Ode to Joy

The first thing Grimm saw when he awoke was Tats sitting at the food of the bed. Her back was to him, and she was dressed. The inked-up cow had thrown on her loose burlap tunic, plus some plain black shorts. There was an empty plate sitting next to her. The smell of tea filled the room, and Grimm quickly surmised that the bandit was enjoying a cup.

Tats must have heard Grimm stir, for she looked over her shoulder at him and smiled. "Good morning," she said, before taking a sip of tea. "How'd you sleep?"

"Like a dream," Grimm said, offering what he could of a smile. He pulled himself up so that he was half-sitting.

"There's food on the table, there --" Tats pointed at the bedside table, which did indeed have a plate of food sitting on it. "You should eat up. We've got some traveling to do." Her smile widened.

It took a second for Grimm to remember what she was talking about. Then it clicked. "You talked to Reese?"

"I did."

"And she's okay with it?"

"She is." Another sip. "I promised her I'd be back, and told her that you were thinking of coming back to stay, and... I dunno. She's just... she's okay with it, supportive even."

Grimm couldn't hide his pleasure. "I'm glad." A pause. "Did you... talk to the others?"

"Yeah. They're all fine with it, but I can tell they're gonna miss me. Buttercup, especially. I mean, we basically share this room, and I know she's gonna have to sleep somewhere else to really feel comfortable." She took another sip of tea, and when she pulled the mug away she wore a smug smile. "I bet she'll shack up in Reese's room. Ugh, I would love to see that."

"But they're okay?"

"They are." She blushed. "They, uh, they all totally heard us last night."

"Really? I thought we were being... discreet."

"Nope. They heard it all."

"Were they... bothered?"

Tats giggled. "They thought it was cute." She sighed happily. "C'mon, eat your breakfast. We need to say goodbye to everyone before we leave." She stood up to leave. "I'm gonna go visit the others while you eat. Oh! Here." She leaned down, picked up a pack, and set it on the bed. "Reese made sure we have supplies. There's some new clothes in here for you. Y'know, 'cause you've been naked for several days now." She giggled, and Grimm was suddenly aware that she was speaking the truth -- he had been naked for a while.

Tats started toward the door. She stopped when she reached the threshold. "Hey, Grimm..."

"Yeah?"

"Can I ask a favor of you?"

"Of course."

"While we're traveling together, do you think you could... call me Joy?"

"Yeah, of course... what's up?"

"It's just, it's my bandit name, and I know it's silly but if you call me that all the time I'm going to be homesick."

"Don't worry... Joy." Grimm smiled. "I understand."

Tats -- no, Joy -- smiled back at him. "Thanks, Grimm. Okay, now eat your breakfast. We'll be in the courtyard."

Grimm ate alone, then got dressed.