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Mumbo was forced onto bedrest for the first day, despite being seemingly uninjured. Even so, once Cleo had shown Mumbo how to remove the worst of the blood (he couldn’t get it out of his fingernails, however hard he scrubbed. Apparently it wasn’t a good idea to touch hydrogen peroxide, so that was reserved for his suit), Xisuma called Stress in for a checkup.
Grian didn’t leave Mumbo’s bedside all the while, keeping him entertained and slightly traumatised with stories from his childhood.
“You better hope X gets that therapist soon,” Stress hummed, moving Mumbo’s head to check his neck. She let out a hiss, trailing a finger over a spot that made Mumbo flinch away.
“What is it?” Grian asked, vaulting to his feet, wings quivering. “What’s wrong?”
Stress shook her head. “Just a scar, don’t worry about it luv.”
Grian wasn’t filled with confidence, especially when she continued to check him more thoroughly, peering into his eyes with a torch and poking in his mouth.
“Mo yoo haff oo oo ah?” Mumbo complained.
“Yes I do have to, I’m just making sure,” Stress replied briskly. She winced and pulled her hand out of Mumbo’s mouth swiftly, peering into his eyes.
“Are my teeth that sharp? I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to-”
“I know, it’s not a problem luv,” she said, wiping away the blood from her finger. “Alright, I’m going to go talk to X. Stay on bedrest for the day, yeah? You might be able to leave tonight, but wait until sunset at the least.”
“Alright,” Mumbo sighed.
Grian jumped when something touched his wings, starting awake with a chirp. Stress shushed him, gesturing to Mumbo, who was frowning in his sleep.
Grian glanced back at Stress, who beckoned, leading him to the door.
“We should talk,” she said outside it. “X and I both know what happened, but I don’t think Mumbo’s figured it out yet.”
“What is it?” Grian asked, agitated.
“Well… don’t freak out. And don’t tell him, he needs to adjust on his own terms. But we reckon he was attacked on Hypixel.”
“But he wasn’t hurt,” Grian pointed out, frowning.
“Not anymore, and most is the blood is from what or whoever he attacked. But he’s pale, more than normal, and has sharper teeth. And when he swallowed some of my blood, his eyes flickered red.”
Grian sighed. “That’s such a Mumbo thing to do.”
“What?”
“Get turned into a vampire and not notice. I reckon Scar’s the only other person who’d manage that.”
Stress blinked at him, then nodded. “That’s true, thinking about it.”
“So what do we do?” Grian asked.
Stress considered. “Well, I think he should find out on his own. But we need to be careful around him, and somehow change his diet. He can’t have garlic now, he needs blood, and we need to get him some of Cleo’s fire resistance for the sun.”
“I’ll try to make stuff. Honestly, my cooking is horrible anyway, but he’s too polite to not eat it.”
“Great. I’ll let him out tomorrow night, I would advise you stay with him to protect from the sun and stuff. D’you wanna ask Cleo for potions or shall I?”
“I can,” Grian answered, already making plans.
Mumbo was… a little curious about Grian making him food, but didn’t press the matter. He also, very kindly, did not screw up his face or spit it out when he took a spoonful of the dubiously-named-soup, but he winced.
(Grian took to experimenting with Pearl’s help. The next one was far better, he could tell from Mumbo’s half-hidden relief.)
When Mumbo left the hospital wing, Grian stuck resolutely by his side, forcing him to stay over for a— well, he called it a sleepover in his head. They cuddled in the nest, despite the warning Stress had given, that Mumbo was a new vampire, and wouldn’t always be able to control himself.
Grian made sure to sleep close enough to him that, when Mumbo tried to get up, he was woken too. When Mumbo flinched at the sun, Grian silently raised a wing over his head, ignoring the questioning glance shot his way.
“Okay, what are you doing?” Mumbo asked eventually.
“What?” Grian played dumb.
“You’re… coddling me, babying me. Cooking me meals and following me everywhere.”
Grian hesitated. He had a few options here, but he really didn’t want to guilt trip Mumbo.
“Okay, fine, you got me. I’m sorry. I’ve been… I guess I’ve been clingy because I don’t want to lose you again. Call it avian instincts.”
Mumbo softened. “You coulda just told me, G.”
Grian flushed. “I know, but… I don’t know. Can I keep doing it? I’m getting better at cooking, I think.”
“You are,” Mumbo chuckled. “And you can, continue. As long as you aren’t drugging me or anything, which I doubt you would do.”
Grian smiled innocently.
Mumbo squinted, but before he could say anything, someone flew in and landed just outside on the bridge.
“Is that Pearl?” Mumbo peered into the sun.
She turned around, and Grian nodded. “Wonder what she wants.” They watched Pearl stride towards them.
“Hello, disgustingly adorable comfort couple,” she said. “Gem said some stuff I wanted to see for myself.”
She peered at Mumbo. “Huh. So it is true. It’s somewhat hilarious that you didn’t change much.”
Grian suddenly realised what she was talking about. “Pearl, he-”
“I know, I know, he doesn’t. Which is a bit dumb really, but it’s not my place. Oh, that explains the soup.”
Grian rolled his eyes. “Get out of here, you aren’t helping.”
Pearl just grinned smugly. “Okay, let me know when you get round to dating.”
“Fuck off.”
“Will do.”
She lit a rocket and Grian waved the particles away with a huff.
“Well, I’m going to preemptively add that to the list of things we’ll forever procrastinate talking about,” he stated, turning to go back inside, because they had only spent weeks in there already.
He was stopped, however, by Mumbo’s hand slipping into his and forcing him to turn back.
“Grian, love, about the procrastination… don’t you think it’s a little… unhealthy? For us? I think I’d rather be on the same page, and I’m not going to be the guy who demands all of your secrets, but… well.”
Sighing, Grian nodded. “I know. I’m sorry, I- I can’t exactly tell you. It’s something you need to figure out on your own.”
“Alright.” Mumbo nodded. “Well, if that’s the case, I guess I’d better work it out.”
“No rush,” Grian said simply.
“Boo!”
Grian’s wings flared out wildly, and he spun around, sighing at Scar’s grin. “Okay, yeah, you got me. Proud of yourself?”
“Very,” Scar beamed. “Although while I’ve got you without your other half, I wanted to talk to you.”
Grian folded his arms. “Fire ahead.”
“Is Mumbo a vampire?”
Grian stopped. His jaw dropped.
“Even Scar noticed?!” He muttered to himself. Scar made an affronted noise.
“Wait, so he is?”
Grian nodded. “He himself has not worked it out yet though, so keep your silver tongue inside your mouth.”
Scar saluted.
Then, of course, because they couldn’t live in peace, Mumbo lost control. Stress had warned Grian, because he was a new vampire and also was Mumbo, it was moderately likely.
Grian was practicing in the backrooms of Decked Out while Mumbo did a run, when a scramble of letters appeared in chat from Tango.
Tango, who had a series of passages he’d wound around the rooms of Decked Out to watch the runners to make sure nothing was wrong. And who was not a frequent key-smasher.
Grian sprinted for the tunnels, mentally thanking whoever that he’d done a bit of digging to find the entrance, against Tango’s best wishes.
He sprinted down them, only running into two walls, and following the growing sound that he did not want to describe.
He rounded a corner and was met by a horrific sight; in the dim passage, blood pooled on the floor. Tango was against a wall, the rock piercing his back, with blood dripping from his neck.
Mumbo stood in front of him, shaking hands clutching Tango’s collar as he pressed him against the stone and mouthed at his neck.
Grian couldn’t help the gasp that escaped him, and Mumbo’s ear flicked, an indication that he’d heard.
Knowing he didn’t have long — and that Tango had even shorter — Grian typed out a message to Xisuma before discarding his comm and running forwards.
He grabbed Mumbo, pulling him away from Tango and doing his best to wrestle him to the ground whilst avoiding the holy hell Mumbo’s teeth were in his neck.
“Ah-” Grian couldn’t help the gasp of— well, originally pain, but now that was fading, somethings else. It was an odd feeling, certainly not a nice one, but no longer hurting.
But almost instantly Mumbo pulled back, crimson eyes fading to deep ruby as he took in what he’d done. Grian could see his face morph into terror.
So he did the only thing he could think of to do.
He grabbed Mumbo’s jaw — not very firmly, he was a little weak from the adrenaline and blood loss — and pulled him down, pressing their mouths together.
Mumbo was tense for a moment, a noise of surprise escaping him, before he melted, flopping onto Grian. Remnants of blood clung to his mouth, but it didn’t matter. They kissed until Grian ran out of air and let go of Mumbo, pawing weakly at his chest.
Mumbo lifted himself away, slowly opening his eyes. Grian panted, gazing up at him.
“Well that’s not how I pictured it going,” Mumbo remarked. Grian giggled, a little deliriously.
“Neither. Uh, so. Um.”
Mumbo’s eyes flickered down to Grian’s neck, where he assumed a bite mark sat.
“…Am I a vampire?”
Grian smiled nervously. ‘Looks like it.”
They seemed to remember where they were at the same time. Mumbo clambered to his feet, helping Grian up before dusting himself down.
They both glanced around to find the passage empty. Mumbo’s gaze lingered on a shelf of rock with a swipe of blood on it, probably from Tango.
“Looks like they left,” Grian observed.
“I hope Tango’s alright,” Mumbo fretted. “Oh, gosh. I really hurt him.”
“You were bound to lose control at some point,” Grian replied grimly. “At least Tango’s an understanding guy, he won’t hold it against you or anything. I don’t think any of us would, actually, but that’s not the point.”
Mumbo gave him a weary half-smile. “I think I’m going to go back to my base, if that’s alright. I have a lot to take in. Wait, how come I can go outdoors in the sun?”
“Cleo’s potion, but you’re still weaker at day, it just means you don’t burn,” Grian answered.
Mumbo blinked at him. “When did I take that? I haven’t had any potions for ages.”
Grian assumed a guilty look. “Uh. I’ve been putting stuff in your food. Like, the potion and some blood.”
Mumbo stared at him. “You knew?! Wait, that’s why you’re cooking for me!”
Grian couldn’t help but laugh at Mumbo’s scandalised reaction. “Yup. Stress worked it out from the first moment and told me. I think X knew first, though, barring Gem.”
“Does everyone know except me?!”
Grian giggled. “Well there’s also Pearl and Scar, and now Tango. So, not too many, I guess.”
Mumbo huffed. “Not too many,” he repeated mockingly. “I can’t believe- that explains so much. We need a proper conversation about this, though, and everything, after- uh, do you mind checking if Tango’s alright?”
Grian raised an eyebrow. “He won’t blame you.”
“I know that, but I do. I’ll get over it at some point, just- please? As your potential boyfriend?”
A flush spread up Grian’s neck. “Fine, but you can’t use that again,” he warned.
Mumbo smirked. “Oh, I fully intend to.”
Tango was fine after a few days, and predictably forgave Mumbo instantly, although it took a little longer for Mumbo to forgive himself.
It was easier for Grian to give him the blood and potions though, so he took the victory.
“I still can’t believe everyone knew before me,” Mumbo sighed, a week later.
Grian giggled, leaning against him on the couch. “You’re still caught up on that?”
“Yes!” Mumbo pouted. “It’s a pretty big thing, sweetheart, I changed species!”
Grian simply laughed again.
Mumbo sighed, petting his wings idly. “You mock me.”
“I love you,” Grian corrected, stretching out like a cat so he could lay more comfortably on Mumbo.
“I love you too,” Mumbo chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “Although I need to go soon for therapy.”
Grian, who had slumped at the prospect of Mumbo leaving, perked up. “Oh, it’s your first time, isn’t it?”
Mumbo nodded. “Any tips?”
“Not helpful ones,” Grian answered with a smile.
“Of course,” Mumbo laughed, lifting his boyfriend off him so they could get up. Grian curled up in his arms smugly.
“I’m afraid you can’t stay here, dear, as adorable as you are.”
Mumbo set Grian on the ground, gently detaching himself.
“A kiss before you go?” Grian asked, and Mumbo could do nothing but indulge him.