#and taurtis? well i like to think taurtis didn't get to leave.

[mummyscarian]

i prescribe to the theory that everyone entered Evo a human

but didn't leave one

[solargeist]

I'm not sure if this has been asked, but what do the other hermits or members from empires think of grian being a watcher in your AU? i know martyn doesn't get on with him, but what are the others' view of it?

I don't know how every one would react, theres only a select few who know, but... !

Xisuma, because he was the first one to find Grian after he crashed into Hermitcraft. Xisuma already knows what Watchers are, so he took pity on Grian's reaction and took him in. He wasn't initially going to let him join HC since he was a stranger, (and a Watcher,) he was just going to help him back on his feet (wings?) and then send him on his way, but well things changed. Grian only told him whats relevant, so Xisuma doesn't know the whole story. Xisuma also comes from the End, he thinks the Watchers are inevitable and also none of his business as long as they don't mess with anything. Xisuma keeps tabs on Grian. Grian feels like he owes Xisuma the world.

Mumbo knows the full story, every little bit of it, Grian literally poured his soul out to him. Mumbo is the first friend he makes there, and Grian's still reeling from the whole experience so he built up a lot of trust in Mumbo and ends up spilling everything to him on a particularly bad day. Mumbo doesn't know what Watchers are, so he doesn't care that Grian was (is?) a Watcher, he just wants his friend safe, and doesn't think of him any differently. Mumbo sits right next to Grian with an arm over his shoulder, and fidgets with one of Grian's hands while he listens to him. Its sad at first, but towards the end of the rants Grian lightens up, a huge weight off his shoulders, and now they're both facing each other and gossiping abt their families. (Grian wins any family gossip bc his watcher aunt tried to throw him off a cliff)

Martyn and Jimmy, both were friends from Evo, and both feel betrayed by Grian leaving, and him being the direct reason their server is shut down. Martyn, while angry, and while he'd still fight him, he does want Grian out of there. Jimmy is more sad than angry, and tells himself he doesn't care, but he does, a lot. They both work with the Listeners, so Grian is a bit more villainized from their point of view.

Pearl also doesn't get the full story, she knows somewhat, and Grian has talked to her a bit about it, thats his sister ! But he can't tell her he left everyone on purpose, or how he was treated by Watchers, theres still a lot of guilt and shame. She doesn't force him to tell her everything, they're still siblings and repairing that relationship after being apart for so long.

Scar... Grian avoids Scar for awhile, after 3rd life he feels scared to face him in Hermitcraft. Though, to his shock, Scar can barely remember him, or the life games, its blurry, but theres a vague sense there, a memory or two, he recognizes Grian as much as you would a stranger you've seen twice in one week. Once they get closer though Grian tells him a bit, mostly abt the life game, and that his family runs it, but he didn't have anything to do with that. He also apologizes a lot. Scar just thinks Grian has a weird family, he doesn't know or understand what Watchers are, he mostly shrugs this off. Scar has a very "That was then, this is now" attitude, he wants to know This current Grian.

Thats everyone relevant that knows abt him, though I think there are a few Hermits that think theres Something up with Grian, but can't place it. Cleo, Etho, and Iskall, come to mind, theres something abt how Grian's eye catches the light...

(Theres also Taurtis.. The one that disappeared in Evo, one of the leading reasons Grian puts up with so much. I don't have much in writing abt Taurtis showing up again, but.. I do imagine his reaction to Grian would be very negative, maybe ? Angry and freaked out by him, I think Grian would collapse to his knees after seeing his reaction. BUT thats not really canon, thats just a thought I think is kinda fun.)

[sleepy0s]

YHS!

WERE DOING A BUNCH OF YHS STUFF!

Multiple quotes! So I'm just going to write them as I go!!

Yhs Sam: I get really offended when people tell me I'm going to hell for being bisexual because I feel like they're overlooking all of the other valid reasons I'm going to hell

~~~

Sam, Grian and Taurtis were walking through the hallways, chatting about the usual stuff that teenagers do talk about. . . such as how they murdered a guy last week.

“Did they find the body yet?” Grian asked, looking over at Sam. 

“Nah not yet..” Sam shrugged, a smug smirk on his face. “Man, we're definitely going to Hell.” 

“Bro. You're bisexual. You were always going to Hell.” Taurtis punched his shoulder, smiling.

“Please, you two are coming with me.” He winked at Grian and Taurtis and the three erupted into laughter.

“You know, I get really offended when people tell me I'm going to hell for being bisexual..” He paused, smiling, “I feel like they overlook all the other Very Valid reasons I'm going to hell for.”

– – – – – – – – – 

*Taurtis being buried alive*

Sam, out of breath: How are you eating the dirt so quickly?

~~~

It was a very sombre sight, Sam and Grian sat, feet dangling over the edge of the grave leaning on each other sadly. Tears welled in Grian’s eyes as he looked into the hole “He’ll be missed..” Grian whispered sadly, “It's like I can still hear his voice..” They stood up, grabbing their shovels and turning to leave

“Wait- why's the dirt moving sam?”

“Ei! Lemme out of here!” Taurtis’ voice could be heard from within the grave, the level of dirt very quickly sinking.

“Grian! Grab a shovel!” Grian did as Sam said, desperately throwing more dirt on top of Taurtis. This did nothing as it kept disappearing, Sam leaned against his shovel, out of breath and sighing as he watched one of Taurtis’ hands appear.

“How are you eating the dirt so quickly!?” He cried, disappointed it didn't work.

– – – – – – – – – – 

Grian: Help! I’m drowning!

Taurtis: Calm down. We’re only in six feet of water!

Grian: NOT ALL OF US ARE TALL!

~~~

Whoever thought it was smart to let these three into the pool should be fired.

Grian clung to the walls of the pool, not daring to look down or let go. Further away from the wall was Sam and Taurtis, they were throwing a ball back and forth whilst occasionally trying to get Grian to join them. 

“Griannn  come on!” Taurtis grabbed grians arm, pulling him away from the wall despite his complaints, once in the middle he let go. Grian immediately started kicking his legs like crazy.

“Help!! I'm drowning!” He cried, trying to cling onto Taurtis’ arm,

“Relax, we're only in six feet of water.” Apparently, this was the wrong thing to say.

“YEAH? WELL WERE NOT ALL TALL ARE WE?”

– – – – – – – – – – 

Grian: Ayo, what the FUCK is this?!?

Sam, sitting down, surrounded by corpses: I won Mafia, that’s what.

~~~

Grian turned the corner, having been searching for Sam for around half an hour. Now, he's not sure what he was expecting, perhaps Sam with a gun? Some bruises? Really, anything would be better than this.

“SAM, WHAT THE FUCK?”

Sam was sitting in the middle of the room, a drink in one hand and a gun in the other, on the floor around him were countless bodies. Lifeless. Dead.

 Sam looked up at Grian, smiling, “I won Maia, that's what!”

“Now help me clean up.”

“Why are you like this?”

– – – – – – – – – – 

Rowan: Do you abuse drugs?

Taurtis :You're darn right I abuse drugs! I see a drug, I punch the fuck out of it! Get lost, drugs!

~~~

Rowan swears these kids will be the death of him. The three stood in his office, eyes wide and looking slightly unstable on their feet.

He sighed, looking at them “Do you lot abuse drugs?”

Now. Taurtis isn't the smartest when sober, so getting him to think straight when high is even harder. “Your darn right sir! I abuse drugs! I see a drug, I punch the fuck out of it! Get lost drugs!” He made punching motions with his arms whilst speaking.

“Taurtis..” Grian sighed, looking down and shaking his head

[mochiwrites]

Ask for screaming, and you shall receive screaming.

Ahem. AAAAAAAAAAA WHAT THE FUCK-

Is now the time to tell people who haven't read it doesn't take a killer to murder to avert their eyes and read because my screaming will contain So Many Spoilers? Well I'm gonna say it anyway SO <3

I knew to fear when you said you were looking forward to our reactions buT I WAS NOT PREPARED, TAURTIS MY BELOVED I AM SO SORRY

Anyway- now that I have that out of my system....

FINALLY the answer to who's knock knock knockin' on the door!! Pearl not even knowing how badly freaked out Grian is, Grian not explaining, Taurtis' lighthearted joking confusion and Grian relaxing bc it's just his bestiieee <3 Just beautiful. I loved them just chillin' and havin' a good time around town, even though Grian is highkey stressing, and <3 But. BUT. @ THAT "OLD MAN" YEAH THAT'S RIGHT I SEE YOU Mr. Green Eyes and Cane Man Who Owns the SWAGGON SHOP- is that too on the nose? ANYWAY I SEE YOU SIR why ya gotta be so OMINOUS man. Suspecting what I suspect just makes Grian's unease about being in the shop both more beautiful AND ironic <3 BUT THEN. THEN THAT CRYPTIC CREEPY WARNING, YEAH NO WONDER GRIAN THINKS THAT'S A THREAT I'd think it was a threat too MY GODS- oh man I can't wait to one day MAYBE get a crumb of context for this scene haha? Pls? Mayhaps? :'D

Anywaaay~ Grian feeling like it's his fault that Taurtis got got </3 Grian no sweetie just 'cause you know there's vampires don't mean you could've done anything to stop it it's not your fault </3 But really, Grian feeling guilty because he KNOWS about vampires and didn't tell Pearl and Taurtis, and he let his guard down and lost track of time- it's so good, b/c he didn't really do anything wrong- this wouldn't have changed even if he hadn't known (.... right? This wasn't- this wasn't targeted, RIGHT??) and just hjfsdjkfdjk the fact he feels like he's to blame and it's his responsibility to find the person who did this, it is just. I am soft for this boy <3 GRUM AND JRUM MY BELOVED BABY BOIS I love them so much they're so sweet and cheeky <3 Mumbo recognizing that them knowing Grian is there means they won't just leave him alone <3

"He's so annoying why didn't he stay gone" says Mumbo as he immediately and without hesitation tosses aside what he's doing to answer the door. And just- the IMMEDIATE softening when he opens the door to find Grian, having been crying and full of guilt, and recognizing and FEELING human emotion, wanting to keep it close and PROTECT it because it's so HUMAN and FAMILIAR and PRECIOUS, even if he didn't outright think/say it, and just. Just the softness between them I- hjfsdjkfhdj Mumbo letting Grian say his piece, and the fact that Grian while angry and full of guilt has enough sense about himself to not BLAME Mumbo in place of all vampires or something, but instead want to HELP him find the one responsible and just- Mumbo putting a hand over Grian's as he agrees and invites him in and I just.

Mochi I have SO MANY EMOTIONS about this AU in general but this fic I 🥺 There's so much HGJKFSKFS FEAR but it's also so soft and sad and I am just 🥺🥺🥺 Wonderful <3

OKAY IT’S TAKEN ME FOREVER TO GET TO THIS BUT !!!! ACIIIII WAAAAAAAAAH

I’m glad I could give you many emotions >:3 this was a super fun fic to write honestly !!! though I definitely did not think it’d be the first one out of the three to get finished dmfkfkkfkf but !!! to directly reply to some things <3

- that whole scene of grian going and answering the door??? completely written on the fly DKFKFKFK it was No Where in my original plans for that scene. but I was like “haha it’d be funny if I did all this build up and it turns out it was just taurtis on the other side” and then I did it

- it is INCREDIBLY on the nose but I made it subtly obvious for a reason <3 and yes, there will be context for that scene eventually !!! it’s actually like. my second favorite scene in that whole fic??? I love the dialogue from that conversation <33

- pats grian’s head, this bad boy can fit So Much guilt— him and his guilt complex, eh? and no, even if grian had told them, or if he wasn’t aware of vampires, it wouldn’t have changed a thing :( but AY GRUM AND JRUM AM I RIGHT GKFKGMFKF

- god that entire sequence between mumbo and grian… that rant that grian goes on was so damn difficult to write for some reason??? it was challenging finding a balance between anger and guilt but not putting that blame on mumbo. at least not for being a vampire. instead he kinda throws that frustration at mumbo for telling him to stay out of things. but even then it’s more so frustration at himself for listening. and yeah <333 mumbo looking at grian and seeing a younger version of him and going “oh. protect? I protect?”

cause mumbo Definitely recognizes in that moment that regardless of what he tells grian, gri is still going to get involved. and as much as mumbo may want to limit his interactions with grian, he’s beginning to nurture this want to protect his humanity. because yk. in a world of monsters, your humanity is slowly stripped away from you :)

but !!!! yeah <33 am glad you enjoyed the fic uwu. I seem to be very good with writing soft but sad???? I’m seeing a Trend here

[yhs-silly]

Kneel

They were on their way home from school, Sam and Taurtis were just messing around and swinging off the lampposts, the usual. Grian seemed a little grumpier then usual, maybe he'd gotten a low grade on his test, he wouldn't say. But he was adamant that they had to get home as soon as possible, so when Sam and Taurtis started doing their checking both ways gag he was ready to snap.

He groaned and pushed them aside. "You guys are idiots! There are never any cars on this road!" He rolled his eyes and stormed into the middle of the road and stood there with his arms out, glaring at the duo. "See! There's nothing here! I'm perfectly sa-afe..."

He trailed off at the sound of a car horn, turning to face the speeding car, his face falling in horror.

Sam's hands tightened around Taurtis's arms, Taurtis hadn't even realised he'd moved to rush into the road. He just went still and just stared, with wide, tear filled eyes as the car came closer and closer.

Grian was right, there were never any cars on the road. It was very rare that a car came down the road, and if it did, it was usually at night- and always speeding. That was the unwritten rule; speed past the school zone, with luck you might hit one nof the crazy kids. The other towns around were never fond of the academi students, not used to such diversity, neurologically or otherwise.

Ironically, it was most likely the least mad of the students being hit, all the others looking on, glad it wasn't them. The acidemi students were never known for their empathy, only a few students really cared for the Brit. Those that did care already had tears welling in their eyes at the sound of flesh against metal and the grinding of the breaks as the car came to a halt.

The guy driving the car didn't even get out, he just sat there in a state of shock as Taurtis and Sam raced over to Grians side. Taurtis had tears spilling freely down his cheeks and even Sam was panicking, Sam gently lifted Grian off of the floor and checked his vitals. He was still alive, but struggling.

Okami had seen the whole thing go down and had called and ambulance as soon as she'd heard the car, it didn't take long for it to turn him. Sam threatened the emergency response team to let him and Taurtis ride with Grian in the back.

They were so worried, Taurtis had begun sobbing uncontrollably, this was just like before, just like with...

Salex.

Why did everyone he love have to die? Why was it always a car? He pauses, did he love Grian? As a friend of course, he's one of his best friends... he's still hung up on Salex...he hoped and prayed beyond his belief that Grian would not follow her. He couldn't loose someone else so close to him, he wouldn't know what to do.

Sam wasn't as affected but he was still terrified of loosing Grian, he'd never really dealt with a death close to him since his mother passed. He watched as Taurtis fell to his knees, sobbing. He felt so awful, if it wasn't for his and taurtis's insisting that the road wasn't safe, then Grian would be safe. For once Sam didn't feel pleased with being proved right, he wished he was wrong. For once he wished it had been Grian who was right, he could just see Grian's triumphant smirk, the sparkle in his eyes at the idea of being right.

Sam had noticed how much Grian reacted to a little bit of positive reinforcement, he'd used it to get his way before, but now all he wanted to do was tell Grian just how highly Sam valued him. Grian deserved to glow like he always did when praised, Sam was just scared he'd never get the chance.

After a while Grian got better, he still hasn't spoken but the doctors had said he was free to leave. One their way home, Sam and Taurtis had done nothing but pamper and adore him. It was the least they could do for him, but something was off with Grian, his behaviour wasn't normal.

Taurtis was worried about him, he hadn't said a word to either of them since he'd gotten out of the hospital. Sam wasn't as worried, but it was clear he was concerned by how little he'd been mocking Grian lately. But neither of them seemed to be getting through to him.

He's been taking naps lately, it was almost all he did. He never did any of his work and Okami was on the brink of pulling him aside for a quiet word. Everyone was growing increasingly worried about him, they figured he had gained some sort of brain damage.

This all culminated in that one night, Taurtis had stayed up late gaming. Sam was asleep and Grian was probably also sleeping, or so Taurtis thought. He'd turned his head at the sound of footsteps to see Grian standing there, clutching the mop like a staff. He glared intently at Taurtis, a strange fire behind his eyes that made Taurtis shudder.

"Taurtis." Grian's voice was rougher, darker then his usually was. Even his posture seemed heavier, he held himself in a higher sense of pride and power then the anxious, drawn back Grian that Taurtis knew and loved. "Remove yourself from the magic mirror, I require your counsel."

Taurtis was slightly confused, but he'd played enough fantasy games to understand what Grian meant. He switched the tv and game crab off, concerned as to how Grian seemed.to have forgotten what a tv was. He shifted to the side and patted the sofa next to him, with a gentle smile. "Ok Grian, what do you need buddy." He was really happy that Grian was finally speaking again, although those subtle changes did worry him.

Grian didn't sit down however, he continued to stand and just stare at Taurtis expectantly. "Well?" He began to tap his foot. "Stand."

Taurtis was surprised but did so without thinking, watching in confusion as Grian nodded in approval and moved to take his seat. Grians posture while sitting was also more confident Taurtis noticed, how hadn't he noticed before? He goes to sit down but Grian raises his hand to stop him.

"No, kneel." Grian spoke with a command, more adept at control then Sam. But Taurtis wasn't just going to obey, he just frowned at Grian in concern. Then his eyes widened at Grian put the mop to his shoulder and forced him down, Taurtis would've been impressed by Grian's control on the mop if he wasn't currently being forced onto his knees. He stares up at Grian in concern as the blonde nods in approval.

"Grian..? What the hell..?"

Grian raised his eyebrows a little at that, smiling gentle. "Oh? Is something the matter Taurtis? I must admit, I am also a little thrown off by our predicament but it is alright, you have your king to guide you."

Taurtis frowned deeply, king? Grian wasn't a king? He now had concerns about Grian's sanity, he had to play this carefully. He just quietly nods, smiling up at him gently. "No, nothings the matter Grian. You said you wanted to talk about something?"

Grian smiled back and nodded. "Ah yes, it was actually about this predicament... I'm unsure as to what happened but these clothes aren't mine? And I've never seen such powerful magic then there is here, it rivals even the likes of me... that's another thing. I've found myself unable to perform spells recently, I attempted to harness the power of this strange looking staff but it doesn't seem to like me."

Taurtis just nodded. "Alright...well what do you want to do?"

"I wish to return home, is that not obvious?" Grian scoffed. "My kingdom needs their king."

Taurtis nods and slowly and cautiously gets to his feet. "Okay...so I think the best thing to do right now is go back to bed and figure out what to do in the morning."

Grian nods and stands. "That does seem like the ideal plan, I trust you to gaurd my chambers?"

Taurtis just nodded in response, watching Grian head back upstairs. His knees where shaking, he sat on the sofa, feeling horrible.

Tears bunched in his eyes as he thought about how his poor sweet friend had completely lost his mind, Grian was supposed to be the responsible one! Now he seemed to believe he was some magical fantasy king... Poor guy was always a nerd, Taurtis figured that he must've latched on to a favourite fantasy story as a coping mechanism after the accident.

He felt so bad for poor Grian, he didn't ask for this, the poor guy didn't even understand what was going on. He felt the hot tears run down his face and looked down at his shaking hands, he realised that he had to tell Sam, he had to.

He slowly got to his feet and crept upstairs silently, knocking gently on Sam's door. "Sam? Sam wake up."

Sam eventually came to the door, looking sleepy. "Taurtis..? What's wrong?" He was surprised to see how worried Taurtis looked, he instantly also began to get worried.

"It's Grian." Taurtis spoke quietly, as if he was afraid of disturbing said blonde. He speaks slowly and carefully. "He's gone mad...he thinks he's some sort of wizard king..." He sniffles and wipes some tears away. "I'm just so worried about him..."

Sam felt his heart pang, he didn't know this feeling, it was almost guilt, almost responsibility, but it was neither- and it certainly wasn't pity, Sam knew what it was like to be the mad one. Only thing is, Sam was never really mad, just not normal. He nodded slowly, brain working harder then it ever did before at this time of night, heart hammering in his chest just like that day. "Alright...so what do we do?"

They made eye contact, the best thing to do would be to call the authorities, tell a teacher, get him to the hospital, to do something. But they both knew they couldn't do that, they didn't have the heart. Taurtis slowly began to speak. "Well...his delusions aren't tha-"

Sam put his hand up to stop him. "No, we can't go along with his delusions, that wouldn't be fair on him." He sighs and hums in thought "Is there really anything we can do..? I think he might be fucked."

"Don't say that!" Taurtis squeaked, quickly lowering his volume quickly. "We have to do something, we can't just leave him to his delusions." He was getting choked up again, Grian might not have died, but Taurtis still felt that he'd lost him.

They barely slept that night, simply discussing what they could do. They didn't really come up with anything that hadn't been said before, but eventually they decided they'd treat his delusions like how a parent treats a child's fantasies, playing along to a certain point.

And so they did, they managed this for around a week, but unfortunately people began to notice that Grian was behaving strangely. Eventually, Okami pulled the trio aside to talk to them.

Sam was glancing around and making sure there were exits, Taurtis was wringing his hands and glancing at Grian every five seconds. Grian himself had his arms crossed and was glaring daggers at Okami for being so rude.

Okami sighed softly and smiles at the boys. "Now, I'm sure you know what's going on. But none of us do, so could you please explain why Grian is behaving like that."

Grian scoffed and begun to speak, before Taurtis gently shut him down and spoke instead. "We're sorry Sensei, he's just a little banged up from the accident still..." He shrugs and smiles awkwardly.

Sam glances at him nervously, Okami frowns and then Grian speaks up. "What accident? I am not 'banged' up? Taurtis what are you talking about?"

There are gasps from both boys as Taurtis glances at grian nervously and Sam quietly hisses. "Grian, shh!"

Grian glares. "Don't you tell me to shh!" He stomps up to Sam and gets real close, getting up on his tippy toes trying to look intimidating.

Okami sighs and looked concerned. "Grian, sweetie, what do you mean 'what incident?'? Do you not remember what happened?"

Grian looked at her in confusion, his face a mixture of confusion and annoyance. He goes to speak when Taurtis steps in and clears his throat.

"Sensei? We're so sorry for trying to hide this...but he's gone mad."

"I am not mad! How dare you!"

Okami pauses and looks at Grian, seemingly looking for something, but whatever she was looking for, she didn't find it. She sighed and gently put her hand on Grian's shoulder. "Grian, sweetie? Can you calm down for me? Try and explain what you think is going on."

Grian began to speak, about a magical kingdom he rules over and how Sam and Taurtis were loyal to him. Okami turned to the boys and mouthed at them to go and fetch Rowan.

Taurtis's heart was hammering in his chest, that was so impulsive of him, but at least Grian was going to get the help he needs. He looks at Sam, seeing the obvious pain his friend was trying to hide, he sighed. He never expected to have to be the normal one, it was too much pressure for him. But if that was what it took to keep his best friends safe and happy, then that's what he would be.

It was Taurtis who explained the situation to Rowan.

It was Taurtis who comforted Sam as Grian was taken away.

It was Taurtis who knelt besides the bed that night, and for the first time in all his life.

Taurtis prayed.

[yhs-silly]

Treatment

White room, new robe. Grian sat on the floor, the floor was soft here, he liked it. He couldn't move his arms, but it wasn't like he needed to. He'd been in a room like this before... But it wasn't the same.

He was diffrent back then.

Much louder, much braver. He remembered that he hated everyone, he couldn't remember why, he just remembered that he did. He sometimes had bad dreams about those days, blades to his throat, gunfire, and so much more. He didn't like to think about those, he was a much better person now, he did everything they told him.

So he was sitting, looking at his lovely room. The door clicked and began to open, he looked up to see some nurses walking in. He smiled up at them as they lifted him to his feet, pulling him out of his room.

The corridors were just as white and empty, the wall's weren't as soft though, Grian noticed as the nurses dragged him around the hospital. He saw a few other people like him, they didn't seem to notice him, maybe he should've said something...but the nurses didn't like it when he spoke.

He was shoved into a chair, the doctor was there. The doctor spoke to him but his words began all jumbled and fuzzy when the needle went into Grian's arm, he smiled as relaxation took to his veins. He could make out a few of the doctors words, but it was still a little fuzzy. "He's still stagnant...but I think he should be healthy enough to receive visitors today."

Grian's face lit up at that. Visitors! His friends were coming to see him! He was beaming the whole time as the nurses dragged him into a different room and sat him in a chair, there was music on in this room, nice calming stuff. Grian found himself swaying gently to the rhythm, the nurses frowned disapprovingly but left him there.

After a while, people entered the room again. But these people weren't nurses, Grians face lit up. These were his friends!! He shuffled forward in his seat and beamed. "Sam! Taurtis! Hi!!"

His friends sighed and looked at him sadly, a small smile on their faces. Taurtis was the one that spoke first, his voice sounded so sad. "Hey Grian, how are you doing..?"

"Oh oh! I've...uhmm.... I've just had needle and fuzzy so words are jumbley."

His friends frowned and glance to the nurse standing in the corner who nods. "He's just had his treatment, it tends to confuse him a little." They seem happy with this response, as Sam then speaks.

"That's good, he deserves to get better..."

Grian tilted his head, not really understanding why his friends were acting so strange. "Sam..? Why do you look so sad?"

Sam sighed and looked almost sadder, he smiled softly. "I'm not sad Grian, I'm just a little worried..." He pauses and glances to Taurtis, Taurtis seems to nods, prompting Sam to say. "Do you feel like you're getting any better..?"

Grian frown, he wasn't really sure what he was supposed to be getting better from, he glances down at his hand then up at the nurse. He tilted his head a little. "Well I feel happy? What should I be getting better at?"

They both sigh, Sam looks almost angry and Taurtis puts a hand on Sam's shoulder before smiling at Grian. His smile isn't genuine, but it's caring. "You know you're sick right..?"

Grian frowns. "I'm not sick..? I don't feel sick at all?" He hums in thought, that would explain the hospital, and the treatment, he's never questioned it before...

Taurtis just sighs at that and nods, but Sam snaps at him. "yes! You're *mad* Grian!!"

There was silence from everyone in the room, even the maid looked shocked. Taurtis had gasped and grabbed Sam's arm, even Sam's eyes were full of regret.

Grian froze, mad? He wasn't mad, why would Sam say that? Grian wasn't mad? He wasn't crazy...

Grian felt and ache in his head, he put his hands to it and groaned quietly, sounds- no, *voices* coming to mind.

"HE'S MAD! OUR SON IS CRAZY!"

"You've gotta be mad kid."

"Don't be crazy Grian."

"You're starting to sound a little mad."

"-Grians about to go crazy."

"-he's crazy-"

"-you're mad if-"

"-crazy-"

"-mad-"

The voices swirled around in Grian's head, taunting him. He can't take it, he feels like he's about to break, he's not crazy, he swears.

He hears Taurtis's voice, then the nurses, then Sam. He's not sure what they're saying, it's all blurred sounds to him. Then one sentance, spoken by Taurtis, stands out.

"Don't listen to him Grian, you're not crazy."

But Grian couldn't really focus that well on the words, he only really heard the word crazy. Something broke in him, he leaps up and shuffles across the table, flailing his arms, smacking and grabbing at Taurtis best he could. He didn't know what he was doing, he just felt rage, he wasn't crazy!

He felt a scream leave his mouth but it wasn't his own, he wasn't loud, he was quite, nice, always did what he was told. So when the nurse grabbed him, more joining her to hold him down, he wasn't supposed to struggle, he wasn't supposed to scream.

He looked around the room, the nurses all looked worried and annoyed. He looked to his friends, Sam looked so shocked, he was comforting Taurtis, who looked so sad. Grian tried to reach out to them, he had to comfort his friends. He tried to speak, to tell them he was sorry- when he felt a sharp pain in his arm.

Everything blurred and fuzzed, he felt numb and peaceful. He didn't protest as the nurses lead him out of the room and into his usual room, placing him on the floor.

He looked around at his room, the walls were so soft...he banged his head against one, he felt really bad, he couldn't remember why...

Then he heard a nurse speak. "This is the third time...we really need to up his treatment."