Trigger warning: some PTSD but very very little. This is mostly a super fluffy chapter so get ready my fellow Grumbo shippers!
In case you are unaware, I recently uploaded a new chapter of The Unseen Beauty of the Ungrateful AND I uploaded the first chapter of the Harry Potter HC fanfic! Please check those out and let me know what you think.

Grian brushed his fingers through Mumbo's dark hair as he slept. The poor man. According to Ren, he had stationed himself by Grian's side and had refused to move, not even to sleep.

Grian felt a pang if guilt in his stomach at the thought of Mumbo forcing himself to sleep in such an uncomfortable way, with his head barely tilted on the cold iron bar of the bed railing, his hands hanging off of the chair in an awkward fashion that must have made his limbs fall asleep.

Luckily, after Grian demonstrated that he could indeed walk without support, he had managed to convince Mumbo that he didn't need to be by his side all night, and to take the cot that Stress had offered.

For once, Grian could return at least a fraction of the adoration he had been showered with for the last... how long had it been now? A couple months? He wasn't sure exactly how long he had been in captivity nor how long he had been unconscious after, but since he had woken up he estimated that at least three months had passed.

He sighed, and resumed the soft stroking of Mumbo's hair. It really didn't matter. All he knew was that nothing he could ever do would make up what his friends had risked and done for him, and he would spend the rest of his life making it up to them if he had to.

The moonlight illuminated Mumbo's features, highlighting his jade white skin, strong jawline, and long dark lashes. Grian traced his finger down the side of Mumbo's cheek and Mumbo turned his head in his sleep to chase the sensation.

Grian giggled quietly, removing his hand as to not wake his sleeping friend.

He stood from the chair slowly, giving his still recovering limbs the extra time to stretch out. He stumbled forwards the way he had been doing everyday for the last couple weeks or so. He still wasn't used to the lack of weight on his back.

Making sure Mumbo was still asleep, Grian carefully pulled off his night shirt and walked into the bathroom to stare at himself in the mirror. The harsh fluorescent lighting did nothing to hide the whip scars that covered his chest and back. They were starting to heal properly, turning either white or a light shade of brown. Grian shook his head and quickly pulled his shirt back on.

Don't torture yourself with unnecessary trauma.

The psychiatrist he had been assigned to in the hospital had been helping him a lot with his PTSD, and at all other times Mumbo was by his side, smiling and listening to any stupid rambling story Grian could come up with as though there was nothing more interesting he could be doing in the world.

Still. It was hard not to feel broken.

Not inwardly really. He knew he was just as much of a person and an avian as ever. He had gone through a lot and his injuries didn't make him any less whole.

He still missed his smooth unblemished skin. And his wings.

His wings.

Grian bit his lip to keep a whimper from escaping his throat.

His extraordinary golden wings that had made him special. Had made him beautiful. Had given him purpose.

Well, he was no longer beautiful. He could hardly call himself that before, certainly not now. He didn't need to be attractive, but with a very average face and a short skinny physique his wings had been the only thing that had made him enjoy his reflection.

Grian shook his head, lightly slapping his cheeks.

Negative self talk will get me nowhere, especially when I don't have anyone to keep me from sliding in too deep.

Quietly laying down in bed, he grabbed his medication from the side table and a glass of water. Thank god these pills made him drowsy.

As he began to nod off, he glanced once more at Mumbo, who had turned his entire body on the side facing Grian, his arm hanging off the cot.

My Mumbo Jumbo his heart sang.

Not yours his brain schooled.

Grian smiled sleepily. He knew logically that Mumbo was not and would never be his. Not in the way he wanted. But that was ok. He already had more than he deserved with Mumbo's friendship. It was enough.

It had to be.

____________________________________________________

Mumbo awoke with his right hand dragging on the ground and drool pooled on his pillow.

He couldn't remember ever sleeping so soundly, although a near two months of sleeping in a chair with your head on a bed railing could make even these rickety hospital cots seem like king sized beds.

He sat up and stretched, badly stifling a massive yawn. Glancing over at the other bed, he caught the eye of the grinning avian.

"Good morning" Mumbo sighed.

Grian checked the clock.

"Good afternoon" he corrected with a smirk.

"Is it really?"

Mumbo leaned over to read the time of 2:37 flashing on the clock next to Grian's bed.

"God I'm sorry. I didn't realize how tired I was" Mumbo said scratching his head.

He missed the brief look of guilt that flashed across Grian's features before they resettled in their previous smile.

"What do you want to do today" he asked.

"Whatever you want" Mumbo replied quickly, and Grian rolled his eyes.

"I'm bored of picking what we do Mumbo. I don't have physical therapy today, I don't have a meeting with the therapist, I don't have to prep for surgery anymore. Let me indulge you"

"But-"

"Please"

This time Mumbo saw the pained guilty expression that settled on Grian's face and he felt his chest tighten a bit.

Oh Grian. Anything with you is indulging enough for a lifetime.

"How about a walk?" Mumbo suggested. "It's been a while since we've been outside"

Grian widened his eyes for a moment as though this was not what he expected, but pulled his covers aside and got out of bed with a wide smile.

"Anything for you Mumbo Jumbo" he cooed, winking at the taller man.

"Don't tease" Mumbo muttered, his face flushing and his heart blooming at Grian's giggling.

"You love it" the avian said, grabbing a coat from the door, and sliding it over his arms.

I really do Mumbo thought, cringing at his own cowardliness.

They walked down the hallways, Grian smiling and greeting every healer they passed. He was extremely popular among the staff. How could he not be? Mumbo couldn't fathom a single reason for anyone to dislike the avian.

The garden behind the hospital wasn't massive, but it was beautiful, especially now that it was mid spring.

Mumbo pretended to admire the flowers as he watched Grian pick daisies from the grass.

So adorable. Beautiful. So-

"Mumbo"

Mumbo's head whipped around to see Ren, scowling a bit at the interruption of his wanton thoughts. Still, he quickly set his features into a polite smile.

"How are you doing Ren?"

"I'm doing fine thanks. Just got back from the compound"

Mumbo nodded understandingly. After the incident with Grian and the Corporation, Ren, Doc, Iskall, and False had begun making trips to each hybrid compound to personally see that stricter defensive measures were put in place, and to give treats to the hybrid children who were now beyond terrified to leave their rooms.

"How many more do you have?" Mumbo asked, shifting his body slightly so he could see Grian in his peripheral vision.

Ren followed his gaze and gave him a pointed look.

"About six. But that's not what I'm here to talk about"

Mumbo turned, his eyebrows furrowing.

"Oh?"

Ren rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. Even though he was several inches shorter than Mumbo, he was at least twice as wide, his arms pure muscle from extensive training since Grian's rescue. The gaze he had on Mumbo made the engineer twitch and grind his teeth.

"W-what?"

"Mumbo are you never going to tell him?"

Mumbo rubbed the back of his neck bashfully.

"Tell who what?"

"Don't give me that crap" Ren snapped. "I know you still love him"

"I... so-so what if I do?" Mumbo stuttered.

Ren looked supremely annoyed now.

"SO are you planning on telling him anytime in the next ten years?"

Mumbo swallowed hard, feeling his chest ache in yearning. Of course he wanted to tell him. From the moment Grian had woken up to now as he sat in the grass picking flowers Mumbo had wanted to confess. But...

"Ren... he went through so much. He is finally back. I don't want... I can't scare him away"

Ren's irritated expression softened a bit. He glanced at Grian for a moment before meeting Mumbo's eyes.

"He's finally back. And he went through so much. Don't you think he deserves to know how much he's loved?"

Mumbo blinked. He had not considered this.

"Don't you think he deserves to know why you never left his bedside? Because trust me Mumbo, he has no idea" Ren paused, and continued with irritation flashing across his face. "He's smart, but he's a dense idiot. It's not his fault he isn't good at reading people, but if you don't tell him, he's going to keep thinking that he owes you"

Mumbo's head shot up from where it had been lolling forwards in embarrassment.

"He thinks that he owes me!?"

Ren heaved a long sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Honestly. You two deserve each other"

He dropped his hand and stared dead into Mumbo's eyes.

"Look. If you are going to tell him, then do it. And if not, then don't mess with his feelings. We both know he deserves more than that"

Mumbo nodded vigorously. Of course he knew that.

Ren began to leave before quickly turning back and poking a finger into Mumbo's chest.

"And if you hurt him, I will break every bone in your body"

Mumbo felt his mouth run dry and his eyes widened as he tried to speak.

"N-noted"

Ren dropped his scary facade and smiled widely, punching Mumbo's shoulder gently.

"Good! Now go get 'em tiger"

As Ren brushed past him to say hello to Grian, Mumbo gulped air into his lungs. He hadn't been prepared for someone to rip him apart so accurately, much less receive a shovel talk. He turned just in time to see Grian wrestling Ren to the ground, the two laughing as though they were children.

He felt his heart rate pick up as Ren bid Grian goodbye, saying he'd see him again in a couple days. What now? How was he supposed to do this? What was he going to say? What if Grian rejected him? The need to confess had been building for months but now that he had been confronted about it he was at a loss. What if-

"Mumbo come here"

Stiffly, Mumbo walked over to Grian and knelt down in the grass beside him.

"What?"

"Close your eyes" Grian said, a mischievous note in his voice.

Mumbo narrowed his gaze.

"Come on, please?"

As if he could deny Grian anything. With a fake huff of annoyance, Mumbo sat down properly and closed his eyes. He heard movement in front of him and then felt a ruffle of his hair.

"Open them!"

Mumbo opened his eyes and looked at Grian who was now kneeling in front of him, a small daisy crown settled in his golden curls. His hand flew to his own dark hair and he felt an identical crown perched the top of his head.

"Do you like it? It's just like the one you had when we met!" Grian said, giggling in delight. "Do you remember?"

"Of course"

How could he forget? Grian had teased him for it and then complimented him, making him blush and stumble over his words. He thought at the time it was his normal nerves.

Oh how wrong he had been.

"Do you like it?" Grian asked, his eyes wide and hopeful, a tentative smile curling his lips.

"I love it" Mumbo said truthfully, nearly melting from the blinding smile he received. The smile that rivaled the sun's brightness and threatened the beauty of every flower in the garden.

He felt the words churning in his stomach.

I love you. I love you. I love you.

"Mumbo"

Mumbo blinked back to the present, catching Grian's stormy blue-grey eyes.

"What is it?"

Grian settled back in the grass, his knees pressed against Mumbo's. He twirled some grass around his finger nervously before looking up again.

"I... I just wanted to say thank you for everything you've done for me since... you know. You didn't have to do any of it and I-I don't think I would have made it without you, and I just..." he broke off, lowering his gaze back to his hands. "Just... thank you"

Mumbo didn't know how to respond.

It never occurred to him to do anything besides stay with Grian. In his mind there was no other option, and even if there were, he wouldn't have taken it. Nothing was more important than knowing Grian was safe and happy.

"Mumbo... do you really mean that?"

Mumbo crinkled his forehead.

"What?"

"What you just said... did you really mean all that.

That was out loud?

THAT WAS OUT LOUD?!?!

He gulped and stuttered out random words, his mind struggling to cope with the secrets he had allowed to leave his mouth.

"No! I mean yes! Of course! But no! I didn't... it wasn't... I didn't mean..."

Grian nodded, a small pained smile painting his face.

"It's ok Mumbo. I understand. You don't have to lie to me to make me feel better, but it was nice of you to-mmhm!"

He was cut off as Mumbo flew forward and smothered Grian's lips with his own.

Grian grabbed Mumbo's shoulders to keep from falling over and his mind raced as he tried desperately to understand what was happening.

As quickly as it started, it stopped.

Mumbo pulled away, breathing very hard, leaving a gaping Grian to try and figure out what they had just done.

If he thought he had seen Mumbo blush before, it was nothing compared to what he looked like now. Mumbo truly resembled a tomato, the red in his face trailing down his neck and burning his ears. His eyes were whirling in their sockets, looking everywhere except the object of his affections, his mouth sputtering madly.

"I'm- I'm so sorry. I just couldn't- I had to-"

"Mumbo-"

"You have no idea- how long- I just- please don't-"

"Mumbo-"

"For so long Grian! I've- for so long- so much- I needed- I just- I'm so sorry!"

"Mumbo look at me!"

Finally, Mumbo, who was now peaking out from in between his fingers, met Grian's eyes. His face was still beet red, and he was still breathing as though he had gone without oxygen for days, but that didn't matter now.

Grian took a deep breath, ignoring the thundering heartbeats in his chest, and scooted forward a little. He took Mumbo's hands gently and placed them on his own waist. He slowly placed one hand on one of Mumbo's shoulders while the other cupped his face, caressing his cheek.

Mumbo nearly purred from the touch but could not seem to get any sound to leave his throat.

Slowly, so so slowly, Grian leaned forwards, carefully and delicately pressing a soft kiss to Mumbo's lips as though he was afraid Mumbo would break.

He pulled away, only a bit, so that their faces were inches apart.

"Is... was that... ok?" Grian asked, trying not to let his hesitance and fear tremble his voice.

Mumbo made a choked sound in the back of his throat before pulling Grian close, hugging him as though he was a priceless possession.

Grian felt warbling laughter bubble in his chest and he tightened his hold around Mumbo's neck.

"So it was ok then?"

"So much" he heard Mumbo murmur. "So so much"

"So much what?"

Mumbo pulled away a bit so he could look Grian in the eye. They were so close that the avian was basically sitting in his lap.

"Love you. So much. I... so much"

He seemed to be struggling to string together a sentence, but as he saw the tears brim in Grian's eyes, he knew he understood.

"Me too" Grian whispered. "So so much"

A quote from a poem he had once read flashed in Mumbo's memory as he sat there, holding Grian close to him in the silence of the empty garden.

When I saw you
I fell in love, and
you smiled
because you knew

Even I got emotional while writing this, and I never get emotional while writing.
I hope you liked the chapter! I know it's been doom and gloom for a while but we are finally back to fluff. There will probably be one or two more chapters in this story before it ends ):
But! Don't forget that I have two new HC fanfics that you should check out. The Unseen Beauty of the Ungrateful is more hurt/comfort with a good chunk of fluff and some angst, while the HP AU is basically all tooth-rotting fluff.
If you enjoyed the chapter, please consider leaving a like and a comment to let me know what you think!