Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

From the very beginning, Etho enjoyed Bdubs' company. Bdubs would naturally set up the bit and the punchline, so Etho didn't have to try so hard to socialize. He would just laugh, and it was nice. He started to get the hang of their jokes, noticing how they fit naturally with his sense of humor. And they could pick at each other or go without saying anything, and it was easy.

Bdubs was more than intimidated at first. He was thrilled to have Etho part of his world, but his presence was intensely grounded and it always seemed like Etho was observing and thinking about something. He joked around casually to fill the silence and nervousness, and couldn't believe hearing his genuine laugh in response. The sound of the deep, soft chuckle warmed him, and he put every effort into bringing that laugh out of Etho more. 

Later in life, he would realize that the silly feeling inside when he made Etho laugh was him developing his silly little crushes, but for now, he was oblivious. But he know he enjoyed these moments with Etho, and as the moments continued, he realized how easy it was with Etho. How words came naturally instead of as a performance, and how silence wasn't constricting, and how often he heard his own genuine laugh. It was easy, and it was nice.

They found comfort in each other's company, going to one another when they wanted a laugh, enjoying the familiar back and forth. They'd smile through the banter, too deep in the silly to realize how flirtatious their jokes became. It crossed Bdubs' mind every now and then, noticing with some embarrassment, how he used the same moves he likes to pull with someone, but also how Etho played into them. But the thought passed through him like the breeze. He knew that it was impossible for there to be anything here (hell he barely even registered his own queerness at the time), and figured Etho probably didn't even realize the jokes were flirtatious anyway. 

Chapter Text

Etho and Bdubs' first kiss wasn't on the lips. Etho has a sensory struggle with his face and mouth, and he was only getting used to showing his face to Bdubs let alone touching them together. But if he wore his mask, he didn't mind Bdubs touching the rest of his face, and actually rather enjoyed it.

So their first kiss wasn't on the lips.

Bdubs held the side of Etho's face, thumb grazing his cheekbone and outer part of his eye. They were close, much closer they they'd ever been, and both extremely nervous. A silent conversation passed between their eyes.

Looking between Etho's eyes and mask, ("can I pull your mask down?")

A twinge of discomfort from Etho, ("no, not yet. I'm sorry.")

Eyebrows raised from Bdubs, ("no that's perfectly fine!") and an excited gaze scanning the rest of his face, ("what about up here?")

Etho blushes and feels the excited energy in his body at the thought, and he nods. He closes his eyes as Bdubs lifts his face up toward Etho's nose and eyes, scanning for where to show his love. 

He pauses at the center of Etho's forehead, just above the glabella. He glances down to Etho for confirmation. 

Etho takes a moment to assess their sensory. They're both still so incredibly nervous and excited, they were practically vibrating. But the warmth of Bdubs so close to him, and the comfortable feeling of his hand resting over Etho's mask, made him want more and yes. 

Bdubs smiles and grazes his thumb over Etho's face again, steadying his own nerves more than anything. And he leans in to kiss Etho's forehead, gentle and lingering. 

And it was a wonderful feeling. 

Etho released the tension from his head and shoulders and hands, and leaned into the feeling. Bdubs stopped shaking, feeling Etho relax under him, and he smiled into the kiss as he felt Etho's eyes crinkle into a soft smile under his touch. They stayed like that for a while, holding each other gently and steadily, and they let the excited, loving, nervous, and giddy feelings of their first kiss pass through them.