#rencletho

[hmshermitcraft]

Etho isn’t… used to spending the holidays with people. Sure, the Hermits always did something together but this felt different. He was going to spend the holidays with Joel, and by proxy, with Lizzie. Ren and Cleo were both far more chill about it than Etho felt, Ren chattering away while Cleo hummed or gave the occasional appropriate response to whatever he was saying. Etho fidgeted with his seatbelt, watching trees and cars pass.

Etho was gently shaken awake when they arrived, Cleo giving him a good natured smile before prodding him to get his bags. The house, Joel and Lizzie’s, was nice. Homey looking.

Joel greeted them in an apron holding a tray of what looked like rolls, apologizing for leaving them out in the cold while waving them inside.

“Sorry about that, had to get the rolls out of the oven,” He held up the tray and Etho smiled, nodding. They all let Joel out the tray down on the kitchen island, and Etho spotted Lizzie chewing on her lip and decorating cookies. He set his bag down, stepping closer.

“Want any help?” He offered, tilting his head a little. Lizzie jumped, clearly not expecting him.

“Oh! Etho!” She chirped, bright blue eyes wide. Etho waved, though he really didn’t have to.

“I think the others are arguing about the best roll toppings so…” He motioned over his shoulder to where Joel, Cleo, and Ren had managed to get themselves into a heated discussion about whether butter, jam, or peanut butter was the best thing to put on a roll. Personally Etho usually ate them plain but he had a feeling he’d be relegated to sleeping on the couch if he said that.

Lizzie glanced over his shoulder, rolling her eyes fondly before gesturing to the undecorated cookies and bowls of colored frosting. “Go ahead, I’d appreciate the help,” She smiled, handing him a knife. They were quiet for a while, listening to the sounds of the other three talking in the connected living room before Lizzie spoke up again. “You know…” She began conspiratorially, glancing at Etho where he was attempting to make a snowman cookie look… like a snowman. “I usually eat them without anything on.” She whispered it like it was a secret, and Etho grinned beneath his mask.

“Me too,” He replied, bumping his hip against hers. “Think we should tell them?”

Lizzie laughed, turning her head to look at him fully. “I think we’d start an even worse argument,” She didn’t sound like she was disagreeing, so Etho leaned in closer, tugging his mask down to let her see his mischievous smirk.

“Exactly.”

(they then proceed to cause absolute chaos together the entire time they’re there and Joel and Cleo agree that they need a chaperone, Ren likes being dramatic and has arguments for fun so he doesn’t mind.

-💕anon)

Etho doesn't mind the holidays with the hermits, but there's something to love about these smaller, intimidate celebrations. Especially with this lot.

The iced cookies vary dramatically in quality, but they're loved all the same. They mix different holiday staples of their culture into dinner and make sure the rolls come plain to prevent further disagreements.

And in the brief breaks from the chaos, they all lounge around the living room, feeling very full and content.