((⚠️ Mentions of suicide and abuse ⚠️))

---

Grian's life was one that he never wished to have.

He would stare at his white ceiling with a blank gaze that is hard to decipher or read. As he stares at the ceiling of his bland bedroom, he would listen to his parents arguing downstairs.

The arguing suddenly stops as a slam echoes downstairs to mark that someone left. He can only assume that was his mother since thundering footsteps stomp their way up the stairs. A tear slips out of Grian's eye to roll down the side of his face since he knew the inevitable pain was going to come soon.

His father belabors Grian's bedroom door to scare the boy, but with the countless years of torture and abuse, Grian has managed to grow somewhat accustomed to the harsh blows to his body and the pounding of his door.

A deep holler of a man demands his name from the other side of his door, and knowing his violent father full well, Grian knew that if he became disobedient, he would receive twice the amount of punishment. Sometimes even more than twice.

His neighbors have called Child Services a handful of times because of the screaming and hammering fists that would collide into some sort of furniture or home wall. Whenever Child Services came to see the issue, Grian's mother would always weep while putting make-up on Grian's skin to cover the bruises marking along his flesh.

Grian despises his father with every being in his soul. His mother, on the other hand, greatly fonds over her and loves her since she is caught in the same situation. His mother is compassionate and he wants to live with her, but Grian's father refuses to get a divorce, which is forcing them to stay together.

Grian's mother, Maria, has been making plans to file a court case against Grian's father, in which we do not speak of his name because he doesn't deserve to have a name title for all the cruelty he has caused. Grian is trying desperately to help Maria make a court case against child abuse in hopes that the parents can forcefully get split apart, possibly even put a restraining order on Grian's father and charge him fines.

He might even go to jail for all the years he has abused his son. All the blood that Grian has lost because his father would mercilessly beat him up would hopefully be enough proof to toss his father into jail. He sometimes even threatens Grian with a knife until Grian obeys his raging command.

Grian can't move from his bed as his father ruthlessly continues to throw punches at his door. Maria installed a lock on his door recently so that he can lock the door and run.

And that's exactly what he is going to do under the wish of his mother.

The boy finally pulls himself together to toss on warm clothes. His movements begin to quicken since he knew his father would drunkenly grab a drill to loosen the hinges of his door. Based on the slurs of his father's screaming vocals, Grian can only assume that his father has been drinking this evening.

Strapping a backpack along his shoulders, which is stuffed with school items and clothes in case he doesn't return by morning, Grian strolls to his window. It was already unlocked since he lives on the second floor and so his fumbling hands don't have to open the locks in times of panic.

Well, screw panic. Grian hasn't felt emotions in a long while. All of his happiness has drained entirely from his once sparkling orbs of joy. As years progressed, he began to lose a smile and lost many of his friends.

At least he has one person. One person that is his escape from reality, someone who deeply cares about him.

Grian opens the window before swinging one leg after another through the frame. His foot lands on a branch from a tree that is conveniently next to his window. He had a feeling his mother gave him this room on purpose for that specific reason.

After successfully climbing down the old oak tree in the backyard, he unlocks the gate of his fence and heads out towards the road. He throws his black hood over his fallow colored locks. His feet padded against the sidewalk as he followed down the humble neighborhood. The evening is drawing nearer, the sun ready to set soon.

His father won't find him. He can drive for hours, hell, he can get into a car accident for all Grian can care. As long as Grian makes it safe and sound to his main location, his only companion's welcoming home, then he can call it a night.

---

Mumbo was reading a sad fanfiction on Wattpad about YouTubers, wearing casual clothing when he heard a little tick at his window. At first, he believed that he imagined it, but then four more came.

Five little pebbles tapping against his window. He knows exactly what that code name means. He scrambles from his bed, shutting his phone off and tossing it aside so he can welcome Grian.

Mumbo's father, in which that is the only parent Mumbo lives with because his mother died years prior, is fully aware of Grian's presence popping in and out of his home. Grian has been friends with Mumbo for years and Mumbo's father treats Grian like a real dad, giving him any junk food he wants and providing Grian with proper hygiene.

Mumbo opens his window and the black felt screen behind his window pane to find the usual suspect. He smiles warmly and steps away so Grian can crawl inside. He saw a bookbag fly in through his window before the small teenager easily clambered in.

When Grian fully enters, Mumbo shuts his window and locks it before pulling the blinds down.

"Hey, Grian. Are you staying over tonight?" Mumbo asks as his heartwarming smile remains painted on his lips. Grian dull gaze was hard to read for Mumbo, and as Grian shrugs without saying anything, he shuffles over to Mumbo's bed while collecting his book bag from the ground.

Mumbo is normally aware of how Grian acts. In the past, Grian would rush inside while smiling, happy to see Mumbo. Sometimes Grian would cry alone and bark at Mumbo because Mumbo tries to comfort him. His moods usually change, but as the years proceed to advance, Mumbo has definitely sensed the lack of emotions inside of Grian.

He used to be so bubbly, being super popular because of his pranking behavior. Grian was typically the teacher's pet but he was the teacher's pet in a nice way because he would always do his work effortlessly. It was only recently when high school approaches to finish forever when Grian began to lose concentration because of the weak amount of sleep he receives. His horrible eating pattern and tiny sleep schedule were making Grian's grades plummet.

Grian is seventeen, he is extremely close to becoming an adult. When he does turn eighteen, the exact day that he does, he vows to leave his prison to rent a place so he can never return to that dreadful place. He refuses to even call it his home.

Mumbo has offered many times that Grian can take up the guest bedroom of his house but Grian has denied every single offering because of his stubborn attitude. Mumbo's father has humbly asked Grian if he would like to spend most of the weekdays in the spare bedroom, but Grian's only response was "I'll just be a waste of time."

It was no doubt that Grian had depression because of this. As Grian rummages in his backpack for his earbuds, Mumbo can make out the purple ring printed on Grian's neck.

One of his failed attempts at hanging himself...

A shiver runs along Mumbo's nerves from the harrowing thought. He cannot believe that such an amazing kid has turned so gloomy. It was a completely different person. Because of his progressing changes, Grian began to get more aggressive at mere mentions of anything triggering.

It cost him most of his friends.

The remaining ones don't talk to Grian as much as Mumbo does. His friends are worried about Grian's situation, but Mumbo knows every single detail.

Mumbo even remembers Grian screaming and sobbing in the corner of his bedroom, pleading to be free from his father despite him being in Mumbo's house. He was going through an intense flashback and Mumbo embraced him in a tight hug for the rest of the night despite Grian protesting.

Mumbo was about to ask another question but he was cut short when Grian shoved earbuds in his ear while putting the volume on the highest setting. The taller teen can hear the music clearly but he resolved on leaving the boy alone since he wouldn't listen to Mumbo.

So, Mumbo settled on the ground in front of his bed. He grabbed his phone that was lounging on his mattress so he can do some online homework on his mobile.

Minutes tick by and Mumbo was becoming bored. He didn't feel like reading any more of his Wattpad story, and he didn't want to leave his bedroom to make tea, so he just sat on his carpeted floor. His phone remains in his hand as he stares at it while contemplating what to do next.

He listens to Grian's heavy music. Mumbo never quite understood how screaming with thundering music in the background makes people feel better, but at the same time, he can understand that you cannot hear literally anything under the ruckus called music. Plus, it can block someone's mind from thinking because of the constant yelling.

It was weird just sitting in silence while listening to the music clearly. He didn't know what to do since his homework was as easy as preschool. The taller teen was nearly done with it, he can complete it tomorrow morning before school begins in ease.

It was as if a lightbulb popped above Mumbo's head. A smile perks it's way onto his lips. He jumps up and wanders to the little Bluetooth speaker on his white desk. The little device turns on and then he connects his phone to it.

Grian didn't know since he had his hood covering his eyes as more We Came As Romans unhealthily blast into his eardrums. Mumbo begins playing a popular pop song by AJR before walking a few paces next to Grian.

He shakes Grian's arm lightly to snatch his attention. Grian lifts his hood so one eye is peeking through and staring bluntly at Mumbo.

"What?" Grian growls and plucks one of his earbuds out. Mumbo carefully removes his other earbud, keeping his innocent smile before turning down Grian's volume. Grian's ears register the music Mumbo has put on, entitling the boy to roll his eyes. "I don't know what you are doing, but it's not working."

"It's not working unless you give it a try. Get up," Mumbo playfully grabs Grian's phone to set it on his bed. He takes the honey-haired boy's hands to hoist him up to his feet.

"This is stupid," Grian snarls with some of his teeth getting revealed more. Mumbo lifts Grian's hands, his smile now replaced by a goofy grin. He dances around while holding Grian's hands.

"Come on, Grian. A little dancing won't hurt," said Mumbo, waving their hands around and then circling around Grian to lightly swing him.

"This music sucks, everything you are doing looks ridiculous," Grian continues to complain as he rolls his dull blue eyes. "You are an idiot."

"We are idiots, together," replies the happy teen. Mumbo carries on with dancing, still keeping his hands gripping onto Grian's.

It was when Mumbo began singing with the most horrible voice that Grian finally cracked a smile. Mumbo's awful singing was enough for Grian to giggle since his voice didn't match up with the AJR song. Mumbo twirls around as his smile widens, happy that he got his best friend smiling.

Mumbo did a bold move to swipe Grian's hood off which instantly made the boy complain. The only response Mumbo did was sticking his tongue out in a joking manner.

It took a hard truckload of convincing and more obnoxious singing for Grian to finally bobs his head with the beats. A hit Imagine Dragon song begins to play, Mumbo mouthing along to the lyrics since Grian felt like he was going to die from second-hand embarrassment.

Mumbo would scream the lyrics for the whole world to hear if that makes Grian smile. More songs continue to play, Mumbo finally moving into more intense songs. A popular song by Bring Me The Horizon starts playing and that's when Mumbo turned the volume up more. He knew by shifting the genre into more of Grian's style would make Grian delightful.

Mumbo was so cheerful to see Grian smile. His dim, blue eyes seem to have the faintest of shine to them at the moment together. It was just Mumbo and Grian, dancing along while singing badly.

"Can you feel my heaaarrrtttt!!" Both Grian and Mumbo yell together, staring at each other while they dance horribly to "Can You Feel My Heart" by Bring Me The Horizon. They could care less if the neighborhood heard their singing.

After the song ended, an ad pops up while the two laugh. Abruptly, Grian yells "Booo!" at the car insurance ad with the green, animated gecko. Mumbo gives a thumbs down and walks to his phone to check the next song.

Grian sits down on Mumbo's bed. Mumbo picks the next song, one that will bring the active mood down to a more gentle atmosphere. He sets his phone back down on his desk and holds his hand out for Grian.

"May I have this dance?" Mumbo smiles. The song is loading, so Grian was a little puzzled about the sudden shift of mood. Reluctantly, Grian grabs Mumbo's open hand and stands back up.

As soon as the song began playing, Grian instantly knew what it was.

"Often, I am upset, that I cannot fall in love but I guess... this avoids the stress of falling out of it."

It was a personal favorite for when he wanted to take a halt from time. "Home" by Cavetown is always loved in his heart since it was the first song Mumbo introduced to help him take a short pause from his heavy metal music. It gave his ears a break and gave his humdrum heart a small spark of emotion.

Mumbo kept one hand weaving with Grian's as his other lands on Grian's waist. Grian presses his ear against Mumbo's chest and closes his eyes. They slowly rock to the song.

A small risk was taken as Mumbo moved his second hand upwards from Grian's waist. He carefully places his hand on Grian's neck to trace the swollen ring etched into his flesh. Mumbo deeply wants to know when Grian attempted this. It had to be recently, obviously, but if Grian does not wish to explain, Mumbo is not going to force it out.

Grian can pinpoint the exact locations of Mumbo's thumb on his neck. He can tell that Mumbo is trying to trace his finger along the marking to examine it without moving from their comfortable spot.

A single tear dribbles past the corner of Grian's eye. His heart is swelling with so much emotion, it was painful for him. Shame. Depression. Dismal. The cork of his bottled feelings is popping off because of the pressure of his bottle. It was overwhelming, unbearable.

He began to sob without control. His arms release Mumbo before wrapping around Mumbo's neck as his body starts to tremble. Mumbo's warmth, his comforting arms, his scent; it provided with so much serenity.

Grian never wants to leave, he refuses to leave. His sobbing increases as he clutches onto Mumbo's casual t-shirt. Mumbo's warmth never fails to hug his body, hugs that he never receives from his own family.

Mumbo is his only true friend. His comfort. His shoulder to cry on.

In this world, he feels completely isolated. He feels like he needs to dispose of his own existence because he considers himself useless. But being in Mumbo's rocking arms, he sensed all of those harsh feelings dragging away to provide him with ease to his cracking mind.

Grian just wants to stay permanently. He never wants to leave. He hates his life, always treated as a freak of nature or a mistake. But being with Mumbo always made Grian feel like he was in loving arms.

It was something he hasn't felt in agonizing years. Someone to finally listen to his pain and hug him tightly. Someone who is willing to devote their own self-esteem to make him smile.

Mumbo hugs Grian firmly to silently tell him that he is never letting go. Grian couldn't stop his sobbing as tears stained Mumbo's shirt. Being in the arms of Mumbo was something he wished to keep. He is so afraid that this will end and never return, which will trap him inside the dark clutches of isolation again.

"I don't want to leave..." Grian's cracking voice was truthfully painful for Mumbo to hear. His hand leaves Grian's neck so he can envelop Grian with both of his sympathetic arms. Mumbo never wants to let go of Grian, and no matter how many times life will get rough, he promises to forever hold Grian. Even if Grian gets better, Mumbo will never leave.

Mumbo is never going to abandon him.

More songs continue to play, them being in the calmer section such as lo-fi. Mumbo gently guides Grian onto his bed. He makes sure to set Grian's forgotten phone to the desk before laying down.

His back presses along his wall as Grian curls tightly against his chest. Grian's sobbing has not eased or faltered. His tears trail down his swollen cheeks, past his ruby nose, and then fall down to Mumbo's shirt. He keeps his head resting on Mumbo's chest as one of his hands clutch onto his shirt.

Mumbo's heartbeat was always comforting, followed by his familiar cologne and wool clothes that end up hugging Grian's fatigue body. Grian will never forget the loving, embracing aura that Mumbo always leaves when Grian comes around. It wraps around him like a blanket as he smiles all day long with Mumbo.

Grian's home was never welcoming, nor will it ever become welcoming in his mind. That was only a fantasy...

But he does have a heartwarming home...

His sobbing finally begins to calm down after a small moment of understanding.

He doesn't need fantasy or a dream...

Because he slowly began to realize that Mumbo is his true home.