*HEY, EVERYONE. IT ME, TURTLE. ANYWAY, WELCOME TO ANOTHER CHAPTER! LET'S GET TO THEM QUESTIONS!~

Questions!!:
-What would you consider to be an amazing date? (I honestly wouldn't know, since I've never been on a date. All I know is that I'm okay with anything. The person I'm with doesn't have to try too hard.)
-Anyone playing Mystic Messenger?? (That game is cONSUMING MY LIFE AND MY SOUL OMFGGGG IT'S LOVELY.)

Song in the multimedia is Pretty Lights by Marvin Divine. Has nothing to do with the chapter--I just really like it. c:

THANKS FOR READIN'! I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE CHAPTER!*

Stay Creepy, My Friends!~

Chapter 64

Ao's POV

I woke up to a dimly lit bedroom and the muffled sounds of birds chirping outside. As I grumbled incoherently, I leaned forward to press myself against Jack for more comfort. When I felt nothing, I pried my eyes open to see what was wrong. My vision was blurry but I could still see the empty space on the bed where Jack had been sleeping. I patted the spot where he was like he would show up somehow.

"Do you have any idea when he left?," I murmured to Sam as I rubbed my eyes.

No clue. I can't sense a lot when you're asleep..

"Right..."

I grabbed my glasses from the nightstand and got up to find where Jack went. I checked the bathroom but it was empty and left unattended since my shower from last night. Confused and tired, I left the room in my PJs.

When I walked down the hall to check up in the attic in the lounge room again, I ran into Slenderman. "Good morning," I said, still a little sleepy.

He nodded his head at me and greeted me back, "Good morning. Are you alright?"

"Just woke up," I explained lazily, "Looking for Jack."

Slender titled his head a bit as he replied, "I'm afraid he left for his hunt already."

"What..?"

"Yes," the tall, faceless being assured me, "He came to me early this morning saying he would be leaving. He always leaves early. Sometimes his hunger gets the better of him if he waits for too long. He didn't want to take the risk and burden you and the others."

"Oh," I responded quietly. "Did he say when he would be back?"

Slender shook his head. "I'm afraid there's no way of knowing that; it would depend on his circumstances. But he usually returns within the next week or two. Don't worry too much. You'll see him again."

I smiled and nodded, feeling much better about the situation. I kind of wished I could have said goodbye and good luck to Jack before he left, maybe even given him a nice hug or kiss. A hug or kiss will have to wait when he comes back, then.

"Jack did, however, leave something for you," Slender suddenly added in. Without needing a response, the tall man lead me to his study around the corner of the hall. He opened the door, walked inside and went to his desk to get what Jack left for me. When he turned around, Slender held out a black hoodie for me. I grabbed it and instantly knew it was Jack's by how much bigger it was. With a light tone of voice, Slender said, "He left his hoodie for you in hopes that it would make you less sad. He said, and I quote, 'She'll get extremely worried and paranoid so much that she'll drive everyone else insane. This is for everyone else's safety'."

I shook my head, remarking, "He's such a jerk.." But I loved that he left his hoodie behind anyway. Although since he'll be gone for a while, leaving it with me wasn't a good idea on his part. I don't think I'll be giving it back when he does return. I hugged the hoodie close to me and felt a little better than before.

Slender started exiting the room as he spoke, "Now that you are awake, why don't you have some breakfast? After all, I can't let you leave here unnourished."

Let's get some of them pancakes, Blue!~

I smiled at Sam's silliness and followed Slender out of the study to start another day. Holding Jack's hoodie in my arms, I did feel less worried. I held it like it was the most precious thing in the world. In a way, it kind of is.

...

Jeff's POV

I winced as Ellie placed an ice pack against my side where my broken rib was.

"Sorry," she said, her hands backing away slightly.

"It's okay, I'm fine," I assured her, "It's just really cold."

"Oh," she muttered, rolling her eyes at me as she finished placing the ice pack.

Next, Ellie grabbed a medicine bottle and got me a powerful pain pill. She handed it to me and I popped it into my mouth like it was candy. Ellie got a glass of water and helped me drink through a silly straw that Toby got for me, because he felt inclined to get that specific type of straw. After swallowing that, I had to ingest another type of pill to help inflammation, or whatever else happens when you have a broke-ass rib bone. The past few days have been nothing but laying in bed, holding ice packs against my side, taking pills, groaning from pain and having breathing problems every now and then. I can't even begin to explain what kind of experience it is to make a trip to the bathroom...

"You look hot. Are you feeling feverish?," Ellie asked me, placing a hand against my forehead.

"I'm fine."

She stared at me for a moment, before stating, "Let me check your temperature--."

"You checked it an hour and a half ago, I'm fine," I repeated.

She sighed and nodded as she sat down on a chair beside me. I looked at her and said, "Thanks for your help.." She only hummed in response.

"This is gonna be hard to manage when we get back to the hideout," she retorted.

"I'm thinking we shouldn't go there," I said, "It's time we headed back to the mansion.."

"Where the others are?," she queried. I only nodded.

"It's better for all of us.."

"And your motorcycle?"

I gasped and murmured sadly, "I almost forgot about my baby.." Ellie gave me a look and laughed at me. She then stifled a soft yawn and slumped more in her seat.

"Have you gotten any sleep?," I asked her. It was barely going to be midday and Ellie has still looked like she's dying for sleep.

"Um," she started, and I already knew the answer to my question, "A little bit. I just woke up so early, ya know.."

"Really?"

She stared off to the side. "..No," she answered quietly. She sighed and brushed her hair back as she explained, "I haven't gotten a lot of sleep. I've been busy taking care of you, plus I'm a little on edge since Caedis' attack. Now that we're dealing with more than Corrupted, I don't know what to expect at this point. I'm just nervous.."

"Don't worry about it too much," I said, "especially if you don't get any sleep because of it. If something does happen, how will you be able to fight if you're constantly in a sleep deprived daze?"

She looked down, her expression filled with mild guilt. I pursed my lips and thought for a moment. "Get some rest," I told her, patting the space beside me to my right.

Ellie gave me an uncertain glance and asked, "Are you going to be alright?"

"Of course I will," I answered, "I'm not that high maintenance."

She smiled and got up from her seat to walk around the bed. She laid down next to me, and I moved my arm around her so she could rest her head against me. Ellie uttered a sigh of relief, letting me know just how exhausted she really was.

"Thanks, Jeff," she murmured and put her metal hand on top of my chest.

Moments passed that held nothing but silence. I had thought she fell asleep and I only lay still in bed with her next to me. But, I realized that Ellie was still awake as she moved her metal hand and I felt her grab at my necklace.

"Can I ask you something?," she whispered.

"Yeah.."

She twirled her diamond ring in her synthetic fingers and said, "Do you still want to marry me?"

I admit that I was taken aback by the question and ultimately blushed a little. I felt like if I said yes, I'd look dumb, but what other answer did I have?

"Of course I do," I answered, "technically, you're still my fiancé, though our circumstances are very different now..."

"You wouldn't be bothered marrying someone who's different from the person you previously knew? You're not bothered now?"

I sighed and brushed my hand through her hair. "I won't lie and say I wasn't bothered at first," I started, "But no matter how much you disliked me, I still couldn't shake my feelings for you. It's funny how back then I always thought people like myself were pathetic, too.."

"And, what are you, exactly?"

"Hopelessly in love," I responded. After a pause I remarked, "You've definitely changed a lot, but I can also say the same for myself. I'm even more badass than before."

"As if," Ellie taunted with a snicker. I smirked and went on, "You may look different and act different, but I'd still give the world to be with you, even if you didn't feel the same."

"You are hopelessly in love," she said.

"Oh, yeah."

"But I like that," Ellie added and sat up. "I'm glad you never gave up on me, even when I wasn't around."

"I never would and never will," I said, grabbing her metal hand, "You can consider that a promise."

She smiled and leaned forward to give me a sweet kiss. I grazed my fingers against her jaw and held her closer to me, relishing her soft lips. When we stopped, Ellie leaned her head against mine, looking content.

"I want to confess something but it's going to sound super cheesy," she murmured.

"Say it," I encouraged her, "I'm the master of cheese, so it can't be that bad."

She chuckled and ran her hand through my hair. "Although I don't remember much, and things are different now, being with you feels natural. Even when I was being an ass to you, it felt right to be around you."

"So...you're saying it's fate that we're together?"

She shrugged and a blush came upon her face. "Yeah, I guess."

"Ugh, what a cheeseball," I teased in a snarky tone and she scrunched her nose.

"Jerk!," she said, "you're lucky you're injured, or else I would've smacked you."

"Ha ha," I mocked her and stuck my tongue out. She flipped me off and I laughed.

I grabbed onto her metal hand again and kissed it. Looking up into her mismatched eyes, I said, "I love you."

Her eyes widened and her cheeks flushed a darker pink again.

"Too soon?," I asked.

She immediately shook her head and raised up her other hand. "N-No, it's just...it'd be awkward for me to say it back since we're barely together again.."

"It wouldn't be awkward," I replied, "we've already kinda been through a lot. I mean, I've already seen your bra, I've touched your boob--."

"Shut up, dumbass," she whined at me, blushing even harder. "Don't be so nonchalant about it..!"

I chuckled and continued, "The point is: I understand it's weird for you, but I wouldn't mind if you said it. But that's up to you, Sunshine."

Ellie pursed her lips and looked off to the side. She looked so adorable like that...! With a sigh, she leaned down and planted a kiss against my temple. She rested her head against my shoulder and ever so quietly whispered in my ear, "I love you, too."

Hearing her say those words caused my heart to beat so fast, and I kissed her back. My excitement overwhelmed me so much that I forgot I even had a broken rib. Because of that, when I turned over to hug her, sharp pain traveled all throughout the left side of my torso and I nearly screamed.

"Are you okay?!," Ellie asked me, trying to lay me back into position.

"Yeah! I'm fine!"

"You're starting to sweat."

"You're just so hot, ya know?"

"Jeff..!"

"I love youuuuaaahaaaaggh," I wheezed.

"You're such an idiot, oh my god," Ellie groaned and adjusted the pillow I was reclined on. The pain began to subside but I still felt out of breath. She sighed and stared down at me with a concerned look on her face.

"Thanks," I whispered.

She gave me a soft smile and brushed my hair back. "No more talking or moving, okay?," she said. I only nodded. She grabbed the now warm ice pack and got up from the bed. "I'm getting you another ice pack," she said,  and walked out of the room.

I waited for her to come back, occupying myself by fiddling with her ring. A few seconds passed and Ellie came back into the room with a new ice pack. She lifted up my shirt, revealing the bandage around my torso, and gently pressed it against my side. The entire time that she spent trying to hold it in place, I stared up at her, entranced. She finally noticed and said to me, "What's with that look?"

"Nothing," I said, "I just like looking at your face."

She chuckled wryly and smirked. When the ice pack was in place, she walked around the bed to take her place next to me again. Carefully, she hugged onto me and leaned her head on my arm.

"Get some rest," I whispered and brushed my fingers through her dark hair. She murmured incoherently and closed her eyes to finally get the sleep she needed. I stared up at the ceiling as I pet her head gently, feeling content with everything despite the circumstances. As long as I have Ellie, anything is bearable.

...

"Ow, fuck, Ben!," I groaned when Ben accidentally bumped his hand against my injured side.

"Who?," he said in a taunting tone.

I glared at him and rephrased, "Ow, fuck, Daddy.." He laughed and continued helping me bandage my torso.

"Ow, don't wrap is so tight!"

"That's what she said."

"Ben!"

"Who?"

"Daddy!," I growled and he kept snickering. Finally, he finished wrapping the bandage and pinned the whole thing in place. I put my shirt down and sighed.

"Look on the bright side," he said, "in a few hours we'll all be back in Virginia and our little deal will be off!"

"That's one thing to look forward to," I muttered. Ben helped me get off of the bed and into a wheelchair that he managed to swipe from a random Walmart late at night. The logo was still on the back.

I groaned and tried to take steady breaths despite how uncomfortable my side was. "I feel like an old man," I groaned.

"You barely realize that now?," Ben remarked and I resisted the urge to punch him. He carefully wheeled me out of the room to the kitchen so I could eat something. In the kitchen I found Toby and Clockwork, and Ellie wasn't up yet.

"How are you feeling?," Clock asked as she set down a glass of water for me at the table.

"Not good, but not bad," I answered.

"Y-You sure you're going t-to be okay going home?," Toby asked. I only nodded. Clockwork set down a regular sandwich for me and I was already dreading having to lean forward due to the fact that the arms of the wheelchair stopped at the edge of the table.

"Just make sure to get back in a bed within the hour you get home," Clock ordered.

"Believe me, I would want that more than anything," I said, trying hard not to strain my side as I leaned forward a bit to eat.

Ben stood next to me and asked, "You need help there, buddy?"

"I'm okay..!"

"You're spilling your water."

"It's all good," I groaned.

I caught Clockwork shaking her head out of the corner of my eye and Toby just stared at me with concern.

After making everyone watch me agonizingly try to eat a simple lunch, Ben helped me out anyway.

...

Ellie was getting some things together in a box, filling it with items she wanted to take with her. There was a sullen expression on her face as she moved quietly. I couldn't help but break the silence.

"I'm sorry that we have to leave," I murmured.

She looked up at me and shook her head. "This was going to happen, anyway, we just didn't leave as early as we should have. Besides, knowing that enemies can easily find us again, it's better that we keep away from Clock and Toby. They don't deserve to get involved with our fights."

"But, you're not sad about that..."

She stopped sorting out her items in the box and stared off.

In a reassuring tone, I said, "You'll get to see them again. Ben knows how to teleport here now. We can visit once everything is calm for all of us. It'd be great if they could come and check everything out, maybe meet Ao and the others, but it's as you said--they're safer here."

Ellie nodded and brushed back her black hair behind her ear. She looked up at me and managed a smile. "I wish I could say the same for us."

I sighed and replied, "Me, too."

It was a little while later that we finally had to leave Toby and Clockwork's presence. Ellie wished both of them goodbye and the three of them shared a long hug together. It made me feel bad having to take Ellie away from them. She probably could have a much safer life with them, if it were not for people like Caedis. But seeing them share such a tender moment makes me remember that they cared for her when she was barely Ellie, and it makes me appreciate them much more.

Clockwork came up to me and said, "Remember that promise we made, alright?"

Knowing that she meant to take care of Ellie, I nodded. She gave me a smile and added, "This is probably way too late, but I'm sorry for that fight we had when we first met, and for being an ass."

"It's understandable," I remarked.

"Needless to say, I'm glad I met you," she said. I held out a hand for her to shake but instead she gave me a gentle hug.

"Good luck out there," she told me as she pulled away, and the both of us shared a fist bump.

Toby came up to me next and almost looked like he was going to cry. "You okay, buddy?," I asked.

Toby twisted his lips into a pout and then gave me a bear hug, one that had me groaning and whining. When he pulled away, the twitching man said to me, "B-Be careful, okay? I wanna see you again, e-even if you end up p-p-punching me in the face next time, too."

I chuckled and said, "That's nice to hear. I won't ever punch you in the face, though, promise."

"C-Cool," he chimed happily and gave me a big, childish smile.

Ben had his turn with Toby and said to him, "Can't wait to see you again, Tobes. I'm gonna miss you! Remember what I taught you??"

Toby nodded and thought for a second. He then recited whatever it was that Ben taught him, saying, "G-Get money, get bitches, git gud."

"That's my boy!," Ben exclaimed proudly as he gave Toby a big hug. Clockwork just shook her head with a look of utter disappointment.

Just as we were about to leave out the door, Toby stopped us in a minor panic, saying, "Wait! Th-There's something I need to g-give you guys!" He ran to his room, leaving Ellie, Ben and I confused until he came back. He carefully handed a sealed, black metal box to Ben and said, "The D-Doctor said to give this to you all w-whenever you left."

"What's it for?," Ben asked."

Toby only shrugged and answered, "I don't know. H-He didn't say much, o-only that it's for a girl with a J-Japanese name..."

"Ao?," Ellie suggested.

Toby nodded and twitched for a second. "D-Dr. Smiley didn't say what was inside, either, but n-no one but Ao should open it. He s-said she'd know what to do with it when the t-time comes, w-whatever that means... B-But, please don't open it at all."

As much as I thought the Doctor was a very suspicious man, I nodded anyway and said, "We'll respect his wishes. We'll give Ao the box whenever we can."

"G-Great," Toby stuttered and flashed another pleasant smile.

After saying another round of goodbyes, Ben, Ellie and I finally left the house. Toby and Clock waved at us from the front door, and I tried my hardest to wave too.

"You ready to go?," Ellie asked me as she held onto the handles of my wheelchair. I nodded.

Ben grabbed onto the both of us, letting me hold Ao's box, and said, "Warning you now, Jeff, you're probably gonna feel super sick after this."

"I'll be fine. Just take us home," I said. Ben nodded and closed his eyes.

Suddenly my vision went white and I couldn't feel anything around me anymore. I couldn't even feel the constant sting at my side, but my stomach felt like it was being lifted up. It had only last for what must've been a moment though, and suddenly we were back on a snowy yard again. This time, instead of the hideout, we were at the mansion. Feeling dizzy, I looked up at the building and stared in awe. It's been too long...

Ellie came to stand next to me and I could see the look of wonder and recognition in her eyes. She sighed, a small cloud of cold air forming around her mouth, and smiled. I grabbed onto her hand and squeezed it, to which she squeezed back. She looked down at me with a soft look on her face and I felt happy to see her this way.

Unfortunately, though, side-effects came all too late and the dizziness and nauseating sensation from the teleportation kicked in. "Uh oh," I groaned, "I think I'm gonna vom..."

"It's just the side-effect, no need to worry," Ben said nonchalantly.

After waiting a few seconds, I came to realize he was wrong and said, "Nope, definitely gonna vom."

"You'll be fine--!"

"Vomming!!," I grumbled. Elizabeth was quick to gently toss out the items in her box into a pile of snow and quickly hovered it under my chin. I didn't like the idea of hurling in front of my love, but holy crap.

"Oh...you'll be fine in a little bit," Ben added, and Ellie glared at him. I just kept hacking up in front of them in the cold of winter. Despite the terrible welcome home present from my stomach, I was still happy to be back.

...

Slender, Sally and Ms. P were happy to see us all. They were especially excited to finally see Ellie after nearly two years. Sally was in tears and utterly overjoyed. When she screamed in excitement, it nearly blew our ear drums out. Ellie was awkward around everyone since her memories of them aren't clear. I managed to signal for her to play along when she was busy with Sally, and made it a point to explain things to her later.

While I had been watching the two of them chat away--Sally did most of the talking--something fluffy brushed against my leg. When I looked down, I saw big, familiar red eyes staring up at me. Chuckling, I beckoned Grinny to jump onto my lap and he did. He began to purr and I scratched behind his ears like he always loved. Suddenly thinking about Grinny, I remembered Smile and desperately wanted to see him. "Where's Smile?," I asked Ben, who had been staying beside me.

Just as Ben was about to answer, he suddenly got knocked out of the way by a certain red-furred Husky galloping towards me. There was a single, momentary feeling of excitement as I saw my old pal again, but that feeling was shoved out of the way by dread once Smile crouched his hind legs to jump. It was too late for anyone to save me and Smile landed onto top of me. His momentum toppled the wheelchair over, he and I fell over onto the floor, and Grinny was forced to jump to safety. I screamed in both pain and happiness, which was a really weird combination of emotions. Smile's tail kept swinging back and forth, slapping against my legs. He licked my face and I whimpered, "Oh my god, I missed you, I missed you, I missed you! I love you so much, boy! Oh god, it's too much love for me to handle! Literally, it's too much, I am in immense pain! I'm fuckin' crying--help me!!"

Ben finally got Smile to get off of me,  while Ellie helped me back onto my wheelchair. As soon as Smile noticed her, he was overexcited once again and jumped onto her. Ellie fell over too, and whined as the big Husky licked at her face.

"I take it he's happy to see me?!," she exclaimed as she turned her head to the side to avoid dog slobber on her mouth.

"Yeah," I wheezed, trying to recover from the intense spike of pain that traveled all over the left of my torso. My healing process just increased by a week...

On the bright side, everyone has been nice to Ellie, which was great. The pets were quick to warm up with her, and Ellie didn't mind. Dogs and cats really open people up, huh. All of this might bring her one step closer to getting all of her memories back, and finally being happy.

A little later, when Ellie was finally free from Sally, she met with me in the dining room.

"Everyone sure is happy to see me," she said, almost exhausted.

"Of course they are," I said, "you're family to them. Everyone loves you."

"That's nice to know," she murmured, smiling and staring down at the floor, "After all of this time..."

I reached out for her hand and she placed her metal fingers against my palm. Staring up at her face, I admired the somewhat nervous, yet contented look on her face. I smirked and said, "I'm glad you're back here."

She looked up at me and nodded slowly. "Me, too."

Just as I was about to make more small talk, I heard a commotion outside in the hallway. Ben's voice was loud and clear as he talked to someone.

"Okay, close your eyes!," he said.

"You're not showing me something illegal, are you?"

"No! Not yet, at least--but close your eyes!!"

"Fine.."

Ben showed up by the doorway and led in Ao, who had her eyes closed like he told her to do. She looked like she just came from school since she spotted her backpack. Usually she wears very thought out outfits, but she wore a black hoodie today. Judging by how it went down to her thighs, it wasn't hers.

"You can open your eyes now," Ben told her when they stopped.

Once Ao opened her eyes, her face lit up and she smiled wide. "You're back!!," she exclaimed happily, dropping her backpack and hurrying towards Ellie and I.

"Oh my god, you all are back!! I'm so happy you're--whoa, you're in a wheelchair," she suddenly stopped in front of me, looking down at me with worry on her face. "What happened?"

I managed a smile and said, "It's a long story. In short, I'm broken, but I'll be okay."

"Thank goodness," she said. Noticing how much she was fidgeting, I raised up a hand and beckoned her forward. "Just c'mere," I remarked. Immediately, she hugged onto me and said, "It's good to have you all back again...!"

I patted her back and murmured, "Good to see you too, Blue."

Ao pulled away and turned to Ellie to give her a big hug, as well. Ellie was surprised, but instead of brushing it off and hesitating like she used to do, she hugged Ao back with a fully content look on her face.

Afterwards, Ao started telling us all about how everything was while we were away; how Jack had left but was doing fine, about Sam, about her life, about the little stuff, and she did it all with a bright smile. Honestly, I missed the kid. I missed everything here. It feels good.

With all of this happiness and relief in the air, there's that tiny part of me at the back of my mind that's doubting all of this--worrying about what evil will come afterwards. There was also the part of me that tried to suppress the paranoid self and enjoy everything as it is. I wondered if anyone else was having the same internal conflict that I was having. I just hope that whatever terrible things we're worried about don't come true any time soon.

I really hope.

...

I laid in bed, sitting in silence as I messed with my Rubik's cube once again. After trying to solve this damn thing for weeks, spending hours and hours messing up and getting frustrated with myself, I finally completed all of the sides. I cheered in victory, but soon regretted it because of the brief spike of pain to my side. What also sucked was that there was no one here to share my triumph over a cube. Well, Smile was here but he was passed out on the floor beside my bed, making big, doggy snores every now and then. I didn't want to call for anyone, especially not after cheering and getting punished for it with pain.

Laying here now, I suddenly grew bored. I didn't expect to solve the cube so soon. Now I had nothing to do but sit around and stare at my room. Ao left for home a while ago, Jack isn't even here, Ben is out doing who knows what, and everyone else is mostly keeping to themselves. Sally was told not to bother me too much. If I wasn't supposed to be healing a busted rib, she would probably have me playing dolls with her or something. Ms. P decided to take Ellie's place in taking care of me so that she could finally get the proper rest she deserves. Ellie hasn't showed up yet, and I wasn't expecting her to since it was already late at night. Still, I really want something to get rid of my boredom.

I sighed and placed my Rubik's cube down on my nightstand. The entire mansion was silent and it just made my boredom worse. I looked over the edge of my bed slightly and saw Smile laying on the floor, soundly asleep. I chuckled lightly and went back to staring up at the ceiling. Since there's nothing else for me to do, I might as well get some sleep. It's late enough already.

Just as I was getting myself ready to go to bed, a voice said to me, loud and clear, "A bit lonely, are we?"

I lifted my head up and my body jolted with surprise when I saw a figure in the corner of my room. My room was only lit by the lamp at my nightstand, so the figure was hard to see. They stepped out and I sighed in relief to see familiar, silver eyes staring at me.

"Jesus, don't do that to me," I grumbled, "How'd you get in here?"

Death raised an eyebrow at me and I rolled my eyes. "Nevermind," I added. I looked down at Smile and was confused to see him still asleep. I would've expected him to sense Death's presence and react.

"Your dog won't be able to see nor sense me," Death stated as he walked right up to the sleeping Husky. He crouched down and pet Smile's head gently. The dog didn't even flinch and only released another snore. "I've made sure that it is only you who sees me whenever we talk," the brooding entity told me.

"So I'm basically talking to nothing when you're around?," I asked.

"Pretty much," Death replied as he stood up straight. He glanced back at Smile and remarked, "Dogs are a peculiar species. They sense so much yet are so limited compared to humans. Same would go for any other animal."

I smirked. "You ever wanted a dog?"

Death scoffed and said, "Heaven's, no. Where I go, a dog wouldn't survive. Besides, I wouldn't have time to take care of such a thing. Too much work."

"Says the man who takes care of all of the human souls in the world," I quipped.

"I have my priorities," he remarked.

"So," I started, "what brings you here? At this point, I'm pretty sure I don't have to be afraid of being dead."

"What makes you think that? For all you know, that fall you took earlier thanks to your dog might have dislocated a rib bond, ruptured an organ and you could have been internally bleeding this entire time, not knowing that you were slowly dying until I showed up to finalize it." When he looked back at me, he was dead serious. It sent shivers down my spine and I stared at him in horror.

Suddenly, he cracked a smile and snapped his fingers at me. "Just kidding. Unfortunately, you're still alive."

"You asshole..! Scared the shit outta me..!," I whined, holding my chest.

Death gave me a smug look and went on to say, "Although, there's no denying that your fall definitely held back your healing."

"I figured," I sighed as I tried to brush off the worry he induced in me. "Why do you have to be so cold-hearted sometimes?"

"That's how I was made," he answered almost unconsciously.

I gave him a questionable look and his gaze hardened. "Never mind that... I see you've been, uh...taking a break."

"It's a break that I don't want," I grumbled, "I'd rather be out and about doing something than sitting in bed everyday." Then, I remembered something, and looked up at Death with an almost puppy-eyed expression. He noticed this and grimaced like I've never seen before.

"What's that look for?," he asked.

"Well," I drawled, "I was wondering...ya know...if you could maybe help me out?" I pointed to the area of my broken rib and he narrowed his eyes.

"Jeffery, I may be able to keep you alive if I so pleased, but I am anything but a healer," he answered.

"Who told you that? Because they're totally wrong," I coaxed him.

"I have a responsibility to the souls of this world to judge them," he explained, "I am a bridge and barrier. I do not aid life."

"C'mon, Death," I said, "I would have been dead right now, if not for you--as ironic as that sounds. You already let me live once. What's a little healing going to do?"

"It wouldn't upset any balance..."

"See?"

"But..," he continued, "I have a feeling that you would take advantage of my help and would become reckless of your life in the future. The last thing I want is a spoiled trophy."

I pouted and retorted, "Well, you have to admit that I'd be an idiot if I didn't try using your help as an advantage...right?"

He nodded slowly. "Yes, I agree. But that doesn't mean I'll allow it."

"Please?," I pleaded, clasping my hands together for more emphasis.

Death sighed and looked down at my side. He scratched his chin and said, "Hmm... I'd rather let you sit around."

"Aw, Death, please?"

He crossed his arms over his chest and grumbled, "Ugh, alright. If it'll make you stop your incessant whining."

"Thank you!," I said happily.

For a few moments, there was only silence and we stared at each other. I shifted my eyes around and murmured, "Ummm...are you going to do anything?"

"I did," he said.

More awkward silence.

"I, uh...don't feel any different," I said.

"Well, healing isn't an immediate process, idiot. It'll take time, especially since you're a mortal. By the morning, most of the pain will have subsided," Death stated.

"Oh. Thanks."

"You're welcome. Now, don't start thinking that I'll allow this more often. My helping you would only diminish your value to me."

I thought for a few seconds, before commenting, "Wouldn't your interaction with me make me more special, therefore making me more valuable to you personally and as a trophy?"

Death glared at me and muttered reluctantly, "...No."

I chuckled and asked, "So, what brings you here? Did you miss me?"

"I'm tempted to take back my healing right now...," he grumbled, and I laughed nervously.

Death began pacing around the side of my bed as he spoke. "There has been nothing of importance recently. I guess you could consider this visit a casual one. I'm not here to warn you of anything...yet."

"So you did miss me!"

"You'll have more than one broken rib if you keep that up," he chimed menacingly and I stopped.

"So far, there is nothing to concern you and your friends," he stated, "All you have to worry about is making sure the proxies are ready. How is Ao?"

"Her training is going well, from what she's told me. I just hope nothing bad happens too soon...," I said. There was another pause of silence, before I asked, "Tell me....does everything feel different to you?"

Death stared off for a few seconds, before responding, "Yes. But it may be the clash of having two active proxies at the same time."

"Are you sure? You don't 'sense' anything different about our enemies?"

"Your enemies," he corrected me, "and no, there is nothing different. As of right now, everything seems stagnant."

I pursed my lips and looked away, still feeling unsure.

"I take it that your relationship with Elizabeth is well again," he said.

I was a little caught off guard but nodded proudly.

Death took a seat on my desk chair and looked around the room. As he glanced around, he asked, "What is it like?"

"Hmmm?"

He groaned and waved his hand at me in dismissal. "Nothing, it's nothing--."

"No, c'mon, you already asked--."

"It's a dumb question--."

"Nothing's too dumb for me--."

"Just forget it--."

"You can't back out now, man. C'mon," I insisted.

He sighed and said, "What is it like for you humans to love? How does it feel?"

I stifled a chuckle and remarked, "You're an infinite entity and you don't know?"

"Just answer the question, Jeff."

"Mmm," I hummed as I thought, "it's kind of like a warm, fuzzy feeling in your stomach? You get all happy whenever you're in love, even a little silly. It's pretty much an awesome feeling when the other person loves you back, too. It's like you feel complete and whole."

Death only nodded and didn't respond. I stared at him and suddenly had a weird thought. "Oh my god, you're not in love with me, are you?"

"What? No!"

"I mean, if I didn't have Ellie then maybe you'd have a chance with me, but I'm a dedicated, engaged man--."

"Jeff, I'm going to beat the shit out of you."

"Because you like me?"

Instead of arguing back, Death just groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. As I chuckled to myself, he muttered behind his hand, "I only ask questions to things I do not know."

I flashed him a puzzled look and he answered without me questioning him. "I am unable to love. That is all."

"Ohh..," I murmured under my breath. "Why?"

He adjusted his cloak as he replied casually, "That's just how I was cr... That's just how I am. I'm more prone of negative and cold emotions than happy ones."

"No wonder you're so sassy all of the time," I said, and he flashed me a glance. Staring back up at the ceiling, I added, "Well, I'm sure you can be happy somehow."

He managed a smile and mumbled, "I was once. It was a long time ago. Even though I can't feel full happiness...it was a thrilling experience. The feeling had been something new and amazing. But, it did not last long.. That had been the only time in my existence that I was so happy."

I felt sympathy when looking at him. It was at this moment that I realized why his eyes always seemed to feel so cold. Now I know that it's not just because a he's Death. "Why didn't you try getting that happiness back?"

He scoffed and replied, "I had learned my lesson then. I was not meant to feel joy, and I only went against my nature. Being happy only means leaving yourself vulnerable to misfortunes. I didn't want to feel that shattering sensation of having something ripped away from me ever again."

I pursed my lips and murmured, "Well...that's why you take risks."

Death cocked an eyebrow and I went on. "Being happy isn't easy. You ever notice how it's harder to go up things than it is to go down, like using stairs? Same can be said for being happy or unhappy. It takes a lot of effort. It doesn't matter if you're mortal or an infinite entity, it's a rough road."

Death chuckled wryly and said, "Since when are you so philosophical?"

I only shrugged and replied, "I have no clue! But, I compelled you, didn't I?"

With a shake of his head, he said, "Yes, strangely enough, you did."

"Cool," I responded nonchalantly.

Death let out a loud sigh as he stood up from the desk chair. "Well, I shall be going now, since you seem to be in better spirits," he said, "I wish you and your friends the best of luck."

"Thanks," I told him.

Death crouched down for a brief moment to give Smile a nice scratch on his head, before facing me again. "Goodnight, Jeffery."

"Night," I said, and gave him a little wave. The next moment, he disappeared in a plume of darkness and was gone within seconds. Suddenly, Smile woke up and shot up to his feet, stifling a muffled bark and looking around. I chuckled and remarked, "A little late there, buddy." He came over to the bed and I scratched the top of his head.

"Get some rest, boy," I told him in a quiet voice and let him lay back down on the floor. I stared up at the ceiling and lay in a silent room once again. I took in a deep breath and got comfortable in my bed, until I realized that the lamp on my nightstand was still on. Crap, I should've asked Death to turn it off before he left.

For a moment, I thought about reaching over to turn it off, but then decided against it in fear that I'd mess up my rib. Then I thought it's not that far of a reach, so I leaned over just a little bit to reach for the little knob under the lampshade.

Next thing I knew, I was toppling over onto the floor, landing on Smile and making him cry out. I let out one harsh, angered 'fuck!' and proceeded to suffer on the floor. This is definitely an offset to Death's healing.

God dammit.