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Evil X hadn't been able to stop his eyes from wandering ever since he first stepped foot into Etho's base, nearly overwhelmed by the amount of interesting design choices. Colors and patterns he hadn't even imagined before, contraptions that looked fancy yet so simple somehow, and it all felt so lively. Etho was leading him through the base confidently, obviously he knew his way around but Evil X was sure he would get lost if he tried to go off without his chaperone.
Etho didn't say a word as they walked, simply humming to himself a soft tune that Evil X didn't recognize. They made their way together through the base until they came to a room that actually had a roof. A wooden path stretched over a small pond with large pink flowers floating on the surface, and the same flowers covering the ceiling as well. Evil X felt slightly jealous of how rich Etho must be to be lining his walls with diamonds, as well as various types of plants and greenery. The room was very peaceful, quiet aside from the random hums from the llama in the wall that Evil X wasn't about to question, and the soft crackling of a campfire nearby.
"I was thinking we could sit in here and chat." Etho's voice broke the near silence, getting Evil X's attention. "I come here a lot to just sit and think. I find it relaxing."
"I can see why you'd want to spend time here. It looks wonderful. Your whole base is really something." Evil X said, his attention still taken by the detail of the room.
Etho laughed at that, sitting on the edge of the wooden path and letting his feet hang off the side.
"That's about the reaction I expected."
"I mean it as a compliment!" Evil X clarified, hesitating until Etho patted the spot next to him in a clear invitation. Evil X sat down next to him, his knees pulled up to his chest. "I like the colors you use,. especially compared to Xisuma's boring towers. I'm tired of seeing gray, white and yellow all the time. This place is like the complete opposite." He explained, gesturing to the colorful room around them for emphasis.
"Thanks, I'm glad you like the place. I like trying new things with colors and patterns, I'm happy to hear it paid off." Etho looked at Evil X with what he assumed was a smile, if the sparkle in his eyes was anything to go by. Evil X couldn't think of a response, so he stayed quiet, and Etho didn't try to fill the silence. He seemed content to sit and watch the water below him, where every once in a while a leaf would drift down from the foliage on the walls and make a few ripples that spread across the water until they vanished completely.
"You can relax, y'know." Etho said suddenly, Evil X turned his head to look at him with an eyebrow raised.
"Huh?"
"You just look really tense, is all. Stretch your legs out, loosen up a bit." He encouraged, gently patting Evil X's knee. Evil X hesitated for a moment before he swung his legs over the edge of the path, copying Etho's position. Evil X's legs were longer, the toes of his boots just barely touching the surface of the water.
"There you go. Feel better?" Etho asked.
"Yeah, I guess." Evil X mumbled, feeling slightly awkward but he was more relaxed now that he wasn't forcing himself into a ball.
"Hmm. Is there anything I can get you that would make you feel more at home? Something to eat? Tea? Flint and steel?" Etho's smile was obvious in his voice on the last option, but Evil X shook his head.
"Tea sounds fine. Thank you."
-
Etho handed the warm cup to Evil X, who took it gratefully. Etho sat back down in his spot, careful not to spill a single drop during his maneuvering. They both raised the cups in synchrony, the two of them having a similar realization at the same time. Etho started to laugh first, shaking his head.
"Well, I guess neither of us can actually drink this as we are, eh?" He chuckled, Evil X's attention being drawn to the dark mask on the others face at the implication.
"I wouldn't want the tea to go to waste." Evil X mumbled, meeting Etho's eyes through the barrier of his visor. His nerves crept up on him again, but something about Etho made him feel comfortable, like he could tell this man his life story and not have to worry about being judged. Evil X set the cup down on the path next to him, his hands going to the latches of his helmet next. He kept his eyes closed as he took the helmet off, trying not to make a big deal as he showed his face to another hermit, something that only those he was closest to got to see. He set the helmet off to the side, picking up his cup again and giving it a sip. "Oh- it's delicious!" He opened his eyes finally, looking at Etho with a nervous smile. Etho was staring at him curiously, but responded totally calm.
"I'm glad you like it. It's one of Xisuma's favorites, so I hoped you would like it as well." He shifted to hold his own cup in one hand, his free hand reaching up to pull the mask down until the fabric was bunched under his chin. He took a sip of his own tea, looking at Evil X with a smile. "I think it's pretty good, too."
He said it so casually, acted so normal despite the strangeness of the situation. Two men who hid their faces from the world suddenly baring their secrets to the other, with no fear of judgement. Evil X stared silently at the other man for a few moments, really taking in the appearance of the surprisingly normal lower half of his face.
"Why do you wear the mask?" Evil X blurted out.
"Habit, I guess?" Etho explained with a shrug. "It's kind of a comfort thing. I feel weird without it."
"I get it. That's how I am with the helmet, too." Evil X found himself opening his heart to the other with ease. "The visor also makes bright light less intense, and it overall muffles sound that would otherwise be too loud. I don't like to take it off because I get overloaded sometimes, but also partly because… I just don't like people seeing my face."
"Why not?" Etho asked, his cup held in his lap as he gave Evil X his full attention.
"You do see my face, right? I know you have at least one good eye." Evil X replied sarcastically, looking away with a frown.
"I didn't mean to upset you, I just meant that I don't see anything wrong with it." Etho clarified, unperturbed by Evil X's dig. Evil X hesitated, fingers tightening around the cup in his hands.
"The ugly scars, for one. The red eyes probably scare people. My hair is unnatural, and makes me stand out." He listed, his voice a mere grumble. Etho's hand on his shoulder made him turn reluctantly, frowning at the other man.
"So you think scars, red eyes and white hair makes someone ugly?" Etho asked. Evil X's eyes widened as he realized what Etho was getting at, quickly backtracking.
"No, that's not- You wear them really well! You look good with the white hair and red eyes- uh, red eye- kind of look. It's just me who doesn't pull it off."
"I beg to differ." Etho insisted. "I think you look good. Everybody is just different."
Evil X blushed subtly, giving a noncommittal grunt and taking another sip of his tea to avoid replying further. He saw Etho do the same out of the corner of his eye.
"Why are you holding it like that?" Evil X demanded, nodding at the cup in Etho's hands. Etho looked down, then back up at Evil X.
"What's wrong with the way I'm holding it?" The confused smile and laughter in his voice assured Evil X that he wasn't actually angry as he continued.
"You're holding it wrong." Evil X turned to fully face him with his shoulders, moving close and pulling Etho's hand away from the cup. "You hold it like this." He tried not to think about how soft Etho's hand was in his own, or the blush he felt rising in his cheeks the longer he stayed in close proximity. "By the handle, there you go. The pinky out thing is only if you want to look like a fool." Evil X instructed, looking up when Etho didn't respond. Evil X's face got even more red when he realized just how close their faces were, sufficiently invading Etho's personal space. He moved to back off, but Etho made him stop.
"So, like this?" He asked, holding the cup handle between his fingers and raising it to his lips, keeping eye contact with Evil X the whole time. He purposefully licked his lips once the cup had been lowered again. Evil X was having trouble knowing where to look, stuck between staring at Etho's mouth and his eyes. Etho's lips curved slightly into a smile.
"Evil X?" He asked playfully. Evil X blinked and sat up straight, putting some distance between them once more.
"I'm fine! You're holding it correctly now, good job. You don't look silly anymore." He choked out quickly, drinking from his own cup and hoping to cover his blush with the cup. Etho laughed softly beside him, the sound doing nothing to stop his blush from darkening.
"You're a really strange guy, y'know?" Etho said affectionately, Evil X rolling his eyes in response.
"Rich coming from you. I've heard all about your antics from Xisuma, you tend to be quite strange yourself." Evil X argued.
"Hey, I didn't mean anything by it. Strange is good." Etho went on, setting his cup down on the path next to him and turning to face Evil X fully. "You're an interesting kind of strange. The kind of strange that makes me want to get to know you better."
Evil X shied away a bit from the intense look Etho was giving him, yet he found he couldn't tear his eyes away.
"What are you thinking about right now, Evil X?" Etho prompted, tilting his head slightly. Evil X found himself mirroring the action, the blush returning to his face as he swallowed hard.
"I. Uh."
"I think I can guess, and tell me if I'm right. You've been staring at my mouth ever since I took my mask off. You wanna kiss me, don't you?" Etho asked, making Evil X sputter indignantly.
"I-! I- I think-"
"Or maybe, you want me to kiss you? Am I close?" Etho had a smile on his face that said he knew he was right. Evil X swallowed hard, his face feeling like it was on fire. Am I really that easy to read?
"I'm not a very good kisser." Evil X responded nervously, confidence draining as Etho asserted himself more and more.
"That's okay." Etho set his cup to the side, scooting closer to Evil X until their thighs were touching. Already, Evil X felt warm wherever Etho touched, and he began to wonder if he was truly touch starved or just extremely desperate. Etho was only inches away from his face now, staring at Evil X with the same intense look as before. Fingers brushed across his jaw, making Evil X gasp minutely.
"Do you want this?" Etho asked. "You look really uncomfortable. You can say no, I won't be offended."
"I- I do want it! I just wasn't expecting today to go this way." Evil X answered quickly.
"Really? I was anticipating something like this ever since you showed up today, just in case. You had this look about you. Like you were wanting something. I see the way you were checking me out." Etho couldn't hide his smile at Evil X silently confirming his assumptions.
Evil X wanted to hide his face in embarrassment at how easily he was being called out. Instead he just frowned indignantly, his face burning hot.
"I wasn't!" He argued petulantly, making Etho chuckle. Evil X felt a surge of want flow through him when he felt the warm puff of Etho's breath against his lips.
"Sure you weren't." Etho replied sarcastically, leaning in closer until their noses brushed, Evil X's eyes closing on instinct.
His eyes blinked back open when the warmth of Etho's breath suddenly disappeared, and he came out of the small daze to see Etho sitting back, pulling his mask back over his face like nothing happened.
"Evil X, are you free tomorrow? I just remembered I have some things to do today, but I would love to continue this." Etho asked, standing up and holding out his hand.
Evil X cleared his throat, trying to appear more put together than he felt after the fake out. He scooped his helmet up under his arm and grasped Etho's hand, letting the other man pull him to his feet before he answered.
"Yeah. Yeah, tomorrow. Sounds good."