“Mm-mm!” Gaia licked the spoon clean. “Hm, sticky hands.” She scrunched up her nose, sniffed her fingers then proceeded to lick them clean. Ever watched her intently; not once had she objected. It was nice to observe and not feel human insecurity get in the way.

  He fell back onto the grass; it was much softer than he remembered when he had arrived. Was it that his senses had dulled, or that he had gotten more resilient to pain? Or was it actually because Gaia made nature more pleasant? Right now, he didn’t care.

  The canopy of trees had closed around them, not just above but all around. It was as if all the trees in the park had uprooted themselves, walked closer to Ever and Gaia and replanted themselves. Ever felt as safe as… well, as he ever had, since he arrived on Earth.

  “So.” Her long hair pooled here and there. She ran her hands through some near the front of her head and started the arduous process of braiding it. “How are you?”

  That’s all it took. The fissures in Ever’s heart burst asunder as he told Gaia everything that had happened after she had met him: Taylor becoming distant, Chaos enveloping them in his realm, forcing Taylor to see the truth, Ever taking her to a reaping in the cemetery and Logan suddenly appearing, coinciding with Taylor and Chaos disappearing.

  “Don’t think too much of Father Chaos disappearing, he was never very present for us either," Gaia said, sounding distant.

  “That’s what Mentor said too. Still…” Ever laced his hands behind his head, staring up at the rustling canopy.

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  “I’ll pass on to him that you are thankful for setting you and Taylor up,” Gaia said. Ever looked at her and nodded gratefully.

  “So why are you here?” Ever asked, sitting up.

  “Why am I here?” Gaia echoed. She had somehow finished one braid and had moved onto another on the other side of her head. “That’s a strange question, I’m always here. I am the earth, after all. I should be asking you why you’re here.”

  “Well, I’m here because Death--” She placed a finger on his lips.

  “I’m kidding, I know why you’re here.” Now it was her turn to lie on the grass. “You’re asking the wrong question.”

  Ever hugged his legs, laying his head sideways on his knees. “Why are you appearing in my life now?”

  Gaia sat up then shimmied until she was sitting cross legged in front of Ever. She looked directly into his eyes. Ever thought he could see deer frolicking in her irises. She blinked and then he just saw himself mirrored in her gaze.

  “It’s Fall, the season of change. It’s not just in the tree leaves.” She lifted a hand and maple leaf colored red spiralled into it. “It’s also in you and the people in your life.”

  “Don’t people come and go all the time?” Ever asked. “Why are you appearing to me?”

  “Because,” Gaia grabbed Ever’s hand and laced her fingers with his. It felt loamy and soft. “You’re doing an important job and I’m here to support you. Oh before I forget.” She unlaced her hand from his and got onto her knees. She cupped both hands together and pushed her fingertips into the grass. The ground sighed happily and allowed itself to be picked up by its mother.

  Realizing what she was doing, Ever reached into the tote bag and carefully took out the vase she had sold him. She gently dropped the dirt in, grass, roots and all.

  “It’s time for you to grow," she said gently, gazing at him.