A Date With Death

Heaven Isn't All It's Cracked Up To Be

Realising he had a meeting in a couple of hours and no further jobs until afterwards, Thanatos started walking towards the main park in the city, dwelling on how different his existence was compared to others.

Just take his powers for example, they worked so strangely. He could be seen by any of the supernaturals, until he was collecting a soul, then he was invisible until it had been finished. It happened naturally for him, the ability had been a part of him from the moment he came into being. His workers had to be spelled to accomplish the same feat, which was a task he got his unofficial sister to do for him. Aenwyn was one of the very rare witches around these days that were powerful enough to help him.

And then there was the afterlives. All religion's, every belief system had them, even the ones of old which most people didn't believe in anymore. He knew them all so well, most of them had fascinated him at one point or another, but he had long since found out everything he wanted to know. He'd had such a long existence, courtesy of being unable to die. He rarely slept, and when he did it was more of a habit than a necessity. He could also feel everyone die, not that it bothered him. He was so used to it, he felt everything to do with death. Their pain, peacefulness, anger, hate, guilt. Any emotion every dying person or dead soul felt, he could tap into.

Reaching his favourite tree, he knelt down, leaning back against the rough bark and inhaling deeply, smelling the rare clean air that always surrounded that specific place. Nature, pure and untarnished. He loved it there. His small cottage was the same, out in the middle of nowhere with his beautiful garden. It was surrounded by fields and agricultural land, and there was a small forest nearby. It was his sanctuary, his home.

Staring up at the sky he watched the clouds, unseen by anyone as he hid himself, to be alone. His thoughts wandered, as they often did when he sat in the park, to his past, his old relationship. Yes, in all of the time he had been in existence there had only been one relationship, and that was.... damn, over 120 years ago now. He had moved on, that wasn't the problem. It was more that he now knew what he wanted, and he hadn't found it in anyone else since.

Thomas had been a lovely man, honest and kind, and loyal. Smiling to himself as he remembered the past, Nate lost himself in his memories of the 39 years he had with his ex.

Turning, he smiled as Thomas walked in, his tired eyes still lighting up when he saw Nate, even after 25 years of being together. His work was gruelling, hard on him, but he loved it all the same. His skill as a blacksmith was well known in the area, so Tom was busy every day, working hard to earn his pennies.

"Well hello there, my handsome man." Nate spoke softly as he walked over, wrapping Thomas up in his arms as he held him close, before kissing him softly, then releasing him to walk back to where he was preparing dinner for both of them. Thomas rarely made open displays of affection, he was certainly more reserved. Not that Nate loved him any less. They were companions, and they truly loved each other. Maybe not the full on, all consuming love others had, but enough to be faithful and stay together.

"Hello, my dear. How was today for you?" Thomas replied, smiling warmly at him whilst he removed his coat, boots, flat cap and leather gloves, putting them all away in their rightful place.

Nate smiled too, watching him as he spoke, "I've managed to pick some of the crop, so we have a real feast for tea. So I am happy, our garden is growing well, Darl." Darl was a joke between them, their only real friends used it so it had stuck once they heard it. It made them laugh.

Thomas chuckled, before going to wash up, ready for whatever Nate prepared for him. Nate could tell he was looking forward to it from the happiness radiating from him. Once Thomas had sat, he served up the mutton and vegetables, kissing him on the cheek, looking proud of his efforts as he sat opposite. The smells coming from the plates was divine, and neither of them could wait to tuck in. Nate loved to watch Thomas eat. He did it often, when Tom wasn't looking. Thomas held so much life, and Nate enjoyed everything they did together, even if they were unable to be public.