#Zedpah/Impulse/Tango

[thesleepycat]

This is my gift for @hetapeep41 for the @mcytblrholidayexchange 2023!! I hope you like it!

Relationship: Zedaph/Impulse/Tango Summary: Zedaph gets overwhelmed by the crowd at Impulse's first MCC and almost has a panic attack. Thankfully, Tango is there to help him out. CW: Slight panic attack (not graphic)

[Read the fic below or on AO3!]

There was a reason Zedaph tended to base by himself and away from everyone else on the server. It wasn’t that he was anti-social or anything! And it definitely had nothing to do with the other Hermits at all, they’re all lovely people, after all. It was just that… He can get overwhelmed by people sometimes. When there were more than one conversation happening at any one time, when there were multiple people he had to pay attention to, when the noise gets just a bit too much for his sensitive ears and he starts getting headaches just from being around so many people. No, he’d much prefer to talk to them one on one or in small groups.

It was also why he rarely ventured out into the hub world or other large servers outside of Hermitcraft. And even when he did, he always went with both or either of his partners, Impulse and Tango. They always knew when he would get on the verge of feeling overwhelmed and know to lead him out of stressful situations and back to a safe place. He knew he could always rely on them. And in return, they could always count on him as well.

And it was also for that reason that he was even here to begin with.

At MCC. In the middle of a crowd. Surrounded by strangers. Watching Impulse up on a stage being crowned at his very first ever MCC.

It had been alright at first, when he was only sitting with the other Hermits in their private booth in the stadium to watch the games. But then Dodgebolt had come and gone and suddenly everyone was streaming outside to watch the new Champions get crowned. And Zedaph had been swept along with them.

Caught up in all the excitement and adrenaline, Zedaph was helpless and confused, having lost the Hermits somewhere along the way. And now he was alone in a sea of people, all screaming and shouting and flailing their arms in celebration. It was overwhelming.

His knees started shaking, his breath coming in short staccatos and his head was starting to ring from the noise. He knew that soon, his vision would start to go fuzzy and he would start dissociating at best and at worst, faint like a startled sheep.

He needed to find the Hermits fast. He needed to find Tango. He couldn’t embarrass Impulse by straight up fainting in the middle of his Victory Walk!

He did his best to look around, looking for hide or hair of his friends. But all he could see were blurry colours and unfamiliar faces. It didn’t help that he, being a sheep hybrid, was significantly shorter than the rest of the population.

He couldn’t find them.

He didn’t know if he could even make it to them in time.

But just as he was about to resign himself and curl up into a miserable ball right there and then, he felt familiar arms grasp at him.

“Zedaph! There you are!”

Zedpah opened his eyes (when had he closed them?) and almost fainted in relief instead. “Tango!” he whimpered.

His partner looked at him in concern, hands firm on his shoulders, grounding him, “Let’s get you outta here.” The blazeborn wound his arms protectively around Zedpah, sheltering him even just a little from the crowd around him.

Tango was able to swiftly navigate them out of the crowd and towards the portal hub.

“B-but what about Impulse?” Zedpah murmured, glancing back at the raised dais that still held the new Champions, grinning and cheering at the crowd.

“Impulse will be more worried about you having a panic attack than not seeing us for a few more minutes. Don’t worry, Zed. Your safety comes first.”

“And- and the others?”

“I already shot them a message. They know we’re heading home now. And they’ll let Impy know too.”

“Okay,” Zedaph concentrated on breathing now that his worries had been at least slightly assuaged.

With a gentle tug, Tango led Zedaph to where Hermitcraft’s portal stood. And soon after, they were both back on familiar land.

“Come on, we can go relax in my starter house,” Tango said, knowing that after stressful situations like that, Zedpah would be very tried and sleepy.

Zedaph followed Tango wordlessly, trusting his partner to lead him to safety. They slowly, but surely made their way to the witchy swamp house that Tango had made in their early days of settling in this world. Tango still had most of his bedding and nesting stuff around, seeing as the Frozen Citadel was a far cry from being anything comfy or warm. Zedaph, Impulse and Tango had often found their way here to just cuddle together or spend time away from their megabases.

“Alright, let’s get settled down,” Tango set Zedpah down on the cushy bed, piled with blankets and pillows. “Impulse will be back soon and we can have ourselves a little cuddle pile, hm?”

Zedpah nodded weakly, already feeling drowsy from the stress and almost having a panic attack just minutes ago.

“Do you want a snack before you nod off there, sleepy head?” Tango teased, chuffing him gently on his head.

“No, I’m good,” Zedpah mumbled, already starting to crawl into bed.

“Hey, wait!” Tango stopped him before he could though, making him pout with a whine, “You gotta at least get into your comfy clothes first, Zed. Trust me, you’ll feel way better.”

Zedpah reluctantly got out of the bed, taking the clothes Tango held out for him. Within a minute, he was in the softest, plushest pyjamas they had and Tango was right, he was feeling loads better. The nice, soft material was heaven on his skin after the sticky, claustrophobic crowd at MCC.

“There we go, all soft and cozificated now,” Tango smiled, heart gushing at how adorable Zedaph looked all tucked into bed. He quickly changed into his pyjamas as well and wiggled into bed with his partner, holding him close. “Good?”

“Mmph,” Zedpah gave a vague noise of appreciation, making Tango chuff in amusement.

Without even realising, Zedpah had drifted off to sleep. It was only when he heard Impulse’s voice that he knew he had nodded off in the first place.

“I’m so sorry,” Impulse was saying, “I didn’t see your message until I got off the podium. I would’ve come here sooner if I did.”

“Hey, don’t stress, Impy,” Tango’s voice replied, “You were having your big moment, we don’t blame you.”

“But still, I know Zed doesn’t do well with crowds, I should’ve-”

“Nope,” Tango immediately shut him down, “Don’t even go there.”

“But I-”

“Tango’s right,” Zedpah stopped Impulse before he could get into a self-blaming spiral like he tended to do.

The two startled at his voice, whipping their heads down to look at him. Zedpah opened his eyes to give Impulse a mock glare.

“Don’t you start blaming yourself, mister,” he warned, “You won MCC. That’s amazing and you should be celebrating.”

“But I want to celebrate with you guys,” Impulse looked at him imploringly, eyes wide.

“Then change into your pj’s and get your butt in here,” Zedpah huffed, closing his eyes and snuggling deeper into the blankets, “We’re doing a victory cuddle pile.”

“You heard the man,” Tango grinned, “Get your butt in here.”

Impulse chuckled, knowing when to admit defeat. He quickly changed into his pj’s and got into bed. He curled protectively around Zedpah’s other side, making him the middle of the cuddle pile.

Zedpah shuffled into Impulse’s chest and promised, “Tomorrow, we’ll have a proper celebration.”

“Shh, don’t worry about that. I want my victory cuddle,” Impulse squeezed his two partners into his arms. Tango made a mock squeaky toy noise, making Zedaph giggle.

Soon, the three fell into a deep sleep, exhausted from the day. Impulse from participating in MCC, Tango from looking frantically for Zed during the crowning ceremony and Zedaph from having a near panic attack. They would have all the time in the world tomorrow and onwards to celebrate Impulse’s victory. For now, they could just enjoy the victory cuddle pile.

[lunastarseeker]

Hermitcraft as my fav clean Vines

Grian, hiding in Mumbo's redstone: I'm in me mum's car, vroom vroom.

Mumbo: Get out me car!

Grian: Aww...

-----

Iskall during a Sahara meeting: Look at this-g r a p h

*awkward guitar plays in the background*

-----

Joe, fooling around: I wanna church girl, who go to church

Joe: a n d r e a d h e r b i b l e

-----

Scar: Iridocyclitis

Scar: I, R-

-----

Zedaph: It's the fourth of July

Zedaph: Yeah we know it's true

*Music starts playing*

Zedaph: The colors of the flag are

Zedaph, doing the whip: Red, white, and blue! Eyy!

-----

Ren during the HWF: I'm John Cena!!!!

Doc: *playing two recorders with his nose*

-----

Cub: *screams*

Scar: Stahhp, I could've dropped my croissant.

Cub: *laughing*

-----

Bdubs: It's the most beautiful thing I've seen in my life!

Bdubs: It's watermelohn,

Bdubs: INSIDE WATERMEOHN!!!!

-----

Mumbo, the entire season: ...look at all those chickens.

-----

Etho, scaring Grian to death: Hi welcome to chilis-

-----

Wels, singing: What? Oh yeah, wait a minute mister postman-

TFC, also singing: Heey-

-----

Scar, explaining why the MCR is bad: And they were roommates!!!

Mumbo, not really knowing what's going on: Omg they were roommates

-----

Cleo: Get to del-taco, they got this new thing called fre- Free shavaca doo!

Cleo, laughing: FREE SHEVACA DOO-

-----

Bdubs: WHAT ARE THOOOOSE

Doc: They. Are. My. Crocs.

-----

Ren: Mothertrucker dude, that hurt like a buttcheek on a stick-

Xisuma, under his breath: watch your profanity-

-----

Any hermit finding free glass: It's an avocado!

The hermit:

The hermit: Thanks...

-----

Scar, going nuts with the x-mas decor: Happy Chrimsas

Scar: It's Christmn

Scar: Merry Crisis

Scar: Merry Chrysler

-----

Iskall, trying to talk to Grumbot: Wh-what?

Grumbot: YOU'RE NOT MY DAD!

-----

Grian, surrounded by the Jingler's cookies: Hurricane Katrina!

Grian, laughing: More like Hurricane Tortilla-

-----

Joe: Road work ahead? Uh yeah I sure hope it does.

-----

Bdubs, banging pans together to attract phantoms: IF I DON'T GET NO SLEEP CAUSE OF Y'All, THEN Y'ALL NEVER GET NO SLEEP CAUSE OF ME-

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Grian at the start of S6, talking to any hermit other than Mumbo: Wait a minute. Who are you?

-----

Ex: a potato flew around my room before you came ba-

The rest of the Hermits: *screaming*

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Skizz, narrating: In every friend group, there's the dumb one

Impulse and Tango: *point to Zedaph*

Zedpah, grinning: Aw c'mon guys

-----

Keralis: Zubat, go!

Xisuma: *plays the electric guitar really loudly*

Bdubs, who'd just fallen asleep: *falls out of bed with a shriek*

-----

Tango, about to kill a spider: See, nothing to be afraid-

Zedaph: Look!

*the spider is gone*

Tango:...

Tango, ushering Impulse and Zedaph outside: Say goodbye to the base guys-

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Xisuma, watching Zed judge a pet sheep contest: Now the judge will choose the winner...

Zedaph: I can't decide, they're all cute and they're mine now.

The contestants: Wait wha-

Zedaph: *running away with all the sheep, laughing*

-----

Scar and Cub: Hi, welcome to the meeting. We're here to discuss finances

Etho: ...It's just me-

Scar: Yeah but you owe me 20 bucks

[cobradoesmcyt]

Not just a game

@petrichormeraki has brought me angst ideas so I must write.

Quick little summery: It was all just supposed to be a game, and Grian sticks to this belief. At least he does until he can’t avoid the truth anymore

It was all a game. A fun little war, for the lols and the principle they’d all said with a laugh - diamonds being returned in letters and legal permission to further their schemes.

It was not a game. At least, it wasn’t anymore.

Grian had defended H.E.P’s actions as a part of the game, the Resistance had a base and now the H.E.P had one as well, simple. They spread the mycelium and they got rid of it, and placed grass instead. They sent out the sheep, and they countered with wolves. Simple, harmless fun, a turf war with no real meaning other than they just could. But then they infiltrated the new H.E.P build and suddenly the Resistance was starting to wonder how pure the other side's intentions actually were.

I mean who has a potion drugged ravager as their defence? Sure it’s good defense, but it's deadly beyond comprehension - and Tango knows this, yet he goes along with the plan, it's just a fun little game after all. And in the end Grian suffers because of it. Torn, shredded, crushed, bludgeoned, he goes through it all in a cycle, bed keeping him trapped in the death loop. Impulse and Etho desperately try to stop it, already knowing this is not an encounter Grian will get out of like it's nothing. Not only is that bad, but Tango is watching and he’s doing nothing, he watches the death loop and he laughs at Grian’s misfortune. That is the first time Impulse truly asks himself if this is really a game anymore - if anything it just seems like a twisted game of chess where they're allowed to think themselves in the lead, but in actuality H.E.P’s in charge. The dragon hybrid sheds a tear, because he knows he’ll never look at Tango the same anymore, not after he continues his taunts - playful and joking to any onlooker - even as Grian’s loop of pain and death goes on.

This is no longer a fun game between friends, it probably hasn’t been for a long time. And Impulse fears this will change Hermitcraft forever.

Grian suffers horrible damage from the repeated deaths, his spine has been weakened to where even just standing for a tiny bit too long will bring him immense pain, his lungs are horribly damaged after all the times they were pierced. He could no longer fly, grounded by the attack from H.E.P. Yet he says there is no true harm going on, it’s all just for fun!

Impulse doubts him, but there is nothing he can do other than warn his fellow members. H.E.P is out for blood. Grian’s blood. And they were willing to shed it however they deem it necessary.

So they protect him, protect not their leader but a wounded friend, from the enemy. Because that's truly what H.E.P has become, the enemy. And even after all the deaths, all the needless violence from H.E.P, Grian still believes it to be a game.

“They’ve just really gotten into it!” He argued with a cracked laugh, “They wouldn’t actually hurt any of us intentionally, we’re friends after all!”

No one has the heart to tell him he’s wrong, at least not then, to tell him the H.E.P has really gone too far this time. They know he won’t listen to them, too far into his belief that the H.E.P really don’t want to hurt any of them. That it's no longer just a game anymore.

Then Scar and Mumbo came blasting into the Mycelium Resistance base and suddenly the truth could no longer be ignored.

All the other Members managed to get out of the blast radius of the machine, but Grian - weakened from the Ravagers was not so lucky. A collapsing pillar trapped him on the side that H.E.P had breached. His fellow resistance members barraceded off from him.

Grian looked up at where Scar and Mumbo stood, both with gleeful smiles on their faces as they looked around the base, and his blood ran cold. Yet he prayed they were just happy they had found the base, and not at the damage and destruction they’d cused, but as his eyes met Scar’s he knew that was nothing but wistful thinking. Tears pricked in his eyes as he looked at his two closest friends, the two people he could always go to if he ever needed anything, a newfound terror and fear now filling him as he looked up at them.

This was no longer a game, he bitterly thought, it’s a hunt where he was prey.

Using what little strength he still had in him he threw an ender pearl towards the exit, Impulse meeting him there and catching him, and then he was pushed up through the water with the other not leaving his side once. Once in the ocean Impulse swam them both towards shore, Etho coming to help the two when he emerged. After that they all ran away, or rode away in Ren and Grian’s case - since Grian could not fly or much less move.

Grian had said there was a hidden room in Town Hall they could use, but no one in the Resistance wanted to risk being so close to H.E.P. So instead they headed way off, to lands not visited or lived in. None of them were ready to face H.E.P or anyone else right now, not so soon after the attack.

The whole way Grian satt numbly behind Ren and thought, thought about H.E.P and its members. Were they all out for them, like their leader and newest member, or was there some who weren’t? Tango-he was pretty sure Tango was on the same extreme as those two, the warehouse had proven that. Cub and Bdubs too probably, they were the most loyal to Scar after all. And Xisuma too he was so violently against mycelium as well, though he didn’t seem as violent and loyal as the other two. False and Keralis were both mysteries to him, as they both didn’t seem to be as extreme as the rest, but still who could even be trusted to not be against him anymore?

He let out a shaky breath and rested his head against Ren’s back, small tears silently starting to fall from his eyes. Hermitcraft was his safe place, a sanctuary he could heal within. But look at what it had turned into, him running away from his “friends”.

“Ren?” He tentatively called. And after seeing that the wolf was listening to him he continued, “Are-are they still our friends?”

Ren rowed silently, thinking the question over in his head. Finally he sighed. A sad, defeated, sigh of a man who just didn’t know anymore, “I don’t know G-man, I really don’t know.”

Days later H.E.P would come looking for them, curious as to what had become of their competitors. But they would not find them, not now and not ever. Because the Resistance had been found once, and they were not going to make the same mistake twice. Though Impulse did come to the Hermit meeting a few weeks later, much to Tango’s excitement. But the fire elemental stepped back in shock when the taller brunette growled at him, and Zedpah moved to his side in an instant. Though Impulse could care less about them now (no matter how much it hurt him to look at the two, he just couldn’t help but remember the ravager and Tango’s taunts from that day) his attention was fully on Scar.

“This started as a game between friends, something to have fun with and laugh about.” He spoke camly, a deathly calm tinged with ice, golden eyes hard with the same ice, “And you have made it a war between enemies.”

Cries of outrage came at his words, protest from H.E.P and Hermits filling the air.

“It’s not a war!” Bdubs argued, “As you said it’s all just a game.”

“A game does not make someone question if you are still friends or not!” Impulse roared, slamming his hands down on the table, causing totally silence, “It does not permanently scar or hurt anyone! It doesn’t not make someone terrified of you! A game wouldn’t warrant running away and hiding the only option!” Tears now fell down his face, all the emotions he’d kept at bay finally slipping past his defences, “It-it doesn't make Grian’s pain into something funny, his pain and health just something to brush off. He shouldn’t be considering leaving for real!”

Impulse looked from Scar to Xisuma, “Get your acts together, H.E.P, or you might just be a few Hermits sort soon.” And with that he left, not even looking back as Tango desperately pleaded with him to stay, or H.E.P calling out to him for answers.

But he would not budge, would not turn back to look at them. Because he knew if he did he might do more than just scream at them. They all had it coming, of course, but he’s leaving that for Etho to deal with.

Later that night Scar sat in his office thinking over the events of the past few days, “I’m not the bad guy, am I Jellie?” Said cat mewed at him, a paw on his leg as she looked up at him, “Of course I’m not! I mean it’s all a game and I really just couldn’t tell the other side wasn’t having fun anymore. Right? That’s all it is, right?”

Jellie sadly bumped her head against Scars leg, a mournful chirp leaving her. She could smell that something was off about the man, but she couldn’t pinpoint what exactly it was.

Diamond blue eyes looked out at the shopping district, any hints of leaf green in them being overtaken by the blue, “Yeah, I’m not the bad guy.”