Chapter Text
In all your life, you have not once thought that crossing worlds to be a reality you face one day. Sure there are those 'true' odd cases of mysteriousness you grew up with and those tales of slips in the gaps
But not fully living in a world where magical people, fairies, mermaids and even animals who can speak back to you— to be real.
You were normal as can be. Average, and have no magic.
Nothing truly special about you- except one little thing . Something special from your world that all beings see.
Grim snores loudly in his sleep, his body round as loaf in your arms as you cradle him. The direcat, flickers his ears, the cute blue flames spark, warm as sunlight when it touches you. Before Grim's flames burned easily and marked your skin in glossy specks but now…it just loves you. His body is warm and soft as you both head home after waving good-bye to your friends. The first-years and yourself had thrown a small party together and after breaking food fights, sharing stories about their lives and about their dorm leaders– Vil and Malleus being the favorites despite varying reasons.
To goad Sebek you even begin to join him and his one man crusade about Horton making the poor knight weep realizing he had an ally. Ace has never looked so betrayed. Of course a rallied Sebek gets louder and then Ace is loud and next thing you know a food fight starts, Epel climbing Jack like a tree– when Riddle breaks down the door and orders everyone out.
Even getting kicked out, you were laughing and waving good-bye to a bemused Trey and Cater.
You felt content.
You were so happy and alive.
Crossing by the plaza, where they had a map of the campus installed for future tourists, you pass it under the bright lamps. There was nothing extraordinary about it. Just plastic, and guides to the stadium and school grounds. Even your own little Ramshackle has its own spot.
Perfectly normal.
Nothing important.
Nothing except the grim reaper who trailed behind you .
Your heart hammers quickly, your arms hug Grim tightly enough he begins to yowl at you. Grim's complaints fall deaf on your ears as your body stays put, and your blood chills. The heavy thumps in your ribs make you want to vomit, but you don't. The night breeze felt like ice as sweat pours down your skin as you stare at the figure who looks back at you through the emptiness of his hood.
Grim wiggles in your arms, swiping at you to get your attention, his yowls now touching uncertainty.
"Henchman?" Grim paw hits your cheek but not once do you bat his hand away. Too focused ahead to look at him. Annoyed Grim follows your gaze and notices you're staring at the new map. Letting out a loud huff, he crawls onto your shoulder and under your chin,"Is that all! Sheesh, henchman you got me scared something bad was happening!"
Grim felt a mixture of annoyance and relief seeing you must have been dumbstruck at the sign. You find your voice.
"You don't see it?" You ask him, breathless.
"Of course I do!" You breathe in harshly thinking of course a magical direbeast—, Grim continues," Look! They finally put us on the map! That nut bird finally recognized us!"
Your heart drops.
Of course….of course he doesn't see it. Your teeth clench enough you hear small pops in the jaws of your teeth. Helplessly thinking back to the party you had with your friends and no one has blinked at the figure behind you.
Something you have been dreading to see for years just as everyone back home has.
Swallowing the lump of tears in your throat you pet Grim neck, the ribbon so graciously tied with his little own gem he proudly polished every day.
You taught him that.
You taught him how to polish and groom.
Pulling Grim back into your arms you walk back down the lonely brick road."Let's have fish stew tonight." You tell him as glimpses of the figure trail behind you in the reflection of the street lamps.
"Oh!! Let's have tuna!" Grim outstretched paw touches your chin childishly," henchmen more meat! No veggies!"
"Okay no veggies, just for you," You tell him. In a second you kiss his head right between his fire ears.
"Gah! W-What was that for!" Grim said trying to sound upset but he ducks his head away, his body feeling much warmer. The flames rise giving away his embarrassment.
"Just felt like it," you tell him as you make it pass the gates of Ramshackle. It makes a heavy creaky noise as you shut it behind you, and no noise is made as you climb the stairs.
You left the lamp outside on, and looking into your reflection of the door's glass panel you see the figure right behind you. Not so close, but enough you know they are there.
"You're so weird," Grim grumbles as he snuggles into your chest.
"No, I just love you a lot." You breathe, your heart still thumping as you unlock your door, the key missing the door knob many times as you open it and go inside.
Turning to close it, the reaper is not there.
But in the reflection of the glass his scythe gleams
.