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The luggage wheeled loudly behind him as he walked. The airport was practically empty at 3am and he surely looked like a wreck. He hadn’t slept the entire 15 or so hour flight, he hadn’t eaten in the last 24 hours and he looked pretty out of it, stumbling about as he walked.
“Ranboo?” Tommy’s voice appeared, it was laced with worry as the taller just offered a weak smile.
“Hey, Tommy.”
“Big man, are you alright?” Tommy asked, grabbing Ranboo’s arm. “You don’t look very good.”
“‘M great. Very tired.” Ranboo mumbled, looking around the airport. “Can we leave? I hate this place.”
“Yeah, of course, my car is closeby.” Tommy kept his hold on the dirty blonde, leading him out to the car.
Does it smell like a school gymnasium in here?
It's funny how they're all the same
They made a stop to some convenience store Ranboo knew was strictly not American but he tiredly let Tommy lead him inside, Tommy opting to hold his hand instead of his arm to make it seem less weird while they browsed for snacks and drinks.
“You’ll like these.” Tommy said, holding up a few items.
“How can you be sure?”
“You got them the last few times we hung out.” Tommy assured, “Just trust me, I wouldn’t give you something gross when you’re as lost as you are right now. Maybe after you get some rest and real food.”
Ranboo yawned and nodded, “Okay, I trust you.”
Tommy chuckled, “Okay good.”
They checked out and got back into Tommy’s car. Tommy can drive . Ranboo suddenly realized. He really had been gone for a while.
*
Tommy had 2 shared complexes with Tubbo. Both having three rooms in case Ranboo ever came to visit, seeing as the dirty blonde stated he would never live there permanently and would choose America over the UK. Tommy pulled into the one used typically for streaming even though it held 3 bedrooms like the one used just as a house. Both places were pretty much the same, they just didn’t want people to find out about their preferred house one, so they kept one for streaming.
Tommy led Ranboo into a room where an empty desk sat and a large bed. He had a closet and a dresser and a nightside table with a lamp on it. Tommy sat Ranboo on the bed, it had bedding. It seemed to be like one Ranboo had talked about in a late night bench trio call where they were all worn through from the day and talking about living together. Ranboo also noticed a few posters on the walls, Lemon Demon, FNAF, Minecraft and a few more to suit his interests. Tommy and Tubbo actually remembered that much?
To top it off, he noticed a framed picture of the three of them on the nightstand, one he claimed was his favorite from that beach trip despite the other two having different favorites.
Ranboo kicked his shoes off and Tommy only smiled as the dirty blonde took in the room. “You guys didn’t have to.”
“That’s not all.” Tommy said and left the room, leaving Ranboo confused.
Tommy came back holding a calico kitten, she had been so tiny in Tommy’s hands and Ranboo’s jaw dropped as he made grabby hands towards Tommy.
“We both pitched in on her yesterday. I obviously knew you were coming tonight so I thought the timing was great. We knew you said you wanted a calico when you finally have a place to live and we don’t expect you to stay forever so Tubbo figured we could spend time with her before you would come so you’re free to take her wherever you go next. We haven’t even named her yet.” Tommy handed the kitten over to Ranboo who was tearing up. He could blame it on tiredness later on.
Ranboo kissed her head and held her to his chest feeling a soft pur. “Hi, precious.” Ranboo’s voice went soft, “We’re all going to take such good care of you.” He promised.
Tommy left again and returned with something in his hand, “What do you think you’ll name her?”
“Honey.” Ranboo said, surely and Tommy reached a hand out. It was a collar.
“Tubbo and I remembered you liked that name for a cat and took a guess, this is for when she gets a little older. We rescued her at a shelter, she’s really the sweetest thing.” Tommy said softly. “But I will let you get some sleep. Honey can stay in here and I’ll come get her in the morning so she can eat and whatever while you catch up on sleep. I’ll bring her back till Tubs comes.”
“Thank you.” Ranboo whispered and Tommy nodded, leaving the room and shutting the door. Ranboo laid down and Honey curled up on his chest, letting him cover her gently in the blankets before he very quickly drifted off with a smile stuck on his face.
It's funny how you always remember
*
“Maybe he’s busy, Tubbo.” Tommy said, “He is 8 hours behind us. It’s like 2 in the morning for him. Be reasonable.”
Yikes. Tommy did not just tell Tubbo to be reasonable. Maybe going back to sleep sounds great. Ranboo tugged his eyes shut again before he heard a soft scratch on his door.
Whatever Tubbo was going to do to Tommy was halted. Suddenly Tubbo’s voice was much closer, “Oh, Honey, your dad isn’t here yet. I miss him a ton and hope he comes here soon, but for now we have to wait.” Tubbo’s voice was softer so Tommy couldn’t hear it out in the living room, but Ranboo heard it.
Ranboo grabbed his phone.
Boo :D > Miss you
HoneyBee :) > Shouoldnt you be sleeponh?
Boo :D > Why would I sleep when you’re just a text away
HoneyBee :) > I miss when you were just an airdrop away. It’s been two years since you’ve been here, Boo.
Boo :D > I know.
Boo :D > I’m sorry.
HoneyBee :) > I get that youre busy. It’s fine. Rlly.
HoneyBee :) > It’s just hard to miss you all the time
Boo :D > We need to stop missing each other so much
Boo :D > It hurts us everyday
HoneyBee :) > Maybe I love you too much to stop
Boo :D > Tubs..
HoneyBee :) > You arent going to shut me down today
HoneyBee :) > Plz dont
HoneyBee :) > We cant stop our feelings, Boo
HoneyBee :) > but youre smart and know that already
Boo :D > Ik
Boo :D > We tried before
HoneyBee :) > and we never stopped loving each other
Boo :D > but the distance got to us, Toby. It’s no way to live a happy relationship 8 hours apart. We proved that after I left.
Boo :D > One day we’ll have to move on
HoneyBee :) > And one day we will
HoneyBee :) > Happy 19th birthday, Boo.
Ranboo curled into himself more and let himself cry till he was sleeping once again. Just like all these conversations ended.
Tubbo_ is live!
And we've both done it all a hundred times before
*
June 25th, 2021
Ranboo dropped the handle of his luggage as a brunette ran at him, jumping at the taller. Ranboo caught him and allowed the brunette to wrap his legs around his waist as they embraced.
“Hey Tubs.” Ranboo said sweetly.
“Hey, Boo.” Tubbo whispered into Ranboo’s neck. “Welcome home.”
It's funny how I still forgot
*
“So, I have a surprise for you.” Tommy said sheepishly. “Uhm, but it’s sorta an important day for this person so be mad at me instead.”
“Tommy, what?”
Tommy sighed, “Go into Ranboo’s room.”
Tubbo stood from his chair, “I'll be back chat.” Tubbo said and left the room, going to Ranboo’s room.
“Ranboo?” Tubbo asked, his voice soft. The brunette was sleeping still but it was turning night and Tubbo would head home soon. Tommy decided he would let Tubbo know while it was still Ranboo’s birthday. “Tommy, what the hell?” Tubbo asked, swiftly returning to his room. “When?”
“Last night. It’s where I went at midnight.” Tommy admitted, ending Tubbo’s live before they heard any more. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you but he wanted to surprise you and I wasn’t anticipating him sleeping this long, but you should have seen him when he got off the plane. He was so out of it he could hardly walk and so instead of bringing him home I brought him here.”
“Shit.” Tubbo said, “Fuck!”
“What?”
“We didn’t have the best conversation like two nights ago and then a few hours ago it wasn’t too great either.” Tubbo sighed.
“Just go like.. Cuddle with him so when he wakes up you’re there and then boom, fixed.”
Tubbo shook his head with a frown, “This isn’t like before, Tommy. We aren’t together anymore or we aren’t idiotic kids in love. We’re not those people anymore.”
Tommy wrapped Tubbo into a hug and they stayed silent. Things wouldn’t get to be the same.
It would be a hundred times easier
Ranboo woke up and felt something abnormally warm with him. He looked down and saw Tubbo curled into him, under his blankets with his head in Ranboo’s chest. Well okay then…
Ranboo sighed, “Why are you here, bug?”
“To cheer you up?” Tubbo said questionably into Ranboo’s chest, gripping his shirt tighter so he didn’t leave.
“Why do I need cheering up?”
“I yelled at you. ‘M sorry.”
Ranboo kissed the top of Tubbo’s head, “Tubs, I haven’t been here longer than a week, you don’t have to apologize for yelling at me when I get in your way. I have to learn to adjust to you.”
Tubbo huffed, “We have to learn to do this together.” Tubbo paused, “Do that again.”
Ranboo smirked, “Do what again?”
“You know what, bitch.” Tubbo said softly and Ranboo pressed a soft kiss to his head again. “Right, good. Now go back to sleep. ‘M tired.”
Ranboo chuckled, “Sure thing, bug.” Ranboo placed a third kiss on Tubbo's head before closing his eyes again.
If we were young again
*
“Boo..” Tubbo whispered softly, shaking the taller awake gently.
Ranboo blinked awake and hummed, “hey.”
Tubbo put his hand on Ranboo’s cheek, rubbing his thumb along his face, “Welcome back to the UK.” Tubbo whispered.
Ranboo closed his eyes and leaned into the touch, his hand enclosing Tubbo’s, “Thank you.”
But as it is
Tubbo kissed Ranboo on the head, “I’m a dick.”
“Maybe.” Ranboo said, “but I forgive you.”
“I know. You're too good for me.”
“Bend down for me, bug.” Ranboo said and Tubbo crouched down so their faces were even. They stared at each other for a while.
“Boo.” Tubbo whispered.
“Bee.” Ranboo whispered, his eyes glancing at Tubbo’s lips.
Tubbo’s eyes followed in a downward gaze to Ranboo’s lips.
Ranboo connected their lips softly, holding them in a sweet kiss.
Perhaps they both tasted salty tears as they kissed, but it was still a kiss and it was still going to change everything.
And it is
*
“We kissed.” Tubbo admitted into the dark living room. Tommy hummed.
“I figured you would.”
“I know.” Tubbo sighed, “I’m sorry.”
“For what, Tubs?”
“For being so weak.” Tubbo laid his head on Tommy’s shoulder. “You shouldn’t be friends with someone so weak.”
Tommy chuckled, “You aren’t weak for following your feelings.” Tommy wiped a tear from Tubbo’s face. “Go in there, I’ll head home. Yeah?”
Tubbo nodded, “okay.” He stood up and made his way down the hall and into Ranboo’s room, laying with the boy and getting a soft meow from Honey.
Ranboo moved the three of them around so Tubbo could be in his arms and Honey could lay gently and safely with them both.
They both drifted off with ease.
We're just two slow dancers, last ones out
*
“It’s like 3am.” Tubbo said with a yawn, “where are we going?” Tubbo asked, squeezing Ranboo’s hand as he led him down the hall.
“To do what we never got to before.” Ranboo said as Honey was sitting on his shoulder purring.
Ranboo stopped them in the kitchen and took his phone out to play some gentle music, setting Honey down on one of the stools at the island before taking Tubbo away from the surfaces.
Ranboo placed his hands on Tubbo’s waist, while Tubbo wrapped his arms around Ranboo’s neck. They swayed for a bit to the music, their foreheads pressed together and smiles tugging at their lips.
They finally got their 3am slow dance in.
We're two slow dancers, last ones out
*
“Chat! Ranboo is here!” Tubbo said with a wide smile. “Tommy should be back soon with wine and whatever for the drinking portion of this drunk stream, but for now I’m sure you all want to freak out over Bench Trio meetup!”
Ranboo walked into the room and sat down, Honey was on his shoulder, purring and gnawing at his hair a bit. Ranboo just waved at the camera.
“Now, you all might be thinking that Ranboo won’t be drinking but uhm he can do what he needs.” Tubbo offered a smile and Ranboo chuckled.
“Hi chat!” Ranboo saw the viewer count was off the charts and was glad this was on Tubbo’s account, “I have a surprise for you guys, at least for any stream where I may be drinking or eating.”
Ranboo took his mask off and let out a shaky breath, feeling Tubbo’s hand interlock with his under the table. He nodded to Tubbo who relaxed when Ranboo relaxed.
Tommy walked into the room and saw everything he needed to before putting a hand on Ranboo’s free shoulder, “proud of you, mate.” Tommy said and Ranboo smiled warmly.
“Thanks. Let’s get this started.”
Ranboo could feel Tubbo’s gaze stuck on his face, Tubbo had only seen Ranboo in the dark. This was the first time he had seen Ranboo’s face in person in two years.
Tubbo noticed more lines on his face with the years that had gone by, it was only like two or three and his smile lines were more prominent but he could tell the boy had gone through a lot of stress and still does. It was a shame.
He noticed a few scars along his jaw that were pretty invisible and a little bit of stubble.
Ranboo has really changed since 2021.
And the ground has been slowly pulling us back down
You see it on both our skin
We get a few years and then it wants us back
“Chat wants to do truth or dare, where mods come up with ideas and they take a pole.” Tommy said and Tubbo and Ranboo agreed.
*
“Chat totally noticed your tongue piercing.” Tommy said, sitting on the couch next to Ranboo. “Someone pointed it out and now people are trynna post clips.”
Ranboo chuckled, “Eh, let em.” Ranboo smiled a dopey smile, “remember when Tubbo found out about it?”
Tommy giggled, “yeah he was totally shocked.”
Ranboo pressed his lips to Tubbo’s and Tubbo gasped before kissing back. This was their first kiss and shared under the stars on the beach.
Ranboo pushed harder into the kiss and Tubbo gasped again but at the cold metal hitting his tongue. Tubbo pulled them back a bit, “what was that?”
“My tongue piercing.” Ranboo said, his voice breathy.
Tubbo chuckled but was cut off with a hum as Ranboo’s lips met his neck. He sucked at the skin with a grin while the piercing pressed into soft skin.
Once Tubbo grew weak in Ranboo’s grasp, Ranboo stopped and smirked. “Let’s head home.”
“Mhm.” Tubbo nodded, loopy.
“Oh Tubbo~” Ranboo said with a slur, walking into Tubbo’s room where the stream was, Ranboo had left for a face break and Tommy had gone out to make sure he was okay.
Tommy followed Ranboo holding Honey.
“Hello, Ranboo.” Tubbo said. All three of them had dark red faces.
“Tommy entertain, I need to steal Tubbo.” Ranboo has a smirk on his face like never seen before and Tubbo stood up, letting Tommy sit.
“Be safe, bitches.” Tommy said, petting Honey while Ranboo dragged Tubbo out of the room.
Ranboo brought them down the hall a bit before pressing the smaller into the wall. “H-hey, Boo.”
“Hello, bug.”
Tubbo shied away from Ranboo’s gaze, “you only call me that in certain situations.”
Ranboo pressed a kiss to Tubbo’s forehead, “I do?”
“You know you do.” Tubbo said, tilting his head as Ranboo trailed kisses down to the base of his jaw.
“What situations?” Ranboo asked with a smirk as he tugged at Tubbo’s skin with his teeth, surely leaving a mark.
“Ones where apparently you don’t care about the stream.”
Ranboo laughed and it sent a chill down Tubbo’s spine, “what will they do, hon?” Ranboo pressed his lips to Tubbo’s neck, sucking on the skin while holding Tubbo’s waist as the brunette felt his knees grow weak.
“They’ll know too much.”
“Then wear one of my hoodies.” Ranboo said, pulling away from the skin and licking his lips before pressing a curt kiss to Tubbo’s nose.
“It’s low enough right?” Tubbo asked softly.
“Of course.” Ranboo smiled, “later might be different though.” He winked, pecked Tubbo on the lips and returned to the room, taking his hoodie off and chucking it out the door, before sitting in a chair next to Tommy, his t-shirt was Pulp Fiction and chat was going crazy over it.
“How was your talk?” Tommy asked with a smirk.
“It was delightful.” Ranboo smirked and turned to the door where Tubbo was walking in, the hood of Ranboo’s hoodie up, “isn’t that right, Bug?”
“I’ll Stab you.” Tubbo threatened then realized he was live, “in a video game of course.”
Tommy yawned, “we’ve been live for 5 hours which is 4 and a half longer than my usual. Let’s end it so I can get an Uber home.”
“Welp! You heard the man!” Ranboo said and ended the stream. “I’ll call you an Uber, you can get whatever you need done.”
Tommy thanked the taller who left the room to go to his own. He had yet to go to their ‘house’ yet but he was sure he would soon enough.
Tubbo lowered the hood and Ranboo could hear his cackle down the hall.
*
Tubbo went into Ranboo’s room and flopped on the bed with him. Honey had gone home with Tommy so he wasn’t lonely while the boys stayed at the office for the night.
“Tommy is gone.” Tubbo said, laughing as Ranboo hovered over him to pepper kisses along his face.
“So I get you all alone then?” Ranboo asked and Tubbo let out a pleased sigh as Ranboo was back to kissing his neck.
“Yes.” Tubbo said, “I have lips though.”
Ranboo hummed and pressed his lips to Tubbo's, wasting no time to deepen the kiss.
*
“So are you guys dating?” Tommy asked as they entered the house. Ranboo wandered around to get to know the place, Honey following behind him like it was her only job in life. Tubbo just stayed wrapped in a throw blanket with a hood on.
“We aren’t”
“But you guys had no issues enjoying each other’s company last night.” Tommy said, crossing his arms. “What’s so different?”
“It’s just not like before.” Tubbo said and made his way to his room.
It would be a hundred times easier
“So, we’re sorta dating.” Ranboo said, laying on his back in the water. He half expected Tommy to drown him and he didn’t think it would be a bad idea considering they had been abandoned out here.
“You and Tubs or you and someone else?” Tommy asked, lying lazily on the pink flamingo.
“Me and Tubbo.” Ranboo said. The camera had died already and Tubbo was the only one with a working camera now, so might as well get it all out now.
“Why tell me where I can drown you?”
“Because we’ve been out here so long I wouldn’t mind it.” Ranboo said with a bored tone, “I can’t feel my body, man. And I know you for sure aren’t holding up as well as you’re letting off, it’s the only reason I stopped harassing you.”
“You’re too observant. It’s annoying. You also care too much, which is also annoying. And you arent a dick all of the time.”
“And it’s annoying?”
“Yes, yes it is.” Tommy sighed, “But it makes you perfect for Tubs.”
“You aren’t mad? Or upset?”
“Of course not, Boo Boy, I’ve been hoping you guys would finally grow balls and date already. I’m just glad I didn’t have to mettle too much to make it happen.” Tommy dramatically put the back of his hand to his forehead, “That would have ruined my reputation.”
Ranboo groaned, “Maybe I’ll drown you.”
“Bloody rude, bitch.”
Ranboo chuckled as Tubbo made his way to them.
“Congrats Tubs!” Tommy said once he was in the boat.
“For what?” Tubbo asked and let Ranboo kiss his head like it was nothing new. “Oh.”
Ranboo laughed, “Let’s go home, I’m surely gonna get sick. And Tommy is definitely already sick.”
If we were young again
*
Ranboo woke up to the sun reflecting into his face, he sat up, groaning and checking the time to see that his alarm would go off in 2 minutes. He had a pounding headache and closed his eyes, trying to ease the ache only opening them to turn off his alarm then shutting them again.
He only reopened his eyes once he heard Tubbo walk out of his own room and down the hall to the kitchen to make his usual cup of coffee and heat up a bagel or any other baked goods they had around. Ranboo slid out of bed, feeling dizzy and coughing a bit, wincing at the harsh ache in his throat.
He stumbled down the hall and into the kitchen, his vision becoming unclear and pesky. Once arriving to the dim kitchen, he plopped down on a chair at the island and his head started to get heavy as his eyes wanted to close, but he knew he couldn't let whatever was going on, influence his day, he was 2 streams behind and needed to run errands for a few people later on.
Tubbo set down a tea cup in front of Ranboo, made the way he enjoyed and then put a warm cinnamon roll down next to the mug, smiling, "Good morning Ranboo!" Ranboo nodded a thanks and sipped the tea, groaning when it didn't help his throat ache. He attempted to eat the warm breakfast Tubbo had prepared; however it only made him nauseous.
"Hey..Love Bug." Ranboo said in a hoarse voice, coughing from the sudden irritation making it worse, Tubbo ran over to feel Ranboo's head but Ranboo moved away, already knowing what Tubbo would find, "I'm fine, Tubbo, can we just go stream?" Ranboo asked, covering his forehead with his hand, feeling the radiating warmth.
Tubbo sighed and nodded, knowing Ranboo wasn't taking no for an answer. Ranboo smiled at his win, like usual and Tubbo just watched as Ranboo stumbled into his room, shutting the door, Tubbo went into his own room and sat down.
Ranboo blinked a few times trying to focus his eyes as he opened OBS and minecraft, Ranboo joined Tubbo in the call, coughing faintly then got onto Hypixel. "Today we will be-" Ranboo coughed ruining the intro, "Sorry let's redo that." Tubbo hummed in response and after 2 more tries Ranboo managed out an intro, "Hey guys! Today we will be doing bed wars!” Ranboo muted to cough. "We will play unnicked too!" Tubbo said and Ranboo unmuted, "Don’t stream snipe though!" Ranboo muted again to take a sip of water, and to rub his throat hoping to soothe it.
They started off fine with their usual jokes and banter till Ranboo got quiet, Tubbo ran over to Ranboo's island, after calling out to him, they had decided to 1v1 a few rounds, assuming he was trolling, but he managed to be able to kill Ranboo 5 times, and still there was nothing. Tubbo got up from his chair and went into Ranboo's room to see his head was on his desk, his eyes closed and soft snores emitting from his mouth, he appeared to be strictly uncomfortable.
Tubbo stopped the stream and shut off Ranboo's monitor, before gently shaking Ranboo back to consciousness, getting a glare and a grumble, "C'mon Ranboo, you need to lay down." Ranboo tried to sit up to keep playing, hardly able to hold his own body up, "I have to stream.."
Tubbo sighed and after a few minutes he managed to get Ranboo into bed and went to leave but Ranboo had grabbed his hand and did not appear to be letting it go, "Ranboo, I'm going to go get you some more water and then make soup, please let me go."
"Please don't leave me.." Ranboo mumbled, his eyes parted a bit as he interlocked his fingers with Tubbo's squeezing tightly. Tubbo let out a breath, "Where would you like me?"
Ranboo smiled and patted the bed next to him and Tubbo let out a breath, getting into bed with Ranboo, instantly being taken into a hug in which he knew he would not be leaving anytime soon. Tubbo wasn't against it, not for now, he could feel that Ranboo's temperature wasn't too bad, so there was no reason to panic yet.
Ranboo swiftly went to sleep, softly snoring into Tubbo's chest, seeming happy to be there. Tubbo just smiled and held Ranboo tightly, letting him know he was there for him. Tubbo was used to the cuddling and clinginess of his dear friend, Tubbo enjoyed the cuddles more than he would ever admit to the boy.
After an hour, Tubbo wiggled away making soup and getting water, bringing both back to the room with a thermometer putting it to Ranboo's forehead, waking him up. "Why'd you leave?" Ranboo asked, a pout filling his face.
"Your fever is rising." Tubbo explained, "I brought soup and water." Tubbo helped Ranboo sit up and he shivered, making Tubbo nervous as he was fighting off a 102 Degree F, fever. Ranboo ate a few bites before he pushed the soup away, "I can't.. it has no taste." Tubbo sighed and put a hand on Ranboo's face to rub his thumb along Ranboo's cheek, "You need to eat, you'll feel much better, I know it doesn't taste like anything but I want you to feel better."
Ranboo nodded and ate the soup slowly, making sure to drink, after he had the soup almost finished he took the Advil Tubbo had for him to calm his headache, "I'll run to the store to get you some flu medicine." Tubbo explained and Ranboo panicked, grabbing Tubbo's arm with both hands, giving him a pleading look, "D-Don't leave.. I want you.."
Tubbo let out a breath, "I need to get you medicine so you can feel better." Ranboo just held Tubbo tighter with shaky hands, tears forming in his eyes, Tubbo gave in and laid back down with Ranboo who hummed happily, nuzzling his face into Tubbo's chest to get comfy, falling back asleep, this time, Tubbo joined him, his brain didn't let him go into a deep sleep as he was very worried for Ranboo's health.
The sickness and pleading went on for a few days, currently Tubbo and Ranboo were curled up, but this time, Ranboo woke up first and smiled seeing Tubbo in his bed, he was grateful that Tubbo cared about him enough to risk his own health for Ranboo's sick antics, Ranboo knew Tubbo was being a good friend and Ranboo loved Tubbo, just not as a friend, as more, he had been terrified to tell this to Tubbo, afraid it would ruin their perfect.. Whatever it was they had.
Ranboo slid away from Tubbo's arms, kissed his head, then went into the kitchen to make coffee and warm up a chocolate chip muffin, Tubbo must've had ordered with the rest of the groceries, there were other baked goods along with it, but Ranboo wasn't hungry, Tubbo had made him eat when he woke up from a 12 hour slumber at 5am.
Tubbo walked out a few minutes later after his alarm had rang faintly through the house, "Ranboo?" Tubbo asked, walking over to the coffee and muffin, seeing the coffee was a light brown, recognizing it as his. Ranboo turned to face Tubbo, wrapping his arms around Tubbo's waist from behind, making Tubbo let out a breath, "Are you feeling better, Boo?"
Ranboo stuck his face into the crook of Tubbo's neck, humming happily, "Much better, thank you for taking care of me, I adore you~" Tubbo chuckled and brought a hand up to play with Ranboo's hair, "I adore you too, Boo."
Ranboo smiled and stayed in his current position as Tubbo ate, Tubbo wasn't bothered at all and rather enjoyed Ranboo's serious embrace, they didn't need to talk, they just had each other and enjoyed every moment of it.
Tubbo really did love Ranboo.
And he never stopped.
But as it is
*
Boo :D > Tubbo, relax please
HoneyBee :) > How would you like me to do that?!
HoneyBee :) > How would you like me to be okay with the fact that I can’t seem to fall out of love with you! We broke up a goddamn month ago!
Boo :D > I never said I stopped loving you.
HoneyBee :) > Stop
Boo :D > Stop what?! Being honest?
Bood :D > Oh, so it’s okay for you to be honest about how much you still apparently love me but I can’t say it back. That's a complete and utter dick move, Toby.
HoneyBee :) > Like you’re innocent.
Boo :D > I’m tired of fighting
HoneyBee :) > And I’m tired of loving you!
Boo :D > I’ll go…
HoneyBee :) > Wait im srry
Read
Ranboo curled into his bed and sobbed till he passed out while Tubbo went live.
Starting a never ending cycle.
Tommy walked into the house to complete silence. He had stayed away while Ranboo was sick to avoid being sick due to vlogs he had but he was good to come home 2 days ago. Why was the house so silent? Neither were scheduled to Stream.
Tommy opened Ranboo’s door to see him curled up and sleeping before checking a notification on his phone, Tubbo_ is live!
And it is
*
“You guys were fine days ago, what happened?”
“Tubbo can’t love me.” Ranboo said and Tommy whipped his head to look at Tubbo who had his gaze trained on the ground. “I’m going outside. And maybe to the office building.”
“Have a safe drive.” Tommy said and Ranboo nodded, going outside and getting into the car. He typed in George and Wilbur’s address before driving.
*
“Hey, Ranboo.” George said, opening the door. “We have drinks and shit.” Wilbur gave his input.
“I’ll take the and shit.” Ranboo said and was handed a dab pen, accepting it.
“Isn’t that the stronger one?” Wilbur asked, “not that I have an issue but I wouldn’t give it to a newbie.”
George chuckled as Ranboo was making shapes out of his smoke with ease. “Wil, he’s not a ‘newbie’, when he was here last time we had the best smoking session.”
“Wasn't he young then?”
“I waited till after our birthdays, but he was no stranger to the way of smoking.” George said, “I’ll make us some drinks.”
Wilbur watched as Ranboo laid down on the smaller couch, fully extended with his legs and head handing over the arm rests.
“When are you going to tell us what’s wrong?” George asked, setting a drink on the end table by Ranboo’s head before draping himself on Wilbur’s lap on the couch.
“Just Tubbo.”
“Wanna go deeper into detail?”
“Sure…”
*
Ranboo sat on the porch it was like 4:00am and the sky was pretty lit up with the stars and the moon. He hummed a bit and just looked out into the grass.
Ranboo spun Tubbo before taking him into a dip, sprinkled rain was falling from the sky as the stars and moon lit up the backyard.
They both giggled and pressed their lips together sweetly and softly for a moment.
Ranboo brought Tubbo upright and pressed their foreheads together, his eyes meeting Tubbo’s. Tubbo had looked pretty under the light of the moon and the way the light reflected off his eyes was otherworldly.
“You look so.. alive, Boo. It’s nice.” Tubbo spoke softly, his arms wrapped around Ranboo’s shoulders as Ranboo swayed them slightly.
Ranboo smiled, “you have that effect on me, Love Bug.”
“What if I said I loved you.” Tubbo blurted out. “We said it in our confessions but never after and I know we haven’t been like together for that long but I feel like if I just said it now it would be the perfect time. Not that we have to or that you specifically have to because no rush, but I just want to be honest with you and I want to tell you that I have those feelings for you because I think you deserve to know.”
Ranboo chuckled and pressed his lips to Tubbo’s again for a moment pulling away just enough to speak as his lips were still brushing Tubbo’s, “I love you, Tubbo.”
Tubbo let out a relieved breath, “I love you, Ranboo.”
Ranboo looked away from the yard with a sigh before taking out his phone.
HoneyBee :) > What if I said I loved you?
Boo :D > what if I didn’t say it back?
Ranboo went back inside and knew immediately what the notification on his phone was: TubboLIVE is live!
To think that we could stay the same
*
“Are you coming home soon?” Tubbo asked, “Tommy actually asked surprisingly and Honey keeps scratching at your door like you’ll come out.” Tubbo heard a soft exhale through the phone that led to silence for a moment.
“Soon.” Ranboo said, closing his eyes as the rain started to roll over his face while the soft grass cradled his body, knowing Tubbo was laying in the rain as well on the other end of the country. But Ranboo knew it was raining harder and had been raining this whole time for Tubbo.
“What does soon mean, Boo?” Tubbo’s voice was soft and pleading. “I miss you.”
“I miss you too, Bug. But can you go inside please?” Ranboo asked. “It’s been raining there for a while and I would hate myself if you got sick.”
“I like lying under the stars with you.” Tubbo said, his voice soft and perhaps Ranboo couldn’t argue with that.
Perhaps he liked the same thing.
“What’s that one?” Tubbo asked fingers outstretched towards the sky while his head was resting on Ranboo’s chest, the ground below them holding them with ease.
“That’s the Big Dipper, Love Bug. Everyone knows that.” Ranboo’s tone was teasing and Tubbo groaned a bit.
“Shut up, Dickhead.” Tubbo pouted before accepting a kiss on the head. “I don’t forgive you.” Tubbo pouted before letting out a noise of surprise as Ranboo rolled them so he was hovering over Tubbo. Soft rain starting to fall.
Ranboo connected their lips in an innocent kiss, earning a content kiss back and a hand in his hair. One of his hands was at Tubbo’s waist, tracing circles in the soft skin, earning a shutter from the brunette.
Once they pulled away, Ranboo was peppering kissed all over Tubbo’s face, earning giggles. “We should go inside, Bug.” Ranboo said after moving them back so Tubbo was curled into him and they could both see the sky.
“But why?” Tubbo whined and Ranboo traced shapes on his arm.
“Because, it’s raining out and one of us could get sick. Like you. And I’m the one who dragged you out here so I would feel really bad.”
“Just a few minutes longer? Then I promise we can go inside, take a warm bath and drink hot chocolate.” Tubbo gave Ranboo puppy eyes and Ranboo let out a sigh.
“Fine. Just a few minutes.”
“Just a few more minutes.” Ranboo said. “Then it’s time to go inside. Okay?”
“Okay..” Tubbo whispered, holding his phone tighter as if he was afraid Ranboo would leave. But unlike last time, he could. And willingly at that.
To think that we could stay the same
<!> Mentions of Self Harm to face <!>
Tubbo had seen the clips of Corpse talking about his facial dysphoria and how Corpse admitted he had and still does take a blade to his cheeks and jaw.
He immediately thought of Ranboo.
If Ranboo did that, he would surely tell Tubbo, right? Sure there were days that we would wear the mask even while sleeping for like many days in a row, but that wasn’t because of that, right?
Besides there were a lack of bandaid wrappers in the bathroom garbage for it to be true.
The first time he ever saw Ranboo take his mask off and have their be bandaids along his jaw was the day Tubbo knew he had no idea how bad Ranboo could actually get.
The boy had removed his mask to eat, thinking he was alone. Tubbo hadn’t supposed to be home for another hour, but he figured coming home early would be pleasant for his boyfriend. They could have extra cuddle time before Ranboo’s stream time.
Only he was met with the one thing he didn’t want.
He knew better than to shun Ranboo for it, or yell at him or even beg him to stop. He knew better than to make a big deal of it because he truly didn’t understand what Ranboo went through. And he knew it was bad and that the towel hanging on their bathroom mirror was enough to convince Tubbo it was worse than he could imagine.
So, he simply walked over, draped his arms around Ranboo’s shoulders from behind, getting a startled jump from the taller before he relaxed. Tubbo kissed his cheek as Ranboo’s hands covered his own.
“Hey, love.” Ranboo said softly.
Tubbo hummed, “hey Boo. Everything ended early and I decided I’d just come home. Maybe steal some cuddles before you stream?”
“That sounds wonderful.” Ranboo smiled, “let me clean up?”
“I’ll go pick out a movie.” Tubbo beamed and kissed Ranboo on his temple before skipping out of the kitchen and plopping on the couch to pick out his movie while Ranboo cleaned up.
Ranboo walked out, mask in hand. He was clearly trying to decide if he wanted it on. Tubbo only offered a small, genuine smile, “if you want to or need to wear it, you can, Boo. I won’t be upset with you.”
Ranboo walked over and sat down next to Tubbo, tossing his mask on his desk as he passed, wrapping an arm around his boyfriend, “I think I’ll be alright with you here.”
Ranboo walked into the living room, sitting between Tommy and Tubbo. The two shared a glance behind the taller that looked more sad than anything.
It had been over a year since they saw a bandaid anywhere near Ranboo’s face and now there were 7 all hugging his jaw.
They also noticed the mask he had in his hands, clearly having it on the ready. But why? Did he think they were going to hate him?
Tubbo grabbed his hand and rubbed his thumb over scarred knuckles while Tommy spoke, “Hey, I was thinking we watch that new Disney movie. The one all over TikTok.”
“Sure.” Ranboo said and squeezed Tubbo’s hand, letting go of his mask, “sounds great!”
It wasn’t really the same kind of reassurance as he had before. Ranboo seemed to unsure, too lost, too gone for his squeeze to amount to any sort of change, but the boys would be there for him the whole time and maybe that was enough.
<!> Tw Over <!>
To think that we could stay the same
*
“It hurts.” Ranboo said, “this distance is hurting us.”
“We can’t keep going like this.” Ranboo said, sitting on his bed next to Tubbo.
“I know, Boo.” Tubbo whispered into his phone, “Do what you need to.”
“I know that.” Tubbo leaned his head on Ranboo, “I’m sorry.”
“Tubbo, we have to break up.”
“Will you go on a date with me?”
“It’s okay.” Tubbo whispered, “I forgive you.”
But we're two slow dancers, last ones out
Tubbo nodded and sniffled. Ranboo pulled him into an embrace, “I’m not leaving you.”
“I know you do.” Ranboo let out a breath, “Thank you.”
Tubbo nodded, “I thought you were going to.”
“Please don’t hang up.” Tubbo was still whispering, “just.. stay please.”
“Never again.”
We're two slow dancers, last ones out
“As long as you need, I’ll be here.” Ranboo assured.
Tubbo allowed Ranboo to lay them down and curled into his chest more, accepting shapes being incoherently drawn on his back with Ranboo’s fingers as Tubbo closed his eyes.
They couldn’t keep going on the just friends route, they both knew it. So Ranboo took proper initiative.
“Tubs.” Ranboo whispered after a while and Tubbo hummed. “My visa got approved before I came here. I’m not leaving.”
Tubbo moved them so they could look at each other and saw the seriousness of Ranboo’s expression and pulled the taller into a kiss.
Maybe they truly could be together.
Two slow dancers, last ones out