Archive of Our Own

You woke up with a loud yawn, warm under the covers of your bed. Your eyes just slightly opened as the first rays of the morning sunlight peeked through the window glass. You sighed sleepily as you snuggled your face deeper into your pillow. 

But then a loud snore came from beside you, waking you up fully. 

You almost jumped, ready to shriek when you remembered who that snore belonged to. The warmth radiating from the sleeping man reminded you who was beside you. Then you smiled as the memory of why he was there came back to you. 

You retreated to one of the in tact rooms on the lower levels of the castle with a new sense of determination. You had decided to call a truce with Percy who shockingly accepted it. The team had all agreed to the new plan of tracking Ripley down easily. The reality of what was coming the next day settled in your mind. 

Jasper was going to pay for hurting your cousin, threatening your family. And Ripley was as well for bringing destruction to Whitestone. The city may not be your home but that didn’t mean you didn’t care for the people or the city itself. So much death and destruction had occurred that day thanks to her. And he definitely played a part too. 

The very thought made your blood boil. 

You took a deep breath in, then out as you calmed yourself. 

“No point in getting angry,” you reminded yourself. “This will all be resolved tomorrow. All you can do is go to sleep and be prepared for whatever will happen.”

With a nod to yourself, you started to prepare for bed. You pulled out the flask and letter from your pocket to-

“Where’s the letter?” you wondered. Then you began to panic, patting your pants. You started looking along the floor but found nothing. “Oh gods where is it?! I couldn’t have-! The chateau! I must have dropped it in the chateau.”

Your pockets weren’t the best at keeping things inside. Your flask almost popped out a couple of times before leaving but stayed in after the third. Even during the dragon attack it stayed inside. So the letter must have fallen out during one of the times and you didn’t notice. 

“That’s where it must be,” you calmed yourself down, taking into account it was somewhere safe. “I’ll ask Scanlan if I can get it whenever he comes back. I’m sure he won’t mind.”

With that, you prepared yourself to try to go to sleep. As you did, you heard a heavy knock at the door. Just finishing off your boots, you walked to the door and opened it. 

There stood Grog, who looked down at you…nervously? Why would he be nervous?

“Hi Grog,” you greeted him. 

“Hi,” he replied. “You know, you should probably ask who’s at the door. Just in case. You know. Something might…you know. You know?”

To say you were confused would be the most appropriate response. 

“I…it won’t happen again,” you assured him as you tried not to let him hear the confused tone in your voice. “So, what’s going on?”

His eyes wandered up and down your body before he jolted. “Oh! Oh uh nothing. Just wanted to make sure you were ok.”

“Oh,” you nodded slowly. “I’m alright. Just getting ready for bed. Are YOU ok?”

“Uh huh,” he nodded quickly. “Good to know. So…good night,” Grog started walking away in a hurry. 

You watched him go in complete bewilderment before calling out “good night” then shutting the door. 

“That was…weird,” you mumbled to yourself. “Even for him.”

Another set of heavy knocks interrupted your pondering state. Knowing it belonged to the same man, you made your way back to your door. But you paused before you could reach the door handle. 

“Who is it?” you asked loudly. 

“It’s Grog!”

You didn’t bother to hold back the smile as you opened the door again. 

“Yes?”

He fidgeted in place before speaking. “Can-can I come in?”

“Sure. Come in,” you opened the door a little wider and allowed him to enter your room. You shut the door as soon as he did then turned to face him. “Is something wrong? You’re acting strange.”

“I…uh, I…wanted to make sure you were…fine. I had to see if you were…” he rambled, clearly not sure how to describe what he was feeling. “I didn’t know what was happening and I didn’t know what to do! I was afraid you were being chewed up or burned to bits by them and-“

Grog stopped talking when he felt your hands wrap around one of his. 

“You don’t have to worry about me,” you smiled up at him. “I’m fine. See? Perfectly fine.”

He stared at you for a moment before pulling you into an actual hug. You let out a ‘oh!’ as you were unexpectedly pulled in. You returned the embrace but felt a stiffness in his body. 

“I don’t know what I’m feeling anymore,” he admitted. “When I saw you run off to help Cassandra, all I could think was that you were going to…that you might…I felt scared. And I don’t get scared! But when you were out of sight, I thought the worst. Then you came out and all I wanted to do was hold you close and run as fast as possible. If it meant keeping you safe.”

“Grog-“

“This is new to me, these feelings. I’ve never felt like this with anyone. I don’t worry when any of us go off into danger. But today I felt really really scared that…I don’t even wanna think about it.”

Suddenly, you understood what he was saying. Having these new feelings for someone else beyond friendship was terrifying. So seeing you run into danger, not knowing if you would return, it created another new feeling for the mighty Grog Strongjaw. 

Fear. 

“I understand,” you muttered, patting his back. “This is new to me too. But maybe it’s not a bad thing to be scared. I think it just proves that you really care for me like how I do for you.”

You felt him finally begin to relax, squeezing you just a little tighter. 

“Is that why you came here? To make sure that I actually was ok?”

You heard the hum he let out vibrate against his chest. 

“I kept thinking you were hurt though I knew you weren’t,” he explained. “Or that you might be. I just-“

“Wanted to see for yourself?” you finished. “To make that annoying voice in your head shut up?”

“It was a very annoying voice. It sounded like me too!”

You chuckled. “They are annoying.” You pulled away but then went to hold one of his hands. “I’m ok. So are you and the others. That’s what m-“

You were cut off when he leaned down and had your lips meet his. You both closed your eyes as the feeling of joined bliss encased your beings. After a few seconds, it was Grog who separated from you. 

“And I may have wanted to make sure I get to still kiss you,” he sheepishly admitted. 

You blushed as you began to giggle. “Grog,” you bashfully murmured. 

He chuckled at your blushing face then bent down to rest his chin over your head. “Is this what you felt? When I left to fight my uncle?”

You remembered that day. You had been angry at him for leaving you and scared about what he had gone to do. You had jumped in ready to fight for Grog. And you would never forget the blissful relief of seeing him alive after being afraid for his life. 

“Yes. It wasn’t pleasant.”

“It’s not. I hate it. Please don’t do that again?”

“I did too. And…I’ll do my best. I would have done the same for you.”

“As I would for you,” Grog sighed before his fingers lightly curled in and out around your back. “Can…can I stay here? For a bit? Or maybe the night? Just to make sure you stay ok. You know? Whatever you feel comfortable with!”

You nodded under his chin then began to pull him towards the bed. 

“You know? The night sounds good to me. Better to be safe than sorry. You know?” Thankfully he knew what you were doing as he smiled wide and joined you. 

After that you two had laid together in the bed. There was some talking but you had been tired enough that you could hardly remember what was said. Then there was peaceful silence which then turned into an even more peaceful slumber. You weren’t sure who fell asleep first but it didn’t seem to matter. 

Carefully twisting your body around, you went to face the still sleeping man splayed across the bed. One arm laid across his chest while the other dangled off the side of the bed. His mouth was open as another snore erupted from throat. 

He looked so peaceful. And adorable. 

And he calls me cute, you mused in your head as you admired him. 

Grog was unlike anything or anyone you had ever met in your life. He was kind, sweet, funny, and just absolutely amazing. He was also VERY handsome to you but that was something you kept to yourself. And the fact that Grog had developed feelings for you out of the thousands of people in this world astounded you. Surely there were better people. 

Clearly not if he ended up wanting to be with you. 

To him, you were seemingly perfect. 

The relationship as a whole was a new experience for you both. A first it seemed neither of you expecting to encounter. One you were trying to figure out. But it was something you and Grog would figure out together. 

Today though was about figuring out how to deal with two certain people. 

And there went the peaceful feeling you just had. 

Time to get this done. 

Carefully, you started to sit up. You took off the blanket that was over you and made to leave the bed. You would have left it if a strong set of arms hadn’t wrapped around you and pulled you back down. 

You let out a grunt when Grog lurched forward and pulled you back into bed, holding you close to his chest. 

“Don’t go. More sleeps,” he mumbled. 

“Yes go,” you laughed. “We have to get up.”

“No. I’m sleeping.”

“Then how are you talking?”

“….I’m sleeptalking.”

You chuckled then shook your head fondly. “Grog, come on. We can’t stay in bed. We have to go.”

“Five more minutes?” he pleaded, rubbing his cheek against the top of your head. “Please?”

“Grog-“

“Pretty please?”

You knew you had to get up. The others were probably already up and about. But being in bed with Grog? All snuggled up and warm under the covers? Having his arms wrapped around you gently?

It was a temptation you couldn’t resist. 

“Five more minutes,” you muttered. 

“Yes!” he softly cheered before pressing a kiss to the crown of your head. “You’re the best.”

You huffed in amusement before getting comfortable against his body. Your ear was pressed close to his heart, beating every few seconds against his skin. It was a calming rhythm. 

“Whatcha thinking about?” he asked you. 

“Us,” you answered truthfully. “This is the last thing I expected. I never thought I’d develop feelings for anyone. And I never thought you’d return my feelings. And it makes me wonder…what is it about me that made you feel the same?”

Grog sighed as he regarded your question. Then, with a finger lightly tracing your shoulder blade, he answered. 

“You are amazing. You’re nice, pretty, strong, and different. There’s something about you that’s special to me, that calls out to me. Like how fighting does but in a good way. I see you. And you are…amazing.”

You stiffened then relaxed as he spoke, his answer surprising you. It shouldn’t have at that point. Your time with Vox Machina showed you that they all were full of surprises.  And yet he managed to do it all the time. 

You moved your head upwards until your chin rested on his pec. You smiled a watery smile as you gleamed up at him. 

“You really think that highly of me?” you softly asked. 

“For a while now,” he nodded, grinning. 

“Y-You’re the amazing one Grog.”

“How?”

“You just are.”

He chuckled as he lifted a hand, the back of his fingers now tracing down the side of your face. 

“Your eyes are so sparkly in the light,” Grog informed you. “Like dirt after a rainy day.”

You were about to ‘awe’ at his comment when you suddenly became aware of what he had just said. 

“Did you just compare my eyes to wet mud?”

This time he was the one who stiffened. “Uh….yes?”

You slowly started laughing then turning guffawing at his panicked face and his compliment. “Oh my gods! I’m not laughing at you I promise! That was…I-I think that was the nicest compliment I’ve ever received about my eyes.”

Grog visibly relaxed before hugging you tighter. “Phew! Thought I said something wrong.”

“You’re good, Grog,” you laughed. 

He grinned before pulling you up closer to press kisses to your cheeks. “Your laugh is just as cute as your blushes.”

“My blushing cannot be that cute!” your face went red as you said that. Then at the kisses he was bestowing upon your face. 

“It is since it’s coming from you,” he flirted. 

“Stop!” you giggled as you tried to pull away. “We gotta-“

“No you said five minutes. It’s only been two.”

“I’m pretty sure it’s been longer than two minutes.”

“Nope!” he smirked before twisting you both around until you were on your sides. “Now we’ll stay another five minutes.”

“Grog!” you playfully whined. 

He started laughing as he hugged you tightly, hands covering your head and back. One of them moved to cup your face and moved it towards his. 

You prepared for the next display of affection as it inched closer and closer until-

BANG BANG BANG!

“Y/N! Time to go!” Vax’s voice penetrated through the closed door. You pushed yourself away from the man still holding you and lifted your head up just slightly. 

“O-Ok! I’ll-I’ll be there in a minute!” you called back. 

“We’ll be in the courtyard. Try not to take too long,” was the last thing you heard from him before retreating footsteps replaced his voice. 

“Ok now we definitely need to get up,” you pushed yourself away successfully this time and stood from the bed. “You should get ready too.”

“Argh! I don’t want to!” he cried out dramatically. 

“I don’t either but we have to,” you looked out the window, your cheerful face becoming serious. “So let’s get this over with.”  

                                     ~*~

Ten minutes later and you made your way to where the group was gathered. Grog came bounding down almost immediately. Once they had joined the group, you saw it was Percy they were now waiting on. 

“I’m sure he’ll be a second,” Pike said to no one in particular. “Besides, Cassandra wanted to see us before leaving anyway.”

So, they stood around patiently. Grog started joking around with Pike, both amusing the other. You smiled as you watched the interaction. 

He gets so animated when he talks. If he thinks I’m cute then he’s adorable. 

“Was I interrupting something this morning?”

Vax’s voice interrupted your admiration. You turned to him and- “why are you smirking?”

“I couldn’t help but…overhear you two earlier,” he whispered conspicuously into your ear. “Sounded like you were having quite a time together.”

You audibly gulped, knowing exactly what Vax was suggesting. And that teasing smug expression on his face made you go red. 

“NO NO NO!! We didn’t…we only slept! And talked. Talked and slept. That’s it!” you quickly replied. 

“Ok,” he shrugged his shoulders. 

“It’s the truth!”

He raised an eyebrow at you but kept his smirk on. 

“We didn’t-! All we did was-! Why am I even-?! Ugh! I’d rather be teased by Scanlan right now than you. And you and I both know what he’d be saying,” you murmured. 

“I’m not saying I don’t believe you. I was only asking a question.”

“Your smirk says otherwise.”

Vax chuckled then playfully ruffled your hair. You tried to look angry, swatting his hands, but you failed. You smiled although you tried to make sure you looked irritated anyway. 

“Why are you touching her hair?” Grog asked loudly, his attention turning to you two when he heard your voice rose. 

You and Vax shared a glance before looking back at the taller man. 

“Grog, we were just playing around for a moment,” you said as you fixed your hair. “He’s done it before so why are you getting mad?”

“I’m not! I just…wanted to know.”

“Just a little tease,” Vax assured him, patting your shoulder. “Nothing more. Right, Y/N?” 

“Yeah. Nothing more,” you responded. 

Grog’s eyes practically bulged seeing how Vax’s hand was laid on your shoulder. Now this shouldn’t have bothered him much. It was like you said, he had teased you before by ruffling your hair, patting your shoulder or a playful shove was given etc. 

It was the evil grin he was giving Grog that began to make him mad.

With a huff, he looked the other way. 

You pondered what could have made him upset when a movement out of your left eye caught your attention. You looked and saw Percy and Vex talking, standing very close to each other.  

Very close. 

Do they really think no one knows what’s going on between them? you raised an eyebrow at the two as you thought this. And everyone said me and Grog were obvious. They’re even worse. 

Keyleth cleared her throat loudly, causing the two nearby to jump and put some distance between them. 

“Look at them,” the ashari scoffed. “Acting like we don’t know.”

“Right?” Grog agreed. “How dumb do they think we are?”

“They desecrated every room in Scanlan’s chateau!” Pike exclaimed. “I heard them on the billiard table, just pounding at it-“

“We get it!” Vax snapped. 

“I don’t,” you shook your head. He gave you a ‘really?’ look. It took you a moment before you put two and two together. “Oh. Now I do.”

“How long have you been with this group again?”

“I don’t know all the terms and sayings yet! I’m still learning. Leave me alone,” you remarked, turning your face away. 

You heard him chuckle before Vex and Percy came up to join the group. A soft huff from beside you and another set of footsteps approached. You watched as Trinket walked by you and Cassandra walked closer. 

While Vex bent down to talk to Trinket, Cassandra gently tugged on your shirt. 

“A word?” she muttered. 

You nodded before allowing her to pull you away from the group. 

“Please be careful,” your cousin said. 

“Cass-“

“I know you said this wasn’t about revenge but I can see in your eyes that it might be,” she quickly added. “Just…when you do face him, don’t let revenge consume you.”

You gently smiled and nodded. “I get it. I won’t.”

“Another thing: promise you’ll protect my brother.”

“What?”

“He has the same idea you have about Ripley. And I heard about your truce with him. But I know you’re still upset. Whatever grudge you have against him, please…I can’t bear the thought of losing what little family I still have left. Including you.”

You took her hand and squeezed it. “I promised I’d return your brother to you once. I’ll do it again. I promise, Cassandra. I’ll keep him safe and make sure he comes back to you.”

She smiled then embraced you. “And that you come back. I trust you.”

“Thank you,” you muttered back. “I’ll be fine. And so will he. Promise.”

She released you, patted your shoulder then looked to the group. “Good luck to you all,” was all she said before returning to the castle. 

“So,” Keyleth stepped forward, “I don’t know any trees on Glen Isles and Alura can’t transport us there without sending us into the ocean. So…boat?”

“No,” Percy shook his head. “We fly.”

“Sweet!”  Grog cheered. 

Vex immediately pulled out her broom and signaled for Percy to hop on. Keyleth transformed into a giant hawk, allowing you, Grog and Pike to climb on top. Vax was already prepared, wings extended and ready. 

“Alright let’s fly!”

With a jump, everyone took off into the sky. You held back the scream you so desperately wanted to let out as you ascended into the air. A small whimper did manage to escape as you wrapped your arms around Grog’s waist just a little tighter. You felt him pat your hands in comfort. Looking up, you saw him looking down at you from behind. A wink got you smiling and feeling a little better about being in the air. 

It was a while before they reached one of the first isles. Once they did, Vex and Percy flew on ahead to see if they could find anything unusual from above. As they did, you started to try and push yourself off of Keyleth’s back. 

Unfortunately you pushed a bit too hard. You lost your grip on Grog, and began to slide off. 

Only to be caught by a different set of arms. 

“Maybe think before pushing yourself off like that?” came the ‘wise’ voice of Vax. “You’re lucky I landed close by.”

“I am,” you laughed as he helped settle you on your feet. “Thank you, Vax.”

“Anytime. Something wrong, big guy?”

You looked back at Grog, himself now standing on the ground. Keyleth and Pike were as well, but all four of you stared at the man in confusion. 

The steaming man, one eye just barely twitching. 

“Buddies?” Pike tentatively asked. “What’s wrong?”

“Yeah are you ok?” you asked him. “Your eye is kinda twitching.”

Grog hardly noticed this. He had begun to reach for you when he realized you were falling. Then Vax caught you. In his arms. Then had the audacity to look directly at him and smile as he spoke to you. You weren’t even aware of what Vax was trying to do! 

That no good…! he snarled in his head. But Grog snapped out of his angry thoughts when he heard you and Pike talk to him. 

“Yeah. Yeah. I’m good, you’re good. All good,” he quickly answered. 

You raised an eyebrow, doubting his words. “…your eye just twitched again so I’m not sure if I believe you.”

“Just got something in it,” he then rubbed his eye swiftly then smiled at you. “See? All gone!”

You glanced at Vax, who joined your confused state then both looked back at the half giant. 

“I…ok. If you say so,” you shrugged your shoulders. “So what do we do now?”

“We can take a look around this place,” Vax suggested, eyes already darting around. “It might be a while before my sister returns. There’s quite a few isles spread all over this region. There could be traps on all of them and we’re not sure which one Ripley’s hiding at.”

“She had plenty of traps set up in Whitestone so it wouldn’t surprise me if there are traps here,” Keyleth reminded them. 

You and the others nodded in agreement. “Maybe I should scout out the place for any traps. I’ll be able to see and hear anything off.”

“You and I both will go,” Vax said, gripping your shoulder. “We are the best trackers after all. If there are any traps here-“

“We’ll be the ones to find them,” you finished. “Alright, let’s-“

“Wait!”

Again, everyone looked to Grog in confusion. The man himself seemingly confused himself at his own outburst. 

“What’s wrong?” you asked him. 

“I-I uh…” Grog fidgeted in place. “Just-just be careful?”

“I will,” you smiled uncertainly. “I got Vax with me so I’ll be alright.”

“Yes, so don’t worry about her,” the man looked back at Grog and grinned. “I’ve got her.”

That’s OUR thing!! Oh how Grog wanted to growl and just pull you away from Vax. It took everything in him to stay put. If she wasn’t right there I’d make sure his face met the dirt so bad he’d be the dirt!

You waved at him before allowing Vax to pull you away. “What’s his problem? He’s not normally like that.”

“Like what?” 

“Jealous? I think that’s the right word. But what would he have to be jealous of?”

“You know how Grog is,” Vax shrugged his shoulders. “Grog is Grog.”

“Yeah. You’re right. Besides, he knows your eyes are on someone else so he has no reason to be jealous.”

This time, it was Vax that looked at your smirking face. His cheeks went pink at your statement. 

“Are you blushing? Oh my gods you are!“

“Just-just walk, woman,” he muttered, turning his face away from your sight. 

“Awwww what’s wrong? You don’t like being teased? It’s not fun when it happens to you, is it, Vax?” 

“Quiet, you.”

You lightly shoved his shoulder then giggled at his hidden expression before continuing your walk away from the group. 

While you two separated from the group, Grog watched you go with a huff. Pike glanced back and forth between her friend and where you and Vax had gone. 

“Hey,” Keyleth started to say, “um I’m going to see if there’s a good camping site around. So…yeah,” she inched away slowly before walking away herself. 

“Alright!” Pike waved at her before turning attention back to Grog. “Ok so what the heck was that?”

He didn’t answer, eyes still focused on where you disappeared to. But then he felt a sharp pain on his calf. 

“Ow!” he yelped. His eyes darted down to Pike who hand her hands on her hips. “What the hell, Pikey?!”

“Dude, what was that about?”

“What was what?”

“Really?” she frowned. “You got mad when Vax ruffled her hair, then when he caught her when she fell off of Keyleth, and then you clearly wanted her to stay when Vax suggested they go scouting. So, what the hell was all that?”

“I-I….I don’t know! I got mad for some reason. I was thinking that ‘only I get to touch her hair’ then ‘I’m the one who gets the hold her’ and then ‘why should he go with her when-‘“

“Holy shit,” Pike interrupted. “You were jealous.”

“Jealous?”

“Grog, buddy,” she smiled then turned to stand in front of him. “Y/N cares about you. We’ve all seen it for a long time. Just like we know that Vax cares for Keyleth. You know he’d never get in between the two of you.”

“But he was-“

“You think we didn’t see that smirk he kept giving you? We saw what he was doing. Vax was just trying to push your buttons.”

Glad to know I wasn’t the only one seeing it. “Well it worked. Pike,” he bent down and looked her directly in the eyes, “I’ve never felt like this with anyone. Y/N is…important to me. More than anything. I mean you are too but it’s different with her. This is freaking me out, these feelings. All I wanna do is be with her, be the reason she smiles and stuff. You know what I mean?”

Oh…oh wow. I was not expecting that, Pike thought in shock. He’s really…holy shit he really is. 

“I get it, buddy,” she patted his arm. “It can be freaky to feel like this with someone. But getting mad when she’s not with you or spending time with others is only going to push her away. It’s ok to be jealous but not to the point of being too much.”

“I don’t wanna be too much! I just…I don’t know what to do. I wanna show her that I care a lot. More than just kissing her. I wanna do something for her.”

Pike tapped her foot in thought, thinking of what Grog could do. He did spend a lot of time with you, always hanging around. So that wasn’t a problem. 

Maybe he could try something not Grog like. Something…romantic. 

“I think I have an idea.”

                                   ~*~

“Would you like my coat?”

“I’m alright.”

“Oh thank god!”

Vex chuckled lightly at Percy’s relieved voice from behind her. They were currently scouring the isles in search of anything that indicated Ripley had taken refuge there. There were so many to look through! 

“Gods how are we supposed to-?”

“Would it be a bad thing?” Percy suddenly asked. “To tell them?”

She was surprised and confused at his sudden questions. Turning her face enough for him to see the confusion, she said, “Yes. Plenty of reasons too. Scanlan, Pike and Grog would tease us to no end, Keyleth will call me a hypocrite, I don’t even want to think about what my brother will do to you, and Y/N…well, she’d probably be the only one who’d be happy for us. But that’s not the point. It just isn’t the right time. So-“

“They didn’t seem to think so,” Percy told her. 

“Who?”

“Y/N and Grog. I mean, despite what’s been going on, they entered a relationship suddenly and no one’s had a problem with it.”

“Because it’s been obvious for so long how they felt for each other. They didn’t exactly keep it a secret. Honestly, I’m surprised it took this long.”

“Vex, they’re happy. Really happy. They’re so open about their affection for each other and they seem content in it. I’ve never seen them like this before. Especially Y/N. She’s…more joyful than I’ve ever seen her. Despite everything that’s going on.“

“Percy,” she sighed heavily. “I see what you’re saying. But we’re not Grog and Y/N. How they go about their relationship is their own business. We’re different.”

“We know there’s something between us. You’ve admitted it. They did for each other as well. They admitted it and look how it turned out. How does that make us different from them? Why shouldn’t we just do the same?”

Vex stopped the broom and fully turned to face Percy. “Why are you so concerned about them? About her?”

“I-I mean,” he said softly, breaking eye contact with Vex. “I-I just…I think that we should-“

“How about we focus on what we actually came to do?” Vex suggested before facing forward again. “This is a discussion for another time don’t you think?”

Percy felt the quick pull of the broom before they took off again. He hated that Vex was purposely avoiding his questions, not seeing the point of bringing you and Grog up. 

You two didn’t bother hiding your affections. The group wasn’t even bothered by it! Everyone supported it and you two were positively happy. Especially you. He hadn’t seen you this happy in a long time. 

So why did he care that you were happy?

Because after all I’ve done to her lately, what Y/N’s been dealing with, she deserves this. And I’m…happy for her. I mean, I still don’t get why it ended up being Grog but that’s not the point. 

What was the point then?

He was indeed glad you two finally confessed your feelings. But there was more to it. Was he envious that you two didn’t have to worry about what anyone else thought? Jealous that you got to have what he wanted with Vex? 

Maybe. But that didn’t matter right now. What mattered was the mission. 

His hands gripped the broom a little tighter as they continued their flight. Why did everything have to be so complicated lately? 

                              ~*~

By the time the duo returned, it was early evening. Vex told the team what they had found, an isle that was swarmed with guards and what appeared to be an entrance to something. They all agreed that it had to be where Ripley was hiding. But given the lateness of the day, it was also agreed upon that they would go the next day to investigate and prepare for the fight they knew was coming. 

The group settled down once they made sure the area they picked was safe. You noticed that Grog had disappeared at some point. When you went to go looking for him, Pike had you stay where you were. 

“Said he had something to take care of,” she told you. “Best to let him do his thing.”

“Grog’s thing is him doing his own…Grog thing. Not always the best thing either,” you reminded her. 

“Well…ok yeah you’re not wrong but he’s fine. He’ll be back shortly,” she assured you. 

“What do you know?” you raised an eyebrow, noting the immediate reaction she had when you suggested to go look. 

“Nothing! Nothing. Just…he’ll be back. Don’t worry about it,” she answered just as fast. 

You knew she was hiding something but you listened to your friend despite it and stayed put. 

You weren’t sure how long he was gone for but he returned as dinner was being served. Grog returned to the campsite looking…dirty?

“Why are you covered in dirt?” Vax asked him. 

“I’m allowed to be dirty once in a while!” he defended himself. 

“No need to get defensive. Just wondering why you look like you came out of a mud pit.”

“It’s not that much.”

“Where were you?” you then piped up. “We have to be careful around here. Who knows what kind of traps Ripley might have set up?”

“I’m fine. You’re fine. We’re all fine,” Grog said, stretching. “Imma go wash up.”

“What happened to ‘I’m allowed to be dirty once in a while’?” Vax smirked. 

“Shut it, puny man,” was the response he got before Grog again walked away. 

“What’s up with him?” Keyleth asked. 

“This is Grog we’re talking about,” Percy rolled his eyes. 

Agreeable murmurs and shoulder shrugs went around the group as everyone began to eat. The sun began to set as dinner was served and eaten. 

Once you were done, Grog had returned and plopped down beside you. 

“Hey,” he greeted you. 

“Hi,” you smiled. “Where did you go earlier? I was ready to go look for you myself.”

“I had to take care of something. Just me doing my thing.”

“Your ‘Grog’ thing?” you teased. 

“Something like that,” he nodded. He looked around before leaning closer to your ear. “Come with me. I gotta show you something.”

You watched his eyes dart around your friends then raised your eyebrow at his secretive request. 

“Where? And why are we whispering?”

“It’s a secret. Come on,” he stood up and held out a hand. You weren’t sure what the secret could be but you took it anyway. “We’ll be back!”

You jumped at his sudden announcement. It seemed to have also startled the others. They all looked to you in confusion, you yourself just as lost. 

“I…I guess we’ll be back?” you shrugged your shoulders before being gently pulled away by the taller man. 

Your friends all watched you and Grog walk away. None of them knew why you two were leaving or where you were going.

“That was weird,” Vex commented.

“Y/N looked just as confused,” her brother said. “So she clearly has no idea what’s happening.”

Pike looked knowingly in the direction of where the two do you had gone and smiled discretely. 

She really brings out a side of him I’ve never seen before, she thought to herself. Almost as much as he does in her. These two are a surprising match made in heaven. 

Meanwhile, you tried to figure out what was going on as Grog lead you further away from the campsite. 

“Grog? Where are we going?” you asked. 

“It’s a surprise,” he told you. “Don’t worry.”

“I am. A bit.”

“It’s all good! You’ll love it. Trust me!”

“I do,” you softly said. His hand squeezed yours a little more firmly as he continued to lead you away from the team. 

After a few more minutes, he stopped and turned you to face away. 

“Close your eyes,” he said. “No peeking!”

“Grog, what is going on?” you laughed. 

“Don’t worry. You’ll love it. So close em.”

You sighed but did as he asked anyway. Waving a hand in front of you, he determined you couldn’t see. He quickly sprinted away and put on the final touches of his surprise. 

“Grog? Where did you go? And what’s that clicking sound?”

“Don’t look!”

“I’m not!” you laughed again. What was he up to? 

“Ok. Now!”

You opened your eyes and turned around. The sight you beheld was…amazing. 

A crackling fire sat in the middle of a small clearing near a babbling stream. One large log sat by the fire and overlooked the stream. Flowers decorated the ground around you and the log. Little fireflies floated around the area while a breeze made the branches above sway slightly with the wind.

“What…what is all this?”

“Thought I’d try out my first romantic gesture. Spend some you and me time. What do you think?”

“Oh Grog,” you sighed in awe. “This is…it’s so-“ you started laughing when your eyes found Grog. 

Or rather, the makeshift bow made from broken off leather tied around his neck. 

He looked nervous then seemed to blush when you started laughing. 

“Is it…too much?” he asked you. 

“Maybe a little,” you giggled.

Pike said it would look nice! I knew it was too much. 

Grog quickly ripped it off and tossed it away from him. 

“Pretend you didn’t see that,” he muttered before taking your hands again. “Here! Made a seat just for us.”

You approached the log and sat down, him sitting heavily beside you. You looked around, still in disbelief as to what he had done. But then panic set in as you frantically started looking for any signs of traps. 

“No no it’s ok!” Grog rushed to calm you down. “Pike and I checked earlier. We’re all good here.”

“Pike? I knew she was hiding something!”

“Don’t be mad at her. She just wanted to help make this happen.”

“I’m not mad! I promise. I just had a feeling she knew what you were up to,” you said. “This is why you were gone for a while? And came back covered in dirt?”

“Yep! Made this all just for us! Had to rip out the log from the ground then get all the dirt off. And pull out all the stupid roots out then chop the end out. Don’t tell Keyleth. Then I had to get these,” he grabbed the bag that was beside the log and pulled out oval like objects. He handed one to you, taking another into his own. 

You held the thing in your hands, noting its orange color that almost blended with the fire. 

“What is it?” you asked him. 

“Some kind of food,” he said as he began taking a bite. “Pike and I found it while you and Vax were gone. It’s so good. Try it!”

You took a small bite and started chewing. It was indeed good. It had a sweet tart flavor but wasn’t as sweet as one would expect from a tart like food. Its soft inside texture was a pleasurable taste as you finished and swallowed. 

“Wow,” you moaned in delight. “That’s really good.”

“Told you!”

You took another bite of the fruit like food and watched the flames dance around in circles. 

“This is…really nice, Grog. No one has ever done anything like this for me.”

“I thought you’d like it,” he softly spoke. “You could use some happiness and I knew I could give it to you.”

“You were right,” you glanced up to look at his smiling face. “And you did.”

You giggled seeing his face shift with pride, positioning his body up a little higher. Your eyes then drifted back to the fire, your mind now also drifting down a river of memories. 

So much was happening. Had happened. And even more was most likely going to happen the next day. Your brain was racketing everything that was and is going on, then on what could. 

“You got a thinking face.”

You snapped out your thoughts when Grog poked your shoulder. 

“What?” you asked. 

“When you think, your eyes focus on weird things and your nose scrunches like a bunny. It’s cute but it also means you’re thinking a lot. So what’s on your mind?”

Your cheeks heated up at the comment, and somehow a compliment at the same time, your eyes glanced down at the ground. 

“I…I’m just thinking about…everything. So much has happened. Not all good. Except you. You’ve been the only good thing that’s happened lately.”

“Not just me. You have a family now! That’s a good thing right?”

“Vox Machina is my family. You’re all my family.”

“I meant your other family. It must be nice to have cousins right?”

“I suppose,” you shrugged your shoulders. “It makes sense now why I felt a connection with Cassandra. Percy is a whole other story though.”

Grog felt ready to squish the fruit in his hand at the mention of the lord’s name. “He shouldn’t have said what he did.”

“Grog-“

“I hate that he’s treated you so bad. He did at the start and now. You don’t deserve it.”

“I know. But, it’s like I said, Percy is entitled to his own opinions and feelings. He didn’t have to go as far as he did but, it is what it is.”

Grog looked down at you, now seeing your face looking so downcast. You had set your fruit aside and kept your eyes to the ground. 

“But it does hurt. All of it. Percy’s words, the truth about my mother, and now Jasper threatening to destroy the peace I’ve found. I can’t…it needs to stop. I need to stop it.”

“How?”

“I….I don’t know, Grog,” you admitted with a heavy sigh. “It’s complicated. Everything has just been so complicated lately. I-I don’t know what to do.”

You weren’t sure you could forgive Percy for his actions at the Keep. You didn’t know how to feel about your mother’s death if not guilt despite her letter asking you not to blame yourself. Most importantly, you didn’t know how you were going to handle Jasper. He hurt Cassandra, marked her and threatened to harm your family.

“I’m only sure about two things, though,” you went on to say. “The first being that I’m going to do whatever I need to do to put an end to Jasper for good.”

Grog didn’t like that you wanted to get back at this Jasper for hurting your cousin. You weren’t one to seek revenge. Even when they went to face the Briarwoods, you were fighting for freedom. Now you were fighting for revenge. And he didn’t like it. 

“What’s the other thing?”

You grabbed his free hand and held it close to your heart, a smile and shining eyes facing his direction. 

“That you’ve been the only good thing to happen despite it all. Telling you how I felt that night was one of the best moments of my life.”

His lips trembled at your loving words, touched by the sincerity behind your voice. “You’re so sweet.” 

“No…no,” you blushed softly, laughing nervously. “I’m just-“ his kiss on your lips silenced the protest he knew was about to come out of your mouth. 

He pulled his hand away from your hand and cupped your face as he kissed you. You closed your eyes in sweet surrender, calm settling into your heart and mind. Grog pulled away with a smile at the same time you did. 

“Finally telling you how much I really really really like you was the best thing to happen to me so far,” he murmured. 

“Grog,” you muttered lovingly. 

The hand cupping your face lifted up slightly as fingers then lightly rubbed your cheek. 

“You’re still so cute when you blush.”

You snorted then laughed at his compliment. 

“It’s not cute!” you giggled embarrassingly. 

“It is! Your blush is cute,” he leaned down again to kiss both cheeks. “Your nose is cute,” he then kissed your nose. “Oh and your eyes are so pretty! I can’t forget those.”

“Grog!” you laughed as he tried to kiss your eyelids. 

He laughed himself as he grabbed your waist and gently pulled you onto his lap. If that blush of yours could get any redder…

“Oh now you’re just gorgeous!” he smiled. “I mean more than you already are.”

“Stop!” you laughed, feeling his arms squeeze you just a little tighter. 

He hummed as he held you close. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this.”

“To tell me that my blush is cute?” you teased. “If so then you may not remember this morning’s cute speech about my blush. And what you literally just said five seconds ago.”

“Yes but also something else. To hold you like this, to kiss you and tell you how much you mean to me.”

You settled into his chest slightly surprised at yet another admission of his. 

“You mean so much to me too. More than you know.” You nestled your head under his chin, arms resting softly on your lap while enjoying the moment you two were sharing. 

This was something you wanted to cherish, to ingrain in your mind. Being wrapped in the arms of someone you cared for deeply, and who felt the same way towards you. To forget for just a moment what was going on, and what could happen the next day. 

“Whatever happens tomorrow,” Grog quietly said. “We’ll do it together.”

“Just like we’ve always done?”

“Mm hm,” he nodded against your head. 

How did he even know what I was thinking? you wondered. But you shrugged that question aside as you basked in your…lover’s arms? Partner?

“What are we?” you asked him. 

“Huh?”

“What are WE? Are we lovers? Suitors? Partners?”

Grog pondered the same question of what the two of you were. He did love you, there was no question. But he didn’t know why he couldn’t say it out loud. He wanted to but for some reason couldn’t. 

Maybe not the best time, he decided. Later. For now though…

“You’re my person.”

“‘Person?’”

“Pike’s my buddy. You’re my person. Two people I lo-care about a lot.”

Was he about to say-?

“Your person?” you tried the saying on your tongue. With a nod, you smiled and looked up at the man you adored. “My person.”

“My person,” he glanced down at you, laying a kiss on your head before gazing up at the sky. 

Your eyes followed his and looked up at the clear sky. But while your eyes seemed to focus on the stars, anyone could see your hearts stayed focused on the person in their arms. 

One pair of eyes hidden in the trees a good distance away remained on the couple enjoying their moment of peace. 

They deserve it. She deserves it. Maybe…maybe it’s time to say what I’ve wanted to say for so long as well to someone. If she can be brave, so can I.  

END