*The night of the ball*
*Why am I here? *
Thanatos couldn't help but think to himself as he watched the merriment of the partygoers. Seemed like déjà vu, another Romulus party, another moment of trying his hardest to find his exit and hoping to go unnoticed. He took another sip of his beverage, his eyes locking with the red tie of his otherwise black suit. Quickly, he darted them to another place, but it was already too late.
*I wanted us to match Poppet…I heard that's what you and your date do at things like this*
One week had turned into almost three in a blink of an eye, and yet he was still no closer to finding her. With all the money in all the world, all the connections he’d still turned up empty. Thanatos tried everything to distract himself, but everywhere he went there she was. Her smell, her eyes, the way she smiled, how happy she’d made him feel.
It took two weeks and some days for him to finally understand that all this time he’d been alive but not living. It was like being awake for the first time ever, seeing the beauty of the world then being told to go back to sleep. Surrounded by smells that weren't hers, eyes that belong to someone else, things had become harder for him.
"Hey, are you okay?" Romulus asked as he approached his brother, and Thanatos put on his best recovery face. Being around his little brother during this time had reminded him how they were when they were kids, and he’d grown very fond of his company.
*That's why I'm here*
Thanatos chided himself. This wasn't about him, it was about Romulus.
"I was just looking at these over-the-top statues that are floating in the air." He jabbed him teasingly, "Romulus even you have to admit they're over the top."
Derrick leaned in and whispered to him, “Those aren't statues, they're people he somehow convinced to take the job."
Romulus glared at him and Thanatos let out a laugh, the first one he had in weeks.
"Don't talk about me like I'm not here."
Derrick put his hands up defensively, "Apologies to the host."
Thanatos continued to look around taking in the imagery, the white, the gold and ivory, all of Romulus's usual colors. "I'm convinced you want people to think you're an angel."
"Well, when your brother’s the devil..."
Thanatos kicked him from under the table, "Host or not, I'll still kick your ass."
Romulus smiled widely at him before kicking him back. As they continued to talk, Thanatos felt himself loosening up, deciding if he was there, he’d might as well enjoy it. After a couple more drinks, Romulus asked Derrick to dance, and Thanatos watched the two go around the dance floor.
"Hey son." His mother came up to him and kissed him on the cheek. Sitting down, she looked from him to Romulus and Derrick.
"They really are a nice couple, aren't they?"
"Yeah, I'm really happy for Romulus, he deserves all of it."
Her eyes glistened at her son, "So do you." Averting her gaze, she grabbed his hands, patting them lightly. "You know, sometimes I think you and I are really two of a kind." Thanatos arched his brow at her, and she looked at him harder, "Your father told me that he apologized to you."
This wasn't the conversation that he wanted to have right now, and he pulled his hands away. "Mom, not tonight please."
She put her hands up, kissed his temple before walking away. Taking a long swig of his drink, he tried to relax again but the thought of his father vexed him.
*At least, he's not here tonight*
Standing from the table, he suddenly felt two pairs of hands tugging at him. Looking down two bright smiles look back up at him.
“Hi, Mr. Tanteenose!" Rose said hugging his leg.
Even though he was the one who dressed them for the night, he still couldn't help but smile. They'd come such a long way from the soot and dirty clothing to a beautiful pink dress with bows, and a blue suit that fit Jack so eloquently.
"You guys really look amazing."
Rose spun in her dress so that he could once again see all the little bows. Looking around, Jack tapped him again.
"Where's Ms. Evie…I wanted to show her my suit."
"Yeah, we haven't seen her in a while," chimed in Rose, their little eyes looking to him for an answer.
*I ran her off*
Thanatos mind went suddenly, but instead he said something he thought they could better handle. "She couldn't make it, but I'm sure she would have loved to see you two."
The look of disappointment in their eyes made what he was already feeling pull through him. Rose looked down at her shoes.
"Oh…okay." and he felt like absolute shit.
"You know you two-"
Thanatos felt a hand on his back. Reaching behind him, he grabbed it and found Minthe smiling hard at him. She was practically spilling out of her dress and he wondered what he’d ever found attractive about her. Not wanting the kids to hear their conversation, he suggested to them that they should go say hi to Romulus and Derrick. Once out of view, he glared at her.
"Do not touch me again."
"Baby…I was just coming to say hi." Thanatos didn't like her calling him baby, he didn't even want her saying his name.
"I think something's wrong with you Minthe. You really think I don't know what you did?" She batted her lashes at him, and he felt instantly annoyed wanting nothing more than to end their conversation.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Let me jog your memory. Your little vampire? What's left of his corpse is at my place, feel free to pick it up."
Her mouth parted in surprise, but she quickly recovered, “He didn't mean anything to me Reaper I-"
Instantly Thanatos grabbed her by the throat. The guest near them wore terrified expressions, but he didn't care. Minthe stared at him, her eyes bulging. "Hear me and hear me good, the next time you call me that I'll kill you."
Releasing her she choked for air, the expression of shock all on her face, "You're a bastard!" She spat at him.
"And don't you forget it."
With that, she stormed away. From the corner of his eye, he saw Romulus look at him. He thought he would be mad until he saw him slowly put his thumb up. Jack and Rose shortly joined Thanatos side again, wearing smiles larger than the ones they had before. Regaining his composure, he leaned down to them.
"Why are you both smiling like you have a secret?"
"You played a trick on us! You told us Ms. Evie couldn't come but she is right there!" Rose pointed proudly.
He stood, not wanting to turn around, not wanting to face the reality that she probably was mistaken. The smell of vanilla and death hit him first, and he felt his body stiffen. Evie walked into his view wearing the red-dressed he’d purchased, it looked better on her than he could have ever imagined.
"Poppet?" He heard himself hoarsely say. Leaning up, she ran her soft hand over the side of his face. Her green eyes glistened, she smiled the smile he'd missed for weeks.
"Hello, Reaper."