Fic Update Thread 58: the extra variety

[Mamorien]

Antediluvian (Soul Eater sequel) Pt. IV: Monody, Chpt. XIV: Thanatophobia.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/449614.../170795710

EDIT: I had places I needed to be, so posted this without including a quote.

"Anyway,” she continued when he didn't offer a protest to her observation “first day, first class, and he announces a huge project due at the end of the year. Gonna be half our grade.”

“Before the first lesson?”

“He barely let us make it to our seats. The only comfort was that he let us pick the topic. He'd compiled a list of wonders for us to choose from; real, myth, and anythin' in between. Whatever we picked, we had to show an understandin' of the 'historical impact' the wonder had on the world. How it shaped cultures and belief systems. Impacted politics. The whole shebang. And all the best hits were on the board; Stonehenge, the Great Wall, Atlantis, El Dorado, the Pyramid of Anubis-"

Which is an SE canon cut so deep I almost needed stitches.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Death flinch a bit. Just a small twitch of his brow. “...what?”

“It is of no issue.”

“Death,” her voice was heavy with warning “if you have something to say, say it.” The reaper ran his tongue on his teeth. “It's just a addendum.”

“Which is?”

“...do you know why Annubis is in ruins?”

“Oh,” Benni blinked. “Well, there's a lot of speculation. Popular theories usually blame a mad necromancer, though some point to the reckless actions of a juvenile god...” it was the way he stiffened beside her, his face angling away and his shoulders tightening, that made Benni narrow her eyes. “Wait...you didn't...”

“I was young,” the reaper's defense was quick to come, “I didn't have full control of my power-”

“Are you fuckin' serious? It was a historical landmark, Death!”

“I know, it was an accident and I was justifiably punished for my actions.”

“What, did daddy ground you?” She added a posh accent. It just felt right. The deity was silent, his eyes averted at her question. “HA! He did?!”

“It feels as though any statement I make will be incriminating, so I shall now be silent.”

“Well you deserved to be grounded. Sounds like you were a little shit.”

“There were extenuating circumstances!” A subtle whine lurked in his voice. “There was a necromancer and a disgusting pharaoh. And mummies! Numerous mummies! I likely saved the continent.”

“Uh-huh. Okay, Sweetie.” Though weaponized, the endearment felt warm falling from her lips.