Holy shit Im an idiot, posted the wrong chapter this one goes first ;-;
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I hurled the blanket into the corner of the room. It landed in a pile beside the already overfilled laundry basket.
Dragging my feet to the bathroom, I shoved a toothbrush into my mouth and scrubbed at an unreasonable pace. Foam slopped out of the corners of my month, dripping onto the sink. My arms moved without rhythm, just irritation and blurry thoughts.
By the time I threw on my work attire—black shirt, ripped slacks, guns holstered, boots barely tied, I was halfway out the door before my eyes slid over to my refrigerator the calendar hung loosey.
I stopped.
"Oh tits, it's Saturday."
I turned around and collapsed onto my couch. The cushions groaned under my weight. I peeled off the suit like I was in a movie shoot, revealing shorts and a white T-shirt with a broken heart across the chest. There was a hole in the armpit sending a gust through my body.
Remote in one hand, I let out a deep breath turned on the TV. The news blared something awful. I wasn't really watching. Everything outside the walls of my apartment might as well have been static.
"Hmm... what to do," I muttered.
I picked up my phone and began to scroll through. I could finish paperwork. Or start planning that new wing I'd been thinkin about. The company needed something sturdier. Something that wouldn't give us an instant 'insurance liability.'
The interns had the day off, So maybe I should monitor the humans myself while there ou–,
BZZZZZZ... BZZZZZZ...
My eyes flicked to the notification.
Loonypoo:"Just so u know I'm heading out. Party at Vox's district. Should be back late. Don't wait up."
A grin pulled at the edge of my mouth.
"Oh, she's off to a party, huh. That's cool."
I stretched out across the couch, one leg dangling off the edge, and sent her a reply. Told her to have fun. Even tossed in a "Don't do anything I wouldn't do," though that didn't exactly limit her options.
My thumb hovered over the screen a while longer. I remembered this. I think. This night existed in the original timeline.
Well thats done what else, I had to do something important. My gaze wandered across the apartment.
Dishes. Table. Then... something else.
I locked onto it.
Sat up slow.
"That's it."
RIIIIING.
I groaned and flopped sideways on the couch towards my phone. "Oh fuck, what now?"
I jabbed the green button on the phone.
"Its Blitz. WHAT."
"Oh, Blitzy~! I just had to hear your voice..."
My eyes narrowed. The voice was off. Soft. High. Feminine.
I sat upright.
"Ohh, hey Stolas. How ya been?"
"Oh, don't be shy now. I thought a different look might stir something in you~. I even practiced walking in heels. Want me to send you a video?"
I stared at the wall.
It didn't move.
"I must've been reincarnated again," I said under my breath.
Ping.
There it was.
Stolas. Lingerie. Poorly lit. A mirror in the corner angled up wrong. My brain didn't know whether to reboot or combust.
"Am I supposed to just... roll with this?"
Yeah. Apparently I was.
"You like it, don't you? I felt that little flare of interest. Mmm, it's lovely."
I coughed. "Yeah. I do. But what's going on here?"
His pause was quiet, but not cold.
"I thought it might be fun. Maybe you'd enjoy it. Just something for you."
I scratched the back of my neck. "You didn't have to call. But you did. So... thanks."
A silence settled.
It didn't itch.
"You seemed tired last time," he said. "I wanted to check on you."
I swallowed. "Yeah... was thinking about building something new at the office. Something solid. Something that won't collapse next time we catch a stray missile."
"That sounds beautiful. You deserve that, Blitzy."
I shifted. The word hung in my head. 'Deserve.' I'd heard it before, but hearing him say it straight with no teasing, or even honeyed purr, made something thud deep in my chest.
"Hey... thanks."
"Anything for you."
The stillness stayed.
I leaned into the couch, phone warm against my ear.
I didn't feel like I was chasing anything. And in this short while it felt good.
Not the sins.
Not the next contract.
Not even my own damn tail.
"So," I said, voice easy, "you got more of those videos, or what?"
Stolas laughed, light and airy.
"Blitzy, you wicked little imp. Always straight to it."
"Damn right."
BZZZ.
My phone vibrated again. I glanced at the screen.
Loonypoo: "Ugh. Come get me. This place blows."
I chuckled under my breath. Of course.
"Hey, Stolas? Gotta go. Kid needs a ride."
"Of course, darling. Be safe. And do text me later... if you're still feeling inspired."
"Yeah, yeah... we'll see."
I ended the call, stood up, and reached for my keys. Time to be Dad again. And honestly, I didn't mind one bit.