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Nick Burkhard sat down in his office chair in the precinct and gave his partner a pointed look, hoping that Hank would get the hint that he wasn't in the mood to talk about what had happened to make him ask for sleeping accommodation in the middle of the night.
So, his relationship with Adalind had failed. Maybe he wasn't meant to be together with a Hexenbiest. His reaction towards Juliette after she had turned Wesen had spoken volumes and should have been warning enough not to get involved with another one.
Nick smiled sadly at the memory of last evening which had destroyed his dreams of a family and a happy ever after.
It had been their 2nd anniversary and he had come home earlier to celebrate with his girlfriend to find her cooking a potion in the kitchen.
He had been so disgusted to see Adalind stir the boiling concoction with her rotten finger that he hadn't been able to kiss her on the cheek in greeting after she had turned back into her human form.
It wasn't the first time he had to hide his revulsion toward the Hexenbiest but the first time Adalind was calling him out on it.
She declared she couldn't stand his reaction any longer and that it was unfair of him to expect that she always hid her true nature just because her Wesen features made him feel nauseated.
So she had forced him to be honest with himself, asking if his feelings for her had ever been true or if he had only felt obligated to fall in love with the mother of his child to provide a stable home for his son.
They had talked for over an hour and both had to face a few unpleasant truths.
Nick had confessed that he had felt comfortable around Adalind as long as her Wesen power had been blocked but since that wasn't longer the case it wreaked havoc with his Grimm senses and made it difficult for him to relax in her presence.
Adalind had admitted that she had felt drawn to him because he was the first man who showed her kindness instead of using her for his pleasure or as a tool for his goals.
That wasn't exactly the ringing love declaration Nick had wanted to hear from the person he had planned to spend the rest of his life with.
In the end, it was quite easy to accept that they both had deluded themselves and had held this farce of a relationship up for much too long.
Especially after Adalind had returned in her Wesen form after rushing to the stove to finish the potion, having decided to stay this way for the rest of the conversation to make a point.
Coming face to face with Adalind's hideous Hexenbiest appearance Nick had recoiled from her and instinctively moved into a battle stance, his Grimm powers screaming at him to kill and maim the enemy.
Adalind had laughed quite nastily and then changed back to her human features, telling him that this should have proven that they were incompatible despite having a child together that should never have been created in the first place.
Nick had declared that he would take over full responsibility for his son, somehow afraid that Adalind as a single parent might follow the example of her mother in raising little Kelly, knowing there had been no love lost between them.
But Adalind had told him bluntly that being a mother had changed her for the better and that she loved her children dearly and never would give them up. Nevertheless, she wouldn't deny Nick access to his son if his official job and Grimm activities allowed him to take care of him.
The hint that he had little chance in court to get custody of his son as an unmarried police officer with irregular working times was quite obliviously.
Taking into account that Adalind was a clever lawyer who knew enough other clever lawyers who would gladly take over her case, Nick realized his endeavor was doomed from the start.
For a few seconds, a dark cloud concluded his mind and he had seriously considered killing Adalind on the spot there and then.
He still wasn't sure if it was pure coincidence that Diana showed up at this exact moment, returning from her playdate with the Wurstner children. But it had prevented him from making a terrible mistake.
Horrified by himself Nick had moved to the kitchen to take a swig of beer to calm his nerves whilst Adalind talked briefly with her daughter.
Afterward, Adalind told him that she would prepare the necessary papers for a co-parenting arrangement for Kelly and move out of the Fome in the next few days.
Nick was so relieved that he hadn't turned into a homicidal maniac in front of his son and that Adalind was so reasonable about shared custody that he'd smiled at her in thanks and briefly embraced her.
It might have been the first honest show of affection for Adalind in months and Adalind had accepted it for what it was: A genuine feeling of gratitude for the mother of his child.
Then Nick had left, knowing that he was in no state of mind to share a bed with the Hexenbiest, not even for another night, when he didn't want to end up killing her accidentally.
"Good morning," Wu greeted much too chipper for such an early hour. "It looks like we are off to a lazy day. No homicide, no assault, and not even a brawl last night. Must be the upcoming Thanksgiving. Although it's not likely it will last we..."
Nick sent him a glare that stopped Wu in mid-sentence.
"Whoa, are we grumpy today. Well, I can get a hint."
With irritation, Nick followed Wu with his eyes as he scuttled off to the Captain's office where Renard was standing with the new detective he had hired to replace Detective Hart who was on maternal leave.
He didn't understand himself anymore. How could he be so disgusted by Hexenbiests and still be fascinated by a Zauberbiest?
'Half-Zauberbiest,' Nick automatically corrected himself in his mind and laughed out loudly with such a bitter undertone that several officers gave him a worried look, and the computer tech preparing the desk for the new detective woged briefly into a Willahara.
Nick wished there was a murder to hunt to release his frustration, but currently, Wesen and Schlich-Kennen seemed to be on their best behavior.
Grimly he started to attack the stack of reports in his intray and snapped at everyone who dared to come close.
Until lunchtime, Nick had managed to antagonize most of his colleagues, including Wu and Hank who usually weren't fazed by Nick's mood swings.
After watching the Grimm's behavior from his office for hours Captain Renard finally deemed it necessary to intervene.
"Detective Burkhard, a word, please," the Captain said firmly and was surprised when Nick followed him into his office without protest.
"So what's going on? Adalind called me and asked me to take Diana in while she planned to go househunting. As you behave like a bear with a sore paw I assume you are not happy with Adalind's decision to look for a new house. But this is no reason to take it out on your friends and colleagues."
Renard waited patiently for any reaction, from a snarled insult to the admonishing to mind his own business to an affirmation that he would rather stay at the Foam than move back into a house in the suburbs.
All he got was a piercing look and silence.
"Officer Burkhard! Nick. Come on, talk to me."
Renard was at a loss. He had thought things went well between Nick and Adalind. Adalind's phone call hadn't suggested otherwise but something must have happened. Hadn't they had some sort of anniversary yesterday?
"Nick, what got you so upset? Maybe I can help."
That finally got a reaction out of the Grimm.
"Okay. Woge for me!"
"Pardon?"
"You want to help? Then woge for me."
For a moment, Renard almost lost his composure. His Wesen part was still a sore point for him. His whole life, his Royal family had ridiculed him for being a half Zauberbiest. He wouldn't allow one of his subordinates to make fun of him.
"I don't know what for a game you are playing, detective," Renard snarled. "We agreed to uphold a professional relationship at the precinct. This is not the place for..."
Suddenly Nick surged forward and barrelled Renard against the wall, mouth twisted in an angry snarl, eyes blazing; completely feral Grimm.
Startled Renard woged and tried to fight the murderous Grimm off.
"Yeah, this is it. Show me your ugly face."
Renard suppressed his Woge and angrily pushed the Grimm away, ready to throw a punch. But Nick caught Renard's fist before it could connect with his jaw and forced Renard's arm down with unbridled strength, proving that Renard was no match for a Grimm without his Wesen powers.
Renard considered woging again to have a chance of survival when he registered that Nick wasn't attacking him, he merely held him captured, his breath puffing fast against Renard's chin as if he had run 10 miles.
"What are you doing?" Renard asked quietly, as if afraid that a louder voice might trigger the Grimm's violence.
A mocking smile flittered over Nick's face before he answered softly.
"Just needing to test something."
"And for that, I have to be in a Woge?"
"It would help, yes."
Renard didn't understand what was going on with the Grimm but if Nick's ridiculous behavior would stop when he voluntarily woged for him then he had to take the chance.
Nick carefully inspected Renard's woged face from the almost blind eye to the disfigured mouth and shock his head in wonderment.
"Why are you so different from them?"
"From whom?" Renard asked hoarsely.
"Adalind and Juliette."
"Excuse me, I'm a Zauberbiest."
"I know that. But I shouldn't feel so... so... about them when your face doesn't bother me."
Nick hadn't voiced the words but Renard had a good inkling what he'd meant to say. A woged Hexenbiest could be a scary sight. But he had thought Nick was over that after a year with a Hexenbiest girlfriend.
"I'm just trying to understand it," Nick muttered.
"There's another difference," Renard pointed out softly. "I'm only half Wesen."
"Mmh, but your face looks worse than Adalind's."
"I know it's ugly," Renard hissed in annoyance.
Nick hummed noncomittally. "I have seen worse. Besides it gives you character."
Taken aback by Nick's response Renard's anger vanished and was replaced by incredulity.
"Character?" he croaked.
"Yes, it suits you. Makes you look more dangerous, which is kind of sexy."
Renard's heart stilted for a moment. No one had ever found his Zauberbiest face attractive.
It certainly was not something he had expected from a supposed hetero Grimm. Was Burkhardt standing under a spell or Zaubertrank?
"Nick, are you feeling well?"
"I've never been better. It seems I got it all wrong," Nick answered with a dreamy expression as he lifted his right index finger to trace the contours of Renard's lips slowly.
Renard didn't know how to react to the Grimm's strange and at the same time arousing reaction and tried to put distance between their bodies before the detective could feel which effect his touch had on him. But Nick pulled him back immediately.
"Your lips are so soft," he whispered, almost as if in a trance.
"I'm using propolis lip balm," Renard said inanly and blushed furiously. Nick's craziness must be catching.
To get back on safe ground he quickly asked: "What happened between you and Adalind?"
"Quite simple. We broke up. I can't stand her Hexenbiest face. She can't stand my attitude. I almost killed her yesterday."
"Really? Why?"
"Because I don't like Hexenbiests," Nick said with a shrug.
"What about Zauberbiests?"
Instead of answering the complicated question Nick rose on his toes and pressed his lips against Renard's disfigured mouth.
The effect on Renard was immediate. He felt suddenly lightheaded as all his blood headed south.
"Oh yeah, I like how much bigger you do get woged," Nick groaned against Renard's lips and rubbed his crotch aroused against Renard's fabric-covered erection.
With a snarl, Renard gripped Nick's ass and thrust his tongue into his mouth, a wave of desire rushing through him as he tasted the Grimm's unique flavor for the first time, wondering if Nick's cum would taste just so good.
Nick's hands had found Renard's zipper and was working on pulling the Zauberbiest's long hard cock out. Pure unadulterated lust consumed Renard as Nick started to stroke him skillfully and he returned the favor with vigor.
Both men kissed and groped each other fervently, completely forgetting their surroundings as they strived for completion. It was as if a lifetime of yearning was about to be fulfilled.
Nick came with a husky growl, followed by Renard's silent orgasm.
Wide-eyed Nick looked at Renard's human face as he came down from his climax, trying to comprehend what had just happened.
Noting his state of undress he quickly put his cock back into his pants whilst Renard cleaned his hand of Nick's cum with his tongue with obvious enthusiasm.
For a moment Nick stared in shock at the white liquid covering his own fingers before taking a tentative lick. When his hand was clean he bolted out of the room.
On Monday morning Nick was nursing a headache after he got drunk as fuck over the weekend.
He had ignored all of the Captain's calls, knowing he had come to terms with his conflicting feelings before he could face him again. His behavior on Friday at the precinct had been a clear indicator that he was out of control.
Instead of going to work he had called in sick, muttering something about needing a break for a few days before calling Monroe and asking for a heart-to-heart talk on Saturday.
That gave him five days to clear his head and find out what to do about his desire for his boss and his weird kink for the man's Woge.
"I sort of like him."
"Sean Renard? Really?"
"Yes, I really, really like him."
Monroe rolled his eyes at Nick's teenage statement.
"Do you mean you are interested in him physically?" Monroe tried to clarify.
Although he wasn't into men he could concede that Sean Renard was a right hunk who radiated power and confidence, something that might have appeal to a Grimm.
"It's far more than that. There is a connection between us that I never felt with anyone else. I don't even mind that he's a Zauberbiest. Half-Zauberbiest. Royal. Whatever. His body is still sexy when woged. And the effect the Woge has on certain body parts is impressive. Not that he has to worry about that normally, but still..."
Nick trailed off embarrassed. He certainly hadn't planned to reveal how mouthwatering sexy he'd found Renard's woged cock. He'd had to wank off several times when he'd impersonated Renard, aroused by the sight of the overly large genitals between his legs.
Monroe wondered briefly how Nick had gotten to know that bit of intimate information before he remembered that Nick had switched to Renard via Verfluchte Zwillingsschwester and had learned all those private details that usually only the owner of the body and his significant other were aware of.
'Well, at least that cleared up an age-long debate if Zauberbiests were as well hung as was rumored,' Monroe thought with a bit of envy.
But Nick's words about a connection gave the Blutbad cause to anxiety. He certainly hadn't expected that his Grimm friend would fall for a Zauberbiest after he had rejected the female equivalents of the most dreaded kind of Wesen in the Wesen world twice.
Maybe it was a temporary side effect of using the Verfluchte Zwillingsschwester. Nick couldn't have forgiven and forgotten Renard's treachery so suddenly.
The Black Claw matter had proven that Sean Renard couldn't be trusted. He was a slippery viper who would kill them all without remorse to reach his goals. Nick had to remember that.
Monroe was about to tell him off before realizing that such a course of action might rouse the Grimm's stubbornness and drive him right into the arms of the royal bastard.
No, he had to find a more subtle way of keeping his friend away from the dangerous Wesen-Royal until the Zaubertrank's side effects had subsided. Although he would hate to lie and lead Nick astray it would only be for Nick's own good.
"Nick, there is something you should know before you start to act on your feelings. Renard isn't just a mere Wesen, he is a Prince. He has to be courted and there are all kinds of rules you have to follow. Also courting gifts are required and fitting ones are hard to get by. Hard to stomach too. I think I have a whole book about it in my attic."
After Nick had skimmed through the old tattered book he eyed Monroe suspiciously.
"Seriously? An interesting party is expected to follow these rules to approach a prince? I'm not even sure if we would be a good match or if he would be interested in a relationship with me at all."
Monroe was a bit shocked that Nick was not simply grossed out by the bloodthirsty character of most of the courting procedures but considering how many Wesen Nick had to kill lately in his line of work as Grimm his equanimity was understandable and nothing to worry about.
It wasn't as if a Blutbad could be judgemental. In his youth, Monroe had killed more Bauernschweine in a month as he could count on two hands.
So if Nick didn't think the courting offerings were too ferociously he had to play on the uncertainties Nick had just revealed.
"That's the thing with Royals, Nick. You have to be sure about it. There is no fooling around with them. When you start courting and the courtship gifts get accepted it means marriage for life. Only death can part you and all that. Separation from a Royal is simply not done. You would be hunted by every traditional Wesen for disgracing a Royal. And there are still a lot of them. It has been like this in the Wesen world for centuries. So you should ask yourself seriously if your light infatuation with your boss is worth all the trouble."
"Okay, I understand," Nick had muttered disheartened and left.
Monroe was sure he had discouraged Nick from pursuing his interest in his Captain effectively, failing to notice that Nick had taken The Book Of Royal Courting Rituals with him.
Weeks passed and Nick seemed to have gotten past his infatuation with his Captain. His mood had brightened, he joked around with his colleagues, took Kelly out for a stroll in the park, and followed Monroe's and Rosalie's invitation to dinner on Saturday evenings.
In Captain Renard's presence, he conducted himself as a dutiful well-behaved officer. Only the small whistful smile he sent Renard now and then gave away that he still harbored feelings for his superior.
Renard was not sure what he should make of this. But as Burkhardt behaved as when their quick encounter hadn't happened he followed suit. The next rogue Wesen and problems with his family were just around the corner. He had other things to worry about than a confusing Grimm.
Nick's discreet act ensured that no one noticed that he was much less around than he used to be, his friend thinking it had to do with his extra-professional activities as a Grimm and that he spent more time with his son.
But secretly Nick prepared everything for the big moment that hopefully would ensure the happily ever after he was dreaming of since he had kissed his dream Prince.
It was a sunny day in late November, over a year later when the Grimm dared to make his intentions known to Prince Sean Renard.
He parked his car and rang the bell of Renard's house. As the Prince opened the door Nick gracefully went down onto a knee, lowered his head submissively, and said the words he had practiced until he could say them without grinning.
"I, Nicholas Burkhard, Decapitare by the grace of God, humbly ask to be allowed to court you to prove my honest intentions. Your enemies shall be my enemies. I will protect you with my sword and body to show you I'm worthy to reside at your side as your paladin, confidante, and spouse."
Renard blinked, taken aback by Nick's behavior.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I, Nicholas Burkhard, Decapitare by the grace of God, humbly ask...
"Yeah. I got that the first time," Renard interrupted Nick as he recited his speech and quickly ushered him into his house before the neighbors could pick up on the strange happenings at his front door.
"Okay, Nick. Although I feel flattered I'm perplexed why you would use such an archaic approach."
"The book said so," Nick responded defiantly.
"Which book?"
"The Book Of Royal Courting Rituals."
"I see. And who told you about that nonsense?
"Monroe. He said I have to do it the right way and have to be absolutely sure of my choice. Then he gave me that book."
When Renard had finally gotten all the details about Monroe and the book out of Nick he said almost gently:
"Nick, I'm not sure about Monroe's motives but he had you on. Nowadays there are no rules that forbid approaching a Royal commonly. You could have simply asked me out if you were interested. I thought you had given up on that idea."
"Oh," Nick responded crestfallen, and hung his head in shame for his gullibility.
Nick's reaction made Renard suspicious and he chose his words very carefully to find out how far Nick had taken the courting concept.
"Tell me, please, if you have done anything mentioned in that book. It has been outdated for over five centuries."
Nick grimaced and wondered where he quickly could dump the three silver gift boxes currently lying in his trunk.
He was about to lie to save face before his intended but Renard seemed to know him better than anyone else.
"What did you choose? Show me!" he ordered, his voice tinged with curiosity rather than with horror that Nick might have done something gory.
Renard's eyes widened as Nick presented all three gift boxes to him.
"You don't do things by half, do you?" Then he tore the gift papers of the boxes apart like an excited little kid at Christmas.
When he opened the lid of the first gift Renard looked bewildered at the grey-black fabric inside, but after taking a careful sniff in his woged form Renard seemed to know exactly what the baby blanket was made of.
"How many Hundjäger did you have to clip for it?" he asked, a bit of amusement in his voice.
"Fifteen. Originally it was twelve but I had a bit of trouble with the hand yarning and then messed up my first weaving attempt."
That he had gone to the trouble to yarn the thread and weave the blanket himself seemed to make Renard appreciate the gift even more when the way his eyes lit up was any indication.
Well, it wasn't as if Nick could ask much around to find someone else to weave a blanket out of a mountain of Hundjäger hair.
Besides a side note in the book hinted that the more work a suitor put into the making of the starting courting gift the more it would prove his commitment and a baby blanket was supposed to be a good choice if the elected Royal was widowed and already had children. The blanket symbolized that the suitor was willing to extend his love and protection to the existing offspring.
"I imagine it wasn't easy to come by such scarce materials. Are they still alive?"
Nick shook his head. "The book stated not to use the hair of living Wesen because it might shrink. I had to make a huge patch of that solution that keeps them in Wesen form after their death."
"So, what did they do to make you choose them as the supplier for your initial courting gift?"
"They existed," Nick said simply.
It was the naked honest truth. Seeing the barred teeth of the woged Hundjäger had ignited a killing spree in him he had not bothered to suppress any longer.
Just killing because he wanted to kill had felt so liberating. It was the first time Nick had embraced his Grimm heritage without feeling he was committing murder.
He had slayed six Hundjäger before he'd realized that he needed them woged and had just wasted six good material sources.
"I see," Renard responded without censor but in a lightly clipped voice.
Nick looked puzzled for a moment before he remembered that the first gift should not only be about the suitor but also have meaning for the courted Royal.
Quickly he added: "Eight of them were older Verrat members who were involved in chasing you and your mother. The ones who escaped your vengeance and felt safe in retirement."
Nick's declaration pleased Renard immensely. No one had ever done something so noble for him. Warm spread through his heart and he felt almost giddy.
Hearing that Nick had taken care of his former foes made Renard feel safe in a way he had missed out on since an early age. It also awoke his yearning for the protector and kindred spirit he had once wished to find but had given up hope a long time ago.
"Fifteen Hundjäger," Renard breathed with a creepy smile, that made Nick's heart speed up.
"And a few accidental fatalities."
It had taken him months of research and breaking a lot of laws along the way to find the culprits who had tried to kill the 13-year-old boy and his mother back then by order of Lady Kronenberg, but in the end, it had been worth all the effort to see Renard so happy.
"Thank you," Renard whispered emotionally and that would have been reward enough for Nick.
But to Nick's delight Renard showed that he was well acquainted with the archaic courting rules and after clearing his throat said the required words of acceptance: "Your gift is greatly appreciated."
It was a good start that Renard knew to value the efficient handiwork of a vicious Grimm. Nick didn't plan to hide his newfound freedom in the future.
Now he only could hope and pray that Renard would be pleased by the other offerings too.
Renard took the exquisitely carved bone spoon gently out of the box and tried to make out the Latin inscription Nick had cut in carefully.
"Tuum in aeternum," Renard read loudly. "Really Nick? Do you want to bind yourself to me for the rest of your life?"
"It's made of the leg bone of the Reaper leader," Nick professed with a light blush. "I took offense on your behalf when he sent his cronies to take you out of the way. He was a bit unwilling to contribute to your gift but he will live."
Renard's answer was most delightful.
"Good, we might need another one," he said with nonchalance as if it was perfectly normal to cripple an enemy for a courting present.
Nick's heart soared to the sky. Whenever there had been any doubt if Renard was the person he wanted to spend his life with it had evaporated the moment Renard said that he not just appreciated the second gift but also felt honored by Nick's creativity.
But there was still the matter of the last courting offering. It was the most personal of the gifts and Nick was still unsure if Renard would understand the significance.
It was usually meant to be given at the end of the courtship when both parties were already strongly committed and knew each other well. But Nick hadn't had the patience to wait another year and had vastly accelerated the process by presenting all gifts at once.
If his hunch about what Renard might like was wrong it might easily result in an arrest for mass murder.
With burning eyes, the Grimm watched as Renard took a deep breath before opening the largest of the boxes.
The severed head of Victor Chlodwig zu Schellendorf von Konigsburg was in perfect condition, as were the seven pairs of hands of the remaining Kronenburgs with claim to the throne besides Sean and Diana that were draped around the head.
Nick had carefully labeled the hands in medieval-style letters so Renard would be aware of which family members they had belonged to.
"Oh my God."
Sean Renard sunk to his knees, completely overwhelmed.
Anxiously Nick tried to gauge what Renard was thinking of his last gift.
The emotion playing over Renard's face didn't show disgust. But had his efforts been enough to convince the Prince to accept the third courting gift in the traditional way and with it his marriage proposal? Nick knew he wouldn't go for anything less now.
"You did all that for me?" Renard finally asked brokenly as if Nick had handed him the world on a platter and picked the stars from the sky for him.
"Only for you, Sean" Nick whispered softly, a tinge of delight flittering over his face at the realization that he had truly found his perfect mate, a man he would never have to hide the facets of his darker personality to.
He could be a steadfast homicide detective, a ruthless killer, a protector, a loving parent, a mean brute and torturer, a dutiful Grimm, a cold-blooded murderer, a gentle lover, and he would be appreciated for every one of his character traits.
Without the historical courting book he would never have had the courage to show his true self to Renard. He did owe Monroe a great deal for that.
When he was swept into an embrace by his Prince, followed by an intoxicating kiss, Nick Burkhardt thought smugly that despite the book might be outdated he luckily had found a Royal who still knew to appreciate the old gory medieval courting rituals.
He couldn't wait to see in which way Renard would reward him for his efforts. And there was also the matter of the engagement ceremony to discuss.
Although the book hadn't been very detailed on this topic the mention of celebrating their union by bathing in blood in honor of his Blutbad friend who unintentionally had helped bring them together sounded quite appealing. Fortunately, he still had a few gallons of blood saved from his last Grimm excursion.