Logan looked like a different man when Ever left his ice cream shop. A layer had come off but somehow, it made him seem more whole, more real. Ever stood outside, putting his hands in his pockets. It was the strangest thing; he could have sworn the sun was just beginning to set at the start of their conversation. Now, twilight’s crescendo was waning, the last few bars of reds, oranges and pinks dying away.

  He didn’t feel like going back to the treehouse. Apparently, he wasn’t going to be going back there anyway, not if he wanted to keep the promise he made to Mimi. What was that dog doing right now anyway? Hopefully she had finished her daily routines and was already back inside, staying warm under Mary’s couch.

  Ever pulled out his phone, swiping to unlock. Logan, Zoe… and Taylor. No unread message. His thumb hovered over the ‘unknown’ number. In the end, he didn’t update its contact information.

  Ever…

  A few flickers of warmth tugged playfully at him. He took a step forward, then another, then another. He should have waited to cross the road, but the flickers of warmth - now insistent tendrils - grew stronger by the second. A breeze picked up, carrying a stray daisy that waltzed its way amongst the dead leaves, paying her respects.

  The apprentice reaper made it to the other side, unscathed. In the park in which he arrived, a welcome face was waiting. He felt the tendrils draw away as he closed the remaining distance to the Primordial Spirit of Nature and embraced her. They rose off the grass as one, turning in place before slowly descending back down.

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  “Haven’t you been busy now?” Gaia murmured, mouth next to his ear. Ever looked at her, a question in his eyes. “All your new friends, silly. You have the ice cream boss, the doggy, the vet…” she numbered them off her fingers. “Plus your old friend is back.”

  “I’m not sure if she’s my friend, Gaia.” Ever said. “Friends don’t hurt each other.”

  She looked at him sympathetically. “Come, let us sit on our favorite bench.” Once they were seated, she continued.

  “This is going to sound a bit disgusting, but bear with me here. Everyone returns back to me after they’re buried; I’ve absorbed a lot of people over the years. Yes, you’re doing the soul thing with Thanatos, but guess who takes in the memories too?” She thumbed at herself with both hands.

  “Friends hurt each other. Family members hurt each other too. Every, single person is also their own worst enemy. Humans love hurting themselves for different reasons.” Ever suddenly remembered going to the gym for the first time.

  “Don’t hold onto this pain. The only person that it hurts is yourself.”

  “So I should I just forgive Taylor?”

  “Eventually,” Gaia said. “Humans make mistakes, they’re imperfect. You should do it for your sake though, not hers.”

  “How do I just let go of the pain?” Ever looked at his hands, opening and closing his grip.

  “Why, by simply talking about it.” She gave him a wink, squeezed his knee and before he knew it, he was the only one left sitting on the bench.