un: grimm

[hagrides]

My roommate since I arrived in Lunatia one year ago, Lobco, has gone home. The apartment is terribly quiet without her, even though she was never the loud type. Strange how that happens.

Will you remember what has transpired here when you return? Do you wish to remember?

Comments

[dreamnailedit]

[They nod. Both to his thanks and his comment about Lobco. They don't know as much about her home life as Grimm and the Hollow Knight, they think. But they know enough.

And it's absolutely horrifying.

They pull back enough to sign at him.]

If I could go with her to strike at the ones hurting her, I would.

[hagrides]

[cries in canon familiar]

As would I. That would be easy. To wait and hope is far more difficult.

[dreamnailedit]

I should be used to that.

[There's so much they can't actually effect, after all.]

[hagrides]

You have been able to do a great deal for others, my friend.

[dreamnailedit]

[It doesn't feel like enough, sometimes, but this isn't about them, anyway. Far more importantly...]

Do you think we did enough for Lobco?

[hagrides]

...I believe so. She was far happier at the end of her time here than at the beginning.

[Even if she rarely said as much, it was obvious when you knew someone that long.]

[dreamnailedit]

[They pause for a moment there, nodding at the memories of Lobco with them.

And then they lean back into Grimm and the Child, nuzzling, alright with letting their arms go back to hugging them. They don't have anything else to ask. Not for now anyway.]

[hagrides]

[For a few minutes, Grimm just hugs the Knight back, letting a comfortable silence settle over the apartment. Broken only by Grimmchild starting to purr at the cuddles.]

...How lucky I am, to have people who make saying goodbye so difficult.

[He doesn't just mean Lobco. Grimmchild, the Knight... Danny...]

[dreamnailedit]

[They can't answer without backing away again, but they pat his shoulder softly. It was always hard for them, thinking of having to say goodbye to Grimm. They know how it feels.

Especially since they had to show him off to the next world personally.

Yes, it was at his urging, to grow their child and continue his cycle. That didn't make it easier.]

[hagrides]

I am in a relationship in Lunatia.

[It's the first he's mentioned it to the Knight - Danny was shy and wanted to keep things on the down-low, but it should be fine as long as he doesn't give Danny's name.]

I wonder - was that irresponsible of me? Knowing that I cannot promise my future to my beloved.

[dreamnailedit]

[That is a surprise, and the Knight raises their head abruptly upon being informed. Grimm doesn't explain much more about the relationship than that he apparently has one, but he goes for another topic.

The Knight pulls back again to respond.]

My sibling was to return to the Void at some point. Lobco could have been sent to her home at any time. Were they being irresponsible?

[hagrides]

Not in the slightest. I am glad they sought happiness together, however briefly it may have been.

[it's different when it's him though??]

[dreamnailedit]

Then is it not the same with you? Everything here is temporary. Their relationship. My friendship with Usagi. You are not unique here, Grimm.

[hagrides]

...You are correct, of course. I am simply harder on myself than I am on anyone else.

[dreamnailedit]

I know. But I really don't see any difference. You deserve to be happy as much as they did, and so does your partner. Even if it only lasts so long.

[After all, aside from the Void itself, doesn't everything?]

[hagrides]

[Grimmchild meows their agreement. Dad should be happy!]

Thank you, my dear friend. I needed to hear that.

[dreamnailedit]

[Nodding decisively, The Knight puts their hands back where they were before and lays back down into the cuddlepile.

Of course, now they're very curious who it might be who matters so much to Grimm. Hopefully they'll find out sooner or later...]

[hagrides]

Perhaps if my beloved overcomes his shyness, I could introduce you two - but for the moment he prefers to keep things private.

[He knows the Knight's curious - he would be too, in their position.]

[dreamnailedit]

[If the Knight didn't know better, they'd swear Grimm was reading their mind.

Still, they simply shrug in response. It's not Grimm's call to make, they understand that. They can wait. They're good at patience.]

[hagrides]

Although, now I have to ask if there is anyone you're particularly fond of here.

[let him tease the knight about crushes 2k20]

[dreamnailedit]

[They actually take a moment to sit and consider that idea. But after a few moments, they just shake their head, pull back a bit and sign.]

Not really. I am not sure I would recognize that sort of fondness if I noticed it. The closest people to me since I have been here have been my siblings, Lobco, Usagi, and you.

[hagrides]

That is alright. As long as you have friends here, I am happy for you.

[You don't need romance to be fulfilled.]

[dreamnailedit]

Yes. I have lost friends, but I have gained new ones, as well.

[It... sort of evens out, regardless of how they still miss the ones they've lost terribly.]

[hagrides]

As have I. And perhaps our friends shall return to Prismatica someday.

[Stranger things have happened.]

[dreamnailedit]

[That could happen. Is it likely? Honestly, they don't know. For a while, they were the only one from Hallownest here.

Maybe eventually, the others would be drawn back to them again.]

Perhaps.