Officially starting this blog on November 3rd, 2018.
Hi I'm Berry, I'm nearly in my 30s now, and by gods yes I'm old enough for things, please just let me read and consume your content. These fics are my destressors after work/grad school.
Essentially, this side blog exists solely for my own fanfic recommendations/enjoyment. Anything from oneshots to series, drabbles to bullet point scenarios, blurbs to mtl, anything far few and in between of the sort.
This used to be a kpop fics only blog but whelp. I hardly read those now so welcome to whatever the braincell is hyperfixating on atm.
Welcome to the our cozy little library aka berrysficrecs (name possibly subject to change, I apologize ahead of time, but I will make a post about it if I do so!) and thank you all for joining me.
I hope you will enjoy the recommendations I provide and the fics I have enjoyed myself. May you all have a great day! (Side note, I probably won't be making a masterlist for all the fics, because I share/read so many and sometimes authors change urls or delete so it is just such a hassle. Thank you for your patience and understanding!)
❥ Edit: I follow back from @foreverxdaydreaming!
There will also from time to time be nsfw scenarios that get shared on this blog. Typically only smut scenarios, as I doubt I will reblog audios or gifs or such, in case of anyone looking through tumblr in public, you know? I myself do that very often. But if you are uncomfortable with smut, you can choose to ignore those and enjoy the others, as I do enjoy a fair amount of fluff/romance, comedy, aus, fantasy, and the likes. (Not as fond of angst, but will read on occasion.)
* Posts will be tagged as either sfw or nsfw, with the occasional exception of “partially nsfw” (meaning either that it is a masterlist of varied genres, or that it contains a minor scene of adult content that is not necessary to read for the plot if undesired.)
NO SMUT WITH MINORS, I REPEAT, N O SMUT WITH MINORS. THAT IS ILLEGAL (AND QUITE FRANKLY GROSS) AND I REFUSE TO CONTRIBUTE OR SPREAD ANY SUCH CONTENT. (And hopefully no smut written by minors.)
I don't read ship stuff much so if that is what you were hoping for, I am very sorry to disappoint. I enjoy reader insert or oc scenarios the most, as that is what you will find the most on this blog. I am very, VERY multifandom, and read for all walks of (legally adult) characters. So everyone is welcome here!
I will try to use tags for the media and for the character/person to make things easier for everyone to locate, as well as tag anything mature as nsfw or with tw etc so that you may choose to avoid whatever you may not want a potential run-in with. If I do forget something, please kindly advise me and I will fix it accordingly. If you are rude for whatever reason, I reserve the right to delete your messages or block you entirely should you persist.
This is a side blog for @dunkshotdreaming, the blog where I post all my own fics/writing. Feel free to check it out if you would like, no pressure whatsoever. It is small yet growing, as I am often busy, but I do have many upcoming oneshots and such planned! (Also made available on the blog.) That is all for my promo, and thank you for putting up with this incredibly long introduction post. I will try for this to be the one and only main post so that all else may be just the fic recs, unless I have any sort of important updates/news to share.
❥ Edit: Now with the addition of @hourly-dreaming and @longassr1de, which are my blurbs and smut blogs, respectively. (Links to all of these can be found in my blog description! Kindly advise me of any broken links, should that problem arise, thank you!) ❤
Some headcanons on how mornings usually go while living with Casper now in the world of the living. lol
Reader isn't a morning person or first to wake up:
If you're not a morning person, Casper is the first to wake up and prepare breakfast for you. He'll make it his job to make sure you eat properly every day. Whether you like it or not. (tough love, my loves lol)
Then he'll try to coax you out of bed finally with sweet words and kisses. But if that fails, expect him to just pull off the covers and open the curtains to make the sun hit you directly.
If that that still doesn't work, he'll just give up and let you sleep a little longer. Though will be running his fingers through your hair and lightly caressing your face. Just watching you sleep a bit, while feeling grateful he took the risk of not taking your soul after all.
Reader is a morning person and is first to wake up:
If you happen to be a morning person and wake up easily/first, then you might struggle getting out of bed because of Casper.
He'll very often now be clinging to you in his sleep. Using you as his new cuddle buddy to sleep with, but sometimes Azrael(his plush) is between you and him. (He might say Azrael NEEDS to be in bed with you both. Else he'll be sad lol)
He might complain, even threaten you if you try to leave bed and his side. You might have to just fight for freedom, or give in and sleep a little longer with him until your second alarm goes off. That wakes both of you up finally.
There might be times you do sneak out of bed however, only because you replaced yourself with Azrael. Maybe it'll work too well, by how he just snuggles more into him, and mutter out "I love how soft you feel~..." before falling into a deep sleep again.
Same after routines for either above options:
Skin care is a HUGE MUST for Casper now. He'll spend a long time(hour or so) getting himself ready for the day, even if he might not go out. And drag you into this routine of his too...(Especially if you just use soap and water as your skin care routine.)
If you complain, or try to fight back. He'll try to offer you something as a reward if you obey him this one time today, and for being a good mortal again. (kisses, a date, whatever your heart desires...He might regret this later though if your desire is huge. pff)
Usually Casper does his own hair, but he'll let you brush it and style it however you like now. (If it's not too wild on style that is to the point he says "No, Sunshine.")
And he'll do the same in return for you. But if he sees your hair is damaged, or in need of much care from not being taken care of. Expect hair care to be added to the skin care routine now.
It started off with one plant, but soon enough you practically have a little garden in your place now. Which Casper and you both take care and raise of together. You both make it a ritual now to tend to them every morning. (closest thing to a soul baby right now lol)
If you don't go out to work for that day, or it's just a day off in general. You two will often go on a morning stroll out together. Either to a park, a little coffee shop, public gardens people can visit, etc. Just going out together to make memories with you is a huge must now for Casper. (Bonus: Up to you if you take pictures together and make a little photo album or such if you want.)
This could happen before or after your possible morning date together, but most chores around the house are done early than later. Whether you like to do them or not, Casper will try to keep the place looking clean and in order for the both of you.
: ̗̀➛ casper x reader (gender neutral)
warning(s): nsfw content after the soft category. minors dni on that point! + some spoilers of the game if you haven't played it.
genre: au — modern, supernatural, romance, fluff, smut.
word count: 1.0K
author's note: IM SO IN LOVE WITH THIS MAN!! that i even tried to make this about him tehee. (i now know my type are grim reapers /bricked).
### ★ SOFT.
— this is based on the dlc, beyond the bet opening video and some of the artworks where he's now staying with you. he'll cook for you. casper will cook you breakfast, some homemade lunch and dinner for the both of you. (even if some of them are burnt. he's trying to get a hang of it don't worry!) all for his sunshine.
— you'd always find new flowers in your apartment every time the last batch that casper gave you now withered away. of course it's sunflowers that reminds himself of his sunshine. it's always been a good greeting to you after a long day of work, if not that an additional greeting from your boyfriend stealing you kisses, welcoming you home.
— hand kisses like a gentleman. will do it randomly just to catch you off guard and probably when you're not teasing him so he wouldn't be too flustered and shy away from doing so. he'll do it when you least expect him to so he would make fun of you for being so embarrassed.
— will sometimes help you relax in bath by giving you a massage on your back or wash your hair after a long day of work. sometimes because it really depends on your mood if you want his company or just want to be left alone for a while and he'll respect either option you give him. he'll also help do your nightly routine for you if you're that exhausted to move before drying you then moving you to the bed to relax.
— more of the gentleman and caring casper that he is, i believe he would open doors for you and if you have watched the video for beyond the bet dlc, if you forgot your umbrella he'll go straight away just to give you one. baby doesn't want you coming home and catching a cold. not on his watch! and the coat, the coat, the coat on your shoulders! (don't mind me rambling). make sure you're always warm and cozy.
— although if you did catch an illness expect worried and some light nagging from housewife, casper ("ugh, i told you so, sunshine") for forgetting an umbrella, a jacket when you forgot to bring one yourself. he'll prepare (and possibly search) what medicine and food mortals need to get well soon with some guidance from you. don't make him worry too much! he doesn't want to lose you (just like in the other universe- i mEan!).
— stealing his coat is a must (yes we're going back to his coat). so we all know he's neat and very dedicated to his morning and night routine, i just feel like it would be very comfortable to steal his. it would smell so soft and very casper that it would be too hard to give it back to him... without a little play fight of course! once he gets it back however, i feel like there would be teasing him here and there because casper would probably lean in and sniff his jacket after you wore it, just to catch your scent.
— "you know, you can always lean in and sniff me for yourself.", "i- i know that sunshine!"
— cuddles are always a must (even if azrael would most likely be in the middle of the both of you like your very own soul baby besides your pet). gives the warmest cuddles. i just know it, that man cuddles azrael bet every time he sleeps. he'd be hard to get away from every time you wake up for work though.
### ★ NSFW.
— he is a switch. it depends on the both of you on who wants to be in charge. there are times where he would tease you and take over. i believe he would take up half of the time and when he isn't too sure on the next you'll either guide him or coax him gently that you'll handle it. a very pouty baby because he wants to make sure you feel good this time and to repay you after all he's learned.
— loves praising, pegging ( i'm not too lost on what goes on with that one valentine's day art they made of him ). i kinda think roleplay as well, maybe. i'm not sure i feel like it would be nice to integrate the time where he wore a vampire look in one of the arts i saw and provide heated kisses and marks on your collarbone and neck.
— he'll whisper words of being possessive and protective of you too while he's at it. "you are my mortal. your soul, your body, your entire being belongs to me."
— he whines. the most prettiest whines you'll hear every time you sink onto him while riding him or whenever he takes over on you. will beg every time you edge him until he is very close to his high.
— i know i have said praising, but also, body worship. i'm taking reference from the artworks i've seen again but just taking your time kissing his skin while lifting up his dark shirt and telling him how beautiful his figure looks or slowly undressing him in general while leaving praises from your lips besides what he is doing is right while you guys do it.
— so from our soft point on the bath, if you're in the mood for it and need his company he'll join and help you relax. he'll help massaging your scalp, your back but also a bit on the suggestive side where he starts rubbing slow circles on your hip and thigh while his teeth nibble on the side of your neck and collarbone like a vampire trying to quench his thirst making you draw a heated gasp.
— enjoys orgasm denial and edging, anything to keep him so riled up and for you to tease him every time he's almost there just to hear his whines until you give him what he wants. only under a deal that he begs for what he wants and a bit loudly just to watch him writhe a little more before you give in to his long awaited reward with tears brimming his eyes out of pleasure.
────────⊹⊱✫⊰⊹────────
author's note: i was thinking of writing more of casper but with some mix of genres like supernatural, fantasy and what not as the type of fics i usually write but that will come soon. that's all from me from everything that i remember of casper! i can't wait to play beyond the bet once it releases and i hope you guys are excited for it too!
The sound of skin slapping skin echoes through the room as he whimpers, your name coming out as frantic whines as you rock your hips on him, a mix of sweat and cum staining your inner thighs as you continue at it.
"Come on." You tug on his hair as he buries his face into your chest, ears an impossible shade of red. "You're practically begging to cum right now. What do people say when they want something."
"p-please." He whines.
"Please what?" You ask him, throwing your head back as your grip on his hair tightens.
"p-please, master." He moans, dick twitching inside of you as he does.
"My, my." You smile wickedly. "You sure are desperate, hm? Well, just for you, I suppose."
You clench around him, sending him over the edge as he spills into you, biting your collar as he finishes, resting his head there as he catches his breath.
He moves to help you finish next, fingers flying to help you out frantically, repeating your name like a mantra, other hand flying to lace his fingers with yours, eyes growing wide as he feels you tighten around him, pressing his lips to your pulse as he sucks, sending you over the edge as you spasm around him, tears in your eyes.
"Master..." He mumbles into your skin. "my pretty soul."
Grim cuddles so loving it hurts followed by making Sunshine/MC breakfast of questionable quality and makes sure Sunshine eats before work I want the fic to be so fluffy that one could explode and it feels like a pleasantly sunny day and tastes like vanilla ice cream
perhaps grim pov. fluff from grim pov sounds interesting but honestly either way is good
― Casper & Sunshine
Pairing(S) : Casper x GN! Reader
Genre : Fluff .
Warning(S) : None ?
A/N : I tried to make it as fluffy as possible , so sorry if this doesn't meet requirements ..
Word count : 553
― " Casp― ! Let me goo! I have to get to work , the bills doesn't pay itself ! " I had yelled at Casper , he was clinging to my side his grip only getting tighter and tighter with every struggle I made trying to move out of his grasp , " Noo please sunshine not yet !. " Casper let out a childish whine .
while trying to keep me in bed with him , " At least let me feed my cat ! " I let out an exasperated gasp making Casper let go of my waist , " Fine go feed your cat , but I'm gonna go make you breakfast . " Casper rolled his eyes playfully while getting up and making his way to the kitchen
" Finally .. " I huffed out stretching my limbs and cracking my fingers , " Oh hey my precious baby .. " I cooed picking up my cat like a baby , she had begun to rub her body against my chest while purring and letting out small meows , I walked over to her food bowl next to my desk as I opened a bag which contained my cats food scooping it up and pouring it in her bowl
I watched my cat eat her food as I got up from my crouching position to put on clothes for work , after getting dressed I walked out of the room making my nose catch a whiff of what Casper was cooking up . walking into the kitchen I saw Casper placing the food down on the table which looked oddly questionable but hes a somewhat good cook
" Sunshine ! Your finally out ! " Casper hurriedly walked over nuzzling his head into my shoulder , " Well isn't someone clingy this morning hm ? " I let out a soft giggle while kissing the top of his head which only made him flustered , " Whatever just eat . " Casper turned around trying to hide his his pink face with his hand
sitting down at the table I picked up a fork and cut into the green pancake ... " What an odd color .. " I thought to myself while taking the food into my mouth , I had chewed it for a few seconds finding it surprisingly good even with the weird color
" Hmm .. This actually tastes good Casp . " I had said but my voice only coming out muffled as I stuffed my mouth with the pancakes , " Careful Sunshine you might choke . " Casper pointed out while also giving my a worried expression
" Don't worry your little head my Grim Reaper ! After all I embody life itself ! " I said with a smile gracing my face , " To bright .. " Casper winced staring at my bright aura that I couldn't see myself
the moment had been broken from my alarm warning me that I have to leave for work , " Oh , I have to go to work now Casp . " I said while getting up and getting my bag , " Bye Sunshine . " Casper had leaned down giving me a quick kiss to my lips making me smile as I left for work .
Fluff ; Crack (?) ; Mentions of S-xual Thoughts ; Established Relationship
✧ —
"This is ridiculous!—"
"No it's not, look at you—"
You're helping your beloved reaper wearing a maid outfit, don't even ask on how did it end up like this. Sometimes things should be left not questioned.
Here you are helping Casper wearing the accessories, he looked so cute. Your eyes unconsciously went down to his exposed legs, you can't help but smirked. And you noticed how his hands are trying to cover his exposed thighs oh so miserably, you cooed at him. "Getting embarrassed now Casper, hm?" Making him even more redder than before, his mouth open and closing like a fish. No words coming out from his lips, his brows creased as he glared at you with his flushed cheeks.
So cute.
You're one hell of a lucky human, to have him wrapped around your fingers. Seriously, look at him. All flushed and cute in that maid outfit you made him wear, heavens, the things you want to do to him. You sighed lovingly at him, you then dragged him to the bed. Letting him sit down at the edge, your knee in between his legs. Your hand on one of his thighs, squeezing them every now and then as you lean your face dangerously close to his ear.
You can see how his body tensed up, you chuckled softly before you whispered, "I want to devour you whole," you started off, "Would you let me?"
He didn't say anything at first, but then you felt his arms going around your neck pulling you in. Goodness gracious, does he even know what he's doing??
"...J, Just— Just for tonight, I'll let you...
Devour me.."
Ah...
Seems like you two are going to have a long night.
You swear the first time wasn't on purpose. You had just logged off the call with Grim and found yourself warm and sexually frustrated, and you swear you were just trying to blow off some of that frustration. You forgot, however, that his soul was literally linked to yours.
Grim had to call off work because he wasn't able to calm himself over seeing your fingers stuck inside of you and the way you moaned his name when you came around them.
He would rather die than admit you had that kind of effect on him.
The second time? When you deduced that he couldn't stare you in the eye because he watched you finger yourself? Was totally on purpose.
You tell Grim good night as usual, and you find yourself annoyed again, an abnormal heat in your abdomen as you frown. You frown, but your lips curl upward when you remember Grim can now see everything you do. So, you rummage through your drawer for lube, squirting it on your fingers as you slide one in, Grim's name slipping past your lips as you slide it all the way in.
Then, you slide a second;
and a third.
You gasp as you speed up, back arching as you feel yourself get closer, Grim's name a mantra as you gasp and twitch around your fingers, pretending they're his instead, crying as you feel yourself cum, legs twitching as you make a mess between them. You sigh in relief when you do, pulling the tissues to wipe your fingers clean as you click on your laptop to text him.
To Grim:
Missing you (づ￣ ³￣)づ
Grim sits in his cold shower on the other end, desperate to get the red off his skin. You were going to kill him.
Casper sat at his desk typing away on his computer. Looking up gifts to get his Sunshine. But none of them seemed liked something she’d like. He didn’t notice the bedroom door being pushed open, and a tiny figure walking towards him.
“Boo!” shouted a tiny voice, causing him to look down. Seeing the beaming three year old little girl, Soleil. His little sunflower.
“Aren’t you supposed to be taking a nap?” He asked, looking down at her. And she pursed her lips folding her arms across her chest, “No tired.” She said, and turned back towards him and tried to climb onto his lap.
He smiled leaning down and picking her up. Placing her on his lap, “Azrael” She exclaimed, seeing the plush on his desk. She tried reaching over but her tiny arms, couldn’t. Casper rolled his eyes smiling, as he handed the plush to her. She giggled, hugging him close to her chest.
“Mama!” She exclaimed, seeing the picture on the computer of him and his wife. Casper smiled, “Yep, that’s mama my sunshine and guess who’s that in her arms?” He asked, pointing towards the bundle in her arms in the picture.
“Me!” She exclaimed. He smiled, wrapping his arms around his little girl planting a kiss on her forehead. She brought so much joy into his life as well happiness. Life for him in the beginning wasn’t sunshine and rainbows and life still isn’t that, but right now with his wife and daughter it was. He’d do anything to keep it that way, to protect what he has right now.
Soleil nibbled on Azrael, “N-No! Don’t eat him!” He exclaimed, taking the plush from her and looking at her. She looked up at him, with a mischievous grin. She curled up on his lap, letting out a tiny yawn before falling asleep her tiny head leaning against his chest. As she hugged the plush in her arms, he looked down at his daughter and smile softly. He couldn’t ask for anything better in his life.
a/n: sorry it’s so short I had to clean out my drafts and I was half asleep
you, his sunshine. - grim reaper x reader (yandere warning)
You click on your phone, blinking at the screen when it's announced your coworker was killed after work.
what.
You log on to text Grim, brows pulled into a frown the whole time, wondering if something had happened. Apparently he had just... died. Without warning.
"Sunshine?" Grim frowns, blinking at you slowly. "What's wrong?"
"Ah... my coworker passed away." You mumble. "I wonder if something happened. Were you assigned to take his soul?"
"Can't say." He mumbles. "I don't remember whose souls I took today."
You miss the way a smirk passes on his face. It was true, he didn’t remember whose souls he took, but he definitely took your coworker’s soul. How could he not? Your coworker was planning on making a move on you! He couldn’t have possibly let his sunshine belong to somebody else now, could he?
“Grim?” You call his name. “You’re spacing out.”
“Sorry, sunshine.” He smiles. “I’m tired from work.”
“Really?” You frown. “Get some rest. It’s been a long day for both of us.”
“I’ll get you some more flowers tomorrow.” Grim smiles. “Rest well, sunshine.”
“Thank you, Grimmy.”
Grim ends the call, clicking on his keyboard as he makes edits to the lists. Right. There’s that friend of yours he needs to take care of too. Then, he can make you fall for him. That won’t be long. His lips curl upward at the thought. His and his alone.
You pull away from Grim, lips curled into a sweet smile as he chases after your lips.
"Aww... desperate?"
"Do not test me, sunshine," He grumbles, pulling you down by the waist as you yelp. "You're always so flustered when it's face-to-face." He mumbles, finger tapping the skin on your waist. He pulls you in further, lips brushing yours, smile on his face. "Now, are you going to listen?"
You pretend to think, pouting. "Hm... I'm not sure if—"
He presses his lips to yours, hand moving to the back of your head, fangs brushing your bottom lip as his tongue forces your mouth open. Your eyes widen in surprise as he takes the chance to snake his tongue into your mouth. You push yourself off of him, eyes wide.
"I thought you said you didn't have any prior experience with romance."
He licks his lips, grinning. "Maybe I had to learn because a certain someone wouldn't stop being such a tease."
"Oh?" You quirk up a brow, lips spreading into a smile. "Let's settle this."
He opens his mouth to argue, only to be cut off.
"In bed." You grind down on him, and his skin blooms red immediately. "Hm?"
"I suppose I wouldn't be against that." He mumbles, lips curling upward. "I'll show you just how good at everything I can get."
Fluff ; A lot of kissing ; Established Relationship
✧ —
Goodness, he is frustrated. Embarrassed too even! Hell, you didn't even give him a break after already being in relationship with the man!
Not a day goes without you teasing him, not to mention you didn't even give up on the soul baby topic that had him baffled, and red by the face. You got him in your hold, quite literally.
"Stop it already.." Grim whined as he snuggled his face at the crook of your neck, you can feel his face growing hot at your endless teasing. "Come on Grim~" you played with his white hair, brushing them with your fingers. Making the male shivered under your touch, "I thought we have talked about this." He whispered. He leaned away from you, a pout is visible on his face. Making you chuckle at his reaction, your hand reached out to his face.
You started showering his face with kisses, and planted the last kiss on his lips. You lingered a bit longer on his lips before leaning away, you noticed how he chased your lips again. "Why did you stop" he asked, no it sounded like he demand for more.
You noticed how his piercing red eyes fluttered down to your lips and then your eyes again, "Oh? You wanted more? My, getting feisty now?" You cooed at him. He glares at you, cheeks flushed. "So what? Kiss me again." He demanded, it made you chuckle.
"you tease too much.." casper mutters, his face buried into your neck while his hands travel down your body. "you've been at it since we got to the reception.."
"sorry, i can't help it caspie." you chuckle slightly, "you're just too cute not to tease."
he was pressing your body against the white sheets, his hands roaming around your body as he placed kisses on your neck.
"mm.. your neck tastes good.." he remarks.
"im sure down here..." his hand rubs at the spot between your legs, causing you to gasp slightly. "..will taste even better."
"fuck.." you pull his head closer, kissing him. his tongue entering your mouth, a hot and messy kiss shared between the both of you.
he pulls away after a few long moments. "i'll make sure this is a night to remember."
You don’t want to tell him the truth, that most of your friends have grown up and don’t talk to you anymore, that while you love your family it’s too difficult to find time to travel and see them, that you are incredibly lonely.
Contains: Fem Reader, Death Mention (but only as much as you would expect given the source material)
Word Count: 2,235
Read on AO3
You still feel strange a few hours after leaving the chatroom. Grim, who despite all evidence to the contrary, is actually the Grim Reaper, left pretty abruptly after telling you there is something incredibly wrong with your soul and you are unsure if you should be concerned or offended about the whole thing.
After a disappointing meal of microwaved leftovers and an attempt at enjoying a relaxing bath despite your apartment’s abysmal water temperature, you find yourself laying back on your bed and staring up at the all too uninteresting ceiling as you wait for your hair to dry. The window above your desk is open and the cool breeze is pleasant, but you’re already getting the sense that you will have trouble getting to sleep tonight, despite Grim’s uncharacteristic insistence that you get some rest after today.
There’s something so lonely about these summer nights, lonely enough that you find yourself scrolling through your contacts list, looking for someone ( anyone ) to talk to. Calling your parents this late will only make them worry, and all of your friends from uni have much better sleep schedules than you do and will already be out cold. You toss your phone onto the vacant pillow beside you and let out a sigh, that really only leaves one option.
Hoisting yourself from the bed, you walk over to the desk and grab your laptop. Quickly tapping open the chatroom app and turning off your camera before hitting the call button. You push your lamp and pot-plant out of the way to leave room for the laptop on your bedside table and lay back down as you wait for an answer.
You spend the first seven rings worrying that he won't pick up, by the eighth you are proven wrong.
“I thought I already told you to go to sleep.” He says in lieu of a greeting.
All the lethargic energy in the room suddenly dissipates, and your mouth tugs up in a smile, “Hello to you too”
“I was being serious.”
“Yeah, but you aren’t my boss.”
He huffs, “I am your reaper.”
“Oh?” You reply, smirking to yourself, “ My reaper, are you? Just mine?”
“No! I- I’m just assigned to you. That does not mean-”
You laugh, “Sorry, sorry. I’m just teasing, thank you for picking up, I mean it.”
It’s quiet, but you swear that you hear a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the call, “I- well, I just wanted to be certain that you were not suffering any side effects from the soul connection.” He clears his throat, “You…aren’t…are you?”
“I’m having trouble sleeping, but I don’t think I can blame that on you. I suppose I feel a little jittery? But that makes sense given my emotional state right now.”
“What is it?”
“What’s what?”
“Your uh- your emotional state.”
“Oh.” You say, feeling your heart beating a rapid tattoo behind your ribs, “Well, I dunno. I’m a little overwhelmed, I suppose. I really just thought you were an edgy cosplayer, and I mean, you still are but you are also literally the Grim Reaper, so I’m still just dealing with that I guess.”
“That is perfectly normal, then. Though you should have been feeling frightened the moment I contacted you, your reaction was quite delayed.”
“Hey! I never said ‘frightened’ I said overwhelmed! That’s a completely different emotion.”
He chuckles, “Unable to stop thinking about me, then?”
“That also isn't what I said.” Though, he isn’t entirely wrong, “I’m just worried about how I'm going to focus at work tomorrow when I’ll be spending the whole day looking over my shoulder to make sure some white-haired twink isn't about to commit murder upon me.”
“White-haired what? ”
“Twinnnnk~” You reply, “Look it up, I’m sure that will keep you busy for a few hours.”
“I hardly need to be kept busy , I have important work to do.”
“Like stealing my soul.”
“Yours and others, I do not just follow you around all day.” He says dryly, “You are not that important. Also, I will not be murdering you. I am pushing you in the correct direction, one you have stubbornly been avoiding for far too long.”
You hum quietly to yourself, reaching out to pat your cat where he sits next to you on the bed, “How was I meant to die anyway? Just out of curiosity, since you seem to know everything about it.”
He doesn't answer for some time, and the deafening silence makes you regret even posing the question.
“Do you really want to know?” He finally asks, “Most people never find out, because unlike you they die when they are supposed to.”
“Hit me with it, Grimmy.”
He groans, “Do not call me that.” then you hear him sigh, deeply, contemplatively, “You were supposed to die of food poisoning.”
“Oh.” You reply, feeling your heart sink a little, “Damn, that sucks. That’s so…boring”
“Death often is.”
“I guess, well, I guess I was hoping that the way I die might be interesting at least. What food would have poisoned me anyway?”
“Ham sandwich.”
“Yikes. Was the ham poisoned or something?”
“No, just expired. On a related note, you do need to clean out your fridge more often.”
He’s right. Your fridge is pretty nasty, and it kind of always has been. It’s a very low priority on your list of tasks.
“Grim?”
“Yes?”
You swallow, unsure how to phrase the real question hiding in the recesses of your mind, “could you…I dunno, kill me gently, if it comes to it? I mean, I just-“ you roll over onto your side, making eye contact with the black screen of your laptop, “If I have to die, I don’t want it to hurt.”
There’s silence for a moment, and then he replies, “I don’t want it to hurt you either.”
“That’s…sweet, Thank you.”
“Lacking desire to see you suffer does not make me sweet , it makes me considerate .” He sighs irritably, “More importantly, does this mean you’re finally willing to hand over your soul?”
You laugh, “ No! I just- I dunno, I had a weird day and I'm feeling kinda existential now.” You look through your window, staring up at the night sky, “Do you feel that way sometimes, or is it just a human thing?”
“I do not see how that’s any of your business.”
“C’mon, Grim. Just play along for once, get silly with it.”
You hear him huff on the other end of the line, you can picture the exact pouty face he must be making right now, “I have been a reaper as long as I can remember, and will continue to be one for the rest of my life, there is little for me to be existential about.”
“Hm.”
“What?” He says brusquely, “What are you ‘hm-ing’ about?”
“The thought of having one job for the rest of my life is exactly the sort of thing that makes me existential, that’s all.”
“Well you don’t have to work at the same job for the rest of your life, so what exactly are you complaining about?”
“I mean, the rest of my life might only be a few more days.” You say, “Provided you win our bet of course, which you will not be doing.”
“Do not doubt me, Sunshine. You may come to regret it.”
You giggle, “Doubtful.”
There’s a rustling sound on the other end of the call, you can only assume that he is also lying in bed right now, “I am quite literally death, and I even gave you concrete proof of this fact this evening.” his voice turns quiet, dare you think it, wistful, “Why aren’t you afraid of me?”
You shrug, even though he can’t see you, “You aren’t very scary.”
“I am going to take your soul .”
“You are going to try and take my soul.” a smile tugs at the corners of your mouth, “And even if you do, you’ve already promised to do it gently .”
“I promised not to hurt you, I never said anything about being gentle .”
“I’m sorry, I just don’t see the difference between those two statements.”
He groans, and when he speaks again his voice is muffled. You suspect he has his face buried in a pillow, “You are infuriating. When I leave the chatroom for the evening I assume that I am done with you, I was not prepared for you to insist on continuing our conversation well into the night.”
“What, are you tired?”
All goes quiet for a moment, and then, “No. Are you?”
“Nope.”
“Hmph, you should be at this hour, especially after a day of work.”
“I- well, I dunno…”
You don’t want to tell him the truth, that most of your friends have grown up and don’t talk to you anymore, that while you love your family it’s too difficult to find time to travel and see them, that you are incredibly lonely. You are tired, you have to be up at 5:00 to get ready for work tomorrow morning, but the idea of saying goodbye, of hanging up, makes something ache deep inside you. Something inside the very soul he wants to steal.
“You don’t know, what?”
“Huh?”
Grim huffs again, “You said, ‘i dunno’ and then stopped talking, which is very out of character for you, by the way.”
“Oh? Did you miss me? Were even those brief seconds of silence enough to make you realize how much you love hearing my voice?”
“I will hang up.”
“Don’t.” You say before you have time to think better of it, “Please.”
“I-“ he clears his throat, “Only if you can act normally for the rest of our conversation.”
“I’m plenty normal, you’re the weird one.”
“What’s weird, how am I weird?”
You roll onto your back, staring up at the celing, “Oh i dunno, just the whole ‘I am death incarnate! I have come for your soul! I will connect my soul to yours! ’ schtik”
“You know fully well that it is not a…what did you call it? A schtik?” He pronounces the word completely wrong, “Whatever that is, it is not one of those. I am death incarnate, I am here for you soul, and you were literally an active part in the soul connection.”
“Oh, about that soul connection thing, by the way.”
He scoffs, “Your ability to change the subject at a whim is still strong as ever i see.”
“I know, I’m very talented- anyway! I wanted to ask if you can do anything cool now that we have a soul link or whatever.”
“I have already told you, I cannot control your body. As entertaining as it would be to embarrass you publicly, even my exceptional abilities could not do that”
“Oh kay , how about something easier, then?” You feel the warmth of your cat as he snuggles up against your side and instinctively reach out to pat him, “Read my mind, go on!”
“I cannot do that.”
“C’mon, Grimmy, give it a go!” You squeeze your eyes shut, “I’m thinking about something real hard right now.”
He sighs, “Are you thinking about your cat?”
“ Whaaaat? How did you know?!”
“I didn’t know , i guessed. I can’t read your mind, but i am still attuned with your soul.” His voice has turned uncharacteristically soft, he’s almost whispering, “It… flutters …when you are happy, and your cat makes you happy. So I guessed…”
“So you’re a soul reader, then?” You ask, trying to ignore the fact that your stomach also feels oddly fluttery right now.
“That is not a thing. You’re just making things up now.”
“Try again.” You say, your mind unwittingly flooded with thoughts of soft white hair and judgemental red eyes. Of hands you wish were bare, of sharp toothed smiles. Your heart slows to a languid rhythm, and something you aren’t ready to put a name to curls warmly in your belly. You close your eyes, softly this time, and breathe, “What am i thinking about now?”
He goes silent for a long time, you can hear the slow, even draw of his breath. You can picture him laying back on his bed, hair splayed over the pillow, brow creased in concentration and you wonder if he is thinking about you too. After what feels like an age, he finally answers, “your…plant?”
You burst into laughter and any tension in the air shatters, “My plant?! What about my soul was screaming plant just then?”
“Well, I don’t know! It was just happy again, happier, even and I assumed that you were smart enough not to just think about your cat again.”
“Yeah, you got me.” You lie, “it was my cat again.”
“Hells, every single day you find a new way to get under my skin.” He sighs, and despite his earlier statement, his next words come out almost fondly , “You need sleep, mortal.”
“Yeah.” You reply, feeling that ache tug at you again, “I probably do.”
“I will talk to you tomorrow, that is, if you survive until then.”
That gets a laugh out of you, and you can’t tell if that was his intention or if he was being completely serious, “I look forward to it. Remember to murder me nicely, Grim.”
“As nicely as I can, I swear.” You can hear his smile, “Goodnight, Sunshine.”
Casper has this thing where he masks his lovestruck gazes with a comically raised brow. At first, he was indulging himself shamelessly, wistfully staring at you from wherever he's settled with a gaze softer than cotton candy and a blush slowly creeping up on his cheeks. He made sure you would not, under any circumstance, catch him in the act, yet he horribly messed up while you were on a phone call with your friend.
Hands animatedly emphasising your words to no one in particular, the phone remained pressed to your ear between your head and shoulder as you paced around your bedroom. Casper secretly sat himself on the little dining table in the kitchen (the one he hauled up the stairs in one go just to prove a point), face resting in his palm as he watches you vivaciously explain workplace politics to your friend in the distance. He could care less about the drama going on at work, for he is fixated on you.
Casper feels a smile tugging on his lips, and that's when he realises he's blushing. from your grin to your occasional giggle and the way you're pacing as you talk, he can't help but feel so... so... in love. he was right. You really are a woman after his heart, but now you hold it in your grasp and he does not want you to return it.
He stays like that for a while, and though he wishes to move closer, to perhaps even grab you from behind and kiss you, he remains where he is, watching you with the most lovestruck gaze in fear of being endlessly teased by you. However, he freezes out of embarrassment when you turn on your heel without warning and lock eyes with him. Shit. This time, the blush on his face deepens out of awkwardness and the smile on your face widens because you caught him in the act. No, he will never admit to you that he loves to watch you as you go by your day and do mundane tasks. he simply never will.
Since then, he's made a point to always have a more relaxed posture. Arms crossed over his chest, anything but a smile on his face, and an eyebrow comically raised in question. This is the replacement he has found for the usual face he makes while watching you. He hopes you ignore the way his eyes still lovingly look at you.
Created around the same time and having trained with one another, you and Casper have always butted heads. You'd compete over seemingly anything - how many souls one could reap, the days one could go without catching soul sickness, and the list goes on. Casper has always found you to be obnoxious, but when he sees you crying by yourself, he finds himself torn.
grim x gn!reaper!reader
contains: fluff, hurt/comfort, set before the main storyline, reader is NOT the mc, brief mentions of child death, USAGE OF GRIM'S REAL NAME, reader is a little shit
word count: 4.2k
a/n: FORGIVE ME IF THE WORLDBUILDING IS OFF I WAS TRYING MY BEST and ive only done one ending oops (finals hurts okay :((( ) also ... im not sure if reapers names are classified just to mortals and not other reapers but ykw imma take my liberties
"Seriously, do you ever get tired?"
Casper groaned irritatedly, running a hand through his snow-like hair. Blood like rust coated his scythe, spoils from his most recent hunt. The corpse still lay fresh in front of him, but their skin was cold and their eyes dead.
Boisterous laughter erupted above him. Sitting on the balcony of some person’s apartment, you grinned down at him - that infuriating, shit-eating grin that never failed to tick him off.
You kicked your legs childishly as you leaned back over the railing. Nestled against the crook of your arm was a scythe similar to his own, save for the more detailed design and color palette. Unlike him, you would constantly say, you liked to live a little.
Bold words coming from a bringer of death.
“Don’t blame me for you being slow,” you called down to him. Casper rolled his eyes, crossing his arms as he glared up at you.
“I am not ‘slow’,” he grumbled. “You’re too eager. And get down from there, you’ll be spotted.”
You tilted your head. “It’s like, 3 A.M. What kind of idiot’s gonna be awake at this hour?”
“You’d be surprised. Humans will do anything but take care of themselves.”
“I guess,” you sighed, jumping down. You twirled your scythe absentmindedly, Casper leaning back to avoid getting hacked to pieces.
“Be careful with that,” he scolded. You, of course, ignored him.
“So are these the last of the guys?” you wondered, kicking at a corpse with your foot.
The alleyway was practically lined with bodies, so many that management had called upon both you and Casper to deal with the remnants of the massacre. Gang fights were a pain to deal with, second only to pandemics and war.
“It would seem so.” Casper gave you a look, to which you responded by sticking out your tongue. You were very mature, after all.
You stretched thankfully, rolling out your shoulder. “Thank God, I was starting to get depressed from all the dead people.”
“If you’re getting depressed from just this, perhaps you should consider a different career choice.”
“Nah.” You smiled. “If I left, who would I bully? You’d get all sad and lonely without me.”
“Hardly,” Casper scoffed. “If anything, I’d be relieved.”
“You wound me.”
“Good.”
“So mean,” you pouted. Casper paid you no attention, as per usual. It didn’t matter, though, since you immediately perked back up. “Hey, boo?”
“I told you not to call me that.”
“I have an idea.” And just like that, your cheshire grin returned. Casper sighed, already beginning to walk off.
“How wonderful,” he said sarcastically. “Share it with someone else.”
“Uh-uh, no.” As quick as a flash, your scythe was out, the blade curving in front of Casper to prevent his escape. “This one’s good, I swear.”
“Your definition of what is and isn’t a good idea needs some desperate fixing.” Still, he made no move to escape, instead turning around to face you.
“Let’s race.”
Casper raised a brow. “Race?”
You nodded eagerly, your eyes shining like jewels. In the darkness of the alleyway, the two of you were illuminated only by the neon blue lights of the city. Yet, as that same blue was captured in your eyes, Casper was reminded of a kaleidoscope, changing and turning in a multitude of different colors.
It was… captivating.
“If I win, you have to buy me a drink.”
Casper snapped out of his daze, a light flush blooming across his fair skin. Thankfully, though, you didn’t seem to notice, too entranced by another one of your ridiculous competitions. Seriously, there had to be a limit to how unprofessional you could be.
“You assume I have the time to buy you one,” he said with faux calmness, grateful for the night’s shadows hiding his complexion. You huffed.
“You could do it while you’re rebalancing yourself,” you said, as though it was obvious. “Besides, it doesn’t have to be anything big, just a coffee or a tea would be nice.”
“Fine, let’s say I stoop down to your level and agree to this… race,” said Casper. “What do I get if I win?”
You shrugged. “Then I'll just buy you a drink.”
Casper shook his head. “I’m not like you. I don’t drink on the job.”
“But you do cuddle an axolotl plushie when you sleep,” you pointed out. Instantly, Casper flushed red.
“Wha- What does that have to do with anything?!” he protested.
"I just thought about it randomly," you shrugged. "But seriously, that thing is huge, where did you get it?"
“Never mind how I got it," Casper crossed his arms and averted his eyes, his bottom lip turning up in a pout. “We’re getting off track.”
“Oh, so now you care about my games,” you teased. “Anyways, on how I’ll reward you…”
You spun your scythe back to your side, tapping its staff against the ground as you thought of a fitting reward.
“Oh! How about this?” You snapped your fingers, a figurative light bulb lighting up next to you. “You get to cash in one favor from me.”
“Any favor?” A smirk creeped onto Casper’s face, his interest finally piqued. “That’s a dangerous game you’re playing, [Name].”
“As long as it’s within reason and isn’t embarrassing,” you snapped, crossing your arms. “If you make me kiss your feet or something like that, I’ll kick your ass.”
“Of course,” Casper chuckled knowingly. “So, where to and when are we racing?”
“Hey, if you weren’t paying attention to the rules, then that's your fault. As for when the race starts, how about… now.”
“Wha- Hey!” Casper barely dodged as you shot past him in a blur of black. Hooking your scythe into the walls, you stuck out your tongue at him as you propelled yourself through the night.
“So long, Casp!”
Casper cursed under his breath. Quickly, he made haste to follow you. He flew through the air like a bird, twisting around light poles, skyscrapers, and billboards alike.
You weren’t as elegant, instead jumping from building to building like a modern superhero. You’d catapult yourself through the sky using your scythe as leverage, your laughter echoing in the slumbering city - free like the wind.
Casper didn’t have to follow you long to know where you were heading towards. Invisible to the mortal eye, yet painfully obvious to the eyes of reapers, was an entrance to the Underworld, a whirlpool of black and red that led straight down to your home.
As you launched yourself into the air once again, Casper came up next to you, his hair billowing in the cold night wind like smoke.
“Nice of you to join me,” you teased, elbowing him in the side. Casper rolled his eyes once again, speeding up. “Hey!”
Smoky tendrils of crimson and ink curled around your figures as the two of you neared the portal. The center of the whirlpool was a void seemingly leading to the abyss itself, but you’ve worked in this job long enough to know just what lay beneath.
True to his character, Casper wasted no time and shot straight into the thick of it. You, on the other hand, were a little more dramatic with your landing.
You spun in a backflip off of the last of the skyscrapers before letting gravity take you for a ride. Wind whistled past your ears as you fell, yet all you could hear was the rapid thump of your own heart. Adrenaline filled your veins. Soon, black and red lined your vision as the Underworld engulfed you.
The second you saw the tips of red-stained towers, you flipped yourself to face the ground. Closer and closer, you could practically taste it. If you delayed any longer, your life as a grim reaper could end prematurely.
Like the eyes of a devil, your pupils glowed in delight, activating your abilities. But rather than slowing your descent, you sped it up, shooting towards the ground like a missile.
Black blobs, the fuzzy images of your coworkers, scrambled to move out of your way. Turning your body, you landed hard on your heels, narrowly missing a fellow reaper.
For a moment, all you could see was dust. Before the clouds could disappear, you shook off the sting in your ankles and stretched.
“Woo!” you cheered, kicking your leg. “That’s what I’m talking about!”
“Quiet down.” Casper grabbed your shoulder and pulled you back. “Honestly, is there ever a quiet moment with you?”
You giggled. “Boo, you’ve known me long enough to know the answer to that. Oh, by the way, I’m craving some-”
“Hold it.” Casper bonked your head. “I only agreed to buy you something if you won.”
“Didn’t I?”
“No you didn’t,” Casper retorted. “Anyone with working eyes could see that I reached the ground before you did. Therefore, I won.”
“Uh, no.” You crossed your arms. “Are you gaslighting me? You’re gaslighting me. That's not very nice of you, Casp.”
“I am not gaslighting you.” Your white-haired coworker rolled his eyes. “As grim reapers, we cannot lie. Someone of your caliber should know this.”
You blinked innocently. “Did you just compliment me?”
Casper spluttered. “What in the world made you come to that conclusion?”
Taking a step forward, you leaned towards the reaper, a cheeky smile growing on your face. “You said ‘Someone of your caliber’. That means you think I’m capable.”
“You’d have to be a special kind of stupid to be incompetent after working as a reaper for so long,” Casper crossed his arms, fighting down the blush rising onto his cheeks. You were close, way too close. “Then again, I wouldn’t be surprised, seeing as how that was the only thing you heard from what I said.”
Heaving a sigh, he pushed you away with his finger.
“But don’t distract yourself from the fact that I won the race,” he said, a smug smirk replacing his exasperation.
“I was honestly trying to forget.”
Casper huffed, a pout forming on his lips. But the moment wouldn’t last long, as a ding sounded from both of your phones. When you checked it, you groaned when you saw a notification of unexpected emergency.
“Seriously?” you complained. “Overtime? Did a bunch of reapers die off or something? My soul’s going to get tainted at this rate.”
“Don’t complain.” Casper nudged you, but even you could see the irritation on his face. “It’s our job as reapers to reap souls on time, no matter what.”
“I guess. Still doesn’t make it any less annoying.”
“Agreed.” With a sigh, Casper summoned his scythe. “I must be off, now. See you on the other side, [Name].”
As he made his way back to the opening of the portal, his feet lifting off from the ground, a gloved hand reached out to grasp your chin. Gently, he guided you to look at him as he ascended.
“I look forward to cashing in on that favor.”
━
For as long as you could remember, things have always been this way.
Your earliest memory was of waking up to the crimson skies of the Underworld. Unaware and unknowing, you allowed yourself to be dragged around by older reapers, their voices blurring together in a droning buzz. Everything had gone by so quickly, and you struggled to keep up with it all.
If you were to say it bluntly, your first day felt like a fever dream.
But amidst the chaos, the tutorials, and the gifting of your first scythe, there was one thing that you remembered clearly.
“...Snow.”
Your mentor’s lecture halted at your voice, barely audible. They followed your gaze to a white-haired man, looking to be around the same age as you. Like a drowsy child, you lifted your finger and pointed at him, looking back to your mentor.
“He’s like snow.”
Their eyes softened by the tiniest bit, having seemingly realized that you were still disorientated. After all, in a sense, you had just been born.
“I suppose he is.” Putting a hand on your shoulder, they guided you away from the man. “Now, as I was saying…”
Their voice faded away into the background as the white-haired man noticed your gaze. He turned to look at you, his ruby-like eyes like blood speckles against the winter landscape. You stared at each other for only a few seconds before you turned to follow your mentor.
You quickly forgot the pretty stranger, but you would stay in his memories for quite a while before you’d cross paths again. In the darkness of the Underworld, you were like a lantern - radiating warmth and familiarity.
You were beautiful, like a flower in summer. That was, until he met you for the second time.
Swiftly and ruthlessly, holding true to your occupation as a reaper, you cut apart any premonitions he had had about you. When you were put against him to spar by your mentors, the drowsiness had worn off - instead replaced by insufferable audacity.
As your scythes clashed, sparks flying between the two of you and burning him in the process, your mouth just wouldn’t stop moving, stop talking. The innocently sleepy look on your face was replaced with a shit-eating grin as you blocked his attacks, trapping him in a frenzied dance.
“What’s wrong, boo?” you laughed, twirling your scythe to drive him back. “Don’t tell me you’re getting tired already.”
Casper’s eyebrow twitched at the nickname; you wouldn’t stop calling him that ever since you learned his real name. He didn’t understand where it came from, but just the way you said it was enough to annoy him.
“Hardly,” he scoffed, his boots kicking up dust as they skidded against the ground. He was quick to lunge back at you, his movements precise as he swung his blade. “If anything, I’d wager that you’re the one tiring out.”
“Ha!” You ducked under his attack and sprung forward, Casper’s hair tickling at your face as you came nose to nose with him. Startled, Casper had no time to react as you slammed the end of your scythe’s staff into his chest.
Before he knew it, Casper’s back was against the ground, your boot on his chest, and your scythe at his neck.
Your breaths were heavy as you looked down on him, but your eyes glowed with triumphant victory. The fight may have been more exhausting than you’d like to admit, but the view you had was well worth the effort.
Beneath you, Casper struggled to catch his own breath, his chest heaving under the soles of your foot. His white hair splayed around him like a halo, and his face was tickled pink from the fight.
Even in defeat, he was beautiful.
You leaned forward, putting your weight on your knee. Casper grunted as you pressed harder on him. Just for the fun of it, you pressed your scythe’s blade against his chin and guided him to look up at you and your grin.
“I win,” you sang mockingly.
Casper groaned, letting his head fall against the floor. You laughed heartily, stepping off of him and instead extending your hand to him. Without a second thought, Casper took it, allowing you to pull him to his feet and dust him off.
“That’s what, victory number twenty-one?” you asked, stretching. “That means I’m in the lead now, Casp.”
“Whatever,” Casper scoffed, dusting off his chest where your foot had been. “I’m sure the score will even out in no time.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” you squinted at him. Casper stuck his tongue out at you.
“I don’t know, what does it mean?”
You hit his chest playfully. Casper grunted, glaring at you from the corner of his eye.
That’s how it had always been, after all. You and Casper would go back and forth in this tantalizing dance, exchanging jabs and jokes at the same time.
To Casper, you were insufferable, but annoyingly capable. To you, Casper was way too serious and stuck up, yet had that charm about him that made you want to tease him at every possible opportunity.
But for many, many years, your relationship never went further than mere friends - if Casper even wanted to call you that.
━
The day Casper’s view of you changed was like a stormy sky - dark, yet light still managed to peek through.
You’d come back to headquarters with a solemn look upon your face. For someone who had just come back from a mission, you were oddly… clean. There wasn’t a trace of blood on your clothes, yet your eyes were dark, haunted. Even your scythe’s shine seemed dull.
For the reapers, to have someone normally so loud and full of life be reduced to this, was frightening. They’d grown used to your smile, your voice, your light. You parted crowds with your uncharacteristically serious aura; if there was anything a sensible reaper feared, it was the wrath of a joyous soul.
Immediately after turning in your report to headquarters, you disappeared from the public eye.
When Casper first heard the news, he had brushed it off. You were probably just having a bad day, he tried to assure himself. Maybe you’d finally realized the grimness that came with your profession. Maybe the soul you’d reaped was especially troublesome and gave you a run for your money.
Despite his attempts to make up explanations for your behavior, he couldn’t stop the worry from gnawing at his heart. It twisted in his chest like soul sickness, an ailment that he wasn’t used to nor did he understand. It even followed him into his work, plaguing his mind and distracting him as he reaped soul after soul.
He’d made haste to return home, knowing that this illness would only worsen if he stayed out.
The Underworld was always dark, but that day, the sky was pitch black. Eager to return to the comfort of his bed, he quickly made his way to one of the many apartment complexes in which reapers resided.
However, just before he opened the door to his room, his hand stilled at the sound of crying.
Now, sadness wasn’t an uncommon emotion in the Underworld. Ghosts, sinners, and demons alike wailed and screamed their woes into the night. Their cries were as common as the sound of rushing cars in a human city.
But not for reapers, especially in their home. Reapers, at their core, were cold, emotionless, and ruthless - they needed to be, in order to do their jobs properly. A reaper’s tears were rare, almost taboo.
The more Casper listened, he soon recognized a familiar voice among those sniffles: yours.
Could it be? He looked up to the rooftop, his hand wavering. His soul pulsed in his chest, warning him to ignore you and focus on himself. But his heart argued back.
Casper glanced once more at the doorknob to his room. Cursing himself, he heaved a sigh and walked away - moving towards the staircase leading to the rooftop.
As he emerged onto the rooftop, the first thing he noticed was how clear the sky was. Its crimson blanket was more like that of a rose’s rather than bloodstains, and if he squinted, he could perhaps delude himself into seeing a few stars.
Then came you.
Casper’s heart plummeted in his chest when he saw your form curled into itself. You sat at the edge of the rooftop, your knees pulled up to your chest and your face buried in your arms. Your back was to him, but Casper saw the way your shoulders trembled.
He tried to take a step towards you, tried to reach to you with his hand, but hesitated. What would he even say? What could he say? What could he do?
His thoughts halted when you took a deep, shuddered breath, your voice raw from cry.
“What do you want, Casper.”
Casper. Not Casp, not boo, not any of the annoying nicknames that you called him by.
“I…”
He stepped back, feeling fear for perhaps the first time in his life. For the first time, he was unsure of what to do.
You couldn’t see him, but you heard him walk away and descend the staircase. You laughed hollowly, wiping at your face with your hand.
“What was I even expecting…” you muttered bitterly, gripping at your own arms for support. “Why would he of all people…”
You shut your eyes tighter. Without the company of the sky and the city, you were left alone with your thoughts. Memories of what you had witnessed laughed in your mind, latching onto you like a parasite and refusing to let go.
You were never afraid of blood, nor of death, but today, just the thought of it made you nauseous.
Something soft nudged at your elbow. Blinking your eyes open, you warily looked to your side.
However, instead of seeing a person, you came face to face with a bright pink axolotl plushie.
You and the plushie stared at each other for a good minute, neither of you knowing what to make of the other. It wasn’t until you heard a familiar, exasperated sigh from behind the plushie that you realized what it was.
“Don’t just stare at him,” Casper mumbled, pushing the plushie against you. You blinked owlishly, before hesitantly taking the plushie into your arms.
Hugging it against your chest, you rested your chin on top of its head. The plushie was oddly warm, yet comforting. Casper sat beside you, silent and gazing up towards the sky. For a while, the two of you simply sat in this silence, with the only thing breaking it being your quiet sniffles.
“...She was just a kid,” you finally spoke, catching Casper’s attention and making him look at you. You, however, kept your gaze straight ahead to the city lines, refusing to meet his gaze. “She was just a little girl, and yet they… they…”
You hugged the plushie a little tighter.
“I just can’t understand how humans can be so cruel to each other.”
Casper’s gaze turned downcast. “That’s how they’ve always been. Life is cruel, even to the purest of souls.”
“It’s not fair.”
“Hardly anything is.”
“It shouldn’t have been her. It should’ve been that bastard that murdered her.”
“He’ll get what he deserves. Karma will catch up to him.”
“But what if it doesn’t? What if he gets let off?”
“He won’t.”
Unexpectedly, you let out a snort at Casper’s deadpanned voice - so assured and serious. Casper raised a brow, looking at you inquisitively.
“You know,” you said, raising your head. “You’re somehow really bad and really good at comforting people.”
“What?” Casper wrinkled his nose. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” you said softly. “I didn’t mean it as an insult. Actually, that’s one of the things I like about you.”
“That I’m apparently a bad comforter?”
“No, silly.” You leaned your head on the plushie again, only this time you were looking at your coworker. “Your seriousness. How you’re always so confident in yourself. How even if you don’t know what you’re doing, you still try.”
Red bloomed across Casper’s face like a flowering blossom, reaching from his cheeks to the tips of his ears. He rubbed the back of his neck, averting his gaze.
“It’s not fair when you start saying things like that,” he mumbled. You giggled a little, leaning onto his shoulder with his plushie still in your arms.
“I’m just being honest,” you hummed. “Or maybe I’m coping. I dunno.”
Casper chuckled, but made no move to push you off him. You closed your eyes. The turmoil in your heart was still there, of course, but with Casper against you, it eased up just a little.
“Seriously though, thank you,” you said. “For coming up here for me and, well, everything.”
“It was nothing,” Casper replied. “You were looking pretty pathetic, all depressed and all.”
You huffed. “Just admit you care about me, Casp. Is that so hard?”
Casper grumbled something unintelligible, before lifting his arm. You squeaked as he wrapped it around your shoulders, pulling you closer against him. With your head laid against his collarbone, you could feel every breath he took as well as the rapid beat of his heart.
“[Name],” he said quietly. “Remember the favor you promised me? For winning the race?”
“Mm… yeah. What about it?”
“I’d like to cash it in right now.”
“Oh lord,” you chuckled. “Alright, what do you want?”
