Chapter Text
Charlie tilted his head to the side, giving Ranboo a somewhat condescending look. “What, did you think you were still on Origins? This is a fully separate universe!”
The enderian crossed his arms with a huff. “Oh, wow, I’m sorry I didn’t somehow realize I was in an alternate universe when every time I was confused people told me ‘Silly Ranboo, you have memory problems!’”
“…Wait, so he’s not Ranboo?” Tommy asked, eyeing both of them uncertainly.
“I am!”
“But ‘e said you’re from an alternate universe or some shit.”
“He is! Dream SMP Ranboo is in Origins. He helped Origins Tommy to gaslight gatekeep girlboss Wilbur, apparently!” The slime informed them helpfully.
Ranboo stared at him. “I do not know what that means.”
“It means-“ Charlie started, but was quickly cut off by Ranboo.
He rolled his bi-colored eyes. “I didn’t say I wanted to.”
Tommy laughed, making Ranboo cheer internally. He was getting a good grade in humor, something that is both normal to want and possible to achieve. Even if this was apparently an alternate universe version of Tommy, he still considered him a friend.
“Wait- ok- so you’re saying Ranboob swapped places with this guy?” Tommy asked, pointing.
“Yup!”
“How do you know about it then?” The avian asked, voice laced with suspicion.
“Oh, I’m Origins Charlie.”
Ranboo frowned. “Charlie? How did you get here, maybe I could use that to get back!”
The slime shrugged. “Just something I did. Anyways, I should get going before Quackity starts looking. Bye!” Charlie waved.
The goopy man exited abruptly with seemingly no regard for the fact he’d just delivered the pair earth-shattering news. He accidentally slammed the door on his way out, causing a small amount of dirt to rain down from the ceiling of Tommy’s little shack.
“I do not like that guy.” Tommy muttered, shaking his head.
“Why not?”
“Bad vibes, other Ranboo. Bad vibes.”
The enderian’s eyebrows drew together. “Did you just call me ‘Other Ranboo?’”
The avian nodded. Ranboo was not, in fact, too fond of the nickname. The prince scowled, crossing his arms. This displeased him greatly. He’d always been an outsider on Origins, and the new moniker reminded him of that. As much as he prided himself on being above the others, being an outsider didn’t feel fantastic. It just served as a reminder that he wasn’t where he belonged.
“You could call me Prince Ranboo. Since, y’know. Or better Ranboo, even.”
The avian titled his head in a very bird-like manner. Bird boy. Little chirp chirp. “Prince Ranboo?”
“Mhm. Ranboo, crown prince of Enderia.” Former crown prince. His brain helpfully corrected.
“The fuck is Enderia?”
“The only prosperous and successful kingdom in the end.” Ranboo declared proudly.
Tommy scrunched up his nose. “What’s the ‘end’”
The enderman gasped in offense. “You know, the end dimension? How could you not know about it! It’s literally an entire dimension!”
“Pretty sure the only dimensions are overworld and the nether, big man.”
Wow, either this Tommy was incredibly ignorant, or something was seriously wrong with this universe. Oh gods, what if this universe didn’t even have an end! Ranboo shuddered at the thought. No, that was ridiculous. He’d literally seen the portal frame back in the syndicate meeting room.
“No, no. I know the end exists. I literally grew up there!” Ranboo’s tail lashed with mild agitation.
“Huh.”
Tommy finally stowed the sword he’s been holding in his inventory, walking further into the house to flop gracelessly onto a sofa. Ranboo followed him, choosing to perch on the arm of the couch. In sharp contrast to the avian, he did not succumb to his exhaustion. Instead, he sat down carefully at a measured pace. His posture was perfect, as it ought to be.
Unsure what to say given everything he’s just learned, Ranboo sat in silence. He distracted himself by fiddling with the edge of his pale blue cape. The color gave him brief pause. How had he not noticed that the garment he was wearing was blue, rather than the deep obsidian of his favored cloak? Was he truly so inattentive?
“What’s it like?” Tommy asked suddenly.
Ranboo leaned his head to one side in a silent question, and the avian elaborated. “The end.”
A small smile reached his face, completely genuine. When he spoke, his tone was wistful. “It’s lovely. You can see the stars from everywhere. There’s no rain, no day or night, just stars. They’re beautiful.”
Tommy hummed. “It sounds nice, big man.”
“It really is. Much nicer than the overworld. I wish you could see the kingdom. It’s so pretty, all built up with obsidian and purpur and quartz.”
“You clearly knew me. Or- your world’s me. Does he live in the end?”
The enderman shook his head. “I’m the only one from the end. We met in the overworld.”
“You clearly love the end a lot. Why’d you leave?”
It was an innocent question, but Ranboo failed to suppress a flinch. He fought to keep the smile on his face, though it no longer reached his eyes. He gave an incredibly forced laugh in a weak attempt to cover his mistake. Inwardly, he scolded himself for the slip-up.
“I was just in the overworld on vacation.” He knew it was unconvincing, but Origins Tommy had fully bought his haphazard performance the first time. His acting was even worse, then.
It seemed this world’s Tommy was much less oblivious. Heck. “Why would you go on vacation to somewhere you like less than your home?”
“I- well-“ He scrambled for an excuse, coming up blank.
Ranboo bit his lip, looking away. His excellent posture was ruined as he curled in on himself involuntarily. His pointed ears pressed flat against his skull. Internally, he debated what to say. Could he tell him the truth? It was his darkest secret, yet…
Well, he had accidentally spilled it in front of the whole syndicate. He didn’t even know any of them well. This was Tommy, his best friend. Maybe not the same Tommy, but still. He also had a feeling that this avian wouldn’t buy any lie he tried to tell. He only hoped that he wouldn’t be mocked or ridiculed for it. Wouldn’t be cast out, once Tommy realizedd he wasn’t actually the prince he presented himself as. Wasn’t anything, really.
When he finally spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper. “I- I was exiled. By my mother.”
He didn’t miss Tommy’s sharp intake of breath. Turning his gaze back to his friend, he saw several emotions dance through his eyes. Pain the most prominent among them. Understanding, too.
“I know what it’s like.” Tommy replied, equally quiet. “To be exiled from your home, by someone you thought was family.”
“Really?” He asked, disbelief evident in his tone.
He couldn’t fathom it. The idea of someone turning their back on Tommy? Ranboo could get why it happened to himself, but seriously. Tommy? How could somebody do that to him?
“Yeah. Tubbo, he was- is like my brother and he still… I mean, I can’t blame him. Dream forced him to. Still… I wish he would’ve fought for me.”
Ranboo shook his head slowly. “I can’t- how could someone want to exile you? There’s nothing bad about you!”
Tommy laughed, though it was a bit pained. “Thanks Ranboo. There’s nothing bad about you either, I guess.”
It seemed the avian didn’t believe Ranboo’s words, which he did not like one bit. While this may not be the same Tommy that offered friendship when nobody else did, the boy who kept him company when he felt most alone… This Tommy understood. He knew what it was like to have everything ripped from you by the person you trusted wholeheartedly. Ranboo felt he could really talk with him. Most pressingly, he really wanted Tommy to be happy. He deserved it.
Making up his mind, he asked a question with uncharacteristic hesitance. “Can I hug you?”
Tommy smiled slightly. “Sure.”
And he did.