Scar's Perspective-

"Hey Grian!"

Grian turned around and looked up at me with his soft hazel eyes.

"Yeah?" He asked, tilting his head a bit like a confused puppy.

I felt a smile form on my face along with blush that turned my cheeks a rosy red.

"I was just seeing how you're doing. Wanna walk to potions together?"

"Oh- sorry, I uh...I can't." He whispered, breaking eye contact.

"Why...not?" I felt a bit hurt and confused.

"Pearl needs help walking to her classes after that bludger." Grian lied and walked away before I could fit another word into our conversation.

This continued on for weeks and I honestly had no idea why.

Eventually, I stopped checking up on him, but that hurt even more.

-

"Hey Gri."

Grian looked up at the familiar tone and saw Scar.

Grian put down his potions textbook on the library table and put the bookmark inside.

"Yeah?" Grian asked, smiling a bit.

Scar sat down across from him and sighed, avoiding eye contact.

"I...need to talk to you about something."

"About what?"

"About...us."

Scar looked up at Grian, who blushed heavily.

"W-what about us?" Grian stuttered.

"You're avoiding me, and it honestly makes me feel like you hate me..."

Grian looked down and he sighed.

"Scar, I'm sorry. I- I never meant to make you feel that way but I'm just so...scared..." Grian picked at his finger nails, feeling guilty.

"Scared of what?" Scar whispered, just wanting to understand.

"I- I don't know.." Grian ran a hand through his bangs. "I'm just terrified that this isn't right...that this just won't work."

"We'll make it work, I- I promise." Scar said, his voice cracking a bit.

"I know you will but...will I?" Grian looked up at Scar, letting him see all of his pain and fear, all the tears locked behind that smile he always wore.

Scar's eyes widened, finally understanding the root of the doubt. He hugged Grian close and Grian broke down, hugging back.

"I- I don't know if I can do this, I'm just too s-scared." Grian stuttered, trying to stop crying.

The librarian hushed them and Scar glared at her, muttering curses under his breath.

"Scar, stop!" Grian whispered, giggling as he wiped his eyes.

Scar smiled a bit and he was about to kiss his cheek but stopped.

"I- um..is it okay if I- ..." Scar trailed off, too embarrassed to ask.

"You can... you can kiss me if you want," Grian said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

The words came out before he could stop them, but there was a warmth in his chest now along with a pit of fear.

Scar leaned forward, slowly, giving Grian the time to pull away if he wanted to. But Grian didn't move.

And when Scar's lips finally brushed against his cheek, it was soft, almost hesitant, as though Scar was still unsure.

But it was enough.

Grian felt the warmth of it, the tenderness, and the quiet promise that maybe everything would be okay after all.

"I... I think I'm ready," Grian said, looking up at Scar with a newfound determination. "To try, I mean. With you."

Scar pulled back just enough to look Grian in the eyes, his expression full of relief. "You don't have to be scared, Grian. We'll figure this out, together."

Grian nodded.

"And- and I'll go with you, I won't be holding back anymore." Grian said. "I'm just so scared to think of what others would think."

"You should only be worried about how you feel, Gri." Scar said in a soft voice, caressing Grian's cheek.

"I know, I know..." Grian sighed and Scar made him look at him.

"I only care about how we feel together, not about other's opinions. Others always throw out hate, no matter what the situation, but we'll be alright as long as we have our love and support from each other."

Grian blushed heavily and giggled.

"What?" Scar asked, tilting his head.

"Sorry, I'm just laughing at how my first impressions of you were very different from how you act."

Scar smiled. "Yes, I know I'm amazing."

"Shut up!!" Grian giggled, elbowing him.

Scar chuckled and smiled, kissing his forehead.

Grian smiled and leaned against him.

For the first time in a long while, Grian felt like maybe he wasn't as alone as he thought. Maybe this could work, after all.