Chapter Text
“You kept them?”
Ranboo glances up to see Tommy leaning against the doorframe. He’s got a small smile on his face. “‘Course I did,” Ranboo answers, closing the box, stuffed full with post-its and flower petals, and placing it back on his desk. He turns and opens his arms, and Tommy nestles between them before long. “You guys put a lot of effort into those,” Ranboo murmurs into Tommy’s hair. “Of course I wouldn’t get rid of them.”
“Sap,” Tommy says, muffled by Ranboo’s shirt. Ranboo snorts.
“Like you’re one to talk,” Ranboo retorts in amusement. Tommy just smacks his hand against Ranboo’s chest.
Tommy says, “Don’t patronize me.” He leans back, eyes glinting. He looks happy.
Ranboo can’t hold back his own grin. “I would never,” he says, like a liar. Tommy rolls his eyes, but doesn’t respond, instead leaning back and grabbing Ranboo’s hand.
“C’mon,” he urges, pulling Ranboo forward. “I think Phil and Wilbur just got here to help us start unpacking.” Ranboo casts a glance towards the too-many boxes still laying around the room.
“Alright,” he says, turning away. He follows Tommy downstairs, and his chest warms at the way Wilbur beams as soon as his eyes land on Ranboo. Wilbur gives Tubbo, currently wrapped up in his arms, one final squeeze before he releases him. Tubbo instantly launches himself at Phil; Ranboo laughs a bit at the way Phil stumbles, cursing. It doesn’t help that Tommy accosts them immediately after.
“Ranboo!”
Ranboo’s grin widens as Wilbur walks up to him. “Hi, Wilbur,” he greets. Wilbur shakes his head, coming in front of Ranboo and peering up at him.
“Damn, you really are tall, huh,” Wilbur comments, looking Ranboo up and down. Ranboo snorts a bit.
“Yeah, I am,” he replies. “Honestly, this is way better than I had to deal with before.” Ranboo hangs his head a bit. “The doors were always far too small,” he says mournfully. Wilbur cackles, hunching over slightly.
“Oh, I can imagine,” Wilbur says, wiping an amused tear from his eye. “Stupid enderman. Must suck being a beanpole.”
Ranboo complains, “Hey! It’s not my fault I was tall!” He narrows his eyes at Wilbur. “And it’s not like you’re one to talk, you’re only an inch shorter than me!”
“Yeah, but I wasn’t over nine feet tall in a different life,” Wilbur says dryly. Finally, he opens his arms, and Ranboo perks up. “Now c’mere, I want my hug.” Ranboo hesitates for only a second, but then slots himself against Wilbur. Wilbur’s a little shorter than him. He still goes under Wilbur’s arms, though, wrapping his arms around Wilbur’s back. Wilbur chuckles a bit, arms going around his shoulders.
Wilbur’s warm. Ranboo eases into the hug quickly, and Wilbur ruffles the back of Ranboo’s hair. “Hey there,” Wilbur murmurs. His voice has suddenly grown so tender, and Ranboo will cry. Ender, he’s wanted this for so long.
He’s in the UK to stay, now, with the majority of his friends and his family by his side. It doesn’t feel real yet. But Wilbur’s here, alongside so many others, and they’re not going to get ripped away. They’re not gonna leave.
It’s more than Ranboo could’ve ever hoped for.
Ranboo pulls away first after a moment, and the smile Wilbur meets him with is warm. “Ready to unpack your ridiculous amount of stuff?” Wilbur says. Ranboo sighs, shoulders slumping.
“I don’t even have that much stuff,” he says despairingly. “Tubbo and Tommy have way more!”
“Yeah, but they can move their stuff here in stages, not all at once,” Phil interjects, walking over. Ranboo sighs, but turns to greet him and Phil quickly tugs him into a hug. “Hey there, mate,” Phil says. Ranboo ducks his head so that it rests on Phil’s shoulder.
“Hi,” he echoes back, a little shy. Phil laughs a bit, pulling back and patting Ranboo on the shoulder.
“It’s good to see you,” he says genuinely. Ranboo nods; even though they saw each other a couple of days ago, it still feels like forever.
“You too,” he responds. Phil grins at him. He looks around a bit.
“This is a nice place you have here,” he comments. Tubbo perks up.
“Thanks! I picked it!”
Tommy jerks his head over from where he’s hugging Wilbur. “I helped!” He complains.
“Yeah, well I found it first!”
“We were both searching!”
“I still found it!”
“Oh, shut the fuck up.”
“Alright!” Wilbur claps his hands together to interrupt them – well, claps the best he can when he still has Tommy attached to him like a barnacle. He shoots Tommy and Tubbo both a fondly exasperated look, then says. “Let’s get started!”
Ranboo bounces a little on his toes in excitement, and eagerly follows Wilbur further into the house.
-
“Tommy, if you shove me into this lake, I will kick the shit out of you.”
Tommy just laughs at Jack’s threat. “You’re really not all that scary, Jack,” Tommy teases back. And man, does it feel good to say that and know that Jack isn’t gonna, you know, try to murder him. Instead, Jack just glares. Tommy can see the laughter dancing in his eyes, though, and so he just nudges Jack in the shoulder teasingly.
“Don’t test me,” Jack repeats threateningly. Tommy sighs and rolls his eyes.
“I suppose you can live another day without getting soaked,” Tommy concedes. He’s grinning, though. Jack’s doing a bad job at hiding his own snickers. Tommy missed having this sort of relationship with Jack- they’d been close, before everything happened in the before. But then things had gone to shit, and Jack suddenly wanted to kill him.
Here, though, Jack’s quickly becoming one of his best friends. They bounce off each other ridiculously easily, and Jack also cares, so, so deeply. He hides it under a layer of sass, but Tommy knows him. He knows Jack cares.
“Wow, thank you,” Jack says sarcastically. He turns away from the water, waiting for Tommy to catch up to him before starting to walk back along the dock to the car. “So what movie do you wanna go watch?” Jack asks. Tommy hums, before shrugging.
“Dunno. What do you wanna watch?”
“I dunno- that’s why I asked you!”
“Just like you, to leave the hard decisions to me,” Tommy teases. Predictably, Jack rears up.
“I’m being polite, letting you decide! This is a gift!”
“You just don’t want to have to think of anything.”
“Shut up.”
“Truly quite lazy of you, Jack Manifold.”
“Shut up!”
“I’m going to tweet about you and say how lazy you are-”
Jack shoves Tommy off the dock and into the water. Tommy resurfaces, spluttering.
“Jack, you asshole!”
Jack laughs, throwing his head back. “It needed to be done,” he says, eyes twinkling. He reaches a hand down to help Tommy back up. “Here, I have towels in the car, you’ll be fine-”
Tommy pulls him into the water with him. The memory of Jack’s yelp of surprise is going to be a source of joy to Tommy for much time to come.
-
“Tubbo- don’t do that, Tubbo!”
Tubbo flashes Niki an innocent grin, laughing at the mild panic on Niki’s face. “Niki, I know how to cook. Don’t you trust me?” He asks teasingly, flipping another pancake. It falls lopsided back onto the pan. Niki sighs, shoving her face into her hand.
“You’re even worse than Tommy is,” she says despairingly. “And he’s also absolutely terrible.”
“I have absolutely no idea what you mean,” Tubbo grins. He flips another pancake. It goes up, up, up, and-
Onto Niki’s head.
Tubbo freezes, eyes locked on the batter slowly trailing down Niki’s forehead. “Aha,” he says slowly. He carefully places the pan back onto the stove, glancing nervously at the camera capturing the video before he looks back at Niki. She- isn’t fuming, but she doesn’t look happy. At all.
“Tubbo,” she starts, carefully lifting the pancake up and wiping batter away from her eyes. Tubbo backs up away from her.
He looks back at the camera, and tries to hide the panic in his voice as he says, “Now, everyone, this is what you call a tactical retreat!”
With that, he vaults over the counter and bolts into the next room. “Tubbo!” Niki calls, and Tubbo just runs further.
He doesn’t make it far until she catches him. Tubbo screeches as Niki grabs the back of his shirt. “I’m sorry!” He laughs, turning back towards her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to!”
Niki gives him an unimpressed look. Tubbo shrinks a little, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. “I really am sorry,” he says a little quieter. Niki stares at him for a moment more, before she sighs.
“I know you didn’t mean to,” she finally says, letting go of his shirt. “Just- please listen to me when I say not to do stuff like that?” She asks. Tubbo nods vigorously.
“Yes, ma’am!” He says, saluting.
Niki coughs. “Never call me ma’am again,” she tells him. Tubbo salutes her again.
“Yes, your highness!”
“That is really- that’s really not better, Tubbo.”
“My liege!”
“Now you’re just reaching.”
“Your majesty!”
Niki’s laughing, now, and Tubbo relaxes. “You’re absolutely ridiculous,” she says fondly, dragging him out of the room. “Now, let’s go get back to the video before Tommy swoops in and does something to the camera.”
Tommy’s yell is faint, but audible. “Too late!” He crows. Tubbo shakes his head and sighs.
“Yeah, let’s get back there.”
When they get back, instead of the camera being screwed up, Tommy swoops in and hands a couple of eggs to Niki. “Here you go!” he chirps. Niki flashes him a grin.
“Perfect, Tommy, thank you.”
And, savagely, right in front of the camera, Niki slams the eggs down on Tubbo’s head.
Tubbo just stands there, for a moment. Slowly, he brings a hand up to brush the trailing wetness away from his eyes. “…I guess I did deserve that,” he mutters.
Niki laughs at him, eyes twinkling. Tommy throws an arm over her shoulder and laughs, too.
-
It’s good, getting closer and closer to these people who, in another life entirely, were dangerous. It’s good, singing with Wilbur and bugging Phil and talking with Techno; baking with Niki and goofing off with Jack and just having fun.
Streaming keeps on being fun. They laugh when taunting people with the fact that they moved in together, and flush as Wilbur tells them again and again how incredible they are. They have nightmares, sometimes; their memories overwhelming them some days, but they never linger.
They have each other.
-
The best part, they find, is learning what it’s like to live with each other again.
-
“Mornin’,” Tommy grumbles, stumbling into a seat and faceplanting into the table. Tubbo gives him an amused look.
“Morning, sleepyhead,” he says lightly. He grabs a mug from the cabinet, pouring coffee into it with just a bit of creamer before he slides it in front of Tommy. Tommy gives him a vaguely grateful look, and downs half of it in a second.
“Ranboo streaming?” He asks. Tubbo nods.
“Yeah.”
Tommy groans, resting his head on his arms again. “I’ll never understand how he can just stream right after he wakes up,” he grumbles. Tubbo snorts.
“Just ‘cause you’re not an early riser doesn’t mean none of us are,” Tubbo teases. Without a word, he refills Tommy’s mug. “Ranboo’s always been like this, y’know.”
Shaking his head, Tommy mumbles, “Yeah. He’s always been stupidly productive.” A pause, and then Tommy asks, “What’re we doing today?”
Tubbo shrugs. “Well, Ranboo still hasn’t finished unpacking,” he says dryly. Tommy sighs.
“It’s been a month,” he complains. “He needs to get off his ass and finish already.” Tubbo stifles his snickers.
“You could help him, y’know,” Tubbo tells him, as if he doesn’t know that Tommy would drop everything to do as Ranboo asks. Tommy wrinkles his brows as if the very thought is disgusting. Hypocrite, Tubbo thinks fondly.
“You could help him,” Tommy mocks.
“You both are horrible.” Both of them look up, and Tubbo blinks as Ranboo steps into the kitchen. He ruffles Tommy’s hair casually, snickering a bit at his indignant yelp. “I literally have one box left to unpack,” Ranboo says dryly, taking the cup of hot chocolate that Tubbo hands him with a nod of thanks. Tubbo smiles back, and headbutts him briefly in greeting.
Tommy grins tiredly up at him, and says, “That’s one box too many!” Ranboo just sighs and rolls his eyes.
“Your stream over?” Tubbo asks. Ranboo nods, sipping at his cocoa.
“Yeah, it was just a quick alt stream. I wanted to spend time with you guys.” Tubbo smiles up at him.
Tommy asks excitedly, “Movie day?” Ranboo laughs.
“Yeah, sure, sounds good.”
They watch movies all day, making popcorn. Tommy makes a game out of trying to throw popcorn so that it hits characters’ mouths while they’re talking, which cracks Tubbo up far too easily. Ranboo just sighs, acting exasperated, but there’s always more popcorn ready when Tommy runs out.
Tubbo falls asleep midway through with his head on Ranboo’s shoulder to the sound of Tommy’s shouts and Ranboo’s chuckles.
He wakes up to the sound of Tommy snoring in his ear. A blanket’s been thrown over them.
Tubbo falls back asleep, content.
-
“Tubbo!”
Ranboo pokes his head into Tubbo’s streaming room – they all have their own separate rooms, both for streaming and for sleeping, but inevitably they all end up in the same room every night. Ranboo can’t say he’s surprised. Tubbo’s camera is angled away from the doorway; Tubbo clicks around a bit before he looks up. “What’s up, bossman?” He asks.
“Have you seen-” Ranboo pauses, looking Tubbo up and down. Then he sighs, shaking his head. “Never mind,” he says. Tubbo furrows his brows.
“What?” He questions, confused. Ranboo leans against the doorway, his faint annoyance fading into amusement.
“I was looking for my hoodie,” Ranboo answers. “‘Was wondering if you’ve seen it.” He gestures towards Tubbo, and says dryly, “Obviously you have.”
Tubbo’s eyes light up. “Oh, yeah!” Bringing his arms around his torso in a self-hug, Tubbo beams up at him. “It’s comfy!” He exclaims. “And it’s warm!”
Ranboo shakes his head, but can’t stop himself from grinning fondly. “You really love my hoodies, huh,” he asks rhetorically. “Seriously, between you and Tommy, I’m gonna have no hoodies left by the end of the month.”
Tubbo shrugs, looking unrepentant. “They’re warm!” He says again. Ranboo just exhales and makes to leave the room.
“Yeah, yeah, alright. You can wear it.” Tubbo’s smile grows even wider. Ranboo turns away, but pauses, glancing over his shoulder. “Don’t forget to have lunch,” he reminds. Tubbo blinks.
“Right, yeah, that’s a thing.” Tubbo thinks for a moment, before he glances hesitantly at his computer. “I’ll be down in a bit,” he says tentatively. Ranboo shakes his head. This is why he checks – Tubbo has an awful habit of forgetting to eat while he streams. He’s never done it to the point of worrying them, but both Tommy and Ranboo make a point to help him anyway.
“I’ll bring it up,” he reassures. Tubbo looks relieved.
Tubbo says, “Thanks, Boo.” He shifts so that he’s facing his camera again. Ranboo flashes him a smile.
“Yeah, no problem. I’ll be up in a bit, ‘kay?”
“‘Kay!”
-
Tommy wakes to something in the bed shifting. Groggily, he cracks his eyes open, and his eyes dart around the room, searching for the disturbance. Predictably, it’s Ranboo shifting around, creeping carefully towards the door.
“Where’re ‘ou goin’?” Tommy asks tiredly, rubbing at his eyes. Ranboo glances back, looking apologetic.
“Sorry for waking you,” he whispers. “I couldn’t sleep, so I was gonna go watch Phil’s stream for a bit to hopefully tire myself out.”
Tommy starts dragging himself out of bed. Tubbo grumbles something, but when Tommy glances over he just rolls over and snores into the pillow. Tommy snorts softly, swinging his legs out of bed. “I’ll come with,” Tommy says. Ranboo gives him a look.
“Tommy, you look like you’ll fall asleep at any second,” Ranboo says quietly, amusement tinging his words. “You don’t have to come with me just ‘cause I’m awake.”
“Don’ care,” Tommy responds immediately. He stumbles over to Ranboo’s side and faceplants into his upper-arm. Ranboo sighs and wraps an arm around Tommy’s shoulders in response. “Wan’ spend time with you,” Tommy mumbles. Ranboo lets out a huff of breath, before Tommy feels a kiss pressed to the crown of his head.
“You’re just gonna end up falling asleep on me,” Ranboo tells him softly, leading them both from the room. Tommy shrugs.
He says, “Maybe. If your shoulder’s comfy enough.”
“Does my shoulder’s comfort level change on a day-to-day basis?”
“On the hourly, even.”
“Wow, that must be inconvenient for you,” Ranboo laughs. Tommy nods, rubbing at his eyes again.
“So inconvenient, you don’t even know,” Tommy says. He glances up to see Ranboo shake his head.
They arrive in the living room. Ranboo shoves Tommy down gently, telling him, “Sit. I’ll make some hot cocoa.”
“No whip!” Tommy calls. Ranboo rolls his eyes.
“I know, Tommy, don’t worry. You’ll get only marshmallows and none of the sweet goodness, don’t worry.”
Tommy grins up at him. “Thanks, Ranboob.” He stifles snickers at the sound of Ranboo’s groan.
“Never mind, you’re only getting whipped cream. No chocolate, just whipped cream.”
“No,” Tommy whines, drawn out. Ranboo just laughs.
Ranboo’s only a few minutes, but Tommy’s almost fully slumped into the couch by the time he gets back. Ranboo snorts softly when he sees him. “You really should’ve just stayed in bed,” Ranboo tells him dryly, handing him his hot chocolate. Sure enough, there’re only marshmallows in it. Tommy gives him a sleepy smile in thanks, slurping up a good chunk of the mug. Ranboo always takes care to make it the perfect temperature for Tommy, even though he himself loves his cocoa boiling hot.
“Now I have hot cocoa, though,” Tommy mumbles. “Life is good.”
Ranboo huffs out a laugh. “Uh-huh,” he says. “I’m sure.” Ranboo finally sits down, and Tommy takes no time to tip over and rest his head on Ranboo’s shoulder. Ranboo slips down the slightest amount, making the angle less awkward on Tommy’s neck.
“Jus’ start Phil’s stream,” Tommy mumbles, already falling asleep again. He sips tiredly at the remaining hot chocolate. Ranboo does what he asks, putting the stream on low volume. Phil’s voice is soothing, as always, and Tommy grins a little when Ranboo types something in chat and Phil responds with a warm, “Good morning, Ranboo, Tommy.”
“Mornin’, Phil,” Tommy says quietly. Ranboo snickers a little. Tommy’s eyes slip shut a moment after, his mind growing foggy. He faintly feels the mug be slipped carefully from his fingers, and Ranboo adjust so his arm’s wrapped around Tommy’s shoulders, Tommy’s head pillowed on his chest.
Tommy falls back asleep to the feeling of fingers running gently through his hair, warm.
-
Tubbo grins at the sight of Tommy sitting at the piano. He’s not playing anything, yet, flipping through the booklets of sheet music they have propped on the piano. Tubbo makes his way over, wrapping his arms around Tommy’s chest from behind.
Tommy barely startles, glancing up and over his shoulder. “Hi,” Tommy greets, giving Tubbo a grin. Tubbo smiles back, pulling Tommy against his chest. Tommy goes willingly, leaning all his weight against Tubbo.
“Hey,” Tubbo replies, peering over Tommy’s shoulder. Tommy looks back down, going back to flipping through pages. “Watcha playing?”
Tommy shrugs. He puts the music aside and presses his hands absently down on the keys, playing a mindless tune. “Not sure yet,” he answers. Tubbo squeezes him close to his chest in a hug briefly before he lets go, sliding onto the bench beside Tommy. Tommy accommodates for him, sliding over.
Tubbo places his own hands on the keys, and starts to play Your New Boyfriend. Tommy takes a moment to place the tune, but laughs soon after. “Oh hell yeah,” Tommy grins, starting to play the same tune, only a couple octaves higher. It honestly sounds really funny, but Tubbo just revels in the feeling of playing with his best friend.
They make their way through the entirety of Wilbur’s songs, and then some of Lovejoy’s. He’s sure their belting is echoing through the house – it’s not the same huge mansion they had before, after all – but Tubbo doesn’t care. It doesn’t matter, anyway- it’s theirs, now. They can do whatever they want. No one’s going to stop them.
(A couple of rooms away, Ranboo nudges one of his headphones off. “Yup, that’s sure them,” he comments, laughing softly. He glances at chat, and says, “Welp, chat, enjoy your free Tommy-and-Tubbo-singing-Wilbur-songs hours.”
Chat seems utterly delighted. Ranboo continues playing, his heart soft.
Ender, he’d do anything to hear his best friends be this happy for the rest of their lives.)
Eventually, they hit a lull. Tubbo debates for a moment on what to play while Tommy returns to flipping through the sheet music. A thought occurs quickly enough, though, and Tubbo lets his shoulders slump. He nudges Tommy.
Tommy glances at him, eyebrows raised. Tubbo just gives him a smaller, more melancholy smile, and starts playing. “I heard there was a special place,” he begins softly. Tommy’s eyes grow soft.
“Where men could go and emancipate,” he picks up seamlessly. They’re quieter, now, singing the whole of the Anthem all the way through. This song- it doesn’t hurt, like it did when they first sang it, all that time ago. It aches a little bit, but Tubbo just finds himself reminiscing on the fun times; on the times he was happy in L’Manberg, instead of sad.
He remembers what he has now, and he can’t help but feel lighter.
Tommy sounds the same way. Tubbo glances up at him, and his eyes are closed, his head swaying slightly from side to side as he sings. Tubbo leans his head against Tommy’s shoulder; Tommy opens his eyes and looks down, and when the song ends, he wraps Tubbo’s hand in his.
They don’t say anything. Tubbo just lets his eyes flutter shut, focusing on the sound of Tommy’s breaths. Tommy returns to playing after a moment, releasing Tubbo’s hand and pressing softly down on the keys. The songs Tommy chooses are soothing. Unobtrusive.
Tubbo can’t help but nod off, right there next to his best friend.
-
Tommy walks into the room to the sound of his best friends screaming at each other.
“No- you don’t get to just hog-”
“I can do whatever the fuck I want, you don’t get to tell me what to do-”
“He’s my best friend!”
“He’s mine, too!”
“Yeah, well, I’ve known him for longer!”
“That doesn’t mean a single thing! I love him just as much!”
“Yeah, I know, but it’s the principle of the thing!”
“Oh come on-”
“What the hell is going on in here?!” Tommy breaks in, incredulous. Tubbo and Ranboo both spin on him, equally frustrated looks on their faces.
“This dickhead-” Tubbo stabs a finger towards Ranboo- “Is trying to encroach on the natural order of things!”
“You’re being ridiculous!” Ranboo shoots back. Tommy’s gratified to see that at least, neither of them look downright angry, but they sure as hell look annoyed. “I have just as much of a right-”
“Right to what?” Tommy asks, getting more irritated at not getting a straight answer. He crosses his arms, raising his eyebrows. Tubbo lets out a huff of breath.
“Right. So. Me and Ranboo decided to get married again, and-”
Tommy blinks. “Wait, wait, wait,” Tommy interjects, holding up his hands. He looks between the two, eyes wide. “What do you fucking mean get married again? When did this happen?”
“Like twenty minutes ago,” Tubbo waves off. He shoots an annoyed look at Ranboo. “And Ranboo decided to be a bitch and argue against what’s obviously right.” Ranboo rolls his eyes.
“He’s being unreasonable,” Ranboo stresses. Tommy takes in a deep breath, willing himself patience, because ender does he need it right now.
“I need one of you to tell me what the fuck you’re fighting over like, now, before I start stabbing shit,” Tommy warns. Gratifyingly, both of them flush the slightest bit.
Tubbo rubs the back of his head. “Right,” he laughs a little, sheepish. “Right, uh- Tommy, you’re my best friend, right?”
Tommy blinks. “Yeah?”
“But you’re also mine?” Ranboo cuts in, shooting Tubbo a look. Tubbo glares at him. Tommy’s just getting more and more confused.
“I mean, yeah-”
“But I met you first, so you should obviously be my best man-”
Tommy blinks.
Oh. So this is what this is about.
Ranboo whines, looking seconds from stomping his foot, “But he’s my best friend, too!”
Tubbo sticks his tongue out. “I don’t care! Go ask Wilbur!”
Tommy just stares, for a moment, mind slowly combing through the new information he now has. Ranboo and Tubbo are getting closer and closer to yelling at each other again, and all he can do is just look at them.
He breathes out slowly, shaking his head. “You two,” he starts, crossing his arms and giving them a deadpan look, “Are absolute morons.” Despite his words, Tommy can’t stop himself from feeling ridiculously, overwhelmingly fond of these two idiots of his.
They both spin on him, mouths open as if to defend their non-existent honor. Tommy raises a hand and stops them in their tracks. “So. You two are getting married again,” Tommy confirms. Both of them nod. “And you’re fighting over who gets to have me as best man?”
“Yes,” Tubbo says firmly. Ranboo nods, crossing his arms.
Tommy sighs.
“Who says you can’t both have me?” They both blink at him. Tommy exhales, and says, “Guys, this is gonna be, like, the most untraditional wedding ever. What are you guys even planning for it?”
Ranboo and Tubbo share a look. “We haven’t really…gotten that far,” Ranboo answers slowly.
“This was the first thing we talked about,” Tubbo adds on. Tommy steps closer and, sighing, places his hands on both of their shoulders.
“You two are absolute idiots,” he tells them solemnly. His smile quirks up, and before they can express their indignance, Tommy adds on, “Good thing you have me, then.”
He allows the warmth in his heart to win for a moment, and yanks them into a hug. “We’re gonna give you guys the best damn second wedding you could ever ask for,” he vows quietly.
Tubbo and Ranboo just hug him back, and Tommy smiles.
-
Tubbo honestly hadn’t really known what to expect from a wedding – their wedding in the before hadn’t really been a wedding, more of a really sweet picnic, where Ranboo had asked and Tubbo had accepted, and then the hastily-planned trip to the courthouse to get the official paperwork. Tommy had the good sense, this time, to bring in Phil and Wilbur to help them figure it out.
After they’d gotten over their initial shock and were convinced that yes, Tubbo and Ranboo know what they’re doing, and yes, they do want this, Phil and Wilbur been a great help. Phil knew what they needed to do on the official side, and Wilbur decided to take it upon himself to drag Tommy away and help them plan the actual wedding.
They haven’t told Tubbo anything about it, just telling him that they have it handled. Tubbo’s half convinced that the altar is gonna be in the shape of a penis.
Ranboo and Tubbo had decided pretty much immediately that they don’t want to have a wedding that’s super elaborate. That’s never really been their thing – Tubbo just wants to be married to Ranboo, he doesn’t care about how they dress or what music is playing or any of that. All he cares about is that Ranboo be there, and all their friends be there, and that Tubbo gets to slip the ring onto Ranboo’s finger and hug him and express, once again, just how committed he is to his husband.
Tubbo could tell that Ranboo was getting a bit nervous once they’d started planning. Before he could start stressing and asking Wilbur and Tommy about everything and focusing on making it all perfect, like Tubbo knows Ranboo was almost definitely going to start doing, Tubbo’d sat him down. “Hey,” he’d murmured, pressing his forehead to Ranboo’s. “Remember that even if something goes wrong, it won’t ruin this for me, alright? We’re doing this to be married, not for the music or anything like that.”
He’d held his position against Ranboo until he’d felt Ranboo’s shoulders slump, Ranboo letting out an exhale at the same time. “Right. Thanks,” he’d responded. Tubbo’d flicked his eyes up to meet Ranboo’s. Ranboo looked achingly soft, and Tubbo almost wanted to cry with the gentleness of the kiss Ranboo’d pressed to his forehead. “I’ll remember,” Ranboo promised. “Don’t worry.”
“Good,” Tubbo’d whispered.
The day of the wedding comes quicker than Tubbo expected.
Tommy wakes him up that morning with a bright grin on his face. “Wakey wakey, bee boy!” He says cheerfully, dragging the covers off of Tubbo. Tubbo groans, shoving his face back into the pillows.
“Go ‘way,” he mumbles.
“Nope!” Tommy chirps. Tubbo yelps as he’s pushed from behind, and then unceremoniously shoved off of the bed. He sits up, glaring mulishly at Tommy.
“I hate you,” he tells him. Tommy grins.
“I know! Now, c’mon, we’ve gotta get started. I’ve already gotten Ranboo ready, so we’re just waiting on you.”
Tubbo sits up straight, eyes widening and focusing on Tommy. “Wedding,” he says, suddenly gone breathless. Tommy’s smile grows softer.
“Wedding,” Tommy repeats. He reaches out a hand towards Tubbo. “You ready?”
Tubbo takes his hand. “Am I ever,” he grins.
And Tubbo doesn’t think he’s been more excited for an event in his entire life.
-
Ranboo gapes at their living room. Or, at least, what used to be their living room.
He turns, wide-eyed, to stare at Wilbur. “You guys did this?” He breathes. Wilbur nods, grinning and sweeping an arm across the room.
“Yup! You like it?” he asks. Ranboo lets out a disbelieving laugh.
“Do I like it?”
Their living room has been utterly transformed. There’s an altar up at the front, thankfully not in the shape of a penis, with balloons surrounding it. There’s a table off to the side, probably meant for food, and a row of chairs separated by an aisle. The chairs all have the faces of their friends who they can’t tell about the wedding posted on them – Ranboo’s personal favorite is Jack’s incredibly non-flattering one. And- from the ceiling, there’s hundreds upon hundreds of flowers, and little streamers with charms of all sorts hanging down. Birds, and fish, and of course, tens upon tens of bees.
There’s a banner that says Congratulations Tubbo and Ranboo! on it, and the pure care that’s been threaded throughout this whole thing has Ranboo in awe.
Instead of answering Wilbur’s question, he turns and burrows into him, shoving his face into Wilbur’s chest and wrapping his arms around his back. Wilbur’s chuckles rumble through his chest. His arms coming around Ranboo’s shoulders, he says, “You deserve it, Ranboo.”
Ranboo sniffles. Wilbur presses a light kiss to Ranboo’s hair, and whispers, “You deserve the world. You and Tubbo both.”
“Thank you, Wil,” Ranboo says into Wilbur’s chest. Wilbur squeezes him just a little tighter.
“‘Course,” he says. “Anytime.”
And Ranboo knows it’s true.
-
Tubbo’s just about to put on his suit when the doorbell rings.
His eyebrows furrow, and he glances over at Wilbur. Wilbur just shrugs, his poker face carefully controlled. “I dunno who it is,” Wilbur says casually, just like a liar would say. He jerks his head towards the door. “Go on,” he encourages. At that moment, Ranboo gets shoved out of the room adjacent to them. Tubbo brightens, forgetting his annoyance – he hasn’t seen Ranboo yet today.
Ranboo’s eyes light up when he notices Tubbo, and Tubbo quickly dashes over, burrowing under his arm and giving him a side-hug. “Hi,” he greets.
“Hey,” Ranboo responds. Tommy comes out of the room too, looking annoyed. Phil follows him soon after.
“Phil, Wil- what’s happening?” He whines. Phil and Wilbur just share a secretive look.
“Nothing,” Phil answers. He’s barely hiding a grin. “Why don’t you go save whoever’s waiting at the door?”
Tubbo shares a look with the other two. Tommy’s the one that finally shrugs, stalking towards the door. “Let’s get this over with,” he grumbles lightly, turning the doorknob and yanking. The door opens, and Tommy instantly freezes.
His body’s blocking Tubbo’s view, so Tubbo makes his way over, leaving Ranboo behind, and peeks around him. Similar to Tommy, Tubbo stills. He faintly feels his eyes going wide.
“Hullo,” fucking Technoblade waves, standing on their porch. Techno is on their porch. In England! “I heard a couple of my favorite gremlins were getting married,” he says casually, sticking his hands in his pockets. “So I figured I’d make my way over-”
Tubbo’s the first to shake himself out of his shock, and cuts Techno off, launching himself at him. Tommy and then Ranboo, Tubbo would assume, quickly follow, crashing against Tubbo’s back. Techno lets out a faint groan, but wraps his arms around them.
They just stand there, hugging, for a while. Eventually, though, they all lean back. Techno rubs his chest, taking in a couple of breaths. Tubbo smiles widely up at him. “Hi!” He says brightly. “You’re here!”
“You’re here!” Tommy echoes, tone disbelieving. Ranboo’s suspiciously silent, and when Tubbo glances up at him, he’s wiping away his tears. Tubbo grabs his hand and smiles up at him. Ranboo sniffles a bit and squeezes.
Techno shrugs, smiling softly. “I wanted to be here,” he says quietly. And then, even quieter: “I missed you.”
Tubbo’s eyes well with tears, and he lunges in quickly to swallow Techno in another hug, followed by Tommy and Ranboo soon enough.
-
When Ranboo sees Tubbo walking down the aisle, his heart nearly stops.
He’s not dressed in anything ridiculously special. He’s in a suit, of course, but his hair’s as wild as ever, and his tie is patterned with bees. Ranboo normally would have to suppress a laugh at how fitting it is for him.
But- Tubbo’s walking with Wilbur, arms linked together – they’d decided to save getting married officially until later – though Phil did get them all of the paperwork – because as much as Tubbo and Ranboo’s parents both are incredibly supportive, Ranboo’s not sure they would’ve gone for them getting married at seventeen. And so Wilbur walks Tubbo down the aisle, and Phil stands with Ranboo, Techno on the other side. Tommy stands between Ranboo and where Tubbo’s going to be. All of them are there for both of them; Ranboo half suspects that their placement is for aesthetic reasons and nothing else.
Tubbo arrives at the altar. Wilbur presses a kiss to his forehead, whispering, “I’m so proud of you.” Tubbo blinks rapidly for a moment, and Ranboo sniffles as Wilbur leans forward and does the same to Ranboo. Ranboo smiles shakily at Wilbur, before he reaches out and threads his fingers through Tubbo’s.
He smiles, and steps closer. Tommy claps his hands.
“Alright! We’re skipping all the formalities – they’re mostly romantic, anyway, which- gross. No. So, Tubso, my man, you go first with your vows.”
Ranboo snickers a bit at Tommy’s casual statements, locking eyes with Tubbo. Tubbo grins up at him. “Ranboo my beloved,” he starts. “When I met you, you were timid as fuck.” Ranboo can’t help but snort.
“Thanks, Tubbo,” he says dryly. Tubbo’s grin widens.
“Just calling it as I see it! You were nervous whenever we talked to each other – honestly, I saw you yelling back-and-forth Tommy from the very beginning, so it was probably because of me being president, which kinda makes sense, honestly.” Tubbo shakes his head briefly, and continues, “My point is- I didn’t really get to know you, for a while after we first met. You were amazing to work with, and I quickly learned that I could trust you with my life.”
Tubbo’s voice softens. “But, later on, I actually started to get to know you. I learned that you’re incredibly easy to startle, but just as easy to make laugh. You give the best hugs, and even with your memory issues the first time around, you always made sure to keep track of my favorite foods. You care, more than pretty much everyone else has.”
Ranboo sniffles, and detangles their hands briefly to swipe at his eyes. Tubbo’s smile quirks up a bit, and he says softer, “You’re always the first to doubt yourself, when I’ve never once doubted you for a second. You’re so loving, so caring, and you’ve inspired me so much.” Ranboo chokes up, bowing his head and closing his eyes. Tubbo whispers, “I love you, Boo, and I’m so thankful to have you as my husband.”
“…Ender, Tubbo,” Ranboo chokes out. He breathes out shakily, and presses their foreheads together. “I have- I have no idea how I’m supposed to follow that.”
“Well, you have to!” Tommy breaks in. He’s clearly going for teasing, but the wetness in his voice kind of ruins that. Ranboo chuckles, before he sobers up, growing serious.
“Tubbo Underscore,” Ranboo begins. He looks directly into Tubbo’s eyes. “You are one of the most incredible men I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. I met you in- in arguably, the worst period of your life, and you’ve always been ridiculously inspiring to me.”
Tubbo bows his head, blushing. Ranboo pushes on. “You’re kind. You’re caring. You’re loving. You’re funny. You’re ridiculously, endlessly strong, and always someone I know I can lean on. You’re an incredible singer and while not being good at dancing, really fun to dance with, and you help me grow every single day.”
Tubbo lets out a hitched breath. Ranboo brings a hand up to brush it through Tubbo’s bangs, and murmurs, “You’re always ready to provide comfort when someone needs it. You’re just- amazing, Tubbo, and there’s no one else I’d love more to call my husband.” He lowers his voice even more, and whispers fiercely, “I love you, Bee, more than you’ll ever know.”
Sniffling, Tubbo wraps his arms around Ranboo’s middle. Ranboo pulls him close, pressing a kiss into his hair.
When Ranboo glances around, no one’s eyes are dry.
Tommy steps forward, then, and clears his throat. “Well, first off, you both suck for making me cry,” Tommy says wetly, to the amusement of pretty much everyone, Ranboo included. “Second off-” Tommy holds out his hands, with a little ring pillow on it. “Go ahead and put these back on each other.”
Ranboo carefully takes Tubbo’s ring from the pillow; Tubbo does the same. “Now, uh, when you do it, you’ll be married. So do it.”
“Who let him lead this?!” Wilbur calls from the audience. Ranboo can’t help but burst out laughing, and Tubbo does the same, snickering and eyeing Tommy.
“Shut up, bitch!” Tommy retorts. His eyes land back on Ranboo and Tubbo, eyes slightly red. “Well?” He asks, voice gone soft.
Ranboo looks down and takes Tubbo’s hand. Slowly, gently, he slides the ring onto Tubbo’s ring finger. Tubbo’s breath hitches, staring down as Ranboo adjusts the ring. Ranboo leans down, pressing a kiss to the ring.
Tubbo does the same, tenderly sliding Ranboo’s ring back on. It feels right. “There you go,” Tubbo whispers, kissing the ring as well. He tips his head up to lock eyes with Ranboo. His eyes are glistening. Ranboo blinks, and a couple of tears trail down his cheeks.
Tommy beams at them both. “Congrats! You’re married!” He exclaims.
Tubbo laughs delightedly. He drags Ranboo into a hug and Ranboo holds his head against his chest and he’s warm and-
And Ranboo’s home.
-
“Alright, you fuckers, listen up!”
Tubbo winces as Tommy yells from right beside him, clinging his fork against his glass dramatically. “Did you really have to yell that loudly?” He complains. “There’s like six of us here!”
Tommy grins innocently down at him. “Yup!” He says cheerfully. Tubbo sighs. Ranboo chuckles a bit, pulling Tubbo to his side.
“That’s Tommy,” Ranboo murmurs, “Always being as loud as physically possible.”
“I heard that!” Tommy shouts. Tubbo elbows him.
“Shut up!”
“No. It’s my time,” Tommy says firmly, eyes sparkling. “I’m best man, which means I now get the privilege of embarrassing you in front of all our dear friends.”
Tubbo sighs. “I have regrets,” he says mournfully. Tommy shakes his head, giving him a look.
“Anyway,” he starts, “I’m gonna start with Ranboo. Because I want to.”
“Just get on with it!” Techno heckles. Tommy flips him off.
Just to be annoying, Tubbo bets, Wilbur yells, “You’re taking too long!”
“Shut up!” Tommy barks. He turns towards Ranboo. “Ranboo,” he says. “Ranboob. Ran of the boob. My dear friend.”
“Please stop,” Ranboo interrupts exasperatedly. He’s smiling. Tommy glares at him, but it falls away quickly.
“The first day I met Ranboo, he gave me a flower,” Tommy says casually. “I made fun of him for it, which is a pretty good representation of our relationship, I think.”
“It’s true,” Ranboo laughs. Tommy gives him a grin.
“You have to take the time to get to know him, but Ranboo’s one of the most bothersome people I know. He’s loud when he wants to be, and tells really dumb puns. He’s annoying, and never lets me get away with anything, and also quite simply far too tall.” Tommy’s smile softens, then, and Tubbo sees Ranboo brace himself.
“He’s also one of my best friends,” Tommy admits easily. “He’s nice. He’s got this insane ability to twist any joke and make it funny, and as much as I make fun of him for being tall, he’s also the best at giving piggy back rides.” Tommy meets Ranboo’s eyes. “He’s ridiculously supportive. Always has been, from the very first day I met him. He’s insanely loving, and when I was at my lowest point, he was always there for me. I have no doubt that he’s saved me, multiple times.”
Ranboo ducks his head, sniffling. Tommy says softly, “You mean so much to me, Ran. I love you, and there’s absolutely no one else I’d rather marry my best friend.”
Tommy quickly gets yanked into a hug. “You suck,” Ranboo chokes out. Tommy laughs softly, and hugs Ranboo back.
“It’s all true, big man,” he whispers. Tubbo adverts his eyes to give them a moment to themselves.
Soon enough, Ranboo returns to Tubbo’s side. Tubbo slips his hand into Ranboo’s and flashes him a smile. “Your turn,” Ranboo whispers. Tubbo nods and returns to looking at Tommy, bracing himself.
“Tubbo’s an idiot,” Tommy starts. He flashes a grin at Tubbo, who sticks his tongue out at him. “He’s an idiot. He’s stupid, and impulsive, and likes fire and bees far too much.” Tommy softens, then, and his eyes focus on Tubbo’s. “He’s also kind, and patient, and far too forgiving of everyone who’s hurt him. He’s supported me through it all and I’d be dead a thousand times over if it weren’t for him.”
Tubbo sniffles, scrubbing his forearm across his eyes. His heart clenches. Tommy continues, tone far, far too affectionate and loving. “He’s my best friend. He’s loved me when no one else has, and is someone who I couldn’t live without. People call us the ‘clingyduo,’ and that’s fitting, because I never want to leave your side again.” Tommy’s smile quirks, and he murmurs, “I love you, Tubbo.”
Choking on a sob, Tubbo launches himself at Tommy. Tommy catches him easily. “I love you too, Tommy,” he whispers into his ear. “You’re the absolute best best friend.” Tommy squeezes him tight.
“I’d better be,” he responds. Tubbo nods against his chest. Tommy adds on teasingly, “You break Ranboo’s heart, though, I’m breaking your legs.” Tubbo lets out a hitched laugh. He leans back, meeting Tommy’s eyes.
“I’m counting on it,” he responds. Tommy grins down at him, his eyes twinkling.
He presses his forehead to Tubbo’s briefly. Tubbo presses back, and closes his eyes for the tiniest moment. “Congrats, you two,” Tommy calls out as he leans back. “Now you get to be just as sickeningly sweet as you’ve always been, but more official, now.”
Wilbur, Phil, and Techno cheer, and Tubbo laughs.
The rest of the day flashes by in a whirlwind of joy. They hang out, all of them, playing UNO and Jackbox and just goofing off together. Phil tells him and Ranboo both a ridiculous number of times how proud he is, and Wilbur must hug them at least fifteen times each. Techno just gives them his soft, fond smile, and Tubbo almost cries every time.
Tommy doesn’t ever leave their side.
Tubbo doesn’t think he’s been this happy in his entire life.
Finally, the night draws to a close. Phil hugs them all tightly, promising, “I’ll be back in a few days.” He claps them on the shoulder, and looks entirely too proud as he says, “You two deserve this, alright? I’m so happy for you.”
Tubbo launches back into the hug. “Thanks for everything, Phil,” he says, choked up. He pulls back, and Phil smiles at him.
“‘Course, mate,” he says warmly. Tubbo wipes at his eyes before turning towards Techno.
Techno, surprisingly, is the one to pull him into a hug. “I’ll be by tomorrow,” he mutters. “You three aren’t rid of me yet.” Tubbo laughs, squeezing him once before pulling back.
“I’m counting on it,” he says. He passes Techno off to be tackled to the ground by Tommy, and launches at Wilbur.
Wilbur catches him, laughing. There are still tears shining in his eyes. “Congrats, Tubs,” he says. He sounds so happy. Tubbo stuffs his face into Wilbur’s chest. “You three deserve to be happy,” he whispers into his hair.
“We are,” Tubbo responds. His cheeks hurt from grinning. “We really are.” Wilbur pulls back and smiles down at him.
“Good,” he says. He ruffles Tubbo’s hair; Tubbo squawks, bringing his hands protectively over his head. Wilbur just laughs. “I’ll see you later, alright?”
“See you later, Wil,” Tubbo says. They wave one more time, shouting their goodbyes, and then it’s just the three of them again.
Silently, Tubbo turns around and burrows into Tommy’s chest. “Today was perfect,” Tubbo whispers into Tommy’s chest. “Thank you so much, Toms.”
Tommy pulls him tight to him. He’s warm. “No need for thanks,” Tommy says affectionately.
“No,” Ranboo interjects. Tubbo feels another pair of arms snake around his shoulders from the side. “Tommy, you don’t know how much this means to us. Thank you.”
Tommy’s quiet, for a moment. “You’re welcome,” he finally says. “Love you guys.”
“Love you, Tommy,” Tubbo echoes instantly. He leans back to give Ranboo a challenging look. “Ha- said it first!”
Ranboo gapes at him. “That doesn’t- Tommy, I love you,” he hurries to say. Tubbo shakes his head.
“You were late. That means I love him more.”
“That’s- no! It doesn’t!”
“It does,” Tubbo sings. Ranboo narrows his eyes.
“It does not. I’m willing to fight you on this.”
Tommy’s laughter breaks through their argument. Tubbo can’t quite stifle his own snickers; soon enough, Ranboo joins them. “You two are ridiculous,” Tommy says fondly. He pulls them back into a hug. “I love you.”
“Love you! Ha- got it again!”
“Oh my ender, Tubbo-”
“Look, I get it, I’m loved, you two can really stop arguing now-”
“Never.”
“Oh, ender-”
Tubbo laughs, throwing his head back.
He’s home.
-
Ranboo wakes up to a shriek of excitement.
“Ranboo! Tommy! Wake the fuck up!”
Tommy groans beside Ranboo. Ranboo wholeheartedly agrees, rolling onto his side and shoving his face into what must be Tommy’s shoulder. His hand curls into Tommy’s shirt; the arm wrapped around Ranboo’s shoulders tightens slightly. “Go ‘way,” Tommy grumbles.
“No!” Tubbo rips the blankets off of them, and Ranboo instantly groans as the cold air washes over him. He snuggles further into Tommy’s warmth, thoroughly ignoring the outside world.
“Fuck off,” Tommy exclaims.
Ranboo mumbles, “Seconded!”
“Guys! It’s important!”
“What’s important is my beauty sleep,” Ranboo retorts. And he can’t see Tubbo’s face, but he’d bet he’s rolling his eyes.
“You two are such drama queens,” he complains. Ranboo yelps as the back of his sweatshirt is grabbed, and soon enough, he’s crashing down onto the floor. From the sound of the yelp that rises from the other side of the bed, Tommy’s met the same fate.
“You’re horrible,” he tells Tubbo, finally cracking his eyes open. Tubbo grins brightly at him, ignoring his annoyance.
“You love me!” He chirps. Ranboo rolls his eyes, standing up.
“Yeah, yeah, what’d you want to show us?” Tubbo slips his hand inside Ranboo’s, tugging him towards the window. Ranboo sighs and indulges him, squeezing back when Tubbo grips tighter.
Tommy grumbles something under his breath, definitely including multiple instances of the word fuck, but joins them. Tubbo wraps an arm around Tommy’s waist and leans against him; Tommy sighs dramatically but wraps an arm around Tubbo’s shoulders anyway. “You’re a clingy shit,” he tells Tubbo. Tubbo sticks his tongue out at him. Ranboo shakes his head in both fondness and exasperation.
“Anyways- look, guys!” Tubbo exclaims, freeing his arm from around Tommy and pulling the curtain back. Ranboo squints against the brightness, but soon he notices what has Tubbo all excited. Despite himself, he grins.
“It’s snowing,” Tommy breathes, pressing his palms against the window. He leans forward, almost-childlike awe alighting his face. Tubbo bounces on his toes, beaming.
“Yeah! Look at how much there is!” He says excitedly. Ranboo laughs.
“There sure is a lot,” he agrees. Tubbo yanks his hand again, wrapping Tommy’s wrist in his other hand.
Impatient, he says, “Well, what’re we waiting for? Let’s go! We can have a snowball fight!”
Ranboo laughs, and follows his best friends out the door.
He can guess what comes next – Tubbo will launch the first snowball at Tommy’s face, Tommy will yell in anger and launch one back, and completely miss. Ranboo will pelt them both, and within minutes they’ll all be covered in snow. Later, cheeks red from cold and laughter both, they’ll retreat inside and have hot cocoa next to the fireplace, huddled up next to each other.
They have the rest of their lives to live like this.
Ranboo can’t wait.