The Lost Souls AU (and I still sometimes do stuff)

---

“Hello, I hope I’m not- oh...” You look up from your cup of tea to see a young man in front of you. His icy blue eyes scans the surroundings. A gentle smile forms at the corner of his mouth. “I... see you have made yourself at home here.”

You glance at the lounge area you have made for yourself. You’re seated at a small round table, next to a wide window which has a view you remember seeing once when on a hike. The warm glow of evening streams in, even though time is irrelevant here. The passage of time, even if it is something you have to control manually, brings you peace.

“I suppose I have.” You respond, taking another sip of your tea. After a momentary pause, a plush chair poofs out of existence at the opposite end of your table. “Would you like something too?”

“Oh!” He blinks in surprise as he sits down. “Yes I would like that. I have always been very curious about- well...” He chuckles as he scratches his head. “That may be a story for another time. What would you recommend?”

“Hmm...” You take in his features. His eyes, which seemed cold at first, now seemed pleasant and warm. You have a feeling that he’s much older than he appears. You also have a feeling that he probably should get more sleep. “You look like you need an espresso.”

“Oh.” He eyes the steaming cup in front of him. “It is... smaller than I thought it would be. N-Not that there’s anything wrong with that!” You barely hold back a chuckle as he waves his hands quickly.

“Don’t judge something based on its size. That cup will be more than enough, I promise.”

“Are you sure?”

“Just take a sip and see.”

You lean back in your seat and watch as his eyes widen and he gives a small shudder.

“... You may have been right.” His voice comes out as a croak, while his leg starts bouncing up and down.

“Never underestimate the power of caffeine.”

“I never will again.”

---

“You know, I was thinking-”

“No, I still haven’t made my mind up yet.” You answer with a roll of your eyes.

“Oh, no, I wasn’t going to ask about that. You can take your time when it comes to these decisions.” The man who calls himself Pax smiles gently and pats your hand. “But actually... you are not the only person who is in this situation. A lot of people are like you out there, unable or unwilling to... change places. And, well, it might be a bit boring for them to be stuck in an empty void. So I was hoping-”

“That they could come over here?”

“Exactly!” Pax nods energetically. You consider removing the espresso he is nursing so tenderly from his hands. “You could make so many people happy here and-”

“Okay.” You give a small shrug of your shoulders.

“Wait, really? Just like that?” His eyes widen in surprise. It’s always funny to you how he sometimes seems like an excited little kid, a confused puppy, and an old man who has seen too many winters. Sometimes all within a single sentence.

“Yes, but on one condition: you work with me too.”

“... I...” His mouth falls open. “But... but I don’t know the first thing about running cafes!”

“Neither do I. We can suffer together.”

“But I kind of have another job!”

“You can work part-time, you know.” You take another sip. It’s so lovely how drinks never get cold here. At least, not unless you want them to be. “I’ll try not to intervene with your full-time job too much, just come by when I call out for you, okay?”

“Hmm...” He pursed his lips, then took a large gulp of his espresso. “Okay then. So how do we start?”

“... I don’t know.”

---

“And I can have any flavour I want?”

“Any flavour you want.” You tell the excited child with a smile. Her eyes positively sparkle as she thinks over the possibilities.

“Oh! Then I want... a galaxy flavoured milkshake!”

“Like the chocolate bar or-”

“No, silly!” She shakes her head with much enthusiasm. “I want one that tastes like a whooole galaxy! I want to know what stars taste like!”

Wow, kids really were something else... most adults wished for a mocha latte or something like that. You frown in concentration. Galaxies were a mix of searing heat and bitter cold. Of stardust and ice. They had the most fantastical colours to them too, with clouds of purple, blue, pink and sometimes even shades of green, yellow and red within them.

The drink ends up looking purple and shimmering, just like the stars in the night sky. You squirt some cream on top and decorate it with sprinkles, because otherwise it’s just not a milkshake at all.

“Here you go.” You hand the tall glass to the girl. “I hope you like it.”

She takes a sip. Her face falls.

“Bleh.”

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s dusty.” She pushes the glass away from her and sticks her tongue out. “And it’s too hot and too cold. I don’t like it.”

Actually, that would make a lot of sense now that you think about it. But you don’t want the little girl to be unhappy, especially since you don’t know exactly how she got here. The fact that she’s not the first child you’ve seen here doesn’t exactly sit well with you either. Not that there’s a lot you can do to change that situation. All you can do is change how enjoyable this experience is for her.

“What did you want it to taste like?” You ask, readjusting the glass.

“For my birthday party, my parents made me a galaxy cake! It was sooo pretty - I helped pour all the icing on top and I flicked lots of stars onto it!” She beamed. “It was the bestest cake ever!”

“Well in that case, I want you to close your eyes.”

“Mhm.” She obeyed immediately.

“Close them very, very tight and imagine that taste again...”

“I am!” She screws her eyes even further shut, scrunching up her nose as she did so.

“Now try the milkshake again.” You slide it across the counter to her once more. After a moment’s hesitation, she feels around for the class and takes a sip. Instantly her eyes widen and she stares down at the glass.

“How did you do that?!?!” She whispers, her voice full of awe and reverence.

“I didn’t do anything.” You reply with a small shrug of your shoulders. “It was all you.”

---

“Something the matter, Cynthia?” You ask as you replace the hot chocolate mug next to the woman with another one. Technically you could just refill it again, but there is just something nice about making or doing things yourself. It’s why you have kettles and frothing machines, and fridges for all of the milk, cream and desserts. Sure, you don’t NEED them, but they feel nice to have anyway.

“Hmm? Oh.” The middle-aged woman is roused from her thoughts, her greying hair catching in the evening sunbeams as she turns towards you. “Never you worry, dear...” She forces a smile and pats your hand, “I’m just being silly, that’s all.”

“Cynthia...” You pull up a chair and sit beside her. If this were a real cafe, you might be scolded for shirking your responsibilities to chat to one of your first customers... but this place can run itself more or less, and at any hour since people don’t need sleep or rest here. “You know that won’t work on me. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“... Nothing gets past you, does it?” She gives a wry smile and fashions some tea and biscuits out of thin air for you too. You take a custard cream and munch in silence. “Have you ever heard voices here? From other people?”

You shake your head. You have been wondering about that too, but for all you know, you have only just been rendered unconscious. Time is irrelevant here, after all. Maybe you’re still on your way to the ambulance, even now...

“I have.” She smiles softly, though her lips wobble as she does so. “I hear them all the time. My husband Ernie. My kids Lucy, Sophia, Katie and Matthew. Even some of my grandchildren. They tell me they love me. And they miss me. And they sometimes tell me about their lives. It’s the only way I can really tell how long I’ve been... here.” Her smile fades. “I think it’s been two years. And I hear mostly happy things and loving words. But, heavens, today Ernie was in quite the state.”

“What happened?” You ask, a lump forming in your throat.

“He screamed at me.” She stares down at her cup. You fashion some tissues out of thin air and she blows her nose on them. “He told me that it’s our anniversary today and he told me to wake up. And... I know I should, and I’m trying to-”

“You don’t need to force yourself. It doesn’t matter what anyone else says.” You whisper, “Take as long as you need, or else you might end up taking the wrong exit out of here.”

“I-I know...” She sniffles, “But it’s just... oh heavens, I miss them so much. There are so many smiles and moments of laughter that I haven’t witnessed. So many birthdays and celebrations. When you reach my age, it’s those family gatherings that always mean the most to you, and the fact that I am missing so much because of... this...” She gestures vaguely at herself, “And I am probably making you worry too, aren’t I?”

“Don’t you worry about that...” You huff, before pulling her in for a hug. “Focus on yourself and your own recovery. That’s the best thing that you can do for everyone, myself included.”

“But then... I’ll leave here, won’t I?”

“And that’s good.” You smile. “This is a place to have a drink and some snacks. It’s not a place to live at forever. Sooner or later you’ll have to leave, and that’s not a bad thing at all.”

“But... it’s so nice and pleasant here.” She mumbles, stuffing her half-used tissue inside of her sleeve.

“And it will be pleasant when you reunite with your family again.” Pax gently responds as he crouches down in front of her, taking one of her hands in his. You hadn’t even heard him come back again. Not that you ever did. “You still have more of your life to live, believe me. And you will see us again sooner or later. But for now there is no rush. I am sorry that your husband lashed out at you.”

“It’s fine, I forgive him. Times have been hard for everybody.”

“Including yourself.” He taps her gently on the head. “You’d best ask for an apology once you awaken again. Even if he didn’t mean it, you deserve better than to be screamed at.”

“He always apologises in the end.”

“So this has happened a lot?” Pax’s eyebrows narrow in concern.

“... Do you have any ideas or tricks so I can awaken sooner?”

“It’s... not really my area of expertise.” Pax mutters as he scratches his head. “But I think that what would help me would be to have a goal to work towards. Maybe an event. Something that you know is a few months away and that you can work towards day by day.”

“Hmm...” Cynthia gives a small frown as she thinks. “I want... to be up and about again by mine and Ernie’s anniversary next year. It will be our 40th anniversary and there’s no way that I will miss it.”

“Do you want me to serve you subpar drinks in the meantime, so it gives you more reason to leave?” Your smile widens as Cynthia laughs.

“That won’t be necessary, but I appreciate you wanting to help.”

“Any time.” You respond. “And you can stay in this cafe for as long or as short as you want. Just remember that.”

“... Thank you.”

---

“Is there anything else you want to do?”

“Hmm...” Luke stared at the ground, “I did hide and seek with my friends here, I ate all the peanut butter milkshakes I could and you gave me lots of piggyback rides too. I... think I’m okay now.”

“Are you ready to meet Auntie Ellie again then?” Pax asked as he took off his cafe apron and put on his black hoodie again.

“Auntie Ellie?” Luke’s eyes widened, “But... she’s... am I going to-”

“Hey, shh...” Pax pulled him in for a hug before the tears could start rolling down the boy’s face, gently rocking him back and forth as he did so. “It’s okay. How about you tell me about her?”

“She... she used to make the best pancakes in the world.” Luke reached out and hugged Pax back. “With chocolate chips inside and chopped bananas on top. Oh! And maple syrup!”

“Those sound delicious.” Pax chuckled. “Do you want to try them again?”

“Can I?” He hesitated, “But she’s been gone for so long...”

“She isn’t gone, she’s just been out of sight for now. Like all the socks and pens you lose. And she’s excited to see you again.” He gave Luke a small boop on the nose. “She told me so herself.”

“R-Really?! ... Oh, but what about Mum and Daisy?”

“You’ll see them again soon too.” Pax smiled and ruffled his hair. “Not right now, but soon.” Luke said nothing, but he gripped the man tighter. “Are you ready to go? It’s fine if you need more time, you know...”

“No, I... I’m okay now. I’ll see everyone again soon, won’t I?”

“That you will.”

“One last thing.” You managed to say, despite the lump in your throat. You held out a glass for the small boy, earning a gasp from him when he saw how large it was. “A peanut butter milkshake for the road ahead.”

“Oh wow, thank you!!!” He cheered as he took it, forsaking the straw and taking a large gulp at once. “It’s delicious! Thank you so so much!!”

“Any time.” You responded, eyeing the cream moustache he was now sporting, “Thank you for being a most honoured patron of our little cafe.”

“No problem!” He smiled contentedly and offered a sip to Pax who graciously accepted.

“You have good taste, young sir.” Pax grinned. “Now remember to say bye to everyone, okay?”

“Bye everyone! Thanks for having me!”

You gave a wave back and watched as he exited, still in Pax’s arms, through the back door of the cafe. Your eyes lingered on the two figures walking further and further away across the grassy hills illuminated by golden sunlight... until they disappeared from view.

So that was that, then...

You let out a breath you didn’t realise that you were holding in. You take the dirty dishes and cutlery and start washing up.

---

“You know that you don’t need to do that, right?” Pax asks upon returning, you glance out of the corner of your eye to see him lower his black hood again and hang it up behind the counter, next to where his apron was.

“There’s a lot of things I don’t need to do here.” You scrub at a particularly stubborn stain. “But I do them anyway.”

“Why?”

“You’ve been around humans enough by now,” You look up long enough to give him a brief smile, “So why don’t you tell me?”

“Hmm...” He leans against the counter and puts the glass you just finished cleaning onto the drying rack. “I suppose it’s for the same reason that you build sandcastles or dig holes when at the beach, even though there’s no point to either of them and the tide will just wash them away in the end. Humans like creating things, even if there is no point to them.”

“There is a point to those things - it’s to have fun.”

“And washing dishes is... fun?” He tilts his head.

“Not the process, no. But seeing a clean space afterwards feels rewarding. And it’s a good way to pass the time and occupy the mind.”

“I see...”

“Do you?”

“I think so.” He sighs as he puts on his apron. “But I could be wrong too and I don’t want you to tease me again if that’s the case so I’ll keep my reasoning to myself.”

“So what about you?” You ask as you see him struggle with tying up the apron string into a bow from behind. He was much better at doing it than he was when he started, but he still had some way to go yet. “You didn’t need to come here and help me out, so why did you?”

“Because I wanted to. And I made a promise, didn’t I?”

“Not really.” You both huff out a laugh at that. “It was more like a weakly veiled cry for help that you picked up on, since I’m pretty sure that threat didn’t affect you at all.”

“True, it didn’t... I guess I was just curious. What kind of person would open a cafe here?”

“Someone who was bored and wanted some coffee.”

“Then you would have just produced a cup out of thin air and that would be that.” Pax gives a small wave of his arm while his other hand starts drying up the cups. “But you went well above and beyond what you needed to.”

“Is there a problem with that?”

“No- oh, you missed a spot.”

“Oh thanks.” You dip the cup back into the wash basin again.

“But you must know... you can move on to either place if you want to. You can reunite with family members and friends on earth or in the afterlife. Why stay here?”

“Well, time doesn’t matter here, does it? That’s what you’re always saying, right? It’s why you can relax here for so long even though you have billions or trillions of lives to take care of all the time.”

“I think it’s approaching the quadrillions at this point...” Pax mutters into the now clean and dry plate in his hand.

“So I think that my answer is that... as long as there are other people here who want a cup of tea or coffee... then I’ll stay here and serve them.”

“What a lovely answer...” Pax smiles. “You’re definitely an interesting person.”

“Aww, you flatter me.” You both perk up at the sound of the doorbell ringing.