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Nightmares.
[f/n] had always been plagued by them.
It was the same—
A man, whom they served and loved wholly, died.
He was tied to a curse to be consumed by his kin to keep the Nightmare’s heart alive. And they knew that.
And they still loved him, continuing to love him long after he died— after his kin died.
They loved him until they died.
They lay in bed beside their lover, Grimm. Their heart racing, staring at his sleeping form.
The dream had become clearer since he came into their life, throwing everything they thought they knew into the air. His existence was a high they thought they would never experience again .
A phantom feeling was all they knew before him.
His love drove them into the waters of bliss, drowning them with the devotion he put into his every action.
The man in their dreams, the one who’d battle that… vessel with the nail, bore the same face, same name, and same behavior as their lover.
His scarlet eyes burned just as bright as they did in their childhood nightmares.
Grimm confessed a long while ago, and they had been living together for almost two years. Every step of the way, he went out of his way to make sure they knew his heart was theirs and theirs alone.
[f/n] hoped, after all this love he had shown them, that it would stop the dreams of curses.
But it didn’t. They still witnessed his flame consumed by his kin.
When he woke to their crying, he would hold them close, not once asking about the terrors they dreamt of, letting them tell him only what they wanted to—whispering sweet nothings and praises of their strength. On nights when the [bug] woke him, when they weren’t so troubled, he would try to coax it out, the secret they held tightly to their chest.
[f/n] knew, looking into those familiar eyes, he wanted to know what brought the tears, what caused them most nights.
Sighing, their hand found its way to his arm, and they closed their eyes.
Sleep was what they needed.
They lay down once more beside their lover.
It was necessary, a long day of work was ahead, and sleep was something they valued greatly.
“Are you alright, darling?”
[f/n] jumped at his sleepy voice, his scarlet eyes staring at their face, unfocused and tired.
They smile softly, “Yes, my love, I’m going back to sleep,”
His hand slid under their arm, pressing his claw into the small of their back, blinking, “You do not sound alright,” He hesitated. They noticed him examine their face, “Have you been crying?”
Without letting them respond, he sits up, leaning over them with concern, “Was it a night terror? Darling, you know you can wake me,”
Their face was wet, and they sniffled.
They had been crying.
[f/n] laughed lightly, “I didn’t realize I was sorry,”
“Do not apologize for your tears,” he shook his head at them, carefully wiping tears away, “What kind of partner would I be to not care for my lover when they are in need?”
“I’m okay,” They grab his wrists, their eyes softening as they smile at him, “I didn’t realize I was even crying. I’m fine, let's just sleep,”
Grimm studied them, searching for a lie.
Sighing, he presses his forehead against theirs, “I do wish you would tell me what causes your tears,”
They frown, closing their eyes, leaning into him,
“One day, love, I promise,”
“I will hold you to it, dearest,”
The rain against the window was quiet and light; they listened to the beating of their heart.
They loved moments like this, where Grimm’s theatrical nature is calmed, bringing forth a gentle lover.
Their lover pulls away, “You should drink some water,” His voice is just as quiet as the rain, his claws grabbing the glass from the nightstand.
They take it from him, sipping.
He helps them settle into bed once more, brushing his hand against their cheek and rubbing his head against theirs.
Tucking them into his arms, it was clear he was trying to chase the nightmares away.
Eyes closed once more. The pair tries to sleep.
[f/n] couldn’t, though.
Their mind repeating events that never happened. At least not in this life.
Breaking from the circling, they wonder if there are other universes where they love each other just as much as they do here.
If it doesn’t make it in a past life, and it does in this one, are there any others where they end up as happy? Just [f/n] and Grimm, happy until their deaths— happy even beyond death?
“Do you think we would still be together in an alternative universe?” they whisper, shifting to look up at him.
He sighs, opening an eye, “Darling,”
They giggle, “I’m being serious,”
“We must sleep. Can this not wait until the morning?”
They roll their eyes, closing their eyes again.
A moment passes,
“What if… what if we have already gotten married,”
“Please sleep, my love,”
“Okay,” they pause, “I love you,”
“And I you,”