Cover of Night |A Vampire Mumbo Fic|

Realization

Mumbo slammed the doors behind him as he ran into his base, not even bothering to lock the doors.

He rushed into his room and collapsed onto the floor. His eyes burned with the light coming through the windows.

God, the smell.

The metallic smell of Grian's blood lingered in Mumbo's nose, fogging up his brain. He trembled at the thought of Grian's blood.

He had been so close to breaking. Mumbo had felt himself slipping, his humanity and control had barely been hanging on by a thread.

He clawed at his nose. God, that smell.

Mumbo kept replaying the scene in his head. The blood dripping down Grian's hand, his pulse quickening, the way his eyes widened and breathing hitched when Mumbo grabbed him-

Every part of it was intoxicating. All he could think of was how startled Grian had been, and how easy it would have been to just... give in to his vampiric instincts.

Mumbo shook his head. "No, Mumbo, what has gotten into you?" he asked himself. He ran a hand through his hair and whispered, "That was... too close."

Mumbo couldn't let himself get that close to slipping again. He had been right there, almost about to hurt Grian, his best friend.

No, Mumbo never wanted to get that close to slipping again.

And he was determined not to.

...

Mumbo sat at his desk, blueprints laid out before him. He tried to focus on them, but his head was still spinning from earlier.

He drummed his fingers against the desk, his mind racing. What was he supposed to do now? He couldn't leave his base for a while, since he barely trusted himself. And he couldn't reach out to anyone, or else they come and be worried.

Mumbo sighed and ran a hand through his hair, ruffling his raven black hair. He felt exhausted, and moody. Having to feel like this was almost unbearable at this point.

Still, he knew this was the best solution. He couldn't risk hurting anyone, even if it was at his own expense.

Suddenly, Mumbo heard a knock at his door. Shit.

"Mumbo?" Grian called from outside the door. He stamped his foot impatiently. "Mumbo, I know you're in there."

Mumbo stayed silent, hoping that Grian would just leave. He listened to Grian's heartbeat, hoping it would grow more distant as he walked away. It didn't.

Grian rapped on the door again, this time louder. Knowing his silence wouldn't deter Grian, Mumbo sighed. "Grian, just go. It isn't a good time."

Grian sighed. "Mumbo, please, can we just talk?"

Mumbo sat quietly, hoping his silence was answer enough. Grian, still not willing to give up, banged on the door again. "I'm not leaving until we talk, Mumbo."

Mumbo let out a frustrated groan. Why wouldn't Grian just leave him alone? Why did he even care?

Mumbo jumped in surprise as he heard the heavy doors swing open. Shit-

He had forgotten to lock the door.

"Mumbo?" Grian called. He squinted, his eyes trying to adjust to the darkness of the base. His eyes landed on Mumbo's desk, which was dimly lit with a small lantern. "Mumbo," he said.

Mumbo stared at him, a startled look on his face. He seemed... almost scared. Grian looked at him, ready to get the answers he came for.

"You shouldn't be here, Grian," Mumbo said. Grian stepped forward, undeterred. "We need to talk," he responded.