Chapter Text
Grian rushed out of the door before Mumbo could even say another word.
That was close! Any longer and Mumbo might’ve realized something was wrong! Thank the gods that the man was as oblivious as a blind snail.
Who knows what would’ve happened if he realized? If he knew Grian was hiding the existence of two actual ghosts in the building! Surely he’d go straight to Xisuma! Then his dear friends would definitively have to go!
So now Grian is lying through his teeth, and to his best friend no less. Not that he’ll ever find out, because Grian had done a great job at staying calm of course. Him? Panic? Never!
Despite that, Grian did feel inclined to confront the little mollusk responsible for that, definitely not disastrous, social interaction
It didn’t take more than a few seconds for the ghost activity to pick up again, now in Grian’s apartment. Way more preferable if you asked Grian
First it was the microwave, then the cabinet. The TV soon followed. Then a sock wiggling of the table.
A sock? Really? This was just pathetic at this point.
Given, it did remind Grian that he should probably tidy up but gods, why was the ghost still doing this.
He wouldn’t even have the energy to tidy up, even if he wanted to, let alone confront a pesky little snail hiding in his apartment.
“Please,” he said flatly, “just stop. I know you’re there.”
The irony was not lost on him that, while he knew that there was a snail present, he most certainly didn’t know which. But they didn’t have to know that.
It took a full minute for him to get a response. Grian was almost questioning if he lost his marbles when the shape of a small pink snail appeared.
Grian definitely didn’t flinch! Why would he? He knew she was there!
Instead, he sighed.
“Hello, Glimmer. You done?”
Glimmer did in fact seem to be done, as she slid off moments after with an annoyed nod, reminding Grian of an angsty teenager. Weird, how a snail could display such emotion.
Gary was similar, although way less judgy and way more just happy to be there. Speaking of which, Grian still hadn’t seen him.
Grian must admit he was kind of hoping Gary was behind the hauntings. What? He can’t help it if he’s worried!
Gary hadn’t been outside of Grian’s apartment much at all, only really leaving to accompany Grian on errands or for the recent pranks with Gem. What could cause Gary to leave for so long?
There is no way building a pillow fort takes this long!
Did he not want to come back? Did he like Gem more than him? What if Grian was too clingy? Maybe he was, he was panicking despite having seen the snail a few hours previous, but then again, it didn’t seem right. Was Gary really that done with him?
Or maybe it was worse, maybe he got spotted in the hallways! Maybe someone is currently holding him hostage, already calling Xisuma to check out what they found. Maybe he won’t even be able to say goodbye before his dear friend was gone forever!
Anything but that! Please! He doesn’t think he could handle that. Even Gary not liking him would be better than that! Please, Let him just be at Gem’s place!
Grian sprinted downstairs, almost tripping on his way down before frantically knocking on Gem’s door.
As soon as the door opened he was looking into the living room, trying to catch sight of a familiar cyan blur.
“Have you seen Gary!” he blurted.
Gem sighed. “Yeah, yeah, don’t worry. He’s just in the little house he made. I think he’s taking a na-“
Before she could finish Grian barges in, pushing Gem to the side.
There, encased in a mountain of pillows and blankets, was Gary sleeping peacefully.
He was okay. He was fine.
There was nothing t0 worry about.