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“No, the date was actually shit, I thought she was great too.” Tommy said with a sigh. “Maybe I’m the problem.”
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with you, Tom.” Tubbo said, “maybe the issue is that you aren’t attracted to any of these girls .”
“What are you implying?”
“I see how you look at Ranboo.” Tubbo left it at those words. He let Tommy absorb them as Tubbo left the call knowing Tommy would need to process them.
*
“Tommy’s in denial right now.” Tubbo explained. “He’s pretty confused.”
Ranboo hummed, “Okay, I’ll make sure I don’t do anything that might push him, thank you.”
“Of course, Boo.” Tubbo let Ranboo leave the call. Ranboo opened discord and went to RanMail.
RANBOO > hey subs! I’m going to say some personal stuff because I think some of you might relate
RANBOO > I feel like recently stuff has really hit the fan. I sometimes feel like I want those loves that are on tv but then I realize my self worth is consistent with how well my streams go
RANBOO > I wish I believed that Love at First sight was fictional but after living it I know it’s real and I wish it wasn’t
RANBOO > anyway, see you all later for the stream
Ranboo closed out discord and went to his bed, plopping down and sighing. If only Tommy could just realize that it’s okay to like guys.
*
“Ran!” Tommy tackled Ranboo into a hug and Tubbo laughed at them.
“Hey, Toms.” Ranboo said, hugging Tommy back. “You excited?”
“Of course I am! Ice cream!” Tommy stayed close to Ranboo and Tubbo took note of their closeness. Had they talked? Neither had said anything about it.
Odd.
The three of them got ice cream and hung out for a little bit, taking a few pictures with fans then they parted ways. Tubbo went home and Ranboo and Tommy went back to Ranboo’s house.
They sat on the couch and Tommy was curled into Ranboo. This was normal for them when they were alone. It had been for longer than anyone knew. We’re talking September of 2021.
Ranboo kissed Tommy on the head and Tommy looked up at Ranboo to let their lips attach. That was another thing they kept to themselves. They weren’t just friends when they were alone, but it felt different this time. Like they both knew something they hadn’t known before.
Ranboo led them to his room, he really needed to get around to getting his bed frame set up. That’s a problem for another day, he supposes.
*
They approached Wilbur and to their surprise, Technoblade, with their hands interlocked.
“I didn’t know you guys were inclusive.” Techno said.
“We’re not.” “we’re not.” They spoke in unison and Wilbur just laughed.
“They’re just really good friends as historians would say, Techno.” Wilbur joked and the younger two rolled their eyes but didn’t part their hands. It was just a brunch outing. It’s not like their fan bases were weird enough to mention it or even take photos of them holding hands from afar. They were perfectly safe in their own little world.
But maybe being in their own little world was a bad thing. Tommy had been approached on his way to the bathroom by a brunette who had long straight hair down to her hips almost. Ranboo would say she was attractive but not his type. Wilbur just laughed at how awkward Tommy looked talking to her.
They surely didn’t expect him to take her phone and type presumably his number into it and then watch her walk off.
Tommy went to the bathroom and came back, sitting back in the booth with Ranboo as close as he had been before but Ranboo didn’t reconnect their hands. Tommy was kind of confused why he wouldn’t.
“Who was that?” Techno asked as their food was served.
“Her name is Julia.” Tommy said, “she’s from London.”
“And you gave her your number?” Wilbur asked and Tommy nodded.
“She seemed pretty chill. She had a good vibe. And she’s not even a fan, she just said I looked friendly.” Tommy spoke softly and Ranboo almost wished Tommy would speak so softly about him.
Ranboo stayed silent for the rest of the brunch and ended up leaving the hangout early to go stream.
*
“Hey Boo! How was the stream?!” Tubbo asked.
“It was fine.”
“Is Tommy heading to yours?”
“He’s in London.” Ranboo said, leaning away from his microphone.
“Why the hell would Tommy need to be in London? Everyone is in Brighton or Bognor.” Tubbo sounded very confused.
“He’s there to meet up with Julia. They have a date.” Ranboo’s voice shook ever so slightly. “Toby.. since September we haven’t been exactly friends.. like we hold hands, we cuddle and we’ve kissed.. way too many times for him to be going on dates..”
“I’m going to call his ass and chew him the fuck out.”
“Don’t.. he’s clearly not interested in me like we thought he was. He’s not on the same level as I am and it was my mistake for falling for him. This is on me, Toby.”
“Boo…”
“I’m gonna go see Phil, thank you for listening.” Ranboo ended the call and tossed a quick bag together making his way to the city.
*
Phil had to inform Tubbo and Tommy that Ranboo was fine but he would be away from his phone for the weekend and didn’t want to see anyone.
Random ass gc
Tom > is he ok
Toby > ofc not idiot
Toby > does that sound ok to you?
Tom > I was just asking Toby wtf
Tom > ur getting hostile for no reason
Phil > Tom, he’s a bit unwell rn
Phil > and not in the medical sense
Phil > so let’s respect that
Phil > Toby, try to be nice
Toby > I know things tho
Phil > ik you know but we’re respecting our friend
Toby > yeah
Toby > because someone had to go and hurt him
Tom > when do you think he’ll want to see people
Tom > we are his best buds
Tom > why didn’t he go to us
Toby > because dumbass, Phil didn’t hurt him
Tom > ?
Tom > we did?
Toby > obviously
Toby > now go back to your fucking date
Tom > how did you know
Phil > you’re on a date?
Phil > ah that explains it
Phil > excuse me while I go get some ice cream for Ranboo
Toby > Boo told me you were in London for a date
Toby > I can’t believe you.
Tom > call me
“What?” Tubbo asked once Tommy answered.
“What the hell are you going on about?” Tommy asked. “What is so wrong with going on a date?”
“I know that you’re in love with him.” Tubbo said. “I know that much, Tommy. He told me everything about you two and how close you really are.. Why would you go on a date with Julia?”
“Ranboo and I aren’t together, Toby.”
“Are you happy with her in a romantic sense?” Tubbo asked and Tommy huffed but didn’t answer. “Don’t you see that you just aren’t into girls romantically. It’s called denial Tommy!”
Tommy ended the call abruptly and Tubbo just sighed.
Toby > will you ask him if I’m okay to go and see him?
Phil > he said yes
Tubbo grabbed a few things and left his house. He was going to comfort Ranboo no matter what loyalty he could be risking to Tommy. Sure he knew Tommy longer but Ranboo didn’t deserve this shit and Tubbo was going to do the right thing.
Tubbo stayed with Ranboo both the nights he was at Phil’s. They didn’t have any issues or any awkwardness sharing a bed since they had always done it when Ranboo was living with Tubbo. It was obviously making Ranboo feel better and Tubbo didn’t mind.
What Tubbo did mind was Tommy showing up Sunday morning. He had texted Ranboo the night before and Ranboo asked if they could just talk but Tommy said there was nothing to talk about and now he was here.
Ranboo and Tommy went into the guest room while Tubbo, Phil and Kirsten all waited in the living room.
“Things are tense between us, Ran.” Tommy pointed out.
“No really? I had no idea.” Ranboo deadpanned.
“You don’t have to give me sarcasm.” Tommy said with a displeased face.
“What would you like then? Since this is all about you .”
“For you not to be so upset with me.” Tommy crossed his arms over his chest.
“All this could have been avoided!” Ranboo yelled. Tommy realized one thing in that moment, Ranboo never yelled. He hated it. He hated being yelled at on top of that and what Tommy did next was pure stupid.
“How could it have been avoided! Fucking how!” Tommy screamed back and watched as Ranboo flinched. Oh it was so.. heartbreaking.
“All I wanted was to talk..” Ranboo whispered.
“Ran, I didn’t mean to yell-”
“No.” Ranboo spoke harshly, “do not fucking call me that. You lost the right, now get the hell out of here. Or actually maybe I should just leave so that way you can keep getting things you want.”
“Ranboo-” Tommy watched as Ranboo put his things in the bag and got Tubbo’s stuff packed up as well. Tommy watched as Ranboo paused before bringing himself to look at the blonde. Tommy watched as Ranboo wiped a tear from his own face.
“I just wanted to talk to you. Figure out where we are in this mess. But I see now that won’t be necessary.” Ranboo spoke so softly that Tommy almost couldn’t hear him. “It was fun while it lasted, Tommy. I'm just glad we established all of this before it got further than this.”
Ranboo made it to the door before Tommy grabbed his arm and turned them to face each other. Tommy grabbed Ranboo’s face and pressed their lips together, getting a kiss back moments later. Ranboo set the bags down and grabbed Tommy’s face, pressing harder into the kiss.
They pulled away moments later, “I just needed to go on that date to make sure that I don’t.. that I can’t possibly like women. I needed to make sure so I didn’t hurt you- but I love you.” Tommy said and Ranboo smiled, pressing their foreheads together.
“I love you too.”