Reflection Before the Storm

 Sasha and Grime had just arrived to their room in Felicia’s well-adorned home after performing in the Battle of the Bands and saying their goodbyes. They each immediately starting getting ready for bed, exhausted by the day’s events.

 “I don’t know why you let me have the bed. Pretty cool of you, but isn’t it a bad look to have CAPTAIN Grime on the couch instead of his lieutenant?” said the blonde with a slight smirk while she removed her makeup.

 “Oh please, no ones here to witness our temporary living conditions.” Grimes neatly put away his cape and scalemail while chatting. “Besides I’ve had worse lodging conditions than this.” Gesturing to the rather comfy looking couch.

 “Like staying in old barns in random villages and towns”, referring to their brief time on the run and being pursued.

 “Yeah no, worse actually.” Grime says nonchalantly.

 Sasha waited a moment before responding. “Are you gonna tell me or...”

 “Ehh I don’t really want to get into the tales of my prime at the moment. Maybe after we successfully rule the kingdom. They’ll be plenty of time to chat and recount our glories then.”

 ”Okay then” Sasha replied somewhat confused.

 For a second Sasha thought she may have brought up some painful memories for her toad friend. He was a hardened soldier and didn’t express sadness often. Why should she worry about hurting his feelings, she reassured herself. Though, the interaction left her curious of the life he had before being in charge of Toad Tower and meeting her. For now she’d leave those questions for another time.

 “Well goodnight Grimesy.”

 “Goodnight Sasha.”

 Silence fell over the room as Sasha turned off the mushroom lights and went to bed. She chuckled to herself at the sight of Grime’s twists and turns in an attempt to find a comfortable position on the couch before settling on laying flat on his back.

 “Comfy huh?” Sasha teased with a smirk.

 “Like a Heron feather mattress.” Grime answered in a defiant tone.

  “Whatever you say Grimesy.”

 It had been almost half an hour since the lights were off and the two stopped talking. Despite Sasha having the soft and desirable bed and Grime finding a favorable sleeping position both were having trouble falling asleep, unbeknownst to the other.

 Sasha’s mind was still active, occupied by how much fun she had performing with her friends and how eventful tomorrow would be and what it would bring. Though she also thought about who she would pulling off tomorrow’s events with.

 She looked at him from where she was laying. All she knew about him before their time together was that he was a gladiator and had a sister, which wasn’t much at all. But then again that wasn’t entirely true. She knew he was a good leader with a little help. He was also ruthless, but was fun-loving at times. Most importantly he valued her opinions and treated her as his equal despite her official title. He’d helped hone her fighting capabilities and brought out what she believed was her most ‘capable’ self.

 She pondered over all the things that would change between them running a kingdom. It would be a lot more busy, but they’d still have time to relax and hang out together right? For a moment she wondered if he’d leave her too once the kingdom was set up, but she quickly pushed that thought out of her mind. He would definitely like spending time with her doing other stuff besides conquest, thought Sasha. Why wouldn’t he enjoy doing more fun and cool stuff together considering the great times they had. She distinctly remembered a celebration at the Tower where Grime had too much beetle mead. She remembered a particular comment describing her eyes as ‘fierce and captivating’ as he put it right before attempting to approach her, leading to him tripping over one of Percy’s horns, and face planting right in front of her. Experiences like those were why she certainly was interested in learning more about Grime, warts and all. Though lately she’s had more inexplicable feelings from spending time with him. She wasn’t certain what they meant but they were pleasant and she wanted to know what it meant. All the more reason to be at his side for the foreseeable future.

 Meanwhile, Grime laid awake with his arms crossed while maintaining his eyes closed. His head was currently focused on battle plans, what’s the closest the army can position themselves without being spotted when would be the right time to give the invasion signal. Though eventually he tired of mulling over the same thoughts and slowly but surely his mind wandered to the blonde presumably sleeping close by. How her spirit that bends wills, reignited his. His drive for conquest wouldn’t be present if not for inspiring words and stubborn attitude. She’s taught him to be a more effective leader. More than all that, he had never felt a closer friendship to anyone than he did right now in his whole lifetime.

 The burly toad wasn’t used to being this sentimental. Strange as this new feelings as to him he knew he wanted it to last. A part of him wanted to tell her all of this but he would never outright say any of what he was thinking. Though it dawned on him that her time in Amphibia was limited. Despite her staying to rule with him eventually she would return to her world. He needed to at least let her know how much she means to him before it’s too late and she leaves. Or in the scenario he tried not to think about. Of the possibility that they fail and she could be gone forever. He shook away the thought. He couldn’t think like that, but the point still stood. He had to say something soon, though he took solace in the fact that he’d at least have a night to prepare his words to her carefully.

 At that moment, a sudden loud sounding whisper pulls Grime out of his thoughts and back to reality.

 “Grime? You’re awake right?” Said Sasha with squinting eyes looking at Grime.

 ”Yes, how’d you know?” Grime asked perplexed by Sasha’s call.

 ”You always sleep with your mouth open, duh.”

 Grime wasn’t sure how to respond to that observation. ”I don’t snore do I?”

 ”Oh no, of course not.” Sasha replied with a strained smile before following up with her own question. “So why ARE you awake?”

 “Oh you know... thinking about our plans for tomorrow’s takeover.” Grime replied half-truthfully.

 “Right, I thought about that too...as well as other thing.” Sasha paused and averted her gaze from the toad for a moment before continuing. “Anyway, all our hard works gonna pay off soon. Come tomorrow we’ll be the ones on top!” Sasha exclaimed.

 “Yes!” Grime replied triumphantly. “I can’t wait I’m so excited!” He said with pure glee in his voice. To which Sasha mimicked with a small squeal of joy.

 A moment of silence fell over the two with neither knowing what to say next. In his head, Grime realizes now would be the best opportunity to tell Sasha at least a fraction of what she means to him. It was easier said than done as Grime’s face formed a small scowl with the frustration on how to bring up the subject.

 “Grimesy? You alright over there?” Sasha called out with a raised eyebrow.

 Grime mentally cursed the moonlight shining through the window making his expressions visible. “Of course!” He answered a little to quickly for his liking. “Better than I have in a long time actually.” He punctuated the last line with a toothy smile.

 “Wow, so what’s got you so happy?” Asked Sasha genuinely curious about her toad friend’s sudden good mood.

 Grime cleared his throat before speaking again. Wanting to be as clear as possible, but also to delay this at least a second more. “I need to tell you something important before tomorrow.”

 “You picked a heck of a time for it, what’s on your mind?”

 “As you already know, the taking of Newtopia will be extremely dangerous. Grime’s tone got a lot more serious as he kept talking. “Even if we succeed none of us are guaranteed to come out unscathed. Though should we fail, You know what will most likely happen to us don’t you?”

 Sasha quickly realized what Grime was saying and the implication annoyed her. ”We’re not gonna fail, no one can stop us when we’ve come so far.” Sasha replied with a stern and unwavering eyes. “I’ll make sure of it.”

 ”True as that may be, tomorrow our lives and that of all of Amphibia changes forever no matter what the outcome.” Grime shuffles awkwardly to sit up right before proceeding. “I want you to know I appreciate your efforts and I could not ask for a better second in command for what’s to come. Or a better...friend.” He paused before continuing “and there’s no one I’d rather overthrow the king and take control of Amphibia with.”

 Sasha waited a good minute until the words finally sunk in, her annoyance dissipated before her face lit up. “Awww Grimesy c’mere.”

 Sasha quickly got out of bed and took a few steps toward the now upright and startled Grime. The blonde pulled the toad into a hug trying her hardest to wrap her arms around him as best as she could. Eventually Grime slowly accepted it and returned the hug with loose arms around her torso.

 ”For a grizzled toad you’re a real sweetheart. You know I think you’re one of the only people who really get me, kind of strange considering I’m from another world. I’m glad I met you when I came here and not someone else ‘cause I think you’re a pretty great friend too.” Suddenly Sasha gave a quick peck on the toad’s cheek and stared at the astonished toad in front of her. Somewhat surprised by her own action as well.

 Grime was bright red in the face and trying to keep some amount of composure.

 ”W-well ahem...uhm.” His next words took him a minute to articulate. “I’m glad you feel the same, b-but would you look at the time. I think we need to rest for tomorrow.” His last word punctuated with a big fake smile.

 Sasha frowned at the suggestion of heading to sleep. Though her smile quickly shined through thinking about the moment they shared and Grime’s flustered face.

 “Whatever you say, not sure I’ll be able to though.” Sasha explained as she crawled back under her covers.

 “I’m sure sleep will come to you eventually once you close your eyes.” He answered nervously.

 “I’ve got a better idea for getting to sleep.”

 “...And what would that be?”

 Sasha stared quizzically at the ceiling before looking back and responding to her friend. ”Okay would you rather give up Bog Grog for a year or dive into a pile of Zapapedes?”

 Grimes felt slight annoyance as this activity was the opposite of going to sleep. Though this game they occasionally played did relax him. He needed that especially after what just transpired between them. So he humored her and pondered the silly hypothetical situation.

 “I suppose I would give up Bog Grog.” Grime answered after a minute of deliberation.

 “Really? I thought you were tougher than that, I mean how bad is a one time shock anyway?”

 “I heard it’s pretty nasty stuff, my condolences to anyone who’s ever experienced it.”

 “I think I could handle it, but anyway it’s your turn to come up with one.”

 ”Hmm, would you rather umm...Give me a moment you know I’m bad at these.” Grime scratched his head pondering a good ‘would you rather’.

 ”C’mon you can come up with at least one.” Said Sasha trying to be encouraging.

 The blonde and the toad spent the next hour or so that night like this. Forgetting for the moment of their plans for the following day. The nagging feelings they felt for each other also quieted. For them that too could wait until after their exploits. For at the very least,they both now were a little more certain of what the feelings they felt for each other meant. So for now, they enjoyed the respite and each other’s company.