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It had been one year since scar had been bound to his wheelchair, and being the optimist he is, he decided to throw a little party to celebrate the anniversary. Grian followed along with his husband's desire, even though he knew what that chair really meant for the both of them. One year since he had gotten sicker, one year closer to a guaranteed early departure.
But they still had time.
The doctors said with the right treatment and careful behavior, they could have a decade more to spend together.
Ten more years. Grian could come to terms with ten more years, even if he wished it was fifty, or fourty, or thirty, or even a day more than ten. But ten was better than nine, ten was better than five, ten was much better than nothing at all, so he would be fine with one last decade with the man he loved.
“G? Grian? Babe I think you zoned out again,” Scar said with a light hearted tone in his voice. He wheeled over to where his husband stood with a balloon in hand.
Grian snapped back to reality before quickly apologizing. “Sorry, sorry. I was just finishing up tying the balloons.” Grian dropped the one he had to the floor, letting it merge into the small sea of orange and green, both of Scar's favorite colors. Grian leaned down and gave Scar a quick kiss on the lips as a smile returned to his face. “When should people be getting here again?”
Scar glanced down at his wrist where his favorite watch laid. “Technically in about a minute, but I'm sure most will be late. Most.” Right on cue, the doorbell to their little house rang. “And there Mr. Punctual is!” Scar exclaimed before coughing at the sudden exertion.
Grian winced, always fearing the worst, but he laughed it off, trying to not let his husband see his constant fear.
Scar was already wheeling his way to the door before Grain started to walk over, beating him there with time to spare. “No fair,” Scar chuckled. Grian rolled his eyes while smiling as a response. Scar reached for the door handle before being stopped by Grian who grabbed it before him. “Y'know, I can still do stuff, right? I can get the door.” Scar wasn't necessarily mad or even upset about the situation, but he did wish Grain would let him do things without help a little more.
Grain gave a half genuine ‘sorry' as he always did when Scar brought up his more recent behavior. Before either of them could continue the sentiment, Grain pulled open the door, revealing a patiently waiting Cub. “Am I late?” Cub asked genuinely, glancing into the empty house.
“You literally never are,” Scar replied as he leaned forward to give Cub a hug as best he could. Cub swiftly repositioned himself to hug his best friend back as tight as he could. The sight made Grain smile, he admired their friendship so much, not too unlike his and Mumbo's, who just so happened to be walking up to their porch now.
Mumbo was followed by Pearl and Gem, who drove together. Soon after, Impulse and the rest of his little group showed up. Grian nor scar were too close with Zedaph but his presence was always welcomed. A scattered few others made appearances throughout the night.
Grian hovered in the corner, watching his husband having a great time with everyone. Sadly, Grian’s love for the man was equally matched by the fear that hovered in his chest anytime something bad could happen to Scar. He was so scared Scar would not be as careful as he should be tonight.
“Hey G,” Mumbo started. “You doing alright? I barely have heard you talk all night…” Mumbo's voice was slow but comforting.
Grian didn't look to his side where Mumbo stood. Rather, his eyes remained locked on Scar who was in the living room waiting his turn to do karaoke. “I'll- I'll be fine, it's just Scar I'm worried about. Do you think it's safe for him to be singing?” Grian finally looked at Mumbo and noticed his face shift from worry to a little disappointed at his question.
“Grian, you worry too much, okay? I think that Scar knows his limits, he's not going to put himself in harm's way.”
Grian sighed, not knowing if he could fully believe Mumbo, even if he wanted to. “Yeah, I suppose you're right. I'm just still scared it will be too much one of these times.”
Mumbo didn't respond, not wanting to stoke the fire Grian had brewing. Grain looked back towards Scar as he started to sing along to the words of some cheesy two thousand’s song. The knot in his chest pulled harder each time Grain could hear Scar coughing between verses.
The second Scar was done singing and rolled a little further away from the speaker Jimmy had brought, Grain made his way to him. He signed for Scar to join him in the hallway, just separate from the crowd. Scar hesitantly rolled over, knowing Grian was likely not too happy with him for one reason or another.
“Before you remind me, I already took my evening meds,” Scar said proudly, hoping that was all Grian had to say.
“No no, it's not that, I already checked to see if you did. It's just that- don't you think you're doing too much? To your body I mean. You were coughing a lot during your song.” Grian's eyes flickered to Jimmy, clearly upset that he would even let Scar participate.
Scar was starting to get pretty annoyed at all the concerns and worries Grian had. It felt almost as if he couldn't do anything without his overbearing husband saying he shouldn't. “I'm not a child, I know what I can handle.” Scar let the stern sound of his voice be known to the blond. He was getting rather tired of Grian never trusting him.
Grian knew he shouldn't argue, but he also just wanted Scar to see if from his side, how he saw the whole situation. “I know you're not a kid, I just don't want you to over exert yourself.” Grain reached down to hold Scar's hand, but Scar pulled it back before Grian could reach him. He was not in the mood for that right now, which was rare seeing as how Scar loved contact, always hugging when he could, and constantly asking for kisses.
Scar wheeled closer to Grain, causing him to stumble back, forcing the both of them further into the hall and placing more distance between them and the party going on. “Grain, this is my life. I am the one at risk, not you. You have no reason to be so paranoid.” Scar's voice bordered on hushed shouting, forcing more coughs to spill from the man. His eyes were starting to water, and he couldn't tell if it was because he was getting genuinely mad at the man he loved or because he needs to be reminded every day that he is a living countdown.
Grian could hear Scar’s breathing getting heavy and strained. He winced again when he heard Scar cough. “Scar, I have every right to be paranoid. I don't know what I would do with myself if you died.” Grian tried to reach out to Scar, already forgetting what happened last time.
Scar, of course, pulled away this time as well, but he was a little too rash. While retracting his arm, he hit it against his body, pulling his shoulder somewhat. Scar hissed in a breath through his teeth, it hurt a lot more than he was expecting. Grian couldn't help but blame himself for the pain. “Well, you better find out soon, because I'm not lasting forever.” His words were cold and harsh, and he meant every sharp edge.
“Scar! That's not fair—” he was cut off before he could explain himself.
“—No! What's not fair is you treating me like I can't do anything without the risk of me dying!” His voice was getting louder than it should have with company over, thankfully Pearl's poor singing was loud enough to hide it from most people. Most.
Cub somehow could still hear. Cub somehow could sense the tears welling up in his best friend's eyes. Cub somehow always knew when Scar could use some actual help. He walked over without a second thought, not like he was in the middle of anything anyways.
The moment Scar saw Cub, he grounded himself, knowing he could be more genuine with him. Once Cub was next to Scar, he asked a simple question that made Grian's heart drop in worry. “Hey, Cub, can I talk to you for a minute, in private preferably.” Scar shot Grian a glass with that last line.
He didn't want to, but Grian left the two alone, returning to the party. He saw as Scar and Cub rounded the corner, making sure their voices for sure would not be heard.
Grian made a b-line for Mumbo, who was happily chatting with Martyn, and pulled him away without asking. “Whoa whoa man, what's up?” Mumbo asked as he fixed the wrinkle in his dress shirt Grian had just made.
“I messed up, Mumbo. I messed up so bad.”
Mumbo could already tell what this was about, it was quite clear to him, and anyone who was paying any attention at all. “I'm sure it will be okay, Grian. He still loves you, even though you make him upset at times.”
“I didn't even say what I messed up-”
“It's pretty clear. Especially with our short ‘conversation’ earlier.” Mumbo used air quotes over the word ‘conversation', showing Grian that he was being quite inconsiderate, even if that's not what mumbo was hoping to convey. It was still a truth Grian needed to recognize.
“It's just- I don't want to lose him, Mumbo.” Grian fell forward slightly, trying to get a hug out of Mumbo. Of course he obliged, but Mumbo only offered a loose hug, not really a fan of physical affection.
Mumbo could hear Grian holding back tears, but chose not to mention it. Grian let go, releasing Mumbo from the uncomfortable situation. “Sorry, I know you don't like hugs all that much.”
“It's okay, you could definitely use one right now.” Mumbo held his tongue back, stopping himself from saying Scar needed one more.
“Im gonna, I'm gonna sit on the front porch to calm myself down. Sorry to pull you away from Martyn.” Grian began to walk away without waiting for Mumbo to respond. He nearly tripped on a balloon or two, but eventually he made it to the door.
As he walked through, he noticed something he wished he never needed to see. Cub, across the street, with Scar, who Grian could only assume was guiding his friend on how to help him inside based on his hand movements.
He watched from the porch, unable to bring himself to intervene. Slowly but surely, he watched Scar drive off, away from a home they forged together.
He continued to stand there as a tear or two found their way out of his eyes. Moments later, he got a text from his beloved husband that explained just enough.
>I hope you are enjoying the party, but I should let you know, I've left. I will be back, I promise, I love you too much not to, But I just need a break. I'm going to stay with Cub until then, he said he'll pick up my meds after he's already brought me to his place. I'm sorry and I love you, Grian
Grian looked at the screen hoping it was all fake. Scar sounded so genuine even in text, it made Grian concerned. He could trust that Scar would come back to him, but if he wanted him to stay, he needed to change his ways. Grian needed Scar to feel happy in their home, not only safe.