Hi! I have a TWST request if it's okay with you. Can I get your headcanons for how the TWST boys will treat Grim once they go back home? I have a feeling they will spoil him rotten even if he's "unbearablly annoying" 🤭
P.s. If it's too many you can just do ones for the first-years, or simply for Ace and Deuce 🤗
divider credit: @dividers-are-us
• Ace tells everyone that Grim is doing "totally fine" even when the little monster has clearly been sleeping in the same spot on the Ramshackle couch for three days.
• "He's just being dramatic. You'd think Prefect was gone forever or something."
• The joke dies in his throat every single time he says it.
• He starts visiting Ramshackle far more often than he ever admits.
• At first he claims he only came because Deuce dragged him there.
• Then because he was bored.
• Then because the cafeteria had terrible food that day.
• Eventually Grim stops asking why he's there.
• Ace always acts annoyed whenever Grim demands food.
• "Seriously? Do I look like your personal chef?"
• Five minutes later he's handing Grim a bag full of tuna sandwiches and acting like he accidentally bought too many.
• He notices every little habit Grim picked up from Yuu.
• The way Grim still glances toward the front door whenever footsteps echo outside.
• The way he mumbles to himself while eating because that's what Yuu used to listen to.
• The way Ramshackle has become unbearably quiet.
• Ace pretends he doesn't notice.
• One afternoon Grim starts yelling about how everyone keeps looking at him differently now.
• Ace fires back immediately.
• "Maybe because you keep acting like someone kicked your tail."
• Grim snaps that Ace doesn't understand.
• Neither of them speak for several minutes.
• Then Ace quietly mutters,
• They never mention that conversation again.
• Ace starts inviting Grim to Heartslabyul whenever there's a dorm celebration.
• He insists it isn't because Grim would otherwise be eating alone.
• "Someone has to stop you from stealing everyone's food."
• Riddle notices Ace slipping Grim extra desserts anyway.
• Ace acts offended when he's caught.
• "What? The little furball eats like twenty people."
• During group study sessions Ace deliberately argues with Grim over absolutely everything.
• Whether tuna is better grilled or fried.
• It sounds like they're fighting.
• In reality Ace just can't stand how quiet Grim becomes whenever nobody talks to him.
• Sometimes Ace catches himself turning to tell Yuu something funny before remembering.
• His smile disappears for just a second.
• Grim notices every time.
• Neither of them acknowledge it.
• Whenever Grim accidentally falls asleep during one of Ace and Deuce's visits, Ace quietly throws a blanket over him.
• If Deuce points it out, Ace immediately gets defensive.
• "He's gonna complain if his neck hurts later. I'm saving myself the headache."
• Birthdays become especially difficult.
• Ace still buys an extra cupcake before realising halfway through the walk that Yuu isn't there anymore.
• Instead of throwing it away, he silently places it in front of Grim.
• Grim doesn't say thank you.
• Ace doesn't expect him to.
• They simply sit together in Ramshackle's old lounge while the rain taps against the windows.
• Eventually Grim whispers,
• "...It still feels weird."
• Ace stares at the untouched fireplace.
• After a long silence he flicks Grim lightly between the ears.
• "Quit looking so pathetic."
• Grim growls and tackles him onto the couch.
• They end up wrestling across the room like they always used to.
• The laughter sounds a little quieter than before.
• But for a few minutes, Ramshackle almost feels like home again.
• Deuce takes his promise to look after Grim more seriously than anyone ever asked him to.
• Nobody actually tells him it's his responsibility.
• He simply decides it is.
• "Prefect trusted us with Grim."
• "So... I'm not gonna let them down."
• He starts checking on Ramshackle almost every day.
• Sometimes before class.
• Grim complains that Deuce is acting like his babysitter.
• "I don't need you following me around!"
• "Good. Because I'm not babysitting you."
• "...I'm making sure you don't accidentally get yourself expelled."
• Grim mutters that those are basically the same thing.
• Deuce starts bringing extra food from the cafeteria whenever he visits.
• He tries to make it seem casual.
• Ace immediately points out that nobody "makes too much" in a cafeteria.
• Grim notices it's always his favourite meals.
• He never says anything.
• Every time Grim gets into trouble, Deuce reacts almost automatically.
• Helps fix whatever was broken.
• Then sighs the exact same way Yuu used to.
• The first time he catches himself doing it, his expression falls.
• "...Guess I've been spending too much time at Ramshackle."
• Studying becomes a regular thing.
• Deuce drags Grim to the library even though Grim complains the entire walk there.
• "You still have classes."
• "Prefect would've wanted you to keep trying."
• Grim huffs dramatically.
• "...You're starting to sound like them."
• His grip on his notebook tightens just a little.
• Somehow that hurts and comforts him at the same time.
• Whenever Grim has nightmares, he refuses to admit it.
• The dark circles under Grim's eyes.
• The untouched breakfast.
• The way he startles whenever someone knocks on Ramshackle's front door.
• Deuce doesn't know how to comfort people.
• He's never been good with words.
• So instead he quietly cleans around the dorm while Grim sleeps a little longer.
• Repairs broken furniture.
• By the time Grim wakes up, everything is simply... done.
• Grim never catches him doing it.
• Ace eventually teases him.
• "You're basically Ramshackle's househusband now."
• "Wh What are you talking about?!"
• Every anniversary of the day Yuu left is difficult.
• Grim spends most of it pretending nothing is wrong.
• Deuce spends most of it pretending Grim is convincing.
• One evening Grim suddenly blurts out,
• "...Do you think they forgot about us?"
• Deuce answers before he can even think.
• His voice comes out stronger than he expected.
• "...Prefect wouldn't do that."
• "Because they never gave up on any of us."
• "...Even when we probably deserved it."
• Some days Deuce catches himself turning toward Ramshackle because he wants to ask Yuu for help studying.
• Or because he has good news to share.
• Or because something reminded him of them.
• Every single time, he remembers halfway there.
• But he keeps walking anyway.
• Because Grim is waiting.
• Because someone should make sure Ramshackle never feels completely empty.
• Deuce knows he can never replace Yuu.
• He just hopes that, until the day they can all be together again, Grim never has to wonder whether he's facing the silence alone.
• Jack doesn't make promises very often.
• So when he quietly tells himself that he'll look after Grim, he treats it like an oath.
• Nobody hears him say it.
• Loyalty isn't something Jack talks about.
• It's something he does.
• He starts stopping by Ramshackle every few days.
• Never announcing himself.
• Never making a big deal out of it.
• He simply knocks once before opening the door.
• Grim always rolls his eyes.
• Jack looks around the dusty living room.
• Then he leaves a bag of groceries on the table like it isn't the reason he came.
• If Grim thanks him, Jack immediately looks away.
• "The cafeteria had leftovers."
• Jack paid for every single thing himself.
• Grim starts skipping classes more often after Yuu leaves.
• Jack notices almost immediately.
• The next morning, Grim is still asleep when someone grabs him by the scruff of his neck.
• Grim spends the entire walk complaining.
• Jack ignores every word.
• "Prefect didn't spend all that time keeping you enrolled just so you'd quit now."
• Grim goes strangely quiet after that.
• Jack begins inviting Grim to train with him.
• Not because he expects Grim to enjoy it.
• Because he knows what it feels like to have nowhere for all that frustration to go.
• Grim groans dramatically.
• "You're trying to kill me!"
• "If I wanted to do that, we'd already be done."
• Grim mutters that wolves have no sense of humour.
• Jack definitely smiles.
• During training, Grim slowly stops thinking.
• Stops waiting for the front door of Ramshackle to open.
• By the time they're both exhausted, the ache in his chest doesn't feel quite so unbearable.
• Jack never says that's why he brings him.
• Some evenings they simply sit outside Ramshackle together.
• No awkward attempts at cheering each other up.
• Just comfortable silence beneath the evening sky.
• Grim eventually blurts out,
• "...It's too quiet now."
• Jack stares toward the forest beyond the school.
• After a long pause he quietly adds,
• It's the closest thing to admitting he misses Yuu too.
• Ace and Deuce are louder with their grief.
• Jack carries his differently.
• Every time he passes the spot where he used to meet Yuu for morning runs, his steps slow for just a second.
• Every time he smells one of the meals they used to share, he remembers the conversations they had afterwards.
• Every single memory follows him.
• He simply keeps walking.
• One afternoon Grim completely loses his temper.
• Demanding to know why Yuu had to leave.
• He waits until the room finally falls silent.
• Then he quietly starts picking up the books.
• "...Why aren't you yelling at me?"
• Jack places another book back on the shelf.
• "...Because breaking furniture isn't what you're really upset about."
• Jack isn't good with comforting words.
• But when Grim eventually sits on the floor with tears quietly slipping down his face, Jack lowers himself beside him.
• Just close enough that Grim knows he isn't alone.
• Minutes pass before Jack finally speaks.
• "...You were their family."
• "...That doesn't disappear just because they're gone."
• Grim wipes his eyes with the back of a paw.
• "...You really think so?"
• Jack answers without hesitation.
• Because when Jack Howl gives someone his loyalty, distance doesn't matter.
• And as long as Grim is still standing, Jack will make sure he never has to carry the weight of missing Yuu entirely on his own.
• Epel understands angry grief almost immediately.
• Not because he has been through the exact same thing.
• But because he knows what it feels like to have emotions so big that they spill out as irritation instead.
• The first time he sees Grim snap at someone for asking if he's alright, Epel doesn't scold him.
• He just waits until everyone else leaves.
• Then he sits down beside him.
• "...That question gets annoying after the hundredth time, doesn't it?"
• They don't have to explain themselves.
• Somehow, they both just get it.
• Epel becomes one of the few people who never tells Grim to calm down.
• Instead, he encourages him to let it all out.
• "Throw somethin' that won't break."
• "Better than keepin' it bottled up."
• Grim starts complaining about everything.
• How empty Ramshackle feels.
• Epel complains right alongside him.
• For once, neither of them feels guilty for being angry.
• Whenever Grim starts shutting himself away inside Ramshackle, Epel refuses to leave him there.
• He barges through the front door like he owns the place.
• Five minutes later Grim somehow finds himself sitting behind Epel on a magical wheel as they speed down the empty roads around campus.
• The wind drowns out every heavy thought for a little while.
• Grim pretends he isn't having fun.
• Epel pretends to believe him.
• Whenever Epel goes home to Harveston, he always comes back carrying more food than anyone could reasonably eat.
• Stew packed into enchanted containers that somehow stays warm.
• Grim immediately notices.
• "Gran always makes too much."
• She absolutely made the extra portions on purpose after hearing about Grim.
• Epel never tells him that.
• Watching Grim eat without forcing a smile makes something in Epel's chest feel lighter.
• Every now and then Grim accidentally laughs with his mouth full.
• One afternoon a group of students walks past Ramshackle.
• "Guess the little stray's all alone now."
• Before Grim can even react, Epel is already standing.
• His expression hardens so quickly it almost startles Grim.
• His carefully practised Noble Bell voice disappears completely.
• "Ya got somethin' ta say, say it ta me instead."
• The sharp country accent slips out before he can stop it.
• "See how brave ya still feel."
• The students leave surprisingly fast.
• "...You really scared them."
• Sometimes Epel catches himself saving funny stories because he wants to tell Yuu later.
• The smile fades from his face.
• Grim notices every single time.
• Neither of them brings it up.
• Some evenings they sit on Ramshackle's porch sharing slices of apple pie while watching the sunset.
• "...Do you think they'll come back someday?"
• Epel looks out across the fading sky.
• He doesn't answer right away.
• "...I'd sure like ta think so."
• Epel reaches over and lightly bumps Grim's shoulder with his own.
• Not making a big deal of it.
• Just enough to remind him someone is still there.
• Because Epel knows grief doesn't disappear overnight.
• But if Grim insists on carrying it, then Epel is stubborn enough to carry part of the weight beside him until the day Yuu finally comes home.
• Sebek refuses to accept that grief should be allowed to consume someone.
• The morning after Yuu leaves, he finds Grim curled up on the Ramshackle sofa, refusing to move.
• Sebek's voice echoes through the entire dorm.
• "MONSTER! ARE YOU TRULY GOING TO REMAIN THERE ALL DAY?!"
• Grim jumps nearly a foot into the air.
• "THEN CEASE LYING ABOUT LIKE A LAZY HOUSECAT!"
• Grim immediately starts arguing back.
• Somehow that was exactly what Sebek wanted.
• As long as Grim is shouting, he isn't sitting alone in silence.
• Sebek begins appearing outside Ramshackle every single morning.
• Always at the exact same time.
• "YOUR TRAINING COMMENCES NOW!"
• Grim groans dramatically.
• "...I never agreed to this."
• "YOUR AGREEMENT IS NOT REQUIRED!"
• Before Grim can protest further, Sebek has already hauled him outside.
• Their mornings quickly become exhausting.
• Magical endurance exercises.
• Endless lectures about discipline.
• Grim spends half the session complaining.
• Sebek ignores every complaint.
• "A STRONG BODY CULTIVATES A STRONG MIND!"
• "THAT'S NOT HOW THAT WORKS!"
• By the end of training Grim is too tired to spend the rest of the day trapped inside his own thoughts.
• Sebek never points that out.
• Every meal becomes another battle.
• Grim loses his appetite more often than anyone realises.
• The very next day Sebek marches directly into the cafeteria.
• "THE MAGICAL BEAST REQUIRES PROPER NUTRITION!"
• The ghosts blink at him.
• "PREPARE HIS FAVOURITE MEALS IMMEDIATELY!"
• Sebek straightens proudly.
• "TO MAINTAIN HIS PHYSICAL CONDITION AS A STUDENT OF THIS ESTEEMED INSTITUTION!"
• It has absolutely nothing to do with worrying.
• At least according to Sebek.
• Grim eventually notices that his favourite food somehow appears whenever Sebek is around.
• "...You asked for this, didn't you?"
• Sebek immediately looks offended.
• "I MERELY ENSURED PROPER PROCEDURE WAS FOLLOWED!"
• One afternoon a pair of students mutter that Ramshackle's "little pet" looks pathetic without Yuu.
• Sebek hears them before Grim does.
• They barely have time to finish their sentence.
• "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?"
• The entire hallway falls silent.
• Sebek steps between them and Grim without hesitation.
• "THAT CREATURE STOOD BESIDE THE CHILD OF MAN THROUGH EVERY TRIAL THIS SCHOOL PRESENTED!"
• "IF YOU POSSESS TIME TO INSULT HIS LOYALTY, THEN YOU CLEARLY LACK SUFFICIENT TRAINING!"
• The students flee almost immediately.
• Sebek watches them leave with an irritated huff.
• Grim quietly looks away before Sebek can notice the grateful smile tugging at his face.
• Some evenings Sebek finds Grim sitting outside Ramshackle staring at the sky.
• Neither of them speaks for several minutes.
• "...I still miss them."
• Sebek's expression softens so slightly that most people would never notice.
• His voice is much quieter now.
• "...The prefect earned the respect of this academy."
• "...Their absence is... deeply felt."
• Grim glances at him in surprise.
• Sebek clears his throat almost immediately.
• His voice returns to its usual volume.
• "THE GREATEST WAY TO HONOUR THEM IS TO CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD!"
• Sebek pretends not to hear him.
• Every morning Sebek still appears outside Ramshackle without fail.
• Every afternoon he makes sure Grim has eaten.
• Every evening he checks that the dorm is secure before leaving.
• He never once calls it kindness.
• Because in Sebek's eyes, anyone who stood faithfully beside Yuu deserves that same unwavering loyalty in return.
• And as long as Grim remains at Night Raven College, Sebek will ensure that no one, not even grief itself, is permitted to make him stand alone.
