Work Text:
"Woooow," Grian dragged out the word as he appeared behind Mumbo, causing him to jump in his seat and nearly spill his drink. "He was really laying it on thick with the flirting there."
Turning to face the other man, Mumbo smoothed out his shirt to try and keep at least some dignity. "He was not, he was just being friendly. Where have you been anyways. It was your idea to come here and then you just disappear on me?"
Grian gave Mumbo a sharp grin and he saw a not unfamiliar flash of purple in his obsidian-dark eyes. "Oh, I've just been watching . That man was very much into you though, you should go for it I think. Invite him home." The wink Grian gave him would have probably had him blushing were he capable of it right now. He was too hungry for that though, it had been a while since his last meal. Nearly too long.
Instead he let out a long sigh, "I don't- It's actually not that simple." Mumbo's eyes glanced over the room around them. The bar Grian had brought them to was busy enough that two people could easily fly under the radar, yet not so busy as to be crowded shoulder to shoulder and bumped into by other intoxicated patrons constantly. It was the kind of place Mumbo could see himself returning to if he and Grian ever decided to take a night out like this again. The bartender even had a decent Syrah available for Mumbo to sip on as he conversed, not quite as nice as the bottles he had in his own reserve, but decent nonetheless. It had been a long, long time since Mumbo had made any habit of going for a night out though, and even longer since he frequented a place enough to be considered a regular.
"If you don't fancy him like that you don’t need to take him home then. You could just take him to the alley, take care of your needs and we can go. It's not like you'd ever see him again anyways. Even if you do, he won't even remember who you are."
In all the time he had known Grian, the man's bluntness was never something he got used to. Mumbo spluttered and choked out a cry of "Grian!" as he turned away and tried to collect himself with a sip of his wine.
"Aww, come on Mumby," he could hear the teasing edge in his voice as Grian whined out the words. "It's perfectly normal, nothing to be embarrassed about. You have needs and that pretty man is perfect for helping fill them." Mumbo felt Grian lean towards him and drape himself across his back, the familiar weight the tiniest bit grounding as he felt the light drag of Grian's fingers running up his arms in contrast. Mumbo could hear his mind racing, thinking through every scenario all at once.
It was too much.
Just as he was about to tell Grian this though, another voice cut in. "Used to be a man could run to the john for a minute and come back to his seat and the handsome man he left behind no problem." Grian and Mumbo both turned around to the owner of said voice. The man that Mumbo had spent the better part of the evening chatting with now standing there. He wore a large smile and there was a jovial lilt to his voice, but looking at him, Mumbo noticed the tight grip he had on the handle of his cane and the coldness in his eyes as he looked at Grian. Then his emerald eyes shifted back to Mumbo and softened the slightest bit. "This guy bothering you?"
Before Mumbo could say anything, Grian was laughing and threw his head back before resting it on Mumbo's shoulder and looking up at him through dark eyelashes. "I probably am, but he's used to it by now. Aren't ya Mumbo?"
The man's posture didn't relax, if anything it grew more tense as he raised an eyebrow. "Uh huh, and you are?"
"His partner, Grian. Pleased to meet you." Grian held out his hand towards the man who blinked once, then twice, face falling in surprise, then flushing a gorgeous red that didn't make his mouth water. Nope, not at all.
"Um, Scar Goodtimes." Scar reached out and shook the offered hand. "Sorry. Partner?" He glanced back at Mumbo as he asked the question and Mumbo just nodded, hoping his own embarrassment at the situation or his own biological reaction to the man's wasn't as evident. Scar just nodded stiffly. "Right, sorry then. I didn't- I wasn't aware I was conserv- convert- um, talking with a taken man. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
Mumbo couldn't stand the look on his face, it made him feel guilty though he knew that was absurd. "No, no. Not at all Scar."
Then of course, because he was a menace of a man, Grian had to chime in. "Indeed, nothing to be sorry about. Mumbo knows I don't mind, right? Far be it from me to tell Mumbo what," Grian flashed Scar that dangerously sharp grin of his, "or who, he can and can't have."
Mumbo wanted to curl up and hide away forever or simply just die from his embarrassment. But instead he watched Scar's face shift from a confused furrow to wide eyed realization as he began to understand what Grian was insinuating.
"Ah. Well then," The flirtatious grin reappeared on Scar's face.
"Yup." Grian popped the 'p'. "So, I will just be on my way and you two crazy kids have fun." Grian moved to stand, shooting a wink at the other two men and Mumbo felt the ghost of a blush he was not currently capable of, sputtering slightly.
He just about passed out when Scar responded. "You don't have to leave." He was certain that Scar’s hand, which had found its way to his thigh, was the only thing keeping him from falling off the stool.
Grian, it seemed, was equally as surprised at the remark, halting in his tracks and turning back with a bewildered look on his face. It was interesting to see, several hundred years and it was rare to see Grian thrown off his rhythm so efficiently. "What are you saying exactly?" Mumbo watched as his partner's eyes narrowed slightly, that purple shine flashing quick as he raised an eyebrow.
Scar, to his credit, never let his smile falter, even as Mumbo saw the hairs on the back of his neck rise and a shiver slide down his back. He wondered if Grian really knew how intense he could be sometimes. The type of effect he could have on people not used to his quirks. Probably not, they rarely interacted with people outside of their own circle, people much odder or scarier than Grian or Mumbo tended to be. "Well, aren't they always saying two is company?"
Mumbo was baffled to say the least. "Um, I believe it's 'two is company, three is a crowd'"
Scar's responding nod did nothing to clear up Mumbo's confusion. "Three would be a bit crowded, yes. Luckily I just see two handsome men who I wouldn't say no to the company of this fine evening. If that was something you'd be interested in of course."
"Oh, that's- Scar that is not-" Mumbo's stuttering was cut off by Grian's cackle as he slunk back over the few steps back to where Scar and Mumbo sat.
"What, you think you can handle both of us?" Grian's sharp grin was back as he leaned in towards Scar.
Scar simply grinned back and held his ground as Grian got closer. It was incredibly attractive, Mambo had to admit. "Well I'm not one to say no to a challenge, Sunshine." Mumbo watched, enraptured by the two men before him as a different biological reaction than he’d had earlier made itself known to him and his trousers felt a bit tighter than they previously had. He must have made some noise, a groan or something, because soon after both men turned towards him, eyes hungry as together they leaned into his space.
Mumbo was not sure he'd survive the night.
…
Twenty minutes later Mumbo was being backed against the door of his and Grian's home before he even had the chance to lock it behind him. Scar's broad shoulders caged him in and his knees felt weak already, and he hadn’t even been kissed yet.
Scar was quick to fix that though, leaning in until Mumbo had to close his eyes and feel the ghost of lips just a hair away from his own. "This okay handsome?" He was relieved moments later when his small nod was answer enough and rough lips were crashing against his own.
It was exhilarating.
Mumbo was no stranger to kissing. In all of their years together, he and Grian had shared many kisses. Soft, rough, playful, you name it Grian has kissed Mumbo that way. There had also been the occasional other person here and there, though it had been a very long time since anything like this happened. Well, actually, nothing like this had ever happened. He was reminded of this as he heard Grian let out a whistle from somewhere further into the house. He and Grian had never both been around when one of them had brought someone else home, and Mumbo had never been kissed quite like this before.
He gasped at the feeling of calloused hands sneaking their way under all three layers of jacket, button up, and undershirt and Scar took the opportunity to deepen the kiss. Mumbo could feel his brain already melting, just barely holding on to the reason he had set out to find someone tonight in the first place. It became even harder to hold onto as Scar's lips left his and began trailing down his jaw. Thankfully the indignant squawk from Grian behind them shook Mumbo's one remaining brain cell loose enough for it to hold on to some semblance of coherency.
"Aww, feeling a little left out there Sunshine?" Scar's voice was a bit breathless and Mumbo was glad he wasn't the only one so affected by just a bit of making out.
"Normally I don't mind just watching but I don't believe that was the plan here."
Scar's bark of laughter held a dark edge as he turned his face away from Mumbo to let his gaze fall on the shorter man. "I think he's right Mumbo. He was nice enough to share with me and we've neglected him in return, think it's time we fix that." Mumbo felt his world spin and suddenly instead of the door his back was pressed against Grian. "Why hello there," Scar whispered with a sharp grin that rivaled Grian's, then he reached over Mumbo’s shoulder and pulled Grian into a kiss. It faintly occurred to Mumbo that his partner must have been sitting up on the counter since Scar's head was tilting up and Grian was nearly a foot shorter than Mumbo who was just barely taller than Scar, but that was such a footnote in his brain compared to the new stimulus pulling all of his focus.
From where he was, pressed between Scar and Grian, he found his face inches from the curve of Scar's tanned neck, suddenly extremely aware how dry his throat had been.
Mumbo hadn't fed in a few weeks, not since Gem had left for vacation and a power outage ruined his entire store of emergency rations. Going out tonight had not been his first choice, nor his second or third even. It had been at least a few hundred years since Mumbo had fed directly, not since Gem had begun supplying him with all he needed from the spare stores of whatever hospital she was working at. Benefits of having a sister in law who has kept up her medical licensure through the years and little care for the legalities of such an act. When he realized he might have to resort to his old methods he may have panicked just a bit. Most of the reason he had switched in the first place was how many bodies he had left behind.
It was a terrible cycle. He would wait too long to feed, not realizing the building gnawing at his throat as he focused in on a project. Then by the time he did realize, the need was already too great. He could never stop himself until there was nothing left. Eventually, he would come-to afterwards, clothes stained red and dull cold eyes looking back at him. He would hate himself in those moments. Tell himself he would never let it happen again. He never did learn though, and he'd once again ignore his thirst, this time out of fear of the monster he'd become. Eventually though, as it always did, instinct would take over, and he would wake back up at square one.
Meeting Grian had saved him. Mumbo could say as much without a single doubt. They had first tried letting Mumbo feed his appetites on Grian, who'd be able to make him stop if he needed, He also couldn't die if Mumbo overindulged, so there was much less risk. Unfortunately they quickly learned that a meal needed to be human, or at least mortal, for it to satiate Mumbo. Grian did not fit in that category, and while a taste of him left Mumbo feeling a high unlike any other, it did nothing to curb his hunger. It was then that Grian had introduced him to Gem and she'd been able to provide him with exactly what he needed.
Until his stores spoiled and his thirst very quickly grew. He'd held back long as he could until Grian finally convinced him he needed to do something about it.
"It will be fine, I promise."
"You weren't there for my worst years, Grian. I don't want to go through that again. I can't go through that again."
"You're right, I wasn't there then. But that's exactly what I have been trying to say! You'll have me this time, I can keep an Eye on you. I can intervene if necessary, but I don't think I'll have to as long as you don't keep putting this off." Grian had cradled his face so gently then, and his dark eyes held so much emotion Mumbo felt he could drown in them. "It will just be the one time then you'll never have to again. But please, I don't need to See to know how hungry you are. I don't like seeing you like this."
Mumbo had never really been able to properly say no to Grian's pout, and he had been right anyways. The longer he waited, the worse it would be. And he had Grian there either way. He was, however, much closer than they had expected him to be.
Not that Mumbo was complaining as he watched his partner moan under the attention of the man pressing against him as they kissed. From his view, it was all clashing rough exchanges as Scar tried to lead but Grian, stubborn as he was, fought to maintain some control. No, he would not complain about this, especially as his head tipped forward, lips finding the pulse point hidden beneath warm tanned skin. He felt his canine teeth extend and grow sharper as the steady rhythm of Scar's heart beat like a drum and he could feel the shiver pass through the man as Mumbo's teeth lightly scraped across his skin.
If Mumbo lived a thousand years more, he doesn't think he'd ever forget the sound Scar made when he sunk his teeth into flesh, finally piercing the fragile skin to reach the artery underneath. The human’s moan was obscene, nearly pornographic, as Mumbo bit down and pulled back, watching in hunger as blood began to well up through the two fresh, small holes in the man’s neck. It was only for a moment though before Mumbo’s mouth returned to the spot to greedily catch the spilling liquid. It was rich as it hit his tongue and he lavished the wound, finally feeling a relief for the burning in his throat as he drowned in the noises of the men on either side of him.
Mumbo thinks there is a chance he's actually died because there is no way this isn't heaven.
Gradually the men and their noises became distant and background to the intensity of the pull that kept him attached to Scar’s neck, licking and sucking and feeling euphorically lost in his meal. He wasn't sure how long he'd been drinking when he felt fingers in his hair pulling him gently back. "Hey, that’s enough for now Mumby. Can't have him too weakened, hmm?" Mumbo nodded in a daze, brain foggy with desire but recognising his love speaking to him. He turned his head as Grian's hand slipped from his hair and moved to cup his face. "Good boy." He felt his own knees go weak as Grian kisses him and the words rattle around in his rapidly emptying head. He was fairly certain Grian could taste the iron in the kiss and the fact that it hadn’t even been a minor issue made Mumbo’s heart swell.
Too soon though, Grian moved away from him, giving Mumbo just a brief jerk of his head that he followed to where Scar was standing, still pressed against him, a glassy look in his eyes. Right, he needed to- "Scar, listen to me." He was a bit out of practice but it was easy enough to remember how to pour power into his words, especially with the extra strength of a fresh meal. "When you leave here tomorrow, you will forget us. Forget what's happened." A slight nod from the man and Mumbo sighed, dropping the compulsion from his voice and watching the glassy look fade from Scar's eyes as he came back into focus. "Why don't we take this down the hall where there's a nice large bed waiting for us, yes?"
The look in Scar's eyes was dangerous as he grinned and it sent a pulse of excitement and need through Mumbo. "That sounds like an amayzin' idea."
… . … . …
This was a mistake.
Grian knew better but still he couldn't help himself as he stared at the cats in the pet store kennels. He and Mumbo had agreed that they'd wait at least a few more years before adopting a new pet after how hard losing the last one was. It was one of the few drawbacks to being functionally immortal, always outliving any mortal creature you grew attached to. It was why they kept their circle relatively small and only allowed themselves to grow close to other immortal or long lived beings.
There was his sister of course, the same power flowing through her veins as him, keeping them both alive. Then there was Gem and whatever her deal was, Grian was too afraid to ask, especially when the power radiating off of her was so palpable. Impulse and Skizz, the demon and angel duo, had also been longtime friends. Then there were his cousins, Jimmy and Lizzie, who's magical longevity had something to do with the sea if he could remember right. He was, however, pretty sure Joel, Lizzie's husband, was immortal only due to some bonding magic performed when they married that Grian wasn't exactly privy to but had been told it was very rare and dangerous magic. Something that usually would make him want to know more if it weren’t for the sternness in Lizzie’s expression when she told him not to go searching after it. There had been others he'd lost touch with throughout the years too, it was all too easy to lose track of someone over the centuries when decades would pass in the blink of an eye.
Still, he stared at the cats, heart melting over the playful kittens batting around toys and wrestling with each other. He was debating if he could get away with hiding one from Mumbo until it was too late to give it up when he heard a familiar voice beside him.
"Aren't they just adorable?" Grian nearly jumped out of his skin but managed to keep his composure as his head whipped around to where Scar stood a few feet away gazing at the kittens. Grian stared at the man he'd never expected to see again, cane in hand and looking just as handsome as he had a week ago. Which of course brings up the memories from that night and Grian hopes the light blush across his face isn't obvious. It's not like he remembers anyways.
It had been a wonderful night and Grian still had the fading bruises to prove it. It had been just a bit sad the next morning to watch Scar leave, knowing they'd never see the man again and that he wouldn't remember even meeting them if they did. Especially after Grian had woken that morning to find Scar in their kitchen making a breakfast feast for the three of them. He'd padded into the room, wondering where the music was coming from, only to pause in the doorway at the sight of Scar. Wearing only an apron and boxers, he was dancing at the stove and singing into a wooden spoon like it was a microphone. Grian just watched, enjoying the view as Scar danced, oblivious to his audience. He was only made aware that he was not alone as Mumbo shuffled up behind him yawning. It was at that point that Scar had turned and given the pair his 1000-watt smile and reached out to pull Mumbo into the dance with him, much to the man's half-hearted protest. It had been wonderfully domestic, like Scar had fit right into their life.
But Scar was human. Mortal. That much was obvious enough since his blood had been sufficient to curb Mumbo's hunger, unlike any immortal they'd ever encountered. It had upset Grian at first, that his blood was not enough to sustain his partner. He'd wanted so badly to be able to do more for the thirst that plagued the vampire, But at least Gem had offered a solution and over the years Grian learned that there were many different ways he could take care of his love.
Grian let out a quiet sigh, allowing himself just another quick moment to look at Scar before he'd turn and walk away from the man. At least until Scar kept talking. "I've been thinking about adopting another but Jellie is a bit of a spoiled princess so I don't know if she'd get along with new kittens running around."
Friendly conversation between strangers, Grian could do that. "Jellie is your cat I'm guessing?"
Scar nodded enthusiastically, finally turning away from the kennels. "Oh yeah, I've had her since forever it seems. Still, another cat would be a lot of work. You should get one though, that is if Mumbo is ama- ambi- amicable? Okay with it. You don't have one already right? I didn't see any trace of a pet in your house last week but I'm a firm believer that everyone should have an animal companion."
“Umm, wha-" Grian's brain had blue screened. He was reeling, trying to figure out how on earth Scar could remember him. And Mumbo. And the night they'd all spent together. He'd seen Mumbo use his compulsion, listened to him tell Scar that he wouldn't remember them once he left their house. So why was he mentioning it now? "Nope uh, no pets. Not at the moment at least."
Scar just continued talking, seemingly oblivious to the racing thoughts in Grian's head. "You should change that then. I recommend the humane shelter in the next town over, they've always got more animals than they have the captivity, no, cap- cap- you know like, space for. I could always go with ya if you wanted to. I volunteer so I can introduce you to the best of the cats there. Though admittedly, that might be all of them." Eventually it seemed Scar did notice Grian's silence. "That is unless last week was just a one and done and now I'm making things weird by coming up to talk to you which would make sense since I never got you or Mumbo's number to even set up anything of the sort happening again. Not that I'd be opposed to a repeat but I do think I need at least several more weeks to recover properly first. It's eight weeks between being able to donate blood so I imagine it's probably a similar timeline in this situation." And oh, oh no. Scar remembered everything .
Although he was being much more casual about the fact he'd been fed on by a vampire than Grian would expect anyone to be. "Wait so, you're just chill with it. Even the…" Grian just clacked his teeth together to mime a bite and watched as Scar just shrugged.
"It was hot."
Grian choked at the response, "Well, you're not wrong. I don't think most people would be this okay with, well a, um…"
Scar leaned in close, a conspiratorial grin settling on his face. "A vampire? Maybe not but," He shrugged, "I had a good time."
This was getting beyond his control, but he knew they were in much too public a setting to do anything about it right then. "Honestly? We did too." Because it was the truth, Grian and Mumbo had both agreed that that night made it in their collective top ten. "Here, why don't you give me your number. Maybe we can make plans sometime soon, be it shelter trips or… other things. Not the uh, other thing though. My sister and her wife should be getting back from their honeymoon in a few days and we'll be able to restock Mumbo’s usual supply. But whatever plans we may make, I just have to talk to Mumbo first. Okay?" Grian opened his phone and held it out to the man who excitedly took it and tapped away at the screen for a moment before handing it back.
"There you are." Grian looked to see the new contact. It was simple but silly and far too endearing. He'd written his name followed by a cat emoji and a winking face emoji. "And congrats to your sister on getting married!"
Grian snorted. "Yeah, I think this is the seventh time she and Gem have gotten married? I give it maybe fifteen years before they're divorcing again. I think it's some kind of weird foreplay for them or something at this point." He quickly shot a text to the number and heard the chime from Scar's pocket. "So you know who it is. I've got to get going now though."
Scar's responding smile causes more of a flutter in Grian's chest than he would be willing to admit. "Hopefully see you soon”
…
It was a few days later when Grian was standing in their kitchen, holding a cup of tea to keep his hands from fidgeting while Mumbo answered the door. He took a sip and let the hot liquid trail its way down his esophagus as he thought about what was about to happen.
He'd gone home as soon as he left Scar, abandoning all of his remaining errands and startling Mumbo as he burst through the door and began recounting what had happened. He and Mumbo had talked then, about what to do and how to handle the situation. Grian's biggest question was why the compulsion hadn't worked, which apparently Mumbo did actually have an answer for. While it was exceedingly rare, there were some humans who were naturally resistant to vampiric compulsion. Scar, it seemed, was one of them if his intact memory of his night with Grian and Mumbo was anything to go off of.
Which ruled out simply retrying the compulsion mind wipe on him and left them to their plan b. Grian wasn't particularly fond of plan b, but it was at least better than having to explain the situation to one of their friends for another solution. It was also leagues better than plan z. As much as Grian did not like plan b, neither of them really wanted to have to kill Scar. The man didn't deserve it simply because he got caught up in Grian and Mumbo. But if it came down to it, they would always put themselves and their friends first. Scar may not have necessarily been a danger, but he was a liability. He knew too much and he either had to forget or be taken out of the equation all together. Those were the rules they had to live by.
So Grian Watched carefully as Mumbo answered the door to the handsome man leaning on his cane and invited him inside. He tried his best for a casual lean as he heard them walking down the short hallway and turn the corner. Hiding the tenseness in his smile with another sip of his tea he waved as Mumbo pulled out a chair at the table for Scar who smiled brightly as he waved back. Once Scar was settled, Mumbo walked over to stand next to Grian and Grian could feel the nervousness rolling off of him in waves. He'd say it was visually obvious too, with the way Mumbo shifted back and forth on his feet and kept adjusting his hair or shirt or mustache or whatever else his hands could reach, but that was all actually fairly standard for the man. He never seemed to be able to keep still, even at night he would constantly shift and roll and adjust positions as he slept. It was why the pair had opted for a king sized bed, plenty of room for Mumbo to move around and for Grian to move with him, clinging on like a koala. At least the nights Grian wasn't taking up half the bed himself, starfished with every limb spread out as if there was no one else sharing the space.
"So, Scar we uh, we have some things we wanted to talk about. Because of the things we didn't talk about last time." Mumbo started and Grian let him take the lead. He had his part in this but clearing the air wasn't it.
Scar seemed to take the conversation topic in stride. "Oh it's okay Mumbo, I understand. Not so easy to tell a man you plan on drinking his blood. Speaking of which I've been curious, did you feel any of the effects of my medication? Oh, or did my blood taste different because of it?"
Grian had to stop himself from snorting at the shocked face Mumbo made at the question. It quickly shifted to a more focused look though as Mumbo’s brain leaned into the question. "Huh, you know, I don't think I noticed anything in the moment. I wasn't quite fully myself in the moment though so I can't say it would have been an accurate test." Grian cleared his throat to stop Mumbo from the rambling musings he knew he was starting towards. "Right, sorry. Not the point. What I was getting at is the fact that you remember any of that at all."
Grian and Mumbo had agreed that Scar deserved the truth of what happened. Even if he wouldn't remember soon, they had both wanted to be upfront with the mortal. "I know you remember most of that night, but do you remember Mumbo telling you that you'd forget us once you left our house?"
Scar thought for a moment, a furrow appearing in his brows. "No, I don't think so. Though there is a fuzzy bit towards the beginning. I was just blaming that on the alcohol still wearing off or something."
Mumbo nodded. "Interesting. It is possibly from when I tried to use my compulsion on you."
"You were trying to compulsion me to forget you two? Why? I thought we were having a good time."
"Oh, um, It was nothing against you personally Scar," Mumbo was quick to reassure after seeing the slight frown on the man's face. "It's more of a safety thing for me and Grian."
"You don't live as long as we have when people know you're not human." Grian chimed in. "In our experience, the more mortals who know you're not like them the more danger you are in. We've kept that number to zero and want to keep it that way."
"Oh." Scar looked despondent and it almost broke Grian's resolve. He and Mumbo really had enjoyed Scar, both their evening together and the morning after. It had been briefly floated, the idea of letting him keep his memories, at least for now. In the end though they both knew the longer it took, the harder the eventual goodbye would be. Because when it came to mortals they would always have to say goodbye one day. “So are you going to try again then?"
"So we're pretty certain that my compulsion just fully doesn't work on you? But we do have a backup method. It's just a bit, um, more."
Scar was quiet for a moment, face emotionless. "Okay." He nodded and let out a small sigh. "If it's the safest option for you both then okay." Scar's demeanor was resolute but the consent did make Grian feel a bit better about it all. "So, how does this work?"
Scar was looking at Mumbo but this was where Grian finally put down the mug of tea, now only lukewarm, and stepped forward. "Me, I'm how this works." He took in a deep breath and sighed, letting himself relax and feeling his glamor melt away.
The room grew staticky as the change overtook him and spectral purple eyes began manifesting all around them-. He could feel the splitting pain as new bones sprouted from his back and temples, breaking through the skin as they rapidly grew muscle and connective tissue before feathers began to grow in to cover them until Grian had four stark white wings, two on either side of his shoulders, and a smaller couple sets coming off his head. The dark black of his irises expanded until it overtook his sclerae and he could feel the shifting of his gums as his teeth changed to become sharper and more grew in until it was crowded. Similarly, he felt the stretch as his fingers elongated and his nails grew sharper, more talon-like, and knew his fingertips were also now stained a purplish-black. As the change completed, Grian settled into his new senses. All at once, the eyes suspended around the room snapped open and he was able to see so much more, feel so much more.
He turned his attention to the man sitting at his kitchen table, at least a dozen of the eyes surrounding him shifting with his focus. He could feel the edges of the mortal's mind, and how easy it would be for his own will to push in. It wouldn't even take much effort to search out the thoughts and memories of Grian and Mumbo in his consciousness, to draw them out and consume them like a feast until they were no more. It was what he had to do. No matter how much he hated this form, or how painful the switch was. No matter how much he hated using his power like this. This was how he would protect what was his .
Until, at least, he felt something he was not expecting as his sense of being closed around Scar's. It was enough to give him pause and feel a bit of his self come back to him, several of the eyes gently closing. "Scar," his voice echoed, reverberating through the small space. "Are you- turned on right now?"
Somewhere to his left Mumbo made a choking noise and Grian could feel the spike of fear laced lust that went through Scar. "Um, no?"
The lie was obvious, even if Grian wasn't acutely aware of every feeling Scar was currently having. It was just a bit too tempting to play into it though. "Are you lying to me, Scar?" He let just a hint of malice seep into his tone as he took a step closer, displaying rows of sharp teeth with a smile, and was promptly rewarded by an even stronger spike of want cutting through the brief fear.
It was delicious.
"W-well, can ya blame a guy? I think it's incredibly attractive to see you like this and I pithy the fool who doesn't" Grian let out a low chuckle but he could also feel and See Mumbo moving behind him.
In a moment Mumbo had his arms wrapped around him and muttered lowly into his ear. "I really can't blame him because he's not wrong G. This has always been a very attractive look on you. Shame you don't show it off more."
Grian Watched as Scar also stood, walking towards him, suddenly feeling much more confident than he had moments before. "You know, we really shouldn't let this opportunity go to waste. There will be time for memory smudging after, won't there? Won’t you sing for us Songbird?"
It was not a good idea, somewhere in his mind, Grian knew this. But it was very difficult to say no when two very attractive men were giving off wave after wave of lust and desire. So Grian decided that yes, there would be time.
After.
… . … . …
Scar hummed to himself as he set the two pans on the stove and fired it up. From there he turned to the cabinet, pulling down the flour, baking powder, and sugar and dutifully weighing them out. Once he had the eggs and milk whisked in he slowly tipped in a bit of vanilla and salt. Setting aside the completed pancake batter, he peeked in the oven and deemed the potatoes just about done and it was the perfect time to start frying up the bacon and flapjacks.
Scar loved his routine of cooking breakfast on weekend mornings, even if at least Mumbo didn't really need to eat. He honestly wasn't sure if Grian needed to eat either, but he always enjoyed waking up to the smell of food cooking and devoured whatever Scar put in front of him so it didn't really matter if he needed to or not Scar supposed. Either way Scar loved the hungry look on his partner's faces when they entered the kitchen, and he knew it wasn't just for the delicious food he made them. Scar had made it a habit of cooking in just his cat apron and boxers set low on his hips. There was the one time, of course, where he'd been only wearing the apron. It had not been a choice made again when the eggs had scorched to the pan and nearly caught fire after being forgotten about in favor of Scar being pinned between the other two men doing things they probably shouldn't have on the breakfast table.
No matter now, he could hear footsteps padding down the hall and shortly after felt a pair of arms wrapping around his midsection and a face being pressed between his shoulder blades. "Good morning sunshine."
Grian just grumbled into his bare skin. "You couldn't wait another hour to cook breakfast? You left me all alone and cold."
"I was right there Grian!" Came Mumbo's voice along with the sound of coffee pouring into a mug.
Grian just snorted. "Oh like you're supposed to provide me heat? I don't even know how you survived becoming a vampire when you were probably anemic beforehand. You run colder than any other undead I know."
"And how many undead do you know Grian?" Mumbo took a sip of his coffee before sitting down at the table to pick up the tablet there and begin reading through the news.
"Cleo does run a lot warmer than you do actually." Scar chimed in, pulling the last round of bacon from the frying pan. A moment later the oven timer was buzzing and Scar turned around to place a kiss on Grian's forehead before shooing him off towards the table so he could pull out the potatoes.
Grian grabbed the mug from Mumbo's hand and took a large swig before hopping up to sit on the table. "See! You are too cold Mumbo. We ought to find a way to warm you up so I don't suffer when Scar abandons me to cook- oh wow a full breakfast spread today. What's the special occasion?"
Scar watched Grian look to Mumbo who just shrugged. He sighed and brought the food and plates over to the table. "You know, I expect Grian to forget but I'm disappointed in you Mumbo. I thought for sure you'd remember." Scar's smile never faltered as he took his seat and felt Jellie begin to wind around his legs. Scar picked up his glass of orange juice and took a sip before filling his plate with the mouthwatering food. "I know it's not a big one like fifty or one hundred but I think eighty is nothing to scarf at."
"No one is scoffing at eighty Scar, but eighty what?" Grian speared his own pancakes with a fork, layering the bacon between them before drowning them in syrup.
Scar just laughed. "Eighty years you fools." He raised his glass of orange juice towards the others. "Happy anniversary."
Mumbo's face went pale, or pale- er Scar supposed. "What? Today? No, it can't possibly be today. We wouldn't forget that, would we Grian? Oh dear."
Next to him Grian just paused, fork halfway to his mouth, his other hand being used to count it seemed. "No, that’s bullshit. Eighty? Are you sure?"
"No no, he's right. We did officially start dating Scar eighty years ago. Oh wow, I should have bought a card at least oh I'm the worst." Mumbo began muttering about still having time to run to the store and Grian just looked at Scar skeptically.
"Why do you look like that?" Grian, ever blunt and straightforward, blurted out. Scar was used to this by now though, and just kept on eating as Mumbo spluttered.
"Grian! What kind of question is that?"
"No, look at him Mumbo."
"Yeah, he looks like Scar?"
"Exactly!"
"I'm not following you there mate."
Scar chuckled, chiming in as well. "If it helps, I am also not following.
Grian sighed. "Scar, you look exactly the same as when we met you. Like, exactly . How have you not aged a day in eighty years? What are you?"
That was an easy enough question to answer. He and gem had been talking about it just the other day while she read his tarot. "Oh, I'm a Leo! You should know that Grian, Gem said you're one too. Which makes sense, our birthdays aren’t far from each other."
Grian dropped his head to the table, narrowly avoiding the syrup puddle that had spilled off of his plate. Mumbo reached over to pat him on the back and Scar scootched his chair closer to lean into the vampire’s side. "Happy anniversary love."
Scar had spoken the words soft into Mumbo's shoulder and watched the barely there blush dust his cheeks. Mumbo would need to feed again in a day or two and Scar was already looking forward to it. "Love you too Scar. Happy anniversary."
"Well I hate you both," Grian declared, lifting his head from the table. Scar could tell from the look on his face though that that was far from the truth and smiled. After breakfast Grian would absolutely be dragging all three of them back to the bed and they would all likely spend the remainder of the day there once their needy little bird was satisfied. They’d probably watch a movie or two and Scar briefly wonders if he could get them to watch Star Wars with him again. Knowing Grian probably not but maybe he would be able to convince him. Either way, he would spend the day tangled up with the two people he loved most in the world and he wouldn’t have it any other way.