#sc.ottho

Etho who thinks he’s found a new golden retriever bf in Scott that he’ll get to play with like he’s done with Bdubs many times over, what with how interested Scott is in everything he’s saying. Even receiving positive active feedback that lets him know Scott is still listening.

But actually, he’s the “dog” this time. Scott has seen Etho’s game he’s played on Bdubs, and notices Etho trying the same thing on him. He’s much more observant than Etho realizes, and much prefers to be the person in control of a situation…so he reverses things back on Etho.

Getting him all excited to show off old tips and tricks, sharing information, and so forth. Scott actively listens because for one, it is useful information. But also so he can pretend to e playing Etho’s game. He gives Etho assurances and praise, shoulder pats/touches that gradually become back pats/pets/touches.

And soon, Etho is absentmindedly actively sharing/gifting things to Scott, which Scott “jokingly” calls fetching. If Scott needs something from a chest that Etho is closer to, he asks Etho to fetch it for him. And Etho doesn’t hesitate, bringing it to Scott, grinning as Scott thanks him, patting his back.

And even when Scott switches to calling Etho a “good boy”, it still hasn’t fully hit Etho yet. Etho is far too distracted with his excitement of being in this older version and the fact that Scott is responding positively to him for it to clock.

No, no, it’s not until before they head to the hot tub at the end of the first session, when they’re alone and getting changed into swimwear. Scott sneaks up behind Etho, resting a hand on his upper back and brushing his thumb there, the other hooks down around and up Etho’s shirt to hold him. Scott tells him he’d been such a good boy today, hunting supplies for him, fetching his things, and good boys deserve a treat or reward. Scott comments he has the perfect thing in mind, moving the hand off his back to get something out of his pocket. He takes out a strip of leather and now takes the other hand back to get it fastened around Etho’s neck. Scott apologizes, promising to dye it red like the other dogs once they have a chance to collect red dye.