Team Fluff's Entries

Training Wheels - Platonic Joe & Ex (Fandom's Entry)

It had been a few weeks since Ex joined Hermitcraft again. And in the short time since he arrived there, his life had changed so much. For the better. The best part of all was that he finally got to see Xisuma again- every day! It was like a dream come true after so much time spent alone in the void.

Even though most of his time was spent with his brother, Ex had made a couple friends on the server as well. Stress, Grian, and Joe were his closest few. Joe even acted like an unofficial therapist to Ex, offering to talk through his problems together when he needed it.

At least, that was how their friendship started. Maybe at first it was weekly sessions meant to help Ex move on from his rough past, but it had changed a lot since those early days. Now if you asked Joe, he would say that they spontaneously spent time together as real friends. Hanging out and laughing as true friends do, with just a little extra advice sprinkled in.

"So, what's on your mind?" asked Joe. Today, him and Ex were taking a walk in the plains on the land beside the Strait of Joebraltar. It was a calm day outside, and Ex found it a nice change of pace to visit his friend who lived far away from the chaotic madness of the jungle.

"I dunno, I guess this is all just so hard to get used to. Being a part of Hermitcraft, having real friends, talking to people every day. Being able to talk to X again. It's all just so weird. I love being here, but it's just... confusing sometimes. Hanging out with the other hermits, that is." Ex admitted, letting out every thought that had been bottled up in his mind the past few days.

Joe nodded, his blue eyes clear with understanding behind his glasses. For one of the quietest hermits on the server, he was also one of the best listeners. He could hear hermits ranting about their problems for hours and never judge them for it, only support them in any way he could. And not to mention, the poet gave some pretty great advice.

"Y'know, that actually seems pretty normal." Joe finally said, earning a surprised look from the admin's brother.

"Normal? How? Everyone else here is just so outgoing and knows what they're doing when they talk to people!" Ex protested.

How could he possibly be normal? People like his brother were normal! Xisuma never froze up in social situations, unlike Ex. Stress was one of the kindest people ever, and friendships came so naturally to her. On the other hand, Ex had to think about every single word he said before he said it, so he didn't hurt anyone's feelings by accident. Iskall, Ren, Grian, they almost always had something funny to say, when Ex couldn't think of anything besides small talk.

"Hey, don't worry about it, Ex. You aren't used to having lots of friends yet, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. There's nothing wrong with you, that is." Joe reassured calmly. "Plus, it's just like riding a bike. You may have forgotten how to talk to people over time, but with a little bit of practice, those habits will come right back."

Ex nodded. "So, what you're saying is that I have no hope."

"Exact- wait, what? No! That's the opposite of what I'm trying to say! I'm mean you have a great personality, and if you give it some time, friendships will come naturally to you!"

"Well, I've never actually ridden a bike. So I'm not so sure about that." Ex said dryly. Joe cracked a smile, trying not to burst out laughing. "What is it?" Ex asked.

"Seriously- you can be funny even when you're not trying! That right there, that was funny. I think you might be better at fitting in with everyone than you realize, Ex. Maybe you just need a little confidence booster. Maybe you need to see how easy riding a bike actually is." suggested Joe.

"Literally?" asked Ex, confused. As much as he appreciated his friend's advice, and assumed it was some of the best there was, Joe was still a poet at heart. And that meant he constantly used these confusing metaphors that Ex didn't understand.

"Well- no. I kinda meant the second meaning, but that's actually not a bad suggestion after all." Joe mused over the idea for a few seconds, pausing their midday stroll through the grassy fields. "Yeah, I think that could work! I have a spare bike back at my base, and learning how to ride one is something everyone needs to learn how to do. And it doesn't matter if you're a little late, because it's something you can do at your own pace."

And so that's how Ex somehow found himself here, at the start of a worn down path. About to try biking without training wheels for the first time all afternoon. Or ever, for that matter.

"Joe? Are you sure this is a good idea?" Ex asked nervously. He stared down the path he'd rode down before many times. But this time it looked completely foreign to him. His eyes darted over every misplaced stone, scrutinized every tiny bump in the trail.

"I'm tellin' you, Ex. It's easier than you think." assured Joe.

"But I barely know what I'm doing!" Ex protested. "It's just like you said- I have no clue how to bike, and no clue how to talk to people! Same situation!"

"Want me to let you in on a little secret?" asked Joe. Ex didn't reply, so he figured that was a good enough 'yes'.

"Honestly? Nobody really ever knows what they're doing when they talk to other people. We're all awkward messes, and we've all been in the same boat as you before. That's what makes us human. You just gotta be yourself and let people like you for who you are. And if you think people won't like you for you, you're wrong. Cause we all already do! You're an amazing friend, Ex. Now go!"

Without further warning, Joe gave Ex a little push to start. He felt himself rolling down the path, gaining more and more speed as he went. Almost flying, and he didn't even own an elytra! The wind rushed past Ex, tousling his white hair. His screams of fear quickly turned into ones of joy, and he even felt himself enjoying the experience, no matter how white his knuckles were from gripping the handles. Maybe Joe was right, this was easier than it seemed!

And maybe, just maybe, fitting in with the other hermits could be the same.

The bike finally rolled to a stop, losing it's momentum when Ex was too tired to keep going. He gave a laugh of delight, still feeling the rush of adrenaline as Joe flew in beside him. It seemed Ex was going too fast for him to keep up on foot.

"That- that was amazing! I see why people learn to bike as kids, it's just so, so..."

"Exhilarating?" Joe finished. When other hermits ran out of words to say, the poet always had plenty to share. And the pure happiness on Ex's face told him exactly how he felt.

"Yeah! And it wasn't even as hard as I thought!"

"See, what did I tell you? It's just something you learn by doing, by taking off the training wheels and just trying it. It's just like-" Joe's advice was cut off by Ex practically leaping off the bike and tackling him into a tight hug. It meant a lot coming from the newest hermit. Ex wasn't fond of human contact at all, unless it was with his brother. Knowing he was a close enough friend to Ex to be an exception, it was one of the best feelings in the world.

"I think I just found my confidence." Ex murmured, barely loud enough to be heard. But he heard himself, and his friend heard him, and that was what mattered. And Ex knew in his heart that he didn't have to change a thing, just be himself and try his best.