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The streets of London were shining from the recent downpour of rain they had just received. Locals were quite used to the gloomy weather and would never allow a little water to hinder their plans. One particular man had thought it the perfect weather to take a nice stroll with his partner.
Hob and Morpheus kept a comfortable pace along the sidewalk as cars sped by.
“These pricks don’t know how to drive anymore, I tell you,” Hob grumbled.
Morpheus gave a gentle squeeze to Hob’s arm where they had linked them a few blocks back. “My dear, humans have been reckless since the dawn of time and they will continue to be so until the death of the universe. It is a very human trait of your species." He said, matter of factly.
“I suppose you’re right. I did witness my fair share of reckless human behavior in my life.” Hob sighed. He thought of the many wars humanity had started. But he also thought of all the expeditions and inventions that humanity had persevered in as well.
His answer seemed to appease Morpheus judging by the small twitch of a smile he caught from the corner of his eye.
“Meow!”
“Oh! Well, hello there.”
A sleek black kitten had slipped out of the bushes to their right and began rubbing on Morpheus’ legs. Another quiet meow was followed by a rumble of purring.
“Isn’t he a beauty!” Hob squatted down to reach a hand out to the kitten. He earned a delicate sniff before the kitten lost all interest in him and returned to Morpheus’ legs. Hob stood back up with a groan. Just because he didn’t actually age didn’t mean his joints weren’t going to complain.
Morpheus rolled his eyes with a smirk. “She’s a girl. But yes, she is a quite beautiful cat.”
“And she’s quite infatuated with you. What’s up with that? I thought animals loved me,” Hob said with a laugh.
Morpheus only looked at him, his eyes sparkling with a mischief that reminded Hob that he would probably never know the depth of the man before him.
Somewhere beyond the bush came a sudden barking. There must be a backyard there then. The kitten hissed, her fur sticking up on all ends making her look electrocuted. Hob almost bent down to pick up the poor girl before she darted off the sidewalk and into the street.
Everything happened so fast.
There was a screech of tires and a shout or two from other pedestrians. And a thump that nearly stopped Hob’s heart. His hand came up to cover his mouth as he stood in shock. He turned to look at Morpheus only to find he wasn’t there. He looked back to the street and wondered how he got over there so fast. Hob jogged over to him. Morpheus was kneeling on the wet road. The kitten was in his arms. Hob knelt down next to him.
“Shhhh, it’s alright. I’m here. Everything is alright.” Morpheus murmured. He pet the poor soaked kitten with a touch so gentle that only a man made of dreams could have done it. She was shaking and her eyes flitted around frantically. Morpheus whispered more things to her as her breathing slowed to a stop and her eyes closed.
Not being able to witness such a tragedy any longer, Hob looked at Morpheus instead. All the glittering mischief from only a moment ago was gone. Replaced with a grim and serious look. A single glistening tear slid down Morpheus’ cheek. Hob had never seen Morpheus, Dream of the Endless, cry before. It made him look painfully human and that scared Hob.
……………
The streets of London were shining from the current downpour they were receiving. Locals were used to the weather. Hob Gadling was no exception. He walked down endless sidewalks. Alone. His hands were shoved deep in his pockets. He kept his eyes downcast. Rain pelted his back.
Never once in his long immortal life had Hob ever considered hanging in the towel and asking Death to finally take him. Not after his first wife died. Not after he had outlived his children. Not when he was suffering starvation and had been stabbed and burnt and shot. He always thought life had so much to offer despite the pain it brought.
Morpheus’ death made all those things feel small and trivial to Hob. It wasn’t that his wife and kids and many painful days of suffering weren’t important. Morpheus was the one constant in his never ending life. He wasn’t supposed to be able to die. That was a human trait and Morpheus wasn’t human. Could immortal beings suddenly die? What was the point of immortality if it could just change up on you in an instant?
Hob kicked at a rock in his path when he heard a meow. Looking down, he saw that it came from a sleek black kitten. She - because he was sure she was a girl - was cowering in a bush, clearly trying to stay out of the rain. Hob bent down and tentatively reached out his hand to her. The kitten leaned into his touch without hesitation.
“Meow~”
“Yeah, hey there pretty girl.” Hob sniffled. “Wanna come home with me?”
The kitten purred in response. Hob made quick work taking his jacket off, the heavy rain be damned. He’d survived much more horrible circumstances than a little water. He wrapped the shivering little kitten in his jacket and Hob Gadling began to walk back to his home.