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Returning back to the - ever so slightly more peaceful hermitcraft was admittedly, a rough transition, at least it was in Grians dark brown eyes. Most participants in the death games hadn't seen the sunny skies of their home server since before third life, it was basically destined to be difficult because of that in the end - there was no war (well, no serious war), no reason to flinch when someone randomly shows up and appears at your base, hermitcraft had a respawn mechanic too! Presumably all that was left of the so called "life series" were scarring reminders/wounds, and the aching memories of the torture.
Presumably.
The day Grian - and most likely the other participants - had returned safely back to the bed of their bases, Grian almost felt - excited, he knew hermitcraft, ge knew ir wasn't perfect, far from it, but he knew his base, from the inside and the out, he knew the people surrounding him, and he knew that he could put the trauma behind, never needing to confront it
He also recognised, that feeling in his - heart? His very soul? - it was familiar, it was - no
His heartstrings felt tugged - a familiar pull towards -
The random aching damage around Grians pale body while he was building, damage he was pretty sure he hadn't taken directly himself, wounds and bruises appearing randomly that the dirty blonde couldn't realistically explain or justify
The deja vu the blonde felt over the past few days was strong, and frustrating
Grian attempted to ignore the sharp feelings of pain he felt during conversations with Mumbo and the other hermits, maybe if he pretended it wasn't there it would disappear - or maybe he just grew so used to the gruelling pain of double life, and his brain or subconscious is tricking him
That, felt like a good theory, a pretty solid idea that explained why this was now happening to him, and why it all felt so darn familiar
But the theory, the one he desperately wished and clung onto hopelessly, didn't hold any sort of or form of ground when it came to discussing deaths
Grian was, definitely more reckless before on Hermitcraft, but he wasn't horrible at trying to properly survive when he truly tried his best
When everyone returned he definitely noticed how some people stayed on edge, careful, holding and keeping a similar attitude you had to have in the life series, Grian included - while others finally felt good to let loose and become so reckless - they were bound to respawn anyway why shouldn't they be?
Scar fell into the second category, he somehow became even more reckless after his return - and everytime Scar "died" or passed out, Grian, while not immediately, passed out a few minutes soon after
He tried to deny it, to himself and others, trying to convince himself the obvious wasn't happening - and at the start that was easy, the first time it happened he told himself he must've tripped a bit as he was building, he was more careful now adays sure, but he still considered himself clumsy in the end of the say after all
The second time, it was a full mooned night and Grian was sitting in his newly built storage room - one he admittedly would probably never use, but at least he had one so Pearl would get off his back
He had his communicator infront of him as he comfortably sat himself cross legged on two of theist remaining shulker boxes, he was messaging Mumbo. The sharp pain interuptted him in the middle of typing a new message, causing him to leave his sight on the communication device swiftly and look for the cause of the pain - it wasn't a skeleton, they left arrows and, he didn't see an arrow lying around anywhere, and he certainly didn't feel the pain of an arrow stuck in his own skin, and he couldn't quite find any zombies or spiders from the quick glance around the area
But day in and night out, day after day his denial grew almost less strong, it began to break apart rathar quickly as injury after injury built up and bruised Grians body.
He had to admit it eventually - admit what was going on to himself and others - he'd not be able to fix the clear mistake that was occurring and present if he just kept bottling up the irritation to himself
Scar woke up the same say as the others, back from double life and the life series in general - and he felt so - free, it was freeing to be back in his home, he could finally procrastinate and work on the theme park he started, he did have big plans for scarland after all - and just because his mind is now the holder of many terribly traumatic memories, he wasn't allowing them to get to him - yet anyways, future Scar would most likely have to unpack and unload those memories eventually.
He knew Hermitcraft was safe, he'd lived there for severely years, and whole wars from a certain pesky bird were common and inevitable at this point, they didn't hold the same weight as events like third life's war. So Scar grew reckless, he was completely and utterly tired being "careful" or "safe", he was fine at it if he tried, but Scar didn't want to try anymore, Scar wanted to let loose
Scar often took damage, living up to his name beyond belief as he worked on the Scarland theme park, so the weird phantomish pain that he only felt every once in a while wasn't particularly noteworthy or remarkable to Scar in the slightest
So when Grian came to the towerus build affectionately known as Hotguy HQ and bursted the door open - Scar was reasonably startled and surprised - what was Grian doing here? - not that he minded Grian being there or the blondes company, of course he didn't! - but honestly Scar thought Grian was avoiding him. - the avian mightve been busy, but given Scar knew Grian and his track record, he knew that was probably not the reason he hadn't seen his friend around
Scars startled jump was only met with kindness of Grian furying his eyebrows into his own pale face, the avinas pale hand leaving its spot held on the door as he moved himself properly inside
"- Grian! - to what do I owe the delight?" Scars nervous tone rang in the air, not lost on either on of them
"We need to talk" Grian folded his arms against his chest, his face surprisingly clearing of at least 80 percent of its previous frustration
"We do?" Scar titled his tanned but scarred head like a lost, confused puppy
"Yes" Grian sighed, closer he approached the brunette
"Is something wrong I mean- Scar was cut off
"- I think we're- S - still soulma- bound" Grians words cut into Scars sentence, causing Scar to grow quite confused quickly
"What - how- why-" the way Scars confusion showed and reflected in his stammer felt at least a little amusing to Grian deep down
"- why do you think that" Scar finally spoke clearly
Grians response came in form of a question and not at all an answer to Scars question
"- Have you been more reckless since we came back?"
Scar nodded brown locks "Yeah why?"
"Because - look scar I -" Grian let out a deep sigh, a sigh that seemed to Scar like it held Grians whole body behind it
"- I haven't been- taking much damage- well I have been but it's not been caused by anything that happened to me- and unexplainable damage... well-"
"Reminds you of double life?" Scar finished Grians sentence, the way he pretty much he knew it was going, Grians nod in response only confirmed he was right.
Scar opened his mouth again, physically ready to speak but unable to mentally prepare words in his mind before Grian spoke
"I tried to reason with myself- that maybe there was a more reasonable explanation to why I've taken so much damage- but none of them reasonably explained why I'd need to respawn- not exactly right after you but pretty soon after' Grian tried to keep his rant brief - but was unsuccessful in that mission as he explained and went into detail further
A few minutes passed by before Scar spoke up "... should we test it?"
"Wh- like- Grian was the one to be interuptted this time
"Go against the wall" Grian, cautiously followed Scars gemtle command/request, trusting Scar enough to not protest or question him why, even if he held a natural speculation
"Close your eyes" Grian felt a strong deja vu come back to him, but he didn't know why.
Grian heard the clock tick as Scar seemed to be searching shulker boxes in preparation- for what? Grian wished he knew.
"Alright open" and he did just that, brown eyes focused on Scar and his movements, the brunette mining something above the blonde.
Ow - Grians blonde head ached - but the ache wasn't unfamiliar, it was - dripstone, he did exactly thus to Scar when he wanted to reveal the twos soulmate status near the start of Double life
Scar turned his back to go "Looks like it!" The frustradly chipper and perky man cheerfully spoke
Grian swiftly got up from his spot leaned against the wall, snatching up Scars wrist into his own hand.
"Where do you think your going?" He snapped
"I have to work G!" Scar smiled - Grian surprisingly strong, at least in that moment he was, as he spun Scar back around to look at him
"We need to fix this"
Scars smile got and shortened to be smaller as Grian spoke to him
"Do we?'
Grian nodded rathar enthusiastically
"- Yes! Scar i- scar I can't work like this unlike you" the look in Grians eye looked into Scars soul, he was clearly desperate, and Scar wasn't going yk say no to Grian when he gave him that look
"Fine" He shrugged, shaking his wrist from out of the tight hold of Grians grip
Given that these two- the pair of them weren't technical- the closest to technical any of them even got was Grians time as administrators several years ago on evo- they were going to need the help of someone who was - and as Grian pointed out rathar quickly- like mumbo - who the two knew and got along with quite well - he was Grians best friend and Scars - ex? Crush. Scar had pointed out that he knew a guy/someone if Mumbo was no help - but he didn't pry much about that just yet because well... Scar did want to see Mumbo too.
The two had been walking for a while - and truthfully the amount of progress they had made towards their end goal was laughable
"Why don't we fly?" Grian suggested abruptly mid conversation
Scar watched the scarlet macaw wings grian had sat on his back begin to stretch out, a surprisingly pleasant sight to Scar, maybe because he knew Grian had them forcefully clipped and unusable in the three series prior
"My elytra broke" Scar sheepishly chuckled, continuing in his steps until he saw Grian pause in the corner of his emerald gaze
"I'll carry you" Scar batted his eyelashes in confusion
"Are you sure- I'm hea-"
"I'm sure" Grian interrupted, confidence key and clear in his voice, extending a pale hand out for Scar to take
Scar raised his tanned hand hesitantly, gripping Grians pale hand.
The two were eventually and soon in the air, Scar held onto the shorter man tightly, as did Grian
"I told you I'd be fine" Grian called out to Scar
Scar chose to ignore that remark - "this is so cool!" He yelled loudly so Grian heard him against the wind
"What is?"
"- Flying!" Scar confirmed
"You've used an elytra before- that's flying too" Grian pointed out
"This is different" Scar spoke quieter and softer, the airs noise dying down but not enough to where Scar wouldn't be surprised if Grian heard him
Grian landed himself and Scar quite close to the entrance to Mumbos base, steading himself on his feet as he landed. Scar was the one to knock, pounding his fist loudly on the vault door.
Surprisingly, the two weren't left in their quiet silence for long, the door opened rathar quickly after the noise Scar managed to make, the sight of a unbelievably tall, raven haired and moustached man in a suit stood in front of them
"Scar- Grian!.. what brings you here?" Mumbo was definitely and clearly excited to see the two together at first, but knowing the two of them together as a pair, he grew spectical not even a second after
"Oh can't we see our old buddy pal?" Scar put a smiling facade, his hand on Mumbos back as he pushed him alongside himself inside, Grian followed close behind them.
"You can but- you don't usually both see me at the same time" Mumbo was onto them at the very least
"Suprise" Grian spoke with heavy layers of sarcasm as he briefly did jazz hands
Scar glared at Grian before returning his emerald eyed attention back to Mumbo
"We might need your help"
"There it is"
"- look we need a technical guy- and grian and I... aren't that you know?" Scar looked at Mumbo with a puppy dog like gaze
Mumbo sighed heavily "What do you need help with?" He practically echoed and repeated his earlier question
Scar looked back at Grian, wide eyed unsure he could even begin to explain the situation the two were in - Grian rubbed his temples at Scars rathar pathetic gaze for help
"Mumbo do you remember last life" Grian began, pausing to wait for Mumbo to nod
"Well it had a third season- it was called double life, we only got three lives and we also got a soulmate - we basically shared lives and a health bar" He continued
Mumbo seemed to be trying to process the new information held in Grians ongoing rant, batting his eyelashes "Okay?"
"Double life- ended, when we came back, at keadt we thought it was properly over- but Scar and I? We're still sharing damage" Grian finished his rant, looking into Mumbos eyes "Please help"
Mumbo seemed - no definitely, was caught off guard, silence filled the room as cogs turned in his mind
"And you went to me because?"
Grian took his pale back off the hall he found himself leaned on, approaching closer to Mumbo
"Because your technical- this is a technical issue right?"
Mumbo felt the nerves hurl on his gut as all eyes, especially his best friend Grians, were on him
"Yes bu- Grian this seems like way beyond, my skill level and capabilities" Mumbo tried to take his approach cautiously and carefully
"What"
"This seems like something you should talk to X about" Mumbo clarified, still the guilt in his tone apprant
"No!" In unison Scar and Grian yelled out
"X is already busy enough - Plus any major fuck ups with him and the code keeping us on the server and out of the watchers control and we're gone again" Grian elaborated the in sync cry the two had yelled out before/previously
"The watc- you know what never mind- so what did you expect me from me?" Mumbo would ask about "the watchers" Grian spoke about later when they had less pressing matters
"A more ethical method?"
"Grian I deal with restore and mechanics- like robots, not stuff like this" Mumbo backed away hesitantly
"That sounds qualified to me" Grian was stubborn - Mumbo knew this well by now, but void did his knowledge of the fact didn't mean he didn't get entirely frustrated and annoyed by it on occasions/a lot of the time
"If you knew exactly the problem and if it needed those things- sure but don't"
That seemed to work, grian didn't protest, or rathar plead more like
"How do we figure the details out?" Grian took back his - hopeful? Pleading tone, reverting back to speak normally
"Maybe you can start with-"
"- Cub!" Mumbo was interuptted by Scar, but it was more in the way where the two spoke in sync, not the usual rude way most people interrupted eachother
"What exactly is the plan here Scar" Grian stood with his arms crossed at the new location
"Well what's better than experiments to figure out the details to our strange issues!" Scar took a tanned hand out from his pants pocket, weirdly shaped keys held in his hand, Scar now approached the labs for and slide the keys in, unlocking and opening the wooden door for them to enter
"I think I can think of a few"
"Cub! scar called out once the twos had finally went into the - slightly warmer inside of the lab compared to the cold of the new night striken outside
"Cub?" The brunette repeated in a question this time
He's heard from behind never he's seen
"Scar" Cub rathar calmly, emerged from - inside one the main rooms few walls
"It's nice to see you, how have you been?" Cub went up closer to Scar, taking the opportunity stood right in front of him to take a hold of Scars hand in front of him - and to ignore or to not realise Grians existence and presence there
"Oh you know - good- the same old stuff..."
Cub knew Scar was holding back something in his answer, giving Scar a look that softly implies and suggests that Cub wished for Scar to continue on/going "We need your help"
Cub cocked an eyebrow up "Yeah?"
"Yeah uh...let me try explain" Scar cleared his throat before he continued onto the next part of his sentence
After Scar had tried to explain the situation the two were currently stuck in/facing, cub seemed outstandingly more - enthusiastic? To help, he ag least seemed more willing than Mumbo if anything - Actually, he was more than willing to help the duo out, apparently they came to "the right man" whatever that meant. Cub also told the pair that in order to identify what to look into he would need to ask them a "few" questions - the so called "scientist' decided he needed to ask the both of them, Scar and Grian, a lot/load of questions first, questions built and designed for the two of them to respond together - Grian was originally- and probably still held - a kind of curiosity across his confusion about how Cub seemed to already had these questions up and ready, already prepared from them - Maybe mumbo talked to him while Grian and Scar were aimlessly lost around a forest, searching for the lab they now stood in. The plethora of questions, much to Grians dismay, didn't end at whatever he asked the two of them as a pair/duo - apparently the black haired man had to prepare follow up questions ask them both individually alone - he swore he'd be quick to set everything up for their sperate "interviews" but it felt as if time dragged in rathad slowly as the two sat in black chairs in the main room, silence falling between the two for what felt like an eternity before Grian broke it with a yawn
"Tired?'" Scars emerald gaze lifted from the ground, frigging to look at the avian
Grian was quick to nod yes, leaning back further on his plastic chair against the wall "if these chairs weren't so darn uncomfortable I probably would've fallen asleep by now" He cracked a small smile, his brown eyes leaving the plainly covered beige roof and lowering to meet Scars - although he shared eye contact seemed to make Grians heart feel-... weird, so he wasn't staring or actuat smiling for long
"I-" Scar sighed "- I wish he'd hurry up" Scars gaze lowered to the ground, something clearly bothering the brunette
"Why?" Grian couldn't help But question and ask
"well it's my fault we got here so late - and i don't want to keep you up - especially if your tired" Scar could be heard sighing again
Grian couldn't help but look over at Scar again, feeling bad for the brunette but slightly unsure what to say
"- Scar look- it's not actually your fault I'm tired okay- and besides I was the one to insist we get this fixed remember?"
"- It is though, because if I just remembered, if I just knew where the lab was - we would've been up late but not this late"
"Scar, I promise you I would've been tired regardless, no matter what -... I haven't been sleeping well"
Scar leaned back properly on his chair, propping his arms up against the chairs back and wall
"Oh-" Scar nervously chuckled.
Grian didn't know what prompted him to do so, what exactly he was thinking in the moment, but as Grian watched the movements of Scar closely, as the brunette leaned back, Grian leaned his own pale head over towards Scar, leaning his head on a spot on Scars shoulder rsthar abrutly for the both of them
"Maybe this is better" Grian refused to look at Scar, a small crack of a smile appearing as he mumbled
Scars face immediately, Instantaneously started to heat up - although Scar was undoubtedly unsufe why his heart skipped a beat so suddenly - he let the scene play out , even if Grian hadn't been sleeping well due to nothing to do with Scar in the end, he still felt an underline feeling of huult - especially if he moved him now
"I'm glad" Scar spoke quietly, his tanned hand reaching out to grab the of Grians before Scaf paused and realised what he was about to do
Grian was asleep by the time Cub came back - unsurprisingly given the fact he drifted off rathar quickly after got properly comfortable- and he was almost rudely awoken - in fact he wouldn't even if it weren't for Scar - by Cub, the only thing closing his mouth before it was really open was the sight he saw of Scar sushing him right before he spoke, Cub couldn't help but smile when he saw and realised why.
Instead of yelling out like Cub originally had planned previously, the scientist approached closer to Scar and Grian, his voice just above a mutter as he spoke to his brunette friend
"We I was going to need you first anyways - come with me"
Scar, looked at Grian, then at Cub "He'll be fine" Cub smiled as he assured Scar, taking his tanned hand into his and lifting Scar up gently from his plastic seat and from under Grians head
Poke poek - Grian was awoken by the feeling of two soft pokes on his pale arm, opening and glaring his eyes to the side, he saw Cub, standing there to his side in his groggy vison
"Its your turn to answer questions" Cub muttered as Grians head lifted up properly
"Wh- oh right" He managed to mumble in reply, lifting himself off the chair and to his feet. He looked and took a glance over at where Scar previously sat, the chair empty and unoccupied, forgotten even
"Where did he..." Grians confused mumble was primarily him wondering outland to himself, so when he managed to gather up and gain a suprise reply/response from Cub, he couldn't help but feel at least slightly startled and off guard
"Hes resting in my office- he might’ve fallen asleep too"
"Oh - okay!" Grian mustered out, right before and as the raven haired man previously by his side started to wander and actually lead the way to where the two were supposed to be for the questions
Grian could've sworn he heard Cub tell him to follow him right before he started leading in his tracks- But grian wasn't quite sure he did, maybe Grian was making it up. Even so, whether the command left Cub lips or not, Grian got the message and obeyed it, following the scientist from behind
When Cub paused, he had his hand held up against another wooden door, pushing against the door with force of his hand, Cub moved the door open
"Right this way" Cub gestured towards the inside of a room, signally for the avian to go ahead. Grian followed through with his instructions, entering the rathar empty room, what caught Grians eye was what little was actually in the room - a small round table sat in the rooms middle, two chairs sat across from eachother underneath- chairs that looked quite more comfy than the ones Grian sat in before. Grian felt as if it was safe to assume he was supposed to sit on one the two chairs - what else was there really to do here?
Grian walked to the table, taking a seat out from under the table and placing himself down on top of it
Grian heard the rooms door open again, gaze set on Cub as he moved/approached, clipboard now held tightly in his hold. Cub approached a seat, the spare seat Grian left and say across from said avian, sitting the clipboard on front of mainly himself
The next few minutes were spent sat on those two very chairs, questions emerging from Cub after every answer Grian gave or every scribble Cub noted down, questions about double life primarily but a few questions admittedly slipped to ask about other things, like third life or - just the life series in general- Grian thought that it was... strange whenever those questions were asked, but maybe he was... being overly suspicious, Scar trusted Cub, they were close friends, Grian should trust his soulm- .. Scars judgement
It wasn't a quick process, Scar and Grian had to go into the lab several times both individually/separately and together - But Cub told them, he promised them he was making progress, that he could fix the issue if they just gave him the time- and if they were willing to go along with whatever he needed, Scar, of course, was more than happy to do both, eager to follow his friends "shenanigans", Grian however wasn't so inclined, he did vi along with it in the end, Cub may by they're only hope after all, But grian was definitely hesitant.
Beside from the rathar abrut and even sometimes late night phone calls interultting the twos daily lives, another hig change in both they're schedules happened, in order to - know what to tell Cub- the two were forced to spend way too much time together, it felt like every waking hour Grian was forced to spend time with Scar, made to stay by his side constantly and consistently- and oh it frustrated Grian to no end - Scar was his friend, his best friend for that matter, but just, - Grian wanted to bury this all in double life, he thought he'd escaped- that he was safe on hermitcraft
Well, at least it originally began as annoyance, frustration at the core of his bones at the forced proximity, - but as hours, days and weeks went by, Grians anger buried itself down into the ground, he - unfortunately started to... bond with the cheerful brunette in ways he wished he hadn't, he grew fond of Scar despite his best efforts- He and Scar grew closer.
Grian sat on the teal bench, close by the the centre of Scarland, his legs propped up in front of him, with him on the bench, meanwhile his brown gaze sat below, with Scar who situated himself cross legged in the concrete ground. The two were happy, happily chatting back and forth amoungust one another, presumably for hours on end. The two were so lost in conversation that when the ringing sounded of the two very different ringtone emerged all at once from the two of their cellphones - the two of them both jolted their bodies up straight, startle filling them both almost as if they were in sync
Freaky enough, the supposeded sync didn't end there, the two also answered their own respective phones almost at the same time, putting the device to their ears
They heard the voice of Cub talking in their ear at the same time, his tone seemed to a hold a weird sound of excitement - something Grian hadn't heard come out from Cubs mouth before- He told them he found a way to fix the twos issues- they'd both be able to return to their regular everyday lives and routines, they both return to being like every other hermit after today and that was good!- that's what grian wanted right? Deep down the only reason they hung out so much, spent so much time together was for Cubs sake, it was because they were stuck together and sharing a health bar again, - and now Grian could bury double life properly to the very end of his mind - none of this - the weeks Grian and Scar spent meant nothing
When Cub was done - essentially ranting, the two hung the phone and Grian managed to put on a smile
"Well let's go" Grian placed his feet steady on the ground
Apparently Cubs rant was important and the two were actually meant to listen to the information Cub gave them
Cub was going to take an hour to set up, meaning the famously impatient duo of Grian and Scar, were stuck waiting in the main room for an hour
And it was awkward- so awkward- after all these past few weeks, you'd think it wouldn't be that way, but it was, so awkward, the constant and consistent silence between them was undoubtedly cringeworthy, why wait was? Grian didn't have a clue.
Scar pulled Grian out of his thoughts after a while
"- is it weird I enjoyed this" Scar muttered or mumbled with a laugh, his dorky laugh was no doubtly nervous in nature
"Enjoyed what?- being tied together again?"
"Yeah- I've enjoyed these past few weeks together- if we weren't tied I wouldn't have seen you as much as I have recently-" Scar paused, laughing awkwardly again to himself
"I know you haven't been enjoying any of this though- and I'm sorry you didn't get, someone who you actually saw as soulmate–" Scar interuptted his spur of words with a deep - and obviously fake - cough
Scar checked his phone, the bright screen glowing in the dimming room - the brunette (and grian) reciveing a message from Cub immediately after Scar openeded up his phone.
Scar sighed "it's time"
Scar finally took the chance to properly look at the avian next to him. Grian stood to his feet, not waiting for Scar to follow him as he started to take steps away.
Grian paused, tilting his head around his shoulder to stare at Scar was his cold, dark eyed state
"I do- I do see you as..no- you are my soulnats Scar, always will be" Grian turned his blonde haired head back around "whether I like it or not" Grian quietly muttered the sarcastic joke to himself, rolling his eyes with a smile