etho always falls asleep next to bdubs, and bdubs always wakes up next to etho.
at first, it was nothing more than a pattern they had fallen into while spending nights together. bdubs sleeps as soon as the sun sets and rises alongside it, while etho works well into the night and wakes up past lunchtime. it's their natural rhythm. etho finds sanctity in coming home from a day of working on redstone projects and meticulous building to find bdubs sound asleep and comfortable. bdubs finds comfort in waking up with etho wrapped around him and making sure he gets enough rest before heading out to work on a new castle or mountain.
there have been times where etho will come to bed only half an hour before the sun rises, and bdubs will have already been awake and prepared to start his day. regardless, etho will climb into bed and bdubs will hold him until he falls asleep. etho always sleeps easier when he falls asleep next to bdubs, and bdubs always feels more content when he knows etho is sleeping enough.
they are together in last life, and sleep close together in the snow fort. they maintain their routine. etho would fall asleep after bdubs, always suggesting he take first watch; bdubs would accuse him of plotting a betrayal those first few nights. in reality, etho took comfort in knowing things were still okay enough for bdubs to fall asleep in his company. bdubs still found warmth in the way he woke up in etho's arms, but over time he realized the grip etho kept was growing a little more protective, and a little more desperate. he'd be lying if he said he didn't find his own comfort in it.
etho struggles to sleep when bdubs dies. he sometimes struggles to wake up, too.
in double life, it isn't etho that bdubs wakes up next to. impulse is caring and warm, and bdubs honestly and truly loves him. the way impulse holds onto him is secure and committed, but it almost feels hesitant. it lacks the clinginess that etho's hold has, more delicate despite impulse's bulk. it's not the same "i need to hold you, to know you want me here," consuming loyalty that etho has. he's never lying when he says impulse treats him right and loves him truly, but it lacks familiarity.
bdubs finds etho at sunrise one morning while working on the pool. he's sitting on his horse, watching bdubs carefully. etho inquires about impulse again, and bdubs gives the same response as always. he doesn't mention the fact he misses waking up in etho's arms. the tiredness in etho's eyes gives away his lack of sleep, and tells bdubs he really doesn't need to.
they sleep together for one night in the deepslate fort, waiting for cleo, scott, martyn and pearl to find them. the night after etho dies, impulse does not need to ask bdubs why he can't sleep.
