Ficlet: Conversation about Death - Charmed

[katikat]

Title: Conversation about Death
Author: katikat
Fandom: Charmed
Disclaimer: All standard disclaimers apply here.
Genre: gen, future fic
Words: 600
Prompt: "Death is more universal than life; everyone dies but not everyone lives." - A. Sachs.
Summary: You are a strange one, Christopher, to consider an Angel of Death a friend.
Notes: My big thank-you goes to my lovely yami_tai for her amazing beta job ;)


It's a really strange feeling to know the exact year, month and day that you'll die, Chris thought as he stood by the kitchen window, drinking his morning coffee. The day was truly beautiful outside, sun warm, spring returning once more. The last spring of his life. A truly strange feeling.

"You're thinking about it again, aren't you?"

The kind voice that whispered through the kitchen like the rustle of wings made Chris smile. "Hello, Clarence," he greeted the Angel of Death without turning around.

The black man walked around the kitchen table slowly, his steps making no sound on the tiled floor. "Am I right? You're thinking about your death again, about dying?" the angel pressed gently, his broad face affectionate.

Chris turned to him, leaning against the kitchen sink with his hip. He hugged himself with his left arm, the cup of steaming coffee in his right hand raised to his lips. "Of course I am," he answered but his voice was calm, no tremor, no fear. Strange, he thought again.

Sighing, Clarence shook his head and his eyes filled with sorrow. "You shouldn't know. You shouldn't have ever found out."

Smiling, Chris cocked his head to the side. "Second chances and all that... You always pay a price, you know that. I got to live another twenty-two years, I got to remember what happened and what could happen. I had the chance to forget, to let you and...," looking up to the ceiling, he pointed upwards, "change it, give me carte blanche but I chose not to. Too much hung in the balance and I needed my... little me," his lips curled up in a smile, "to know what to watch out for to keep Wyatt from turning evil. It was my chance to truly change the future and I had to take it."

Clarence looked at him, his face still sad. "But was it really worth it? To live your whole life with the clock ticking in the background?"

"The clock's ticking for every one of us. Some just hear it louder than others." Chris shrugged. Then he smiled again and reaching out, he patted Clarence's shoulder. "You've always been a good friend to me, always watching out for me. You shouldn't worry so much."

Chuckling, Clarence shook his head. "You are a strange one, Christopher, to consider an Angel of Death a friend."

Smiling, Chris shrugged. "Usually, you find the best friends in the most unusual places." Then he grew serious again and looked Clarence directly in the eyes. "Stop worrying about me, my friend. I'm content with my life. It doesn't matter how long you live but what you do with the time you've been given. And I have lived my life to the fullest, surrounded by family and friends." Suddenly, he grinned again. "Besides, look at Grams. She's more alive now that she's dead than she ever was before. Who knows what the future and afterlife might bring."

Clarence shook his head, his voice gentle when he spoke. "I can't help it. I will always worry about you."

"Are all Angels of Death so involved with their former... clients?" Chris asked teasingly.

"You are a special case, Christopher," Clarence assured him.

Chris smiled. "That's good to know..."

Clarence reached out and squeezed Chris' shoulder. "I will see you around then."

"I will be waiting," Chris promised.

And then Chris was alone in the kitchen again, standing by the sink, his coffee cold. Emptying the cup into the sink, Chris poured himself another one. A new day had begun.

The End

Comments

[jellicle.livejournal.com]

It always saddens to think of him dying on his 23th birthday, yet you wrote him as such a leveled calm and happy person, I can't help but smile.

Great work, darling!

[katikat.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :) I mean, in their universe, death is actually just the beginning :)

[royaljessrocks.livejournal.com]

Found this at charmedprompts This is very nice! Do you have any more Charmed stories?

I have been looking all over for decent ones, and this qualifies as a good one!

[katikat.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :) And yup, I do have other Charmed stories here (http://www.livejournal.com/tools/memories.bml?user=katikat&keyword=Fanfiction:+Charmed&filter=all). "The Wish" is still not finished but I'm determined to get that one done too *determined look*

[lostandalone22.livejournal.com]

I love your look at how Chris thinks. It's so bittersweet, but amazingly well written.

[katikat.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I so love to play with Chris. He just begs to be hurt XD

[dragonsinger.livejournal.com]

Beautifully written. I love how you portray Chris here. Excellent dialogue, excellent characterization.:)

[katikat.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm always so happy when someone likes my stories! *hugs* And also thank you for friending me! *smooch*