Chapter Text
Scar stills suddenly, voice trailing off, “someone’s on our territory.”
Grian immediately tunes into the hivemind, feeling two people on the edge of their territory. “Let’s go and check it out,” he says, standing up. He pauses, “they’re not coming in farther.”
“For a chat?” Scar offers, standing up as well.
“Probably someone from the HEP,” Grian mutters. He supposes it was inevitable for them to come for him. “Let’s go,” he says, starting to heads towards town. Scar nods and follows him. It doesn’t take them too long to reach the edge of the forest, seeing two people standing at the edge of town. Grian’s eyes immediately catch the wings both have and he freezes, “Timmy…?”
Scar pauses next to him, “you know them?”
“That’s Pearl and Timmy, my siblings.”
“Want me to talk to them first?” Scar offers, giving Grian’s shoulder a squeeze. After a moment he nods. “Keep you updated,” Scar murmurs, exiting the woods and approaching their visitors. He keeps his distance from them as they talk.
They say they just want to speak to you. Scar tells him after a moment. What do you say?
Grian sighs, but nods, alright. He can’t not speak to his brother again.
Scar calls to him out loud, “they don’t seem willing to leave, songbird.”
Grian takes a breath, exiting the forest to face his siblings. He stops next to Scar, “Pearl. Tim.”
Jimmy opens his mouth, before quickly closing it. Pearl stares at him for a moment before answering, “Grian…”
“I won’t go back,” Grian says, cutting her off. “I’m not welcome and I have no interest in becoming your lab rat.”
“That’s not what we’re here for,” she insists.
“What are you here for?”
“To talk to you,” Jimmy says, staring at him.
Grian relaxes a little, meeting his eyes with a small smile, “I missed you a lot, Timmy. Unfortunate timing to visit.” He pauses, a thought entering his head, he shares a knowing glance with Scar, “or maybe fortunate.”
Jimmy tenses, “what do you mean?”
Grian carefully takes a step forwards, getting closer, but keeping some distance between them. “Join us, connect to the mycelium and let it care for you. Life is better this way.”
Pearl shakes her head, “no. No way. That’s crazy.”
“Pearl,” he murmurs, before sighing, “I get how it may sounds to you, but what I say is true.” Grian turns to look at Jimmy again, “this isn’t just an invite for you. You can bring Scott and Tango here too.” He looks back at Scar sharing a caring smile with him before facing his brother again, “you can feel connected to them in ways you can never imagine.”
Pearl steps in front of Jimmy, eyes narrowing slightly, “Grian, we are not joining your weird mushroom thing.” Grian makes an offended noise in the back of his throat, but she continues, “we’re worried about you and want to help.”
Grian narrows his eyes in return, and steps back to be next to Scar again, “I don’t need help. My life is perfectly fine, better even since I’ve Connected to the mycelium. This is home, it’s everything I’ve always wanted. The only thing I want now is for you to join me.”
Pearl shakes her head, “Grian, think logically please. We miss you and just want you back.”
He sighs, he should have realized how stubborn she world be, “this conversation will go no where. You’re always welcome to join us.” Grian turns around, “let’s go Scar.”
“Wait, Grian!” Jimmy calls out, causing him to turn around. The other falters when their eyes meet, he looks hesitant. At the silence, Grian turns back around to head back home. Scar follows him after another moment.
They don’t speak until they get into the forest. Grian sighs, “that went about as well as I expected with Pearl. Timmy on the other hand… I might be able to convince him if we talk again, alone at least.”
Scar hums, “that would be nice.” He pauses, “also, he’s dating Tango?”
“Yeah?” Grian gives him a confused glance, “you didn’t know?”
“I didn’t know one was your brother. Do you know Scott as well then?”
“A little bit, what kind of older brother would I be if I didn’t shovel talk them?”
Scar chuckles, “I suppose so.” He hums in thought, “if you can convince him to join us, it wouldn’t be too hard to get Tango as well.”
“Definitely not, Timmy will be able to convince them one way or another.”
“Guess we got a new variable in our plans!” Scar says cheerily.
Grian hums, “indeed we do.”