Smile, Pluto!

Getting Pluto to take their mask off is impossible. 

Getting Pluto to even smile and witness it? Even more so.

Their lovers knew this, which is why it was so hard to just get a picture of the three. Sure, they’ve had pictures before, but to Zvjezdana’s frustration, not a single one had the necromancer’s smile. Each one had their resting bitch face and for fuck’s sake even Nur smiled at least sometimes!

Managing to hook said healer oddity into this mission, Zvjezdana was determined to get a single photo of the “midget reaper” with a smile.

But the first objective was to get the mask off and the large guardian wasn’t even sure if that was possible considering where they were. The two wanted to see Pluto’s birth village and Pluto obliged without protest. 

“I’ll offer you a tour,” they made their way to the front to lead the two, “it’s been a while.”

If a while was years. 

The village from Pluto’s retelling was rather drab, misty, and dark. It was a somber place befitting of an apathetic, stoic Noxiie.

But now? With the autumnal chill setting in and the plague long gone, that was not the case. It was blanketed with fog, giving that misty look still—but the lanterns that hung around the lamp posts were various of ghoulish shapes that one could find adorable. The people were tired but happy, wary but welcoming—especially when spotting Pluto among them. 

Pluto was a hero, a Noxiie involved in taking a villainous group trying to take over the world.

(But no one talks about how the mastermind of said group is married to Mercury’s brother—who was also a part of said group.)

It seemed like colors were starting to fill the village as life started to seep into the people. Some still wore masks, and many were cautious but all were nothing but kind and welcoming.

They were staying for a couple of days. Pluto’s suggestion.

(“There’s not much to see here.”)

And they were right. There wasn’t much to see. A shabby in, houses with gardens enough to feed whoever loved there, and...a cemetery.

A huge cemetery.

Complete with tombstones and all. 

According to the super short Noxiie, since burying everyone individually would take a long time—holes were often dug in advance along with the tombstones made. No coffins or cask tees were instructed. The body was simply laid there and buried. 

She asked about their parents and they only shrugged.

(“Long gone”)

Pluto states that they were lucky. Some never got parents and those doomed to be breeders tried to keep up with the plague’s kill rate before they too were infected.

And that was the end of that. 

The tour was short and dinner was at the inn, which was a stew that had vegetables grown in the garden and whatever they could hunt or forage. The taste...? Well, it wasn’t great.

(The innkeeper was pleased with Nur’s knowledge from the amount of vegetation they foraged.)

Despite the not-so-tasty soup, Pluto let out pleased hums as they ate.

Long story short, the trip was a bore. It wasn’t great. But it was quality time with Pluto and it was their way of showing love.

Zvjezdana wasn’t very pleased to gain only a few photos from the trip, and now they were at the cemetery with some supplies to clean tombstones.

And a picnic basket because what was more romantic than a picnic at a cemetery? 

After hours spent scrubbing down and cleaning tombstones, they took a picnic break on the hill overlooking a good chunk of the cemetery. At least the sandwiches they got were more decent than the stew they had for dinner. With a bit of convincing, both got Pluto to remove their mask. 

It was something they were both grateful for, as Pluto often kept the mask on due to the tattoos on their face. 

The picnic was quiet, both Pluto and Nur listening to Zvjezdana talk. She found herself getting carried away, doing enough of the talking for the other two.

Then...

“Pluto.”

And the sound of a camera shutter.

The necromancer looked at Nur, blinking rather owlishly.

Zvjezdana, who was confused, was given the camera.

There was their beloved reaper, an expression so uncharacteristically soft and fond—listening to her talk. 

And even better.

A dreamy smile on their face.