#small ficlets

It had been two weeks since Yuu had suddenly appeared in this world of Twisted Wonderland and had taken residence in the ‘abandon’ Ramshackle Dorm considering the mirror didn’t place them in any other dorm. Any other person would probably be overwhelmed considering they were in another world of magic and were now not only looking after themselves but a little fire monster named Grim.

However Yuu wasn’t most people and had taken to the school as a fish does to water. Though it wasn’t the easiest, like the first day of classes Yuu and Grim had been in such a rush they had skipped breakfast which lead to Grim literally eating their work in class, apparently the paper was super tasty.

Thankfully Yuu found a way around it in the form of the ghosts Phineas Ezra and Gus had taken to helping Yuu. Originally Yuu had taken to getting up an hour or so earlier then they had to leave to make breakfast for him and Grim. However now it seems Phineas, Ezra and Gus had taken to preparing most of it, only waking Yuu to actually cook their food.

It’s why today, despite needing to leave in about ten minutes Yuu was ready with Grim, he was wearing the school uniform, making him stand out less and had four breakfast burritos ready to go, two for him and Grim, and the other two were for Ace and Deuce. Ace just had a history of stealing Yuu’s food while Deuce was too sweet to ask for food, Yuu could tell the poor student was hungry.

As they began to head to class, Yuu opened the door to be greeted by Ace, smiling like he didn’t try to spend the night at Ramshackle dorm before Yuu had siked the ghosts on him to make him leave.

“Hey Yuu” Ace said with a smile, taking note of Yuu’s he/him pin.

“Here’s your food” Yuu said, handing him the breakfast burrito and rushed out the door with Grim. The freshmen smirked and immediately began to dive into food he was given, Grim jumping into Yuu’s arms so he could enjoy his food. It seemed to be common for Grim to either ride in Yuu’s arms or backpack, mainly to keep his little paws free to do stuff.

It didn’t take long for the group of students to get their first class of the day, always run by Mozus Trein.

One thing that Yuu notice was how the teacher’s reaction to him. Mozus Trein seemed to favor Yuu but at the same time was hard on the magicless student. Soon after Yuu joined Trein classes the teacher made it very clear he seemed to like Yuu, despite the fact Grim seemed to have a glaring contest with Lucius, Yuu was always able to redirect the little fire monster. Yuu also seems to be able to keep Ace on topic, even if the poor boy’s ribs get bruised in the process. Trein showed some favoritism when it came to the topic of bullying, more than once when one of the students made a snarking comment about Yuu, Trein would immediately quip back and assign essays to them. However despite those little favorite ideas, Trein also seemed to pick on Yuu too, or at least made it clear to the student that Yuu wasn’t always getting special treatment. Trein would mostly call on Yuu even if it was clear the poor human didn’t know the answer, which would make them burn with embarrassment. Though thankfully Deuce could most of the time whisper the answer to Yuu.

The next teacher is Divus Crewel, the one in charge of potion class, who has a love of order. The class was different as Grim had to be careful, unless he wished to fall into the giant calduran filled with a potion. So more often than not Grim in his little coat and goggles, sat on Yuu’s shoulders as Yuu would work on his potions. Yuu was considered a floater in the class, they were good in potion class however considering the class was an odd number it would be Yuu and Grim needed to work alone or join another pair. Though working alone could be considered a blessing seeing how Deuce and Ace always seemed to explode their potion. Yuu was the best student he could be, following orders and never causing too much chaos, unlike most students who seem to like throwing spells at one another while they work. Though it was unsure if Crewel actually favored the magicless student or just tolerated him like most of his ‘responsible’ students.

Lunches were a fun little experiment, as Yuu did tried his best to talk to people and make new friends, however most seemed to just ignore him, probably for two reasons. One because of the rumor of them being cursed, which to be fair Yuu didn’t know the nature of curses of this world so he could understand them being safe. Two were the two self appointed bodyguards Ace and Deuce, or tweedle Dee and Dum as Yuu like to call them, who refuse to leave his side had also gotten a reputation for causing chaos after the whole chandelier incident. Yuu was thankful that they stopped any possible bullies but he got a feeling Ace just stuck around since the cafetera ghost like Yuu and always gave them first pickings of their best food.

Though one thing Yuu and Grim had the same reaction after lunch, that they had a dislike of PE that was run by Ashton Vargas. Unlike most students which would fly on brooms, Yuu obviously couldn’t do that and after the disaster Grim and Ace flight disaster Grim was also grounded. Vargas wouldn’t allow two students to do nothing and always pushed them to make up for the lack of physical activity, anything from running, dodge ball or any other game. While Yuu wasn't the most active student he had many experiences of running away from his horrible family, so he took to activities like running and track. Grim on the other hand was not as lucky, he wasn’t super active to begin with, often being carried by Yuu around and saving up his energy for magic. Grim hated trying to run next to Yuu always so many steps behind him, the little fire monster always voiced his hatred for the coach after every class. Let's say after the first couple classes Yuu began to pack snacks and water after class so he wouldn’t complain for the rest of the day.

While most students would get a choice of electives Yuu didn’t have that luxury, though thankfully this was the first time Yuu had a class without Ace and Deuce. Yuu alongside Grim were assigned a ‘culture/history class’ probably likely assigned by Crowley. Sam mainly taught it, but other teachers and speakers came in from all over Twisted Wonderland to explain how the world works and the difference between the cultures around the world. It was probably the easiest class considering the lack of homework, having to keep a rein on Ace and Deuce and not having to deal with bullies. It was a great way to close the classes of the day.

After that Yuu mostly ended up back at Ramshackle or the library to work on his homework, sometimes dragging Ace and Deuce along to make sure they finish up their work, though Ace normally found a way of making homework time into chaos time.

Honestly Yuu is sometimes surprised by how much time Ace and Deuce spend at Ramshackle, Deuce had said all the rooms were very crowded and he wanted some more one on one time to get to know his soulmate, Ace had just said he hated the chores and his headwarden was a tyrant. Deuce sputtered at the crassness of it. By the time it had gotten dark and Yuu had freed the two freeloaders, he had finally got them to go back to their dorm, with a little help from the ghosts.

Yuu was currently trying to get ready for bed, Grim had opted for a bowl of warm milk to help him sleep, Yuu on the other hand went for a walk outside as the ghost, named Gus, was currently handling the warm hot chocolate to help Yuu sleep.

It was the first time Yuu had actually explored the grounds at night, seeing it light up with the natural ghost lights cause the dorm to glow, it was absolutely beautiful. Though a sound immediately pulled him away.

A tall boy with black horns stood by the trees “Hm? Who’s over here?”

“Um hello?” Yuu offered to get the boy's attention, though he didn’t know if he could call him a boy considering he was a full head taller than Yuu.

“Well, this is a surprise, you’re the child of man that’s cursed aren't you?” The teen said his toxic green eyes looking at Yuu with curiosity “Do you live here? I was under the impression that this dorm was abandoned, I enjoyed having the peace of solitude.”

“Would you like to have some hot chocolate?” Yuu asked out of nowhere, mainly because the teen’s tone made him sad like when Yuu lost their comfort space but also they would be a bad host if he left him alone.

The teen stood frozen for a second at the question “you’re inviting me?”

Yuu nodded with a smile.

“Sure,” he finally replied.

Yuu ran inside to quickly get two mugs, filling both with the hot chocolate the ghost had made before returning back, walking over the mysterious boy to where the patio furniture was at, they had once been eaten by time but now we're returning to former glory. Yuu offered one to the mysterious boy and they both sat down to drink. Yuu did their best to not laugh when they saw the boy’s face light up when he first took a drink of the chocolate, reminding him of a kid when they first experienced a sugar rush.

“By the way” Yuu said getting the boy’s attention “I never got a chance to ask, who are you?”

The boy with horns stop moving before looking at Yuu “Who am I…? You really don’t know. Who am I? Interesting…What is your name?”

“I’m the dorm prefect of Ramshackle, Yuu” Yuu offered to the boy.

“Yuu…an unusual name to be sure. Yet it sounds so familiar, your reputation must be spreading” The boy said with a smile “I am…no, never mind. I’d rather you remain unaware.”

“Hmf, that’s kind of rude” Yuu said “I have nothing to call you then.”

“It's for your own benefit, I assure you. Instead, I will permit you to call by a name of your choosing.” The boy replied back.

“Why..” Yuu started.

“Hey human” Grim mutter out as he walked outside, probably gone to look for Yuu sense it was bedtime and he wasn’t in bed “Why are you out here? And who’s the tall boy?”

Yuu and the boy stared at Grim for a second before he got his thoughts back in line.

“Hey Grim, I was out here meeting a guest, however he refuses to tell me his name, so I have no idea what to call him” Yuu said with a half hearted glare at the mysterious boy.

“Hmmm” Grim said as he jumped into Yuu’s lap “How about Hornton? He has horns it fits”

Yuu got a sinister smirk. “Yes, your nickname will be Hornton until you give us your real name.”

The boy, now dubbed Hornton, stared for a moment, Yuu expected him to pout or complain and give him his rule name but instead the boy let out a laugh followed by chuckles “Yes, Hornton, you may call me Hornton.”

Yuu just rolled his eyes and began to pet Grim, Hornton just began to make small talk mostly about the statues surrounding Ramshackle and the ones stationed on the roof. Yuu slowly felt the tension melt away and just enjoyed the time with Hornton, before the conversation went back to Yuu.

“There are rumors going around that you’re cursed? That your magic is bound?” Hornton asked “Are they true?”

Yuu let out a sigh “Sadly yes, at least that’s what the mirror said when I first got here.”

“What a horrible crime, the villain probably tore off fae wings as a fun pastime” Hornton grumbled . Yuu could have sworn they saw green flames leave his mouth but he quickly turned back to Yuu “Please allow me to help.”

Yuu's brain froze as he watched Hornton set down his mug before taking on one of the black gloves, revealing very pale skin but black sharp nails.

“You don’t have to try Hornton” Yuu offered as they brought his hands up in a stopping motion “the teachers have tried and nothing worked, please don’t burden yourself.”

Hornton gained a knowing smile before saying “Please humor me child of man, as my friend?”

Yuu thought about it for a moment before letting out another sign, it would be nice to have another friend that isn’t a troublemaker, plus Hornton seems very pleasant, he wouldn’t be the type to hurt Yuu.

“Fine, but please don’t overdo it” Yuu said “It’s ok if you can’t break it.”

Hornton just smiled before he brought his bare hand closer to you, green magic swirled around it before it began to swirl around Yuu as well, his grip tightening on Grim as it got closer. Hornton just stared at Yuu as if trying to see the bound along with Yuu’s possible magic, eventually his eyes narrow as if trying to look closer.

Suddenly a bluish purple bolt of magic popped off of Yuu, striking Hornton's exposed hand causing him to pull back in pain.

“Hornton!” Yuu shot up out of shock causing Grim to go crashing down out of his lap as his human rushed towards his new friend.

“It’s alright” Hornton said as Yuu grabbed his hand, both watching as the burnt skin slowly disappear into healthy skin “I just wasn’t expecting that.”

“I’m sorry” Yuu apologize, as if was the only thing he could think of.

“It’s not your fault” Hornton said with a smile before it shifted to a frown as he muttered to himself “why? Who would know enough about fae to guard the bound against fae magic as well?”

“What?” Yuu asked, not hearing what he was muttering.

“I shall take my leave Yuu” Hornton said as he stood up “I have a friend I must ask about your case, possibly they can help.”

Before Yuu could say anything Hornton smile before disappearing in a flash of light, leaving smile like fireflies as Yuu and Grim just stood in shock.

“He left” Yuu just muttered thinking they had ruined a friendship before it had even started.

“Come on, forget about him,” Grim said, using his little paws to shake Yuu out of their negative thoughts.

Yuu just shoots his head before opting to follow Grim, wanting the sweet bliss of sleep after the day he had.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better…

He finds him sitting on the edge of the river.