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There were a lot of things in the world that made Ranboo nervous. Bad weather, Techno looking over his work, the idea of working on living people soon, Tommy’s mood swings, Tubbo’s caginess about their past, his own past– mystery though it was, Ranboo knew that not a lot of it was good. But he thought that being nervous about a good thing was stupid, and his upcoming wedding– god that was a weird thing to think about– was definitely a good thing. He didn’t even know what made him so nervous about it really, he was a legal adult, so was Tubbo, and doing this guaranteed that they could adopt the little boy Tubbo had been looking out for in the halfway house they’d met at, and Tommy’s kid brother too.
Maybe the idea of them all moving into an apartment together was what made him so nervous? It wasn’t all that different from the halfway house or Tommy’s dad’s place, heck it was better seeing as there were two bedrooms instead all five of them crammed into one– which was stupid because Tommy’s brother’s old room was right there , but the time Ranboo had brought it up the blonde had nearly decked him so, he didn’t bring it up again, and it was definitely better than a corner away from ten other kids. Anyway, that would be stupid to be nervous about, they’d all lived together for months not so it’s not like it was anything new but–
But, it was still different. Different like the casual hugs and cuddling during movies were different, different in the way they acted, spoke, smiled. Softer, warmer almost. Their words had more meaning now, the teasing and joking laced with an affection that Ranboo could almost place but not quite. He knew the others felt it too, could see it in the way Tommy would get flustered and tell them to shut up when he said something just a bit too nice, could feel it in the way Tubbo began putting light hands on shoulders when they didn’t need to, grabbing their hands while shopping and not letting go unless one of them questioned it.
He supposed what made him so nervous, was not knowing— Well, much of anything really. There were times Ranboo wasn’t even sure he was a he , but people assumed it and he didn’t care enough to question otherwise, really. He knew he found lots of different people attractive, and when his hair was longer it didn’t bother him when people addressed him as ‘she’ or ‘they’, of course those were rare considering his towering height but still. Even if he found someone attractive it didn’t particularly mean he wanted to do anything about it, the few times he thought of anything like holding hands or even kissing, the only faces Ranboo could really picture were those of his friends and that always made him feel guilty.
It wasn’t that big of a deal though. Anxious or not, Ranboo was happy with how things were so he didn’t bring up any of his concerns to his friends, content to keep things comfortable for their sake. He went to work for Techno and 404, learning new tricks and keeping the shop sparkling clean. K said he didn’t need to work so hard, that they’d pay him regardless, but it just felt better to put in the effort, like he really earned everything. If there were sometimes randomly bigger numbers in his bank account though, Ranboo knew better than to question it or argue, 404’s icy glare terrified him more than Techno’s various hidden knives.
When moving day finally rolled around, Ranboo was shocked to see his bosses in the lobby of the building Tubbo had found for them.
“Hey Boo!” K smiled bright and immediately walked over to help, despite the pretty dress they were wearing, “You’re moving in?”
“I uh- Y-Yeah me and my—“ Ranboo stopped short as someone bumped into him, stumbling slightly when Tommy shouldered past.
“ Move big man, some of us actually grabbed the heavy boxes.” Tommy scowled, slate blue eyes narrowed at Ranboo’s employer, “…Who’s that?”
“It’s ah- This is K, they own the shop I work at.” Ranboo hurriedly explained, heat crawling up his neck for reasons he didn’t want to look at too closely, “You can leave the heavier boxes, I’ll-“
“Just get a move on Boo , we have to pick up Micheal and Shroud in an hour.” Tommy huffed before walking away, giving a grateful nod to 404 when the brunette pressed the elevator for him.
K giggled softly and smiled at Ranboo, “Your boyfriend seems quite protective.”
“I- B-Boy-?!” Ranboo’s voice cracked and he was suddenly very glad for the mask he wore, hoping it hid most of his blush, “Tommy’s not- We’re just friends! The three of us are f-friends!”
“Considering we’re getting married in a week, ‘friends’ is a bit weak innit?” Tubbo suddenly piped up from behind him, a grin pulling at their face. Most people found Tubbo to be unnerving; wide smiles twisting the massive burn scar on the right side of their face into something almost manic looking, made worse by the thick chocolate curls that fell over their eyes even when half their hair was tied into a cute little tail. Ranboo had always found them adorable, however, Tubbo’s bright attitude and immense kindness were gifts to the people they cared for.
E ven if they did make mildly creepy offhand remarks, like threatening to skin Ranboo and sell his organs when he got too sassy that one time.
“Married?!” K’s smile widened with delight, and Ranboo wished his hands were free so he could hide.
“For tax benefits , Jesus Tubbo, you're going to give people the wrong idea.” He groaned, lightly nudging the smaller person’s shoulder. He expected them to laugh, as they always did when any of them made these kinds of jokes, but instead Tubbo gave him the blankest, most ‘you’re a fucking idiot and you’re going to regret it’ looks Ranboo had ever seen.
“Right, of course mate. Anyhow, still a lot of crap to get from the truck. Better hurry before Tommy pitches a fit.” The brunette walked off, waiting expectantly at the elevator and Ranboo hurried to follow, giving K a smile when they pressed the call button and gently set the bow they’d taken back onto Ranboo’s precarious pile.
“Well, good luck kiddo. I think you’ll need it.” There was something like mischief in the bright violet of K’s eyes that unsettled Ranboo, but they walked off before he could ask about it. Ranboo turned to ask Tubbo if they had any clues, they tended to be better at social things than he was, but their gaze was set firmly on the ground, Tubbo’s way of signaling to leave them be.
Ranboo frowned and instead doesn’t the rest of the hour in silence; going back and forth from apartment to truck, moving box after box until his hands were dry and cracking and his muscles felt like lead when he finally collapsed into the nest of blankets that was going to serve as their bed for the next week. They had ordered new mattresses that were set to arrive just after their bed frames did, seeing as Tommy’s old mattress was far too small for the three of them.
Currently, Ranboo was truly alone with his thoughts and hated every second of it. Tubbo and Tommy had gone to return the truck to Phil before picking up the kids and dinner, after an hour of not talking to him .
He didn’t get it, he’d acted the same as always hadn’t he? Hadn’t said anything weird or looked at them too long, he hadn’t tried for a hug before they left because they seemed upset and he sorely regretted it, wishing for some form of comfort. Instead, Ranboo heaved his stupidly long body from the blanket nest and went to the kids’ room, sitting down on the floor and scooting to the box containing their bunk beds. Might as well be productive while he waited for the inevitable Talk.
~
After a little under an hour Ranboo had the bed and dressers set up, when he heard the front door open and the running of little feet. He cracked a fond smile as he peeled out at the living room, watching the little ones eagerly explore their new home. Tommy and Tubbo drifted into the kitchen with their haul of food so Ranboo took the opportunity to scoop up the kids like little potato sacks under each arm, grinning as they squealed in delight when he spun around.
“Hey guys, how was daycare?” He didn’t particularly expect an answer from either of them, Micheal had issues with verbal communication and Shroud was deaf, but Micheal was good at vague ASL and they were all learning it too.
‘Was okay. Julia ate a bug because Max said it would taste like candy.’ Micheal grinned, Shroud giggling and nodding along. Ranboo made a face and laughed as he ruffled their hair.
“Sounds crazy, and gross.” His sign wasn’t great, but the kids could usually understand him and that’s what mattered. He still spoke aloud so Micheal could correct him if needed, “Your room is just about set up, it’s the farthest door down the hall.”
‘Thanks Boo!’ Micheal reached to pat his head before grabbing Shroud’s hand and running off down the hall.
“…You’re really good with them, you know.” Tommy commented from the kitchen doorway, making Ranboo jump and blink owlishly at the blonde. It was rare for Tommy to be so calm, all snark gone from his voice. It scared the shit out of him, anxiety suddenly ramping up to 100.
“I- Thanks, I try…” Ranboo frowned and picked at a loose thread on his shirt, “Hey Tomm-“
“Ranboo says we’re not dating Toms, can you believe it?” Tubbo popped up beside their childhood buddy, a stick of chicken teriyaki in their hands, “Even though we’re getting married soon.”
“We- Because it’s just so- Micheal..?” Ranboo looked over at his friends, head tilted in confusion and shoulders hitched up high. Tommy scoffed and walked past him, flopping down on the couch.
“Yeah, because sharing a bed and trading good night kisses an’ shit is just stuff you do with ‘the homies’.”
“I… Well, in some countries-“
“Like I would ever put my mouth on anyone but you two idiots.” Tommy wrinkled his nose, arms crossing over his chest as pink tinted his cheeks, “It’s not- I’m not gay but-“
“Sounds kinda gay to me, big man.” Tubbo snickered, patting Ranboo’s shoulder before cuddling up against Tommy on the sofa. Tommy looked something like miffed or uncomfortable, but he still didn’t move, “Joking, joking. C’mon, let’s chat a bit.”
Ranboo cringed, his dual-colored monochromatic hair carefully hanging over his red and green eyes as he moved to sit on the remaining cushion. Really, they made an odd trio; a loud mouthed elementary school assistant, a chaotic med student that worked part-time at a burger joint, and an amnesiac that worked in a tattoo parlor but looked like he belonged in some kind of video game.
“You’ve been off since we signed the papers for this place.” Tubbo made no small talk, jumping straight to the point as they always did, “What’s bothering you?”
“I- It’s nothing, I was just.. Nervous about it all.” Ranboo shrugged, picking at the loose thread again.
“About what? We’ve literally been together for years now. Figured you’d be happy to finally have a stable home.” Tommy grumbled, scowling at the wall, “And we’re in a building with that person.”
Ranboo blinked and finally looked over at the younger boy, “K? My boss?” A stiff nod, slate eyes still glaring at the opposite wall, “…My boss who’s actually engaged to my other boss?”
“…Heh?” Slate met scarlet and pine, surprise staring into barely concealed mirth, “…Fuck off.”
Tubbo snorted and shook their head, wrapping their arms around the others’ shoulders, “You’re both stupid.”
Ranboo tried not to snicker, but his friends’ accents always made something’s just sound off. ‘Stupid’ and ‘Tuesday’ usually became ‘chew-pid’ and ‘chews-day’, and he realllly tried not to find if funny. They’d gang up on his with pillows and tickles if he did.
“Wha- What did I do?” Tommy squeaked indignantly.
“You got jealous of an engaged person.”
“I did not!”
“Yes you did.”
“Why would I?!”
“They called him ‘Boo’.”
“But I don’t- I love you guys but not like that !” Tommy’s snarled, realizing a second later what came out of his mouth, “I mean-“
“I love you too Tommy.” Tubbo smiled, moving the hair out of their eyes so they could see the soft expression on the brunette’s face, “I love both of you, a whole lot.”
Ranboo felt warmth bloom in his chest, only for it to die at the look of dread on Tommy’s face, “Tommy…?”
“I don’t- It’s-“ Tommy swallowed and looked away, “You’re my favorite people.”
Ranboo said nothing, only reaching to lightly grab Tommy’s hand and give it a small squeeze. The blonde’s shoulders relaxed a bit as he squeezed back, looking over at them again, something in his eyes screaming for help.
“I love you both so much, I may not know a lot but I know I’m happy with you.” Ranboo spoke slowly, carefully choosing his words, “You’re my favorite people too, and I want to be with you forever but I- I don’t think it’s a- like, dating… thing?”
Tubbo hummed and laid their hand on his and Tommy’s, “You’re both, so very stupid.”
“What-“
“Hey-!”
“And I love you, idiots. You’re my idiots. My best friends, and more I think.” Tubbo smiled again and pressed quick kisses to their cheeks, “But I don’t want to date , per say.”
“….How can it be more but not dating?” Tommy looked relieved, but also exceptionally confused. Ranboo wondered if he was making the exact same face.
“There’s a lot of different kinds of relationships, Tommy.” Tubbo leaned their head against Tommy’s shoulder, “You two are worth more to me than any friend could ever be, and I love holding your hands and sharing kissing and cuddling, but frankly, I don’t know if I’ll ever want anything more than that.”
“Oh thank Jesus.” Ranboo slumped against the county, bones turned to liquid as Tubbo snorted, “Shut up, it’s been stressing me out.”
“So… We’re not friends?” Tommy pursed his lips, turning this over in his mind, “But we’re not dating either?”
“If you’re fine with it.”
“…What are we then?”
Tubbo thought for a moment before shrugging, “Just us, really.”
“Tubbo-“
“What about partners?” Ranboo jumped in before they could start to bicker, a shy smile forming on his face, “Not like, romantic partners but… Like partners in life?”
“…I think I’d like that.” Tommy relaxed, a rare find look in his eyes as he stood up, “We should eat before the food gets too cold.”
“I’ll get the kids!” Tubbo hopped up and practically skipped down the hall, leaving Tommy to room his eyes and walk to the kitchen while Ranboo took a moment to take in everything.
Partners . He didn’t know why the word jumped out at him, but it felt right, it felt good. He loved Tommy and Tubbo more than anything, and it’d been tearing him up that he enjoyed their affection more than he thought he was allowed but now. Now he knew it was okay, to love them and enjoy that love back. Ranboo smiled, closing his eyes and listening to the chaos of their little family.
Ranboo might now know much, but he knows he’s never felt more at home.