Chapter Text
This was the worst.
Etho crossed his arms as he stared at the ground from where he sat on a chair in Xisuma’s office. How had it come to this? All he did was finish his alien interior, drink a potion of healing to stop a headache and fall asleep like Budub’s warned him, as he did every night.
“Etho?” Xisuma caught his attention.
“Yeah?” He whispered, trying not to get angry at his admin. It wasn’t his fault he was now 5 years old again. Barely able to see over the desk or fit in the chair. His tiny hands balled into fists as he kept his arms crossed. The tiny hands reminding him that he had shrunk.
“Please tell me you can fix this.” Etho pleaded.
The admin sighed as he put his panel away and looked at Etho, “I’m sorry, bud. You’re stuck like this for now. Your code is trying to fix it as we speak, but it’s going to be awhile.”
“How long?” Even his voice sounded small. His hands uncurled from fists.
“I don’t know for sure. At the rate its going it could be a week or so.”
“Great.” Etho mumbled. He hated being small.
“Is there anyone you want me to contact? Beef or maybe Bdubs?”
“Why? X, I don’t need a babysitter.” Etho was still an adult even if he is in this body.
“I know. You’re not a little kid, but I would like it if you had at least one person there who could watch you. Just in case.” Xisuma was always worried for his hermits, and now that one of his hermits was currently 5 years old, he took from admin to Dad really quick.
“Or maybe even Cleo?”
Etho was scratching names off the list in his head. “Doc.” He answered. He is one of his closest friends and are almost less likely to make fun of him and laugh at his current state. There might be some blackmail later, but he can deal with that when he is bigger- big again. He would have said Beef but he felt that Beef was too far away working on his TCG game and he didn’t want to bother him.
Xisuma seemed pleased with his answer and called the creeper immediately, telling him to get to his base. Even when Etho tried to let him go on his own because he knew where the creeper’s base was.
It didn’t take long for fireworks to be heard outside. “X! I got your message. Are you o..kay?” Doc’s words trailed off when he saw Etho standing beside the admin. Now half his usual height.
“I need you to take care of Etho.” Xisuma caught his attention. “I don’t know how it happened but Etho is in no state to take care of himself alone at the moment and-“ “I am too!” “and I need you to keep an eye on him for a few days. Just to make sure he doesn’t hurt himself.”
Doc looked at him and back at Etho like a deer in headlights before Doc’s eyes softened as he looked back at the admin. “Sure. No problem. I could use a break anyway.” He had so many questions but he knew he wouldn’t find them. Doc made his way over to Etho.
“Feeling okay?”
“Peachy.”
“Yeah. Had a feeling.”
“I hate this.”
“I know, but at least it’s not permanent. You’ll be back to doing redstone and causing chaos in no time.”
“I can’t do redstone?”
“No, Kit. You’ll burn your skin.”
Yep. This is the worst.
As soon as the little meeting was done, Doc and Etho waved good bye to Xisuma, promising that they will update him. The flight to Doc’s base was quiet. Doc’s base wasn’t the safest base on Hermitcraft, but he did have some spots that he and Etho could hang out in safety. Etho was held by Doc as they flew. Not trusting the kid hermit to fly on his own. Etho would think that he would be angry and fight Doc, not wanting to be seen as a baby. But for some reason, he wasn’t mad. He actually found that he liked to be held. Doc’s fur held warmth against the cool breeze and he found himself burying himself further before he could tell his kid brain to stop. Doc only held him closer, making sure not to smother him because Doc knew Etho didn’t like too much contact. He also made sure not to touch his tail as they flew.
When they landed at Doc’s base Etho was half asleep, the warmth soothing him further. Doc adjusted his hold as he walked inside. Etho’s head rolled to the side as it landed on Doc’s shoulder, his fox nose taking in the scent of tomatoes and gunpowder. He forced his eyes open as he tried to stay awake, but as soon as Doc took his robotic hand and gently rubbed his back he was out like a light.