Work Text:
Tango was going about his business, shoveling snow into shulkers to move into his area. There were footsteps walking up behind him, but he didn't hear them.
"Hey Tango!" His shovel flew out of his hand and he tumbled face first into the snow he was gathering. "Oh god I'm so sorry! Are you alright?" Impulse helped pull Tango out.
"That was quite the tumble man, you good?" Tango nodded, "Yeah, sorry, didn't hear you." Tango visibly winced when he mentioned his hearing loss. "Right, sorry about that. Forgot I shouldn't sneak up on you!" Impulse chuckled.
Tango frowned. "Impulse.. what if I go fully deaf?" Lava-esque tears started pooling in his eyes. "Oh buddy, that'd never happen! Remember what Doc said? He said that it shouldn't get any worse than it has." Impulse said sweetly as he pulled his brother into a tight hug.
"'M scared Impy, I don't wanna lose my hearing.." Tango mumbled into Impulse's shoulder. "You won't buddy, I swear to you."
"Impy, can we go to your cave?" Tango looked up with wide, teary eyes. "Are you cold buddy?" Impulse asked, Tango nodded. "I told you to take breaks when you feel cold, it's not good for your health, bud." Impulse chided as he pulled Tango up into his arms.
"Sorry Impy, just wanna get my base done." Tango hung his head. "I understand buddy, but, what do we say?" Impulse asked as he started the trek back to his cave base. "Our health is more important than our work." Tango recited, he knew the saying by heart, having been told it so often as many hermits do.
It didn't take long for Impulse to get them back to his base since he took the nether - because that's faster and sure to make Tango feel better.
"Impy, I'm hungry." Tango announced almost as soon as they were through the doors to Impulse's base. Impulse chuckled, "Alright, we can eat something, then we can go to bed little man. Deal?" Tango mimicked a hoglin's happy snort.
"What do you want then?" Impulse inquired, Tango hummed. "Maybeeee... Mac and Cheese?" Tango asked. "Mmm yeah. I can do that." Impulse smiled as he set Tango down. "But can you make it like Mom used to, Impy?" Impulse smiled sadly, "Of course Bud! Why don't you go play near the fire so you stay warm while I cook?"
Tango bounded over to the fireplace and pulled his basket of toys from beside the mantel. He pulled out two 24 piece children's puzzles and decides he'd finish both before Impulse finished cooking.
"Tango, food is ready!" Tango hopped up from the just finished puzzles. "Impy! Impy! I finished TWO puzzles!" Tango proudly announced as he bounded up to the dinner table.
"Yeah buddy? That's amazing. You'll have to show them to me before we go to bed." Impulse replied as he set his and Tango's plates down. Tango squealed when he saw the mini hotdogs mixed in with the extra cheesy mac, "You made it JUST like Mom used to!" Impulse chuckled, "Yeah, that's right buddy, I did!"
It was a peaceful dinner, just Tango babbling about whatever came to mind. "Impy, can we ask Doc to look at my ears again?" Tango paused mid-bite. "Why buddy?" Impulse asked gently. "I dunno, just wan' him to make sure it hasn' gotten worse." Tango said, then took a big bite of Mac and cheese, hindering his speaking abilities while Impulse responded, "Sure buddy, but in the morning, little boys like you should be in bed by now." Tango mimicked a sad Blaze noise, then continued to eat.
When Tango and Impulse were done eating, Tango jumped up. "Impy, you gotta see the puzzles now!" Impulse chuckled, "Of course, but let's put the dishes away first." Tango nodded and grabbed his dish.
"Want me to get yours too, Impy?" Tango offered, already reaching for Impulse's plate. "Thank you little man, you're so nice. I'll go get your pajamas out while you put those away, then you can show me the puzzles."
After Tango rinsed the dishes and put them in the dishwasher, he bounded towards the fireplace and sat down next to the coffee tables holding his puzzles.
Impulse walked put holding two sets of pajamas, "Onesie or two piece buddy?" "Two piece please." Tango replied, bouncing where he was sat. Impulse set the onesie to the side and walked over to Tango.
"Oh wow! Look at these, and you did them all by yourself?" Impulse asked as Tango absolutely beamed at him. "Yeah Impy! Aaaaall by myself!" Tango looked so proud of himself, Impulse couldn't help but laugh.
"Alright buddy, let's go get you changed." Impulse said as he stood up. Tango followed suit, albeit with much more bounce to it. "Impy, can we cuddle?" Impulse hummed, "Sure, I don't see why not. Will you need help changing bud?"
Tango shook his head, "Nope! I'm a big boy impy!" Impulse smiled, "I know. Here's the PJ'S, lean out and tell me when you're done changing." Impulse handed Tango the pajamas as they walked up to Tango's room. "Impy, I'm done!" Tango leaned out, now in pig themed pajamas. "Alright buddy, I'm coming." Impulse said as he got up from his seat on the floor.
Impulse walked in and followed Tango to his bed, and lifted the covers for the both of them, "In ya go, big guy, time for cuddles." He said as he followed Tango in and wrapped his arms around his little brother.
Tango giggled and snuggled into Impulse, "Ni-ni Impy! Thank yous for taking care of me." Impulse smiled and ruffled Tango's hair, "Anytime, baby bro."