Death, I lived in a tiny research lab on Frost Veil. I spent over fifteen years there. I got used to having a planet beneath my feet. Charybdis Station is so big, I sometimes forget it’s wiring and metal beneath our feet.”
Val nodded. “I usually spend my days in the innards of the station, but as soon as I’m on the surface again, it’s easy to forget.”
Death took a breath and slowly released it. “I’ve never had a home, Val. When I served the Queen during my first cycle, I wasn’t ready to live. I was a frozen being, watching and studying the world around me. After she was corrupted, our cycles were spent killing and destroying on her command. There was no place for a home or family during those times.”
“Then you met Seshia,” Val said, kissing the top of his head. Death loved that Val knew her name. That he didn’t mind knowing Death had loved someone else.
“Then I met Seshia.” Death smiled softly. “It was odd at first. Her husband and mate’s body was my host. His soul became my soul. I felt, for the first time in a very long time. Love, adoration, determination, fear, joy, lust. Everything that Azilo felt became mine, yes, but I began to feel for myself as well. I suddenly had something to live for.”
“I’m glad you’re mine, but I wish you would have had more time with her.” Val gave him a sad look. “Nora wasn’t my mate, but I loved her. Our years together were special. I wish you could have had that.”
Death linked their fingers together. “I will get that. With you.”
Val’s smile lit up his face. “Really?”
Death suddenly wanted to smack himself. He hated that Val hadn’t known they were a sure thing. Remember to use your fucking words, Verion, he heard Sandra’s voice in his mind.
“I…” he swallowed hard. “I care for you a great deal, Val.”
The light in Val’s eyes dimmed a little. “I know you do.”
Death squeezed his eyes shut. Why is this so hard? “I more than care for you. I hate leaving you in the morning. I wish I could have you by my side every single day. I want to spend every moment with you.”
Val smiled again, patting his hand. “I want that to.”
Just say it, Verion, the voice in his head growled at him. He was silent for a moment as he fought to find the words. When he shared a soul with Azilo, he had known what to say at the exact right time. As Verion/Death, he was shit out of luck. Damn it.
A small rock hit the side of his head and he sat up, looking around. The two ghosts quickly disappeared when he looked toward them, and he couldn’t make out their faces.
Scythe looked up and woofed softly before lying back down.
“What was that?” Val asked, picking up the small rock.
“I think a ghost threw a rock at me.” Death heard the shock in his voice. “They never do things like that. Spirits fear me. Plus, it takes a lot of energy to touch anything in the physical realm. Why would they waste it on tossing a rock at me?”
“Well, clearly someone’s upset with you,” Val said, frowning. “I don’t like it.”
Death shook his head and tried to focus back on the conversation. “Maybe I needed it. I’ve been dancing around what I want to say. I want to make a home with you, Val. Wyatt and I will have finished the work on the vaccine by the end of the week. After that, I want us to move in together.”
Val blinked, surprised. “Really?”
Again, Death wanted to hit himself. He clearly hadn’t been communicating well enough if Val was shocked that he wanted to be with him. “Yes. You know why we’ve waited.”
Val nodded quickly. “You needed to fight the Queen, and she could have used me against you just like she did Seshia all those years ago.”
“The Queen is gone now,” Death said, voice soft. “The war is over, and Charybdis Station is ready for the next phase of its existence. As am I.”
Val’s grin slowly spread across his face. “I’m all in, Veri. Wherever you want Lorry and I to be, that’s where we’ll go.”
A tightness in his chest that he hadn’t been aware of loosened, and Death breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. We’ll need something bigger than your apartment, however. I don’t want to shove Lorry out the door when he graduates, and