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It had been a long day of building for Tubbo and Ranboo. They had spent the majority of the day working on a new library for Snowchester, so by the time it was sunset, they were ready to go home and rest. Just as they were wrapping things up, the sky exploded with color. Someone had lit up some fireworks, and Ranboo thought they were beautiful. They looked over to Tubbo only to see him looking up at the sky with terror in his eyes.
They nudged Tubbo before signing, “Tubbo, you okay?”
Tubbo glanced at their hands, but didn’t register the words that were signed. He looked back to the sky as his vision grew more blurry. He found his knees giving out. He fell forward. Someone caught him in their arms, but Tubbo pushed them away, crawling away from the foreign figure. He curled up, grasping at his ears, head on his knees.
“No no no no no no…” he kept repeating verbally, despite not being able to hear himself speak.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and flinched away, frantically scrambling away from the stranger. There were tears flowing down his red cheeks and he found it hard to control his breathing.
Ranboo didn’t know what to do. Their husband was having a panic attack on the ground. He wouldn’t look at what they were signing. The sun had set now and mobs were starting to spawn. Ranboo knew that they couldn’t stay outside, so they breathed in and out. They pulled Tubbo into their arms despite his struggling and screaming. They stroked his hair gently and breathed deeply. Tubbo started to calm down, breathing slightly more normally.
Ranboo stood up slowly, holding Tubbo in their arms. Tubbo was startled at first, but calmed down after getting used to the movement. Ranboo carried him home. They laid on the couch, Tubbo still in their arms. Tubbo was holding onto them like a lifeline, his breathing steadying.
When Tubbo’s breath had evened out and he could see clearly, he pulled away slightly to look at Ranboo.
“Sorry,” he signed.
“You okay?” Ranboo asked.
Tubbo nodded his head.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Tubbo shook his head before laying back down on top of them. Ranboo pushed him up, sitting them both upright.
Ranboo sighed. “I think we should talk.”
“I don’t need to talk. I’m fine.” Tubbo dismissed, looking away.
“Tubbo, this is important. You are not fine.” Ranboo signed, taking his hand in theirs.
Tubbo glared. “Don’t tell me how I feel.” He felt frustrated. “Everybody always tells me how I feel. You don’t fucking know.”
Ranboo felt guilty. “Sorry. I just want to help you. If you don’t want to talk, I won’t make you. Sorry.”
Tubbo sighed. “It’s okay. I’m just scared.”
“It’s okay to be scared, Tubbo. Just know that I’ll never judge you. I love you.” Ranboo looked at him with love.
“I love you too. I think that I’m ready. To talk.” Tubbo looked hesitant, but he wanted to talk about it. “Back when Schlatt was alive, when he was the president, I was his right hand man. I didn’t want to be, but he forced me. Since he had kicked Tommy and Wilbur out, I had become a spy for them. For Pogtopia. Schlatt was a shitty person and a shitty president. He was a drunk. He hurt me, but I couldn’t leave. I had to stay for Tommy and Wilbur. So I could help them. I thought Schlatt was too drunk and stupid to ever find out about the spying, but I was wrong. He held a festival. I decorated the entire thing and wrote a speech. It made me feel happy, fulfilled. But it was a front. After my speech, him and Big Q trapped me in a box of concrete. Schlatt had found me out. He called Technoblade up to the stage. I thought I was safe, Techno was on our side, but I was wrong again. Technoblade launched two fireworks at me. I lost my second life. I lost my vision in my right eye. I lost my hearing. That’s where I got these scars from too. I just wish that I was smarter. Maybe I could have seen it coming. I could have prepared. Maybe I would be able to hear. Then I could hear you. I just… It’s useless. It’s done now. I forgave Technoblade I guess. But I clearly still have issues, seeing what happened today. Sorry, that was a lot.”
“Hey, it’s okay, I’m glad you told me. I’m so sorry that it happened. I wish I was there. Just know that I love you no matter what. Whether you can hear me or not, you’re my Tubbo.” Ranboo reached out and held his face gently, thumb caressing his scars. Their lips touched. Tubbo smiled at them. Ranboo smiled back. “Do you want hot cocoa?”
Tubbo nodded his head enthusiastically. Ranboo giggled and stood up. As they prepared the hot cocoa, they thought about what their husband had told them. They had no idea all that he went through. The abuse in the cabinet, the pressure from spying, an execution. It was so much. He didn’t deserve any of that. Ranboo made a promise to themself that they would do their best to be there for him no matter what.
They brought over the two cups, handing one to Tubbo. They kissed the top of his head before sitting down next to him. Tubbo snuggled close to them.
Maybe life hadn’t been kind to Tubbo, but Ranboo would ensure that they would make his life as bright as possible.