Work Text:
“She will return to you later,” Orpheus had prophesied to his caretakers at Naxos, and now here they were again. He’d had his reconciliation with Morpheus and said his goodbyes, urging his father to stop mourning and make the most of his life, as Orpheus had neglected to. Orpheus knew his time was short, and there was no way he was dragging his father down with his end. The Fates would have to find another way for him to accept the mortal end he’d fought off so many years ago. Having stymied the vision of ending at his father’s hands, though, he wasn’t sure how it was going to go. Rose was with him, though, and Orpheus had faith in his cousin’s ability as a child of the Endless. After all, hadn’t she already brought more joy to his life than he could count, by taking him on a road trip?
As Rose placed Orpheus back on his pedestal, she felt a hand fall on her shoulder. Startled, she turned to see who was touching her.
“Mother,” Orpheus said fondly, as she stared at the beautiful woman behind her. She did indeed look like the Greek sculptures from the Louvre, only more beautiful, and more warm and loving as well, as she gazed fondly back at Orpheus and gave Rose’s shoulder a reassuring press.
“My son,” she said, “I’m glad to see you have embraced life at long last.”
“I just learned that both you and Father had recently been imprisoned. I left my prison as well.” Rose started to wonder if she should leave this touching family reunion, but then both of them suddenly turned to her.
“Thank you for rescuing my son, Rose,” Calliope said with a soft smile.
“He was ready for an adventure,” Rose demurred—she wouldn’t have taken him if he hadn’t already done the internal work to be ready for it.
“Yes,” Orpheus agreed, “but you still made it possible. And now, Mother…”
“Yes,” Calliope nodded sadly in understanding. “Now, you are ready to go on to the next adventure.”
“I’m glad I got to see you first.”
“As am I. And Rose, we will meet again, particularly if you write any epic poetry.” Rose smiled back at Calliope, then stepped back to give them privacy as she went over to hug her son.
Calliope had left and Andros and Kris and their family had been filled in on the situation and said their goodbyes, and finally there was quiet. Rose gazed gently at Orpheus.
“What now?” she asked. They had talked about his intentions on the way back to his home, but hadn’t figured out what could end his gift from Death.
“I don’t know,” he answered, “but I am ready. I have peace with my life, long though it’s been, and I’m ready to join my Eurydice in whatever comes next.”
Rose nodded. “Maybe I should just call Aunty Death?”
“Aunty?” Orpheus chuckled. He’d never been that close to his Endless Aunt.
“It’s worth a try,” Rose shrugged. She set her intention, calling on the by now familiar sensation of the power of Desire flowing through her.
“Aunt Death, do you have a moment for your niece and nephew?”
They held their breath in anticipation, and before it ran out a kind voice was calling from the archway at the entrance.
“Hello, children. Orpheus, Rose.” Death nodded tenderly at each of them.
“Aunt Death!” Rose ran over to give her a familial embrace. She was beginning to suspect that the Endless family hadn’t been very huggy before she and Jed and Unity came along, but she didn’t care. She was their family now, and they were getting hugs from her.
Death hugged her back, and then stepped over to Orpheus on his plinth.
“Are you ready for my gift now, then, love?” she asked gently.
“Yes, aunt,” he said solemnly. “I’ve had a lot of time to think. I saw my end approaching, and the tragedy it could cause, and I want to avoid that. Can you help me with it, or would it count as spilling family blood for you too?”
“No,” she smiled sadly at him. “It falls within my realm to give my gift without consequence, even to family.”
“Then I am ready,” he said. She leaned over with utmost love and tenderness, and kissed him on the forehead. Rose watched solemnly as he closed his eyes, ceased breathing, and then rapidly crumbled to dust. His mortal years had caught up to him as soon as Death’s notice was bestowed. Death nodded again at Rose, and within the shadow of her wings she guided Orpheus to his final adventure.