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Grian had been neglecting his wings for weeks now.
He hadn’t meant to in the first place – the new season of hermitcraft was a shock, and with Past Life ending neither one of his siblings were available to help him preen.
It hadn’t been that bad – maybe itchy, but bearable. It had only been recently where Grian had lost the ability to fly due to how bent they were – shooting pains down his entire being anytime he tried.
It was hell on earth, and he needed to get started on preening before there was permanent damage.
Grian sat alone in his nest – bending his right wing in front of him in order to start working on them. Every feather pulled out and straightened sent either a shiver down his spine, or a shooting pain throughout that section.
He was used to preening being a pleasant experience when done by someone else – not this.
Maybe it was the fact he was doing it by himself that made it so miserable – he’d never done his own wings before, as him Tim, and Pearl usually huddled together to fix each other's once a week – fixing them one by one with no issue.
Maybe he did need someone to help him.
Grian shook off the thought – taking in a breath to pull out a particularly nasty bend. He wasn’t able to reach some of the worst spots – annoying, but he'd manage.
Both of his siblings were off doing god knows what, and there was no other person with experience on the server to preen for him.
He didn’t want to bother anyone else with his unfortunate situation anyways – everyone was so busy getting their builds started, and creating ideas for the start of the season that there was zero chance anyone would be free.
A flurry of pained chirps flew out of Grian as he pulled out a perfectly healthy feather by accident. He’d gotten so lost in thought that he'd just begun pulling out feathers randomly without completely checking on their state.
Grian blinked back sleep, as he glid gentle fingers through his feathers to try and calm the stinging pain.
Maybe it would be a better idea to just embrace sleep, and think about this in the morning.
But if he put it off yet another night – then it would be worse the next, and then what? He’d be forced to bother someone at the last moment – likely making the whole thing worse rather than just doing it himself.
Grian sighed – laying back down onto his nest. The itching didn't subside as he crashed into the piles of soft blankets – in all honestly it got worse.
He huffed – sitting back up. It wasn’t quite night yet, and there was no way he would get sleep like this.
The sting from the mis-pulled feather was still aching his evergrowing pile of inconveniences. Maybe a healing potion would help. Do healing potions work if you're at full health?
Grian wasn’t sure when his ears had started ringing – it felt like they had been at it for a while now, but with no other sounds besides his breathing it was really hard to tell.
The knocking at the door certainly wasn't helping either.
Wait- knocking on the door?
Grian got up – quickly exiting his room, and walking up to the door to take a look through the peep-hole.
Scar was there – Scar was there, and holding a translucent box of fresh-baked cookies.
The hell was he doing here? Grian was well aware he looked like shit after the feathered fiasco, and he was not in the mood for any visitors like this.
But Scar had never really cared about things like appearance – and it might be nice to have a distraction from the pain that seemed to be growing instead of healing.
Against his better judgement – he opened the door for Scar.
Maybe Grian looked worse than he thought he did, as Scar’s grin dropped into a more concerned expression the moment he laid eyes on the avian.
“ What? “ Grian quipped – sounding a lot more snappy than he had meant to. His voice was slightly worse as well – having an underlying tone of hoarseness that wasn’t there usually.
Even though Grian had been harsher than he meant to – it seemed to work. Scar’s agape mouth quickly shut at the remark – making him stammer “ Sorry- man. I just er… Were you crying before I got here? “
Had he been crying?
The pain in his feathers was bad – sure, but he didn’t think that it had caused tears.
Grian wiped his hand against his cheek, and sure enough a drop of wetness was wiped away.
“ It’s nothing –” he lied “--just injured myself a bit. Nothing really “ The bile of the lie coarsed through his already dry throat – praying that Scar didn’t ask any clarifying questions.
Scar seemed to accept this excuse – nodding in understanding, “ Seems like I came here at the perfect time! I made a new recipe of cookies today, and needed a taste tester! “
Well if that wasn’t the perfect distraction from his problems – Grian wasn’t sure that was.
Grian moved out of the way of the door – allowing Scar to enter. The smell of the cookies had already begun to fill the house – that perfect mix of sweetness, and -something else Grian couldn't put a name to- that Scar seemed to always achieve in his baking.
Grian leaned against the counter – taking a bite of the cookies as soon as Scar offered it to him. The taste melted in his mouth – fighting the growing throbs in his wings with sweet delight.
Was the fact the pain was getting worse concerning?
Grian let out a pained wince, as his feathers seemed to be fighting each other – stinging, and throbbing, mixing together in a cruel agony.
Scar looked up from the cookie tin – “ What happened? Were they to hot-? shit- I knew I should have let them cool down more- “
Grian nearly choked as Scar rambled out apologies, “ It’s not your fault – the cookies are great, trust me. Just.. The injury I mentioned earlier is really trying to screw me over… “
Grian shrugged like it was no big deal, but the strained chirps his body sent out automatically gave him away near-instantly.
Scar was at Grian’s side in seconds – placing his hand right below Grian’s wings.“ What can I do to help-? “
Grian wanted to say that he was fine – that he didn’t need any help, but anything he tried to say was reduced to hopeless chirps.
“ G- Your wings… “ Scar whispered – afraid anything louder would disturb the avian even more than he already was.
“ It’s fine- “ Grian choked out – his voice trembling.
“ No- no it’s not… God’s G- how are you even functioning with your wings like this? I have enough common sense to know that this is hurting you. “ Scar was still speaking quietly – which may have been even more irritating to Grian than his wings.
Tears were streaming down Grian’s face again – there was no way in keeping the waterworks down this time, “ I can preen them myself- “ Grian was mimicking Scar’s quiet tone now in an attempt to not let him know the true extent of the pain.
“ G, I'm done with letting you push off your own needs like this. I don’t give a damn if you can ‘preen them yourself’ which I know is a lie – because if you could you wouldn’t be in this situation. “
Scar had finally stopped whispering – which may have been the wrong choice, as Grian’s ears were now ringing in a shared harmony of pain with his wings.
“ I’m fine- “ Grian started – before being cut off by Scar.
“ No you're not. Let me help you. “
Grian sighed – his resistance fading, “ Fine… “ He muttered– “ Do you know how to even do it? “ He looked back at Scar – who was smiling at the agreement.
“ I know enough about preening from the time I spent with Jimmy in Wildlife! I can’t promise that I can fix all of… this… but, I am certain that It’ll be better! “
Grian nodded. Tim’s wings were much smaller than Grians, but limited experience was better than no experience he supposed… “ If this is going to last a while, at least let me get comfortable… “
Scar had no issue with this – allowing Grian to guide him to his nest – picking up a few extra pillows on the way.
Grian practically collapsed into the nest – it was large, likely big enough to fit the both of them. Scar was standing awkwardly next to it before Grian made the motion for him to get in as well.
The nest was likely the most comfortable thing Grian had ever made – at least to him – he was sure that the piles of trinkets lining the edges made it uncomfortable to others, but he loved it with his whole heart.
Grian reluctantly spread out his wings for Scar to see – a few more pained chirps escaping him, as his wings spread out on either side.
He nearly melted as he felt Scar’s fingers run through his feathers in an attempt to assess the damages.
Gods- Grian forgot how good it felt to be preened by someone other than himself. Alone, it was just a chore, but this made it a thousand times better.
What was he even doing? Preening was meant to be reserved for family or mates. He was sure Scar didnt see him that way, but he was also sure that Scar didn’t really know the true meaning of preening either.
Grian could let himself fall onto the fantasy’s for a little while – letting his brain shut off as Scar plucked out a few old feathers.
They came out easily, and smoothly – way simpler than when Grian had tried to do it himself…
He was well aware of the mess his wings were – feeling Scar go under some of his feathers to reach the ruble, and dirt.
“ Is this alright? “ He heard Scar’s voice ask after a few minutes of preening. By then Grian was loopy, but not completely out of it – muttering a soft “ m’ fine… “
The chirps that accompanied the response made Scar pause – pulling his hands back, “ You sure- you’re chirping like you did before- “
Grian chirped again at the loss of contact – his half-melted brain becoming clearer at the loss to Grian’s dismay.
Ah. Scar’s only other reference to Grian’s bird noises was when he was experiencing all that pain. It made sense why he stopped – likely thinking his chirps automatically meant something bad – which was far from the truth.
“ Me chirpin’ doesn’t automatically mean I'm in pain, dimwit… Keep going. “ Grian couldn't be bothered to give a full explanation – desperate to return back to the preening.
Scar hesitantly began shifting Grian’s feathers again, “ If you say so… “
Grian melted under the touch once more – his mind fogging up the longer it went on. There was no way to track the time elapsed – Grian was practically floating in his half asleep state.
He had his eyes closed – a smile radiating off of him, as soft chirps escaped every now n’ then,
Grian’s entire being was on cloud nine – feather’s ruffling up with each touch – his limbs turning into jelly.
He was drifting in and out of consciousness now – being startled awake when the sensations stopped. Grian lifted his head to find his wings perfectly preened – Scar staring at them with a mix of proudness of his own accomplishment, and awe of the bright hues.
Grian – now completely out of it – mumbled a whiny plea for Scar to continue preening, even if everything was already fixed.
Scar didn’t hear him – making Grian lift up his wings to try and get Scar’s attention. This worked – making Scar look up, confused, “ What’s wrong, birdie? “
Grian didn’t have half the mental capacity needed for this conversation – instead he mumbled something in Japanese. When Scar didn’t seem to get it Grian repeated it, but louder – not processing that he was speaking the wrong language entirely.
Scar didn’t understand a word of the language Grian was berating him in – it was kinda cute to hear the avian loopily scold him in a foreign language, but after a few more attempts to get Scar to understand – he finally spoke up.
“ Er- english, please…? “ Scar received a facefull of feathers at this ask – Grian switching to scolding Scar in that same damn language.
Scar raised his hands, “ G-man- I don’t understand a word you're saying! “ Grian huffed – turning away from Scar.
After a beat of thinking without the tune of sounds Scar didn’t know the meaning to – Scar ran his hands along Grian’s feathers again – instantly making the avian smile and chirp once more.
“ Ah, so that’s what you wanted. “
Grian nodded – melting at the regained affection. Scar sighed – getting back to ‘work’ on the already preened wings. It was mostly just him petting Grian like a damn cat, but that didn’t mean Grian enjoyed it any less than he did before.
Grian continued to babble in Japanese – eventually giving Scar the bright idea to pull up a translator app on his phone. He was well aware it wasn’t entirely accurate, but who could blame him for wanting to know what the other was saying?
After a few more minutes – Grian seemed to be completely asleep. Scar lifted his hands away from Grian’s feathers – picking up his phone to see what the app said.
Scar nearly fainted when he read them.
Thank you my dear,
I love you so much, you know?
You’re the prettiest guy in the whole world.
You’re so perfect…
Grian had practically been pronouncing his love to Scar whilst Scar didn't even understand a chip of it!
Scar felt his heart flip, and flutter in ways it never had before. He remembered something Jimmy said during wildlife-
-”Preening, and nesting is reserved for family and mates”-
Scar was sitting in Grian’s nest, and preening him like it was perfectly normal! He should have processed it a while ago – something this intimate for Avians? Something this personal? Gods- Grain had practically thrown his heart straight into Scars hands, and he didn't catch a whiff of it.
Scar grinned love sickenly, flopping down on the nest – Grian’s nest – to look the Avian in his eyes. Grian was well asleep – leaving Scar alone with his thoughts.
“ You really do like me… “ Scar murmured to himself – twirling one of the feathers he’d plucked out in his hands – letting himself giggle softly. “ Well how about that?”
It was late, and processing all of these emotions took energy out of him. Maybe this was a conversation for the morning. Where they would both be awake.
Scar let his heavy eyes close – feeling his breath tangle with the avians, as he felt a wing wrap around him as a blanket.
—--------------------------------------
The warmth of the morning sunlight scattered across the room. Grian had forgotten to shut the blinds before falling asleep.
Grian blinked away the dots in his vision – squinting until the sun's wrath subsided. Once his vision cleared, and he got his mind back into the right place – he was able to process the position he was in.
Scar was sleeping directly beside him – Grain’s own wing covering the other instead of a proper blanket.
Memories rushed into Grian like an alarm bell piercing his brain.
He’d let Scar preen his wings – he had let him into his nest. The night before was hazy – filled with sensations of his wings being pet, and… And oh god he had confessed to Scar in his dreary haze.
Scar didn’t know Japanese, right? If he had he would have left, or shaken Grian back to consciousness, or said something!
Scar held one of Grian’s busted-up feathers in his hand. Grian didn’t even think he was reaching for the feather he’d accidentally pulled out before Scar had arrived.
He replaced the feather Scar had with the more pristine one – swiping off the blood it had from being ripped out prematurely.
Grian just stared at the sleeping man holding his feather. It gave him a similar type of euphoria that preening did – this one just allowing him to be more clear headed.
Scar didn’t know avian customs, so it was fine. He wouldn’t know what it meant, and he didn’t have to.
Grian was about to fall back asleep – before hearing the yawn of Scar next to him. Grian sat back up in order to poke the other fully to consciousness before he fell asleep again.
“ G’morning sleepyhead, “ Grian’s voice was still odd following the events of yesterday, but it wasn’t too obvious.
Scar stretched – smiling at the avian with an expression that was all too knowing. “ Morning! “ There was the tiniest bit of hesitation – mixed with tightness in his voice that was a dead givaway there was something that hadn’t been said.
“ What? “ Grian sat up straight, “ You’re acting like somethin’ is off. “
There was no way anything happened – Grian knew that he didn’t speak English while getting preened, and Scar didn’t know a lick of Japanese.
“ Sorry- “ Scar stammered “ -Just… something that happened last night… “
Maybe something did happen. Grian gestured for Scar to continue – leaving the other thinking for a moment.
“ Well… You were babbling in another language, and I decided to google translate it, and… “ Scar pulled out his phone – letting Grian read what the translations turned out to be. “ Is all of this… true? “
Grian’s face turned bright red when reading what he himself had said in his delirious state. His heart was racing – rethinking his whole life before spattering out a mix of apologies, and rushed confirmation of the words.
His eyes were locked onto the nest – not wishing to face Scar whatsoever.
It wasn’t until he glanced up that Scar was also sharing the blush Grian had. Scar seemed to have shut down – going through emotions faster than Grian could process them.
“ …You go- “ Grian started
Scar cut him off – half yelling, “ I love you. “
They stared at each other in agonizing silence – Grian couldn’t even process it before Scar seemed to process what he had just admitted.
“ I… I know you were in a delirious state last night, but I just- I have liked you for so long, and after that – I feel like I would have combusted if I had held it in any longer, and I- “
Scar continued to ramble – his words becoming white-noise behind Grian’s thoughts.
The man Grian had loved for years was now stammering out rushed apologies – his skin becoming redder with blush by the second. Grian was sure his own heated-red face wasn’t any better, but seeing Scar like this after pining for how many years?
It was like all of his dreams were coming true.
The fantasy’s Grian had that kept him up were all unveiling themselves at this moment. Scar, the most perfect, idiotic, man he’d ever meant was unraveling in front of him. Grian just couldn’t help himself.
Grian cupped Scar’s cheeks with both his hands – smiling dreamingly at the other whilst Scar slowly began to slow down his ramblings.
“ Scar, you are the most idiotic person I've ever encountered. “ Scar winced slightly at the insult, but Grian continued. “ But… you’re also the most lovable fellow I've ever met. Please – stop your apologies, and let me say this as clearly-headedly as I can. “
There was a beat of silence – letting anticipation build up like fireworks ready to either blast into the sky, or blow up everyone around it.
“ I love you. More than you could ever believe I do. “
Scar simply stared at Grian – eyes twinkling with joy, as his shocked face turned into pure joy. Scar opened his mouth to speak – stopped, then tried again, “ Really-? “ He choked out – voice hoarse from the rollercoaster of emotions so early in the morning.
Grian nodded in confirmation – letting the silence of the room fall upon them in blissful comfort. It had been a while since Grian had been this comfortable – felt this loved.
The sun was fully risen now – letting light shine through evenly instead of rays randomly dotting the room.
Grian’s gaze dropped down to Scar’s lips – watching as the man’s grin continued to develop. Scar seemed to get the message after a moment – his own line of sight dipping down to follow where Grian was looking.
Grian brushed a piece of Scar’s hair out of his face – letting it fall in with the rest of his bed-head. Scar’s hair was messy – the usual shoulder length being scrunched up from tangles.
“ You're a mess, “ Grian murmured – not really caring too much.
Scar scoffed, “ You’re not one to be talking “ he ran his hand through Grian’s dirty-blonde hair – demonstrating how it got stuck after only a couple inches of movement.
Scar rested his hand where it got trapped by tangles – right behind Grian’s head-wings. Grian felt his feathers puff up – a few trills escaping him before covering it up with laughter.
Grian leaned in a tad so his hair would be less strained against Scar's hand – looking up into his half-lidded eyes.
The feather Grian placed in Scar’s hold earlier was still resting lazily in the hand that wasn't in use. Grian picked in up easily – moving to tuck it behind Scar’s ear.
“ Claiming me as yours now? “ Scar teased.
“ Smthin’ like that. “ Grian responded breathlessly – admiring how perfectly that piece of him sat on Scar.
Grian looked back up to the other – smiling to himself. Their heavy breathing mixed together – warm air heating the area around them.
Scar leaned forward – his lips brushing against the avians as a way to ask for permission. Before he backed out, or assumed for some ungodly reason that made Grian uncomfortable – Grian connected the two together in a spark of energy.
Heaven's gates practically opened as they melted into each other. The world silent besides for the careful shuffles of covers.
The sun seemed to bend to their will – cascading down the room in perfect harmony to the earth flipping upside down.
Grian couldn’t count how many times he imagined this moment – how many times he had wished for this to be true. In all honesty – he didn’t feel the need to recall the lonely nights he spent begging for connection.
Because now? Now he had it.
They parted too soon – much quicker than either would have wanted, but it all felt so right. The timing of it all came natural, as if they were made for eachother.
They were made for each other. There was no other explanation in question besides that.
Grian adjusted the feather he’d put behind Scar’s ear. It had nearly fallen in the heat of the moment. Scar chuckled as Grian tried to get it perfect – he couldn’t begin to describe just how wonderful it felt to know Grian cared this much about the feather.
It made sense. It was a piece of him placed into Scar’s care – of course the avian would care so much about it. Scar thought about turning it into an earring, so it wouldn’t fall out in the wind, or any other series of misfortunate events.
That would be an endeavor for another time – now he just had to focus on the man right in front of him.
The man he had just confessed his love to.
Scar attempted to remove his hand from Grian’s hair – before the other forced it back with a huff. He chuckled as the avian leaned into the touch.
“ So… “ Scar started, “ What does this mean for us? “
Grian blinked – “ Isn’t it obvious? “ he half-teased.
“ Yeah- but well! “ Scar stammered. He sighed, regaining his composure with a soft chuckle. “ Yeah, I guess it is obvious, isn't it? “
Grian nodded – gently pulling Scar back into the nest to lay down. Scar followed him down reluctantly, “ Grian its morning. We have to get up. “
The Avian hushed Scar, “ Don't care. “ He placed a silencing finger on Scar’s lips. “ Five more minutes then we’ll get up. Plus do you really want to get to work after that? “
Scar gave into Grian’s calls for extra sleep as easily as he had melted into the kiss. Five minutes really didn't matter, and spending those five minutes with Grian seemed to be the entrance to heaven all over again.
They closed their eyes – that 5 minutes quickly turning into an hour. Then two.
Before either knew it they had slept half the day away in a mess of tangled limbs, and half-asleep cuddles.
Neither of them really cared about how much of the day was gone, as long as they were able to spend it with each other.