because i knew you, i have been changed for good.
PLATONIC grim x reader
the mirror chamber was colder than you remembered.
cold enough that your breath fogged as you stepped inside, cold enough that every footstep echoed like it was already saying goodbye for you.
the others had walked you here earlier and crowded around you, hugging you, wishing you well.
now the room was empty.
well… almost empty.
a familiar tail flicked from behind one of the pillars.
“grim,” you said softly.
he stepped out, fur fluffed up, trying his hardest to look nonchalant even though his eyes were already shimmering.
“i-i wasn’t waiting for you or anything!” grim declared immediately. “i just… happened to be in the area. by complete coincidence!”
you smiled. a genuine smile despite the aching, pulling feeling at your chest. “uh huh. total coincidence.”
grim’s voice went small. “you’re… really going through the mirror?”
you glanced at its surface, already glowing with the magic that would send you home. “yeah. it’s time.”
grim swallowed hard, padding closer until he was right in front of you, little paws trembling despite his best attempts to hide it.
“well…” he said, puffing his furry chest, “you still owe me a proper goodbye! i am your first friend here, after all.”
you dropped to your knees so you could look him in the eye. your throat felt tight, but you forced your voice to remain steady.
“you were more than my first friend,” you said. “you were the one who helped me survive this place. when i was scared, confused, or completely lost… you were there.”
grim blinked rapidly.
“and grim… because i knew you, i’ve changed. for the better.”
you gave a watery smile. “for good.”
his breath hitched loudly. “y-you can’t just say stuff like that!”
you reached out, carefully brushing the fur between his ears. he leaned into your hand instantly. he always did.
“when i first came to NRC, i didn’t know anything,” you continued. “but you made this world feel less frightening. you made me feel like i belonged.”
grim’s tail curled around your wrist, timid in a way he never let anyone see.
“you changed me too,” he murmured. “i mean… i was always great! amazing! but… you treated me like i mattered. like i wasn’t just some fireball spitting monster. you made me… better.” his eyes wavered. “you made me want to be better.”
for a moment, the only sound was the hum of the mirror behind you.
then grim threw himself at you, wrapping his tiny arms around your neck with surprising strength. you held him as tight as your chest would allow.
“if we never meet again…” your voice shook, “just know you’ll always be with me. like a handprint on my heart.”
grim sniffed loudly, hopelessly. “you better not forget me,” he mumbled into your shoulder. “i won’t forgive you!”
“i won’t. not ever.”
you pulled back, cupping his face in both hands. he looked up at you with wide, glassy eyes, trying so hard not to fall apart.
“you ready?” you whispered.
“no,” he said immediately, voice cracking. “but go anyway.”
you stood. the mirror’s surface rippled, reflecting both your worlds at once.
grim sat up straight as he could, trying to look brave- even though his paws were still trembling.
“goodbye, grim.”
his voice was barely above a whisper. “goodbye, (y/n).”
you stepped into the mirror. just before your vision filled with light, you heard him call out- small, desperate, breaking:
“because i knew you… i’ve been changed too. f-for good.”
and then he was gone.
and so were you.
