Flight or Fail

Chapter 5: You hate me.

For the third time in a row, Grian blinked his eyes open on sunlight covering everything. Yet this time, there was more pain.

Not just a headache or back pain, this was like a spear had been ripped through his left arm and right leg. Then he remembered. X was sat nervously opposite him on the floor, fiddling with what looked like a measuring tape.

"You woke up."

This sounded less like a statement and more like an amazed question like someone asking a superhero how they saved the city. No. Not at all like that. Grian was no superhero. Not one bit.

The thoughts returned.

Even X could tell that Grian's mental state had gotten far worse than he'd ever expect from the generally cheerful hermit. The giant swathes of bandages that covered his arm and leg were hardly an overstatement at the sheer amount of blood that he had lost.

"Could I measure the things on your back again?" asked his friend, trying to distract both of them from the horrific experience of yesterday.

"Sure."

Unfortunately, as soon as Xisuma saw the growths on his back, his breathing hitched and he made a muffled yelp.

"Have they gotten bigger?" desperately begged Grian, trying to see them himself.

"More than that. They've gotten… longer. I'll get a mirror."

Grian clutched the small mirror in his hand and managed to view the small black stumps that had brought him here. Now, they were a lot bigger, and very different. Instead, they now resembled something else. Wings.

"X? Are those… wings?"

"Yes," gravely responded Void, beginning to pace the cramped area.

Immediately, his fear of heights made the builder freeze. Wings? What?! He couldn't have wings. Wings meant he could fly. Flying meant falling. Falling meant…

"GRIAN!" yelled a panicked admin, gripping his arms and shaking him rapidly.

"What? What happened?" he asked, glancing at his purple-eyed companion.

"I was calling your name for two minutes and you didn't respond!"

"Oh. I'm sorry," apologized the anxious hermit, stretching his long arms and suddenly remembering what had happened yesterday.

"It's fine. I have to go out to fix another glitch, I left lunch on the counter, be careful, okay?" murmured X gently, hugging his friend goodbye and waving as he strutted out the door.

This time, the thoughts stayed away.

One hour later, Void returned, limping on his right leg.

"Are you okay?" fretted his shirtless buddy, helping him into the living room.

"Just broke my leg, should be healed by tomorrow."

"I'll get you something to eat."

Before he could protest, Grian had dashed into the kitchen and grabbed a plate along with a loaf of bread and a pack of ham.
Two minutes later, a loud smash startled both of them. Shards of ceramic covered the tile and the builder was now stood clutching his arm, looking terrified. Although X hopped over as fast as he could, it wasn't fast enough, as when he crouched down by his friend, tears were covering his face and he hugged his knees tightly.

"I'm s-sorry, I'm s-so s-so sorry, I'll c-clean it up, I'll c-clean it up t-then leave, I'm s-so sorry," wept Grian, staring at the broken plate like it had just ripped his arm off.

"What in the world are you talking about?" X interrupted, grabbing his bandaged arm gently.

"I-I messed up and n-now you h-hate me," stammered his fellow hermit, looking confused.

"What? No! No, no, no, of course not! Why would I hate you?" sympathised Void, gently pulling him in for a hug.

For five minutes they sat, Grian crying on Xisuma's shoulder, Void softly rubbing his back, making sure not to touch the wing-growths.

"Remember, I care about you. Nothing will ever change that," murmured X in the builder's ear, picking up his shorter friend and carrying him to the pile of pillows that he'd slept in last night.

A/N
Hallo! Sorry I haven't updated this fic in ages, but I have like seven pages of notes ready for my War AU, so expect that in the near future.
Also, sorry for how depressing this fic is, the War AU will be too. I do have a really short story that I might publish if anyone cares for it.
Anyway, goodbye, have a great day, and stay safe superstars!