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Touch, Ranboo learns, is one of the best things in the world.
He loves physical contact. He’s a very affectionate person, and he’s sure part of it has to do with the fact that he’s never really been touched before. But there’s also the fact that he’s not very good with words, and touch is one of the best ways he can think of to let people know he loves them.
They don’t initiate it very often, though. They’re terrified of crossing anyone’s boundaries or doing something that someone wouldn’t like. But no one else starts it, either, so they don’t get affection very often, except for maybe a pat on the head from Phil or Techno squeezing their shoulder.
And then there’s Tubbo.
Tubbo seems to be just as affectionate as Ranboo is. He initiates a lot of the touch between them; intertwining their fingers together, kissing Ranboo’s forehead when he thinks they’re asleep, climbing onto a chair or table to ruffle the two-coloured hair (which never fails to make Ranboo chuckle in amusement, always earning a playful glare from the smaller boy).
Out of all the forms of affection that Ranboo has been introduced to, his favourite has to be cuddling. Hugs make him feel safe and happy, and cuddles are just like really long hugs to him. It’s especially good when cuddling with Tubbo, because Tubbo radiates warmth and comfort.
There’s just one problem.
-
Ranboo’s hair has gotten a bit longer in the past few months. They can never find the time to cut it, and Tubbo loves playing with it, so they decide to keep it how it is. It’s not that long, not nearly as long as Techno’s, but long enough for Tubbo to play with it and give them little braids.
Which is what he’s doing right now.
Tubbo runs his fingers through Ranboo’s hair, and Ranboo had melted into the touch almost as soon as he’d started. They begin purring softly after a bit, something they’ve started to do often when they’re content. It’s not Tubbo’s first time hearing it, but he pulls away anyway with a small smile. Ranboo bites back a disappointed whine at the loss of the warmth against their chest. Tubbo reaches up and removes a lock of hair from their face, tucking it behind their ear.
Ranboo can’t hide the squeak they make when Tubbo brushes against their ear.
Tubbo pauses, a look of slight confusion on his face. Tentatively, he repeats the action, causing Ranboo to make the same squeaking noise as before.
“Are you alright?” Tubbo asks, and Ranboo hesitates. It’s embarrassing, but he figures that Tubbo will find out eventually, and it’d be worthless to try and hide it. He knows how stubborn Tubbo can be, and he can only come up with excuses for so long.
“I’m fine,” he assures. “It just t- tickled, that’s all.”
He doesn’t miss the grin that grows on Tubbo’s face, but he doesn’t do anything more, so Ranboo decides to ignore it.
-
“Give me your hand,” Tubbo says one day. He’s curled up and nestled into Ranboo’s side, with their arm wrapped around his shoulders.
“Wha- why?”
“Just do it!”
When Ranboo still doesn’t move, Tubbo sighs and grabs Ranboo’s other hand. He holds it with one of his own hands, using the other one to draw shapes on Ranboo’s palm.
Ranboo can’t see what he’s doing very well, but he can feel it. Mostly just random squiggles and lines, though there are a few actual shapes that he can make out; some hearts and the letters I-L-Y, which Ranboo flushes slightly at.
There are others, but he doesn’t pay much attention to them. He’s more focused on the feeling on his hand. He tries to hide his reactions to it, because it’s dumb, but he can’t keep the smile off of his face.
Tubbo notices it.
He gets a fond look on his face, one that tells Ranboo that he knows what’s happening. “Your hands are ticklish?”
“Sh- shush,” Ranboo mutters, looking away and attempting to hide his face.
Tubbo uses one finger to scratch at Ranboo’s now exposed neck, making him giggle and turn his head back. “Don’t hide!” he says with a grin. “You have a nice smile.”
Tubbo should not have the ability to make Ranboo’s face feel as warm as it does.
-
Tubbo has his arms around Ranboo’s waist, moving his hand up and down over their side comfortingly. Ranboo is already half asleep, even though it’s only just gotten dark.
“This is nice,” Tubbo says quietly, earning a hum in agreement. “It’s quiet. Relaxing.”
And it is nice, until Tubbo accidentally pushes Ranboo’s shirt up a bit and drags his fingers over their skin, and Ranboo gasps and flinches.
Tubbo chuckles at him. “Whoops.”
“Sorry,” Ranboo mumbles.
Tubbo pulls away, confused. “Why sorry?”
“I mean,” Ranboo refuses to look at the brunet. “is it not annoying? You can hardly touch me without… that.”
Tubbo looks a bit startled. “It’s not annoying at all!” he reassures the hybrid boy. “I think it’s really cute, actually.”
“Oh,” Ranboo says softly.
“But I’ll stop if you want me to,” Tubbo continues. “Or at least try not to.”
Ranboo stutters for a moment, trying to figure out what to say. “You don’t— it’s not— I don’t mind it,” they stammer. They don’t miss the excited look on Tubbo’s face. “Don’t look at me like that—”
He cuts himself off with a squeal that morphs into laughter at the feeling of Tubbo’s hands on his sides again. “Hehey! No fahair!”
He can hear Tubbo’s grin in the way he speaks. “How’s it not fair? You said you wouldn’t mind.”
“Gohod, shuhuhut uhup!”
Ranboo’s tempted to push him away, especially when he moves towards their stomach and suddenly the sensations are so much worse, but they resist. It’s unbearable, yes, but. Well. It’s not unpleasant, and it’s not like Ranboo has much to laugh about anymore.
And later, when Tubbo teases him endlessly about how he clearly wasn’t trying to push him away and accuses him of enjoying himself, it’s not like he can deny it.