The View from the End

The balcony overlooked the end of the universe. It was a nice view, if you liked swirling colors and the occasional imploding star.

Vesper sat in her ergonomic velvet armchair, sipping tea from a mug that said *World’s Okayest Eldritch Horror*.

Syzygy sat next to her, snacking on a small, uninhabited moon. He crunched it like an apple.

"The Heroes are petitioning the Galactic Council," Syzygy noted, reading a scroll. "They say we are a threat to stability."

"Let them petition," Vesper said. "If they come back, I'm setting the Banshee Orchid on them."

Syzygy smiled—or the static shifted in a way that suggested a smile. He reached out and took her hand.

"You saved me," he said. "You did not have to."

"I didn't like the alternative," Vesper said. "The world out there... it’s loud, Syzygy. It’s chaotic. Here... it’s quiet. Mostly."

She glanced at the screaming flower in the corner, which was currently napping.

"I am glad you are here," Syzygy said. "My Void Queen."

"Don't call me that," Vesper warned. "It sounds like a bad metal band."

"My Wife?"

Vesper paused. She squeezed his hand. The static tingled, familiar and safe.

"Wife is okay," she decided. "As long as you remember to take out the trash."

"I am the trash," Syzygy joked. It was a terrible joke.

Vesper laughed. It was a genuine sound, ringing out into the infinite silence.

"We'll work on your comedy," she said. "We have eternity."

And in the castle at the end of time, the monsters settled in for a quiet night at home.