Archive of Our Own

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The air was chilly, the sky a shade of grey that sunk darker and darker with only a few wisps of bright orange clouds left to contrast it.

Grian sat on the roof of his old elementary school. The cold seeped through his worn out red jumper, a bag of random snacks he'd bought sitting next to him and a few loose cigarettes he had stolen from a pack his father bought rested near the bottom of his pocket.

It was a routine he was used to by now. He would sneak out of the house when he heard a conflict start to turn into a shouting match, walk a few blocks to the corner store, and then walk another half-a-dozen to the elementary school. It was pretty easy to get onto the roof from there, especially since the town had opted to just make a few different, long building with a waist height fence around all of them to keep students inside during school hours, instead of having a school with multiple floors.

He had only been caught twice so far. Once by a security guy who had just so happened to be walking by on the sidewalk right when he made it up, and the other was by a group of people working on the roof. He was let off with a warning both times, and he knew no one actually cared as long as he didn't make a make a mess of anything or break something. Grian knew there were other teenagers that climbed up though, if the few wrappers left laying out were a sign of anything.

He dug through his bag of snacks, pulling out a box of pockies to eat as he stared up at the sky, pressing the back of his head against the metal air vent at the top of the roof.

He sat like that for a while, only interrupted what felt like ages later by the telltale sound of frosted-over grass crunching underneath careless feet. Shuffling to sit up from where he'd been partially slouched over, he looks in the direction he heard them from. He can't see over the raise of the roof but he hears the person stop. There's the shuffling sound of cloth rubbing on cloth before a backpack is flung up and over the ledge of the roof.

Grian flinches as it thuds to the ground, the loud noise it produces making it seem as if the person who had been carrying it had filled it with bricks. Two hands pop over the ledge next, and Grian watches as someone with brown hair clambers their way up the side of the wall. It's a haphazard attempt at best, a leg thrown over the ledge before the man gets a good grip and he almost slips back down with a shout.

Grian has to stifle a laugh— which thankfully isn't nearly as loud as the newcomer is, barely more than a few huffs of amusement actually leaving his lips. When the stranger finally gets onto the roof Grian is hit with the sudden realization that he might need to socialize, unprepared, and soon.

The brunette shakes his head to get the hair out of his eyes, a scar turning along his nose before expanding to cover the lower half of his left cheek. He picks up his backpack before looking around and finally spotting Grian.

"Well, hello there!"

Yeah, okay. He was definitely going to need to socialize. Damn it.

"Hello," Grian responds on instinct as to not drag the silence out too long. The other man simply smiles at him, teeth bared liked he's trying to show the entire world his crooked grin.

"And who might you be? D'you come here often?" The other man asks walking a bit closer and putting his hand on his hip.

Grian blinks at the half-hearted pickup line that he's certain is a joke, before responding, "Stranger danger. What's your name?"

"Your name's stranger danger? Not that I'm judging! I'm not, promise! That's just... ah... an uncommon name?" The stranger's words stumble out of his mouth flimsy and Grian has to hide a smirk at the other's confusion.

"My name isn't stranger danger, mate. I was saying it because I don't know you. Obviously."

"...Right. Yeah, obviously."

"So are you gonna tell me your name?" Grian presses, curiosity about the fumbling man made clear by his tone.

"Wha- But I asked first! I'll tell you if you tell me first."

Grian hums at this, shaking his head. "Nope. Can't tell you anything about myself unless I know you, stranger danger."

They stare at each other for a few moments, neither speaking. Grian tugs the edges of his sleeves with his index finger, rubbing the soft fabric on his hand as he watches the other man shift uncomfortably. Then, he watches with all the glory in the world as the man caves, a sigh tearing from his lips and an embarrassed look on his face from losing the silent argument.

"I'm Scar."

Scar. He's not sure if it's just a nickname the other picked up or something poetic to match name to face, but if the man tells him his name is Scar, then Grian is going to call him that until the day he dies.

"Hello Scar, I'm Grian." He watched their breaths fog in the air, taking in the dark sky and streetlights silhouetting Scar. Scar who was currently staring at him with a strange expression on his face. "Are you waiting for me to leave or something? Cause I sat down first, and I am not moving."

The words seem to spur his companion into action, one hand coming up to clutch at his bag as his eyes widen slightly.

"No! No, of course not." There's a small pause as he shifts forward to sit down across from him. "Just admiring the view."

There was no way Scar was talking about him when he said that. Hell, Grian had just been doing the same thing, so really it shouldn't even be a consideration that Scar meant it to mean him. He chose to ignore how he felt his cheeks redden. If anyone asked he could just play it off as the cold.

"Do you, uh... like it. The view, I mean." There is no way he just asked that. There is no way he just asked that. Out of all the options he had, he just had to say that one.

Scar glances up from where he was rummaging in his bag for something, green-grey eyes a shade off from reindeer moss staring into him. "I'd say it's a pretty great view."

There's a smile on his face as he says it.

Grian thinks he's going to wither away and die on this spot.

Scar turns his gaze back down to his bag, filtering through it with rustle sounds and the noise of a plastic bag crinkling. It sounds like some type of crisp. Grian hides his flinch by shuffling to sit comfortably in front of the metal box again.

He takes another pocky out of the box and eats it, shivering as a breeze goes by and cursing that he only put a jumper over his collared shirt before he left instead of something heavier. The sky is dark by now, no more signs of the sun peeking through onto the clouds and tinting them orange and the temperature has dropped from before making it notably colder.

He wishes he had remembered to grab his studded leather jacket off of the back of his desk chair before leaving. Scar glances up, watching him from behind the fringe of his hair as he bites into another crisp. Grian burrows further into his jumper, another breeze going by almost making his teeth chatter.

"...If you're cold you can use my jacket?" It's phrased like a statement but there's a question in his tone. While he still looks chilly, Grian can tell he is much better off under the multiple layers of clothing he has on. Grian can see what he thinks is a light jacket and jumper underneath the puffy windbreaker.

...It probably wouldn't affect Scar too much if he borrowed the lighter jacket he was wearing... plus he offered so...

He nods, silently, before letting out a quiet, "Yeah, if you're alright with me borrowing it for now."

He watches as the other moves closer, sitting down beside him as he sucks off his windbreaker, but he stops at that, holding it out in a slightly awkward motion. Grian sits there dumbly for a moment before realizing that Scar had meant to offer his windbreaker to him. Not his thinner jacket underneath.

He flushes at the realization.

"Oh, no sorry. I thought you meant your, uhm... thinner jacket. Sorry, I don't want to take your good jacket from you, that- uh you probably need that more than I do," he rushes out the explanation, raising his hands and waving them slightly.

Scar blinks at him in surprise, eyes slightly wide and head tilted to the side. And then words are tumbling out of Scar's mouth so fast it's difficult to follow.

"What? It's okay, I don't mind really! You've probably been out here longer than me anyways and my hoodie looks thicker than yours. In fact, I'd say I'm feeling much to warm with this extra layer, so here you can help me out by keeping it off the ground for me. And you benefit from the warmth of it!"

Grian blinks as the windbreaker is dropped into his lap, companion grinning ear to ear next to him as he stares expectantly. He can't help but flush in embarrassment, glancing away as he very carefully moves to put on the windbreaker. He keeps it from scarping on the ground as he gets his other arm in before looking back over to Scar. He doesn't seem too worried about the windbreaker, although it is pretty obvious that the cold has started to affect him.

"Thanks." Its barely louder than a whisper, but Grian doesn't want to come off as annoying by speaking louder or ungrateful by not saying anything and have the windbreaker taken from him. But... maybe he is selfish if the reason he said thank you was for his own benefit. It's not like it matters very much in the end anyway.

"So," when asked, Grian will not admit to jumping at Scar starting conversation— because it didn't happen, obviously, "What's a guy like you doing out here on an elementary school roof by himself? On Christmas eve, no less."

It isn't what he was expecting at all. Then again, he doesn't exactly know what he expected from Scar. He can't decide whether he wants to answer the question or not. It's not like it could hurt to though.

"I don't really have anything better to be doing right now. What about you? Do you not fancy Christmas enough that you had to trip your way up that wall?"

Scar laughs at that, a bright sound of short spikes of exhaled air that almost sound like squeaky windshield wipers. "You got me there, but nah. I'm just waiting for a few of my friends to come pick me up in like, an hour. I think they're going to try and trick me into staying up past midnight so that we know whether or not Santa is actually real."

There's a lull in the conversation at that, a contemplative expression filling Scar's face. Grian only hums in acknowledgement, both at what he had said and at whatever his expression meant.

"You know," Scar drawls out, speaking slow as if still stuck on what he's thinking. "You could, probably, come with me and my friends. I'm sure they wouldn't mind as long as you promise you aren't secretly, like, a criminal I guess?"

Grian has to try very hard to keep his face nuetral, both at the spark of joy at an invitation and then at the mention of him being a criminal. On some technicality, he is not a criminal since he has a grand total of zero charges. But, he also knows that his schooling in Japan was very much not law biding.

"Hmm... bit of a hard sell since I have to claim to not be a criminal," he says the words in a joking manner, while still making sure he doesn't lie to Scar. That just wouldn't be polite to the person loaning him a windbreaker, would it?

Scar seems to consider his words, nodding as if an important decision has been made. "I guess everyone does a little bit of crime every now and again. Surely, I can not be the one to fault a man for it." The voice he says it is downright absurd, hilarious in it's own pompous, contemplative business man way that only it had the right to be.

Grian can't help the small giggle that slips out, even as his memory brings up images of holding a gun to Yuki's head. The way he mentally shoves that thought back down could almost be considered violent in itself.

"Well, I'm sure everybody gets up to murder and theft sometimes. I mean, life would be pretty dull without it?" His stupid joke elicits another laugh from Scar, and he can't help but smile softly. He knows Scar thinks he's joking, but he can't find it in himself to care.

"Of course it is. I can see the appeal, don't worry. I'm sure we could convince my friends that your limited crime count should still allow you to hang out." The easy expression on Scar's face falls away in front of him, growing to something more apprehensive. "If you wanted to hang out more, that is."

Grian... Grian did want to hang out more. And he would likely get to wear the windbreaker outside longer since he wasn't exactly planning on going back to his parents house soon.

So, against his 'stranger danger' sentiment that he had mentioned, he nods hesitantly.

"If you promise you won't kidnap me, I won't kidnap you, yeah?"

"Deal."

He watches Scar pull out his phone and, presumably, message his friends about the extra person showing. And it's at this moment that Grian realizes he just agreed to hang out with an entire friend group. While barely even meeting one person in it.

Fuck.

*+*×*+*

By the time Scar's friend has shown up, Grian has already eaten half the snacks he had bought and avoided a total of 4 offered crisps from Scar, who pouted every time he was turned down. He still hasn't figured out a good reason as to why he said yes to this and had to force himself not to grab a cigarette in front of Scar in case he didn't like the smoke. It definitely wasn't because Grian didn't want to be judged for smoking so soon after high school. Definitely not.

The honk of a car makes Grian jump where he's resting against the metal box still, and Scar perks up from next to him. Their shoulders are almost touching and he can feel the heat radiating off of Scar's hand from how close it is to his. There's a buzz from Scar's phone as he stands, the heat from being close to him instantly replaced by chilling air that nearly makes him shiver even with the layers he has on now.

He offers Grian a hand, checking his phone with the other. Grian stares at it for a few seconds, contemplative, but when Scar glances down to him he takes it. He's hauled to his feet almost immediately and has to prevent himself from stumbling by tightening his hold on the other. Electricity feels like it's shooting up his arm the entire time, heat gathering to be almost uncomfortable where skin touches skin.

He swallows down his nerves, glancing up from their interlinked hands at Scar smiling again, managing to send a small one back in return. Scar leads him over to the edge of the roof where he got on, not letting go but keeping his grip loose enough that if Grian wanted to all he would have to do is slip it out. He thinks about it for a moment, his hand still sending shocks up his arm.

He decides against it, no point making his touch starved brain lose what is currently its only source of food. Once they're at the ledge, Scar carefully crouches down, lightly pulling both their arms with him. Grian sits on the ledge too, glancing downwards to the closed dumpster and stacked boxes.

"Do you want help getting down?" Scar questions, already staring at him as Grian glances up from where he'd been looking.

"I think between the two of us you're going to need more help, seeing how you managed to get onto the roof in the first place."

"Point taken. I'm sure such a kind soul wouldn't mind helping me get off then?" The way he says it is goofy, his eyes widening as he tries to give off his best puppy dog eyes. Grian huffs in amusement and rolls his eyes, taking his hand out of the others grasp to climb down.

Once he has balanced himself onto the lid of the trash bin he glances up at Scar in consideration. He backs out of the way, hopping off the lid completely but maiking sure he is still close enough to be able to catch Scar in case he falls.

He watches as Scar carefully puts one leg towards the lid, the other braced on the wall and his hands holding onto the roof behind him to keep from slipping. Grian's not sure why he didn't just turn around and push drown from the wall instead of whatever this is, but if it works for him it's fine.

The method, seemingly does not work for Scar. He gets stuck like that, legs hanging down and arms in an awkward position making it difficult to push away from the wall. He hangs there for a few seconds, before seeming to give up and does his best to swing away from the wall before letting go, only scraping the edges of his jacket as it flares up from the draft him falling creates.

He lands with a stumble, almost falling off the lid with a yelp as Grian rushes to steady him from below. Doing a once-over to make sure Scar isn't going to magically collapse, he slowly lets go. The other gets off the lid completely, now on level ground and lets out an embarrassed "thanks."

They walk side by side as Scar leads him to his friend's car. It's small, probably only has five seats total, and is painted in a metalic mix between silver and blue. Scar opens the back seat for them after waving at the driver in the window.

"After you, my good sir."

Grian needs to relearn everything that he hadn't been taught about stranger danger. To be fair, he had still picked up the general rules of don't talk to creepy people and don't get into a strangers cars, even if he wasn't explicitly taught it. But still, here he was. Getting into a stranger's car like he did this every day.

He feels a bit like an idiot for doing this, and something nervous tugs on his heart as he shoots Scar a smile before getting in. Scar shuts the door after getting in with him, greeting the driver verbally this time and starting up conversation about a cat. The driver looks around both of their age, square glasses sitting on his face and a soft blue shirt sits underneath a lab coat.

The stranger doesn't seem very surprised by Grian's presence, probably because Scar had texted him before hand, and looks more focused on driving than actually holding up conversation with Scar's ramblings. He gives the occasional hum of affirmation when needed or will nod along to something but doesn't say many comments about the topic. From the way Scar's speaking though, it seems like he has already told the story of how Jellie snuck out of the house a thousand times over.

Scar occasionally asks Grian a few questions—do you have cats? Oh wow how many? What are your hobbies? Are you in college right now?— to which he does his best to answer. Yeah, I have cats, two of them named Maui and Pearl. I like drawing, but sometimes I try painting even though I'm not the best at it. I'm in university, just visiting home for the holidays y'know?

Grian is not an expert in roads. Nor will he claim to be one. But he is pretty sure they have somehow managed to go around this block three times within ten minutes. Now, either Scar's friend is very lost and not showing it on his face, or he is taking the longest, most convoluted path known to mankind.

Grian doesn't point it out. Whether he is being kidnapped or they're just lost, he would rather not risk getting either of his companions angry if they think he's complaining. Grian knows not to complain.

Scar seems to notice five minutes after Grian does, blinking in confusion out the window as they pass the same park they had no longer than two minutes ago.

"Hey, Cub?"

There's a hum of acknowledgement from the front of the vehicle.

"Didn't we already pass that park?"

Silence. And then, "I'm not sure Scar. Didn't you say you were going to introduce someone to me in the car?" Scar's eyes widen in realization.

"Oh! Right, yeah, Cub. This is Grian! Grian, meet Cub. Cub, please stop driving in circles now it's going to make me dizzy with the amount of turns we've taken."

He glances between Scar and Cub, watching as the driver nods and finally pulls to a stop in front of a house that has 3 other ones parked near it. Scar opens the car door with a grin, stopping Grian from getting out of his own in a rush before he gets out. Blinking in surprise, he watches as Scar slips behind the car to get to his side, Cub giving the man an unimpressed look from the front of the vehicle.

Scar opens the door with a grand flourish, reaching a hand out to Grian as if he were a celebrity getting out of a Lamborghini. He can't help but laugh a bit at the silliness of the situation, some complete stranger he met only a few hours ago treated him like some star. Taking the hand, he gets out of the car, watching as Scar's smile brightens and, with the utmost care, the man cautiously links their hands together, intertwining their fingers.

Grian glances up at the same time that Scar does. Grian hasn't had too many friends for a while, and when he did the only one that was really physically affectionate with him was Taurtis. And even then, him and Taurtis were a bit- well, they were friends with benefits for lack of a different way to put it. And his and Sam's relationship had been short and, Grian will admit only in the confines of his head, downright abusive during some points of it.

So, to say this kind of treatment was a bit surprising would be an understatement. He takes it in stride anyways, unwilling to lose the chance for any physical contact he can get before having to go back to university again.

Glancing away and towards where Cub has left them to start walking towards the door, he squeezes his and Scar's hands before tugging them along together closer to the steps of the door. There's the sharp sound of laughter inside and he can't help but feel nerves bubble up within him. He falls into step with Scar, before letting him lead the way through the door.

As soon as they're through the threshold of the house, the noise inside seems to double. There are at least ten different people inside, different groups all talking at different volumes and mixing into a large cacophony of sound. Luckily, there isn't any music blasting at full volume from a speaker or neon lights dancing around the room. There seems to be a spotify playlist put onto shuffle cycling through different songs playing quietly in the background with the room's normal lights turned on.

A christmas tree covered in clashing ornaments is shoved next to the window next to the door, at least three different lights strung up on it and two types of tinsel covering it from top to bottom. There's mistletoe hung up at the top of a staircase next to the hallway and garland hanging limply from the ceiling in seemingly random spots, strung from one place to the next.

Scar tugs him further into the house, greeting people as they pass who toss him curious glances as he trots by, still taking everything in. They pass through the room at the entrance of the house into what looks like the living room connected to a kitchen, an island and lack of carpeted floor being the only separation from the living space and dining and kitchen room.

There's about five other people in this area, and after Scar waves at then he drags Grian over to the barstools that sit neatly underneath the kitchen island, pulling a seat out for both of them.

"Do you want anything to eat? Drink?" Scar asks, gaze drifting over to the plastic cups stacked on top of each other next to a few drink options.

Grian glances at them too, grazing over the options quickly before deciding. "I could go for some sparkling cider right now? If that's alright." It was the option they had the most of, 2 unopened bottles sitting next to a half drunk one.

"Ah, the popular pick I see. It truly is the best drink we bring to these. Sometimes, cleo will get us a beer each since she's 21, but she says if we need to wait until we're old enough to buy anything else."

Grian nods, watching Scar pull out two plastic cups and fill them both halfway, leaving the other half empty. He's handed one, Scar making a cheers motion against his before taking a sip. Grian takes one after him, mouth feeling tingly at the feeling of the carbonated drink before he swallows.

Scar's back to talking about cats again, pulling out his phone to show Grian some pictures before asking if Grian has any photos of his own. He does, eagerly pulling them up on his own phone to show off to Scar. He's in the middle of showing him a video of Pearl chasing a squirrel in the backyard when there's footsteps behind them, and he can see the person tap Scar's shoulder. Grian quickly pauses the video and glances back as Scar straightens.

"Hello, Etho! What can I do for you?" He sounds bright as he says it, like he's trying to light up the whole room with his voice alone and Grian can't help but focus on the sound of it. It reminds him of the stars, shining to light up dark nights when the moon doesn't reflect the sun. He feels like a planet, trapped in Scar's orbit.

"I was wondering if you and your friend here wanted to take off your guys' coats?" Grian's snapped back to reality by the sound of the new voice.

"I'm not judging since I still have a coat on but we do have a heater going and I don't want you two to overheat and you know we have places you can hang them if you don't feel like carrying them." The man— Etho? Had that been what Scar called him?— is indeed wearing a coat, fur lining at the top as well as a mask over the lower part of his face. His hair looks like someone had run their hands through it backwards, and he had green cargo pants on with surprisingly full pockets.

"Oh, yes! Of course, of course. If we start to feel too warm we will definitely do that. We did just come in from outside a few minutes ago though, and let me tell you Etho," yep, his name had been Etho, "it is chilly out there right now. I'm surprised outside isn't just one big ice cube." There's a pause, then Scar is turning to look at him. Grian looks back, keeping Etho in his peripheral still.

"You still chilly Gri, or do you want me to show you where some of the hooks are?" Grian blinks, trying to think of what would be better for Scar's benefit. Technically, he was wearing his jacket, so maybe taking it off would be nicer? But then again, that would also force Scar to get up and it didn't seem like he wanted to put his own coat up...

"I'm alright, thanks though. I'll let you know when it starts to get hot, yeah?"

"Good enough for me! Thanks again for the offer Etho," they both wave bye to the man, Grian more hesitant, as he walks away with a quick "no problem."

They sit like that for a while longer, talking together and getting ti learn more about each other. He learns Scar likes Star wars and action films, learns about how he paints a lot and loves to be creative, about how Scar is really good at tricking people into giving him stuff they wouldn't normally. He learns Scar seems really kind, that he's funny. He learns that Scar is probably the nicest person he could have run into on that roof.

The party continues, a few other people coming over to talk with them every few minutes before moving on when they see someone else they haven't had a chance to have a conversation with yet. Grian clams up sometimes, barely saying a word to some of them and glancing around nervously while letting out silent giggles and adding a few barely-above-a-whisper comments with others.

Most jokes he says causes someone to cackle with laughter, leaving him with a proud smirk on his face. He catches Scar staring at him sometimes, glances over to see him looking at him with a strange– but seemingly positive– expression on his face, before glancing away quickly when he realizes he's been caught staring. Grian makes a game out of hiw many times he can catch him, his current score standing at a proud 12.

They're just finishing up conversation with a girl named Gem, who's wearing overalls with embroidered flowers and bees on it, firey red hair curling on her head with two small sections near the back pulled into low ponytails. She wishes them a merry Christmas before walking away, saying she has to go find someone named Joel.

Scar yawns once she's walked away, glancing at the time to see it's past eleven. Grian glances at him, tugging lightly on the sleeves of the windbreaker he had zipped down a few hours ago but hadn't bothered to fully take off. Who could blame him, it was comfy.

Grian's staring at Scar expectantly now, though. He can tell the other is tired by how his eyes are drooping and the obvious yawn he had just let out meaning Grian's probably going to have to go home soon. Well, he should have technically been home a few hours ago, but he doesn't care enough to go back at this point. Not when he's actually enjoying himself right now. Scar stares back at him, a question in his gaze as he tilts his head.

"What's with your expression, do you need anything? Is there somethingon my face?" Grian huffs a quiet laugh at the last question, shaking his head.

"Nah, nothing is on your face Scar. Just wondering if you're gonna head home soon since you seem tired." The actual question is silent. His ask of, do I need to leave, coming through in his sentence without him actually needing to say it.

Scar looked somewhat taken aback at his comment, eyes a little wide and a silent question with hints at nervousness written into his face in seconds.

"Do you- Are you tired? This is probably going to go on until tomorrow morning unless everyone decides they're exhausted so... if you want to go home or something I'm not going to force you to stay." Scar backtracks slightly. "You don't have to leave either! Uhm- yeah? But, like, if you wanted to stay longer with me I wouldn't mind at all."

"I don't mind staying, as long as you are okay with it." He feels uncomfortably warm, cheeks feeling a little too pink at such a simple comment. Scar makes some sort of cooing noise before responding, slowly grabbing his hand.

"I really, really don't mind Grian."

*+*×*+*

They sit like that for a few more minutes before Scar makes a comment about how it won't be so loud upstairs. They have long since finished their drinks, throwing the cups away as they get up and Grian trails after Scar as he walks towards the staircase.

He watches a few people playing smash brothers, other trying to flip a water bottle to land standing up, and a few others just spectating or talking with other people. As him and Scar reach the bottom step of the stairs there's a loud cheer from the people flipping the bottle, drawing attention from a few others who make congratulatory noises.

They walk up the stairs, the noise level descending more and more until they make it to the top of the stairs. Grian's eyes trail along the much neater decorations the second floor holds. Garland is strung neatly on the walls and the mistletoe he spotted earlier hangs dead center of the top of the staircase.

Scar doesn't seem to notice it, but Grian does. And he very much loves following Christmas traditions by finding loopholes for each one, so as Scar tries to continue down the hall Grian reaches out to stop him. He barely grazes Scar's wrist, managing to hold it with his index finger and thumb and dragging Scar to a stop as he nearly jumps out of his skin.

"Jeez, give a man a heart attack Grian," he sighs, a look of relief crossing his face. Grian flushes in embarrassment, mumbling out a "sorry," while shuffling his feet and glancing up at Scar.

He gets a short breath of amusement from Scar, stunning him a little. If anything, he thought Scar would be upset with him for frightening him, not amused. Let alone the fact he had grabbed him without any warning or even asking beforehand.

"Did you need something Gri?" The nickname catches him by surprise, his brain short-circuiting as he had to remind himself, Scar didn't mean it to be a different name. It is just a shortened version of your own. It is not someone else's.

"Yeah, uhm. Actually, yeah I did." He stutters out, blush rising onto his cheeks as he finally registers how this is going to sound at first before he explains. Scar tilts his head, questioning.

"I just, uh- well it's Christmas eve. Yeah. And there's, uhm, well there's mistletoe and it doesn't seem very festive to ignore it."

He regrets every second he ever lived. Why did he decide to do this with someone he just met? He should have just ignored the stupid plant above their head!

"Even using, like, loopholes would still help keep up festivities. So, I was thinking. Since we were- are. Since we are under it, we could... fake kiss? Kind of."

He glances up through his lashes to see Scar red in the face, and feels himself flush again.

"If you wanted to. That is. Sorry, I explained it really poorly. But like, we don't have to actually kiss? We just kiss each other's foreheads... or something." He glances back down, the silence killing him and he can practically feel his insides withering away every second he stands here without an answer.

"Uh- yeah, sure okay. Yeah, whatever you want Gri." He blinks in surprise, glancing up to see Scar's expression, which looks like this is everything he has ever wanted while simultaneously also looking like he wants to melt into a puddle and die.

"You don't have to if you aren't comfortable! It's just a silly thing me and one of my friends used to do in high school." He feels like he can't get the words out fast enough, even though each one almost trips over the next.

"It's alright. I'm okay with it, yeah? As long as you are okay with it I am."

He sways forward a little at that, words gathering on the tip of his tongue and he hushes out a quiet, "Okay. I'm okay with it too."

Scar steps forward, drawing Grian in the rest of the way and making him take a few steps away from the staircase in the process. He leans down, brushing Grian's unruly bangs out of his eyes. He feels like he might stop breathing as he is brought closer to Scar, going on his tiptoes a bit and tilting his head back slightly so that he can make eye contact with Scar from this angle.

Frosty green eyes stare into his obsidian ones, and he watches Scar dip forward. His breath catches in his throat as Scar's lips brush against the skin between his brows, kissing his forehead and pushing his hair back a little further. He pulls away slowly, Grian having to remind himself to breathe again and takes in slow, deliberate gulps of air.

"Do I get a kiss too or is it just one of us?" Scar's voiced is hushed above him, like it's only meant for his ears.

"Well... People are supposed to kiss each other under mistletoe, if I'm not mistaken so, you get a kiss too." His voice is just as silent as Scar's, whispered out like a secret only the two of them can know.

He tugs Scar back a bit, getting him to lean down so he can easily reach his head. He copies what Scar did, brushing the hair out of his face before leaning in. Instead of kissing his forehead though, he kissing Scar's cheek. He barely leans in, eyes closed as he holds himself there for an extra second. He can feel Scar's breath on the side of his face before pulling back enough to give both of them enough space to breathe without mingling their air.

He can't help but giggle, pressing his forehead to Scar's chest as he tries to muffle them. He feels Scar jump from the sudden contact, hand coming up to hold his hair as the other rests on his back.

"You good Grian? Everything okay?" It's then he registers Scar hasn't seen what his expression looks like, and it is also then Grian remembers that his giggles sound like sobs sometimes. Especially when you don't know him very well and he is attempting to stifle them.

He shifts, hugging Scar and lifting his head so his chin rests on Scar's chest. There's a smile covering his face as he tries not to laugh at the worry Scar is showing on his face. When Scar realizes that he is not sobbing, and is in fact trying not to laugh his brains out, he lets his own soft little giggle out.

"Why are you laughing Gri? What's so funny?" There's confusion in his voice but it is mixed with a genuine smile on his face that causes Grian's giggling to intensify.

He shrugs, smirk still on his face when he finally manages to get control of his lungs once again, taking a few gasps of air to get his oxygen back.

"Right-" he tries his best not to laugh again, "where were we going again?"

Scar smiles softly, taking his hand and linking their fingers together again. He leads them into one of the upstairs bedrooms, leaving a crack in the door as he shuts it.

"This is Etho, Cleo, and Bdubs house, but it's a four bedroom and they only use the large one and second largest," he explains quickly.

"When there are parties or hang outs they usually let people come up here and take naps or whatever when we get tired, and since I usually pass out first during events and visit them the most, this one is basically claimed by me." Grian nods along as he explains, being led over to sit on the bed and watches as Scar flops backwards on it.

"Oh, by the way, you can shut the door fully if you want. I just wasn't sure if you were comfortable with it or not." Grian pauses at that, glancing at the door.

"Do... you want it shut fully?" He draws out the question, squinting at the door like it will give him answers better than Scar can.

"It's whatever you're more comfortable with, Gri, I don't mind either way."

"I also don't mind, which is why I asked what you wanted. How do you normally keep it?"

"I keep it however you are most comfortable with."

Grian squints at the man. Glances at the door, glances back. Then, gets up and shuts it, making sure to make eye contact with Scar as he does it. Scar's expression doesn't change in the slightest.

He sighs, walking back over to the bed and sitting down. He glances at the door and the Scar one more time, before falling backwards onto the bed next to Scar. He realizes suddenly he still has Scar's windbreaker on, hearing the fabric rub against itself and the sheets.

Scar shuffles a little closer to him, arms pressing together and making Grian feel overly warm even through the extra layers of fabric. He forces himself to relax, systematically loosening each of his muscles to stop himself from looking tense.

He can feel Scar staring at him and decides to cave, turning his head to the side to meet Scar's gaze. Scar hums, shuffling for a second before stilling, not looking away as he laces their fingers together for the hundredth time that day.

"Why did you want a kiss in the hall?" Grian flushes, not expecting a question about it and is about to move his hands to cover his face before remembering the one of them is entangled with Scar's right now.

"I- uhm- what? I just- there was mistletoe and it's Christmas tradition? You know?" He breaks off with a nervous laugh, feeling heat rush to his cheeks as he quickly shifts his head away. He feels a hand trail up his ching, following up to his cheek before resting just under his ear. His breath catches in his throat for a second time tonight as his face is softly moved to look back at Scar.

The hand holding his squeezes in what must be a comforting motion as he is coaxed into looking at Scar again. He has matching pink cheeks to Grian's, and he has to hold in a sharp intake of breath as Scar's thumb trails underneath his eye.

"Yeah... but you could have just ignored it. Why didn't you?" The question is a soft thing, but Grian knows the direction this conversation is going.

Why not ignore the mistletoe? Why risk making this awkward? You don't lose anything by ignoring traditions, so why did you force me into it? You should have just ignored it and moved on.

He forces himself to take in a sip of air, stuttering out a nervous answer that barely even consists of any of the words he had wanted to say. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make this weird promise. I'll do better if you let me, it won't happen again, promise. I should've just ignored the mistletoe, I'm sorry, really I'm sorry.

"I- I don't... uhm– I- I didn't mean to m-make- sorry. I-I'm sorry. I- you– s-sorry-" He tries to get air into his lungs, but something feels lodged into his throat. He glances away from Scar, not wanting to see his face and brings his hand that isn't holding Scar's to his arm.

It trails down haphazardly, reaching the end of the sleeve and his fingernails dig into his skin there. He shifts them up and under the cuff of his sweater, squeezing until he's certain there are bitten-off fingernails digging into his skin. He squeezes his eyes shut, his grip on Scar's hand growing strong for a moment before he tries to let go

Grian brings his hands up to cover his face, one of them getting stuck on what feels like fingers for a moment before it gives. He's shaking, someone's saying words next to him but he can't make them out. His breaths stutter further and he can feel tears try to gather in his eyes, squeezing them shut further in an attempt to get it to stop.

He needs it to stop.

He can't breathe. He can't think. He's just- he just-

This is why he doesn't have friends anymore. Sam told him so. He overreacts to small things. He can't answer simple questions. He doesn't understand basic concepts. He asks too many questions.

He's wierd. That's what this is. Him being weird. Him being different. He needs to get it together.

He feels pinpricks of pain on his head, hands grasping tighter and pulling on his hair as he tugs. Then, there's warmth. Not like from a fire or heating system though. It's overwhelming, soaks through his skin where it touches his wrists in a split second and trails electric fingers down him.

He shivers, gasping at the sensation as it momentarily snaps him out of his stupor. He blinks his eyes open to see worried green ones staring back and has to gasp for breath. He feels like he can't breathe. His lungs are burning.

He distantly feels himself get tilted upwards, hands trailing unbidden along his spine to the small of his back and he flinches away almost violently. There's another hand holding his wrists though, only furthering his panic. He thrashes, making a distressed noise as he glances around for a way out. The hands let go almost immediately, the voice coming back again, smooth with hints of concern mixed in.

Grian fights another sob, hearing it say his name and make a few soothing sounds as if trying to help him. His breathing is starting to get under control again, black spots dancing across his vision finally noticeable as some of the panic subsides. His chest is still rising and falling much to fast, but it is better than it was a few minutes ago.

He blinks a few times, drawing his knees up and hiding his face in it, arms drawl around it as if to work as a shield.

"You're okay G. It's alright Grian, you're gonna be okay, yeah? It's going to be fine, no matter what, m'kay?" The voice comforts, and another sob racks Grian's body causing him to gasp.

"It's alright, it's okay. That's it, let it out. You're doing great, okay? You're going to be alright."

The stuttering of his lungs slowly fade, and he drags in a few more large gulps of air before glancing back up. His face is puffy and the moment be sees Scar he almost cries again.

"It's okay! You're okay, alright? Grian, you're okay." It's rushed out when Scar notices him peek his head up from his cocoon, hands raising as if they were about to touch him before stopping mid-air and hovering there for a moment.

"Can I... touch you?" It's hesitant at best, but Grian lightly nods anyway. He needs a way to ground himself.

Hands settle onto his back and he flinches, but when they try to pull away he whines, leaning into them so they don't break contact.

"Hey Gri... it's alright now. You're okay, all better see." Scar smiles sweetly at him, concern still shining in his eyes as he says it. "Do you... do you think you are able to tell me why you got a panic attack all a sudden?"

Panic attack? Grian didn't- he didn't grt those... he just- he overreacted is all. Like he always does when people try to make him face issues he caused. It wasn't- it's not a panic attack... is it?

"It's... I just- overreacted is all. I didn't- I'm sorry, really I didn't mean to, promise. I'm sorry. I-"

"Hey. Hey, it's okay, it's alright, yeah? You didn't overreact, okay? You just got panicked and that's alright. No one here is saying you overreacted. M'Kay Gri?" He nods, trying to form words to answer Scar's question still.

"I'm still sorry. I- I made you uncomfortable, I'm sorry, really. I should not've done- done that with the mistletoe it was wierd. I'm s-sorry," he has to rush the last bit out because he can feel a sob bubbling up in his throat, barely gets it out before it racks his body and he's shivering.

"It's okay, Grian. You're okay, I'm okay. I wasn't uncomfortable at all, alright Gri?" He can't help but flinch at the nickname this time. "Hey, hey. I promise I wasn't uncomfortable, okay? I swear. It's alright. You weren't being weird, alright?"

He sobs again, being slowly drawn into a hug from Scar as the other cards through his hair. "You aren't weird at all, m'kay. It's a Christmas tradition, I just didn't notice the mistletoe. It doesn't make you weird for pointing it out."

He nods, silent against Scar as he draws in another breathe, and the another. He sucks more and more air into his lungs, black spots finally disappearing from his eyesight.

"And- and you promise? That it isn't weird?" His voice is shaky as he asks it, but he needs conformation. Doesn't care how many times it was said before this.

"I promise, you aren't weird and it wasn't weird to point it out okay?" He nods his head again, shoulders jolting as he feels lips press to his head. His eyes are wide, and he hugs Scar back as hard as he can, ignoring the electricity zipping along his body uncomfortably. Scar moves to kiss a different part of his head, slowly trailing his way down as Grian's snuffles slow down.

Hesitantly, he feels the lips press just below his templs, near his eye. Then he feels another a little lower and he melts into Scar, eyes slipping fully shut as he sighs. A few more kisses trail down his jaw to his cheek before there's a pause.

Then, slow enough Grian could move away if he wanted, there is a tentative press of lips to the corner of his mouth. Neither of them move for a few seconds.

Grian slowly pulls back from Scar, eyes opening to be half lidded as he stares at him, before slowly inching forward. He shifts his arms to be on either side of Scar, already pulling mostly into his lap from the hug but shifting so they are chest to chest. He stretched upwards, pressed a kiss to the bridge of Scar's nose before ducking down.

Unsure of what he's doing but wanting to try anyway, he leans in, kissing the corner of Scars lips before leaning back again. He presses another kiss to the same spot before shifting down slightly, pressing his top lip to Scar's bottom.

He can feel Scar's breath stop when he does it, amusement in his eyes as he glances to look at Scar's eyes, making sure what he had done was alright.

He pulls back, emotionally wrecked and ready to pass out. He shifts, shuffling back on the twin-size bed so that he's sitting down facing the foot of the bed. Scar is staring at him like he holds the universe in his palms, eyes wide and full of wonder. He looks downright dazed and Grian can't help but giggle.

He pats the bed next to him, inviting Scar over without words. Scar happily obliges, shuffling over and laying down next to him. There are lips pressed to his cheek again and he can't help but laugh.

Blinking down at Scar, he watches as their legs get purposely tangled and as arms settle around his chest. He quickly brings his lips up to Scar's, tilting his head to kiss him properly before pulling away so quick Scar doesn't register it until his face is already hidden away in the pillows and Scar's chest.

They fall asleep together like that.