Author Note: The season finale was so good. Only one more chapter after this one, so stay tuned!
The previous week felt like it crawled by. Between asking one of her classmates to Grom, hearing about Mittens becoming the Grom queen, Luz deciding to take her place, and coping with still being grounded, Emira could not stand the long wait for the event to come. She had even picked out the perfect dress, one that brought out the color of her eyes.
This day, the last one before Grom and freedom, felt like the slowest of them all. School had gone by at a snail's pace, with the afternoon being more of the same.
Emira found herself wandering the house, as she often did, looking for something to do. Ed was spending his last day of confinement in his room, admiring his Grom attire in the mirror and trying to get his hair just right. He had chosen the same color as her, which she couldn't blame him for since they both looked great in it. Emira felt like she had already done enough of that and really needed something else to occupy her time.
One thing Emira tried was looking at the books in one of the side rooms, trying to find one that would hold her interest for more than five seconds. None were up to the task, so she quickly left to walk the halls once again.
As she passed by one of the back windows, she stopped to look out at the back yard. The trees and grass were the same as they always were, and a few sparse clouds could be seen in the sky. Freedom was so close, only one day away.
In the shade of the closest tree, where Emira had trained with Mittens just a couple weeks before, she could see a bright splash of bright green near the ground. It looked like Mittens was sitting by herself near the tree, all the way out in the field.
Why was she out there, Emira wondered, immediately curious about her sister.
Emira glanced to her left, then her right. Nobody else was in the hallway with her. She quickly snapped open the latch that kept the window shut, pulling it open as far as she could. It was a small opening, but she'd been out this window before so she was sure to fit. The first floor windows had runes on them to keep the twins from going out them, but Emira had learned a spell specifically to counteract them.
Indeed, after a spin of her finger Emira was able to squeeze her body through the small space. She even landed on her feet when she reached the outside, though it was more of a crouch than a proper landing.
Emira reached back inside to close the window, leaving it at a crack so she could enter through it later. Better through the window than the door. She then walked out towards the tree, getting a better view of Mittens.
Mittens hadn't moved in the time that Emira made her escape. She was leaning against the tree, both legs straight in front of her. Her head was tilted back, placed against the bark, as she stared out across the field with unfocused eyes.
Something was clearly bothering her; Emira wondered what it could be. Was her Gromposal rejected? Or perhaps it had to do with the Grom battle she almost had to fight. It also could be something completely unrelated to Grom, maybe with her friends? Emira really needed to start work on inventing a mind reading spell.
"Mind if I join you?" Emira asked as she reached the shade of the tree.
Mittens didn't even turn her head as she responded flatly. "Go ahead."
Not exactly a warm welcome, but Emira wouldn't turn it down. She sat on the ground in front of Mittens, scrutinizing her sister even more closely than before. Her expression looked empty, like she had cleared her head of all thoughts. Knowing Mittens, it was probably the opposite.
"What are you thinking about?" Emira crossed her legs as she asked, getting comfortable on the grass.
This question drew Mittens' eyes to her as she lifted her head off the tree, focusing her attention slightly. "Grom." She gave a vague one word response.
Emira wanted to ask if Mittens had given her Gromposal to her crush yet, but Mittens had never admitted to wanting to ask someone. This meant that the question would certainly be unwelcome.
"What about Grom?" Emira settled on that, trying to get more details.
"Just," Mittens sighed, returning the back of her head to the bark, "Everything."
That wasn't terribly helpful. "Did you ask someone to Grom?" If she wasn't going to go in depth, Emira might as well get at the heart of it.
Mittens' cheeks flushed pink at the question, finally bringing a different expression to her face as she leaned forward. "N-no, of course not." That stutter said a different tale.
"Did someone ask you?" It was possible, Emira thought, a classmate could've approached her.
Somehow Mittens' blush was darker than before. "No!" She shook her head vehemently. "That's not it at all." She waved both hands in front of her body in a dismissive motion.
Hmm, so she hadn't asked anyone or been asked in return. Emira was pretty sure Mittens wanted to ask Luz to Grom, but it sounded like she hadn't done it. If she had done it, maybe she was lying about it? Emira didn't think that was very likely.
"I just," Mittens lifted her knees to rest her arms on, drawing Emira's attention out of her thoughts. The words came slowly, as if she was considering each one. "You'll keep this a secret, won't you?" Emira wondered, not for the first time, if Mittens could see through to her soul with those wide golden eyes.
"Of course." Emira agreed without hesitation. She wasn't the best at keeping secrets, especially from Ed, but she could do it if she had to.
This seem to be enough for Mittens, and her expression softened as she continued. "I'm worried about the Grom fight." So, it was the fight, after all.
"I heard Luz is fighting it?" That was what the other students were saying.
Mittens nodded. "Yes, she offered to take my place." Emira knew Luz was a good human, and that knowledge was solidified by learning this detail. "She's not ready though, she has no idea what Grom is like."
"She's brave, I'm sure she can fight it off." Emira remembered the glyphs Luz used to fight up at The Knee. She was capable of defending herself. Besides, Grom could transform into a witches worst fear but it wasn't very physically strong.
Mittens still looked concerned, her brow furrowed. "I hope so." She looked down at her arms. "What if she can't though? It was supposed to be my job, my responsibility. She only offered because I can't face my fears. I don't know what I'd do if…" Mittens trailed off, her voice fading into silence.
Emira wanted to go hug Mittens, she looked like she needed one, but she wasn't sure how it would be received. "It'll be okay." She said, hoping that she sounded convincing. "Has she been training for the battle?"
"No, but I'm going to the Owl House tomorrow to help her." Mittens said with a grimace. There was barely any time left to get Luz ready.
In response to that, Emira had an idea.
"How about Ed and I come and help?" She offered with a grin.
Mittens looked thoughtful. "You don't have plans tomorrow?" She asked, forehead furrowing slightly.
What plans? Other than Grom and enjoying the taste of freedom, Emira didn't have any plans. "Nope, why?"
"Your grounding ends tomorrow doesn't it?" Mittens looked at her fingers, moving them as if counting something. "Yeah I have the right day." She settled on it with a nod. "I thought you'd have plans, once you're free. I didn't think you'd want to spend that time with me." Mittens said it bluntly, so matter of fact, like someone who expected rejection. It stung, this reminder of where they once were. At one point it would've been true, the old Emira probably would've agreed with Mittens, but not anymore.
"Even if I did have plans, helping you is more important." Emira said clearly, with a smile. "I want to go."
This brought a hint of a smile to Mittens' face, the first since Emira had sat down with her. "Thank you." She said, thanking Emira for the second time that week. "Your illusion magic will be great for helping Luz train."
"She can literally practice fighting her fears." This should work to help Luz get ready. It wouldn't alleviate Mittens' concern, especially about the physical danger, but it would help. "Ed'll come too, I'll make sure of it."
"I appreciate it a lot." Mittens said, with the flush returning to her cheeks a moment later. "I mean, I'm sure Luz will."
"We'll get her ready for sure." Emira nodded firmly, already wondering what kinds of things Luz was afraid of. This could be fun.
The next day, all three Blight siblings would head to the Owl House to find out.