Work Text:
Grian flinched at the sound of Scar’s sword clattering to the ground. It meant Scar had slain BDubs and now they had won.
Grian turned just as his body dissolved into a ring of items and pile of dust before it blew away in the wind, becoming one with the universe again. His heart clenched at the loss. Even if he wasn’t exactly close with BDubs, he was still human. He’d experienced the same things Grian had, had to bear betrayal and loss, had to steal and forage and fight tooth and nail for survival. And now he was gone.
Even though Grian knew from the beginning that it was a game of kill or be killed, the ache building in his chest didn’t ease. At the loss; the pain of the past few weeks; the uncertainty of what came next. Grian looked up to the sky, which was a gradient of purples, blues, oranges and pinks, and whispered a silent prayer. To whom he wasn’t sure. There certainly was no god after this massacre.
When he finished, Grian looked back down to the pond to Scar, who was now shirtless trying to clean the bloody wounds on his chest, and he began to shake. Tears were soon uncontrollably streaming down his face, sobs were clawing their way up his throat and his knees gave out beneath him bringing him down onto the grass.
“We won. We won. We won.” Was all he got out between sobs. Scar was soon behind him, wrapping his arms around Grian’s chest and pulling him into his lap. He shifted Grian in his arms so he was comfortable before rocking them both gently, cradling Grian’s head against the crook of his neck with his hand, and whispering gentle words of comfort between kisses pressed into his hair.
“We did it, G. We made it. We’re alive.” Scar whispered.
Grian looked up at him, giving a weak and watery smile. “Yeah. We did it.”
He pressed his face towards Scar’s until their lips were touching and Scar kissed him for a long minute until Grian stopped shaking.
Scar pulled away and looked Grian over. What he saw made his heart ache. His boyfriend had various gashes across his face and lower arms, bruises of differing shades patterning his skin and dark circles beneath his eyes. If that made his heart ache, the idea of what lay beneath the armour shattered it.
“Come on,” Scar murmured, “let’s get you cleaned up.”
Scar then pulled them both to their feet and dragged Grian gently by the hand over to the pond before he stripped himself of the remaining armour he wore. He stood there wearing only fingerless leather gloves, brown cargo shorts, which were stretched taut around his thick muscled thighs, and black leather cargo boots. He was still shirtless from when he had been cleaning himself earlier, and because of the heat he refused to put the shirt back on, so his broad muscled chest was exposed. His face and body was smeared in places with a mixture of dirt, blood, ash and gunpowder residue. He then helped Grian out of his own armour.
“Clothes off,” Scar then ordered gently, “I want to make sure you’re ok.”
Despite the heat of the day and the fact he’d been wearing heavy armour, Grian wore a red sweater and cyan cargo trousers - both now tinged brown from dried blood and dirt. Grian peeled off the sweater, revealing a white t-shirt slick with sweat emphasising how skinny he was. Once he had it off, Grian dumped it on the ground behind him. He then proceeded to kick off black cargo boots and peel his socks off, adding them to the pile before he pulled his trousers off.
He stood by the pond wearing only his black boxers and the white t-shirt whilst Scar examined his arms and legs. He was thankful that there were no deep wounds, he didn’t have the resources to help him properly if there were. Scar then placed his hand gently on the hem of the t-shirt and lingered until Grian nodded. He lifted it up to observe Grian’s chest and his heart clenched at the sight of the ribs digging into the skin and the patches of skin which were shades of deep purple from bruises. But again, he was thankful that there were no severe wounds on his chest. He let go with one hand and gestured for Grian to spin with the other. Grian took the hem from Scar and held it up at the back to expose it and did as Scar asked. When Scar saw the state of Grian’s back, his heart ached. There were several burns and scratches.
“Poor baby,” he said as he gently ran fingers over the burns which made Grian flinch. He turned Grian around, allowing him to let go of the hem.
Scar pressed a gentle kiss to Grian’s lips. Grian arched his body into the touch, craving intimacy, but Scar pulled back and took his hand gently and guided him over to the pond. He kicked off his boots and peeled off his gloves and socks before stepping in, the water going up to the base of his rib cage. The water was cool compared to the air making Scar shiver slightly. Grian looked at how high the water was on Scar and took a step back shaking his head. He tried to take another but Scar kept his hand firmly grasping Grian’s.
“Come on baby. We’ve got to get you cleaned up,” he pleaded. Grian’s face remained reluctant. “I won’t let anything happen to you.” Scar promised, confidently.
At that, Grian reluctantly stripped himself of the t-shirt before he took a step. And then another. And then another into Scar’s arms. He let himself be lifted down into the water and held against Scar’s chest so only Grian’s stomach and below was submerged in the cool water. Once in the water, he shivered, prompting Scar to pull him closer to share his body heat with him.
Grian wrapped his legs around Scar’s waist and hooked his arms behind his neck before yawning loudly. He couldn’t remember when he last slept. Time worked differently in this world and his body ached to curl around Scar and sleep. But Scar had other ideas and began working quickly, scooping up a hand of water and splashing and scrubbing at the blotches of grime on Grian’s skin on his limbs, torso, neck and face, apologising frequently if he were too rough. When he was done with the grime, he gently traced his thumb over a scratch on Grian’s cheek. And pressed a gentle kiss onto it. Scar then reached up to run a hand through the tangle that was Grian’s hair housing dirt, dried blood and debris.
“Grian,” Scar started.
Grian looked tiredly up at Scar.
“I need to clean your hair. So, I need to put you under the water,” he explained calmly. “Only for a few moments, I promise not to let you go.” He added quickly when he saw the discomfort begin to spread across Grian’s face. The anxious smile then returned to its previous sleepy self.
“Ok,” Grian whispered, voice becoming thick with sleep. He yawned.
Grian loosened his grip around Scar’s neck and leaned back so he could be lowered easily. Scar lowered him down until the back of his head just touched the water causing Grian to squeak at the coolness. He laughed softly, before lowering him until he was fully submerged. He took his hand off Grian’s lower back and ran it through his hair loosening the debris and working quickly at the knots. He pulled Grian back up and realised there was still more so he told Grian to take a breath and submerged him again. He did this a few more times and on the last time as he was lifting Grian out of the water, he felt Grian loosen a leg from around his hip and used it to give Scar’s knee a sharp kick in the side sending them both tumbling under the water. Scar emerged spitting water from his mouth. Grian emerged shortly after, cackling and wrapped his arms back around Scar’s neck.
“Grian! What was that for?!” Scar exclaimed. He reached up to wipe the water from his face only to make it more wet with the water on his arm.
This only made Grian laugh more. “Because why not?” Grian managed to get out between bouts of laughter.
Scar grumbled before picking Grian up and putting him on a rock on the edge of the pond. He told Grian to not cause any more trouble. Grian just stretched out on the rock like a cat in the sun. Scar left him there and quickly cleaned himself of dirt and debris. He then climbed out and caught Grian admiring him through half lidded eyes. Scar smirked and said, “Like what you see?”
Grian laughed and shuffled over, patting the spot next to him on the rock. Scar shook his head and walked over to the piles of clothes. He tossed Grian his and then dried his feet on the grass as best as he could before shoving them into his boots and sat down to tie them up. As he did, Scar could hear Grian grumbling along with rustles of fabric indicating he was getting dressed. Just as Scar was pulling on his gloves, he felt a person press against his back, wrap their arms around his neck and press their chin into his shoulder. Scar smirked as Grian began pressing kisses into his neck. He felt Grian move to kiss his cheek, and so he turned his head and kissed Grian fully on the lips. Grian was startled at first but then he moved into the kiss and Scar felt his teeth pull at his bottom lip, which Scar took as a request to enter and so he parted his lips allowing Grian to stick his tongue in.
Scar reached out and looped an arm around Grian, and with one swift tug, he pulled Grian around and into his lap. Grian spread his legs around Scar’s waist and began arching into him, trying to get as close as possible. Scar felt his cock harden and soft blush appear on his cheeks, and it was evident from the look on Grian’s face when he stopped kissing Scar for air, that he knew about it. A wicked grin spread across Grian’s lips, and Scar soon felt the bulge in Grian’s trousers when he began arching into him again. Grian moved his hands from around Scar’s neck and down to Scar’s shorts and began playing with the button.
“Please?” Grian whined, seeking permission.
“N-no,” Scar stammered breathlessly. “We’ve got to find a way out of here.”
“But you taste so good.” Grian drawled as he began to trace his fingers up Scar’s abs and onto his chest where he took the end of a nipple in between two fingers and began gently squeezing.
Scar shivered as he let out a moan. “God, Grian. What are you doing to me?”
“I’m trying to make you come.” Grian replied smirking, voice dripping with both tease and desperation.
“Then I better show you how to do it properly.” Scar whispered, voice equally as teasing, before falling back into a plume of grass and pulling Grian on top of him.
As soon as they hit the ground, Grian smashed their lips together and arched his back whilst Scar’s hands shot down to the hem of the sweater and t-shirt Grian was wearing and pulled them off together. Grian had to stop so they could get them off, but the moment it was off, he was back sticking his tongue down Scar’s throat. Scar blindly balled the clothes up and tossed them aside and then his hands took their place on either side of Grian’s hips before beginning to roam upwards to Grian’s chest. He took a nipple in each hand and began pinching the ends lightly. Scar felt as Grian moaned approvingly against his mouth and Grian began grinding his hips. Grian rolled them onto their sides and took his hands from around Scar’s neck and reached down to Scar’s shorts. He reached between them and cupped Scar’s massive erection, which made them both moan. Grian in a wicked, teasing way. Scar in a desperate, horny way. He reached for the button of Scar’s shorts and whined pleadingly. Scar nodded approvingly and before he knew it his shorts and boxers were around his ankles and Grian was tracing his finger teasingly along the base of his boyfriend’s rock hard cock.
Grian wrapped a hand around it and began slowly moving it up and down. Grian pulled his face away so he could watch as his boyfriend writhed with pleasure and so Scar could see the wicked grin spreading across his lips. Grian began speeding up, making Scar moan and beg for more, for him to go faster. Grian found a rhythm and with his other hand took one of Scar’s nipples between two fingers.
“Do it,” Scar grunted breathlessly between moans.
“Say my name,” Grian demanded.
“Do it, baby. Baby, please,” Scar begged.
At that, Grian pinched tightly and began twisting causing Scar to moan loudly as he came messily, all over Grian’s trousers. Grian kept going and soon Scar’s orgasm hit and he came again, moaning and relishing in the bliss of it.
Grian took this as an opportunity to shimmy down so his face was aligned with Scar’s waist. He stuck his tongue out and began lapping up the salty residue of the come. Scar hummed in approval at the gentle touch. He then took the whole of Scar’s cock into his mouth and began sucking. Grian put his hands on Scar’s hips and rolled them so they were on top of one another and started rocking Scar’s hips up and down and before he instinctively took over. Scar sped up and placed a heavy hand on the back of Grian’s head sinking his fingers into his hair, forcing it down whenever his hips rocked up. He came again causing both of them to moan. After a few more minutes of this, Grian was bored. He took Scar’s dick out of his mouth and crawled slowly up his body, licking and kissing as he went. When he reached his neck, he lightly bit the soft skin between it and Scar’s broad shoulder making him writhe and moan. He did this a few times on both sides and then stuck his tongue in Scar’s mouth.
“Can you taste that salty goodness, stud?” Grian asked, taking his tongue out of Scar’s mouth, a wicked grin plastering his lips. “I want that inside of me. Do you think you can handle that?”
“Baby, if I ever say no to a question like that, I want you to take my sword and drive it through my heart. Do you understand?”
Grian had no time to respond before Scar flipped them over so he was on top. He could feel Scar’s wet, hard cock pressing against the seam of his trousers and it wasn’t long before Scar was shimmying down Grian’s trousers and boxers before spitting on his hands and rubbing them on his dick for it to act as a lubricant. Grian relaxed as he felt Scar slip inside him, and he let out a gentle moan before Scar started bucking his hips up and down, thrusting in and out. He began seeking Grian’s prostate desperate to give him the orgasm he wanted and deserved. Grian started to whine quietly as Scar started pulling out and then he whispered weakly, “Please.”
Scar was halfway out and stopped, smirking wickedly. “Say my name.”
“Scar, please.” Grian mumbled.
“Louder. I want to hear you scream my name as I make you come.”
Grian opened his mouth to repeat it, but before he could say anything Scar thrust into him over and over. Grian could feel himself climaxing and let out a loud, “Oh god, Scar. Don’t stop.”
Scar didn’t slow down. He only sped up murmuring, “Only for you, baby.”
Scar kept thrusting in and out of Grian, and Grian kept moaning his name and soon climaxed, coming messily over his stomach and their thighs.
“Scar, don’t stop. Fuck me harder!” Grian moaned loudly as his orgasm crashed over him like a wave of overwhelming relief. And he felt Scar come inside of him and could feel his moan as if rumbled through his body.
But Grian’s moan was followed by a loud yawn. “Faster,” Grian yawned although he tried to disguise it as a moan. And at that Scar pulled himself out, realising how little sleep his boyfriend had been having recently and rolled them over onto their sides, pressing their foreheads together.
“Scaaar,” Grian whined. “Why’d you stop?”
“Because, you’re exhausted and the pebbles are digging into my back.” Scar explained, grumbling slightly as he reached underneath him and pulled out a small but sharp looking rock and tossed it away.
Grian nuzzled his face into Scar’s neck. Despite the very hot sex and the heat of the day, Grian was still cold and loved an excuse to use his boyfriend as a radiator. Boyfriend. It felt weird calling him that despite only knowing and being with him for eight weeks. But that time felt like it had stretched on forever and it felt like he’d known Scar for years.
He knew Scar was a massive Disney enthusiast, especially for anything Star Wars. He knew how talented Scar was with a bow and arrow and that he had a tendency to shout “Hawkeye” when he shot an arrow. And he knew how much Scar loved him. And Scar knew how much Grian loved him. Scar also knew that sometimes Grian could get into spirals of anxiety and how to handle him in that state. He knew Grian could and would procrastinate and sometimes needed a gentle push to get him started.
They’d been laying in comfortable silence for a few minutes when Grian rolled onto his back, laying his head on Scar’s chest, who was now again lying on his back. Scar tucked an arm around him to pull him close. They then just lay watching the stars which had begun to pierce through the sky which was turning a dark shade of purple from the magenta it had been when they fought BDubs.
Grian wasn’t sure what led him to ask this, perhaps it was from his reminiscing on his relationship with Scar. But Grian turned his head towards Scar and the question just burst out. “What’s next for us?”
Scar didn’t seem startled by the question. “Well. First, we find our way out. And then we go from there,” he responded non-chalantly as he reached a hand up and started twisting his fingers into Grian’s light brown, slightly sweat streaked, curls.
Scar had misinterpreted the question. That was another thing Grian had learnt over their time together, that Scar often mistook things for their surface value rather than the implicit meaning.
“No. I mean, what’s next for us?” He repeated, this time emphasising the final word in hopes of getting his message across.
“Oh!” Scar exclaimed, finally clocking. “Well, what do you want to do after you graduate university?”
Grian and Scar had both been university students before they woke up here. At school, Grian had been training to become a secondary school English teacher and Scar was attending drama school, specifically for musical theatre. Scar apparently had been the life of the party; one of the cool kids. But he was also the kind of popular person that people wouldn’t notice if he disappeared as there was always someone lined up to take his place. Grian, however, was a social nobody. Both of them, however, fit well into the group of oddball humans that were gathered for this game and were popular. If not for exactly great reasons. During the game, they’d become known for swindling.
“Well, I do want to become a teacher. That’s what my plan has always been.” Grian explained. “What about you? Should I be booking tickets to the West End?”
“Hah! If I’m lucky! Chances are I’ll end up in a suit and tie working an office job. But thankfully my family was absolutely loaded so I should be good for a while.” Scar remarked.
Scar’s family were a group of stuck-up, arrogant millionaires with major personal insecurities which a normal family may treat with therapy, but they dealt with by disparaging the generations below them. They’d all unfortunately died in a plane crash on the way to the Bahamas from Los Angeles whilst Scar was in London attending drama school leaving him the sole heir to the fortune. Scar was more than happy to sell up the estate, invest it in a savings account and live off the interest whilst also being sure to donate to charities - something his family had never done. He’d also hired someone to manage the business for him. Mambo, Scar was pretty sure he was called. From the way Scar spoke of his family and the stories Grian had heard, he could tell that Scar wasn’t exactly grief stricken by the loss. And fair enough, they were assholes to everyone.
Grian had shared very little about his home life with Scar, and thankfully he never pressed him for information. The truth was Grian had never had a biological family. For as long as he could remember he’d been in the care system living in a foster home until he was old enough to move out for university.
“Well then, you can run the business and I’ll teach GCSE English. We’ll cook dinner most nights. And every Saturday we’ll go on a date night and have the most amazing sex. And on Fridays we’ll order takeout and watch a movie snuggled up under a blanket on the sofa.” Grian rambled.
When he paused for breath, it gave him time to process what he’d said and his eyes shot up to Scar who only smiled lovingly.
“Whatever you want, baby.” Scar murmured lazily before pressing a kiss into Grian’s hair.
“Can you see us having children?” Grian asked quietly.
So quiet, that he wasn’t sure if Scar had heard it.
“What do you mean?” Scar puzzled.
“Well, I never had a real family. And I’ve always loved the idea of carrying a baby so much that it’s sort of a deal breaker.” Grian explained. “You know what, forget I said anything,” he backtracked as he began to get up only to be pulled down with a squeak into Scar’s warm chest.
“Grian, look at me.” Scar demanded, gently but firmly enough that Grian did as he was told. “I love you so fucking much. I don’t know how I do, but I do. And it terrifies me, the thought of my life without you in it. I will do anything to make you happy including getting you pregnant with our children, if that’s what you want. I promise.”
Grian felt tears prick his eyes as he looked into Scar’s and kissed him.
“And I know this isn’t the most romantic place to do this, but I love you so fucking much. And when you know, you just know.” Scar babbled. “So, Grian Xelqua,” he began as he climbed up onto one knee and pulled Grian by the arm so he sat up facing him and took Grian’s hands in his. “Will you marry me?”
Time felt like it had slowed down. The love of Grian’s life had just asked him to marry him after knowing him for eight weeks. He’d promised him a lifetime of happiness, wealth and a family. He’d promised him everything he’d ever wanted. Grian burst into tears and time returned to its normal pace as he exclaimed, “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
Grian launched himself into Scar’s lap, so hard it almost sent him toppling over, and pressed a passionate kiss to his lips. “Yes!”
“Good!” Scar whispered against Grian’s mouth. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if you would have said no.”
They stayed like that for a long while just wrapped in each other’s bodies. Scar’s unnatural body heat keeping them both warm from the night’s sudden chill. They only considered moving when the moon had risen and raindrops began to gently fall.
“Come on,” Scar groaned as he hauled both himself and Grian to their feet. “We’d better find a way out of here.”
They dressed hurriedly and once they were done they took each other’s hand, took a long look at the pond and kissed. They turned their backs on the pond and began walking away, Grian smiled sleepily up at Scar, love filling his eyes, before resting his head against Scar’s bicep which despite being very muscular, Grian insisted it was comfortable.
They’d only taken about thirty steps before it suddenly began thundering and lightning crackled down several metres ahead of them and in its place stood a hooded figure, not much taller than Grian. They’d seen a figure like this before, they’d appeared to the group at the beginning of the game explaining the rules. Their kind liked to call themselves, The Watchers.
Grian and Scar froze in their tracks and from where they stood they could hear the figure’s gravelly voice speak. “Hello, Grian and Scar. Congratulations, you have made it to the final two.”
Shock and puzzlement shot through them both. “What do you mean? We won.” Scar asked tensely, instinctively taking a step in front of Grian.
“We got bored. And now we want to see one of the beloved Desert Duo kill the other to free themself. Or else, you’d both be trapped in an eternal desert. It’s your choice, tick tock.”
Grian took a step forward to try pleading to let them both leave and how unfair it was to change the rules this late in the game. But the figure vanished the second Grian opened his mouth.
It only took a few seconds before Grian began shaking violently and sobs tore from him. Immediately, Scar spun round and pulled Grian against his chest in a bone crushing hug.
“I can’t…” Was all he managed to get out between sobs.
“Shhh. It’s ok.” Scar soothed.
“It’s… not… Scar,” Grian sniffled. “I can’t… I can’t lose you. You’re the best thing that’s ever been mine. And you… you promised me a life. A family.”
“You’ll still get that.”
“But not with you! There’s no one in the world I’d have over you. I love you so fucking much!” Grian burst out before continuing to sob.
“But if we both stay here we’d all die,” Scar whispered. “We’d all die a slow and painful death. And just the thought of that happening to you kills me. I can’t lose you like that.”
From where they stood, Scar spotted his discarded sword and let go of Grian, who had stopped sobbing now but was still shaking, and walked over and picked it up.
“Grian,” he started, his voice tight as if it physically pained him to say the words. “One of us has to die.”
At that, Grian looked up and saw Scar there clutching the hilt of the bloody sword in his hand. A wave of fear spread over him and he spun and ran. He didn’t get far in the dark before he tripped over a tree root sticking out of the ground and ended up landing face first in the shallow end of the pond. Grian quickly sat up and spun round. He had learnt to never keep his back to the enemy. As Scar walked over, Grian could make out a laugh. It wasn’t a malicious one, but one someone gave when someone they loved did something stupid. But in the time he spent here he’d learnt how manipulative Scar could be and that the laugh could be covering his true feelings. It wasn’t until Scar was a few feet away that he could see the terror strewn across Grian’s face and he felt his heart crack.
“Grian, baby, what’s wrong?”
Grian felt like he was a deer being cornered by a wolf. He couldn’t control himself as he pressed his face into hands, burst into tears and let out a muffled sob. “Please don’t kill me. Please. PLEASE!” He begged.
If the terror had cracked his heart, the sobs were like a hammer smashing it into a million pieces. “Grian, look at me,” Scar whispered, voice painfully soft. Grian didn’t move.
“Grian, look at me.” Scar repeated, firmly. This time, with terror filling his leaking eyes, Grian did. “I could never, would never, hurt you. I love you too fucking much.”
Scar’s voice broke as he said that and he sheathed the sword in his belt and collected Grian up into his arms and pressed a kiss to his lips.
“Don’t cry for me, I’m not worth it,” Scar croaked. “I’m sick and twisted. And you’re so perfect. You deserve so much better than me.” Scar drew the sword and pressed the hilt into Grian’s hand. “And that’s why I want you to kill me.”
Grian’s head shot up in shock at this. “What?”
“Live on for me. Have that life you want with someone far better than me. I don’t deserve to have known you.”
“Scar,” Grian wiped his eyes with the back of his hand before flinging it round Scar’s shoulders to hug him. “What are you talking about? You’re amazing, I love you.”
“Don’t say that. If you say that then I’ll regret this. You’ve got to live on for me. You’ll never forget me and you’ll always have a part of me with you.”
Grian shook his head. “I can’t do this,” his voice broke. “I can’t live without you.”
“But you have to. For us. Do something worth remembering. Make me proud.” Scar kissed Grian, who had now begun shaking again. Scar smiled sadly as he tucked a strand of hair behind Grian’s ear and looked him in the eyes. Grian could see the sorrow in them, but it was nothing compared to the love that shone so brightly in them for him. “Kill me,” Scar whispered, smiling sweetly.
The sword was heavy in his hand as Grian lifted it and positioned pressing the tip lightly against Scar. He hesitated and then, with all the strength in his tiny body, drove it into Scar’s torso just beneath his ribcage. Scar knees buckled beneath him and gave out. Grian grabbed Scar trying to ease the fall but Scar was so muscular and heavy that there was no use and they both went down together. Grian cradled Scar’s head in his lap. Despite the pain in his eyes, Scar’s face showed nothing but his stupid smirk.
“I love you, Grian.” Scar whispered, words beginning to slur together.
Tears streamed down Grian’s face. “I love you too, Scar,” he choked out.
He cupped Scar’s face with shaking hands tracing each feature with his thumb gently. He leant down and pressed a kiss to Scar’s lips. The kiss felt like it went on forever until he felt Scar’s lips pull away as his body went limp in his lap and crumbled to dust.
Grian wasn’t sure how much time he spent sitting with his head in his hands. All he knew was when he had cried himself dry and could stand, his trousers and boots were completely soaked through.
He climbed to his feet and stumbled out of the pond. He looked up at the sky and screamed, “Are you happy now?” His voice broke. “Are you happy? I killed him. I killed the love of my life, now let me go!”
Thunder rumbled and lightning cracked down in front of him and three of the hooded figures appeared in front of him. Each a different height, but each wearing the identical cloak shrouding their faces.
“Well done, Grian. You made the right choice.” The one in the centre boomed, voice barely hiding their pleasure.
“Right? Nothing about this is right!” Grian shrieked. “I just killed the love of my life.”
At that, the right watcher scoffed. Grian flashed a snarl at them before he continued.
“I loved him.” He growled. “There must be something you can do to bring him back. Please.” He felt pathetic grovelling to them but he loved Scar.
“You know the rules, Grian. You know we can’t.” The watcher on the left said softly. “You should know that by now.”
Grian knew the rules but he still hoped this time would be different. He didn’t know why he hoped. It was never different. But with Scar it had been. Something in his heart ached and he felt tears begin to run down his face.
“You stupid mortal fool and your heart. When will you learn?” The one in the centre spat as he snapped his fingers and the floor beneath Grian crumbled.
And then Grian was falling. Falling down a long dark tunnel with no end in sight. The tunnel was lit up by memories of the past eight weeks. Him and Scar trying to protect the desert’s sand from being pilfered. Him and Scar building their castle. Him and Scar riding Pizza the llama. Him and Scar, him and Scar, him and Scar. Memory after memory flew past and each one hurt more than the last as he was reminded of his time with Scar and that they were robbed of a future. And then the darkness entrapped him.
Grian awoke in his bed with a crash. He lay there for a while and just sobbed into his pillow. Hours later when his tears had run dry, Grian realised he was hungry and got up and walked into the kitchen. He opened his fridge and looked at the food. No time had passed since he was away but looking at the food made him severely nauseous. He couldn’t push it down and he ran back into his bedroom and sprinted into the small ensuite where he was violently sick in the toilet. After a few minutes of dry heaving he sat back and pressed the side of his head to the cool porcelain of the sink.
He eventually got up and looked at himself in the mirror. He looked terrible. There were dark circles under his eyes and smears of blood, cuts and bruises across his face. And under the soft fabric of his red jumper, his stomach was slightly rounded. Something in Grian made him open the cabinet in the corner of the room and pull out a pregnancy test. He debated taking it and then peed on the stick. He waited three minutes, mindlessly staring at the clock above the door and then he looked at the result.
Fuck. Fuck. FUCK.
He was pregnant with Scar’s baby.
Grian was exhausted as he walked back to his flat from finishing his shift. It was due to a combination of being approximately six weeks pregnant, having an early lecture and working a double shift at his job at the coffee shop down the road from his building. But it wasn’t like he’d be doing anything else. He had no friends and he’d caught up on all his assignments and readings. When he reached his building, he collected a pile of mail from his letterbox in the lobby, then walked the short flight of stairs up to his flat where he unlocked his door and went in. He threw the pile of letters onto the kitchen table. But something caught his eye as the pile fanned itself out. There was a white envelope with an urgent red stamp plastered on the front. He expected it to be a bill and so he tore it open so he could attempt to figure out how many shifts he’d have to work to cover the hole in his finances left from it.
But what he pulled out instead was a letter and a stack of cheques. A love letter and stack of cheques. A love letter and stack of cheques addressed to him all from Scar. Grian couldn’t believe his eyes as he scrambled to unfold the sheet of paper.
The letter read:
“Dear Grian,
I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving you and our baby - yes our baby, did you think I wouldn’t notice? - alone in the big wide world with no support. So in the envelope you will find a stack of cheques equivalent to half a billion pounds. Spend it well and wisely. And when you meet our baby, please tell them stories about our time together and about me. Make sure they know I loved them even if I didn’t get to meet them.
I’m so sorry that I had to go, but it was for the best. I’ll love you forever.
Love,
Scar x”
When Grian had finished reading it he noticed he’d started crying and hastily wiped away any which had fallen on the paper. He had no idea how Scar had managed to do it, and maybe he never would, but he was ever so grateful and missed him deeply. But something in him told him that Scar wasn’t gone. That he’d be watching over him and their baby taking care of them. Loving them from the beyond. And as Grian wiped away his tears, he made a silent promise to ensure he never forgot him and his kindness and to tell their baby how amazing their father was.
Something in him ached though. He was getting the future he wanted: money, a family, a child. Just without Scar. The one he’d built it all around in his mind. And something told him he’d never be able to forget that.