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Tubbo did not like physical touch. He told everyone that, told them not to expect things like hugs when they meet up in person. Even with Tommy, one of his closest friends, Tubbo still did not like touch.
So why would it be any different with Ranboo?
——
Tubbo and Ranboo had been friends for only a few months, and yet Ranboo was most certainly one of Tubbo’s closest friends. They spent hours sitting in call with one another through the day, through streams, and even into the latest hours of the night.
They talked about countless different things, Ranboo even mentioned that he loved physical touch, especially things like hugs.
—
“You know..” Ranboo’s voice sounded through Tubbo’s headset. “When I get to the UK, I can promise that you will be trapped in a hug.”
Tubbo didn’t like the sound of that. He didn’t want to say no to his friend, but Ranboo wouldn’t be an exception to his disliking of physical touch. “I don’t know about that bossman.” He began, looking over his monitor and examining Ranboo’s discord icon. “I don’t really like hugs— or touch in general really. It makes me uncomfortable.”
Ranboo let out a soft hum of acknowledgment. “That’s alright then, I can respect that.”
—
And that was the end of that conversation.
So why, was he trapped in a hug anyways?
Ranboo’s plane has just landed, and next thing Tubbo knew, he was wrapped in his friends arms. He couldn’t recall who initiated the hug, but Tubbo told himself it was Ranboo, because why would Tubbo ever initiate a hug? He doesn’t like them.
And if Ranboo knew who really initiated the hug, that was for him to know.
As the realization that he was hugging someone set in, Tubbo took a step back and looked up at his giraffe of a friend.
“Hey there bossman.” Tubbo grinned, totally not ignoring the fact that any sort of physical touch ever possibly happened.
Before Ranboo replied, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a dollar, holding it out to show Tubbo the American money. “Hey Tubb-“
Tubbo cut him off with a gasp and snatched the money, deeming it ‘Movie Money’ as that’s the only place where he sees dollar bills.
——
A week into Ranboo staying at Tubbo’s house and Tubbo had totally gone against his word of disliking physical touch. Although Tubbo constantly denied it, Ranboo could tell he secretly enjoyed the small little things like hand holding or hugs or even when he’s to tired to move and ends up cuddling.
Which brings us to now, Ranboo just finished a late night stream and Tubbo was ready to pass out. The pair were relaxed on the sofa after the stream when Tubbo’s head flopped the the side, landing on Ranboo’s shoulder.
Tubbo felt perfectly content and relaxed. He was surprisingly comfortable, even when Ranboo leaned his head on top of his own.
When the brunnette takes a moment to think about it, he realizes he has been oddly comfortable with Ranboo in terms of physical touch. He told him he didn’t like it all that time ago on that discord call, and yet here he is, cuddled up next to his best friend.
“You know what?” Tubbo’s voice was low and a bit raspy due to being so tired.
He fiddled with his hands as Ranboo’s voice came in a short response, “What?” He didn’t sound as tired, but there was hints of it within his voice if you listened.
Ranboo snatched Tubbo’s hands to stop him from picking at his nails. “I once said— on a discord call —that I didn’t like physical touch.” Ranboos head shifted a bit, Tubbo could tell he was giving him a look. “But maybe this isn’t so bad.”
Ranboo let out a snort, “Took you long enough to realize.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well,” Ranboo shifted closer and pulled a blanket over the two of them. “Since the first minute I saw you, you’ve been pretty clingy.”
Tubbo was baffled “Surely not since the first minute?” Ranboo laughed in response.
“Don’t you remember?” He paused, only continuing to speak when Tubbo shook his head. “The moment I stepped off that plane you gave me the biggest hug. Even if you told ME not to hug you.”
Tubbo grinned tiredly and let out a short yawn. “Guess you are special bossman, my clingy side is only for you to suffer at the hands of.”
The two laughed before slipping into a comfort silence, pulled into a peaceful sleep not long after.
Maybe, just maybe, they both didn’t mind a clingy Tubbo.