. Then he rubbed the Asmodean Crystal embedded in his arm bracer and a portal opened up. Stolas stepped through it, smiling brightly as he waved and greeted everyone in the room.

“Stolas!” Blitz exclaimed with a beaming smile like a child on Sinsmas morning.

Stolas turned to where he stood and a big smile broke out on his face as he set his cargo aside onto the nearby desk. “Blitzy!”

The two men ran at each other like in a romcom. Blitz was on the desk with a single leap and held open his arms. Stolas ran into them and since they were closer in height thanks to the desk, Blitz twirled the owl around happily. The two were laughing, a mix of coos, chirps and purrs emitting from them both.

Then they were kissing, like they hadn’t seen each other in years. Loona grumbled to herself about how gross it was, but she kept filming and her tone indicated she was happy.

The caption read: Finally my dads are back together. And I can go back out onto the field, fucking finally.

Dads. Not dad and boyfriend, not even their names. Loona referred to them both as her dads. She loved Stolas like a dad.

Octavia wiped her tears. She couldn’t deny how sweet the moment was. Couldn’t deny how Blitz looked at Stolas like he hung the moon. Couldn’t deny how full of life Stolas looked.

The reel ended with Moxxie and Millie appearing, both of them cheering as they welcomed Stolas back to the office.

Everything was slowly making sense. Stolas was depended on by others than herself. They all cared about him and wanted him to be happy, just as she did. 

Amidst the guilt, a warmth and relief washed over her. Octavia liked the video and saved it before moving on to the next post.

The rest of the day was spent trying to feel less overwhelmed and anxious, but steadily growing more relaxed as each hour passed.

Stolas came home by five and yet again stepped through a portal. He was waving goodbye to Loona, Moxxie and Millie. Blitz appeared and kissed his hand, much to Stolas’ delight. He giggled and bent down to the imp’s level so they could share a kiss.

“See you tomorrow, pretty bird,” Blitz said upon them parting.

“See you tomorrow, my love,” Stolas cooed, nuzzling their cheeks together.

The portal closed once Stolas stepped through completely. Octavia slowly approached, getting her dad’s attention.

“Dad?”

“Oh, Via!” Stolas exclaimed and smiled. “Good timing, it seems! How was your day?”

“Uh, fine.” Octavia shook her head and met his gaze. “Can we talk?”

Stolas’ smile faded slightly, but he nodded. “Yes, of course. Let me just put my lunch container in the kitchen.”

Octavia nodded and followed after him to do just that. Stolas then went to the kitchen table and gestured for her to sit, so she slid onto the window seat.

“How was… your first day back?” Octavia asked, hugging herself.

Stolas’s smile returned. “It was very nice. A little hectic as there was some paperwork to catch up on, but it was a very productive day.”

“Yeah…” Octavia murmured. “That’s nice.”

Clearing his throat, Stolas regarded her with concern. “Via, I do apologise for how this morning’s conversation went. I don’t want you to feel as though everything that has transpired was your fault, because it was not. I made all of these decisions on my own, but it was to the detriment of you and everyone involved.”

Stricken, Octavia stared at him as she took this in.

“I’m so sorry, I truly am. I was just so happy to have you back and I didn’t think of how to go about it,” Stolas went on, his tone contrite. “The fact you still feel neglected and as though I’m not truly here is on me. So, I hope we can discuss this and find a way to make this work for us both. Would that be okay?”

Taking a breath, Octavia closed her eyes and focused herself. The fact Stolas didn’t blame her nor held any resentment, as it seemed, was a relief. She let her body sag and relax. Talking about it was the best option she could hope for.

“Okay,” Octavia murmured, opening her eyes. “I’m sorry too, Dad.”

“It’s alright, sweetie.” Stolas placed a hand over hers comfortingly. “Your feelings are valid and I hear you. I want you to know that.”

Relief etched in all the more. “Thanks, Dad. I just… I realised I’m not used to sharing you with anyone else and I’m scared you’ll leave.”

“I can see that now,” Stolas admitted, ashamed. “I only hope you know that I love you and despite that I love others, it doesn’t mean there is no room in my heart for you.”

Wiping her eyes, Octavia sniffled and took this in. “You really miss living with Blitz and Loona?”

Surprised by the question, Stolas’ now permanent pupils shifted a bit before settling back onto her. “Yes, I do miss living with them. We were even looking at apartments before you came round.”

Although she knew this, Octavia nodded slowly. Maybe the four of them living together wouldn’t be so bad. Having a huge palace meant they could all stay out of each other’s way. Having Blitz around wouldn’t be too bad, she figured. He loved Stolas, it was clear as day, and he was the reason Loona was even in her life.

“Would they be okay moving into the palace?”

Eyes wide, Stolas gaped at her. “You would be alright with that?”

Octavia shrugged. “I wasn’t at first. I was cool with Loona moving in, but him…”

Visibly crestfallen, Stolas nodded. “I didn’t think you would be. I wouldn’t want to force that upon you, Via. Especially not for my sake.”

At least he understood. How could she ever doubt him, she wondered. Octavia took a few moments to gather herself before continuing. “But, he makes you happy, and if it wasn’t for him, I never would’ve met Loona. And he’s always nice to me. I can’t exactly call him a dickhead, so… I don’t know. As long as he doesn’t try to force me to call him ‘Dad’ or be weird around me.”

A small smile graced Stolas’ features. “You don’t have to worry about anything of that sort. He would never encroach on your boundaries.”

Sometimes it sucked to find that the person you used to hate turned out to be really cool. But it was impossible to ignore.

“Yeah… okay,” she said, a bit more at ease. “If we do this, can I just make some rules or something?”

“Absolutely, Via. This is still your home and if there’s anything I can do to make this entire transition easier for you, please tell me.” Stolas encouraged, leaning toward her with a smile.

“Okay.” Octavia relaxed more into her seat. “I guess for now, don’t forget to spend time with me even when they’re living here.”

Stolas nodded and took her hands in his. “Absolutely, sweetie. We’ll still have time just for you and I, whether here or if we go out somewhere. I may have other responsibilities and people in my life, but I will always make time for my precious little starfire.”

Relieved, Octavia smiled as warmth flooded her heart.

“I don’t really know how I feel about eating meals all together,” Octavia went on. “At least not yet.”

“Not a problem, Via. We can coordinate that to make it comfortable for you,” Stolas assured her. “You and Loona could eat in either of your rooms, or Blitz and I can go eat outside. Or you and I can eat together. You just let me know what you would prefer on any given night and we’ll make it happen.”

Octavia smiled a bit. “Okay, that sounds good.”

“Anything else?”

“Not yet, but I’ll let you know.”

“Of course,” Stolas said with a smile. “We can always revisit this and coordinate as we go along.”

“Didn’t you say you were looking at apartments before?” Octavia asked.

“Oh, right. We were, but things changed,” Stolas said. “We hadn’t decided on anything, in case you were wondering. It was just something we were in the process of doing. Our plan was to find a place that was affordable and had three bedrooms.”

Hearing that stung, even if it was also confusing. “Was that third bedroom going to be a study for you or something?”

Stolas smiled. “No, it was going to be your room. I wasn’t certain about a three-bedroom, but Blitz insisted on it. He said that we would then have a third bedroom for when you came round. And if worse comes to worse, which he insisted not to dwell on, at least we did have extra space to do something with. Let’s just say the prospect made it more appealing.”

That did make sense. But the fact they were reserving that third bedroom for her specifically left a warm fuzzy in her stomach. To think they wanted to include her all along.

“Loona was talking to me about us living together,” Octavia said. “She even said we could move to a smaller place if we wanted to. I’m not sure, but it sounds interesting.”

“Well, yes, theoretically we could,” Stolas murmured thoughtfully. “It would mean no longer living here in the palace, however. Would you be alright with that?”

Giving a shrug, Octavia blew out the side of her mouth. “Well, I’m not against it, I guess.”

“Mm, perhaps we could revisit that at a later time once we’re all settled?” Stolas suggested. “If I know Blitz, he’ll want us to live together, but he would refuse being unable to contribute meaningfully. I can’t say I blame him, mind you. Learning to live like a commoner has opened my eyes to so many aspects of society I never knew or considered. So, if we were to downsize and live in a home that was suitable for all four of us with plenty of space that we could all contribute to, it would be lovely.”

Octavia hummed in response. It did sound doable. “Could we also do that here if we stayed?”

“Yes, of course!” Stolas agreed. “I plan to bring this up when I tell him the news. I don’t want him to feel this is a handout of any sort, he would want to earn it somehow. But we can all discuss that together in person, does that sound amenable?”

“Okay,” she said. Then she waved a hand toward him, “Now go tell your boyfriend the news.”

Stolas giggled and nodded. “Alright, I will. Is there anything else you wanted to discuss before I do?”

Octavia hesitated and asked, “Is he going to like me at all?”

“Oh Via, of course. He already loves you,” Stolas assured her with a sweet smile.

That sounded so weird and Octavia felt her insides turn to mush. She couldn’t imagine why he’d already like her so much, considering everything.

But beyond that, despite that everything was going to change, Octavia didn’t feel so dreaded about it now. Stolas was right, everything was going to be okay.

On moving day just barely a week later, Octavia hung out with Loona in her new bedroom as the hellhound unpacked her stuff.

All the while their dads were doing who-knows-what, but it certainly had to do with celebrating the fact they were living together again. Octavia and Loona took some blackmail material with Stolas swooped Blitz into his arms and they held each other tight, silent, and not letting go.

Loona’s bedroom was, as reported by Loona herself, at least five times bigger than her old bedroom. There was plenty of space for her to work with, which she was excited at the prospect of. The fact her bedroom had an en suite bathroom was the highlight for Loona, thrilled to have her own bathroom she didn’t have to share with anybody.

Octavia was so thrilled for her. Seeing the cool girl she adored as a sister figure excited and thrilled with her room was enough to make all of this worth it. Loona deserved all the nice things after the rough life she had, Octavia felt. Anything she could do to make her best friend smile was going to be great.

“I know all this shit wasn’t easy for you,” Loona said as she opened another box. She smiled softly in the owlette’s direction. “But as long as you’re happy to, that’s awesome.”

“Yeah… I mean, it’s going to be an adjustment,” Octavia admitted with a sigh. “But I thought so much about what you said before and when I talked to Dad, I guess it helped a lot. None of it feels so bad at all.”

Loona nodded in understanding. “I totally get it. Life can be really wild and take you in weird directions you never expected.”

“You’re right,” Octavia snorted. “Was it hard when Dad moved in with you guys?”

“Actually, not really. I mean, it was an adjustment knowing he was there all the time and sleeping on the couch,” Loona remarked. She shook her head with a fond smile. “But, I was just so grateful to him for saving my dad and I didn’t mind it. Hell, the fact Blitz was happier than I’ve ever seen him since then just kinda helped.”

“Yeah?” Octavia adjusted her beanie.

“It just became the new normal, you know?” Loona said, looking back at her from the box she’d been rifling through. “I’m just sorry it was harder for you, though.”

Touched, Octavia smiled a bit. “It’s okay. After living with my mum and uncle when Dad was banished, I don’t miss it at all.”

“Totally, that had to have sucked balls.”

“It really did. It made me realise just how much my dad being there was what I truly wanted,” Octavia murmured, looking toward one of the windows. “He was always there for me, always caring about me, playing with me…”

“He’s a good dad who gave a shit,” Loona said. “It sucked not having the parent around who did care.”

“It really did,” Octavia agreed, sniffling. “I never realised how much he sacrificed and went through just to give me a normal life. All I could think about was how when it crumpled, that he ruined it.”

Loona went over to her and sat on the bed next to her. “You cared about him, that’s why it all hurt when it changed and you didn’t know what it meant. That’s why it hurt.”

Nodding in agreement, Octavia leaned against Loona, who hugged her. “I was alone all the time if he wasn’t there. And I don’t like being alone like that.”

Squeezing her, Loona said, “You’re not gonna be alone anymore, Via. You’ve got me, and you’ve got Blitz when you feel ready to hang around him. He’s gonna be there for you if you want him to.”

Octavia nodded. “I’m glad you came up with this, Loona.”

“Hey, I just dropped the idea,” Loona chuckled. “Still, I guess I could’ve handled it better, and I’m sorry if it made you pressured.”

“No, it didn't," Octavia said honestly. “It just kind of gave me the wake up call I needed. I was scared that Dad blamed me for all of this, but he said he didn’t.”

“He never did,” Loona agreed. “No one does. You were going through a lot and it was tough.”

“I appreciate you guys being so accommodating,” Octavia murmured, leaning more into Loona’s form. “I don’t feel… like, overwhelmed or anything.”

“Glad to hear it.” Loona squeezed her a little more, snuffling her nose into Octavia’s beanie. “We want you to be happy.”

Octavia smiled more. She hoped she could do the same for all of them, too. Everything was going to be okay. For once, Octavia felt she could breathe despite the changes happening in her life. Nothing about it was horrifying or dreadful. It was just new.