Giant (G/T) One-Shots

A Princess Story

Note: This story was largely inspired by fluffynimnims ! So obviously, you gotta go check them out. Also, I wrote this shit at 12 am and I'm editing the next day at 12 am, so pardon the lack of structural retention.

    The smell of fear woke him up before the small creature tugging on his index finger did.

    Ulrik glanced over at his alarm clock before groaning. "It's 4 in the morning, Lorelai. Can this wait?"

    Then, he glanced down at the 6 year old ball of trauma that trembled beside his hand and reeked of fear.

    "Sorry," Lorelai mumbled before trudging away.

    Just as quickly, Ulrik scooped her up, blanket and all, and deposited her on his chest.

    "Nah, nah. You're fine, shortie. I'm sorry for getting snappy. I just got the morning grumpies. You know how I get." he said, "Now what's shaken up my tiny, little thing, eh?" 

    "Bad dream," she murmured.

    "Aye? Again?" he asked, "I wish I knew more about you humans, so I could see if this is normal or not. Giant dreams are happy. At least for us, maybe not so much for the pee wee morsels I get to torment in them." he purred.

    "You're a bad giant," she whined. Her nose scrunched up and she frowned.

    "Don't give me that. I'm feckin' hilarious." he dismissed.

    When her expression did not waiver, and she only added to it by crossing her arms over her blanket, he sighed.

    "You know I'm clean," he argued, "It was a joke. Cut me some slack."

    "Fine," she huffed, softening her expression, "But it wasn't funny."

    "I know," he said, "Now tell me about your nightmare."

    She shrugged lamely.

    "Giants?" he asked.

    She nodded.

    "Hmm. I'm sorry, lass. I wish my kind were less of bastards. I'm definitely trying to be better for you."

    "I know," she said, "I love you."

    Deep, rumbly purrs erupted from him and shook the ground underneath her. He couldn't help himself. Hearing her fragile voice say she loved him melted his heart.

    "I love you too, lass," he cooed, wrapping a hand around her backside.

    She curled up against the warm wall and tucked the blanket over her front. Her bootied feet stuck out from under the blanket. With two, her-sized fingers, he pulled the blanket over her toothpick legs and shrimp feet.

    "Tell me a story," she instructed.

    "Oh jeez. I don't have many stories you're old enough to hear about, but uh...I guess there was this one time when I was a teen-"

    "No!" she protested, "About princesses."

    "Ah, I make-believe story," he murmured.

    "I want a real princess story," she demanded.

    "I've never met…" he paused, "Well, I suppose I've heard this one story about a princess."

    She grinned.

    "She was a young woman: cute, funny, strong. Unfortunately despite how mighty she was, she had no control when the dragons attacked her kingdom. They crumbled the kingdom and many people succumbed to the dragons, but the princess, being the strongest of them all, persevered. One fateful day, a dragon got a hold of her and was going to ea- demand she give him all her gold."

    "Was she pretty?" Lorelai asked.

    Ulrik smiled softly down at her.  "She was incredibly beautiful. The dragon had never laid his eyes on such a sight."

    "Then, why didn't she charm him?" she asked.

    "If you'd let me finish," he grumbled, "You'd know that she did. The dragon could not possibly take her riches, and noting that he'd been part of the scoundrels that leveled her castle, he'd brought her back to his cave, so that he could share his home with her."

    "And did she slay him for hurting her home?" Lorelai asked.

    Ulrik's eyes widened. "No! They lived happily ever after, you sadist."

    "Why not?"

    "Because they became friends...or so the dragon thought." He snorted.

    "Oh." She frowned. "How did they become friends if the dragon was evil?"

    "Well...because the dragon knew he couldn't be evil and be her friend, he gave up being evil," he explained.

    "Why?"

    "He grew to love her. And even though, it was in a dragon's DNA to take princesses' gold, he could never bare the idea of taking the only thing she had left because of his love for her."

    "Does the princess love him too?" Lorelai inquired.

    "The dragon hopes so, but he can never really know. Even if she didn't, he'd still love her and never take her gold." Ulrik said.

    "I think she loves him too."