Libraries were impressive, truly amazing. Death smiled at the rows upon rows of books. Of universes trapped within the pages, where someone devoted themselves to recreate something in their mind, and put it out for the world to see. Curled up in a forgotten corner of a library, Death was surrounded by books, caught up in the fantasy of gods, witches, elves, and goblins. Of magic swords, cowboys who never slept, artists surviving on scraps, of children believing. But, that was when a human walked in unexpectedly. No more than ten human years, the human ran to the shelves, a grin on their face, as they pulled out a handful of books out onto themselves.
Death winced in sympathy as the child, who looked to be female, dropped books onto their head. She didn't seem to mind, and instead, immediately sat down, opening a random book, and began reading. The human child remained there for hours, reading aloud. She was quiet enough that no one came to investigate, or quiet her, so, Death stayed. She was a good reader, and they felt special, for a human to read to them. She struggled with longer words, but she wasn't deterred as she continued to read, her eyes flying over the pages, her mind exploring the fantasy land within a closet.
^^Death^^
Death found themselves at the library many a nights over the next decade, listening to her read. Tuesday and Thursday evenings didn't seem to be as lonely any more, as reading for fun turned into schoolwork some nights, or study sessions with humans she deemed special enough to bring to her favorite spot. Of course both sometimes missed days, but it was a ritual Death grew to enjoy, to be able to sit back and enjoy listening to her voice.
Death was absentmindedly dusting off covers of books when one of their favorite humans at the moment walked in.
The human always came to the library late at night recently, pen and notebook in hand. Their head was wrapped in a cloth of some sort, part of a human religion. She sat her notebook and pen down at the table, before moving with practiced ease to the close wall.
"So, is this more schoolwork? Or something else?" The woman was going to a university nearby now. Death had watched her grow up, a sad reminder that in a few decades, she would be gone, and here Death would still sit .
She climbed up a ladder, her fingers running along the cracked spines of the books. "Biographies, so, schoolwork then." Death sat in one of the dusty chairs next to the table, making sure to leave her favorite chair empty for her.
Going between the shelves and the table, she eventually picked out six different books, each as dusty as the last. Curious, Death stood up, looking over the covers.
"Astrologers? Well, this one is actually an architect, I think you may have grabbed the wrong book." She pulled out her notebook, and began reading. Perhaps what Death most enjoyed about her, was that she left her books open while she went between books. Making it so they didn't need to worry about someone seeing an open book by itself, or having to clean up after themselves.
"Okay, his research led to hers..." She mumbled to herself, scribbling down notes. That was another thing, she thought out loud. It made for a great illusion that she was speaking to Death.
"Burning the midnight oil again Noor?" A voice broke the silence, which was incredibly rude in Death's book, seeing as the silence was what was supposed to exist in this learning space.
"Of course, I won't graduate by doing nothing." Retorting playfully, the woman smirked at the other human. Death wasn't sure how to feel about this one, they worked in the library, and recently has become interested in speaking with Death's book buddy.
"I wouldn't call it nothing, you're always studying." Frowning, Death didn't have a problem with them doing the odd human-courtship, but it seemed to come out of nowhere. Then, a familiar weight pressed in their mind.
"Oh, it's you, Cupid." The cherub appeared in a puff of pink smoke. That would explain it, Death shrugged, watching to see how it would play out. The human's words fell to the background, as Cupid took out their bow and arrow. A pink smoke was filling up the room, smelling heavily of roses, giving Death a headache.
The two arrows were pulled back, and Cupid aimed at the soon-to-be couple. Thankfully, Cupid had improved their aim in recent years, so Death didn't need to worry about accidental love. Of course, there were always mistakes and fallouts, but hopefully this match would work well. They enjoyed this human, and wanted her to be happy.
"So, Cupid, What are you even doing in here? Don't you normally interfere at like... restaurants?" Death knew they wouldn't answer, they never did. But it didn't hurt any less as they disappeared without answering the question.
Death left soon after that, letting the humans enjoy their new relationship. And silently, Death wished for a relationship, one where someone would enjoy their company, and talk, share secrets and moments.
~~ASCD~~
Long after Noor had graduated and moved away, Death still visited the library from time to time. Lost in the records of stars and heroes, of women defying society, and animals who no longer walked the earth. They may be gone, but their memories lived on within the books, and their memories remained in the living. For a moment, Death considered visiting the tooth palace, to find her memories once more, and relive them. But, just then, a small boy walked into the library, holding the hand of a familiar woman.
"Grandma, can you read to me?" The woman smiled patiently, and went to the shelves, her hands straying to a familiar book, one of fairies and lost boys.
"Of course." She whispered, and sat in a new chair, which had replaced her old one when it broke long ago, and the boy sat on her lap. "All children, except one grow up..." and, it was like those decades hadn't passed, and a sense of familiarity settled, Death smiled. They had forgotten how much they missed her.