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“We slow dance all the time way late into the night.” Ranboo said softly. The date was November 6th, 2021, 3:00 am. Tubbo was dragging Ranboo to their kitchen to slow dance.
“I know, Boo, but you’re leaving in a few hours. Just let me have this.” Tubbo pouted and Ranboo chuckled, excepting the umpteenth kitchen dance of his visit. Ranboo hoped these dances would never go away, they were something dear to him now and sacred between the two of them.
Tubbo extended his hand and Ranboo took it with a laugh as they fell into a slow dance as Tubbo played his stupid ‘slow dancing with your soulmate’ playlist that he kept private from their chats.
“I’m going to miss you, Boo.” Tubbo said as his face was tucked into Ranboo’s neck and Ranboo had his hands on Tubbo’s waist, keeping them close.
“I’m going to miss you too, Bee.” Ranboo kissed his head and Tubbo looked up at him with a shaky breath.
Their eyes met before they closed the gap, pressing their lips together for the first time ever. It tasted like vanilla to kiss Tubbo.
They pulled away and stayed close to each other, swaying in the kitchen. Ranboo was humming to the song and Tubbo had his eyes closed in relaxation.
They slow danced until Ranboo had to leave that morning.
*
It was now December and the boys were all exhausted along with everyone else they saw that day. Sneeg and 5up and even Tubbo’s dad.
They were in some high class hotel that was very nice in all of their standards. All deciding to get their own rooms. But Tubbo ended up in Ranboo’s room using the key he convinced Ranboo to give him earlier in the day (Tubbo gave his spare key to Ranboo).
Tubbo played music softly and offered his hand to Ranboo who took it with a chuckle and joined Tubbo in a slow dance in the hotel room.
Tubbo accepted all the forehead kisses he was receiving and Ranboo adored the quick kisses on his jaw.
They danced until they grew too exhausted to keep dancing and eventually fell asleep.
*
January came around and Ranboo managed to make his way to Tubbo’s late into the night. Tubbo was streaming when a very tired Ranboo peeked into the room from the kitchen and Tubbo noticed him, ending the stream to run over and hug him. Ranboo caught Tubbo and held him tightly. “You didn’t tell me you were coming.”
“I wanted it to be a surprise but then I couldn’t find the time till now and we have those Misfit photos tomorrow so I thought I would see you now before then.”
Tubbo kissed his cheek and dragged him into the kitchen, putting the same playlist on that warmed Ranboo’s heart each time he heard the songs.
They got situated to slow dance and Ranboo hummed to the songs as they swayed. “I missed you.” Tubbo mumbled.
“I missed you too..” Ranboo spoke softly, “soon I’ll be here for good.”
Tubbo nodded and squeezed Ranboo impossibly closer. And Ranboo squeezed him as well because it’s been taking everything out of him to be so close to Tubbo but unable to see him.
It was worth the lack of sleep to come here.
*
March rolled around and Ranboo didn’t run to Tubbo’s. Tubbo didn’t run to Ranboo’s. They both were busy and Ranboo was only here for two weeks before going back to America for a few weeks to come back and officially live.
Ranboo knew deep down something was wrong between them. And right now it was taking everything out of Ranboo not to call Tubbo. But luckily Tommy was dragging Ranboo to Tubbo’s.
Something about a surprise that they both needed and Ranboo just went along with it because he wondered if Tubbo thought about him as much as he thought about Tubbo.
When they got to Tubbo’s, Tubbo greeted them both with hugs of equal amounts and they all just watched some YouTube. No content creation at all. This was a content free night or whatever the hell Tommy was preaching about but Ranboo was more worried about having to say goodbye to Tubbo now. Again. Like always.
They always say more goodbyes than they do hellos and it hurts each time. Maybe it’s why Ranboo was avoiding this.
Tommy passed out quickly and Ranboo went to the kitchen to get water, Tubbo joined him and Ranboo offered his hand to dance. Tubbo took it with a weak hand and they danced, but it wasn’t the same. They weren’t as close or as sacred. It was like they were saying a goodbye with their dance.
“We’ve made quite a mess, honey.” Ranboo whispered and Tubbo nodded, letting go of Ranboo’s hand and stepping back.
“I’m sorry, Ranboo.” Tubbo felt Ranboo’s thumb run over his cheek and he tugged his eyes shut.
“It’s okay, Toby.. do what you need. I’ll be here the whole time, I promise.” Ranboo spoke softly and Tubbo nodded, kissing Ranboo’s palm before going back to the living room. Ranboo stayed in the kitchen while he waited for his Uber to take him home.
Tommy didn’t ask where Ranboo was in the morning. He was smarter than that.
And two days later, Ranboo was in America.
*
“I just hope whoever he finds next is someone who treats him right- someone better than me.” Ranboo said with watery eyes. “Make sure he has at least that, okay?”
“Ran, you aren’t going anywhere. Right?”
“I’m not going back, Tom.” Ranboo said, “I’m staying here. I’m sorry.” Ranboo ended the call and chucked his phone across the room as hard as he could and put his face in his hands. His phone completely smashed and he could care less.
If Tubbo did find someone else, Ranboo would be happy. He would be so happy. Ranboo was crying. Oh . Well that sucks.
In the morning Ranboo would still pack to head back to the UK, he wasn’t actually going to stay in America. He was just being irrational and unfair to Tommy. He was a shitty friend after all.
Ranboo wasn’t expecting to hear the playlist coming from his bedroom door behind him as he folded clothes. He slowly turned around to see Tubbo in the doorway and he ran to Tubbo, nearly toppeling them over.
Tubbo chuckled and took Ranboo’s hand and led them into his room, taking them into a slow dance as the music played from his pocket.
They danced the night through with shared kisses and whispered promises of the future.