A Single Element Stories [Rating Varies]

[AWA1997]

The Snap (Part 1/3) [Mature] (NW)

Spoiler:

Death held Madeline’s hand as she gave birth. Neko, the original Animals Mage and current resident of the underworld, helping to deliver the child. Neko handed Madeline the baby boy and asked her for a name. Being mute, Madeline handed her a slip of paper with the title ‘boy name’, designating the new child as Maddox Poe Alastor Hatter. “Ok, I’ll let everyone know.” Neko placed her hand on Madeline’s head. “Now you just relax, I’m sure you’re exhausted.” Madeline nodded and drifted off to sleep, still holding the child. Once the Madness Mage was out, Neko took the child to the crib.

Death looked down at the baby, smiling. His son opened his eyes, and the familiar feeling of sadness washed over Death. There were no markings in his child’s eyes. He wasn’t a Mage. Death walked to the other end of the room and leaned against a wall before sliding down it and curling into a ball. He waited as Neko sang the child a lullaby, then looked at the ghostly Mage before him. “What am I going to do, Neko?” he asked, tears in his eyes. “I’ve got yet another kid I can’t help raise.”

“Well, Madeline asked me a while back to help, and it’s the least I can do for you after taking care of Mom and me for so long.” Death nodded. “Thank you.” he said. “And I’m still sorry for your mother’s death. If I wasn’t gullible enough to listen to Voodoo back then, maybe Terra would still be alive.” Neko placed her hand on his shoulder. “Dude, stop beating yourself up for that. You were in love, and, as the mortals say, love is blind.”

“Yeah, and apparently love is stupid as well, because if I had had any brains in my skull, she never would’ve died.” He sighed. “Sorry, I... don’t cheer up easily. My entire life has been train-wreck after train-wreck. I know I should be happy, and in a way I am. I’m glad that Madeline gets to experience being a mother, and I’m happy that I gave her that chance, but I just... I’ve had more children than any other man, and I’ve never really experienced being a father. I mean, I’ve never been able to so much as hold any of my kids without Life’s help.”

“I mean, we were planning on letting you help as much as possible.” Neko said. “You know, let you take care of stuff any time he needs something and your powers won’t get in the way.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a pair of gloves. “I’m not super familiar with your death-touch, do you think these will help?”

Death nodded. “Gloves help to a degree, but if we were going that route, I’d need a full-body covering.” he said. “I haven’t found a part of my body yet that don’t conduct my powers.” “Well, for now, put on a long-sleeve shirt, take these gloves, and go hold your son. The gloves will be a little tight, but they won’t rip. Once you’ve gotten your fill of baby holding, I’ll make you a custom pair, I just need to measure your hands first.”

Death did as Neko said, changing clothes, making sure the gloves were on as best as he could, and tenderly picked up the baby. He held Maddox close and smiled. Maddox opened his eyes and reached for Death’s face. Death repositioned his son and gave him the other hand instead.

After a while, Maddox fell asleep again and Death put him in his crib. Neko had fallen asleep in Death’s recliner, helping with the childbirth having drained her. Death gently woke up the ghost. “Thank you for helping.” he said. “If you want, you can take my measurements and head back to your room, I’m sure it’s more comfortable in there than in my chair.” Neko nodded sleepily. “Yeah, give me two seconds to wake up.” she said, stretching. She got up, measured his hands and arms, writing them down on her arm, then looked up at Death. “Actually, it’s a long walk to the Elysium. Would it be possible for me to stay in one of your guest rooms while I’m helping you with Maddox?” “Yeah, that’s fine.” “Thanks, I’ll see you tomorrow, and I’ll try to have the gloves done by the time I come back.”

Shortly after Neko left, Death heard a soft knock on the door. When he opened it, he was surprised to see Life. “Hey Death.” she said. “Congratulations on the kid. Thought I’d bring some flowers for Madeline, see if I could meet my new grandchild, and tell you both how happy I am for you.”

“Thank you.” Death said with a nod. He stepped out of the way for her. “Madeline’s still out, but I’m sure she’ll love the flowers.” he added closing the door. “Maddox is in his crib.”

Life set down the flowers beside Madeline and walked over to the crib. She reached down to pick up the child, but stopped before she did. “Do... you mind if I hold him?” “Not at all.” Life smiled and picked him up. “Is he a Mage?” she asked. Death sighed. “No, he’s another mortal.” He then smiled. “But from the sounds of it, Neko and Madeline have some ideas on how I can be involved with him. I’ve already been able to hold him once, thanks to some gloves Neko let me borrow.” “That’s good.”

“So, how are things going?” Death asked. “Not so great. I just lost another boyfriend.” Life replied, looking down sadly. “Sorry to hear that.” “It’s ok. I just don’t understand why they keep leaving me. I can’t even keep them for a week.” “Well, what do you do for that week?” “Well, I take them out to eat every night because I can’t cook. It’s my treat, of course. I try to do something they enjoy for the actual dates, such as watching plays or going for walks. And then, when we’re done with our dates, we head inside and I bed them. I don’t see where I’m messing up.”

“Do you do that every night? Including the fist night?” “More or less, why?” “Maybe they’re just not ready to be that intimate on the first date, and doing it every night is too much for them.” “But I thought men liked that kind of thing?” “Most do, but keep in mind, you’ve got billions of years of practice under your belt, you could be too much for the mortal man to handle like that.” “I never thought of it that way.” Death nodded. “Just take it slower, and you’ll be fine.” “I’ll try, but... you know me, I’m not too good at that stuff.” Death nodded. “Just do your best.”

Life paused as she looked at the child cradled in her arms. “Um, Death, do you think it would be possible for me to help take care of him?” “I don’t mind, but Madeline’s already asked Neko to help, so I’ll have to check with them to make sure we either have a schedule or have something for everyone to do. I’ll take care of that next time we’re all three awake and together.” Life hugged Death. “Thank you.”

Once Life left and Death was once again left by himself with a sleeping girlfriend and child, he smiled to himself. He was a father again, he was actually going to be able to be a father to this kid, and he was getting along with Life again. Things were looking up for him for once.