#perfect chapter five

The next day he Death had immediately found his way to his office to do some needed research and planning. He’d expect Botan would attempt to sneak in whatever facility Riaxahl was being held in as one of the scientists or guards or whoever worked there. He had printed out a map of the place, having contacted someone in the facility as another dude needing to figure out where his station was. Thank god these people are dumb-asses, Death snorted to himself and taking the paper when it finished printing. He set the paper down flat and started to mark places that were important and which were not. He circled the security room that most likely had all the monitors that showed camera views or something, while he also marked other places like vents and whatnot that would lead to Riaxahl’s room.

Lots of marking and planning later, Death looked up to check the clock. A good two hours passed which means Botan should’ve been in his office by now. He hummed and rolled up the paper, deeming it finished. Of course he had printed out an extra copy just in case. He left his office and walked down the hall towards Botan’s, passing the bloodstain that he still needs to clean.

He opened the door and found the room empty, yet the light by the desk was on. So he was here. Death sighed and walked over to the desk, setting down the rolled up paper. He was about to leave when he saw a note on the table.

I’ll be in the basement if you need me. Checking on 01.

“Lord,” Death muttered under his breath, taking the small sticky note and crumpling it before throwing it away in the recycling bin beside the trash by the door. He did actually find how funny it was seeing Botan writing in English, the man only ever writes in Russian or that weird dead language he speaks. He swore he saw him writing in mandarin once. His handwriting is so tiny and scribbly, almost hard to read.

It’s actually kinda cute.

Death nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt a hand on his shoulder from behind him. He turned to see his partner, visibly relaxing until he saw the distraught expression staining his usually blank face.

“Botan?” Death whispered, placing a hand on his partner’s shoulder. “Are you okay? What happened?” The white lines of his face contorted into confusion. He was genuinely worried for his older partner as this is the most emotion he would ever show.

Botan didn’t say anything, and neither did he take his hand away from Death’s shoulder. Instead he pulled him closer and held him tightly, resting his head into his shoulder.

“What happened?” He asked again, hoping to get a straight answer out of him. “Botan?” He asked, surprised when he heard a short sob. “Hey, man… can you at least show me what happened?” After a few seconds Botan let go of his partner, taking in a deep breath before letting it out and walking out of his office. Death quickly followed him, both entering the elevator down the hallway. The doors closed and Death’s heart sank when he saw Botan press the button that said B1. He didn’t know what happened but he knew that it wasn’t good. “Are you going to be okay?” He asked, watching their reflection. Botan may not have physically cried in front of Death (though he was close to) he could tell he did earlier. Whatever happened in the basement ruined him and such a scar probably won’t heal for a long while.

Botan did not answer. Death just hoped it wouldn’t affect their personal lives in any way.

The elevator stopped but the doors didn’t open. Death looked over to see Botan’s finger on the Close Doors button with his eyes closed. “It’s okay,” Death whispered, the lines of his face moving to a frown with his brows furrowed. He pressed the Open Doors button, opening the doors. Botan walked out first, leading Death into the foggy room they were in yesterday.

Death gasped, seeing 01’s head peeking out of the fog and lying on the floor on the side. Botan sat on his knees by 01’s snout, resting his head on the worn scales. “I…” Death couldn’t make out what to say, kneeling beside his partner and put a hand on his back. “I’m sorry,” Death whispered. He took his other hand and placed it on 01’s nose. He got a confirming nod from his partner and seconds later 01’s entire body turned gray and started falling apart into dust, displacing itself in the whole room. A heap of dust replacing what used to be a good snake companion. He drew his hand back, his other still on Botan’s back while he watched his partner grieve over his loss.

Death repositioned himself, getting comfortable on where he sat. He knew this would be a while. He sighed, Botan falling to the side and laying down in Death’s lap. “It’s gonna be okay.”

Death’s heart sank when he stayed with his partner as he was completely broken now. He didn’t know what would happen to Botan after this day, but he hoped everything would be okay soon. Sure Death wasn’t a fan of 01 but he still felt horrible about its death.