#I swear I will fill the tangrian tag myself if I have to

[paradoxlemonade]

Uh Oh, Tango Has Feelings

Fandom: Hermitcraft

Ships: Tango x Grian (Could theoretically be interpreted as platonic? good luck)

words: 909

Warnings: N/A

Ao3: Here!

Summary: Tango was used to being the only hermit with wings, but when Grian joins, his world turns upside down.

.............

Call Tango self-centered, but he was proud of his wings. The robust, leathery membranes were good for both flying and wrapping around Impulse and Zedaph in a hug. They even complimented his red and gold fashion sense. Hermits with elytra never matched his skill in the air. With his obvious speed advantage, Tango ruled the sky.

And then there was Grian.

Loudmouthed, excitable, aggravating, Grian. The only angel on the server.

The only other hermit with wings.

Even worse, they were pure white, unblemished, feathered wings. Perfection.

Perhaps it was the novelty, perhaps he genuinely outclassed Tango. But hermits went to Grian if they needed the aid of a flyer. Seeing him always floating without effort, always with someone, made Tango turn around with a clenched stomach every time.

No, he was not jealous. Something else… confused? Intrigued? Something heavy. Hot. Magnetic. It pooled in his throat and forced Tango to tear his gaze away when Grian jetted overhead.

How did Grian maneuver on a dime? Didn’t he get tired? He never walked if flying was possible. His rounded, broad wings carried him in and out of tight corners and daring stunts.

Could Tango do half the stuff Grian did?

… What if he couldn’t?

He sighed and plopped his forehead on the observer before him. Now he was even getting distracted from redstone. 

Any time Tango wandered amongst his thoughts, he’d find snowy feathers and dark eyes. The signature red sweater and dusty blonde hair. A mischievous smirk aimed at nothing. (A soft smile only for Tango…?) He barely spoke with Grian once, and he was already in his head. He needed to do something about this walking distraction. Tango had just the idea.

He built.

Tango threw the jumbled mess of thoughts into building an obstacle course, far away from anyone else’s builds. It twisted and dove throughout a mega mountain biome, red loops and obstacles playing among the shadows.

With a glance at his communicator, Grian’s name stood out as glowing text. 

Tango: Hey Grian! Are you able to hang out soon?

Grian: I’m almost finished up in the nether

Grian: How does an hour sound?

Tango: That works for me!

Coordinates sent, and an hour of getting nothing done later, a set of wings flapped overhead. Tango stood from the redstone he’d been pushing around as Grian came to a running stop in front of him.

“Hello, Tango! You wanted to see me?” Grian tilted his head to the side and grinned.

Tango nodded. “Yeah!” He swept his arm in a wide gesture towards the messy obstacle course. “I’ve never gotten to test my flying skills against someone else with wings, and I think it would be fun to go head to head.”

Grian’s eyes sparkled as he took in the structure. All concrete and sea lanterns, the bold colors demanded attention from the drab landscape. He bounced on his toes and said, “This looks amazing! Are there any special rules for your game?”

Tango smiled wryly. “Just one: keep up.”

…………..

From on top of the spiraling platform, the course would send them into a dive with a sharp return. Tango could do it. He was known for his maneuverability. But so was Grian.

Tango clapped his hands together. Shoved the unwanted nerves down. A nervous grin. “May the best flyer win.”

Grian laughed. A flick of his wings and a cocky smirk. “Oh, I plan to.” 

Something heavy and twisting jumped in Tango’s throat. He swallowed the weight. “Y-yeah, you say that now, but you haven’t seen me in action!”

Another giggle. “In action, huh?” His eyes shone with mirth. “I’ll be sure not to get distracted.”

The lump returned, and Tango couldn’t do anything but nod. Forget distracting Grian, he needed to keep his own head on straight from the confusion that is definitely not jealousy. 

… But what is it?

“You going to count off?” Grian asked him. Right, yes, the race.

“Yeah-“ Tango took a step back- “Three.” Grian mirrored his stance.

“Two.” Tango held his wings in a low ready. Grian flared the feathers behind him.

Adrenaline.

“One.“

Feet pounding against the platform. Singular focus. A leap. Diving. Diving. Diving. Pulled tight and gaining speed.

The ground approached.

Wait.

Closer.

A second more.

Now.

Wings spread and cut through the air. Curve up at breakneck velocity. Defy gravity.

Bank left. Twist right. Don’t hit the mountain. 

When Tango stumbled onto the landing, the tips of his wings buzzed even as he drooped from fatigue.  

Tapping footsteps ahead. Tango pulled himself back up like there was a string tied to the top of his spine.

With the sun glowing behind him, Grian beamed with flushed cheeks and offered Tango a fist bump. “That was so much fun!” His gaze faltered to the side before returning to Tango. “I’ve never had any friends with wings, so I’m glad you reached out.”

Stunned, Tango said the first thing he dragged from his buffering brain. “Birds of a feather, am I right?”

Silence.

“You didn’t just-“ Grian snorted and the corners of his eyes crinkled with amusement. “I should’ve seen that coming.”

When Grian took off for his base, Tango got an objective view of his flight.

He was faster. That’s how he stole the victory.

Tango’s face was still warm. Perhaps Grian stole something else as well.

He needed backup.

Tango whispered to ImpulseSV > Impulse I think I’m having a minor crisis