Sneezy was in fact far more fighted than delighted at the news. Grumpy was nearly deafened by his cry of rage, which would have been loud enough to hear without magic. His ears ringing, Grumpy listened as Sneezy made several arguments, but he was finally overruled by the others. Grumpy pretended to be asleep when they came upstairs to bed, and he heard Sneezy muttering darkly the whole time.

Three weeks after he'd arrived, Doc finally seemed unable to resist heading to the mines. After assuring him that he'd be fine, Grumpy watched the five Dwarfs march off. Dopey had insisted on staying with Grumpy, and Doc had finally relented after two hours of pouting and big puppy eyes. Grumpy was glad to be alone, mostly at least, and he shut the door. Before it shut, he heard Sneezy make a snide comment, which he ignored.

When the song had faded, Grumpy relaxed and flexed his hand. The air around his hand seemed to shimmer, and he smiled to himself. Dopey hopped up and down, pointing at Grumpy's hand, and wiggled his fingers.

"Wanna see some, do ya?"

Dopey nodded and stared expectantly. Grumpy thought about it then nodded. All the rest with no outlet to his pent-up energy meant magic was practically flowing like blood through him. He made a scooping motion toward Dopey, and the boy gave a cry of shock as he was lifted on an invisible surface, almost like a pillow, and floated in the air. His big eyes looked at Grumpy, who snickered.

"'Sa matter?" he teased. "Not enough?"

Dopey blinked then grinned, and he twisted, falling down. Grumpy caught him in a wave of sparkling energy, and Dopey shook with laughter as he was tickled all over. He waved his hands, begging for mercy, and Grumpy relented with a bark of laughter, tugging Dopey into his arms.

"Yer somethin' else, kid…" Grumpy said fondly.

Dopey stuck out his tongue then hugged him. Grumpy hugged him back then set him down with a grunt.

"Yer heavy. Come on. Let's go fer a walk."

Grumpy took his hand and led him out into the yard, where Dopey began to run around and try to play with the animals, particularly a small fawn, which kept drawing away. But it never quite left. Grumpy watched for a few minutes then called Dopey over.

"Whachoo doin'?" he asked.

Dopey gestured at the frightened animals.

"Nah. Gotta ask first."

Dopey tilted his head.

"I'll show ya how."

Grumpy waved his hands and touched his ears then his mouth. A sparkling green trail followed his hands then he cleared his throat.

"Come here." The animals all looked at him in astonishment. They were skittish and wary, but they slowly approached. Dopey jumped up and down and made to go after them, but Grumpy pulled him back by the shirt.

"Now don't go spookin' 'em again. Dern fool. Now ask 'em to play." Dopey blinked then made several frolicking gestures and stared expectantly. Grumpy nodded.

"Hear that? He wants ya ta play with him."

Dopey watched with delight as the animals made soft noises, cautiously moving closer. The fawn approached by its mother's side, its nose working as it looked up at its mother. The mother made a snorting noise, and Grumpy responded.

"T'ain't dangerous, ma'am. He's just a-lookin' ta play."

The mother dipped her head and went cautiously up to Dopey and sniffed him. Dopey reached up and petted her ears, surprised by the softness he found there. He grinned with delight and pointed at the fawn, wiggling his ears. She looked up at Grumpy, who nodded.

"That's fine." He turned to Dopey. "Time ta play tag."

Dopey looked puzzled. Grumpy placed a finger on the boy's chest.

"Yer it. That means ya gots ta tag somebody else." The fawn looked up, its eyes bright, then leaped away and began to canter. It took Dopey a moment to realize the fawn was teasing. He looked up at Grumpy, who grinned. "Tag him."

Dopey threw his hands up and ran after the fawn, which cantered merrily here and there. Grumpy smiled as he watched the boy, a soft look on his face. The mother deer nudged him, and he shook his head.

"Don't know about that. But he's a good one." He gestured at Dopey.

The deer lay down at his feet and watched the fawn with great interest as Dopey tagged it then ran away, shaking with laughter. Grumpy caught a gleam in the grass at his feet and bent down and grabbed a small gemstone. It must have come from the mines and been dropped. The familiar longing stirred in his breast, and he scowled. One reason he believed that Dwarfs were after treasure, besides the stories he'd always heard, was that he was. He loved the way gold and gems sparkled and flashed in the light, and a part of him wanted to have all the treasure in the world, just for a moment. What he would do with it afterwards, he wasn't sure. But he was a thief who'd lived his whole life snatching purses only to have to give the treasure away, and that had left something jagged inside of him. It wasn't natural. He'd always believed that craving treasure was, though, but maybe something inside of him was twisted. Could have been why his parents had abandoned him in the first place.

After a small lunch, magically prepared, Dopey ran around the house, picking up things to show him. Grumpy accepted them and studied them, watching with great interest as Dopey talked animatedly with his face and hands about where the treasures came from and what they meant to the family. He used the word treasures in a way that Grumpy had never heard before, not in relation to gold and jewels but as sentimental. It made Grumpy ache in a new way.

When the sun began to set, Grumpy decided to make food for the others. They would be home after dark, which was usual for them, so he set about cooking supper. Dopey watched with a big grin as the entire room seemed to shimmer with sparkling green energy, and supper was prepared quickly and efficiently. Grumpy didn't know many recipes, but he did have a few, and he used that to his advantage.

Just as the last plate of food went on the table, he heard the faint sound of singing. He looked around then cut off the magic. The sparkles faded and he sat down, pleasantly tired after all his work and pleased with the outcome. He hoped the others would be, too. It wasn't much. But it was all he knew how to do.

The door opened and they tramped in, laughing and talking, but they paused when they saw the table laid. Happy suddenly looked gleeful.

"Ya made supper!"

"Guess yer eyes work," Grumpy said, but he watched anxiously as they tossed aside their pickaxes and headed for the table.

Doc came over to Dopey first and lifted him up. "And what trouble did you get into today?"

Dopey wiggled his ears as he pointed at Grumpy then lifted his hands and wiggled his fingers. There was a pause as Doc's face pinched.

"Ah…" He looked at Grumpy, who held his breath. He shouldn't have used magic. Doc would hate him now. "That's good. Now it's time to eat."

Grumpy knew there would be a conversation later, and he wanted to slink up and hide under the blankets. But Happy called him over to the table.

"Looks good," he said, rubbing his hands together.

"Ain't much," Grumpy muttered, dragging the spare chair over to the table.

They filled their plates and began to eat. Grumpy only picked at his food, a weight in his gut. He just knew they wouldn't want him to stay now. Sneezy watched him intently.

"Not very good," he said, a bite in his tone.

Grumpy looked up. He did not feel like being bitten. He stood up, his face set like flint. "Then don't eat it," he spat, then turned on his heel and left. He slammed the door behind him, ignoring the startled silence. He hesitated outside, reaching up toward his ears, then gave up and went around to take the path to the garden. Gingerly sitting down, he breathed in the earthy scent and sat, listening to the wind in the trees as he tried to hold in his tears.

He shouldn't have tried again. All it had produced was trouble, and now pain. He had just been getting used to the cottage and the others. Why was he so weak? Love was for the weakest. That what she had always told him, and every time it would carve another hole in his heart. He had been a fool to want a mother's love and he was still a fool because he wanted family, and he knew it. Nobody could be trusted but yourself. He clenched his fists and glared at nothing as he blinked away tears. He was already weak enough for daring to try and love. He didn't need to broadcast the pain that pulsed through him, sharp and aching.

"Grumpy?" a gentle voice asked.

"Go away," he snarled at once, flinching away like a wounded animal.

There was a pause then Happy walked over and sat down beside him. Grumpy didn't look at him.

"T'ain't bad food," he said gently.

Grumpy grunted.

"But I don't think that's why yer out here, is it?"

Grumpy didn't answer for several long moments. "What does he think?"

Happy blinked. "Who?"

"Bashful. I knows he sent ya out here."

Happy laughed, leaning back and kicking his feet. "Already figgered out it's him, eh?"

"Perty clear," Grumpy muttered.

Happy considered him. "He thinks ya've got sommit on yer mind. He says what Doc said ta Dopey bothered ya, but he ain't sure why."

Grumpy stiffened. "I knows he don't like it."

Happy looked surprised. "What are you goin' on about?"

Grumpy looked at him, cautious and a bit puzzled. "He don't want me ta do that," he said slowly.

"What exactly did ya do? We don't get that sign."

"Sign," Grumpy repeated evenly.

Happy shifted and in the moonlight Grumpy saw him raise his hands and wiggle his fingers. "This 'un. Didn't get it. Been a long time since we ain't known what he said."

Grumpy's heart nearly stopped. They didn't know then. They didn't know about the magic. The uncomfortable look on Doc's face when Dopey had excitedly proclaimed that they'd done magic all day wasn't because of the magic. It was because they didn't understand the sign. He looked down as his mind raced. He should tell Happy what it meant, but terror gripped him. If they didn't know about the magic, maybe they'd let him stay.

"We jest played 'round. He chased some critters."

Happy stared at him. "That all?" He thought for a few moments. "Odd way ta sign that."

Grumpy swallowed nervously. How could he mistranslate the sign? After a long pause, an idea came to him. "He's very ticklish," he said quietly.

Happy's eyes widened and he relaxed and laughed. "Oh! That's what he said!"

The lie had worked. Grumpy let out a breath. "Course it is."

"Well, I'm glad that's cleared up. Now why don't ya come back in and eat? Supper's perty good."

"Ain't the best," Grumpy said, looking away. "Ain't as good at cookin' as you. Never had ta worry 'bout feedin' nobody else like that."

Happy stood up. "Well, at least it's eatable. Sneezy cain't cook none, anyhow, so he don't get ta complain. C'mon."

Grumpy hesitated then stood up and followed him back to the cottage. Happy patted his back then they walked in. Doc stopped talking at once, but Sneezy looked angry, and Grumpy knew that Doc had been scolding him. Doc looked anxiously at Happy, but Bashful smiled and raised his glass of water, sensing that things had gone well. Dopey ran over and embraced him, looking worried. Grumpy snorted and began to tickle his belly so that he shook with laughter and wriggled. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw comprehension dawn on the brothers' faces. Doc relaxed and smiled then walked over.

"Are you fell, uh, well?" he asked, scanning Grumpy's face.

He could explain about the magic. He should. It wouldn't be smart to hide what he could do. If he didn't use it regularly, it could burst out. The words to correct the wrong sign translation were on the tip of his tongue, but he looked at all the warm, concerned faces and he found he wasn't brave enough. He had to stay. He couldn't be alone again. He would do anything to stay with them. And that scared him.

"'M fine," Grumpy said quietly. Bashful squinted at him, and he quickly added. "Will be."

Bashful relaxed and looked at the food. "Let's eat. I've never had this before. Whadja do?"

Grumpy lowered himself into a chair and looked at Happy, who stared at him with great interest. He decided to have a bit of fun.

"Guess," he said, digging into his own food.

Happy looked excited as he sat down and picked up his fork. Grumpy had just challenged him, and he accepted without hesitation. As Happy focused on guessing what he'd done and the others ate and watched, anticipating the fun, a tiny worm of discomfort wiggled in Grumpy's heart. He should tell them. Especially Doc. But he just couldn't. If they kicked him out, he'd never be the same again.

It was with that thought that he realized that he was falling into the trap of love. The scariest thing to him was that it felt right to love these Dwarfs. And the harsh voice of a woman came to him.

"Love is for the weakest of creatures. Don't you ever forget that."

His young voice answered. "But ya love me, right?"

Her fair face had broken into a sneer."Who could ever love you?"

Grumpy came back to the present as Happy leaned forward. "Rabbit?" he guessed.

Grumpy looked around at them then back at Happy. How could they all be so oblivious? "Mmhm."

There was a cheer from the others as Happy beamed.

"What kind of reasonings, erm, seasonings did he suffuse, uh, use?" Doc asked jovially, eager to watch the game progress.

Happy grabbed for bread to dip it in the sauce. "Let's find out!"

And despite the war inside of him, Grumpy had to fight back a smile. He'd tell them soon. The opportunity would come up, and he would be honest. Maybe they'd even let him stay.