Hazbin and Helluva Shorts III

Now That You're Gone: Starlight

Starlight had spent years putting up with her husband. But it was useless. Solar was impossible to reason with. And that was putting it mildly. He was cold, abusive, and classist. Everything with him was about reputation and status. Nothing else mattered in his stony eyes. He was callous and unforgiving. Starlight had tried to make it work, not for herself but for their son Orion. But enough was enough. Had Solar only targeted her, she wouldn't have cared. She would've put up with it. But when he started doing the same to Orion, that was it. Starlight didn't care anymore. She wouldn't let him suffer like she had for so long.

Starlight began planning something big. First, she needed evidence. For this, she purposely got on her husband's nerves. She let him yell. She let him hit her. But it was worth it. For her son, she endured it all. She had hidden cameras throughout the mansion. She also kept a journal detailing the cycle of abuse that had started from the day they met as children. Solar had no idea. Starlight knew the council wouldn't believe her without definitive proof. They were jackasses holding onto the archaic ways. And Solar was the same.

Second, Starlight needed backup. She secretly called in support from friends in both high and low places. Her primary contact was her Imp friend Blitzo. She had confided in him countless times. With him on her side, she felt more comfortable moving forward with her plan. But he wasn't enough alone. Starlight enlisted the help of more. She even persuaded an overlord to step in, and he agreed.

Finally, the day came. Starlight called Solar out to the balcony. She had sent their son off to his friend's place for the night to have a sleepover. He didn't need to know about what was about to happen. At least, not in real-time. With a deep breath, Starlight stood tall and announced her intentions to divorce. As expected, he laughed. She smiled and let him have a moment. After all, it would be the last time he laughed in her face. Then she added her readiness to fight for custody. And the laughing stopped. Solar glared. But she was done. Starlight had already packed his things and sent them to his sister Andrea. She thanked him for giving her a son. It was the only good thing he had done. With that, Starlight went back inside. She had nothing more to say.

One month later, everyone was gathered in the highest Goetia court. The news had spread within a week. Starlight took her own defense at the stand. She went over every detail and provided her abuse journal as solid evidence. It was clear that it wasn't only physical. The judge couldn't ignore it. The video and audio recordings supported the words. For real-time proof, Starlight stood and took off her dress in front of everyone (in a sports bra and short shorts). The bruises, cuts, and ligature marks were undeniable. She talked about each one head to talon.

Blitzo spoke up next. He went over all the times Starlight had come to him, hurt and crying. She was broken. Solar made him sick. And he made that known to the court. He also had video evidence thanks to his hobby of recording particular activities. It showed Solar shouting all kinds of insults and manhandling his wife. And that was the least of it. Starlight sat in silence as the video played. But more than that, there were clips of Solar taking his anger out on Orion.

In the end, the court had no chance. The jury gave their verdict. Guilty. The divorce was granted. All parental rights were given to Starlight. The paperwork was printed and signed in the courtroom minutes after the gavel hit the desk. It was over. All the pain. All the suffering. All the abuse. Over. Starlight took Orion and left the courthouse. She didn't look back. No more.

Months later, Starlight was living her life free from an abusive ex-husband. This had never happened in Goetia history. But there was a first time for everything, as mortals said. So, she started anew. And one of the first things she went for was Blitzo. She hadn't brought this up in court, but they had been secretly seeing one another. It was a forbidden relationship with no excuses. However, there were exceptions to every rule. Starlight began inviting him over more often now that she was a free woman. They couldn't make their relationship public yet. It was too soon after the divorce. But they were ready for when the time came. For now, they met at cafes so it didn't look like a date or anything serious. Neither knew when they would be able to be together. But they were prepared to fight again for themselves and their families.

It was about a year before Starlight and Blitzo finally made the final hurdle. They made their relationship public. Dates were now at restaurants, the movies, and the mall. Of course, others noticed. But it didn't matter. They stood tall and proud as they walked side by side. Now it was onto wedding plans. Starlight wanted to move quickly. Blitzo wanted to wait longer. Eventually, they reached a middle ground and settled on another half year. But planning started now. One issue was their different location. She was living the high life in the fast lane. He was in a poor city with only a small house and a merger company to his name. And both of them had a kid to think about. But little by little, Starlight and Blitzo figured things out. They had a meeting with their daughters and other employees. Everyone agreed to their marriage. It was strange. A Goetia and an Imp. But it was happening. A wedding was on the dark horizon.