ISKALLITY THIRD WHEEL-

*clears throat*

WC: ~600 (I'm so sorry haha)

Enjoy!

Iskall rehearsed Xisuma's plan in his head. He didn't think it was a good idea, but it would certainly make their lives a bit easier. Besides, tying Grian to a tree can only last so long, it was pointless to just keep him there. Might as well do their best to... well, putting it nicely would be to include him.

The one-eyed man approached the tree that Grian was tied to, expecting to simply find Grian. Perhaps asleep. Or, alternatively, with someone. 

He didn't really expect a combination of both.

He definitely didn't expect to find a Watcher sleeping against Iskall's best friend.

Mumbo and Grian, under a tree, c-u-d-d-l-i-n-g-

Iskall couldn't help but snicker at the thought, it being the first thing that came to his mind. Reality, however, had other plans, and slammed itself into Iskall at full force.

Oh.

OH.

"As cute as this is," Iskall came up behind Mumbo, talking in a hushed voice. The redstoner jumped a bit, then turned to face Iskall. "I need you to wake up your boyfriend." 

Even in the dark, Iskall could see Mumbo's face heating up.

"He's not- we're not- it was- he just-" he stuttered.

"You're hopeless," Iskall cut him off. "Literally cuddling with your attempted-killer." 

"He was possessed," Mumbo grumbled defensively, taking a moment to explain everything to Iskall.

"Makes sense," Iskall agreed when he was done. Mumbo blinked, astonished. 

"I- I didn't think you'd accept it that fast," he admitted. Iskall flashed his trademark grin.

"I doubt you'd be here if there wasn't some good reason behind his betrayal," Iskall pointed out.

"He fell asleep," Mumbo muttered. "We're just friends." Iskall sighed, his smirk gone. He placed a hand on Mumbo's shoulder, squeezing it lightly.

"I'd still be careful," he murmured. "It doesn't take a lot to be a liar. It isn't a crazy thought to be a backstabber. It's not an effort to hide in a disguise. None of this is too far a stretch because they're everywhere."

"Betrayal isn't as uncommon as you think."

Mumbo pressed his lips together, clearly smart enough to know not to argue. He knew Iskall was right. He knew the dangers. He knew the risks. 

Iskall trusted Mumbo to do the right thing with this knowledge.

Whatever the right thing may be. 

'The right thing'.

What a phrase.

What a lie.

"Mfff-" Grian mumbled, stirring in Mumbo's arms. Iskall fought back a snicker as he watched him slowly get up, register his surroundings, and then practically leap back like a startled cat. 

"S-sorry," Grian muttered, his cheeks flaming.

"No big deal," Mumbo assured him. Grian gave him a moonlit, grateful smile, then turned to Iskall. 

"Xisuma is calling you both," Iskall told them. "Now." 

"Why in the middle of the night?" Mumbo asked. 

"Because night is the best time to strike," Iskall explained matter-of-a-factly. "And we always do it at night." Mumbo's eyes widened in realization, while Grian continued looking confused.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" he asked. Iskall nodded. 

"Well, maybe," he admitted with a nervous laugh. "But I don't question Xisuma, man." Mumbo sighed.

"Wait... we're taking Grian?" he confirmed, fear laced in his voice. Iskall winced.

"This is the part that I feel might not be the best idea," he muttered. Mumbo chuckled nervously.

"Rightfully so," he agreed. "Can't I just go, and we leave Grian here?" 

"No," Iskall replied, shaking his head. "X has a plan that involves Grian. And it's not a bad plan." 

"Can't we just use the methods we've been using for years?" Mumbo pointed out.

"I would, but this way is easier, and-"

"Can someone please tell me what's going on?" Grian finally interrupted. Iskall sighed.

"Get up. We're going to the End,"

*le gasp*

-Storm