15. Mortem

I bring us to my office first, where Morticia is glaring at me from her desk.

“Morticia, this is Candy and Krampus.”

“A pleasure, I’m sure,” she says, licking the seal of the envelope and tossing it into the air with disgust as the invitation goes out to its intended recipient.

“Candy is here to help you with the party.”

Morticia sits a little straighter, and she looks happy to pawn off the majority of her projects to Candy. Meanwhile, Candy looks absolutely delighted to be party planning.

“Well then, I like her already,” Morticia says, grabbing a chair for Candy, who takes a seat.

“I used to help the Head Cupid with some of this stuff. There’s a trick to getting invitations done quicker, if you don’t mind?” Candy says, taking the black envelopes and gold calligraphy pen from Morticia.

“Krampus and I will be right in here, if either of you need anything,” I say.

Morticia leans into Candy’s shoulder and my cupid giggles. I narrow my eyes at Morticia, but she just stares at me deadpan.

Krampus follows me into my office, and I shut the door.

“I can help them with the party if you have things to do,” Krampus says, and instead I pull out the chair across my desk, directing him to take a seat.

“I wanted to talk, if that’s alright.”

“Okay,” Krampus agrees, taking a seat and looking at my office with a scrunched nose.

Of course, this place would be plain to Candy or Krampus, it’s simple straight lines and minimal shit sitting around. Candy’s apartment was plain, but still had standard Cupid decor. Meanwhile Krampus’ home looks like Christmas was swallowed up and shit itself out.

“I know both of us have been alone for a long time and that this will all be an adjustment. I’m fully in. Candy is mine, we share her. But I was hoping to see if something beyond apathy could grow between us.”

“Apathy?” Krampus says with a laugh. “Were you feeling apathetic when you bent me over last night, Mortem?”

My jaw ticks and it’s clear Krampus likes the idea of making me squirm, but I won’t give him that satisfaction.

“I guess apathy is the wrong word for when I had you face down, drooling on the floor while I spread your needy hole open. I suppose, I’m asking for a definition as to what this is. Candy will remain the priority. I believe she needs more affection and intimacy than either of us, but I was hoping you’d be open to this being more than a sexual relationship. I’d also understand if friendship and the occasional helping hand is all you want.”

I take a deep breath after my speech, feeling like a fucking idiot. I should have just let things remain the same and see how they progressed. But I couldn’t. When I’m all in on something, I’m all in.

Krampus stands, walks around my desk and leans his pert ass against the edge, his one leg nearly between mine.

“Is this only for Candy’s sake?” he asks, and I shake my head quickly.

“Candy is the glue in all this. I can’t deny that. You’re handsome, and despite this similar darkness we share, your soul seems lighter than mine. I’d like to understand you better.”

He tilts his head as he looks at me.

“I accept,” he says easily, leaning down and placing a delicate kiss against my lips. “Just so you know, I want to get to know you and your soul, too. I think both of us have a lot to work through when it comes to how we see ourselves. I think together with Candy, the afterlife might just be a little less dark.”

He kisses me once more before glancing at the mound of paperwork on my desk.

“You know, I am retired, if there’s ever any help that you need.”

My first instinct is to tell him no and go about my work day. But then I think back to how excited Candy was to help me with this event. If the tables were turned and I could help Krampus, I would want to. So why is it so hard to ask for help on my end?

“I have some reapers who need to be dealt with for not showing up for soul collection,” I tell him.

A wide grin spreads over his face. “You know I’ve been in the fear business for a few centuries now. It’s a bit of a hard habit to break,” Krampus says. “The idea of scaring the piss out of immortal beings who deserve it does sound rather appealing.”

Without thinking too hard about it, I hand him the three files before tossing him a small quartzite stone in the shape of a heart.

“If you ever need to portal to Cupidale, that will take you there.”

Krampus holds it in his hand and glances back up at me. “So all of us have access to all three realms?”

“It seems only fair.”

Krampus grabs my chin, and I’m proud of myself for not immediately ripping my jaw away.

“I’ll see you later, boyfriend,” he says, placing another quick kiss against my lips.

I expect a quick portal, but instead all I hear is clapping and I lean to the left, looking past Krampus, to see Candy holding her hands against her heart and her eyes nearly filled with tears.

“Look what you’ve done,” I tell Krampus, who laughs.

“Sorry, Candy, darling, I have some reapers to punish,” he says, moving away from my desk to kiss the top of Candy’s head.

“Does this mean what I think it means?” Candy asks.

“It means we’re all going to the party together. It means we’re figuring this out as it goes,” I interject.

“It also means Mortem wants to fuck me,” Krampus says with a wink before popping away to do my bidding.

“I didn’t hear you come in,” I say, clearing my throat and adjusting my paperwork.

Candy rounds my desk and steps between my legs, forcing me to pay attention to her.

“This is what you want, right? Me, Krampus, the cottage, this party?” she questions.

I grab the back of her thighs, kneading her soft flesh.

“The party I could do without, but I think it’s the change Purgatory needs. As far as you and Krampus, I think you are both what I want and what I need.”

She wraps her arms around my neck and hugs me in a way no one else ever has. Being sexual with someone was always what I considered intimacy, but this is far different. It’s more than I could have imagined. Candy holds me tight, and I hold her back. No intention except for a physical, reassuring touch.

When she pulls away, she cups my face.

“I love you, Mortem.”

I blink at her, letting the words slither their way through my mind.

This sweet, precious cupid loves me, a wretched reaper trying to find his way.

“You don’t have to say it back right now. It’s not why I said it. I just wanted you to know that you’re loved and I see you growing, I see you trying and, despite what you may think, you’re actually quite easy to love. Now, Morticia and I already got the invites out, she is taking me shopping, and then we’re decorating near the river. I’ve already organized for the event tents to be put in place because Morticia said it rains a lot here. Is there anything you need before we go?”

I stare at her, dumbfounded that she just dropped those words and is now talking about planning an event. Like an idiot, I just shake my head. She smiles at me, pressing her palm to my cheek and kissing me before turning around and walking out the door to hang out with my assistant, who hates everyone.

There’s no way I deserve her, or Krampus, but I’m going to try like hell and be a man who does.