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Being a Death Scythe was more than just being admired, vacations, and killing the occasional kishin egg. Which you learned after the Kishin escaped from the basement, and all Death Scythes were called back by Lord Death.
You feel nervous for this meeting. You were seeing everyone for the first time again, especially Tezca, whom you did text almost everyday. But now you were going to see him in person after all these years! “What if he thinks my breath stinks? Or that I've aged like milk.” You think to yourself worriedly. You go into the bathroom to splash some water on your face, and calm down.
“I'm just going to marry this toilet!” Marie cries, hugging a toilet in a bathroom stall. “Don't be so dramatic.” Azusa shakes her head, before looking at you. Marie peaks out of the stall, and immediately jumps up hugging you “It's so good to see you again!” Marie cries hugging you, you freeze at the sudden action. “Don't mind her, she's just feeling sentimental.” Azusa explains. You relax, and pat Marie's head “It's good to see you too Marie.” You smile.
“It's also good to see you too, Azusa. I feel like it's been forever since we met up.” You tell her, “It has! We're all single old ladies!” Marie cries, burying her face into your chest. Azusa sighs “It has been a long time, but I'm sure there's plenty of time for love.” Azusa says pulling Marie's face off of you. You wipe the little bit of Marie's makeup that stained your clothes. Marie wipes her face “You really think so?” Marie asks Azusa, “Yes. Now let's go before we're late.” Azusa reassures Marie. “I'll join you guys in a little bit.” You tell them, “Okay! We'll wait for you outside.” Marie replies, “Be out quick, or else we're leaving you.” Azusa says jokingly before walking out of the bathroom, “You can't just joke like that!” Marie scolds Azusa while following her outside of the bathroom.
You look at yourself in the mirror, you still feel nervous, but at the same time you felt silly. You just talked to Marie and Azusa, and you weren't nervous. So how was Tezca any different? After splashing some water on your face, you walk out of the bathroom, and walk with Marie and Azusa to the Death Room.
When entering the air is heavy, and intense. All three of you walk in, everyone is there, except for Tezca. A part of you feels relieved, and not as nervous. But another part of you is sad, and wishing he was there. As you guys walk up, Death claps his hands. “Good everyone is here! And 5 minutes before the meeting time.” Death exclaims excitingly, you sigh, now having conformation Tezca wasn't going to be here. Azusa saw this, and looks at you confused.
Before she can ask anything, Lord Death starts assigning missions. Marie gets to live with Stein, Azusa has to work with Sid, and you get to question Medusa's kid. It isn't the worst thing, but you wonder why someone else isn't a better candidate.
As everyone leaves the Death Room, you, Marie, and Azusa stick together. “We should all meet up again while we're in the city.” You suggest, “Yeah! That'll be fun after we get settled in.” Marie agrees, “Before we make any official plans, I'm wondering. Why were you so sad during the meeting?” Azusa looks at you with concern, “Oh it's nothing.” You lie, “It's probably because she's missing her old boyfriend~” Marie teases, you blush. But before you can protest, Azusa starts talking “What boy- ohh, that's right Tezca wasn't at the meeting.” Azusa smirks, “Will you two cut it out? We're not teenagers you know.” You furrow your brows.
It was true, when you were younger in your school years, you did have a crush on Tezca. You hung out with him, despite him being able to read you like an open book. Yet, he never called you out for having a crush on him. Even when you both eventually became Death Scythes, when you guys were assigned different places, he gave you his number so you guys could keep in touch. Even if the hours you guys texted didn't align much, you both still managed to text each other when you could.
You check your phone. “Maybe he texted me he would be running late.” You think to yourself, but there was nothing. “You texting him?” Marie asks giggling, “No, just checking notifications.” You say trying to look calm, “Yeah right,” Azusa laughs “if we see him, we'll tell him you said you miss him.” Azusa continues. You sigh, as they both walk away to go do their jobs.
You walk down the dungeon stairs to go see Crona. It's so quiet, the only sound is your footsteps. “This place must be maddening for this kid.” You think to yourself as you finally make it down the stairs. You turn to go to Crona's room, when all of the sudden a familiar voice spoke “Ay! You made it!” Tezca says happily. You immediately spin around, your heart starts racing and your smile is too big to contain. “Hey!” You say quickly, feeling a bit star struck.
“I'm guessing you got assigned to question Medusa's kid as well?” He asks tilting his head, “Yeah, I guess we'll be working together. But we make a pretty good team.” You reply with a chuckle, “You know it!” He laughs. Both of you start to walk to Crona’s room, you can feel your heart beating in your chest with each step. And as the walls get a little bit closer together, so do you and Tezca. His hands start to lightly brush against yours, and you can’t help but blush a little bit.
“Sorry, you don’t mind, right?” Tezca asks curiously, “Right, I don’t mind.” You nod, avoiding eye contact with him. If anything to you this was best case scenario, you working with your long term crush, and being able to be closer to him like this was a dream come true.
But it ends, when you two finally get to Crona’s room. When opening the door, Crona just sits in the corner. Not acknowledging the presence of either of you. “Hey, you're Crona, right?” You question the purple haired kid, they don't acknowledge you, burying their head into their knees. “Are you Medusa's son or daughter?” You ask another question, but Crona continues to keep their position. Now you're starting to get a little frustrated “How am I supposed to do my job with a mute kid?” You wonder, you look in your pockets, and pull out a note pad.
“Do you want to write on this?” You ask offering the notepad to Crona, but instead they shrivel away like a cat who doesn't want to be near people. You get up with a bit of a sigh. “I think we're done here for the day.” Tezca announces, “Huh?” You look at him a bit confused. You guys barely talked to Crona. “I think there's someone else better qualified to handle this kind of situation.” Tezca says, and doesn't elaborate any further. “Well, it was still nice meeting you.” You smile at Crona, sure you probably weren't going to see them again, but you still wanted to be polite.
You walk out of the room with Tezca, your hands start brushing against each other's again. “Do you wanna grab lunch later?” Tezca offers as you two continue to walk, “Sure!” You agree a bit too eagerly. “Great! I'll need to talk to Lord Death about what we just experienced. So I probably won't be available until later in the afternoon. Do you want to meet at around 1:30?” He asks, “That’s perfect, I'll be available.” You confirm, trying to contain the huge smile on your face. Even if it didn't help much, considering Tezca is a mirror weapon. “Perfect.” Tezca chuckles. You two part ways after walking up the stairs, saying your goodbyes. Afterwards you rush towards your hotel to pick out a good outfit to go out in.
You sigh at the amount of clothes you brought. Sure you brought a decent amount, but nothing worthy of going on a date in. “Wait, this isn't even a date, it's a lunch with a co-worker.” You remind yourself, which made your heart feel a little sad, but at least it took the pressure off a little bit. Still you worry “What clothes would he like to see me in though? I wish I knew, but I've never seen him without his mask. So I have no idea if he's ever impressed by them!” You think to yourself frustrated.
You end up calling Marie. Marie answers the phone “Hello?” You can tell she's curious as to why you're calling her. “Marie, I need some help…” You reply a little embarrassed, not wanting to tell her your situation. “What happened? If that witch child laid a finger on you-” Marie starts to threaten, “No, it’s not that. That kid was…very shy to say the least. I actually need help picking out clothes…Tezca asked-” before you could continue Marie screamed into the phone “He asked you out?!” She yells excitedly, “N-no not exactly. He just asked if I wanted to grab lunch.” You say trying to let her down easy, “Sounds like a date to me~” Marie sings, “I don't know, he definitely would have said if it was a date.” You explain.
“Are you kidding me? Guys are NEVER straight forward.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Guys take girls out to lunch for a date, you really think a guy would randomly take a girl out?”
“Well, it's been a while. What if he just wants to catch up, and I make it awkward by dressing like it's a date?”
Marie pauses before speaking “...Oh I know! Just pretend you're going out with me and Azusa later if he questions you.”
“But he's a mirror weapon, he'll see right through me!”
“Nonsense. You seriously think he's going to be monitoring you? If he’s really uninterested in you, he won't use his weapon ability. Now come over immediately!” Marie demands, “But I don't even know where you-” before you could finish, Marie hung up the phone.
She did make a good point though, if he really isn’t interested surely he won't use his ability. But apart of you starts to wonder “Did he ever use his abilities on me? Maybe he doesn't know I have a crush on him because he doesn’t even care.” You think to yourself, a bit disappointed.
After finding your way over to Patchwork Labs, with a few clothes you brought over. You knock on the door, and Stein answers. “Hello, are you lost?” He asks adjusting his screw, “No, I'm just here to see Marie.” You explain. Stein lets you in, and tells you where she is in the house. You walk up to “her” room. Really Stein and her were sharing a bedroom. “You're here!” Marie hugs you, “Yeah, um, are you sure we can get dressed and stuff in here?” You ask with concern, “Of course! Stein won't bother us. Pretty lucky I get to share a room with him though, don’tcha think?” Marie raises her eyebrows, “Yeah, but won't the toilet be jealous?” You laugh a little bit, “What? I have no idea what you're talking about.” Marie plays dumb.
“Anyways, what's really important is your date!” Marie exclaims before closing the bedroom door. You sigh, but can’t help feeling amused. Marie starts to look through both your clothes, and hers. You try on a couple of different outfits, some from Marie's closet, and some from yours. Eventually you guys both find the perfect outfit that matches your style! Because at the end of the day, your style matters over a man's preferred style.
“Thanks for helping me.” You smile at Marie, “You're welcome, now go get ‘em tiger.” Marie replies with a hand on your shoulder, and a determined look in her eye. You laugh a little before saying your goodbyes and leaving. As you walk out of Patchwork Labs you look down at your phone, you still had an hour to get there. Which was either good or bad depending on where you guys were meeting. “Wait, did he even say where we were meeting?” You wonder to yourself, wondering if you forgot. “What should I do? Should I text him? I don't think I can, he said he'd be talking with Lord Death.” You start worrying to yourself, but then you remember a cultural fact. In South America people arrive late all the time to events. So maybe if you walked around, you would find him, and he wouldn't be offended at all. “But does a date count as an event?” You ask yourself. You sigh, and end up just texting asking where you guys are going to meet. Afterwards you put your phone away, and start to explore Death City again.
It's been a while, and things have definitely changed. Places you used to hang out as a teen closed down, or changed into a completely new place. A few places have stayed the same, but overall it's like you're in a brand new city. As you walk around you get a text from Tezca. It says “Jajaja my bad! I never told you let's meet at Deathbucks” You go to give the message a thumbs up, but instead accidentally heart it. You freak out a little bit, it would be one thing to heart the message, but you're all dolled up, and going to meet him at a coffee shop! “If he didn't know before, he's definitely going to know I have a crush on him now.” You sigh.
Still you walk to the Deathbucks, and arrive at exactly 1:30. You look at your phone, and decide to walk around a little bit, so it doesn't look like you got there early. As you begin to walk down a street, you notice a butterfly, and get a little distracted watching it. Wondering what exactly a butterfly is doing in the middle of a desert. When you accidentally bump into someone. “I'm sorry!” You immediately apologize before realizing it's Tezca. He laughs amused by the situation “I should be the one apologizing. I was just texting you I was on my way.” He says, and you can tell he's smiling. He's holding a bouquet of flowers, you look at them a little confused and flustered, but before you can ask anything he starts speaking. “Here, I got these for you! My meeting with Lord Death was done early, and I had already ordered these.” Tezca says a little flustered, handing them to you. You take the flowers “Wow, I wasn't expecting this.” You reply pleasantly surprised. “Maybe he DOES like me.” You think to yourself. Both of you begin to walk over to the Deathbucks.
“I'm sorry I didn't have much time to change, but you always dress nicer than me, so this is kind of like the norm.” Tezca rambles, “I like your outfit.” You tell him, even if it was a little bit generic. Tezca laughs a little “You don't have to flatter me. I should probably talk to you about what happened between me, Lord Death, and Medusa's kid though. I mean you and me are partners, so hopefully you don't mind me talking more about work.” He explains. “Partners?! Wait no, he probably just means that in the same way a meister and partner work together.” You think to yourself. “I don't mind at all.” You smile at him, “Good!” Tezca smiles beneath his mask.
You laugh a little, “We already do kind of act like partners already.” You think out loud. Before he can confirm or deny your observation, you guys arrive at Deathbucks. “Do you want to sit inside? I'm sure you're hot with your mask.” You ask trying to act like you didn't call him and you partners, “I'm hot without it too.” He says before laughing, you can't help but laugh as well. “Seriously though, we can sit inside. It is pretty hot out here.” He explains, and you two walk inside.
After ordering your drinks, you two sit down in the mostly empty coffee shop. “What gives? You'd think a place like this would be popular.” Tezca comments, “The kishin did just escape.” You shrug, “That's right.” Tezca sighs. You can tell he's disappointed by the way he tilts his head slightly down. “So what about your meeting with Lord Death?” You ask curiously, trying to distract from the depressing topic. “Well…”
—Earlier—
Tezca walks into the Death Room “Hey! Hi! Hello there! Wait a minute, where's your partner in crime?” Death asks confused, “I said I would do the report, since there isn't much to go off of.” Tezca explains. Lord Death scratches his head a little, trying to figure out what that could mean.
“Did Medusa's kid have specific demands?” Death asks confused, “No, the kid just didn't want to talk at all. I'm wondering if maybe there's someone who's more of his peer that could talk to him. Doesn't even have to be shy like them, just someone who could maybe make the adjustment process easier.” Tezca explains, “I see…there was a girl who the kid talked to before deciding to be a student. Maybe I could convince her to be their friend.” Death nods, starting to think of ways to make Crona open up more.
“In the case I do need them to be friends, you will have to monitor them when the do hang out!” Lord Death explains cheerfully.
—Back in the present—
“Gross, we have to watch two pre-teens date?” You ask with a bit of a laugh, “What other choice do we have? I heard the girl has good soul perception too, so it's not like our presence will be subtle.” Tezca explains, “Who is she?” You ask curiously, “Spirit's daughter.” Tezca replies. You both start laughing at the idea of Spirit freaking out over this situation, not because of the dangerous nature of it, but because of how over protective he is.
Soon both of your guys’ drinks are ready. Tezca gets both of them, and hands you yours. You both sit, and drink your drinks. “I'm gonna go outside for a little bit, but I'll be back.” Tezca says before getting up, and walking out of the coffee shop. You knew he was going to go smoke out there, but you didn't mind too much. You knew this was part of who he was, as a smoke mirror.
As you sat back, and let yourself relax more into the seat when you heard “Maintain your posture!” In a whisper yell. You instantly recognized the voice as Azusa, and turned around. Both her and Marie had fake glass on with mustaches. “What are you two doing here?” You ask a bit annoyed, “We don't know who you're talking about.” Marie says in a deep voice while shrugging, “Yes, we are just two gentlemen enjoying our evening.” Azusa adds on, also having a deep voice. “How did you even find out I was here?” You ask even more confused, “Azusa can track people remember?” Marie asks dropping her act, “But what about your guy's work?” You ask confused, “I'm still with Stein, but he's also taking a smoke break.” Marie explains, “Me and Sid got done early.” Azusa replies.
Before you can interrogate them more, Tezca and Stein both walk back into the cafe. Stein is wearing fake glasses and a mustache too, despite needing glasses. You can't believe this. Tezca walks back over to the table, you don't mind the smell of his tobacco, but you do mind the two. No three nosy people sitting behind you. Both you and Tezca drink your drinks, and the others leave shortly after.
“They're funny.” Tezca sighs amused, “Hilarious.” You reply unamused. “If you want to embarrass Marie back, she's going on a date with Stein tomorrow night.” Tezca offers, “That would be nice, but we'll probably be busy.” You reply smiling slightly, thinking about hanging out with Tezca. Even if it is technically babysitting. “That's right.” Tezca recalls the mission you guys will have. You guys begin to small talk about the changes to Death City.
But after a while you get a bit bored talking about the topic. It wasn’t very fun to think shops you grew up with are now closed. “Are there any good stores in South America?” You ask curiously, “Yeah there are plenty! After this mess, I could show them.” Tezca offers, “That would be nice, though it definitely won't be easy. Who knows what the clean up afterwards will be like.” You explain, “That, and the fact there are a lot of countries we'd have to visit. Hopping from one to another, it's hard to make many friends.” Tezca sighs, “I'm sure you miss out on dating pretty women too.” You laugh a little bit, but a part of you is curious about his dating life.
“What…?” Tezca asks, confused. “I'm sure it's hard to find a date as a Death Scythe. Marie earlier was even contemplating marrying a toilet.” You explain to lighten the mood, but Tezca just seems frozen in place. You wonder if maybe you offended him. “Did he tell me he had a girlfriend? Or is dating just a sensitive subject?” You wonder, a little scared. There's a long pause.
“Are we…not dating?” Tezca asks confused, “Wait what?!” You also ask in shock. You both sit there stunned by what you've both discovered. “How long have we've been dating…?” You ask, wanting some context, “After I gave you my phone number! Since you had a crush on me, I thought I'd make the first move and give you my number to show my interest! Why else did you think I gave it to you?” He asks confused, “We were friends! Phones were new back then! I thought it was a friendship thing, also you haven't made a move this whole trip! You wouldn't even hold my hand!” You respond.
“I didn't hold your hand earlier because I was a little nervous seeing you for the first time again.” Tezca admits a bit sheepishly, before continuing to talk “Also I have made a move! Why else would I've got you flowers, and taken you to a coffee shop?”
You remember what Marie said to you earlier: “Guys take girls out to lunch for a date, you really think a guy would randomly take a girl out?”
“Oh…I guess I you’re right.” You admit a bit embarrassed. Both of you were silent, the only sounds being the baristas behind the counter pretending to work, but in reality they've been listening to it all.
“Since we're dating…do you want to do more couple things?” You ask in barely a whisper, “Only if we can hold hands.” He teasingly replies, “Of course.” You smile back. With that you both get up, and you take his hand.
You both walk into the sunset, doing whatever comes next.