𝓛𝓮𝓸𝓷 𝓚𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓭𝔂| 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝟯

Death's Daughter| Soulmate AU

Being the daughter of Death himself has never been a bother to me. As I grew up I understood my part in the family, the role I had to play. I was the first face humans saw when they'd learn about their inevitable demises, I got to share the news and tell them how long they have left, then I'd usually move on to the next person, forever stuck in a loop of tears, misery and bargaining. Over billions of years I'd deal with the same cycle, until him. 

Until Leon. 

I don't know why this one particular man made my breath catch. I foresaw his death like every other human, but instead of that familiar numbness and sense of duty I felt sorrow and longing. I didn't want Leon Kennedy to die, but I couldn't stop it either. I couldn't fight my dad on his work. Leon's life is a bright spark, his hope infectious and strong, his soul burns brighter than the other dimmer lives, and it will be a tragedy when his fire will go out. 

I should have just visited him one night in his dreams, giving his mind that nudge towards the possibility of death so he can begin to get his affairs in order and truly live the rest of his life. Death is never as bad as it seems, it's only inspiration to strive and celebrate the time one has left on Earth. Instead I wandered the human realm, posing as a human woman in hopes that I'll be able to talk to Leon. I desperately wanted to know about his aspirations. His fears. What makes him want to cry, and what makes him laugh. I fell head over heels in love with him as I observed from afar, my job was put on the backburner as I followed Leon for months, until I finally mustered up the courage to meet him. 

I'm walking down the street, a phone in hand as I stare at the screen, I've gathered most mortals do this, then on purpose I bump into Leon. My phone tumbles onto the ground as Leon curses and begins apologising already, kneeling down to pick it up for me. As soon as his vivid blue eyes meet mine our souls somehow connect. It's like two magnets destined to meet, and now we've interacted nothing can pull us apart. 

"Shit, I'm so sorry about your phone, is it alright?" Leon asks, rubbing the back of his neck nervously as I check the rectangular object, seeing some picture appear with the time. I nod, hands shaking as I shove it into my pocket. 

"It's my fault, please don't worry. It's all good." I breathlessly say. Leon's shoulders slump in relief as we stare at each other, it's like everything blurs away and we're solely focused on one another. He feels it too. Our bond. Soulmates. There's no other explanation for my yearning and sudden obsession with this mortal man. Leon smiles, melting my heart and soul. 

"Can I buy you a coffee to make up for it? I've got work in an hour but I can spare time for you." Leon softly asks, gesturing a hand to the nearest building, which happens to be a coffee shop. Funny coincidence, maybe my Aunt Fate has been keeping an eye on me. I nod, and follow him in. 

Leon and I are instantly a match. We balance each other out perfectly, like two halves of a coin. Where Leon's softer I'm harsh and logical. Where he's protective and strong I'm possessive and subtle. Our relationship goes on for months until the guilt of who I am gnaws at me. I'm forced by my own heart to confess to Leon what I am, and thankfully he doesn't entirely panic. 

"Y-you're the daughter of death? Like god's and holy things?" Leon questions as we sit on the rooftop, the stars shine down on us as the night breeze blows my hair. I nod, taking his hand in my own. 

"I'm not holy, but I am death's daughter. I was sent here to begin the ending of your life, but I just couldn't. I'm sorry, it's already begun and I can't give you anymore time. You're going to die in twelve years, I can't say anymore. I understand if you don't want me-"

"Okay." Leon breathes out, squeezing my hand as he leans closer to me, pressing his lips to my cheek. "I always knew my life would be short lived after the things I've survived, so it isn't all that crazy. Knowing you're here by my side until the end would make things better, so if you want to stay with me, then I want you here too." 

I nod, lips lifting at the weight off of my shoulders. "I've been alive for so long, but being with you is the first time I've ever lived." 

Leon's arm wraps around me as we watch the city buzz below us. Our twelve years together could never be long enough, so we used every single second as well as we could. We cherished every holiday, especially Christmases, and took more photos than either of us could store. Leon took off more work days than he should have, and I feel like somehow me being here and making him do that extended his life, as if my intervention is the reason he's got twelve years instead of four. We constantly touched, revelling in the fact we were alive and together still. Leon's birthday was always a joy for him, but a depressing day for me. It reminded me of his decay and aging, and how I'll always live on healthy whilst he becomes more fragile. I cling to the hopelessness as his death day approaches. We could never have kids, but we did get a dog though which became an almost legacy for us, I knew the dog would outlive our relationship and Leon's timeline.

When Leon's death day finally approached, I was a mess. Leon had been called on some suicide mission, and I sobbed and begged him not to go. 

"Please, just stay with me. Don't go, don't leave me! Maybe I can change things!" I cry, clinging to his chest as Leon's shaky hand rubs my back, his lips press against the top of my head as he gently sways us. 

"Shhh," Leon murmurs, "it's alright, this is supposed to happen. We can't change the future, we just have to accept it. This won't be goodbye, I know it's not over for us." Leon has to peel himself away from me to leave. I fall to the floor, feeling destroyed and crushed. My heart aches as I hear him drive away, leaving me to go and die. I stay on the floor for hours, only accompanied with our dog. I wait, tears dried on my cheeks and clock ticking and ticking and ticking- 

Until I feel it. I feel the exact moment Leon dies. It breaks me. I sob, hitting the ground in frustration and hate. This is my fathers' doing, yet I can't blame him for the cruelness of it, human life isn't supposed to be everlasting, that's why it's so beautiful. 

The front door to our home suddenly opens, and there Leon stands, the outline of him slightly glowing as he smiles and opens his arms for me. His soul, which belong to me as mine does him, has returned. Soulmates, not even parted in death. I cry, standing up and rushing over to him, feeling more embraced and connected than ever before now we're the same beings. 

"You've lived in my world long enough," Leon mumbles as he kisses my lips, holding my face between his palms, "now it's time for me to visit yours."

I nod, taking his hand as I lead him out of the door and to my home, where we'll never be separated again. Not even for a second.