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The first time it happened Tubbo hadn’t known Ranboo for that long. Just a few quick hellos, and an occasional conversation about how Ranboo was settling or something about the weather or some shit, but that was about it. They were nowhere near as close as they would come to be in the near future, but that didn’t stop their paths from aligning any moment it possibly could.
See, Ranboo didn’t like to share with just anyone about his memory issues, maybe he’d spout a joke here and there about some minor issues he had. Misplacing important items, everyone does that once in a while! Forgetting dates, that’s why most people keep a calendar! Waking up and forgetting everything but your name, however? Yeah, that one was a bit more specific to their case. And such was the case at this very moment.
Ranboo sat on a dock in New L’manberg, gazing over the small river that flowed beneath the firm wood. He struggled to recall where he was, where he lived, who was a stranger, and who wasn’t. It was all too confusing for the tall half enderman teen. They sighed and propped their head up with their hand, watching dragonflies hover just above the water, sometimes coming near them to rest on their leg.
It was quiet for a long while, surprisingly no one coming up to greet him or coming anywhere near him really. Was he not well-liked? Did people fear him? Or was he simply despised? Nothing seemed to link up in their mind, causing them to continue to stress over these questions. That was, until the short ram hybrid he’d yet to know as Tubbo, in this instance, neared. When he caught wind of the new person walking up to him he sat up a bit straighter, trying to appear more put together than he actually was.
“Uhm, you doing okay, bossman?” Tubbo carefully asked, coughing into his fist to clear his throat a bit.
An ear flicked as Ranboo processed the question, the phrase ‘bossman’ was a bit odd to him, they didn’t remember that being a normal part of the English language… But perhaps it was a nickname! That would mean this young stranger knew him! He perked up at the realization, startling Tubbo with the sudden change in demeanor.
“You know me!” Ranboo grinned, not realizing how confusing that statement must be to someone who is unfamiliar with their predicament.
“Uhm, sure do man…” Tubbo replied nervously, growing more concerned for his new citizens’ mental well-being. “Listen, are you sure you’re okay, because you really don’t seem all there at the moment.” Tubbo decided to get to the point.
Ranboo’s grin faltered a bit, “Erm, I don’t think so…” They mumbled, looking back down to their hands now, picking at the chipped polish that they must’ve painted on at some point. “I’m not really sure where I am.”
Tubbo paused at that, more concerned than ever. He neared ever closer, hands reaching out nervously. “Did- Did you hit your head or something? Are you hurt?”
Ranboo noticed his worry and tried to smile again. “N- No, I don’t feel hurt. Just confused.” He gazed back out towards the setting sun in front of him, still about an hour away from fully setting though. “I don’t have my book, and- I’m not sure where I left it… At least- I think I have a book!” A hand rose to rake through his two-toned hair, brows pinched together as he tried to remember, even a little bit. “I must have a book, somewhere… I have to…”
Tubbo could tell all this worrying was weighing down on the poor teen, he finally set a hand on their shoulder, a hopefully comforting touch, which prompted them to look back toward him. “How about we check your house? That sounds like a good start to me!” He tried to smile reassuringly.
One of Ranboo’s own hands jumped up to grab onto the one on his shoulder, squeezing excitedly. “Y- You know where I live!?” Ranboo gasped in delight. Tubbo could’ve sword he could see stars in their misty eyes.
“Oh, Ranboo- O- Of course! Here, I’ll take you home right away. God, I should’ve thought of that sooner! Of course you don’t remember where you live, fucking stupid! The ram continued to beat himself up as he adjusted his hand still in Ranboo’s grip to better help Ranboo to their feet, earning a smile of gratitude as they stood on shaky legs.
Both failed to notice that their hands continued to stay linked as they walked down the many pathways of New L’manberg, on their way to Ranboo’s house. And later on, they’d find that they didn’t mind one bit.
…..
The next time it happened it was not so easy. At this point, it had been a long while since Ranboo had lost his memory completely. He’d still forget things now and then but that was about as bad as it got, thankfully. Now, years later, Ranboo and Tubbo had married, adopted a kid, and bought a house, nearly everything about their lives was different. And Tubbo didn’t think much about Ranboo’s major memory loss episode since he stumbled upon it. Once they got ahold of their memory book things started to seemingly fall back into place, they remembered Tubbo’s name, where he lived, and the names of other people he’d met; it soothed Tubbo that they were able to recollect it so swiftly after losing it so seemingly fast.
But little did he know that the facts Ranboo spouted off weren’t from recollection, but instead from him just desperately attempting to re-remember what had already been lost. Ranboo was never able to reclaim his past memories, but only able to re-learn bits and pieces and attempt to forget the memory loss ever happened. And boy did it sure fool everyone.
At that point, no one knew Ranboo personally, no one knew what they acted like before they lost those memories, and now they never will. Although Ranboo was still there among them, he was not the same person he was just a few years ago, and no one had any idea, and simply went along with their lives.
That was until one night. A thunderstorm struck the lands, causing everyone to hurry inside their homes and lay in bed until it passed over. Everyone, except Ranboo. They had been out mining, specifically searching for new caves, and ended up getting a tad bit lost, resulting in them getting caught up in the storm. He’s no longer sure how it happened, memory now long gone. All he knew was his name, that he was deathly allergic to water, and that he was stuck in a storm. So now they sit at the base of a large tree, desperately hugging themselves closer to the trunk as unwanted tears slip down their flushed face, causing streams of scars on their cheeks.
He whined at the burning sensations, crying out when another burst of thunder echoed through the air. Distantly they could hear small beeps emanating from somewhere nearby, but they were far too caught up in hysterics to even attempt at finding the source. So there they sat, crying out for anyone to save them, any form of shelter, burn cream, healing pots, anything, anything, anything. His long neatly manicured nails nearly broke layers of skin as he squeezed their arms desperately.
It seemed like forever until they heard the sound of a voice, a voice calling out… Their name?
Ranboo’s head snapped up, trying to figure out where the voice came from. Rows of trees greeted their view until suddenly a form of a human was seen a couple of meters away, looking around wildly, their long hair which looked like would normally cover their eyes when dry, whipped around as drops of water dripped from the ends, no doubt hitting them in the face as the whipped around as they yelled, but it didn’t seem to matter to them.
He figured this was now or never for being found, so he raised his head a bit further from the ball he’d pressed himself into, craned his neck as if to get closer to the figure, as if it’d make his voice any louder, and yelled.
“I’m here!!” They cried desperately, voice cracking at the volume, no thanks to his constant crying all afternoon.
Immediately their head whipped in his direction, eyes blown wide. They seemed to have thankfully noticed him, and they ran without worrying about slipping in the slick mud, like the only thought on their mind was… Him…
“Oh god, Ranboo!” Tubbo cried, sliding down to his knees, not wasting any time worrying about his soggy jeans. “Are you okay? Fuck, of course you’re not okay you’re soaking wet- God, and your face-” A loud sniffle was heard, Tubbo must’ve been crying too. Not that it was that noticeable with all the rain in his face anyway. “Don’t worry, Boo. I’ll clean this all up when we get home. Fuck, you had me worried sick when you weren’t answering your communicator! But-” He gave a sharp sigh, slicking his wet hair back with a hand in order to get it out of his eyes. “At least you’re okay.”
Tubbo gazed at Ranboo with a look that he could only describe as filled with love , so much love in fact that he didn’t feel was deserved. He didn’t think he knew this person, yet here he was fussing over him like an overprotective mother, although it probably wasn’t right to say ‘overprotective,’ he was probably being the right amount of protective in this moment.
Clearly, they must know the ram hybrid in front of them, but sitting in silence and just letting this all happen didn’t feel right either. “I… I’m sorry but- Do…” He blinked more tears out of his eyes in order to attempt to look the other in the face clearly. “D- Do I know you?”
When the teen’s face in front of him falls he was quick to backtrack. “I- I mean, clearly we must know each other!” They waved their hands sporadically, attempting to save any piece of this conversation, do anything to bring the smile back on his face- “O- Otherwise why would you be looking for me?” He gave a forced laugh, which soon turned into wheezes which then turned into harsh coughs. It seemed the rain had started to get to him.
Tubbo slowly reached out, wanting nothing more than to rest a reassuring hand on his husband's back, yet held himself back. “You… Don’t remember..?”
The enderman hybrid peered up at the other, fearing they had ruined any chance of getting out of the rain, or any chance of reconnecting with someone who once knew them. “I…” They managed to get out, before hunching back down again, this time tears spilling over once more. “I’m sorry!” He sobbed.
Tubbo sat back for a moment. “This is just like…” Then, his eyes lit up. A bit hesitantly, he reached out to his what used to be husband, cupping their head gently in his hands, encouraging their head to lift up to meet his gaze. “It’ll be okay, Ranboo. I’ll get you back home, I’ll get your book! That’s what you need right? Then you’ll be better?”
The book. That’s what Ranboo needed! Then he’d learn why Tubbo cares so much about him, where he lives, who he was… And all will go back to normal.
He gazed up, the last of his tears slipping from his cheeks. “Yeah, I’ll be all better.”