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“Tubbo, I am so confused.”
Tubbo smiled sheepishly, one hand flexing around the trident he had been holding. The other was… well…
The other was holding Ranboo’s, which was the source of 5up’s confusion.
“Well, you see,” He began. “I got married, 5cup.”
Fundy snickered at him, grinning wolfishly from where he was perched on the couch. Tubbo wished he could be angry at him logically, but Fundy had told him that it might be a good idea to tell 5up before he came over to see him. Smug bastard.
“Tubbo,” 5up deadpanned, arms crossed. “You got married and you didn’t invite me?”
For a moment there was silence before Ranboo broke down into laughter, his hand shaking in Tubbo’s grasp while he felt his breath leave his chest in a relieved giggle. Fundy blinked in surprise before groaning, obviously disappointed in 5up’s reaction.
“I mean seriously,” 5up grinned, too smug and fond to be anything but genuine. “I’m offended, so offended.”
“It was a quick thing!” Tubbo protested. Ranboo squeezed his hand before letting go to go bicker with Fundy. He scrunched his nose up at the man. “We haven’t actually had a wedding yet, anyway.”
“Oh good,” 5up breathed out dramatically. “My little brother hasn’t completely forgotten about me.”
“5up!”
“I get to make the first toast, and help decide on the catering.”
Tubbo snorted, unable to help himself. “Obviously, who else? Ranboo eats candy for half his meals, and Fundy… well I’m sure I don’t have to tell you.”
“Hey!” Fundy protested, ears sticking straight up in offense as Ranboo dissolved into laughter. “I do not- uh, I cook fine!”
“Oh? Do you want to make dinner tonight then?”
Fundy paused, looking at his boyfriend in mild terror before hurriedly shaking his head. “No, I’m good. Thank you, babe- dear. Thank you, no I like your cooking too much.”
Tubbo snickered, taking too much joy in the situation.
5up just giggled in response, pulling Tubbo into the next room over. “Anyways, sibling time for us. Don’t burn down the living room again, please.”
“Will do, my hot man!”
Tubbo rolled his eyes, shooting Ranboo an exasperated look as he followed his brother. He wasn’t worried, he hadn’t spent enough time with 5up truth be told. The trip from the Dream SMP was long and tedious, so he hadn’t visited nearly enough- especially with everything that had been going on.
“So, how did it happen?”
“Me and Boo?”
“No, you and your other secret husband.”
Tubbo groaned, knowing this would be held over his head for a while. “We were raising our son together-“
“You have a son!?”
He could hear the cackling from the next room over and his cheeks flamed red, 5up didn’t look apologetic in the slightest. “Yeah, we found him. Anyways; we were raising Michael together and then we decided we should get married for the tax benefits. We flipped a coin so Ranboo proposed and then things just kinda grew, I guess.”
5up sent him a completely deadpan look before handing him an empty pitcher. He was busying himself with measuring and scooping tea leaves, which Tubbo took as a sign to continue. “I’m really happy, 5up.”
He paused in his work, glancing over his shoulder to study Tubbo. Tubbo didn’t bother trying to convince 5up more than that. 5up had always been good at reading people, and Tubbo was the rule- not the exception to that. 5up clearly shared that sentiment, nodding approvingly with a smile before turning back to the tea leaves.
“Good, good, good.”
They worked together for a bit, 5up tying off the tea bag and handing it to Tubbo who measured out the sugar and after a nod poured it into the pitcher. 5up had always loved tea and had quickly learned to dry and measure the leaves himself. Tubbo had of course watched until he understood, and had then pestered 5up into teaching him.
It was one of his favorite things, actually.
“How are you and the furry, then?”
5up snorted, glancing absently at the clock as they waited for the water to boil. “Things have been great actually, it’s quiet of course. We’ve started stargazing more lately.”
If it were anyone else, the statement might’ve been random, but Tubbo understood what 5up meant. He sent him a small frown, full of understanding. “How long have you been having nightmares now?”
“A week,” He replied quietly. “Steve’s suit got torn.”
Tubbo winced, hating the mental image. The Imposter Games were always fun, though when you participated in them as a job it could be dangerous. A suit malfunction would be just about the worst thing, Steve had likely suffocated and froze for a good ten seconds until they were playing on Polus.
He hoped not, but he didn’t ask.
“Is Tommy doing any better?”
Tubbo frowned, and 5up hummed sympathetically. “That bad?”
“The panic attacks stopped,” Tubbo replied. “At least the regular ones. He started dissociating a lot, he gets overwhelmed easily too.”
“Is he still going to therapy?”
Tubbo nodded, glad to have some good news. “Yeah, Puffy’s been a lifesaver. He still won’t talk to Sam, though.”
“His watchtower?”
“Still under construction. He keeps breaking down when he gets too high, it reminds him of exile.”
'It reminds me of his exile,' went unsaid.
5up made a bleating noise in the back of his throat, bringing Tubbo back to the present. He knew it was specifically to appeal to his hybrid instincts, his head quieted down a bit in response almost instantly. 5up assessed him briefly before turning to stir the tea Tubbo had missed him pour. “Let him know he’s always welcome here if he needs to get away. I’m no therapist, but I understand the dissociation.”
Tubbo nodded, opening a cabinet to grab a handful of mugs. Each one was made differently, one was made of blown glass, one of stone, one of quartz, and another made of clay. It had been a thing 5up had gotten from Tubbo, oddly enough. Tubbo had bought or made him a different type of mug whenever his birthday rolled around for years. By the time Tubbo had moved out, 5up didn’t have one mug like another.
A screech came from the living room, and a harsh crash made Tubbo wince and duck his head. 5up just sighed, glancing upwards as if it might save him from whatever havoc their significant others had wrought.
“I am coming back there in two minutes,” He called out, deadly calm. “If that's what I think it is, you are going to be in so much pain.”
“Shit.”
Tubbo heard the door slam open, and close quickly afterward, he grinned devilishly. This would be a fun afternoon. 5up frowned, pouting a bit. “The tea’s gonna get cold.”
Tubbo shrugged, not being particularly against reheating it like 5up was. “Then let’s make sure they don’t get away with it.”
5up grinned, matching Tubbo’s as they made their way for the nearest weapon chest. They had slowness arrows prepared specifically for occasions such as this. “Okie, Tubbo. Let’s make them regret it.”
As Tubbo chased down his husband through the forest, shrieking laughter echoing around him, he felt that despite everything- things would be okay. After all; 5up was on his side, and well…
He wasn’t Rank 1 in The Imposter Games for nothing.