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Mumbo Jumbo knows how he looks. He had spent a little too long in the mines and got exploded by a creeper. Whenever he dies to something shocking it makes his instincts kick up a bit more, feeling more wobbly on his grown legs. His large sheep ears sort of flatten against his head, and he kept nervously chewing on his tie. Oh yeah, and he had in a panic showed up at Grians barge.
In any other situation, if his brain hadn't for some reason been extra spooked, he wouldn't have been doing any of that, however his need for any sort of flock in an anxious mindset overweighed any other rational decision making. So, Mumbo showed up to the barge at a unusually early time.
Knocking lightly at the entrance to the avians main sleeping area, hoping to maybe not even wake him, hoping that could convince Mumbo to just go to sleep on his own. But of course he hears a little yawn, then the sound of Grian putting on his stupid cod slippers, and then the pat, pat, patting of those same slippers. When his bedhead of a friend came to the doorway, Mumbo felt a little faint. He understands why his instincts kicked him here, but at the same time, why in the world did his instincts have to take him here. Grian doesn't need a new reason to joke about how attached they are, even if it makes some part of Mumbo, the possesive part of him, deep in his heart, scream about how everyone knows Grian loves HIM and only him.
Loves is a relative word. Mumbo will take whatever he can get. Even if that makes him seem pathetic, or obsessed, or whatever you call it, that's ok, anything for Grian.
"Mumbolio... Why are you here? The sun hasn't even risen yet," the shorter yawns a bit as he says this stretching his arms and wings, "Should've sent a message ahead, I could've started some tea or something."
He blinks some of the sleep out of his eyes, and Mumbo feels the breath sweep out of his lungs. The light posts Grian and Gem had set up sent rays across Grians face, his red, blue, and yellow feathers shine making him seem otherworldly. His tone, riddled with sleep, reminded Mumbo of the ButterCamp, and sleepovers with Boatem. It reminds Mumbo of how he wishes he could wake up to that everyday. Every move Grian made in this light, in this moment, made Mumbo feel a bit safer.
"Sorry Gri, I didn't even mean to come straight here, I was mining and got blown up by a creeper, and I felt like that was pants, and then I sort of panicked, and now im here. Think I lent you both of the braincells this time." His voice probably was shaking a little, nothing Grian isn't used to, and he felt so much that he needed to get rid of this energy. It felt like suddenly, tapping his hooves wasn't enough, and he needed, he needed
"Im sorry again, can I headbutt you? I'll be gentle you know i will."
A little proud of himself for even voicing this instead of just, getting instinct brained, he lifts himself forward on his hooves before looking into Grians eyes. He felt like he was being pulled in by gravity. Grian let out a breathless puff, maybe amusement, and a nod. The sheep hybrid almost knelt in front of him, leaning down to bump Grian lightly in the shoulder. The touch, even though common between the two, still felt comforting enough for Mumbo's brain to switch off high alert.
It's like Grian could see it, and honestly? He probably could. Mumbo's been told his eyes and ears make him easy to read. Told by Grian that is. He smiles and when Mumbo pulls away, he reaches up and cups half of Mumbo's face in one hand.
"You feel better? We can still go inside. My base is nice and lit up, and doesn't make it so you need a llama to kill you to go to sleep." To anyone else it would seem like he was being mocked, and even though maybe it was a dig at him, Mumbo didn't mind. He just nodded,
"It was a bit of a dumb idea I will admit that I suppose. I'm working on a different place to sleep, but for now the water keeps leaking through the ceiling, and since it adds to the atmosphere I don't have the heart to remove it." Grians eyes crinkle as he laughs at that, his feathers fluffing up in amusement.
"Only you would keep around mold for the aesthetic Mumbo K Jumbo. Only you."
Grian grabs his hand, pulling Mumbo to his room, where he sits on his bed. It isn't like they haven't slept in the same bed, or close vicinity before, as he's stated, but it's still a suprise to Mumbo. It's been a while since they've done that, and mostly it was convenience and/or with a group. Sleeping in the same bed because of something that simply spooked Mumbo? It makes his head go a bit fuzzy, adding on to the creeping exhaustion.
Even though he wants to fight it, offer to sleep on a couch or pallet bed of some sorts, Grians sleepy eyes mixed with the looks of stubbornness that makes Mumbo know he won't win the argument if he tries, leads him to the opposite side of the bed. Custom made from Scar, it feels like clouds against him.
"Mums.. don't sit like it's awkward, I won't be able to sleep if you do. Also, I don't expect you to sleep in your armor and suit, that would be weird." As he goes to protest, Grian cuts him off, "I expect it back, but I have an old Mumbo For Mayor shirt in your size I may or may have stolen for my nest a while back. You can borrow it."
Mumbo sputters, protests flying out of his lips, "When did you even get that from me! Mate! Why would I give it back! Grian you spoon."
He says all this knowing he won't win the argument, silently sliding off his armor, before stepping into the attached bathroom to Grians room to change into the shirt. His whole brain was teeming with fluff, and he can see his ears are sticking up a bit extra, making his contentment visible.
When he finally trots back to the bed, Grian rolls over to face him, already snuggled back under the covers like he never left. His wings tuck him in even more, and his eyes are wide, staring up like Mumbo had done something spectacular by just being there. Mumbo slips into the spot next to him, headbutting him again. Grians soft voice breaks the comfortable silence, as if to speak a message for only his ears.
"Mumbo, your ears look very cute, and i can feel your tail wagging. I'm glad you came to me."
Grian compliments him as if it's final. As if it's God's words through his mouth, and Mumbo can't find it in him to disagree, Grian looks ethereal, and who would he be to insult him by arguing. Who would he be to turn down praise from Grian, the compliments make him want to brag to anyone who would listen, Grian finds him cute, no one else. It's him. Even if it's confusing, they have a wavy line between platonic and romantic, Mumbo fears he like Grian much more than the other way around. It's as if he'd lay down at his feet at the first command. He wants no one else to be able to think of Grian without Mumbo being pictured at his side. They've never truly voiced anything though, the compliments tonight being some of the first confirmations of that blurred line.
"Gri, you look like you've been painted by the sun itself. I can't imagine anyone more stunning than you." At this point, Mumbo speaks like it's a prayer. He needs contact with Grian, he needs him to know he's happy, he needs Grian.
Mumbo has half a brain to assume the other can read his mind, as Grian reaches out, and again, softly pets his face, reaching up to his hair and scratches his head. He pets Mumbos ear that isn't cushioned into a pillow, and he blinks slow.
"Mumbo, I think you were sent down to this Earth for me, and me for you."
The line isn't even blurred anymore, it's as if they've lept into waters so deep, as if they've divebombed while holding eachother, laughing, unable to imagine a happier moment than that. Words are being exchanged from years of build up, years of pining, years of love. It's as if they are basking in the sun they've searched for. Mumbo the Earth, Grian the Sun. He's pulled in slowly.
"Grian, can I kiss you?" His prayers are back, this one quiet as the rest of the conversation, but still loud in his mind, so loud.
Grians eyes do a funny dance, up to his eyes, and then his ears, and then down to his lips, and then up to his eyes again. His face feathers twitch again, fluffing up. He's thought his answer faster than his mind should be able to decide, as if he was waiting for this question for a while. It feels like he's been waiting forever.
"Of course."
It's not like Mumbo has ever kissed someone before, he's been on Hermitcraft forever and he knows he's mostly aromantic, only being able to fall for people he's extremely close with. Aka, he's only ever been in love with Grian. But he feels like he knows what he's doing, like he truly was put here for Grian.
Grian moves his hand to cup the back of his head, playing with his hair when Mumbo leans in softly, knocking their noses together before letting their lips touch. Grian grins a bit into the kiss, and in the past Mumbos heard that that ruins a good kiss, but he can't imagine anything better. He grins too, and when they pull apart, Grian whispers,
"Your mustache is tickly. I like it"
Before Mumbo can even open his mouth to argue, Grian pulls him in by the neck, and kisses him again. It feels like Grian is pouring everything he's ever felt out, consuming Mumbos whole soul. He feels more connected in this moment than when he stole Grians soul in season 8. In return, he gives everything he's ever recieved in tenfold. He pushes up against Grian, internally hoping his mustache is still tickly. Grian hums, before pulling away with their foreheads connected. He blinks again, staring at Mumbo with what can only be described as heart eyes. Mumbo knows he isn't any better.
"Thank you. You can't imagine how long I've wanted to do that." Grian hums
"Probably as long as you've wanted to do the same actually. Our 2 braincells have finally fully connected. Maybe more will grow finally."
It's such a silly sentiment, such a Grian sentiment, that Mumbo can't help but chuckle a little, before fully shaking with laughter.
"Little baby braincells! Is that what you picture when we kissed? Really Gri?"
"Don't laugh at me! What were you thinking about then? How tickly that mustache of yours is?" Grians faux offended attitude makes Mumbo laugh even harder,
"It's a lovely mustache isn't it. I bet it's what got you to fall in love with me fully!" At this point it feels like he has to headbutt Grian again, he can do that now, he got permission, he's not been turned away. It's freeing.
Grian only sighs, "It is a lovely mustache i guess. A lovely mustache to match an okay face. Just ok. Nothing more."
"Well that's just plain rude! I was chuffed to bits with that compliment till you decided to turn evil! Is this what you plan to do as my... Partner?" The end gets a bit muffled, lost in his confusion as Mumbos eyebrows grow closer in thought.
"Yes Mumbo. It is what I plab to do as your partner, as long as you want that as my partner."
Mumbo flops back onto his side of the pillow, still basically pressed into Grians side, and sighs happily.
"That is what I want Grian. That's exactly what I want. As long as you can be okay with my bad Wonderwall singing and my maybe possesive standards that you got mini-sized in our friendship."
Grian turns and grins into his neck, "You aren't even prepared for how I reckon I'll get. I already had to hold back when we weren't partners. I already had to hold back from telling you that you coming to me for help made sense, as I'm the one who should be here for you, no one else even deserves it. I love you."
Maybe it's a whine that he let's out, but he will deny that forever, as he intertwines their legs, trying to get impossibly closer, trying to prove to the world that he got everything they will never have. Mumbo wants everyone to know.
"You are my Angel, and I mean it, not just because you have wings. I love you, and I will forever, if you'll have me."
Grian kisses the point where his neck meets his jaw, softly with no more intent than to connect them.
"I will."
It feels like the perfect way to end a night, cuddled up together, Grians wing flopped over them, Mumbos ears flick Grian every once and a while, and Grian pretends to complain and dislike it, but doesn't move.
In the morning they will have breakfast, and talking about falling in love, and eternal connection, and Mumbo will compliment Grians avian features as Grian did for Mumbos last night, and they'll spy others outside starting their day, and they'll spend a little longer inside, getting to celebrate the years they missed eachother while being right next to eachother. Grian will have Mumbo lean down so he can kiss the top of his head, and Mumbo will, with the tiniest bit shame, show off some of his journal entries and chat logs talking to a few of the Hermits about how Grian was off limits, and the journals discussing every shape of Grians face, and the sound of his voice and laugh, and an in depth study on his mannerisms. And Grian will tell him how he doesn't want anyone else. And they'll fall asleep again, holding eachother.