Project: Neverbound (A Double Life AU fanfic)

28 - Setting, Making, and Expecting Plans

Scar held onto Jellie in his lap as he knocked on the door to Grian's room, gaining a "Hang on!" before the blonde opened it a minute later. The feathers from his face wings seemed a bit ruffled, as did his hair, and his usual baggy red sweater was replaced by a slightly oversized royal blue one.

"I think all my sweaters are in the wash," Grian complained, smoothing out his feathers again.

"I didn't even know you had other colors," Scar joked, though he honestly had never saw Grian in any other color.

"Oh, no, this isn't mine," Grian said, a smile forming on his face, "B let me have one of his old ones. Said it didn't fit him anymore, and to be honest, it barely fits me, but, y'know, free stuff."

"Oh," Scar said.

"Did you need something?" Grian asked.

"Right, I was... uhm.." Scar asked, his nerves suddenly getting the better of him. He tried to tell himself that this wasn't for him, it was for Ren, but he couldn't help his mouth going dry or sudden need to pet his cat more frequently. Of course Jellie didn't mind. "I was just wondering if, after the meeting, you maybe wanted to get something to eat somewhere? Just the two of us."

"Oh... sorry, I already have plans for tonight," Grian said. "B invited me to go to the Rally Diner with him and-"

"It's important!" Scar blurted out.

"So important that you can't just... tell me now?" Grian asked, tilting his head in confusion.

"Uhh..." Scar blanked. Grian had a good point, but he had to mentally prepare himself for asking the blonde out, doing it now wasn't an option! But he couldn't easily convince Grian to give up what was practically a date with BigB, and he couldn't risk waiting another day.

Then, as if by miracle, a new plan came to Scar's mind. He tried not to let the new racing in his heart sell him out, managing to keep a semi-calm composure.

"Well, I guess I should," he said, giving a fake sigh of sadness. "I've... noticed how close you and BigB are, and I just don't want you barking up the wrong tree, y'know?"

"...what are you saying?" Grian asked, a somewhat worried expression coming across his face.

"Now, don't get me wrong, B's a great guy, love 'im," Scar continued, "but I just wanted to make sure you knew that he and Ren are... already a thing. You probably already knew that but- I've just been worried that you might've been setting yourself up for heartbreak, and, soulbounds aside, I've been through that before, and I'd hate to see it happen to you."

It felt a little too good to pull the "I've been through that myself" card after all this time, especially when he was more than lying through his teeth, but if he could pat himself on the back for such a performance, he would've. The only thing he really hated to see was the slow shift in Grian's expression from slight worry to downright depressed. The blonde shrugged in an attempt to brush it off, but Scar could see so clearly through his front, he would've sworn it was made of glass.

"Psh, of course I knew that, I'm not that stupid," Grian said, his eyes no longer meeting Scar's, "but uh... I appreciate you checking in for me. B and I are just good friends, there's no need to worry about it."

"Phew, good to hear!" Scar smiled. "Oh, and would you mind if I took the last of the pound cake? I didn't expect to like it as much as I did, your good friend really knows how to bake."