King and Lionheart - Chapter 5
Rating: Teen and up audiences
Warnings: Nothing that's not in the series.
Word Count: 3k.
Summary: Dream follows Death along while she works.
Also Read On AO3
Dream glanced down at the pigeons pecking the ground where he’d thrown some bread crumbs. He sat by himself at a park bench, occasionally watching people in the park minding their business and clearly looking like they were enjoying the day more than he was.
He noticed the sound of a soccer ball being thrown in his direction and easily caught it. The person who had thrown it came over to retrieve the ball.
“Sorry, man. Nice catch, though.”
Dream silently handed the ball back to him.
The man said thanks and walked away, only noticing near the end that a woman dressed in black was glancing at him as she walked towards Dream.
“Come on, Franklin. What you waitin’ for?” His teammates got his attention, and he soon joined the game.
Death sat down on the bench next to Dream, initially looking around at the scenery before looking at him; smiling.
“What are you doin’?”
“I’m feeding the pigeons.” He didn’t look up.
She nodded. “You do that too much, you know what you get?”
Dream slightly shook his head.
“Fat pigeons.” She grinned.
Despite her joke, he continued to sulk.
“That’s from Mary Poppins. Did you ever see it?”
“No,” he spoke.
A little girl ran by, scaring away the pigeons and leaving Dream looking mildly annoyed. Death’s reaction was instead a smile. Despite his sister’s cheerful mood, he couldn’t help but stay focused on his negative emotions. He frowned.
“Okay, so what’s the matter?” She instinctively picked up on it.
“What do you mean?”
“I can tell something’s wrong. I mean, look at you.” She gestured vaguely. “Sittin’ here, moping, pigeon-feeding. It’s not like you.”
Dream held back a sigh. “No. Perhaps it isn’t. I don’t know what’s wrong, but… you’re right. Something is the matter.”
Death frowned and furrowed her brows. She leaned back, preparing to sit for a while and listen.
Dream took a moment to collect his thoughts, still looking upset.
“When they captured me, I just had one thought. Vengeance. It wasn’t as satisfying as I’d expected.”
Death slightly tilted her head, listening patiently.
“Meanwhile, my kingdom had fallen apart. My tools long since stolen and scattered. And so I embarked upon a journey to find them. Which I did. I’m now more powerful than I have been in eons. And yet…” He paused.
Death leaned forward, glancing at the loaf of bread. “Here you are, feeding the pigeons.”
“You see, until then, I’d had a true quest. A purpose beyond my function and then suddenly, it was over, and… I felt disappointed.” He furrowed his brows and squinted. “Let down. Empty. Does that make sense?” He looked at her. “I was so sure that once I got everything back, I’d feel good. But in some ways, I feel worse than when I started. I feel like… nothing.” He glanced back down once more, clenching his jaw. “There.”
She looked at him.
“You asked.” He looked away again.
Death placed her hand on his knee, trying to comfort him. Dream looked at her.
“You could have called me, you know,” she admitted.
“I didn’t want to worry you.”
Death rolled her eyes and sighed. “Oh, I don’t believe it.” She stood up and looked down at him. “Let me tell you something, Dream.”
He looked up when she took the bread loaf out of his hand.
“And I’m only gonna say this once, so you better pay attention. You are utterly the stupidest, most self-centered, pathetic excuse for an anthropomorphic personification on this or any other plane,” she exclaimed.
Dream couldn’t help the surprised expression on his face.
“Feeling sorry for yourself because your little game is over and you haven’t got the balls to go out and find a new one. You’re as bad as Desire.”
Dream stayed silent.
“No, worse.” She chucked the bread back at him and he caught it.
“Did it never occur to you that I would be worried about you?” She frowned.
“I didn’t think you—”
“Exactly. You didn’t think.”
He went silent again, not meeting her gaze.
“I really thought sending that girl to you would help,” she muttered.
Before Dream could respond, a ‘heads up!’ interrupted and a soccer ball went flying towards them. Death caught it and the same guy as before came to retrieve the ball.
“Wow. You’re as good as your… friend there.”
She tossed the ball back to him, and he caught it.
“He’s not my friend. He’s my brother. And he’s an idiot.”
“I’m just feeding the birds,” he murmured, looking down at the ground.
Death smiled and turned her attention back to Dream. “Look, I can’t stay here all day. I’ve got work to do.”
The man left, briefly glancing back at them.
“You can come with me if you want, or you can stay here and sulk.” Death offered.
Dream stayed silent as he thought it over.
“I’ll come with you, I suppose.”
Death nodded and smiled slightly. “Well, don’t do me any favors.” She tilted her head.
Dream looked up at her before standing and following. Before they could go, the man walked up to Death again.
“Sorry, before you go, um, could I maybe see you again?”
“Sure, Franklin. You’ll see me again.” She gave him a slightly sad smile.
He raised his brows. “Seriously?”
She nodded. “Soon.”
Franklin quickly nodded. “Okay, cool. Yeah, let me just get your number and…” He turned around and threw the soccer ball down. Once he realized, confusion showed on his face, and turned back around. “Wait, how did you know my…”
He paused and looked around, growing more confused when they were nowhere to be seen.
“Come on, Franklin! Are you playin’ or not?”
---
Now joining her, Dream walked alongside Death as they passed the small shops. A fresh fruit stand caught her eye.
“Look!” Death looked over all the fruit. “Yum!”
She talked to the seller, pointing to the apples. “Okay, two, please.”
“None for me, thank you,” Dream added.
“They’re good for you.” She pointed out.
“I’m not hungry.”
“You can just have it later,” Death continued.
Dream stayed silent, slightly giving her a look.
She looked back at the seller. “Just one. Thanks.”
He picked one and gave it to her. “There you go. It’s a gift.”
“Aw. Thank you.” She smiled and then glanced at Dream. “So nice,” she spoke before taking a bite out of the apple. “Mmm. That is delicious.”
They started walking side by side again.
“You are good with them,” Dream said.
“Apples?” She furrowed her eyebrows.
“Humans.”
She hummed in acknowledgment and held the apple in front of him. “Bite?” Her tone was slightly playful.
“No, thank you,” Dream sounded lighthearted as well.
“Hmm. Have you seen any of the others since you’ve been back?”
He shook his head. “Have you?”
She took another bite of the apple and gestured vaguely.
“We did have one family dinner when you were away. The twins were in high spirits. Hmm, Desire was, anyway.”
“With me gone, I have no doubt.” He ignored his frustration inside.
“I don’t know. I think Desire missing having their usual sparring partner across the dinner table,” she remarked.
He glanced down for a moment before looking at her again. “Any word of the prodigal?”
She shook her head. “No. Still missing. You were both missed.” She nudged him with her shoulder.
They continued walking in silence as Death ate her apple. She glanced at him, giving him a look as if she was waiting for him to say something.
“‘How are you, sis? How have you been keeping?’” She gestured with her apple. “Aw, I’m well, Dream. Thanks for asking.”
He tried fighting the urge to smile but lost, allowing a slightly amused smile on his face. He looked at her. “How are you, my sister? How have you been keeping?”
She gently hooked her arm with his. “I’m worried about my brother. And I’m enjoying this apple.” She held the apple up.
Death’s facial expression changed, furrowing her brows as she remembered something. “Oh, by the way, how’s Lee doing? I was curious how that was playing out. We have a deal, y’know.”
Dream refrained from sighing. “She’s acting like her usual self and always insists on speaking her mind. Quite stubborn…”
“Sounds like someone I know.” She gave him a teasing grin.
Dream looked at her, mildly frowning. “Lee Quinn and I are nothing alike.”
She shrugged and took another bite of the apple. Her pace slowed, and she looked up when she heard the sound of a violin.
“Can you hear it?”
He glanced up as well. They stopped and spotted the building where the music was coming from. Dream glanced back at her.
“I know this piece.”
Death nodded, smiling. They both looked back up.
“I haven’t heard it in 200 years…” he sounded wistful.
Death looked at him, placing her hand on his back. “Come on.” She walked forward and left him to follow.
---
The music grew louder as they entered the flat. They watched from the door as an old man played the violin. He paused, coughing slightly.
Death walked into the room. “No. Don’t stop, please.” She smiled, referring to his playing.
He looked up at her. “Uh, sorry for the noise.”
“It’s not noise. It’s Schubert. Keep going.” She encouraged.
Dream stood in the doorframe, watching and keeping silent.
“I can’t. He never finished it.” The old man chuckled. “All we have is a fragment.”
Death had a small smile on her face.
“Oh, forgive me, I… I am Harry.”
Death gave him a sad but knowing look on her face. “I know who you are, Harry.”
He tilted his head.
Death moved closer, kneeling more to his level where he sat. “Do you know who I am?”
After a moment, a look of realization showed on his face. It morphed into an upset expression.
“No. Not yet. Please.” He pleaded, shaking his head.
She gave him a sympathetic smile. “It’s time.”
Harry nodded eventually.
Dream watched from the doorway, keeping his usual neutral expression. Though his mind wandered for a brief moment, thinking about Lee. Had it been like this when his sister had come to take her? Thinking about her being distressed made him feel more uneasy than he’d thought it would.
“Can I just… There’s something I have to say. If that’s all right,” Harry said.
“Of course.”
He nodded and placed the violin down, beginning to pray in Hebrew. When he finished reciting the prayer, he looked at Death. She stood up and reached her hand out for him to take. He accepted it and slowly stood up from his chair.
“I’m glad I said the Shema. My old man always said it would guarantee you a place in Heaven.” He pointed up at the ceiling, gesturing to Heaven. He shrugged. “If you believe in Heaven. Hmm?”
He and Death glanced back at his body.
“I look so old. So empty,” he remarked.
She turned her attention to him again.
“So, I’m dead. Now what?” He asked, accepting his fate.
Death responded. “Now’s when you find out, Harry,”
She led him away, prepared to take him to the Sunless Lands. Dream turned away from the door, already moving to leave. He glanced at an old photo on the mantle as he waited for Death to do her job.
“You ready?” She stood in the doorway, smiling.
He looked back up at her, and they left the home together.
---
They walked outside again, taking a route on a bridge.
“I thought he was sweet, didn’t you?” She asked.
“Sweet? I don’t know. Perhaps,” his tone was light.
Death looked at the scenery, her hand trailing the bridge railing.
“My sister…”
“Yeah?” She didn’t look up at him, still focused on following the rail.
“When I was captured, it wasn’t me they were looking for.”
That got her full attention. She looked at him, furrowing her brows and frowning.
“It was you,” he said.
She came to a slow halt and they both stopped walking. She nodded.
“Yeah. I know,” her tone was sad.
He looked at her, squinting and furrowing his eyebrows. He frowned before his expression changed to surprise. Death placed her arm around his shoulders and sighed. His confusion grew when she started taking her shoes off.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m taking my shoes off. You should take yours off too. It’s good to touch the Earth with your bare feet. It’s grounding.” She explained.
He stared at her, mildly baffled.
“Come on, I don’t want to miss the next one.” She started walking again, carrying her shoes.
Dream watched her for a second before following again.
---
Now at a popular vacation pond spot, Death looked through the crowds and moved towards the next person she had to take.
“Hi, Sam,” she spoke.
He looked back at her, confused.
Death smiled.
“Oh.” He chuckled nervously. “Hi. I’m sorry. Do I know you?”
She went through the same routine of waiting for him to realize. It didn’t get easier with time.
“Oh, no.” Sam looked at the pond before looking back at her. “No, no. I need to talk to my wife for, like, one second.” He begged.
“Sam…”
“You don’t understand. All our flight information is on my phone. I just need to give her the code,” he stammered.
“I’m so sorry, Sam.” She grimaced.
“But we’re on our honeymoon.”
His tone made her chest ache. “Your time is up,” she continued.
Sam stared at her in disbelief. He turned his head when he heard his wife calling his name. He watched as she stood up from her chair and walked toward the water. She continued to call him, not being able to see his spirit or Death.
“Come on, hon.” Death reached her hand out for him.
He hesitated and glanced at his wife before ultimately deciding to take her hand. She began to lead him away.
His wife kept looking out at the water. Dream watched the scene, seeing her horrified reaction as people in the water pulled Sam’s body up to the shore. She shouted his name and ran toward the people. He watched and ignored the stinging pain in his throat he felt, seeing her kneel at her husband’s lifeless body; sobbing and repeating his name.
---
“How do you do it?” He asked his sister as they walked side by side again.
“Do what?”
“This. Be there, for all of them?” He refrained from frowning.
She started to speak before pausing, slightly shrugging and gesturing with her arms. “I have a job to do. And I do it.”
He looked at her, waiting for her to continue.
“When the first living thing existed, I was there. When the last living thing dies, I’ll put the chairs on the table, turn out the lights and… lock the universe behind me when I leave.” She explained. “And I’m not there for all of them. There are exceptions. Mad Hettie. And then there’s your ongoing project. How’s he faring up after all this time?”
“Who? Hob Gadling?” He asked.
“Hmm.”
“I don’t know. I was forced to miss our last appointment.”
“Well, I’m sure he’d love to see you. They’re never too keen to see me, though,” Death remarked.
“Does it not bother you?”
She shrugged. “I actually used to think I had the hardest job in all our family.”
He raised his eyebrows. ��Oh, did you?” He lightheartedly teased, slightly smiling.
“They fear the Sunless Lands, yet they enter your realm every night without fear,” she said.
He wanted to interject and mention something about the nightmares but held back.
“And yet I am far more terrible than you.”
She chuckled before looking forward again. “I don’t know. Miss Lee hasn’t sent me any complaints, and she’s still keeping the deal.”
Dream didn’t speak, instead furrowing his brows. “Why did you send her to me?”
“She wanted the choice.” Death shrugged. “And… it seems like maybe having her around is a good thing?”
He thought over her words.
“Perhaps…” he muttered, eventually.
She smiled before getting back to answering his original question. “It was fine in the beginning. Dying and living were new things and people did them with the enthusiasm they always bring to new things. And then after a bit, it just got harder.”
“But you continued.”
She nodded and then hesitated.
“I thought about giving up. Walking out.” She confessed, walking ahead of him.
He stood for a moment, thinking about what she said. He watched as she walked towards another home.
“This was a long time ago, long before this world.”
---
“It really started to get to me. I got kind of hard and brittle inside.”
They were in the house now, stopping to talk.
“I mean, people feel as pleased to have been born as if they did it themselves. But they get upset and hurt and shaken when they die.” She held back a sigh.
Dream looked at her, listening.
“But eventually, I learned that all they really need is a kind word and a friendly face. Like they had in the beginning.”
Dream redirected his attention when he noticed another voice. He saw a mother leaning over a crib, talking sweetly to her daughter in the other room. The baby fussed slightly, and she turned to leave to get her food.
Death slowly walked towards the crib. She looked down at the baby, listening as she babbled. Death gently picked her up, cradling her. Dream hung back, watching from a distance.
“Yeah, I’m afraid so,” she spoke softly to the baby.
Dream stared, his eyes betraying his emotions. He frowned lightly.
“That’s all there is, little one. That’s all you get.” Death continued to comfort the infant.
She walked away, carrying the baby and preparing to take her to the Sunless Lands.
Dream paused before deciding to move forward, looking down at the empty crib. It was getting harder to ignore the pain he felt inside. He remembered how Orpheus’ crib looked, similar in design.
Death walked back into the room, the baby no longer in her arms. She looked at Dream and he managed to focus on the present, glancing at her.
“We can go.” She whispered, her expression mournful.
They both started to leave, hearing the mother still talking in the background, unaware of what happened.
---
“I find myself wondering about humanity. Their attitude towards your gift is so strange. Why do they fear the Sunless Lands? It is as natural to die as it is to be born.” Dream asked.
“People may not be ready for my gift. But they get it anyway. No matter what the circumstance.” She explained. “At the end, each of us stands alone. The Sunless Lands are far away and the journey is hard. Most of us will be glad for the company of a friend.”
---
They walked together in a park shaded by the huge trees.
“It’s funny looking back now. I used to think I had to do this all by myself,” Death started.
“But you do,” he replied.
“No.” She shook her head. “At the end, I’m there with them. I’m holding their hand and they’re holding mine.”
He looked at her, feeling curious.
“I’m not alone when I’m doing my job.” She glanced around for a bit before looking at him again. “And neither are you. Think about it.” She gently touched his arm, and they stopped walking. “The only reason we even exist, you and I, and Desire and Despair, the whole family. We’re here to serve them.”
He looked at her before glancing at the surrounding humans.
“It isn’t about quests or finding purpose outside our function.”
They continued walking again.
“Our purpose is our function. We’re here for them.” She gestured. “Since I figured that out, I realized I need them as much as they need me.”
“I’ve seen so many cool things and people and worlds.” Death grinned.
They were back in the spot where they’d started, walking with their arms linked.
“I’ve learned so much. Lots of people don’t have a job they love doing, do they?”
He looked at her again.
“So, I think I’m really very lucky.” She added, smiling before it faded once she remembered her schedule. “Listen, I’ve got to head back soon.”
They stopped their walk. Dream moved to stand in front of her, holding her hands in his. She looked faintly surprised.
“You’ve taught me something I had forgotten. I thank you, my sister.” He had a small smile on his face.
She smiled back. “Aw.” She glanced down and then back up at him, nodding. “That’s what family’s about, little brother.”
Her attention was focused back on the man from the beginning, Franklin. She sighed. “One last appointment, then I have to go.”
There was the sound of tires screeching in the background and a crash soon after.
“I, too, am late for an appointment,” he said.
She tilted her head and smiled. “Tell him I said hello.”
Dream smiled.
There was commotion in the background, sounds of people rushing over to an accident, and someone calling Franklin’s name.
“I have to go,” she spoke in a hushed tone.
Dream nodded before leaving.
Death turned her direction toward Franklin.
“Hey.” He ran towards her, holding the soccer ball in his arm. “Did you see that? That car came this close to hitting me.” He gestured, putting his thumb and finger close together.
“This close, huh?” She copied him.
“Yeah.”
“Come with me, Franklin. I need to show you something.” She took his arm and led him away.
“Okay,” he hesitantly agreed.
She turned her head to look back at Dream, waving goodbye. “See ya, Dream.”
He glanced back at her.
“Don’t be a stranger, okay?”
She started to walk away with Franklin, witnessing the accident he was in.
---
Dream wandered on his own to his late appointment. He walked down a busy path, passing people by. A man walked out of a store and ended up making eye contact with him. In an attempt to be more like his sister, Dream gave him a short, polite nod.
The man backed up, taken aback by his appearance. Dream felt disappointment building up inside as he continued.
He finally made it to where he and Hob Gadling used to meet. However, over time, it had been abandoned. Tall fences were blocking it. He looked and felt puzzled, trying to figure out what to do next. He glanced down and noticed a long arrow in spray paint on the fence. There had been words in spray paint as well.
‘The new inn’
Dream turned and began to follow the arrow.
Now at the new building, he watched as people hung around it. There was a sign on top of the building that read ‘The New Inn’. Same as the paint.
He walked inside, looking for Hob. Finally, he saw him sitting down, writing something. He looked up and saw Dream standing there.
He smiled. “You’re late.”
Dream chuckled softly and smiled. “It seems I owe you an apology. I’ve always heard it impolite to keep one’s friends waiting.”
Hob smiled again.
Dream pulled out the chair in front of his table, sitting across from him. He leaned back and prepared to listen to the man’s stories. He smiled.
---
“Attend, sweet sibling. It is I, Desire.” They were trying to summon Despair of the Endless. “I stand in my gallery and I hold your sigil.” They held her hook in their hand, carefully kissing it.
“Our brother has found a way out of his cage. Our plan has failed. But don’t worry. I have a new one.” They smiled and walked away from the row of sigils.
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