"... Life doesn't hate anyone. It just doesn't pick favourites. It sits back and watches as its creations rise and fall, succeed and fail, go through happiness and sickness. And the strongest, most clever, capable and resourceful get to live further. Fate and Destiny however do and feel like they pick favourites. Rather pick who's worthy and who's not, to live and succeed, to be happy or get tortured. That kid... without a doubt from what ya said he was going to have a great and content future. But he caught that illness you said you both have and it overcame him. And it seems unfair, that from such tender age he suffered and left this world, before he could prevent to see more of it. The religion of the humans says that kids die young so they don't get the chance to meet evil, become corrupted and come to Heaven pure and free off sin, at least intentional. The beliefs of the monsters say that kids die young so they don't suffer any further in the future and don't have to experience that suffering. Nobody could predict that the boy was going to get that deadly illness. But even if he had a good life and had happiness, it wouldn't be so certain that he was going to enjoy it to the fullest if he kept living. He would most likely still live in pain. And so, it was sent to the afterlife before he could taste more pain and suffering, where he would be able relive mainly his great and happy days with very little negative ones haunting him. Death seems macambre and sad, but it's also closure. The ones who left the living too early especially, since it is possible they can have more positive memories than negative. Or, if they meet only negative ones, at least to not meet any more."

Reaper was talking slowly and clearly, giving Geno time to comprehend and think of his words. But he still wasn't convinced enough.

"Illness or not, he still deserved to live..."

"I have no doubt. And certainly, whoever were the parents who mourned and grieved for the boy, miss him greatly."

"Oh you have no idea..." The siren thought, momentarily his expression becoming wry. But realising Reaper was still staring at him, he hurried to bring up his next arguement. "If that little boy didn't deserve to die and be taken away from his happiness, why am I still alive and suffering even after meeting only pain? You said a while ago Fate and Destiny picks 'favourites', am I really alive and the illness hasn't killed me because of the mission I was foretold to accomplish? Is that why I haven't died yet?" Reaper thought for seconds.

"... I wouldn't be able to tell ya about why the illness hasn't killed you yet, if for the only reason you defy it is because Fate and Destiny keep you forcefully alive and cause you to break the rules of nature..." There... he grinned. "But despite the suffering, whoever and whatever you might have lost, I believe in the little time you've been here, you're still alive because you're given a chance."

"A chance for what?" Geno asked raising brow.

"That if you allow yourself to feel free off Grief just enough, you can build a future with other people and monsters that care for you and you can learn caring 'bout them too. Without that meaning of course you replace fully your family." Reaper prevented to say seeing the smaller skeleton ready to object. "Family stays inside your soul and mind. They never go away, no matter how much time passes. Even the ones you've stopped feelin' fond about..." For a little moment his expression darkened as he looked away before facing Geno again smiling. "... But just because they hold the dearest place in your soul, doesn't mean they take up all of it. You've already found the strength to make space for friends. Like Alter, haven't you?" He asked then. Geno looked away.

"I... I guess."

"And rest assured, not just him, but others think of you positively and would follow you, become part of somethin' like your non-related family."

"... Who else would really wanna stay close to me?" Geno murmured. Reaper chuckled.

"I dunno angelfish, how many of my crew have come to check up on you throughout the day to see how you're bearing?" He asked. Geno turned to look at the Captain with perked up eyesocket, only to rub the back of his skull awkwardly.

"I mean... there weren't many... Like... Alter stayed around the most obviously, Markus came to check up on me once or twice, Michael would visit me the most, Adrian and Yalin kept me company... Sam against his will but stayed with Adrian, Aldo would bring me food... There were the hyenas who had come to lay close to the bed for a few hours before the dogface called 'em..." Suddenly Geno felt his cheeks hotter, realising just how 'few' had actually came to see him and hadn't realised. "... Oh wow?" Reaper laughed cheerfully.

"Are you still havin' doubts that not one single man of my crew cares about you?" He asked.

"Except-! I mean-! Uuummm..." Geno tried to object and deny that, but that only made him cover his also flustered, except from fever-warmed, face. "Uuuh, shut up!" He yelped pointing at Reaper, who barely managed to hold back from laughing out loud.

"Even Dave, with which you have a little bit of beef, briefly passed by the hermitage to see how were you." The necromancer said. Geno looked at him in disbelief forgetting the embarrassment.

"Didn't see him."

"Al saw him peeking when you were in a moment of trynna get sleep. Later in the day I heard him sayin' to some of his pals around the ship that you looked like crap and that he prefers you when you don't look so weak and helpless."

"Naaah, you're messin' with me!"

"I ain't lying." Reaper's grin grew wider. "You're in my men's minds, even of the ones who don't seem like it to think of another's well-being. You've left quite the impression and impact." It was Geno's turn to laugh, actually loudly and without choking or feeling the need to cough.

"And am I supposed to believe that for reasons like these you've 'honored' me with your visit too? Hah! Me, who had to kick the Portuguese's butts for your men to start thinkin' of me differently! And if I hadn't done so, they wouldn't even give a damn if I died right here and now from the fever!" For a few more seconds the siren laughed. Until he looked at Reaper.

Then he stopped laughing.

The other's eyesockets were nailed and focused on the sick skeleton as he was resting his chin on his palm, elbow pressed on his knee, completely serious. Little by little Geno started feeling concerned. Why was he staring like that???

"... You are more than what a fate or destiny defies you, or a huge accomplishment, or a moment of boldness and bravery." Reaper started calmly.

"... What?" Geno did. He watched concerned as the other leaned a tiny bit towards him, silent and expressionless for a few seconds.

"... It doesn't simply take for ya to do somethin' big, or cool to gain the others' respect. Even if you don't realise it. You're more than simply these moments where you stand out more. It's you as a whole, not just in action but in the calm too. How you act generally, whether around the ones you're chill with, whether with the ones indifferent to ya or with rivalry. And do you wanna hear what I'm thinkin' about you? What's it I've seen about you in this 1 month you're in my ship?" Reaper kept staring at Geno, who gulped silently.

"... What's there... 'bout me?" He managed to ask quietly. Never before had he felt grateful to see Reaper's annoying smile present after being so serious.

"... That once again it comes true size doesn't matter. You're a lil' monster with big personality and courage. You're much stronger than anyone anticipates first glance. You're fighting for years an illness that kills it's hosts before they get halfway towards puberty. Yet you're here. You didn't just get here in this very moment because some high and mighty purpose kept you alive. You kept yourself alive and pushed forward, despite the pain and suffering you've been through. You survived not because you're simply lucky, but because of your abilities. You're powerful, ready to even try and fight back, you're smart, stubborn..." He paused for a few seconds as his smile softened. "... You have a tendency to push others way. Back at the village that wouldn't accept you for what you were and looked like, you fended for yourself. It showed when you tagged along with us, against your will to be accurate. You tend to question intentions. And that's fair. Ya haven't been given reasons to trust anyone. Even so, you've learned trusting the few worthy to you monsters in here. Before you started allowin' yourself to let others close, you fought for yourself, by yourself. And that says itself a lot for you. Interesting and impressive ones dare I say."

What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What What

Was Geno's soul screaming.

He had stayed like an idiot staring at Reaper saying all these things about him, things he had barely acknowledged or realised. To hear him saying all that so confidently, staring him right in the eyesocket and his only white pupil glowing so... excitedly.

"Holy sh*t???"

"And ya wanna know somethin' else?" Reaper asked then. Geno barely heard him at the last moment and blinked sharply many times. He didn't say anything, but his expression was hiding anticipation to hear what else was the necromancer going to say. "... Not long after your arrival on the ship, I simply couldn't help but feel pinches of joy seeing you." Geno looked at Reaper with wide open eyesocket, filled with disbelief and confusion. He didn't prevent to ask as then Reaper's hand slid towards his and held it gently.

"W-What are you-..." Whether it was his fever or panic speaking, the siren found himself unable to take his hand away from Reaper's, who proceeded to clasp it gently and lift it, staring alternatively at it and at Geno's expression with some kind of... admiration? Curiosity?

"... There's somethin' about you that feels to me familiar. I haven't been able to fully find myself calm, with me tryin' to think if I've really met you before or I'm simply..." He nailed eyesockets at Geno with a grin. "... mesmerized and fascinated with ya."

Abruptly the smaller skeleton pulled his hand away from Reaper's hold and turned head to his right, feeling his head spinning and boiling. He held his cheeks agitated, then grabbed the compress from his head and pressed it on them to try and cool them off.

"I don't feel well..." He whispered and shut his eyesocket. Reaper grinned wider, but then huffed, closed eyesockets and got off the bed. He took the plate of soup in his hands and sat on the stool facing Geno.

"Angel..." He called. Slowly Geno dared to turn and face him, but seeing him holding the food he shut his mouth.

"I told you, I'm not hungry..."

"Geno, that is the fever simply makin' ya not realize you need the food. But I know that in this ship, the ones you've named me they visited you, would be more than happy knowing you're eating and little by little gaining back your strength. Here, look." Reaper took with the spoon a small portion, barely anything impressive. Geno looked at the spoonful of soup, then at Reaper patiently waiting. "One ship enterin' the cave, for the priest first. Come on." He teased. Geno almost jolted from laughing with Reaper's childish manners, but managed to keep looking at him serious and debating whether or not accepting to eat from him.

"... Ugh, what the Hell!" He eventually thought annoyed. And looking away sulky, he slowly opened his mouth, allowing Reaper to feed him the first spoonful.

He would be a liar if he said even to himself that this soup wasn't way too delicious. Had he not tasted it enough or only the taste made him realise just how hungry he really was? He covered his mouth as his cheeks got warmer, this time from the satisfaction the taste had left in his mouth.

"Well? Is it good?" Reaper asked smirking, already knowing Geno had enjoyed that spoonful.

"... How much longer is this force-feedin' gonna last?" He hissed and almost pouted. Reaper chuckled.

"Yeeeah. Definitely force-feedin'! Your whole expression really does say ya ain't enjoying this." Reaper thought, but somewhat Geno sensed that and hissed again crossing his arms.

"Shut up."

"And just like my mother would say, appetite comes with eating! Now, heeere comes the next ship, for Aldo this time!" Reaper teased.

Like that, little by little, the plate managed to go more than half-empty in 9 spoonfuls, each a little bit more increased than the previous. And each was eaten with a little bit more eagerness by Geno, who kept being pouty and hissy, while Reaper would give him teasing comments.

Again he hadn't finished his food, but he had definitely eaten more than any other attempt before of trying to be fed. When Geno refused to eat any further, Reaper chose to listen and nodded smiling. He put the plate back on the table.

"Finally." Geno mumbled.

"Was the food tasty kiddo?" Reaper asked chuckling.

"With the mood ya have to annoy me, like you've been doin' through this whole thing, I'm almost surprised you didn't give me to eat in your name." The sick skeleton said and scoffed.

"Why would I do that? You're still not fond enough of me."

Oh...

Geno turned to look at Reaper slightly surprised, off guard.

"Wh-."

"Nothin' wrong with that." Reaper said laughing lowly, not seeming to realise Geno was about to talk. "But for the fact ya let me all this time take care of ya, maybe you do start to like me~" Again his eyesockets were shaped in cheerfulness and mischief. Geno scoffed and crossed his arms.

"I'm simply way too vulnerable to be actin' aggressive. Wouldn't work in my favor enraging the being closest to the idea of Death."

"Speakin' of witch, time for ya to go and take the non-permanent death." Reaper stated grinning. For a moment Geno froze, but when he comprehended the other's words, he stayed quiet and lowered head. "Hey. What's up?" The necromancer asked.

"... I can't sleep." The smaller skeleton said quietly. Reaper huffed.

"Is it at least because of nightmares, or you're gonna tell me you don't deserve sleepin' either?"

"Nightmares..." Geno responded, then paused. "... Just aggressive nightmares of whoever has caused me harm and sorrow, tenfold terrifying haunting me and not lettin' me sleep..." Those last words he spelled them much quieter. Reaper wouldn't have been able to catch that if he didn't know how to read lips.

Or, in the siren's case mouths. He got serious as he walked closer to the smaller skeleton. Much to Geno's surprise he felt his hand on his shoulder and turned to look at Reaper. Except the necromancer was smiling. Not cheerfully and playfully, just smoothly and fondly.

"... Try one more time angelfish. Lay down and stare up to the ceiling. Empty your skull from all thoughts and just... hear my voice. I'll go away eventually, just know that will happen only when I see you manage to fall asleep."

Geno almost didn't recognise the other, sounding so... like...

"Can't have your little sacrifice sick for too long after all." Geno thought bitterly then. Even after what he had hear Reaper admitting for him, he simply couldn't help but let that thought find its way in his mind first. There seemed to be honesty and genuinity in his voice and look, but the doubt was simply way too loud in his skull.

He was still affected from day one of his stay in the ship, something which he didn't want to admit out loud, to Alter especially. Silently he watched as Reaper's hand was getting off his shoulder and then slowly he layed down, still staring at him. Reaper sat back on the stool grinning.

"Don't look at me. Just look up. Okay?"

They didn't exchange any words after that. Geno just watched as the colors were swirling in the black fog and in the rhythm of the song Reaper had started singing from the beginning, until he proceeded with the next ones.

Days pull you down just like a sinking ship
Floating is getting harder
But tread the water, child, and know that meanwhile
Rises the moon

The colors were soft and gentle, making Geno feel at ease. Reaper's voice was leaving a sensation of serenity weighten his eyesocket little by little.

Days pull you up just like a daffodil
Uprooted from its garden
They'll tell you what you owe, but know even so
Rises the moon

The siren yawned, the colors became even more blurry, the Captain's voice sounded a lot more distant. And before he knew it, he felt his existence becoming nothing as sleep conquered him.

You'll be visited by sleep
I promise you that soon the autumn comes
To steal away each dream you keep
Breathe, breathe, breathe

Only this time in his dreams he was seeing gentle sea waves, birds flying, fish swimming in packs and shooting stars.

Reaper let the melody die out gently. Silence prevailed and he watched Geno as he slept for many minutes. Finally he seemed peaceful. He got off the stool and approached close to the bed. Gently he covered his small body with the blanket a little before the chin and fixed better the compress on his forehead.

As his hands were about to be taken back, they stopped mid-air as he stared again intensively at the sleeping skeleton. Almost without a thought and uncosciously, the fingertips of his right hand ran over Geno's cheek, barely touching. After that he let his arms hang. His expression became bitter and frustrated.

Reaper's POV:
-

Every single magic cell in my body screams at me about how badly I'd want to feel Geno's touch, with nothing preventing me from feeling it.

But I can't.

I'm silently terrified if that happens. Terrified of the idea that I'm going to tear apart even more this seemingly fragile yet incredibly amazing monster before me, even with a single touch of my little bare finger.

That I'm simply going to kill the one who makes my soul beat in a way I've never heard before. A soulbeat more lively in my deadly nature, joyful enough to breach through the Grief that has been surrounding me for years and has been muffling its sound.

It tells me that he's the one. The right one. And my mind makes me doubt, how could he tolerate my nature? My touch? Am I supposed to silently suffer by being unable to touch him? I sense strange aura comin' off him, way out of the ordinary, yet unknown to me. Is it because of his siren nature?

Would it keep him safe from the death my touch carries? And even if it did, does he see me as anything more than a deadly creature that only has in its mind to accomplish benefits?

'Cause I think I sense he still believes about me I need him alive for the treasures of the Tearful Cave. Oh, I need him alive, agreed. Only, he's the real treasure I want and never thought I needed. What is there I must do, so he stops giving me those faint signs of distrust?

How do I get him to see that ever since we looked each other in the eyesockets properly he has stolen my soul?

3460 words. and now, i'm going to smek you.

*smeks the readers 😗 x1.000.000*

*me after that*

goodbye κουτσούνια *pat pat*