#sillywritings

Everything has been back to normal for a bit now. Princess Zed has been dragging Tango around town earlier this morning until he had to attend his afternoon duties (whatever those may be, sometimes not knowing is better with Zed) and Tango finally has some time to himself. 

With the world saved from Vaati, monsters are gonna and the animals around are peaceful again and Tango managed to find a soft spot of grass somewhere where he has his own peace and quiet, away from the bustling castle town. 

Now Tango has finally time to dedicate himself to his own studies. 

Or at least he tried to. 

Despite his back aching as he lays down, notebook placed in the soft grass besides him, Tango lets the sun wash over him. The warmth always feels natural to him, matching his flames. 

Even if his body will punish him later, Tango falls asleep on the grassy floor. 

The sun is still high up in the sky when a noise, followed by a rather annoying sensation wakes him up. 

Red eyes blink open, desoriented for a brief moment, mind immediately trying to reach for a sword that isn't there anymore.

"How much can a guy sleep?" Sighs a familiar voice, then Tango feels a slight sting at his calf. 

He blinks a few times because he knows that voice, but it sounds a lot quieter now than he's used to. 

Carefully, he lifts his hand and puts his glasses on, from where they were resting on the notebook. Everything up close came into view much clearer now and as he leans forwards, between the blades of grass, smaller than a leaf from a nearby tree that has fallen down, is a not so familiar face. 

He's not used to seeing Etho like this and not on his head, tugging at his hair with his beak-like mouth whenever he wanted to annoy Tango... Sometimes Tango wonders how he can miss this. 

But seeing Etho here in all his tiny picori glory raises some fondness within Tango.

Careful not to accidentally brush against his tiny friend, he leans down, getting his face a lot closer to the ground, even if his body is clearly not a fan of him doing so, joints aching. 

How did he manage to run through the whole kingdom just a few weeks ago? Adrenaline sure had its effects on his body. 

"Oh, hi. Didn't expect you here... Poking me with a stick?" Tango realizes it's not actually a stick but a sword. "Or just trying to murder me in my sleep. Could've just said you missed me." 

He can hear Etho's chuckle as he puts the sword away, into the sheath nestled at his hip. "I needed to wake you up somehow."

Etho crosses his arms and Tango finds himself reaching out, just one finger gently moving towards Etho who raises his hand in return. It's an odd form of greeting or affection but it's theirs, even if they haven't seen each other since their adventure ended. It just comes naturally. 

The small hand rests against his finger. "So, what brings you out here? Except for poking me with a blade?" 

Despite not having seen Etho's actual face much, he notices how he's smiling, can hear it in his voice, the same way he did when they were out, saving the world.

"Uh, nothing." Etho breaks the contact, sitting down on the floor, dangerously close to the small creak flowing nearby. 

"Just fishing." Tango sees the tiniest shrug. 

"And you couldn't do that in your forest?" The words are laced with a fond skepticism btt Etho shrugs again. Tango notices he has a fishing rod with him, a stick and some silky string but he trusts that it works well. 

"Been there done that, you know?" Etho says absentmindedly, casting the rod into the water. "And besides, gotta catch different fish sometimes."

Tango's eyes travel from the tiny man, to the flowing water that has been the background noise of his afternoon. 

With his eyebrows scrunched, he asks, "Are there even any fish in there?" 

The cream is barely deep enough for Tango to set most of his lower arm in. 

Etho just replies with a noncommittal "Hmm." 

For now, Tango adjusts so he can lay next to where Etho sits, watching the way the string vanishes into the water. 

Occasionally he can't keep his eyes from sticking to Etho, wanting to take in every bit of how he actually looks. He did regret not doing that the last time they were together but he was a little bit too occupied and out of breath from fighting for his and Zed's life, as well as the entire kingdom. 

"What are you even catching? Plankton? Krill?" Tango can't help but ask after a few moments of silence. It's a nice contrast to the constant bickering he was used to with Etho.

For the first time since he sat down, Etho looks up at where Tango is lying on his stomach. "First of all, rude. Second of all, everyone knows they only live in salt water."

At this, Tango can't help but laugh, shaking his head. Meanwhile Tango's flaming tail comes to rest around where Etho's spot is, close enough to emit a soft warmth. 

"No way, they're in all waters" comes the eventual reply to which Etho looks at him like he lost his mind. 

They fall into the same type of banter that became so familiar during their adventure till Tango eventually had enough. 

He dips his hand into the running water and sprinkles a few droplets towards Etho, drenching him entirely. 

"Hey, just because you're all big and such-" His complains get interrupted by Tango wordlessly settling his warm tail closer around him, trying hard to resist the urge to annoy Etho or knock him over. 

One soaked picori has to be enough for a day. 

"Then tell me what you're catching," Tango asks, not in earnest interest but because it would keep Etho talking and here for a bit longer before he returns to his forest. 

As Tango listens to the strategic bait colors to catch certain microscopic fish, he fishes out his notebook again, taking notes on a contraption he kept thinking about, inspired by some of what he saw during his adventure, made by the picori.

Having drowned out most of Etho's words, Tango nudges him, now mostly dry, with the non-writing tip of his pen. "Hey, mind taking a look at this for me?" 

They fall into a long conversation, Etho sitting on the corner of his page, patiently explaining mechanisms and smaller devices to Tango, who rapidly takes notes. 

Neither of them notices the sun starting to set behind the trees before the sky is tinted orange and pink above them. 

"I should-" Etho starts but Tango interrupts him impulsively. "You shouldn't walk home. In the dark I mean. Monsters and... Stuff." 

He can't even admit to himself that he doesn't want to say goodbye again. 

"You could come to my house. I can make you a tiny bed or something." Tango laughs, sitting up and holding out his hand for Etho before packing up his notes. 

This earns him a scoff. "Tiny bed, right." 

Still, Etho steps on, Tango gently raising him up. 

"Or we could take a leaf with us if this would make it feel more homely for you," he teases, slowly getting up, legs aching from laying on the floor for so long. 

"Let's go then. Should I carry you in my pocket?" Tango asks, getting ready to deposit Etho in the comfortable warmth only to be met with a glare of mismatched eyes "Now that's just patronizing." 

There's a playfulness in Etho's huffy tone. 

Instead, he settles on Tango's shoulder, leaning against his neck casually as they walk home. 

Inside Tango's humble abode, they find themselves working some more on the notes, till the candle on the desk burns low. 

Etho yawns, stretching his arms above his head before looking around. 

Tango's bed is right next to the desk so apparently the best course of action is to let himself fall right onto the soft mattress. 

"Yeah, go ahead, make yourself right at home" Tango groans, wrapping it up for tonight. 

When he moves over to the bed, Etho has already taken refuge on his pillow, fast asleep with even breaths. 

With another sigh, Tango joins him, careful not to crush him. 

When his head hits the pillow he truly realizes how close Etho is. For a brief moment he considers laying down elsewhere or at least turning away but against his consciousness, he stays. 

With a single finger gently reaching out, he nudges part of his blanket over Etho, leaving his hand close by protectively. 

It's Etho's third run today alone, and the game has barely started yet, the dungeon only having opened its doors two weeks prior. It is all so new and fresh for the Hermits, and for Tango to watch. But this is what all the hard work of the past year has been for. The payoff for every moment of his time, sacrificed to tickle this exhilarating feeling out of his friends.

And none more than Etho.

Because this is what Tango truly was waiting for, for the past nearly 3 years now. Watching Etho set foot inside his game, getting to spectate how his mismatched eyes take in every bit of it, analytical as always. The light footed steps he makes through the dungeon and the way it almost seems like he's bribing the inhabitants with how much sheer luck he sometimes has.

It is mesmerizing to watch. But it is even better when he gets to laugh about every misstep Etho makes - because that is where the other part of the joy in making games lies. The challenge that comes with it and seeing others fall into every carefully calculated trap. Especially with a certain someone who has been herding the ravagers around his dungeon like they were sheep on a field, rather than large beasts in a frozen cave.

Nothing makes Tango laugh just as much as a random pathway closing in Etho's face and hearing the high pitched frustration in his voice as he accuses Tango of flicking a switch. Sometimes he really wishes he had one, just for Etho, to make his life a little harder at times. The question whether Tango actually would flick it is a different one.

What also sets Etho apart from the others, despite his skill and absolutely unreasonable luck, is the banter. Gravitating towards each other with teasing and taunting, Tango can't keep his mouth shut when he watches Etho play, and the other one rarely minds, even if Tango laughs at his misfortune, or audibly rolls his eyes when the vex seem to purposefully let Etho go.

But it also goes the other way round. Etho knows Tango loves hearing his thoughts about the game as a whole, or even just the little details he notices. Nobody gets the challenges, the way to play and enjoy it, as much as the one man who tries to use every loophole against the dungeon master. Every corner that isn't intended to be climbed, Etho does with a smile that Tango can't even see but he can hear in his voice that it's there, when Etho calls out, "Thanks for leaving this one in, Tango."

Most of the time when Etho gets injured, Tango can laugh about it. It's never anything serious, or permanent. Nothing more than just a little uncomfortable, fixed by a simple respawn.

This time though, he pulls in a sharp breath through his teeth, his tail curling around his ankle in a tense movement. It is a specifically rough one, just on his way out of the frozen crypt, a ravager catches the tall man off guard, as they so rarely do, this one having wandered quite a bit probably. It hits him good, causing Etho to stumble down the stairs into the more open caverns, right in front of Pumpkin, who was seemingly only waiting for this to happen.

As always, when a run ends, Tango is already up and ready, trying to get there before the players respawn. It is always worth the hassle, better to be there in person, than just spectating. Being able to see the actual smile on people's faces, as if they didn't just end up as ravager food.

Just as Tango makes a swift landing in the grand hall, the icy scoreboard next to him, the dark red door opens and Etho comes out of the dungeon.

"That looked-" - "Don't say anything", Etho interrupts him immediately. There is this familiar mixture of annoyance mixed with the adrenaline and the undoubtedly fun time Etho had, in his voice.

"You placed those ravagers there on purpose." Etho accuses him in a rather whiny voice. Oh it is one of those times, huh?

"I wish I had the power to do that. No, these two sniffed you out on their own. Might need to consider a shower or something." the blazeborn teases back, with a sharp toothed smile on his face.

Etho rolls his eyes and gives Tango a shove, but when the gesture is returned, not even too forcefully, there is a sharp inhale. Though normally not the most observant, Tango's ears managed to definitely pick up the sound in the eerily quiet hall.

It happens sometimes, after a respawn. The large, fatal things are taken care of but the smaller, annoying bits are left to heal on their own. With a sigh, Tango steers Etho to the small blue cot that somebody must have set up here a few days ago, Tango barely noticed when it happened. But it is here now and he practically deposits Etho wordlessly on it before starting to dig through the chest next to it.

Apparently it has been used as a dumping ground by everyone for anything. Sticks, snowballs, a piece of string that Tango better not find to be missing anywhere vital, right outside the entrance gates, and somewhere, glowing at the bottom, he pulls out a small, glowing bottle.

"Aha, someone left something good behind for once." then immediately grumbling about, "This place isn't a garbage dump, you guys know that, right?" before plopping himself down next to Etho.

Just as Tango knows he doesn't need to insist, Etho knows not to refuse him. They're both their own unique brands of stubbornness so it is easier to just let the other do their thing.

Helping Etho shrug his long coat off, does barely anything to assess the damage, so Tango pulls on the hem of his shirt and in a moment it gives way. A few bruises and a shallow cut litter Etho's pale skin, mostly on his torso and one on his arm, right next to the ladder tattoo that he's got there.

Tango never questioned if Etho would let anyone else do this, not really his business.

But so, the Dungeon Master ends up patching up his favorite player, dumping drops of liquid onto a rag and rubbing it over each bruise and cut.

"'m cold, Tango" Etho whines, drawing out the last syllable of his name enough to make the blazeborn chuckle.

"Should've thought about that before taking a tumble down the stairs, skippy." But still, his tail comes to rest in Etho's lap, the blue flames radiating warmth like a living furnace. Warm but never enough to burn, at least on Hermitcraft.

As Tango works on patching up his back, Etho seems distracted enough to start playing with said tail in his lap, moving it around mindlessly. A fond smile finds its way on Tango's face. "Having fun there?"

A simple hum is the only reply he gets.

When Tango moves on from one arm, wanting to check if there's another space in need of a bit of a healing potion, Etho starts purposefully leaning onto Tango, the taller man clearly using his height to his advantage.

"Hey," Tango calls out, obviously seeing that Etho is doing this to annoy him, placing all his weight on him. "You're being annoying." But any attempt to push him off, or to weasel out is useless.

"But you're warm" Etho whines again, but Tango can hear him smile. Little shit. "I'm injured, Tango, you gotta be nice to me"

This earns a laugh alongside the usual eyeroll. "I'm always nice. Patching you up." He pats Etho's other shoulder that is not leaning on him and, of course, touches another bruise, just his luck.

Now at least, Etho lets him finish up. Working on his left arm reminds Tango of the times he needed help, begrudgingly, with his mechanical one. Normally he can easily do the maintenance himself but there have been a few times where another set of hands was needed, and Etho's just are the most skillful ones sometimes. Especially when the elbow joint needs to be oiled from an odd angle or that one time his shoulder got stiff from a few bits being misaligned. He'd practically resigned himself to having to live with it for the rest of his life until Etho wordlessly sat down next to Tango who was in the middle of scribbling in some notebook, screwdriver in hand. So he understands maybe just a little how Etho feels right now, accepting help.

But Etho being Etho, means that the second Tango is done, he has an arm around him and the full weight of one tall, Canadian man on him, draped over him like a very clingy cat, entirely preventing him from getting up.

The fondness doesn't leave his voice, even when Tango pretends to be annoyed, "You can put your shirt back on and let your local heating pack go now, you know? Or just. Yep, just lean more on me, that's also fine. Anything else you want while we're at it?" Rolling his eyes and crossing his arms isn't enough at this point but that's all Tango can do.

Seemingly thinking for a moment before replying, Etho muses "Hm, yeah, I wouldn't mind a massage, if you're already offering."

Of course. Tango can't help the snorting laugh that escapes him, pushing back against Etho, enough so that the taller man needs to sit up. "Oh, anything else you want? Hot chocolate? Need someone to tuck you in?" An arm comes to rest on top of Tango's head, which is clearly not comfortable for Etho, because he's not that short. No, he's doing this purely to annoy him.

"Wouldn't mind that either. Your bed is always so nice and warm"

Tango is trying very hard not to react to that comment, but Etho knows just how to get to him. Trying to over play any flustered feeling in his chest, Tango laughs out, "Yeah, because I sleep there. Tango. Blazeborn."

Hmm." Etho makes no effort to move away, off the cot, now having settled for leaving his lanky arm slung around Tango, not a care in the world.

The comfortable silence between both men gets interrupted when the announcement, "The dungeon is ready for its next victim" comes from seemingly everywhere suddenly.

"Wanna go for another run? I'd watch," Tango offers, looking up at Etho's face. He can see him think it over, consider how many frozen shards he still has for this phase, maybe even make a plan about how deep down he'd be daring to go.

"Hmm." The most noncommittal answer possible as Etho picks up his shirt and coat, getting dressed again. Waiting another moment or two, but no follow up comes, so Tango asks, "is that a yes then?"

Maybe that was a mistake because now Etho seems to have made his mind up and that whim makes him lean enough against Tango, moving to get his legs onto the cot, so he can fully lay down, taking the Dungeon Master with him. He is basically getting crushed by the lanky man, scrambling below him to get a little bit more comfortable despite the head at his neck and the wild, white hair poking at his face.

"Tomorrow. Not getting up here."

The factory hums around Tango as it steadily works in the background. He's gotten used to the noises around him by now, especially now that it actually has been working for a few months without a major hitch. 

Minecarts are rolling around, lights are blinking on and off, and Tango has to admit, this place might be a home? Well, maybe home isn't the right word. But it is done and he feels satisfied with it. Even if there still is a bit of stuff left to do. 

Like cleaning up. 

With all the recent finishing touches he's made to this place, the boxes have stacked up, and all the work outside, shaping the paths, has tracked enough dirt inside that Tango felt the need to finally fix his mess. 

One would think that this is what he invented the teknicians for, right? But if he left those guys alone with this, no work would get done, in the best case. In any worse case he'd have to reassemble them again after another anvil to the face incident. 

So instead, Tango is swiping up dust, mud and debris himself, two hands on the broom, his other two hands holding his pesky tail out of the way before it can absentmindedly swipe through one of the neat piles he's just made. All while making sure his little guys are actually helping. 

One definitely is, and Tango can't help but smile, always enjoying to see when his inventions actually work out, as he's carrying around some trash bags. 

Another one is currently trying to dust off a few boxes which is... Admittedly less helpful but it's got the spirit. 

Maybe this isn't going to take forever. He's been making good progress and one of the little guys is even helping with unpacking the non-trash boxes, carrying around items to his storage, even if he plays around with them for a bit first. 

With a smile and a small shake of his head, endeared by the teknicians, Tango keeps swiping until he sees something red being lifted out of one of the boxes. Oh no.

"No no no no no no no"

The broom is clattering to the floor as Tango sprints over, tackling the small robot away before he can actually light the TNT. Rolling over the floor, a safe distance away, Tango can catch his breath, picking the robot up by his neck like one might a cat. "No! Bad teknician!" Tango is aware of how exasperated he sounds. "How often do u have to say, no lighting shiny boom booms inside the factory?" 

With a sigh and a pat on the head he lets the guy down as he waddles off, hopefully doing something else now that won't give Tango another heart attack. 

Sitting on the floor for another moment, one hand in his lap, the other two propping him up, Tango allows himself a momentary break, going through his hair once with a free hand. 

His moment of peace is interrupted by another anvil falling down, dangerously close to where Tango is sitting, causing him to practically jump out of his skin and scatter away with a loud "Gah!" 

Looking up he saw another teknician, the one that presumably held an anvil a few seconds ago, fallen onto his face, struggling like a bug turned on its back. 

While Tango just wanted to focus on making the warden boopificators for Decked Out, he of course gets interrupted. Steps on stone sound behind him and he feels someone slump down right next to him.

“It’s been a year now, you know?” Etho’s breath tickles his pointed ear, as a purposefully heavy head comes to rest on his shoulder. Tango is used to that by now, Etho practically draping himself over him.

Without looking away from the row of repeaters in front of him, he acknowledges the taller man with a brief “hm?”

Instead of a reply, he can feel a hand fiddle with the collar of his cloak, adjusting it, pale fingers running over the seam and the bat wing ornaments. “Are these always this pointy?” Etho asks, as if he hadn’t heard Tango.

With a sigh, he caves and asks, “A year since what?” He puts the little pouch of redstone down, officially giving up on getting any work done. Not when Etho has decided to feel chatty.

Finally he gets an explanation. “Wild Life. Gem mentioned it earlier.” Etho hums.

This causes Tango to actually pause, looking over to the white mop of hair that is still resting on him.

“Huh. A whole year?” Wild Life sure was… Wild. His memories of it are a bit all over the place. Mostly fleeing in terror from snails. And wasn’t there a trivia thing? He’s squinting, trying to piece together if he was actually any good at it. Probably not.

What he does remember is Etho and Bdubs, the constant bickering. They were a horrible team.

Etho’s voice distracts him from his thoughts. “Lots has happened since.” He’s not wrong but Tango just hums in response. This is not something he’s good at. The sentimental stuff.

Feeling the need to fill the silence, he grasps for anything to say, going for the most obvious one. “New season started. And Past Life.”

“We don’t talk about that.” Tango points his finger at Etho.

“Not just that though.” Etho is quiet for a moment. “You did a lot last season.” He knows how much this is making Tango squirm internally, his body tensing up just a little bit.

Trying to ease himself up a little, Tango lets out a laugh, falling back into their usual teasing. There is a comfort in their dynamic. “Is this your way of trying to weasel your way into free keys? It’s not working” He gives Etho a playful shove, not enough to get him off him.

He can hear Etho’s smile in the way he draws out his “no”, the playful lilt to it.

Just wanting to get the focus off himself, Tango tries to shift it back to the other man. There was a lot. They did the mail system together with Pearl, Etho did Ravager Rush. But then he remembers just the thing to point out. “You had your beavers.” Etho’s laugh is warm against his neck, even muffled by the mask.

Neither of them are the sentimental type so it is more of a surprise to Tango when Etho brings up more things.

“You finished two whole games there.”

“Ehh it’s nothing.” His standard reply, almost a reflex at this point. He could point out how Hungry Hermits kept breaking, how parts of the Tangler were rushed. But in truth, they are two projects he’s proud of, even if he doesn’t like thinking about it like that. 

“Uh huh. And starting Decked Out 3 is also just a side project?” Etho teases him, shifting slightly next to him, sitting up and stretching his arms above his head with a groan. 

“Yeah, little side project.” Tango can’t help but grin. His fangs are pointy, more than usual, and with his normally sharp teeth one would think he’s used to it by now but no. Still weird, but it’s only been about a month. It’s an odd feeling when he smiles like this. It’s not helping that Etho’s eyes are clearly on him.

Allowing himself a little break, Tango takes a deep breath, trying to think what all happened since Wild Life ended. “Also finished the factory, had the whole teknicians thing. Could use these guys right now.” The copper guys just aren’t quite the same, even though they’re nice. Useful. But he made them, that’s different. 

“You’re a vampire now.” Etho points out the obvious, leaning back down against Tango. 

He needs to bite back a snarky really, I didn’t even notice. 

Instead, he goes for a similar observation.

“And you’re a donkey breeder.” This earns Tango a short chuckle.

“Hey I am doing the server a favor for those of us that reject these things. Or don’t rush it.” He fiddles with Tango’s elytra. This pair feels odd, the heavy fabric at odds with the smooth plated material.

“Well, some of us need to rush a little if we plan on finishing our projects before the season ends.” Tango returns, rolling his eyes. Still he’s smiling again, reaching out to Etho, touching his hand. This time around both of them are wearing gloves.

Etho absentmindedly fidgets with the fabric of the vampire's vest as he hums in reply, probably only half listening at this point, conversation slowly dying down. But with Etho the silence rarely feels overbearing.

The hand traces over his arm, smudging a bit of redstone that got onto the dark fabric. “Having fun there?” Tango mumbles as he returns his focus to hopper clocks and repeater timings to get the lift to work as intended this time.

The touches and fidgeting don’t stop, the only reply is a soft hum as Etho’s eyes follow Tango’s hands, every minor adjustment he does; adding a few items to a hopper, a tick here and there, always watching to see if the timings are finally just right.

“I’m surprised your base is so far away from here.” Tango has been wondering about this since the start of the season, never wanting to point it out this clearly before. Neither of them are the type for it but… It’s weird, not always having Etho this close. Last season he could see Etho’s base from his own. He even remembers that one spot in Etho’s base where they sometimes sat, late at night, talking or each working in silence, that had a great view of the factory.

Now Etho is the hermit living the furthest away from him. Not that it stops him from frequently rushing over here with his speed-donkey.

“I think I got a place to stay once it opens.” Etho just shrugs.

Etho and Tango sit in the reiling of the steampunk blimp that looms above Tango's still unfinished factory, looking towards where Cub is hosting a large fireworks show with the help of some of the others. There's food and people are talking and laughing.

Almost everyone is there, but not these two.

Of course they love their friends and enjoy spending time with them but it's already so noisy and crowded at times and right now they prefer the quiet of it all. Plus Tango insists the view from up here is so much better than being up close.

They sit, legs dangling, and just watch over the server for a while. It's a comfortable silence around them, without the need to fill it.

Tango got out his notepad occasionally to write down some idea or another that went through his head, telling Etho about it as he writes.

Neither of them has a clock on them and they don't know how late it is.

Eventually, Etho breaks the silence."So when do we get sappy and talk about the past year?"

The smile is audible in his voice and Tango doesn't even need to look up to see the way his eyes crinkle slightly alongside it.

"We don't have to if you don't wanna" he just offers in return. Neither of them is the type for this kind of stuff anyway.

Etho shrug and they sit in silence once more but now that Etho mentioned it once, Tango is of course thinking about it anyway.

"It sure was a year. Thought I would've gotten more done" Tango sighs. He's now looking down at his unfinished factory. "Thought I'd at least have that thing done a bit more done by now. Instead I spent half the year in a hole and the other half fixing this mess." he laughs sorely.

Etho gently kicks against his boot.

"You got everyone addicted to your game. Again." he throws in and Tango knows that it's not just to cheer him up.

"Only took me what? 5 months? And even then it was kind of a mess. All the bugs and so much that went wrong..."

A beat later, "Sorry. Didn't want to spend the last few minutes of the year being miserable" Tango says but he can't help the slight smile in his voice because Etho knows how he is. And Tango knows that Etho doesn't mind; that sometimes Tango needs to talk himself down, let out an annoyed sigh at himself and get to it. But there's not really a getting to it now on New Year's now, is there?

But the sigh already helps enough.

"What about you? Happy with this one?" Tango asks, changing the subject away from himself. Funny thing how neither of them can stand bring the focus for too long.

"Sure, could say that." Etho says but doesn't really elaborate.

Many good things have happened for the both of them. They made games for their friends and had the joy of watching them play and laugh. Struggle and get better.

Etho got over himself and built a roof for his house, something he's at least decently happy with.

Tangos factory is, despite the flaws he's deeply unhappy with, quite the impressive piece of redstone work.

The time they spent with everyone, laughing and learning from each other, watching their friends grow and live alongside them.

Neither of them says it out loud but that's what's been filling this year for them.

Another thing they don't say out loud, not earlier, not right now, is them. For a few months now they have been closer than ever before and since that one afternoon in the redstone of Hungry Hermits...

Things have changed between them, kisses have been stolen away, nights spent at the others, mostly Etho's, base; Tango's starter house being mostly unused at this point.

Still they haven't talked about it. Why would they? It's not like that would change anything.

Or it would. It would put expectations up, and Tango doesn't know if he's ready for that.

What would Etho even expect from him? Dates? Kissing? To tell other people?

Tango is lost in his own thoughts, he barely hears Etho's question.

"How long do you think we still have till midnight?"

"Huh?" Tango looks up at him, taking a moment to register the question and as his brain catches up and he wants to reply, the fireworks are beginning to light up the night sky.

And Tango can't take his eyes off Etho, his face illuminated by the flickering lights all over the night sky.

What would be expected of them? Shouldn't they kiss now?

Does it matter what's expected of them?

"Happy new year, Etho" Tango says with a bright smile as he realizes it doesn't matter.

He can see Etho return the expression, see it in his eyes, his eyebrows, the way his cheeks move under the mask.

Carefully, Tango reaches out and pulls on the fabric and Etho doesn't stop him. He never has.

Slowly their lips meet, as if they're making this something special.

Tango smiles into the kiss. He wouldn't have expected to be the type of person who enjoys something as dumb as a kiss on new years but here he is. And he wouldn't have it any other way.

Of course it feels silly and cheesy and neither of them really need it. But maybe that is part of the charm.

Once Tango pulls back he cant stop grinning at Etho. And that grin doesn't vanish when the taller one starts leaning his head on Tango's shoulder, slouching slightly to get comfortable.

Tango doesn't like snow. After last season where he spent the entire time surrounded by ice and the cold he's decidedly had enough of it.

That's why he settled somewhere entirely away from any snowy mountains and just enjoys the warmth of the sun on his skin. It is nice, not having his body work overtime to keep himself warm.

No, this is perfect. Until one morning he wakes up and... It's snowing.

He sits up in his bed and groans at the sight of it, watching as it just keeps piling up outside, with no pause coming.

It's not like Tango dislikes Christmas time but why does it always have to come with snow? He just wants to stay in bed and not work on his factory today, especially since he still hasn't built the exterior for it, meaning everything is covered in snow and if he wants to get any work done… Shoveling snow wasn't really on his agenda today. 

But the only thing worse than working in the snow was not working at all. So he gets up and gets out his poofy coat from last season. It looks a bit ridiculous, without the blue hair but it will do.

As Tango works on getting rid of the snow he hears someone approach but just a moment too late, a snowball hitting him square in the back.

"Hey!!" He calls out, trying to find the culprit. It takes another snowball to be launched at him till he spots Etho, sitting up on a wooden beam of the frame that makes up the factory for now.

"Some people are trying to work here" Tango shouts up as he dodges a third snowball. This only earns a soft chuckle from Etho.

"Fine, if you want it this way. Don't think I'll go easy on you" Tango calls out as he starts gathering a heap of snow in his hand, careful not to melt it immediately.

It is icy against his skin, and in a way it reminds him of the Frozen Shards from Decked Out and how icy handling them always felt. He wishes he had taken the time to find his gloves that he used back then.

With a swift throw he launches a snowball and, of course, it misses Etho, who gets up just in time for it to fly past him.

He prepares another one, throws and this time Etho balances across the wooden beams to evade Tango cheekily.

It takes just one hit, one hit is all he needs to throw Etho off balance.

Neither of them really expected Tango to hit, but it seems like the practice at Hungry Hermits paid off.

The snowball hits Etho right in the face, on the side with his bad eye and Tango flinches a little, not having intended to suddenly hit that well.

It doesn’t help that Etho then tumbles off the beam and falls off.

Tango yelps in panic and sprints forwards. In his mind he can manage to run over there and catch Etho, who totally isn’t taller than him by a bit over a head, in his arms.

But Tango failed to consider the ice and snow coating the deepslate flooring of his factory and he trips and falls rather unceremoniously skidding over the floor right into a heap of snow he was shoveling away.

Tango is just about to get up and out of the freezing snow when he gets pushed right back into the cold, air getting pushed out of his lungs, as Etho lands right on top of him.

He doesn’t know if the tall man can’t move or doesn’t want to move. With Etho, either could be the case.

“Get your heavy butt off me” Tango complains from below, trying to push Etho off but by now it is clear that the other one is doing this entirely on purpose

“You shot me off, Tango, I could’ve died.” Etho exclaims with a sarcastic chuckle. He is clearly very entertained. “And you saved me, very heroically!”

“Starting to regret that now…” Tango grumbles and after some flailing he manages to turn the situation around. Now Etho’s back is pressed against the snow and Tango straddles his lap, a mischievous grin on the blazeborns face, his tail lashing behind him playfully. 

It takes Tango a few moments to realize just the position they were in and suddenly he is glad for the cold, glad for the way his face is already flushed, hiding the heat that he can now feel all the way to the tips of his ears. Any snarky remarks die on his tongue as he stares into Etho’s eyes, getting just a bit lost in them.

Etho’s laugh pulls him back to their current situation. Unlike Tango, Etho isn’t struggling under Tango's weight, not making any move to remove the man from his hips. Instead they sit there for a moment till Etho calls Tango out, “Comfortable?”

Tango makes a startled noise before gathering himself enough to try and move off Etho, but that’s when he notices the hands resting on his waist. There are a million thoughts inside his head, but the only words that leave his lips are “Aren’t you cold?”

Tango wants to bury his face in his hands and scream. That’s what comes out of his mouth?

“I’m used to it. And you’re kind of warm.” Etho shrugs but there is a mischievous glint in his eyes. One hand then wanders a little to tug on one of the sleeves of his coat.

“Didn’t know you still had that coat? Getting started on Decked Out 3 or did the cold just make you nostalgic?” He chuckles again.

“Yeah, something like that.” Tango grumbles, trying to take a deep, calming breath, preferably without Etho noticing. “Or I would’ve been, if someone didn’t decide to viciously attack me” Tango says dramatically, making an attempt to get his usual silliness back.

Tango feels Etho still stare up at him “You’re staring. Like what you see?” Tango laughs, theatrically brushing a hand through his hair. It burns a bit wilder and brighter today, a side effect of the extra heat he’s generating for himself.

“I’m not staring” Etho immediately gets defensive. - “Totally staring” Tango fires back with a laugh before Etho reaches up towards Tango, who is holding his breath, blood rushing through his ear, all before an ice cold sensation runs down his neck.

“Oh you little -” Tango cuts himself off, his body warming up enough to melt the snow, but it doesn’t help against the water now running down his spine. He tries to shove snow into Etho’s face, who just laughs, trying to keep as much of the cold off his face as possible with his arm. Tango can see him pant slightly under the dark fabric of the mask.

“If I had known you could get this warm I would’ve done this way earlier.” Tango can practically see Etho grin, sees it in the way his eyes crinkle.

“Ohhh god, I hate you Etho.” Tango groans in his high pitched, not very serious tone, trying to hide just how much this flusters him.

“You could never hate me” Etho laughs and Tango dislikes just how right he is.

“Can we get out of the cold now? I don’t particularly enjoy having a wet coat on, thank you very much.” Tango says accusatively.

Etho’s hands are still on Tango’s waist and neither of them say anything, neither making a move to actually get up, just looking at each other. Tango studies the way Etho’s pale cheeks flush, only slightly showing on the bit of skin that the mask doesn’t cover.

Tango himself has his lips slightly parted, the air in front of him steaming slightly as his hot breath meets the cold air.

Then, in a matter of seconds, Etho slips his mask down and pulls Tango forwards, causing him to yelp, which gets muffled by their lips meeting. 

Tango’s red eyes are wide open for a moment before he feels himself melt into the kiss, closing his eyes, a warm hand coming to rest on Etho’s cheek.

It lasts a few moments, neither seeming to really want to pull back, they pull apart.

Both are open mouthed, breath heavy and cheeks even more flushed. Etho can’t help himself as he points out “Didn’t know you could get this warm” And Tango can just see Etho’s smirk, can’t take his eyes off the others lips, heat coursing through his body and not just to keep himself warm..

When Tango places a hand on Etho’s face he feels just how cold the other one is.