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When Yuu first sees Grim eat a black rock similar to coal, Yuu tells Grim to spit it out.
“Just because you’re an omnivore doesn’t mean rocks are part of your diet.”
Grim pouted and grumbled, “You’re my hench-human, so why are you telling me what to do?”, before describing its taste. Yuu had half a mind to wrangle the demon cat and force the rock out, before realizing that they’ll probably get burnt. Yuu didn’t really want to deal with getting burned, so they resisted the desire to force the black stone out of Grim’s stomach and headed back to school.
When the pair got back to Ramshackle, Yuu and Grim flopped onto the dusty couch, tired from the events that had transpired. Yuu’s mind wandered, and eventually settled on the black stone Grim ate.
Yuu then sat up and said, “Grim, don’t eat anymore of those black rocks, okay? They’re probably not good for you.”
Grim glared at Yuu in the way cats glare when you don’t give them what they want, and growled, “Hmph. I can do whatever I want, hench-human.”
Yuu stared back at Grim before sighing. The little demon beast would probably do whatever he wanted no matter what they told him. Yuu stood up from the rickety couch and went to go find a broom or something to clean with.
The best they could do was keep an eye on Grim and those pebbles he was eating.
In the back of their mind, Yuu reminded themselves to ask Crowley about those black rocks.
Riddle Rosehearts overblotted, and Grim found another stone Yuu now knew to be blot stones.
And just like before, Grim found another stone and ate it.
“Grim! I told you not to eat those rocks!” Yuu chided.
“Didn’t I tell you before? You can’t tell me, the great Grim, what to do!” Grim shouted back.
Ace sighed, and put a hand on Yuu’s shoulder while Grim, Cater and Deuce bickered. “You should probably give up on it. You know that raccoon’s never gonna listen to what you say.”
“Yeah, but,” Yuu said, “Those stones are actually really bad to consume. Crowley said they were byproducts of blot phantoms. It’s better to be safe then sorry.”
Ace shrugged. “You do you. Grim’s a monster, though, so I’m sure his stomach is a lot tougher than any mer, beastman or human. Maybe not fae, but still.”
Yuu looked over at Grim. “Well, I hope so.”
“Don’t be a downer, Yuu. Riddle’s gonna redo the unbirthday party in a few days, and we’ll have all the desserts we want!”
Yuu closed their eyes and shook their head fondly. “You’re starting to sound like Grim.”
“Hey! What does that mean?”
“Exactly what it means.”
Yuu gasped and panted for breath. They willed their legs not to give out, and finally reached the Mirror Chamber. There, the housewardens, Ace, and Deuce were there, all out of breath and injured.
And in front of them was a huge, chimeric beast with a mane of blue fire.
“Prefect! You shouldn’t be here, it’s too dangerous…” Riddle huffed between breaths.
“I agree with Rosehearts. Child of Man, you must leave,” Malleus commanded.
Yuu blinked and stared at the beast. “I-is that…is that Grim?”
“I believe so,” Azul replied, still using the business tone even when tired and hurt. “He must have overblotted after he heard you were being sent home, and came here to prevent it.”
“Hey, he’s preparing another blast! Get ready!” Kalim warned.
The housewardens all prepared a shielding spell, and Grim released a scorching column of fire.
“Damn it, where the fuck is that bird when you need him?!?” Leona cursed.
“While I’d phrase it differently, I have to agree. Where’s Crowley?” Vil huffed.
“IDK…I told Ortho to get him, but he’s totally ghosting us. It might be GGs for us,” Idia panted.
Yuu continued to stare at the overblotted Grim, tearing forming in their eyes. “No…it’s all my fault. I should have been more strict with him, and made sure he didn’t eat all those blot stones…”
The blast of fire ended, and they all dropped their shields. Yuu, with tears pouring down their face, slowly started to approach Grim.
“Child of Man, what are you doing? You will get yourself injured if you step any further,” Malleus cautioned.
“I hate to agree with the lizard, but he’s right. Stay back, or you’re gonna be cooked meat,” Leona growled in warning.
Yuu continued to walk forward. Kalim tugged on Yuu’s wrist and Yuu struggled back.
“C-come on! You’re gonna get hurt!” Kalim cried through tears of his own.
Yuu broke free of Kalim’s grasp. Yuu strided forward, until they were only a few feet away from Grim.
“Grim?” Yuu asked. The beast snarled in response.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I wasn’t more firm on you not eating blot stones. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to take care of you. I’m sorry I didn’t realize how much me leaving meant to you. I’m…I’m so sorry.”
The monster was still for a moment. “Do you forgive me, Grim?”
The beast roared, and Yuu closed their eyes.
“Prefect!”
“Child of Man!”
“YUU!”