Work Text:
Tomorrow was Valentine’s Day, and Grian didn’t know what to get for Scar. It wasn’t for a lack of effort on his part, he’d been thinking about this for weeks. He just didn’t know what to get his boyfriend.
“Mumbooooooo,” Grian flopped over the edge of his best friend’s couch. “I just don’t know what to get him!”
Mumbo seemed completely unfazed and mildly amused at his friend’s plight. “You realize he won’t care as long as it’s from you, right?”
“But knowing Scar, he got me something symbolic and thoughtful and probably custom! And it’s the day before Valentines and I haven’t done anything! What kind of boyfriend am I?”
“What’s his favorite kind of flower?” Mumbo asked, twisting to look at Grian.
“Lilacs.” The Avian responded immediately.
“Just get him a bouquet of those. Or paint them.” Mumbo shrugged.
“That’s not good enough, though! We’ve been dating for years and I can’t even get him a gift!”
“Just tell him that gift giving isn’t your love language and do something fun with him.”
“…How did you know that?” Grian’s head snapped up.
“Just listen to yourself. You’re not a gift giver, and that’s okay “
Grian stared at the ceiling for a while before it hit him. He scrambled to grab his phone and texted his boyfriend.
Grian
Do you have any plans for tomorrow morning?
Scar <3
Nope! All free until dinner!
Grian
Meet me at my place at 9?
Scar <3
I’ll be there!
Step one of Grian’s plan was complete. He might actually stand a chance this year!
That night, Grian got everything set up for the next day. And if he had trouble sleeping from how excited he was, then that was for him to know.
The next morning, Grian got dressed in some of his better clothes and made sure everything was clean around the house. Just in case.
A few minutes before the clock struck nine, there was a knock on his door and the sound of a key entering the lock filled the entryway.
Grian scrambled to the door and gave Scar a tight hug when he entered. When they pulled apart, Grian couldn’t help the excited grin that covered his face as he bounced on the balls of his feet.
“Well, looks like someone’s excited!” Scar said, letting the Avian grab his hand and drag him to the dining room where the first activity was.
On the table was two easels and paints, placed right next to each other for optimal conversation opportunities.
“We can paint together first.” Grian said, eyes shining brightly as Scar looked at him fondly.
The pair took their seats and began to paint, conversation flowing easily between them.
“So,” Scar started. “What do you have planned next, Gri?”
“You’ll have to wait and see!” Grian made sure Scar’s paintbrush wasn’t near the canvas before bumping his shoulder playfully. “Whatcha painting?”
“Oh, nothing much.” Scar’s painting was anything but ‘nothing much’. It was the beginnings of a beautiful ocean at night, reflecting the starlight and soft hues of the moon. It was beautiful.
“Uh huh. That’s a bit more than nothing, don’t you think?”
“Nah. How about you?” Scar leaned over to look at Grian’s painting.
“Nothing much.” Grian smirked at the way Scar rolled his eyes fondly. The Avian had painted a forest in the summer, the leaves a beautiful green that reflected his partner’s eyes, with fireflies dancing between the branches. It reminded him of Scar.
When they both finished, Grian put away the paints as Scar moved the paintings so they could have a chance to dry. With the table cleared, Grian pulled out one of his favorite games. Jenga.
Both Scar and Grian had majored in architecture, so Jenga was always competitive and long.
“You sure you want to do this one?” Scar asked as he cracked his knuckles. “There can only be one winner.”
“I know,” Grian set up the tower. “It’ll be me!”
“Funny, I remember you saying that last time.”
“You cheated last time!” Grian laughed. “I have no clue how that was even possible!”
“What can I say, I’m a man of many talents.”
By the time Scar won, it was time for lunch. Grian made some quick Linguine as Scar rambled in the background.
As they ate, Scar’s foot found Grian’s, starting an intense game of footizes that neither of them said anything about. Grian giggled as he finished his food and rested his head on Scar’s shoulder.
“I love you, Scar.” Grian said.
Scar leaned over and pressed a kiss to the Avian’s hair. “I love you too, Gri.”
They sat like that for a few minutes, just enjoying each other’s presence.
“Do you want to watch a movie?” Grian asked, though he already knew the answer.
“If it’s with you? Always.”
They got up and sat on the couch so Scar’s arm was around Grian’s shoulders and the Avian was tucked into his side.
Grian put on Star Wars for Scar, though he was really only focused on his partner rambling on about what happens behind the scenes of the movies.
Grian loved this man.
As the end credits rolled, Scar dragged his fingers through Grian’s hair, seemingly giving him an idea.
“Hey, Gri?” Scar asked.
“Yeah?”
“If it’s okay with you, and no pressure to say yes by the way, only if you’re comfortable, could I preen your wings?”
A while ago, Grian would’ve hesitated before his answer. Preening was a very vulnerable activity for him, and it was reserved for those closest to him.
“If you want to, sure. They don’t really need preened though.”
“That’s okay!”
At that, Grian shifted to sit on the floor, grabbing a pillow to hug as Scar settled behind him. The Elf was gentle as he carded through the feathers, earning a soft trill from Grian. After a few moments, Grian was barely able to string together a thought, much less words. Scar’s presence was comforting, and Grian knew what he had to do when Scar was done.
“You’re so pretty, did you know that, Grin?” Scar sat next to the Avian as he chirped in response.
After a few moments, Grian’s birdbrain quieted enough for him to fulfill his plan.
“I’ll be right back.” The Avian said and went back to his room to grab what he was looking for.
He found it right where he left it, in a small box dedicated to things like it. He hid the gift behind his back and made his way out to Scar.
“I have something for you.” Grian said, a small smile tugging at his lips.
“Really? What is it?” Scar sat up straight from his spot on the floor as Grian joined him.
The Avian handed Scar a red primary in perfect condition, the feather a stark contrast to the white carpet beneath them.
The Elf’s breath hitched as he gingerly accepted the gift. “Are you sure, Gri? Isn’t this a big deal for Avians?”
“It is,” Grian nodded. “And, yeah, I’m sure. I want you in my flock, Scar.”
The Elf only hesitated for a moment before planting a kiss on Grian’s lips, pulling the Avians close to him.
When they separated, Grian rested his forehead on Scar’s.
“I love you, Scar. I always have, and always will.”
“I love you too, Grian. More than you could ever know.”
Maybe gift giving wasn’t as hard as Grian thought. Especially with Scar involved.