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The day started fine. Everything was going amazing, he woke up with a clear mind, and was ready for school quite quickly. So why ? Why was he trying to hide tears in his own kitchen ? Why was he holding himself like his life depended on it ? Why was the fridge so loud and the lights so bright ? Why did he feel like his shirt weighed tons compared to this morning ?
Was it because of the surprise Machinery test ? Was it because right after his classmate decided to be loud and just so much ?
Whatever caused it, the only thing Mumbo is certain of is that everything feels too much and he can’t do anything about it. He is so focused on trying not to cry that he doesn’t even hear the door opening and closing. He doesn’t hear the voice asking if anyone’s home, doesn’t hear the footsteps getting closer. The only thing he manages to understand is that a very gentle hand is guiding him into his room.
Upon entering his room the lights got instantly dimmer, almost like nothing was on. He then feels another hand joining the one guiding him. Those hands are so soft and gentle, like someone cares about him so much they’re scared of hurting him with a simple touch. The next thing he knows is that he is laying down on his bed clinging to someone, he takes a deep breath and the smell of someone that is so definitely Impulse hit him. Almost instantly he can breathe again, the sounds seem so much quieter and anything that overwhelmed him seems to have disappeared.
That’s when he felt a pair of lips on his own. A small kiss, quick and full of care and appreciation. Then he hears Impulse’s very quiet voice, as to not overwhelm him. “You okay Mumbo ?”
Feeling drained and so very tired, Mumbo can only manage a small nod. Impulse, as the sweet being he is, accepts his response, and just gives him another kiss while drawing patterns on Mumbo’s back with his hand. And they stayed like that, sharing kisses from time to time, trying to get Mumbo to fully calm down. It could have been hours or just thirty minutes, the mustached man couldn’t tell you. He was just enjoying a peaceful time with one of his best friends. At one point he wondered why Impulse kissed him on the mouth but the thought did not linger for too long as Mumbo fell asleep rather quickly.
Impulse was glad he pocketed his phone instead of putting it away when he saw Mumbo. Now that his friend was sleeping cuddling him, he could only do one thing and it was to watch youtube or whatever could entertain him until Mumbo wakes up. While doing so, he keeps thinking about all that happened. School was good, he got a good grade on his Engineering test, he had some coffee with Skizz before coming home. Basically a great day ! But seeing Mumbo in the middle of a panic attack upon entering the kitchen had not been in his plan for today. He doesn’t regret it, not at all, he’d help his friends a million times over then having some fun. He kind of improvised on the fly not necessarily knowing what to do. He remembered how Skizz helped him a few times before and decided to try and do the same. The only thing he should have thought twice was kissing Mumbo. He should have asked beforehand and now that everything is calm again, Impulse can’t stop feeling bad about this kiss. He will have to talk to Mumbo about this, have a proper discussion and set some boundaries when this happens.
Around an hour later, Impulse could hear Skizz enter the apartment and start preparing dinner as it was his turn tonight.
Impulse and Skizz
6 Nov 15
Impulse : I'm with Mumbo, in his bedroom. He's sleeping. When dinner's ready can you like, send me a text or knock quietly on his door please ?
Skizz : sure buddy I gotcha !
Skizz : is MJ okay ?
Impulse : He will be. But yeah don't want to wake him up you know ?
Skizz : yeah of course ! I'll let you know when dinner's ready !
Impulse : Thanks bud :)
A few minutes later he heard two small knocks on Mumbo's door. He mentally thanked Skizz, promising himself to bake him some cookies. He then turned to Mumbo and started to quietly wake him up. He could feel Mumbo getting even closer and humming not wanting to wake up. And as much as he wanted to let his friend sleep, they both needed to eat something.
After dinner, when everyone went to sleep, Impulse and Mumbo were sitting on the couch with hot chocolate either on the small table or in their hands. Mumbo waiting for Impulse to talk and Impulse trying to find the words. After a few seconds of remembering all he’s been thinking about he simply starts with a sorry.
1…
2…
3 long seconds of silence.
“What ?” Mumbo blinked so confused. What was Impulse apologizing for ? He did nothing wrong. Not wanting the silence to settle, the Engineering student kept talking. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have kissed you like that without asking. It wasn’t right of me to do so. So I wanted to apologize.”
Mumbo nodded his head now understanding what he was talking about but he was quick to reassure him, saying that he didn’t mind at all and that it helped him.
“Impulse, if you felt uncomfortable kissing me you don’t have to do it again. I mean, it helped me feel like I was back on earth and not just high in my head. You know how sometimes people play with fidget toys or with their hands to avoid getting overwhelmed. Or how they can touch things to help ground themselves ? Well kissing you was like that to me. The feeling of lips touching was grounding.. If that makes any sense ? Or I’m just rambling and that doesn’t make any sense and I made a fool of myself. Oh my goodness me, I made a fool of myself didn't I ? I’m so sorr-”
It was all he managed to say, Impulse cutting his rambling and putting a stop at those self deprecating thoughts Mumbo was having.
“Mumbo, I don’t mind. Not at all. And you made perfect sense. If it helps you I’ll gladly kiss you. There is nothing wrong with it. I just want you to be happy and comfortable
-Thank you, that means a lot.
-No problem bud ! No let's go to bed we still have School Tomorrow”
Mumbo let a displeased groan out but still left his empty mug in the sink before going to bed.
The day started fine. Everything was going amazing, he woke up with a clear mind, and was ready for school quite quickly. Everything changed at the end of the day. Mumbo was at his desk when he received a text. He didn’t want to check it at first, his friends knew he was gonna work and the JC had nothing planned tonight. But when he checked the screen and saw who wrote him ? Let’s just say the homeworks were quite quickly forgotten.
Grian.
Grian just texted him.
His Grian just texted him.
Mumbo didn’t know what to feel, he was relieved of course, his best friend is alive ! But he didn’t know what to say. He was so lost. It’s been so long without any response to any of his messages. He missed him so much.
The mustached man quickly left his desk and started pacing in his room. He was sitting on his bed, at his desk, he was walking around but nothing helped him calm down. Not even his new fidget toys Impulse got him. At one point he just sat on the floor, his phone in front of him, the screen lit up. His head was filled with questions.
Is Gri okay ? Do I still get to call him that ? Will he be mad at me for leaving the UK ? For making new friends ? For not waiting for him ? Is he safe ? Is he speaking to me because he wants to ? Or is it a prank ? If not, do the others know ? Is Grian safe ? Will he visit the US ? Will he get close to the JC ? Are they gonna like him ? Do I still like him ? Or am I overthinking his return ? Is Grian, my Grian safe ? Will he be mad at me for kissing Impulse ? Wait, I kissed Impulse !!! Multiple times !!! And he said nothing ! And he kissed me ! Are we in a relationship ? Were we in a relationship and I didn’t know ? Does that mean I will have to break up with Impulse ?
And that’s how Impulse found Mumbo, just staring at his phone, on the floor of his room, overthinking and on the verge of tears. He kneeled next to him and put a hand on his shoulder calling his name in hope he would answer. Luckily he did. Mumbo looked up to Impulse, his mouth opening and closing without being able to make any sounds.
“You good man ?”
A nod.
“Do you want or need anything ?”
Another nod.
“Okay, cool. Can you speak ?”
This time Mumbo shook his head.
“Alright. Do you want anything to eat or drink ?”
A shake.
“Do you want physical contact ? Like hugs or kisses ?”
A pause…
Then a small nod.
“Alright, do you want to go back to your bed and hug there ? That way it’s more comfortable.”
This time he did not receive a shake or a nod, simply Mumbo grabbing his phone and standing up and starting to walk to his bed. He did not wait to fall on it and make grabby hands at his friend still kneeling on the floor.
Seeing Mumbo act like a little kid who demands attention puts a smile on Impulse’s face. He’s happy to help his friends with whatever they need. Sure people tend to call him the Mom friend, but it’s fine. Impulse stood up and joined Mumbo on his bed before enveloping his taller friend in a big bear hug.
When Mumbo was able to speak again, he told Impulse, saying how he's better now but doesn't want to stop cuddling. And they stayed like that for a while. Talking about anything and everything.
“Thank you… Honey ?”
That cut Impulse's rant about that new serie he watched. Mumbo talked so quietly he wouldn't have heard anything if they weren't so close.
“... What did you say ?”
Silence… Both of them looking in the eyes of the other. Both just so confused.
“... Are we in a relationship ?”
Impulse blink at his friend twice before slowly starting to laugh. At first it was in disbelief but after a few seconds it was a proper, real laugh that makes you want to laugh with them. Except Mumbo is too embarrassed and nervous to join him.
Impulse's laughter calmed down a little bit, enough for him to talk.
“I don't think so ?”
You could physically see the nervousness drain from Mumbo's body as he was struck down by relief like Zeus struck down Phaeton.
“Oh thank goodness !
-Alright you don't have to be mean about it !”
Impulse laughed again. This situation was just so crazy he couldn’t help it. Mumbo joined soon enough now that his nervousness left.
When they called down, another discussion was due. But this time Mumbo was the one initiating it.
“Impulse, can we calm down with the kisses ?
-What do you mean ?
-Can we avoid kissing as much as possible ? Keep them when it's necessary ?
-Okay got it. Keep the kisses as little as possible only when necessary. Describe a necessary situation ?
-Hum.. When I'm in the middle of a panic attack ? And nothing works to get me back here ? That's when you can kiss me ? I guess ?
-That's good, I can do that. Thank you for telling me Mumbo.”
Well that was easy. The mustached man is so glad to have understanding friends. He wouldn't know what to do without them. Impulse was amazing, and so comfortable. Mumbo just fell asleep, cuddling his friend, head on his chest listening to his heartbeat.
Yeah, maybe, just maybe, life will be nice.