Evil Xisuma is aroace, or that's what everyone thinks. He's the villain of their story, the one who hurt them so much. Especially Xisuma. Some don't quite believe him when he says he was being controlled. He doesn't seem to believe himself - not like he's lying, more like he's telling the truth and it'd be easier to be in control of his own actions. His tormentor will never apologize. He's the one who has to apologize, making excuses won't help anybody.
It's just that.. he doesn't really know boundaries. He was pretty much abandoned by Xisuma, he was forced into singleplayer worlds, he sucks at human interaction. He doesn't know when he's allowed to say no or when he can say he's in pain or uncomfortable. But that's... excuses. He's gotta work. He's gotta apologize. He'll help everybody who needs it. Work at some redstone for them? Yeah, alright. He spent countless nights studying redstone so he could be useful. Grinding sand in the desert? That's fine. He never mentions how dizzy he is afterwards. He'll listen to everyone's problems, he'll help them. He doesn't need any help.
And during one of those times, a problem arises. He's listening to Jevin, how he's not comfortable with romance or love, and how being alone doesn't quite bother him, but he doesn't understand why. He wants to know. Maybe he's aroace? That's what Ex suggests. He's aroace too. He doesn't mention how he doesn't quite understand the label. He's saying that because he grew used to being lonely and not having any chance for a closer relationship, so he doesn't want to disappoint himself. He's fine with that.
More hermits seem to come to him for advice. Some of those little "therapy sessions" seem to... Be about Ex. He hates that. He hates how they ask how he's doing or if he needs help. Needing help means he can't work for the hermits, so he can't apologize. He's still the bad guy.
One time, Doc of all people comes by. With a little gift. A box of chocolates. As a thank you for helping with redstone, he says. He's blushing. Far too odd to be telling the truth.
The box ends up in the trash. There's no point in disappointing himself.
Meanwhile, Doc is talking to Ren. He overhead Ex's cries one night. He knows he has a chance to be with Ex. He wanted that so badly since Ex first came back. Now he has to figure out how to get Ex to notice.
"You're overworking, Ex." He says one day. He gets a tired shake of his head. "You know you can say no, right? Nobody will be mad."
"I've heard that too many times from you to believe you anymore." He sighs. "Come on. I could use some company for dinner, if you want to help so much."
It's not an overnight job. Ex is so convinced he's a bad guy and bad guys don't love. They don't have meaningful relationships. He can't fall in love, because he's a bad person and bad people don't love. In his head, that's a simple solution to a simple problem.
It takes a long time for Doc to find a way around the barriers Ex has set up. He won't accept offers of help, so Doc can't do those. So, he decides to just start helping Ex in his 'daily chores'. Doc is bored, so this is giving him something to do. That shuts Ex up. They get through the list of tasks Ex has gathered faster each day, giving Ex more time to himself.
He has no idea what to do with it. So Doc suggests ideas.
Ex gets back into knitting (Xisuma mentioned it used to be a hobby of his.) At first it's to make things Doc asked for, but eventually he's making a few things for himself, too. They have dinner together. Ex even helps Doc cook some nights. It gets a full meal into Ex each day. Doc will explain a redstone problem to Ex without expecting him to help, but Ex always looks so delighted when he's able to solve it. Sometimes Ren will hang out with them too, slowly trying to introduce Ex to hermits outside of asking for jobs.
Doc knows he might not get anything from this. Ex might in fact just be aroace (even if what other hermits have spoken about suggests he isn't) or he might not be interested in Doc or a relationship at all. But, Doc will have helped either way. That matters more to him. He's been in Ex's place before - the guy deserves a chance.
