Don't Fear The Reaper *Izana x OC x OC* (COMPLETE)

Holding It Together

Reza--

"Why are you so intent on stopping me besides your Reaper-bound oath? Because that's not in effect anymore."

I look up at Roman expectantly as a heavy silence fills the room. The shock and mild terror on his face is unmistakable but I'm not sure why he'd be so scared of that question. He closes his eyes and bites his bottom lip before speaking quietly.

"I'm intent on stopping you because I don't want you to die because of that man."

"Based off your reaction there is more to it than that, so what is it?"

"Well, with the exception of your twisted little family of psychopaths, some people are capable of caring about others and have bonds with them."

The psychopath comment brings Meiran's fears back to my mind.

"I am from that family... I must be one as well, just like he said."

"What?" He seems to realize that he still has me pinned to the floor, so he sits up and pulls me up with him.

"Back when Meiran tried to kill me, he told me why. He feared that I would be turned into a monster, like Mother and the others. He wanted to keep me from turning out that way by killing me. I almost forgot about it thanks to Mother having it beat out of me, but when I went to kill Izana I remembered. I think he was right... I am a monster."

"You're not a monster or a psychopath, Reez. You're a little messed up but I think we both are."

"How am I not?"

"People who are messed up in the way your family is, don't think they are. They think they're fine and fully believe in what they're doing. I've seen the hesitation in your eyes sometimes, especially now with that kid from Wistal and how you haven't immediately murdered that idiot like he deserves. And, whether you admit it or not, you care about people, otherwise you would've cut down the prince's brother for getting in the way and you wouldn't have come back for me." I follow his hand as he raises it and gently pushes my hair out of my eyes. "You're a little broken but you're not fully gone, I promise. I'm not going anywhere so if there's any time that you feel a little unsteady, you can lean on me. I'm not just here because I was your attendant. I'm here because I want to be."

I don't know what to say. No one has ever spoken to me in that way or acted so gently toward me. I'm not sure what it means or how I am supposed to react to that. That's another thing I guess Mother should be 'thanked' for. I watch a small smile cross Roman's face before he reaches out toward me again, but this time he brushes his thumbs under my eyes. Am I crying? I haven't cried since Meiran died... Maybe I'm still capable of showing emotion but I don't know how I did it so I don't think I could do it again.

"Do you still want to go kill the idiot prince?" He asks.

Do I? I'm not sure. I don't know if I really want to kill people anymore, but I don't know how to do anything otherwise. I do know that my family will kill him without hesitation and it's not going to be pretty. They're likely to bring about a total slaughter to the castle as well just for the fun of it. I know when I was appointed there was a lot of issue with me being Mother's child and many people were anticipating my failure to prove they were better.

"I don't know if I want to kill him for sure, but I know that I don't really want my family to kill him."

"So, you want to save the idiot prince?" He sighs.

"I think so."

"Can I kill whatever family members get in our way?" He asks hopefully.

"I suppose. Mother won't be there but if the occasion arises, she's mine."

"Let's go then. I'm not sure what you want to do with the new pet but I'm not taking care of him."

Roman and I make it to Wistal Castle without issue and I can already hear shouting and sounds of combat on the grounds as we scale a nearby tree. He's been worried about my injuries but I keep waving it off. His job right now is to run interference while I get to Izana. With the shape he was in when we left him, I doubt he will be in his quarters. Most likely the herbalists took him and judging by the massive security detail surrounding the medical buildings, I'm not wrong. The family seems to be more focused on swarming the castle or fighting off the guards. Roman and I don't seem to be immediately noticed by anyone so I lead him off in the direction of the buildings while clinging to the shadows. Night is almost upon us which is a help and a hinderance. We can hide in the shadows but so can the family. Roman and I manage to take out the two guards blocking one of the side doors and he slips up into a tree nearby to watch over me while I head inside.

There doesn't seem to be anyone in here, though I'm sure the herbalists are in hiding since the family is very noticeable. That only helps me if they haven't found him yet. I make my way through the corridor of rooms and find only one occupied. Izana is settled on the bed with a bottle of scotch, I'm sure since that's all I've seen in his rooms. His attention is focused on the little girl standing a few inches away from me. It's my first cousin Corillina. I can't stand that little girl, but I think it's mostly because she was so eager to please the family and wanted my death. She wants to be the youngest Reaper since I'm currently the youngest. I don't think an eleven year old should be in the running to be Reaper but several family members have encouraged it. She's telling Izana she's going to kill him so she can take my place.

"That's adorable and all, Corillina, but you can't exactly be Reaper while I'm still alive, eh." I speak up, startling them both.

"Then I'll just have to kill you first!"

Corillina lunges at me but I lazily grab onto her head and slams he against the wall before letting her fall to the floor.

"You always were my most annoying cousin. So, are you immortal or what?" I ask as I look up at him.

A/N: So..... I decided something a while back and hadn't updated the book until now. I have decided that this will either be an Izana x Reza ORRRR Roman x Reza book, but I will not announce which it will be. We'll just have to wait and see(: Which pairing would you like to see? 
-H