Au: None

WC: ~4k

If anyone gets the reference from the title I owe you a drabble /hj

-

Bdubs' heart was still racing with anxiety, even when the two made it to the safety of the secluded field. Two weeks had passed and Hels had finally expressed an interest in seeing the overworld. So, Bdubs found a flower field amidst a birch forest away from the main area for them to share a small picnic. He realized he was still holding Hels' hand, but the other was squeezing his so he didn't try to let go yet.

He cracked a smile, though sympathy pierced his heart. Hels seemed so... entranced by the sky. "The air smells so fresh," he breathed. Gently, Bdubs pulled him down to sit with him. Hels quickly wiped his eyes with his free hand and immediately Bdubs pulled him into a hug, only letting go of his hand to properly squeeze him. "I'm fine," Hels mumbled, although he still held tight to Bdubs.

Pulling away, the two opened up the picnic basket they brought, taking out the assortment of fruits and small sweets. After eating a few grapes, Bdubs hesitated before suggesting, "Listen, if you ever decide to leave the nether to live here, you're more than welcome to room with me at my monolith until you've got a place of your own. I have plenty of room."

Or you can just become my permanent roommate.

He buried the sudden thought for the time being.

"I think that'd be nice," Hels softly agreed. "Although I'm- I don't see myself moving here anytime soon. As nice as it is."

Bdubs nodded, biting into a strawberry. He felt the juice dribble down the corner of his lip, but he figured he could wait until he finished the fruit to find a napkin.

Suddenly, he felt a cloth napkin gently touch his face and he froze. Heat quickly rose to his cheeks and it felt as though his heart stopped for just a moment. "S-Sorry you just- I didn't mean to- sorry," Hels stammered, quickly pulling his hand away.

He cracked a smile. "Thanks," he breathed. Bdubs had to practically force himself to look up at the sky and not stare at Hels.

With a deep breath, he laid down on the blanket, watching as the clouds manipulated their shapes. "Hey, that one kind of looks like a strider," he pointed out with a light laugh.

"What do you mean?" Hels asked. When Bdubs patted the space beside him, Hels raised an eyebrow but laid down beside him anyway.

"That one there." Bdubs pointed to the cloud he was talking about, gesturing where the body and legs were. Once again he felt himself freezing as Hels tilted his head towards him, his hair brushing his shoulder.

He hummed for a moment. "Wait, yeah I see it now. Huh. That's kinda cool! What else can you see?"

"Well, what can you see?" Bdubs countered, finding his breath again. Once he could relax, he tilted his head towards Hels, finding space above his shoulder.

Hesitantly, Hels pointed up. "I think- I think that looks like a trident?"

"Yeah, I see it! Oh and over th-" In the distance, Bdubs heard the faint yet distinguishable sound of rockets. Immediately the two sat up, Hels looking horrified.

"I can't be seen," he hissed, tightly gripping the blanket.

Recalling Hels admitting to his old want of taking over the server reminded Bdubs of why he was reacting so extremely. Thinking quickly he reached into the picnic basket where he had an invisibility potion for just in case and handed it over.

As he laid back down, Hels became invisible. "Thank you," he whispered, a floating bottle being pressed into his hands.

Bdubs listened to the sound of his footsteps fading away as he took deep breaths. Within seconds a shadow was cast from above; someone flying above.

His friend must've spotted him and landed. "Hey dude! Whatcha up to?" Jevin asked with a wave.

Slowly he sat up, nonchalantly placing the empty bottle in the basket. "Just enjoying the beautiful weather! I had found this place while scoping out areas for my parkour challenges," he explained. "Grape?" With a smile, Bdubs held one out.

"Nah I'm good. But yeah this place is nice! I've actually been looking for someplace to set up my base," Jevin explained, looking around. "Are you going to be using this area?"

Bdubs shook his head, popping the grape. "Nope, if you want it, it's yours," he offered.

"I think I'm gonna keep looking, but thanks though!"

-

Hels gripped the tree as he watched the two talk. He wasn't sure where to go, he just hoped whoever Bdubs was talking to would leave soon. His anxiety bubbled up as the blue slime's eyes traveled across the edge of the surrounding birch, almost landing on Hels. For a moment he feared the potion had already worn off but a quick look at himself assured him that he indeed was still invisible. It was at that moment that he realized that eventually, his partial lies would catch up to him.

He had been ambiguous with Bdubs for a reason.

Although truthfully, he wasn't quite sure of all of his wants, namely when it came to... certain people, Hels knew his main goal had not wavered.

He also knew that one day, whether he liked it or not, Bdubs would find out, and would hate him for it.

Thankfully the other hermit finally bid him farewell and took off. Hels still waited a bit longer before slowly making his way out of the shadows. He knelt on the blanket and looked around.

"Are you here?" Bdubs softly asked.

He nodded before realizing it wasn't visible. "Yeah, I'm right here." Hels hesitated as he reached forward, his fingers delicately brushing the top of Bdubs' hand. His chest tightened as his friend cracked a wide smile.

For some reason, as the effects of the potion wore off, his confidence grew.

"There you are," Bdubs teased as his body became opaque.

Pursing his lips, Hels squeezed his hand. "Listen um- you should really know; I'm not- I'm not sure what you think of me but- I'm not a... great person."

Bdubs exhaled through his nose. "Hels you're a good person," he insisted, but Hels pulled his hand away.

"Bdubs I know you're not that naive. You're my- friend, yes, but- I'm not like you guys."

Scooching closer, Bdubs took his hand again and squeezed it back. "So- So what if you're not a good person? Maybe it's wrong of me to say but- I appreciate having you as a friend and I enjoy the time we spend together."

Hels found himself able to smile, despite the bittersweet feeling in his gut.

-

Not even a few days later, Bdubs was back in the nether as Hels had expressed a realization that he hadn't shown a certain ability to him. They were standing in a warped forest, near a small lavafall that drained through a hole in the floor to the great lava lakes below. With a manic smile, Hels kept his eyes on Bdubs as he phased his hands through the lava.

Bdubs gasped, clapping a hand over his mouth. "What the fuck- wait you're seriously immune to lava?!" He stared in amazement as Hels pulled his hands out, the lava pooling off as if it were water. "Dude that's- that's awesome! You should've like- scared me by jumping in a lake or something!" He laughed.

Hels laughed as well. "I mean, that's one way to get me naked."

Taken aback by the comment, Bdubs started coughing, his face heating up. "Sorry?" He sputtered.

"My clothes are just as lava-proof as you are. They'd burn clean off."

With an awkward laugh, Bdubs held up his hands in surrender. "I promise I didn't think about that," he insisted.

Shaking his head as he laughed, Hels lightly hit his arm. "Hey don't worry. I'm ah, not exactly the type to strip for people if you catch my drift."

A genuine smile grew on his face as he nodded. "Yeah, I get what you mean. Now, what else is on the agenda for today?"

"Strider racing?" Hels suggested to which Bdubs eagerly agreed.

Before Hels had a chance to take off, Bdubs playfully pushed past him as he bolted down the side of the warped forest, pulling out his fishing pole with the warped fungus attached from his inventory. He heard Hels calling after him and laughing, but ignored it as he found a familiar group of striders. Two of them still had saddles on their backs and Bdubs was quick to hop on one.

"You're so slow!" He teased as Hels was just closing in on the striders.

Bdubs wasted no more time stalling and took off down the usual path. However, he wasn't able to hold the lead for long, as soon enough Hels caught up. "Hope you enjoyed your time in first place because it's over now!" Hels taunted before speeding ahead of him.

Shouting protests after him, Bdubs tried to catch up, but for some reason, he could never get his strider fast enough. Which was funny enough, considering Bdubs had hopped on Hels' strider, who had beaten him in the past.

They raced around a corner, weaving between lava falls, and once they reached the crimson forest peninsula it was time to turn around and head right back. When Hels turned around first, he veered close to Bdubs, pushing his arm out as if he was about to knock Bdubs off the strider. Although he didn't, Bdubs still prematurely gasped and Hels still cackled.

However, he got his revenge once they got back and off the striders. As Hels was celebrating his victory, Bdubs pushed him. "Woah-" Hels stumbled back, struggling to maintain his balance. "Now that's not fair, I didn't actually push you," he protested once he found his footing.

"Hey in my defense you'd survive it," he pointed out, holding up his hands in protest.

"I guess that's fair," Hels agreed with a shrug.

Within a split second, a mischievous grin was spread across his face and suddenly Bdubs was lifted. "Shit- wait!" Realizing what was happening the moment he was scooped up, Bdubs tightly wrapped his arms around Hels. His friend only laughed as he walked into the shallow part of the lava as if they were at a beach.

"What? Scared?" He teased. "I'm not gonna drop you, I'm not that cruel!"

Bdubs practically held himself up out of Hels' arms he was so scared of falling. "If I die I'm marching right back here and murdering you," he bitterly joked.

Hels slowly walked in further until the lava was at his knees. "Waters nice and warm," he continued to tease.

He made the mistake of looking up at him and realized just how close their faces were. The light of the lava reflected on Hels' face, making him seem completely flushed.

Maybe he really was.

Just the idea of Hels suddenly becoming as aware and possibly as flustered as Bdubs was enough for him to forget where he was and loosen his grip. Thankfully, Hels didn't let go of him, if anything it only caused him to hold him tighter.

The silence between them was finally broken. "You sure you don't want to take a dip?"

"I'm fine just where I am," Bdubs lightly laughed, patting Hels' chest. In response, Hels lifted him and tossed him over his shoulder, holding him in place with a hand on his back, the other on one of his legs.

"Alright back to the base!" Hels declared, carrying him out of the lava.

Bdubs squirmed under his hold, lightly hitting the back of his chest plate. "Put me down!" He laughed. However, he paused, noticing how Hels' armored boots and pants were intact. Although as mentioned, his regular pants didn't have any fire resistance enchant and he could see near his ankles where his pants and socks were burned away.

He was let down so he could walk the rest of the way back to the bastion, where the two agreed to recharge for a little before Bdubs left. It had become a constant in his visits; ending his trip to the nether with quiet relaxation on the couch next to the respawn anchor. This time, Bdubs found himself using Hels' lap as a pillow, staring off across the room. The bandana on his head was gently pulled off, letting his hair fall into his face, only for a hand to come across his face to carefully brush it out of his eyes. Although when his hair proved too stubborn to be moved, Hels seemed content with resting his hand atop Bdubs' head. There was something nice about the silent affection, but it was different from when he'd take a nap after a long build with a hermit. Sure he could end up in the same spot; like when he and Grian spent so much time on their upside-down base back in Season 7 that when Grian sat down for a break on the floor, Bdubs borrowed his lap for a pillow until it was time to work again.

Yet this was different, but he couldn't quite grasp how.

-

Hels could no longer take it. He finally admitted to himself as he delicately rubbed his thumb over Bdubs' head that this was what he wanted. Yet it wasn't all he wanted. However, he couldn't have both unless he told Bdubs the truth. That came with a large risk of losing him, but it was a risk he was willing to take if it meant the chance of having it all.

Although, he needed time to think about how to word everything so he allowed himself to be given a day to piece it together.

Tomorrow, he'll know. Then maybe, we'll be happy together.

-

Bdubs was so caught up in tending to the tree just outside his monolith the next day, that he hadn't heard the footsteps approaching him from behind.

"Hey!" Hels' voice caused him to jump.

As happy as he was to see him, he couldn't help but feel nervous. "Aren't you worried Wels might see you?" He asked, taking his hand to squeeze it.

With a small sigh, Hels clasped his hand between his own. "Listen, I've come to- I wanted to see you. To come clean and tell you... everything."

"What? Where is this coming from?" He lightly laughed, although it was hard to not be concerned.

Hels squeezed his hands and dropped his eyes. "I've- Bdubs I've not been completely honest with you. But I want to be! And it's okay if-"

A tint of armor caught his eye and he gripped Hels' hand. "Someone's coming," he hissed, interrupting him.

His friend's expression darkened as he let go of him in favor of unsheathing his sword. "Forgive me for this, but you don't know me," he whispered.

Before Bdubs could protest, Hels had the sword pointed at his neck at a voice from beyond called out. "Hels, don't!" Within seconds Wels was there, his sword out.

Flashing a smile, Hels snaked around to stand behind Bdubs, the side of his sword threatening to slice his neck. "Any closer and your little friend is as good as gone."

"Bdubs are you okay?" Wels asked, lowering his sword.

He smiled. "I'm fine! I'll respawn so there's no need to worry!" He was holding onto the arm wrapped around his body, though he made little effort to break free.

"That doesn't matter. I won't let him hurt you I promise," Wels insisted with a shake of his head,

"Didn't I warn you?" Hels snapped. "I'm going to burn the place you love to the ground and everyone you care about will be gone." He gently pressed the sword against Bdubs' skin, who tilted his head up.

Gritting his teeth, Wels lifted his weapon. "Stop it, this is between you and me. I'm not going to kill you but I won't hesitate to hurt you," he warned.

"What's happening over here?" Xisuma cautiously asked, popping up around the corner. The moment his eyes laid on Hels, he pulled out a sword of his own. "Since when did you get back?!"

"I'm more popular than I realized," Hels laughed. Anyone who could see how tight he was holding onto Bdubs would worry that he was hurting him, but rather the opposite was taking place.

"Wels warned me about you, then just the other day Jevin came to me saying he thought someone was spying on Bdubs. So, I decided to drop by to make sure everything was okay," X explained. "Now, we're going to banish you to the furthest corner of the nether as a last warning. Next time you'll be sent to the void."

Inhaling sharply, Bdubs rammed the back of his head into Hels' face, startling him and throwing him off guard. He broke free, shoving him away so he could move to stand with his hermit friends. "Here, hold him off for me." The admin handed over his sword, and after the builder shared a glance with Wels, the two charged Hels.

Swords clanged against one another so hard sparks burst from the blades. "You can't stop me forever, only delay the inevitable," Hels claimed, fending the two off.

Despite the odds seeming to be in their favor, the hermits couldn't quite subdue him. The ground rumbled a bit behind Hels and a nether portal grew from the earth.

"Push him through! It'll send him far from any of us in the nether!" X instructed.

Grunting, Hels knocked Wels' sword from his hand and kicked him back. As Bdubs brought his weapon down on him, the other blocked. He pushed forward, trying to force him towards the portal. Although Hels was his friend, and he felt guilty, the grin on Hels' face encouraged him to keep fighting.

"Don't hold back," Hels murmured through his clenched jaw.

With adrenaline coursing through his veins, Bdubs fought on, but not for much longer. He was disarmed, the sword being flung from his hands. Foot to his chest knocked him to the ground and he found himself facing the tip of a sword.

However, Wels seemed to have recovered as he once again charged his twin, taking his attention off Bdubs. As he scrambled to his feet he watched as the two stopped playing nice and the fight grew more intense. "The portal is extremely unstable," Xisuma warned.

Just as Bdubs glanced his way, the unmistakable sound of a totem exploding startled him. He saw the look of horror on Wels' face, who quickly dropped his sword over the prospect that he could've killed his brother. Without thinking Bdubs stepped towards Hels to make sure he was okay, but through the bombardment of sparkling explosions, arms wrapped around him, pulling him close.

Suddenly, he was surrounded by purple mist.

Then the temperature rapidly increased.

The two were quiet for a moment, Bdubs listened to the rapid heartbeat of Hels as he reciprocated the hug. "Please be honest with me," he finally whispered, breaking the silence. "Are you still planning on destroying the server?"

Hels loosened his hold. "Yes," he firmly answered.

Sighing, Bdubs let go of him and stepped away. "Is that what you were going to tell me then?" He guessed.

"Well, yes and- I also wanted to admit that- I- Bdubs when I look at you, when I'm with you, I'm just- me. I want- I like you Bdubs and I want to be with you," Hels confessed.

His heart was pierced by the sharp edge of his warm words.

"I would've liked to have a better build-up to this," Hels muttered when he didn't answer. "Find a more romantic time, but I was worried I'd not have a chance like this again."

Bdubs swallowed hard. "Hels I care a lot about you. I'd- I'd love to- go on dates, and be with you too but- you're planning to bring about the downfall of my home. That's not something I can overlook so easily."

He held his ground as Hels stepped closer to him. "Please, just let me be selfish," he murmured. "I'll protect you, and no one will find out."

"I don't need any form of protection," Bdubs huffed. "If the others find out I can keep myself safe. I'm- I'll be seen as a traitor most likely, yes, but-" A hand gently touched his cheek and his words died on his tongue.

It took a moment for him to find what he wanted to say. "You're more stubborn than me," he bitterly laughed.

Truth be told, Bdubs wanted to say yes. A part of him was more than ready to risk it all, and for what? An enemy who wasn't about to change his morals for anyone else? Then again, neither was Bdubs.

However, as he contemplated his options, his emotions got ahead of him, ignoring his rational thoughts as he dared to steal something so close in front of him.

When he kissed Hels, he knew it was wrong yet he liked it. "Is this a yes then?" Hels murmured against his lips before they parted.

"Gods this is so complicated," Bdubs sighed, pulling away from him once more, drawing a hand down his face.

"What about this; we give our relationship no title, no strings attached. You visit me when you have the time, we'll have stupid cute dates and be affectionate even. But when the time comes and I see fit it's time for me to act, we don't hold back and let the rest see us as enemies. No hard feelings, no regrets," Hels suggested.

Bdubs raised an eyebrow. "How do I know you're not just trying to use me to get some kind of information out of me? That you don't have an ulterior motive?"

"W- Heh- At first, that uh- that was my plan. How- However-" Hels' sigh turned into a breathy laugh. "I couldn't bring myself to do that if you can believe it!"

Cracking a smile, Bdubs extended a hand. "Alright, you know what? You've got yourself a deal."

Instead of shaking his hand, Hels yanked him close and stole a kiss. "Now we've just got to get you back home," he pointed out.

"In a second," he mumbled, kissing him again.

Taking out his totem, he pressed it into Hels' hand. "Hold onto this for me, will you?"

Seeing as they were on a netherrack island, high up above a seemingly endless ocean of lava, Bdubs knew there was only one way out. With his eyes glued to Hels, he backed up to an edge. "Push me off," he dared with a grin.

Closing the space between them, their lips brushed against one another before a hand pressed against his chest.

Bdubs fell, his body screaming as he was lit ablaze by the lava.

-

"Have a good night!" He waved goodbye to Beef and Zedaph as he headed up the path to his monolith. Humming as he closed the front door behind himself, he took off his hoodie and blew out the candles near the door. As the wall rumbled, a secret staircase was revealed.

Bdubs headed down the steps to the dark room below, his feet echoing. The hallway was riddled with cobwebs, lit only by a few sparse candles, but he didn't mind it. He pushed open the large double doors, revealing a cozy yet grand living room. After fixing up the discovered basement, Bdubs had renovated it with a few extra rooms for when Hels wanted to crash.

The aforementioned was polishing his sword and looked up, his eyes brightening. "Hey! How was your day?"

"It was fun! Were you waiting here long?" As Hels stowed away his weaponry, he met him halfway.

"Nope, got here like, ten minutes ago," Hels assured him, followed by a kiss.

It had only been a month and a half since they agreed to their arrangement, but they had already tossed the loose rules out the window. Sure, the future was still uncertain and anxiety-inducing, but Bdubs would cross that bridge when he got there. Until then, he had stay-at-home date night plans. 

-

Didn't really proofread this completely, but I hope you enjoyed this random-ass ship regardless!