Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Going out for patrol last night wasn't the greatest idea. Perhaps an idea that Grian would come to regret. 

He ran frantically through the forest, pushing every tree branch that came in his way, feeling small cuts start to form as the sharp ends of the leaves brushed violently against his skin. 

Grian felt the air huff out of him with every step he took. He didn't know how long he had been running for. He wouldn't be running if his wings weren't damaged from last night, he wouldn't be here if it weren't for someone being an idiot, but that didn't matter. What did matter was getting to him, saving him, seeing if he was okay was all that mattered to him.

Grian remembered how Scar had left in a hurry, hero costume fully on with his communicator in his hand. The sound of his teammate reported on his situation, but it was all too foggy to hear clearly from how he was only focusing on Scar at the moment. 

Grian got a kiss and an ‘I love you’ from the green eyed male until he hung onto his arm, telling him to explain, but he never did. Scar gently declined him before rushing to the door, yelling out a sorry and a goodbye, and leaving Grian alone in the apartment as he stared at the door where he once stood.

How Grian wished he had convinced him to stay.

He listened to the clock as it ticked with every second that passed by, and listened to the tv in the background playing the news channel that was filled with stupid opinions and assumptions. Grian petted Jellie who sat on his lap, purring in response. The grey cat brought him the only comfort he had. 

Scar randomly leaving without any context only stressed him out. There wasn't a second that passed by where he wasn't thinking about him, worrying. There was a feeling in his stomach that wouldn't go away, a feeling that was all too familiar whenever he was out on patrol as a vigilante. It felt like a pile of skulk in the bottom of his stomach, slowly chipping away on his insides. 

He hated it.

It was clear in his memory, the emotions and the sight was unforgettable. It was a memory that would haunt him forever.

Grian remembered coming back to his senses hearing the name Hotguy be announced on the news channel, almost leaving his seat to listen to what they had to say. Only a few words in, he was already up and leaving the house, taking barely anything with him, only leaving the house in his sweatpants and Scar’s hoodie that smelled like him. 

Scar, or in this case Hotguy, was standing in the middle of a field attacking a high tier villain. No one was there around him, his teammates were on the ground surrounded by puddles of their own blood leaving Scar the last person standing. 

The heroes were losing. 

Grian was frustrated, worried as he booked it out of the apartment. Which leads him to where he was now, in the forest nearby the battle field. 

With every step he took he went faster, slowly seeing the other side where he would hope to find Scar. A sign of hope. Hope that he is alive. Hope that everything will be fine. Hope that the heroes would win just this once. 

Hoping. 

Hoping to see Scar with that stupid smile on his face, asking him to go home.

Home.

Home, his home, his hope was gone.

Laying on the dirt, was his home. Surrounded by blood. Defeated. 

Grian’s legs felt light, knees buckling as he slammed them hard onto the dirt where he laid. He held his cold body, feeling his sweaty hair as he touched his face, feeling his warm blood, holding his hand tight in hopes he would hold his. 

He never did.

Grian’s eyes were glassy, his body trembling. He felt sick. Grian didn't want to believe, he didn't want to believe that the person he's finally let in was leaving him.  

The air was cold, the sounds of helicopters and voices started to approach them and yet the villain stood in front of them, watching with a smile on their face.

He regretted everything. Going out on patrol the other night, leaving the house with no gear on him, letting him leave the house, not following him like the nosy person he is. All of which would've prevented what was happening right in front of his eyes.

Scar’s death.

—---------------

His eyes snap open, shooting up from his bed. Grian gasps for air as he clenches his shirt, feeling the salty warm tears slide down his cheeks. He wanted to throw up, but at the same time he couldn’t. 

‘Was that all just a dream?’ he questioned himself. It all felt too real, the blood, the sounds of his cries, Scar’s death, surely it was a dream. If it was real, he would still be there holding Scar, waiting for his own death to come. He wished that wasn’t the case.

Looking to his side, Grian suddenly finds a black and brown furred cat cuddled up on his bed, a cat he hasn't seen in quite a while. “Maui…” Grian says, his voice sounded delicate and hurt, something Maui could obviously tell. 

Grian watched as Maui slowly morphed into his human form and hugged Grian tightly in his arms. With the comfort given by Maui, Grian started to silently cry.

Grian thought this was a dream

Long ago, Grian stumbled upon a street cat. After just a few pets and compliments the cat proceeded to follow him around everywhere. He had found it extremely cute and decided to bring it home. It wasn't even 2 weeks of having him when he found out his cat was a shapeshifter. Since super humans and hybrids existed, nothing was impossible in this world. He was a shapeshifter, but in this case he could only shift into a cat or human. Not only that, Maui could sense emotions which made him an amazing cat.

He still looked the same with just his fluffy tail and ears on a human kid body. He considered the cat as his child from there on out.

No one knew that Maui was a shapeshifter, Maui didn't have a proper citizenship either so if he was found by heroes who knows what would happen. The only people who knew were Joel, Jimmy, Lizzie, Pearl, Scott, two of his coworkers and Scar, they told nobody and swore to never tell anyone.

He takes in his surroundings, but nothing seems right. 

Grian didn’t remember his room looking like how it is now, no signs of Scar’s clutter, just his stuff. It reminded him of how it looked in the past. How his room was a combination of his work office and his room, walls packed with blueprints. It was no longer the room that Grian and Scar once shared, he was no longer in Scar’s apartment. 

‘Why is Maui still here…’ Grian thought, glancing over to his cat, Maui. Maui wasn't supposed to be here. He was supposed to be…

Getting out of bed, Grian carefully makes his way to the door. He reaches out for the doorknob until he hesitates, scared of what was on the other side. 

With a deep breath he grabbed the doorknob and opened the door. 

“Morning Grian!”

“Joel…” 

Grian's eyes widened as he found Joel standing right in front of him. He was still in his pjs, the ones he would always wear, his hair was a mess, and he had that contagious smile on his face. 

He glanced over his shoulder to find piles of boxes behind him down the hall, sitting on the living room floor. Each and everyone of them were labelled different things. Clothes, tech, toiletries, donation box, Joel’s random stuff…Joel.

Joel was moving out, but that day was ages ago. 

He remembered living together with Jimmy and Joel in their little shared apartment. Sure it was hectic living with them, but the moments they shared were unforgettable. The late night hangouts in one of their rooms after work, the stupid jokes they would make to each other, bothering, pranking and causing trouble to some of their friends, and naming their trio the Bad Boys. 

With their parents being unknown and living together since they were children, they found it fair to consider each other as brothers, even though they might not be purely related.  

It all changed when Jimmy found someone to love. He moved out, leaving just him and Joel. He visited as much as he could, and their daily schedule changed without a certain bad boy in the group. 

With Jimmy gone, the interactions with one another became less frequent. It felt as if they were slowly breaking apart, but at the same time they weren't. They were all just busy. 

Grian was happy that Jimmy had found someone to love, finally living his life, moving on. That's what he wished for him. With Joel movin out, he was happy for him too. He was moving on, he found love, he found a reason to live for. It was now Grian's turn to do so. However, it wasn't easy for him back then.

But all of that was in the past. 

Why was he here then?

Was this all just a dream again?

“G-”

What really happened?

“Gri-”

Was he still alive?

Was he…

back in the past?

“GRIAN!”

“Yeah?”

Grian snapped out of his thoughts, hearing Joel call out his name. There was a glimpse of worry on his face, like he knew the reason for him spacing out. Joel could easily read him like a book.

“Are you okay pal? You've been spacing out for a while.” Joel questioned Grian. “Yeah, I was just thinking.” Grian lied, he was confused. “What's the date today?” he asked the taller male, anxious. Grian didn't want the answer he was thinking of, afraid to face the reality he would have to live with.

“I didn’t expect you to forget, you really didn’t want this day to come. It’s April 19th, 2023 Grian.” Joel told him with a smile that was also laced with concern. Last time he checked it was September. His idea was right. He was now in the past. Grian wasn’t sure what to do now. Everything was coming at him in waves, he wasn’t sure how to handle it all.

“Grian, are you sure you're okay? I can tell that brain of yours is running miles right now.” Grian stared back at Joel. He was unsure if he should tell him or not. “I just…don't want you to leave.” He frowned. “I’m not actually leaving Grian. I’ll always come back like Jimmy does. We can’t have the Bad Boys disbanding.” Joel smiled. He always seemed to brighten up Grian’s mood whenever he was at his lowest from past experiences. 

“Now come and help me pack these boxes into the moving truck.” Joel patted his shoulders before he went back to his room. Grian lifts his hands, burying his face in them. He was going to have to think of a plan later. 

~

Going back and forth from the apartment to the truck was easy, easier than he remembered. He remembers the countless trips they had to make with the heavy boxes, and back then he didn’t have the strength he had built up now. He was thankful that his strength wasn’t one of the things that had changed from going to the past. He wondered what else stayed.

Everything had left Grian’s mind when spending time with Joel. He enjoyed the time he spent with him. He really missed this. 

When Jimmy and Joel moved out, they all started to become distant with one another. Before Scar’s ‘death’ , it had been a month since they talked. Being able to see them again brings warmth to Grian. He missed them.

“I guess this is goodbye then.” Joel tells Grian from the outside of the apartment, holding the last box of items. “You say that as if you're leaving forever.” Grian smirks. “You know what I mean.” The two laughed with joy before it had gone silent again.

“I'll see you soon then?” “Yeah” Grian watched Joel leave, but something in him told him to do something. 

“Grian?” Joel felt someone hug him from behind and turning his head he found Grian. Grian had to hug him. He hadn't seen him in a long time and he wanted to have one last hug just in case things went wrong. 

“Thanks for everything Joel.” 

“Okay, now you're making it sound like I'm dying and it's the end of the world.”

“Shut up!” Grian hits Joel lightly as the two of them laugh. “I swear at this point I’m not gonna be moving. But really Grian, I think you'll be fine! I see a bright future ahead of you!.” Joel reassures Grian, but from the last thing Joel said he wasn't so sure about that.  “Okay I'll actually let you go now.”

“Bye Grian!”

“Bye Joel! Say hi to Lizzie for me!”

“Of course!”

Grian closed the door and walked into the half empty apartment. Immediately he fell to his knees and curled into a ball and cried.

“What am I gonna do now?” Grian sobbed.

He was lost. He had so many questions that were left unanswered. It hit him that he was in the past. It hit him that he watched Scar die and might have to relive it again. Everytime he thought about it, the memories would flash into his head. Grian wouldn't be able to stand seeing him like that again. 

'Could this be a second chance?’ Grian thought, opening up many doors of different possibilities. It was a chance for him to change his wrong doings and make them right, to save Scar, to give him what he deserves. 

That was his mindset, his goal, to save Scar. It was the best plan until he could go and visit someone, someone who would know more about time travelling.

—---------

Grian felt like he was back at rock bottom. Everything was now back to the way they were, and it wasn't a good thing. His apartment felt lonely once again, he would have to remark every test he had given his students, and the fact that he time travelled still shocked him. What he was thankful for was he knew what his future self would do so all he had to do was repeat what he did again, it was just hard and time consuming. Something he didn't have enough of.

Nothing was a problem living in the past so far. He only hated how he woke up without Scar by his side, or in the kitchen. It didn't feel normal. Grian really misses Scar. His sleep schedule was still horrible. He had spent the whole day and night just thinking and brainstorming to the point where he went to bed at 3am, not to mention he would have to go to work the next day. 

He had come to the conclusion that he was going to follow the timeline until he got more information. He was unsure if he were to do something different he would ruin the whole universe somehow. However, he still wanted to be a better person, a better person to Scar. Last night Grian promised himself that he would give Scar what he deserved. He was never as affectionate as Scar was to him at first until near the date of his death, and Grian now knew he deserved his love way back then. He was going to do that. Grian was going to make up for all the mistakes he had made, that's for sure.

Grian wore his casual clothes, his red sweater and his black pants. He was actually excited to head to work, thinking of it as a way to distract himself from all the stress he had been building up. 

He was excited to see Gem and Impulse who he hasn't seen in a while. The two of them were amazing architects, talented and creative. They also worked for the heroes and in the future they also helped Grian with his vigilante shenanigans. Of course, without permission from the hero court.

“Griba, are you okay?” “Huh?” Grian faced Maui who sat on the counter eating a box of crackers. “You've been off since yesterday. Did something happen?” Grian frowned and averted his eyes to the ground. 

Grian didn't know whether to tell the truth or to keep his mouth shut. If he were to tell Maui it would be a lot for him to take in, he is only a child. At the same time Grian felt like he should tell him, he could save him too.

Save Maui from what the future has in store for him.

“Maui, there's something that I need to tell you…” Maui stares into Grian’s eyes, having a sense of what may come. “What is it?” “I time travelled.” Grian watches Maui smile which turns into a burst of laughter. The sound of the cat’s laughter fades away as he notices that his parent wasn’t laughing, Maui notices that Grian wasn’t joking around.

“You’re not lying are you?” Grian shakes his head. Maui could tell from the moment he woke up yesterday that he was holding in so much, and with Grian telling him this he was able to understand why he was acting the way he did. 

“I don’t know how I got here, but I did anyway. Maui, you don’t understand what happens in the future. It was so bad but so good! I found someone to love, created such amazing friendships, healed from the past, but at the same time I lost so much!” Grian cried as he dropped down to the floor with both of his hands covering his face. Maui quickly hopped down from the counter as he went to the side of his dad and comforted him with soft back rubs.

“What happened?” “I lost him Maui, he died right there. There are so many things I could've done. If I had just convinced him to stay then maybe everything would've been fine…” with every word that spilled from Grian’s mouth scared Maui and filled him with sympathy. The thought of him being in pain to only come back to the pass to possibly relive everything again hurts him.

“Papa, now is the time to fix everything and make everything you've done wrong right.” Maui told him. “You need to get up now! You're gonna be late to work again!” Maui shouted at Grian as he stood up looking for the man's bag. Grian laughed with joy, making Maui smile to see his parental figure somewhat happy again.

“Thanks Maui…”

“Anything for papa! Just tell me everything later when you're back home.” Maui responded with a gentle smile. Grian was thankful to have a cat or well kid like Maui.

On the verge of being late for work, Grian takes his shoulder bag, shoving in whatever he needs. He grabs the stack of binders and piles a few papers on top. Walking down the crowded street with wings was no joke. Grian was always going to be a little bit late to whatever it was, and if it was work his boss usually wouldn't mind since he knew how he was. Slipping his shoes on Grian spreads and stretches his wings out one last time before booking it out of the apartment.

“Bye Maui! I'm leaving Scar-” ‘Oh…’ Grian stopped himself from talking any further. He had grown used to saying goodbye to Scar and he was saying it as if he was still here. Scar didn't even know he existed at the moment. With a frown he took one last glance at the apartment before leaving. 

Maui wondered who this Scar was. He knew this Scar was someone important to Grian. Maui was sure to ask him about it later.

~

Entering the streets all Grian could hear was the sounds of traffic, someone playing guitar on the streets, and the sound of laughter and voices filled his ears. The street walk was quite spacious for it being early in the morning.

Taking a look through his stash of blueprint drafts and the papers of his student’s assignments all in one binder, he counted everything to see if he had forgotten anything. It would be a hassle if he had to go back into his apartment to grab a single piece of paper. 

“One, two, three… samples of some buildings, there are about 2-” With a yelp Grian stumbled backwards until he had regained his balance, he had bumped into something firm. 

“Oh no…” He whispered as he caught his eyes on all of his papers and binders on the ground. Grian squatted down and quickly started to pick up everything he could. Curse him for being so damn clumsy.

In the matter of seconds he was able to pick everything up, leaving the binder for last. He was never going to start checking off his list of things in the middle of the streets ever again. 

Reaching out for the binder his hand collided with another, their hand over his. This person’s hand was tan, decorated with unique scars.

With wide eyes Grian glances above him to find a gorgeous handsome man in front of him with green emerald eyes, and had scars that complimented his face. They stared at each other for a while, their hands still overlapping until the taller male smiled. His heart skipped a beat. Grian was falling in love all over again.

Falling in love with Scar.

“I'm so sorry.” Grian snatched the binder into his arms, leaving Scar’s touch as he immediately stood up. He noticed how flustered he was getting when the other stood up after him. He was falling in love with him as if it was the first time he has ever saw him

Grian did not know encountering Scar would be part of his agenda today. He had forgotten that after the day of Joel moving away, it was the day he first met Scar. Truly unforgettable. In this case he was too focused on getting up in the morning and recovering from seeing Scar’s death. 

“Oh! It's not a problem!” Scar beamed. He was still the same. Scar reached out his hand towards Grian, handing him a piece of paper he had missed while he was picking up everything else. 

“Here's your paper by the way.” “Thanks.” Grian sighed in relief as he placed the paper into his pile. He would have been set back days worth of work if he was missing a single piece of paper. 

“So architecture huh?” Scar mentioned to him, trying to create a conversation with him. Grian got a spark of deja vu. He remembers having a conversation about his job the first day they met. “Yeah, I decided to major in architecture and look where I am now. Designing builds for heroes and teaching multiple students in university.” back in the past Grian wasn’t only just studying to become an architect, but also preparing for his vigilante debut. 

“From what I saw you make beautiful designs. Anybody would be happy to have you as their architect.” Scar said in which Grian responded with his cheeks turning pink. “So you looked at my blueprints?” He mumbled, darting his eyes everywhere but Scar’s eyes. “Yes! One's work will resemble them, like your beauty.” Grian swerved his head to the side, keeping his face out of Scar’s view. He swore he probably looked like a tomato.

Grian will never get used to Scar’s flirting, he will always get a reaction out of him. When they actually first met up, Scar’s flirting didn't really work with him since Grian barely knew him. Although it did make him blush. As time went by Grian eventually started falling for Scar and his flirting became one of his weaknesses. Now that he was back in the past, he was aware that his flirting would bring him into a coma. Scar was still charming as ever with his words.

Grian took another look at the male. As he stared into his eyes he couldn't help but think about his death, blood covering his body. Grian had missed him for the past day hoping to see him, but now that he was here right in front of him guilt consumed him. The image of his dead body glaring at him. Grian wasn't just embarrassed but also terrified. He didn't deserve to see him.

“I should get going now…I gotta go to work.” Grian stated with an awkward smile as he turned away from him. Leaving him this early into the conversation could possibly change the future, but maybe that was for the best.

“Wait!” A voice called out, feeling a hand touch his arm that prevented him from leaving. Shocked, Grian turned his head back to find Scar grabbing his hand with urgency. He didn't recall this happening at all. This was new to him. 

“Don't leave…” Scar pleaded. His voice sounded desperate as he was the one now trying to hide his face. “Why?” Grian asks. “I don't know…something is telling me that I want you to stay. There's something about you that interests me.” Scar took another deep breath before he continued. “You feel so familiar, something about you is just…I don't even know how to explain it, and I…” Scar stopped speaking, making Grian assume he didn’t want to talk about it any further.

Scar was acting differently from how he remembered this moment. He never begged him to stay or confess anything like what he said to him, Scar simply just asked for his number. He might have changed the past. 

Scar seemed to remember him, well his heart and body seemed like it did, but his brian wasn’t able to recall who he was. All of the memories they had together were gone, but his heart remembered it all. Grian smiled gently as he looked at the taller male. He was happy to know that at least there was a chance to have him back, that Scar remembered him in some way.

“What's your name?” Scar looked at the dirty blond male with wide eyes until they turned soft. “Scar.” “I'll give you a chance, Scar. I'm really starting to like you. Let's meet up soon, you know, to hangout.” Grian smiled as he handed him his business card with all the information about him Scar could need for the time being. His past self was never this bold, on the other hand he felt like this was right.

“Text me when you can! See ya Scar!” Grian shouted as he turned back to wave Scar off with a big smile. 

He was happy.

~Scar’s POV~

His morning goal was to get a nice hot coffee to start off his day at work as a hero. He desperately needed that boost of energy from the coffee that wasn’t overly bitter like how Mumbo would like his. Gross.

The streets were bustling with activity. People were on their way to their own jobs, students were studying in cafes, and store owners were just opening up their shops. The city was truly beautiful when there wasn’t any trouble occurring.

Of course just as he was walking down the streets he felt something bump into him. Scar didn’t react at all, he was Hotguy, his chest was practically a wall made of concrete.

“Oh no…” He heard the other whisper. Scar looks down to find papers and binders everywhere. Scar couldn’t just leave this person without any help. 

This person’s hands were fast, delicate, and slightly pale. He grew curious. 

Scar looked down at the paper in his hand, scanning it. It was a blueprint of a house, a draft it seemed to be. Even though it was a draft he couldn’t help but find it beautiful. The person was probably an architect. If he hadn’t found the architect he had design his apartment for him, he probably would have hired this stranger instead.

His eyes left the paper as he went to grab the last binder that laid on the ground, a hand touched his. 

‘Soft..’ He immediately thought and Scar couldn’t help but want to see this person. Lifting his head right away he was completely mesmerised with the sight in front of him. 

His hair was a dirty blond colour and looked incredibly fluffy, he wanted to just run his fingers through his hair. His eyes were a pretty black that made him look innocent in a way, and in front of his eyes were glasses that suited his face shape. He had gorgeous big colourful wings, colours of parrot’s wings. The male in front of him was stunning that his beauty left him breathless.

Without noticing the other male was also staring at him. The two basked in each other’s eyes until Scar smiled. Something about this blondie made him feel some type of way.

“I'm so sorry.” Scar watched as the blond snatched the binder into his arms quickly, standing up in one quick movement. He felt the warmth of the other’s hand leave him. A pang of disappointment strikes his heart and he doesn't know why.

“Oh! It's not a problem!” He smiled widely. The beautiful winged male intrigued him. Looking down to his hands he remembered he had the other’s piece of paper. 

“Here's your paper by the way.” “Thanks.” Scar watched at the sigh in relief. They had no reason to be talking together now, which meant he was about to leave him. Scar didn't want that.

“So architecture huh?”

Scar saved the conversation. In all honesty he didn't want to leave the blondie. If he did, he doubts that he would encounter him in the future. Scar should've been going on with his day, getting his coffee and walking to the hero quarters, but he isn't. He is taking his sweet time talking to a cute teacher that he can't seem to get enough of. 

After their small little conversation the other stared at him, leaving Scar confused. ‘Is he observing me?’ he thought as he looked back into his eyes. He wondered what he was thinking about. He wondered why he looked at him with such knowingness, as if he knew something or he knew him somehow. 

“I should get going now…I gotta go to work.” On instinct, Scar grabbed his hand, stopping the male in his tracks. He didn't think at all, he didn't know why he stopped him, he just knew it was right to do so. The beautiful male turned his head to face him, confused and shocked as Scar looked down to where their hands were intertwined. 

“Don't leave…” He whispered, waiting for the other to say something. “Why?” Scar wanted to melt away when he heard the word ‘Why’ . There were so many reasons why he wanted the other to stay, it was just hard to explain.

“I don't know…something is telling me that I want you to stay. There's something about you that interests me.” Scar took another deep breath before he continued. “You feel so familiar, something about you is just…I don't even know how to explain it, and I…”

‘I want you, my heart wants you.’ Scar thought, but it never came out his mouth. His heart wanted him, it was calling out to him. Scar didn't know why he felt this way, why this stranger was making him feel this way, but it felt right. This stranger felt right.

“What's your name?” Scar looked back up in shock with wide eyes to see the blond smiling. Oh was that a sight to see.

“Scar.”

“I'll give you a chance, Scar. I'm really starting to like you. Let's meet up soon, you know, to hangout.” 

~

Just as Grian walked only a block away from the man he felt his phone lightly vibrate in the pocket of his pants. Opening his phone revealed a text message from a random number.

‘Hi birdy! It's Scar :D’

Grian immediately smiled at the text, feeling the butterflies in his stomach flutter around continuously. Even though Grian knew Scar would come to fall in love with him (Grian knows he literally already is), he couldn't help but feel overjoyed. 

Every moment going forward would feel like it was happening for the first time. 

Tightly holding all his items in his arms, Grian taps his keyboard, changing the contact name of the handsome man.

Scar ♥︎

~

After first period Grian had plenty of time to spare thanks to having nothing to mark anything for his students, and what better way to spend it by writing out a timeline for the next upcoming hours. It really wasn't much. The only important upcoming event in the next few hours would be his vigilante debut, which obviously has gotten a downgrade. From there Grian started working his vigilante costume since he had nothing to do. His boss didn't seem to notice and there was no work left for him to do for a while.

In the spare time he had he was able to redesign his costume to how he originally liked it and added small upgrades to his weapons, a little bit better than what they were from the future.

As time ticked by the end of his shift came and it was time for him to get ready to head back home. He had no other classes to teach since they had been cancelled due to some problems in the lecture halls. Considering he had no work to do at all, Grian was going home early. His shift would end at 6 which he considers early, but if he were to leave at 7 instead of 6, that's on time. 

His brain had a weird way of functioning.

“Hey Grian!” Grian turns his head to the side, averting his attention away from his phone from the call of his name. 

“Hi Impulse, did you need something?” The person that called out for him was Impulse, one of his fellow amazing coworkers and friends. 

“Tango told me that your outfit and dagger have been sent to your apartment already. Should be there once you get home.” Grian smiled widely, happy to be able to debut with everything back to normal. “Thanks so much Impulse! I have so much to repay you for.” “It's not a problem G!”

Impulse knew that he was planning on becoming a vigilante for a while. He was one of the people that have helped him get the image he would have in the future.

Earlier ago, Grian begged Impulse to help him out on upgrading technically his whole wardrobe at the last minute. Since Impulse had connections to some people who were or worked for the heroes, he was able to get in contact with someone who could help him out. That person would be Tango, his future supplier.

Everything was already done and finished just like he had expected knowing how talented the man is.

The reason why Impulse had connections to the heroes and the people who work for them is because the university wasn't just a school, but also the main company that has to deal with the after damage of any thing that happens involving the heroes. If a building were to crumble down after a villain attack, they would be in charge to redesign the building, and whatever was damaged and be in charge of the many jobs needed to build it back up. 

Grian wasn't just a teacher, but he also helped rebuild and redesign buildings. He loves what he does. 

“Oh yeah! Gem told me to tell you to meet her at her office before you leave. She has something to give you.” Impulse told Grian, bringing a memory back into his brain. “Okay! I'll see you later Imp!” “Bye G!”

Grain scurried down the hallway to Gems office, trying to remember to keep a smile on his face. He already knew what Gem called him for, and he was going out on a patrol for the ‘first time’, his first impression that he would make to the world. He was anxious every passing second, suffocating himself with the memories of the future.

Opening the door of Gem’s office, he was greeted by sight of Gem and a box of delicious looking red velvet cupcakes sitting on her desk. He would just ask for the whole box at this point. 

“Griannnn! Surprised to see that you're actually wearing a bag instead of holding all your stuff in your arms.” Gem joked, causing Grian to be a bit embarrassed. “Shut up. I found a spare bag in my office and decided to make use of it.” Everything he said was true, he didn't want to relive what happened in the morning. Plus, he could have two cupcakes now.

“Yeah yeah. Here you can take two cupcakes. Take it as a thank you for everything you've done for me.” Grian remembered how this moment was a core memory for him in the future.

He remembered how often he would ask Gem or Impulse if they wanted to help him with marking some of his student's homework from time to time. Sure it sounded more boring compared to designing buildings, but Grian knew how stressful it could be when it comes to rebuilding buildings and being in charge. 

Grain offered it a lot especially to Gem. She was always a creative person and Grian knew how limited their creativity could be when it came down to certain projects, especially when the client wants a certain design. Asking Gem and Impulse if they wanted to help with his teacher duties helped them all relax and connect with each other. With that Grian watched Gem slowly restore her mental health because of the bonding sessions they had together. Since he had done so much for her, Gem repaid him in cupcakes. It was a heartwarming memory.

“You know you didn't have to, right? I don't expect anything back from you no matter what I do for you. I do it because it's what's best.” “Come on Grian, just take this as a thank you. You've done so much for me, it's the least I can do.” Grian smiled gently and went in for a hug. He was grateful to have such a thoughtful friend like Gem.

“Thanks Gem.” Grian held two cupcakes in his hand, already taking a bite into one of them. “Of course Griba! Now go! You have a long night ahead of you!” She tells him as she slowly pushes him out of her office. 

“Byeeeeee!” Before he could say his goodbye the door shut in his face. He wouldn't be able to respond anyways with the cupcake he stuffed in his mouth. 

Grain continued on outside of the building heading back home. Surprisingly the sun was still up, an hour before sunset.

Both Impulse and Gem knew he became a vigilante. Without them he wouldn't have become one thanks to their support. 

At first the two weren't fond of the idea of him becoming a vigilante, scared for his safety. However, they knew they wouldn't be able to change his mind so they had to accept the fact that this was what he wanted. Because the two were scared for his safety they made sure that his gear was as protective as possible, getting the help from others that they knew. 

Grian was overly thankful for them and what they have done for him. The two were some of the people that supported through thick and thin during his journey.

As the sun slowly ascended down, people starting to make their way home, and heroes slowly starting to appear as the dark night arrives where the villains come out to play, Grian makes his way back to his apartment. 

He was ready, 

ready for his vigilante debut.

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“Hotguy, it's time to get your head out of the clouds mate.”

“Can you really blame me right now Mumbo? He looks absolutely adorable stuffing his mouth with cupcakes! And his smile is so pretty…” Scar watched Grian from above from on top of a building, admiring from afar.

He was out on patrol with his coworker Mumbo and all of a sudden he sees Grian, walking around with a cupcake in his hand. He was supposed to be doing important stuff like keeping an eye out for trouble, but Scar couldn't help but keep his eyes on the beautiful avian.

“You've literally just met him this morning and you're already obsessed with him. Sure he's very attractive, but come on!” Mumbo argued to Scar, but he didn't care. Scar didn't just see Grian as ‘very attractive’ but a literal angel from the heavens, and he wasn't obsessed, was he? For a guy he just met in the morning he thinks he's on pretty good terms with the blond so far.

“Also you can't be calling me that name, we're on patrol you idiot.”

“Sorry! It's just him. Something about him…” Scar hears Mumbo sigh from behind him, feeling his presence. 

“He looks like someone who can easily attract people. Play your cards right, someone might also be trying to make him theirs.” He mentioned which made Scar grimace.

Mumbo wasn't wrong. Grian looks were far beyond average and even Mumbo agreed that he was very attractive himself. Of course Scar would have competition.

Scar, knowing how he is himself, knows that he could make Grian his. Scar just hoped the feelings would be reciprocated. Even if it wasn't, he was going to make sure nothing happens to Grian. 

No matter what.

~

Grian stared at the mirror in awe. His hero costume was gorgeous. Tango does an amazing job at what he does. 

The vigilante suit was skin tight, well the top was. His top was very similar to the hero Hotguy himself. A skin tight shirt with a pink heart in 2 different shades in the middle, the back of the shirt revealed his defined back and his gorgeous wings, and on his right arm he wore a pink glove for when he held his dagger. 

His shorts were a long black that were decorated with a few pink and red coloured hearts, on the strap of his belt was his dagger holder and a gun holder for his pink paralysing gun that was very cute and looked like a gun version of cupid's bow. Knee pads sat on his knees, and his sneakers were a pastel pink. He truly loved the outfit.

To secure his identity he found a potion in his stash of potions he's been saving up that would erase the thought of anyone suspecting he was Grian. In their eyes he was just Cuteguy. 

To hide his identity even more he changed the colour of his wings to white with the tips of it pink instead of his iconic parrot colour palette. He also wore clear pink glasses that made him look 10 times cooler.

In all honesty, Grian thought he already looked like he had been doing this job for years, which he has been only for a few months.

Walking towards his window, Grian double checked if he had everything he needed to go on his ‘first’ patrol as a vigilante. 

Even if he knew what was going to happen in the next hour or so, he was still terrified. Later he was going to get shot on the front of his elbow trying to escape from the heroes. Even if he knew that event was going to occur, that didn't guarantee his safety, that something else might pop up later. All he could do was hope and pray to not get killed. 

Checking to see if both his gun and dagger are secure in their holders, Grian opens the window and takes a deep breath.

“You got this…” he whispered, trying to comfort and reassure himself.

Then he falls.

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Grian felt free.

He missed flying when it had only been a few days. The wind in his hair and flying through the night sky was what he needed since he was going through all these chaotic events. Flying was his way of escaping everything and he could do this for hours, but he was on patrol so maybe he could enjoy this moment for a little while.

Looking down at the city from above was a sight to see. The dark barely took over and the light was blooming from all different places. Clubs and diners were open, the light of the multiple apartment complexes were shining, and people were outside enjoying the night with the people they love. 

Grian missed Scar. There wasn't a minute where he wasn't thinking about the man. He wished they weren't strangers at the moment, he wished that he could be out right now having fun with Scar at some festival or something, anything. 

Grian wished this stupid time travel didn't take him back this far into time and just a day before…before Scar’s death. At least then he could change everything in a blink of an eye. But no he was stuck here having to relive every moment, every happy and horrible moment that occurred in his life. 

“My dog!” A voice down below yelled out, a voice of a young boy. Grian slowly ascended down to the nearby roof, listening in on the conversation.

“Mommy! We need to get Lewis down!” The child cried as he pointed up to the dog who casually sat on the tree branch. Grian would never expect a dog to be stuck in a tree. 

“I'm sorry sweetie but we're going to have to wait for him to come down. Maybe find someone to take him down from there…” the mother reassured the kid, kneeling down to his level. She also seemed worried about the dog.

Grian hopped down from the building and made his way over to the tree. He lifted himself with his wings just a bit just so he could reach the dog.

It wasn't stubborn at all. The dog was a cute maltipoo with nice golden fur, it kinda reminded him of himself in a way. The small dog jumped into his arms, surprising Grian who then laughed at how cute the dog was. 

“Should really keep a tight hold on his leash!” Grian (or Cuteguy) joked at the two with a smile as he saw the leash hanging from the dogs collar. 

“Thank you! Say thank you to the hero Carl.” The boy looked up to Grian with curious eyes. However, a big smile grew on his face and stars glowed in his eyes. 

“Thank you sooo much for bringing Lewis down!” the kid ran up to him, giving him a hug. Grian melted. He had never gotten so much thanks and gratitude from a stranger. 

“Of course kiddo! Stay safe now!” Grian said his goodbye, but before he did there was something he needed to say.

“Oh! You can call me Cuteguy.”

And like that Grian flew away. Grian never encountered this family in the past, but he didn't regret meeting them, he was thankful. On the other hand, he now needed to focus on keeping everything else in balance as much as he could. Like the grandma that had lost her handbag, and in the future he found her again and repaid kindness back to him. 

Grian flies through the clouds making his way towards his destination.

Little did Grian know, someone was watching him from afar.

~

“Get back here rookie!” the hero yelled as he ran through the alleyway, following Grian. 

Unfortunately, Grian had bumped into them after stopping a small business robbery. This was supposed to happen and yet he still had the adrenaline of shock and the fight or flight mode in his system. 

There were two heroes trailing behind him. Grian knew exactly how to get out of this situation, but when he did escape in the past he got shot, he desperately wanted to avoid that. 

“I'm a rookie and yet you can't keep up with me! What a pity!” the words flew out of Grian’s mouth without thinking, guess that was the perks of being in the past. His statement seemed to anger the two heroes more. He should've kept his mouth shut, he knew that the reason why he got injured was from aggravating the two. Luckily for Grian he knew just when he was going to get shot, he was just waiting for the words to spill out.

“I'll kill you vigilante!” One of the heroes shouted out and Grian swerved to the right as a bullet sliced through the air. He had dodged the bullet, or so he thought.

A battle cry could be heard from behind him, and before Grian knew it, he felt immense pain in the back of his shoulder. Grian felt the blade slice through him to the point he could feel the blade coming out from the front of his shoulder. 

Grian cried out loud in pain.

As he felt the blade being brutally pulled out, he turned around and grabbed the gun that sat in its holder. He never wanted to do this, but now it was necessary to. 

“Fuck you.” Grian said with the energy he had left and pointed the gun towards the two. Like that a bright pink light shined in the dark and the two heroes were on the ground. Paralyzed. 

Seeing the heroes on the ground he ran as fast as he could, going as far as his feet could get him. He needed to get away from them as much as possible.

He felt the blood gush out his costume and his breath getting shallow every step he took. His running then turned into limping, then limping into supporting his weight on the brick wall. He coughed and what came out of his mouth was blood. Grian knew he had to get home as soon as possible, he was in a vulnerable state at the worst moment.

Grian swore he never recalled the hero coming behind him and stabbing him in the back. He was sure about it. As he leaned on the wall, he started to think deeply about it. When he had gotten shot with the bullet in the past he might have dodged a stab to the back from pure luck. Since he dodged the bullet he was right in line with the knife.

‘Smart’ Grian thought, seeing how if he were to go back in time again he would still have gotten out of the situation injured no matter what.

“Who are you?” A familiar voice questioned him all of the sudden. Looking up he saw Hotguy, Scar, standing a few steps in front of him. Even though he was still Scar their relationship isn't like how it was in the past, they used to be enemies. 

He could do anything to him because he was worth nothing to him.

“Get the hell away from me..” he threatened the other, holding his pink dagger up as defence. “You're playing a dangerous game, noobie. I suggest you stop your vigilante role play.” Hotguy suggested, giving him a warning. Grian forgot how annoying this man was before he started to get to know him, but Hotguy barely knows anything about him right now, he has no context. “Dangerous games are my favourite.” Grian bit back. 

The two glared at each other for a while, as if it was some kind of test. Grian observed closely, keeping his guard up. As much as he hated hurting Scar, to Scar he was a complete stranger, a problem he had to deal with. 

Just like that Scar attacked him out of the blue, just like Grian anticipated.

Hotguy pulled back the string of his bow, releasing an arrow towards his direction all in one swift and fast motion. It comes to Grian easily to lift up his dagger, hitting the arrow to the side. Hotguy just initiated a fight against him.

Just because he was injured doesn't mean he was completely vulnerable. Grian knew how to take pain, he's done it for years. Years .

Moving his body as quickly as he could, Grian appeared in front of Hotguy like the speed of light attempting to get a hit on his head with his leg, he was flexible after all. However, as expected from Hotguy, he dodged his kick sending a counter attack to his head in return. 

Scar was someone that Grian spared a lot. Out of all the people he has ever done it with, he was never able to defeat Scar and the same goes with him. They always ended up tying in some type of way.

Grian ducked his head watching Hotguy’s fist fly over him. With his dagger in his hand, Grian moves up and points the tip of his pink dagger to his throat, leaving the other in a position to surrender.

Although Grian had won it didn't seem fair. This was the past and Grian felt like he was still in the future.

“Noobie huh?” Grian scoffed, looking into the other's eyes. “You better watch your mouth Mr Hottie.” The nickname Grian gave felt ridiculous coming out of his mouth. He said the words with a straight face as if he was mocking his name. His response to that was a sweet smile. He felt like he lost a few years worth of his life.

“For someone who's injured gravely, you're not so bad yourself Cutie.” His smile was making Grian go crazy. His threats were doing nothing to the man. Scar saw them as empty threats. 

But little did Grian know, Scar was feeling something himself.

Hotguy was impressed at what the new vigilante could do. Usually the protocol when it comes to them is to arrest them on the spot for the use of supernatural abilities without a licence (to which Scar thought was pretty stupid), in the case the pink angel seemed like an expectation that Scar would let pass by. No one would know.

Just like earlier ago in the morning, Scar was getting the same feeling from this vigilante like how Grian made him feel. It felt stupid to like someone who is half against what you do. Scar didn't know, this vigilante just seemed different, one that he has never seen before.

Grian’s arm started to shake little by little as the pain in the back of his shoulder began to flare. He wanted to slump down to the cold concrete floor and just endure the pain there instead of holding his arm up to prevent Hotguy from pulling any tricks. It was clear that Scar could see how he was dealing with the pain. 

Grian needed to leave, but not without a bit of teasing.

He slid the dagger back into its sheath and pulled Hotguy from the collar of his shirt, bringing him close. Grian watched his eyes widen with light pink cheeks as they were close and almost against each other. 

“You underestimate me. Don't start getting over yourself, I'm just getting started.” Grian smiled, getting the sight of Scar’s blush from behind his sunglasses (which were ridiculous because it was the middle of the night). 

Before Hotguy could respond a smoke bomb engulfed them and it wasn't any ordinary smoke bomb, the smoke was pink.

Scar felt the vigilante’s hands leave his body, alarming him. He tried his best to get out the smoke, but it seemed endless no matter what he did. Eventually the air cleared up and he was the only one standing there, just alone.

He scanned the place looking for anything the vigilante could have left behind. Looking up to the sky he sees a figure looking down at him.

It was him, the vigilante. 

He was in a squat position, burying half of his face into his arms that rested on his knees. His wings were spread out widely. They looked like wings of an angel just with a light pink accent. 

Without even saying a word the vigilante left.

He couldn't help but find the vigilante stunning in that moment, maybe not just that one moment either.

Scar quickly attempted to cover his face with his free hand, turning away from where he last saw the man standing.

“Shit, what's going on with me today?”

~

The sound of the window opening violently catches Maui off guard from watching tv. Immediately turning his head, Maui finds Grian who was lying on the wooden floor, holding the back of his shoulder in pain. The window was wide open with the chilling wind blowing into the room, and blood painting the white window frame.

The whole flight back to his apartment was hell. Even though the injury wasn't on his wings, it still made his shoulders slightly move with each movement his wings made.

“Papa!” Maui cried, getting up from the couch to grab a nearby cloth. Maui kneeled down to Grian and placed the cloth to the back of his shoulder to which Grian responded with a hiss. “Fuck!” Grian could feel tears starting to spill out. 

He didn't remember the pain being this bad, maybe this was worse.

“Let's sit you down first and then I'll check on that wound.” Maui's voice was shaken up, Grian could tell that Maui was scared. 

Maui ran to the bathroom and snatched the medkit and a spare towel to lay onto the couch to avoid any blood getting onto it. He ran over to Grian and lifted his arm up and wrapped it to the back of his head, supporting Grian as he stood up and guided him towards the couch. 

Opening up the medkit the first thing he took out was bandages, alcohol, another small cloth, and scissors.

Maui starts to cut open Grian’s new suit with the scissors slowly and gently, revealing a large wound drenched in fresh and dried blood. The wound looked like a stab wound, but a deep one. Maui looks at the front of Grian checking for anything else and he sees a splotch of blood on the other side of where his stab wound sat.

“Oh my god…Papa it's horrible!” Seeing the wound had stunned Maui. It was the first time he had ever seen Grian this hurt. Not to mention the blade had gone through him.“I know Maui. I'll tell you everything and get a healing potion tomorrow, just…get it bandaged, please.” 

Grian just wanted to take a nap, but there was so much he had to tell Maui, so much to warn him about. 

Tomorrow he would have to run some errands too. Buying potions, getting another new suit, and buying more towels and medkit supplies. 

He seemed to know a lot about the future, however he didn't know about the consequences and there are missing key points he's missing. If he fucked up who knows what could possibly happen. 

Grian needed someone who could be an expert at these kinds of things and he knew the right person to go to.

Maui grabs a clean cloth and soaks it with alcohol mixed with a little bit of water. With a warning, he presses down on Grian's wound.

Grian cried in pain.