(November 19, 2019)

Word Count: 529 words
Category: none
Warnings: none

Reading and writing is a normal thing to do. You learn it when you're young, and it stays until your last day. Whether you're good or bad at it, it's a basic necessity to function in the real world. Some people, however, have trouble doing it, even though they seem fine on the outside.

Take dyslexia for example. It is a learning disability that affects people so they have difficulties reading despite being intelligent in other areas. That's why Grian has trouble reading, and when he does, he often mixes up the words and letters. He knows he has dyslexia because he was tested for it.

Same with dysgraphia. It is where someone has trouble putting thoughts onto paper, or has poor handwriting. That's why Mumbo can't keep a journal, or why his handwriting looks like chicken scratch. He knows he has dysgraphia because he was tested for it.

The funny thing is that they are both self-conscious about it. They have never told anyone about it, and even got tested in private. They even go as far as making excuses to avoid embarrassing themselves. So, because of that, sometimes the other Hermits poke fun at them for that. They don't mind it, as long as their small disability is hidden.

"Hey, Mumbo, what does this even say?" Grian said, staring at Mumbo's notes in confusion. A 3rd grader could write better than him, the notes were so illegible. Mumbo snatched the piece of paper back, turning slightly red.

"Leave me alone, Grian. You can't even read correctly." Mumbo defended, shoving the paper into a chest and slamming it shut. A red tinge appeared on Grian's face also, clearly embarrassed.

"Well, I can't read, you can't write. Simple."

"Shut up and drop it, Grian."

"If you do."

"Then drop it!" Mumbo raised his voice.

"I will! Geez..." Grian muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. Mumbo sighed and shook his head, turning to fix a broken piece of redstone machinery.

"But did you learn to write?" Grian asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Yes." Mumbo hissed. "Did you learn how to read?"

"Yeah." Grian grunted out. He put many pieces of concrete into a shulker box.

"Then what do you have, dyslexia?" Mumbo teased. Grian froze for a noticeable second, before turning away without a word. Mumbo noticed.

"Wait, do you?" He asked.

"Do you have dysgraphia, then?" Neither of them said anything for the next few minutes. Yes, it was an awkward couple minutes.

"... maybe." Mumbo finally replied, sounding defeated. Grian turned to Mumbo, fully facing him.

"I- yeah. Same here. Dyslexia though." Grian said in response.

"Really?" Mumbo asked. Grian only nodded.

"I never said anything because I was in-insecure."

"Honestly, it's the same for me. And I don't really care if the others make fun of me when I make excuses to not write anything." Mumbo explained. Grian nodded, understanding.

"Well, it's good to know that I'm not the only one who has a learning problem thingy." Grian and Mumbo smiled at each other, the bond between them becoming stronger than ever at that very moment.