Simon loved the way Robert's eyes lit up when he said something his lover found amusing. The sound of his laughter and pleasure in his face. That was addicting then. Everything about him. He wanted more and didn't think he'd ever be whole again without him.
"Here, have some more,” Robert said, holding up the bowl.
Simon took a few pieces from the bowl and ate them slowly. Robert did have a point. Popcorn was something that made you want to eat more of it.
He stared down at Robert and stroked his cheek. Vivid blue eyes stared up at him and a light smile lit up Robert's face.
"Why do you see me? Why are you so special?"
Robert grinned. “I was looking for you."
"For me?"
"For someone like you. Someone for me."
Simon bent down and kissed his lips. Pulling Robert closer, he turned his attention back to the movie. They ate popcorn and chatted about simple, nonsensical things. Like real couples did.
With a pleasant sigh, he let himself enjoy the moment and pretend he was free.
* * * *
Simon watched Robert sleep. They hadn't discussed anything more about what he was or what the future held. He couldn't decide if he was disappointed or relieved. He wanted terribly to live a life, a real one, but he couldn't be certain how long this would last. He didn't want to know.
He buried his head in the crook of Robert's neck and pulled him back closer to his chest. The curve of Robert's ass nestled near his cock. He fought the urge to wake him. Robert needed sleep, even if he didn't. Robert stirred and a sleepy hum filled his ears. Simon kissed the back of his neck. He could lie like this forever if only he was allowed.
To want to spend time with him, to ache at the very thought of losing him, that was love, wasn't it? He wasn't sure. It had been so long since such emotions held him in their grasp.
The call of another soul to be taken rippled through him. He didn't want to move. He wanted to stay like this forever. The call grew louder but there was still time, and dawn was on the rise.
He kissed Robert's back and felt him stir awake. Simon eased his grip around him and Robert turned to face him with sleepy eyes, not quite awake.
Simon found his lips, kissing him, working his way down his chest. He wanted to taste him before he had to go. Give him something pleasurable to start his morning.
His lips slid down the firm muscles of Robert's stomach, his cock coming to life with morning needs. Simon moved slowly, running his tongue over Robert's cock and balls, kissing the inside of his thigh, before wrapping his lips around his firm shaft.
A groan escaped Robert, the sound like music. He sucked the stiff cock in his mouth, caressing Robert's balls and teasing his entry. The rich musk of him filled every breath. Robert's breath grew quick as Simon swallowed him down, taking every last inch into him. He paused a moment to wet his fingers and eased them inside before taking him in his mouth again.
Robert's gasp of pleasure filled the air as Simon found that spot just inside, rubbing and sucking, quickening his pace.
The rise of Robert's balls was so enticing that Simon sucked harder, wanting to taste him. He moved his fingers, fucking him harder. Fingers tangled in his hair and hips rocked into his pace. The rush of warmth in his mouth, a taste so unique to Robert, that he savored every drop. With a last, gentle squeeze to his balls, he milked the last drops and moved up to kiss Robert's lips.
With a hum of pleasure, Robert devoured the lingering taste from his lips.
"Damn, what a way to wake up,” Robert rasped, his breath still heavy.
Simon grinned down at him. “I would wake you like that every day if I could."
"How'd you sleep?"
"I don't."
Robert's eyes looked distant for a moment. “Do you think this can work?"
"I don't know, but I need to go. I've put it off too long as it is,” Simon said and winced as the nagging ripple through his nerves started to grow painful.
"Are you okay?"
"It's just a call. Souls are like children, demanding to be taken when the time comes. The whimper becomes a cry, and the cry becomes a bone vibrating scream,” Simon said.
"Painful?"
"Incredibly so.” He sat up and kissed Robert before slipping from the bed to get dressed. “I'll be back as soon as I can."
Simon stepped out of Robert's apartment a few minutes later. The familiar creeping chill of another close by set his teeth on edge. Frowning he went to the bus stop and waited. Buses were quicker than walking and often stopped for passengers.
A few seconds later he watched as Reaper walked down the street and stopped at the bus stop beside him.
"Tsk-tsk. This is really not looking good for you,” Reaper said.
Simon shot him a dark look. “Stay away from him."
"You told me you were going to put him back on track and what did you do? You grew emotionally involved. Worse still, he made the request."
"He didn't mean it. He doesn't understand—"
"Does that really matter?"
"Yes."
"No. It doesn't. You did this to him. He made the request. You must honor it now,” Reaper said. “We all have rules to live by."
Simon bit back the ache in his chest. “He didn't mean it."
"Of course he did. They always mean it. Not dying sounds so delicious to a mortal until they find themselves stuck with it.” Reaper stared off into the distance. “Three days. You have three days."
The bus stopped to let off a few passengers and Simon climbed aboard, relieved to be away from Reaper. He had to find a way to change Robert's mind before it was too late. The idea of dooming him to this existence sent a shudder of panic through him. Never seen, always drawn to their next assignment, never really being a part of the world.... He couldn't let Robert do it. Whatever was on the other side had to be better than this.
He stepped off the bus several stops later, drawn to the next soul bound for the other side.
* * * *
Simon slipped into the apartment just after mid-day. The scent of pine cleaner filled the air, and he peeked around the corner into the small kitchen. Robert sat at the kitchen table with his bare back to him, flipping through a magazine.
He watched Robert, just enjoying the moment. The firm muscles of his back and broad shoulders. An ache grew in his chest and he pulled his eyes away. Reaper had said three days. Was there so little time left? He considered looking but couldn't bear the thought of him being right. Three days was just so little time.
"When did you get home?"
Simon jerked his attention back to Robert. Home. He had said home. Was this his home too? Did he have a home here?
"Just now."
"When do you have to work again?"
"I never know. I just go when they call."
Robert smirked. “Like living with a doctor."
"Maybe so. I wouldn't know.” He sighed heavily. So little time left.
"Are you okay? Bad day?"
Simon forced a smile and moved to greet him. “Just thinking."
He found Robert's lips and let thought drift away. They needed to talk, but right now he just wanted to be near him.
"I know you aren't hungry, but we could go out or something."
Simon wrapped his arms around behind him. “Only if you want to. They won't see me. They never do."
"But you taste the food. We could share."
"I'd rather taste you."
Robert chuckled. “You like the taste of me?"
"I love the taste of you,” Simon corrected and kissed his neck.
Robert burst into laughter.
"Did I say something funny?” Simon blinked with surprise, enjoying the sound of his laughter.
"If you weren't so serious, it'd be hilarious."
Simon pulled away. His thoughts kept turning to Robert's request.
"What's wrong?” Concern filled Robert's face and blue eyes sparkled with worry.
Simon winced. Time. There was
just so little of it left. He didn't think he could bear to lose Robert now. Not now. Gods, why so soon? If he could keep him here without the curse, he'd do it in a heartbeat.
"You have to take it back,” Simon said.
"Take what back?"
"Your request."
Robert shook his head. “Just forget I asked."
"That's not the same thing."
Robert wrapped his arms around him and kissed his lips and neck. For a moment Simon let himself forget the conversation. The sweet tingle that swept through him battled against the need to put things to rest.
Simon pulled away after a moment and took a deep breath. “I'm serious. We need to talk about this."
Robert sighed heavily and leaned across the kitchen counter. “No one wants to die, Simon."
"That's not true."
"Oh, yeah, and as Death, you go around asking people, ‘Hey, you ready to die today?’”
Simon shot him a dark look. “Their time is already up. I can't stop that from happening. I just sever the ties between body and soul and show them the way. I don't make people cross over. It's their choice."
"Then why are you so hung up on this request?” Robert asked. “There's a loop hole, isn't there?"
Simon pulled away from his embrace. “I'm trying to protect you."
"From what?"
"From becoming me!” Simon snapped, putting some distance between them.
He felt Robert's eyes on him, burning into the back of his neck. He ignored him and paced the small kitchen. Memories of the past that he'd long tried to forget hit him with a rush.
A Death stared down at his broken body as he bled over the dark battlefield. The insane fear in his chest that he would go to some torturous realm of Hades's making. He had begged to live on, and Death had no choice but to grant his request and remake him.
Not dead, not alive, but Death.
He had seen kingdoms fall and armies crumble. He had walked through illness and despair. So much death, and never once allowed to see beyond the portal. The portal he had feared and now wished would open for him.
"Robert, please take it back. You have no idea what you're asking. Fear makes you do stupid things. Don't make the same mistake I did."
"I won't take it back! What's wrong with wanting to stay with you? Don't you want to stay with me?"
"Of course! How could you think I wouldn't? But this is a curse—"
"How can it be a curse if we can stay together?"
"But we can't! It's not called a curse for no reason."
"Do you know it wouldn't work?"
Simon hesitated. “No, but—"
"Then you don't know it wouldn't work."
He let out a growl of frustration. “But if it didn't, you risk being here forever. You don't seem to grasp what that's like. No one sees you, Robert. No one hears you, no one to speak to but the dead. Not a century, not two centuries, but until the end of time itself."
Robert stared at him a long moment. “How long has it been for you?"
Simon blinked at the sudden softening of Robert's tone as his blue eyes lost their glow of anger. “Centuries. No, more than that. I was a Byzantine solider, once upon a time. That was a very long time ago. I've watched deaths in such horrible manners you can't even imagine. The tortures people are capable of, the suffering of plagues, and cries of children. Please, Robert. Please, don't do this. I beg you. Not for me."
Robert said nothing and turned away.
Simon cursed softly as a soul began to call. “I have to go again. Just please think about what I've said."
He moved to close the gap between them and watched the tension seep from Robert's shoulders. Simon reached out to touch his shoulder and brushed his lips to Robert's cheek.
"I'll be back as soon as I can."
Robert nodded.
Turning away, Simon grabbed his coat and left. Back to work.
* * * *
Robert sat in the kitchen sipping coffee. His mind kept turning to his impending doom. Simon hadn't said as much, but his actions spoke louder than words. He was going to die soon, and his personal Death was just waiting for his number to be called.
The thought sent a chill down his spine.
That was unfair. Simon was the type of guy he had always wanted. Strong, quiet, great in bed—had a job.
Robert snorted and stared down into his coffee.
One day his job would be to take his soul too. Everything dies. How could eternity be so bad with Simon there? What was wrong with wanting to stay with him? Curse be damned.
Getting to his feet, he paced the kitchen, but nervous energy drove him outside. Doors didn't lock against Death. Simon opened them as if locks didn't exist. Sitting in the kitchen wouldn't prevent Simon or any other Death from coming to visit.
When Simon was with him all these thoughts faded. He didn't think of anything but him. The taste of his lips, the strength in his arms, the subtle scratch of his chin. When he was gone all he thought about were the bad things. The dark things that seemed to disappear in Simon's presence. Robert felt safe when they were together. He could let go and never even think harm would come. As soon as he was gone, strange, or maybe not-so-strange, notions clouded his mind. Death was his lover. Things couldn't get much stranger than that.
He stepped outside, heading in no particular direction. He just needed to be out.
Lost in thought, he didn't see the Reaper creep up beside him until he was walking at his elbow.
Robert jumped and took a step back, staring at him. Everything about him was very much like Simon. Simple, average, easy to miss. His eyes though... Simon's eyes were dark and haunted. This Death's held an almost malicious gleam that sent an icy ripple through his bones.
"And so we meet again,” he said.
"Who are you?"
A dark smile pulled at his lips, showing a perfect set of white teeth. “Death, Grim, Thanatos, Angel of Death, Reaper, whichever you prefer."
"What do you want?"
"I like you. What's not to like? Not often you people look at us. Though I was hounded once for three days by a gypsy woman while I waited for her time to come. Annoying woman. She's found me twice, always begging to leave. So annoying.” Reaper leaned closer. “What drew you to the other? What did you call him?"
"His name is Simon."
"I doubt that, but that doesn't matter. What drew you to see him? You're much too... normal in every other way. I wonder what he will do when you leave this realm.” Reaper reached out to touch him and Robert jerked away.
"Don't."
Reaper chuckled. “Afraid I'll mark you and steal your soul? One day your Death's touch will bring death. He will fuck you and watch you die. That is his job. More than that, it is our existence."
Robert swallowed hard and found himself backed against a parking meter.
"Do you want to know when?"
"Simon said he didn't know."
"He didn't look hard enough. I can tell you."
"I don't want a damn thing from—"
"Three days,” Reaper said, cutting him off.
"Liar."
Reaper chuckled and started to walk away. “Why lie, when the truth is so much more interesting to watch?"
Robert moved around the parking meter, giving Reaper a wide berth. A chill oozed down his spine. The way he walked, his very presence seemed to sap the life right out everything around them. This Death was nothing at all like Simon.
"Until we meet again, Robert."
He said nothing and watched until the Reaper disappeared around the corner. He let out an explosive breath he hadn't realized he was holding and wiped the sweat from his palms on his pants.
His stomach twisted with the impact of Reaper's words. Three days.
Sick to his stomach, he headed back to his apartment. What does someone do when they find out they're dying in a few days?
His rubbed his chest, finding it hard to breathe as he walked. He pulled his hand away from his chest and stared
at it a moment. Heart attack?
He shook his head. He was only twenty-six. Besides, he still had time.
Yeah, in this case ignorance was bliss.
Finding his way back home, he flopped back on the couch and waited for Simon, hoping everything the Reaper had told him was wrong.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Seven
He heard Simon's soft steps as they slipped into the room several hours later. After hours of waiting and rehearsing the carefully thought out lines he'd prepared, his mind went blank when Simon stepped into the room.
Robert sat up and peered over the back of the couch at him.
"Three days?"
The light smile on Simon's lips evaporated and dark eyes turned somber. Nothing said the truth more than that.
Bile churned in the pit of his stomach and he closed his eyes, willing back the ache in his chest. He gulped for air to help keep nausea at bay.
"I was hoping he lied."
The words hung in the air and Simon moved to sit on the opposite side of the couch.
"I keep trying to imagine what will happen when I die. Who will care? What did I do? Was I important? I can't think of much. I didn't do anything really. I only have one real friend here. My family is dead, or wished I was... I'm not important. I never harmed anyone. I was nice, I think. I'm a pretty nice person, aren't I?"
"You're a very nice person."
Robert huffed. “Yeah. Write that on my epitaph."
"And you're important to me."
He winced and looked away. “Don't say that."
"It's true."
Emotions warred inside him. The urge to lash out took hold as he turned to Simon. “How can you say that? I'm dying in three days and you hover around me like a vulture waiting to pick my bones."
Simon winced visibly, but Robert didn't care. He struggled to keep his emotions under control. The anger, the grief. He couldn't think, couldn't breathe.
"Get out of here! Go. I don't want to see you. Get the hell out of my house!” Robert grabbed the lamp from the end table and threw it in Simon's direction.
Glass exploded as the ceramic base struck the table beside Simon, showering him in debris. A fresh cut marred Simon's cheek and beaded with blood.
His Soul to Take Page 6