The Healer (Death/Muerte x Female!reader)

Chapter 23: Growing numbers

The moon was full and bright, looming over the area like a ghost. The silver furred lobo sat on the rooftop of the casita, looking up at the sea of stars. He enjoyed the new sounds of the village that joined his new normal. The village was a bit more repopulated than planned after Maori and Corlis moved and helped rebuild. With Corlis' elemental abilities, Maori and Cody's magic, the homes and buildings were quickly rebuilt in a matter of weeks. Muerte and Corlis handled whom they allowed to move into the village. A young man named Javier had been allowed to assist Maori in turning the old church building into a small hospital of sorts. Coincidentally, he was an alchemist that was also blind in one eye, but the two got along greatly. He admired Maori and Corlis for how kind and welcoming they were to him when he stumbled into the village half alive. He'd been in very rough condition when Cody found him collapsed just outside the recently built walls around the area. Starved to bones and on the brink of death, Maori refused to turn him away. After he recovered enough to speak to them, he'd been ever so thankful for them that he asked to stay to repay his debt. They assured him he had none, though he was permitted to stay as long as he harmed nobody and helped out where needed. His story was a tad similar to yours. Lost his family and was orphaned as a child, though lacking the magic to help him out. Nobody had ever welcomed him before, as he was born with one eye completely white from not fully developing, everyone he came in contact with assumed him bewitched or cursed. Everybody he met in the small area, at the time consisted of just Maoris' family and Muertes', was so warm and happy to have him around that he couldn't help but beam with joy every time he saw another person.

The sounds of nearby animals in small areas where trees had been cleared to make room for them, the fountain in the center of town that had been repaired, the few people whom walked around at night and enjoyed the cool air. It was bliss to have a home and feel normal in it for the first time in a century or two. Muerte was pulled from his thoughts by you grunting as you tried to pull yourself up the ladder. Quickly standing and going to you, he gently grabbed your arm and pulled you up, startling you. He held you to his chest as best he could past your baby bump. You looked up at him, blushing. "H-hey amor, what are you doing up here? It's late." He just chuckled and pet your hair. "And what are you doing awake? You haven't been much of a night-owl as of late." You looked away, pouting. "I was waiting for you.." He scooped you up bridal style and jumped off the roof. You held him tightly, feeling only a soft jerk as he landed softly onto the ground. He carries you into the casita so the two of you could rest for the remainder of the night.

The next morning, you were outside caring for your garden while you waited for Cody to come and check on you like he did every day. Plucking a few strawberries from the vine, a voice suddenly calls out to you. Looking up from your plants, you see a well built person standing on the other side of the small fence you have around your garden.

They had chestnut brown hair with splotches of silver throughout. Their skin was mostly caramel toned and littered with peach spots all over. Their orange and purple eyes stared at you as they clutched the bag slung over their shoulder. "¿Disculpe, señora? ¿Puedes decirme dónde estoy?" (Excuse me, ma'am? Can you tell me where I am?) Their voice sounded slightly feminine, still kind though timid. You set your berries in the small basket before rising to your feet. You smile as you step a little closer to them. "¡Sí! Estás en nuestro pequeño pueblo que aún no tiene nombre. ¿Cómo te llamas?" (Yes! You're in our little town that has yet to be named! What's your name?) They smile at you, releasing the tight grip on their bag. "Regan Segunda Oportunidad." You offer your hand to shake, they reach out and grip your hand with their own, their skin up to the wrist mostly peach. "Do you speak English, Regan?" They nod, shaking your hand and pulling away. "You say the town has yet to be named, it is new?" You giggle, starting to blush. "Yes, we only started restoration a few weeks ago. It's insane to see how far we've come! There's already three doctors, a hospital in the making, we hope to have a school house if more children move here. A library and a store as well. We're surprisingly doing amazing." They started to laugh at your words, making you smile. "That's good. It's nice to see a new place being born in this world. Speaking of being born, may I ask when you're due?" You look down at you bump, smiling bigger. "Oh any day. Just waiting for the little one to make their grand entrance now. Anyway, what brings you here? Just passing through?" They take a deep breath before looking at you. "To make things fast, I'm clearly very different and I just need a safe place to live. I'm sorry, was that weird?" They look away, nervously playing with their fingers. You can feel the emotions of fear and stress coming off of them, the desperation and exhaustion. Your heart aches slightly as you step over the small fence and gently setting a hand on their shoulder. "No, it's okay. Let's go get you taken care of. My buddy Cody will be more than happy to help you out."

Cody was in one of the once dilapidated houses, installing the stained glass windows that he and Corlis made together. While he was working, there was a soft knock at the door. "Um momento por favor!" (One moment, please!) The sound of you chuckling brought a smile to his face. After stepping away from his work, he looks at you as realization hits him. "Oh damn, I forgot to come see you. I'm sorry, (Y/N)." You just roll your eyes. "Oh, no big deal. You're busy, I understand. Anyway, can you help me? I have somebody here that needs a place to stay and you would know which of the houses was still available." He tilts his head, confused. "Another one? It's like we have a new traveler or family every other day." He took off his shirt and used it to clean his hands. Your smile faltered seeing the scar on his chest. Quickly shaking the bad vibes away, you turn around and look at Regan. "Come say hello. He's very kind." Regan, who you learned was a female, nervously stepped into the house. Her face immediately turned red when she saw Cody, quickly turning away from him. Cody looked at her, blushing lightly. "Oh, hello. I'm Cody. What's your name?" She turned back to him, a flustered mess. "H-hi, I'm Regan. It's nice to meet you."

Cody and You talked with Regan for a few minutes before he asked her if she was looking for something permanent. She said she was as it seemed like a very positive area to live in. Even the walls outside were covered in thick vines of blooming healthy flowers along with fruits and vegetables. He chuckled at her example, loving her personality. You could sense the crushes forming already. "Well Cody, you can go ahead and introduce her to your mom's so they can help her out too?" The two blush, looking away from one another. You smirk. "Great! See you guys around, I need to go take care of my berries." You say before quickly waddling away.