Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Kevin…”

That was the word on Meta’s mind. Of all the words that he could be thinking about, that’s the first that came to mind. 

“Kevin… you, coward…”

Meta was going to try and sit up, but he knew that he was impaled by a piece of debris. A coward played on Kevin’s part, not going for hand-to-hand combat, the more “noble” thing to do. 

“Couldn’t… even give me that, huh?”

Meta waited for Kevin’s response, anything that Kaslana had to say, but nothing came. 

“Kevin?”

Meta’s eyes began to adjust to normal, taking a look around his surroundings for once. He could see that the debris was still pierced through him, and that Kevin was looking at him, but everything was basically in slow motion, extreme slow motion. Not only that, but Meta felt cold. 

Cold as if he was in the tundra.

“The hell is happeni-”

Meta felt as if his body was being pulled against harshly, his vision going from the debris in his chest and Kevin looking at him, to seeing and feeling his position change to a more standing position. But something was still off.

He could see his body impaled, but his vision was not where his body was.

“What the-?”

“Fi-na-ly”

Meta turned his head towards the voice behind him, seeing a very familiar figure standing before him. He had seen this person many times in the Previous Era, after all his attempted sacrifices, near death experiences, and adventures with him in the Previous Era with Elysia, oh he was very familiar with him. 

“Grim?”

“Hola Cabrón.” The figure stepped closer to Meta, the latter seeing his blue eyes and Skeleton Look, and the clothes he would wear back on Earth. The purple cloak, dark brown leather jacket and gray fur neck lining, dark blue boots, gray shirt, black pants, violin in its case on his back, a Raven sitting on his shoulder, and the black rose clipped onto his jacket.

“Okay now I know you are Grim.”

“Gotta make it easy for you Meta! Himeko was confused when she first saw me like this.” Grim waved his left hand over his skeleton face, his gloves not on.

Meta smiled at his friend. “Hehe, well she didn’t know who you were, Grim! How could she have known?”

“Pff, got me there I suppose.” Grim lowered his hand back to his side.

“You suppose? Other than me and Nat, you kept your identity a secret from everyone!” Meta gently hit Grim on his shoulders, the Skeleton taking a couple of steps back at that and Foulwing flying into the air, landing on Grim’s head.

“And you know why I had to Cabrón!” Grim returned the gesture with one hand, since he was still holding his Scythe in his right hand. The two friends had a laugh at their exchange, before calming down a bit, Grim speaking up. 

“I think it’s best if I return to the look you are most familiar with Meta, give me a moment.”

Meta could see Grim close his eyes, the bones in his head somehow mimicking muscle movement, and a bright light radiating off from Grim’s body. It didn’t take too long, seeing as Grim’s Human look started to show, his skin returning before his black hair with the white highlights started to come back. When his transformation finished, Grim opened his eyes again, still the same blue hue that Meta and a bunch of others could recognize.

“There’s the face I’m familiar with.” Meta said as he put his hands to his hips. 

“Last time you complimented my looks that way, you said something that practically made you turn red!”

Meta’s smile fell at that, embarrassment returning to him. “Uhh… what are you talking about?”

Grim could see the play Meta was trying to do, but wouldn’t back down. “Really? I’m sure you would have remembered! What was that you said that day?” Grim put his gloveless hand to his chin before looking at Foulwing for help.

“Squaak!”

“Oh right! Thanks bud!” He looked back at the elf. “You said ‘Your eyes are on thing… your stoic face…’ ” Grim said in Meta’s voice, having changed his voice to mimic his friend’s.

“Uhh… I don’t remember that! Not at all!”

Grim began to laugh hard at that, his balance only being held by his scythe, even Foulwing started to laugh, and Meta could only turn more red at the memory of him having his first gay panic attack towards his friend, but even he started to laugh it off with Grim. Hell, the two laughed hard at the memory, and they continued to do so for a good few minutes, before Meta realized something, his mood turning somber. Grim could see and feel the mood change, having caught onto what Meta was thinking.

“So, did it… you know, happen Grim?” Meta asked as he looked at his still body, and seeing Kevin look at his impaled body. 

Grim looked a bit sad to say his next part. “Yes, it did, Meta. After thousands of years and hundreds of supposed-to-be deaths, you finally died.”

“I… I see…” Meta said solemnly, looking at his hands, seeing that they returned to their normal look before he had to fight his old friend. “I finally… died…”

“I… I know it’s going to be hard, but you won’t be alone, Meta.”

“I… won’t?” Meta turned to look at his friend, who could only smile at him. 

“Of course, where you’ll be going, you’ll always have me at your disposal. But it’s not just me, you have some people who’ve been waiting for you for thousands of years, Meta.”

His eyes widened at the realization. 

Aponia.

Eden.

Kalpas.

Vill-V.

Su.

Sakura.

Kosma.

Mobius.

Griseo.

Pardo.

“Ellie… sister…”

It finally dawned on him.

“They’re… waiting for me…”

“That’s right, they have been eagerly waiting for you to come. Ellie especially,” Meta could see Grim’s eyes closed, smiling. “She still has the same excitement and personality as back in our traveling days…”

Grim swung behind himself with his scythe, managing to tear the fabric of reality, the tear managing to open and shine a blinding light. Meta had to cover his eyes initially, but his eyes adjusted to the light, seeing Grim extend his gloveless hand towards him, his right hand still holding onto the scythe. “Ready for your next adventure Meta?”

Meta took his friend’s hand, and the sudden realization of the repercussions of touching Grim’s hand without his gloves hit him like a truck in an isekai novel. 

But he was fine, remembering that Grim’s condition only works with those who are alive. But another thought came to Meta’s mind.

“So… soft, and… smooth…”

Meta could only feel something poke his head real hard a second later. “I know you swing both ways, but don’t start thinking like that now Meta! You know I’m just gonna turn it down!” 

“Uhh-!” Meta’s thought process stopped as his sight changed when Grim pulled the both of them through the tear. Meta could feel himself leave the world he had been living on, as he felt himself going to a new place. 

The next thing Meta saw when he arrived at a new place was something that was… otherworldly. He could see floating islands that had waterfalls falling from them, mountains that go past the clouds with snow covering the peaks of said mountains, ravines that stretch for miles, plains that scatter infinitely in all directions, forests that are incredibly dense with some trees as wide as a suburban home, and so much more. When he looked behind himself, he could see that he entered from one of those massive trees that are spread out here and there in this realm.

Not only that, but while hard to see, she could make out towns and cities within the many regions this realm has, some towns beside the ravines or built onto the sides of the floating islands, some of the massive trees turning into homes, and more. And it wasn’t just humans that were here, animals were too. Flocks of birds flying in the sky, bison running in the plains, deer running about in the forests, dogs running in the fields, cats climbing through the trees and roofs of homes, and more.

Meta’s mouth was wide open at the view in front of him, his hands covering his mouth. “Grim… is… this?”

“Yes it is Meta.” Grim stood in front of Meta, waving his hands to the sides. “Welcome to my and Enid’s Realm.”

“It’s…” Meta’s hands dropped from his mouth as he smiled. “Hehe… there isn’t a single word that can describe how… beautiful this place is!”

“So I guess the word is beautiful?” Grim said as he looked back at Meta, putting his left hand back in his jacket’s pocket.

“Hehe… I guess so!”

Grim had a chuckle at that as he closed his eyes, opening them not long after, Foulwing landing on Grim’s head. 

“Sqwaak!”

“Not surprised pal, you can spend time with your family.” 

“Sqwaak!” Was all Foulwing said before he flew off into the air, going towards a nearby forest.

At the mention of family, Meta’s mind went elsewhere, remembering who he left behind. At the reminder, the tears in his eyes started to form.

“Meta? Everything okay?”

“Y-Yeah… I-I’ll be fine…” Grim saw Meta look in the direction Foulwing flew off in, understanding immediately. With that, Grim didn’t say anything, he just rested his hand on Meta’s head.

“G-Grim?”

He didn’t say anything as Grim snapped his fingers, the scenery around Meta changing. No longer was he overlooking the realm on top of a hill underneath a massive tree, but he was looking at a massive building in the mountainside, snow dotting the land around him. Meta hadn’t been here often, but whenever he did, it made an impression on him. It became one of Meta’s favorite places to visit.

And here he was, standing in front of the building, almost as if it was recreated from his mind.

“Come now, let's get the fire started.”

Meta could only nod as he followed Grim into the building, making their way towards the living room. As Grim predicted, it wasn’t lit because nobody had started a fire for it. At this, Grim took a red pendant with a fire symbol and silver casing of some kind from his jacket, setting it on the logs. Soon, the pendant somehow lit the logs on fire.

Meta was going to ask what it was about, but Grim spoke up before he could.

“Is this place how you remember it, Meta?”

“Well… yeah… I know I mentioned the Golden Courtyard to you before, but why did you bring me here?”

“Well, because I wanted to speak with you before I took you to your family.”

Meta tilted his head at that. “Couldn’t you have done this little talk before I came here?”

“I could’ve, but I know that this is a place that makes you feel at peace, and I wanted that because we’re not going to leave what you said unresolved.” Grim pointed for Meta to sit on a nearby couch, to which he did, waiting for Grim to continue speaking. “Tell me this Meta. How are you feeling about your death?”

“W-Well, as best as anyone can under the circumstances…” A tear fell from his eyes.

“That’s fair, but what’s on your mind?”

Meta released a bitter laugh, as the tears in his eyes continued to fall. “I should be happy… r-right? It’s what I’ve always w-wanted for the longest of time…”

Grim stayed silent as he let his friend cry.

“For… years… I wanted to d-die…” Meta looked at his hand as tears fell onto it, closing his hand into a fist after some time. “Hell, I sh-should’ve died s-so many times…” Meta’s fist opened again, going limp a second after. “S-So why…? W-Why do I f-feel like… I f-failed…? E-Even though… I g-got what I w-wanted…?”

“Is it because Kevin killed you?”

Meta took some time to respond. “M-Maybe…? I don’t k-know… I trust t-that Kiana, Mei, a-and Bronya will be able to s-stop him…” Meta’s face showed a look of wanting, disappointment, and longing. And that was all Grim needed.

“I understand what’s going on now.”

“W-What do you m-mean?”

“You think you failed because you wish you were still alive, even as we speak.”

Meta’s breath hitched at that, seeing in himself that what grim was saying is true. “Y-Yeah… I-I guess, now that I-I’m dead… I’m starting t-to realize what I left b-behind…” Meta’s mind went back to his wife and kids… and a blue haired woman that he wanted to see if he ever had a chance with. “N-Nat… S-Sora… E-Einstein… E-Everyone… I l-left them b-behind… w-without even telling t-them g-g-goodbye, without t-telling them how much they m-mean to me, that I-I’m sorry f-for not getting to stay with them a-anymore… for n-never telling E-Ein why I n-never accepted her f-feelings, a-and that I’m s-sorry that my fears d-didn’t give us a ch-chance…” Meta covered his eyes with his hands. 

“N-Now that I’m dead… I’m only now r-realizing what I never a-accomplished when I was alive…”

“That’s completely understandable Meta. You don’t really realize what you’ve lost until you lose it.” Grim rested his hand on Meta’s shoulder. “I don’t really know what I can say to offer you closure on what you couldn’t accomplish, as of now that is, but what I can say that might bring you comfort, is that I’ll make sure that Nat, Sora, Ein, and everyone else you care about knows that you did what you did so they could get to keep living. I’ll make sure that when stories are told about you, that they will be ones where everyone can be happy for the times they got to spend with you, and that they will be able to move on.”

“You already know that Nat is aware of who I am, so if they get any romantic feelings for me, I will turn them down no matter what because if they don’t get married to someone else, then Nat will still get to have you when she eventually reunites with you here.”

“As for Ein, since she also knows who I am, I would still have to turn down any romantic feelings, but I will still be her friend and help her out whenever she needs it, whether it be potential feelings for someone else or just being her rock when she needs it, because I know she will need it after today. And the same goes for Nat and Sora.”

“And, if you’re okay with this, I can act as an uncle or maybe even as a father figure for Sora. We both know she will need that in her life as she grows up, because that’s what all children need in their lives: A father and mother figure to help guide them through the world. I’ll help her out whenever she needs it, or wants to know stories about you, but I can still limit myself if you still want Sora to see you as her dad.”

“So, while your time on Earth is over, I’ll make sure that everyone you care about will be able to move on and can get to live their lives to the fullest they can, because I know that’s what you would want for them.”

Meta took in what his long time friend said before wiping his eyes with his arm, giving Grim a hug, to which he reciprocated without a problem. “Thank you Grim… I know that I will always have some unfinished wants for the rest of my time here, but it is reassuring to know that you’ll be there to make sure everyone can move on…” 

“As for Sora…” Meta ended the hug, looking at his friend. “It will most likely hurt, but I think she will need a father figure in her life… While I might not be able to fill the role for her anymore, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t deserve to have a dad in her life… So if there comes a time where Sora sees you as a dad, then I will be okay with it…”

“I’ll try my best Meta. And if it helps, and I know I already said this, but if Nat doesn’t remarry or get into another relationship, I’ll make sure you can still have her when she comes here.”

Meta had a chuckle at that. “I guess I should thank you for that, but I know a part of moving on is living your life… So if Nat gets feelings for someone else, but is worried that it’ll hurt me, then help her move on. She doesn’t deserve to be alone for the rest of her life if she doesn’t want it. I only want her to not remarry if that’s what she truly wants and is okay with it.”

Grim took in what Meta said before nodding. “Alright. I’ll make sure to keep that in mind. But now…” Grim put his hand into his cloak, retrieving a leather book with the symbol of a tree on the center of it. “A gift. This book will take you to anywhere you have visited in this realm.”

Meta took the book and opened it, seeing that there was a page dedicated to the Golden Courtyard, a picture of the main building just underneath the title of said page. And just underneath the main picture was a short description about the place. 

“This is no ordinary book however, as it is, for no better term, magical. You can put anything you want into here and the book will allow you to change how the pages look like. For example…” Grim took out a camera and took a picture of the living room they were in, the photo coming out not long after, giving the camera to Meta. “I can put this picture in the book simply by hovering over where I want the picture to be. So if you want it underneath the summary of the place, anything under it will move out of the way for you!” Grim handed the picture to Meta, him placing the picture just underneath the summary, the book taking the picture and placing it where Meta put it.

“If, however, you wanted to title the picture, but want the title on top of said picture, then you can simply drag the photo down a bit and the book will allow that.” Meta did as he said, dragging the picture down a bit and stopped, the book holding it in its new place. “Now you can title it ‘Living Room’ or anything you want.” Grim handed Meta a pen and wrote out the words just above the picture. “But let's say you want the title to be underneath the photo now, then you can just drag the words to be under the picture!” Meta did what he was told, the words moving as if he were touching a tablet. 

“Another thing, the pictures act as a teleport waypoint, so just tapping the picture will bring you to what the picture is displaying. Not only that, but you can also use the book to change the weather of this area. So if you don't want it to snow, you can make it rain or even a clear sky! But the time cycle is something it won’t control, or even terraforming. That’s something only I and Enid have control over. Oh, and there is a table of contents in the beginning that you can always change. You can organize it however you want, and tapping the words will take you to the page!”

“This book is extremely customizable, so you can put whatever you want in it, and it won’t get too big, no matter how much information you put in!”

Meta closed the book, resting it on his lap. “This is… certainly a very handy book. But I must ask, why a book? Wouldn’t a tablet or phone make a bit more sense?” 

“Long story short, where I’m originally from, we don’t have electronics like you do. And a book is nicer anyways.” Grim then remembered something. “Oh, just so you don’t have to lug that around all the time, you can simply just put it inside the pouch on your hip.”

Meta looked down and saw a simple coin bag on his hip, opening it and finding that it can open to really any size he needs, putting the book and camera inside.

“There is a limit to how much you can put in the bag however, but you can have more space by getting other bags that do the same thing.”

Meta hugged Grim again. “Thanks for these things, Grim…”

Grim returned the hug. “Of course.” Grim ended the hug as he stood up from the couch, facing Meta. “Now then, I believe it’s time we reunite you with some special people, Meta. But before we do.” Meta was about to ask where they were going to go, but Grim snapped his fingers before he could, seeing that he was standing in front of a building. 

“A bar?”

“Well, she wanted to see how her successor was after she had to leave.”

Meta’s eyes opened in realization, Grim walking towards the bar doors. He opened them, and there, a woman standing out in the crowd with her red hair, chugging down a bottle of alcohol as others inside were cheering her on.

“FWAAAH!” Some of the foam fell from the edges of the mug and her lips when the trail disconnected, the red head slamming the mug back down onto the table. “Haha! I can keep this up! Hey bartender!” Himeko raised her mug towards the one behind the stand. “Another please!”

“Miss Himeko, I would refill your mug. However…” He pointed his finger towards the doors. “It appears Grim is looking for you.”

Himeko turned her head towards the door, seeing the familiar human standing in the doorframe. “Grim!” She got up from her seat and made her way towards the door, slapping his back once she got there. “It’s been a long time since I last saw you!”

“You know you could just call me anytime you wish right?”

“I could, but I felt like you had other important things to deal with. Anyways, what brings you here?”

“Well, how about you take a look at who is beside me?”

Himeko turned her head to Grim’s side, seeing a familiar elf standing next to him. In all honesty, she was surprised she didn’t recognize him sooner!

“Meta!” Himeko brought the man into a bone crushing bear hug, carrying him outside as Meta returned the hug. “Oh it’s been such a long time! How have things been when you took up my position?”

Meta could hardly speak as his lungs couldn’t get the air needed. “T-Things have been, c-certainly challenging…” Meta had to stretch his limbs once he was free from Himeko’s grasp, taking a big breath. “But nothing I couldn’t handle.”

Himeko released a sigh. “I’m glad to hear that Meta, I was worried that my abrupt end would’ve set you back.”

“I mean, it did, since I had to mourn and so did the others, but after that, it wasn’t too much of a sudden change.”

“That’s understandable, I would’ve done the same if I was in your sho-” Himeko stopped abruptly when she saw Meta’s eyes start to fill with tears. Seeing this, she brought him into another, less bone crushing, hug. “It’s okay to cry Meta. I would be surprised if you didn’t.”

Meta wrapped his arms around the redhead, burying his head into her shoulder as the tears fell out of his eyes. “I-It’s just… w-we knew you d-didn’t have… m-much time l-left… t-t-to begin with… but y-you were still i-important to us…” 

Meta took in a big breath as Himeko rubbed his back. “A-All of us were s-so… w-worried that i-if you d-died… we w-wouldn’t even be a-able…” Meta didn’t continue after that, focusing on the feeling of Himeko's hand traveling to his hair.

“Worried about what Meta?” Himeko asked, scratching Meta’s scalp gently, the latter having to take a big breath before speaking.

“…T-To find your b-body…”

Himeko’s breath stopped for a moment, before continuing to scratch Meta’s hair. “Well, I was told my funeral was an open casket, so I take it you found my body and made sure it was cared for?”

“I-It was h-hard… b-but we d-did find your b-body… a-and made sure i-it was cared f-for… t-till you had t-to be… buried…”

Himeko closed her eyes at that, smiling as she did so. “Thanks for being one of the few people to worry about something related to me Meta.”

He was a little taken aback at that statement, but only took it in and accepted what she said. “H-How could we n-not…? Y-You were o-our t-teacher… you d-deserved to have a p-proper f-f-funeral…”

Himeko patted Meta’s head before ending the hug. “And I thank you for that Meta. As much as I would love to steal you for the rest of time, I believe you still have things to do here. So save those tears for when you reunite with your family.”

Meta had a small laugh at that, still sniffling. “S-Should I expect t-to see you here often then?”

“Haha! Even though this is my favorite bar in this realm, I spend most of my time at my home that Grim had set up for me.”

“Really? That’s a little surprising.”

“I suppose it is, I would probably spend all my time at a bar drinking since I don’t have a job, but I still feel obligated to control myself, even if I have all the time I could ever need.”

“Huh, well it’s nice to see that even in death, you’re trying your best Himeko.”

“Hehe, even here I still have things I want to do, not intoxicated.” 

“That’s fair.” Meta took out his camera and got into a position where he could get a good look of the bar, taking a picture, waiting for it to print as he took out his book. 

“Oh? I see you got your book and camera too!” Himeko said, reaching into her own pouch and taking out hers. It depicted the same cover but instead had a red leather cover in the middle branching into darker variations, instead of the brown Meta had, and had a gold bookmark tag hanging to the side.

“Oh! Your’s is different!”

“When Grim told me these things were customizable, I wanted to see just HOW customizable the outside was. So I just got some paint for leather and changed the color. Having a lot of time here really does make you think what to do!”

“That’s something I need to keep in mi-” The picture came out of the camera as Meta was speaking, Meta taking the picture and putting it on a new page of his book, writing out some information so he can remember why he put the picture in here, putting the camera and book away when he was done. 

“Anyways, looks like you need to get going Meta.” Himeko said, opening her book to a page.

“Alright, well…” Meta gave Himeko one last hug. “See you later Himeko…”

Himeko took the hug as she returned it. “See you on another day Meta…”

When the two separated, Himeko tapped a picture and her body disappeared with a bright light, Grim standing beside Meta as the latter covered his eyes. “Today certainly has been a crying fest hasn’t it Meta?” 

“Y-Yeah, I guess so…”

Grim patted Meta’s shoulder. “Hey, don’t worry. I can take you to see her whenever you want, or if she gives you a picture of her place.”

“I… should’ve asked for that…” Meta rubbed the back of his head at that, realizing that he did forget to ask Himeko for a picture of her house.

“Well, there will be another time. Anyways, I can take you to the others now if you want.”

Meta nodded his head quickly at that. “Yes, let's get going!”

Grim laughed at Meta’s enthusiasm, snapping his fingers like he did before, and Meta saw that he was no longer standing outside the bar Himeko was at, but in an open field with flowers dotting the landscape. Not too far from them, Meta could see eleven figures, and a few others, in the field. 

Eleven figures that he hadn’t seen in years.

Ellie was enjoying herself at the sight in front of her.

“Meow!”

“Ahh! Can! You can’t eat that!”

“Meow!” Can started to run at that, managing to get Pardo dizzy.

“Caaa- oof!” Pardo had fallen onto the ground not long after. Can, for whatever reason, decided that he wanted to sit somewhere else.

“Huh? There’s something furry on my head…” Ato said muffled, not really trying to move the object off his face.

Griseo had to take a break in painting to look, Kosma looking as well, to see what her father asked, seeing Can’s body on his head. “Ah. Can is chewing on Dad’s hair.”

“Ahh, so that’s what’s on my head.”

Mobius just looked at the sight indifferently.

“Huh? Wait, Mobius complained to me several times about waking up to wet hair, and even asked me if I had made some useless invention…” Vill V said as she touched her own hair.

“Looks like she was right.” Sakura said offhandedly as she cleaned her Katana, seeing Can still gnawing on Ato’s hair. There was a damp spot forming at this point.

“Waah! I want to play with the kitty too!” Rin said excitedly, Can already slowly move off of Ato’s face.

“Be careful! That cat is mean!” Dystopia warned, looking at Can a bit fearfully.

“Meow!” Can got off from Ato’s face and went to sit by a pink haired elf.

“You scared it with your enthusiasm.” Eden said amusingly, her enjoyment at the scene being obvious.

“I hear that cats become more interested in you the more you act aloof.” Klein said as she looked at Eden.

Kosma was almost surprised at the fact, continuing to watch Griseo paint as he helped her.

“I see. So this is why Can liked Kevin.” Su said out loud, seeing the fluff ball getting a belly rub from the pink haired elf.

“Nope! Can liked Kevin because Kevin had been secretly feeding him!” Elysia said, still giving Can his belly rubs, the latter purring throughout his session.

“Hmm… I saw it more than once too. Kevin would sneak into the kitchen in the middle of the night…” Aponia remembered, reliving the moment for a second.

“So that’s why?!” Pardo finally got her face out of the ground at that, some of the grass tips flying off with the speed she had. “When Kevin comes here, he will get a piece of my mind!”

“Don’t be too hard on him, Pardo.” MEI asked, wiping off the grass that Pardo shot into the air off her jacket. “It’s hard to resist when Can is giving the look .”

“Still! I don’t want Can to become a balloon!”

“Meow!”

“Hehe! Looks like he didn’t like that Pardo~!”

Can just ignored what was said next, rolling around to get back scratches, Ellie taking note and continuing with giving Can his scratches. The fluff ball looked behind himself when he saw a bird fly behind him, seeing a figure walking towards them. “Meow…?”

“Hmm? What is it Can?” Ellie asked as she looked at the cat, seeing that Can was looking away from the group, while also ignoring Pardo’s complaints about overfeeding her cat.

“Meow!” Can got up and ran to the figure, climbing up his jacket with his claws.

Everyone looked in the direction that Can ran to, only to see Grim walking up to them, and Can sitting on his shoulders like a neck pillow. No one yet saw the face they wished to see for so long. 

“Oh! Hi Grim~!”

“Hello everyone, I’m not interrupting anything am I?” Grim asked as he scratched Can’s head, the latter moving said head closer to Grim’s hand.

“Oh nothing,” MEI replied as she was getting up. “All of us were just spending some time together is all.”

“Grim! Can you tell everyone here to not overfeed Can!”

“Meow!”

“No it’s not fine Can!”

“Your conversations do make this rather amusing Pardo.” MEI said as she gave Can a chin rub.

“MEEEI!”

Mostly everyone present released a laugh at that, a loud one at that, only Pardo didn’t laugh since she was the main reason for all the laughing. 

Once the laughing died down, someone spoke up. “Why are you here Grim?” Kosma asked, realizing his tone wasn’t rather pleasant. “My apologies for the tone in my voice just now.”

“It’s alright Kosma, I’m not offended.” 

“Here to play your violin for us~?” Elysia asked, smiling as she put her hands behind her back. 

“Maybe later, but as for the reason I’m here,” Grim smiled at everyone present before putting his scythe away in his cloak. “Perhaps it’s best if I let him speak.”

Everyone looked confused at that, but saw that Grim moved out of the way, using his hand to point out the other figure a couple of feet behind him. For some, it took a couple of seconds to recognize the figure. To others it took a bit longer.

But for Elysia, she recognized the figure in the blink of an eye.

Elysia’s eyes were already filled with tears seeing him .

Meta was still. 

Grim was already walking ahead of him, but he was staying in place. 

Shouldn’t he be walking beside Grim? This is the family he had been waiting to see for years, so why was he standing in the field by himself and not reuniting with them?

“Could it be that I’m just… scared?”  

Meta could see Pardo falling to the ground trying to chase Can, with the latter sitting on Ato’s face. He smiled at the sight. 

“They seem to be happy…”

He could see Griseo painting something on a canvas with Kosma sitting beside her, watching her paint whatever it is she thought of, helping her by holding a cup of water and picking up paint colors she asked for.

Mobius looked like she was in her own world, not really caring about what was happening around her. Even though she could see Can having his way with Ato’s hair. 

“Would it be… right to just… interrupt their peace?”  

Everyone there had smiles on their faces. Well, some of them do, but Meta could tell they were at peace.

Probably have been for years at this point.

He could hear Rin’s excitement in her voice, the main reason? He couldn’t hear, even though his ears were better at listening than the average human. He could make out a furry ball run away from the voice and sit by someone else, that someone giving it some attention.

“Could they have… forgotten me…?”

Could it even be possible? Could Griseo forget the times they painted together? Could Aponia forget the motherly/sisterly talks with him? What about the lessons that Meta would teach Kosma to help with his tone whenever he spoke? Could all of the Vill V’s remember the Meta whenever he got confused so many times on who was fronting? Would Can forget the times Meta would sometimes discreetly give him some extra food? All the times Pardo made him reconsider overfeeding Can? 

Could Elysia have been so happy here, that she might’ve forgotten that she had a brother?

“It’s… not impossible” He could hear the group laugh at something someone said, Meta already knowing that they had to have been smiling brightly at the commotion. If anything, he just wants to join them!

“But then… why am I still standing here…?” Why couldn’t his legs just… move? He closed his eyes, feeling disappointed with himself. “I wanted this… right? So why can’t I just finish it?”

“Cabrón, if you’re gonna move, do it now.” Grim said in Meta’s mind. “Why are you not moving?”

“Grim… I’m just… I think I’m just… scared…”

“For what reason?”

“I’m scared… that they might have forgotten me…” Meta could hear Grim laugh in his head.

“Is that the reason? Cabrón, who could ever forget you? Certainly not your family or friends! Hell, Himeko recognized you the second she saw you standing beside me, so what’s so different between her and the family you’ve spent years with in the Previous Era?”

Meta could see that Kosma was talking with Grim just ahead of him. “Well, unlike Himeko, they have been here for longer than she has… They probably forgot me during that time…”

“Meta. Listen. While your concerns are understandable, they are also completely idiotic. You’ve been with them much longer than you have been with the Hyperion Crew. They could never forget you because you became such an important figure to them. Griseo and Kosma look up to you. Aponia is like an older sister to you. Eden teases that she’s older than you all the time. Mobius would prank you almost all the time. Vill V knew you were someone who could handle all her crazy antics with all her other personalities. Su is an older brother for you. Kalpas is the same, but would scare you sometimes. Sakura helped you become stronger than you were back then.”

“And Ellie, well, she’s your younger sister. She looks up to you, wanted to be you, to look out for you, and so much more, because she’s your sister. She knows you the best because you two were two peas in a pod.”

“So if you can still say that they forgot about you, then you have to be crazy, because they will never forget you, in their previous life and new one.”

Meta couldn’t respond to that. Of course Grim was right. He and Ellie have been through thick and thin with the others, so for them to forget him, just because they haven’t seen him in years? 

“Thank you Grim… I needed that.”

“Of course. Now prepare yourself.”

Meta looked ahead, and he saw Grim move out of the way of everyone, moving his arm towards him. And out of all the faces he could’ve locked eyes with first.

His eyes locked with his sister’s.

In all honesty, Grim was rather excited.

Was it because of the fact that he was able to take Meta’s soul after years and years of changing Fate? Well he would be lying if he said it wasn’t true. As Death, it’s his job to take the souls of the dead to the afterlife, so for Meta to change Fate so many times, even unknowingly? The Death part of Grim was happy about that.

Was it because he gets to show his friend the realm that he and Enid created thousands upon thousands of years ago? Well, it wouldn’t be human to not be excited to show a friend something you’ve been working hard on and find enjoyment in and dedicated so much time on.

But as Grim himself, he was more or less indifferent about his friend’s passing. All because he can visit Meta and the others who have departed, so he can’t really feel sad that his friend is gone because he can speak to him whenever he wants to. 

“Guess I need to start acting in front of everyone except Nat and Ein.”

But at this moment, he wasn’t excited about any of what was said before. He had been waiting to see this moment for years, and it was finally about to pay off. 

He was about to see the siblings reunite with their long lost family member.

As he looked at everyone present, the Flame-Chasers started to look in Elysia’s direction, wanting to know what caught her attention. As they did, Grim could see the recognition hitting them hard. 

Griseo accidentally drew on the wrong spot on her painting, but she didn’t care.

Kosma made sure to set Griseo’s supplies down gently. 

Eden was taking her time getting up from the ground. 

Mobius was showing excitement.

Aponia’s eyes were that of a mother seeing her child again. 

Vill V’s face was changing rapidly, her other personalities wanting to front at the same time.

Sakura dropped her Katana onto the ground.

Su’s face was surprised for once after who knows how long.

Kalpas was just as surprised as Su, though his mask wouldn’t show it.

Pardo had completely forgotten about Can, looking at the figure in the distance.

Grim looked at Ellie, wanting to see her reaction, and he saw something on her face that he was expecting. Tears.

“G-Grim… is th-that…?” Elysia pointed to her brother in the distance, not sure if she was seeing correctly. The tears in her eyes probably didn’t help.

At that Grim could only smile. “He’s here.” 

The second Grim said those two words, Elysia bolted past him. Seeing Ellie’s reaction, Grim could only think one thing.

“Reunion time.” 

She wasn’t expecting her day to go like this.

She was simply expecting a day out with her family, along with everyone else. A get together since everyone had their own lives in this realm. 

Surprisingly, even in this realm where they don’t really have much to worry about, unlike they did when they were alive, everyone was still busy as ever! So this was one of the few occasions that everyone could come!

But that doesn’t mean that her day is ruined or anything! If anything, she is happy that today went in another direction entirely.

The only thing going through her mind at this very moment that mattered to her, is to run as fast and as hard as she ever had done before when she was alive.

“Onii-chaan!”

At this moment, Elysia felt like she was a little girl again. Seeing her brother come back after being away for a long time. And for a moment, she could remember a scene, similar to this, where she was running as hard as she was now, remembering how she felt in the moment. As she was running to her brother, her vision changed to that memory. 

“Onii-chaan! Catch meeeee!”

“Hold on Ellie! I’m not ready!”

“Hehe~! You better catch meee~!”

As Meta stood there, watching his little sister running towards him, he felt an indescribable rush of emotions flood his being. The joy that swelled up inside him was almost too much to bear, and he could feel his heart beating wildly in his chest as he too began to run towards her.

“Ellieeee!”

Meta’s worries, that all the time he spent with his sister, all the pain they shared, all the times they suffered together, all the adventures they went on, all his worries that everything about them having disappeared when her soul left her body, was gone in an instant. And Meta couldn’t be happier to be proved wrong.

“Ellie! W-Wait!”

“Hehe! I’m coming Onii-chan!”

“Ellie!”

When the two were close enough, Ellie couldn’t wait any longer…  

…The moment she knew she could, Ellie jumped to bear hug her brother, and Meta already had his hands out. The second the two could feel each other, they both brought their arms together, not letting go of the other. 

“O-Onii-ch-chan!” Ellie’s grip was almost tight enough to break a bone, but Meta didn’t care, as he returned the hug just as tight.

“E-Ellieee!” The tears on both parties were already mixing into the other’s clothes, but they too didn’t care about that, even as their clothes were getting damp spots.

For a moment, the outside world didn’t matter, as the two siblings were finally reunited after years and years of being apart from each other. 

Ellie separated slightly to grab Meta’s face into her hands, looking over him as a final reassurance that it was him in front of her. 

“Y-You’r-re h-here! I-I’m n-not imagining-ning t-things!” She sobbed out as she felt Meta’s skin on her hands, remembering the warmth in them whenever she would squish his cheeks when she was just a toddler.

“I-I’m here E-Ellie…!” Meta brought their foreheads together with one hand while the other kept the hug together, closing his eyes as he did. “I-I’m h-here…!”

Ellie closed her eyes, remembering the times that she and Meta would communicate telepathically like this, feeling Meta scratch her head. “I-I remember… *sniff*...”

“R-Remember what E-Ellie?”

“H-How you… would s-scratch my h-head… *sniff*... like you’re doing n-now… w-whenever I w-would-”

“C-Cry…” Meta finished while smiling, still scratching his sister’s head as their foreheads still rested on each other. “Hehe… G-Guess some instincts n-never leave us… e-even in death…”

“Hehe… I-I guess n-not…”

The two stayed hugging each other for who knows how long, only separating from their hug when their arms got tired and needed a break, but they did not leave each other’s sides. Ellie looked up and down at her brother, still smiling as she did so while cleaning her eyes of tears.

“Y-You grew up, Onii-chan! You look… mature!”

Meta let out a small chuckle at that. “Y-You saying I wasn’t?”

“W-Well, *sniff*, when I had t-to leave you… you were still l-learning on being human!”

At that, Meta remembered that in the Previous Era, he wasn’t all too human like he was now, since his whole existence was mainly to destroy and protect Ellie, but she did her best helping him become more than what he was born for. 

“That’s fair, *sniff* I-I’m just glad you helped me with t-the first steps…”

“C-Can we still…?” Meta saw Ellie bring her hand to the back of his head, Meta already knowing what she was doing, letting her do so. When they rested their forehead together, Meta could feel a connection between him and his sister, and he could hear her voice. 

“Onii-chan? This working?”

“Hehe…!”

“Why are you laughing?”

“It’s only now registering what you’re calling me!”

“Oh, I’m only realizing now too! Hehe~!”

“Well, I guess our little ‘ability’ still works here!”

“I’m glad it does, wouldn’t feel right without it!”

The two separated as they looked at each other, Meta looking over Ellie’s shoulder. He saw everyone behind Ellie wanting to come up to him. Ato was holding back both Kosma and Griseo, the latter trying to wiggle herself free. Pardo was doing her best to stay in place, but her hair being spiked out was telling another story. Vill V was still having some trouble with her personalities all wanting to front. Mobius was already sinking into the ground so she could appear beside Meta. Aponia was having to restrain Eden from charging ahead. Kalpas was not showing much emotion, but his shaking legs were enough to tell he wanted to run too. Su and Sakura were just in place, waiting for permission to go ahead.

Meta smiled at seeing his family recognizing him and wanting to speak to him, though he did feel a quick blastwave of cold hit his skin. Looking at Ellie, he could tell she already knew what the source was.

“Seems like they would like to speak with you Meta.” The siblings looked towards where they felt the cold wave and saw Grim walking towards them, some frost being formed with every step he took. “And by the looks of things, they are having a hard time resisting! I think it’s time for you to reunite with them now Meta.”

“I suppose so!” As Meta looked at them again, still seeing most of them having a hard time restraining themselves, he could only smile as his eyes closed. “Hehe, I think I’ll be busy for a good few weeks, or however long a day works in this realm.”

“Oh you will be busy Meta, but I bet that you don’t mind that one bit.”

“Oh I can and will most certainly lose that bet!”

“Hehe~!” Both of them turned to see why Ellie was laughing, but saw that Griseo was having to be held back by both Sakura and Ato now, seeing that she was certainly closer than she was a few seconds ago. “Griseo managed to wiggle free of her father’s grip to see Onii-chan! Now Sakura needs to hold her back!”

“Guess it’s time to say hello huh?”

“It is indeed, Cabrón.”

“Hehe! Still call him that even after his misunderstanding introduction to you?”

Grim chuckled at that, rubbing Ellie’s hair. “Yeah, it just stuck after all these years. Now get moving you two, otherwise Griseo is going to need three people to hold her back!”

At the name, Ellie and Meta looked at the young painter, seeing her somehow managing to almost wiggle out of the grasp of her father and Sakura.

“Well, lead the way Ellie!”

“Hehe~! Follow me~!” Ellie took Meta’s hand as she pulled him towards the group, everyone there seeing the two arriving, and incidentally letting Griseo, Kosma, and Eden go as all of them ran towards their friend they haven’t seen in years.

And as Grim pulled out his violin, making his way towards the group, he could remember at that very moment, a time where the outcome of this time never happened.

A time where Meta got to have his own biological children.

A time where Meta got to have a second wife to love and bear a child with.

A time where Meta would be absolutely worried anytime a teasing maid would make suggestive remarks towards him or other women.

A time where one of his long haired students with pink-red highlights got to be together with a purple haired woman.

A time where his sister was alive and got together with a sassy young man.

A time where an old “friend” of his got to have a rather troublesome friendship but neither wanted to let go.

A time where he got parental advice from the husband of the same teasing maid since he has four children, with most likely more to come.

A time where he would butt heads with a black haired man who has differing views than his, but somehow manage to work together.

A time where a human man who was in a relationship with Sirin could only lead to questions for Meta on how those two could be together just fine.

A time where a red haired man with amber eyes got to duel with each other on equal levels and have a friendship spawn from those times.

A time that exists, just not in this time.

As Grim walked to the rest of the group, readying his violin as he to play Elysia's song, he saw everyone getting off of Meta from the group hug that happened not too long ago, a smile could only appear as one final thought came to him.

“While this time wasn’t a pleasant one, I’m glad that in this time, you get to have a Final Rest, something that you Long Deserved, hermano.”

Final Rest Long Deserved

JoshlyPoshly

OC Meta - KosmicTru

OC Grim - JoshlyPoshly

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