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Birthdays tend to be a big deal for the human warlords, after all their job is dangerous and they could easily die on any mission. So for one of the youngest of them, Vajra, turning 25 means all eyes are on him for the day as he spends it talking and celebrating with his comrades. Well, most of his comrades. One of them is missing, skirting around the commotion and large gathering, only stopping in the party just long enough to leave a wrapped gift.
Pretty red paper wrapped neatly around whatever gift it contains with “For Vajra” written in a scratchy but nice pen.
“He couldn't even stick around and say happy birthday? I'm sorry for Asura's behavior Vajra, you must be very disappointed.” Lord Death comments, patting Vajra's shoulder in a way meant to comfort him. In reality though, out of the two Lord Death is the only one disappointed. Vajra doesn't mind Asura not sticking around. He knows he'll get a chance to talk to Asura later, the younger reaper just doesn't care for all the excitement.
“No, no, it's fine! I don't mind, I'll see him later when everything dies down.” Vajra tries to reassure the reaper, smiling brightly at his boss. They both try to ignore how everything is currently dying down, Lord Death as he tries not to be even more disappointed in his son, and Vajra as he tries not to notice the look of pity the man gives him.
After saying his goodnights to his friends, Vajra slips out into the hallway to make his way to his room. Slipping his fingers under the wrapping paper as he walks, he reveals the cover of a book he's been wanting for a while now. A book that's a bit too inappropriate for him to have felt comfortable asking Eibon or Lord Death to add it to the library. Suddenly aware of a nearly silent presence following behind him, Vajra chuckles. “Thank you, Asura, that saves me an awkward conversation with your father.”
Asura huffs out a laugh as he falls into step next to Vajra instead of following behind. “Maybe I should've gotten you something else then. That might've been an entertaining conversation to overhear.” The reaper jokes, earning an eye roll from his weapon.
“Speaking of Lord Death, he was disappointed you didn't stick around with everyone.” Vajra comments, glancing at Asura just in time to see him tense slightly at the mention of his father's disappointment. The weapon is mostly aware of the tension between the two, Asura never quite measuring up to his father's expectations, but he rarely asks about it.
“Were you disappointed?” Asura questions, and Vajra can feel the reaper's eyes on him despite the scarves covering them.
Vajra shakes his head, offering his meister a smile as they reach his room. “No. I knew you'd spend time with me later. It's more meaningful when it's just us, no?” He responds as he holds open the door for Asura, genuinely not minding the reaper's absence for most of the day. After all, just because he's an extrovert doesn't mean Asura has to be.
“Exactly. I'm glad no one makes a fuss when my… creation day, I suppose, comes around. Having everyone fawn over you like that sounds dreadful.” Asura dramatically shudders at the thought, sitting on Vajra's bed. He can't really call his birthday a birthday, he wasn't born after all. He was crafted. Maybe that's why he finds it odd when the humans congratulate each other for simply surviving another year.
After all, isn't that expected? It's expected from him, not something to celebrate.
“Still waiting for you to tell me what day that is, by the way. I'm gonna just pick a day to give you a birthday gift every year at this rate.” Vajra chuckles, kicking off his shoes before sitting on his bed with his back propped up against the pillows. Birthdays are an intrinsically human thing, neither Asura or Lord Death really celebrate theirs, but Vajra can't help but think Asura deserves a day where he's celebrated just for continuing to be around as well. Even if he knows it would only be him who celebrates the reaper.
Asura shakes his head, unraveling his scarves as he leans against the wall. “There's no need for that and you know it. I'm not some human.” He knows he sounds a bit condescending when he says that, Vajra just wants to do something nice for him after all, but he doesn't need it. He doesn't even remember what day he was created on. Another year is just another year, he doesn't age like a human does after all.
Vajra sighs, rolling his eyes. “Pick a day it is then.” He comments before opening his book, starting to read as Asura just observes him. Part of the weapon wonders what it's like to not age, despite aging being largely unpleasant as new issues and aches and pains pop up… being forever the same sounds boring though, especially as those you know all age around you.
Asura quietly watches his weapon, unknowingly wondering much the same just on the opposite side. He can't help but wonder what it's like to see your appearance slowly change. To look in the mirror and notice new lines that time etched into your skin. Some part of him wonders what it'd be like to die of old age. He'll never die after all, not of natural means. If he was to meet his end, it'd be violent and bloody and oh so very painful.
Ironically he might fear any potential death less if he was mortal, it'd likely be less painful that way after all.
There's a long, yet comfortable, pause as Vajra reads and Asura continues to be lost in thought as he fondly observes the man, until his eyes catch on the beginnings of a wrinkle. “What is it like? Aging, I mean. Is it scary? So many seem to fear it, but I've yet to hear you complain about your own mortality.”
“Huh?” Vajra questions, looking up from the book before comprehending what the reaper asked and smiling brightly at him. It feels odd to be asked that, after all he isn't old yet. Nowhere near it in his mind. “Hm… I'm not sure how to explain it. It's not really something I think about, it's just natural after all. It happens to everyone.”
Asura glances at Vajra's smile, it always feels so infectious. One day the man is sure to have deep smile lines, and crow's feet gracing the corners of his eyes. “It won't happen to me.” The reaper comments, reaching out and running the back of his hand down his weapon's cheek.
“Oh yeah, sometimes I forget you aren't human.” Vajra jokes, catching Asura's wrist gently in his hand and leaning into the touch. He never forgets after all, even if he sometimes acts like it, he never forgets anything about his meister. Asura remains silent at the joke, eyes fixed on his weapon.
He'll never fear growing old himself, old age will never touch him, but... he has to admit he fears old age touching the one person he's unsure he could live without.
As though reading the reaper's thoughts, Vajra's expression turns curious before he hums and questions, “What will you do when I die, I wonder. You're always at my heels after all, I bet it'd be lonely without me.” As he looks into Asura's eyes, taking the rare chance to do so while he has it.
Asura's expression sours slightly at the question, not wanting to think about that, before shrugging and scooting closer to him on the bed. “I think I'd consume your body. That way you would be with me forever.” He mumbles, closing his eyes and pressing his forehead against Vajra's. He doesn't want to think about a day where the other man won't be right there, where he's permanently out of reach forever.
“That's… oddly romantic. In a way, I quess, if you ignore how strange it is. Either way, I wouldn't worry about that for years after all, im only 25.” Vajra mumbles, closing his eyes as he lets Asura rest against him.
Soon enough the reaper nods and pulls away, resting his head against Vajra's chest to listen to the steady beat of his heart as the man goes back to his book. If Asura could find a way to extend his partner's life to match his own, he gladly would, though laying here listening to his strong steady heartbeat, he finds himself starting to steadily purr instead of worrying about the future.
Vajra chuckles slightly hearing the purring, looking down at his meister. “So, since it's my birthday... Do i get to try something from this book on you?~” He playfully teases, earning himself a smack on the chest as he laughs at how red Asura's face suddenly got.