Chapter Text
It's dark. The exact time isn't clear, but guessing by the coolness of the desert night, it's decently late. Possibly midnight.
The faint moonlight allows the woken avian to look over and identify his partners sleeping form across the room. Scar's steady breathing shifts his blanket, the gentle deep-sleep rhythm a comfort Grian had grown accustomed to. Even if, at first, he'd found it alarming how his nose whistled when he inhaled and his throat wheezed upon exhaling.
Sitting up with a brief wince, Grian attempted to determine what woke him, still groggy and tangled in his own thin blanket. Aside from the pairs breathing, their sandstone turret was silent in the shivering night.
He strained to listen for mobs- perhaps one spawned on their roof, or somehow got in their oh-so carefully proofed bedroom. But no, even in the dim light the avian could easily identify everything in the room, from every carpet square to each half-slab protecting the lightless atmosphere.
He shivered, turning and reaching for his discarded sweater. During the day he couldn't bear to keep it on, as hot as the biome they called home was. Instead, he'd simply wear his white tank top, which covered all it needed- namely his bound wings, as he wasn't allowed to fly in this server. Still, he kept the red garment around for if they ventured anywhere cooler, and especially for nights like these.
To soothe his mind as he continued to wonder just why he'd been distrubed from rest, Grian figured he'd get some tea. Quietly, he picked his way over to the trapdoor leading down into the rest of the building. After he'd climbed down the first few rungs of the ladder, he gently shut the trapdoor and continued down into the well-lit room below.
Faintly, he could hear a few mobs outside, but even the low crackle of their torches here overpowered it. Now assured that they were still secured, Grian filled the kettle and started boiling water. In the meantime, he sat on the counter and read through the to-do list in his journal, making notes and striking out what they'd accomplished so far.
When the kettle started whistling, he turned on the counter where he was perched and got out a mug from the cabinet above him. Then, realizing how loud it was, the avian quickly hopped down and moved the kettle so it'd go quiet, wincing again.
Back at the cupboard, he reached on his tip-toes to grab the chamomile. An alarmed warble escaped Grian as a tanned- and rather toned- arm marked with old wounds reached over and got it for him.
" Here you go. " Scar's sleepy, yet bright voice made the poor bird relax and sigh heavily.
" You frightened me! " He scolded his partner after thanking him quietly, having whirled around to face the smiling fool. His dark eyes moved pointedly away from the man's bare chest to glare up at him. " I didn't even hear you come down. "
Laughing, the taller brunett placed the two tea bags into Grian's palms, closing his own hands over the smaller pair for a moment.
" Sorry, sorry. Guess I climbed down when you were makin' noise. Do you mind pouring me a cup too? " His words slurred together ever so slightly, indicating how recently he'd woken up.
Already moving away with a second mug, the avian rolls his eyes. " I suppose I could. " There was a fond undertone to his voice- one that'd developed over the course of their partnership. He'd long since paid off the debt of his green life, but Grian hadn't felt inclined to leave. So he didn't.
Granted, it was mostly for the sake of his death-prone friend, who was already on his red life. But, they worked well together, and the shorter man genuinely enjoyed Scar's company. Including his antics, even if Scar planned tricks with a more violent shading.
" Thank you! " His tall friend chimed, beaming and finding a seat at the rickety barrel they'd set up with two stools. Scar didn't have such a good time- pun not intended- standing for so long without his walking stick. Said item was notably still upstairs.
While drinking their tea, they'd been silent for the most part. Neither felt the need to talk, both comfortable in the silence that chased their quiet breathing and every sip of the honey sweetened drink. That is, until they finished.
Scar turned his red eyes from the window and onto his friend. " What woke you? " The tall brunett inquired in a soft murmur, head tilted in that dog-like fashion that endeared him so.
Considering it for the fifth time that night, Grian shrugged when he came up empty. " I'm not sure, really. I just woke up, and didn't feel inclined to sleep more just then. " The avian weighed how tired he currently was, before adding, " I suppose I might try again now I've drank my tea. "
Scar nodded, getting up and putting their mugs away without having to be asked. The shorter man did feel a bit guilty, seeing his knees shake as he walked, but he knew chiding him for it would do no good.
" Birdies first, " his partner joked as he gestured to the ladder, a jovial grin on his face as the avian blushed faintly.
" How thoughtful, " Grian snarked playfully, beginning his ascent up the ladder. He pointedly ignored a pinch of pain in his back, even as it caused him to gasp and slip down a rung briefly. Scar followed once he was halfway up, and so he held the trapdoor open for him.
" Why thank you. " The red life smiled, an odd look of concern hiding behind it. But he shut the trapdoor behind himself without another word, returning them into the darkness of the moon-lit bedroom.
Grian crawled back under his blanket, already shivering again now he was away from the warm kitchen. Even tugging the blanket close around his form didn't seem to chase off the chill. Idly, he supposed that it could've been what woke him in the first place.
Listening to Scar's breathing in an attempt to determine if he'd fallen asleep between now and the quiet ' goodnight 's they'd exchanged, the avian finally caved after a few minutes.
" Hey Scar? " He quietly spoke into the silent air.
" Hmm…? " Came the sleepy reply.
" Sorry. Do you know if we have any more blankets? It's ah… very cold tonight. " Grian apologetically continued, feeling bad for dragging his friend away from the cusp of sleep.
" Oh… hum… " Thinking about it, the taller man rustled in his own bed before audibly shrugging. " I'm not sure. But, I don't think so? You could use mine, I'm alright without it. "
" No- " The avian sighed, brows furrowing as he quickly sat up and shook his head. Looking over, Grian saw Scar had already moved into a criss-crossed position. " Then you'd be cold. That wouldn't really help either of us. "
In the dim light, he could still see his partner smile fondly. " Awe, Grian, that's so nice of you! But you're still cold? " There was that head tilt again, but it looked more like he was scheming this time.
" Go on, what're you thinking? " The shorter man sighed again, preparing for some plan of a midnight wool heist.
" We could use each other's body heat? "
Flinching at his blunt words, Grian felt himself blush lightly. " What?? How on earth would we do that? "
" Oh come on, Grian. You know how! Like penguins! Unless you aren't up for some good ol' cuddles? " Scar grins, eyes sparkling almost childishly. No- upon further inspection, he looked mischievous. It was as if he was challenging the avian's bravery.
Or maybe he wasn't, but Grian took the bait regardless and flung his blanket aside before getting up from bed. " Move your bed over here. " He demanded, lifting up the nightstand he'd had by his own in preparation to switch its place.
" Alright! " The taller man cheered, clearly delighted to get his way as he helped combine their single beds into a double. Scar lit a candle while Grian ensured the space the second bed had previously occupied was spawn proofed. Once the avian was satisfied with their safety, his partner blew out the candle and climbed into the newly expanded bed.
" Join the penguin zone, Grian! " Scar beamed, holding up his arm to open the blanket for him.
" Okay, okay. Sorry for making sure we won't get attacked. " The shorter brunett mumbled with a huff, trying to reign in his nerves as he knelt on the edge of the mattress. Admittedly, he was a bit flustered. It was an oddly intimate thing- what with Scar being shirtless- and so he was glad to already have the extra layer from his sweater.
Finally, he laid next to his friend, feeling Scars arm close over his shoulders and cover them both in the thin fabric. But as he shifted to get a bit more comfortable, he gasped in pain, hands flying to his back as he screwed his eyes shut.
" Ohmygosh- Grian? I didn't hurt you, did I? " The red life immediately sat back up, gently setting his own hand over the paler set.
" No- no, you didn't. " The avian wheezed, pushing the words out with more force than he usually required. A white hot strike of pain came again as he tried to sit, and tears filled his eyes.
" What's wrong, then? " When he opened his eyes again those red orbs were staring intently. He looked more worried than Grian felt.
" I don't- " Stopping as he tries to sit again, he groans, " Help me up, would you? " The words had more bite than he intended, but his partner didn't seem to notice as he dutifully- and rather gently- helped him sit up. " Thanks… " Grian sighs softly, slowly raising his arms to tug his sweater off, wincing a bit as he did.
" Ah! Grian- what the heck are you doing?? " The taller man looked away quickly, face reddening.
" What do you mean? I- Scar, I've got like, two more layers under this sweater. I've got to take it off to see what's wrong. " Grian deadpans, one corner of his lips quirking up in amusement. It was nice to know the other respected his privacy, even if it was to an unnecessary degree.
" Oh. " Scar replied dumbly, slowly returning his gaze to find that, yes, there were still clothes covering him.
" Besides, you're constantly walking around shirtless. What's the difference? " Which was a great point, one he readily made as he tossed his sweater across the room to his nightstand. " Help me with the tank top, please? I think it might be my wings. " The pain was primarily emanating from where they were plastered to his back, so considering he hadn't unbound them in a bit... it was definitely the problem.
" Gah… sure. " Turning his back to Scar, he snickered quietly at how the simple request made the man flustered. To his credit, Grian's heart was thudding in his chest. But he'd chalked it up to dreading whatever fate had come across his poor wings.
Arms raised, he let the taller man carefully pull the tighter garment off, leaving him in the leather bindings that wrapped around his torso and held down his wings. Already, he felt better having some air on the exposed feathers, but as he moved to face Scar again, he winced.
" Oooh… Yeah, this is definitely bad. " The avian winced, his partner frowning still.
" How long have you had them like that? " The red life's brow was creased, concern clear in every aspect of his expression.
Shrugging, as he didn't think his friend would like the answer, he fumbled with the ties a bit before finally, his wings were free. He whined in the back of his throat as he tossed aside the bindings and spread his wings, pain striking through him again as the sore appendages stretched out.
Scar always had this silly, awed grin on his face when he saw the brightly colored parrot feathers, but now he just had this sad look as he took in the unpreened and ruffled wings.
" Oh… Grian, they look- well, awful! I mean, they're always pretty, but… " The man trailed off, and the avain nodded with a mournful expression of understanding.
" I know… I- jeez, this is going to take a while. " His hands were gently threading through his feathers, occasionally plucking one that was broken and letting it fall to the floor. But he was almost afraid to really touch them, already more aware of the discomfort of having crooked vanes and feeling the need for a molting that the server was repressing. It was agony, and he wished he could just keep them tucked away for longer.
" Do you want to wait until morning? " Scar gently asked, brows still knit together as his gaze slowly traced both wings.
'Yes! Please! ' He was practically screaming internally, but Grian still shook his head. " I'd never be able to sleep with them like this… And I can't put them back into the bindings, that'd just make it all worse. " Moving to the edge of the bed, he figured he'd go back downstairs so at least one of them could sleep.
But then Scar caught his wrist, those red eyes far more enthralling than they should be. " Let me help, " and before the shorter man could point it out, he added, " I don't know how, but I can learn. "
Searching his expression for trickery, or just any sliver of ill intent, Grian could find no real reason to object. But he still was hesitant. Nobody had ever done more than briefly stroke his feathers- because he hadn't let them. Sure, the avian trusted all his friends more than enough, but it was such a precious part of himself that he held so dearly.
" I promise you can get as much revenge as you so desire if I hurt you. " The red life added with a little smile after he stayed quiet for a minute. Somehow, he was always so quick to figure out what was irking him.
" It- It's not that simple though… " Grian started weakly, a worried frown twisting his lips.
" That's okay. It doesn't have to be. " Scar easily replied, big hands laid over the smaller man’s again, just like he'd done in the kitchen. " Let me help you, it's not a burden. "
Damn his silver tongue. Despite knowing all the unintentional- and intentional- risks of trusting Scar with such a delicate task, Grian gave in all too easily. Besides, he knew what the man looked like when he lied, and he certainly wasn't now.
" Okay, " the avian sighed, shuffling back to the middle of the bed and moving one wing’s tip into his lap after taking his hands back from his partner. " Let me show you first… "
It took a few minutes of explaining and showing Scar just how to pull the broken feathers so it wouldn't hurt, and how to ensure the rest were lined into the right vane, but he got the hang of it relatively quickly. At one point, Grian had been so sure he was about to fall asleep and fall over, that he made him stop so he could lay on his stomach instead. Now, he was just a puddle of warm goo, face hidden in his arms as Scar was just about wrapping up.
" There we go! All shiny and pretty again. " And then, to the avian’s mild surprise, he brushed his hands against the feathers delicately and pressed a kiss to the middle of his back where the two appendages met.
" Scar! " Grian yelped, voice shifting to a higher pitch as he looked back at him, face red.
" Sorry, couldn't help it! " His friend smiled brightly, laughing and giving another kiss to each wing's red alula. Then, after a glance across them, he brings the clipped primaries on both sides to his lips as well. "You're very pretty, Grian."
Oh, that nuisance. The shorter brunett's face was bright red, breath stuttering. It was one thing for his wings to be kissed and complimented, but to hear that same praise for his whole being? It was simply too much.
" Gah… Let's just go to sleep. " Grian grumbled, having bit back another whine at the soft affection. He folded his wings and sat again so he could move out of the way.
" M'kay, goodnight. " Scar giggled, suddenly looking a bit nervous as he laid next to the avian, pulling the blanket over them both again in recreation of their earlier position.
For a long moment, Grian started into those red eyes helplessly, tensing as he realized there was no extra layer between their chests anymore. And then Scar gently put his arms around him, bringing him closer so that their legs entwined and the short avian had to tuck his head against his partner's neck.
Suddenly, it was twice as nerve-racking as before. Especially with the growing, far more intimate, trust Scar had earned from so gently preening him. But he was also warm and cozy, feeling safe in the other’s big arms. He relaxed, melting against Scar and moving his arms from their trapped spot between them to instead wrap them around his friend's waist.
" Thanks. " Grian murmured finally, for a multitude of reasons.
" Of course, " Scar replied warmly for each one, his own head resting against the shorter man’s hair. "Goodnight."
And, shutting his eyes as he focused on how his breath puffed back against his face from Scar's collar, Grian fell asleep before he could even hear that soothing rhythm from Scar. Instead, hearing his heartbeat faintly, and smiling as he decided it was his new favorite sound.