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“Hello, Michael,” Ranboo cooed, picking the toddler up and resting him on his own hip. “How’s your day been?”
Michael responded in excited babbles, a language only he could understand.
“Really? That good?” Ranboo replied, smiling as he started walking towards the mansion. “That sounds like a lot of fun.”
Michael responded once more, a small giggle making its way past his lips.
Ranboo opened the front door, his tail swishing behind him as he made his way up the stairs. “Where’s T- Dad?”
Michael responded, but Ranboo couldn’t make out what he said.
“Oh, right. Eret was supposed to be watching you,” Ranboo glanced out a nearby window, noticing the person in question frantically searching the front yard. He opened the window, keeping Michael far enough away for safety, before calling out. “Eret!”
Frantic and panicked eyes darted up to his own, soothing immediately.
“Sorry about that! I completely forgot Tubbo wasn’t home,” Ranboo apologized, shifting Michael slightly. “You can head home now, if you’d like. I’ll have Tubbo drop some diamonds off at your place tomorrow.”
Eret, who now had to worry about the fact that a toddler alone in the snow biome was less than concerning for Ranboo, smiled warily. “It’s no problem. Thanks, Boo! Tell Tubbo I said hi.”
“Will do!” Ranboo grinned, before shutting the window. “It’s cold out, huh? Do you want some cocoa?”
Michael chirped happily, slight shivers radiating from him.
+ + +
The door shut heavily, and Ranboo’s ears pricked up.
“Tubbo?”
“Hey, boss man,” Tubbo grinned, stepping into the kitchen to see Michael in a high chair and Ranboo cooking. “How’s your day been?”
“Pretty good,” Ranboo smiled, stirring the noodles as he watched his husband greet their son. “What about you? How was work?”
Tubbo didn’t correct him. “It was alright. Long, though.” He ruffled Michael’s head, smiling at the giggles emanating from the piglin.
Ranboo stirred the noodles once more, before turning to the meat and stirring that as well. “Dinner’s almost ready. Could you get out plates and silverware?”
“Of course.” Tubbo did as requested, and soon the family was all sitting around the tiny table together.
Ranboo glanced at Michael, who had sauce smeared all over his face and high chair plate, and then at Tubbo, who was in a very similar position.
“I love you,” he spoke aloud, not bothering to direct the affection towards a specific person, but rather both the other hybrids.
“We love you, too,” Tubbo grinned.
“Wuv you!” Michael chirped.
Tubbo and Ranboo whipped their heads to look at the boy, before looking at each other with astounded gazes.
“His first words!” Tubbo exclaimed.
“Good job, Michael!” Ranboo gushed, leaning over to lay a kiss on the piglin’s head. “We’re so proud of you, kiddo.”
Michael squealed happily, shoving more noodles into his face.
+ + +
“Please! Just take him away!” Ranboo cried, feeling his tears burn his fragile skin.
“Ranboo, this isn’t like you-” Tubbo protested, hiding Michael behind him.
“LEAVE!” Ranboo roared, his pupils dilating, leaving one eye nearly black and the other nearly white.
Tubbo let his composure fall for a second, before squaring his shoulders. “No. Talk to me.”
Ranboo felt his enderman side starting to lose control, the fear overtaking him. With his last ounce of restraint, he threw himself away from his family, and into the nearby ocean.
As he fell through the water, his flesh burning away by the second, he saw Tubbo try to jump in after him, but he knew it was far too late.