by C. W. Gray
Val loved his mate and would be damned if he ever gave him up.
By the end of the day, they were all tired. Val packed up his tools and helped clean up the worksite without talking to either Poppy or Clyde. Usually they talked and joked with one another, so it bothered him, but he wasn’t feeling forgiving.
Poppy sighed and thumped his back. “Your man works late, right? Call Lorry and come have dinner with us at Juniper’s. Clyde can buy to make up for being a dumphead.”
Clyde scowled but shrugged. “Yeah, I can buy.”
Val eyed him for a moment, then sent a message to Lorry. “Okay, we’ll be there. I’m inviting Alois too since you’re buying.”
Clyde snorted. “Of course you are.”
A quick ride on the tram brought the three of them to their apartment building. Poppy lived on the floor above him, and Clyde lived in the apartment right next to Val and Lorry.
Poppy waved at them and bounced up the stairs while Clyde and Val took the elevator. “I swear I don’t know where that woman gets all that energy,” Clyde said, yawning.
Val smiled reluctantly. “She’s about twenty years younger than both of us.”
Clyde chuckled. “Good point.”
Val unlocked the apartment and went inside.
A soft woof greeted him, and a small brown and white ball of energy bounced around his feet. “Hey, pretty girl.”
He kept Midge’s hair short and used bows to hold her bangs out of her eyes. Today, Lorry had put in a blue and yellow striped bow. He knelt down, bones creaking, and picked her up, taking some time to pet and love on her. “You want to go to Juniper’s with us?”
“Woof.”
“That’s what I thought.”
By the time they reached the restaurant, Lorry and the others were already there. They stood waiting for him around Miss Speckles’s nesting pot. The owner of the diner had somehow gained a speckled hen and a pot-bellied pig as pets. While Porkchop ruled the back yard of the restaurant, Miss Speckles casually eyed each customer as they walked in.
Val nodded. “Good evening, Miss Speckles.”
Clyde scowled. “Can’t believe the man has a chicken guarding the door.”
Val grabbed Lorry in a hug and ignored his friend. Clyde was clearly in a bad mood. Miss Speckles was the absolute best.
“What’s wrong, Clyde? You’re usually polite to Miss Speckles.” Alois shifted Mordy to his other hip. Val’s friend was alone, with just one of his kids.
Clyde rolled his eyes. “Whatever. Where’s the rest of your family?”
“Sai and Salla are spending the night with their friend Rose, and Nina is staying the night with Fasi and Renee.” Alois yawned. “Sebastian is working with Kelly. She’s struggling with their lessons.”
Val shuffled his feet. He really wished he could just say Fasi and Renee when talking about the lord admiral of the station and his wife. Verion was good friends with them and Val couldn’t even talk to them without stuttering.
Clyde nodded at Midge. “I see you brought your purse dog with you.”
“Seriously,” Alois said, giving Clyde an incredulous look. “What is with you?”
“Nothing,” Clyde snapped and crossed his arms.
Lorry snickered and took Midge. “I’ll take her to the back with Porkchop.”
“Thanks, son.” Val spotted a familiar woman seated at one of the tables near the door. Sandra, Verion’s ex-wife, and her husband and kids were enjoying their dinner.
Her eyes met his and narrowed.
He swallowed hard and steered his friends to a table near the window and far away from the woman. “Clyde, I love you, but what the hell crawled up your ass and died?”
Clyde sat down, hunching his shoulders over. “I just worry about you. I know Death is your mate, and there’s nothing I can do about it. Makes me pissy, though. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Val sighed and gave the man a patient look. “If you would bother to get to know him, you’d know there’s more to Veri than his gifts.”
“Gifts?” Poppy’s brows raised. “I’d say they’re more like a curse. He can kill anyone but can’t bring the dead back to life. What’s worse than that?”
“Hey,” Alois said, scowling. “Morrick can’t help what he is.”
“That’s what we mean.” Poppy leaned forward. “What is he really?”
“Enough.” Val gave Clyde and Poppy a hard look. “I get that you’re both concerned about me, but unless you take the time to actually get to know him, you don’t get to talk shit about him. Got it?”
Clyde and Poppy shared a guilty look and nodded.
“He really isn’t that bad.” Alois bounced Mordy on his knee. “Is he super powerful and scary? Yes. Is he a bad guy? Only if you hurt his family.”
Val sighed. “I don’t know if you’re actually helping.”
Lorry sat down and eyed them. “You all are being weird tonight.”
“It’s nothing,” Val said, smiling at the server. He recognized her as one of the refugees who had recently moved into his apartment building. “Hi, Stasia.”
As soon as the quiet Dedril took their orders and left, Lorry pinned him with a look. “Dad, we need to talk.”
“Uh oh,” Poppy said, snickering.
“Are you going to give him, the talk?” Alois asked, chuckling.
Lorry’s eyes danced with amusement. “When you love someone, it’s natural to have certain feelings for them.”
The others started laughing, and Val buried his face. “What do you want, Lorry?”
His son’s head fell back as he laughed. “I’m just kidding, Dad. All I want to know is if we were to move in with Death, where would it be? In another year, I’ll get my own place, but I’d like to live closer to Sai.”
Val winced. “Let’s talk about that later.”
Clyde narrowed his eyes. “Actually, I think that’s a really good question. Death is your mate, so why aren’t you living with him? Is he trying to hide you away or some shit like that? You’re a damn fine man, and he’s lucky to have you.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Poppy said, eyes hard. “Do we need to have a talk with him? I still have my torch in my purse.”
“You carry a torch in your purse?” Alois asked, shaking his head. “Why?”
“In case I need to set an all-powerful fancy pants scientist on fire,” Poppy said, slamming her hand on the table.
Val struggled to hold back his laughter. “You three. I love you all, but sometimes I want to drown you. Veri and I have our reasons for keeping separate houses. That may change in the future, but no matter what, that’s our business.”
Lorry scowled. “I don’t like it.”
“Me neither,” Clyde said. “Why can’t he move in with you? I like having you as a neighbor.”
“Yeah, you’re right downstairs when I need someone to reach the top shelf,” Poppy said.
“You could get a stool.” Val gave her a look. “It would be easier than messaging me to come upstairs.”
“Easier for you,” Poppy said slowly, like it was obvious. “Seriously, Val.”
“Plus, no offense, but the neighborhood he lives in is a little chaotic,” Clyde added. “I passed it on the tram the other day and saw the Blue General and his mate flying around on their Fire Veil dragon. Talk about wild.”
Alois snorted. He lived there with his own family. “You have no idea what it’s like. I love it, but damn strange things happen every day.”
Poppy propped her chin on her fist, eyes wistful. “That wouldn’t be so bad.”
Val rubbed his face. “Veri’s son lives there. If we were to move in together, that’s where it would be. He needs to be close to Wyatt for as long as possible.”
Clyde tilted his head, confusion covering his face. “Why? His son is grown and a doctor. I think he can handle himself at this point.”
Val hesitated, but Verion’s past wasn’t exactly secret. “You all just think of him as Death, but he existed befor
e Death melded with him.”
“He was dead before then,” Lorry said, eyes watching as Midge followed Porkchop around the backyard.
Val frowned. He didn’t like to think about Verion being dead. “Before that too. He was married to a nice woman named Sandra and had Wyatt, but he let work get in the way, and he ended up divorced and missed out on a lot of his son’s life. He wants to be a good father.”
Clyde’s eyes softened. “Better late than never.”
“Exactly.” Val tapped the table in front of them. “I know he seems strange to you two, but please try to get to know him. I love him.”
Poppy reached over and patted his hand. “We’ll try, big guy. What’s the big deal about sharing a body with an ancient Crellic being anyway? As long as he makes you happy, we should support you.”
Stasia set their drinks in front of them and the topic changed to work. Val did his best to avoid looking Sandra’s way and took a long drink. He thought about his son and his mate. This was the second time that day Lorry had brought up Val and Verion’s relationship. If we have a relationship. Maybe it’s time Veri and I talked.
4
That night, Death held Kiki in his lap as he sat in the comfortably cushioned chair in his study. His granddaughter leaned back against him trustingly as they read from the children’s book on his tablet.
Wyatt’s dog, Luna, slept beside the chair, lightly snoring. She had gotten a little plumper since Morgan and Wyatt had settled down on Charybdis Station. Death made a mental note to ask Estella to take Luna out to play more often with the rest of the pets in the neighborhood.
The new dog, Scythe, lay on his back, feet in the air. The large dog was a gift from their friends, Leti and Hack. He was one of their latest batch of grandpuppies and was an odd mix of Old Earth Newfoundland and Siren’s Lament canine. His black and white fur covered most of his body, but pale, shimmering scales ran along his chest and belly. Two black horns grew between his floppy ears. Scythe should have been ferocious with his size and intimidating appearance.
The dog farted and rolled his head to stare at Death, tongue hanging out.
Death shook his head and turned back to Kiki. “That’s your dog, sweetness.”
Kiki giggled and shook her head. “Nuh-uh.”
“Well, he’s not mine.”
She slapped the picture of the cow. “Moo.”
Death smiled, heart aching. This could have been Wyatt and me. He had dreamed of holding his son in his arms just like this. Of course, he had usually been quickly distracted by a new puzzling virus to explore.
I would be a better father now, he thought.
“Do voices.” Kiki looked up at him, eyes big and hopeful.
Voices? Panic started to fill him. His youngest grandchildren were only now starting to speak coherently, but they hadn’t asked for specific things like a story and voices before. Estella was much easier to deal with.
“Grandad?” Kiki’s lip trembled, and Death almost whimpered. As Verion Morrick, he was very lacking in the parenting department. As Death, he had zero experience with children. Seshia hadn’t been able to have children, and Death had never had any interest in finding a lover during any of his cycles. Both halves that formed his whole were completely useless here.
A low laugh drew his attention to the door. Val leaned against it, broad face smiling. His mate’s presence instantly eased the tension building in Death.
“Hey, Kiki. Can I do the voices?” Val smiled wide, sharp fangs gleaming. It should have been intimidating to the toddler, but Kiki knew Val well from his many visits.
“Val, yes pees.” She clapped. “Do moo cow voice.”
Val’s laughing eyes met his. “Care if I intrude on story time, Veri?”
Ha! Death and Verion Morrick were one in all things Val. “You are never an intrusion.”
Val lowered his large frame into the chair across from them and took the tablet Death handed him. “Okay, Kiki. Let’s see what this moo cow has to say.”
Death watched his mate’s face as he read the book to Kiki. Val’s beauty always took his breath away. It shone from deep within Val’s soul, lighting up the world around him.
His granddaughter giggled, chubby body shaking, as Val’s deep voice rose high as he bawked like a chicken.
Movement caught his eye, and Death found Morgan standing in the doorway with Kiki’s twin sister, Pela. Their youngest child’s eyes were drooping, and her head leaned on Morgan’s shoulder. The man’s baby Frost Veil dragon, Stardust, curled around Morgan’s neck and balanced his head on Pela’s.
Morgan nodded toward Val and wiggled his eyebrows, making Death roll his eyes.
By the time the story ended, Kiki was asleep in Val’s arms.
Morgan passed Pela to Val and took Kiki. “Next baby to read to sleep, Val. Get to work.”
Val chuckled softly, cuddling Pela close. “I miss holding babies. Lorry was a sweet one, but now he’s almost grown and a giant smartass.”
Morgan snorted. “Something to look forward to.”
Death watched him leave, then turned his attention back to Val and Pela. Wyatt and Morgan’s youngest daughter looked a lot like Wyatt had when he was a baby. She had his curiosity and sweetness.
A stray memory hit him of Sandra holding a baby Wyatt in her arms during a vid-call. Death’s son had waved a chubby little hand at him and grinned even as Sandra’s eyes had been full of stifled anger and worry.
I lost her then, he thought sadly. He couldn’t even remember what event he missed, but he remembered that was the last time she argued hard with him when he said he couldn’t make it.
Val rocked Pela and started the book from the beginning. His deep voice almost lulled Death to sleep as well. He’d been working long days on the Dramiad vaccine for several months now, and his body was starting to feel the need for a deep sleep. One more week and it’ll be done.
Wyatt and Estella stopped in the doorway and watched Val. Death’s son smiled wide even as his own exhaustion showed in the fine lines around his eyes and his slumped shoulders.
Death stood and moved silently to Wyatt’s side. “I’ll put Pela to bed. Why don’t you get some rest, son?”
Estella tugged on Wyatt’s hand. “Come on. I’ll tuck you in.”
Wyatt grinned at him. “Do you hear this? She’s bossing me around.”
Death gently hugged Wyatt and Estella. “She’s very smart, and you should listen to her.”
Estella nodded gravely and tugged Wyatt again. “Come on. Bedtime.”
Death watched them walk up the stairs and disappear around the corner. When he turned back to Val and Pela, the little girl was already asleep. Luna watched him from her spot beside the chair, tongue hanging from her mouth.
Scythe had disappeared. Death suspected the dog had gone to Death’s room to sleep on his bed. Again.
Val patted Luna’s head. “Want me to carry Pela?”
Death nodded and took the tablet Val handed him, setting it on his desk. His study was cluttered with notes, lab tech, and toys. For some reason, the twins loved playing in here with him, so their toys were strewn across the floor.
A small nest of Druffle took up one of the corners. The small balls of fluff multiplied quickly, and his friend, Leti’s, nest had somehow spread to every home in the neighborhood. Pops and a few of the others had installed the Druffle in Death’s office while he was away. I really need to thank them, he thought dryly.
Val nimbly dodged a set of blocks, and Death led them up the stairs to the twins’ nursery. Wyatt and Morgan’s home was a nice sized two-story that fit in well in the Blue Solace neighborhood.
When Death had followed his son to Charybdis Station, Wyatt had insisted that he live with them. Now, Death would miss breakfast with his grandchildren and seeing Wyatt every night before bed. He would even miss seeing Morgan in the morning with his conditioning hair mask covering his head as he helped Estella get ready for school.
Change is always inevitable, he tol
d himself.
Morgan met them at the door of the nursery and took Pela from Val with a smile. Luna followed Morgan into the nursery without a backward look. She liked to guard the twins at night.
Val turned to him, green eyes soft and bright. He took Death’s hand and led him back downstairs to the small bedroom connected to his study. Scythe laid in his favorite spot on the bed with his head resting on Death’s pillow.
After shutting the door, Val turned around and crossed his arms over his wide chest. “Something’s bothering you.”
Death smiled softly. Of course, he would sense it. “Come look at the stars with me.”
Val gave him an uncertain look. “Veri, you can tell me anything.”
Death shivered at the tenderness he heard in his mate’s voice. It was hard to resist him. “Just a little longer.”
He had a private entrance to the backyard, and Scythe looked up when the door opened. He jumped from the bed and followed them out.
Wyatt and Morgan’s small backyard was nicely landscaped with a small play area for the twins. Occasionally, one of Leti’s pets would find their way through the gate, but at the moment, the area was free of llamas and goats.
Death sat beside the swing set and pulled Val down with him. He curled against his mate’s side and looked up. The iridescent atmospheric shield that surrounded Charybdis Station was a glittering white sheen over the deep star-studded black of space.
Scythe flopped beside him and rolled to his back again, tail thumping against the grass.
Death rolled his eyes, then paused. As usual, two transparent and slightly shimmery figures could be seen from the corner of his eye. If he turned to look at them, they would disappear, but if he was patient, he could see them in his peripheral vision.
Spirits could be quite shy around him, even though he was one of the few that could see them. For the past month, these two spirits had been following him.
They must have sensed his attention, because they quickly darted away, disappearing from view.
