Chapter Text
“C’mon Etho! It might rain!” Bdubs calls out, frowning. Etho soon emerges from the storage room holding the picnic blanket. “Why don’t we just stay in if it’s gonna rain? We could make hot chocolate, light the fireplace.. Cuddle on the couch..” He says the last part in a hushed tone, handing the picnic blanket to Bdubs.
“Cause! It’s been so long since we’ve had some time for just the two of us because of projects, and even longer since we’ve had a proper picnic!” Bdubs says, tucking the fabric carefully into the basket. “Okay, the basket is ready.. Uhm, I think we have everything. Yes! Okay, let’s go Etho!” But just as he opens the door-
It thunders. And then suddenly it is pouring . With no sign of stopping any time soon.
Bdubs is silent, staring outside with a dejected expression. Etho sighs and takes the basket from him, placing it on a table nearby and closing the door. “C’mon, Bubs. We’ll go on the picnic tomorrow, okay?” He says, arms wrapped around Bdubs’ shoulders.
Bdubs closes his eyes and sighs, leaning back against Etho, hands hooking onto his arms. “I really wanted to go on that picnic.” He says, voice low. “I know, Bubs, I know.” Etho replies quietly, his arms tightening around the other a little.
They stay like that for a while, before Etho gets an idea. A stupid one maybe, but an idea nonetheless. He just hopes it’ll cheer Bdubs up even just a little. He shakes the man in his arms a bit, chuckling when he grumbles.
“Hey, I’ve got an idea,” He starts, waiting for Bdubs to acknowledge his words. He lets go of Bdubs and walks to the door, the cold air greeting him as he opens it. He turns to look at his lover, smiling at his confused face before running out into the rain.
Bdubs gasps, eyes widening (even more?). Etho stands in the rain, arms spread out and looking up at the sky, clothes quickly getting drenched. “Etho! Get back inside!” Bdubs yells from the door, but Etho only laughs loudly.
“Nuh uh! You get out here!” Etho yells back, eyes crinkled in a way Bdubs knows is from a smile under the mask. Bdubs bites his lip, watching Etho walk around in the rain before giving in, “Oh screw it,” he mutters under his breath before running out into the rain as well.
He runs into Etho’s arms and they almost fall over, laughing as they try to regain balance. Soon enough, Bdubs is as drenched as Etho, but they found that they really couldn't care less. What was important in this moment was that they were in each other's arms, and they were happy.
“Hey Bubs,” Etho says, pulling back just enough to look into Bdubs’ eyes. “Hello Etho,” Bdubs replies, smiling widely. “I hope you’re feeling better. Sorry we couldn’t go on our picnic today..” He says, but Bdubs just laughs.
“Are you kidding? This is just as great as the picnic, sweetheart. I feel great just from you being here with me. In the rain or not.” He adds on the last part jokingly, and they both start giggling. “We should probably get back inside soon.”
Etho nods, “Maybe, but before we do..” he trails off, and Bdubs is about to ask, but suddenly Etho is walking backwards, his hands catching Bdubs’ own as he does so.
“BdoubleO…” He starts, pausing as he takes his mask off, “Will you dance with me?” Etho asks, head tilting as his grasp on the others hands tighten momentarily. Bdubs’ jaw drops slightly, before composing himself and smiling widely, eyes crinkling in the corners.
He nods and laughs, “Yes, Etho Slab, I will dance with you.” Bdubs replies, and Etho laughs as well. Soon, Etho’s hands take their place on Bdubs’ waist, with the shorter man's arms around his neck, and they dance to a tune that Bdubs is sure Etho is making up, but he couldn't care less. It’s perfect.
They dance clumsily, almost falling over a few times because of the slippery ground, but that doesn't stop them from dancing. It's a tender moment, one that they both will treasure for sure. Etho rests his forehead on Bdubs’ forehead, the pair smiling contently as they hold each other.
Etho slowly tilts Bdubs’ head up and leans in, planting a sweet kiss on his lips, and Bdubs simply melts into it. He kisses back and lets his eyes flutter shut. Soon enough (too soon, Bdubs thinks), they pull apart and Etho rests his forehead on Bdubs’ again, a content smile on both their faces once more.
They go back inside after that, hand in hand. After they clean up and change into clean clothes, they decide to light the fireplace, get some fluffy blankets, make some hot chocolate, and snuggle on the sofa.
There, they lean on one another, wrapped up in soft blankets, content as can be. Eventually Bdubs falls asleep, and once Etho realizes this, he thinks about getting up to clean their cups, but decides against it. He rests his head on top of Bdubs’, turning his head to press a soft kiss on the top of the man's head, before letting himself drift into a peaceful sleep next to the love of his life.