The town of Whoville settled down for the night; the hustle and bustle grew faint, Who's return to their homes for supper and soon it was time for bed.
Except for one Who and her guest.
Yes, one particular house was bright; the twinkling lights were left on and in her bedroom, she and her companion laid on her bed, facing each other, eyes meeting with a sense of longing. The Grinch was invited by Martha May to stay. He'd nearly done a double take, checking behind him to see if there was someone else she'd meant that for. With his eyes brimming with curiosity, Martha May extended her hand, to which he grasped into his. Together, they trailed down the street of Whoville. A passerby or two stared but cared, they did not.
And now, in bed and alone, Martha repressed a shiver with one of the Grinch's long green fingers delicately threaded through her hair, stopping at the touch of her skin on her cheek. It was as if he were afraid she would break under his touch.
"You needn't be so gentle," She whispered.
He nodded wordlessly, tugging at the collar of the Christmas sweater from the Whobilation. She thought it was rather lovely and told him as such-Martha hadn't been sure if she was imagining or not, but the Grinch's cheeks looked rather flushed.
"Martha," His voice was low and rough and it sent a thrill down her spine.
"Yes," She was breathless, excitement surging through her veins.
"Can I-" He was struggling with what to say. "I want to...kiss you."
"Yes."
He looked at her in confusion. Then a brilliant flash of emotion crossed his face as her words sank in. His jaw dropped then snapped back up and was that-happiness. "Yes?" He repeated cautiously.
"Yes," She said with a wide smile. "Yes. I want to kiss you, Grinch."
She scooted closer, feeling her heart speed up as his hands-trembling-cupped her face. Their lips were centimeters apart when a voice called out behind the walls on the outside.
"Martha! Martha!"
They broke apart. Martha's face held a grimace while Grinch was notably irritated, knowing whose voice that was.
"I swear, I oughta-" His words fell when she placed a hand on his arm, sending him a sweet smile to calm him.
"Please, let me handle it," She requested.
He nodded again. She refrained from giggling at how charmed he was. She gracefully rose from her bed, hearing his footsteps behind her. She opened the front door, a sight coming to the back of her throat at the sight of Augustus Maywho. He was still clothed in his pajamas, hair-what was of it- disheveled and he was holding onto the box that contained the ring intended for her.
"What do you want?" Grinch hissed.
Augustus ignored the Grinch, his eyes keeping a firm stare in Martha. He tried to grab her hand but she pulled away. "Martha," His voice was full of desperation, "Martha please! Consider what you're doing."
"I know exactly what I'm doing," She said softly.
"Ha ha!" Grinch stuck his tongue out at the mayor.
Augustus shot the Grinch a look of disgust. Emitting sputtering sounds, his eyes swiftly shifted from her to him, as if he were trying to understand it. "Martha, darling-" Grinch clenched his hands. "He...he's the Grinch."
"Someone get this man an award," Grinch said loudly, "what an absolutely-"
"Grinch, stop it," Martha said with poorly concealed amusement.
He smirked at her.
She turned back to Augustus, who had watched their exchange with a dropped jaw. "I am quite aware of who he is, Augustus."
"And you still want him?" Augustus said in disbelief. "Martha, you're making a huge mistake."
Grinch rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath; some of which was quite vulgar.
"I think you're the one that's making the mistake," Martha said coolly. "You've always judged him and never given him a chance."
Augustus was on the verge of exploding. "Look at him! He's a monster!"
"Oh, I'll show you-" Grinch threatened.
"Stop it, both of you," Her voice commanded. Augustus kept his aggressive glare but the Grinch softened. "I don't appreciate the words of slander towards my boyfriend, Mr. Mayor."
Augustus looked like he'd been slapped. In more ways than one, she noticed. She was gawked at by both men and it was then that she realized what she'd said.
"Boyfriend?" Grinch squeaked.
She flushed. "I...I'm terribly sorry. I shouldn't have presumed. The kiss-"
"Kiss!" Augustus was very faint now, having gone a sickly pale.
"You want...me to be your...boyfriend?" Grinch pointed to himself.
"If that's what you want."
In a flash, Martha May felt herself being bent over-Grinch kissed her.
All those years. All those years of suppressing the passion and longing she felt for him; all those years of withholding how she felt for him-
It came. The moment she'd been wanting all these had come at last.
Martha's hands dug into his fur as the kiss grew in its intensity. She let out a moan of ecstasy.
"Does that answer your question?" Grinch mumbled.
She never got the chance to answer. They heard a great big thud.
Augustus had fainted.
"He's dead!" Grinch cackled gleefully, letting her go to do a triumphant dance. "He's dead, he's head! Ha ha ha!" He momentarily stopped dancing. "If I knew this would happen, I would have done this sooner!"
Martha laughed softly. Oh, how she simply adored seeing Grinch-her boyfriend. Her heart fluttered-so happy. She hated to break the news to him. "He's not dead, sweetheart."
Grinch stopped, frowning. "What?"
"He's just fainted, that's all."
Grinch scowled. It was very cute. A moment or so passed and a wide grin appeared on his face. "You wouldn't happen to have any markers around here...would you?"
She raised her eyebrows at him. "Why?"
He slinked an arm around her waist, voice nearby her ear.
"Let's draw on his face."
He wore a mischievous smile.
She really ought to say no. It was hardly ladylike, after all. But then Martha May recalled the Whobilation, where she'd witnessed Augustus giving Grinch that electric razor and the humiliation of being laughed at again.
He'd been so hurt-
"Only if I get to do it first," Martha declared.
She received the brightest, most genuine smile she'd ever seen from the Grinch. And in that moment, Martha May knew deep in her heart that she'd made the right choice.
