I do not own Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Tea at Dawn

The pink streaks of dawn were just beginning to glimmer in the lightening sky when Grumpy slipped out of bed. He crept across the floor, avoiding the squeaky boards as to not disturb his slumbering brethren, and retrieved a candle from the top of the wardrobe. He struck a match, the tiny orange flame brilliant in the darkness, and carefully lit the wick.

He descended the stairs, guided by the warm glow, the snores of the others a dim hum in his ears by the time he reached the bottom. He went about opening the shutters and when he turned to the window above the bench, he froze at the sight of Snow White curled on the wooden seat, the shadows that hid her petite form chased away by the thin rays of dawn.

He dropped the candle, the metal holder clattering against the wooden planks. He rushed to her side and gripped her arm. Her name paused in his throat when she immediately moved, sitting up with a soft, startled cry. Grumpy stumbled backwards, a hard breath shuddering out of him, his hand clutching at the beige fabric of his nightgown.

"Dagnabbit, woman!" he snapped. "Are ya tryin' to stop my ticker?"

Snow White rubbed at her sleep-hazed eyes with her fists. "I'm sorry, Grumpy."

"Nearly burned the house down," he huffed, picking up the candle, which thankfully had landed flat on its base. He set it safely aside and scowled at Snow White, who was trying to smooth down her ruffled black hair. "What are ya doin' here at this hour?" His eyes sharpened. "How did ya get here?"

"I was escorted by the royal guard," replied Snow White, lowering her hands and folding them in her lap. "I'm terribly sorry for visiting so late."

"Don't care about that," said Grumpy, waving his hand impatiently. "It's yer home, too. Ya can be here whenever ya want. But yer 'posed to let us know when yer comin' so we can watch out fer ya. What if somethin' happened to the guard on the journey? Or…or you?"

The last bit was said roughly, Grumpy's arms folding tightly over his chest. He glared at the ground and Snow White bowed her head. She knew it brought the Dwarfs great comfort to know when she would be arriving, so she always made sure to send a letter announcing when they could expect her. Even though the Queen had been dead for over six months, the Dwarfs continued to be agitated whenever she travelled.

"I didn't mean to worry you," she whispered. "I'm sorry."

"Stop bein' sorry," he said gruffly. He peered at the princess closely. "Ya didn't answer my first question."

Snow White nibbled on her bottom lip. "It's silly, now that I think about it," she murmured.

"I'll be the judge o' that," said Grumpy with a sniff. "I'll brew some tea."

The young girl sprang to her feet, her yellow and blue dress wrinkled and creased. "Oh, let me."

"No," said Grumpy plainly. "Siddown. An' put yer slippers on. Else ye'll get a splinter."

Snow White obeyed, gracefully sliding her feet into her tan-coloured heels. She lowered into the chair reserved especially for her, taller and wider than the other seven situated at the table. It had been crafted by Happy and Doc, and Snow White couldn't help but straighten with pride whenever she sat on the beautifully engraved piece of pine.

Grumpy filled a cauldron with water from the pump, hooking it in place above the wood in the hearth. When the flames were strong and steady, he left the water to boil. As he scooped tea leaves into two ceramic mugs, Snow White asked curiously, "Do you always wake so early?"

"Yup," muttered Grumpy, putting the jar of tea leaves back in place on the shelf. "Only time o' day where I have a moment's peace an' quiet."

"Oh." Snow White's brow furrowed. "I can leave you be, if you'd like."

"If I didn't want ya here, I'd tell ya," said Grumpy, and when he turned to face her, she was grinning. The way her smile spread wide across her red lips, filling her dainty pale face, and made her brown eyes sparkle, made his heart soar.

"You certainly have before," she replied.

"Quiet," he said, but there was no heat behind the words, and his lips twitched with a smile. "Princesses ain't 'posed to be full o' sass or sleepin' on benches."

"I was merely being factual," said Snow White, and Grumpy couldn't help but bark out a laugh. "I didn't want to disturb anyone. The bench is plenty comfortable." She rested her chin against the palm of her hand, her expression dimming. "I'm more than just a princess here."

"What in tarnation is that 'posed to mean?" Grumpy asked. His hackles started to rise, his eyes narrowing. "Are they treatin' ya poorly at the castle?"

"No!" exclaimed Snow White. "Not at all! Everyone's been so lovely and welcoming." Her cheeks darkened in colour, the rosy pink deepening to scarlet. "It was merely a thought that slipped out. I'm just being silly, like I mentioned. No need to worry."

"I beg to differ," said Grumpy with a frown. "Start spillin'."

His gaze bore into her, his dark brown eyes searching and intent. He didn't flinch when the cauldron began to hiss, the water gurgling as it boiled, but Snow White seized on the distraction. "I'll prepare the tea," she said firmly.

She grabbed the two mugs and retrieved a ladle from the cupboard. She carefully spooned hot water into them, watching as the clear liquid turned murky brown, bits of tea leaves floating at the top. She turned around, the mugs clutched in her hands, to see Grumpy already at the table. His expression was annoyed but his pupils glinted with concern.

"Why don't ya care about yer own problems?" Grumpy asked when she had gotten herself settled.

"I beg your pardon?" said Snow White in shock.

"Ye'll go beyond the stars to help folk with their troubles. But ya ignore yer own."

"That's certainly not true! I asked for your help, didn't I?"

"After ya barged in here," said Grumpy with a snort. "Somethin' is itchin' at ya, Snow. Ya wouldn't have come here at such an hour otherwise. Yer plannin' on stayin', ain't ya?"

"Yes," said Snow White softly. "If that's acceptable with you and the others."

"'Course it is. But I don't wanna see that distant, lost look on yer expression the whole time yer home. So start flappin' those lips an' answer my question."

"Which one?" asked Snow White.

"All o' them."

The girl inhaled slowly, her fingers curling around the handle of her mug. The clay was hot beneath her touch, steam wafting up and tickling her chin. She took a cautious sip, the tea bitter against her tastebuds. She peeked over the rim to see Grumpy watching her, his fingers tapping against the table, and his eyebrow lifted when his eyes caught hers.

"I suppose it's because there was simply no one to listen to my problems, once my parents passed," she said quietly. "The servants were very kind and I know they cared for me, but we weren't close. They kept me at a distance. I never knew why until I learned the Queen wanted to kill me. I suppose it was their way of protecting me." Snow White gave a rueful smile. "She certainly didn't care to listen to my problems."

Grumpy's jaw tightened, anger bubbling in the pit of his stomach. He spat on the floor. "May she rot," he growled.

"Grumpy!" said Snow White in horror. "There's really no need—"

"There's all the need," he interrupted fiercely. "Ya listen close, girl. Ya ain't under her dirty thumb no more. Ya ain't a prisoner no more. Ya got people who love ya, who want ya to be happy, an' who want to listen to yer problems. So don't keep 'em squandered, else ye'll become just as miserable as that witch. Ya hear me?"

"Yes, I do," said Snow White, her voice wobbling.

"Good. Now, what brought ya here so late?"

"Florian departed three days ago with his father. He'll be gone for a fortnight. It's the longest we've been apart. I've had no one to really talk to. The servants and my subjects treat me as nothing more than a princess. They're proper and respectful, and make no more than polite conversation. I felt so lonely, and the nights were so silent, so empty, that I couldn't bear it any longer. So I asked the royal guard to escort me here."

"Ya always come to stay when the Prince leaves on a journey," said Grumpy suspiciously. "Didn't he offer to bring ya here first?"

"He did. But he was going to be gone for so long. I didn't want to impose."

Grumpy blinked at her, his lips forming a tight line. He took one long swig of his tea before folding his hands in front him, one eye squeezing shut while the other glared at her. "Ya just said a few minutes ago that yer more than just a princess here. Whaddja mean by that?"

Snow White tilted her head slightly to the side. "Oh. Well, you let me cook and clean for you because you know I enjoy it and not because you consider me your servant. You don't mind if I'm dirty or silly. I can chat about whatever I'd like and I know you're listening to every word. Why, all of you are my soul."

That was the truth, which she had told the Dwarfs plenty of times before. Florian was her heart, they were her soul, and with them she was complete.

"Then stop bein' a fool."

This was not quite what Snow White was expecting after her heartfelt response, but she was too used to Grumpy's bluntness to be hurt. "I don't understand."

"Ya didn't wake us up when ya arrived 'cause ya didn't want to disturb us. Ya thought stayin' with us fer a fortnight was an imposition. That's hogswallop." Grumpy aimed a finger at the girl, a scowl on his features. "Ya know this is yer home. Ya can stay forever, if ya want. Ya can arrive at any hour in the day. This is yer home. So ya don't need permission to be in it." Making sure he had Snow White's full attention, he added, "Don't let that witch keep her claws in ya."

Tears pooled in Snow White's eyes and trickled slow tracks down her cheeks. When her father died, she'd lost the only home she ever knew. In the place of her birth, she had to tiptoe around corners, remain unseen and unheard.

So even though she loved the Dwarfs, and knew they loved her, a part of her feared they would get tired of her constant presence. She tried to space out her visits, only staying longer than a day when Florian was away from the castle. She worried she would lose them, as she had lost her first home.

But she wouldn't. She wouldn't, because family, true family, like true love, was forever.

"Like I said," she said with a small laugh, wiping at her cheeks. "Just being silly. Thank you, Grumpy. I love you."

She dropped to her knees and opened her arms, her wet eyes hopeful. Grumpy clicked his tongue, his expression appearing put-out, but his eyes shining with deep affection. "Women," he grumbled, sliding out of his chair and walking into her embrace. "Always so emotional."

He hugged her tightly and Snow White nuzzled her nose against the top of his bald head. "I really don't mind sleeping on the bench."

"Nonsense," said Grumpy, pulling away and briefly pinching her chin, which was how he showed his love. "Ya can have our beds. We're workin' on buildin' ya yer own bed, but the barn is gonna take us the longest."

Snow White laughed, straightening and setting her hands on her hips. "How generous. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."

"I'll take a gooseberry pie," quipped Grumpy.

Snow White picked up her mug. "Shall we watch the sunrise while we drink our tea?"

She extended her hand and Grumpy linked up with her, his thick fingers threading with her slender ones. With a soft, tender smile, he said, "Sounds like the perfect way to start the mornin', Snow."

"You know, I think I'll join you every dawn. There's so much we can chat about while we wait for the others to wake."

Grumpy parted his lips to protest, for while he adored the girl, he preferred to have most dawns to himself. But he caught sight of her mischievous grin and he rolled his eyes fondly.

"A right pain in the keister, ya are."