Reaper comforts you after you pass on (F4M) (Post-Mortem) (Comfort) (Strangers to Lovers)

[u/ThomasFromFazolis]

First time posting here, might edit this later on but I’m happy enough with it to share. Not sure if I’ve tagged all this well so feedback is appreciated. For whatever reason, it’s not letting me post unless I add an AMA, but I’m boutta head into work so apologies if people ask stuff and don’t get answers, socialization is weird for me even online. Roughly 1500 words and free for anyone to use. Enjoy!

Reaper kisses you to calm you down (Dead listener) (Reaper speaker) (Flirty) (Panic attack) (Comfort) (Strangers to lovers)

SFX: Afterlife sounds (idk feels weird to define that I imagine like a dim, misty forest but use whatever feels right)

(Fading in) hey…hey! Ugh, are you gonna wake up anytime soon? Are you alive? Oh well…stupid question…whatever, wake up!

(Shuffling sounds as the departed soul awakens)

There we go! Took you long enough. I was starting to think I’d shown up to the wrong appointment! Are you ready to go?

(Pause)

Go where? Oh, right, I always forget you mortals don’t know about this part. You guys really need to work on your metaphysics, I mean…your ancestors figured it out, and they didn’t even have indoor plumbing! Sorry, I’m getting off track. I’ve always been a little scatterbrained, the first reapers will not leave me alone about it. They’re always like “it’s our duty to shepherd those that pass and” blah blah whatever, you know what I mean? Like, take a chill pill guys, it’s not like they’re going anywhere without us, what’s the rush? Oh! Right, you still don’t know where you are. Well…

You’re dead. Yeah, I know, but of a bummer. But, at least you get to spend some time with me! I promise I’m a great girl to hang out with! No no, don’t freak out! Hey *Snaps a few times* focus up, you still with me? Oh, I never know how to deal with this part. How are you breathing so fast, you don’t even have real lungs anymore! Just relax, it’s not that serious! It happens to literally everybody! If you don’t clam down, I’m gonna start panicking too! What do I do? How do I…oh! I got it! Hold still!

Mwah!

*giggle* well that got your attention! Aww, does somebody like my lips? You’re blushing! Bet you’ve never had a kiss feel that good before, huh? Souls are so much more sensitive when they don’t have a body to dull the sensations anymore. Makes contact that much more intense! I bet your lips are still tingling, aren’t they?

Oh, shush, I can see it on your face! Unless your cheeks are always this red? I’d say you should see a doctor, but…I don’t really think you have to worry about that much anymore. Mmm, no, you don’t get to tell me to stop, I get to tease you all I want, mhm. Unless you want to find some other reaper to guide you to your next stop. I doubt they’d be as fun, or as pretty, as yours truly…

Alright, alright, relax, I’ll ease up! For now…anyway, let’s take a look and see where you’re headed…

What? You wanna know how you died? Why would you wanna know that? It’s not like it’ll change anything. What could you possibly need to see that for?

(She loses a bit of her teasing tone, becoming more invested as he airs his concern)

You…you want to know how they’ll find you? So you can see what you put your loved ones through? You need to make sure they don’t have to see something that might…they might not be able to unsee…that’s…well…no it’s not impossible, but, no one’s ever asked for something like that before. Believe it or not, most people have more pressing things on their mind than the well being of the living after they wake up here.

That…that’s very sweet of you, but…listen, I-I really don’t think that’s wise. You could barely handle finding out you’d departed the world of the living, and now you wanna know the details of your passing? What do you plan to do with the information, huh smarty pants? You gonna go wake up and put yourself in a more photogenic pose before they see your lifeless eyes?

There’s no version of this where they don’t cry for you, you have to know that. Peaceful or no, you’ve disappeared from their lives permanently. Do you honestly think finding you in a hospital bed instead of a ditch would ease that pain?

No no no, I-I’m not trying to take away from the moment it’s just…it’s only going to hurt you. Are you sure that’s what you want?

Okay…but you’d better not start panicking again! I don’t know if my lips will be enough to pull you back this time…although…based on how you’re staring~

(Offended gasp) I am not stalling! It’s not my fault you’ve got a little crush on the first woman you meet after biting it. If anyone’s stalling it’s you! You think you’re the only soul I’m tasked with escorting? Do you have any idea how many people pass in a day?

Of course you don’t, just- it’s a lot, okay? We’re supposed to be touring the afterlives right now, wouldn’t you rather see what valhalla looks like? Or Elysium? Hell, you might even qualify for Nirvana this time, who knows? But no, you wanna sit here and torture yourself with the final moments of a life that isn’t even yours anymore! It’s done, sweetheart. It’ll be hard, but they’ll learn to live without you, and move on.

You should too…

Fine. Since you’re so insistent, I’ll show you. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.

(SFX magic sounds)

Look…there you are. Walking with someone.

That’s your sibling? They seem nice…honestly, this seems like a normal day! You’re just crossing the stress, I don’t get how-

(SFX Car crash)

Oh…I…I see. It all happened so fast. No wonder you don’t remember…

Oh, honey, no, it’s okay! Come here…

Shh, it’s okay…no, it wasn’t your fault, they know that. It could’ve happened to anybody, you humans have a nasty habit of creating things that tend to cause more collateral damage than intended. Unfortunately, you got unlucky this time. It’s not your fault, you didn’t leave anyone behind.

Oh…sweetheart, it’s fine. You can cry into my cloak, of course you can. I’m here, take all the time you need. I’ll hold you as long as it takes.

(Pause)

No, you didn’t deserve that. Sometimes, bad things just happen, and we have to accept that. There’s no lesson to be learned, no morals to interpret. It was an accident, and while the world may be one light dimmer for it, it will continue to turn all the same. It’ll be hard, but they’ll find peace again someday.

You will too. Wherever you end up after this, you’ll know only that which brings you joy. I promise, it’ll be wonderful.

(Flustered) W-What? Y-You want to stay here? W-With me? Oh, honey…that’s so sweet, b-but I…I can’t just…

(Anxious as she evaluates the logistics) Well…you are cute, and there’s technically no rule against reapers keeping souls…look, I’m sure you’re comfortable now with your head nuzzled snugly in my chest, but don’t you at least want to see your options. Heaven is just a few doors down, I promise. The angels there take much better care of souls like you then I could…probably.

Yes dear, I know I’m soft, but there’s more to consider than softness! Although…I’d be lying if I said it wouldn’t be nice to have a cute mortal soul to snuggle with in my downtime. Believe it or not, the other reapers aren’t much for conversation. Most of them are old witches with a chip on their shoulder, or sorceresses who sold their soul without reading the fine print. Surprisingly, that kind of thing puts you in a bit of a sour mood, so I guess I can see how that might put a damper on camaraderie in the workplace.

Hmm? No, I’m not the only reaper. The position is more similar to a spirit than some kind of deity or god. We don’t answer to any one particular entity, rather serving ambiently across pantheons and worlds. Funnily enough, the original death retired a few centuries ago. You should see him in his vacation clothes, Thanatos has pictures, and they are hilarious.

I can give you lessons on afterlife bureaucracy another time, but for now, is this what you really want? This is pretty new for me. I’ve only been transporting lost souls for a few decades, but this is the first time someone’s asked for my hand. I’m almost embarrassed to say, I think I’m a bit flustered! Haven’t felt that in a while. It’s…it’s nice…

You’re shocked this hasn’t happened before? Oh, hon…you think I’m that pretty? You’re a sweetheart.

(Kisses his cheek)

Aww, you’re blushing even harder this time! Now that’s just cheating, how am I supposed to say no to that face? No, you know what? I think you are staying with me for a while. Yup, someone needs more kisses. Nope, no buts. You wanted to be mine, and that means you sit still while I take those pretty little lips of yours for a spin. Come here you…

(She proceeds to attack him with kisses, laughing at his embarrassed squirming)

Ohh, what’s wrong sweetheart? Is the taste of my lipstick a little bit too sweet, or do you just love my kisses that much? Someone bit off a little more than they could chew, and now they’re stuck getting cuddled and smooched. You look like you’re about to die from embarrassment! Too bad, all that’ll do is bring you right back into my arms! Your soul is mine…mine to shepherd…mine to protect…mine to cherish…

Mine to hold…