#giant!grian

***

 Scar wasn’t in bed when Grian woke up.

 That was not a good sign.

 The two had taken to sleep in the same bed, since, well, lack of resources and stuff. And Scar, being a tiny, got cold really easily. So it was just more beneficial for them to share.

 So when Grian woke up and didn’t feel the minuscule weight on his chest, he knew something was very wrong.

 He quickly got up and started scouring their base, being careful to keep a close eye on the floor just in case. “Scar! Scar, where are you?!” There was no answer and the base was silent. 

 Again, not a good sign.

 Grian continued to search before he heard faint voices coming from outside. Immediately, Grian wasted no time in running out, stopping to see Scar talking to Joel.

 “-we’ll give some to you if we find any, you get some reputation points, and all I humbly ask for is that diamond sword of yours.” Scar said, looking much too comfortable with being on the ground with Joel looming over him. Not that Joel could kill Scar, not unless Scar tried attacking first, but nothing was stopping Joel from grabbing Scar and holding him captive.

 And with Scar trying to scam him, it was a very likely thing to happen.

 “Scar! What are you doing?!” Grian exclaimed before Joel could say anything. Scar turned around in surprise but met Grian’s eyes with a bright smile.

 “Oh hey Grian! Just making a little deal with Joel here.” Scar said innocently, obviously not knowing or caring about the danger he was in.

 Grain groaned, face in his hands before going closer and scooping Scar up into his hands. Once again, Scar was much safer in Grian’s own hands. At least now if Joel tried anything he would have to go through Grian. Scar barely reacted this time and instead made himself comfortable.

 “So, about that deal…?” Scar said, getting right back into business. 

 In the end, Scar somehow managed to convince Joel to give up his diamond sword for, well, basically nothing. An empty promise of dark oak saplings and reputation that didn’t even matter. Grian wasn’t sure if he should be impressed by Scar’s ability to scam or disappointed in Joel for falling for it.  

 Probably both.

***

 Grian gasped, eyes flying open. He sat up, hand gripping at his chest. He had been shot. He died. He lost a life. His first life. He was yellow now.

 He had no real time to think though. He had to get back out there. He grabbed the supplies he had hidden away and ran back out to their siege in the desert.

 Scott was the only one there. Everyone else was nowhere to be seen. Scott was talking with him and Grian spoke back but all Grian could really think about was Scar. Where was he? Was he okay? There were no other death messages in the chat but could they have taken Scar as prisoner?

 Grian and Scott gathered what they could and then made their way into the forest.

 And then Grian saw Scar and his rapid heartbeat finally slowed down, the tension in his shoulders relaxing when he realized Scar was unharmed. Scar ran over to them and Grian kneeled down. “Scar, how did you live?” Grian asked, instead of all the other things he wanted to say.

 Scar grinned. “I don’t know.” He was slightly out of breath, but that was to be expected. Instead of scooping him up or grabbing him, Grian held out his hand, palm up, a silent invitation for Scar to get on.

 Scar took it with no hesitation.

 Making sure he was secure first, Grian stood back up and turned to Scott to discuss their next move. 

 It wasn’t that Grian had really forgotten about his and Scar’s deal. About his debt to the tiny man. But he chose to ignore it. Because there was no way Grian would have ever been able to leave Scar behind.

 They were in this together and Grian would continue to keep Scar safe.

***

 A ring of cacti surrounded them.

 Voices in his head telling him to fight. To kill.

 He looked at Scar, on the other side. He was still smiling despite everything. They both knew who would win. Everyone knew it was an unfair fight.

 It didn’t matter.

 Grian was supposed to keep Scar safe.

 He never wanted to hurt him.

 But now he would be his downfall.

 They counted down.

 And in the end, it was quick.

The words rumbled you out of your slumber. You whined slightly and blinked awake with a tiny yawn. You had vague memories of your parents leaving you here to wait for them but still felt disoriented. This wasn’t your home, in fact, you appeared to be laying in the dirt of a flower pot in a giant’s kitchen.

You heard a loud gasp in front of you and looked up to see the giant of the house that your parent’s borrowed from. You didn’t know his name, but he always wore that same red sweater.

You inhaled sharply and quickly scurried back, hitting your back against the flower’s stem. Your breathing picked up pace. Where were your parents?

“Hey, little one, it’s okay!” The giant spoke, crouching down so his head was level with the counter. Tears began rolling down your cheeks.

“Where my Mama n’ Papa?” You demanded with a whimper.

The giant creased his eyebrows, eyes looking around slightly.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know. It’s okay, I’m sure they’ll be back soon!” He reassured.

You whimpered and curled up against the flower stem, ignoring the giant. They’d be back. You just had to wait.

~•~

You waited five days.

The giant, who you soon learned was named Grian, visited you frequently in your little pot.

You didn’t accept his offerings of food at first, but soon became too hungry to ignore them, scarfing down the bits of bread and golden carrots.

You also didn’t engage with him at first. But soon you came to enjoy his little jokes and talks.

On the fifth day of waiting, when Grian came around to bring you food, you started crying.

“Oh, little one! What’s wrong?” Grian gently rubbed your back with his pointer finger.

“I don’ fink my Mama ‘n Papa are comin’ back,” you sobbed, clinging to his finger.

Grian was quiet for a moment. “Little one, I’ll be honest, I’m not sure they’re coming back either. But… you can live with me, if you want,” he offered slowly.

You blinked and sniffled. “Weally?”

Grian beamed. “Aw, of course! Come ‘ere.”

He placed his palm face up and you crawled into the center of it. Your stomach did somersaults as you were lifted up to Grian’s chest and cradled against it.