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As Ranboo Beloved woke up one morning from uneasy dreams, they found themselves inside the petals of a peony flower, shrunken down, and no larger than a rodent. It would seem that somehow, Ranboo had been transformed into a fairy—though, notably, without wings.
This certainly wasn’t part of the usual morning routine. People don’t generally wake up to find themselves shrunk down, tiny, and alone cradled by a flower—it’s only natural he cries a little when he realizes what happened. He finds himself curling up into a little ball among the silky flower petals, whispering blasphemies under his breath, wondering what on earth had gone so wrong for this to happen.
At first, he clung to the hope that this was some sort of sick dream–no, a nightmare, but then it struck him. There might just be a reason for this madness… He’s not too sure he did anything to warrant this kind of retaliation, though.
If his suspicions were right, Ranboo had somehow fallen prey to a classic case of “pissed off the fairies without realizing it” and was now an unfair victim to their whims. He’s been made to play a game he never intended to join in the first place.
Granted, it was the fairies’ land, and Ranboo’s loving aunt was only borrowing it. Upon her passing, it made sense that the land should return to the hands that had shaped it ages ago.
But what, then, would become of Ranboo? He had to know.
So, yesterday Ranboo had found himself in the forest, deep into the heart of the fairies’ home, hoping for them to see some reason. Surely, he thought, these ageless creatures could afford him just a few years more for him to grow up? He just needed to be an adult before he could properly care for himself and move away, just a little more time to process the loss of his only family. They could have all the land back right after, all he needed was a little more time.
“I have nowhere else to go,” Ranboo told them.
“And I don’t care,” said the fairy, reclining back on a leaf of a foxglove flower. He was quite brazen, for the size that he was. Ranboo would’ve remained unaffected, were it not for this particular fairy’s reputation. The porcelain mask fairy had been known to take lives, burn crops, to curse people, all for the sake of keeping his things in order. It was easy to see why though–
Here they were in an ancient, secluded grotto—a small, sheltered area with a dense canopy that felt enclosed and hidden from the world. All this beauty hidden under the cool shade was accompanied by shafts of filtered sunlight and had a rich earthy smell to it. It was a timeless place, where plants were lush and the air felt thick and quiet. Dream wanted this place quiet, he wanted something to keep all to the fairies.
But he’d shared it for ten years, what was two more?
“I know what the contract said; she told me. You’re not meant to take back the land until my aunt’s next of kin ends. That includes me,” Ranboo said.
Wood sorrels, primroses, and bluebells danced with the surrounding fairies’ laughter.
Their little heads were just about the size of those ripe red berries beside them. Ranboo could have easily grabbed him and crushed that skull between his palms with a tiny red splatter. It would be so easy. He didn’t, though, for a fairy’s wrath would return the violence tenfold. So he stood there, stiff and nervous, shivering with his pant legs soaked and splattered with mud.
The fairies had known he was looking for them and had made a game out of it. Not a very fun game, mind you, one-sided as it was. There were still twigs and thorns tangled in his hair, and he had to keep wiping at his nosebleed. He wasn’t much of a runner, no matter how long his legs were.
He looked up at the fairy on the ledge. The fairy’s porcelain mask glinted in the light.
“Oh? But you can’t be her next of kin, Ranboo.”
Ranboo blinked and sputtered indignantly. “I–What? What are you talking about? Why would I not be–?”
“Because! You’re a fairy too!” the other fairy chimed in. Dream lit up as though struck by an idea.
“Right! Because humans don’t have fairy heirs. Fairies and humans are two completely different things. You can’t possibly be related.”
“What?” Had the fairies suddenly lost their minds? “I—I’m pretty sure I’m human.”
“Are you though? I don’t think so.”
The other fairies giggled.
“Definitely a fairy,” they all chimed in agreement.
They started attacking him, and he ran from the swarm. He barely managed to stumble his way back home and lost them off his tracks.
Safe to say, negotiations had been a bust.
He hurried inside his ruined home, hiding from all the fairies’ illogical taunting. It made no sense, and they kept talking nonsense; getting any sense out of the situation was clearly not going to happen.
He climbed into his home, through the window because the front door had become overgrown with roots and gnarled flowering willow trees pushing up through the floor and into the roof. It’d been in this state the day after she died. It’s strange how he’d gotten used to sleeping in the wild overgrown greenery of his house so quickly. It should have been a hint of things to come.
Moss and flowers had begun growing inside, over the floors, up the walls, and even into Ranboo’s bedroom. His aunt’s bedroom had been engulfed in tree bark and roots, forever locked away as the forest reclaimed what it once owned. He couldn’t reach that side of the house anymore. Needless to say, her little grave in the backyard has long since been overtaken by the roots and the foliage. He tries to leave flowers for her anyway, some days.
Thankfully, the couch still remained somewhat unharmed, and his blanket was still there. He curled up in a sad little pile, pulling the blanket over his head, hiding in the dark, hoping for a miracle.
…
And now here he was, fretting, wiping the tears from his eyes, wondering what the fuck to do about becoming a half-baked excuse for a fairy, sitting inside a flower.
Did they put a curse on him?
Ranboo sits up abruptly, peering again past the flower petals, wincing as the light of dawn hits his eyes. He squints nervously around, head spinning.
Oversized silky soft petals of the blossom brush against his skin. All around him are towering trees, much larger than they usually are, blades of grass waving about him in the morning breeze, thick as his arm instead of a fraction of his pinky finger.
The surrounding area sends tingles down his spine, the same kind as when he was looking for the tiny little magic folk. All Ranboo knows is that he is no longer in human territory. Or maybe he’s still in the same place he fell asleep in, but nature just flipped it upside down overnight, infusing the magic in him as he slept.
Dread washes over Ranboo like a wave and his breath comes just a tad too quickly.
He can’t stay here, cooped up inside of this flower, he supposes, no matter how much he wishes he could. With a deep breath, Ranboo hauls himself to his feet, leaning over the flower petals to look down. Then, he blinks in shock.
Peonies are... rather high up, aren’t they? He gulps. The ground is not visible from where he is, obscured by a variety of other flowers, leaves, and shrubbery. More shocking, is the glimmering morning fog around it where he thinks they may be ground. It’s beautiful, breathtakingly so, all pastel pinks and vibrant spring greens all around him. It’s got a strange and otherworldly quality too – he can see the ebb and flow of the magic in the plants, entangling and mingling together in that iridescent way that magic byproducts have.
How long was he out, he wonders?
He feels embarrassed thinking about how he hid under the blankets before he slept… Is he still in his house? Did all of this grow in his sleep, or was he taken away and left deeper into the forest when he shrunk? The latter brings chills down his spine, making an ugly feeling bubble in his guts. Someone could have snatched him up and stuffed him in their pocket for all he knew. He knew he was alone in the house. He did check to make sure no fairies had followed him! But... something tells him that there may have been a chance he wasn’t alone last night.
There’s no telling what happened, but there’s one thing for certain. Fairies were involved, and they’re the root of the issue.
His parents would tell him stories sometimes of how fairies have more vices than virtues, of possessive little creatures, territorial and wild, of how their instinctual capriciousness being the price of their freedom. It grants them magic, some say. These creatures were cunning and giddy in their trickery; dealing with fairy contracts would be no better than inviting doom to your doorstep.
Maybe... maybe that last part is why his aunt never made it. She never spoke of how she made the deal to live on the fairies’ land, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility that she wasn’t the one who went out of her own way to ask. That’s even worse than waiting for the fae to speak to you.
He swallows a bitter feeling.
When Ranboo gets to ground level, the first thing he does is get dressed in something that covers him a bit more than the peony leaves tied around his waist. He makes a makeshift cloak out of a mix of milkweed tufts, mossy patches, and of other soft flower petals to throw around his shoulders. The weight of it is comfortable and feels good on his back. There’s a strange spot between his shoulders that ache, he notes, but rolling his shoulders does little to relieve it. Oh well.
Not much else to do but to try and find his way out of this mess somehow. He’s got some fairies to talk to. Again.
***
After spending a good amount of time trying to get down from the flowery canopy where he woke up, he wandered his way through the foggy ground and started walking. Eventually, Ranboo finds himself at a rushing river.
He’s pretty sure it’s a tiny little stream in actuality, but the size of the pebbles is now triple the size of his head, and the water which used to only at worse, splash above his ankles now would be deep enough to drown in if he were to slip and fall. But he needs to get across.
He swallows nervously but decides it’s his best bet. He doesn’t know really where he’s going, but he knows for a fact he should get across this river. Stream. Whatever.
Ranboo makes a valiant effort of it too. Walking down the stream to find a safer place to try and cross over. He does remember that mossy log with the lilies sticking out through the hollow trunk on the other side. He tripped over it while chasing after those fairies the day before, though today, it’s the size of a mountain, so safe to say he won’t be tripping over that now.
It’s not easy though, most of the pebbles and rocks seem to have a glossy sheen over them where the water splashes up against and over them. Others have slimy moss and more shine to them, and the rocks that seem mostly dry are just a bit too far apart. But it’s his best bet, so he takes a deep breath, aims, and jumps.
He makes it in one piece, wobbling only for a little before finding balance. A droplet comes splashing over the rocks and smacks into his face, nearly knocking him over. Otherwise, though, he manages to keep his balance. He lets out a breath of relief, then tries again for the next pebble. This one is quite close, but he’s careful to not step onto the mossy bit of it as he leaps. He makes it! And the next one, and the next one. Wow! This isn’t that bad, maybe? He speaks too soon, and on his next jump, he doesn’t account for the piece of grass that smacks at his face making him flail again.
Ranboo swears, nearly slipping, but catching himself by dropping to his knees to cling to the rock.
Then there’s laughter, and he looks up with surprise. A fairy is there! Yes! Or… is that a bad thing? Either way, it means he’s making progress… probably? Ranboo just kind of feels embarrassed now, being laughed at while navigating a dangerous situation. He doesn’t even have wings! How is he meant to get across the river with dignity?
Not like that fairy, clearly. Lazily, they beat long sparkling transparent wings and Ranboo can’t help how his heart aches with jealousy. The wings have a rounded shape, lined with black around the edges and white diamonds at the tips. If Ranboo had wings, he wouldn’t even be struggling the way he is trying to cross the stream! Blond, sharp blue eyes, idly watch him from above, perched atop a leaf with impeccable balance. The fairy is even dressed better than him, wearing rich spring greens tastefully crafted from ivy and matching gemstones, held together with golden thread.
“Look out for the dragonflies,” the fairy says, amused. He’s got a cheery voice, laced with a thick accent. “They like hanging around here.”
Ranboo takes an awkwardly long moment to process what the fairy just said. Dragonflies? Are they dangerous or something?
“What–?” He’s just about to ask, but it’s already too late.
The only warning was the sound of buzzing wings getting closer, and then the feeling of an armored body ramming into his torso. Ranboo screams and there’s a brief moment where his life flashes before his eyes as he’s toppled over and in the freezing cold water that chills his whole body with a splash.
He flails and tries screaming but gulps down a bunch of water—it’s deep—he’s going to drown—!
There’s a flash and flicker of the light above the water, he dreads the thought that it might be the dragonfly again—he’d scream if he wasn’t choking on water. It’s the feeling of icy needles in his skin from the shock and the burn in his spasming throat. This is it—he’s dead, he has to be!
Then he feels something thrown on top of him. Something threads between his spasming fingers and wraps around his body, and then it pulls. Ranboo pulls back. He keeps flailing, trying to escape, but only ensnares himself farther. Whatever it is, it’s all around his body, pulling at his limbs, tangling around his arms and legs. No matter how he struggles, it holds on. He expects teeth to dig into his skin or a rock to hit his skull or something—but instead, there’s the feeling of sweet relief when he’s finally pulled out of the cold and wet and gasps a lungful of air.
He’s out! He chokes and coughs, spitting out water as his body gives in. His head spins and aches.
He then realizes what his body got tangled in—a net. He hears more laughter, but everything is so distant right now and he’s pretty preoccupied with his near-death experience. It’s hard to react.
There’s a swooping feeling in his stomach as the ground and river below become tinier and tinier as they fly upwards, the net swaying as they go.
Ranboo is covered in muck and sloppy wet moss that drips from the net. The fairy carrying the net keeps flying, and he wonders how he manages to carry both their bodies so far, all across to the other side. A few wing beats more, and they finally land, reaching the side of a tree nearby. The net is let down gently on top a cluster of shelf mushrooms, and the fairy lands down beside him. He' still hasn’t finished coughing up water, so the fairy patiently just pats on his back as he does so.
“There' there, mate, you alright? That was a close one,” The fairy chuckles. He must have flown the equivalent of three stories high, and yet Ranboo is still the one panting. He’s shivering, shaking, tears in his eyes. If he weren’t so grateful for being saved, Ranboo would take offense at just how cheery the fairy still sounds. As though Ranboo wasn’t about to die.
He says nothing but nods, whimpering, slowly catching his breath. In the meanwhile, the fairy says nothing, untangling the net from Ranboo, and pulling it away. He sits down next to him.
“Ranboo takes a minute to catch his breath before he answers the fairy. He’s not really one for near-death-experiences, so he’s not really sure as to what he’s meant to say. He supposes he owes the fairy his life?
“T-Thank you. Thanks for uh, thanks for saving me.“
The fairy laughs again. “Not a problem, mate. My friend said something about seeing an unfamiliar face, I nearly didn’t believe him. Speak of the devil—“
Ranboo would believe it was the devil if he were a fairy. From above, he sees the flicker and flash of magic, the sound of fluttering wings. Then a shadow descends from above and he sees red and pink.
He’s massive, and muscular. Long pink hair and the skull of a small rodent that covers his face. Eyes glow through the eyeholes of the skull—they glow red, just as much as the tips of the fairies’ wings.
“What’s this, Phil?“ The devil asks in a gravelly voice.
“That fresh face you told me about. The poor thing nearly drowned,“ He answers too cheerfully.
The pink-haired fairy raises a brow, making a judgemental sweep over Ranboo with his eyes.“ Thing is right. It doesn’t even have any wings,“
Why do fairies have to be so mean?
“I have a name—“ Ranboo says, sputtering and holding himself. He’s right here! The blonde one coos and tuts at his efforts, leaning in and brushing away a few strands of hair from his face.
“As do we,“ The other fairy says.
“Mate,“ the blonde chides at his friend. “Sorry, he doesn’t mean anything by it. We don’t see strangers this side of the woods too often.“
“I—Sorry, I don’t mean to intrude—”
“Oh, this isn’t our woods. You can intrude all you like.“ The fairy laughs.
Ranboo doesn’t comment. Maybe these two are not part of the troupe of fairies that shrunk Ranboo down, then? Still, maybe they could help him find his way to them.
“Doesn’t mean we ought to let strangers just wander around on their own out here.“ The pink one grumbles. He’s not sure if that was meant as a warning or as a ‘we’re here to help kind of way’.
“You do raise a point, I suppose. What is your name then, mate?”
“Ranboo,“ He says, with only a bit of hesitation. They seem friendly enough… for fairies.
“Ranboo? What a nice name. My name is Philza,“ he looks to his friend expectantly. The tall one sighs.
“Technoblade,“ The pink-haired fairy says stiffly. Then his brow pinches with suspicion. “What are you doing here?“
“Mate,“ Philza admonishes, giving his friend a look.
“No, it’s fine. Um, I’m just a bit lost—I’m looking for some fairies, actually. I just need some help and I’ll be out of your way, I promise!“
“Are you sure you can keep going? Maybe you should come to our home and rest a bit. You look exhausted,“ Philza says, tilting his head like a bird.
“I’m fine—ack,“ Ranboo is cut off when Technoblade takes him by the shoulders and picks him up. He expected to be left on his feet, but the arms loop under his legs and Ranboo is held in the fairy’s sturdy arms.
“You look like you can barely stand. Come. What sort of hero would I be if I didn’t get you somewhere safe to rest?“
“Actually, I—I really need to get going. I don’t really have the time—“
Technoblade growls, and Ranboo shuts his mouth. Okay. Just… getting taken by some fairies then, he supposes. Not much he can do about this.
***
Their home is nestled inside a hollowed-out mossy tree trunk, overtaken by the flowers around it. There are crow feathers neatly decorated along the walls and hung around the doorframes. Beads and shiny things are strung together and glisten in the lights or the glowing mushrooms on the walls.
Among the fairies’ natural tools are unmistakably human-made objects, woven seamlessly into their world yet twisted to fit their whims. They have a teacup for bathing. They use a miniature picture frame as a tabletop balanced over three bottle corks. There’s silverware in the garden to rake the leaves and tend to the garden. It is frustrating, knowing how fairies boo and bicker with the humans and reject the things they make, and yet they turn around and use the very same objects—regardless of its it’s used incorrectly, it’s still hypocritical.
He decides not to call them out for it, lest he let out his secret somehow. It might not be such a good idea to let these friendly(ish) fairies know of his true origins so soon…
He must admit, they did decorate their homes very prettily, and it’s as homey as it is practical. They’re seated at the candlelight. Ranboo notes how low the sun is in through the window outside.
At the table next to him are two other fairies, Philza’s children, Tubbo and Tommy. They seemed ecstatic to meet him when they arrived, and both seemed to be harbingers of chaos. It’s strange how welcomed he feels, despite how strong the two came across.
“Thank you so much for the food,” Ranboo says, taking another bite of an oversized berry. It’s probably pretty nice being so small, with everything else so large. You never have to worry about not having enough food.
“Anytime, mate,“ Philza says simply.
“I’ll, leave, um, now, if that’s okay. I don’t want to overstay my welcome.“
“Overstay! Ranboo, mate, it’s nearly dark outside. We’ve got plenty of room. Stay the night, won’t you? I don’t think I could possibly let one of my guests risk their lives a second time going out there.“
“Yes please! Ranboo, you can stay in our room!” Tommy says. Tubbo backs him up easily.
“Yeah! There’s plenty of room here!”
“I shouldn’t, it’s really not that dark—“ Ranboo is cut off by Philza’s chuckle.
“Oh shut, please, I insist.“
“Okay…“ He’s sure he’s got plenty of sun left in the sky… but he might as well rest, right? He reluctantly agrees with Philza.
Tubbo and Tommy cheer, flopping over onto Ranboo. He startles and yelps as they all collapse onto a little pile on the floor, giggling.
“Stay as long as you need.“ Phil adds kindly.
“Why were you so eager to leave? Where are you going?“ Tubbo asks. Tommy seems to have taken great offense at the idea of Ranboo leaving at all, scoffing.
“Probably somewhere lame and boring. You should stay here, Ran.“
They barely even know him - how socially deprived are these kids?
“Um, I’d love to, but I really have important things to do tomorrow…“ He supposes he was going to ask where to go. “I’m looking for a fairy named Dream, I think.“
“You think? You don’t sound very certain about it, mate,“ Phil says, taking the plates from the table to clean.
“Well, Dream and his troupe. It’s the last fairy I spoke to, so I’m not sure anyone else could have um, given me trouble. I think they did something to me, so I want to talk to him to fix my problem.“ He smoothly avoids any mention of what his problem is. Nobody’s gonna know a thing.
“Surely it’s nothing Techno and I can’t handle for you, I would hate for you to go on such a long trip only for it to be nothing. What’s your problem?“
“No, I’m pretty sure it’s between me and that fairy, sorry. Only he can fix it.“ Ranboo feels himself lean away from Phil, but Phil doesn’t persist.
“Alright mate,“ The man says simply, and that’s that. Ranboo relaxes.
Tubbo and Tommy collect themselves from the floor and help about, so he follows suit. Ranboo wipes the table clean and pushes the seats back into their place. In the meanwhile, he hypes himself up for a question.
“Could you, could you maybe show me the way around? I’m not sure how to find Dream.“ Ranboo says.
Of all the people though, Technoblade is the one that speaks up. “You were going to leave without knowing where you were going?“ He asks, raising a brow.
“I—I mean, I sort of know where to go?“
Technoblade snorts, gets up, and walks. He turns waving Ranboo over, and without other choice, Ranboo trails after him.
He takes him to a room full of… well, it must be an armory. And a library, all in one. There are button shiels and needles for swords, but there are also bigger weapons like butchers’s knives which are at least double Techno’s size. Ranboo doesn’t doubt that the fairy wouldn’t be able to wield it, though.
On the table in the center is a sketched-out map of the top-down view of the area, and he actually sort of recognizes it, with some extra little details.
Techno points on the map.
“You want to go this way, to find where Dream usually spends his time.“
It’s labeled as Foxglove hollow. Around it are indications where an oak tree is, and just a little beyond it, is a river that Ranboo recalls from his travels.
Oh! And… this is where we are?” Ranboo points to a little cross, marked all the way at the bottom of the map.
“Yup.“ Techno nods. Ranboos’s heart sinks to his stomach.
“That’s so far…”
“Told you. It’s a tough road, not something you can do in one day, especially not for someone without wings—“ he says pointedly.
Then Ranboo will have to leave as soon as possible. He tries to square off his shoulders.
“That’s fine! I’m used to walking.“ Very used to it.
“You sure you don’t want us to accompany you there?“
“I couldn’t ask that of you! No, um, really, I’ll be fine.“ He’d rather not out his secret to these people last minute. They’ve been so kind; he feels like it might be some sort of betrayal to let them find out that he’s actually a nasty overgrown human in the end. “Actually, I’ll have to insist. You don’t have to, um, bother with my problems.“ He clears his throat and makes a tight smile.
“Phil might worry for you. He’d want to keep you safe.“
“I can take care of myself.“
Technoblade shrugs. “If you say so.“
There’s a little silence, but a comfortable one that follows. Techno’s not so bad, he figures. Maybe in another life, Ranboo would try to become friends with the fairy? Or maybe not, considering how scary he is, but still! Techno seems like a nice guy once you get over the scary red fairy part.
“So, you’re probably not really part of Dream’s group, are you?“
Techno laughs, but it’s gritty. “Nah, I wouldn’t be friends with a homeless guy. He should get good.“ He says vaguely, so Ranboo just accepts it and moves on. If these fairies hate each other, it’s probably best not to stir anything up between the two before Ranboo can fix his own problems, he reckons.
In fact, that makes more sense now why these fairies would try to stop him from leaving so much too.
He leaves the room soon enough, having made a simple plan to collect some things for his travels tomorrow, just before he sets off. Philza nods along and offers Ranboo a bed for the night in Tubbo and Tommy’s room. They laugh and chat for hours before Ranboo eventually lays his head on his pillow.
He hesitates before finally lowering himself onto the bed beneath the twinkling canopy of spiderweb filigree. Yet, as he lies there, his eyes catch the intricate details—the glinting pearls and delicate blossoms decorating the woven threads, he finds it to be homey. There are no spiders, no bad surprises, no bad omens from these fairies. It’s not so scary anymore, he realizes.
These fairies are alright, he supposes. Maybe it’s because they think Ranboo to be a wingless fairy, it could be that they pity him, that they don’t want to cast any more bad spells and tricks on him. He was worried, seeing all those potion in Philza’s office, but not once have any of these fairies tried to trick him so far. Ranboo can trust them, he thinks, for one night.
Either way, he’s glad he’s getting some rest for the night. They’re not so bad.
Ranboo closes his eyes, thinking leaving this place will be just that easy.
***
The morning after Ranboo doesn’t get a moment of rest after the second the fairies woke up. The things he’d wanted to pack are a long-forgotten afterthought of Tubbo and Tommy, and cheerily he’s pulled along to go play with them in the garden after breakfast. He tries to remind them, but the boys hear only what they want to hear. Phil unhelpfully laughs at his misfortune.
“Go on, go relax a little. It’s a long way, what's the harm in a little bit of fun before then?“ He pushes Ranboo along.
The boys show him a muddy pond and some toads and snails. They play a strange little game with roley-poleys where each has to race, and the loser of the race gets exiled? It all seemed a little cruel to him, but Ranboo takes solace in the idea that the roley-poleys don’t have faces and can’t guilt-trip him with any tearful little beady eyes when one loses.
“Roley poleys are shit. Centipedes are where it’s really at!“ Tommy proudly proclaims, standing with a valiant pose atop a particularly sturdy leaf.
“Centipedes are shit too though, they don’t have any wings. Bee’s are much better,“ Tubbo argues.
Tommy scoffs and pushes Tubbo. Tubbo yelps and splats in the mud below. “Not everything is about bees Tubbo!”
“He does have a point though,” Ranboo adds before he can catch himself. Tommy whips around with a furious expression. Ranboo takes a tighter grip on the leaf he’d been trying to keep his balance on. “I—I mean! They do have wings, they’re faster than both–“
“Down with you! Down with the traitor!“ Tommy gives him a good shove and Ranboo shouts, splashing in the mud below, right next to Tubbo, who’s thoroughly occupied with a giggling fit. Great. Now Ranboo will have to take a bath before he leaves, too. If he gets the chance, by the way the boys are going about it, it sounds like they intend to play around with Ranboo the whole day long. He might have to think about leaving tomorrow morning instead–hopefully, Philza doesn’t mind it too much, he feels terrible taking advantage of their kindness so often.
“Shouldn’t you be taking the side of the centipedes though? You don’t have wings,“ Tubbo points out, and pulls him out of the mud.
“I mean, it would be really nice to have wings. You’re both faster than me, even though I’m taller than both of you.“ Ranboo says.
“Oh. Yeah, I guess you have to walk everywhere and shit, don’t you?“ Tommy makes a face. “Why don’t you have wings?“
Immediately Ranboo’s brain goes spinning for an excuse.
“That’s a mean question, Toms.“ Tubbo points out.
“So? Was it Dream though? Did he take your wings? I bet it was Dream.“
…
“Something like that.“ He says, after a beat. It’s not exactly a lie; it’s the same idea, after all.. sort of, and as long as they get the point, it’ll do.
Tubbo’s face falls in pity and Tommy’s into rage.
“I knew it! Dream’s a bitch like that, he does all kinds of fucked shit like that.“
“But why? You’re not even from here, he can’t—… Where are you from, anyway, Ranboo?” Tubbo asks. Hm. That’s not good. Gotta steer the conversation anywhere else but here.
“Um. Well, definitely not from here?“ He offers.
“That’s a shit answer.“ Tommy says. Ranboo winces.
“Look, I—I can’t really tell you, to be honest. It’s kind of far away?“
“And you want to leave us and go far away? How will we be friends, then?“ Tubbo asks. It squeezes his heart, and he doesn’t have a good answer. Tubbo curls around him in a hug like a sad dog, and Tommy follows suit in the hug, smearing even more mud all over themselves.
“Sorry, I don’t, I don’t know?“
Ranboo could try to explain away why they hadn’t seen him before in this forest, why he seemed to appear from thin air. From where he’s really from… But he doesn’t have the heart to tell them he’s actually a human. That he’s not going to remain tiny forever. They looked so happy when they met, that’s not something he wants to get rid of.
Besides, he can read a room, so Ranboo leans into the hug while it lasts.
Maybe they could still be friends when that happens? Probably not, though. Despite the bittersweet feeling, a small smile tugs at the corners of his lips, as he does his utmost to pretend it doesn’t affect him.
Just as their conversation comes to a lull, they all get up to wash off all the muck and grime in a clean body of water just up ahead. As the other two fairies had flown farther off, Ranboo’s heart skipped a beat as he stopped at a clear little puddle, his breath caught in his throat. He does a double take, blinking rapidly. No matter what he does though, he realizes it’s not a trick of the light. That is his hair.
There are strands of white poking through his black hair, looking like little wisps of stark white on black—more on the one side than the other, he notes.
It’s not the only change, though. He knew his hands looked just a bit more slender and his proportions were a bit more stretched than usual, but now he sees colors might be changing too. His right eye has specks of brilliant crimson poking through the green. In fact, the green seems to be gaining vibrancy, no longer the dull olive it’s meant to be, but rather turning a lively spring green.
“What you looking at, boss man?“ Tubbo’s reflection appears behind his, and soon after Tommy, who makes faces at his.
“I look different,“ Ranboo says quietly.
“Yeah, you look ugly. Like a human.“ Tommy says. He almost laughs, somewhat relieved in a strange way at the statement before it fizzles out. Yes, he still looks human, just as he’d hoped. But he can see where the changes start to make him look a little more sharp with the features of the forest magic. He’s not entirely human anymore.
“What’s different?”
“My hair, my eyes… everything?“ He looks at his own hands for a bit. “Everything looks weird, I’m not supposed to look like this.“
Those aren’t his hands. This isn’t his hair. He’s in a foreign body. Of course, it’s changing, but he hadn’t realized this much! He thought he was just tiny. Now it feels like he’s walking in a whole new skin that isn’t the one he was born with.
“I think you’re pretty.“ Tubbo kisses his cheek.
“Come play with us,“ Tommy pulls him away from the water and they go to romp around the forest, distracting Ranboo from his thoughts.
He lets them.
***
His back still aches the next day, and the day after that. Maybe that’s just the facts about being this small. The muscles in your back are just sore all the time, and the bones and skin just ache and burn with every movement. It’s not so terrible that he’s always needing to rest, but it’s just enough that he notices it when he’s not being distracted.
Speaking of which.
Ranboo does try to tell them, as the week carries on, that he has other places to be. He’s well-rested now, but it’s high time he left. There’s no reason to stay any longer as a fairy, as lovely as they are. This isn’t his home, he tells himself.
“I need to go, please. I’m sorry I’m leaving, but I really have to go. I’m running out of time.“ He’s got all the time in the world, technically, but… well. If he stays any longer he’ll never get another chance. They always twist his heart a little when Ranboo tells them he’s got to pack his bags.
“But it’s so far!“ Tubbo says, clinging to Ranboo’s arm. He can’t bear having to pull away, so he stays put on the twig, leaning away and hiding his face from the pretty red poppy flower.
“Why do you want to go to those guys, anyway?” Tommy shouts. His voice has always been the loudest in these arguments. He flutters his wings furiously, landing to sit beside Ranboo, leaving him helpless and with nowhere to hide, cornered between the two fairies. Philza and Techno sit below him, in the garden, not quite as worked up as the other two, but he can feel the disappointment. “The fae who live there suck, and they’re mean. Dream will probably do something worse to you if you talk to him again!“
He agrees but doesn’t say anything aloud. It’s a chance he’s willing to take. Anything for his old life back. The fairy world is too different. He’s not meant to be here, not like this.
“I need to talk to them—“
“But why? Don’t we give you enough?“ Technoblade counters. And the question burns. It hurts something inside Ranboo’s chest.
“You do! Of course, you give me so much, more than enough,“ Ranboo says.
“Then why do you want to leave us so bad?“ Tommy snatches Ranboo by the wrist, and Ranboo startles, trying to pull away, but his grip is like shackles.
“Tommy,“ Philza warns, and that’s all it takes to make him let go, but not without making an upset face. Ranboo pulls away quickly, holding his wrist. “It’s his choice, be gentle with Ranboo.“
“No, no. I don't want to sound ungrateful, you’ve all been very nice to me. But… this is something only they can fix for me, I’m sorry. I have to do this.“
“Dont apologize, mate, Tommy will walk right over you if keep doing that.“
Tubbo giggles, “He already walks all over Ranboo.“ He points out.
“He’s getting rowdy. Tommy, go back inside. You too Tubbo.“ Technoblade says.
“What? Why me?“
“You’re pressuring Ranboo. He needs some space, mate. Go, both of you.“ Philza chimes in.
They grumble and complain but comply, fluttering their wings and stepping back inside the house. The garden is much quieter for a bit, and Ranboo gets the chance to breathe. He lets out a sigh of relief. Phil is so nice to him.
“Thank you, um. I just– I have to go though, I do appreciate everything you do for me though! Really.“
“Of course, Ranboo. We were glad to keep you while we could,” Philza smiles. Then it falls just the slightest bit. “Though I have something to ask, if you don’t mind.”
“What is it?“
“What is the issue that you so desperately need to be fixed by them? You didn’t do a bad deal with any of them, did you? Is it a curse they put on you?“ The fairy's voice is laced with concern, and again Ranboo feels guilty for worrying them so.
Ranboo fidgets with the flower petals and looks away. They keep asking. He hates how much he has to lie to them about this.
“No-or, yes? I’m not sure. Um… I’m technically involved with a deal someone made, and, well. Something went wrong, and they did something to me. I need to set things right with them. Um, I, I don’t—“ Ranboo stutters and stumbles over every other word, eventually he’s not even sure he’s saying words anymore.
Phil holds up his hand, stopping him in his tracks, smiling softly. He beckons Ranboo to get down from the branch and pulls him close, holding him steady by the arms. His voice is quiet and kind, something shared just between the two of them.
“It’s alright, mate. Take your time. Do you mind if I ask what exactly you’re settling with them? Or is it a secret matter?“
Ranboo nearly sighs from relief, at being given a way out. “It’s, it’s a secret. Something for me and my family only. I’m sorry.” He says. Phil’s eyes gain a dark look to them for a second when Ranboo mentions family, but it’s gone as soon as it arrives.
“No offense taken, mate. I wish you the best of luck.” And it sounds so true and kind. Ranboo believes it for a second.
But he then continues, “I do suggest that you wait until next week before leaving, though. There’s a thunderstorm approaching, it's best to stay inside until it passes.“
Ranboo’s expression falls.
Phil keeps telling Ranboo he’s more than welcome to leave. He sounds so genuine every time.
“Oh… Oh yeah. Thank you, Phil.“ Ranboo says, because what else does he do? He doesn’t say no. He can’t. No matter how many times Phil does this.
He gives in and nods easily, clay to be molded by fairy hands. Phil pulls him in for a hug, petting his hair.
“Anytime, mate.“
***
The storm comes and goes, and Ranboo tries again to pack his bags. Just as he does, though. Phil approaches him.
“Oh, but it’s Tommy’s birthday, just tomorrow,“ he says. “I understand you’re very eager to leave, so if you don’t want to attend—“
“Oh! No, no, of course, I’ll be there. I can wait.” He says. Of course, he needed to attend Tommy’s birthday. He would feel so guilty if he didn’t be there for a friend, at least, that’s what he tells himself. Imagine him leaving him on that day—it would hurt his soul.
Ranboo attends the birthday, they go somewhere deeper in the forest one morning. There’s music and fireworks, and Tommy’s laughter still rings in Ranboo’s ears from that night. The taste of sugar permeated the whole day into the night, just as did the revelries. He laughed with them, smiling so hard his cheeks hurt. He danced and played and enjoyed the night of revelries with his fairies. That night, they even lit fairy dust fireworks, watching the magic of sparks and color burst into the night. It was worth it. At least, that’s what he thought, at the time. He had to be there for a friend.
He was happy he was here, but he still had a home to go to, even if the thought of leaving again made his heart twist. This time he had to go.
Just as he finished packing his bags again the day after, Technoblade came into his room. He still tenses a little, but the fairy has warmed up to him, he thinks, and himself likewise.
Technoblade still watches him as he packs his bag, and Ranboo feels his shoulders hike up to his ears. He shouldn’t feel bad about leaving, though it still happens. Especially around Techno, as though he’s waiting for the fairy to tell him off or something ridiculous like that. The silence is broken when Technoblade makes a mention of Ranboo’s old home, asking about the home Ranboo keeps telling them he has to return to. About how talking to Dream would be the only way to return to it. Technoblade has a look in his eye.
“Here, why don’t you drink some tea before you go?“
The hour comes and goes, but the minute Ranboo decides he wants to leave, he feels a sharp twist of pain in his stomach. He feels sick. He goes to the kitchen, trying to play it off, but they see right through him. Ranboo is sent back to his bed and cared for with soup and stories to make him feel better. He tries to tell them he needs to leave as soon as the sickness passes, but they just continue to encourage him to take his time.
“You can’t just will the sickness away, I’m afraid. Please, Ranboo, take your time.“
“I’ve already taken so much,“ He whispers hoarsely.
“Not at all, mate. In fact, I feel as though we haven’t given enough. Rest up, your home isn’t going anywhere.“
Every time they speak now about how Ranboo wants to go, they find ways to keep him waiting longer. They speak as though it hasn’t been nearly a month, as though he’s meant to be here, as though he’s not planning on leaving the second.
After a bowl of soup and when the candle lights are blown out, Ranboo blinks his eyes wide open.
He makes a decision. He has to get out, but he has to do so without them knowing. it hurts, and it hurts him knowing he has to leave without a real goodbye, but he needs to go. Even if he’s sick, even if his back burns and aches as he walks, no matter the wind or weather or whatever else they have plans. He’s been a tiny person for three whole weeks, three weeks too long.
He has to go back to the place belongs. He’s not a fairy, and every day they fly and flap their little wings about is a reminder of that. this isn't his world, and he has no right to partake in it, let alone for as long as he has.
***
The next day, Ranboo is ready. His mind is fuzzy and drifting along as he wakes, but he remembers the plan. he’ll feel better after breakfast anyway. Phil comes upstairs with some soup and tea, and once Ranboo’s had his fill, he’s left alone. Tubbo and Tommy slept in the other room while Ranboo was sick, and Techno was likely busy downstairs reading a book. He’s alone with his own thoughts, finally, for once.
For one hour he rushes about his room, stuff things into his bag haphazardly. Then he hides it underneath the bed, in the darkest corner where nobody can see it. Tonight he’ll grab it and nobody will be the wiser.
He doesn’t make it obvious, but he knows if he were to try and ask Phil or Techno again, he would be held back. So he says nothing.
He climbs back into bed, continues to play sick, and later on, he’s entertained by the fairies. Phil for lunch, Techno for a story, and later Tubbo and Tommy join him upstairs. He plays with Tubbo and Tommy as usual. Tommy is acting the same, but Tubbo just… has this look on this eye when Ranboo while nobody else is paying attention. But if he' says nothing, then it’s alright? Yeah. It’s fine.
At sunset, the boys all have dinner downstairs, though Ranboo picks at his food.
“You’re not going to get any better picking at your food like that, mate. Eat up.“
“Sorry, I’m still not feeling very well.“
“That’s why you should eat,“ he repeats.
“Sorry. I’m just, thinking.” He takes a bite of pumpkin. It’s sweet with a hint of cinnamon, a lovely meal, warm and filling. Nothing like what he used to eat when he was human. Food made with love is different—or maybe it’s just the way fairy food tastes. Ranboo’s going to miss this when he’s gone.
Not much else is said, and it’s peaceful. Ranboo almost feels guilty. Almost, but not quite. There’s no guilt to stop him when the lights are out and everyone’s gone to their beds.
It’s the reminder of the pain in his back that keeps him from sleeping long enough. He closes his eyes but focuses on nothing but the ever-present ache on his back. He waits until Tubbo and Tommy’s breaths are even and soft until he’s sure they won’t sit up once Ranboo pulls his weight from the covers. He reaches underneath the bed. A moment of intense dread hits his stomach, temporarily numbing him, until he finally reaches his father and pulls out the bag. It’s still there. Nobody saw or touched it. All his things are still inside, not one thing out of place.
He takes a deep breath and finally slips out of the room. His footsteps are quiet, the sound of the chirping crickets outside keeping him company. When he reaches the door, he’s not surprised to find it locked. So he turns to make his way into Philza’s office. On the many little shelves, he took note of a few potions in particular. Invisibility would be useful, but not needed anymore. There’s slow falling, one that fairies rarely use, but something he’d kept his eye on. Then there’s a potion of Phantoms—Intangibility. Looking around in the dark, he manages to spot it with the help of the moonlight peeking through the window. He wouldn’t even need to use the door, he could slip right through the walls.
Just as he reaches up, a sound startles him, footsteps and a creaking floor. He gasps softly, whirling around.
Phil is leaning against the doorway. His body is relaxed, but those eyes have a sharp edge Ranboo’d never seen before.
“I wouldn’t try that one, if I’m honest. It’s got a nasty taste.“ He smiles.
Ranboo pales, “Phil, I—“
“Trying to leave, Ranboo? That’s quite harsh, don’t you think, to leave without saying goodbye.“
“It’s just. I need to go—“
“Ranboo, let's be honest. We both know we were keeping you here. You weren’t ever going to leave, mate.”
And finally, there’s that painful rush of honesty breaking the tension. It’s refreshing as it is hurtful.
“Why?“ Is all Ranboo can think to ask.
“Why not, Ranboo? You don’t have a home anywhere else. Not really. Look at you here, happy, healthy. We take care of you—“
“I can’t stay here!“
He needs to run, but Phil has a point, the man is faster and has wings, not to mention of a far better knowledge of the land around him. He wouldn’t even get the chance to hide anywhere before he got to him.
But Ranboo is closer to the potions than he is, so he does what he has to.
He moves before Phil can stop him, launching toward the splash potions, Ranboo grabs the weakness potion and throws it. He stumbles back, avoiding the splash, but Phil is soaked.
“Technoblade!“ Phil cries, Falling, slumping against the wall. He reaches for Ranboo’s cape, but Ranboo easily avoids the man’s swiping claws as he runs past the man. Upstairs he hears the thumping of boots and the growl of an angry fairy.
But Ranboo’s already yanking at the window. He struggles, but with some fiddling it swings open, and he throws himself outside and runs.
He runs faster than he ever had before. He’s got nothing with him now, but if they’re confused enough, maybe, just maybe he could make it!
As he runs, its not long before he hears the growl of a furious fairy right on his tail. He nearly gets snatched as he hurries his way precariously up a blade of grass and latches onto a flower for escape. A hand latches onto Ranboo's ankle and he yelps.
“Ranboo. You’re not getting away.”
“Please just let me go! I can’t stay here! I have a home to go back to!” Ranboo kicks, and with some struggle, he manages to free himself to continue crawling up the flower. He makes the mistake of turning and seeing Technoblade's face, his eye glowing red with fury.
“We both know that’s a lie,” The words cut through him like a knife, but Ranboo turns away just as quickly. His heart rips apart as he flees. Knowing that to scream and cry for his freedom would do nothing to convince him and he can't believe he didn't see it until now.
He keeps running, up until a shock of pain erupts in his back. He shouts, just as he tries to leap to another flower, he slips and falls, hitting every little leaf until he collapses into a small pile below.
He whimpers, and the sound of heavy boots lands behind him. He tries to crawl, but the pain surges through him, he sobs, unable to even claw at the dirt to get away.
“Please, Technoblade. I can’t stay with you.” He pants, voice broken and crackly.
“Then where will you go?”
“I’ll find a new home. I’ll leave the forest, you won’t have to see me ever again, I'm sorry, I'm sorry I ever came here!”
Approaching fairies at all was his first mistake. It doesn't matter if they think you're one of them. It doesn't matter if you think you're safe, because, at the end of the day, fairies aren't even safe from each other, are they?
“Oh Ranboo, you think that’s what this is all about?”
Technoblade steps forward, kneels, and carefully, Ranboo is lifted from the dust and collected into the man's arms. They’re warm, and Ranboo, despite himself, lets himself lean into their strength. Techno sighs and keeps him close while they rest for a time. He could struggle. He could keep fighting. But Ranboo's never been made to fight. He just wants to rest.
As he’s held, he catches a glimpse of himself in the reflection of the water, illuminated by moonlight.
Ranboo hasn’t looked at himself in the reflection since the last time. He’s been too afraid to. Too afraid to face himself, too afraid to see the colors that changed, how they look brighter, how he’s become more vibrant as the magic seeped into his soul. He hadn’t noticed how the entire one-half of his hair had changed to a stark silvery white now, hadn’t known his eyes glow green and red in the dark. He’s not meant to have fangs and claws in the way magical creatures do, not in the way that fairies do. But he does.
“Please, Techno, I don’t belong here.“ He begs.
Techno’s eyes do not soften. “Of course you do. You belong with us, with family. Nobody else can ever have you.“
***
He wakes up again, one late night. Phil is there, brushing his fingers across his forehead, twirling Ranboo’s hair around his fingers, humming a tune. It’s soothing, but he refuses to drift back to sleep. He can’t. He has to set things right.
“I have something to tell you, ” Ranboo confesses. his voice is soft, it’s a quiet room, and it feels terrible to break the delicate silence. It has to be said, though. For his own sake. He lays on his side, clinging to Philza like a lost child.
“Oh?” Philza wonders idly. Doesn’t seem worried. Not angry, not different. Just idly curious, like Ranboo’s attempt at escape hadn’t even occurred at all.
He sounds pleased, even. Just calm, happy. Satisfied with his fledgling back in the nest.
“Someone put a curse on me. I’m not a real fairy.” The words burn in his throat, but he rasps them out, anyway. “I need to–I need to set things right. To go ask them to change me back. I’m–I’m a human. You don’t want me.” He squeezes his eyes shut. He doesn’t want to see Philza’s reaction.
But there’s no shock, no pain, no anger.
“Oh Ranboo, what on earth would make you think that would make me not want you?” His voice was so soothing in his ears. Philza’s not angry.
He brushes away tears on Ranboo’s face, and he looks up. Phil isn't even the slightest bit surprised. In fact, he has that same smile he always has. It’s the knowing look and the cold blue of his eyes that drive ice spikes through his heart.
Philza, he…
“I thought you didn’t know?”
“It’s hard to forget, if I’m honest. After all, who did you think cast the spell?” Says Philza, and Ranboo’s world falls apart.
It burns. The claws grow in. The tiny sharp teeth poke through his gums. The skin on his back is red and bleeding, and soon enough, he’ll be a real fledgling. Philza had been waiting a long time to have this.
“Just relax. It’ll be over before you know it.“
***
It happens in a haze. One moment he's human, and the next he's made of nothing but magic and a young soul lost to the forest. When his eyes open, he sees Phil, when he blinks again, he knows this man to be his father. His brothers are there too, their arms pulling him into the nest, their voices low and soothing. Everyone's smiling... but why isn't he?
Somewhere beneath the calm, something writhes. Something old. It claws at the edges of his mind, screaming that this is wrong, that he's wrong. His wings tremble as his thoughts split and frayed, unraveling like threads tugged loose.
The whispers come next, sweet as honey, curling around his ears. They tell him stories of belonging, of joy, and the stories they'll tell of the forest when he's awake again - awake for real. He listens, and with every word, the agony fades, replaced by something softer, something whole.
Days, years, or seconds pass, he couldn't tell. But when they do, and he wakes again, Ranboo realizes he found only peace.
He is home. The forest is in his veins, the nest is his world, and the boy he once was is a faint shadow swallowed by the trees. Ranboo is no longer lost; he is found.