Chapter Text
Grian met Mumbo so long ago he can't exactly pinpoint their friendship. They became easy best friends, bouncing off each other in ways they could only achieve. Over the course of years, especially growing closer on Hermitcraft together, Grian noticed many things about Mumbo. Certain habits that his friend had, or just things he would do unconsciously, or in the way he presented himself. Not bad by any means, but quirks that Grian enjoyed about the other.
Like how he wiggles his mustache when he gets particularly annoyed with something, or equally amused. How the cuffs of his sleeves would have small redstone patches and stains that could never be washed out of the white fabric. Or maybe the fact that he would constantly move around in some way, no matter what he was doing - tapping his fingers, shuffling his feet, and such.
Don't get Grian wrong, he loved the little quirks of his friends. Like how Scar would scrunch up his face when thinking deeply about something. Or Pearl humming as she builds, with little tapping steps as she dances to the beat of whatever song was stuck in her head. Impulse would stick his tongue out and spread his wings when trying to look at his builds. He had his own, like how his wings puffed up when he got peeved or flapped when he was excited.
However, there was one thing that Grian found odd about Mumbo specifically that he hadn't noticed up until recently, which he couldn't get off of his mind.
Mumbo didn't like to touch people.
Unlike his friend, Grian had no problems casually touching people in conversation - tapping on the shoulder or punching someone in the arm playfully. Grian tended to lean towards physical touch rather than away from it, to which many of the hermits did not mind. Grian expressed himself quite openly to those around him, some would describe his heart to be on his red sweater sleeve. In fact, he prided himself on being comfortable with all his friends and his ability to easily communicate with others.
Mumbo on the other hand, was not so gifted in the social department. Apparently being redstone smart was not enough to help the man communicate with others - crazy, right? Grian noticed how when he was in a group, his body language was often closed off, with his hands crossed or resting in front of him, often playing with his fingers or tie. Like in one particular situation, where all of boatem hugged and Mumbo merely hung back with an awkward chuckle.
Grian had no idea why his friend was opposed to such, and was unsettled to find he only noticed it now. He could have many theories on why Mumbo didn't like open touch but decided that he best not think of the small details. His mind raced with questions throughout the week: Did he always do this? Why am I only seeing this right now? Is he okay?
He huffed, staring at the half-finished building he was working on in the alley. Unfortunately, no bright ideas graced him to aid his journey to build. He was about to call it a day when his communicator pinged loudly from his chest monster.
PRIVATE MESSAGE: MUMBO JUMBO - 1 NEW NOTIFICATION
[Mumbo Jumbo] wanna come to my base for dinner??
Grian felt a small smile grace his lips as he immediately typed back.
PRIVATE MESSAGE: MUMBO JUMBO
[Grian] is it by chance going to be potatoes?
[Mumbo Jumbo] Do you think so little of me Grian?
[Mumbo Jumbo] I have standards, you know
[Mumbo Jumbo] >:(
[Mumbo Jumbo] Also, yes I do have quite a lot of potatoes...
[Grian] i'll be there in 10
Giggling to himself, Grian stuffed the communicator in his pocket and flew to his starter base to change his clothes. After all, he couldn't show up horribly messy to dinner.
It had become a usual habit for the hermits to gather for dinner often. Since they got caught up in their heads with redstone and building projects, hermits would help each other in times where they needed rest or take time off to actually eat. Particularly, Mumbo and Grian would do so most days, spending time talking about their day and finding the time to sit back and relax from the hectic world around them.
Grian slipped out of his sweaty gear and replaced it with a replica of the set. His iconic red sweater and grey pants completed his look and eagerly hopped his way to Treesa. He peeked into the entrance of the house, perched on the ladder as he brushed the vines out of the way to look inside.
"Mumbo!?" There was a small thump and exclamation, which led Grian to believe that the spoon had hit his head. He chuckled lowly, pulling himself into the base and dusting off his sweater, absorbing the room around him. The chests and berries, as well as the full wood gave the room a cramped feel, but the roof was high up, obviously accomodating the other man's height. (not jealous whatsoever)
"Hey!" Mumbo emerged from a side room, nursing his elbow. "You gave me quite the scare!"
"Is your poor elbow okay?" Grian jutted out his lip to fake sympathy and Mumbo just rolled his eyes, an amused smile playing on his face.
"I think I'll survive this tragic accident, though I may be scarred forever!"
"Aw, you poor baby. Shall I kiss it better for you?" Grian asked his voice pitching high, like he was talking to a baby. Mumbo seemed to pause at the phrase though and seemed hesitant. "Mumbo?"
"Uh-"
"I was kidding. It's a joke."
"Ah. Yes, of course. I knew that. Why wouldn't I know that?"
"Unless you want me to?" He winked mischievously and watched Mumbo's face turn a tomato red. He cackled as his friend tried to usher him into the kitchen. Grian seated himself at the small table, asking a question.
"Do you need help?" He asked, although he already knew the answer.
"No, I should quite fine thank- AH!" Mumbo fumbled over a steak and nearly dropped it on the floor but saved it with his hand before it could touch the wood.
"Oh my gosh. Are you okay?" Grian stifled a laugh under his hand, trying to act concerned for his friend who could easily burn down the literal wooden house they were staying in.
"This one is mine..." Mumbo said slowly, placing it onto a plate. The winged man snorted and went to fetch some cups for their drinking. He selected his favorite mugs, the ones with little birds inside them. He grinned as he filled the cups with water and watched the little birds get submerged. By the time he was done, Mumbo had set the table and was waiting for him. Grian set down the cups and joined him at the small table.
The two fell into easy chatter over the food, a comfortable atmosphere making Grian feel all warm and fluffy inside. He was content to listen to Mumbo ramble about his redstone contraptions, even if he had no idea what any of it meant, and Mumbo listened to him talking about block palettes and how frustrating it was to continue his build. They would both chime in at random moments, though it was mostly Mumbo asking for clarifying questions about building.
It was cute to see the new approach to Season 8 that Mumbo had, spending more time building and going out of his comfort zone. He constantly asked for feedback and Grian was honestly quite impressed to see how much the other grew throughout the season.
After their meals were finished, the two fell into a comfortable silence as they washed and dried the dishes they used. It was quite peaceful, working in synchrony to wash and pass the plates to the other. They performed their well-practiced ritual, dancing around each other until everything was clean.
"Grian," Mumbo said. The other hermit turned to him grinning.
"What's up?"
"You have something on your face," Mumbo smiled, "just above your nose actually."
"Here?" He scrunched up his nose and wiped to where he thought it may be.
"No, a bit to the left maybe- too far!" Mumbo tried his best to explain where the mark was, but ultimately failed as Grian could not locate whatever was on his face.
"Why don't you just wipe it off for me?"
Now. Considering everything going through Grian's mind at this moment, it probably was not the best time to ask something like that. Especially now, knowing that his friend had some sort of aversion to touch. He cringed internally before tuning back to Mumbo, whose face had gone quite blank.
"I'm- I don't know- Uh," the man seemed to stumble over his words and he wrung his hands together awkwardly. Grian huffed and wiped his face with the bottom of his sweater.
"Is it gone?"
"Yep!- I mean, yeah it's gone." Mumbo coughed awkwardly into his elbow.
Grian, for some reason, was feeling quite confident at that moment. He had no idea what spurred him to suddenly speak. "Why don't you like touch?"
"What?" Mumbo stared at him confused, as Grian flailed to come up with an excuse.
"Well, I noticed that you don't like touch people or anything! Like you don't hug people or tend to high-five- Not that it's a bad thing!" Grian flapped his arms around like a headless chicken, trying to redeem himself, "It really doesn't matter! I just noticed it about you and I don't..." The winged man trailed off weakly as he ran out of things to say and stood there, holding his sweater passively.
Mumbo seemed to be thinking about what he said, his mustache doing the small wiggle. Great. He was annoyed at Grian.
"I'm fine with touching people, I have no idea what you're on about."
"Wha-" Grian was many things, but a liar was not one of them, (depending on said situation, of course) "Yes you do!"
"What do you mean? I'm honestly fine with that stuff," the mustached man waved weakly. Grian raised an eyebrow at him and smirked. He didn't mean to poke too far, but when did he never go across the line?
"Prove it, then."
"Huh?"
"Prove it."
"How would I do that, Grian?" Mumbo gave him a triumphant smile.
"Give me a hug."
"Excuse me?"
Grian opened his arms and smiled at his friend, though he couldn't say whether it was a welcoming smile or the smile of a fox to a chicken. "Bring it in, potato boy."
Mumbo seemed at a loss for words as he shuffled on his feet staring at Grian's open arms. Grian bit the inside of his cheek wondering if he took it too far. "You don't have to you know-" He was cut off as Mumbo latched onto him. His eyes widened, registering that Mumbo. That's right. THE Mumbo Jumbo was hugging him right now. He quickly tightened his hold on the other and couldn't help but feel how nice this was.
His body tingled where Mumbo was near him, warm body next to his own. He smelt like redstone and a dash of cologne, but it was so Mumbo that Grian couldn't help but be delighted at the fact he was so close to the other. The suit fabric was quite weird to the touch, but he could find himself starting to enjoy it the longer it lasted. He melted into the embrace of his best friend with a content hum. Grian really didn't want this to end but he felt Mumbo twitch to pull away and he pulled himself back, though it was reluctantly.
"There. I did it."
"Well, Mumbo Jumbolio! Who knew you were keeping such a good hugger from all of us?"
Mumbo blushed, rubbing the back of his neck, "really?"
"That was the best hug I've had in ages! BUT."
"But...?" The other blinked at him, confused.
"That one hug doesn't prove anything!" Grian grinned "You have to prove that you can do that all the time, like casually!" The blonde man was keen to test the limits on his friend, but not outright asking him what they were. Probably inefficient.
"Psssh. I can do that, easy." Mumbo huffed, crossing his arms.
"I bet you 32 diamonds that you can't keep it up a week." Grian stuck out his hand expectantly, a playful smirk on his face in doing so.
"Easiest diamonds of my life," Mumbo said, firmly shaking his hand.
Grian couldn't help but notice that Mumbo seemed slightly affronted by the ordeal. He wondered shortly if he had made a mistake, but shook his head. Mumbo agreed to this. If he felt uncomfortable, he would tell Grian... Right?