Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The ticking of a clock. The flow of water, cascading over tense shoulders. Steam clouded mirrors and comfortably humid air. Warmth shared between bare bodies, back to chest. Pale limbs tangle with sunkissed skin. Calloused hands carefully comb through stark white hair, enthusiastically doing all the work.

Etho let out a content sigh, he let himself sink further back into his lover's chest and Bdubs immediately shifted to make him more comfortable. Even as water dripped into Etho's eyes he couldn't bring himself to care; he wished he could stay in this moment forever. The pair didn't often get such unadulterated domestic bliss, it was usually filtered thoroughly through layers of irony and sarcasm. Teasing had been their love language for as long as they'd known each other. For good reason.

It also happened to make their quiet moments all the more sweet.

Fingers gently scrubbed his scalp, each light tug on Etho's hair made his eyelids grow heavier. The warm haze of being cared for clouded his mind, making it hard to think straight. He made no effort to fight it.

"You c'n sleep." Bdubs murmured into the back of his neck, his hot breath made each of the hairs stand on end. Sweet kisses were pressed to his skin. "Promish I won't drown ya."

"You couldn't if you tried." Etho chuckled. He turned his body so he was a bit more on his side and let his cheek press to Bdubs' chest.

"I could too." Bdubs' stubborn huff usually would've been the start of their bickering, but tonight it fizzled out. They slipped back into the comfortable silence.

Etho closed his eyes and relaxed, allowing Bdubs to easily move him as he saw fit. The shorter man began humming to himself while he worked, it echoed around the bathroom in a way that lulled Etho's thoughts.

Bdubs reminded him of lush caves. Brought to life brightly despite all circumstances. A strong but weathered base, solid stone and sharp edges. Yet, still he flourished, his hardened core almost forgotten under the blooms. Sometimes when he smiled, Etho's brain tricked him into thinking he must truly be glowing. That a man who spent most of his life untouched by the sun's comfort could make each day feel so bright and warm was a feat Etho would never understand. It only made sense that Bdubs surrounded himself with moss.

Lukewarm water washed the soap from Etho's hair, it was just above room temperature by the time Bdubs shifted to get them out. There was something sickeningly sweet about Bdubs soft snickers as he toweled off Etho's hair. They'd known each other for over a decade and yet he still found ways to make Etho's chest genuinely ache with how much affection he had trapped behind his ribs. He felt ill cupping Bdubs' cheeks with a towel and squeezing him, faced with that undying look of adoration that always filled his eyes.

Etho wished he could love so openly.

The bed was warm. Bdubs hugged Etho's face to his bare chest, ruffling his damp hair. He was mumbling sleepily about something he done that day, but he knew his partner wasn't listening. That was okay. His other hand was absent-mindedly massaging a knot in Etho's shoulders, prompting a soft rant about how tense he was. Eventually, Bdubs petered off, ending his monologue with a yawn.

"G'nna sleep tonight, cutie pie?"

"I think so." Etho nodded, tiredly kissing Bdubs' chest.

"Good. Mm.. thasht's good."

"Goodnight, Bdubs."

"G'night. I love you."

"You too." 

Chapter Text

"Mornin'."

Bdubs flinched as he woke up disoriented, not expecting the arms tucked around his waist.

"Etho..? Mm.. g'mornin, sweetheart."

There was a shift behind him as the taller man pulled himself closer, nosing the back of Bdubs' neck. His breath made his skin prickle. He could feel Etho's fingers draw gentle circles against his stomach, slow affectionate touch.

"Sleep well?"

"Whatcha doin' in muh bed?" Bdubs would usually be out of bed as soon as he woke up, but he allowed himself to savor the moment just this once.

"Couldn't sleep last night." Etho didn't seem interested in further elaboration. His hands delicately dragged along Bdubs' bare chest before pulling away, leaving a mourner in his wake. He sat up and lightly nudged Bdubs onto his back, who complied without question. Etho let the quilt rest on his shoulders as he straddled Bdubs thighs. Practiced hands came to hold his waist as he leaned down and met Bdubs' lips, as they'd done a thousand times before.

The kiss was sleepy and careful, but still filled with love. Bdubs hummed contentedly, Etho cupped his face momentarily but returned to his chest once more. They broke apart just to exchange tired smiles.

"You're bein' awfully shweet this mornin'." Bdubs cooed. "Must be plottin' a mean prank later, huh?"

"Me? Noo, never." Despite his sarcastic tone, Etho truly didn't have anything planned. Sue a guy for waking up in an unusually good mood. Bdubs didn't tense under the threat of a trick. "Can't I love my boyfriend?"

"Sure ya can." Bdubs tried to lean up and kiss Etho, but he was pushed back down with a gentle hand. "If you want somethin'.. like forgiveness for a real mean prank."

"Aww, you think that lowly of me?" Etho ducked down and peppered little kisses over Bdubs' face. He took his time, he chest clenched when he felt Bdubs' eyes crinkle in a smile under his lips. "No tricks today. Promise!"

"Mhm.. whatever you say, sweetheart." It was okay if he didn't believe it, it was true. "I gotta get up, y'know.. I'm a busy busy guy."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah!" Bdubs didn't make any movements though, just watching Etho with his sweet doe eyes. Etho had to hold his tongue for a moment, tempted to tease. No wonder Bdubs was suspicious of him. Instead he offered a smile he hoped was comforting. Bdubs accepted it with open arms. "Gimme another kiss?"

"Anything." Etho chuckled.

This time they were both a bit more awake. Etho carefully combed his fingers though Bdubs' hair as they kissed, his free hand lightly scratching the scruff on his chin. Bdubs let him take the lead.

"You look handsome right now." Etho mumbled after reluctantly breaking away. He pressed a few kisses to Bdubs' collarbones, hands wandering his soft chest.

"As always!" Bdubs practically purred. The devotion in his eyes made Etho feel sick. In a good way. It made his insides twist with a nervousness he only felt with Bdubs, an anxiousness to live up to all that love.

"As always." Etho agreed softly.

Bdubs' skin was pliant under Ethos hands. He focused on the familiar feeling, raised scars and coarse hair rippled under his fingertips. Slow rhythmic shapes traced along his stomach and up to his shoulders. Kneading in an unfocused massage, just touch for the sake of touch. Bdubs gently caught Etho, clasping their fingers together.

"You feelin' okay?" Always waiting for the other shoe to drop, that was the Bdoubleo Etho had come to know.

"Mhmm." Etho gave him a little squeeze. "Just in a good mood, like I said earlier."

"Likely story!" Bdubs beamed, it made his boyfriend feel faint.

"Wouldn't you feel great after waking up next to you?"

"Well..." Bdubs stuck his tongue out of the corner of his mouth as he thought. "I am th' best."

"Yep, yep."

"You're off the hook for now." Bdubs sat up and slung his arms around Etho's neck, their foreheads pressed together. "I shtill gotta get up though."

"Breakfast in bed?"

"From you..?" Bdubs winced.

"Just toast and an egg or two, I promise! I can handle that."

"I don't knowww... not total- not sure I like the idea 'a you and the shtove havin' a date without me." Bdubs lightly tugged on Etho's hair, stroking his temples absent-mindedly.

"Aw, c'mon. You trust me don't you?"

"Mmm..." Bdubs groaned, but Etho could already tell he'd given in. "Fine! Twist my arm, why doncha? Please, pleaseeeesh don't make me regret this.. stupid idjit."

"I'd never!" Etho gave Bdubs a quick kiss and pressed him back into bed. "You just sit tight and I'll take care of everything."

"Sure." Bdubs grumbled, he buried his head back into his pillow as Etho got off. "You better not burn my freakin' housh down."

Etho returned to the sound of snores, as he'd expected. Thankfully, the sleeping beast was easily roused from his shallow doze by the smell of breakfast. Tired eyes watched Etho carefully as he approached.

"Nn.. don't smell fire.. that's good."

"I did it perfectly. Don't you feel silly for ever doubting me?"

"Muh.. Didya poishon it?" Bdubs shuffled over so Etho could sit beside him.

"Nope." He got a suspicious glance in reply.

Bdubs cut a bit of egg off with his fork and slowly put it in his mouth. Etho held his breath as he waited for the verdict.

"S'good.. underseasoned- very. But good.. Uh, relatively shpeaking." Bdubs hummed. Etho sighed in relief. Edible, it was a miracle. "Proud of you, cutie pie."

Etho picked at his own breakfast while he watched Bdubs. The sunlight streaming in through the curtains made his skin almost glow, his eyes sparkled from underneath a mop of shaggy hair that was in desperate need of a trim. Etho leaned against him just to feel his warmth. Sometimes he wondered if Bdubs was even human. He was just so.. ethereal. The word seemed too serious for Bdubs, not nearly as lighthearted as his beauty was. Bdubs was ethereal in a whimsical way. The way that bumblebees are wholly perfect, a bit goofy but so so sweet.

Etho wanted to stare at him all day.

"What are you doing later?"

"Whath?" Bdubs swallowed his mouthful. "Oh, eurm.. I wanna fix up the- the shed a bit. I think, y'know, that maybe I could do the shape a bit better it's- it's a bit bleh righ'now."

"Does that have to happen today?"

"I.. guess not. Whatcha got in mind?"

"We could stay in." Etho took Bdubs' empty plate after he stuffed the rest of the toast in his mouth, setting it on the beside table. "Sleep in a bit at least."

"Mmmm..." Bdubs looked out the window as if the sun would give him advice.

"C'mere, you know you want to." Etho pulled the most charming smile he could muster, opening his arms. Bdubs snorted.

"You look like you're gonna freakin' stab me." Still, Bdubs eagerly climbed into Etho's lap and laid against his chest. "A little extra shreep cant hurt."

"Exactly." Etho pulled the quilt up over Bdubs' shoulders.

"Y'r so boney." Bdubs mumbled.

"Keepin' ya on your toes." Etho couldn't complain. Bdubs was soft and heavy, like a weighted blanket. His muscle lightly padded as if to make him the perfect cuddler. Etho hugged him securely, running his fingers through messy brown curls.

"Yeah.. yeah." Etho could feel Bdubs' infectious smile against his collarbone. "You're playing the long con with this prank, huh?"

"You know it."

"Jeez.. You're- you're gonna be the freakin' death of me." Bdubs puffed. Etho rubbed his back with his fingertips. "..I love you, shweetheart."

"Me too."

"You're the worst."

Etho mumbled a soft 'I love you' once he was sure his lover was too tired to quip back.

Chapter Text

"You've gotta be freakin' kidding me!" Bdubs cried out angrily. He waved his arms frantically from where he was tangled in a tree, his torn elytra snagged in the branches above. "This is why I take horses! This is why!"

He scratched at the bark he was hanging from, uselessly glaring at the tree. All of his belongings were scattered in the clearing below from the crash landing. Bdubs squirmed to jab an accusatory finger at his travel companion, who'd gracefully landed at the foot of the tree.

" You ! This is all your fault! I told you we should've rid- ride- rode- we should've- argh, freakin' horses!" Bdubs threw his hands up. "Now we're in the middle of nowhere! Nowhere, Etho! And the amazingly romantic thing I had planned is ruined!!"

"Oh, calm down. Just relax." The smug look on his face was not covered enough by his mask, it just served to enrage Bdubs further. "It's not my fault your elytra was apparently piloted by a child."

"Wuh- Hey! I barely use it! I told you it was a bad idea!" Bdubs kicked a dangling leg in an attempt to clip Etho's head, but he was a full metre too high. "Stop trying to distract me! We're stranded! I'm stuck in a freakin' tree and you're making fun of me!"

"Maybe we should keep walking." Etho was still smiling. Bdubs could tell .

"Agh- wh-" The frustrated snarl that escaped the shorter man was indescribable as he thrashed, firmly pinned in the awkward position. "Help me down you smug hooligan!"

"I was gonna! What, you think I'd just leave you?" Bdubs growled at the mischief in Etho's tone.

"Don't you dare!" He had to pause to catch his breath. "Hurry it up! It- it freakin' hurts."

"I'm coming, I'm coming." Etho shed his bags and coat.

It was much easier getting up the tree than it was getting Bdubs down. He was mostly hanging by the arm straps of the elytra, but one leg was caught on a branch above his head, so he was dangling near horizontally. Etho could see now that the way the elytra was pulling on him might be painful. After a bit of struggle, Etho was forced to cut through the straps to free him from the grasp of the tree.

"Hey- hey, wait-!"

Tiny oversight.

Without anything tying him to the tree, Bdubs fell head first to the ground below. Etho winced at the dense thump.

"Whoops.. Did I break your neck?" He leaned over from where he was perched to watch Bdubs roll over gasping. After a moment of trying to reclaim the breath that had been knocked out of him, Bdubs half-heartedly glared up at Etho.

"I hate you. This is the worst Valentine's day ever."

Etho hopped down from the tree easily. "Ready to go?"

"Nno." Bdubs whined. "My body is killin' me now, you shtupid idjit!"

"Sorry, Bdubs." Etho hoped he sounded at least a little genuine as he offered to help him up.

"Argh.. Whatever.. You're not off the freakin' hook!" Bdubs grumbled. He grabbed Etho's hand with a painfully tight grip, but Etho didn't gratify him with any acknowledgement. "We should've taken the dang-"

Bdubs hissed, suddenly putting all his weight on Etho.

"What?"

"Great! Just gr- Just fantastic, now we're stranded and my leg is broken!"

"Your leg isn't broken." Etho sat Bdubs back down in the grass.

"It is freakin' too! Oh, jeez."

"You'd be crying if it was broken." Etho got on his knees and rolled Bdubs' pant leg up. "Where does it hurt?"

"Bull roar! I would not! What the heck?" Bdubs batted him away, checking his leg on his own. "..Okay, it's not broken, but this ish still your fault! And- And I wouldn't have cried!"

"Sure you wouldn't." Etho gathered up their belongings and left them in a heap, digging through his own pack. "I guess we're camping."

"Camping?"

"Well, I'm not carrying you and you're going to be a baby about walking-" A very offended gasp cut him off.

"I am not a freakin' baby! You- you take that back! I am injured! I could be hurt permanently! Where's your empathy? I could never walk again because you threw me out of a dang tree!" Bdubs puffed out his cheeks and crossed his arms. "I want another apology! You clearly didn't mean th' firsht one."

"Camping will be fun." Etho savored the growl he got for ignoring Bdubs. "Like a CTM! It'll be just like the old days."

"Like the old days?" Bdubs was temporarily pacified by the thought.

"The old days, Bdoubleo."

"Mm.. Well, I only brought one bed roll, sho you're on your own."

"We could share, wouldn't be the first time."

"No we abso-freakin-lutely couldn't." Bdubs snorted, Etho chuckled right back. "We would NOT fit on that."

"It was more romantic in my head." Etho relented. "It's okay, I have a tarp we could pitch as a tent?"

"Look at you, mister prepared." Bdubs laid back and spread his arms out. "You can have the bed, this is nice grass."

"What are you, a grass expert?"

"And maybe I am!! What's it to you?" Bdubs rolled onto his stomach and threaded his fingers through a patch of clovers. "You're just jealous I'm deeply in touch with nature."

"Super jealous." Etho stood still for a moment and admired how easily Bdubs got comfortable, his moss cloak almost seemed to integrate itself in the environment. He was waiting for a bunch of talking woodland creatures come surround them and proclaim Bdubs a lost prince. "Well, this whole thing could be wo-"

"Shhh!! Sh!" Bdubs nearly teleported to his feet and waved his hands in front of Etho, supposedly injured leg forgotten. Peace broken. "Don't freaking say it! Are you trying to jinx us??"

"Say what? It could be-"

"Etho! Don't you dare!" Bdubs tried to cover his mouth, but he was dodged easily.

"It could be worse!" It was always a fun day when Bdubs made a new sound. This one was trapped somewhere between a ghast wail and a snarling wolf.

"No!" Bdubs shook Etho by his shoulders. "You're evil! Tot- Pureeee freaking evil! What're- why are you out to get me?"

"It's just four words."

"Four cursed words!!"

"I won't let anything bad happen to you." Etho laughed.

"You already did! You freakin- You happened to me!" Bdubs pointed conspiratorially at the sky. "Judas Priest, it's gonna rain now and it'll be your fault!"

"Don't manifest that."

"You-! You- Argh!" Bdubs shoved Etho lightly and turned his back to him, crossing his arms and rapidly tapping his foot like a cartoon character. "Goodness, Etho."

"Are you going to pout all day, or are we going to set up camp?" Bdubs answered by stomping over to the base of the tree and sitting down. Facing the trunk. Etho choked on a laugh. "Fine, I guess I'll do all the hard work."

He got the silent treatment.

So, Etho shrugged and got to work putting together a little makeshift campsite. He saw Bdubs flop onto his back from the corner of his eye and rest his legs against the trunk, clearly watching Etho set up. He bit back a comment about laziness. This was meant to be Bdubs' day for a ridiculous romantic gesture, but instead it seemed Etho would have to give it a go. The gesture now being; keep them from having a miserable night in the woods.

Etho found a few nice long sticks and tied his tarp up into a passable structure. The front was left open, but as long as it didn't rain they would probably be fine. He went and collected some wood to make a fire while he was at it. When he returned to the clearing with the wood, Bdubs had abandoned his grouch post to lay on the grass inside the tent. His contribution to the campsite was rolling out the bed mat beside him and straightening it out a bit, as well as collecting some flowers and stones to strategically decorate the tiny space with, always one to make even the most shabby shelter home.

"Next year, we're staying home and watching a movie." Bdubs grumbled. He crawled out to sit by the fire once Etho set it up, the sky just beginning to darken.

"We don't have any marshmallows, but I think I have a can of beans and some water." As if on cue, Etho found the can rooting through his bag. He used his knife to carefully pry it open, setting it on the fire's outer embers.

"Let me see what I got in the bag o' goodies." Bdubs dug through his backpack and triumphantly produced; two apples, some jerky, and a wooden box with a tough cheese, a few little sliver packets, and multiple bricks of hardtack. "A-ha! I mean, it's kinda like one of those fancy cheese boards, isn't it?"

"Why do you carry hardtack on you? I know you're old but-"

"I'm prepared for anything!" Bdubs interrupted, slapping Etho's shoulder. "I made it myself I'll have you know. I created my very own special- super special recipe! After that freakin' food fiasco in Kaizo."

"Of course you did."

Etho watched Bdubs carefully cut up the apples and arrange his snacks into something that looked cute, using the box he'd carried the biscuits in. He pulled out a small metal bowl from his bag that he poured some water in and nestled beside the beans.

"What's that for?"

"You didn't think we were going to eat those cracker rocks raw, did you?!"

"I don't know! I'm not the one who carries around 'cracker rocks'."

"I'm surprised you don't, it's totally up your alley." Bdubs ripped open the little packet from earlier and poured it into the water, Etho realized it must be an instant broth of some sort.

"I... Honestly, I am too."

"I can show ya how to make some when we get home, if you want. It'sh suuuper easy, even you could do it!"

"Even me? Wow. Love to see so much faith in my skills, Bdubs." Etho rolled his eyes and wrapped an arm around Bdubs' shoulders.

"Always!" The bright smile Bdubs gave him in return was infectious. Etho tugged his mask down and pressed a quick kiss to Bdubs' forehead. "Oh, you. Such a romantic."

"Uh-huh, that's me." Etho chuckled. He pulled the blanket from Bdubs' bedroll and wrapped it around their shoulders as dusk settled around them.

It wasn't the best dinner date ever, not even close, but Etho felt content. Bdubs ended up ripping the jerky apart and tossing it into the beans. The biscuits were pretty alright dipped in the little bowl of broth and the hard cheese went well with the apples. Etho had certainly had worse meals stranded in the wilderness. Bdubs had managed to get back on a tangent about why horses are vastly superior to flying even if they take longer and were more inconvenient in every way, but Etho didn't bother to argue.. too much.

By the time the the fire began to die down, they'd long since finished and Bdubs was clinging to consciousness against Etho's shoulder. A quiet conversation followed them into the tent, neither of them really listening as they took turns laughing at whatever nonsense came out of the other's mouth. Bdubs laid out on the grass so Etho took the mat, but he pulled Bdubs closer under the guise of keeping him under the thin blanket. Of course, when Etho starts any sort of affection Bdubs is quick to grab on, and he eagerly claimed Etho's arm as his own to cuddle. Bdubs ended up settling on his shoulder, with his arm draped over Etho's chest.

"Thish wasn't so bad." Bdubs mumbled with a heavy tongue. Etho was surprised he was even still awake.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." Bdubs sleepily nuzzled closer. "M gettin' chocolatesh when we get h'me though."

"I'll get them." Etho promised softly. His hand sprouted a mind of its own and buried itself in Bdubs' hair, offering slow gentle circles against his scalp. "As an apology.. because.. its my fault we got stuck."

"Finally, he confessh! You swear? They gotta be nice ones, not jus' a candy bar."

"I swear on your mother's grave." Bdubs rumbled with a low chuckle and lightly bit Etho's shoulder in retaliation, far too tired to get into a spat. "Happy Valentine's, Bdoubleo. Goodnight."

"Nighty night, cutie pie."

Chapter Text

Etho could admit he was a deeply selfish person. He felt guilty about it sometimes, but never enough to stop. Which just proved the point, didn't it? He put himself first any time it mattered, but... second in his line of priorities was definitely Bdubs, the victim to a lot of his selfishness. Their relationship was just example after example of Etho being Etho .

But Bdubs, who was infinitely more patient than one might first expect, always forgave him.

And Etho was a selfish person, so he accepted that forgiveness every time. Years ago, long before Bdubs would name Etho his boyfriend one day without consulting him, they had been friends. Sort of. Their relationship really had never been without tension, but they were friend-ish. Back then, Etho had been much more guilty. Maybe Bdubs' unconditional forgiveness had spoiled him over the years, either way, one question had kept him up.

Does Bdubs deserve better?

The answer was yes, it had always been yes. He deserved a partner bestowed upon him by the heavens above, or at least someone who'd tell him 'I love you'.

But Bdubs wasn't the only stubborn guy around and Etho.. He was spoiled with Bdubs' attention and whether he deserved better or not, Etho had no plans of ever letting go. As long as Bdubs would settle for him, he would make zero attempts to challenge that.

Still, as selfish as he could be, sometimes he worried. He worried because as much as he convinced himself he liked Bdubs for self-serving reasons.. he cared. A lot. Too much for his own good. Bdubs deserved better than Etho, but that didn't mean he wanted to be deadweight in their relationship. He wanted Bdubs to be happy.

"Does it ever bother you?" Etho started, he may have even finished the thought if Bdubs hadn't responded instantly.

"D'ya even know me? You're going to need to be a bit more specific, a lot bothersh me." The shorter man kicked his feet up onto the table despite always chastising Etho for doing the same.

"Well.." Etho thought carefully, rearranging the words in his head over and over in the pursuit to sound less insecure. "That I'm not like you, I mean."

"Etho, c'mon, gotta give me more than that, sweetheart." Bdubs huffed in lighthearted frustration. The hand he placed on Etho's thigh so casually that it burned. "I'm not a mind reader."

"Like- like that . It's so easy for you to be so... I don't know, so affectionate." Etho rubbed the back of his neck. "I mean, you fawn all over me, even in public. Does it not get lonely when I don't reciprocate?"

"Wuh- I- huh? Uh-" Bdubs blinked slowly before his expression turned to nervousness, he drew his hand back to his own lap. "Why would I be- whaddya mean don't reciprocate? Of course you re- you love me, doncha?"

"That's not what I meant!" Etho grabbed Bdubs' hand back without thinking. "I didn't mean it like that. No- Yes, yes of course I do. I just mean-.. ah, forget it."

"No, no, don't forget it... Jeez you.. you nearly gave me a freakin' heart attack! I'm too old for this." Bdubs let out a relieved chuckle that made Etho wince. When no further elaboration was provided, Bdubs struggled to put the pieces together himself. "You.. are worried.. because.."

He faltered as he lost his thought.

"Uh, you're worried I feel bad because you don't... you don't tell me you love me much?"

"Maybe a little bit?" Bdubs squeezed his hand with a little smile.

"Tsk, of course, you recip- re- give it back. I mean, you don't have to say it for me to get the message." He cooed happily. "It's sweet you worried about me though!"

"I thought you weren't a mind reader?"

"You're so obvious, Etho." Bdubs climbed onto his knees on the couch, planting both hands firmly on Etho's chest as he hopped easily into his lap. "I mean, c'mon. You're totally obsessed with me."

"Well, I'm not-"

"Not like me? Oh, yesh, you are! You're a dirty dirty liar, you can't fool ol' Bdubs." He slung his arms around Etho's neck and pressed his face up against his throat, just trying to get as close as possible. "Just 'cuz you don't have some girly crush- like yours truly- doesn't mean I don't see you giving me heart eyes. And- and the way you talk about me- Juzas Priest , Etho. You're so not slick! It makes me sick hearin' you talk about me, absholutely freakin' sick."

"Alright, alright. I get it." Etho could feel his blood begin to boil with embarrassment as he tried to laugh it off.

"You looveeee me." Bdubs did not get the memo, his voice lowered into a dramatic croon as he basked in his knowledge of Etho's affections. "I know you dooo. No amount of mysterioushness and secretivity-ness will hide that lovey-dovey look you give me when I call you a genius."

"I don't know why I asked."

"Because you love me so freakin' bad it hurts and surely you want to make sure your most precious love knowzit! And lemme tell you! I do! The great- legendary genius Etho loves ME!! And just me." Bdubs pulled away for a moment to jab Etho's chest in a terrible attempt at a threat. His smile was blinding. "Tell me I'm special."

"Oh boy, you're definitely special, Bdubs."

"I don't think I like that tone, mister." His grin never faltered. "I'm your one and only soulmate and you shpeak to me like that?"

"I don't know... I haven't met every person in the world, how could I know if-"

"You! Ohh, you think you're such a comedian, but there's no trickin' me!" Bdubs forcefully steeled his face as he scowled, trying his best to look serious... but a smug look quickly took over his face. His frustration was always shortly lived. "I'm your favorite!"

"You're my favorite." Etho sighed, he couldn't help but smile at Bdubs strangely placed pride.

"And everybody knows it. Even if they don't know how out of their league special I am." Bdubs looked so satisfied with himself. "You should be honored to love someone so amazing such as me."

"I am, I am. Where would I be without you?" Etho pulled his mask down to make a face at Bdubs, who stuck his tongue out right back.

"In a musty mancave building something way too complicated surely! That I would understand of coursh, could probably make it better too."

"Yup, yup. You're the most efficient person I know."

"Jeez.. C'mere, stupid." Bdubs crossed his arms and puckered his lips expectantly. Etho indulged him, leaning forward to catch him in a kiss. He let Bdubs press all his weight against him, pinning Etho to the couch. They broke apart with a sigh. "So, no, it doesn't bother me."

"I forgot the question already." Etho hummed.

"Doesn't matter, it was a silly question! I love you." Bdubs pressed little kisses to Etho's neck, pulling his shirt aside to reach his collarbones. "Don't you forget it."

"Now that would be an impossible task."

"Oh, you freakin' betcha!"

Etho hoped his lovesick expression said all the words he couldn't bring himself to. Bdubs just gave him a glowing smile in return.

The 'I told you so' went unsaid.

Chapter Text

"Here?

"Mm.. no, no, too close to the door.

"Here?

"No, too far away.

"What about.. right here?

"Blast it- this shtupid room isn't freakin' working for me."

Bdubs firmly planted his hands on his hips as he stomped around the room, pausing each time he found a new perch. He couldn't seem to find the perfect-

"Oh! Oh, yes ." He stumbled halfway up the stairs out of the foyer and turned, peeking over the edge of the wall to see how far he was from the door.

"Now.. we wait!"

Etho was barely awake as he fumbled with the obvious hide-a-key Bdubs had tucked in the front garden just for him. The spare key clattered out of its spot and right into Etho's palm after a bit of struggle, but thankfully the lock itself gave him no trouble. He pushed the door open with his boot, but before he could even step in fully he was greeted enthusiastically.

"Oh, my husband! Back from the war!" Bdubs bounded down the stairs with the back of his hand pressed to his forehead. Etho wondered if he'd been waiting there the whole time, listening to the muffled clatter of his fight with the key. "Gimme your bag, soldier!"

"It hasn't been that long." Bdubs smiled brightly when Etho didn't bother arguing the husband allegation, but he still found something to complain about.

"Not been that long?? What?! You break my heart!" Bdubs wrestled Etho's backpack and jacket from him to stash somewhere. "I almost broke out a freakin' welcome home banner its been mon- HEY- hey, take your shoes off you'll track mud in, you animal! Were you raised in a barn? Goodness, I don't know what I'm going to do with you."

"Let me sleep hopefully?" The suggestion drew a pout from Bdubs. Etho managed to pull off his boots without unlacing them and they were immediately confiscated as well, bit by bit all of his travel essentials were being stolen away. He was going to be at home for a while whether he wanted to or not... He made no attempt to stop the thievery.

"Awh, but you just got back- I made lunch!" Bdubs tugged on Etho's sleeve and pulled him upstairs to the kitchen.

"I could eat."

"Surely!" Bdubs pushed Etho into a chair and rushed over to the oven. "You're usually late so I didn't want to make anything that would- that would suffer and die if it had to wait, but lookie! I couldn't help myself."

Bdubs slid two little heart-shaped pizzas onto a cooling rack set on the table.

"Ain't they purdy?" Bdubs grinned proudly.

"They are." Etho hummed. Even the pepperoni was cut neatly into heart shapes, crisped perfectly along the edges. "What's with the hearts?"

"Well, duh, it's-" Bdubs paused to shake off his sigh, he shrugged after a moment. "I just missed ya! Can't I- Can't a guy make a beautiful pizza pie for his long-lost love?"

"Long-lost love?" Etho rolled his eyes. "I've been gone longer."

"And It's always terribly long. Too long, Etho! It's like you don't even love me." Bdubs held out a pizza cutter to Etho melodramatically. "Tear my freakin' heart apart, why don't you? Like you alwaysh do.."

"Gladly." Etho cut up the pizzas and took a slice, he could feel Bdubs' eyes on him. "What, did you poison it?"

"Oh, you got me! It's got a love potion in it. I had to! You just- You left me no choice."

"Homebrewed?"

"You betcha! With all my heart 'n everything!"

"So it's poisoned after all." Bdubs gasped.

"Hey! Shuddup and eat your freakin lunch! It's home-cooked with love!" Etho shrugged and tugged his mask down to take a bite. "So?"

"It's good." Etho hummed. "Thanks."

"You are very welcome! Don't you ever say Bdubs didn't take care of you."

"I'd never." Bdubs nodded triumphantly, finally sitting down across from him and starting to eat himself.

"So.. you don't think you'll have any energy to hang out tonight?"

"Probably not.. sorry." Etho offered a little smile in apology.

"It's fine, take a nap, ya lazy lump. Wake up after I go to bed for the night and party without me for all I care!" Bdubs puffed, but Etho knew he wasn't too out of sorts. This wasn't an uncommon conversation for them. "You'll be here a few days though, right?"

"Like you'd let me leave any sooner." Etho chuckled. "I don't have any plans for the next month at least, no promises though."

"I'll take it!" Bdubs rested his chin on his palms, letting out a soft sigh. "You're blessed to have such a patient husband you know."

"When did we get married?"

"In my dreams! You didn't object, sorry. Now you- you gotta forever hold your freakin' peace." Bdubs smiled with his tongue poking out from between his teeth. Etho finished his lunch and stood up, brushing the crumbs off his hands onto his pants. He leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to Bdubs forehead, the fact that his mask was on didn't temper Bdubs' excitement at all. "A-ha! What a lovely homecoming gift for me!"

"For you." Etho agreed. Bdubs hurriedly crammed multiple slices of pizza in his mouth and dumped the plates in the sinks so he could follow Etho out of the kitchen. He was still chewing as he caught Etho's hand and dragged him away from the basement and up to the master bedroom. "So, what's today actually?"

"Whuh?" Bdubs tilted his head toward Etho as he pushed the bedroom door open.

"You lied earlier when you said there wasn't an occasion. What was it actually?"

"Oh! It's our extremely important best-friend-soulmate-husband-relationship-thing anniversary, stupid." Bdubs snorted. "A dozen years, baby!"

"Oh, snappers. I didn't get you anything."

"You never get me anything."

"Well, I usually remember not to get you anything at least." Only because Bdubs usually reminded him, but that was neither here nor there.

"Oh, you. You really how- know how ta make a guy feel loved! You came home- Wait- no- hey, hey! Don't touch my bed until you change, I don't know where you and those sweaty clothes have been! Blegh." Bdubs pulled his shirt off and dug through the wardrobe, tossing a sweatshirt and some shorts in Etho's direction. "Anyway- You came home for the holidays! I say that's a pretty shweet present."

"I didn't mean to."

"We would not be married if that mattered to me even remotely!" Bdubs grabbed Etho's face and pulled him down to give him a kiss on the cheek. "Ohh, me an' my wandering solider. Waiting so sweetly for his return from distant battle."

"You are not an army wife."

"I am freakin' too!"

"And I wasn't fighting anyone."

"You know, you're absolutely zero fun." Etho smiled.

"So I've been told." Bdubs threw himself into bed and posed. Etho forced himself to make direct eye contact, despite the pleading of his heart to admire Bdubs and his stupid bare chest. "Stop trying to seduce me."

"Don't pretend it ain't workin'! Hurry up and get over here, idjit."

"I'm coming, I'm coming."

Chapter Text

"Wash up on your six." Pause lightly elbowed Etho with a snicker. "Comin' right for ya." 

"Hurry up." Etho tried to push his bandmates into the bus, but the chase was over before it began. 

"Etho!" The threat approached. 

"Beef, move-" 

"Sorry man, you're on your own." Beef climbed on and turned to give him an entirely unapologetic smile. "You guys have fun now." 

"Hey-" The bus door shut right in his face. "Beef! Pause! Hey!" 

"Ethooo!" Two arms slung around his neck from behind, awkwardly pulling him down and backward. Etho gagged and turned around. Face to face with the tiny menace of the festival grounds. "Long time no see!" 

"Hey, Bdoubleo." 

"So formal, you're no fun, sweetheart." Bdubs puffed his cheeks out. "It's been like a y- like whole year, c'mon, loosen up!" 

"It's been a few months and I'm busy." 

"No you ain't. I saw your buddies ditch ya." Bdubs offered up all the charm he could muster. "Wanna hang out in my van?" 

"Not creepy at all." Etho's protest was weak willed. He leaned down and ruffled Bdubs' hair without even thinking about it, it came as a second nature at this point. "Yeah, sure." 

"You just can't deny me. I'm irresistible!" 

"Uh-huh." 

"Your sarcasm is no use!" Bdubs dragged Etho across the lot to his shabby old van. Etho would judge, but if it weren't for Beef and Pause, he'd be touring out of the back of his ancient pickup. Bdubs threw the back doors open and hopped inside. "Didya see my set this morning? I know it was a bit early for someone like you." 

"Of course I did." Etho gracefully ignored the last comment. Perched on the edge of the trunk, Bdubs' enthusiasm was contagious, his prideful smile was so genuine it made Etho smile a bit under his mask in a shallow imitation. "Loud as always." 

"You know it!" The back of Bdubs' van was surprisingly clean. Two seats sat on each side and a mini fridge was pressed into the back corner. A soft mat was rolled up opposite to it, presumably Bdubs' bed. Bdubs got up to flop onto a seat and pat the spot next to him. "Beer?" 

"Uhh..." As soon as Etho sat down an arm settled around his shoulders. "Yeah, sure. Why not?" 

"That's what I like to hear." Bdubs opened up his little fridge and tossed Etho a can. He refused to remove his arm from Etho's shoulders and instead used his teeth to crack his own can open, kicking the fridge shut. "Off with the mask! I'm not some fanboy, I'm the real deal! Itsh been so long, I've missed seeing your dopey face." 

"Bold words coming from the goofiest solo act I've ever seen." 

"I am not goofy! I'm hard!" 

"Oh?" Etho pulled his mask down just to show Bdubs his smug smirk. 

"Don't- don't give me that! You know what I mean!" Bdubs growled. "I'm a rockstar!" 

"You were like decades ago." 

"And still going strong!" Bdubs took an obnoxious gulp from his beer. "You are awfully mouthy for a man who plays a freakin' keytar, what decade is it for you?" 

"You'd know, old man." 

"I am not- Okay, old lady! Fresh outta the 1600s!" 

"Boomer." 

"That's my name! Don't wear it out, Ethel!" 

They glared at eachother for a moment, locked in a silent staring contest. Bdubs and his obnoxious doe eyes were forever unbeatable though, and Etho was forced to blink. A very ungraceful winner cheered and crushed a can to further punctuate his manly dominance. 

"I'm never forgiving Pause for telling you." 

"Aww, but its so cute." Bdubs pinched Etho's cheek. "What, your parents wanted a girl or something?" 

"Sure, something like that." Etho sipped from his beer, sliding a bit down the seat so Bdubs could more comfortably pull his charm. As small as Bdubs was, it was always comical watching him stretch to take up the more dominant flirting positions. Etho knew he'd sit there with his arm up around his shoulders until it went numb if that's what it took. 

"You haven't told me you missed me yet." 

"I forgot I even knew you." 

"Ouch! Rude." Bdubs leaned closer and winked. "I think about you all the time." 

"Yeah, because you're the most jealous person I know." 

"Guilty as charged!" Bdubs chirped. He easily slid right back into joking when his attempt at flirting was met with more banter; Etho wasn't sure he'd be able to recover that quickly himself. 

"Plotting my downfall, huh?" 

"I'll get you some day." 

"I'm rooting for you." 

"Thank you, sweetheart! You're always on my side." Bdubs tapped his can to Etho's. "To ruining your career." 

"To ruining my career." 

The pair fell into a lull, Bdubs kept chatting, but it was mostly white noise. Bdubs talked just to talk and Etho listened just to listen. It was only a few beers later and the lull transitioned into a comfortable buzz. Bdubs got a bright idea. He reached over the seats in the middle of the van, clumsily pulling over his decorated acoustic guitar. 

"Any requests, Easy?" 

"Anything but one of your own." Etho absent-mindedly dropped his arm around Bdubs' shoulders, reestablishing the connection that had been broken when the shorter man went to get his instrument. 

"You are so mean to me." Bdubs puffed his cheeks out as he thought. "We should do some music together sometime." 

"You'd be eaten alive." Etho considered the reputation Bdubs had. "I can see it already— you fighting with all the people online." 

"It'd be worth it." Bdubs played a few random chords. "We could do a love duet." 

"With Pause? I'm not a vocalist, Bdubs." 

"You didn't deny being in love with me." 

"I wouldn't have to love you to sing a song with you." 

"I'd write it about us, baby." 

"Uh-huh." A brief silence started to build, but Bdubs quickly broke the tension with a snicker, Etho followed suit. "You're an idiot." 

"C'mon! You got a good voice. We could do an epic rock ballad." 

"I'm good." 

"Your loss!" Bdubs turned back to his guitar, but Etho could see the mischief brewing on his face. "Still into Paramore?" 

"Don't play it." 

"I learned a song just for you!" 

"Don't play it, Bdubs." He already knew what the sappy romantic had in mind. 

"You are so unappreciative. I go out of my way to learn a nice song from the 'music' you like." Bdubs threw up air quotes and Etho just rolled his eyes. How a man who'd sold his soul to the system could stand to be so critical of what counted as music was beyond him. 

"Give me your guitar." 

"No!" Bdubs got two chords out before Etho pulled it from his hands. "Hey! Hey! Give it here!" 

"I'm not letting you try to serenade me with a song you heard on the radio." 

"You know it would work! C'monnn!" 

"Absolutely not." Etho held the guitar away from Bdubs, but regrettably, he couldn't hide his smile when his mask was around his neck. 

"You come into my house! Sit on my bed! And dare disrespect me like this?" 

"We are in the back of a van, Bdoubleo." 

"My home away from home!" Etho leaned across the trunk and dropped the guitar onto the other seat. Bdubs immediately tried to lunge for it, but Etho caught him in a bear hug before he could even stand up. In fact, being hugged instantly stopped Bdubs in his tracks. "Woah, hey- guess I didn't need to serenade you at all!" 

"Sure." Etho pulled away so he could see Bdubs' face. Alcohol warmed cheeks, dark eyes, and a stupid smirk. 

"Like what you see?" 

"Maybe." 

"Shomehow, you manage to dry text when you talk." Bdubs rolled his eyes. He leaned up and kissed Etho, his patience worn thin in his buzz. Etho pulled him closer. "I missed you." 

"Me too." Etho finally admitted. They sat with their foreheads pressed together. 

"You could afford to text back more often, I know you ain't that freakin' famous." 

"Isn't the anticipation more fun?" 

"Don't play coy! I know you're jusht lazy." 

"Guilty." Bdubs pressed a flurry of kisses to Etho's jaw. 

"You're lucky I even allow you in my pre- in my presence, I don't usually kiss fans." 

"It's a good thing I don't care much for sellouts then." 

"Kiss my ass." 

"Ohh, the bad boy said a curse word." 

"Get out of my van, I'm sick of your stupid face already." Bdubs grumbled. Yet, his arms stayed locked around Etho's waist. Etho made no attempt to change that. 

"Gonna be at our set tomorrow? It's past your bedtime." 

"You're worth stayin' up for." Bdubs cooed. "Better dedicate a song to me." 

"We'll play twinkle twinkle little star for you." 

"On your nerdy little fake guitar?" 

"On my nerdy little fake guitar." 

"Adorable."

Chapter Text

"Good morning, sunshine!" Bdubs grinned as Etho sluggishly shuffled down the stairs from the bedroom. Some classic rock was playing on a low volume from somewhere in the room, Bdubs' usual go-to for background.

"You're excited." Etho gave his partner a suspicious look.

"You're free today, yes?"

"Yeah...?"

"Perfect! C'mere, I made breakfast. You're right on time."

"What if I got up late?"

"I had faith!" Bdubs gestured to the steaming serving plate beside him. "I made waffles, like a reminder of home."

"I.. don't think waffles are particularly Canadian, Bdubs."

"Ah, but you see, there's maple syrup!" Bdubs proudly gestured to a little pot beside the waffles.

"Oh snappers, I stand corrected. Boy, I feel so thought of."

"Always." Bdubs set a plate down for Etho. "How many didya want?"

"Just two is fine." Etho caught himself before his partner could comment. " Please , Bdubs. And thank you."

"Why of course." Two waffles were plopped down on the plate, along with the pot of syrup beside it. "Today is an Etho day."

"It is?"

"Ohh, you betcha!" Bdubs poured Etho a cup from his teapot. "Chamomile!"

"Tea?"

"You don't need coffee today, I have a more- a better idea." Bdubs nodded. "Trust me, trust me."

"And what are you plotting?"

"You'll see! Finish your breakfast- but take your time! I don't want you to choke on my perfect cooking."

It felt like there had always been a common misconception about Bdubs—one that Etho knew the man himself also believed—and that was that he was a brute. An artist who worked in palettes made from stone and steel beams, his palms were rough and his indoor voice would best fit a stage. Gentle work wasn't often passed to his bumbling hands.

But Etho knew better. Bdubs was more than capable of being delicate, even if he didn't think that himself with fragile things. The first step was trusting him and everything else would fall into place, Bdubs was one of the most reliable people Etho knew.

"Lay down, sweetheart." The eagerness in Bdubs' voice made Etho's heart ache. A good, comfortable ache. Etho eyed the armchair he'd been guided to, it was partially reclined with pulled a little stool up behind it. Suspicious.

"What are you going to do to me?"

"It's a surprise! Sit, sit." Etho put on a show of being reluctant, but they both knew he'd do as told. And he did. He sat back in the chair. It was something Bdubs had built for himself, so it was a bit short for Etho, but that was apparently the idea because Bdubs had him sit fairly high up on it so his head ended up in Bdubs' lap. "Today is your day."

"Did I forget an anniversary again?"

"No, no. Don't be silly." Bdubs' hands came to cup the back of Etho's head, his fingertips pressing against his hairline. "I just decided!"

"Just decided." Etho sighed, abandoning the attempt to get any logic out of his spontaneous roommate.

"You bet." Bdubs dragged his fingers through Etho's messy hair, one hand carefully held Etho's head, and the other combed through wavy silver locks. His hair was longer than he usually liked it, it fell in his eyes and licked the back of his neck, but now he felt thankful he hadn't cut it yet. "Just relax, stop thinkin' so much, and let me work my Bdubs magic."

"Knock yourself out."

With the approval, Bdubs focused in on his task. It was a bit odd at first, sitting quietly while Bdubs did who knows what with his hair. Sometimes, he went section by section, making his way across Etho's head making sure that not one strand went untouched. Other times, he simply rubbed his scalp with the calloused tips of his fingers.

Apart from softly humming along to the music, Bdubs didn't say a word. Left to his own devices, Etho quickly began to drift into a drowsy daze. The earlier choice of tea over coffee made a little more sense, Etho could barely keep his eyes open and that felt like the intended effect.

With slow circles and delicate scratches, Bdubs massaged his temples while careful attention to his hairline. Had he done this before? Etho was honestly a bit too tired to think about anything except how peaceful everything felt. Every time he managed to peel a heavy eyelid open he was met with the pleasant sight of Bdubs enjoying himself, the smile that shone down on him was so bright it might as well have been the sun. Etho wasn't sure what he ever could have done to deserve this.

It was one of the things Etho cherished the most. He tended to be fairly critical of himself when it came to his treatment of Bdubs, but he was unapologetically selfish about moments like these. He was the only person in the world at that moment who got to be loved by Bdubs, it was an exclusive club for one that he'd been given access to—even before they'd started properly dating. Etho wasn't the first to be let into Bdubs' closest bubble, but he'd be the last if he had any say in it.

"What did I do t' deserve you?" Bdubs sighed dreamily. Etho almost laughed because of how silly it felt, he might've if it didn't feel like he was choking on sheer fondness. He was the one being treated, and still Bdubs managed to make it sound like Etho was doing something noble for him.

Etho didn't answer, he knew Bdubs wasn't expecting one, but he wished silently that even a fraction of his appreciation might be passed through the air between them. He was sure Bdubs knew; he had a way of understanding the things Etho struggled to comfortably verbalize. Bdubs responded to the silence by pressing a little kiss to Etho's forehead, his thumbs still affectionately circling the crown of his head.

"'M gonna use a comb now." Bdubs' voice was soft, the way it was when he whispered 'good mornings' each day he got out of bed first. Soft was never too soft with Bdubs of course, but Etho couldn't bring himself to care, even when it woke him up.

The wooden comb was wide and the teeth felt rounded against his head. The way it tugged through his hair was gentle, giving way before the tension got anywhere near uncomfortable. Bdubs pulled it slowly through Etho's short hair, starting at the base of his skull and lightly pushing upward instead of following the flow of the hair. Etho's eyes fell closed again, he focused on the way the teeth pressed into his scalp, smooth as they dragged along his head. Bdubs brought his attention up to the crown of his head and used the comb in a way Etho was more acquainted with, brushing his hair in long slow motions.

Etho couldn't tell how long he'd been laying there for, it could've been minutes or hours, but it definitely hadn't felt long enough. Bdubs gently tapped him on the forehead.

"You awake there, Easy?"

"Mhmm.." Etho didn't bother opening his eyes.

"I'm not quite done with you yet, but I need ya to pop y'ur shirt off and roll over for me." Bdubs chuckled. "You might be more comfer- comf't- more comfy if you shimmy down a lil, I'm gonna stand up in a bit."

"You sure there's not an occasion?" Etho's mumbling was muffled as he tugged his sweatshirt off and flipped onto his stomach. Bdubs pushed the armchair down so it was completely flat, and coffee table sat beneath the back to support it so it wouldn't tip or rock too much.

"The occasion is that I love you and you're not busy today!" Bdubs pat Etho's head affectionately. He grabbed a little bottle of lotion from under the little table that Etho hadn't spotted earlier.

After a moment of warming the liquid on his hands, Bdubs gently spread it across Etho's back. Once he was satisfied with the way his palms easily slid across his new canvas, he began his very important work. Bdubs kept on his stool and leaned over Etho, starting by just lightly massaging his shoulder blades. Long, slow strokes, beginning at the neck all the way to Etho's lower back.

Etho began to doze off again, his drowsiness only made worse now that the chair was more like a bed and his cheek was buried in the cushion. Bdubs' spirited humming along to the quiet music was like a dorky lullaby. When did Bdubs even stand up? It felt like each time he blinked minutes rushed by.

Careful rhythmic movements arched over Etho's skin; Bdubs worked his way from his shoulders to his lower back and then returned right where he started. A more organized person might be a bit more symmetrical about the massage, but Bdubs seemed to be going wherever his mind took him, sporadically changing locations based on little more than a whim. Still, despite his unfocused patterns, he made sure not to miss anything.

Bdubs used the heel of his hand to follow Etho's lean muscle, taking a moment to go over an area a few times if he saw Etho's face pinch up. It wasn't meant to be a particularly deep massage, but that didn't mean Bdubs couldn't get a little kick out of prodding at some tender spots. Careful thumbs framed Etho's spine as he traced the valley of his back.

"You're jush so handsome." Bdubs mused. He pulled Etho's left arm into his lap so he could knead the meat of his shoulder. "You make me feel so lucky every day."

"You're a sap." Etho breathed out, processing the words Bdubs was muttering was asking far too much effort for how pleasantly drained he felt. His whole body was warm, he felt like he was seconds away from just melting into the armchair.

"Don't I know it?" The affection that buried itself in Etho's chest felt heavy. It made him want to cry, he wouldn't, but he sure felt like it. He couldn't see Bdubs' dorky grin anymore but he could still feel its warmth and its presence in Bdubs' tone.

Eventually, Etho really did lose the fight to his tired mind and he drifted off in the middle of a very pleasant neck rub. When he finally stirred again, Bdubs had wormed his way onto the chair as well, his arm draped over Etho's waist. Bdubs always had a thing about cramming himself into claustrophobic spaces and Etho's personal space was his favorite of them all—not that he'd ever been met with any protest. Etho slowly leaned forward, hugging Bdubs closer to his bare chest.

"Hey, sleepin' beauty." Bdubs cooed.

"Hey."

"Didya have a good morning?"

"Yeah."

"A man of many words I see!" Bdubs was smiling again, of course. He was always smiling it seemed. Bdubs peppered little kisses along Etho's collarbones. "I'm glad you're happy, I tried my dang heart out."

"Mhmm." Etho breathed out a sigh, he felt weightless. "I don't want to get up."

"Good 'cause I'm not movin'." Bdubs pressed himself to Etho, pulling a throw blanket over them. "You're stuck with me 'til lunch."

"Oh noo."

Sometimes Bdubs joked that he gave enough love for the both of them, but really, that felt like a vast undersell. Etho had long since come to accept that there was no beating Bdubs in a game of passion, certainly not for someone like him who struggled to do even the minimum sometimes. But, with that acceptance came the realization that it wasn't a competition. Meeting Bdubs on his level wasn't about mimicking his PDA or repeating his excitable love confessions, it was about endurance. Matching his level of devotion, in whatever way that manifested. That was what was important.

Still... Just because Bdubs was happy without having his affections returned one to one, did not mean he needed to go home empty-handed.

"When's your day off, huh?" Etho focused all his effort on giving Bdubs a smile that could be read through his mask, something that might offer the gratitude he didn't speak.

"You're adorable." Message received. "Got something in mind?"

"I will soon."

"I'm free anytime you need me to be." Bdubs drawled. "You just lemme know, cutie pie."

"..Alright." Etho pressed a kiss to Bdubs' forehead through his mask like he had a million times before. "I'll come up with something."