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Mumbo stumbles over a root, trying to follow Grian through the small patch of woods. Sure he knows Grian likes his alone time, especially after the war started, but Mumbo needs to speak to him. He also now wants to ask Grian why is he taking his break in the middle of the woods.
Mumbo slows down when he hears voices, relieved that he caught up to his assistant. His relief almost immediately fades as he looks into the clearing, realizing who Grian is talking to.
Grian is standing in the middle of the clearing talking to Father Spore as it walks closer. Mumbo tries to shout at him to run, but he’s frozen in place, unable to move or speak as the spore creature approaches his friend.
Grian doesn’t seem to mind when it cups his face, thumb gently stroking his check. The avian hums, leaning into it, looking blissed out.
It chuckles, “you know I love seeing you, songbird, but shouldn’t you be working?”
“I can take breaks,” he insists, defensive.
“I’m not saying you can’t, but you shouldn’t meet me during them, we can’t have you getting caught.”
Grian huffs, “no one will catch me, Scar, I’m careful.”
Father Spore just hums in response, not pressing the matter more. It leans down and pulls Grian into a kiss, the avian gasping in surprise. After not even a moment, he runs his hands through the other’s hair, holding it close. His very ungloved hands.
Mumbo backs away, confused and fearful. Grian is… Grian is what? He doesn’t seem infected, act infected, yet here he is, kissing the most infectious being there is. There is no way Grian isn’t infected, not with how close he is to S- Father Spore, not with how it knew to meet him there.
Grian is a traitor.
Mumbo swallows the bile that threatens to come up at the thought. He hurries back to town hall, afraid of getting caught. What does this mean? What does this mean?!
There definitely weren’t any traces of the infectious spores when he first met and befriended Grian. So why, why does he act the same? How can he be himself but infected? Why can’t Mumbo tell?
He sits down in his office chair once back inside, dropping his face into his hands, what is he supposed to do now?
Mumbo knows he should confront his friend (are they still friends?), he can’t do it in front of others, but he’s terrified at doing it alone.
He’s already so exhausted by this war, Grian being the only one to keep him steady, so what does this mean? For them? For everything?