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The sun blared hot from above, midday in the desert the overworld’s most netherish hell, especially with the pooling lava that kept intruders out. The eyes of the watchers stared at him from above, he could feel it. They wouldn’t be dignified with a response today, he would not meet their gaze. In this world it was near constant, barely a moment to be alone, every move under constant scrutiny. He could hear their whispers in the wind, words he’d heard from them too many times before. The sand blew against his legs, the unpleasant sensation and the voices almost enough to push him over the edge. But they had their eyes on him, he had to comply or no one would ever get out of their little games.
Don’t think about them don’t think about them it’s fine it’s fine it’s fine you’re fine
From years of barely holding himself together he knew how to pretend. He knew how to play along with their games and protect himself. That didn’t make it any less exhausting. But it was what he’d known before hermitcraft, years spent underneath their watchful eyes, made in their image to follow their every command. Hermitcraft was the first place that he’d been truly safe, the first place he’d been able to let his guard down. He didn’t want to think about it now, everything that had been taken. Another day, just had to make it through another day. Everyone would get home and they’d all be fine.
And he’d never let his guard down ever again.
Nighttime in the desert was calm, the night air cool and stagnant and the stars overhead pinpricks of light in the dark. It was a nice respite from the dark of his dream, waking up to the moon overhead.
“Scar?” he quietly shook the other man awake.
“Grian? What’s up?” His voice was groggy and sleep clung to his eyelids but he brushed it aside as he sat up, lightly brushing the hand of the man who sat in bed beside him. Grian didn’t say anything at first, just burying himself in the man beside him, Scar wrapping him up in his arms and not letting go. He felt Grian’s fingers lightly brush against his face, like he was scared he’d break him. Grian traced his cheek ever so lightly, eyes slowly taking every detail in. Scar watched him and their eyes met, Grian’s breath hitched in his throat as he tried not to cry.
“I won’t let them take you from me”
He reached a hand up to cup his face, thumbing gently at his watery eyes.
“No one’s gonna take me away Birdie” He said softly, words as gentle as his hands against his face.
Grian took Scar’s face in both of his hands, slowly bringing his head down til their foreheads touched. The avian spoke something in his language, something Scar couldn’t understand just barely above a whisper.
“Grian I mean it, it’s just you and me here until the end right? No Crastle or Dogwarts or anything else will change that. I promise”
Grian took a watery breath and nodded against him.
The eyes of the sun beat down upon them, no escape from the ring of cactus encompassing them. They were trapped, completely under the mercy of the watchers. Grian had spent years under their control, he knew what they’d do to Scar if they got to him. He could hear them whispering into his ears, he could feel them grabbing at him. They wanted a FIGHT, they wanted a KILL, they wanted one winner, one player to wear their robe and take up their wings. Scar couldn’t hear them, he didn’t know what they’d do. He just smiled at Grian, wrapping him up in a hug. Grian held on as tight as he could, held onto the last thing keeping him tethered to his humanity in this world. He felt their iron grip from above, pulling on him, claws digging into his body, ripping at his mind, stripping away his control. They’d gone into this game as a team. But under the eye of the watchers they could not leave as one.
“You and me til the end Scar. I promise, until the very end”