The past year following the Kishin's defeat had been rather uneventful for Death The Kid. Sure, he did still go on missions assigned to him by his father from time to time, but that was not really what he would call exciting anymore. It was basically business as usual for him, which made sense, seeing as how it is pretty hard to top fighting against the DWMA's worst enemy. Nowadays he spent a lot of his time studying, either in classes, the library, or in his room. Mostly the first two, as it was easier to study when Patti was not barging into his room yelling about giraffes or some other absurdities.
He was doing all this because his father felt that it was time that he began learning the ways of being a Death God and the headmaster of the school. Kid tried asking him why now was a good time specifically, but Lord Death just told him that he would learn soon enough. Kid was still suspicious, but didn't question his father further, seeing as how this was still an important responsibility he would have to take up in the future, so he decided to not ask about it anymore and just got to work. That was why he saw himself in the library, late at night, studying as much as he could, from the history of the school, to foreign relations, to school protocol. He was the only one at the place now, all the students and staff having left for the night, save for his father, so he didn't really have to worry about making too much noise. However, he would get someone else joining him for the night as he heard the door to the library open up. He looked up to see the older of his weapon partners, Elizabeth Thompson.
"Hey Kid." She greeted simply enough as she made her way to his book-covered table.
"I did not think that you would ever come here this late," Kid commented. "I would assume Patti would be the one to come here, since she seems like the type of person that could study more to improve her grades." Liz chuckled at his remark.
"I'm pretty sure the last thing on Patti's mind is studying," she replied before getting serious. "You have been spending a lot of time just by yourself. Studying. Late at night. Not socializing as much with other people."
"Liz, if you are concerned about my wellbeing, I appreciate it, but I am perfectly fine."
Liz could tell that he was putting up an act. From his slightly messy hair to the barely noticeable bags under his eyes, he clearly needed to take a break. Granted, he was the son of Lord Death, meaning that he was a young reaper and could take on more than your average human, but her point still stood. It was clear that all this endless studying was taking its toll. Even gods needed breaks every once in a while. She was pretty confident that Lord Death slept at the school. Either that or maybe he always drank a large amount of coffee, which would explain why he could be so energetic at times. Nevertheless, the point was that Kid needed to get himself away from the books, if even just for one night.
"I think you need to look at yourself in the mirror," she actually did hold one up for him to look at himself. "You look like shit."
Kid didn't really mind. "This will all be worth it in the end." He went back to work immediately. Liz just sighed.
"Kid, I know that this is important and all, but I'm pretty sure that even your dad will want you to take a break."
"I'm sure father will think otherwise."
"Actually Kid, I agree with Liz on this." Kid and Liz looked at the entrance to the library to see Lord Death standing there.
"Father, this is an important assignment that I have to do. I cannot afford to take any breaks." Lord Death was not convinced by his son's words.
"I know that this is important Kid, but just because something is of utmost importance doesn't mean that you should overwork yourself," Lord Death walked closer to the two at the table. "I never said that you weren't allowed to take breaks, and from how you are beginning to look, I would say that you need one right about now."
"Listen to him," Liz advised. "You need to stop looking at all these books and junk for a moment. You are beginning to push yourself too much."
Lord Death made his way back to the door. "At the end of the day, it is your choice as to whether you want to take a break or not, but as your father, I highly recommend you take one. Good night you two." He made his exit, leaving the meister and weapon alone once again.
Liz looked back at Kid, who was about to start going back to his studies. She sighed again and put her hand on his, taking it away as he was reaching for a book. She didn't take her hand off his. Kid tried reaching for another book with his free hand, but like the previous time, it was stopped by Liz. Finally, Kid looked up at her, and he could easily see the concern in her eyes.
"Please take a break." That was all she said. Those four simple words.
He had to admit it to himself this time. He was feeling tired. Countless hours studying and many sleepless nights on top of his regular work as a meister meant that he did not have that much time to simply rest, if any at all. On top of that, he did feel rather isolated from everyone else ever since he started his heavy studying. He didn't really talk with Maka, Soul, Crona, Black Star, or Tsubaki anymore. The only people he ever really interacted with these days were Liz and Patti, and even that was stretching it since they only ever did so on missions. Perhaps Liz and his father were right. Maybe he did need a break. Besides, just one night off wouldn't hurt.
"Alright," Kid finally responded. "I guess a break won't be so bad." Liz's look of concern turned into one of joy and satisfaction.
"Thank you Kid." Both weapon and meister proceeded to clean up the pile of books and supplies before making their way out of the school and back to Gallows Manor, otherwise known as their home. Used to be just Kid's, but now that Liz and Patti were a part of his life now, it was their home too.
It was getting close to midnight by the time they got done with cleaning. Everybody was pretty much asleep now, with maybe a few exceptions here and there, but for the most part Death City was rather quiet at this time of night. The moon was the only source of noise, what with its constant state of laughter. Even then though, it was more like an echo for the people below it. Liz couldn't help but look up at its smiling face, not exactly in fear, but more so in curiosity.
"You ever wonder why the moon is the way it is?" She asked. Kid followed her gaze upward.
"I'm not really sure myself," he admitted. "I don't even think father knows. Same with the sun. They just are like that I suppose."
Liz decided to change the subject. "It's a rather nice night out." Kid nodded with a smile.
"That I agree with. I find most nights to be pleasant. Same with most days."
"What exactly do you find unpleasant about the time of day?" She questioned. Kid took a moment to think things over.
"I wouldn't exactly call any of my feelings towards the time of day unpleasant in any way," he answered. "There are certainly times that I prefer over others, but I wouldn't say any of them are repulsive or anything." Liz took his answer without questioning him further. She looked back up at the golden moon again, and that was when something came to her mind.
"Hey I just noticed that you didn't freak out over the moon being asymmetrical."
As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she clamped at shut as she saw Kid stop in his tracks. For a moment, everything was quiet around them, and Liz's anxiety over triggering his OCD was through the roof. After what seemed like ages, Kid finally looked up at her, and to her surprise, he was as calm as ever. In fact, he had a smile on his face and his body looked as calm as it usually was. This was definitely not something she was expecting.
"Father told me to see some counseling from Professor Stein," he explained. "It has worked so far, although it still pops up from time to time." She was not aware about this. This just showed her how much time he spent away from everybody else.
"Well, that's great to hear Kid, I'm happy for you!" She told him, giving him a hug. Kid happily returned it back. After standing there for a few moments, they pulled apart, Liz with a smile on her face.
"It's nice to have you back Kid."
Kid laughed. "I never left Liz." Liz's smile turned to a grin.
"Certainly felt that way for a while."
Kid didn't deny that. With how long he had been away from everybody, it was honestly a breath of fresh air, no matter how much it should have. He missed interacting with his friends. He missed Patti yelling about giraffes. He missed Black Star boasting about becoming better than him. He even missed stuff like Maka's chops to the head. He wasn't going to deny Liz's words. He was just as glad to be back as much as she was.
The walk back to Gallows Manor was filled with a bunch of casual conversation. Ever since Kid started studying a year ago, he knew very few about what happened with Liz and Patti, or anybody else for that matter, so that gave them a lot to talk about. The topics usually came from Liz, since Kid's days were very formulaic and not having much to converse about. Not that Kid minded. After today, the last thing he would want to talk about were his studies, so he was perfectly content with talking about what Liz was interested in as they made their way back to their home. Once they did, Kid got something he should have seen coming, yet was still rather surprised.
"Hey Patti, we're home." As soon as those words left his mouth, he was knocked outside as Patti clung herself at him in a tight hug.
"Kid! You're back!" She exclaimed as she smothered her face into his outfit in absolute joy, like a child opening up a Christmas present and getting exactly what they wanted. "I missed you!"
"Likewise Patti," Kid struggled to get his words out as his lungs were being crushed by Patti's grip. "Patti, I need air. Please get off me." She had no reason not to.
"Okay!" As soon as she got up, she dragged Kid inside of their huge home. "Come on, I set up a movie night for all of us!" Liz giggled at her younger sister's excitability as she followed them both inside.
The rest of the night was filled with popcorn, cheer, and fun. Everything that Kid had been lacking for a while. As important as his responsibilities were in becoming the next Death God and taking his father's place, he was still young. Death the Kid. He was Death, but he had to remind himself that he was also a kid at the moment. If he was still a kid, then he was going to savor every last moment of his life at the moment, as he wasn't sure of when it would come to an end. Life was precious, even to the reaper.