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‘Finally!’ Scar thought as he put the finishing touches to his base. It still has a long ways to go but he is satisfied with the work he accomplished. Putting away the materials, he stretches his aching muscles and starts making his way toward Mumbo’s base. More or less to show off his current build, but also to spend time with his partner, just the thought of either lover puts a smile on Scars face.
As he enters his partner's base he is quickly distracted by the level of intricacy Mumbo has created, his attention to detail has improved with every new season. Scar couldn't help but feel a sort of pride for Mumbo’s developed building skills and storytelling. Eventually, Scar managed to locate Mumbo, smiling when he saw Grian too.
Two of his lovers together? What a bonus!
Scar then came up with a hilarious idea that he was going to scare both of them, since they didn't know that he was present. Scar hid around the corner of Mumbo’s barn, both of their voices audible for him to finally hear.
“Mate, I don't know how long I can take this? I mean I thought that he was annoying before and I was able to roll with it, but now?” Mumbo exclaimed with an annoyed huff. Grian chimed in, “I know exactly what you mean. Always showing up at worse times and making our lives more insufferable, and don't get me started on the stuff he tries to sell to people.”
Scar was intrigued, who exactly were they talking about? They must be quite the character if they're causing strain for both of them.
Grian continued, “I didn't even want to include him, did you?” Mumbo shrugged, “At the time but now he's just down right useless. Well, some stuff that is.”
Scar was engrossed in their conversation now. Who or what in the world are they talking about? He could see Grian talking like this, but this person must be quite the pain for Mumbo to exhaust as well.
“Gem seems tolerable towards him.” Mumbo said. Grian looked at him, “Gem is tolerable towards everyone, honestly if it wasn't for Bdubs using him I'd kill him when I get the chance cause I know he doesn't have much to offer!”
Mumbo huffed out a laugh, “You’re not wrong there, mate.”
Scar was really trying to piece together who could they possibly be talking about. Are they talking about a mob? That seems more reasonable, villagers can be a pain to deal with especially if you’re trying to trade for good deals. But something about the way they were talking seemed personal. Could it be another hermit? No, they wouldn't talk so badly about them behind their back. At least he didn't think so.
Then, a thought crossed Scar’s head that made his blood run cold, were they talking about him? No. Of course not. They both loved him very much and they would never bad mouth him or anything like that, there was no use of entertaining the idea.
But the more he thought of it, what they were saying made sense. His antics, how people typically treat him, but they were just jokes and they didn't have issues with it in the past. Unless he overlooked it, there was some stuff that he was unable to catch. Was this one of them? Scar walked away before either noticed his presence, abandoning the idea of scaring Mumbo and Grian.
When he entered his base, he crawled into his bed and thought of all the times they had together. Were they real? Or did they go along with it to please him? He thought of his time with Mumbo and Grian. Their adventures, their moments together, once fond memories he would smile at, now leaving a pit of dread in his heart.
He and Mumbo didn’t spend a lot of time together before they became a thing, in fact he remembered a lot of their times together were mostly because of Grian and they didn’t officially interact with each other until they started dating. They were two different people but he thought that the differing personalities managed to balance itself out. And Grian, he had more time with him than Mumbo but he always thought that Grian was having fun when they got into mischief. All those moments with him, he really thought that they were just bonding and having fun.
Now that he thought about it, those two were always close, even before he came along. Did he force himself into the relationship? No, Mumbo said that they invited him in, but now that the honeymoon phase is over, I guess they're starting to realize that they don't want him in the relationship anymore.
Scar clutched his pillow, quiet sobs escaping into the room. His heart hurt badly, his face was hot, and he felt like he was going to suffocate. Despite his base essentially being sound proof, he tried his best to muffle his cries. He didn't want to leave but he didn't want to make them miserable too. On top of that he felt terrible that he was putting them through this and never considered their feelings.
He was eventually able to calm down a bit enough to drag himself out the bed to take a shower. Feeling the warm water hit his back, he was able to think a little clearer. With a steady breath and a silent tear rolling down his cheek, he made the decision to pull away from Mumbo and Grian.
The next few days, Scar was able to do that for them, only engaging if they wanted to engage. Even though he was agreeable for most of the requests, the only thing he had to turn down was some ‘alone time’ with the both of them, understandably, they both gave him looks at the beginning of it all. Anytime either of them were expecting a kiss, Scar would avert his attention to something else or turn it into a hug. This proved to be easier in a private interaction than the public. Anytime either of them were noticeably flirting with him he had to faint innocents and pretended that he didn't understand what they were talking about. Over time however, they both began to understand his ‘boundary’.
If they need space away from him, then he will give them that space. He will not suffocate them anymore and will allow them to move on at their own pace.
It was a cool afternoon, the wind decided to pick up which helped Scar immensely after building the entrance to the Shopping District. With the construction of the shopping district he was finally able to distract himself with other projects and get things done that he hadn’t been able to beforehand.
The sound of hooves captured his attention, when he turned toward the source he saw Bdubs on his horse. Putting his shovel down, he began making his way toward his friend.
“Bdouble0! What do I owe the pleasure?”
Bdubs looked at Scar, “Don't tell me that you're still going with the bit?” Scar laughed, “Nah, I'm just messing with you.” Bdubs breathed a sigh of relief, “Good. Don't ever call me that again otherwise we really can't be friends anymore.” Scar snorted.
Bdubs straightens himself, “I see you've been busy as of late.” Scar beamed, “Oh yes! It's in its early phase but I think that this will be the most splendid district on the server!”
Bdubs nodded, “That's good. Anything else happening as of late?”
Scar thought for a moment, “Well, I've been thinking about expanding my base but that's all stuff you already know.”
Bdubs nodded but ultimately unsatisfied with the response, “You sure? No new thing going on? No new deadlines? No…?” Scar looked at his friend, unsure of what he was expecting but continued, “No, just this really.”
Bdubs huffed out in annoyance, “Ok, I'm gonna be honest with ya. Grian sent me here to talk to ya.”
That was a sentence he wasn’t prepared for, suddenly his throat became dry and his hand felt clammy. But he tried to remain composed in front of his friend.
“Why didn't he come himself?” Scar couldn't help but jump to conclusions.
“Don’t know, but he wanted me to talk to you.” Was this how they were going to break up with him, through his best buddy? Is this what they ment by Bdubs being more ‘tolerable’ around him? He knew that it was eventually coming, but this was sad. Guess he had it coming though.
Scar must have spaced out too long because he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder and seeing a look of concern crossing Bdubs face, “Scar is everything ok?”
Scar couldn't explain what happened next, because the next thing he knew a titlewave of emotions flooded him, sadness, bitterness, hurt, without thinking he threw himself into Bdubs and sobbed in his arms. Despite his confusion and surprise at his friend's sudden outburst, Bdubs held him trying to soothe his friend.
When Scar managed to regain some composure, shame coursed through his veins as he realized that once again, he was making himself more sufferable to those around him.
With shaky hands he let go of Bdubs and appologized for his sudden outburst, but Bdubs was not taking any of that. He knew Scar better than most to know that it takes a lot to break him down like this, so whatever happened to him and his partners must have seriously left Scar in such distress.
Bdubs gently but firmly grabbed Scar’s hand, “Scar, buddy, is everything alright?”
Scar wanted to tell him everything, about the conversation, his conclusion, him pulling away, the isolation, but that word kept popping up in his head, ‘tolerable’. Just like what Bdubs is doing right now, carrying out a task like an obligation because Mumbo or Grian couldn’t be bothered with it.
Scar shook his head, trying to loosen his grip on Bdubs hand, “I’m fine. Just communal stress is all, I don’t want to take too much of your time. I know you must be busy with your projects and all.”
Bdubs never let go of his hand, “Why don’t we take a break then?” That tone, that look, Scar couldn’t help but feel more and more guilty for using up Bdubs time.
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
Scar didn’t answer. Bdubs finally looked at Scar, really looked at him, he could see the dark edges forming under his eyes and his smile now strained.
“Scar, when was the last time you slept?”
Scar looked at him, “Last night. By that tree.” The tree in question contained a little tent and a sleeping bag with some essencials. This wasn’t uncommon for hermits to camp out outside of their developing projects, but this was usually the case if they didn’t have their base established, and last he checked Scar absolutely had a roof to sleep under.
“Scar, why aren’t you sleeping in your base?”
Scar looked away but Bdubs urged.
“Scar..?”
“...I don’t like sleeping alone.” Scar meekly said.
Bdubs was confused now, “Why not call Grian or Mumbo?”
Scar flinched at the question, tears ready to fall again.
“Scar, is everything alright with you guys?”
Scar scoffed, “No. And apparently it has never been.”
“What are you talking about?”
Scar breathed in one more time, what does he have to lose? “They don’t want me anymore. Apparently, I’m too annoying and insufferable to be around,” Scar couldn’t stop the tears from escaping now, “And from the looks of things, everyone around me just endures my troubles. I mean, I know I can be slow at times but I didn’t mean to be so…” Scar was unable to finish his sentence now that the flood works were going again.
Bdubs stared in horror at his friend’s confession, “Scar, I want you to know that you are one of my best of friends. And I’m not saying that to cheer you up, you genuinely are a delightful person to be around.” Scar looked at Bdubs seeing sincerity in his face, “I don’t know why Grian or Mumbo would say that, but I’ll tell you what they are both gonna get a piece of my mind when I see them again.”
“Look, you don’t–”
“Let me stop you there. No one, and I mean no one, is going to talk to my friend like that and put all this self deprecating crap in his head. I already told both of them at the start of your relationship that I was going to hurt them if they hurt you, and it is obvious that the promise will come tenthfold.” Bdubs said, crossing his arms.
Scar laughed at his friend's declaration, and as much as he appreciated Bdubs looking out for him, he just dumped a lot of emotional bagage that has been festering these past few weeks, this looks like an issue to tackle for another day.
Bdubs seemed to pick up on his exhaustion and nudged his friend, “You look like a mess. Why don’t we go back to your base, get you a nice hot shower and get some sleep, in an actual room for once.”
Scar rubbed his face, feeling the weeks worth of fatigue weighing him down, “I honestly can’t tell you when was the last time I had a good night’s rest this season.”
“Come on man, you look like you need it.”
Scar and Bdubs entered the base and everything was exactly as he left it, minimal storage lying around but not clean enough to say it was tidy.
Starting with a shower, Scar caught his reflection in the mirror and he can definitely see signs of exhaustion on his features. Stepping in the shower and feeling the hot water running down his aching body as weeks of tension seemingly poured off of him was exactly the relief Scar was looking for.
Once he was done, an enticing smell guided him toward his kitchen where he found his friend casting a death glare at his communicator, “Everything ok?” Bdubs looked up, surprised by the sudden intrusion, “Yes! Yes.”
Bdubs pulled Scar into his kitchen and handed him a bowl of rabbit stew. Scar stared at the bowl, the thoughts of what Grian said still haunting him, ‘tolerable’, Mumbo’s voice started to cross his mind too, ‘pitiful’. Scar looked at his buddy again, seeing that he’s fixing himself a portion, a soft smile crossing his face as he made his way toward Scar. The more Scar examined his friend, the more he realized the sincerity in it.
Upon that realization, a surge of anger and sadness washed over Scar at how he behaved these past few weeks, crying over people that didn’t even care about him in the first place. And in turn, made him hurt the people that actually cared for him.
Scar can feel hot tears roll down his cheeks, feeling utterly ridiculous for causing such distress for Bdubs and possibly other Hermits that saw him in such a shape. Scar felt a soft hand grasp his own, but he didn’t need to look up to know that Bdubs was trying to help ground his friend.
Scar woke lighter than ever, for a split second he forgot where he was until he recognized some of the decor he put up for his room. It was nice not sleeping outside or worrying about mobs killing you in your sleep for once, the bed was far more comfortable than the ground or any tree branch.
Despite the physical comfort his room brought, it didn’t emotionally soothe him. Looking at his big, empty bed, Scar felt hollow. Not sadness, anger, or even longing, but seeing the reality that Mumbo and Grian not waking up next him, shifted something inside Scar that he can’t quite place.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door, his first thought was Bdubs since he was the one that did take care of him at his lowest. Scar got out of bed and headed toward the door, the image of his friend putting a soft smile on his face. He definitely needs to repay him somehow, but what would he want in return?
Scar allowed to let his thoughts wander the closer he got to the door. Upon opening it, he was shocked to find that Bdubs was not there but Mumbo and Grian. Despite trying to put on a friendly face for him, they were both hesitant and weary to see him.
Mumbo spoke up first, “Hey, Scar. Do- Do you have a minute?” Grian finally looked up at him, his eyes holding a silent plea. Scar didn’t say anything but did move to the side to allow both of them in.
They all gathered in his kitchen, Mumbo and Grian sitting by the table while Scar went to his coffee station. He didn’t need to ask how they liked their beverage, they both preferred tea and he knew how they liked it. After 5 minutes of preparing all beverages, Scar came to the table and placed each cup to each person. Mumbo gave a small thank you and Grian gave a nod.
They sat in silence for a while, Scar was nervous to look at either of them. Unsure what brought the visit or their attitudes, but Scar took a sip of his coffee, swallowed his nerves and finally looked at them, “I’m surprised you two are here.”
Mumbo looked like he was ready to say something but Grian cut him off, “Of course, we were concerned for you.” Mumbo added on, “Yeah, I mean, we haven’t seen you in a while only to have Bdubs tell us what happened to you.”
Scar felt his whole body stiffen, suddenly the reason of him staring at his communicator made a lot more sense, “What all he told you guys?”
Mumbo winced, “Not a whole lot, but he was really angry at us and that you were a mess because of it.”
Scar chuckled, Bdubs really is like a big brother.
“Scar, I don’t know what’s going on or what we did but we want to help and make this right, however we can,” Mumbo said. Scar suddenly felt Mumbo trying to hold his hand and he quickly pulled it back without thinking, the action captured both their attention. “Scar, what’s going on?” Grian said, the softness in his voice captured Scar off guard, a sound that he once loved now filled him with resentment as it felt that they were now mocking him.
Scar really did his best to remain neutral but he can feel all his thoughts and feelings ready to burst out his throat. It was bad enough that they had to mock him then, what makes them think it’s good to baby him now?
“Look, you two don’t have to keep this up,” Scar can feel his eyes welling up but did his best to keep them down, “I know that you guys are fed up with me anyway. So, to make things easier for all parties, I’m removing myself from the relationship.”
A mixture of shock and– devastation? No, they’re probably just thrilled to get rid of him and just can’t believe Scar is actually going with– “What…” Again that gentle tone that Grian uses for their private moments, but something was off about it. He looks genuinely hurt, Mumbo too.
Scar straightened himself and continued, “Yeah, I know that you two are not thrilled with our current arrangements so I will be leaving–”
“Scar! What the hell!” Grian shouted, tears running down his face.
Mumbo spoke up, voice cracking in the process, “Scar, why would you think that we want you to leave?”
Scar was confused by their reactions, but hearing their frustration made him equally frustrated. “You two said it yourselves that you were tired of me. And I know I can be a bit ‘much’ but I’d hope that you guys had the decency to actually tell me what’s wrong instead of making me think that everything was ok.”
“Scar, we would never-”
“Stop! Just stop!” Scar pinched the bridge of his nose in an attempt to stop the tears from falling. Once he collected himself, he continued, “I literally heard you two talking a few weeks ago. ‘I don't know how long I can take this?’, ‘I didn't want to include him’ sounds familiar yet?”
At this point Scar didn’t care if he was rude now, they hurt him first. Grian and Mumbo shared similar confusions, “When have we–”
“Oh, and my personal favorite, ‘Gem seems to tolerate him, so does Bdubs’,” Suddenly a look of realization washed over Grian. “Oh, did you suddenly remember now? Because I gave Bdubs hell thinking that that part was true,” Scar spat, no longer hiding his anger.
“Scar! You got it wrong!” Grian fussed.
“Really cause it sounded like–”
“Scar, we weren’t talking about you!” Grian confessed.
Scar looked at him, his brain short cercuiting for a moment before the words seem to translate in his brain, “What?”
“Yeah, we weren’t talking about you.” Grian repeated himself calmly, seeing Scar not as aggitated, “We were talking about the Wandering Villager and their new mechanics.”
A look of realization and horror washed over Mumbo as he realized what conversation he was now referencing, “Wait, you were there when we had that conversation?”
Anger now dissipated, but he was still skeptical, “I-I guess, but wait- Why were you two talking like it personally insulted you or something?”
Grian scoffed, “Have you not seen the random places they’ve popped up at, on top of that their trades are a lot worse than before.” Mambo nodded in agreement, “And even if we weren't talking about them, what made you think we would ever talk like that toward you?”
“I– I don’t…” Scar had to blink a few times to make sure he was hearing this right, but truth be told he didn’t have an answer to that. At the time it just made sense with what they were referencing, but now he felt silly even comparing himself to that conversation.
Scar looked down at his warm coffee, feelings jumbling in him. Doubt, joy, anger, embarrassment.
“So… You weren’t talking about me?”
“No, we weren’t.”
That same feeling from yesterday came back tenfold, but for a completely different reason. He felt utterly horrible for thinking that either partner thought differently of him. On top of that, making them go through all that unnecessary drama that could’ve been resolved if he came forward.
“I’m so sorry!” Scar sobbed.
Grian and Mumbo were quick to grab his hands, “Hun, you have nothing to be sorry for.” “Yeah, you didn’t know.”
“But I should have! Instead I just jumped into conclusions and it got everyone hurt including you guys.”
Mumbo rubbed his thumb over Scar’s hand, trying to soothe his distressed lover, “Yes, you could have come to us. But we didn’t reach out either, you’re not entirely to blame here.”
“It’s just… What if this happens again? That my next assumption will officially tear us apart?”
Grian chuckled, “Scar you know how many times I’ve been wrong on things?”
“That’s different.”
“Is it? Because I remember the last time we had a big falling out like this was because I was upset for being a sore loser for the latest life series and you remember how fun that was.”
Scar remembered the aftermath, after everyone went back to their designated servers Grian isolated himself for a few days. It wasn’t until he and Mumbo went to his base to figure out what happened only to result in tensions running high over a game.
“Scar, we have our moments but just know that there is nothing you could do to drive us away.”
Scar looked up at the both of them, “Is that a promise?”
“Cross my heart, hope to die,” Grian said, drawing an X over his chest.
“What he said,” Mumbo said with a chuckle.
For the first time in weeks, Scar felt like he was able to breathe. He still felt bad for the whole thing and what he put them through but he is confident in their sincerity to trust them again and move forward.