A New Beginning
Tom
It was his first time away from Hogwarts for what he knew to be, at the very least, years.
Tom knew that if he’d strayed away from the more populated areas he’d find he’d have a much better chance at avoiding her existence.
But here he was, in the “quaint” bookshop of a small, Scottish wizarding community.
He was tense yet browsed the titles aimlessly, waiting.
He wouldn’t give much thought to what he was wait on but he waited nonetheless.
He wandered for hours, disregarding the lesser plebians and watched as the shadows stretched and shrunk through the windows.
Finally, as the sun had set and the shop had closed he heard a most dreaded yet awaited voice.
“I'm surprised, Tom,” she paused as if debating her words… but why would an entity such as she need to? “Where there is life, there is death,” she added unhelpfully.
Obviously, he knew- and of course she would know that he knew.
If she had explicitly said that however… his temperament might not be in the “calm” spirits that it was in that moment.
“Yes.”
He dared not look towards the source of that prod.
“Is that all I get after 10 years?”
“Te-” He started off in unmasked surprise before taking a hold of it instantly. “Ten?”
“Why that look, Tom?” She cocked her head annoyingly.
He narrowed his eyes further.
“You're surprised that time when “immortal” would be this way?” She more stated than questioned.
Her following smile was soft.
“That it’d pass quickly with no regard for you or your perception? That its boring and repetitive and meaningless without those human concepts of love and companionship you so detest.”
He remained silent in his resentment, deadly calm in stature.
“Even the Endless need love and companionship, Tom,” she said softly, stepping forward, then stepping forward once more seeing as he’d made no move to back away.
“Yearning for these things makes you no less powerful. It is your disregard for these things that have and will be your downfall,” she almost pleaded.
He was stiff and much more controlled than in their previous encounters, even when she neared so very close to him. But still, he hadn’t felt the need to verbalize his ire.
“Very well,” Death exhaled in surrender- in optimistic defeat. “I shall leave you then- ignore what your presence in this bookshop means-“
He abruptly turned and tugged a book from its spot on the shelf and with an almost euphoric release he sighed, shoulders dropping their tension. He stared at the book held tightly in his hand.
“You knew what would happen by coming here,” she continued bluntly. “Are you satisfied with the results?”
“I hate to say that I am…” he said with ragged breath.
He looked at her warily, distrust marring his features.
“What now, hm?” He slinked towards the Endless, suddenly invading her space. Close enough to touch her- to steal the breath from her throat if he so wished (and wished he could), he bent his head down to whisper, “Do you think this is enough to ensnare me?”
He grabbed her by the neck and infuriatingly, she let him. Even going so far as to smile while he did so.
“This is not of my own accord, Tom.” She looked up at him- discomfort and malice nowhere to be seen, “Death has rules- rules that even Ill have to follow when I eventually go.”
He held her tighter, inhumanly so.
“And one of them just so happens to be that I need you?” He voice was low.
“You don't need me, but you want me, don’t you?”
He snarled, “I don't want or need Death-“
“-I never said that,” she shook her head as much as she could in his grasp, “I said you want me.”
His voice caught in the back of his throat, “I-“
He roughly shoved her away, “Go.”
Her smile was sad.
His eyes were closed shut, “Now.”
And with the deep flutter of wings she was gone.
He let out the breath he’d been holding and it came out in haggered puffs.
He got what he came for, a few more years of viability without her- maybe even more now that he’d touched her.
He looked down at the familiar landscape of his palm, the same one that squeezed her neck. She was so… warm. Lifelike. Alive.
She was more alive than he and while he detested the thought he couldn’t help but be… fascinated.
He balled his palm into a fist.
No.
There was never a time to be fascinated with Death… unless he was the one causing it…
He shook his head of those distracting thoughts and promptly left the pitiful little bookshop… seeing as it had outlived its usefulness. Once outside, he took in the quite, unsuspecting night- not unlike the kind he’d perished on.
Tonight would be different, the start of something new, a rebirth of sorts, and he would use this new boon to rectify that night entirely.
Now that he could manipulate matter, it was time he finally took his own matters into his own hands.
With a bit more power, and a bit more freedom he left that borish town with his head held high and a promise against Death still in his- well… heart.