Cold Grey Light of Dawn

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

AN: Happy Canada day!

Past, one year later...

The Reaper hummed tiredly perching in a tree. He'd been settling well into his role as the Grim Reaper. At first what he saw scared him, but he got used to it after a few months. He didn't mind helping people, it felt natural to him. He had seen a few spirits here and there, but completely avoided them flying away. No one had stolen any souls.

Matthew hadn't had to fight anyone yet, but he had been practicing with his powers. He'd gotten a lot better at flying too, he was more graceful. He felt pretty confident in his abilities just encase someone managed to corner him.

Death had told him things would come instinctively and he was right. He had also given him a long black robe with gold trim around the edges. The blond mentioned he liked having a big hood and his current clothes didn't have one. He visited the man almost every week. He was the only person he talked to except the souls and ghosts. He was pretty lonely, but he didn't mind it that much.

The Canadian blinked as images flashed across his mind. He quickly jumped out of the tree spreading his wings. He flew quickly wanting to get there as soon as possible. He swooped down and landed on the edge of the roof closest to the body. He was about to drop down into the alley, but a man stepped out of nowhere.

The man was tall, about an inch or two taller than him. He had grey skin and silvery gold eyes. His hair was black and slicked back revealing he had no eyebrows. The Reaper could see him smile as he walked closer to the body. His teeth were jagged and looked sharp. He knew this man must be Pitch Black.

Matthew quickly pulled the soul from the body and it shot up towards him. He judged it and it swirled away. The Nightmare King blinked in surprise looking up to where he was on the edge of the roof. Pitch smiled up at him as he glared down at him.

"Hello there." The spirit of darkness greeted. Matthew narrowed his eyes. "You must be the new reaper. I'm Pitch Black. I'm sure Death told you about me."

"He did. Don't worry, all good things." The Reaper said sarcastically rolling his eyes. Pitch laughed lightly. "What do you want with the souls?"

"To make fearlings and fight the Guardians." The spirit of darkness explained. "You're new, you probably wouldn't know about them."

"Guardians of Childhood; Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy, Sandman and Easter Bunny. You fight them because you want children's fear." Matthew shrugged. He'd heard a bit from Death. Pitch looked slightly impressed. "I don't understand why you go after kids. Adults have a lot more to fear."

"A child's fear is so much sweeter. Their innocents makes it more potent than an adult's." Pitch explained. The way Death had talked about him he thought he would have attacked on sight. The spirit of darkness hadn't tried to yet. "You seem different from the other reapers."

"Yeah? How so?" The Canadian asked rolling his eyes. He crossed his arms looking down at him.

Pitch stepped forward and disappeared. Matthew raised an eyebrow and shrugged. He stood from where he was and turned. He was about to walk away, but the spirit of darkness appeared in front of him. He just looked up at him with bored eyes.

"You're not afraid." The Nightmare King said. The Reaper met his eyes. "I know you have no fighting experience, no ones even seen you at all. Yet you're not afraid of me knowing my reputation."

"Why would I be afraid of someone I've never met?" Matthew asked. "Reputation means nothing to me."

"I like you." Pitch smiled. The Canadian just raised an eyebrow. "How about a deal?"

"What kind of deal?" Matthew asked sceptically.

"You know that reapers and I tend to not get along. That is because I steal souls from you." The spirit of darkness said and he nodded. "I will not steal souls from you if you live with me."

"Why would I do that?" The Reaper asked raising an eyebrow.

"We won't have to fight then." Pitch said with a small smile. "You seem like a person I would like to get to know. I know that reapers stay isolated, I do as well. We can keep each other company."

Matthew thought about it. Death had warned him about Pitch and how he'd try to charm him. He thought the deal was a good idea, but he didn't trust him. He wasn't afraid of the man. He thought he would be able to get away if he attacked. The Nightmare King knew he didn't like to fight. The Reaper didn't mind talking to him, but that could have been his loneliness showing through. He wanted to get a better idea of what exactly Pitch wanted.

"I will still have freedom to come and go as I please and do what I want?" The Canadian asked raising an eyebrow and shifted his wings slightly.

"Yes. I will not limit you in any way. I would just ask that you live with me." The spirit of darkness said. "I can protect you as well, provide care if your injured and of course, companionship."

Matthew narrowed his eyes. It seemed like the king of Nightmares was willing to give a lot, but the Canadian was giving hardly anything in return. He didn't like what was implied.

Pitch immediately noticed. "I won't force you into anything either if that is what you're thinking. I know it will take time for you to trust me."

"It definitely will." Matthew said. He may be young, but he felt like he'd be able to get away if he needed too. He made his decision. "Okay, I'll try this."

"Deal?" The King of Nightmares smiled extending his hand.

The Reaper took and shook it. "Yes, deal." He said.

-❄️" You may lie."❄️-

Past, few months later...

"You're picking this up well." Pitch hummed proudly watching him step out of a shadow. The Canadian smiled seeing how proud he was. He watched as the spirit of darkness stepped into a shadow and jumped as a hand ghosted along his neck. "It seems like you were meant to have this power."

"Yeah, it's pretty easy when you get the hang of it." Matthew said through a yawn. It did make him pretty tired and took a lot of magic.

The pair had been living together for a couple of months. The Reaper had been very cautious and guarded at first, but realized Pitch was just lonely too. He had given him his own room and bed. The spirit of darkness always made him meals and loved to talk to him. They both enjoyed reading and talked a lot about the books they read. Matthew liked having someone to come home and talk too. It took his mind away from his job for a while.

Pitch had been all over him lately. He was always brushing against him or touching him. He was constantly complementing him and making him blush. The Reaper hadn't understood his actions at first, but realized that he was trying to court him. He wasn't sure he wanted something like that with him. He saw Pitch as a friend, but didn't want to risk their deal and have to fight.