*Two days later*
“Dinner was delicious dear. Thank you so much for cooking,” Nyx smiled graciously at Evie as she wiped her lips with a napkin. Burping loudly, Cybrus nodded his head in agreement before seeing the glare on Nyx’s face
“Sorry honey, but you know that’s considered a compliment.” Nyx rolled her eyes and Cybrus turned to Evie, “As my wife said the food was delicious. Where’d you learn to cook like that?”
Evie stood and began clearing Romulus’s table. “My mother was an excellent cook. I guess a bit rubbed off on me.”
“Well, I’m sure whoever you end up with will appreciate it.”
Romulus shifted uncomfortably in his seat and shot his brother an apologetic look. “Dad…”
“What? Are we all still pretending that Thanatos is gonna end up with her? The boy had the poor girl running for the hills after a few days of living with him.”
Thanatos felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Use to his father's beratement, he tried his best not to let it get under his skin especially in front of Evie. She’d worked so hard on this dinner, and he refused to be the one who ruined it. He turned to speak to Romulus.
“I really like the new art you’ve put in the corridor.”
Romulus smiled bashfully, “You don’t think it’s too much?”
“It suits you.”
From the other end of the other table, Cybrus mumbled under his breath, “Oh brother…”
Seeing Thanatos's body stiffen, and the steam exit his nose, Evie walked over to him and faced the king speaking firmly, “Your majesty, this was a nice dinner let’s keep it that way, shall we? You all have been so accommodating of me, I wanted to do something in return. Also, I may no longer live with Thanatos, but I can assure you I am as interested in him as I was the first time I laid eyes on him.”
Closing the space between them, she placed her hand on his shoulder. “Even more so now that I’ve gotten to know him.”
Thanatos looked around the table, first at his father's begrudging expression, then at the smirks on his mother, Derrick, and brother’s faces. Evie continued to move about to the kitchen, seemingly unaffected by the sudden attention. He on the other hand could almost hear what was going through their heads. Thankfully, Nyx seemed to notice and decided to change the conversation.
“So…I’ve seen a lot more babies have been born Romulus, excellent work.”
Derrick playfully nudged him, and Romulus's face turned red, “Thank you mother, Thanatos and I have been working really hard to implement a new plan that would allow for a better turn around.” Thanatos nodded in his direction.
“I’ve noticed. I’m very impressed with how organized the rotation of souls has been Thanatos. Each one with a purpose, each transitioning a lot smoother.”
“Yes, the guards have reported that the new plans have really decreased the level of incidents-”
Thanatos was interrupted by a scoff from his father, the action immediately irritating Romulus, “It really was Thanatos’ plan Dad and things have been a lot smoother.”
“Excuse me for not wanting to talk about the dead at the table.”
Nyx had had enough. “WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM?”
Slamming down his napkin, Cybrus retorted, “My problem? Am I the only one who's noticed this *new* Thanatos? Family dinners, new plans? The boy NEVER wanted anything to do with any of us before and now suddenly he’s sitting at Romulus’ table passing out compliments and discussion?” Cybrus waved his finger towards the kitchen. “You know it doesn’t matter what face you put on in front of her, she’s still gonna see the ugly thing that you are.”
Silence filled the room, and Thanatos felt his eyes blacken, “I’d be careful if I were you father, or have you forgotten I’ll still be in charge of your soul once you die.” The shock expression of the king left Thanatos thrilled.
“WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME?”
“You heard me *your majesty*...you’ve ruined what could have been a nice dinner all to boost your hatred for me.”
Cybrus waved his hand dismissively. “I don’t hate you. I hate what you are…a wretched thing masking as something decent. You’re not decent Thanatos, try all you may. It’s just impossible for something like you.”
From the kitchen the sound of a smashing dish, caused everyone to jump. Upon seeing Evie enter the room, Thanatos' eyes immediately returned to their pale nature. Her hands balled to her side, her anger palpable, she approached the table. “Get the hell out!" The king's mouth dropped open and she repeated herself. “Get. Out.”
Cybrus shouted to Romulus, “YOU’RE GOING TO SIT THERE AND LET HER SPEAK TO ME THAT WAY?”
Folding his arms to his chest, he looked indignantly at his father, “She lives here. She has as much say as I do who stays and goes and tonight, you’re not a king. You’re a man who's overstayed his welcome.”
Cybrus stood from the table, “I DON’T HAVE TO TAKE THIS SHIT!” He reached out for his wife’s hand, “Let’s go Nyx.”
Nyx didn’t budge. “You take that trip home alone Cybrus. My anger is too volatile at the moment to be alone with you.” As Cybrus looked from one person to another, he knew he had nothing left. Silently, grabbing his belongings he took his exit from his son’s mansion. “Romo, may I stay in one of your guest rooms tonight?” Nyx asked her son, her eyes still glued to the table.
Romulus reached out for her hand, “Mother you never need to ask.”
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After cleaning up the remainder of dinner, Evie went to find the queen. Knocking on the door she slowly entered finding Nyx in tears. Quickly, she ran to the bed and wrapped her arms around her.
“I’m sorry your majesty. I let my anger get the best of me.”
Nyx wiped her eyes, “No, I’m sorry. Cybrus has treated Thanatos that way for years. It’s only now I see the truth of it.” Evie searched the queen’s eyes, but her mind was somewhere else.
*People will do whatever it takes to maintain the façade of their perfect lives. *
“It wasn’t always like this. They used to be very close…then everything changed once Thanatos got his birthright. Cybrus…he became so hateful. He tore Thanatos down every chance he could until I think there was just nothing left.” Nyx moved a piece of hair from Evie’s face. “But tonight, I saw that little boy…the one who wanted nothing more than to be loved by his dad. I thought he was long gone, but I saw him, and it broke my heart.” Nyx's eyes watered again, but this time she let no tears fall, “Thank you for helping me to see what I missed all these years.”
Evie listened intently to the queen, only speaking when she was certain she was finished.
“Will you be alright? I would stay but there’s somewhere I should be.”
A small smile formed on Nyx’s lips and she hugged Evie tight. With that unspoken confirmation, Evie left the room and quickly made her way out into the night.
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Thanatos rubbed his temples, the letters on the papers in front of him jumbling all together. The words of his father replayed in his mind over and over and in frustration, he shoved the papers on the floor. Rising, from the table, he shut off the light of his office before heading to his room.
*I just need a shower and bed*
He said in his head repeatedly hoping if he said it enough, he would grow to believe it true. Stumbling through the darkness, he found the bathroom and quickly jumped into the shower. The heat from the water soothed his aches, but it did nothing for what he felt inside.
*You ugly thing*
He ran his hands through his hair.
*You’re not decent. It’s impossible for something like you. *
He hated that the words wouldn’t leave his mind. Inhaling deeply, he finished his shower and slowly dressed for bed.
*A wretched thing masking as something decent*
Thanatos gripped the sides of the dresser in anger and sadness. For years he’d suffered from the mental exhaustion of his father’s words, but tonight they rotted him to the core. He walked over to his bed and pulled back the covers, and upon laying down noticed someone beside him. The smell of vanilla, the softness of familiar hands tugged at him as Evie grabbed him and pulled him close.
“You seemed like you needed a friend.”
Thanatos didn’t speak. The heaviness of his body and the weight of the world seems to crash down on him all at once. Wrapping his arms around her, he breathed in her scent. The feel of her body molded against him gave him a solace he never thought he could experience.
“I…I’m not an ugly thing.”
Evie placed a gentle kiss on his lips, “I know. You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen.”
Thanatos pulled her closer in his arms and listened to the rhythmic beat of his once dead heart. As they drifted to sleep, his mind finally confessed what his heart knew for some time. He, the Grim Reaper, was falling in love.