Chapter Text
Keralis watched the small exchange between alpha's carefully. It was always a tricky thing, adding another alpha to the pack but in this case Bdubs had been insistent. After all, Etho Slab would bring new redstone and new engineering feats to their small pack, was a famous and world renowned survivalist, and apparently madly in love with their tiniest builder. The issue of course being for all the same reasons they should add him were exactly why the man wouldn't want to submit to a different pack leader.
He had passed all the tests though, at least the important ones. When trying to find his home pack, his birth pack, they were unable and the only details Etho would provide was that he became packless when it dissolved and never got a new one. It was a red flag, but not a big enough red flag to deny his entry. Not when Bdubs was refusing to return to hermitcraft without him.
He wondered if Bdubs noticed some of Etho's more awkward traits. Did he see the way the alpha's redstone stained hands twitched where a sword hilt would have been when Xisuma entered the room. The way his whole body stilled when Xisuma first spoke. The stillness was eerie, almost unnatural. It betrayed the light tone the alpha used when answering the basic questions they asked everyone before sending them.
It all came down to if he was willing to see Xisuma as a leader. If the legendary Etho would bow his will to another. But here in this room, in this light with Bdubs watching excitedly and X holding out his hand to scent their new member he didn't look legendary.
He looked scared.
The omega couldn't smell much of a difference in the maple scent, if he was distressed he tried to hide it. Just like he hid any waver in his voice. But there was no hiding how every tense muscle in his body suddenly slumped. How the light in both his eyes faded to an emptiness that made Keralis uneasy.
Bdubs had mentioned that Etho had been packless for a long time, almost a decade. Keralis had already felt like his heart was tearing apart when the split happened and so many hermits left instead of joining Xisuma. They weren't even packless and he felt like his entire family was dying around him. He didn't want to imagine what being fully packless for so many years could do to a person. Especially one as young as Etho. If what Bdubs said was true the alpha was definitely not an adult when this pack dissolved.
His thoughts were interrupted when Xisuma had finished his job and the thick ice scent washed over the room like a heavy blanket of snow. Keralis had finally come to his conclusion on the new alpha and stepped forward for his own turn. He didn't raise his hand right away, instead he stood for a moment and sent a wave of calming pheromones. He could feel confusion from X but waved it off. Of course an alpha wouldn't see what he could, even one as dialed into his feelings as Xisuma was. He could explain later.
Luckily the trick worked and Etho's focus returned to the task at hand. Keralis smiled, trying to stay as warm and inviting as possible. “I hope we can help you find what you're looking for.” He pulled Etho's hand into his own as the pine scent joined Xisumas, marking the alpha as theirs.
Bdubs launched forward, grabbing Etho's arm and dragging him towards the portal in one fluid jump. “Come on, Etho! I already saw a cool spot for a base where we can do something underground. Oh man you're just gonna love it. You'll love it here I know you will! Oh and I gotta introduce you to everyone! Everyone's gonna love you.”
Some of the worry Keralis had instantly melted away. The damaged alpha would be fine, Bdubs had a way of lighting up darker times with his exuberant energy. And he couldn't help but notice how well the smell of berries and maple mixed together perfectly.
As soon as they were alone he felt a strong arm wrap around him, his mate pulling him close. Something about seeing young love awakening a flirtatious side to Xisuma clearly as amusement Buzzed between them. “What was all that about?”
“Hmm…our new little alpha seems to be scared of you, I think. Or maybe of other alpha's? I'm not sure.”
A pang of sadness hit him before Xisuma took both his hands to lead him back towards the nest. Scenting someone did usually make him want to cuddle so it wasn't unwelcome. “...he won't be the first or last, Rallie. Admin and Vioidcent. Not the easiest combo. I was expecting it when we took Hermitcraft. If it'll make you feel any better I'll keep an eye on him.”
Keralis just sighed. It felt like a constant fight to get his beloved to stop punishing himself for protecting them all and it wasn't a fight he wanted to have right now when they could be wrapped up together in the nest. “No….no need. I think I will. Building a huge underground castle sounds fun. Bdubs already invited me to join and I'm sure I can help him settle in.”
He was sure he could, even if looking after a set of gay disasters trying to court would be the end of him.
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“ETHO! YOU GET BACK HERE!”
Play!
The omega's heart was racing in the best way, his whole being soaring in unrestrained joy. Running full speed through the meadow after Etho, yelling and laughing made him remember playing with his siblings. In this moment he was young again.
With one hard push off the ground he was able to launch forward and slam into the alpha's back, sending them both crashing into the tall grass. Litting giggles filled the air as they both tumbled. “You're fixing that hole in the roof, you hooligan.”
Etho laughed, his whole chest shaking under Bdubs with the force of it with his eyes squeezed closed. “Let me go.”
Play.
“Nu-uh. Nope, nope, nope. A TNT launcher? Really? I just finished that roof.”
Unfortunately for Bdubs, Etho still was bigger and stronger than he was. With a sudden shift of his weight they both were sent rolling until their position was reversed. Grass and bits of dirt stuck to his white hair and Bdubs was sure both of them were a mess. “Make me. I'm not good at roofs anyway. You wouldn't want me messing it up.”
He reached up to hook his finger on Etho's mask to snatch it down, sick of not seeing his face. He would never get over how beautiful his face was, how such perfection was hidden behind his mask. His skin was smooth and perfect, his features soft. Of course, his favorite was the dusting of freckles littered across the bridge of his nose and the apples of his cheeks. They sat just below his mask, just a little secret for him.
Etho's smile was bright as his laughter died down. “Careful, I really didn't enclose that launcher.”
“Don't care. I need payment. You destroyed my roof and now you owe me.” The omega grinned and moved his hand to yank Etho down to him.
It wasn't their first kiss, they shared plenty of those on Mindcrank. It wasn't passionate or hungry but still as their lips brushed a small spark exploded in his mind. The Alpha's lips were so soft and pliant, letting Bdubs take the lead. Here like this they just where, they could just be and exist together. There didn't need to be a deepening of their kiss or the promise of more. An ‘I love you’ in physical form.
When their lips parted, Etho hummed contently. He didn't really want to break apart, opting instead to close his eyes and touch their foreheads together. Both gloved hands bracing him up now so His weight wasn't too much on the omega beneath him. “Is that enough?”
“Are you crazy! One little kiss for hours of work. No, sir, you're in debt forever now. I get as many as I want. You owe me a million kisses. NO a bazillion.”
“I don't think that's a real number.”
“Too late. That's what you owe me. You'll have to figure it out.”
Etho hummed again in thought, both their eyes locked. That was the other thing in the growing list of Etho features Bdubs couldn't get enough of. The mismatched eyes were reflective, striking, and teased him with some kind of secret knowledge. He could spend a lifetime sifting through those mysteries and uncovering new things. “How about one more kiss and I'll give you a present.”
“Ooo present. Give please.”
He wasn't sure exactly what he did to cause Etho's eyes to dilate slightly and sparkle with that…something. That quality Bdubs always felt himself chasing. The expression was one he wished he could freeze on Etho's face where he was truly relaxed. Where his gaze somehow softened and his brow unknitted but his breath hitched and lips twitched. If he could figure out what it was that caused it he would do it all the time.
But just as quick as the look was there, it vanished into something more hungry and predatory. Etho dipped in for another kiss, where before it was a feather touch of silk against his lips this was a crushing presence. He drank the surprised gasp the omega managed to release as if it was everything. Teeth nipped at his lower lip and suddenly everything was too much and his brain stopped working.
When he could breathe again he was sitting up, and didn't remember that happening. Skilled fingers worked their way through his dark curls to pull out the bits of moss that had stuck to himself and Etho was grinning down at him. “You look like a mess. You should be more presentable for our date.”
“HEY who's fault is that!? You got us both covered in grass. Look at you. There's a leaf in your headband.” Before the alpha could reach for it, Bdubs snatched it, and if he pressed it later in a book to keep that was his business. “Besides, a date isn't a present. No, sir. Presents are presents.”
“Mm… weeeeeeelll this one is kind of both.” Etho stood up, pulling his boyfriend up as well. “You know that herd we saw out by the cove?”
Of course he knew it. They were the most gorgeous horses he had ever seen with their chestnut coloring and dark manes. Each of them was perfect in their own unique ways. He'd never admit that he thought about them as they worked on the starter house. How disappointed he was when he couldn't find a saddle right away in the one mineshaft he'd explored. The promise of a present was long forgotten amongst the memories of graceful horses.
Etho's warm laugh interrupted his thoughts and the alpha wrapped An arm tightly around him. “I set up a little viewing spot for us. Let's go take a look.”
“Oh? When'd you have time to do that? While I was slaving away building us a house?”
Another thing he adored about the alpha was how he always rose up and met his teasing. “Something like that. More like in between mining trips gathering you all twelve block types you demanded for the house. Plus all the starting blocks you and Keralis need to start the underground castle. I'm doing so many errands for you I'll never get the drawbridge working that you both want.”
“The start of a new server is always the most busy. I've only been able to go one time looking for a saddle. They're gonna be gone by the time I get to it.”
“Mm. Well I'm glad you could take time out of your very busy schedule to sit with me. After all, you have a hole in the roof to rebuild.”
“HEY! WHOSE FAULT IS THAT!?”
Etho’s laugh was everything, even if it was at Bdub's anger. He had learned quickly that they had a good back and forth. That the alpha liked his outbursts which was definitely welcome. He could be himself. “Shhh. You'll spook them.”
The horses. Bdubs covered his mouth with a wince. He was getting pretty loud and they were still wild. Even if they couldn't see them they'd hear him for sure. They walked the rest of the way in a silence that felt oddly comfortable like it was easy to just exist next to each other.
The herd was something to behold. It was at least twenty horses running wild together in a natural meadow of grass and flowers tucked away by a cove where multiple rivers intersected. He was so entranced watching as two foals pranced he almost didn't see the spot Etho had set up.
It wasn't much but the location was perfect. High on the hill where they could look down at the horses but the horses wouldn't notice them. A little blanket with lunch spread out and a chest probably filled with mostly stuff for the house. They needed so many materials. This felt so easy too. Etho just let him settle in quietly to watch, like he understood.
One caught his eye as he scanned them, a perfect mare with white speckles on her flank and left leg. She stomped and toed at the ground with a huff before taking off into a sprint. “Look at ‘em. Just beautiful. See that one, that's the best one. She's got the attitude.”
“You want to take her back to the castle? Bet we could set up a stable really fast for her.”
“Nah…I don't have a saddle yet.” He sighed, wondering if the other hermits had seen the herd. He selfishly hoped not so she could be his later. Someone would definitely snatch her up. He glanced back out at her, at least she could play more now anyway. It's a good thing, at least that's what he told himself.
“You sure you don't?” Etho's voice held that same hint of playfulness it had when they were chasing each other by the base. The air of mystery he always had.
Bdubs spun to face him, noticing now how Etho had stopped by the chest, resting one of his hands on it. His present. “You…you got me a saddle?”
The alpha shrugged and made a small gesture to invite him to check. Bdubs almost shocked himself with how fast he moved, throwing open the box. Two new saddles, two leads, and two sets of horse armor, one diamond and one iron were placed carefully inside in sets. “....you got us both saddles.”
“Couldn't let you go riding alone. Someone else actually found one. I bought it, I found the rest while-”
Etho's speech was cut off when Bdubs barreled into his chest. All the omega could think to do was cling to Etho while tucked into his arms and the scent of maple wood engulfing him. “This is the best present. Ever. No one's ever given a better thing…”
After feeling Etho's hand come down to the top of his head, Bdubs looked up and his grin widened. The look was back, that relaxed look with the soft eyes. The sparkle of something. His favorite look. Etho's so pretty.
And he knew then he would marry the beautiful, perfect, idiot.