this started out as a singular drawing based on @ryllen 's human grim and cat yuu prompt because it was so genius and big brained... but then i couldn't stop drawing them wawawa. now im thinking of an alternate universe where NRC is a magic beast training school and all the NRC animals are the staff and the students are all magical beasts and and and-
ᦸ grim was an annoyance to everyone, but the ramshackle prefect never made him feel as if he was one.
Grim was the type of creature to act tougher, with more hisses than bites, because that was how the world had taught him to be.
Grim was the type of creature to act tougher, with more hisses than bites, because that was how the world had taught him to be.
That is until he met you.
He had never known the comfort and safety a pair of arms wrapped around him could bring. It was unfamiliar, to have such a nice feeling when all his life, he’d been seen as nothing but a mere rascal that causes disturbance and annoyance to anyone who has the misfortune of meeting him. It wasn't his fault, dreams are meant to be big and hard to achieve, right? So why was it that others sneered and mocked his dreams of achieving a bright future where people will acknowledge him as something other than a bother? Other students could dream without experiencing any of the things he had gone through.
Grim truly believes that in order for him to be loved, he must go down as one of the greatest. He would fight fangs and claws just to be able to achieve that feat.
But how come you’ve only nodded at him and told him that you believe he could reach his dream—a dream that seemed so unreachable for a creature like him no matter how much he denies it—all while having that stupid smile on your face?
It was weird. You were weird.
In a world where the weak could only dream of dethroning the strong, and the strong overshadowing the weak; Grim was only meant to be a mere speck of dirt in the vast lands of the world, but for reasons unknown to him, you decided that the same speck of dirt is nothing but a gem in the making. A great mage in the making, to be exact.
So, Grim decided that maybe you were worth keeping by his side. If only to have someone who would listen so attentively to his ramblings about being the best, to have someone he could share warmth with when the nights grow too cold, and lastly, to have someone he could finally consider as one of his own—a family. (though you’d never catch him saying something so corny, he’s going to become the greatest afterall!)
“Hench-human! The Great Grim has decided, you can stay by my side even if you’re weaker than me, myahahaha!”
“Is that so?” You dusted off the bed, sparing a glance at the lounging creature near you, “If the Great Grim so desires, then I shall be your ‘hench-human’ forever ‘till you get tired of lil ol’ me.”
“Myah! Ya better be! Or else I’ll cast one of my powerful spells on ya!”
“Yes, yes,” You nodded your head repeatedly, “this pitiful hench-human understands. Now, shall the Great Grim lay down to take his oh-so-precious sleep?” You patted the bed and leaned to the side as Grim leaped on the bed.
“...Are you happy, Grim?”
“Mrah! What kind of question is that? ‘Course I am! I’m getting stronger now!” You smiled, a one so soft and affectionate just like the look in your eyes that made Grim pause. Your hand petting his head slowly made him snap out of it, normally, he’d reprimand you for it, but.. at the moment, Grim can feel himself getting drowsy as his eyes get heavier.
“I’m glad you are, because I am too.”
Grim remembers it so clear, that was the last thing he heard before his eyes shut close and his mind went to dream land. You said you were happy, you told him that you’d be by his side. You promised, you said that promises aren’t meant to be broken—that they’re sacred things between people.
So, why did you leave?
Was he so annoying that you’d up and leave him the moment you got the chance to go back to your world, a world where your real family resides. (but wasn’t he your family too?)
Grim only remembers how chaotic his insides felt. He wanted to lash out to you, to everyone who abused your kindness—your softness. He couldn't, though, your last words to him before you left, he had to engrave it into his stubborn heart.
“You’re a big boy now, Grim…and sometimes, the greatest need to stand on their own.” You slide your hand over his head, “will you do that for me, Great Grim?”
He nodded, the only response he could make. Grim felt as if Floyd had dropped him in the freezing pool that the Octavinelle dorm has.
“Thank you, Grim.”
A kiss to the forehead was your last goodbye to him. He wanted to chase after you, to yell at you that his hench-human can’t abandon him. But, your words echoed through the chaos within. He’ll have to suck it all up, to act brave just like before, and pretend that your departure wasn’t making his eyes teary. Still, a few drops escaped out of his eyes but your back only grew smaller, your hand won’t be wiping away the tears anymore. So, he’ll deal with it.
No glowing monitors. No game soundtrack humming in the background. Just the faint light of the moon slipping through the curtains and the soft sound of rain tapping against the window.
You blinked up at the ceiling, then turned your head.
"...Can't sleep either?"
Idia was already looking at you, his blue flames flickering just a little brighter as he let out an embarrassed laugh.
"I've been staring at you for... uh... probably twenty minutes."
"You creep."
"I know."
You smiled anyway.
His room felt different without the constant glow of screens. Smaller. Warmer. More intimate.
You rolled onto your side until your noses were almost touching.
"I like seeing you like this."
"...Like what?"
"Without hiding behind a keyboard."
His hair turned pink almost instantly.
"I hate when you say things like that."
"Because they're true?"
"...Because you know exactly what they do to me."
You couldn't help but grin.
"So my awkward gamer boyfriend still gets flustered after all this time?"
"I get flustered because you're unfair."
Before you could tease him again, he reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair behind your ear.
Such a tiny gesture.
Yet it stole every clever response from your mind.
His thumb lingered against your cheek.
"You look too pretty..."
His voice had dropped to barely more than a whisper.
"...It's distracting."
Your heart skipped.
"You've been staring at me for twenty minutes."
"...Thirty, actually."
You laughed quietly before closing the remaining distance between you.
The kiss started soft.
Slow.
The kind where neither of you was in any hurry.
His fingers carefully found your waist, almost hesitant, as though he was still asking for permission despite knowing the answer.
When you leaned closer, he melted into the mattress with the smallest sigh.
"I swear," he murmured against your lips, "you're gonna be the death of me."
"You'll survive."
"...Probably."
Another kiss.
Longer this time.
Warmer.
When your hand slipped into his hair, the pink flames flickered brighter, casting dancing shadows across the room.
"There it is," you whispered.
"My flames always give me away..."
"They're cute."
"They're not supposed to be cute."
"They're very cute."
"...I'm trying to have a romantic moment here."
"You are."
"...You're ruining it."
"I don't think I am."
You smiled before kissing the corner of his mouth.
Then his jaw.
Then his neck.
He inhaled sharply.
"O-Okay..."
His composure cracked almost immediately.
"...That's... that's really unfair."
"You complain a lot."
"I do."
"And yet you're not stopping me."
"...I don't want to."
The confession came so quietly that it almost disappeared into the rain outside.
You rested your forehead against his.
"I love you, Idia."
His eyes softened in a way only you ever got to see.
"I know."
A pause.
"...And I love you so much it honestly scares me sometimes."
You smiled.
"Good."
"...Good?"
"It means we're equally hopeless."
He laughed—an actual laugh, warm and genuine.
"...Yeah."
His fingers intertwined with yours beneath the blanket.
"I think," he whispered, pressing one last lingering kiss to your forehead, "I'd stay awake every night if it meant having moments like this with you."
Outside, the rain continued to fall.
Inside, wrapped safely in each other's arms, neither of you cared what time it was anymore.
vaporwave
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