Continuing HermittpadRecap spring prompts challenge! The third prompt is "meadow".
Background: Early Season 9.
Word Count: 1,735 words.

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Iskall hummed as he made his way towards where he had heard Mumbo was starting out. "Mumbo!" He yelled, in an attempt to make his appearance known.

"My goodness, why are there so many trees!?" He muttered, seeing so many trees grouped in a circle. He smiled spotting Mumbo poke his head through a door that was placed in between the trees.

"Iskall-?" Mumbo muttered. "What are you doing here?" He asked in confusion.

"Visiting, of course!" Iskall replied. "Though uh, why the trees?"

"That's Grian's fault..."

"I should've known," Iskall chuckled, shaking his head. "For a second, I thought you were going back to your peace, love and plants thing."

"Cleo already told me that was 'invalid' by now..." Mumbo softly sighed. "Unfortunately," He added with a smile; a sparkle twinkled in his eyes.

"Speaking of plants! Guess what?"

"Umm... you met a chicken?"

"I- Mumbo!" Iskall lightly laughed. "I was the chicken... until I suffocated of course."

"What?" Mumbo tilted his head in confusion.

"Don't worry about it," Iskall smiled. "Besides, that's not quite what I had in mind but that's okay. We're going on an adventure - somewhat, I want to show you something!"

"Oh, that makes more sense- I'm not sure what I thought of that anyway..."

"Because it's you. And may I ask, what's behind those trees?"

Mumbo glanced at the trees, "My vault! And my chests and furnace, pretty much. Most importantly my vault, though."

"Why a vault?"

"Well, if I'm going to be the rich hermit this season, I'm going to need somewhere to store my valuables."

Iskall grinned, "Well then, I wish you luck in that one."

"Why, thank you," Mumbo smiled. "So where is this something of yours?"

"Ah! Well," Iskall scratched the back of his neck. "We have to travel there first."

Mumbo raised a questioning eyebrow. "Not to worry; I know the way," He continued. "Mostly, I think..." Iskall muttered under his breath. It was quiet enough that Mumbo didn't catch it and if he did, he didn't comment on it... which would've been very un-Mumbo, so the chances are he didn't.

"We have to go by boat first!" Iskall gestured to Mumbo to follow him and of course, Mumbo did so.

"By boat? I hope I don't get thrown overboard halfway through," Mumbo light-heartedly commented.

Iskall fondly shook his head, "We'll see."

"What?" Mumbo exclaimed. "Iskall, I was joking!"

"I know."

Both Mumbo and Iskall climbed into the boat. Iskall grabbed the oars and mentally prepared himself for the long rowing session.

"So where exactly are we going?"

"Somewhere," Iskall mysteriously replied.

The journey on the water went surprisingly fairly well... if you exclude one or two details.

Mumbo had almost ended up falling off the boat. He had volunteered to row after Iskall had declared his arms were too tired to continue. Under Iskall's navigations, he continued rowing them to the place Iskall was being mysterious about.

"... Are we getting anywhere near?" Mumbo asked, after rowing for what seemed like forever. In reality, it had only been a couple of minutes, since he'd taken the oars.

"We're almost there, I can tell."

"Wait, how? The water looks the same!"

"Have some faith," Iskall chuckled, amused. "It'll be worth it! You'll thank me later."

Mumbo softly sighed, "I certainly hope so." He had no doubts that it would, it was Iskall after all! Regardless, he was still going to ask/complain now and then... simply because well, he could.

So all in all, it went well... if you exclude Mumbo almost falling off the trip... and perhaps his somewhat inelegant way of getting off the boat. However, Iskall himself wasn't that better off either.

They both dragged the boat onto the shore, making sure it was far enough so that the waves would not take it and leave them stranded.

"There," Iskall said, once they had done so. "That should hopefully be enough."

"Hopefully, I wouldn't fancy being stranded here... and I'm pretty sure, neither would you."

"You have a point; though no seriously, I don't think it'll be going anywhere."

Mumbo looked around at the area, the waves were crashing on some of the rocker parts further towards the west. Where they were currently standing, it came slightly more gently. It was quite peaceful. "Where are we?"

"Near our destination!"

"I'm curious to know what this destination of yours is."

"We're almost there! You'll see it very soon. C'mon!"

Making their way up, Mumbo couldn't help but notice that the scenery was slowly changing the further they went from the coastline. The pale-coloured grass was slowly becoming more vibrant and taller; flowers were also starting to pop up more frequently.

Distracted by the area, Mumbo almost tripped over a rock. Thankfully though, he unintentionally avoided tripping by barely placing his foot to the side.

It was a couple of minutes later when a small fake cough caught his attention. Mumbo looked at Iskall, who had a wide grin on his face.

"Close your eyes," Iskall said, once he had caught Mumbo's attention.

"Wait, why?"

"Just trust me on this one!"

"Alright," Mumbo let out a sigh. Nevertheless, he closed his eyes and felt Iskall place a hand on his arm and a hand on his eyes, like a blindfold. Letting Iskall guide him, they both walked a short distance.

"Aaaand we're here!" Mumbo heard Iskall say, and at the same time, he removed his hand from Mumbo's eyes. "You can open your eyes now."

Opening his eyes, Mumbo looked with astonishment at the scene in front of him. Rolling hills could be seen covered with bright green grass and flowers scattered around, some clustered together. Trees of all sizes were also scattered around the land.

A winding river could also be seen, separating the land. Forests filled with lush foliage swayed in the gentle breeze.

It was a meadow without a doubt.

"Oh my goodness- How did you find this!?"

"Exploring," Iskall simply replied and winked. He couldn't deny he felt a bit of pride at Mumbo's reaction.

He moved closer to Mumbo and wrapped his arms around him, pulling him into a sort of hug. Unfortunately, this caught Mumbo off guard (he was busy being in wonder) and they both tumbled to the ground.

Panicking, Mumbo tried to cancel Iskall's fall. It ended up with Mumbo falling onto the ground (the grass softened his fall, so he wasn't hurt) and Iskall falling on top of him.

They both stood still for a second, staring at each other before Mumbo broke the silence. "You're a nitwit," Mumbo muttered, fondness laced in his voice.

"I wanted to give you a hug!" Iskall lightly protested, eyes twinkling with mirth.

Mumbo shook his head, "Of course, you did."

"This angle is better for that though," Iskall teased. Mumbo let out a choke, a small blush forming on his cheeks. Moving his arms so they hugged Mumbo, they both simply lay there.

A few moments passed before Iskall moved. He placed a kiss on Mumbo's forehead, before rolling over and getting up himself. "Are you hurt?" Iskall asked, his voice laced with concern.

"No, I'm not," Mumbo reassured. "Although, just for reference... I'm not your falling mat," He added with a smile.

Iskall burst into laughter. He passed a hand over his clothes, before glancing back at Mumbo was still lying on the ground. "Want a hand?" He offered.

Mumbo nodded. Grabbing onto Iskall's hand, Mumbo plopped himself back onto his two feet, passing a hand over his clothes as well to dust himself off.

"I have an idea," Iskall voiced out loud.

Mumbo looked at him curiously, "Go on."

"See the large oak tree that's in the middle? Well, the last one to get there is a rotten carrot!" And with that, Iskall started running.

"Hey! That's cheating!" Mumbo yelled. He watched baffled, before realising he should start running as well.

Unsurprisingly, it was Iskall who managed to touch the trunk of the tree first. He had managed to beat Mumbo by a little bit only.

"T-that's cheating!" Mumbo exclaimed, panting. "Though why a carrot? A rotten carrot, out of the things."

"Carrots for profits!" Iskall grinned. He rested his hand against the trunk until he recovered his breath.

"This has to do with your shop, doesn't it? The one Keralis keeps calling your entrance sign a banana."

"He's heard, he's heard!" Iskall chuckled. A moment passed before he spoke again. "Hungry?" He randomly questioned.

"What? There's nothing to eat here, Iskall!"

"That's what she said," Iskall winked. "Take a seat!" Before disappearing behind the tree and what seemed towards down the hill.

Mumbo let out a sigh, as he took a seat under the lush canopy of the tall oak tree. Just like the rest of the meadow, the area around the tree was also covered with bright green grass and scattered flowers. A gentle breeze was around.

He didn't have to wait long, because soon enough Iskall returned. This time, he was carrying a picnic basket. "You bought a picnic basket!"

Iskall softly nodded in reply. Scrambling up, Mumbo helped Iskall set up the picnic.

Once doing so, they both sat down on the freshly laid picnic blanket. The picnic blanket was a classic red and white one; the red, however, was more of a paler colour of red than the typical bright red.

Leaning against the oak tree, Iskall closed his eyes, enjoying the tranquillity of the meadow.

"This place is amazing. You're amazing," Mumbo quietly said, as he watched the scene above the clouds - the way the clouds danced in the bright blue sky. "Thank you."

Eyes fluttered open, as Iskall looked at Mumbo with warmth and fondness. "No, you are," His mind whispered back. Finding no words and feeling that he didn't need them, Iskall gave a small nod in return to the last part.

He reached out and grabbed one of Mumbo's hands. Holding them, Iskall gave them a slight squeeze. It was his way of saying, "For you, always, anytime."

A smile graced both of their faces. Iskall didn't want to let go of Mumbo's hand, so he didn't and Mumbo was fully happy to just let him (it wasn't like he wanted to let go either).

Peace and tranquillity fell over the meadow. Silence overcame them, but words were hardly needed. They were both content as they were.

-♡