a lump in the throat

Chapter 3

Joe continued to send messages after that, but he didn't visit - except for the one time when he did. It was nearly a week after his last visit, and was prefaced by a message actually asking if could come over.

Ex had shot back a quick [sure, why not] and waited by the entrance of his fortress. He heard Joe's rockets before he saw them. Ex didn't use his own elytra much, so he was coming to associate the sound of rockets with Joe.

Joe's smile was even wider than normal. "I hope you're feeling adventurous today, because I've got something to take your breath away."

"Yeah? Like what?"

"Follow me, I'll lead the way!"

Ex equipped his elytra and did his best to keep up with Joe, who, for all his excitement, did not fly like a man on a mission. He flew in weird lazy circles, gliding more than flying. It was because of this strange flight path that it took Ex so long to realize they were flying towards the Nether hub.

He alighted on an outcropping of netherrack and shouted, "Joe, hang on."

Joe landed on the outcrop. "What seems to be the problem?"

"I can't go to the Nether hub, Xisuma'll freak out."

"Xisuma's AFK at the moment, he'll never know." He jumped off the outcrop.

"Wait!"

But it was clear that Joe did not intend on waiting. Grumbling, Ex followed him.

Being in the Nether hub was weird. No, the being there wasn't weird - he went to the Nether hub from time to time to look for spare shulker boxes and things. It was the being there with someone else that was weird. That was definitely new.

Joe pointed at the nearest portal. "This portal here will take us to my base."

Ex stared at him. "Uh, I can't leave. Remember?"

"I do remember, but I think you should try."

"I have tried. It didn't work and it hurt."

"It'll be different this time." Ex's adamancy must have shown on his face, because Joe's voice went soft. "Trust me on this."

"I can't believe I'm doing this," muttered Ex. "Fine, whatever. You go first, though."

Joe's face brightened. "Great!" He walked backwards into the portal and waved at Ex as he teleported away.

Ex closed his eyes and walked into the portal, muscles tensing and preparing for the pain that came from trying to go to the Overworld. Instead of pain, though, came the familiar sensation of being launched into another dimension like a bullet from its chamber. He stumbled out of the portal and sunlight shone on his face.

His eyes went wide. The entire world was hazy and red from his helmet, but it was unmistakably the Overworld.

He fell to his knees on the soft green grass. With trembling hands, he removed his helmet. His skin was damp and from the heat of the Nether. A breeze ruffled his hair, which was matted against his head, sweaty and unkempt.

"What -" he croaked. "How -"

Joe's smiling face came into view in front of him. "A magician never reveals his secrets."

"No, seriously, how? This - this shouldn't be possible."

"Well, the server's been experiencing some glitches, so Xisuma's been leaving his command screens up..."

"You hacked Xisuma's command screens?"

Joe shrugged. "There is no proof to suggest that didn't I use his command screens for the purposes of unbanning you, but there's also no proof to suggest that I did."

"Except for the fact that I'm here." Ex clutched his helmet. "If Xisuma finds out -"

"Fear not, my apprehensive friend. Check the tab list and put your anxiety to an end."

Ex pressed the tab button on his communicator and the list of hermits popped up. Xisuma's name was greyed out.

"As long as Xisuma is AFK, you don't have to worry."

"But what about everyone else? If they see me, they'll tell him."

Joe waved away his concern. "No one ever comes to my base except for Cleo, and she would listen to what we have to say before making any snap judgements."

Ex got to his feet and looked around warily. "I hope you know that my life is in your hands right now."

"I'll guard it like it's my own," said Joe. "More carefully, even. I tend to die in silly ways a lot. Anyway, wanna come inside?"

It turned out that Joe's house was not actually a house, and was, in fact, a hermitage. Ex didn't know what that was, but Joe was happy to explain. He gave him a quick tour of the place. He seemed to take great pride in a few paintings hanging around. Although they didn't look like anything particularly special, Ex nodded politely and said they looked nice.

"Do you want a comb or something for your hair, by the way?" Joe asked when he noticed Ex trying to fix it into some kind of style.

"Yes, please," said Ex, a little desperately.

Joe returned with a hair brush and a bucket of water a few minutes later. "Sit down, it'll be easier for me to brush it for you."

Ex sat cross-legged in front of Joe, shoulders back and stiff as a board.

Joe dipped the brush in water and began working on a section of hair. "Supposedly, getting the hair wet is supposed to make it easier to brush. I don't actually know, though, because I don't have to brush my hair often."

"I wouldn't know. I couldn't brush my hair if I wanted to."

"Why not?"

Ex resisted the urge to throw an incredulous look over his shoulder. "Have you ever tried to stay in the Nether for an extended period of time? The air is so toxic that you'd die without a helmet. Have you ever tried to brush your hair inside a helmet?"

Joe stopped brushing. "You couldn't breathe?"

"No, I could breathe. I had my helmet."

Joe opened his mouth like he was going to say something, then closed it and kept brushing.

Ex had the distinct feeling that something had just happened, but he wasn't sure what. He changed the subject. "How do you come up with poetry just off the top of your head?"

Joe shrugged. "I just let the words run through me. I am like an outlet for words to be set free, like a symphony of thoughts ready to be spilled."

"I wish I could do that."

"Everybody's different. How do you write your poetry?"

"In iambic pentameter."

"Now, see, that would be difficult for me, because I'm not used to countin' out syllables and stuff like that. But that's part of what makes you who you are. Poetry is a deeply personal thing, and good poetry should reflect who you are."

Before Ex knew it, Joe was finished untangling his hair and the sun had nearly set. Ex tied his hair back into a ponytail and dallied outside the portal for as long as he could.

"I..." Ex cleared his throat and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "Thank you. So much."

Joe's smile was soft. "You're welcome."

"I mean it," Ex said fiercely, "more than I can say. I -" He stopped abruptly. How did one express gratitude? Through hugs? That seemed excessive. Handshakes? Far too formal.

Fortunately, Joe seemed to sense his dilemma. He reached out and clasped Ex's right hand in his own for a moment; not quite a handshake, but more of a reassuring gesture to show understanding. Ex squeezed back, then let go.

Ex closed his eyes and put his helmet on. After hours of being in the Overworld, the red haze seemed so wrong, so unnatural.

He put one foot in the portal and looked back.

"I'll see you tomorrow!" said Joe, smile as wide as ever.

Ex smiled and walked into the portal.