Chapter Text
Japan,
Twenty-five years before Season Six
It all seemed to happen so fast. One moment Pearl and him were just sitting in the hotel room, Mom and Dad had said that they were going to go get the four of them lunch. When Grian and Pearl had answered the door they expected to see their parents carrying the food they had promised to get.
Instead behind the door were multiple police officers and state workers.
“Are you Pearl and Grian?” The man sounded apologetic for a reason Grian did not know.
“Yes?” They both responded unsure of why the officer had been asking them.
“Let’s go for a walk.”
- - -
Grian could not remember what happened in the months that passed. He could not remember his parents' funeral. He could not remember when he and Pearl had gained Japanese citizenship nor when he had learnt the language. His memory did not do much better on how he and pearl had been separated but it did not matter to him how it happened just that it did.
- - -
Grian had been adopted by Jason and Sally, a pair of fellow avians. The adoption agency thought that doing this would help him adjust to the situation, but all it did was make him think more about Pearl and his parents.
He didn’t get to say goodbye to any of them
- - -
Lunch, Grian and Taurtis’ School
Twenty-Four years before Season Six
Grian stared across the classroom at a new student who had transferred between years. He was a bit tall for his age with tanned skin and short black hair. Grian found his outfit quite odd considering most opted to wear the school uniforms. He wore a blue shirt with black suspenders and blue and black headphones. Before he could really process the boy, he had already walked up to Grian.
“Hi, I'm Taurtis!” Grian just stared. None of the other students had ever really talked to him outside group projects.
“Erm hello?” Taurtis repeated
“Sorry, hi I’m Grian” The Conversation felt forced
After that awkward meeting Grian assumed that Taurtis would not talk to him ever again. He was proven wrong when Taurtis sat down next to him at lunch.
“Hi Grian!” Taurtis said excitedly
“Erm hi.” Grian did not know why he was being talked to and did not really appreciate it. He hoped not starting any conversations would cause Taurtis to walk away.
But in the weeks following Taurtis would sit down and just talk. It did not matter if Grian responded or even acknowledged him Taurtis would just talk. Eventually after weeks of this Grian started to make the conversation a little bit less one sided. Time passed and Grian considered Taurtis to be a friend. They would just talk about whatever was on their minds. But one topic always came up.
“I want adventure!” Taurtis said confidently
“Knowing you, one second off this server would be a death sentence.” Grian said jokingly.
“No it would not!” And this argument would continue over and over.
- - -
“Grian?”
“Yes?”
“Why do you have wings?”
Grian and Taurtis had been having their usual daily argument over which variety of peanut butter was superior when Taurtis asked Grian a question that he had not been expecting to be asked
“I’m an Avian, Why are you asking now?” Grian questioned
“Just never noticed them until now.”
Grian nearly spat out the water he was drinking
“How!?”
“Don’t know.”
“Well if you’re that non-perceptive you cannot argue crunchy peanut butter is better.”
“Yes I can and I will!”
- - -
Grian’s House
Twenty-two years before Season Six
“You're moving?” Grian asked in disbelief.
“I’ll only be an hour away by bus so you can come visit!” Taurtis had gotten used to how Grian had reacted to news.
“Okay, but I better not see you with a new ‘bestfriend’.” This was not how Grian had imagined his summer vacation to start.
“Of course not!” Taurtis replied pretending to be hurt by his words
“Well, call me everyday, okay?”
“If that’s what you want G”
- - -
Grian had never really enjoyed school. Sure he did well in his classes but his first year in Japan had felt like hell. Grian had never given up on trying to find his sister but it seemed no matter who he asked no one knew even the names of the people that had adopted Pearl. The Adoption agency had responded to his emails telling him to focus on his new family instead of dwelling on his past. He knew they were hiding something but he could never quite figure out what it was.
Although Grian was very thankful for Jason and Sally he did not really consider them his parents. Jason and Sally seemed to be fine with this so Grian did not try to change it, besides they had three other adopted children that were younger and needed more attention.
So Grian had spent most of his time talking to Taurtis.
Grian had never met Taurtis’ parents. From what he heard they were not very caring. They had told Taurtis he was moving three days before he had to leave. They had only paid tuition and expected Taurtis to figure out housing for some reason.
Some part of Grian wondered if Taurtis’ parents would even notice if he didn’t move.
But Grian had accepted that he would see Taurtis less and that was that.
- - -
Chat Log: Red & Blue
Taurtis added Grian
<Grian> Why did you make a group chat for just the two of us?
<Taurtis> ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
<Grian> If you were here I would slap you
<Taurtis> :o
- - -
May 17th
Twenty-one years before Season Six
Chat Log: Red & Blue
<Taurtis> Hey G! How's school been treating you?
<Grian> Not the best :/
<Grian> I miss you
<Taurtis> That’s actually why I wanted to talk to you. My school is looking for a student from a neighboring city next year and If you know someone in the school your chances of getting in are very likely! I was wondering if you would want to apply?
<Grian> You Know I would love to! But…
<Grian> Where would I stay? It’s not like Jason and Sally can just move to a new city because I want to go to a different school
<Taurtis> That’s a good point
<Taurtis> I’ve been staying with my friend Sam and we have a spare bedroom that you could use.
<Grian> Have you replaced me with this Sam fellow?
<Taurtis> …Maybe ;3
<Grian> TAURTIS
.
.
.
<Grian> In all seriousness, though, I’ll ask Sally and Jason about it.
- - -
Grian had been preparing to ask his foster parents for their permission for a couple hours but decided to bring it up at dinner. He had been thinking about the idea since Taurtis had asked it. He ultimately decided that there was no harm in asking.
Both of his very young siblings were already asleep so it would just be Sally, Jason, Jimmy, and him. Grian had always liked Jimmy; he was a ten year old canary Avian and had always reminded Grian of a younger version of himself.
“Jason and Sally?” Grian asked
“Yes, Grian?” Jason replied
“Can I talk to you two alone?”
Sally was first to respond: “Of course, and Jimmy it’s almost your bedtime so please clean your plate and get ready for bed okay?”
“But Dad said I could stay up longer during summer!” Jimmy said, clearly annoyed.
“Yes but your brother needs to speak to us alone. I promise you can stay up even later another night, okay bud?” Jason responded, trying to cool the situation.
“Fine!” Jimmy left clearly still annoyed. The three waited until they heard the click of Jimmy's door closing.
“What is it you wanted to talk about?” Sally asked
“Taurtis told me that there was an opening at his school.” he waited for a response and when one did not come he continued.
“And he has a place where I can stay, if that helps.”
Sally was the first to reply, “Is this what you want to do?”
“Yes” Grian replied
Jason was next to talk, “If you are sure this is right for you then we will support you.”
“Call us when you need it, okay?” Sally said
“Ofcourse, thank you so much.”
- - -
August 12th
Twenty-one years before Season Six
As Grian stood at the bus stop, he could not stop himself from thinking, what if this is the wrong choice? But Grian knew he could not go back now. He did not know what the future would bring, what mistakes he would make, what pain he would experience, but one thing was clear.
His life was about to change.
For better or for worse.