Archive of Our Own ^beta

One

Grian,

Do you want to

I miss you

We’re both alone. You only have two three lives. If you join me, I’ll give you one more. You’ll have four hearts and we can be a team.

If you want me to, I’ll kick Joel out, too. It can just be the two of us again.

(Scar balls up the paper in his fist. He’s half-tempted to burn it before Joel can see his disgrace.

He doesn’t burn it.

It sits in the corner of his house, until it becomes a wizard’s hut— until he is red and oh so alone.)

Two

Scar.

You were a boogeyman. I should have known, really. With that look in your eye. The way you stuck so close to me. I thought you missed me, but I guess I was wrong.  

Martyn and Jimmy are helping Mumbo with the burns. With the scars. I should be there, too. But I’m not. I’m in the middle of our mines, writing this in the light of a torch.

I can’t send this to you.

I can’t.

But… I need to know— do you care? 

Do you still remember?

Do you remember those long nights staring out into the desert, hoping the Red Army wouldn’t come? Do you remember rigging the desert to explode? Do you remember when you told me you’d die for me?

Do you remember Pizza?

Do you remember saying I love you?

It doesn’t matter anymore.

(Grian grabs the torch. His hand doesn’t shake, though he wishes it did. It would make this easier. 

The edges of the note catches fire. In a few moments, it will be ash on the floor of the mines. Grian leaves before that moment comes.

Mumbo needs me, he tells himself. He knows it’s a lie. He needs Scar more than Mumbo will ever need him.)

Three

I heard Joel hit red.

You’re alone, atop a mountain. I could join you there. We could be a team again.

Or…

You could join the Southlands.

I could convince them, I promise.

I promise.

Just ask me, and I’d do it.

(Grian leaves the letter nailed outside Scar’s door. He hopes Scar will read it. Instead, someone else finds it. Eyes, red and jealous, see his offer.

Grian’s offer of friendship is stolen and hidden inside Joel’s house.

When he is red, desperately trying to sleep, he will see it. He will understand Scar never got his letter.

For now, he will stew in confusion and anger. He will write Scar’s name on his list without remorse.)

Four

Grian,

I’ve been thinking about your and Mumbo’s secret alliance offer. I think I want to take you on that, now.

Just you and me. 

We can be friends again.

I’ll give you a life or two or three or four or as many as you want just… please. Tell me if you want to be friends or if you’ll just kill me.

I don’t want to hurt you.

With love

From,

Scar.

(Scar walks to the Southlands. He waits for Grian. He waits for minutes— for hours.

Mumbo spots him first. He interrogates him and takes the letter.

He promises he will give it to Grian.

He doesn’t. Maybe, he forgets. Maybe, it’s on purpose.

It sits in his inventory as Grian falls from their Ghast farm. It sits in the back of Scar’s mind as Grian threatens him for his lives.)

Five

The Southlands are falling apart.

You gave me a life… and a contract. If things were better, if you were still yellow, I would be on that mountain with you. Instead, I’m here. With Impulse and Martyn. Jimmy and Mumbo are red, too. You might be friends with them, now.

I don’t care about that.

I care about you. If I had another life, I’d give it to you.

The Southlands stopped passing a life around.

I miss you.

With love, 

Grian.

(He lets the paper float in the air. He hopes the wind will take it north, to Scar. He knows it won’t.)

Plus One

I miss you.

(Grian finds it in the middle of Joel’s house. Tucked between two wooden slabs. It could have been anyone. Mumbo, Jimmy, even Joel himself. It might not even be for him.

Grian knows Scar sent it.

He knows, and it doesn’t matter anymore.)