Nightmares ~[Grimm X Reader]~

~ Chapter 11: New Deal ~

Everyone: "Oh shit, we're gonna die... Grimm is on thin ice... *more panicking*"

My crackhead ass at 11:30 pm on a school night writing the last part to the previous chapter: "MEET HIM INSIDE! MEET HIM INSIDE! MEET HIM INSIDE! MEET HIM (MEET HIM) INSIDE!" -Meet me Inside from Hamilton

Just a quick insight into my brain while I type this shit, along with some art I did in Latin class. Okay, onto the chapter I guess. Woo!

To say your heart was beating fast would be an understatement. It was pounding in your chest, almost close to exploding. Grimmy rested himself on your shoulders, doing his best to comfort you. You didn't think Grimm would harm you in any way, that would be completely out of his character but just the thought of having to stand up to him alone made your stomach twist in knots. Ironically you still had the rose he passed you in his battle with Ghost, twirling it in your hand in a fidgety manner. You had left Ghost alone on the bench only bringing Grimmy with you who refused to leave your side anyway.

The Grimmkin didn't lead you to the main arena where Grimm last was, but brought you somewhere else. Someplace that was deeper in the tent, which didn't help your anxiousness for the confrontation. At some point, the walls ceased looking like that of a circus tent and more like the walls of a real building. They were a deeper darker red now and looked like they were made of stone or brick. It gave everything a cold and more ominous feeling, and to think before that you thought this place was smaller from the outside. You never expected it to go this far...

Once coming to a large paneled wooden door, you looked to the Grimmkin with fear not expecting this to go farther out of hand than expected.

"Master Grimm is inside waiting for you, we are not allowed to enter his chambers so good luck to you. He did not seem in a good mood..." the Grimmkin muttered as they began walking away from you. You looked from them to Grimmy who then shrank closer to you, at least you weren't the only one to be experiencing fear.

It took a lot of bravery from deep within to gently knock on the wooden door, making a brief solid noise. Your body was tense, your heart drumming in your ears a harsh cadence of life.

"Come in." You heard Grimm's voice, still on edge and not as mellow and cheering as his voice usually was. You let out a shaky sigh before pushing on the door to open. When you stepped inside, Grimm sat in a chair behind a desk with a glass filled with some sort of deep red liquid in his one hand, his head resting in his other. His eyes stared straight at you, a bit tired and still unhappy. You did your best to avoid contact as you cleared your throat. You needed to be brave for once.

"I-... So, you called f-for..." you stammered, going against what you were going for. Grimm let out a heavy sigh, placing his index and thumb on the bridge between his eyes as he shut them.

"Y/n, if you believe I am mad at you I'm sorry for the confusion. I am not mad, only disappointed," he said softly. You weren't sure if that made you feel better or worse. He saw your eyes drift to the floor after saying that and frowned slightly before adding, "Come, take a seat... I do wish to talk to you about this." He motioned to the chair in front of him on the other side of the desk and you listened. Sitting down, which allowed Grimmy to slide onto your lap and curl up. Grimm saw this and actually gave a gentle smile to his son. "So, you have been taking care of my son... I can tell he has grown very fond of you Y/n, which is good. I just wished it was Ghost for the sanctity of my kin's ritual." Grimm took a sip of his drink which allowed you to speak up.

"What is your ritual for? Why is it so important?" You wondered which made Grimm chuckle.

"Asking about its importance is like asking someone why they believe in their God. Straightforward, and kind of naive. It is important because it is our life, it is our purpose. As for what it is all for, well... That is a long tale. When one day I must relinquish my contract with the living world, my son will be my heir. Taking over my duties, as I did for my father and his father before him... I need someone to look over him when I do pass on, that usually being the bearer of the flames who lit the torch which called us here. It does not damage our ritual in any way, but it does make it harder to ensure everything is going in order." Grimm explained taking one last sip before setting down his glass.

"Then there should be no problem, Ghost is collecting your flames and I am caring for Gri- your child."

"Yes and no... Ghost has the ability to fight and defend themself, which could help protect my child while collecting the flames. If something was to happen to my son..." Grimm grew a thousand-yard stare before shaking his head briefly. "... You, no offense, are helpless. Having no way to protect yourself or the child, especially living without a roof over your head." He stated bluntly and you felt your cheeks burn up with a bit of rage inside though you kept it down, Grimm noticed and let out yet another sigh. "I know you would do anything to ensure my son's safety and I thank you for that though. If you wish to continue taking care of him, you are more than welcome to under one negotiation." He held up an index finger when saying that.

"That would be?"

"Living here while Ghost collects the final flames. You can tend to the child and both be secure under the roof of my troupe."

You looked in awe at him and you soon felt a bit uncomfortable, but after looking down at Grimmy who was sound asleep you knew it would be selfish to keep him though never give him a safe place live. You had no home, and you weren't sure when you would ever have one again but Grimmy was more to you than this torch of life to be passed from father, to a stranger, to finally you. You loved him as if he was your own, you wanted to protect him like you knew your parents wanted to protect you and all your siblings. They died with you being the last one they protected, and you wanted to do the same for Grimmy. If the infection was to ever take you away, you would want nothing more than to ensure this tiny creature of flame and darkness to live a long life. It was a strong compassionate feeling, bitter and strange to realize. You looked back up to Grimm, determination in your eyes.

"Very well, I'll stay under your roof. Since they have already grown attached to me." You used that as your excuse, knowing you could never tell Grimm why you really agreed. Knowing your luck, it would probably be going against this strange and secret ritual to treat the child as your own spawn. Grimm smiled softly and nodded.

"Lovely to hear, one of my kin can aid you in collecting your items. I'll ensure the spare room down the hall is tidied up." He stood, holding his hand for you to shake. You lifted Grimmy into one of your arms, shaking Grimm's gentle hand with your other.

It was set now. No going back on your word.

Fun fact: While typing this out today, a kid kicked a soccer ball at me in Gym thus spraining my left hand. My left hand hurts like a motherfucker, but I was determined to get this chapter done. It's currently in a bandage, and I have no other information on wtf it is doing. Typing is a bit weird, and I can't reach some of the keys sometimes, but it's okay. This shouldn't affect my writing schedule, and if it does I'll be sure to inform you all. Thanks for sticking around this far also! I've been getting so much feedback and so many loving comments. The views on both Wattpad and Quotev are really high too, which is taking me by surprise. Thank you all so much, and I hope you guys have a pleasant evening. Ciao!

-S_I_R