Chapter Text
A new problem announced itself on the drive home, while Tubbo was questioning his first face-to-face interaction with Tommy.
He’d be seeing Tommy, very, very often; every day for four months. And since he already showed his face, he’d have to wear the mask and sunglasses whenever he was ‘Ranboo’.
This was one of these moments where he’s glad that he didn’t do a face cam stream, because now, it’s all the easier to stay unrecognized. Plus, bad microphone quality helped hide his real voice. It wasn’t that different, but enough.
It was a close call when Tommy went to hug him when they ‘met for the first time,’ and he asked why he was still wearing his mask. He replied, saying that they wanted to stream soon so why take it off. Tubbo was shaking with laughter at their interaction, because for all he knew, Tommy was talking to Ranboo for the second time, without knowing.
It was more than that. It was Tommy looking at Ranboo, not knowing he was looking at someone he asked out, someone he genuinely liked. It was Ranboo looking at the boy who radiated sun beams, happiness, and had a voice so colourful.
How could he manage to do this without getting caught?
***
The stream was going well, for the most part. A multitude of donations asked questions for them to answer, for which they received money. Pretty sweet deal, if you asked him.
But then there was one, one asking if Tommy had seen Ranboo’s face yet.
They answered no. But chat had a meltdown, begging for him to show him, offscreen of course. So Tubbo pushed them out of the room, and Tommy turned to him.
“You don’t have to show me if you don’t want, Boo. You haven’t yet and I assume there’s a reason, like your dysmorphia, or something. You don’t have to just ‘cause chat said to.”
“T- Thanks, Toms.. I want to, but I- I think I need time to, uhm, adjust. Not like I don’t trust you, or anything it’s just-”
A hand landed on his shoulder. “Ranboo. You don’t have to explain yourself to me; I understand. Now! Let’s go back in so Tubbo doesn’t feel so lonely, entertaining chat.” When Tommy turned back to the stream, Ranboo felt a tingle linger where he was touched. He smiled.
When chat asked what Ranboo looked like, what Tommy thought of him, Tommy answered: “He’s a handsome man, I have to admit.” He couldn’t tell if he said it in a joking manner or not. Maybe it was hoping.
***
“Do we have anything planned Tuesday?” Tommy asked, looking up from his phone. They ended the stream half an hour ago, after two hours of talking, and were now just chilling.
“We don’t plan anything, Tommy. So, in that case, no.”
“Cool, well, hope you find something fun to do, ‘cause I’m going out.” Ranboo’s heart leapt up his throat. Was he already planning a date?
“Oh, what’re you doing?” Tubbo said, interested.
“..Meeting up with a friend. From college.”
“Do we know them?”
“I doubt it,” he laughed, starting to type again.
Ranboo hurriedly turned his phone to silent, so he wouldn’t get the notification, which came through about ten seconds later.
hey its tommy you busy tuesday?
He waited a minute before replying, hoping neither of the boys would catch on.
nope:] what time where?
- meet up at the park we met at?
sounds good! see you then tommy
Shit, shit, shit, shit. Seriously, how could he pull this off? “I’m sure we’ll manage without you,” he joked.
“And you don’t mind, Ranboo? That I’m ditching you guys?” He looked apprehensive, and he almost had the audacity to laugh. You’re not ditching me, that’s for sure.
“Don’t worry, Toms,” he assured, genuine, “I’m glad, actually, that you have a social life outside our friend group.”
“O- oh, thanks, man,” he blushed. He blushed . Ranboo smirked to himself; he held quite a bit of power.