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It was far too early for there to be knocking at Mumbo's door. Seriously, it was his day off, and he'd been looking forward to sleeping too long and staying inside all day. But instead, 8 o'clock brought the sound of anoher hermit pounding down his door. Mumbo was sure he hadn't made any plans or promises, so why on earth was he being woken up?
Mumbo pushed himself out of bed, dragged himself to his front door, and opened it.
"Mumbo! Finally, gosh, right so, Scar-"
Grian paused from his excitement suddenly, the words dying in his throat. He stared, mouth still half open.
Mumbo ran a hand through his hair, trying to tame it ever so slightly from the tossing and turning of sleep. "Is everything alright, Grian?"
His friend's face turned slightly pink, and his eyes seemed to scrape slowly up and down Mumbo's body. He swallowed hard before making eye contact again.
"Yeah mate, I'm fine. Just peachy." He said breathlessly.
Mumbo looked down at himself, trying to understand Grian's reaction. The explanation was plain. Mumbo, who was normally so put together, with a pressed suit and perfectly done tie, was wearing his pajamas at the moment. Pajamas that consisted of well worn patterned pajama pants and a very old and very loved 'Mumbo for Mayor' T-shirt.
Mumbo laughed and shrugged sheepishly. "Sorry about uh... This." He gestured to himself. "I just woke up, it's my day off."
That seemed to restart Grian's brain. "Oh! Right, sorry. I'll uh, I'll just be going now!"
The rushed response was finished with quick flaps of his wings, and Grian shot off to void knows where. Mumbo stood in his doorway, puzzled by the response, but quite frankly too tired to care. He rolled his eyes fondly at Grian's strangeness, and went back to bed. If he questioned Grian every time he did something odd, Mumbo would never stop asking questions.
.
Grian's heart was racing. He half landed, half crashed onto the docks of Gem's base, but was quick to scramble to his feet and search for her. He was already cooking up a scheme, and he needed her help. Plus, he didn't think anyone else would tolerate or understand the gravity of the situation to him.
Grian called Gem's name about a hundred times before she dragged herself out of her base, throwing her hands in the air in frustration.
"What do you want? I'm trying to organize in there if you don't mind!"
Grian grabbed her hands and stared her in the eyes. "That doesn't matter. That's boring and pointless, I have something much more interesting and important for you to do. Schemes. Plans. Elaborate plots."
Gem narrowed her eyes. "Elaborate plots against who?"
"Mumbo. It's absolutely pivotal to my life that we do something about him."
"About him?" Gem questioned. "Did he do something?"
Grian sat down suddenly, dragging Gem down with him. "Yes. Something unforgivable! He looked immensely attractive."
Gem groaned and ripped her hands away from Grian. "You're not gonna get me to try and wingman for you again! It went so badly last time, I can't be a victim of your embarrassing crush again!"
"No, Gem, listen! I have a good reason this time, this is science!"
She rolled her eyes. "And how's that?"
"I saw him wearing pajamas!" Grian said, as if it was some great discovery that would change the course of their lives. Because, obviously, it very much was. To him at least.
Gem stared at him blankly.
Grian's face fell. "How do you not understand that this is groundbreaking?"
"Everybody wears pj's, Grian."
Grian scoffed. "Alright. Sure. What do you think Mumbo sleeps in?"
"Probably one of those fancy silk monogrammed things." Gem laughed.
Grian slammed his hands down on the ground. "Ha! And that's where you're wrong! Mumbo Jumbo wears pig patterned pajama pants and an old worn out Mumbo For Mayor shirt!" He said triumphantly. Gem's eyes widened before narrowing again quickly. She seemed to be contemplating the possible applications of such information.
"So what makes your schemes into science?" She questioned.
Grian smiled mischievously, his mind already delving into the numerous fun plots he could create. "My hypothesis is this: Mumbo has more casual clothes than we've ever seen, and he probably looks absolutely smashingly gorgeous in all of them. So, we put him in situations where that casualness would be put on display. Hypothesis, experiment, science!"
Gem hummed in thought, mulling over the potential of entertainment value in the proposition. Grian smiled widely at her, hoping his excitement would convince her. Eventually she sighed.
"Yeah, alright. Where do we begin?"
.
Plan A was simple, and if all went well, no other plans would really be needed. So Grian didn't both making others. He and Gem had spent almost a full minute brainstorming before deciding on hosting a party, specifically mentioned to be casual in the invitation. For a casual event, Mumbo would have to dress casually! Flawlessness in simplicity.
Grian stood on the dock of his base, admiring the string lights and soft music that played in the area. Gem had set up a fire for s'mores. It was going to be a lovely, casual, successful night. His own outfit, despite his normal attire being casual already, was even more so. He had ditched his sweater for a simple white T-shirt and old jeans. After all, it was a warm night, so he didn't really need his signature red jumper.
"Well hello there!" Scar called from across Grian's base, coming out of the dense forest he'd created around his train.
Gem laughed brightly. "Scar, it's not very casual of you to show up early! After all, the phrase is 'casually late'."
Scar smiled easily and sat down on one of the benches set up near the fire. "I'm perfectly casual, but a man can't go wrong by being punctual."
Grian rolled his eyes fondly, but he paused when he heard another voice.
"I quite agree, Scar." Mumbo had arrived, and was, disappointingly, just as formal as always.
Grian mentally threw a small fit, defeat and frustration buzzing under his skin. But he pressed on, determined to find a way through this setback.
"Mumbo Jumbolio!" He said casually, so casually, just like the party and it's attendants were meant to be. "Buddy, this suit is hardly appropriate for the occasion! Didn't you read my lovingly handcrafted invitation?"
Gem scowled at him. "Grian, I made those."
"Gem's lovingly handcrafted invitation?"
Mumbo's smile faltered slightly. "Of course I read it! I- I don't really see what's wrong with my outfit."
Grian took a deep breath. Plan A was failing him, rapidly. He didn't account for the Mumbo-ness of the situation. Recalculation was in order.
Gem rescued Grian from having to find a response. "Well, Mumbo, a suit is hardly casual! It is, quite literally, the definition of formal attire."
Mumbo shifted on his feet, clearly caught off guard. "I wear this everyday, it's casual for me. Trust me bud, I can dress up fancier than this!"
Grian sighed softly. Mumbo would be Mumbo, he supposed. They'd just have to go back to the drawing board. For now though, Grian resolved to enjoy the night. After all, his friends were all coming over for a lovely casual evening of fun.
"Of course Mumbo, you look exceptionally typical and, by your standards, casual. Would you like a s'more, then?"
Mumbo smiled brightly. "I'd love nothing more!"
.
Grian slapped his hand on the whiteboard set up in Gem's base. "Plan B! Beach party! Keralis has a great beach, beaches are casual, Mumbo will be casual! Obviously!"
Gem narrowed her eyes. "I don't know Grian. What if he doesn't like swimming?"
"Of course he will, everybody likes the beach and swimming and swimsuits and being casual." Grian was gritting his teeth a very normal amount.
"I'm just saying this might take more effort than you think! Honestly, I don't think him showing up in swim trunks is guaranteed, it's not very 'Mumbo'."
Grian shot her a strained, nearing psychotic smile. "It'll be fine. This is easy stuff! This is one sixteenth of what I'm capable of. These are entry-level schemes and experiments. We'll do great, Gem!"
"Whatever you say." She sighed.
Keralis's beach didn't need much decorating. It was already beautiful, and they had decided to frame this as a small get together instead of a party. Grian and Gem arrived before everyone else, each in their own beachy attire.
Grian sat in the sand, brooding to himself as he waited for the others to arrive. Surely it would work this time, nothing about this was meant to be difficult!
His moody contemplation was interrupted by Gem flicking water in his face, causing him to squak in protest and flare out his wings. "Gem! Don't do that! Can't you see I'm trying to think?"
She scowled at him from where she was crouched in the shallow water. "Thinking about what? Mumbo's butt?"
Grian's face heated up, his wings flaring again. "Gem! That's not- I would never- I don't even-"
"Gosh, you're so embarrassing." She groaned. "It's pathetic! Can't you just ask him out already? The schemes and plots and plans- it's all ridiculous!"
"What's ridiculous?" A voice behind them asked.
They both turned to see Pearl cocking her head at them, Joel and Mumbo in tow.
"Its nothing, don't worry about it." Gem answered quickly. She redirected Pearl and Joel to setting up the volleyball net, and Grian had a moment to take in everyone's attire.
Pearl, in a simple one piece suit with a cute over shirt. Joel, in black swim trunks with his classic green accent color. And Mumbo... In his suit.
"Mumboooo, haha, mate, what are you wearing?" Grian said through a smile, one which barely contained his frustration.
Mumbo looked down at himself sheepishly. "I burn easily. Plus it's not too hot, and I wasn't going to get in the water anyway. I'm still happy you invited me though! I love the ambiance of the beach, it's great for reading."
Grian frowned a little. His outfit technically was more casual, Mumbo had ditched his suit jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt. Maybe Grian could...persuade Mumbo to become more casual throughout the afternoon.
He looked back at Mumbo and smiled his best innocence smile. "Alright mate, I'll check in on you in a bit. Enjoy your book!"
Mumbo smiled and sat down on a beach chair, reclining with his book in hand. Grian walked away, ducking behind one of the palm trees lining the beach. He had to think fast, he had no clue how long they would all be hanging out here. He glanced up at the others where they were playing volleyball, loud laughter carried on the breeze. That would work! If Mumbo exerted himself playing a game, he would have to shed a few layers at least.
He let Mumbo read for about 20 minutes before dragging him over to volleyball. They were both welcome additions, especially now that there would be enough people to really play. It didn't take long before Grian was working up a sweat, enjoying both the sun and the healthy sting of the ball hitting his arms. Mumbo looked significantly less enthused, fumbling with each pass of the ball, and, quite frankly, sweating buckets.
Grian smiled easily and innocently. "Mumbo? Are you feeling alright?"
Mumbo wipped the sweat from his brow. Grian's smile grew as he unbuttoned his dress shirt and loosened his tie, shedding his vest as well.
Grian then received a sharp elbow to the ribs, for which he yelpped in an immensely masculine fashion. Gem fixed him with a withering stare.
"Creep. Don't look at him like that. Not when you're trying to give him heatstroke."
Grian huffed a sigh. It wasn't worth arguing with her. He had to count this plan as at least semi-successful, even if he had to interfere and it wasn't really what he was going for. Progress was better than nothing, and progress would keep him from going insane. Mumbo in less of his suit was technically still more casual than Mumbo fully in his suit.
Grian would take what he could get.
.
"Plan C! Which should've really been plan A, obviously."
Gem sat in front of the same god-forsaken whiteboard. "Oh yes. Obviously." She deadpanned.
"Plan C being, of course, a sleepover! I saw him in casual, adorable, dorky, sleep attire the first time, so logically nothing should change in this scenario!"
"Yes, because logic has been so prevailling thus far." She gripped again.
"Gem, if your horrendous attitude were going to deter me, it would've already. It'd be best to stop trying."
A Cherry Mountain sleepover at Skizz's place was the best possible chance for the plan's success. Everyone was to arrive already in their pajamas, ready for a night of junk food and games reminiscent of junior high. Grian surveyed himself in the mirror, ready to fly over to Skizz's base soon. He always slept in the same thing: cozy flannel pajama pants and the biggest T-shirt he could find. Sue him, he liked to be comfortable.
Grian's adrenaline grew as he walked up the steps to Skizz's crack in the mountainside. This had to be it, this was going to be the plan that worked. He didn't know what he would resort to if it didn't.
"G! Settle in homie, everyone is almost here." Skizz greeted him warmly, gesturing towards a softly lit setup of couches, pillows and blankets. Grian sat next to Scar, aiming to give Gem a break from his non-stop antics and schemes. She had really been putting up with a lot.
"Mumbo!" Grian heard Skizz exclaim, his heart pounding harder in anticipation. He was on the precipice of success. On the brink of victory. Mumbo rounded the corner, and Grian's eyes raked down his body, taking in every inch of Mumbo.
Every inch of... His well-pressed, monochromatic, monogrammed, silk pajamas. Grian deflated, utterly defeated. Gem glanced at him in pitty.
Grian was not accustomed to losing so often. He was sure this would've been an easy task. But evidently, he had underestimated Mumbo's dedication to appearances and appropriately formal attire. He looked lovely, he always did, but Grian couldn't help feeling bitter about it none the less.
He tried to enjoy the night, he really did. The games, karaoke, and laughter was almost enough to pull him out of his defeated feelings, but not quite. One last plan was brewing in his mind.
Great lengths were not new to Grian, and it seemed he'd be aquatinting himself with them once again.
.
Plan D. Plan E? He'd stopped counting. Plan: Grian-is-officially-losing-his-marbles. That had a nice ring to it. And it was certainly accurate to how Grian felt, currently shoving as much of the contents of Mumbo's closet into a shulker box as he could.
Maybe this was taking it too far, no it definitely was, but curiosity killed the cat. Failing at a simple plan to see your crush in jeans and a T-shirt also killed the cat, apparently. Grian was going to run out of cats. And marbles. Had he mentioned that already?
Regardless of cats and marbles, Grian was stealing Mumbo's suits. He left Gem out of this plan, he couldn't bare to see her expression of mixed horror and pitty. This would be temporary though. Once he saw Mumbo in some clothes other than his suits, all would be well, and Mumbo's closet would be restored.
Grian shoved the last red tie into the shulker and shoved the box into his inventory. He supposed this operation would also require a little stakeout, just to make sure he didn't miss a stash of clothes, or any vital moments of inevitable Mumbo-casualness.
He flew to the top of Mumbo's factory and settled down, eyes trained on Mumbo's little house. A twinge of guilt settled in his chest. He was really putting Mumbo through a lot, the poor man would be so confused when he reached his base and saw what had happened. But Grian was past the point of caring. Better to ask for forgiveness than permission, right?
His stakeout took longer than expected, and he must have fallen asleep. Grian awoke to someone shaking his shoulder.
"Gri! Mate, what are you doing here?"
Grian blinked awake, groggily looking up at Mumbo. Adorable Mumbo, with his forehead creased in concern, the slightest frown on his face.
Grian sat up and rubbed a hand over his face. "I'm uh, I'm just... Napping."
"On the roof of my factory? That can't possibly be good for you."
"Yeah, well," Grian scoffed softly, "you're not the boss of me."
Mumbo chuckled softly, more than used to this type of behavior. "Why don't you come sleep at my place? It'll be more comfortable than out here."
Grian's face felt hot as he replied. "Fine. I'm taking your bed though."
.
Grian's second time waking up was significantly more pleasant. He stretched, enjoying the pull of his muscles and the softness of the sheets. When he relaxed again, he opened his eyes, observing the golden lighting of the early morning. He hadn't intended to stay the night, but the bed was so comfortable, and Mumbo didn't seem to mind.
As if the thought had summoned him, Mumbo appeared at the door to the bedroom. "You slept well, I take it?"
Grian smiled. "You have no idea. I didn't realize how much I needed that." He sat up, and when he looked back at Mumbo he gasped quietly. He hadn't noticed it the moment before, but Mumbo was wearing a Sahara T-shirt and grey sweatpants. A gloriously, beautifully, finally, casual outfit. Grian almost couldn't breathe. Mumbo just looked so soft in the morning light and gentle fabrics. He was smiling at Grian, in a small, adoring way.
"It worked." Grian mumbled in wonder.
Mumbo sat down on the bed next to him. "What worked?" He asked with humor in his voice.
"I- you- your clothes..." Grian finished lamely.
Mumbo laughed, softly at first, then more and more until he had to stop an catch a breath. Grian sat in his confusion, which was slowly giving way to dread.
"So you were up to some little scheme! Just to see me in joggers, really?" Mumbo laughed.
Grian's face felt like it was going to melt off of his body he was blushing so hard. "No! Its more than that and- gosh, well, it worked didn't it?!"
Mumbo's smile slipped into a smirk. "G, you didn't really think you found all my suits, did you? I've got like 3 more sets."
Grian's mouth dropped open in shock. "But then- how- why-"
"I caught on." Mumbo said with a shrug. "You weren't exactly subtle, buddy."
"But then why are you wearing that?" Grian asked helplessly. "If my plan didn't work, then why is it working?"
Mumbo's smirk grew again, with a mischievous spark in his eye to rival Grian himself. "I like giving you what you want. Maybe you'll get it more often if you just ask, instead of going through these elaborate schemes."
Grian gripped the comforter on the bed. All his work, just to be found out and look a fool. And yet, he couldn't find it in himself to be mad. Not when the simplicity of a cotton shirt was stealing his breath away.
"Mumbo..." Grian began carefully, "can you wear some other clothes more often? Not suits?" His request was hopeful and hesitant.
Mumbo laughed again before running a hand through Grian's bedhead and kissing him softly on the forehead. "Of course, darling, anything you want."
As Mumbo walked out of the room, Grian couldn't help but notice, the clothing didn't seem to be the only thing stealing his breath away.