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I. TANGO
When Tango comes to pick you up, it's already snowing. He seems mostly unaffected by the chill, but you forgot to dress warm. What you wouldn't give for a scarf right now.
“Are you cold?” Tango asks, his eyebrows furrowing with concern.
“M-maybe a little,” you say with a laugh, your teeth chattering.
Suddenly, Tango grabs both your hands in his, bringing them to his face. Your heart skips a beat at the gentle hold.
“Your fingers are turning blue!” He says with a little frown. “Here, let me help.”
Tango cups his hands around yours, and blows warm air on them.
“Is that better?” He asks, turning his earnest eyes on you. His fingers are absently caressing yours, like he doesn't even notice he's doing it.
“Y-yeah,” you stammer. You don't know how much is from the warmth soaking into your hands from his or from the way the gesture is melting your insides, but you don't really notice the cold anymore.
“Oh, your cheeks are red too,” Tango says softly. Your eyes go wide, and you almost die of embarrassment, but he still seems more concerned than anything.
You're so flustered by the attention on you, that you don't even notice him dropping your hands. And then, warm fingers are tracing over your cheeks as he cradles your face in his hands.
Heat floods your cheeks, only some of it from his warm hands. He's smiling a little now, his eyes so kind.
“Does that help?” He asks. You can feel his thumbs at the corners of your lips. Does he even realize what this is doing to you?
“Y-yes, um,” you squeak out. “V-very warm, thank you.”
You stand like that for several seconds. It's hard to focus on anything but how close your face is to Tango's.
Finally, to your mixed relief and disappointment, he lets you go.
“Come on, we should keep walking,” he says, offering you a hand. It makes your heart do an embarrassing little dance, but you hold his hand anyways.
He slips your entwined hands into his pocket, and you feel warm the entire walk.
~~~
II. PEARL
The umbrella is barely big enough to share. You have to stand pressed side to side for it to cover you both, and your heart flutters with every step.
Pearl is talking about a painting she's working on, and you can't drag your eyes away from her. You can practically see the passion dancing in her eyes, and each expression that crosses her face is like a story on its own.
Still, however enchanting Pearl may be, you should have watched your step. There's a particularly wet spot on the pavement and you slip. Pearl tries to catch you, but her hands are full with the umbrella, and your ankle buckles beneath you. You let out a yelp of pain as it twists and you crumple to the ground.
“Oh void, are you ok?” Pearl asks, crouching down. She holds the umbrella over you, trying to keep you from getting any more wet than you already are.
“I think so,” you say as you sit up. “Except - ow, my ankle.”
It throbs as you shift it. You twisted it pretty badly. Can you even walk home on this? You try to put a little weight on it and wince. Probably not.
“Not sure I can walk on it,” you tell Pearl, a little embarrassed. She frowns at your ankle for a few seconds before her face lights up.
“Don't worry, I've got you,” she says. She pushes the umbrella into your hands. Before you can ask what her plan is, she slips a hand beneath your legs, the other one wrapping around your waist.
With a simple motion, she pulls you against her chest and stands. You fumble with the umbrella in your surprise, almost dropping it. Just barely, you manage to keep hold of it as your arms instinctively wrap around Pearl's shoulders.
You try to focus on keeping the umbrella steady and over you both, but your face is only a few inches from Pearl's. She's holding you with barely any effort, and has gone back to talking about her painting.
This close to her, her expressions are even more hypnotic, and your chest vibrates with every word she speaks. You can see the moisture in the air clinging to her eyelashes with every blink, and you feel breathless in her arms.
“...and I know it's not the traditional way, but I wanted to try something new, you know. What do you think?” She turns to look at you, and your mouth feels dry for just a second.
“I think everything you do is perfect, Pearl.” the words slip out before you can stop them, and you flush. Instead of awkwardness at your too honest slip, Pearl's face lights up with joy.
She smiles, and it's like the sun is peeking through the clouds.
Despite the dreary weather, and your hurt ankle, you feel like you're floating the rest of the way home.
~~~
III. ETHO
It's one of those days. When everything is too loud, and every little noise is like nails on a chalkboard. A chair squeaks and you want to tear your hair out. Someone sniffs and your heart pounds with anxiety.
Nobody is paying attention, so you bury your head in your arms and try to block it all out. That's how Etho finds you today, miserable and flinching from every little noise.
“Is touch ok?” He says softly. You wince a little at the way his voice clashes at the background noise for a moment, but nod.
Silently, he slides into the booth next to you. It blocks out only a tiny portion of the sound, but every little bit helps. You're a little more distracted with the way his legs press against yours, and he hooks an ankle around yours.
You raise your head, almost wanting to peer under the booth and see if he's really linking your ankles, but fingers brush against your head.
You jump a little, and glance at Etho in surprise. He's holding earbuds. You're skeptical, but let him slip them into your ears. It muffles the sound a little, and then he clicks something on his phone.
Instantly, the grating background noise is drowned out by soothing white noise, and your shoulders slump in relief.
You barely notice that you've dropped your head onto Etho's shoulder until he's tentatively patting your head. A little embarrassed, you lift your head. His eyes crinkle, making you think he's smiling behind the mask, and he pulls your head back down.
It helps more than you expect. The earbuds block out most of the noise, and Etho's shoulder muffles the rest. The gentle pets to your head are more steady, confident now, and your eyes flutter shut.
You don't mean to fall asleep, but the irritating noise is finally done, and Etho's shoulder is just so comfortable…
When you wake up, the sky is noticeably darker than before, and you're practically draped over Etho in your sleep. As soon as your brain wakes up enough that your thoughts are no longer sluggish, you sit up.
You can feel your cheeks burning, but Etho doesn't even look phased. His eyes crinkle again and that's definitely a smile.
“Hey, you're awake,” he says. “Good timing, I just ordered some coffee.”
“Oh void. I fell asleep on you,” you say with a sort of detached horror. Etho laughs, and it's softer than some of the laughs you've heard from him before. It's more the type of laugh he'd direct towards Tango or Pearl and your heart skips a beat.
“It's ok,” he says, “you looked like you needed it.”
You give him the earbuds back, and he sends you the white noise playlist he'd played for you. When the coffee comes, you drink in peaceful silence, your legs still touching.
~~~
IV. PEARL & ETHO
Pearl, Etho and Tango insisted on wearing matching outfits to the party. And, for whatever reason, you’re included in their matching group. Pearl and Etho had barged into your house already looking dazzling, with full costumes and makeup to dress you up with.
And you couldn’t deny either one of them, let alone both, so of course you’d let them in.
Now how that had landed you in this situation…
“It's going to smear if you keep blinking,” Etho chides gently. One of his hands cups your cheek, the other skillfully applying eyeliner and the rest of your makeup.
“Not everyone can get their eyes poked at without moving, Etho,” Pearl says from behind you. Her hands are buried in your hair, tugging it into little braids and entwining beads like you’re her own personal art project.
“I'm almost done with their eyes, anyways,” Etho says. His eyes are narrowed slightly as he concentrates on making your eyeliner as neat as possible. He's removed his mask for the occasion, and you can see the way he sticks his tongue out while concentrating. It's adorable, and very distracting. Good thing the only thing you have to do right now is sit still.
“Done!” Etho says. “How do they look, Pearl?”
Your cheeks flush as he gently tilts your head backwards. Pearl pauses in her braids and leans over you to take a look. A strand of her hair falls against your face, tickling your cheek. She gasps in delight.
“Gorgeous!” she says and you are certain your face must be on fire by now.
Your face is tilted back down so Etho can examine his work. He tilts his head a little.
“How do you feel about lip gloss?”
“You're the expert here,” you deflect so you don't have to think too hard about the idea of Etho putting something on your lips, “whatever you think will look best.”
His eyes crinkle happily. “That's a yes on the lip gloss, then.”
Ah. You may have miscalculated.
You're not sure how you survive the next few minutes. Etho paints the gloss onto your lips like an artist creating his own personal masterpiece. Partway through this, Pearl finishes with your hair and decides to watch. Instead of walking around to get a better view, she wraps her arms around your shoulders and leans forward to see your face.
“Oh, they look great!” says Pearl. Her hair is tickling your ear, and you can smell her floral shampoo.
“Of course they do,” Etho says mildly. He absently rubs his thumb next to your lips, wiping away a smudge. “I know what I'm doing.”
By the time Tango finally shows up, coffee and food for all of you in hand, you're all dressed up for the party, and still reeling from the experience.
~~~
V. TANGO & ETHO
You're shivering. You're trying to pretend that you're not cold, but your shirt is too thin and the A/C is too high. Etho and Tango are observant, and it's only a matter of time before one of them notices the goosebumps running up your arms.
“Did you forget to bring a jacket?” Etho asks, peering at you curiously. Tango whips his head towards you at the question.
“I didn't think I'd need one,” you say a little sheepishly.
“It is colder than I expected,” says Etho with a tilted head.
Tango looks around like he's trying to see the difference in temperature. He says, “I didn't even notice.”
“Of course you didn't,” you say with a laugh, rubbing your hands up and down your arms to try and warm them up. “You're always hot.”
“Yeah I am.” Tango smirks. You try to roll your eyes but you can feel your cheeks going warm.
“Y-you know what I mean,” you say. Luckily, Etho saves you before you can embarrass yourself further.
“Do you want my jacket?” He's already slipped it off, holding it out to you like it's the natural conclusion.
“U-um,” you start, but Tango interrupts.
“Psh, they don't need your jacket. I'm like a personal heater!” And then Tango wraps his arms around you, pulling you into a warm embrace. The hug immediately chases the chills away, and you sigh and relax into it before you even have time to feel embarrassed.
“So you're going to just cuddle the entire time?” Etho asks, looking a little amused.
“Mayyybe,” Tango says with a giggle. “Are you jealous?”
“Hmm..” the other hums. There's a flash of movement, and then suddenly your vision is covered by Etho's coat draped over your face. You splutter, and hear Tango doing the same thing but much louder.
Finally, the two of you get untangled. Your hair is a staticky mess and Tango is glaring at Etho. Etho, of course, is laughing at you both. Instead of throwing the jacket back at Etho, like you would have, Tango just wraps it more comfortably around you both, still hugging you close.
“Fine, jerky jerkface,” Tango says, “now your jacket's ours forever.”
Etho's eyes crinkle happily, like that was the outcome he wanted all along. There's a faint woodsy scent to the jacket, and it's still a little warm from where he wore it. It's already big on Etho, so it's plenty large to fit both you and Tango comfortably.
For a guy who wasn't even cold, Tango sure seems happy snuggling into the jacket- and you. Though it keeps your pulse fluttering the whole night, you stay right where you are. It has nothing to do with the way your chill was chased away and everything to do with the warmth in your heart.
~~~
VI. TANGO & PEARL
Usually, your favorite trio don't bother you while you're at work- not that they could ever bother you by showing up. Still, it's rare to see them while you're working. When Tango and Pearl burst into the shop, both practically vibrating in excitement, it's a surprise.
“What are you two doing here?” You ask.
“We have a gift for you!” Tango practically yells, leaning on the counter between you. Pearl tugs him back to a more respectable distance, but she, too, is grinning like mad.
“Ta-da!” She sang, shoving a small jewelry box towards you. Your heart skips a beat as you take it from her.
To your surprise, when you open it, it doesn't contain jewelry, but two strangely shaped earbuds. You lift them out of the box with a curious hum.
“Earbuds?” You ask, a bit curious. Neither answers you, their grins just widening.
A bit bemused by their silence, you decide to just try them on. As soon as you slip one in, your eyes go wide.
The hum of the A/C, the buzzing of that one broken light, and the noisy street outside the store, all fade to nothingness.
“Noise-cancelling earbuds?” You guess again, and your eyes go even wider. Because while the annoying background sounds that drive you insane have vanished, you can still hear your own voice perfectly.
“Sort of,” Tango says, beaming. His voice is just as clear as always. Clearer, even, now that you don't have to manually filter out every other sound as well.
“Oh,” you breathe. Happiness bubbles up into a laugh. Pearl and Tango's grins soften into something sweet and fond, and you reach across the counter to hug them both.
“Do you like them?” Pearl asks, her breath tickling your ear.
“Like them? I love them!”
Tango nuzzles against your cheek. You can't even bring yourself to feel flustered by the affection; you're just too happy!
“They also can link up to bluetooth, if you want to play music or white noise,” Tango says, tapping a few buttons on the earbud.
“How did you two make something so perfect?” You ask, finally pulling away from the hug.
“Only the best for you,” answers Pearl with a soft smile. Your face grows warm, and you hide it in another hug.
You'd think they were trying to kill you, if they didn't make you feel so alive.
~~~
VII.
It's movie night at Pearl, Etho and Tango's. You got an invite, something you're becoming more and more accustomed to. Really, it seems like you're at their house every other day, now.
Movie nights are also pajama nights, so the four of you are in your comfiest pj's, all squeezed together on the couch. At first, you were all sitting normally, but that didn't last long. Very quickly, you ended up with your head in Pearl's lap, your feet in Etho's, and Tango draped across the back of the couch like some kind of jungle cat.
You can barely pay attention to the movie they put on- Tango's turn to decide tonight- because Pearl is playing with your hair. She does it absently, just petting the strands rather than trying to comb it out with her fingers. It's a blissful feeling and you feel half asleep.
“Are you staying over tonight?” Etho asks as he plays with your sock.
You hum. On one hand, you have work tomorrow. On the other hand, you're indescribably comfortable right where you are, and it's not the first time you'd stayed at their house.
“Yeah,” you answer sleepily.
“Hm, you should just move in already,” Tango says through a yawn. “Then we can see you every day.”
You almost mumble another sleepy agreement before the words sink in. Your eyes fly all the way open, and you sit up.
“M-move in? But… aren't you three dating?”
Three bemused faces stare at you.
“Yeah, and?” says Pearl.
“W-well, wouldn't I be kind of… in the way of that?”
There was a moment of silence. The trio exchanged glances, all looking very amused.
“We've been flirting with you for months,” Etho finally says. Your eyes go wide.
“Flirting is an understatement,” Tango giggles. “We were flirting with you and then…”
“We got tired of waiting,” Pearl finishes. “So we just started, well. Acting like we were already dating you?”
“You didn't even notice,” Tango snickers. “I thought for sure you knew but were just waiting for us to officially ask, but…” he broke down into laughter.
You gape at them, going over the last several weeks in your mind. The constant touching, the matching outfits, the movie nights…
“Oh, void,” you say, laying back on Pearl's lap. “I've been dating you guys for weeks, haven't I?”
This starts up another round of snickering, and you can't even be mad about it. You're too busy leaning into your partners’- they're your partners!- touch and trying to hide the dopey grin on your face.
Pearl plants a kiss on your forehead and Tango slips off his perch to join in the cuddling. Etho just grins, an expression you'd recognize with or without the mask.
You've never been happier.
~~~