Rain's Writing Archive

We Made It (Faking It Was A Good Idea After All)

Originally posted to Ao3 on 4/19/2023. Completed on 4/19/2023.

A/N: im so excited for this to be posted like jshekhdjhsjdhdks

An unexpected tap on the shoulder causes Scar to whirl around, inadvertently hitting his head on the lid of the chest he was rummaging through. Luckily, his hard hat protected him from the brunt of the impact, but that didn't mean that it didn't hurt.

(He had just needed a few more stacks of dirt. He could've sworn there was some in this chest!)

But, dirt aside, Scar comes face-to-face with the person that had startled him so bad.

It's Mumbo. Why the man hadn't given him any heads-up that he'd be coming around, or even called out to him before tapping his shoulder, Scar didn't know.

The man is standing up straight, shoulders squared, like a soldier about to go to battle. Scar can't help but wonder what's gotten him like this.

"Hey Mumbo!" Scar greets, an easy smile on his face, "What brings you around here?"

"I'm going to confess to Grian," Mumbo says without any preamble.

Scar's jaw practically hits the floor.

Finally, finally , his patience is being rewarded. This might just be the best day of his life already.

"Whoa, that's one heck of a U-turn! What brought this on?"

"W-well, I was thinking… This whole jelousy thing- it isn't working. If I ever want to shoot my shot, I'm just going to need to bite the bullet and, well, do it!" Mumbo tells him, false enthusiasm covering his nervousness.

 Scar grins, a warmth growing in his chest that's somewhere between love and pride.

"...But-" And Scar's heart sinks into the deepest pit of his stomach, "-I don't know how to go about it… Like, what should I say? Just walk up to him, say that I've been in love with him for years, and then just- just keep talking like nothing happened?"

Mumbo runs a hand though his hair, and starts to pace. Back and forth, back and forth in front of Scar, gesturing wildly as his words become frantic.

"What if he doesn't love me back? Then it'll be awkward between us- I don't want things awkward between us!"

"Mumbo…"

 "A-and even if he doesn't like me, that's alright, but what if he doesn't want to be friends anymore?! What if he hates me?!"

"Mumbo!"

 "I don't- I-"

" Mumbo !" Scar shouts, and it finally seems to break him out of the spiral he'd trapped himself in. He takes Mumbo's hand, rubbing his thumb across his knuckles. He looks at Scar with teary eyes. "It'll be fine , I promise. Nothing like that will happen."

Mumbo bites his lower lip, "But how do you know ?"

Scar lifts Mumbo's hand to his face, pressing his lips to his knuckles in a soft kiss. Mumbo blushes at the contact.

"You and I both know Grian. He's not like that, and you know it," Scar says, trying to convey all his conviction though his eyes and voice alone.

There's not a single universe where Grian would reject Mumbo. The idea is simply too absurd.

Mumbo sighs.

"You're right… Thanks, Scar."

"Anytime, Mumbo. Anytime," Scar says with a smile.

<GoodTimeWithScar> You should confess to Mumbo

<Grian> WHAt

<Grian> NO

<Grian> I CAN T IM NIT READY WHAT]

<Grian> SCAR

<GoodTimeWithScar> Hear me out! This fake dating thing isn't getting the results you wanted, is it?

<Grian> …

<Grian> no

<Grian> it isnt

<GoodTimeWithScar> So if you want Mumbo to ever know how you feel, you're going to have to tell him

<Grian> but i dont even know HOW to have a conversation like that

<Grian> what if i mess something up?

<GoodTimeWithScar> The worst thing that can happen is he says no

<Grian> or he will decide im weird

<Grian> and never want to be friends again

<GoodTimeWithScar> Do you actually think Mumbo would do that, or are these just intrusive thoughts that are getting to you?

<Grian> i mean

<Grian> its a persistant anxiety of mine

<Grian> that the people i care about will leave me

<GoodTimeWithScar> I wouldn't. Neither would Mumbo. I can promise you that

<Grian> thanks scar

<Grian> ill think about it

<Grian> confessing i mean

<GoodTimeWithScar> That's all I wanted from you

Grian is tempted to throw his comm across the room. Voiddamn Scar making him feel all warm and fuzzy and cared for. He's way too nice sometimes.

Hands gripping his comm, Grian types out a message to Mumbo, and forces himself to send it before he chickens out.

<Grian> i have something i need to tell you. are you free sometime soon?

This time, he doesn't resist the urge to throw the blasted device at the wall.

Mumbo had replied half an hour later, saying that he was free any time that afternoon, and that he wants to tell him something, too. Grian had suggested meeting up in Scarland, seeing as it was common ground rather than either of their bases. And Mumbo had requested Scar be there -- something about him being a mediator-slash-moral support, whatever that meant.

Grian was just glad that he didn't have to be the one to ask for Scar to be there.

He lands in Scarland, having just flown over from his base, a few blocks away from where he'd spotted Mumbo sitting on a bench. The other man jumps, but brightens when he sees who it is.

"Oh! You're here!" Mumbo says. He scoots over on the bench to give Grian plenty of space to sit. The avian takes it gratefully.

"I hope you weren't waiting long?"

"Not at all."

Scar appears from out of a building a little ways away. He waves and rolls over to Mumbo's side of the bench, and locks his wheels to make sure he remains stationary.

"Err… Nice weather we're having, isn't it?" Mumbo asks awkwardly, like he isn't sure how to say what he'd been so convinced he had to tell him. Grian snorts at the question, but obligingly turns his attention skyward.

Truely, it is an absolutely gorgeous day. The sun, high in the partly-cloudy-but-still-blue sky, kissed their skin gently and warmed the air to a pleasant degree, though not hot enough to make them all sweaty. It had rained the day before, leaving small and quickly-drying puddles on the roads and sidewalks of Scarland. The air wasn't dry because of this, but neither was it unbearably humid. It was turning to spring, and Grian could already smell the scent of wildflowers on the air.

He inhales deeply through his nose, and lets it back out in a sigh, "Sure is," he says, smile evident in his voice.

There's a pink tinge on Mumbo's face. Grian hopes he isn't getting sick -- or sunburnt.

"So… what did you want to tell me?"

Mumbo startles, as though the question itself had given him a static shock. He twists his fingers together in that way he does when he's nervous and has nothing to do with his hands. Grian has to fight the urge to take those redstone-stained hands in his own, calloused ones.

He pulls his sweater sleeves over his hands, just in case.

"I think- I mean, um… Do you not want to go first?"

"I want to know what you have to say before I go spilling my guts," Grian says, something like a facimile of a smile plastering itself on his face, trying to hide his awkwardness.

"Ah. Um, that's a problem… because that was what I was planning to do, also," Mumbo admits. He rubs the back of his neck like it will relieve the tension building under his skin.

"Huh…"

' Ah yes, very eloquent, Grian. Good job. ' He mentally facepalms.

They don't talk for a while. The atmosphere, which had previously been light and carefree, suddenly felt more like a weight pressing down on their shoulders. Grian's feathers bristle, and he bites his tongue to stop himself from saying anything stupid.

But of course, when had his mouth ever listened to his mind?

The words spill out before he can stop them.

"Mumbo I'm in love with you and I have been for a really long time but I've been scared that if I said anything it would ruin our friendship and that'swhatIwantedtotellyou!"

Mumbo stares at him, shocked. Grian slaps a hand over his mouth.

Oh Void, why'd can't he keep his own voice under wraps?! Mumbo's going to hate him now, he just knows it. He needs to get out of here before he manages to shove his foot any further into his mouth.

"Uh- I-" Grian scrambles to his feet and spreads his wings, but Mumbo grabs his wrist before he can get off the ground. "Mumbo, I-"

"I'm in love with you, too."

Grian's brain bluescreens.

Mumbo is in love with him ?! Him, Grian, notorious prankster and redstone wrecker? The guy that literally tried to use a summoning circle to bring Mumbo back to Hermitcraft? The one who can't not push any and every button he sees? Maybe he's confused Grian for another red-jumper clad builder, or something.

But he can't deny what's right in front of him; Mumbo, holding Grian's wrist in his hand, keeping him from flying away and having just outright said the very words Grian had been longing to hear from him for years.

Grian flops back down onto the bench bonelessly. Mumbo's grip shifts from his wrist to his hand, interlacing their fingers.

They say nothing for a while, content to bask in each other's presence and let reality sink in.

"So… does this change anything?" Grian wonders aloud, eyes transfixed on the partly-cloudy-but-still-blue sky above them. Mumbo hums.

"Only if you want it to."

Grian thinks he's ok with that.

Scar waits until both Mumbo and Grian have relaxed, and calmed down from the emotional high that had taken place. He doesn't want to overwhelm them.

He has a feeling it might happen anyway.

"So," Scar says, clapping his hands. It grabs the attention of the other two, and he can practically feel the weight of their gaze on him. "I have something to tell you both as well."

"What is it?" Mumbo asks, at the same time as Grian tilts his head to the side.

"Well… the thing is, it's only partly mine to tell." Scar sends a pre-typed message to both of them, and watches as they both pull out their own comms to read it.

They both go white.

"I-"

"This-"

"No-"

"Scar, what-"

He sighs. He knew this would happen. He rolls closer to them both and rests a hand on each of their shoulders.

"I promise, it's better to just get it out now than keeping it a secret. The basis of a healthy relationship is communication, after all."

They both seem uncertain, but they also seem to have accepted his reasoning.

Scar gives their shoulders a reasuring squeeze before backing off a bit. This is their conversation, not his.

It takes several minutes for either of them to say a word, and both of them are getting antsy. Grian's leg is bouncing, and showing no signs of stoping. Mumbo is fiddling with his hands. Neither will look at each other.

"Um-" Mumbo says, at the same time that Grian says, "I-"

They both stop talking.

"You can go first," Grian urges.

"I'll be honest, I really don't want to."

Silence decends over them once more.

Scar wants to tear his hair out.

"Okay, uh…" Grian starts, "A while back, in Season Eight, I- I really wanted to get you to fall for me…" He stops, biting his lip.

"Go on," Mumbo prompts.

"And I figured I could get your attention if I dated someone else… So I asked Scar to, uh- I asked him to pretend to date me."

Mumbo looks shocked, and somewhat amused.

It is quite amusing knowing that both of them had asked Scar for the same thing (Scar would know).

"Are you mad?"

"Well, I think it'd be pretty hypocritical of me if I was," There's an undertone of laughter in Mumbo's voice. Grian's brow furrows.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I also asked Scar to fake date me so I could get your attention," Mumbo admits, "I suppose that makes us both fools."

The moment of realization is glorious as it dawns on Grian what Mumbo's saying.

"WHAT!?" Grian shrieks, and Scar breaks down into giggles. Mumbo laughs along with him. "No, no! You don't get to laugh, you're telling me that we BOTH chose Scar to fake date?! When we already liked each other, and Scar -- SCAR -- managed to not spill the beans that whole time!?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Mumbo replies between laughs.

Grian buries his face in his hands. "Oh my goodness… We're idiots." Mumbo pats him placatingly on the back.

"That we are, Grian. That we are."

Scar smiles at them both, and hopes that his next reveal will go that well.

"I have just one more thing I've gotta get off my chest."

Mumbo and Grian focus their attention on him again, and that's when his nerves start acting up. His face gets warm, and he starts rolling back and forth in front of them, pacing.

"It, ah- might be a little weird to say it now, after everything else, but… well, I might never get the chance to say it again and I'd rather have it out in the open than have to keep it to myself for the rest of, like, forever -"

“Scar, what are you trying to say?”

“Oh my gosh- I like you!” Scar shouts, and his cheeks burn even hotter than before with his confession. He fights back the urge to hide his face in his hands. “I’m trying to say that I like you. Both of you."

Mumbo and Grian both stare at him, wide eyed. They look to be shocked into silence.

"And I know that whole dating thing was fake, but I was… happy. It made me happy, doing all that sappy, romantic stuff with you. Getting you two together was the whole point, but I think I agreed – at least somewhat – because it would mean I'd get to be with you both, if only for a little while."

The other two don't say anything, and Scar is really starting to feel self-conscious, like he made a mistake by telling them.

"You- you don't have to say you feel the same, I just, thought I'd get my thoughts out there before I couldn't anymore…" Scar scratches the back of his neck. All of his nerves are on fire.

He wants to get out of here, but his morbid curiosity gets the better of him. He needs to know how they'll react.

The silence does not bode well.

It's Grian that gathers his wits first.

"Scar… I think…" He glances at Mumbo, eyebrows knit together. He refocuses on Scar a moment later. "I think I like you, too."

The words wash over him like a bucket of ice water, shocking him to his core and putting out the fire in his nerves.

"I think I have liked you, since way back in Third Life," Grian continues, "Spending all that time with you, in the desert… I dunno, I'm being silly." Scar shakes his head vigorously, taking one of Grian's hands (the one not already being held by Mumbo) in his own.

"I don't think you're being silly. I fell for you in the desert, too."

Mumbo awkwardly clears his throat.

"I… I like you too, Scar," Mumbo says, and wow , Scar's heart is absolutely soaring . He's almost worried that it'll fly straight out of his chest. "I have for a while, but I only really realized, like, last month."

Scar relaxes back in his chair, going all but completely limp. He chuckles breathlessly. 

"That was… easier than I was expecting, to be honest," he admits, and he can feel his face heating up at the admission. Grian and Mumbo laugh, not at him, but with him. Mumbo lays a hand on Scar's free one. Scar responds by tangling their fingers together. 

They probably look ridiculous right now. 

Scar finds that he doesn't care.

After that whole debacle, the trio heads to Grian's base, all their emotions wrung dry but unwilling to part ways just yet. The avian's bed -- or nest, rather -- is the only one out of the three of their beds that have enough space to fit all of them comfortably. And it already has some of Mumbo and Scar's blankets and pillows Grian had pilfered from their beds without their noticing.

The nest is about the size of two and a half normal beds put together, made of a custom mattress and bedframe that Scar notes is his own handiwork. There's a ridiculous amount of blankets piled on top, the odd piece of clothing woven into the mass as well. Scar is fairly certain that's his shirt right there, and one of Mumbo's suit jackets is half-hidden a little ways to the left.

Unceremoniously, Grian flops face-first into the nest. He looks like a winged starfish, the way his limbs are splayed out.

Mumbo chuckles. He slips off his dress shoes, tie and jacket, abandoning them on the floor in very un-Mumbo-like fashion. Scar supposes he's just too tired to care. He slips into the nest, curling up under the wing Grian drapes over him.

Scar follows Mumbo's lead, removing his shoes, followed by his reflective vest, blue button-down, tie, and undershirt. He's left shirtless, and he stretches out his sore muscles.

"Scaarrrr…" Grian whines, peering at him through one eye, the other being hidden since that half of his face is squished into a pillow, "Put your shirt back onnn…"

Scar gives him a hearty laugh. "Sorry, Gri, I can't sleep when I'm wearing a shirt!"

Grian whines again, muffled due to him shoving his whole face in the pillow- wait, that's Scar's pillow!

That didn't seem to matter to Grian, though. Scar decides he'll let him keep it… for now.

Scar unfastens his wheelchair's belt from around his midsection and carefully transfers himself from his chair to the nest. He snuggles close to the others, one feathery wing effectively trapping him on the mattress.

Not that he wants to move anyway.

Grian lets out a happy chirp, and pulls both of them in closer.

Mumbo clears his throat.

"Do you… have to be shirtless right now, Scar…?" He asks, sounding a bit strained.

At those words, Scar gets a terrible, awful, wonderful idea.

"Why, Mumbo?" He asks, cheshire grin creeping up on his face, "We're already sleeping together, what's the big deal if I'm shirtless?"

Scar's tease is rewarded by Mumbo's bewildered and embarrassed spluttering -- his face is so red, he looks like a tomato -- and Grian's wonderful screechy laugh, the one he only lets out when he's truely delighted.

Grian's laughs slowly peter out, and at the end he sighs contentedly.

"I love you," he says to no one in particular. And it feels like a tipping point; like this is meant to be the most important moment of Scar's life. It feels like there sould be fireworks and explosions and cheering and tears of happiness. But there's not.

It's just them, just Scar and Mumbo and Grian.

And it's perfect.

"Aww, we love you too, G!" Scar bonks his forehead against Grian's temple, nuzzling close. A low rumble kicks into gear inside his chest, a Vex trait Scar had never fully understood until he met Jellie and learned what purring was.

Mumbo, on Grian's other side, pillows his head on his hand and allows his other to run up and down Grian's back, eliciting small shivvers and chirps from the avian.

"Yep, what he said," Mumbo agrees, scritching under the feathers at the base of his wings. Grian melts under his touch, cooing like a baby bird.

It's probably the cutest thing Scar's ever seen.

Scar looks up at Mumbo and gives him the fondest grin he has in him. Mumbo smiles back, face painted pink.

They're all asleep less than half an hour later, legs tangled up together and all three trapped underneath each other, somehow.

When Scar wakes up the next morning, there's sunlight streaming down on him. Mumbo's hand is in his hair, he's laying on one of Grian's legs -- the other being tangled together with his own -- Scar's hand is buried in the feathers of one of Grian's wings, and Grian's head is pillowed on Mumbo's stomach.

Scar thinks this is the happiest he's ever been.

(All of the idocy and obliviousness he had to get though to get where he is now was definitely worth it.)

"So, we heard you finally told Mumbo and Scar you like them."

Grian nearly leaps straight out of his skin. As it is, his feathers bristle and stand on end, betraying his surprise.

Pearl is standing a few blocks ahead, where she had divebombed him -- absolutely from out of nowhere, by the way. She's got a manic grin on her face and a wild look in her eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, I- wait, we?"

Pearl's grin grows impossibly wider, and that's when Grian spots them.

In the air, maybe fifty blocks away, are three figures. Grian squints in an attempt to see who they are.

As they get closer and their features come into clarity, Grian is stunned into silence.

One of them, the closest -- and also smallest -- has bright yellow, feathered wings fanning out behind him and a sheriff's hat on his head, which he is desperately holding onto. Another figure, this one dressed in green, is flying a little further back with another in blue.

' Of course ,' Grian thinks, ' of course Pearl would get X to let non-members on just to mess with me. '

Jimmy barrels directly into Grian's chest, not even attempting to slow down. The impact barely makes Grian stumble, thanks to Jimmy's size, but he looks proud of himself anyway. BigB and Martyn land more gracefully next to Pearl, watching on in amusement as Jimmy makes it his mission to make a perch out of Grian's head.

"What are you guys doing here?" Grian playfully glares at Pearl. "How'd you even get X in on this?"

Jimmy, finally settled atop Grian's head, pipes up, "We just told them we wanted to congratulate you on finally admitting how down-bad you were for Scar and Mumbo!" Grian splutters.

"I was not down-bad-"

"Sorry to say it Grian," BigB interrupts, "But you really were."

"Can confirm," Martyn says.

"I have to agree." Pearl's still got that grin on her face, and Grian bares his teeth right back at her.

He launches forward and tackles Pearl. Jimmy screams at the sudden movement and clutches at his hair, desperately trying to not fall off. They all hit the ground, and Grian has to use all his strength to stop Pearl from flipping them over.

"Martyn! BigB!" Jimmy shrieks, "Help!"

Out of the corner of his eye, Grian sees them nod to each other.

That can't be good.

"Okay," BigB says, and then there are two bodies piled on top of them.

Pearl lets out a pained wheeze.

"You doofs…" she painstakingly gasps out, "You were… supposed to get him ! Not me !"

"Eh, collateral damage."

Grian has just enough breath left to wheeze out a laugh.

A/N: just because this series has an ending, that doesnt actually mean its over! i have a lot more ideas of shenanigans these three can get up to between the last work in this series and this one, so watch out for those!! until then, bye!

A/N: as always, my tumblr is @dead-man-in-the-grave and comments make me go insane (in a good way)

← Previous Work • Part 5 of Fake It Til You Make It