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Time
“Grima, it’s almost three o’clock!” Chrom exclaims. “In the morning! Don’t tell me you’ve been patrolling all night…”
“I-I just figured— It’s none of your business, worm!” Grima crosses his arms. “And what are you doing roaming the castle at this hour?”
“O-Oh, er, well… I guess I lost track of time…”
Grima says nothing, but stares at Chrom expectantly.
“Gods, how do you do that? Alright, fine…” Chrom sighs. “I haven’t been able to sleep. I thought a walk might be enough to clear my thoughts, but… It hasn’t worked so far.”
Grima hums.
“Join me on patrol, then.”
Ally
“You do realize I never expected you to do this every night…”
“You do it every night,” Chrom says. “I’d be a pretty bad ally if I let you work alone… And I don’t—how do you put it?—‘long for death,’ you know.”
“You have a lot of nerve to tease the fell dragon.”
But in truth, he’s teasing too, because it’s important to exercise one’s wit every now and then.
“Just making sure you’re awake.” Chrom pats Grima on the back. “Come on, let’s get to work.”
He heads forward, and Grima follows, not once averting his gaze.
Ruin
“Er, Grima… You’d tell me if something was wrong, right?” Chrom asks halfway through their patrol. “It’s just… You’ve been so quiet the past few days. It’s not like you.”
“Yes, I’m sure you really…” Grima swallows. “Miss my dulcet tones.”
So maybe his wit is getting slightly dull. Chrom’s right; he has been keeping quieter than usual.
“Grima…”
“You don’t have to keep patrolling if it bothers you so much!” Grima snaps.
“Hey… I wouldn’t go that far,” Chrom says.
“Well… good,” Grima mutters. “You’re a decent partner.”
Which is why he doesn’t want to ruin what they have.
Fate
“Is it something I’ve done?”
“For the fifth day in a row, Chrom, no.”
“Because I’d like to set things right—”
“Fine! Fine, you really want to know?” Grima snarls. “I’m trying to keep you from despising me!”
“You think I’d despise you? After all the time we’ve spent together?”
“Yes. Because…”
Because it’s fate for everyone Grima cares about to turn against him. It happens time and time again… Grima’s fond feelings are never returned.
“I am despair,” Grima says. “Don’t pretend you could like the fell dragon at his worst.”
“So… That’s why you’re holding back…” Chrom murmurs.
Memories
“Why do you keep showing up?” Grima asks. “You must know what I’m talking about. You haven’t lost your memories!”
“Grima… I did fight you at your worst, but…” Chrom steps closer. “You don’t remind me much of that. You remind me of some of my best memories.”
“And what are those?”
“Fighting side by side…” Chrom wraps his arm around Grima’s shoulders. “Holding you close, talking all night…”
Grima can’t stand it anymore. This goes beyond teasing.
“And having your back pressed against the wall?” he growls, demonstrating.
“N-No…” Chrom’s eyes widen. “But… I’m all for making new memories.”