Work Text:
His head is killing him.
He doesn't remember when he ended up on the ground. He can feel it under him, the rocky surface digging into his back. Everything else seems so distant and far away, only the ground beneath him there.
Then he opens his eyes, and everything is there. Light slips past his eyes to burn into his brain, eyes filled with a loud ring that makes his stomach twists. He tries to sit up in a desperate attempt to move and escape it, but the movement makes his head cry, and he clutches it tightly in shaky hands, a sob slipping past his lips.
Hands guide him to lay down once more. One of them reaches up to cover his eyes, and he lets out another sob, this time of relief as the hand filters any light from his view.
They let him lay there for a bit. He can hear two people, their quieting chatting drowned out by the ringing in his ears. Mumbo reaches in the direction of the noise, and a hand finds his, holding it gently. They lace their fingers with his, offering him comfort in their connected hands.
The ringing finally quiets, and he can finally hear them.
"Should we move him back to his base?" Grian asks, voice quiet as he squeezes Mumbo's hand.
"I don't think it'd be a good idea to stand him up right now." Scar responds. His hand covering Mumbo's eyes never moves, but his other hand is in Mumbo's hair, moving it around as thought Scar is searching for a wound on his scalp.
"It's too bright for him out here though. And theres always the risk of another rock falling while we wait for Xisuma." Grian must be watching Mumbo closely, because the moment he winces at too harsh of a touch from Scar's hand, Grian is speaking up. "Be careful, Scar. You're hurting him."
Scar's voice quiets into a whisper, and he removes his hand from Mumbo's hair. "Sorry Mumby. Just trying to make sure you aren't bleeding." Mumbo's eyes flutter under Scar's hand, and he moves it off Mumbo's eyes. He cups around his eyes gently to continue blocking the light while letting the redstoner look around.
Mumbo looks around, seeming confused. He looks back up at Scar, and his mouth opens like he's about to speak, but he remains quiet.
"Go on, Mumby. Ask away," Scar encourages. Grian adjusts how he's holding Mumbo's hand, running his thumb over his knuckles reassuringly.
"What happened?" Mumbo asks. His lips feel strange and heavy, the words coming out a bit strange, but not enough that Scar has any problems understanding. He smiles down at Mumbo softly.
"You got hit by a falling rock while we were working on the mountain." He keeps his tone steady and calm while he explains. "Passed out for a second there. You scared us."
"How long was I out?" Scar and Grian glance at each other, thinking.
"A few seconds, maybe?" Grian answers. "Just long enough for us to notice and come over." He squeezes Mumbo's hand. "I'm sure its alright though. You're alright. Xisuma will be here soon."
"Did you message him?" Scar turns to look at Grian when the other says that, and Grian's face falls.
"No? Didn't you?" It becomes very clear to the two that they're terrible at communication. They don't have time to focus on that problem right now, they need to handle Mumbo first. "It's going to be harder for him to find us here. We need to head back to somewhere recognisable."
"I don't think he can make it halfway down the mountain." Scar argues, pushing a lock of hair off Mumbo's face. "I feel like he'll pass back out."
"It's not like I'm saying have him walk down himself!" Grian huffs, standing up and brushing dirt off of his pants. "Come on. Hook your arms around and put your legs to good use lifting."
Scar does as he asked of him, scooping Mumbo into his arms. Mumbo cries out as he does, the ringing in his ears returning full force. He feels ready to throw up on Scar's shoulder, but he manages to hold it in. He closes his eyes tightly and buries his face into the other's shoulder, trying to block out the light.
Scar is so gentle as he carries him, starting to walk towards the edge of the mountain with Mumbo in his arms. Grian follows behind closely, making sure Mumbo isn't in any pain as they move him back to his base.
Mumbo tries to talk as they move. His words are muffled in Scar's shoulders, but he tries his best. "Where are we going?"
"We're heading to your house. It'll be easier for Xisuma to find us there." Grian answers him, Scar too focused on climbing down slowly and safely.
"Why is Xisuma coming over?"
"Because we want to check and make sure any injuries are serious, and if they are, he's the one that will know what to do." Mumbo's house isn't that far down the mountainside, and they head right in, Scar gently laying Mumbo on the bed.
Grian pulls out his comm and starts typing, messaging Xisuma as Scar takes over answering the questions. "What injuries?"
"The injuries on your head," Scar thinks over the word for a second. "They're mainly invisible, I only saw a little bit of blood, but I'm sure it'll bruise."
"What happened?" Mumbo asks, quiet, and a small spike of something goes through Scar's heart. Mumbo was repeating questions, and everything in him screamed that this can't be good.
He looks at Grian, making sure he hears it too. Grian is just as pale as him, so Scar knows he wasn't just hearing things. He looks back at Mumbo, plastering a smile on his face. "Just an accident at the volcano. Falling rocks. IT'll be okay soon, alright?"
"Promise?"
"I promise."