Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Grian was a teacher. He worked at the local college as an architect professor. He loved his job, and he would choose it over the family business of politics any day. Sure the teacher’s pay wasn’t amazing, but he lived with Mumbo anyways. So he didn’t need to worry about it all by himself. And he didn’t even use most of the money from his other career! And he’d never admit he was paid less for being a teacher who is also a hybrid, even if he knew it was fact.

He looked around his room, it was mostly clean so he could leave. None of his students left behind anything obvious. And they were supposed to be working on models for finals anyway.

Grian shifted his macaw colored wings on his back. One of the only things that's been stagnant in his life from when he was born to where he is now. He wore a red sweater, with holes carefully made in the back for his wings to comfortably fit through. His glasses were plain squares that sat on his nose, but they helped him see so he wouldn’t complain. His hair was dirty blonde, short and fluffy, he never put a whole lot of effort into it. His eyes were back, reflecting the void. A constant reminder of something he could never fix. His pants were just plain black jeans.

He walked through the door of his classroom, shutting off the lights behind him. His talons clicked against the floor from his refusal of wearing shoes. They made walking hard for him, what could he say. Granted he could just change their shape into human feet and wear shoes, but he really hated using their power.

He shook the thoughts out of his head and closed the oak door behind himself. He clutched onto an unorganized stack of papers, really hoping they wouldn’t fall everywhere, like they have so many times before. He really hated seeing the other professors walk by him in disgust as they walked by him picking papers off the ground. If they were disgusted by him, which they were and he knew that, they could at the very least say it to his face!

He turned the corner, and almost fell directly on top of another teacher, only saving himself by expanding his wings to catch himself on the wall. But there goes his papers! “I am so sorry!” Grian apologized, getting down to the floor to pick papers up. They really flew across the floor fast didn’t they?

“Oh no worries! Do you need any help?” the other teacher asked. Grian didn’t get a good look at him earlier, but holy shit he was strong- He was in a wheelchair. But how was he so strong then? Some hybrids needed wheelchairs to move around, but they could still move to work out. Was he a hybrid? No, he wasn’t, Grian could immediately tell he wasn’t. He had chocolate brown hair, and emerald green eyes. There was scars all across his face, and arms, probably more under his clothes too. But they weren’t magical like Grian’s, so he didn’t have to worry. He wore a Disney World shirt too. Grian had never seen him before, was he a new hire?

“N-No! It’s alright! You can just pass by me, I’ll stay out of your way.” Grian said with a probably unconvincing smile. Sure, he wanted the help, but almost every part of the staff was repulsed by him. Probably because he was the only hybrid who worked here. It’s not like hybrids were super common though, not after.. Grian shook his head to clear his head again. He was really having depressing thoughts today wasn’t he?

“No, I insist! What’s your name?” The man asked, leaning down to turn and grab whatever papers he could. Grian appreciated it, but he also didn’t want him to fall out of his chair.

“I’m Grian.” He said, his wings getting tighter to his body. Would he tell HR that Grian practically fell on him? He totally could, and then Grian would get yet another talk about being rude to the other teachers although he really tried to be overly nice to them so they wouldn’t tlk to HR about him.

“Is that your last name?” The other teacher asked, handing Grian the papers he grabbed as the avian stood up.

Grian shook his head, his wings moving on his back again. Looking at the man’s face (who he now realized he still didn’t know his name), he looked good. And now Grian was thinking of him courting him. Stupid bird brain! Stupid! He cleared his throat, “I don’t really have a last name. My students just call me Mr. Grian.” he explained sheepishly. Most humans just assumed it was because he was an avian hybrid, and they were always wrong and it was so annoying. And then he’d have to explain that he didn’t want to talk about it because it made him uncomfortable, and then they just looked bothered by him.

“Oh okay! You can call me Scar!” He said with a smile. It looked good on him. But his name was a little on the nose, quite literally, he had a big scar going across his nose. He must’ve noticed Grian’s hesitation because he said, “The scar was an accident from when I was a kid. Annoying, I know.”

“What happened to cause that?!” Grian said lightly. Usually his colleagues didn’t act so friendly to him. He’d take it over annoyed any day.

Scar went quiet, and seemed to be calculating to tell Grian the truth or not. Before he sighed quietly and mumbled, “My friend, he’s a hybrid..” he looked at Grian some more, for some sort of a reaction, but he didn’t give one, so he continued. “He kinda just lost control one day when we were super little. Ended him giving me this.” he lifted his hand and rubbed the scar that went along his face.

“What kind of hybrid was he?” Grian asked, he didn’t want to push. And why was Scar so hesitant to continue the story? Did he think he’d make Grian hate hybrids? Did he not see the massive wings on his back?!

“He uhh…” He mumbled, “He’s a warden hybrid.” Ah, now Grian understood his hesitation. Wanden hybrids were.. Not liked very much. They were seen as dangerous, and Scar obviously experienced why. They lash out at living beings to suck their life energy from them. The younger they are, the less they can control it, like a baby venomous snake. Grian was that way once, he hated it.

“Are you guys still friends?” Grian asked instead of pushing the heavy topic.

Scar seemed visibly happier at that and nodded, “Oh yeah!”

Grian smiled, Scar was basically radiating happiness. “That's good!” he said, finishing out the small talk. And so he decided to ask the question he had been wondering. “Are you a new teacher here?”

“Oh! Why yes!” He said with a smile, which reflected onto Grian. Maybe he could actually be friends with him, especially if he had been friends with a warden hybrid for this long.

He looked at Grian almost suspiciously, “Your.. A teacher, right?”

Grian chuckled. Sure he was on the short side compared to humans, he was average height for avians though! But did Scar really think he was a student?! He even said, his students earlier. “No, no. I’m the architect teacher.”

“Oh! I was told to stay away from you.” he admitted, his mood didn’t seem to shift at all though. Then his tone went darker, almost to be secretive. It just made Grian want to laugh though. “What secrets are you hiding to scare all the staff?”

Grian shrugged, “I wish I knew.” he sighed. He knew, of course he knew. Did Scar really miss his obvious as hell wings though?! He clearly knows about most people disliking hybrids. Did he really not realize Grian was a hybrid? It was really the only explanation.

“You don’t know?! Now I have to find out!” Scar said, looking determined. It looked good on him.

“No! I do, I do. It’s..” Grian trailed off, he hated admitting it. So he just opened his wings, just enough that Scar could see them. If he had opened them too wide, the other teachers might notice and report him to HR again for trying to harass somebody.. Again. Even if he hadn’t harassed anybody!

“Oh! Oh, I’m sorry Grian!” Scar apologized. Grian didn’t even know what it was for if he was being honest. “They’re just assholes! Don’t listen to them!” Scar defended, and Grian actually really appreciated it.

“Shhh! Not so loud! We can’t have them become self aware!” they heard a new voice enter the conversation. And it was Mumbo! Grian was about to spill all of his papers yet again to go and hug Mumbo, but the redstone teacher quickly shouted, “Don’t you dare drop those!” Grian listened.

“You know each other?” Scar asked, looking between the pair. And it was a reasonable question, they did seem like polar opposites. Mumbo was perfect looking always. His black hair was almost always slicked back with gel. He wore a black suit to work everyday, and today was no different. Only if they saw him at home.. Wearing high waisted jeans and white t-shirts with redstone stains and covered in holes. His skin was pale, almost vampirically pale. And his red eyes definitely didn’t help. But Grian had known the man long enough to know that Mumbo was not a vampire. Or he hid it extremely well. And not to mention his mustache! Grian didn’t have to have any romantic (or sexual) feelings for Mumbo for him to admit that the man had an impeccable mustache!

“Yep! This is my roommate I was telling you about Scar.” Mumbo said. Scar looked back at Grian. When had he and Mumbo talked? Mumbo worked in the same area as Grian since both their departments were building based. And if Grian had to guess, Scar was an art teacher. So he wouldn’t be in the same area.

“Oh! Well you were right about him being clumsy then!” Scar said with a chuckle, making it obvious that it wasn’t supposed to be an insult.

“You could see that again!” Mumbo agreed.

“Scar, you're an art teacher right?” Grian butted in to ask.

“Why yes! I am! Is it that obvious?” He questioned proudly.

“Yes, it is.” Grian said blandly, making the (confirmed) art teacher chuckle.

“Well I’d love to keep chatting, but I really do have to go.” Scar said with a friendly smile. Damn Grian was falling quickly already.

“Bye Scar!” Mumbo said. And Scar must’ve thought Grian said something too because he started to turn around. And he was about to let Scar walk away.. But..

“Scar!” Grian called out, leaning forward enough to make his spread out some more. The movement felt good, he really kept them too tightly most days.

“Yes?” He asked, turning his head back around towards his new feathered friend.

“If you want to be friends with the other teachers, stay away from me.” He said with a sadder tone. But it was the truth. If they saw Scar hanging out with Grian, he’d become a social outcast just like him and Mumbo. Not invited to whatever the other teachers did with each other.

“Nonsense! If that's the case then I don’t want to be friends with them anyways!” He shouted, rushing off. If he hesitated on leaving for just a second he’d see the happy smile on Grian’s face. His wings sat loosely on his back, too. And Mumbo just gave him a look of, ‘Are you actually serious?’

Grian looked over at Mumbo, and stuck his tongue out at him, “He’s nice! I just like him as a friend-way!”

“Suree.” Mumbo teased.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Grian sat in his room in their house, it wasn’t anything special but it was the bigger one out of the two. But Mumbo always said that was because of his wings. But he really knew it was because it had a walk-in closet and connection bathroom for his other career. Because otherwise he’d be stealing space in Mumbo’s closet for his things.

His bedroom was pretty plain though. The walls were white with a dark oak trim. His bed was just a simple red. And there was one Ariana Griande poster on the back of his door from his first performance. But he had a desk in there, which was constantly messy. At the end of his bed was a rubber chicken mask from when he was a teenager.

Grian’s phone sat next to him, and when it rang, he picked it up. “Chief Solidarity!!” Grian said enthusiastically to his brother.

“Grian. Don’t call me Chief Solidarity!” his brother shouted through the phone, making the avian laugh.

“But you areee!” Grian pleaded, because that was his official title.

“Do you want the legal gossip or what?” Jimmy asked. And of course he wanted the legal drama! That was something about his brother being chief that he liked. He got told new things about the city the public wouldn’t know for awhile.

“Of course I do!” Grian said loudly, probably bothering Mumbo in the other room. His wings spread out either side of him as he shouted.

“Okay, okay!” Jimmy said with a laugh at the end, “Soo.. This is a lot.”

“Even better!” Grian said happily.

“So.. There's this company that trains superheroes, basically.” Jimmy said with more of a hushed tone. And out of all things, Grian was not expecting news of a superhero.

“A- WHAT!” Grian shouted, his wings flaring out in surprise.

“A superhero company, and now theres a superhero for Hermitopia basically.” Jimmy said with a small chuckle at the end.

“When is he debuting? Does Pearl know? What is his identity?!” Grian asked right after another like a child.

“I don’t know when he’s debuting, it’s a lot of paperwork. But yes Pearl does know, but I’m the only one allowed to know his identity.” Jimmy explained, sounding tired. He probably wasn’t exaggerating about the paperwork.

“You tired?” Grian asked like a good big brother.

Jimmy sighed, “Yeah, a bit. Scott’s making ravioli’s tonight I think.” he could hear his voice sound more energetic as Scott was brought up, as always. When Grian went to their wedding, he knew they’d be together for life.

“Sounds good! I’ll let you go then. I have my own demise of homework.” Grian said, with much more drama.

“Okay.” Jimmy laughed, “Talk later Gri.”

“See you Tim!”

“I-!” Jimmy tried to argue before the call ended. He hated being called Timmy and Grian knew that. But it was brotherly love, y’know?

Chapter Text

Grian was just sitting at home, wings spread out as he laid on his stomach in bed. Macaw banded wings spread out widely in the room, feathers almost everywhere. Sometimes it was nice to not have to keep them all bunched up all day. He should probably clean them soon. He had been texting Scar, but he had to leave to do something, so now Grian was alone with his thoughts.

His wings itched. It wasn’t a normal itch, and he knew that. But he still scratched them like it was a normal itch. Mainly because he still didn’t want to admit what he was. He was stubborn that way.

“Grian! Come look!” Mumbo shouted. The avian rolled his eyes, to be honest he really didn’t want to deal with getting up right now.

“What Mumbo?!” Grian shouted back.

“That hero Jim was talking about is on the news! He is just debuting!” Mumbo shouted back. And now Grian was getting up. He rushed around the corner, and left a wake of feathers in his trail. What, he was meant to preen a few hours ago and just didn’t want to. You couldn’t blame him too much.

Sure enough on the tv in their living room was a hero. His name was HotGuy. Grian sat down next to the redstone teacher. If any of their students saw them right now they’d be concerned for their mental health probably. Mumbo looked like he hadn’t showered in days despite showering only yesterday. In clothes covered in redstone and oil stains. There were a few holes dotted around the neckline, and one pretty big one under his armpit. He looked like he hadn’t slept in 2 weeks, despite Grian knowing he went to bed at 1 last night because his most recent project is ridiculously loud. His hair wasn’t slicked back for once. It was falling whatever way it wanted to, giving him bangs. But despite that, his mustache still looked immaculate.

But, Grian didn’t look much better himself. His wings weren’t preened as he usually did it today or tomorrow, before the school week. He was wearing his signature red sweater, except this one hadn’t been washed in probably a month since it was the one he didn’t wear out. His hair was all over the place and frizzy. But at least he looked like he had slept last night.

On the tv was a live recording of HotGuy and Pearl. “HOW DID PEARL GET THERE?!” Grian shouted, not expecting his sister to be on the tv. Then he realized his brother was next to HotGuy in the background. “AND TIM!” Sure his brother was chief of police, and his sister was one of the best news reporters in the city (Jimmy just gave her all the secrets, but nobody needed to know that). He was still allowed to be surprised, and a little jealous.

“Dude. You know who they are right?” Mumbo asked, looking at Grian slightly confused.

Grains wings puffed up into a more defensive position before he shouted, “Well- Yeah! But they’re just Pearl and Timmy to me! Not Mr. Chief Solidarity and famous reporter Pearl Moon!”

Mumbo chuckled at him before looking back at the screen. The headline was New Superhero of Hermitopia? The hero in question had an orange visor covering most of his face. His hair was chocolate brown and pulled back into a man bun. He had a muscular build. His uniform was tight and shockingly revealing. It was mostly black with orange and blue accents. It was sleeveless, and his arms had many scars. Grian mentally noted how similar to Scar he was. He had a quiver slung over his shoulder with a bow at his hip.

Pearl who was interviewing him had a red cropped hoodie on. Her hair that was the same color as Grian’s was nicely styled. Her eyes were blue. Her barn owl colored wings sat neatly on her back, mostly covered by her hair to hide them. Despite hybrids being allowed in most places, it was better to hide any indication of it from public eyes.

Jimmy was in the background, more seeming to just be watching the interview. His golden blonde hair was fluffy but neat. He had brown eyes, not tainted like Grian’s. He wore a white button up with a blue overshirt. His canary colored wings were also carefully folded to his back, and they were probably under his overshirt. Most people still aren’t happy that he was an avian, and some people still didn’t know from him hiding it.

Grian was watching the interview. There were some actually interesting questions, and some filler ones. Pearl would ask a question, HotGuy would answer it. People could submit questions for the hero, which apparently Jimmy was the one flipping through them.

Watching it, Grian got the most insane idea, and one that Jimmy definitely wouldn’t approve of. He stood up and ran to his bedroom, probably confusing Mumbo, but he didn’t ask. He’d known Grian long enough to know better than not to.

Grian grabbed the rubber chicken mask he had gotten the day he met Mumbo. Which was a funny story. He put it on, and it was surprisingly easy to see out of. Both the open beak part, and the black eyes were mesh. And it pressed tight enough to Grian’s face to be able to see well.

He looked at his outfit for a moment, would somebody recognize it? Hopefully not, there was enough avian’s in the city to not have him be too spotted out for wearing a red sweater and black pants. Though if he kept this up he might want to change it.

He looked at the body length mirror in his closet. If he didn’t want to be recognized, which he didn’t, changing the wings would have to be done. There weren’t many scarlet macaw avian’s, and probably only one who constantly wore a red sweater. Plus his wings had been itching for him to use magic on them.

He wasn’t using their power for bad. He wasn’t using their power for bad. He wasn’t using their power for bad. It was placed upon him against his will anyway. He’s not going to hurt anybody like them. And all he’s doing is changing his wings! It would be fine!

To the untrained eye all he did was flap his wings and suddenly they were fully white. To somebody who knew, he was changing his genetic makeup ver quickly, making his whole body recoil for just a second, and then fixing itself. But even if he was changing his genetic code, he’d never forget who he normally was. He knew he had blonde hair, and macaw wings. And he had actual proof! And he hadn’t forgotten what he looked like and just had to take old photos along with Pearl and Jimmy’s memory to know what his appearance was.

He walked out of his closet and took off out his window. He never had a screen on it for that reason. He hated being locked in like they had made him. He took off to the skies, it was peaceful until he spotted a big crowd of people.

He landed on a nearby building, surveying the scene. When he realized he hadn’t brought anything. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves. And he pulled out his phone to call Jimmy. The crowd was where HotGuy was being interviewed. He could hear people shouting questions from the surrounding area. There was cameras all over the place as well. What was he even doing here?

He saw his brother pull his phone out of his pocket, and suddenly his call was canceled. So he called again. This time he was just completely ignored. How dare Jim! He flew to a building closer to the crowd. He landed on the edge, his legs hanging over the edge. It seemed some people started to watch him.

He pulled out his phone, and pulled up the news. Perfectly catching, “-an avian is on a building there, and this is an illegal fly zone for hybrids.” HotGuy said, sounding fakely disappointed. He put his left hand on his hip. Which was opposite to his bow.

Pearl nodded, putting her right hand which was holding a small notepad, into her hoodie pocket. “I guess you have your first villain, HotGuy.” she said with a smile, she looked almost like she was flirting, but Grian knew better to know she definitely wasn’t flirting.

HotGuy chuckled, “I guess so.” He said softly, and louder he said, “Sorry to cut this short, I have a job to do.” Then he grabbed an arrow, and Grian made a mental note that it was a dark blue one. Then he shot it in Grian’s direction. And before the avian knew it, there was an arrow shot right past his head, and into the concrete building with a wire attached.

The superhero rode the wire up to Grian. The now white-winged avian took that as a hint to put his phone back into his pocket. At least he got what he wanted? He wanted to mess with HotGuy a bit at least.

“Well hello there. What’s with the chicken mask?” HotGuy asked, placing his bow back on his hip. It seemed to magnetically connect back to his hip.

“It’s called a secret identity, HotGuy!” Grian fired back, crossing his arms. He made sure to make his voice a little deeper by changing his genetics once again. So he didn’t slip up or damage his throat in the process.

“You sound like Batman.” HotGuy laughed.

Yeah, he realized he did. “W-Whatever! Maybe I am Bruce Wane! At least I’d be rich then!”

“Why would Bruce Wane be flying around illegally, with a chicken mask on?” HotGuy teased.

Grian glanced down at the crowd, Pearl and some others were watching them. While some were starting to walk away. “Because..” Grian mumbled, trying to think of something to say. Why had he come here? He came here to mess with the hero. What if he was a villain? No! He couldn’t, he wouldn’t be evil. “I’m PoultryMan.”

HotGuy raised an eyebrow under his visor, or so Grian assumed, “Well flying in illegal fly zones seems more like a villain to me, PoultryMan.”

“Maybe I am a villain.” Grian shrugged before realizing what he had said. Shoot. He hadn’t wanted to hurt anybody. But he was committed now, “But you also basically flew. So what does that make you?”

“I’m allowed to. To my knowledge you aren’t.” HotGuy fired back, getting ever so slightly closer to the apparent villain.

“W-Well maybe I’m the chief’s brother! What would you say then?” Grian said smugly.

HotGuy shrugged, “Trust me, I’m good friends with the chief’s brother. He has macaw wings, not chicken wings.” And Grian was going to ignore the implications of that. Because he couldn’t handle finding out he knew Hotguy on a personal level.

Grian spread out his wings, trying to be intimidating as he said, “I’ll be back HotGuy. Don’t doubt it.”

“Oh, I do.” he fired back smugly. Grian felt himself smile too. They already flt like friends.

The avian took off without saying anything else, back in the direction of his house. Despite his calm demeanor, he was freaking out on the inside. He had become a villain! He didn’t want to hurt anybody! Not like them!

He took a not so graceful landing into his window. He tumbled inside, and looked over at the doorway, hoping Mumbo wasn’t there. But of course..

“I knew it was you.” the redstone teacher said without saying anything else.

Grian sat up, taking the mask off. He cleared his throat, which was relly just him adjusting it back to normal as he said, “How! There was no way to tell!”

“Grian. The mask! I’d recognize that stupid thing anywhere!” he said with a small chuckle afterwards.

Grian flapped his wings, turning them back into macaw wings. Maybe now he would preen them. They were pretty messy, and flying with them didn’t make it any better. He looked back at Mumbo. Right, he was a ‘villain’ now according to HotGuy. He swallowed hard. He didn’t really want to be a villain. Mayb ehe could be a fun villain?

“Mumbo.” He asked in a serious tone.

“Yes?” the engineer asked, confused.

“Can you make me a glitter bomb?” Grian asked, holding a straight face as best he could.

Mumbo smiled, “Yeah, I can do that.”

Chapter Text

Ariana sat on the stage in front of everybody. He had a different approach as Ariana Griande. He was open, and loved his fans. Right now he was sitting on the edge of the stage, talking to the audience as if they were casual friends.

His legs were crossed in front if him, a friendly welcoming smile plastered to his face. The fake rubber chest was getting uncomfortable so he would have to end this soon. But for now it was welcome. His wings were hidden, he didn’t want to make his career any harder than it was at the beginning. He wore a pink crop top, and a pink miniskirt. His hair was put into a ponytail, well a ponytail hair clip. His makeup was carefully done, with years of practice behind his belt.

“Miss Ariana! Any new album soon?!” one of the audience members asked. Ariana shook his head, his smile didn't falter. “Not that I can tell you about.” Which was him just saying that he didn’t have anything planned.

He then saw something swing above the auditorium he was in. It was an outdoors stage, which meant it could easily be a bird or something.

The thing showed itself, swinging down, landing right in front of Ariana. “Aren’t you just amazin’!” he flirted, making Ariana blush. It was just his luck that HotGuy was here. Y’know, the city’s new superhero, that he fought every other night as a chicken-masked villain who shot glitter bombs at random citizens.

He put a hand on his chest, giggling at the simple flirt. “Why thank you.” he said with a smaller, more personal smile.

He grabbed her hand, and kissed the back of it, still standing on the ground in front of the stage. The crowd roared. Ariana blushed, but he couldn’t tell if he was being genuine, or just doing it for the fans. He wasn’t sure which he’d prefer. It's not like he could ever get into a relationship with HotGuy.

“Aren’t you a flirt?!” he said, joking. His voice was high pitched and feminine. Something he had to practice for years to have.

“Only for one.” He said, smiling. His face had a few scars on it, one big one right across his nose, much like his newer coworker’s scar. His arms had scars all over them as well. How many battles did he get into?

“Care for a dance?” HotGuy then asked, his eyes looking hopeful.

He shrugged, he really didn’t want to dance anymore. He wanted to go home, maybe go and annoy his new favorite superhero. “I guess so.” He said, reaching out or HotGuy’s hand. He didn’t seem to notice it because he hopped on stage behind him

HotGuy took Ariana’s hand into his. What would HotGuy do knowing he was this close to his arch nemesis without even knowing. His hands were closed around Ariana’s smaller hands. His nails were short, and his fingers were calloused, in comparison to Ariana’s hands that were small, soft, and had long pink press on nails. His face looked familiar, but he figured it was from being PoultryMan on the side.

HotGuy twirled Ariana, the mic being left at the front of the stage as the lights people loaded up one of Ariana’s older songs. Playing it over the cheering crowd.

He didn't mean to lose himself to the song, and he knew he should be on alert, but he couldn’t make himself focus on anything except the music. Taking over from HotGuy, thankfully he didn’t mind as he dipped the stronger, taller man. The crowd cheered as he did it.

When the song started to dim, reaching the end of it, Grian disappeared off stage to the left, casually walking over to his dressing room on the right. He reached for the door as HotGuy put a hand on his shoulder. “Hey-” he said as Ariana turned around.

“Hey!” he responded still in his practiced high voice. He didn’t need HotGuy to somehow recognize his voice.

“Hi.. Uhh..” He mumbled, looking down at Ariana’s chest, and if he had to guess, it was for a mic. “I thought that was really fun.” he told her, making eye contact once again.

Ariana smiled at him, “Yeah, it was!” He said, moving his hand to the door knob to open the door when the conversation is done.

His face got pink as he said, “We should.. We should do it again.” he told him, barely looking away from his eyes.

“Oh! W-Well..” he mumbled, how was he supposed to explain to HotGuy that even is he did like him that way, he was also the only villain in the city, and therefore can’t have a relationship with him. “I.. I have a boyfriend already! S-Sorry..” he told the hero, his heart beating rapidly.

HotGuy quickly back up, suddenly getting much more nervous and uncomfortable, “Oh! I’m sorry! What- What’s his name?” the hero asked.

Grian went into panic mode, he didn’t have a boyfriend, if he said a name too weird it would give up his identity. But if he said one too common HotGuy might not believe him. “X-XELQUA!” he shouted, his face suddenly heating up greatly. Xelqua! Really Grian?! Stupid,, stupid! Xelqua was you!

“That's a unique name! Cool!” HotGuy said, smiling at him once again.

“Y-Yeah!” he said awkwardly. If only he knew the real meaning behind it..

“Well.. uhh.. I- I’ll get going now. Sorry. Talk later?” He said. Ariana just nodded as he watched HotGuy walk back onto the stage, the crowd cheered, then heard his swing away. He opened the door, falling into the room, then slamming it closed. He leaned up against the back of the door, banging his head into it. “Stupid!” he shouted.

“Stupid Grian! Stupid!” he said again, banging his head against the door again.

Chapter Text

Jimmy was organizing his papers in the middle of the day. Old cases, new cases, and solved cases. Not to mention the things HotGuy has stopped, or the things he needs to tell Pearl. He should probably give her a call soon. Thankfully he’s having a private conversation with Scar later, so he doesn't have to keep the professional look up. That was practically his only requirement for Scar starting to work in Hermitopia. Was that Jimmy had to know his secret identity.

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to calm his anxiety from the messy room. When he opened his eyes, the room was.. dark? Did the power go out? He considered.

He kept his wings tightly pressed against his back to make them less obvious. Since nobody really likes hybrids, let alone one as police chief. But they were starting to spread out and puff up like he was trying to make himself bigger. What was his instincts scared of?

He stood up, confused on what was happening. He reached for his phone on the desk, but he didn’t even feel the desk. He turned around to search for the chair but it was gone too.

Then his brain realized what was happening. His heart started to beat faster, his breathing became quicker, less sustaining. He curled into himself without meaning to. They were here.. They were back.. How were they back?!

A being appeared in front of him. It had pale white skin, and a purple cloak. Its face was pitch black, covered fully by eyes in places eyes shouldn’t be. It had white wings that were easily double the size of Jimmy’s.

“Stay- Stay the fuck away from me!” Jimmy shouted, his voice already feeling weak despite him not saying anything

“Jimmy.” It said, its voice echoing off the nonexistent walls. “Are you really that scared of me?” It asked.

Jimmy felt a tear fall down his cheek, he was scared, terrified. He had gotten away, he had escaped. He was supposed to be safe, Pearl was supposed to be safe. Grian was supposed to be safe.

It took another step forward, and Jimmy took another step back. He couldn’t even feel the air entering his lungs anymore, despite breathing. Tears streamed down his cheeks. He was shaking. His wings were puffed out, trying to make himself bigger..

“Jimmy.” It said again, taking another step forwards. Jimmy took another step back, his wings stretched out as big as they could. It’s hands reached up to its hood. Its fingers were clawed at the ends, unhuman. It pulled its hood off, revealing his face. The darkness of his face went away. He had two eyes in the correct spot, both black and innocent. He had dirty blonde hair that was messy. He had a light, friendly smile on his face. It was Grian.

Jimmy took many steps back, his wings wrapping around his vision to block the person trying to pretend to be grian. Hot tears streamed down his face in a panic. His eyes wouldn’t stop moving, trying to find the figure with Grian’s face despite his wings blocking his view. His breathing was rapid, not sustaining him at all. What was happening, why was it back here. Why were they back? He kept baking up. He heard galactic being said all around him. He felt thousands of eyes on him. He was too panicked to translate the galactic right now. He figured it was something like “Join us. Jimmy.”

He hit something hard, knocking out any breath he had left. His wings moved out of the way from the shock of the impact. He let a small squeak of pain out of his mouth as his wing roots ached from the sudden force. But he was back in his office. Tan walls, spruce floors, bookshelves on one side, a massive cork board on the other.

He pushed himself off the wall, not bothering to gather his breath, or let the pain slow down, as he grabbed his phone and called Pearl immediately. Pulling his office door open as it was ringing. His hair was now messy, his feathers were moved out of place as his wings were barely being held off the floor. Nobody questioned him as he ran out the front door of the building, running to his car that was parked across the street.

“Hello!” Pearl greeted over the phone, her tone being light and cheerful.

Jimmy huffed into the microphone as he pulled open his car door and slid in. He searched for his keys in his pocket. He would have to ask the lady at the front desk to lock his office later. “..Jimmy?!” she asked, worry now obvious in her tone.

Jimmy got his car started. He’d much prefer to fly home right now, it was quicker and a lot less claustrophobic. But he’s not allowed to fly unless he’s chasing somebody dangerous. “Watchers.” Jimmy said, stopping his movements to let him catch his breath before he went onto the road.

“What!” Pearl shouted, the panic evident in her voice now. He could hear shuffling on her side of the phone.

“Yeah! I- They came to me” Jimmy said, the tears welling up in his eyes once again. He started to drive down the road to his house.

“What did they say? Are you okay? FUCK! What about Grian?! I- Meet you at the office?” Pearl asked in a panic, her breathing starting to get more rapid as well.

“My house. I’m taking the day off.” Jimmy told her, setting the phone to speaker as he set it down on his dashboard.

“Your house- Okay. Talk in a second.” Pearl said breathlessly, hanging up the call.

Jimmy tried to keep his mind off them as he drove. As soon as he turned onto his street he sped up, turning quickly into his driveway. He parked sloppily in the driveway, turning off the car and getting out. Running up to the front door and unlocking it with his key. When he got inside he pushed the door closed and threw himself onto the cream colored couch.

“Jimmy?” Scott questioned, turning around the corner. His husband was his favorite person in the world. Bright blue hair that reflected the ocean waves, icy blue eyes that were as beautiful as the sky. He had antlers that sat on either side of his head, they were massive, and would be even bigger if he didn’t keep them shaved down a bit. Pale skin that was always warm despite it looking just as cold as the snow.

“The.. They.. They’re back..!” Jimmy said, curling himself into more of a ball. His golden wings wrapped around him. Scott came closer, now kneeling down next to the couch. He rubbed the back of his hand down his husband's wing, knowing it calms him down.

“Who? Who is back?” Scott asked calmly, his voice was steady as he kept rubbing his hand down his husband's wing.

“Them! They- The- Grian!” Jimmy shouted, he pulled his legs tighter, his wings shielding him as much as he could. His breathing got very panicked again, his eyes were sewn shut.

Scott got all he needed to know. He was probably the only one who knew the whole story besides the siblings and Mumbo. “Jimmy.. You're alright.” Scott comforted.

“Scott, I'm scared!” Jimmy said, his voice cracking. Scott kept rubbing the feathers that threatened to puff out uncomfortably. “I know.” he mumbled, keeping his voice steady.

The door burst open with a frantic Pearl design through it. Her cropped red hoodie was open, revealing the black halter top she had on underneath. In her left pocket was a notepad with some of the pages crinkled. She had an ear bud in, and her brown, barn owl colored wings were puffed up in fear and defense. Her hair wasn’t as neat as it usually was, with some strands messed up, and there were some strands standing up in all directions.

She made direct eye contact with Scott. Icy blue against the blue of the ocean. Before she rushed over to Jimmy on the couch, bending over the back of it. “Jim, I need you to focus. What happened.” She asked, just how a reporter would. And Jimmy wasn’t too bothered by it. It made it easier to answer.

“They.. Visited me.” he mumbled, looking into Scott’s caring eyes as he mumbled it. Scott calmed him down. Scott was safe. Scott wasn’t involved with them. With the Watchers.

“How?” Pearl pressed, laying a hand on Jimmy’s wing.

“I closed my eyes, then the room went dark.. They..” he squeezed his eyes shut again, the memory coming back. Grian standing in front of him.

“What did they do?!” she asked, her voice was stern but caring. He felt safe around her.

“They made Grian appear in front of me. They made a Watcher appear in front of me.” Jimmy said, his voice as quiet as it could go before it wasn’t audible.

Pearl’s eyes went wide as she looked at Scott who gave her the same worried look. Pearl looked back at Jimmy, blue eyes filled with concern. “We.. Can’t tell Grian.” Pearl came to the conclusion. Jimmy just nodded, “No. He can’t know they’re back.. He’ll never leave his room again.” Jimmy said, followed by a small forced chuckle.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Grian never dreamed. He just didn’t. He wasn’t sure if it was just because he wasn’t creative enough, or if it was because he was one of Them. But he couldn’t care. His bed was comfortable enough anyway, and his sleep was easy. He also didn’t need to worry about nightmares that way. Not like he used to.

So when Grian went to bed that night, he expected an easy sleep, then to wake up in the morning and to get ready to go to the campus with Mumbo. So when he opened his eyes to a black room, he was confused.

“Hello?” He called out, Mumbo must’ve been playing a prank on him. Or he fell asleep in a different spot than he remembered.

There was nothing but pure silence. His voice didn’t even bounce back at him.

“This.. Is weird.” He mumbled to himself, his head was on a swivel. His instincts were telling him that he was in danger, that he was supposed to be scared. But he knew he could handle whatever it was. He had lived through the watchers, and they had put him through a lot worse then whatever Mumbo, or anybody else, could put him through.

“Heyyy!” he called out, putting his hands into his pockets.

Thousands of eyes opened around him, and his heart dropped.

Oh.

He wasn’t being pranked. They were going after him again.

His wings puffed out all the way, he didn’t have control over their color as they tripled in size and turned purple. His eyes were looking everywhere. Extra ones trying to open up on his face, but he closed them as soon as he noticed them.

“LEAVE ME ALONE!” he shouted aggressively.

The pitch black floor beneath him went away, letting him fall. He squeezed his eye shut as he fell, bracing for an impact. But he didn’t get one. He opened his eyes, seeing Jimmy infront of him, through too many eyes. He pulled the hood off his head, revealing his face. Jimmy looked scared, terrified. Grian tried to reach out, but when his hand came to view, his skin was nearly white, his fingers were clawed. He was one of them again.

“JIMMY!” he shouted, which just made his brother jump in his skin more as he backed up.

Grian woke up. He was shaking, his wings were a mix of purple and macaw colors. They were bigger than they were supposed to be. He brought his knees up to his chest. He felt eyes start to open where eyes weren’t supposed to open. He pulled his right hand up to his face to cover them, but it was clawed still. He let out a small scream and switched hands, hiding that one in his lap as his wings wrapped around him.

“Mate? You okay?” Mumbo asked, his voice was groggy. His eyes were still closed. He was leaning against the doorway. His hair was falling in his face, which he probably couldn’t care less about.

“They- THEY'RE BACK! They’re back Mumbo!” Grian shouted between sobs in attempt to calm himself down.

“What?” He asked, seeming more awake as worry actually etched itself on his face. He got closer, not scared of his friends state.

“They- They have Jimmy, or something. I don’t know!” Grian shouted, his wings getting tighter.

Mumbo sat down on the bed, now seemingly fully awake. He put a hand on Grian’s wing, making him jump slightly. But he accepted the touch. Mumbo slowly rubbed his hand up Grian’s wing more, reaching the Wings edge. He pulled it down, revealing Grian’s face.

Mumbo grabbed both of his hands, not scared of the sharped clawed tips of his right hand. “It’s okay. Your safe.” Mumbo said to Grian, squeezing his hands.

“I- I can’t go back!” Grian said, tears escaping his eyes.

“Your not going to go back.” Mumbo assured him.

“I- B-But they’re back!” Grian cried, he was still shaking. He had 5 eyes on his face, and probably more other places on his body. His wings were big. But Mumbo didn’t care. The redstone teacher grabbed the chicken mask, putting it over Grian’s face. It was such a stupid thing, but it had meaning behind it.

Grian looked up at Mumbo, then he raised a hand up to the rubber mask. A small, barely noticeable smile tugged at his lips.

“You escaped with it once, what’s another time?” Mumbo joked.

“Y-Yeah.. But it was also thanks to you, Peal, and Jimmy.” he mumbled, his voice was muffled through the rubber.

Mumbo shrugged, “We can ask them for help in the morning. You just have to be safe for the rest of the night.”

Grian laughed, “what time even is it?!”

Mumbo glanced at the clock, “Eesh, It’s like 2 am.”

“Bleh.” Grian said, copying Mumbo.

Chapter Text

PoultryMan was sitting on a building, just watching everybody. It had been a few days since he went out into public, but he figured he needed to start somewhere after the scare from a few nights ago. And what was a better way then to do it then with the mask that made him feel like he could do anything. Especially escape the Watchers.

He partly hoped to see HotGuy tonight. To bother him and to show him he wasn't dead. But so far he didn't see the hero.

He flew to the next building over using his currently white wings. That was something he could never figure out, how to get rid of the wings entirely, even with their power. But he didn’t mind them. They were familiar, he always had them. Through better or worse. It didn’t matter what color they were to him.

He looked around, there was people walking, a few seemed prepared for him to throw glitter or paint at them. Nothing actually harmful, just annoying. He didn’t want to hurt anybody. He wanted to make laughs and smiles, he wanted to boost the hero by giving him an enemy.

He saw something in the distance. It looked the same size as him, was it another person? PoultryMan flew to the building closer, not bothering to drop anything on the crowd below him. His wings were their normal size, and white. Thankfully his scare only lasted a couple of hours after, but he still didn’t want to chance it for a while.

He hid behind an air conditioning system, watching the figure that was on a roof, two buildings over. They had long hair, and brown wings similar to Pearl’s. She was in all black, with red accents. He was already annoyed that there was another hero, or maybe villain, on the scene. Especially one that Jimmy didn’t tell Grian about!

She flew across to another building, now only being one building away from PoultryMan. She looked like she was talking to somebody, but he couldn’t hear what she was saying.

She flew to his building. PoultryMan ducked down, hiding his obvious white wings behind him. He could hear her steps getting closer, but he could also hear her voice. “I thought I saw him? But he isn't here.” she said, sounding confused. So she was looking for him?

“Yeah I’ll try the next one.” She said, about to take off as she glanced behind herself. Grian could then see her face. A black mask that was in a similar style to HotGuy’s. Dirty blonde long hair, and a red hoodie overtop a tighter black suit. She had a pistol on one hip, and ammo on the other. He could see the top of a notepad in the red hoodie, and a pencil.

They made eye contact. Well, as much eye contact you could make with PoultryMan wearing a rubber chicken mask. They both were quiet for a moment, seeing who would make the first move. Until she did.

“I’m Moon!” she said, getting closer and holding out her hand.

Grian knew better than to trust her. So he stood up and stood on top of the AC unit. “Who are you working with?” he asked in an aggressive tone, trying to show her that he wouldn’t be too accepting of her.

“Oh! Uhh.. Nobody?” She said confused, like she was trying to make up a lie on the spot. And he knew that she was. Moon was talking to somebody just a second ago.

“No, I could hear you.” PoultryMan responded, his voice being made deeper just like what he did with HotGuy.

She went silent for a moment, putting the hand she had extended into her pocket. “My roommate.. She is the one helping me.” Moon responded, and Grian knew it was bullshit. He could hear the slight waver in her voice. All things he picked up from being one of them.

PoultryMan gave her an aggravated look, despite her not being able to see it. Before he went up into the air. “What are you?” he asked.

“A villain.. I.. Don’t agree with HotGuy.” She said, lying once again. It was commendable that he almost didn’t notice the lies. Its almost like she grew up in the same conditions as him.

“Your going to have to prove yourself, Moon.” Grian snapped at her. He didn’t want her to steal his job as HotGuy’s main rival. That was too good of a title to give up. But he also knew he would have to stop her if she got too much against the city.

“Oh? Like throwing glitter bombs at random citizens?” Moon teased. And that bothered Grian.

“Would you rather me hurt people!?” he snapped at her.

“I- ..No.” she mumbled.

“Good.” PoultryMan said, starting to feel bad for shouting. He knew it wasn’t deserved, he just didn’t like her. She was a villain. She was lying to him. He couldn’t stand people who were willing to actually hurt people.

PoultryMan took off, flying somewhere else. Hopefully he would run into HotGuy. And if he didnt show up, he’d go home. And would carefully watch the news to make sure Moon didn’t do anything bad

Okay, yeah. He should probably just stay out, shouldn't he.

“Sooo.. What’s first?” Moon asked, actually scaring Grian. He jumped, making his wings stop flapping. They flashed to black before he changed them again, landing awkwardly into an alleyway.

He sat up, and of course the person standing in front of him was HotGuy, who looked confused and worried. “PoultryMan? You okay?” the hero asked, walking closer to the villain.

“Get away from me! I’m fine!” PoultryMan shouted, pulling himself up with the help of his white wings.

HotGuy looked surprised at the sudden loud noise, but he listened. “Do you need help? Why did you fall?” he asked from the entrance of the alleyway.

“I’m fine.” PoultryMan said, spreading his wings out to take off again.

“PoultryMan! I’m sorry!” Moon said, finally landing in between the hero and the villain. She was giggling slightly.

“I’m fine! Go away!” PoultryMan shouted, taking off and flying home. He didn’t care about their possible protests. He flew into his window, ripping the chicken mask off. Mumbo heard him come in and was waiting at the doorway for Grian to turn around. Maybe he still needed a few more days off still. At least he already had enough money for this months rent.

Chapter Text

Poultry man was easy to see in the night sky, and he wasn’t particularly hidden in the day either. But he wasn’t really trying to hide. He was a villain that threw glitter.

“Nailed it!” he shouted, hitting a woman in a suit with glitter.

He moved to the next few buildings over, he was tempted to aim white paint at a nearby hotdog stand when he spotted Moon looking at him from the other building across from him. Because of course she was there, he hadn’t been able to go on patrol without her around. And when she was around that usually meant HotGuy!

Speaking of HotGuy, there he was in his tight-black glory. Grian rolled his eyes, standing up to face the hero who landed behind him. He crossed his arms, resting most of his weight on his left foot as he watched HotGuy balance himself.

“PoultryMan. You can’t keep doing this!” He told the chicken masked hero. He didn’t really have a serious tone tonight.

Moon flew across the gap, landing next to Grian as she wrapped an arm around PoultryMan. Grian glared at her through the mask. What did she think she was doing?! He had been pushing her away for weeks, and she’s still acting buddy-buddy. But he could hear her comm, not enough to figure out who was speaking, although it was familiar.

HotGuy gave a familiar glance to Moon, as if they knew something he didn’t. Which wouldn’t be surprising as they always found him together. “C’mon guys. How about we wrap this up quickly so we can all go home early tonight.” HotGuy tried to reason. And Grian wouldn’t mind a good night’s sleep, he also knew it wouldn't be a good night’s sleep because he still had too many paper to grade for it to be easy. Actually maybe he could get Mumbo to grade them for him!

“No can do. I don’t have anything to do tomorrow.” Grian said, his voice altered slightly as usual. It was a bold faced lie, but he didn’t care.

“And I should believe you why?” HotGuy asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Because I never lie?” Grian told him confidently, taking Moon’s arm off him. She just placed her hands on her hips and she turned towards him more. PoultryMan backed up a bit more, preparing to take off with his wings.

“PoultryMan, be careful.” HotGuy instructed. Moon seemed unfazed, she could probably tell he was preparing to take off since she had wings of her own.

“Why should I?” Grian asked, taking another step back.

“It’s dangerous!” HotGuy said, sounding more panicked. Grian watched him grab a net arrow from his quiver, and load it in the bow.

Grian smiled, giving a small salute before he opened his wings and fell back. He started to flap, seeing the net arrow go right above him. He smiled to himself, flying to another part of town. Ironically there was a bird coup on the roof of the building.

The pigeons in the coup chirped at him, and he responded. Watching the people down below. Everybody below looked busy, or tired. Grian could relate to them about that. Wait, oh yeah! He had to call Mumbo.

He pulled his phone out of his pocket, and called Mumbo, holding the phone up to his ear. “Hello?” Mumbo answered. “Hey Mumbo Jumbo!” Grian greeted, in a slightly different voice that didn’t surprise Mumbo since he heard it before.

“What do you want?” Mumbo asked, with some shuffling noises on the other side of the phone. Sounded kind of like papers. “Can you grade-”

“No.” Mumbo immediately responded, knowing the question before Grian could finish it.

“You don’t know what I was about to say!” Grian argued, looking around in case Moon or HotGuy followed him.

“You were going to ask me to grade Your papers!” Mumbo said exasperated.

“I- Nooo!” Grian said, sitting on the edge of the building.

Mumbo started to say something else, but it faded into the background when Grian’s attention shifted to something he saw. There was a purple spark in the distance.

Grian’s heart dropped as he saw the galactic lettering emit from the growing spark. Grian dropped the phone as he was dragged closer. He stood up, pressing against the edge of the building to stop himself from being dragged forwards.

He heard Mumbo’s voice calling through the speaker of his phone. He tried to respond back, but he couldn't speak. Watchers aren’t supposed to english.

He covered his eyes, but Grian’s eyes started to open on his hands, letting him see what was going on anyway. He pulled his hands away, keeping his eyes shut as best as he could. The world around him went quiet. He shouted for help, only galactic came out.

He felt arms grab him, and pull him back. Grian wasn’t sure how far back he was pulled, but eventually he could hear again. He opened his eyes, and looked at whose arms were wrapped under his arms. They were muscled, and scared, and HotGuy’s.

Grian quickly stood up, and turned around. He was still in shock, and his feathers were puffed out. He lifted his hands to his face, feeling the rubber of the mask calmed him down. Atleast HotGuy wasn’t looking at his face.

“Woah, PoultryMan, you're okay.” HotGuy said, in a calming voice.

“╎ᒲ ᓭ𝙹∷∷||!” Grian shrieked.

Hotguy’s expression grew confused as he looked back at the rift. Right, most people don’t understand galactic. Grian screeched, trying to get english to work but it wasn't. His wings were flapping, he could see black feathers in them as they moved in and out of his vision.

“Birdie, calm down. You're alright. You're alright.” HotGuy repeated, taking a step closer. Grian backed up, still panicking. HotGuy took a deep breath, stepping back once again. “Anybody I can call?” HotGuy asked instead.

Grian shook his head, he couldn’t reveal his identity. Especially not to HotGuy. Grian glanced at his phone on the floor, still on. He could very faintly hear Mumbo. He quickly ran to grab it, and took off. Leaving HotGuy alone on the rooftop.

Grian flew to Jimmy’s house, ending the call to Mumbo as soon as he could. He took the mask off mid-air, and shifted his wings. He stuffed the chicken mask in his pocket for now, not bothering with it.

He rang Jimmy’s doorbell multiple times. Before Scott answered. The blue haired man took one glance at Grian, seeing multiple eyes open on his face that aren’t supposed to be there, and black feathers that weren't supposed to be there. And let him in immediately.

“I’ll call Jim.” Scott told him. Grian nodded, sitting down on their couch. Scott knew what happened back then, the three had told him and Mumbo. Granted, even Jimmy and Pearl didn’t know everything that had happened to Grian. But they knew enough.

“He’s coming soon. Should I tell Mumbo?” Scott said, sitting down at the couch next to Grian.

Grian nodded, growing closer to himself. His body was tightly wrapped together. Scott put a hand on his knee, giving him a sympathetic look. “Have they come to you before now and then?” Scott said, keeping it vague for a reason that Grian was thankful for. He didn’t want to talk about it if he could avoid it.

“Once.. A couple- ‘a weeks ago.” Grian mumbled into his hands covering his mouth.

Scott hummed, “That's when they came to Jimmy too. Why didn’t you say anything?” he asked, starting to rub circles into Grian’s knee. They weren’t as close as the siblings, but they were sure as hell not strangers.

“..I didn’t want to scare them.. I assume they didn’t want me to know?” He asked Scott, who nodded somberly.

“I don’t understand this as well as you guys do. But I want to help. You know that right?” Scott asked, him, stopping his hand.

“I know..” Grian mumbled, looking up at Scott with puffy eyes. His phone that was set on the coffee table started ringing, Scott gestured at him and Grian nodded at him. He hoped Mumbo didn’t immediately say anything about PoultryMan.

Scott answered it, holding it up to his ear, “Mumbo, he’s alright.”

Grian could immediately hear him calm down, even if he wasn't the one on call with Mumbo. “Yeah, he’s here. Want to come over?” Scott invited the man. Grina assumed he said yes.

Scott nodded and put the phone back down, turning his attention back to Grian. “You alright?”

“Besides being in the middle of a panic attack because the gods that abused me are back, yeah I had a lovely evening.” Grian told, because it wasn’t wrong. They were back, and they were gods that Grian barely escaped a decade ago. Which definitely didn’t mean he had healed from his trama.

“Grian?!” was suddenly shouted by Jimmy, making their heads turn. Jimmy hung his coat on the coat rack before he dashed to the couch and hugged Grian tightly. “Thank fuck your okay!” he shouted. And everybody in the room understood.

Grian chuckled, tears escaping his eyes. This reminded him of his escape. Showing up on Jimmy’s doorstep, hoping he still lived there years later. Wings pure black, thousands of eyes open all around his body. Clawed hands. Shaking and crying, scarred out of his mind. Being engulfed by golden feathers like they were kids again. He wrapped his wings around his brother, and chuckled lightly. “Yeah, it was worse a few weeks ago.”

“A few weeks ago!? And you didn’t tell me!” Jimmy shouted, his wings going up. He wasn't scared to make them appear smaller in his own home.

Grian looked away, “W-Well… They came to me in a dream..” he mumbled, cheeks slightly red.

“Grian!! Your supposed to tell me!” Jimmy protested, shaking his older brother slightly, knowing it cheered him up in situations like this.

“Jimmy, it’s Finee” Grian protested. “I didn’t get taken away or anything. Just a dream with a small… 2-3..week..Side effects!” Grian mumbled.

“Grian! What happened?!” Jimmy shouted, not letting go of his brother.

“Just….A few eye, and claws, and black feathers.”

Jimmy sighed, “Please tell me you didn’t go to work.”

“I didn’t.” Grian admitted honestly. And Mumbo could stand up for him! He didn’t go to work! …Because Mumbo made him stay home, but that wasn’t necessary information.

Somebody knocked on the door, and Scott got up to get it. Leaving the brothers there. On the other side were both Pearl and Mumbo. Mumbo and Pearl ran in, Pearl leaning over the back of the couch and Mumbo choosing to take a spot next to Jimmy. “Really- Both of you! Guys I’m fine!”

“A Watcher encounter is no joke, Grian. You out of all people should that your supposed to tell all of us.” Pearl explained. Grian just sighed and rolled his eyes.

“Even if you didn’t tell us about the last one.” Jimmy cut in.

“Last one-!?” Pearl squaked.

“You didn’t tell me either!” Grian said in protest, making the other siblings look away with embarrassment. “That’s…different.” Pearl said.

“Suree it is.” Grian said, rolling his eyes.

Pearl smiled, pushing Grian towards Jimmy. Making them fall onto each other. “Hey!” They shouted in unison, getting up and starting to chase Pearl around the house. Everybody knowing better than to mention the back feathers on Grian, or the eyes on the backs of his hands. He was smiling. He wasn’t scarred as they had all seen too often. They would milk this mood for all it was worth.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

When Mumbo and Grian had to go home, Jimmy told him, “Now your staying home tomorrow.”

“You can’t make me.” Grian told him, crossing his arms.

Mumbo reached for his phone. Grian looked at him confused, he dialed a number, and then heard a ringtone. Mumbo said something as soon as the call started, “Hey Scar, Grian won't be in tomorrow.” and everybody missed the slight confused face Jimmy had before Grian squaked, “Betrayal!”

Mumbo chuckled, “He’s practically replaced me, and you wouldn’t want to go to work and make me practically lie right?” Grian just hoped he had pressed the mute button now. “He has not!”

“He so has!” Mumbo argued back, letting the family watch the slowly more and more flustered avian.

Jimmy chuckled, Pearl had already gone home since she had an early morning. Scott closed the door on them after waving goodbye. Grian immediately turned to Mumbo, “So does this mean you’ll grade my papers?”

Mumbo crossed his arms with a smile, raising an eyebrow, “Where did you put the chicken mask?”

Grian rolled his eyes, pulling the rubber chicken mask out of his back pocket to show it to Mumbo. “We really need to get a better make for you.”

Grian put the mask on with a smile, changing his wings and voice in an instant, “Make me.” He said, taking off.

Chapter Text

Grian was sitting at the dinner table at his brothers house. The familiar house that he used to live in when he first escaped. His room now being used as Jimmy’s at home office. The table he was sitting at was a pristine white. The chairs and bench matched the color perfectly with a black cushion cover.

Grian sat in the middle of Pearl and Jimmy. The oldest, but the most protected. He occasionally thought. He hated being taken care of, he could do it himself! He wanted to be able to protect them again, not the other way around. He was the older brother. He protected them in the past and he paid the price for it. Scott sat in the chair at the head of the table next to Jimmy. The avians preferred the bench because of their wings.

“I.. I actually want to tell you guys about something.” Pearl said randomly, setting her fork down on her plate.

Grian tilted his head her way, black eyes looking at his sister with care, and wonder. “What’s up?” Grian asked with his head tilting to the side.

“Well..” she mumbled, making eye contact with Jimmy over Grian. The golden canary nodded, letting her continue. “..I’m Moon.”

“WHAT!” Grian shouted, his wings shooting up in the air with surprise. Out of all things, he didn’t expect that.

Pearl looked away nervously, knowing how her brother was about these things. Her brown wings held tightly to her back. “Well…I was supposed to be a villain for HotGuy to distract people from the Watcher threats, then it also became getting information on PoultryMan.”

Grian’s eyes stayed wide as he looked at Pearl, then Jimmy, then back at Pearl again. “Don’t worry! I’m being safe Gri!” she assured him.

Grian raised an eyebrow, resting his wings against his back, crossing his arms. “How?” He narrowed his eyes, confused, worried, scared. She was getting information on him? On PoultryMan? She would notice eventually, she had to. Plus she wasnt safe. The Watchers were out there, and she had been facign them head on. Not to mention they recognized Grian, they just had to say one thing and suddenly Moon knew his identity!

“She’s on a com with me and Hotguy the whole time. He’s in on the whole thing and knows to help.” Jimmy explained, his wings being held lightly, showing he knew what he was talking about. So thats who she was on call with, which he guessed made sense. But that meant he had to be safe with what he said about both of them.

“But! Jimmy! Pearl!” Grian whined, he didn’t want them to get hurt. They were just little kids! Scared, and alone! No, they weren’t, they were adults. He reminded himself, taking a moment to calm himself down. His siblings gave him the time, knowing what was going through his head. Especially after seeing that his feathers were puffed out in all directions. Pearl put a hand on his back, above his wing base. Trying to ground her brother. It made him jump before being actually relaxing. “Grian, it’s alright. And if I get hurt I wont do it again.”

“Promise?” Grian asked, his voice wavering slightly. He didn't want this to happen. But Pearl was stubborn. It was part of being an avian.

Pearl nodded, giving a small reassuring smile. At least Grian could help, without her knowing. If she did know he was helping her, she’d get annoyed he was trying to protect her.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Grian sat on a rooftop, he didn't bring anything with him this time. He didn’t want to. It’s not like he wanted to bother people today, he wanted to talk.

And right on cue, he spotted Moon, or Pearl now, in the distance looking for him. Somebody probably tipped Jimmy off once he left. If he tried hard enough, he could hear the faintest sound of her voice, annoyed that he didn’t hear it sooner.

“Moon!” PoultryMan called out, muffled slightly by the mask. Deeper than it was earlier. Now he really couldn’t risk getting caught.

He saw her head shoot his way before flying over, landing on the building opposite him. She watched him for a minute before getting closer.

She hovered over the street before Grian tapped the building edge next to him. She looked surprised before sitting down next to him. Her wings were still held up, not flat against her back. Meaning she was on guard still. She still didn’t trust him. But he trusted her. How could he not?

“What-” she was about to ask before Grian said, “Truce?”

Her eyes went wide, her wings were slowly pulled onto her back. But they weren't tightly curled yet. She smiled at him, “Truce.”

He could hear the com now. Jimmy’s confused noises through the mic, something he’d never not recognize. He could hear heavy breathing, most likely HotGuy. He had seen him out earlier and just avoided the man.

“Who’s on the com?” Grian asked, staring down at the street. Watching the people going by, not noticing the avians above them. His wings raised slightly, almost if he was trying to be defensive. He wasn't, but he didn't notice it either.

“Wh-What!” She asked, her wings raising in defense. Clearly thinking she hid it better. He could hear the confusion turned into panic from Jimmy. And the sharp breath HotGuy took.

“I already told you before PoultryMan! I don’t have anybody on a com. The earbuds are to avoid shouting or whatever.” Moon responded. And she was good, very good, at lying. Grian honestly wouldn’t have caught it if he didn't have the evidence. And he always could tell lying, unless you had to lie to the watchers, who also could always catch lying. Which explained who she was so good now. She used to lie straight to their faces when Grian couldn’t, and Jimmy failed miserably.

“Moon. I can hear them. One is panicking.” Grian told her, with a blank face. But its not like she could see it anyway.

She stayed silent for a moment, before clearing her throat. She took the com out of her ear and handed it to PoultryMan, knowing she can’t lie about this anymore. Grian smiled, taking it out of her hand. “Appreciated.” He said, about to take off.

“Wait! Am I not allowed it back?!” Grian smiled, “nah.”

Chapter Text

Grian was at his school. Well it wasn’t his, but he worked there, and liked working there. Mumbo wasn’t around, because he had taken his class to some place that they go every year. It was some major redstone thing Grian didn’t understand. But hey, at least he got to hang out with Scar now.

“So, how is life without Mumbo?” the man asked. Covered in scars, that Grian still wondered what they were all from.

“Boring.” Grian complained. He messaged Mumbo every 30 minutes while he was gone. Because he’d talk to Mumbo that often when he was here. Everybody, including himself, called Grina a needy girlfriend. And he hates that they aren't wrong.

Scar chuckled, “It can’t be that bad Grian. I mean, at least you live alone now?” He tried to look at the brightside for everything. Grian doesn't know how he does.

“Oh yeah, let me use all the new space to blast Ariana Griande’s newest album.” Grian joked, because, yeah, having an empty house to practice was nice. And he had recently made a new album that he couldn’t get away from. But h wouldn’t willingly blast his own music, in his own house, while he was alone.

“I mean, sounds nice to me. She has great background music for baking.” Scar mumbled, Grian recognized he was about to go on a tangent. The man could talk hours and hours about the things that interested him. It honestly got pretty annoying pretty quickly. Especially when its about you when he doesn’t know its you.

“Scar, please.” Grina groaned, this was a common encounter where Grian would get Scar to go on a tangent about him. And Grian would have to beg him to shut up about him.

“I’ll spare you…Today.” Scar confided, setting his mug into the cupholder attached to his chair.

Grian dramatically sighed, “Thank HotGuy.” he said without thinking.

Scar chuckled awkwardly, avoiding eye contact before saying, “Any plans for after grading?” which is what they were doing now. Sitting in Grian’s classroom, grading papers. Scarhad a mug of coffee in both cupholders, and a bunch of papers and assignments, along with his laptop, scattered all over the desk and his lap. While Grian had his papers scattered around him on the floor as he laid on his stomach. Stretching his wings out across the floor. He really needed to preen them. They were getting messy. This was the one time, besides when he was at home or crime fighting, when he could spread them out all the way. And he wasn’t about to sit in a desk chair where they would just get curled up again.

“Probably not.” he decided already that he would try to get a decent night of sleep. And that he had nobody get him out of jail if he somehow got put in there for his villain thing. Maybe he would preen? With all the action lately, its become better to preen twice a week now. Making it extra annoying. “You?” he asked, returning the small talk.

“Nothing. Maybe play with Jellie a bit. But that’s it.” Scar said, glancing out the window.

Grian looked up at him, studied his face, and tilted his head, “Wanna come over?” was this a way to get out of preening? Yes. Would he ever admit that outloud? No.

Scar looked surprised, because he had never been to Grian’s house before. They had met up at the library, or a coffee shop, or after school like right now. But never at each other’s houses. Or at least not yet. “I’d love to Grian.”

Grian smiled, his wings lifted off the ground, threatening to flap with joy. But that was embarrassing, so he tried to avoid it as best as he could. He heard Scar chuckle and looked back up at his friend. “What?” He asked, tilting his head.

“N-Nothing! You just remind me of somebody else I know.” Scar said, trying to cover his laugh.

“Huh?! Who?!” Grian asked, who was Scar talking about? He didn't know much about the man’s past. He talked alot, but was good at keeping secrets.

“O-Oh! Well his name is Jimmy Soli-”

“YOU KNOW JIMMY?!” Grian shouted, wings flaring out. He knew Jimmy? How did he know Jimmy!? Was he HotGuy? No! Don’t be ridiculous, Grian!

“You- You know him?” Scar asked, his voice wavered slightly.

Grian rolled his eyes, “Well besides most of the city knowing of him. I’m his brother.”

Scar, ironically, was taking a sip of his coffee as Grian said this. And it was no longer in his mouth, and instead on the papers in front of him. “What!” Scar shouted, it was his turn to be surprised.

“W-Well yeah… It’s complicated.. We have a complicated family history. But yeah. He’s my brother, and that reporter, Pearl Moon, is my sister.” Grian told his friend, finding himself getting quieter as he said it. He didn't like talking about his family. He wasn’t ashamed of them or anything. Hell no! He loved his siblings! He just always got questions of how they were related, why they dont look like each other, etc, etc, and it got tiring. And hard to lie about their unusual childhood. Because everybody who has ever said they were once with the watchers is in prison now. And he was probably rambli-

“Grian? Hey, you alright?” Scar asked, tapping the avian who was still on the ground with his foot. When had Scar gotten closer? He didn’t know. He looked up at Scar with not two, but three eyes. He quickly looked back down, rubbing the two that were supposed to be there before looking back at him. “Y..Yeah.. I’m fine. Just…Complicated family history.”

Scar nodded, “I understand that more than I’d like. I was practically raised by Cub’s family.” he joked, leaning down to help Grian sit up. Which was huge. He had Scar mention Cub’s name a few times, how they were close, and he had seen them texting a few times. Or he had seen Scar get off calls with him when he had a free period. But he had never talked to the man himself, or seen any pictures.

“Who is Cub to you?” Grian asked, curious, hoping to get some information on him. Not to use against Scar, but because he just wanted to know more. He wanted to be closer with the man that was friends with everybody, close with nobody. Too many secrets to be close with anybody.

Scar smiled, looking past Grian as he brought his hand up to the scar on his nose. Was Cub the Warden hybrid he knew? If so, that would explain some things. Why Grian had never gotten a picture of the man for instance. Warden hybrids were not a fan of the light, and it would be weird to just show a picture of a dark figure.

“Is..Is Cub your Warden hybrid friend?” Grian asked, his wings pressed against his back. Not confidently, or in a scared way. But more of a light way. Where he wont take off, but also isn't scared of Scar, and therefore didn’t want to hide the most delicate part of him from the man.

Scar jumped and looked back at Grian with a smile, “Doesn’t matter. You still willing to take me to visit your house?” the man asked, clearly trying to avoid the topic. And Grian let him.

“Yep1! Just…Let me clean up first.” Grian joked, gathering his papers as Scar did the same.

They were walking out the school. Grian’s wings were held lightly as he walked out the building. He was facing Scar, smiling about whatever joke Scar had just said. Clutching to his papers that he really needed to get a binder for.

“Now you better not drop those.” Scar warned, watching Grian juggle them.

“I’ll be fine Scar!” Grian tried to convince him. Because he would be! He’d be able to keep a few papers together even if he has the habit of dropping them at any minor inconvenience.

“̇ᒷꖎᑑ⚍ᔑ” a voice said from all around the duo. Grian’s body froze, he felt his feathers puff out to protect him. He shrunk into himself, and stepped closer to Scar without realizing.

Scar was confused to say the least. He had seen the Watchers a few times before as HotGuy. He had never actually heard them speak, but they were speaking in galactic. An ancient language he didn’t know, but he knew of. And Grian suddenly seemed petrified. It was a similar reaction PoultryMan had. Were they both connected to the Watchers?

“Grian?” Scar asked, reaching out to touch his friend. Scar’s hand brushed against him, and Grian jumped, backing up away form Scar as he looked at his friend with way more eyes than he was supposed to. All tearing up. “Grian?!” Scar asked louder, confused.

Grian could feel them around. He knew they were here, and they were here to hurt him. Maybe if he got away from Scar he could keep his friend safe? Only be the one caught by them.

Before either of them could’ve stopped it, Scar was pushed out of his chair by an invisible thing in his eyes. To Grian he could see a massive, clawed hand, pull him out. Grian dropped the papers that didn't matter to him in this moment, to go help Scar. But he was pushed away, against the ground as well.

The hand covered him, putting him in pure darkness as a voice called out that name. The one he worked so hard to get away from. The one he never wanted to hear again for as long as he lived. But, of course, they had other plans. Of course they had to escape. To terrorize him and his family.

Scar didn't see whatever invisible force was trapping Grian. He could tell Grian saw something he didn’t. His eyes, the ones that are always there at least, were wide open in pure terror. His feathers were puffed out to make him bigger, but his wings were so tight against his back in terror, that Scar was pretty sure they were going to make Grian bleed.

Scar pulled out his phone, and called Chief Solidarity immediately. He had to report every Watcher attack, but also learning they were siblings?! He’d probably be a better help than Scar is when he isn’t in his HotGuy uniform. “HotGuy?” Jimmy answered, sounding just plain annoyed.

“FRONT OF THE COLLEGE. WATCHER ATTACK. TARGET IS GRIAN!” Scar shouted into the speaker. He immediately heard scuffling, then the line dropped. Presumably so the chief can call others.

It was only a few minutes before he appeared, alone, surprisingly. Him and Scar made eye contact. Jimmy was the only one who knew his identity in the entire city. He knew it because he needed to, for a safety reason. If anybody else found out, it would be because Scar told them. Jimmy by contract wasn’t allowed to say.

“Grian!” He shouted, rushing to his brother. Grian opened his eyes, the hand moved just enough to give him hope of seeing his brother. He got up, looking at Jimmy hopefully. His now mostly purple wings hung looser from his back. Grian reached out in the gap, and Jimmy grabbed his hand. He tried to push the Watcher away, but wasn't able to.

Grian started to cry, tears falling down his cheeks as he pushed against the watcher with his wings. He’d be able to get out. His brother was here. He wasn’t alone anymore.

Scar got back in his chair, and rolled over to Jimmy and Grian. He sat next to Jimmy, trying to move the invisible force. He wondered if Jimmy could see it the way Grian did.

The hand moved suddenly, and Grian scrambled into Jimmy’s arms as soon as it did. It disappeared into thin air, which was to be expected in Grian’s thoughts. But he didn’t care now, he was with his brother. Jimmy was safe from them, he was safe for now.

Scar backed up, wanting to give them a moment. Jimmy hadn’t told Scar much about their childhood, and neither did Grian. And he wasn’t close with Pearl. But from what he knew it was heavily involved with the Watchers. Which explained the freak out. But Scar didn’t quite understand why Grian suddenly looked like he did.

“Your purple.” Jimmy mumbled to Grian, who suddenly tightly dragged his wings in. Jimmy pulled away, “Put the sweater over them. I’ll get your papers.” Grian closed his eyes, and nodded, trying to wipe away the tears he had. He stood up with Jimmy, shifting his classic red sweater to cover his wings. Pulling them through the holes in the back of the sweater, and laying them under the fabric.

Scar got closer to Grian, but not very. Not because he was scared, but because he wanted to give Grian space. “Still want to hang out?”

Grian looked over his shoulder at Scar, then looked away again. Scar was about to take the hint until Grian turned back around, sweater over his face. “I’m so, so sorry Scar! I’d love to! I- I know this is a weird thing though, and you probably don’t understand it, an-”

“Grian, it’s alright.” Scar said, grabbing the hand that held his sweater over his face. He dropped the fabric. Scar estimated about 13 eyes, just on his face, were watching his every move. Each one lined with tears. Scar smiled at Grian, and pulled him closer into a hug to calm the avian, making sure to not hug him too tightly to not make him claustrophobic, or to hurt his wings.

Scar saw Jimmy form behind Grian. Carrying the papers Grian and Scar had. Scar’s were all still nicely together in his binder. Grian’s were all over the place. Jimmy mouth a ‘thank you’ towards Scar. The hero nodded, knowing they’d talk more about this later when Grian wasn’t around to find out Scar’s biggest secret.

“I- I should get home..” Grian mumbled, pulling off Scar. He still wanted to hang out with Scar, but was worried Scar was scared of him. Hell, he was just looking at Scar, from 13 eyes! That's definitely not normal. Especially not for an Avian.

“Scar, go with Grian. And Grian, no being alone!” Jimmy said, holding out the papers back to them.

“Jimmy, I’m an adult!” Grian whined.

“And I’m the chief of police that could easily put you under house arrest.” Jimmy reasoned.

Grian rolled his eyes, and looked back at Scar.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Grian unlocked the door, throwing his papers onto the table. But in his defense, Mumbo wasn’t here to yell at him about it now. Scar followed him inside, putting his binder on the table as well. Grian told him to make himself comfortable as he went to his room to try and quickly fix his feather problem.

Scar looked around, it was a nice home. He could see redstone stains on most of the things he assumed Mumbo owned. There were feathers gathered up against the baseboards like cat hair would. There was a stupid ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ in yellow cursive in the kitchen. But Scar did notice a stereo, with a bunch of records.

And you couldn’t imagine his amazement when he saw every single Ariana Griande album on the shelf. “Grian! You liar!” Scar shouted through the house. He figured it could be Mumbo’s, but it's funny to tease Grian about it anyway.

“What?” Grian asked, confused, as he walked back into the main room. In a white T-Shirt, and two eyes. His feathers were colored still, but less of them were. Scar wondered if he was pulling the mis-colored ones out, or letting them fade on their own.

“Ariana Griande albums, Grian!” Scar shouted, holding one of them albums up. It was the most recent album of hers, he didn’t even realize the sale for them was out yet.

Grian’s face became red as he quickly grabbed it out of Scar’s hands, “That's not mine!” he shouted.

Scar raised an eyebrow, “Then who’s is it?”

“Uhh… Pearl’s! She loves Ariana’s music and I’m just holding them for her.” Grian quickly lied to Scar. Knowing that Pearl would never let Grian touch her Ariana albums because they were too precious to her, since they’re actually pretty hard to get. Grian just hand each piece of Ariana merch thanks to his side job of being Ariana.

Scar nodded, not believe his friend at all. “Alright.. Yeah… Obviously.” Scar said, knowing if anybody touched Pearl’s one Ariana album that sat in Jimmy’s office, she would probably bite their hands off.

Chapter Text

Grian tugged at his uniform. It was slightly uncomfortable. He tried to play along with HotGuy’s uniform. The black leather-like material, orange and blue accents, and bow.

His costume was the same dark material, instead of orange he chose pink. With the same light blue. He had two pistols on his waist instead of a bow. Wings would make it hard to carry after all. The material left his shoulders open, but covered up his neck. A black mask going over his eyes, covering his identity, as well as changing his voice to be slightly higher. Wings having been changed to black feathers as well. Booty shorts that he wasn’t proud of. And tall pink and blue boots. The back was fully open, leaving plenty of room for his wings. He was able to avoid his main scars, but his back still left plenty visible. And he just hoped the Watcher’s symbol isn’t obvious enough for anybody to see it.

Overall he thought he looked pretty good. But he also thought it was a a little too tight. And wasn’t exactly right for his no muscle, twig-shaped body. He wasn’t used to wearing things like this. He was used to oversized sweaters or even robes.

But, he was right on cue. He spotted HotGuy perched perfectly in a building, aiming at something. So Grian took flight, getting as close as he could before HotGuy’s head spun around, his bow facing right at Grian’s heart.

“Woah! Don’t shoot me with Cupid’s arrow yet, Handsome!” Grian said, landing on the same roof. The arrow not leaving its target.

“You’re not PoultryMan?” HotGuy said, with a bit of confusion in his voice.

“That’s actually why I’m here! I’m here to help!” Grian said enthusiastically. A smile on his face. Gods, he was not used to being this openly flirty.

HotGuy put his bow down. “Yeah? No.” He said in a stern tone.
“What?!” Grian Squaked.

“Go play hero somewhere else kid.” HotGuy said, turning back to the street.

“I’m not some kid!” Grian shouted, frustrated. Walking closer to HotGuy.

“Either way. No. This is fucking dangerous!” HotGuy shouted, facing Grian again. He looked over at him once before saying, “You look like you couldn’t even lift 20 pounds.”
Scar hated being negative. He wanted to give this guy a chance. But it was too dangerous. Especially with the watchers being around, and PoultryMan. PoultryMan, and especially Moon, were the least of his worries. This person wasn’t trained, probably didn’t know combat, or rescue procedures. It just wasn’t a good idea. It wasn’t safe for him.

“And it isn’t dangerous for you?!” Grian asked, confused. Worry entered his tone, and he wasn’t sure why.

“No!” HotGuy bit back. He then sighed, “Y-Yea. It is. But I’ve been trained to do this since I was a kid. So I know how to make it not dangerous for myself.” He looked at Grian again, “You haven’t been trained. And I don’t want you getting hurt, newbie.”
“It’s CuteGu-”

HotGuy chuckled, trying to silence himself. Facing the opposite direction.

“Shut up!” Grian shouted, his face going slightly red, with his wings puffing out.

“So you’re a fan boy?” HotGuy teased.

“Am not! I’m simply your sidekick!” Grian huffed.

HotGuy gave a teasing smile. But clearly didn’t want him. But that won’t work. He has to do this. He had to help. He wouldn’t let the Watchers hurt him, hurt his friends. Hurt Scar, or Jimmy. Mumbo or Pearl. He couldn’t let them get hurt. He couldn’t.

HotGuy took a deep breath, about to say something-

CRASH!

Both of their head’s swiveled north, where the sound came from. And there was immediately smoke rising up into the air. HotGuy, the professional, didn’t hesitate when he started to sprint that way. Jumping rooftop to rooftop. Grian’s feathers took just a second to smooth out. Putting himself at a far disadvantage from HotGuy already.

You can’t do that Grian!

He opened his wings, and took off. Putting himself right behind HotGuy. But either way, when he got closer he could see a building starting to crumble.

HotGuy, shot an arrow into the building, trying to stabilize it against the other one. Before he shot an arrow into the ground to take him down. He ran inside, not asking questions. He was so much better than Grian ever would be..

CuteGuy stopped outside, pushing everybody away from the door, and the side that was falling. Before he flew up, pushing against the building, trying to keep it up long enough HotGuy can save everyone. He had to make himself useful. He had to.

Scar ran up the stairs, shouting at everybody to get out. But he couldn’t see any bomb or anything, which was confusing him. It looked like one clean cut. But how?

He pulled a few pets out of the rooms, giving them to anybody who was around to just get them out.

He kept running up the stairs, he saw an apartment, almost fully falling off. He ran in, seeing somebody in there. “You need to get out!” HotGuy shouted at the person who seemed terrified. They were against the back wall, and the floor was starting to open up. He was pretty sure this was the last floor. But he doesn't fully know.

“I-I can’t!” The person shouted, tears clearly falling down their face.

Scar pulled his bow out, lining up an arrow next to the person. It flew right past their head, into the wall. He flew down it, and grabbed the person. His weight pulled the corner down more, and he could see the outside below them. But he also saw feet. CuteGuy’s feet. Scar sighed, he had hoped the avian wouldn’t follow him. But right now, he was thankful.

“CuteGuy!” Scar shouted, “Person coming out the window above you and to your left!” Then Scar elbowed the window, shattering it, before looking out and making eye contact with the avian.

“You’ll be safe, trust me.” Scar told them, pushing them out the window. And he was right, CuteGuy caught them, rushing to put them on the ground as the building started to fall faster.
“EVACUATE NEARBY. ITS GOING TO FALL!” HotGuy shouted, and CuteGuy nodded, running to the building on the right side.

Scar used the same track that he used to get over here, to get back. He didn’t see anybody else on the floor. So he shot an arrow directly into the ceiling, having it break through the foundation. And on the other side he saw a glimpse of light. His heart calmed down a bit as he ran up to the roof.

He got on top of the building, and saw CuteGuy flying in and out of the office building next door. He jumped into the alleyway in between the buildings, catching the arrow he tried to stabilize it with. He pressed his feet against the falling building, and his back against the other. Trying to stop it from falling until CuteGuy was done.

Grian decided the fastest Method of taking people in and out was through the windows. He flew in, and out each window, starting at the top. Shouting at anybody that could hear him to get out on their own.

“HURRY UP!” HotGuy shouted, strained. holding the pain in his voice back as best he could.

Grian took the last person he could see to the ground, and double checked where he could. This was terrifying. Somebody could die. He could die. HotGuy could die. He had to do this. He had to save everybody.

Grian flew out, “ALL CLEAR!” he shouted at the professional.

HotGuy couldn’t get out though. He couldn’t bend enough to get out. He was stuck between. Fuck. What was he supposed to do?! He had to go to school tomorrow.. He was supposed to teach a lecture to his students, hang out with Grian and Mumbo. He had to feed Jellie tonight. Stupid muscles not working, stupid body breaking on him in more ways than it should. This was just what he got.. Jimmy at least knew where he lived, maybe he could feed Jellie-

Grian noticed HotGuy’s hesitance. He didn’t understand. He had said it was clear? Was it not actually clear? Did HotGuy know more than him? Did he mess up? What did he do wrong?

Grian shook his head. No, he couldn’t think about that. He looked at HoTGuy, he looked to be in class. Grian could see him trying to move but being unable. Was he stuck? But what if Grian did something wrong. What if he wanted to still be there? He didn’t know what to do..HE didn’t know-

Grian picked up HotGuy while he was thinking, flying between the buildings. His heart was beating fast. But he had to focus. He had been flying ever since his wings came in. He had this. HotGuy was heavy, but he could pretty easily carry him. It was nice. He could do it.

Grian set HotGuy down out the back of the building. And he immediately ran back into the alleyway, and out to the front. Grian wasn’t that suicidal, so he went over, and landed in the front as well. HotGuy was just pushing the crowd back, and glanced at Grian to signal to him to limit the damage. And somehow he understood. Grian did what he was doing earlier, pushing against it, but this time he was slowly guiding it down.

HotGuy was pushing the crowd back, and he spotted Pearl trying to push her way to the front. Because of course she was. He ignored her, and then shouted to CuteGuy what to do. And how to minimize the damage. And it worked. Grian ended up being able to rest it against the other building while people stabilize them enough to stop it from breaking. Though the area was far from safe.

Grian landed on the ground, and immediately caught eye contact with Pearl who perked up once he did. He sighed, this would be awkward. He walked up to his sister, the reporter, definitely only a reporter. Nothing else.

“Hello? Are you alright beautiful?” He wanted to die right now.

“Sorry, I don’t like you like that.” Pearl immediately responded back with a slight look of disgust, “I wanted to ask you some questions!” she then added, signaling to her notepad in her hands.

“Ah, alright. I guess I can do some press.” CuteGuy said, with a smile.

“Cool! So are you new? Are you working with HotGuy? Has Chief Solidarity had this planned?” Pearl asked quickly. Grian had never been on the side of answering her questions before. “Oh! Right! What’s your name!?”

Grian glanced over at HotGuy, who wasn't looking his way. He had his hand up to his ear, and was talking to somebody. But who? It couldn’t be Moon, Pearl was in front of him? He looked back at Pearl, who had a starry-eyed look. Grian smiled at her, “I am new! This is my first day on the job! And my name is Cuteguy! The rest is confidential though. Guess you’d have to ask the Chief himself!”

Pearl wrote down what she could, “Are you HotGuy’s sidekick? Do you know him in real life? What’s your identity?” she asked again, waiting for his answers.

CuteGuy chuckled awkwardly. How was he supposed to say anything? Oh yeah, let me just tell you my identity, then share that HotGuy doesn’t even want me. Yeah, fuck no.

“You’d have to ask him, I guess!” he said, before winking at her.

“Dammit.” she mumbled, looking over at hotGuy. He noticed her wings open up slightly, before looking back at him. “Thanks, by the way.”

“What?” Grian asked quickly, confused.

“Your a hybrid. Thanks for representing us.” Pearl said, earnestly. She actually looked proud of him. He couldn’t believe it. He felt the blood rushing to his cheeks slightly, “T-Thanks.. But its really not that deep. I just needed to help.. To protect my flock and all.”

“My brother is going to be so happy to hear about you.” Pearl mumbled at him, and that really caught his attention. What was Jimmy going to be happy about hearing?

“What do you mean?” He asked.

“Your black eyes.” she said quietly, looking right into them. “He has the same. And he always feels so outcasted with them. And I’m sure with the recent activity, it hurts him alot.”

Grian was silent. He hadn’t thought about those. He didn’t know how to respond.

“He’s older than me, but I worry over him. Probably more than he worries over me.” she paused again, “Since I obviously don’t have the same thing.”

All Grian did was nod. It was the only thing he felt like he could do.

“So, thanks, alot. Your doing great work. Please be careful out there. For hybrids, and for the escaped. I don’t want him to get hated on because of the recent attacks.” Pearl said. And then she stopped talking. They just stared at each other. He had no idea she felt that way..he was failing her as a brother..she shouldn’t have to worry about him. That was his job, to worry over her.

“CuteGuy!” HotGuy shouted, making Grian’s feathers puff out as he turned around. And he could see HotGuy waving him over, so he went.

“Y-Yes?” Grina mumbled, clearing his throat and repeating it.

HotGuy sighed, and looked up. Before looking back at CuteGuy, “Can we do this somewhere else?” and Grian nodded at him.

HotGuy waved to the crowd, “I think the city has this under control now! Thank you everyone! We’ll be off now!” the crowd cheered at him. Before he had a running start, shot an arrow, and was pulled up onto the rooftop of the building across the street.

Grian waved, and flew off quickly after him. Landing in front of the other hero. Away from public view. “What’s up..?” Grian mumbled, knowing what Hotguy was going to say. He couldn’t help, it wasn’t safe, he had to go home.

“Thank you for your help. I really needed it out there.” was the first thing HotGuy said, shocking Grian slightly. “But.. It’s dangerous.” there it was.

“I don’t care.” Grian said sternly.

HotGuy sighed, “I could tell. You have no regard for your own life. What about your friends? Family? Pets?”

“I’m doing this for them. To save and protect them.”

“But what if you don’t go home some day?”

“I won't let that happen.”

“You can’t guarantee that!”

“I’m not trying to. I know I can’t always save myself. But I need to save others. I need to protect my family, they can’t keep being the ones to protect me!” Grian shouted, tears in his eyes. He had to protect Pearl, and Jimmy! He had to protect Mumbo, and Scar.

“Your absolutely sure?” HotGuy asked.

“Yes! Of course I’m fucking sure!” Grian shouted, his wings flaring out. “I need to protect people!”

HotGuy sighed, “Okay. But I can’t promise you that you will always be able to return to them.”

“That’s fine.” Grian said.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Grian crawled back through the window in his bedroom. Mumbo already knew about his outing so he wasn't too worried about him at least.

He changed his wings back to the normal, and heard his phone buzz. He put his normal voice back on, or atleast what he thought his natural voice was. And picked it up.

“Hello?”

“WHY HAVEN’T YOU BEEN RESPONDING TO ME?!” he heard Pearl shout through the speaker.

“I was busy! I’m sorry! What’s up?”

“Fine. Buttt, have you looked at the news yet?” Pearl asked. And, obviously, Grian hadn’t. “No?”

“TURN IT ON!”

“Okay, I did.” Grian hadn’t. He was still changing out of this stupid, tight as fuck, revealing, outfit.

“Do you see the avian on the TV?”

He saw him in real life, “Yeah?”

“His eyes are black Grian!” Pearl shouted, emotion pouring into her voice, “He was once part of the Watchers! Like us! Like you!”

Grian smiled, “That’s good.”

“Grian! It’s just like we always wanted! It’s us! They’re all cheering for one of us!” Pearl shouted, so happy.

Grian sniffled, tears welling in his eyes again, “Y-Yeah..It is.”

Chapter Text

Grian swallowed hard. He was nervous. More nervous to go on stage than usual. It was a stupid fear really, but it was still a fear he had. Sure the audience was cheering for him, and the lights were already blaring white, waiting for him. And he was ready himself.

He groaned backstage, his wings tried to move under his fake chest. He groaned again because now something was out of place. But he couldn’t fix it now.

His makeup was done, complete with pink lipstick, and white fake eyelashes. His outfit was put together, a miniskirt, a fur boa, and a pink crop top. With high heels.

Most, correction all of his audience thought he was a woman..and a human. He was really good at lying to his fans.

Sure he could’ve changed himself into Ariana Griande anytime he wanted with the Watcher’s help. But back then he was fresh out of there still, and he refused anything to do with them. Even his wings at that point. Which hadn’t even been given by them!

Everything Ariana was, is hard work. And pain. She stood for freedom. And thats what Grian used her as. Using her as a quick, random escape for a random music video he made because he liked the song, and thought he sung it well. Spiraled into an entire career, multiple albums, and thousands of fans. Tours, and merch, and almost being recognized every time he went to karaoke because he stupidly only sang her songs despite pretending to hate her.

He wasn’t sure how everybody actually believed he hated Ariana. He loved her. She stood for everything he ever wanted. Freedom, love, acceptance. He wasn’t free, he never would be with his black eyes. He would never be accepted, not at his job where he had to keep his wings so tightly tucked in that if he untucked them even slightly, he’d be tripped in the hallway. And love. Sure he could love, but the only guy he had started to have a crush on, definitely didn’t like him back.

Grian gripped on the curtain tighter, and took a deep breath. His shut his eyes, and blocked everything out for just a moment before opening them back up. His pink contacts followed his eyes perfectly. They had to, otherwise people would see his black eyes, and know. They would hate him. Ariana wouldn't stand for freedom anymore.

And now he had to worry about being recognized. What if they realized he was somehow CuteGuy? The hero was liked, and he had seen plenty of fanfictions written about him already. But what if they knew he was PoultryMan?! Then what!? PoultryMan was fun, and a joke, yeah. But he was still considered a villain! Ariana is freedom, not aggression, not pain.

He heard the crowd start to chant, meaning he had taken too long for their liking. So he stood up, cracked his knuckles, and pushed his worries to the back. As he stood up straight, and walked out to the stage, in front of the crowd, heels clicking on the floor.

People cheered and roared. And Grian felt a bit lighter. Maybe it wasn’t terrible. He always felt lighter on the stage. He was freedom on the stage, he was happy on the stage. The Watchers couldn’t hurt him like this. Nobody could hurt him when he was on stage, dressed up, and free.

He looked out into the audience. The massive lights blinded him for the most part. But he could see the people in the front. He spotted Pearl against the stage, which really didn’t surprise him too much. She was usually at these events. Not just because of her job. Plus he’d probably have to ask a few of her questions by the end of the performance.

But who surprised him was Scar…Well it wasn’t surprising, but it was? He had given Scar tickets when he showed his interest. Saying he had won them during a contest or something. But he felt a wave of nerves go down his spine. He had to do good for Scar, he had to do better. Give a better show, a better performance, a better outfit. Gods, was his outfit okay? Was it obvious who he was? Fuckkkkkkkkkk-

“WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” Scar cheered, throwing his fist in the air. Screaming as loud as he could. And Grian looked at him fondly. He didn’t seem to notice, but the audience seemed to quiet slightly…That would be on the headlines.

“Ariana Griande has a boyfriend?”

He sighed to himself. Before putting on a smile once again, and shouting into the mic. Getting the audience more hyped up. He loved this..He was free like this.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Grian stepped off the stage for a small break. He heard the crowd shouting, enjoying themselves. He loved being out there, but he wasn’t a teenager anymore. He was tired. He grabbed a water bottle and chugged it. Downing the whole thing before he heard a door open down the hallway.

“Hello?” a voice called out, and Grian knew it was Pearl.

Grian put on his best feminine voice. He trained for it with raw talent, and a few coaches over the years. And said, “Sorry Ms! You can’t be back here!”

Pearl rolled her eyes, and waved her hand at him. She had a pink hoodie on this time. And a white skirt. She had to go all out afterall. Her hair was in a ponytail, and her wings were sticking out through holes in the jacket. Grian knew that this was a custom jacket for that reason.

“Oh, its fine. I’m a reporter.” Pearl said, looking expectantly at Grian. This wasn't abnormal. But it wasn’t normal either.

“And you have to wait til after the show as always Pearl.” Grian said, rolling his eyes. Pearl huffed, but nodded. She knew she wouldn’t get kicked out. Grian would never do that to his sister, but she pushed it hard sometimes.

He sighed as she walked out, he really needed to get better security on the building when he was here. But either way he took another chug of a water bottle, from a different one, and set it back down on the floor. Stepping back onto the stage. Where Pearl was already back in her spot, but she was closer to Scar this time.

He sang a few more songs, before he finished out the concert. Then he sat down on the edge of the stage. He never did press, or interviews anymore. He didn’t like knowing people were watching him just answer preset questions about recent drama or what not. He’d rather answer what people actually wanted to hear. So, before his last song, he usually sat down on the stage. And just talked to the audience. It pissed most press people off to all hell though.

“Anybody have anything for me to answer this time?” He called out in a fem voice, through the microphone. One that nobody ever noticed.

Scar raised his hand, and Grian couldn't help but immediately answer it.

“What’s your opinion on HotGuy?” Scar asked..Which was weird. Scar had never shown any HotGuy interest before. But he didn’t mind it if he was honest. He wasn't the biggest HotGuy fan, he was his sidekick afterall…And villian. But who needs those details?

“I think he’s pretty cool. Cute too. If anybody has his number I’d love to do a show with him.” Grian answered, blushing slightly, holding a fake phone up to his ear. HotGuy was alright looking, Grian wouldn’t say he had a crush on the man. But he also couldn’t say he ignored the man’s looks. But he had to do some fan service sometimes.

“What’s your opinion of Moon?” Pearl asked suddenly, jumping up in the crowd. It made sense why she asked, but it was still funny.

“I think she's amazing. Sure she's a villain, but she hasn’t done anything villainous if we’re being honest.”

“When’s your next album?!” somebody else that Grian didn’t recognize asked. He was expecting the question, it came almost every show. Usually he ignored it. But today he answered it. “It’s actually for sale here in record form! It’ll be out mainstream in a few more days!”

The crowd cheered. Then some rushed out to the merch stand. He chuckled. “But! Before everybody leaves, do you want one last song?”

Most people stopped running out, so he stood up. And winked to the crowd before taking in air for his next song. Which happened to be his favorite one from the new album.

Chapter Text

Ariana Griande sat in Moon’s supposed evil layer. Which really wasn’t that evil, threatening, or scary. And more of just the top floor of an empty building her and HotGuy rented out for superhero work. Jimmy sometimes visited it, and Grian had followed them here as PoultryMan a few times. But the public didn’t know they worked together. So to them, it worked perfectly.

Grian was kidnapped by Moon, who he knew was Pearl, his sister, his dear sister who was way too much of a fan girl. But he didn’t mind, he enjoyed listening to his sister have something she loved, and especially loved hearing about it, because she always looked so happy about it. It was one of the only things she had, and Grian was aways going to try his fucking hardest to keep Ariana strong for her.

“So when’s your next concert?” Moon asked, her mask off. But still in her supervillain jumpsuit. Having told Ariana who she was because she wanted to be able to interview him while waiting for HotGuy to show up.

These things were more or less planned out. Grian would dress up slightly, putting on the makeup, and hair, and whatever else made Ariana who she was. But wouldn’t dress in sparkly neon pink dresses. Just to feed fans, and let Moon pretend to be a villain. The city all knew Ariana wasn’t in real danger, the most danger having been a cut because the chair had snagged his leg when he was standing up one time. It was something to give the news so they’d get off all the drama, and give the citizens a real life comic book entry. Giving them the hope they needed with all the Watcher stuff Grian still hated.

“It’s going to be in the fall.” Grian said, in his normal Ariana voice.

“Dammit!” Pearl squawked, putting her head back. Making Grian laugh. “I was hoping it would be before Jimmy tore up my whole world with his superhero stuff.”

Ariana tilted her head to the side, Grian never changed the habits he had for Ariana, “What are you talking about?”

Pearl picked her head up, looking confused for a moment before realization hit her eyes. “Oh! There’s going to be a bunch of meetings and stuff soon about the heroes, and Watchers. I’d invite you Ms. Ariana but I don’t think my brother would let you join because your not actually a hero.”

Grian smiled, and waved his hand around, “No need. That kind of stuff isn't for me.”

Pearl shrugged, pulling her phone out to check it. “HotGuy says he’ll be here soon.”

“Thank god. I have some stuff I need to do at home.” Grian said, exasperated. He loved his sister, but he really needed to do some work for his actual job, otherwise the students might sue him for being so far behind.

“You don’t love hanging out with me?!” Pearl said, fakely offended, “Maybe I should throw you in a pit of alligators!”

Grian laughed, “Oh no! Moon please! I’ll tell you anything! Just not that!”

Moon laughed, before HotGuy appeared from the elevator. Scrolling on his phone, not even pretending to be worried.

“Oh! HotGuy! My knight in shining armor! Thank god you're here!” Grian said sarcastically, pretending to be stuck to the chair.

HotGuy rolled his eyes, and smiled. Putting his phone away. “Yes! The most fair lady! I’m here to save you!” Scar shouted, saluting to Ariana. Casually walking over to the chair. A slight dusting on his cheeks.

HotGuy got on one knee, and held his hand out to Grian, who slightly blushed at the action. “My lady, if you will?” he said, looking into his eyes.

Grian took the hand, HotGuy stood up and pulled him up out of the chair. Grian knew he had put lipstick on this morning, so he kissed the hero on the cheek, and blushed.

HotGuy stood there for a second, shocked. Before Moon shouted, “Get a room!” from behind.

Grian blushed, because he didn’t like the superhero! He just liked his muscles, and that he looked alot like Scar, the handsome- He would put those away for later.

“Shall we?” Scar asked, interlocking their hands. Grian nodded, as he was pulled towards the elevator by HotGuy.

When the doors closed, and it started to descend, HotGuy sighed, “Thank god were done, I need to do some stuff at home.”

Grian chuckled, “So do I.” maybe HotGuy also had to grade papers.

HotGuy chuckled, looking back at the doors until they opened. “Lady’s first” he said, pointing towards the front of the building. The lobby was empty, but Grian knew there would be people right outside the front door.

He kissed HotGuy again on the cheek, layering the leftover lipstick that got on the hero, and ran out the door.

Chapter Text

Grian looked at himself for a good minute in the mirror. Just looking at himself. Dressed up as CuteGuy. Black outfit, booty shorts. Shoulders on display. Why did he choose this outfit out of everything he could’ve chosen for his superhero uniform.

He didn’t want to do this either..Meeting Jimmy, pretending he wasn’t himself because Jimmy didn’t trust him and would tell HotGuy to go after him if he hadn’t done this! God he hated his brother sometimes. Maybe he should just tell them he joined the family business of government and protection. But then they’d get on his ass about it, and he really didn’t want that. So maybe he wouldn’t tell them….He didn’t know anymore.

He just had to get through this meeting, and he’d be fine. Jimmy (Hopefully) wont demand his identity! Because he didn’t really want that. BEcause then Jimmy would ask him a bunch of extra things he did not need to deal with on top of his pile of homework he was yet to grade. Maybe he’d pass it to Mumbo.

Mumbo knocked on Grian’s door, scaring the avian out of the trance he was in. Just staring at himself in the mirror awkwardly. “Come in!” The avian said, letting his feathers smooth back out on their own.

Mumbo walked in facing down at first, before looking up, being ever so slightly confused as he looked at Grian. “Why are you dressed up now?” is all he asked, being used to Grian’s Ariana charade. Now having added PoultryMan, then CuteGuy. Mumbo needed less complicated friends. At Least Scar wasn’t complicated….He thinks.

“I have to meet with Jimmy as CuteGuy.” Grian groaned, moving to fall onto his bed.

“Oh!” Mumbo said, not expecting that kind of answer. “Well I was going to ask if you wanted to grade together.”

Grian frowned at the mention of his normal job. He loved teaching there, and working with the students, but he hated grading their assignments and really wished it would just happen. Maybe he could get the Watchers to grade them? But how would that work? He didn’t know.

“Can you do mine?”

“For you? No. With you? Yes.”

Grian groaned, turning over to cover himself with his wings. He didn’t want to do this. Maybe he could say PoultryMan distracted him so he didn’t make it on time? But PoultryMan wouldn’t have been reported, because he was lying. But hey, at least he couldn’t appear somewhere Grian wasn't to prove he was lying.

Mumbo threw a pencil at Grian’s head, “Go.” He instructed.

Grian groaned, and looked at Mumbo angrily. The man with a mustache, wearing casual clothes (for once), just shrugged. “Your evil.” Grian said, face down into the pillow.

“You're already dressed.” Mumbo said, rolling his eyes. Why did he put up with so many avians? They’re all so whiny.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Grian landed in front of the police department he knew Jimmy worked at. It was actually a pretty tall building, and Jimmy was of course on one of the top floors. And Grian highly doubted he would appreciate him bursting through the window. He would probably get fired from his superhero job if he did, even if he wasn’t being paid.

Grian walked in, and HotGuy was waiting in the lobby. On his phone. The case was of course HotGuy themed, and it looked like one of those weird phones that nobody knows the name of because theres only three people who actually have it.

“Hey!” Grian said, already having put on his CuteGuy voice. Not that it was too much different than his normal voice, just a bit higher.

HotGuy looked up, and smiled, putting the phone away. “Hey! Took you long enough.”

“Sorry, just a bit of nerves y’know? Plus I thought I saw PoultryMan on the way here.” Grian said, not lying, because he had seen PoultryMan earlier. In his room. In the mirror. But who’s asking for details!

“I wonder what he’s up to today. He’s usually not out on Saturday’s.” HotGuy said. And..He wasn’t wrong.. But why did he track that?! Then Grian realized that he was by technicality a villain. So of course HotGuy had tracked his patterns. Maybe he had to change it up sometimes.

Grian shrugged as response, looking around the building. He hadn’t been here in awhile, but it hadn’t changed too much. Last time he was in here, was probably when Jimmy worked as a simple cop. Calling himself the sheriff because he convinced the department to wear a cowboy hat. That he still wore when he was out doing his job. But now he was usually more inside.

“Shall we go? I’ll show you the way.” HotGuy offered, and Grian nodded. Walking forward to the elevator. Thank god HotGuy wasn’t some freak who took the stairs. He was worried about that, because just look at the guy’s muscles!

They were quiet in the elevator. They had only talked a few times, since it had only been a few weeks since their first meeting. It was awkward. Grian knew a surprising amount about HotGuy, with Ariana and PoultryMan. Then there was also Pearl who liked to leak secrets to him. But HotGuy knew nothing about CuteGuy. Or atleast, he shouldn’t.

“How are you?” HotGuy suddenly asked, as if he knew Grian was thinking about him. And it sent him sputtering. “Oh- I- Uhm- I’m- I’m good…!” Grian mumbled out.

HotGuy chuckled, and elbowed him. “Your fine. Why are you nervous Birdie?”

Grian’s wings puffed at the nickname, but he tried to play it off, because HotGuy had been coming out with various nicknames with him. But that one always hit the reddest. “I- J-Jimmy! Y’know, Sher- Chief Solidarity is just..worrying, is all. Because one sentence and I could become just like PoultryMan, Y’know?” God, Grian really needed to get himself under control. HotGuy really just broke the glass bottle that held all the nerves Grian had.

HotGuy chuckled deeply, putting more blush on Grian’s face as he looked at the floor the other direction. “Your going to be fine.” he said, flashing his signature HotGuy smile.

Grian rolled his eyes, “Thats what you say because you’ve met with him dozens of times!” And don’t have to hide three quarters of yourself so he doesn't realize he’s your brother while your in disguise, he doesn’t say that second part out loud.

The elevator door opened to an empty hallway. There wasn’t much on this floor besides a break room, and he was pretty sure Pearl had an office she sometimes used on this floor. Jimmy even offered to give Grian one, but knowing the avian it would just make him annoy his siblings and not do anything.

“It’s this way.” HotGuy said, pointing down the hall with his thumb. Grian nodded, subconsciously tucking his wings in, tight enough to hurt. Just like he did at work. But this time he was wearing a bodysuit, so everybody could see them.

He walked in front of HotGuy, and the hero behind him put a hand on his back, where his wing was. Making Grian jump, and turn around, opening them defensively in the small hallway, hurting one of the main joints by hitting it against the wall. But he didn’t even notice it.

His vision blurred, enough for him to just see a dark figure in front of him. So he thought it was them. He opened a few eyes scattered around his body, and they could see more clearly than the two supposedly human eyes he had open on his face. Putting in extra effort to close the others, but he had to do it for so long he didn’t even notice it anymore.

HotGuy was taken aback by the reaction, all he meant to do was to make sure CuteGuy didn’t sprain his wings like Grian did sometimes, keeping them super tight like that. Not to set off whatever Watcher magic was in the man. Which Scar knew about, he had seen the eyes, and Jimmy had explained why he wanted a meeting. But Scar didn’t expect the reaction nonetheless.

He put his hands up above his shoulders, and took a set back, talking to CuteGuy. Because he recognized the reaction, it was the same one Grian had in the parking lot. Looking down at himself, he was covered in mostly black, maybe he looked like a Watcher? He wasn’t sure what they really looked like. “CuteGuy, calm down. I’m safe.” he said, not getting a reaction out of the avian.

Scar tried again, “CuteGuy, it’s HotGuy. The one who’s going to kill those bitchy ass Watchers.” he didn’t think this was the time to really pull out the flirty nicknames.

Jimmy walked out of his office, a confused look on his face before his eyes went wide, “HotGuy! Watch out!” he shouted, grabbing the other avian. Putting his arms under CuteGuy’s, pulling him back slightly so he didn’t have steady footing.

Grian opened an eye in the back of his head to see who was grabbing him. Because he swore on the lives of his siblings if it was another Watcher he would kill them on the spot. But all he saw was blonde hair, blue eyes, and he immediately relaxed. Enough to see that the Watcher- No, man, in front of him was HotGuy…And that he just freaked out in a government building. In front of Jimmy. When he was supposed to have a meeting to prove he wasn’t a threat.

“I- I’m sorry..” Grian mumbled, quietly. Loud enough for Jimmy to let him stand back up. He pulled his wings back in, having them curl around his arms, as-if they were trying to protect him from the outside world. He looked down at the floor. “I- I can leave Sir.” he offered.

Jimmy opened his mouth to speak, but HotGuy didn’t let him, “Chief Solidarity please, give him a chance to explain himself at least.”

“HotGuy..It’s a risk.” Jimmy argued, and Grian suddenly didn’t disagree with him.

“Chief, please! Let him explain himself! I’ll stay out here with him for a moment to let him calm down. Then he can explain himself, because it was mostly my fault!” HotGuy practically pleaded. Grian didn’t even know why.

Jimmy sighed heavily, “Fine.” he said, turning around and walking back into his room. Grian didn’t move.

Scar reached out to place a hand on Grian’s shoulder, then took it back away, realizing it probably wouldn’t be a good idea. “I’m so sorry.” he just said instead.

Grian looked to the side, avoiding making eye contact with HotGuy, “I- It’s fine.. I..I’m just not good at people touching me without warning. Especially if I don’t know them.. I..They would..if..” Grian cut himself off, hoping the hero would know what he was saying without having to actually say it.

HotGuy nodded, “The Watchers.” He mumbled, slotting it in the back of his mind to not touch Grian without asking anymore. He was pretty sure his heart would break seeing Grian freak out like that.

CuteGuy nodded, still avoiding looking at HotGuy in the eyes. God he really was useless wasn't he? He couldn’t even get through a simple meeting without freaking out over the same reason he became CuteGuy. Maybe he should just quit.

“I’m going to go.” Grian said, trying to get by HotGuy back to the elevator.

HotGuy put an arm out, in a place CuteGuy would actually see it. Blocking the avian from the elevator. “Don’t, nobody is mad at you for that.”

Grian still watched the floor. Tracing every line in the wood with his eyes. He really was pathetic. “Let me go..Please.” Grian asked, trying to speak without breaking. He needed to fly, or call Mumbo, or something.

“CuteGuy..I need you! I don’t care what you are, or what happened to you. But please, stay for the meeting. Jimmy won't care if you have a good reason. I promise. I need you on the field.” HotGuy pleaded, warmth in his voice. Way more warmth than Grian was used to hearing from the hero. When he looked up at HotGuy, looking him in the eyes with his two human ones, he could only see Scar. That voice was only Scar’s to him. That level of care.

Grian shook his head, trying to get the tears out, that were welling up in his eyes. Getting the image of Scar out of his mind. Because other people, who aren’t his family, or Mumbo, who was practically family at this rate, were allowed to care about him. His crush on his co worker was getting so much worse wasn’t it? He really needed to get that checked out.

“I- Thanks…S-Sorry..For freaking out.” Grian mumbled, looking the other hero in the eyes, even if he really wished he wasn’t.

HotGuy flashed his signature smile once again, almost all traces of Scar gone now “No need to worry! All those eyes are actually pretty cool!”

Grian smiled back, turning around, “Now, we have a meeting to get to!” Grian said, practically singing the words, before he opened an eye on the back of his head, just for HotGuy to see, “And if you touch my wings again I will fucking gut you.” he said, much more down to earth. He probably wouldn’t kill the city's only genuine superhero for touching his wings. But he sadly couldn’t say for sure.

HotGuy made a motion that he wouldn’t, so Grian closed the eye like he always did. And continues walking.

“Are they always just there?” Scar had to ask.

Grian turned around, while having his hand on the door handle. Giving HotGuy a deadly glare, because he really didn’t feel like talking about it. And HotGuy made the same gesture, so Grian opened the door.

“Chief Solidarity! You requested us?” He said loudly, bursting into the room as-if he hadn’t just freaked out. But seeing his brother had calmed him down alot, and almost mistaking HotGuy for Scar got rid of most of the emotions. But now he was talking with his brother more, who was safe, even if he was slightly intimidating right now.

Jimmy jumped when Grian slammed the door open, but quickly calmed down, or atleast made it seem like he did. Tilting his brown, leather cowboy hat at them as a welcoming. “Yes, I requested you to have a meeting, I recommend closing the door.”

HotGuy nodded, closing the door behind himself, before sitting down in the chair he usually sat in when talking to Jimmy. “Howdy Sheriff!” He greeted.

Grian quietly sat in the other chair, rolling his eyes at the hero and his brother. “Hello Chief, what do you want to talk about?”

Jimmy smiled at HotGuy, before turning to Grian, looking slightly more serious. “I wanted to go over a few things with you, before deciding if your good for the city.” Grian just nodded. “First, what made you start this gig?”

Grian looked at HotGuy, who signaled towards Jimmy, trying to get him to talk to him instead. Grian looked at his brother in the eyes, “Because I want to be able to protect my friends and family from the Watchers. None of them deserve to go through what I did.”

Jimmy nodded, placing his elbows on the table, cracking his knuckles, as-if trying to intimidate Grian. But he never would. Especially when Grian had seen all of Jimmy’s phases, including the emo phase. Plus he had seen Jimmy fall to the floor before, after Scott had made a suggestive comment about him in bed at a family dinner.

“But you are one of them, correct?” Jimmy asked, and it was a fair point.

Grian nodded, “Yes, I am.” he took a small pause before continuing, “I aim to not hurt anybody. And there's at least a few people with the Watcher’s eyes, who don’t deserve the fear put on us. I know of one working at a local school, I think his name is Grian? There’s another one I’ve seen at a convenience store on the other side of town. She’s very nice, her name is Netty I think? I don’t think she would do any such thing.”

Jimmy glanced at HotGuy who was just watching CuteGuy, then looked back at the hero, dressed in a rip-off outfit of HotGuy. “Grian is my brother, I’m surprised you know him.” he commented. “But, I do know people who have a history with the Watchers can be good. But I don't know anything about you.”

“Then how can I prove it, Chief? I’ll do almost anything.” Grian asked, almost pleading.

“Can you show me your identity?” he asked, hope in his eyes.

Grian shook his head, “No, I’d rather not do that if I’m being honest.”

Jimmy sighed, and glanced at HotGuy. “HotGuy, I want to ask CuteGuy something that he might not want you to know about. Mind stepping out?”

HotGuy nodded silently, stepping out of the door and shutting the door behind himself. Resting his back against the door to not let anybody else barge in. He wondered what Jimmy was going to ask, but he wasn’t going to push. He knew better.

Jimmy looked at CuteGuy silently, sending shivers down the colorful avian’s back. Even if he currently had pitch black feathers to blend in with the night better. A force to be scared of. “Tell me something about the Watchers, to prove to me your not part of them.” Jimmy asked suddenly, and sternly.

“Like?” Grian asked, keeping his voice steady.

“Something that you wouldn’t be allowed to share if you were a spy.” Jimmy said, no emotion in his eyes or voice.

“Your Xelqua’s brother. I’m sure he’s told you most of the information that you’d want from them.” Grian said, keeping his composure at the mention of that name.

Jimmy looked almost surprised, then his wings puffed up slightly, almost as if he was trying to protect his brother’s name, knowing Grian didn’t like to be called Xelqua.

“If you know my family history. Tell me something about my parents.” Jimmy said, a slight hint of hop in his voice. They weren’t supposed to know things about their parents. The three had gotten in before Jimmy or Pearl could hope to remember. Grian remembered bits and pieces, never allowed to look anything up about them, because they were his parents. Which he guessed made sense. But god, it pissed him off.

“Uhm- I..Why do you want to know?” Grian mumbled out, not knowing what else to say. He hadn’t told Jimmy, for a reason. He wanted them to think they were good, that they loved them. And didn’t trade them away for money at the youngest age the Watchers would accept them.

“I wanted you to prove yourself, and if your part of the Watchers, you wouldn’t tell me.” Jimmy explained, trying to hide his enthusiasm.

Grian swallowed the pit in his throat, and sighed, “They…They sold you guys as soon as they could. Because they were druggies about to lose their house.” he said, as quiet as he could.

Jimmy didn’t speak for a good minute, silently standing up, and walking around the desk. He looked at Grian, no, he looked at CuteGuy coldly. And opened the door for HotGuy to come back in. “Do you want to be paid?” Jimmy asked, letting the man in. Grian silently shook his head no.

When Scar walked in, he could feel the tension. He’d probably be able to pierce it with his arrow and have a chunk of it in his hand. “I- uhm… Birdie! How- Are you feeling?!” Scar asked, trying to get rid of the tension somehow.

“I’m..uhh..fine.” Grian mumbled, looking at HotGuy, not Jimmy.

“Jim….You good?” Scar asked, drawing out his name. He was trying to get them talking again. But at least CuteGuy had seemed to be accepted..He wasn’t sure anymore.

Jimmy cleared his throat, spinning his wedding ring for a second before looking back at both of them. “Uhh..Since your both here. I have a proposal for you.”

Grian picked his head up again, looking back at his brother, mostly focusing on Jimmys ring. It was gold, to go with the rest of his jewelry. A small diamond in the middle. Because Scott had picked it, so of course it matched with the rest of Jimmy. “There’s a formal event-thing. Uhm..HotGuy, you..Your invited. But CuteGuy, your also invited. I want to have people be able to meet the heroes in the city.” He explained quickly.

“Oh..Yeah, I’m willing.” Grian said, it actually sounded fun. And he might be able to get more people on his side. When he was looking online there weren’t many people who actually liked, and believed in him.

Jimmy smiled at him, “Nice! I’m considering inviting Ariana Griande too. It’s just the famous people of the area.”

Grian went silent. Because he couldn’t be in two places at once..could he?

Chapter Text

Grian finished up the meeting quickly, absent-mindedly agreeing to Jimmy’s questions. Which he’d probably regret later but it was fine. But he was able to get out quickly, flying out the window since Jimmy had mentioned it opened, which Grian didn’t know about, but would be utilizing.

He flew home, feeling the wind in his feathers, it crawled along his exposed skin. It was tranquil. He loved it. Being alone with nothing but his thoughts, people so small he couldn’t even see the color of the shirt they were wearing. But, he had to land, diving into his room from the window. He just hoped nobody would ever notice him doing it.

Taking off his superhero outfit, he spotted the phone he used for Ariana Griande buzz. He should probably get one for CuteGuy now too…Would he need one for PoultryMan too? He did not want four phones! He only had two because Pearl wanted Ariana’s number. The last thing he needed was more.

Looking at the screen, it was a message from Pearl. Asking about the event Jimmy was hosting. Which made sense because Jimmy didn't have her number. He considered for a moment, because he already agreed to go as CuteGuy.. Which was probably the better person to go as. but he didn’t want to let anybody down by not appearing as Ariana. And showing up late wasn’t an option he figured.

Maybe he dressed up Mumbo as Ariana? No, he sounded too different, and was pale as a vampire. Scar? He would make a good CuteGuy, but he didn’t have wings. And he was too muscle-ey for Ariana. Dammit. Pearl would make a good Ariana. They had similar hair, similar looks, similar voices. But he couldn’t tell Pearl he was Ariana..Right?

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

“Get here! Quick!” Grian, her brother, shouted through the phone. She had been with Jimmy, talking with him about the people he was going to get her interviews for at the Gala. She had asked Ariana if she was coming as well. Which Pearl hoped she was, because she loved Ariana.

Pearl rolled her eyes at her brother’s panic. He wasn’t telling her what exactly was going on. But he didn’t sound genuinely scared, he wasn’t speaking galactic, and he had Mumbo in the house if he needed somebody that badly.

She flew over, not speeding so fast she was breaking one of the stupid flying laws of the city. But fast enough to not be cursed out in Grian when she got there. She knocked on the door, and Mumbo answered. “Hey mate, what’s up?” He asked. Pearl was used to seeing Mumbo not in his suit right now, and instead seeing him in tan shorts, and a potato themed button up.

“Grian called.” She said, making a motion of a phone next to her ear. Mumbo nodded, just letting her in without much of a care.

Pearl walked into Grian’s room barging in with her wings slightly opened on either side to make herself bigger out of annoyance. Grian, sitting on his bed, surprisingly doing homework. “WHAT?!” She squawked, throwing her phone at Grian. She seemed annoyed, but she really wasn’t.

Grian looked up at her, and smiled, getting a pillow thrown right at his face. “What was that for?!” Grian asked, closing his laptop before she destroyed that too.

“You called me, demanding me to come over, and you're doing HOMEWORK!?” she asked, only slightly annoyed.

“Yeah..” Grian mumbled, drawing out the last part of the word. “It’s important! I…I just needed you to get here first.”

“Okay? I’m here. Now what.” Pearl asked, a slight bite to her tone. Grian couldn’t say he blamed her.

Grian flapped his wings to bring him to his feet on the bed before jumping down and walking into his closet. His heart was beating a million miles a minute. What if she was pissed? What if she disowned him? Told Jimmy? Told the press- No, she wouldn’t do that…Would she?

He reached for the CuteGuy pistol, putting his hand on the grip piece, but he stopped before pulling it out of the holder. He was scared. “Grian? How long you going to take in there?” She asked, confused.

Grian shook his head, and walked out of the closet, not holding the pistol. “S-Sorry. I was just checking something..” he mumbled, his wings tight against him.

“Your lying.” she knew, hands on her hips. “What’s back there Grian?” She asked, pressure in her tone. Grian winced. He couldn’t tell her. He couldn’t

“I-It’s nothing Pearl!” He shouted suddenly. Squeezing his eyes shut.

She huffed, and hugged him. “You don’t have to tell me anything. Unless your in danger. Please tell me if your in danger.”

Grian relaxed slightly, “I’m not in danger..” He mumbled. He hated being treated like the younger sibling. He was the oldest, he wasn’t weak. He didn’t have to be treated like the youngest. That was Jimmy, he should be caring for Jimmy like this. Not them worried for him. They shouldn’t be worried about him like this!

“Gri, calm down.” Pearl said, being able to feel the nails in her wings on her back. And a small tear or two on her shoulder.

Grian immediately pulled away, and rubbed at his eyes with the sleeve of his red sweater that didn’t smell like blood, but was definitely the same color. “Sorry..” he mumbled, looking at his feet.

Pearl shook her head, “Now, what's wrong?” she asked, crossing her arms overtop her red hoodie, made of the same color material as Grian’s.

Grian took a deep breath, “I-I’m….CuteGuy.” He said, looking directly at the floor. Scared to see the heartbreak on his sister’s face. Scared to see the sad look in her eyes. Finding out the superhero she was looking up to was just her brother. The superhero that was finally supposed to represent him, Pearl, Jimmy, and every other kid hurt by those eyes. But it was just him. The disappointment of a brother. The older brother who has to be babied just because he agreed and they were smart enough not to take the deal.

Pearl’s face lit up. Her brother was the one person she felt was exactly like her. Who went through the same problems she did. Who knew what happened there. She couldn’t believe it. Her brother. She couldn’t believe it, she spread her wings wide, and pulled Grian into the biggest hug she could manage, wrapping her wings around Grian tightly.

“What?” He mumbled out in surprise.

“I’M SO FUCKING PROUD OF YOU!” Pearl shouted, loud enough for the whole block to hear. Loud enough for Grian to feel the rubble of her voice in his chest. Loud enough that Grian believed her. And it made him cry.

All the emotions, thinking he was worse than her. Thinking that she, or Jimmy would hate him. Thinking that he wasn’t good enough for Scar, or HotGuy. Thinking he wasn’t good enough to save his city. Thinking that maybe he did belong to the Watchers, and he’s putting everybody in danger for just being here. That he was selfish for being here. With his family, and free.

Pearl laughed, as she heard her brother sob into her shoulder. Not laughing at him. But laughing out of joy. All the emotions were so much she just laughed to release them. To get rid of the wave of things in her mind.

“And...” Grian suddenly mumbled, not leaving the cocoon of feathers Pearl trapped him in.

“There's an and?!” She asked, moving him just enough to look him in the face.

Grian looked around her, focusing on his room instead of her. “And....Ariana..”

This time, Pearl froze. Which made Grian freeze thinking she was about to get mad at him…He messed up this time. He should've just not said anything. Just should’ve said no as Ariana or something. Traded off halfway through the night. He didn’t kno-

Pearl moved her wings, and punch Grian directly in the side. Making him bend over slightly in pain, “What the fuck was that fo-?!” Grian tried to shout, before she pulled him back into another hug. He was getting very mixed signals.

“Fuck you for tricking me!” She shouted, a smile still on her face.

Despite the pain, Grian smiled. “I’m telling you this for a reason.”

Pearl looked confused, before it seemed to hit her that he was two of the well known people in the city. “How did you manage to get popular twice?!”

Grian chuckled awkwardly, if only she knew about the last one. She’d surely kill him for that one. “I- I need you to do something for me.” He asked, a hopeful look in his eyes.

She tilted her head in confusion, looking at him.

“I need you to be Ariana..” He mumbled, waiting for her to make a reaction. But she didn’t, she just stood there, wide-eyed. He didn’t blame her, but he was also not appreciating it. Her staying silent made Grian’s anxiety creep up his limbs, about to seal his mouth shut.

“Grian but I have to interview Ariana, and HotGuy, and CuteGuy, and Jimmy only lets me ask him those kinds of questions at events like this!” She whined, wanting to grow her standing in that kind of world.

Grian sighed, “Full Ariana and CuteGuy interview. If you do it.”

Pearl opened her mouth to argue, then closed it again. Then opened it again and mumbled, “Wait, I know all of them personally..”

Grian nodded awkwardly, unsure of what exactly to say. Before she interrupted his thoughts again, “Fine, yeah. I look close enough to you that in you do your whole..thing..it should be fine.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you! Pearl!” Grian cheered, because then he wouldn’t have to worry about it at all. And nobody could say CuteGuy and Ariana haven't been in the same room now!

Chapter Text

Pearl sat on Grian’s bed. Waiting for Grian to throw something at her to put on. She said she’d bring something of her own, but Grian insisted to use something of his. And this was his thing, so she didn’t fight as hard as she wanted to. She was just excited to get to be her favorite celebrity, the music artist she’s been a fan of since the beginning. Since she was that first video of hers. His? She didn’t know anymore. Was Ariana more Grian, or more of a persona? She didn’t know.

Grian walked back in, throwing a pink dress at Pearl, “Try that one, I don’t know how well my stuff will fit you though.” he mumbled looking at her as she got it off her head. She spun it around, trying to figure out which was was top and bottom, then held it up to herself to look at the size.

Grian nodded, noting that it was about the right size, maybe a bit bigger thanks to the differing proportions. But it seemed to generally fit, and he could always bust out his safety pins. “Put that on.” Grian instructed, walking back into his walk in closet to put on the CuteGuy costume.

It was relatively easy to get on, the material didn't stick to his skin thankfully. But he’d never wear this right after taking a shower. He was pretty sure that would kill him before he could get anything done.

He considered, for a moment, and would take longer to think about it if he had a way to contact HotGuy, but sadly he didn’t. Or atleast, not as CuteGuy. Because he hadn’t gotten a phone or anything for this job specifically. And it would be weird if Jimmy had Grian’s number in his phone twice as CuteGuy, and for Grian. He didn’t think he would be able to convince HotGuy that Ariana just happened to walk by CuteGuy long enough for him to ask.

So the superhero suit afterall. He wanted to know if HotGuy wanted him to wear a suit or not. But it wasn’t like he had a CuteGuy themed suit on such a short time frame. So he would just put the superhero costume on and hope for the best.

The debated taking his weapons. Because on one hand he would be with HotGuy, and most of Jimmy’s police force. And it wasn’t like Pearl could attack, and Grian was already pulled thin enough with balancing CuteGuy, and making sure Pearl was fine, so it wasn’t like PoultryMan would come into the picture tonight. But that didn’t account for one villain, and that villain is the one Grian was the most scared of. Because that villain he couldn’t hurt. He couldn’t overpower them. He couldn’t do anything to them. And yet, they could do everything to him.

Grian changed his wings while still in his closet. He hit one of the walls and winced, pulling the wing against his body before he pulled it infront of him to make sure it wasn’t bleeding or something. But it wasn’t, so he let it drop again. He knew it was a bad idea to change them in here, but he didn’t want to do it in front of his sister. He didn’t want his sister to see the effects the Watcher’s had on him. Because of course she knew what they did, and she knew what he could do. But it was different to actually show her.

Jimmy had seen what he could do, in the early days just because Grian was constantly freaking out, not know what he looked like. Not knowing who he was. The Watchers had him change so much of himself, change every fundamental part of himself. He was pretty sure he got it back to normal at the beginning, but they didn’t have mirrors. And eventually, Grian just forgot. He had old pictures to go off of that Jimmy had. And whatever him and Pearl remembered of him. But he didn’t know for sure.

He didn’t know if his hair was blonde, he didn’t know how tall he was, how high or low his voice was, he didn’t know his eye color, he didn’t know where he had freckles, or moles. He didn’t know how big his wings were, how long his arms were. He didn’t know anything. And most of that seemed so stupid in his mind, because who cared about how long his neck is. But he just never knew. Facts that people knew from birth about themselves, he didn’t know. There was no way for him to know. He could make himself look like he used to, before the watchers. But he was younger then, just a kid. He wasn’t an adult then, and he didn’t really want to constantly look like a child.

He took a deep breath, and looked at himself in the mirror. Trying to ground himself again, he didn’t need to be thinking of this right now. He flexed each finger one at a time, took note of how tall he looked in the mirror, how blonde his hair was, how pale his skin was, how dark his eyes were. He flexed his wings, he knew those weren’t him.

He was always scared to change how he looked. He didn’t want to go back to not knowing. He didn’t want to lose himself again. So he only dared to change the color of his wings now, having evidence that they were banded like a macaw. And his voice, having recordings of how it sounded.

He would enjoy changing himself for Ariana, that would be fun, but he was scared to. Scared to make himself taller, or shorter, not having a perfect measurement of how long his legs were, the size of his torso, the length of his arms. He didn’t know those things. He didn’t know every fold, scar, mark, divot, shape, size, of his chest. So he couldn’t change that for Ariana. He didn’t know how round his waist was, he didn’t know where exactly his hips hit. He didn’t know. He doesn’t know. He doesn’t know.

“Gri- Help!” Pearl shouted from Grian’s bedroom, past the closed door that had whatever was considered his PoultryMan outfit hanging on the back. He smiled, and took a deep breath. Taking one last look at himself in the mirror before curling up his wings against his back, feeling the soft black feathers against his skin. Before he grabbed his mask off one of the cabinets and stepped out to where Pearl was.

He looked at his sister, who was definitely stuck. The pink dress, that was really mostly a base for another few layers, was totally stuck on Pearl’s wings. Grian smiled at her, the thoughts he had been thinking regressing back to the corners of his mind where they always sat. He chuckled at her, shaking his head as he got closer.

Pearl, for some reason, had her superhero costume underneath the dress. Which Grian would definitely ask about as soon as he untrapped her from the prison she had put herself into. “How did you even do this?!” He asked, tossing CuteGuy’s black mask to the side.

She sighed, and tried to move one of her arms that was stuck out the top, where her neck would go. And the other being in one of the arm holes, that Grian couldn’t tell if it was the right one or not. While the main joint on her light brown wings was sticking out the back, and Grian could assume that was not comfortable because he had no idea where the end of her wing was pressing. But her other wing was limp out the bottom.

“I don’t know!” Pearl whined, trying to get out but it looked like it was probably just making it worse.

Grian jumped up on his bed, and looked down into the top of the dress where Pearl’s face was, looking to the side, slightly pointed up. Grian pulled it off her head again, her wings both falling to the floor, the one having been curled in the dress having messed up feathers.

“What did you do?!” Grian asked, holding the dress against his chest, facing it slightly away from Pearl as if she’d destroy his favorite dress by just looking at it.

“I don’t know!” she shouted, her wings moving upward as she raised her voice.

Grian sighed, looking at the dress, trying to figure out what she had done wrong. He noticed one of the buttons was still connected, it was placed at the bottom of the zipper, slightly farther down than where it ended to pull the waist slightly smaller if it was wanted, which Grian usually did so he looked more feminine.

He undid the button, and looked at the dress a bit longer. The fabric itself was sparkly, and a bit stiff. Thankfully the inside was a simple pink fabric though, that didn’t really rub at his skin. He bunched the skirt up, and raised it over Pearl to assist her.

“Really? Your just going to do it for me?” she asked, annoyance in her voice.

“Yes. Because you apparently can’t do it yourself.” Grian said, sounding tired but he really wasn’t. She rolled her eyes, but let him. The fabric got caught on her wings, which he assumed was part of the problem to start with. But he pulled it past them, and she was able to get it on. “Was that really so hard?” He asked.

“What did you do?!” Pearl asked, reaching her arms in the back, trying to figure out what was different.

Grian rolled his eyes, jumping down, and stepping to her back where her feathers majorly stuck out the hole in the back. “How willing are you to lose circulation in your wings?” He asked, only half-joking. Because sometimes his wings did go numb when he was in a dress.

“Preferably not?!” earl squealed, turning to face him. Grian sighed, knowing he wouldn’t make her budge. He had a few ideas. He pushed past her, and grabbed a skin-tight white shirt-like thing. He didn’t know what to call it, but it went all the way down her arms, and up her neck. Giving a diamond shape of her skin showing between where it ended and the dress started.

“Your going to have to drop the not-superhero, superhero suit.” Grian said, pointing at her up and down because he could see most of it. He could see it on her upper body, and her legs, her neck, and her arms too.

“But I need it! What if I have to talk to PoultryMan, or Jimmy or something!” Pearl whined, trying to justify herself, but it was falling on mostly deaf ears. Because Ariana was Grian’s thing, it was perfection for him. He had to get it just right.

“You can put an earpiece in or something, and I’ll take care of PoultryMan if he shows up. I’m the superhero, your the supposed villain.” Grian reasoned, maybe hitting a bit deeper, and harder than he meant. But he got his point across. “Not to mention that it’ll take you twenty minutes to get out of that, unless you want everybody thinking Moon and Ariana are the same person!”

Pearl rolled her eyes, and mumbled something under her breath that instead of Moon being Ariana, its CuteGuy, the superhero. But she didn’t fight him as much as she wanted to on the subject. She knew Grian was pushy, specially about his own things.

She sighed, “Fine.” she mumbled, waving her arms at him to shew him away, “Where do I change? Because no offense, I’m not doing it here.”

“If it makes you feel better I’m gay?” Grian said immediately, not giving it a second thought. Pearl laughed at him, but shook her head, “So is Jimmy and HotGuy, and yet I still use the bathroom before patrols.” she explained, not really feeling like changing in font of anybody, even if they’re just her brothers.

Grian shrugged, and nodded his head towards his bathroom. Because the closet had some more incriminating things. His PoultryMan outfit was in there, his Watcher robes that he kept, mainly to remember. He had promised himself that once he was over them, he’d throw them out.

Plus his closet was just safe. It had incense or sage in there most of the time. Anything bad wasn’t allowed in there. It was a room with one way in, one way out. It was safe. He was safe in there. He had panic attacks in there, he had canned food, and water in there. He had pillows and blankets in there. It was the safest place for him. Mumbo had only been allowed in there a select few times. It was the only place that he knew, without a doubt, was safe.

Pearl walked out the bathroom, this time without a dark spandex suit on. She had left it hanging on the shower from what Grian could see, which he figured made sense. She looked good though, but it wasn’t Ariana standard. All she was wearing was a sparkly pink dress, and a white thing that Grian still didn’t know what it was actually called.

“My wings are still visible..By the way.” Pearl said, pointing to her back. Which was annoying, and Grian didn’t really know how to hide them. But he also wasn’t going to make his sister be unhealthy with her wings for the sake of an impression of him.

Grian stepped back into his closet, that Pearl didn’t follow him into, instead just sitting on his bed facing the closet. Grian looked for something to give her before finding a puffy white jacket. It was made out of white fur, and it stuck out at least an inch. And went down to his waist, which was enough to cover the stretched open zipper, or he at least hoped.

He through the jacket at his sisters head, and she surprisingly caught it. Putting it on, “Omg I love this! But I haven’t seen Ariana wear it before?” she asked, almost confused, carding her fingers through the soft faux fur.

Grian shrugged, “I got it one time for her, and never ended up wearing it.” He said, looking at his sister with scrutinizing eyes. Unsure of what else to add, but it wasn’t complete yet. Sure he had to help her with hair and makeup. But it still didn’t feel right.

“Why are you looking at me like you look at HotGuy?!” She asked, curling into herself slightly. Grian shook his head, escaping his thoughts before tilting his head to the side, heavily confused on what the hell Pearl was talking about.

“You looking at me weirdly. Like you do to HotGuy.” Pearl explained herself.

Grian opened his mouth wide, in slight offense, “I do not look at HotGuy weirdly!” He shouted, defensive. His wings puffing out with his words.

Pearl shook her head, and crossed her legs. “Yes you do, you look at him like your in love with him.”

Grian threw his arms around, squawking in offense. Because he did not like HotGuy! He wasn’t burying his feelings deep down. And he wasn’t being sarcastic! He didn’t like HotGuy! He liked Scar. Not HotGuy! He looked up to HotGuy, wanting to become as good as him. Not that! And Scar definitely wasn’t HotGuy.

“I look up to HotGuy! I do not love him! Don’t even!” Grian shouted, genuinely mad at that statement. He didn’t like HotGuy. He didn’t! HotGuy was impressive, and Grian wanted to be respected like he was, wanted to be light like he was, wanted to be as good as he was.

Pearl hummed, shrugging. “Anyway, are you going to give me shoes orr..?”

Grian was still annoyed by the comment she made, because it was not true. But he sighed, letting his wings fall back into their normal position. Because it wasn’t worth it, and he loved his sister and didn’t want to ruin anything. So he nodded, grabbing her some pink heels, and white wide fishnets. He threw them both at her, one of the heels sticking her right in the arm. Her wings tried to raise when it did, but they were thankfully too tight in the dress to do so.

Grian ran into his bathroom, his attention was dragged by Pearl’s villain suit, but he tried to ignore it. He didn’t need to know everything about it. But if he had Mumbo take a look at its technology while they were gone he wouldn’t say.

He pulled his sister into the bathroom, and started to put some makeup on her face while she complained the whole way through. Some pink eyeshadow, white eyeliner with a large cat eye. Bright pink sparkly lipstick, white eyelashes. Then he curled her hair, which was thankfully a very similar color to his own.

They got done with only an hour or so left before they had to actually be there. Grian grabbed his mask, and grabbed his pistols afterall. He suspected he wouldn’t want to use them, or necessarily need them. But he figured just in case, he’d grab them. He was the superhero, and his brother, and his sister would be there. He had to protect people, he had to protect himself.

“Bye Mumbo!” Grian shouted into the house before shutting the door. He offered to bring the mustached man, but he had said no. Grian wasn’t even sure if he was home if he was being honest.

Chapter Text

Grian walked up to the building it was being hosted in. It was a big empty building that Grian had no idea what was in it before, but he assumed it was just rented out usually. Looking around he saw some celebrities in the area he had known about. Security focused heavily around the entrance. It just screamed rich event.

Grian ran his fingers in front of his face, and felt the mask. His anxiety relieved a bit, but god he was still nervous. He wasn’t the biggest fan of crowds, too many people, to many eyes. He took a deep breath, his sister was here, HotGuy was here, hell even Jimmy was here. He knew Mumbo, or Scar, wouldn’t be here. But he would survive. He had his family here, which was better than no support system.

Grian squeezed Pearl’s hand tighter, glancing at her she also looked nervous, because no amount of knowing the celebrity meant knowing exactly how to act as a perfect Ariana impression.

Grian smiled at her, giving her hand another quick squeeze before letting it go. Because the last thing he needed was the press thinking Grian was dating himself. Pearl stepped in front of him, holding her handbag close to herself. She approached security, and they greeted her with wide smiles, and kindness.

Pearl swallowed a lump in her throat, and plastered a smile on her face. She hadn’t rehearsed her voice at all, just hoping that most people would only know Ariana- Grian’s singing voice, and not his regular voice.

“Hello Ms. Ariana! How are you this fine evening?” The cop that Pearl knew greeted her. Pearl was able to catch herself before saying something that would give her away thankfully. She handed him her bag, and he opened it, and scanned the contents before giving it back to her. She placed her bag off to the side, with her phone, and stepped through the metal detector, her heels clicking against the floor.

It didn’t ring when she walked through because she was smart enough to hide her ear piece, that Grian ended up telling her not to wear but she did anyway, in her bag underneath tissues. Pearl was pretty sure if she wasn’t dressed exactly as Ariana, and looking close enough to Grian that you could blame lighting on the difference in her face, that her bag would have been fully searched. Even if she was Jimmy’s brother, she wouldn’t have been free. But then again, she usually entered with Jimmy to these kinds of events which gives her the immediate clear.

She walked through the door to the venue, after picking up her bag from the table near the detector. She walked inside, and saw many people, but her first target was the girls bathroom. Stepping inside, she didn’t really see anybody she knew, thankfully. She grabbed one of the closest stalls to the door, and grabbed the ear piece from her bag. She turned it on, and put it in her ear. Using her phone camera to make sure it wasn’t obvious. She covered it up with her curled hair that Grian had done for her, and it bothered her that Grian was better at makeup and hair then she as, but she’d never tell him that.

She flushed the toilet to make sure people didn’t question it, and stepped out to wash her hands. She wasn’t really paying attention to the other women in the bathroom. So she missed the woman saying, “Omg! Omg! Look lily it’s Ariana!”

She started to walk out of the bathroom, before somebody put a hand on her shoulder. Pearl’s fists cured up, and she quickly turned around as-if to fight them. Then realized it was just normal people. Not Watchers, not Heros, not Villians. It was just regular people who wanted to go to this fancy event with her friends. She chuckled, awkwardly smiling at them,, “So sorry! I haven’t had the best experiences in bathrooms.” She said, hoping that would explain her actions.

“Oh honey its alright!” Another woman, with a southern accent said with a smile, and bright blue eyeshadow, “Don’t mind us, you look gorgeous though!”

Pearl smiled, appreciating the compliment, she put a hand over her heart, “Why thank you!” She said, trying to show her gratitude. She had been complimented before, but knowing that she was dressed up extra, it felt deeper. Because she didn’t usually dress up at all, and usually just annoyed the shit out of everybody here.

“Can I get an autograph?” The first person asked, the one who had put her hand on Pearl’s shoulder. She stuttered for a moment, because she wasn’t Ariana. She was Ariana's sister, but she wasn’t her.

“Oh, sorry! I don’t have a pen on me.” Pearl said, trying to pretend to look through her purse, because she did have a pen on her. But she really didn’t want to fake a signature. She was pretty sure that was some sort of legal thing that she didn’t want to mess with.

“Oh, thats disappointin, but it’s alright dear.” the southern woman said, shaking her head slightly, but not moving much. The other woman looked upset, but sighed, accepting it. “Alright, well thank you anyway!” And Pearl nodded, smiling and waving as she walked out.

Pearl sighed as she left. Grian really owed her for this.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Grian walked through the metal detectors right after Pearl. It beeped, and the cop sighed looking down at the pistols on Grian’s belt. Grian chuckled awkwardly, clearly not thinking this through. He started to take them out, partly hoping for somebody to come save him.

But nobody did, and he just pulled them out. He handed them off to the cop, who grabbed them with a grunt. The cop looked at them, inspecting them for something, but they were normal, if you ignored that one was pink with CuteGuy’s heart symbol, and one was light blue with HotGuy’s wing symbol, and had white wings on the opposite side. In his defense, he was bored one night, and Mumbo told him to entertain himself!

The cop put them behind himself, “Hybrids can’t own guns. It’s against the law.” The cop said, not making any hint to changing his mind. Grian sighed, he spent so long customizing them for what! For the cop to just take them away from him!? This was complete and utter bullshit.

“They actually are legal, I’ve registered them, and Chief Solidarity himself knows about them!” Grian said, knowing that Jimmy was the one to give them to him. It was years ago now, and it was for Grian’s self defense. But it still counted!

The cop pinched the bridge of his nose, not getting paid enough for this event to deal with the bird wanting his shiny guns back. “Just pick them up after the event. I can’t let you in there with guns.”

“I bet you ten bucks if HotGuy was trying to do this you’d let him through no problem.” Grian complained, knowing he was holding up the line. But he didn’t think humanity was nice enough to give them back. And he already lost Pearl, so the person he was going to follow from a totally respectable distance, of right behind them, is already gone, so he might as well get the guns back.

“HotGuy entered with Jimmy in the back.” The cop said, monotone, and tired sounding. Grian groaned, why couldn’t the cop just let him in!?

“Drake give the pistols back to the kid. He’s a superhero.” A woman said from the other line. Making the male cop in front of Grian roll his eyes. The female cop, without even looking at him, followed up her order with, “We work with plenty of hybrids with guns.”

He handed back the guns, not even looking at the hero. Grian grabbed them quickly, spinning them before putting them back in their holders at his waist, walking into the building without another thought because he really didn’t want ot give that hybrid hating asshole anymore of his attention.

He scanned the crowd, not recognizing anybody, so he continued walking, finding himself next to the stage before he knew it. He could barely see backstage, where Jimmy was talking to somebody he couldn’t quite see. Grian sighed, and jumped up onto the stage. It was up to his hips, but with the help of wings he was able to carry himself onto it.

He could look out to the crowd, nobody paying mind to him being up there. He didn’t really recognize anybody, but did note the bar on the other side of the building in case tonight went badly.

He turned on his heels and approached Jimmy. Making him jump as he said his name. Jimmy turned around, a nervous look on his face but he looked good. Classic black suit, with a white shirt underneath, and a light blue, almost cyan tie matching Scott’s hair color.

The man he was standing with, Scott, his husband, was in a dark blue suit, and white shirt. A golden colored tie matching Jimmy’s hair. Grian knew that it was one of five suits that Scott owned, but this one was the only one Jimmy owned.

“You guys look good!” Grian complimented with a smile, resting his hands on hips. Scott smiled, and Jimmy sighed.

“CuteGuy you can’t be here right now.” Jimmy said, a tone of slight annoyance. “Plus why are you just wearing that?”

Grian’s eyes got smaller, confused on what Jimmy was saying before he saw HotGuy appear from even farther backstage. He was wearing a black suit, and black undershirt. A HotGuy themed tie. His hair was slicked back and not put up. But he had his mask on.

“W-Well..” Grian tried to explain himself without really having a reason. He didn’t have a CuteGuy themed suit! It’s not like he had been doing this very long, and-

“CuteGuy follow me.” Scott said without skipping a beat, offering his hand to Grian, putting the other one on his hip.

Grian was confused, his wings slightly puffing out because what was Scott planning?! But he knew better than to ignore him. So he hesitantly took his hand, and was immediately pulled backstage. “Hey! What the hell?!” Grian squawked, his wings trying to flap against Scott’s forward motion.

Scott, ignoring his protests, took him into the dressing room in the back. And pushed a rack with hangers on it to him. Specifically a suit that was CuteGuy themed.

Grian stared at awe. Because Scott just made him an entire custom suit! Scott had tailored things for him in the past, but nothing ever like this. He hadn’t made Grian anything purely custom before! “Scott- This is too much!” Grian protested, his wings shrinking up as his body did slightly.

Scott rolled his eyes, gesturing to the suit again as Grian shook his head. “C’mon, I want to make sure it fits.” Scott said, so simply and casually. And that was a good point, because how did Scott even know what his measurements were?!

“How- Why- What?!” was all Grian could stammer out. Mostly in shock at the amazing gift Scott had made for him. Sure HotGuy had his own, that Grian was now wondering if Scott had made that too, but HotGuy is much more of a professional! Grian was just messing around at one point, and now he was just trying to protect his family!

“I still have your measurements from your other suit. Now put it on.” Scott said, so calmly, so casually that Grian almost let it slide until he caught what he said, other suit. And Suddenly Grian’s feathers were puffed up again, and he was backing up from Jimmy’s husband.

“Other?!” Grian shouted once he was against the wall. He could see the doorway, and thankfully nobody was there. But either way, what the fuck did Scott mean by other.

Scott sighed, like this was an inconvenience, pushing the clothes rack closer to the avian. He shook his head and chuckled softly, “Your Grian, I figured it out because you're an avian, black eyes, blonde hair, and nobody else made sense.”

Grian’s eyes then went wide. Because what the fuck. Did Jimmy know? Did he figure it out? Did Scott tell him? Does HotGuy know? Does he know about Ariana? Does he know about PoultryMan? What else did he just casually figure out?!

Scott laughed, louder now, “Calm your feathers down. I didn’t tell Jimmy. I figured it out completely on my own, Jimmy won't realize it.” He made his way for the door as Grian kept breathing heavily. “Can I design one of Ariana’s dresses sometime?” He asked, pausing at the door.

“Scott get out!” Grian shouted, and Scott closed the door behind himself. Grian let out whatever air was still in his lungs. And looked at himself in the mirror. His feathers were now completely puffed out, and messed up. Which would be a pain and a half to fix because he had just preened them!

He put the suit on, annoyed, but thankful. He left his superhero outfit underneath because there was no way he was just going to leave it back there. Put the suit was actually nice. There was a massive gap in the back of the button up shirt for his wings. While the shirt itself was off white, the jacket and pants were a light blue. His tie was pink, and he had a patch on his left side of the CuteGuy symbol. In the back there was two small slits that perfectly fit his wings.

He looked at himself in the mirror, and smiled. He hed worn suits before, his suit hid hybrid features, but he had tried on a hybrid suit before. Back then he threw it to the ground and started to cry because he hated his wings. He wished they would just go away because they weren’t celebrated. Everybody hated him for them, he hated himself for them. But now, he was proud of them. He loved them, even if they weren’t perfectly his in this outfit.

He heard a knock on the door, making him jump before he shouted for them to come in. And it was HotGuy. Grian stood straighter, and his wings hid away as usual. He loved to celebrate them, but he couldn’t control old habits. Hiding them away just like he did every other day, around everybody else. Scar knew, Mumbo knew, Pearl and Jimmy of course knew, Scott knew, everybody knew. But not everybody was able to touch them. Not everybody saw them extended, or saw Grian’s emotions displayed through them, or saw them sit loose and airy on his back. Not hiding, not showing off, just resting.

“Hey!” HotGuy said, walking closer to him, “Lookin’ good handsome!”

Grian blushed, but tried to push it down. Because he liked Scar, he didn’t like HotGuy! Even if they had a similar build, and that Scar on their nose..The same hair, the same eyes. But HotGuy wasn’t Scar! HotGuy spoke with confidence, and practice. Scar spoke every word with care, and compassion.

Grian faced the mirror once again, pretending to be smoothing out wrinkles, but instead was just hiding. “Thanks.”

HotGuy smiled, giving himself a once over in the mirror as well, before he faced the avian with a practiced smile. “Nervous?”

Grian looked up at him, not letting go of the edges of his suit jacket. “A bit.” He said with a slight smile.

HotGuy made a small hum, his eyes dragging to the avian’s wings because that was all that people ever focused on. Not his face, the things that made him so obviously not human.

“Do you need help?” He asked, Scar’s normal care in his voice. Grian’s head snapped to his face once again, hearing the care in his tone. But he still had that stupid mask on. Hiding his real identity from Grian.

HotGuy, noticing the lack of response looked back at his eyes, “Your feathers, a few look messed up. You need help?”

Grian froze. HotGuy wanted to help him with his wings?! He let Mumbo help, or Jimmy, or Pearl. Hell, he had even let Scar help at one point when it was a day where a feather he couldn’t reach was really giving him hell. But HotGuy!? He didn’t know that much about the hero. Sure they got along, and sure they jokingly flirted sometimes. But he didn’t really know anything about him!

“I have an avian friend, who kinda taught me how to help. But he said I had to ask first.” He said, a slight blush on his cheeks, and a nervous look splayed across his face.

Grian looked to the ground, and nodded, too embarrassed to look HotGuy in the eyes.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Pearl, thankfully, found her way to the bar. She wasn’t the one to drink every day away, but when her brother stuffed her into an uncomfortable dress, that pinched her wings, and was covered in too much glitter. All while putting on the persona of a famous woman that she didn’t fully know. She was going to drink a little bit.

She sat down, and ordered a drink, nothing special. As she was waiting for it, she felt a hand on her shoulder, making her turn her head. Making direct eye contact with HotGuy of all people. One of the only people here who would probably be able to recognize that she was both, not the regular Ariana, and that she was Pearl.

“Hey beautiful! Drinking already?” He said, with a smile on his face, sitting down in the bar stool next to her. Making a few of the women around them gawk.

Pearl chuckled, getting handed the drink she asked for, it was brown with a twinge of red coloring. “Just to make sure I don’t get too scared of the crowd.” she joked.

HotGuy looked at the drinks behind the bar, “You? Scared of crowds?” he looked back at her, “that isn’t true! Are you sure your the Ariana Griande I know?”

No, she wasn’t. And that was kind of the problem. “Yeah, I am.” She said with a light smile, “Just not feeling it today.” she said, resting her chin in her left hand, facing HotGuy.

HotGuy looked at her scrutinizingly, like he could tell something was wrong. But he never said anything before a “Hello?” rang through the hall. Making everybody’s heads turn.

Jimmy, golden blonde hair, and a fairly nice suit sat on the stage. Holding the microphone. He cleared his throat and spoke again, “Hey! Uhhm..” He mumbled, trying to find the words. Pearl was too far away to see his facial expressions, but she could just hear that he was nervous. “I’m Jimmy! Or- Chief Solidarity. Thank you for coming!”

He put a hand in his pocket, holding the microphone with the other, “This is new, I know, but it’s never too late to start something new! And we have a few of your favorite guests here today!” The crowd cheered as he said that, the people who could see HotGuy and Ariana looking their way. “So we hope you enjoy! I will be coming back periodically, and I have a few announcements. But enjoy your night for now!”

“God he’s shit at this.” Pearl mumbled to herself, not thinking anybody actually heard her until HotGuy said something, “I know right? I told him he needs a script from Pearl!”

Pearl froze, not expecting her name to leave the biggest hero’s mouth, especially when the hero wasn’t her brother. She pulled the drink up to her lips quickly, hoping that HotGuy didn’t notice her just freeze at the mention of a supposedly random reporter.

“Oh shit!” HotGuy called out, reaching forward as he noticed that Pearl had spilled down the front of her dress. But he was too late, because she already felt the alcohol soak into the fabric.

Pearl stood up, unsure of what exactly to do. She looked up at HotGuy who made eye contact with her. The people around glaring, and gasping at her. Because of fucking course she spilled! She was the worst Ariana there ever was! And there was only two! She needed to get out of here, or go home, or even just find Grian-

“Here.” HotGuy said, taking off the jacket of his suit. Handing it to her before grabbing her hand. Pearl was going to fight, but she was dragged too quickly. Fully leaving the bar behind as HotGuy pushed through the backstage door right there.

“I- I don’t want to ruin this!” Pearl said, handing the jacket back to him once the door had closed behind them.

Scar stopped, confused. This wasn’t Ariana. She wouldn’t offer his coat back, she wouldn’t be this awkward in crowds, she wouldn’t act this way. She was giggly, and loose. Not uptight and nervous. She wouldn’t spill a drink on herself because she had awkwardly rushed it to her lips. If she did spill it, she’d just giggle, and wave him off. Not sit there frozen, unsure of what to do.

“Where is Ariana?!” He asked, almost defensively taking the coat jacket back. Why was this person trying to impersonate Ariana? This is such bullshit, he shouldn’t have fallen for this.

“I’m sorry!” Pearl shouted, her wings trying to wiggle loose. “I- I’m filling in for her because she couldn’t come. And didn’t want to be seen as rude.” she tried to explain, starting to freak out, because she had let Grian down. She had let the biggest person in this city know she was a fake.

Grian, unaware of what was going on, was walking down the backstage hallways, following the signs as the kept pointing towards the bar. Because he loved being CuteGuy, but if HotGuy looked at him like that again, he would need a drink.

“Pearlllll……isn't here! Hello Ariana! What are you doing back here?” Grian said, hoping it wasn’t heard by HotGuy, because he’d probably be grilled on it if it was because it didn’t make any sense.

“CuteGuy! This isn’t Ariana she’s trying to fucking fake it.” HotGuy said, an unfamiliar twinge of hatred in his voice, taking Grian back for a moment. He had never heard anger in Scar’s HotGuy’s voice.

He hesitated to speak, seeing the anger in his eyes, and hearing it in his voice. His wings were pressed against his spine harshly, trying to make himself smaller in front of the bigger man, the louder man, the more powerful man.

He took a deep breath, and let it out, “HotGuy, it’s alright. I knew about it. You weren’t told out of Ariana’s wishes. She couldn’t make it today, which is what she-” Grian gestured to his sister, “-explained to me. Ariana said to tell one of us-” Grian gestured to him and HotGuy, “-so we could protect her stand in. And I happen to know her outside of costume. So she trusted me with the information. Nobody besides me was told, not even Jimmy.”

HotGuy seemed to consider his words, the anger in his eyes easing slightly before he turned back to Pearl, who was incredibly nervous. “I- I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to deceive you! Honetl-” Pearl was rambling, but cut off by a large sigh from HotGuy. “Alright, but you need a better dress. Your not ruining Ariana’s reputation with a dress that smells like alcohol.”

Grian’s wings went up in the air, “YOU MADE MY- Her FAVORITE DRESS SMELL LIKE ALCOHOL?!”

Pearl chuckled, and waved him off, “It’ll be fine. I just spilled a drink on it by accident! I’m fine!” She insisted, still looking worried.

“I can’t take you anywhere!” Grian shouted, his wings falling heavily to the floor as he sighed, mostly just joking with her. Pearl laughed too, relaxing a bit from the whole altercation.

“Scott is backstage still I think, I can take you to him.” Grian said, trying to think of what to do, “Or I can fly and go get something else.”

Pearl let her wings let looser in her dress, not being able to feel them anymore, and shook her head, “I think I’d rather take my chances with Scott.”

Grian shrugged, pointing towards where he knew Scott was. She pushed past Grian and followed down the hallway. Grian looked back up at HotGuy, the person he was trying to avoid. And he looked right back at him, staring into his eyes before he said, “You.. You are you right?”

Grian smiled, and placed his hands on his hips. “No, I’m Ariana Griande.”

“She’s soo much better than you.” HotGuy said, elbowing his arm.

Grian looked at where they touched, but tried to not think about it. Because he was still thinking abou what Pearl said, looking at him lovingly. But that was stupid because he liked Scar, and only Scar, and HotGuy was not Scar!

“You are you, right?” HotGuy then asked, quieter, kinder, more like Scar.

Grian nodded, avoiding his eyes, “If you need the proof, you called me fucking kid when we first met!”

HotGuy chuckled, “You are.”

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

“Scott-” Pearl called, looking for the blue haired man. They were off an on for years, they’d hang out non stop for a week, then hate each other for the next. Jimmy hated it, and Grian couldn’t care enough to pay any attention. Pearl was the one to introduce the two, meeting Scott at the college she went to. God, she was bitter at the wedding.

“The fuck do you want from me?!” Scott shouted back, poking his head out from the stage.

“Fuck you! I need my dress cle-” Pearl stopped in her tracks, wait Scott responded like that. The man who made it his mission to be nice to everybody at first responded like how’d he’d respond to Pearl.

“It’s your fault, clean it yourself.” Scott then said, pulling back out to the stage. Pearl turned the corner, seeing a dark area with a blue haired man, and a more frazzled looking Jimmy.

Pearl, unsure of what exactly she just walked in on, got ready to back out. And it made her feel so much better when Scott said, “It’s exactly what it looks like.” followed very quickly with, “It’s not what it looks like!”

“I-” Pearl tried to start before getting cut off once again. “It’s my fault.” and “it’s his fault!” by Scott not really caring, and Jimmy being very freaked out, and hair slightly messy now.

Pearl took a deep breath, checking if they were going to start again. When they didn’t she continued, “I..need help. I spilled on the dress.” she said, gesturing to the dark colored stain on the front of her.

“How did you get back here?” Jimmy asked smoothing down his hair once again. Scott looked at him and looked back at Pearl with a look that just screamed you come up with the lie.

“HotGuy let me back here. CuteGuy said to come to Scott.” Pearl explained, wings moving under the dress, now finding themselves loose under the fabric.

Jimmy looked at Scott, walking up besides him. The blue haired man, who seemed to be the cure for the entire family's fashion problems, looked her up and down before taking a step forward, “Go have fun, I’m cool with helping out.”

“Are you sure?” Jimmy asked, picking at his nails nervously.

Scott nodded, smiling at him, “Go find one of the others, I think CuteGuy went that way.” he said, gesturing to the direction Pearl came from. Jimmy, without any retaliation, listened to Scott, just nodding and looking that direction.

Scott turned, and his face immediately soured, “Tell me why you ruined a perfectly good dress?!” he whisper-shouted at her, not wanting to alert Jimmy.

“What do you mean what did I do?! How do you know if I did it!”

“Because it’s you Pearl?!” Scott said louder now that Jimmy had passed around the corner, because he apparently knew everything?!

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Grian wasn’t sure where HotGuy had gone, but they had split up after leaving the hallway. Apparently he had somebody he had to talk to? Grian wasn’t sure. But that left him, alone, at the bar. Which wasn’t a big deal, because Grian was an adult, and a superhero on top of that. But it was still nerve racking because he didn’t know anybody around him. And his wings were entirely exposed thanks to the nature of his identity. But they were delacute, so he kept them tight to his body, just like he did at the school. Because people were cruel, and he was way too close to not to be cautious.

He was sat on a barstool, he had a glass in hand of something. He didn’t ask about what he was given, the bartender just gave him the ‘CuteGuy special’ because he wanted to get his genuine reaction. And it was actually really good, and he ordered another one.

He didn’t like sitting at bars, because people were behind him, and that meant they had free access to the delicate feathers emerging from his back. And, of course, somebody touched them.

“Go to hell hybrid!” the woman shouted, grabbing the base of his wing and pulling down.

Grian turned, and glared at her in the eyes. “What the fuck?!” he shouted at her. The woman looked a bit surprised to see the hero's face, but kept frowning, “Hybrids are from the devil! You should walk amongst people, or be celebrated!” she shouted again.

Grian got out of the chair he was on, and puffed up his wings as he faced her. He needed to teach her a lesson, so this didn’t happen again.

A look of terror appeared on her face as she backed down slightly, “I-I’m sorry! I didn’t know you were a watcher! Please- I’m sorry! Please don’t hurt me!”

Grian froze, he was a watcher? He looked at his arms, but they looked normal? He had no open eyes, and his wings were still colored correctly for CuteGuy. What did he do? How did he hurt her? He didn’t know. What was going on?

“Woah- Hey, it’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.” Grian tried to sooth, placing his wings into a heart shape. But she looked somehow more terrified.

Another woman in the crowd turned to face the scene, and all she shouted was, “PURPLE!” while pointing at Grian.

He looked down at his hands, seeing the purple glow of his skin he hadn’t noticed a moment ago. And without thinking he opened his wings, and flew up to the balcony above the venue. Hiding in the shadows. He looked behind him, but there was nothing, and back to his skin which also wasn’t purple anymore. Had he been imagining it? Was he always purple at bars? What was going on? She looked so scared, her eyes practically pierced Grian.

He looked back down at the crowd, far enough back that he couldn’t see the bar, and hopefully they couldn’t see him either. He made eye contact with HotGuy by accident, who must’ve heard the shouting. He was standing next to a man that Grian didn’t recognize, but they were holding hands.

Grian didn’t like HotGuy in that way, they were good friends, and sure he flirted with the man sometimes. But it wasn’t like that! And so when he saw HotGuy holding hands with a man who had a black and blue mask on, it totally didn’t hurt! He totally wasn’t upset! He was perfectly fine!

The lights shut off, then smaller individual lights highlighted the stage. Bright whites lights spotlighted a woman on stage. A woman who looked nervous, a woman who looked familiar, a woman with blonde hair and a pink dress.

“U-Uhm…Hello! I’m Ariana Griande!” she said into the microphone, looking into the crowd, looking mostly in the direction of HotGuy. Pearl had been in front of thousands of crowds, she wasn’t scared of being on stage. But what she was scared of is singing Grian’s songs on stage. “And I’m going to be singing something for you!”

The beat started, and the crowd seemed slightly confused, but seemed to accept it quickly. Pearl hadn’t added much to the outfit Grian had already given her. Mostly just adding an extra layer of sparkly pink skirt overtop the stain that was showing.

Grian’s singing voice was usually pretty autotuned, and he knew Pearl’s wouldn’t be. Which would be an excuse for hwy she didn’t sound the same. But, once she started to sing “I’m a-Grian with you”, she sounded good.

Grian started to sing along with her from the balcony. Having Ariana’s actual voice, he was thankful nobody could actually hear him from up here unless he was too loud.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Scar had broken away from CuteGuy as soon as he got the text. He was taller than most people here, despite his usual wheelchair use. Which he technically didn’t need the wheelchair. He had gotten it when his training got really bad when he was younger to the point he couldn’t walk the morning. And ever since that he used a wheelchair when he wasn’t in his HotGuy uniform to both keep his identity more hidden, but also because he was usually sore the next morning.

He rushed through the crowd, looking for the black haired man, with large blue and green glowing horns. The man he had been friends with since he was a young kid. The man that had given him the scar on his nose, and half of his other ones. Not in malicious intent, but due to what kind of hybrid he was, and their training. He was more powerful than Scar, so of course Scar was the one who ended up with more cuts, more scrapes, more bruises, more scars.

Then he saw him, like moonlight in a dark cave. Scar had a thing for Grian, he liked Grian, he liked his coworker. But he wouldn’t describe him the way he would describe Cub. Not because he liked Cub more, not at all! But because Cub was just there. He had always been there. No matter what. If Scar was crying, if Scar was annoying the shit out of him, if Scar was bruised so badly he couldn’t get out of bed, so lost in his head he couldn’t eat, so far from Earth that he couldn’t even feel Cub’s hugs.

“Skulk!” Scar shouted, waving above the crowd. He saw Cub look up, and immediately walk towards him.

Once Scar reached Cub, he pulled his best friend into a tight hug. Tight enough that Cub turned to skulk in his hands, reforming right past Scar’s arms. Something he had done since they were teenagers, finally having enough control to keep himself safe as he did it.

“Hey HotGuy.” He said, crossing his arms.

“Oh my god! Cub! I’m so happy you came! I have to introduce you to CuteGuy, and Ariana! How long are you sticking around? You need to meet Grian! Oh, and Mumbo-”

“HotGuy, calm down.” Cub said, putting a hand over Scar’s mouth, “I can head you easily.”

They got a few looks around, a few hushes, a lot of judgement. Which followed Cub everywhere. He was a Warden hybrid, a dangerous hybrid, a hybrid that deserved to live underground and never see the light of day.

“Oh Cub! It’ll be amazing I promise! You’ll love to meet everybody here! Are you working? Do you want to meet Jimmy? Pearl? Oh I’m sure Pearl will want to meet you-”

“GO TO HELL HYBRID!” Scar heard somebody shout from across the venue. He looked at Cub, who’s glow suddenly dimmed, trying to hide himself. Instinctively, Scar grabbed Cub’s hand, pulling him closer. Because just as always, Scar was the human. And he had to protect his friends.

“I thought the city was accepting?!” Cub growled, glaring up at Scar, who was starting to look scared. “I-It usually is!” he said, pulling towards the stage as everybody else looked towards the noise. Scar was pretty sure he had spotted a few hybrids her,e not as many as he was used to seeing in his home town, but it was still enough that Scar didn’t know who he was talking about. Well, that was until he heard something else get shouted, “PURPLE!”

Scar’s head turned faster than he knew was possible, gripping Cub’s hand impossibly tighter. “Scar, is a Watcher here?” Cub asked, a low and serious voice.

“I- Yes! But- Neither of them are bad people. I promise!” Scar said, panicking as he watched CuteGuy fly up with Cub.

Scar looked into his eyes, he looked scared, and like he was about to cry. He was breathing heavily. “Neither of them are bad Cub.” Scar said, turning to his best friend as the lights turned off.

Cub’s night vision immediately kicked in, knowing the outlines of each person, and he could still see the man who he had seen fly in the opposite corner. And could still see the purple figure that was him. So he was one of the watchers in here, but he had also seen that he was the superhero Scar had mentioned. How could one of those people be a hero?

A light came on, revealing a woman on stage, who was in pink. Cub had recognized her, talking to Scar enough to know it was some music artist that was super popular in the town. She looked nervous, and Cub could hear her wings beneath her coat. But why was she nervous if she was a famous popstar?

Cub could tell this town was weird.

Chapter Text

Jimmy sat on his couch, in his cozy home that he shared with his amazing husband. The husband that he didn’t deserve. The husband that had saved him from a terrible place. Meeting him not long after escaping the hell hole that was called the Watchers. Scott was introduced to him by Pearl. Living with his best friends Gem and Impulse. They still hung out at least once a week at least. But Scott had dropped out of college not long after they met, because it wasn’t for him. Which Jimmy respected, and now Scott did really whatever he wanted. He’d design clothes, do interior design, build, it really depended on the week.

“What are you working on?” Scott asked, walking over with a bowl of popcorn in a red bowl that he had painted years ago when he was a kid, and yet it somehow still looked good.

Jimmy sighed, pulling his head into his face. “I don’t know what to do about CuteGuy and HotGuy, and now this Skulk guy- I’m so lost.” His cowboy hat, that Scott had gave him when he graduated from the academy because of his tendency to watch old western movies, sat right next to him on the couch. Scott set down his popcorn on the coffee table and hung the hat down next to the door, grabbing the bowl once again and sat down next to Jimmy.

The coffee table had photos, and articles, and dates, layed all out. Pictures of CuteGuy, Skulk, and HotGuy. The academy HotGuy had come from was on the table too. Articles of Watchers, and the academy. Of HotGuy, and Akulk, and any he could find on CuteGuy. Notes he had about the Watchers that his siblings had pooled together. Anything, and everything.

“Well, what are you trying to do?” Scott asked, placing his head on Jimmy’s shoulder, avoiding hitting him with his antlers, looking at the mess on their living room table. The table itself was a nice warm wood, and the couch was cyan blue. The TV in the corner was playing some film that had been long forgotten.

“I- I don’t know!” Jimmy shouted, frantically. Scott moved his head again, rubbing Jimmy’s back. “Think about it. What are you trying to do?”

Jimmy slumped back against the couch. Looking at the mess on the table, then at his husband. He sighed, “I don’t know.” he mumbled, twirling his thumbs.

Scott grabbed Jimmy’s hand, and looked at him in the eyes, “Are you trying to figure out their identities?” Jimmy shook his head, “Are you trying to figure out where CuteGuy came from?” Jimmy shook his head hesitantly. “Are you trying to find something out about the Watchers?” Jimmy looked back at what he had laid out in front of him, “Maybe?”

Scott smiled, cupping Jimmy’s face with his hand. Jimmy’s face was warm, his eyes were beautiful, and Scott couldv’e stared at them all day if he wanted. But he didn’t, because he didn’t need to. Scott would always have them to look at, so he didn’t need to stare at them all day to be satiated. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” Jimmy said, smiling. Such simple words, holding so much meaning.

“You hungry?” Scott asked, leaning back onto Jimmy.

“Maybe a little bit.” Jimmy mumbled, looking at the clock on the wall.

Scott shuffled, to the point he was looking up at their roof. It was light blue like the walls. Scott refused to live in an unpainted house. Jimmy looked at him, and chuckled. “What?” Scott asked, trying to look at him from his position.

Jimmy used his opposite arm to reach up and card his fingers through Scott’s hair, tapping at the wound where Scott’s horn was just a moment prior. “It’s that time already.”

Scott reached his hand up to the wound, laughing, because yeah, he supposed it was. He had them during the ball, which he was honestly thankful for because he would’ve looked really weird to have only one.

But it was only the evening after, he had driven Grian and Pearl home a few hours ago now while Jimmy stopped back at his office. “At least I didn’t lose them on stage! That would’ve been so embarrassing!”

Jimmy laughed, reaching for the antler from behind him. Twirling it in his fingers. “You gonna keep that one too?” Scott asked, watching his hands. Jimmy had kept the first one from every year they were together. He could still remember the first time it had happened. They were together in a coffee shop, it was evening, and Scott was doing homework with him, and Jimmy opened his wings wide while trying to stretch them from sitting against them for so long. He ended up hitting it, and it just fell off. He was so scared that he had hurt Scott, but he hadn’t even noticed.

“Probably.” Jimmy said, putting it on top of the papers and photos on the table. He pushed Scott over enough to be able to kiss him on the lips. They stayed there, absorbing each other’s presence in their lives until Jimmy’s stomach rumbled. Causing them both to pull away laughing.

“Are you hungry?” Scott asked, joking.

“Maybe a little bit.” Jimmy repeated, chuckling and looking down at their floor.

Scott smiled, and nodded, noting that it was really late. Like sun was going to rise in an hour kind of late. “Maybe you should go to sleep afterwards.”

“What about you?” Jimmy asked, stretching his arms out.

“I will too.” Scott said slowing, standing as he did so. He grabbed the other antler on his head and shook it, trying to see if that one would pop off too. But it was solid on there. So he sighed, and walked over to the connected kitchen behind the couch.

Jimmy laid down on the couch, one wing layed over the back of the couch, and the other falling off the couch. He could still see the papers laid over the table. He knew HotGuy was Scar, and he knew that Grian actually liked Scar..disappointingly. He really didn’t want Grian to be involved with this, he had stayed out of it for years, and he was being dragged by the Watchers. He just had to make sure Scar wouldn’t get hurt, for Grians sake.

He had seen CuteGuy freak out at the ball, but Scott said he had checked on him, and that he was fine. But he did want to talk to him about that. Why did he freak out? And why did Jimmy hear something about purple? It was concerning, and he hoped it wasn’t anything bad But he didn’t know. And Skulk..He had briefly gotten introduced to him, he was a superhero from the same academy, who had come into town to visit. He was staying with Scar for an uncertain amount of time.

Scott noticed his husband being lost in thought, and walked over, sitting him back up. Jimmy didn’t fight him as he picked his limp body up. Scott got comfortable, placing his legs on either side of Jimmy, laying his husband against him.

“What happened to the food?” Jimmy asked, trying to move to face the blue haired man, but Scott didn’t let him. Instead he just started to card his fingers through Jimmy’s left wing.

“Scott?” Jimmy asked, a bit louder as he relished in the touch. Wings were delicate. They needed to be cleaned often, they were soft, and fragile. A single bent feather could hurt like hell. Sending stabbing pains through the entire muscle. They could also be used as a calming method, much like getting massaged.

Scott shrugged, “I ordered something. I don’t feel like cooking.”

Jimmy squinted at the clock, he thought it was four AM? He didn’t understand how that would work.

Scott, having amazing intuition for his husband, and the rest of their family apparently, answered his question, “Jimmy, its a city. Of course people are still delivering this time at night.”

Jimmy nodded, closing his eyes and leaning into his husband as Scott kept carding through the feathers. He had learned how to do this years ago, helping Pearl once or twice before him and Jimmy started dating.

Chapter Text

Grian sat in a meeting with the other teachers from his department. Mumbo, Scar, and the other art related teachers. Because while they’re classrooms weren’t in the same wing, they were in the same department of building, arts, and whatnot. Grian knew he was the one who was being watched, having been placed on the end of the table, opposite the person who ran the whole college.

Mumbo was sat right next to him, and Scar was much farther down the table. They tried as hard as they could to not make it obvious that Grian was friends with Scar to not give him a bad wrap with everybody else. Because in a school with thousands of teachers, Grian was the only hybrid. Because he couldn’t hide it, and because most hybrids wouldn’t want to live in this city. But it was where Mumbo was, where Jimmy and Pearl were, where Scott was. It was where everybody was.

“Director. Why did you call this meeting?” Scar asked, looking almost worried.

“Because, I’ve gotten complaints from students and teachers about Mr. Grian. Here.” He said sternly, making all of their heads turn towards the avian in the red sweater.

“What student is complaining about him! He’s one of the kids favorite teachers!” Mumbo shouted, standing out of his chair.

Grian’s wings were pulled tightly against his back as he quickly pulled Mumbo back into his seat. It wouldn’t be good if Mumbo defended him. Grian didn’t want him to get hurt. Grian didn’t want either of them to get punished for him. He had other money resources, it didn’t matter how many times his pay got halved. Mumbo depended on that paycheck. Scar depended on that paycheck. They didn’t lead other lives.

“Mumbo please.” Grian whispered, trying to keep his tone normal, but he wasn’t sure it came through. He was scared, he didn’t know what was going on. All he had gotten was a letter that told him to go to a meeting with a time.

The director cleared his throat, “Now, I have a proposition to make with everybody.” everybody stayed silent. Most of the teachers keeping a neutral face besides the teachers who knew Grian. Seeing the fear in his eyes. “I say that Mr. Grian leaves the school.”

“Objection!” Scar yelled, directly at the director, “Like Mumbo said, Grian is loved by the students! And his class has an amazing pass rate! Why would you even fathom that?!”

The director snapped, “I understand you are new here Mr. GoodTimes. But that doesn’t mean you can just interrupt me.” his eyes were still, and his face held no emotion, his voice was quiet, nobody else could hear him as he said, “You might’ve not noticed. But Mr. Grian is a hybrid.” His voice was full of disgust as he continued, “He’s dangerous. He can hurt people. What if he hit somebody with a wing, and not to mention those eyes. He’s making staff members scared.”

Scar stopped, his mouth agape, and eyes wide. He looked back at Grian, and all he could do was shake his head. What did they mean?! Grian kept his wings painfully tight. Grian’s black eyes weren’t terrifying. He was normal, he was a normal avian teacher. He wasn’t some science experiment, he wasn’t a danger. He’d never hurt anybody. He stopped every time a student looked even slightly upset. He didn’t even let people fail his class easily.

He had wings like CuteGuy, but instead of stretching them, taking care of them, preening and cleaning them. He kept them hidden, tucked so tightly that it had to leave lasting effects. His black eyes weren’t a curse. They were beautiful, as beautiful as the space. Just like CuteGuy, and Ariana. Grian wasn’t a curse, Grian wasn’t dangerous!

Scar grew up, side by side with hybrids of all kinds. In the program he used to eat, sleep, and breath in. The program that was shoved down his throat as early as he could remember. They sucked in millions of directions. But he was surrounded by hybrids the entire time. And not once were they a danger to him. The only danger was that they were better than he ever would be! They didn’t need tech, or assistance for their special abilities. Being able to turn to skulk, to fly, to breath underwater, to paralyze anybody they needed to, without outside assistance.

Scar knew how dangerous it was, since he was a kid. But he was trained. He worked harder than any of the hybrids he grew up with. But he was never first. And he never will be because hybrids were better. They were more accepting, they were more free. They were more of themselves than Scar ever would be.

He knew it was dangerous and yet he was still doing it. He would still be doing it for years. He didn’t want CuteGuy to do it, not because he wasn’t good enough, not because he was a hybrid, but because it was dangerous. His only reason for living was to protect. And now he couldn’t even protect Grian as he was being taken away from his only job.

“We believe, for the safety of our teachers and students, you can not work here anymore.” the direct laid out without hesitation.

“W-What?!” Grian said, trying to bury the tears his eyes wanted to create. Kicked off, fired. He didn’t need the job, he didn't need the money. But he worked there because he wanted to, because he wanted the kids to have a teacher they can trust. He was there for them, not himself, not the job. Where else would the hybrid kids go for safety? What other teacher would they know they can trust? What other teacher did they know they could go to when they were being hurt, and discriminated against.

“Mr. GoodTimes and Mr. Jumbo would become the substitute teacher for your classes until we find a main replacement. Because they seem more..attuned..to that kind of setting.” the director said, not hiding the pure disgust in his voice of Grian being there. He knew that it wasn’t because they knew how to teach architect, but that it was because they were the only ones willing to go into the mostly hybrid class, who was taught by a hybrid. And also because they knew nobody would teach it better than Grian, and they could get information from him. They knew that, but they were scared.

“I- I don’t have time for that! My redstone classes take up most of my free time as well!” Mumbo shouted, and he wasn’t wrong. Grian might’ve lived extra lives, and bothered Mumbo most of the time. Mumbo did a lot of work at home, or got home late. He didn’t have time. That was something Grian learned years ago.

“I- I don’t have free time! I have a second job in the evenings.” Scar said, which Grian hadn’t been told about before, but he didn’t put too much thought into it. Scar seemed to have a nice thing, so it made sense he had the funds for it.

“Well that’s not my problem, is it?” The Director hissed.

“Who wants me gone?!” Grian yelled suddenly, knowing it was the teachers who wanted him gone. Every student he had, liked him, they gave him gifts at the end of the year, and even thanked him. He had every kid he had pass for three years in a row now.

“I believe they should stay anonymous.” A teacher said, she was the math teacher, and they had never gotten along.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Grian was tying the laces to his CuteGuy boots. Getting ready to fly out his emotions out of frustration. Kicking the Watcher’s asses to get rid of the complicated feelings he had. He didn’t care that his eyes were puffy from crying, he didn’t care that it was a random Thursday, and way earlier than he usually went out for CuteGuy. He didn’t care that his hair was messy, and that his feathers were incredibly messed up, and that he was missing a clump on the inside.

He opened his window, and was about to take off when he heard a door open.

“Grian, please talk to me!” Mumbo said, opening the door tho Grian’s bedroom.

Grian looked back at him, his vision was blurry, and he could barely make out the Mumbo shaped figure in front of him. Despite having open eyes in a few places, where Grian would usually close them immediately. They stayed open, watching every direction. Making sure nobody snuck up on him again.

“It’s going to be okay. Throwing yourself into danger isn’t going to help!” Mumbo said, taking a single step closer to test the waters.

Grian flinched, his wings spreading out even more. The eye on his lower back staring him down. The eye on his wing base looked at the PoultryMan mask. The eye that sat in the new bald spot watched outside. The eyes on his face were watering, facing Mumbo.

“It’s okay, I’m not going to hurt you.” Mumbo said, opening his arms in a motion to offer Grian a hug. But he just flapped his wings and flew out the window. Not looking back at Mumbo with any eyes he could see.

Mumbo cursed to himself, and he pulled out his phone and searched his contact, finding the one he was looking for at the very bottom of his phone. He dialed it, praying somebody responded.

“Hello?” a woman answered, sounding confused.

“Pearl! Thank god- I need you to get HotGuy sent out! Now. I don’t care what excuse you have to make!” Mumbo said frantically, watching outside the window in Grian’s room. Not seeing the avian anywhere.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Grian landed on a building that he hadn’t been to before. He could see the police station, and the school from here. Maybe he could grab the director? Since he was such a villain, since he was just as dangerous as them. He couldn’t see out of the two eyes on his face, they were still crying. But the other eyes on his body that had opened had a clear view of everything going on.

He saw Pearl run into the police building. He flew to another building that could see into the windows of the police building easier. He could see Jimmy sitting at his desk, seeming to be scribbling something on the papers in front of him. He then looked up, and Grian could see Pearl looking frantic while talking to him.

Was there a watcher attack around? He hadn’t seen or heard anything. Was he the Watcher again? Were people scared of him again? He hadn’t flown in a few days. The school must’ve gotten wind of CuteGuy freaking out at the ball. He heard Pearl reported on it, saying that CuteGuy hadn’t hurt anybody. But other reporters said otherwise. That CuteGuy caused great panic.

Jimmy picked up the phone quickly, and he seemed to immediately start talking. Then he saw Scar roll out of the school, he seemed to be going quickly. But he had papers laid all over his lap. Jimmy put the phone down after, he didn’t see Scar with a phone. What had gotten him to go so quick then? He didn’t really know.

Scar got into the passenger side of a car, he hadn’t really seen Scar use a car before. It was a minivan, painted blue with many stickers on it. He didn’t really realize Scar had a car. But then it drove away. Grian didn’t see it park, so he must've called it before Grian landed. Who was driving it though? Was it an uber? He didn’t think Scar knew anybody in the city besides Grian and Mumbo, and he guessed Jimmy. But Grian didn’t like cars, Mumbo’s was a sports car, and Jimmy had a police car.

He lost track of the car, it went around a building that Grian couldn’t see past. Disappearing into the city. Jimmy and Pearl still seemed to be talking. What were they talking about? Pearl then spotted CuteGuy on the building, they made eye contact. Pearl pointed at him, and Jimmy turned around. Now Grian was looking both of his siblings into the eyes while they saw him as the villain.

Grian took off again, their eyes hurt. He flew a few blocks over, finding the car Scar was in parked on the street. He didn't see anybody inside, so they must’ve gotten out already. He landed on the rook across from the apartment complex the car was parked at. He could see an apartment with pink walls. He could see another with green walls. He saw one with blue and orange curtains, which was close to the fire exit and on top. He also saw one with a cat in the window. That must’ve been Scar’s. Grian had seen cat hair on the man, and he had heard about Jellie before. He waved at the orange cat, and it puffed up. So apparently Jellie wasn’t friendly.

The cat Grian had been watching was on the bottom floor, so yeah it was probably Scar’s. But then, he saw a masked man poke his head out of the window with the orange and blue curtains. A masked man, that Grian was very familiar with. HotGuy spotted Grian, and opened the window, jumping out of it. HotGuy and Scar lived in the same apartment complex? That was a weird coincidence.

Before HotGuy could reach Grian, the man who he had been holding hands with followed out right behind him. A warden hybrid with massive glowing horns, and a black mask, that faded out into cyan around the edges. He was wearing a black trench coat, with a star-like glowing pattern. Grian had forgotten about him. He didn't like HotGuy, but it still hurt that HotGuy had a boyfriend.

“Hey! Are you the one to tell Chief Solidarity there was a Watcher attack?” HotGuy asked. So that was what Pearl was worried about? Jimmy must’ve been calling the professional hero, and whoever the other guy was. It made sense, but why didn’t Pearl trust him to do it on his own!?

“No.” Was all Grian said, turning the other way. He hadn’t looked HotGuy n the eyes, but his eyes were still watery, his vision was still blurry. And he was still seeing out the eyes that weren’t supposed to be there.

HotGuy looked at the warden hybrid, who looked confused. He took a step towards the avian, Grian focused more eyes on the pair. HotGuy froze, noticing the much different behavior that Grian was showing. “This- This is Skulk. He’s a friend of mine from years ago.”

Friend? yeah, right. They must’ve just not wanted to reveal anything. It made sense, they had to keep their identity’s private. It’s not like Grian totally didn’t just see where they had come from.

“I’m going to keep searching.” Grian said coldly, flying away as quick as he could. He finally wiped off his face. He had been trying to ignore that he was crying. Pretend he wasn’t. But he just had so many emotions. Pearl and Jimmy were shouting at him just a second ago. The city he was supposed to take care of hated him. The job he had to distract himself had crumbled. What was the point anymore?

Grian stopped moving his wings, and started to fall towards the traffic. It felt good to free fall. But he couldn’t do it for long before he opened up his wings, letting them catch the air like a parachute. He flew up to the last tall building of the city, and sat on it, looking out to the neighborhood of actual houses.

“What was that about?!” Skulk asked, a twinge of anger in his voice. First he learned that the hybrid that was supposed to make hybrids in the city feel safer, was a Watcher. And now the guy is an asshole? He wasn’t the usual type of person Scar involved himself with.

“I- I don’t know.” Scar mumbled, picking at his nails. “He isn’t usually like this- I promise.”

Cub scoffed, Warden hybrids were easily angered. But Cub could control himself, no matter who or what was in front of him. “It’s the city's fault. He’s a Watcher. You have a Watcher problem.”

Scar stayed quiet for a moment, he never felt judged by Cub, he still didn’t feel judged by Cub. He understood where the man was coming from. He wasn’t confused by it. But he still didn’t want to hear it. “I’m going to go talk to him, okay?” Scar decided, taking a step away from Cub, who nodded, crossing his arms.

Scar took off, jumping building to building. It wasn’t the easiest for him to jump that far, but he was alright. And he had been doing it for literal years at this point. Jumping from one building to the next. One was made of red bricks, the next being made out of stone. Running in the direction he could’ve sworn CuteGuy was in.

He spotted the avian, wings spread out, facing the wind. Scar smiled to himself, but he knew this wasn’t the time to tell CuteGuy he loved him. Plus he liked Ariana, he wasn’t sure how to go about any of this. So he just pretended it didn’t exist, and only Cub knew about it. Because it wasn’t like Jimmy would want to hear about it, and it’s not like Grian or Mumbo would take the information that he somehow knew two of the most famous people in this city.

“Hey! Newbie!” Scar shouted, taking a breather a few buildings away. He wanted to at least put a smile on the avian's face. But he seemed to either not hear Scar, or ignore him. He assumed it was the second one. Avian’s were incredibly stubborn, and CuteGuy had better perception then Scar did.

He got closer, landing on the opposite side of the same building. He was now close enough to see all of CuteGuy’s eyes watching him. Of course he just had to make friends with two different avian Watchers. How likely is that?! He hadn’t even seen a Watcher outside of the two. “Hey- Birdie. You alright?” he called out, cupping his hands around his mouth.

Cuteguy’s frame got smaller, curling into itself tighter. HotGuy took another step forward. Grian turned, his vision was blurry, similar to that meeting he went to with the hero. Where his voice was as kind as Scar’s. But HotGuy wasn’t Scar. He never would be Scar. Scar was a creative man, who made jokes and loved disney. HotGuy was a badass superhero who knew other badass superheroes. Not to mention the very obvious wheelchair problem.

“I’m a danger.” Cuteguy said, his voice timid and fragile. Pearl and Jimmy pointed to him like he was a monster. The city saw him like a monster at the ball. He was a Watcher. He’d always be a Watcher. It didn’t matter.

“No! I said it before, and I’ll say it again! You're not a danger!” HotGuy said, loudly, getting closer to the avian. He saw something that was similar to Grian in CuteGuy. He didn’t know CuteGuy’s identity, and he was trained to not even wonder. Sometimes he did give it a split second of thought. But he knew they weren’t the same. CuteGuy had black wings, and the confidence of a hero. His voice was deeper, and he was agile and quick. Grian was clumsy, and shy. Granted Scar still hadn’t talked to him since the meeting. Which he really should do, but he didn’t have the time. He didn’t expect to hear of a Watcher attack today.

“I’m a danger!” CuteGuy said, shouting it this time, as his wings pulled up to make himself bigger, and scarier. Scarier to who? Scar assumed it was to him, but he’d never be scared of CuteGuy. Or Grian. They weren’t dangerous. He knew that. They both freaked out at just the mention of the Watchers. They’d never hurt anybody. Not unless they had to. Scar

knew that.

“You aren’t.” HotGuy said, sitting down next to the avian. Hand hovering over Grian’s, because he was dating Skulk. Grian pulled his hand to his chest, facing the other way. A few more tears fell from his eyes as his body shook. His head pounded, his eyes were tired, his face hurt. He just wanted this entire fucking day to be over. He wanted to kick Watcher ass, not cry with HotGuy.

“Bullshit. Yes I am! Look at me!” Grian shouted, facing HotGuy, opening more eyes on his body, wherever they would be visible really.

Scar couldn’t begin to describe how jealous of Grian and CuteGuy he was. He was human, inside and out. He didn’t have Skulk like Cub, he didn’t have wings like Grian, he didn’t have eyes either. They would be so helpful to him. He knew Grian hated them, he knew they meant bad things. But they were beautiful, and helpful. But he could never say it, and he tried to not even humor the thought.

“You're not a danger! Your CuteGuy. Your my partner. Your an avian, who is a hero. The hero the town needs.” HotGuy said, placing a hand on Grian’s thigh.

Grian kissed HotGuy. He didn’t know if it was the overwhelming emotions. He wasn’t sure if it was because he wanted a distraction. He didn’t know if it was because he thought HotGuy was Scar. He didn’t know.

It was a short kiss, their lips barely pushed together for more than a second, before Grian realized his colossal mistake. HotGuy was taken. HotGuy was dating the other hero that already gave him the cold shoulder. Grian was now the bad guy for sure. He hurt something now. He actually did something now.

Scar’s hand tightened against CuteGuy’s thigh as he was pulled into a kiss. A kiss that lasted no longer than five seconds, but a kiss that felt heavenly. A kiss that Scar had wanted for as long as he knew the avian. A kiss he only thought lived in his mind, because it was forbidden. They didn’t know who each other was. It was dangerous for them to know. But maybe that made it better.

Cuteguy stared in pure horror. His legs bent, getting his feet flat against the wall of the building. His wings opened. He looked away with a sob. And he flew. He didn’t have a destination, he didn’t have any thought to go back to the city.

Scar sat there. Lost, confused, and wanting more. Long enough that he felt something crawl up his arm. He looked down, it was a small blob of sparkly black goo-looking thing. Scar let it crawl up him, watching it. It finally set itself in his ear, and Cub’s voice came through. “Go.” was all he said, before the blob fell back onto the stone building, and started to move back.

Scar sighed, and pushed himself off the building. He fell back against it, sliding down the wall before he pushed off again, much closer to the ground. As soon as his feet hit asphalt he ran.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Grian didn’t stop. But he did slow down. Being far past the residential area, finding a long and crowded road that he didn’t know where it went. He landed nearby, walking along on the dirt off to the side of the road. His wings were pressed tightly against him once again. Most of the eyes on his body were closed, so he didn’t look insane. But he also didn’t look sane. He was a man, dressed in a black bodysuit, with wings, who looked like he had been crying all day. And it was now dark outside. He could see the light pollution from the city if he looked behind him. But he didn’t care. He didn’t want to go back.

“CuteGuy!” he heard a familiar voice shout. Along with the thump, thump, thump of his boots against the dirt. Grian turned around, why would HotGuy come all the way out here?

Grian stopped, his eyes starting to water again. He was tired, he was upset, he wanted to go home. He wanted to get out of the tight as fuck suit. He wanted a distraction.

HotGuy fell into him, his legs melting from under him from running. They fell off the raised path against the road, falling into the grass next to it. Grian didn’t have the energy to fight it, and stop him. He let his wings spread out under him as he laid on the grass facing the stars.

Scar rolled farther, not having wings to stop himself. But as soon as he stopped he ran back over to CuteGuy. One thing going through his mind, one thought, one action. He pulled CuteGuy to face him, kissing him deeply on the lips. Pulling away as they looked into each other’s eyes.

Chapter Text

Grian rolled over in bed, his wings were fully out, one falling off the bed, and the other curled under him and around his arm. He lifted up a hand to his face, feeling something weird on his face. He felt a leather-like material, and took it off his face. He opened his bleary eyes, and saw the CuteGuy mask in his hand. But why would he be wearing it in bed? He thought back to last night, he remembered crying, HotGuy chased after him, they kissed…that was interesting. Then they raced back to the city and…

...And they went back to HotGuy’s apartment.

Grian sat up, putting the mask right back onto his face. He looked around the room, he was in a bed with grey sheets, one pillow case was disney themed, and the other was Ariana Griande themed. Which was weird, but this was a superhero they were talking about, what was Grian really expecting? At the end of the bed a seat with no back sat. He had two bedside tables, and a large window opposite to the door, which is where they came in, and where Grian saw him and Skulk come out.

Skulk. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. He had totally just let HotGuy cheat on another superhero. It was CuteGuy’s fault. He had known about it too! This was just great! It was just amazing!

He stood up, seeing a couple nips on his collarbone, down to his whole body. He sighed, and saw HotGuy’s clothes semi put away, more like placed on the dresser in the corner of the room. While the CuteGuy outfit was placed on the seat at the end of the bed. Grian sighed, putting it back on, and getting ready to jump back out the window. He pulled out his phone, and saw at least 200 notifications.

Grian scrolled through them, most were from Mumbo, there was a few from Pearl asking about him. There was one from Jimmy asking if he heard about the Watcher attack. The most recent one was from Scar, who he hadn’t heard from since the meeting, asking if he was alright. Grian got ready to text him when he got another text from Mumbo.

“Grian, I swear to god. I don’t care where you are. But you need to come down to the school right now. They want to clear out your classroom, and if you want anything from it. You need to come NOW.”

Grian scoffed, because of course they were already clearing out his classroom. He responded back, “I need to get home first, CuteGuy can’t show up at school.”

“You're not going to have time!” Mumbo responded back quickly.

Grian sighed, looking around the room. There was a note taped to the dresser that he had been ignoring, because he didn’t want to think about it any further. He wanted his distraction over with, he was ready to face the world again, he had his fun. He was done.

But he grabbed the note and read it anyway, the handwriting was a bit messy and to be honest it vaguely reminded him of Scar’s...Which he still liked. But this whole thing had really thrown him around. Did he like HotGuy or not? He didn’t know anymore. “Help yourself if you need to get around in civilian clothes. I promise I never saw your face birdie, we both kept our masks on! ;D”

Grian sighed, grabbing the paper and pulling it to the floor. He opened the top drawer, most of the things being shirts in there. Grian found this blue and orange striped buttoned one, a white button up, a shirt that said Jellie sanctuary, A shirt that said Scarland, and many others. He pulled out a disney shirt, that was pretty big. He pulled it over his wings, and it was surprisingly comfortable. He pulled on a random pair of grey sweatpants overtop his CuteGuy uniform, which mostly was covered, besides the boots that he used for CuteGuy, but he doubted HotGuy would have his size.

He left the room, taking off his mask on the way out. He was going to go to the school, then go home. Maybe drop HotGuy’s clothes through the window before heading back? He didn’t know.

“Hello CuteGuy.” Somebody from the couch said. And Grian froze. He had black hair, and massive blue horns- Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

“Look I’m so sorry! I promise nothing will ever happen again! I didn’t mean to! I was having a bad day, which I know isn’t an excuse-

“Calm down, calm down.” He said, still facing away from Grian. “What do you think was going on?”

Grian’s eyes were wide, he opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He didn’t know what Skulk was talking about, or what to say, or how to get out of this situation.

“Did you think we were together?!” Skulk asked, turning his head to the side, before facing forward once again. If Grian had to guess, it was because he also didn’t have a mask on. But, what did he mean think. Was Grian wrong?! Had he not just fucked up a relationship. Was he not a homewrecker between superheros?! Skulk laughed, setting his phone down. “No, we aren’t together.” The glow of his horns pulsed as he laughed. “Now go before we see each other’s faces.” Grian smiled nervously, and continued to walk out, petting the cat that was sat on the back of the couch that he didn’t know the name of. It purred, and clawed at his hand as he tried to shake her free. “She’s stubborn, always has been. But come by again and now that she has your scent your never being left alone.” Skulk said, looking away from Grian as much as he could. Grian chuckled, kissing the top of the cat’s head, “That's fine, I- I guess I’ll see you later?” Grian asked, his hand on the door handle. “Hopefully I’ll get a better introduction to you instead of being ignored, seeing you freak out in Watcher, and you doing the walk of shame.” Skulk then said, almost as if he was mocking Grian, which if he was being honest, it was deserved. They hadn’t really had a great interaction yet. If he was being honest, this was the most normal one they had. Grian had ended up ignoring everybody at the ball, hiding, after he was shouted at for being a watcher. And last night he wasn’t in the best mood. “Yeah, hopefully.” Grian said, sliding out of the apartment. ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ Grian walked up to the school, it wasn’t a terrible walk from HotGuy’s apartment to it thankfully, just slightly exhausting when Grian’s body was incredibly fatigued, and he couldn’t fly without risk of his CuteGuy outfit showing underneath his clothes. And it’s not like he could casually walk around holding it. He walked up to the building, shooting Mumbo a message. Almost immediately it said read, and the door opened. “Grian! You- God! You took forever!”

“I’m sorry! I- I had an interesting night last night.” Grian said, trying to dance around saying anything he didn’t think his best friend would want to hear. “Do I just go to my room?”

Mumbo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose while closing the door behind them. “Yes! Go!” Mumbo said, pushing Grian down the hallway, following right behind him.

They passed some of the other teachers walking, Grian could hear one of them whisper “One day off and he’s already given up.” with the other one responding with, “I knew it was a good idea to fire him.”

Which, first off, how dare they because Grian hadn’t let himself go! It wasn’t his fault that he woke up late, in HotGuy’s apartment because they had slept together last night. And he had to borrow random clothes that he hoped the hero wouldn’t notice were gone. And also, they just wished they had gotten fucked by HotGuy last night!

Okay…maybe Grian needed to shut up, even if it was in his own head.

“I know HotGuy…for the record.” Grian said under his breath, Mumbo barely picked up on it, elbowing Grian to shut up, because he wasn't supposed to know that.

They finally reached the classroom Grian teaches…taught in. Scar was in there, he moved a little more sluggish than usual but he was trying to stop them from doing anything drastic until Grian got there.

“Hey- Sorry I’m late.” Grian said, walking into the room of another few teachers and Scar. The other teachers looked bothered that he had come back. And Scar equally looked surprised and thankful.

Grian took a few steps into the classroom. It wasn’t a bare room, he had posters up of different styles of architecture all over. There was an Ariana and HotGuy poster on the back of the door to boost them. He had a free hybrids poster, and a rainbow pride flag. He had models from students over the years, and textbook or regular books. There was a library of CD’s with a massive speaker for when the students wanted to bring in or play music. There was a corner with any art supplies the students would need, along with a childrens play mat for them to sit on while using it. There was a cart next to the door with snacks and anything that would count as a basic need. He catered to the students, because he had the ability, and he loved the smiles it put on their faces.

“Scar and Mumbo will need materials to teach in here, so you can’t take out everything!” Grian argued, seeing them take all of the CD’s in the case. “Some of those are the student’s!” Grian shouted, getting close enough to touch the person taking everything out. But he didn’t, because he knew better. Because he was a hybrid, and he was scary.

“Stop please!” Grian shouted as somebody else ripped his poster of Notre-Dam from before it was burned, that he had gotten for extra because it was labeled with architecture techniques, designs, and more.

Scar rolled up to his side, and looked up at him. The avian had a look of despair on his face. Seeing the room that everything had started in torn up. The room that he had been in for years at this point. The room that represented his freedom, the first thing he did outside of the Watchers was go to college, because he wanted to give people a safe space. He wanted to be welcoming for everybody.

His wings fell to the floor, and so did his knees. He brought his hands up to his face to try and wipe away the tears that appeared. Scar tried to pick him up but it didn't work. Mumbo came over, pulling Grian into a hug. The other people in the room just ignored them.

Scar hesitated putting a hand on Grian's shoulder to rub his arm, not being able to help much without getting up because of his fake identity. So he focused on the other teachers taking things out. Rolling up to talk to them, because they seemed to value his opinion more than Mumbo or Grian’s.

Mumbo rubbed the avian’s back as Grian sobbed louder, finally reaching his breaking point. What had he done to deserve this? Maybe he really was a danger, despite HotGuy’s claims. Thats all everybody sees. Mumbo was different, but he didn’t fully understand. Grian couldn’t tell him everything, he would never truly understand. He could tell his siblings everything, they didn’t need to know everything. Scar wasn’t even aware of half the things he was going through, and he didn’t understand either. Nobody fully understood.

Grian let out another sob, and this time the other eyes started crying to. Grian had never felt them start crying before. But it hurt, in a good way. He wanted the pain, anything to distract him from this feeling of helplessness. He was a monster, he was dangerous, he was a Watcher. He could kill anybody with a tap if he ever wanted to. He could join them and kill everybody. He could disguise himself as anybody. He could do so many things. And yet all he wanted was to teach kids how to build.

“ᒲ⚍ᒲʖ𝙹...ᒲ⚍ᒲʖ𝙹. ᒲ⚍ᒲʖ𝙹! ╎- ╎ ᓵᔑリ'ℸ ̣ ↸𝙹 ℸ ̣ ⍑╎ᓭ ᔑリ||ᒲ𝙹∷ᒷ! ᒷ⍊ᒷ∷||ℸ ̣ ⍑╎リ⊣ ⍑⚍∷ℸ ̣ ᓭ! リ𝙹ʖ𝙹↸|| ᓵᔑ∷ᒷᓭ- i'ᒲ ᔑ ↸ᔑリ⊣ᒷ∷! i'ᒲ ᔑ ⎓⚍ᓵꖌ╎リ⊣ ↸ᔑリ⊣ᒷ∷!” Grian rambled, nobody understood him, reverting to the language of them, the only thing his brain was thinking of. His default language for years.

“Grian- Gri! Stop! You can’t say things like that.” Mumbo tried to warn him, calm him down. Scar had turned when he recognized the language, hearing Jimmy speak it for examples.

“╎ ᓵᔑリ'ℸ ̣ ! ╎ ᓵᔑリ'ℸ ̣ ╎リ ᓭ𝙹∷∷||! ╎- ╎- i'ᒲ ᓭ𝙹∷∷||!” Words poured out of his mouth until his throat was raw. Scar had gotten the other people out of the room, so now it was only the few friends now, who cared for the avian.

Scar called Jimmy, putting the phone on speaker before he even picked up. The call was answered, Scar spoke first, “Jimm-”

“What HotGuy? I’m in a meeting right now.” he said in a low, angered tone. Scar looked up at Mumbo who’s eyes were wide, holding the unaware avian in his arms, who kept rambling out galactic.

“I-” Scar mumbled, trying to figure out what to say to Mumbo when Grian let out another sob, distracting the both of them. “Jim! I need you to tell us what Grian his saying! He’s crying hard, at the school. Speaking only galactic which we don’t know.” he started to panic, he had only heard galactic a few times. When he had a few encounters with the Watchers, when Jimmy spoke it, when Grian spoke it, and when CuteGuy spoke it. He had heard some galactic from CuteGuy last night, only really figuring out that he was saying something equivalent to his name.

“I- uh..” Jimmy hesitated, before there was some rustling and then a door shutting on the other side of the call.

“╎ℸ ̣ ⍑⚍∷ℸ ̣ ᓭ! i'ᒲ ᔑ ↸ᔑリ⊣ᒷ∷! ╎ リᒷᒷ↸ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ꖎᒷᔑ⍊ᒷ. ᒲ⚍ᒲʖ𝙹 !¡ꖎᒷᔑᓭᒷ- ╎ リᒷᒷ↸ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ꖎᒷᔑ⍊ᒷ. ⍑𝙹ℸ ̣ ⊣⚍|| ↸𝙹ᒷᓭリ'ℸ ̣ リᒷᒷ↸ ᒲᒷ. ╎ リᒷᒷ↸ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ꖎᒷᔑ⍊ᒷ! ᓭᓵᔑ∷- ᒲ⚍ᒲʖ- ꖎᒷℸ ̣ ᒲᒷ ⊣𝙹!” Grian shouted, Scar recognized the same thing CuteGuy was saying last night, which was weird because why would Grian be asking about HotGuy right now?

“Fuck-” Jimmy mumbled, “Something about being in danger- no, he’s the danger. He wants to leave, he’s saying Mumbo I think? Let me go… My- My galactic isn’t perfect and he’s speaking too fast!” Jimmy took another audible breath, “Grian listen to me! It’s Jimmy!”

Grian registered his brother’s voice, an eye opening on his cheek to look at the phone, this one didn’t start crying as Grian sobbed again. “⋮╎ᒲᒲ||- ꖎᒷᔑ⍊ᒷ ᒲᒷ! ꖎᒷℸ ̣ ᒲᒷ ⊣𝙹! ╎'ᒲ ᔑ ↸ᔑリ⊣ᒷ∷ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ||𝙹⚍ ᔑリ↸ !¡ᒷᔑ∷ꖎ! ╎'ᒲ ⋮⚍ᓭℸ ̣ ⊣𝙹╎リ⊣ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ⍑⚍∷ℸ ̣ ||𝙹⚍! !¡ꖎᒷᔑᓭᒷ- ⋮⚍ᓭℸ ̣ ꖎᒷℸ ̣ ᒲᒷ ⊣𝙹! ╎ ↸𝙹リ'ℸ ̣ ∴ᔑリℸ ̣ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ⍑⚍∷ℸ ̣ ᔑリ||ʖ𝙹↸||!”

“Grian- It’s okay! Just calm down! Please!” Jimmy said, standing in the hallway out side of his meeting. Stopping it for his family. “Take some deep breaths, focus on Scar.” Jimmy said, recognizing Scar was speaking in the pattern he usually spoke to Grian in, instead of HotGuy.

Grian pulled his wings around him and Mumbo on the floor to cover them, but he stopped speaking, and tried to get a hold of himself. He didn’t deserve his friends, but he was so thankful for them.

He covered himself from the outside world, changing his whole body with every breath he took. He felt claustrophobic in this one, like it wasn’t right. He took Mumbo’s face, without the mustache, he took on Jimmy’s, he took on Scar’s and Pearl’s. He took on stranger’s faces. Growing dog ears for a moment, growing a cat’s tail for a moment. His body needed water to live for a moment.

His wings fell back revealing somebody with the same wings, the same clothes as Grian. But his hair was brown, and his face looked more worn. He pulled back from Mumbo, who had seen him change before and wasn’t too bothered by it. Scar, hadn’t. So he was a little surprised when Grian suddenly had brown hair, but he didn’t think it was right to mention.

“ᒲ⚍ᒲʖ𝙹, ╎'ᒲ ᓭ𝙹∷∷||..ᓭ-ᓭ𝙹∷∷||- ⚍⍑⍑…sorry. I'm sorry.” Grian said, trying to settle back into speaking with English as his brain was still fried.

Scar rolled closer, ending the call with Jimmy, and offered them both a hand to get off the floor. Grian accepted, getting pulled up, Mumbo chose to get up himself, not letting go of the avian as if he’d just disappear.

“Uhm- “ Scar mumbled, looking at Grian’s face, but it didn’t look like how Scar knew Grian at least.

“Face, Gri.” Mumbo let him know, squeezing his hand as he let him know.

Grian covered his face with his wings, knowing it was disturbing to see sometimes. He pulled them away, the face Scar had grown used to sitting on his face once again, and pulled Grian into a hug despite the chair.

“Scar- Let me go!” Grian whined, trying to move his wings but Scar didn’t let him. When Grian had somehow ended up sitting on his lap, Scar decided to bring up the disney shirt, “Since when do you like disney?” he asked, seeing the familiar logo.

“That’s a good question, where were you yesterday?” Mumbo asked, crossing his arms, distracting Grian while making fun of him.

“I- It’s none of your business! Let me go Scar!” Grian shouted, not really annoyed but he was still trying to struggle out of the surprisingly strong man’s arms.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d guess it was Scar, because of the Disney shirt and all.” Mumbo said, waving his arm in the air.

Grian and Scar both froze for a split second before Grian started to struggle again, because they weren’t the same person! was CuteGuy the same person as Grian? That would be impossible though…right? Grian almost got away, cheering before Scar came back to focus, and held him tight once again, earning a whine out of him.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Grian took the extra clothes off on the building across from HotGuy’s and Scar’s building. Once he finally got the sweat pants, being worried about public indecency despite being fully clothed underneath, but also because they kept catching on everything.

He flew over to HotGuy’s still unlocked window, and ducked in. All he was going to do was put them back, and then never speak of this again, while also praying HotGuy somehow, magically, didn’t remember.

He opened the middle drawer, trying to remember where he got everything. It was hard, but his mind was also distracted, listening to Skulk move around the apartment, and hearing cat meows.

He shut a drawer extra loudly, and stopped for a moment, listening for movement which had went silent. The cat meows got louder, followed by scratching at the door.

“WHO ARE YOU?!” He suddenly heard Skulk shout, holding a spoon faced at Grian.

They both froze, staring at each other. Grian was in his full CuteGuy outfit, along with the mask. Skulk was in an old black shirt and white lab coat that had too many stains, and shorts that barely reached his knees.

The cat that was mostly shades of grey walked closer and rubbed on his leg, clawing slightly at the material when he didn’t pay attention to her right away.

“Hi- uhmm….I’m returning these?” Grian said, holding the shirt up nervously. Deciding to not comment that he could see Skulk’s full face. He bent down to pet the cat when he actually felt her claws touch his leg.

Skulk lowered the spoon awkwardly, “I- uh, yeah. You..you need help?” He asked, nervous, and afraid as if he wasn’t a superhero.

“Yeah..” Grian mumbled, backing up and handing Skulk the Disney shirt. Trying to ignore him as Skulk had to take a step back to turn sideways and get through the door.

It was so awkwardly quiet, only being broken with the cat meowing, and the drawers moving.

“God, HG hasn’t changed the way he organizes his clothes since we were kids.” Skulk mumbled to himself, loud enough for Grian to accidentally hear it. But he decided to make conversation.

“How long have you guys known each other?” Grian asked, leaning up against the couch. Skulk’s eyes glared back at him for a moment, but then faced back at the dresser.

“As long as we can remember really. I think I was four or five when they found me?” Skulk mentioned so casually.

“I- yeah…makes sense….sorry.” Grian mumbled, feeling the awkwardness of the situation.

Skulk looked back at him, leaning up against the drawers, still holding the spoon he had been holding up when he barged in, which Grian decided to just not mention. “Get going, I don’t think you want to cause HotGuy any more trouble.”

“Probably..” Grian mumbled, standing up and giving the cat one last pet real quickly. “I’ll see you later?” Grian asked, an arm out of the window to take off.

Skulk nodded, watching his wings open wide and take off.

Chapter Text

PoultryMan flew to the next building, and Moon followed behind him. He couldn’t hear the extra voices from Jimmy or HotGuy in her ear thankfully. It was a cold day, the city floor was foggy and hard to see through. So Grian jumped to another building.

“Slow down!” Pearl huffed, “You're going too fast!” she said, curling her wings back into her body as she landed on the building edge right next to him.

Grian giggled, and flew to the next building. “Sucks to suck!” he shouted back to her. Pearl huffed and rolled her eyes, opening her wings back up to follow.

“What are you even looking for?” She asked, standing behind him this time, which caught Grian’s attention, having him turn around. What was he looking for? He wasn’t looking for anything. He was trying to help, he always wanted to help..he just couldn’t be CuteGuy, he couldn’t be Grian, and it was like Ariana Griande was about to go fight the Watchers.

It’s not like people wanted CuteGuy around right now. It had been weeks since the ball. And more and more anti hybrid things popped up. Skulk wasn’t getting any hate, but he wasn’t seen as a hybrid in the Watcher’s eyes. Wardens were dangerous enough that everybody knew to never mess with them, especially the packs, which it was rare to find a warden hybrid outside of the packs that lived in the depths of the Earth, but from what it sounded like, he didn’t even remember if he had one.

He shook his head, he was getting distracted more. He was PoultryMan. PoultryMan didn’t know Jimmy, didn’t know Pearl, didn’t know CuteGuy or Skulk. PoultryMan knew Moon, PoultryMan knew HotGuy in battles, and that was it.

“I know you’ve been out here like practically all the time now. Have you seen CuteGuy?” Pearl asked, putting a hand on PoultryMan’s shoulder. Grian’s wings twitched at the mention of the hero but he shook his head and rested them against his back as well, turning to face the other so-called villain.

“No, I haven’t. Has he actually not been seen?” He asked, his head tilting to the side.

Pearl sighed, and looked around shaking her head. “I haven’t seen him either.”

Grian noticed the either that left her tongue, but decided to ignore it, because it’s not like he had talked to either of them since they called a Watcher attack on him. And he made Mumbo promise not to tell them, or else he’d break his phone, again.

PoultryMan shrugged, and opened his wings again. Still facing Pearl, “Well I’ll keep an eye out.” he said, jumping to the next building. Not registering the muscular man standing on it infront of him until he had landed in front of him.

Grian flapped his wings hard enough he wasn’t about to fall backwards, then stood up, seeing almost eye to eye since he was standing on the ledge. “H-HotGuyyy!” He drawled, voice high pitched because he hadn’t gotten along well with the hero. But it wasn’t like HotGuy was really around often recently.

“You’ve been keeping an eye out, has CuteGuy been around here anywhere?!” he asked, grabbing PoultryMan by the arms so he couldn’t flee if he wanted to.

Sure he had run into HotGuy a few times within the last month of CuteGuy supposedly disappearing. But he just kept avoiding the guy. Because even if he didn’t know what Grian knew, it was still the fact that Grian knew.

Grian chriped, and tried to struggle out when Skulk appeared behind HotGuy. Two heavily muscled superheroes, one of which Grian had seen. Granted, the hero hadn’t seen his face but it was still worrying.

“N-No! I haven’t seen him anywhere.” Grian mumbled quickly, looking around at how he could get out of this. Sure his outfit was warm, but having two massive parts of your body exposed wasn’t the warmest thing, even with feathers.

The chicken mask he had on was misaligned too from Grian’s struggling, he couldn’t even see out of it.

“Well we could always see who he is.” Skulk said, in an almost joking tone.

“No!” Grian shouted, moving more, but ultimately staying in place. Pearl laughed a little bit, but not much, he could still hear the pure worry in her tone. Maybe he should visit his siblings tonight, he doesn’t want to hurt them any more. And Scar, he hadn’t talked to Scar at all either! He’d tried to text him a few times, but he only got half sentient, super tired answers. And Grian couldn’t imagine how much extra work he had to be putting in to pick up his slack. God he really wished the Watchers would just go away!

HotGuy dropped him with a chuckle, “don’t worry Chickie, I won’t do that yet. You’re the only backup we have for CuteGuy.”

Grian paused for a moment, before he realized he was free, and pushed back, floating midair as he fixed his mask in slight confusion. “The hell you mean?”

HotGuy looked confused, “What do you mean? You're patrolling, and I haven’t been able to get out much. Skulk here would count, but he doesn’t know the regulations yet. Haven’t been able to get a meeting with the chief.”

Grian froze for a moment, his wings didn’t falter, he’d never let his wings falter, but his body froze. Looking at HotGuy, he looked tired, eye bags under his eyes, and lack of sleep etched into his refined movements. So refined, Grian only knew because he knew HotGuy. Skulk looked worried, worried for his friend, an worried for CuteGuy, somebody he didn’t know. Turning around, Pearl looked worried. For her brothers, for the city, for HotGuy.

Grian was causing this many people hurt.

And that hurt him.

What was Mumbo’s thoughts? Sure he lived with him, but hits not like he was talking with him more than small talk. How was Jimmy? He wasn’t here, but he knew he had to be worried sick. He knew he had gotten texts from Scott, meaning he wasn’t doing great. Their text history being full of secrets kept from Jimmy like surprise birthdays, and if he was sick. And Scar, who had only seemed tired recently, much like HotGuy. Adn this was all Grian’s fault.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

“Talk, Scar…Or should I say HotGuy?” Mumbo said, crossing his arms across his body in the hollow classroom Grian used to work in. His eyes were glaring at Scar, barely being actually inside of the classroom, having stepped in mainly for privacy.

Scar backed up farther into the room, Mumbo stood in front of the door, blocking his only easy exit. The room, that used to be comforting and warm. Easy going music filling the room, the smell of paints and glue working its way into everything. The smell of vanilla flowing out from Grian’s desk from the scent thing Scar had given him months ago now.

The room was hollow, it had been for awhile now. And Scar had honestly thought Mumbo had forgotten about the whole Jimmy addressing him as HotGuy. But of course he hadn’t. “What- It’s nothing Mumbo! Really!”

Mumbo huffed, locking the door behind himself, he hadn’t actually meant to intimidate Scar, but apparently he had, and he wasn’t complaining too much if he was being honest. He didn’t get that feeling of power often, usually being the supporting role or the high anxiety friend. He helped Grian, with superheros and the watchers and his family. Mumbo loved Grian, but sometimes he was a little jealous.

“Why did Jimmy, Chief Solidarity address you as HotGuy>” Mumbo pressed again, his nails digging into his palms.

Mumbo really wanted it to be a fluke, maybe Jimmy was saying it so he had an excuse to get out of the meeting? Maybe Jimmy hadn’t seen the caller ID? Maybe, maybe, maybe. Mumbo was always full of maybes. Mumbo maybe Jumbo should be his name at this rate.

He took a deep breath, he had to focus on the objective, which he hoped, prayed that he was wrong. Because that would tear up Grian, that would hurt Grian terribly. He had spent so long trying to keep Scar perfectly on the edge of close but not close enough to hurt him. And keep HotGuy strictly business partners. Which, Mumbo knew he had messed up, but that was beside the point.

He knew Grian didn’t want them to be the same person, he had already thought about it thousands of times, he had mentioned it to Mumbo thousands of times. He didn’t want that Scar on his nose to be the same shape and cause. He didn’t want his skin to be the same shade, his hair to be the same color. His eyes to be the same hopeful look. His handwriting the perfect mix of messy and artistic. His voice to be the same comforting but proud pitch. Grian didn’t want that. Grian didn’t deserve that.

Scar sighed, and leaned forward, putting his elbows on his lap. He faced the floor as the words escaped his mouth, “I am HotGuy.”

Mumbo felt like he had just experienced zero gravity, the worry building up in his chest exploded, he felt like he flipped around a thousand times, like he’d be sick. But he still could only think of one word, fuck.

“Mumbo!” Scar shouted, standing up to walk over to Mumbo as he curled into himself. Mumbo knew, so Scar didn’t have to worry about it, he had been feeling pretty good today anyway.

Mumbo saw feet walk up to him, and he screamed, looking back up at Scar. He didn’t want this for Grian. He didn’t want him to ever know. He didn’t want to hurt him. He didn’t want any of this. Mumbo had never asked for any of this. He never asked to be friends with a superhero, Mumbo never asked to be friends with the police chief, or the biggest reporter in the city. He never asked to be friends with a superhero, or villain, or massive fucking popstar. Mumbo asked to be Grian’s friend. The little bird hybrid that came into his shop terrified and bought a stupid rubber chicken mask at halloween.

Mumbo watched from behind the counter at the small convenience store he had been working at. A blonde haired boy had walked in, he didn’t look older than seventeen or eighteen. Wearing a massive purple cloak that covered most of his body. Mumbo wasn’t sure if he had seen it before or not, it felt familiar but he couldn’t have really been sure.

“Can I help you?” Mumbo asked, with a smile. The boy had jumped when he had heard his voice. His black eyes, which were actually really cool to Mumbo since he had never seen them before, opened wide and watched him religiously.

Mumbo shrunk under his gaze a bit, it was piercing and terrifying. It made him uncomfortable. “Y-Your welcome to look on your own mate- it-its fine!” Mumbo mumbled, looking down at the counter, trying to find anything to focus on that wasn’t the random avian.

The boy mumbled something that Mumbo couldn’t begin to understand. A language he had never heard before, or maybe he was just that jittery? To the point where he was hearing things? Maybe it had been english and Mumbo just didn’t understand..Maybe Mumbo just needed to take a deep breath.

The avian walked around the store, slowly and carefully, eyeing every little thing. Mumbo was almost worried he was about to steal, but he couldn't really be bothered about it.

The boy walked up to the counter, reaching out his arm from the darkness below. His arm was scattered with eyes, they were all pitch black, and all staring. The avian jumped, and his body tensed up and the eyes all shut with a singular motion, the last one to shut was on the back of his hand.

Mumbo swallowed hard, and looked down at the items he had put on the counter, a rubber chicken mask that they had been selling because of the date, and a bag of chips. Mumbo hesitated but took the items, refusing to look up at the eyes on his face again.

The silence was palpable, both of the men boys were shaking, and both were filled with anxiety, neither knowing what to say, or when.

He rang the cloaked man up, “Your- the total is 8.99..” he mumbled, barely audible as he pushed the items back to the other side.

The avian’s head tilted, and he looked up at Mumbo’s eyes for once. Mumbo felt trapped under his gaze, like if he moved he’d be killed on sight.

The avian looked surprised, like he had forgotten something, and patted his pockets, looking down, letting Mumbo move for a second. Mumbo had dealt with enough people during this job to know the look on somebody’s face when they forgot their money. Which was the last thing he needed.

“I- here, I’ll pay for it.” Mumbo said, reaching for his wallet from his back pocket, he really just wanted this creepy ass guy to leave already.

“∴⍑ᔑℸ ̣ ᔑ∷ᒷ ||𝙹⚍ ᓭᔑ||╎リ⊣- ╎- ⚍⍑⍑.. ∴- wha-what?” the avian mumbled, his voice sounded raspy as the english fell from his mouth. The words Mumbo didn’t understand, the different language, didn’t sound familiar. Granted Mumbo only knew English, which he was currently mentally cursing himself out over. The avian almost sounded heavenly speaking it, the words fell off his tongue like a lullaby. Round, and warm. If Mumbo didn’t know better, he’d think he was speaking to some sort of god.

“Your total is 8.99? Like money?” Mumbo mumbled, trying to get his mind to come back to reality. His arms had stopped moving, stopped reaching for his own wallet. He was just so focused on the cloaked entity.

“Right..” he mumbled, voice light but raspy, like he hadn't used it in years. He pulled something out of his pocket, and it was a fucking gold coin.

Mumbo stared down at the coin in his hand, mind lost at who the hell this was. He was in a purple cloak, thousands of eyes on his arms. He could see wings on the man’s back. He was paying with a gold coin, and he was buying a rubber mask?!

“That’s- That’s…That’s just way too much!” Mumbo shouted, the avian shrunk as his voice raised.

His wings pulled in tighter, and he looked back down, pulling the coin away from him, back into the darkness his outfit was causing. He looked somber, as he took a step back, and glanced back at the door.

Mumbo sighed, and pulled his wallet out of his back pocket for real this time, putting a ten dollar bill into the register, and he pushed the items towards the other man more. He didn’t know this guy's deal, but it was only nine bucks so he was willing to try and help.

He looked thankful, so thankful. Thankful to the point he looked like he could’ve kissed Mumbo if he really wanted to. His eyes were wide as he swiped the items into the abyss around him. “ℸ ̣ ⍑ᔑリꖌ ||𝙹⚍- ℸ ̣ ⍑ᔑリꖌ ||𝙹⚍! ╎- ↸𝙹 ||𝙹⚍ ꖌリ𝙹∴ ∴⍑ᒷ∷ᒷ i ᓵᔑリ ⎓╎リ↸ pearl? 𝙹-𝙹∷ jimmy? !¡ꖎᒷᔑᓭᒷ?” he asked, a smile on his face unlike the last time he spoke the words.

Mumbo was drawn in, but it wasn’t as bad as before. He only recognized the names he had said, Pearl, and Jimmy. Mumbo didn’t recognize them necessarily. Sure he had met a Pearl who came in every once and awhile to usually grab an energy drink, saying she had somewhere important to be.

“I don’t understand..sorry pal.” Mumbo mumbled, starting to avoiding eye contact once again. The avian looked sad, and his eyes scanned the walls quickly. Before he slammed his eyes shut and tried to get out the words best he could, “P-Pearl, Jimmy. M-My sibling-s? I...need to fi-nd them.” the strained, raspy voice said once again, tears almost forming in his eyes.

“I- uhh..I don’t have any way to track people…All I can do is look them up on like social media or something? I- have you tried that?” Mumbo rambled out, not sure what to do.

The avian just looked at him expectantly, so Mumbo sighed, and glanced at the camera. He assumed it was fine, and that he hopefully wouldn’t get in trouble for this as he pulled his phone out.

He opened Instagram first, and handed it to the random man. Mumbo had the passing thought that he could totally just run away with it, but his eyes just went wide, and he looked up at Mumbo, “Look!” he shouted, excitedly, like a kid in a candy store. He turned the phone to face the other teen once again, and all Mumbo could see was a picture of a blonde avian with golden wings, and that Pearl girl Mumbo had seen come in here a few times.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Scott watched as Jimmy paced in the living room. He hadn’t showered in a few days, he hadn’t preened through his wings or brushed his hair. He ate because Scott was eating. He hadn’t gone to work, he hasn’t been able to contact HotGuy. He hasn’t able to contact Grian.

Scott pulled up his phone, and pulled up on Grian’s contact, hoping that something would finally appear. He had tried to go to his house earlier, but nobody was home. He knew Mumbo had been working more, and he hadn’t seen Ariana or CuteGuy around, so he never mentioned it to Jimmy.

“Hey, come sit down, yeah?” Scott asked, pulling a chair away from the table for his husband. Jimmy looked up, hands still fidgeting with the blue hoodie strings. He nodded, and walked over, sitting down as Scott walked back into the connected kitchen. “It’s going to be okay, he’s been okay before when this happened.”

“But it’s been a month!” Jimmy shouted, looking at him with dry, and crazed eyes. “He- he hasn’t cut contact with me for this long in years Scott! years!”

Scott sighed, grabbing a plate for both of them. He turned, to face the dining room once again. Feeling a buzz from his phone under the plate, still in his palm. It was probably a scam, it had to be a scam. But that didn’t Scott from setting one plate back down on the counter, and so quickly opening his phone. Just enough to see a single text message.

Got room for one more?

Scott sighed, and a small smile appeared on his face. With just one he messaged back, For you? Always. But bring desert?

Sure thing

Scott turned over his shoulder to look at Jimmy hunched over the table. His wings had fallen to the ground out the back of the chair. Scott slipped his phone back into his pocket, and walked over. Setting the plate in front f Jimmy, then his own chair.

He gave Jimmy a kiss on the cheek, and watched him for a moment. Long enough for the avian too look up at his husband, “Are you not going to eat?”

Scott smiled, and carded his fingers through the yellow feathers of his canary husband. Such a fluid, and familiar motion. “I will, I’m just admiring your beauty.”

Jimmy’s face darkened ever so slightly, despite knowing each other for years it didn’t stop him from getting so easily flustered.

Scott fixed one of the broken feathers he found, that was followed by a small thankful noise from the back of Jimmy’s throat, making him smile. Scott now took to doing as much as he could before Grian got here, knowing Grian would feel worse if Jimmy wasn’t preening. He freed a few feathers, and laid out the ones he could.

A knock at the door got Jimmy to jump, his tired eyes opening wide at the door. His wings pulling back tightly. Scott wished everybody was accepting of Jimmy's beauty like he was, but that wasn’t his biggest concern right now.

He stood up, and made a downwards motion towards Jimmy to get him to settle down. He stepped towards the door, that had full view of the living room, dining room, and kitchen. He opened it, seeing a familiar avian standing outside. Whose wings were pretty messy, and had puffy eyes. Who looked tired, and nervous. Wearing a more worn red sweater compared to the other ones hes seen Grian wear.

Jimmy took one look at Grian, and despite his food on the table, or the small walkway room. Jimmy got up, hitting the wall with the back of his chair, and ran as fast as he could to Grian, a flash of yellow feathers before the brothers hugged on the porch.

Scott smiled and shook his head, pulling his husband inside with his shorter brother trapped in a cocoon of golden feathers as Scott closed the door behind them.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Mumbo was shaking as he sat on the couch of a place he had only visited a few times. An apartment, he knew Grian had seen without him knowing who Scar was.

“Mumbo..I’m really sorry you had to find out like this-”

“I-It’s fine.” Mumbo mumbled, cutting Scar, who was sitting next to him, off. He could hear Skulk, or Cub as Mumbo put the dots together hearing Scar talk about him enough, behind them in the kitchen.

“I-” Scar let out the smallest sob, “I should’ve told you- and Grian- so..so much sooner.” Scar said, looking down at his hands that were grasped around Mumbo’s. They were calloused and strong, but they were also just as gentle as Scar was.

“No!” Mumbo found himself saying quickly, jumping up at Scar, making the cat, who’s name was Jellie he had already very well known, meow upsetly.

Scar looked him in the eyes, a look of subtle confusion, and heavy sorrow looked at Mumbo.

Mumbo took a deep breath, he couldn’t tell Scar who Grian is. He couldn’t tell Scar everything he knew. He just couldn’t. It wasn’t Mumbo’s secret. And it wasn’t Mumbo’s job to deal with this. PLus, it’s not like Mumbo had gotten Grian to have a real conversation with him. Just getting surface level words out of the man like, ‘yeah, I’m upset over my job I guess.’ or ‘I’ll talk to Jim eventually, he has plenty of work right now.’ and Mumbo hated small talk.

He looked up at Scar again, “I don’t think it’s good to tell Grian right now…he's..not great.” he settled for, because it was the best he could do.

Scar nodded, looking down, “Oh, yeah..right.” He mumbled, the slight look of excitement on his face washing away.

Mumbo took another deep breath, his hand grasped the phone that was still in his pocket. He wanted to stop being the middle man, he wanted them to just talk. Grian loved Scar, Mumbo knew that. And he was pretty sure Scar liked CuteGuy. Mumbo had to hold back a chuckle at the realization. Because what kind of scenario was this?! What kind of fanfiction level bullshit was Mumbo watching his friends circle in. God he hated this.

“I..I think we just need to get him out of the house.” Mumbo said to Scar, squeezing his hands. He really didn’t have the qualifications to be giving advice right now, but he didn’t care. “We can help Scar.”

Scar nodded, looking back at Mumbo with his signature smile that Mumbo wasn’t sure was genuine anymore. He used to think it was, used to believe it as he saw it on TV. But now, knowing Scar, knowing the thoughts in his own head, Mumbo knew it was a perfected, and practiced look. Copy and Pasted on his face from muscle memory.

Mumbo looked up at Skulk who looked deep in thought, watching Mumbo carefully. He seemed like a calculated person, but Mumbo couldn’t say he was surprised. Grian hadn’t mentioned anything about him, but Mumbo saw him around, and on the news. He was a skulk hybrid, and he knew they were a calculated type, a massive fear of humans.

“I- uhmm..” Scar mumbled, looking up at Cub before sighing and smiling at Mumbo, softer, and tired. “I need to get out in the field.”

“No! You’re tired.” Skulk but in immediately, almost like they had this fight before.

“I’m fine Cubby! I’ll sleep tonight!” Scar announced confidently.

Cub sighed, “No! You wont! I can hear you, good hearing remember? You get in late, then stay up the whole night worrying about Grian and CuteGuy.” Cub approached, getting closer to the couch with a mug of what Mumbo assumed was coffee thanks to the smell.

“Go, sleep.” Cub said, pointing at one of the doors, probably Scar’s.

“Cub-”

“Go.” Cub said, not fighting this. “I’ll walk Mr. Jumbo out.” he said, giving Scar a certain look.

Mumbo watched Scar consider his choices, he clearly looked so tired. Mumbo had noticed it weeks ago, having to stay longer at the school, then ran around chasing Grian at night. It was no surprise he was exhausted in Mumbi’s mind. And the fact was so evident on his face. Lines and wrinkles on his face, bags under his eyes. His signature smile, the one he had shown Mumbo wasn’t perfect. He was clearly exhausted.

“It’s okay to take a break bud.” Mumbo said, putting a hand on Scar’s shoulder.

Scar looked at Mumbo quickly, surprise evident on his face. “But- If I’m not awake, who will save the city from the Watchers trying to hurt everybody..?” he said everybody so quietly, because they all knew who he really meant. Grian, and CuteGuy.

“Go Scar, I’ll walk Mumbo out.” Cub said again, calmer this time. “I’ll help everybody. I mean, I don’t have some weirdo day job like you.”

Scar nodded, this time, looking at Mumbo one last time before he stood up. Which was still throwing Mumbo for a loop.

The door closed with a click, and with the same movement a wall of dark blue and black goo covered it, making Mumbo jump, and look at Cub wide-eyed, who was also watching the door. He opened his mouth to say something but Cub shushed him, still watching the door. So, Mumbo shut up.

He heard a small crash in the bedroom, before Cub’s shoulders released, and he looked at Mumbo. “I have a question.”

Mumbo, confused, surprised, and a little intimidated because what was that stuff? It looked a bit like the skulk sensors he used in his redstone class, but those can only be grown much like a plant. Not so much just appear out of thin air. “S-Sure!” he answered, trying to hide the shake in his voice despite knowing that Cub would probably be able to hear it no matter what.

Cub sighed, and took a sip of coffee, “Is Grian CuteGuy?”

Mumbo, he was usually pretty good at keeping secrets, sure he hated doing it because it caused more anxiety, but it wasn’t like that wasn’t normal, and his normal level of anxiety usually helped cover it up.

“You clearly know something about Grian, is it that?” Cub asked.

Mumbo sighed, “No he isn't.”

“You're lying.”

“WHAT!” Mumbo shouted, looking at Cub. Not hearing the light tap Cub made with his foot, his mouth quickly getting covered by the same sludge. holy shit was he about to die?

“Calm down, calm down.” Cub mumbled, worry suddenly in his tone as the goo slowly moved around his mouth. “I- Shit..” he took a deep breath, and the goo left Mumbo’s face just as quickly. “I’m not going to hurt you, I just didn’t want him to wake up.”

Mumbo nodded, feeling the skin on his face, making sure it as goo-less. “B-But yeah..they’re the same person. How’d you know?”

Cub shrugged, “I heard Scar mumble about both of them, and I accidently saw CuteGuy’s face. So I just wanted to make sure I was right.” he paused, “He’s PoultryMan too right?”

Mumbo was at a loss for words.

“I mean, they have the same rhythm of speaking, even if PoultryMan’s tone is much lower he still has a lot of matching features.”

Mumbo sighed, “You’d think everybody knew that.”

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Pearl sat at her desk, in her apartment, looking down at the journal in front of her. The only light was her small desk lamp as the outside world was dark by now. Long blonde hair put up into braids, and still trying to dry. The heater on, and making her apartment warmer than the outside by miles. Her pale wings heart shaped on her back as she leaned forward. Her phone was sitting next to her journal, face up.

Her mind kept drifting to Grian before she could get herself to drift off to sleep. Her brother, one that she had already lost too many times to count, going missing once again. She didn’t have Mumbo’s number, nor did she have this Scar guy’s number. But at this rate she might have to go to the school, or Grian’s house. She just wanted to know that he was okay.

She didn’t care if she got a ‘fuck off’ text from Grian, or if she got a ‘I hate you’. She knew she never would, but she just wanted to know if he was okay. She wasn’t the oldest, she wasn’t. But she didn’t care, she took care of Jimmy for years,a nd when Grian came back, she took care of him too.

She just wanted him to be okay.

he’s here

The text from Scott confused her, she immediately opened it, texting back, asking what he meant. Because what the fuck was Scott on now? She had no idea.

A quick, simple text back.

Grian

Pearl blinked, staring at the words on her screen. Not noticing the shake her body gained as she let a few tears escape. It was okay. Grian was okay. Grian was safe with Scott, and probably Jimmy.

Chapter Text

Jimmy stood behind a metal fence, he was alone, it was impromptu. He had been walking, and somebody asked him to do a speech in the gated area that was next to. He hadn’t expected it to turn into something like this.

He didn’t have his sister, nor did he have his brother or Scott. The people that kept him calm when things got out of hand like this, but of course they hadn’t been here.

He was wearing a casual outfit, a hoodie and jeans. Wings poked out of the hoodie casually, as he walked with his hood up, trying to hide him being the police chief, which wasn’t the only form of government this city had, but he did have quite a bit of power. And he assumed it was either that, or the wings that started this. Uselessly hoping nobody recognized him.

Finding himself in the middle of this now massive protest that was circling the hybrids protesting getting laid off..was not fun. And really not how he wanted this walk to go. He had been walking to Grian’s house because they didn’t live too far and he needed to stretch his legs, but Jimmy wanted to pick something up from the store on the way to give to Grian.

And now he was stuck inside of a metal fence that he had remembered putting up in aid of protesters against cops that frequented this area. But now it was the only thing keeping a massive and rowdy crowd of seemingly only humans pushing against it, saying that Jimmy shouldn’t be in the government.

He had tried to call Scott, or Pearl. Neither of them picked up, and he wasn’t about to bother Grian when he was going through something so complicated right now. Jimmy could technically fly, but it was illegal in the city itself for the most part, and he didn’t need to make it more obvious he was a hybrid, because he had been trying to keep it relatively hidden. Which he wasn’t trying to say that it was an absolute secret, it just wasn’t overly public either.

What was he kidding, it was clearly very public, which he should know based on just how many people were here, and how many people were yelling about it.

He spotted a dark figure sitting on a building, watching the public argument. He hoped it was Scar, because at least he’d be able to help Jimmy get to his brother’s house, and maybe people would listen to him better since he was human, even if that was really disappointing as a society.

Then the figure grew about ten feet, and suddenly Jimmy was even more worried because of course CuteGuy was here, the hero the public had chased off the face of the Earth for the past two months. Because of course he had to show up now.

He flew down in one swoop, perfectly landing on the podium Jimmy was standing behind. He jumped off, and flipped until he landed right next to the crowd, acting differently than Jimmy had seen before. So was this an imitation? Jimmy didn’t know.

“Back off!” He shouted, flapping his wings forward to create one gust of wind. His voice was deeper than the last time Jimmy had talked to the guy, which was weird, could it only be a cheap imitation created by a different avian?

“Go away!” Some guy shouted, slurring his letters.

“You left for a reason, stay gone!” a woman shouted, throwing something that the hero had avoided with a pull of his wing.

“I-I’m sorry. Truly, but this is not the way to handle this!” CuteGuy spoke, stepping back from the crowd. Maybe the replacement realized how dangerous this was? Jimmy could only hope.

“CuteGuy, it’s alright. Don’t put yourself in harm.” Jimmy spoke, feeling the pull of doing something now. Because he didn’t want this currently innocent man to be considered a criminal, nor did he want CuteGuy’s reputation to be ruined.

The hero looked back with his dark black eyes, looking almost sorry. Jimmy didn’t quite understand why, but he applauded the backup person paying so much attention to detail. “It’s alright, I can handle this.”

“Jim-” he mumbled again, before having another thing thrown at him, this time it was some sort of surgery drink that fell down his face, getting in his hair.

“Everybody, please” Jimmy tried to calm, pulling his wings up and closer to his back, hiding them as best as he could under the hoodie he wore. Hoping the glowing golden feathers didn’t escape and show like they always seemed to. The problems they always seemed to cause.

CuteGuy looked back at the crowd, his wings open wide despite the obvious dangers. Jimmy approached him closer, “Go home, you don’t know what you're doing.” he said to the other avian quietly, hoping he heard him.

Cuteguy looked puzzled, and turned his head and opened his mouth to respond but Jimmy hushed him again, “You’re not the original Cuteguy, right? Don’t get hurt, I can handle this.”

“I am.” CuteGuy said evenly, looking back out into the crowd. “Please, this is not worth it! The watchers are trying to scare you!”

“Flithy fuckin hybrid. Go home Watcher!” another woman shouted, leaning over the barrier that was stronger than Jimmy expected it to be, but he couldn’t say he was upset about it right now.

The other protesters that had looped Jimmy into this whole mess were huddled in the middle, clearly on edge. There was another avian, a goat, some sort of water-based hybrid, and a dog. Along with two humans who must’ve believed in the cause.

Jimmy pulled out his phone and looked down, no new calls. He felt the joints of his wings digging into the skin on his back. It was painful, and sore, and he knew he’d regret it later, but he couldn’t get himself to stop.

He was scared, he was tense, and he really just wanted to get to his brother's house and have a nice day like he planned! He didn’t want to speak for the protest, he didn’t want to be captain today, he didn't want to be around CuteGuy today.

Today was not supposed to be a work day!

Grian had seen the protest on the news as he was waiting for Jimmy to come over, Mumbo had been working in the kitchen as Grian narrated it for him. But then he spotted his brother and sighed knowing Jimmy was going to take longer. Then he spotted a forming crowd, then he saw things starting to get thrown into the circle as the news reporter got close up shots of his face, how scared he looked, and they filmed the wings resting on his back. Claiming that they didn’t even know about those.

So Grian stepped in.

He considered Ariana stepping in, because so much of her fan base just molded to what she asked, but she would take too long to get there, then get home before Jimmy got here. PoultryMan was immediately out of the question because he was supposed to be seen as a villain. And a hybrid that was supposedly a villain wouldn’t go down well here. So that left one option, since going as himself wouldn’t do any good besides getting trampled by people and his feathers messed up.

So he put the CuteGuy mask and flew over as quickly as he could. Seeing his brother shrink into himself as the crowd got bigger, really wishing Jimmy would just fly out, break a law or two and just leave.

He tried to help Jimmy, but he could see his brother starting to pull into himself, starting to panic as the crowd got louder as they saw him falling for it. Grian didn’t like this, he had a bad feeling about this, a really bad feeling about this.

Jimmy’s breath got quicker paced, in and out, in and out, in a rapid motion. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, his wings digging into his skin. Feathers breaking as he squeezed the stupid golden feathers flush against him. Just because of how he was born, just because he wasn’t made perfect in the humans eyes, and instead was made perfect in the eyes of those stupid watchers!

Jimmy felt hands creeping up around his body, starting on his arms that were tucked in close. His eyes were shut tight, and he supposed the hands must’ve been Scott’s they were warm, comforting, and familiar. They had to be Scott’s.

Grian looked back at his brother, seeing pitch black hands creeping up from the floor, “Chief!” He shouted, trying to get Jimmy’s attention because those hand’s belonged to the watchers.

But he didn’t respond, the crowd did. Shouting, pushing, protesting.

Grian felt a hand tug on his leg. A black hand, cold yet familiar. A hand that sent his body into shock, eyes opening up all across his skin.

The crowd watched as CuteGuy gained eyes all over, more on his face, neck, arms, and legs. Anywhere his skin showed, they could see deep purple eyes watching everywhere.

They stopped, most of them never actually facing anybody, or anything watcher related.

Grian took a step closer, the crowd took a step back.

“I”m not dangerous! please!” he shouted.

The crowd didn’t buy it, backing up again. The people who were truly brave stuck to the front. One back eyed human stood at the front, looking as if she wanted to get over the fence.

Grian watched Jimmy, the hands crawling up to his face, looking back at the crowd there was a few protesters throwing sticks, trying to hurt on of the many eyes Grian had. The black eyed human made eye contact with the hero before jumping to her feet, leaning over the rail as much as she could, “The hands!” she shouted, pointing at Jimmy.

Jimmy felt as the hands reached over onto his face. The warm, familiar hands of his husband. The ones that had been bringing Jimmy comfort for years. The man who kept him safe. They cupped his face, then covered his eyes. And Jimmy suddenly snapped out of it.

His eyes went wide as he fell into a dark void. A dark void that he had lived in for years. He felt eyes all around him, but he couldn’t see anything.

Grian cursed to himself as he saw the hands over Jimmy’s eyes turn into what looked like stained glass, benign able to see the purple swirl in his eyes for the smallest second before they turned back to normal and he stood up.

“I support the Watchers!” Jimmy shouted, pointing to CuteGuy. Hsi wings opening up wide, showing off the golden feathers that he kept hidden, that the public had never seen fanned out, glowing in the sun.

The crowd rushed back to the front, the black eyed person who was disguised as human was pushed over the railing, she backed up into CuteGuy, he could see her tail flicking up nervously from under her skirt.

They looked up at each other as Jimmy’s body pushed CuteGuy to the floor. Stepping forward, his wings were pulled back in, the hands still over his eyes that only people who had once known the Watchers could see.

“Fucking move!” a familiar voice shouted from the crowd before she opened her massive wings up and flew over to the crowd awkwardly, not used to flying like Grian was. She landed mostly gracefully, rushing to stand in front of Jimmy, opening her wings up.

“He’s lying! He’s under they’re control! And they can do this to you too!” Pearl shouted, trying to scare the crowd, trying to convince them it wasn’t only hybrids that were a danger to people. Because the Watchers only targeted the hybrids, they were easier to control, easily to manipulate for their rough starts in life.

Pearl looked over at Grian, her eyes trying to convey something Grian told himself he would never do. Something he never even tried.

He took a deep breath, his eye squeezed out one tear as he closed them, feeling his body fall away. The weight of it no longer holding him down as he dug his mind into a few from the crowd. The people who looked the worst, the people who looked like they were one breakdown from ending it all. Those were the only types of people Grian would have the power to control.

He dug into a woman's mind, things all on her mind, mostly fear, underneath was something about her husband cheating on her. Grian quieted those thoughts immediately, and spoke to her, “I’ll quiet that if you join me.” the woman only took a second before nodding. Grian enveloped her mind, putting her into a similar void Jimmy was in, only it was empty with only Grian’s eyes enveloping her.

Her eyes, and a few other members of the crowd's eyes turned purple before they snapped, shouting the same thing Jimmy was. Grian came ack to himself, still standing there in the CuteGuy outfit. He really just wanted to chill with his brother today.

“Jimmy its Pearl!” she shouted, turning to face her brother as the crowd became a bit more distracted.

“I’m aware of you. I’m aware of you, and I’m aware of Xelqua.” Jimmy’s mouth said, it wasn’t him.

Grian glanced back at the crowd, letting two of the people under his control collapse to the ground as his mind started to lose it’s weight. Digging into Jimmy’s mind.

He saw a scared version of his brother. A child, small golden wings that didn’t yet have enough substance to carry him off the ground. Deep black cloak surrounded his figure, trying to hide the gold shine that they kept trying to hide, not yet ready for the honor of a purple wardrobe. Xelqua’s sun in such a dark place. He was curled up, his frame was shaking but he wasn’t making any noise.

“Jimmy?” Xelqua called, in galactic, Jimmy’s native language, approaching him. His teenage frame, blue eyes and brighter blonde hair. Freckles he hadn’t yet lost, and the same cloak, but his was purple, with a familiar rectangular symbol keeping it clasped in the front. He looked hesitant, not sure if it actually was his brother or if it was another kid that was stuck in this place. His eyes weren’t the best he had to admit, he probably needed glasses but if he had ever mentioned that then..he would be completely kicked out of the program, and this was his life's work!

The figure looked up, blonde hair and blue eyes peering out of a pile of black fabric that reached far past the ground. “Grian?” He asked, sniffling, in the only tongue he could remember.

Xelqua smiled, his wings were pressed against his back, the bases started to grow the purple and black feathers he needed to prove himself as a Watcher. “Hey Jim, they finally let me free. But shhh…it’s Xelqua now, remember?” Xelqua reprimanded, not wanting to get punished for his kid brothers actions of using his other name. The name that was supposed to be immediately forgotten as he got into the program.

“Pearl- they still have her.” Jimmy said, looking past Xelqua at the door. “They..they were testing mind control again.” he said, showing more of his face to his brother as he spoke.

Xelqua stopped closer, his loud echoing footsteps as he approached his brother. But when he finally did reach the spark of sunshine in the dark place, he pulled Jimmy up onto the bed in the corner of the greyscale room that was reminiscent of a jail cell. He wrapped his colorful wing around his brother, then covered it with his cloak. Because any other color was against the rules.

“You okay?” Xelqua asked, hugging his brother.

Jimmy sniffled, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. He nodded, “Yeah..they just scare me.”

Xelqua nodded, rubbing his brothers shoulder. “It’ll get better once you join the program too!”

Jimmy nodded, a small smile on his lips, “Do you have to get mind controlled?”

“Nope!” Xelqua said proudly, then he looked back down, “I’m the one who gets to do the mind controlling.”

Jimmy smiled, “Then why don’t they make you do it for me!”

Xelqua shrugged, “That would be too easy?”

Jimmy giggled as the heard a click in the door, then a small kid, older than him, who looked like a younger, female version of Xelqua appeared. Another black cloak that hid her white and brown wings. Something Xelqua never wanted to see go away.

“Gri!” She cheered running up to her older brother with a smile, jumping into the both of them and knocking them over. “Your home!” she cheered, not having seen her brother in a few days.

Feathers went up in the air as her massive wings spread out behind her in excitement, flapping as she suffocated her only family she had left.

“Pearl! No wings and no calling me Grian!” he shouted as he giggled, loving his family.

“But Griannnn.” she whined, unmoving, “Xelqua is such a boring name!”

“It’s my name.” Xelqua said with a slight bite to his voice, pushing Pearl off him. He didn’t want them to know that their refusal to change caused him pain. He just had to hope that nobody overheard right now.

Grian held out a hand to the golden canary curled up in the back wall, using golden feathers to shield himself from the darkness the Watchers caused him and his family.

“Jimmy?” Grian called out, bending down to the level of his younger brother.

Jimmy looked up to his black eyed, red sweater wearing brother. “Xelqua?” He spoke, in galactic, the language causing fear in so many people's minds.

“No, it’s Grian. It’s your brother.” Grian spoke, taking his brother’s hands as he picked his head up, tear stained face caused by this dark familiar place.

“Grian?” Jimmy spoke, still in galactic. He was getting better at least. So Grian nodded, fanning out his colorful wings out behind him.

“Lets get out of here?” Grian offered, and Jimmy nodded.

The hands over Jimmy’s face, the ones that only the people who knew better could see, looked like they were almost repelled as Jimmy’s body fell to it’s feet, his wings falling to the ground as well from their upturned position.

Grian smiled, watching Pearl rush to his side with a smile and a nod as CuteGuy took off. Releasing everybody form the control he had them under. He was going to go home, discard his suit to the closet full of Ariana’s clothes, then wait for Jimmy’s arrival as he got a movie set up and a request for some sort of mind blocking device from Mumbo.

Chapter Text

Grian was in a long hallway that stretched on forever, every door he touched opened into the bedroom with Pearl and Jimmy, holding the young avians in his arms as they cried about hating that place as Grian didn’t understand their opposition to the place. So he just kept running, and running, and running.

He opened another door, and this time Scar sat on his wheelchair, in his classroom, waving Grian over with a smile on his face, and a disney shirt on. Probably wanting to talk about Star Wars or something. He pushed open the one across from Scar, shutting that one. Inside was Mumbo who was working on the kitchen counter of their shared home. Making some sort of redstone creation that Grian didn't understand.

He didn’t want any of those, he didn’t want to hurt Scar, he didn’t want to hurt Mumbo. He kept opening doors, Jimmy and Pearl glaring at him from the Police station as he was sobbing that evening. HotGuy looking at him scornfully on the first day, not wanting some inexperienced guy to get hurt. Ariana standing on a stage, while everybody was looking up to her to be perfect. CuteGuy being yelled at for being a hybrid.

Grian standing in front of the Watchers as they stripped him from his mortality and anything quite like it. Not letting him keep the face he had known for so long, not letting him to even talk to his siblings anymore because he was now a Watcher. He was a divine being that nobody, not even themselves, truly understood. Nobody knew where they got the power to shapeshift, and destroy. But Grian was given that power, and he wished he never accepted it.

He felt himself trip on something on the floor, not even trying to stop himself with his hands as his face hit the concrete, waking him up. Sitting up in his bed, alone in his dark bedroom. The lights of the city still peeked through the window next to him. He wiped his tear stained cheeks, and looked at the chicken mask he adored.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

PoultryMan stood on the edge of a brick building, his knees tucked up to his chin. He was watching a few random citizens walk down the streets, most were drunk, some finally got off from work, most people were home by now.

A presence appeared behind, making Grian’s wings go up defensively as he turned around to be face to face with HotGuy.

“I-”

HotGuy chuckled, flashing his signature smile as he looked off the edge onto the street Grian was watching. He then looked back at the guy who was struggling heavily to pretend to be a villain. “Came a long way from throwing glitter at people.”

Grian rolled his eyes, settling back on his feet, looking back out at the city. “Why are you out so late? You usually go home by now. And where's your partner?”

“Depends, which one are you talking about?” HotGuy said, a look of almost concern flooded his face.

PoultryMan sighed, “Skulk I guess?”

“He’s at home, I think he’s asleep? Night is the only time he gets peace.” Scar said honestly, knowing the man’s sensitive ears. He felt bad dragging him to the city, but at the same time he knew in the back of his mind he needed Cub right now.

PoultryMan nodded, moving to dangle his feet off the edge of the building because it was the most comfortable. And if HotGuy was going to make a poorly attempted arrest he would’ve by now.

HotGuy moved to sit next to him, and started to pop his knuckles. Grian looked over curious at what he was doing, but then HotGuy moved to let the bun he had in his hair down, which it wasn’t long but it was just barely long enough. Grian recognized the motions, it was something HotGuy would do towards the end of patrols and such.

“What are you doing?” Grian asked because he wasn’t CuteGuy right now, he was the funny villain that refused to actually hurt anybody.

HotGuy shrugged, relaxing forwards and ruining his perfect posture. “I just…I’m thinking.”

Grian looked at him, even more confused, because that wasn’t what he was asking. But at the same time it seemed to be the only thing the man could think clearly. So, he took the bait, “Thinking about what?”

HotGuy looked at him slightly surprised before sighing, and looking down the drop off of the building. “I just don’t understand CuteGuy.”

Abort mission.

“I don’t understand why he appeared for Jimmy, but he hasn’t been there for me at all. I- I think he’s ignoring me..”

Grian, PoultryMan, CuteGuy,/em> in disguise, looked around awkwardly, “Well…” he dragged out, “Maybe he is?” He didn’t know what else to say, but it seemed to make HotGuy chuckle, then shake his head lightly. “Maybe…I really wish he wasn’t.”

“How come?” Grian found himself actually invested in this now, which sucked.

“I-” HotGuy paused, looked at the ‘villian’ and shook his head again, “We… I mean- something..”

“Something happened.” Grian concluded for him, not needing HotGuy to air that out in its entirety right now.

HotGuy nodded, “Yeah..something happened.” he repeated, “And I think he hates me now.”

PoultryMan made a low keening noise in the back of his throat as he thought about how to respond, “Maybe he’s scared?”

“Of what?” HotGuy asked, almost immediately, speaking quicker than he had for the rest of the conversation.

Grian considered his actions, and decided to ignore it. Because he was comforting a superhero who has been out for his head one too many times? But, he was also the superhero who had held him in his arms, and kept the world quiet so he-

Anyways, he thought.

He took a deep breath, avoiding HotGuy’s eyes, “Maybe he’s scared, not just because of you but also because what he could do to the world.”

HotGuy hummed, not giving much else of a response, so Grian took that as a hint to keep going. “Well, he’s a Watcher, anybody can find that out really. And if I had to guess, that's why he started this gig.” Grian got out slowly, really hoping HotGuy would just assume he was just guessing, “But now the city saw him as a villain. More than me really.”

HotGuy nodded, but he could see his grip on his weapons tighten. “I..I don’t know how to fix this.”

PoultryMan sighed, “I don’t either,” the words escaped his mouth before he could stop them. More emotion being put into the words that are usual for the ‘villian’. He wanted to give people hope, not this.

HotGuy looked surprised by the pitch of his voice, but then pulled him in closer, leaning his head against his shoulder. And if only he knew, Grian considered.

Chapter Text

Grian walked to Scar’s apartment building. He partially wondered if he’d run into HotGuy here, and if so would he recognize the man? He didn’t think so, because otherwise the public would have found him by now, he figured. But then again he knew HotGuy a lot better than the public? But it would still be weird if Grian was able to recognize the man who looks alone, especially because so many people fan over him.

Scar was going on and on about something to do with Disney, or so Grian assumed. He was stuck in his own head as he pushed Scar along. He knew which apartment was Scar's; he had seen it as CuteGuy. It was clearly the one with the cat in the window on the first floor thanks to Scar’s disability. He imagined it was difficult to go all the way up to the top in a wheelchair everyday.

But it was still shocking to see HotGuy and Scar lived in the same building, especially because they were already such similar people. They both enjoyed disney, as was proven thanks to Grian spending the night. They both had that scar over their face, which he never got the chance to ask HotGuy about but he figured it was something to do with Skulk or maybe some superhero fight..thing. Grian had no idea. And then not to mention the Skulk hybrid best friend coming to town. Maybe they knew the other was going to be in town and held seances or whatever they did with each other. Would Cub be in the building when Grian got there? He hadn’t thought about it but he assumed it was possible. Scar had invited him over because they hadn’t spoken in awhile thanks to Scar’s busy as hell schedule and Grian totally being busy and not just ignoring everybody he knew.

Grian took a deep breath and let it out, focusing his attention back on Scar who hadn’t even noticed his disinterest in the Star Wars cinematic universe. He smiled at his coworker, he still liked Scar despite the complications in his life. The shine in his eyes as he rambled on made Grian smile.

They turned in the building and Scar looked up at him confused, “How did you know to turn?”

Grian considered what to say, but he figured the truth wasn’t too shocking, “When I walk by I see the car you always say is yours at work.”

Scar’s eyes were wide with surprise, but he just nodded and pointed ahead, “I’m on the 5th floor.”

Grian’s wings twinged up, but he didn’t make any change in his expression. Was he wrong? Was that orange cat not Jellie? He didn’t know. He figured he must’ve been, so was Scar on the same floor as HotGuy? He wasn’t sure anymore. The rest of the apartments Grian could see, none of them screamed like they belonged to Scar. No disney merchandise, no cats, nothing Star Wars themed.

But he figured that maybe he had the wrong floor, he couldn’t quite remember which floor HotGuy was on other than it was one of the top ones, and this building went to floor six. He must’ve had the wrong floor he considered as Scar pointed him to his apartment. Getting out of the elevator, they had to go right down the lang hallway with two apartment doors on either side. The walls were plain green, with dark wood floors and little decoration on the walls to make it more pleasant.

“It’s the last one and you're there!” Scar said with a smile, pulling his keys out of his pocket as Grian pushed him up to the door.

The lock turned with a click and he opened it up, revealing a quite similar apartment. The grey cat HotGuy had sat in a box on the counter, as Skulk was asleep on the couch with the TV blasting louder than Grian’s ears could handle, how did he not hear that through the door? Skulk also had noise cancelling headphones on, so the only thing he could assume was that it was a Skulk hybrid thing.

The apartment was the exact same place Grian had woken up in that morning. The same one HotGuy lived in, and the pieces, all but one, fell into place. Cub was Skulk. HotGuy’s scar was Scar’s. The cat was Jellie. This was Scar’s apartment. And Scar was HotGuy!

The only thing that didn’t make sense, was the damn wheelchair that Grian was still holding onto. His grip tight on the handles as he tried to keep his feathers from shifting color. His form stayed still, the sound of the TV filling the room with a static layer.

“Cub!” Scar shouted, rolling himself forward in excitement, getting confused when the chair pulled on Grian whose face was blank as he stood there. But Scar seemed to just shrug it off as he stayed still, Cub looked behind him as if he could somehow hear Scar over all the noise. He looked up at Grian, and looked back down confused.

All the times HotGuy and CuteGuy talked, that was just Grian and Scar. The kisses they shared, and the emotions that were passed between them. The reasons Scar was always busy, and the reasons Grian was avoiding HotGuy crashed into him, all thanks to an opening door. He really should’ve known, should’ve put two and two together.

Cub seemed to speak, but nobody could hear his voice over the loud TV, that was probably on full volume. So he turned it down then spoke again, the silence hitting Grian a thousand times harder than the loud.

“Scar, is he okay?” Cub asked, his cadence normal, his face the same, if not less awkward than the other day they had met.

Scar looked back up at Grian, his face soured in worry as he tried to turn around in his wheelchair, but wasn’t able to move an inch thanks to the iron grip Grian had on the handle. They were stood in the door, so it couldn't even be closed.

Cub took off his headphones, the music blaring from the speakers, underneath were a pain of earbuds that Cub also took out. Apparently the rumors of Skulk’s good hearing wasn’t incorrect, but at that rate Cub would lose all of his hearing. But maybe that was the point? He didn’t know.

Cub stood up and walked over, his face more concerned as he approached the hero in civilian clothes. He put a hand on Grian, his heart rate immediately being forced to slow down. A pang of pain from his heart shot through him as he winced.

Cub then pulled them both forward, being able to shut and loud the door as Grian fell to the floor. His wings spread out as he finally felt his chest rising and falling, quicker than he had felt it in a long time. So stuck into his head that he hadn’t noticed it until now.

His feathers shifted colors as he finally pulled his wings in. Macaw banded quickly, fading to black, then white, then pink, then finally back to their original color. Cub’s eyes went wide as he seemed to piece the scenario together as well, his gaze quickly darting to Scar’s as he looked confused, didn’t understand what was going on.

“Grian calm down, it's okay.” Cub said, waving Scar to get up as he approached the avian.

Scar looked nervous, taking a deep breath before he followed Cub’s judgement. Standing up from the wheelchair he had accidentally locked himself into years ago as a staple of his civilian identity.

Grian saw Scar get up through a wall of rainbow feathers, his suspicions confirmed. He finally felt tears start to fall down his face, god he was making another massive fool of himself, but at the same time all he wanted to do was launch himself at Scar. Put his arms around him, uncaring of who he truly was.

Grian sniffled, and wiped his nose with his sleeve as he hid in his feathers. Cub wasn’t using his skulk, and Scar hadn’t made a noise.

Why was he doing about this? He could’ve just slipped out, or pretended nothing had happened. Was he even actually upset about this? Or was he just so tired of this world and its lies, and losses. Maybe he was upset that Scar lied to him? Maybe he was just so done with everything? Maybe, maybe, maybe.

He shouldn't be upset over this, it wasn’t like Grian wasn’t doing the exact same thing, on an even more intense version. Grian had a villian, a popstar, and a hero. Why was he mad at Scar? Or maybe he was mad at the concept? Mad at the world? Upset with the world? Just more maybes that Grian didn’t know.

“Scar..” Grian let out, so quiet, his voice breaking as he spoke the actual words left his lips.

“Yeah- Yes?” Scar said, once looking at Cub for help, but jumping at his name he kneeled down next to Grian, trying to avoid touching any feathers, knowing they were sensitive.

“Is- Is it..you?” Grian asked, his voice unimaginably quiet, Cub wasn’t sure how Scar was even able to actually hear the other man with how light he spoke.

“Yeah..Yes I’m- It’s..complicated...” Scar said with a sigh, avoiding looking towards Grian. The avian only being able to see Scar through the wall of feathers, the scar on his nose staring back at Grian. The scar that Grian had seen on both versions of Scar.

“You…don't get it. Do you?” Grian asked, his eyes being the only thing Scar could see in the shadowed cocoon.

“Get..what?” Scar asked, his head tilting as he lifted a hand off the ground to place it on Grian’s wing before deciding not to, not wanting to set him off in any way. Cub nodded at him with that decision, knowing what kind of issue that could cause in a hybrid.

Grian shifted, enough that his dark black eyes shined in the light enough that Cub could see them, and could see the pain in them. The pain only another hybrid could know. Pain of being pushed down, over and over again. And then finally finding that person you could be with, nad be free with. For Cub that was Scar, and it seemed like it was still Scar for the avian, and he wouldn’t take that away from him.

Cub excused himself from them, silently standing up and walking over to the spare bedroom Scar had been letting him crash in. Of course Scar knew Cub would still be able to perfectly hear him, and if his suspicions were correct Grian knew it too. But what more could Cub do?

As Grian heard the door click shut, he threw himself into Scar’s arms, pulling him in tightly. A blanket of soft feathers covered Scar, his exposed arms could feel each one.

“Shhh…It’s okay Birdie.” Scar said, holding Grian with the same force the avian was using. Securing them in each other’s arms.

Grian sniffled, his frame shaking, “Y-You- you un-”

“Shhh..don’t speak..it's okay.” Scar spoke, pulling him in even tighter for just a moment.

Grian made a chirp like noise, getting pulled into Scar’s arms, but he didn’t fight it. He accepted this, he didn't know what this was. But he accepted it.

He took a deep breath and spoke again, “Scar..do you understand?” he asked, looking down at his messed up arms, which he now knew was from his superhero days, not anything else.

“Again- Grian, I don’t know what your talking about.” Scar confirmed.
Grian’s frame shook, his throat felt tight as he was trying to get out the words that were on the tip of his tongue. The words that would probably shatter Scar, but they were words that he needed to say.

“I’m-” but they wouldn’t leave his lips no matter what he said, or did. They would leave, so he did the next best thing.

His wings beat one time, extruding from his back, Scar’s arms wrapping around the base of them, his muscles tensed for just a small moment before he beat them back out. The rainbow array of feathers shifted into the deep black that Cuteguy was known for. If he couldn’t say it, he hoped Scar would be able to understand the visual.

His eyes were closed, just holding Grian close, the room being quiet enough that he could just hear the small sobs coming from the avian in his arms, and the rapidly beating heart showing that he was still alive.

He heard feathers brush through the air, with a small snap at they pounded out. He opened an eye for a moment, and something in his brain just clicked. The black wings, reminiscent of the other avian Scar had been so close to. The same black eyes, and same humor.

Scar heard noise come from Cub’s room, barely audible to Scar, but he knew what that meant. Cub preferred earbuds, with headphones layered over that, blocking as much noise from the world as he could. It told Scar what he wanted to hear, that Cub wasn’t trying to listen to them.

He picked the avian’s chin, looking into his eyes that were the color of the void, as pretty as the night sky. The eyes that screamed that Scar was safe, despite the public’s opinion of the avian, of the man in his arms, of Grian, of his love. And wasn’t that something amazing.

Scar had never had anybody close to him, there was Cub, who had always been there. But Cub wasn’t somebody Scar could call his, full stop. Cub was his best friend, his brother, his family. But Cub wasn’t his love.

He didn’t care about the water streaming out of the void black pupils, that had no stars in sight. The tears that tracked down his face, that left long shining marks down his cheeks, tracing every wrinkle and worry line on his love’s face, that wasn’t hiding behind a mask. The only thing that had kept the two apart. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t put two and two together, how dense was he? The only two avians in the city with beautiful and dark eyes. The eyes that held so much.

Scar’s lips, just like the rest of him, just like his own name, was scared. Cracked, and untaken care of. They were rough, and yet they uttered every word that had left Scar’s mouth. They were bitten down on when he was in pain, or when he was too focused on training.

Grian’s lips were cut, bitten and chewed on, full of anxiety. Focusing too much on rituals, and taking care of his loved ones.

Either way, both people, both backgrounds, both teachers, both heroes, came together. A light kiss that made Scar fold, unfamiliar tears slipping out of his eyes, on the floor of his newest apartment. Holding his world, if he was even allowed to call him that, which he hadn’t even asked yet, oh god he was going to fuck everything up because he had just-

Grian shut any thought that had started to leave Scar’s locked box in his brain. Kissing him back, thankful, happy, scared, and confused. Swirling emotions, unsure of anything, so he let his instincts take over.

Scar’s head spun as they broke apart again, his consciousness going in and out from forgetting to breathe, so in the moment he hadn’t thought of the self preservation that made him put oxygen into his lungs. Going off the book of everything he was ever taught. To hurt, to battle, to go after the people he worked against. But even if he was supposed to be going after the Watchers at this exact moment, Grian wasn’t one of them. He was a man, with bird wings that sparkled and glowed like a rainbow. The rainbow that Scar had been waiting for this whole time, after the water had cleared.

“I- I love you..I think..” Grian mumbled out, so soft, looking down glowing green eyes, the eyes that had saved him in so many ways. Keeping him out of trouble at school, to keeping him out of danger in battle.

Scar nodded, “I think I love you too, CuteGuy.”

Grian huffed, but fell back into a kiss with the man, but did it really matter? They had already done this so out of order.

Chapter Text

Ariana stepped out of their dressing room, only to be faced to face with a certain masked superhero that Grian, the person underneath the makeup and fake boobs had shared too many personal moments with at this point.

“Oh- hey! Sorry-” HotGuy said, his face lighting up with a pink dusting of blush. His hand was noticeably close to Grian’s rubber chest, and the avian just paused. Staring directly at HotGuy’s massive scar that he happened to be the exact height as in these heels.

HotGuy, who Grian had recently learned was his newest friend, Scar, who was now something with now, they had never made it clear, and now he was regretting that. He had seen the face HotGuy had made while he was dancing with his short skirt, and corset. The white feather boa that Grian considered making out of PoultryMan’s feathers at this rate with how many white feathers had been left around his room.

“So uhm-” Grian opened his mouth to speak, his voice going to the regular tone that he had used with Scar. He swore once he started creating the character of Ariana, carefully crafting her as an identity that never had any attachment to them, that he would never use their power for her. Everything was some combination of training, clothing help, or trick of the eyes. She was his creation, not theirs.

He immediately covered his mouth with his hands, “S-Sorry! I’m a little sick today!” she spoke, the character spoke. With her feminine pitch, and light drawl. Followed by a girly giggle that he hoped would throw the superhero off.

He cared about HotGuy, of course he did, but he also just didn’t want to reveal this to him yet. This was his safety net, something that wasn’t remotely connected with Grian, something that was its own person. This was a performance that was sacred to him, and he wasn’t ready to share it with Scar yet.

“I’m so sorry, gorgeous!” Hotguy got down on one knee, his voice having that bravado that only the superhero version of himself wore. It was something Scar hadn’t fully tapped into yet, the ability to get any crowd almost immediately on his side. Something that gave HotGuy such an appeal.

“Oh no! It’s alright, it's my fault, really!” she spoke, waving a gloved hand as she left one on her hip. Looking up at HotGuy’s eyes, the eyes that had held him close, and told him he was safe. The eyes that he had spent that night with. The eyes that had told him he wasn’t good enough, that he had quickly proved wrong. The eyes that had told him he was just a villain. The eyes that had just called his alter ego gorgeous, who he was now just a smidge bit jealous of. “I was clumsy, wasn’t watching where I was going.” Grian finished with, quickly leaving the gaze of those emerald green eyes that meant so much to him now.

Grian paused his performance for a moment, his wings twitched under the layers of fabric bandages, rubber, and now a corset making them press firmly into him in a way he didn’t appreciate. He tried to avoid making a weird face as he tried to make it look like he was scratching an itch while trying to fix a feather through the layers, which he had already known was an effort that wasn’t even worth it.

“I came here for a reason, Miss Griande.” Scar suddenly announced, still on the floor, looking up at the performance of a woman Grian was putting on, “I was wondering if you’d do me the honor of being up on stage with you?”

Grian really didn’t understand how Scar missed who he was, the signs were all there, or so he thought. His name in hers, the same black eyes, the same face, just with makeup caked on it, the same hair color that just had extensions in, and he had just heard Grian’s real voice come out of Ariana’s mouth.

Wait.

What had Scar just asked?

“Yeah, of course! What were you thinking?” Grian said, in a caring voice that had only a twinge of hesitation.

“Awesome! Thank you Ariana, it would be an honor. I was just thinking I’d dance with you on stage!” Scar clarified to Grian, and he suddenly really wished he didn’t agree to this if he was being honest with himself.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Ariana stood on stage, noting the lack of Pearl cheering her on from the front row, Grian still couldn’t tell if he ruined Ariana for her, which he’d never purposely do! It was just how it fell, and he really hoped Pearl was okay.

He was feeling better, especially now that he was here, on stage, seeing so many people smiling and cheering for the character he had put so much into. This had always made him feel better.

He looked off the stage, into the dark, where HotGuy was nervously shifting, looking down at his hands. Grian wondered to himself, seriously how did I never pick up he was HotGuy?. The scar was the most obvious one, along with all the silly little habits, and then the same best friend. It was really something Grian needed to stop looking past he guessed.

He looked back at the crowd with a smile, standing up straight, holding the cordless microphone with two hands up to his face. “Are you ready?!”

“YEAHH!!”

“ARE YOU READY?!”

“YEAHH!!!”

Grian chuckled to himself, he felt so powerful here, and didn’t even need to tap into magic like the Watchers, or bravado like HotGuy. To violence, or strength. It was just this character that brought so many smiles to people’s faces. And if it didn’t, then he would be dead, and the character would have never existed.

Ariana took a deep breath, the corset tightening his wings to make way for the extra breath. But then she stopped, quickly letting the breath out, “That’s right, I almost forgot!” she shouted, stepping to the side, heels clicking on the stage. Those were a nightmare to learn how to walk in.

“Mind if somebody joins me?” Ariana called out to the crowd as she reached her hand into the curtains at the side of the stage. They were sparkly pink, but it was just a fabric layer overtop the usually red curtains for her show specifically.

The crowd roared when she asked, he made motions with his hands, pushing them down despite the microphone being in his hands because it was a bit too loud. Once he was sure they’d be able to hear him through the speakers she spoke again, “Okay, okay! Apparently you all very much want it.”

They cheered again, but quickly quieted themselves down as he looked past the curtain at HotGuy who was standing there, eyes wide the entire time. “C’mon.” Grian whispered in his own voice.

HotGuy, Scar still looked worried, he could see a small amount of the crowd, and was a bit worried despite being the one who asked to join the world famous popstar. “It’s okay, I know you know the words to this.” Grian started to say, not catching himself before he was finished talking.

This apparently shocked Scar out of his scare. “What? You do? How?” the hero asked, taking a slight step forwards.

Grian looked back at the crowd who was waiting in suspense. Grian smiled, a plan coming to him, he knew that once Scar stepped in front of the crowd, that mask of confidence would take over. He had seen it in HotHuy himself, and had seen Scar teaching a handful of times.

“I have my sources.” She said, stepping back farther out from behind the curtain.

HotGuy took another step, this time you could see part of him, “Miss Ariana-” was all he was able to say before he noticed the crowd start to cheer.

Grian tossed him the microphone he had, knowing Scar would catch it. He trusted Scar, the man who just a few days ago he had admitted he loved. He knew Scar would be able to follow anything he did, he trusted it. Not just because that was what the man was, but also because Grian hoped he was predictable to him, even behind the makeup mask.

Scar perfectly caught it, putting on a smiling face and facing the crowd, “Hello!!” He cheered, making the roar louder. He stepped towards Ariana, his heavy boots hitting the floor with a hard rumble.

“Who’s your sources?” he asked, only to Ariana, waving to the crowd.

Ariana shrugged, getting thrown another microphone from his team backstage, catching it perfectly made the crowd cheer again. “CuteGuy is a pretty good source.”

Scar, given all that's happened recently, almost looked offended that Grian would give himself the information he had gotten from Scar. But he clearly didn’t make it very known, he just happened to have insider knowledge.

Scar was apparently pretty dense, but he wasn’t this dense was he?

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

HotGuy stepped off the stage, looking back at the woman in pink that was still standing up there, speaking to the crowd. He had just gotten dismissed quicker than she was. Scar wasn’t stupid, he could see through the disguise. He had been close enough with Ariana now to know that she was probably not female. But at the same time, he couldn’t guarantee it, and there was no way he’d ask.

But, despite this, and despite the newest thing to be revealed to him about Grian, the man he knew he loved. He had a pretty bad crush on Ariana.

He wasn’t sure what it was, but he had to admit her and Grian did look similar, and apparently they knew each other, so maybe they were siblings? And if so, that made this so much worse.

Maybe he needed to call Cub? But then again Cub probably would tell him to just suck it up or something.

He didn’t know what to do.

But that woman made him blush just as bad as CuteGuy did before he found out it was Grian.

At least there was a few people he knew definitely weren’t Grian. Like PoultryMan, or Ariana. There was no way one man could keep so many identities.

Then again he guessed PoultryMan was pretty similar to Grian? But it was impossible.

And then again Ariana apparently knew things about Scar, and was close with her, and looked a bit like him. Especially with the same space-like black eyes that shined so beautifully in Scar’s mind. But she did have wings, at all, and he knew Grian couldn’t do that much.

Maybe he needed to call Cub… Or Mumbo…. Mumbo might know more.

Chapter Text

CuteGuy was jumping from building top, to building top. He was watching HotGuy clumsily catch up, struggling to follow him without wings.

“You're slow!” Grian shouted, taking off again, hovering over the street in the wind before finishing the jump.

“We aren’t all like you Birdie.” Scar answered, coming up on the building across from Grian. He hadn’t seen Pearl up here in awhile, he was hoping it was because she was finally understanding that it was dangerous, but if Grian was being honest, he knew it was probably some different reason.

Grian rolled his eyes, and turned, “Then get better!” he shouted, flying over the other hero, landing behind him as he peered down to the street.

They had made the agreement, that they could be a bit more open to each other, but there was absolutely no saying names while in costume. It was just too risky.

“Where’s Skulk?” Grian asked, now watching a man smoking behind a dumpster in an alleyway. I do not want to get involved with that.

“Exploring, it's apparently quiet tonight.” Scar said, finally able to get behind Grian. Putting a hand on the avian’s shoulder to keep him from flying off again.

“Almost too quiet.” Grian mumbled to himself.

“How so?” Scar asked through heavy breaths.

Grian hummed in thought before hearing a loud booming explosion from behind them and to the left. It made him jump, but he didn’t take off with the motion thanks to Scar’s comforting hand on his shoulder.

“That.” Grian hissed, opening his wings. He looked Scar in the eye, and nodded. The older man let go of Grian, letting him fly away as he ran over, hoping something would come good of him being able to get there quicker.

He flew over the city so fast it all became a blur of concrete jungle that he lived in. Then, he spotted hands coming out of the ground, there was a large fire that appeared purple to him. Grian could see eyes watching all over a handful of people who were still inside, smiling.

It made Grian sick.

He tried to push down the nausea that rushed into his throat, taking a hard right to a different building. Curling into himself because he wasn’t any help if he was about to lose his lunch.

Scar didn’t take long to catch up to him, at least Grian didn’t think he did, it was hard to tell, his mind was spinning with memories of his childhood, not shutting up.

He didn’t know if it was their voices, rigning through the hollow air just to reach his ears, or if it was his mind recycling, and regurgitating things he had heard from them before.

That would be you if you hadn’t left.

If you had just behaved.

Why aren’t you behaving Xelqua?

He screamed, bile rising up out of his throat, it burned, his eyes stung. He thought he could do this, that he was past this, that he was actually able to help for once.

But instead the magic took a toll on him.

His wings felt heavy, his skin crawled as it tried to shift into something different. He wouldn’t let it, he wasn’t theirs, he wasn’t!

It creeped up his spine, through his nerves, making the tips of his wings shutter. The magic was warm, but they’re always cold. Grian’s bones shifted and shivered, he felt eyes open in panic, then tightly shut themselves to not witness th horrors.

“Grian listen to me!” Scar shouted, getting through to his mind in ways Grian didn’t understand. “You aren’t one of them! You didn’t do this! But I need your help to stop it!”

Grian rolled back his wings, and steadied his hands. His wings opened up, a large array of feathers that weren’t quite his own. He glanced at Scar, then flew.

Flying was second nature to him, it wasn’t hard to stay afloat in the air. He flew around the building, making sure nobody else was inside. After just a moment, the only people he could see were people that Grian no longer associated with. Then he nodded at HotGuy who then ran forward, taking a leap of faith before Grian caught him, flying him into the building.

Grian flew down, pushing civilian’s away, as far as he could. But people liked to watch, so he physically pushed some people into the crowd, he’d handle the yelling later. He turned back to the building, hearing a new cracking noise, seeing more eyes watching him, hands trying to collapse around him.

Shit.

He flew up and pulled them away, back into the fire that didn’t hurt him, nor did it hurt them. But he caught eyes with Scar, and his eyes snapped open. A lifeless corpse sat, wearing his HotGuy uniform, the mask was half off and it revealed his large scar that sat over his nose. Grian would almost snort at how stupid his name was, if he wasn’t looking at his lifeless body, that was covered in blood that wasn’t even gushing. His arrows fallen to the side.

Helpless.

Lifeless.

Useless.

Grian reached out for him, but not before he got hit, hard.

Maybe if he hadn’t just rushed in.
Maybe if he hadn’t freaked out.
Maybe if he hadn’t left Scar.
Maybe if he hadn’t-

The world went black as his body hit brick, his bones making a crunching noise, his skin making way for the impact, the air in his lungs getting squeezed out with a heavy noise of somebody alive, hitting something.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

He watched Grian run in, it made him uncomfortable, the avian rushing out after just freaking out within the same second. He watched as the avian struggled to beat his wings evenly, as he flew past things Scar couldn’t start to see.

He took a deep breath, he should be used to this after all. He rushed in, the quicker this was done, the quicker Scar had Grian in his arms.

He glanced up at the avian who was coming back this way, so Scar jumped.

And Grian caught him, carrying him into the building and dropping him off right inside before taking down the hall on foot, rushing down the hall as people shouted at both of the heroes, He opened his wings enough to get the airflow started before he took off outside of the window this time.

Scar caught a fist flying towards his face, pushing against the man who belonged to the hand. He sent the man to the ground with a grunt, as he reached behind himself to grab an arrow from his quiver. He shot at somebody down the hall, hitting their shoulder, not a vital point.

He turned to kick somebody else, at least he was trying to before the building shifted. He heard cracking, he tried to gain his balance again, but it didn’t work as the man who had tried to take a swing tackled him to the ground.

Scar tried to push him off, but after realizing it wasn’t going to work he grabbed an arrow that had fallen out of its normal resting place. He stabbed it into the man’s side, but he didn’t stop wailing on Scar.

“Get off!” Scar cried, the other man was on top, had the higher ground. His punches were relentless.

Scar disliked this, severely disliked things like this, but he didn’t have a choice, his hands were tied, so he did what he had to.

Sticky red dripped onto Scar’s face and uniform but he tried to ignore it as he twisted the arrow in the man’s skull.

He didn’t want to end anybody’s life, he didn’t like to. But sometimes he had to, and sometimes something took over him for a moment.

The body fell forward, putting all of its weight on Scar, his head him the heroes, before Scar pushed him to the side with a huff, and took a deep breath, laying on the floor perfectly still.

He opened his eyes again to see a flash of feathers just making it out of view. He quickly sat up, his ears listening for Grian, but all he heard was a mess of chirps before silence.

Panic coursed through his body as he tried to get up, ignoring the man who had eyes open up all over his arms as he died, he ran to the window at the other end of the hall, the way he had seen Grian move. Looking down in the alleyway there he was, knocked out on the pavement, dead?

Scat couldn't care less about what was going on in the inside of the building, he didn’t care what the public was doing on the other side of those four walls. He didn’t care about the feeling of him being watched, and he didn’t care about the cracking noise in the back.

Scar held Grian’s chest up to his ear, not hearing anything. In his panic, he ignored that the eyes he knew Grian had, didn’t open. In his panic, he ignored the shaky breaths he could feel against his neck. In his panic, he ignore the tears on his own face.

He balled his hands up, and placed them on Grian’s chest, getting ready to do chest compressions on his superhero partner, on his crush, on his..boyfriend? They weren’t official yet, but if Grian didn’t wake up Scar was going to do everything in his power to make people think they were, sitting with the guilt of never actually asking alone for the rest of his life.

He pounded once, nothing.

He pounded again, nothing

He pressed his hands into Grian’s chest one more time, getting more hysterical with each shove, feeling his fingertips fill with static as his mind swam.

He heard a crack, as Grian’s chest rose quickly, leading to a scream from Grian’s lips, and tightly lidded eyes twitching in pain.

“Grian!” Scar shouted, pulling the avian into his arms quickly, he might’ve been hurting Grian, but he didn’t care.

“What-” He mumbled, groaning in pain as he was pulled into a familiar warmth.

He was confused, was he dead? Is that why he heard Scar’s voice? His chest hurt like hell, so he wouldn't be surprised. He had to admit he did get a little reckless at the end there, and now his wing roots hurt, so did his chest, and honestly so did the rest of his body.

And then there was also the headache making it hard to think about anything else besides pain.

“Am I dead..?” He mumbled, not daring to open his eyes just in case he was, because he needed at least a little time to prepare before seeing the afterlife.

“What?!” Scar squawked, pulling Grian back to look at his face, “No- No! I saved you!”

Grian opened one eye, just enough to see the man he loved, which he really needed to sort out what they were with, staring at him with almost a hysterical smile.

“But..you- your dead..?” Grian asked, not being able to think much, his head was spinning too much, was he spinning? He didn’t know right now.

Scat laughed loudly, “What?! No! It-It was you who was dying-”

Grian groaned, trying to sit up straight but he was just met with aches and pain.

“Are- Oh!” Scar announced, “Will you be my boyfriend?!” He asked, he needed to get this question out before anything happened again. Before Grian threatened to die, before Scar apparently dies, before-

“Yup!” Grian said, falling into Scar’s chest. Maybe he had a concussion, but he wasn’t quite sure.

Chapter Text

Scar pulled his shirt on, it was tight and pure black; sleeveless of course. It had the HotGuy logo across his chest -- no it definitely was not a boob window! -- He had baggy black jeans on, which had at least a few extra pockets. There were orange and blue details across the uniform; like the stitching on each side was its respective color, the pockets farther down his leg were the respective color, and the pockets on his hip had his superhero symbol stitched into it.

Scar was worried about this if he was being honest -- it wasn’t his fault Ariana was pretty! -- But he had a boyfriend now; he had Grian now. Or..Well he had CuteGuy he supposed. -- Hey atleast the name fit! -- Scar needed to get control of his thoughts, and quickly.

He splashed some water on his face from the sink next to himself; looking back up at the mirror the scar stood out on his nose. He smiled, because it meant Cub was always with him. He wished he knew his real name sometimes, but he couldn’t force anybody in the program he grew up with to tell him anything. -- Why was he thinking of that now?!

He had actually planned this for once; he was going to walk up on stage with Ariana in tow, on purpose. He wasn’t just crashing the concert this time. He had even asked for an outfit from Scott! He commissioned it! Which Scott gave him the outfit he was currently wearing…

He had told Grian about the idea before he had actually asked Ariana; in which his boyfriend -- which was still a new enough term for the man, that Scar’s stomach still gets butterflies thinking about it -- was overwhelmingly positive about the decision.

He could remember thinking the two were related, which seemed more and more true as he looked at the two; having the same face, same way of speaking, same mannerisms. Which, made his conundrum even worse (the conundrum being that he likes both of them respectively of course).

He cared for Grian, he wasn’t sure if they were quite at the ‘I love you’ level yet, (as long as you ignore when they confessed, look they were tired and whatever other excuses Scar had been using!) but he was sure they’d get there soon. He’d be coming to Grian’s house everyday -- which was enough for the avian to start telling Jimmy about this -- taking care of him from his concussion, which they found out he had after the whole boyfriend revelation.

Speaking of Jimmy, the avian had calmed down a bit. From what Scar understood, Grian was no longer on his depressive route and ignoring everybody; he and Jimmy had been talking more lately, which was always good. Pearl also seemed in an overall better mood, no longer fully hounding everybody around.

While thinking, Scar remembered the simple fact that this was his first appearance as HotGuy since Grian and him had gotten together (Which only Mumbo actually knew about). It wasn’t big, he knew that in theory, yet it still felt a bit important; and he was a little bummed that Grian wasn’t here with him; but at the same time, how much had Grian really been able to get out without being hate-crimmed all the time? Scar wasn’t sure how he was paying the bills without his teaching job anyway.

There was a knock on the door, the pattern was almost like raindrops. Scar turned to grab the mask that belonged to his superhero get-up; covering part of his face with it to hide his identity (If he was being completely honest he wasn’t entirely sure how it always worked). “Come in,” he welcomed, resting against the back of the couch in this small dressing room he was given. The thing had a huge window when he got in, he had to cover that thing up before doing anything else.

The door opened in a swift motion, Ariana Griande standing on the other side with a light smile that reached her eyes. She wore a beautiful baby pink dress, which had a surprising lack of sparkles. The dress was tight at the top, opening up at the bottom. She had white fishnet tights on her legs, and white boots that reached halfway to her knee. The buckles on them were heart shaped, and shined silver. She had a feather boa on around her neck, falling down in the front. Her makeup was mostly pink, her lips matched the dress and so did her eyeshadow. The white eyeliner she usually wore was in a wing shape at the corner of her eye.

“How’s it going, handsome?” She asked, quirking an eyebrow as she seemed to examine him, crossing one arm across her chest and the other against her chin, “not leaving anything to the imagination, are we?”

Scar chuckled, keeping himself calm as he spoke to her. “Guess not, it was whatever Scott gave me.” he answered with a slight shrug of his shoulders.

Ariana hummed before she nodded, “He is good at designing. Guess if it’s up to his standards it’s good enough.”

Scar nodded as well, focusing on Ariana’s eyes. They were black; was she a watcher? He knew that she wore pink contacts during most shows, he had picked up on it relatively quickly. She had a better lockdown on her private life than Scar; and she didn’t even have a secret identity. He didn’t think she was a hybrid, even if she was related to Grian. He had never seen any sign of feathers or fur on her.

“HotGuy,” she called, flapping her hand in his direction, “Watch.” she commanded, as she spun around in her dress, something Scar hadn’t noticed when she was still was how the skirt flowed with the movement, catching air and flaring out. He also hadn’t been able to see the white wings embroidered into her dress on the back.

He smiled as she slowed down, coming to a stop with a bright smile. He reached his pointer finger up to his eyes, “contacts.” he spoke, tapping in the general direction of his eyes.

Her face crinkled tightly as-if she was trying to make sense of what he was saying until she popped back up with a surprised face on, looking almost like an old animated Disney movie character. “Right! Thank you, I totally forgot!” she called out, turning and running out the door and down the hall.

Scar chuckled, shaking his head slightly as he looked back at the mirror for a moment. He turned to see his phone ringing, the one for HotGuy at least. Previously it had the HotGuy logo on the case, but now it was replaced with CuteGuy’s heart symbol.

He looked at the contact, it was CuteGuy -- or Grian, he figured. -- he answered it with a smile, “Yes?”

“Where are you!?” The avian’s voice came through the phone with an almost angry voice.

Scar chuckled, he could feel his face warming as he couldn’t wipe the smile off his cheeks. “At the Ariana concert! I told you about this-”

“You went without me?!” Grian said incredulously, squawking through the speaker.

Scar smiled harder, putting his hand over his mouth to cover his face in case anybody came in -- didn’t want to ruin his reputation, obviously; and totally not because he knew Ariana would tease him and ask who was on the phone. “I might’ve.” he spoke, trying to keep the loving tone out of his voice, “You didn’t show any interest! Mr. I hate Ariana Griande.”

“Her music is alright.” Grian huffed, putting emphasis on the word alright as-if trying to say that even that was an overstatement.

“You take that back mister!” Scar fought back, pointing at the air around him like Grian was standing there with him. His eyebrows furrowed as he continued being offended by the air in front of him -- which is what it looked like to anybody else at least.

Ariana blinked a few times, almost confused before letting out a fit of giggles, some sounding more familiar than others. Scar’s eyes went wide as she made herself known, his cheeks getting more heated as he pulled the phone away from his ear to look at the screen; which Grian had apparently hung up on him. Scar would totally have to get him back later for that.

“How long have you been there?!” he demanded, setting the phone back down. His calculated demeanor was shattered from both Ariana and Grian, and he was struggling to put HotGuy’s facade back on.

She was now crouched on the floor, trying to hide her face and calm her laughter. “A- Long enough- HAH” her voice dropped in pitch as she fell on her ass against the door frame; her chest pulling in and out as she laughed at him.

“You're just as bad as him.” Scar sighed, realization dawning on him as he put his head in his hands to hide his reaction.

Ariana, still smiling — so hard her cheeks hurt — placed the back of her hand against her f, her long pink nails curled towards her palm as she tried to cover the pink dusting across her features. She seemed to calm down a bit before asking, “Who-?” with a familiar tone to her voice that Scar almost swore was Grian when he wasn’t looking at her directly.

Scar sighed, pulling his face slightly out of his hands; just enough to look at her. “Grian, you act like Grian.”

Apparently this was the funniest thing in the world, because Ariana screamed; bending into herself with laughter as her eyes started to water from how hard she was laughing at this.

“What do you want from me?!” Scar pleaded, groaning as Ariana continued. Her laughter was so infectious Scar started to laugh again just by default.

By the time the two adults composed themselves enough to go on stage, Scar’s face hurt, and he was getting ready to tell Grian all about it later tonight when he planned to bring him flowers and probably request to stay the night for the third time that week.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

When Scar was on stage, plenty of people were in the audience. Scar could see some of his students screaming in the front row.

Scar had more or less gone to every Ariana Griande concert since he had the opportunity; either going as Scar or his superhero counterpart. Despite this, it felt different this time. He wondered if it was whatever they had been doing backstage, or maybe it was that they had grown closer?

All that he knew, was that the audience caught on too.

Ariana’s shows have always been very focused on the performing aspect; large costume changes, dance routines, screens, confetti, fire, explosions, you name it, it was there at one point.

Oh, and the audience was very intense and a bit parasocial always.

So when they had been screaming for them to kiss as Scar was dipping the popstar, he really didn’t want to -- he needed to make that clear. He didn’t want to, because he was with Grian, and plus he hadn’t asked Ariana if it was okay, and so many other things. Ariana was pretty, she was. And Scar would never truly see a reason with him kissing Ariana -- Y’know besides the fact that he had a boyfriend.

Which, in hindsight, he really, really should’ve told Ariana this fact in some way. Because she leaned in for a kiss, and while Scar had amazing reflexes from villain fighting or whatever he did; apparently this didn’t translate over to his avoiding getting kissed by pretty women.

Grian was going to kill him.

So he’d go over with flowers -- did he need an apology card? ‘Sorry I kissed your family member in front of millions of people while also pretending to be a superhero.’ Did that card even exist?!

Grian was either going to have one of two reactions:
Make fun of Scar for the high amount of fan-ficitions this was going to spark (and that his students were going to give him because they know he likes Ariana Griande and they just want to make sure he’s up-to-date). There was also a sub category of this where Grian showed him CuteGuy x HotGuy fanfiction that HotGuy was cheating on Ariana (or vice-versa).
Be very incredibly pissed off.

If Scar was honest? He didn’t want to deal with either option. So when he stepped down off the stage, he’d wait for Ariana to come down the stairs in the back of the stage that brought them to the long hallways of dressing rooms, listening for the tapping of her boots against the floor.

Once he heard the signature sound, he stood up on his feet, hands crossed against his chest. He was trying to not look angry; because it wasn’t really her fault, it wasn’t like he had told her definitely no, don’t do that.

She came around the corner, her face was red, sweat dripping down her forehead as she held one of those microphones that clipped onto her shirt. “Oh! HotGuy- I actually-” she started to say, about to pass him while reassuring him with her hands.

He grabbed her wrist lightly, “Uhm- no…I actually need to speak to you.”

She looked a bit confused, stopping before she turned to face him with scrunched eyebrows. “Can we do it in a minute-? The sweat is actually killing me.”

“It’ll be quick.” Scar assured, letting go of her. This was really awkward -- why did he feel like he was threatening her?!

She seemed to scan his face for a moment before she fanned herself with the hand that didn’t hold the microphone. “Just- Follow me, plea-se?” she asked, almost sounding pleading as her voice cracked towards the end of her sentence.

Scar sighed; he really didn’t want to make this a big deal, but he needed to leave soon, and didn’t want to have to wait for Ariana to do whatever she was going to be doing in her dressing room. “Fine.” he decided, his shoulders sagging in light defeat.

She nodded, continuing walking quicker than ever towards her dressing room, the tapping of her large boots echoed down the entire hallway, making Scar even more nervous if he was being honest, it almost felt like a horror movie now.

Getting into the dressing room she immediately threw the boa off her, it already being on the floor as Scar walked in not a minute after her helped tell him this. She quickly was ripping nails off, and pulling at her face to get the contacts out of her eyes. Whatever got her worked up seemed to really be getting in the way; maybe Scar should talk to her about it some other time. She was clearly busy.

She let out a very non-Ariana scream, looking at Scar pleadingly once again. “Can you get the zipper- please?!”

Scar’s face heated up, he really didn’t need this much incriminating evidence against himself when he went up against the Grian council. Though, was he really going to say no?!

“Scarr!” She made a deep whining noise in the back of her throat, almost completely identical to Grian; making Scar’s brain fire off immediately. He got to his feet and took one stride over to he before pulling the zipper on the back of the dress down, revealing a flesh color underneath, it only being slightly dark than her normal skintone.

“⊣𝙹↸ᓭ, ℸ ̣ ⍑ᔑリꖌ ||𝙹⚍!” she mumbled, pulling the dress down to her waist.

Scar hadn’t yet caught onto the mass amounts of incriminating evidence against Ariana, too focused on how to not get in trouble with his avian back home. But something about the galactic brought his HotGuy brain back.

“What did you just say?!” he interrogated, not noticing Ariana completely pulling the dress’ top to her waist to reveal a rubber chest that didn’t have any sort of detailing in the front and instead was just a bunch of skinntone colored rubber.

“I said ⊣𝙹↸ᓭ, ℸ ̣ ⍑ᔑリꖌ ||𝙹⚍.” She hissed, looking back at him in the mirror with an annoyed expression for just a moment before bending over more than half-way.

Scar’s mind finally caught up with the situation as he saw Ariana pulling off a rubber set of boobs over her head, and a pair of macaw banded wings falling out from underneath as it peeled away, glistening with sweat. The rubber had a few feathers stuck to it along with a few more fluttering to the ground softly.

“Scar- Scar- Scarr” Ariana- no, Grian; that was defidnetly Grian’s voice, whined.

“Wha- What’s wrong?!” Scar asked, immediately switching to Scar mode to make sure whatever was clearly hurting Grian was long gone.

He raised his wings meekly -- he can’t imagine they’re very comfortable, nor can he imagine that’s a very safe thing to do -- stretching out the right one in front of Scar, “Theres an in-grown feather, I can feel it! It hurts like hell- Scarrr!”

Scar’s finger’s immediately got to work, carding through the matted -- and a bit gross if he was being honest -- feathers, searching for what Grian was talking about until he felt a bump underneath his index finger in the section of yellow in the direct center of the wing, followed by a long whine of pain from Grian.

Scar separated the feathers, taking a closer look at it he could see color almost peering through the warped skin, “Here, hand me that towel.” Scar said, offering his other hand out.

Grian nodded, his wings following the motion of his body, but Scar made sure to have a tight enough hold on Grian’s wing that it wasn’t going to be able to curl back to pressing tightly against his spine.

The avian placed a cool, damp towel in Scar’s hand; which he pressed against the spot. Grian hissed, tightening his grip on the sink in front of himself. Scar left the towel there for a moment, looking back up into the mirror.

They stood there, face down; but Scar could still see the pink eyeshadow, and long hair cascading down their back. Finally his mind caught up with what was going on, his eyes widened as he furrowed his face together, scanning every feature of them that he could see.

“Grian?” Scar’s voice called out meekly. The avian looked up confused, staring at their boyfriend in the mirror before realization dawned on their face.

“This..wasn’t how I wanted to tell you…” they mumbled, wide eyes staring at Scar’s wide eyes through the mirror.

“So I didn’t cheat on you?!” Scar asked, his voice going an octave higher as he kept his hands in the same spot, gently caring for Grian’s wing.

Grian giggled a moment, still staring at Scar before he fully lost it, putting his forehead against the mirror as his body shook with laughter. His wing bounced with his chest as he pulled in air, only to laugh it back out in the same moment.

“You- Ariana too?!” Scar said, his voice keeping that same incredulous tone as he kept staring at the avian through the piece of glass on the wall.

Grian nodded, not really being able to get anything out through his laughter. His other wing fell to the ground, still getting pulled with Grian’s chest through his fit out laughter.

Scar’s face went soft in an instant, blush pooling to his face as he looked across Grian’s back as he laughed. It wasn’t anything truly new; and yet it might as well have been because it was Grian, and Scar was going to appreciate and adore everything that made up his boyfriend.

He carded a hand along Grian’s skin, starting at the base of his spine and following it up until his fingers hit the soft -- and still very sweaty -- feathers, following those along the musculature of the wings.

He hadn’t noticed Grian stop laughing until he ran out of feathers to brush his hand through unless he wanted to bend over. So he looked back up at Grian’s beautiful face, seeing the man watching him with owlishly large eyes, and bright pink across his cheeks.

“Oh- I-“ Scar mumbled out, pulling his free hand back to his side as he looked back at Grian through the mirror.

Grian didn't move until they looked down at the sink in front of them, mumbling “I love you..” to the empty air around them.

Scar wrapped his free hand around Grian’s torso; taking a step closer to bury his face into their shoulder that still didn't have any clothing over. “I love you too.”

It would take Scar another thirty whole minutes to truly understand, and stopping to get Grian flowers — despite having the man arm in arm with him — confusing the cashier immensely when he freezes and just stares at Grian, who will just have to nod, hoping Scar understood that no: Grian was not trans. And no: Grian was not going to give Scar free tickets for the rest of time because he just happened to be his boyfriend’s favorite pop star and slight crush.