sailor song

You almost broke a few times, whether it was from almost grabbing him by the face and shoving him away when he decided to stand in front of the tv until you acknowledged him, or from the guilt of walking past his room to see him asleep with your matching chocolate lizard keychain in his arms instead of you.

But he could annoy, bother, interrupt, and guilt trip you all he wanted; you were’t budging. It didn’t matter how many apologies he gave or how long his eyes burned holes into you from across the dinner table, you would drag this out until he never even thinks of going to a casino again.

Though that was starting to get difficult the more restless he got, and so after packing a few necessities and sneaking out of the HOL like a spy mission, you showed up at Purgatory Hall’s door with a look of pure desperation.

Thankfully the angels were as welcoming as ever, and Solomon loved to help you get on the demon’s nerves because in no time you were settled in with no guilt-tripping demon to bother you.

No passive aggressive sad faces with whip cream on your pancakes in the morning, no slipping his beach-wear magazines under your door so you wake up to a pile of magazines with him shirtless and glistening in the sun on the cover. You were finally free to ride out your petty train in peace!

For about 5 minutes, that is.

You forgot about your DDD, which quickly let you know was a big mistake as it nearly vibrated itself off the coffee table from all the texts you were receiving. You didn’t even have to check to know it was Mammon losing his mind upon coming home to find you nowhere to be seen.

Luke gave you an odd look from the seat beside you, so you quickly snapped up the device, pressing his icon and hitting block with an embarrassed sigh. No big deal, you could've seen that coming from a mile away.

Unaffected, you went back to watching whatever show Luke had put on for maybe about 10 seconds before the sound started up again, somehow even louder this time as if in protest.

With a groan you picked your DDD back up to see him texting you on every other platform he could possibly think of, leading you to roll your eyes in annoyance and block him on those, too. He could post mysterious status updates like upset because of a certain someone, they know who they are on Devilgram all he wants, you weren’t taking the bait.

You thought that was that, but he didn’t stop there. First it was emailing you from the RAD computers when you stopped answering your phone. Then it was a smartwatch from an “anonymous admirer” appearing on your doorstep that conveniently had only his number on it.

When that didn’t work he still! didn’t give up, just went bigger—somehow getting into RAD’s system to broadcast an apology video onto the smartboard mid-lesson—leaving you to hang your head in embarrassment for the rest of the day.

No response? Not a problem for him, he simply went bigger. Those billboards he was on for his modelling gigs? Yeah, one of them now had him with a candy heart with your name on it in his mouth. How did he even get that approved?!

Spray painting I’M SORRY, COME HOME onto the side of Purgatory Hall when begging at the door didn’t work, somehow overriding the smart fridge Solomon installed to mess with Simeon and FaceTime-ing you from the screen on it.

“Mc I know you can hear this. I see you getting that parfait! Hey— are those noodles? Aw come on you know those are my favourite! Wait don’t walk away— M/c! wait! Hey!!”

At least you didn’t have to deal with that one yourself: Simeon somehow managed to get the entire thing shut down within the hour. His hopelessness with technology could be useful on occasion, apparently.

You swear he even put a spell on the microwave because it beeped what you were sure was “I’m sorry” at you in morse code for 4 hours straight yesterday.

So yeah, turns out Mammon was a little more dedicated than you thought. It was only when you finally thought he’d given up that he showed you just how desperate he could be.

“Caw!”

You turned to the window of the guest bedroom the angels had so kindly let you stay in, a decision you were sure they were now regretting after this week’s events. There’s no way.

Alas, there was one of his crows, perched on the window with a small scroll in its mouth.

You wanted to shut the window straight on its face, but you couldn’t do that to poor Grimm. It’s not like it’s his fault his master is an idiot.

After scratching Grimm’s head you gently took the scroll from his talons and unravelled it. It was old and weathered looking, like he had pulled it straight out of the underground tomb for dramatic effect.

‘Here ye Here ye,’ read the first sentence. Oh boy.

‘To my dear m/c, my treasure, my sheep, my light in the darkness,’ if you didn’t already want to rip your eyes out, you did now!

‘Woe is me, because I did not awake to your beautiful face this merry day. If I had but one wish, it would be to take back the hurt I have caused you, and have you in my greedy, undeserving arms once again. Please come home, for your one and only misses you dearly.’

Sincerely, your first man.

Right. He was your first pact—a decision you were seriously second-guessing. What were you going to do with this idiot? Not give in, that’s for sure. You thanked Grimm and rolled the scroll back up before turning and tossing it straight into the trash.

Caw?! Grimm exclaimed, and you scratched his head apologetically.

”Sorry buddy, I have to stand my ground. Forgiving him so easily will just tell him that I’ll always forgive him when he upsets me,” you explained. Did it make you feel a little crazy talking to a crow? Sure, but after conversing with shrunken down, blob forms of sin known as little d’s, nothing could phase you anymore.

After Grimm flew off you continued on with your day like nothing happened. It was a Thursday night with Friday off, meaning you wouldn’t have to skillfully avoid Mammon in the halls of RAD until Monday; three days from now.

The sense of peace and very tiny bit of sadness that was defintely not because you missed him were short-lived though, as you awoke that next morning to the feeling of something.. .jumping on your chest?

You slowly peeked your eyes open, squinting as they adjusted to the harsh morning light that was shining through your open window—had you forgotten to close that last night?

Your eyes drifted back down until something feathery and black came into your vision and you screamed so loud it could’ve been heard from the Celestial Realm. Grimm, who had been hopping around until you woke up let out a startled caw as well and leaped back into the air.

You always closed your window at night in case a random demon decided to come in and eat you in your sleep, but you never expected the real danger to be a crow. Though it’s not like you could be mad at Grimm—it’s not his fault he picked up after Mammon’s idiocy.

You rubbed your eyes, blinking again just to make sure this was really happening, and frowned with guilt at seeing Grimm now distanced to the corner of your room, feathers ruffled.

You got up, petting Grimm’s head in apology for bloody-murder screaming in his face. The poor thing’s hearing had likely already been bursted by Mammon years ago, but still.

You untied the string and unrolled the scroll, coughing as an air of dust came off it. Seriously, where was he getting these things? The dark depths of his wallet?

My beloved M/c,

You cannot imagine my despair when I awoke to not a single response from you. You’re breaking my heart here, ya know? Don’t mind the smudged ink. That’s just my tears. What more can I do to make you forgive me? Let an angry mob throw tomatoes at me? Fist-fight Cerberus? Name your price and I’ll do it, just come home. I love you.

Sincerely, Mammon.

You furrowed your brows. This was getting difficult. Was he really that upset? You looked to Grimm for guidance, but his beady eyes just blinked at you in confusion. You shook your head. Just a few more days to really stick the message in his head, then you would give in.

He was seriously making that difficult. Every day without fail he sent you a letter, the third one being the very next day while you were brushing your teeth. This lead Luke to sneakily try to peak at it from beside you, standing on his tippy-toes.

You only had the chance to read around one line that said something akin to ‘my midnight beauty’ before Luke grabbed it and threw it in the toilet, wasting no time in flushing it. So much for that.

That day there was even a second, with Grimm instead hollering out of the large stained glass window in the dining room, leaving the others to give you an odd look.

“Mammon again?” Solomon inquired.

You didn’t even bother answering, just nodded in defeat as you pressed your forehead to the table. He took the letter, reading it and snickering before tossing it into the fire place. At least you had a support system?

That night, just as you thought you would finally get some peace, there was another peck on your window.

You rubbed your hands down your face, groaning. This was never going to end.

You walked over and shut your blinds, but it was useless. Grimm continued to peck like it was his lifes purpose until it was impossible to ignore, no matter how hard you pressed your pillow to your ears.

You dragged your curtains open, the sound of metal dragging sending shivers up your spine. You unlocked the window and tugged it open, once again tempted to slam it in the crow’s face before you remember it was Mammon you were annoyed with, not Grimm. Don’t shoot the messenger, or whatever.

You unroll it, expecting yet another long paragraph in a messy attempt at formality.

M/c.

Come home.

You tilted your head. That’s pretty vague. You searched to see if maybe there was something on the other side, but all you were met with was a strange looking sigil that you took too long to realize was starting to glow.

Your eyes widened and you went to drop it, but it was too late. In less than a second all you could see was blinding white light, dulling your senses until you had to squeeze your eyes shut.

When they opened again, you had to squint until the blob infront of you came into focus. You could only look at him for a split second before you were being encompassed in a hug so tight it could’ve crushed your ribs.

A stronger person would’ve pushed him away, but it was hard to not be weak for him. You relaxed and hugged him back, running a hand through his hair patiently until he was ready to let go.

“M/c…..” he whined your name, somehow pulling you even closer until there wasn’t a single breath of air between the two of you. “I missed you.”

You shake your head. “No really?”

He pulls his head from where its tucked against your neck to pout at you. “A week. I didn’t hear from you for a whole week! and this is how you treat me?” He huffs, and you can’t help but giggle. “Tsk, who says I wanted to see you anyway… .”

You raise an eyebrow. You don’t even need to list out the dozens of evidence for him, he’s well aware of his actions this past week. Just the way he was clinging to you like he was worried you would vanish again was a clear tell.

Now that you could see his face, he was a mess. His eyes and nose had that hue to them that they always got after he cried, and you almost didn’t realize you were now in his room with how messy it was.

Sure you were upset with him, but this whole thing had been kind of a joke. You didn’t know it affected him this badly, you were only gone for a week! What, did he have no object permanence?

You cupped his face, pulling him into a soft kiss that he immediately melted into. He moved his hand to rest on the back of your neck, deepening the kiss until you had to shove him away just to breathe.

Your chest heaved as you caught your breath, slapping a hand over his lips when he immediately tried to dive back in. “You swear you’ll listen to what I ask you from now on?”

He nodded so quick it could’ve cause whiplash. “I promise.”

You scratched his scalp and he hummed contentedly. “Don’t leave again. I love you.”

You smiled. “I won’t, I promise.”

His fangs teasingly nipped your shoulder and you jumped, swatting him. “Hey-! I love you too, idiot.”

“And I really am sorry,” he added, pulling away so you could see the sincerity in his eyes when he said it.

You huff, thinking back to the spray-paint you were surprised Barbatos hadn’t already killed him for, the fridge, the letters, etc. “Never would’ve guessed.”

In a world where the weak could only dream of dethroning the strong, and the strong overshadowing the weak; Grim was only meant to be a mere speck of dirt in the vast lands of the world, but for reasons unknown to him, you decided that the same speck of dirt is nothing but a gem in the making. A great mage in the making, to be exact. 

So, Grim decided that maybe you were worth keeping by his side. If only to have someone who would listen so attentively to his ramblings about being the best, to have someone he could share warmth with when the nights grow too cold, and lastly, to have someone he could finally consider as one of his own—a family. (though you’d never catch him saying something so corny, he’s going to become the greatest afterall!)

“Hench-human! The Great Grim has decided, you can stay by my side even if you’re weaker than me, myahahaha!”

“Is that so?” You dusted off the bed, sparing a glance at the lounging creature near you, “If the Great Grim so desires, then I shall be your ‘hench-human’ forever ‘till you get tired of lil ol’ me.” 

“Myah! Ya better be! Or else I’ll cast one of my powerful spells on ya!” 

“Yes, yes,” You nodded your head repeatedly, “this pitiful hench-human understands. Now, shall the Great Grim lay down to take his oh-so-precious sleep?”  You patted the bed and leaned to the side as Grim leaped on the bed. 

“...Are you happy, Grim?” 

“Mrah! What kind of question is that? ‘Course I am! I’m getting stronger now!” You smiled, a one so soft and affectionate just like the look in your eyes that made Grim pause. Your hand petting his head slowly made him snap out of it, normally, he’d reprimand you for it, but.. at the moment, Grim can feel himself getting drowsy as his eyes get heavier.

“I’m glad you are, because I am too.” 

Grim remembers it so clear, that was the last thing he heard before his eyes shut close and his mind went to dream land. You said you were happy, you told him that you’d be by his side. You promised, you said that promises aren’t meant to be broken—that they’re sacred things between people. 

So, why did you leave?  

Was he so annoying that you’d up and leave him the moment you got the chance to go back to your world, a world where your real family resides. (but wasn’t he your family too?)

Grim only remembers how chaotic his insides felt. He wanted to lash out to you, to everyone who abused your kindness—your softness. He couldn't, though, your last words to him before you left, he had to engrave it into his stubborn heart. 

“You’re a big boy now, Grim…and sometimes, the greatest need to stand on their own.” You slide your hand over his head, “will you do that for me, Great Grim?” 

He nodded, the only response he could make. Grim felt as if Floyd had dropped him in the freezing pool that the Octavinelle dorm has. 

“Thank you, Grim.”

A kiss to the forehead was your last goodbye to him. He wanted to chase after you, to yell at you that his hench-human can’t abandon him. But, your words echoed through the chaos within. He’ll have to suck it all up, to act brave just like before, and pretend that your departure wasn’t making his eyes teary. Still, a few drops escaped out of his eyes but your back only grew smaller, your hand won’t be wiping away the tears anymore. So, he’ll deal with it.

He’s a big boy now, after all.