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melon-wing · 6 months

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Don't [Scar/Grian]

[[Masterlist]]

Based on Grian's Secret Life Episode 4. Contains heavy spoilers.

That episode was just too inspiring, I couldn't stop myself

~*~

Grian heaved a sigh as he looked at the small hut, but that sigh was quickly followed by a fond smile. Well here he was again, going to Scar to team up with him. It was really becoming a thing. Their thing. He almost giggled to himself at that. No matter how much he had protested being Scar’s soulmate, he had actually never minded. Sure he had hoped for Bigb, but then listening to Scar’s heart race alongside his own had become one of the best things that had happened to him in that world.

And there had been something there between them. They had shared some special moments in the deep of the night. And it might have gone somewhere if there had just been more time. But then Grian had made the stupid mistake with the Warden and they had both been ghosts for way too long, unable to see one another let alone talk. And back on Hermitcraft he had been far too busy to think about Scar and the moment had passed without them ever being able to work out what had been there between them.

But maybe now… Maybe this was their time to continue where they had left off. Unlike last time where they had been on opposing teams they could work together and share those soft nights again. They had almost kissed so many times… or at least Grian thought that was what had happened.

One thing was certain though, Scar would never turn him away. With the others he couldn‘t be this sure. They had already formed alliances, and even with those on their own Grian was afraid they might decide to turn him down. And he didn’t want to face that sort of rejection right now. He opened the door, smiling at Scar. “Scar?”, he called out in a sing-song voice and he heard hurried steps right away and a second later Scar was standing in the doorway, smiling brightly at him. And seeing that blinding smile made him forget all about his plan on pretending he had to sing, so lost in those deep emerald eyes.

“Hey there.”

"Hey, Grian."

There was a moment of silence between them as they just looked at one another over the small wooden counter. And it was the most comfortable silence there could be between two people. They were just too relaxed around one another to get awkward silences between them. Him and Scar just clicked from the second they had met one another.

“So”, Grian started, looking down at the counter and then up at Scar again, tilting his head slightly to the side in a way that he had been told looked quite adorable and he knew from the way the corner of Scar’s mouth twitched upwards that he thought so as well. “How have you been doing? I heard you have settled here all alone so far.”

Scar nodded in confirmation looking around the small hut that barely seemed big enough for him. “I have been rather busy so far. It is very different from the last few times, but I do enjoy the changed pace. It feels less dangerous and more fun at the moment. And I’m not the first at yellow, that’s always a bonus. Maybe I‘ll actually win the game of life this time.”

He laughed at his own joke and Grian couldn’t help it but laugh along as it was just too infectious. “I know what you mean. I have been meaning to build something nice. You know. Something iconic like our desert home.”

They both shared a look full of emotion and it was as if he could see their memories reflected in Scar’s eyes.

“But oh well. So far I’ve burned down two of those… ‘bases’ I’ve begun building. My mind is just too occupied with the tasks and having fun with everyone else to even think about doing some more elaborate building than a wooden egg.”

“I mean… uh… It was a pretty egg?”

Grian giggled, lightly hitting Scar’s shoulder over the counter. “Oh hush. It was not and we both know it. It was the weirdest thing I’ve done in all of our Life Games. And that’s okay. I’M enjoying the building break. My base back home drives me crazy enough with everyone getting on my case about the back.”

“I mean… The pestering did wonders to the back of your base. I quite like your backside.” It should have been an innocent comment about his base, but the tone in which Scar said the last sentence, his voice lowering ever so slightly, becoming more rumbly. It was quite clear it was not the backside of Grian’s base he was talking about, but another backside belonging to Grian.

He decided not to humour his friend, pretending not to have noticed the double entendre.

“Anyways. I’ve come here with a question. A favour really”, Grian said. He was smiling hopefully up at Scar. But as he did he saw the smile slowly fade from Scar’s face.

“A- A favour you say? Maybe now’s not a good time to do that. I feel like I couldn’t be of any help right now. And I really need to get my task started. Yep. I really need to focus on that. No time right now. I mean tonight would be good, yeah? After we handed in our tasks. After I got my hearts, yeah?”

Grian frowned. It was unlike Scar to not even ask or be curious about what Grian had to ask. Him so blatantly trying to gently let Grian down was weird.

“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t take much of your time. I just need a quick answer.” Grian looked down again and he felt his heartbeat quicken a little. He took a deep breath and then smiled. “I know I might have not given this impression in the past… But I really did enjoy the time we spent together as soulmates. And we make such a good team-”

“Grian. Whatever you want to say, please-”

But Grian wouldn’t stop now. If he stopped now he just knew he wouldn't dare to ask again in fear of being turned down. “Scar, do you want to team up with me?”

He gazed up again, expecting to see Scar’s face light up or see his cheeks blush, just like back then, when Grian had told him they were soulmates. Maybe this would be the perfect moment for their first kiss to seal that deal of them becoming a team once again. Three times was the charm after all is what they said. And it had all started with three lives as well.

But the moment he saw Scar’s face, his heart sank. Scar looked… Sad. Almost heart broken and Grian really had no clue what he might have said that deserved such a look.

And for the first time between them a silence felt uncomfortable.

“Scar? Say something please. Talk to me.”

Scar’s face fell even more, a look of guilt and regret washing over his features as he simply turned around, walking to the backdoor without a single word being spoken.

“Scar! Don’t leave!”

He could hear something that sounded like an annoyed whine and the steps got even more distant as the backdoor opened and Scar just walked out of the little hut.

Grian felt frozen for a moment. Did Scar hate being on a team with him that much? It was true that Grian had gotten him killed through their soulmate bond. But he had apologised many times and Scar had to assure him constantly that it didn’t matter a bit. Had that maybe just been Scar being nice and not wanting to hurt his feelings? But how could he turn around then and just walk away. A simple explanation that he wanted to work alone or team up with someone else would have hurt, sure, but it would have been easier to accept than this cold shoulder.

Grian hesitated another moment, but then he decided to act, rushing out the backdoor after Scar, who hadn’t really gotten that far yet, walking at a very slow pace, so he was quickly closing the gap between them. “Scar stop! Just tell me what’s going on? Is this your task? Do you have to run away? Or do you just hate me? Tell me!”

Scar only let out another frustrated sound as he kept walking.

And it stung so badly to not even be acknowledged by the man he had grown to love so deeply and who he had thought loved him just as much. He felt a whirlwind of emotion hit him all at once. Hurt, betrayal, pain, anger.

When he finally caught up to Scar he grabbed his arm and spun him around. “Fine! Run away! Don’t talk to me anymore! If that makes you happy!”

Scar’s eyes widened and he put his hands on Grian’s shoulders. “No! Grian! You don’t understand. I- This is difficult. I’m so sorry.”

“You’re hurting me, Scar”, Grian admitted and he hated how small his voice sounded. How vulnerable and full of emotion it felt.

“I know. And I’m sorry. But we really should not be having this conversation now. It’s not a good time. I can’t-”

“I love you!”

Grian didn’t know why he had said that. It was dumb. Scar clearly was in a weird headspace and didn’t want to be close to him. He should have obliged, but the words had just come straight from his aching heart.

Scar seemed surprised, taken aback even, his eyes opening wide, his mouth opening a few times as his brain must have been catching up with what Grian had just said. Sure, they had been getting closer and closer, but they hadn’t even been dating yet and Grian had already dropped the big L.

He lightened his grip on Scar’s arm, letting his hand drift down slowly to grab a gentle hold of Scar’s fingers. “I know you feel the same, don’t you? Please tell me you do.”

And again Scar’s face fell. He went through a myriad of emotions, his features changing so quickly it was hard for Grian to get a good read on him. Though when the whirlwind stopped, the emotion Scar apparently decided on was determination. “Wait a moment”, Scar simply said and started walking away again. Grian looked at him in confusion for a moment, but then walked after him. When he was next to Scar he opened his mouth to say something, but Scar glanced at him, holding up a finger to his own lips and the unusually serious look he had made Grian want to obey the unspoken order.

Though he didn’t wait, silently walking after Scar, watching him in confusion, still feeling a slight pang of hurt. He didn’t even know aht was going on. Sure, they all behaved strange on this server due to their secret tasks. But those tasks were mostly funny and didn’t involve emotionally hurting one another. He wanted to keep asking. He wanted Scar to say something. Say anything. To not leave him hanging like that, his feelings out in the open.

But he didn’t ask.

He just followed Scar, soon realising they were going in the direction of the rock formation of the secret keeper. Had Scar just managed to succeed in his task? But why would he? Surely there was no task that had you try and get a heartfelt love declaration from someone else. That just seemed far too cruel even for otherworldly beings that used them as a form of entertainment.

“Scar…”, he started when they had almost reached the buttons, but Scar sharply turned around to look at him, vehemently shaking his head and making a shushing sound. And Scar had never shut him up as forcefully as that. Usually Scar blabbed out any plan he had. He had even told them his first task after all.

When he was sure Grian wouldn’t keep talking he turned back around towards the buttons. Grian expected him to walk towards the button that indicated they had managed to finish their tasks. He didn’t. Instead he walked right up to the button in the middle - the one for the harder quests - and hit it. The rocks lit up around them, making a multitude of eerie noises and finally the red light lit up below Scar’s feet and an equally red glow seemed to surround him. And a moment later there was a brand new book in Scar’s hands.

Scar heaved a sigh of relief and with a twist of his wrist that book disappeared into his inventory.

“You don’t even want to read it?”

Scar finally turned to him, smiling softly. “No. I don’t care right now. I just didn’t want to do the other task anymore.”

“What was your task?”

“I- It would have broken your heart, Grian. I had to disregard anything you said. Do you know how painful that was?”, Scar asked, his voice shaking ever so slightly. He stepped up to Grian, putting a gentle hand on his cheek. “Do you know how happy I was when you asked me to team up? I thought we’d never team up like that again. It was never by choice anyways. Not even becoming soulmates. And now some magical taskmaster wanted to deny me a shot with you… I just couldn’t…”

Grian leaned into the touch, looking up at Scar with bated breath. “Then… You changed that task because of what I said?”

Scar’s smile only got brighter and he nodded eagerly. “Say it again, Grian. Please. I want to be able to answer this time. I want to be able to have this moment and not have it taken away by anyone.”

Grian swallowed, now slightly nervous. It had been a spur of the moment thing earlier. To be put in the spotlight like this now made him so unsure about his words. “But what about your new task? What if you’re failing it by doing something you shouldn’t be doing?”

Scar shook his head. “If my task would hurt you again I would fail it anyways. No need to read it. Now say it please.”

Grian cleared his throat, giggling nervously. “You want to team up with me?”, he said in a joking tone, both of them very much aware that hadn’t been the thing that Scar wanted him to repeat. But Scar humoured him, not calling him out right away and it helped him calm down. “Of course. I’d love nothing more than that. Teaming up with you makes me happier than anything else does.”

They both smiled silently at one another and as Scar put his other hand on Grian’s other cheek, he finally felt brave enough to repeat those words. He didn’t have a reason to be nervous after all. It was pretty obvious by now what the answer would be. There was no doubt about their feelings. There should have never been any doubt in the first place.

“I love you, Scar. I’ve loved you through all my lives, ever since I met you. I loved you as the charming boy next door. I loved you during our little war. I loved you in those desert nights below the starry sky. I loved you in that ridiculous fancy hat of yours. I loved you every moment I heard your heart beat alongside mine and love you now and in every future world.”

Scar listened to him silently, his smile becoming even softer as his eyes filled with adoration and love. And when Grian finished instead of answering he pressed his lips gently against Grian’s. And it was perfect. Scar’s body was warm against his. He could feel Scar’s shaven beard scratching lightly against his chin, a stark comparison to those unbelievably soft lips and hands that were slowly caressing him. And he in turn put his arms around Scar’s body, pulling them closer together.

Grian didn’t know how long they stayed in their embrace, lips moving against one another, breathing in each other’s scent. When they moved apart both of them smiled and they were so close he could see his own reflection in Scar’s eyes.

“I love you too, Grian. And no task could ever stop me from being by your side, no matter what.”

#🍉 stories #hermitshipping #hermitship #scarian #hetmitcraft #secret life #trafficship

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melon-wing · 6 months

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What if I just chose violence tonight.

#🍉 reblogs #pretty well put #how I feel about boundaries #when I write something breaking a cc's boundaries I'm aware most of the time #and in those cases I'm extra careful about tagging #but I'll still write it #and I'll still share it in Fandom spaces #for the fans #discourse #tw: discourse

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melon-wing · 6 months

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Not-So-Secret Soulmates [Scar/Grian]

[[FANFICTION MASTERLIST]]

Grian stood at the small grave, looking at the name with a pained expression. His heart ached for the friend he had just lost, even when he knew it wouldn’t be forever. He hadn’t meant to kill Bigb. He had managed to convince himself they were secret soulmates so much that he had forgotten Bigb had still been connected to Ren after all. He probably wouldn’t have built that trap otherwise. Or maybe he would have done it, but he would have apologised to Bigb before they had perished. This way he had actually celebrated his secret soulmate’s death, indirectly, but still. He had cheered.

Grian almost felt as if arms were embracing him and he wondered if that was really the case. He remembered being a ghost last time. He had still been able to stay in that world and while he had just watched, maybe soft touches were possible. Him and Scar had been able to hear the shouts of the dead in their first game after all. Sometimes the wall between the dead and the living got thinner as emotions ran high.

“I’m so sorry, B. I didn’t mean to kill you. I wished things could have been different. I really… I really wanted to be with you”, he whispered into the cold night air.

“You wanted him to be your soulmate instead of me, didn’t you?”

Grian jumped, whipping around so quickly he almost fell, the feeling of the soft embrace immediately disappearing as a cold shiver ran down his back. How hadn’t he heard Scar walk up to him? It was so unlike him to not pay attention and Scar usually wasn’t one to hide his presence well enough. It took him a moment to overcome the shock to realise Scar was still waiting for an answer, his eyes looking deep into his and it was as if he was pulled into these brown pools filled with uncertainty and sadness.

“Yes. I wanted him to be my soulmate. He was the one I was disappointed about most when we discovered he wasn’t my soulmate.”

Scar let out a small laugh, but there was no joy in it, it sounded so hollow.

“I mean… I knew that. Why am I even surprised? I just never thought you’d admit it just like that. But yeah, it’s true. Nobody would have been happy having me as a partner. I’m irresponsible, I mess up stuff and I don’t think before jumping into action. I’m the worst at this and anyone would have been better. I’m a walking, talking catastrophe.”

Grian could see something breaking inside Scar as his voice reached a higher pitch as he spoke, cracking every now and again, his words making him spiral downwards even more.

“Scar-”

“No. Don’t you dare deny it now. You know it’s true! I pretended I didn’t hear you scream when you found out. I pretended it was something else that made you this upset, but I knew. I knew we were soulmates before you did. I knew the moment I stepped foot into this weird world. Because how could it ever be anybody else other than you?”, Scar ranted on, a shaking hand pushing his hair from his forehead as he looked at Grian, his eyes a mixture of sadness and madness. He was losing it quickly and Grian was too overwhelmed to know what to say to him. “Scar, please…”

Scar just shook his head, eyes moving from Grian to the grave behind him. “I thought this time we could win together. Me and you until the end. This time we wouldn’t have to fight to death. I didn’t want to see you cry again like last time. It was so hard to keep pretending then and not just hug you. I promised myself to protect you.”

“Wait… pretend?”

The glint of madness seemed to disappear and Scar smiled softly, but still so sad as he recalled the memories of their first game. “Grian. I’m not that bad at fistfighting. I’m a clutz, but even I don’t stumble that often and fall face first into a cactus. I didn’t want to hurt you. I let you win. Had I known you’d cry over my dying body like that I would have just accidentally fallen into a ravine before we ever reached that damn ring of death.”

Grian only stared at him, thinking back to their encounter in the desert, not trying to linger too long on the memory of the screams and blood. Now that Scar had said it, it seemed so obvious. Not even Scar was that much of an idiot when something was important to him. Apparently winning had never been important to him.

“I- Thank you, I think?”

Scar just shook his head and Grian was pretty sure getting gratitude wasn’t the reason he had brought it up.

“It’s in the past now. We were a great team back then. Not so much anymore. What happened to us, G? I thought you enjoyed being with me, even if I can be an irresponsible buffoon sometimes. We hang out all the time on Hermitcraft. We have lots of fun together, don’t we? Why do you hate being my soulmate so much that you want to team up with someone else?”

Grian pressed his lips together, glancing everywhere but at Scar’s face. He hadn’t known his attitude would hurt Scar this much and he knew he owed his partner an explanation, but he had a hard time admitting it out loud, when he had only ever told Bigb about the way he felt.

“I didn’t want to be the one to kill you again”, Grian finally whispered, looking up from uncertain eyes at Scar who seemed slightly shocked at his confession. “If you weren’t my soulmate I could have tried to do the same thing I did last time: Stay as far away from you as possible and make sure we’re not on the same or on opposing teams. I know this is a game and I know we all respawn… But I didn’t know back then. The first time. I thought I had killed you. And I couldn’t… I couldn’t fight you again. A piece of me broke that day, Scar, and I have been unable to repair it.”

“What?” Scar just gasped out, looking at him as if he was processing those words for a moment and then a bit of the sadness disappeared and he seemed less lonely and broken as a hopeful glimmer appeared. “So you teaming up with Bigb…?”

“He was helping me, Scar. We spent so much time together because he’s one of my best friends and he knows me. And I tried to replace you with him and I’m sorry. I didn’t know it would hurt you this much. It’s not that I don’t like you… I like you too much.”

Scar seemed to stop, all thoughts coming to an abrupt halt as his wide eyes looked straight into Grian’s. And then suddenly his cheeks started to turn pink as his shocked expression morphed into a small shy smile. It was an expression that made Grian’s heart race faster again. It was funny how the smallest of changes on Scar’s face could make him react like this.

Scar finally stepped up, taking a hold of Grian’s hand. “You don’t have to do this. Keeping your distance. I promise I’ll make sure nothing happens to you. We don’t have to fight and even if we die”, Scar took the hand to his lips, kissing it softly, looking up from the hand at Grian, “We’ll be right back together. I will be there when you wake up on Hermitcraft. We’ll be together. This is not real, Grian. We aren’t dying.”

“I know…”, Grian whispered, looking at Scar, those bright green eyes looking at him from beneath long eyelashes. “I just. I’m scared. What if I make enemies and you die because of me? What if I stumble and fall? What if some mob gets to me?”

Scar just shrugged, smiling fully now as he lowered Grian’s hand once more. “Grian. Do I look like someone who thinks he could win this? I cost you two lives already. So if you stumble, I’ll just have to catch you and put you back on your feet again. And if we die, I’ll be happy knowing we did our best together as a team. And once this is over we can be together without worrying. Back home.”

Grian smiled back at Scar. He just couldn’t help it. Seeing that smile was always too infectious. There was still a deep worry inside him, but yet he felt calm as well. Yeah, he might die and hurt Scar. But Scar wouldn’t mind. Scar would still be there waiting for him once he woke up again. Scar lifted his free hand up, letting it rest softly on Grian’s cheek and Grian leaned into the warmth of that touch, closing his eyes for a moment, allowing his constantly racing mind to slow down for the first time since this game had started. When he opened his eyes, all he could see and think of was Scar. Scar with his soft locks and bright smile. And with those deep eyes that looked at him with so much affection. It was truly a miracle he hadn’t suspected before that his feelings weren't one sided. “Promise me, Scar… Promise you’ll stay by my side. Don’t sacrifice yourself for me this time.”

Scar smiled and nodded.

“You’re not alone. Not in this world and not in the next.”

And as they both leaned forward their lips touched to seal the promise and Grian could feel a spark running through his whole body and he just knew that even if they didn’t win, he had gotten everything he ever wanted in this miserable world. He had found something precious that would stay far longer than the time they’d spend here. He had finally found love.

#🍉 stories #hermitship #scarian #It's nanowrimo and I come back to life #I still have the requests from last year saved and will work on some #I also plan to expand on the pirate au and turn it into a full story instead of oneshots #thanks to every follower that stuck around through all the breaks I take

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melon-wing · 7 months

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Yarhar

#🍉 reblogs #aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah #screaming #I loved that one #I love the designs #I just love it all #is this a good point to say that I'm still sitting on like 10k words unpublished pirate au? XD #I will forever and always love your au

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melon-wing · 7 months

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weirdo

#🍉 reblogs #Damn I hoped for a kiss :'D #that tease #Doc knows what he did!#you're treating us so well today!!!#so much amazing art

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melon-wing · 7 months

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#🍉 reblogs #adorable #absolutely beautiful #amazing #and your art has gotten even better since the last time I saw it #they both look so cool!!!

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melon-wing · 8 months

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I wanna dm you for an invite for the hermitship server, but I first outta ask, is the server 18+?

Sorry to be a bother and I hope you have a lovely day!

Hello

The server is not 18+ and everyone is welcome :)

#ask 🍉

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melon-wing · 9 months

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Hey can i have the link to your discord server?

Replying to this because there's been some asks like this lately and I just picked yours If you want to join my Hermitship discord - and yeah that's still around - please don't send an ask but message me directly. It's way easier to answer. I also want to let you guys know that I check every person who messages me and if you have a new and empty profile and I've never seen you in my notifs, I won't be able to let you into the server for security reasons, sorry :( If you're new to tumblr and still wanna join you can also just send me a link to your twitter/ao3 I just wanna know if somebody is a real and seemingly nice person before I let them lose on the server.

We're always happy to welcome new people that love to talk hermitship and other things <3 Also, I'm sorry I'm not writing anymore. The creative juice just ain't there :( But I'm still there, still seeing the likes/reblogs/messages/comments and they all make me so happy <3

#ask 🍉

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melon-wing · 1 year

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This ad is brought to you by Melon Inc.

Looking for a nice Hermitcraft/Hermitshipping Community?

Look no further!

The pirate AU discord is the place for you - even if you‘re not into the Pirate AU. We are a pretty general Hermitcraft and Hermitshipping discord nowadays.

We have:

Way too many channels

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1 (one) sticker

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And just the right amount of love.

Drop me a DM if you want in. And then don‘t be shy and just join in conversations! We‘re always happy about new people. Don‘t be scared!

Anti Shippers are not welcome :)

#🍉 reblogs #always looking for new people <3 #it's a lovely server #i love talking to you guys

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melon-wing · 1 year

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Here I go

#🍉 reblogs #best boy #thanks for drawing it!#love you for it <3

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melon-wing · 1 year

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Stand Up [Grian/Doc]

[Fanfiction Masterlist]

This request is a little old, I hope you’re still hanging around and are happy with this take, anon :) Recommended Song for this story. I listened to it on loop while writing. ~*~

Grian smiled fondly, looking over to the field from the wall he was sitting on. Their little Empire was slowly but steadily beginning to grow. Well… Slow for the Hermits’ standards that was. Jimmy had been rather shocked at seeing all their underground farmwork. He should have known from Grian‘s stories, but then again, seeing it was a whole different thing than hearing about it. Maybe he should invite Jimmy over one day just to get to see the stupid face he’d make at all the farms there.

Impulse was in the middle of a rather boring discussion with Doc about how to build a farm that was efficient enough for their needs, but not so efficient it would crash this world‘s economy. Grian was pretty sure Jimmy would be a bit mad if they did that. Though if the rift stayed closed much longer it would happen sooner or later. The Hermits were rather bad at holding back. And some of the worst offenders had come along with him.

Impulse drew something onto the parchment that was laid out on the table between them and Doc made a thoughtful face, his sharp teeth biting down on his bottom lip, one hand ruffling his combed back hair.

Grian was pretty sure he didn‘t even realise he was doing it. But it was really an adorable sight. Nobody ever really believed him, but the moment he had fallen in love with Doc was when he heard him talking about complex redstone. Not that Grian understood a word he said about his world eating machines and complex circuits. Just the sight of Doc being so passionate about the most complicated redstone that he lost his usually so stoic demeanour, his eyes sparkling, hair slowly getting messier as he kept touching it in thought. Well nobody could blame Grian for thinking it was a rather attractive sight to behold.

Impulse glanced over in his direction and the moment they locked gazes, he laughed quietly, turning to Doc to mutter something, which made Doc look up at him, his thoughtful features softening into a smile. He put down the pen, muttering something to Impulse before walking over to him, the soft smile only growing.

“You’re doing it again”, Doc just said the moment he stood in front of the wall Grian was sitting on, their faces for once being on the same level so Grian didn’t have to look up at him.

“Doing what?”, Grian replied, feigning innocence.

Doc let out an amused huff. “Well according to Impulse you’re looking at me like a love sick attention starved puppy. His words, not mine. Though I see what he means. It’s adorable.”

Grian’s smile just got a little wider, his heart fluttering at the compliment.

“You can’t blame me. I rarely ever have the opportunity to watch you like this in Hermitcraft. We’re always so busy building the next big thing back at home. I’m enjoying it very much.” Grian glanced past Doc at Impulse and then back to Doc. “Though I will let Impulse know that I’m certainly no puppy.”

Doc hummed, leaning forward, resting his hands on Grian’s legs to lean in between them. “Yeah. You’re much more like a fox. Sly, smart… Probably why I like you so much. I’ve always been fond of foxes. Though you’re still not as quick in a fight as a fox. You think too much.”

Grian put a mock pout on his face. “Hey. I can fight. I beat you in like… a couple of wars. And I won the little murder game me and the others were part of!”

“You win because you’re smart. And that is not a bad thing. Not everyone can be a great fighter. But you don’t have to worry. If anything ever happens I’ll just follow your brains and be the muscles you need.” Doc then fully leaned in, putting a gentle kiss onto Grian’s pout, making him melt below the touch, a little content noise leaving Grian’s mouth. And suddenly he was being lifted up, letting out a high pitched squeak of surprise, clinging onto Doc’s body like a panicked koala. Doc just chuckled, holding him close, never once breaking the kiss as he held Grian up as if he weighed nothing.

Grian smiled softly once his racing heart had calmed down, not letting go until Doc finally let him down onto the ground gently, following him with his lips, bending forward until Grian’s feet touched the ground only then separating.

“I love you, little guy.”

“‘m not that little”, Grian grumbled in slight annoyance, though he had to admit that in this new world the Hermit’s fell a little below average size wise which made him even smaller in comparison now. Doc on the other hand fit right in, his tall height now just the average like all the other men here, that is if you didn’t count Joel’s godly form or Jimmy’s toy size. Grian still didn’t get how these lore revealing potions worked, but then again… He didn’t understand a lot of things in this world.

“Well. You’re big in all things that count”, Doc said in a teasing voice that made Grian blush and stutter at first, until Doc gleefully went on, “I meant your heart Grian. What else would I be talking about? Get your mind out of the gutter.”

Grian grumbled some choice word under his breath, hitting Doc in the stomach softly. “You’re an idiot.”

“I know. But I’m your idiot, am I not?”

Grian couldn’t stop the smile from returning back to his face and he got on his tiptoes, barely able to land a kiss onto Doc’s cheek.

“Now… While I think it’s cute to have you watching me work I think I remember you having a date with Scar and Jimmy in Tumbletown. You told me yesterday, remember?”

That made Grian’s heart drop as he quickly looked at the sky. “Oh fudge”, he just exclaimed, giving Doc another quick peck on the mouth before hurriedly taking out his Elytra.

“Thanks, love, see you later. Don’t explode our base with your redstone.”

“Will try!”, Doc called after him as Grian took off quickly, flying over to the little Western Town.

His eyes lit up when he finally reached the small town and he could see those two and Tango already standing by a large train that Grian knew at first glance had been built by Scar. That man was just too talented. His builds just stood out, even back home with a bunch of talented builders. Scar was always special. He just had the perfect attention to detail. When Grian landed he looked over at Tango, smirking at him when he realised how close Tango was standing to Jimmy, his tail resting around Jimmy’s waist. Well, well, well… He had never given those two much thought but maybe something great would come out of their accidental trip to the Empires World.

Tango must have noticed his gaze, as his cheeks turned a slightly dark blue and his eyes darted off to the side, his fingers twitching so close to Jimmy’s hand, his tail wiggling a little, but yet he didn’t move away. How cute. Grian could work with that. Playing matchmaker would be so much fun. And Jimmy would need it with how daft he was when it came to emotions.

They were in the middle of a deep discussion about how to connect Tumbletown to the Hermit’s area, when multiple beeping sounds came from Jimmy’s communicator. Jimmy looked at his wrist in confusion and then pressed a button to see the little holographic screen.

“Fwhip. Weird. He doesn’t really message me anymore lately. Rather comes over to bother me and-” Jimmy stopped, his eyes darting over the messages, eyebrows furrowing. “He says something weird is going on over at the portal. It apparently activated again, but it’s no longer purple. It’s… gold.”

The moment Grian heard that it felt like someone had grabbed his heart in an iron grip. “What?”, his voice sounded far too high, almost foreign to his own ears and Jimmy gave him a weird look.

“It’s gold. Do you know what’s going on? It’s yours after all. The rift on your side I mean. Is it supposed to do this? Does it mean you guys can go back?” As Jimmy asked that question, his eyes darted to Tango, looking slightly sad.

Grian didn’t answer right away, his mind running in circles, but his silence was enough for Scar to get worried at least.

“Grian. What’s going on? You’re as white as a Ghast. What does the portal turning gold mean? Is it… is it bad?”

And finally Grian moved into action, head whipping around to Scar, looking at his bright blue eyes. He then turned to Tango, his face becoming more and more worried. “You’re in danger. You need to hide. They’re coming. I need to- I- The portal. We need to block it. We need to destroy it. They’ll come through.”

“Who’s coming, Grian?”, Scar sounded worried, gently grabbing Grian’s arm.

Another beep from Jimmy’s communicator. He looked at the screen. “Fwhip said some people walked through. Him and Sausage are gonna try and talk to them.”

“Tell Fwhip to run! Tell him they can’t see him! He’s not human! They can’t know!”

Jimmy looked at him in confusion, not reacting to his words and Grian felt almost helpless. “Jimmy! NOW!” Hearing Grian use his proper name and raise his voice like that must have shaken something inside the other man and he quickly typed a message into his communicator, sending it off.

“Grian, mate, what is going on? You’re scaring me.”

Grian shook his head, fumbling through his inventory. “No time to explain. You need to take Tango and Scar and hide them somewhere. Get as far away from spawn as possible. In some cave or some area that doesn’t look inhabited. Somewhere where they won’t look.”

“Grian? Who’s ‘they’?”, Tango looked worried as well and Scar’s head was tilted to the side, his face full of confusion. How did they not understand that there was no time for explanations? They needed to leave now.

“They hunt non-humans. They shouldn’t be here. Jimmy. Please. Promise me that you’ll protect them. I can’t worry about everyone here. That is one less person I need to protect.”

Jimmy glanced at Grian and then his face hardened as he nodded. “Make sure my friends are safe, yeah?”

Grian nodded and that seemed to be enough as Jimmy started running, pulling a very confused Tango behind him, Scar throwing one last confused glance at Grian before running off as well. He was lucky Jimmy knew him well enough to see that this was serious. Any second he lost discussing the situation would just make it worse.

Finally, Grian pulled out the rockets from his inventory, rushing up into the sky and darting off into the direction of the portal. He needed to warn everyone. He needed to stop the portal. He couldn’t let them in. Not again.

While flying at a neck breaking speed he somehow miraculously managed to get out his communicator and shoot off a quick message.

<Grian> Danger! You need to hide! They’re coming!

<Grian> They’re after non humans.

Grian could hear countless beeping noises after he sent his message off, but he kept going. He didn’t have the time for explanations. If he would manage to close the portal before they came through there would be no need to fight. They’d all be safe.

His mind drifted to Doc. His fingers twitched, the urge to drift off to their area almost overwhelming. He wanted to go there so badly. He needed to make sure his boyfriend was safe, but in moments like this… He couldn’t risk the life of everyone on the server just to save Doc. So many of his friends were in trouble. Not just Doc.

And if they got Fwhip…

He just prayed they didn’t figure out he was the admin of this world. Fwhip looked inconspicuous enough. They would underestimate him for sure. Fwhip just needed to pretend someone else was the admin and maybe they wouldn’t gain that advantage. Grian had seen admins be forced to teleport everyone over under threats of torture before, he didn’t want to witness it again.

Finally, after flying over a mountain range he could see the portal glowing in the distance. The eerie golden shimmer might have looked beautiful to him a decade ago. But he knew better now. It meant nothing but destruction and suffering. The glow made him feel sick, a coldness spreading inside all the way to his bones.

When he was close enough to see shapes by the portal, he stopped in the middle of the air, out of breath, looking down at the figures, dread slowly filling him. As quickly as he could he landed in one of the trees, hidden behind the leaves, looking over at the portal.

He was too late.

Multiple people in uniform were standing right outside the portal. They had weapons drawn, pointing them at a group of people sitting on the ground, their hands folded behind their heads. Their weapons were emitting a golden glow, containing the same magic that powered their portal. He peeked through the leaves. Fwhip was kneeling there alongside Sausage, Pix and Xisuma. He felt almost guilty at the relief he felt when he realised Doc wasn’t there. But if he didn’t stop them it was only a question of time until Doc was their prisoner. They rarely ever stopped until they had every inhabitant of the world captured. He needed to stop them before it came to that. Someone landed next to him on a branch and Grian whipped around, his hand glowing purple as he thrust it forward only to hit a light icy blue mist that stopped him in his tracks.

“Scar?”, he hissed, looking at the man leaning against the tree trunk standing on a branch next to him. His eyes were glowing brightly, his own hand held out in defence. “You were supposed to hide! You and Tango! Don’t tell me you’re all-”

“Tango went with Jimmy. I couldn’t go without knowing Cub was safe. You wouldn’t abandon Doc either, so don’t expect me to run. Cub’s a vex as well, so that means he’s in danger if what you said is true. Looking over at the portal it seems to be.” Slowly the blue mist dissipated and Grian realised that Scar’s eyes were now focused on the purple magic surrounding Grian’s hand.

“Care to explain?”

Grian sighed, his eyes darting off to the portal again. Maybe having someone help him wasn’t too bad. He was pretty sure he could take those soldiers, but if they were to call for backup… It had been a long time since he had been in a proper fight. Practising magic from books and against mobs just wasn’t the same

“I’m a Watcher.”

Scar let out a short quiet huff of amusement, but he must have realised Grian wasn’t joking. “But… That is just a fairytale. Nothing but some old people's stories to scare children into behaving. Telling them of the ever present Watcher in every world that punishes you if you misbehave.”

Grian shrugged. “Well it’s true. I’m your Watcher. Not you as a person. Your world’s. I wish the part about every world having one was true, but we’re a bit understaffed. No Watcher on Empires at the moment but me.”

Scar followed Grian’s eyes to the portal, eyes darting between all the figures moving around as more soldiers stepped through. Commands were being shouted, but they didn’t quite reach them. Though Grian was pretty sure it was orders to search for more people in this world. Calls to find the admin they already had. Luckily they musn’t have figured out they already had him or they would be torturing Fwhip right now instead of just guarding him. “So what are they? What’s going on here?”

“They’re what we call the Hunters. They believe that non humans are… below them. They capture them and take them from their worlds.”

Scar’s eyes widened. “What?! What will they do with them.”

Grian remained silent, watching their friends, his heart sinking as he saw two soldiers drag a struggling Cleo and a very unconscious Joe towards the place in front of the portal. Cleo was quickly tossed to the side where Xisuma and Fwhip were kneeling while they put Joe on the ground next to the other humans. So they were already separating them into groups. They knew Xisuma wasn’t human.

“Grian. What will they do?”, Scar hissed, a low, almost threatening tone that Grian had never heard before.

“They sell them. It’s human trafficking, Scar… Well not so human, but you get what I mean. Once they’ve rounded up everyone- Once they leave through the portal, they’ll all be gone, scattered over the worlds, sold for a fortune. We need to stop them now.” Grian turned to look at Scar. “Listen. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you guys what I am, but that’s kind of part of the job. I’m just meant to watch. I wasn’t even meant to stay as long. I kind of took an extended leave to stay with Doc.”

“So the Watchers aren’t really there to stop misbehaving children, huh?”

Grian shook his head, smiling bitterly. “No. We’re… The Watchers were formed to fight them. Most of us are just liberated slaves with a talent for magic.”

“So you…”

“There’s no time for all that now”, Grian interrupted the question. While it was indeed true that they couldn’t just sit here and watch for much longer, he already despised the thought of talking about his own past with the Hunters. “We need to hurry before any of them are transported through the portal. Even with our magic we won’t be able to bring them back.”

Scar’s muscles tensed again at the reminder and Grian could feel his magic well to the surface. If he’d ever had any doubt of Scar’s strength, the amount of magic radiating off of him now would have proved him wrong. It wouldn’t be enough. Sadly. But this wasn’t Scar’s fight. It was his.

“Listen Scar… I need to ask something of you. Something dangerous. Will you still trust me?”

They looked at one another again. Scar’s eyes searched his for something, some sign that he was lying or that this was some elaborate prank.

“What do I need to do?”

“I need you to distract them. Not for long, don’t worry. Half a minute should be enough to disable the portal if you manage that long. Any more would help, but I don’t think that’s possible.” Scar raised an eyebrow, looking at Grian questioningly.

“You think you can defeat them?”

Grian’s eyes darted from one soldier to the next, looking closely at the weapons they were carrying, taking everything into account, thinking of every possible scenario. “Yes”, he finally stated, his voice full of confidence. He wasn’t saying this to make Scar feel better. He was sure he would be able to take them.

“Grian…” Scar hesitated for a moment. “How strong are you exactly?”

Grian just smiled cheekily instead of giving an answer. And it seemed to be enough of an answer, because Scar nodded. “Okay if you tell me how you plan to go in, I think I can-”

A scream stopped Scar mid sentence and in the way his magic flared to the surface Grian could immediately tell who’s scream it must have been.

He tried to stop Scar, to grab a hold of his arm, but even with the difference in power between them, an enraged vex was too fast for even Grian. There was barely anything that could stop a vex protecting its mate. Scar jumped from the tree before Grian had even fully grasped the situation. He could just watch as Scar burst right into the middle of the soldiers, where Cub had now been dragged to, bleeding from a wound on his head.

The soldier holding on to him fell without even a sound as Scar pounced on him, a glowing blue claw ripping into his body and practically tearing his heart out. Grian was frozen in shock. He had seen a lot of violence in his life, but Scar had always been so calm and gentle that Grian had thought his vex nature must have been rather dormant. This proved him very wrong.

Grian thought of jumping in as well and helping Scar in the fight, but he saw almost no way they could get out of it without losing. If he were to dive in now without a plan he’d lose most of his advantages. With the portal still open they’d immediately call for backup. How much more of them could he handle before even he would fall? And he knew this time he wouldn’t be so lucky to be rescued. The experiments they’d do on an imprisoned Watcher… He didn’t even want to imagine it.

Grian cursed silently, balling his hand to a fist, watching as multiple other soldiers were on Scar a moment later, their weapons sparkling with magic energy as they pressed them into Scar’s body. A shiver ran through Grian. He remembered how those felt. How they drained your magic and felt like electricity running through your whole body. Scar kept trying to fight, taking down another soldier before he went down, soldiers jumping forward to put him in chains. He felt so helpless, just being able to watch. He felt like he was somehow betraying Scar by letting him fight on his own.

And finally as the chains bound Scar completely they were able to fully subdue him, throwing him towards Cub where Scar stayed lying on the ground, breathing heavily, covered in bruises.

Damn it. That meant the ‘easy’ route was out of the question now. There was no way Scar could help him in the condition he was in. Grian needed to get close to the portal on his own. There was only one way he could think of that would get him close enough. Though that meant he couldn’t go guns blazing to destroy the portal. He summoned a small gem from his inventory. It was a deep purple and he knew that they might realise what it was once they saw it. They might see it inside his pockets so Grian did probably the stupidest thing he could and put it in his mouth instead before jumping out of the tree. It was tiny enough, just as small as a candy… In this difficult situation, it was the best place to hide something like that. It would make destroying it all the more easy.

He could feel his heart racing as he started walking along the roads, not even a single weapon in his hand. It felt like he was knowingly walking into a trap. But he wouldn’t. He knew what was lying ahead and he needed to go there to make sure everyone was safe.

It didn’t take long, walking up the road before he heard the shout of a soldier who had spotted him and seconds later two were running towards him.

“Stop right there, put your hands up!”

Grian froze, eyes widening, looking at them as if he had not expected their presence, feigning complete innocence “What is going on? Who are you?”

The soldiers didn’t answer, instead rushing forward, pointing their weapons at him. Grian quickly raised his hands, eyes darting from one to the other, doing his best to look confused at their presence.

“We discovered another one along the road. He looks human enough. We’re gonna take him over to the others to check him.”, one of them spoke into a little microphone stuck to his ear and he must have gotten some reply as he pressed the weapon against Grian’s chest, not yet activating it. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll follow our orders now, boy. No funny business. We’ve got some of your friends waiting and they might get punished if you misbehave.” Grian just nodded hurriedly, pretending to stumble forward in his hurry to walk over. One of the guys snorted, giving him an unimpressed look. Good. Let them underestimate him and lower their guard. The Hunter that had just spoken walked up to him, patting down his pockets, making sure he hadn’t concealed any weapon below his sweater. They didn’t check for the gem hidden inside Grian’s mouth and seemed happy enough with this more rough search. “Walk. Now.” One of them walked behind him as Grian followed the first hunter. They hadn’t even bothered chaining him up like Scar. But then again, none of his human friends were. How stupid of them. They were just inviting magical beings to mess up their plans. Not everyone looked non-human. If he didn’t want to comply and walk up to the testing with them he could have easily just killed them. They even knew there was multiple vex in this world and still decided to underestimate someone like that. They had always been so sure of their power as their sheer number overwhelmed a world. Like true bullies hiding in a crowd.

As they rounded the corner to the place in front of the portal multiple eyes were locked on Grian. He could see devastation in his friends’ eyes as they believed another one of them to be captured. Grian knew that nobody had expected him to be the big rescue. But in Xisuma’s face he saw some sort of hopelessness. Maybe X had thought he’d come up with a plan after all. Xisuma didn’t know he was a Watcher, but maybe he thought Grian would be the one to rally the troops. He wished he could signal his admin that he had a plan, but he wouldn’t take any chances.

He was shoved forward towards one of the hunters who had a sceptre in his hand that looked different than any of the other weapons. It was a long metal staff, a yellow shining gem attached to the top, magic swirling inside. A detection device. Grian just hoped they hadn’t advanced any further since he had last encountered them during his training days.

When they were in front of the man they stopped and Grian was shoved forward. He let himself fall with the momentum, landing on his knees. The sharp intake of breath at the stinging sensation in his hands was the only thing he didn’t fake at that moment. The sceptre touched his head and he could feel a cold wave wash over him. It felt like slimy cold tendrils were creeping all around inside him. It felt like last time. He knew they were searching for something. Some magic or something else that gave them the evidence they needed that he might not be fully human. Grian closed his eyes, pretending to be overwhelmed by the feeling when all he did was focus his magic to evade the search that was going on. He had been trained for a situation just like this, but it still took a lot of power to control his magic to move in such a precise way inside of him. When the feeling finally receded he took a shaking breath, looking up at the hunter with the staff again who looked at him slightly less hostile.

“He’s worthless. Put him with the other humans. Continue your search. There has to be more than those five. They always flock together on these kinds of worlds where they are welcomed as if they’re human.”

“Can’t we just make them talk?” One of the soldiers groaned, apparently annoyed by the inconvenience of having to do some work to enslave this world. It was almost baffling to Grian how much they always treated their hunt like the most boring and necessary job.

The sceptre carrying hunter stopped, let out a hum and then smiled, stepping back to Grian who still hadn’t stood up, grabbing a hold of his hair and pulling his head back.

“You want to tell me how many more monsters are in this world?”

“Not a single one except for you guys”, Grian hissed through gritted teeth and if he didn’t have the gem still in his mouth he would have spit right in that man’s face for even daring to ask him a question like that. None of them would betray one of their friends. “Then tell me who the admin is. We just want to have a little talk with them.” Grian forced himself to keep looking at the man in front of him as his eyes automatically wanted to dart over to where Xisuma and Fwhip were being held. From the way the guy was watching him he had hoped for that sort of reaction as well. “Kiss my arse.”

He earned himself a slap in the face. His cheek was stinging but he still smiled at the man, getting a weird sort of satisfaction from the annoyed look. He was pushed over to the side where his human friends were still kneeling. He wondered if the distance was close enough for the gem to shut down the portal. He wasn‘t sure and he couldn‘t risk anything. He hadn’t used this kind of magic a lot before, only ever in training. But if he waited too long things might turn sour as well. Grian looked around. He needed a distraction, but only Scar knew about his plans and he was knocked out cold.

Grian was pushed to his knees as well, right behind Joe who was lying on the floor. A quick glance showed Grian that the man wasn‘t as out of it as he had assumed. So he had woken up and was just pretending now. They locked eyes for a moment but Grian slowly looked away again, not arousing suspicion.

There were so many paths this could go on. He didn‘t know which one might work. He couldn‘t reveal his hand too early or he knew alarms would be sounded and things would change for the worse. If he spoke to Joe to clue him into any sort of plan, they might hear him and watch more closely.

He gazed over at the ‘non human’ side of the prisoners. Scar was out. Cub was probably not able to fight as well as he usually did. Especially not with Scar in danger. Cub was holding onto him tightly right now, throwing glares at anyone who stepped a little too close to his unconscious mate. Xisuma’s powers were more defensive and passive, not suited for what he needed. Fwhip… Grian wasn’t sure of his powers. Cleo was strong, but she’d prioritise Joe’s safety if it came to it. Not that Grian could blame her. Grian didn’t need to think any further.

There was an explosion close by and a loud shout of a voice that he recognized too well. His head whipped to the side to where a group of people were charging at them, weapons drawn. Doc was right there at the front, yelling bloody murder, a trident in his hand, the enchantments on it letting electric sparks fly, his eyes both glowing a bright red in his anger. And there behind him were the rest of the server. Everyone. Even Tango and Jimmy, whom he had sent away, were there, fighting side by side as they clashed against the soldiers.

This was perfect. This was the distraction he needed. And he needed to be quick. This was a situation that would make them call for backup as soon as they realised how strong the others were. Grian let his leg fly out, taking out the legs under the soldier guarding the prisoners that was closest to him. He fell forward and Grian jumped forward, over the fallen body, darting in between enemies and their weapons, rushing towards the portal. He had almost reached it, when a hand grabbed him, pulling him around and if he hadn’t been pressed against a heavily armoured body he would have certainly fallen from the sudden impact.

“Stop! Or I will kill him!”

There was a weapon at Grian’s neck. A simple iron sword. He was out of breath, looking over at where Doc was fighting, suddenly stopping in the middle of his tracks. They locked eyes and Grian could see the utter devastation and a fiery rage. The others seemed uncertain as well and Grian wanted to roll his eyes. They were sort of adorable. Had they really charged in without thinking of the possibility of a hostage being taken? Sure… The others who had been imprisoned had reacted quickly in a sensible way and ran away from their guards to be tossed weapons by their friends and pulled the wounded out of danger. Only Grian hadn‘t. He had run right into the enemies.

So now he was the hostage.

And he could see his friend’s weapons being lowered slowly one by one. They were ready to give up to make sure he’d be kept alive. It was sweet, but also kind of stupid. Even if he had been human… They shouldn‘t just throw their lives away like this.

The guard pulled him back a little towards the portal. Grian didn‘t struggle. He could see the soldiers now pointing their weapons at the others, encircling them, making sure they couldn’t run over to free him. Another step closer to the portal. He looked at Doc. He could see a desperate look in his eyes as fear overtook him. He expected them to pull Grian through the portal to never be seen again.

„Grian!“ Doc screamed for him and Grian smiled. A wide victorious smile. The gem was in between his teeth now. One of the soldiers looked at him, noticing it, but the moment he opened his mouth to shout out a warning it was too late. Grian bit down on the small crystal. It shouldn‘t have been possible, but the gem was a special artefact and the moment he put pressure on it it exploded into a wave of pure magic that sent an explosion like wave into every direction from where he stood. The soldier behind him flew away from the force, hitting the wall hard and crumbling to the floor. The others were far enough away to just be pushed away.

The moment the wave hit the portal it turned off. There were screams of shock and a multitude of weapons pointed in his direction now. But he didn’t mind. Every weapon pointed at him meant one less hunter threatening his friends. He let his magic flow free. Purple wings of moving energy sprouted from his back, glowing eyes appeared on every uncovered part of his body, opening up one by one.

“A Watcher! He’s a Watcher! Get reinforcements!”

“We‘re cut off!”

“Attack!”

A mix of screams and shouts rang around the area. Grian knew he should focus on the soldiers, but instead his eyes were zeroed in on Doc. He had always been scared of this moment. He should have told his partner before, but it had somehow never been the right time. He had always managed to pull up some sort of excuse.

Doc’s mouth was open and his eyes wide in shock. Grian averted his eyes, smiling sadly before raising his hands when the first hunters ran up to attack, making them fly through the air and land unmoving a few metres away. “This world is under my protection. Now let me tell you what I think about you attacking my friends.”

He was pretty sure he heard a delighted cheer somewhere from the side and it made his lips twitch upward as Jimmy’s voice filled him with warmth and comfort. At least one person would still be by his side after this was all over. Even when he was sure Jimmy was just as shocked as the rest he had already recovered, calling out encouragement.

They changed their focus from Grian now, trying to get a hold of his friends, probably trying to hold them hostage against him. But as one grabbed a still slightly dazed and distracted Doc, Grian’s magic started flowing around him like tendrils, swelling up with his anger, grabbing the attacker around the waist and throwing him up into the sky. His magic was swirling freely around him now and it felt so good. He hadn’t been able to let it run this free in so long, always having to hold it back and contain it. He could hear the power in him rejoice as it spread further and further.

The fight was over before it had even begun.

He still stood close to the portal, breathing heavily, feeling the drain of using this much powerful magic had put on his body. All his muscles were shaking and it was a wonder he could still stand up after all of this. The ground all around him was littered with bodies, none of them one of his friends, not a single new scratch on their bodies. When the adrenalin finally stopped running through him he realised that all eyes were on him and the purple haze dancing around him.

He wished he knew what they were thinking right now. If they’d hate him or fear him. He didn’t know what to do. He had just single handedly whipped out a small army after all. This was not a thing normal human beings did. Not even non-humans. After being granted the Watcher’s blessing and being trained for so long, he was ridiculously overpowered

He tried to call his magic back to at least look like his old carefree self, but now that it was unleashed it didn’t want to retreat. It always had a bit of a mind of its own. It would probably take at least a few hours or a few days to get the eyes on his skin to disappear. He gave a little glare at them and they only looked back at him. If he wasn’t so used to it, he’d be creeped out by his own power, so who was he to blame the others if they were?

His head was hanging low as he was still breathing heavily. He didn‘t dare look at them. He had lied. His whole relationship was built upon lies. Doc had enjoyed being the strong one and protecting him. Every other love declaration had been filled with promises to always protect him after all.

“Grian.” Doc‘s voice was soft and there were steps. Slow. Hesitant. Grian didn‘t dare look up, not even when Doc entered his field of vision. His eyes were locked onto the green feet sitting inside those ridiculous pink crocs that Grian had once gifted him as a joke.

“Looks like all those wars against you really had no chance of ever being won, huh?”

Grian‘s head snapped up. “I‘d never use my magic for that!”

When he finished his sentence he looked right at Doc and saw the softest and kindest smile there.

“I know. That sounds just like you. Making things unnecessarily hard on yourself just to have more fun. You always loved challenges. If someone were to hold back their overpowered magic it would be an idiot like you“, Doc said, his voice warm as he put a gentle hand onto Grian‘s cheek, never once flinching as the purple haze around Grian moved, snaking around Doc‘s arm. He knew the eyes would be moving as well, looking at the fingers touching him or right at the man in front of him. It should have been unnerving and disturbing, but Doc seemed to be completely unfazed by it.

“I- I lied. I lied to you. We‘ve been dating for so long and yet I have never told you the truth about who I am. I should have… I just thought- I trusted you, I swear. I was just afraid. And it was against the rules. I couldn‘t. And it was a convenient excuse not to and-“ The hand moved from his cheeks to his lips, a single finger pressing against his lips making him stop mid sentence as Doc made a shushing noise.

“Grian. It doesn‘t matter. You saved all of us. You ran straight into danger to save us. Why would we fear you? Are you scared of Cub and Scar?“ Grian shook his head. “Are you scared of Tango?“ He shook his head again. “Are you scared of me?“

At that Grian let out a soft laugh as the tension slowly left his body. He could feel tears well up in his eyes as relief flooded him. “How could I? You‘re the biggest softie in the whole wide world.”

“Then there‘s no reason to think we‘d be afraid of you. Surprised? Sure. But I could never be scared of the man I love.“

“Wouldn‘t you prefer I was just a human that you could protect? You always loved that.“

Doc chuckled, shaking his head the way you might at a small child, as if Grian had said something so very obviously stupid.

“Sure. It was nice to think you‘d need me. But then again, now I never have to worry about you. I‘m not with you because I can protect you and be a strong man. I‘m with you because I love you. Whether you need to be protected or you protect me. What does that even matter when we love one another?“

“So you don’t care?”

Doc smiled and shook his head again, putting a finger under Grian’s chin to tilt his head back ever so slightly before leaning down, stopping right before their lips met. “I love you. Then, now, and forever. Nothing will change that”, he whispered before moving the rest of the way, as if sealing his promise with a kiss. Grian could feel his magic move on its own, the purple mist slowly surrounding them, pushing Doc forward, as Grian went to put his arms around him and all of the eyes closing, as Grian’s own did.

He could hear his friends cheering from the side and he knew that he should have never worried. They accepted him just the way he was, no matter what that might be.

#🍉 stories #hermitship #gridoc #hermitshipping #Hermitcraft #WatcherGrian #request

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melon-wing · 1 year

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Hidden Wings [Etho/Grian]

[Fanfiction Masterlist] [Snip/Request Masterlist]

Grian hummed to himself, walking through the new shopping district, looking at the shops that had started popping up everywhere. He still needed to build his own little shop he had reserved a spot for, but planning his mansion took all his time and resources away. And with Scar as his neighbour he got so easily distracted from that as well, so it always ended up with barely anything getting done.

Grian giggled, thinking of his latest prank and the way Larry had glared at him over the huge moustache now attached to its face. It could glare all it wanted, Grian knew that Larry had let him do it. Otherwise he would have gotten a big bite mark as a proof of disdain, just like the time when Grian climbed it, assuming it was just a very well made statue and not actually alive.

And he just knew Scar would be amused at the prank as well. Scar was the sweetest and most fun loving neighbour he had ever had. Even Mumbo didn’t come close to how good natured Scar was and how well he handled the constant pranks hitting him and his base.

His thoughts drifted from Scar to his shop as he walked up to the little lake he would begin his emporium on. He had to really start out small this time. Last time he had gone overboard with his pickle shop and barely ever made a diamond. This time though, he was gonna end up rich. Sure, it was no bookstore or rocket shop, but when it came to grinding the Hermits were just as lazy as he was when it came to building farms. So now their laziness would be supplying him with the much needed diamonds. His addiction to flying by Elytra wouldn’t cost him all his wealth this time.

He glanced at the lake again, his mind working at full speed. For now he’d put something simple there. Just something to get started on and earn himself some diamonds. And then he’d fill in the lake and build a gigantic shop… If he ever found the energy to do so.

Maybe for now he’d just build something that fit the area. A small hut? No, he’d have to drain the water for that. A barge would probably work best at the moment.

It didn’t take him too long to finish his little floating shop. He had built castles and towns, this was like a walk through the park. He could have done it in his sleep. Well… Looking at it now, maybe it looked like he had done it while half asleep. It was just… so simple. He made a thoughtful noise, unsure if his on the spot design really worked well. Because even if it was meant to be temporary, he still didn’t want to put something ugly in the middle of their shopping district. He couldn’t lose face in front of his friends like that.

For a few moments he glanced around. Nobody was in the Shopping District. It had been empty this whole time while he had been working on his barge. The Hermits were all busy building their starter bases after all. There were barely any shops that pulled them to the island. And he could see the portal from here. If somebody stepped through he could just hide. He probably shouldn’t do it, but he had yet to get an Elytra. Grian hesitated for another moment before feathery wings sprouted from his back, his sweater opening holes for them as the fabric responded to his magic. He glanced around once more before a strong beat of those wings catapulted him up into the air. It was so different from flying with an elytra. Getting into the air always required more work than just firing off a rocket and jumping up. But once he was in the air…Grian stopped mid air, his wings spread far apart, almost parallel to the ground, the wind keeping him afloat in position, letting him hover high above the land. This made it far easier to look at his shop from a distance. His eyes moved over the lake and the wooden construct, darting to the portal every now and again, making sure nobody was coming over.

It didn’t take him long to assess his build. It looked good enough to his liking for a temporary build. Not too big or too small for the lake, and if he needed to make it a big bitter before tearing it down he still had enough room. He knew how lazy he was sometimes when it came to starting large builds.

With one last glance to the portal he sank down to the ground, his feet gently touching the ground as he landed without making a single sound. He was about to hide his wings again when he froze, staring at a person standing right in front of him. Etho had just walked out of one of the stores and frozen up just as much as Grian did. How had he not noticed Etho being here? He had watched the portal so closely and he had seen nobody come through and go into one of the shops.

Neither of them said a word, though a thousand excuses were running through Grian’s mind. It was a prank. It was a costume. He drank some weird potion. A witch put a curse on him. Etho was dreaming. Nothing left his mouth. Etho wouldn’t buy it. He was too smart for that. The only way Grian had to get out of this mess was using his magic once more. Erasing the short term memory wouldn’t be too hard to pull off and solve all of his problems. He took a small step forward, his wings fluttering as his muscles tensed.

But just when he took his second step Etho disappeared without a trace within the blink of an eye, a small stick lying on the ground where he had just stood. Grian blinked in confusion, not comprehending what had just happened.

A soft touch on his right wing startled him as a shiver ran down his whole body. There was a hand on his wing, softly moving down the feathers, gently caressing them. For a moment his brain just stopped working as the hand kept moving, his eyes drifting shut. He felt like he was melting below the touch. Nobody had ever touched his wings before. And it felt… good?

A soft chuckle came from behind him. “I didn’t know you’d purr like that.”

Grian wanted to reply, to deny that he was making any sorts of noises, but now that Etho had brought it to his attention he realised he was indeed purring like some little kitten and somehow even though he tried to, he was unable to stop that noise leaving his mouth.

A pause as the hand moved to his other wing, tracing the upper part all the way to where it connected to Grian’s skin. “So they are real wings, huh? Fascinating.”

Grian should have run, he should have hidden his wings. Why was he still just standing there? He should have hated this, should have been scared. But it felt too good. He leaned back a bit, his wings moving to press against the hand caressing it. Etho’s hand just kept moving, softly, carefully, making him feel so warm inside. A sound from the portal startled Grian, his wings suddenly flapping in panic, throwing Etho back. His wings glowed and then shrunk back into his body, his sweater mending itself hiding the feathery tattoo that was left behind on his skin. The portal did spit someone out a moment later, though not another Hermit, it was just a stupid pigman. Grian felt himself get disappointed at the fact that this thing had made them stop, only realising a moment later that he had wanted Etho to keep going.

Grian turned around slowly, eager to learn if his disappointment was mirrored on Etho’s face, but when he did, nobody was standing behind him anymore. Damn. He looked around, slightly panicked, but nobody was there anymore and so he hurriedly took out his communicator, frantically typing a message to send to Etho. He couldn’t have him tell the others. Nobody could know. It was troublesome enough that Etho had found out already.

Before he could send the message a soft hand touched his, stopping him from going on. He looked up into Etho’s face who had somehow reappeared in front of him once more. “I won’t tell anyone. We all have our secrets after all.” Etho paused for a moment, looking past Grian’s shoulders where the wings had been earlier. “They’re beautiful by the way. Very fitting for a man like you.”

“What-”, Grian started but just like that Etho disappeared for the final time. It took Grian all the way home to his base until he realised that Etho had not just complimented his wings but called him beautiful. Larry looked over towards him with much more annoyance than ever before when Grian let out a loud embarrassed squeal, his whole face turning bright red.

~*~

Grian was in trouble. He hadn’t planned on this happening. He had just tried to get away from the enemy and now he was sitting in a cave, holding his breath, hoping nobody would come in. He was half tempted to go deeper into the cave system to find a creeper lurking in the dark tunnels that killed him so he’d respawn. Even turning into a yellow life was better than his wings getting discovered.

He tried to push his magic inside them again, but once more a pain flared up in his left wing, making him cry out and stopping the magic. He tried to reach the arrow still stuck between the feathers, but the spot was way too close to his back. They had aimed for his heart after all. He was in so much trouble right now. They were still searching the area, he was pretty sure about it.

He couldn’t escape…. Not without help.

Grian took out his communicator, staring at Scar’s name. They had become really close lately, being neighbours and then getting thrown into this murderous game together and pairing up. Maybe it was time Scar knew about his secret. He was sure he could trust Scar with that. Scar would never betray him, right?

<Grian> Help me. I’m stuck in a cave. 2453/765

He hit the send button, blankly staring at his communicator. This had been stupid. A mistake. Why had he decided to do this? Why did he think he could trust him of all people right now? He should move away from the cave he had just given out the coordinates to. It was too dangerous even with the agreement they had.

He didn’t move.

He could hear steps get closer and hear voices in the distance.

“Check everywhere. He can’t have gotten far bleeding like that!”

Grian began shaking. He needed help. Ren couldn’t see him like that. Not now. Not when the games had gotten to him so much. What would he do with this knowledge when the red life had made him just as distorted as Scar.

When steps came closer Grian moved back a little, letting out a small whimper as his injured wing hit the cave’s wall.

A figure stepped through the entrance of the cave, looking at him directly. Grian could barely breathe, his wings moving to cover his body as he shrunk into the dark.

“There’s nobody here. The cave’s empty. No trace of Grian. Move on. I’ll go back to base to restock my food and then I’ll join you again.”

A confirmation was shouted and the voices got further and further away again. Only one pair of steps moved closer and closer, stopping right in front of him, a soft hand touching his wing, slowly moving it to the side until Grian’s face was no longer hidden behind it.

“Etho…”, Grian whispered, his wings fluttering a little at the relief he felt.

“I got your message”, Etho just stated, voice unreadable as he searched Grian’s face. “You do know we’re on opposing teams in this? Do you know how stupid and dangerous it was to send me your coordinates? What if I had betrayed you?”

Grian shrugged. He didn’t even know. He had just changed his mind at the last second, pulling up Etho’s chat instead of Scar’s. “I knew you wouldn’t if you saw me. I just knew. You promised to keep my secret. You promised.”

Etho nodded to confirm just his words and Grian breathed a sigh of relief, his muscles relaxing slightly. He hadn’t even realised how scared he had been that his trust in Etho might have been displaced.

“Why didn’t you just hide them? Like last time. They were gone pretty quickly without a trace.”

Instead of giving a reply, Grian just turned around slowly and the gasp he heard meant Etho had seen the problem. “The arrow Ren shot…”

“I was about to take off. Nobody here has an Elytra so I knew they wouldn’t be searching the sky and the forest was dense enough to hide me taking off. I didn’t expect Ren to shoot and hit in a situation like that. He sometimes acts so aloof, but he is a good fighter.”

A soft warm hand touched his injured wing and Grian let out a soft sigh. It still hurt like hell, but somehow this simple little touch made him feel better already. Just like the last time when Etho had caressed his wings.

“I’m- This will hurt. I need to pull it out.”

“Can’t hurt worse than being shot”, Grian said, a hint of amusement in his voice as he was making light of the situation they were in.

“I think I still have some shears in my inventory. Maybe I can cut it in half.”

Grian could hear the sound of the inventory being opened and after a moment an item materialised in Etho’s hands. He looked so hesitant with those shears, staring at the arrow, his free hand still absentmindedly tracing Grian’s wing.

“I won’t break. You’re not hurting me, the arrow is. Just do it.”

Etho seemed to be calmed slightly by his words and nodded, moving Grian’s body gently with a hand on his shoulder so he was standing with his side to the wall, his wing stretched out parallel to the wall, his other wing tucked in to give Etho some room with the arrow. A hand gently moved the feathers out of the way before putting the shears to the wood. He paused and then the shears closed down, snapping the wood in half. The vibration it sent through it and the wound made Grian whine as pain shot through the whole wing and his back.

“Sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“Not your fault”, Grian mumbled, trying to catch his breath. The worst part was still to come though he was really glad Etho had managed to cut the arrow or it might have been so much worse. “Get it out. I can do this.” Grian tried to sound brave, but it was kind of scary to anticipate pain, he clenched his hands to fists, trying to steel himself for what was coming. When the arrow started slowly moving forward it felt like fire was rushing through all of his nerves. He felt his muscles spasm without being able to stop it. The hand that had been so gentle on his wing now pressed against it, pressing it against the wall of the cave to stop it from moving. The pushing stopped as he could feel Etho become hesitant again.

“Stay strong. We’re getting there! I’ve seen you take worse”, Etho encouraged him and Grian let out a huff half in pain, half in amusement.

“You’ve been watching me, Mr. Ninja?”

Etho stopped for a moment and then chuckled. “I might have been. You’re… certainly interesting. Now… Take a deep breath. I’m gonna push it all the way through on the count of three. One, T-”

Before Etho had even finished the second count he pushed the arrow out. Grian screamed, his whole body shaking as waves of pain shot through him. He would have collapsed, had Etho not noticed his legs getting weak. He was caught by strong arms and both of them slowly slid to the ground. There were arms around him, a body pressed against his back and Grian leaned back a little, catching his breath.

“It’s out?”

“Yeah. You did well. I’m sorry. I thought it might be better to do it quickly after all. The slow way seemed to hurt worse.”

Grian just nodded.

“Can you move a little? I got some healing potion on me for emergencies. I feel like this counts as one, even though I don’t think this is what Martyn meant when he gave it to me. But oh well, what the king doesn’t know…”

Grian chuckled softly, still breathing heavily, but he still moved forward slightly, to give Etho access to his wings again. The warm hands were back on him once more, but again so soft, so gentle as they moved through the feathers.

“It’s sad. They looked so pretty in white.”

Grian huffed, smiling fondly. “I am capable of washing my wings, you know that?”

Etho just hummed. One hand moved back and a moment later it came back, coated in what must have been the potion. The moment the fingers touched his wound, Grian could feel the familiar healing magic entering him, knitting his skin together slowly but surely with each coat Etho applied. Grian’s eyes drifted shut. It felt so good. The gentle touch, the warm magic, the pain fading.

And then Etho started humming softly. It was a tune Grian didn’t recognize. It sounded so melancholic, filled with sadness and sorrow. Grian knew the wound had healed enough by now, but Etho didn’t stop caressing the slightly bent feathers and Grian didn’t stop him. There was a short pause, an inventory being opened and then a wet rag touched his feathers. They didn’t speak. Etho just kept humming as he carefully wiped the half dried blood from the feathers. After about the third repetition of the melody Grian joined in, quiet and uncertain. The humming stopped for a second and Grian was worried he had somehow destroyed whatever moment they had, but Etho started up again and Grian was pretty sure he could hear his smile in the melody even if that was impossible.

The hands on his wings moved away from the wound after a while, no longer wet, no longer cleaning, just moving along the feathers, carefully caressing them, setting them straight where they had been slightly ruffled.

Grian could have stayed like this in the cave forever and Etho didn’t seem any more inclined to move and get back outside. But they were in the middle of a war and time for peace and quiet wasn’t a luxury they had. A loud beep came from Grian’s communicator, making him falter and stop humming and when he took it out Etho stopped as well.

“It’s Scar… He’s worried. Ren might have taunted him a bit about me lying somewhere dying”, Grian gave a soft sigh as he smiled fondly at the message. For all the trouble Scar caused him, he was a good and caring man. Grian shot a quick message back, assuring his partner that everything was fine. That he was hiding and coming back soon. His only reply was a bunch of happy cheering faces that made him giggle quietly. He could just imagine the look on Scar’s face, lighting up with joy. The moment he had let out the sound, Etho’s hand twitched, moving away from his wing. Grian could barely hold back a disappointed noise. He just wished this moment could have lasted longer.

“Why did you message me? Why didn’t you call Scar. He’s your partner after all, not me.”

The question came out of the blue and it made Grian stop a moment, thinking about the reason Etho asked now and not earlier when he had come to the cave

“I knew you’d be close by. Ren was chasing me after all. Scar would have run in guns blazing. He’s on his red life. I can’t have him die trying to save me while I’m still on my green life…” He stopped, hesitant, but he felt like he had to be honest with Etho after the moment they had shared. “And I couldn’t let Scar see.”

He glanced over his shoulder and he could see the confusion in Etho’s eyes. “You haven’t told him yet?”

Grian just shook his head, almost feeling guilty that he kept holding on to this secret so badly. The Hermits wouldn’t shun him. They wouldn’t judge. They’d listen him out and nobody would ban him unlike in all those other worlds he had been in.

“Grian… You should tell him. It’s important to be honest in a relationship. If he finds out his lover has been hiding a secret like that…” The touch against his wings was hesitant now and he swore he could hear a hint of guilt and sadness in Etho’s voice. Though it was hard to focus on those emotions when what had been said caught up to his brain.

“Wait… His what?” Grian’s head whipped around once more, staring at the man behind him, mouth slightly agape.

Etho’s eyebrows knitted together, the confusion clear even when half his face was covered by a mask.

“Your lover. No need to hide it. Unlike your wings it is not a very well kept secret. Scar let it slip on accident that he had a secret relationship and you guys being mushy like that all the time… It was pretty obvious.”

Giran let out a laugh at that, his wings fluttering a little in amusement and he turned around, fully facing Etho now.

“We’re not. How could you ever think that was the case? Almost everybody back in Hermitcraft knows he’s dating Ren. They started flirting during the Civil War interviews. He’s just pretending it’s a huge secret in this world. It’s part of their little game here. I thought you’d know as well. You’re usually so observant. Their fighting is just over the top flirting. Ren even went red for Scar, so he wasn’t the only one, so he would have an enemy to have fun with. Me and Scar? No way.”

As he explained everything, he saw Etho’s cheeks turn the slightest hint of red. But there was something else. Something that looked akin to hope. Just a glint. A hint of something hidden. A secret kept behind a mask. Grian knew that feeling all too well. Gently, Grian lifted his hand, touching the fabric on Etho’s cheek, looking him right in the eyes as he took hold of the mask. He gave Etho every chance to move back and stop him. Etho didn’t, not even flinching.

Grian slowly pulled the fabric down, revealing soft lips he had never been before.

“Why? Why do you look at me like this?”, Grian just asked. He wasn’t even sure what he meant by this question. He couldn’t even put it into words what Etho’s face told him. The emotions were only stronger now that he could see the other’s mouth. And it was intriguing.

“I don’t know. I- I was over this. I thought. And yet I can’t forget that time in the shopping district when you landed in front of me like an angel. I thought you were with him. So I didn’t dare… I’m a loner. I’ve been for so long, ever since- it doesn’t matter now.”

Grian felt hesitant. He was pretty sure now, where this was going, but while he was so certain on what Etho was feeling he didn’t know about himself. What was he going to say? What would Etho want him to say?

Etho smiled softly as if reading his mind, leaning forward a bit and planting a soft kiss on the corner of his mouth. Before Grian’s brain had even registered the action, he had moved back again.

“I like you, Grian. I have for a while. But I think we both know this is not the right moment and certainly not the right place. After this is over… After we’re done and back home… Let me tell you properly and then you can give me an answer.”

Grian could feel his whole face heat up and somehow that heat spread down his body and into his wings. It was something he had never felt. His wings felt so warm and it was like his magic was vibrating inside.

Etho let out a chuckle, tilting his head to the side a little to look at his wings. “They do that when you‘re flustered, huh? Cute.” Grian looked to the side, following Etho‘s gaze to look at his wings where all his feathers had somehow fluffed up, all standing up ever so slightly, giving his wings a weird puffy look. It only made him blush a little more.

So instead of answering to Etho’s observation he gave an answer to his earlier statement. “I think… I‘d like that. When we‘re done. When this is all over.”

Etho nodded, leaning forward and Grian closed his eyes, somehow expecting another soft kiss, but instead a warm hand touched his wing again, gently bending some of the feathers back down. Grian didn't know whether to be disappointed about that or not.

“See you, little bird.”

When Grian opened his eyes, Etho was gone already. He had disappeared as always so quickly that Grian wondered if he possessed some sort of magic of his own.

Grian smiled softly, taking a deep breath. He almost didn‘t want to magic his wings away. He wanted to stay with the lingering feeling of Etho‘s touch. But still he slowly let his wings disappear, waiting as they slowly turned into nothing more but painted feathers on his skin.

Now more than ever he really wished that their game was already done. Because he knew that for the rest of their days in this world there would be nothing on his mind but that sweet chaste kiss they had shared. And he was pretty sure he already knew what answer he was going to give Etho when they met up back in Hermitcraft.

#🍉 stories #hermitship #gritho #hermitcraft #trafficship #Hermitshipping #trafficshipping #winged grian

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melon-wing · 1 year

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Opening Requests

First of all thanks for the recent increase of notes <3 It has motivated me a lot. I’m trying to do Nanowrimo this year but with multiple Fanfiction. Just getting in the 50k during November in any way I can. I still have all requests from my asks saved, but I thought with more choices to pick from I might have less of a hard time getting motivated :D The stories are gonna be short and there is no guarantee I will write your request (sorry), but anyone can request via ask, don’t be shy. What you can request: SFW, straight/queer/poly, Hermitshipping, Trafficshipping, some other mcyt ships of Grian and MCC teammates he had What gives a request a better chance to be picked? Grian, lol Give me some theme or something to go with the ship, but don’t give me too many details. Since I’m trying to get my words done in November, I might not have much time for editing, so don’t expect too much to be actually posted this month

#rambling 🍉#requests #just send them via ask #anon or not #it doesnt matter #my asks are open #edited to make it shorter XD #i'm not a person of few words

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melon-wing · 1 year

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My Rancher [Jimmy/Tango]

[MASTERLIST] I’ve rewritten the scene from their meeting on Empires slightly and changed some things to make it more gay than it already was. Enjoy :D This is part of me trying to do words for Nanowrimo, so maybe if we’re lucky I will manage some more stories the coming weeks :) ~*~

Tango pushed up the giant hat he was wearing again as it kept sliding down his head. He wondered how someone even smaller than him could wear it. But then again, Shubble seemed like the type of person who didn’t mind just disappearing into her hat and forgetting the world around her. Impulse was chattering happily in front of him as they walked through some sort of tunnel with unfinished tracks.

He gently held the horn he had just stolen- no - borrowed - from one of the chests. The rough surface was warm in his hands now after he had been holding it for a few minutes. It felt familiar, making his whole body feel a little warmer and lighter. It reminded him of good times… When he had seen it he hadn’t been able to leave it there in the clutter of that chest, even if it didn’t make the right sound.

He smiled to himself sadly. After their weird game had ended… After they had died they had tried to cling together, but as the last of them fell a force stronger than anything he had ever faced had pulled them apart. Ever since the moment Tango had crash landed back into Hermitcraft his heart felt like it was missing a piece.

Jimmy…

He wondered what the joyful man was up to. He missed him so much. The soft blonde hair, those sky blue eyes, the excited energy, the way he looked at Tango like he was the most amazing being in that world, the way his whole face lit up when Tango praised him.

“Tango?”

Tango looked over to Impulse and smiled softly. “‘m good. The horn just reminded me of some stuff.”

Impulse looked at him almost as sad as he felt, and it made Tango avoid his gaze, looking at the horn instead. It wasn’t even the right horn. The tone was all off. It wasn’t their sound. And yet holding it hurt and felt so good at the same time. “You know we went along on this trip to get you thinking of something else, right? Maybe you should put the horn away and-”

Impulse stopped right in the middle of his sentence, making Tango glance up at him in confusion. But Impulse wasn’t looking at him anymore. He was looking past Tango at something ahead where the tunnel ended.

It felt like time itself slowed down as Tango turned around, following his friend’s gaze. The horn slipped from his fingers, falling to the ground. Everything seemed blurry and unrecognizable. Everything was just background noise in his vision. Everything that is, but the blonde man standing right in the middle of the tracks. Sure, he was in a different outfit than the last time they had met, the hat he was wearing just as ridiculous as Tango’s, but it was definitely him. Tango stopped in his tracks and the second their eyes locked so did Jimmy. For a moment the world around them seemed to disappear. He was pretty sure somebody was grumbling some annoyed comment, but it was all just distant noises. Jimmy looked him up and down in disbelief and Tango felt almost shy. He had changed a lot since they last met. His whole outfit was so much more over the top than his usual attire, and his hair was bright blue. Impulse had teased him endlessly about his ‘edgy phase’. Maybe Jimmy wouldn’t recognise him. Or he would and wouldn’t like the changes. Maybe…

“Is that…?”

The words were a soft whisper, but Tango could still hear it as if Jimmy had shouted them and as his lips turned into a smile the spell that had frozen both of them seemed to be broken as Jimmy darted forward, arms flying around Tango. “My rancher?!”

Tango laughed loudly as Jimmy squealed. “My rancher buddy!”, he just exclaimed to answer the half question. The moment he did Jimmy’s squealing just got louder and those strong arms lifted Tango off the floor as if he weighed nothing, spinning him around in circles as they both laughed. When they stopped Jimmy put him down gently, but he was still not letting go, pulling Tango close against his chest.

“You’re here”, Jimmy whispered softly and Tango just nodded, clinging onto the body he was being pressed against, those strong arms finally around him once more. Oh gods how he had missed this. When he took in a deep breath it felt so familiar. The earthy scent was almost the same as back on their little ranch.

“I’m here”, Tango just replied, moving back a little to look up into Jimmy’s face. What he saw was his own emotions mirrored back at him. The joy of seeing one another again when they had not known if they ever would or could.

“I tried to find you. I built machines, made plans. I tried everything I could”, Tango said, thinking back to his desperation right after they had been ripped apart. It had taken him far too long to accept that he wasn’t able to get to Jimmy without knowing which of the endless worlds he was in. “I thought I would never see you again. Even Grian didn’t know where you had gone.”

Jimmy nodded, a deep sorrow hidden below the joy. He opened his mouth when somebody next to them groaned and suddenly Tango became aware of the world around them again.

“Just kiss already and get this mushy romance show over with. I think the Sheriff’s squealing made my ears bleed a little.” Tango looked to the side where Joel stood. Though he almost didn’t recognize the man. He was taller, almost not fitting into the tunnel and he was wearing some white toga like dress. Tango wondered how he could have even overlooked a giant like him. But all he had seen that moment was his rancher.

“Joel!”, Jimmy all but screeched and when Tango looked at him his face was the brightest of reds.

“What? I know you want to do it. He’s been all you were talking about. It’s even worse than when you were with Scott and you guys are not even dating yet. So hurry. We got a tour to finish.”

Tango could hear Impulse snort in amusement, throwing him a glare that promised pain if he did a similar speech to Joel’s, though he knew his friend really wanted to do just that. It hadn’t been any different for them after all.

“I can’t just kiss him. Stop talking nonsense. You’re ruining my reunion.”

Tango smiled softly at Jimmy’s absolutely flustered expression. Well, there was one way to save the poor guy from his embarrassment. Tango gently took a hold of Jimmy’s face, turning it so he was looking back at him once more.

Jimmy looked so adorably confused at his action. His cheeks were still tinted red and when they looked at one another Tango could just tell that their feelings were mutual. They hadn’t just been buddies on a ranch. They were soulmates, then and now. Even with the bond gone their souls had stayed connected in some way.

“Well if you can’t then I will have to do it”, he said, getting on his tiptoes to press a kiss against Jimmy’s lips, taking in the shock and widened eyes for a second before closing his own eyes. The grip around him tightened as Jimmy tried to pull him even closer, their mouths moving softly and slowly against one another. It was perfect. When they pulled apart Tango’s smile was just as wide as Jimmy’s and they shared a slightly awkward giggle. This was new. And weird. And yet… just perfect.

“Well…”Jimmy started.

“Well”, Tango just repeated and they both giggled again. “I think it’s pretty obvious that feelings are mutual here, huh?”

Jimmy nodded, looking at him like an adorably lovesick puppy. It was just too cute to take.

“So”, Jimmy cleared his throat, slowly hesitantly loosening the embrace and letting his arms fall. Even after they had just shared a kiss he looked nervous, taking off his sheriff hat to run a hand through his hair. “You want to date me?”

Tango smiled. What an idiot. What an absolute idiot.

“Yes. I would love to.”

#🍉 stories #hermitship #empiresshipping #team rancher #hermitcraft #hermitshipping #empires smp

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melon-wing · 2 years

Text

Terror [PirateAU Grian/Doc]

This has been sitting in my drafts for a while. I’m not completely happy with it, but I will still share. Wrote this for a nice longhaired Doc design that @gridoc drew a while back. This is set the furthest into the future I went with the Pirate AU. [Pirate AU Masterlist] [Fanfiction Masterlist] ~*~

Doc awoke with a start at a loud scream, his arm flying to the side of his bed immediately, searching for a warm body, before remembering that Grian hadn’t stayed over in his cabin tonight, opting for his own bed instead. The moment realisation hit him, his worry grew immensely and he jumped out of bed, grabbing his sword from the table as he ran to the door.

Something had happened and in the middle of the night that was never a good sign. He ran through the ship, trying to remember who had been on watch. Who? Who was up on deck? Who had screamed? Maybe he had just imagined it. Nobody else had woken up yet.

And then he heard it again. A voice screaming for help. A voice that he knew too well.

“Grian!”

He stormed up to the deck, sword ready, but as he left the door expecting to find a battle or some sort of ambush, he saw nothing. Not a soul. Not a… single… person.

His eyes darted left and right, searching for their night watch. Ren.

He finally remembered.

There was no sign of him on deck. His eyes kept darting around until they stopped on the mast that had a huge dent and at its bottom was a slumped figure. Ren leaned against it, eyes closed, a bright red streak over his face as if he had been struck by a giant whip. He was shaking and there didn’t seem to be any blood. Just as Doc was about to reach his friend he heard the Scream again.

“HELP!”

Doc froze. He turned to the ocean, his heart racing in his chest. The last time he had heard Grian shout so desperate, so frightened… He wasn’t sure he had ever heard it this bad though. Doc rushed to the railing, looking down into the blackness of the water. He was almost expecting to see the boat of a navy ship there. There was nothing. His eyes frantically scanned the surface. It couldn’t be a siren pulling Grian down again. He would have heard the sound and Sirens didn’t physically attack their victims - if you ignored the drowning part. But he had heard Grian. He was so sure. There was a splash in the water. A hand breaking the surface and something wrapping around it and pulling it down again.

“Grian!” A split second passed with Doc trying to think of what to do. He would need to jump in, but without his crew being there to pull him back up he’d be as good as dead. He just wasn’t sure there was enough time to get them and run back. A cough interrupted his thoughts, his eyes darting to Ren for a second.

“Doc! Get away from the water! It’s a trap! It’s not him!” “What…?” Two things happened at once. The door to the deck flew open, a few of his men standing there, in front of them all Grian, looking at him with wide shocked eyes, mouth opening to scream something. And a huge tentacle rose from the sea, wrapping around his midsection. Before he could do anything he was ripped from the deck. For a second he felt like he was flying through the air and then the thing pulled him down and he crashed hard through the surface. Within seconds the whole world around him got blurry as he stared at the creature before him. It wasn’t human at all, looking more like a mixture of a kraken and a shark with a human hand attached to one of its tentacles. As it opened its mouth to rows and rows of sharp teeth, Doc could hear the sound again, slightly muted through the water. Grian’s voice, calling for Help, coming straight from the monster‘s mouth.

He was pulled down further. The ocean around him got darker. He could only see the blurry shape of the thing now. He tried to wriggle out of its grasp, but it held on so tight it was hard to move.

Desperately his eyes searched for the surface, for something to grab on to, but he only found darkness. And then suddenly it was like somebody had dropped a small star into the sea. Everything was lit in the brightest blue. It almost hurt his eyes even when he wasn’t looking directly at the source of the light but the creature it was reflected from. The creature seemed to stop, staring at the source of the light, no longer pulling Doc towards its mouth. And slowly Doc turned to look as well as the light was getting a little duller. In the water right next to him was Grian, floating in the water, surrounded by the light… No, he was the source of the light, his whole body glowing, eyes the brightest of blues.

“Don’t touch him.”

It was weird how Grian’s voice echoed through the waves, so clear, almost as if there was no water, but it sounded close and distant at the same time.

His voice broke the shock from the creature, but sadly it didn’t listen, instead deciding to make an even quicker meal of Doc, pulling him towards those sharp teeth. Using Grian’s voice again and again, repeating the call that had lured Doc in over and over again.

And then another voice joined in. So much louder and clearer. And unlike the monster’s voice which had begun to sound like a broken record it was so full of emotion. Grian was singing, not humming like last time the siren had attacked. He was actually singing, his words a language that Doc had never before heard. The teeth were almost in reach now. The creature was shaking but still pulling him forward. The light around Grian seemed to suddenly move forward in small tendrils as the song got louder, the light wrapping around the monster’s body until it was fully enclosed It was just about to bite down on Doc, when the light had fully surrounded him, its body freezing. It stayed like this for a second as the song seemed to reach the limit and with a last loud word that was almost a warcry the creature’s body exploded, the tentacle sliding off of Doc’s body. Doc was still frozen in place, looking at Grian who was still floating in the water, still glowing. When Grian reached out a hand towards him and the light moved in his direction, Doc flinched a little. It was as if a spell was broken. Grian blinked, his eyes slowly turning back from the icey blue to their softer blue of the sky. He blinked a few times and the light started to fade. His eyes darted around in confusion for a few seconds, but he didn’t take long to adjust, grabbing Doc’s hand and pulling him along until they both broke through the surface. He could hear shouts above them and someone threw them a rope that Grian grabbed. As they were pulled up, Doc suddenly realised something that made him tense. Grian wasn’t wet. They had been pulled out of the ocean and yet neither Grian’s hair nor his clothes were even slightly dampened apart from the area where their bodies were pressed together. There seemed to be the slightest hue of blue still around them that slowly faded as they were pulled up and by the time they were on deck it was completely gone.

Both of them sat on deck, slightly out of breath, looking at one another and suddenly Doc found himself wrapped in a tight embrace. Grian wasn’t the type for much bodily contact usually, but now he was clinging onto Doc tightly, desperately, almost possessively. And Doc didn’t hesitate, putting his arms around Grian, the water from his clothes soaking into the back of Grian’s shirt, but he didn’t seem to mind as Doc pulled him even closer. When Etho stepped up to them, raising one eyebrow, Doc just waved him away. “‘m alright. Just a bit of water. Take care of Ren… And tell the crew to lift the anchor in case there’s more than one monster.”

Etho nodded and turned away and as if this was an unspoken agreement among the crew they all seemed to pretend Grian and Doc didn’t exist as they got the Golden Goat ready to sail once more. They could work out what had happened and what that creature was later.

“I thought I would lose you”, Grian finally whispered into the embrace. “When I saw you fly over the ship and couldn’t see you. I thought you’d die.”

“So you jumped in? That’s dangerous.” “I-” Grian hesitated. Doc wished he could see the expression on his face, but the way Grian hugged him, head on Doc’s shoulder he was unable to. “My body just moved. I knew I could save you. Somehow. So I jumped in. I don’t know-” Doc felt Grian’s hold on him tighten, a slight tremble running through him “-what happened down there. It was as if I just knew what to do. As if I was just going through the motions.”

Doc had so many questions about what had just happened, but he held them back and Grian didn’t elaborate on what happened, just silently holding Doc close. They stayed silent for a moment until the tight grip slowly loosened, though never letting go, just making enough room to pull back slightly so they were finally able to look at one another.

Grian was looking at his face intently, searching for something. “Are you scared of me now? I saw you down there… You-” “I’m not. You surprised me. But if I was scared, would I hug you like that?”

“I- I didn’t think-”

“Then don’t think, you idiot. I could never be scared of you.” Doc leaned forward slightly, giving Grian a moment to move back, but when he didn’t, Doc pressed a soft but chaste kiss onto his lips. He did enjoy the slight tremble that ran through Grian’s body the moment their lips met. When they pulled apart he could see Grian’s body visibly relax a bit, the worry disappearing from his eyes, a soft smile appearing.

“It’s weird”, Grian started, looking at Doc and then down at their bodies before looking back up, “Not being wet after coming out of the ocean. I felt the water around me…”

Grian gently touched a strand of Doc‘s hair, his hand brushing over his cheek while he did so. Grian’s hand was warm, in stark contrast to the cold he was still feeling from the water. He seemed to look at the wet hair lost in thoughts. Doc could see something dark beginn to cross Grian’s features and he quickly spoke up before he could get lost in any painful thoughts.

“I don’t think the answer to your magical mystery is written on my hair. And if it was I’d be really surprised and curious of who managed to hide it there.” Grian blinked, taken aback by his statement, but then a little chuckle seemed to just burst out of him. The small giggle that Doc loved so much warmed his very heart. Grian was looking at him, smiling fondly and then looking back at the hair still in his hand, but no longer getting lost in thought. The atmosphere luckily didn’t shift back to a darker mood again. They were probably both trying to push away the horrible thoughts of what had just almost happened.

“Your hair got really long. I never noticed with the way you brush it back.”

Doc made a sound of confirmation, looking at his own hair between Grian‘s fingers. “I forgot to cut it. I‘ll do that in the next port.”

“I would have thought you were the type to cut it yourself.”

Doc let out an amused huff, eyes searching for his brother for a second. Ren was standing at the steering wheel, throwing Doc a smile when their eyes met. He was glad to see Ren looking so well again, though his face was still reddened a bit. “I can only take so much teasing from my crew. I‘m a lot of things, but I‘m not a hairdresser. And Ren… Let's just say the last time I let him close to my hair it was mid length on one side, perfect length on the other and pretty close to bald in the middle.”

When he turned his gaze back, he could see in Grian‘s eyes how he conjured up that image in his mind, the corners of his lips twitching upwards before he could control his expression into a more neutral one.

“You could also leave it. Let it grow out a bit.“

Grian looked at him for a while, finally letting go of the strand of hair and then weaving his hand through Doc‘s hair, caressing his head gently while in thought.

“Long hair would really suit your face and your style. You‘d probably look good.“ The hand in his hair stopped for a second and it was almost funny how flustered he suddenly seemed when he realised how his words might have sounded, moving a bit away, breaking their embrace almost completely “Not that you don‘t look good now. You do! Very good!“

Doc chuckled.

“So… What you‘re saying is that you like longhaired men better?”

He could see it in the way Grian’s cheek turned redder and redder as second after second passed in silence. “I- I like you”, Grian finally replied, clearing his throat, eyes drifting off to the side.

The smirk on Doc’s face softened to a smile and he pulled Grian back into his arms, pressing their lips softly against one another. And while he watched Grian’s eyes drift shut he swore to himself that his next haircut would be years and years away.

#🍉 stories #hermitship #pirate AU #gridoc

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