Chapter Text
December has come and the students are bundled up in warm coats and thick scarves. The campus has turned white, and Scar is loving every moment of it. Something about winter has always seemed magical to him. Maybe it’s the snow or the Christmas celebrations, but he’d like to think it’s how winter brings people together.
The class ended a while ago, but he’s still packing his stuff. Turning to wipe the whiteboard, he jumps, meeting face to face with Grian.
Clutching his shirt with his hand, Scar takes a breath. “Oh goodness gracious, Grian, you scared me! When did you get here?”
Grian barks out a laugh, holding his stomach as he bends over.
“Oh my God, you should have seen your face, Scar. You looked as if I was going to kill you.”
It takes Scar a moment before he laughs as well. “You know, Gri, I should really put a bell on you. That way I’d never lose you.”
Going back to wiping the board, he can feel Grian’s presence behind him. He’s calmed down now and is only giggling from time to time. There’s a pleasant silence between the two of them. He enjoys moments like these—really, he enjoys being with Grian. No matter what they’re doing, he can make it enjoyable.
Behind him he can hear Grian humming a familiar tune. It could be from a movie, but he couldn’t quite place it. He doesn’t think he needs to know either. Grian could hum along to “What Does the Fox Say,” and he probably wouldn’t mind. Forever might have passed and Scar would be none the wiser. He was to busy enjoying the moment while it lasted.
All good things must come to an end. When Scar inevitably finishes packing up for the day, Grian stops. Turning on his heel, he comes face to face with his colleague, a grin on his face.
“Finally, Scar. I thought I would be waiting here till Christmas.”
He sighs dramatically, looking at him with a teasing glare. Pressing his coffee to his lips, he picks up his bag and makes his way out of the door, barely giving Scar any time to catch up.
“Hey, wait up- Grian-” Throwing his messenger bag over his shoulder, he runs after him. When he finally catches up to him, it’s easy to fall into a familiar pace. Their steps echo throughout the empty halls, students long gone.
Scar nudges Grian’s side to grab his attention. “Speaking of Christmas, do you have any plans for the holidays?”
He pauses for a moment to think.
“I don’t really have anything planned. I might hang out with Pearl and Tim, but I haven’t really thought it over.” He shrugs. “I guess it’s not that big of a deal, really.”
Scar stares at him like a fish out of water, closing and opening his mouth a few times before he finally bursts.
“Not that big of a deal? Grian… it’s Christmas! You must have something planned; it’s like the most magical time of the year!”
He’s practically pouting now. He can’t believe it- his best friend, Grian, doesn’t think Christmas is a big deal.
Grian raises an eyebrow at him. “Scar, it’s just another day. There’s snow, people running around panic-buying gifts with no sentimental value, and Mariah Carey on every radio station.”
Scar gasps dramatically, like he’s been personally offended by the mere suggestion.
“Just another day? Grian, it’s magical!”
“Magical?” Grian says skeptically.
“Yes!” Scar gestures wildly as if to prove a point. They reach the front doors of the building. The cold wind hits them almost instantly. Next to him, Grian shivers and wraps his wings tightly around his body. Idly, Scar wonders what it must feel like, being wrapped up in them.
Pointing at the scenery in front of them, he turns back to his best friend.
“You can’t tell me this isn’t magical.”
Grian only lifts an eyebrow.
“I mean look at it—lights everywhere, people singing, and families brought together.”
Grian seems to have accepted defeat and sighs. “I mean, it does have a nice atmosphere.”
Despite his complaints, Scar can see a small smile on his face.
An easy silence falls between them, only broken by the occasional sip of his friend’s coffee and the sound of ruffling feathers. Scar decides to take everything in, listening to the cars pass by and the distant chatter. Sometimes he misses the big city, but nothing could compare to where he was living now. Everyone seemed to know each other, and the world felt so small.
Another moment passes before Grian starts humming again.
It takes him a moment, but this time Scar recognizes it.
“Wait—” Scar turns to him suddenly. “That’s Last Christmas. I’m right, aren’t I?”
Grian freezes mid-step.
“No.”
“Grian…”
“It’s not.”
“Be honest with me right now. You were humming Last Christmas.”
Grian groans, the smaller wings on his face shielding him from view. “Scar, please don’t make this a big thing.”
Scar’s eyes widen with delight, a smile making its way across his face. He’s absolutely making this a big thing.
“Oh my goodness… you like Christmas music.” He’s practically vibrating right now. “I can’t believe I never knew! Oh my gosh, this is great news!”
Grian peeks out from behind his feathers, glaring at him suspiciously. “Scar, why are you like this?”
Scar presses a hand over his mouth, trying—and failing—to contain his grin. “This changes everything.”
“This changes nothing.”
“No, no. Grian, this is groundbreaking!”
Grian groans again, wrapping his wings tighter against his body. “It was just stuck in my head, alright? It doesn’t mean I like the song or anything. It’s been playing everywhere. There’s no way it wouldn’t have gotten stuck.”
“Mhm.” Scar hums knowingly. “This sounds an awful lot like denial.”
They start walking again, boots crunching softly in the snow. For a moment neither of them speaks.
~~~~~~
Then Grian starts humming again.
Scar turns to look at him immediately, his grin possibly wider than anything he had seen in months.
Grian stops, realizing his mistake.
“Oh come on, I didn’t even realize I was doing it!” he protests.
Scar laughs, the sound filling him with warmth despite the cold air surrounding them. Grian rolls his eyes at his friend’s amusement, but the corners of his mouth twitch upward.
“You are unbelievable.”
Instead of entertaining Grian’s fit any longer, Scar begins to hum. It’s the same tune Grian has been humming all day.
Before he knows it, Grian finds himself humming along. Their voices blend into a sweet harmony.
It’s nothing, he tells himself. He pushes the feeling away and takes another sip of his coffee. It’s easier to pretend the drink is what’s making him warm—even though it has already gone cold.
~~~~~~
Snow drifts down around them as they walk, soft and quiet. Neither of them mentions the humming again. But every few steps, Scar catches the tune slipping back under Grian’s breath. And somehow, without meaning to, he always ends up joining in.