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Etho would never willingly tell anyone that he wasn’t paying attention in class right now, but he knows that he can’t lie to himself. Thankfully, it’s not like this class is important to his major. It really was just a random choice that he picked to take care of his Literary/Artistic requirement. It’s what he gets for going to a liberal arts college, he guesses.
But if he had never gone here, he wouldn’t be distracted by the prettiest human being he’s ever seen. Really, it’s not his fault! How was he supposed to pay attention when he sat close enough to easily stare at Joel Beans.
Joel truly was the prettiest person that Etho had ever seen. He has shoulder length hair brunet hair that has thin bubblegum pink highlights throughout it. He’s constantly wearing pastel colors, whether that be his clothes or his makeup. The glitter that’s consistently around his eyes makes him shine even brighter than the sun.
Etho knows that he doesn’t have a chance with him. He’s too gloomy and reserved for Joel. He would only dim Joel’s light and warmth, but he’s always been a selfish man. He can’t help it, but again, it’s not like he actually has a shot.
The issue isn’t that they’re not friends. They are! It’s not like the two don’t talk to each other, in fact, they talk every time that they see each other. It’s what happens when your friends date each other. Plus, they have been partners in this class multiple times for various projects.
Joel, noticing that he’s staring at him, turns and smiles so brightly that it causes his eyes to scrunch up. Even his eyes are smiling! It’s unfair, Etho laments in his mind. Etho does give him a little wave though, which Joel blushes lightly to in response. It’s so light that Etho questions if he even saw it.
“Mr. Slab? Are you paying attention?” The professor’s, Etho’s already forgotten their name, piercing voice breaks off the mini staring contest.
“…sorry, professor… I got distracted.” Etho’s voice pitches up in his embarrassment, and now he’s the one who’s blushing. At least he has his trusty mask to cover his face.
The professor just shakes their head at him, they honestly do not get paid enough to deal with all the first years that grace their class.
Etho sheepishly looks down at his notes, but his head snaps up when he hears the most ethereal sound. It’s Joel, whose hand is covering his mouth to muffle his giggles. It’s so sweet, it sounds like bells. Etho wants to put his head into his hands and scream. He’s too cute!
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Joel smiles softly at Etho’s cute reaction to being called out by their professor. Ever since this class started, he’s had the biggest crush on the man. He’s just so calm and considerate, and he looks damn good in all black. Plus, the mask only adds to his mysterious aura. Joel can’t help but blush and giggle like he’s in elementary school every time Etho so much as looks at him.
Joel knows that he’s a bit too childish for Etho. Surely the man would prefer someone who takes their life more seriously. That’s not who Joel is though. He likes to wear pretty clothes and do funky makeup. He dances and sings loudly to whatever song is playing no matter what. He’s unapologetically himself, through and through. He’s a bit much for someone who is as reserved as Etho.
But man, does Joel like him and it seems like everyone knows that as well. Everyone but the oblivious idiot, anyway. But Joel has a plan! He’s going to invite Etho to the outing that he and his dormmates are planning. It’s not going to be anything too crazy; they just want to go roller skating at the local rink. And both Grian’s and Jimmy’s boyfriends, who are friends with Etho, are coming as well. So, it should be perfect! Thank God for Scar and Tango, otherwise Joel would probably just chicken out.
Usually, Joel has no issues with asking people out, but there’s something about Etho that causes him to be shy. Joel just has to muster up enough courage to invite him without making an absolute fool out of himself.
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Etho sighs in relief as the professor finally stops drawling on and on about who knows what. He rolls his neck and starts to pack up his things into his backpack. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees something baby pink begin to walk his way.
“Oh my goodness, he’s walking over to me!’ is all that repeats inside his head as Joel gets closer and closer.
“Hey Etho,” Joel greets him and then smirks cheekily “What did you think of today’s class?”
Etho chuckles nervously and rubs the back of his neck before replying “I honestly have no clue what happened this past hour, not going to lie.”
“Well, if you need any help just let me know!” Giggles are pouring out of Joel’s mouth.
“Oh, uh… Sure! I totally will do that if I need anything!” Etho’s sweating a little and he can’t help but rub his hands on his pants.
“I actually have a question for you before you leave.”
“What’s up?”
Joel hesitates a little, before determination lights up in his eyes. “A couple of my friends and your friends are going roller skating tonight and I wanted to know if you would like to go with me,” Joel smiles bashfully and it’s like Etho’s mind has blanked.
After a couple of seconds of silence, Joel lowers his head.
“…Or not! No worries if you don’t want to or if you have other plans!” Joel yelps, and it’s honestly a little adorable. It’s what snaps Etho out of his daze.
“No!” Etho shouts quietly. His ears burn and he clears his throat “I mean no, I definitely want to go! I was trying to remember if anyone had mentioned going roller skating to me, actually.”
“Oh nice!” Joel beams at him and it’s like an arrow has shot into his heart. “It’s Tango and Scar who are going. I didn’t want to be the only third wheel and I thought that it would be perfect for us to learn more about each other!”
Etho laughs softly and nods his head “I understand. And it sounds like a lot of fun!” He pauses, debating on how truthful he should be “I would love to get to know you better Joel.”
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Joel feels a bit faint. Hearing Etho say that while he stares into Joel’s eyes is almost killer.
“Cool!” Joel squeaks out “It’s at the rink that’s in town. I think the others are getting there around eight.”
“Alright, I’ll see you then.” Etho smiles before grabbing his backpack. He waves before going out the door.
Joel slumps against Etho’s desk and he knows that the cheesiest grin is splayed across his face.
“Well done, Loverboy!” Grian’s voice rings out from behind him. He jumps in alarm and Jimmy’s laughter echoes around the now empty classroom.
Joel whines in annoyance “Shut up and be proud of me! I talked to him without making a blumming fool of myself!”
“We know and we are proud!” Jimmy smirks teasingly.
“Speak for yourself, that was so cringy.” Grian scoffs.
Joel scowls before slapping Grian upside the head “Hey! Like you were any better talking to Scar for the first time! I think we all remember when you hid in your room for three days straight because you got embarrassed.”
“I have no recollection of that.” Grian sniffs angrily while Jimmy just laughs his head off.
“Whatever man!” Jimmy smiles before turning back to Joel “But you should probably go get ready if you want to woo Etho!”
“Yeah, that’s a great idea!” Joel grabs both of their hands and starts to tug them out of the door “You guys have to help me pick out an outfit!”
Grian just sighs in exasperation as Jimmy cheers in excitement. This is going to be the longest three hours of Grian’s life.
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Right at eight, Etho arrives at the rink. It’s absolutely not his usual scene. There are bright strobing lights in a multitude of colors and the music is so loud that he can feel the pulse all the way down in his chest. The rink is packed with all sorts of people getting their skate on. It’s a bit intimidating to Etho, but as he sees Joel, he completely forgets all of this.
Joel looks incredible. He’s wearing a pastel crop top with a pair of white high waisted bellbottoms. Etho isn’t super close, but he can definitely see thick black winged eyeliner. The glitter that’s usually just on his eyes seems to be all over his cheeks as well.
Etho’s like a moth drawn to a flame and before he knows it, he’s right up against the wall of the rink. Joel’s laughing and dancing like he has not a care in the world. Etho’s not sure what song is playing, all he knows is that it makes Joel shine like a star.
Tango spots him first and gets Joel’s attention by whispering in Jimmy’s ear, who then yells something at Joel. Joel’s face scrunches up in embarrassment before his eyes begin to scan the room.
When their eyes meet, electricity sparks down Etho’s back. He also gets the wonderful view of Joel’s entire face lighting up when he sees him. Heat rushes to his cheeks as the full force of Joel’s happiness hits him like a brick to the chest. He motions for Etho to meet him at the wall. Etho meets him at the nearest entrance to the rink, and Joel quickly grabs Etho’s hand and pulls him to the arcade where the music is less intense.
Up close, Etho sees that there are stars in the glitter that’s on Joel’s face. Joel’s also wearing a ton of blush and a pretty shade of pink lipstick. He looks like an angel in this lighting, and it takes Etho’s breath away.
“Hi Etho! I’m glad you could make it!”
“I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”
Joel raises his eyebrow “Etho… we both know that this isn’t exactly your scene.”
“No,” Etho shakes his head “But it is yours.”
“You’re a sweet guy, Etho,” Joel smiles gently and his face gets even more red “Do you own a pair of skates?”
“…No,” Etho smiles awkwardly “I actually haven’t skated since I was younger.”
“It’s no problem!” Joel chirps “We can go to the rental counter and pick you out some.”
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After going through the tedious process of getting Etho a pair of skates, they were finally ready to get on the rink. Joel’s so excited that he’s shaking, but Etho seems to be nervous as they get to the gate.
“You ready?” Joel mouths. Etho just shoots him a shaky thumbs up and with that, they step out into the chaos.
It’s like a newborn deer has replaced Etho with how bad he shakes. Joel can’t help but tighten his grip on the other’s hand. Etho squeezes back and Joel begins to skate slowly to get as close to the wall as possible. When they get close enough, Etho’s other arm lunges out to grip the wall.
As Joel continues to lead Etho around the rink, he slowly becomes more confident with his skating. Slowly but surely, Etho is improving. He’s not even hugging the wall anymore, which feels like a win to Joel.
Suddenly the music lowers and they hear a voice on the intercom.
“Hello skaters! This is the part of the night where we slow things down and so we ask for all kids and single adults to vacant the rink as our couples’ skate begins.”
Joel doesn’t think that he’s ever blushed as much as he has tonight. He looks up at Etho who’s already looking at him.
“I guess we should probably get off the rink, huh?” Joel smiles awkwardly.
“Actually, about that…” Etho trails off “Would you like to dance with me?”
Joel blinks in shock “Wait, are you being serious?” He squeaks “You want to slow dance with me?”
“I would love nothing more if I’m being honest.” Etho’s eyes are so warm and honest that Joel can’t help but nod shyly.
Etho laughs softly before grabbing Joel by the waist as the song starts. Wrapping his arms around Etho’s neck, Joel rests his head against his chest. As they begin to skate in a circle, it’s truly a magical moment for Joel. He buries his head into Etho’s chest when he realizes that Frank Sinatra’s It Had to be You is playing.
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About halfway through the song, Etho gently nudges him. Joel looks up at him and he swears that stars are reflected in the shorter man’s eyes. He bends down to whisper in his ear.
“Hey, thanks for inviting me tonight and for also putting up with my complete lack of skill when it comes to skating.” He laughs at himself and feels Joel shiver in response.
“I should be thanking you!” Joel beams up at him “You not only saved me from being the world’s biggest third wheel, but you’ve also made this the most fun I’ve ever had on a roller skate night.”
“It’s been my pleasure.”
The two slowly trail off their conversation as they begin to look into each other’s eyes. He can see Joel’s eyes widening as he gets closer to his face, pink cheeks just visible above his black face mask.
But right before anything can happen, Scar skates right up to the two and interrupts them loudly.
“You guys aren’t supposed to be here!” He laughs uproariously and only laughs harder when the two spring apart as if they’ve been burned.
“Well… Scar, Joel was just helping me learn how to skate slow!” Etho stammers and Joel quickly nods his head in agreement.
“Oh, Scar!” irritation is evident in Grian’s voice as he skates up to the trio. “I told you not to bother them!”
“But they’re rule breakers, G!” Scar whines.
“The couples’ dance is literally about to end! And besides, no one could tell that the lovebirds weren’t a couple!” Grian stomps his foot and pouts up at Scar “You just had to cut our own dance short.”
Joel and Etho look at each other in mortification as the couple continues to bicker. Joel quickly grabs his hand and pulls him away from the two as the others begin to return to the rink.
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Chapell Roan’s HOT TO GO starts to play and Joel squeals in happiness. Etho raises an eyebrow at him, and he can just tell that the other man is smirking beneath his mask.
“What,” He pouts at him “This is one of my favorite songs!”
“God, you’re so cute.”
“You’ve got to stop saying stuff like that! Are you trying to kill me?”
Etho just smiles in amusement. Joel frowns at him before the song really starts to kick in.
In true Joel fashion, he begins to raise his arms and dance wildly. He begins to gesture for Etho to dance when he notices that the other is just sort of standing still on a skating rink.
“Dance with me, Etho!” Joel pleads, and even though Etho can’t hear him, he still reluctantly starts to sway. Joel rolls his eyes and grabs him by the hand causing Etho to begin to dance with a little more energy.
Joel grins at him, and he can see when Etho’s attention lowers to his lips. He nervously licks them and Etho’s gaze snaps up to meet his own. The other man’s eyes are darker, and he skates super close to him. It’s so close that Joel gets backed into a shadowy corner of the wall.
“…Hi…” Joel mumbles.
“Hi Joel,” Etho’s back to starring at his mouth “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.” Joel breathes sharply.
Etho leans so close that their chests are smushed up against each other.
“Can I kiss you?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
With that, Etho pulls down his mask and gently kisses Joel. It’s as if sparks are flying between the two. Joel feels like he’s flying, and he grabs Etho’s neck to pull him down into a deeper kiss. The two kiss and kiss until their lungs begin to protest. Etho pulls back with a gasp before diving back in once he sees Joel’s dazed face.
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All of a sudden, they hear obnoxious cheering. They break apart just to see that their friends, while they were distracted for obvious reasons, have skated closer and seen the kiss.
Joel laughs shyly and hides his face in Etho’s neck as the man pulls his mask up. Etho turns around with an arm around Joel’s waist as he glares at the group. This causes even more laughter and jeering, before Tango smirks at Etho and waggles his eyebrows.
“Wow Etho,” Tango needles “I didn’t peg you for a glitter guy!”
Etho’s head cocks in confusion before realization dawns in his eyes. He brings his other hand up to the part of his cheek that’s exposed. When he pulls his hand back, he smiles like a lovesick fool. He smiles because there are chunks of glitter and stars on his hand. How fitting that he should have stardust on his face after kissing the world’s most beautiful star.