#redscape fanfic

[blitheringbongus]

Cold Hands

(This is my first ever fic btw, also not to be an ao3 writer, but English isn’t my first language so if you see spelling errors or sentences seem shit then blame it on that because I refuse to admit to myself that that is just an honest mistake, also I wrote this all in one go at a Christmas party-)

Scar can’t stand the Nether.

He never has, especially not after the incident in season 7.

But nonetheless, he agreed to go gather resources in it with Mumbo.

The Builder was actually quite surprised when Mumbo first asked, „Whu- me?“ Scar pointed at himself, staring wide-eyed at the taller Redstoner before him.

Said Redstoner shifted his eyes, „Well- yes, you.“ Scar laughed, „You’re aware of who you’re talking to?“ Mumbo nodded, „Mumbo you know the Nether isn’t Scar-safe! I thought you’re smarter than this!“ Scar snickered, the taller shrugged, scratching the back of his neck, „That I do,“ „Then- why? I mean I’m happy to be spending time with you but- for this?“

Mumbo only shrugged again, before sighing, „Do you want to come along or not?“ Scar knew he wouldn’t get an answer, Mumbo’s been doing this a lot lately: invite him to random things and refuse to explain why.

Not that Scars complaining.

So the brunette simply grinned at the Spoon, „Of course I do,“

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shortly after their little adventure started, Scar came to remember why he rarely visits the nether, aside from the creepy hogs and overall dangerous environment, the heat of it was monstrous.

He already shed his jacket, having wrapped it around his waist, rolling his sleeves up. He debated just completely shedding the shirt but the thought of doing that around Mumbo made him nervous, he doesn’t know why, he’s completely fine with doing it around literally anybody else, so why not him? Best not ponder it, that’s what Scars best at doing. (Aside from dying)

They went deep into the nether, digging tunnels and blowing up TnT in order to find ancient debree, they’d split half, Mumbo decided early on.

They talked about their builds and memories, past seasons and shared moments. They talked about pets and the nether, nature and flowers they enjoy. At some point the conversation shifted into a comfortable silence, both too tired and dehydrated from the scorching heat of the Nether, to talk about much else.

Scar eventually broke the silence, „I think we’re done for today,“ he wiped the sweat off his brow, only for more to form. „Yeah,“ Mumbo heaved, dusting his hands off on his suit pants before walking towards Scar, „Let’s go,“ „how much debree do you have?“ „Six pieces so far,“ „Sick,“ Scar put on that all too well known smug face of his, Mumbo sighed, huffing out a laugh, „Alright, alright, how much have you got then?“ „Seven,“ He said it almost in a whisper, grinning from ear to ear, mischief pinching at the corners of his eyes.

Mumbo delighted in Scars silly fey giggle, it was quieter than usual, but the circumstances explain themselves.

He huffed out a played out annoyed sound, lightly bumping Scars shoulder with his closed fist.

Scar kept giggling, just letting himself be led away by the former CEO of Boatem.

Lava lakes came and went. They passed raided fortresses, more lava lakes, more caves, more rocks, a soot biome, and even a warped forest! Scar insisted on getting some wood before they left, it’s always great for projects. Mumbo agreed, needing more himself.

After some time of venturing through the Nether, Mumbo came to a stop, looking around, suddenly confused,

Scar looked up at him, they were at the edge of another soot biome, „What’s up?“

Mumbo nervously laughed, „Aha, uhm- it appears that we’ve ah-„ he looked around, turning his body in the process, „-we might’ve lost our way, Scar-„

Scar just looked at Mumbo, and the soot splotches smeared on the mans forehead and right cheek, „Well that’s not good-„. Mumbo made a pained agreeing noise, „It sure isn’t!“

The brunette went up to the raven haired man, patting his shoulder, „it’s fineeeee-„ he drew out, worry bubbling in his own chest, he couldn’t spend another few hours in this heat, he’d surely have a heat stroke!

„We can ask for coordinates?“ Scar suggested, „Of the portal, I mean,“. The Redstoners eyes practically lit up, he grabbed Scars face excitedly, „Oh Scar you’re a genius! Why didn’t I think of that?“ he looked to the side thoughtfully, before taking his hands off of Scar and pulling out his communicator, typing away.

The moment Mumbos cold dead hands made contact with Scars scorching face, Scar was in heaven. He knew Mumbo was known to have cold hands, but that they stay cold? Under these conditions?

As soon as Mumbo put the communicator back in his pocket, Scar snatched the mans hands back, placing one long, elegant hand on his own forehead, and the other on the side of his own face, „Mumbo why didn’t you tell me about these miracle hands!“ He said, his words being slightly muffled by the man pushing Mumbos hand further against his cheek, squishing his lips vertically.

Mumbo stilled, wide-eyed and flabberghasted for a good amount of moments, before spluttering, „wh- huh- what?“ He didn’t make an attempt to move his hands.

„Your hands Mumby, how are they still so cold?“ Scar practically rubbed his face against the hands, they felt amazing in this heat,

Mumbo could only stare, „I- because-„ he opened and closed his mouth, knowing what to say but not sure if he should let Scar know.

Said Scar looked up at him, making a questioning face.

Mumbo pulled out his communicator, „Iskall answered,“ he began, telling Scar the coordinates, gently plucking his own hands off of Scars face, moving in the direction they need to go.

Scar whined and complained about being 'too hot' for approximately two minutes before Mumbo let him do whatever he wanted with his right hand.

They only had a few casualties, but made it home alive.

[welcome-back-to-hoimycraf]

Scar was going to explode, maybe literally if saer emotions were going to be this intense. Thir heart pounded in thir chest, threatening to burst out from thir ribcage if it didn’t calm down soon. 

Valentine’s Day was coming up, and Scar’s feelings for Mumbo were as strong as ever. 

Oh, how he wished it weren’t so! He’d already been combating his emotions for Grian, and now he was doing the same for their shared best friend? Oh, how life is a cruel, cruel mistress! 

Jellie stared at Scar, slowly blinking to show her disinterest at his lamenting. The nymph stared at her, big wet puppy eyes on full display, but to no effect. She turned away, jumping down from the counter and wandering off to somewhere else in the Swaggon. 

Thae sighed, standing back up straight from where thae’d crouched in front of Jellie. Vae were gonna have to face this on vaer own, weren’t vae? Sure, she could always turn to Grian for help, but Scar was certain that would lead to less progress on confessing to Mumbo and more teasing from G than anything else. 

Scar's eyes strayed back to the tin off to his right. Below the tissue paper were an assortment of cookie goodness, on top of which read a simple request: 

Be my valentine?

The nymph buried his face in his hands with embarrassment. Cheesy, ny knew, but what were nym if not a man of cliche? Besides, vae weren’t sure if vae’d be able to ask Mumbo the question vaerself once the conversation came down to it. And so, writing on the cookies became the next best option.

Scar braced himself, taking a deep breath, he could do this. He could do this! It was now or never- and he had chosen now. Xe gently tucked the cookie tin into xyr inventory, walking out of the Swaggon and pulling out a rocket for the trip to Mumbo's waterfall. Here goes nothing.

--------

"Mumboooooooooo!" The person in question jumped at the sudden noise that interrupted the quiet of building. Was that Scar? Where was h-

Mumbo's question was succinctly answered when he was tackled from behind, yelping as he landed in the moss.

"Mumbo! So glad to see you!" He opened his eyes, rolling over to find Scar hovering over him, grinning wildly. "Sorry about the crash landing, wind's a bit unwieldy today. Can I help you up?"

Mumbo couldn't find it in himself to be mad, giggling as Scar pulled him up from the ground. "Hey, mate, thanks for the warm welcome."

Scar's lopsided smirk never waivered. "Of course, of course, anything for you, Mumbo."

The two stared at each other for a bit, the silence growing ever more awkward as it dragged on. Scar's smirk started to fall, and a panic set into his eyes before he cleared his throat. All of a sudden, the confident, easy-going front was back up and ready to roll. "Actually- I came here to give you something."

Mumbo perked up at that. "Oh- you did?" He hadn't been expecting gifts, but he was never one to turn down a present.

"Yes, yes, I have it right here!" Scar fiddled around in his inventory for a moment before producing a red metal tin. "For you! For- for Valentine's Day."

A dread set into Mumbo's stomach. Oh. Oh no- This wasn't what he thought it was, was it?

He fumbled through a thank you, accepting the container to hold nervously in his hands. He hoped, prayed even, that this was just a friendly gesture, a gift from a pal! Buddies, mates, chums, other words for friends! A feeling in the back of his mind said otherwise, though.

His suspicions were confirmed as he removed the lid, revealing the very romantic-meaning question. Mumbo's heart sank. He was going to have to let Scar down, wasn't he?

"Oh- um..." The words jumbled in Mumbo's brain, leaving him opening and closing his mouth like a fish. "Oh gosh, how do I say this?"

It was then that he made the mistake of looking at Scar again. The man already appeared defeated, xer pointed ears drooping downward, and xer eyes fighting to push back the hurt of rejection. "No, no, I get it, I do!" Scar chuckled, though it sounded wrong with its usual mirth missing.

"No, no, mate, I mean- I mean that I just... don't feel that way about people," Mumbo admitted, which was strange to say out loud. Sure he knew that for a fact, but he'd never allowed himself to truly think it. "It's not you, mate, I promise."

"No, no- it's never me ,” Scar rambled, and Mumbo could smell the start of a spiral from a mile away. “It’s just the fact that I'm..too loud a-and chaotic and-” Xe stopped abruptly, pressing his palms into xyr eyes. “You know what, I shouldn't be doing this to ya, Mumbo, you didn't ask to see my pity party-” He let out another soulless laugh, twisting Mumbo’s gut with guilt. “Uh, enjoy the cookies!" And with that, Scar turned on nys heel, already pulling out a rocket to speed away.

Thankfully, Mumbo was able to catch him by the elbow before he could fly off. "No!” He shouted, startling both Scar and himself. He made sure to lower his volume before continuing. “Scar, wait, it's genuinely not you- People- er, romance- it's… It's not exactly my cup of tea, so to speak,” Mumbo trailed off. 

"...Really?" Scar’s voice came out quiet, a relieved sort of curiosity peaking through.

Mumbo shrugged. "Never has, t'be quite honest with you. I'm sorry, for leading you on, i-if I have- that wasn’t my intention.”

"Don't be!" Scar defended fiercely, grabbing both of Mumbo’s hands in aeir own, and Mumbo definitely didn’t feel a flush spreading across his cheeks. "You don't have to apologise for your feelings or for who you are, that’s not in your control."

“You sure, mate?” This was going a bit too well, wasn’t there supposed to be some sort of big conflict they’d have to work on? 

“Of course,” Scar seemed adamant in that fact, and Mumbo was inclined to believe him. 

“What now?” He squeaked out, still very aware of their hands being intertwined. 

Scar hummed to xyemself for a moment. “I think… I think I'm going to need a bit to think on it,” xe admitted. “But, when I’m done, I’ll let you know where I want to go from here. Does- does that sound good?”

Mumbo could stop the chuckle from rising in his chest. “Sounds great.”

thanks for betaing @anonymousacres!!

[frozenjokes]

it's so over. we're so back. it is SO OVER. It's- well- up for debate.

Mumbo had noticed the disturbance of the water above as Etho swam towards the beach, but he’d been far too preoccupied with the buttons on Atlas’s new coat to investigate. 

At the splash and call of Scar though, Mumbo did return to the surface, surprised to see Etho on the beach, entirely human and redressed in their human garments. Ah, Mumbo supposed they were leaving. He almost turned around to fetch Atlas, but Scar hadn’t stopped calling, so Mumbo went to see what he wanted first.

Upon reaching the beach, he saw Etho looking quite distressed, talking at Scar who continued to call Mumbo’s name, loudly ignoring them. Etho stopped as Mumbo beached, blinking a few times in rapid succession before turning back to Scar.

“What is he wearing.”

Mumbo looked down. Wasn’t hard to guess what Etho had said. Yeah, he was getting sick of this stuff too. Etho and Scar continued to talk as Mumbo began to peel away the human clothes, wriggling on the beach in his minor struggle; these had been tight to begin with, but wet they clung to his rough skin with the tenacity of barbed human hooks. Mumbo heard Grian laughing as he wrestled with the sweater, the worst garment of them all. When he finally wrenched it off, he whipped it at the human, who squealed in faux terror, then potentially not-faux terror when Mumbo charged to take the garment back. Probably not his best judgment.. but that sweater was his own. Couldn’t risk Grian trying to reclaim it. 

Mumbo tossed the sandy thing into the shallow water. He’d get it later. To his relief, Grian didn’t look shaken, expression instead curious as he followed the sweater’s trajectory into the gentle waves.

“You might lose that,” he mumbled, to which Mumbo gave a small snort, though not without relaxed fins, only flicking from the leftover distaste of his sweater escape.

‘It’s mine.’ He was distracted by Etho and Scar, talking louder.

“I did not agree to this. This- He doesn’t have lips, Scar, all the parts around his mouth feel just like the rest of him. Bad to touch. Mermaids don’t kiss each other, he’d think you were trying to bite him.”

“I can’t you just try,” Scar whined, looking pitiful, “I can not date and break up with a mermaid without ever having kissed him, are you kidding me!? On! The! Lips! You only have to tell him not to eat my face. Well. You don’t have to tell him that. Don’t tell him that.”

“Mumbo does not HAVE lips!”

‘What do they want?’ Mumbo whistled, harsh to get between Scar before he could start up again. Etho gave Mumbo a look that could only be described as tired, and Mumbo imagined fins hanging limp with intermittent, weak flicks. Mumbo straightened. ‘Tell Scars I said to bring you home.’

Etho had never relayed a message so fast.

“Etho- Mumbo!” Scar turned helplessly to Mumbo, who only gave a sharp flick of his fins. “You don’t understand, I- Okay, well let’s just do the other stuff at least.” Scar sighed, head falling into his hands, and Mumbo relaxed, pleased. Mumbo was less pleased when Scar started talking at Etho again, but he had a more serious air this time, Etho listening more intently than before, so Mumbo bid his time until Etho either relayed the message or showed some kind of distress.

‘A direct message from Scars: I’ve been thinking a lot about our..’ Etho paused, fist to their chin as they looked for the right word, ‘..casual courtship, and after I got to talking with Atlas, they told me I’d really hurt you, and I-‘

Etho was cut short as Mumbo bristled, fins flaring, ‘Atlas told me nothing had happened! I told them not to say anything!’ Etho paused, uncertain, before Mumbo gave a harsh flick, Translate.

Scar blinked, raising his hands in alarm. Etho translated his flurried speech in turn, ‘No, no, don’t be angry with Atlas! I’m very glad they told me, I want to know, it scares me that something like this could happen and I would never know, or just as bad, know and not understand why. I want to be your friend first, Mumbo. I think you know I’m not the most observant person.. and I’m worried about how often I could be crossing boundaries and hurting your feelings when we can’t talk on even ground. I want to be part of your life. But where we are now, when courtship is a sensitive subject with all sorts of cultural issues we can’t even discuss.. I don’t think this is a good way to do it. It was fun, in theory. Really fun! I just got ahead of myself.. I’m sorry.’

Mumbo’s anger with Atlas did not subside until about halfway through, Scar’s words setting in like sinking rocks, steady and certain. Oh. Mumbo deflated, unsure what to do with himself. He didn’t know what he expected. He couldn’t say he’d seen this coming. 

‘Did I do something wrong?’

“No!” Mumbo caught Scar’s conviction before Etho translated the rest.

‘No, you’re perfect. And I don’t want to change a single thing! I think you’re great, I’m going to be here always, and I hope you feel the same. I just want to distance ourselves from any labels to avoid unnecessary miscommunication. And please, regardless of courtship status, if Red or I hurt your feelings, just yell at us until we can get Ghost on the- call Ghost over the human device! We want to know! We want to talk it out!’

Scar went on, but either Etho must have decided that was enough, or Scar was getting off topic, rambling on and on. Mumbo was grateful for the opportunity to tune him out and just.. sit with this. He was disappointed, certainly. He understood, and honestly, Scar was probably right to take this step, but- augh! He was just so frustrated! Not frustrated with Scar, but this stupid language barrier and stupid- all the other barriers- Mumbo had been so excited to explore this facet of human life, human culture- he wanted this so bad! It just- It just wasn’t fair. 

“Uh, Etho?” The name caught Mumbo’s attention, Scar clearly waiting for some kind of translation while Etho only crossed their arms.

“Scar. I’m not doing it.”

“Please, pleasepleaseplease, pleeaaaseee, Etho!” Scar dropped to his knees, Mumbo jumping at the sudden movement while Scar buried his forehead in the sand, hands and fingers locked together over his head. “I need this Etho!”

“You want it. And you’re going to find a way to hurt yourself doing it.”

“But what if I wanted it more than anything else in the world, Etho? I know you love crushing my dreams, but just this once, I would do anything.”

Grian snorted from where he was sat a tail-length away, looking at his phone. “You know, the worst part about that is I think he’s telling the truth. You better extort him something fierce, Etho.”

“Extort me!? While I’m fresh off a break up and vulnerable, Grian, how could you!?” 

Grian smiled. He did not look up.

‘What is it?’ Mumbo urged, which must have been the straw that broke the camel’s back, Etho visibly crumbling.

“I don’t even know-“ Etho rubbed their forehead with their fingers before pointing an accusatory finger at Scar, voice dark. “You owe me.” They paused. ‘Before Scars makes this.. separation.. official, they wanted to try a.. human custom.. with you. Particularly reserved for courtships, but not serious in nature.’

Etho had Mumbo’s complete attention. ‘I’m interested.’

Etho sighed, then turned to Scar. “Go on then. Explain yourself. I’m not going to do it.”

Scar couldn’t have looked any more delighted, diving into a grand explanation which was translated piece by piece. ‘It’s called a [kiss].’ Scar repeated the human word about ten more times so Mumbo got the picture, then continued on, ‘When one human really likes another human, they get really close and kinda put their faces together? Their mouths. Closed mouths, no teeth-‘ Scar continued on about something else, but Etho did not translate, looking like they’d be perfectly happy for the sun to fall out of the sky and smash them to pieces.

Mumbo cocked his head, amused and honestly a little baffled. ‘What’s the point?’

Etho translated, then rolled their eyes as Scar gave his answer. ‘It’s fun, they say, but I never got the appeal. Odd human ritual..’

“Oh!” Scar perked up, as if he hadn’t already been 100% perked, “I have a great idea! Why don’t you tell Mumbo I’ll demonstrate for him, and then he’ll really get a good understanding! No way to misinterpret then, right?” Scar gave Etho a grand smile, the other staring blankly.

“And who do you think you’re going to demonstrate with?”

Scar’s expression strained, lips pursing. “Now Etho…”

“Absolutely not.”

“Not even through the mask? Just a little peck?”

“Full offense, never.”

“Well..” Scar glanced around the clearing for an out, everywhere but where Grian was sat, looking entirely unamused, “Maybe a flat piece of bark, or my hand-“

“Oh for chrissakes, Scar,” Grian rolled his eyes, dropping his phone in his pocket, “C’mere.”

“A! No! I mean, you really don’t have to!” Scar waved his hands, while Etho was once again massaging their forehead with their fingers. With great drama, Grian let his head loll back, trudging to where the other two were standing with Mumbo.

“For the cause! Or so they say,” Grian shrugged, but his face was doing something different than the nonchalance he was attempting to push, something Mumbo struggled to decipher. “I don’t mind, really. C’mon, I know you really want this. Let’s get you your nice mermaid kiss with minimal injuries, yeah?”

Scar knit his fingers, endlessly fidgety. “It’s okay with me if it’s okay with you.” Grian nodded, decisive. Mumbo was so focused on them, he didn’t notice when Etho turned to address him, eternally unamused.

‘They’re going to demonstrate a [kiss] for you. They’re being weird about it because they have too much baggage. I don’t think they’re going to stop being weird about it, so feel lucky you don’t have to be stuck with Scars for an extended period after this is over.’ But despite Etho’s disdain, Mumbo sensed a little lightness there, Etho throwing Scar more of a look of exasperation than actual hostility.

“Did you tell him?” Scar asked. Etho confirmed.

Scar and Grian looked at each other for a long moment, a charged kind of look, the kind of energy that made Mumbo keenly aware that this meant something. Whether ‘this’ was the kiss itself or who was sharing it.. Mumbo didn’t know. Grian closed the distance. Scar held a hand loose on Grian’s arm, and the two of them leaned in. It was brief, all couple seconds of it utterly strange. The contact, the way their lips moved and the slow parting as if caught in a trance, promptly broken as they separated and stepped away, both looking as unaffected as they were before this idea of a kiss had been brought up in the first place. Wow! That was really weird!

‘My turn!’ Mumbo whistled, fins dancing in his excitement. This was so fun! Human thing! He loved human things! While Etho blinked in surprise, Scar looked utterly wonderstruck as Mumbo slid to close the distance between them, staring with those wide green eyes, practically sparkling in the sun. Mumbo was deeply charmed by how excited he was. Funny little thing. Mumbo supposed he had been equally eager to share his own cultural practices with Scar. With both of them.

Mumbo brought himself to Scar’s height, allowing himself to take the other in. They didn’t really look at each other this close very often, Mumbo rarely getting to take in the finer details of the humans’ faces when his eyesight was so poor. For the first time, Mumbo noticed little off-color spots dotting Scar’s face, not too many, but lovely all the same. Did Grian have them too?

“Are you ready?” Scar asked, uncharacteristically quiet. Was he nervous? That was so sweet. Mumbo gave him a firm thumbs up, to which he and Grian chuckled, though Mumbo had no idea why. He didn’t let it bother him.

Mumbo aimed for Scar’s lips. He wound back.

“Wait, don’t-“

Mumbo was not entirely sure how Scar ended up sprawled in the sand; he was a little dazed himself, really feeling that kiss in his sore forehead, but hey, maybe that was the human magic! What fun! 

Hm. Scar still wasn’t moving. 

Hm…

Either that was a really great kiss, or Mumbo had done something quite wrong.

…

Upon Scar’s great insistence, Grian dropped by Bdubs’ apartment to drop Etho off before shipping Scar off to the hospital, Scar not even letting Etho get a word in edgewise, rambling on about how exhausted Etho had to be the whole way there. Scar quieted once Etho disappeared inside, staring after him for a long time before slumping back in his seat, fingers gracing his forehead.

“Dude, my head hurts.”

“You don’t say,” Grian rolled his eyes, but not without turning back onto the street with some urgency. He didn’t need Scar to have some concussion-related seizure in his car, tragically losing the use of the left half of his body or something. Honestly, Grian didn’t even think Scar would regret it. He’d gotten what he wanted. Kind of. “You couldn’t see straight or remember your birthday for a good five minutes, let’s just hope it’s nothing serious.”

“I hope I don’t forget him.”

Grian snorted, “Who, Mumbo? I doubt that.”

“No..” Scar’s voice was faraway, wistful, and Grian was 80% sure that it wasn't from the concussion. “The way he looked at me. Like he loved me. Grian, it was magical.”

The intake workers at the ER clearly weren’t as concerned about Scar as Grian was, leaving them to sit for three hours before finally calling Scar back for treatment. Grian heard the loud greetings of a nurse or two that recognized him before he disappeared behind the swinging door. How many times did you have to show up here for the employees to know your name? Miserably, Grian wondered how many times he’d be back with Scar in tow.

The wait felt longer with Scar gone. Grian closed his eyes. Just thirty more minutes and Scar was back in the waiting room, smile bright and arms full of little care pamphlets, which he promptly tossed in the trash. 

“I’m free to go!”

Grian was not so keen to leave him without supervision, especially after one of the nurses heckled Scar about just that on his way out the door, but Scar did not fight him, only lamenting about the nap he just needed to take right now, and if god struck him down for getting his sweet concussion beauty rest, then so be it! Grian was just relieved Scar was planning to rest in the first place.

It was weird, lingering in Scar’s house. Scar had been to Grian’s apartment quite a bit since his episode, but not so much the other way around, and Grian was suddenly overcome by the need to care for him. To make up for all those long, restless nights, dinners Grian didn’t have the energy to make, pizzas Grian didn’t pay for, the stress, the fear, the horrible strain that tainted Scar’s ever present smile after the sun went down.

It wasn’t fair. Grian could never even get close to repaying him, and not just for his own lack of savings.

So he cleaned, all that he could at least. Scar was a bit of a cluttered man and Grian didn’t want to fuck with his stuff too much, but it was easy enough to stack things into more organized piles, push papers together, pick up various receipts that had fallen to the floor and put them all together in the kitchen where Scar would see them. In terms of food, there wasn’t much Grian could make, but Scar did have a frozen lasagna that could be popped right in the oven. On one of Grian’s hourly check ins, he asked if Scar wanted it. Scar was a little dazed, probably from sleep. It’d been about three hours though, probably time he got up.

He stretched, slurring slightly, “I’ll get it, G, you can go on home.”

Grian shifted his weight, lips pursed. “I’d really like to stay, Scar, I know stuff like this happens to you all the time, but concussions aren’t something to fuck around with, even if it’s not too serious.”

“Stay if you like, then,” Scar wasn’t dismissive, but not totally present either, like he truly just didn’t have the energy to entertain anymore. Grian understood. It had been a long day.

Grian gave Scar his space, putting the lasagna in the oven and sitting at the kitchen table, phone plugged in to one of many chargers he’d pilfered from around the house. Scar emerged from his room about forty minutes later, not too long before Grian’s timer was set to go off. Scar gave him a small smile, then sat across from him. The quiet was odd, not at all bad, just odd, so contrary to so many of their public interactions, loud and bickering and poking fun.. Grian liked the quiet. He liked how this felt, just the two of them. He only wished Scar was feeling better, so he could enjoy it too. They ate in a similar silence, eventually migrating to the living room room, lights dimmed and TV on low. Scar wrapped himself up in a blanket on the couch while Grian settled on the comfy chair adjacent.

They talked, a little bit. Grian’s mind wandered.

“I think you did a really good thing today, Scar,” he said, almost without his own input. Scar smirked, brushing Grian off with a roll of his eyes.

“What, getting into a headbutting contest with a mermaid?”

“No,” Grian said, knowing full well Scar knew too, “I just know you really liked him. You really wanted him. It couldn’t have been easy.”

Scar’s smile faded. He pushed a hand through his already-unruly hair. “Wasn’t so bad.. You know me. It’s not too important..”

“But it was, in a way. It was different. It was exciting. You wanted to share those things with him, and it’s just.. a bummer. You don’t have to downplay it. We don’t even have to talk about this anymore if you don’t want to, I just.. I think you did a good thing. I think you did the right thing. I wanted you to know.”

Scar quieted. He closed his eyes. Grian did not need an answer, relaxing back into his chair. A little less comfortable of a silence, but Grian did not regret it. He and Etho would be the only people who knew about this, and as much as Grian liked Etho, he wasn’t the most.. open guy. Scar deserved to hear this. To know.

“Thank you,” Scar’s voice was quiet. “It doesn’t.. It’s weird, right? It was such a non-commitment, it was a miscommunication, it was just for fun, but I.. I don’t know. I just feel so lonely. It doesn’t make any sense at all. He never even held me, but I still miss it.”

“That sucks.”

Scar laughed, and Grian laughed a little too, embarrassed at his own bluntness. Maybe he could’ve given that response some more thought…

“Yeah,” Scar sighed, “It does. And it’ll pass, too, just.. a bit dumpy right now.”

Scar looked up, tired, but still managed to capture Grian’s eyes in that gently freckled face, soft skin turned rigid by all too many animal-related scratches and scars. Grian felt the pull, and yanked his gaze away. Now was a bad time.

But no one ever applauded Grian for having good timing, did they.

“Would you ever want to try again?” The words slipped from his lips, Grian regretting them instantly as they fell, “I mean- If not, then yes, totally good, totally fine, nothing would change, I promise, but if you did want to, then I would- I would also want to. I would be open to it.”

Scar was perfectly relaxed, the rise and fall of his chest exactly the same, but still Grian could not bring himself to look at him. God, he was such an idiot!

“Grian, are you asking to be my rebound?” There was laughter in Scar’s voice.

Grian dropped his head into his hands. “I am so sorry.”

“Well, I’d say I’d be open to it,” Scar drawled, catching Grian’s attention enough to get him to look up, but Scar wasn’t done, “But only if you know that you don’t stand a chance next to a mermaid.”

Grian felt the air evacuate his lungs. He almost laughed. “Well I’ve always known that.”

[mcytshipsandmore]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/63089620

qpr mumbo fic, as requested!

giggling rn silly silly

😽😽😽😽 platonic smooch for you anon tyyyyy for thiissss 🩵🩵🩵 -⭐️

[aggressivenesswhilecrying]

Sugar threads

Summery:

With mumbo being far too tall, and far too skinny for any human, almost all of his clothes have to be hand made, with lots of love and care, to fit him. And who better then the local tailor, of which he is dating, who has quite a lot of love to spare for the redstoner?

No Tigger warnings!!

Not proof read or edited!!

(This is for an event by the name of @redscapeweek!! Day 4. Tailor/sharing clothes/vintage!!)

Mumbo had requested something he had never yet asked for. A dress. Now, scar is over the moon!! Thoughts fill his mind at every corner, ideas, designs, fabrics, all the sorts. Accessories and more.

The tall man himself had requested a blazer like top, and a skirt that went down just a little bit past his knees. And scar had fallen in love with the idea in seconds. A loud clicking sound leaving him in excitement, quickly rolling off to grab his sketchbook and look at fabric, mumbo following with a huff of noise.

"I- I wasn't even done talking!!" He laughed out, shaking his head as he bent down to fit through the doorway. Light streaming in through large windows overgrown with all sort of forestry. Rolls of fabric covering walls with a large simple desk in the middle. Sewing equipment thoroughly covering the desk. A large sewing machine on the left side. 

"Well I gotta be ready!! Mister mumbo, inspiration hit, and I can only help but follow its lead!!" He laughs lightly as he comes to a stop at his table, reaching for his notebook, he practically throws it open, jotting down the small amout of notes he already has. Clicking his tounge as he turns the page.

Mumbo leans slightly over his shoulder, fiddling with his hands as scar starts with a sketch.

"do you want it flowy or skin tight..?" He trails off a little, looking up at mumbo with eyes that seem to hold every possibility, every thought, everything. The way the brown eyes stay wide and scar grin at mumbo, has mumbos knees weak, and his heart soar. 

"I uh. The, the top I would like skin tight? The blazer? But, the actual dress part I uh, flowy? If that makes sense?" He asks with a bit of hesitance, an awkward smile on his own face.

Scar laughing softly as he jots it down. Adding to the sketch with a grin. "Well of course it is mumbo jumbo!! Why wouldn't it be?" He teases lightly, his eyes staring at the tall man's stature from the corner of his eyes. Said man almost folding more in on himself like he was punished.

"Well, it's, it's it like, we'll, complicated?" He chuckles, leaning down quite a good bit, practically on his knees to drape himself over the back of the wheelchair, and onto scar. Scar letting out a huff of a laugh at this.

"Complicated, won't stop me, remember that suit covered in fake flowers? That was far more complicated then this." He snorts. The sketch, and imagine of the dress blossoming under scars fingers.

With mumbos impossible hight, thin body, and sensory issues, almost everything has to be hand made for him to wear. Abd everything matters, down to the tag, the stitching, and the fabric.

It has to be made with love.

Lucky for mumbo 

Scar has a lot of love for the man, that he can pour into each outfit.

Moments past, and before either of them have the chance to notice, the sketch is down and scar is rolling off to the fabrics. Stopping at the blacks.

"Do you want to pick one that feels nice for the outside?" Scar asks with a chuckle as mumbo walks up, feeling along each fabric with care. Knowing that not only is the fabric expensive, but it must also feel safe. He stops at an almost silky one. Thick with a smooth feel to it. Plain black with lines on it, it a barely noticeable darker black. 

"I think this one will be nice..?" Without missing a beat, scar rolls over, looking at the number of the roll and writing it on his wrist.

It's easy to do the same with the rest. Selections of a red dress, following the silky feel. And a soft and warm white for the inside.

They realize it's easy to follow old habits, of mumbo spinning in circles as scar measures him. Scar kissing small areas he can reach, just to fluster mumbo, no matter how often he does it, the pale man still goes bright red, words getting caught in his throat. Mumbo and scar humming along to the same music. Scar joking the mumbo gets the boyfriend privilege of free clothes, Mumbo huffing out laughs in exchange as he makes a silly joke of how it's surprising that scar isn't trying to milk him out of every last Dimond, scar will comment how he'll milk him for something else with far too much confidence, ans then they'll develop into fits of giggles when scar realizes the implications of what he just said, with red faces. Mumbo sitting with scar and idling around the room on the days scar works on it. 

They never really change these days. They don't think they need to.

[gaylotusthatexists]

gift for @ravendarkwood as part of the @mcytblrholidayexchange!!!! sorry that this took so long lmao but here u go, redscape arranged marriage for you :) hope you enjoy!!!!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/62003233

[timmy-bee]

Title: Happy End In The Near Future Warnings: n/a Relationships: One sided Grian/Mumbo , Mumbo/Scar Chapter(s): 1/1 Summary:

I hope the future I wish for isn't far away, either But that's a bonus What's important right now Is for this love of yours to be realized, no matter what!

aka: grian has a big ol' crush on mumbo, but mumbo loves someone else. grian copes, badly.

first songfic!! :3 thank you to @nyanatomy for betareading & @gaydeathberries for helping to edit like a quarter of it <3 hope the gang enjoys this one

[xoxo-ren-xoxo]

RAHHHHH chapter 20 of comms au send tweet

this time with uhhhh. idk. redscape? and lore?

[blitheringbongus]

Heyyy guess who updated their Redscape Soulmates AU fanfic

[thatonewatercat]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Hermitcraft SMP Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Ryan | GoodTimesWithScar & Ryan | GoodTimesWithScar's Cat Jellie, Oliver Brotherhood | Mumbo Jumbo & Ryan | GoodTimeWithScar Characters: Ryan | GoodTimesWithScar, Oliver Brotherhood | Mumbo Jumbo, Ryan | GoodTimesWithScar's Cat Jellie Additional Tags: Mumbo - Freeform, Scar, redscape, mumscar - Freeform, very subtle tho, They Flirt A Little, but most they're trying to kill each other, jellie saves the day, i actually wrote this for a class and then changed the names for the fanfic, it would've been better if the teacher just let me writer as much as i want, Mumbo is a fed? kinda, Scar robbed a bank and looked hot while doing it, Oneshot Summary:

Glancing in the rearview mirror and swearing under his breath before he stepped on the pedal a little harder, Scar realized that missing the last exit turn was about to cost him more than he bargained for. What was supposed to be a stealth mission, --an in-and-out type scenario-- was now a high speed chase over the grand and glorious golden gate bridge, which really wasn’t the best option for trying to throw people off your trail. There was nowhere to turn to lose them, and too many people to easily speed around cars. He was kinda stuck. Damn.

At least he won't feel bad about punching the twink in a suit and tie and maybe roughing up that mustache while he's at it. It's what they get for popping his tire and scaring Jellie!

[atlasllations]

redscaoe.......

Read a redscape sickfic and now its all i can think about look at these losers

[slippersthatarepurple]

This but I made it angsty <3

Mumbo hovered by Grian’s side as he perched atop the nosy neighbours’ tour, wings half spread for balance. He raised a ghostly hand, trying to swipe away the tears that slipped down his cheeks. Of course, it didn’t work, but Grian shivered at his half-touch, melting into it.

“You’re one of the ghosts, aren’t you?” He asked quietly. “A spectator, or Skizz, or… Tim or Joel.”

Mumbo winced in empathy, wishing there was a way for him to communicate properly.

“Whoever you are- I’m not sure why you’re here, I expect the others are doing far more interesting things. You could see BigB and Pearl downstairs doing their little eldritch rituals, instead of just me being pathetic.” He chuckled wetly.

Mumbo made a quiet sound of protest that no one could hear, touching Grian’s cheek again.

“Thanks,” Grian smiled shakily. “I don’t really wanna be alone right now.”

“Well look no further, good sir-” they both jumped at Scar’s voice, pillaring up to the rooftop with dirt. “Were you talking to yourself?”

Grian swiped away his tears, chuckling. “No, Scar, I wasn’t. Why’re you here? I thought you had a pretty shaky relationship with the nosy neighbours.”

“That may be so, but I reckon I have a pretty good relationship with you,” Scar winked, sitting beside Grian and throwing an arm around him. Grian huffed with a slight smile, wing shifting to discretely move around him.

“That’s an awful pun,” he rolled his eyes. “If Mumbo were here he’d be at you with an axe.”

Mumbo chuckled softly.

“No, Mumbo loves me!” Scar claimed.

“Exactly,” Grian responded smugly. Then he blinked slowly, glancing up at the air around them. His gaze drifted over Mumbo. “Huh,” he said.

“Huh what?” Scar questioned.

“Nothing,” Grian replied thoughtfully. “Just… thinking.” He shifted the wing that wasn’t around Scar, moving it ever-so-slightly so that there was space beneath it. Mumbo had cuddled with them both on Hermitcraft to know that that was a clear invitation for him, and Grian’s way of knowing whether the spectator was him or not.

Mumbo barely hesitated before sliding under Grian’s wing, pressing to his side. Grian shivered again at the contact, but was smiling when Mumbo glanced at him with worry.

“Thinking about what?” Scar asked, still in the earlier conversation. Mumbo supposed it never really stopped.

“We have a spectator with us,” Grian hummed.

“Oh!” Scar’s eyebrows raised. “How do you know?”

“He’s under my other wing.”

Scar faltered. “But- isn’t that Mumbo’s place?”

Grian smiled tenderly. “Yeah. Guess who it is.”

Scar gasped. “Wait, really? But he doesn’t watch the games, he set up those weekly sessions so we can catch him up?”

Mumbo drooped under Grian’s curious gaze. “That is true… what’cha got to say for yourself, love?”

Mumbo blinked as he opaqued. “Wait, you can do that?”

“Admin privilege,” Grian’s eyes sparkled.

“Don’t avoid the question,” Scar ordered, peering over Grian’s shoulder.

“I don’t normally spectate, only when people start perma-dying, cause then you guys get sad,” he confessed. “I would rather be there, even if you can’t see me. Usually.”

“That’s really cute, but you could’ve just told us, so we don’t tell you what you already know,” Scar chuckled.

“I like hearing you guys tell stories,” Mumbo said quietly.

“Awww,” Grian smiled, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

“What about me?” Scar whined. “Do I get a forehead kiss?”

“We literally made out earlier,” Grian deadpanned.

Mumbo burst out laughing as Scar flushed. “Oh. Right. Um- yeah.”

“If you’re very lucky,” Grian grinned, “Mumbo might give you a kiss.”

Scar perked up, glancing bashfully in Mumbo’s direction.

“C’mere,” Mumbo smiled.

Scar grinned proudly, crawling across Grian’s lap and into Mumbo’s arms. Grian shifted, bringing both wings around to shelter them in their own little cocoon, away from harm.

The clocks ticked on.

I like to think that mumbo's watching the Life seasons that he's not in as a ghost (along with all the other missing people) but he doesn't tell anyone when they get back. i think the entire time he's eyebrow-raising and being like "Grian grian that tnt trap is WRONG." "scar STOP MLGING YOU HAVE TWO HEARTS" "oh you WOULD do that grian, wouldn't you." "SCAR!" and when the come back to hermitcraft and regale all their tales he just keeps his mouth shut, fully knowing how much they are exaggerating or just outright lying but thinking its too funny to tell them that he was there

[aggressivenesswhilecrying]

Raining cards

Summery:

When mumbo isn't one for preforming, but loves feel of watching one. He decides to spend his years watching a particular magician.

no trigger warnings!!

Not proof read or edited!!

(This is a fic for @redscapeweek day 2, magic tricks!!)

Mumbo learned early on that he isn't one for preforming acts, but gods does he love to watch them. The scared man on stage seeming to do some sort of tap dance as the lights come on, shinning in an almost star shape. And mumbo was mesmerized.

He watched as the man he had come to spend hundreds of dollar just to watch over the years tilted up his too tall top hat with a grin. The grey and white cat named jellie standing on his shoulders, looking around in fascination. Scar leaned forward on his cane, looking at the crowd with a large smirk.

"Hello!! And welcome to the goodtimes with scar show!! I'm your host, scar himself!! Kick back, relax, and enjoy some magic!!" The man called out as if he was on a game show, before twirling his wrist, a deck of cards suddenly in his hands. Mumbo didn't have a moment to think before the cards were in the air, and raining down. 

Mumbo let out an amazed laugh as scars once formal suit, changed before his very eyes into a long bright green, fitted coat, undone to show a silly, poofy dress shirt from a few centuries ago. No matter how many times he watched the start of the show, it never got less amazing.

At some point, after the cards had all fallen, a king of diamonds had made its way to Mumbo. The card had been signed on the front, and mumbo waisted just a second tracing the gold checked pattern on the back, before looking at scars signature deck, the king was himself, in all his glory, the queen was always jellie, the jack a pair of tap shoes. And the ace? A cane. Mumbo felt his face heat up as scar put on a rather loud tap dance performance to some song mumbo heard a million and one time. His feet moving faster then mumbo had the time to notice, moving the cards everywhere as he did so.  Some entering the air again.

It always amazed him, how scar moved, in an almost cartoon like sense, body bending in odd ways. If scar wasn't a magician mumbo could confidently say he'd be a damn good contortionist, or a dancer, or a lot of things really.

every time mumbo watched he swore he felt his heart race. When scar would laugh, and suddenly mumbo could see flames come out of scars mouth, he swore he could almost feel the heat.

He didn't know how the man did it really.

He didn't think he cared at the end of the show really

Not when mumbo would wait at the doorway, long after the show ended only for a tired scar to wander out, jellie in her carrier, yawning, and mumbling as he leaned onto mumbo

"I swear it gets later everytime.." he mumbles with a chuckle, cane practically stapping into the ground

"It's what...1am..? That's not too bad!! Last time we left at like..2, 3am?"

He chuckled a yawn of his own riding as they wander over to scars car. Jellie meowing loudly.

Mumbo doesn't think he cares at the end of the show, on how scar does it. He gets too much of a thrill by watching

Additional notes:

I decided, last night, at 2am, I wanted to write this for today, I have a post scheduled for day 4 already, so I wasn't planning on writing again for this event. Cuz deser duo week is close, and I have even more things I'm wanting to write, and ita just, yeah, messy messy messy. But, suddenly I got inspired to write again for this day. And go for the curses parts of this prompt, but, don't know when it'll be up cjlhkdkhddku, today, tomorrow, 3 weeks from now who knows

[gaylotusthatexists]

hello @sunofaraven, here is ur @mcyt-valentines gift!! i come bearing mumscarian :D (scar-centric and focusing moreso on redscape lmao but grian is also there <3)

you mentioned that you enjoy apocalypse aus, which isn't something i've really explored before but ngl this was a lot of fun lmao, lil post-apocalypse au taking vague inspo from Moon Big, plenty of hurt/comfort n some sweet domestic moments as well but uh. as a fellow angst enjoyer, was very happy to cause a lil suffering lmao

really hope you enjoy this!! happy valentines <3

[1-marigold-1]

Redscape nation rise up

that's my favourite doodle of them man I dunno

Here you have the whole doodle page

I'm not much of a shipper but I adore their dynamic and have recently read some redscape fanfics for fun because I had too much free time on my hands-

Yeah anyways I think they're cool

(Mumbo is the only man in existence that can and will be poisoned by Scar constantly via his baking. Whether Scar planned it or not Mumbo has no survival instincts and will eat anything - like those buttercup cookies in s9 you know-)

This fic has cool vibes and it was the first I read from the redscape category, feel free to check it out! (I'm such a fan of vintage/clocks/radio and stuff like that so yeahhh)

Grian is so done with them both