Life lived in a small house by a lush forest and opened field.

It was rather run down, bricks cracked and weathered, vines running up the walls.

It wasn't much, but to the goddess it was her home.

She spent her time and effort into caring for the floral and fauna.

At the moment she was doing just that. A small watering can in her hold she gently dampened the ground around a blooming garden.

She hummed quietly, swaying as she listened to the forest around her.

A soft breeze rolled through the trees, the lovely song of birds, babbling of the nearby brook-

She jerked up. Hum cut silenced.

Someone had entered her realm.

The violent magic the intruder gave off almost made her believe Death had decided to drop by. But this soul was much more sinister. Much more corrupted.

And it was headed her way.

Setting her watering can down she hurried to the nearest tree. She cursed herself for being a coward but she'd rather be covered than be out in the open.

Life pressed herself to the bark of the oak she hid behind, listening to the not so far off rustling of something moving towards her.

The birds were quite. The air felt still.

Hesitantly she peered from being the tree.

Across her garden, mostly hidden behind the lush foliage of the forest, was the Destroyer of Worlds.

Life bristled in fear and anger.

The destroyer was something even her friend, Death avoided.

There he stood, eyes searching around her garden.

He was looking for her. She could feel it.

For what? She could only think of the negative.

Suppressing a growl, she raised an arm. A ball of flame ignited in her hand, ready to be deployed.

If the destroyer wanted her, he'd have to fight. She wasn't going down easily.

She turned fully, ready to strike without hesitation.

And yet she halted.

The flame in her palm flickering out as the dreaded creature stepped out of the brush.

In his arms was a child. Wrapped in a pale blue blanket.

Soul so small and frail, she almost didn't sense it.

Her mind spun on the possible reasons on why he was carrying such a precious charge.

Was the child a bargaining chip? If so, what could she possibly have to give or do for him?

Was he going to mock her with the lost of her own child?

Torment her by forcing her to witness another child's death?

Did he even know he was in her realm?

Life watched silently as he made his way unknowingly closer to her. It was a good opportunity for a surprise attack.

She looked the other up and down, coming up with a plan. A way to grab the child and run to safety.

Just a few more steps and she could-

The destroyer stopped. Just after stepping into the sunlight.

The infant had begun to fuss. Tiny hands wiggling as they began to cry. Obviously bothered by the sudden brightness.

Her soul stopped. She awaited for the other to strike the child. To growl and yell for the child to be quiet. To even ignore them.

What she didn't expect was for the destroyer to press the child closer to himself and gently comfort them.

She watched in stunned silence as the destroyer rubbed the infants back, giving low hums and hushes.

"What's wrong little bastard? Suns to bright for you?" The destroyers words were harsh, yet he said them with a soft caring tone and shifted the blanket to cover them more.

Life held her breath.

Maybe he.... no, it was impossible right?

But....

There was no doubt. The way the destroyer gazed down at the infant- he had to.

She took a step into the light and cleared her throat.

The mega glitch jerked his head her way.

"Destroyer." Her voice was firm, hiding her fear.

Mismatch eyes narrowed. "Goddess of Life."

She took a hesitant step forward. "What brings you here?"

The destroyer look hesitant for a moment before speaking. "I... need help. I need a caretaker for my... offspring."

Life froze slightly.

So her speculation was correct.

The destroyer has a child.

"May you tell me why, please?" She said softly, gesturing to him and the child.

The destroyer looked confused.

"Why do you need a caretaker?" She explained.

He narrowed his eyes. "I have a job to do. Ridding the Multiverse from the abominations plaguing it takes time. So I need someone to watch it. Leaving it alone for that long, especially in the Antivoid, isn't good. I don't want it to get hurt or starve and I not be there." His voice betrayed his stern look by wavering at the mention of the infant being alone or hurt.

Life cringed at the destroyers talk of his 'job' and him calling the child 'it' but slowly softened at the others reasons.

It was a genuine and so very familiar.

The goddess closed her eyes for a moment.

She could remember when Death came to her door. Concern and desperation for the health of his suddenly pregnant mate.

Back then she hated him for his job. She had turned him away because of her hate at the risk of his mates and child's life.

Thankful she snapped out of her pettiness before anything bad had happened.

Opening her eyes she looked to him, his murderous gaze, his battle scars, his clothes long since stained in blood and dust, his jagged claws that have killed millions..... so gently holding the child.

She couldn't turn him down. She couldn't let this child be harmed purposely or accidentally because she didn't like the things their parent had done.

For something they couldn't control.

Not again.

Not.

Again.

Ever so gently she smiled at him. "How about we get out of the sun and heat? I have a fresh pie cooling. We can discuss the details over a slice and a cup of ice tea."