Hattie

Hey guys! Here’s chapter 3, hope you all enjoyed the first 2. Quick disclaimer, there is a small mention of alcohol so if you feel triggered by it please be cautious! Thank you :)

TW: Alcohol, Arguments

Chapter 3:

Grian sat cross legged on one of the medical cots facing Mumbo who was leaning back on his chair. The first few minutes of silence between them felt heavy, unspoken words lingered in the air, Grian held a beer in his hand and silently sipped at its contents.

Mumbo knew what Grian did. He knew what pain he caused Scar that summer. And Grian knew that Mumbo was thinking about it. His black eyebrows furrowed as he sipped on his coffee, after every slurp he seemed like he wanted to say something but was holding back waiting for Grian to ignite the conversation. “How’s everyone been?” Grian broke the silence cautiously, trying to create a happy demenour. Mumbo sipped on his coffee before answering, like he was being careful about what he was going to say. “It’s been great here!” His tone was light and flowed around the small room, yet it had a hint of uncertainty. Grian nodded as he took in the answer, he thought about the friends he missed and the family that was now gone and took a large swig of his beer. “I know who your thinking about.” Mumbo voice became empathetic, it startled Grian, his attention snapping to the ground, Mumbo moved his head down slightly to look him in his empty eyes. “He’s doing okay. Y’know.” Grian’s heart felt heavy. ‘He’. Mumbo was referring to Scar. Grian sat there silently, “Scar misses you though. It took some time for him to warm up to me… but…you. For months he… he didn’t feel like himself.” A flood of guilt and shame washed over Grian. He felt the pain in his joints, his head, ‘oh scar. Why did I leave you.‘ He chugged a big portion of his beer, just trying to forget. The more he pushed away the thought of Scar, the thought that Grian destroyed him, the more the pain rattled his bones, they were just kids. He couldn't stop the flashbacks, the laughter turning into tears. The sweet whispering escalated into shouts. Grian’s painful memories played through that night, that wet summer night. The worst one of his life.

June 26th: Summer 2002. The rain ripped through the trees onto the usually sunny, warm beach. The waves were a reckless storm fighting against the howling wind. The sky was overcast and the feeling of somber whistled in the wind. “SCAR, Please just listen to me.” Grian bellowed trying to make his voice heard in the wind. He chased after a taller, muscular man who had already made it to the lapping shore, hand deep into his pocket. “You never cared.” His voice was less erratic than Grian’s, more calm and accepting like he knew his fate, Grian felt shocked, ‘is this what he really felt like’ the thought racked in his brain. “I did…” Grian’s voice faltered as he stumbled in the sand. “I do. Scar oh I really do.” Tears started to roll down his cheeks only to be thrown away by the constant downfall of tears in the sky. “Did I mean nothing to you. NOTHING! AFTER EVERYTHING. I POURED MY HEART AND SOUL FOR you” Scars voice broke as whipped his body around, his movement aggressive as he waved his hands in the wind. Grian got a glimpse of his face. His eyelids were redder than usual, the moonlight reflected the stream of tears flowing from his sea green eyes, the storm behind him echoing his soul, he looked like he was in pain. “AM I JUST SOME.. some… FLING.” Scar spat the word as he got closer to him, his once warm body felt cold and distant. “No scar… please…you weren’t a fling.” Grian grabbed his arm. Scar pulled away aggressively like the touch burnt his skin. “I… oh god… I trusted you. I thought we were something!?” He moved his broken face away from Grian’s, “Scar we were… we are!” Grain begged, his words now coming out in sobs and chokes. Scar dared to look at him in his eyes, his manipulative eyes.

I hope you enjoyed chapter 1! Here’s chapter 2

Chapter 2:

8:45am was when the passing forests started to become somewhat recognisable. The sun had awaken by this time and danced through the gaps off the thick woodland reflecting through the broken bus window. “Oh look!” Gem gleefully pointed at a small lake which was inhabited by a family of ducks. “Oh Grian remember.” Gem tugged at her older brother's slumped shoulder, “That’s where I had my first kiss! Pearl… don't you remember!” Her green eyes where full of love and lust as she imagined these happy memories. “I wonder how she’s doing?” Gem stared out of the window pondering.

The truth was Grian didn’t care for Gems story’s, not that he was blunt or rude, no, it was the fact his head reeled and throbbed with the thought of past memories. How could he do that. Why was he so stupid. So unbelievably foolish. Leaving him alone in that town- The bus stopped to a halt launching Grian and Gem in their chairs. The small plump woman stood from her seat. Grian could barely see her rollers from above the chair. Her voice was croaky, she clearly smoked. “Pelican town final stop.” She choked. “God I need a cig.” The women left the ancient vehicle first followed by the old couple. Grian moved himself into the bus isle to allow Gem to leave first. Grian puffed up his chest. Confidence, nothing happened . He quoted over and over in his head. He brushed his hair out of his eyes, straightened his jumper. And unwillingly walked to the exit.

The summer air was warm and humid as he took the last step of the bus. His last resort to turning back was gone, vanished, and now he was actually here. Birds tweeted even louder than it did in the concrete jungle, flowers and plants invaded the ground beside him. Bugs littered every piece of nature they could see. Grian took a deep breath of fresh nature's air. Moss, Grass, Flowers, Salt from the sea… he pushed the air back out and lunged for his luggage. “Mumbo has offered for us to stay at the hospital with him.” Gem turned back to look at the sulking man. “Stop looking so depressed.” She scoffed walking away. “I don’t look-.” Grian halted, maybe he did look down in the dumps, sad, tired. “I hate this. I hate everyone.” He mumbled to himself whilst trudging down the path. Pam, smoking a cigarette, called to Grian. “Enjoy your trip.” Grian rolled his eyes pathetically. “Oh I will not.”

Pelican town was busy in the early morning. It always was. Grian recognised a few people from school or some that he used to know, keep your head down. The last time he saw most of them was when he was 18, 2 summers ago. The town square was still as warm and friendly as it used to be yet Grian couldn’t help feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt, He stared at the brick pattern on the floor trying to avoid unwanted eye contact. The old shop was still the same. Old and rustic but still hanging on. Not far away was the infamous pub The Stardrop Saloon. It’s black roof seemed to be rotting away and it’s dark brickwork was falling apart. Grian remembered a nauseating memory of his 18th birthday… in which he quickly moved on to another building. “We are here!” Gem dropped her bag in front of the smallest building in the town square. The white hospital ominously sat glooming over Grian. A blinking pharmacy sign flashed down onto his pale face, I can’t do this. I can’t face my past. “Mumbo!?” Gem was already pounding of the blue front door. She could hear scuttling and banging from the inside. “Just a sec!” A cheerful voice came muffled from behind the door. Suddenly it swung open. A tall pale man stood in the doorframe. He wore a long white coat and ripped converses on his feet, Grian look up to his face. A wave of unwanted emotion hit him. His gloomy eyes stared right at Grian, a shimmer of surprise crossed his irises. The man styled a stereotypical moustache which folded into coils at the tip. It was jet black like his messy hair. He held a syringe in his hand and his other arm lent on the doorframe. “Isn’t it the Tay twins!” Gem immediately hugged him. “Mumbo! God we missed you!” Mumbo chuckled and returned Gem's warm hug, he was always a nice man. Mumbo’s concentration then turned to Grian, his moustache twinged as Grian smirked awkwardly. “Hey mumbo…” He moved his hand to the back of his neck rubbing the sweat of his hands. “How are you mate.” Mumbo seemed pleased to see Grian even though a blade of tension cut through the air between the old ‘friends’. “ I am good. Yeah I am good. Happy to be here.” Grian gritted through his teeth, hesitating on the ‘good’. “Sure you are.” Mumbo chuckled and nodded, opening his body to allow the siblings to enter his home. Gem skipped in followed by her cold brother, Mumbo placed his skinny hand on Grian’s shoulder following him.

Hi! This is my first chapter of my Desert Duo fanfic based in a stardew valley au! Iam dyslexic so if there is spelling mistakes or small errors please forgive me! :( I hope you enjoy this chapter of my first ever fic!

Chapter 1

The mellow due of the early city mist creeped at Grian’s feet. He sat at the quiet bus stop clutching his leather case in one hand and his other hand sat warmly in his jumper pocket. 2 years since he’s been home. Zuzu City is a getaway for him. But it’s not his home. His dirty blonde hair flopped in front of his face covering the dark bags under his eyes. Clearly sleep troubled him, lots of things did, Grian has and always will be an extremely anxious person. But the birds in the rare city trees tweeted and chirped at the sign of early sun which soothed some of his built up nerves. 6:18am, Grian’s old watch said, the one he inherited from his dad, he huffed an exaggerated sigh and leaned backwards on the seat. “I know you're nervous.” A smaller girl with hot orange hair sat next to him. She wore a green jumper which complemented her messy braids, her face held a warm tone, flushed with blush and freckles, and she wore old jeans that were decorated with cuts, mud and DIY patches. “Could have worn nicer jeans to our ever so exciting friendly reunion Gem.” Grian looked her up and down with judgement in his dark eyes, scoffing whilst putting his head in his hands. “What’s wrong with my pants!” Gem’s playful voice cracked as she stood up and started to fashion her ratty bottom half. “I think they're authentic!” She gleamed proudly whilst pretending the isolated street was a run walk, she got to a lamppost posed then strutted back, “Besides.” Gem spoke, “I’m excited to move back to our home town… our roots.” She playfully lunged her elbows at Grians’s ribs allowing his lips to curve into a small smile, and let out a small chuckle. He looked at his younger sister's face, full of such delight and warmth. She was the only thing that made him happy, made him have a reason for life. Her forever radiation of light couldn’t help but make Grian feel some light inside his broken soul. The only light he’s felt in years…

For 4 weeks Grian dreaded this day. His palms felt sweaty even thinking about it. It’s been so long since he was back in Pelican Town, his home. But he couldn’t bring himself to go back. To get on a bus or even call his old friends. All that town reminded him of was that summer. The summer he woke up with cold sweats about, or the summer he constantly avoided talking about. All he could think about at that stupid bus stop was the person he dreaded to see. Scar.

10 painful minutes slugged by before an old broken bus rattled to a stop. Warm steam flushed into Grian’s face. The bright, blue bus was splashed with rust and old, outdated stickers slowly peeling off. Grian could just make out a large white print on the side saying PELICAN TOWN BUS SERVICE.

Well, there’s no going back now, he thought standing from his seat and hesitantly hauling his luggage to the undercarriage compartment. Gem hopped up the stairs and presented our tickets to the bus driver. The bus driver was an old lady who looked like she had trouble getting ready in the morning, her hair rollers still sat in her hair and she was still eating her small breakfast bar. She was a plump and old lady who wore far too much makeup for her age. ‘Pam’ is what her name tag said. She didn’t speak a word to the siblings and gave Gem a look of ‘don’t disturb me’. Clearly it was too early for her as well “Thank you… Pam.” Gem said as she looked for a seat, the bus was practically empty other than an old couple who sat right at the front. Grian followed his ginger haired sibling to the back and fell heavy down onto a ripped leather chair that almost resembled Gems jeans. “I dibs window!” Gem brushed past his legs holding her purple carry on bag, she grabbed out a small bag of sweets and a book The Hunger Games. The bus gave Grian an overwhelming sense of high school, which did not add to the excitement of the journey, the last time he was on something like this he got a raspberry slushie poured all over him. Grian took a deep breath and tried to clear his thoughts, put on his headphones, My Chemical Romance on blast, and watched as the urban city turned from concrete to trees.