Chapter Text
Life was starting to flow back into the City of Tears like the drops of water trickling down the vast windows; slow, but steady. It wasn’t easy, the daunting memories of the corrupted past still haunting the cleared minds of all who survived. But as later on every bug realized, life had to move on. It couldn’t be stopped, it couldn’t be frozen and preserved. Life demanded to continue on and find its way of prosperity. But life also needed a little bit of help to get going, to once again relish in its former glory and be the inspiration for painters, poets and any wanderer who found their way into the kingdom’s heart. Everything had to be rebuilt. And not just the rain-soaked streets, abandoned buildings and crumbling stations, no, that was the easier part any architect could do. Trust, as fine and delicate as a spider web, also had to be completely rebuilt from the foundations, and that was not a challenge anyone could face and conquer. For trust to build between the bugs returning to the city and the monarch hiding in the castle they needed determination, commitment, and – the one thing that proved to be the most difficult – patience. And those were just the virtues both parties needed to possess. One side had other struggles of their own too.
Though the winding caverns of Hallownest were always shrouded in an eternal dimness, never quite able to decide if they should side with light or darkness, night descended over the city like a massive butterfly spreading its wings. The noise from the ongoing works of construction slowly ebbed as the bugs who had kept tirelessly repairing every inch of their city dragged themselves back to their huts, glad to surrender to their exhaustion.
But there still was a place in Hallownest that was shrouded in silence no matter the time of the day. A place that by no means was ever intended to be avoided by any bug. In fact, quite the opposite; its grandness was carefully planned to lure in the guests and visitors, the purpose of its great halls nothing else than to host joyful banquets and lavish dinners. But those days were long gone, banished by the curse that plagued and ravaged through the kingdom. And now that the opportunity shyly presented itself to once again let the place shine in its full glory, still no bug was willing to step through the gates. There were a handful brave ones, those desperate for the geo, which as an attempt to make the work there more inviting was a surprisingly generous amount. Still, those few souls were so scattered throughout the spiralling staircases, dust covered chambers and hallways with flaying wallpaper that not even they could gift the place a lively feeling.
Some might call that silence housing itself in the Palace of the City of Tears maddening, but the Hollow Knight had barely noticed it. Compared to the time they spent chained up in the Black Egg this little silence was nothing. Now the only sound bouncing off the faded crimson walls were their light steps wandering through the corridors in search of some blissful rest. Hornet had donned on them a glowing white cloak, convincing them only such an attire would be appropriate for a king on a diplomatic mission, but by the gods, how uncomfortable it felt on them. It reminded them too much of the past and all of its empty promises. They were destined to save Hallownest and such and such. Lies, all of them. Their mind was threatening to slip and fall into agonizing memories yet again when, as if sensing the need for him, Grimm showed up seemingly out of nowhere.
His scarlet eyes drank in the sight of Hollow and he put on a comforting smile. “How did it go?”
Hollow shook his head. In truth, it went horrible. They didn’t even understand why it was them who had to go. The last thing they were meant to be was a diplomat skilful in the ways of words and agreements.
“Deepnest?” Grimm pressed onto the matter, striding beside them with lazy steps. “Not even with your sister’s help?”
Hollow wasn’t in the mood to talk about it right now. That realm of weavers was as stubborn as ever, but now to top it all of its residents regarded Hollow and all they were trying to put right with suspicion. They were being too cautious which, when Hollow foolishly put on a firmer tone, turned into hostility, and so the conference had to be called off earlier than planned and Hollow had to endure the bitter taste of failure on their ride back.
“Give them some time,” Grimm said, though he too knew how little that advice helped. “And the Hive? They need a new queen, so then why did they refuse to accept?”
Hollow cast their gaze on the sliding tiles beneath, masking the shame that was biting at them from the inside. A new queen? Apparently they didn’t need one. And it was thanks to sheer fortune that the golden shine of the honey dripping down the walls of the hive didn’t get to mix with any of their blood.
A long and tired sigh teared up from Hollow as their shoulders slouched, the once proud knight loosing their regal posture. This kind of defeat was a different one, not like when during their training they slipped and their spell failed to meet its target. This time it wasn’t the fighting techniques that were faulty, this time Hollow was just dull. Their fingers curled into a fist. They didn’t understand what the point of any of this waltzing around in conference rooms had.
Concern etched Grimm’s features as he put a hand on their shoulder. “Now don’t blame yourself. You have a job no one can succeed in.” A knowing smile creeped onto his face. “I know just what you need.” Hollow perked up, eyes expectant. “Let me take the strain off you. Whatever’s bothering you let it slip by, and prove me you still have the warrior’s spirit.”
Grimm had often teased Hollow with what a shame it would be if they’d lost the title of the best fighter in the kingdom. And Hollow was never good at shrugging off Grimm’s playful doubt. With a fast move their arm lashed out at Grimm, but his reflexes were quick as always and he dodged the attack in a puff of red smoke. Grimm gave out a low chuckle, glad to finally get his beloved knight to take action. Hollow tried again, this time aiming for Grimm’s throat, but again he just managed to slip by.
“You have to try harder than that,” he called from the end of the hallway, the playfulness ever alive in his voice. “Come, I want to see how well you handle that nail of yours after missing out on so much training.” Hollow tilted their head, eyes narrowed into two slits of blackness, unsure if Grimm was poking fun at them. “If you’d like I can take bets on how many times you’ll slip.” Yes, he was.
Grimm disappeared behind the corner, leaving a trail of crimson smoke behind. Hollow looked after him and stood there, thinking. Another previously unknown feeling had surfaced in their inner sea of void. It crept up their throat and gripped it with violence, making it a challenge to breathe. Sweat started to glisten on their palm. They identified the feeling to be anxiety. Grimm was right, since the fight with Ghost they didn’t do as much as to glance at their nail, a pure and masterfully crafted weapon with generations of knowledge melted into the blade. And besides they still hadn’t gotten used to the feeling of just one arm. It might be difficult to keep a steady balance. But still, the need to try and succeed conquered the suffocating feeling of worry, and they followed the trail of smoke and spicy scent the Troupe Master had left behind.
Grimm was waiting for them with an expectant gaze, fiddling with the hilt of Hollow’s pure nail nearly the size of him. Upon entering the spacious chamber the void inside them started to bubble with the excitement that was a clear sign of a fight to come.
Grimm bowed low and looked up at Hollow through half-lidded eyes, in them the glitter of playfulness shining so enchantingly. “Shall we dance, then? Let us give the night a spectacle to behold.”
He was expecting Hollow to bow in return and give a curt nod, but their answer was simply lifting their nail and taking up a fighting stance.
Grimm chuckled. Hollow needed this, so desperately that if it wasn’t for Grimm they may have started to pick fights with the furniture.
With a snap of his fingers scarlet flames flared up in his palm, just as well as in his eyes. Hollow failed to decide which one was more dangerous. There was a moment of sacred silence filling the space between them, a kind they were obliged to give time to. The silence was cut through by a sharp blade and at the same time burned down by barely controlled flames of fire. Grimm, one to never miss a chance on stealing the show, was quick to take the offensive and send a handful of his fire creatures at Hollow who just barely managed to teleport right behind Grimm. They swung the great nail with less precision than intended, missing Grimm’s neck by less than an inch. But the surprise only made Grimm more lively and daring, his heart beating fast, so while ducking he kicked at Hollow’s leg. A dirty move, he didn’t deny that, but the curiosity for how much his knight had changed got the better out of him. Hollow lost their balance for just a second before having to lean on their nail for some steadying. They were right; fighting like this was much more harder.
Grimm was unable to wipe the smile off his face. Because it wasn’t one of mockery, no. He was happy to see Hollow’s worries and problems being fed to his flames. “Careful now,” he said, “you wouldn’t want to cut my head off.”
Hollow charged again, this time putting faith into sharp projectiles, instead of having to stumble around like when they were still young and hopeful. Sharp thorns shot up from the ground below, shielding Grimm and giving him time to prepare. The thorns retracted and gave way to pillars of fire threatening to encircle Hollow. One even managed to burn the hem of their dazzling white cloak, which proved to be just another obstacle, with every time getting caught in their arm and nail. Exploding spheres, the lethal amalgamation of soul and magic, momentarily disoriented Grimm, giving the pair a moment to break their dance. Both were heaving, sweat glistening on their black carapaces.
“I’m happy to see you haven’t lost any of your spirit,” Grimm noted.
Hollow shrugged, wishing to sign something, but their hand was busy holding their nail. Feeling awkward they glanced around, shifting from one leg to the other.
“Allow me to help.” Grimm walked up to them and gently peeled their fingers off the weapon.
Hollow had to take a moment to steady their shaking fingers and troubling mind. “It’s not easy,” they wrote on Grimm’s hand.
“Of course it’s not.” He put a warm hand on their shoulder, gently squeezing it. “It’s been a long time since you’ve seen that nail, let alone lift it. And don’t get me started on that unnecessarily long cloak of yours, because-”
“That’s not what I meant,” the words came more firmly pressed. Their gaze seemed to harden. “I meant this. All this. It’s easy for you, being a troupe master, putting on shows each night, while I can’t go out in my own city.”
“What do you-?” but Grimm’s question was cut off by a well-practiced swing of a nail he just got lucky to have the room to dodge.
Then came minutes of heated battle, red embers flying around and mixing with white-hot sparks of spells, when Hollow started to waltz towards the entrance.
“What’s wrong?” a frustrated yell echoed from Grimm who grew more confused as the moments dragged by. “Please, tell me!”
But Hollow was already out the door, storming down the hallways with a dangerous speed. Grimm followed, chasing away any ill-wishing images surfacing in his racing mind. Hollow seemed so content since their coronation, and now as to what possibly could have happened to so suddenly change them was a secret, left for Grimm to unravel.
The cold rain of the city came as a shock to Grimm’s overheated body and sent shivers down his carapace. His eyes hunted for the tall and elegant form of Hollow through the curtain of rain, and he spotted them standing in front of the memorial dedicated solely to them, the Hollow Knight. He watched them. Their silhouette in dark was so much like the statue’s he could have confused the two. Hollow caught his gaze. They were waiting for something.
“Hollow, please, what are you doing?” Grimm said, concern etched deep into his features, once he stood close beside them, hoping to catch some of their escaping warmth.
“Don’t call me Hollow,” they signed with quivering fingers, “because I’m not hollow. I failed to be hollow.”
Grimm felt his heart being teared open and bleed. The sight of his knight standing in the dim light, silently enduring the rain beating against their black body and soaking into their white cloak, one more heavy weight on their shoulders along with their memories. Grimm wanted to say so many things, how much more Hollow was worth than they believed, how strong they were and how much he loved everything about them, but all words had failed him, and he was forced to just watch.
Watch as soul and magic sizzled and shimmered in their palm until it was blindingly light, and he watched as Hollow unleashed a rain of sharp daggers at the statue which might as well had been their reflection. The Hollow Knight’s statue, along with the three Dreamers, cracked, crumbled and fell onto the cold pavement of the city, a loud crash slicing through the serenity of the night. Grimm studied the part of the statue that once had been a face, then rested his gaze on the strong yet soft-hearted creature beside him. Drops of water were trickling down their pale cheeks as if they were crying, but Grimm knew that even if they could they’d never shed a tear for a memorial of lies and failure. Silence yet again was the third companion between them, but this time it was welcomed. Grimm didn’t even want to say anything, there was no point in it. Hollow would be the first to speak not him, because this was about them.
Hollow kicked at the ruins of the fine stonework, making sure it was unrecognizable and upon being satisfied with the result walked back into their abandoned heart of the kingdom.
A shiver ran through Grimm as he pulled his cloak tighter; it was cold without them. There emerged a vague suspicion in his mind that Hollow might have wanted to be left alone, but how could he leave like this? Just when they were in the greatest need of a warm hand and comforting whispers? He didn’t leave their side when they were so weak they could barely walk, he changed their bandages without ever missing a day, he watched them with round and happy eyes from the front row in the coronation, he helped them with all he could, but now it seemed even that wasn’t enough. Longingly he watched the spot where Hollow had disappeared behind the gate. He could do better. He must do better. A faint puff of red smoke was all he left behind.
He found them in the training chamber, frantically swinging their nail at nothing. But Grimm had the impression that maybe it wasn’t nothing. Maybe it was all their pain and worries and hurt. Only if it was that easy to get rid of those.
“Please,” sounded Grimm’s half-hearted request, “let me help you.”
Hollow paused and set their nail aside to free their hand and sign. “If you can change every bug’s way of thinking, you are free to try.” Their eyes narrowed in sarcasm.
Grimm ventured deeper into the chamber. “What do you mean?”
“Oh, don’t pretend to be blind, the role of unviability is already taken by me.” Whatever it was they were saying, it felt unnatural for their often so reserved demeanour. “You surely see what’s going on around this place. Or to be more precise, what’s missing from it.”
“Give them time,” Grimm said, closing in the last few paces between them. “Life will return.”
Hollow turned their head away from Grimm’s attempt at a consoling touch. “You don’t see what I do. You don’t see that when I cross paths with a servant they instantly freeze and wait until I pass, or quickly change directions. Do you really think I don’t leave this palace because I don’t want to? No, it’s because every time someone sees me they can’t see the king. They quiver and back away in fear. They can’t see anything else but the monster who ruined Hallownest.” They paused, mustering up the strength and courage to continue. “And they’re right. I should have been thrown out and left at the bottom of the Abyss, but instead I became a monster.” Their fast gestures were filled with frustration.
Before they could turn Grimm cupped their face with both hands, and the two of them were locked in a long stare. Behind Hollow’s void black eyes was hurt and, Grimm didn’t want to believe it, but paired with that hurt was anger, silent but dangerous, and ready to erupt.
Grimm leant close to their face, scarlet eyes wishing to peek into their soul. Their quick breaths mingled together, and Grimm whispered in a soft velvet voice. “You’re not a monster.” He gently caressed Hollow’s cheek, noting with a speck of satisfaction that they leant into the touch. “You’re many things, beautiful and wonderful things, I know.”
Snapping out of their beginning trance Hollow’s eyes widened and they reached for their nail with a defying speed, swinging it at Grimm, though only from a distance. With a shocked hiss Grimm teleported into a corner, thinking about a plan on how he could calm the troubling mind of his love.
“Please,” Grimm tried in a soft voice. “I understand you anger, but-” Daggers of soul and magic aimed at his head made him duck and shut up. Whatever he’s said, it was just oil to the fire. So if words weren’t what the vessel needed he’d resort to actions and let himself drift with the current. Whatever may come, Grimm would stay by their side, no matter the cost.
Hollow beckoned them back onto the battleground with a nod of their elegant head. If they wanted to fight so badly Grimm would oblige and show them more than they’d expect.
The cold tiles beneath them once again became a dancefloor as lively sparks of fire tried to break the line of white defence. Grimm took advantage not just of his teleport, but Hollow’s lack of steady balance. He whirled around the place like a tornado of fire, always moving, never staying in the same spot for more than a second. Hollow tried their best to follow his sleek form, but Grimm was fast and their long white cloak was just yet another obstacle. Then Grimm’s attention lingered on Hollow’s pale face and black carapace for a moment too long and Hollow only needed as much to get ahead of him and surprise the Troupe Master with the sharp tip of their nail pressed lightly against his throat.
Grimm froze and his narrowed scarlet eyes glittered with that rare kind of smug which belonged solely to him. Hollow had always been hard to read, but now that they were purposefully masking their thoughts and intentions Grimm couldn’t rely on his eyes, but was urged to listen to his feelings.
As if to prove how unintimidating he found the vessel he lazily traced the intricate carvings on the pure nail, up until his wandering fingers reached its hilt and met with Hollow’s. The excitement of the battle still lingered around the two, their most adored perfume. A careful smile crept onto Grimm’s face as he caressed Hollow who was so perfectly motionless like their destroyed statue outside. His smile grew wilder as he gave Hollow one last moment to believe they were the one on top pulling the strings, then with one swift move he got a firm hold on the nail, whirled around, pushing the already shocked and caught off-guard Hollow just enough to loose their balance, tumble and inevitably fall. The gleaming blade of the pure nail was thrust in the ground, piercing through their cloak. Without a second to spare Grimm kneelt down then straddled them, trying not to put all his weight onto the struggling knight. Hollow tried to get up and shake the Troupe Master off of them, but tugging at their cloak was a fruitless attempt. Then he fumbled with the pointlessly overcomplicated clasps and buttons and who knows what else at their neck, but one shaky hand was little help. They were quite literally nailed to the ground. All they could do was to push themselves into a sitting position with Grimm who was starting to become more and more overconfident.
Grimm took in the sight, satisfied with all he’s achieved and drunk on Hollow’s beauty, that long pair of horns, almost regal, that elegant curve of their snout he wanted to kiss so badly, and their lean body, so perfectly void black. There was only one blemish that wasn’t meant to be there. On their forehead, between their two horns was a thin crack, a stigma left by the past. But Grimm loved even that. His gaze wandered back into their eyes, narrowed, the void raging inside them. Anger suited them, and not just because it made them snappier and more sensitive, but because they had every right to be angry.
Grimm leant in for a gentle kiss, testing the waters. Hollow was tempted to lean away, but in the end stayed and surrendered to the eternal love and warmth radiating from Grimm’s alluring form. Taking this as an invitation Grimm’s hands started to wander along Hollow’s upper torso, feather-light touches upon their cheeks, neck and collarbone.
Hollow broke away from the kiss and looked at Grimm. His comforting touches managed to drown out their anger, but failed to deliver the calmness he wished for. They tilted their head in confusion and slight annoyance, and this time instead of signing they wrote on Grimm’s back. “You’re not helping.” Grimm swore he could see a sarcastic pout on them.
“Then just tell me to stop, and I will.”
An awkward silence sat between the two, one of silent defiance, a wordless fight over who had the greater sense of pride. Oh how much Grimm loved to catch them off-guard, in a clever trap of carefully chosen words. Hollow refused to say anything and instead just leant back, mutely encouraging Grimm to continue on. Maybe what Grimm was doing wasn’t help, maybe it was, but Hollow didn’t know. They tried to guess what they needed right now the most, but it felt like wading through a thick sea of fog covering everything that might be an answer, and so they were left clueless. Not so much like Grimm who now, with his kisses getting longer and touches become more daring, signalled clear intentions and desires.
The balance between calmness and excitement was perfect between them, no rushed feeling and actions, but Grimm, being ever the entertainer, spoke in short pauses between the kisses. “I hope you know I’m not like the rest of them, not in any way.”
The balance tipped, dipping into excitement and the tempting urge to take risks, to break the measured facade they were forced to put on like masks during the day. But now, fortunately for them, it was night.
“You don’t know me,” Hollow etched rather than wrote onto his back. “You don’t know anything about me.”
Even if it wasn’t intended Grimm took it as an offence, and it had sparked something up deep within him, something rarely witnessed and was way beyond just his usual overconfidence.
His cheeks were blushed by the sheer mention of Hollow’s doubt and he hissed with forceful defiance among his notes of surprise. “I’m the one who doesn’t know you?!” A mad light shone in Grimm’s wide red eyes, and Hollow realized too late that they’d made a mistake. “I don’t know you?”
Without any sign of a warning he shoved two fingers into Hollow’s slit already dripping with void, and cracked a satisfied smile upon seeing the shock that zapped through their system like a cold shower, but filled them with a dizzying hotness. Hollow’s back instinctively curled into an elegant arch as their arm and legs tried to hold onto some support, but they were left struggling under Grimm’s still body and stern face.
“I know you better than you yourself,” Grimm said proudly and with the irresistible need to prove as his fingers pulled out of Hollow. His fingers slowly dragged along their abdomen, heaving chest and collarbone and travelled even past their cheeks towards the one spot Hollow hated the most on themselves. As Grimm placed his hand, lighter than a veil, upon the thin crack on their forehead Hollow instantly froze, an instinct rooted deep within them that they could never get rid of. That crack was supposed to be nothing else, but a reminder for the past and a subtle warning not to make the same mistakes again, but that wicked crack was so much more. So much worse. It was an ill omen, the sign of corruption for whoever saw it with held back breaths as their king passed by, and it was a curse for Hollow, a curse that was impossible to get rid off. They hoped it would heal under the bandages and various ointments, but they were wrong. Then they tried at the hot springs, often keeping their head under the healing water until the lack of oxygen made their insides burn and yearn for air. Still, the crack persisted, and slowly Hollow started to give up all hope of erasing it. Every bug regarded that crack on their forehead like that, with fright and worry, except one. It was none other than Grimm, the mysterious traveller with a wealth of secrets.
When the kingdom once again began to wake from its deep slumber all have expected the troupe to move on and disappear without a trace, but for everyone’s surprise, Grimm stayed. Grimm, cocky and daring, but ever so loyal. At first Hollow didn’t understand why he stayed and who his loyalty was sworn to, until, after long months of painlessly slow realization, it clicked. The reason for why he’s chosen them remained a secret, and they tried their best to try and uncover it, so far to no avail. But nonetheless, Grimm was now loyal to Hollow, and have sworn loyalty to them time and time again, seemingly every day. Hollow didn’t mind.
Grimm, whose intent now was nothing else, but to prove their loyalty and help. Help in any way he could. But Hollow was beautiful and tempting with everything Grimm has ever wished for and, for Grimm’s greatest joy, they let him, beckoned him, to give in to the temptation. They rarely resisted, another thing Grimm loved about them, and they barely played games. Barely. But tonight was an exception. Tonight was an offering on the altar of discovery, breaking the boundaries and deepening the bonds.
Grimm velvet voice crackled with the warmth of fire and brought both of their wandering minds back into the present. “Accept it,” Grimm whispered as he traced the crack. Hollow shuddered. “It’s a part of you. And it’s not a curse, nor something to be feared or hated. Look at it like I do. It’s a proof of your strength, a strength many don’t even dare to dream of. You’ve withstood so much, face and conquered so many challenges, fought and grew and persisted, refusing to give up and you survived.” Grimm was heaving, his eyes mildly surprised by his own words. “You survived. That fine crack is the proof that you survived what has killed so many and left the few to live in terror. You’ve gone through hell, I admit, but you’ve emerged victorious on the other side. And that, my love, can only be regarded with deep respect. So accept it and wear it like a crown, because to me it means more than any kind of a crown ever could.”
To make them understand that they meant it Grimm pressed a light kiss on their forehead, then their cheeks and snout and at last travelled down their neck. Hollow tipped their head back without a moment of hesitance. Grimm toyed with the idea of biting at their neck, marking them, maybe bringing forth a few drops of void, but he knew that wasn’t what Hollow needed right now. So he just planted long and loving kisses along their neck and collarbone. Hollow gave in to the sensation, letting their problems and any concerning thoughts to slip by and fade away. They just wanted to feel Grimm and his warmth and his love. Their fine hand kept wandering along his sides and back, tugging at his cloak and sometimes grazing over his shoulder as if wanting to write something, but never came to.
Grimm lifted his head, eyes catching Hollow’s. They were relaxed and content. “What would you like me to do?” he asked, willing to give the spotlight which he loved so dearly to Hollow. This time. Yes, this night he’d make an exception.
Hollow’s half-lidded eyes widened, needing a moment to process the question. If Grimm wanted to surprise them he succeeded. “A dangerous thing to ask.” Wrote Hollow, loving as Grimm tried to repress a shudder at the sharp claws dragging over his side, at a particularly sensitive spot. Maybe he knew Hollow well, but his knight wasn’t a fool either.
“Dangerous indeed,” he hissed, his fangs glinting in the candlelight. “But that’s not something you were ever afraid of. Of course,” he lowered his voice, “I could take the lead if you’d wish-”
“No,” the words etched into his carapace. “That won’t be necessary.”
Grimm’s eyes widened, as scarlet as his cheeks. Was it confidence hiding beneath their sea of void? He was used to taking the lead, but a promise was a promise, and besides, he was fizzing with curiosity.
Hollow tilted their head to the side, cherishing the rare moment of catching Grimm off-guard. At last they wrote, “You. Down. Now.” They were smug and they knew it. Grimm knew it.
Grimm was rendered speechless. But talking wasn’t what Hollow had asked for anyway. He sent them a smile and a nod, as if acknowledging and congratulating for their confidence in his own way. And Grimm began his descent, which he had long decided he’d take his sweet damn time with and would make it a most memorable moment for Hollow.
He started slow, much like he did in a dance, peppering kisses and sometimes licking along Hollow’s chest, abdomen and at last temptingly and maddeningly close to their groin. Hollow tried to match their movements to the coolness on their face, only to fail miserably. It was clear by the way their chest heaved, back arched, fingers kept clawing at nothing and how they struggled against their cloak still pinned to the ground. They cast an annoyed glance at the white silk. They should have just tore that damn thing to shreds already, but the fine craft of the weavers held strong. Their wandering mind was yet again captured and dragged back to reality by the sudden shock of Grimm’s warm tongue pressing against their slit, slowly licking. But Grimm, never one to rush things, refused to go deep, refraining himself to just light and soft licks which alone carried little satisfaction, but sweetly tempted Hollow with promises of what more they could do. And Hollow’s sole desire at that moment was to feel what else they could do. Grimm’s hands wandered along their torso, sometimes idly tracing a few shapes on their black carapace shimmering with a thin sheen of sweat, but he still refused to move further on.
“What are you waiting for?” They wrote on the back of Grimm’s head with trembling fingers and eyes barely open to see him look up at him with a wide, knowing smile and a roguish glint in his eyes.
“For a please maybe?”
A ‘please’? Hollow scoffed to themselves. Grimm could tease them all he wanted, but this time - no matter how hard he tried not to accept it – Hollow was doing everything in order to keep the lead. “You wouldn’t want to make me angry, now would you?” The way the sharp tip of their claw grazed along his skull carried with them an air of threat.
“I don’t know,” Grimm purred in a honeyed voice, fingers yet again tracing shapes on their inner thigh, dangerously close to their slit. Hollow quivered and pushed into the touch. “Anger suits you. Makes you more daring... And who knows what else?”
“It certainly makes me not beg.” They lifted their head just to catch his pair of crimson eyes. It was another long stare, void battling with fire in the pulsing hot air between them, sparks of excitement illuminating their blushed faces. Hollow gave a slight push to Grimm’s head and at last he obeyed, but the low hiss that he gave made Hollow feel like he wouldn’t forget the scar on his pride.
Hollow shut their eyes tight and tipped their head back, grateful for the coolness of the tiles soothing their inner hotness, and let Grimm do whatever he wished to as long as it helped them get closer to that promise of pure bliss, which only he could deliver.
Grimm tried to deny how much he loved to please his knight, but it was crystal clear for both of them by the way his eyes lit up with a glitter of love whenever they were around, by how he seemed to walk slightly closer to them than other bugs, by how he kept making weirder and weirder excuses for sticking around the palace. And of course by the way he thrust his long tongue deep into Hollow’s slit.
Grimm could never fully get used to the taste of void, always finding it to be so contrary in Hollow. They were supposed to be empty and thoughtless, but he had the chance to see that Hollow was probably one of the most sensitive and kindest creatures in all of Hallownest. Their only wish was to put things right in the best way they could, and beside that they wanted nothing else. They didn’t even act like a king.
Hollow’s fingers curled around one of his horns, pushing his face deeper. Grimm didn’t mind; in fact he loved every moment of it. Their sea of void practically raged in them, in their tense muscles and arching back, and oh what Grimm wouldn’t have given to hear just one sweet moan from them. But he had to be satisfied with his imagination and the sight, which truth be told, was the most beautiful he’d seen in all the kingdoms he’d visited. His licks were becoming longer and reached deep in just the right spots with exquisite mastery. Of course, Grimm being Grimm and knowing every inch of Hollow’s body so perfectly, he missed that one spot, the one which always brought the most pleasure, on intention, loving as they struggled to position their hips for his tongue to hit it. They were quivering, their whole body. They were on edge, that bliss just out of reach, sometimes even touching them for a second, but it always slipped away not letting them to grasp and enjoy it.
They tried to write a ‘please’ onto Grimm’s neck, but a ‘p’ and an ‘l’ was all they could manage. Grimm smiled and glanced up at them, his mouth smeared with the void by this time covering most of their thighs, and felt content with the trembling mess he’s managed to make of his knight on the dancefloor.
He added a few fingers too, and licked and sucked until he was out of breath, but only paused for a second before continuing. The dripping void felt sweet and sour at the same time on their tongue, addicting. Hollow’s scent was dizzying, their beautiful black carapace like the night sky, their halo of horns divine, and their body hot against each other. Grimm kept on licking, now hitting their sweet spot too. Hollow’s muscles instinctively tensed, eyes shutting tight as they kept gasping for air. That promise of bliss, so maddeningly close. Grimm purred into the lick and Hollow threw back their head as pure euphoria seemingly exploded in them like fireworks, sending stars across their hazed vision. They went limp as a ragdoll, their muscles free of strain at last. Grimm helped them ride out their afterglow with practiced fingers. He made a show of licking the void off his fingers, firmly holding Hollow’s gaze, telling them without words that they are his. Then he planted gently kisses all along their body, not leaving one spot untouched, until he reached their snout.
These were the rare times when Grimm was glad about them being bigger than him, and so he lazily lay on top of them, forever drunk on their beauty. Hollow caringly wiped some leftover void from the corner of his mouth, then leant in for a kiss.
“So,” Grimm asked in a sultry tone, “did I help, hm?” He rested his chin on their chest, listening to the steady and oddly soothing rumble of their inner void.
Hollow averted their gaze, reluctant to tell Grimm how much he’s helped. Helped since the very beginning.
Grimm poked them. “Come on, admit it. I helped.”
Hollow’s eyes fixed on his alluring black and red form laying on top of him. Grimm shifted on them a bit and Hollow nearly flinched as they felt Grimm’s erection brushing against them. They signed, “Yes, I admit... But I’m not yet finished with you.”
Grimm’s eyes widened as he barely processed the words and Hollow already whirled them around, not caring about the ripping sound of their cloak. But the material still held firm enough and they found themselves a bit lost and entangled in the soft whiteness.
“Let me help,” Grimm offered as his practiced hands unbuttoned that heavy cloak on the knight towering above him, accepting the help with a patient gaze. Grimm didn’t remember how his cloak ended up on the ground, but with Hollow, already slick with void, grinding against them he couldn’t have cared less.
Hollow leant in close and they adored each other’s scent of sweat and excitement, small ragged gasps of breaths mingling, feeling the other’s racing heart. Hollow took their time, setting a languid pace with their grinding. Grimm felt as if the fire with which they lit the lantern and amused the crowd was now burning him from the inside, his every cell set ablaze, his whole body maddeningly hot. He just wanted to truly feel Hollow, for their souls to truly meet and join, a parade of shadow and fire. He wanted for the burning hotness to cool, and his sole desire was to slide inside Hollow and get his release. But his knight was reluctant to abide by his wish, as if waiting for something. Or just torturing him, because to Grimm it felt more like that. When Grimm was horny their patience became a thin thread that was easy to snip, and Hollow tore that patience to shreds as the minutes dragged on, the only sound filling the room being their panting and Grimm’s light moans. Then the fire in Grimm burned away his last bit of patience.
He got a hold on Hollow’s shoulders and whirled them around, now sitting on Hollow like a throne, adoring their look of surprise. His cock grinded against their slit and was soon smeared with void.
“We’re not playing this game,” Hollow signed, face picking up a hint of annoyance.
“I’m not playing games,” Grimm panted in their neck, biting it, “I’m fucking you.”
So if Grimm couldn’t hold himself back then why should Hollow had done so? They put a light hand on Grimm’s neck and taking advantage of their size flipped over the two. Grimm struggled under their weight, trying to grind against anything, but Hollow held his hips down firmly. Grimm looked at them, deep within those black eyes, surprised. Was Hollow daring, brave or just still angry? It was impossible to tell. Their sharp claws left his neck and dragged along his collarbone and chest, slow but confident, then travelled down his sides and abdomen and at last came to a stop just an inch away from his twitching cock. Grimm felt a shiver slither through his body. Hollow lifted their hand to sign something, the act being followed by Grimm’s disappointed whimper. Their sole and only focus was Grimm’s face. They didn’t want to miss seeing his reaction. They signed even slower than usual and let a long stretch of silence fall upon them between the letters. “Beg.” That was all they signed. That was all they had to. Upon finishing their fingers curled around the base of his cock, but refused to move.
Grimm’s mind wasn’t in the state to produce coherent thoughts, let alone spoken words. He and Hollow have switched places, and he wasn’t sure if it was pleasant to get a taste of his own medicine. But again, he didn’t care. But, much even to his surprise, he did care about that last whit of dignity he so stubbornly clung on to.
“No,” he hissed through gritted teeth, fangs glinting as an empty threat.
Hollow tilted their head and Grimm swore he saw them smile. A pitying smile. “Then suffer.”
They stroked his cock from base to tip, a feather-light touch that he normally wouldn’t have noticed, but his whole being was starting to become sensitive to any kind of a touch. Grimm could only hope he wouldn’t go mad. Another stroke, this time firmer, flicked over his tip which was already leaking pre-cum. A series of desperate whimpers rolled off his tongue as he pushed into the touch, noting with dismay how little that got him closer to the orgasm that he craved more than anything. The fire in him grew painfully hot. The strokes got longer and harder, and Grimm got closer to the edge, his moans shamelessly loud and yearning for more. But Hollow kept on the agonizing pace, enjoying the control they held over Grimm much more than they’ve expected. They’ve changed roles, this time Hollow taking the lead and holding the reins with a steady grasp, not letting Grimm to yank them out of it.
Then, without any warning, Hollow’s fingers stopped moving along Grimm’s cock. They held his gaze steady and dominant and once again wanted to tell him to beg, but before they could lift their hand Grimm erupted in a flurry of barely coherent pleas.
“Please, my love,” he panted, body and voice quivering alike. “Just... please I’m begging you, please, love!” Grimm was a beautiful mess beneath Hollow, his expression of nothing else but a deep, loving level of want. Hollow couldn’t resist those pair of crimson eyes shining with the love solely reserved for them, and besides, they too were already dripping, void trickling down their thighs, painting it an even deeper glinting black.
Instead of continuing to stroke Grimm they leant close to his shoulder for support and slammed down on his cock, the void in them convulsing around Grimm, who could only gasp at the sudden hotness enveloping his full length. He welcomed the feeling with a relieved sigh, chest rising and falling in a quick pace. His body felt light and Hollow was his perfect anchor, always by his side and never letting him go. Hollow’s hips lifted only to slam down again, taking in all they could, muscles tensing and head tipping back as they filled up and they shuddered when his tip reached that sweet spot deep within them. They listened to the beautiful melody of Grimm’s moans and pants and whispered ‘I love you’-s, and both of them were close, but Hollow wanted to stretch out the moments, that anticipation, that pure, unadulterated trust and love between them and Grimm, to relish more in that maddening state of the mind when all your thoughts revolve around one thing: to be sent over the edge and let pure euphoria make a mess of you. They switched into a fast rhythm, Grimm eagerly following them and the two moved in perfect sync, understanding the other’s feelings and desires without words. A last upwards thrust of Grimm’s cock and Hollow felt his cum filling them, warm whiteness mixing with void; their back arched, body tensing up a bit, head in the crook of Grimm’s neck, their thighs trembled and they came with a low grumble shaking their whole body and sending jolts of pleasure down Grimm’s cock. Hollow let waves of bliss wash over them, and soon both were drowning in the feel of ecstasy. But Hollow still wanting to make the most of the moment continued on with a languid pace, helping Grimm ride out his afterglow while he kept planting hard kisses on their neck. After long minutes of sacred silence spent like that Grimm reluctantly pulled out. Hollow managed to tame that fire in him, something only they had the power and patience to do.
They refused to get off Grimm’s warm body, so they lay on top of them, head on his chest, listening to the beat of his heart. A bit comical, given that Hollow was the bigger one, but at the moment they wished for nothing else than to be loved and caressed, something their childhood had denied from them. And Grimm felt as if the only purpose of his existence was to deliver that wish.
Hollow looked up at Grimm, and blinked slowly, their tired yet intense gaze filled to the brim with love and, at last, the soothing breeze of peace. They tilted their head as Grimm petted them, mind being filled by a labyrinth of imagination, its walls thoughts and memories and wishes and so much more.
“Why are you still here? In Hallownest?” they wrote on his chest with curious, round eyes.
Grimm cracked a smile, the question never being if Hollow would ask such a thing, but when. “Your kingdom isn’t crumbling anymore, it’s yet again on the path of greatness.” He paused and looked at the ceiling above fading into the darkness of the night. “After the infection, after... the fight, I thought you’d die, and truth be told, I didn’t care much. The troupe was packing and mounting the grimmsteeds already, but, just out of curiosity, I halted them for one more day. I wanted to see what would happen to the spawn of a monarch as great and cruel as your...,” he bit down on his tongue, swallowing the word ‘father’. “As he. I don’t really know how I ended up here in the city and the palace. But much to my and your sister’s surprise you let me close, to take care of you. And so I did, I had to. I couldn’t leave you alone.”
Hollow let out a long sigh, eyes delving deep in their own mind. “But you’ll leave. You have to, it’s your destiny.”
Grimm’s fingers caressed their pale cheeks. “And what was your destiny supposed to be? Originally, not this. So don’t you worry what I should or shouldn’t do, because it doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is that I’ll always be by your side. Helping you, caring for you, loving you... making love to you.” He smiled mischievously, but Hollow’s mind was occupied by something else and Grimm felt the oncoming cloud of worry.
Hollow didn’t meet their gaze. “I can’t do it. I’m not the king Hallownest deserves. Even today, look how I failed.”
Grimm kissed the crack on their forehead, their cheeks, their snout. “You’ll need to learn a lot of things, but I believe in you. I’ll help you. And you will succeed.”
Hollow returned the kiss, their shoulders slouching in relaxation. The cloud of worry seemingly evaporated. They let Grimm’s warmth seep in them, calm them. Minutes have passed with the only sound being Hollow’s breathing and the thrum of Grimm’s heart.
Hollow took a long breath of air and they pulled themselves up, heading to the exit with slow steps. Their muscles were sore, but by all means it was worth it. Grimm followed quickly, his expression one of mild surprise, confusion and concern. He hoped Hollow wouldn’t go tearing down statues again. He put a hand on their shoulders, making them to pause and look at him.
“Your cloak,” Grimm said weakly.
Hollow shook their head. “No. I’m never wearing that again. Too...” they let their head down, failing to find the strength to tell it.
“...painful. Too many memories.” Grimm cast down his eyes in sorrow and an odd sense of shame. “You won’t make the same mistakes... you’ll be better than him.”
Hollow looked at him, but Grimm couldn’t decipher their emotions. They were hesitant to sign but at last they did. “All I can do is try.” They glanced away in mild embarrassment.
“And that is more than enough, my love.” His consoling presence shifted closer to his knight. He once again glanced at the torn cloak and pure nail laying on the tiles, memories of the past haunting him as well as all of Hallownest. “You are no king. You were never meant to sit on a throne, and you don’t want to be a king. Is that right?” Though confused, they nodded. “You’ll be something even greater. The bugs out there, they have hope in you. Don’t let them down. Don’t be a king, just be their guide and guardian. That is something you’ll do wonderfully.”
Grimm didn’t dare to smile, he just waited for Hollow to yet again unleash their fury and go days without talking to anyone, but his expectations were wrong, so wrong. Hollow kissed him, a long and loving kiss, one full of warmth and kindness. Grimm smiled into it.
When the kiss ended Grimm could see something deep within their black eyes, a miracle he’d never witnessed before. It was the glint of hope, tiny and careful, but growing by the moment until it lit their eyes up like a thousand little lumaflies. Grimm’s smile mirrored their hope.
Hollow took his hand and intertwined their fingers. They exited the chamber, together, hand in hand, love and hope beaming off of them and suddenly the palace didn’t seem so cold anymore.