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The crackling of the fireplace was calming to them.
It shouldn’t have been surprised that this room had changed, ages have passed since they had been here. A lot of things had changed in their absence; the smell of the air, the tidiness of the pathways, the style of writing. Things that were taken from Hollow, but something they are glad to see in their later years.
Grimm’s living space had gotten bigger, something that should be impossible considering the outside of it being so small. There were two more curtains that act as doorways. With no desk in sight and knowing about Grimm’s son, it was fair to assume that at least one of those rooms was meant for the child. Pillows they recognized had faded with time, books with strange bindings were on the shelves, trinkets from far away lands, and of newer inventions. Even with all of these newer things, there was one thing that remained.
They sat on the floor, keeping themselves as condense as they can to not take up even more space. It was a natural progression, looking from the fire to the mantle. Bundles of various plants sat on top of it, all colorful and dark. Some plants were drier than others, showing the age of the collection. As their eye observed it their stare landed on something familiar.
A small and bright pale flower displaying proudly in the middle of the mantle.
After all of this time… he kept it.
A small clunk made Hollow turn to look, a cup of a dark liquid was sitting on the floor table. Their stare follow the hand that was retracting and landing on his face.
“Appreciating something, my friend?”
Yes
Grimm had changed as well that was for certain; there were hints of age and fatigue surrounding his striking eyes, he held himself with the grace of an older bug and who had seen far too much of the worst of the world. Yet, that smug smile remained the same as it did the first time Hollow saw him.
‘ Many things,’ they signed, ‘ especially now I’m able to.’
That smile remained, but it became warmer. A familiar tightness held again their chest as they watch the other bug take a seat to the side of them. “Lots of things to appreciate, yes.”
They watched him settle, trying to think of anything to say. Luckily they didn’t have to have the first word.
“How is my son and the little one getting along?” Grimm folded his hands before holding his chin with them, “Any adventures I need to be caught up with?”
Hollow huffed a laughed, ‘Many. Far too many to count.’
“Little troublemakers they are,” he laughed while shaking his head, “can’t say I’m surprised. For their efforts, they certainly should reward themselves with some trouble.”
‘Tiso hasn’t forgiven them yet,’ Grimm gave them a questioning look, ‘They… beat him in a scrimmage when Qurriel was there.’
“Ah, young love.”
‘Qurriel and Tiso are around our age-’
Grimm shushed them, “Still. New and budding. Their love is on the verge of blossoming, even though the both of them are too stubborn to consider it.”
Hollow rolled their eyes, ‘Still a poet’.
“Oh, you miss it.”
‘I did.’ Hollow replied impulsively, not really thinking about their words. Their newfound freedom has, unfortunately, lead them to sign before thinking. Grimm looked at them with wide eyes, his eyes twinkling in the firelight, Hollow felt guilt settling inside of them.
Grimm sighed, “I missed you too, Hollow.”
The way he says their name sent a shiver down their spine, they always liked their name in itself but having the other bug say it must make it their favorite sound, ‘I’m sorry.’
“There was nothing to apologize for,” Grimm made direct eye contact with them, “it wasn’t your choice.”
They fell in silence, the only sound being the crackling fire. So many thoughts and feelings swirled inside of Hollow, nothing made sense and they couldn’t string a thought together. There was just one desire, one thing they have been wanting to do ever since they got that hope that Grimm was alive. A desire that kept them alive when they had nothing left but a screaming god in their being.
They opened their hand, hesitated, and then signed slowly, ‘Can I touch you?’
Grimm looked at them, hands folded over where his mouth would be. Hollow’s heart raced in anticipation. Then his shoulders slacked with a sigh, a smile on his face.
“Yes.”
Their chest was filled with warmth and they let out a breath they didn’t know they were holding. They were slow, leaning a bit closer to Grimm not but close enough to trap him. Reaching out their hand, they placed their scarred and calloused hand on top of Grimm’s cheek.
It was warm, like the hearth in front of them. He let out another sigh and closed his eyes as he relaxed into their palm, humming a bit when he did. Grimm leaned closer and Hollow let their hand follow him. First, he nuzzled their hand, and then slowly he closed the gap between them to put their foreheads together.
“Lot’s of things to catch up on.” Grimm’s voice was quiet, all they can do is just stared at him. Grimm opened one of his eyes to stare at Hollow, their heart was warm and full as they continued to admire him. “You owe me another dance.”