Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Dying hurts. That must sound like the dumbest, most obvious fact in the world, but Grian really didn't like being reminded of said fact. It didn't matter if he drowned, starved, fell, if he were shot by an arrow, stabbed through his stomach, sliced across his torso; they all hurt so much during these games, and he tried to avoid them as much as possible.

So having his and Scar's first shared death be his fault just twisted the knife in the wound.

It wasn't the first time that Scar had fallen at his hands. He did hope it was the last.

Grian's chest heaved as he suddenly sat up in bed, gasping for breath, eyes wide as he grasped at the sheets beneath him, squeezing tight to try and ground himself.

He could hear Scar's twin breathing from across the room, squeezing his eyes shut as he prepared for the questions, accusations. He already knew he was hardly a soulmate to begin with— Scar didn't make it easy!— but this was too much. If it had been Scar the two of them could have just brushed it off as Scar being… well… Scar , but it wasn't.

"Woah."

Grian tensed up for half a tick, before realizing Scar didn't exactly sound upset, more curious than anything.

"Grian, uh, is this supposed to happen?"

That had Grian finally opening his eyes again, all but glaring over at Scar for having the gall to not be properly angry. "Is what supposed to hap-" He blinked.

Scar's eyes were wide, facial feathers flared out in a way they only did when Grian was well and proper startled, which would have been now if they were properly attached to his face.

They matched the fluffed up wings spread out behind Scar, which also should have been attached to Grian, and he was only now noticing the significant lack of weight on his back.

"S-Scar-" Oh, Grian was well and truly shaken right now. "I- No. No this is not supposed to happen." He was just about ready to hurl himself off another cliff and see if that would fix any of this.

"Yeah," Scar's voice was a little breathy, clearly trying to figure out the depth of the situation himself. "Didn't think so."

How did this even happen? Grian stumbled out of bed, he felt heavy, far heavier than usual. No.

"You took my bones too?!" Grian yelped, pointing accusingly.

After a startled look, Scar started to laugh. Hysterically. And Grian started to register what exactly he'd just said, and he couldn't help but snort, covering his mouth to laugh even as his eyes watered a little from stress.

Alright, alright. They could figure this out. Together. Probably. 

There was a loud crash as Scar spread his new wings, looking a bit sheepish as he looked down at the lantern on the floor now. “Oops.”

“Careful!” Grian huffed softly, stumbling as he went to pick up the lantern, it wasn’t shattered luckily, but the movement made him uncomfortably aware of his new center of balance. “Don’t spread them inside, you have to pay attention.”

“Sorry, sorry,” Scar quickly pulled the wings in close, unable to fold them properly right off the bat, and he was laughing, because of course he was. “How do you not knock stuff over more often?”

“I’m careful,” Grian rolled his eyes, moving closer. “Here—” He carefully grasped the edge of one wing, knowing how sensitive they could be. “—Tuck this bit here, and fold this over. Perfect, feels natural, right?”

“Oh! Yeah, thanks G.” Scar beamed at him, and Grian felt his face grow a bit warm, quickly pulling his hands away and putting a good amount of space between the two of them. If Scar noticed, he didn’t say anything, hands raised to gently prod at his new facial feathers.

“So,” Grian started out a bit hesitantly, his own hands coming up to feel his now slightly pointed ears, “Vex, huh?” He breathed out, trying to rack his brain for what exactly that would mean for him.

“Oh!” Scar was paying attention to him again now, “yeah! Not much to it, deals, wings, that sort of thing,” he waggled his hand, looking way too nonplussed for Grian’s liking.

But wings? Paying more attention now, he could feel the tattered vex wings twitch, barely able to see them over his shoulder. “I’ve never seen you with wings before.”

Scar shrugged just out of Grian’s view, once again toying with his facial feathers. “Bit of magic, keeps them out of the way. I crush them way too often for comfort otherwise.”

“More magic?” Grian couldn’t help but groan, burying his face in his hands. Of course, he should have expected that, vexes and all.

“Only a little bit!” Scar sounded defensive, making Grian look up again, watching as the taller man finally stumbled out of the bed, also clearly having difficulty with his new center of balance. “You’d need help to do anything other than a little illusionary stuff.”

“Help?” Grian hated the stillness of his face, he felt the phantom twitch of feathers.

“You know! The deals and stuff,” Scar was starting to go through chests and the sort now, and Grian realized with a guilty pang that their stuff had all probably despawned by now. He hoped Scar hadn’t had anything super important on him.

“The deals?” Grian echoed, half distracted by his own thoughts.

That made Scar stop and turn around, pursing his lips in thought. “Grian, how much do you know about vex magic?”

Grian made a bit of a noncommittal sound, wiggling a hand. Maybe he should have researched vexes some, though where and when he would have done that he had no clue.

Scar gasped dramatically in a way that made Grian instinctively roll his eyes. “Grian! How have you let me get away with this?!” Scar grabbing his shoulders and spinning him around to sit down on the bed was a bit of a surprise, making Grian flail a bit. “No wonder you always get so annoyed with me, you don’t get it!”

“I don’t get annoyed with you-” Grian weakly protested, only to be quickly cut off by Scar continuing to speak, standing in front of him as if he were giving a lecture.

“You see, vexes actually have very little power on their own,” Scar started out, looking far too focused and serious for the man Grian knew, “that’s why you so rarely see them out and about by themselves, they aren’t really fond of having so little magic, especially being so small,” he hummed in thought, and Grian found himself distracted by the way his facial feathers spread out a bit. Did his do that? Surely he’d notice, right? His focus was quickly caught once more as Scar continued talking.

“But that’s why they need to make deals, that’s why I make deals, we can only really unlock our full magic with them, sort of a codependent thing,” Scar’s face scrunched up a little now. “That’s why full-vexes always hang around with evokers though, they need someone who belongs to the overworld who’s willing to actually make a deal with them, and there’s not many creatures there up to the task.”

Grian blinked, taking in all the new information. “So I won’t have vex-magic unless I make a deal?”

“You’ll have a little bit!” Scar corrected him, grinning wide. “It comes with the whole ‘being a hybrid’ thing! Part of you does belong to the overworld. Or… part of me? Part of you that is me? Part of-”

“-Okay, Scar, you can stop,” Grian assured him, not wanting to think about the part of him that was Scar or whatever. That would explain the fuzzy sensation in the back of his head. Vex-magic, huh. Realizing Scar was waiting for some sort of response, he gave him a little smile. “So nothing too crazy then, huh? I like the sound of that.”

Scar laughed, turning back to the chest again. “Glad to hear it, though if you ever want to try it out… Well, I certainly wouldn’t mind making a deal with you, especially considering I know exactly what I’m getting into.”

That made Grian’s chest warm in a way he couldn’t explain, heart beating a little harder. “I- uh- thanks,” he said eloquently, furrowing his brows a bit. Was that really the best he could come up with? “Are you… going out again? So soon after…?” He waved his hand vaguely between the two of them.

Scar’s head didn’t leave the chest, humming as he continued rummaging through it. “For a bit! Not far, but I’d like to walk around a bit, get used to how everything feels, you know? New bones and such,” and he laughed, because of course he did.

“Right, right.” Grian wanted to do anything but that if he were being honest, but he could understand where the other was coming from at least. “I think I’ll stay here, hold down homebase. Maybe farm, make sure we don’t starve,” the last one was a bit of a pointed jab, but Scar didn’t seem to notice.

“That sounds great!” Scar was standing up again, he had some spare stone tools in his hands, and was already heading out toward the door. “I’ll be back soon!”

“Before nightfall, Scar!” Grian called after him, but the other was already gone, door closing behind him. He sighed, running a hand through his hair as he felt his new wings twitch annoyingly.

Scar said he hid them with magic, right? Maybe it’d be better to feel like he had none at all rather than the useless scraps stuck to his back. He’d gone temporarily without his wings before, even if regrettably; he could do it again. It’d be better than this.

Grian inhaled deeply, holding it for a couple of seconds before slowly letting it out. He had a couple of hours to try and figure out this vex-magic thing before Scar got back, might as well try it out.

Chapter Text

Grian didn’t know what kind of trouble Scar was getting into out there, but he could make a damn good guess, considering the phantom pains racking his body. Zombie bites, scratches from tree branches, an arrow in his thigh. It was like Scar was trying to get hurt, Grian thought bitterly, even though he knew it was far from the truth.

Like a good soulmate though, he preemptively munched on bread and carrots throughout the evening, trying to never let them hurt too much, or even get hungry if he could help it. Every once in a while he shot a message Scar’s way, though never got much in response, left pouting and sour with every attempt.

One good thing was that he’d managed to harness the vex-magic, just the smallest bit. It was a huge achievement regardless, this wasn’t the kind of magic he was used to working with. He’d managed to hide those tattered paper wings, couldn’t even feel them which made him sigh gently in relief. It wouldn’t be the first server he had to play without wings, though he was not happy about it.

The whole balance thing was still a bit tricky, but with the time, and some practice, he could at least walk around a bit without immediately feeling like he’d fall over, which he considered a good thing as well.

The third good thing was Scar bursting in the door right after sunset, grin wide on his face as he laughed. “Grian!”

Grian yelped as he suddenly felt a phantom-arrow in his shoulder. “Scar! The door! Shut the door!”

There was no argument from the other before the door was quickly slammed shut, Scar holding his arm with a wince. “Sorry! Sorry, I didn't think it was so close behind.”

Grian sighed, heading over to Scar, gently touching his non-injured shoulder to turn him around. “Here, let me see,” he was far too patient with the other, considering what he’d been putting the two of them through all day. Carefully, he grasped the arrow’s shaft right where it met Scar’s shoulder, pausing as he suddenly noticed the state of Scar’s wings. “You’re kidding me.”

“What?” Scar was craning his neck, trying to get a glance at what Grian was doing, wiggling too much.

He huffed, suddenly pulling out the arrow, earning a wince from both of them. “What did you do to my wings?!” He tried to keep the quiet rage out of his voice, eyes trailing over the sticks, leaves, twigs, the skewed feathers, the dirt, dust, all of it.

“Wha- I didn’t do anything!” Scar was suddenly turning, trying to get a good look at the wings himself. He looked ridiculous.

“They’re a total mess!” Grian grabbed his shoulders, forcefully turning him to face away again, ignoring the twinge of pain from the arrow wound. It’d heal. “What were you even doing?! It looks like you were rolling around on the forest floor! My poor wings…”

“They’re technically my wings right now,” Scar piped up, and Grian scowled.

“This is not a joint custody situation, Scar! These are literally my limbs!” And Scar had no idea how to take care of them, Grian’s stomach churned a little at the thought. “Sit down, I’m preening them right now, I can’t stand seeing them like this.”

“What? Grian you don’t have to,” Scar tried to placate him, turning and raising his hands.

“No, I do,” Grian insisted, already pushing Scar towards one of the beds. “Sit down. Get comfortable, because you’re not leaving until I’m done.”

Scar pouted a little, but Grian refused to let it get to him, Scar used his puppy dog eyes to get out of far too much, and he wouldn’t let this be one of those things.

“Sit,” he insisted again.

Eventually, Scar seemed to realize things weren’t going to go his way, and he sat down on the bed with a huff, crossing his arms a little. “Grian, I’m tired,” he whined.

Grian climbed onto the bed behind him, already guiding him to spread his wings. “Good thing all you have to do is sit there and not move. I’ll teach you how to preen yourself later, when it’s not so drastic.”

“Or I can just let you keep doing it,” Scar said in that tone that made Grian roll his eyes.

“Hardy har,” Grian mumbled, eyes darting over the wings as he tried to figure out where to start. It wasn’t often he was on this side of things. “Just, try and hold still,” he advised, his fingers gently beginning to comb through the feathers.

He grimaced slightly at the everything that started to fall out at just the slight movement. This bed was going to be disgusting after this, wasn’t it?

“Do I even want to know how they got this bad?” Grian asked after the first couple of brushes, getting most of the big pieces out at least. “I swear I’ve never gotten them like this before, and you’ve only had them for a couple of hours.”

He only got a vague hum in response from Scar, and he sighed softly, shaking his head. Whatever, so long as it didn’t happen again, hopefully Scar had learned his lesson, whatever that lesson was.

He took a moment to brush all of the leaves and twigs off the bed, making himself more comfortable before moving on to his own usual routine, the current level of mess much closer to what he usually worked with.

“Keep your wings spread,” he reminded Scar as he carefully combed and picked through the feathers, straightening them as he went.

“Thought they were your wings.” Scar’s voice was soft, though still teasing.

“Careful or I’ll find a way to get them back even faster,” Grian threatened, as if he hadn’t already been plotting about that.

Grian’s fingers must have hit a particularly bad spot, because Scar let out a sigh, relaxing back in a way that made Grian flush a bit. “Oh, calm down. Won’t last beyond the season, this kinda game stuff always goes away.”

“And if it doesn’t?” The thought made his chest ache a little with unannounced anxiety.

“Then we’ll talk to Doc, or Zedaph. Maybe even X. Somebody can figure it out, don’t worry.” Scar looked over his shoulder as he spoke, clearly trying to reassure him.

“Hold still,” Grian insisted again, feeling his stomach flip at seeing Scar’s big, green eyes, grateful when he turned again at his words. “You’re bad at following instructions.”

That made Scar laugh, shoulders shaking. “That surprises you?”

“Unfortunately, no.” Another eyeroll, and Grian was focusing on the wings in front of him again. “Consider yourself lucky, I never have anyone to help me with preening. Haven’t for a while.”

He must have hit another good spot, because Scar shuddered slightly. Grian tried not to think about it too much.

“Maybe I can, in the future,” Scar offered, thankfully not trying to turn and look at Grian anymore. “You said you’ll teach me, right? I should be good to help after all the practice I’ll get this season.”

Grian was sure his face was as red as a tomato, trying not to think too much about the implications behind that offer. Scar didn’t even know what he was saying, beyond the obvious. “I’ll think about it,” he mumbled, throwing his focus into preening again, controlling his breathing.

Scar letting out little breaths and sighs did not help, nor did the way he was just about melting under Grian’s hands. It wasn’t that much, but Grian had to remind himself that technically Scar had never been preened before, even if ‘his’ wings were fully grown. It had to be relaxing in some odd, instinctual way that Grian had long grown used to.

The avian was practically a puddle by the time Grian had finished, leaning back against him. He would be crushed if Scar were his usual weight he was sure, he was sort of being crushed as it was.

“Scar,” Grian mumbled, helping direct his wings back to a neutral folded position yet again.

“Mmm,” he only hummed in response. Great.

“Scar,” Grian said again, leaning forward a little, resting his forehead against his back; his feathers tickled his nose. “I’m done, you can go to bed now.”

“Can’t I just stay here?” Scar mumbled, shifting just a little. “I’m really comfy.”

“Your back is going to kill you in the morning, shouldn’t sleep sitting up,” Grian sighed softly, already starting to understand where this was going to go.

“Don’t wanna get up,” Scar whined softly, leaning back even more into Grian.

“This bed is filthy, y’know,” Grian only grumbled in response, trying to brush more of the dirt off. “Ugh, get up for a second, I’m gonna reset it, and then we can lay down.”

With that promise, Scar seemed more than able to get up all of the sudden. Grian couldn’t stand him sometimes, but more often he managed to endear himself to his heart beyond belief. Not that he’d admit that out loud.

Grian did just as he promised, resetting the bed. He yelped all of the sudden as Scar wrapped his arms around his waist, pulling him down onto said bed and rolling the two of them over so they were on their sides, Scar all but holding onto him like a teddy bear.

“Some warning would be nice!” Grian huffed, squirming a little in his grip. Just a little. Eventually, he finally managed to make himself comfortable.

“Sorry,” Scar mumbled against the back of his neck, making him shiver ever so slightly. “Couldn’t wait, too tired.”

“Too tired,” Grian mocked gently, feeling his own body start to give into exhaustion as he yawned. How long had the two of them been sitting there anyways? Preening usually didn’t take him too long, but Scar was a pretty big mess. “Guess I’m pretty tired too…”

Scar chuckled softly, nuzzling a bit into Grian’s hair in a move that made Grian melt. “Night G.”

He sighed softly, feeling his own heavy eyelids begin to close. “Goodnight Scar.”

Tomorrow, he should probably chat with some of the other couples on the server, see if they were experiencing anything similar. For now, he was far too comfortable in Scar’s arms for his own good, and he greedily wanted to keep it that way.