Casper was a man who was always full of himself.

Quiet but calculating. As if knowing exactly how to be several steps ahead of whoever it was that he challenged in anything. But at the exact same time, he was overly so. It was a competition in his life, always. Ironic for death itself, yes?

Casper would never admit it, but he thought so, too.

While being the one to tear people’s souls away so violently, he would still remember the way that little boy in the hospital looked at him. The way that child had given him the present he cherishes still, even enough to sleep with it - Azrael was like an omen to the overly confident reaper; one that would make his every decision waver before doing it.

Did this soul deserve the harshness of its end, did it deserve a little longer to cherish with its family?

It felt unnatural for the reaper to question his orders - but it’s not like he hadn’t done it before.

Casper could only take so much push and shove before his own conscience shined through faulty moments like this - moments where his eyes would lock with a soul’s before he would regretfully reap them. “Too young,” he’d find himself whispering. “They were too young.”

But this was different.

You weren’t a kid, unlike the other souls he had reaped; you weren’t sick, unhealthy in any way, or being attacked. You simply escaped death, and your soul was bountied. So, he’d make his bet with you; a week. He had a week to claim your soul, and if he didn’t, you’d take his.

It was a horrific thought to the reaper, losing his life in order to take anothers. It made him feel… huh. What an ironic situation.

But slowly, with every stupid joke you’d make - every “soul baby,” this and every horrible nickname that, the cold pound in his chest would happen. One that would make his face flush warm and his fingers move to click ‘end call’ on his mouse.

He couldn’t end up like the last reaper that fell in love with a human - he couldn’t go back to the harsh and physical punishments if he broke the rules, but-... What an absurd thought.

For you, he’d break all the rules.