Chapter Text
Grian walks through the park, enjoying the peaceful nature. While the long way home, he really does need a moment of peace. Everything has been just getting more stressful the more the mycelium spreads. There’s no one else in the park either, which Grian also appreciates.
Until he catches sight of someone sitting on a bench. Someone who Grian can recognize in a heartbeat. Of course, it’s the last person he’d want to run into all alone. He goes to take a step back, to sneak away, but he’s already been seen.
Scar stands up with a dazzling grin, “Grian! Just the avian I wanted to see.”
Grian’s heart aches at that smile, it’s so familiar and incredible, but feels so twisted with how Scar looks now. It’s the first time he’s seen the other since this all started, but he’s heard plenty of descriptions before. He does immediately notice one discrepancy, that the cloud of spores that surrounds him is currently barely visible. It does give Grian pause, he’s heard about how Scar can increase it, so does that mean he can decrease it as well?
Grian decides that he doesn’t exactly want to find out and takes another step back, which is immediately noticed.
“I’m just here to talk,” Scar says, not moving away from the bench, despite the distance between them.
Grian hesitates, considering. He’s pretty confident that with the current distance between them, he’d be able to fly away if Scar tries to infect him. “What about?” He finally says.
Scar beams, happy that Grian agreed to stay. He’s not sure if it hurts more like this, not when it reminds him so much of how things used to be. “I’m sure you’re aware of what’s been happening.”
“Obviously,” Grian deadpans.
Scar continues, ignoring Grian’s response, “and I wanted to ask you to join me.”
“Join you,” Grian echoes, somehow surprised. Everyone who survives an encounter with Father Spore all say he tried to get them to join him and the rest he’s turned. With Scar’s silver tongue, Grian isn’t surprised that he’s succeeded before.
“Yes!” The other confirms, “it’s so much better like this!”
“To be infected by mushrooms?”
“It’s not that simple, Gri,” he insists, “connecting to us, being a part of the mycelium is incredible in so many ways. I never realized how empty my life was until I connected with them.”
“That- you do realize how ridiculous that sounds, right?” Grian asks, watching Scar closely.
“It’s not ridiculous Gri, it’s amazing. It’s freeing, it’s the best thing ever.”
The avian shifts, quietly murmuring, “I don’t even know if I can trust you.”
Scar’s smile immediately falls, a sad look taking place, “w-why not?”
Grian tries not to feel guilty about it, “are you even you anymore?”
Scar takes a step forwards, before rethinking and stepping back again, “of course I’m me.”
Grian really shouldn’t believe him, he’d probably say anything to get Grian to agree, but he just sounds so honest. Grian bites his lip, thinking about this way more then he should. “I still don’t understand how… becoming this spore thing is a good idea.”
“It’s more that that, Grian, it’s a whole lot more,” Scar insists.
Grian really shouldn’t even entertain the thought of letting Scar infect him, but he’s always been too curious for his own good, “alright, explain it to me then.”
Scar perks up at that, grin returning fully, “gladly! It’s so much more then looking like this, even if most of you think it is. Like this we’re all connected, all together. Life before this, life not being connected, is so empty and boring. Joining us, connecting to the mycelium, makes everything better. There’s nothing to worry about, being with us.”
Scar pausing is what snaps Grian out of his trance, realizing he was approaching Scar unconscious. He takes a half a step back, digging his talons into the ground to steady himself, the other’s smile falters slightly. “I think there’s definitely things to worry about.”
“The only thing to really worry about is those guys in the HEP,” Scar says, gaze unwavering.
“You know that I’m a part of the HEP too, right?” Grian asks without thinking of possible repercussions.
“I’m aware,” Scar replies, “you all are. And you all need to understand that connecting with us is better then resisting it.” Grian shifts, not answering. Scar takes a few steps closer to Grian, closing even more distance between them. He’s still far enough away to be safe, but Scar can close the remaining distance rather easily. “C’mon Gri,” he whispers, voice oh so gentle. “Come with me, I miss you.”
What does it say about Grian that Scar’s tone alone is nearly enough for him to give in? His words hold so much weight to them, and Grian so desperately wishes they’re true. If he agrees, he can get what he’s wanted for a while now, but… it can also be a trap. Scar holds his hand out, an offer, silent and unmoving.
Grian stares at it, he can leave if he wants to, and Scar hasn’t tried to turn him forcefully. Does this mean he’s being honest? Is it worth the risk? Well, if he isn’t, then he’d be a mindless drone then. Probably. They seem mindless. He won’t have to live in fear either way.
“Does… will it hurt?” He whispers eventually.
Scar gives him a gentle smile, “I’d never hurt you.”
Grian shouldn’t, he really shouldn’t, but is it really so bad if he wants to? He meets Scar’s eyes again, so full of love. It’s a lot easier then it should be to close the distance between them and take Father Spore’s hand. An agreement. To what terms, Grian isn’t fully sure. This close he can feel the spores.
The moment he grabs Scar’s hand, he’s yanked forwards, Scar’s other hand cradling his head to pull him into a kiss. Grian gasps as their lips meet, very quickly melting into it. He drops Scar’s hand to wrap both arms around his shoulders, drawing him closer. He can feel the spores tickle his lungs with every inhale through his nose. It isn’t exactly unpleasant.
Grian eagerly parts his lips when he feels Scar lick them. While he expects a lot of strange things about Scar post his… change, nothing could have prepared Grian for his saliva to have the consistency and taste of nectar. The avian shudders as their tongues curl against each other’s, he considers this a massive improvement. Not that kissing Scar would’ve been bad before this, he just thinks it would be better now.
Despite how amazing it feels, Grian pulls back, suddenly feeling extremely dizzy, mind foggy. He struggles to think of the cause for the sudden dizziness, his mind lagging too much to do so. Scar runs his hands along Grian’s arms before pulling him in close, letting Grian lean against him. “It’s okay, songbird, go to sleep,” he murmurs. “You’ll feel better in the morning… way, way, better.”
With Scar’s soothing voice in his ear, Grian lets himself fall asleep in the other’s arms, trusting him completely.