THE GREAT ⇢ 3x06 | ICE

Grigor was a very respectable man. Part of The Emperor's court and obvious close friends with Peter. He never believed in 'lovers' not like Peter did. Not like what he kept trying to recommend Katherine. He didn't like it.

However sometimes he couldn't stand it. By ‘it’ he meant Georgina’s and Peter’s sexual relationship. He hated being around George when she was with Peter. Although on this particular night, he didn't feel like getting black out drunk to drown out the sounds or to not remember it. He instead decided to take a walk.

Lady Y/N was having a restless night as well. Nothing better to do but take a walk as well and try to tire herself out maybe. That was until she stumbled across Grigor.

"Hello, Grigor." You call into the dimly lit hallway.

“Y/N?”

You nod once you get close enough. You couldn’t help but smile at him. He was always handsome in your eyes, and though you tried to remain friendly, God, how you wanted to just kiss him.

“What are you doing up so late?”

“I was just restless. Rather than sit bored in my apartment, figured I’d take a walk.” You nearly asked why he was walking around, but you figured it out. Most people would.

“Sounds lovely. Mind if I join you?”

“No, no! Come. Company sounds great.”

You realized how improper the whole thing was but made no attempt to move. You, wandering in your night dress, hooked arms with Grigor, also not dressed.

You two didn’t talk. Not really at least. You asked a few questions which he answered then that was that.

By your third lap, he stopped outside his apartment.

“I should be getting back now. It is rather late.”

“Of course, Grigor. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight to you to, Y/N.”

You smiled at him again then turned down the hall. Not yet having decided if you were going back to your room or keep walking.

“Wait! Y/N!”

You turned around. Grigor quickly took the few steps until you were face-to-face and actually rather close.

Your heart beat in your throat. His eyes… they were filled with so much love. Maybe it was just appreciation.

“I forgot something.”

“What was-”

Grigor closed the gap and kissed you. It realistically wasn’t that long, but you could’ve sworn time stopped.

It was gentle kiss. One that left you breathless and shocked. He pulled back to look you in the eyes again.

“Goodnight.” And just like that, he went back to his room and shut the door.

Thinking about Catherine asking Grigor to tell her stories about Peter. Thinking about Grigor’s loyalty being won in the first episode by the simple fact that Catherine makes Peter happy. Thinking about the fact that Grigor won’t kill her because Peter loved her.

The two of them were wholeheartedly in love with the same man. A man who was baffling, who was obviously without remorse or second thought for much of his life. A man who hurt them both, intentionally and unintentionally, over and over and over again. A man who they both had tried to kill, and who had tried to kill them in return. No one else was as completely devoted to him. Not Elizabeth, not Georgina. Everyone else in his life saw him as a pawn, as something to manipulate to get what they want, noted when Georgina states “Nothing I used to own is mine anymore.” and when Elizabeth gets mad at him for not secretly ordaining Paul. Catherine and Grigor though. They get mad at him, yes. They are hurt by him time and time again. But they don’t use him. They love him. Completely and purely. Naively. It is why Grigor is the only person Catherine trusts with Paul. It is why she kisses him when they get back to the palace. The only people who can understand the depths of their grief are them. Their love for him blinded them. Their love for him stunted them. No one else will ever understand the depths of their love for such a madman, and no one else will ever comprehend the depths of insanity they were both slowly driven to by their love for him. In both their love for, and grief of Peter, they are completely united.

“I could’ve said anything else. Any other words. Salt bath, otter spit, Irish stew, hurt me, love me, kiss me, forget all, touch me, hit me, shoot me. Love you with every sinew and one day it will hurt all over to never touch you again. To never feel our eyes meet and inflame me. To never hear an inane thought that somehow made my blood sing. Don’t go. Don’t leave me. Don’t leave me.” - Catherine the Great