The Unseen Beauty of the Ungrateful

Chapter 16: Needy vs Nervous

Grian liked to hold onto Mumbo's sleeve.

When they walked anywhere for longer than several minutes, Grian would reach over and grab onto his cuff as though to reassure himself that Mumbo was still there. When Mumbo's arm was out of reach, he would tug gently on the taller God's jacket in a silent question of consent.

It was adorable.

Mumbo had taken to holding his arm out slightly to encourage the new habit, and couldn't help but smile every time he felt the cuff tighten around his wrist as the fabric was gripped between Grian's fingers.

What he really  wanted was for Grian to just reach a bit lower and take his hand. The injuries on Grian's palms had long since healed in the months after the creeper incident, and Mumbo couldn't help but stare at the hold on his sleeve and force himself to ignore the itch in his chest that longed to lace their fingers together.

For Grian's sake of course. If holding Mumbo's sleeve made him more comfortable, then holding his hand would be better... right?

But Mumbo refused to make the move. There was an unspoken rule between them that Grian set the pace for how much physical contact the two of them had. While he obviously craved and was certainly becoming more comfortable with touch, Grian seemed self-conscious about it, and often reverted to his criticisms and cheeky remarks to cover up his embarrassment. He also still flinched or ducked when Mumbo made movements towards him unless he knew what was coming, and Mumbo was very careful not to overstep.

Although... that was becoming difficult. Everyday Mumbo struggled more and more to ignore the fondness he felt for the small God. When Grian did  touch him for whatever reason, it made his head spin and his cheeks burn as though he had heat stroke, and that often led Grian to believe he didn't like it and move away, the exact opposite of what he wanted.

The thought of saying something about it was mortifying, but not doing anything was making him feel like a ticking time bomb.

Mumbo's thoughts were interrupted by a soft whimper from the other side of the room, and he turned in his seat to see Grian passed out on the couch, his fingers twitching.

It wasn't uncommon for Grian to talk in his sleep and have nightmares, although he usually tried to hide it by sleeping on the opposite side of the castle.

It was unsurprising that he had passed out. The two Gods has spent the entire day hunting and farming and although he did his best to help, Grian ended up having to do most of the work due to Mumbo's incompetence.

The small God let out another faint cry, and Mumbo stood up quietly, shuffling over to the couch as quickly as possible without making any sound.

He very gently worked his hands under the huddled body, and lifted Grian into his arms, beginning to climb the stairs to take him up to his bed.

Grian sighed contentedly and clutched the lapel of Mumbo's jacket, his head lolling onto the tall God's shoulder.

Mumbo's breath hitched and he pressed his lips together as Grian's curly hair tickled his neck.

"You're going to be the death of me" he hummed, laying the small body down in the purple blankets and tucking him in.

As he began to pull away however, Grian only tightened his hold on Mumbo's suit. Mumbo gritted his teeth and tried to unlock his fingers.

Grian... I can only take so much.

"Please stay" Grian murmured, and Mumbo bit his lip. He said that a lot in his sleep, and it made Mumbo's heart break every time.