Chapter Text
Etho could’ve said no.
He could have waved a hand at the chopper pilot so they returned to the Shatterdome without him. He would’ve left the fight for good. It wouldn’t have dragged him back in after having left years ago.
He should have said no.
He had come back from working three long hours atop the Kaiju Wall — constructing the barrier even if he never believed it would work. His pack was dropped gracelessly in the container for the next person to use when he heard the familiar sound of a chopper. A quick look out a dirty window told him exactly who came to visit this construction site.
Pushing through the crowd, he’d made his way to the front by the time the chopper landed. Even though his goggles sat securely on top of his hair, he still pulled them down to hang around his neck. He grimaced as the door of the chopper slid open.
A familiar face stepped out. The man let himself drop to the icy street without slipping even a little. His eyes scanned the crowd until they fell on him. Etho wouldn’t lie and say Impulse’s face lit up, but it definitely eased with relief.
“You’re a hard man to find, Etho.”
He shrugged. Despite the snow drifting from the sky, he pulled off the thick welding gloves. He glanced away for a moment, if only to collect his thoughts and formulate words on his tongue. “I try.”
The blades of the chopper didn’t slow. Impulse wasn’t planning on staying long.
“Is using a scarf instead of a mask an aesthetic choice?”
“It’s practical.” His skin itched at the people looking his way. He could already taste their curiosity, wondering why the Marshal of the PPDC of all people was interested in someone as quiet and in the background as Etho.
Impulse nodded slightly. His gaze didn’t leave him for a second. “I’m looking for pilots, Etho. Good pilots.” When no reply came, he gestured for the chopper with a jerk of his head. “Come on in, we’ll talk. If you say no in the end, we’ll turn around.”
Knowing him, he’d be spared the embarrassment of declining such a request when coming back. The Marshal could and would go to great lengths to help him out. But he seemed pretty sure of himself, as if he fully expected Etho to agree and come with him.
His mouth opened and closed itself while he tried to come up with an answer. His gut clenched uncomfortably at the thought of coming along and returning to a Jaeger.
But the fact that this was Impulse made him pause. His old friend. The Marshal. He wouldn’t go to him if the situation didn’t desperately call for it, would he?
In the end, he didn’t say anything. He didn’t say a word as he left the crowd and stepped up to the chopper. He wouldn’t be leaving anything behind, not with how little he actually owned. He had no friends by the wall, nothing of his that he actually cared about. So he took the hand that was held out for him and hopped up.
He couldn’t swallow past the nerves until they took off. The crowd outside dispersed as they slowly trickled back into their routines. Only a few remained to watch the chopper leave.
Would he miss working at the wall?
Impulse didn’t invade his space. He sat on the opposite side of him, phone in hand as he let him think for a moment. Etho cleared his throat. “I saw you became the Marshal. On tv. Didn’t think I’d ever see you in uniform like this.”
The other huffed a laugh. “I didn’t think I’d see you working in construction, but here we are.”
He smiled and shook his head, though it faded away quickly. He fiddled with his thumbs. “How bad is it? You wouldn’t search for me if you didn’t have a really good reason.”
Silence settled between them for a moment. Etho watched him grimace. “The Jaeger program is shutting down. We’ve lost our funding. Everything is going to those Kaiju Walls you’re putting up. We’re scraping at the bottom of what we’ve got.”
He worried at his bottom lip. That wasn’t publicly known information. Most construction workers assumed the same as him: the walls would work alongside the Jaegers to keep the Kaiju at bay.
“We have a few Jaegers left, and now we only need the right people to pilot them.” He paused to sigh and look out the window. When he looked back, a sheepish smile found its way to his lips. “Out of everyone we could’ve searched for, most people agreed we had to find the one and only Etho. You’ve always been smart, and a good fighter. Before the Jaeger program was even a thing. We need you."
His scarf hid the shock that had his mouth hanging open. Before he could even begin to form a reply, a laugh cut him off.
“Don’t look at me like that. You’ve always been popular, at any shatterdome. I don’t doubt people will have missed you while you were gone. When you- if you return, it will definitely bring hope to a lot of them. Bdubs definitely missed you.”
The floor of the chopper suddenly became very interesting. He hummed, staring down as he mulled over the words. Impulse made it really hard to say no, if he ignored the whole ‘fighting in a Jaeger’ part of it all.
“Who would be my copilot?” he asked after a minute of silence. He crossed his arms over his chest. “Do you expect me to pilot an old Mark-2? I’m not sure if I … should.” Piloting above a nuclear reactor had never been good for his health, even if he hadn’t piloted them for very long. If they wanted him back because they needed pilots with experience in Mark-2’s then he would be quick to say no.
But a shake of his head dispelled the fear threatening in his chest. “No way. We saved the best one for you. If you were to accept.”
“You haven’t told me your plan yet. Why do you need me? Why now?”
Impulse nodded along, probably having been expecting and waiting for that question. “I’ll let the nerds explain it in full detail to you, but there is a reason we’re bringing in all pilots. You know very well that Kaiju took months to appear through the rift. Those intervals have gotten shorter and shorter. They appear nearly every week at this point. We have a plan, which could stop this entire thing for good.”
For good? That was a heavy promise. Etho stared ahead. The end of the war, it … it almost sounded like a fairytale. Like something far away and unreachable, yet Impulse told it like it was something they could actually achieve.
“Can I think about it?”
“Of course. I’ll need your answer by tonight, so I can get someone to give you a lift home if I need to.” Impulse didn’t pry further, and they continued to fly with silence between them.
The flight was both too short for his liking and took longer than he expected. Before he knew it, the chopper landed on the helideck in front of a massive structure.
As the blades slowed to a stop the doors rolled open, Etho took in the scene in front of him. People were rushing from one place to the other. Some pushed carts, others marched in squadrons, a few carried supplies to other choppers or back. A single person stood still with an umbrella to shield him from the soft drizzle.
A smile easily found its way onto his face. He followed Impulse out of the chopper and saw his friend grin at his arrival.
“Bdubs!” he greeted. “Haven’t seen you in a while.”
He held out a hand to shake, but Bdubs was quick to grab it and pull him into a tight hug. “Etho! I can’t believe you’re actually here!” He looked him over, holding him at arm's length, and shook his head. “You look great! You been working out?”
Impulse beckoned them over to the elevator with a nod of his head. They followed, a newfound energy in Etho’s step.
“I’ve been at the Kaiju Wall. Does that count?”
He scoffed but the grin didn’t leave for a second. “Barely. Are you sure you’re up for this then?” Bdubs poked him in the side.
Rolling his eyes, he scanned the elevator. It hummed and groaned as it started its way up. Impulse let them talk, phone in hand and undoubtedly doing something important.
“More than you are,” he retorted. His own smile didn’t falter either. It was like no time had passed at all with how easy they fell back into their banter. He almost missed their time together as partners.
“Good thing I’m no pilot anymore then.”
He shrugged as if it was no big deal at all but Etho’s mouth fell open beneath his scarf. Did he hear that right? Looking between him and Impulse, he worked through the maths.
“You stopped piloting?” He knew about Impulse stopping, but he hadn’t been following Jaeger teams at all. Since when …?
“I’m a Jaeger technician now. LOCCENT Officer, even. Retired as a pilot the same day Impulse became Marshal. I … didn’t want to try and find a new partner after having a perfect fit, y’know?”
He nodded silently. He understood, probably more than most would. Finding a new partner … Well, it sucked, to say the least. And if Etho were to accept Impulse’s request, he would have to go through that process again whether he liked it or not.
“Yeah,” he breathed. He glanced between the two, but neither betrayed any kind of regret for their decisions. It made him wonder; just how many things would be different from what he left behind?
The elevator slowed to a stop. They left it to walk through the halls. While they were different from the ones he was used to — he missed the Anchorage Shatterdome, but he couldn’t complain — they were also very familiar. This Shatterdome had mostly the same build plan and materials. He could probably find the cafeteria by memory alone if he tried.
“Etho, I’m leaving you with Bdubs. He’ll show you around, he knows everything you need to know. I will rejoin you in a moment, I’ve got something to take care of.” With that and nothing more, the Marshal took his leave to walk down a different hallway.
“Right.” Where they’d stopped to watch him leave, Bdubs pulled at his arm to get them going again. “I’m sure you’re itching to see some Jaegers.”
He laughed, a sound somewhere between excited and nervous. He was itching to see them. Which one would he get? If he said yes, of course. He didn’t know yet, of course.
Two large doors slid open to reveal a hall so massive, he stuttered in his steps. A sight like that would never fail to amaze him. Towering over them were four massive mechs, two on either side of him. As he entered the hall, he took in every detail of the Jaegers. His heart thumped in his throat. God, he’d missed this.
“Etho, welcome to the Hong Kong Shatterdome!” Bdubs announced, the grin he wore evident in his voice. “The last of them, with all remaining Jaegers. Come on, I’ll show them.”
At this point he wasn’t even pretending to have an air of professionalism or seriousness. Like old friends, he showed him towards the first. A Mark-1, shining with age and strength, stood in front of him. It was big and bulky and perfect for brute strength. “This is the Cherno Alpha, I’m sure you recognise it. Built and previously piloted by Russians, it’s now piloted by Ren and BigB.”
They were names he’d definitely heard before. Their faces were familiar too, even if he’d never personally met them. At their mention, two heads poked out of the crowd. Would they recognise him as an old pilot? Or would he be a newcomer all over? They waved to him, at which he gave a nod in return.
Bdubs made sure they moved on quickly. Dodging out of the way of a card loaded with supplies just in time, he hurried to catch up. Opposite of the Cherno Alpha stood a Mark-4 he had never seen before but could name easily by just taking it in.
“This is the Crimson Typhoon!” Bdubs announced.
His mouth fell open ever so slightly. The glaring red paint, the unique Conn-pod, the arms; it definitely was one of the more spectacular Jaegers built. “Triple arm technique. Very impressive.”
A third one stood a little further away. It was under heavy construction, the chest of the robot open to work on its insides. That didn’t take away from the fact that this Jaeger was ultimately familiar to Etho. He grinned, taking in the majestic sight of something he’d spent so much time in.
“Enjoying the view?” Bdubs quietly sighed beside him. “It’s still just as beautiful as it was back then, hmm?”
“Definitely.” The Gipsy Danger, his platonic love. As much as he’d left this world behind him, the memories of fun and excitement resurfaced the moment he looked at it. “Does it have any pilots or …?”
A simple question, yet he couldn’t help but hold his breath while he awaited the answer. If he agreed, would he pilot his old Jaeger? He couldn’t deny he missed it, unlike his old Mark-2 piece of scrap.
Disappointment weighed heavy in his stomach when Bdubs nodded. “It has two pilots. Bright and strong, you’ll like them. Well, you already know one of them. The Ranchers!” He made a point of presenting the name like it was glorious and amazing and grinned. “Better team name than anything we ever came up with, I think.”
He tried not to scoff. “There was nothing wrong with our team name,” he mumbled when they moved onto the next. “Who’s piloting it then?”
“You’ll meet them later! There’s more than enough surprises, don’t be so impatient. For now, if you decide you want to come back, this one would be yours.”
They stopped in front of a final Jaeger. Tall and imposing, matte silver with golden details. He’d seen it on tv more often than any others lately. A Mark-5, the one and only of its kind. The biggest, baddest and most high-tech Jaeger built yet. It was scarily fast and had many tricks up its sleeve.
Etho would get to pilot it?
He couldn’t tear his eyes away from it. Hesitance crept into his mind. “Really? This one?” He wouldn’t admit it out loud, but he definitely didn’t consider himself a fan of new technology. This Jaeger included.
“What? You don’t like it?” His voice managed to pull his attention away from the Jaeger. “Because I think it fits you perfectly. I was in charge of assigning you a Jaeger and Drift partner, and I’m pretty sure I know you well. Or I used to, but that counts!”
He could trust Bdubs with his life. Even when they figured out they weren’t the greatest Drift partners in the end. There were never hard feelings, nor did it drive them apart. They’d spent enough time in the Drift to stay good friends until long after they stopped piloting together.
“I’ll take your word for it.” He looked back up at the Jaeger, pushing every bit of detail into his memory to think over later. Then all of his words registered and his head snapped back to his old friend. “Wait, Drift partners too?”
Bdubs gave him a look. “Well, yeah. You can’t exactly pilot these alone, idiot. What did you think?”
“I know that. But you-”
“Hand-picked the best candidates. I’m certain there’ll be a match. If you try.” There was a hint of a challenge in his voice. As if he was daring him to try and prove him wrong. Etho knew it was a trap, a way to sway whether he’d do this or not, and he found himself going along with it.
“We’ll see about that.”
The other simply shrugged and led them back to exit the great hall. He followed with the shake of his head. A smile wormed its way onto his lips. Bdubs dragged him back into things so easily.
Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance Bdubs could be his Drift partner again. It was a ridiculous thought. So ridiculous that he instantly shook it off. He’d still have a sliver of hope though and even if it wouldn’t see fruition, he’d rather hope for his old best friend than admit he’d have someone new to get to know and teach.
Impulse waited for them beyond the doors. Hands folded behind his back, he looked much more awe-inspiring than he remembered him being. The friendliness had never left his eyes but there was no denying he’d become a different person now.
“So, what do you think?” he asked, nodding towards the Jaegers behind his back.
Etho looked over his shoulder, just barely catching sight of the robot that could or could not be his, depending on his answer. He pursed his lips and turned back when the heavy doors shut and cut it from view. “It’s …”
Bdubs leaned forward, almost standing on the tips of his toes and giving him puppy eyes as he impatiently waited for him to make up his mind.
It felt good to be wanted. To know people needed him. To be the person they looked for when they realised they needed a good pilot. And could he really go back to the Kaiju Wall now, when he knew this war could end soon?
“The world is going to end with or without you, Etho. Where would you rather be when it comes down to it? Behind that useless wall, or in a Jaeger?” Impulse asked, voice booming with intent.
He puffed out his chest ever so slightly. He levelled the Marshal with a decisive stare. His mind was made up before Impulse had said anything, and the words were an echo of his own thoughts. He couldn't deny it.
“In a Jaeger, sir!”
Impulse grinned proudly. He patted his shoulder, nodding in acknowledgement. “Good choice.”
Bdubs pumped his fist into the air. “I knew it! I never doubted you for a second!” He grabbed Etho by the arm, ready to drag him away and show him around some more. But he paused and straightened. “Are we dismissed?”
Impulse looked between the two of them. Fondness twinkled in his eyes. Of course it did, the two had been inseparable. Maybe they still were, he didn’t know. “You’re dismissed. Show him to his personal quarters, and don’t forget about the Combat Room. I’ll see you tonight.”
Bdubs saluted. “On it!” With that, he pulled him away.
It took an elevator ride and a few twists and turns to get to the quarters they needed to be. Counting the doors, they stopped in front of a basic and undecorated one. “There you go! Your room! I’d say you can leave your stuff here, but I haven’t seen any of it go by. Didn’t you take anything?” he asked as he opened the door with little struggle.
“Didn’t really have anything, to be honest. A few scrappy clothes, that’s about it. Is there a way I can get some fresh ones?”
“Of course! There’s already some in there for the Drift compatibility tests tonight. I’ll make sure someone gets you some more. You also have a tablet, with my number in it. If you need anything else just text or call. I’ll come pick you up in an hour, alright?”
He nodded. Standing in the doorway, he watched the other as he stepped back. But before he could go, Etho shot out his hand to reach for his arm. He didn’t quite manage to catch him but he still stopped in place.
He stuttered for a second. “You said you hand-picked the candidates, right? Made a list and everything?” A nod. He shook off the feelings of stupidity at the question he wanted to ask. So much for having banned the thought from his mind. “Any chance you’re on that list?”
His eyes softened. An apologetic smile tainted his lips. “Etho. I don’t pilot anymore. After Impulse? I … I can’t.”
He swallowed down the bitter taste in his mouth. “Okay. See you in an hour, then.”
Wordlessly, Bdubs left him. He shut the door almost hurriedly, leaning his head against the back of it. There went the hope of avoiding a new Drift partner. He suppressed a sigh and turned to take in his room.
It was a near exact copy of his old quarters. The only difference was the distinct lack of human presence — Bdubs specifically. That, and the fact that the bed seemed to have been turned 90 degrees.
He plopped onto the mattress. The bed frame creaked slightly under his weight. A familiar kind of creak, just like the one in his old bed. It was a dumb thing to think it was his old bed but he entertained the thought for a moment as he pulled the scarf from his face. He threw it onto the floor and let himself drop onto his back.
This was the moment he’d have to admit he was scared, wasn’t it? Excited too, sure. He didn’t lie when he said he’d rather die in a Jaeger. But he was still afraid. There was still so much he didn’t know. His Drift partner was just at the top of that list as the thing he’d have to tackle the soonest.
At the thought, he looked over to his bedside table. Atop it lay the stack of clothes like promised. A new mask too, made of dark cloth. When he reached over, it was comfortable to the touch.
The hour dragged by painfully slow. He hadn’t felt like exploring the Shatterdome more. Bdubs would surely drag him everywhere to meet everyone and see everything by that evening, or the next day. For now he could take a second to let everything sink in.
How was he going to know who the right partner was this time around?
He stared up at the ceiling as he mulled over the new thought. Biting his lip, he traced patterns on the ceiling with his eyes. His last time was a while ago. He couldn’t remember the fight, but he could remember the both of them fought well and had quickly realised how well they’d matched. No talking, no figuring each other out with words.
Changing into the fresh clothes well before he’d be picked up, he paced around his room. He changed and moved things to the right spot all while dreading the seconds ticking by. He didn’t want to think about his possible partner not liking him while they fit perfectly. Or that he could make a mistake and get the wrong partner.
Finally a knock came from his door. He nearly voiced his relief. Bdubs greeted him on the other side, tablet held by his side and excitement barely masked by a serious facade. “Ready to go?” he asked as he looked over his new outfit.
Maybe Bdubs hadn’t expected him to have kept up his good physique, and the thought made him snort. “Sure.”
Technically, looking back on it, he hadn’t needed him to find the Kwoon Combat Room. His memory easily provided him with the way to go as they went. It was nearly empty when they arrived. He’d figured Bdubs would give him at least that.
“How’d you pick them?” he asked after they took their place far enough from the entrance to give people space but close enough to be able to look over each of them as they arrived. The question had been burning on his tongue since they started walking.
At that Bdubs released a long breath. “That’s a dumb question. You’re lucky I’m willing to answer you.”
They watched another person enter the room in the small pause between words. “It was hard. I looked at your files, what we still had left, and then discarded all of it because I know you better myself.” Etho huffed, shaking his head. “You’re fierce. Chaotic, unpredictable, but loyal. A force to be reckoned with. You have a very specific thought process which doesn’t work with everyone. You need someone to compliment you, not to purposefully fill all your gaps.”
He nodded along slowly. BigB and Ren entered the room, standing by the wall to watch. More familiar faces entered. Some of them even waved. He tried not to show his surprise at the sight of some of them. He definitely hadn’t expected Tango to come to watch this session, nor did he expect him out of his lab coat and goggles and to see him in a leather jacket.
“Right, I’ll take that as a compliment,” he mumbled when Bdubs finished. “Anyone in particular you think fits me best?”
He got an offended scoff in return. “Like I’d tell you.”
Murmurs went through the crowd of rangers. The clock above the entrance hit six. He pursed his lips at all the eyes on him. Inside a Jaeger, he could handle the attention. Outside of it he could only feel small.
That nervousness accompanied him when he took off his boots and retrieved a staff. He pressed the thought to the back of his mind to address the rangers. “Who’s first?” His voice came out calm and collected. To the outside eye he was a terrifying and confident figure.
He’d expected at least a little hesitancy. But a man stepped forward, bold and overconfident in a way that instantly struck him wrong. With a glance to his side, he shared a quick look with Bdubs. A look that dripped with sarcasm. A ‘really? This one?’.
The fight ended quickly. He didn’t have the patience to amuse his opponent, nor Impulse or Bdubs for that matter. A few fast rounds later and his opponent left the ring with defeat in his footsteps.
The next fared better. Etho still defeated her with ease, but there was a little bit more fight. It continued with a handful more, each of which he fought with the fierceness Bdubs had mentioned before.
Sweat ran down his neck when the last walked off. His hair had become somewhat of a mess, falling in front of his eyes. His chest heaved with victory. Though the fact that he’d won so many fights only brought him disappointment. He rolled his shoulders as he sent his friend another look.
“You’re being way too aggressive, Etho.” Bdubs said. His face had twisted into an annoyed frown, frustration clearly showing in the way he’d crossed his arms while watching. “This isn’t a fight. You’re not fighting to win.”
He wouldn’t be if any of his opponents matched him in any way. So far he hadn’t seen any reason not to rush them out of the battlefield as quickly as they had come in.
The next one to try and fight him waited by the edge. At Impulse’s word, the person stepped up to him. They eyed each other up for a silent moment, taking in the other and calculating their worth.
This man was someone Etho couldn’t figure out immediately. His face held a hint of a smirk, his body moving with a calculated precision matching his very own. Mischief swirled in the depths of his eyes. His tactics, his style, his next move, Etho couldn’t tell.
It was new. It was intriguing.
They stared each other down before Bdubs signalled for them to begin. And, unlike the previous attempts, this man jumped at the chance to attack him. He hadn’t hesitated a single second.
Etho danced out of the way. Just because he’d surprised him didn’t mean he’d be taken down so easily. Swinging around the staff, he staged his own attack.
It went back and forth until after many swings and many dodges, the man managed to score a hit. Gone was the disappointment. Etho almost felt impressed.
One attack later, and they were even. The man’s eyes narrowed as he glanced between the staff in his face and Etho himself. Three points to go.
They continued to dance. One point to him, one to the other. By the time they only had one to go each, he’d started to grin. Etho found himself frowning with effort, but a smile wasn’t far off.
At a precarious dodge, the man laughed. Almost as if he weren’t fighting for arguably the most important role to gain and was instead having fun wrestling with a friend.
In any other case he would’ve scoffed and glared at him for breaking such a serious silence. Now his bafflement had him chuckling along while he moved out of the way of his attack. They traded blow after blow, the nerves in his chest easing into actual enjoyment with every single one.
Until it ended with his opponent’s staff pointing dangerously at his heart.
He panted. Sweat dripped down his forehead. Slowly, the staff lowered. There was no prideful grin for winning. Etho scanned his face, and all he could find was the remaining glee from the near-perfect fight.
It didn’t take a genius to connect the dots. This fight had gone too well. They had to be Drift compatible.
He should probably be happy about that, shouldn’t he? He should be delighted to have found a partner who worked so well with him. So why did he feel so nauseous all of a sudden at the idea of getting to know him? Clearly they were meant to work together.
There was no time to unpack those feelings. The man stuck out his hand. “Joel. Good fight.”
Swallowing those thoughts down, he shook the hand with all the confidence he could muster. “Etho.” Without anything else to say, he nodded.
Bdubs wasn’t as subtle. The moment he turned to seek affirmation he could see the massive grin. Etho knew it. Bdubs knew it. Impulse knew it. Hell, the entire room probably knew it. The Drift compatibility practically rolled off of them like smoke.
Regardless of that, Impulse called for the next opponent to get onto the mat. Etho watched Joel leave as he steeled himself for the fight. He didn’t exactly have hope for these fights to go as smoothly as the previous one.
And they didn’t. He floored a few more opponents, got his ass beat by one of them that was much too fast for his liking and didn’t end up finding that same spark with any of the others. The hour went by slowly.
“I’ve seen enough. Etho, stay for a moment. The rest of you are dismissed. Etho’s Drift partner will be filled in when the decision is made, everyone else will hear during lunch tomorrow.”
The room emptied out. He locked eyes with Joel, who left last, and watched the corner of his lip twitch upward into a short smile.
Bdubs stayed as well and cleared his throat to catch his attention. “Well, I don’t think it’s that hard to tell. You and Joel were absolutely amazing!”
“Yeah, it’s-” He paused to shake his head real quick. The fight replayed in his mind. “There was definitely something.”
Impulse hummed. “Before we jump to conclusions … Etho, were there any others you felt a connection with? Or do you have any reason you don’t want Joel to be your partner? If you need to, we can try again tomorrow.”
He ran his tongue over his lips and took a moment to look over the now empty room. He didn’t exactly have a choice. This was happening whether he liked it or not. “I think he’s good. Joel.”
“Yeah?”
He nodded in confirmation. No backing out.
“Alright. If there’s anything you need to tell me, whether it be about your partner or the Drift, you know where to find me. Don’t hesitate to,” Impulse said and sighed out in something that had to be relief. He clapped his hands together. “That’s it for today. Get some rest, both of you. We’ve got a lot of work to do tomorrow.”
Etho didn’t voice his confirmation. With Bdubs in tow, he left the room. Only then did he allow his muscles to relax. The fight was over, for today.
The halls were quieter. The few that passed by didn’t spare them more than a look. Bdubs hummed a soft tune to fill in the silence. It was nice and familiar, and he smiled underneath his mask.
“I knew it was going to be him.”
He frowned, looking to the side where Bdubs didn’t even try to hide his grin. “What do you mean?”
“Joel! I didn’t doubt for a second that you two would get along. You’re perfect. I’ll get some money out of this result, that’s for sure.”
Playfully shoving him to the side, he scoffed. “You bet on who I would pick as a Drift partner? I- honestly, I can’t be surprised.”
That got a laugh out of him as he recovered from the blow. “You really shouldn’t be.”
They turned a corner but Bdubs hung behind. Etho paused, a goodnight already on the tip of his tongue when he got interrupted.
“Are you ready?” was the question, and his friend genuinely looked concerned. “You know we’ll be doing a test Drift tomorrow, we can’t delay anything. Are you ready for that?”
Was he? He didn’t like the question. He had to be ready, but was he? Had it been long enough to let his mind heal from the last time he’d shared his whole being with another person? Did he heal enough to bond with someone entirely new?
Joel was a blank slate and it was both assuring and terrifying.
Opening and closing his mouth a few times, he couldn’t settle on a yes or no. “I will be.”