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Tommy wasn’t sure how he’d gotten into this situation.
He supposed it didn’t matter, seeing as how he didn't want to move any time soon. He was warm, warmer than he’d been in ages.
And he was… cuddling someone, apparently. Ranboo, of all people. Well. He wasn’t sure when, or how, or why this had come about, but honestly? He was too tired and comfortable to care.
He was barely aware of a hand carding through his hair, soothingly brushing out tangles. He pressed closer into it, letting out an incoherent mumble. Ranboo laughed, a deep rumble against his front.
“Aww.” Ranboo teased. “You really are a softie.”
“‘M not,” Tommy disagreed, in complete contrast to the way he curled closer. “You’re just...” He almost lost his train of thought, eyes slipping closed for a moment. “You’re just warm n’ shit.”
“Mhm.” Ranboo didn’t sound convinced, but a trace of fondness colored his voice.
“I’m right.” Tommy argued, looking up for a second to see Ranboo looking at him with so much care in his gaze he was going to puke. He looked down again.
Ranboo hummed. “Sure you are.”
“I am!” Tommy puffed up indignantly. “I am a Big Man, and Big Men do not have feelings.”
“Says the person snuggling me.”
“I- I am not-” Tommy spluttered. Ranboo raised an eyebrow. “I am not snuggling, you bitch, I’m-”
He paused, looked at the position he was in currently. He was… definitely snuggling.
Ranboo gave him a triumphant, smug grin. That bastard.
Tommy scowled at him. Fuck Ranboo and his stupid way with words. “So… you want me to stop snuggling you, is what you’re saying?”
Ranboo’s eyes flashed with panic. Ha! “No, no, stop twisting my words, that isn’t what I said at all- hey!”
Tommy had managed to wriggle his way out of his arms, and was now standing, grinning at Ranboo. “Who's snuggling now?" He crowed.
Ranboo waited.
It took exactly thirty-two seconds for Tommy to slink back to Ranboo, pouting. He knew. Ranboo had told him. Multiple times.
Still, he couldn’t quite bring himself to regret it when Ranboo had started combing his hands through Tommy’s hair again. He let out a contented noise, melting into the contact.
They had lain there for a while when Tommy made the stupidest decision he'd made all day.
He spoke.
“Ranboo?” He asked quietly, getting the attention of the other. “Um. I’m sorry.”
Ranboo’s hands stilled where they had been braiding portions of his hair.
“For… what, exactly?” Ranboo asked, voice laced with barely-held-back concern.
“I didn’t- I messed everything up.” Tommy pressed his face further into Ranboo. “I didn’t kill Dream, I- Wilbur’s back, and it’s my fault, I just- I’m sorry.”
Ranboo made a comforting noise, moving his arms down so he could encirle them around him again. “Tommy… that wasn’t your fault.”
“It was.” Tommy’s voice broke. “And I really tried, I did, but,” He took a shaky breath. “I didn't succeed. And I’m sorry.”
"Oh, no, Tommy," Ranboo sounded heartbroken. "It wasn't, and even if it was, I wouldn't blame you."
He tilted his head questioningly as Tommy pulled away from him, scrubbing hastily at his eyes. When Ranboo reached for him, he scrambled away again.
"Tears." He muttered as an explanation. Understanding dawned on Ranboo's face, and he nodded.
That didn't stop him from pulling Tommy back into his arms, deaf to his protests.
"You'll be burned." Tommy reminded him, trying to not let any of his tears spill onto the taller one.
Ranboo shrugged. "That's okay. I've got a pretty thick shirt."
Tommy bit his lip, but laid his head back on Ranboo's chest.
"It really isn't your fault." Ranboo said softly.
Tommy shook his head, too tired to come up with a better response.
"You don't have to blame yourself for everything, you know." Ranboo hummed, moving his thumbs in soothing circles against his shoulderblades.
"Mm." Tommy didn't agree, but he figured going along with it would be easier. He was at fault for… so many things on the server, but if Ranboo wasn't going to blame him for them, he guessed he’d just stay quiet.
They lapsed back into silence again, Ranboo running his hands through his hair again and being so, so careful with him. He acted like if he let Tommy out of his arms for a second he would shatter, splinter into enough pieces that no one would be able to put him back together this time. And while Tommy had been through worse, he could admit it was nice to be held.
He let out a yawn, and Ranboo chuckled. "You can sleep if you want. I'll be here when you wake up."
So with the steady beat of Ranboo's heart, and the promise of safety, Tommy drifted off.