Reaper

Chapter 14 -Kouzen

School the next day was boring in comparison to his adventure. He sat through his classes, his legs restless and when it was finally lunch time he hustled to the lunch room with excitement for the first time in a long time. He saw Malcolm and Lucas putting their things on a table and grinned as he approached, “Hey guys!”

Both of them froze, staring at him as if he’d grown an extra set of horns and then looked at each other. His smile fell and he started to back away to go find a spot to sit on his own. He backed into something hard and tilted his head back to see Evander. He grinned down at him, “Hey, Horns.”

“Van!” He let out a little noise as he was ushered into a seat at the table, Evander sitting next to him. His two friends looked around just a little.

“Just to be clear, this is a thing at school too?” Lucas rubbed the back of his neck, his other hand pointing at the two of them. His expression drooped again and Evander squeezed his hand reassuringly.

“This is a thing everywhere. Kouzen is my boyfriend, I don’t give a s**t what anyone here says as much as I don’t give a s**t anywhere else,” Evander motioned around the cafeteria, glaring at a few kids who were already looking at them strangely. Teachers were circling nearby too, trying to monitor their interactions to avoid harm to Kouzen.

“Hey! It’s Horns!” Mack came up and slapped him on the back before setting his things down.

“Hi Mack,” Kouzen smiled, the feeling still unsure. If Lucas and Malcolm were uneasy, maybe Mack was too even if he wasn’t showing it.

“Any calls today?” Evander tugged him up to go through the lunch line. He made sure Evander wouldn’t drop his hand by holding tight and smiled as he realized he was holding just as tight.

“Yeah, doing my best to ignore it. If I ignore them eventually they go away. I don’t know what it means though. Maybe there’s other reapers in the area, I mean obviously there has to be other reapers around the world, right?” He saw a lot of eyes focused on them, then looked directly at Evander to tune them out. Whispers started spreading and he could hear them around him in the lunch line. Those became harder to tune out.

“Does it hurt you to ignore them?” Evander’s eyes were narrowed, people were scared of him so he was acting like a bouncer at the moment. He knew Kouzen was uncomfortable, and it bothered him only a small amount that he clearly knew the signs after their history. He’d purposefully made him uncomfortable in the past.

“It gives me a little bit of a headache, honestly,” Evander dropped his hand finally and wove his arm around his waist as they waited in line, pulling him to his side. His big hand sat on his butt, a smirk tugging at his lips, “You’re touching my butt on purpose.”

“I am touching your butt on purpose. You gonna fight me about it?” he laughed a little as Kouzen shook his head no. The whispers kicked up more and Evander sighed. He picked up a tray for both of them, buying his lunch and walking him back to the table.

“You didn’t have to do any of that,” Kouzen said quietly as he sat down. Evander sat his tray down in front of him and gave him silverware.

“You don’t like me being a gentleman?” He sat down himself, starting to eat since they were limited on lunch time.

“Well, it’s weird when I’m used to you pushing my face into my food but I can’t say it’s completely unpleasant. I like that you want to take care of me,” Kouzen grinned, eating as well, “Is this like our first date?”

“Mm, only if it’s our first incredibly lame date as boyfriends. Really, I think yesterday should count even if it started with a … business trip,” Evander grinned and then looked at his friends around the table. They were quiet and he frowned then started talking about the clubhouse with them.

“Oh, remember my dad said he’d buy the building so you don’t have to be sneaky about going in anymore,” Kouzen perked up and smiled at the group. They all balked, and he felt like he’d said something wrong. Evander patted his hand and he sighed, the weird rich kid vibe still didn’t work for him apparently.

“He said he’d buy the building? For real?” Mack leaned towards him and Kouzen nodded, confused.

“A whole ass building?” Lucas folded his arms over his chest in disbelief.

“Yeah, I asked so it could just be yours--,” Kouzen started.

“Ours. So it could be ours, horns. Even if this doesn’t work out long term, I think you know we’d still let you come in. You told him maybe it could help with your powers,” Evander smiled to him and Kouzen nodded, “You know, maybe we should do like training for your powers?”

“Powers?” Mack looked at them both, forgetting about the building for now.

“Yeah, Kouzen’s a reaper. He collects souls and he can do some really cool s**t. I think we should help him see what all he can do,” Evander shut down any questions as Mack tried to delve into it. Kouzen smiled appreciatively, eating as they went back to talking about the building.

“Do you think your dad would allow renovations? I have some ideas and if the building is ours I don’t have to worry about getting in trouble,” Malcolm grinned.

“Stats, man, whatever you’re planning has got to be dangerous. I’m voting no, right now,” Lucas laughed. Kouzen was enjoying himself, for the first time he had friends, even if they were only dealing with him right now because Evander said so. He eyed the teachers watching them and gently placed his head on Evander’s shoulder, mostly to see their reactions.

Evander stopped eating and looked at him confused before putting his arm around him. He kept eating with his free hand as he talked and Kouzen grinned. He saw two monitor’s eyes almost pop out of their sockets and the other teachers were passing glances at each other, unsure exactly on what action to take. He wondered if they thought he was being blackmailed. He’d be asking the same question honestly.

The rest of the school day was uneventful and he was quick to text his dad afterwards that he was with Evander. He walked out of the front of the school building with the group, quiet as they all talked and headed towards a Camry. Evander stopped him before he got in, “Hey, do we need to go take care of anything before we go?”

Kouzen took a second to reflect on his thoughts and then nodded, “Yeah, one. Nearby I think. Do you want to take me?”

“Stats can drive us, you just have to tell him where to go if you don’t care if everyone goes,” He gently stroked his cheek. Kouzen nodded and Evander booted Mack from the front seat, “Hey, we need to take horns to take care of some business. He’s going to tell you where to go. Don’t get pissed at him, it’s a feeling. He doesn’t know where we’re going fully.”

Malcolm nodded and smiled to Kouzen. The ride was an adventure, most of the turns were last minute and Malcolm was grating his teeth when they finally stopped, “I’m sorry, I really am.”

“No, Van warned me. It’s fine,” he nodded, smile tight. Kouzen got out and looked at the buildings on the street. He tapped his chin as the group got out of the car. They’d parked in a free lot downtown, he’d told them it was close enough. His concentration was broken as Evander’s big hand took his and squeezed. It was like a reminder that they were a team and he was so thankful for it.

“I think it’s that hotel,” Kouzen pointed at a five star hotel. Mack whistled as they started walking towards it. He paused and looked around, wincing a little.

“Hey, what’s going on?” Evander stepped up immediately in concern.

“I think we’re near a hospital or… maybe a nursing home? It’s fine, I’ll be fine,” Kouzen smiled as an arm immediately came around him, squeezing him to Evander’s side as they walked. The door man looked at the group as they approached and Kouzen offered a nervous smile. He sneered at them, not opening the door.

“Guests only,” he looked the four of them over. They did look like normal teenagers, their school didn’t have a uniform or anything for him to know they were from a prep school. Ripped jeans and hoodies were prevalent in their group. He felt Evander’s hand tighten on him, about to say something out of anger.

“Do you know who I am?” Kouzen tilted his head at him before Evander had the chance. The dragon looked confused, not having expected this behavior from him. The door man looked about to respond but he cut him off, “I am Kouzen Micah Tarasov. Youngest child of Prince Shikamaru and Prince by wedlock Nick Tarasov. I have business inside and you will open this door.”

The door man looked about to argue but he grabbed his wallet and held his identification out. He bristled and quickly opened the door, bowing low. Evander smirked then escorted him in with their friends, “I didn’t think you had that in you, horns.”

“They can judge me, but judging my boyfriend? He deserved it,” Kouzen smirked right back and Evander laughed. Lucas, Mack and Malcolm followed quietly, clearly not wanting to invoke his wrath. Mack vibrated with excitement the further they walked in, he’d been excited about his powers ever since lunch.

He looked at the front desk, they’d undoubtedly been warned he was there and he narrowed his eyes at him, looking at the elevator instead. He acted like he already knew where he was going and pressed the button for the elevator as the man started over towards them. It dinged, opening fairly quickly and the group went in. The concierge looked at him with a smile and he held his hand up as he pressed the button. The man looked taken aback and he waved as the doors closed.

“This really isn’t like you,” Malcolm looked at him.

“No, it’s what my uncles would do though in this situation. They’d be offended and they wouldn’t want to talk to them,” Kouzen smiled sheepishly, “I’ve watched my Uncle TaDaaki do just that before when someone tried to stop him and my Uncle Hisoka from going to their skybox at the baseball stadium. That’s the day I realized I don’t like baseball but it was still fun spending time with them.”

Evander laughed a little and went to help him off the elevator. Kouzen shook his head and took his hand then looked at the others and pulled them into his shroud. Mack practically squealed in delight as they were enveloped and Kouzen looked at him as they stepped off. “I’m good, I’m good.”

“Yeah, you’re gonna have to keep that in check,” Kouzen laughed a little and led everyone down the hall, “Stay close, I don’t know my range and it’s already kind of hard hiding all of us. We should be invisible.”

They walked in a tight knit group, Kouzen pausing at a few doors before stopping completely and putting his hand on the door handle. He willed it open and like at the house his tendrils seeped out and got the door open for him. He pulled it and looked over his shoulder to see the excitement on his friends and approval of his boyfriend. He gave a meek smile, not used to all the positive attention.

Stepping into the room everything looked fine but there was a sad gentleman sitting on the bed. Kouzen looked around a little then slowly removed his shroud, “Excuse me? Are you okay?”

He jumped and Kouzen held his hands out trying to seem unimposing, “Who are you?”

“Well, I received a uh… notification that I needed to collect your soul. You don’t look like any of the other souls I’ve collected though. You look healthy—not to assume I suppose—and young,” Kouzen approached slow, Evander staying back but keeping an eye on him.

“My wife left me,” he said quietly. Kouzen got closer and observed an empty pill bottle and nodded slowly in understanding. He sat down next to him and put his hands in his lap.

“I imagine that hurt a lot. I think my parents would be pretty sad if one of them left too. I think what’s important in this moment, is remembering the good times, right?” He glanced to Evander then slowly reached over and took the man’s hand, “I would honestly call someone but I think I’m too late considering I’ve been notified you’re ready. I could try though, if you want me to call someone? Maybe they can help.”

“No, it should be any minute,” he swallowed thickly and Kouzen felt the fear. His hands shook slightly and he patted them softly.

“I’ll sit with you then. No sense in being alone, right?” Kouzen smiled and they sat silently. His gaze met his friends’ eyes and they seemed shocked he’d give up. He shook his head no when Malcolm pulled his cell phone out, he wanted to respect his wishes.

“Thank you. I don’t know why they sent you but I’m glad they did,” He smiled a little bit, toes tapping in anticipation.

“Someone has to help you pass on. I think they notified me early though so that I could try and help you. I can still call someone. You’re scared, I can feel that,” He looked to him hopefully. The man hesitated, looking at the pill bottle and then at Kouzen. Tears streamed down his face and he slowly nodded his head yes. Kouzen jumped up and grabbed the phone, dialing emergency services and notifying them.

“Thank you,” he sobbed out and Kouzen smiled and sat back down with him.

“When they arrive I’m going to leave. I’ll keep an eye though and if I need to come take you on, I will. You have my promise,” Kouzen held his hand again, squeezing his eyes shut when the man started shaking uncontrollably. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up at Evander, tears in his own eyes as he tried to help the man through.

“Kou,” He kissed his forehead and offered his support. He looked out as sirens pulled up and nodded to Kouzen. Kouzen smiled to the man, his eyes were beginning to look not so good.

“They’re here. I’ve gotta go. It was a close one, huh?” He tried to reassure him and as they breached the building Kouzen dropped his hand, joining his friends and disappearing back into the shroud. They quickly went into the hall and Evander pulled him against his body, arms tight as he cried softly. Emergency services hurried into the room and they waited. Finally Kouzen nodded to them, “He’s okay, we should go.”

They made it back out to Stats’ car and this time Evander let Mack sit up front, pulling Kouzen to the back to sit where he could hold him. Kouzen’s head sat on his chest, his arm curled tightly around him as he quietly let tears fall down his face. The guys were quiet and Kouzen felt like he’d ruined their good time. Only the soft sounds from the radio filled the whole ride to the clubhouse.

They walked up solemnly, Evander in front and Kouzen directly behind him. He collapsed onto a sofa once up in their area. Evander was quick to sit with him and the guys all sat across from them. Mack finally let out a noise to break the tension, “f**k, that was intense. Is it like that every time?”

Kouzen shook his head no, “I mean, death is death but so far I’ve killed 3 bad guys and that wasn’t intense to pass them on. I’ve taken the soul of an old lady who was really sweet and that was sad but okay. A drug addict—That’s the one where Lucas broke his soul. That wasn’t hard though, he died when we got there.”

“I broke someone’s soul?” Lucas’ face blanched.

“That’s what I started freaking out about. You knocked me over and it cracked and his soul just seeped out,” Kouzen motioned with his hands to indicate the smoke leaving it, “He was lost after that.”

Lucas looked upset and he looked to Evander to see if he’d said the wrong thing. Evander cleared his throat, “Hey man, you didn’t know. It would’ve been impossible to know that, that was in his pocket. Don’t beat yourself up.”

Lucas nodded a little and the environment slowly evened out to its normal atmosphere. Then Mack held his hand up, “Wait, wait… you said you killed 3 guys?”

“Yeah, bad guys. That’s important. One thought I was a call boy and tried to put his d**k in my mouth and then the other two tried to grab me outside,” Kouzen shrugged. They all stared at him and he looked to the floor, Evander rubbing his arm after a second.

“Huh. I think that makes Kouzen our coolest friend then. Van, you’ve been replaced,” Mack shrugged, snickering.

“The hell I have been. I’m a reaper’s boyfriend and I’m his muscle,” he flexed his arms making Kouzen laugh, “makes me the coolest guy in the room.”

“Yeah, but horns is the reaper. Doesn’t the reaper himself trump his bouncer?” Mack pointed out making Kouzen look at Evander. He waved his hand at Mack before flipping him the bird and they all laughed.