A shorter one this week. I hope you enjoy X3.

Tuesday night.

Thatch walk down the corridor slowly, he had his hands in his pockets, his face pensive. It was well past curfew, but no one ever cared if the students were up past curfew. He was thinking about yesterday, that was so unexpected of Casper. The look on his face when he said;

"This is a psychotic dragon looking for some way to express his murderous tendency's without getting in trouble..."

It was such a cold, venomous look. And the blue shades his eyes took only added to it. And what an insult! It was clever and unexpected, it packed a punch despite such a calm and cold tone. Thatch had a hard time not thinking about it; it had been so unexpected. It was bold, it was mean, it was clever.

And it was hot.

He couldn't explain it, or admit it, but Casper making such clever insults was incredibly attractive. Or at least, he thought it was. Not something he ever thought he'd be into, but he apparently was. He could listen to that ghost spit insults all day, the insults could even be towards him, he didn't care. As long as they were clever, and had that same icey venom to them.

This was also incredibly upsetting.

He was supposed to be ignoring his feelings, not getting turned on by clever insults! Why did Casper have to be so damn lovely!?

Just as Thatch was about to walk around a corner, he heard very heavy footsteps. Out of sudden panic, he jumped to the side, just as he did, Frankengym teacher walked past, not noticing the vampire pressed into the wall.

The teacher had a bouquet pressed to his side, like he didn't want anyone to see it. It was likely for Ms Hopper. Without much of a thought, Thatch grabbed one of the flowers, it came out of the bouquet smoothly, the teacher didn't notice at all and kept walking.

"What did I do that for, now what the hell am I going to do with this?" He frowned at the flower, which was some sort of lily with white petals and pink freckles.

Well, there was one thing he could do with it, though he really shouldn't. But, he supposed this was why he grabbed it in the first place, even if he hadn't realized it at the time.

Before he knew it, he was standing in front of Casper and Ra's dorm. He didn't hear any movement inside, so he assumed they were likely both asleep, as they should be at this hour. He carefully, and quietly opened the door. He peeked inside; dark, they were definitely asleep.

He creeped inside, closing the door behind him quietly. He made his way to Casper's bunk, leaving the flower on the desk next to it. The ghost had an awful day yesterday, he deserved a flower. Yup, that was why he was doing this, not any sort of romantic gesture, no sir.

The little ghost was sleeping peacefully on his back, his arms next to his head. The vampire noted how he didn't glow as much as when he was awake, like a three-day old glow stick. Interesting.

The ghost twitched and turned Thatch's direction, still asleep. The vampire froze. If Casper opened his eyes now, Thatch would be found out, and that would be bad. (for his ego anyways.) Granted he did kiss him while in a cave…did Casper really believe that was an accident? Well, Thatch supposed it was an accident, but a very intentional one. Surely the ghost was smart enough to know he hadn't tripped, he had said that just because he wasn't interested in Thatch like that…right?

His thoughts were interrupted as Casper sighed in his sleep with a smile, giving a little stretch as he did.

God he was adorable.

Thatch turned to leave when a gentle blue light ran across the ghost.

The vampire blinked.

Casper had been running through the dark forest again, the one his nightmares always took him too. But this time, when he stopped running. He knew what was chasing him, maybe he even knew all along and chose to pretend like he didn't.

"I know what you are. I'm not going to run anymore. Mainly because I'm getting real tired of the nightmare!" the ghost snapped.

He could hear the running behind him coming to a stop. It was right behind him. He grimaced and whipped around to face the beast. Before him stood a devil looking creature, with bright red fur, dark red crystalline horns, and hoof like claws, a forked tail swishing behind him. Its face was like a cross between a cat and a deer, and evil sharp toothed grin on its face.

"I'm not…I'm not scared of you." Casper sputtered, his confidence starting to fade.

The creature laughed like a hyena before responding with a creepily cheery voice;

"Yes you are."

The ghost frowned, looking away.

"…I am."

"And why is that?" The devil tilted its head, creepy grin still holding.

"Because you…" Casper looked at the ground, frowning, before looking up again.

"You are me at my worst." He said quietly, giving the creature a hard stare.

"You are what I feel when I am angry, when someone's pushed me too far. You are what I become when I want someone to understand what they've put me through. You're my pain and anger." He continued.

"You're the temper I pretend I don't have. Your me." Casper looked back down, acknowledging the red fur covering him, and the tail swishing behind him.

"I am scared, but… I can't run from myself." The ghos-nether beast looked at his claws, running them against each other, examining them.

He looked back up again at his other self, who's grin was gone. He took ahold of the others hands and pressed their foreheads together, closing his eyes solemnly.

"You're just my reflection." He stated quietly.

The reflection cracked with blue sparks and it shattered onto the forest floor. Casper was left standing alone, his red fur being pushed by a gentle breeze.

He gave a calm smile as the breeze moved through his hair, he sighed happily. He felt better.

His deer like ears perked up, he could hear something loud coming his direction. He looked up just in time to see a large tidal wave rising above the trees. There was no time to run, nowhere to go. He gasped as he was consumed by dark water, being pushed downwards by the tide. He struggled to swim, trying to get to the surface. Things were getting darker; he couldn't see anything. Until he did. Above him, through the trashing current, he could see a sliver of light. His vision was blurry, and it felt like he was getting spun around in circles. He fought agenst the water, but as he got closer to it, the water seemed to pushed him the rest of the way. He broke the surface of the water coughing, and immediately smacked his head on a wooded door.

He was in a well.

He pushed open the doors and climbed over the well wall, coughing and sputtering. He was quite happy to be out of that chaotic water. He blinked and looked around; he was at his grandfather house, this time on the other side of the buildings. It was night time, and the place was as beautiful as ever. A gorgeous view of the mountain range, fields of heather and lavender, a moonlit sky full of stars. It was so peaceful.

Casper then noticed his arms. His fur had turned white, there were pretty sky blue markings going down his body. The little ghost was so confused at the color change, that he fell back into the well when he noticed his grandfather standing next to him.

"I see you've decided to visit me in your dreams. Welcome back." Krumpus smiled.

"I'm still dreaming? I can go places while I'm dreaming?" Casper gasped.

The ram chuckled at his astonished grandson.

"Apparently, yes. It's an ability you've inherited from me."

The ghost raised a brow, scratching his chin.

"So…I'm a ghost…who's dreaming, and has left my ghostly body behind?"

"Admittedly that is a lot of layers, but yes." Krumpus responded bluntly.

Casper's ears went down a little, a worried look coming onto his face.

"Wow, that's quite the soul travel…" he muttered with concern.

"Yes, but don't worry, there is no danger of being this far. Your soul and body are still connected." The old ram assured.

"But any who, I doubt you want to stay in the well." The old ram chuckled and leaned over the well, gabbing his grandson by the arms, he heaved him out.

"If this is just my soul, how can you touch me?" the ghost tilted his head.

"I am a spirit of dreams, of course I can touch dream walkers." Krumpus smiled matter-a-factly.

"Oh right…"

The Christmas demon tilted his head.

"So, quite the new look you've taken." He mentioned.

Casper chuckled sheepishly.

"Oh, uh, yeah…I guess this is another thing I've inherited from you." He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Fur, horns, a tail…."

Krumpus chuckled.

"It seems so, though I already knew you could do turn into a beast like me. I watched you set that building a blaze."

Casper blinked, and then his ears tilted downwards as he looked guiltily at the ground.

"Oh…you saw that?" he muttered shamefully.

"Yes, quite the daring performance! And saving the rabbit was a nice touch...Revenge within reason. At least, I assume it was revenge." His grandfather was unfazed by the concept of his grandson setting a building on fire, in fact, he seemed kind of proud.

"…It was. I thought the headmasters ate my pet duck…" the ghost rubbed his arm sadly.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." Krumpus frowned.

"It ended up ok, my duck was fine…I jumped to conclusions…" Casper admitted guilty.

"They must be pretty despicable to begin with, if you believed your conclusion so solidly…"

"I suppose…" the ghost responded hesitantly, not sure what to say. He wanted to pretend that he didn't hate anyone, that he wasn't capable of it. But Alder and Dash…they were so awful…

Krumpus took of his coat and placed it on the ground, he then got on all fours. Casper had been right; his grandfather could move quadrupedal. The ghost suspected his new form could as well, but with his body shape, maybe only for leaping. His grandfather grabbed him and placed him on his back, and began walking towards the woods. Casper felt very small compared to his grandfather, who was easily 6 times his size.

There was a moment of silence as they walked.

"How did you find me after all this time?" the ghost tilted his head.

"I sensed your nether abilities waking up, they led me right to you." The old ram answered simply.

"Oh."

"I didn't wish to say anything about it in front of your friends the other day, I didn't know if they knew about the pyro incident…" Krumpus admitted.

Casper frowned.

"They don't…" he stated quietly, guiltily.

"I had a feeling they didn't. It didn't seem like something you'd tell them, it's difficult to explain what you don't understand." His grandfather added.

"I didn't want them to know..I…I caused a lot of trouble…" Casper continued, with an even more guilty tone.

"True, but sometimes we have to, to make a point."

There was another pause. They entered the forest; it was mostly pine trees, but among the pines were trees with glowing flowers, flowers of pinks and yellows. Parts of the forest floor had glowing flowers that cast a purple light. It so beautiful and peaceful.

"So…why is my fur suddenly white now, instead of red?" the little ghost tilted his head again as he asked another question.

"I believe that white is the default color of your nether form. The red is simply the color you turn when angry or defensive, like a fish or lizard trying to scare off predators. It's a warning display. You've only ever turned into this form while angry, so you've only seen your defensive colors." Krumpus explained.

"Oh…I guess that makes sense." Casper nodded, his tail swishing as he did.

They walked for a while in silence. Casper felt like a cat riding a horse, and he was sure he must have vaguely looked like it.

The forest was so pretty, even at night. The glowing fauna lighting up the area, he supposed it was like a bunch of Christmas trees…but, a very summery themed Christmas. He yawned, his 'body' was starting to feel tired, and his eyes felt heavy.

"I'm starting to get sleepy…is it normal to get sleepy while dream walking?" He rubbed his eyes.

"Yes, you're just running out of energy. Once you go to sleep in this form, you'll go back to your body, and back to your actual dreams." His grandfather smiled peacefully.

"I suppose I should be getting back…I need some actual sleep; I have school tomorrow." Casper stretched and whined as he did so.

Krumpus chuckled and stopped walking, laying down in the grass. Casper hopped off and laid against his grandfather's side. The little ghost smiled, he felt safe. That was rare. He fell fast asleep.

Thatch blinked. Casper had turned into some sort of white, fluffy, deer-cat, thingy. At least, he was pretty sure this was Casper, it had his coloration, and the same hairstyle, even if it now looked like fur and not hair. The vampire very quietly backed out of the room, and into the hallway, quietly closing the dorm room behind him. After a moment of staring at the door, he decided he wasn't going to think about it too much. Ghosts likely did that all the time….Right?

ALL HAIL FLUFFY GRANDPA!