Chapter Text
Survivor.
That's what people called him- That's what Etho was. A survivor. A more apt description couldn't be applied- BDubs would argue otherwise, ready with a long list of the things that made up Etho, always prepared to defend his best friend, and with receipts to prove his points- Even if no one else could make sense of them.
BDubs was like that. He could lay Etho out with a glance, read him like a book with the most sincere and dedicated attention to detail. One would think that it would make a fella feel special- Well, maybe Etho did feel special.
But mostly he felt guilty. It was a small itch in the back of his mind, one that he usually averted his gaze from and ignored.
Etho could also rattle on a long list about the things he thought he was. Sometimes he did, in the mirror, glaring at himself- Rare days where he tried to will himself into being someone else- Someone that BDubs or Joel or Cleo or any of the others that viewed him as a friend deserved; a white knuckled grip on the edge of the counter as he battled against internal demons that struck rarely, though deeply in an acute and piercing manner.
The counter which met his grip had soft rounded edges because on one bad night so long ago when he stood, much the same as he stood now, BDoubleO had made a fuss that Etho was going to hurt himself gripping such harsh corners like that. His concern laid hidden under blustering jokes and admonishments and the question that lingers still, years down the line despite their distance-
“What would you do without me, Etho?”
Suffer, he had silently thought in reply, as BDubs set up a workstation in the bathroom and oh so carefully chiseled those sharp surfaces into something kinder. Etho’s heart had been in his throat and he had said nothing then… He simply sat in the doorway, watching from the corner of his eye as Bdubs’ lectures slowly melted into a calm, meandering explanation of the properties of marble and how to coax it into shape.
Etho took a deep breath in, held it for a moment and then let it out just as slowly.
He was back in the present.
Marble was a luxury here in the barren savanna and he used the cold, stark stone to ground his thoughts.
Another breath in, and another out.
The world was slowly returning to him; the ruckus of the saloon below no longer just white noise- But something processable. Folks were in full force tonight; searching for the soothing comfort of a drink while the full moon hung ominously overhead and the sculk crept ever closer.
He wasn't sure why BDoubleO was on his mind so often lately. Maybe it was the moon, beautiful and lovely and looming above.
“God's, it's beautiful,” BDubs had declared one night with some morbid sense of awe and reverence before shaking his head while drawing the curtains closed. “It's so beautiful it's disgusting to look at. I just can't stand it.”
Etho tipped his gaze back up to the mirror, ready to face himself once again. He looked tired, he knew, but they all did. No one could sleep with their lunar neighbor drifting closer and closer. He had torn the hell out of his lips with his nervous chewing at the tender flesh- But it was no matter.
Straightening with a sigh, he pulled the black fabric of his bandana up to hide away most of his face and plucked his hat from the hook on the bathroom door. It was nondescript and black- The only thing of significance was the braided leather band that BDubs had made for him when they had first met on these wild plains.
BDubs had complained about his lack of style.
The memory brought a small, bittersweet smile to his lips. That had been a long time ago, and BDubs was long since gone- Returned to the bustling cities from which he hailed.
By the time Etho ambled his way downstairs, the thoughts were well and truly pushed from his mind. The moon was full, and there was work to do.
~~~~~~~
The Saloon, The Manor, was a quaint spot of luxury in this rough and tumble town- Though its posh reputation wasn't immune to its occupants and the locals had taken to referring to it as ‘The Badboy Manor’- A rather tongue in cheek attitude about a group that was far more serious than the name implied.
Etho made his way to the usual booth; hailed cheers and whoops from Jimmy, a more exasperated greeting from Grian, and a cheeky “Hello darling.” from Joel-
The bad boys themselves.
Etho had a long history with the group, though he wasn't one of their ranks and no one would mistake him as such. Everyone knew Etho, and everyone knew that Etho was a lone wolf that collaborated often, but wouldn't hesitate to walk alone.
“Well good evening to such a fine group of gentlemen.” Etho cooed at them in a half serious and half joking tone as he slid onto the bench by Joel who casually tossed an arm over his shoulder-
This was a game that they played often; a dance along the border of platonic intimacy- A satiating of a need for closeness and protection, of emotional availability, without the strings of romantic entanglement. Neither of them put faith in others often- And in those dark nights out in the empty, fighting for their lives, a bond and understanding was formed.
Jimmy flashed a bright grin at him as Etho eyed the pair of brothers across from him, he wondered how it could be comfortable sitting on the bench with their wings folded and cramped.
“Sooo,” Etho drawled out, resting his elbow on the table and propping his chin in his palm. “What can I do for you boys?”
Grian danced a shifty gaze about the establishment and then leaned in, gripping at the edge of the table. “We need your Redstone skills, Etho.”
His excited rush of a whisper was undercut by Joel's muttered “You need his Redstone skills.”
Arching a brow as Jimmy excitedly nodded along, Etho stole a glance at Joel, and then returned his attention to Grian. “It's gotta be something big, then, if Joel isn't enough.”
“There's a train comin’,” Jimmy pitched in and the others nodded. “It's gunna be full of sweet loot.”
“It's more than just a train and loot!” Grian excitedly, though lightly, tapped his hands on the edge of the table. “It belongs to some fancy shmancy merchants that are looking to set up shop here of all places!”
Joel shook his head, tsking his tongue in a disapproving manner. “A bunch of well done schmucks coming in from the city, ready to own the place.” He'd state, calm and musing with that soft undertone that carried a sweet promise of violence that Etho found far too soothing. “We'll have to teach them a lesson, won't we, boys?”
After a low, slow and thoughtful whistle, Etho canted his head to the side. “How'd you find all this out?”
“Mumbo.” Grian replied breathlessly and they locked eyes.
Etho raised both brows, feeling a sudden surge of hope at the name and trying to fight back a grin. The others hadn't met Mumbo, or if they had it was brief and in passing. “Really? Is he…?”
“He's coming back, Etho! Oh my god, Mumbo is coming back! And he's on a train filled with rich people from fancy corporations and this is just so excellent!”
Chuckling, Etho let his gaze wander over Jimmy and Joel, appreciative of their quiet curiosity. Before the conversation could spiral into gossip about the beloved Mumbo Jumbo, he cleared his throat and nudged Joel's knee with his own.
“So, there's a train. Where does the redstone come in? I'm sure Joel here could rewire a few tracks without problem. What's the plan?”
“In my sleep.” Joel grumbled, clearly agreeing.
“Oh don't you worry your pretty little head Etho,” Jimmy replied, smug in his anticipation as he folded his arms. “There's a plan alright- And let me tell ya, it'll blow your socks off! Grian, tell him the plan.”
Leaning back in his seat, as much as he could with wings, Grian steepled his fingers together. “The plan, babes,” A slow grin spread across his lips, almost malicious but not quite, “Is that we're going to steal part of the train. The earth, is going to just,” He spread his hands out, motioning animatedly, “Swallow what we want while the rest goes on!”