Work Text:
A loud shriek ripped through the halls of Ramshackle, Yuu immediately shot up the sun gleaming through the broken blinds filling the room they scrambled off the bed a million thoughts running through their mind fear clutching their chest.
Fight or flight took over a state they had become well familiar with ready to face whatever threat had invaded their home.
They scrambled off the bed and to the door, ripping it open to see..
“My bow!”
There was Grim standing down the hall holding the ripped striped bow he wore, the other side caught in the door in front of him, Two of the three ghosts poking their heads through the wall Yuu let out a heavy sigh, the panic subsiding to annoyance when they realized there was no danger.
“Grim, what are you screeching about?”
“My bow it’s destroyed!”
His watery voice echoed as he ran up to Yuu pulling on their pant legs with unwarranted aggression, “The ghosts shut the door on it and now it's ruined!”
The Ghosts, seeming to sense the tension, quickly disappeared through the wall.
Yuu sighed they could only assume what caused the scuffle but after living with Grim and the ghosts for so long they chose to stay out of anything that didn't directly involve them, giving Grim a head pat they shook him off walking to the door they opened it gently,the bow falling into the their hand.
They ignored Grim's continued whines and looked over the rip carefully before running a hand through their hair, “Grim calm down I can fix it.”
Then like a switch Grim popped up grinning bounding over happily like his prior outburst hadn't even happened.
“I knew I could rely on you, hench Human!”
Before they could explain, Grim quickly bounded down the hall leaving Yuu with the bow. He still seemed off his ears were drooped but at least he trusted them enough to leave the bow with them. It made their chest feel warm but they didn't have time to dwell on their feelings they had work to do.
With a sigh they looked at the wall the ghosts disappeared into and there went their day off.
•~~~~~~~~~•
Sam’s voice rang out from the mystery shop when they exited shoulders slumped, they had hoped He would at least have a small sewing kit, at least a needle and thread.
But unfortunately He didn’t, it was a shock normally he seemingly had everything but from what of his rambles that stuck he was in the middle of restocking the shelves.
Holding onto the bow clenching it in their hand sighing as they looking up to the sky, a tightness in their chest with the chaos of the months they hadnt been able to relax enough to think about their hobbies.
They missed sewing, it was so calming the repetition, the sense of accomplishment, being able to share their creations.
But unfortunately you don’t get a warning when you’re thrown into an alternate dimension so all their sewing tools were safely away in their room.
They stood silent thinking, then a small weight settled in their gut.
•~~~~~~~~~•
It wasn’t that they were afraid of Vil.
Sure they were nervous around him, and his gaze sent a shiver of fear through them.
And maybe his criticisms made them want to crawl in a hole and die..
But they weren’t scared, just a little wary not that Vil had done anything but be extremely opinionated out of everyone they had to deal with, Vil was higher up than most in the terms of trust.
Standing at the entrance of the dorm they took in a breath trying to stand tall.
They were expecting to have to search for Vil maybe in his room or one of the many practice rooms but they immediately were greeted with his presence along with Rook.
The two’s attention was quickly focused onto them, their intense gazes boring into them.
Well not that dramatically, they did turn their attention but it wasn’t really the withering gazes that Yuu felt they were.
“Ah Trickster to what do we owe the pleasure!”
Rook turned a grin quickly plastering on his face, he was always oddly energetic; it was hard to think of a time he wasn't full of enthusiasm.
“Ah- Uh- Grim ripped his bow.” Their stammering caught Vil’s gaze. A small quirk of his brow was enough to get them to straighten up, “I think I remember you mentioning having a sewing kit, I was wondering if I could borrow it for a moment to fix it.”
Holding up the ripped bow as proof.
“Ah! You sew? magnifique!” Rook pushed forward edging into their personal space.
Giving a jerky nod glancing to Vil with pleading eyes.
“Do you not have your own?” Vil replied simply, arms crossed, perfect posture looming over them.
A pain entered their chest and they blinked gripping the bow a tad bit tighter than necessary,
“No.”
There was a beat of silence before Vil spoke again, “Black or white thread?”
They tensed and looked down at the bow blanking.
“Either is fine.”
Giving a nod Vil’s heels clicked down the hall to his room.
•~~~~~~~~~•
It was hard to focus while being watched, especially hard to focus when the people watching them were right in front of them.
Vil’s and Rook’s conversation continued like they weren't watch them like hawks.
Taking in a breath they tried to relax into the repetition of the stitch's pulling through the fabric, finishing the hem.
When they started to actually stitch together the pieces
“Quelle Beauté! You stitch with such flourish my heart swells!”
Rook's poetic words float through the air flowery and light despite his captivating gaze.
“.. Thanks.”
Yuu’s voice was uneasy, they never really knew how to react to Rook, unlike Vil who was blunt and easy to read (to an extent) they could never get a good read on him.
“When did you learn your flourish and skills?”
“Oh.. I don’t remember exactly.”
Memories swirled through their head, causing them to tighten their grip on the needle pulling it through rougher than necessary.
“I was young, hard to really pinpoint an time.” With a smile they glanced up.
Silence slowly dragged over again, not that Yuu was complaining it gave them the energy to focus on sewing even stitches.
Eventually they finished pulling the fabric testing the strength of the stitch, satisfied they knotted the thread.
“Thank you for letting me borrow this.”
Cutting the excess thread, they slid the needle into the spool holding it out as they stood.
They were met with Vil’s hand and piercing gaze.
“Keep it, I have more in my personal kit and you should have at least a needle and thread.”
Biting on their cheek they suppressed an elated grin, the weight of the spool and needle filling a hole that had been missing.
“Thank you Vil! I owe you.”
“No need.”
Despite his refusal they mentally noted to allow him a favor.
•~~~~~~~~~•
The door to Ramshackle creaked and groaned when it opened, alerting the house of their return.
“Grim!”
Shutting the door behind them, they watched Grim scurry from the living room.
“Yuu! My bow!”
Jumping up he tried to wiggle into their arms much to Yuu’s dismay, his weight causing them to teeter.
“Ah- Grim!”
Crouching down they pulled him off letting him settle, “I expect you to be more careful now.” Tying the bow back around his neck, adjusting his magestone to the front they smiled soft almost familial.
“Eh!- It wasn't my fault! The ghosts tore it!”
Quickly his ranting wiped the grin away (not the feeling) Standing up ruffling his head despite the protests.
“Calm down or I’m not making dinner”