Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Alright. Everyone up.”

It was another day for Blitzø, Stolas, and Loona. The imp in question was preparing for the day. Stolas yawned and stretched from his position on the couch.

“Morning dear.” Stolas said.

“Morning birdy.” Blitzø responded. “Go get yourself ready. We got a big day today.”

He went over to the kitchen and began making breakfast, while Stolas got up and stretched. Loona in the meantime, came out of her room.

“Morning, Loonie-toonie.” Blitzø said to his daughter.

“Morning, dad.” the hellhound said with a yawn.

Many things had changed over the course of the last couple months. Stolas had been adjusting to his new life while working for Blitzø at IMP. Things were… very different from how he was used to. Many tasks he commonly had his servants do, he now has to do on his own. He was working as a secretary at IMP. On top of that, Blitzø was training him to use weapons to help assist with missions. The thought of going on missions with Blitzø both excited and scared him.

Regardless though, he needed to get ready for the day. He went into the bathroom to freshen up. He started by undressing and taking a shower. It wasn't hot like in his palace, but he wasn't complaining. He'd learned to deal with it a while ago.

Once he finished up, he went to the sink, and opened the cabinet, looking for one specific pill bottle. Ever since the debacle on Sinsmas, he had taken one final bottle of happy pills from Octavia. He enjoyed living with Blitzø, but his woes over his daughter tended to affect him most days, resulting in needing his pills to help manage things.

He opened the bottle to take a pill out.

Nothing but a puff of air and some lint.

“Oh shit.”

This wasn’t good. Without his pills, he’d be much more likely to succumb to his depression symptoms. With how things got during the first few weeks afterwards… yea let's just say, he didn't like his chances.

“Hey Stolas, you good in there?”

Blitzø’s sudden question made Stolas jump. He didn't really want to bother the imp with this, but he wasn't sure what he could do.

“It's… nothing.” He responded. “Just accidently spilled something. Need to clean it up.”

“You better not have spilled my favorite toothpaste. That stuff is expensive enough as is.”

“Don't worry.” Stolas responded, nervously. “I-I think it was just a tub of lube. It's cleaned up now.”

“Huh. Didn’t know I still had one of those in there.” Blitzø said. “Well, clean up and finish up. And don’t forget your pill.”

“He he. Y-Yea.” Stolas said. “I uh-just took it.”

“Alrighty.” Blitzø responded. “Finish up and I'll see you at the table.”

The imp fortunately walked away at that point, allowing Stolas to take a sigh of relief.

Well this was going to be a problem. How was he going to convince Blitzø and everyone else that there wasn't a problem.

Well, it might not be the biggest problem. He did go a month without them between Sinsmas and… the trial. Who knew if anyone would truly notice a difference.

That just meant that he would need to hide the pill bottle for now. He looked around the room. The cabinet wouldn't work. That would easily be noticed. He could toss it down the drain, but who knew what problems that would cause. Besides, the drain appeared designed so that you could uncap it and throw anything down. Likely something the landlord has done after something Blitzø had done.

Then there was the trash can. It was equally possible that no one would look as it was that it could be found. Loona had chewed out Blitzø once when he had found a positive pregnancy test in there. No one was sure who it belonged to, but Stolas had his suspicions. That could mean that the chances weren't likely to be found, although Stolas wasn’t super confident. It was still possible that Blitzø would come in here and somehow find it.

Stolas debated how best to handle this from there. He could likely take the bottle with him and throw it out at work. Some of the trash bins at work had yet to be emptied, so that would make it good cover for him. The former prince stuck the pill bottle in his pocket, left the room, and joined the others at the table.

Blitzø served everyone their breakfast. Stolas took a large rat while the others had their normal plates. Normally Stolas would be rather quick to down his rat, but this time, he hesitated.

He couldn't help but take note of how Blitzø and Loona were chatting together. There was some arguing, but also some playful banter mixed in. It really reminded him of his mornings with Octavia eating breakfast.

Stolas sighed, picking up his rat. He could already tell this was going to be a long day.

“You alright dude?”

He turned to find Loona looking at him. Her face appeared inquisitive, but he could detect some concern as well. Blitzø had turned to look as well.

“Oh it's nothing.” He said, trying to play things off. “Just… giving my meal a try once over.”

“Oh shit.” Blitzø said, starting to panic. “I didn’t pick out a bad one, did I?!”

“Oh no no.” Stolas responded, shaking his hands. “I thought maybe it was a little too big, but I was just mistaken.”

“You sure?” Blitzø asked. “I could get you another one.”

“I’m sure.” Stolas responded. He took a bite from the head to prove his point. “See. Tastes fantastic.”

“Well. If you say so.”

Blitzø returned to eating, while Loona hesitated for a moment. She looked at Stolas for a moment before turning back to her own plate. The former prince gave a quiet sigh of relief.

Now he just had to get through the rest of the day.

The car ride there felt rather awkward. Some chatter goes on after M&M are picked up, but Stolas can't help but be abnormally silent. Normally Blitzø and Stolas would chat about things, but Stolas finds himself too worried about current things. He has a hand resting by the pill bottle in his pocket, and another at the same spot on his other leg to try and act natural.

So instead, he just listens to the chatter in the back of the van. He can hear Loona complaining about Millie being extra clingy and gross. Moxxie, on the other hand, defends his wife, as the both insist that there is no problem.

“You okay?”

Stolas gets startled by the sudden voice. He turned to find Blitzø now looking at him. He appeared somewhat concerned. The van appears to have been stopped at a light.

“Uh yea.” Stolas responded, albeit nervously. “Why wouldn't I be?”

“Just been rather quiet, that's all.” Blotzø said.

”It’s nothing.” Stolas responded. “Just thinking.”

”About what?”

”Well.”

At this time, a car honked its horn from behind them. It turns out the light had turned green. Blitzø rolled down his window and flipped off the driver behind them.

”Oh fuck off, fuck head!” He yelled back. “Let’s see how you fucking like it!”

Before he knew it, Blitzø had backed the fan back into the car behind him, before he took off down the road.

”Fucking asshole.” Blitzø complained. Everyone else in the van was holding onto something for dear life, including Stolas.

The prior conversation had luckily been forgotten about. Stolas quietly sighed in relief.

Soon after, the group arrived at the office. Stolas went in to take his spot behind the desk. Now he needed a moment to drop the pill bottle in the trash without anyone noticing.

Blitzø went over and stood beside Stolas.

“Alright. So what's on the docket for today?” He asked Stolas.

“Oh uh give me one second.” He felt a little bad. He was usually quicker at bringing up those files. Some eyebrows were raised but no one said anything.

“Ah. Here we are.” Stolas pulled up the priority file on hand. It was a known serial killer who had killed a rival killer in a given town. How two different killers were competing was unknown, but Blitzø was eager for this one. Stolas sent the file over to the printer.

“Oh fuck yes.” Blitzø said eagerly. “I've wanted to get this one so badly.”

Stolas stole a moment to quietly slip his pill bottle in the trash.

“Alright everyone. Get your shit and let’s get going.”

The group went to gather their things from the armory. In the meantime, Stolas picked up the garbage can. It was rather full. He could just walk out right now, claiming he wanted to take out the trash. It would be safer to just wait until the group went out. He wouldn’t get noticed.

“You’re not sick are you?”

He looked up to find Blitzø at the armory doorway. He looked worried. Looks like he’d have to go with the first option.

“Oh no.” Stolas responded. “I just uh, happened to notice that the trash can looked full and thought it would be a good idea to uh, empty it out back?”

“You want to empty the trash?” Blitzø asked, raising an eyebrow.

Stolas felt nervous now.

“I mean, that wouldn’t be a problem. Would it?”

“I suppose not.” Blitzø responded. “Let me just help you out.”

“It’s fine.” Stolas responded, getting up with the current trash can. “You don’t really have to.”

”Um, in case you haven’t noticed, you’re a former Goatia prince, and most other people hate your guts.” Blitzø said. “You’d be in much better hands if I came with you.”

“Well, if you want.”

“Trust me Stolas. You’ll be in good hands with me.” He said. He put a hand on Stolas’s back. The action was done a little too hard, causing the bird to jerk forward and spill some trash.

“Whoops.” Blitzø said. “Uh let me help with that.”

Blitzø knelt down and began picking up the spilled trash. Stolas was content to wait, until he noticed one particular item. His empty pill bottle.

“You really don’t have to.” He said, kneeling down himself. “I can-.”

He stopped, seeing that Blitzø had picked up the bottle first. The imp’s expression turned inquisitive as he observed the item in his hand.

“This is your pill bottle from this morning, isn’t it?”

Unsure of what to do, Stolas simply nodded guiltily.

“And you’ve run out?”

Another nod.

“So you haven't taken any pills today?”

A head shake.

“And there are no other bottles we can quickly get?”

Another head shake.

Blitzø sighed, pinching his nose.

“Satan fucking dammit.” He said. “Hold your horses everyone. We got another emergency on our hands. Meeting room. Now!”

The others had perched up by the armory doorway, watching the scene. They all walked out at Blitzø’s command. Millie sighs in frustration.

”Satan fuckin dammit. I was actually excited for this one.” Millie complained.

Everyone moved into the meeting room, with Blitzø and Stolas taking their spots at the front of the table. Stolas simply sighed and set his head down in his crossed arms. Everyone else had their attention on the head imp in charge.

“Alright folks.” Blitzø said. “We have a different kind of emergency on our hands.”

He took the empty pill bottle and set it down on the table.

“Stolas has run out of his meds.” He continued. “And we don't have any way to get more.”

“No offense sir.” Moxxie chimed in. “But why exactly is this our problem?”

“As I said Mox.” Blitzø responded. “We don't have the ability to get more. I just thought that my good friends and loyal workers would be able to offer some advice.”

“Well.” Moxxie continued. “Where did you get those pills from before?”

“Lucked out and got them from his daughter.” Blitzø responded. “And I doubt we can get that lucky again.”

“Oh come on. It can't be that bad.” Millie interjected. She went and grabbed the pill bottle. “I'm sure we can easily steal or set aside some money to-.” She paused, having read the label on the bottle. “Wait. Nevermind. These pills were prescribed by Belphagor.”

“Aaand now you folks see the problem.”. Blitzø responded. “Which means they are way out of our budget to even try and buy a prescription. And that will just get us one bottle.”

“Well.” Moxxie responded. “Getting pills like these isn’t exactly easy. Your Hi… Stolas? How long have you gone without pills before?”

Stolas picked his head up just enough for his eyes to be seen.

“A month?” He said just audibly enough. It came out like a question.

“Well? How bad did your symptoms get?”

“Let me put it this way, Mox.” Blitzø chimes in. “If he’s sad enough, things can get really fucking bad. A week after Sinsmas, things got really fucking bad.”

“What kind of bad are we talking about?”

“The shit has not only hit the fan but the fan is flinging said shit everywhere type of bad!

Loona cringed. She remembered that moment. It was the reason Stolas began those pills again in the first place.

”Would Stolas’s old palace have any?”

”NO NO NO!” Stolas suddenly cut in.

”But Stolas-“

”I’m not bothering Octavia again.” Stolas said. “Besides, they likely got rid of any remains pills I had there.”

“Well what the fuck are we supposed to do?!” Millie chimed in, sounding frustrated. “It’s not like we can just waltz into a hospital or pharmacy in Sloth and steal this shit.”

“Maybe we can actually.”

Everyone suddenly turned toward Loona, surprised she has spoken up.

“Uh Loona?” Moxxie said. “ I don't know if you realized this, but we’re not exactly equipped to handle something like that.”

“Not yet, maybe.” Loona responded. “But I think I know someone who can help.”

“Who is this exactly?” Moxie asked.

“Just give me a minute. There’s someone I need to talk to.”

With that Loona got out of her seat, grabbing her phone to text one particular person. Said person being the hellhound bodyguard of the popstar in the studio across the hall. She asked him if they could meet in the hall.

Truth be told, she wasn’t too keen on doing this. It wasn’t really Vortex she needed, but his girlfriend, Beelzebub. After previous events, the sin wasn’t someone Loona really wanted to talk to, but if it meant helping Stolas, she’d make that sacrifice.

A few moments later, both hellhounds were outside their respective offices in the hallway.

“Hey Loon.” Vortex greeted her.

“Hey Vortex.” Loona responded. “Good seeing you.”

“Same.” Vortex responded. “So what’s up? This isn’t usually a trend for you.”

“Yea. I uh.. need a favor actually.”

“Uh sure.” Vortex said. “What is it?”

“Well.” Loona continued. “Do you think you can give Bee a call? We need her help with something.”

Chapter Text

“Alright. So let me get this straight. Good ol’ Stolas here has run out of pills, and you guys want to break into Bell’s drug stash to get more?”

Beelzebub and Vortex had now joined in the fray at the IMP office. Loona had explained that Bee had experience with breaking into Bell’s stash before, and could help the group. Everyone in turn explained their predicament to the sin.

“And you want my help to break you guys in?

“Yea that about sums it up.” Blitzø responded.

“You guys are fucking crazy.”

This isn’t going to work is it? She doesn’t think this is worth her time.

Loona was really nervous right now. It didn't help that her opinion of Bee wasn’t very high. She was scared that the sin wouldn't care about their predicament.

Luckily, she wouldn't have to worry about that for long.

“I gotta invite you guys to more parties.” Bee smirked. “So, when we breaking in?”

“Well, we need a plan first?” Moxxie said. “We uh, were kinda hoping you could help us with that. Is there anything you can tell us about Belphagor’s stash? Like any security, or where the stash is in the building?”

“I can tell anything you wanna know.”

The sin flew over to the white board and grabbed a marker.

“Let's see.” She started. “It's been a while since I've tried to break in, but I'm pretty sure the layout is something like this.”

She drew a diagram on the whiteboard. She starts with a main waiting room, before sectioning off into other hallways.

“Back here are the various doctors' offices.”

A much bigger offshoot is added toward the top of the diagram.

“And over here is the pharmacy section. And I believe the main drug stash-.” She drew another small hallway that opened into another large area. “Is in a vault right here.”

She drew an X to help denote the location.

The others in the room cringed.

“That's… not going to be easy to get to, is it?”

“The vault is always locked too.” Bee continued. “The last time I broke in, I found that the locks were changed, as well. I wasn't able to jimmy the lock open before Bel caught me.

Stolas groaned. Blitzø and Loona were also visibly frustrated.

“Oh fucking great.” Blitzø responded. “So even if we make it there, we’re completely fucked unless we find a key somewhere.”

”Not necessarily.” Bee responded. “Bel usually keeps a couple keys in the security office. If I remember correctly it's about-.” She tapped her chin for a moment before adding another section onto a random hallway and circling it. “Right here.”

“Alright.” Millie responded. “We go in, fight who we need to and steal the key.”

“Bad idea.”

Everyone was taken aback by Bee’s sudden response.

“What!? Why!?” Millie asked.

“They have a fair amount of security there.” Bee said.

“Doesn’t seem like a problem to me.” Blitzø countered. “We’ve handled far worse.”

“I don’t doubt that.” Bee responded. “But it’s better if we stay stealthy. They‘ll send guards for any normal issue, but if they see we’re going after the vault, we’ll be in big trouble. The whole place will go into lockdown, and it’s only a matter of time before Bel shows up.”

That made sense. They could handle the security just fine, but if Belphegor herself showed up they’d be in trouble. Beelzebub was the only one who'd be able to handle her. If Bel caught someone without the sin of gluttony around, they’d be screwed.

“Alright fuck.” Blitzø responded. “That means we can’t handle this the old fashion way.”

“We’ll likely need a distraction.” Moxxie chimed in. “That way someone can draw away any security, and we can just sneak in and take the key without anyone noticing.”

“I got something even better.”

Bee conjured a small ball of honey. Everyone watched closely as the ball transformed into a key. The sin smirked.

“Neat trick huh?” She asked, smugly. “It’s how I kept breaking into Bel’s stash before.” She turned it back into a ball and began to toss it between her hands. “I just slip this bad boy around the vault key, and I get a permanent copy to break in whenever I want.” She suddenly sighed, her good mood disappearing along with the ball. “Or at least it was good enough, until Bel caught on and changed her locks.”

“Alright. So we can stay extra discrete.” Moxxie said. “Now we’ll just need a good distraction.”

”Not a problem.” Blitzø said. He pulled out a gun and a wig. “I can pull up the best distractions.”

”Blitzø. Come on.” Loona interjected. “Your last distraction on a mission flopped hard. Do you honestly think you can get the attention of security without causing a full blown lockdown?!”

Blitzø pouted, tossing the wig to the side, and putting his gun away.

“Well, do any of you have any better ideas?” Blitzø asked.

“It would probably be best if we imitated a rowdy patient.” Bee suggested. “If we can cause a big enough commotion, we can likely pull away most, if not all the office security.”

“But what would be good enough to do that?” Moxxie asked.

At this time Blitzø smacked his hands on the table.

“I got it.” He said. “We got the perfect setup for the most rowdy patient ever. You're gonna be the star Millie.”

“Wha?! Me?!” Millie responded, rather surprised.

”Exactly.” Blitzø continued. “You and Mox get to get some practice in with rollplay. You get a reversal at being pregnant.”

”WHAAAAT?!!”

Everyone was rather surprised to hear Blitzø’s suggestion. None however, seemed to be more freaked out than Millie herself.

“What the fuck?” Moxxie questioned in response, once he was shaken from his stupor. “Blitzø, why is that the one thing you suggest?!”

“Oh come on, Mox.” “You should know the saying. There ain't no wrath like that of a pregnant imp. Millie pretends to be pregnant, you and her go in, she acts up and draws away security, then Queenie here goes in and does her thing.”

“That's not a bad idea.” Bee commented. “A pregnant imp getting too rowdy gives our distraction a believable cover.”

Blitzø smirked, hearing the sin like his plan.

“And if good ol’ Millie can give everyone there a run for their money, we’re sure to have every security guard in there going for our distraction.”

Millie still appeared shaken up from everything.

“But, Uh, I”

“Hey.” Moxxie interjected. “We should at least let Millie say if she even wants to even do this!”

“As much as I don't like agreeing with Fatty. I'm agreeing with Fatty.” Loona said. “I’m not forcing her to go out there and letting her fuck up because she doesn’t feel comfortable.”

“Yea.” Vortex chimed in. “We should let her decide.”

Everyone turned towards Millie. The female imp had calmed down from her initial outburst, but was still very much shaken up.

“I… don’t know.” She said. “Getting pregnant i.. was something that always scared me. I never thought it would be something for me.”

“Give yourself more credit, Mills.” Blitzø responded. “You two would be the most kickass parents.”

“He's right ya know?”

Millie looked up at Moxxie, surprised by his agreeing comment.

“You’d be a perfect parent.” Moxxie continued. “And I'd love to raise a child with you. So what do you think? Wanna have a practice session?”

Millie couldn’t help but chuckle. Before answering, she took a quick breath to steady herself.

“Alright, I’ll do it.”

“That’s the spirit Mills.” Blitzø responded.

Everyone else smiled.

“Alrighty. I think that’s our whole plan.” Bee said, happy things had worked out.

“One other thing, Bee?” Loona asked.

Bee turned toward the Hellhound. “What is it?” She asked.

“What about once we get in the vault?” She asked. “Will be able to find the pills easily?”

At this Bee hesitated. She started scratching the back of her neck.

“That I don’t know.” The sin responded. “I know Bel likes to keep things categorized, but we won’t really know where anything is until we get in there.”

Alright. So it would be a case of trial and error then. Great!

“So long as we stay under the radar, we should be good.” Moxie said.

“We’ll just have to make sure we don’t take too long.” Bee said. “We don’t want anyone catching us in there.”

“Sounds like a plan then.” Blitzø said. “That just leaves forming the teams.”

“I know it’ll be me and Millie for the distraction.” Moxxie said.

“I can take muscle man here and deal with any security at the vault.” Blitzø said, gesturing towards Vortex. “Stolas can help us out as well. Plus he can help us find a way to the vault. ”

“Sounds like a plan little man.” Vortex responded.

“How about you Loonie?” Blitzø asked his daughter. “What team are you joining?”

“Think I’ll go with Bee and steal the key.” Loona responded.

The response made the sin of gluttony get excited. She flew over and flung an arm around Loona.

“Fuck yea girl.” Bee said. “Let’s make this a girls' time we’ll never forget.”

“Sure.” Loona responded, sarcastically, rolling her eyes. “Sounds like fun.”

“That’s the spirit.” Bee responded. “We’re gonna go in there and show them what we’re made of. Hell, maybe I can steal some drugs for my next party while we’re in there.”

And there it was.

“Eh sure.” Blitzø said, shrugging. “Whatever keeps you happy.”

Loona didn’t really catch much of the rest of the conversation. She was simply too hung up on the sin’s last words. Even after the trial, way back when, she had still foolishly held out hope that Bee was different from the other sins. Now, she just heard what would finally squash the remainder of the hope.

Now she truly knew. Why would Bee of all people be here for them? When it came to the sins, the same thing could be said for Bee as for the rest of them.

They only gave a shit about themselves.

A short time later, most of the IMP crew were preparing for their heist. Two exceptions were present though.

The first exception was Blitzø and Stolas. The former prince still had his head in his hands on the table. Blitzø was standing beside him.

“How you holding up?” He asked, setting a hand on his shoulder.

”I.. think I’ll manage.” Stolas responded. “I’m sorry you had to go through all this. It really must be a hassle for you.”

Blitzø scoffed.

”Are you kidding?” He said. “It’s the furthest from a hassle. I’d do it again if I had to.”

That made Stolas perk up.

”Why, thank you. That’s mighty kind.”

The other exception was Beelzebub and Vortex. The male hellhound was doing some stretches while he waited for Loona and the others in the armory. The sin stared out the window, appearing to be deep in thought.

Eventually, Vortex walked over to her.

“Ya know, after all this time, I never thought that I would end up taking part in one of these.”

Bee turned to him.

“Funny how things work out huh?” She said, chuckling. “At least this time, we have a better reason.”

She honestly felt a little bad. Back on her previous attempted raids, she used to ask Vortex if she wanted to help. Her boyfriend would always express discomfort in participating. She would eventually leave to perform the heist on her own. As time went on, she stopped asking him altogether, not wanting to pressure him into something he'd rather not do. She wasn't even sure this raid for happy pills was a good enough justification.

“You alright?”

It was as at Vortex’s question that Bee had realized she was staring into space.

“Just… thinking I guess.” She said.

“Is this about.. you know?”

Bee nodded.

The sin didn't need to say it out loud to know what Vortex was talking about. After the trial with the sins against IMP, Bee hadn't been doing too hot. She had wished she had made more of a case to defend Blitzø during the trial. Her fear of how Satan's response, combined with a desire to not put down her “brother”, stopped her dead in her tracks.

Things got worse when Loona had become a no show at parties. Despite some of the performances Bee put on, Vortex could tell she was dealing with a great deal of guilt.

For a moment, she thought things might be ok, but as Loona went into the armory to prepare, she began to sense her negative vibes.

“I just.. hope this will be enough to make it up to her.” She said.

“I'm sure it will help.” Vortex responded. “Just be sure to give her time, alright?”

Bee smiled and nodded.

“I love you.” She said.

Vortex kissed her.

“Love you too.”