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Mumbo fidgeted on the armchair. It was a wonder he had been sitting down for as long as he had. Something in his brain just wanted to be moving, moving, moving no matter what. All of his hobbies required him to plan things out, to place things meticulously. It helped his brain calm down, to focus his hands on one thing.
Today in particular he was meant to be sitting still. Movie night was commencing, and Grian would make fun of him if he paced behind the couch. So, he fidgeted. His finger ran around the rim of his glass of water while his friends got situated with blankets.
His eyes flicked to the floor next to his armchair where Cub seemed to be setting up a pillow. Mumbo scanned the couch to see Grian, Scar, and Pearl taking it all up despite it having 5 seats. A small smile grew on his face. Mumbo looked back down at Cub, who seemed to have glanced at him at the same time. He quickly looked away, stimming a little under his breath.
An hour later found Mumbo completely distracted, staring at Cub’s head where it rested on the side of his chair. The movie flashed lights in the background as Mumbo stared. Cub’s eyes were focused on the screen. It was a common expression for him to have, always putting his mind to one task or another.
Mumbo had always admired how he was able to set his mind to things so quickly. Mumbo always flitted between tasks, working on so many projects at once he sometimes forgot a few of them even existed. Cub was never like that. He seemed to barrel forward with a determination that Mumbo couldn’t look at for long without getting utterly distracted.
For now, it was movie night, and Mumbo could barely stand to look away.
Scar had invited him over to taste-test some cookies (which were absolutely delicious). Mumbo was petting Jellie on his dining chair and trying not to catastrophize his current project. It was just- he had been working on it for a few days now and it wasn’t going right. What if it never went right? What if-
A cough sounded from behind him at the entrance of the kitchen. Mumbo turned slightly to see Cub making his way towards him. He set down a cup of tea in front of Mumbo and stared at him, Scar singing Disney in the kitchen a backtrack to their sort of staring-contest.
“Can I help you, mate?” Mumbo finally got out, his mouth a little dry. He lifted the teacup to his mouth and took a sip, it was just how he liked it. Cub sat down in the chair to his left.
“Seems like you need help yourself. You’re all…” Cub moved his hand in some sort of gesture. “What’s on your mind?” He seemed curious, but his face wasn’t giving much away.
Mumbo flapped his hands a bit. “Nothing really. Just a project I’ve been stressed with. I can’t get it right and it-.” He cut himself off with a frustrated noise. Cub took another sip of tea and watched as the gears in Mumbo’s head turned faster than they should. He couldn’t keep his mind away from it. In fact, he needed to go work on it today, maybe he would be able to get it then. Who needed a fresh mind anyway? He should let Scar know he’s heading out.
“Here.” Cub set something on the table in front of him. Mumbo looked down to see his headphones laying on the table. Cub never went anywhere without these, what? “Noise canceling. It’s hooked up to my lofi playlist right now. Let your brain relax for a little. Scar’s cookies won’t be done for a bit, so I’ll sit here with you.”
Mumbo stared for a second, before tentatively grabbing the headphones from the table. He placed them on his head after receiving a confirming nod from Cub. Music filtered into his ears and he could feel the gears slowing down. He could think about the taste of the tea in his mouth and the music in his ears. Cub sat looking at him, head slightly tilted. Upon seeing Mumbo’s muscles relax, his mouth twitched into a small smile. He reached his hand out to Mumbo as an offering. Mumbo linked their pinkies together and took slow breaths.
They sat there until Scar brought out the cookies. When Mumbo handed the headphones back to Cub, he was surprised when Cub offered them to him whenever he needed.
The day was young, so Mumbo had decided that the shopping district was his calling today. He needed to restock his shop and pick up some materials that Grian was too busy(lazy) to get himself. Not that he minded, the shopping district was a fun place to be.
Despite that, he was incredibly bored. So beyond bored. His muscles were aching for something to do, someone to talk to, something to stimulate his brain. Under-stimulation was a bitch, and it was hitting Mumbo hard. He reached up to a tree and grabbed a branch, using it to spin himself under it. He was taking a few more steps forward before he was interrupted by the sound of footsteps next to him.
Cub stood there, humming a little. “Hey there.” Cub said
“Hey,” Mumbo said, startled. “How are you today?”
“Fine.” Cub said absentmindedly, rubbing his thumb over the galaxy patch on his pants. “How would you feel about playing TCG while listening to that new video about black holes?”
Mumbo stopped in his tracks. “Cub. Take me to your house right now. I need to do that.” He said, with the most serious face he could muster. Cub’s face lit up with the biggest and most genuine grin Mumbo had seen on him. He nodded and held out his hand, which Mumbo happily linked pinkies with.
“Let’s go then!” He said, pulling out his rockets.
Mumbo didn’t know when it had happened, but somehow Cub became his go-to person. He loved his other friends so much, and they were all good when he needed them, Grian when he was being insecure, Scar when he felt not right in his skin, but Cub could smother the electricity under his skin like nothing. Cub always loved listening to his long rants and, in return, told Mumbo more than he believed existed about space.
It was really comforting, being with Cub. His energy was always matched, and he never felt out of place or overly awkward. When he was, Cub would just... kinda look at him, until it was clear that neither of them needed to care about social cues. Mumbo honestly wasn’t sure he had ever enjoyed being around someone this much before. It was almost like- oh shit. No. You’re kidding.
This was not happening. Mumbo was fine. He did not have a crush on Cub and it would not become a problem. Right?
Mumbo was wrong. He is such a spoon. Every time he hung out with Cub he was acutely aware of his cheeks growing pink and butterflies starting up. Every time Cub went on a rant, Mumbo couldn’t focus on anything except how soothing his voice was. Man, that voice did something to him.
It wasn’t like Mumbo could avoid him or anything either! Cub was so ingrained into his day-to-day it would feel empty when he wasn’t around. What was he supposed to do? Be normal about it?
It turned out, he didn’t have to do much.
The two of them were huddled over some blueprints for a new redstone operated shop. A small bowl of chips sat in front of them, getting smaller and smaller every minute. Eventually, there was a lull in their conversation, and Mumbo sat up, stretching his arms above him before looking over at Cub. He was so pretty. His lab coat had been taken off near the door, but his shirt still had so many dyes on it from all the fireworks he liked to make. He could stare at him forever.
Mumbo didn’t register when Cub looked at him, but he came to his senses when he felt a hand on his cheek. “Is this okay?” Cub said softly. Mumbo nodded, blood rising to his cheeks. Cub moved his knees so that he was facing Mumbo. He leaned in closer. “What about this?” Mumbo nodded again, eyes flicking to his lips.
Eventually, Cub leaned in all the way and gave him a short and sweet kiss. He pulled back and Mumbo grabbed his wrist, pulling it to his lips to kiss it before letting it go. Cub laced their fingers together and leaned over the blueprints again. “So, in this section I think a-.”
This feeling was absolute bliss. Mumbo hoped to bask in the calm for as long as he could. Anything for the boy who shared his favorite headphones and ranted about space. Anything for the boy who never made him feel less for existing, for being anxious. Anything for Cub.