Like a deer in headlights, Markus froze. She looked just like she had when he was ten. No gray in her hair, no wrinkles, no worry lines etched into her forehead from all the stupid things Markus had done over the years, nothing.

He got up and slowly walked over to her, tears rolling down his cheeks. “Mom? Is that really you?”

“Markus, honey? How did you get here? Are you okay? What happened in Japan?”

He wrapped his arms around his mother and hugged her tightly. “Gods, I’ve been wanting to do this since I got back.”

“What? Hug me? All you ever had to do was ask. You know that.” She leaned into her son’s embrace.

Andy cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, guys. We have a job to do, Markus. Miss Barton? So you’re aware, you’ll be going to a Paradise hall. You can come see your son any time he isn’t working. He will be all too happy to explain it to you at that point. For right now, though, I’m going to need you to move on your way through Processing. Markus? Do you know where her Paradise halls are?”

Markus relaxed his grip. “Yeah. They’d be… uhhh a right out of the office, then the third left?”

Andy shook his head. “No. that’s where prey animals end up. For humans, it depends on their beliefs. Come look at this.”

Andy waved him over, and Markus moved to stand beside him. “It says here your mother was Agnostic. Something is out there, but she didn’t know nor care overmuch what it was. Just tried her best to be good and kind. Which, I can see, she excelled at.” Andy smiled broadly at Markus. “For her, her Paradise is malleable.”

Directing his attention to Markus’ mother, he said, “Ma’am? Where would you like to go? Paradise with your husband, or alone?”

She thought for a moment. “I can choose?” Andy nodded. “I’d like a separate Paradise adjacent to his. Can you do that?”

Markus chuckled. “Wanna make sure he doesn’t drive you batty?”

“Yep!”

Andy smiled and typed a bit. “There we go. Head out and to the right. Third right, second left, and keep on going. If you get lost, call out for help. A SIGN will help lead you to where you need to go.”

“A SIGN? Like the guy that I saw when I got here?”

“Yes, ma’am. They’re trained to do that. I promise you ma’am, that Markus will be available more often than not.”

“Okay. Thank you, sir. Markus, I love you. I’m so proud of you for getting the job you went after. I’ll make sure to let your father know you’re here.”

Markus hugged his mom once more before he watched her walk out the door.

“Markus? You good, kid?”

Markus’ shoulders slumped. Slowly, he turned to face Andy. “Am I…good?” He laughed ruefully. “No, man. I’m not ‘good’. I just fucking watched my mother walk through that door. The only family I have left is my uncle, and he has maybe another ten good years in him. Let the next soul in. I need to speak with Death, face to face.”

“But how will you-”

“Let. Them. In.”

Andy nodded and pressed a button, and the door opened to admit a bull, who looked at Markus and thought better of engaging.

“Excuse me, sir. I need to use the restroom.” The bull stepped to the side as Markus glared at him.

The door shut, and Markus focused for a moment, then opened the door to Lucifer’s office.

Andy’s eyes went wide. “How the - Nevermind. I’ll find out later.”

“Lucifer? I’m sorry, but it’s urgent that I speak with you.”

“Markus?” Lucifer sighed and nodded. “Come in, my boy. I will make the time.”

Markus stepped in and shut the door behind him. Crossing his arms in front of his chest, he asked, “How long?”

A frown marred Lucifer’s beautiful features. “I’m sorry?”

“My mother. How long has she been dead? I’ve not gotten a message from The Park about it, so I’m assuming it’s been only a few minutes.”

“Dead? She’s passed? That’s…not right. One moment.” He pulled a thin book from…somewhere and flipped through the pages, murmuring. “Barton, Barton, Barton….Ah! Here we are.” Looking up at Markus, his face grew serious. “What I’m about to do isn’t strictly allowed, you understand? Nothing you can do will alter what will happen. You can neither hasten her demise nor lengthen her life.”

“I understand.”

“Next Tuesday at 3:07AM, your mother’s heart will beat for the final time. At that moment, your mother will die, and she will be seen here in our Space.”

“Bullshit.”

“This is the order of things, Markus. It cannot be changed.”

“Then explain to me how Andy and I just admitted her to her paradise.” Markus pointed back at the door.

For a moment, Lucifer’s face went slack, his eyes wide. “Impossible. She dies next week.”

A message pinged on Markus’ phone. Checking it, he nodded. “It’s Akane. She’s with her right now. Mom got lost. Would you like to see, sir? I’m pretty sure I can take us right there.”

Lucifer stood. “Absolutely, my dear boy. If you can do that, I will encourage you once more to read that book.”

Markus nodded and focused once more, then turned the knob. The door opened to reveal Akane, his mother, and someone he didn’t recognize.

“Markus! I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I got lost and I called out for help, and this lovely young woman said she knew you and could help. What’s going on, honey?”

“Bravo, my boy!” Lucifer leaned in and looked over Markus. “And not a drop of sweat! Did that even tax you?”

“Um… no. Not even a little.” Markus replied, drawing in on himself slightly. “Should it have?”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“I’ll say! Normally my charges are hard-pressed to even find my office. And here you go, opening my door to a section of this Space completely unknown to you. I’ve never been more proud, my boy. Fantastic!” He clapped Markus on the shoulders.

“Markus? Honey, what’s going on?” His mother just looked more confused.

“Oh! Where are my manners?” Lucifer bowed low. “Mrs. Barton? I am Death. I am pleased to make your acquaintance. Your son is my employee as of last week.”

“Last week? Oh! You’re why he went to Japan! Oh thank you so much!” She rushed over and hugged Lucifer, who just looked awkward.

“Ah… yes. Well, you’re welcome. But it is I who should be thanking you for raising such a man. He’s proven to be most capable and resourceful. However, I must ask you a question. How long have you been in this space?”

She thought for a moment. “I’d say it’s been about four, five days, now? Why?”

“Markus? Would you be so kind as to check on her?” Lucifer steepled his fingers, his mind racing.

“Huh? Oh. I’ll call The Park. Right.” Markus dialed the number and waited a moment. “Hello? Oh, hey Rai! Look, I just got a funny feeling. Can you - yeah. Okay, I’ll wait, thanks.” Placing the phone to his chest, he looked over at Lucifer. “She’s checking right now.” He put the phone back to his ear and waited. “Yeah, I’m here. She’s asleep? Okay. Thanks, Rai. Nah, everything is going fine. Just a funny feeling. Okay. I’ll talk to you later.” He hung up the phone and shrugged. “She’s sleeping.”

Lucifer peered at Markus’ mother. “You say you’ve been here for four or five days?” She nodded. “Markus, when was the last time you saw her?”

“Last night. Why?”

“And two or three days prior to that, did anything of…significance take place?”

“Not that I can pinpoint. For the past few days, Rai and I have been swapping stories of our lost loved ones whenever she’s there with mom.”

“Is that the sweet woman with the thick Southern accent? She seems so nice!”

“Yeah, that’s her. Sweet as syrup and mean as a hornet when needs be.” He looked over at Akane. “You’re gonna love her, Akane. I promise.”

Akane smiled. “If you call her a good person, then I will agree, Kuma.”

“This is the girlfriend you’ve been talking about? I see the appeal, son. I know I’m in good hands, then. Akane, was it? I’m Sherry. He hasn’t stopped talking about you since he got back.” She smiled at the younger woman.

Lucifer smiled. “I know what has happened. Mrs. Barton? Your soul has found peace while the body was still alive, and decided to move on. It isn’t common, but it does happen. Miss Ikeda? Please continue with your training. I’m sorry to have interrupted you. Markus? Let’s have a chat.”

“I’ll call you later, Akane. Bye mom!”

“Bye sweetheart!” Turning her attention to Akane, she said, “Now. You need to tell me how you two met. Don’t leave anything out!”

Lucifer ushered Markus back into his office with a smile. “Take a seat, please.”

Markus sat, his eyes widening as the last five minutes began to replay in his head. “Fuck. I-I-I-I’m sorry, Lucifer, it’s just - “ he stopped as Lucifer raised a hand.

“No. No need to apologize. You were furious, and had directed it in the only direction you felt it could have come. A logical conclusion. However, it was incorrect, as there are some things you do not know. I cannot - not without a serious reason - change the time of death for a soul. Even if I do that, I must personally Reap that particular soul. I’ve done it a few million times in the history of Reality. Each time, the decision has to be debated on by no fewer than seven Primal Powers. Maka was the most recent of them.”

“You mean… you took her life earlier than was needed? Why?”

“By a day, yes. I had a hunch about you and needed to see it through. I was right, it seems. For that reason and more, I have given you that book. You just showed me another a few moments ago. You are unafraid to stand up to people larger and more powerful than you can even imagine. That is rare in most species. You barge into my office and make a demand of me? Death itself?” Lucifer shook his head, a grin creeping across his lips. “The balls on you. I can snuff your flame with a thought. And this time, I need no consensus. You’re my employee. As such, you are outside of the standard fabric of reality.”

Markus felt his midsection shiver uncontrollably as he digested Lucifer’s words. How could he be so stupid?

Lucifer laughed. “You’ve nothing to fear. I’m proud of you, my boy! Takes courage to do what you just did. You wanted answers, and you went and took them. Read that book when you can. Ha!” He shook his head. “Let’s see… Dmitri will be on shift soon. Go to his office. I’ll talk with Andy after he’s done. Remember, once you’re done with The Ancient One, your day is finished. Go home and rest today. I’d suggest not going to see Miss Ikeda tonight. Contemplate this day. Your days should be fairly standard after today, I should think.”

Markus let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. I’m not gonna die! Not yet, anyway. “Yes, sir. I’ll talk to you later, then.” Slowly and with shaky hands, he left Lucifer’s office, seeing Dmitri’s door in front of him.

*******

Lucifer reclined in his chair. It was just a matter of time, now.

“Death?”

Lucifer turned his chair around to face his manager. “Yes, sir? What can I do for you?”

“Did you pull her soul?”

“No. I had nothing to do with it. It happened just as I said. Her soul left her shell a few days ago. It took that long to get through everything back here. That Markus was on shift was a coincidence, as far as I’m aware. Why?”

Amun sighed and sat on the edge of the desk. “I know I shouldn’t be, but I am concerned for the man. A new job, with all of its idiosyncrasies and fiddly rules; a new girlfriend who is so sweet and caring that he is unsure of how to properly navigate the relationship, and now? Now his mother shows up on his second fucking day. Just how much more can a human take? I swear, sometimes I think the Creators just want to push the boundaries of what it means to exist. Parvati’ll be livid when she finds out what just happened.”

“Don’t you mean if?”

Amun stared at Death in shock. “I’m sorry. Did you just insinuate that I keep this from her?” He shook his head. “We need to find you a partner. Let you experience what it’s like to have someone so intertwined with your life that they become part of you.”

“My apologies, sir. I only -”

Amun held up a hand, forestalling any further comments. “No, Death. It’s fine. Truly, it is. What you say would have merit if and only if my spouse were not Life itself. I cannot hide anything from Life. Just like I can hide nothing from you. Just like you cannot tell a falsehood. She will learn of it, and when she does, she will do as she always has.”

Death nodded, knowing all too well what that would entail. “Do you know what he did today?”

“Aside from confronting you about his mother?”

Death nodded.

“Enlighten me.”

“He opened my door to where his mother was lost in these halls.”

“Your door?”

Death nodded. “It’s only a matter of time at this point, sir. He has all he needs. Now we wait and let things proceed as they will.”

Amun sighed. “I only hope he can do what he’s already promised.”

“As do I, sir. As do I.”