Chapter Text
The peace, sadly, didn’t last.
Their phones had blown up over the morning after posting the photo. As much as they should have gone through their notifications, it was just too much to handle. So the duo decided to clear their notification centers. They packed their bags full of memories, essential items, and breathed in the room for the last time before they checked out of their hotel.
They decided to stop at Tangaroa Terrace for breakfast. The two dined outside under the tiki torches, enjoying the quiet of the morning.
“You excited to go home?”, Ranboo asked as he ate.
“What do you think,”, Tubbo said sarcastically while rolling his eyes, “this has been the best! I’m sad we have to go back.”
“Yeah, but at least you get to stay with me for a few more months.”
“True.”
The two settled into a silence while they ate. Tubbo downing his French toast, while Ranboo enjoyed his breakfast burrito. The two had long since set their phones on silent, due to the over abundance of notifications. Once finished, the two called an Uber and departed for the airport.
It wasn’t until noon that the boys arrived at Ranboo’s home. Tubbo opened the back while Ranboo raced inside to greet his family. While sad the adventure came to an end, he was ecstatic to be home and to see his loved ones.
“I’m home!”, Ranboo called, opening the navy door as he did.
The house was only a few silent whispers as he entered.
“Hello?”, He called. No one responded. It wasn’t until he rounded the corner into the family room that he saw his parents. They sat on the couch, facing him. His mom had an apologetic, and perhaps somewhat worrisome, look on her face. While his dad. The look on his face made the boy’s blood run cold.
“Mark.”, James said. Not a hint of emotion ran through his voice. “Me and your mother have decided that it is best if Toby leaves.”
Ranboo’s heart drops and, unbeknownst to him, so does Tubbo’s.
“W-why?”, Ranboo asks, tears threatening to form.
“We don’t think it is best for him to be here. He is poisoning your mind with homosexual fantasies.” The room was silent.
“We also think it is best you stop streaming, and cut contact with your internet friends.”
That was the last straw, Ranboo began bawling as he tried his best to argue.
“B-but why! Why do you think I should do that!? They’re my friends! Streaming is my livelihood! I- I could never-“
“Ever since you left for that UK trip you’ve been different!”, His father screeched. “You never went to church while you were there, and you haven’t been going since. And now! Now I see you’re in a relationship with a boy! We cannot allow that kind of ungodly behavior in this house!”
Ranboo broke down even more. All the time his mom sat silent beside James, not speaking up or protesting. Only paying witness to the pain they were subjecting their son to.
“No.”, Ranboo finally spoke, “no. I won’t do that. I love Tubbo, and my friends, and streaming. I don’t care if you don’t think it’s godly or right. If that’s what the god you worship wants… then I don’t think I believe in the same god!”
That last statement made James blow his top, “Then this will be no home of yours!”
With that James left. The group heard a car start outside, and it wasn’t until it was long gone did anyone dare to move.
Tubbo rushed to his lover’s side and embraced him tightly. The taller cried into the boy’s shoulder.
“I-“, Sean finally spoke, “I am so- so sorry Mark.” Tears started to fall down her cheeks as well. She did not want any of this to happen, but James was to angry. She had no room to safely protest.
“I never wanted this to happen.”
Sean leaned down and held her son as well. The group crying for who knows how long.
“Where’s Emilia?”, Ranboo asked finally, nose clogged as he did.
“She’s away at a friend’s. Thankfully.” Ranboo nodded before slowly standing.
The two boys began loading up a car. Sean would have to take them to the car rentals. Then the couple would be able to safely move their stuff to LA, at least until they could send it to the UK.
When James arrived back ha seemed to have calmed down a bit. But he had not changed his mind, as he handed Ranboo a large stack of folded up moving boxes and a roll of tape.
“I want you out of the house by this evening.” Ranboo only nodded, rushing back to is boyfriend’s side as the two began packing.
They only needed to empty Ranboo’s bedroom and streaming room, but it was still no simple task. The two just barely made the deadline as they loaded up the car to leave.
The drive to the car rental shop was silent, not even the radio played to ease the pain around everyone. They soon loaded up the rental truck. Ranboo had never driven one before, but he hoped he could do it safely.
Sean looked lovingly at her son, embracing him before he left.
“Remember me and Emilia love you. So much.”
Ranboo nodded into his mother’s shoulder, trying his best to hold back tears. With a deep breath the two separated and Ranboo started the truck. It was a hard and tiresome drive to their first stop. This trip most surely being shorter than the first. The two checked into a motel and collapsed into the bed.
This repeated once again before they reached LA. Thankfully, Techno had offered his place for the two to stay. At least long enough for them to ship out the boxes and get plane tickets. It wasn’t until that night that Ranboo finally let all of his grief impact him.
He laid in bed with Tubbo, taking deep breaths to attempt at calming himself. But it was all in vain, because he soon began to cry. He grieved. He grieved the loss of his home. The loss of his sister. The loss of his mother, and even to an extent his father. The loss of his security. His childhood friends. It was too much for him to handle.
Tubbo could only hold him close in an attempt to calm him. He knew he would never understand Ranboo’s pain. But who would? He lost everything he knew and loved in half a day. Tubbo tried his best to reassure the taller as they fell asleep that night.
About a week later the two were in the UK. Tubbo’s parents had offered to let Ranboo stay as long as he needed. He gratefully appreciated that, the Smiths were like second family to him. It was still hard, and he still cried himself to sleep each night, but Ranboo was hopeful for the future.
A few months later Ranboo was on video call with his mom. The two still kept in touch and he would occasionally get to talk to Emilia as well, which was nice. She still didn’t understand why Ranboo left, but he promised her she could come over someday. When? He didn’t know, but he was determined to see her in person again.
“Alright, I’ve gotta go.”, Ranboo smiled. Sean and Emilia waved by, blowing kisses through the screen, as the call ended.
Tubbo came up right beside him an smirked.
“I know that look,” Ranboo said, “what do you have planned?” The shorter only giggled as he got down on one knee.
“Bosois man, you are the love of my life. I know we have been through so much already, but I’d like to help you through every hardship from now on.”
Ranboo burst out laughing, and Tubbo giggled confusedly. The taller reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small box, inside was a small ring with a crystal bee on it. Tubbo smiled excitedly as he embraced the boy.
Tubbo gently held his lover’s hand as he slipped the ring on his finger. It was a thin black ring with a purple allium flower on top. Along the band was inscribed a word he would never forget. Worthy.
Ranboo had not felt worthy in a long while. But after that fall he had realized that no one feels worthy. But they always are. They are always worthy of time, and love, and attention. They are worthy of forgiveness. Now, Ranboo finally feels worthy, he feels worthy of the love HIS god gives him. Not his parents god, his god.
Not all of the voices around him are little, but he has learned not to listen to them. Because he is worthy of love.