Page 36 of Thanatos' Craving

Juniper

Fluffy’s body curled around me as I settled on the bed.

I used the bathroom, which was decorated similarly to the rest of the cave-like home Thanatos lived in. No windows, no doors, just curtains that separated the private rooms, such as the bedrooms and the bathroom.

It was interesting. Not necessarily depressing because the light that shone in the bathroom was brighter with its torches and candles spread throughout the room. There wasn’t a shower, but a bath. It was deep, carved into the cave. The rock was a deep crimson, ledges created to hold candles with wax dripping inside the pool that went at least six feet back into the cave. Lights floated at the bottom and the further you walked into the pool, the deeper it went.

I could easily submerge myself, and not fear the darkness inside, but I preferred to stay close to the edge. I wasn’t about to slip and die while Thanatos was gone. That would just put a twist in his panties.

Does he even wear underwear?

Or is he going commando under there?

He’s just bones, so if he took off his robe, would he truly be naked?

Get it together, Juni! Are you really thinking about what is under his robe?

After I took a bath, I took the time to see my reflection. I had a fading bruise on the side of my head, and the wounds on my back and stomach were nearly faded. Only a twinge of pain remained, and I had Athena to thank for that.

Athena. Thanatos. Fluffy?

Gods!I snorted. “Seriously, how did I get into this mess, Fluffy?”

Fluffy huffed and nestled his head into my side. He wasn't ferocious at all, but I could imagine if he got angry, he would be a fierce protector. I could see how scary his face could contort into something awful.

“Is Thanatos your buddy? Is he your best friend?” I cooed, scratching under his chin.

Fluffy half purred, half growled, laying his head on my stomach. He closed his eyes and that sweet whimper began when I stopped scratching his head. It sounded familiar.

“Hey, were you there the night Thanatos found me?”

Fluffy lifted his head and licked my cheek.

I gasped. “You were! The skull headed animal? What a good little beastie you are! You are always with Mr. Grumpypants, huh?”

Fluffy huffed, his chest pushed out in pride. The little caretaker of the God of Death was something.

“I’m supposed to help too now. Athena put me in charge. Can you let me help too?” Fluffy nuzzled my cheek again and laid over my body, creating a nice, weighted blanket.

I allowed myself to delve deeper into the realization, a glimmer of hope emerged as I thought about the reasons I was truly here. I came to understand that this opportunity to assist Thanatos was not a curse or a punishment, but a chance for redemption in myself. It was a lifeline thrown my way, a means to escape the stagnant life I had resigned myself to before I was taken to Fluffy Bunnies.

I’d embrace the role that Thanatos threw on me. I understood Thanatos might use me as a means to his own desires and goals. As much as Athena wanted to think he had some sort of heart inside his ribcage because he’d saved a human like me from an unfortunate incident, it was just because he thought he needed me.

And in a twisted way, it hurt.

I didn’t know him, but I liked him anyway. And I won’t lie. I wanted to be around him more than ever.

I now understood that sometimes, the greater good required sacrifices, and if my involvement could aid in dismantling the abhorrent sex trafficking rings, then I would do that. Even if Thanatos wasn’t really wanting to be that close of a friend to me.

Little does he know; I know next to nothing. I won’t be much help in that regard, but his emotions? Sure, I’ll teach him how to be happy, for Athena’s sake. Maybe I can get him to smile under that black hood.

I giggled at that. He’s so serious, so dark. Hell, he probably didn’t even have lips, but to make him laugh, I think it would be the greatest thing.

“What did you do today, Juniper?” I spoke like Athena.

“Oh, I made the God of Death laugh!” I replied.

Fluffy stared at me, tilting his head back and forth.

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