It’s even more confusing when Iskall comes in a few days after Etho said goodbye, looking confused as fuck
Etho had woken up from Bdubs dream just a bit ago. He wished he hadn't. Grian had been put to sleep as well, and was still asleep. Not only was he blaming himself, but the man had just fallen into his powers as the Sun God. An emotional god out of control had to be captured until things could...calm down.
Etho was glad it had never happened to him. Even Bdubs couldn't give Grian a dream, his mind was everything, most likely reliving his past life. He did mention something about crossing minds? He had no clue. It wasn't important at the time.
Now, he had to worry about how he would even stay in this room. He couldn't turn from the wall without seeing something of Iskall's. He couldn't even look at his own belongings, his friend was imprinted on those as well. He was seeing phantoms in places he shouldn't. He was going to start hearing things.
"Etho."
Yep, there it is. Iskall had said his name in exasperation like that so many times. Etho, don't forget your book. Etho, don't get run over by a car. Whose the asshole that got run over now?
"Etho, why aren't you in class."
Etho's eyes shot open. It's not possible. It can't happen. Iskall didn't ask him that question because Etho always went to class. Even if he was sick, he still went.
He didn't see Iskall die, not exactly, the gods took him away. it was custom if a human under a god's protection died. But it shouldn't be possible and Iskall shouldn't be here. There wasn't a god walking around that could-
They didn't.
But they did.
He just doesn't know who.
And there he was, standing in a daze. He looked the same as when he last saw him. Bionic eye, green jacket, boots on the carpet floor damnit now there's dirt.
Etho doesn't cry, let's get that straight. Not even when the dog dies in movies. Iskall does a lot, especially when the dog dies. He calls Etho as cold as his hair looks.
So no, Etho is not crying when he jumps to hug Iskall. His eyes are just raining. He is allergic to his roommate. He hates his roommate. Hates him for leaving and making him think he's gone forever. Making him think all he had left were the memory dreams Bdubs put him in.
"What's gotten into you? Wha- are you crying? Etho! What's going on!" Iskall sounds so worried.
"You're so stupid." Is all Etho can say.
Iskall gasps. "You spoon, how dare you insult Iskallman?"
Etho half laughs-half cries. He was going to kill whoever hid him awar for this long, and hug whoever brought him back.
Then he notices something that stops him in his tracks, something that fills him with confusion, horror, and relief. Iskall is alive, that much is true. But something came along with him.
Iskall is a god.