Chapter Text
Tango of the Tek variety was well known for his incredible games and redstone genius.
(Not that he would admit that of course)
But to achieve perfection it meant that Tango Ended up isolating himself more than was strictly necessary.
He would dig a hole
Then live in that hole for the next 6 months to a year focusing solely on his games.
This of course wasn’t particularly healthy of Tangos of any variety.
And his friends often worried about him while trying to invite him to gatherings or excursions to go touch grass.
Silliness like that.
The most recent invitation was from his Good buddy Zedaph- who just finished a game of his own.
A Guitar hero Combrewtor.
It sounded fun.
But Tango declined originally because he really wanted to focus on his game.
But…
The more Tango sat in his tangled Redstone
The less focused he became.
Game makers should support other game makers right?
Tango thought about how gutted he’d feel if he invited his friends to play his game and hardly anyone showed up.
He couldn’t do that to Zedaph!
Zed was one of the sweetest people on the server and Tango had declined his offer to play.
Man he could be a monster at times.
Hopefully it wasn’t too late to make it up to the Sheep Hybrid.
With that Tango climbed out of his stupid redstone hole and took flight over to Zedaph’s base.
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Upon reaching Zedaph’s base Tango called out for his friend-
“Zed?? You here man??”
No reply
“Z? I wanted to play your game dude, hope it’s not too late?”
Still no reply
Tango’s brow furrowed, Zedaph didn’t leave his base all that often-
Maybe he was just busy and didn’t hear the blaze hybird.
So Tango started poking around the base,
There were lots of games, and contraptions-
Each one fantastical and unique.
Truly Zed was a game making genius.
He didn’t need to take 6 months to make one game. But they were still just as enjoyable to play-
The Last Room Tango poked his head into made the Blaze grin ear to ear.
It was the Guitar Hero Combrewtor-
And it was fantastic,
Ingredients flew through the air as lights and music flashed and played.
Tango actually laughed in amazement.
This was incredible.
He was almost angry at himself for turning down Zed’s invitation before..
Actually scratch that
He was angry at himself-
He almost missed this!!
He should really make an effort to socialize more.
As Tango looked around the room a faint
Ting, ting, ting
Sound caught The Blaze’s attention.
It wasn’t playing with the beat of the music,
Maybe something was broken??
Tango tracked the sound over to a self with bottles of various potions.
He squinted his eyes, inspecting each one.
Surely these couldn’t be making that sound that would be ridiculous-…
Wait…
That Pink one..
Was there…
Something inside-??
Tango sighed and pulled out his glasses,
He hated wearing them,
But he needed them, so sue him.
Sliding the spectacles onto his face Tango looked back at the bottle only to audibly gasp as his heart skipped a beat.
In the bottle was a very tiny Zedaph, his eyes wide with fear and panic.
He was hitting the glass clearly trying to get Tango’s attention and try to get out.
The pink liquid inside was up to the sheep hyrbid’s chest, which definitely didn’t help with Zedaph discomfort.
“Zed?! I’m going to get you out of there dude, just give me a second-“ Tango Reached up and took the bottle off the shelf.
Careful to not slosh the liquid inside too much and water log the sheep Hybrid.
Zedaph seemed to be trying to say something. But his voice was too small to make it through the glass.
This only encourages Tango to work faster,
“I’m going to tip the Bottle Buddy, just be ready-“
Zedaph nodded eagerly as Tango uncapped the bottle and slowly tilted it-
He held his gloved under the stream.
Zedaph let himself get pulled by the current and fall into Tango’s hand, coughing and spluttering once he did
Tango set the bottle aside, before using his teeth to take off his other glove and carefully pass Zedaph into that hand instead.
“Z-.. what-… how did you-“ Tango tried to asked before his question was cut short by a broken and terrified sob.
Zedaph hugged himself in the centre of the Blaze Hybrid’s palm-
He was no taller than Tango’s pinky, and just seemed just so vulnerable.
Tango wasn’t a stranger to people being afraid of him…
Blaze hybrids looked a lot meaner than your average player, but it stung more coming from a friend.
“Do-… you want me to put you down Zed-? I don’t… don’t want to scare you.”
Tango Tried to keep his voice gentle and soft but apparently he didn’t do a good enough as Zed looked up at him abruptly.
Eyes watering and full of betrayal.
“D-d-dn’t leave!” His small voice cracked under the strain.
And Tango felt like an idiot all over again.
Zed was scared.
But Not of him.
Clearly he was overwhelmed and recovering from being trapped.
Tango was Idiot.
“I won’t- I won’t.. I’ve got you Zeddy-“
The blaze removed his other glove and cupped his hands around his small friend.
Carefully he moved his thumb closer to the Sheep hybird, and when he didn’t flinch away Tango brushed the digit against Zed’s cheek-
Wiping away a stream of tears
“I’ve got you-…”
Zedaph stopped hugging himself instead clinging to Tango’s thumb, and the action broke the Blaze’s heart all over again.
He brought his fingers closer around Zed, wrapping him in gentle pressure in hopes to soothe his frazzled nerves.
Tango could Feel Zed’s heartbeat slowly settled- as the sheep hybrid butted his head against Tango’s fingers affectionately.
“You back with me buddy?…”
“Mmmm- yea….I’m… a bit better… don’t… Dn’t let me go though… .. .. .. please??”
Zedaph’s voice warbled as he spoke but Tango didn’t comment on that.
“I won’t.. I’ve got you, safe and sound…”
“Thank you..”
“Do you think you could tell me what happened dude?? How did-…. This… all happen??”
Tango tried to not sound critical as he asked, hoping that he could remain soothing for his friend.
Zedaph butted his head against Tango’s fingers again. “I made a bad potion… didn’t realize… and… then I woke up small… fell into my combrewtor and… and then I was trapped… … .. it was really scary…. …”
“I could only imagine…. Do you…. Know how long you’ve been in there??”
Zedaph softly bleated and sniffled before replying. “Maybe a day-…”
“A day!” Tango squawked “I should have come sooner Zed I am so so sorry!”
“It’s ok… you were busy…” Zed tried to placate, his voice meek.
“No! Never again- you ask me to be here. I’ll be here.”
“You didn’t know… and I asked you to play guitar hero, it… wasn’t important at first.”
Tango brought Zedaph up to eye level. “You are important to me Z- I should have been here-
I’m sorry..”
The adjusted perspective got Zedaph wiggling and Tango flattened his hands for a platform for Zed to stand on.
His hooves felt strange.
But it was a good type of strange.
Zedaph moved closer to Tango’s face making a grabby hand towards the Blaze.
Tango moved his face closer, enough so that Zed could touch his friend’s forehead before head butting him once again.
The impact didn’t hurt, but to Zedaph it was a full force head butt-
Something he’s never been able to do with his friends before
The tiny Sheep Hyrbid nuzzled his forhead against Tango’s and the blaze had shut his eyes, gently pressing back.
“Thank you Tango….. for everything.”
Tango softly sighed, before humming. “Any time Buddy… I promise..
Zedaph pulled back, grinning.
And after seeing that grin, Tango felt like he just signed his soul away-
But that was probably fine.
“Should we call Suma about the whole tiny situation??”
Zedaph nodded egarly “yes please, my fingers are two tiny for typing.”
Tango smiled softly, before he pulled out his com with one hand and sent a message to their admin.
“Could we also get some food too? I… am just a bit hungry-“
“Of course Zeddy- what do you feel like?”
“What do you cook at your restaurant again?”
“Everything-“
“Everything sounds good”
Tango giggled but didn’t argue.
Leaving the combrewtor and Bottle behind in search of food.
Silently making the vow to never miss out on what his friends are doing again