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‘Is this a date?’ has been the thought in Etho’s head all night.
Joel had asked him if he wanted to hang out and of course Etho said yes, Joel is an amazing friend, and Etho wants to spend time with him (and has had a crush on him since double life).
They go to the server hub, to a restaurant to eat dinner and as they sit down across from each other Etho asks himself, ‘Is this a date?’, but as Joel starts to ask him about his base this season, the question is forgotten as he falls into easy conversation with a close friend.
After that, they head back to Hermitcraft, going to Joel’s base to watch a movie together.
Etho sits down on Joel’s couch, grabbing the remote, finding a movie for them to watch as Joel pops up a bowl of popcorn, grabbing two cans of soda before sitting down next to Etho.
The tanuki hybrid sits on Etho’s right, leaning into the fox hybrid, bringing the bowl of popcorn into his lap, munching on a few kernels as the movie Etho picks starts to play.
Etho can hear his heart beating and wonders if Joel can too, seeing as he’s so close.
The question comes into his mind again, ‘Is this a date?’ he asks himself.
Etho tries to forget the persistent question in his mind, to forget about the really beautiful man leaning against him, the heat coming from Joel warming Etho, his chest fluttering like it’s full of butterflies trying their hardest to get out.
The fox hybrid looks at the tv, trying to watch the movie.
He’s thankful he picked out something he’s already watched before, because when Joel comments about something that happens on screen, he would not be able to reply if he had not, lost in his own head with his feelings for the man beside him.
Joel sits up when the popcorn is gone, setting the now empty bowl onto the coffee table before bringing his legs up next to him, curling up, laying his head down on Etho’s leg.
Etho wets his lips, heart pounding.
The words fall out of his lips before he can stop them. The same words that have been dancing on the tip of his tongue all night, holding breath for the moment to spill.
“Joel…has this been a date?”
His cheeks heat up as he realizes what he’s just done.
The fox hybrid starts to panic a little, trying to come up with a way to pass the question off as a joke, as a bit, something to laugh at while he internally cringes at the memories, sick with the feeling of something he’ll never have.
“FINALY!” Joel says, sitting up, “WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG TO REALIZE THAT!?”
Etho’s ears press back against his head at the loudness of Joel’s voice (though he usually is loud anyway, but louder than normal), the works coming from Joel slowly processing in his mind.
‘Wait-’
Joel’s face falls a bit, “I-uh, I should not have yelled, I’m sorry.” he says, bringing his tail into his lap, nervously running his hand through the fluffy fur on it, “I uh…I thought you knew this was a date.” he says, cheeks now turning red as he looks away from Etho, “I thought it was clear with me directly asking you out and all the romantic type things we did.”
Etho’s chest aches with want, a want to embrace Joel, to hold him close, to mumble into his hair that he’s fine, that Etho loves him.
The blush on Joel’s cheeks darken as his face falls, “I understand if you feel weirded out by that, I-I’m sorry. You can go if you want to.” he says, fidgeting with some fur on his tail, looking down at his lap, not meeting Etho’s eyes.
Etho reaches out, cupping Joel’s cheek, tilting his head up.
Joel’s eyes shine with unshed tears, lip trembling involuntarily, a wave of sadness and dread pooling in his gut, making his chest tight, trying to hold back the tears that want to flow.
“Joel, I like you.” Etho says, looking Joel directly in his brown eyes, “I do, I-I was hoping this was a date.” he says, ears warming up.
The fox hybrid pulls down his mask with his free hand, slowly leaning closer, pressing a light kiss to Joel’s cheek.
Joel closes his eyes as a single tear falls down his other cheek, the tension easing from his shoulders.
Etho pulls away, pulling his mask up again, leaning back.
Joel brings the end of the sleeve of the hoodie he is wearing up to his eyes, drying the tears from his eyes, smiling, “I like you Etho.” he says, “D-do you think we can explore our relationship a bit more then?”
“I would love that.” Etho says, smiling softly under his mask.