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Soft.
Grimm never expected the world to be that way, while quiet moments and calm do happen he never thought he could think of the world as anything but dark. Vast and cold with only small hints of flame to lead the path to something that is needed for survival, for a hint of warmth and light in the world filled by darkness.
Even if there is light, that doesn’t mean safety. Stabbing and sharp pain, especially from someone who is related to his bloodline. She was a sister to the Nightmare Heart bloodline, a relative. Grimm had never met Her, and from what Hollow had gone through he hoped he never will.
Still, it was an interesting thing to note. The cold wind from outside only stopped at the entrance of Grimm’s own tent. It was quiet with only the crackling of the fire inside and Hollow’s breath in slumber.
Hollow knows they are no longer in need of an excuse, but they did have one anyways.
‘The smell’ They had signed to him, Grimm’s back against their chest, ‘like a bloated corpse.’
Apparently, Ghost, Pan, and Hornet had made her rancid concoction as a sort of snack. All of them seem to be enjoying themselves, but Hollow with the only sense of taste due to their upbringing had to excuse themself.
Grimm never saw one born from Void gain a sickness, but Hollow was very close to giving him such a performance.
Luckily, Grimm has always smelt of ash. Something that Hollow had grown fonder with each passing visit.
It wasn’t long in the tent that Hollow fell into a dreamless sleep, placing their chin on top of Grimm’s head and purred from time to time. Grimm himself was threading red lines of silk into ribbons for a much bigger project. Hollow’s arm wrapped entirely around his thin frame, barely disturbed by any noise or position that Grimm makes, only simply adjusts.
Its funny to think Hollow as anything but soft now, there was a time that Grimm only saw them as cold and rigid. A statue made entirely from Pale Ore. Yet now, under firelight, Hollow has become soft and warm. One that only filled Grimm’s own heart as they rest.
There was a rustle coming from the tent, Grimm stopped his threading to look towards it. Hornet stood there, glancing over the two of them. She inspected Hollow for far longer, the tension only leaving her shoulders as she saw the restful state they were in. Then her attention went to Grimm.
“If you hurt them…” She raised the needle that was in her hands, the message was clear.
Grimm nodded, then he took a deep breath. “We’ve been given another life, I vow never to never take this chance for granted.”
Hornet stared for a moment, then two. She lowered her needle. “They had mentioned that.”
“Hm?”
“That you met prior,” She put her needle to her back, “before I can ask they already set for your tent.”
Grimm chuckled, placing the ribbons on his lap.
“How close were you two?” Hornet tilted her head.
Grimm shook his head, “Generous to say ‘close’. We were always dancing around each other.” Hollow moved slightly in their sleep, Grimm placed his hand on top of theirs. As he threads them together Hollow stilled, “Something I suggest you stop doing yourself.”
Hornet looked at him with confusion, Grimm chuckled again, “You and that Lace girl.”
She flinched and looked aghast. There was sputtering from her, then some hissing noises. After witnessing her face turn red, Hornet stopped away while flipping off Grimm. Obviously not able to give a better comeback as well as not being able to throw her Needle at Grimm.
As she left his view Grimm chuckled again, trying to pull his hand away from Hollow’s. It didn’t work, Hollow has his hand in a grip that was firm but soft. With a sigh, he leaned farther into Hollow’s back. The threading will have to be finished at another time, then. It was worth putting it off for the future to be embraced by his lover.