Grimm: Ch. 6

---Grimm's POV---

I stared at the tent I had used for six years. The fabric was worn thin in places, patched countless times after raids and storms.

How many nights had we shared like this?

Too many to count.

Since Shirley had left, time had flown, and even Gabriel had grown mature. Now it was my turn to leave. I wasn't sure how he would manage without me, but at least he could probably take care of himself by now.

"You're smart and more likely to survive. You wouldn't want Gabriel to recklessly throw his life away, would you?"

"Yeah, I get it." I was a little distracted, recalling Gabriel's past actions and trying to figure out where things had gone wrong.

Even now, I couldn't quite pin down when his and Gunther's relationship had soured—I only vaguely remembered a timeline.

No matter what, Gunther had always been a father to both of us. Although only a foster father, he hadn't let us starve and had taught us swordsmanship.

Not being discarded as a burden and getting a meal was already a blessing.

Seeing my distracted state, Gunther, uncharacteristically, didn't resort to scolding or beating me. He just sighed, a little helpless.

I was at least easier to deal with than others, right?

"Go say goodbye to Gabriel. I'll prepare some supplies for you. Come to my tent tomorrow morning; they'll pick you up and take you with them."

Gunther got up and headed to his tent to start packing.

"Alright, Father," I responded, the word feeling strange on my tongue.

Dusting myself off, I stood and left.

Gunther paused. "Bah, I don't have such troublesome sons as you two. Make sure to pack your belongings. I'm not running errands for you!"

"Got it!" my voice grew distant as I descended the slope and returned to the tent I shared with my brother.

The familiar musty smell of our shared space greeted me as I pushed aside the tent flap. Gabriel was sitting on the bed, swatting at the incessant buzz of mosquitoes.

I had been gone for a while; he had finished setting up our bedding ages ago.

"You're back, Grimm."

"Hurry up and take off your clothes to sleep." Gabriel scooted over, stripping off his shirt and preparing to crawl under the covers.

"Gabriel…" I hesitated, unsure how to begin.

Telling him now might ruin his sleep, but not telling him might lead to resentment.

"Hm? What's up?" Gabriel, half-undressed, sat on the straw mat, puzzled.

"I'm leaving tomorrow."

After a moment's hesitation, I decided to just say it.

"?"

"Leaving? Where to?"

"Somewhere far away, I guess." Having only seen the journey depicted briefly in animation, I had no clear map to reference. But traveling from the outskirts of Tali to Weimar certainly wasn't a short trip.

"Why? What did Gunther say? I'm coming with you!" Gabriel leapt up, ready to storm out of the tent and confront Gunther.

"It's just a mission!" I quickly grabbed his arm.

"That's even more reason for me to go with you!" His emotions were running high.

"It won't take long."

"No way! You know we've never been apart since we were born!" Gabriel's face flushed with anger; he looked desperate. His hands were balled into fists at his sides.

I knew if I didn't handle this carefully, he would insist on arguing with Gunther and likely end up getting beaten. Worse, if Gabriel learned the truth and got too worked up, we might both end up trying to escape under the cover of night.

But in the land of Tali, two children wouldn't get far. Besides, His impulsive nature would undoubtedly cause trouble if he tagged along.

"Oh, come on, I'm just delivering a letter!"

"Wow, I didn't think you cared about me this much, Gabriel," I teased, pulling a goofy face to lighten the mood.

"…"

His face darkened instantly. His fists clenched as he tackled me, ready to dole out some punishment.

"You jerk!"

His resolve was strong, but just as I braced for a punch, he hesitated. He switched his fist for a slap and delivered a solid smack to my stomach.

"Oof!"

Gabriel hadn't held back. Even my developing abs couldn't soften the blow, which left a bright red handprint.

"Getting all serious for nothing. I really thought it was something major. Made me worry for no reason," Gabriel muttered, pouting as he climbed back onto his straw mat.

He didn't go to sleep, though—just crossed his arms and stewed in frustration.

"Alright, alright, I get it!" I chuckled, standing and dusting myself off. I rubbed my sore stomach.

"If you've got something to do tomorrow, go to bed already!" Gabriel pulled the covers over himself and lay down, his slightly chubby face still puffed with annoyance as he turned his back to me.

I chuckled softly, taking off my shirt and sandals before lying down beside him on the straw mat.

Watching his shoulders rise and fall, it was obvious he was still sulking. What a proud and stubborn little guy.

"Are you still mad, Gabriel?" I asked, amused. I'd never seen him like this in the anime—it was almost like when he got frustrated with Griffith.

"No!!" he denied it immediately, but his tone only confirmed my suspicion. "Just go to sleep already!"

"Heh, alright, alright. Goodnight, Gabriel."

After six years together, I knew his temperament inside out. When he was upset, the best approach was to leave him alone. He'd cool down soon enough, and might even start the conversation himself. I began counting down silently in my mind: ten... nine... eight...

"..."

Gabriel stayed quiet, but his anger gradually subsided. Thinking about how this was the first time I would be away from him, and worrying about the dangers I might face on the road, he stopped sulking.

He turned over, staring at the tent ceiling, still a little too restless to sleep.

Three... two... one...

"Where are you delivering the letter to?" he finally asked.

"Hmm, not entirely sure. Probably to a city near the Midor border. Someone will come pick me up tomorrow to travel together," I replied, inwardly smug but outwardly casual.

"Midor, huh…" Gabriel felt slightly relieved knowing someone would be accompanying me.

"The fighting has calmed down recently, and I'll have company, so it should be fine."

"Be careful on the road."

"Alright."

Gabriel still seemed uneasy and asked again, "Did Gunther really insist that you go?"

"Of course! Having a kid in the group makes others less suspicious."

"Then why can't I come with you? Why did he only choose you?"

"Having too many kids would just look strange, wouldn't it? Besides…" I trailed off deliberately, baiting him.

"Besides what?" Gabriel predictably took the bait.

"Besides, it's probably because I performed better than you!" I teased, grinning mischievously.

"..."

"Forget it. I'm not talking to you anymore. Sleep." He turned his back to me again.

Before long, he fell asleep.

I stared at the tent ceiling, lost in thought. A sudden idea struck me, making me sit up a little. I glanced at the sleeping Gabriel and decided not to disturb him.

Brothers are brothers, no matter the distance between them, I thought, watching the gentle rise and fall of his chest as he slept.

At least, for now, everything seemed okay.

---

I had just finished the trial.

Gabriel was still asleep. The camp was quiet except for the occasional snort of horses and the distant clinking of armor.

Quietly, I got dressed and began packing my belongings.

Despite my efforts to minimize the rustling sounds, Gabriel woke up. Having grown up in the chaos of wartime, his senses were sharp, and he was a light sleeper.

"Are you leaving already?"

Gabriel was drowsy for a moment before he remembered what had happened the night before. He began to get dressed, ready to see me off.

Hearing him, I pretended to rummage through my pack. With a thought, two large pieces of dried meat appeared in my hands out of thin air.

"Catch!" I called out as I threw the dried meat toward him.

Gabriel, who had just slipped on his shirt, instinctively caught the meat.

"Where did you get this?" The dried meat looked excellent in quality and substantial.

"Of course, it's spoils of war!" I replied with a grin, watching his face carefully.

"Then why haven't I seen it before?" His eyes narrowed suspiciously, a look I'd seen so many times when he thought someone was lying to him.

"Obviously, I've been hiding it. Keep it safe. If the army rations fall short while I'm gone, you'll have something to fall back on."

"Huh?" Gabriel was puzzled.

He couldn't recall ever seeing me stash anything away, yet somehow I always managed to produce food during tough times.

"You should take it with you. You've got a long journey ahead."

"No need. I've got plenty left, too much to carry, actually." I had just finished packing.

We brothers didn't have many personal belongings, mostly food supplies. My pack looked heavy as I playfully lifted it to show Gabriel.

"Here's your sword." He handed me my weapon with a heavy heart, fully dressed but visibly troubled.

Having packed everything, I took the sword and noticed his downcast expression.

"By the time you're done with that dried meat, I should be back."

I opened my arms with a smile, as if this were an ordinary farewell.

Gabriel walked over and hugged me tightly. Being now taller by half a head, I felt him bury his face into my shoulder.

Despite the faint sweat on our clothes, it was a comforting, familial scent.

"Be careful on the road. If you can, write me letters! And if anything feels wrong, come back immediately! I'll find out where you are."

I hugged him back. "Of course. Nothing will happen. Take care of yourself while I'm gone, Gabriel."

"Don't say 'while I'm gone.' You have to come back! I'll wait for you!" Gabriel frowned unhappily, his fingers digging into my shoulders.

Outside the tent, the sound of footsteps and distant horses echoed.

"Hey, Grimm, time to move out," Gunther called as he lifted the tent flap.

"Hurry up and say your goodbyes. Don't keep everyone waiting," he urged us briefly before walking away.

"Hmm..." We glanced at Gunther. As I watched his retreating figure, a memory of Gabriel and Chloe's conversation surfaced, and I suddenly felt the urge to say something to Gabriel.

"When you are nine, Gabriel..."

My mind felt like it was about to snap. Something was ppulling at my soul. I couldn't get the words out.

It was like some demon-bull would crush my head any minute now, yelling "Found you, outsider."

I knew it would happen the second I said too much.

Then everything went black. I was falling through darkness, feeling so alone and scared I could barely breathe.

My body felt like it got hit by lightning, or maybe like I was on some hospital table with doctors all around. But no—I was still here, just... not really here at all.

"Grimm?" Seeing me standing silently, he thought it was just time to leave. He tugged at my hand, leading me toward the tent's exit.

"Your hand... it's so cold! Grimm!" The chill in my hand startled Gabriel.

As my consciousness fully returned, it felt as though my wandering soul had been put back into my body. My temperature quickly normalized, and the sunlight on my skin felt warm again.

Realizing what had just happened, I broke out in a cold sweat. That was close!

"It's nothing..." I said, trying to calm myself. 

"Relax, and be careful on the road." He gave my hand a squeeze.

We stepped out of the tent together into the growing light of dawn.

Outside were a few tall, majestic horses, their breath visible in the cold morning air. Armored cavalrymen checked their equipment while several black-robed figures of varying builds—likely the spies central to this mission.

As we approached the group, I felt I needed to warn Gabriel about something.

"Gabriel, don't put too much trust in Gunther," I said as we neared the party.

At that moment, Gunther emerged from his tent, carrying something for me.

"I didn't bring much for you, but take for self-defense."

He handed me a sharp dagger, roughly 20 centimeters long. In the hands of a child, it seemed particularly well-suited.

"And this too." After some hesitation, he tossed me a small pouch.

"Travel funds. If you run into trouble, you can use it to find us. Don't go dying foolishly, kid!"

I weighed the pouch in my hand; it was way heavier than usual— made me think about how weird it was for Gunther to be this generous.

"Thanks, Gunther."

"Alright, it's time to go. Hop on, kid," one of the black-robed figures said, gesturing for me to ride with him.

In the group were two other children of different ages. The youngest still looked confused and naive, clutching a small bag to their chest, while the older one seemed to understand what lay ahead, their face betraying signs of fear and unease.

Gabriel heard my earlier warning but didn't have time to process it before I mounted the horse, ready to depart.

"Grimm! Be careful on the road! I'll wait for you to come back!!"

From atop the horse, I turned to see him waving fervently.

"Got it! Take care of yourself too, Gabriel!"

I waved back.

"Don't go dying on me, kid," Gunther muttered as he turned and walked away. Perhaps he didn't want to watch the farewell or had grown accustomed to avoiding such emotional moments.

"Goodbye, Father..." Though my voice was quiet, it was loud enough.

I hoped that if the day ever came when we stood on opposite sides, this acknowledgment of our bond might make him hold back just a little.

Gunther froze for a moment, his posture stiff. He turned briefly to watch me leave but said nothing, merely standing there in silence. Whatever was going through his mind remained a mystery, but perhaps this moment might change things in the future.