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Really, Scar didnt know what other course of action would fix this situation.
It was honestly for the best. This way, Grian couldn't get hurt by Scar's clumsy actions. Scar was being the best possible soulmate.
He'd brought enough food for at least a few days, and besides, he was fairly sure Grian would be eating regularly anyway.
The whole 'separated soulmates' thing could work. Look at Scott and Pearl, while reasonably dysfunctional, they still were both alive. Pearl seemed to be doing fine alone (though Scar wasn't too sure, he hadn't talked to her in a while) and Scott was simply thriving. It would work, especially because this was for the good of his soulmate.
It was better this way. Better for the both of them. Scar could sit in this dark hole until it was just the two of them left.
Wait. Dark?
Sluggishly, Scar fumbled around for a torch. He wouldn't be doing his best for Grian if monsters crawled up from the ground and took a nibble!
He stood as carefully as he could, gripping the wall of the cave. He was trying his best not to bump himself on any stray rocks, not wanting to cause any unnecessary damage to Grian.
His leg ached. Stupidly, he'd forgotten his cane in the rush to leave before Grian got home from BigB's.
BigB. That was another reason Scar had left.
If Grian was happy with him, Scar could try to be happy for him too. He was used to pushing down his own feelings, after all.
He stumbled around for a bit, placing torches here and there. Perfect, no monsters were getting in here!
After expending his energy, Scar slumped back against the rocks.
It was cold in here. Drafty. To be fair, it was a cave. Still, Scar closed his eyes.
He missed his Jellies. They were warm. He wouldn't be cold if he was on the surface. He wouldnt be cold near them.
If he tried hard enough, he could almost imagine the warmth of Grian's smile directed towards him.
While he was an arsonist at heart, Scar did not trust himself not to accidentally burn himself while lighting it, so he simply shivered in the empty silence.
Grian deserved a better soulmate. One the was more competent than him. One that didn't forget to take breaths while swimming and one that could chop a tree without nicking himself.
He deserved someone less useless than Scar.
Scar winced as a phantom hit of pain barrelled into his shoulder. That felt like an arrow, a skeleton's arrow.
Must be nighttime, though there was no way to tell in the cave.
Reflexively, he reached over to eat some food to replenish his health, and by extension, Grian's.
He was being a good soulmate.
Chew. Chew. Swallow. Repeat.
It didn't matter Scar was sitting in a cold cave alone staring at the wall. All that mattered was keeping Grian alive.
He owed him as much.
The first thing Grian noticed when he found Scar was the smell.
Stacks of food, once fresh, half hanging out of chests. Tucked in the back next to them was a small, curled up figure.
"Scar?"
Scar did not reply. Carefully, Grian tiptoed over. Scar didn't react even slightly.
Scar looked... awful. Broken. Lost.
He'd never seen his soulmate look so.. hopeless.
Dark circled populated under his eyes, and his normally fluffy curls were flat with grease.
Grian crouched, tilting his head.
Dull green eyes finally met his, and Grian tried for a comforting smile.
Scar simply blinked back at him, silent.
"You okay?"
What a stupid question. Scar shrugged anyway.
"Mhm."
Grian bit his lip, shifting anxiously.
"You, uh, planning to come home any time soon?"
Scar shook his head, automatically reaching for a piece of long dried up pork.
Grian hadn't noticed his hunger dwindling, but Scar sure had.
Grian caught his hand, gently lacing their fingers together. The pork fell to the floor, and Scar made a wounded noise.
"Hey."
He started. Scar's hands trembled in his own, and he didn't look Grian in the eyes.
"What's wrong, Scar? You've been out here for.. I haven't seen you in weeks. Why won't you come home?"
Scar hiccupped, a sob finally escaping him. He melted in Grian's arms, beginning to cry.
Grian carefully rubbed circles into his back.
"S'its stupid, really."
Scar croaked, voice muffled in Grian's sweater.
"Just wanted to be a good soulmate. I get hurt all the time, G, and you don't deserve someone who's constantly injuring himself."
Grian shushed him gently, shifting to patting his back instead.
"Scar, I dont care about that. The base is boring and quiet without you. The Jellies miss you. I miss you, Scar."
Scar lifted his head, still sniffling.
"But-"
"No buts. Come home."
After a moment where Grian thought he would refuse again, Scar finally nodded.
Grian released a breath he didn't know he was holding, and offered his arm to Scar, who took it gratefully.
"Thanks. I left-"
"- your cane at home. I know."
The walk (well, shuffle) back home didn't take too long. Scar sat on his bed with a sigh, finally being reunited with his Jellies and Grian had left him exhausted.
"Uh, thank you for coming to get me."
He said quietly, watching Grian move around the kitchen. Grian hummed quietly to show he was listening, and turned to face Scar.
"It's alright, really. I missed you."
Scar nodded, a yawn building in his throat at the motion. He sighed slightly, placing his cane next to the wall.
"Do you mind if i..?"
"Oh, go ahead."
Scar nodded gratefully, already snuggling down into the bed. His head felt heavy, and he was, so, so tired. Sleeping in a warm and comfortable bed was so much nicer than the cave, and sleep took him in only a few moments.
Scar snored quietly, provoking a slight giggle from Grian. He turned back to the counter with a hum, casting his gaze to the cooling rack in the corner.
He thanked his past self for having the hindsight to cover it before he went to retrieve Scar. The man wasn't that bright, but he could probably figure out what Grian baking a batch of cookies meant.
Humming softly, he moved over to scoop them into a bag.
He was sure his secret soulmate would enjoy them very, very much.