Valentine sat at a desk in a dark room, pages lit up by candlelight as he wrote. His long purple hair flowed down his shoulders, his blue gaze focused. I was quiet as I leaned against the desk in my office, covered in sweat from the soulmancy session we’d just had. The world was foggy and faded, everything seeming warmer in the golden light of the candles.

“I do not know why you let them treat you like that,” Valentine said, his voice silken as he continued writing, “You should be at the very least reprimanding Professor Grayson for how he treats you.”

I swallowed, still silently trying to catch my breath. I thought fondly of all the memories of the man. For some reason, though, I couldn’t think of him at all. In my mind’s eye, he seemed faded, and it felt like I’d only ever seen him from afar.

Looking to the side, I stared at Valentine, tears burning in my eyes. I stared at him for a long time as clarity slowly came over me.

Diving forward, I tackled the man. My arms wrapped tightly around him. The sound of the chair clattering to the ground was distant, the sound of ink glugging out of its container much louder than it should have been.

Come back to me.

Closing my eyes, I held Valentine tightly. He was warm, and soft, and when I opened my eyes, crying, I only saw my bedroom.

It had been several months since I’d been returned to the mundane realm. My heart ached, my throat clogged with sorrow as I cried.

Reaching out, I took one of the many books in the The Curse of Perfection series off my floor next to me, holding it to my chest. I curled around it.

I felt hollow. The only one who’s face I could remember with even slight clarity was Valentine’s, Kai’s and Lucius’s. Even Persephone’s face was a blur whenever I looked in mirrors. Everyone I’d met at the academy were just a blur of colors.

These dreams I’d been having, the memories I’d held, they all broke my heart.

“I miss you. I shouldn’t have said I didn’t love you,” I said miserably, holding the book closer, “The Val stans got to me. Who wouldn’t want a beautiful and adorable yandere? I was blinded by my preferences in cold-to-warm or calculating individuals. Give me my golden retriever back.”

Then I hesitated, sitting up, “No, wait. I should be careful what I wish for. What if I get him back, but he ends up in this world? Bright orange isn’t a good look on him.”

Someone laughed. It sounded almost sane for a moment before rising into a high-pitched giggle. Glancing over, I saw blood red hair and unnaturally minty eyes.

Jester was grinning, his teeth a bright white. He was quite attractive, wearing a plain white button-up and black slacks, muscles visible as he crossed his arms.

My room didn’t have any furniture outside of my mattress on the floor. He was leaning against the doorframe, looking at me.

I sat up.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Is that why you’re so—“ Jester disappeared before I could tackle him.

Thud-crack!

The wall I’d ran into cracked. I turned, frowning. Crossing my arms after brushing the drywall off of me, I stared at Jester.

“Aheheh,” Jester giggled, grinning, a hand running through his long crimson hair, “Is that why you’re obsessed with me? Because you believe I’m yandere?”

I scoffed, sighing. I frowned at the man who’s been haunting me these past several months.

“No. Dere implies that you’re doing what you do for love of an individual. Unless you and Death are having an affair,” I hesitated at Jester’s wide grin, continuing after observing it for a moment, “Then you’d be considered yangire. Also known as just completely psychotic, sadistic, and crazy.”

Jester walked forward. He set his palm next to me on the wall, gaze intently focused on mine.

“Yes,” He breathed, “I suppose you’re right.”

I only noticed I was smiling when he got closer. Reaching out, I tried grabbing him. He vanished, appearing once more a little under five feet away. I sighed, smile fading.

He never let me touch him. Was that some rule for reapers? Wouldn’t he mention that I’d die or something if it was?

“You’re a tease,” I sighed out, disappointed. Turning, I walked back to my room. Closing the door, I hummed when I saw he’d appeared in my room.

“I’m on duty,” Jester disagreed from where he stood in the corner, a grin forming, “I’m to prevent you from returning.”

I hummed idly as I walked to my closet, grabbing some clothes. Whatever, he was a reaper. I’m certain he’s seen much prettier and much more.

“Isn’t that a bit too tame for my murder-hungry reaper?” I wondered as I got dressed for my day.

At the silence, I glanced over at Jester. He wasn’t smiling. I pulled my shirt over my head, turning to face him. He’d vanished. Huh?

A hand reached out, dragging my shirt up from behind. Shivers were sent down my spine at the odd feeling his touch gave me.

“Who put these scars on you?” Jester asked, fingers trailing along my back.

I hummed, turning around and reaching out, “Military guys.”

To my surprise, Jester let me touch him. I hummed, content, as I hugged him. Life in the mundane realm wasn’t half as bad with a psychotic man only I could see frequently hanging around.

It wasn’t like his suggestions of killing others was anything I hadn’t thought of, especially since he mostly said it about people that bothered me at work or out on my adventures through the city.

He wasn’t warm nor cold. Jester’s arms wrapped around me.

“I see. Unfortunately, there are too many people that fit that description,” Jester mourned.

I laughed. What, was he saying he’d kill them?

“They’re already dead. I only wish it was me who killed them.”

No, they all got killed by other rioters after I bit that guy’s dick off. Ah, good memories. Or, well, most of them died. The guy without his dick was still alive, I’m pretty sure.

I sighed, “It’s a shame the revolution never took off after a forth of the city burned.”

Crying out in protest, my arms were suddenly Jesterless. Looking around, I frowned at him.

I had time.

Readying myself to try and reclaim him, I flinched when my alarm went off.

No I didn’t. Fuck.

Sighing, I grabbed my phone, getting ready for my day. Misery spread through me as I went through my day, occasionally speaking with Jester about inane things. When things at work grew quiet, I listened to insane stories he’d tell about his previous jobs.

My life was dull and pitiful, but I’d made a friend to help me bear through it. Jester haunted my every day, followed closely by my regrets. My memories of the magical world haunted my every night.