Scar showed up to the get together fashionably late, per usual.

Maybe there were a few additional factors affecting his punctuality. Like the fact that he knew Bdubs was going to be there. And the fact that they'd had that argument mere days prior.

But Scar was just always late to events, so clearly those things weren't why he had spent an extra fifteen minutes giving himself a pep talk in the mirror. Nor were they why he accidentally took the long route to Xisuma's house. Scar just had poor time management skills.

But, he was doing this today.

That's what he said to himself as he made his way inside and integrated himself into the party.

He was apologizing to Bdubs today.

That's what he told himself as he started up a conversation with Mumbo and Ren. Mumbo was talking about being rich, Ren said that maybe the town needed an economy reset, Scar made them laugh about magenta terracotta.

The best way to explain how Scar felt was that he had butterflies in his stomach. It was like he was back in elementary school, trying to talk to his crush. His heart flipped and flopped like a fish out of water as he cast glances at Bdubs across the room.

Scar swished around the solo cup of ice that he held, and switched hands because of how cold it was. Mumbo had asked him about it confusedly when he got it. Scar just told him that he liked his water extra cold.

In reality, it was a timer. Once the ice melted down all the way, he'd talk to Bdubs. It gave him time to think about what to say.

To be fair, he'd been thinking about what to say all day. To be fair, Scar was a coward.

He gripped his cup a little tighter as he looked to the other side of the room distantly. Bdubs and Keralis were laughing together, watching the movie they'd put on and making commentary on it. Scar listened quietly as Bdubs' airy giggles filled the room.

Bdubs was happy, and he deserved to be. Scar had made him upset. Scar had made him cry. Scar was horrible for that.

He looked down at his cup. Time was running out. Scar sighed, the worst that could happen was that Bdubs was still mad at him for what he'd done. That, of course, was likely, because Scar was such a bad friend to him.

But he needed to tell Bdubs that he didn't mean what he said. He needed to tell Bdubs that all he wanted was for him to be happy and safe.

Well, he's happy right now, see?

Scar grumbled, asking those thoughts to shut up.

He's happy so why bother?

He was bothering because it was the right thing to do. He spun his cup again, listening to the last little pieces of the ice click around as they hit each other. It was now or never.

Scar lifted the cup to his lips, drinking all of the freezing water in one swallow.

"Ah, the perfect temperature," He laughed, and smiled to Mumbo and Ren. "I'm gonna go watch a bit of the movie over there," Scar lied, and headed away when Mumbo and Ren nodded.

Scar gave his solo cup one last squeeze before throwing it away. He took a deep breath, shoved his shaky hands into his pockets, and joined Bdubs and Keralis on the couch that they were watching the movie from.

Scar silently waited for the current scene of 'High School Musical' that was on to finish, counting the lines that he'd definitely not memorized in his head. As soon as it started to transition into the next scene, Scar turned and tapped Bdubs on the shoulder. The shorter man spun around to face him.

"Hey Bdubs, can— can we talk?" Scar asked quietly, politely.

Bdubs scrunched his face a little and replied. "Yeah, alright, come over here with me?" He stood up from the couch and motioned to a quieter corner or the room where no one could eavesdrop on them. Scar nodded and headed that way.

Bdubs quickly looked back to Keralis, "Sorry K, not trying to be rude—"

"No no no, its fine! Papa K knows where he's not wanted," Keralis exaggerated a sigh and laughed. "I kid, I kid. I've gotta go get some more of mr. shashwammyvoid's amazing punch anyways."

Keralis waved around an empty cup before retreating to the kitchen. Bdubs mumbled something about milksog under his breath, but then turned back to Scar and led him to the corner.

Scar let out a shaky sigh and tried to meet Bdubs eyes. Now or never Scar, now or never.

"Bdubs, I- I... I'm so sorry." He looked down and studied his shoelaces. "All that stuff I said to you the other day, at the meeting, I'm really sorry for it."

"Scar, I..." Bdubs sounded confused. "It's fine, Scar, arguments happen. I know you didn't mean it—"

"But I made you upset! And I said such horrible things, an- and I didn't mean them but I thought I did and- and..." Scar trailed off, flicking his gaze back up to Bdubs. "I've been being such an asshole to you, Bdubs."

"Scar," Bdubs sighed, but- but he was smiling. "You haven't been being an asshole at all. You've just been stressed and worried."

"Yeah, but that's not an excuse for what I did. The things I've said. You almost got hurt by all those nasty anti-hybrids in that town, and I've just been being mean about it. It shouldn't have mattered if someone saved you or not, all that matters is that you're okay. And I didn't realize that, so I was being a terrible friend, arguing with you the way I did. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Scar picked up speed as he rambled, practically speaking without thinking.

"Yeah, I know, but I understand why you did that," Bdubs responded, careful and slow with his words. "Heck, if you'd been the one chased down by anti-hybrids and I'd had to witness, I'd probably be just as heightened and stressed as you are. You didn't mean what you said, and I forgive you."

"You do?" Scar breathed out in disbelief. "Even after—"

"Yes, Scar, I forgive you." Bdubs interrupted, and Scar smiled, launching at him and pulling him into a tight hug. Bdubs squeaked in surprise but hugged Scar back.

"And- and the magic man thing, maybe they are real. And if they are, I'm so glad they saved you. Maybe we can try and find them together? Or I could help you figure out who it is?" Scar offered, still holding onto Bdubs.

"You- you believe me?" Bdubs asked almost wistfully, excitement in his eyes. "I-I... What?"

Scar nodded. "It's okay Bdubs, I believe you, I should have in the first place." He pulled out of the hug. It didn't matter whether or not the magic man was real. What did matter was not invalidating Bdubs—

"Oh and I know who it was, by the way." Bdubs said matter-of-factly and confidently.

Scar's eyes widened instantly. "What? How? Excuse me?" He blubbered.

"Yeah it was Impulse after all." Bdubs shrugged, like it wasn't big news. Scar turned his head and saw Impulse himself in the middle of the room, talking with Xisuma. He squinted at him, knowing he couldn't be Bdubs' magic man.

"It couldn't be Impulse though, he's a human, he doesn't have big wings like you said, and Impulse doesn't have magic either..." Scar trailed off, giving Bdubs his best 'excuse me wtf' look.

"Oh, he's not human though..." Bdubs trailed off, stretching out the last word. His eyes quickly widened. "Ah shit. I wasn't supposed to tell anyone that."

Scar gaped at Bdubs, stuttering out incoherent words, not able to formulate a proper phrase. And that's when he saw Impulse over Bdubs' shoulder. Impulse seemed to stammer something to Xisuma, casting a glance first at Etho, and then and Scar and Bdubs before rushing outside and onto the back porch.

Scar also realized that Impulse had probably been in earshot of their conversation, definitely was considering the volume that Bdubs like to talk at. He stopped stammering and looked Bdubs dead in the eye. "Bdubs I think Impulse heard us."

Bdubs let out a slew of curses, grabbing his hair with his hands. "Scar- Scar I wasn't supposed to say anything— I didn't mean to..."

"Bdubs." Scar shot his hand out and grabbed Bdubs' wrist, taking on a serious tone. "I- dammit I can keep this a secret too, okay? But I think that you, me, and Impulse need to have some words. I am very confused, and I would love to know why we are keeping this secret, and if he did anything to you in the forest that day."

"No, what? No he didn't do anything Scar, I- I..." Bdubs stammered, guilt written in his eyes.

"Come on Bdubs lets just go talk to him." Scar tugged at Bdubs' wrist. He expected Bdubs to struggle away but he didn't, giving in loosely and following Scar.

Scar led Bdubs through the party, weaving between other hermits until they made it to the door. Glancing out the window to the porch, Scar could see  Impulse's silhouette sitting on one of the couches Xisuma had out there.

"Alright," Scar placed his hand in the door handle. "I hope you know I'm expecting you both to explain this all to me."

He opened the door, the cool night air rushing inside as he did so. As they slipped out, Scar could've sworn Xisuma gave him a cautious frown, a warning. The door clicked shut.

Scar let go of Bdubs wrist and looked to Impulse.

And what he saw was definitely not what he'd expected.

Impulse was curled in on himself, knees hugged to his chest with his face buried in them, and his back pressed into the couch cushions. He trembled as he took in quick and unsteady breaths. Bdubs let out a quiet gasp, holding a hand up to his mouth. Impulse seemed to hear the noise at let out a muffled whine in response, his hands scratching at his pant legs.

"Impulse?" Bdubs whispered, approaching the panicking man. "Are- are you okay? I mean— gods, I'm so sorry."

Bdubs started to reach out to touch Impulse, but Scar grabbed his arm quickly before he could. "Bdubs— Bdubs I think he's having a panic attack."

Scar let go of Bdubs and sat down on the couch next to Impulse. He turned to face him, carefully and slowly.

"Impulse? Hey, can ya hear me?" Scar spoke softly, as if he was calming down a spooked Jellie again. Impulse didn't respond, he was breathing to quickly to speak.

"You've gotta breathe, Impulse," Scar continued. "Breathe, slow and steady."

"C-can't," Impulse managed through gasps. Scar frowned, but tried to shove his nervousness away.

"Just keep trying to, yeah?" Bdubs said, mimicking Scar's kind tone. "I'm so sorry... if- if we triggered this."

"You're okay, Impulse, everything's alright. I know this sucks but just keep breathing, it'll get better," Scar comforted. He wanted to give Impulse a hug so bad, but he didn't want to trigger him further.

"H-hurts to," Impulse sobbed. He was trying though, trying real hard to breathe.

"I know, but you're doing so good right now." Scar watched as Impulse lifted his head up, bloodshot eyes full of desperation. "Try and match my breathing, yeah?" He lifted his hand up and down along with his steady breaths, hoping Impulse would line his up. He wasn't able to immediately, of course, but his eyes were locked onto Scar's hand, and his hyperventilating got a little bit slower.

"That's it, there you go," Scar murmured, doing his best to keep talking to Impulse, to keep comforting him. Next to him, Bdubs stayed quiet, a sheen of guilt covering his face.

It was a good few minutes of Scar's supportive statements before Impulse finally seemed to start breathing better. He turned his gaze from Scar's hands to Bdubs, looking at him with... fear?

"Y-you tol—told him didn't you?" Impulse pulled his knees a little closer to his chest, staring somberly.

"I didn't mean to— I, it was an accident I swear," Bdubs tensed up defensively. "I promise I wasn't trying to..."

"You've told— you've told them all, you've told them all, and- and Xisuma'll kick me out and Tango's gonna kill me, a- and—" Impulse cut himself off, slumping his head into his knees again and crying.

"No, no no I didn't tell everyone I didn't do that, Impulse." Bdubs stammered frantically. For a brief moment he tried to lay a hand on Impulse's knee. Impulse flinched away from him violently, letting out a hiss of discomfort.

"It was just Scar, and it wasn't on purpose..." Bdubs lowered his volume a bit, eyes wide and upset.

"Impulse?" Scar began softly. He was confused, but he could at least try to help. "Why would Xisuma kick you out? All Bdubs told me is that you aren't human, and that surely isn't a reason for Xisuma to ever kick anyone out."

"You don't get it," Impulse's voice was muffled, and he brought his hands up to tug at his hair. "I'm a monster."

Scar forced himself not to gasp. Whatever was going on with Impulse, whatever species Impulse really was, it was clearly a lot deeper than he'd thought.

"No." He finally said firmly. "The person in front of me is not a monster. You saved my best friend's life, Impulse. You are not a monster."

Impulse stopped pulling at his hair and froze. "Wh-what?"

"You heard me. You're not a monster." Scar repeated. "I don't care if you're human or not. Because what you were born as means nothing in comparison to the things that you've done. I may not know much about you, but I do know that you're a good person."

Impulse turned his head to look at Scar confusedly. He quickly flicked his gaze away though, and down to his hands. He studied his fingers for a long while before speaking. "What if- What if I was incapable of being good?"

"Bullshit." Scar blurted out, the other two giving him surprised looks. "Nobody's incapable of being a good person. And if the things you've done show anything, it's that you have done good. Who told you that you couldn't be good? Who hurt you, Impulse?"

Impulse took a moment to think, flexing his hands in and out. "Everyone. Everyone except you guys." He picked at his cuticles absentmindedly as he answered. "It was never anything I didn't deserve for not being human though."

Scar let out a shaky sigh. "Impulse, I- those people from the town that hurt Bdubs for being a phantom, they were in the wrong, yes?"

Impulse nodded slowly.

"So why aren't the people that hurt you the ones in the wrong? Being inhuman is out of your control."

Impulse blinked a few times as if he was trying to take it all in. He looked ready to burst into tears again, and when he answered, his voice was blunt and serious.

"Because demons are impossible to accept. Im- Impossible to love."

A pause. A second of sickly silence.

"You're a demon?" Scar whisper-asked. Impulse didn't provide a response, but Bdubs gave Scar a dismayed nod.

. . .

"That's wicked cool."

~ end chapter 11 ~

A/N: And our demon boi finally receives some comfort! (Originally, Scar wasn't supposed to find out at all, but I like it this way!) :D Also I love writing dialogue for Keralis so much o my gosh it is very fun.