Zedaph wiped his palms on his lab coat for the- he had lost track of how many times he'd done it now. He was standing behind Tango's house, trying to calm his nerves before visiting Bdubs. He had rehearsed the script a million times, and there was nothing to be nervous about! And yet, the thought of knocking on the door made his heart leap into his throat.

"What's up buddy?" Tango's voice startled Zedaph so badly, his limbs gave out all at once and he collapsed on the ground with a squeak. Once the blind fear passed, he scrambled to his feet, embarrassed by his performance.

"Uh, nothing! Just a survey, ya know?" He held up his clipboard with a strained smile, knowing full well all the papers were blank.

Tango broke into a wide grin. "Well if you wanted an interview this is a strange place to stand! Do you wanna come in?" He offered.

"Ah, actually I was just- well I was passing by so-" Zedaph fumbled.

"Oh, are you going to see Bdubs or Keralis? Gotcha! Let's walk over together!" Tango nudged Zedaph as he walked past, heading for Bdubs' house, but Zedaph couldn't manage to pick up his feet. He felt plastered to the grass by fear- he had never been afraid like this before! When Zedaph didn't follow, Tango glanced back at him with a laugh. "What's wrong, test subject got your tongue?"

Zedaph wanted to protest, but Tango was right, so he just made a noncommittal sound, managing to take a couple steps forward. He swallowed thickly, trying to return any moisture to his mouth. "Um, it's... complicated?"

Tango's expression shifted to concern instantly, returning to Zedaph's side to wrap a comforting arm around his shoulders. "What's going on man? You know you can always talk to me."

Zedaph sighed; if he could talk to anyone about this, it was Tango. "I'm just- I made this more complicated than it needs to be, but- I think Bdubs is, like, pretty cool, and..."

He trailed off, but Tango grinned. "Wait, do you have a crush on Bdubs? Are you gonna go ask him out?! YES!" Tango cheered, making Zedaph's knees buckle as his mind entertained the notion.

"Not so loud! I'm not asking him out, I just- wanna know if he likes anyone, yknow?" He trailed off with a waver in his voice.

"Oh my gosh. I'm behind you all the way bud, I'll be the best wingman! Just promise I can be the best man at the wedding?"

Zedaph blushed furiously at the thought, pushing Tango away as he cackled. "It's not gonna be like that dude! You're freaking me out even more!"

Tango managed to curb his laughter, wrapping Zedaph in another comforting hug. "Don't worry Zed, you'll do great. Now go gettem, my mad scientist!" Tango cheered, nudging Zedaph towards Bdubs' house. He stumbled a few steps, then began plodding up the trail to the moon house. The gentle slope up to the door made the moon base look even more intimidating than usual, dwarfing Zedaph in its shadow. He readjusted his hold on his clipboard, trying to find comfort in knowing that he had a plan. It didn't help much, but it was something. Each step was harder than the last, but at long last he stood on the doormat, wiping his hands again. He couldn't see Tango when he looked back into the forest, but he knew he was out there watching. It was kinda worse knowing someone was listening, but at least he knew Tango would back him up if it all went south. So, with a deep breath, Zedaph knocked on the door.

It took almost a full minute for the door to open, giving Zedaph plenty of time to escape, but he couldn't seem to pick up his feet. When Bdubs' face appeared in the doorway, Zedaph realized how difficult this would be. He raised his clipboard a little higher, covering the growing heat in his face as Bdubs smiled ecstatically. "Well hi Zed! Did you get the results from my lab test yet?"

It took a moment to recall what he was talking about, but then his memory returned to him, and Zedaph offered a reassuring smile. "Not yet, but it's looking good so far! Um, that's part of why I'm here actually; can I give you a quick survey? The questions are entirely random and the answers are anonymous." That wasn't entirely true; Bdubs was the only interviewee, and Zedaph had picked them specifically for him.

"Oh nice! Wanna come in, or...?" Bdubs offered.

Zedaph's mind reeled, trying to find an answer to the question. He hadn't planned for this in his script! "Uh, um, no, this is... I'll be quick, don't worry!"

Bdubs flashed one of his blinding smiles again. "Gotcha! Gimme the best you got," he growled, pretending the survey was a great challenge. Unfortunately for Zedaph, it was, and his heart was performing flips.

"Ahem, first question. What is your favorite meal?"

Bdubs blinked with surprised. "Oh, like those kinds of questions! Hmm, probably a nice rabbit stew, with a big glass 'a milk!"

Zedaph nodded vigorously, scribbling down the answer as quick as he could. "Got it. Favorite mob to have as a pet?"

"Awh, maybe a puppy! Or a horse? I do love horses," Bdubs crooned, petting the air in the direction of Lulu's stable.

Zedaph choked out a noise of some kind, writing that down too. Bdubs' enthusiasm was too darn cute. "Um, n-now, are you- you currently in a long-term relationship?" Zedaph squeaked, his heart almost beating straight out of his chest, terrified to see Bdubs' reaction but unable to break eye contact.

Bdubs visibly mulled over the question, first trying to understand what he meant, then shock or anger- it was hard to say with Bdubs- before landing on confusion. "No, I think? What does this have to do with the experiment?"

"Ah, having a partner could, yknow, encourage you to do better, or make your heartbeat lower, that kinda stuff?" Zedaph lied quickly, the shaking in his knees growing more intense.

Luckily Bdubs bought it pretty easily. "Huh! You thought of everything, nice job Zeddy!" He complimented with a gentle punch to the arm, nearly knocking Zedaph over where he was paralyzed on his feet.

"Ha! Yeah, I tried, so- uh..." Zedaph made a split second decision, diverting from the script he had so carefully prepared. "Do you have your eye on anyone right now?"

"As a rival? Yeah, everyone!" He cackled. "But you mean like a crush, right?"

Zedaph just nodded; he was pretty sure that was an American saying, and not that Bdubs wanted to literally crush his enemies.

"I dunno, like, Keralis? I- I don't think about that crap," he coughed, his eyes flickering anywhere but Zedaph's face.

Zedaph nodded slowly as his heart sank into his shoes. Of course Bdubs liked Keralis, they always spent so much time together. Zedaph figured shock was the only reason he was still standing, and he struggled to find the right words to say. If he could just say 'thanks for the survey, bye' he could escape quickly, retreating to safety and-

"-I mean, there's plenty of attractive hermits here- especially around here- but-" Bdubs coughed, face heating up. Zedaph couldn't tell if he was looking at Keralis or Tango's bases, but it didn't matter much; Zedaph's base wasn't anywhere near here. Well, if he liked Tango that might be awkward, since he and Tango spent a lot of time together, but he could be a supportive friend. "-I mean like standing here! In this area." Bdubs added loudly, again bashfully fidgeting in the doorframe.

Did he know Tango was hidden nearby? "How did you-?"

"Just confess already you dork!" Tango burst out of a nearby bush, causing both Zedaph and Bdubs to jump. Zedaph whirled to look at Bdubs, terrified to see his reaction, but Bdubs looked just as flustered as Zedaph felt, if not more. "Either of you! Both of you! Just stop flirting so subtly!"

Zedaph took a moment to digest Tango's words, then turned fearfully back to Bdubs, ready to pull his clipboard over his face if necessary. Bdubs met his gaze, his cheeks just as red as Zedaph suspected his were. "Uh, what's that all about?" Bdubs chuckled nervously, fidgeting with the clock hung around his neck.

Zedaph had half a second to decide what to do before Tango took over and confessed for him, which he absolutely didn't want. "Bdubs I like you! A lot! I understand if you like Keralis in that way, but I needed to tell you or my heart might have exploded." The words tumbled out of his mouth, and he pulled his clipboard and his shoulders higher as he watched Bdubs' expression shift.

Confusion, shock, fear, and...?

"Zed, I..."

"It's okay, you don't need to say anything, I just wanted to-"

Zedaph was cut off as a pair of arms were flung around his neck, barely giving him time to reciprocate the hug before they both went tumbling down the hill, foreheads bumping painfully together as they came to rest side by side on the pebble beach. "Ow..."

"Sorry, I got real excited," Bdubs apologized sheepishly. "You're good, right?"

Zedaph ignored his question. "What is happening right now?" His voice cracked slightly, attempting to look anywhere else despite Bdubs filling his vision.

"Well, if it's okay with you, I..." Bdubs leaned in, and Zedaph could feel his soft breath against his neck. He found himself leaning in as well, but it was Bdubs who finally sealed the kiss. It was short and chaste, but both of them pulled away breathless. Without another word, Zedaph placed his hands on Bdubs' cheeks and initiated another rough kiss, trying to express all his love and frustration and longing in a few heated seconds.

When Bdubs pulled out of the kiss Zedaph worried he had come on too strong, but his fears were assuaged as Bdubs smiled breathlessly. "Man you're hot."

"I- well you- heh, wow-" Zedaph stumbled. Bdubs just laughed softly and placed a kiss on the corner of his mouth, effectively shutting him up. Bdubs' eyes appeared kaleidoscopic in this light, the warm brown seeming endlessly deep. Zedaph was hypnotized, and he began to realize just how madly in love with Bdubs he was.

"Yeah! Those are my friends!! WOOO!!!" Tango whooped and hollered, and the two lovebirds shared a glance and blushed brightly. Bdubs let out a small giggle in surprise, and Zedaph found he began to laugh too; Tango's reaction paired with everything that just happened, not to mention Zedaph's heightened nerves, all made for a bubbly mood. As Zedaph laughed, Bdubs and Tango joined in, and the tension slipped away.

As they began to trail off and wipe away their tears, Tango piped up again. "Well, I'd better go and let you two have some time alone." He winked with another laugh and retreated back to his house, his footsteps on the gravel path the only sound as the pair fell into silence. It felt comfortable to sit with Bdubs like this, fingers intertwined on the beach (when did that happen?), but he knew they would need to say something eventually. Luckily, it was Bdubs who spoke up first.

"Do you wanna tell everyone? Or we can keep it quiet if you want, though I dunno if Tango can keep a secret," he laughed. "Uh, assuming you wanna get together and like, date? Each other?"

"Absolutely," Zedaph sighed, letting out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding onto. "I don't care what we tell everyone, I just can't believe this is happening!"

Bdubs laughed, a high but relieved sound. "Me too! I could just sit here with you forever." He caught Zedaph's eye with an impossibly fond smile, turning back to the water and resting his head on Zedaph's shoulder.

"Yeah, this is pretty nice."

The silence stretched on, filling the space and making the air soft and comfortable. The sound of gentle waves a few meters from them broke the silence rhythmically, lulling Zedaph into a sleepy trance, resting his head on top of Bdubs'. They had already missed the brightest moments of the sunset, but now as the sun dipped out of sight, a delicate mix of sun and moon beams danced on the water, making the surface appear almost iridescent. It was hypnotic, and as cheesy as it sounded, Zedaph had the thought that it was like a visual representation of how he felt about Bdubs.

Speaking of, a large yawn wracked his body, and he snuggled further into Zedaph's side with a sigh. It was probably getting close to Bdubs' bed time, so without a word, Zedaph climbed to his feet and scooped Bdubs into his arms. He made a startled sound, but settled into Zedaph's chest with a happy hum, shutting his eyes as Zedaph nudged his way through the front door of the moon base. The door had been left open during their exchange, so a cool breeze sent a chill through the small home.

Zedaph knew he wouldn't be able to carry Bdubs all the way to his bedroom upstairs, so he settled for the couch, setting down his sleeping beauty gently. After several blankets were gathered and a small fire was lit in the furnace, Zedaph joined Bdubs on the couch. He had already wrapped himself in a blanket, and Zedaph fell in love a little bit more seeing how small and gentle he looked like this.

Bdubs cracked one eye open with a smirk, and without warning tackled Zedaph into the couch, both letting out a cry at the attack. Bdubs began peppering kisses all over Zedaph's face, lips, and neck, muttering sweet nothings between each, and Zedaph nearly melted from the heat growing under his cheeks. Once Bdubs finally slowed his onslaught, Zedaph managed to capture his lips one more time for a deeper, more meaningful kiss.

"I didn't expect this to happen today, but it's certainly a pleasant surprise," Bdubs sighed, resting his head under Zedaph's chin.

"Yeah. I'm the luckiest guy on the server," he hummed, running a hand through Bdubs' thick hair.

"Then what does that make me?"

"My boyfriend, obviously," Zedaph teased.

He expected Bdubs to protest with a smile, or to make a joke in return, but there was no resistance. Bdubs' breathing had evened out, his weight fully sinking into Zedaph where he lay. Zedaph couldn't help but smile fondly, pulling the blanket up to cover them both comfortably; Bdubs' internal clock really was strong. Zedaph found it extremely endearing, and he continued to play with Bdubs' hair, appreciating how at ease he looked in his sleep. Zedaph fell asleep soon after, his final waking thoughts being how happy he was that a fake survey was the perfect way to get a boyfriend.

Yeah, it's cute hours >:D

-RaeTheStar