CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: Meeting the Family
Pflichttreue are white panther-like Wesen. They tend to be smart, fearless, and extremely loyal. Balam are jaguar-like Wesen. Their behavior is explained within the chapter.
My biggest Sean/Hank fan is to blame for the first scene with Hank and Sean. You know who you are.
After they eat, Nick shows Trubel her room, for the time being, leaving her to get settled. Then he trudges toward the bedroom he shares with Roe. Being pregnant makes the days feel longer. Nick strips his shirt and pants off the second he closes the door. He heads straight for his potion and throws it back like a shot; Nick sighs in relief as his body changes back. "I don't know if I'll ever get used to that."
Monroe smiles, admiring the now visible swell of Nick's belly. "Feels weird?"
"You have no idea. I look different but my body feels the same." He can't imagine how it will feel when he's at the end of his pregnancy. It's something he tries to avoid thinking about. Nick tiredly drags his body over to Roe, enjoying Roe's eager hands rubbing his stomach.
"How'd it go with Trubel?"
He sprawls out on the bed. "Good. She's eager to learn. No surprise there." The more knowledge a Grimm has the better his or her chances to survive. Both he and Trubel are smart enough to realize that. Trubel will be an eager pupil as long as she doesn't let free win and run.
Monroe curls around Nick, his hand lying protectively over their growing pups. Nick glances at him to see adoration plain on his face and he smiles softly at the sight. Roe will be a great father.
Monroe is persistent, which will be an asset as a parent. Nick has unfortunately seen it in action recently. It'll be great for dealing with the pups but it wasn't exactly fun for him having it turned on him. He'd done his best to avoid talking about Roe's getting together with his sister and brother and was successful for a short time but eventually, Roe had enough. Nick was stunned that they took it fairly well and that they accept him as Roe's mate. Yet, he was most taken aback by Roe's confession of his fears. Knowing that he isn't the only one afraid of the threats to the pups is validating. He feels better knowing that he isn't the only one that fears for their triplets.
"I've been looking through the Guardian list," Monroe whispers between kisses to Nick's bare skin.
Nick has glanced through the list but nothing more than that. "And?"
"A few standouts," Monroe states. "Maybe this weekend we could narrow down the list together? Then next week, have Hank and Sean come over to help us chose three."
Nick nods. Choosing the Guardians is a good step in feeling more secure for when the pups come. Word hasn't spread much about his pregnancy in the Wesen world but it will get out. They need to be prepared for that eventuality. *Between me and Roe and Trubel and the Guardians in the house, the pups should be quite safe.* Suddenly, Nick realizes something. *Trubel.* Nick had hoped to ease Trubel into things but with his pregnancy rapidly growing, it isn't going to happen. "We're going to have to tell Trubel. She can't find out by accident, which seems likely with her living with us. She needs to know about the Guardians and the threats that will be coming our way when word spreads."
"I'm afraid you're right. Let's hope she can deal with it." What they'll do if she can't, Monroe has no idea.
"If she could survive her life thus far without going insane, she can deal with a little male pregnancy." Nick sighs, his eyelids feel heavy. "We'll tell her tomorrow. Let her have a good night's rest before we drop the pregnancy bomb."
"Okay, Nicky." Monroe pauses, thinking about tomorrow. "Are you taking her to work with you?"
"Yeah. I'll talk to Hank and Sean in the morning. With their okay, we'll pass her off as a criminology student." Trubel isn't comfortable enough to stay home alone with Roe, not yet at least, and shadowing Nick she'll learn plenty about the Wesen world. Nick moves Roe around until he finds a comfortable position and immediately falls asleep.
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Monroe wakes up at the sound of movement in the house. He checks Nick, who is sleeping soundly. He strokes the swell of his stomach lightly and eases out of bed. Monroe prowls silently downstairs, his woged red eyes glowing in the darkness. A growl rumbles in his chest at movement in the living room. Then he spots someone. "Going somewhere?" Monroe inquires in a deep voice.
Trubel freezes, her bag slung over her shoulder. She turns slowly to face him, subtly moving into a fighting stance.
Monroe doesn't comment on her posture and readiness. He blinks and his eyes go back to normal. He flicks on the light and wonders aloud, "Leaving us already?"
She clears her throat, forcing herself to meet Monroe's eyes. "Thinking about it."
He relaxes against the wall, his eyes roaming over his clocks. "You aren't a prisoner here. If you want to leave, that's your choice."
Trubel releases the breath she has been holding. "I can just leave then. You won't stop me?"
"I won't stop you but don't do it in the middle of the night without saying anything to Nick. He wants to help you and sneaking out in the middle of the night while he's sleeping isn't the way to repay that, even if you are going to refuse his help."
She nods sharply, realizing he's right. "Alright."
"May I ask why you're leaving? Is it me?"
Trubel appears reluctant to speak to him.
Monroe feels bad for the eighteen-year-old. She's been thrown to the wolves and probably distrusts Nick's offer to help. "I won't hurt you."
"Why should I believe you? All Wesen seem to do is want to kill Grimms," Trubel bites out bitterly. She has every reason to distrust Monroe and none to believe him.
"Nick is why you should believe me. He knows my past, all the ugly details, including the one that made me change who I am and wanted to be. He knows who and what I am now. Nick wouldn't have you stay here if he didn't trust me with you. He's a protector and he will protect you, even if you don't trust him to."
Trubel stares at him. "You really love him."
"Yes," Monroe states simply. "Without him, I am nothing." He feels no shame in admitting that because it is the truth. Nicky and their pups are his life.
She's never seen love like that between two people before. Her short life has been filled with examples of hate and of selfish fleeting love, not the lasting, devoted love that Monroe has for Nick or that Nick has for Monroe.
"You don't trust us, either of us, and I don't expect you to. Not right away at least. But know we are offering to help you. We can teach you about Wesen, what they are, how to identify them how they behave, their strengths and weaknesses, how to defend yourself from them, how to kill them. We are offering you more than a place to live and food to eat. We are offering you the knowledge that can save your life."
Trubel shifts her weight uncomfortably. She realizes that this chance may be her only chance to learn about who she is and who her enemy is. Her only chance to learn from someone like her and to have another Grimm protecting her back.
Monroe holds her gaze and concludes softly, "You have to learn to trust someone, sometime, Trubel. Or else you are going to live a very lonely life." The 'and a very short one' is left unsaid. Not waiting for a response, Monroe says a quiet goodnight and leaves Trubel standing in the living room to decide whether she is going to run or stay and learn.
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Monroe looks up from the book he's reading when Nick and Trubel walk in. "How was the first day?"
Nick and Trubel share a look. "Eventful."
Monroe figured, judging by the time they dragged themselves in. At least they both came home, relatively unscathed. "There's food in the fridge if you're hungry."
Nick drops himself tiredly in Roe's lap while Trubel investigates the fridge. He lays his head on Roe's shoulder, relaxing in his embrace. Nick sighs when Roe's fingers start to work the tension from his neck and shoulders.
"Sean must have okayed Trubel working with you and Hank."
Groaning as his muscles relax under Roe's strong fingers, Nick answers, "Yeah. He seemed almost relieved to have someone else to watch Hank's back."
Monroe sits Nick up to better massage his muscles. "Does Trubel know about Sean?"
"Yup, although he didn't woge for her." Sean has more self-control than most Wesen he's encountered. If not for Hank, Nick probably still wouldn't know Sean is Wesen.
"Probably for the best. Zauberbiests aren't the easiest to look at unless you're a fellow Zauberbiest or Hexenbiest."
Nick shudders, remembering the look of Sean's woge. "Don't know how Hank takes it, knowing what Sean looks like when he woges. It's…" he searches for the right word, "disturbing."
Monroe shrugs. "He loves Sean. He probably wonders the same about you and me." He feels Nick twitch under his fingertips. Monroe glances over, not seeing Trubel. He leans close to Nick. "I bet I could fuck you woged and you'd cum like an eager virgin."
A shiver runs down Nick's spine, picturing it easily in his mind. It shouldn't make him hot but it's Roe. Everything about him, even him woged face, inflames his lust. *Maybe Hank feels the same about Sean.*
Chuckling darkly, Monroe taunts, "You like that idea."
Nick doesn't attempt to deny it, not with hormones flooding his body. "Yes."
"Big strong Grimm getting taken by his wolf," he teases haltingly. His fingers sneak under his shirt and tweak Nick's nipple.
Nick moans and grinds his ass slowly into Roe's lap.
"Naughty, naughty, Nicky. Do you want Trubel to hear you? See what a wanton creature you become under my touch?"
He is a breath away from throwing caution to the winds and begging Roe to fuck him right here. Then Nick hears Trubel moving around in the kitchen. "Damn it." He groans in resignation. "Later."
"Promise. We can play little red riding Grimm later," Monroe vows huskily.
Trubel walks in, stops short and stands awkwardly near the couch, lust tangible in the air. "Uh, I can take a walk or something?"
Nick waves off her offer. "There's something we wanted to talk to you about actually. Take a seat."
Theresa sinks into a chair and eyes them warily. "What did you want to talk about?"
Monroe and Nick exchange a look. "We were going to wait to tell you about this but we can't. You're going to find out and it's best we tell you before you discover it by accident," Nick explains. Her finding out by accident would be a disaster.
His words only serve to make her feel more on edge.
Nick turns to Roe. "Show and then tell? Or tell and then show?"
Monroe thinks about it. "Tell. Then show."
Trubel appears ready to flee, wondering what the hell they are going to tell her. After their relative nonchalance at revealing the Wesen world to her, she wonders at their apprehension and reluctance at sharing the information they are hiding from her.
"Wesen biology works differently than ours does." Nick winces slightly, realizing that technically his biology is more Wesen now than Human.
"Okay," Theresa responds, wondering where the hell he's going with this.
Monroe takes over. "In the Wesen world, gender and biology are more...flexible and inclusive. We have evolved in ways that Humans have not."
Fed up with them dancing around the issue, she challenges, "Just tell me. All this vague shit is getting old."
"Wesen males are able to become pregnant," Monroe states frankly.
Trubel bursts out in laughter at the absurdity of that declaration. "Real funny, guys. You got me. What did you actually want to tell me?"
Nick and Monroe share another look. "We're serious."
She turns to Nick. "Come on, he's kidding, right?"
Nick purses his lips and looks away, unable to maintain eye contact with her. "No." He firms his resolve and meets her disbelieving eyes. "Wesen men can get pregnant, they're called bearers."
Trubel tries to picture it but can't wrap her mind around it. "That's just bizarre. How is it possible? More importantly, how the hell have Wesen hidden this knowledge? People would notice if a bunch of men were walking around pregnant. I know there are men that look pregnant but you're saying there are actually pregnant men. You must know how insane that sounds."
"Trust me, I know how crazy it sounds," Nick says.
"Bearers are equivalent to a hermaphrodite in Humans. In addition to their male sexual organs, they also have the ones necessary for creating and supporting life."
Nick continues, "As for how they've hidden it, bearers take a potion that makes the bearer's body look normal. Bearers don't walk around flashing their pregnant bellies. When he is home, he takes another potion to undo that, taking away the illusion and showing how his body actually looks."
"So magic?" Trubel questions. "Magic exists?"
"Yes. Sean and Wesen like him can do magic," Nick confirms.
Theresa shakes her head. "I don't know what's stranger, the idea that Wesen men can get pregnant or that magic exists. The Wesen world keeps getting weirder and weirder."
Nick rubs the back of his neck. "I know what you mean."
Her expression remains skeptical. "Why are you telling me this anyway?" She looks between the two men. "Monroe isn't pregnant, is he?"
Nick laughs uncomfortably. "Not exactly."
Trubel's eyebrows rise in surprise. "Not exactly?"
Monroe wraps his arm around Nick. "I'm not a bearer."
Confused, she tries to make sense of what they're trying to say. "You're not a bearer and Nick's Human, so who is it? Your boss?"
"Nick."
Shocked, Theresa's gaze lands on Nick. "But he's Human, not Wesen."
"He is but he's also a Blutbad's mate. My mate."
"Is that supposed to make sense of this crazy shit? Because let me tell you, it's really not," Trubel bites out frustratingly.
Monroe calmly explains, "His body changed for me, enabling him to bear my pups."
"He's pregnant?" Trubel turns her piercing eyes to Nick, who blushes under it. "You're pregnant?"
Monroe puffs out, every inch of a proud daddy. "He is."
Theresa scrutinizes every inch of Nick's body, looking for a sign of it.
Nick straightens. "You won't see anything. I took the potion this morning but I'd really like to take the other potion. It messes with my mind; I don't feel any different, even if I look different, which is makes it supremely disorienting."
She nods slowly, trying to deal with what's been said.
Nick gets up and grabs his potion from the bedroom. Taking a breath, he goes back downstairs. Nick strips off his shirt, revealing his flat stomach. "Ready?"
Watching intently, Trubel nods. An obvious but complicated expression, a bit of apprehension at them telling the truth and a bit of hope that it's all a lie, is on her face.
He drains the potion, sighing when the magic hiding his pregnancy dissipates. It's good to have his body look like how it feels again. Nick hears Trubel's gasp at the sight of his burgeoning baby bump.
Eyes not leaving the bulge, Theresa asks, "Can I touch it?"
"Sure."
She reaches out tentatively and tests his warm skin. Seeing makes her more inclined to believe but she needs to touch it. To make sure what she saw can be believed. Theresa feels the bump under her fingertips and it feels real. As unbelievable as it seems, they are telling the truth. "Wow." Trubel pulls her hand back.
"Yeah, I know. It's a lot to take in," Nick says.
Theresa finally tears her eyes from his belly to meet his eyes. "More so for you than me, I'd imagine."
Nick laughs, his hand ruffling his hair. "You're taking it rather well, considering."
"Well, I'm not the guy pregnant with a Blutbad's baby," Trubel answers matter-of-factly.
"If only it was just one," Nick mutters.
Theresa's eyes go wide. "Twins?"
Monroe says proudly, "Triplets. Blutbaden always have triplets for the first pregnancy."
"Whoa. That's a lot to take on."
Nick grumbles, "Oh, I know. Not for Roe, he expected it but me? I didn't even know it was possible. Then BAM! Guess what? You're preggers. Then as a one-two punch, I find out it's triplets. Apparently, Blutbaden go all out on the first try for kids." Roe rubs his stomach lovingly and Nick sighs.
"Congratulations?" Theresa offers uncertainly.
"Thanks. It's still a lot but," he shrugs and says with fondness, "they're our pups. Roe's ridiculously proud."
Monroe grins, cupping the pups' temporary home gently. "I have ample reason to be proud. Our pups will be amazing and one of a kind, Nicky. You can't deny that."
Nick shakes his head, giving Roe a fond look. "No, I can't deny that."
Pulling out of her shocked state, Trubel states, "You two are disgustingly lovey."
"I know," Nick says with a grin. "Wait until you see Hank and Sean outside of work. They may rival us."
"Heaven help me," Trubel says with a roll of her eyes.
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Sean grabs hold of Hank to stop his frantic pacing. "Calm down, Pet. It will be fine."
"You don't know that. And shouldn't you be the nervous one?" Hank challenges, frustration and worry leaking out in his tone.
Sean hugs Hank close. "I can be very charming when I want to be."
"That's your plan? Charm my family into liking you?"
"Yup. Worked on you, didn't it?"
Hank rolls his eyes. "It wasn't your charm so much as your sex appeal. You seduced me, plain and simple. I wouldn't advise that method for my mom and Becca."
Chuckling darkly in Hank's ear, Sean teases, "All I needed to catch you was my dick, huh, Pet?" He turns Hank around, grinding into his delicious plump bottom and drawing a deep moan from Hank. "You don't need charm, do you, Pet? Just my fat cock shoved into your pretty hole." Sean emphasizes his word with a hard thrust against Hank's ass.
Hank arches back into Sean, his cock throbbing at the dirty talk.
Sean's hands hold Hank against him and he rocks his hips. "Maybe that's what you need to calm you down. Want me to fuck you right here? Have you filled with my cum when your mom comes?" Hank shivers as Sean's teeth capture his earlobe and tug on it. "Fuck you right against the front door, her waiting on the other side."
The image is wrong but that doesn't stop him from wanting it. Sean has made him throw his inhibitions out the window until all he can think about is Sean and how good he makes him feel. Hank closes his eyes, encouraging him to thrust harder by grabbing his ass and pulling Sean into him harder. "Sean."
Sean twirls him around, walking forward until Hank's back hits the front door, pressing his body against Hank's. Both of them groan at the contact, kissing roughly until they are forced to break apart panting. Sean smirks wickedly, sinking slowly to his knees. Hank watches him with lust-darkened eyes, forgetting all about his mother's imminent arrival. Sean nudges the bulge in Hank's pants with his nose, teasing him until Hank's hands grip the back of his head.
"Stop teasing, you fucker."
Sean snickers quietly at the desperation in Hank's voice. He quickly releases Hank's cock from its confounds, stroking it firmly. "So eager for me."
"Always," Hank admits easily.
He licks at the head of Hank's cock, savoring the taste of his pre-cum. "Delicious."
Hank groans loudly, leaning back into the door as Sean starts to suck him. "So good." Sean's mouth is perfection and Hank can't get enough of it.
Sean unzips and starts stroking himself in pace with his mouth.
Neither takes notice of the time that goes by or the noises they make as Sean pleasures Hank, only cognizant of their approaching orgasms.
"Close, Sean. God, your mouth. Feels so good around my cock."
Sean moans around his mouthful.
"Wish I could cum all over your face."
Sean pulls off, his hand stroking Hank. "I want you to." He looks up at Hank. "Then I'd flip you around and fuck you into this door. Make you howl my name." Sean sucks Hank's sac into his mouth. "Or maybe I'd fuck you with my tongue. Make you cum again just from me rimming your ass. I know how much you love that."
Hank moans, "Sean." His head drops back, banging against the door; his desire is too intense for him to feel the pain. "Gonna cum." Sean sucks hard, hurling Hank over the edge and he shouts Sean's name hoarsely. A trickle of cum drips down Sean's chin while he swallows the rest. Hank yanks Sean up, licks the cum off his chin, and captures his lips, chasing the taste of his own cum. Sean guides Hank down to his knees. The eager look on his Pet's face is nearly enough to make him lose control. Without prompting Hank opens his mouth and Sean strokes himself furiously in front of that sweet mouth, wanting more than anything to see Hank's pouty lips smeared with his cum. Sean groans and Hank takes the head into his mouth. Sean shoots his cum into Hank's mouth and watches through his lashes as Hank drinks down his cum. Sean crumbles to the floor.
They both sigh, tangled together awkwardly on the floor.
A beat later, the doorbell rings and the two men freeze. Hank looks at Sean in horror, mouthing, "My mom!" He shoves his cock back into his pants. Hank frantically tries to make his clothes presentable and not like he and Sean just sucked each other off.
Sean, however, lazily tucks himself away as if he has all the time in the world and watches Hank's panicked behavior with amusement. He's not embarrassed but then, Zauberbiests are rather blasé about sex.
Hank is freaking out in his mind, hoping fervently that his mom didn't hear anything. *Oh my god. What if she heard us?!* The thought makes his panic increase tenfold. *Breathe Hank! Maybe she didn't hear anything.* He turns to Sean, who has a smug afterglow on his stupid, stupid face. Hank smacks him, whispering snappishly, "Stop it!"
"Stop what?" Sean asks languidly.
"Looking like you just got fucked!"
Sean's smile widens. "But I did."
"I know that, you giant asshole!" Hank hisses. "How do I look?" He examines his clothes fretfully as the doorbell sounds again.
Sean refrains from saying what he's thinking, that Hank looks well fucked. "Wonderful."
Hank eyes him suspiciously. He takes a deep breath and pastes a smile on his face. Hoping against hope that his complexion will hide his blush, Hank opens the door. "Mom, welcome," Hank says with false brightness. She doesn't appear horrified, which gives Hank hope that she didn't hear anything.
"Welcome, Mrs. Griffin. A pleasure to finally meet you." Sean considers kissing her cheek but judging from where his mouth just was, he decides that would be inappropriate.
Deborah raises a brow at the word pleasure.
Hank freezes as two pairs of eyes settle on him. Swallowing reflexively, he realizes he still has the taste of Sean's cum on his tongue. Hank blushes; he can't believe he has cum in his mouth with his mom staring at him. *This is worse than when she caught me making out with Trisha on the couch when I was sixteen.* He squirms under their gaze. "Um."
Deborah looks pointedly at Sean.
"Oh. Um, Mom, this is Sean. Sean, this is my mom, Deborah."
She takes Sean's offered and shakes it. "Nice to meet you, Sean." She scrutinizes the man that her son is in love with. Deborah smirks at Hank.
Hank flushes, embarrassed at his mom's appreciative look. *Don't say it. Don't say it.*
"Snatched yourself a hot one."
Hank slaps his face with his hand, moaning, "Mom!"
Deborah laughs at her son's embarrassment.
When he gets the courage to peek out between his fingers, Sean's grinning smugly. Hank is torn between wanting to slug him and hiding from the pair of them.
"No wonder you can't keep your hands off him."
"Oh my god, MOM!"
"What? Clearly, you can't," Deborah shoots back calmly. "And neither of you are particularly quiet by the way."
Hank wishes the ground would open up and swallow him whole. He buries his face into the couch and prays for the sweet release of death.
Sean laughs. "I see where Faith gets her bluntness."
Hank changes his mind, he's going to murder Sean. *It's his damned fault for being so fucking sexy anyway.* Looking at the pair of them, neither repentant or ashamed. Hank isn't sure he can deal with the two of them at the same time. *How am I going to deal with them, plus Faith at the same time?* Hank shudders at the thought. His family and Sean together are going to be the death of him.
Deborah grins. "She is her mother's daughter." She turns to her thoroughly embarrassed son. "I like him."
Hank scoffs. "Of course you do." Giving in, he smacks Sean's arm. "Ouch."
Sean smirks. "Shouldn't I being saying that?"
*Asshole.* His hand got more of a sting than Sean's arm did. *Wesen bastard.* Hoping to drag the conversation away from embarrassing topics, Hank asks, "How was your trip, Mom? You must have got out of work on time."
She obviously knows what he's doing but doesn't call him on it. "My trip was fine. Work was fine. They were all jealous about the cruise."
"You deserved it."
Deborah nods. "What about you, Sean? You ever do something like that for your mom?"
"Of course. My mom's all I have. Last Mother's Day, I booked her a two week long trip to Paris. It was worth every penny."
Deborah's eyes lighten with approval at Sean's generosity toward his mother.
"Are you hungry, Mom? Sean's a terrific chef."
"Is he?"
Sean shrugs. "I like to cook. We haven't eaten yet, either. Why don't you both take some time to catch up while I cook?"
Hank and Deborah watch him leave.
"Tall drink of water you've got, Hank."
Sighing, Hank nods.
Deciding to let Hank off the hook, at least for now, she tells him about her conversation with Becca.
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"Goodnight boys," Deborah says going toward the guest room. "Thank you for a wonderful meal, Sean."
"My pleasure, Deborah."
She steps over the threshold but stops and leans back out the doorway. "Speaking of pleasure. Do try to keep it down, would you?"
Sean smirks, tugging a flushed Hank closer. "Of course, Deborah. We'll ensure not to wake you."
Chuckling, Deborah closes her door with an audible click.
"I hate you," Hank pouts. It isn't fair he's the only one being embarrassed.
His smirk widens into a grin. "No, you don't. You love me."
Hank crosses his arms over his chest. "Doesn't mean I have to like you. I should banish you to the couch."
"Aww, Pet," Sean croons, snuggling against him. "You know I can't sleep without you beside me."
Hank huffs in response. "Would serve you right."
Sean nuzzles his neck. "I thought tonight went well. Your mom seems to like me."
"Because you double team me, taking pleasure in my embarrassment, the pair of you."
Sean hides his smile, leading his pouting mate to their bedroom. "Maybe I just like to see you blush." He shuts the door, giving them more privacy.
Hank faceplants it onto the bed, mumbling into the bedding.
"Can't hear you, Love."
He turns his head. "I can't believe my mom heard us." Hank still can't believe his good sense was overridden by his lust for Sean. "Which I completely blame you for."
"You didn't have any protests when I was sucking your cock."
"Of course not! What guy would protest? Especially considering how skilled your mouth is," Hank shoots back, sounding disgruntled. He wishes he could erase the whole night and start over. *Oh, fuck. Faith. She's never going to let me live this down when she finds out.* Hank groans and turns his face back into the mattress.
Sean moves onto the bed and strokes his back soothingly. "It's not the end of the world. So we had sex and your mom heard it. So what. She already knows we're having sex."
He turns his head and glares at Sean. "Knowing and hearing are completely different." Frustrated by Sean's lack of reaction and less than sympathetic attitude, Hank challenges, "How would you feel if it had been your mom?"
Shrugging, Sean doesn't understand what the big deal is.
"Seriously?" Hank stares at him baffled. "You wouldn't care if your mom heard you having sex?"
Sean shakes his head. "Not really. Maybe it's a Zauberbiest thing. We're sexual creatures."
Hank takes one last stab at it. "What about if you heard your mom having sex?"
Sean shrugs. "Have before. We had tight quarters sometimes when we were on the run."
He groans, giving up. He won't be getting any help from Sean in dealing with his mom's and Faith's bluntness concerning their sex life. "Can you at least try to keep the details of our sex life to yourself. My family may know we're having sex but they don't need to know anything more."
"I'll do my best," Sean agrees, bemused.
"At least the rest of the night went well," Hank mumbles to comfort himself.
Sean turns him onto his back. "Yes, it did." He kisses Hank sweetly. "I like your mom. She's real, tells it like it is."
"That she does. Sometimes it'd be nice if she didn't," Hank admits with a sigh. "I wonder how Jacob will do tomorrow. Becca is the baby of the family, Mom's bound to be protective."
Sean doesn't bother to point out that Deborah is protective over all her children. "He should expect to get threatened at least once."
"Yeah…" Hank nods. "Wait, did she threaten you?"
Sean starts undressing his distracted lover. "Yup."
"What? When?"
He tugs Hank's pants off. "When you were in the bathroom. Suffice it to say, my balls have been suitably threatened. It's a good thing we're soul bound or I would be a little afraid."
"I can't believe she did that," Hank groans.
"She loves you and you've been hurt before. She doesn't want it to happen again. I understand. If anyone hurt you, I'd," Sean stares off into space, finishing his thought inside his head, *I'd kill them. Tear 'em limb from limb.*
Hank's eyes widen at the fierce, predatory expression that flashes on his face. He often forgets that Sean isn't Human. He's a predator, with predatory instincts, especially where he is concerned. "You don't have to protect me," Hank tells him softly.
Sean smiles down at his mate, dragging his thumb back and forth on Hank's cheek. "I know you're more than capable of taking care of yourself. That doesn't mean I won't do everything I can to protect you." He pecks Hank's lips, once, twice. "You are my mate, more precious to me than anything else in this universe. I need you alive, Hank. I can't live without you. I won't."
Hank shivers from the intensity burning in Sean's eyes. It makes him feel as if he is the air Sean breathes. Deep down, he knows that Sean would without hesitation or guilt kill for him. Hank is aware enough to realize that he would do the same for Sean. "I can't either. So if I can't die, neither can you."
"Deal." Sean throws off his own clothes, needing to feel Hank's skin against his as he drifts asleep.
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Hank jerks awake at a firm knock on the door. He groans, hoping the noise will cease and he'll be able to go back to sleep. Half-awake, he sleepily nuzzles the back of Sean's neck. Another sharp knock. "What?" he asks with resignation.
"I made breakfast. It's almost ready," Deborah says, sounding far too cheery for the time in Hank's opinion. He shoves down the instinctive urge to whine about it being too early to wake up on a Saturday. Hank grunts in response, having no intention of getting up. Too focused on going back to sleep, he doesn't hear the door open.
Unseen, Deborah flicks her eyes to Sean, who has an amused smile on his face at Hank's stubborn reluctance to open his eyes. "Time to get up, Hank. You can snuggle with Sean later, let him go and let's eat breakfast."
Hank tightens his hold on Sean. "Don't wanna."
Sean chuckles at the pouting tone and Hank squeezing as if he's his favorite teddy bear about to be taken away.
Deborah rolls her eyes. "He did the same thing to his beloved stuffed dog when he was little and didn't want to get up," she tells Sean.
Sean smiles at the thought of him being a replacement for Hank's stuffed dog from childhood.
Hank hides his face in Sean's neck, praying his mom will leave him alone if he doesn't look at her.
"Hank Marion Griffin."
Hank immediately slaps his hands over Sean's ears in a hopeless attempt to prevent him from hearing his middle name. "Mom!" he screeches, sounding like an outraged, embarrassed teenager.
"Your middle name is Marion?" Sean asks through his laughter.
Covering his face with his hands, Hank wants to curl up and die. He doesn't tell anyone his middle name, for obvious reasons. His sisters blackmailed him into doing many things in his desperate attempt to make sure no one knew during school. Hank had wanted Sean to remain blissfully ignorant the rest of their lives. *But nooo, Mom just blurts it out.*
"Is there a reason for choosing Marion, Deborah? Besides the obvious hilarity of embarrassing your son for the rest of his life, of course."
Deborah says defensively, "Marion is a beautiful name."
Sean interjects, "For a woman, you mean." He glances over and spots Hank fruitlessly attempting to hide under the covers.
"My grandmother's name was Marion," Deborah sniffs haughtily.
"Yet, you chose Hank to name after her. Not one of your three daughters?" Sean smirks.
Deborah challenges, "It didn't fit Abigail or Faith."
"But it fit Hank? Your only son?" Sean rubs Hank's back soothingly. "You could have dropped the N and used Mario instead. Or dropped the M and A and gone with Rion. Or given one of your daughters a variation of the name."
Hank exhales frustratingly. His parents just had to name him Marion. He's a man, it's embarrassing to be named Marion.
Deborah peeks at the lump that is her son hiding under the covers like a child. She admits with a sigh, "My pregnancy with Hank was...difficult. I was extremely emotional and the person I wanted to be there with me wasn't because my grandma died the previous year. In my hormone driven state, I decided to honor her by giving the baby her name. Even after I found out he would be a boy, I'd made up my mind and wasn't going to change it. I about killed Darrell when he refused. Nothing would persuade me otherwise. He would be named Marion. Darrell eventually gave in."
Hearing the story, Sean is sympathetic. *Could have been worse, Deborah could have insisted on Marion being his first name.* He tugs the blankets down and pulls a resistant Hank into his arms. Sean hugs him close, promising soothingly, "I won't tell anyone or tease you about it, okay?"
"Promise?" Hank mumbles into his skin.
"Promise."
Hank sags in relief. He's insecure about his middle name and he can imagine the problems that would result if Sean teased him about it. "Thank you."
Deborah smiles at the sight of Sean comforting Hank. "I'll leave you to get ready." She ducks out swiftly, shutting the door softly.
"I can't believe she did that," Hank complains. "I was hoping you'd never find out."
Sean dips Hank's head back, locking eyes with him. "Hey, stop fretting. I don't care about your middle name."
"You don't think less of me?"
"Absolutely not." Sean smirks. "If I had any doubts about your manhood, they've been suitably put to rest by now."
Hank rolls his eyes but smiles.
Sean kisses Hank's cheek and gets up to brush his teeth. He's done in the bathroom by the time Hank drags himself out of bed. Sean opens the bedroom door, stopping at the threshold. "And," Sean vows with a cheeky wink, "I promise, no girly names for our sons if we have children." He laughs at the memory of the stunned look on Hank's face as he moves toward the kitchen.
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Hank opens the door to find a happy Becca beside a stoic Jacob.
"Hank," Becca squeals, launching herself at her brother.
He chuckles, squeezing her tightly. "Hi, Baby Sis." He's missed her and from the way she's hugging him, she missed him too. Becca finally pulls back, a wide grin on her face. Hank sticks out his hand to Jacob. "Good to see you again, Jacob."
"You as well, Hank," Jacob rumbles.
"Nervous to meet Mom?"
Becca rubs Jacob's arms soothingly. Jacob clears his throat, admitting grudgingly, "A bit."
Hank hits his arm companionably. "Think of her as an important client or a predator, don't show weakness."
Jacob's lips thin. "Thank you so much, Hank," he responds sarcastically.
Hank smirks. Jacob is a successful businessman, not at all used to feeling nervous. Another part of him is also hoping against hope that Jacob's presence will keep the attention off him. He's been embarrassed enough and his mom hasn't been with them for a full twenty-four hours yet.
"It will be fine, Jacob. Just, don't flinch, okay?" Becca warns.
"Come on, it's best not to leave Sean and Mom alone. Who knows what those two could be up to." When Jacob picks up their overnight bag, Hank waves him off. "Leave it. We'll get it later."
Sean and Deborah look up when they walk in.
The hitch in Jacob's gait is nearly indiscernible when he spots Deborah.
"Mom!" Becca runs into Deborah's arms.
Deborah's glare hits Jacob over Becca's shoulder. His head twitches instinctively and his eyes flick around to Sean and to Hank before going back to Deborah's. A beat later, his head twitches again.
Sean's eyes widen imperceptibly when Jacob's nerves result in a brief loss of control and he woges. No one else is able to see it but him. Sean gives no indication of what he sees, using his own ironclad restraint to keep his reaction out of his face and body language. However, he'll corner Jacob at some point for a discussion.
Hank quirks his head to the side, noticing something off in Sean's body language. He's not sure what and he doubts anyone else can see it. Hank looks around the room, trying to figure it out but spots nothing unusual. He shoots Sean a questioning look and Sean waves him off, indicating he'll tell him later. He makes a mental note to ask him about it tonight when they're alone.
"Mom, this is Jacob," Becca says, subtly pulling Jacob toward her.
Jacob offers his hand, greeting politely, "Nice to finally meet you, Ma'am."
Deborah shakes his hand firmly. "You as well, Jacob. My daughter speaks highly of you, despite the time it took her to actually tell me about you."
Jacob puts his arm around Becca, smiling down at her with love in his eyes. "Becca is a wonderful woman and I'm blessed to be with her."
Deborah nods approvingly. "Yes, she is. And Yes, you are." She abruptly changes the subject. "Do you have children, Jacob?"
"No," he answers honestly but warily.
"Would you like to someday?"
Jacob looks at Becca, who smiles encouragingly. "We've discussed that possibility, yes."
Her gaze turns predatory and Deborah smiles with a sickening sweetness. "Hurt her and you'll never have the chance."
With effort, Jacob doesn't flinch despite the threat and maintains eye contact with her. "Understood."
Becca, Hank, and Sean silently watch the stare down.
Deborah nods before looking away, satisfied with Jacob's resolve and response.
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"Why don't you take Becca and Deborah to the Japanese Garden? Take some time for the three of you."
The woman grin and nod. "Yes, let's."
"What about you and Jacob?"
Three sets of eyes go back and forth between Sean and Jacob.
Sean reassures, "We can entertain ourselves for an hour or two."
"Don't worry about us. Have fun." Jacob kisses Becca and Deborah's cheeks.
The women happily follow Hank out the door with no more than a distracted wave to the two men left behind.
Sean waits until they are out of sight to pin Jacob with his gaze. "You and I need to talk."
Jacob quirks a brow in question.
"I know what you are."
Taking the time to consider the accusatory statement, Jacob scrutinizes Sean. "Should I know what you are referring to?"
Sean leans against the wall nonchalantly. "You're a Pflichttreue."
A flicker of surprise flashes in his eyes before it disappears. "That's quite the mouthful. What pray tell is a...whatever you said?"
"Pflichttreue." Sean looks down at his nails, carelessly inspecting them. "Are we going to continue to play this game or are you going to admit to what you are?" Silence meets his challenge. Sean locks eyes with Jacob. "I saw you woge. Bit nervous were you when Deborah's eyes caught yours?"
"What are you?" Jacob bites out. "You're not a Grimm, I saw your eyes when I woged, you're not a Grimm."
"I'm not a Grimm," Sean confirms. *Although I do know one quite well.*
"You're Wesen," Jacob states. "Like I am."
Sean gestures yes and no. "Technically, I'm a hybrid. Half-Zauberbiest." Suspicious, Jacob woges. Sean suppresses the urge to roll his eyes but woges back. "With that out of the way, can we continue?"
Jacob twitches his head, ending his woge. "Yes," he answers stiffly.
"Does Rebecca know?"
"Of course not. Does Hank?"
"Of course he does. Hank is my soul mate," Sean professes nonchalantly.
Jacob gapes at him in shock. "Soul mate?"
"Times are changing, Jacob. Hank is my mate, our souls are linked for life."
"Wesen don't have Human mates."
Sean raises an eyebrow. "No? I guess I should inform Hank's partner of that."
Jacob's expression clouds with confusion.
"He's mated to a Blutbaden and I can assure you, he is not Wesen." Sean watches as Jacob jolts back, his shock akin to a physical blow. Every Wesen knows how seriously Blutbaden take mating.
"That's not possible."
Sean understands Jacob's shock, however, it doesn't mean he can't be amused by it. "Truly? Maybe I should tell them that."
"The Blutbad must be mistaken, have some sort of mental illness." Jacob is grasping at straws, unable to absorb the drastic changes taking place in his world.
"Hm…" Sean considers Jacob's idea. "Hank's partner went into heat and is now pregnant. Any explanation for that?"
Jacob is stunned by that proclamation. "A male? A Human male? Pregnant? It's not…"
"Possible?" Sean finishes.
He nods wearily.
"Welcome to the start of a new world of possibilities. He is pregnant, a Wesen doctor confirmed it. Not that the doctor has an explanation for how it is possible," Sean admits frankly.
Jacob rubs his face roughly, attempting to wrap his mind around the new possibilities.
"Wrapped your head around that yet?" Sean asks with a smirk.
"Not really."
"Unfortunately, that's not all."
Jacob sighs. "How can there be more?" he mutters to himself. "What else?"
"Hank's partner? He's a Grimm."
Adrenaline spikes inside Jacob and he woges, his head whipping around as if expecting a trap.
"The Grimm isn't here," Sean soothes, understanding Jacob's instinctive terror.
Jacob isn't reassured and continues his vigilance.
Sean waits patiently for Jacob to calm down and stop expecting Nick to come jumping out, machete in hand.
Determining he's safe, for the moment at least, Jacob turns back to what Sean said. "Wait. Are you saying what I think you are?" he questions, filled with disbelief and skepticism.
"Yes. A Blutbad impregnated a male Grimm."
Jacob loses his composure, visibly taken aback by the declaration. "And here I thought meeting Becca's mom was going to be difficult. This is worse."
Sean gives him a sympathetic look. "It's a lot to take in."
"Talk about the understatement of the year," Jacob scoffs. "How the fuck did that happen?" He wonders, *If that is possible, what else is possible?*
Laughing, Sean admits, "It's quite the story. Suffice it to say, neither man is typical of their species. Nick wasn't raised a Grimm and Monroe, he's Wieder."
"This Grimm, he knows what you are?"
"Yes."
"And he doesn't try to kill you?"
Sean shrugs. "Nick's a different kind of Grimm. Unlike many of his ancestors, he possesses a brain and a capacity for mercy and compassion."
Jacob's distrust is evident.
"He is different. He doesn't kill unless he has to. Nick is capable of seeing Wesen as people, not animals."
Jacob's suspicion lessens but a healthy bit of wariness remains. "How have you kept this from spreading?"
"The knowledge of Nick's mating and pregnancy?"
"Yes."
"Luck," Sean admits. "It's only a matter of time before it spreads. The only question is whether or not it will be dismissed as impossible."
"Some will. I would have. I still wouldn't believe it possible if not for the look in your eyes. I want to deny it but you speak the truth as difficult as that is to admit." Jacob pulls his thoughts away from the baffling truth about the Grimm and the Blutbad. "Hank is okay with all that?" he questions, gesturing to Sean's face.
"He has seen me woge before if you are wondering. He took it quite well, considering." Humans tend not to find Zauberbiests and Hexenbiests' woged forms to be attractive. He's thankful that Hank isn't disgusted by his woged form.
"Hm…"
Bringing up the true reason he wanted to talk to Jacob alone, Sean challenges, "What happens when you find your mate?"
Pain bleeds from Jacob. He takes a breath to push away the emotion and pain that wells up at the question. "I already found my mate. She was… A Balam killed her after she was in a car accident."
"Another Balam was hurt in the accident?"
"Yes. Not fatally but that didn't matter to her. She killed my mate."
Sean's gaze softens with sympathy. "I'm sorry." Balam are intensely protective of family and have a tendency to act without thinking, especially when a family member is harmed.
Jacob accepts the sentiment with a nod. "I loved her deeply. Laurel was my mate and she left a hole inside me. But Rebecca, my sweet Becca," he says, a happy smile spreading over his lips. "She fills my heart and my life with joy and love. She isn't the mate Fate chose for me. However, she is the mate I chose."
"You're going to have to tell her the truth."
Jacob closes his eyes with a sigh. "I know. She needs to know all of me. Becca has been talking children and I've been putting it off. We can't—she can't make the decision about children unless she knows that they could end up like me."
Sean sees fear on Jacob's face. Pflichttreue are known for being fearless but the thought of losing his chosen mate frightens Jacob. He's lost one mate already and Sean can't blame him for being afraid of losing another. "Rebecca appears to have a good head on her shoulders. She has chosen you, loves you. Give her a chance, she might surprise you. I've come to find out that Griffins are a tough bunch."
"They are," Jacob admits with a smile. "Deborah made sure of that."
Sean nudges Jacob. "Enough talk. How about we have a beer and relax before they get back."
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"When Jacob met Mom, you saw something. What was it?"
Sean glances back at Hank lying on his side on the bed. "You noticed that."
"Yes," Hank answers.
"No one else noticed?"
Hank shakes his head. "They can't read you like I can."
Sean smiles in response. "True." He settles on the bed beside Hank.
"Well?" he asks expectantly.
Hoping that Hank won't react angrily, Sean tells him. "Jacob is Wesen."
Hank surges up instinctively as if to stalk to the room Becca and Jacob share and rip him away from her. "What is he?"
"Pflichttreue." At Hank's pointed gaze, Sean elaborates, "They're panther-like. White fur with black markings."
"I don't care what he looks like, Sean. What kind of Wesen is he? Should I be worried? I need to know for Becca's sake."
Sean may be sibling-less but understands the urge to protect loved ones. "Pflichttreue are incredibly loyal. I talked to Jacob. He sees Becca as his chosen mate, he'll protect her with his life. Pflichttreue are fearless. He'd go against anyone and anything without hesitation to protect her. He won't hurt her, what he is won't hurt her."
"You're sure? Wait. You talked to him? When?" Hank's eyes light up with understanding. "You manipulated us into leaving the house to get Jacob alone."
Sean shrugs, neither confirming nor denying anything. Not only does Hank care deeply for Becca but she's part of Sean's family now. He needed to make sure Jacob was trustworthy.
Hank accepts Sean's lack of response without challenge. "What did he mean by chosen mate?"
"Fate chose his first mate but he chose Becca."
"Where is his fated mate then?"
"Dead. Murdered by another Wesen. A Balam."
Hank reaches out, needing to touch Sean's bare skin. "That's rough. This Balam, why he'd do it?"
"She actually. Balam are exceptionally protective, irrationally so, of family. Jacob's mate and the Balam's mate were in a car accident. The Balam's mate was hurt, non-fatally but she took it very personally."
"That's nuts. And tragic. Remind me never to mess with a Balam."
Sean chuckles. "There are worse Wesen out there." He sobers quickly, "And with Nick's propensity of finding them, you will be encountering them. Try to be careful."
Hank smiles reassuringly. "I will. I have reason to be; I have you."
"Good. I don't want to lose you."
"I feel the same, so you have to be careful as well."
Sean pecks his lips. "For you, always."
"Love you," Hank says seriously.
"Love you too," Sean vows, pulling Hank tight against him.
They lie together comfortably and silently until Hank asks, "You're certain Becca is safe with Jacob?"
"Hundred percent. He loves her. Plus, he knows that if he hurts you, he'll not only have Deborah and you after him but also me, Nick, and Monroe. Perhaps he doesn't fear us but he isn't stupid either. Jacob isn't foolish enough to not respect the threat we are to his survival should he hurt her."
"You told him about Nick and Monroe?"
"Yes."
"Good." Hank snuggles against Sean and closes his eyes, confident that Becca is safe.
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"With Trubel's help, we've narrowed down the list to fifteen," Nick explains.
Monroe spreads the remaining fifteen's profiles over the table. "We would be grateful if you would help us narrow it down further. We respect both of you and want your honest opinions."
Hank glances down at the folders in front of him, wondering how this has become normal for him. Looking around at his partner, Roe, Sean, and even Trubel, he realizes he doesn't much care. He's happy. Nick is happy and pregnant. If he can do something to help, he will. "Okay."
Sean starts flipping through a file. "They must have fallen all over themselves when they heard about the babies."
"They did," Monroe says proudly. "This list is their best and all of them want to protect our pups."
Nick stares blankly at the profile in front of him, having read through the fifteen what feels like a million times already. "We want the best. The three that will ensure our pups' safety."
"Variety is a solid strategy," Sean suggests.
Monroe nods in agreement, catching exactly what Sean is saying. "A bit of everything: power, brains, speed."
"Precisely. Have a well-rounded set of guardians."
With Nick off in la-la land and Sean and Monroe talking, Hank turns to Trubel and asks, "How are you dealing with all of this?"
Theresa shrugs. "Better to know what the hell's going on than being in the dark and wondering if I was batshit crazy."
Hank cannot imagine how she felt during all those years alone. She's only eighteen and she's already been through a lot.
"Must be weird for you, not being able to see what Nick and I do."
Hank mimics Trubel's shrug. "I've worked in law enforcement long enough to be able to roll with the punches. I need to be able to, being Nick's partner. Must be him being a Grimm because we get all the weird shit."
She smirks. "Be glad for that. Imagine if one of your other detectives got a Wesen case. How many cases would your department have unsolved? How many killers left out there because they don't know that 'ordinary' people can turn into monsters with a twitch."
He hadn't thought about that. Without Nick's knowledge and ability to see Wesen woge, Wesen killers would go free and likely if other detectives got close to the real killer, they'd be killed. Even when he and Nick can't legally prove the person committed the crime, they are able to...deal with the situation, by whatever means are necessary. "Good thing we have Nick then. And you too."
Trubel offers a tiny smile, someone being thankful for her presence doesn't happen to her. Wesen fear and hate her, they want her dead. Humans, they see her as a troublemaker, a criminal, a misfit. They just want her gone.
It's nice fitting in for once. She isn't a freak here. If anyone is, it's Hank for being an ordinary Human.
She focuses back the profile in her hand. Theresa can't put her finger on it but something about this one doesn't feel right. She throws it aside and grabs another. Theresa was surprised to be included in this decision. Granted she'll be living with whomever they choose but Nick and Monroe trust her instincts. It's still weird for her to think about Nick being pregnant. "Did you freak out when you found out about Nick?"
"About him being a Grimm?"
Theresa shakes her head, her hands making a gesture to represent a pregnant belly.
"Oh, his pregnancy." Hank glances over at Nick, who appears a bit overwhelmed at the moment. "It was a shock, to say the least. Especially considering what his fertility could mean for me or Sean." He pats his stomach thoughtfully, no more ready to be pregnant than he was when he first heard it was possible.
"You? Is that possible?"
"Don't know for sure. Before Nick, it was impossible. What's to say it couldn't happen to me? Now the idea of that freaks me out, more than anything else. People that turn into monsters, no problem. Becoming a pregnant man? I don't think I'm ready for the level of weirdness."
"You and a lot of men," Theresa provides.
Hank agrees, "Yeah. Wonder if there will be more like Nick. A global change."
"Well, you two are both mates of Wesen and Nick is having three Grimm-Blutbad babies. I'd say this is just the beginning. Imagine when the triplets are grown up, what changes will happen in our world and in theirs during that time."
Hank is feeling like Nick looks. "I'm just going to take it one day at a time."
"The mantra of my life." Every day she makes it out alive is a good day. "We'd better get back to it. Doesn't look like Nick is going to be any help."
Nick has the same profile in his hand since they started and is staring at it with a blank expression, obviously off in his own world. It's doubtful he's read a single word of the profile.
"You alright there, Nick?" Hank questions, concerned.
Nick startles out of his daze. "What?" He looks over at Hank and Trubel. "Oh, yeah. Sure. It's just a lot to take in. New house, new vehicle, the Guardians, the pups, you," he says to Trubel.
Theresa gives him an understanding smile. She's still reeling a bit from all the new changes in her own life.
"We're here for you, man," Hank promises.
Nick offers a distracted smile. "Thanks." He shakes out of his mood and focuses on the profile in front of him.
I have the next chapter all written and edited. I plan on posting it in the next week or two.