1. Grimm
1
GRIMM
Those brown eyes that are usually filled with light stare up at me with such helplessness that my heart cracks a little. The sight of it, paired with V standing here, has my brain short-circuiting. Verena never comes knocking on my door.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, my heart pounding erratically in my chest. Seeing her typically stirs this reaction, but seeing her like this , bruised, bloodied, and scared, makes it pound harder.
“I didn’t know where else to go, I couldn’t go home.” She whispers, her eyes never leaving mine. Pain and despair shine through, and I understand how delicate the situation is. I try not to panic, both at her proximity to me and because of her current state. One has my dick threatening to harden in my pants, while the other has me seeing red.
Fully opening the door, I grab the sleeve of her shirt, pulling her inside. I push the door shut and gently lace our fingers together. We make our way upstairs to my room, and I tell her to wait by the door while I rummage through my drawers, looking for clothes that may be small enough to fit her.
Finally landing on some sweats and a t-shirt, I nod my head towards my bathroom and give her my clothing. “Go ahead and change in there. I’m going downstairs to grab some water. Do you need anything else?”
Verena shakes her head no, stepping into the bathroom and closing the door behind her. Taking off downstairs, I swing by the kitchen and get our water. Opening the pantry, I grab crackers in case V decides she’s hungry. I don’t know what she needs, and I don't think she’s too sure of it, either. The best thing for me to do is be there for her in any way I can, and I will.
I’d do anything for her.
Trailing back upstairs, thoughts pass through my head wondering what brought her to my doorstep. Is she in trouble, or is she going to forget about this tomorrow and expect me to do the same?
Not going to happen.
Unfortunately, everything Verena does is permanently etched into my brain. We met in middle school, and she’s been my purpose for living every day since. This California girl arrived in Devil’s Lake and completely stole my heart.
Granted, she hated me and always did her best to steer clear of me. A few years after Emmett and I became friends, her family moved down the block from us. I spent months chasing after her. She never gave me the time of day. In her eyes, I was another young boy with no control over his heart or his dick, and she didn’t want any part of that.
My mind wanders to a memory I’ve held close for so long. It was when I ran into her at a house party. She was a freshman in high school, and I, a sophomore. I knew which guys were cool and which were creeps, and the creeps were eyeing her. She was fresh meat in the depths of the jungle, and when the fresh meat is wearing a blood-red, skin-tight two-piece, it attracts predators from a mile away.
I pulled her into a game of spin the bottle that was happening in the living room, and when it was my turn to go, guess who the bottle landed on? Being the hopeless romantic that I am, I surely thought it was fate. Verena, on the other hand, did not.
She laughed it off saying, “I am not kissing you!” She shoved me playfully, but I caught her wrist, and our eyes met. Her breath hitched, and I pulled her body closer to mine. Our eyes never broke contact, and it felt as if we were the only two people in the room.
“Are you guys gonna kiss or what? Let’s go!” A whiny voice shouted from across the room. I dropped her wrist and cupped her face, brought her lips to meet mine, and gave her a simple, soft peck. When I pulled back, her face of dissatisfaction told me everything I needed to know.
She wanted more.
Everyone did. There was the beginning of hooting and hollering from douchebag athletes, encouraging us to give them a show. It was anticlimactic. It was safe. I don’t know why I didn’t take what I wanted and devour her whole when I had the chance. It was absolute hell, giving myself a taste of ambrosia, knowing I’d live the rest of my days without relishing in the heavenly flavor of her lips.
But it showed me something. Eventually, she would be mine. Major trust the process vibes, but I’m trusting it nonetheless.
Besides, she’s currently cuffed up with some asshole, Leo. Can’t wait for her to ditch that stupid fuck. She’s too good for him. He’s a complete douche, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she came here because the dickwad broke her heart.
Is he the culprit behind her appearance? I wouldn’t mind breaking his skull if he was.
V kept her distance after that night at the party. She never had many friends and didn’t care about having a social life. Verena had a younger sister, Veronica, who she referred to as Ronnie, and that was enough for her. They were attached at the hip. Two peas in a pod, always giggling and whispering secrets back and forth to each other. It was a breath of fresh air compared to the reality I’ve known with my own siblings. Seven of us in total, and I hate every single one of them.
In her junior year of high school, Ronnie passed away of cancer, and Verena changed after that. Her chocolate brown hair was dyed to an inky, midnight black. Her shoulder-length curls were stretched and straightened, cascading down her spine. The usually bright wardrobe transformed into edgy and gothic, and her features were accentuated with the darkest liners and shadows possible.
To an outsider, she changed overnight. But I saw her slowly falling apart from afar.
Bringing myself back to the present moment, I feel my growing hard-on make an appearance, and I maneuver the drinks in my hand, freeing one to cover up my excitement towards her presence and the reminder of our moment that prematurely ended.
I sigh and climb the stairs back up to my room. Opening the door, I spot Verena on the small black loveseat next to my window. Apparently, she found my weed because she’s taking a hit from my bowl, and when her eyes meet mine, she freezes.
I chuckle, “Make yourself at home. Please.” Little does she know how serious I really am. She gives me a small smile and takes a hit, visibly calming down with the inhalation.
Desperate to know the truth behind her visit, I sit and waste no time trying to get answers to my questions.
“So, where were you tonight? At home? Out with some friends?” I ask, hoping her answer has nothing to do with her douchebag boyfriend.
“I was with Leo.” She replies after a few moments of hesitation, barely loud enough for me to hear.
My jaw flexes. Was he the one who did this to her? There’s no way she would be honest with me, but I need to know the truth. Black and blue bruising appears around her right eye and it seems to have swollen since she arrived. My shirt hangs off of her, baring her neck to me. Ligature marks are forming on her neck.
I try to bite my tongue and figure out the best way to approach this, but the words are rolling out of my mouth before I get the chance to reel them back in. “Did he do this to you? What happened? You can tell me, V. I’m only here to help you. To protect you.”
Her eyes widen, and she shakes her head. Clearing her throat, she chuckles and says, “No. No, of course not. He’d never. I tripped. Hit my face on the doorknob. I’m such a klutz.”
A fucking doorknob?
“Verena, do you think I’m fucking stupid?” I ask her, my expression deathly serious.
Her jaw drops in shock, and she fumbles over her words. “I- Uh- Grimm you-” She lets out a huff. “I fell. I’m okay. I just drank a little bit too much and got emotional over Ronnie. I’m okay, Grimm. I just miss my sister.”
Bringing my hands to my face, I drag them down and shake my head. “You’re a bad liar, you know? You really need to work on your facial expressions matching the words that leave your lips. I hear you saying he’s innocent, but your eyes are screaming for help and for someone to see through the bullshit. I am that someone, Verena. So I’m going to ask you again. If you lie to me, I’ll know. Was it Leo who hurt you? Did he leave these marks all over you?”
A tear falls down her face, and she nods her head softly. I’m up and rushing to her side, her arms instantly wrapping around my neck. The scent of cocoa butter and blackberries clouds my senses, and it is all-consuming. My arms envelop her waist, pulling our bodies flush against one another. The feel of her body against mine is unbearable. If I wasn’t so concerned for her safety, I’d let my hard-on make a quick appearance.
But this has to end now. Both my hard-on and her relationship.
“You need to leave him, Verena. Let me help you. I can kick his ass. I can kill him. Say the word and I’ll do it for you.” I beg.
Her head shakes profusely, “No Grimm, please don’t. Don’t do anything. Leo has this sick and twisted side to him. He’s batshit crazy and I do not, under any circumstances, want you getting involved with him. Over me, no less.”
“He’s batshit? Verena, I’m fucking psychotic,” I argue. “Absolutely unhinged and certifiably deranged. I do not need safekeeping. I’m here to protect you, not the other way around.”
She untangles herself from me and wipes the tears from her face. I bring my hands to her chin and cup her cheeks gently. “I know you’ve grown used to the darkness. I have too. But you are not safe with Leo and you know it. Go back to him and I will make sure he ends up six feet under.” I promise. Kissing her nose, I release her.
Standing, I walk over to my nightstand and grab a pre-roll. I sit back down next to Verena and spark it. We pass the joint until we’re high and sleepy, blissful silence filling the room.
Setting the roach in the ashtray, I lean back, letting my head rest on the couch. Her head finds my shoulder and they connect like two perfect puzzle pieces. Made to fit each other and only each other. Shortly after, her breathing evens out, telling me she’s fallen asleep. I look down at her, resting and at peace, and feel that twinge in my chest telling me to claim her.
My missing puzzle piece.
My V.
One day, she’ll be mine.