Chapter Text
All around him, the bright lights and cheery laugher of festival goers invaded his senses, an overwhelming cacophony that stirred he unwell mind. Something dark lingered in his thoughts since that day, the tiniest sliver of doubt that plagued him. The whimsy of the festival, it did not reach him this year, even with his partners near. As such, Odette, the lovely woman she is, quickly noticed the awful glances the white-haired scientist had been making at his own hand. She clasped said hand, whisper sweet promises into his ear as a way of distractions.
It worked, just enough for the two wander and embrace.
Only after, when meeting with rest of their party, did he feel himself slip. Conversation flowed, laughter and a few chaste kisses exchanged, and suddenly, Mitya was himself again.
"Mitya!"
Ah, the lovely call of his most beautiful Vodyanitsa, did Mitya answer with a smile. "Yes?"
"Look!"
Look he did, his own stunning eyes following from her finger tip and onto a rather delightful treat.
"Do you want it?" He asked.
"If I may." The fae flushed sweetly.
Something warm worked it's way into his heart, as it did on regular basis when splurging on his partners every whims. Mora found its way from his deep pockets and into the seller's palm, in exchange, his lovely girlfriend had her treats. She thanked him with a kiss and off they went.
Making their way through the crowd, Mitya let his eyes wonder to many a trinkets when Vodyanitsa brought attention to them. Many such trinkets have found their way into to-go bags and Mitya had no problem carrying the load.
Eventually, the pair came across another in their party, Alyosha. To no one's surprise, hunter was at the stalls, rifle in hand and of course, testing his luck. Now, Mitya didn't think his hunter wanted the prizes, he just wanted to show off. Mitya wasn't complaining; his eyes appreciating Alyosha's form, the way he stood, that sharp look in his eye when looking down the sight… No, certainly not.
With another partner acquired, they were off to find Odette as she had slipped away after the union of the party. Honestly, Mitya's mind had long forgotten the reason why they had all split up in the first place. No matter, all was right in the world when Odette rejoined.
It was late that night that dreadful man, Valeriy, sought him out. Didn't that workaholic man know he was basking in the warmth of the people he valued most in the world? Either way, Mitya knew work would come creeping back, he had just hoped that he wouldn't face it when he was finally out of his own mind.
"If you must take him." Odette had replied when Valeriy showed. "Then so be it."
Vodyanitsa was more vocal about the blatant theft of her partner, whining about how unfair it was. Mitya had agreed, only for Valeriy to shush him. Alyosha did not fight, he had simply taken Mitya's side.
"I have no intentions on stealing him away," Valeriy stated. "I simply need to speak with him privately."
A slender brow rose on Odette's perfect face. "If it's about the project, surely you can speak with all of us? We are involved."
"Some more than others." Valeriy's piercing stare caught Mitya's, then his gaze moved onto Alyosha. "Some less than others."
Alyosha frowned, folding his arms across his chest.
Mitya spoke. "I understand."
The two stepped away. Only when the other's couldn't hear did Valeriy speak.
"Have you thought of anything?"
Mitya's lips pursed thinly. "… what?"
Valeriy's eyes narrowed into slits. "About the project—"
"No." Came Mitya's firm answer.
"… No?"
Mitya did not answer. Valeriy looked perplexed.
"Then, I fear you've been given a new task on top of the project."
Just like that, that darkness he manged to chase away gnawed at his mind once more. Mitya narrowed his eyes, knowing fully well that Valeriy understood how dangerous it was to let him think. It was the forefront of his mind since it was revealed, he could never escape the terror that consumed him. Him, only him, causing unnecessary death. If it were just him, he could live with that, but dragging his partners into it…?
"I'm ordered to not think." He answered, a chill running through his body.
Was she listening? Watching? Something prickled under his skin. Was she in Alyosha again? Odette?
"You've been officially tasked to find a way to get rid of her."
His fists clenched, his brain suddenly stirring to life. How could he possibly take down the Ruler of Death? He had personally took her on, blinded by a simmering rage by her blatant, disgusting use of his lovers body. He hardly though about anything else, didn't even realize how truly small he felt, how he barely had a moment to cope with, at time, the very real loss of his loved ones.
"I refuse."
"Mitya, now is not the time to play games. You've been ordered to—"
"I refuse."
A tense silence fell between them. Mitya's head hung, his shoulders squared up, a painful tension forming in his muscles. Valeriy's piercing, questioning stare burned.
"I don't make the orders, Mitya." Valeriy spoke, his voice uncharacteristically gentle and knowing. "I follow them. You follow them."
He knew that. Mitya's shoulders sagged.
"Figure out a way," Valeriy repeated. "Then, you'll no longer be a danger."
To them goes left unsaid.
Mitya's head lifted just as Valeriy disappeared, his heart thundering and his brain in a sudden minefield. Any thought he had, it was a weapon again.
I cannot kill them again. Mitya found his own limbs wrapping around himself. Knowing himself, once he had a task, he'd complete it. But, with one look towards his partners conversing amongst themselves, an overwhelming web of former ideas gripped him.
I'd much rather kill myself than harm them.
Snezhnaya be damned.
So, without a word, he slipped away.
Weeks.
Gods, Mitya hated this. Hated being away from his partners, hated the fact he would come back to life without the comfort of the people he needed most. He missed the hot meals that Alyosha could whipped up seemingly out of nowhere, he missed bathing with Vodyanitsa and how she would fuss over his hair and sleep schedule. He missed Odette's warm words, praising him and dotting on him just as much as he does for all of them.
He couldn't die. He knew he couldn't. That damned women herself had said as much.
Yet, waking up cold and scared, Mitya briefly wondered if he should get rid of the source of his strife: himself. But, just thinking about his lovers, how, after this was all over, he could fall in bed with them again, plan dates and be himself without the fear of Death hovering…
Shakily, Mitya lifted himself from the floor once more. His mind churning from realizing death once more, he trembled. Something cold gripped him, but he's long since ignored it.
"Hey, Ruler of Death…" His gaze shifted, looking into a shattered mirror across from him. A flicker of something dark caught his eye.
There you are.
He grinned. "You cannot run from me forever."
Silence.
"Heh, one more time. You can me."
He wracked his brain once more, reality slipping.
…So what if he looses his mind?
As long as he never discovers the truth. She smiled, albeit forced.
"Very well, little scientist. Please, do enlighten me for a while, will you?"