Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A fire cracks to life in the cabin's fireplace, unnatural in color and reeking of magic.

When Lilia had found the child, he’d feared the worst. Their skin flushed bright red from the cold, and despite their wide eyes they hadn’t responded in the slightest when he’d approached. The consistent, violent shivers raking through their small body had been the most reassuring thing Lilia had seen in a long time.

Now, they lay bundled in every blanket the man could find. An empty mug resting atop his coffee table. Lilia had managed to coax them into drinking the broth they saved for Silver when he was ill. Bitter though it was, Lilia had made it himself and knew the good it could do for a sickly body. His first priority however, had been to change them into a pair of Silver’s pajamas, too big for the child but warm and dry nonetheless. Lilia let out a low sigh, tossing another log into the fire for good measure before he took a seat next to them. Pulling them close in hopes they could leech off some of his own body heat, mindlessly running his fingers through their hair the same way Silver had always liked. Even in their dazed, half asleep state they leaned into the fae’s touch.

Lilia smiled, letting out a soft chuckle at the halfhearted grumble they managed to make as his nails scratched over their scalp. By now their shivering seemed to taper off, left only in the small hands that pulled against his sleep shirt. Their grip against him was weak, far weaker than he would have liked, but Lilia supposed it wouldn’t be out of the question for them to have a few problems with their finer motor skills.

He leaned his head back against the sofa, allowing them to rest now likely wouldn’t be a problem, especially because their temperature seemed to have returned itself to normal. Now, able to study them more closely, he couldn’t imagine the child was any older than three. No more than a toddler, yet left in the woods to die. Lilia had seen no footprints, but he knew how unlikely it was that a child so little would be able to wander so far into the woods. Alone and ill prepared for the snowstorm. Dressed in the bright sundress now hanging to dry, and little sandals placed by the door. Lilia stamped down the fresh wave of anger that flooded through him, his grip unconsciously tightening upon the child. Sleepy as they were, they only squirmed a moment before settling once more.

It’s only due to his years of battle that Lilia does not jolt when he hears the creak of a door. Silver’s door, to be precise. He turns his head, fond eyes falling over his son as the boy peers past the living room.
“Shouldn’t you be asleep, my firefly?” He teased, a smile forming on his lips.

The soft pitter patter of Silver’s footsteps filled the room, light as ever, he rounded the couch quickly. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, and letting out a soft yawn. It took but a moment for wide eyes to fall upon the other child. “Who’s that?” he asked, voice quiet but filled with a sort of wonder that could only come from a curious child.

Lilia could feel the lingering anger seep out of him in the presence of his son. There was a small portion, segmented off from the rest of his mind, that would hold onto the particular rage he’d felt upon finding this child. The same way that part of his mind had held onto the rage he’d felt finding Silver. He would hold onto it, for the day that he should meet this child's parents.

Lilia let out a thoughtful hum, letting his eyes close for a moment. He reaches out, patting the seat next him. “I don’t know quite yet,” he replied earnestly, as Silver climbed up beside him. Eagerly curling up against Lilia’s side. “But I would like to find out, would you like to as well, firefly?” He asks, wrapping his free arm over Silver with practiced ease. His son nodded eagerly, bright eyes shining, never once looking away from the other child bundled in Lilia’s lap. Lilia rarely saw Silver become so excited, always so mild mannered and quiet. The fae smiled, leaning down and placing a soft kiss upon his son’s forehead. “Then we both will have to wait, they are quite tired after today. It would be rude for us to wake them before they are ready, would it not?” He asked, receiving another nod in return. “Then why don’t we head to bed as well? It will help pass the time,” He suggested. Lilia could already see Silver’s eyes beginning to droop, and if he had not already resigned himself to sleeping on the couch, he supposed now would be the time to do so.

He began humming once more, a melody long forgotten by humans but not so much by himself. Threading his fingers through the boy's hair, gently scratching at his scalp in the same manner he had the other child. Soothing his son back into a peaceful sleep, leaving Lilia to stew once more in his thoughts.

Lilia was not commonly one for planning, not these days at least, but when someone so young, so fragile was involved, one would be needed. He supposed quite a bit would depend on what the child recalled once they awoke. There was little Lilia could do other than fret over the possibilities, and doing so would not be helpful for any of them.

Here, his son curled up against his side, the other child laying against his chest, Lilia could feel fatigue tug at his waking mind. Silver’s exhaustion was often contagious, he’d discovered. Especially when his son fell asleep against him like this, Lilia found it ever so difficult to resist the pull of sleep. His eyes fluttering closed, it took only moments for his consciousness to slip away, replaced by the warm, sweet mundane of his dreams.

Silver is a heavy sleeper, he often only wakes after his father has already pulled him out of bed. Roused only by the fae’s soft musings as he stands at the stove, balanced on his hip and letting the vibrations from his fathers voice fall over him until he can peel his eyes open and begin his morning. On occasion it is to the gentle circles traced into his forehead, the unmistakable warmth of Malleus seeping into the comforter. Silver liked those days better, blinking awake to the soft rumbling of the draconic fae.

Both Malleus and his papa were able to make those noises, so deep Silver couldn’t even hear them when they so wished. He can feel them though, vibrating deep in their chests in a way so unlike their voices do. It could be as soothing as it could be terrifying.

But it is not to his papa’s musings, or to Malleus’ warm hands against his scalp that he awoke. Instead, Silver woke to the sound of crying. It was quiet, more sniffles than anything else, but worry brimmed in the young boy nonetheless. Despite his exhaustion, Silver forced himself to sit up. Pulling away from his Papa’s warmth to seek out the source of the sound. It wasn’t hard for Silver to figure it out, and the boy could only stare for a moment.

The other child was smaller than him, the pajamas his papa had changed them into were too big, the sleeves hanging down past their fingertips. The blankets they’d been bundled in had mostly fallen off them, thrown haphazardly to the side or bunched around their waist. They sniffled once more, and Silver could see their body tremble with force they were using to keep quiet. Upon seeing him, awake and staring, their lower lip wobbled for a moment before a sob broke through. Tears rolling freely down their cheeks and before Silver knew it, they were wailing. Body shuddering with the force of their cries, babbling nonsense that Silver didn’t think he would ever be able to piece together.

He felt his Papa jolt awake at the sound, but Silver was already moving.

“Ah! Don’t cry! It’s ok, I promise!” The boy exclaimed, reaching out and grasping the other child’s hands. Another sob falls from their lips, trying desperately to choke it down, their failing only seeming to distress them more. Silver gave their hands a squeeze that he hoped was comforting.

His gaze drifts back up to his Papa, anxiety thrumming under his skin. He did not know what to do, but his Papa had always been able to stop his own tears, if anyone could stop them from crying it would be his papa. The fae was quiet, but Silver could feel the rumble beginning deep in his papa’s chest.

Their wails stop abruptly, and Silver turns back to them faster than he thinks he’s ever turned. Startled by the noise, one hand slips from Silver’s own, drifting to rest against his Papa’s chest. They jerk their hand away a moment later, and his Papa lets out a soft chuckle. He reaches out, directing their palm against his sternum once more. His papa’s hands so much bigger than theirs, hiding their fingers completely from Silver’s view. They hiccup, still trying to regain control of their breathing, their tears still roll down their cheeks but their sobs cease. Replaced with curiosity and wonder for the noise emitting from his Papa’s chest. After a moment, their head lulls, following their hand back down against the fae’s chest. Brows furrowed as they seek out the source of such a noise.

Silver could not help the flood of relief that rolled over him as each breath grew less ragged, watching as they squeezed their eyes shut and sniffled wetly. Despite the sobs waning, their upset was still clear under the light of the embers in the fireplace. He shifted anxiously, wondering just what would be needed for them to calm completely.

Silver thought back to the last time he had cried, more specifically how his papa had calmed him down. “Oh! Papa!” He gasped, eyes widening as he recalled a particular thing that had gotten his own ragged breathing under control. “Can they blow out the candle? Like you did last time!” He asked. His outburst caused the other child to jerk further into his papa’s hold, bloodshot eyes snapped open and lower lip wobbling precariously.

“What's that?” They asked, voice trembling as harshly as their body. Taking a moment to pull away from his papa’s chest to look up at him.

His papa smiled, a gentle thing that had put Silver to ease a thousand times over. “It’s quite simple, really,” He began, holding up his pointer finger in between the two, “imagine my finger is a candle, yes?” He asked. Gaze turned down to gauge the child's reaction.

They sniffled once again, bringing their now free hand up to their face to rub at their eyes, “Like a birthday cake?” They asked, looking from his Papa’s hand to his face.

Silver grinned, nodding quickly. “Yeah! Exactly like a birthday cake!” he affirmed. “But first papa has to light it!” he exclaimed, looking up at his papa expectantly.

The fae let out a soft laugh at the confused look upon the child's face. “Oh but of course, my firefly. How could I forget such a thing?” With a swift snap of his fingers, a blue-green flame burst to life over the tip of his finger, dancing marvelously in the dim light of their living room. The child jerked back at the sight, eyes wide and full of wonder for the simple display of magic. The light of the flame casting a green glow over their soft features. “Go on dear, take a deep breath for me.” He directed, still rubbing soft circles into their back. He feels their chest stutter as they take in the deepest breath they can manage. “Good, very good… Now, blow out the candle for me ok? Can you do that for me, sweet one?” He receives a nod, shaky but there nonetheless. They watch the flickering flame for a moment, before exhaling in a weak puff of air. If Lilia was actually trying to maintain the magical flow, the flame would not so much have shuddered under the pitiful display.

But Lilia is not trying to maintain it, in fact it is quite the opposite. He lets the flame taper out just as the last sputter of their breath emits from their small lungs.

“You did wonderfully, sweet one.” He praised, snapping his fingers to ignite the flame upon his finger once more. “Could you manage one more for me? It is perfectly fine if not, but I believe it will help you feel better.” He requested, combing his fingers through their hair, tangled from sleep. Lilia would need to brush it in the morning, that is if he even managed to get the two back to sleep.

The child thought for a moment, taking a few more deep breaths before they muster the energy. They take a similarly deep breath, holding it for a moment, before exhaling in a slightly more powerful puff. The flame flickers before going out once more, plunging the room into a dark haze. Silver lets out a soft giggle, and the child follows suit. Their laugh not quite right, still congested from crying, but Lilia would take what they could get.

Now, with his hand on their back he could feel their breathing. Little chest rising and falling with each breath, still raspy, but deep and under control. He was certain they were still anxious, body still tense and he could see the confusion in the way their brow furrowed. He supposed waking in a stranger's home would do that to a child. But heavy conversations could wait till dawn. He craned his neck for a moment, searching for the clock across the room. Sevens above, was it really 4:30? He let out a soft sigh, he supposed it was better than 1 or 2 am. At least if he was unable to get them back to sleep, it would likely only require an earlier, prolonged nap time. Silver already had a habit of curling up on the couch around three in the afternoon, when the sunlight fell over the sofa for almost an hour.

Lilia hummed thoughtfully, “Better?” he asked, receiving a shaky nod in return. “Good,” he stated, giving them a soft pat on the back. “Now that we are all calm, and awake,” He started, taking a glance at his son to double check he was, in fact, still awake. “I believe it may be time for introductions, Yes?” He asked, looking back at the smaller child.

They looked between Silver and Lilia for a moment, small body shifting anxiously against him. They think for a moment, brows furrowed. If Lilia is being honest, he can’t quite fathom what goes on in their little head as they search his expression. Too young to know the harm that could come to them, but old enough to be anxious in such unfamiliar situations. Their brows still furrowed with concentration, but the tension seeping out of their posture as they settled on a decision.

“’m Yuu…”

“Yuu, a peculiar name indeed,” The fae hummed. Long ago, such a simple thing as a name would easily be used to ensnare unsuspecting mortals, but that was so long ago. “That is alright, I have been told we have quite peculiar names as well.” He smiled cheekily, “I am Lilia, and this is my son, Silver. I would have introduced you earlier, but… I was unsure about what you would remember when I brought you back here, but those conversations can wait until a reasonable hour. Yes?” He asked. The child shifted uncomfortably, heavy topics clearly something they wished to avoid for the time being.

“Yes, please…”

“Good! Now that introduction’s are out of the way, I believe we all deserve a treat.” Silver perked up immediately, excitement brimming in his wide eyes.

“Hot chocolate?” The boy requested, causing Yuu to straighten up as well. A little gasp of excitement falling from their lips.

Lilia laughed quietly, shaking his head at the duo. “I don’t see why not.” He replied, helping Yuu to clamber into the spot next to his son before standing. Stretching his aching joints, running his hands through the cascades of his hair before leaning down over the two. He pressed an affectionate kiss to the crown of Silver’s head, drawing a comforting hand over Yuu’s hair before straightening up. “I will be back shortly, you two settle down in the meantime, alright?”

The two watched as he made his way into the kitchen, tossing a fresh log into the firepit and lighting it with an effortless snap of his fingers.

Yuu leaned heavily against Silver’s side, the boy's own weight leaning right back up against them. Whether it was because they were still weak or simply because the warmth of another body was comforting, neither of them knew. But that was all right, neither of them bothered to care. One of Silver’s hands still carefully holding onto Yuu’s, a silent, childish reassurance.

Neither of them spoke for a long moment, simply soaking in each other's presence and the knowledge of their soon to be treat.

It was Silver who broke the silence, “Do you want a blanket?” he asked, seeing as each that had been piled on them had been thrown off in the haze of their nightmare.
Yuu thought for a moment before nodding slightly, shifting momentarily as Silver leaned down to grab one of the fallen quilts. Dragging it back onto the couch, and carefully wrapping it over both their shoulders. Cocooning them in the warm, colorful fabric.

Yuu tucked their head under the blanket, causing Silver to giggle slightly as they plunged into darkness. They revel in the feeling for a moment, taking in the scent and letting their eyes fall shut. They quickly look up again, when Silver rustles the blanket. Yanking it over his head as well.

Yuu can’t help the soft laugh that emits from them, the boy following suit. Yuu shushed him playfully, putting a chubby finger over their lips. “Gotta stay quiet remember! Cause we gotta go to bed again soon!” This caused Silver to burst into a quiet fit of laughter. “Shhhhh!” Yuu exaggerated the sound before devolving into giggles themself. Shoulders shaking as they tried to contain the laughter.

Silver grinned, shushing them right back. Their laughter lighting up the small, enclosed space.

The miniature tent quickly growing too warm, pushing the blanket off them to escape too uncomfortable heat, still struggling to contain their lighthearted giggles.

“I don’t hear any settling down going on in there!”

The lighthearted comment from Lilia caused both of them to fall silent, looking towards the doorway before quickly turning back to each other. They managed to maintain the silence for all of three heartbeats, before their laughter erupted from their chests once more.

A smile found it’s way onto Lilia’s features as he carelessly measured out the amount of chocolate he needed. Dumping it unceremoniously into the pot of warming milk, sugar and cinnamon. Keeping an ear out for the soft rustling of the two children’s movements, letting their laughter wash over him.

Taking the wooden spoon, and watching as the chocolate melted. Carefulling mixing the contents of the pot. Furrowing his brows slightly, he set the spoon aside. Beginning to wander the kitchen. He was fairly certain he had a bag of marshmallows, as much as he disliked the small sugary cubes, Malleus and Silver both enjoyed them in times such as these. Ducking down he rummaged through a total of four different cabinets, having to stop halfway through pulling out a spare box of crackers that had been shoved down there sevens know how long ago to prevent the precious drink from burning.

He could hear Yuu squeal excitedly from the other room, and Lilia very nearly mimicked the sound when he finally located the package of Marshmallows. Settling on a small noise of triumph, quickly cut off by a grunt as he stood up, his knees cracking precariously with the motion.

Lilia made his way back to the stove, turning the heat off and giving the pot a final stir before reaching into the cabinet for a set of mismatched mugs. He placed the mugs on the counter, one taller and straight, black in color and chipped at the bottom. The other was on the shorter side, wider at the bottom and more circular than the other. A soft, green glaze to the ceramic. Lilia was fairly certain there was a lid somewhere for that second one, but he would likely be searching till dawn if he actually tried to find it.

Dividing up the hot chocolate and marshmallows, likely stale by now but he was fairly certain the hot chocolate would either soften them or melt them. He pressed his palm into the surface of each mug, gauging the heat that seeped into them. Once he deemed them cool enough for the two young children, he made his way back into the living room, a mug carefully balanced in each hand.

The second he entered the room, the giggling ceased. A quiet chorus of the two children trying to quiet each other ringing out over the small space. Lilia rounded the couch, holding out the mugs to each child. “Two hands, okay? It might still be a little hot, so be careful.” He advised. Silver was the first to reach out. Balancing the taller of the two mugs in small, slightly shaky hands. Yuu followed suit, slightly more hesitant.

The mug was heavy and warm beneath their palm’s, and warmer so in their bellies. Sipping at the sugary contents as they mumbled to each other. More incoherent musings than anything else, quietly shushing each other as if a game Lilia could not understand. The old fae took a seat on Yuu’s other side, more to keep any eye on the heavy mug in such little hands. He was certain Silver would be fine without intervention, the mugs not filled enough to worry for the small boy to spill and injure himself. But Yuu’s hands shook slightly, Lilia wasn’t sure if it was due to the weight of the mug or the lingering effects of being stuck in the snow, either way Lilia wanted to keep an eye out.

His heart fills with an unimaginable fondness as he watches the two. Chewing at their marshmallows, stale as they were neither child seemed to mind, and tipping their mugs to watch the way their uneaten marshmallows dissolve in the warm liquid. Both children mesmerized by the swirling patterns and rising steam. Lilia’s smile never seemed to waver, soft and etched into his features as he watched over the two.

He leaned heavily against the back of the sofa, idly combing his fingers through Yuu’s hair in an effort to soothe them into sleep. Letting the chatter fall over him, his own exhaustion catching up with him far quicker than it appeared to catch up with the two children.

And Lilia realizes abruptly.

Watching his son and this child curled up upon the couch. Mugs cradled in their hands as they lean into each other, sipping at their drinks and sleepily babbling at each other in the way only kids can understand. When the sight makes something in him melt, filled with an affection he cannot describe.

That this child will be his.

Yuu has a recurring dream. Or nightmare, they’ve never been able to tell. The first time they’d had it they were all but three years old, bundled in the arms of the fae who would become their father. Now, surrounded in the darkness of their own consciousness they have it again.

The voice is always the same, deep and familiar in a way that Yuu can never place. Disembodied, coming from everywhere and nowhere all at once, making their head spin as they try to find it.

“Ah… My dear beloved,”

It speaks quietly at first, fondly even. Yuu can feel a hand caressing their cheek, but there is never anyone there to do so. The ground suddenly shifts, slipping from underneath them. Yuu is left to plunge further into the abyss.

“My noble and beautiful flower of evil,”

There is no scream as they fall, Yuu learned to stop screaming when they were eight. After all, they could never hear the voice when they screamed. So, they clamp their mouth shut, teeth gritted together as they fall. Stomach flipping as they scramble for anything to hold onto, to catch them. Their fingers tear at invisible walls, hooking onto any nook or cranny they can reach before being ripped away by an unseen force.

“You are the fairest in the land.”

Yuu finds they don’t care anymore, what this voice thinks they are. Yelling back will not change what the voice says, always the same no matter what hate Yuu spills from their mouth.

“——Mirror, mirror on the wall”

They can’t help it, the way the terror fills their stomach. They know what happens next, but knowing perhaps makes it worse. They plunge into the water, swallowed whole by an ocean of their own creation. It burns against their skin, too cold and too hot all at once.

“Who is the most… “

They surface, gasping for air they don’t need. They’ve never known what is said here, instead bracing themselves. For the reason they can never know, is the wave that sends them hurtling back underwater. The world spins, leaving Yuu to scramble for a way out of the torrent waves. Thrown in every direction they can imagine, they’re no longer sure which way is up. They squeeze their eyes shut, lungs burning in the phantom sensation of being without air for too long.

A hand wraps around their forearm, yanking harshly. They break the surface once more, pulled taught against the body of a faceless stranger. Their legs find purchase against sand not there a moment ago, waves lapping gently at their calves.

The night sky bathes the beach in soft shades of blue. Reflections of the stars painted on the water's surface, hues of blue and gold dancing on the lulling waves.

“——O thee, guided by the Dark Mirror. “

A mirror is before them, half buried under the sand and water. Their faceless stranger squeezes them tight, and Yuu can feel their muscles relax in the comforting embrace. They stare, unable to look away from their reflection in the mirror’s shimmering surface.

“Follow thy heart's desire.”

The body against them leans forward, tumbles through the space with a magic Yuu has never known, landing on the other side of the mirror with grace Yuu has never been able to recreate. The action leaves their skin tingling where they’d once touched. They reach out, desperate to grab onto any remaining force their stranger leaves behind. But their hand doesn’t reach them, the same way it always and never does, finding purchase only on the surface of the mirror's reflection and in the sand beneath them. Tears gather at their waterline, they had the first time and every time since. Yuu had never been able to stop them. An unparalleled sense of dread falling over them.

“And take the hand of the one reflected in the mirror.”

The hand that reaches out of the reflection is nothing if not ordinary, black gloves covering most of their features. Yuu can barely see the peak of pale skin that sits beneath the cloth. With frantic motions they plunge their hand back into the water, into the reflection. Their palm sits comfortably against the gloved hand, another coming up to grip Yuu’s wrist. When Yuu was young, they feared this. The hands that grabbed them too big, too hot against their skin even through the gloves they always wore. Now, Yuu is desperate for them. Their second hand joining the first, clinging to them like a frightened child.

The hands tug, and Yuu plunges back into the darkness, they feel the water splash against their skin before everything grows dreadfully warm.

“Flames that incinerate even stars,”

The world spins, and suddenly Yuu is standing. Yuu can’t see them, the hands, anymore. But they can still feel them, gripping tightly as fire dances around them. The color of the flames is unnatural, green and bright in a way Yuu has only ever associated with Malleus and Lilia. Their breath comes out in a puff of white air, and Yuu feels a sudden wave of frigid gust of wind fall over them.

“Ice that imprisons even time,”

Jagged shards of ice rise from the ground, splitting the shadows and casting ominous shadows over the ground.

The fire blows out in a single moment, and Yuu can see the frost creeping over the glowing embers. Yuu squeezes the hands they cannot see as the warmth seems to evaporate from their body. The ground beneath them begins to tremble, their whole body tensing as they brace themselves for what happens next.

“The great tree that engulfs even the skies,”

The ground crumbled around them, the branches of a tree sprung forth from nothing and Yuu soars atop the tree as it reaches the sky. Yuu fears what comes next, and the weight of the hands in theirs is the only thing that keeps that fear from consuming them.

“Fear not the power of darkness.”

The tree shakes, and Yuu falls. Their hair whips around their face, and they watch in horror as the treetops become smaller and smaller above them. One hand remains firmly clinging to the others, the other lurching forward to the body materializing in front of them. Always faceless, but Yuu can’t say they care in the moment. They reach out for them as well, pulling them close as they plunge into the abyss once more. But no longer alone, Yuu thinks that this isn’t as terrifying as the first time. Yuu clings to them, pressing their face into their strangers chest and holding back the instinctive scream that builds in their throat.

“For me. For them. For you.”

Around them, light filters in. Yuu watches the stars, rocketing past them like meteors. Yuu sees the moon, and the sun. And for a moment, they were suspended in the night sky, beautiful and full. For a moment, Yuu’s breath is stolen from their chest.

“We are all running out of time.”

They plunge again, the beauty stolen from them so quickly. Yuu watches the stars blur past them as they fall, and if they cry, that is between them and the night sky.

“No matter what,”

Their companion is suddenly ripped from their grasp, and it is the one time Yuu allows themselves to speak in this dream. Knowing it won’t change anything, they beg. Screaming into the vast sky, desperate to not be abandoned again. Yuu holds onto their wrists as tight as they can, knuckles white with the effort and if this were real, Yuu wonders if it would leave bruises. The voice yells now, sounding as desperate as Yuu feels in this moment.

“Never let go of that hand.”

Yuu doesn’t. They refuse to let this world in their head take their stranger from them.

They wake with a jolt, gasping for breath as their body jerks forward, cursing when their forehead slams into the wall in front of them.

Coupled with the nausea rolling in their stomach, Yuu is fairly certain this moment is the top three worst ways for them to wake up. Definitely not the worst, after all there was little that could beat the skunk incident from Silver’s last Birthday. But that didn’t mean they were necessarily happy about it. They’d call it some form of minor miracle that their elbows are spared from colliding into the wall.

Yuu forces the increasing anxiety down into the pit of their stomach. They don’t have time for it now, not with their memories fogged over like the lakeside in early spring. They reach up, shaky palms pressing flat against the wall in front of them. With all the strength they can muster, they push against it. The wood is warm, it thrums with magic beneath their fingertips and creaks under the strain. With a final, hefty shove, the wall gives way.

When Yuu lands, it’s rough. Their shoulder collides with the wood in a way they just know it is going to bruise later. Their side is the next to hit the ground, followed by their hip and knees. Somehow, beyond all reasoning, their head seems to have been spared this time. The fall leaves their whole body aching dully, thankfully not much worse than they feel after training alongside Silver for the day. Tomorrow will be hell on their joints, but nothing they haven’t had to deal with before.

A flash of blue light draws them from their stupor, coupled with the yelp of a scrawny, dark furred creature.

“Myah! You coulda squashed me!” The creature screeches, accompanied with another puff of blue flames bursting from its ears,“You ain’t even supposed to be awake!”

Now, Yuu has not been afraid of fire since they were too young to write their own name. Not when it was wielded by the careful hands of their family. But with flames lapping so close to their skin, some long forgotten instinct kicks in. Their entire body jerks back, as far away from the creature as they can manage.

The creatures forked tail lashes from side to side, a scowl forming on its features. “Gah! I don’t have time for this!” It snaps, “Gimme your uniform, human!”

Yuu can barely manage the noise of confusion that falls from them. It takes them a long moment, filled with the creatures annoyed huffs, for Yuu to figure out the uniform he’s speaking of are the intricate robes adorning their figure. The black and purple fabric is soft against their skin, expensive silks embroidered with golden thread, shimmering under the blue light of the direbeasts flames. If Yuu had longer than a moment to piece together the information with their still muddled mind, they’d wonder just where they’d acquired such seemingly expensive attire.

“Aye! You got a lot of nerve ignorin’ me!” The creature snaps, stepping closer. Yuu thinks, somewhere in the back of their mind, that if it wasn’t spewing flames the creature might have been cute.

With a round face and fluffy gray fur, it almost reminds Yuu of—

“A weasel?!” The gasp falls from their lips before they can stop it.

The statement seems to infuriate the creature, the fur on its back spikes up and a low hiss emanates from its chest. “How… How DARE you?!” It howls, voice cracking under the strain of its fury, “I am no WEASEL! I’m Grim! Sorcerer prodigy! You oughta remember that, ya hear!?”

‘Oh sevens, I’m going to be roasted alive by a fucking weasel!’ Their frantic mind anxiously supplies. Perhaps if they weren’t already disoriented, they might have been able to formulate a plan. Anything beyond staring at the creature like it had an additional head.

Abruptly, or perhaps it’s only abrupt because of how caught in their own head they seem to be, Grim reaches out for them. The motion finally manages to kick Yuu’s finer thinking skills back into gear. The question of ‘Where in the queen’s name am I?’ taking priority over the bristling, fire spewing, little direbeast.

Perhaps not the best decision, but the one they’d made nonetheless.

Forcing themselves to their feet, knee’s aching from their previous fall, they finally allow themselves to take in the rest of the room.

In the center of the room lies a small fountain, greenish water flowing through its pipes. Above it, floats what appears to be a mirror. The surface is black however, reflective but only in the way that more resembles water too deep to see the bottom. Large, stained glass windows overlook expansive grounds, obscured only by the rows of coffins floating throughout the room.

Yuu had never considered themselves claustrophobic, but here, surrounded by what looked only like a room filled with boxes alarmingly similar to the one they themselves broke out of, it feels almost like the walls are closing in upon them.

Somewhere, they can vaguely hear the creature's annoyed chattering and the slight tug of his claws in their robe, but the sudden discomfort seems to block what exactly he is saying. They spun on their heel, eyeing the large double doors at the other end of the room.

“Okay, okay… We can figure this out.” The self soothing muttering came out before they could think to stop it, taking a few steps forward. Taking one handle firmly, they swung the heavy door open and took a moment to gaze down the hallway. Lit only by the dim glow of candles, the prospect of walking down the long corridor sent shivers down their spine. “Yep, super creepy hallway. Why not?” They let out a soft sigh, looking over their shoulder to see the still fuming direbeast. “Okay! Grim, right? Let’s make a deal, you help me figure out where I am, and I give you my robe. Yeah?”

The direbeast, Grim, lets his ears tilt back in his frustration. “And why should I help a human like you! Ignorin’ me like that then makin’ demands! Who do you think you are?! Orderin’ around The Great Grim like that!” He snapped, baring his teeth up at them.

Yuu could almost feel their eye twitch in annoyance. “Alright, fine.” they replied, taking a step out into the dimly lit hall. “I’ll figure it out myself, not like I need a damn weasel’s help anyway…” They muttered.

With fingertips running across the wall to their left, they set off exploring. Room by room, pieces of a foggy puzzle pulled themselves together. Classrooms and lecture halls, a school built to house what had to be hundreds of students. It sounded so familiar, they were meant to be here, wherever here happened to be.

Each hallway seemed to branch off into an identical, achingly familiar hallway. Always lined with large double doors and flickering candles. Yuu almost wonders if they got turned around and wound up back in that coffin-filled chamber, but opening a few doors to find nothing but empty classrooms reassures them that, at the very least, they hadn’t gone in circles just yet. A dead end forces them to take a staircase, spiraling down into yet another, dimly lit hall.

Yuu almost wonders if this is some eternal torture designed to drive them mad. They certainly wouldn’t be surprised if it was.

After what seems like an eternity, they manage to find a door leading outside. A courtyard, lush hedges and large apple trees hang over each bench, full with bright fruit.

The click of their heels against the stone path echoes through the open space, and for a moment they find themselves mesmerized by the towering spires against the bleeding, sun lit sky. It’s almost enough to distract them from the extra sets of footsteps, faint as they are, from beyond the door they’d emerged from.

They wonder, for a brief moment, if they should consider running. But answers are so much easier to obtain from something living rather than the cold stone walls of their still faded memory, and they’d rather avoid getting lost in the maze-like halls once again.

They stare, eyes trained on the open door, waiting for the figure to emerge. And when they do, Yuu almost has to suppress a laugh.

Glowing yellow eyes fall upon them the instant that he makes his way through the double doors, a black, bird-like mask obscuring the rest of the man’s features. He wears a large overcoat, thick feathers line the collar and the base fans out like two great wings in the breeze. He takes a quick step out into the open air, “Ah! I’ve found you at last! Splendid, I trust that you’re one of this year's new students?” He begins, waving a hand in their direction, a mindless beckoning. “You certainly were eager to make your debut, weren’t you? And bringing that poorly trained familiar with you as well? That is a clear violation of school rules.” The man scolds lightly.

Yuu finds themselves taking a few steps towards him, brows furrowed as he continues speaking.
“Of all the student’s I have dealt with, you’re the first with enough temerity to open their own gate and step out of it. I mean, truly, does the very notion of patience elude you?” The man lets out an exasperated sigh. He brings a hand up to run over his eyes, shaking his head slightly. “No matter. Your orientation has already begun. Come now, let us return to the Mirror Chamber,” He directs, turning on his heel and making his way back into the building.

Yuu can’t help the stunned silence that briefly falls over them. Their whole body frozen from the influx of information, or perhaps the rather blunt delivery of such information, they’re not quite sure. They force themselves to take a breath, stepping forward to follow after the man. “Okay, back up a second, student? Gate? What in the hells are you talking about?” They fall into stride behind him.

The man turns to gaze over his shoulder back at them, “well, you awoke in a room full of gates, did you not?” He pauses, awaiting an affirmation from them. Hesitantly, they nod, which seems to be enough for him to continue. “All the students here arrived by passing through such gates.” He explains, waving a hand in an overly expressive fashion.

Irritation bubbles in the pit of their stomach when they hear him mutter about most students restraining themselves from waking before the gates were opened.

He doesn’t seem to notice this however, as he continues on as if he hadn’t made the snide remark at all. “Their design is meant to symbolize parting from your former world, and your rebirth into a new one.” Well, at least that explained why the gates seemed to look more like coffins than any other gate Yuu had ever seen.

“Now, we truly don’t have the time for such prattle. You have an orientation to attend!” He stresses, shooing them along down the hallway. “Come along now, we must make haste.”

At this rate, Yuu is fairly certain this man is going to give them several forms of emotional whiplash.

They stall, digging their heels into the carpet and jerking back away from him. “Hold on, I’m not going anywhere with you until you tell me where the hell I am!” They can’t quite help the way they snap, all the anxiety and panic flowing back up with each word. They clench their fists, desperate to stop their hands from trembling.

The man stops in his tracks, turning almost fully to look down upon them. Yuu can see the stunned expression on his face, even behind the mask. For a moment, the hallway is achingly quiet. They can’t tell what goes through his head, but they can see the twitch of his lips and the wrinkling of his nose as he searches for a response. “Have you… not fully regained consciousness?... Perhaps, has the spatial magic distorted your memories?” He questions, and Yuu can’t quite tell what his tone implies.

Yuu finds themselves mildly irritated that they hadn’t figured it out earlier, after all, they are intimately familiar with the adverse effects of spatial magic on their body. The anxiety, the nausea, the memory loss. They were all symptoms of long distance teleportation, although they were marginally worse this time around than they’d been in the past.

“Well, these things happen I suppose…” He begins, taking a deep breath before shaking his head, “I shall explain while we walk. Truly, my magnanimity is boundless, Is it not?” He grins, spreading his arms wide in a grandiose gesture.

He beacons them forth once again, and they find it increasingly tempting to turn and find their own answers so long as it means they no longer have to listen to him.

They push themselves forward, trailing after him with lackluster steps.

“This is Night Raven College,” The man prattles on, but Yuu is abruptly flooded with realization. They suddenly feel incredibly foolish for forgetting such important details. The fact that it was magic induced memory loss barely helps them feel better about it.

It’s almost embarrassing, how quickly they remember everything once he says it. The carriage, the forest, the sickening plummeting feeling of spatial magic before everything went dark. The only comfort they can get is from the fact that it's always been like this. From the first time Malleus used magic to get them back home after a playdate run long, to the mirrors they’d use to travel to the palace. The fact that they’d somehow forgotten almost feels like some joke, like a bit taken a little too far.

“Which makes you The Headmage, Crowley, right?” They let out a soft sigh, tugging their hood down further over their face in a vain attempt to hide from their embarrassment.

Crowley grins, nodding in an over exaggerated manner, “That is correct! I presume you’ve recovered your memories then? Then I need not explain so much, I take it you remember the carriage?” he hums, mood improved marginally by the fact that he doesn’t need to continue the impromptu history lesson. A quiet nod seems to be the only reassurance he needs to continue, “Well, as you know the carriage serves to receive a student chosen by the dark mirror, it too bears a gate that connects to one on this campus. And naturally, with the time-honored tradition of sending carriages to meet you on your special day, we would send those gates to you, and the other students, upon a carriage.” He explains, and there isn’t much Yuu can do to refute that, considering it genuinely was a tradition in the Briar Valley, albeit an old one.

Although they aren’t quite sure why a tradition exclusively practiced by the fae would be important here.

The man placed a hand on their shoulder, guiding them back into step with him. “Come on along now,” he pressed, “your orientation is likely almost over, and I would prefer to get there before the Housewardens leave.”

He guided Yuu down the corridor, footsteps echoing in the newfound silence between them. Before they know it, Crowley’s hand leaves their back as he moves away from them. They stand before the wideset double doors they’d first run from, the door is cracked slightly, letting candlelight stream into the grand room.

Crowley turns his gaze to them, a silent inquiry.

‘Are you ready?’

Chapter Text

Entering the Mirror chamber was a surreal experience, if not a slightly embarrassing one.

Yuu could feel hundreds of eyes fall over them the second the door was pushed open, the heat of embarrassment and flush of their ears more prominent than they’d like as the Headmage led them through the parted crowd. Every instinct they have tells them to hunch in on themselves and hide. They suddenly find themselves acutely aware of their body language, of the straightness of their back and false confidence in each step. They hoped they were at least faking it well, Sebek would never let them live it down if he saw them so frazzled.

They let their eyes drift, quickly finding their taller friend in the crowd. With his head held high and giddy expression, Yuu has no doubt that Sebek was chosen for Diasomnia; he wouldn’t look so damn pleased if he’d been sorted anywhere else.

Nearly every other face in the crowd is unrecognizable. With the occasional exception of an heir to a prominent family. Yuu can vaguely make out the face of the Asim Heir, and they’re fairly certain that the Second Prince of the Sunset Savanna is somewhere in the crowd as well. Malleus had never been particularly chatty about his time at school, but they’re fairly certain that the two had some sort of friendship, considering he was one of the few students he did mention.

Yuu isn’t necessarily surprised when they find their father’s face in the crowd, although they can admit the sight is somewhat disappointing. According to Silver, Malleus rarely got invited to school events, much to their father’s lament. Yuu is fairly certain that, no matter which dorm they find themselves in, they’ll be hearing quite a bit on the topic.

“Speak of the devil…” A boy to their left breaths, rose red hair falling into his face. Yuu doesn’t quite recognize him, but the way he holds himself is too confident for him to come from anything but nobility. The square of his shoulders too firm and the furrow of his brow too stubborn. Faking such things can only get one so far, but the boy seems perfectly aware of his station, one that is far above the others around him.

At his feet sits the direbeast they’d initially run into, an odd collar placed around its throat, and a pout on its unnaturally expressive face.

The sight almost makes Yuu feel pity for the creature.

Or at least, it does until Yuu remembers the fact that it had ineffectively tried to roast them alive not even an hour ago.

They draw their attention back to their father. He hides it well, his worry. But Yuu has been learning the nuances of his body language since before he’d placed a sword in their too-little hands. Normally round pupils dilate to little more than a pinhead, flittering between the headmage and themself. Yuu finds themselves suddenly incredibly grateful they had not injured themselves beyond the bruises they’re sure will litter their knees, elbow and shoulder beneath the robes. After all, Yuu wasn’t sure their father could restrain himself from fussing if he’d been able to smell blood on them.

Crowley waves a hand dismissively, “If you must know, I was searching for the new student who’d failed to show for orientation,” he pauses, tilting his head in their direction. Yuu isn’t quite sure if it is irritation or embarrassment brewing in their stomach at the action. “Now it looks like you are the only student who has yet to be assigned a dorm. Step up to the Dark Mirror, and be quick about it.” He turns to Yuu as he speaks, gesturing towards the center of the room.

The mirror before them, previously nothing more than a black void of a surface, now houses a mask-like face. Green flames ripple beneath the surface, casting deep shadows into the crevices of its face. No body takes shape below it, and despite its lack of eyes, Yuu can feel it stare back at them. They take a few steps towards the floating object, soul echoing beyond the confines of their body.

“State your name.”

The child hesitates, their back may be straight and their expression gives no indications of anxiety, but ever perceptive, it can see the little indications. The twitch of their brow, and the shifting of their weight, the ever so present tremor in the gentle arches of their soul.

“I’m Yuu,” they reply shortly. It can see that there is more to be said, the way their soul reaches out. This is not the first child to hide something from it, it doubts they will be the last. After all, names are heavy things. Everything that lives is entitled to a name. It was not long ago that the fae traded them as their prime currency. It is only a matter of if that name is known. Some names however, fit better than others. It has found there are many reasons for this, from the name shared with one unkind to one that has never felt right on the child's lips. Very few times, has the child hid a name that truly, lovingly belonged to them.

It stays silent.

Its silence seems to unnerve the child, as it often does with young beings such as them. It wishes, not for the first time, that it could soften the ever scowling features of its face. Then perhaps, its patience would be better received by the children who stand before it.

The child looks over their shoulder, searching for guidance from the other young ones. When none say a word, they turn back to it. “It's… just Yuu.” They try, their soul quivers, shrinking in on itself.

Now, the Dark Mirror has seen legions of souls within its lifetime. Many that curl in on themselves, hiding from its gaze, fearful of its decisions. Others, boisterous, filling a space too large for their vessel to contain, and begging to be seen. Few, take shapes unlike the ones their vessel remains, bursting like wings from their back or flowing like a puff of smoke from their lips before curling back into their vessel’s chest. Souls, beautiful as each may be, settled. They curl in the same shapes, burst with hues of the same color, birthed from magic and human nature alike. Ever changing, but always predictable in their nature.

Yet, in all it's years, the Dark Mirror has never seen such a thing.

Their soul is shapeless, molding and moving beneath its critical eye. Twisting in anxious spirals as the student shifts their feet. The longer it takes, the more red their ears become, and the more color blooms within the shapeless confines of their soul. There is no direct answer for them, it would seem. For there is no where this soul should go, and no where this soul could not. A burst of color draws it in, a hope, or perhaps prayer this child has. Yes, their choice is a smart one. If any Dorm could contain an unpredictable, wildly beautiful thing such as this soul... it would be that one.

It narrows its eyes at the being standing before it, letting out a soft hum as it surveys them.

For a long moment, no words are exchanged. The mirror so rarely sees unruly souls like this. They are always shifting and changing within their vessel, after all there is no soul that does not move, does not breathe with the child they are bound to. But they do not stray, they are not meant to. Bound by the living, breathing beauty of a living creature. Yet here, the colors melt together, teeming with something new.

Oh, how long has it been since it has seen something new?

If the mortals could see it, it has no doubt they too, would wish to gaze upon it. If only for a moment more.

What a wondrous child, born into a fragile, mortal body.

It finds itself mourning, as it watches the soul twist, oh how fragile mortal bodies are. It wants this soul to live forever, to grace the world with its ethereal grace, but this soul will die. As everything good does. If the Dark Mirror could breathe, it thinks it would have stopped, in its abrupt despair.

Time feels stagnant, but it must continue. How does one send this child away, when it cannot bring itself to part with this newfound wonder?

It supposes, like with everything new, it must part from it eventually.

The words fall from it softly, no more than a whisper, uncertain for the first time in what must be decades.

“Diasomnia. You belong in Diasomnia, Child.”

The silence that follows could only have lasted seconds, but it feels like an eternity as it watches the shock fall over the child's face. Joy bleeds into their soul, and The Mirror finds itself mourning once again, that it will be the only one to ever see this untamable thing. Yellows bleed into gold, sickly greens and muddled blues trickle away left only with the soft hues of excitement.

Yuu takes a step back, wonder and disbelief bubbling in their stomach. The anxiety crawling beneath their skin melts away as they turn, stepping away from the Dark Mirror. They let out a soft sigh of relief as Crowley directs them to the group of Diasomnia students with a gentle hand on their shoulder.

With a sweeping motion, Crowley moves in front of the Dark Mirror. “Now that the last student has been sorted, I hereby declare our orientation to be concluded,” He proclaims, an exaggerated smile falling onto his features. “Housewardens, please escort your students back to the dorms… Wait a moment, I don’t see Housewarden Draconia anywhere.”

Yuu has to suppress a long sigh, irritation rising in their chest as murmurs erupting around them. Whispers of ‘Draconia? Like Malleus Draconia?’ and ‘Does he actually go here?’ seem to be the common sentiment. They almost elbow the boy next to them when they hear him mumble a simple ‘yikes’.

One voice echoes above the others, “And that surprises you?” The speaker raises a brow in Crowley’s direction, an expression of exasperation falling over his face, “Dude’s a total recluse.”

Yuu can feel the irritation bubbling in their stomach rise with the abrupt comment. Malleus may be difficult to approach, but saying he’s a recluse is a step too far. Taking a less than discrete peek at Sebek, his own anger reads like an open book. The tightness in his jaw and clenching of his fists is so prominent the boy is almost shaking. They take their chance to distract him, a swift elbow jammed into his ribs has Sebek wheezing for a moment before he jerks his head down to glare at them.

“What was that for?!” He snapped, annoyed voice thankfully mixing with the still quiet chatter around them.

“You look like you're about to explode, calm down!”

“But he-” Sebek tries arguing, but in his angered state it seems rather easy to interrupt.

“Sebek, please.” They’re both silent for a moment, Sebek begins to say something more, but another voice rings out louder than the others.

The Asim heir stands across the room from them, a hand come up to scratch at his cheek, “Wait a sec… Did anyone even invite him?” He asked.

“If you’re that worried about him missing out, maybe you should have invited him yourself,” another boy says. Yuu doesn’t recognize him, but the way he stands is confident, even the motion of crossing his arms is graceful.

It’s painfully obvious that he is a person intimately aware of his every movement. Someone accustomed to having their every move scrutinized.

The Asim heir looks over at him before averting his eyes, “Maybe, but… well… I don’t know him too well either…” He explained, but the defense is a poor one.

“Ah. Just as I suspected…” Their father lets out a sigh, crossing his arms and shakes his head slightly. “I figured I’d come down myself and see if Malleus had made an appearance. But once again, he was evidently not informed that his presence was required at an official ceremony.” His disappointment leaks into his voice effortlessly, and for a moment Yuu feels acutely like they’re the one being scolded.

None of the other students seem to feel similarly, other than perhaps the Asim heir, who sags slightly at their father’s words.

The Housewarden next to the sulking heir speaks up next, glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. He brings a hand up to his heart, “You have my sincerest apologies. I assure you, this oversight was in no way intended as a snub.”

“Well, you must admit, he’s not exactly the easiest person to get along with.” The redheaded boy from earlier speaks up, his own expression pulled tight.

Lilia shakes his head, “No matter,” He turns back towards the crowd of students, “All who were assigned to Diasomnia, follow me.” He said, turning towards the doors and beckoning them to follow.

“I just hope he doesn’t sulk about this…”

“Please. Tell me you are not serious.”

Yuu sighs, dragging a hand down their face as they look back at Sebek, who only holds the painting higher.

“What about here?” He suggests, ignoring their comment without a hint of remorse as he positions the portrait above his desk, paying no mind to the loud groan Yuu lets out in protest.

They fall back into the mattress, glaring at the canopy above them. Their whole body aches with a vengeance they can’t quite describe, and if they’d had their way, they’d have gone to sleep immediately after the welcome banquet. But Sebek Zigvolt was nothing if not stubborn. He’d insisted they unpack the moment they’d arrived in their assigned dorm, and Yuu had been too exhausted to argue with him over it.

“Yuu, what do you think? It’s the perfect place, right? It has to be!”

He almost sounds desperate.

Yuu pushes themselves up onto their elbows, “Sebek. Please, for the love of the seven, do not make me live with that thing watching me sleep.” Their response only seems to annoy Sebek more than anything, and Yuu can’t say their surprised.

After all, they’d been pushing this back and forth for half an hour now.

Sebek glares back at them. “I am not making you live with anything, on the contrary! It is a blessing to be able to gaze upon the young master's face whenever possible!” He sets the painting down as he searches for the adhesive hooks Yuu hid when he’d first revealed the portrait. Yuu lets themself lean back into the mattress, reveling in the quiet beyond the sound of Sebek’s rummaging.

If Yuu is being honest with themselves, the portrait isn’t even that bad. The problem lies not with the subject of the painting, but rather the painting itself. It felt too much like the eyes were watching them. Even now Yuu could practically feel them on their back.

They almost wonder if the thing is cursed.

They let out a long sigh, forcing themselves up once more. “It’s creepy as hell,” They muttered, picking at the stiff fabric of their sheets. “Why do you even want that thing put up? We’re going to see him basically every day.”

Sebek spins around to look at them, “Then why do you insist on still sleeping with a stuffed animal?” he shot back.

“I feel like a stuffed animal is a lot more normal than a shrine.”

“It’s not a shrine!”

“It absolutely is.”

Sebek rolls his eyes, turning back to the box next to him, making the sound decision to ignore them. They let out a sigh, reaching up to rub the exhaustion from their eyes. As much of a fuss as Yuu is kicking up, Sebek seems fully aware that they won’t actually stop him, at least not tonight.

Their own boxes, apart from the one containing their bedding, remain untouched.

The conversation lulls, Yuu briefly considers taking the opportunity to doze, but with the faint echo of Sebek muttering to himself, they doubt they’d be able to get any real rest.
It takes more effort than they’d like to admit to force themselves off the bed, grabbing the sweatshirt one of them had left out and yanking it over their head. “I’m going for a walk,” They say, receiving nothing more than a grunt of acknowledgement from him before he returns to his search.

They shudder slightly as they enter the corridor, pulling the door shut behind them. The chill easily seeping into their skin.

Windows tower over them, the sky fallen dark behind the tinted glass.

Candlelight dances across the stone, dimmed substantially for the late hour. They wander the halls, mindlessly taking in the views before them. The entire building seems to be built from stone. If they're being honest, it reminds them of the way Malleus would describe the castle he called home. They wonder how alike it really is.

They pause, peaking through the window. Outside ranges a seemingly endless field of thorns bathed in fog, brambles thicker than their forearm climb the spires and shadows arc over the walkways. As far as they can see, there is nothing more than a singular path leading through the sea of briars. Yuu isn’t too sure where it leads, with no other buildings in the area.

They don’t exactly have the energy to investigate either. Stuffing their hands into their pockets, Yuu makes their way towards the lounge.

When they find it, with only a couple of wrong turns, few students remain, pajama-clad and reading in the dim lamplight. They wonder, absentmindedly, what has driven them to the lounge.

They briefly consider staying, but the boy closest to the fireplace looks up from his book. His eyes flicker from Yuu to the couch across from him, his expression souring when he sees them eyeing the open space.

Yuu takes a step towards the door, watching as the tension bleeds from the boy's shoulders as he turns back to his book. They doubt he means much by it, only the desire not to be disturbed so late in the evening. They drift along the edge of the room. Neither of the two other upperclassmen seem to have noticed them, too engrossed in their game of chess to bother looking up from the board.

They squeeze outside without much issue, sparing a glance back into the lounge for a moment. If they’re being totally honest, Yuu’s not entirely sure if they're allowed to wander the grounds so late, but none of the others seem particularly concerned by the sound of the door creaking open.

The cool night air hits them the moment they pull the door open and slip outside, the chirp of crickets echoing around them.

The sound is reassuring in a way, reminiscent of the woods they’d grown up in. Briars creep up over the walls, hanging down to brush over the stone path. They look up at the spires, nearly disappearing in the darkness of the starless-sky. A false moon hangs on the horizon, nearly hidden by the thorns.

The grounds seem well enough maintained, briars may seem to creep too far into the courtyard, but none touch the ground. They hang overhead, too far to reach and never so much as brush the path beneath.

The dorm is, by all definitions of the word, ominous as hell.

But there’s a strange sort of beauty in the old castle, with all its too-long shadows and fireflies dancing in the distance. Mimicking the starlight of the night sky.

Watching the fireflies twist and spin as they fly makes the ever gnawing pit in their stomach croon. Yuu forcibly swallows their growing anxiety, fiddling with a loose string inside their pocket to keep themselves occupied.

With a final, sweeping glance Yuu makes their way down the stone path. Their shoes scuff against the ground as they walk, resisting the urge to peek over the edge. Fog pools beneath the vines, brushing the pathway but remaining thin enough that Yuu can see clearly. They think, somewhere in the back of their mind, that it must be magic.

Mindlessly, Yuu walks.

Slipping through the mirror with the barest hint of nausea rolling through their stomach, they wander.

Yuu isn’t quite sure where they’re going.

The path forks a little ways away from the Hall of Mirrors. One path leading back to the main building, the other, Yuu isn’t quite sure. They stand there for a moment longer than they’d like to admit, eyeing the two paths. They let out a low sigh, taking a few steps down the path to their right.

The lamplight bathes the walkway in a soft golden glow, casting long shadows against the well maintained grounds. Yuu’s own shadow drags across the path in a twisting spiral as they pass by each pair of lamp posts. Their mind drifts away from them as they walk, watching the way their shadow moves against the cobblestone. Occupying their hands with the same string draws most of their attention, focusing on the way it feels between their fingers in a misplaced effort to distract themselves as they explore.

They don’t intend to find it, the run-down building.

The fence is crooked, iron rusted over from years of weathering. Yuu can’t quite make out much of the building itself, the silhouette lit by moonlight wraps the building in shadows.

It’s the only building that doesn’t seem particularly well maintained.

Malleus would frequently talk about the abandoned dormitory on campus, a place undisturbed by the living. Typically, the affection he spoke with was reserved for the ruins that spotted the briar valleys landscape. His fondness for the rundown building had made Yuu eager to explore it themselves.

A small, nagging part of them wonders if this is where Malleus had spent his day. Sequestered off away from the rest of the world.

The fence itself only rises to their waist, making it easy to haul themselves up and swing a leg over to the other side. The iron frigid against the bare skin of their palms, the sensation jolts them awake faster than they’d care to admit. Yuu swings their other leg over the gate with little trouble, sliding off the fence with only a slight shudder. The moment their hands leave the fence, Yuu is rubbing them together in a vain attempt to rid them of the cold clinging to them.

Up close, the building is more run-down than Yuu initially thought. The majority of the windows are boarded shut, some broken while the wood of others has fallen down into the overgrown grass. Yuu steps over a particularly splintered board as they peak inside. Half-broken furniture litters the lounge, paintings fallen from the walls and books thrown about. They wrinkle their nose slightly at the layer of dust that coats every surface.

They pull away from the building, taking a step onto the beaten path at the side of the building.

Finding Malleus at the abandoned dorm isn’t difficult. The small courtyard behind the building is overrun by foliage, the pathway almost completely covered with overgrown greenery. The draconic fae is leaned heavily into the old, wooden bench, gaze turned towards the night sky. If Yuu didn’t know better, they’d wonder if he even noticed their presence.

When Malleus turns, his face contorts in surprise. “Child of Man?” Malleus questions, brows furrowed in his confusion.

“Orientation was earlier,” Yuu explains, taking a few steps into the courtyard.

A frown found its way onto Malleus’ features, “No, that can’t be right…” Disappointment etches into the set of his jaw as he shifts his gaze, “What dorm were you assigned?” The curiosity is genuine, though stunted with his sullied mood.

Yuu let’s out a soft hum, “Diasomnia, Sebek too… We missed you at the party.” They reply, leaning forward slightly. “But there will be more parties, you know.” They reassured, sending an easy smile in his direction.

Malleus let out a soft sigh, “I suppose,” he replied, his voice quiet. “Still, I apologize for missing the ceremony,” He averts his gaze, keeping his eyes trained on the silhouette of the dorm before them.

Malleus has always been a quiet individual, but something about the lapse of silence feels distinctly somber. Regret curled in the way he traced the curve of his nails and soft furrow of his brow. Yuu is fairly certain that if it weren't for his gloves he’d have started picking at the edge of the black polish they know he wears.

With a soft thud, Yuu takes a seat in the open spot next to him. “These things happen,” They shrug. “If I’m being totally honest, I’m kinda glad you weren’t there. It was enough having Dad and Sebek see that.” Malleus remains quiet, only raising a brow in a silent question. “Spatial Magic,” Is all Yuu responds with, letting out an exaggerated sigh as they lean back against the bench.

“Are you certain you're alright?” He questions, brows knitted together in worry, “have the symptoms abated?” Malleus’ frets, already reaching out to check them over for injuries.

Yuu nods slightly as they roll up their sleeves for him, watching the frown on his face deepen at the sight of their bruises. “The disorientation was pretty bad this time, but I didn’t throw up so I’m counting it as a win.”

“And the bruising?”

“I fell.”

Malleus eyes them as he turns their arm.

The answer isn’t a particularly helpful one, used for something as simple as rolling off the old couch at the cabin. Coincidentally it had also been the same excuse they’d used when they were six, after falling out of a particularly ancient tree near the lake. They still blamed Sebek for that one, though it was easy for him to misunderstand the fragility of human children back then. He may be half human himself, but he’d still inherited all the durability of a nocturne fae from his mother, and if Yuu had shoved him out of the very same tree two years later in retaliation, that was between them.

“The gate was making me claustrophobic, so I broke out.” They elaborate.

“I see.”

Yuu lets out a slight grumble as Malleus continues to look over them, repeating the same methodical tasks their father had earlier that night.

“What about the Mirrors? As I understand, most students need to use them to enter the dorms.” The anxiety in his voice seems to have fallen away, even if only slightly.

Pulling their knees against their chest, Yuu shakes their head. “Not bad. A little nauseous, but it went away after a minute or two,” they pick at the fabric of their sleeves as they speak. “I’ll get used to it.” He nods slightly, tension easing out of his shoulders.

The two sit there a moment, listening to the chirp of crickets and watching the clouds drift across the sky.

“I am glad that you're here, Yuu.”

The words are quiet, whispered into the night.

“I’m glad that you're here too, Tsunotaro.”

Yuu smiles, the childish nickname isn’t something they use often, not since they were young.

Sebek had never liked Yuu’s nickname for him. When they were little Yuu didn’t care all that much. Pronouncing their L’s was difficult and Malleus seemed to enjoy it whenever they’d call out to him, so they couldn’t have cared less what Sebek thought. Though, as Yuu got older, the boys' lectures became increasingly long-winded.

It had always been difficult to align the Malleus of their childhood, the awkward boy who fussed over an electronic pet and read them bedtime stories, with the feared Crowned Prince of the Briar Valley.

That hadn’t changed.

What had, was that Yuu had become aware of Malleus’ image, and the impact Yuu had on it. However minor that impact was, Yuu wouldn’t want to cause trouble for him. So they keep the nickname to themselves, used only in the quiet moments between the two of them.

Still, the comment incites a warm smile from him.

Abruptly, a droplet of water falls onto Yuu’s cheek, startling them out of the moment. “Shit,” They wipe the water from their face, turning their gaze to the sky, “of course it starts to rain!” They let out an exaggerated whine.

Malleus squints towards the sky, a deep frown forming as he watches the clouds drift over the moon. “We should return to the dorm,” he hesitates for a moment, expression pinched with lingering anxiety. “I presume you’d like us to walk? After your ordeal at the entrance ceremony, I can't imagine you’re eager to repeat it.”

Yuu uncurls themselves from the position they’d wedge themselves into, letting out a soft hum. “You really shouldn’t be out in the rain, Mal, I can walk back by myself,” they push themself up. Though, another look towards the sky has them reconsidering. “I should probably check for an umbrella or something inside, though. Seems like it’s going to pick up soon.” They add, turning back towards the building.

The crown prince hums, glancing at the dorm for a moment before sighing. “I suppose I cannot stop you, and I doubt you will find anything of much use, but I do hope you will be careful,” He leans down, bumping his forehead against their temple.

They grin, giddiness and exhaustion all wrapped into one ball of emotion planted in their chest. They lean into the touch as much as they can, letting them rest like that till Malleus pulls away, and in the moments between, Yuu feels like a child again. Pressed up in their brother’s side as he hums to them, the light from the fireplace dancing in the background and Malleus’ forehead held against theirs.

Yuu wasn’t entirely sure where the behavior came from, but the action was a balm against their anxiety. They hadn’t realized how suffocating it was until the knot in their throat loosened. Malleus was leaving, but he wasn’t leaving them.

[Then why did it feel like he was?]

A moment passes, and Malleus pulls away. The spell is broken, and with a quiet goodbye, Malleus is gone. Fireflies linger in his wake, drifting on an unfelt wind, and for a moment Yuu can only stare, making their best effort to stamp down the fresh wave of anxiety.

He wasn’t gone.
He wouldn’t leave them.

Yuu spins abruptly on their heel, forcing a fresh breath into their lungs and turning their attention to the building before them.

With stiff muscles, they take a few steps towards the closest entrance.

Similarly to the front entrance, the back door is boarded shut. Lingering magic runs through the wood, keeping it strong despite its weathered age. Yuu doubts they’d be able to pry it off before the sprinkle picks up, so instead they follow the well worn path to the side of the building.

Making their way to a particular broken window they’d spotted earlier. The glass is long since cleared, scattered along the floor as Yuu slips through. The abandoned dorm has to be one of the creepiest places on campus, but they could imagine generations prior hiding away within its walls. A secret hideaway that so long as the building stood, would remain a safe haven for those who needed it. Whether that be in the dark of night, or a refuge from classes, Yuu was certain that even after its failure, those halls had seen countless students pass through.

Clouds gather in the sky beyond the dirt-stained windows, effectively casting the surrounding forest in shadows too dark to see through. An involuntary shudder runs up their spine. The forest, despite its smaller size, seems far more intimidating than the one they’d grown up in.

They hope, somewhere in the back of their mind, that it's their lack of familiarity that makes it so ominous.

The room they’ve slipped into seems to be a bedroom. Bed frames pressed into two corners, a single mattress lays half strewn on the floor. Almost as if someone had tried hauling it off the frame and into the hallway. Desks and bookshelves, all coated in a thick layer of dust, line the walls, and abandoned clutter litters the floor.

With a soft grumble, they proceed further into the house. The hall was in similar disarray, as was every room that Yuu swung open the door too. They duck under a low hanging cobweb, and begrudgingly, as the rain patters against the rooftop, they’d be willing to admit that this may not have been the best idea. A closet on the second floor holds a set of bedsheets. After a long, silent debate, Yuu grabs one and tucks it close to their chest.

Meager though its protection may be, Yuu would take what they could get.

The stairs groan precariously as they move back towards the first floor. Intent on hauling themselves back through the window before the steady drizzle turns to a storm. However, a quick double take as they pass the lounge has them taking a step back.

Half shoved through a ragged hole in the wall, grumbling to itself, is a small direbeast.

They think, for barely a moment, that the broken wood must be painful while digging into its skin.

The floorboards creak under the strain as the creature wedges himself through the too small space between the wooden panels. Rainwater drips from his fur, and for a moment, the two can simply stare at each other.

It takes a minute for the direbeast to recognize them, though when it does the lingering embers in its ears burst into irritable flames. “You! You’re the one who got me kicked out!” The creature snaps, wet fur bristling with its irritation.

“You got yourself kicked out!”

“If you’d have given me your robes I wouldn’t have been!”

“You broke in! Of course you would have!”

“Nuh-uh! I’m a magical prodigy! As soon as they realized that they woulda let me stay!” Grim snaps, and for a moment Yuu can only stare in bewilderment. They let out an exhausted sigh, tossing the bed sheet onto the couch, and taking a few steps closer to him. “I ain’t givin’ up on goin’ here just ‘cause I got kicked out one measly ol’ time!” He grumbles, finally managing to wiggle himself further through the hole.

They reach out, though Grim responds quickly, swatting at their hands with indignation. Claws catch on the flesh of their right hand, and they jerk back with a hiss of pain. “What the hell?!” They snap, “I’m just trying to help get you out of there!”

Grim shudders, some part of them supplies that he must be freezing. “Don’t just try and grab me then!” He growls, claws digging into the wood beneath his paws.

“Do you want help or not?”

He pauses, ears tilting back as he glares at them. “...Fine,” he grumbles.

Yuu lets out a soft puff before reaching out once again. They reach for the hole first, feeling the jagged edges of the opening. “Alright, I’m going to try and pull you through… If that doesn’t work we may need to push you back out.” They explain, barely managing to squeeze two fingers between him and the wall.

Grim’s eyes widen, “It’s pouring out there- You wouldn’t leave me to fend for myself would you?!” he drags a paws over his head, a futile effort to keep the water out of his eyes.

“I just might if you try and claw me again,” Yuu grumbles, pulling their hands away to run their fingers over the blooming red-marks across the side of their palm.

The direbeast narrows his eyes at them.“If you hadn’t grabbed me, I wouldn’t have scratched you!” He defends. The two stare at each other for a long moment, eyes narrowed in a silent stand-off.

Yuu rocks back on their heels for a moment, furrowing their brows before letting their posture relax. “But there is a window off to the side you can jump through. Sprint around to the back and you should be able to get in pretty easy, and you shouldn’t get stuck, considering it’s how I got in,” They hummed. Grim relaxes substantially at the explanation, letting out a simple ‘oh’.

Without much protest, Grim lets them place their hands beneath his arms. They give him an experimental tug, and when he makes no noise of pain, they pull with more force.

Accompanied by Grim’s fierce wiggling, and a hefty tug that causes him to whine, they manage to get him a little further. Yuu drops down onto the dusty floor, anchoring a foot against the wall and readjusts their hands around him. With a final grunt of effort, Grim manages to squeeze one hindleg through, and the rest of him follows quickly. The force nearly sends them hurtling back onto the ground, but a quick hand thrown back to stabilize them manages to keep them upright.

Grim immediately sets out to shake the water from his fur, effectively showering them in a new wave of rainwater. “Freedom!” The direbeast screeches, fur sticking up at odd, waterlogged angles.

Yuu shudders, barely shielding themselves from the worst of the sudden spray. “Watch it!” They hiss, for a moment they only eye the direbeast with a level of annoyance clear in the furrow of their brows. Grim glances back at them, seemingly unbothered by Yuu’s complaint.

The two stay like that for a moment, Grim making an attempt to dry himself and Yuu wiping their hands on their sweatshirt.

It’s Grim who breaks the fragile peace, “What are you even doin’ here anyway?” He asks, shivering slightly as the lingering rainwater seeps into his skin.

“Came in to hide from the rain,” They replied, forcing themselves off the ground. They make their way across the room, and snatch the forgotten bedsheet off the couch. “C’mere, I’ll help dry you off,” they hold their arms out, fabric carefully draped over their hands.

Grim, hesitant as he is, his desire for warmth wins him over. He takes a step closer to them, “Fine, I guess I can let you help me out… just ‘cause you’ve already proved to be a useful hench-human!” He elaborates, effectively collapsing into Yuu’s awaiting arms.

Something about the motion is endearing, almost groggy really, and they can’t help but smile as they drag the makeshift towel over him. “Oh, how gracious of you,” They hum, and Grim makes a grumbling noise of agreement. Their lingering irritation falls away as they continue, leaving his dark fur damp and increasingly fluffy. Grim continues to melt under their touch, eagerly soaking in the affection. So absorbed in it, he doesn’t seem to notice when they discard the bed sheet, and start petting long lines down his spine.

They're not entirely sure how long they sit there, but by the time they contemplate getting up to find another bed sheet, Grim’s fur is largely dried and his shivering has long since ceased. He leans heavily into their lap, eyes closed and a purr rumbling in his throat.

“C’mon,” They shake him slightly, feeling like an utter monster for rousing the sleepy beast, “Sorry, but we’ve gotta go back to the dorm, we can’t exactly sleep here."

Grim looks up cautiously, “We?” He questions, reaching up with a paw to swipe the drowsiness from his eyes.

“Of course, you may be a brat but I’m not going to leave you to freeze to death.”

Grim just lets out a little ‘oh’ before he clambers off their lap, their knees crack precariously as Yuu stands and brushes the dust from their clothes. Dirt and grime only rubbing deeper into to the damp fabric, and briefly Yuu lets themselves feel the disgust over how the fabric clings to their skin. They don’t miss the confused look Grim sends them as they shudder, no longer warmed by a soft creature demanding attention, their hoodie suddenly feels far too thin.

Yuu moves back towards the second floor, Grim following a few paces behind.

“Why are you so determined to stay here anyway?”

They don’t bother looking back at him, swinging open a random door in hopes it's the closet they’d discovered earlier. Disappointingly, the store room is barren aside from stray cobwebs, likely stripped clean from previous trespassers. They don’t bother shutting the door as they continue down the hall, searching for yet another unlabeled door.

“Can’t ya remember anything human? I told ya’! I’m gonna be one of the greatest mages to ever live! How can I do that if I don’t go to the best magic school, huh?” Grim explains, voice muffled as he ducks his head into another room, his drowsiness seemingly forgotten in his eagerness to leave. “I’ve been waitin’ and waitin’ for the black carriage to show up! But, well… Hmph! The Dark Mirror’s got no eye for talent!”

Pausing for a moment, Yuu realizes they can’t exactly dispute that. After all, their control over even the simplest of spells is laughable at best. Yet, they’ve been summoned all the same, climbed through the gate and stood in front of the mirror the same way every other student had. It’s entirely possible, that in it’s old age, the Dark Mirror has grown senile. Even artifacts protected with the highest enchantments had a tendency to lose touch with reality after a few hundred years. “Still, I’ve never even heard of a direbeast being accepted to a magic school, this one included…” They mused, throwing open another unmarked door, grinning in their triumph as they discover a closet packed with spare bed sheets, towels and long expired soap.

Grim doesn’t seem to notice as they begin pulling sheets, and a dusty towel from the inside. “There’s gotta be a first time for everythin’ doesn’t there?! I was born for this, if you humans can’t see that then you’ve got another thing comin’!” He announces, stamping a paw against the ground.

“You know you really shouldn’t threaten people who are trying to help you-”

The comment only seems to irritate him, “I mean it! Not lettin’ me in is a great loss to the world!” he insists as they drop onto the ground, take one sheet, and begin twisting around their torso in a makeshift sling, “I’m gonna prove it to that stupid Headmage and get accepted!” Taking a few steps forward, eyes wide with confusion as he watched them. “What’re you even doin’?” He cocks his head to the side as they fumble with the fabric.

“And how’re you going to do that if you can’t spend five minutes on campus without causing trouble? With your record, you’d probably be considered a fire hazard,” They reply before turning back to him, “It’s a sling, I’m going to have to carry you back, the hall of mirrors is too far away for you to walk on those little legs,” they tease, letting out a snort when he fumes, the decorative flames at his ears flaring with annoyance.

“I would not! I was just showin’ off my potential is all!” He huffs, circling around them as they work. “And my legs are not small! I bet I could get through this storm way faster than you!”

“Is that what that was? And they absolutely are.”

Grim lets out an annoyed growl, swatting at their ankles with outstretched claws. They barely avoid the attack by jerking their leg to the side, effectively causing him to tumble straight into them.

“What did I say about the claws!?”

“Then stop askin’ so many questions!”

Yuu stares down at him a moment before sighing, pinching the bridge of their nose. It’s quiet for a moment, Grim busying himself by inspecting the still open closet while Yuu collects themselves. They can feel a headache building behind their eyes, and a not-so-distant part of themselves regrets not taking up Malleus’ offer to have taken them back earlier. Spacial magic be damned, Yuu didn’t want to walk through that storm.

A realization suddenly occurs to them.

Yuu has known for a long time that their family has a history of taking in strays. Starting back when the Queen took in their father all those years ago. Their father had only continued the tradition with his children, and Silver always had a habit of bringing back a truly alarming number of woodland creatures.

Perhaps it was finally time for Yuu to bring home a stray of their own.

“Y’know… You could be my familiar,” They say, dipping their tone as soft as they can muster.

Grim’s whole body seems to tense, something akin to horror dawning in his expression “...What?” He asks, voice so small that Yuu nearly doesn’t hear it. His fur begins to puff up, ears tilting back slightly as he turns to face them in full.

“Pretending, I mean!” They quickly explain, guilt settling in the pit of their stomach. “You’re likely to get kicked out if you get spotted by anyone else. Because whether you like it or not, you did break in… twice. But, if you were my familiar, or at least pretending to be, you’d get to stay.”

“And why would I do that? I’m not some pet, y’know!” He snaps, every ounce of venom leaking into the word. “‘M not gonna just sit around and play pretend until you get bored!” Grim turns away at that, and for a moment Yuu thinks he might bolt if they're not careful.

“Of course I know that,” they start, “I mean an act. But only to give you the chance to attend classes and with time, you might even be able to prove yourself trustworthy enough to become a student. Spacial magic, like the gates, tends to mess with my memory for a bit. I could say you’re my familiar, but that I was so out of it that I didn’t remember you until you got kicked off campus,” they suggest slowly, picking every word with careful consideration.

Hesitantly, Grim turns back to face them, “...What’s in it for you? You can’t just be offerin’ outta the goodness of your heart or something,” he mutters.

And that’s the question isn’t it?

If they're being honest, they’re not entirely sure why they suggested it. “Well, you seem like you need some help, and if I am in a position to do so, why shouldn’t I?” they asked. Grim sends them a confused look. Yuu grins in response, “And, if there is a painting my roommate wants to put up that I want to… cause a truly tragic accident that results in it going up in flames, that’s my own business isn’t it?”

Grim can’t help the sudden bout of laughter at their reasoning, an excuse pulled from nowhere sending the direbeast into a fit of giggles. “That’s so stupid! That’s why you wanted me to come back with you?!” He snorts, any lingering anxiety melting away with his laughter.

Yuu rolls their eyes as he continues to giggle, their grin morphing into something far more soft. “What better shot do you have? Keep breaking in till you get detained?” they muse.

“That is a really stupid reason to get a familiar.” He smiles right back at them.

Yuu ducks their head slightly, “Yeah, it really is.” They chuckle, “Indulge me anyway, oh Great and Powerful Grim?” they ask, reaching out to run their fingers through his fur.

Grim closes his eyes and lets out a deep sigh. “Alright… I s’ppose I can give you a shot. You better make yourself a decent hench-human though!” he declares, peeking an eye open to gauge their reaction.

“Let’s go home, then.”

Yuu carefully slips back through the grand double doors. Grim is nestled against their chest, dozing peacefully and both the remaining bed sheets are long forgotten in a poor, now overflowing trash can by the Hall of Mirrors.

Despite all odds, the two have made it back marginally unscathed. Damp hair and hoodie their only casualty.

The two upperclassmen who’d been playing chess earlier have retreated, but the set has been left out. They feel a little bad for the green team, even at a quick glance they’re losing, and not by a small margin. Hesitantly they swap out a few pieces, two pawns sacrificed from the black team and a bishop replaced on the green side. A vain attempt to give the poor player a chance, should the two return to their game in the morning.

Looking up, they find the boy by the fireplace staring at them. He glances at the chess set, at the sleepy direbeast in their arms, then back to them in silent question.

They grin, reaching up with their free hand to press their pointer finger to their lips. “I don’t want to wake him,” They whisper, voice echoing in the grand corridor of the lounge.

His brows pinch in confusion, and for a moment Yuu thinks he might question them, but after a long pause of consideration, he turns his attention back to his book. They don’t bother sticking around to test his silence, taking to the maze-like halls of their dorm.

Slowly, their exhaustion seems to creep over them, settling deep in their bones as they walk. They think, distantly, that the halls must be moving, because they could have sworn their dorm was on the third floor, yet they find it without climbing a single staircase. They don’t have the mind to think about it too deeply, simply taking it as the saving grace it seems to be and slipping into the room.

The light of Grim’s flames is the only thing that illuminates their dorm, casting blue light across the half unloaded mess that is their luggage. They don’t bother checking if Sebek is awake, his sleep schedule is a fragile thing, and Yuu had seen him sacrifice their well earned playtime for it as kids. An act that Yuu had seen as terribly foolish at the time. They’d bet he’s been asleep for a while.

Yuu unceremoniously drops Grim onto the mattress, and they can’t help but snort as he lands. He shoots up, groggily spinning around in an attempt to gauge his surroundings. “Pfft- You can go back to sleep, we’re back at the dorm,” They say, keeping their voice as quiet as they can manage as they climb into bed alongside him. Effectively shoving Grim down in an effort to make enough room for themselves.

Grim makes a soft grumbling noise before he curls up towards their feet. A soft purr bursts to life as he settles.

For a moment, they think they might finally be able to sleep, only to turn and see that damn painting.

They sigh, eyeing the portrait with a level of disdain only befitting of the possibly cursed object.

Sebek never seemed to have found the hooks, as it still sits by his desk, pathetically leaning against the drawers.

They watch it, and they're certain it watches them back. The acrylic eyes nearly glowing in the darkness of their dorm room. They hate it.

But Sebek loves it.

And Yuu did bring a glorified lap-cat into their dorm without telling him.

Fuck. They’re going to have to compromise, aren’t they?

They let out a long breath through their nose, shoulders slouching slightly. “Can’t believe I’m doing this…” They mutter, ducking back into the bathroom. They snatch the hooks from the bottom cupboard, thrown haphazardly behind their neighbors' extra shampoo. It was a good thing that Sebek wouldn’t go rifling through a strangers’ things. Their’s however, seemed to have been fair game, because even in the dark they can see the silhouette of their luggage, opened and pilfered.

Ignoring the mess, they move to Sebek’s desk. They don’t bother with measurements, both because they're too tired and they're fairly certain that Sebek will adjust it the second he wakes up, regardless of how much effort they put into ensuring it's straight. It’s the gesture that counts anyway, wasn’t it?

Once the painting is hung, barely even crooked, Yuu tosses a loose sheet onto it. It may not be physically able to watch them, but they’d feel it all the same.

With their self-imposed task completed, Yuu finally collapses in their bed. It barely sturs the exhausted direbeast. He simply rolls over, burrowing himself into the blankets piled at the end of their bed. They shuffle beneath whatever blanket he’s left behind, and in the moments between consciousness they can feel themselves melt into the soft surface, dozing to the obnoxious sound of Grim’s snoring.

Chapter Text

With Grim balanced precariously on their shoulders, Yuu meanders down main street, thermos cradled in one hand and their schedule in the other. It’s far from peaceful, but Grim’s behaving and convincing everyone to stay quiet about him had gone better than Yuu had dared to hope, so they don’t have much room to complain. Even if the crowd is overwhelming, and Yuu feels so out of their depth that they may drown.

They shift slightly, shuffling their bookbag further onto their shoulder. The action jossles Grim, but he seems too engrossed in the crowd to be bothered by it. “So this is Main Street, huh? It’s incredible! I didn’t get to see much of it yesterday!” He exclaims, tail swaying excitedly, “What’s the deal with the scary lookin’ statues, though? ” He asks, swiveling his head around to try and get a better look at each one.

Yuu looks up from their schedule, their school map crumbled and scribbled on from Yuu’s previous attempts of charting a course to each class. Taking a haphazard glance in the direction he’s pointing, “You don’t know The Great Seven?” They ask, craning their neck in an attempt to look back at him.

“Your familiar doesn’t even know who The Great Seven are?”

Yuu turns so quickly that Grim nearly slips off their shoulders, forcing them to reach a hand up to stabilize him.

The sight that greets them isn’t nearly the one they’d expected. The boy's tone had been so condescending that Yuu had been ready to drop everything to wrangle Grim back before he could attack another student. Yet, a genuinely surprised look seems to cross the redhead's face as they turn to face him.

The boy doesn’t look nearly as disheveled as Yuu feels, from the barely smudged heart painted over his left eye, to the loosely tied tie around his neck. They imagine they must be quite a sight if he’s a testament to how put together the average student is, with their still messy hair and disorganized papers.

Grim huffs, “So what if I don’t? They can’t be that important if I haven’t heard of ‘em!” He snapped, leaping from their shoulder to the nearest statue to avoid tumbling off his perch.

The boy snorts slightly, shaking his head. “Only if being major historical figures is suddenly unimportant,” He takes a step closer to Grim, “This one’s the Queen of Hearts, Then you’ve got the Sea Witch and King of Beasts.” He begins, pointing out each one to the small direbeast before turning to the other side of the street. “Then over there is The Sorcerer of The Sands, The Fairest Queen, The King of the Underworld, and at the end over there is Thorn Fairy.”

Grim tilts his head slightly, “Ok so they got fancy names, what’s so important about them other than that?” He asks, ears tilting back.

Yuu doesn’t bother trying to interrupt the impromptu history lesson, taking a long sip from their thermos as the other student continues. “Well, for starters, The Queen of Hearts ruled over a kingdom of madness for almost a century! She spent her entire life trying to curb the chaos. With her strictness, she wouldn’t tolerate a rose being off-color or a soldier out of place.” He explains, leaning against the stone as he speaks. “And despite all her crazy rules, not one of her subjects dared to defy her!” he grins with excitement, “Wanna know why?”

Grim shifts slightly, curiously looking back up at the statue. “Why?” He asks, turning back towards the student.

“The punishment of course! Breaking a single rule meant immediate decapitation!” The redhead declares, “Pretty cool, right? I’m a big fan.”

Grim jerks back, ducking close to Yuu’s side as if they could protect him from the spirit of a woman who lived millennia ago. “That’s seriously messed up!” Grim squeaks.

The boy simply shakes his head, “Maybe a little, but who’d bother to obey a queen who was kind all the time?” He defends, and for a moment Yuu can see where the thought process comes from, but Yuu has studied the effects of tyranny and knows the revolutions well. There was a reason human kingdoms could never last as long as The Valley had, and it was hubris.

Before Yuu has a chance to voice this however, Grim is already speaking. “Yeah, true, a leader needs to be strong… but puttin’ that aside, what’s the deal with the other ones?” He asks, inclining his head towards the other statues.

The crowd has thinned in the few minutes they’ve stopped, rushing to the cafeteria before all the good breakfast items are snatched up. It leaves a nearly open view of the street, each of the statues casting deep shadows in the morning light.

The boy quickly moves to the next statue, “Well, The King of Beasts ruled over the savanna; he wasn’t born to the throne, however.” He begins, gesturing up at the stone lion, “He had to earn it through hard work and elaborate schemes,” he wiggled his fingers in their direction before leaning against the stone once more. “When he became king, he declared that hyenas would be pariahs no more, and should live amongst the rest of his subjects as equals.”

Grim perked up at this, slipping away from them and taking a long look at the scarred lion. “Wow! He sounds like a great guy!” He exclaimed, taking his chance to leap onto the next pedestal over. “Not everybody can look past social status like that.”

He nodded slightly, “Yeah, a real standup guy! Everybody wants a ruler like that!”

With a grin, Grim turned to the statue of the Sea Witch, “The lady with the octopus legs was the Sea Witch, yeah?” He asked, receiving a nod from the boy and Yuu alike.

“That’s the Sea Witch alright. She lived in an underwater grotto and basically devoted her life to helping the troubled merfolk who sought her out. So long as they were willing to pay the price, she’d help them change their appearance, find love, anything and everything.” The boy explains, dipping his head in the statue's direction. “They said there was no wish she couldn’t grant, but… they also say the price was a tad steep.”

Yuu steps forward, taking another sip from their thermos as they watch the interaction. “Of course it was, wishes aren’t exactly cheap,” They comment, and watch as a flash of surprise falls over the boy's features.

“My thoughts exactly… Wait, what was your name again?” The redhead leans forward, “And your familiar’s?” He quickly adds, eyeing the little direbeast at his side.

Grim pipes in before Yuu has much of a chance to introduce themselves, “I’m Grim, sorcerer prodigy! Remember this face, cause I’m gonna be one of the greatest mages to ever live!” He declares, puffing out his chest in pride. After a moment, his grin falters and he sighs, “And that’s my far less interesting hench-human, Yuu.”

“I’m not your hench-anything, Grim, you’re MY familiar, remember?” Yuu shoots back, though the point is stifled by the yawn that forces its way up as they finish speaking.

“‘Yuu’, huh? Name’s got an odd ring to it,” He hummed. “Well, the name’s Ace, and as of today, I’m a first year student here! Pleased to meetcha!”

Yuu gives a small nod in response, watching Grim carefully as he climbs onto the beast king's back.

“Alright, Ace! The dude with the big hat next!” Grim demands, “You said he was some sorta sorcerer right?”

“Yup!” Ace begins, craning his neck to look past Yuu, “That's the Sorcerer of the Sands alright, he was an advisor to a total dolt of a sultan,” he laughs, “But! He was a smart guy, the real capable sort. He exposed this swindler once– One who was masquerading as a prince to trick the princess!” Ace shakes his head slightly, letting out a long sigh, “I mean what kind of fool goes around pretending to be a prince?”

“The narcissistic kind, I imagine.” Is all Yuu can muster as they set their papers and thermos down on the stone. Reaching out to pull Grim off the statue. After all, the last thing Yuu needs is for their newly minted familiar to draw attention to himself by falling.

Ace chuckles slightly before continuing, “Anyway, after that he got this magic lamp, and became the greatest sorcerer in the world. Then, they say, he used that power to become sultan himself!”

Grim squirms slightly in their hold before hauling himself back onto Yuu’s shoulders. “Huh, guess it’s true that a mage needs to be an excellent judge of character… Good thing I am!” The direbeast grins, leaning back towards Ace and effectively forcing Yuu to keep a hand up lest he fall.

The redhead doesn’t waste time in moving on, pointing the statue across the street with beautifully sculpted features and a crown adorning her head. “She’s a queen who was said to be the fairest in all the land.” Ace explains, “In fact, she used her magic mirror to check how she ranked on a daily basis! When it looked like her position was threatened, they say she’d do whatever it took to keep it. Can you imagine what level of dedication she must’ve had to keep a record like that? They also say she was a master at making poisons!”

Yuu can feel the shudder that runs down Grim’s spine, “Geez. She’s pretty, but that sounds kinda scary.” He mutters.

Ace seems rather surprised by the answer, eyes widening before he shakes his head in bemusement. “You think so? I gotta respect that hustle,” he lets out a low whistle. “It can’t have been easy to keep a record like that!”

Grim nods slightly, tucking himself closer to Yuu’s shoulder. They reach up, giving him a sympathetic scratch behind his ear. “F-for sure!” He starts, “Sounds like she fought hard for what she believed in, and never gave up!” Grim states, tilting his head into the touch, and after a moment of indulgence he pulls away. “What about that one! With the flaming hair?”

“That one there is the King of the Underworld,” Ace explains, “single-handedly ruling a kingdom packed full of rambunctious spirits— that takes competence!”

Yuu can only shudder at the mental image that appears before them, “can’t imagine the headache that would cause,” they mumble. Though, their commentary is decidedly ignored in favor of Ace’s.

“He may look scary, but he was a straight-shooter who worked tirelessly at a tough job he never even asked for. I mean, this is a guy who was ordering Cerberus, the Hydra, and the Titans into battle for him!” Ace began counting off the king's subjects on his fingers as he spoke, grinning excitedly as he did so.

Grim hummed slightly, clearly shaken off his stupor left behind by the Fairest Queen. “That IS somethin’...” He mumbles, “To think he could have that much power, and not let it go to his head.”

“It’s certainly a sign of a good ruler,” Yuu comments, mindlessly letting Grim migrate from their shoulders to their arms.

Now, with Yuu holding him up, Grim points at the last statue. “And that one, with the horns! The flower fairy, was it?”

“Thorn Fairy,” Yuu gently corrects, adjusting him slightly so they can shove their map and schedule back into their bag.

“That’s what I said!”

Ace just laughs, “The Thorn Fairy who lived on a mysterious mountain,” he begins, waving his hand in the direction of the horizon. “She was noble and elegant, a master of magic and curses—” Grim flinches at the mention of curses, pressing his body further against Yuu’s chest, “even by the standards of the seven she was incredibly powerful! She could command storms, cover kingdoms in thorns… She could use magic on a truly massive scale. She could even turn herself into a giant dragon!”

The direbeast perks up at the mention of the reptilian creatures, “Ooh, a dragon! What all monsters aspire to be!”

“It’s actually more likely that she was a draconic fae,” They add, “Which would more mean she could transform into a humanoid form, not the other way around.”

Ace seems taken back by the response, balking slightly as he scrambles for a reply. “Right, yeah… well it still makes for a pretty cool story doesn’t it?”

Yuu pauses, mulling over the statement before letting themselves nod in agreement, “Yeah, I suppose it does,” they reply after a long moment. Grim leans over their arm, still staring at the statues with a vague sort of interest.

“So… How come your weasel doesn’t even know who the Great Seven are? Isn’t that like… kindergarten level history?” Ace asks, and the lazy grin on his face suddenly seems much more mischievous.

Yuu tenses, moments away from a response when Grim squirms in their hold. “I am not a weasel!” Grim snaps, “And I know the important stuff!” he growls, baring his teeth at the other boy.

Ace jerks back, snorting at the direbeasts reaction. “You sure about that buddy?” He asks, Grim’s squirming growing too aggressive for them to keep a hold of, a clawed paw to their bruised arm forcing them to drop him. “I mean, come on! You make a big deal at orientation, set the place on fire, and somehow you still end up on campus! You must be one poor schmuck to have ended up with a familiar like that!” He laughed.

The next few moments pass in a blur as Yuu tries to ignore the irritation simmering beneath their own skin long enough to wrangle the direbeast. Their bag abandoned as they lunge towards him. Grim slips between their fingers, ignoring each shout that falls from their lips in favor of tearing after the redhead.

Each taunt has Grim fuming more than the last. Cerulean flames lap at his maw as he clamors atop the closest statue. His claws make a valiant effort to dig into the stone, scraping against it as he climbs atop the statue's shoulders, slipping just out of reach.

Shock bleeds into horror as they realize what Grim is so recklessly planning, “Grim- Do not cast that spell!” They manage to shout, but they find themselves too late to stop the direbeast.

Flames rip through the air, the heat closer to their bare skin than they’re comfortable with. The attack shoots past them, barreling for Ace, his shocked expression bathed in the blue light of Grim’s flames.

The blur of flames on the wind twists, narrowly avoiding the redhead they were aimed at.

The blaze fizzles out in the breeze.
The smoke lingering in the air the only sign it had ever been there.

For a long moment, Yuu doesn’t understand what's happened. Grim may be a novice, but he wouldn’t overshoot the output of his magic so drastically… would he?
The glint of a shining red stone against the morning sunlight draws their attention, Ace’s magestone pen clenched in his hand.

Right, they’d almost forgotten that this is a school dedicated to magical prodigies.

Yuu lets out a shriek as another fireball shoots past them, followed swiftly by a third. Each deflected by Ace’s magic, strong winds blowing the flames off course long before they can hit him. Each gust of wind grows stronger than the last, the first a light breeze that hardly redirects the flames barreling towards him. The latest has Yuu nearly toppling over with its force. Mage stone retrieved from his pocket, cloudy with blot, the redhead taunts another burst of flames from the direbeast.

Yuu registers what's about to happen a moment too late.
The magic gathering at Grim’s maw, the wave of Ace’s pen, the gust of wind and the Queen of Hearts’ statue. It spells disaster long before the flames leave Grim’s mouth.

The flames burst forth a moment before they're able to stop him.
Yuu’s heart plummets in their chest.

“Take that!” Grim snaps.

Ace smirks, wind rustling behind him as he flips his pen between his fingers, taunt between his lips before he realizes his mistake. The fireball curves, barely missing its target as a gust of wind viers it off course. The azure flames burst as they hit the statue, charring the image of the great Queen of Hearts. Blackened stone shines in the sunlight.

For a moment, they can only stare. The three of them briefly struck with a loss for words, students having long scattered into smaller groups for fear of being struck with a wayward fireball.

It’s Yuu who finally breaks the silence, a slur of curses unbefitting of the heir of a renowned general. They grab their irate familiar, and despite all musings of common sense, they shove their way into the crowd. Grim struggles fruitlessly in their hold, and for a moment they think they might just have been able to escape.

Fate, or rather, a man in a feathered cloak, has other plans.

A hand reaches out, grasping the lip of their cardigan. They stumble, giving the perpetrator the opening they need to permanently halt their escape.

Yuu barely has the spare moment to resign themselves to their fate, as the man begins speaking. “Did you truly think the likes of you could flee from me?” The Headmage snaps. “Who would care to explain how one of my beloved statues has been…” He pauses, sucking in a breath through his teeth, “charred?”

They turn, tucking Grim against their chest in a vain attempt to hide him away from the man’s simmering irritation. A nervous grin works its way onto their features, “Dire Crowley! Just the man I wanted to see!” They shudder slightly as the glowing slits behind his mask narrow, “it really is a long story, and you wouldn’t want your dear students missing their first day of classes, would you?”

Crowley grins back, wicked in a way that has anxiety bubbling up in the pit of their stomach. “Oh that is the last thing I want, dearest students,” He hums, releasing their cardigan in favor of clapping his hands together. “Which is why we will be dealing with this matter swiftly!” His gaze shifts between the two, watching them with an unnervingly polite smile.

Grim shivers against their chest, “He’s not going to expel us on the first day, is he?” He whimpers.

The headmage spins on his heel, glare turned to the redhead across the street.

“You, state your name and grade!”

“Ace Trappola… Freshman…”

Crowley turns to face Yuu once more, “Now, Vice Housewarden Vanrogue took the liberty of informing me about your… situation, regarding your familiar,” The headmage begins, “Make sure that he behaves I want no more incidents involving the two of you, do you understand?”

Yuu is nodding before they can stop themselves, “Yes, sir.” They affirm, Grim bobbing his head in a half-hearted attempt to mimic them.

“Then listen well, Trappola. You two as well. As punishment for today's infractions, you are hereby ordered to wash a hundred windows.”

“That’s what you get for makin’ fun of me! This is all your fault!” Grim snaps, squirming within their hold.

Ace balks at the notion, glancing between the direbeast and their headmage, “What?!” He gapes, “I have to do it too?!”

Crowley only shakes his head, hands placed on his hips as he speaks “Of course you do. The both of you and the familiar, will be in the cafeteria after classes. Are we clear?” He asks, the hard edge to his voice leaving no room for discussion.

The quiet affirmations from both students fill the silence for a spare moment before Grim is swiveling his head around to look up at them.

“Wait, we're really goin’?”

Yuu bites back a sigh, “I’m not getting expelled for this, so yes! We’re going!” they reply, voice sharper than they’d intended. Grim, to his credit, looks properly scolded with his ears tilted back and a frown pressed onto his features. Crowley begins dispersing the crowd, waving off students towards the dining hall as he reminds everyone that magic is not to be used on campus unless supervised by staff.

Grumbling students push past them as Yuu leans down, swiping the thermos they’d practically thrown to the ground in their hast to escape, contents long since lost, spilled over the cobblestone.

Ace evaporates into the crowd by the time they start moving once more.

Period 1. Homeroom

Nikolai Flykra, Yuu’s ‘Introductory Arts’ Professor, is a lanky man hunched over a too small desk. Crowded with miscellaneous supplies as it is, Yuu can hardly see him from their place on the far side of the room. As the man drones on, crinkled syllabus in hand, Yuu finds their attention waning. The professor's voice fading into the background as he explains the magical, and non-magical alternative projects that will be available throughout the year.

Their eyes drift across the room, taking in the sights soon to grow familiar.

Light filters in through the large windows to their left, stained glass casting colorful pools across the stone floor. Behind them, Grim’s found a perch on the cushioned window seat. Bright colors and various patterns litter the fabrics he kneads into, patched together so thoroughly that Yuu has trouble figuring out which pattern was the original.

Eight large tables scatter across the room, an assortment of shapes and sizes with mismatched stools shoved beneath them. Almost every seat is filled, grades and dorms as varied as the furniture. Though, Yuu remains the sole member of Diasomnia amongst the students. The green of their vest sticking out like a sore thumb amongst the sea of reds, yellows and purples. They find no one of note within the classroom, save for a few familiar faces.

Or the particularly eccentric.

A small boy from orientation, tapping his pen against the table in an unpleasant, seemingly random pattern.

The boy next to him catches their eye, if only for the feathered hat perched atop his head.

A table near the front, lower than the rest, the students rest on cushions rather than the mismatched stools. A vaguely familiar head of short white hair seated amongst his peers.

They turn their attention back to the syllabus, skimming the page in an attempt to catch up to the man now answering the halfhearted questions of his students.

The white haired boy from the front eagerly awaits his turn, having more energy than Yuu thinks anyone ought to this early in the morning. His hand held high in the air as Professor Flykra explains his grading system. The boy leans forward, tilting his head in a way that finally gives Yuu a glimpse of his face.

The Asim heir.

Kalim Al-Asim was a boy that, according to their father, didn’t quite fit amongst the rest of Night Raven’s students. Which, they supposed made sense, because he was initially accepted at Royal Sword Academy, only to transfer during his first year. He was in the same club as their father, and the same class as Silver.

Silver didn’t know him particularly well, but he’d stayed after their shared classes to wake him enough for Silver to note it in his letters the year prior. In all honesty, Yuu thought the boy deserved some sort of compensation for that. Waking Silver from an impromptu nap was never an easy task, and certainly one that was not commonly taken upon by strangers.

Kalim’s question is already spilling out of his mouth before their professor can finish calling his name, “Will there be any group projects this year? Will we get to choose our groups or are they assigned?” He asks quickly.

The silver haired man sucks in a breath, eyes flickering between Yuu and the only two students from Ignehyde that are present, “Yes there will be group projects, I will be assigning groups. Those groups will be your partners for the rest of the year.” He explains, leaning heavily against his desk, “No exceptions, save for fur related allergies.”

Period 2. Language Arts

Unlike their homeroom, a melting pot of different grades, Muir Doran’s class is all fresh faced first years.

Their seats are assigned in accordance to their class numbers, leaving Yuu at the end of the row.

Yuu makes a valiant effort to ignore the dire beast curled in their lap, but the steady thump of his tail against their thigh every few seconds gnaws at their attention. His glare is planted firmly on the redhead across the room. Ace shifts in his seat, keeping his eyes trained on their professor as Grim’s glare holds firm.

Yuu can only find it in themselves to be grateful he hasn’t made any attempt to attack.

For what it’s worth, Ace’s attempt to ignore him is effective, if only in the fact that his act irritates Grim even more.

A few gentle scratches behind the direbeasts ear, and the quiet promise that they’ll crack open a can of tuna for him after classes has Grim begrudgingly turning away from the redhead. Hesitantly, Yuu turns their attention back to their professor. He’s a burly man, with graying hair and laugh lines etched into his dark skin, answering the questions of his students with a vaguely amused tone.

As Professor Doran allows them to mingle amongst themselves, Yuu finds themselves wondering if all the professors of Night Raven are so lax with their students; they will discover quickly that they are not.

Period 3. Seminar

Yuu’s seminar hour is inconveniently placed right before their fourth period.

At least Professor Crewel allows them to scrub out the cast iron cauldrons for extra credit. Yuu has a sneaking suspicion that with Grim at their side, easily distractible as he is, it was something they’d need to remember.

The man doesn’t offer much in the way of introduction, simply directing them to the blackboard resting against the far wall of the laboratory. Yuu supposed that was likely due to the fact that most of the room appeared to be second and third years, already familiar with the rules of his classroom.

Most of the student’s filter out of the room as Professor Crewel turns his attention to the open book on his desk. The students that remain are all rather quiet, pulling out their own books or cell phones. They recognize the boy closest to them from orientation, a tall first year that had been hovering amongst the crowd of Savanaclaw students, his ears twitching as he tucks his nose between the pages of his practical magic textbook.

Only a handful of other students scatter through the laboratory.

A green haired boy, clover painted on his cheek and a red vest buttoned beneath his blazer, scribbles something into a notebook.
A red haired boy from Pomefiore chatting idly with a blond from Scarabia, voices hushed as they discuss the semantics behind the time travel in the novel they are reading for their advanced literature class.
A boy they recognized from their own dorm sits to their left, the very same book perched in hand as he leans a cheek into palm.
Lastly, a tall boy from Octavinelle takes a seat on the far end of the room. A single earring dangling from one ear, mismatched eyes trained on the notebook he’s copying notes into.
None of them stand out amongst the meager group of students, each lingering in the quiet of the alchemy laboratory, absorbed in their own tasks.

Grim leaps onto the desk, demanding their attention without a second thought, pulling their syllabus from their first period out of their bag. The two spend the rest of the period scribbling across it, notes in glittered gel pens, projects that piqued their interests highlighted in too bright colors, and more than a few tic-tac-toe games doodled in the margins, the games drifting into the back of their history notebook before the hour is over.

Period 4. History

Mozus Trein has to be a curse sent from the old gods to punish Yuu for a wrongdoing they could never truly hope to understand.

Their fourth period begins with their groggy mind lurching back into motion, the man's voice no more than background noise by the time he passes the syllabus through the room. Yuu suppresses a yawn, leaning back against the desk behind them.

The rest of the class seems to be in a similar state of exhaustion, more than one student has their head resting against their desk, their eyes lidded as they fight the sleep trying so desperately to overtake them. The boy next to them yawns loudly, leaning against the desk in front of him. Yuu suspects he’ll be asleep within the next few minutes.

Their only solace is that Trein’s voice has a similar effect on Grim, dozing across their lap as the professor's voice drones through the lecture hall. A purr rumbles in his chest as Yuu drags their hand down his back, idly running their fingers through his fur in an effort to distract themselves from Trein’s overview of each topic they’ll be covering. For they fear that exhaustion will overtake them as well.

It’s here that Yuu realizes the unfortunate truth that Trein’s lecture has saved them from.

Ace Trapolla is in Class A.
Meaning that five of their seven classes are with the boy Grim is determined to set ablaze.

Yuu can nearly feel the exhaustion settle into their bones at the mere thought.

Unfortunately, Yuu finds shortly after that Professor Trein will not be tolerating the perpetual exhaustion that hangs over the classroom, as he slams a textbook down upon a sleeping students desk. The resounding clatter startles the entire classroom into groggy shock.

Lunch Period.

Grim weaves his way through the crowded hall at their feet, their tray of food carefully balanced in Yuu’s arms. Finding Sebek isn’t difficult, his voice has a tendency to carry, even through the bustling hall.
Grim narrows his eyes, gaze falling on the boisterous freshman, “And you’re sure we gotta sit with… them?” He asks as Sebek loudly scolds a second year student for bumping into their father. Something that the vice housewarden hardly seems to notice as he dunks a grilled cheese into a still steaming bowl of tomato soup.

“Sorry to break it to you,” They begin, their tone marginally less apologetic than Grim seems to expect, “but… you’re stuck with us” they reply simply, ushering him forward despite his lingering protests. The promise of his tuna melt was likely the only thing urging him to follow after them.

They take a seat across from Sebek, helping Grim onto the seat next to them before depositing his plate in front of him. Grim’s tail sways happily as he begins eating, letting out the occasional praise for the food. Yuu turns to their own food, dropping a handful of fries onto Grim’s plate. They don’t speak for the first few minutes, still blinking the exhaustion from their eyes. The two across from them seem to note their less than chatty attitude, and leave them with a simple greeting before returning to their conversation.

Yuu follows along halfheartedly, occasionally reaching out to tap at Sebek’s tray of food, a quiet reminder to actually take a few bites every now and then in between long winded rants about his ‘poor mannered’ classmates.

Nearly halfway through their lunch period, Silver slots himself in the seat next to them.

Yuu spares him a glance as they dunk one of their fries into the remainder of their ranch. “Did you fall asleep again?” They ask, raising a brow curiously as he turns towards them.

Silver sighs, “Yes,” he replies, picking up his own sandwich, “a classmate woke me up, but I was too late to beat the line.” He explained, traces of grogginess still lingering in his voice.

They can only nod, turning back to their lunch.

For a long moment, the chatter of the table lulls. Yuu keeps their eyes trained on their tray, occasionally dropping a few more fries onto Grim’s plate. If the direbeast notices them, he doesn’t comment on it. Eagerly scooping up every morsel they offer him.

“So… Just a heads up,” Yuu begins, nervously picking the tomatoes off their sandwich, “Grim and I have to stay behind after seventh period,” They say.

Sebek raises a brow, “why?” He asks, midway through a bite of his lunch.

Yuu wrinkles their nose, “We may have… charred one of the statues out front?” They explained, taking a bite of their sandwich in a vain attempt to avoid the question they knew was coming.

Lilia blinked, “That was you two?” He asked.

Yuu suspected that this would be a longer conversation than they’d hoped for.

Period 5. Alchemy

They find themselves returning to the very same Alchemy Laboratory as their third period.

The room remains as cold as it had been earlier that morning, sending goosebumps up their arms. Grim presses himself against their stomach, eyes sweeping the classroom in search of an all too familiar redhead. His fur is warm against their fingertips, a welcomed balm against the perpetual chill of the classroom.

Professor Divus Crewel introduces himself to his fifth period students with a wave of his pointer, gesturing to the blackboard behind him. His name written out in elegant cursive amongst the few lingering smudges of chalk. As the man passes the syllabus through the room, he explains that most of their classes will be within the Alchemy Workshop, located on the far end of the botanical gardens, unless specified otherwise for a demonstration.

He runs through a simple explanation of certain projects, first year alchemy students would focus on the written portions of alchemy, save for a handful of group projects during the second semester. The first semester was dedicated to an introduction to alchemy, with a few demonstrations.

Alchemy, unlike most of the other Magic School Exclusive classes, didn’t often require magic. With the occasional exception of imbuing an ingredient with a simple pulse of energy to activate the magical properties hidden within. Yuu doubted Grim had the fine-tuned magic control required for such delicate work. That being said, they were rare and Yuu doubted they’d be using them till later in the year.

Growing them on the other hand, Yuu knew would be at least one of the projects that they’d begin in late winter was planting ‘Ignisfloris draco sanguinem’, roughly translating to ‘The Fire Flower that Blooms upon Dragon Blood’. Commonly known as the Dragonfyre flower. Known to bloom only within the Briar Valley, and rumored to only grow upon the corpses of dragons.

Yuu knew the rumor wasn’t true. They’d grown up foraging in the woods around their cabin, plucking the flowers from moonlit meadows and delicately tucking them into their basket. Yuu adored finding them, spotting the pulsating, cerulean glow amongst the sea of wildflowers. They’d weave the stems into flower crowns, a budding tradition amongst the Vanrogue family during the spring solstice.
It was an incredibly difficult project. Dragonfyre could usually only grow within the Briar Valley, unable to survive outside the magic rich environment.

Its difficulty is what made it the most interesting project on the list.

According to the sheet of paper Grim was currently doodling upon, there were actually quite a few projects that would require tending to the plants in the botanical gardens. Mandrakes, Claymore Mushrooms, Brineroot and Snowbells amongst the list.

As the class nears its end, Yuu picks up a pen and doodles another tic-tac-toe board in the margins of the paper. Grim’s ears perk up as he begins by placing an x in the center box.

Period 6. Practical Magic

Practical magic is a required class for first years.
Developing the skills needed for their futures within the school.

It was a fact that Yuu would be unable to change, despite their fervent wishes otherwise. Their experience with Grim that morning assured that he knew little magic outside of the flames he so adored.

Clément La Fontaine is a lean young man with blond hair and golden eyeliner smudged at the corner of his eyes. An easy smile rests on his face as he introduces himself, a graduate of Night Raven who's been teaching at the school for the past three years. He paces the length of the classroom as he dives into an explanation of his classroom expectations, manicured hands gesturing towards the blackboard behind his desk.

They weren’t quite sure what to make of the python draped around his neck.
Grim tilts his head as he watches the familiar, his ears twitching curiously. A swift glance towards the blackboard only serves to answer the question of the pythons name.

Gigi shifts around Professor La Fontaine’s neck, yellow and white scales rippling along the length of her body as she pokes her head out from beneath the collar of his lapel. The professor hardly seems to notice as he reaches up, gently scratching beneath her chin as he introduces her to the class. Professor La Fontaine carefully pulls her from around his neck, depositing the python on the wooden display hanging next to the blackboard. She seems unbothered by the abrupt movement, draping herself over the branches of her classroom enclosure.

Even as Yuu turns to watch their professor, Grim refuses to take his eyes off the python for the remainder of the hour.

Period 7. Physical Education

Ashton Vargas has barely taken attendance by the time he’s directing the students through the locker rooms, and out towards the sports field.

After changing into the gym uniforms tucked away into their lockers, Yuu ducks out of the gym. Grim follows at their heels, trotting across the grass as he eyes the nearby cliffside. The smell of the ocean lingers on the breeze, a stark reminder of just how far away from home they truly are.

As the students gather beneath the warm sunlight, Coach Vargas draws their attention with the sharp hiss of a whistle. “Great sorcery begins with a great physique! Behold the muscles you can build with a diet of raw eggs!” Yuu cringes slightly at the thought, “A great mage needs a great physical constitution!” He shouts, “So gimme twenty laps, and a hundred push-ups!”

For a moment, Yuu’s mind lingers on the ‘raw eggs’ comment. A shudder crawling up their spine at the very thought of the slimy texture.

A series of panicked whispers echoes through the group of students, before Coach Vargas is ushering them forwards with another shriek of his whistle.

Twenty laps.
Twenty laps and a hundred push ups.

Yuu is fairly certain they’ll collapse before the class is over.

Students shuffle past them, muttering to each other in speculation as Yuu glances down at Grim. For a moment, they believe he may at the very least be spared, until Coach Vargas’ voice rings out through the air once more, “Familiars too!” He commands, jerking a thumb behind him.

Yuu resigns themselves to their fate.

The sounds of footsteps and excitable chatter fill the hall as exhausted P.E. students stumble in from the sports field. The locker room is packed with their classmates, all grumbling about Coach Vargas’ regiment. Yuu doesn’t bother changing out of their gym uniform, the sleeveless hoodie feeling far more practical for their unplanned punishment. Not that they have the energy to change.

They snatch their bag out of their locker, and duck out without a word, Grim trotting at their feet.

When the two reach the cafeteria, Yuu is pleasantly surprised to find that the staff has already left the cleaning supplies on one of the tables closer to the windows. One of the kitchen ghosts pokes his head around the corner, assuring them that they’d be cleaning the windows of classrooms rather than the towering things within the cafeteria, and that they could wait until their ‘punishment buddy’ arrived.

Yuu takes the opportunity to crack open a can of tuna for Grim, a well earned reward for behaving throughout the day without further incident.

The clock ticks on as the dire beast licks the can clean of its contents, Yuu taking a much needed break from the strain of standing after Vargas’ class. Students filter in and out as Yuu leans against the table, their eyes heavy as they await Ace’s arrival.

Grim draws their attention with a heavy sigh as he finishes his tuna, “I’m already exhausted from classes! I can’t believe we still gotta wash a hundred windows…” He grumbles, leaning heavily into Yuu’s side.

“Try and learn from this experience, yeah?” They ask, ignoring the decidedly unamused look on his face, “I don’t want to be here either, but we’ve just gotta suck it up and do it, alright? Then we can go back to the dorm,” They reassure, drawing a hand over the direbeast’s head.

Begrudgingly, Grim settles in to wait alongside them.

Time ticks on…

And on…

And on…

Chapter Text

Yuu considers cleaning all the windows themself.
The exhaustion settling behind their eyes is an inconvenient reminder of the twelve laps around the sports field they’d managed before they’d ultimately tapped out, alongside at least half their class. Not that Coach Vargas seemed to genuinely expect them all to complete the damn near impossible assignment. If Yuu hadn’t been so thankful for his semi-realistic expectations, they might have cursed him out from their place in the grass. They’d wanted nothing more than to collapse into bed and sleep for the next month and a half.

Which was something they couldn’t do until the windows had been cleaned.

Their knee had even been doing that twingeing thing when they’d been walking up the stairs.
And it’s only Tuesday. At this rate, they're going to need Sebek’s help digging through their luggage to find their knee brace.

The mere idea of hauling themselves up from the table to go search for Ace has Yuu’s entire body tingling with low level dread. They can only wonder how painful that little twinge is going to become after wandering the grounds in search of an arrogant freshman they could simply report to a teacher after their own punishment is completed.

The only reasoning otherwise is the dire beast pacing down the length of the table. Grim grows more impatient with every passing minute, tail lashing as he glares at the cafeteria’s empty hall. They doubt that the direbeast would be interested in such an idea, whether it was the work involved, or the prospect of ‘snitching’ to the staff that he’d have a problem with, Yuu wasn’t entirely sure. Grim’s lips curl back in an annoyed snarl, “I think he up and bailed on us!” He snaps, dropping onto the seat next to them.

Their options narrow significantly with Grim involved, unpredictable as he’s proven to be.

Despite themselves, Yuu lets out a low sigh, “Alright… let’s go look for him.” They reply simply, ignoring the pain flaring in their joints as they stand. They consider the possibility that he was still within the main building, but with how desolate the cafeteria is? Yuu doubts that he’d be amongst the few lingering within the halls of the school. “He’s probably gone back to his dorm…” They try to keep their tone light, “you’re sure you want to go looking for him? It might be easier just to-”

“Ain’t no way am I doin’ his punishment for him!” Grim huffs, ears tilted back against his skull with his indignation.

Yeah, they really should have seen that coming.

The walk to the hall of mirrors is less grueling than they’d expected, Grim bounding ahead of them by a few yards before pausing to wait for them to catch up. Despite his initial irritation, hearing the way their knee had cracked as they descended the staircase leading to main street seems to concern him enough that he refrains from darting ahead and angrily shouting at them to hurry up.

It’s a small mercy, but Yuu is thankful for it regardless.

Few students linger within the Hall of Mirrors, the wide double doors propped open to allow the slow stream of figures to drift in and out. Yuu spots the redhead without trouble. Rummaging through his bookbag, Ace stands a few paces ahead of them.

“AHA! GOTCHA PUNK!” Grim’s voice echoes from his place by their feet. Ace turns, glancing up to catch the sight of them. He blanches as recognition spreads across his features, cursing under his breath before he surges towards Heartslabyul’s mirror, “Stop right there, pal! No fair gettin’ a head start! Wait!” Grim shouts, tearing past the entrance to race after him.

Ace doesn’t so much as look back as he shouts, “Who in their right mind would ever wait?!! Seeya!”

“No way are you gettin’ out of this! You think I WANNA wash windows?!” He leaps forward, narrowly missing the redhead’s pant leg. His claws scraping in a dreadful screech against the stone floor as he lands.

Yuu jogs after them, far less energetic than the two shrieking figures ahead of them.

Ace barrels down the hall, “Outta my way!” he shouts, shouldering past another student in an attempt to slip through Heartslabyul’s mirror.

Not that it would help.
Yuu could always just follow him. There was no rule against students from other dormitories entering the other dorms. Especially if it was to alert a student’s housewarden of something.

And it wasn’t like Yuu was above tattling to save themselves. Both from a whining dire beast and exerting themselves more than they already had. It has them slowing their pace significantly as Grim scrambles ahead of them.

“Hey!” The jostled student shouts, a blue haired freshman they recognized from their classes, "What gives?!” He steadies himself only a moment before he’s jerking away from Grim as he darts past him. He turns to face Yuu, bafflement painted across his face.

“Mind helping us out here?” Yuu asks, slowing to a stop a few steps away.

The poor boy only looks more confused as he speaks, “You want me to cast a spell to stop him?” He asks nervously, eyes flickering to the spot where Grim has managed to grasp hold of Ace’s pant leg. His teeth digging into the fabric, a low growl rumbling his chest as Ace tries to shake him off.

Yuu shrugs, “I meant more along the lines of grabbing him? But I’ll take whatever works,” They reply, watching as Ace rips himself free and jolts for the mirror behind him.

“I don’t care how! Just do something! Anything!” Grim screeches as he scrambles to his feet.

“Anything?! Anything, alright!” The freshman gapes, blinking wildly for a spare moment before he surges forward. Far faster than Yuu could have managed, especially in their current state. If they’d had the energy, they might have envied the ease at which he tears through the hall.
The sound of rushed footsteps echo through the hall, Ace clamouring up the steps towards the rippling surface of the mirror ahead of him. He’s barely a few steps away when the other boy's hand curls around the collar of his blazer, dragging him back despite the way Ace fights to break free from his grip.

The two lose balance upon the small staircase, tumbling to the ground with a resounding thud.

Yuu pads forward, grabbing hold of Grim before he has the opportunity to join in the tussle, “Look, Yuu, look!” the direbeast cackles, “Serves you right for abandoning us!” he sneers from his place in their arms, so caught in his own amusement that he doesn’t so much as squirm as they cradle him.

Ace manages to free himself, chest heaving as he stumbles to his feet, “What are you bothering me for?” He gasps, “You guys coulda just banged out the work yourself!”

For a long moment, all Yuu can do is blink as they look at him. They could have just… What? Anger burns in their throat as they turn their attention towards the freshmen, “There’s no ‘banging out’ a hundred windows!” They snap, “I’d be there till curfew if I had to do that alone!”

Their entire body already ached furiously, their right knee giving a jolt of protest with every movement. ‘Banging out a hundred windows’? Yuu wasn’t sure if he’d simply thought everyone could, or if it had something to do with the Diasomnia colors printed on their vest. Because surely a student who was placed within Diasomnia knew enough about practical magic to clean a hundred windows without issue? Surely a student from Diasomnia wouldn’t struggle with such a simple task!

If they’d had the energy, they might have yelled at him.

The other freshman shoots to his feet, eyes wide as he glances between the two of them, “You have to wash a hundred windows as punishment? What the hell did you do?!” He gapes.

Ace grimaces, “I was just screwing around with that furball a little,” He shrugs, “ …Okay, and the statue of the Queen of Hearts got a teeny bit charred. Sue me.” He explains, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

Yuu lets out a sigh, “A statue like that? You're lucky that they didn't actually sue us for the damages…” They grumble, dropping Grim onto the stone floor as he begins to squirm.

The other freshmen blinked, “No wonder he flew off the handle at you!” he shouts, “After you managed to get into this school, how could you get in trouble on the very first day?!” He waves a hand, gesturing to the grand hall towering above them.

Ace narrows his eyes, “Oh, shut up. Who are you, anyway?”

Not for the first time, confusion flashes across his face, “My name is Deuce. Deuce Spade. Don’t you remember your own classmate?...” He asks, trailing off into a silence that echoes louder than Grim’s screeching.

Ace allows a moment to pass between the two before he speaks, “You don’t remember my name either, do you?”

“That’s not the point! You shouldn’t try to shirk an order from the headmage!”

“Yeah, yeah, message received…” Ace lets out a groan, “Fine, let’s bang out the windows already,” He grumbles, taking a step away from Deuce.

They turn, intending to beckon the direbeast to follow them, only to find the hall behind them entirely empty. They glance at Diasomnia's mirror, the surface too still to have been used within the last few minutes, before turning back towards Ace.

Ace turns back to Yuu, brows raised as he realizes their ‘familiar’ is nowhere to be seen. “Where’d the furball go?”

Before Yuu can speak, Grim’s voice echoes from the door, “I’ll let you two handle the rest! See ya, suckers!” he snickers, the tip of his forked tail the only thing Yuu sees before he disappears beyond the door frame.

“You caught me so you could run away yourself?!” Ace snapped, “Can’t you control your familiar?!”

Honestly, it’s a small miracle that they don’t laugh. Yuu raises a brow, “It’s a bold assumption that anyone can control Grim.” They say simply, giving a soft shrug.

This only serves to irritate the redhead more, “Whatever! Just catch ‘im and get this over with!” he shouts, grabbing the sleeve of their sweater and hauling them towards the entrance. For whatever reason, whether it's curiosity or concern, Deuce trails after them.

Yuu jerks free from Ace’s hold, poking their head around the corner and shouting, “Grim! Get back here or you're sleeping outside tonight!”

Yuu hears the resounding shriek of metal hitting stone before they can spot the cafeteria doors.

Their mind races as they surge towards the open hall, ‘There is no way this ends well…’ they think as they shove the door open. Skidding to a halt within the cafeteria, Yuu’s blood runs cold at the sight before them.

The cafeteria is a mess of wood and glass scattered across the floor. Ace lies within the shattered remains of the root system that made up the cafeteria’s chandelier, Grim clutched in his arms. In his hand, his magestone glows faintly.

“How in the hells did you manage this?!” Yuu balks.

Honestly, Yuu takes one break on the stairs to catch their breath and somehow those three idiots manage to break even more of the school's property.

Deuce, to his credit, manages to look at least slightly sheepish amongst the wreckage.

Ace coughs from his place on the floor, “I cannot believe you just did that!” He snaps, releasing Grim as he clamors to his feet. Yuu glances at the domed ceiling, unsurprised to find the remains of the chandelier hanging precariously above them. Slowly, as their shock dissipates, they begin piecing the last few minutes together.

With wide eyes, Deuce winces slightly, “I probably should have come up with a way to soften your landing after you caught him…” he murmurs.

“You didn’t…?” Yuu cringes, plucking a dazed Grim from Ace’s hold. They couldn’t have been dumb enough to throw Ace at the chandelier, could they? Regardless of if Grim was up there.

Ace whips around to face his dormmate, “You complete and total moron!” He snaps, stepping closer to Deuce with his fists clenched at his sides.

“Fucking hells, they did–” Yuu mutters, taking a step through the rubble. Grim shifts in their arms as they pick their way towards the edge of the pile, burying his face in their sweatshirt with a soft whine of distress. A crunch unlike the glass surrounding them sounds from beneath their sneakers. Their heart drops through their chest as they glance down to see just what it is they’ve stepped on.

It was possible Malleus could fix it, not that the janitorial ghosts wouldn’t report them, but at least it might lessen their punishment.

Though, that was assuming they could find him before Dire Crowley discovered the truth.

Ace is still yelling behind them, inching into Deuce’s space as he speaks, “We got Grim, but we broke the chandelier! If the headmage finds out about this—” His voice cuts off abruptly, sucking in a breath.

Yuu looks up from the shattered magestone, their eyes meeting the growingly familiar mask of their headmage. The bastard really has convenient timing, doesn’t he?

Dire Crowley tilts his head, a cold smile placed on his lips, “If I find out about… what, dear Ace?” His back is stiff as he takes a step through the cafeteria, shoulders squared as the shattered remains of glass crack beneath his loafers. A shudder runs down Yuu’s spine, their arms tightening around Grim. Dazed as he is, he can only whine in protest.

Ace’s eyes are wide as he breathes, “Headmage Crowley!” He gapes.

The headmage grits his teeth, “YOU. THREE. AGAIN.” He seethes, looming above them, “What have you done this time?!” His voice echoes through the cafeteria, and Yuu has to suppress the urge to shudder. Deuce cringes back, shoulders hunching in on himself. It’s almost as if he’s trying to hide himself from the headmages anger.

Grim shifts against their chest, a high pitched whine mumbled into their sweater, “Everything’s spinning…” He complains.

They resist the urge to sigh, “That’s what happens when you fall from a chandelier, Grim.” Despite themselves, they draw a soothing hand down his back. They’d be lying if they said they weren’t upset. The chandelier was bound to be expensive and so much as mentioning this to anyone would be mortifying, but they’d push through it. They’d scold Grim when he recovered enough to stand on his own. Considering he was still limp in their arms, Yuu doubted he’d understand half of what they were even saying. Though, they supposed that falling from a chandelier may be enough of a natural punishment.

“Burning a statue wasn’t enough for you? Now you’ve destroyed a chandelier?!” Crowley snaps. He sucks in a breath, pinching the bridge of his mask for a moment. “Enough! All three of you are expelled.” He states simply, waving a hand dismissively towards the three students.

Horror creeps across Deuce’s face, a similarly nauseated look falling over Ace.

It’s Deuce who manages to gather himself enough to protest, his voice cracking as he speaks. “Headmage, please!” He begs, “Give me a second chance! I can’t get expelled from this school! I need to be here!” His plea is nearly heartbreaking.

If Yuu was being entirely honest, they weren’t particularly worried about themself.

There was the familiar swell of anxiety in their chest, but Yuu was in a fortunate position and they were intimately aware of it. Worse case scenario, a donation in Malleus’s name would have Crowley welcoming them back into the school with open arms. It wouldn’t be pretty, but it wouldn’t be the first time Malleus’s reputation had gotten them out of trouble.

Deuce however, was not so fortunate.

He didn’t have the word of the royal family to bail him out of trouble, as distasteful and embarrassing as it could be. Nor did Ace. Regardless of how much of a dick he’d been, did he really deserve to be expelled?

Damn it.
Yuu really hated their stupid, bleeding heart.

Guilt nestles between their ribs. They take a step forward, cringing at the sound of the magestone beneath their feet, “Deuce was only trying to help!” They defend, the words spilling out in an uncoordinated rush, “We wouldn’t even be in this situation if Ace hadn’t tried to ditch us!” It was possible they were still a little bitter about that. Probably would be for a while, actually.

Ace whips around to face them, “Well I’m not the one who climbed onto the chandelier, now am I?!” He snapped, “maybe if your familiar was even slightly trained, we wouldn’t have to deal with this!”

“Enough!” Crowley’s voice bellows through the empty hall, startling both of them into uneasy silence. “The only ones to blame for your own foolish behavior, are yourselves!”

Deuce’s voice is more than a little desperate as he pleads with the headmage, “I’ll pay for the damages! However much it costs!” He exclaims.

“We’ll pay for damages.” Yuu stresses, “All four of us!” Though, they have no doubt that it’s mostly going to be them.

Crowley’s glowing eyes drift over them one by one, “That chandelier is no mere light fixture.” He explains slowly, “It is a magical chandelier. Its candles are powered by a magical energy source, enchanted so that they will burn for eternity. It was created for us by a legendary artificer. Possibly their finest creation. It has been here since the school was established, and I imagined it would be here forevermore. Considering its historical value, I would estimate its worth to be no less than a billion thaumarks.” The man sucks in a breath, gritting his teeth as he finishes with, “And you intend to repay that sum?”

“A billion thaumarks?!”

Yuu isn’t actually certain which of them has yelled. The steady thump of their racing heartbeat pounding in their ears makes every sound garbled and strained.

Ace smiles nervously from his place beside Deuce, “B-but I’m sure with your magical talent, sir, you could snap your fingers and fix it right up!” He chuckles, scratching the back of his neck as his eyes dart between the headmage and the broken remains of the chandelier.

“Even magic has its limits!” Crowley snaps. Which is honestly bullshit because Yuu would bet their father’s entire fortune that Malleus could repair the thing, not that they’d risk saying that in front of the Headmage. “Furthermore, its magestone— the figurative heart of any magical artifact— is broken. A magestone cannot easily be replaced. I fear the candles of this majestic chandelier will never burn again.” He explains, waving a hand towards Yuu’s feet, where the crystalline remains of the magestone lay.

And maybe it’s the stress, the exhaustion, or a combination of the two that has Yuu speaking up despite their better judgement. “Oh come on! That magestone had to have been on its last legs anyway!” They defend, “Magestones don’t just shatter like that for no reason, if it had any substantial magic left in it, it might’ve been scratched but-”

Crowley cuts them off with narrowed eyes and gritted teeth, “Quiet! I will not hear any more of this bickering!” The man stresses, “The magestone may have been fragile, but it still could have powered that chandelier for years, which would have given us the time to find a suitable replacement! An option we do not have as of now, due to your recklessness!” He snaps.

Ace gulps quietly, “This is bad…” he murmurs.

By his side, Deuce’s head hangs low, his bangs obscuring their view of his expression. “What am I going to do? How am I going to tell my mother…?” He whispers, his voice trembles and Yuu isn’t entirely certain that they were meant to hear it at all.

Crowley lets the silence stand for a long moment, allowing each of them time to process their respective situations. His arms folded over his chest, narrowed eyes watching them wilt with dawning realization.

Yuu drags a hand down their face, ‘At least dad might get a kick out of this…’ They think wryly, ‘how many priceless artifacts did Granny say he’d broken at the palace again? I swear it was up to at least twelve, hells he’ll probably be proud of me for “sticking it to the man” or whatever-’ They cut off the admittedly unhelpful train of thought. Neither of the others seem particularly inclined to speak up, and Yuu finds themselves biting their tongue despite the argument itching to burst out.

Neither of the boys seems to know how to process the information. Deuce seems simultaneously to slacken with defeat, and tense like he’s about to throw a punch or two. His gaze locked on the floor like he doesn’t quite know what to do with himself. Ace on the other hand, still seems to be processing the shock, like he genuinely doesn’t understand that this could be happening.

But Crowley, the bastard, doesn’t seem to be finished with them quite yet.

The headmage clears his throat, “But… I suppose there may be one way.” He begins, “one tiny sliver of a chance to repair this chandelier.” He glances back towards the rubble. Poorly suppressing a cringe, before turning back towards them. “That is, if you are all insistent on proving your dedication to this school, of course.” He waves a hand, almost dismissively towards them.

Oh.
Yuu did not like where this was going.
There is a part of them that can’t help but wonder if he gets some sort of sick satisfaction from giving his students emotional whiplash.

It would be comical if not for the situation, the way the Ace and Deuce jerk up and simultaneously ask, “There is?!”

Crowley nods slowly, “The magestone that powered this chandelier was mined from the Dwarfs’ Mine.” Yuu really did not like where this was going. “If you can acquire a magestone with the same properties, it may be possible to repair it.”

Of course!
Threaten a group of your students into child labor! In a condemned mine at that!
A foolproof plan!

Not like they could get hurt, or lost, or any number of things!

If Yuu hadn’t seen the relief in Deuce’s posture, they might have asked where in the world Dire Crowley got a teaching license if this is his idea of a reasonable punishment. Something that would likely just get them in deeper trouble.

Deuce sucks in a steadying breath before he nods. “Then I’ll go find a magestone!” He says, more determination in his voice that Yuu can muster in their entire body, “...With your permission, sir!” He adds swiftly, a trace of anxiety lingering in his voice as he speaks.

Dire Crowley brings a hand up to scratch his jaw, letting out a thoughtful hum. “I should caution you that I cannot promise there yet remain magestones to find. The mines were closed some time ago,” He shakes his head, “it is quite likely that all of the magestones have already been mined.”

This does little to deter Deuce, who simply nods in understanding as he speaks. “I’ll take whatever chance I can get to avoid expulsion, sir!”

Those unnerving yellow eyes rake over them with a thoughtful intensity that makes Yuu want to shudder. “Very well, then.” He sighs, “I will suspend your punishment for a single night. But if you fail to return successfully by morning, then all of you are expelled.”

“I understand, sir!” Deuce says, “Thank you very much for this opportunity!”

‘It’s not an opportunity! It’s extortion!’ Yuu thinks bitterly. But Deuce seems oblivious to it, and Ace hasn’t said a word to the contrary, so they can only assume he hasn’t clocked it as questionable either.

The redhead only sighs, shoulders slumped as he finally turns his gaze away from the floor. “Fine, then. Let’s hurry down there, find a magestone, and get this whole thing done with.” He says, though his voice is more resigned than anything else.

It almost makes Yuu pity him. Almost.
There is a bitter, petty part of them that still blames him for this entire situation.

But, how can they leave these two idiots to fend for themselves? They’d probably get themselves lost or worse.

Yuu lets out a long sigh, “...Alright, might as well give it a shot.” They agree. Though, some part of them can’t help but wonder if they’ve signed their own death warrant by doing so.

Crowley nods slowly, almost as if he hadn’t expected a group of desperate students to take their one chance at salvation. “Very well. You should be able to reach the Dwarfs’ Mine by using one of the gates in the Mirror Chamber,” He explains. Maybe he just wanted to toy with them, give them a hope that they’d be fools to follow through with. At this point, Yuu wouldn’t be surprised.

Well jokes on him then.
The looks on Deuce’s face makes Yuu think he would drag them all kicking and screaming to that mine in search of a magestone if it meant he wouldn’t be expelled.

Deuce gives him a swift, “Yes sir!” before the man is turning his back on them, grumbling something about paperwork before he begins shouting at the janitorial ghosts to clean the mess that is the cafeteria.

There's a long moment filled only with the sounds of Crowley’s echoing footsteps and the rustle of brooms against the floor as the ghosts begin to clean.

It’s probably a good thing that Grim stirs in Yuu’s arms at that exact second, before they say something unhelpful that would likely only serve to make Ace more irritated than he already seems to be.
“Where am I?!” The direbeast shrieks, claws digging painfully against their shoulder as he scrambles against them. He heaves himself up onto their shoulders, wide eyes taking in the sights around him before he lets out a relieved sigh. “‘S just you guys? You scared me!” He snaps, tail lashing behind him. Honestly, it’s a miracle he doesn’t fall.

Yuu shakes their head, “...You might end up wishing you’d remained unconscious,” They reply simply.

“Huh?”

Explaining the situation to Grim while they walk is a longer process than Yuu would have liked, largely because Grim doesn’t seem to understand much about magestones, nor their purpose. This is unsurprising, but inconvenient regardless. It reminds Yuu how little they know about his patchwork of knowledge, not that they know much of anything about him. They really will need to get on that when they get back.
But that's a problem for ‘Later Yuu’ to deal with.

Ace groans as they enter the Mirror Chamber, “Maaan… How did I end up in this mess? I swear, I have the worst luck.”

And if it weren’t for the direbeast balancing on their shoulder, Yuu might have thrown their bookbag at him for the comment. “I reiterate,” They quietly seeth, “we could have been washing windows right now if you hadn’t ditched us after classes,” They snapped. Perhaps it's a little more rude than they ought to be, but in this moment? Yuu can’t say they care.

“We also wouldn’t be here if you weren’t hauling around an untrained familiar!” Ace grits, turning to glare at them.

Yuu thinks he might’ve said something else, but Deuce interrupts him. “We don’t have time to complain! Let’s go,” He says, his tone leaving little room for protest as he steps up to Heartslabyul’s mirror. The surface ripples for a moment, their reflections distorting in a nauseating swirl, though, that might just be Yuu’s perception given their aversion to the damn things. Deuce clears his throat, “Dark Mirror! Take us to the dwarves' mine!” and slowly, the mirrors reflection spins, color and shape slowly molding into the breathtaking view of a lush forest.

Dread curls in their stomach as Deuce steps through, then Ace, followed shortly by Grim leaping off their shoulders to clamor through the mirror himself.

Yuu takes a breath, and steps through the still twisting portal.

The world spins and Yuu’s stomach lurches precariously.

Fuck. If there is one thing in this world that Yuu hates, it was spacial magic.

They stumble, and someone’s hands land on their shoulders, at the very least keeping Yuu upright. If they didn’t know better, they’d force themselves to move. They’d ignore the bile burning the back of their throat and spots dancing across their vision until their body crashes under the strain of folding through realities.

Blessedly, They do know better.

They blink rapidly, the spots slowly fading from their vision. Beneath the ringing in their ears, they can almost hear the sound of Grim’s voice chattering at them from his place near their feet. His small body a grounding presence against their legs as their poor excuse for a body adjusts to the distortion.

As the minutes pass, the vertigo fades for the most part, swallowing the nausea rolling in the pit of their stomach becomes easier and the world around them stills once more.

They don’t have much energy to feel embarrassed as they glance back at their companions, Deuce’s hands a bruising grip against their shoulders. At least he has the heart to look worried, unlike Ace, who’s expression borders on disgust.

Ace stands a few paces ahead of them, “The hell's wrong with you?” He asks, a grimace firm on his face as he observes them.

Yuu represses a sigh, “Mirrors and I tend not to agree with one another,” They explain, though from the confused look that passes over Ace’s face, they can assume it didn’t help all that much. “Can we just get this over with?”

As Deuce releases them, tentatively, as though he expects them to topple over the moment he steps away, they take a moment to absorb their surroundings.

They’ve landed in a clearing, paths carved into the dirt and grass through the ages. The forest around them is lush with greenery, though the trees aren’t packed nearly as tightly as the ones at home. Berry bushes line the edges of the clearing, unkempt and full with unripened fruit. Wildflowers sprout from the grass around them, puffs of dandelion fuzz floating through the air on the gentle breeze. In the distance, a mountain range spans the horizon. They stand near the base of a rocky cliffside, and squinting through the sunlit canopy proves that long forgotten cave mouths span the cliff face.

By all means, the forest is serene.

But it’s quiet.
Unnervingly so.
A shudder runs down Yuu’s spine.

Deuce takes a few steps away from them, narrowing his eyes at the cliff face off in the distance, “So this is supposed to be the Dwarfs’ Mine...” He turns back to the forest, “He couldn’t have dropped us off closer to the entrance?”

Mirrors were usually unpredictable like that, unless they connected to a preexisting mirror close to your destination, they’d spit you out wherever they saw fit. Though, Yuu would admit they were probably biased in their admittedly poor experience.

“Who knows what lurks in there now?” Grim mumbles, seemingly as unnerved by the silence as Yuu is. The direbeast shudders against their legs before drifting down the path ahead. His tail sways anxiously behind him as he moves. He bounds forward, ducking around Ace’s legs as Yuu trails after them.

The branching trail through the clearing continues into the forest, the beaten path cast in dappled light through the canopy above. Yuu almost misses it, the rundown cottage hidden by overgrown brush. Even from a distance, Yuu can see the green of moss creeping up the exterior walls, the holes littering the roof and half broken fence.

Ace squints ahead of them, “Is that a house?” He asks, glancing back at them, “We could see what the people there have to say,” He suggests, a hopeful grin forming on his face.

“I wouldn’t count on it… It looks abandoned,” Yuu replies, eyeing the cottage with fraying nerves.

The trail they’ve been following leads them to the house regardless of Yuu’s desire to avoid it.

Ace has no such qualms.

Oblivious to the dread curling beneath Yuu’s skin, Ace gives the door a light push, the rusty hinges creaky as the door swings open. He steps into the home's dark interior without a second thought. Grim follows at his heels.
Deuce pokes his head through the door, “Hellooo? Is anyone home…?” he calls, “Looks like Yuu was right,” he shrugs, taking a step inside and beckoning Yuu to follow. “It’s probably been abandoned for a while,” he muses.

Yuu barely takes a step past the entrance, glancing over their shoulder at the forest every few moments. “Don’t go sniffing around, Grim,” they sigh. “You’ll get cobwebs all over you and I’m not giving you a bath tonight.”

Thankfully, Grim seems to at least take their reminder into account as he clamors up the stairs to their left, paying careful attention to avoid the patches of cobwebs that litter the cottage. The flickering blue flames cast long, ominous shadows against the walls.

Ace pulls a small broom out away from the fireplace, the thing barely reaches his hip when he props it up next to him. “Look how tiny everything is!” He gapes, “Did kids live here or something?”

Yuu barely resists the urge to roll their eyes, “It’s the Dwarfs’ mine, Ace,” They say. “The people who lived here were probably just the dwarves that worked the mine.” Yuu shrugs, leaning against the doorframe as they watch Ace sputter out a response.

Deuce, for better or worse, seems to be ignoring them for the most part. Quietly counting the chairs at the dining tabling ahead of them. “One, two… Seven!” he counts aloud, “It’s like a clown car in here.” He mutters, running a hand through his hair.

Yuu is momentarily confused enough by the statement to forget the uncanny quiet of the forest around them. They blink at him, furrowing their brows as they ask, “a what?”

“What?” Deuce only turns to them in confusion.

Grim’s halfway back down the stairs when he turns to them, his too expressive face pinched with disbelief. “Henchman, do you not know what a clown is?” He asks after a moment.

There’s an embarrassed flush working its way onto Yuu’s cheeks as they sigh, “I know what a clown is, Grim-” They begin, but Ace claps his hands together and shoulders past them, making his way back out into the sunlit forest.

“Well, this isn’t getting us anywhere!” He declares. “If we’re gonna find a magestone, it’ll be inside the mine,” He points out, and Yuu has to refrain from making a comment about how that was obvious, and that any magestones that were in the cottage would have been taken with the tennants whenever they’d abandoned the place.

“Aren’t you the one that insisted on comin’ in?” Grim mumbles as he hops down the last few steps, shaking out his paws in an attempt to rid them of any lingering dust.

Deuce just shakes his head a bit before following Ace out of the cottage, and Yuu remains leaning against the doorframe till Grim scampers past them.

The cave mouth that leads to the mine is a pitch black abyss that has the hair on the back of Yuu’s neck standing on end.

The only thought running through their mind is Dad’s quiet reminder that humans had their instincts for a reason. They were prey and they had evolved to know when a predator was lurking in the shadows. It was how they’d survived during the war against a race so capable of wiping them out. Fear had kept humanity alive, and it would do so again.

Admittedly, Yuu’s instincts may be skewed a bit. Given that they’d spent their entire time with the Vanrogue’s beating that instinct into submission, and they’d done a damn good job of it too. It had taken them years not to flinch whenever Malleus stepped up behind them, silent and towering above them like a daunting shadow. The uncanny, reflective glow of Sebek’s eyes hadn’t startled them since they were children. And Yuu had spent more of their life running into the arms of a predator than they had away from them. After all, who else were they supposed to go to when they were afraid if not their own father?

But now? Every instinct Yuu has is telling them to flee. That the forest is too quiet, the mine is too small. That whatever is setting off the itch beneath their skin is not just malevolent, and that if they get trapped in such a small space, they’ll have no room to fight their way out.

It’s wrong.
It’s dangerous.
It’s-

“Let’s head inside and take a look,” Ace says, shaking himself out of his own stupor.

‘Yes! Let’s totally go inside the mine that is most certainly a death trap! Fantastic idea!’ Yuu refrains from actually saying any of this, despite every warning sign blaring in the back of their mind. Though, that’s largely because they doubt that their warning would mean anything.

Grim shudders, and Yuu honestly can’t be more proud of him for the fear laced in his tone. At least one of them seems to have some common sense. “You wanna go inside THERE? It’s pitch black!” He spits.

Ace just smirks, disregarding whatever meager anxiety he feels in favor of taunting Grim. “What, are you scared of the dark?” He croons, wiggling his fingers teasingly.

The blue flames radiating from Grim’s ears puff with his irritation, “I’m not scared of anything!” he snaps, the fur along his spine bristling as he stomps forward. “I’m taking the lead. You all follow me!” He directs, ducking into the cave without a moment more of hesitation.
And here Yuu thought one of them might actually have noticed the eerie feeling this entire forest was giving off. Honestly, they should’ve known better than to hope.

Ace jolts, “huh? Hold up!” He gapes, ducking beneath the expanse of tree roots and vines that litter the entrance.

And then there were two.
Not for long it seems, as Deuce quietly follows, leaving Yuu to once again take up the rear of their ragtag group.

The blue glow emanating from Grim’s flames is remarkably helpful while navigating the maze-like tunnels. They're barely a few feet inside before the light of the sun dwindles and they're left with nothing but the light shadows cast along the walls. Yuu’s eyes adjust to the darkness in slow leaps, and anxiety festers in the pit of their stomach with each step they take. It’s when Yuu can no longer see the traces of light from the entrance that they drop to the ground, and pad their fingers against the dirt and stone until they find a small, palm sized rock.

“What in the world are you doing back there?” Ace grumbles from his place ahead of them.

Yuu doesn’t try to hold back the role of their eyes, not that Ace could see them to tell anyway. “Marking our route, I refuse to get lost in here,” they reply sharply, taking the rock and scraping it against the stone wall until they carve a light arrow into the stone.

Ace grumbles something, but Yuu can’t quite hear it and they doubt they’d want to know anyway, so they leave it at that.

The four continue on, occasionally stopping to let Yuu scrape another arrow into the wall. The deeper into the caverns they delve, the walls become spotted with lumps of raw gemstones that shimmering beneath the light of Grim’s flames. No bigger than a pinhead at first, so small that Yuu had wondered if they were seeing things, but a few turns later has crystals the size of Yuu’s head embedded in the rock above them. The stones may not be magestones – the magic lingering in the air is too stale for an active magstone mine – but they still must amount to a small fortune.

It makes a terrifying question itch at the back of Yuu’s mind.

If there were so many gems still within the mine, why was it condemned in the first place?

Yuu isn’t sure they want to know the answer.

The crunch of footsteps is broken by a soft whistle, one that sounds suspiciously like laughter. It echoes through the tunnels hall, barely loud enough for Yuu to hear.

Honestly, Yuu prays that they're going insane. That might be better than the alternative.

Alas, they're not so lucky, as Deuce whips around to glance behind them. A frantic look in his eye reassures Yuu that they were not, in fact, the only one to hear it. Deuce shivers, glancing around the tunnel before reaching out to grab ahold of Ace’s jacket.

The redhead wrenches his sleeve from Deuce’s grip with an irritable frown on his face. “What now?” he asks.

Deuce lets out a shuddering breath, “There’s something there!” He hisses.

“I heard something too…” Yuu forces the words up despite every urge to keep themselves quiet, glancing at each corner a threat could possibly emerge from. Grim whimpers from his place at the front of the line, and Yuu barely has enough time to glance past the two bickering freshmen to see a silvery white form poke through the dirt at Grim’s paws.

A ghost, gangly and grinning with too many teeth.

“Visitors!” The spector croons, ignoring the resounding shriek from the direbeast in front of him. A hand emerges from the floor, and then another. The ghost places them firmly on the ground, before hauling his torso out from the stone. “The first in ten years!” His voice is like nails on a chalkboard, grating on Yuu’s ears and making the headache budding at their temple throb. Another ghost pulls itself from the wall, cackle echoing through the chamber. More faces, twisted and grinning at them like they're some sort of play things sent to entertain them, emerge from the walls of the mine. Slipping through the ceiling, spectral hands reaching for them, poking and prodding wherever they like. Each touch has Yuu jolting away, until their back is pressed against Deuce’s.

The cackling voices seem to mold into one as they finally speak.

“Do make yourselves at home… You can stay forever!”

Deuce takes off running, following Grim’s sprinting form. Ace’s frantic footsteps sound shortly, and Yuu doesn’t hesitate to turn and chase them deeper into the caves.