Work Text:
(Every page, every chord, and every screen)
Tommy may not have a lot of friends- but he had enough. He had Tubbo, Purpled, Olive, and Ranboo. It's weird calling him a friend now. Especially after how much he went on about how he hated them- but things happen. Things happen and now he's on his way to the Vienheart family manor.
Despite everything good Ranboo has going on, he's actually shit at magic. Which would be the perfect thing to bully him if Tommy wasn't also shit at magic. So what's a better way to train your magic than to work with someone who you hate! So many other ways, why are you still doing this with this rich fuc-
"Tommy!" The front door of the manor swings open and Ranboo stands in the doorway. Wearing his fancy purples that are apparently their ‘casual clothes’. "Are you ready?" Ranboo beckons him in, closing the door behind them.
"Yeah, yeah I am. Let's go to your stupid ballroom in your stupid house." He hears Ranboo chuckle from behind him. He quickly takes off his shoes and runs down the main hall that leads to the dance room.
"Hey- Tommy !" Ranboo calls out from behind him, chasing him throughout the house.
Ranboo catches him as he pushes through the ballroom doors, semi-tackling him. A force that would make them fall if it wasn't for their socks and the slippery floor. Causing them to instead slide around.
Laughter fills his ears as he grabs onto Ranboo for balance. It's a mix of his and Ranboo's, light, carefree, and happy . It reminds him of why he's working with the other, why he enjoys the time spent. It's because he can practice and fail without the judgmental stares of others, without the worry of letting someone down. He can be himself and not be afraid of it.
Ranboo pulls back, their hands still connected. "Alright, dance time?"
Tommy shakes his head, "Dance time bitch." Ranboo smiles and disconnects their hands for a second so they can clap. Music erupts from the walls, a familiar tune. Tommy recognizes it as the theme to 'Howls Moving Castle' mainly the cover he did on piano.
"Seriously?" He says, even if he tries to scowl, his amusement is apparent.
"What? I said many times how I adore your playing." Ranboo takes a small bow and extends his arm. Tommy returns the bow and takes the offered hand.
"You only say that because I'm the only one who can match your violin melodies." They take the starting position of the dance.
"Yeah- maybe." The move as the dip of the music hits.
Slow steady movements, as their conversation halts, their magic picks up. Blending with their dance, creating life among the walls. Flowers grow in their hair and vines entangle their socked feet.
Magic is easy for some and a pain for others. He and Ranboo are the latter. Magic potential being so close yet so far. They needed a way to channel it- and they found it. A dance was the key they needed. Now, magic floats in the air, and the lights in the room are off but it's the glow from his energy that makes the room shine.
The energy that always moves with Tommy. Following his breaths and bones. His very existence breaks the law of conversion of energy.
Ranboo’s magic- is just like his. Creating life while Tommy gives it purpose. Wind that breaks tides, and the life that he creates.
While Ranboo creates, Tommy gleams . They work together, side by side like it's the only way.
The music fades out and their dance ends. But the evidence of their magic doesn't. It stays until one of them decides to clean it up. But for now, it stays. The proof of what they can do remains and paints the room with their art.
They both bow- the conclusion.
"Same time tomorrow?" Ranboo asks, holding out a pinkie finger. Tommy hooks his finger around the others.
"You know it."
"Play with me." They are cleaning around their trophy desk when Tommy calls out to him.
"Hm? I don't have my violin right now." Tommy rolls his eyes and scoffs before patting the piano bench.
"No stupid- I mean come play the piano with me." He doesn't know how to play much- but he sits anyways.
"I'll start playing and you can join in when you want to." Then, Tommy's hands descend on the keys.
They used to not get along- Tommy was hellbent on hating him but over time, they got closer. Tommy, he's noticed, is kinder than he lets on. Always really asking instead of demanding. That much is evident in the way he plays. His music is always gentle, gentle and kind. He never presses too hard on the keys. He treats the instrument like it's alive and has feelings just like he does.
Tommy side-eyes him and he can't help but smile. Smile to see one grace Tommy's face as well.
Slowly, they put a hand next to Tommy's. Pressing some keys here and there to match with the melody Tommy has created. Even when he stumbles and messes up the rhythm, Tommy doesn't get on to him about it. Instead, he works with it, changing the playing up to better suit the chords Ranboo is pressing. Something his parents would never do, something their family would never do.
They never thought at first that Tommy of all people would become more like family than anyone else. That he would be the one to give Ranboo his magic.
He takes his hand off the piano and places it in his lap- earning another look from Tommy. "You play, I like hearing it. You know that much is true." And it is- they adore the things Tommy can create, the things he can do. From a song that he composes overnight, the life he creates with magic. All of it is special to him.
"Fine. I should be charging you for this though." Tommy huffs out, but they know he's not truly mad. Tommy's horrible at concealing his feelings, he feels too much and shows it. A contrast from his own emotions. Another thing that fascinates Ranboo. How they are so different yet so similar.
The tune changes into something he hasn't heard before- a new song. Definitely one of Tommy's, he can tell due to the amount of love that pours of out it. When Tommy feels, he shows that through his art, and it's magnificent every single time .
As he looks around he notices how the lights grow a bit brighter and they are sure if they were to touch Tommy, flowers would grow from the contact. As Tommy plays, the lights shine and he relaxes. A secret thing Tommy does when he plays, he's not even sure if his friend knows that he does it. How his music takes someone's panic, their stressful feelings and wash it away.
Soon, he will get up and finish his work. Maybe make some food per Tommy's request. Or even get his own instrument to play alongside him. But for now- he's content with just listening. Listening and being carried away by the music. To escape his duties and stay in the peace that Tommy creates. Just for a little while longer.
Magic is lined within the walls of a manor, music beside it. A pair dance in the center of a room, moving alongside a song they made together. A song that shows their skills in both the art of magic and music. A melody showing the truth of their abilities. A graceful dance if you are far enough away, but when you get closer you see it for what it truly is.
Two children being children. Not caring for the graceful dance this late in the evening. Instead choosing to act on their youth, stumbling over each other's feet, trying to trip the other up. Within the music and magic, is laughter. Light and happy and full of love. Love for the magic they worked so hard for and the family member they gained in the process.
Love for being themselves.