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swamp-chicken · 2 years ago

Note

for the writing prompts, maybe ethubs with “you’re my happy place” “dont get cheesy on me” hehe - 👻

Sorry you waited a month for this LOL

happy place 2903 words // cw intoxication, alcohol use

Bdubs was fast asleep, dreaming of something pleasant like horsies or rabbits, when he was woken abruptly by a loud clatter. Bdubs was instantly wide awake. Bdubs’ clock, barely visible in the moonlight, showed it was past midnight.

The monolith was mob-proof, but Bdubs had still been surprised a few times. Once, he had been woken up by a rogue skeleton that must have snuck in a window. Now… he peered through the dark, eyes focusing immediately on a shadow closing in on him. Bdubs shrieked and flung a pillow at the creature.

“Agh! Bdubs, it’s me!”

Bdubs slowly lowered the second pillow he held at the ready. “Etho?”

The figure drew nearer, and yup, it was Etho, hair shining silver in the moonlight. He stumbled into Bdubs’ nightstand. “Ow.”

Bdubs frowned. “Um, what are you doing here? Are you okay?” Bdubs kept Etho’s bedroom in the basement clean in case Etho wanted somewhere to crash near spawn, but this was very much not Etho’s bedroom.

“‘M fine,” Etho said, “just wanted to see you.” He tipped forwards onto Bdubs bed.

Bdubs scrambled back towards the wall. “Are you… are you drunk?” No. Impossible. Bdubs had known Etho for years, and the guy—while he had no issue consuming massive amounts of caffeine—mostly steered clear of alcohol.

In fact, Bdubs had only seen Etho drink once before. An evening long, long ago, in another world with another group of people. A little server get-together. They had been much younger then, Bdubs still tripping over himself to impress Etho. His stomach had given a flip, then, when Etho had chosen to sit next to him.

They were sitting on the ground, a couple of nearby dirt-and-timber houses the only infrastructure in this newly-discovered world. Genny passed some beers to Bdubs, and Bdubs offered one to Etho just to be polite. Etho had always demurred in the past, choosing instead to quietly watch them all make drunken fools of themselves. Usually he would cut out early, when things started to get too rowdy, and went back to his base alone. That night, though, Etho had taken the proffered beer from Bdubs’ hand with a shy smile.

Bdubs grinned. “You finally joining us plebs?”

“It’s a special occasion,” Etho defended, cracking open the can. “New world and everything.”

It was a new world, Bdubs marveled. Unexplored, unbuilt, and Etho sitting at his side.

The conversation that night was winding, people making plans, making toasts. Bdubs quickly learned that Etho laughed more when he drank. Bdubs liked making his friends laugh, he liked entertaining them, but there was something special about the way Etho leaned into Bdubs’ side while he laughed breathlessly. Something that made Bdubs’ chest warm.

As the night wore on, Etho leaned into Bdubs’ side more and more heavily, and Bdubs increasingly began to put on a performance for one.

“Hey, are you two listening?” Guude’s voice snagged Bdubs attention.

He reluctantly unstuck himself from Etho’s side. “What’d I miss?”

Guude gestured around the circle. “We’re deciding who’s building the nether hub this season. No one’s volunteered.”

Bdubs glanced around the group, most of whom were sitting silently. He cleared his throat. “I mean, Genny and I worked on the expansion last season… If you really needed someone, I guess I could…”

Etho leaned forward. “I’ll do it,” he said.

Bdubs glanced at him sidelong. “Really?”

Etho shrugged, smiled at Bdubs. “Yeah, it sounds fun.”

Bdubs found himself smiling back. “Yeah, it could be fun. I’ll help, too.”

Guude stifled a laugh. “Then that’s that. You guys are the nether hub team. Now you can go back to… whatever you were doing.” The group started chattering to each other again, a tone of relief in their voices.

Bdubs turned to Etho. “You know, they’re going to hold you to that. You can’t wiggle out of it by claiming you were under the influence.” Bdubs grimaced, remembering some past promises he had made while tipsy.

“I know.” Etho seemed unconcerned. “I really have been wanting to work on something big. A community project.” He hesitated a moment. “Something with you.”

“Aww,” Bdubs said. It took every ounce of his dwindling self-control not to leap to his feet and punch the air. Etho wanted to work with him. “Well, it’s going to be awesome. Got any building ideas in that genius head of yours?”

Etho settled back against Bdubs’ side. “Maybe,” he said, fighting a smile. “You’ll have to wait and see.”

“It’s gonna be so cool,” Bdubs blabbered. “I want to do something massive. Something with a dome? Like, a cathedral or something—”

Etho laughed, stifling a yawn.

Bdubs broke off. “Hey,” he said, wrapping an arm around Etho. “Tired?”

Etho nodded into Bdubs’ shoulder. “Should probably go to bed.”

Bdubs stood, brushing the dirt off his pants. “Come on, then.” He offered Etho a hand.

Etho rose to his feet, stumbling into Bdubs as he did. He was maybe a little more drunk than he seemed.

Bdubs was, too. “I’ll walk you back to your house. Protect you from any creepers.”

Etho snorted, leaning forward into Bdubs space, so close that Bdubs’ heart skipped a beat. “Right, you’ll protect me.”

Bdubs straightened indignantly. “What, you don’t believe me? I’m a stone-cold monster killing machine. Creepers run from me, skeletons cower in fear!”

Etho was giggling helplessly. He pulled Bdubs towards him and it took a moment for Bdubs to realize he was being hugged. “I’m so glad I met you, Bdubs,” Etho said into Bdubs’ hair, voice curling with fondness.

“O-Oh—“ Bdubs stuttered, his heart suddenly pounding. “That’s very… You’re sweet.”

Etho pulled back and his eyes were crinkled into a smile, warm. “I think I can make it back on my own. Thanks for offering, though.” His gaze traced over Bdubs’ face, lingering long enough that heat rose in Bdubs’ cheeks. “Goodnight.”

Bdubs swallowed. “‘Night,” he replied, but Etho was already walking away.

That had been the first and last time Bdubs had seen Etho drunk. After that, he kept up with his old habits. Refusing drinks, leaving before things got too rowdy. But something had changed between them. The warmth that blossomed in Bdubs’ chest when he saw Etho, the answering warmth in Etho’s eyes. The nether hub that they had sunk countless hours into, that had turned out even more glorious than Bdubs had imagined.

It had been a good night.

And now here Etho was, lying facedown in Bdubs’ bed and very clearly intoxicated.

“N’mnk,” Etho said, muffled against the blanket.

“Come again?"

Etho wiggled forwards, swinging his legs on to the bed.

“Shoes!” Bdubs shrilled.

Etho huffed against the mattress and kicked his shoes off. They landed on the floor with a thud. He turned his head to the side, out of the way of the blanket, and tried again. “‘M not drunk. Cub had me test some new potions.”

“Right… potions.”

“I was walking by Keralis’s place, and he and XB invited me in, asked me to try Cub’s new concoction…” Etho trailed off, blinking into the distance. “Oh my goodness. Those were drinks. I am drunk.”

Bdubs laughed. “What, you didn’t know?”

Etho seemed a little dazed. “I was wondering why Keralis seemed so surprised when I agreed to take a shot.”

Bdubs choked. “They were shots?”

Etho glanced at Bdubs and cracked up.

“Oh, brother,” Bdubs snickered, unable to hold in his own laughter. “You need a chaperone.”

Etho squirmed himself further onto the bed. “Maybe.”

Bdubs smiled down at him. “I kept your place downstairs just how you left it. Want me to get you set up down there?”

Etho hummed noncommittally.

“Ah,” Bdubs said. “You want to stay up here so I can tell you a bedtime story.”

Etho giggled and wiggled closer. He was practically in Bdubs’ arms by now. “Yeah, that’s it.”

Bdubs heart gave a little thrill, like it did every time Etho came near. Right, a story. He cleared his throat with a dramatic flair. “Once upon a time there was a guy name Etho. He was an okay redstoner, I guess. Maybe even decent. Then one day he met Bdubs, who taught him everything he knew…”

Etho laughed. His face was very close. “I think I know this one.”

Bdubs wanted to smooth the hair out of Etho’s eyes but he kept his hands firmly where they were. One propping his head up, the other braced against the bed, almost curled against Etho’s chest.

“You’ll let me stay the night, right?” Etho asked, quietly.

“Of course.” Bdubs’ mouth was dry.

Etho’s eyes were shining in the dark. He reached out and cupped Bdubs’ face, hand warm. Bdubs was frozen, he felt pinned down by the featherlight touch of Etho’s thumb tracing the line of his cheek. “You always take such good care of me,” Etho murmured. “Thank you.”

Void knows you need it. The quip was right there, ready to be lobbed at Etho so the moment could be laughed off and Bdubs could roll over and go back to sleep.

Bdubs didn’t want to laugh the moment off. He nervously wet his lips with his tongue, Etho distractedly tracking the movement with his eyes. “Well, I care,” Bdubs said instead. A little too honest, a little too exposing.

Etho smiled. He pulled his hand off Bdubs’ cheek but shifted closer, Bdubs’ knuckles bumping against his sternum. Bdubs lifted his hand obligingly and then Etho was actually in his arms, smiling at him dopily. Bdubs stroked his hand down Etho’s back and tentatively dropped the arm propping his head up, lowering himself down until he and Etho were level, their noses almost touching. They made uncomfortable eye contact for a long moment.

At least, it was uncomfortable on Bdubs’ end, his heart rushing in his ears, feeling like he had just scraped off a layer of skin telling Etho he cared. Etho seemed completely at ease, however, his eyelids lowering with each second that passed. Bdubs snorted. Etho was falling asleep.

“Hey,” Bdubs said, wanting to get an answer before Etho nodded off, wanting to at least try and level the playing field. “Why did you come see me? Really.”

Etho’s eyes were mostly closed. “Bedtime story,” he said, and chuckled at his own joke.

Bdubs rolled his eyes.

“No—“ Etho’s voice was so quiet Bdubs had to strain to hear it, despite how close they were lying. “I told you, I just wanted to see you. You’re my happy place.”

Bdubs felt like he had been hit by a truck. “Don’t—don’t get cheesy on me,” he stammered.

Etho blinked one eye open, peeking at Bdubs face. He flushed at whatever he saw there, then resolutely rolled over, his back to Bdubs.

“Hey!” Bdubs whispered hoarsely.

There was an unmistakable smile in Etho's voice when he murmured, “Goodnight.”

———

Bdubs woke early, like usual. Etho was still passed out in his bed, snoring soundly. He had rolled back towards Bdubs in the night, tucking his head against Bdubs’ shoulder. Looking at Etho curled against him, there was a pressure in Bdubs’ chest that was almost painful. He didn’t want to investigate it too deeply

Bdubs decided to get up instead. He carefully dislodged himself from Etho’s embrace, dressing himself and dithering around his room. Etho didn’t budge the whole time. Bdubs stood in his doorway for an extra moment, watching Etho sleep, before remembering himself. Right, he had things to do today.

His first task was some inventory-taking. His storage was a mess by now, shulkers practically carpeting the floor of the monolith. He sorted through them until he found what he needed for his next project, organizing it as he went. After an hour there still hadn’t been a noise from the bedroom. Bdubs was a little concerned by now.

Bdubs had an old potion recipe tucked up his sleeve, one that had come in handy after many a late evening with good company and good drinks. He didn’t use it that much these days, but he could still brew it without much thought or effort. He was only a few minutes at his brewing stand. Bdubs stoppered the bottle and carried the final product upstairs.

Etho was still lying in Bdubs’ bed, covers drawn up to his nose. His eyes were open. He gave a guilty start as Bdubs walked in.

“How are you feeling?” Bdubs asked dryly.

“Horrible,” Etho answered. His voice was muffled by the blanket.

Bdubs snorted. “Here, try this.” He held the potion out.

Etho’s snuck an arm out from under the covers and snatched the potion out of Bdubs’ hands. He brought it close to his face, inspected the contents of the bottle with his brow furrowed. He glanced at Bdubs suspiciously.

Bdubs could have gotten offended by Etho’s obvious mistrust, but the vision of Etho in his arms, giggling and relaxed, was too fresh. He swallowed a laugh instead and sat at the edge of the bed. “Relax, it’s a hangover cure, not a special ‘concoction.’”

Etho, apparently satisfied by that explanation, uncorked the bottle and downed it with one swig. He grimaced at the taste, but Bdubs was no slouch at potion-making. A second later, Etho’s eyes widened. “Wow, that’s strong.”

Bdubs sat back against the bed post, crossing his arms smugly. “Now does Bdubs know his stuff or what?”

Etho sat up, tentatively, leaning against the headboard. The blankets pooled in his lap. He worried his lip, glanced towards the door and then back at Bdubs again. “Thanks,” he said quietly.

This was normally the part where Etho would be scrambling out of the room, calling goodbye over his shoulder, and Bdubs wouldn’t see him for a few weeks. But for some reason, Etho wasn’t moving from his spot on the bed. He picked at his fingernails instead.

Bdubs let the silence stretch awkwardly. He was curious where this might go.

Finally, Etho spoke up. “Did I… say anything last night?”

Bdubs bit down on the smile twitching at the corner of his lips. “You mean last night, when you broke in to my room?”

Etho pressed his lips together and nodded.

“Last night, when you climbed into bed with me?”

Stiffly, Etho nodded again.

“Yeah, you said something.”

“Bdubs,” Etho whined. His face was red with mortification.

Bdubs let out a bark of laughter and Etho glared at him. “You said cute stuff! Like how I was your happy place!”

Etho covered his face in horror. “I did not.”

“Oh, you did,” Bdubs grinned. “It’s fine, though! You don’t have to be embarrassed or anything.”

Etho groaned, his face still buried in his hands.

“You really shouldn’t be embarrassed, though.” Bdubs fidgeted, then spoke before he lost his nerve. “’Cuz I feel the same way.”

Etho slowly pulled his hands away from his face. His brow was creased, expression impossible to read.

Bdubs leapt off the bed, stomach clenching wildly. “Yup! So. I’ll see you later. Gotta get to work.” He turned to leave.

Etho lunged forward and grabbed Bdubs’ wrist. He blinked up at Bdubs, looking surprised by his own actions.

“What?” Bdubs asked.

Etho pursed his lips. “Bdubs… that’s so cheesy.”

“That’s what I said!”

Etho was just staring up at him, eyes wide. “You—“ he started, then cut himself off. His expression firmed. He rose to his knees and reeled Bdubs in by his wrist. Bdubs stumbled towards him, confused.

Etho was bracing himself for something, eyes darting around Bdubs’ face. And then, abruptly, he leaned forward and pressed a firm kiss to Bdubs’ lips.

Bdubs froze, heart knocking painfully against his ribs. This was… Etho was…

Etho drew back, scanned Bdubs’ face anxiously.

“Oh,” Bdubs managed to say, voice weak.

Disappointment flickered across Etho’s face.

Bdubs shook himself. Surely Etho didn’t think… Etho couldn’t think… Did he not know how Bdubs felt?

Bdubs scrambled. “No, wait, I mean… here.” Bdubs took a deep breath and smoothed his hands along Etho’s cheeks, watching Etho’s gaze soften. He pulled Etho towards him and kissed him gently. More gently than Etho’s kiss, at least. Not that it was a competition or anything.

Etho melted against Bdubs, the tension falling out of him, and then they were kissing in earnest; Etho’s mouth moving against his, hesitantly, but with more assurance after Bdubs gave an encouraging hum. They were kissing, Bdubs moving his hands to cup Etho’s jaw, tilting Etho towards him. Etho’s hands settling lightly on his waist.

Bdubs pulled back, chucking Etho affectionately under the chin. “There.”

There was a flush staining Etho’s cheeks. “What, that’s it?”

“Yeah, I got stuff to do,” Bdubs said with a smirk, rocking on his heels.

Etho narrowed his eyes.

Bdubs snorted at his expression, stomach fluttering. “I guess I could be persuaded to stay a little longer…”

Etho tugged Bdubs down on to the bed. “I don’t know why I need to persuade you, since I’m your happy place and all.”

“It doesn’t work like that! You said it first, so you can’t tease me without teasing yourself.”

Etho hardly seemed to hear him. He was staring at Bdubs mouth again, expression hungry.

“Oh, fine,” Bdubs sighed. He glanced at the clock on the wall. “I don’t have anywhere to be until… noon? Maybe? I’m yours until then.”

Etho pounced.

#ethubs #hermitshipping #I just wanted to write some bb mindcrack ethubs. w the nether hub!!! and some kissing to boot!#this is a palette cleanser for you and me :)#i also started working on OGR last night lol #@babygirlbdubs #i think this is you but if not lmk and i will delete tag #my fic

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