Chapter Text
It was warm. That was the first thing Kierse registered as she woke up. Graves's arms were wrapped around her. The man in question? He was not sleeping at all. He was staring. At her.
"Good morning, Wren." Graves said, using the softer tone he only used for her. It was nothing like the cold or polite tone he used when speaking to others. It made Kierse feel even warmer, knowing that Graves had opened up and softened so much for her. Though... She knew she had done the same in return. They were very much alike, both hardened by the harshness of the world. But they had found each other, and Kierse wouldn't have it any other way. She didn't care if others thought Graves to be the villain in every story. It was like Graves always said, there are no good guys or bad guys.
"Morning, Graves..." Kierse replied before yawning. She untangled herself from his warm arms, something she mourned now as the coldness of winter had arrived. She sat up and stretched before getting up. "Are you getting up too?" She asked.
Graves sat up, the blanket falling aside to reveal the body covered in that vivid holly tattoo that she had loved since the first time she saw it. "We could stay in bed longer, Wren... Nothing of importance is happening anytime soon." Graves said, trying to hide the fact that he wanted to spend some more time cuddling. But Kierse knew. They'd been together long enough for her to be able to read him.
"Sorry Graves, but a thief's duty calls!" Kierse said as she stood up, stretching one more time for good measure before turning back around to see Graves's reaction.
Graves stared for a few seconds, appreciating the view before clearing his throat. "Wren... What could you possibly need to steal now? You didn't tell me you had accepted a new job." He said, sounding almost upset that she hadn't told him beforehand.
"It's very important... Something that should belong to me." Kierse said, trying to hold in her laughter as she walked over and grabbed a nearby grey sweater.
"That's mine." Graves stated, having not moved to get up from his comfortable bed. He had no idea about Kierse's true intentions.
Kierse smirked. "Not anymore." With that, she shrugged over the sweater and hastily put on a pair of her pants and some socks that laid scattered on the floor. It still shocked her, the fact Graves had clothes other than those fancy suits he always wore.
The corner of Graves's lips tilted upward. "Little thief..." He said, almost fondly, if not a bit playful too, as if he was accepting her challenge.
Kierse loved the thrill of action, but days like these were one of her favorites. Days where she could just joke freely and play around with Graves. She knew Graves liked them too. It was nice, not having to stress or worry about if Lorcan was going to do something... The brownstone that was Graves's home was safe. It felt like home, probably because it was. Kierse didn't know when she had begun to view Graves's place as her home, but she didn't care. It didn't matter.
"I'll be taking these too..." She grinned, taking the gloves placed on the dresser in the room that Graves always wore. "You'll have to come if you want them!" With that, she turned and left the room, leaving the door wide open behind her as she escaped the new crime scene.
Kierse didn't know where in particular she was going. Just somewhere. But soon, the scent of Isolde's freshly made food led her to the dining room. Kierse opened the door and was hit with the delicious aroma. Just the sight of the abundance of food made her mouth water. There was newly-baked bread, pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon and so much more. Isolde really did outdo herself again. No surprises there. The woman cooked the most delicious food Kierse had ever tasted. Kierse was pretty sure there was none better than Isolde.
"Ah, good morning Kierse!" Isolde greeted warmly. "Take a seat. I've made plenty of breakfast, so don't shy away from seconds!" She led her over to the table and pulled out a chair for her.
"Morning to you too, you really outdid yourself yet again." Kierse said, smiling back appreciatively. Kierse wasted no second, devouring the food on her plate with much enjoyment.
The door opened, revealing a familiar figure. "Delicious as always." Graves commented as he entered the dining room. He was wearing one of his suits, as usual, but with no gloves this time. Just how Kierse liked it. He took a few long strides and took a seat next to Kierse. He nodded a thanks towards Isolde, who returned a smile and left them to get some privacy.
"Graves, you've upped my standards a bit way too high. I don't think I'll ever be able to eat anything other than Isolde's food ever again." Kierse said as she swallowed down the last bite, already reaching for seconds.
"I'm beginning to question whether you live here for me or Isolde's cooking." Graves joked casually, reaching an ungloved hand out to tuck a few strands of her hair behind her ear. "Though, I can admit, there is no better food than Isolde's."
Kierse grinned. "Who says it can't be both?" She shot back playfully.
"You're right, Wren." Graves shook his head fondly. "That aside... Any plans for today?"
Kierse took a moment to think. "Not really... I'm not used to having so much free time. There's no danger looming over us... or deadlines." Kierse was half expecting the shoe to drop any day now. There had been so much happening since she first met Graves, and now she wasn't used to the calm, mundane life.
"Anything you want, Wren." Graves said, and she knew he meant it. What they had... It was real.
"Maybe... We could go shopping? Just the two of us?" Kierse suggested. It kind of surprised herself. She didn't shop. When she needed something, she had always stolen it. As of lately though, she hadn't needed to steal any necessities since Graves provided everything she could possibly need. Even then, shopping had always seemed impossible to her. Even after many stores were rebuilt and reopened after the monster war, it was only the rich who could afford to shop leisurely.
"...Shopping." Graves was almost also a bit shocked by the random suggestion, but he recovered quickly. "If that's what you want, Wren. But I'm paying for everything.
"Not complaining. But I can't promise not to shoplift anything though." Kierse responded, already imagining stealing from some naíve, rich snob.
Graves let out a heavy sigh. "Oh, I know."
That's how they ended up at a shopping mall in Manhattan. George had driven them there before leaving. He'd be back to pick them up once Graves gave the call. Kierse stared at Graves, who stared back.
"Where would you like to go first, Wren?" He asked, slipping an arm around her waist and leading her into the mall.
Both humans and monsters alike walked around the mall. But luckily, it wasn't too crowded. Kierse took a look around the nearby stores, there was a little bit of everything. Clothes, jewelry, souvenirs, cafés, restaurants and more.
"I don't know... Maybe we could just look around?" Kierse suggested, feeling out of place.
Graves hummed. "Okay, but Wren, tell me if anything catches your eye."
The two of them walked around before finally entering a shop that sold jewelry. Kierse eyed everything in the shop, looking at the various price tags. She couldn't help it. As a thief, she had to put a value to everything, she did it on instinct. The prices varied, they had all from cheap options to the expensive, real deals made with gold, silver and diamonds. They looked around the different items, earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Kierse wasn't that interested. She was pretty sure she would not be wearing any other necklace than her wren necklace. She always wore it. She saw no fit for having another one, so they finally looked at the last items on display, which were the rings.
"See anything you fancy?" Graves asked, looking at her face to try and read her without using his magic.
Kierse's gaze traveled over the different rings on display. "Hmm... Not really. But even then... If I have to tell you, then you've lost the game." She said, repeating the words she had told him that time they pretended to be a married couple in front of Queen Aveline.
Graves blinked, then smirked with a knowing expression. "Noted."
The couple exited the shop and walked around, looking into different shops. Finally, they sat down at a fancy restaurant and ordered some food. It couldn't compare to Isolde's cooking, but it'd have to do.
While they were eating, Graves looked up. "Wren... Is there anything else you'd want to check out?"
Kierse pondered and swallowed the food she was eating. "I'd like to check out the plant shop. Ethan mentioned a plant he's been wanting to grow a while back. Thought I'd see if they have it, or the seeds for it. Then... Then I'd like to find something for Gen too. Maybe she'd like new clothing..."
Graves nodded and handed her a black card. "You go then. I need to make a quick call, but I'll be right with you soon, Wren."
Kierse finished her food and accepted the card. She didn't pry for who or what Graves was calling for, she didn't mind. She trusted him, just as he trusted her.
"I'll see you soon then." Kierse got up and left to find the plant shop while Graves found a more secluded area to make his call.
They reunited ten minutes later as Kierse exited the plant shop with a small seed packet for Ethan. She was sure it was the right one. She had even double checked by calling Corey, Ethan's boyfriend. It was definitely the right seeds. Either way, Ethan would love the gift and thoughtfulness behind it.
"So... Last stop at the clothing store?" Graves spoke up, his arm finding it's way back around her waist.
"Yeah... I think I'll find something nice for Gen." Kierse responded as they navigated into one of the clothing stores.
After browsing for a while, Kierse finally found a nice, warm shirt she thought Gen would love. As they walked towards the cashier, they walked by the baby clothing aisle and stopped.
"Maura is due soon... Maybe I should get their baby something." Kierse looked through the tiny, adorable pieces of clothing. She picked a few as a gift for Maura and Nate, but even then, she lingered and stared.
Kierse had never considered having a baby. It had always been a clear no because of the monster war and how shitty the world had been. She had never felt the want either. She had a family, with Ethan and Gen. She had never considered getting another one. But now... She had Graves. The man she wanted to spend eternity with, her winter god. Suddenly, the small pieces of clothing felt as if they weighed more.
"Wren?" Graves called, his voice soft but teasing. "Is there something you'd like to tell me?" Kierse knew he could read her, and he knew that too.
"Oh hush... We're not even married." Kierse huffed looking away from the tiny clothing.
Graves gently tilted her chin back to face him. "Do you want to get married, Wren?"
Kierse's eyes widened, then she shivered. He really knew how to catch her off guard... "Does everything that comes out of your mouth have to be a question?" She muttered, glaring at him with no real irritation.
"Hmm... Does it?" Graves mused back teasingly.
"You're insufferable..." Kierse groaned as she strode to the check-out to pay for Gen's shirt and the baby clothes for Maura and Nate. Graves followed closely and paid for her.
"George is on the way. He'll be in the parking lot in... about five minutes." Graves said as they walked out with their shopping bag. "Though... It's cold outside, Wren. Here..." Graves took off his own coat and wrapped it around Kierse.
"Thanks..." Kierse said, looking away but not complaining. It was a cold winter... But somehow? It was a very warm one at the same time for both of them.
And if Kierse had shoplifted a piece of baby clothing that was not for Maura and Nate? Then that was her business.
And if Graves had already made the call for a custom-made ring with their initials, as well as holly and wrens ingrained? Then that was his business.
A very warm winter indeed. A very warm future as well.